Happy 4th of July!

Happy 4th of July!   Today I am sharing 3 cards by our talented Vera Yates.   She's used PSA Essentials stamps from our Hello Kitty On The Go Peel & Stick set.  I love her use of patriotic colors and that she isn't afraid of white space.   Whatever your plans are today - be it beach, pool, fireworks, a cook out, or something else - I hope you have a great day!

2012 - 2013 Design Team Call

September 2012 – August 2013 Design Team Call

About PSA Essentials & Stamp Camp:  PSA Essentials manufactures self-inking custom stamps.   With patent-pending Peel & Stick technology and thousands of interchangeable designs, one for each holiday and dozens of licenses, PSA Essentials is perfect for all types of paper crafting, DIY projects and more!   PSA Stamp Camp (our blog) features all these crafty ways to use Peel & Stick stamps by our design team.  Visit: www.psastampcamp.blogspot.com

Why be on our Design Team?    

·         Receive our entire line of stamps, inks, tools:  a retail value of $1,800

·         Receive new Peel & Stick packs as they are released throughout the year

·         Receive $50 per project that is printed in magazine, $250 if you land the cover

·         Occasionally receive free product from our cross promotional partners

·         A crafting resume builder

·         Gain real attention of your work

Requirements for Design Team:    As a design team member, you are showing our customers how to use Peel & Stick stamps in the most clever, unique and creative ways possible. 

·         1 year term:  September 1^st, 2012 to August 31^st, 2013

·         Create 3 projects per month, photograph them, mail them in  

·         Occasionally participate in blog hops, or cross-promotional opportunities as they arise

Who we are looking for?   We are expanding our team and are looking for specific people who can fill these roles:  

·         Non-card making, DIY, crafty types!

·         Home décor specialists

·         Shabby chic card designers & CAS card designers

·         Scrapbookers

·         Mommy’s who create fun, educational, or inspirational activities for their wee-ones

·         Crafters who do things on a budget

·         Crafters who are into green living

·         A gift wrapper extraordinaire

Do you match one of the descriptions below, want all the perks and agree to the terms?  Applying is easy.    Send 3 examples of your work,  a very brief introduction to yourself and your blog address to loregan@psaessentials.com by August 1^st, 2012.    Please put:  2011-2012 DESIGN TEAM CALL APPLICATION in the subject matter.     Our new team will be chosen and announced on August 15th.    Good luck! 

Mike's 40th Birthday Party

It’s hard for me to believe that my husband turned 40 this weekend.   It seems like time has flown by because when I met him he was in his late twenties and we got together in his early 30’s.   I invited 7 of his college and high school buddies to come down for the weekend and my parents generously let them use their house while they were away on vacation.   One big weekend long frat party, they had an amazing time.  I am reminded whenever I see these guys what great friends they are to Mike and how important true friends are in your life. 

We had a small party on Saturday night.   With the arrival of Connor I haven’t been able to craft as much as I like, but I got a “40^th Birthday” custom stamp made.  We have some pretty talented graphic designers that can do just about anything if you need a custom stamp.   Here’s what Lesley came up with!

Also with the arrival of Connor, I haven’t been cooking or baking much.   All my sister-in-law could find at the grocery store were some girly cupcakes and 4^th of July cupcakes!  So we went with the flow.  I made some quick cupcake toppers by stamping my custom stamp in royal blue ink on paper, then punching with my 2” scallop punch.   I adhered to lollipop sticks.

I am so glad that Mike had the opportunity to be with his friends this weekend.  He’s been working incredibly hard at home by helping me around the house, making the adjustment for Molly easier, and bonding with Connor.  I really wanted him to have some “Mike time” and be with people that would make him feel good and have fun with.    I am so thankful that the boys were able to make the trip down (minus a few that were missed!) and I am thankful I got to spend some adult time with him on Saturday night. 

Nerf Wars Party

You’re invited [to check out] Gannon’s 10^th birthday Nerf Wars Party!  This incredible party was designed by our design team member Jamie Cripps for her son.    She started with a custom designed, DIY invitation. 

Nowadays there’s a party with every theme.  But few parties are themed with Nerf Wars!  This very special and unique party by Jamie was a big hit.  And she spent hours crafting and making it special.   From the homemade table cloth, to the cupcake toppers, the drink holders, the banner, the goody bags and even the silver wear!   Every little detail was thought of.   Each guest had their name written on a nerf gun on a cup.

Cupcake toppers made these yummy cupcakes also look pretty.

She stamped from Skellanimals Chip & Friends by PSA Essentials to dress up ordinary cutlery.  She finished the stamp on cardstock by attaching it to a scalloped piece of cardstock.  It’s that extra touch to make it extra special. 

Check out these goody bags!  Complete with nerf guns and supplies – and a Skellanimals Chip & Friends tag to make it even cuter!

She even made a flag for the Nerf Wars! 

You may notice in the photos that Jamie made the table cloth.   She bought a thick white table cloth from the dollar store and stamped it all up using the PSA Essentials Vanilla Alphabet outer ring stamp and the poppy orange, lime green, and black inks.  She started by covering the table cloth in the black circles then cleaned off her stamp and moved into the lime green ink, then moved on to the poppy orange.  

It’s exciting that you can make a custom table cloth for any occasion in less than 30 minutes!   It was a fun party had by all.  Tell me, what do you like best about this party?  Anything you’d like to recreate?

Paper Rockets for 4th of July

Our design team member Mara Campbell created paper rockets from beautiful red, white and blue and festive paper two years ago.   I wanted to share this again because Crafts N' Things magazine was sharing it on their site too.   It's too cool not to show those followers and readers who haven't seen it before!

Mara stamped "4" from PSA Vanilla Peel & Stick stamps, and the flag heart from PSA Topiary. These paper rockets are fun to create with kids or make great party decorations. Hang them from chairs at a dinner party or at your 4^th of July celebration.

They all look fun when tied together, too! Extremely festive - love this!

Dressed up mason jars

Mason jars aren’t just for canning soups and flower vases.   Angie Holden used them for  a recent get together as a way to serve delicious cake pops that she baked up.   Of course she didn’t just serve them in plain old mason jars – she made them extra special with some colorful paper and her PSA Essentials Peel & Stick stamps.  This is an easy project to do - it will take you less than 5 minutes.  Yup, just 5 mintues!

First, you will want to cut the paper to the size of the mason jar.    Now break out your PSA Stamper, chosen Peel & Stick design and ink.   Angie chose the PSA Life’s A Beach Peel & Stick pack, the flower image and outer ring, and then lime and pink ink.   Just stamp across the paper.   Then adhere to the mason jar.   It’s really that simple! 

I recommend spraying the stamps with some hair spray after you stamp.  You will notice that Angie didn't do that here - but probably should have - since I see a little bit of smudging. 

Here’s a great cake pop recipe, too!  It’s a great step by step tutorial by Little Miss Momma: http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2010/07/cake-pop-recipe.html

4th of July Goody Bags

America’s birthday is next week and if you’re throwing a party, you may want to check out these super simple and inexpensive party favors.   Fill these bags with firecrackers, sparklers, red, white & blue treats for your party guests and they’ll walk home with a favor to remember.  The festive bags by our design team member Angie Holden are perfect for your 4^th of July entertaining!

She’s used stamps from PSA Vanilla to spell out all the words here and the outer ring from PSA Little Bunny.  She used her PSA Stamper loaded with royal blue ink and holiday red ink.

She also used the PSA Archive set for the #4:

After stamping, thread some curling ribbon through small punched holes to tie the bags together.  Quick and easy, these favor bags cost less than $1 per piece.  How are you celebrating the 4^th?