Nutz about Stamping

Lovely as a Tree

Tomorrow is one of those BIG days in the Stampin' Up! world. The Last Chance lists will be posted, announcing the retiring stamp sets, accessories and Decor Elements. I always get pretty nervous just before the lists are posted because there is one stamp set that I hope will not ever retire.

Lovely as a Tree has been in the Idea Book and Catalog for the past seven years, as long as I have been a Stampin' Up! demonstrator. I love this set because of the images and because of its versatility. You can stamp stunning Christmas cards, fantastic Fall cards and cards that are perfect for any male theme needed.

The moment I download the PDF document showing the retiring stamp sets, the first set I always search for (while holding my breath) is Lovely as a Tree.

Here's a look at a few of the cards I have created in the past:

 

Which stamp set would you hate to see retire? Post your faves in the "comments" section right below.

And for those of you on my Mailing List, watch for my June customer newsletter email coming tomorrow with the Last Chance Lists included. If you are not on my mailing list program you can use the link in the top left corner to join today so you, too, can be among the first to see the retiring stamp sets, accessories and Decor Elements.

Love & Care

I am excited to share this card with you today. It is the Summer Mini catalog Level 2 Hostess stamp set called Love & Care and I earned it for free from a challenge issued from Stampin' Up! The images ink up easily and stamp so well on card stock.

I used my Color Coach to help choose the three colors for the card: Cherry Cobbler, Marina Mist and Crumb Cake. Add the detail from the Eyelet Border punch and you end up with an eye-catching card!

Want to earn Love & Card for free? Hostess a Stampin' Up! workshop for you and your friends. They will have lots of fun making a hand-stamped project and you'll earn exclusive hotess benefits. Contact me today for my open dates!

Sundays with Sizzix: Embossed Wedding Card

I have a friend and colleague at work who is getting married in a few weeks and so I needed to create a special wedding card for her and her fiancée. When I created this card I decided to share it with you too, as this is often the wedding season each year. Grab your Big Shot and embossing folders and you will be able to make this wedding card too:

Embossed Wedding Card

Stamp set: Curly Cute, Word Play

Ink: Basic Black

Card stock: Whisper White (8 ½ x 5 ½, scraps, two strips: 4 x ½ and 4 x 1), Basic Black (4 x 4 ¼, scraps), Basic Gray (4 x 2 ½)

Accessories: Big Shot, Platform, Standard Cutting pads, Square Lattice textured impressions embossing folder, Vintage Wallpaper textured impressions embossing folder, Full Heart punch, Basic Pearl Jewels, Paper Piercing tool, Snail Adhesive, Anywhere Glue Stick, Paper Snips, Mini Glue Dots, Basic Black ¼" Grosgrain ribbon, Scallop Trim Border punch, Basic Rhinestone Jewels

And now for the video tutorial. Enjoy!

One thing I didn't show you on the video was what I did on the inside of the card. Here is a photo of an idea for the inside. I used the fabulous Word Play stamp set which is on sale at 30% off until May 31^st and a Basic Rhinestone Jewel:

To place an order for the products used to make this card, contact me at: [email protected]! And don't forget to join my mailing list - this Wednesday I will be emailing out a retiring products list announcement!

Thinking about becoming a Stampin' Up! demonstrator?

Then I have a great idea to help you out. This Tuesday, May 31st, Stampin' Up! is holding a business opportunity phone call for anyone interested in learning about becoming a Stampin' Up! demonstrator.

 

During the call, a Stampin' Up! staff member will share some of Stampin' Up!'s history and philosophy, and discuss the Stampin' Up! opportunity. The presentation will take approximately 10 minutes, followed by a 10-minute Q&A session.

You can participate at two different times on May 31st: at 11:00 am MT (1:00 pm EST) and 4:00 pm MT (6:00 pm EST). There will be no cost to you for dialing in - all you need to do is contact me for the toll-free telephone number and access code.

After the call if you decide to join Stampin' Up! and my team, contact me right away and I will walk you through the process to sign up online so you can take advantage of the discounted Digital Starter Kit if that is the starter kit of your choice. This promotion ends May 31st.

While you wait to participate in the call, click here for the Starter Kit flyer. Information on the basic Starter Kit is also on the same flyer. You can mark your choices and contact me with any questions you may have.

Whether you are local to Raleigh, NC or long distance across the United States, you are welcome to join my team and join in the fun! So mark your calendar for May 31st as you are invited to participate in the free Stampin' Up! business opportunity call!

Project 52 - Week 15

It's funny how easily I can overlook something I do every month when I was wondering what my Project 52 page would be this week. Then Sunday night it hit me: my monthly volunteer time at Ronald McDonald House in Chapel Hill! I took my camera along with me and had my downline and friend, Nicole, take a photo of me outside the door entrance. I added a couple of other photos of what caught my eye and - PRESTO - my page for the week!

This page took me just a few minutes to create because I used My Digital Studio and the brush stamp set called All in the Family. Match the colors of Ronald McDonald House, and some journaling and brush stamp images and that's it.

Did you know that you can get My Digital Studio two easy ways now?

1. Stampin' Up! now offers My Digital Studio Express--a downloadable version of the My Digital Studio software that has all the same functionality, but with new, minimal new content. And the price for My Digital Studio Express is only $39.95 (item number 124483). Want the full version of the program? Then use item number 118108 when placing your order.

2. Join the Stampin' Up! family as a demonstrator in the month of May and you will get 30 percent off the Digital+ Starter Kit. This is a great time to become a Stampin' Up! demonstrator with the new catalog available (just to demonstrators) beginning June 1st!

Purchase My Digital Studio Express from me or join my team and I will provide as much training as you need to become a My Digital Studio expert! And once you do, you can create your own Project 52 scrapbook as you explore everything My Digital Studio has to offer.

 

 

 

Curly Cute Wedding Card

This week I met with my Holly Springs, NC card club. The hostess requested a wedding card and I had so much fun designing and creating this card for the group.

This is certainly the time of year that you should have a wedding card or two tucked away - wedding cards are timeless and once made will be usuable for years. So why not pull out your Curly Cute stamp set, your Big Shot, and your Square Lattice and Vintage Wallpaper embossing folders and try this card?

Would you and your friends like to form your own club? I would love to meet with y'all once a month and have fun stamping with you too. Contact me at [email protected] for more information on the different clubs I can create.

Card Map: Pretty Postage

I love a card map challenge and today spotted a unique challenge that I haven't tried before. All Stampin' Up! demonstrators receive a monthly magazine called Stampin' Success. This full color glossy magazine shows new examples, teaches new techniques, interview very successful demonstrators who share tips and tricks, and much more.

The challenge I spotted asked us to look at a card sample on a page in the Stampin' Success magazine and use that card sample as a card map. Due to Stampin' Up! regulations I am not allowed to share the original sample but I can certainly share the card I created using the sample as a map.

To create the card I used Pretty Postage and the Postage Stamp punch. The completed card measures 6 x 3 and perfectly fits into the Stampin' Up! small open-end envelopes found on page 171 of the Idea Book & Catalog.

Due to popular demand, I am featuring Pretty Postage in a second class on June 21st and today's card is one of the cards you will make at the class. Click here for more information and to register.

New Catalog Open House!

This past weekend my Techniques Card Club met and after the club members were done stamping and starting to shop through the catalogs, I noticed one catalog in particular:

Pat has a cool system for her Idea Book & Catalog. The blue arrows mark color collection and punch pages. The yellow arrows mark pages of previous purchases (her inventory) and the purple arrows mark her wish list purchase. Hmmm, I wonder what that green arrow is for?

Speaking of catalogs, so many of you have been asking: When is your New Catalog Open House? Well, it's time to announce the dates now so you can mark your calendars and plan to attend:

New Catalog Open House

Saturday, July 23rd
Time: 9:00am - 6:00 pm

and

Sunday, July 24th
Time: Noon to 5:00 pm

Why attend?

- To get a FREE 2011-2012 Idea Book and Catalog (only for those who RSVP by July 1st)
- 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 see my Convention swap cards (bring your camera!)
- To shop in my Stampin' Store - bring your Customer Loyalty Stampin' Bucks!

Can't wait to get your hands on that new catalog? For the first time since I joined Stampin' Up! I can order the new catalogs on June 1st! There are four ways to get a new catalog (for free!) before my Open House:

1. Book and hold a workshop in your home (or mine) in June. I have only six June dates left open: June 4, June 5, June 8, June 11 (evening), June 13th, and June 18th. You, as hostess, will earn a FREE 2011-2012 Idea Book & Catalog.

2. Place an order with me of $50 or more (before shipping & tax) in June. Products can be from the retired lists or not. Online orders will also apply.

3. Book and hold a workshop in your home (or mine) on a date in July before my Open House. Contact me for my open dates.

4. Qualify to attend my Hostess Appreciation Event on July 21st. Watch for more details on how to qualify.

Have any questions? Use my brand new "Contact Me' form in the top title bar of this page!

Summer Splash

Tonight I get to stamp with my friends at Ronald McDonald House in Chapel Hill. It is always a challenge to design a project for my time there as I never know the ages of the stampers who will come to my table. Sometimes it is a very young child, sometimes an adult. So I try to create a project that will appeal to all ages.

In the Summer Mini catalog the Summer Splash stamp set immediately caught my eye. It is one of those "stamp-and-go" sets, a set with solid images that do not require coloring.

And having volunteered at Ronald McDonald House for the past three years, I have learned that young children love to punch and love to use my Big Shot. Keeping this all in mind, here's the card I designed:

Summer Splash

Stamp sets: Summer Splash, Just Believe

Ink: Tempting Turquoise

Card stock: Tempting Turquoise, Real Red, Rich Razzleberry, Daffodil Delight

Accessories: Big Shot, Square Lattice textured impressions embossing folder, 2 ½" circle punch, 1 ¾" circle punch, 2 3/8" Scallop Circle punch, Modern Label punch, Word Window punch

Summer Splash is a great stamp set for cards for children, to scrapbook your summer vacation photos at the beach, pool party invites and much more. Change the card stock and ink colors and you will achieve a totally different look.

Sundays with Sizzix: Sail Away Graduation Card

So many of my stamping friends have children who are graduating from high school or college this year that I thought I would provide a second graduation card idea for my Sundays with Sizzix video tutorial this week. I love the Square Lattice textured impressions embossing folder as I feel it provides a masculine background to a card and it the perfect layer for a Sail Away graduation card idea.

Here's the card I created:

Sail Away Graduation Card

Stamp set: Sail Away, Travel Log

Ink: Jet Black StāzOn, Not Quiet Navy

Card stock: Whisper White (8 ½ x 5 ½, 3 ¼ x 2 7/8, scraps), Not Quite Navy (4 x 5 ¼), Cherry Cobbler scraps, Basic Gray (3 ½" square), Nautical Expressions designer series paper (two pieces: 1 x 4)

Punches: Word Window, Spiral Border, Modern Label

Accessories: Big Shot & Platform, Standard Cutting pads, Square Lattice textured impressions embossing folder, Snail Adhesive, Anywhere Glue Stick, Cherry Cobbler/White Baker's Twine (14")

And now for the video tutorial. Enjoy!

 

To place an order for products to create this graduation card, or to get a copy of the Summer Mini catalog, contact me at: [email protected].

Blossom Bouquet Triple Layer Punch

As I get ready for the new catalog to arrive and the new products that I will likely want to buy I have started to look at the stamp sets I own and see which sets I haven't used for a while. As I was flipping through set that start with a "T" I spotted Three Little Words - a set I haven't shown to you before.

I earned this stamp set for free during this year's Sale-a-bration. I have wanted this set for a while but it never seemed to end up on my order form when the time came to place an order. So last night when I needed to make a card I chose Three Little Words to pair up with the brand new Blossom Bouquet Triple Layer punch:

And here's what I created:

This new punch is super cool. I created all three punched layers with it alone, using three different colors and creating punched combinations. Once you own this punch too you will be able to create a bunch of cards in one easy punch! Contact me at [email protected] to place your Summer Mini catalog order.

Are you on my Mailing List?

If you love stamping and scrapbooking, I encourage you to subscribe today.

I send out two newsletters by email every month - the first is a longer edition and contains articles that include:

 - exclusive card samples with photos and step-by-step instructions

 - stamping techniques

 - tool tips featuring brand new products or my all-time faves

 - frequent customer questions - perhaps some you have been secretly asking too!

- and much, more

The second monthly edition is shorter and features upcoming class deadlines, also sprinkled with project photos.

For my scrapbookin' customers, I send out a separate edition on scrapbooking and you must choose to subscribe to this newsletter when signing up. This edition contains lots of different scrapbook page ideas and for you digital crafters, watch for digital page ideas too!

And remember to read each edition carefully as you just never know when I might throw in a contest question or special one-time-only promotion! Congratulations to Jan, Donna, Helen and Maura who get $5 off their first Summer Mini catalog orders as a result of my May newsletter contest question!

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.

Then...let the stampin' and scrappin' fun begin!

Project 52 - Week 14

This week I have a very simple layout to share with you. When I added a new page to my Project 52 scrapbook I decided to choose a multi-photo layout that was preset by the My Digital Studio program. All I had to do was drag my photos into the photo boxes and that was it. I then decided to use the Color Picker option for the background page color and matched a tone in one of the leaves.

I am actually quite pleased with how this page turned out:

I spent quite a bit of time trying different stamp sets and accessories to add to my Project 52 page - after all, My Digital Studio comes with so many parts to this fabulous program!Finally I decided just to use the Photo Corners punch to add a touch of black and just leave the page as it is.

My Digital Studio is so much fun to create with and you can own it as part of the Digital Starter Kit for National Scrapbooking Month. Click here for the Digital Starter Kit promotion and click here for the National Scrapbooking Month special. Then let's get scrappin'!

Travel Log Graduation Card

My lovely hostess for my Holly Springs Card Club requested that the club members make a graduation card at their meeting next week. I was delighted with her suggestion as this is certainly the time of year to be making graduation cards for all those scholars out there!

I recently saw a really neat idea by another Stampin' Up! demonstrator for a graduation card and decided to modify the idea and give it a try. It uses Travel Log and Word Play, along with my Big Shot and Square Lattice textured impressions embossing folder (what would I ever do without my Big Shot!). I kept the color scheme neutral but you could certainly change the colors to match a particular school or college.

I popped up the arrow on the phrase by stamping the phrase a second time using Real Red, cutting it out, and using Stampin' Dimensionals underneath.

Pretty easy idea that catches your eye right? If you want to purchase the Travel Log stamp set for your graduation cards (or summer scrapbook pages), contact me at: [email protected]

Pretty Postage

If you are in the market for a versatile and easy to use stamp set, take a look at the Pretty Postage stamp set on page 11 of the Summer Mini catalog.

There are so many uses for the images and to simplify things you can even pair up the stamp set with the Postage Stamp punch:

So, that's what I did. I used the Pretty Postage stamp set, the With all my Heart stamp set, Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White and Basic Black to create this striking card:

To add the punched heart image, I used my Heart to Heart punch, Tombow Multi Purpose glue and Chunky Essentials glitter to add a "bling" detail.

I have added a Pretty Postage class to my Calendar of Events. Click here for the details!