NEW YEAR'S NEWS-'KITS TO GO'!:

Hello there! I hope you had a wonderful Christmas with family & friends. According to the scale, mine was a little TOO wonderful! Since we are approaching a new year, I've decided to make a few changes and I'm really excited to share them with you. As some of you know, our daughter Olivia and her son Quinten live with us and we babysit while she's working. Quinten just turned 1 today-YAY!-and he's becoming quite the active little boy! I just turned 50, and I wish I was as active! I've made the tough decision to postpone holding events in my home for the time being. Some days it's a challenge just to get across the room without the little 'Cling-On' latching on. We went through this several years ago with our other daughter, so I pretty much know what my days are going to look like for the next couple of years: Vaseline smeared on doors, Comet dumped down vents, Black Sharpies scribbled on wallpaper:)...So I've decided this time around to be a little kinder to myself and not add any more stress to this chaotic stage of our life. Instead, I'm offering 'Kits to Go'. The above card is one of 3 cards that will be included in this month's Kit. I got the idea for the adorable snowman from Stacia Sloma @ www.stampzone.blogspot.com. Her card is posted on December 12, 2012.

 Here's how the 'Kits to Go' will work. At the beginning of each month I will have 3 cards posted on my blog. Each kit will contain all the components for those 3 cards, including envelopes.

I will post detailed instructions for assembling the cards over 3 consecutive days. As per SU!'s Independent Demonstrator Agreement, I'm not allowed to stamp the images in the kit. You will need to do the stamping, but you will be able to customize your cards for the occasions needed. I can, however, punch what needs to be punched, so your kits will come to you with all the punching done! The cost for each kit is $12. If you are a Club Member or a member of my Downline, the cost is $9. If you're local and want to pick up your Kit, there will be no shipping fee obviously. If you'd like your Kit mailed to you, there will be an additional $3 fee for shipping & handling.

I will post several pictures of each card and give detailed instructions for assembling the cards. I will also list all of the supplies used for each card in case you decide you want to purchase the stamp set or other products. While it's not necessary to purchase any items, I do highly recommend purchasing a Stamp-A-Ma-Jig for proper alignment on punched out pieces.

If you are interested in purchasing supplies to make the cards, you might want to consider joining a Club. You will earn free products of your choice when it's your month to be Hostess. You'll also receive a free Idea Book & Catalog, and have 2 Mini Catalogs mailed to you twice a year.

Also, new for 2013, I'm offering a Rewards Program. Each dollar you spend with me equals 1 point. When you've reached 500 points, you get a $50 shopping spree. And if you're a Club Member, you earn DOUBLE points when it's your month as Hostess! This program is replacing the 50/50 Club.

If you're a person who prefers to stamp alone, this will be a perfect option for you. You can go at your own pace, and you don't have to share supplies! If you prefer to stamp with a group, you can take turns stamping at a friends house. Just have everyone bring their Kit, a few stamp sets and ink, and you're all set for a fun Girl's Night Out! Also, it will be easy to make multiple cards since you'll have all the pieces in the Kit to duplicate. Okay...on to the first card...

The Kits will come with your cardstock base scored and folded. Also, the scoring will be done for any fancy fold cards, as in the above card.

The measurement for this card is 11 1/2" x 5 1/4". I scored it at 3 3/4", 4" and 7 3/4". Turn the cardstock around (don't flip over), and measure up 1 1/2" from the bottom left corner, mark and cut a diagonal with your paper trimmer, to the score line. I found a template for this at www.apaperiejourney.blogspot.com if you need more details.

If you purchase the Kit, I will have all of the above done for you, and this is what it will look like. The Sticky Strip will also be in place where needed. Run glue along the diagonal, on the same side that has the Sticky Strip and adhere the Whisper White Dotted Scallop Ribbon piece to the diagonal as shown. Trim the ends off of the scallop trim piece and remove the covering on the Sticky Strip. Press down to form a pocket. This will hold a packet of hot chocolate. Stamp the inside sentiment in Whisper White Craft ink. Set with the Heat Tool or let dry.

For the snowman, line up the circles as shown, butting the largest one along the right side of the 5 1/2"x 2 3/4" Whisper White piece. Leave enough space to trace around it.

Trace around each of the circles to form the snowman and cut out. You'll want to stamp the sentiment on the snowman before you get him assembled, in case you stamp crooked-like I did. It will be much easier to redo if you don't have him all done and attached...grrr.

Next, you'll want to stamp his face. I used the Stamp-A-Ma-Jig and started with his eyes in Basic Black ink. Do his cheek before you stamp his mouth so you don't get black smeared onto it. I dabbed a Q-Tip in Pink Pirouette and tapped it in a circle. Before you stamp his mouth, you might want to lay his nose in place to get proper placement for his mouth. The Stamp-A-Ma-Jig works great for getting his smile exactly where you want it.

For his nose, draw a carrot shape from one of the points on the Boho Blossom and cut out. I attached it with a Dimensional sliver.

After you have his face done, tie the ribbon around the snowman on the left side in a knot. Then color the Rhinestone jewels with a Black Sharpie and let dry. Adhere the Baja Breeze Patio Party DSP to the front of the card with SNAIL. Then adhere the snowman on top with SNAIL.

String the Pool Party Baker's Twine through the Brights Button. I held the Baker's Twine down with a small piece of Sticky Strip, trimmed off the excess twine, and attached a Glue Dot. Flag the end of the Real Red DSP and adhere with SNAIL. Add the button.

Finally, add the stars with Glue Dots and attach the Rhinestone buttons. Stamp your envelope with Baja Breeze stars or snowflakes if desired. Make sure to check back tomorrow to see the second card that will be featured in the Kit, and on Monday for the final card. Hopefully, I'll have a PayPal button added by Monday, so you can sign up and pay for a Kit. Or if you're local, you can e-mail me. The deadline to sign up and pay for the Kit will be Saturday, January 5th. So make sure to check back if you're interested! I hope you like this frosty friend, and are as excited about the new year as I am! Thanks so much for stopping by. See you tomorrow! Supplies are listed below:

STAMPS: Stylin' Snowfolk-126285w/126287c
                  Got Treats-119114w/120627c
                  You Are Loved-123777w/123779c
PAPER: Whisper White-100730
               Pumpkin Pie-105117
               Real Red-102482
               Patio Party DSP-126916
               Brights Paper Stack-117155
INK: Basic Black Pad-126980
         Real Red Pad-126949
         Pink Pirouette Pad-126956
         Whisper White Craft Pad-101731
         Pumpkin Pie Marker-105115
PUNCHES: Merry Minis Punch Pack-126882
                    1 3/8" Circle Punch-119860
                    1 3/4" Circle Punch-119850
                    2 1/2" Circle Punch-120906
                    Boho Blossom Punch-119858
                    Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border Punch-119275
RIBBON: Real Red Stitched Ribbon-126875
                 Pool Party Baker's Twine-125574
ACCESSORIES: Brights Buttons-119747
                             Basic Rhinestone Jewels-119246
TOOLS: Heat Tool-129053
               Simply Scored-122334
               Stamp-A-Ma-Jig-101049
               Bone Folder-102300
ADHESIVES: Dimensionals-104430
                        Sticky Strip-104294
                        SNAIL
MISC.: Black Sharpie
             Q-Tip