Friday, May 30, 2008

Happy Anniversary


My brother and his wife are celebrating their 10th anniversary today. I made this card for them in honor of their special day.

This card started with one of the new laser cut flower notes. I used my beloved and retired (still upset over that one) Linen background stamp using Blue Bayou ink. I also heavily sponged the edges (moving inward) with Blue Bayou ink. I stamped the sentiment in the bottom right corner.

I pierced the center of the white paper flower and attached to the note card with a clear rhinestone brad. Both the flower and the rhinestone brad can be found in the Pretties Kit.

I have a piece of Soft Sky cardstock stamped with the collage stamp from the brand new Fresh Cuts stamp set (also using Blue Bayou ink). This cardstock piece is attached on the inside of the card.

I tied a length of Blue Bayou double-stitched ribbon into a simple knot before adhering the entire love note to a 4 1/4" x 4 1/4" piece of Blue Bayou cardstock.

Are you tired of me saying Blue bayou during this entire description? LOL!!!!

Until tomorrow......Happy Stamping everyone!!!!

Thursday, May 29, 2008

Dust 'em Off Ladies


It's that time of the month again, and you don't even need Midol to get through it!!! It's time for me to challenge you to use a stamp set that hasn't seen the light of day in a REALLY long time.

My stamp set of choice is Doodle This. Honestly, this is one of my "what in the heck was I thinking?" purchases. When I tried to use it in the past, I never really liked the results. I felt each project was missing something.

As a papercrafter, you need to push the envelope sometimes to get past a plateau (just like in a diet). So, I decided to make a circle card. That is definitely different, right?

I used this week's Splitcoast Color Challenge: Sage Shadow, Basic Black and Very Vanilla.

I started this card with a 5" x 10" piece of Sage Shadow cardstock. I folded it in half and cut the largest size circle using my Coluzzle. Now make sure you extend the template beyond the fold so it resembles a card rather than two separate circles.

I stamped the large doodle from Doodle This in Sage Shadow ink. The edges of the circle are also heavily sponged with Sage Shadow ink. I stamped the word "giggle" (from my Warm Words stamp set) three times around the top and right of the circle using Sage Shadow ink.

I stamped two flowers (also from Doodle This) on a scrap of Very Vanilla. I colored the center and the inside edges of the petals with my Barely Banana marker. I also added some Pumpkin Pie marker to the very edge of the flower center making sure to blend with my Barely Banana marker. Some Dazzling Diamonds in the flower centers adds just the right amount of glitz to my card. The flowers were then cut out and placed on dimensionals stacked two high for some real height.

The final touches include some dot work with my white gel pen and some Black Gingham ribbon tied on the fold.

This card is going to my daughter's jazz teacher who just moved into her first home. Here's wishing Gena and her husband lots of love and laughter in their new home!!!

So, now I challenge you. Make a card with a stamp set that hasn't been feeling too much love lately!!! Email me a picture of your creation....I would love to see it!!

Until tomorrow.....Happy Stamping everyone!!!

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Boo To You


This one's for you Joan! Joan is a customer of mine I met through my blog. Joan, like me, {hearts} Halloween!!!

Most of the Halloween stamping goodies I own retired. So, I had to make due with my Batty jumbo wheel and Batty For You stamp set (love, love, love these images).


The base card measures 5 1/2" x 7". Score the card at 4 1/4". I wheeled the top flap with my Batty wheel and Pumpkin Pie ink.

I cut a 1" x 5 1/2" strip of Basic Black and adhered to the bottom of the flap. Using my white gel pen, I added dots to the top and bottom edges of the black strip.

The cute little spider is stamped on a scrap of Shimmery White cardstock using Basic Black ink. I punched it out with my 1 1/4" circle punch. This is mounted on a 1 3/8" circle of Basic Black. All of this is mounted on a Green Galore Scallop Circle. Only the top portion of the scallop is adhered to the black strip on the card.

I have to admit that one of my most neglected punches is my Spiral punch. Not anymore!!!! I created a border and adhered it to the bottom of the card. The final touch was stamping "Boo!" using my Simple Serif alphabet and adding some Basic Black 1/4" grosgrain.

I am so excited to see what's in store for us Halloween junkies in the new catalog. Too bad I have to wait until Convention to find out!!!! LOL!!!

Until tomorrow.....Happy Stamping everyone!!!

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Temptation


With so many fabulous papercrafting products on the market, it's pretty hard to resist temptation. This is especially true if you are a demonstrator for a papercrafting company. I try to keep my contraband purchases to a minimum, but I just HAD to have this adorable Hero Arts cupcake set. I am SERIOUSLY hoping that the new SU catty (available in August) will have an equally amazing cupcake set.

Who doesn't love cupcakes? If you have a craving for cake, you buy a cupcake, eat it and it's done. The moment of sin is over (unless you buy more than one cupcake) unlike purchasing an entire cake that just begs to be eaten.

'Nuf said!!!

This yummy card measures 4 1/4" x 4 1/4". I've been slowly reorganizing my stamping space. So, that means I've rediscovered some of my retired patterned papers. This diagonal stripe comes from the Loves Me paper collection from a long-ago Winter mini catalog. The colors in this collection are Close to Cocoa, Pretty in Pink, Regal Rose and Taken with Teal.

The cupcake was stamped on watercolor paper with Black StazOn ink. I used my Stampin' Up! markers and my aquapainter to color in the image. This technique is easy. Just color by the lines with your markers and blend with your aquapainter. Add more marker to bring out the shadows and highlights. The end result looks a lot like the Copics without all the expense!!! In my case I colored the cupcake with Creamy Caramel and Close to Cocoa (cake part) and Pretty in Pink and Regal Rose (frosting part). Some sparkly Stickles adds just the right amount of glitter to my cupcake!!

I do admit to owning a few Copics. One of my favorites is a very light gray to surround my images. It just makes the images "pop".

I cut out my circles using my Nestabilities and my Big Kick. Love these dies!!!

The rest of the card assembly was easy!!!!

Now, off to wash the gazillion loads of clothes from our trip to Disney.......stinky!!!!!! It felt SO good to sleep in our own beds last night!!! Ah, the comforts of home!!!

Until tomorrow.....Happy Stamping everyone!!!

Monday, May 26, 2008

M-I-C-K-E-Y M-O-U-S-E

We are back from Disney World. DD's dance performance company performed in Magic Kingdom over the weekend. We are all exhausted and very glad to be home!!! Obviously, I haven't stamped but plan on making some fabulous projects while I am doing ALL the laundry.


I hope you all have a wonderful Memorial Day!!!


Until tomorrow......Happy Stamping everyone!!

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Sneak Peek



Well, as you can see, Mr. Brown did bring my box of Stampin' Up! goodies to my door. I didn't get a chance to play with my new loot until this morning as last night was filled with baseball and dance.

This card is all about Sneak Peeks. The Pumpkin Pie part of the card is the new 4" x 4" laser cut note cards. The "For You" and the collage stamp (behind the cut out flower) are part of a brand new stamp set that coordinates with the note cards. As a demonstrator, I was able to pre-order this combo. My customers are able to order these beauties starting June 1st. Woo hoo!!! Don't you just love getting some new catty stuff early? I do!!!

The note cards themselves cannot be mailed in the envelopes that come with them. They are too small according to USPS postal regulations. So there are two options if you want to mail these cards. You can place them in a standard medium envelope or you can do what I did for this project. I attached the note card to a 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" basecard. I love the look of this!!!!

I used Purely Pomegranate for my base card. I stamped the spray of flowers along the right side in Purely Pomegranate ink. I popped out the petals from the notecard, and then stamped the front with my Canvas BG stamp using Pumpkin Pie ink. I also heavily sponged the edges with Pumpkin Pie ink.

When I placed the order for this set, I knew I wanted to play with acetate. So, I stamped the collage stamp on a piece of acetate using Black StazOn. The acetate is secured to the inside of the card using mini glue dots. The felt flowers are from my awesome Flower Fusion kit. They are secured to the card with a silver brad. The final touch was adding the sentiment and some Old Olive Polytwill ribbon.

I am so glad my vision came to fruition!!!! I love when that happens!!!

Life is crazy the next couple of days......

Happy Stamping!!!

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Oh Where, Oh Where did Mr. Brown Go?

I am sitting here waiting for Mr. UPS man to bring me my latest Stampin' Up! goodies.


What's in the box, you ask? What a wonderful question!!!


You see, us demonstrators were able to purchase a stamp set that will be in the next big catty (Fall & Winter Idea Book). We were also able to purchase a set of note cards that are laser cut with a flower design on them!!! Both of these treasures are sitting all lonely in a brown truck just waiting for me to play with them. What else is exciting about this stamp set? It is die cut. No cutting rubber for this chick. All I have to do is align it on the block and stamp away!!!!


Now, I know you are all getting green with envy. You could always join my team and be a Stampin' Up! demonstrator yourself!!! Send me an email if you would like me to send you more information about my job. But, if that idea doesn't interest you, you are able to purchase this Sneak Peek set and laser cut note cards from me next month. Isn't that WAY exciting? It's always fun to get something earlier than expected!!! I'll have more details as the time approaches!!


I will post a project later with my brand spankin' new stamp set. I have an idea floating in this noggin' of mine......let's hope it will come to fruition!!!


As always, if you have any questions about anything I post here, feel free to email me!!! That's why I'm here!!!


Until later.....Happy Stamping everyone!!!

Monday, May 19, 2008

Simply Exhausted



This past weekend was nuts!!! Let's see....two dress rehearsals, three recitals, one baseball practice and no stamping!!!! The Cheskys are officially exhausted!!!!



This picture is of Amanda doing a C jump during her recital. This is one of the routines the dance team will dance at Disney World. We are so proud of her.


So, did you guess the techniques from my last post? You were right on the money if you guessed Wax Paper Resist and Thumping. Here's the full card!!!!

recipe:
stamps: Wild About You
paper: Chocolate Chip, More Mustard, Really Rust, Glossy White
ink: More Mustard, So Saffron, Black StazOn
accessories: 1/2" circle punch, Earth Element brads, Old Olive wide grosgrain, Choc Chip Polytwill ribbon, Stampin' Write markers, wax paper






Friday, May 16, 2008

Chip, Chip Hooray!!!


Do you like to play with chipboard? I do!!! I will be the first to admit that sometimes it's hard to visualize using something the color of the inside of a cereal box. BUT, that's where my job comes into the picture!!!

I am going to teach you some of the ways to use chipboard!!!

1. Use a sponge dauber and Craft ink to pounce on color. Be sure to let it dry completely before using on your project.

2. As with the project shown above, cover with patterned paper. The Tombow Liquid adhesive or glue sticks are the perfect adhesive for this technique.

3. Ink with Versamark and sprinkle with Heat & Stick Powder. Heat with heat tool and sprinkle on your favorite glitter. Oh, so sparkly!!!

These are just a few of the ways to use your chipboard!!! This week's newsletter mentions more ways and gives full details on how to make the card above. I invite you to join my weekly newsletter and let me "inkspire" you.

As always, if you have any questions on chipboard or any other item Stampin' Up! offers, I would be more than happy to help!!! It's my job to make sure you are having fun stamping!!! If I have convinced you to try our On Board chipboard (now on sale for 25% off with a $35 catalog merchandise purchase), I would be more than happy to take your order (as long as you live in the United States).

Until tomorrow...Happy Stamping everyone!!

Thursday, May 15, 2008

Technique Class


Here's a sneak peek for tomorrow's Technique Class. There's still room if you want to join in on the fun!!! Email me for more details!!!

Can you guess the techniques?

I'll post the entire card on Saturday!!!!

Always....Flap Style!!


I didn't get a chance to post yesterday. You see, the weather was GORGEOUS. So, I spent the day planting flowers, cleaning up hostas and helping DH plant some shrubs around the pool. I was grubby, crampy and happy. It finally looks like Spring has arrived here in Chaska! Woo hoo!!!

Today is another gorgeous day, but I did find some time to stamp this morning. I played with a stamp that hasn't been feelin' any love lately. Today, I used my Always stamp set. Okay, I also played with Baroque Motifs which has been feelin' the love....but that's besides the point.

The base card is 4 1/4" x 11" scored at 4 1/2" and 9". I used my Corner Rounder punch on the end of the flap. The bottom of the card has two layers: Chocolate Chip and Soft Sky. The Choc Chip layer is stamped with the large flourish from Baroque Motifs and heavily sponged (both in Choc Chip ink). This layer is mounted on a slightly larger layer of Soft Sky (also lightly sponged with Choc Chip ink).


The edge of the flap is stamped with one of small medallian stamps from Always.


I stamped the flower from Always in Choc Chip ink on Soft Sky cardstock. I cut it out and mounted on a metal rimmed tag. I added a blue rhinestone brad in the center and mounted on the card.


I added some Soft Sky double-stitched ribbon. Of course, the last thing I did was stamp the sentiment (albeit crooked....isn't it always the way?).

Well stampers....I am off to enjoy the beautiful day!!! It's a busy one!!!

Until tomorrow....Happy Stamping everyone!!!

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Cute As a Bug


Holy Schmoley!! I made TWO scrapbook pages in a week. I am on a roll baby!!!

Each week I send out a newsletter to all my stamping friends. This week I am focusing on chipboard. A lot of people see the chipboard in the catalog and scrapbooking stores, but really have no idea what to do with it. I want to change that!!! If you want to sign up for my weekly newsletter, the sign up button is on the top right side of my blog!!

Can you find the chipboard on my adorable 6" x 6" scrapbook layout? Of course you did!!! I made a ladybug out of a piece of chipboard from the On Board Blossoms & Basics pack. Here's how I did it:


- using a sponge dauber and Real Red Craft ink, pounce the color all over the chipboard. Put aside to dry completely.

- using the 1/2" punch, punch 2 circles from scraps of Basic Black cardstock

- adhere one circle to the end of the body of the ladybug (with very little black showing)

- adhere one circle to the top of the body of the ladybug

- draw dots on back of ladybug. I used my white gel pen and my markers (Real Red and Basic Black)

- adhere ladybug to your scrapbook page

- using a Basic Black marker, draw the little dots for the antenna

- using a Bashful Blue marker, draw lines behind the ladybug to show his flight in motion


The rest of the scrapbook page came together so easily!! That's what I love about stamping on my scrapbook pages. I don't have to worry about running out of letter stickers....ever!!! I rely on my cute little Rough Edges alphabet stamp set instead!!! I did use a retired alphabet set for the word "bug" (sorry, but almost all of my alphabets have been retired)!!!
The patterned paper comes from the Summer Picnic pack. I've been using this paper left and right lately. It's THAT cute!!! The colors are some of my faves: Bashful Blue, Real Red, Certainly Celery and Old Olive.


The layout comes together with my stash of embellishments: tag punches, silver eyelets, red linen thread, Certainly Celery wide grosgrain and Real Red narrow grosgrain.

Just toss in a picture of my adorable daughter in a very cold pool, and this page is complete!!!

I hope you find time to stamp today....whether it's making a scrapbook page or a card to make someone's day extra special. Send me a link.....I'd love to see it!!!

Until tomorrow.....Happy Stamping everyone!!!


Saturday, May 10, 2008

Are You Tired of These Colors Yet?


I know what you're thinking.....Patti, enough of these colors already.

Sorry! I was on a roll, and making things with scraps is so much better than putting them away!!!

Mom let me borrow her "Older and Wiser" hostess set. As I was looking over the stamps in that set, I decided to make a masculine gift card holder perfect for any guy on your gift giving list.

Let's start with the focal image. I colored the stamp with my markers, huffed on it and stamped on some Shimmery White cardstock. I did add some touches with the fine tip of my Pumpkin Pie marker to make the light on the candle look like it's flickering.

The striped paper was "grunged up" a bit by dragging an Old Olive ink pad over it. I added some 1/4" circle punches below the focal image for extra oomph.

A scalloped border (thanks to my Corner Rounder punch) and some Bashful Blue narrow grosgrain ribbon add the perfect touch to the flap. I used a velcro dot to keep the flap closed.

As Mary Poppins would say.....this gift card holder is practically perfect in every way!!!

As tomorrow is Mother's Day, I plan on taking the day off from blogging. Never fear, I will be back on Monday with a card that is not Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive and Bashful Blue...LOL!!!

Happy Mother's Day!!!!!!

Friday, May 9, 2008

Preserve Those Memories



I've been scrappin' for close to 10 years now. In fact, I've been scrappin' far longer than I've been a Stampin' Up! demonstrator (a little over 3 years now).

I have something to admit. I've really let my scrappin' habit go since I've been a demo. Of course, I make layouts for my clients, but my personal scrappin' has been put to the side.

I am proud to say....NOT ANYMORE!!! I actually scrapped a personal page this week.

My son is a baseball junkie. He loves everything about the game. In fact, he is a walking statistics book (which I admit, can get VERY annoying at times...LOL).

This page is all about my son. I bought him a baseball themed album last year. The album holds 8"x8" scrapbook pages. Since I had the scraps of the striped paper from the Summer Picnic pack on my stamping desk from my last two projects and they matched his uniform, this page just came together so quickly.

There is a pull out tab on the side of DS's picture. The tab says "Stats and Stuff". When you pull on the tab, the journaling block comes out. The journaling block is held by an envelope with it's flap cut off and adhered behind the photo mat. Using an envelope prevents the journaling block from floating down the layout.

I have a funny story (quick one) about this page. When DS got home from school, I handed him his baseball album and asked him to open it. His reaction was this......"Wow, you made a page for me.......Now when are you going to get my karate album done". Ugh, he's such a man already!!!

Time to get ready to babysit my niece....

Until tomorrow...Happy Stamping everyone!!!

recipe:

stamps: Sporting

paper: Summer Picnic dsp, Pumpkin Pie, Bashful Blue, Old Olive, Basic Black, Whisper White

ink: Pumpkin Pie

accessories: Rounded Tab punch, Photo Corner punch, Designer Label punch, circle punches (1" and 1 1/4"), Old Olive wide grosgrain, Crafter's Tool Kit, Old Olive marker, white envelope

Thursday, May 8, 2008

Slow and Steady Will Win the Race


I'm sure everyone remembers the story "The Tortoise and the Hare". Of course, the turtle wins because he keeps a steady pace unlike his friend the rabbit.

This adorable turtle comes from "Older and Wiser"...an adorable Level 3 hostess set in the Spring and Summer catalog.

This way cute birthday card measures 4.25" x 4.25". The base card is Pumpkin Pie. The striped pattern paper is from the Summer Picnic designer series pack. The other colors in the card are Old Olive and Bashful Blue (all pulled from the stripes in the patterned paper).

The focal image was stamped in Black StazOn on watercolor paper. I used my aquapainter and ink squished on the lids of my ink pads to color him in. Just keep layering your color until you get the depth of color that you love!!

I pierced around the edges of the focal image prior to mounting on a mat of Bashful Blue. The sentiment also comes from Older and Wiser. I simply used my Basic Black marker to only ink up the "Happy Birthday" rather than the entire sentiment.

The final touch was a small Old Olive button in the bottom right corner of the card and some layered ribbon.

Yup.....he's a keeper!!!!

Until tomorrow.....Happy Stamping everyone!!

Tuesday, May 6, 2008

There's Still Room in my Ribbon Share

If you fell in love with the ribbon technique in my last post, then this offer is for you!!!

I still have room in my Ribbon Share if you are interested.

The details can be found HERE.

Email me today to join in on the fun!!!!

Oh, How the Ribbon Weaves



Let's start today's post like a Nora Roberts novel......

The sky was dark and foreboding. Patti knew that a storm was brewing on the horizon. The Minnesota winds were picking up, and storm clouds were coming in for a closer view......OF THIS REALLY COOL RIBBON TECHNIQUE!!!

Okay, truth admitted, I'll never be an author!! But, I am a seriously addicted stamper who has a good amount of laundry to do. So, as the clothes wash and dry, this stamper sits at her desk and whips out.....get this:

- 2 cards

- a gift card holder

- an 8" x 8" scrapbook page for my son's baseball album

Whoa!!! What a rockin', productive and rainy afternoon!!!!

Okay, let's get to the "deets" on this adorable card. First of all it measures 4.25" x 4.25". The card was designed around the striped patterned paper from the Summer Picnic Designer Series paper (found in the Occasions mini).

The focal point of the card is the woven background (which I first saw on Kristina Werner's blog). I took a scrap of 2" x 2" cardstock, and proceeded to weave 6 pieces of Old Olive ribbon into a basket-like pattern. I used a glue stick to hold the ribbon pieces together while weaving. The ribbon is secured on the back with tape.

I stamped "MVP" from the Sporting stamp set on a metal rimmed tag. I used a simple knot of Bashful Blue ribbon to cover up the hole in the tag.

Well, I think I am going to reward myself with a piece of chocolate as I've had such a productive day!!!

Until tomorrow.....Happy Stamping everyone!!

recipe

stamps: Sporting

paper: Summer Picnic DSP, Bashful Blue, Pumpkin Pie

ink: Bashful Blue, Pumpkin Pie

accessories: Crafter's Tool Kit, Old Olive 5/8" grosgrain ribbon, metal rimmed tag, Bashful Blue narrow grosgrain ribbon

Monday, May 5, 2008

Make a Teenager Happy

How do you make a teenager happy?


Well, isn't that a hard question to answer! Trust me, I have two of them.....lots of silver hairs....no more 'splainin' needed!!!


Although it's hard to make them completely happy, giving them a gift card for their birthday seems to help. I don't even attempt to pick out clothes for DD anymore. I am tired of the "Ew....what were you thinking?" attitude!!!


Anyway, onto this adorable and bright gift card holder perfect for any mood-swaying teenager in your life!!! It starts out with a Real Red base card measuring 6" x 8.25". Score your cardstock (on the long side) at 2 5/8" and 5 5/8".


The front of the gift card holder has all the yummy goodies from the Occasions Mini Catalog: Summer Picnic Paper, Blooms die cuts, Summer Day rub ons. This stuff is just so pretty!!


The patterned paper strip measures 1 1/2" x 6" and it is matted on a 1 3/4" x 6" strip of Certainly Celery.


I sponged the die cut with some Only Orange ink for some intense shading. I then used my white gel pen to dot around the edges. The center of the flower is from my well-loved Circle of Friendship set. I chose a birthday theme....stamping it in Real Red ink and punched with my 1" circle punch.


The "For You" sentiment is actually a rub on. They are SO easy to use....they transfer beautifully to whatever surface you choose to work with.


The gift card is held in place using my Slit Punch on a scrap of Certainly Celery. I added some 1/4" Real Red circle punches to highlight the gift card area.


Give this gift card holder a try. It's easy yet beautiful!!!!


I need to finish up my weekly newsletter now. If you haven't signed up for it yet, what are you waiting for? The sign up is on the top right of my blog. I'll give you a hint to something in tomorrow's newsletter: PURSE. That's all I'm saying....LOL!!


Until tomorrow....Happy Stamping everyone!!

Friday, May 2, 2008

Ribbon Share

I am in love with Stampin' Up! ribbon!!! I find myself using it on most of my papercrafting projects. My stamp club members have requested that I open a Ribbon Share.


I am also offering this Ribbon Share to my blog readers residing in the United States.


This month, I am offering two different Ribbon Shares. You are welcome to join one or both if you so desire.


Ribbon Share #1
This ribbon share is all about the Stampin' Up! narrow (1/4") grosgrain ribbon. Each member of the Ribbon Share will receive 2 yards of each color of the narrow grosgrain ribbon. There are 16 colors offered by Stampin' Up!. The cost for this Ribbon Share is $16.00 plus shipping.


Ribbon Share #2
This ribbon share is all about the Stampin' Up! wide (5/8") grosgrain ribbon. Each member of the Ribbon Share will receive 2 yards of each color of the wide grosgrain ribbon. There are 8 colors offered by Stampin' Up!. The cost for this Ribbon Share is $12.00 plus shipping.


I am only shipping via USPS Priority Mail with delivery confirmation. The cost for shipping is $5.25. If you wish to be in both ribbon shares, the shipping cost is only applied once as I can fit both sets of ribbons in the same Priority Mail envelope.


Please note that the ribbon will be ordered after all orders have been taken and payments received. So please allow time for me to order the ribbon from Stampin' Up! when planning your future projects. I do accept PayPal or personal checks (will need to clear prior to shipping ribbon).


If you are interested in joining my ribbon shares, please send me an email so we can work out all the details!!!

Thursday, May 1, 2008

New Month....New Specials!!!

Happy May Day!!! Can you believe it's May already? The kids only have one month of school left. WHAT?????? I don't know if I am ready for that one.


Anyway, a new month also means the announcement of Stampin' Up!'s monthly specials. There are THREE promotions this month. Let me explain each of them:


"Get On Board with Chipboard" Promotion
- With a $35 catalog merchandise purchase (not including shipping and tax), you can receive 25% off any On Board items from the Spring and Summer Collection catalog.


"Cutting Mat/Hobby Blade" Promotion
- When you purchase the Cutting Mat, you will receive the Hobby Blade for FREE.


"Hodgepodge Recruiting" Promotion
- Have you thought about being a Stampin' Up! demonstrator? If your answer is "yes", then this promotion is perfect for you. The amazing Starter Kit is being offered at 20% off. In addition, you will receive a Hodgepodge Hardware Kit (from the Spring and Summer Collection) for FREE. You will even have your choice of finish: Antique Brass, Aged Copper or Pewter. If you do not specify, the Antique Brass will be sent to you.


If you are interested in joining my team, please send me an email so I can send you my recruiting password and the instructions for specifying your desired color of Hodgepodge Hardware. I love how all this can be done online now!!! I hope to hear from you soon!!!


I told you the promotions offered this month are really something to get excited about!!! If you have any questions or would like to place an order, please send me an email. I'm here to help!!

Don't Forget....Mail Them Early


I am SO prepared this year. My mother-in-law who lives in NY is going to get her Mother's Day card really early this year!!

She loves roses so I pulled out one of my contraband stamp sets (i.e. non SU). It's not often that I buy contraband, but I am a sucker for roses. This stamp set is from Kitchen Sink stamps. They look so stinkin' real!!!

The roses are made with only two ink colors: Ruby Red and Bravo Burgandy. I just used the stamping off technique to achieve the different colors for shading. The green for the leaves is Old Olive.

I overstamped the entire rose image with my beloved Linen (oh, how I wish SU didn't retire you) using Creamy Caramel ink. I sponged the edges with Close to Cocoa ink.

The torn cardstock is Creamy Caramel also sponged with Close to Cocoa ink. The sentiment is from All Year Cheer II (also retired....but will never ever be forgotten by little old me).

The other layers are Chocolate Chip which is then mounted on the Ruby Red base card.

I added the photo corner to balance the card. The final touch was adding some green organdy ribbon (also retired).

I hope she loves her card!!!

Until tomorrow.....Happy Stamping everyone!!