Tuesday, March 31, 2009

March Stamp Camp

This past Saturday was Stamp Camp.

Here's a recap...




Barbara provided snacks

Peeps...did you know they blow up in the microwave?


Valerie, Jessica, Robin & Amy



Robin & Amy


Central Park Card


Happy For You Card


Hoppy Easter Card


Valerie hiding behind her Watercolor Card




Christy, Sarah and Barbara


Gloria & Christy


We missed you...Claudia, Miranda and Laura!

Sale-a-Bration Ends Today!!!!


Today, March 31, is the LAST DAY to take advantage of Sale-a-Bration and earning FREE stamps! It's also the last day to take advantage of the awesome deal on the Starter Kit and FREE stamp when you join Stampin' Up!

Today is also the last day to preorder from the Occasions Mini, which allows you to earn Sale-a-Bration sets! Online Ordering can be done 24/7!

Monday, March 30, 2009

Welcome Valerie!!!!


Our group keeps getting bigger!!!

Valerie T. has joined the StampingOnTheLakefront group as a demonstrator too!

Welcome to the SU Family Valerie!!

Friday, March 27, 2009

Happy For You!


Stamps: Organic Outlines
Paper: Pretty in Pink, Rose Red & Whisper White
Ink: Versamark, Rose Red
Accessories: Clear EP, Heat Tool, Crafters Tool Kit, Old Olive 5/8 Grosgrain






cased from Stacey

Thursday, March 26, 2009

Circle Scissors Plus


Just had to share with you about the Circle Scissors Plus. I’m am looking forward to making some wonderful projects with it and there’s so many possibilities to use it for. I know I’m so excited not to have to trace around another plastic lid or container in order to get a circle! This tool helps you cut or draw circles with ease. The Circle Scissors Plus goes up to a 6 inch circle.

To shop for the Circle Scissors Plus or other Stampin’ Up! products,go to my Online Store. Click Shop Now and browse the categories.

Circle Scissors Plus


Just had to share with you about the Circle Scissors Plus. It’s in the New Spring/Summer Stampin’ Up! Idea and Catalog. I’m already making some wonderful projects with it and there’s so many possibilities to use it for. I know I’m so excited not to have to trace around another plastic lid or container in order to get a circle! This tool helps you cut or draw circles with ease. The Circle Scissors Plus goes up to a 6 inch circle.

To shop for the Circle Scissors Plus or other Stampin’ Up! products,go to my Online Store. Click Shop Now and browse the categories.

Watercolor Card



Stamps: Botanical Blooms
Paper: Basic Gray, Watercolor Paper
Ink: Red Riding Hood, Pink Pirouette, Staz-On Black
Accessories: Basic Gray Taffeta, Pearls


Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Hoppy Easter!





Stamps: An Egg-cellent Easter
Paper: So Saffron, Pretty in Pink, Bashful Blue, Certainly Celery, Whisper White, Almost Amethyst
Ink: Basic Black, SU Markers
Accessories: Ribbon Bundle, Eyelet Border Punch, Soft Subtle Brad



cased from Dawn

March Stamp Camp Favor


Stamps: Oval All
Paper: Whisper White, Almost Amethyst
Ink: Black Staz-On, SU Markers
Accessories: Scallop Oval Punch , Large Oval Punch, Certainly Celery Grosgrain Ribbon

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Central Park


Stamps: Central Park, Trendy Trees
Paper: Kiwi Kiss, Whisper White, Basic Black, Urban Oasis DSP
Ink: Kiwi Kiss and Basic Black
Accessories: Kiwi Kiss Corduroy Buttons, Valet Ribbon Originals



cased from Jessica

Red Velvet Cupcakes




Red Velvet Cupcakes

2 1/2 cups sifted cake flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
2 oz. red food coloring (two bottles)
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 eggs, at room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup buttermilk, at room temperature
1 teaspoon white vinegar
1 teaspoon baking soda

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line two 12-cup muffin tins with cupcake papers.

2. Sift together the cake flour, baking powder, and salt into a medium bowl; set aside. In a small bowl, mix food coloring and cocoa powder to form a thin paste without lumps; set aside.

3. In a large bowl, using a hand mixer or stand mixer, beat butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, about three minutes. Beat in eggs, one at a time, then beat in vanilla and the red cocoa paste, scraping down the bowl with a spatula as you go. Add one third of the flour mixture to the butter mixture, beat well, then beat in half of the buttermilk. Beat in another third of flour mixture, then second half of buttermilk. End with the last third of the flour mixture, beat until well combined, making sure to scrape down the bowl with a spatula.

4. In a small bowl, mix vinegar and baking soda. Yes, it will fizz! Add vinegar mixture to the cake batter and stir well to combine. Using an ice cream scoop, fill cupcake cups with cake batter (they should be 2/3 - 3/4 full). You may not fill all the cups, I ended up with 20 cupcakes. Place muffin tins on the middle rack of a preheated 350 degree oven. Bake for approximately 20-22 minutes, rotating pans halfway through. Cupcakes are done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Check early and don’t overbake!

5. Cool the cupcakes in their tins on a wire rack for 10 minutes then remove and allow to cool completely before frosting. Frost cupcakes with cream cheese icing (recipe below).

Cream Cheese Frosting

16 oz. cream cheese (2 packages), softened
1/2 cup unsalted butter (one stick), softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
pinch of salt

With an electric mixer, blend together cream cheese and butter until smooth. Turn mixer to low speed and blend in powdered sugar, salt and vanilla extract. Turn mixer on high and beat until light and fluffy. Use immediately or refrigerate, covered, until ready to use. If refrigerated, the frosting will need to be brought to room temperature before using (after frosting softens up, beat with mixer until smooth).

Sunday, March 22, 2009

Just 10 Days left to Sale-A-Brate!


Don't forget that there are just 10 more days to earn free stamps and accessories through Sale-A-Bration! If you haven't earned all of the free stamps that are on your list, be sure to place your order on or before March 31st!

Sunday, March 15, 2009

Three Easy Payments Option for the Starter Kit is Here!

From today through April 30, 2009, new recruits can take advantage of Stampin' Up! Three Easy Payments option for their Starter Kit.


Contact me for the details!!

Wednesday, March 04, 2009

My 1st Workshop!

February has been a month of 1sts...1st recruit (and 2nd), 1st Stamp Camp in my home, and now 1st Workshop - well it was really in March (but it was March 1st lol does that count?)

The workshop was at Carla's loft in the West Loop. Great space! She had 10 people and amazing show!




Display of cards on this awesome table made with beer caps





Card #1


Card #2



Gang









Laura & the Stay Put Bow Method

Laura showed everyone how to use the Stay Put Bow Method