Thanks and Welcome!

What a great month it's been!

One of my favorite things to do is welcome new team members to my Trinity Design Stampers Team and this month, there were a LOT of cards and team handbooks to send out! I'm so proud of my downline team, they've really hit their stride with inviting their stampin' friends to join our family - this Mama is so excited for them!

I also love to send a special card to all of my clients who place an order through my website. Since I don't get to see them in person, I want them to get a warm "Thank You" because I appreciate their business SO much.

This month, I decided to use the same card for both groups of special people, I just changed out the greeting. Here, take a look:

It's actually a pretty simple card element wise, but as with many things, it's the little details that make all the difference.
My card base is Sahara Sand cardstock and I stamped the front with the Woodgrain Background stamp in Sahara Sand ink.
The leaves were cut out with the new Autumn Accents Big Shot Die in Riding Hood Red, More Mustard and Always Artichoke cardstock. Once they were cut out, I used a variety of Embossing Folders for my Big Shot to give them texture and depth - Houndstooth, Chevron and Argyle.

Both greetings came from a special stamp set that all of us who attended our National Convention last year received - Workshop Words. I stamped the greetings with Riding Hood Red and punched them out with either the Scalloped Circle Punch or the Extra Large Oval Punch. The edges were sponged with Crumb Cake ink and they were added to the card front with Stampin' Dimensionals. The little button is from the new Naturals button pack and is tied with some Linen Thread. I adhered them with Glue Dots.

For a fun final touch, I used my Early Espresso Stampin' Write Marker with the Color Spritzer Tool and added a few spritzes for a little more texture.

This would be an easy card to recreate for any Fall occasion, just change out the greeting!

Well, I'm off to the studio today - scrapbook designing for next week!
Have a wonderful day and go stamp something fun!
~~Robin

The BIG One! Stamps on SALE!

 TODAY'S THE DAY!

ONE DAY ONLY!
STAMPIN' UP! STAMPS ON SALE!

  

THIS IS BIG! YOU DON'T WANT TO MISS IT!!

Wow! Stampin' Up!'s FIRST EVER ONE DAY Stamp Sale!

Almost ALL Stamps will be discounted 15% off for just 24 HOURS

You have until 1:50 AM TONIGHT if you are ordering from my Stampin' Up! website

(That's midnight Mountain Time - SU! time)

http://www.robinstamps4u.stampinup.net

 

This means all stamps in the current catalogs including

Clear-Mount Stamp Sets
Wood Mount Stamp Sets
A La Carte Stamps
Background stamps
Personalized name stamps
Cookie press stamps 
NEW! Single-image stamps
 

 The Sale DOES NOT include         

Hostess sets       

Bundled stamp sets 

Digital stamp brush sets

There is no minimum purchase, and no limit to the number of stamps you can order.

Don't delay! 

You only have until Midnight MT (1:50 am EST) to place your order and receive 15% off the Best Stamps in Crafting today!

HOW TO PURCHASE:

VISIT my Website at: http://www.robinstamps4u.stampinup.net

Click the SHOP NOW Button at the top right corner to enter the store and fill your shopping cart.

OR

E-mail me your order at: stampwithrobin@yahoo.com

Include your Credit Card information if it's not already on file with me so I can place your order without delay.

You can also message me on Facebook at Robin Merriman OR Trinity Design Studios - Paper Crafting and Fun!

And don't forget your Three FREE Digital Downloads when you place your order through my Stampin' Up! Website! 
Here is the info:

#132557 - Enjoying Everything Digital Kit 

 • 4-piece SVG stamp brush set
• 4 DSP patterns
• 4 embellishments
Coordinating Colors: Apricot
Appeal, Basic Gray, Chocolate
Chip, Close to Cocoa, Crumb
Cake, Kiwi Kiss, Lucky Limeade,
Old Olive, Sahara Sand, Very
Vanilla, Wild Wasabi, Wisteria
Wonder

#132558 - Days in December Digital Kit

 • 33-piece SVG stamp brush set
• 29 embellishments
• 1-page 11" x 8-1/2" template
Coordinating Colors: Basic Gray,
Cherry Cobbler, Crumb Cake,
Midnight Muse, Pool Party,
Whisper White

#132562 - A Split Second Designer Template Pages

  • 12-piece SVG stamp brush set
• 3-piece SVG splatters
• 2 DSP patterns
• 4 embellishments
• 2-page 12" x 12" template
Coordinating Colors: Basic Gray,
Calypso Coral, Lucky Limeade,
Sahara Sand, Whisper White

Yep! It's a BIG DAY at Stampin' Up! Be sure to get in on all the fun and FREEBIES! 

~~Robin

A Case for Clean and Simple

One of the things I love most about being a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator is the friendships I've made along the way. I know I've told you all that before, but it's really true. And for many reasons, not the least of which is the creativity they share.

My friend Penny Thomas from Texas has one of the most distinctive styles of any stamper I know. She has a wonderfully unique way of using Whisper White and Very Vanilla that's immediately evident as a "Penny" card. During our Founders Circle Swap, I received Penny's version of our card today and I knew right away that I'd be offering it in one of my classes.

Here, take a look at my version: 

I didn't change much from the original, just the Argyle embossed background, the stamped greeting and the color. No need, her card was lovely!

I used the birthday greeting from Curly Cute and stamped it in Bravo Burgundy - a color that's not seen a lot of use in my studio in a while. The top layer of Very Vanilla was popped up on Stampin' Dimensionals and the Little Leaves Die Cut is attached with a little bit of Tombow Multi-Purpose glue. A few little Basic Pearls finishes this clean and simple card and it's ready to send!

I hope Penny's style inspires you today like it always inspires me - what can you do with Very Vanilla?

Happy stampin'!
~~Robin

Contemporary Fall

Today's card is brought to you by the letter "L" and the number 125!
HaHa!!

My friend Lynsay Mahon from Canada swapped her version of this lovely card at our Founders Circle swap in September. She had to make 125 of them - that's a lot of swaps folks!
It was so striking and elegant, I had to CASE it for my October classes.

Here's my version of her beautiful card:

I used a color palette of Basic Gray, Lucky Limeade and Whisper White. The stamp set is French Foliage - one of my favorites - and I took the greeting from Field Flowers and stamped it with Black Staz-On ink.

The focal layer was covered with a piece of scrap paper that had a 3" x 2" rectangle punched out of it with the 1" Square Punch. I used my Brayer to add Lucky Limeade ink to the open area which created the background right in the center of the cardstock.

Once the background was done, I used Clear Block "E" and added three of the leaves from French Foliage to it. I love that with the Clear Mount stamps, I can create my own customized stamp - very cool!
That stamp was inked with Basic Gray ink and stamped over the limeade rectangle. I then inked up the rain drops stamp image with Old Olive and stamped a few of those too.

The popped up leaf is stamped with Basic Gray onto Brushed Silver Cardstock and cut out with my Paper Snips. Before I mounted it with a Stampin' Dimensional, I took my Silver Stampin' Dazzzle Marker and used my Spritzer tool with it to spritz a little silver shimmer over the background. It was a test to see if it would work and it turned out great!

This card was super simple to make, but so lovely and I'm really glad Lynsay created it so I could bring the design to my clients too.

Well, I'm off to design and cut and prep for tonight's Technique Geeks and tomorrow's WOW! Christmas Cards classes. Lots of studio time today and I need to get hoppin'!

Happy stampin'!
~~Robin

Ornaments in Blue

Good morning!
I'm taking a breath today after a whirlwind couple of days here in the studio.

Both of my Snow Festival Card and Tag Classes went wonderfully yesterday! I had a full house most of the day and it was SO fun!
I love having stampers here in the studio, having fun and making friends! That's what it's all about really. Otherwise, my classroom is just an empty room with tables, chairs and pretty samples on the wall.
It's my stampers who make it come to life!

So, Christmas has been on my mind these past few days and I thought I'd share another Clean and Simple Card idea with you today.
We made this one in September here in the studio and I love the non-traditional color combo. Blues for Christmas are so fresh!

Here, take a look at my card:

I received the original of this card in my Founders Circle Card Swap. It didn't have the stampers name on the back of mine so I don't know who created it, but I used her idea and re-made it my own way.

The card base is Midnight Muse and I combined it with Whisper White cardstock. Stamping was done with Midnight Muse and Baja Breeze ink. The ornaments are stamped with the Ornament Keepsakes stamp set and then punched out using the Holiday Ornaments Framelits Dies and my Big Shot. I added Dazzling Diamonds Glitter to each ornament with my 2 Way Glue Pen and a Basic Rhinestone to the smaller one before tying a small piece of Midnight Muse Stitched Satin ribbon to the top of each one.

They are mounted with Stampin' Dimensionals on a panel of Whisper White that I'd embossed with my Big Shot and one of the Delicate Designs Embossing Folders. It looks so much like a snowflake I HAD to use it!
The greeting is from More Merry Messages and is stamped in Midnight Muse.
Take a peek on the inside and you'll see an additional ornament stamped in Baja Breeze to add a little color. :)

Here's a photo of the original card to the left of my re-design:

You can see why I decided to case this one, it's lovely!

Don't forget that the Ornament Keepsakes stamp set and Holiday Ornament Framelits are bundled together in a special package this month that gives you the stamp set, framelits, Candlelight Christmas 12 x 12 Designer Series Paper and a FREE set of the Festive Paper Piercing Pack - an awesome deal!
Here's a picture of the elements of the package:

#132263  Christmas Gift Pack (clear mount)  $55.90

Don't miss this deal - it ends on Wednesday, October 31st.
Visit my website to shop in my Online Store.
Here's the link: Robin's Online Stampin' Store
Just click on the SHOP NOW button at the top right corner to get started. The special is right on the home page for you!

Have a great Wednesday folks - I'm going to go join a gym and go to my Weight Watchers meeting.
Yep. Posting it here to keep me accountable - I've been on a weight loss journey since January and have lost 21.6 pounds. WooHoo!
BUT, I've hit a plateau and KNOW I've got to get moving. SO, I'm going to go join a new gym in our area that gives me a month to month contract so I'm not stuck if I hate it. Know what I mean?
Keep your fingers crossed friends - I've only got 23 more pounds to go to reach goal and I'm determined to get there!

Go stamp something fun!
~~Robin

Simple Victorian Christmas

Sometimes a beautiful card is one of the simplest cards.
Of all the cards I've offered in my Christmas card classes this season, this is one of my favorites.

I received the original card design while I was at Founders Circle, designed by my friend Sharon Armstrong, and I was taken with it right away.
When I recreated it for my classes, I added to it a little bit, but kept the original layout because of it's simplicity.

Here is my version of this lovely card:

I used Very Vanilla cardstock as my folded card base and mounted the embossed Early Espresso layer on it. For the embossing, I used the Lacy Brocade Embossing Folder in my Big Shot - such a beautiful background design! I then spritzed it with my own mixture of Frost White Shimmer Paint and rubbing alcohol in one of our new Spritzer bottles.

The focal image was cut with the Apothecary Accents Framelits in my Big Shot from Very Vanilla cardstock. It's stamped with a greeting from the Greetings of the Season stamp set in Cherry Cobbler ink. The evergreen is stamped from the pine needles and pine cone from the Watercolor Winter stamp set. I used Garden Green and Soft Suede to color the stamps. It's stamped again in the inside left corner as a little accent.
I added a couple of Large Pearls to the focal piece, popped it up on Stampin' Dimensionals and adhered it to the card front.
Simple. Elegant. Done!

Here is Sharon's original card next to my version:

 

One of the things I like best about being part of Stampin' Up! is that I have wonderfully creative friends and I don't have to come up with every project idea on my own. Face it, we're not all always inspired when it comes to being crafty!
I know this card was enjoyed by my stampers and I hope it's given you a fresh idea today.

You can visit my Online Store and shop for all the supplies you need to make this card. Just click this link here: Robin's Online Stampin' Store  to get started.

The Shop Now button is at the top right of the page and is your open door to the store.

I hope you all have a fun Tuesday. I'm headed into the studio for my two Snow Festival Card Classes - lots of stampin' fun going on here today!
Just because you can't be here doesn't mean you can't create, so hey, Go Stamp Something Fun!

~~Robin

Cute Apple Birthday

Happy Monday!

I'm so ready to start my week today - lots of stampin' fun headed my way here in the studio this week! We've got two Snow Festival Christmas Card classes tomorrow, Technique Geeks on Thursday and my WOW! Christmas Cards class on Friday.
Wow! Like I said, LOTS of stampin' this week!

As much as I enjoy designing Christmas cards and projects, I'm really loving all the Fall offerings in our catalogs. Today's card is one I designed for my card classes earlier this month using the Perfectly Preserved stamp set and the coordinating Cannery Framelits for the Big Shot.
Here, take a look:

The Orchard Harvest Designer Series Paper was my starting point for this cute card - I loved the apple design and built my card around it.
The color scheme is Lucky Limeade, Raspberry Ripple and More Mustard with Naturals Ivory as my neutral.

The Lucky Limeade layer is embossed with the Woodgrain folder in my Big Shot then I layered the More Mustard cardstock and Designer paper on top. Those layers are wrapped with some of that gorgeous Raspberry Ripple Stitched Satin Ribbon then topped with a matching bow.

The sweet accents I used for my focal point are stamped with images from Perfectly Preserved, then cut out with the Cannery Framelits. I stamped the apple image in Raspberry Ripple then used my Blender Pen to remove the ink from the apple seeds. They were recolored with the Early Espresso Stampin' Write Marker. Cool, huh? I popped up the jar on some Stampin' Dimensionals and added the greeting underneath. It's stamped with the Petite Pairs stamp set in More Mustard ink and punched out with the Large Oval Punch, layered on a Raspberry Ripple layer that was punched out with the Scalloped Oval Punch.

I was doin' the stampers happy dance over this card - it's just so cutely fall!
Did you know that the Perfectly Preserved stamp set and coordinating Cannery Framelits are available to you in a money saving bundle? Yep!

#129944  Perfectly Preserved Bundle  $38.95

And look at the super cute images in that stamp set! I love the cherries and the little ruffled jar lid, adorable!
You can visit my Online Store at any time and order this set before it's gone.
Click this link here: Robin's Online Stampin' Store
Once there, just click the Shop Now button at the top right corner to go shopping.

Hope your Monday is full of fall fun - I'll be in the studio today getting ready to host many of you here this week. Love it!

Happy Stampin'!
~~Robin

Fun Fall Treat!

When I was at Founder's Circle last month, I had the opportunity to make some fun projects at a local demonstrator's home.
It was a fun time and I came away with LOTS of great ideas!

This was a super cute project we made there, but I changed mine up just a bit.

We used the Gusseted Bags for the interior and filled them with popcorn. The pretzel stick "handle" is in one of our 1" x 8" Cello Bags and it's centered in the middle of the popcorn bag.

The "broom" is made with a folded paper lunch bag that we cut to make bristles around the popcorn bag. It's tied around the "handle" with Linen Thread.

As cute as the "broom" itself is, I love the little tag! It's made with the Two Tags Die and the Big Shot using Gumball Green cardstock. It's decorated with a piece of Polka Dot Designer Paper and a piece of scalloped Polka Dot Ribbon.
The original design on the tag was the witch's boot from the Bootiful Occasions stamp set, but I chose to use a leaf from the Wonderfall stamp set and a Gumball Green Dahlia accent.
Fun for Fall and super cute!

If you're local, come visit me tomorrow at the Patriot High School Craft Fair. I'll be there from 10 am - 3 pm with cute stuff for sale as well as retired stamp sets and accessories.
PLUS - if you book a private party or Card Class for November or December - YOU will get to pick a "treat" from the Candy Jar with a special Stampin' Up! prize inside too!

Hope to see you tomorrow - have a great weekend!
~~Robin

Ruffles for halloween?? Yep!

Yes, you saw that - ruffles!!
Fun paper ruffles for a sweet and SIMPLE halloween card.

My friend Julie Pitta in Washington State sent me her version of this card in a recent swap package and it was so CUTE, I HAD to make my own version.

Here, take a look!

It's simply Very Vanilla Cardstock with three 1" x 6" strips of Howlstooth and Scaringbone Designer Series Paper. I scrunched up the paper strips into ruffles and attached them to the top panel with Sticky Strip adhesive.
The ribbon is the Basic Gray Striped Satin Ribbon wrapped around the top ruffle and finished with a cute black button and White Baker's Twine bow.

The greeting is from the Seasonal Sayings stamp set in the Holiday Mini Catalog and I've colored it with Stampin' Write Markers - Basic Gray, Tangerine Tango and Garden Green.
The pumpkin on the inside is from the Jack of All Trades stamp set and can either be stamped as a regular pumpkin or jack o'lantern. Cool, huh??

We made this card in my Just Cards classes this month and I'll be offering it again this morning at Cards and Cupcakes at Cupcake Heaven in Haymarket. 10 am - Noon, I'll be there with lots of stamping fun!
Come stamp with me! It's National Chocolate Cupcake Day today so what better way to celebrate??

Happy Thursday everyone!
~~Robin

My Fab-tastic Downline Team!

It's no secret that I {heart} my Trinity Design Stampers Downline Team. I feel so very blessed to have such an awesome group of talented stampers and business women to work with each day.
For me, it's one of the BEST parts of being part of Stampin' Up! These ladies inspire me, encourage me and challenge me (in a good way), and I am better for having them in my life.

We had our monthly team meeting on Saturday and I wanted to share just a few photos of the fun we had.
I didn't get a picture of everyone, but here is a glimpse of the fun and creativity we all shared:

L to R: Diana, Carol, Michelle, Lynn

Shannon

Nancy and Stephanie

L to R: Valerie, Debbie, Michelle

Here are a few of the swaps they traded.
Michelle Suit was the swap hostess this month and she chose Treat Holders as the theme. I didn't get good photos of them all, but the ones here will inspire you, I'm sure:

Caroling Reindeer Food - Debbie Coleby

Gingerbread Luminary/Candy Box - Della Duerksen

Chocolate Angel - Diana Hickey

Monogrammed Coffee Wrap - Michelle Suit

Here are a few of the projects they brought for Show and Share. Again, I didn't get good photos of all of them, but I had to share what I did get - fantastic work!

Michelle Suit

Shannon Angel

Shannon Angel

Shannon Angel

Lynn Embrey

Lynn Embrey

Michelle Suit

Michelle Suit

After seeing these great projects, I'm sure you'll agree - I'm blessed by a terrific and talented downline team!
I'd love to have YOU join us - we have so much fun together and I know you'll fit right in.
Give me a shout via e-mail at stampwithrobin@yahoo.com OR on my Facebook Page - Trinity Design Studios - paper crafting and FUN!
We'll find a great time to chat and see how being part of Stampin' UP! and my team will give you a fun and creative boost to your days.

Have a great Wednesday!
~~Robin

Fun Christmas Tree Card

Good morning!

I want to share a fun video with you today that features my friend Shannon West from the Stampin' Up! corporate office.
Shannon filmed this video to show you how to create the cute accordion fold Christmas Tree card that's on pg. 181 of the Idea Book this year.
It's so easy and you'll love her clear directions too!
Enjoy!


If you need any of the supplies Shannon uses in the video, just visit my Online Store at this link here:
Robin's Online Stampin' Store

Click the SHOP NOW button at the top right corner to place you order.

Happy stampin'!
~~Robin

Rain or Shine - Apple Picking!

On Saturday, we set out on our annual Apple Picking trip to the Marker-Miller Orchard near Winchester, VA. Since Emma was little, we've gone every year and it's one of the fun family things we look forward to all year long.
Even though it threatened rain all day, we still managed to pick two pecks of apples that are all earmarked for pies, tarts, frying and eating!

This year we had a new addition to the party, Emma's boyfriend Hunter.
He came in pretty handy when it came to hauling all those apples around! :)

Here's a few pictures of our fun day - I'll let them tell the story. Enjoy a glimpse of my Virginia and my family. 

View from the top of the orchard towards the Shenandoah Valley

Emma enjoys one of the rocking chairs on the wide porch of the orchard building

Nothing better than Rome apples from Virginia

My beautiful apple picker

Love my girl!

Eating as much as they were picking

Yeah, they're pretty cute together.

Love the sign markers for each section

Me and my honey

I told Hunter that if he was on that side of the pole, we could crop him out if he wasn't good to Emma. Ha!

wheeeeee!!!

She gets it honest.......

The fruit of our labors - Cinnamon Apple Crostada. Yummy!

Happy Tuesday!
Back tomorrow with something crafty for you!
~~Robin