11/5 Necessity or Laziness?

I've heard that the mother of invention is "Necessity," but in my case, whenever I come up with something new it seems like it's because of "Laziness!" I am prepping for a class and to save my customers time and to reduce the wait time at the Big Shot Machine, I decided to precut some Modern Label Shapes with the Magnetic Movers & Shapers. This particular shape is just a tad bigger than the Modern Label Punch so it makes a background layer to your punched shape. The thing is . . . you are "supposed" to use the SU Movers & Shapers Curly Label Bigz XL Die to hold the magnetic shaper in place. That means a lot of cranking on the ol' Big Shot handle because the Bigz XL Dies are L-O-N-G and I only needed such a small tiny piece of paper out it.

I decided to experiment and LOOK!! I found out that when you put the following sandwich into the Big Shot Machine, you get a perfect punch with you Movers & Shapers Die without using the Curly Label Bigx XL Die! Your bottom layer needs to be the Standard Texturz Impressions Pad. Then, it's the Standard Cutting Pad, followed by your Magnetic Mover & Shaper shape of choice, your card stock, and lastly another Standard Cutting Pad. Run it through the Big Shot and perfecto!

You have just cut your Magnetic Mover & Shaper without the Bigx XL Die!! This is GREAT when you have a lot of these babies to cut as I did today. Hope you are as happy to learn about this as I am to share it! Have a great day and thanks so much for stopping by my blog today.

Tools: Big Shot Machine (113439) it comes with Standard Cutting Pads, Standard Texturz Impressions Pad (114614), Magnetic Movers & Shapers (115953)

Online Shopping is Easy at my Stampin'Up Website. A sweet little gift from me with every online order and you get a ticket in the drawing for a $50 gift certificate for every $50 purchase!

Holiday Extravaganza Gift Giving Guide is a great way to shop! With every $50 purchased from this guide you receive a FREE Decor Elements piece up to a $16.95 value!!

Click HERE if you like Stamping to Share and would like to find out how you can start you own business doing what you love!

Stampin' Up's Online Clearance Rack: Discounts up to 80% off! WOW! Don't miss it!

Sweet Rewards Hostess Promotion: When you have a $250 workshop, you can select any item out of the Holiday Mini for just $10 with the exception of My Digital Studio. With a $400 workshop, you can get the $10 Mini Catalog item as well as My Digital Studio for 1/2 price.

11/4 Christmas Rose

In December, I am offering my customers a Technique Trio - three different techniques to explore in one night. This will be one of the techniques . . . Bleached Edges. Isn't it just the prettiest card? I also love the fact that you can use a "non-Christmas" stamp set and create such a beautiful Christmas card with it.

I was inspired by the sketch challenge at Stamping 411. It's a priority of mine to participate every week. The sketches are an awesome way for me to prepare pro-actively for my upcoming workshops and class events.

So, how did I do it? Not so hard . . . all I did was dip my empty Aqua Painter into a small dish of bleach and paint it along the lines of the rose. I used Ruby Red paper and stamped my rose with Versa Mark ink and embossed it with Black Stampin' Emboss Powder. I think this technique gives my rose a wintry look. To make it REALLY pop on this card I popped it up on three layers of dimensionals. (YES, you can stack dimensinals!!) The Merry Christmas is popped up on one layer of dimensionals. One reason I wanted the rose higher on this card is because the knot in my ribbon is tall due to the thickness of the ribbon. If the rose wasn't popped up, I think it would look a little too far off compared to the knot. (All of this makes more sense if you were looking at the card in real life.)

The base of the card is Garden Green card stock. I stamped the snowflake from Patterned Pines all over with Versa Mark ink. Versa Mark ink is wonderful for creating tone on tone images. I remember as a new customer purchasing Versa Mark ink on one of my first orders because I loved the watermarked look on my card backgrounds. Plus, if you don't yet own Garden Green ink, the Versa Mark mimics it when it is stamped on Garden Green card stock.

Have a wonderful day and thanks for stopping by to check out my blog - you are appreciated!

Stamps: Fifth Avenue Floral (113734), Teeny Tiny Wishes (115370), Patterned Pines Level One Hostess Set from the Holiday Mini Catalog (1165254)
Paper: Garden Green (102584), Basic Black (102851), Ruby Red (102030), Naturals Ivory (101849), Merry Moments Designer Series Paper (115672)
Ink: Versa Mark (102283), Basic Black (101179)
Tools: Scallop Edge Punch (112091), Word Window Punch (105090), Aqua Painter (103954), Paper Snips (103579), Heat Tool (100005)
Accessories: Sleigh Bells Cotton Ribbon from the Holiday Mini Catalog (116795), Black Stampin' Emboss Powder (109133)
Adhesives: Tombow Multi Purpose Adhesive (110755), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430)
Misc: Bleach

11/3 Embossed and Sanded Snowflake

Look at this wonderful card!! I learned a new technique from Robin Merriman that I will be passing on to my customers later this month at my Big Shot Basics & Beyond Class. This card is created by cutting your snowflake from a sturdy piece of chip board and then using it as an embosser with the Big Shot Machine. Robin has some pictures on her blog to show you how it is done so if you can't come to my class, but would still like to learn this technique, click HERE.
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Have a great day and thanks for stopping by my blog today!!
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Stamps: Teeny Tiny Wishes
Paper: Chocolate Chip (102128), Confetti White (102028), To the Nines Specialty DSP (114038)
Ink: Chocolate Chip (100908)
Tools: Big Shot Machine (113439), Snowflake #2 Sizzix Die (113460), Small Oval Punch (107304), Standard Texturz Silicone Rubber (114615), Standard Texturz Impressions Pad (114614), Stamping Sponges (101610), Sanding Blocks (103301)
Accessories: Chocolate Chip 1" Double Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon (111849), 5/8"Jumbo Brads (112533)
Adhesives: Tombow Multi Purpose Glue (110755), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430)
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Online Shopping is Easy at my Stampin'Up Website. A sweet little gift from me with every online order and you get a ticket in the drawing for a $50 gift certificate for every $50 purchase!
Holiday Extravaganza Gift Giving Guide is a great way to shop! With every $50 purchased from this guide you receive a FREE Decor Elements piece up to a $16.95 value!!
Click HERE if you like Stamping to Share and would like to find out how you can start you own business doing what you love!
Stampin' Up's Online Clearance Rack: Discounts up to 80% off! WOW! Don't miss it!
Sweet Rewards Hostess Promotion: When you have a $250 workshop, you can select any item out of the Holiday Mini for just $10 with the exception of My Digital Studio. With a $400 workshop, you can get the $10 Mini Catalog item as well as My Digital Studio for 1/2 price

11/2 Bag, Tag and Matching Card

I saw this idea by Kim Evens last year, but it took until this year to incorporate it into one of my own classes! I loved the idea of taking an inexpensive gift bag and turning it into something special! Just run your Sizzix Snowflake #2 Die through your Big Shot Machine inserted right inside your bag! Works like a charm! Then, I took the snowflake that came out of the bag and turned that into a matching card . . . but more about that later!

To make the snowflake area on this bag really shine, I inserted a panel of Kraft paper the same size as the bag front. I did not adhere the snowflake to this panel. I like the more flowing look of the snowflake when it is not glued down - - - the shadows give it depth.

Above, you can see a tag that I made to put on the bag. I used Stampin' Up's Table Setting Die that you can purchase from the Stampin' Up Holiday Mini Catalog. I love that you can use this piece as a tag in addition to it being a napkin ring. The snowflake mimics the shape of the larger snowflake die cut into the bag. This snowflake is a part of a Sizzlit 4-Pack.

Above is a close up of the card that goes with the bag. I love silver, Burgundy and kraft together - earthy . . . yet elegant!! My customers who come to my Big Shot Basics & Beyond Class that I am having at the end of the month will get to make this bag/card duo.

Stamps: Many Merry Messages (116586)

Paper: Bravo Burgundy (105123), Kraft (102125), Brushed Silver (100712)

Ink: Bravo Burgundy (105214)

Tools: Big Shot Machine (113439), Snowflake #2 Sizzix Die (113460), Snowflakes Set #2 Sizzlit 4-Pack (113449), Table Setting Die (116819), Crop-a-Dial to set eyelet (108362),

Accessories: Clear Rhinestone Brads (113144), Metallic Eyelets (105319), Silver Elastic Cord (109866)

Adhesives: Tombow Multi Purpose Adhesive (110755)

Misc: Gift Bag . . . mine is 5.25" wide by 8.5" tall, Tissue Paper

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Online Shopping is Easy at my Stampin'Up Website. A sweet little gift from me with every online order and you get a ticket in the drawing for a $50 gift certificate for every $50 purchase!

Holiday Extravaganza Gift Giving Guide is a great way to shop! With every $50 purchased from this guide you receive a FREE Decor Elements piece up to a $16.95 value!!

Click HERE if you like Stamping to Share and would like to find out how you can start you own business doing what you love!
Stampin' Up's Online Clearance Rack: Discounts up to 80% off! WOW! Don't miss it!

Sweet Rewards Hostess Promotion: When you have a $250 workshop, you can select any item out of the Holiday Mini for just $10 with the exception of My Digital Studio. With a $400 workshop, you can get the $10 Mini Catalog item as well as My Digital Studio for 1/2 price

11/1 Stampin' Down Memory Lane

Oh, the joys of playing with my sweet set of Holiday Hedgehogs! Remember these cuties? How can they not brighten some one's day? I especially love the little guy peering out of the stocking at the Christmas ornament - perfect for the inside panel of this card.

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The base of the card is made with Real Red card stock. The retired designer series paper called Dashing from the Fall/Winter 2007 catalog. It has a bit of a vanilla tint to it, so the hedgies are stamped with Basic Black ink onto Very Vanilla card stock. Old Olive is the the other color I decided to use to give the card a nice grounded feeling.

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Of course, Stamping Down Memory Lane means that some products have retired . . . but, many haven't! You are always welcome to shop with me 24/7! Have a great day and thanks so much for dropping by. You are appreciated.

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Stamps: Holiday Hedgehogs (retired)

Paper: Real Red (102482), Old Olive (100702), Very Vanilla (101650), Dashing DSP (retired)

Ink: Basic Black (101179), Close to Cocoa (103139), Real Red (103133), Old Olive (102277)

Tools: Photo Corner Punch (109042), Aqua Painter (103954)

Accessories: Red Grosgrain Ribbon (109034)

Adhesives: Tombow Multi Purpose Adhesive (110755), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430)

10/30 That's One Cute Turkey!!

Alright, so I'm just browsing some of my favorite blogs and what do I see . . . this VERY CUTE turkey created by Heather Summers! OMG - I just about flipped out . . . this will be PERFECT for all the kiddos come Thanksgiving Day! I love to give some kind of party favor to the nieces and nephews and since only about a dozen skittles actually fit into the Sweet Treat Cup, it won't be spoiling their appetites too much! You can see the video Heather made on how to make these cute turkeys right HERE.

But, as far as I could tell, there was no access to the candy! Not wanting to see my creations ruined in 30 seconds on Thanksgiving Day, I decided to go with a sliding circle door on the back of my turkey.

Here is how I did it. I used the 1" Circle Punch and punched it as high up as I could on the large scallop circle that is made from Close to Cocoa paper. Then I glue the next scallop circle in Dusty Durango centered on my Close to Cocoa scallop. I flipped it over and used the already punched hole as my guide to punch a hole through the Dusty Durango Layer. The Crushed Curry scalloped circle is glued to the bottom of the preceding layers. Again, I flipped it over and using the punched hole as I guide, made one more punch giving me access to the treats. Before, I put the treat cup on, I inserted a brad through all the layers and also into the 1 3/4" circle layer that I cut from the body of the turkey. That makes my sliding circle door.

But, I couldn't leave well enough alone and I started wondering how I would do a name on each turkey in case I wanted to use it as a place card. As long as I was going to put another brad in the turkey . . . but this time a visible one, I decided fancy it up a bit and use a brad from the Circle Rhinestone Fire collection.

And, knowing how kids love opening doors to find a treat, I made another sliding door for them to open. Just another scallop circle that is attached with the rhinestone brad.

Look how fun this will be for the kids (and maybe a few grownups, too!)

Paper: Close to Cocoa (101341), Crushed Curry (115319), Dusty Durango (115321), Pumpkin Pie (105117), Very Vanilla (101650)

Ink: Chocolate Chip for sponging the edges of the layers (100908)

Tools: Big Shot Machine (113439), Circle Scallop (113468), Circle Scallop #2 (113469), Circles #2 (114526), 1 3/4" Circle Punch (112004), Modern Label Punch for the feet (116630), 1" Circle Punch (109046), Large Star Punch for the beak (110710), Sponge for edging the layers with Chocolate Chip ink (101610)

Accessories: Vintage Brads (109109), Circle Rhinestones in Fire (109110), Sweet Treat Cups (116802)

Adhesives: Tombow Multi Purpose Adhesive (110755), Mini Glue Dots to adhere the eyes (103683)

Misc: Googly Eyes

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Online Shopping is Easy at my Stampin'Up Website. A sweet little gift from me with every online order and you get a ticket in the drawing for a $50 gift certificate for every $50 purchase!Deals of the Week: All through October, Stampin'Up is featuring a sale on something different each week.

Click HERE if you like Stamping to Share and would like to find out how you can start you own business doing what you love!

Stampin' Up's Online Clearance Rack: Discounts up to 80% off! WOW! Don't miss it!Sweet Rewards Hostess Promotion: When you have a $250 workshop, you can select any item out of the Holiday Mini for just $10 with the exception of My Digital Studio. With a $400 workshop, you can get the $10 Mini Catalog item as well as My Digital Studio for 1/2 price!

10/28 Cottage Wall is Bloomin' Beautiful!

Today I created a card "just for me." I had not used the stamp set called "Bloomin' Beautiful" in a while and decided to see what I could do with it in conjunction with the Cottage Wall Designer Series Paper. I was so excited to see that SU brought out a patterned paper that used purples and plums so I bought it right away. But, then I was creating fall cards and Christmas cards and soon it will be Valentine cards . . . when would I ever get around to my pack of Cottage Wall DSP? I decided today would be that day. Of course I LOVE it!! I used Lavender Lace, Pale Plum and Olive Green as color combo . . . taking my cue from the designer paper. The olive colored ribbon with the sweet white edging is from the Holiday Mini Catalog as part of the Mistletoe Ribbon Originals Collection.

Stamps: Bloomin' Beautiful (111490)
Paper: Lavender Lace (101614), Pale Plum (101658), Old Olive (100702), Whisper White (100730)
Ink: StazOn Black (101406), Old Olive (102277), Pale Plum (102732), Lavender Lace (101305)
Tools: Big Shot Machine (113439), SU Backgounds #1 Texturz Plate (114512), Standard Texturz Impressions Pad (114614), Standard Texturz Silicone Rubber (114615), Scallop Edge Punch (112091), Aqua Painter (103954)
Accessories: Styled Silver Hodgepodge Hardware (111325), Mistletoe Ribbon Originals Collection (116792)
Adhesives: Tombow Multi Purpose Glue (110755), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430)

Online Shopping is Easy at my Stampin'Up Website. A sweet little gift from me with every online order and you get a ticket in the drawing for a $50 gift certificate for every $50 purchase!
Deals of the Week: All through October, Stampin'Up is featuring a sale on something different each week.
Click HERE if you like Stamping to Share and would like to find out how you can start you own business doing what you love!
Stampin' Up's Online Clearance Rack: Discounts up to 80% off! WOW! Don't miss it!
Sweet Rewards Hostess Promotion: When you have a $250 workshop, you can select any item out of the Holiday Mini for just $10 with the exception of My Digital Studio. With a $400 workshop, you can get the $10 Mini Catalog item as well as My Digital Studio for 1/2 price!

10/27 Square Card Challenge

The Operators at Stamping 411 issued a square card challenge this week. We were given a guide to work with but we were told we could pretty much do whatever we wanted to as long as the card we made was square. This is my square card creation for the challenge . . . the card is 5.25" square so it fits perfectly into the Medium Square Envelopes that Stampin'Up sells.

How this card came about? Well, I just got the lattice die . . . just in the nick of time for two Big Shot Classes that I held at my home yesterday in which one of our projects used the lattice die in a card. We used black paper and by the end of the evening yesterday, I noticed I had a nice tidy stack of Basic Black outlines leftover from cutting out the lattice die. One of my customers (hi, Marlys!) said I should make a card using that scrap as it was too pretty to throw away. I took on the challenge!

Well, whenever I am looking for a Stampin'Up challenge, the first place I turn to is Stamping 411 and lo and behold the challenge was to create a square card - - - how perfectly did that worked out for me as the scraps I wanted to use were square? Ok . . . so the next thing was how to go from there. I noticed that I still had the chipboard lattice sitting out on my counter. It seemed too pretty to throw out so I was still contemplating what I could do with it. The chipboard I am referring to is part of the packaging of each die and it is always the very first cut I make when a new die that comes into my house. Most of the time, this first cut gets tossed, but I'm really glad I kept it this time because it worked out so well on my card! You must have noticed by now that I dressed it up with the rhinestones that I pried out of SU's Clear Rhinestone Brads. They are adhered with mini glue dots.

I played around with different sentiments, but decided that something simple worked the best. I did use textured paper on my Melon Mambo card base and yes, you can stamp on textured paper. Just be sure to have a nice juicy ink pad and maybe press a tad more firmly than you would for smooth paper.

The inside of my card is accented with pieces cut from the lattice die used with Basic Black paper. The sentiments on both the front and inside panels are from the stamp set called "A Little Birthday Cheer."

Have a wonderful day and thank you so much for stopping by my blog today! I appreciate you and the kind comments you often leave for me. . . like little cyber hugs!

Stamps: A Little Birthday Cheer (115018)
Paper: Melon Mambo Textured Cardstock (115719), Basic Black (102851)
Tools: Big Shot Machine (113439), Lattice Die (115958)
Accessories: Clear Rhinestone Brads pried out of their holders (113144)
Adhesive: Tombow Multi Purpose Glue (110755), Glue Dots to adhere the rhinestones (103683)
Misc: Chipboard Packaging

Pirates & Princesses!

This week's Deal of the Week will make for some sweet memories if you have a house with pirates and princesses! I was the queen in a house of three princesses and since they were all born within three years and two weeks of each other, they were very much into the princess stage all at once. (Sometimes I think they still are!!) Pretty and Girly . . . and won't your birthday party or upcoming celebration be extra special with this themed party kit. I never had any boys . . . but I do babysit one who is four and he's been a pirate since he was two. It makes for interesting conversations to say the least!! These two kits are normally $15.95 each but this week, they are on sale for $9.99 through October 31.

Princess Party Kit - # 116214
Pirate Party Kit - # 116213

Online Shopping is Easy at my Stampin'Up Website. A sweet little gift from me with every online order and you get a ticket in the drawing for a $50 gift certificate for every $50 purchase!
Deals of the Week: All through October, Stampin'Up is featuring a sale on something different each week.
Click HERE if you like Stamping to Share and would like to find out how you can start you own business doing what you love!
Stampin' Up's Online Clearance Rack: Discounts up to 80% off! WOW! Don't miss it!
Sweet Rewards Hostess Promotion: When you have a $250 workshop, you can select any item out of the Holiday Mini for just $10 with the exception of My Digital Studio. With a $400 workshop, you can get the $10 Mini Catalog item as well as My Digital Studio for 1/2 price!

10/25 Flowers by My Daughters

This afternoon I showed my three daughters ages 12, 14 and 15 how to make Big Shot Flowers. I let them loose with some old buttons and scraps from 4-H sewing projects and they were off and creating. Of course, being absolute pros with the sewing machine, they simply had no time for fussing around with "hand stitching!" So, they got the sewing machine out and showed me how super easy it was to sew layers and tulle all at once. They were right . . . not too hard at all! Of course the pinning had me a bit befuddled, but Karel gave me a few tips and I have to say it helped. They left the sewing machine sitting out so I will give my customers the choice of what they would like to do. Below are close ups of each flower.

Kasey, my 12 year old, loves bright colors and the pops of red and pink made it into a perfect Kasey flower. She used some teal embroidery thread to put some nice contrast into the green button.

This is the flower that Kari, my 14 year old created. She is a true saffron and blue kind of girl. She even found a few scraps of light blue tulle that she used as her accent. The dark blue is from a pair of blue jean scraps that her sister kept from a hemming project. Blue on blue for the thread and button finish this flower off perfectly.

Karel, my 15 year old, is wildly creative with every project that she takes on and it was no surprise to me that she used a lot of colors and put together a fabulous button/buckle centerpiece to pull the whole design together. Totally Karel!

My customers will recognize this wall piece that came from the brown county farm house built in the 1800's. The farm house was where I grew up and where my parents still live. This piece was recovered after a remodeling in the 1970's. It makes a lovely spot to display our flowers!

Thanks so much for stopping by my blog today. Remember, if you ever want to shop with me . . . all you have to do is click HERE and it will take you to my business website where you can place online orders 24/7.

Tools: Big Shot Machine (113439), Stampin'Up Flower Folds Bigs XL Die (115967), Extended Cutting Pads (113478)

Misc: Fabric, Thread, selection of fun/vintage buttons

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Online Shopping is Easy at my Stampin'Up Website. A sweet little gift from me with every online order and you get a ticket in the drawing for a $50 gift certificate for every $50 purchase!

Deals of the Week: All through October, Stampin'Up is featuring a sale on something different each week.

Click HERE if you like Stamping to Share and would like to find out how you can start you own business doing what you love!

Stampin' Up's Online Clearance Rack: Discounts up to 80% off! WOW! Don't miss it!

Sweet Rewards Hostess Promotion: When you have a $250 workshop, you can select any item out of the Holiday Mini for just $10 with the exception of My Digital Studio. With a $400 workshop, you can get the $10 Mini Catalog item as well as My Digital Studio for 1/2 price!

10/23 Fabric Flowers with the Big Shot

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Aren't these flowers just gorgeous??? My demo friend Cindy Sheets selected the fabric for several of us to make these on our last full day at Founder's Circle. I wanted to recreate them in my home in Minnesota for a Big Shot Basics & Beyond Class that I am having next week and I was able to find the exact same fabric!! For anyone that knows me . . . they will certainly know that sewing is about as interesting to me as peeling potatoes. In fact, less interesting! But . . . even sewing has its exceptions and for me - this is it!! The sewing was actually quite minimal and honestly, if I can do it, you can too! If you are local and would like to join me - just hop on over to my events calender, pick the time that works the best for you and e-mail me with your RSVP!! We will make these into pins and you can wear them like a brooch or decorate your purse or make them into a hair piece. So many possibilities!! Have a wonderful day and thanks so much for stopping by my blog today!

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Tools: Big Shot Machine (113439), Flower Folds Bigz XL Die (115970), Paper-Piercing Tool to make the hole to insert the button brad into (116631) ... you can also use the tip of a pointed scissors

Accessories: Kraft Corduroy Buttons (114340)

Misc.: Coordinating Fabric/Tulle, Needle & Thread, Pin Backs, Hot Glue

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Online Shopping is Easy at my Stampin'Up Website. A sweet little gift from me with every online order and you get a ticket in the drawing for a $50 gift certificate for every $50 purchase!
Deals of the Week: All through October, Stampin'Up is featuring a sale on something different each week.
Click HERE if you like Stamping to Share and would like to find out how you can start you own business doing what you love!
Stampin' Up's Online Clearance Rack: Discounts up to 80% off! WOW! Don't miss it!
Sweet Rewards Hostess Promotion: When you have a $250 workshop, you can select any item out of the Holiday Mini for just $10 with the exception of My Digital Studio. With a $400 workshop, you can get the $10 Mini Catalog item as well as My Digital Studio for 1/2 price!

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10/22 Pretty Pines

One of my favorite cards that I received at Founder's Circle Swap was a card by Stacey Schafer made with the stamp set called Gifts of Christmas. I wanted to case it so bad . . . but didn't have the Gifts of Christmas stamp set . . . so I improvised with the stamp set called Patterned Pines . . . a level one hostess set in our Holiday Mini catalog. I LOVE how it turned out. I think the pine trees and the Christmas Cocoa felted background paper look awesome together! The Merry Christmas sentiment is from the Teeny Tiny Wishes set and it is so easy to just stamp it, punch it out with the word window punch and adhere to your card. No worrying about lining it up just right and making sure that it is stamped just right. I love using punches for our sentiments. I can't tell you how many cards I've ruined through the years by trying to stamp a sentiment and then getting it crooked or smeared or somehow goofed up. Surely you've been there, too! lol! Anyway, this will be one of my Christmas Dozen cards that my customers will make in November . . . I think they will love it, too!

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Stamps: Patterned Pines Level One Hostess Set (116525), Teeny Tiny Wishes (115370)

Paper: Real Red (102482), Whisper White (100730), Brushed Silver (100712), Christmas Cocoa Specialty Designer Paper (116770)

Ink: Real Red (103133)

Tools: Big Shot Machine (113439), Top Note Die (113463), Word Window Punch (105090), Photo Corner Punch (109042)

Adhesives: SNAIL Adhesive (104332), Tombow Multi Purpose Glue (110755), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430)

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Online Shopping is Easy at my Stampin'Up Website. A sweet little gift from me with every online order and you get a ticket in the drawing for a $50 gift certificate for every $50 purchase!

Deals of the Week: All through October, Stampin'Up is featuring a sale on something different each week.

Click HERE if you like Stamping to Share and would like to find out how you can start you own business doing what you love!

Stampin' Up's Online Clearance Rack: Discounts up to 80% off! WOW! Don't miss it!

Sweet Rewards Hostess Promotion: When you have a $250 workshop, you can select any item out of the Holiday Mini for just $10 with the exception of My Digital Studio. With a $400 workshop, you can get the $10 Mini Catalog item as well as My Digital Studio for 1/2 price!

10/21 Christmas Cardinal in B&W&G!

Oh, my goodness . . . time sure flies!! The sketch at Stamping 411 was posted on Saturday and I'm only getting around to it today! If you would like to create a card for the Stamping 411 Sketch Challenge you have until 8am Eastern time tomorrow (Thursday the 22nd.) It's a great challenge . . . lots of Stampin' Up ideas and it's so much fun to play!
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As you can see, I moved the image panel to the right side of the card and as a result, switched the sentiment to the other side as well. I really LOVE the way this card turned out. I knew right away that I wanted to use the stamp set called A Cardinal Christmas and I was pleasantly surprised to find that the "Merry Christmas" fit perfectly into the Modern Label Punch!! To make the lovely skinny border for the sentiment, I used the coordinating Magnetic Movers & Shapers die with the Movers & Shapers Curly Label Die to make a modern label shape just a smidge bigger than the punch out.
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I know that it is hard to pick up in the picture but the Basic Black Top Note die is embossed with one of the Stampin'Up Texturz Plates. A very lovely look if you are seeing the card real and in person!! lol! . . . guess you'll just have to imagine that part of it! The ribbon is the very elegant Whisper White Organza. The tie off makes for an elegant accent and I like how it coordinates with the foiled Whisper White paper called Bride. The inside panel of the card is quite simple, just a sentiment and a sprig of green in the corner.

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As I mentioned before, I knew immediately which stamp set I wanted to use, but I wasn't sure what colors to go with. I needed some inspiration!! I picked up a Country Living magazine that I had nearby and the first page I flipped to was this one . . . black and white with a pop of green. As soon as I saw it, I knew I had my color combo. I think it will make this Christmas card stand out in a crowd. I used a blender pen with ink from the lid of my ink pad to color in the leaves. I hope my customers will like this card as much as I do because it is one we will make next month at my Christmas Dozen class!

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Stamps: A Cardinal Christmas (111760)

Paper: Garden Green (101697), Basic Black (102851), Whisper White (100730), Bride Specialty Paper (115669)

Ink: Basic Black (101179), Garden Green (103040)

Tools: Big Shot Machine (113439), Movers & Shapers Curly Label Die (114506), Magnetic Movers & Shapers Punch Windows set of four (115953), Modern Label Punch (116630)

Accessories: Whisper White Organza Ribbon (114319)

Adhesives: SNAIL Adhesive (104332), Tombow Multi Purpose Glue (110755), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430)

10/20 Rolodex Birthday File

Stampin' Up demonstrator Tara Fullmer had a really cute idea for creating a birthday rolodex and I'm so excited to share my version with you. I used a kind of coaster board to make my dividers, but I may re-do this and try chip board. The coaster board makes a pretty full Rolodex because of its thickness and I think the chip board that you find packaged with Stamin' Up's Designer Series Paper would work just as well.

I will be offering this Birthday Rolodex as a class to my customers on Thursday, November 5. What a great gift it will make for the holidays!! Or, just a good way to get organized with the New Year just around the corner.


Here is a closer look at the dividers. I love the Full Calendar stamp set and it was so easy to stamp it onto watercolor paper and then just center it into the Modern Label Punch for a perfectly centered label.

Stamps: Owl Together Now (111534), Full Calendar (114966), Teeny Tiny Wishes (115370)
Paper: Earth Elements Card Stock (105566), Watercolor Paper (105019)
Ink: Basic Black (101179), Chocolate Chip
Tools: Big Shot Machine (113439), Movers & Shapers Curly Label Die (114506), Magnetic Movers & Shapers Punch Windows set of four (115953), Card, Telephone & Address Clear Die (114532), Scallop Circle Punch (109043), Modern Label Punch (116630), Aqua Painter (103954)
Accessories: Earth Elements Watercolor Crayons (106696)
Adhesive: Tombow Multi Purpose Glue (110755), Anywhere Glue Stick to adhere the card stock to the coaster board (104045)
Misc.: Coaster Board or Chip Board, Rolodex

Online Shopping is Easy at my Stampin'Up Website. A sweet little gift from me with every online order and you get a ticket in the drawing for a $50 gift certificate for every $50 purchase!
Deals of the Week: All through October, Stampin'Up is featuring a sale on something different each week.
Click HERE if you like Stamping to Share and would like to find out how you can start you own business doing what you love!
Stampin' Up's Online Clearance Rack: Discounts up to 80% off! WOW! Don't miss it!
Sweet Rewards Hostess Promotion: When you have a $250 workshop, you can select any item out of the Holiday Mini for just $10 with the exception of My Digital Studio. With a $400 workshop, you can get the $10 Mini Catalog item as well as My Digital Studio for 1/2 price!

10/19 Deals of the Week Announced Today!

Throughout October, get all-new Deals of the Week—with select products up to 50% off!

See below for this week’s Deals of the Week:

Mini Library Clips (109857) - Regular Price $12.95 - Sale Price $8.99

1/2" Library Clips (112581) - Regular Price $6.95 - Sale Price $3.99


Circle Designer Brads (112571) - Regular Price $5.95 - Sale Price $3.99

Basic Jumbo Grommets (114348) Regular Price $6.95 - Sale Price $4.49

Online Shopping is Easy at my Stampin'Up Website. A sweet little gift from me with every online order and you get a ticket in the drawing for a $50 gift certificate for every $50 purchase!
Deals of the Week: All through October, Stampin'Up is featuring a sale on something different each week.
Click HERE if you like Stamping to Share and would like to find out how you can start you own business doing what you love!
Stampin' Up's Online Clearance Rack: Discounts up to 80% off! WOW! Don't miss it!
Sweet Rewards Hostess Promotion: When you have a $250 workshop, you can select any item out of the Holiday Mini for just $10 with the exception of My Digital Studio. With a $400 workshop, you can get the $10 Mini Catalog item as well as My Digital Studio for 1/2 price!

10/18 Stampin' Down Memory Lane

We just got back from a long weekend at the cabin. I had fun with Steve and the kids and some stampin' fun, too . . . "just playing" with my stamps. This set was from 2004 and it was called, "Hope Is." I think it was a special set created in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. I made a few cards with this design to sell at an Holiday Craft Fair later this month.

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I outlined the edge of my main panel by taking my ink pad and edging it directly onto the panel. It makes a nice, kind of "artsy smear." To make this panel pop even more from the busy background paper that I found in my "stash", I layered it over a slightly larger panel of card stock vellum.

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Hope you had a nice weekend as well, and thank you for stopping by my blog!

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Stamps: Hope Is (retired)

Paper: Very Vanilla (101650), Card Stock Vellum (101856)

Ink: Ruby Red (102259)

Accessories: 5/8" Chocolate Chip Grosgrain Ribbon (109051)

Adhesives: Tombow Multi Purpose Glue (110755), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430)

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Online Shopping is Easy at my Stampin'Up Website. A sweet little gift from me with every online order and you get a ticket in the drawing for a $50 gift certificate for every $50 purchase!

Deals of the Week: All through October, Stampin'Up is featuring a sale on something different each week.

Click HERE if you like Stamping to Share and would like to find out how you can start you own business doing what you love!

Stampin' Up's Online Clearance Rack: Discounts up to 80% off! WOW! Don't miss it!

Sweet Rewards Hostess Promotion: When you have a $250 workshop, you can select any item out of the Holiday Mini for just $10 with the exception of My Digital Studio. With a $400 workshop, you can get the $10 Mini Catalog item as well as My Digital Studio for 1/2 price!

10/17 Christmas Tag Card

One of my very favorite swap cards that I received at Founder's Circle was a card created by Caroline LeBel, a top demonstrator from Toronto, ON Canada. I changed just a few things about it . . . I used a different sentiment, eliminated a brad, added a bow, used a different Textured Impressions Folder, and popped my tag up on Stampin' Dimensionals. But these changes are minor, truly all the credit goes to Caroline for this outstanding design and color combo! It is one of the cards that my customers will be making at my Christmas Dozen next week. If you are local and would to come, just e-mail me and we can certainly accommodate you! The cost of this class is $18 for 12 cards. When you sign up to attend in October and November you will get the December Christmas Dozen class at 1/2 off!

Did you notice the lovely frosted sheen on the embossed flowers? Yes . . . Frost White Shimmer paint is lightly sponged over the surface of the card after it has been embossed. A delightful touch and one of the reasons I can't stop looking at this card! Again . . . it's those little things that make such a difference in the overall look and feel of a card.

Thanks so much for dropping by my blog today!

Stamps: Holy Triptych (110370), A Cardinal Christmas for the sentiments (111760)
Paper: Basic Gray (108692), Real Red (102482), Christmas Cocoa Specialty Designer Series Paper (116770)
Ink: Basic Gray (109120), Real Red (103133)
Tools: Big Shot Die-Cut Machine (113439), Textured Impressions Embossing Folder Petals-A-Plenty (116824), Crop-a-Dial to make the hole through the tag (108362), 1/2" Circle Punch (104390), Sponge Dauber to lightly sponge the Shimmer Paint onto your card (102892)
Accessories: Whisper White Taffeta Ribbon (109070), Frost White Shimmer Paint (116854)
Adhesives: Tombo Multi Purpose Adhesive (110755), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430)

Online Shopping is Easy at my Stampin'Up Website. A sweet little gift from me with every online order and you get a ticket in the drawing for a $50 gift certificate for every $50 purchase!
Deals of the Week: All through October, Stampin'Up is featuring a sale on something different each week. This week, SU is featuring a trio of Sizzix Die Cuts.
Click HERE if you like Stamping to Share and would like to find out how you can start you own business doing what you love!
Stampin' Up's Online Clearance Rack: Discounts up to 80% off! WOW! Don't miss it!
Sweet Rewards Hostess Promotion: When you have a $250 workshop, you can select any item out of the Holiday Mini for just $10 with the exception of My Digital Studio. With a $400 workshop, you can get the $10 Mini Catalog item as well as My Digital Studio for 1/2 price!

10/16 Sweet & Simple Thanksgiving

Paper plays the starring role in this Thanksgiving card that uses the sentiment from the set called Falling Leaves. It's a very quick and easy card to put together, yet it has a touch of class with the elegant paper from Autumn Traditions. That paper is highlighted yet again with the scallop circle medallion that becomes one of the focal points of this card. Elegant Eggplant pairs up well with Soft Suede and Very Vanilla and seemed the natural choice to stamp the sentiment onto. The base of this card is our Textured Soft Suede card stock - textured card stock always adds a little bit of "wow" to any card. . . and we all know it's the little things that make all the difference!

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Have a wonderful day and thanks so much for stopping by my blog!

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Stamps: Falling Leaves

Paper: Textured Soft Suede (part of an In-Color package) (115719), Elegant Eggplant (105126), Very Vanilla (101650), Autumn Traditions DSP (115668)

Ink: Elegant Eggplant (105210)

Tools: Scallop Edge Punch (112091), Scallop Circle Punch (109043), 1 3/8" Circle Punch (104401), 1 1/4" Circle Punch (104403)

Accessories: 1/4" Elegant Eggplant Grosgrain Ribbon

Adhesives: Tombow Multi Purpose Adhesive (110755), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430)

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Online Shopping is Easy at my Stampin'Up Website. A sweet little gift from me with every online order and you get a ticket in the drawing for a $50 gift certificate for every $50 purchase!

Deals of the Week: All through October, Stampin'Up is featuring a sale on something different each week. This week, SU is featuring a trio of Sizzix Die Cuts.

Click HERE if you like Stamping to Share and would like to find out how you can start you own business doing what you love!

Stampin' Up's Online Clearance Rack: Discounts up to 80% off! WOW! Don't miss it!

Sweet Rewards Hostess Promotion: When you have a $250 workshop, you can select any item out of the Holiday Mini for just $10 with the exception of My Digital Studio. With a $400 workshop, you can get the $10 Mini Catalog item as well as My Digital Studio for 1/2 price!

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10/15 No Tricks - Just Sweets!

My downline, Kathy Trussell, gave me this absolutely adorable treat card using the Sweet Centers stamp set. She filled the Sweet Centers Cup with Halloween M & Ms . The cute little punch outs are table confetti. The little spider on the string is actually metallic and a shiny black. Pretty scary!! I love the way Kathy used the slit punch as her closure on this card. Thanks, Kathy "T", I love having you in my group where we have so much fun "stamping to share!"

Online Shopping is Easy at my Stampin'Up Website. A sweet little gift from me with every online order and you get a ticket in the drawing for a $50 gift certificate for every $50 purchase!
Deals of the Week: All through October, Stampin'Up is featuring a sale on something different each week. This week, SU is featuring a trio of Sizzix Die Cuts.
Click HERE if you like Stamping to Share and would like to find out how you can start you own business doing what you love!
Stampin' Up's Online Clearance Rack: Discounts up to 80% off! WOW! Don't miss it!
Sweet Rewards Hostess Promotion: When you have a $250 workshop, you can select any item out of the Holiday Mini for just $10 with the exception of My Digital Studio. With a $400 workshop, you can get the $10 Mini Catalog item as well as My Digital Studio for 1/2 price!

10/14 Ornament Card

I wanted to try my hand at creating an ornament card. I've seen them here and there and the idea of creating a card that can then be hung on the Christmas tree appeals to me. I had a friend in mind when I started this card. A friend who lives through the MN winters with her nose buried in a gardening catalog . . . who buys flowers Nov - April just to get her through to spring. With that in mind . . . this card had to have some kind of flower on it. I went straight to my Pretties Kit and the next thing you know I was off and creating a ten minute card!
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The base of my card is Real Red card stock that is die cut with the Scallop Circle. I cut through both pieces of card stock at the same time. Then, I stamped the Medallion onto Whisper White paper and used the Clear Circle die to make sure that I was in the exact center of my stamped image before running it through the die cut machine. I cut another circle for the inside panel of my card at the same time.
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The ornament hanger is the Round Tab punch and it is also what is attached to the top and the bottom pieces of my card so it holds together. I used just a bit of silver cording to accent the holder, layered the flower pieces together, stamped a sentiment and I was done. The tiny red flower under the half back pearl is a die cut from Big Bold Cupcakes Sizzlit 4-pack.

Stamps: Medallion (115223), A Christmas Cardinal for the sentiment (111760)
Paper: Real Red (102482), Whisper White (100730), Brushed Silver (100712)
Ink: Real Red (103133)
Tools: Big Shot Machine (113439), Scallop Circle Die (113468), Clear Circle Die (114533), Stampin'Up Big Bold Cupcakes Sizzlit 4-Pack (114509), Round Tab Punch (108340)
Accessories: Pretties Kit (109114),
Adhesives: Sticky Strip for adhering the Round Tab punch out to the card (104294), Tombow Multi Purpose Adhesive (110755), Mini Glue Dots (103683)
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Online Shopping is Easy at my Stampin'Up Website. A sweet little gift from me with every online order and you get a ticket in the drawing for a $50 gift certificate for every $50 purchase!
Deals of the Week: All through October, Stampin'Up is featuring a sale on something different each week. This week, SU is featuring a trio of Sizzix Die Cuts.
Click HERE if you like Stamping to Share and would like to find out how you can start you own business doing what you love!
Stampin' Up's Online Clearance Rack: Discounts up to 80% off! WOW! Don't miss it!
Sweet Rewards Hostess Promotion: When you have a $250 workshop, you can select any item out of the Holiday Mini for just $10 with the exception of My Digital Studio. With a $400 workshop, you can get the $10 Mini Catalog item as well as My Digital Studio for 1/2 price!

10/12 Autumn Flowers

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On the left you will see the sketch that was put up on Saturday at Stamping 411. In this card . . . white space is one of the dominant elements. When I was a brand new stamper . . . I didn't know about white space. I pretty much figured that white space meant that I wasn't done stamping! lol! But, I've learned differently now that I've got a little more stamping experience. White space will make the images that you do stamp just that much more bold. It can truly be a beautiful thing.
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Happy stamping . . . and thank you so much for stopping by my blog. I appreciate you so much!!
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Stamps: Priceless (115052)
Paper: Basic Black (102851), Pumpkin Pie (105117), Whisper White (100730)
Ink: Basic Black (101179), Pumpkin Pie (105216)
Accessories: Vintage Brads (109109), Black Gingham Ribbon (104832), Dimensionals (104430), Stamp-a-ma-jig (101049), Basic Black Journaler (105394), Ruler
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10/12 Deals for the Week

We've got some more DEALS of the Week!! Week two goes through October 18 and a new deal will be announced on the 19th. This week's specials are focused on dies for your Big Shot machine. Lookie, lookie:

The Flower Burst Embosslit die cuts and embosses all at the same time. The regular price is $11.99 and this week's sale price is just $5.99. The item number is 114515.

The Perfect Setting Bigz XL die will help you create a those oh so popular cupcake holders and coordinated napkin rings. It usually sells for $42.95, but this week is only $25.99. The item number for this is 115961.

Finally, the Pop-Up Three Tier Cake Bigz XL die is on special this week. Normally priced at $39.95, it is on sale this week for only $25.49! Wow!

If you want to place an order now, just click HERE and you will be taken straight to my website where you can get shop right now . . . even if you are sitting in your jammies drinking coffee! lol!

10/11 Stampin' Down Memory Lane

It's Sunday and I am once again, taking a walk down Memory Lane with SU. Remember the set called "Elegant Notes?" It's just perfect for making cards for music teachers. I like using this set with our SU Note Cards . . . the card is sized at 3 1/2" x 5". What a delightful Christmas card this will be. The felted paper from our Christmas Cocoa pack that you can find in our Holiday Mini Catalog is one of the more striking features of this card. The Curly Label Punch (punched twice through Whisper White paper and layered together) makes an especially elegant backdrop and frames the treble clef. I stamped the treble clef with Whisper White Craft Ink, embossed it with Whisper White embossing powder, then sponged the edges with Whisper White Craft Ink and embossed that, too. I punched it out with the Wide Oval Punch and then it is popped up on dimensionals.

Then, I decided it was time to make thank you notes. I will be giving Kasey's piano teacher a whole set of these for Christmas. I used the Night & Day Specialty Designer Series Paper featured in our Holiday Mini Catalog. I used my brayer to color it up with a coordinating color of ink . . . in this case Real Red. The cards below are done in Bashful Blue and Sage Shadow. I really love how you can change the look of the Night and Day paper by brayering over it with whatever color of ink you want. That just makes it so much more versatile to me. The sentiment is from our Teeny Tiny Wishes set stamped with Basic Black on Whisper White and then punched out with the Word Window Punch.

Lastly, I wanted to share a picture with you of all the goodies I got while I was at Founder's Circle. Stampin'Up sure knows how to treat you right!! What a joy . . . I feel so blessed to be a Stampin'Up Rising Star!! Thank you, Stampin'Up, for the goodies . . . but most of all for the memories!

You can place your SU orders with me 24/7 at my SU website! Thanks so much for visiting my blog! Stampin'Up will announce another weekly special tomorrow, so be sure to stay tuned!

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Stamps: Elegant Notes (retired), Teeny Tiny Wishes (115370)

Paper: Real Red (102482), Bashful Blue (105120), Sage Shadow (101563), Basic Black (102851), Whisper White (100730), Christmas Cocoa Specialty DSP (116770), Night & Day Specialty DSP (116768)

Ink: Whisper White Craft (101731), Basic Black (101179), Real Red (103133), Bashful Blue (105209), Sage Shadow (102532)

Accessories: Whisper White Note Cards (107311), Wide Oval Punch (112082), Curly Label Punch (112208), Word Window Punch (105090), Basic Black 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon (109027), Whisper White Taffeta Ribbon (109070), Dimensionals (104430), Brayer (102395)

10/09 I'm Back! Whew! . . . EEEEK!

I lost it . . . my internet connection, my phone lines and my sanity! For a day and a half we were without. It wasn't nearly as hard on me as it was on my kids - - - homework these days is nigh to impossible without the internet. I had to take my oldest to Caribou so she could research articles on Mitochondria and Chloroplast Biogenesis. But, my, how quiet it was without the phone ringing all the time. Anyway . . . onto the card!

This card is made with Sweet Centers. This is the first time I used my Sweet Centers set. I was a little intimidated by it!! But, just like most things that you are afraid of . . . it turns out not to be such a big deal after all. I put skittles in my sweet center and hung my sentiment on a thread made with my black journaler. As you can see from the inside of my card, I made a little latch so that you can access the candy without tearing the card apart. Next time I will use a stronger "door." I used Whisper White and I ended up having to secure the top with a glue dot so that it wouldn't bulge outward. I think if I would have used chipboard, it would have been fine.

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You are always welcome to shop 24/7 at my SU website! Thank YOU!

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Stamps: Sweet Centers (116521), Grateful Greetings (116511)

Paper: Rich Razzleberry (115316), Basic Black (102851), Crushed Curry Textured (115719), Whisper White (100730)

Ink: StazOn Black (101406), Crushed Curry (115659)

Accessories: 1 3/4" Circle Punch (112004), 1 1/4" Circle Punch for the hole to fill the candy container (104403), Sweet Treat Cups (116802), Vintage Brad (109109), Black Journaler Pen (105394)

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10/5 Thanksgiving

Stamping 411 puts forth a sketch challenge once a week and I absolutely LOVE them. The sketches help you put together quick cards and they are NICE sketches to work with. I want to encourage you to try it out and I'm sure the operators would be thrilled to see your cards, too!
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I decided to make a Thanksgiving card with the stamp set called Autumn Days. The base of my card is made from Creamy Caramel. The scalloped panel is Always Artichoke and the designer series paper is from the pack called Autumn Traditions. My image panel is made from Whisper White. I stamped the wheat in Creamy Caramel using a few second generation images to create depth. I put a strip of Always Artichoke along the bottom edge of the panel and stamped the pheasant with Soft Suede. The sentiment is from Teeny Tiny Wishes (LOVE that set!) and it is stamped with Soft Suede on Creamy Caramel and then punched out with the Word Window Punch. A little bit of Kraft Taffeta Ribbon finished it off and then I put the panel onto the card with dimensionals.

Stamps: Autumn Days (115452), Teeny Tiny Wishes (115370)
Paper: Creamy Caramel (102514), Always Artichoke (105119), Whisper White (100730)
Ink: Creamy Caramel (103220), Soft Suede (115657)
Acccessories: Word Window Punch (105090), Scallop Edge Punch (112091), Kraft Taffeta Ribbon (109068), Dimensionals (104430)
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I wanted to take a minute and show you a quick tutorial using my favorite adhesive: Tombow Mono Multi. The reason I love my glue is because it gives me just a second or two of "wiggle room" so that I can make sure everything is nice and centered. I also love it because it remains flexible forever so your cards never have that "cracking, glue-like feel" to them. And, the last reason I love it so much is because one bottle lasts a long, long time because you need such a small amount. In fact, the number one reason people get frustrated with glue is because they use too much. I took a couple of pictures to show you how very little is needed.

It's true . . . this is really all you need!! I give my customers all kinds of adhesive options when they come to my house, and probably 90% of them prefer glue - once they've learned how easy it is to use.

I've also included a picture of how I store the glue while I use it. I really don't want to have to fiddle with the cap every time I need to use my glue so while I am working on a project, I keep the glue upside down in a small glass container with the cap off. Not very much glue leaks out and I've actually been known to just throw the cap away and simply store my glue upside down like this until it is gone. (I keep a stick pin handy if the tip gets dry.) When I have my customers over, each table gets a container like this with the glue in it upside down and ready to be used at a moments notice. When the bottom of the container gets a little sticky, I just wash it up in the dishwasher and it's all sparkly clean and ready for the next go-round.

10/4 Stampin' Down Memory Lane

On Sunday's, if I am not too busy doing family things . . . I like to pull out a few retired stamp sets and stamp my way down Memory Lane. Unlike some demonstrators, I have a rather LARGE collection of retired sets that somehow I have not been able to part with (and may never.) I typically don't post the cards I make with retired sets because . . . well, they are "retired." But, maybe from now on I will. I still enjoy seeing things created with my favorite sets . . . even if they have retired, and maybe you do, too. So here is my first Memory Lane card. The retired sets I used were Graceful Words and the background stamp called French Flair. The designer series paper, also long retired, was called Enchante. Even the pretty ribbon was from Stampin'Up. Now, that has been retired a good long time!

Some things that are not retired on this card include the Chocolate Chip paper which I used to make the base of the card, the half-back vanilla pearl from the Pretties Kit, and the tag & flowers were created with the SU Baskets & Blooms Bigz XL die run through the Big Shot Machine. Faith is stamped with Chocolate Chip ink and the background stamp was inked up with Mellow Moss. I hope you've enjoyed this stroll down Memory Lane . . . have a great day and thank you for stopping by my blog!

10/2 Gobble Gobble

I like this little Gobble Gobble stamp that you can find on page 31 of the Holiday Mini Catalog. I separated the words from the image to give me a few more options when I stamp with it. In this card, which I created for one of the swap groups that I am in, I stamped the turkey with Dusty Durango and punched him out with the 1 3/4" Circle Punch. The designer series paper that I used on this card is from the Autumn Traditions pack. A little bit of linen thread wrapped around the bottom panel gave this card the finishing touch. Have a great day and thanks for stopping by my blog!


Shopping is easy at my SU website!

Stamps: Gobble Gobble (116535), Teeny Tiny Wishes (115370)
Paper: Always Artichoke (105119), Dusty Durango (115321), Basic Black (102851), Whisper White (100730), Autumn Traditions DSP (115668)
Ink: Dusty Durango (115654), Basic Black (101179)
Accessories: 1 3/4" Circle Punch (112004), Modern Label Punch (116630), Word Window Punch (105090), Photo Corner Punch (109042), Linen Thread (104199), Dimensionals (104430)

10/1 October Specials - the DEALS are Back!

Deals of the Week are BACK! This week is all about punches. The following punches pictured below are on sale through October 11. You can take advantage of this by ordering online at my Stamping to Share website or by e-mailing your order to me.

5-Petal Flower Punch
Price: $15.95 Sale Price: $10.99

My Way Punch
Price: $15.95 Sale Price: $11.99

Trio Flower Punch
Price: $15.95 Sale Price: $10.99

Sweet Rewards
From October 1 - November 30, get our all-new My Digital Studio™ software for 50% off when you host a $400 workshop! Plus, get any one item from the Holiday 2009 Mini Catalog for just $10 when you host a $250 workshop.

Digital+ Starter Kit
With the introduction of My Digital Studio, Stampin' Up! is now offering an all-new business opportunity with the Digital+ Starter Kit. Priced at just $185, the Digital+ Starter Kit contains:

My Digital Studio software
Party Hearty and Petal Pizzazz stamp sets
Whisper White card stock (8-1/2" x 11")
Earth Elements assorted card stock (8-1/2" x 11")
Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie, Real Red, and Tempting Turquoise Classic Stampin' Pads®
Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie, and Real Red Stampin' Write® markers
Chocolate Chip 1/4" grosgrain ribbon
Real Red 1" double-stitched grosgrain ribbon
Button Latte Designer buttons
Stampin' Dimensionals®
Mini Glue Dots
SNAIL Adhesive®
Business supplies (product catalogs, order forms, training DVD, and other supplies)

Combining My Digital Studio with traditional embellishments and other Stampin' Up!® products allows you to not only effectively showcase hybrid projects, but also demonstrate projects using non-digital elements. Contact me today to get started!

9/30 Clean & Simple Contest Card

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This is one of the cards that I submitted to Stampin'Up for a Clean & Simple Contest and guess what . . . this card won!! I couldn't believe it when demo support called me shortly after I arrived home from Convention to tell me the news. I'd never entered a SU contest before because I usually create and then immediately post my creations on my blog. Once you do that, I'm not sure if you can send it in or not, so I usually don't. But, in July, I was really busy making swaps and since I never post my swap cards until after they have been swapped, I sent a few of them off to SU to see what would happen. Good things happened!!
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As a contest winner, I got to select three stamp sets and I got my card and picture in Stampin' Success - a monthly magazine that goes out to all active Stampin'Up demonstrators. Stampin' Success is just packed with ideas and great tips for running your business. It's one of the demo perks that I look forward to every month and I have to say, the October issue will be on display in my stamp room for a long time to come! lol!
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I haven't entered any SU contests since, but I really should. The only problem is that I like INSTANT feedback - haha! Blogging has kind of spoiled me that way. Thank you, so much for stopping by and also for the many kind comments you have left me since I started blogging. You know, whenever I need a pick-me-up, all I have to do is come to my blog and read those comments. . . they are truly little hugs in my day.
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Stamping to Share Website is open 24/7! All $50+ orders get a chance to win a $50 shopping spree!
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Stamps: Medallion (115223), Bella's Bloom (111600)
Paper: Textured Dusty Durango (115719), Soft Suede (115318), Very Vanilla (101650)
Ink: Soft Suede (115657)
Accessories: Scallop Edge Punch (112091), Designer Label Punch (107590), Styled Vanilla Hodgepodge Hardware (112454)

9/29 Clearance Rack Sale!!

I am so excited to tell you about a new and ongoing sale at Stampin'Up! It's called the Clearance Rack and it features retired and discontinued items at up to 80% off! These items are available ONLY while supplies last and that can only be ordered via online ordering.

The items will change as supply and demand changes so be sure to check it out before you place your online orders. Right now you can find ribbons, Designer Series Paper, felt snowflakes, rub-ons, Chipboard and metal tins. Here's the link: SU Clearance Rack.

9/29 Birthday Swish

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I saw the sketch challenge at Stamping 411 this morning and decided to whip out a card. I haven't used Just Basketball in a while and decided it might just work for that circle element. You'll notice that the Pumpkin Pie paper panel has a lot of Happy Birthdays on it. This is a roll from a Jumbo Wheel that Stampin'Up used to carry. Every once in a while I get it out and it adds just the right touch to a birthday card. The ribbon is from the Orchard Ribbon Originals pack. I made my layered circles with the Circle Scissors and the basketball is punched out with a 1 1/4" Circle Punch. The hoop circle is on dimensinals and the basketball is on double dimensionals to give it even more height.

Stamping to Share Tip: If you don't want to wrap around your ribbon around your card stock panel and tape in the back, another way to adhere ribbon is to run SU Snail Adhesive along your ribbon, then just clip the ends even with your card. Of course, this doesn't work if you plan to do a tie-around ribbon accent, but if you are using your ribbon like a "layer" as I did on this card . . . it's a handy dandy tip to know!

Stamps: Just Basketball (115004), Wow Flowers (111714), Jumbo Happy Birthday Wheel (retired)

Paper: Old Olive (100702), Pumpkin Pie (105117), Always Artichoke (105119), Whisper White (100730)

Ink: StazOn Black (101406), Only Orange (102696)

Accessories: Jumbo Wheel Handle (103661), Stampin' Around Wheel Guide (104834), Stamp-a-ma-jig (101049), Circle Scissors Plus (112530), Glass Mat (112531), 1 1/4" Circle Punch (104403), Modern Label Punch (116630), Orchard Ribbon Originals (116232), Dimensionals (104430)

9/28 Winter Candle Wrap

I had so much fun on the Catty Cruise - - - if you stopped by my Stamping to Share Port of Call, thank you so much! I really enjoyed reading all of your comments - each one like a little ((hug))!! My project for you today, continues the exploration of products featured on pages 26-27 of the Holiday Mini Catalog. I ordered the Icicle Rub-Ons with the idea of making Candle Wraps.

I purchased some plain snow white candles . . . about 6" tall. The wrap is a 2" wide slice of Chocolate Chip paper. I wrapped it around the base of the candle to see how long it needed to be and then I cut off the excess. I wanted an overlap of just under 1/2" . . . I wanted it to overlap so that I could secure it with a 2" strip of Sticky Tape.

My next step was to decorate the wrap with the Icicle Rub-Ons. I wanted the bird to be my front and center image, so centered that in the middle of my strip of Chocolate Chip. That meant that my "seam" would be in the back of the candle. The snowflakes are randomly spaced all over and I made sure to bleed off the edges of the card stock in several places.

To adhere the decorated strip of paper to my candle, I used Sticky Strip on the overlap. Adhesive doesn't stick to candles so you need to be sure you have an overlap to work with. I had one of my daughters hold the candle for me so I was assured of a very tight wrap. The ribbon is from the Ribbon Originals set called Masterpiece. I just used mini glue dots to attach it to the edge of the paper wrap. Made a bow, attached it with another glue dot and project done!!

Have a great day and thanks so much for dropping by. Shopping is easy at my SU website!

Paper: Chocolate Chip (102128)
Accessories: Icicles Rub-Ons (116804), Masterpiece Ribbon Originals (116230), White Candle

9/25 Catty Cruise Blog Hop!

You've arrived at Stamping to Share! I hope you are enjoying your Cruise experience so far. Or if you have just stumbled onto this cruise . . . Welcome Aboard!! We are a group of stampers sharing our love for Stampin'Up products. When you have finished reading about my project, you can click onto the Next Port Button at the bottom of this post to continue the cruise. You can keep on exploring different ports of call and eventually you will right back where you started. If you have arrived here from Connie's port . . . welcome!! I'm so glad you are on board and cruising!! Wasn't your stop at Constantly Stamping fun? Connie is sooooo talented and I am always inspired by her projects.
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I've chosen to work with the stamp set called Serene Snowflakes. Many of the products featured in these cards can be found on page 26 and 27 of the Holiday Mini Catalog including the stamp set Serene Snowflakes.

My first card is quick and simple to put together. It uses a couple of tools essential to my stamp room...the Big Shot and the Circle Scissors. This card is 4 1/2" square and the base of the card is made from our Whisper White card stock. The next layer in Chocolate Chip card stock is created with our Scallop Square Die used in the Big Shot Machine. The small snowflakes that you see evenly sprinkled over the entire card is a 4 1/4" square printed window sheet called Snowfall. I used a couple of glue dots right in the center of the overlay to attach it to the scallop square layer. It gets covered up with more layers so you don't need to worry about the glue dots showing through. The snowflake is cut with the Snowflake #2 Die using Whisper White paper and the Big Shot Machine. This is also adhered with Mini Glue Dots to my card.
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To create the medallion in the center of the card, I stamped the snowflake from Serene Snowflakes with Chocolate Chip ink onto Whisper White paper and punched it out with the 1 3/4" Circle Punch. I adhered it to a circle of Chocolate Chip just a bit bigger than my punch that I created with the Circle Scissors. The medallion is adhered to the card with Dimensionals. Sweet and easy. You could make a lot of these fast with our excellent time saving tools.
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I included a picture of the inside of this card as well. It uses a Chocolate Chip circle that I made using the Circle Scissors. The sentiment is from Warm Words stamped with Versa Mark ink and embossed with White Embossing Powder using a Heat Tool. The snowflake above the sentiment is a Rub On from the Icicle Rub Ons featured in the Holiday Mini Catalog.

This next card really shines!! It is created to fit into the Stampin'Up long envelopes. This card uses Chocolate Chip as its base and is sized at 3 1/4" x 6 1/2". The next layer is our elegant Brushed Silver card stock with 1" Double Stitched Chocolate Chip Grosgrain Ribbon wrapped around the base. The sentiment from Teeny Tiny Wishes was created by using a Sponge Dauber to apply Platinum Shimmer Paint directly to the stamp which was then stamped onto Chocolate Chip paper and punched out with the Word Window Punch. This was adhered to a punched shape created with the Modern Label Punch and Brushed Silver card stock. To attach the sentiment to the ribbon I used those ever trusty Mini Glue Dots.
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The snowflake images from Serene Snowflakes were stamped the same way as I stamped the sentiment using a sponge dauber and the Platinum Shimmer Paint, which by the way, dries very fast. These snowflakes were then punched out with Circle Punches in the following sizes: 1 3/4", 1 3/8", 1 1/4" and 3/4". Each of the snowflakes was enhanced with a clear rhinestone adhered by a mini glue dot. The rhinestones were pried out of the Clear Rhinestone Brads that Stampin'Up sells. Each snowflake is adhered to the card with Dimensionals so they seem to be floating . . . a nice effect for snowflakes, don't you think? There are a few more rhinestone brads scattered around on the surface of the card face to make this card even more sparkly! After making this card, I started longing for that first Minnesota snowfall!

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The sentiment that I used on the inside of this card comes from the set called Many Merry Messages. I stamped it onto the Chocolate Chip panel using the same technique as I used with the snowflakes. The pretty rhinestones (pried from their brad holders) are ahered using Mini Glue Dots across the top of the sentiment for an inside as dazzling as the outside!

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My last project for this Port of Call is my Accordion Card in a Tin. This card again uses a base of Chocolate Chip and is sized at 3 1/4" by 5" in order to fit into the tin. It opens up to a full 19". The first layer is Brushed Silver with the corners notched with the Ticket Corner Punch. I stamped the Serene Snowflake and the greeting from Many Merry Messages using Versa Mark ink on a panel of Chocolate Chip. It is then embossed with Silver Embossing Powder. The Elastic Silver Cord is wrapped around this layer and tied off in a bow. To give the snowflake some extra "pop" I accented it with a Silver Jumbo Grommet and a clear rhinestone pried out of a Clear Rhinestone Brad and attached with a Mini Glue Dot. This whole panel is raised off the Brushed Silver Panel with Dimensionals.

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This is a picture of the inside of this accordion card which can also be used as Home Decor in your Christmas Display area. The snowflakes are stamped randomly on the panels of Chocolate Chip using a Sponge Dauber with the Platinum Shimmer Paint. The Card Stock Vellum is torn to look like snow piling up. The edges of the vellum have been highlighted with Platinum Shimmer Paint. I used a glue stick to adhere the vellum once it was scored to fit. Here is a close up:

I made the letters with my Big Shot Machine and the Serif Essentials Alphabet Dies. Each letter is cut out twice in order to layer the Whisper White over the Brushed Silver. All of the letters are adhered to the card with Dimensionals for extra "pop."

Thanks so much for stopping in at Stamping To Share's Port of Call. Now, you are OFF to the next Port of Call!! You will be stopping in at It's a Stamp Thing and Vicki will be sharing some wonderful projects with you!
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9/22 Shelli's Founder Circle Card

Do you like this card? It was my very favorite card our Founder's Circle Card Swap created by Shelli Gardner herself . . . she even signed it for us!! It's so elegant . . . so Shelli! The stamp sets used in this card are the background stamp French Filigree and the hostess level one set called Of the Earth. Shelli Gardner, our co-founder and CEO of SU has a blog called So Shelli. Check it out sometime, you will enjoy reading about her family, her faith, and her creative projects that she often shares.

This is a picture of some of the new friends I made at Founder's Circle. Left to right: Sharon McNeely, Cindy Sheets, and Sarah Wills.


Above is a picture of Dawn Olchefske and I working on my swap cards. I purposely finished them at Founder's Circle because I wanted to spend time stamping and chit chatting with friends old and new.


I was most excited about the pajama party/business share/and swap. I found out I had a long lost twin, too! Aren't we cute? That's Jane Wike and I. People were getting us mixed up during the week thinking I was her and she was me. We really had people looking twice when we showed up wearing matching jammies! Don't we look like sisters? It was fun.

Here we are lined up along the hall and getting ready to swap.

Look at these fun butterfly cupcakes . . . they were delicious!

Oh, and the drinks that we had at our jammie party were so yummy! I had a pineapple one and it was so good I had to go back and get another one!

Every night when we went to bed, we were greeted with "pillow gifts" and these Wellies were my favorite! I've wanted a pair of Wellington boots forever! The gifts were all related to blooming and growing. I'm not much of a gardener, but I will use these boots in the backyard . . . after I've had them on display a good long time in my stamping studio!

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Thanks so much for stopping by!

9/21 Back from Founder's Circle!

Hi Stamping Friends! I wanted to get a quick post in before the girls get home from dance. It's been a wonderful whirlwind of fun mixed in with a swirl of sadness as my grandmother passed away while I was at Founder's Circle. We had the funeral this morning . . . a celebration of a long and full life. Grandma was 97 and I'm so glad I was able to visit with her one last time this past month. We've said many good byes through the years . . . but the last one is always the hardest. God Bless you, dear Grandma. The picture above was taken when she was 15 years old and on her way to her first boy-girl dance.

Founder's Circle was wonderful. This is a picture of Shelli and I just as we arrived at Kanab to tour the manufacturing facility. The bus ride went so fast!! Shelli was on our bus on the way out there and it was question/answer and share time all the way to Kanab. On the way back, Shelli repeated the share time with a different bus and our bus got to play games all the way back to St. George. That was blast, too! (Loved the prizes!!)

This is a picture of me at the Stampin'Up rock. Everyone said that if you were on Founder's for the first time . . . you "had" to get your picture taken by the rock.


I will share more pictures in the coming days . . . but right now I am a bit pressed for time. But, I couldn't leave you with out sharing a card. This was my Founder's Circle Swap card. My wonderful downline helped me get a great start on it and Dawn Olchefske helped me finish it up at Founder's Circle. She's a gem and has given me so many great ideas through the years. I'm glad to call her my friend.

The dots on the scallop oval are made with a mini pom pom held tight with a pair of tweezers dipped into Platinum Shimmer Paint. The ornament is stamped with Versa Mark and embossed with Silver embossing powder.

Here's a Stamping to Share Tip: If you don't have a mini pom pom or find it awkward to use a tweezers, just dip the eraser end of a new pencil into the shimmer paint and you will get nearly the same effect!

It's always easy to shop with me at my SU Website! Thanks for stopping by my blog!!

Stamps: Delightful Decorations (116517), Baroque Motifs (113490)
Paper: Real Red (102482), Brushed Silver (100712), Whisper White (100730)
Ink: Real Red (103133), Versa Mark (102283)
Accessories: Ornament Punch (116794), Corner Rounder (109047), Silver Elastic Cord (109866), Heat Tool (100005), Silver Embossing Powder (109131), Dimensionals (104430)

9/14 Fall Birthday

Isn't this a lovely Fall Birthday card? My customers will be making this at my All for Fall class coming up later this month. I was most inspired by a card I saw by SU demonstrator Kelly Figley. I changed up a few things . . . especially the colors. This was such an easy card to make . . . I have a feeling I'll be making a lot more of them!

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Stamping to Share Tip: If you ever sit down to stamp and are stumped for colors . . . pull out a piece of patterned paper as I did with this card. Let the patterned paper be the inspiration for the colors on your card.

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If you enjoy shopping for stamping things and do not already have a SU demonstrator, be sure to check out my SU website! A $50 order puts your name on my 50-50-50 board! When I have 50 names on the board, I will do a drawing for a $50 gift certificate - fun, huh? Have a great day and thanks for stopping by my Stamping to Share blog.

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Stamps: Fresh Cuts (111634), Teeny Tiny Wishes (115370)

Paper: Ruby Red (102030), Elegant Eggplant (105126), Always Artichoke (105119), Whisper White (100730), Autumn Traditions DSP (115668)

Ink: More Mustard (103162), Elegant Eggplant (105210)

Accessories: Big Shot Machine (113439), Top Note Die (113463), Modern Label Punch (116630), Word Window Punch (105090), Always Artichoke 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon (109035), Dimensionals (104430), Tombo Mono Multi Adhesive (110755)
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9/12 Saturday Sketch Challenge

This is the latest sketch challenge from Stamping 411. I decided to use some colors that I rarely use . . . Apricot Appeal and More Mustard. It isn't that I don't "like" these colors . . . it's just that they are not ones I immediately gravitate to. But, yellow does seem to be "more In" this year so I thought I would experiment with some variations of yellow. Of course . . . chocolate chip goes with everything as it is a fabulous neutral and I think it really makes a nice accent to the Apricot and Mustard.
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This card features a LOT of punches. I used the Word Window, the 1" Circle Punch, the Designer Label Punch, The BoHo Bl0ssoms Punch and the Photo Corner Punch. Punches are quick and easy accents that make stamping so much fun (addicting?)! The brads on the front of the card are from the Earth Elements set and the brads accenting the flowers on the inside of the card are from the Soft Subtles set.
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Stamping to Share Tip: The image on the main panel is inked up entirely with More Mustard. Then I took a blender pen and took the ink off of the branch. You do this by touching the blender pen to the branch area, then scribble the ink off the blender pen on a piece of scratch paper. Do this repeatedly until your branch is empty of ink. Then, use a Chocolate Chip marker to ink up the branches. "Huff" on your stamp to re-moisten it and stamp it as desired.

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Stamps: Eastern Blooms (111626), Fundamental Phrases (114968), Close as a Memory, inside sentiment (114946)
Paper: Apricot Appeal (105124), More Mustard (100946), Chocolate Chip (102128), Chocolate Chip Patterns DSP (112164), Naturals Ivory (101849)
Ink: More Mustard (103162), Chocolate Chip (100908)
Accessories: Photo Corner Punch (109042), BoHo Blossoms Punch (110711), Word Window Punch (105090), Designer Label Punch (107590), 1 " Circle Punch (109046), Earth Elements Brads (106955), Soft Subtles Brads (106954), Dimensionals (104430), Tombo Mono Multi Adhesive (110755), Mat Pack (105826), Paper Piercing Tool (116631), Blender Pen (102845), Stamp-a-ma-jig (101049)

9/12 Treat or Card?

This is a treat or card set that I came up with to offer my customers an option at my All for Fall class coming up the end of September. If you can believe it . . . before I became a demonstrator and would go to my upline's events. . . I used to just "groan" whenever I saw we were making "3-D" items. Sick, huh? And why, you ask? Because I could never figure out how to "store" them in a satisfactory way - - - and I certainly couldn't "give" them away! (a hoarding mentality I inherited from my dad). Well, I've since learned to "let go" just a little bit, but I feel for my customers who view 3-D's the same why I used to, so I try to offer a non-3-D item as well that more or less uses the same supplies.

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My card option uses the same paper strip as the Halloween treat box. It's 5 1/2" long by 2" wide and it is simply glued to the left hand side of the card. If you choose to use it on the treat box, you just wrap it around the pillow die-cut before adhering the die cut into it's final shape. The treat boxes will contain fun size candy bars. I personally love dark chocolate with mint so I indulged that urge for mint and chocolate with a Three Musketeer bar that combines those options perfectly. The stamp set is called "Batty for You" and it is really fun to add "googlie" eyes to. I adhered the eyes with Mini Glue Dots. Below is another picture showing a few more of the pillow treat boxes.

Thanks so much for dropping by my blog today. If you don't have a demonstrator, I'll be happy to assist you with your Halloween treats! Shopping is easy at my SU demonstrator website!
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Stamps: Batty for You (116576), All Holidays (114916)
Paper: Pumpkin Pie (105117), Basic Black (102851), Whisper White (100730), Old Olive (100702)
Ink: Basic Black (101179), Perfect Plum (101437)
Accessories: Big Shot (113439), Pillow Box Die (113466), Cast a Spell DSP (115677), 1 1/4" Circle Punch (104403), 1 3/8" Circle Punch (104401), Scallop Circle Punch (109043), Dimensionals (104430), Sticky Strip (104294) to adhere the Pillow Box shut, Mini Glue Dots (103683), Tombow Multi Purpose Adhesive (110755)
Misc Supplies: Googlie Eyes from the local craft store, Fun Size Candies

9/10 Falling Leaves Thanksgiving

I got some new ribbon! Well, new to me . . . it debuted in our 2009/10 Idea Book and Catalog on July 1. I wanted to create a card that makes this wonderful ribbon a big part of the card . . . but I didn't want a knot or bow because this card needs to be very mailable. My customers will be making this one at my All for Fall event. You can see the inside of the card off to the left . . . very simple - but sweet and it continues the theme from the front of the card to the inside of the card.
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Have a great day - shopping is handy at my SU website!
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Stamps: Falling Leaves (115368)
Paper: Kraft (102125), Chocolate Chip (102128), Really Rust (100661), Old Olive (100702), Very Vanilla (101650)
Ink: Really Rust (102549), Chocolate Chip (100908)
Accessories: 1 1/4" Striped Grosgrain Ribbon in Chocolate Chip (115617), Big Shot (113439), SU Pennant Die to make the scallop circle piece (113483), Scallop Border Punch (112091), 1 3/8" Circle Punch (104401), 1 1/4" Circle Punch (104403), Mat Pack (105826), Paper Piercing Tool (116631)
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9/9 Razzle Dazzle Hello

I enjoy Color Challenges and this one was a winner with me. I just love how gorgeous these colors are and together . . . just breathtaking! The Diva Coffee Break Design Team also had beautiful eye candy in these colors on their blog so be sure to check them out!
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I decided to go with one of Shelli's "signature" sets . . . Razzle Dazzle. Shelli Gardner is Cofounder and CEO of Stampin'Up and when you page through the Idea Book and Catalog, you might notice a sweet little heart beside some of the stamp sets or accessories. That heart means Shelli particularly likes that item because it reflects her personal style or makes creativity more simple and fun.

I used our new In Color markers to ink up the floral swirl. I really appreciate the smoothness of our Whisper White paper - it just makes your image "pop." The pale plum panel is paper pierced with the aid of our mat pack and a paper piercer. This panel is also sponged with Pale Plum for some added dimension, but that extra touch didn't show up so will in the picture. The sentiment is from a FREE set that I recently earned from SU called Fundamental Phrases. It is stamped on textured Bermuda Bay card stock using a Stamp-a-ma-jig for perfect placement. I used the backside of Soft Suede Polka Dot Ribbon as an accent on my Bermuda Bay panel and the half-back pearls are from the Pretties Kit that SU sells.
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The inside of my card shows of a length of ribbon and the flower swirl is repeated. I almost always finish my inside panel, but most of the time I forget to photograph it. Is this something you would like to see more of in the future? Let me know by a comment. Thank you!
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Shopping, Creative Crafting Ideas, Upcoming Events . . . it's all at my Stampin'Up Website! Thanks for stopping by!
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Stamps: Razzle Dazzle (116714), Fundamental Phrases (114968)
Paper: Rich Razzleberry (115316), Soft Suede (115318), Pale Plum (101658), Bermuda Bay Textured (115719), Whisper White (100730)
Ink: Soft Suede (115657)
Accessories: In Color Markers (116329), Mat Pack (105826), Paper Piercer (116631), Soft Suede Polka Dot Ribbon (115612), Bermuda Bay Polka Dot Ribbon (115610), Pretties Kit (109114), Stamp-a-ma-jig (101049), Dimensionals (104430)

9/8 Don't Give Up Hope . . .

Even When You Can't Doodle!

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Yes. THIS card is an example of why I shied away from all things crafty until I attended my very first SU demonstration. I didn't think I was artistic. As you can clearly see, even doodling is an activity that causes flashbacks to 1st grade art class when I had trouble following directions! Many, many years of schooling has helped me in the following directions part of my life, but my fine art skills are still clearly lacking. And, THIS is why I love Stampin'Up soooo much. I don't have to be an artist to create beautiful art projects. (scroll down in my blog to see better examples of my work! lol!)

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Let me explain this card to you. The sketch comes from my new favorite challenge blog called Stamping 411. The operators of this blog keep their sketches simple and also put in directions that even the very most beginning stamper can learn along as they go. I was kind of excited about using a wheel as I got one FREE in my convention bag. The wheel is called Retro Remix and I thought it might work for a Christmas card. All was going along just fine. I rolled the wheel along the bottom of a white panel. Stamped the sentiment from Many Merry Messages across the top. Wrapped elastic Silver Cording to separate the images. Assembled the whole card according to the sketch using designer series paper from the pack called Merry Moments. And then, I decided the card needed something "more." I thought . . . . "hmmm. . . maybe a quick doodle or two with my Glorious Green marker would be just the thing."

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Not. But, what is done is done. Actually, the card doesn't look half-bad from a distance! Or, if you hold it close and kind of squint your eyes . . . it's acceptable. I do like the way the brads just happened to fall perfectly into the place on the axis of that snowflake. I did not cut my paper with that in mind - it was a pleasant surprise that it turned out that way.

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Hope you had a nice Labor Day weekend. We were at the lake and did some entertaining and believe it or not . . . I even went fishing. (Usually, I stay in the camper and stamp!)

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My website is open for shopping 24/7 - thanks for visiting!

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Stamps: Many Merry Messages (116586), Retro Remix Wheel (115619)

Paper: Whisper White (100730), Real Red (102482), Merry Moments DSP (115672)

Ink: Glorious Green (103040), Real Red (103133)

Accessories: Elastic Silver Cording (109866), Ticket Corner Punch (107214), Glorious Green Marker (100047), Wheel Handle (102971), Bold Brights Brads (106957), Dimensionals (104430)

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9/3 Craft Night Out Hostess Gift!

The Holiday Mini is packed full of wonderfulness! You can find it in my right side bar . . . click on the picture and start enjoying! If you have placed an order with me in the last six months, your catalog is on the way. If you don't have one, but would like one, just contact me and I will mail one out to you free of charge!

This fall is a special one for hostesses and I am looking forward to treating you and your friends to a Craft Night Out - your house or mine. We will complete two projects of your choice and when your sales get to $250 or more . . . there's an extra treat for the hostess - any item out of the Mini Catalog is yours for a mere $10 with the exception of My Digital Studio.

Do you love the cute treat box? You can get five coated, food-safe treat boxes perfect for gifts and all kinds of treats for only $3.95 from Stampin'Up!! They are very easy to assemble and hold quite a bit. This particular one is filled with ribbon from the Ribbon Originals . . . and also a yard of the Red Polka Dot ribbon that you see as part of the tag. (A last minute add in that didn't make the picture!) This box of ribbon treats will be given to all of my Fall Hostesses who have a Craft Night Out. Please contact me as soon as you can to schedule your Craft Night Out and I can come by to show you your crafting options.
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Shop with me 24/7 at my Stampin'Up Website!
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Stamps: Great Friend (113792), Bugs & Kisses (116580)
Paper: Whisper White (100730)
Ink: Real Red (103133)
Accessories: Treat Boxes (115690), 3/4" Real Red Polka Dot Ribbon (115608), Ribbon Originals in Orchard (116232), Masterpiece (116230), and Elementary (116231), Metal Edge Tags (103374), 1 3/8" Circle Punch (104401), Mini Glue Dots (103683)

8/31 Tree Trimmings Sketch Card

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Welcome! This post is featuring a sketch by Stamping 411 as you can see to the left. It's a great one and perfect for me to test out one of the freebie sets I got this year at Convention called Tree Trimmings. I also played with Shimmer Paint . . . not so noticeable in in the picture but very shimmery in person. This is one of the cards that my customers will make at my Christmas Dozen class coming up in September. It will be fun to have every one play with those Jumbo Grommets . . . I think it makes the perfect accent on this card.
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Do you like the patterned paper? It's a sneak peek from the Holiday Mini that debuts tomorrow! It's a specialty paper called Christmas Cocoa. (The name is wonderful, don't you agree?!) Anyway, some of the paper is shiny and some of it is flocked!! This is a piece that is flocked . . . the white part is fuzzy-like and so, so touchable! The olive taffeta ribbon is also making its first appearance on the SU scene via the Holiday Mini Catalog. It's part of a Ribbon Originals called Mistletoe. (Another darling name!)
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So how did I use the shimmer paint? Exactly like they told me to at Convention! haha! (I've never claimed to be an original thinker!! lol!) This is what I did. I picked one of the translucent paints . . . in this case Frost White and gave it a good shake. After I took the cap off the jar of paint, picked up a sponge dauber and put it in the cap. That allowed me to pick up just the right amount of paint. Then, I inked up my ornament and dabbed the dauber onto the inked up image. . . stamp like normal and ta da . . . a shimmery image. It's sort of glittery looking . . . and no glittery mess to clean up afterwards.
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Have a happy day! Shopping is 24-7 at my SU website!
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Stamp: Tree Trimmings (116722)
Paper: Handsome Hunter (105122), Old Olive (100702), Whisper White (100730), Debuting September 1: Christmas Cocoa Specialty Paper (116770)
Ink: Real Red (103133), Handsome Hunter (105215)
Accessories: Basic Jumbo Grommets (114348), Clear Rhinestone Brads (113144), Dimensionals (104430), Debuting September 1: Mistletoe Ribbon Originals (116792), Silver Elastic Cord (109866)
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8/29/9 Sesame Street Class

This past week I offered a Mom and Me Sesame Street Card Class to my customers. I had to share a few pictures of Cooper and Jenni. My girls and I babysit Cooper two days a week so he's had some card making experience . . . but it's fun to see his smiling face and I think he will enjoy seeing his picture on my blog! Above, Cooper is cutting out the scallops for the character's faces with the Big Shot Machine.

Cooper LOVED helping punch all the punches that we needed to make the cards. It was a great opportunity to practice counting!

Cooper and I focused on stamping and prepping all the punches while mom Jenni did all the gluing. We were quite a team!

Below is a picture of the cards we made . . . two of each character for eight cards in all. We also made a box to put them in. Cooper was eating a rice crispie bar by the time we got around to doing the box, but Jenni was thrilled to get step by step instructions that she can use for future projects.
This is a picture of the box. Isn't it great? it easily holds eight cards and envelopes. Or, if your cards have a lot of embellishments . . . four would be a comfortable fit.

Do you know where I got the idea for this class? Straight off the demonstrator website! Demonstrator Tamara Bertram shared this idea and was selected as one of the stamping challenge winners. You know how busy I've been since convention . . . being out of town as much if not more than being in town . . . it's a relief to be able to turn to the demonstrator website and find ideas right there ready and waiting to be used. One of the fabulous perks of being part of the SU family.

There are only a few more days before August is over and we say good bye to the greatest recruiting opportunity I've seen since becoming a demonstrator two years ago. I WILL be in town this weekend . . . so if you've been contemplating and you've decided that you would like to join the SU family of demonstrators . . . whether for personal use or to make extra money for the holidays . . . PLEASE contact me!! You can read all about the mini kit . . . only $85 through August 31 right HERE. It's really a great time to get started and I would love to have you join my team. Go to my SU website to sign up and use my password - stampingtoshare. There's nothing to lose . . . if you decide that being a demonstrator isn't for you, simply do nothing. You will still get to keep all of the goodies in your starter kit and your $30 new demo gift from me. It's a win-win!!

Have a great weekend . . . and remember my SU store never closes! lol! Shop 24-7 right HERE!

Stamps: On Your Birthday (111664)

Paper: Whisper White (100730), Real Red (102482), Brilliant Blue (100721), Old Olive (100702), Only Orange (102837), YoYo Yellow (102824), Basic Black (102851), Chocolate Chip (102128)

Ink: Basic Black

Accessories: Big Shot (113439), Scallop Die #2 (113469), 1/2" Circle Punch (104390), 3/4" Circle Punch (107217), 1" Circle Punch (109046), Large Oval Punch (107305), Scallop Oval Punch (114889), 1 3/4" Circle Punch (112004), Wide Oval Punch (112082), Small Oval Punch (107304), Whisper White Organza Ribbon (114319)

8/28 QC Swap for Convention

This card is one I made for a special swap that I organized for the QC Swappers Group. (QC stands for Quality Control.) We met at lunch one day at convention and had a ball getting to know each other in person. I feel so privileged to be a part of this great group of stampers.

My card uses the Level Three Hostess set called Kind & Caring Thoughts. The Kraft base of my card is stamped with the background stamp called Tres Chic. There's a layer of card stock vellum and a panel of textured Dusty Durango. The orange paper on this card is from the Designer Series paper pack called Razzleberry Lemonade. I used a combination of punches to create the sentiment panel and my other embellishments are Vintage Brads and Polka Dot Soft Suede Ribbon . . . with the polka dots turned face down.

Feel free to shop with me 24-7 at my Stampin'Up website.

Stamps: Tres Chic (109258), Level Three Hostess Set called Kind & Caring Thoughts (115324)
Paper: Kraft (102125), Textured Dusty Durango (115719), Soft Suede (115318), Razzleberry DSP (115675) Card Stock Vellum (101856)
Ink: Soft Suede (115657)
Accessories: Ticket Corner Punch (107214), Modern Label Punch (116630), Designer Label Punch (107590), 1" Circle Punch (109046), Vintage Brads (109109), Polka Dot Grosgrain in Soft Suede (115612), Dimensionals (104430)

8/27 Another Holiday Mini Preview

Here's another sneak peak from the Holiday Mini catalog . . . so many goodies and LOTS of new things for your die-cutting machine! Isn't this decorated bag just the sweetest? The bag is just your basic small Kraft bag from Micheal's. The Build-a-Bear die-cuts a just sooooo darling. The Stampin'Up Bear Bigz Die is a must have . . . and then of course you have to "dress" your bear! There are all kinds of outfits to choose from. Halloween to Christmas and of course your regular every day wear kind of outfits. I used the Stampin'Up Originals Die called Kooky Spooky. I decided to put some shoes on him . . . can't go trick or treating without shoes! The shoes came from the Stampin'Up Bigz Die called Beary Essentials . . . your basic bear wardrobe!

Have a great day and thanks for stopping by. You can always shop 24/7 from my Stampin'Up store - follow the link HERE!

Paper: Basic Black (102851), Sahara Sand (105328), Close to Cocoa (101341), Creamy Caramel (102514), Dusty Durango (115321), Ruby Red (102030)
Accessories: Big Shot Machine (113439), Scallop Edge Punch (112091), 1/4" Black Grosgrain (109027), Kraft Bag & tissue from the craft store, And . . . available on September 1: SU Bigz Bear Die (117977), SU Bigz Beary Essentials Die (117978), SU Originals Kooky Spooky Die (117979)

8/26 Sneak Peak from Holiday Mini!

Stampin' Up partnered with Build-a-Bear Workshop and introduced some very sweet and exclusive stamp sets and Sizzix dies that are guaranteed to be "beary fun" to work with! I am giving you a sneak peak of the stamp set called Beary Best Friends and the coordinating sentiment set called Beary Nice Wishes. These sets will be available to order on September 1. They are darling and truly one of the cutest collection of bear products that I've ever seen! Today, I am working on a Craft Night Out for my Fall Hostesses featuring the Build-a-Bear collection.

The design of my card was inspired by a sketch at Stamping 411. The bear is water colored with an Aqua Painter and ink taken off the lids of my SU ink pads. I stamped the bear with Basic Brown which is a permanent ink and it will not smear when you are painting your image. I stamped the bear onto a panel of Naturals White . . . this paper is fabulous for water coloring because it is very forgiving and it can take quite a bit of water without any negative effects. The dress is colored with pretty in pink but to add in some darker highlights where the gathers are I used just a bit of Bravo Burgundy. To make sure my sweet bear wasn't "floating", I gave her a bit of ground to stand on using Going Gray ink.

Have a great day and thanks so much for stopping by to visit my blog.

You can shop with me 24-7 at my Stampin'Up website!

Stamps: Tres Chic Background (109258), Beary Best Friends, available Sept. 1 (118052), Beary Nice Wishes, available Sept. 1 (118050)

Paper: Chocolate Chip (102128), Pink Pirouette (retired), Close to Cocoa (101341), Bravo Burgundy (105123), Naturals White (102316)

Ink: Basic Brown (104315), Close to Cocoa (103139), Pretty in Pink (101301), Going Gray (103274), Bravo Burgundy (105214), Chocolate Chip (100908) for stamping the sentiment

Accessories: Pink Taffeta Ribbon (109067), Soft Subtles Brads (106954), Dimesionals (104430)

8/24 Circle Circus Fun

I've been immersing myself in the new "In-Colors." This card features Dusty Durango and Crushed Curry paired with Basic Gray. The base of my card is made from Very Vanilla card stock so I used that to stamp my circles on as well. One of the fabulous, fun things about the Circle Circus set is that it coordinates so well with a variety of our Circle Punches.

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I was in need of a few monogram cards . . . just so happens that the letter "K" from Lovely Letters Alphabet fits perfectly into the open circle found in the Circle Circus set. As I was stamping this, I found myself wondering how many of the other letters would fit into this open Circle. Here is your answer: All of them but Three! M, Q and W are just a bit too big.

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Notice the lovely texture on the Dusty Durango card stock? That is from the In Color textured paper pack which for the first times now comes in 8.5"x11". I love that new option from Stampin'Up. I gave the Crushed Curry a bit of textured with a quick run through my Big Shot machine using the texturz plate from Stampin'Up Backgrounds 1. I find that I can easily get a more defined texture by spritzing the plate with rubbing alcohol before laying my paper on it. I used to use water, but that seemed to curl my paper and it took a long time to dry. Rubbing alcohol dries very quickly and there is minimal curl.

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To give the base of the card a nice stable feel, I added a strip of Crushed Curry Polka Dot ribbon. Lovely, yes? The gray panel is popped up on dimensionals as it the monogram.

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Have a great day and if you need to do some SU shopping . . . click HERE.

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Stamps: Circle Circus (115778), Lovely Letters (115030)

Paper: Very Vanilla (101650), Dusty Durango Textured (115719), Crushed Curry (115319), Basic Gray (108692)

Ink: Dusty Durango (115654), Crushed Curry (115659), Basic Gray (109120)

Accessories: Big Shot Machine (113439), Stampin'Up Backgrounds 1 Texturz Plate (114512), Standard Texturz Impressions Pad (114614), Standard Texturz Silicone Rubber (114615), Crushed Curry Polka Dot Ribbon (115614), 1 3/8" Circle Punch (104401), 1 1/4" Circle Punch (104403), 1" Circle Punch (109046), 3/4" Circle Punch (107217), Dimensionals (104430)

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8/18 SOS!! I'm too busy to stamp!!

August is the family month around here. No ballet, no school and eleven months of my husband being very patient with all of our activities, waiting . . . waiting patiently . . . and saving it all up for August! I've been running, vacationing, playing (and golfing) non-stop since convention and not much time has been spent in my stamp room. I promise things will get back to normal around here once August has past . . . but until then, I will share some swaps I've made for various swapping groups and some of my convention swaps.

This is a checkbook cover that my hostesses made at my Hostess Appreciation in July. I think it is positively darling!! So did all of my hostesses! I also made these as gifts for my convention room mates. Too much fun . . . especially the saying from Razzle Dazzle which says, "It's Good to Dream" . . . very appropriate for your checkbook cover, wouldn't you say? I know I never get to get it "all" . . . but at least I can dream about it! LoL!

One of my dreams that did come true was becoming a Stampin'Up demonstrator. (It took my a long time to decide to do it and the only thing I would do over is this - I would sign up a LOT sooner than what I did!!) If you are thinking about becoming a demonstrator, August is such an AWESOME time to jump in. You will be able to make beautiful hand-crafted gifts in time for Christmas all at cost! And wouldn't it be fun to have your friends wanting to learn how to make what you are making? That's how it all started for me! My friends telling their friends who told their friends and so on! Word of mouth is always the best way to advertise, don't you think? The starter kit is only $85 through the end of August. E-mail me and let's get started!!

If your still need to think about it . . . but you know you are ready to shop . . . You can Shop with Me 24-7 at my Stampin'Up Website!

Stamps: Circle Circus (115778), Razzle Dazzle (116714) Paper: Melon Mambo (115320), Bermuda Bay (115317), Rich Razzleberry (115316), Whisper White (100730) Ink: Melon Mambo (115656), Bermuda Bay (115655), Rich Razzleberry (115658), Crushed Curry (115659) Accessories: Bermuda Bay Polka Dot Ribbon (115610), Stamp-a-ma-jig (101049), Scallop Edge Punch (112091)

8/14 A new look for my blog!

WOW! What a difference! Do you like the look of my updated blog? I am thrilled with it!! Tee of Design byTee did it for me. She is super easy to work with and didn't mind incorporating changes as we went along. She always gave me several choices to work with and I can tell that she really enjoys the whole process. If you would like a makeover on your blog . . . check out Blogs by Tee. I highly recommend her expertise and she's fun, too!

I love the swirls from Baroque Motifs and I also love the bird from Special Blessings. I put the two of them together for some general swapping at Convention. I used new In Colors . . . Melon Mambo and Bermuda Bay for some extra punch.

You are welcome to shop my Stampin'Up Website 24-7!

Stamps: Special Blessings (113411), Baroque Motifs (113490)

Paper: Basic Black (102851), Whisper White (100730), Bermuda Bay (115317), Melon Mambo (115320)

Ink: Basic Black (101179), Bermuda Bay (115655), Melon Mambo (115656)

Accessories: Eyelet Border Punch (113692), Black 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon (109027), Black Gingham Ribbon (104832)