24 Jan 2011

It's Been a Long Time...

But I'm finally back!


And just in time too because it's
SALE-A-BRATION!
  Tuesday, January 25th 
to Thursday, March 31!

Just in case you're not familiar with Sale-A-Bration, or have forgotten since last year, there are three easy ways to earn free products:

· · { spend } · ·
Spend $60* and earn one free Sale-A-Bration product of your choice.


· · { host } · ·
Host a workshop of at least $395*, and earn one free Sale-A-Bration product in addition to the generous
hostess benefits.


· · { join } · ·
Join Stampin’ Up!® by becoming a demonstrator during Sale-A-Bration and get 15% off your Starter Kit.
Plus, get a bonus bundle filled with over $60 in free products.

*Net sales before shipping & handling and tax

To get your copy of the SALE-A-BRATION brochure click on the icon on the right hand column, or zap me an email and I'll send one out to you!




10 Jan 2011

Everyday Card Portfolio

I found this FREE tutorial on the Create with Connie & Mary site  (hey! don't go until you see mine!!) and was totally smitten! I love these type of 'sets' and couldn't go to bed until I had completed it!

Ta Dah!

 The colour combination is Blushing Bride, Chocolate Chip, and Very Vanilla. The DSP is the retired (but still available on the Clearance Rack) Sending Love Specialty paper.

Here is the inside - made with three of the Clear Envelopes, sealed at the top and cut so that they open down the side.



I 'loosely' used the layouts of the cards in the tutorial, just swapping out cardstock, DSP, and ribbon. Mary's theme is Valentine, but I wanted to make everyday cards.

Six cards and envelopes are included:



And I embossed the flaps on the envelopes - they look much nicer in real life!
Hope you like this project as much as I did, I love getting your comments (hint, hint)
And now you can skip on over to visit Create with Connie & Mary! and get your own free tutorial!

8 Jan 2011

Pink and White and Red

I remember when I was a kid in school - if you put red and pink together they thought you were colour blind and you were teased off the school yard! I'm so glad that's changed because now red and pink are one of my favourite colour combinations - the right red and the right pink of course!

And Stampin' Up! has the perfect combination - Real Red and Pretty in Pink. I attended a class with one of my downlines and we used the Mary Fish Stampin' Pretty Filled With Love  on-line Video class to make this set:

It was so much fun just to play without having to design everything ourselves. And it is a stinkin' cute set!


As beautiful as ALL of the cards are, this one is my favourite! In real life it is simple, but striking:


And this one is adorable too, especially with that Pretty in Pink 5/8" Satin Ribbon!

Be sure to check out Mary's blog Stampin' Pretty to see what other beautiful projects she has to offer!

7 Jan 2011

Valentine Cards

I have recently been introduced to a new blog called "Me My Stamps And I" (I have the link at the end of this post. And I totally love Chat's style. So much so that I have CASEd one of her projects, these Valentine Cards.

 The colours used are Real Red, Whisper White, Basic Gray, and Blushing Bride. And the half pearls are highlighted on each card.

This is the same style box that I made with the Sandi MacIver set I showed you in an earlier post, only changed up for Valentine's.






 
Be sure to visit Chat's blog as she has some wonderful ideas!

6 Jan 2011

You Never Know Until You Try!

Linda (of Shoreline Stampers) was over to visit the other day and we got creative (put two demos together and it always happens!). This is what we came up with:

Isn't that cute! We used the new Petal Cone Die from the Occasions Mini and cut the cone out of a decorative metal sheet. Then we embossed it using the Square Lattice Embossing Folder and were we ever proud of ourselves!!! :0)

These metal sheets take to embossing like ducks to water. And then we topped it off with the Springtime Vintage DSP (also from the Occasions Mini), the Vanilla Rosettes (see previous bracket), and I made the leaves using Always Artichoke cardstock run through the Crimper.

And the reason you can't see the point of the cone is that I messed it up.

Oh well, I might as well show you:


See - Demos aren't perfect either! :0) We just don't usually post our mistakes!!

Linda suggested that it might be better to use an embossing folder that didn't have quite as intricate a design and it might work better. We'll try that next time.

We obtained the metal through a Demo Bulk Buy, but you can also get it at some craft stores, or you can use regular aluminum flashing (only in silver) from hardware stores.

Sometimes you just have to try something that's a little unusual....

5 Jan 2011

SUDSOL Blog Tour February 1st

 
I'm really excited! I've been accepted to be part of the SUDSOL Blog Tour taking place on February 1st. I know that's almost a month away, but I have to decide, design, and create the projects that I want to share with you, and they are all from the new Occasions Mini so it's not a lot of time at all!

Just in case you're not familiar with SUDSOL,(Simply Unique Demonstrators Sharing On Line), it is a online community of Stampin’ Up! demonstrators dedicated to providing creative and professional information 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.   All demonstrators regardless of location, regardless of the support you are getting elsewhere, are invited to join.

SUDSOL provides access to hundreds of project ideas that include instructions, a gallery of projects, challenges, Business forms and files, an email loop to share creative and business ideas, plus a partnership with a Certified Professional Development Coach who provides articles exclusively for SUDSOL members, and more.

Speaking from personal experience, I haven't had a question or problem yet that couldn't be solved by SUDSOL! There is a monthly membership fee and it's worth every penny, however there are many ways to earn free membership too. In fact Stampin' Up! Demonstrators can have two weeks free membership just by scrolling down and clicking the SUDSOL box on the left hand column of this blog.

So mark February 1st on your calendar so you won't forget to take a tour of 25 Demonstrator blogs offering lots of ideas and inspiration for free!

Updated Card Set

This is a card set originally designed and sold by Sandi MacIver (you'll want to visit her website - I'll post it at the bottom, just so you'll finish reading mine first!!) :0)

The set includes the container, a pen, 4 cards and envelopes, and a package of sentiments.

 Isn't it cute! I love the ovals (made by punching a small oval and then punching a large oval around it - too cool!)

The stamp set is Fifth Avenue Floral (remember when it was first released - what a rush!)
I purchased the instructions almost two years ago so of course all of the original DSP is retired, and even some of the colours. So I chose Springtime Vintage DSP and the base colours are Baja Breeze, Night of Navy, and Always Artichoke. There's a little Pear Pizzaz in there too!



Here are the four cards - the beautiful Baja Breeze Satin Ribbon is retired unfortunately, but everything else is current.

I purposely didn't add any sentiments to the cards as I made up a package with a variety of sentiments so that I could choose whichever one I needed at the time.

The design on the top section of this card is stamped in Baja Breeze, the rose was 'washed' using an Aqua Painter and Baja Breeze and Night of Navy.

Although this looks like ribbon behind the flower, it is simply a strip of Baja Breeze cardstock. 

This time it really is ribbon, and except for the bit of shine it looks almost exactly the same. Only problem is you can't rouch (is that how you spell it?) cardstock.  I really like the designs in this DSP package (in the new Occasions Mini) and I know I'll need to order more!

Here are the sentiments, using the scalloped oval and large oval punches. I just put dimensionals on the back...

And then popped them into a die cut scallop envelope and tucked them in the container with the cards.
  
I hope you  like my update of Sandi's design. You can visit her wonderful blog by clicking here.

Don't forget to take a look at the new Occasions Mini catalogue (if you dare!), if you haven't received one in the mail just stop by my house and pick one up, or check it out on-line at my Stampin' Up! Store.

4 Jan 2011

It's Time! It's Here! It's Wonderful!

Here it is! The Occasions Mini Catalogue! Even though I've shown you several new products there are lots more inside this cover - ENJOY!

3 Jan 2011

Wowser! Petal Cone Die

Oh I love these! I hope you do too. In fact I hope a lot of people like them because I'm going to be making lots and lots of them, in all different colours and DSP!

 These were made using the new Petal Cone Die and the Springtime Vintage Designer Series Paper in the new Occasions Mini catalogue that you can order from TOMORROW! (Tuesday, January 4th). There are so many wonderful new products, be sure to give it a look.

Now back to the cones (ignore the chocolate if you can, it's there for 'atmosphere'.) The colours in this designer paper are some of my favourites - Not Quite Navy, Baja Breeze, Rose Red, Always Artichoke, to name just a few of them. You need to make two cuts to create the cone and then it goes together in a breeze.The banner strip is part of the die too!


I added a matching ribbon to this one so it could be hung (think next Christmas on your tree!!!) And aren't those Vintage Flower adornments gorgeous - they come in three colours, the Rose Red and Baja Breeze shown here, plus Very Vanilla.
You can even turn the cones upside down, close the flaps, and use them as a miniature tree.

If you feel a 'need' for any of these products just zap me an email or give me a call... remember - Free Shipping in January!

2 Jan 2011

Drunken Cupcakes

Well - that's the way they looked when I first saw the photos...
How is it that I can make the card, set up the photo shoot, take the photos, and not see things I don't like until I see the photo?

Anyway, there are still lots more things to show you from the new Occasions Mini - I should have started two weeks ago!

Hold on to your hats - there's another new punch and coordinating stamp set, and this one is for cupcakes! So if you are a cupcake fan you'd better steel your willpower (or not!), because you're going to love this!

Here is a sample card:

 See how they are a little crooked and crowding each other... they must have got into something between the camera and the computer is all I can figure.....

Aren't those just the cutest little cherries?! That's part of the punch, along with the icing/frosting (what's the difference?), and the cupcake wrappers.

There are more sentiments too! Along with more stamps - it's a winner!

I want to tell you something about these cupcakes... I'm old enough to have my own grandchildren but I still remember that every year, for my brothers and I, my Mom used to make 3 tier birthday cakes. The bottom tier was white cake, the middle tier was chocolate cake, and the top tier was tinted pink. And though I didn't think of it at the time - what an awful lot of work!! I wasn't thinking about Mom's cakes when I made this card either, until I thought about the colours I'd used... white, chocolate, pink. Those colours mean birthday to me! Thanks Mom!

Tomorrow is the last day before the new Occasions Mini catalogue goes live... I wonder what other goodies I can show you........

More New Schtuff!

Here is another new Designer Series Paper pack that is soooo cool. It's called Botanical Gazette and there is a stamp set that coordinates with it. You can fussy it up and make it feminine or you can use fewer ruffles and bling and add it to a masculine card, which is what I'm doing with it here:

Don't you just love the raspberries - I do! And it coordinates with Cherry Cobbler card stock - what could be better!

 The only stamping on this card is the sentiment from Word Play - a super set. The butterflies were cut from a another piece of the DSP.

I really like the 'word play' in this sentiment, but the font just doesn't seem to fit - it kind of bugged me when I saw the photos. So I went back and made a new sentiment which I simply glued on top of the old one...


Which do you think works better?
                                                                       

1 Jan 2011

New Year's Resolution


Absolutely Last Chance
to sign up for this class!

Happy New Year!

I don't know if  you're a fan of New Year's Resolutions but they've usually worked for me! (Except that 'more exercise' one of course...)

So one of my resolutions this year is to honour the registration deadlines I set for classes. This is a benefit for us both - I can plan farther ahead for my classes and (this is where it benefits you) I am not scrambling at the last minute, cutting, collecting, counting, and invariably missing something. The class will be ready with everything you need, it will run smoothly, and I won't be 'out' of anything because I've had time to order it!

I really want your business, and to have you attend my classes, but for both of us it's best if you register on time. So henceforth and hereafter - I will no longer accept late registrations... except for this one day, since this is new.

GREENHOUSE GARDEN

Class photoThis is such a pretty set - two cards with envelopes, and a small 'card box' that you can fill with candy or tea or post-it notes or other small items. For more photos click here.

Sunday, Jan. 9, 2-4 pm
Monday, Jan. 10, 2-4 pm
Tuesday, Jan. 11, 7-9 pm


Fee: $20
Extra Kits: $15

Limited to 4-6 people per class
You'll receive a special treat if you bring a "new to me" friend!

Registration Deadline: December 31st, extended to January 1st, midnight, for this one time.

You can check here for other classes and the registration deadlines - be sure to scroll down to see them all!

Thank you for your cooperation and I hope to see you soon!

Carol
 

Melon Mambo Valentine

When I got up this morning Melon Mambo was calling out to me even before breakfast! It's not part of the new mini, but the Stamp Set (Language of Love) is, and with the exception of the Valentine definition it can be used on a 'love' card all year round... you'll see when the mini goes live - or you drop in to pick one up!

I used Melon Mambo for the base of the card and to stamp the 'heart lines' at the bottom, and the definition of Valentine.

 You can see I used another of the stamps in the set to decorate the envelope using Pretty in Pink, and I also used Pretty in Pink patterned paper.

Of course I had to have some bling and it came via the Glimmer paper from the new mini:


The scalloped square mat was made using the Scallop Squares Duo Bigz Die from the Holiday mini, and the good news is that it is being carried over and still available.


The Occasions mini goes live on January 4th (Tuesday), and I'll be showing you more sneak peeks between now and then. In the meantime I hope you have a great start to the new year!!