Monthly Archives: August 2011

Easy Events Flower Card

Easy Events Flower Card

Today is the last day of August (I don't know how that can be!), the last day for the Stampin' Up! Summer Mini Catalog, the last day for the Strength & Hope Promotion, and the last day for the Buy 3 Get 1 Free Designer Paper Promotion. Time flies when you're having fun!

This card is made with the Easy Events stamp set….I stamped one of the images three times without the words at the bottom of the stamp…and colored in with Stampin' Write Markers.  For the card background, I used the fun Just Add Cake Designer Series Paper #124339. I think it makes a happy card! Along with the Baja Breeze Seam Binding Ribbon #122331 and the new Designer Printed Brads #122940!

I'll add a sentiment later if I want, or I might just use it to write a happy note to a friend!

If you haven't stocked up on the new Designer Series Paper yet, today is your last day to place an order.  After you put in three packs of paper, the fourth will be free.  Or email me your order and I'll take care of it.  This promotion includes the paper that sells for $10.95 (not the Specialty Designer Series Paper).

And check that Summer Mini Catalog one more time!

Stampin’ Card Keeper Convention Make & Take

Card Box

I finally got around to finishing my Make & Takes from the Stampin' Up! Convention in July!  Make & Takes are the projects Stampin' Up! gives us to actually "stamp" at the "stamping" convention.  I'm just not very good at doing the projects during the allotted time….I don't know why….I feel like everyone else understands the directions better, is working faster, etc. etc.  Too much pressure!!  I know at least some other demonstrators feel the same way so I know it's not just me!  I much prefer to do them at my kitchen table provided I have all the supplies at home. Besides, the morning my Make & Takes were scheduled I was VERY tired and was worried about getting my photos taken of the display boards.  So after partially making ONE card, I packed up my stuff, walked all the way back to the hotel from the far corner of the convention center to get rid of my stamp sets and supply packets and walked all the way back to the far corner of the convention center to take my pictures.  And then I was happy (if not more tired!)  But with kitchen remodeling and vacations, it has taken awhile to get to do my Make & Takes!

This is a box that will be in the new Holiday Mini Catalog coming out Sept. 1st called "Stampin' Card Keeper". It's very sturdy and very nice quality.  It comes flat so you just have to assemble it and then you can decorate it any way you like.  This lid here is covered with the new Timeless Portrait Fabric (using Sticky Strip to adhere). Patterns come with the box for covering it, even the sides if you wish.

Card Box Flower

 

Here's the gorgeous paper flower on the top of the lid.  It's made from various punches out of textured card stock….the Fancy Flower Punch, Lace Ribbon Border Punch (the flowers are cut apart) , and the Blossoms Petals Builder Punch.  It's all actually made out of two stacks of assembled flowers and then all stacked together.

I did make one change.  Stampin' Up! gave us in our kit a Simply Adorned Clear Crystal Bauble for the center of the flower….but the crystal is so pretty I wanted to use it on my Simply Adorned Jewelry so I made an alternate flower center!  Mine is an Antique Brad with a Rhinestone Jewel in the center for some bling!

Card Box Label

Cute label for the box using On Board Merry Medley chipboard and the stamp set Best Friends Forever.

Card Box Inside

Six dividers for organization, covered with the Timeless Portrait Designer Series Paper.

 You'll be able to order your Stampin' Card Keeper box #124107 when the Holiday Mini comes out on Sept. 1st!

Back to School with My Digital Studio

My Digital Studio Back to School

It's so easy to just play around with My Digital Studio.  I just picked a design that was already made and then changed the colors of the background paper, the colors of the rectangles, the colors of the flowers and brads, changed the greeting, added some stars and the alphabet and I had a little "back to school" card.  That might sound like a lot, but I didn't have to think about a design and just a few clicks changes colors or embellishments.

If you have any questions about My Digital Studio, just ask!

Stampin’ Up! Spooky Bingo Bits Halloween Magnets

I knew this Spooky Bingo Bits stamp set #123946 (clear) looked like a fun one when I saw it!  And then I got the idea from a long time ago to use those clear "rocks" to make magnets with the stamp set.  I need to search deeper in all my craft stuff to see if I have more pebbles (I think they are called) because these would be so fun to make!

Halloween Magnet

Halloween Magnet Bat

Hallowee Magnet Monster

I stamped on Whisper White and punched out with the 1" circle punch. In the past I glued the pebble on over the stamped image and then cut around the pebble shape with a scissors when dry.  Just depends on whether or not you want it to match the pebble shape exactly.  I used Crystal Effects.  Just glue on a magnet to the back and you're done! These are so easy and fun!


Stampin’ Up! Convention Swap–Doily Snowflakes

Doily Snowflakes

Back to the Stampin' Up! Convention for a moment!  This was my swap card for a group swap I was in.  I think I made…..63?, 73? of them….and some in kind of a rush as I traveled or in my hotel room…but I was determined to get them done and I did.  And it was worth it for the swaps I got back!

Anyway, don't think doilies are just for decoration…..they can be very pretty snowflakes! These are from the stamp set Delicate Doilies, available in wood- or clear-mount, on page 127 of the Idea Book & Catalog.  I added my favorite ribbon, the 5/8" Whisper White Organza Ribbon #114319 and some bling with Dazzling Diamonds Glitter #102023 and even little Basic Pearls #119247.

Don't these doilies make a beautiful Christmas card?!

If you need stamping supplies today and want to get started on your Christmas cards, just click HERE to go to my Online Store and place your order!

Pocketful of Posies Card

Stampin' Up! has such beautiful designer series paper, but don't you just hate it when you have to cut in to a piece of paper that would make a beautiful scrapbook page on its own? Here is one of those pages that I used a portion off the left side for a project. This paper is from Pocketful of Posies Designer Series Paper #122354.  I LOVE this paper!!

Pocketful of Posies Designer Paper

After looking in the Stampin' Up! 2011-12 Idea Book & Catalog for inspiration, on page 184 I found that they used this designer series paper to make several small cards.  That led to designing this card:

Pocketful of Posies Designer Series Paper Card

You can see the corner of the paper I cut off and mounted on Poppy Parade on top of a card base of Crumb Cake.  Then I just added a greeting and I had a cute card!  I'm sure I can make something with the big bird on the remaining paper, too!

Speaking of designer series paper, don't forget about the special promotion going on for only about ten more days!!  Buy 3 packs of designer series paper, get one FREE!  Can't beat that!  Go to my Online Store right now and start choosing your paper!

Back to School Texas State Tax Holiday: Use Stamping Supplies for School Supplies

It's Back to School time and the state of Texas is having a sales tax holiday for school supplies up to $100.00 per item from August 19-21. Because school supply items are included in this sales tax holiday, the list of items below will be state tax free during the holiday period. Please note that you must place your order with Stampin' Up! during the tax holiday period in order to receive these items tax free. Also, keep in mind that this is a state sales tax holiday and may not apply to additional city, jurisdiction, or county taxes.

The following items are tax-exempt during the Texas sales tax holiday:

Item Number

Description

 Price

100425

2-Way Glue Pen

 $    3.50

100902

Dotto Refill

 $    6.50

101879

Watercolor Pencils (24)

 $   19.95

102845

Blender Pens (3)

 $    9.95

103179

Craft & Rubber Scissors

 $   19.95

103305

Dotto

 $   12.95

103579

Paper Snips

 $    9.95

103683

Mini Glue Dots

 $    4.95

104045

Anywhere Glue Sticks (2)

 $    3.95

104294

Sticky Strip

 $    6.95

104331

SNAIL Refill

 $    4.50

104332

SNAIL Adhesive

 $    6.95

104430

Stampin' Dimensionals

 $    3.95

105021

Uni-ball Signo Gel Pen

 $    3.95

105394

Basic Black Stampin' Write Journaler

 $    3.50

108360

Craft Scissors

 $   29.95

110755

Multipurpose Liquid Glue

 $    3.95

Varies

Stampin' Write Marker

 $    3.50

119700

Subtles Collection Stampin' Write Markers (10)

 $   28.95

119701

Regals Collection Stampin' Write Markers (10)

 $   28.95

119702

Brights Collection Stampin' Write Markers (10)

 $   28.95

119703

Neutrals Collection Stampin' Write Markers (8)

 $   22.95

119801

2010-2012 In Color Stampin' Write Markers (5)

 $   14.95

119802

Subtles Collection Watercolor Wonder Crayons (10)

 $   16.95

119803

Regals Collection Watercolor Wonder Crayons (10)

 $   16.95

119804

Brights Collection Watercolor Wonder Crayons (10)

 $   16.95

119805

Neutrals Collection Watercolor Wonder Crayons (10)

 $   16.95

120962

Stampin' Pastels

 $   24.95

123002

2011-2013 In Color Stampin' Write Markers (5)

 $   14.95

 

I always kept a stash of extra school supplies in my closet when my kids were in school because we all know you don't always hear about the notebook or folder your child needs until 10 pm the night before…..so purchase some of these quality school supplies for your kids and have them on hand.   When those school projects and science fairs start rolling around you'll be prepared!  And what they don't use, you can use!!

Save a little money on taxes now so you'll have a little extra for your own stamping supplies!

Click HERE to shop for your Back to School Supplies during the Texas Tax-Free Holiday!

This offer good August 19-21 only!!

For more information on the Sales Tax Holiday for Texas, click HERE.

Everyone Wants to Be Liked!

I hope you enjoy reading my blog and get inspiration from some of the stamping ideas you may see here.  

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Thanks a bunch!

Stampin’ Up! Fabric Ideas from Convention

Stampin' Up! isn't only about stamps, paper and ink!  We have gorgeous fabric to work with as well, and you don't always have to be able to sew! Here are some photos of fabulous displays from Convention I think you will enjoy!  Then be sure to check out the fabric from Stampin' Up! in my Online Store.

Flirtacious Fabric

Flirtacious Fabric

Flirtacious Fabric

Flirtacious Fabric (in photos above)

Beau Chateau Fabric

Beau Chateau Fabric

Beau Chateau Fabric

Beau Chateau Fabric

Candy Cane Christmas

Candy Cane Christmas Fabric

Candy Cane Christmas Fabric

Candy Cane Christmas Fabric
Springtime Vintage

Springtime Vintage Fabric

Sweet Stitches Fabric

Sweet Stitches Fabric

Sweet Stitches Fabric

If you enjoyed those displays, click on the online ordering button in the upper right corner of my blog and get yourself some fabric!

Looking for a Job?……A Fun Job, That Is!

If you like stamping and scrapbooking, or digital papercrafting, or home decorating….or honestly, even if you don't…….but you know a good business opportunity when you see one, please consider becoming a part of Stampin' Up!  Stampin' Up! is always looking for a few good demonstrators!  

It's not something to have to wait for or be interviewed for or wonder if you got the job or not.  It's all up to YOU!  In fact, the hours you work are up to YOU!  How you want to run your business (within reason!) is up to YOU!  Do you want to focus on card making or just scrapbooking?  Do you want to hold workshops and meet new people all the time or do you want to do classes in your home?  Do you want to make scrapbooks or party invitations and favors or gifts with Stampin' Up! supplies to sell to others? Do you want to earn a trip to Fiji??  Any of these things and more are possibilities when you become a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator!

And that's not even mentioning the new friends you will make and the fun you will have and the perks you will get from Stampin' Up!

Please click HERE and see if this opportunity is for you!

Favorite Convention Swaps

I will say these are a few of my favorite Stampin' Up! Convention swaps but really I was barely able to single these out because I got some really good swaps!  But for the sake of this post, here are some that particularly jumped out at me!  Sorry that I don't have the names in front of me of who created these lovely swaps.

Convention Swap Card Cone

Convention Swap Cards14

Convention Swap Cards15

Convention Swap Cards16

 

Now that you have been inspired, go stamp something!


Easy Events Cuckoo Clock

Easy Events Cuckoo Clock Card

There are a lot of reasons to love the new stamp set Easy Events, but I have a special reason for loving the cuckoo clock image.  When my father was in the Air Force and visited Germany, way back when, he bought cuckoo clocks to bring home to my mother and both sets of my grandparents.  So when I see cuckoo clocks, it reminds me of all of my family and their homes.  I remember exactly where the clocks were hung in their houses and ours.  Cuckoo clocks are fascinating to children to see that little bird pop out and chirp or to help pull up the cuckoo clock weights to keep the clock running.  I was amazed to see that this image would be included in a Stampin' Up! stamp set!

I used the Color Coach to choose my colors for this card (Cherry Cobbler, Baja Breeze and Soft Suede….except I used a darker brown..Chocolate Chip) and when I saw the new Scallop Dots Ribbon on my table I decided that would be the perfect embellishment for my 4×4 card!  I colored the image with Stampin' Write Markers and a Blender Pen.

Easy Events has stamps for almost every occasion, such as baby, Christmas, wedding, thank you and more….and if you omit the sentiment you have even more uses for the images….and of course you can always use the sentiment by itself.

Order your Easy Events stamp set and all your stamping products HERE at my Online Store.

Happy Birthday Lucille Ball!

Lucille-ball

Whenever I hear one of those questions like "What famous person, dead or alive, would you most like to meet?" or "What celebrity would you like to have dinner with?" I realize I am not too starstruck because there aren't many names I would use to answer that question.  But Lucille Ball would be one of them!  

Today would have been her 100th birthday and 60 years after she started her famous television show "I Love Lucy".  The show first aired in October 1951.  I don't know when I first started watching it, but to hear "I Love Lucy" or to hear the theme music of that show takes me back to my childhood.  The show was on at 9:30 am, which means I could only watch it during the summer (if I was up early enough) or on days when I was home sick.  Even if I was sick, it wasn't too bad to get to stay home and lay on the couch and watch "I Love Lucy"!  I can't imagine how many times I saw those episodes over and over and over again….and they were always hilarious!  In later years, Lucy had some shows with Ethel that were shown in the evenings.  My family and I loved those too!

There is a new exhibit that just opened dedicated to the "I Love Lucy" show at the Library of Congress.  Raymond White, the curator of the exhibit, said,  “The Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz papers at the Library of Congress provide a unique opportunity to view the development of the show from the perspective of their family–in terms of the items that were preserved in the family scrapbooks, and this was our point of departure for the exhibit,” he says. “…the scrapbooks contained a wealth of materials documenting the early careers of Ball and Arnaz…and a treasure trove of photographs that present the extremely photogenic Ball and Arnaz in the height of 1940s Hollywood glamour.”

So you never know where your scrapbooks might end up!  Consider the importance they might have in history!

Click HERE for more information on the Library of Congress exhibit. Sounds to me like scrapbooking played an important role!