Seriously....

I {heart} Paper Pumpkin (and this month's "Seriously" stamp set)!

I was so happy to come in from the snow (yes, snow) to find that my Paper Pumpkin had arrived from Stampin' Up!  **I was also relieved to see my retiring colors of ink refills on my doorstep since lots of retiring supplies have already sold out!**

Of course, this is the first month where the Paper Pumpkin kit was a complete surprise, even to demonstrators, so I couldn't wait to tear into that adorable box!

Here's what I've created so far:

I say "so far" because I like to use the negatives from the stickers to stretch the kit even further!  Maybe I'll even get to the leftovers this weekend.  A girl can hope, right?

Here's the closest I came to the original project...

I love the sayings in this kit, and for some reason the "booty" made me think of pirates and The Open Sea...

Then, I got even more adventurous.

But this last one was my favorite of the bunch.  Can you dig it?

I was so happy that this Spec-tacular single stamp is sticking around for a little longer, but unfortunately the monthly Paper Pumpkin kits are not!  Once the kit is out for the month, you've missed your chance - it's all about the surprise! 

Don't miss the next exclusive surprise kit - join www.MyPaperPumpkin.com today!

Happy Stamping!

Cristy Butzen

Independent Stampin' Up! Demonstrator

Who doesn't LOVE make & takes?

We had a fabulous demonstrator meeting this week, though I had to duck out early for a 5am start the next day.  I'm still working on finding a new work/craft balance, but our demo meetings are so inspiring, it's hard not to run straight into my craft room when I get home! Here's a peek at the Make & Takes that were provided by my creative stamping sisters: 

Oh, and "Mom" Lyssa provided one, too!

I just love that "Sent With Love" stamp set and paper!  This set is only available until the end of the month, so if you love it as much as I do, you'll want to snag it before it's gone!

Happy Stamping!
Cristy Butzen

Independent Stampin' Up! Demonstrator

Scraplifting is Not a Crime

Thanks for bearing with me while I establish a new routine as both a stamper and a Letter Carrier ~ I hope to see lots of dressed-up envelopes passing through my hands!

Here's what I've been working on over the last few days (not the fastest scrapper, am I?).

The first thing you may notice is that I am actually on this page.  In a photo!  This is a big deal for me, people!

The second thing you may notice, is that I colored the lace on my page (from the Artisan Embellishment Kit). 

Here's where I found my inspiration....

....from my unbelievably supportive and encouraging up-line, Lyssa!  I made the page above at a scrapping event of hers, but the colors didn't quite work for my photos, so I scraplifted. *gasp*

Don't worry ladies, scrap-lifting is totally okay, and even encouraged.  I mean, you have to start somewhere, right?

One last thing you may have noticed on my page: the 2011-2013 In Colors I used (Pool Party and Island Indigo) are not retiring!  There's a Color Re-fresh happening now with Stampin' Up!, and those colors were simply too fabulous to let go! 

Check out the new color families and other Stampin' Up! news on my Facebook page, and stock up on the retiring colors at my store.  The 10 retiring colors are already limited in supply, so don't wait for the next refresh to see if they return! 

Happy Stamping and Scrapbooking!
Cristy Butzen

Independent Stampin' Up! Demonstrator