Occasions Mini Catalog Sneaky Peek #4

I hope you are enjoying all the sneak peeks of the new Occasions Mini Catalog items. I have a few new things to share with you today. First, the Sending Love Designer Paper is amazing. Swoon! It is a tad more expensive than some of the other Designer Papers, but it has glitter. For those of you who know me, I love the look of glitter without the mess. This is the perfect fix. The glitter is in the paper. It doesn't come off. I am in love with it. All the papers are beatiful, especially the one on this card.

Second, not only do we have a brand new Occasions Mini Catalog to drool over, but Sale-A-Bration begins January 5th. What is Sale-A-Bration you ask? Well Sale-A-Bration a way to earn free products. For every $50 you spend, you earn a free Sale-A-Bration product of your choice. You can also earn free products by hosting a workshop of at least $300. If you'd like to book a workshop or place a $50 order to get your free Sale-A-Bration products, call us today!

So you ask, why is Sale-A-Bration so important? Well you earn free products. This year Stampin' Up! has some cute stamps, Designer Series Paper, and even an amazing punch (which they have already said will appear in the next 2010-1011 Catalog...this is unheard of and never done before.) On top of that, if you don't like the choices they give you, you can pick selected stamp sets out of the main catalog.

Anyway, back to the card. I used the Scallop Trim Border punch, which is a Sale-A-Bration choice. I love it so much! Dare I say, it might replace my Scallop Edge Border. Hard to tell!



Paper: Pretty in Pink, Sending Love Designer Paper
Ink: Chocolate Chip
Stamps: Three Little Words
Accessories: Scallop Trim Border punch, 5/8" Pretty in Pink Satin Ribbon

Shop Now for all your Supplies!

Occasions Mini Catalog Sneaky Peek #3

Welcome everyone! Today's card is also using the Fox & Friends set, but I mixed it up and used a new punch that will be in the Occasions mini catalog. Woot Woot! The punch is called the Pinking Heart border. It is the new line of punches being released by Stampin' Up. The idea behind this new punch design is easier storage (they lock shut for a sleek profile that can be stacked), there is a larger handle for easier punching leverage, and some multiple step punches for layering and precision. I am a big fan of some of the new designs! I also am happy to see Stampin' Up come out with more border punches! Yippee! Enjoy!



Paper: So Saffron, Basic Black, Very Vanilla, Basic Gray
Ink: So Saffron, Basic Black
Stamps: Fox & Friends, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Accessories: Pinking Hearts Border, Word Window punch, Modern Label punch

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Occasions Mini Catalog Sneaky Peek #2

Hi everyone. Today's sneaky peek is from the set Fox & Friends. I think this set would be perfect for baby shower invites and thank you cards or even a child's birthday card. Personally, I think it was just too darn cute to pass up, so I didn't.

I also wanted to give a quick shout to Kiley, one of our stampin' group members. She has been pushing me to use some different color combos... so I did. So this ones for you!



Paper: Bashful Blue, Dusty Durango, Always Artichoke
Ink: Dusty Durango, Always Artichoke
Stamps: Fox & Friends, Family Phrases
Accessories: 1/4" Chocolate Chip Grosgrain ribbon, Pokey tool, Mat Pack, Silver brad

Shop Now for all your supplies!

Occasions Mini Catalog Sneaky Peek #1

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday with family and friends. Having winter break from school has given me the opportunity to get the creative juices flowing and given me ample time to work in the craft room. Thankfully my Occasions Mini Catalog preorder showed up just before Christmas. Yippee! It's like it was waiting for me.

So, needless to say, I have over a dozen cards/projects created for our next Stamp Group, but don't know what to pick. I know we can't possibly make them all in a night, so I am going to have quite a few posts on the blog sharing some of my favorite creations. I am very excited because some of these sets are to die for. I just love them! I have a feeling you will too!

Most of the cards have something to do with Valentine's Day because that's what our January class will be all about, but you may want to keep a pen and paper handy so you can start writing out your wish list. You are going to need it. I hope you enjoy and get inspired for your own projects.

Without further ado, Sneaky Peek #1- Wooden Valentine...



Paper: Creamy Caramel CS, Lovely Lilac CS, Very Vanilla CS
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Orchid Opulence
Stamps: I {Heart} Hearts, Woodgrain Background, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Accessories: Scallop Edge Punch, 1/4" Chocolate Chip Grossgrain Ribbon

Okay, so let me first say that I bought the clear mount I {Heart} Hearts set, and I LOVE it! I am thinking of converting completly to clear mount. I like that it is much easier to see where you are placing an image and second the price is better. Second, this was the first opportunity I had to use my Woodgrain background stamp. It is adorable and I love that one of the hearts had a woodgrain effect as well. So there you go. You're first sneaky peek. I promise in future posts I won't have this much to say. Thanks for stopping by!Check back in soon for more sneaky peaks!

Shop Now for all your supplies!

Chenille Blanket

While Amanda has been working on a few projects, I have been working on one of my own. We have been seeing more and more people making quilts using their Big Shot. You use the dies to cut your fabric shapes. I love quilting but I also like making Chenille blankets and scarfs. It's such an easy technique and the finished project is beautiful. I love giving them as gifts.

You will cut 5 layers of fabric in the measurement you choose for your project. This is a lap blanket measuring 46" x 48". Pin all 5 layers together using curved safety pins. These are great for basting and holding your project together.

To make a pattern in the chenille I cut coordinating fabric and layered them, using the Scallop Circle and Scallop Circle # 2 dies using the Big Shot.





Once you have all of your layers together, you sew on the diagonal of your fabric. You need to sew on the diagonal in order for your fabric to fray. I sewed every half inch starting in the center of the project. This is time consuming but well worth the wait. Once you are all done sewing your project you cut two of the layers of your fabric between each sew line. Now turn your project over and cut two layers of fabric between the sew lines on this side. Be very careful you do not want to cut that center layer. This is what holds the whole thing together. There are tools available to cut your layers, but I have found a good sharp sewing scissors works just a well.





Now throw your project into the wash machine with a towel. Then throw it all into the dryer. The towel helps rub against the fabric to help fray the edges. The more you wash it the better it looks. Now I had no idea when I started what this was going to look like when it was done, but I am pleased with it. I hope you like it too! Just another great use for our Big Shots!

A Gift for my Students

I really wanted to do something nice for my students for the holidays, but with 50+ students not a lot comes to mind that is economical. I decided on making each of them a bookmark since lots of them are hard core readers.

Here's the whole flower pot full of them. Believe it or not, I needed to refill it twice.





Here is a shot of a single bookmark. Nothing overly fantastic about it, but I think it is the simplicity and heart that make these amazing gifts. I am so happy with the way they turned out.

Bags, Bags, Bags

I have been on a sewing rampage since late October. I found a really cute post on a blog about these reuseable grocery bags. I bought the pattern and my little heart has been sewing away. I figured this would be an adorable and inexpensive homemade Christmas present. The trouble was that I loved the first set so much that I couldn't keep my mouth shut about it and I told my mom and sister (two of the recipents.) Oh no! The fabric was so cool and I found about a million more people to make them for. So I went back to sewing once more.







Not only that, but I made them a small personalized notepad for the front pocket. So it could be for grocery lists or just things you don't want to forget. I know I need that. I'm so forgetful, just ask my husband. Anyway, now I've wrapped them all up and given them away (except 2 for me), but I hope to make more and possibly sell them. They rock!

Better Late Than Never

Well it has been a long time since we have posted anything and we apologize, so we hope that this is better late than never. I wanted to share some cute bags I made to house gift cards this year. I actually found this idea from Amy Celona. I used the Big Shot and the Top Note die to create the sides of the bag and a small white craft bag in the center. As if it wasn't cool enough to get a gift card, now you get a sweet little bag too! You lucky duckies!

November Card Class

For our November Card Class Amanda concentrated on Holiday cards. The Silver Serene Snowflakes Card is absolutely beautiful. Yet it is not complicated and it is easy to mass produce. To see the video's for all of these cards, take a stroll over to the right hand side of the screen, Scroll down and click on Our YouTube Videos.


The Snow Swirled Holiday Wreath Card, Well Amanda was thinking outside of the box on this one. Using a Snow Flake Stamp to make a Wreath. It's elegant and again not complicated. I would not have any problems making these for my holiday cards.


And last but not least is the Delightful Decorations Suspension Card. I love the way the little ornament moves when you open the card.

Stamp A Stack

You don't want to miss this one!!!

Get together with us and get an early start on your Christmas card creations. Go home with some spectacular new ideas. You'll enjoy making 5 holiday cards and you get to make 2 of each design. That's 10 cards!!!

When: Saturday November 7th 9:00 a.m.

Where: 1216 Bluegrass Lane, Menasha

Cost: $15 (receive $5 off any order of $15 or more placed that day)

We'll have Door Prizes and a Continental Breakfast

Bring your adhesive (tape) and scissors

Receive a gift from me if you bring a New friend!

Please RSVP by November 3rd 729-1142 or simplystampin4u@new.rr.com

Can't attend?  Live to far away?  Order the Kit.  You will receive the instructions and everything needed to put your cards together.  Envelopes are included.  All images will be stamped.  All you will need is your favorite adhesive and a sissors for trimming.

There are two ways to order:

1. Kit in the Mail! You'll receive the supplies to make  5 card designs 2 of each, 10 cards total plus the envelopes and the step-by-step instructions to recreate as many as you'd like.
$18.95 US Orders Only Please

2. Order the step-by-step directions without the kit - this includes directions and a complete list of ingredients and cutting dimensions!  Receive by your choice of email or USPS.
ONLY $5.95
CLICK on the Add to Cart button HERE or over in the right hand column.

Stamp A Stack

Instructions Only $5.95 Complete Kit $18.95

THANK YOU so much!  Contact Stephanie or Amanda at simplystampin4u@new.rr.com with any questions.

Thanks for stopping to visit.....

Final Deal of the Week

Oct 26-31, 2009

During the month of October, Stampin' Up! will offer several discounted products as "Deals of the Week."No limits and no minimum purchase required. If you are interested in ordering any or all of these products please go to http://simplystampin4u.stampinup.net/ and order online 24/7, or you can call 729-1142 or email me simplystampin4u@new.rr.com with your order

Item #116214 Princess Party Kit (pg 174)

Regular Price $15.95   SALE Price $9.99

You can make your princess's fantasies come true with our Princess Party kit. Your little princess and seven of her ladies-in-waiting can celebrate a splendid happily-ever-after complete with invitations, decorations, and dazzling crowns to create and wear.

■ Contains products to create invitations, crowns, purse boxes, banner, and food toppers for eight

■ Coordinates with the Princess Time stamp set and Princess personalized name stamp

Item #116213 Pirate Party Kit (pg 175)

Regular Price $15.95  SALE Price $9.99

Hoist the Jolly Roger and get ready to have a swashbuckling good time! Gather your little buccaneer and his or her mateys for a pirate party of the finest sort, complete with invitations, decorations, and eye patches to create and wear. This kit contains products you need to create party invitations and decorations for eight guests.

■ Contains products to create invitations, eye patches, banner, treasure boxes, and food toppers for eight

■ Coordinates with our Pirate Time stamp set and Pirate personalized name stamp

If you'd like to order these kits....go to my click to order stampin up button to the right of the screen or call right away (if you're local) and I can add them to a workshop order.

Deal of the Week 3

Oct 19-25, 2009

During the month of October, Stampin' Up! will offer several discounted products as "Deals of the Week." No limits and no minimum purchase required. If you are interested in ordering any or all of these products please go to http://simplystampin4u.stampinup.net and order online 24/7, or you can call 729-1142 or email me simplystampin4u@new.rr.com with your order

Basic Jumbo Grommets 114348 Pg 179

Reg price $6.95 Sale price $4.49

Custom designed by Stampin Up. These painted grommets add whimsy and fun to your creations. 20 piece set includes 5 basic black, 5 silver, 5 very vanilla and 5 whisper white grommets.

Circle Designer Brads 112571 Pg 179

Reg Price $5.95 Sale Price $3.99

High quality, cast brads in Stampin' Up! custom designs, shapes and finishes. There are 16 brads in all, 8 each of 2 sizes.

1/2" Library Clips 112581 Pg 179

Reg Price $6.95 Sale Price $3.99

Stampin' Up! custom colored library clips come in an assortment of 8 chocolate chip, 8 old olive and 8 whisper white clips.

Mini Library Clips 109857 Pg 179

Reg Price $12.95 Sale Price $8.99

These innovative clips offer a smaller version of your favorite library clips.

The 48 piece assortment has 12 black clips, 12 silver clips, 12 antique clips and 12 pewter clips.

October Card Class

This month we decided to focus on fall and gift giving cards/projects.  Our first project is the Tea Bag Holder Card.  This is such an easy project that anyone would love to get.  Teacher gifts, thinking of you gift, or a secret santa project for the upcoming holidays...the possiblities are endless!

We used the Simply Said stamp set and the Thoroughly Modern DSP to create this little gem. Just add your favorite tea packet and you have a perfect little gift on hand for all your family and friends. View our You Tube tutorial for the Tea Bag holder Part 1 and Part 2.

The second project we did this month was our focus on the Waterfall card technique. View our You Tube tutorial Part 1 and Part 2. You can also find another tutorial at Splitcoast Stampers. For this card we used the Bright Blessings Jumbo Stampin' Wheel and Falling Leaves stamp set. This is a sweet little card that can be used for lots of occassions.

The last project we did was a Thanksgiving card using Baroque Motifs, Autumn Days, and Teeny Tiny Wishes. View our You Tube tutorial. This card could be modified to use for any holiday or special occassion. I love how the flourish and small flower can be used to make custom designer background paper.

To join our Monthly Workshop classes or receive our Workshop by Mail projects and directions, contact us at simplystampin4u@new.rr.com

Stampin’ Up! Deals of the Week 2

During the month of October, Stampin' Up! will offer several discounted products as "Deals of the Week." No limits and no minimum purchase required. If you are interested in ordering any or all of these products please go to http://simplystampin4u.stampinup.net and order online 24/7, or you can call 729-1142 or email me simplystampin4u@new.rr.com with your order

Sizzix Flower Burst Embosslits Die 114515

Reg price $11.95  Sale price $5.99

With a little effort, this burst of sunshine will add volume and dimension to any project. The modern flower has an Eastern influence, and would look stunning used with the Eastern Blooms stamp set.

Use a Sizzix Big Shot machine, standard cutting pads, and multi-purpose platform with this die

2-1/4" x 2-1/2".  Chemically-etched die that includes negative and positive images for cutting and embossing at the same time.  Stampin' Up! exclusive die

Perfect Setting Sizzix Bigz XL Die 115961

Reg Price $42.95 Sale Price $25.99

A perfect event needs a perfect setting. We've got you covered with our Perfect Setting Bigz XL die. With it, you can create cupcake holders and napkin rings from card stock, Designer Series paper, or other material. The cupcake holder is designed to hold a standard-size cupcake. This design is part of Shelli’s Signature Collection.  Can cut through multiple sheets of card stock, Texture Cuts wood sheets, window sheets, Décor Elements sheets, and more.  Use with Sizzix Big Shot machine and extended cutting pads. Die size: 6" x 13-3/4".

Pop-Up 3 Tier Cake Sizzix Bigz Die

Reg Price $39.95 Sale Price $25.49

Bigz Three Tier Cake pop-up die. Great for uses in decorating or making 3 dimensional cards.  Can cut through multiple sheets of card stock, Texture Cuts wood sheets, Window sheets, Décor Elements sheets, and more.  Use with Sizzix Big Shot machine and extended cutting pads.

Pirate Birthday Invitations

I wanted to post this card because I thought it was a wonderful card, and there was a lot of work put into it.  If you click on the photo it will enlarge it so you can see all of the detail.  My niece Stacey made these invitations for her nephew Trevor's 2nd Birthday.  Although the stamp set is retired, it can get your creativity flowing to make your own special invitations or Birthday card for that special little person.  Thanks, Stacey for allowing me to post this for everyone to see!

Charming

Being a craft person has it's downfall. Unlike some of you in internet world, I enjoy all different kinds of crafts... sewing, scrapbooking, stamping, jewelry making, etc... The list could do on and on. So can the price tag. It's expensive to have so many hobbies. Anyway, I was excited to hear that Stampin' Up was going to be starting a jewelry line called Simply Adorned. This gives stampers a chance to make and create their own jewelry. So, I bought the stamp set they first came out with in the Holiday Mini Catalog called Charming. I think it is cute, even if you don't make jewelry with it, which is what I did. This was my first creation using this set.

The colors were from Color Throwdown #60 and the layout came from Clean & Simple Stamping with her FTL #60. It's difficult to see that I used the delicate words in Banana as a background stamp on the White CS. Thanks for stopping.

Be one of the first to order My Digital Studio.  Available Oct 1, 2009.

Creativity goes digital with My Digital Studio! Use the same great artwork, colors, and accessory images found in our current product lines to create personalized cards, photo albums, scrapbooks, and other projects. Once you've created your personalized gift or heirloom, have it printed in our high-quality print facility and delivered to your door; or you can print your creation at home.  Click on the link over in the right hand column of this page for more information.

Stampin’ Up! Deals of the Week is back!

During the month of October, Stampin' Up! will offer several discounted products as "Deals of the Week." No limits and no minimum purchase required. If you are interested in ordering any or all of the punches please go to http://simplystampin4u.stampinup.net and order online 24/7, or you can call 729-1142 or email me simplystampin4u@new.rr.com with your order

Week 1 Deals of the Week
Thursday, October 1 – 11, 2009
Punches are a quick and easy way to add interest, dimension, and color to your cards, tags, and scrapbook pages. You can glue punched shapes directly onto your projects or layer a sheet of card stock that has been punched over a coordinating card stock for a reverse effect.

Item 109183 The Trio Flower punch will give you three identical flowers with each punch! Special Price $10.99 plus shipping and handling.

Item 109041 The 5-Petal Flower punch coordinates with the In the Spotlight and Ginormous Flowers stamp sets. It also coordinates with the On Board Blossoms & Basics and Cutie Pie Designer Series paper.  Special Price $10.99 plus shipping and handling.

Item 110709 The My Way punch looks fantastic on projects where you want to direct attention to a small detail.  Special Price $11.99 plus shipping and handling.

Same Colors...Three Cards

Lately I've been thinking about the holidays, not just Christmas, but all of them and how we use the same color combos for all our projects. At least I seem to. We tried to break out of our mold a little for our September card class when we made Halloween cards. Don't get me wrong, some of these combos are tried and true, but do they have to be the base of every holiday card?

I got the Patterned Pines hostess set from the Holiday Mini Catalog, as well as Four the Holidays, also from the mini. It gave me a chance to make a couple "holidayish" cards using a color combo that has been stuck in my head for a while. I feel that Melon Mambo is extremely bright and have looked away from it for too long. The problem is always what color to pair with this insanely bright pink. Guess what color I picked? Taken with Teal, another somewhat bright color. What was I thinking? I did try and tone it down a little by using Kraft CS and Chocolate Chip CS. I ended up making three cards, all different, and yet used the same colors on each. I don't know if I got it just right yet, I mean what was in my head, but I will keep working on it.

This layout is from Clean & Simple Stamping and it was FLT #56. I love how simple all her layouts are. I also embellished with some little sticky rhinestones.

This layout is courtesy of Mojo Monday. This was actually back from when Mojo Monday had it's 100th sketch birthday. This was the MojoMaria Sketch. You can see how quick I am about using all the sketching I find. I stamped the snowflake in Melon Mambo and Taken with Teal, then I used VersaMark and inked all over the white CS. Last I sprinkled the whole thing with Iridescent Ice embossing powder and made it shine. It's hard to see in the picture, but boy does it sparkle.

Last, but not least, I again used a Mojo Monday Sketch from Week 100, but this one was MojoTeresa. I stamped the trees in VersaMark ink and embossed with clear powder. I then sponged all around the trees with Teal ink. The clear embossing resists the ink making the trees pop.

I really hope you enjoyed my very bright holiday cards!

Baby Austin Update

We've had friends ask how Baby Austin has been and that they want to see some new pictures. Well I love my nephew and I love to take pictures of him. For whatever reason, I love to get in his face with the camera and take extreme closeups. Sometimes this works out well for me, sometimes not! Austin has been in his leg braces for about 2 months if not more. We like to call them his magic shoes. When he first got them he cried bloody murder for about 2 days straight, but now he is pretty used to them. Soon he will only have to wear them during naptime and at bedtime. He is getting so big already and is almost 7 months old! He's growing up fast!

Austin with his "magic shoes."

Fingers are always in his mouth.

Such a sweetie!

One of my favorite pictures ever! A happy little guy!