Tuesday, September 13, 2016

Release Day at Kindred Stamps!! - Planner Stamps: Vacations

Hi friends!!!

I have a VERY exciting couple of things to share with you today!  First, my very sweet friend, Audra, owner of Kindred Stamps has asked me to become part of her creative team, the Kindred Stampers! Thus far, we are a small group of gals who love her quirky, magical stamps.  Many of my projects use them and I'm so excited to get to share more with you!

Today is release day at Kindred Stamps!  Audra is launching her new line of planner stamps and she decided, like any good DisNerd, that they would be based off the most magical of all vacation spots, Disney! Get this awesome set here: Kindred Stamps: Vacations.



As you can see, I was a TOUCH excited about it! now, as I'm in the last week before my anniversary trip to Walt Disney World, what a better way to layout our plans?? 

I broke out my Erin Condren planner, my Japan Disney markers, my ink spots, and my Memento Ink in Tuxedo Black from Stampin' Up! Then I set off looking at the plans we made, and using my excitement to let my creative juices flow... I won't lie, not every day in my planner is pretty, some of them are very clearly hot messes of colors and stamps and the excitement overpowered the creativity!


I am pretty excited about the awesomeness of that castle and fireworks set up though! That adorable Mickey head? You know the one you're looking for on the set but not finding?  I took the large circle for the head and the smaller circle afterwards to make two mousey ears! Oh clever me!

Now, I know I've got some awesome color combos going on here, time to shout out to So Suzy Stamps and her awesome ink bites!!! I use these things for my planner constantly, the bright colors make sure that my planner isn't dull... because that would be very unRachel... and we CAN'T have that!

Now my next fun trick?? That little dot? It makes a really nice pattern that's similar to say... Minnie Mouse's dress when used repeatedly!  Our second day at WDW will be all about the Magic Kingdom, we'll definitely be having churros and a Dole whip so those clever stamps made their way on the page!  I love the words she's included... Fastpass, Reservation, Memories, and the beautiful Once Upon a Time were my most used for this trip!!


Now... I have to admit, I do have one "cheat" day planned with one of my amazing gal pals at Harry Potter World and Universal. (SHHH Don't tell on me!) So the fun little roller coaster made an appearance! 

I also took the fun little fireworks to make a background for our anniversary day... My excitement (and lack of a hard surface got the better of me trying to stamp the castle... but what can you do? 

Ok, so I know some of you may be curious about how I kept my stamping inside the cute little boxes in my planner? My answer? Post It Notes!  I lined the edges of the box with Post It Notes, stamped my little heart out and then peeled them off!


We have some fun things planned like the Rock 'n' Roller Coaster, Voyage of the Little Mermaid (like the swim suit Disneybound?? hehehe) and of course the Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular. I love using my stamps to tell the story of my day. 

Finally, I used my pretty castle and Tropical Teal ink bite from So Suzy to create a simple background.  

Creativity doesn't have to be complex, it isn't always pretty, but it should always be fun! 

Don't forget to hop over to Kindred Stamps to pick up this set, and several other amazing stamps and creative tools!

Love,
R. Winn

Monday, May 23, 2016

Disney Friends Who Craft: Side of Nicoleslaw



So for the last few months, I've had this idea knock around my head... I have SO many creative, talented friends.  I would love the chance to share their work with you! 

I wanted to start with someone who is a sweet friend, extremely creative, and has always had my back. I introduce to you, Nicole Duffy! Creator of my favorite Disney-Inspired ears and owner of Etsy Shop: SideOfNicoleslaw.







I asked Nicole about her love of Disney, and where it originated, this is her story...

A selection of Nicole's ears, both custom and shop ready!


I have loved Disney for as long as I can remember. 



My first Disneyland visit was when I was months old and it's been history ever since. I grew up watching all of the classics, enjoying the magic in every story. My love kept growing as I aged. 










The Grijalva's making a little Star Wars magic! PC: White Rabbit Photo Boutique


In high school, I created a Disney themed totalitarian state filled with pixie dust. It was then I was nicknamed "Miss Disney" by my teacher who would laugh when I related all history events to some Disney story. In college, I came across Disney Fairytale Weddings in which I knew my future wedding plans. I fantasized regularly of the perfect event with the ultimate wedding guests, Mickey and Minnie. 









MY first Nicole ears, for Halloween, I couldn't wear a costume, I wore my ears!



During one of our first conversations, I told my "now" husband that I was getting married in Disneyland. Two years later, I said "I do" under the gazebo at Rose Court Garden with my Prince Charming. 
 

During my planning, I wanted the perfect bridal ears. At the time, I couldn't find the Disney ones online and all vendors charged amounts that were out of my budget. 







Evan Dagg is a good sport and modeled my Christmas ears!



It was then I started my research on how to craft the perfect ears. My first set was actually using just fabric, foam and hot glue. 

 It was so much fun to make, that after my wedding, I invested in a sewing machine to further my creativity. A few months later Side of Nicoleslaw was created.  







 




Nicole's unique 101 Dalmation ears! (I've got a bow on order mimicking this!) 



My store name came from a nickname growing up... I would call a classmate "pita bread" who would in turn call me "nicoleslaw." I wanted a store name that would truly reflect who I am. My goal was to make unique sets of ears that would be budget friendly. 










Molly Dagg's custom graduation ears! PC: Christina M. Photography  



I've made some of the best friends during my venture, which is probably the best part. Not only do they push me creative skills, they have been the best support system. But hey, we all know that Disney friends are the best friends! 🙂 












Can you see why I love this girl?  She's as sweet as Minnie Mouse, and as creative as Walt Disney himself!  I've seen her make ears for a friend going through a hard time, get frustrated when another ear maker doesn't take inspiration from her ears but copies her design exactly.  She and I agree that crafting is a community, not a competition but also that creativity should evolve.  The things this girl can do with a little bit of ribbon and fabric never stop amazing me!


Renee Forero-Cook in her birthday present, Nicole's custom interchangeable ears!!

So, you've seen some of her work, you can see why I'm obsessed yes?  She continuously goes above and beyond her friends' and customers' expectations.  If you choose to buy from her, you won't be sorry.  Favorite her shop https://www.etsy.com/shop/sideofnicoleslaw, follow her on Instagram, share her info, or reach out to her to get your order placed.

Nicole is constantly coming up with new, innovative ways to enhance her ears!
 Disney friends are the best friends, I look forward to more ears and bows from Nicole, and to sharing with you more of my creative, talented friends!

Love,
~ R. Winn


My custom interchangeable ears, with my Regina from OUAT bow!



Thursday, January 28, 2016

Love is in the air... and so is a sale!

So today, I'm home sick, but I've had this box of of Stampin' Up products that have been staring at me for a little over a month.  I've had so many projects that had deadlines, so many gifts that I needed to make that taking the time to create something I wanted rather something I had to.  Today, I played with my new Stampin' Up products from the new Occasions catalog and the Sale-a-bration special products!  

Before I show up my creation for the day, I want to tell you about Sale-a-bration, for every $50 you spend, you get to pick a free gift from the cattie for FREE.  Twice a year, Stampin' Up puts out an Occasions cattie as well, it's a mini catalog that gives you a change to pick up some products geared towards the time of year it is (i.e. Spring and Valentine's day or Winter and Christmas). This Occasions mini ROCKS, so many fun products and the SAB gifts are absolutely wonderful! I'm absolutely thrilled with what we've got available.  Now through March 31st, you can get your own free gifts! Some are limited time, so don't wait!

With no further ado, my fun for today!



I used the Shine On DSP which has 12 different designs, each fun and unique... oh and about half of them sparkle!  The stamp set is the What I Love photopolymer set, which was one of my SAB gifts, I stamped it in Stanzon Black Ink using my MISTI, which you can purchase from So Suzy Stamps and using my referral link, http://r.sloyalty.com/r/udNBO8QQbUdY you will get 10% off your first order!  MISTI allows me to stamp the same image or sentiment repeatedly, crisp, clear, and exact.  It is brilliant!

For the beautiful flowers, I used the Blushing Bride Glimmer Paper, and the Red Glimmer Paper.  I used my Big Shot, Magnetic Platform and the Rose Garden Thinlit Dies to cut them from the Glimmer Paper, for the small pink flower, I used my Stampin Trimmer to make cut the edge of one off to make the smaller accents on the edges. 

I used Real Red Cardstock for the base, cut a one centimeter "frame" with the Blushing Bride Glimmer Paper and used our Multipurpose Liquid Glue to attach the two layers, then in the cut out portion of my cut frame, I used Dimensionals to attach the Shine On DSP to the card!

I think this may go to my husband for Valentine's Day!  I hope that you enjoy this as much as I enjoyed making it.  Feel free to let me know if you have any questions, or even better, give me some love!

~R. Winn
My Stampin' Up Website