Monthly Archives: August 2012

Start Your Own Stamping Business! And Howl-o-ween Project Bonus Extended!

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            Spooktacular Offer

Stampin' Up! always offers one of the best opportunities to start your own business and realize your goals that you set for yourself.

To become a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator and start your own business, all you have to do is purchase the customizable Starter Kit.  You choose $125 worth of product of your choice and pay only $99! Choose from the annual Stampin' Up! Catalog or the current Holiday Catalog.  Choose traditional stamping products or digital…or both!  It's your choice with this new Starter Kit!  Plus you will also receive a Business Pack valued at around $50 to help you get your business off to the start you want.

As an added bonus during August, a new demonstrator would also receive the above pictured Howl-o-ween Project Kit and Printer's Tray.  Due to the great response, Stampin' Up! has decided to extend this special offer until Sept. 16! If you're not into Halloween, use the printer's tray for Christmas or just any project!  Have fun with creativity! This kit will ship with your Starter Kit.

Should you become a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator just to get this cute kit?  Probably not. But if joining Stampin' Up! was something you've been considering, starting your own business to make some extra money for your family, earning some extra money for the holidays, finding a new outlet for your creativity, finding something new for this time in your life….then go ahead and join and just for a fun extra, get this fabulous Spooktacular project!  I guarantee you will always treasure it as a reminder of the day you became a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator!!

For more information about becoming a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator, check out the information from Stampin' Up! here. And after doing your own research for a preview, please contact me and ask me any questions you have.

If you are reading my blog, you must have an interest in papercrafting and creating, and you can probably tell how much I enjoy and love Stampin' Up! and the opportunities this company provides.  When the time is right for you and your family, it is easy to sign up online….you don't even have to mail in papers and wait…although you can…but if you sign up online you can become a demonstrator in minutes!

Think about it and let me know how I can help!

Scentsational Season Candy Cane Christmas Card

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Scentsational Season Candy Canes Christmas Card

The Scentsational Season stamp set and matching Holiday Collection Framelits Dies will practically make an easy Christmas card FOR you! Just stamp the image and run it through the Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine with your framelits die and you've got easy cutting! I ran the Gumball Green card stock through the Big Shot with the Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder. For some added color and trim, I used the Finishing Touches Edgelits Die to make those pretty edges on top and botton. Since I didn't really leave room for a greeting, I stamped the little "Merry" tag from Tiny Tags and adhered it to the candy cane. I think it turned out pretty cute!

It's not too early to be thinking about Christmas cards!  Why not start on them early so you can ENJOY the process and not rush?!

For all your beautiful stamping supplies, please shop my Stampin' Up! Online Store!

***If you are interested in this stamp set and these Framelits Dies, be sure to check out the Scentsational Season BUNDLE on page 16 of the Stampin' Up! Holiday Catalog! Purchase both together and save 15%! You can still choose from wood- or clear-mount stamps!

Merry Minis Christmas Card

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Merry Minis Christmas Card
Stampin' Up! has a really cute Punch Pack in the Holiday Catalog called Merry Minis #126882, perfect for making a Christmas card! To save time stamping, I just punched the little tree out of designer series paper in the Festival of Prints Paper Stack #126904. These sheets are small, 4 1/2" x 6 1/2", but you'll be able to use the designs for more than Christmas!

I used a greeting from Word Play, colored in with Lucky Limeade and Cherry Cobbler markers and punched out with the Labels Collections Framelits Dies #125598. After I punched out the Cherry Cobbler layer piece, I thought it looked a little bland…but then I remembered the Festive Paper-Piercing Pack #127857. I used that (and the Stampin' Pierce Mat #126199) and the Paper-Piercing Tool #126189) to put a little pierced border around the inside edge of the Cherry Cobbler piece.  Lovely!

Paper-Piercing Tools

Don't you love the Silver Glimmer paper at the bottom edge?!  Stampin' Up! carries three colors of Glimmer Paper now….Red and Silver in the regular Stampin' Up! Catalog and the new Champagne Glimmer Paper #127885 in the Holiday Catalog. Check it out!

If you would like a Stampin' Up! Holiday Catalog to hold in your hands rather than look at online, please email me at Karen@KarenStamps.com.

Fabulous Florets and Pretty Periwinkles for Stamping Inspiration

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We have lots of pretty periwinkles blooming in our backyard right now as well as some cute, delicate little pink flowers, Gaura, back by the fence.

Pink Periwinkles

White Periwinkles

Pretty Periwinkles

Gaura Pink Flowers

So if you ever wondered where we stampers get our inspiration and ideas sometimes, these pretty flowers made me think of making a card with little pink and white flowers. As I looked over my stamps ets, the Fabulous Florets stamp set seemed to be the winner! I stamped some stems (in different directions as much as I could), then I stamped a few of the small and large flowers right on the card.  I also stamped flowers on Whisper White scrap paper with Black Stazon, colored some of them pink with Primrose Petals and left some white. With my trusty Paper Snips (they make detailed cutting SO much easier!) I cut out several flowers and played around with them on my card front until I was settled on a design. Once they were glued down with Stampin' Dimensionals, I added a little glitter with Dazzling Details.

Here's a tip:  Glue down the card front to the card base BEFORE adding the Dazzling Details or you will forget about the wet Dazzling Details and press your hand right into your glitter!

Fabulous Florets Flower Card

And maybe here you can see some of the Dazzling Details glitter!

Dazzling Details Flowers

Look out in your yard and see what catches your eye (or maybe your neighbor's yard!) and see what card or scrapbook page comes from that inspiration!

For all your stamping supplies, please visit my Stampin' Up! Online Store!


First Day of School in Houston TX

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First Day School

Images copyright Stampin' Up! 2012

Today is the first day of school for about 200,000 children in the Houston Independent School District. Today is the first day in many years that I do not have a child starting school.  It's funny how your life revolves around a school calendar for so many years and then all of a sudden you don't even know when school starts!  But you can't help think about what a big day this is for SO many children, parents, teachers, administrators, bus drivers, etc. The first day my daughter went to kindergarten was probably the longest day of my life just wondering what she was doing every second (and yes, it was a full day of school!)

Don't you think it would put a smile on your child's face to find a little card or note from you in their lunchbox or backpack in these first few days of school…or even all year?  An easy way to do that is with My Digital Studio, digital papercrafting software from Stampin' Up!  Would you believe this First Day of School card started as a Christmas card in My Digital Studio?! It's always fun to start with a template and just change some or all of it according to your theme.

And while we liked My Digital Studio since it first came out, I can tell you that the new Version 2 is absolutely fabulous!  That little apple on my card was an all black stamp and I was able to color the stem and leaf green and the apple red with a digital brush…and let me tell you, that is a LOT of fun!  There's even a pencil hiding on that white panel but I colored it white so it would disappear because I didn't want it on my card!

If you are interested or curious about My Digital Studio, get the My Digital Studio FREE 30-Day Trial today at my Online Store and start making those cute little cards and gifts for your little ones…and even your big ones!  They'll all appreciate a little something from mom or dad!

31% Off Digital for 31 Days….EXTENDED by Stampin’ Up!

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                  31Days_Demo_July1312

EXTENDED UNTIL SEPT. 14th!!!!

 "31% off Digital for 31 Days" has been extended past 31 days!

The little end of summer gift from My Digital Studio has been extended since everyone is busy with winding up summer, getting ready for back-to-school and playing with My Digital Studio Version 2!  Choose from My Digital Studio downloads and one content disc (Floral District Collection!) and most print products.  Now you have more time to finish up your projects and send them off to the Stampin' Up! printer!

To view all the 31% off products, just visit the 31% Off Digital category in my Online Store here.

  • If you already own My Digital Studio and just want to upgrade for $19.95, please visit my Online Store here. HOWEVER, I would urge you to check the lists of content of the upgrade vs. the MDS2+ because it really is a good deal to get the full version, even if you own some downloads….actually even if you own a lot of downloads.  Just check and see which is best for you and your uses….and budget!
  • And if you really aren't sure about ANY of it, PLEASE try the 30-Day Free Trial of My Digital Studio….nothing to lose at all, no obligation, and if you get in there and play with the software…even if it feels strange at first not to have paper and stamps in your hands (I know!!), you might find that you like it!  For the MDS2 Free 30-Day Trial, please visit my Online Store here.

TRY IT….I THINK YOU'LL LIKE IT!


“Hit & Run” Movie My Digital Studio Scrapbook Page

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              Hit and Run Movie Digital Scrapbook Page with My Digital Studio

All images copyright Stampin' Up! 2012

After relating my story in yesterday's post about seeing a portion of the filming of "Hit & Run" movie with Dax Shepard, Kristen Bell, Bradley Cooper and several other stars last summer in California, I made a digital scrapbook page today with my photos with My Digital Studio by Stampin' Up! I simply chose a template that was already in my collection, added the photos, added and COLORED the red car (a new feature of MDS Version 2…oh so fun!!!), and added the text box. I added a few faces in the car windows from the digital stamp set "All in the Family".

It is truly AMAZING what improvements Stampin' Up! has made in this version of My Digital Studio!  The more I play with it, the more I have to encourage you to try it!! Please consider getting the My Digital Studio Free 30-Day Trial and experience it for yourself.  There are plenty of videos online at www.mydigitalstudio.net to teach you how to use it…but the best thing is just to get in there and play!  You CAN do it!!

To get the Free Trial or to purchase My Digital Studio, please go to my Online Store.

Dax Shepard and Kristen Bell Filming Hit & Run Movie: Mystery Solved!

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You may have heard that Dax Shepard, Kristen Bell, Bradley Cooper and others are starring in a movie called "Hit & Run". My husband and I saw Dax Shepard on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" on Wednesday night and watched the clip they showed from the movie….well, at least my husband was watching, I think I was very tired or distracted…I wasn't paying that much attention! Something kind of clicked with my husband, and I was going to check it out yesterday…but forgot…until he reminded me at dinner….so I checked after dinner….and sure enough…mystery solved!!

First, watch this clip about the movie "Hit & Run" from The Tonight Show. They start talking about the movie at 1:18….although his Costco story is pretty funny first!

 

Now the rest of the story:

A year ago June we were in California visiting our daughter and made a trip with her to Malibu one day.  On the way back, at an intersection, there was a truck selling strawberries.  There was a big pull-out area so my husband pulled over but we decided to wait for strawberries until we got back to my daughter's neighborhood.  As my husband pulled the car back around, this truck and trailer were pulling into the intersection across from us.  On the trailer was a car with passengers and obviously some filming of some sort was going on….we were near Los Angeles, after all!

Filming Hit & Run Movie

I took some more photos….the people in the car seemed to be looking at us and maybe even waved while they waited for the light to change at the intersection. Not something we usually see in Houston for sure!

Bradley Cooper filming Hit & Run Movie

That evening we showed our son-in-law, who is quite the TV and movie buff, and he thought the girl in the back seat might be Kristen Bell! Obviously we didn't know what they were filming, couldn't see the actors very well, and figured we would NEVER know what we had just seen….it could have been a movie, a tv show, a commercial, a documentary, anything…and might never make it out into the world….until we saw Dax Shepard on the Tonight Show Wednesday night!

Filming Hit & Run Movie with Dax Shepard and Kristin Bell

If you can enlarge any of the photos and zoom in, you can see it is Bradley Cooper as the character driving the car with the big yellow sunglasses and striped shirt. Next to him in the front seat is Joy Bryant. Kristin Bell is in the middle of the back seat of the car next to Dax Shepard on the far side of the car, and I think Michael Rosebaum is behind the driver.

Catching a Glimpse of the filming of Hit & Run Movie

After you look at the photos, go back and look at the clip from the Tonight Show! We think it is SUCH a coincidence that we saw this sight on the road back from Malibu and that it showed up in a clip of the "Hit & Run" movie on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno!

This was so exciting I don't think I can even stamp today! Although….maybe this would be perfect for a scrapbook page made with My Digital Studio, the digital papercrafting software from Stampin' Up!.

 

Comfort Cafe Designer Series Paper Thank You Card

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             Comfort Cafe Thank You Card

I think this Comfort Cafe Designer Series Paper looks beautiful with the Pool Party and Soft Suede card stock on this thank you card….if I do say so myself! The little flowers are made with the new 1 1/4" Scallop Circle Punch found on page 7 in the Stampin' Up! Holiday Catalog.  You have to put this punch on your next order!!

I intended to feature these cute little flowers in yesterday's post but some other card developed and didn't allow room for the flowers! But I love them on this card!  Actually I have them pretty flattened out as I will be mailing this card (gasp!) but I will tell the recipient she can "foof them up" when she gets the card.  However, I think the paper is so pretty that they look good even flattened out this way!

To make the flowers, just punch out three small scallops (or as many as you would like) for each flower.  I spritzed mine with a fine spray mist of water, then stacked them three in a pile and stuck in the Gold Metallic Brad after poking a hole with the Paper-Piercing Tool using the Stampin' Pierce Mat.  After you have them together, scrunch each layer up toward the center, even twisting each layer around a bit so they are offset.  So easy!  Let dry and apply to your project!

The greeting is from the Perfectly Penned stamp set on page 132 of the main Stampin' Up! Catalog.

If you need any stamping supplies, please visit my Stampin' Up! Online Store here.

Apothecary Art Birthday Card

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Apothecary Art Birthday Card

This Apothecary Art birthday card is a nice one to send to someone and easy to make! Surprisingly, it is not what I intended to make today, but it's what turned out! Sometimes you just have to go with what creativity deals you and not force anything else!

The card base is Soft Suede which goes with the Comfort Cafe Designer Series Paper #126898.  I stamped the images from Apothecary Art (page 102) and cut out with the Apothecary Accents Framelits Dies #127003. The layer is the new In Color, Midnight Muse.

Just enjoy when you are stamping and creating and see what comes of it!

It’s Tuesday at Stampin’ Up!….New My Digital Studio Downloads!

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If you're not familiar with the Stampin' Up! digital papercrafting software called My Digital Studio….or you're just plain scared of it and think you can't do it!…. have no fear!!  It's easy…it's fun….and it's "Learnable" (is that a word?). Best of all, you can try the FREE 30-day Trial anytime, take advantage of the 31% off Digital during August only, and learn all about My Digital Studio on the special Stampin' Up! site www.mydigitalstudio.net.

Here are the current downloads out today! Check out these and more in my Online Store!

From My Heart Stamp Brush Set -- Digital Download

MDS Downloads Aug 22 2012 Prices

 

Stampin’ Up! Silicone Craft Sheet

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Silicone Craft Sheet for Hot Glue

The Stampin' Up! Silicone Craft Sheet #127853 in the 2012-13 Holiday Catalog is one of the great new products you will use over and over again. It's a 6"x 6" sheet of silicone which makes it nonstick, heat resistant, easy to clean and a convenient size for storage, use, and portability.

We all know what a "sticky" situation it is when you get adhesive on your work surface, but with the Silicone Craft Sheet, your work surface is protected from adhesives and can be easily cleaned off with a baby wipe or wet paper towel.

The Silicone Craft Sheet is translucent (you can see my messy stamping on my Grid Paper showing through the craft sheet) so if you ever want to see what size to make your embellishment or how it will be placed, you can see through the craft sheet while you work to get your item just right.

Use it to assemble your flower or whatever project right into the hot glue or adhesive on the craft sheet so that you don't have to try to hold it in one hand and glue with the other.  Put the glue on the craft sheet and then assemble your project.

To add the Silicone Craft Sheet to your next order, just go to my Online Store here.

A Spooktacular Offer to Start Your Own Business by Becoming a Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator

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Spooktacular offer

Make the decision to start your own stamping and scrapbooking business and also receive this Spooktacular Project Kit Offer….an extra bonus besides the joy, the fun, the extra money, the opportunity of being a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator. 

Join the fun by joining Stampin' Up! and start earning some extra cash for whatever your needs and desires are. Maybe it's not about the cash, but about trying something new, new opportunities for personal growth, making new friends, forming new relationships, enjoying what you do.  Everyone can have their own reason for joining Stampin' Up! Check it out here!

  • Customize your own Starter Kit by choosing $125 in product for only $99.
  • Also receive a business pack with your Starter Kit valued at $65
  • Receive the Howl-o-ween Printer's Tray plus all the necessary supplies except ink.

There are many perks and benefits to being a Stampin' Up! demonstrator, not the least of which it is your own business with great potential if you choose to work at it.

You can contact me for more information or ask any questions you have, and when you are ready, you can easily sign up online HERE (just click the Join The Fun button on the left).  

If you've already read all the material and are ready for the Online Demonstrator Agreement (IDA), just click on the link below!

Join Now!


While you can join Stampin' Up! any time, this special Spooktacular Offer with the free Howl-a-ween Printer's Tray only lasts until August 31!  Don't wait until the last minute!

Howl-a-Ween Printers Tray

Texas Sales Tax Holiday Starts Today August 17 thru Sunday, August 19

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Here is the list again of Stampin' Up! products that fulfill the requirements for tax-exempt status during this weekend's Texas state sales tax holiday!  Any Texas customers can take advantage of this savings during those dates only: Aug. 17-19th. Have some extra school supplies on hand for those projects for the kids or for the moms when the kids go back to school!  :) Might as well save that 8.25%!

You can order online with any other purchases you would like to make at my Stampin' Up! Online Store here or email me your order and I can put it in for you.

Number Description  Price
100425 2-Way Glue Pen  $4.50 (new price)
104332 Snail® Adhesive  $6.95
104331 Snail Refill  $4.50
104294 Sticky Strip  $6.95
104430 Stampin' Dimensionals®  $3.95
103683 Mini Glue Dots  $4.95
103579 Paper Snips  $9.95
103179 Craft & Rubber Scissors  $19.95
108360 Craft & Paper Scissors  $29.95
101879 Watercolor Pencils  $19.95
105021 uni-ball Signo® Gel Pen  $3.95
102845 Blender Pens  $9.95
various Stampin' Write® Markers  $3.50
119700 Subtles (10) Markers  $28.95
119701 Regals (10) Markers      $28.95
119702 Brights (10) Markers  $28.95
119703 Neutrals (8) Markers  $22.95
119802 Subtles (10) Watercolor Crayons  $16.95
119803 Regals (10) Watercolor Crayons  $16.95
119804 Brights (10) Watercolor Crayons  $16.95
119805 Neutrals (10) Watercolor Crayons  $16.95
110755 Multipurpose Liquid Glue  $3.95
104045 Anywhere Glue Sticks  $3.95
123002 2011-2013 In Color Stampin' Write Markers  $14.95
128978 Silver Stampin' Dazzle Marker  $3.50
128979 Gold Stampin' Dazzle Marker  $3.50