Stampin' Up! Clearance Rack

A new feature that is only available via my Stampin' Up! website is the Clearance Rack. I love a good clearance and theirs is no exception. All these items are discontinued and quantities are limited so check it out and order before they are all gone. This list is going to change as items are discontinued so be sure to check back often.

Cards for Kids Campaign

Well, I had hosted my first ever "Cards for Kids Campaign" this weekend. It was a lot of work but also a lot of fun. Everyone who participated had a great time and left feeling good about donating their creations to brighten the day of a sick child at one of the pediatric hospitals here in Atlanta, GA. We made 250+ cards and decorated 200 lunch sacks! I hope to make this an annual affair if not more often. Thanks to everyone who helped to make this a Huge Success!

Fresh Cuts Card

Sometimes I have to just sit back and take inventory of my stamp set and then challenge myself to use some of the ones that too often just sit on the shelf. This stamp set called Fresh Cuts is one that I really like and goes great with the Fresh-Cuts note cards on page 168 in the catalog but it is also great in a standard sized card. This is a perfect example of a beautiful Fresh Cuts card that was incorporated into a full-size card. I love these colors for an elegant look. I will see you tomorrow for more stamping inspiration!

A visit to the coast inspired Card

Mike and I just went to Florida last weekend and I was inspired by the beauty of the ocean and in particular the sunsets I saw there. I knew I just had to make this card. I used the brayer for the background. To get just the colors you want you can make a palette using a baby wipe. I used Versamark and a circle to "ghost" the sun. I then stamped the Inspired by Nature images using Chocolate Chip ink. I hope you are also inspired to get out and stamp something beautiful today!

Corner Bookmark

Now this is an easy peasy project for the book lovers out there. This is one that we did at our last $15 stamp club that meets on the first Tuesday of the month. This is an origami bookmark with a little stamping embellishments. I did not invent it, but I did get the idea and make it my own. I used Razzleberry Lemonade Designer Series Paper, whisper white and bermuda bay cardstock. I stamped the butterfly from the Great Friend stamp set with the Crushed Curry ink and cut it out with my handy dandy and very great Paper Snips (from Stampin' Up!). I then used the Big Shot and cut out a Bermuda Bay butterfly from the Beautiful Butterflies Bigz die by Stampin' Up! I am showing you 2 photos, a close up and one with the bookmark in use.

Oh, the book is John Grishams' latest, The Asssociate, and I really enjoyed it.

Only 3 Months until Christmas!

Do you see that little Christmas tree to the left of my blog? It is a countdown until the big day. If you will notice there are only 3 months left until Christmas. I know with the economy crunch that everyone has been feeling I am planning to make a lot of my gifts this year. Look at this little project that I made. It will be fun to fill it with little things and give it to some of my co-workers. I thought I would make it all holidayish but then they would feel that it had to be put away after the holiday so...I think I will make them in generic colors and themes. Why hide such cute little boxes? Speaking of which, what kinds of things do you think would be great to out into these boxes? Send me your thoughts via comments.

I hope I have inspired you to get started on your holiday shopping or making. I will talk to you tomorrow. Happy Holidays!

Masculine Birthday Card

If you are anything like me then you know that cards for men are just the hardest to make. I want my stamps to be very versatile and sets that are good for men and women are just few and far between. This card features just such a set. It is called Pocket Silhouettes and it is a set of 6 stamps for only 18.95. One of the cool things I like is that you can create fast, simple and nice cards with this set and make it masculine or feminine just by changing the colors or adding ribbon. Here is my sample for today. For this card I used as my base card Sahara Sand. I accented it with the new In Color Soft Suede. I did the direct to paper on the card for the background.

Halloween Treat Box

It is almost Halloween and I am having such fun making these little treat boxes and projects. I don't usually get into the spirit like this but I am back in elementary school and the little ones seem to inspire me! It is either that or the fact that I am refusing to grow up.

Any way, this little cutie was made by Stampin' Up! so the idea is all theirs. It is easy and I am posting all the supplies you need to make it here. Remember, for anything you see that you like on my blog, you can order it all here on my website.

	Stamps Pumpkin Patch (from Holiday Mini Catalog) Paper Pumpkin Pie card stock Whisper White card stock (1-1/2" x 1-3/4") Ink Basic Black Classic Stampin' Pad Chocolate Chip Classic Stampin' Pad Old Olive Classic Stampin' Pad Pumpkin Pie Classic Stampin' Pad Accessories Stampin' Dimensionals

Fancy Folds Class Card 3

Here it is, the last card we made in our Fancy Folds class. If you missed, well, you missed it! I will be offering new classes every month so keep an eye out for the next great class and sign up to stamp with me! This last card is called a stand-up card and the really cool thing about it is that it folds down flat for mailing and when you pull the tag it stands up!

Not Your Basic Book Bag

I saw this floating around a couple of months ago and just got around to making one. I got the tutorial here. I thought it was so cute. It is a little involved but the results are well worth it.

I used all new colors for this project. The back pack is Crushed Curry and Melon Mambo and the Designer paper is Razzleberry Lemonade. I used the Rhinestone brads for embellishments and it is closed with velcro tabs. Yes, it opens and you could add some really cool stuff inside of it! I had a lot of fun making this and would love it if you could share your designs with me if you make one. Maybe this could be made in a new class. Hmmm...

Birthday in a Box

I cannot remember where I found this idea, if it was yours, let me know and I will gladly give you the credit. Anyway, I found this while blog hopping and thought it would make a neat scrapbook/photo/card idea. I have a friend that I have been friends with since high school and we are now in our 50's and it was recently our birthdays. As usual, I missed seeing her on her birthday and never got around to mailing her card so I made this for her instead. I think she really liked it. She is very crafty but has not gotten into stamping. What's up with that? Well, you can't do it all. The Designer Paper is retired and was called Ginger Blossom. I don't think she will know or be disappointed that I used retired paper.

Fancy Folds Card # 2

I finally finished my Fancy Folds class last week and it was fabulous! I have decided to post another of the 3 cards we did. The first one can be seen in an earlier blog post on the 2nd of this month. This is the Wiper Card that we made. This one is a Christmas card that uses the Designer paper called Holiday Lounge. This paper has a retro feel to it. I used stamps from the set of Big on Christmas and from the Hostess set Christmas Punch. This card when pulled has a pop-up image that is really neat. What do you think?

Sweet Centers - Yummy!

I saw a post recently where someone had made the candy card so that you could get the candy and then refill it. I played around a bit and made my own version of their card. I used the new Sweet Centers stamp set and made a slide card. I added Chiclets to the inside. You pull out the round tab punch and the candy will fall out in your hand. Then fill 'er up and share again! We will be making a card like this for my next $15 club meeting. Maybe I will see you on October 6th at 7 p.m.

Another Great Halloween card

Here is another great Halloween card using another stamp set from Stampin' Up! I just love all their products and happen to think that their stuff is superior to just about anyone out there. This card was done using the set, House of Haunts. Don't you just love the new yummy black and white 1 3/4" striped ribbon? It adds so much to this card. The house was done in basic black on glossy white card stock after making the cool background with the brayer. To learn more about this technique or any other you may have seen on my blog, contact me for an in-home consultation or party. Remember, there are some great hostess deals going on right now! I look forward to hearing from you soon!

From the Crypt

I think Halloween is such a fun time of year. My kids were never allowed to go scary/mean in their Halloween doings but Trick-or-Treating kind of makes Fall a little more fun! I still love to dress up and answer the door and hand out candy!

Here is a card that was done using the stamp set, From the Crypt, as seen on page 21 in the new Idea Book and Catalog. This was done using Basic Black ink and cardstock as well as Whisper White and the new Melon Mambo. Check out those great Crystal Clear Rhinestone Eyes. This is just a beautiful and fun card that anyone would love to get in the mail or in their work mail box! If you want to order any of the wonderful things you see here, remember, I only get the credit if you do it through my website. Thanks for your support!

I am a Spotlight Artist

My blog was chosen to be spotlighted by Sherrill Graff, one of Shelli's direct downlines! She asked for a few samples I had made and then posted me to her blog as a Spotlight Artist. This gal has not 1 but 3 blogs that she keeps up with and is very inspirational to me and lots of other demonstrators. I think her direct line is like 100+ demonstrators! Anyway, I just had to boast a little. Thanks for looking. Note, some of the images you see on her blog will be coming soon to my blog site. I sent the photos to her early. I will see you soon.

Pencil Trick or Treats

Well, I am back in school and that means pens, pencils, crayons, markers, etc... You have to love the smell of the start of school new clothes, book bags and supplies. One of my favorite scents from school is Play-doh...mmmm! Any way, I digress.

What I have here is a cute little pencil box that I madeto hold 4 Halloween pencils. I got the idea from

Melissa Stout's blog and she has a tutorial posted for it. I have added the link to her site in case you want to check it out or make one yourself. It is a lot easier

than it looks (and it looks easy). I used the old

stand by stamp set, Batty for You for the Frankie.

We may make this for our October club meeting!

Birthday Card for a Child

At my last stamp-a-stack we made birthday cards for men, women and children. We actually made 10 cards. Today I am posting another of our stamp-a-stack cards. This one features the new set called Animal Stories. It is a cute little set of 4 stamps that is great for making children's or baby cards. In this one we used the little giraffe stamp. I think it turned out really cute!

This stamp set also has an elephant, an owl and a whale. And there is even a designer paper that goes with this stamp set called Tall Tales. You can see the stamp set on page 88 in the catalog and the designer paper on page 161.

Another Artisan entry

Here is one of the cards that did get posted on one of the famed Stampin' Up! boards. This card has lots of layers and I used lots of punches. It also has antique ribbons on it. I love antique things and thought it all came together to make a very nice card. I used the now retired designer paper called Bella Birds. The stamps used were all from the stamp set called Thoughts and Prayers. To give the card a little more age, I sponged with basic brown around many of the edges.

Enjoy!

Branch Out Card

I just got this new die cut for the Big Shot, the Scallop Square. It is so much fun. I cased this card from some talented stamper (sorry, can't remember who) and loved everything about it. It was done by folding the Tempting Turquoise cardstock in half before putting it through the Big Shot. It was then stamped, layered and ribboned. It makes a great little card. It is smaller than standard but large enough to mail without paying extra.

Stampers Club Card

This is the card we made at our most recent Stamper's Club on September 1st. I love this set, Great Friend. It has nice images and words that are appropriate for many cards. This card featured reverse spotlighting (the square) and the beautiful eyelet punch. The colors are Whisper White, Old Olive and Rich Razzleberry.

If you like this card why not join us next month for another great project or 2 and meet new friends. Plus, there are always some great snack to share.

Halloween Goes Green and Gets Sweeter!

Hi Stampers and Friends! It seems that everyone is going green these days and I have had to jump on the bandwagon as well. It is up to us to keep the earth God has given us green and safe for our children. I found this little bottle at a hotel filled with shampoo and such. I thought these bottles would make a great little something...so, I washed them, decorated them using the Cast-a-Spell designer paper and Pumpkin Pie cardstock and then filled them with mini candies. Yummy! There were a few left over and I couldn't let them go to waste. So, next time you go to the hotel, save those little bottles and Reduce, Reuse, Recycle!

Hello Kitty Birthday Invitation

My little grand daughter is having her 4 year old birthday party at my home this month and I offered to help mom do her invitations and plan the party. I have always loved a good birthday party! Anyway, I found all this cute "Hello Kitty" stuff at Target in the clearance 25c section a while back so we are having a Hello Kitty party. I got to looking at my punches and decided to punch out a Hello Kitty look-alike. I used the Tempting Turquoise and printed her invite on the computer. Then I punched out the large oval, 2 hearts for the ears, 2 little hearts for the bow, a 1/4" circle for bow and the 1/8" for eyes and nose, then I punched 6 horizontal slots for the whiskers. It all makes sense when you look at the card. I added the kitty with dimensionals and Vila! Instant party invitations. BTW, it is a lot cuter IRL than the picture looks!

My Birthday Present from Hubby

Well, I hinted around about gettting something to hold my punches for a while now. I kept having to heft my punch box off the shelf to look for one and I mentioned to my hubby that a punch shelf would be great. He went off to the local home improvement store and quietly put this little beauty together while I was off doing errands. I was so happy to get it last Sunday. The poles are from IKEA. The rest was all him. He also made it so it is completely movable should we ever decide to sell and move. How cool it that?

Back to School Project for Kids

I wanted to create a project that would be simple for kids to do and would also be useful and fun for them. So, I made up this back to school project. Using just the Jumbo Classic Star roller and the star punches plus cardstock they could make a pencil topper, a notepad, a bookmark and a surprise gift for their teacher...a pack of post-it notes. These projects are done with Whisper White, Brilliant Blue and Real Red cardstock. I got the pencil from the dollar spot at a big store near my home. Feel free to CASE or call me to schedule your child's back to school event!

Twick or Tweat Haunted House

I got this house at a craft store recently for only $1. I thought it would make a cute little house decoration for Halloween and I finally decided to play with it last night. I used the Cast-a-Spell Designer paper from Stampin' Up! I then proceeded to measure, cut and measure and cut some more. I used the great Tombow multi purpose glue to hold it all together (that glue is very sticky)! I stamped the images from the Twick or Tweat set that is in the new mini catalog on vellum cardstock and put them in the door and windows. The flying bats were made using the round tab punch. I think it is going to be a great new fall addition around the house. I hope you like and will keep dropping by for more ideas and inspiration. Remember, if you see anything you like and want to make an order, my on-line store is open 24/7 by clicking here!

Artisan Award Entry

Do you remember when I was working hard to make some things to send to Stampin' Up! for a special award? Well, I did not win but 3 of my entries did get posted on display boards at the annual convention in Salt Lake City. How do I know? Well, I saw them posted on other peoples blogs (people who went to convention). Part of going to convention and events is taing photos of the cards and projects submitted by other demonstrators. So, just getting posted was a

BIG deal to me. For this contest, you have to make 5 cards, 3 stand alone scrapbook pages (not 2 page spreads) and 2 3-D projects. This is one of the 3-D projects I submitted. It is a little purse. I used parts from a Simply Scrappin' kit to decorate it. It 's not the best picture, but alas, I don't have it to take again.

Oh well, I tried and I will probably try again. Hey, somebody has to win. Actually 10 people won. Maybe next year!

Sweet Centers Halloween card

Well, if you don't know it by now, the newest Mini Catalog is here and it is full of wonderful things! I wish I could afford to get everything in it! Here is the first sample I want to show you from the mini. It is from a stamp set called Sweet Centers. I used some of my favorite Halloween colors - Orchid Opulence, Green Galore, Basic Black and Only Orange. I stamped the Ghouls and Goblins stamp, punched a whole in the center with the largest circle punch and added the new little candy cups filled with m&m's to make it a truly sweet center.
The Dracula image is from Batty for You. This card is simply too cute to open and eat. As always, after you view the mini, if you want to purchase anything at all, please do so through my website for the best prices and offers available. Keep coming back for more ideas and inspiration.

Fancy Folds Card Class

I am planning a great new card class to be held on September 12th from 10-12 at my home. It is going to be called "Fancy Folds." In this class we will be making 3 step up cards (cards that are harder than usual). The fee will be $15 and we will make 3 really special cards that anyone would be proud to make or receive. Here is an example of one of these cards. This is a tri-shutter card. I used all new In Colors on this card. Lots of cutting, folding etc. In this class I am recommending that you bring your paper cutter and bone folder as well as your adhesive. Please RSVP soon so I can save your spot.

Be the Hostess with the Mostest

September 1st until November 30th, when you host a Stampin' Up! party and your sales reach $250 you can order one item (excluding the new digital software) from the new mini catalog for only $10! Yes, only $10 for such things as a $42.95 Big Shot die cut.

Then, after October 1st, it gets even sweeter . . . if your party sales reach $400, you can order the $10 item and also get the new digital software for 1/2 price! That is a savings of $39. Wow! I may have to have a party myself to take advantage of this great savings.

Also, there are new hostess level 2 and 3 sets only available in the new mini catalog. What a great time to have a few friends over, stamp out a holiday card, purchase everything you need for that card and ear wonderful FREE stuff. Please contact me today to book your party. This is a busy season and calendars are filling quickly.

Stampin' Up! Joins with Build-A-Bear

Have you heard the news? Stampin' Up! and Build-a-Bear have joined forces to make a BEARY Big impression with you! Now you can have special stamps, designer papers and yes, even dies for your Big Shot that feature Build-A-Bear images. Check it all out in the new mini catalog seen here.

Here is one cute card that could easily be made using just some of the great new Build-a-Bear Stampin' Up! products. Click here to order today.

Happy Bearthday

Stamps

• Beary Best Friends stamp set
• Beary Nice Wishes stamp set

Paper

• Kraft card stock
• Pawsitvely Prints Designer Series paper
• Watercolor paper

Ink

• Jet Black StazOn ink pad
• Watercolor Pencils

Accessories

• Pretty in Pink 1/4" grosgrain ribbon
• Silver brads
• Stampin' Dimensionals
• Blender pens
• Paper-piercing tool