1st Class Creativity

BIG SALE JULY 1st

July 1st marks a new year at Stampin' Up! and time for my Retired Stamp Set Sale.

If you want to see what I have for sale and their prices, click here http://www.1stclasscreativity.com/retired-items-for-sale.html

Leave a comment and be entered into a drawing for a FREE Retired Stamp Set in my store, click on link above to see what will be available.

NEW! SUNDAY SUPER EASY & HEALTHY PARTY FOOD

Hosting a party (especially a Stampin' Up! Party) is always fun, but some, like me, aren't too blessed in the food preparation department.  So I have been on the look out for recipes that are quick, easy and healthy to prepare and serve to guests.

I'll be doing this every Sunday so be sure to check back if you are a foodie or just like to get healthy recipes!

For those of you who know me really well, I LOVE Mexican food, but it can be a calorie buster.  I was so happy when I found this recipe!

Today's feature is:

Five Layer Mexican Dip

2007, Ellie Krieger All rights reserved

Prep Time:

15 min

Inactive Prep Time:

hr min

Cook Time:

8 min

Level:

Easy

Serves:

12 servings, serving size 1/2 cup

Ingredients

• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (15.5-ounce) can black beans, preferably low-sodium, drained and rinsed
• 1 tablespoon minced chipotle pepper in adobo (What is adobo?  hope I can find it!)
• 4 tablespoons lime juice
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 tablespoon water
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups corn kernels (10-ounce box frozen corn)
• 1/4 cup chopped cilantro leaves
• 2 ripe avocados
• 4 medium tomatoes, seeded and diced (about 2 cups)
• 1/4 cup thinly sliced scallion
• 1 tablespoon finely diced jalapeno pepper, optional
• 3/4 cup shredded extra-sharp Cheddar

Directions

Heat the oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add onions and cook until they soften, about 3 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook for 2 minutes more.

Put half of the onion mixture into a food processor with the black beans, chipotle pepper, 2 tablespoons of the lime juice, cumin, water and salt. Puree until smooth. Set aside.

Add the corn to the skillet with the remaining onion mixture and cook for about 3 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the cilantro leaves.

In a small bowl mash the avocado with the remaining lime juice. In a medium bowl toss together the tomatoes, scallion and jalapeno, if using. Season tomato mixture with salt and pepper, to taste.

Spread the black bean dip into the bottom of an 8 by 8 glass baking or serving dish. Top with the corn mixture, spreading it out to form a single layer over the beans, repeat with the avocado, then the tomatoes. Top with cheese. Serve with baked chips.

Per Serving:

Calories 140; Total Fat 8 g; (Sat Fat 2 g, Mono Fat 3 g, Poly Fat 0.7 g) ; Protein 5g; Carb 16 g; Fiber 5g; Cholesterol 6mg; Sodium 245 mg

Printed from FoodNetwork.com on Sat Jun 27 2009

© 2009 Scripps Networks, LLC. All Rights Reserved

 Have a recipe to share that you would like posted on my blog?  Send me a note or leave a comment and we will talk! 

 

38 ways to use ribbon in your scrapbooking

I love the versatility of ribbon when scrapbooking. Ribbon can be used to draw focus or just add some embellishment and bling. Many of you may be looking for ways to use up all those ribbons you have stashed, especially those that are retiring. I hope this article will give you an idea or two, to use ribbon in your scrapbooks!
 

38 WAYS TO USE RIBBON IN YOUR SCRAPBOOKING

1. Tie a knot in a piece of ribbon, then trim the tails at an angle (to prevent them from fraying) and use a Mini Glue Dot™ to secure the knot at the corner of a photo
2. Use the same method next to your journaling.
3. You can also wrap ribbon around a photo or around your page as a border, securing the ends of the ribbon to the backside of the photo or paper with tape, this will add an interesting corner to your photo or page.
4. You can also attach ribbon with brads (make a tiny hole through the ribbon before securing it) or even staples or clips for an artsy look.
5. Tie onto a tag, photo mat, border, or photo as an accent.
6. Use with a hole punch to make a booklet.
7. Use to secure a fold open photo frame
8. Tie it to paper clips or other fancy clips to add interest to your design
9. Staple on the edge of your photo, journal block or title
10. Places strips of ribbon behind your photo to use as a mat
11. Attach a ribbon charm and use as a long border
12. Thread through eyelets and tie as an accent
13. Tie onto a slide holder for a small picture frame
14. Tie onto each end of a metal label holder
15. Tie small bits of ribbon onto a larger piece for a unique border design
16. Stamp words and sayings or even images onto your larger ribbons and use as a title
17. Weave ribbons together like a basket to create interest and texture in your layout, use this a as a mat, a background, a border
18. Tie many ribbons around a plain spiral notebook to create an interesting journal or scrapbook
19. Use ribbon to secure several paper bags, envelopes or any other paper scraps together to create a small scrapbook
20. Tie around jump rings of small, shaped scrapbooks to spice them up a little
21. Fold and secure your ribbon with snail adhesive to make your ribbon form the letters of your scrapbook title
22. Use ribbon and your paper scraps to create an interesting journaling tag for your layout
23. Tie it to the bottom of your photo mat, to add interest and texture
24. Make small bows for your girly scrapbook pages
25. Fold thick ribbon diagonally to make your own photo corners
26. Use ribbon to create stems and leaves for your stamped flowers on your Layouts
27. Place a decorative brad in the center of small ribbon strips to make a faux flower embellishment
28. Use as a simple page border
29. Use as color blocking borders
30. Use small strips of ribbon to jazz up and add color to your chipboard shapes and letters
31. Tie a small piece to a chipboard letter to add some bling
32. Use ribbon scraps and rhinestones to create candles on birthday layout
33. Use your re-inkers or chalks to add color to your plain white ribbon, you have virtually any color at your hands
34. Stamp a decorative border onto the ribbon and use on your layout
35. Use small letter stamps to add bits of journaling to your ribbon strips, such as dates, lists or just random words pertaining to your layout like (soccer- goalie - sports - determination, etc.)
36. Set eyelets or brads through the length of the ribbon to create a funky trim for your layout
37. Use the eyelet punch to add an interesting border to your layout, mat or journal box and thread your ribbon through it to add a trim
38. Tie ribbons through buttonholes and attach with glue dots.

Thanks to fellow demonstrator Angi for these tips.  She is our Scrap coordinator in the Sudsol Group I'm in.  I hope you enjoy her tips as much as I did!

If you have any quesitons on any of the 38 ways to use ribbon in your scrapbooking, just leave a comment and I'll get back to you promptly.

Football Birthday Card

Here is a simple birthday card I made for my son who was going to a birthday party.  He was having a football themed party so I did my best to stick with the theme!

SUPER Easy to do!

 

Used Versa Mark Ink, Close to Coco Classic Ink, Real Red & Brillant Blue Stampin' Write Markers, Paper Snips, Stampin' Dimensionals, Happy Everything Stamp set, Sporting Stamp Set, Just Football Stamp Set, corner rounder, marker to stamp technique.

 

Simple inside, but keeps the theme and simple sentiment perfect for boys! 

Leave a comment and be entered into a drawing for a FREE Retired Stamp Set from my Retired Store, click on this link http://www.1stclasscreativity.com/retired-items-for-sale.html to see what will be available

A Fun & Easy Way to Decorate a Paint Can!

Did you know you can Use Our Decor Elements on any FLAT surface?  It's true! 

Below is a picture of Decor Elements and the Button Boquet that I applied to decorate this paint can.  The paint can was empty, and never held paint.

 I use this paint can  for door prize drawings and fun games that I might do at a party!  

What do you think?  It was fun and EASY to do!

 

 

 

Three views of the paint can.   Don't forget to leave a comment and be entered into a drawing for a FREE Retired stamp set from my Retired Items Store.  Click on link  to see what I will have available

http://www.1stclasscreativity.com/retired-items-for-sale.html

6 x 6 Scrapbook pages are easily transitioned

I love to make 6 x 6 pages because they are fun and easy to do and often, for me anyway, provide a jumping point, creative starting point for my larger pages.  Here is a fun summer layout I did. 

 

Tempting Turquioise is the base, Brillant Blue, Real Red card stock.  Real Red Classic Ink, and versa mark ink for the bubbles.  The stamp set is Life's a Breeze and will be gone forever after June 30th.  I'll miss showing this fun and versatile set!

To see how I transitioned to an 8 1/2 x 11 page and then to a 12 x 12 page click here http://www.1stclasscreativity.com/6-x-6-page-transformed-to-a-large-page.html

REMINDER - The Big Shot kit is NOT in the new catalog.  To find out more about this kit and purchase it click here http://www.1stclasscreativity.com/2009/06/big-shot-kit-not-available-after-june-30th.html

Cheap Talk Card

This is one of the cards we did at the Shelby Township Pump It Up Open House.  This was a fun and easy card! 

 

Tangerine Tango Card Stock, Whisper White Card Stock, Chocolate Chip Card Stock, Crimper, Orange Flower Brad, Cheap Talk Stamp Set, Versa Mark Ink, Walk In The Park Designer Series Paper, Pacific Point Ink, Only Orange Marker, Stampin' Dimensions.

Don't forget, this week leave a comment and be entered into a drawing for a FREE retired stamp set on July 1st, and buy the Big Shot or Big Shot Starter Kit and Get FREE SHIPPING! 

Stampin' Up! is currently featured in . . . . . . .

On Newsstands
June 17, 2009

a few magazines, and I'm excited to share these editorial placements with you!

Better Homes & Gardens 100 Decorating Ideas under $100 (July 2009 issue)
Stampin' Up! is featured in a two-page spread which spotlights dressing up everyday basic furniture with our craft supplies such as Designer Series papers, punches, and Décor Elements. Specific products featured include our Scallop Circle and 1-3/8" Circle punches, and our Villa Designer Touch and Classic A-Z Lowercase Alphabet Décor Elements. See the feature on pages 82-83 and the shopping guide on page 94.

CardMaker (July 2009 issue)

Featured on page 38.

Featured on page 62.

Did you know that Stampin' Up! was recognized in so many different magazines?  

And don't forget Country Living.  Stampin' Up! has partnered with them to bring you fun and exciting exclusive creative sets for all occasions.    As a matter of fact, Stampin' Up! is offering a Country Living Exclusive kit perfect for Summer entertaining!  Click on this link http://www.stampinup.com/us/documents/Country_Living_Kit_US_0609.pdf

to see all the items in the kit up close and personal.   Then click on this link, http://www.stampinup.com/us/documents/Country_Living_0609_US.pdf to see the flier! 

I can't wait to see what y'all can rustle up with this kit!

Yee Haw!    Creative Projects posted tomorrow!!!

BIG SHOT KIT NOT AVAILABLE AFTER JUNE 30th!

The BIG SHOT STARTER KIT will no longer be available as a "kit" starting 07/01/2009. At $195.95, this kit is a great way to get started with the Big Shot! This is a LAST CHANCE OPPORTUNITY. 

WANT TO FIND OUT HOW YOU CAN GET 30% off the Big Shot Starter Kit?  Click Here

http://www.1stclasscreativity.com/how-to-get-30-off-your-big-shot-starter-kit.html

I'm offering FREE SHIPPING on any order with a big shot in it!*** This offer is available through me up until June 30th and you must contact me personally (586-770-8234 or 1stclasscreativity@comcast.net)  to take advantage of the FREE shipping offer! 

The kit includes the following

Big Shot Starter Kit Components:

• Big Shot Die Cutting Machine
• Multipurpose Platform
• Standard Cutting Pads
• Stampin' Up! Exclusive Scallop Envelope Bigz Die
• Stampin' Up! Exclusive Top Note Bigz Die
• Stampin' Up! Exclusive Sizzix Birds & Blooms
• Stampin' Up! Exclusive Decorative Strip Billboard
• Decorative Strip Cutting Pads
• Decorative Strip Extended Spacer Platform

All of the above for only $195.95!!!

With your kit order, you will also be eligible for hostess benefits on your order!

$150-$199 order earns:

• 1 level 1 hostess set
• $15.00 in FREE merchandise
• FREE SHIPPING

June is a GREAT month to order this kit! Add on a few more items to your order (ask your friend and family to place an order) and earn EXTRA HOSTESS BENEFITS!!

$250-$299.99 workshop receives:

A FREE level 1 hostess set

2. $45 in FREE merchandise dollars ($25.00 PLUS an additional $20)
3. FREE SHIPPING FROM ME!

$300-$349.99 workshop receives:

1. A free level 1 hostess set OR a free level 2 hostess set
2. $55 in FREE merchandise dollars ($35 PLUS an additional $20)
3. FREE SHIPPING FROM ME!

$350-$399.99 workshop receives:

1. A free level 1 hostess set OR a free level 2 hostess set
2. $60 in FREE merchandise dollars ($40 PLUS an additional $20)
3. FREE SHIPPING FROM ME!

$400 or more workshop receives:

1. 2 free level 1 hostess sets OR 1 free level 1 hostess set AND 1 free level 2 hostess set
2. $85 in FREE merchandise dollars ($45 PLUS an additional $40)
3. FREE SHIPPING FROM ME!

So call me today at 586-770-8234 or email 1stclasscreativity@comcast.net to place your order and take advantage of this LAST CHANCE opportunity to get this great kit AND FREE SHIPPING!  

*** You do not have to purchase the Big Shot Kit to get FREE SHIPPING.  You do however have to order the BIG SHOT in order to get FREE SHIPPING.

Pump It Up! Shelby Township Open House 6 x 6 Scrapbook page

This is the 6 x 6 Scrapbook page that we made at the Pump It Up Shelby Township Open House.

This is a very simple page that can be added into a 8 1/2 x 11 or 12 x 12 page very easily.   I used the Lifes a Breeze Stamp set (sad it's on the last chance list) read red, brillant blue, temptimg turquiis and a circle metal tag, stampin dimensionals, versa mark ink and brillant blue ink.

To me there is nothing more fun to scrapbook than my kids and pets, and pool pictures are my favorites!

 

Don't forget!  Leave a comment and you are entered into a drawing on July 1st for a retired stamp set of your choice!