Nutz about Stamping

It's Time to Say Goodbye to the Idea Book & Catalog

Today is a bittersweet day. Today is the final day to purchase your favorite retiring sets and accessories before they are gone forever. And if you are like me you have left placing your order until the last minute...but sometimes it's good to save the best for last as I have a fun idea for us last-minuters!

Tonight I am placing one last order on from the Retired Stamps and Accessories lists. You can email me your order to be included with my order to save you shipping costs! But let's make the deal even sweeter for you:

Email me an order of $50 or more (before tax & shipping) and you will be entered into a drawing for the hostess benefits -- that's at least $25 in FREE product!

Here are my sweet deal details:

- your order must arrive via email no later than 9:00 pm EST

- you must include your phone number so I can call you for credit card information OR you can Paypal me your payment

- if your order is $100 or more you get one extra hostess benefits drawing ticket

- I will contact the winner by phone no later than 10 pm EST after which the order will be closed out

- Long distance orders are welcome (extra shipping charges will apply)

- no Clearance Rack products please!

So grab your wish list and retiring catalog and email me your order today!

 

Card Club

My Holly Springs Card Club (and yummy dinner club!) meets tonight to learn some new stamping ideas using the new Annual Catalog products. Each time we meet I try to introduce a new technique as this group is pretty advance with their stamping.

Tonight one of the cards they will make uses the My Friend and Mixed Bunch stamp sets:

Did you notice the simple, yet elegant Adorning Accents embossed line in the middle? I tried to keep things simple because the "hello" phrase at the bottom is the technique for the month. I used Heat & Stick powder, my Versamark pad and Dazzling Diamonds glitter for this technique. How I wish you could see this card up close - the sparkle on the bottom third of the page, including the hello phrase, is stunning!

There are so many techniques you can learn to add to your stamping bag of tricks and I'd love to show them to you and your crafty (or crafty wannbe) friends! You can book a party in the Raleigh area or we can try a long distance class using Skype and my webcam! Contact me at: terri@nutzaboutstamping.com and we'll plan a fun event together!

New Catalog Open House

I am so excited (and am all ready) for my upcoming.....

New Catalog Open House

Dates: Sunday, June 3 from 2:00 - 6:00 pm OR Monday, June 4 from 6:00 - 8:00 pm

Place: Terri's Stampin' Spot

 

Why attend? 

- To get a FREE 2012-2013 Annual Catalog (guaranteed for those who RSVP by May 31st)
- To create two different projects using new stamp sets & accessories - for free!
- To participate in my door prizes
- To earn tickets for my FREE new stamp set drawing (bring a new friend and get an extra draw ticket)
- To sign up for my year-long clubs
- To sign up for my classes
- To meet new friends
- To get a 2012-2014 In Color catalog bookmark 
- To shop in my Stampin' Store - bring your Customer Loyalty Stampin' Bucks!

 Can't wait to get your hands on that new catalog? 

There are four ways to get a new catalog (for free!) before my Open House: 

1. Place an order with me of $50 or more (before shipping & tax) between today and May 31st . Products can be from the retired lists or not. Online orders will also apply. 

2. Book and hold a $150+ book party with your friends on any date in May. Contact me to learn how. 

3. Qualify to attend my Hostess Appreciation Event on June 2nd. Each invited hostess will get a free catalog at my event!

4. Join Stampin' Up! (and my team) in May and not only will you get your new catalog for FREE this month you will also receive a FREE pack of designer series paper or digital download every month through December 2012! 

Can't attend my Open House but still want a free catalog? Contact me at: terri@nutzaboutstamping.com!

 

Join My Mailing List

This is a great time to join my mailing list as I have so many cool announcements in store when the brand new Annual Catalog goes live next week!

Why join? Here are just a few great reasons:

- exclusive card samples with photos and step-by-step instructions
- stamping techniques
- tool tips featuring brand new products or my all-time faves
- customer Q&A's - perhaps some you have been secretly asking too!
- information on upcoming classes with registration and payment links
- card maps and challenges
- My Digital Studio samples
- special offers and surprises sprinkled in
- and much, more

I send out two newsletters by email every month - the first contains several articles and sample ideas. The second monthly newsletter is shorter and features upcoming class deadlines and is sprinkled with project ideas other than cards.

For my scrapbooking customers, I send out a third newsletter on scrapbooking and you must choose to subscribe to this newsletter when joining my mailing list. This edition contains lots of different scrapbook page ideas and for you digital crafters, watch for digital page ideas too!

If you are not on my mailing list and would like to be, here's what you do:

• Look for the Join My Mailing List heading in the top left-hand corner of this blog
• Type your email address in the box and click the "go" button
• Fill in the requested registration information
• Check off the "Scrapbooking" box if you want to receive an additional newsletter just for scrapbookers (digital or paper)
• Check off your birthday month only if you want to receive a special gift from me
• Click "Save Profile Changes" at the bottom of the registration page
• In a few minutes, check your email. I use a confirmed opt-in subscription process to guarantee that you do want to subscribe. Please watch your email and respond to the confirmation notice that you will receive.

Let all your crafty (and crafty wannbe) friends and family members know about my free newsletters and subscribe today to let the stampin', scrappin' and paper craftin' fun ideas begin!

 

Sundays with Sizzix: Button Buddies Box

Today's video tutorial pays my last respects to two of my favorite retiring In Colors and the retiring Box #2 die along with my Button Buddies stamp set to make this cute gift container:

Button Buddies Box

Stamp Set: Button Buddies 

Ink: Concord Crush, Poppy Parade, Versamark

Card stock: Poppy Parade (5 x 12"), Concord Crush (3/4 x 3 3/4"), Whisper White (scraps large enough for punching)

Punches: 3/4" Circle, 1 3/4" Scallop Circle

Accessories: Big Shot, Extended cutting pads, Box #2 die, Stampin' Dimensionals, Snail Adhesive, Clear Block D

And now for the video tutorial. Enjoy!

 

Remember that these beautiful In Colors and the Box #2 die will retire on May 31st. If you place an Online Order with me by then, for these or any other products, I will email you a link to a FREE video tutorial on how to make a gift card holder to match any size gift card as a thank you for your purchase!

I'm Going to Fiji!

Last year when I was at Convention Stampin' Up! announced a change in their incentive program for their demonstrators and that the Grand Vacation would be to Fiji! The moment that announcement was made I turned to my friend and said: I'm going to Fiji. Once I returned home I wrote down my goal, broke it down to monthly goals and worked hard to make it happen.

And it did! I earned an-all-expenses-paid trip for two to Fiji!

I can help you earn free trips too! And this is the perfect month to join Stampin' Up! too:

- the Starter Kit is only $99

- you pick all the items you want in your Starter Kit

- join by May 31st and you can pick brand new Annual Catalog products in your Starter Kit

- join by May 31st and your Starter Kit will include 8 brand new Annual Catalogs (be the first to see them)

And here's one final reason why this is a great time to join:

Join by June 30th and you'll get a pack of Designer Series Paper or a digital download for FREE every month for the rest of the year. That's right: simply place a demonstrator order each month (of any amount!) and you'll be able to choose a qualifying paper or digital download for free!

Want to travel the world with an amazing (and fun!) group of demonstators? Join Stampin' Up! and my team and I'll show you how.

For more information click here or email me with questions and information requests: terri@nutzaboutstamping.com.  

Berry Blossoms Gift Card Holder

Yesterday I showed you a birthday card I created for Kaitlynn's party. She recently moved to her first apartment and so I decided to give her a Target gift card for a gift as I am sure she will want to add a personal touch to her first place.

As much as I think Target's gift cards are cute, I knew that I wanted to add my own creative touch so decided to make a gift card holder.

Here's what I created, using the Berry Blossoms designer series paper (retiring May 31st!) and some brand new Whisper White 1/4" grosgrain ribbon:

The phrase comes from the Create a Cupcake stamp set - I use the Happy Birthday image for several projects, including on the outside of the envelope! 

Would you like to learn how to make this gift card holder - one that is easy to make for any sized gift cards? Place an order at my Online Store between today and May 31st and I will send you a link to a FREE video tutorial showing you how to create a customizable gift card holder!

Click here to access my Online Store! (And don't forget to check out the Clearance Rack while there.)

Introducing: Make a Cake!

Tonight I am celebrating the birthday of the daughter of a good friend of mine (and a downline too!) and I wanted to make her a card using a brand new Annual Catalog stamp set: Make a Cake.

This set has some pretty cool stamps in it and although I can't reveal too many details I will let you know that using your Stamp-a-ma-jig really helps! I decided to use another card map (is there such a thing as a map-a-holic?) to help me get some inspiration.

Here's the map I used:

 

And here's my Make a Cake card inspired by the above map:

 

I also used the Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder for the background layer to match the Midnight Muse (a new In Color!) polka dots on the cake layers. 

I think this Clean & Simple birthday card will be perfect for tonight's celebration. What do you think?

 

So Long, It's Been Good To Know You: Pocket Silhouettes

At my Fond Farewell stamp camp this past weekend, my attendees made a card using Pocket Silhouettes too. This set has to be one of my all-time faves - four images that ink well and can be used for a variety of occasions, making it quite cost effective!

Here's the card my camp attendees created:

I used Not Quite Navy and Sahara Sand designer series paper (have you seen the marvelous Paper Stacks?) for this card which is a favorite color combo of mine. I used my Scallop Trim Border punch and Itty Bitty Punch Pack circle to add some interest and decided to stamp a phrase inside rather than out as I wanted the Pocket Silhouette image to be the feature on the card front.

I'll be really sad to see this set retire forever. If you'd like to order Pocket Silhouettes before it retires forever, please email me at terri@nutzaboutstamping.com or click here to go to my Online Store, open 24/7 for your shopping convenience!

So Long, It's Been Good To Know You: Upsy Daisy

Here's another one of my faves that I will be so sad to see retire: Upsy Daisy. There are so many amazing techniques I did with my Raleigh Techniques Club using this stamp set this past year. I love that there are three different phrases that come with this set making Upsy Daisy a great set for a variety of occasions. 

Here's the card my Fond Farewell stamp camp attendees made:

This is a clean and simple layout that was very easy to create. First stamp ink and stamp the image on the upper half of the card. Then ink up your favorite wheel and run it across a strip of corresponding card stock and adhere the strip just under the image. Tie a strip of ribbon around the card and add a stamped, punched phrase in the bottom right corner. And you're done!

If you'd like to order Upsy Daisy before it retires forever, please email me at terri@nutzaboutstamping.com or click here to go to my Online Store, open 24/7 for your shopping convenience!

So Long, It's Been Good to Know You: Season of Friendship

This past weekend I held my annual Fond Farewell Stamp Camp to pay my final respects for four of my favorite retiring stamp sets. Starting today and continuing through Thursday I will share each of the four sets and the cards that my camp participants made. 

Season of Friendship has been one of my faves in the Idea Book and Catalog. I love that it has four seasons of stamps which makes this set possible year round! The phrase is perfect for birthdays, general thinking of you cards and for those very special friends. 

Here's the card my customers made:

The card was quite easy to create using the 1" circle and Word Window punches. The only image that required close cutting was the bluebird.

If you'd like to order Season of Friendship before it retires forever, please email me at terri@nutzaboutstamping.com or click here to go to my Online Store, open 24/7 for your shopping convenience!

Layered Labels

Introducing another brand new stamp set in the upcoming Annual Catalog: Layered Labels! I used Layered Labels and the corresponding (and new too!) Apothecary Accents Framelits to create this card:

 

Layered Labels Greeting Card

Stamp set: Layered Labels

Ink: Midnight Muse

Paper: Daffodil Delight (8 1/2 x 5 1/2", strip 4 1/2 x 1 1/2"), Very Vanilla (4 1/2 x 2" for card front layer;5 1/2 x 2 1/2" for Big Shot and punching), Comfort Cafe designer series paper (1 x 4 1/4")

Accessories: Big Shot, Platform, Standard Cutting Pads, Apothecary Accents Framelits, Snail Adhesive, Stampin' Dimensionals

I have created a great video showing you these new products and how to create this fun card but it's top secret until June 1st so check back then!

The Annual Catalog goes live on June 1st and if you attend my New Catalog Open House the first weekend in June you will get one for FREE! If you live long distance (in the US) and don't have your own Stampin' Up! demonstrator I am happy to mail a catalog to you for FREE too. All you have to do is email me your contact information (full name, mailing address and phone number) and one will be on its way this week.

Stampin' Up! Gift Certificate

A friend at work has a son who is getting married and today she is attending a Travel Theme shower for the couple. She was struggling with an idea to give her future daughter-in-law so I suggested that she consider a Stampin' Up! Gift Certificate as I am sure that this couple will be taking lots of photos on their honeymoon and future travel adventures.

Enola thought my idea was great and requested a gift certificate. Rather than give Enola a plain old gift certificate I decided to create a cover sleeve that the gift certificate could slip into. 

Here's my creation:

I used Not Quite Navy, Paisley Petals designer series paper and....introducing the Layered Labels stamp set and Apothecary Accents Framelits! This new stamp set comes in a set of two containers and the images are lovely! You can see that the "For You" stamp would be a chore to cut out but Stampin' Up! has made that part easy by coordinating the new Apothecary Accents Framelits with the images in the Layered Labels set. 

Enola LOVED this gift certificate holder and is excited to give it today to her future daughter-in-law to help her begin scrapbooking with Stampin' Up! products.

If you have friends or family for whom you'd like to purchase a gift certificate, contact me at terri@nutzaboutstamping.com and I'd be happy to create a one of a kind holder for you too! (sorry, US only) With the Annual Catalog released in less than two weeks there will be lots and lots of yummy new products for your friends and family to select for their creative projects ideas. 

Chock-Full of Cheer

You are not going to believe this! I have created my first Christmas card of 2012 using a brand new Annual Catalog stamp set called Chock-Full of Cheer! I mentioned a couple of days ago that I had received my sneak peek products and in that big box was a new designer series paper called Be of Good Cheer. When I opened the pack of paper last night I loved the patterns in it so much that I had to sit down and create a Christmas card! Too funny.

I used a card map from a challenge I saw online last week. Here's the map:

 

Can you see how the background layers are calling for coordinating designer series paper? And so here's my card idea:

 

This card was very easy to make but the papers and layers make it look more complicated than it was really was. 

Chock-Full of Cheer is available in the brand new Annual Catalog, as is the Be of Good Cheer designer series paper. Contact me for your FREE copy or, better yet, RSVP for my New Catalog Open House. To see my Open House details, click here. Ho, Ho, Ho! (?)

Scrapbook Map

I love scrapbooking - especially when I have some design assistance using a Scrapbook Map! Scrapbook maps give me layout ideas to play with, sort of a starting point idea. And when I use My Digital Studio I have the added advantage of changing papers, embellishments and journaling fonts until I end up with page that makes me happy.

Here's a Scrapbook Map I came across recently:

 

This layout idea caught my eye and I decided to add another page to my digital Project 52 album using some photos and memories I have wanted to feature. 

Here's my page using the above map:

I created this page in just a few minutes which is why I love using Scrapbook Maps to help me with inspiration. 

Now it's your turn (you knew that was coming, didn't you!). Create a page to preserve an important moment in your life using your paper or digital supplies. And if you want to try My Digital Studio Express for FREE, along with a month of free video tutorials to help you get started, click here to download your free trial to your computer desktop - MAC and PC compatible!