Nutz about Stamping

Are you on my Mailing List?

Love to paper craft? Then you'll want to join my mailing list!

Why subscribe? 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!

***And beginning in October, I have a fourth FREE set of newsletters that email weekly - you won't want to miss my 12 Weeks of Christmas series, featuring Christmas cards, gift ideas, bags and tags!

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 page
• Type your name and email address in the boxes supplies
• Choose which newsletters you want to receive: Stamp only, Scrapbook only or both!
• Click "Sign-up"
• As soon as you do you will hear a voice recording advising you to watch for a confirmation email
• 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.
• You will receive a welcome email with an exclusive project idea as a thank you gift!

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

Paper Pumpkin December Kit

You know by now how much I love the Paper Pumpkin Kit subscription and the December kit is no exception. 

 Here's a Stampin' Up! video showing you the kit components for the Paper Pumpkin December Kit, called Real Life. If you have problems seeing the video, click here!

 

 

Why not subscribe to Paper Pumpkin today and get the Welcome Kit? Then each month afterwards you will get a fun kit delivered to your doorstep for some crafting fun, like the Real Life kit shown here! Each kit comes complete with everything you need to create some cool project ideas. Use the Welcome Kit clear block and add in some adhesive and you are good to go!

Click here to subscribe today!

Sundays with Sizzix: Expressions Thinlits

As you know by now I have moved to the Netherlands and have just arrived in my new (and very tiny) apartment. While I get settled and get my stampin' space set up,  I have given myself permission to pass on creating a Sundays with Sizzix video tutorial this week. But I won't let you down! Although I won't be creating a video tutorial, I will post a project idea created by one of Stampin' Up!s concept artists that uses a Big Shot and Expression Thinlits:

And here's how to make this beautiful box:

Stamps

Itty Bitty Banners Stamp Set

Paper
Coastal Cabana Cardstock
Crisp Cantaloupe Cardstock
Pistachio Pudding Cardstock
Soft Sky Cardstock
White Vellum Cardstock
Whisper White Cardstock
Gold Foil Sheets

Ink
Crisp Cantaloupe Classic Stampin' Pad

Accessories & Tools
Epic Day This and That Designer Washi Tape
Tag a Bag Gift Boxes
Whisper White Baker's Twine
Window Sheets
1/2" Circle Punch
Big Shot
Bitty Banners Framelits Dies
Expressions Thinlits Dies
Simply Scored
Sewing machine and thread

Instructions

1. Cut a piece of the Window Sheet to 6-7/8" x 10". Score lengthwise from the top of the sheet at 2-1/2", 4-3/4", 7-1/4", and 9-1/2".
2. Cut a piece of White Vellum Cardstock to 6-7/8" x 2-1/2".
3. Punch circles from Coastal Cabana, Crisp Cantaloupe, Pistachio Pudding, and Soft Sky Cardstock and Gold Foil Sheets using the 1/2" Circle Punch. Put the circles between the White Vellum Cardstock piece and the third section of the scored Window Sheet. Sew around the White Vellum Cardstock to keep the circles inside.
4. Fold the Window Sheet at the score lines and adhere the ends to make a sleeve for the box.
5. Fill the box with the treats and slide the Window Sheet sleeve over the box.
6. Using the Big Shot and the Expressions Thinlits Dies, cut "Thankful" from the Gold Foil Sheets.
7. Adhere the "Thankful" to the front of the Window Sheet sleeve.
8. Stamp "For you" in Crisp Cantaloupe ink on Whisper White Cardstock.
9. Using the Big Shot and the Bitty Banners Framelits Dies, cut out the stamped "For you."
10. Tie a strip of Whisper White Baker's Twine around the box.
11. Adhere the "For you" banner over the twine.
12. Adhere a 1" strip of washi tape over each edge of the Window Sheet sleeve to secure the sleeve to the box.

Clearance Rack Blitz

A few times a year Stampin' Up! loads up my Clearance rack, and it's that time of the year!!! Up to 80% off on awesome product from some of our past catalogs!! 

These items are available only WHILE SUPPLIES LAST, so head on over to my Online Store as early as soon as you can!! You can combine items on my Clearance Rack with regular merchandise so you can also stock up on adhesive or other basics that you need!

Here are a few of the amazing deals:

- Designer Series Paper Stacks: reg. $21.95         sale price: only $8.79

- Tabletop Paper Cutter: reg. $45.95        sale price: only $27.59

- Big Shot Scallop Square duo die: reg. $21.95        sale price: only $13.19 

And much, much more!

Everyone who puts in an order will get a BONUS surprise item valued at least 5.00!! mailed to them (US only sorry)!!

Questions? Email me at: [email protected].

 

Warm Wishes Card

Today I arrive in The Hague after an overnight flight, and because I will be unpacking, getting familiar with the area and getting some food and other things for my apartment I decided to post a card idea created by one of Stampin' Up!s concept artists:

You may think this is a Christmas card but I think this cute card can also be used for a winter birthday or a get well card or a thank you card. Simply change the phrase underneath the snowman and this card can take you right through the end of February. 

Here's how to make it:

Warm Wishes Card

Stamps

Snow Day Stamp Set

Paper
Basic Black Cardstock
Crumb Cake Cardstock
Whisper White Cardstock
Season of Style Designer Series Paper

Ink
Basic Black Classic Stampin' Pad
Cherry Cobbler Classic Stampin' Pad
VersaMark Pad
White Stampin' Chalk Marker

Accessories & Tools
1-1/4" Burlap Ribbon
1/8" Mini Brads
Rhinestone Basic Jewels
Stampin' Dimensionals
Aqua Painter
Big Shot
Apothecary Accents Framelits Dies

Instructions

1. Stamp the snowflake images in Basic Black ink on the Crumb Cake card.
2. Spatter a small amount of ink over the card using Basic Black ink and an Aqua Painter. Set the card aside.
3. Stamp the snowman and the sentiment in White Stampin' Chalk ink on Basic Black Cardstock.
4. Cut the snowman and the sentiment from the Basic Black Cardstock using the Big Shot and the Apothecary Accents Framelits Dies. Attach the brads (eyes) to the snowman's face.
5. Stamp the snowman's arms in Basic Black ink on Whisper White Cardstock. Cut them out and adhere the arms to the snowman.
6. Stamp the snowman's hat and nose in Cherry Cobbler ink on Whisper White Cardstock. Cut them out and adhere the hat and nose to the snowman using Stampin' Dimensionals.
7. Adhere a small strip of 1-1/4" Burlap Ribbon to the snowman's neck as a scarf.
8. Adhere the frame to the card using Stampin' Dimensionals.
9. Adhere a 4-1/4" x 1/4" strip of Season of Style Designer Series Paper to the bottom of the card; embellish the Designer Series Paper strip with a Rhinestone Basic Jewel.

A New Life Adventure, Stampin' Up! Style

Today is the BIG DAY and it's time to share my New Life Adventure with you!

Back in June I received an email inviting me to apply for a "dream of a lifetime job" - a job I have already dreamed of having but the timing was never right. So when an invite like that drops at your feet, what do you do? Apply of course! So I did and over the course of the next few months I was invited back again and again as the process was narrowed down to the final candidate and guess what: I got the job!

Today I will be moving to the Netherlands to live in The Hague - a beautiful city in South Holland province.

 

I have accepted a one-year contract to live in The Hague and work with the International Baccalaureate Organization to participate in a curriculum review for world elementary schools (I am an elementary school teacher by day, did you know that?). And once the excitement wore off and reality started to set in, I immediately called Stampin' Up! about my business.

Worry not: I will be still be your Stampin' Up! demonstrator for 2014! I have moved my business online-only as I think it is a bit far for you to attend my monthly classes and club meetings, lol. I have a Stamps in the Mail Club, a Techniques Online Club and a My Digital Studio Club - all three can be done remotely and in the comfort of your home. Click the Clubs button and Techniques Online button at the top of my blog to read about  these fun clubs. 

And of course you can still place orders at my Online Store and have them delivered directly to your doorstep. My hand-stamped thank you cards will take a bit longer to arrive in your mailbox and will come with some cool stamps on them! And I will still be creating video tutorials, emailing monthly customer newsletters and posting cool sample ideas on my Facebook Business page. Nothing much will change for you - but my world is changing BIG TIME! 

I am so excited to share my New Life Adventure with you so stay tuned. Let's have an amazing 2014 together, Stampin' Up! Style! 

 

Merry Christmas!

I am so busy packing and getting final details arranged for my departure tomorrow that I almost forgot to post my Merry Christmas blog post today.

As I have most of my supplies packed and on their way to my new apartment I decided to share a card I received from one of my friends and customers:

 

Laurie created this beautiful card that has such a lovely sparkle to it, from both the embellishment and designer series paper. Do you have a favorite stamp set that you used for your cards this year? I'd love for you to share a photo with me. 

I wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas! I also wish you a wonderful and creative 2014! 

File Folder Christmas Card

It is so much fun getting Christmas Cards from customers and former customers and today was no exception. Have you learned how to make a file folder card yet? I showed my Techniques Club three different versions at our December meeting and what fun to see this card come in the mail from someone not in my club!

Tracy B make this super cute Christmas card (can you see the white "Merry Chirstmas" on the file tab?) with a Mickey image on it. She wanted to let me know she was spending her Christmas holiday at Disney World - what a clever idea!

If you want to learn how to make file folder cards, consider joining my Techniques Online Club - click here for the details!

 

Give Yourself a Christmas Present and Join Stampin' Up!

Are you a hobby stamper who would love to get your Stampin' Up! wish list at a discount? Perhaps you interested in earning extra income doing something amazingly fun! Maybe you ready to explore a whole new level of stamping with a really fun group of fellow stampers? 

Then consider a business opportunity as unique as you are!

When you purchase the Stampin' Up! Starter Kit and become part of my All About Stamping team as a Stampin' Up! demonstrator, you are in full control of how you want to enjoy your demonstrator status - you are welcome to run your business your way and I'll be with you every step of the way!

Read on to learn why so many hobby and career stampers all over the US have chosen to join Stampin' Up! and my All About Stamping team

Do you like the idea of:

- a discount on your favorite products?
- a chance to earn extra cash?
- TONS of exclusive creative ideas at your fingertips?

WE KEEP IT SIMPLE

We know you’re busy, so we made the sign-up process easy. Starter kits are only $99, and you can completely customize them to suit your individual needs and taste. You get to choose what products you want to start with and what type of business supplies you want. Then we’ll ship the kit right to your door. 

• You have until March 31, 2014 to achieve your first quarterly minimum sales requirement (easy peasy!)
• The brand new Occasions Catalog preorder takes place December 1 - 31st and you can get 30% off these new items!
• Sale-a-bration (our biggest sale of the year) takes place in your first quarter!
• Join in December, place your first order before December 31st and earn FREE Sale-a-bration products too!
• You have total control over the products YOU want in your Starter Kit!
•  The flexibility of setting your own hours and working from home; it provides part-time to full-time income and you are your own boss
• Creative and Business support including:
  A bi-monthly magazine filled with project ideas and business training
  A web site dedicated to providing you with training and information for your business
  A Demonstrator Business Web Site where your customers can see the products and classes you have to offer, and place orders through your Online Store
  Beautiful, exclusive artwork and high quality products to offer your customers
  Monthly coaching calls to help you move your business forward
• Monthly team meetings (virtual or local) and one-on-one support for business builders
• Your first order $150 or more and placed within 45 days -- is 30% off!
• Give the business a try - there is no penalty to drop and no pressure from me - you do as much or as little as YOU want!

Want more information? Contact me by email. Or create your Starter Kit list of products and click here to go ahead and Join the Fun!

Expressions Card

Today I had one of the biggest challenges of my career so far - how to create my Sundays with Sizzix video tutorial when all my stampin' supplies and products are packed are ready for my big move this week (more about that on an upcoming newsletter!). So I had to be inventive, have a look at what I had laying around (literally) and make it into a video for you.

Am I proud of my card? Not really, but I LOVE the technique used to make the card layer and will laugh along with you as you watch my Epressions Merry Card video tutorial, using my Big Shot and Expressions Thinlits. 

Expressions Merry Card

Stamp Set: Warmth & Wonder - hostess stamp set in Holiday Catalog

Inks: Basic Gray, Night of Navy, Pistachio Pudding, So Saffron, Jet Black StazOn, Coastal Cabana

Cardstock: Whisper White (3 3/4" square, 5 x 2 1/2")

Accessories: Everday Occasions Card kit #134797 (using a Basic Gray card base), Big Shot, Expressions Thinlits #132171, 2-Way Glue pen, Snail Adhesive, Wax paper (cut the length and width of the thinlit)

And now for the video tutorial - thanks for watching! (there appears to be a problem with embedding the video right now, sorry. This link will take you over to my YouTube channel!)

If you want more information about my Techniques Online club, click here. And to place an order for the products used to make this card, click here to go directly to my Online Store or email me for ordering support. 

Christmas Place Setting

If you are having a LOT of people over for holiday breakfasts and dinners I have an easy decorative tip for making a Christmas Place Setting!

Jen C, a Stampin' Up! concept artist created this idea that I am going to share with you. She was looking out her office window at Stampin' Up!s home office and seeing all the snow that had recently fallen she was inspired to create these:

I know many families who like to keep things simple over their busy holiday times and so make the decision to use plastic for easy clean-up - they'd rather spend time with family and friends than on clean-up.

Jen used the Season of Style Paper Stack (#132181 - retiring January 2, 2014) to create the "silverware" holders - you can make 24 pockets with just one pack! She scored at 4 1/4", folded, sewed around the edges, stamped on the banners and attached them with the Old Olive Simply Styled Embellishments (#132148 - retiring January 2, 2014). 

Take a look at what supplies you have at home and try these Christmas Place Setting ideas. Remember, these can be adapted for picnics, birthday parties, office events, and much more - simply change the paper to match your occasion!

My Digital Studio Calendar

I can't believe the year is almost at an end which means I have only one more My Digital Studio Calendar page to share with you this year. I wish you could know how easy it is to create these super cute desktop calendars! I make one each year to send to my family back home in Canada. 

Here's my December page:

As I have mentioned each month when I share a page, this year I used the same digital designer kit to make my calendar but there are so many options to choose from. You can even add photos of your kids, family, vacation spots or super cute pets. 

The calendar project option comes standard with My Digital Studio so why don't you purchase this program (it's only $19.95!) and download it today so I can show you have to create next year's Christmas gifts? Your friends and family members will be amazed!

Gift Bow Ornament

Today we are having a pop quiz in Math! Ready? Begin!

Addition Problem #1:

Take 1 package of: Season of Style Paper Stack

Add 1 - Bone Folder

 

Add 1 - Gift Bow BIGZ die

 

 

Add 1 - Baked Brown Sugar 3/8" Ruffle Stretch ribbon

Add 1 Clear Glass (or plastic) Ornament:

And what do you get?

An amazing Gift Bow Ornament for your classroom teacher, office staff personnel or fun neighbor!

Stay tuned for your next math quiz,  lol. 

 

Weekly Deals

Did you know that Stampin' Up! has been running a series of Weekly Deals - set of products discounted for one week only?

Here's this week's ad:

And here are a few additional details:

• these deals are weekly specials only
• they will change next Tuesday - the deals end Monday or while supplies last (so don't wait to place your order!)
• you have two ways to order: email me your choices, or click here to do directly to my Online Store
• The discounted prices will be applied and appear in your "Shopping Bag"

Happy shopping!

 

 

 

Holiday Catalog Countdown

I realized with a bit of a shock this past weekend that we only have 16 more days until the Holiday Catalog comes to a close. Did you realize that?

Thirty-nine pages of crafting deliciousness coming to an end so this is your last chance to get the products inside to help free your creativity and make your crafting life so much easier.

Which products are your Holiday Catalog must-haves? Mine have been:

• Magnificent Maple (page 18)
• Season of Style Paper Stack (page 22)
• Pretty Print embossing folder (page 24)
• Season of Style Washi tape (page 25)
• Special Season (page 29)
• Winter Frost designer series paper (page 29)
• Festive Flurry bundle (page 30)
• Envelope Liners Framelits (page 37)
• Tags 4 You Bundle (page 37)

I would love to hear which products you love best and which you might still want to order before it's too late. Click the "Comments" button below to share your faves and go here to my Online Store to place your order today!