Nutz about Stamping

This is the day to join Stampin' Up!

Today is my birthday and I want you to celebrate with me!

Have you been saying for a while now "I wish I had the money to...." or "I wish I could be my own boss and work when I want to work!". Well, then, we need to talk because this is the time to join Stampin' Up! and if you join today you can choose your thank you present!

But what if you are thinking: the $99 Starter Kit price is a great deal but even $99 is hard to come by these days. Let's do some math together and I'll show you how to get that kit:

1. $100 is the Instant Income from just one $500 workshop.
2. Say you were to host a party together with me, and it hit $500.
3. You join Stampin' Up! and you put the Starter Kit on your credit card.
4. You are instantly a brand new Stampin' Up Demonstrator.
5. We enter the orders from your party under your name.
6. You pay off the Starter Kit on your credit card with the $100 you just earned.

How cool is that! But there's more:

1. You get to pick out $156.50 worth of product in the Starter Kit for just $99 plus tax (no shipping).
2. You're still the hostess for that party even though you're now the demonstrator, too--so pick out your hostess freebies and your incredible Sale A Bration rewards.
3. Your quarterly minimum of $300 is met so you'll be active all the way through June 2013.
4. You get all the perks of preordering, demo-only forums and galleries, magazine and more.
5. You are halfway to promoting to Senior Associate already.
6. You will be earning a Volume Rebate for selling more than $400 for the month, an additional 5% of your total sales that is direct deposited into your checking account the following month.
7. You have me as your totally awesome upline and friend. 

I bet you are secretly thinking: How come I get the sales if YOU do the party? Here's how:

Before the party, you and I will plan and prepare the projects your friends will make at your party. We'll brainstorm on the best ways to get the maximum number of guests there so your party is likely to hit that magic $500.

At your party, you'll show everyone what they will make and I'll be right beside you to help out where needed. 

After your party, I'll total the orders while you snack and chat with your friends. And if any of them are interested in helping you out by hosting a party themselves, we'll get those dates on your calendar. 

Sounds good to you too? Let's give it a go!

What happens if your party doesn't hit $500?

• You will still earn the hostess awards like always including Sale-a-bration product rewards.
• We will have a fun night of stamping with your BFFs!
• You can still join Stampin' Up! demo and pay whatever portion of the Starter Kit isn't covered, (or ask your family to consider that your birthday or anniversary gift)

See how easy it will be to earn your Starter Kit for FREE? See why this is week to join Stampin' Up!

Call me. We'll make it happen together.

***Join today: it's my birthday - if you join my team today I have a special present for you: a clear mount stamp set of your choice! Click here, then click "Join the Fun" to sign up today and I will be in touch for your thank you gift choice.

Need help? Contact me at: [email protected]

 

Announcing Stampin' Up! Online Classes!

WOOHOO! Now you can download a stamping online class directly from Stampin' Up! through my Online Store! This class shares innovative ideas to get the most out of your supplies (from stamps to the Big Shot) with clever tips and techniques. Divided into six sections focused on a variety of topics, this class includes videos, step outs, and supply lists for 30+ projects.

Check out what you get below and then click here to go directly to my Online Store to place your order now! Download the class instantly, watch when you have the time and create at your leisure! What could be better than that!

 

Ronald McDonald House

Last night my team and I volunteered to stamp with the families staying at Ronald McDonald House in Chapel Hill. We have come to know some of these families as their children have long term illnesses that require extensive medical treatments.

Our goal each time we visit is to provide a bit a creative relief from a difficult day with the moms, dads, older or younger siblings and sometimes even with the patients themselves.

This month I decided to use Lacy & Lovely along with my new Bitty Butterfly punch to make a cheery card that had a bit of sparkle to it:

 

I have learned that children love to punch and if you give them a sheet of card stock and a sheet of designer series paper and say "Go to it" they certainly do!

Interestingly, the moms last night asked to make a few cards using the three phrases in Lacy & Lovely: thank you, miss you and hello. I was happy to oblige when I heard of the great medical staff and house staff they wished to thank along with family members they miss back home.

Did you know you can help the Ronald McDonald House Charities simply by purchasing the Moving Foward stamp set in the annual catalog? Order this set at my online store and Stampin' Up! will donate $3 towards RMHC. Please help make a difference in the life of a child. 

Pinwheel Card

At each month's team meeting I design and prep some make-n-take to support my team with ideas and samples to show to their customers. This month I chose the new Sizzlit called Pinwheel along with the Itty Bitty Banners framelits and Teeny Tiny Wishes to make this make-n-take card: 

 

I got this cute idea from a private art gallery just for Stampin' Up! demonstrators. It's great that I don't have to think of every idea on my own. I saw this idea, changed the papers, phrase, and colors and presto: my own card!

Why not come to my team meeting next month - Sunday, March 24th at 2:00 pm? No obligation to join so come and see what we are all about. Our monthly swaps will amaze you and you will leave full of creative ideas (and make-n-takes too!) to try at home. 

Contact me at: [email protected] to learn more about my team meetings.

Sundays with Sizzix: Secret Garden

This week a box arrived from Stampin' Up! and I was delighted to see my Secret Garden bundle inside. Instantly I knew I would use this bundle for today's Sunday with Sixxiz tutorial. Here's the card I created for the video:

Secret Garden Card

Stamp set: Secret Garden #129144

Ink: Wisteria Wonder, Lucky Limeade, Elegant Eggplant

Paper: Whisper White (8 1/2 x 5 1/2", 2 1/4 x 5 1/2", scraps for stamping and diecutting)

Accessories: Big Shot, Secret Garden bundle #131099, Stampin' Dimensionals, Clear Blocks C, D, B

And now for the video tutorial: enjoy!

 

And as promised on my video, here's the same card bumped up a notch:

To place an order for the supplies used to make this card, click here to go directly to my online store. And if you have questions or need ordering support, email me at [email protected] 

Swallowtail

Tomorrow I am holding my February team meeting and as part of the meeting we always swap creative ideas with each other. Each month the theme varies and this month we decided on a full card, anything goes theme. I decided to use Swallowtail, a stamp set that my customers absolutely LOVE. 

After deciding on Swallowtail I then wanted to do something different so chose to stamp the butterfly image with Versamark and then emboss using Gold embossing powder:

After the butterfly was stamped and embossed I used Sponge Daubers to color the butterfly with three different colors: Pool Party, Daffodil Delight and Wild Wasabi. If you haven't used Sponge Daubers yet, this coloring tool (10 on a package!) is worth serious consideration:

You slip one over your fingertip, dab right on your ink pad and then dab onto your stamped image. Easy peasy!

Are you interested in attending one of my team meetings just to see what they are like? You are always welcome - meet my creative and fun team, learn some business tricks and tips, and of course do some stamping too! Contact me at: [email protected] for my meeting dates. 

My Digital Studio Friendship card

Did you know that you can create different card sizes in My Digital Studio? I have pondered these different options and recently decided to give the larger size a try. The My Digital Studio Friendship card I created below is a template that My Digital Studio offers - all the elements you see on the front of the card come just like that and all I had to do was add the phrase I wanted. 

I love that My Digital Studio offers templates for those of us who live very busy lives! This card just took seconds to create. After I added the phrase on the front, I added color to the inside of the card, a second phrase and then, presto! I was done and ready to send it off to Stampin' Up!s printing company. 

Here's a peek at the inside of the card:

I bet you are sitting there thinking "Nice card but I bet it cost a fortune to get printed". What would you pay in a card store for a 5 x 7" card? $4? $6.95? Well this card cost me only $1.95 and it comes with an envelope too!

Does that convince you to give My Digital Studio a try for FREE? You can download your free trial here at my Online Store. During your trial you can create to your heart's content and even send off your creations to be printed - with no obligation beyond the 30 days. And think about attending one of my monthly My Digital Studio classes to help get you up and running!

So let's get creating - digital style!

Pop-up Posies Designer Kit

Can you believe that nobody who stamps with me has asked a single question about the Pop-up Posies Kit on page 18 of the Spring Catalog? Could it be that nobody has even noticed it yet?

This kit can help you create beautiful cards without having to get anything other than card stock for your card base. Here's what you get in the kit:

Everything for bright, flowery tags—just add attitude. 
* 9 embossed paper tags (ea. 2-3/4" x 3-1/2"). 
* 9 fabric covered brads: 6 Very Vanilla (3/8"); 3 Summer Starfruit (5/8"). 
* Precut paper flower pieces layer into 9 flowers; 6 layers of one style in 2 colors and 3 layers of one style in 1 color
* 9 pieces of thick Vanilla Baker's Twine (ea. 8")
* Just for You wood-mount stamp (1 stamp: exclusive to this kit)

Make sure you have "liked" me on my Facebook business page. I will be posting a video showing you the kit pieces and a tag I created using the kit. 

February Stamps in the Mail Club

Time is running out to participate in my February Stamps in the Mail Club! You could receive FREE cards like this one that was mailed to my January participants - the set choice  last month was Collage Curios:

So what's the Stamps in the Mail Club all about, you wonder?

ANYONE can join this club no matter where you live! This club is done via the mail!

Why join?

• No meeting dates and times to take you away from your family - no driving, no time out of your busy schedules
• Free full card ideas for every featured stamp set
• You choose the time you want to stamp
• No decision-making needed
• Sit back, relax and look forward to a fun package in your mailbox each month
• Club runs through two Catalogs - lots of new stamp sets choices coming your way!
• Participate for six consecutive months and you will earn a FREE hostess stamp set (clear mount)
• When club subscription ends you will have up to 7 new stamp sets in your collection!

Here's how my club works:

• Each month I will contact you about the featured stamp set. If you already own the stamp set or it doesn't strike your fancy, you may select a different set (same price point or less)
• Each month you will receive a package in the mail with a NEW stamp set, and a second package with 3 fabulous, exclusive FINISHED samples for you to copy! (not files, or directions, or PDF documents, real full-card samples!) Copy them and then use them!
• You choose either wood mount or clear mount stamp sets
• You can add additional products to your order to save on shipping costs 
• Have a NEW friend join the club, and you get another FREE bonus stamp set! (24.95 or less)
• The club subscription lasts 6 consecutive months. You can rejoin after the 6th month if you want to continue.
• You can place your credit card on file for hassle-free billing or I can invoice you through PayPal
• US Club members only, sorry!

Prefer a no obligation club? No worries! You can join for one month only whenever YOU choose! (without the hostess benefits offer)

Click here to see the February stamp set, pricing and one of the samples you'll receive!

 

Join my Mailing List

Want more Stamping Ideas? Then join my mailing list!

This afternoon my mid-month newsletter will be emailed so now is the time to join my mailing list!

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
- it's FREE! 
- 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 signing up. 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 (US only, sorry)
• 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!

Birthday Card Stamp-a-Stack Class

This past weekend I hosted a Birthday Card Stamp-a-Stack class that received rave reviews by the participants. I wanted to show you one of the cards that the attendees made, using the free Vintage Verses stamp set that you can earn with a $50 product order:

The background was created using the Honeycomb embossing folder (a BIG seller for my Online customers), the paper is from the Comfort Cafe designer series paper and the black layer was die-cut using the Window Frames Framelits. 

Did you know that I also take classes on the road? If you want to host a class for you and your friends I will come to you with everything you need to make as many cards as you decide you need. The class fee is paid in advance and there is no expectation to purchase at the class (unless you want to!). Contact me for my open dates if you would like a class on the road - scrapbooking classes available too. And to see a second card sample from my Birthday Card Stamp-a-Stack class make sure you have "liked" me on my Facebook Business page. 

And remember if you place a $50 product order at my Online Store you will not only earn a FREE Sale-a-bration product you will also be added to my 50/50 Board.

 

Sundays with Sizzix: Tasteful Trim scrapbook page

And now for something completely different - a scrapbook page created with my Big Shot, Hearts a Flutter Framelits and Tasteful Trim die:

Flower Fair Page

Stamp set: Hearts a Flutter #129252

Ink: Daffodil Delight

Paper: Regal Rose (8 x 8", 1 x 11"), Tangerine Tango (1 x 11"), Daffodil Delight (1 x 11"), Garden Green (1 x 11") Flower Fair designer series paper (2 x 8"), Whisper White (two 3 1/2" squares, 5 x 1" for title, 2 1/2 x 1 /4" scrap for die-cutting flag)

Accessories: Big Shot, Extended Cutting pads, Standard Cutting pads, Tasteful Trim BIGZ die, Flower Fair Simply Scrappin' Kit #129302, Snail Adhesive, Hearts a Flutter Framelits #131097, Clear Block C, Paper Snips, 2-Way Glue pen

***Save 15% by ordering the Flower Fair bundle which comes with the kit and the Daffodil Delight printed album: #131103

And now for the video tutorial: enjoy!

 

To place an order for the products used to make this page, click here to go directly to my Online Store or contact me at: [email protected] for ordering support. 

To attend my Flower Fair Scrapbook in an Evening class, click here to learn more and register for the class!

And to see more Flower Fair pages in the coming weeks, make sure you "like" me on my Facebook Business page!

Shadow Stamping Technique

Here's a really cool technique to add to your stamping and scrapbooking bag of tricks: Shadow Stamping!

Here's how it's done:

SHADOW STAMPING

There are three different ways to use the Shadow Stamping technique!

Instructions:

1) Stamp a solid image stamp in a lighter color; this will be the shadow.

2) Stamp the same image in a darker coordinating color on top of but slightly off the first image to create main image.

OR

1) Stamp a solid stamp image in VersaMark ink on dark card stock. This will be the shadow. 

2) Stamp the image a second time in Whisper White Craft ink slightly off the first image. 

OR

1) Stamp a solid stamp image in VersaMark ink on dark card stock, and let dry. This will be the shadow.

2) Rub the Embossing Buddy over your card stock, and then stamp image a second time in VersaMark ink slightly off the first image. Cover with Clear Stampin' Emboss powder and heat emboss.

Tip: This technique can be also be used with Stampin' Around wheels.

Ok, now it's your turn to give this amazing technique a try to "wow" your friends and family! Contact me at [email protected] to place an order for the supplies you need to try Shadow Stamping at home or if you and your crafty friends want to learn many more stamping techniques!

My Digital Studio Thank You card

Today I want to share a My Digital Studio Thank You card I created to send to customers who have or will be placing product orders at my Online Store this month. 

 

One of the reasons I love My Digital Studio cards so much is that I can create both sides inside the card and at no extra printing cost. NO wasted white space for me, no way!

It looks like you can see through the card to the front. But I used the same Sycamore Street designer series paper on the inside then slid the opacity bar down to the "30" setting to fade it out and added the banner and hearts on top. 

If you want to have a copy of this card all you have to do is place a $35+ order in my Online Store and I will mail it to you as a special thank you. And I have added a small "hybrid" touch that only you will get to see when your card arrives in the mail. 

And if you want to try My Digital Studio for our 30-day FREE trial, click the Online Store link above and download this amazing program to your desktop. 

 

Happy Valentine's Day: Sent with Love Bundle

Check out Stampin' Up!s Febuary special: Sent with Love!

Pack your crafting bags, and get ready for a creative trip with our new Sent with Love Stamp Set! This all-new travel-themed set is perfect for documenting family vacations, creating unique invitations, or a variety of other fun paper-crafting projects. And the bundle comes with Calypso Coral Baker's Twine - only available with this promotion. 

Dates: February 1 - April 30, 2013

Details: During this limited-time offer, you can purchase the exclusive Sent with Love Stamp Set or Sent with Love Designer Series Paper - or bundle them for a special 20 percent discount!

Click here to see a photo of the special and to read more!