Wait a Minute, That's Not Cardstock

I have to say that I am SO SO SO SO SO excited about this project! My sewing machine came out of storage, where it's been sitting for the last 5 years (literally), and I put it to good use with my Stampin' Up! supplies!

Did you know that the Big Shot can be used to cut fabric? Uh huh--I KNOW!! So cool!! Turns out that the Scallop Square Die is perfect for making not only cards (here's one of my favs) but it also cuts fabric patches that can easily be turned into fabulous bags.

To make a long story short... saw cool bags at Leadership, visited fabric store, spent 2 hours using Big Shot & sewing machine... ta da!


I know you're going to want more details on how this bag goes together... I'm planning a whole tutorial on this, but I couldn't wait any longer to share my bag. Plus if you head on over to my Sale-A-Bration Open House tonight, you can check the bag out in person!!

Here are a few pictorial hints though--to give you an idea of how this goes together. I promise more to come!!

Really though... 2 hours from uncut fabric to a finished bag... pretty cool!!






To Order Stampin' Up! Products On-Line 24/7, CLICK HERE!
Supplies Featured:
Big Shot Die Cut Machine (113439)
Scallop Square Die (115950)

What's Better than Cute Projects with Chocolate?

What's better than a cute stamping project? Why, a cute project with chocolate, of course!

And what's better than a cute project with chocolate? Why, having your OWN cute project with chocolate, of course!

If you're coming on Friday to my Sale-A-Bration Extravaganza (check out yesterday's blog post), and you bring a guest who's never attended one of my stamping events, you will get your very own cute project with chocolate to take home with you. So start asking your friends now--you can promise to share your chocolate with them!


And if you live nowhere near central Illinois, and it's a little late to plan a road trip, never fear! You can make your own cute project with chocolate at home... You can make as many as you want, actually!

You could even sign up as a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator in my group and hand these out to people who come to your events! :-)

Here are the brief instructions:

1. Use the Stampin' Up! Matchbox Bigz XL Big Shot Die to cut the box and the sleeve parts of the matchbox (Close to Cocoa cardstock and the Sending Love Specialty Designer Series Paper)
2. Use the Curly Label Punch to create the hole in the sleeve and add a layer of Clear Window Sheet on the inside to keep the candy from falling out (can't have that happen!)
3. After assembling the box, tie a loop of Pretty in Pink Grosgrain Ribbon around the sleeve
4. Add a Curly Label Punch tag, stamped with the Vintage Labels stamp set (free Sale-A-Bration selection!)
5. Finally, accent with two punches from the Small Heart Punch

To Order Stampin' Up! Products On-Line 24/7, CLICK HERE!

I {Heart} Using Heart Stamps

The name of this stamp set is just too funny... Really... "I {Heart} Hearts". You have to love it. What are those little bracket things called, anyway? I think I've wanted to have an excuse to use them for years, and now I can finally break them out in my writing :-)

Want to make this card for your very own? You can!! Just join me this Friday night for a free event! This is the perfect chance to come and try out some new stamps, or see what this 'stamping thing' is all about. In addition to papercrafts like cards and scrapbooks, we'll also have some fabric crafts and jewelry on display. So think quilting, sewing and jewelry lockets, too! You definitely won't want to miss this evening:

Sale-A-Bration EXTRAVAGANZA!
Friday, January 29th
5:30 to 7:30 pm
Hilton Garden Inn, Champaign
(Alumni Ballroom, lower level)

The card below is the card that you'll get to make and take home as a free project. To get more details or to RSVP online, visit my event website: http://sab2010.eventbrite.com

Let's play "spot the hearts" on this card... or should I say {hearts}?

• Tiny hearts on the border: Pinking Hearts Border Punch
• Filigree heart: I {Heart} Hearts stamp set
• Crosshatch, 'love' and tiny hearts: I {Heart} Hearts stamp set
• Punched shape for filigree heart: Full Heart Punch
• Punched shape for the other 3 little hearts: Heart to Heart Punch
• and the BONUS hearts--in the Designer Series Paper strip: Sending Love Specialty Designer Series Paper

So yes, obviously, I do {heart} hearts.


To Order Stampin' Up! Products On-Line 24/7, CLICK HERE!
Supplies featured:
Stamps: I {Heart} Hearts, Vintage Labels
Punches: Pinking Hearts Border Punch, Heart to Heart Punch, Full Heart Punch
Papers: Sending Love Specialty Designer Series Paper, Whisper White, Pretty in Pink, Real Red cardstocks
Accessories: Big Shot, Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder

How To Use Scissors: Stamping 101 Video Tip of the Week

I know, I know... all we need to know we learned in kindergarten, right? Well it turns out that we probably DID learn this one in kindergarten. But then we learned about using adverbs, the fall of ancient Greece and calculus, and somehow the "how to use scissors" lesson got lost.

Personally, I'd rather re-learn how to use scissors than calculus.

Do you HATE to cut out little parts for your cards and scrapbook pages? I used to feel that way, but I'm reformed now. And I can help you learn to like cutting things out a little more! My biggest hint? Hold your scissors in one place and move your paper, instead of the other way around. More tips? That's why I made a Video Tutorial :-)



One more note -- On January 12, 2010 a magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck Haiti, leaving in its wake devastation so overwhelming that the Haitian people and their leaders can only look for help from the outside to cope.

From now until February 28, 2010, $2 from every I {Heart} Hearts stamp set purchased will be donated to the American Red Cross' Haiti Relief and Development Fund. The Red Cross is already well-established in Haiti, and this money will be used to provide immediate relief and long-term support through supplies, technical assistance and other support to help those in need.

Product Name Item # Price
I {Heart} Hearts - clear-mount (block D recommended) 118571 $18.95
I {Heart} Hearts - wood-mount 117010 $26.95

Help make a difference in the lives of the Haitian people. Click here to order your set today >


To Order Stampin' Up! Products On-Line 24/7, CLICK HERE!

Resolution: Stamp More This Year

Okay, you caught me, I don't actually do New Year's Resolutions, and even if I did, it's too late now, right? Whew, I'm off the hook.

But I did make a cute notebook so I can store my stamping inspiration and ideas for this year. If you don't have a stamping or scrapbooking notebook, I highly recommend starting one. You might even make a resolution to start one... if you're into resolutions, of course.

The great thing about a notebook is that I can keep track of the techniques and projects I want to try, all in one place. So when I sit down to stamp, I can pull out my notebook and get started, rather than spending a bunch of my valuable stamping time remembering what I want to do.


This notebook features the new Sweet Pea Stitched Felt from the Occasions Mini Catalog (the felt is also one of the products included in my February Stamps in the Mail Club Kit). I found that Tombow Multiadhesive Glue was the easiest way to attach the felt pieces.

The stamp set I used is With All My Heart, also new in the Occasions Mini Catalog. You can also see the Scallop Trim Border that I added to the Whisper White cardstock mat--just under the numbers. The Scallop Trim Border is available only as a free Sale-A-Bration choice (learn more about Sale-A-Bration).

The other part about this notebook that I'm really excited about is the cover for the spine. This is actually an inexpensive spiral-bound notebook that cost $0.05 during back-to-school sales in the fall. The hard part about using notebooks like that is that the spiral gets in the way of making the whole cover look pretty.

Here's the solution I came up with for Covering the Spiral:

• Cut a piece of cardstock the height of the notebook and about 2-3" wide.
• Beginning 1" from the edge, score along the length of the cardstock every 1/4"
• Fold along the score lines to make a zig-zag pattern
• Your scored & folded cardstock will bend easily around the spiral of the notebook -- attach to the front and back covers with Sticky Strip.

To Order Stampin' Up! Products On-Line 24/7, CLICK HERE!
Supplies Featured:
Stamps: With All My Heart (118134 wood or 118623 clear)
Inks: Rose Red
Paper: Rose Red, Pretty in Pink, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White cardstocks, Sweet Pea Designer Series Paper Stack (117161)
Accessories: Sweet Pea Stitched Felt (117266), Big Shot (113439), Chocolate Chip Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon (111849), Simple Numbers Big Shot Die Set (115968), Scallop Trim Border Punch (118402--only as a Sale-A-Bration choice free with a $50 order)

What If You Like the Box Better Than The Gift?

I'm excited to share a new project with you--in fact, I'm so excited that I've made this project part of the next round of my Stamps in the Mail Club which begins in February.



Stamps in the Mail Club lets you stamp at home with the benefit of pre-planned, pre-cut cards ready for you to stamp and assemble. As part of the club you'll get all the stamps and inks needed, plus a variety of matching accessory items--$30-35 in Stampin' Up! product each month. And if you already own an ink color or other item, you can substitute from your Wish List for the items you don't need.

The cost each month is $40 plus $5, for a total of $45 each month. That's a great deal, considering you get projects, stamping supplies and extra video tutorials! At the end of the 3 months you have a fabulous set of coordinating supplies plus 12 ideas on what to do with them.

Here's what Debbie K, a 12-round Stamps in the Mail Club subscriber had to say: "I really enjoy the Stamps in the Mail Club because everything you need for a project or card is right there--everything is pre-cut. The directions are clear and easy, and then you have the directions that you can use on future projects. I love it."

And Dawn H, another Stamps in the Mail Club veteran shared this thought: "Stamps in the mail club is an awesome way to get creative ideas. A fabulous way to build up your supplies at little cost. Stamps in the mail is like taking a class, only you don't have to leave the comforts of your home. Everything is delivered to your door. I highly recommend Stamps in the mail! Besides the demonstrator is awesome!"

And as if that wasn't exciting enough, my Stamps in the Mail Club also features video tutorials for all of the kit projects! I look forward to sharing these extra lessons with you as part of the Club.

Don't wait to sign up--if you're registered and paid before February 1st, your kit will ship on February 4th and you can begin working on your projects right away! If you sign up after Feb 1st, your kit will ship approx. 1 week after payment.

Be sure to visit my website for further details and use the PayPal buttons there to sign up online!


To Order Stampin' Up! Products On-Line 24/7, CLICK HERE!

Stampin 101: Video Tip of the Week, Corner Punches

Last week on my Blog I shared a card using the new Pinking Heart Corner and Border Punches along with the limited-time Heart Treat Cups (120435).

This week I want to give you more detail on how these new Corner Punches work with the Border Punches to create a seamless edge for your stamping and scrapbooking projects. The same technique applies to the new Scallop Trim Corner and Border Punches.

So here is my first Stamping 101: Video Tip of the Week!




To Order Stampin' Up! Products On-Line 24/7, CLICK HERE!
Featured Supplies:
Pinking Heart Border Punch (117649)
Pinking Heart Corner Punch (118072)
Heart Treat Cups (120435)

FREE Stamp Set of the Month Winner is...

For December, the lucky FREE Stamp Set of the Month winner will receive the Limited Edition (and retired) Older & Wiser stamp set. This was a Level 3 Hostess Stamp Set, available to those who hosted a Stampin' Up! party that totaled $500 or more.

I assigned everyone a number and had Random.org choose the winner.
And the winner is....
Melissa J.! Congrats, Melissa!

Good news! You can still enter for my January drawing! Just place an order through my online ordering system. You get an entry for each online order you place through my website during a month. For January, I'll be giving away a Level 3 Retired Hostess Set again: Older & Wiser!

If you order at least $50, you can get a FREE Sale-A-Bration item of your choice, PLUS get a FREE Sale-A-Bration Ideas & Inspiration Sheet from me! (click here for details)

To Order Stampin' Up! Products On-Line 24/7, CLICK HERE!

Valentines From When You Were A Kid

Remember when you used to fold up construction paper and make a heart and stick something lacy inside, like a doily? This card takes you right back!


The big heart is cut from a 12x12" Real Red cardstock sheet, and has a stamped panel inside. This project was inspired by a similar Valentine shared by Shannon West at Leadership.


The center panel features the "With All My Heart" stamp set, along with Whimsical Words (one of the new Sale-A-Bration stamp sets!!). Plus I'm absolutely loving the Sending Love Specialty Designer Series Paper!!



To Order Stampin' Up! Products On-Line 24/7, CLICK HERE!

Stamping: Training For Your Diet

I've been calling this the "diet training card" all week at Stamp Club, because the M&M's are tucked inside the cute Heart Treat Cup (120435) where you can't reach them. So you put this card on your desk and stare at it all day, and tell yourself, "I don't need to eat those right now."

Really what's going through your head is, "Maybe I can sneak a few M&M's out without destroying the card." But the question is... are you willing to risk it? In the meantime, there are a few less M&M's that you have to record on your calorie sheet for the day :-)

Kidding aside, the few M&M's inside this card that I can't reach are NOTHING compared to the number I've eaten while helping my Stamp Clubbers make this card all week ;-)

This is a fabulous stand-up card design that's REALLY easy to create:

• Cardstock: 4 ¼ x 11” and 4 ¼ x 5 ½”
• Begin by folding the 4 ¼” cardstock in half, then fold the card front back to the fold. The 11” cardstock will now be scored at 2 ¼ and 5 ½”.
• With the cardstock folded as described, add Sticky Strip to the ½ panel. Layer the 4 ¼ x 5 ½” piece over the top to make the new card front.
• Add an extra panel to the ‘inside’ of the card (i.e. Heartfelt Thanks panel) and attach with Stampin’ Dimensionals so that the card ‘front’ will remain standing when tucked behind the edge of the inner panel.

Using the Sweetheart Stamp Set (120415-wood or 120780-clear) is a breeze with the matching Full Heart Punch (113693). Just stamp, punch a heart hole and stick the Heart Treat Cup through the hole!

I also used the I {Heart} Hearts stamp set (117010-wood or 118571-clear) from the Occasions Mini Catalog for this card. The wood grain heart is definitely my favorite, although the three hearts that match the Heart to Heart Punch are a close second.


To Order Stampin' Up! Products On-Line 24/7, CLICK HERE!
Supplies feature:
Sweetheart Stamp Set (120415-wood or 120780-clear)
Full Heart Punch (113693)
Heart Treat Cup (120435)
I {Heart} Hearts (117010-wood or 118571-clear)
Pinking Heart Border Punch (117649)
Pinking Heart Corner Punch (118072)
Vintage Labels Sale-A-Bration stamp set (118392-wood or 119122-clear, FREE with a $50 order during Sale-A-Bration)
Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder (117335)

Vintage is Vogue in a Big Way

Vintage Vogue... Vintage Labels... what's with all the new "vintage" stamp sets? I'm not sure why so many at once, but I have to say that I'm really enjoying them! Here I've featured the Vintage Vogue stamp set, plus the Scallop Trim Border Punch, one of the items you can choose for FREE when you order $50 during Sale-A-Bration.


This is one of the cards featured on a Card Kit that I recently sent out for online orders placed in December. In January, I'm offering another special for online orders! When you place an order for $50 or more, you get to pick out an Idea & Inspiration Sheet for free!

What's an Idea & Inspiration Sheet? Good question :-)

• photos and detailed instructions for 4 projects
• features a Sale-A-Bration product or stamp set
• highlights a specific set of supplies that total at or around $50
• ideas you can adapt to any stamp set or color scheme you have on hand
• perfect for printing at home to keep handy when you stamp
  

So when you place your order with me, whether in person at an event or online through my website, just send me an email and let me know which of my Idea & Inspiration Sheets you'd like for FREE!

• Happy Moments
• Scallop Trim Punch
• Vintage Labels
• Welcome Neighbor Designer Series Paper
• Whimsical Words with Sweet Pea
• Whimsical Words with Vintage Vogue
• Whimsical Words with Fox & Friends

Check out all your choices on my website!


To Order Stampin' Up! Products On-Line 24/7, CLICK HERE!
Supplies feature:
Beautiful Wings Embosslit (butterfly -- 118138)
Vintage Vogue Stamp Set (117690 wood, 118598 clear)
Scallop Trim Border Punch (118402, free with $50 order during Sale-A-Bration)

Who says a tree is for Christmas?

When I was growing up, we always included an Easter egg tree in our spring decorations, so I thought it would be fun to add a Valentine's tree to the repertoire. This tree is multi-generational... grand-daughter, daughter and mom were all involved.


The tree stands in a red glass vase that features White Decor Elements Vinyl (the same kind in the decorations I've put on my walls). The vinyl is cut using the Big Shot and the Stampin' Up! Hearts and Brackets die (115955). This was one of the new dies when the catalog came out in July 09.

The raw vinyl (114335) comes in 12 x 24" sheets. To make custom Decor Elements, just cut pieces to fit your die, then run through the Big Shot. Finally, just peel and stick!

Here is the same Hearts & Brackets die using cardstock. Our tree features Real Red, Regal Rose and Pretty in Pink, and the ribbons match in Pretty in Pink and Whisper White.

The hearts are simply attached by punching a hole through one corner, then threading ribbon and tying a small knot to keep the heart from slipping.

We also used the new Stampin' Up! Scalloped Heart of Hearts Embosslit (117332) to make hearts. These little embosslits added terrific texture to our tree.

You can see some of the silver in the background. Our "tree branch" is actually left over from a Christmas decoration and features clear crystals with red highlights, so the journey to Valentine's Day was a short trip :-)


To Order Stampin' Up! Products On-Line 24/7, CLICK HERE!

Supplies feature:
Stampin' Up! Scalloped Heart of Hearts Embosslit (117332)
Stampin' Up! Hearts and Brackets die (115955)
Big Shot (114349)
White Decor Elements Vinyl (114335)

For Real? A Quilt Block?

Let's just begin by saying that this has been a FABULOUS Leadership Conference, and if you are a demonstrator and want to join us next year, you're going to love it, too!!! And if you're not yet a demonstrator, I can help you with that :-) I'd love to help you learn more!

Instead of just going in order and telling you about the 2nd Day of Leadership, I'm going to give you the top 5 reasons to become a demonstrator and BE HERE with us next year. So get ready, because here we go!!

1. For REAL? A Quilt Block?! Hooray!! All those gorgeous quilts that I talked about the other day, and now I get a piece of my very own to show you at workshops or classes. Stampin' Up! definitely knows how to surprise and thrill us :-)


2. Fabulous new products & ideas! These chipboard On Board Bird Books (117238) from the Occasions Mini Catalog are gorgeous, and Shelli's vintage style coordinates perfectly. Even my friend Julie, who thinks the whole bird motif is "maybe just a little bit creepy" thought that this was a wonderful project.


3. Bling to wear! As demonstrators, we got to see the new Simply Adorned jewelry in person last summer at Convention--we often get 'sneak peeks' of products, and we nearly always get early ordering privileges. The jewelry is now available for order. Mine is on the way to my house right now. I hope UPS isn't held up by snow ;-)


4. Income! Dinner was paid by the Stampin' Up! VISA cash card--one of the perks we can choose as a Great Rewards bonus when we earn points with our sales. Really though, being a demonstrator is a great way to pick up extra income, whether you want to pay a monthly bill, support your stamping hobby, or take your family (or yourself!) on a great vacation.

5. Friends who share your love of stamping! This is our demonstrator group at Leadership--and we're all bound by the fun and excitement of sharing what we love! (and we definitely have a spot for you in our group :-)

6. FREE STAMPS! Okay, I know I said 5, but this one is just a given, right? We each received a brand new stamp set that will be in an upcoming catalog--hot off the presses.


Honestly, there are so many reasons that I love being a demonstrator, and attending events like Leadership or Convention during the summer or Regional events around the country give me a chance to be inspired, get motivated and feel the excitement that comes from a wonderful group of women sharing a craft that helps to bring women together all around the country.

Like I mentioned, there's a place for you in our group--if you'd like to learn more about being a demonstrator and saving money, making friends and learning a fabulous craft, I'd love to help you. Send me an email and we'll set up a time to chat!


To Order Stampin' Up! Products On-Line 24/7, CLICK HERE!

Dessert With Breakfast: Perfect Way to Start the Day

Ah, the breakfast of champions... plus dessert. Yesterday began with a breakfast reception for all the current and past Stampin' Up! Advisory Board members, and that breakfast ended with fabulous caramel-drizzled blintzes. (Don't tell my kids that I had dessert with breakfast--that's a no-no at our house!)

Really though, it was a great chance to catch up with friends that I only see a couple times a year--at Stampin' Up! events! (yup, one more fun reason to become a Demonstrator ;-) Here I am, visiting with my friend Lynsay Mahon and Amy Swartz, the marketing director at Stampin' Up!.

The morning started out with 1000 Stampin' Up! demonstrators gathered in a big hall. Shelli Gardner (co-founder of Stampin' Up!) shared part of the story of how Stampin' Up! was started, and she encouraged us all to share our own story. Guess I'll need to blog about that soon ;-)

The morning also included fabulous demonstrations of new products from the Occasions Mini Catalog (yay for all the new goodies--check out some of my recent Occasions Mini project posts!) Here are two projects that Pam Morgan shared with the Eggcellent Eggs Kit (117179). If you like these, don't wait too long--they're only available while supplies last.

The kit is definitely not just for decorating eggs -- these are napkin rings for any occasion, although they'd be perfect for a baby shower! The baby shower invites below also use the egg kit--the little tiny flowers, and of course the sticky-back rhinestones for a little 'bling' on the girl invite.


The morning also included Prize Patrol, which is where we have a chance to get FREE stamps (or other goodies) that have been demonstrated during the session--and Mary Ellen Stites and Laurie Stiegelmeier won from our group--hooray!!


The Sweet Treat Cups were also shown-- with HEART cups!! These little guys are so cute, plus they have a new matching stamp set and you can use the big Full Heart Punch to make the hole for your heart-shaped cup. You can learn more about the limited-time offer with the flyer. And the little confetti is the punchie pieces from the new Pinking Hearts Border Punch.


Lunch was a sit-down affair with yummy chocolate dessert and a HUGE grilled chicken salad. Yum! The food at Leadership is always fabulous :-)


And speaking of food, we had dinner as part of the Manager's Reception that evening. We were taken to a ranch on the edge of Phoenix for a Mexican Rodeo, dinner, and wonderful entertainment from a dance troupe that shared heritage dances from around Mexico. Here's us sitting in the bleachers, shaking our maracas!

And this is the gorgeous table setting-- complete with gerbera daisies (my favorites were the Melon Mambo ones ;-) We also each received the new Love Bandit stamp set (so cute!) and a brightly colored re-bo-zo, a traditional Mexican shawl.

And for dessert (are you seeing a theme for today?) we had empanadas stuffed with pumpkin, lemon or apple filling, plus cinnamon whipped cream. I had to include a picture because we decided that they must have cut the dough using a Big Shot and a Scallop Circle Die ;-)


Okay, on to day 2 of Leadership! More later!!


To Order Stampin' Up! Products On-Line 24/7, CLICK HERE!