Papercrafts and more with Lynnzcrafters
stamps, ink, paper
Aloha, thank you so much for helping me earn this gorgeous incentive trip to Maui! Ethan and I arrived yesterday, we are now in paradise with a gorgeous view of this chapel and the ocean. I will pop some photos on here this week while we are staying at the Grand Wailea and just wanted to thank you all for helping me to earn this trip!
Don’t forget I am offering double owl reward points and extra free thank you gifts for any online orders this week while I am away!
Love
Lynn
Hi there friends, First of all, I want to wish all of you a very Happy Thanksgiving! May your turkey be juicy and your potatoes not lumpy!
Did you notice anything new here on my blog?? How do you like my new header and buttons? The amazing Justin Krieger of jkcardsonline.com created all my new elements!! Didn’t he do a fabulous job? I feel like such a grown up! The owls were cute, but I’ve had them for over 6 years now, time for a blog and Facebook make-over. I have matching business cards and return address labels now too. I’d love to know what you think!
Last, but not least, I wanted to share some photos of my 2nd (Annual) Creative Christmas Retreat! I started this event last year, I wanted a way to include everyone on my team at an all day crafting event. They couldn’t all attend, so I invited some special friends to fill up the room. I’m thankful to have been able to have this event at the Clifton Park Elks again this year, and Mike Bloss outdid himself with delicious spread for breakfast, lunch and dinner! Friends brought some yummy snacks to share as well!
I found this terrific game online and thought this would be perfect for the ladies to play throughout the day and earn some raffle tickets!
This area is the lending library, I brought dozens of my stamps, punches, dies, big shots, and paper cutters. 
This ballroom is huge, and provided us with ample space for crafting all day!
You can see Kathy and Amye hard at work helping me to set up each spot.
My fabulous helpers Kathy, Amye, and Patty helped me set the room up so everyone had a nice work area and their Stampin’ Up! products and gifts were waiting for them at their spot. Everyone received this canvas zippered tote bag, ceramic mug, Let it Snow embellishment kit, Jingle Bells, Snowflake Sequins, and Snowfall Accents Puff Paint! Then the items inside the snowman gift bag were all the pre-cut paper supplies they used to assemble my 8 Make and Take projects! The hot cocoa here was for one of the M&Ts.
we had this cute little hot cocoa station and the girls were able to use their own mug that was part of their gift. 
Could you guess what my theme was? Let it snow… How cute is this little snowman sign?

I feel so blessed that my team and friends from near and far were able to come together for this day. My friend Jacki came all the way from New Hampshire! And Nancy, Addie and Susan are my bingo regulars, so happy they could join us!
Nellie came all the way from Saugerties! Sue and Theresa came from Queensbury! And Amye didn’t have far to travel, but she came early and stayed late to help me with set up and clean up! Thanks friend!
Three of these ladies (Lisa, Jess and Nicole) came from Johnstown. I’m so touched that so many traveled a great distance to come to this event! Look at those sharp Ott lights Cindy and Sheila brought, cool right?
Laurie came over last week to help me punch and die cut almost everything we needed for all the M&Ts. Patty also helped with set up and clean up. Thanks friends. Molly and Jill made some gorgeous cards!
Pam and Elizabeth came from the North Country and they joined Annette, Mandy and Linda at this table.
MaryBeth helped me out by cutting out all the candy canes we needed for a M&T, thanks MB! Kathy is always there for me, every event, she is my right arm and such a treasured friend, thanks Kath! Gail and Tiffany joined them here.
Last but not least, these four friends joined us for the first time, many thanks Barb, Chelsea, Jen and Bobbi for attending!
Altogether we had 30 people come to stamp for the day, I did have two who weren’t able to make it and I’m still working on their projects for them… hopefully I’ll get a chance to finish them this weekend. 
I used all the hostess rewards from placing all the retreat orders and got 5 raffle bundles and they were able to put their tickets in whatever bag they wanted. 
My friend Amye made these cute mugs, can you see what it says? “Sip, stamp, repeat”. She used her cricket and vinyl to make these.  Thank you so much for donating two of your mugs to the raffle!
Ready to see the projects everyone made? 
The gold pizza Box featuring Perfectly Plaid bundle, this can hold a small gift, jewelry, candy or even a gift card.
Some delicious Ghirardelli Hot Cocoa and stick candy canes.
Some cool mint tic-tacs
This beautiful ice skate card could easily be turned into a gift card holder as well.
This little snow globe shaker card was the only die cutting the ladies needed to get up to cut on their own… The Night Before Christmas Memories and More card pack with envelopes was the base of the card.
The mini curvy keepsakes dies are amazing, I saw this cute snowman on Pinterest and couldn’t believe how easy it was to make!
The copper tea tins hold more than tea- you can fit some homemade chex mix, fudge, cookies, hot cocoa, tea bags, or even a gift card in here!
Last but not least, this little pillow box was a breeze to put together, the heart is from the dog punch, and then the Christmas cups of cheer dies made the perfect snowman cup. This held some marshmellows and could fit another gift card.
Next time I’ll share all the winners of the prizes and the gifts I gave everyone throughout the day, I’ve got to run and get some of my Thanksgiving meal prep going here.
Thank you for visiting my blog today! Have a blessed Thanksgiving!
Love,
Lynn
I was so honored and excited to be invited to have a fun fall card making night at my friend Wendy’s massage studio up in Corinth. (Amethyst Springs). I invited some ladies that I knew who lived up that way and Wendy posted it on her Facebook page and we found some crafty ladies who came that we met for the first time. Wendy made a yummy dinner of meatballs and veggie lasagna, bruschetta and salad and then she had cookies and cheesecake for dessert. We made four cards and everyone enjoyed the evening so much they asked me to come back and do Christmas cards, so we will be getting together again on Thursday night November 29, let me know if you’d like to be invited to this Christmas card get together.
Here are the four cards we made last night:
This card is a CASE of one of the beautiful cards my downline Lisa made for me last month. I modified it as we were using the sunflowers in another card. The secret to making these adorable little fences was a dryer sheet under the card stock. It worked like a charm.
This was a card I created and used for my card swap by mail with 21 other demonstrators that I participated in last month.
This card was modified slightly from a card I received from Sandy C. in a card swap by mail with 21 other demonstrators that I participated in last month.
Wendy gave me this adorable burlap adorned photo holder that worked out perfectly to hold my sample card. Specially came in handy since I forgot my giant close pins that I normally use to keep cards up high so everyone can see them.
What do you think? I always love to hear from you and see what you think of the cards, is there anything you would do differently?
Did you hear the good news that Stampin’ Up! added a lot of new items to the clearance rack? Things are marked up to 60% off their original retail price. Check it out today.
Welcome to my blog!
I am throwing my hat in the ring for Stampin’ Up! to consider me to be a display stamper for Orlando’s OnStage event in November. I absolutely love all of our stamps, ink, paper, ribbons, embellishments and I treasure the opportunity to come up with some projects to inspire everyone. Thank you for considering me.
Would love to hear what you think about some of my favorite projects. The rules stated we needed to submit three cards, two 3-D objects, and two scrapbook pages.
I am thrilled that 7 of my team, and many wonderful stamping friends, will be at the Orlando OnStage event with me.
Thank you for visiting me!
Lynn
Hi everyone, I wanted to show off all the wonderful swaps from our team get together on Thursday night. What a talented group of ladies, don’t you agree?
For my card I used the new dandelion wishes stamp set.
Here’s a tip if you want to re-create this card.
I used the rectangle framelit from the barn door set to create a window opening to brayer on the color.
I used some washi tape to adhere it down on my grid paper.
I used black embossing powder and versamark ink to create the dandelions and the greeting. I used our new balmy blue ink pad for the brayer and card stock.
This lovely swap card was made by the amazing Lisa Mackey!
It’s no surprise that Kara Pagerie used the new bunny bundle, how cute and colorful? Love it.
How fun and vintage is this version of dandelion wishes? Made by the wonderful Laurie Kownack.
Love Kathy Sim’s sweet card using Lilypad Lake bundle!
Isn’t this Daisy Delight card featuring the new rich razzleberry velvet trim stunning? Kudos goes to Tiffany Williams-Hart for this beauty.
And this lovely card was one of our Make & Takes by our fabulous hostess Amye Speirs.
And I brought the new Notes of Kindness Kit, such a fun and easy kit. You can make 5 each of 4 designs.
Today is the last day to enter my Comment Contest. Scroll below to leave me a reply. Be sure to include #Lynnzcrafters to be entered to win. One lucky person will be selected tomorrow-July 1st.
Thanks for stopping by! Stay cool in this heat!
Good morning stamping friends! I hope you have had a great week! Do you have fun plans for the weekend? Tomorrow we will be traveling to Syracuse to celebrate Mother’s Day with my family- looking forward to it, we have a lovely brunch at a restaurant called Justin’s Tuscan Grill and then hopefully if the weather cooperates we will head to a local park to visit and hang out together! I don’t want to show you my Mother’s Day cards/projects yet- so be sure to come back on Monday to see my creations.
Today I want to share with you four cards that I did last week at my monthly card class at a local senior center. Shout out to my friend and downline Brigid, she volunteers to come each month and help me with this class. Thanks so much Brigid!
This sweet card is one of two projects you can make from your March 2016 paper pumpkin kit! This kit made four cards of this size, and four gift card holders simply adorable!
Because I love my paper pumpkin kit so much, and I’d love to put one in your hands, because I have this prepaid gift card, I am issuing a blog candy challenge, leave me a comment about why you want a kit (what you would use it for, who you might create with, any comment about these fun kits). Be sure to leave a comment on this thread here on my blog, scroll down to the bottom and you will see a spot where you can leave a comment. Be sure to leave a comment by Tuesday, May 10 at 5 PM. I will draw one winner using a random number generator, and I will contact the winner between 8 and 9 PM to redeem this kit I will need your contact info.
This card showcases the free stamp set Stampin’ Up! gifted to us in our April 2016 paper pumpkin kit. The stamp set is called “All About Everything” and it is just gorgeous. I came up with this flower pot design to showcase a flat and simple card. What do you think? Those outgoing in colors just really pop, I used Lost Lagoon, Mossy Meadow, blackberry bliss, and hello honey. Did you stock up on these colors before they retire?
This simple card showcases three products that are carrying over to the next catalog, so glad the kit called water color wishes is carrying over, also happy about the botanical blooms set, and timeless textures from the Occasions catalog!!
This fun card is perfect for that special guy, unfortunately this stamp set called “going global” is retiring, if you want this set, you must order it by May 31!!
Here are a couple variations of this card with other sentiments.
Thank you so much for stopping by today!! I hope you have a wonderful day, don’t forget to leave me a comment if you want to be entered to win one free paper pumpkin kit! (This contest is open to everyone, my downline, customers, other demonstrators, and friends!)
If you are thinking of ordering anything this month, please use Hostess Code: 92GFRW4G
~Lynn Streifert
Independent Demonstrator, Stampin’ Up!
Shop my Online Store 24/7 on my website: http://LynnStreifert.stampinup.net
Email: Lstreifert@nycap.rr.com
If on Facebook please like my page “Lynnzcrafters”
Subscribe to our monthly Paper Pumpkin Program at https://mypaperpumpkin.com?demoid=2043263
Now booking into May and June: Sip & Stamp Party, Workshops and Classes offered in your home or mine featuring: Project Life/Memory Keeping- aka scrapbooking (paper and digital), card making, paper crafting, Big Shot die cuts (by Sizzix), and a variety of 3D objects and gift items. Think of me for Birthday Parties, Kid Crafts, baby and bridal showers, weddings, and special anniversaries or parties where you need customized invitations or decorations!
Hey there stamping friends! Do you get the whole hashtag movement? Let me fill you in on the phenomenon. A hashtag is a type of label or metadata tag used on social network and microblogging services which makes it easier for users to find messages with a specific theme or content. Users create and use hashtags by placing the hash character (or number sign) # in front of a word or unspaced phrase, either in the main text of a message or at the end. Searching for that hashtag will then present each message that has been tagged with it.
For example, on the photo-sharing service Instagram the hashtag #bluesky allows users to find images that have been tagged as containing the sky, and #cannes2014 is a popular tag for images from the 2014 Cannes Film Festival. Hashtags can be used to collect public opinion on events and ideas at the local, corporate, or world level. For example, searching Twitter for #worldcup2014 returns many tweets from individuals around the globe about the 2014 FIFA World Cup. I often label my photos on instagram with the #lynnzcrafters #stampinup or #stampinupdemo so that people can easily find, and hopefully like, my work. So there you have it, a hashtag is a shortcut to find all the similar photos around that theme! #yourwelcome!
This amazing lady is Shannon West, she is the Demonstrator Training Manager at Stampin’ Up! and she is the genius creator of a hand-carved stamp using the popular hashtag #imbringingbirthdaysback (remember when we used to have the “Undefined kit and could carve our own stamps?)
Shannon felt that social media was ruining how we celebrated birthdays and she started a movement to mail her friends and family a handmade birthday card (she even makes a lot of her own envelopes too!). Here is the whole story: http://www.stampinup.com/home/en-US/blog-post/corporate-blog/2016/02/10/lets-all-bring-birthdays-back
Well, Stampin’ Up! was so impressed with the huge out-pouring of support that they decided to team up with Shannon, and they created a version of her stamp! (It is a tad smaller so it will fit on landscape or portrait orientation of your cardstock).
I’m also hopping on the birthday movement! If you would like to receive a handmade card from me for your birthday, please email me your address and birthday, and you will receive a card from me! (it might be a little late, as I’m trying to work out a consistent schedule).
want to join in the fun? You can get your own #imbringingbirthdaysback stamp in my online store, just click the photo and it will take you there!
I think birthdays are special, and I would love to celebrate YOUR birthday!
thanks for stopping by today! Have a great day!
If you are thinking of ordering anything this month, please use Hostess Code: RPZTFEHT
Thanks so much for stopping by have a great day!
~Lynn Streifert
Independent Demonstrator, Stampin’ Up!
Shop my Online Store 24/7 on my website: http://LynnStreifert.stampinup.net
Email: Lstreifert@nycap.rr.com
If on Facebook please like my page “Lynnzcrafters”
Subscribe to our monthly Paper Pumpkin Program at https://mypaperpumpkin.com?demoid=2043263
**I have just a couple openings for March and April due to vacation plans/holidays…so contact me if you want to book a party: Sip & Stamp Parties, Workshops and Classes offered in your home or mine featuring: Project Life/Memory Keeping- aka scrapbooking (paper and digital), card making, paper crafting, Big Shot die cuts (by Sizzix), and a variety of 3D objects and gift items. Also, think of me for Birthday Parties, Kid Crafts, baby and bridal showers, weddings, and special anniversaries or parties where you need customized invitations or decorations!
Many of us Stampin’ Up! Fans have been eagerly awaiting this day- June 2nd- the day the new catalog launches and the old 2014-15 Annual Catalog and 2015 Occasions Catalog are all available at the same time! This is the LAST day to get retiring items, but you can mix your order with new as well.
My favorite set in the new catalog is The Sprinkles of Life in fact- in my ten years of using Stampin’ Up! products, I can say it is truly my ALL time favorite Ronald McDonald House Charities® stamp set. Ronald McDonald House Charities® keeps families together while children are receiving medical treatment far from home. When you purchase the Sprinkles of Life Stamp Set, Stampin’ Up! donates $3 to the RMHC. To date Stampin’ Up! has donated over $1,000,000. to the RHMC. If you are wondering where to find it in the new catalog- it is on the inside back cover- the very last item in the catalog.
This set has a awesome coordinating, Tree Builder Punch, to cut down on fussy cutting. There is so much you can do with this stamp set and punch.
I have been having a lot of fun playing with this stamp set for the past few weeks, we were able to pre-order this last month. I am doing a Make and Take tomorrow night at a demonstrator get-together at my upline’s house, and I made my swaps and 3 other samples to showcase the versatility of this stamp and punch! Let me know what you think:
This first card is going to be our Make-and-Take.
Swaps- I wanted chocolate cupcakes, but they just didn’t look “done” to me… so I started playing.
Crystal Effects to the rescue- what do you think of this wet frosting look?
And the little cherry on top is actually from the cupcake builder punch.
This is a card I made to showcase the clouds and raindrops (case from Pinterest)
Another cupcake version.
Last but not least- this is my swap card I made for a demonstrator group I participated in by mail. Over the coming days, I will show the other awesome 19 swaps I received.
Does this look like fun, want to give Stampin’ Up! a try? Well, starting today, we are sweetening up the pot so to speak-
New recruits who join during the promotion period will receive their choice of two stamp sets from the new 2015-2016 annual catalog for free in their Starter Kit (still just $99 but you pick out $125 in products plus two additional free stamp sets- at any price!) Hurry- this offer ends June 30th, 2015.
And don’t forget today is an awesome day to order Stampin’ Up!
1. You can order from the “old” 2014-2015 Catalog at the “old” prices.
2. You can order new product from the NEW 2015-2016 Catalog
3. Your last chance to order from the Occasions Catalog
4. You can still order from the Retired List that has up to 50% off some items!
5. And don’t forget today’s Weekly Deals
6. And the Clearance Rack.
Here are the weekly deals:
What a big day! Thanks for stopping by!
If you are thinking of ordering anything this month, please use the Hostess Code: AJSRUJWU
~Lynn Streifert
Independent Demonstrator, Stampin’ Up!
Shop my Online Store 24/7 on my website: http://LynnStreifert.stampinup.net
Email: Lstreifert@nycap.rr.com
If on Facebook please like my page “Lynnzcrafters”
Subscribe to our monthly Paper Pumpkin Program at https://mypaperpumpkin.com?demoid=2043263
Sip & Stamp Party, Workshops and Classes offered in your home or mine featuring: Project Life/Memory Keeping- aks scrapbooking (paper and digital), card making, paper crafting, Big Shot die cuts (by Sizzix), and a variety of 3D objects and gift items. Think of me for Birthday Parties, Kid Crafts, baby and bridal showers, weddings, and special anniversaries or parties where you need customized invitations or decorations!
Hi there Stamping Friends! Did you like the blog hop we did yesterday? I hope you had a chance to check out the talent in the group… I know I have a few new must haves (stamp sets) after seeing their awesome work.
Once again I have been running short on time to blog about my own cards and work right now, hope to catch up this weekend- I have many new cards and projects to show you. For today, I wanted to show you the work of an amazing concept artist at Stampin’ Up! This content is from the Stampin’ Up! blog, and I wasn’t sure if you regularly checked it out or not, this is such a cute project- paper beads!! Read on and be amazed with Cindy’s gorgeous work:
Did you ever roll paper beads with toothpicks when you were a kid? I just rediscovered this fun, little craft—and making them is kind of addictive.
Just wrap a long, triangular piece of paper around a wooden skewer until you have a bead. Adhere the tail-end of the paper to the bead using a little Multipurpose Liquid Glue, then cover the bead using a thin coat of Mod Podge. Let your bead dry.
After making a few dozen of these little cuties I started to think of Easter eggs . . . and one of our new occasions catalog stamp sets—For Peep’s Sake, item # 138557—came to mind.
I used the Ornate Tag Topper Punch (item # 137416) on the top and bottom of this Easter favor to create fancy edges.
To make the beads, I used Painted Blooms Designer Series Paper (item # 137784),Best Year Ever Designer Series Paper (item # 138633), and the Rich Razzleberry designs from the Brights Backgrounds Designer Series Paper Stacks(item # 130134).
Beginning at the top of a sheet of 12″ x 12″ Designer Series Paper, score every inch on one side; on the opposite side, begin 1/2″ from the top and score every inch. Draw diagonal lines between the staggered score lines to create triangles.
The beads don’t have to be rolled up perfectly; their irregular look is part of their charm!
When my friend, Bonnie, saw my paper beads drying, she said that they reminded her of an insect collection. My immediate thought was: butterflies!
There are many ways to make paper beads from Designer Series Paper. Just do an Internet search for “paper bead templates” and you’ll find plenty! P.S. If you use elastic cord to thread your beads, put a dot of Crystal Effects (item # 101055) on the knot and allow it to dry. That will help it stay secure.
Have fun!
Cindy B. Sr. Staff Writer at Stampin’ Up!
Well what did you think?? Don’t you want to go try it now? I would love to see your work- if you want to share any of your creations with me, I’d love to see them! Have a wonderful Saturday! Thanks for stopping by today!
Good Snowy Morning to you stamping friends! I hope you all had a nice Valentine’s Day. I had a super fun morning with my awesome club ladies, then picked up my niece and nephew for an afternoon matinee at our local Scotia Movie Theater and saw Night at the Museum 3- Secret of the Tomb. I am a huge Robin Williams fan, and had been wanting to see this since it came out. It was fantastic! Then we ordered out yummy Chinese food and came home for a night of fun and a sleepover. My sister had made us a batch of yummy chocolate covered strawberries & pretzels and fudge. We had a blast playing games and spending time together. ❤
I wanted to share with you a special technique that is quite popular right now called Bokeh.
Here’s what Wikipedia has to say about Bokeh, originally a technique from photography:
In photography, bokeh (pronounced BOH-kay) is the aesthetic quality of the blur produced in the out-of-focus parts of an image produced by a lens. Bokeh has been defined as “the way the lens renders out-of-focus points of light”. Differences in lens aberrations and aperture shape cause some lens designs to blur the image in a way that is pleasing to the eye, while others produce blurring that is unpleasant or distracting—”good” and “bad” bokeh, respectively. Bokeh occurs for parts of the scene that lie outside the depth of field. Photographers sometimes deliberately use a shallow focus technique to create images with prominent out-of-focus regions.
Bokeh is often most visible around small background highlights, such as specular reflections and light sources, which is why it is often associated with such areas. However, bokeh is not limited to highlights; blur occurs in all out-of-focus regions of the image.
In order to get started, I decided to watch a You Tube video first so as to not waste time figuring out how to do this technique. The one I watched was by Diane here is the link if you want to check it out: http://youtu.be/1hnLvIDciSE
Here are some photos to show you the steps I took:
So this is how I prepped my watercolor paper- adhere to a waterproof mat with washi tape.
Saturate the watercolor paper with water using aqua painter.
Swirl some ink (use reinkers) and start with lightest color first.
Apply more colors and keep layering until you get a background that you like. I wasn’t happy with the lost lagoon and daffodil delight turning green when they bled together, so I went in again with just lost lagoon (blue) and blackberry bliss and covered all the green and yellow. Luckily with watercolor paper you can keep layering.
While that was drying I used our window sheets and circle framelits to make my own stencil:
I made this stencil while waiting for the last layer to dry. Definitely do NOT try to use your punches on acetate or window sheets… the punch will jam up and break- believe me, I speak from experience on this one. Use the circle framelits on the magnetic platform, and this stencil will be reusable. Since the paper wasn’t dry, I had to use my heat gun tool to dry the paper. It has to be bone dry when you go to use the stencil, or the colors will bleed.
So you can see that this has some complicated steps, but really not tooooo hard, if you aren’t in a hurry or anything. Just take your time and be sure to let everything dry completely before moving on to another step.
So this is my finished card… I wasn’t 100% happy with this one and knew I was going to try bokeh again, decided to make a cute sign for my office using the frame I received from my Christmas exchange (I won Judy’s tag creations and she had mounted them to a photo holder). So back to the watercolors, this time I decided to use painter’s tape (using the washi tape is fine if you are going to wait for layers to dry, when I used the heat gun to speed things along, the washi tape pulled up around the edges).
Round 2, learned from my mistakes:
This piece just used Blue Lagoon and Blackberry Bliss ink.
I also omitted yellow on the second version. And definitely used the heat gun to thoroughly dry the completed watercolor paper.
I could tell that I was in love with this version as soon as the craft white ink started to dry, stunning.
I did adhere this to a piece of basic black card stock for a firm flat finished piece, added our basic rhinestones in a couple stragetic spots, and added some ribbon trim at the top for a decorative finish.
The first card took me about 45 minutes as I was learning the technique as I went. The second piece in the frame took me about 32 minutes from start to finish. I tell you this in case you want to make a “WOW” card for someone. I think I will be doing this as a special Make & Take for my downline team at our retreat in April. It’s not something that I think I could do in club or a card class, due to all the steps and drying time.
I’d love to hear what you think of my version of the bokeh technique, please leave me a comment… what colors would you like to see in the bokeh technique- with all this snow today, maybe I’ll make another card. Let me know if you have any questions… I’m happy to help you learn this technique too. What other techniques would you like me to tackle on the blog? Yes, I’m taking special requests now too.
I wanted to let you know that I am so honored to be participating in a Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator Blog Hop on the 20th of every month! We start this month- so be sure to come back on Friday and check out 13 talented demonstrators and their blogs. Here’s our logo that was designed by the amazing Amber!
Have a wonderful day, and thanks a million for coming to visit my blog today!
Papercrafts and more with Lynnzcrafters 