Sharing my Love of Stamping

Club Card - Bordering on Romance

2012-01-22T14:58:00.000-05:00

This month's club card uses Bordering on Romance from the Occasions Mini catalog --I used so many things from the Occasions mini.....the lovely blushing bride pleated satin ribbon!!! oh my I love that ribbon. the new framelits dies for the Big Shot - Labels collection and some new twitterpatted designer series papers too.

Stampin' Club makes two cards and I have a picture of the 2nd card, however it is sideways and can't get the picture to turn around, so I will post it tomorrow when I take a new picture. I'm trying to beat the posting cut off - on blogspot. Can't figure out how to make my posts happen instantly...as a friend used to say "I want it all and I want it NOW!!!"

GO RAVENS!!!

Coffee Cake and Cards Jan 23rd - Cancelled, Stampin' Up! News and More

2012-01-22T14:49:00.000-05:00

I am cancelling my Coffee Cake and Cards tomorrow, Monday Jan 23rd.   My driveway is a sheet of ice and even though I can drive up and down the driveway, walking is a whole different story and I don't like any of the endings I envision for me or anyone else walking on it.

I will hold the next Coffee Cake and Cards on Monday, January 30th, 9am RSVP no later than 7p, Jan 29th.   Have questions? contact me to find out more.

Stampin' Club!

   Club orders will be going in on Tuesday for January's Club.   Ribbons shares update:   I have several people signed up and there is room for others.   Contact me to find out more!

   Stampin' Club! for February will be held Feb 24th and Feb 26th, the 4th Friday and Sunday. Feb Coffee, Cake and Cards will be held Feb 27th 9am, RSVP no later than Feb 26th, 7pm.

Stampin' Up! News

   Stampin' Up!'s Leadership Convention was held last week and there were some changes announced about the upcoming new catalog year...

Starting June 1, 2012, Stampin' Up! will release one annual catalog, comparable to (but smaller than) the current Idea Book & Catalog, and two seasonal catalogs, comparable to (but larger than) the current mini catalogs."

The current Idea Book and Catalog 2011-2012 will expire at the end of May instead of the end of June as originally planned.
The Occasions, Summer, and Holiday Mini Catalogs will be replaced by two seasonal catalogs called the Holiday Catalog and the Spring Catalog.

- The first Holiday Catalog will run from August 1, 2012 through the beginning of January, 2013
- The first Spring Catalog will run from the beginning of January, 2013 through May 31, 2013.
The seasonal catalogs will be larger in both size (8 1/2" x 11") and page count (about 40 pages) than the current mini catalogs.

Items that will be discontinued as of June 1st, 2012:
Décor Elements and Simply Adorned

There may be other retirements/items discontinued (which is normal at the end of a catalog time frame), and these will be announced later in the year. Decor Elements and Simply Adorned is being announced now as they are complete product lines not individual products that are being discontinued. Letting you know early will give you time if you Love these product lines, you can still pick up items before they are no longer carried by Stampin' Up!.

GO RAVENS!!!

Ribbon Shares from the Occasions Mini Catalog

2012-01-17T16:22:00.000-05:00

Ribbon Shares

Have you seen that pleated satin ribbon in the Occasions Mini????? It is gorgeous!!! much better in person. Several people have asked me if I would split the ribbon...Of course I will! Also, in the Occasions mini are 5 colors of the Baker's Twine....

Here how it works:

Pleated Satin Ribbon
For $8 you will get 1 yard of each of the 4 colors

Baker's Twine Ribbon

For $4 you will get 5 yards of each of the 5 colors

These prices do not include shipping for those of you who are not in the Westminster, Maryland area. Contact me for more information.

Contact me to sign up for either of the Ribbon Shares of if you have any questions.

Blowing Bubbles Card

2012-01-16T16:09:00.000-05:00

While blog surfing the other week, I stumbled onto Catherine Pooler's Blog and found a different technique I had not tried. Here's the directions:

Take some kids bubbles…..yes those bubbles that kids play with outside. Pour some of the bubbles in a container and add 15 -20 drops of ink color. Do as many colors as you would like….I did 3 colors, each a separate container. Stir to mix ink with a straw. NEXT - blow bubbles using the straw and place a piece of white cardstock on top, pressing into bubbles. Change colors as desired, blotting on a paper towel occasionally. Place a paper towel on ironing board (another use for it!!!!) then place cardstock faces down and press with a warm iron, moving iron around (so you don't burn it) do this til the cardstock is dry. Stamp open image in black stazon on the cardstock.

Here is the one I did, even using the same stamp set that she used....

Guest Stamper

2012-01-15T01:05:00.000-05:00

My first Guest Stamper is my Mom, Edna Hurtt. She lives in Melbourne, Florida and is an avid stamper and woman who is always on the go!!! At 84, she volunteers at the Brevard Zoo one day a week....checkin' up on those Giraffes... On weekends, she works at stores presenting new food products, is a member of the local Elks Club and I know I have a hard time keeping up with her.

Sometimes I send her some inspirations, cards that I have seen on blogs, websites, SU catalog or now and then I come up with an original...Not often, cause I am great at copying..... She just got a smart phone and is learning some new tricks...She sent me a picture of a card she made using one of the inspirations I sent her as a guide. Here is her card:

See, I learned something too.   How to save her picture to my computer so that I could share it here!!! The card is Calypso Coral and the images are from Artistic Etchings, Charming and the greeting is from Perfect Punches. She added some brads and some non Stampin' Up! ribbon.   Pretty good, Huh?

Thanks Mom for being my first Guest Stamper and one of my Biggest supporters.    I Love You.

Want to be a Guest Stamper?   Just send me a picture of a card or project you made with Stampin' Up! stamps and accessories (an occasional non Stampin' Up! embellishment is ok).

Rachel's Here!!!

2011-12-17T02:31:00.000-05:00

I know I haven't posted in a while AND I promise I will post some card ideas soon....but here is the latest addition to our family.....

Rachel Anne Abdis my first granddaughter arrived Dec 16th 829pm, weighing 6 lbs 8 ozs....

Isn't she beautiful???????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My daughter Christine holding her new baby girl!!!

The New Abdis Family.....Christine, Rachel and Michael.......

FREE Digital Downloads

2011-11-02T23:46:00.001-04:00

Stampin' Up! is Giving Free Digital Downloads.....You don't need My Digital Studio to get these.....You just need to complete a little survey to get your free downloads....The more people that go and complete the survey and get the free downloads, the more free downloads they are going to give us!!!!

Starts on Nov 4th thru Nov 7th.... and being a demonstrator, I got some for free too! Just another benefit of being a demonstrator. You must go to MyDigitalStudio.net to do the survey and get the free downloads.....oh and MyDigitalStudio.net has way more information that just those free downloads too. Check it out on the 4th...

Martha's Vineyard

2011-11-02T17:55:00.000-04:00

Last week my husband and I took a mini vacation. We went to Connecticut, Boston and Martha's Vineyard. I had always wanted to go there, Katharine Hepburn was there...one of the author's that I read, Philip Craig lives there and writes mysteries that take place on Martha's Vineyard. We went after the "Season" ended and there were no tours and the place was quiet. Decided to ride the VTA around and see some of the places I have read about. In our journey we had 2 drivers who were very informative and quite knowledgeable of the Island. It turns out Philip Craig passed away several years ago....it was sad to learn that, was given some other authors who write about places on MV. We had a late lunch at a little restaurant near the Ferry.....This is the "lady" that greeted us.

Can't get this picture to turn around. I am sure it is something silly that I am doing wrong.

I have tried for 2 days to get this picture to be right side up, and I am not going to spend anymore time.....I thought she was cute...made out of recyclables.

ENJOY!
Carol

FREE Big Shot Promotion EXTENDED!!!!!

2011-10-31T23:53:00.000-04:00

That's Right! Stampin' Up! has announced that they have extended the Starter Kit Bonus Offer of a FREE Big Shot (or $100 in FREE products) through November 11th!!!! And my offer of a FREE Top Note Die (or die of your choice of equal value) is also continuing through November 11th. When you join the Stampin' Up! family now, you get over $400 in products for $175 and no obligation to purchase more until the end of March. Find out more, just give me a call.

Today's Card, coffee and Cake....Is actually a card and a gift. I got the idea from my friend, Michele Deslandes, a Stampin' Up! Demo I met last year when we roomed together at Leadership in Nashville, TN. --- That is probably the Number 1 benefit to being a Stampin' Up! demonstrator...all the friendships you form while attending Stampin' Up! Events, thru Stampin' Up! Exclusive Websites and Groups. Anyhoo. She posted a video on how to make a Double Pocket Card. Yes, there are several versions of this card out there, but this was the easiest I have ever done. Maybe I will make a video on how to do this card too. SO be on the lookout... In the meantime, here is my card:

I used the Holly Berry Bouquet DSP that is in the Holiday Mini Catalog, and all the colors used were predetermined by the colors that Stampin' Up! chose to put together in these DSP sheets in this package... How many times do you get some scrap booking papers and can't mach up colors with the embellishments, coordinating papers and card stock? Not so with Stampin' Up!'s DSPs. They have done the hard work for you.

Want to know how to make this card? Stay Tuned, a video will be coming soon.

Club Cards - October

2011-10-30T23:15:00.000-04:00

Forgot to post the pictures of the cards that everyone made at Stamp Club this month. The first one uses the set, Charming. The base card is Chocolate chip, layered on top with Wild Wasabi, that was embossed with the stripes embossing folder and the top, Holly Berry Bouquet DSP from the Holiday Mini. The stamped image is on Very Vanilla, backed by Real Red and Chocolate chip card stocks. The three punched flowers on top in real red, cherry cobbler and so saffron card stock with the Itty Bitty Shapes punch. Isn't it amazing how all those colors coordinate well together? Well, I sure didn't come up with them.....Stampin' Up! did --- All their Designer Series Paper (DSP) have all the colors in the package of papers listed, SO EASY to figure out your card stock and ink colors to use with it...or even without the DSP. It's like a magic color coordinator. Saves me tons of time. I added some Victorian crochet ribbon to hide where the DSP and wild wasabi card stock meet, cause I am sure it is not straight.......

I stamped the background of words in crumb cake ink, then the flower stamp is in Wild Wasabi, the punched flowers on top and I added some bling with the Rhinestones. The greeting is in Chocolate Chip Ink.

The next card is SO SO Easy. I ran a Not Quite Navy card stock card thru the Big Shot with the snowburst embossing folder to create the background. Using direct to paper, ran the basic gray ink pad over the embossed area to give some texture on the embossed area. I stamped the words in a shape of a star from the set, The Sounding Joy with Baja Breeze ink, then I inked up the Joy stamp in versamark and embossed with Pewter embossing powder, heat set. Wrapped white organza ribbon around the card, I did use dimensionals under the stamped image to pop it up a bit. Using dimensional just adds some dimension to a card and really "Pops" the image up. Try them, they are one of the cheapest items in the catalog.... For $3.95, add shipping and tax, comes to $4.61, then divide that by 300 and it comes to a bit more than a penny each. That doesn't even count the outside border, so you really get more AND not like the imitations in stores, there is no spaces in between each one AND they are easier to remove from the pack and use on your project.

ENJOY!!!

Last Day to Get a FREE Big Shot!

2011-10-30T22:07:00.001-04:00

Tomorrow, Oct 31st, Halloween and you don't have to do tricks for this one!!! is the last day to get a FREE Big Shot as one of the benefits of being a Stampin' Up! demonstrator. Sign up as a demonstrator thru my website... it is so easy and I will give you the #1 selling die...The Top Note die.....for FREE as my TREAT. Already have it? I will give you another one, of your choice, same $ value or less. Have questions, Give me a Call

Card, Coffee and Cake *** New Day. Starting this month, the Card, Coffee & Cake (CC&C) will take place on Mondays. The next few dates are: TOMORROW, Monday, Oct 31st, and Nov dates are Monday, Nov 14t, and Nov 28th. Time for all dates is 10am - 12 noon and cost for each date is $5, which includes coffee, tea or soda, water and homemade cake and a card. Just RSVP by 7pm the evening prior and bring your favorite adhesive, all other supplies are included.

Christmas Card Stamp a Stack - Saturday, Nov 5th, 10am - 1pm and again 7p - 10p. In this class you will make a total of 16 cards, with envelopes using a variety of Christmas stamp sets and accessories. I will have oodles of card samples on display for additional inspiration, so bring your cameras. There will be door prizes every hour and lots of freebies. Cost is $25 and just $20 with an order of $25 (before shipping & tax). RSVP with payment no later than Nov 1st so that I will have enough supplies for each of you. You will need to bring scissors, bone folder (if you use one) and your favorite adhesive.

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Stamp Club - Nov 18th, 7pm and Nov 20th - 1pm - For a $15 order (before shipping and tax) come and make 2 projects. When the total party order is totalled, names will be drawn from those placing orders for the hostess benefits. Need to bring your favorite adhesive and scissors. Please RSVP which date you will be attending....

The next Session of Stamp Club Sign ups are starting now and the club dates will start in January and go thru October. Cost is a $20 order (before shipping and tax) each month Jan - Oct. There will be 10 members of the club and each month a different member of the club will be the hostess and receive all the hostess benefits. These club dates are the 3rd Sunday and 3rd Friday each month. If I need to change the date, I will give several dates to make up for changing the date.

Do you think this might be for you? Have questions? Don't hesitate to contact me.

Quick and Easy Card

2011-10-03T04:00:00.000-04:00

Just playing around tonight while watching the Ravens!!!! and the Jets game....GO RAVENS!!!

I need to make a simple quick and easy card to take to a Assisted Living place the end of the month. I am going to start volunteering there once a month. I plan on contacting another Nursing Home tomorrow to set up a Stamp Date.

Here is the card:

Simple but changing colors, we'll see how that goes... The card is Naturals White card stock, and I stamp the leaf images from French Foliage in Always Artichoke, Cajun Craze, More Mustard, Soft Suede and the little bubbles from that set, I stamped those in Baja Breeze and stamped off first.

The sentiment is from the set, Sincere Salutations, in my humble opinion, is a must have set. Cleaning the stamps almost took as long as stamping the card. I will try and remember to take pictures of the ladies making these cards and let you know how it works out.

ENJOY!

Carol

Christine

2011-10-03T00:39:00.000-04:00

My daughter, Christine is pregnant with her first child, our 3rd grandchild, but our FIRST granddaughter. She had a emergency procedure performed back in August and has been on bed rest since!!!! I went to visit her yesterday and we asked if she wanted me to get her lunch/dinner or anything....She said...WELL, I could go for a Wendy's Bacon Cheeseburger...So since she is now a little time out of bed, we went to Wendy's. This was the best Wendy's experience ever...in fact I can't remember any fast food place that was even close. The guy at the counter, Brent was superb and helped me make a decision on drinks, and went out of his way to take some coffees to ladies in the dining area. Everyone there was pleasant, greeted you with a smile.

Here is a picture of Christine....and Rachel...OK, Christine, back to bed, we don't Rachel coming too early.

Favorite Accessory or Tool

2011-09-28T05:00:00.001-04:00

Do you have a favorite Stampin' Up! tool or accessory? Oh, I have so many.....SO, I thought I would share some of my favorites with you.

Little known.....but oh so essential.

Grid Paper ..p207 of the Idea Book and Catalog. This pad of grid paper, does several things. It protects your work area. Is great for practicing stamping on....aligning stamps when mounting to blocks. It is has a center area marked, a ruler edge around all sides of the paper. One one side of the paper, card dimensions for various cards are listed. There is a "don't forget list" and a "wish list"--- which is not long enough, but works for short term...like when you are working on a project, stamping and need to write a note to remember to order some card stock, DSP, inks, markers, ribbons or accessories, no need to look for that "scrap" of paper.

The pad of Grid Paper has 100 sheets and costs just $9.95...That comes to just $ .12 per sheet, that includes shipping and tax. I use one sheet for over 2 months before I replace it.

What some Grid Paper and don't want to purchase a whole pad? Contact me and I will add your name to the Grid Paper Share... 10 Sheets for $1.20.

Faith in Nature Card and more

2011-09-23T03:00:00.001-04:00

This week was Stampers Club - where a group of ladies gather at my house to make some cards, learn new techniques, see new products, learn to use those stamps and accessories you have accumulating at home. There is room for others to join stamp club or come to stamp club dates and not get any member benefits. What are Member Benefits? When you join stamp club, you commit to 10 consecutive months of membership. Each member will receive the hostess benefits for one of the months. Want to learn more?? Contact Me and I will give you all of the details.

Here are the projects we made this month in stampers Club:

This card uses the Faith in Nature Hostess Stamp Set. One of the sets you can choose when you are a hostess as part of your hostess benefits. I colored the pear image with pastels. Pastels are so easy to use and quick and come in the core 40 colors of Stampin' Up!. The image was stamped in Soft Suede classic ink, and chose colors in the Spice Cake DSP to color in the pear. I use a clip and some pompoms to color with my pastels to blend easily. I added the Victorian crochet ribbon. Check out the sentiment....I used the Word window punch and a technique to make it smaller. Maybe I will be able to do a tutorial or video on how to make the punch smaller.

This card is a CASE of one of the 160 3x3 swaps I received at Convention in July. AND it isn't a Christmas set either......The tree is made from pennants from the set, Pennant Parade in the Idea Book and Catalog, pg 69. The card maybe small but the wish is big... Notice the dazzling shimmer on the tree? That is the new dazzling details glitter glue, in the Holiday Mini catalog, a great deal at $2.50 a bottle.

Here is the inside of the card. The verse is from the set, many Merry Messages.

The last project, an extra TREAT.... Is a nugget purse. This cute little purse holds a Hershey's nugget.

Here's the wrapped nugget...I used the stamp set, Petite pairs and stamped "sending a KISS" several times on a 1 x 3 1/4" strip of whisper white card stock with Wisteria Wonder ink, same color as the purse and wrapped it around the nugget, applied a little snail adhesive on the bottom and stuck it in the purse using a mini glue dot. These would be cute for a shower favor, sweet 16 party or any occasion.

Tuesdays with Carol, Coffee, Cake and Cards

2011-09-21T02:00:00.001-04:00

Join me on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month from 10-12noon for some coffee, cake, and some stamping. The next one will be held this coming Tuesday, Sept 27th (my oldest daughter's birthday!) Happy Birthday Aimee!!!. Here is the card you will be making.

This is a very simple, but elegant Easel Card and it uses one of my favorite sets....I know, they are all my favorite sets....I can't help it... The set is called Field Flowers and I just love it. You will also make a little Halloween (or anytime) treat holder. The cost is only $5 and that includes making the card and the treat holder, and of course coffe and Cake. RSVP no later than Monday, noon Sept 26th.

Inspiration

2011-09-13T02:00:00.003-04:00

Sometimes when making a card, I search several places for inspiration....One of those is a Yahoo group that I belong to that is made up of a great group of Stampin' Up! demos. Tonight while checking the emails, there was a card that I really liked, done by Wendy Hawkinson. Here is my take on her card. Just a little different, used a different stamp set for the flower, changed the ribbon and added a filigree brad with a circle ice brad in the center of the filigree brad. I also added a flower at the top of the card.....cause I dropped the inked stamp and it landed up at the top and I needed to hid my mistake.....

ENJOY!

Making Cards for the Troops

2011-09-12T02:00:00.002-04:00

Cards for the troops. I had a card making day today for making cards for the troops. One gal came and made the cards to give to some local "hero's". I did check out some sights that accept cards for the troops and the one I will donate to is http://www.fromourhearts.info/ they accept cards, card fronts, card stock and donations too. Check them out.

Here is the first card we made. I used some retired DSP and the card stock I used for the image, layer and butterfly were all out of my scrap folder. Ribbon is retired too. I love the DSP, Elegant Soiree from last years catalog and the colors are baja breeze, craft, confetti cream and chocolate chip (for the greeting). The image is stamped using the rock and roll technique and is a fun and easy technique. My club members will be making this card next week.

This 2nd card I copied from a swap I participated in at my up line's monthly meeting. I am trying to use my stash of DSP that is retired. I also changed a few things and used a Miss You sentiment (really old and not Stampin' Up!) YIKES.... This card uses a bunch of punches too.

ENJOY!

The Holiday Mini is HERE!!!

2011-09-04T21:37:00.000-04:00

The new Holiday mini catalog is here!!! Oh my, where do I start.......Since there are SO many things that I NEED!!!! I am going list my Top 10 Items that I had to have from the mini catalog....

#1 - the new Simply Scored.....I know there are others out there, but this one has a little more.    I love the stylus for this one so much more user friendly that others.  It has Place markers, these neat markers can be placed along the top so that you can mark where you need to score....this is a great feature if you want to make a bunch of one item....so you can just mark it once and score as many times and don't have to figure it out each time.....a time saver...It also has a compartment (bigger than MS's) that holds extra stylus and place markers. AND I betcha I can fit a piece of chocolate in there..you know for when you want some chocolate and don't have any in the house!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

#2 The Cellophane bags size 1" x 8"   These are great treat bags for M&M's, skittles, and more....use them for Halloween, Birthday parties, Showers and more. and such a great price $2.50 for 50 bags!!!

#3 Out on a Limb - a cute cute cute Halloween stamp set....not scary, just plain cute.

#4 It's a Wrap - Holidays...These are stamps that when stamped and cut, wrap around a chocolate nugget,    Halloween, Give Thanks, Christmas, St Patty's day, Easter, Love, and For you....check 'em out, pg 14.

#5 Hand Penned Holidays - Elegant Holiday Greetings, lovely script.

#6 Spice cake designer series paper and matching fabric - OK, what's not to like...

#7 Holly Berry designer series paper and matching fabric too.

#8 The Sounding Joy stamp set - I just love this set, so elegant.

#9 Holiday Stocking Bigz die - This beautiful die for the Big Shot machine makes a cute stocking to fill with goodies...

#10 Glimmer Paper - I have the red from last Valentine's, Occasions Mini catalog and now they have Silver Glimmer Paper...

These are just my Top 10 Items in the Holiday Mini Catalog.    There is SO much more in this little book.   Check it out!!! and tell me what are you top items!!!

Hello, Doily Swap Card

2011-09-03T01:14:00.000-04:00

Here is the card I made for my up up lines meeting. I borrowed the doily stamp from one of my club members, Rosemary....Thank You Rosemary. I stamped the doily background stamp on Crumb Cake card stock with Vanilla craft ink and let it dry. Then I took the leaf stamp from the set, French Foliage and inked it in Cajun Craze and rocked it onto Soft suded and stamped 4 on the card. Then I decided to emboss one of the leaves. SO, I dug my versamark pen out, and drew versamark all over one leaf, poured clear embossing powder and heat set it.

ENJOY!

Swap Cards From Group Meeting

2011-09-03T01:04:00.000-04:00

Last night was my up upline's monthly meeting. I usually do not make swaps for the meeting, I am just too busy....SO, this time I decided to make some. My ride to the meeting should have taken me just over an hr, but because of some freaky traffic it took 3 hrs!!!! BUT it was so worth the drive. My downline member, Jessica was there (we were supposed to ride together), my up line and lots of sidelines were there too. The make and take cards were fantastic. Connie always has a fun filled meeting. I will share the cards in a later post. Today I am sharing a couple of the swap cards....

The first card, made by Edith Graybill, use the stamp set in the New Holiday Mini, Gently Falling... This set has 12 stamps, it is a two step stamp set and is really a great set for the Fall.

This next one also uses the same stamp set...This was was made by Sondra Jumper...she used some great new toys for the Big Shot

This next one was made by Cam Miller, and it got the most votes of the favorite swap card. It is really elegant looking, bossed in gold embossing powder on black card stock.. She used the set, Merry & Type, pg 31 of the Idea book and catalog.

This one is so cute....made by Cindy Fodor uses the set, Snow much Fun, pg 35 from the Idea book & catalog.

I will be holding a Snow Much Fun Class later this month using just this set. Watch for more details in a few days and if you are on my mailing list, check your email boxes for an invite. Of course everyone is invited!!!

Advent Frame and Boxes

2011-08-31T02:00:00.001-04:00

My longtime friend, Kathie came to visit today and stamped, she brought some show and tell. This is an advent frame with boxes that she brought to show me.

This frame and all those boxes came flat, she put together all the boxes and the pieces of the frame. Then she painted the entire project, YES even the insides of the boxes. It's hard to see in the picture, but the numbers are on small punched out circles and have crystal effects on them, a great touch. The angels are cut out and glued on, there are lots of embellishments on this project. Kathie, I think you did a Great JOB!!! Love it.

Club cards for August

2011-08-30T23:45:00.000-04:00

WOW!!! where has August gone? This makes me kinda sad. I love summer, the heat, beach, sunshine and yes love watching lightening and listen to the thunder. NOW! I don't like the hurricanes or earthquakes both happened here last week. The earthquake happened while I was working at the Church in the office (A good place to be). Irene blew through here on Saturday evening and our lights flickered and we lost a couple limbs and about 1000 twigs from our trees, but that was it. Truly Blessed. I have friends still without power, lost $$$$hundreds in spoiled food, going to gym and friends houses to take a shower and filling jugs with water for flushing the toilets. Going to Starbucks, Panera's and other like places to charge phones, ipods, laptops, etc. My daughter and I actually played a game instead of being on the computers all night. Praying that the Power companies stay strong and get power turned on to all. Praying for that day to come soon!!!

I have a few things to share: I have tons of pictures, but it would take forever to upload them all, so here are a few. The first is one of the August Stampers Club cards.....

When the Summer Mini came out, I just had to have this set....On the Grow....Did I use it? very little! SAD, gotta have that stamp set, then barely use it. I finally pulled it off the shelf, dusted it off and made this card for the stamper club...I used Calypso Coral card stock for the card base, From the Garden DSP (JUST LOVE THAT PAPER!) Tomorrow is the last day for the DSP special, buy 3 get 1 free...Need more information, just contact me.
I used watercolor paper and stamped the scooter in black staz on, let dry a few minutes and then used those WONDERFUL WATER COLOR CRAYONS and my aqua painter to color in the image. SO FAST. I attached the image to daffodil delight and Pacific point card stocks and then using dimensionals, put that onto the card. With some white satin ribbon and a flower brad. The card took some time to put together, but the recipient will love you for it.

This is the 2nd club card:

Wisteria Wonder card stock as the base card, Concord crush card stock as the layer under the stamped image from Upsy daisy stamp set. Using wisteria wonder ink, I inked up the stamp, then using sponge daubers, sponged concord crush and elegant eggplant inks directly on the stamp randomly and stamped the image on white card stock. I punched out some scrap of concord crush using the large oval punch and tied some wisteria wonder ruffled ribbon (OH MY...LOVE IT. My new favorite ribbon).

New Holiday Mini starts in a couple of days and can't wait to show you some of those new items in that mini catalog.

Keep Save all my friends and thanks for stopping by.

GREAT DEAL!!! Buy 3 get one FREE

2011-08-03T23:53:00.000-04:00

Stampin' Up! has a great promotion that started Aug 1st and runs thru Aug 31st .....Buy 3 packages of Designer Series Paper and Get 1 package FREE. This is a SUPER Deal....and if you only want half a package, the deal is even better. Let me know which packages you like to split and I will match you up with someone else wanting those same papers.

Don't Delay, this offer won't last forever...

Details: During August, you will get a FREE package of Designer Series Paper when they buy three! Use this limited-time offer to stock up on all your favorites, including brand-new designs from the 2011-2012 Idea Book & Catalog. Hostess and Speciality DSPs not included in this offer.

Here are a few projects using DSP:

This first project is the Blossom Box, it is a new Big Shot Die (I don't own it, YET). Isn't it cute???

This one uses the Fancy Favor Box Big Shot Die.....Using Designer series paper in the Big Shot is super easy and you can cut more than one piece at a time. Like the Big Shot? Own One? Own a similar Die Cut machine? Want to learn how to use it? Use it to it's potential? Watch for my upcoming Big Shot Class....and for those of you who purchased the Big Shot from me....This class is FREE for you.

OK, this card shows just using a small strip of DSP.....How many cards can you make from one sheet of DSP???? 12 for this size with just a strip leftover. That's a lotta cards outta one sheet of DSP!

AND this card: All DSP and some ribbon...Cute way to use up scraps, huh? This was a swap card from convention....It also uses the Big Shot...the embossed image around the edge.

Notice all those clear mount stamp sets behind the card? That's some of the FREEBIES we received at Convention.

Inspirations

2011-07-28T01:25:00.000-04:00

I have returned from Convention and a mini vacation with my husband. I have been drooling over my swaps from my 3x3 swap. There were 150 cards total for this swap, so I will have a lot of inspriation coming your way. Here are the first 2.......

This first one was done by Pamela Rollings using some punches and BS embossing folder

This next one is by Donna Snider and uses the Fun Flowers BS Die. I love that BS die and just got it while at Convention with my Birthday Discount......Just another great perk from SU.

ENJOY!

Stampin' Up! Convention - Day 3

2011-07-17T23:23:00.000-04:00

OH MY GOSH!!!!! It is SO GREAT to "work" for such a great company. Stampin' Up!'s Annual Convention in Salt Lake City is fantastic!!! We paid $280.00 for convention. Then, if you signed up early, you only paid $250.00. Then...OK, I am going to be saying this alot! Then, we get to Convention and the first thing we do is pick up our Convention Bag, filled with FREE stamp sets and an exclusive Catalog with it's own binder, value $25.00. The Bag is exactly like a Demonstrator bag that demonstrators can buy for $47.95 + ship/tax. BUT this bag is embroidered with some adorable flowers on the front. The stamp sets from the new catalog, sell for $80.80 again, no ship/tax added. Are you adding this up!!!! Then we attend a HUGE party, swapping going on, where some people were picked to play games and win prizes. There were stamping demonstrations set up all around demonstrating techniques and products. Display boards with hundreds, OK thousands of projects, cards posted on them. All of this, no cost..part of the original cost of Convention. THEN, Convention starts and I have posted some of the highlights on previous posts so I won't bore you with those. BUT we received FREE a Simply Sent Kit (in back of catalog - $12.95), a whole package of NEW Holiday Mini catalogs, our regular cost of those, $3.50. A Workshop in a Bag - Has everything needed for a workshop for 10 people, except a stamp set and ink...embellishments, card stock, envelopes...value $30.00. Then we had our make and take projects, full color directions, all the paper supplies and embellishments needed..$20.00 value. Then, we had FREE classes to attend and if we attended all of our classes, we got a FREE stamp set.....This one is for demonstrators though, but I figure the value is $20.00. Then, yesterday, at the end of Convention, we all were given a FREE stamp set, Hostess set from the new upcoming Holiday mini and a My Digital Studio CD filled with lots of goodies for Digital Scrap booking/card making and more, value: $43.00. Total for all the FREE stuff!!!!! $280.00!!! original cost of convention!!! The Convention Experience ......PRICELESS.

Wanna join me next year??? Right now there is an Awesome promotion to sign up. Starter Kit only $99. Also a Christmas Keepsake Box....and from Me...A gift from Memento Mall. Don't wait too long, the promotion ends July 31st.

Convention Day 2

2011-07-16T01:31:00.000-04:00

Today was another busy day here at Convention. Classes to attend, demonstrations by Shelli, her daughter, Shalae and one by Donna Griffith. So many cute projects, cards and more. I am going to share a few pictures out of the hundreds I have taken.

The first is a picture of the warehouse....where the orders start and get packed and shipped out.

Here is the shelves stocked to the ceiling with stamps, inks cardstocks and more. An order comes in thru the computer and starts its way thru the conveyor and gets picked and boxed and sent out. The orders are done in the order they are received, except Canada and Expedited shipping. They said Canada's orders get done first because they take longer to get thru customs and then onto their destination. I was there after work hours, so no orders being processed while I was there.

This next picture I took from across the room. It is a display area of all kinds of projects, products done so cute in various themes. Every time I walked pass this display I would find something else I didn't see before.

These display boards are filled with card samples. Cards that were sent in for contests and more.

HUNDREDS AND HUNDREDS of cards. In addition to the cards were lots of projects too,

That's it for today....Gotta get some sleep for the last day of convention....boohoo. I have lots of swaps to share with you when I get home.

Convention Day 1

2011-07-15T02:38:00.000-04:00

Oh my, where do I begin.....We have been treated SO well and it is only Day 1.   Lots of FREEBIES.   A simply sent kit for everyone...we had already gotten the stamp set to the kit in our Convention Bag.
We got a SNEAK PEEK at the Holiday Mini Catalog and boy am I in T R O U B L E!!! A quick look thru the mini and my TOTAL is $342.   BUT!!!   If I order everything on my list.   I will have made my minimum for the quarter.   I also will only pay $273 for all those items.   In addition I will receive $50 in FREE merchandise of my choice. Not bad.

I will share a few pictures tonight, then it is off to bed. Day #2 starts in a few short hours.

This is the scene we encountered when we walked into the Convention Center this morning....All the Home office Staff was there and applauding us as we entered thru the doors.   How cool is that!!!

This next picture is of Me, Sara (Shelli's daughter) and her daughter, Sidney . Normally Sara and Shelli demonstrate some cool new products. However this year, Sara did it all on her own and she did a fantastic job too.

Here is my swap card that I made 161 of. The SWAP was very well organized and I received some great swaps to share with all of you.

There is so much to share, I can't wait to show you all the new cool things....

CONVENTION IS HERE!!!!!

2011-07-14T01:33:00.000-04:00

Arrived in Salt Lake City this afternoon and the Stampin' Up! festivities have begun......We went to pick up our Convention Bags with our FREE stamp sets...Then we headed over to Memento Mall to SHOP.... Here is our Bag that had all the stamp sets in it, along with a catalog, a binder with dividers for our catalog and more. This bags holds a lot and has beautiful embroidered flowers on it..

Then back to our hotel room to unload those items and head out to dinner. We went to a Lovely restaurant/deli Blue Lemon, we got Firery Fish Tacos and boy were they WONDERFUL!!!! Then a stop back to hotel to get our Prize Patrol bracelets in case we win anything. (We didn't win anything yet!). Stampin' UP! had a party were we met with friends, downlines and uplines. Speaking of friends...Carol T ran into some friends of ours, old convention roommates..and here is a picture of Joanne's swaps....a cute gift card holder and two cards. Thanks Joanne

There was swapping going on and games where they chose some demos to win prizes. A contest for the best Sun Hat and Displays of thousands of cards....YES, thousands. There were demonstrations using new products, old products, techniques we haven't see for a while.....and MORE.

Speaking of swaps, while walking out from the SU party tonight i complimented a gal who had these party sticks made with the fun flower die. She gave me one and also this cute teabag holder...

I met up with Lana who is the SU Ronald McDonald House Demo Support person. We had a great conversation regarding the RMDH and I took some pictures of the cute cards she had displayed using the new RMDH stamp set. Here they are:

They are SO cute!!!. Can't wait to get my RMDH stamp set....SU donates $2 from the sale of that set to Ronald McDonald House Charities. Contact me to get yours. Here is a picture of her swap card. I am getting that Fun Flowers BS die for my birthday discount...and it has been shipped...WOOHOO!

This picture shows a bunch, OK hundreds of SU demos waiting to enter the party tonight.

and my last picture is of a cute pig. This is made using one of the empty containers from some older buttons, or embossing powders and it held some cute pink buttons.

Walking back to our hotel we ran into some friends we met at Leadership back in January...they invited us up to their room from some drinks and munchies. Thanks Cindy, it was fun.

Well, it is late, even for me!!! I am two hrs behind, so it's 130 am back home and I have been going since 6am and tomorrow is the Official Start of Convention!!!! Tomorrow evening I will send out some more pictures....

Convention Bound

2011-07-12T23:16:00.000-04:00

I'm staying up late!!! (I know, shocking). I am packing, and I am so glad I can take 2 suitcases...I've got 2 filled.   Some of the things I am taking I am giving to some stampin demos and won't be bringing back home....HOWEVER, there is lots I am bringing home from Convention.

OK to start, we always get a Cool Convention Bag!

It's filled with 4 stamp sets valued at over $80.
A Catalog
A Holiday Mini Catalog (Sneak Peek)
A Convention Pin
AND SO MUCH MORE....

Prize Patrol.....FREEBIES.... We all LOVE FREEBIES!!!!

Demos, Make and Takes, Presentations and Demos who we have met over the years, from all over the country. Friendships formed that will last a lifetime!!!

I encourage all Demonstrators to start NOW saving for Next Year's Convention....AND if your not a Demo (YET!) contact me to find out more.

Convention is only ONE of the many perks for being a demonstrator.....Today, I ordered a box of 8 new catalogs, FREE,   the Clear Block Caddy, value $16.95, Stampin' Dimensionals and Mini Glue dots, valued over $30....FREE.

Then, I ordered two stamp sets, my choice up to $47.95 each.   MY CHOICE OUT OF THE WHOLE CATALOG OR MINI CATALOG.   That's almost $100 value!! and no tax or shipping.

OH, and I ordered a Stampin' Up! BIGZ L Die at an additional 15% OFF for my Birthday Extra Discount!!!!

Over the next few days I will be posting some of my FAVORITES of the DAY pictures and stories.

See you in Salt Lake City...

Carol Valentine

Convention Countdown.......Only a few more days

2011-07-11T05:00:00.001-04:00

Only a ew more days til Convention starts in Salt Lake City, Utah.!!! My SWAPS are done, my bags are packed and I am just chillin' til I leave on Weds............................NOT Ok, if you know me, then you know my luggage is finally out of the basement, but packed...NO, not one thing in the luggage. BUT, I do have all my SWAPS for the organized 3 x 3 SWAP that I am in. All 161 of them. Wanna See?

I can't show you just yet!!!! After this organized swap takes place, I will post some picture....I promise. So Stay Tuned!

Join My Team!!!

2011-07-10T23:55:00.000-04:00

Limited edition starter kit - $99 this month. Plus a $40 goodie from the 2011 Holiday Mini catalog.

7 Reasons to become a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator:

A 20 percent product discount!
A free monthly issue of Stampin' Success, Stampin' Up!'s demonstrator-only magazine!
Sneak peeks at brand-new products!
Invitations to exclusive Stampin' Up! events!
Regular get-togethers to stamp!
Free access to a community of 30,000+ crafters/stampers and creative artists, as well as 160,000+ project samples!
And reason #7....

$99 Starter Kit and Free Project Kit Promotion

The limited-time $99 Starter Kit is the perfect choice for the lover of Stampin' Up! products. In addition to the supplies and business materials included in the kit, you will get a Christmas Keepsake project kit absolutely FREE--a $40 value! Remember, you can only earn this special Shelli Signature Collection kit during July!   AND earning this kit is only the beginning....

The Kit contains over $185 in products and business supplies--including new products from the 2011-2012 Idea Book & Catalog! All items below are recommended, but a new demonstrator can substitute a similar item of equal or lesser value.

Page Item# Description

57 #123225 Easy Events Clear-Mount Set*
69 #122740 Pennant Parade Wood-Mount Set*
177 #102277 Old Olive Classic Stampin' Pad
177   #105216 Pumpkin Pie Classic Stampin' Pad
177   #103133 Real Red Classic Stampin' Pad
177   #119706 Brights 8-1/2" x 11" Assorted Card Stock
180   #101179 Basic Black Classic Stampin' Pad
182   #107311 Whisper White Note Cards (20)
185   #124339 Just Add Cake Designer Series Paper*
195   #124142 Chocolate Chip 1/2" Scallop Dots Ribbon*
203   #122129 Blender Pen (1)
205   #118486 Clear-Mount Block C
206   #104332 SNAIL Adhesive

*New to the 2011-2012 Idea Book & Catalog! All 4 items are shown in the photo above.

In addition to the stamping supplies, the kit contains Business supplies...
       No alternative selections can be made for these business items.

Getting Started DVD
Getting Started Guide
Guest Invitation Postcards (100)
2011-2012 Idea Book & Catalog (8)
2011 Summer Mini Catalog (8)
Stampin' Up! logo vinyl (for your car!!!)
To My Hostess Envelopes (10)
Recruit Folders (5)
Recruit Brochures (20)
Customer Order Forms (50)

AND a FREE Project Kit!!!!!!
Christmas Keepsake Box Project Kit

Items you will receive in the kit:

Pines & Poinsettias Set (wood-mount)*New from the 2011 Holiday Mini
Keepsake box (this box is limited to this special kit only)
Scallop borders (cut from Tasteful Trim Bigz XL Die)
First Edition Designer Series Paper (3)
Holly Berry Designer Series Paper (6)
First Edition Specialty Designer Series Paper strip (2)
Holly Berry Designer Series Paper piece*
Real Red Top Note (cut from Top Note Bigz Die)
Real Red Decorative Label (cut from Matchbook Bigz XL Die)
Wild Wasabi Card Stock strips (3)
Naturals Ivory Card Stock piece
Holly Berry Bouquet Designer Fabric*
Real Red 1-1/4" Striped Grosgrain Ribbon
Real Red 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon
Victoria 5/8" Crochet Trim
Linen Thread
Champagne Fine Galaxy Stampin' Glitter
Vanilla Pearl 1/2" Simply Adorned Bauble
Pearl Basic Jewels (1 pkg.)
Holly Berry Bouquet Designer Buttons*
Large Wild Wasabi
Small Real Red
Mini Vintage Tags
Things to Remember

Have questions????? Want to know more????
Contact ME!!!

Challenge Card Winner!!!!

2011-07-09T09:16:00.000-04:00

We Have a winner!!!!



The Winning Card in The Challenge Card Contest.......Is #3, Phyllis Miller. Congratulations Phyllis it is a cute card and you used a whole bunch of punches, ribbons and it looks Wonderful. Great Job. I hope you made 2 of these cards so that you can have one of them to send to someone else.

Everyone that entered a card into the Challenge is a winner and will receive a FREE gift from Me. Just contact me to receive your gift.   Again, here is a picture of the Winning card.

Next week is Convention!   Hopefully I will be able to send you guys some pictures from Salt Lake City everyday.....starting Wednesday.    Stay Tuned!!!

Future Firefighters of America!!!!

2011-07-02T10:14:00.001-04:00

This past week I had my grandsons, Colin - 7 and Jacob - 5 for a few days......my husband, Rodney took them down to the firehouse and gave them a tour of all the equipment, they got to climb into the Fire Engine and Ambulance. They were awestruck by the HUGENESS of these vehicles....

I know, what does this have to do with stamping????? Nothing....Just sharing what I love....

AND....my grandsons are going to have a cousin......Christine, daughter #2 is pregnant and due in January!!! WOO HOO!

Challenge Cards.....

2011-07-01T22:12:00.000-04:00

Here are the Challenge Cards I have received so far... Since it is a Holiday weekend and the Post office in Eldersburg closed early today....I have decided to extend the deadline for card submissions until July 5th, Tuesday. BUT for those that gave me their cards by today, you will get an extra little gift in your goodie bag.

Here are the first 5 submissions. Voting will start now and go thru July 8th (that will give me the extra time to post the cards I receive by the 5th). Leave a comment below this post or send me an email at sbjcarol@yahoo.com for your vote.

Don't forget ALL Challenge cards will be donated to the Ronald McDonald House in Baltimore.

#1

Don't Forget....Place your vote no later than July 8th....

June's Club Cards.....continued

2011-06-25T03:30:00.000-04:00

Here is the 2nd card from Stamp Club. This card uses one of my favorite techniques and I love, love this Hostess set, Love and Care from the Summer mini catalog which is good til the end of August.

The technique I used is called Emboss Resist. To start, you take a piece of whisper white card stock, stamp your image using versamark ink and emboss this image using clear embossing powder. After using the heat tool to emboss the image, let cool a minute or 2 and start sponging colors around and over the embossed image. When you are satisfied with your sponging, buff the embossed images with a paper towel. These images "resisted" the ink and now "pop" up.. You can even stamp over these images and the ink will resist on the embossed images. With the butterfly from Strength and Hope (Making a Difference stamp set) from the Summer Mini catalog (check inside back cover of the Summer Mini for more information on Making a Difference).

This card is without the butterfly image. Both cards are Night of Navy card stock for the card, I used Bashful Blue, Baja Breeze (my favorite color, at least now), Marina Mist, Not Quite Navy and Night of Navy inks were sponged over the embossed images. I stamped the sprig stamp with baja breeze ink on and around the embossed images. I backed the image with baja breeze card stock, punched with the heart border punch and tied it all together with some wonderful night of navy satin ribbon.

The new Idea Book and Catalog arrived at my doorstep today. Those members of my stamp club get theirs for FREE. Want yours for FREE, contact me to find out how.

ENJOY!

Carol Valentine
http://www.stampergirl.stampinup.net/

Stampin' Yard Sale

2011-06-24T04:00:00.004-04:00

I have hundreds, YES hundreds of Stampin' Up! stamp sets, inks and card stocks for sale. The prices are 30% to 60% OFF. I can ship anywhere in the USA only. I don't have any pictures of these stamp sets, they are listed and pictured in past Stampin' Up! catalogs. You don't have to leave your house, drive all around (at $3.60 gallon of gas) or pay tax either. I accept Paypal only and prices listed do no include shipping. I will ship priority and will combine stamp sets, card stock and inks and more.
Contact me via email to purchase or if you have any questions.

A haunting we will go (-cat/pumpkin) $5S

A is for Adorable $7 NM
A Little Love $6 S
A to Z accents $7 NM
All about autumn frame (-leaves) $7 S
All around abcs $15S
All in a row $6 LS
All that Jazz $9 LS
Along the same lines $5S
Alphabits $4 LN
Animal Crackers $7 LS
Antiques abc lower $15 S
Antiques abc upper $15 S
Art of Life $5 S
Artifacts $10 LS
Artfully Asian $7 LN
Asian Artistry $10 VLS
Attitude ABC lower $15 LS
Attitude abc upper $15 LS
Autumn Fest $9 LS
Basketful of fun $10 LN
Basketful of fun $10 LN
Baskets of blooms $5 S
Be happy $8 VLS
Beautiful butterfly $8 LS
Bees & blooms $3 S
Beyond basics $4 S
Birthday best $4 LS
Birthday Whimsy $5 LS
Birthday Whimsy $5 LS
Bitty boos (-boo, skeleton) $6 S
BK "." Petite Print $7 VLS
BK Big blossom $7 LS
BK Canvas $7 LS
BK Country plaid $7 LS
BK dotted print pattern $7 LS
BK Filigree $7 LS
BK Floral $7 LS
BK From the garden $7 LS
BK Happy Birthday Greetings $7 LS
BK Hearts and Swirls $7 LS
BK Linen $7 LS
BK Print pattern $7 LS
BK Stipple plaid $7 LS
BK Victorian $7 LS
Blooming w/love $10 VLS PENDING
Blooming w/love $10 VLS
Bold Birthday $5 S
Bold Blossom Greetings $5 S
Botanical Blooms $3 LS
Brighter Days $9 NUM
Brighter Holiday sayings $6 LS
Brighter tomorrow $10 VLS
Brushstroke blossoms $4 S
Brushstroke hummingbird (-leaves) $5 S
Bundled in love $10 S
Button Bear $12 S
Candy Cane Xmas $10 VLS
Celebrate Everything $7 LS
Celebrate invite (-balloons) $9 S
Celebrate season (-celebrate) $7 S
Celebration Invitation (- balloons) $8 LS
Celestial skies (-sun) $3 S
Chinese symbols $4 LN
Christmas elves $8 S
Christmas Peace $8 S
Christmas Punch $10 NM
Collage numbers $5NM
Congrats SAB 09 $6 LS
Cottage Rose **pending*** $6 S
Crayon Fun ABCs & 123s $20 S
Crazy for Christmas $5 LS
Create a coupon $10NM
Curly Xmas $6 LS
Cute converse $7 LN
Cute converse $7 LN
Days Gone by $10 LS
DD race car $12 S
Delight in Life $5 S
Delight in life $5 S
Doodle abcs $20 N
Doodle This $10 S
Double line doodles $10 ls
Dream come true $10 VLS
Eat cake $10 LS
Echoes of Kindness $9 S
Embrace Life $10 s
Event full $8 LN
Ever After $9 NM
Everyday celebrations $10 NM
Everyday flexible phrases $15 LN
Fall Whimsy $6 S
Fanciful Flower $8 S
Fanciful flowers (-branch) $7 s
Fancy favorites $6 S
Favorite frame $10 S
Favorite Greetings $9 LS
Festive fall $6 S
Festive favorites $9 S
Festive Favorites $9 S
Finials and frames $8 NM
Flashy Florals $5 S
Flashy Florals $5 S
Flower filled $8 S
Flower filled $8 S
Flower garden $8 LS PENDING
Flowers for a friend $10 LS
Flutterbys $10 S
Four seasons borders $4 S
Frame fun (-branch) $10 S
Fresh fillers $4 LN
Friendship Blooms $7 NUM
Fun filled $7 LN
Fun frame borders $8 LS
Fun in the Sun $15 S
Fun with Shapes $10 VLS
Funky furniture -- 7 stamps only $7 S
Furnished w/love $8 NUM
Game Night $8 LN
Gentler times $10 VLS
Gently Falling $6 LS
Gently Falling $6 LS
Going Out in Style $8 S
Golden Rule $10 VLS
Grapes $4 S
Hand Painted designs $10 S
Hand stamped by $3 LS
Happiest of Holidays $6 LS
Happiest of holidays $6VLS
Happiness Always $7 S
Happy Heart Day $10 VLS
Hats off to you $10 S
Haute Couture $9 LS
Haute Couture $9 LS
Headline ABC's & 123's $20 LS
Heartfelt Thanks $9 S
Heartfelt Thanks $9 S
Holiday Hannah (-2 stamps) $8 VLS
Holiday Hello $9 New
Holiday Spirit $7 S
In a Pear Tree $10 LS
In any event $10 NM
In full bloom $9 S PENDING
In full bloom $9 S
It's a date $5 NM
It's All Good $6 NUM
Itty bitty bkgnd $4 S
Just like you $10 LN
Just like you $10 LN
Kid prints (-hand/foot) $7 S
Krayola kids $8 S
La dee da $9 S
Lace snowflakes - 3 only $3 S
Lexicon of Love e $4 LS
Listen w/heart $3 S
Listen w/heart $3 S
Little hellos $6 LS PENDING
Little layers $5 VLS
Little layers $5 LS
Little shapes $5 LN
Little shapes $5 LN
Little Somethings $7 LS PENDING
Live like you mean it $7 s
Live Like you mean it $7 s
Living large $8 LS PENDING
Looks Like Spring $10 S
Love is in the air $8 LS
Love It L@ & brass template $15 NM
Love notes $5 S
Love w/o end $10 LS
Love w/o End $10 S
Love Ya $7 S
Love Ya $7 S
Love you bunches $7 LS
Love you bunches $7 S
Made from Scratch $4 LS
Marvelous morning glory $7 S
Marvelous morning glory $7 S
Merci $6 S
Mice Day $7 LS
Mini Mates $12 LN
Mini Messages $5 S
Mini Messages $5 S
Mini Seasonal Borders $3 LS
Miracle of Christmas $8 S
More the Merrier Hostess set $12 LN
Much Love $5 LS
Nature's Christmas $10 VLS
Nesting Place DD $8 LN
Nesting Place DD missing branch $7 LN
Never Ending Joy $8 LS
Never Ending Joy $8 LS
Not so short notes $4 S
Notable notes $4 S
Occasionally $5 S
Of the Earth $6 NM
On the beach $10 S
Ornamassortment $6 LS
Outline numbers $5 NM
Outrageous abc $15 S
Paint prints $5 S
Paint prints $5 S
Painted garden $5 S
Paper Dolls & Accessories (- 1 collar) $20 LN
Patterned Pines L1 $9 ls
Peace to the world $8 LS
Perennial favorites $6 VLS
Perfect Presentation $8 VLS
Petal Prints $10 S
Phrases for a friend $5 ls
Poinsettia greetings $7 LS
Polar Bears $9 NM
Polka Dot Punches (only 3 stamps) $3 NUM
Polka dots and paisley $6 LN
Pretty poinsettia $8 S
quick and cute $6 LS
Quilt Quips $9 NM
Reindeer Greetings $6 LS
Riveting $6NM
Rose rhapsody $8 s
Roses in winter $8 S
Rough Edges ABC $8 NM
Roughing it $15 S
Say it Simply $3 NUM
Scene in a Garden $12NUM
Scribbled $4 NUM
Seaside $10 S
Season Wreath $8 LS
Seasonal borders $4 LS
Seasonal Sketches $8 VLS
Send a celebration $6 VLS
Shapes and Shadows $8 s
Sidekick Sayings $5 LN
Simple circles $5 LS
Simple Shapes $6 LS
Simply Summer $8 LS
Simply Summer $8 LS
Sketch event (-branch) $5 S
Small Script $5 LS
Smorgasborders (-friends) $5 S
Smorgasborders (-friends) $5 LS
Snow flurries $5 VLS
Snowburst $6 LS
So many sayings - split 1 or 2 missing $8 LN
SO Very $5 LN
Soft Summer $10 LS
Soft Summer $10 LS
Special greetings $12 LN
Spring Garden $8 S
Spring Solitude $9 NUM
Stamp Your Art Out $10 VLS
Stella stamper $15 S
Stem Silhouettes $10 LN
Stipple Celebrations $9 S
Straight Up mini abc $8 NUM
Sweet and Sassy $8 LS
Sweet Herbs $10 NM
Sweet of you $8 S
Sweet Shapes $10 S
Tag alongs $5 S
Tag Time $8 S PENDING
Tags for all $10 LN
Tags on board $7 LN
Tags so much $6 LS
Take Shape $10 S
Terrific Tags $6 S
Thoroughly Thankful --separated $7 missing verse
Tiny Talk $6 LS
Tis the season $8 VLS
To Have and To Hold $10 S
Too terrific tags $6 S
Very Puny SAB 07 $7 NUM
Very Thankful $7 LN
Very Thankful $7 LN
Victorian frame $9 S
Wanted $9 LS
Watercolor garden $9 VLS
Wild Rose $10 S
Wings of Friendship $6 LS
Wishing You $9 NM
Wonderful words $5 S PENDING
Wonderful words II $5 S
Year after Year $9 VLS
Yummy $5 LS

More Stamps

A Little Birdie Told Me $15 NM

Baby Firsts $12 NM
Beary Best $21 NM
Best of Cluck $17 LS
Best Yet L1 Hostess $8 NUM
Crab and Company $20 NM
Easy Elegance $9 NM
Fancy Flexible Phrases $20 NM
Fantastic Foliage $12 LN
Figures of Speech $14 LN
Fishy Friends $15 LN
Friendship Flowers $15 NM
Furnished w/Love $8 NM
Hedgehog Happiness $12 LN
Holiday Tag Team $15 NM
Love Notes $7 NM
Love Notes $7 NM
Loving Hearts $12 LS
On Angel Wings $8 NM
Painted Posies $9 NM
Pretty Amazing $15 NUM
Sage Advice $12 NM
Simple Florals $12 NM
Small Script $6 LN
Stew Pot Pals $20 NM
Tag Time $16 NM
Unfrogrettable $18 LN
Wild About Your $17 NUM
Winged Things $16 NM
Winter Wilma $12 LS
You Are My Sunshine $15 LN
You Make Me Happy $15 LN
Yukon $15 NM

Wheels

Doodle - Jumbo $5
Lovely lady bugs - $2
See you Around - Jumbo New $5
Solitude - New $3
Stems & Silhouettes - Jumbo $5
Sweet Stars - jumbo new $5
Swirling Stars - Jumbo $4
Whimsical blossoms - New $3
Non Sup - Ocean waves - $2

Accessories

BRIGHTS Embossing stack NIP $6
Designer Hardware SOHO NIP $2
Earth Elements eyelets $1
Earth Elements ink spots LN $10
Flower eyelets $1
Microbeads - New $2
Perfect Layers Tool NIP $7
Prep School Ribbon NIP $3
Red bead duos - NIP $4
Rich Regal eyelets $1
Stack/Store empty (3) $3 ea
Stack/Store filled w/empty cases $7
Stars eyelets $1
Subtles Ink spots LN $10

Card Stock

All are unopened packs of 8 1/2 x 11 card stock, unless otherwise noted. $4 per pack:

Positively Pink (2 pkgs, 1 opened missing 1 sheet)
YoYo Yellow
Only Orange
Earth Elements assortment
Ballet Blue (2 pkgs)
Creamy Caramel textured
Apricot Appeal (2 pkgs)
Glorious Green
Ruby Red
Taken with Teal
Bordering Blue
Lovely Lilac textured
Cameo Coral (23 1/2 sheets)

OTHER

Leadership 2007 Bag $10
Convention 2007 Blue Bag $10
Mini Catalog bag $3

June's Club Cards

2011-06-23T03:30:00.002-04:00

Well, we are wrapping up another Stampin' Up! catalog year. On July 1st the New Idea Book and Catalog will debut. It is a beautiful catalog and Idea book, full of stamps, ink, paper and more. I have a stamp club that meets once a month on two different days, we make a couple of cards, munch and enjoy the fellowship of sharing our love of stamping. Currently I have 2 spots open on this Stamp Club, which requires only a $15 per month purchase. If you are interested in getting together with others, stamping, building your stamp supplies on a budget and getting free stampin' goodies too. Contact me to fill one of those spots.

Here are pictures of the two club cards:

The first one is a "wiper card", but as most of my stampers agreed, a great easy card to make, without making it a wiper card. I used tempting turquoise card stock, tangerine tango card stock, Brights DSP pack (tangerine tango), tangerine tango and tempting turquoise ink, I also used some tempting turquoise 1/4" gross grain ribbon... Notice the repeat of colors. That is one of the GREAT things about Stampin' Up!. The colors all match, the ribbon, the ink, the card stock, the designer series papers, oh and there is more.....buttons, pastels, water color crayons, vinyl (for cutting images on the BIG SHOT), embossing powders, brads, oh and fabric!!!! yep designer fabrics that coordinate well, with stamp sets, DSP and more.

OOPs, I got sidetracked....sorry, here's the first card, I used the set that is retiring (boo hoo) Priceless.

This the card in the closed position...It fits in a regular envelope.

This is the card in the open position...by pulling the front piece of card stock to the right and the back piece of card stock to the left, the image pops up...kinda like a wiper blade....

Check back tomorrow for the 2nd card from stamp club.
ENJOY!

Carol Valentine
http://www.stampergirl.stampinup.net/

Flower Garden Embossing Folder Card

2011-06-22T00:41:00.001-04:00

I decied to play around with the newest embossing folder from the Summer Mini catalog....Flower Garden.

It is a vertical embossed image, so I used a strip of cardstock and just emossed that strip. I the used the vanilla ink pad and carefully swiped it across the embossed image being careful not to press too hard since I just wanted to ink the embossed image. This card is the basic sketch as my daughter, Christine's card that I did the other day, using the border punch down the sides of the stamped image. I used Melon Mambo as the card base, then I picked through my card stock scraps using white and old olive. I stamped the hello from the Swirls & Curls verses (Level 1) from the summer mini in Old olive ink, punched it with the large oval punch, then a scrap of old olive for the scallop oval punch and for the decorative label punch I used a scrap of Melon Mambo. I sponged some Melon Mambo ink on the decorative label piece to give it some dimension and used dimensionals to pop it up from the card.

OK, I know it is late and I am trying to keep the lights low, because the lights are attracting the STINK BUGS!!!! 3 so far tonight YUK!!!

Dreams du Juor Card

2011-06-21T00:34:00.001-04:00

This card is for my daughter, Christine, her birthday is June 19th and the card is in my car waiting for me to mail it.....grrr... late again....Sorry Christine.

I used the retiring set, Dream du juor. I copied this card from a picture I took at the Stampin' Up! Convention a few yrs ago, I colored the images using pastels...a quick way to color an image in and I love the look of pastels. The card is white and pretty in pink and old olive. If you look close, I added some of those cute rhinestone pearls on the card.

Challenge Card

2011-06-20T10:00:00.000-04:00

Are you up for a Challenge???? I have found the best way to get my creative juices flowing is to check for a sketch or color challenge and try to come up with a card. This week I have done a lot of stamping and just taking a card sketch or color combination and start stamping.

I have a Challenge for all of you. If you have a current catalog, turn to page 75. The cute card with the birds from Happy Together (retiring this month). Take this sketch from this card and make a card using any Stampin' Up! stamp set and make a card. You need to keep your card like this one, and include image that is cut or punched , use dimensionals to pop it up on your card. Make your full card, mail or give it to me, by July 1st. All cards submitted will be voted on and the winner will receive FREE Stampin' Up! gift from Me...All cards submitted will receive a Thank You gift from Me. ALL cards received will be donated to Ronald McDonald House in Baltimore for the guests who stay there to use.

Here is a picture of the card on Page 75.

Here is my card that I did....I used Poppy Parade as the base color of the card, then I checked out the DSP in the catalog and used the colors listed with the Sunny Garden DSP which uses Poppy Parade, Daffodil Delight, Pear Pizzazz, and Peach Parfait. Don't you just love this Color tool? I stamped the "sun" from the stamp set, Touch of Kindness from the Summer Mini catalog and stamped the greeting on white card stock and put it inside the sun. I added some Crystal Effects to the scallops of the sun. I used a scrap of Daffodil Delight cardstock at the top, then Whisper White for the main image of the birdbath, which I colored using the aqua painter and the lid of the ink pads from my color pallet, adding a baja breeze for the birds and water drops, which I put some crystal effects on too. The bottom color is Pear pizzazz, which I used the scallop border punch on. I also added some daffodil delight 1/4" gross grain ribbon.

SO, get your fingers inky and make your card and set it to me no later than July 1st.

A few more Father's Day cards

2011-06-19T23:49:00.000-04:00

I hope all you Guys had a wonderful Father's Day. I have a couple more cards to share, they are Father's day cards, but can be for anyone really...birthdays, thinking of your, get well.

These 2 cards use the stamp set, Countryside... #120495 (clear), pg 115 of the catalog, or pg 100 of the NEW catalog...... The first person who is not a member of my club, who leaves a comment on this blog or emails me will get the NEW catalog for FREE. and this new catalog is BEAUTIFUL.

This first card I CASEd from a card on splitcoast, Natasha Zandbergen... I changed it a little, used the same cardstock and retiring Elegant Soiree DSP (one of my favorites). I also used the Spiral border punch which retires in just a few days. I also used 2 Non SU items. The ribbon is from the ribbon outlet near my friend, Kathie's house...who can resist ribbon that is SO CHEAP!!! and this color matched Soft Suede exactly!!! also the brad on the ribbon is just something I had in a container, who knows where or when I got that one. This card was for my husband and father in law. I made 2 alike...something I do all the time. Since I am cutting the cardstock in half to make a card, I figured I might as well make 2, it doesn't take any extra time. The base card is Soft suede, the top cardstock is Baja Breeze, a FAVORITE...., crumb cake and the Elegant Soiree DSP. I stamped the images on Very Vanilla and the back layer under the wheel barrow is Basic Gray...I didn't figure any of these color choices on my own. I just used the colors that are in the DSP. A great color tool. Someone has already figured out the color combination!!!

This next card is a CUTE 3x3 card, one of my downline gals made....Jessica Robinson, SO CUTE, going to CASE this one, but change it to a regular size card. Have a bunch of GUY cards to make this summer.

If you see me around town this week, I will have my NEW catalog with me and will gladly show it to you...Those of you in my Stamp Club, yours will be FREE and I will be handing them out with the club order when it arrives later this week.

Happy Father's Day You Guys!!!

2011-06-19T00:14:00.000-04:00

It's Father's Day and to honor the many Fathers out there......I have been making several manly cards....
Is your father in your life right now? Cherish him, there are so many without a father figure in their life. Me, I've been lucky.....I have had several and many not related to me. My father, Joe passed away when I was just 4, so I really don't remember him, but he made me and for that I am truly grateful. My Dad...no longer here either, but I think of him often and miss him. Always gentle and kind, he taught me many things. How to pack....well, when he packed a box with items, they were all nestled in there perfectly and no wasted space. To treat others how I would want to be treated... and do fun things that I wanted to do. Sometime during my job at SSA, I had George, Ralph, Lee, and others whose names I can no longer recall.. My father in law, Jim, my ex husband, Jim..Some Dads at Northwest...Jerry, Harry, and many others. My husband, Rodney and my father in law, George And now there is Ed, my Mom's husband, who keeps her off the streets and outta trouble, hehehe. SO, you see, even if you are not a birth father to someone, you just might be their Dad....

Now onto some of the cards I made for these Dads.... These first 2 cards use the retired set, Winds of Grace, Sanded background stamp and Happy Father's Day stamp, also retired from an old All Year Cheer set.

The next two cards use the set, Countryside and the background stamp....well, I just made some marks with the ink pad....

This next card uses the set, Uncharted Territory. The background stamp on this card is also just the edge of the stamp pad. I also used some of the new baker's twine.

I will share some more cards tomorrow. For today, tell your Dad, whoever he is, how much he means to you.... and to my "Dads" I love you all.

May stampin' Club Cards

2011-05-26T10:00:00.001-04:00

This first card is actually a gift card holder it could be used as a card too. This gift card holder was CASEd from Anrea walford's blog. I changed some dimensions of the designer series paper so that I would have enough for all my club members.

If you want directions on how to make this gift card holder/card, leave me a comment and I will send them to you.

This masculine card uses the Open Sea stamp set as well as the Nautical DSP and bakery twine, all from the Summer Mini Catalog.

ENJOY!

Carol

Stampin' Storage and more

2011-05-25T10:00:00.002-04:00

I purchased a new rolling cart the other month and my daughter, Robyn who loves to put furniture together, came over to put it together for me. Jacob, my youngest grandson wanted to help. Here they are, hard at work...

I love this new cart and haven't even finished filling it. Thank you Robyn and Jacob!!!

Sharing What I love

2011-05-23T23:27:00.000-04:00

I LOVE Sharing my LOVE of Stamping.   Stampin' Up!'s Statement of the Heart is:

To Love what we do and share what we love, as we help others enjoy creativity and worthwhile accomplishments....in this we make a difference!

I LOVE LOVE LOVE sharing my love of stamping.   I enjoy showing others how to stamp, watching them being creativie and having fun while making something for someone else and getting excited because they know they are going to brighten that persons day.   That is the JOY I get out of stamping.

Stampin' is so much fun and being a Stampin' Up! demonstrator is SO rewarding.   You get stamps and accessories at a discount! Cha Ching! You earn free stamps! Cha Ching! Free accessories and more!!! Cha Ching! You can earn free trips! Cha Ching! Recognition for Sales, Recruiting and more! Friendships with fellow stampers across the USA and beyond!   You get to attend Conventions, in Salt Lake City, UT regional conventions in a area near you and Leadership convention in different cities across the United States. Conventions are so much FUN.....

Take a Look.....

Want to learn more??? Contact me and I will share what I love with you.

Club cards

2011-05-23T00:44:00.000-04:00

As promised, here are the pictures of my Stampin' Club cards. This first one is from April's Stamp Club. It is a direct CASE from Connie's downline meeting make and take. There are some fabulous make and takes at Connie's meetings. Oh! and did I mention, door prizes, sales and recruiting recognition and demos and meeting stampin' friends. Lots of inspiration and sharing going on there too.

This 2nd card is also from April's club card, I CASEd it from someone and thought I wrote the name down on my project planner, but didn't.

This is the post it note holder that I made for my church's Mother/Daughter breakfast the day before Mother's Day. It was a wonderful event. The men of the church prepared quiche and bacon, the served us breakfast of quiche, bacon, fresh fruit cups and fruit filled turnovers. YUMYUM. I made 162 of these post it note holders.!!!! I used some retired Green Galore cardstock (I just happen to have a few packs, my favorite color) and I used the stamp set from Sale a bration, Sweet Summer and stamped the flower and butterfly images in black staz on and colored the images using my marvelous markers. The ribbon is a non Stampin' Up! ribbon, but cute and I had enough for all the post in note holders.

Here they are boxed up and ready to take to the church.

I could not have finished this huge task without the help of my oldest daugther, Aimee, friend Kim Housman and friend, Robine Railey from church. THANK YOU LADIES!!!

Check back tomorrow for my cards from May's Stampin' Club cards...

Updates and some Stamped Cards

2011-05-23T00:17:00.000-04:00

WELL, where do I begin..... hmmm. Back in January, my sister in law, Joyce Virginia Riesett suddenly became sick and was diagnosed with Stage 4 Liver Cancer.....about the same time, a good friend of mine, Patricia Matsko, became ill, had surgery(s) and was diagnosed with Stage 3 Colon Cancer......

This was taken last summer at a Stamp a Stack...my friend, Shirley Brown on the left and Patricia Matsko on the right.....Sadly, Patricia passed away on April 15th.

Here is a picture of my brother, Joe and his wife, Joyce Virginia.....Sadly, she passed away on May 2nd.

Haven't been in the mood to stamp, or blog. My MOJO dissappeared and hopefully will return soon. I have had my stamp clubs this month and will post the cards tomorrow....actually later today.

Caol Valentine.....

Cupacake Card

2011-04-11T21:55:00.000-04:00

This card was made by my downline, Stacy Wells. So many times when I stamp, I have a hard time stepping out of the box....The cupcake image reminds me of cute, brighter, cheerful colors. Stacy used So saffron and then embossed the cupcake image ind black. Now suitable for any age....

ENJOY!

Carol

Stamp Room....messy desk and clean desk

2011-04-11T21:49:00.001-04:00

I don't know about all you stampers out there, but when I start making a card, the desk is clear and by the end....you would think a bomb went off!!! AND Then I put away some, ok none.... and then don't stamp because I look at the mess and turn around and head the other way......I am trying very very hard to break that habit. First day was fine, then had a relapse. SO tonight, I already have it cleaned off and I don't go to bed for another 2 hrs at least.....

When I started rearranging things the other day, here is what the desk looked like, before I had begun....

What a mess, and this is kinda clean for me, really!!! I moved a couple of things around and this is what it looked like about an hr later....

Since that time, I have arranged a few things, brought my markers onto the desk on the left side. No picture but I am creating so much more since I now have the space to create.

So clear your desk off and create!!!

Nature Walk Birthday Card

2011-04-10T23:02:00.000-04:00

I love this stamp set....it is in the Occasions Mini Catalog which is only available til the end of April. I have made several birthday cards with it as well as a few Thinking of You cards too. Tonight I am posting this card as part of a 411 Sketch Challenge. Entering a challenge, whether it is a color challenge, sketch or stamp set challenge is a great way to get your creativity going.

I used Marina Mist cardstock for the card base and also for the layer behind the stamped flower image that I punched the edge with the Pinking Heart border punch. The layer that has the bee, bird, eggs and Happy Birthday greeting is actually the Botanical Gazette designer series paper. The paper looks aged and has no images on it, so I added those from the Nature Walk stamp set #121997 clear mount from the Occasions mini catalog and the Happy Birthday is from the On Your Birthday set #111664 pg 153 of the Idea Book & Catalog. I used the marvelous markers to ink the flower stamp...old olive and cherry cobbler and stamped several times without reinking. The Crochet trim is from the catalog and I sponged marina mist ink onto it. I put one of those Antique brads on the ribbon where I knotted it. The card took only about 10 minutes to stamp and put together, but I kept trying different ribbons and brads, which added at least another half hr.....

ENJOY!

Carol

Spring is Blossoming Promotion

2011-04-10T14:52:00.000-04:00

Stampin' Up! has a promotion going on right now. I have tried...many times to post the flyer and information regarding that promotion in the design of this blog with no results. After spending hrs, yes hrs trying to do this, I was able to put the picture of the promotion on the top left of this Blog, however when you click on the picture, nothing is there SO, I am attaching the link to the flyer here:

http://www.stampinup.com/us/documents/SIB_flyer_April2011_US.pdf

The information regarding this promotion IS on the link above, just click on it and see the images, paper and details of the promotion. ANY questions regarding this promotion, do not hesitate to contact me at sbjcarol@yahoo.com. Anyone reading this post that knows how I can attach the link to the picture I have on the upper left corner of this blog...please contact me.

THANKS!!!!!

ENJOY!

Wedding Favors, friends, facebook and high school

2011-04-10T00:49:00.000-04:00

About 2 months ago, I noticed on facebook that a Stampin' Up! demonstrator, actually one of my downline, Tami had a friend, Brian.....I asked her how she knew him, because another friend of mine, Kim, that I work with...well her son, is this Brian....She said, her cousin's daughter was marrying Brian. Then 2 weeks ago, Kim asked me to come and help them all make wedding favors. So, I gathered up my Big Shot, pillow box die and some other stampin' supplies and Kim and I headed to the Bride's Mom's house where they were already crankin' out some wedding favors. When we pulled up to the house, I noticed the last name, thought it sounded familiar, somewhere, maybe from High School....a few years ago now. After we were stamping, cutting, embossing, filling the favors with candies....and the Bride's Mom started talking about Pat...I said, who's Pat....she said my husband....I said, I knew it...he dated one of my girlfriends back in HS. How is that for a small world....

Now for the picture of the Wedding Favor....

The colors are Chocolate Chip and Bashful Blue. It's hard to tell, but the scroll image is from Baroque Motifs and the H is from Lovely Letters Alphabet and they are embossed using a retired Bashful Blue embossing powder and the ribbon is a silver ribbon.

ENJOY!

Carol

Stamp club Cards

2011-03-21T08:55:00.000-04:00

Here are the Stamp Club Cards we made this month:

This first card was inspired, OK, cased from Gretchen Barron's card. I used the same colors and layout, but changed a few things. I wanted to use the Easter Blossom set, the lovely flower blossom stamp..and I don't have any of the rosettes, yet... so I improvised. I used the flower from the Level 1 hostess set and stamped it on baja breeze cardstock with basic gray ink and punched out with the boho blossom punch, added a silver brad and a mini glue dot. For the greeting, I punched out the greeting with the Decorative Label punch, then placed it onto a larger piece of Always artichoke cardstock like Gretchen said, and it really was pretty easy...with the paper snips...pg 199, the best $10 scissors on the planet.

This 2nd card was CASED from a card that was from a Demo group meeting that I wasn't able to attend. I changed it a little because I didn't have the ribbon that was originally used, but otherwise I copied it completely. Sorry, don't know who to give credit to, but I really like it.

Here are the cards some of the women in the stamp club made. See how they are all different!!! I love it when everyone changes their card to what they like!

AND here are their other cards...

Bliss ----Thinking of You card

2011-03-03T01:00:00.001-05:00

Here is another card using the Bliss Sale a bration stamp set. I had a "swap" card from a year ago, that used another stamp set, and I changed it up, using the Bliss stamp set.

The card base is Regal Rose and the stamped layer is Sahara Sand (a color choice from the Color Coach), I started to stamp this just 2 time on the Sahara sand layer, but "dropped" the stamp (all inked up, of course) and it landed almost center, but much lighter.....SO, I inked up the stamp and stamped off on scrap paper, then stamped on the layer, several times. I stamped the butterfly in regal rose craft ink and embossed in iridescent ice embossing powder....I didn't use enough ink and so, stamped the butterfly again, this time in regal rose ink classic ink, cut the butterfly out and used dimensionals to "pop" the image up and added a rhinestone in the center.

ENJOY!
Carol

Bliss--- Sale a Bration Card

2011-03-02T01:00:00.000-05:00

This week I am focusing on the stamp set you change choose from when you purchase $50 (before tax and shipping) til the end of March.

One of the perks of being a Stampin' Up! demonstrator is receiving a magazine each month that has lots of inspiration, projects and more. This card I copied almost exactly from that magazine. The card is crumb cake and I stamped the main image in crumb cake on the card and also on very vanilla cardstock...I aligned the vanilla image over the card and used dimensionals to adhere to card. The butterfly is stamped in Pretty in Pink and cut out, I added some dazzling diamonds and some mini pearl rhinestones. The bird is stamped in baja breeze ink, I also added some scraps of victoria crochet ribbon and some baja breeze seam binding, adhered together with a antique brad, adhered to the card using some mini glue dots. The greeting, "Just for You" is from the Hostess Level 1 Set, Afterthoughts.

ENJOY!
Carol

February Stampin' Club Cards

2011-03-01T01:00:00.000-05:00

I can't believe I didn't post a picture of both of the cards we made for Stampin' Club this month......

Here they are

This first one is the sample...I used Elegant Soiree DSP for the background, the blue strips and the bird. The card is Soft Suede and the mats for the bird and the greeting are both Soft Suede cardstock. The bird is punched out using the 2 step bird punch, using both the DSP and crumb cake cardstock (for wing and branch). All layers on the card were sponged with soft sued ink.

Here are some of the stamp club's creations...All copying off of the sample above. Notice all the different looks. I love everyone's individual creativity shown in their cards.

This next card I posted already, but am posting it again....Below are the different club members cards.

Again, they are all different, even though everyone copied off of the same sample, each changing theirs to make it their own.....

ENJOY!!!

Bliss Stamp Set Wedding Card

2011-02-28T01:00:00.001-05:00

Well, I don't know about you, but I am still anxiously awaiting my invitation to the Royal Wedding.....SO, I decided to go ahead and make my Wedding Card for William and Kate.....My question to everyone is.... What should I give as a gift, or is my presence enough of a present!!!!????

Here is the card.. Made with the FREE stamp set, BLISS from the Sale a bration Mini catalog...

The card was made from Concord Crush and stamped with Versamark ink and embossed with white embossing powder. The "Happy Wedding Day" is from a retired set, All Year Cheer III.

ENJOY!!!

Sweet Summer...COME ON!!!

2011-02-25T01:00:00.001-05:00

Is everyone tired of the cold, snow, ice....????....

Well, hopefully this card will cheer you up?

Don't ask me why the picture is small, I can't figure it out.....But this is another card made with Sweet Summer. The card base is Daffodil delight and I stamped the various flowers in black staz-on on whisper white cardstock and colored the images with so saffron, baja breeze and certainly celery markers. I used Baja breeze seam binding and daffodil delight 1/8" taffeta ribbons. The sentiment is from Teeny tiny wishes and I added some small pearls too. I used the XL scallop oval and XL oval punches.

ENJOY!

Sweet Summer Card in Concord Crush

2011-02-24T01:00:00.000-05:00

OK, here is another card and this time I used concord crush. I was searching on line for some inspiration using this set and saw several cards all using flowers like these, 3 in a row. I just started grabbing items. Crumb cake as the card base and then I picked up the Pinking hearts border punch that I haven't hardly used since getting it...I used the concord crush DSP from the In Color DSP paper stacks and another In Color, Pear Pizzazz with the heart border punch. I stamped the flower image in concord crush and pear pizzaz inks and colored them in with the same color markers, plus poppy parade for the berries on the flowers. I punched the greeting using the word window punch for the greeting and the layer behind it and just offset it and put a pearl bling on it.

ENJOY!

Sweet Summer.....I sure wish it was outside!!!

2011-02-23T01:00:00.001-05:00

As promised, here is another card made using Sweet Summer from the Sale a Bration catalog. I just love this set, can you tell??? First, this is a picture of the stamp set. My favorite from this set, is the branch on the bottom right. The card from yesterday and today use that stamp.

I used Soft Suede as the card base. The Poppy Parade panel is embossed using the Finial Press embossing folder. I have some extra Victoria crochet ribbon and decided to use it on this card. I used my color coach to decide what color to put with Poppy parade...I used Baja Breeze (another favorite of mine). I colored in the branch with markers and colored the butterfly and cut it out, using dimensionals to pop it up on the card. The "friend" greeting is from a long retired set, Noteworthy. I went through a bunch of stamp sets that I have been saving...and pulled about 30 or so off the shelf. Check back next week for a listing of those sets for sale.

Sweet Summer Card....All week.....

2011-02-22T01:00:00.001-05:00

This week I am going to focus on the Sale a Bration stamp set, Sweet Summer... AND Summer it's NOT. It is 1115pm and I just went outside with my yardstick and we have 3 1/2" of SNOW so far.... YIKES!!! I was hoping we were done with it...BUT I guess not.

Tomorrow, I will be stamping, that is for sure, some more samples using Sweet Summer. This set is one of the Sale a Bration items you can receive for FREE when you purchase $50.

Here is the first card this week using Sweet Summer. This card was inspired by a card my friend Frances Wagner had on her blog. I met Frances during Leadership in Nashville last month, that is one of the perks of being a Stampin' Up! demonstrator. I have met so many, all over the US that become friends forever. The card is a whisper white card base, the Pretty in Pink layer was put thru the Big Shot using the Elegant Lines Embossing Folder. The Bashful Blue DSP is from the Subtles paper stack, these come in all color collections, including In Colors. I used the 2 3/8" scalloped circle punch (just reconfigured punch that can now be ordered), I punched out certainly celery, then I cut 2" circles from an old circle cutting system since there is no 2" circle punch....in whisper white and stamped the flower image and bird on the white circle. I used Pretty in Pink, Certainly Celery and Bashful blue markers to color in the image. I punched celery and white cardstock for the greeting (from Teeny Tiny Wishes) and added a little bling, a small pearl rhinestone.

This next picture is from Stamp Club, Sunday, 3 of the ladies from the club each made the same card. See the differences????

There is some more added bling on some of the cards and one gal even turned the DSP to the other side. I love when they use their creativity.

Stay tuned tomorrow for more snow updates and more cards using Sweet Summer.

Sympathy Card

2011-02-21T01:00:00.002-05:00

OK, here's another set I don't own, but now want to get. This card was inspired by Jill on Splitcoast stampers..

This card uses 2 stamp sets I don't own!!! The medallion stamp - again, borrowed from my Mom. I stamped it as a background on elegant eggplant cardstock using the same color ink. Wrapping some old olive ribbon around this layer and then tying a knot on the front, then adhering it to a whisper white folded card (4 1/4 x 11, folded in half and the opening on the right). The main image was stamped with the same ink on whisper white cardstock, then on some scrap whisper white cardstock, the flower and butterfly were both put on one block, like this....

Then stamped in elegant eggplant ink and cut out. We colored those images using the aqua painter and the top of the ink pad, since that was sitting open... Then if you look really close you might see some shimmer paint (champagne mist) on the butterfly and flower, very lightly painted on with a paint brush, the color is transparent so it just adds a shimmer to the color. We put these images at opposite corners. Adhered the stamped panel to a layer of riding hood red cardstock, then added it to the card.

ENJOY!

Bible verse of the Day:

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. -- Psalm 107:1

Sale a Bration - Sweet Summer

2011-02-19T11:41:00.000-05:00

WOW, the wind is whipping around the house, windchimes are chiming, but so far now houses flying in the sky....SO HOLD ON ....

I have been doing a great deal of stamping the last couple of days, between stamping with my Mom in Florida, to getting the cards ready for stamp club. Those I will show you next week after the club meets.

This stamp set is in the Sale a Bration mini catalog and you can choose this set, FREE with a $50 purchase. Sweet Summer.

Here is one card I made with this set.....I love coloring in the leaves and the little berries onit.

Same card, different colors of cardstock.....

and next week I will post some cards using this stamp set.

Stamping cards with Mom

2011-02-18T01:00:00.003-05:00

While in Florida, we finally got some stamping time in....My last day here. We made several cards using sets that haven't seen ink as well as used some sets that I don't have...Hey, how'd that happen!!! I'm amazed at the sets I don't own, but want to own.....

This first one I copied, not sure where? but the her name is Heather Klump.

The stamp set is Sew Sweet from the Occasions mini catalog and one that I DO NOT OWN!!!! But want to own... The card is certainly celery, and the front is whisper white, stamped with early espresso ink for the spools of thread and the body form stand. We colored the spools of thread with colored pencils. Next we stamped the body form on some DSP (Greenhouse Gala) any DSP will work and cut out just the body form and adhered to stand with dimensionals. We picked out a button (probably from a shirt falling off long ago), using a mini glue dot. Next stamped the greeting from L1 Hostess set, silhouette sentiments and punched out using the modern label punch, then trimmed off on the one side with scissors and adhered using a dimensional. The ruler was stamped on regal rose cardstock with regal rose ink and trimmed. The stamped image panel was pierced all around using the mat pack and a paper piercer. This card took a little time to make because of the coloring and the piercing. It could be made quicker using a sewing machine and no thread, but remember to use a different needle when sewing thru cardstock, it makes the needle dull and you don't want to sit down to sew material and make a mess of it because the needle is dull. I have a separate needle and keep it in a tictac box, marked..paper needle and just shake it out when I want to use it. I also put a spot of sharpie marker at the top too.

ENJOY!!!

Bible verse of the Day: Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. -- 1 Peter 5:6-7

Mediallion Birthday Card

2011-02-17T01:00:00.000-05:00

Yesterday I was going to post this card and when I started out explaining that I didn't even use one of the 20 stamp sets that I brought with me to Florida!!!! I kinda got off track and instead showed you what Stampin' Up!'s new clear mount stamps look like.

Here is a card I made using the Medallion background stamp. Now, I don't own this one, but have borrowed it from 3 of my friends/family and made cards using it. I think it is time for me to buy it.

Actually, I made 2 cards. I used the same cardstocks, perfect plum and whisper white. I used blushing bride and perfect plum inks. I inked up the stamp using blushing bride first, then tapped my perfect plum randomly over it. and then just stamped. It was so easy. I think next time, I will use a sponge to put the ink on the stamp so that it doesn't show streak marks from swiping the ink pad on the stamp. I put some bling in the center. and since the bling is so thick, I won't be mailing either of these cards. I will use these cards to hand to someone.

These were super simple cards and took less than 5 minutes to make both of them from start to finish.

ENJOY!

Stamp Sets, Clear Mount

2011-02-16T01:00:00.000-05:00

I am visiting family in Florida and brought along about 20 stamp sets....OH MY, the beauty of clear mount stamps. NOW, for years I have not been a fan, my stamping friends can all attest to that. I didn't (and still don't) like having to mount the stamp each time I want to use it. The ease of locating wood mount stamps, you can just look at them and see the images...and Stampin' Up!'s quality rubber stamps. I just used a clear stamp that I have had for a few years (not SU) and when I lifted it off the block, part of it stayed and part of it pulled off, now I have to just trash the stamp, because I don't want to have to try and line that up each time I use it!!! Well, Stampin' Up! came out with their fantastic Clear Mount stamps. They are the same quality red rubber stamps, but now, unmounted and you use them with a clear acrylic block....any block will do, but Stampin' Up! also came out with some super acrylic blocks, that have grooves all around the edges for ease in picking up. Their storage system is great, the best ever, each stamp set comes in a DVD clear case and on the front is a picture of the stamp set, on the spine is each image that is in the set and you can see thru the back of the case, the actual stamps. and those 20 sets, fit nicely in a tote bag and weighed almost nothing!

Here is a picture of one set, Sew Suite from the occasions mini catalog. This is what the front of the case looks like...and these images are the actual size of the stamps.

This picture is the spine of the case, showing each image that is in the case, and the name of the set .

Here is the inside of the case, each stamp precut and in a large red rubber square. When you receive the set, you need to put the label of each stamp on the back of the stamp. EASY and when you have them all done, pull the white paper off the large rubber square, put this back in the box and all the stamps in their place. This prevents loosing little stamps when opening the case. My first 5 or so stamp sets that I purchased that were clear mount sets, I did not save the large rubber square, so I have to take extra care when opening the cases so that the smaller stamps don't fall out.

Here is the back of the stamp case. This is my Mom's set, and she has not removed the paper off the rubber square yet. Now, I don't own this set, but now that I have put my hands on it, I gotta have it!

Send someone some Love, make them a card and send it!

ENJOY!

No More Snow....Please

2011-02-16T00:00:00.000-05:00

We are enjoying the Florida weather right now but will be heading back soon to Maryland and we really don't want any more snow.... Just before we left for Florida, these pictures were looking out our windows!! YIKES. This first picture is looking out from my front door. Beautiful isn't it? Yes, but I don't like the reality of it. COLD, SHOVELLING, SLIP SLIDING.....

Here's the sun coming up looking out my back door onto the deck.

Here is what I came down to.....Melbourne Beach...the water is cold, but hey, it's February and I am walking on the beach in sandals and the sun is shining.

Here is another view, with my back to the water.

This is my favorite thing to do while in Florida...Sitting on the beach, feeling the warmth of the sun, the sand between my toes and hearing the waves crashing on the beach. I JUST LOVE IT!!!

Valentines, Valentines and More Valentines

2011-02-15T10:00:00.007-05:00

This week I crancked out some Valentine's cards.   I was staying in Deland, Florida...by day, we visited some flea markets, by night we watched sprint car racing at Volusia Speedway. I only took a few stamp sets with me and some card making supplies with me. and Only one stamp set and one ink and a few markers....WHAT WAS I THINKING!!!????

I didn't take any punches, no envelopes....What did I think I was going to mail them in???

ANYWAYS, here is what I came up with: I used the Love you Much stamp set, pg 47 in the catalog, and used the Love Impressions DSP from the Occasions mini catalog and I had some cardstock colors, pretty in pink, real red and perfect plum. I only had chocolate chip ink spot and a few markers.   The hearts were cut out of the red glimmer paper from the Occasions mini cataog, and I had some pink and white taffeta ribbon. I did not bring any punches, therefore to get the heart to kinda look like a heart, I stamped the heart from the Love you Much stamp set on the back of the glimmer paper and cut them out!!! YEP cut them by hand.   I made and mail about 25 of these cards.   If you didn't receive one...I'm sorry, Maybe I didn't have your address with me.   I sure hope your Valentine's day was filled with Love.

ENJOY!

Bible Verse of the Day:

Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage
to you. -- Hebrews 13:17

Happy Valentine's Day

2011-02-14T23:22:00.001-05:00

I hope everyone had a Lovely Valentine's Day....a day filled with Love. That is what I wished for everyone this day.

I have to apologize for not posting any sooner. No excuses, just haven't done it and I am sorry.

I will just have to do better....starting today. I am visiting family in Florida and enjoying the warm weather and NO SNOW!!! My husband and I (Anniversary today, 18 years!!!) well, we were married here in Florida on the beach at Lori Wilson Park on Cocoa Beach, Florida. Every year we come to Florida in February for our Anniversary. I usually have a stamp class, or stamp a stack while I am here and I had some fun projects planned for this visit. BUT, plans changed and it just didn't work out. Below are the items we were going to make at my Valentine's Class (that never was)...

Here is a close up of the Valentine card. The card base is Perfect Plum and the front panel is Blushing Bride, which I ran thru the Big Shot using the Framed Tulips embossing folder and sponged some blushing bride ink on the embossed area. The image of the heart tree is stamped on whisper white using blushing bride ink and early espresso marker for the trunk. I layered the stamped image onto Saraha Sand and then Perfect Plum cardstocks. The greeting is stamped in blushing bride ink and perfect plum marker onto whisper white cardstock scrap and punched out using the small oval punch, next I punched perfect plum cardstock using the large oval punch and finally I punched saraha sand cardstock using the scalloped oval punch. Of course I had to pierce holes in each of the scallops...I just have to.... Under the greet in a scrap piece of victoria crochet trim, and I used just a scrap that was too small to even use for just tying a knot.

Guess what these are???? Give up? Individually wrapped Ghiradelli chocolates. No, I didn't loose my mind and wrap all the chocolates in the package, just 3 of them. This was so simple and they look so cute. I wrapped some of last years Valentine DSP and you only need a small piece (5 x 3 1/2) around a wrapped Ghiradelli chocolate, centering the chocolate. I used snail adhesive to adhere the paper together...it was a little hard with the thicker DSP, but hey, I want the receiver to be able to rip open that candy and if I used sticky strip, that stuff holds forever....Next, get that long lost tool you have in a drawer, somewhere!! I know you have one... and crimp the edges on each side..I used some pretty in pink taffeta ribbon to tie them together and punch some hearts using the Heart to Heart punch and punched a hole in the tops of the hearts, strung them onto some linen thread and tied that onto the bow.

This is a cute little box and it holds a Valentine treat. Guess!!! Times up...It holds chocolate!! 3 Ghiradelli chocolates fit snugly into this cute box. The heart on the front is made from the scallop heart of hearts embosslet die and the Big Shot....I used perfect plum and the inside heart is punched from the large heart punch using Melon Mambo cardstock, same as the box. I stamped the Love you greeting in perfect plum and punched it out using the small label punch and put some bling over the "o" with the rhinestone pearls. I got these two Ghiradelli chocolate projects off of a blog, here WOO HOO, I finally figured out how to link another blog ....at least I hope it works.

This last treat was made from some small cello bags filled with treats, chocolate ghiradelli for my Mom and Candy hearts for her husband, Ed. My downline gave me the idea, she had made sometime very similar using black stazon ink and the Valentine stamp from the occasions mini catalog. I don't own that stamp *gasp**!! and I didn't bring stazon ink with me to Florida, but had some red stazon and used that. I stamped some hearts from I heart hearts and the Love image from the valentine defined stamp set from the occasions mini catalog.

Love and Enjoy!

Bible Verse of the Day....Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.— Romans 12:9 (NIV)

Quick Post

2011-01-28T00:53:00.000-05:00

I am still trying to keep up with a challenge on posting to my blog, but tonight's post will be quick.... Here is a picture of the items we received at Leadership the other week for FREE.. The purse....whic Vera Bradley has a new design, exactly the same, different material...selling for $71. We also received the Level 2 stamp set from the Occasions Mini and another stamp set, some material, MDS Sale a bration downloads, glimmer brads, glimmer paper, buttons, chunky glitter and I am sure I left out something....

Here is the matching wallet that I bought. While at Leadership they have memento mall, which is a super shopping area to pick up lots of goodies, which I did!!!

These items are the make and takes from Leadership. I am missing 2 cards, one digital and one we made, and a DVD (aka stamp case) decorated. I could not find them until earlier this week and I haven't taken a picture of them.

These are some of the PERKS of being a Stampin' Up! Demo. One of the BIGGEST perks is meeting other demos and forming bonds with them that will last a lifetime.

ENJOY!

Sale a Bration Has Begun

2011-01-27T01:18:00.000-05:00

Sale a Bration has barely begun....Yesterday.. I placed my Stampin' Club's order around noon yesterday. Today, I received notification that it has been shipped. NOW, I did pay extra to have it shipped 3-day UPS, however that 3-day begins after the order has been picked and packed in a box and the information sent to UPS and the box picked up!!! I think that is AWESOME!!! It will be here by Friday (that is if it stops snowing here, and UPS can get up the driveway)! AND here is a little SU news from today's quick turnaround with orders...
"At the Distribution Center, at Stampin' Up, we shattered our old record of picks (number of items pulled from the shelves and placed in a box to be shipped) with over 137,000 picks in ten hours. The old record was 105,000 in thirteen hours, so we are happy to report that we are working hard to support our (demonstrators) amazing Sale a Brations efforts."

Sale a bration is just starting, so don't miss out on all the freebies. FREE stamps for customers, more FREE stamps for Hostesses, FREE stamps for demonstrators, FREE stamps and other goodies for New demonstrators that sign up to join my team during Sale a bration, not only 15% off the starter kit, but a BUNDLE of Stampin' Up! goodies too. AND that is just from Stampin' Up!. Anyone who joins my team during Sale a Bration will get to choose a FREE stamp set from my STASH of new, stamp sets, some current, some retired......Want to learn more, Just send me a email or give me a call.

Here is a quick and cute card using the Valentine Defined stamp set that is in the Occasions mini....page 9, this is the same set on my blog post yesterday...This card was a SWAP card of my roommate at Leadership, Michelle. Thanks Michelle for letting me take pictures of your SWAPS.

Boy, you think I could have cleaned up the table before taking the picture....I was just an evening of sharing and taking quick pictures.

Here are pictures of the Stampin' Club cards. If you would like to join my Stampin' Club, I still have a few spots open and the hostess months are later this year. Give me a call.

This first card is a 3x3 card, Chocolate chip 3x6, folded. pretty in pink 2 7/8" square, run thru the Big Shot and the Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder, 1 7/8" sq chocolate chip, and 1 3/4" square whisper white. I used some scraps of white to stamp the cupcake, using pretty in pink and chocolate chip ink. The cherry on top was punched with the cupcake punch using the red glimmer paper that is in the Occasions mini. The ribbon is chocolate chip taffeta ribbon (retired) and scraps of chocolate chip and whisper white for the greeting using the word window and modern label punches. the cupcake was "popped up" using dimensionals.

This card is one of my cards that I leave a tip for my super wait staff at a restaurant. I fold up money and stick inside and the slit punch makes it stay shut without using an envelope. I started with a piece of Crumb cake card stock and scored it at 2 11/16", then I took the slip punch (retired) and punched the longer side of the crumb cake card stock. The rest of the card I used very vanilla card stock, some baja breeze DSP and baja breeze card stock. I stamped the cups image on very vanilla scrap and colored the image and then cut it out. I layered this onto a very vanilla card stock punched out using the large oval punch and the baja breeze was punched out using the scalloped oval punch. Also used was the Victorian ribbon.

The final card was a standard A2 card. Whisper white card stock 8 1/2 x 5 1/2, scored at 4 1/4. Cherry cobbler is 5 1/2 x 4. I stamped the banner of hearts from the Valentine Defined stamp set in early espresso ink. The flowering heart image was stamped in cherry cobbler ink on whisper white card stock and layered onto early espresso card stock. I used dimensionals to "pop the image up" and then stamped the greeting, Happy Valentine's day in early espresso ink. After I assembled the card, I dabbed some crystal effects over all of the hearts on this card and patiently let them dry!!! That was the hardest part of making this card.

Stay tuned...I am taking part in a challenge to post on my blog 5 days a week during Sale a bration, starting yesterday and thru the end of March.

ENJOY! and if you got a lot of snow like we did, you can pass the time while you are stuck in your house and STAMP! Stamping is exercise....I sure there are some calories burned stampin'.

carol

Valentine Defined Card

2011-01-26T00:51:00.000-05:00

This card was a swap card from my roommate at Leadership, Jackie Bultje from Canada. The cute flamingo stamp is from the stamp set called Valentine Defined and has 8 stamps in the set and clear mount is only $18.95 and that makes it under $2.50 per stamp, what a bargain!!!

This card also uses some of the new red glimmer paper and Love Impressions Designer Paper that are both in the Occasions Mini too.

I will have more samples using this set and others from the Occasions Mini catalog and the Sale a Bration Catalog, which begins today...ok, it is after midnight so really started yesterday.

ENJOY!

My Digital Studio (MDS) New Project

2011-01-12T01:54:00.000-05:00

At Leadership Convention...which hasn't even started yet. I am learning SO much from all these other Great Demos, Sharing what they Love. Here is a album I started with some pictures from last year (2009) Christmas. Notice the snowflakes, ribbon bows, punched border and even some brads on these pages. The My Digital Studio (MDS) comes with all of these or has free upgrades which these are a part of the upgrade. I did earn one free digital download a few months ago and added it to my program. BUT was so "frozen" afraid to even try using the program, so it has sat in my laptop for over a year....SILLY ME.

NOW, if you happen to be in one of these pictures and you don't like the picture...sorry, I am not changing it...TOO MUCH WORK TO UNDO...for now at least. Thanks --Carol Taggart for helping me get this far in our fantastic digital software program. If you have purchased My Digital Studio (MDS) from me. I will give you a beginners class and ongoing support FREE.

Stampin' Up's! Clear mount Stamps - How to mount video

2011-01-11T02:07:00.000-05:00

Here is my first video. I shot it by myself, holding the camera in one hand and doing everything else with my other. Then tonight found I had a tripod all along and could have done the video much easier.......For now I will leave the video alone.

The video shows how to assemble Stampin' Up's! new clear mount stamps. Leave me a comment and I will award you something from my S Up surplus items......

Carol's Stampin' News

2011-01-07T00:32:00.000-05:00

Carol’s Stampin’ News Happy New Year Stampers!!!

2011 is Here!! What happened to 2010??? It went by so fast and before you know it, Easter will be here. Before Easter, Valentine’s Day…My 18th Anniversary!!!

Did you get all your Christmas cards in the mail before Christmas??? If not, I know you are not alone…This year, I got most of my cards in the mail before Christmas and a few were mailed out the day after. SO this year I am going to try and get ahead by making a few Christmas cards each month. Pat Matsko mentioned this great idea, so I am going to see how I do this year. I will keep you up to date….

With the beginning of a New Year, My Stampers 10 Club starts up again this month. The club consists of various stampers who choose 1 or 2 spots in the club. When I reach 10 members, I start another club. So far I have 15 spots reserved and 5 spots available. Each spot in the club requires just a $15 minimum purchase each month for 10 months. Each month a different person will be the Hostess and receive the Hostess benefits for the total of the club orders. Also included in Club membership – The Catalog and in July, the New Catalog. These catalogs are full of fantastic ideas. Each month on the 3rd Friday evening and 3rd Sunday afternoon I hold the club meeting at my house. We usually make 2 cards or a card and a project each month. January’s club meeting will be held on Jan 21st and Jan 23rd (changed from the 16th since I will be returning from Leadership Convention in Nashville).

If you are interested in signing up for Club, please email me ASAP to reserve your spot. Any questions, don’t hesitate to ask.

Beginning Jan 25th and running thru March 31st, is Stampin’ Up’s! Sale a bration. During Sale a bration, Stampin’ Up! Has a line of products, stamps, papers, embellishments, Digital Downloads, and Décor Elements as well as some stamp sets from the regular catalog….FOR FREE! YEP. For each $50 in purchase you get to choose one of these items. FREE.

Host a party during Sale a bration and when the party total is $300 or more (before shipping and tax), you will receive a Sale a bration item of your choice FREE. This is in addition to the other Hostess benefits that you earn.

I am also offering a special during Sale a bration…. Anyone who books and holds a qualifying party ($150 in total sales prior to shipping and tax) will receive their choice of a stamp set from my FREEBIE basket. This offer does not include club meetings.

Not sure what to order to receive a FREE sale a bration item? Just ask me how? I can put kits together for beginners to advanced stampers .

Share it!!! There are so many new embellishments and DSP in the mini catalog and if you want it all (like me) How about sharing? Here are some Package Share Deals:

Designer Series Paper Share: Love Impressions – 1 - 12 x 12 sheet of each 6 designs, First Addition – 1 - 12x12 sheet of each 6 designs, Spring Time, Sweet Stitches and Botanical gazette you will receive 1 6x6 of each design (6 designs per package) – 18 6x6 sheets total and 1 6x6 sheet of the red glimmer paper. Total $16.50 Orders for these shares will be placed as soon as 4 people sign up for this share.

Brad share - Receive all of the glimmer brads, 1 of each 5 colors in each color collection, 4 collections for a total of 20 glimmer brads. Sweet stitch fabric brads – 1 of each design, 6 brads. Total $6.00. Orders for these shares will be placed as soon as 4 people sign up for this share.

Embellishment share – Vintage flowers – 1 of each color -3 total, Rosettes - 1 of each size – 3 total, BIG buttons, Springtime Vintage and Sweet Stitches – 1 of each design (3) of each color (4) for a total of 12 buttons each collection totaling 24 buttons. And Window panes 1 of each size (3). Total $11.00 Orders for these shares will be placed as soon as 4 people sign up for this share.

Seam Binding & Pompom trim share - You will receive a yard of each of the 7 colors of seam binding and a yard each of the 3 colors of the pompom trim. Total 11 yards for $8.50. Orders for these shares will be placed as soon as 5 people sign up for this share.

Stay Tuned.....My first Video is in the works and hopefully I will be able to post it this weekend....

ENJOY!

SALE A BRATION BEGINS JAN 25th!!!

2011-01-04T00:15:00.001-05:00

Sale a Bration begins soon....What does that mean?   Well...there is a Sale A Bration (SAB) catalog with FREE stamps and accessories for you to choose from.    This is how it works.   When you host a Stampin' Up! party, and your party total is $300 , you get to choose a SAB product from the SAB catalog...Now this is in addition to the other great Hostess benefits you receive, FREE hostess stamp set and FREE merchandise.   AND for January and February, you will receive from ME, a choice of a stamp set from my Goodie Basket.   Contact me today to schedule your party.

For each person who purchases $50 in Stampin'Up! merchandise (before shipping and tax), you receive one FREE SAB product of your choice.

I have a few openings for my Stampers 10 Club that starts on Jan 21st.   By joining my club, for your commitment of $15 a month for 10 months, you receive hostess benefits for one month, plus build your stamp supplies over time...You meet some amazing stampers of all levels of stampin'... learn new techniques...and just have FUN.   If this sounds like something you are interested in, contact me soon.

AND, if stampin', making $$, travelling, earning trips, merchandise, and other goodies appeals to you.   Join my team during Sale a Bration (Jan 25th -31st, Feb and March) and Stampin' Up! will not only reduce the cost of the Stater kit by 15% but in addition, give you a bonus bundle filled with over $50 in free product!!!

WOW!

HAVE QUESTIONS???? contact me and I will get you the answers you need.

Getting Organized....continued

2011-01-03T01:01:00.001-05:00

This next tip has to do with my sponges and sponge daubers. I purchased some clear hard plastic containers at Walmart in the jewelry making supply aisle. These containers have 12 sections and are really cheap!!! When I bought them a few yrs ago, they were about $1.50 I think they are still reasonable and I think under $2. Each section is labled on top and on the side of each container, I have a label with the Color collection listed on the side and these are stacked and sitting on a shelf next to my stamping desk.

Each section holds a sponge wedge and a sponge dauber. I used a perm marker and wrote the color collection on one flat side...."S" for Subtles, "R" for Regals, etc. On each dauber, I printed a list of the colors and cut those out and taped them around the dauber. Every color has its own dauber and sponge wedge....OCD...probably....

My inks and ink refills are organized by color collection on my Color Caddy with extender...It holds all my ink pads and ink refills nicely and takes up the least amount of room from any other organizing ink pad storage unit I have seen out there. The color caddy is pictured on page 193 of the Idea Book and Catalog, also the extender allows for all those in colors and some other ink pads too.

Thank You Card

2011-01-03T00:15:00.003-05:00

Do you ever cut cardstock to make a bunch of cards, (like Christmas cards, Halloween, etc) you know where you want to send out 5 or more of the same card? Then either not sending as many or OMG!!! not sending any? What do you do with the cardstock...already cut, and layers cut too, no stamping, just blank? Well, that is how this card came about. I had cut a bunch of cardstock and layers for some coworkers to make a card. Real simple design using Scenic Season (borrowed, cause I don;t have it....GASP!) Here is the card they made:

Real simple, Bravo burgundy card, Very Vanilla stamped layer, using always artichoke craft ink and clear embossing powder, (the one they made was not embossed) and bravo burgundy ink for the greeting. I took several greetings for them to choose from. I also used some retired artichoke organdy ribbon. They all loved making the card and I told them they were not getting a card from me....My gift was them making their own card to give away.

Since some of my coworkers were either not there that day or busy that they could not come by and make it, I had about 7 or 8 "card parts" leftover. I decided to make a few quick cards for my husband to give some coworkers. Then I decided to use some of the leftovers to make some quick cards to some friends and family....Here is the card. Only change, stamp set is Come to Bethlehem and the ink was gold ink, which is a pigment ink that is used with embossing powders, but I wanted the card to be QUICK. So, no embossing, just stamping and a quick pass under the embossing gun...just to set the ink to keep it from smearing.

I still had a few of these card parts leftover, so I decided to make some Thank you cards, for some special girls....my daughters and sister who gave me some GREAT gifts for Christmas.

I borrowed the stamp, Medallion stamp because it happens to be another one that I don't own...How'd that happen???? I made this one a little different. I wanted no ribbon - just easy and thin for mailing.

I made one of these for the gal who loaned me the stamp set and then the others for my sister and daughters. Real easy and quick....I used the same card leftovers, and stamped the medallion using versamark ink and some old embossing powder (looks vanilla to match the cardstock) but I have no idea what kind of embossing powder it is, just in an unmarked jar. I then pulled out my color coach to see what inks to use with bravo burgundy. I used the baja breeze and sponged the ink all over the medallion in a circular motion and then buffed with a paper towel and the embossed image, "resisted" the ink. That is the name of this technique....Emboss Resist. I stamped the retired Thank You in bravo burgundy ink and viola`... the card was done....REALLY QUICK AND SIMPLE.

ENJOY!

Gettin' Organized!!!

2011-01-02T00:05:00.001-05:00

New Year's inspires us all to "clear the clutter" and organize....From clothes, to that cabinet loaded with Tupperware, Rubbermaid, gladware, and every kind of plastic container known to man...You know that cabinet that you dislike opening.....I think everyone has one.   I know I do.   My husband has said he can never find the right top to go with the container.....SO for Christmas, I bought him an awesome set of plastic ware (Rubbermaid) 40 pc (on sale Black Friday at Walmart) it comes with all different size containers, but the awesome benefit of this set...The tops are all the same size!!! For now my cabinet is neat and organized.....

I have a few of my Stampin' organizing tips to share with you: Cardstock - Oh my there are so many ways to organize this, but this simple system works well no matter how much cardstock you have.....In whatever container, file cabinet you use, try and make sure that it has a cover or in a closet to prevent the sun from fading it.   If you only have a small amount, like some assorted pkgs of SU cardstock, place in a folder and if you have a hanging folder system, then you can put a tab on the folder with the color collection written on it.   Then on a index card, I list those color names that are in the folder and tape the index card to the front of the folder....So, if I am looking for Old Olive and not sure which color collection , I can see at a glance which folder it is in. If you have all the colors, a folder for each color is the best way to go...I put the color name and the item number on the tab to make it easy for me when writing a list of cardstock that I need to order.

I keep large scraps of cardstock in a pocket file folder in front of the Color Collection hat those colors are in.   I have 3 pocket folders for each Color Collection.   For smaller scraps, I use cheap dollar store coupon holders, they have 12 pockets and each color collection has 10 colors.   I have 5 of these, one for each color collection and one for the in colors and other neutral cardstocks.   My down line, Tami Maerten shared this idea with me and it helps me use up those little pieces of cardstock.

My designer series papers (DSP) until now, they have been a little messy.   BUT, I had some 12.5 x 12.5 ziplock baggies and put each package of DSP in one ziplock bag and I wrote on an index card the name of the DSP, which catalog it is in and listed the colors that are in the package and taped the card to the inside of the ziplock baggie.   Here is a picture of my Jolly Holiday DSP.   The baggie helps keep all those small pieces from getting lost.

Check back tomorrow for another Stampin' Organizing tip.

Happy New Year!!!

2011-01-01T00:10:00.001-05:00

WOW! Where did 2010 GO??? It seems like it was just yesterday, ringing in 2010. Now we are getting ready to ring in 2011. I am ready for it... I have some Goals set and I hope I reach them all. Number 1 on my list....To SHARE more. So if you want to see something on here, let me know. Maybe a technique, maybe a sample using a specific stamp set or an embellishment.

My first share of the year ...A birthday card. for two friends. I started about a year ago making 2 cards basically the same when I make a card, what the heck, you cut the card stock in half and have the base ready and you make a mess (or at least I do) making one card, so you might as well make 2 for the same mess!

This card uses:

Hostess Level 1- Birthday Bakery stamp set #120115
Poppy Parade card stock #119793
Baja Breeze card stock #111352
Whisper White card stock #100730
Subtles Patterns DSP stack (So saffron) #117152
Basic black ink #101179
Poppy Parade, Baja Breeze and So Saffron markers
Backgrounds #1 Texturz Plates #114512
Scallop trim border punch #118402
1 3/4" scallop circle punch #119854
1 3/8" circle punch #119860
1 1/4" circle punch #119861
Mat pack #105826
Paper-Piercing tool #116631
Dimensionals #104430
Snail #104332

Even though a lot of supplies were used, this card went together quite quickly. One of the ladies I made these cards for received her card yesterday.

Overdue Birthday Gift

2010-12-31T00:52:00.000-05:00

A friend of mine had a birthday back in September, every time we got together, I didn't have her birthday gift with me.....Finally, I remembered it. She loves this gum and they have discontinued it and she hasn't been able to find it ...WHY, cause I bought up all the stores had on the shelves. hehehe....

I used some Rich Razzleberry and Melon Mambo colors (which matches the gum packaging)
and the Great Friend and On you Birthday stamp sets and some Pearl jewels....

ENJOY!

Occasions Mini Catalog and Sale A Bration Goodies have arrived!!!

2010-12-30T23:10:00.000-05:00

Mr UPS came by today and brought some goodies from the Occasions Mini and Sale a Bration catalogs. There are punches, stamps, embossing folders, new BS dies, buttons, ribbons...Oh SO many new things. I had to restrain myself not to buy it all!! BUT, I will quote a friend of mine....I want it ALL and I want it now!!!

The mini catalogs and Sale a bration catalogs are in the mail. If you haven't received yours, let me know and I will get one to you.

Stamp Clubs start up in just a couple of weeks and I have a few open spots...want to know more??? Leave me a comment here or contact me for all the details.

Want to Get some of these Goodies for FREE, have a party at your house (or mine) and earn some FREE stamps and accessories. Contact me to schedule your party soon!! Sale a Bration is a GREAT time to have a party, more FREEBIES for hostesses and customers (and DEMOS too!!!)

A Quick and Easy Christmas card

2010-12-13T00:04:00.000-05:00

This card was super easy and quick to make....The card base is Cherry Cobbler 4 1/4 x 11, folded, whisper white - 4 x 5 1/4 and I put it thru the Big Shot using the polka dots embossing folder. The stamped Image is from Perfect Punches #120516...This set is made up of 6 different greetings in a different punch shape. We received this set FREE for attending Convention this year. The stamped image and the scalloped circle layer behind it were made using scraps of cardstock. I couldn't decide on a ribbon to use, so I dyed the white organza ribbon using a sponge dauber, cherry cobbler ink pad and rubber gloves!!! It is really easy to dye the ribbon, just a little messy....

ENJOY!

Grandsons Stampin'

2010-12-01T12:22:00.001-05:00

Here are some pictures of my grandsons stamping. They came by after my Mystery Hostess party and wanted to stamp....They were stamping away....then I noticed they were just taking the cardstock for the projects I had and in 2 days there were going to be 5 more people to make those projects. Oh well, they had a good time.

Here Jacob is showing me the stamp he is using.

And here is Colin, stamping away....They had a great time and I have some artwork to share on my refrigerator.

Some Inspiration

2010-12-01T00:22:00.000-05:00

It has been a while and I want to start giving things everyday during the month of December. SO for December 1st, here are a few inspirations for your Christmas cards...

I have tried to turn the picture, but being computer/photo editing challenged, I cannot get it turned. This is a pouch of tags most made from the Tags til Christmas stamp set which you can get along with the decorative label punch for an amazing deal....Just one of the bundles you can get until Dec 16th. And most of these tags I used scraps of cardstock.....You know, all those pieces you have left over after a project that you can't throw away...

Two weeks ago, I had a craft day at my house.....Here is a picture of some of the cards we all were able to get done.

We were able to make more than the one card of each one of these. A few birthday cards, some Christmas cards and some backgrounds too.

Enjoy!!!

My grandson's birthday card

2010-11-12T00:00:00.002-05:00

Back on Sept 26 was my grandson, Colin's 7th birthday. I made him a card (OF COURSE!!) and never took a picture of it. Well, tonight I called my daughter and asked her to take a pic of it and send it to me so that I could forward it onto my blog readers. She did and here it is:

The background DSP.....hehehe About 5 or 6 years ago (yes I save everything!) my computer at work started printed all these papers with characters, all different letters and symbols, over and over...SO, I pulled that paper out and matted onto Pacific point card and black mat. I stamped the robot from Lots of Bots on Whisper white cardstock and colored him with aquapainters and blue and yellow inks. I added some dazzling diamonds to the balloon - just a little. Tied a knot with some retired pacific point ribbon

Owls, Owls and more Owls

2010-11-07T22:03:00.000-05:00

Here are some bookmarks that I have been making for our Women's Retreat at Church.....There were 4 of us that started covering the composition books with DSP and cutting these cute bookmarks with the Big Shot and the new Owl punch....we finished the composition books and completed 40 bookmarks. It took me 2 weeks to finish the bookmarks...why, because I kept looking at the box of supplies, but never opening it....Finally, I opened the box on Thursday evening and began punching, punching and more punching....They are all finished..85 of them!!!

Aren't they Cute???

My Swap from Regionals

2010-11-06T17:58:00.000-04:00

I thought I sent this post a couple of weeks ago, but found out that I never finalized the post. SORRY about that. I am really struggling with getting organized with my posting. I know I will get better...
This was my swap from the Baltimore Regionals from last month. ...How come I forget to keep one for myself... I will try and make another one to share without the glare! Regionals were AWESOME! Regionals are mini conventions held for Stampin' Up! demonstrators all over the country and this time it was right here in Baltimore! There is stamping, swapping, sharing, demonstrations, make and takes, presentations, door prizes and of course a free stamp set...the set we received free is the - Day of Gratitude from the Holiday mini....We used it to make a bunch of cards for our make and takes....

ENJOY!

Chrstimas Card #4 from SAS

2010-11-04T00:00:00.001-04:00

This card was CASEd from Cindy Fodor.

This card uses Cherry Cobbler for the card base. I placed the widest side of card in the Petals a Plenty embossing folder, halfway, up to the arrow on the embossing folder. Then I ran it thru the Big Shot and it embosses so nicely....If it should be crooked ( like mine), don't worry, the ribbon and stamped image covers it......I used a white gel pen to dot the centers of the embossed petals, using a light touch so that it doesn't look stark white, more vanilla to match the color theme. I stamped the poinsettia branch from the Bells and Boughs stamp set from the Holiday mini, using crumb cake ink. For the Greeting "Peace on Earth" from the set, Four the Holidays, I used a piece of a sponge and cherry cobbler refill to ink the stamp and stamped over the poinsettia branch and sprinkled clear embossing powder on top, Heat set and your done. Just assemble.

Christmas Card #3 from SAS

2010-11-03T00:00:00.004-04:00

Here is the 3rd card from my SAS, also CASEd from Ronda

This card is on its side, because I forgot to change the direction when I inserted it....BUT maybe that is a good thing. The card is very vanilla, then a layer of Riding Hood Red. On a smaller piece of very vanilla, I stamped the holly sprig from the stamp set, Peaceful Season from the Holiday Mini catalog that is a Hostess Level 2 stamp set and the Merry Christmas from, the stamp set, Bells and Boughs, also from the Holiday mini catalog. I inked the holly sprig using always artichoke ink pad, the using a Q-tip, I removed the color from the berries, then using the Riding Hood Red marker, colored directly onto the stamp, gave the stamp a good "huff" and stamped the image on the very vanilla panel. I stamped the Greeting in Riding Hood Red ink. The tricky part of this card is the punched layer of crumb cake....I punched both sides with the scallop trim border punch. I put the victorian crochet ribbon thru the punched holes and then tied a knot. In addition, I added some of this wonderful artichoke seam binding, found on pg 21 of the Holiday Mini. This is not like the seam binding you use for sewing....It is kind of a cross between silk ribbon and twill...oh so nice.. The cost is great too. You get 10 yards for $6.95, now add on shipping and tax, it comes to $8.11. That is 81 cents a yard and you don't have to drive around to a few stores to find something that goes with the cardstock, BECAUSE!!! all of Stampin' Up!'s ribbons match their cardstock and their inks and their markers, oh and the pastels and don't let me forget watercolor crayons too.

Any questions about this card or anything Stampin', just ask me......

Christmas Card #2 from SAS

2010-11-02T00:00:00.001-04:00

Here is the 2nd card made at my SAS

This one was also CASEd from Ronda Wade. The card is Very Vanilla with a layer of Cherry Cobbler....Don't you just LOVE that new color.....Baja breeze better watch out!
I punched out 1 3/8" squares from Jolly Holiday designer series paper and embossed with the dots embossing folder, Old olive cardstock. Alternating the squares on each row. Again, using the victorian crochet ribbon and the "Joy at Christmas" from the Perfect punches stamp set from the BIG catalog and stamped in cherry cobbler and punched out with the scallop circle punch...Don't FORGET....always stamp before you punch out...It is so much easier that way. DONE!! super simple card, but beautiful

ENJOY!

CHALLENGE!!!!

2010-11-01T22:06:00.000-04:00

Good Evening Readers.....I am putting out a challenge to all the readers of this blog.. Make a hand stamped card - fall theme and send it to me. I will have a non stamper choose the winner and the winner will get to pick a goodie from my "OOPS" Basket....These items are stamp sets or accessories that were ordered and never used. Some are new and current, other items are retired. The winning entry will be featured on this blog and all the cards entered will be donated to the Ronald McDonald House - Baltimore. There are no rules...just handmade by you and a fall theme. Do not sign the inside of the cards since they will be used by the guests at RMDH. I will supply the envelopes for the cards.

Challenge deadline: Nov15th. Mail challenge entries to: Carol Valentine, 4519 Salem Bottom Rd, Westminster, MD 21157.

Here are some of the guests at Ronald McDonald House - Baltimore this past summer....They told me they were going home to Malaysia last week after spending 4 months here in Baltimore.

SO THIS CHALLENGE IS A WIN WIN FOR ALL.

ENJOY!

My Mom's creation

2010-11-01T22:00:00.001-04:00

Here is a picture of a card my Mom made:

The card is Cherry Cobbler (hard to see, sorry...), the mat is River Rock and the dictionary is from Newsprint DSP #117166, pg 175 and put one of those adorable Antique Brads #117273, pg 187. She stamped the flower from Happiness Shared #120534, pg 100, in Sahara Sand ink and colored it in with Stampin' Pastels #120962, pg 194 and cut it out with the Paper snips #103579, pg 199. My Mom said before purchasing these AMAZING scissors, she could never cut out anything...because her arthritic fingers could not fit in the scissors for her to use!!! I love how the dictionary page is about flowers and she used a flower as the stamped layered image....WAY TO GO MOM!!!

Christmas Card Stamp a Stack

2010-11-01T00:00:00.001-04:00

Over the last month, I have held a few Christmas card Stamp a stacks, (SAS). These SAS are always a big HIT. Some people come and make the cards and then duplicate them to send to all of their friends and family. Some make the cards and it gets them inspired to create more Christmas cards.

The cards this year were inspired, OK, CASEd from fellow demonstrators, Ronda Wade and Cindy Fodor. I kept them simple this year and I think my gals liked them better this way....No extra postage needed to mail these cards....

Isn't this beautiful??? It is one of my favorites.... Stamp set: Gifts of Christmas, and Heard from the Heart..My favorite color....Baja Breeze...I also used basic gray ink for the verse and I sponged around the vanilla and baja breeze cardstock to help it stand out from the vanilla card.
The SAS takes about 2 hrs to make all 16 cards, 4 different cards, 4 of each card. The cost is $25 and it includes a roll of victorian crochet ribbon that you use on all of the cards and keep whatever you have leftover... I am having the 3rd SAS on Nov 6th starting at 9am. I have 2 spots open if you want to join in on the fun. Contact me for more information. I will send pictures of the other cards later this week.

ENJOY!!!

Stampin' Halloween Treats

2010-10-30T19:00:00.002-04:00

Two of my customers/friends made some Halloween treats for me to take to Ronald McDonald House in Baltimore where I volunteer once a month. Oh, they loved them.

These cute witches were made by Maria Flashman and filled with candy corn packages

These items were made by Joan Mougey...There are lollipop holders, and chocolates hidden among the ghosts and goblins.. All so different, but very cute......

Happy Halloween!!!

Stampin' Up! Halloween Greetings

2010-10-28T23:35:00.001-04:00

Halloween Greetings to Everyone. This is my Halloween Card!!! I used the Stampin' Up! set - Wicked Cool, the new embossing folder from the Holiday Mini- Spider web, and the black lace trim, also from the mini. The punch I used for the witches boot is the 1 3/4 circle punch...the boots just fit. I put some rhinestones on the top of the boots and I used my 1" circle punch and have the message, have a wicked Halloween, also from the set Wicked Cool.

This card was also one of the cards we made at my Fall Fest class. and speaking of fall....I just love Fall.....NOT!! Well, I really am learning to like it, I just don't like what comes next and that is what fall always reminds me....it's going to get cold......and I don't like the cold at all!!! Today, Rodney and I went for a drive into Pennsylvania to check out the leaves.....I tried to take some pictures on the drive...They are not the greatest and I have seen some gorgeous trees right around home...So here is one picture from today..

Well, maybe in the next couple of days, I will take some pictures of trees around my home to share.

Enjoy!!!

Stampin' Up! Baltimore Regional Convention

2010-10-03T00:05:00.000-04:00

I attended an awesome Regional Convention yesterday at the Baltimore Convention Center.   I was SO dissappointed when Bonnie Thurber walked on the stage and told us that Shelli was not there....BUT, within in minutes that dissappointed feeling was replaced with laughter and the beginning of a FUN FUN day.

Swapping, stamping, stamping and more stamping.    There were some workshop wows.   great demos and lots of fellowship.

I will try and upload some pictures of my favorite swaps later this week.

Fall is here...I can't believe it already October.....Last week I held a Fall Fest card night.   Here is the Halloween card we made.

The card uses the new Spider Web embossing folder and black lace ribbon, both from the Holiday mini....Wicked cool stamp set and some rhinestone bling from the Big catalog, I used pear pizzazz cardstock and put it in the Big Shot with the web embossing folder and then swiped the white ink pad over to, trying to just get ink on the embossed webbing (but got some on the edges)....I taped the ribbon to the back of the punched circle image of the witch's shoes and put on the front of the card using our fantatic dimensionals.....the best there is. I punched a hole in the front of the card and using the new clear rubber stamps, I was able to see exactly where I was placing the greeting....A real quick and easy card.

This next card uses the French Foliage stamp set in the Holiday mini:

I stamped the leaf images in cajun craze, old olive and more mustard on the front of the card. I sponged the edges of the entire card and cajun craze cardstock with cajun craze ink first, then early espresso ink. I punched out the new XL decorative label punch in early espresso cardstock and stamp the greeting...Happy Thanksgiving. Again, I used our dimensionals - they are the best. The easiest to remove from their sheet and no waste...
And here is the cute treat holder

I used the smaller of the 2 tags bigshot die and stamped the image with the Batty for You stamp set. Added some chocolate....Viola`....Super super simple

More 3x3 Swap cards

2010-09-04T21:00:00.001-04:00

These next two cards were also from the 3x3 swap at convention.

WOW this picture is a little off center.....kinda like me...

The card of the left uses white and bashful blue...this is such a simple card, I love it.

and the Level 2 set Punched Posies from the Summer mini, the new 2 3/8" scallop circle punch, scallop circle punch, 1/2" circle punch a white brad and perfect polka dots embossing folder. This card was made by Linda Aarhus.

The card on the right uses baja breeze and confetti white cardstocks, Herb expressions and Sincere salutations stamp sets, marina mist 1/4" grossgrain ribbon and looks like baja breeze, marina mist and certainly celery inks. This card was made by a fellow Marylander, Robbie Rubala.

Swap cards from convention

2010-09-01T21:00:00.001-04:00

These cards are from a 3 x 3 swap at convention...each demonstrator who signed up to participate in the swap had to make 81 of their cards. I love this size card and they are great for attaching to a gift, placing the 3x3 card on a standard size card, putting your tip for your server at a restaurant or just to give a to someone to brighten their day....

Both of these cards used white cardstock as the main color. The card on the left, used plenty of accessories -- BIG SHOT, perfect details texturz plate, flower daisies #2 die, modern label punch, word window punch, ticket corner punch, (looks like sliver fox smooch pearlized accent ink), jumbo brads, dimensionals. WOW that is 9 accesories packed into this tiny 3x3 card...GORGEOUS...Made by ?? there was no name in this card, so I cannot give credit to the person who made it. Do you know who? Let me know so I can share with everyone.

The card on the right uses Saraha Sand textured cardstock and Whisper white cardstock, part of the card is embossed with the petals a plenty embossing folder and big shot and gold lame` smooch pearlized accent ink on the centers of the petals, a simple knot tied in daffodil delight 1/4" grossgrain ribbon....

This card was made by Lorene Inouye-Salvo.

Now remember the makers of these cards made 81 of each of their cards!!! WOW !!!