New Blog, New Start!

I'm not sure how many of you follow me on my YouTube channel, but a couple days ago I made an announcement. It was a pretty large announcement, so I just wanted to share it here on my blog as well.

Long story short, I will no longer be a Stampin' Up! demonstrator. This was a rather hard decision for me because I love the product and I loved being able to get 20% off. I'm not sure if you know this, but Stampin' Up! has a $300 minimum to stay an active demonstrator, that was $100 a month just on Stampin Up! I found myself buying mostly Stampin' Up! products, just to keep myself active. I was no longer buying to enjoy, but buying because my quarter was almost up and I hadn't met my minimum yet. I was no longer happy with my crafting purchases and it made me a little depressed in the crafting area. I lost all motivation to create because I felt tied down to certain products. It took all of the inspiration out of me. I am not a person that can stick to one thing. I like using various products from various companies. I also love the fact that I can take my crafting in any direction I choose.

With that said, I have a new blog. It's been up for a while now, but no where near how active I would like it to be. This is a place for me to start over. A place to create with anything I feel inspired to create with. This is a place where I don't need to limit myself to just card making or scrapbooking. I want to branch out into other crafting mediums as well. The possibilities are endless!

My new blog is www.jennuinecrafts.com

I really love my new blog name. It feels perfect for this new change in my life. The word genuine means authentic, real, sincere. Then of course since my name is Jennifer or Jenn, I would have a little play on words. Then of course crafts is self explanatory. So that's how Jennuine Crafts came to be.

Head on over and see what I've been up to. Expect much more over at Jennuine Crafts from here on out.

Stampin' Up! Online Extravaganza

I Made Top Three

I made top three over at Sentimental Sundays for my wedding card.  I'm so proud!  :-)

 

This Year's Christmas Card

Today's card is for the challenge over at Inking It Up Crazy.  We are challenging you to create a card with a different type of fold.  Something that is not your "normal" style. 

For today's card I decided to create a gate fold card.  It's definitely not a card that I make all the time, but it's very simple.  The holiday season is always a busy time and this year I am hosting Thanksgiving at my house.  So things are crazier than usual.  I was able to make this card in 15 minutes!!  It's great because it still has a lot of detail.

As you can see, I even finished off the inside of the card. 

I think I'm going to end up making this my Christmas cards for this year.  They were very simple to make a also a lot of fun.  Everything on this card is SU! except the pattern paper.  If you are interested in ordering SU! product, please visit my online store.

Now onto the videos that explain a little challenge of my own.  

I Do.

Recently, there was a bridal shower for a teacher at my work and I made her a card.  I love this card so much and I'll most likely make a tutorial for it because I loved it so much.  She's actually getting married today 11.11.11  How cool is that! 

Recipe

card stock: Whisper White, Very Vanilaa, Basic Black

accessories: Basic Pearls

punch: Punch Pack

My favorite part of this card is the dress.  I hand drew and cut out this dress.  I just sketched it on my grid paper and it worked perfectly.  Oh the wonders of grid paper.

Challenges

Sentimental Sundays (Wedding or Anniversary Card + Sentiment)
More Than Favors (Bling, Button, Brads)

I'm Thankful For...

I'm really excited because this year I am hosting Thanksgiving at my house.  It's our first year in a "real" house and I knew that I wanted to start hosting holidays.  I hate trying to fit everything in and drive all around the place.  I'm a person that loves hosting things and not only do I not have to drive, but I also get to feel happy and excited when I see people having fun.

Today over at Inking it Up Crazy we were challenged to make a project that represents something we are thankful for.  I am thankful to my family and the fact that we are able to start new traditions that will last us a life time.  Here is the Thanksgiving invitation I will be mailing out.

 Recipe (all supplies are Stampin' Up)

card stock: Whisper White, Pumpkin Pie

Stamp Sets: Teeny Tiny Wishes, Warmest of Wishes (Hostess Set)

Embellishments: Springtime Vintage Button (discontinued), Pumpking Pie 1/4 Grosgrain ribbon

Punches: Scalloped Edge Border

Make sure to head on over to Inking it Up Crazy and play along with us!

Additional Challenges 

 Simon Says Stamp (Anything Goes)

CAS-ual Fridays (Sketch)

Paper Cutz (Leaves)

Halloween Treat Bags

Today at Inking It Up Crazy we are showing you some cute treat bags that you can hand out this Halloween.  Here is my take on the treat bag.

Have you seen the new treat bags from Stampin' Up?  If you haven't, you need to check them out.  They are perfect for making little treats and it's only $2.50 for 50 of them!  I'm going to be making a class set of them for my students every holiday this year.  They are so easy to use.

Supplies Used

SU! Card Stock: Tangerine Tango, Rich Razzleberry, Whisper White, Basic Black

SU! Ink: Basic Black, Rich Razzleberry

Punches: 1" Square, Postage Stamp

Dies: Peekaboo Frames

Tools: Big Shot

Treat Bags

  
  

Featured Products

1" Square Punch     124094
Price: $15.95

Use this new punch with the 25 and Counting Set and Peekaboo Frames Bigz L Die to create a personalized advent calendar. Or use with the Petal Card Double Punch to create darling gift tags. 

Postage Stamp Punch     122344
Price: $15.95

The Postage Stamp Punch coordinates with the adorable Pretty Postage Set and is the perfect tool for creating unique tags, cards, and scrapbook embellishments for your summer projects!

Peekaboo Frames Bigz L Die     124587
Price: $32.95

This variety of five little window die frames lets you create your own personalized advent calendar in a cinch! Or use for a window or frame on your next card. Designed to coordinate with the 25 and Counting Set and the 1" Square Punch. Includes five window frames—largest measures 2-7/8" x 2-5/8". Use with Standard Cutting Pads. Die measures 6" x 8-3/4". 

   
1" X 8" Cellophane Bag     124134
Price: $2.50

Narrow cellophane bags perfect for filling with a row of treats, a pencil, or anything! Great for gifts—add a tag or topper you’ve created using any punch or Big Shot die. Adhesive on top keeps everything inside. Each measures 1" x 8". 50 per package. 

To order any of the above product or to search my online store, CLICK HERE. 

Make sure to head on over to Inking It Up Crazy to play along with us!