A Passion for Stamps

Give YOURSELF a Gift this Holiday-Stampin' Up! Clearance-up to 80% off!

 

WOW! Great deals from Stampin' Up! right now...starting TODAY!  Clearance Rack is offering items up to 80% off!!!  To check it out, click HERE!  This is a fantastic opportunity to get some of the products you may have on your "wish list" that you have not been able to get yet!

There are some TERRIFIC PRODUCTS at some VERY nice prices...Hope you find some that you really need...be sure to get them now, only while supplies last...

You may find some gifts for others, but don't forget about YOU!  After all,  you deserve to treat yourself too once in awhile, don't you?  At these prices, you can get more than one thing-and you don't even have to feel guilty...because the deals are amazing!

Happy Shopping!

 

Stampin' Up! Online Holiday Extravaganza-only a few more hours to get up to 60% off!

Today is THE LAST DAY to cash in on some awesome savings on selected Stampin' Up! stamps and accessories!

Click on the logo "HOT HOLIDAY DEALS" on the right sidebar of this blog to find out what will NOT be available after today! Then go to my Stampin' Up! website to view the items and place your order!

This is an online special...offered by Stampin' Up!-only a few times a year...so don't miss out!

Passionately Stamping,

 

Challenged to Craft Your Own Cards? -Simply Sent Kits to the rescue!

Are you looking for a creative outlet?  Do you feel like you don't have time for crafting, although you would love to learn?  Or do you think it's hard and you won't be able to do it?  Maybe you are already a stamper, but you are just pressed for time or you just need help combining stamp sets, accessories and colors...

 

Well,  I have the perfect solution for you to get started with crafting your own cards-it's easy, fast and FUN!  How? With Stampin' Up!'s Simply Sent Kits! 

Simply Sent Kits are an excellent choice for someone new to crafting because they include the papers, embellishments, envelopes, PLUS photos and the step-by-step instructions you need to make 8 simple yet elegant cards!  There is a variety of basic themes so you can select a kit for any occasion! All you have to do is customize them and sent them out!  

You will need to purchase stamp sets, ink and adhesives separately, but each kit tells you which stamp set you will need and the colors the kit coordinate with, so you can order whichever inks you like.

Now that you know what Simply Sent Kits are, I have a special to tell you about!  During the month of October, if you buy two Simply Sent Kits, you will get a FREE coordinating stamp set!

Buy any two of the following Simply Sent Kits:

Page	Item	Description	Price
192	122375	Simply Sent Great Day	$12.95
193	122377	Simply Sent Everyday Elegance	$11.95
193	122376	Simply Sent Sweet Moments	$13.95

And get a FREE coordinating stamp set:

Page	Item	Description	Price
192	123682	It's Your Day	$8.95
192	124685	Es tu día (Spanish It's Your day)	$8.95
192	124800	C'est ta fête (French It's Your Day)	$8.95
193	123686	Everyday Wishes	$9.95
193	123684	You're Cherished	$8.95
193	124865	Chérissons les anges (French You're Cherished)	$8.95

Isn't that a great deal?  So-are you ready to give it a try? Remember, this deal is only good through October 31, do hurry!  If you need help you can always email me

If you would like to order online yourself, simply go HERE now.  Until next time,

Passionate about Stamping,

 

 

 

 

Halloween M&M Stix Goodies Double as Fall/Thanksgiving Home Decor item!

I love decorating the home for holidays...starting with Fall-don't you?  Here's a great idea for you!  While making some halloween M&M Stix treats with stamps, punches, inks, papers M&M candies and Stampin' Up!'s NEW 1"x8" Cellophane Bags,  I  decided I needed something to put the candy in!  I decorated a vase using Stampin' Up! fabrics and buttons, then accidentally created a wonderful home decor item for the table in my foyer!  I now have instant home decor that can be switched out for Fall, Halloween and Thanksgiving-lasting for three months!  (I loved the idea so much, I already made one for Christmas too!)  It also makes a terrific hostess gift!  Here's what the end result looks like:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Isn't it lovely?  It's really quite easy to make this!  Fall/halloween M&M's weren't out yet when I created this, so I purchased regular M&M candies and separated all the colors out into different dishes.  (The red and green I saved for the Christmas M&M Stix).  The orange, yellow and brown were all used for this treat container and my hubby and I ate the blue ones!  Try making some with the kids-just add some Apple Cider and you already have a snack on hand for them that they will love! (kids love to eat while they create, just like us adults do!)  Here is what you will need:

SUPPLIES (all Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted)

STAMPS:  Batty for You (116576), Falling Leaves (115386)-greeting & candy topper                              

INKS:  Classic Black Pad (101179)

CARDSTOCK:   Basic Black (121045),  Pumpkin Pie (105117), More Mustard (100946), Old Olive (100702),  Various scraps of Designer Series Papers

ACCESSORIES:  Cellophane Bags (124134) -1" x 8" (50 per pkg),  SNAIL Adhesive (104332),  eck the Halls Designer Fabric (121716), Tangerine Tango 1/2" Scallop Dots Ribbon (124144),  Designer Buttons (Regals 119744 and Brights 119747), Various Markers, Various sizes of the circle punches and 1 3/4" Scallop Circle punch (119854)

OTHER:  Vase or small jar, M&M's-large bag

To make it quicker and easier to get the M&M's into the cellophane bags: 

 Make a funnel from copy paper, that fits into the top of the cello bag-then drop one M&M in at a time, alternating the colors-just make sure the bottom candy lies flat and the rest will stack up right on top.   It works beautifully and fills up quickly!  It takes about 20-24 M&M's per Stix to fill each cello bag.

The tops of the bags have an adhesive strip closure.   Leave room at top so you can add the topper.  The toppers were made with increasing sizes of  Stampin' Up! circle punches, including the Scallop Circle punch.  layer your cardstock pieces on top of each other then end with a front and back that can be adhered together, with the candy stix in the middle. 

Decorate your vase, add a bunch of M&M Stix and you are ready for all those trick or treaters and Halloween!  When Halloween is over, change out the theme for Fall/Thanksgiving and you can still have a lovely item to grace any room in your house till Christmas!  (make those now too,  then just change your vase ribbon and button colors and you'll be ready with a holiday display till New Year's!)  This could be an ongoing decoration you leave out all year round!  Enjoy!  Don't forget to let me know in a comment here, how yours turn out...or e-mail me a picture of your creation and maybe I will feature it in a future blog post! 

If you would like to order any of the supplies to make this project,  please email me or you can order online here.  To check out our products or view any of our catalogs, click on the rotating catalog images on the right sidebar of this blog.

Until next time.....

Passionate about stamping!

 

 

Stampin' Up! 2010 Holiday Mini Catalog!

Design-a-House Décor Accents

Our brand-new Design-a-House chipboard house is so versatile! From Christmas village, to gingerbread house, haunted mansion, or Build-A-Bear Workshop playhouse, these cute houses will delight you all year round!

Chipboard houses can be decorated to suit any season or style. The included template will help you embellish as much or as little as you like with Designer Series Paper, ribbon, and more! The size of a finished house is approximately 6-1/4" x 6" x 5".

 

Haunted House

Stamps

    * Dark & Dreary

Paper

    * Basic Black Card Stock
    * Cajun Craze Card Stock
    * Old Olive Card Stock
    * Rich Razzleberry Textured Card Stock
    * Wicked Fun Specialty Designer Series Paper
    * White Vellum Paper
    * Waffle Paper Assortment 2

Ink

    * Basic Black Classic Stampin' Pad
    * Distressing Essentials
    * Basic Black Stampin' Write Marker
    * VersaMarker
    * Vanilla Shimmer Smooch Spritz

Accessories

    * Fine Galaxy Stampin' Glitter
    * Black Stampin' Emboss Powder
    * Circle Scissor Plus
    * Color Spritzer Tool
    * Bitty Bat Punch

Have a SPOOKY time!

 

Many Benefits to Scrapbooking

Today I have an article about Scrapbooking that I'd like to share with you:

 

ARTICLE - Many Benefits to Scrapbooking

---

 by Carole DeJarnatt

The scrapbooking hobby has been around for a long time and people do it for a variety of reasons. If you are an outsider to the world of scrapbooking, then you will not understand until you experience the craft the many reasons a person invests so much time and energy into a scrapbook page.


When I was first introduced to scrapbooking via my church family, I told them I had neither time nor energy to invest in creating pages of photos matched up with paper and cute little embellishments. I thought those people were crazy staying up all hours of the evening, dragging around tons of supplies, just to sit and create scrapbook pages. One evening I was invited to a scrapbook night and I agreed to come with the intent of visiting and watching. No scrapbooking for me. I was a business professional who could not imagine investing time or energy into something I felt was for stay-at-home moms or those who had nothing better to do.

Little did I know I was about to change my mind and attitude…during the evening of socializing and viewing all the pages of creation, something changed in me. One person in particular needed help with color coordinating and matting her photos. I started working with her and ended up finishing her page for her. The scrapbooking bug bit me and it bit hard! The very next day I was out buying all the essential tools to create my very own pages of photos.

What is it about scrapbooking that captures so many people's devotion and attention?

1. Focus--You lose your focus on everything except for the scrapbook page you are working on. You forget the world exist for a few moments and you focus on nothing but what is in front of you.
2. Creativity--All it takes is a sheet of paper and a few ideas to get your creative juices going. Whether the ideas are from a magazine, your surroundings, or the scrapbook paper held in your hand; the end result is pure enjoyment.
3. History--When I think of a scrapbook, to me it is the history of the day, moment, or event. The page was created for future generations to learn of their family.
4. Expressing myself--The scrapbook is made by someone and that in itself is a source of pride and joy. The feeling you get from completing, giving, or sharing your scrapbooks is indescribable.
5. Giving--When working on a scrapbook layout, you are giving your thoughts, feelings, and memories to an event to share with others. The joy you feel when others express pleasure and enjoyment from your work is worth all the time and energy.

Scrapbooking has become so sophisticated you do not even need to leave the comfort of your home to get started. If you are experienced with computer programs such as Photoshop Elements, your tools are at the tips of your hands. If you prefer traditional scrapbooking, you still have the ability to order supplies and tools at the comfort of your home and within days you will be completing your own scrapbook.

People today have a variety of reasons for making their own scrapbooks and/or creating creations of beauty with their supplies. The majority of my experience has been to create something to share with future generations. People want to be remembered and through a scrapbook their lives are shared.


About the Author

Carole DeJarnatt began her love with paper but now also designs digitally for the future generations of her family. Visit Bestscrapbookingresources.com for ideas, supplies, and learning guides. From beginner to expert, traditional scrapbooker to digital, the resources are available at http://www.bestscrapbookingresources.com to find what you need to create your own scrapbook or gifts for your friends and family.

Very interesting article, isn't it?  Of course,  Stampin' Up! has wonderful scrapbooking supplies such as Albums, Designer Series Papers (some are double-sided), beautifully coordinating  Craft Inks which are archival safe,  Simply Scrappin' Kits (everything you need, just add ink and stamps) and many accessories to add accents to your pages.  If you prefer digital scrapbooking, you will love My Digital Studio!  And right now is a perfect time to try it, because Stampin' Up! is offering the contest I recently talked about in a blog post. To read more about the contest, click HERE.  

To see what scrapbooking products Stampin' Up! has to offer, click HERE, then click on Products, then Product Lines.   Scrapbooking is worth checking out...you won't be sorry you did!

Mistletoe Market Craft Fair In Franklin NJ is back again!

Just a quick post to let you know that I will once again have my Stamp Table at the Mistletoe Market Craft Fair! I hope you will be able to come out and join in the FUN! More info at a later date! Please mark this date on YOUR calendar now...

DATE:  November 6, 2010

TIME: 10 - 4:00 P.M.

LOCATION:  First Presbyterian Church, 11 Main Street, Franklin, NJ 07416

C0me and visit us! Do your Christmas Shopping at your one-stop Christmas Shopping Fair!

More info to follow...

Blue Snowflake Holiday with a Square Lattice Background..

I thought I'd share another card from the Easy-to-Reproduce Holiday Swap...the creator didn't identify herself, so I can't give proper credit for this lovely card (if you are the creator please let me know).

This is an interesting blue and white themed card with simple stamping using the Snow Swirled Stamp set (111690) - a set of six stamps on page 40 of the 2010-2o11 Stampin' Up! catalog:

Cardstock color is Marina Mist, a sliver of Brushed Silver which gets the Eyelet Border Punch treatment, as well as Whisper White cardstock (after it was run through the Big Shot in the Square Lattice Embossing Folder).  Tuck the silver strip under the white lattice designed cardstock, with just a touch of silver peeking out...

I'm a fan of embossing folders! Not only do they have very cool designs that make wonderful backgrounds, accent pieces or borders, but they are incredibly easy and quick to use as well!

It doesn't show up in the photo too well, but each of the larger snowflakes are dotted in the center with one of the NEW Basic Rhinestone  embellishments that come 150 pieces to a package (50 each in 3 sizes) which have adhesive on the back-you simply peel them off and adhere! How easy is that! And, each package contains 3 strips of connected rhinestones or pearls too, which are PERFECT when you want to create a border!  LOVE these...

To finish the card off, the Whisper White satin ribbon is layered over a strip of Marina Mist cardstock cut slightly wider, then the embossed saying is punched out using the Oval Extra Large Punch.

All these products can be found in the Stampin' Up! Idea Book & Catalog! It's easy to check them out or purchase them - just go to my DBWS Store by clicking HERE, then click on the SHOP NOW button-you can shop and purchase right from there! Remember, you can only receive "preferred pricing" when you order from a Demonstrator's Business Web Site (DBWS).  This means you will get the lowest shipping cost, lowest price, and can also earn hostess benefits/Stampin' Rewards for qualifying orders!  So always select a demonstrator when ordering from the online store!  If you don't have a Stampin' Up! demonstrator, I'd love to be your Creative Coach! 

Also one other note about the Online Store Web Site-Stampin' Up! has been busy enhancing the performance of the web site, so your Online Store Orders will be processed faster now! That's great news, because I know how busy everyone is...

Thanks so much for stopping by and visiting--please leave me a comment so I know you were here!

See you tomorrow!

 

 

http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/stampwithdeb/

Stampin' Up! Contest For You! Using My Digital Studio!

If you own My Digital Studio,  would you like to win FREE My Digital Studio downloads from Stampin' Up! valued around $400?  

Stampin' Up!  is having their first ever digital design contest and both customers and demonstrators (US & Canada only) are invited to enter! (judging will be separate for customers and demos).  Winners will be selected from five customers and five demonstrators! The contest is on until November 15, 2010, so you have plenty of time to enter!

Here's YOUR opportunity to show off your talent and creativity!  All you have to do is design one card and two single-page scrapbook layouts using ONLY My Digital Studio and downloads!

To get all the details about the contest, just click on the MDS Design Contest logo on my right sidebar...GOOD LUCK TO ALL!

If you don't own My Digital Studio, and are interested in learning more or want to purchase new Stampin' Up! digital downloads,  click HERE, then click on SHOP NOW, and SELECT  Digital Crafting link! There's even a video for you to watch so you can learn all about it! If you decide you want to purchase My Digital Studio or any of the new downloads, you will be able to do it right from there! Who knows...maybe you will love it so much, you'll want to enter the contest too!  Who doesn't want new digital downloads...right?

If you have any questions, please email me!

I'd love to know if you decide to enter the contest...please post it in the comments after this post, if you do!

DAY 4: TIP FOUR OF TEN TIPS TO TAKING BETTER PICTURES

Do you scrapbook your photographs? Or do you feel your photos aren't scrapbook worthy because they never come out as well as you would like? Are you somewhat intimidated by taking photos, because you really don't know how to take good pictures?

Over the next week and a half, I am going to share Ten Tips that I learned from our friends at KODAK-the picture experts!  Once you've learned these tips and apply this knowledge to your photo shoots, you will see the quality of your pictures improve, and you'll feel much more confident about picture-taking! Be sure to check back here for a photo-taking tip each day, that will help you take better photographs with your digital camera!

The next step after taking good pictures, is knowing how to make great scrapbook pages with them! I teach rubber stamping and Scrapbooking 101 classes every month at my in-home studio in Hardyston NJ using Stampin' Up! stamps, Simply Scrappin'™ products and accessories, Designer Series Papers and much more, so make sure you check out my CLASS CALENDAR too! If you attend these classes in person each month, you will receive hands-on experience creating eye-appealing layouts, with attractive colors, titles and journaling-all necessary components to putting together a great scrapbook page! When you combine your newly found knowledge of good picture-taking, with the steps to creating fantastic scrapbook pages, you will be so excited to make some beautiful pages you and your family will cherish for years to come!

Tip#4: USE ZOOM TO GET IN CLOSE!

As you frame the person in your viewfinder, you will notice things that you don't want in the picture. It's best to focus in on the person to avoid other distractions. This is when you want to use your camera's zoom feature. By zooming in, you bring the subject of your picture into focus and crop out what you don't need.

A close-up picture is one where the subject fills the picture area, so you can see more details of the person or object.  For most cameras, you should be about three feet from the person or object you are photographing. (If you're closer than this, your photo may turn out blurry.) 

Here's a close-up I took of Sidalcea flowers

Join me tomorrow for the fifth photo tip-Subject Placement and the Rule of Thirds! Thanks for visiting...

Passionately scrapping,

Day 2: Tip Two of Ten Tips to Taking Better Pictures!

Do you scrapbook your photographs? Or do you feel your photos aren't scrapbook worthy because they never come out as well as you would like? Are you somewhat intimidated by taking photos, because you really don't know how to take good pictures?

Over the next week and a half, I am going to share Ten Tips that I learned from our friends at KODAK-the picture experts!  Once you've learned these tips and apply this knowledge to your photo shoots, you will see the quality of your pictures improve, and you'll feel much more confident about picture-taking! Be sure to check back here for a photo-taking tip each day, that will help you take better photographs with your digital camera!

The next step after taking good pictures, is knowing how to make great scrapbook pages with them! I teach rubber stamping and Scrapbooking 101 classes every month at my in-home studio in Hardyston NJ using Stampin' Up! stamps, Simply Scrappin'™ products and accessories, Designer Series Papers and much more, so make sure you check out my CLASS CALENDAR too! If you attend these classes in person each month, you will receive hands-on experience creating eye-appealing layouts, with attractive colors, titles and journaling-all necessary components to putting together a great scrapbook page! When you combine your newly found knowledge of good picture-taking, with the steps to creating fantastic scrapbook pages, you will be so excited to make some beautiful pages you and your family will cherish for years to come!

TIP #2: KEEP THE BACKGROUND SIMPLE!

Pay attention to not only the subject of your photo, but also the surroundings. What is in the background? Is there anything that can be distracting or take away from the subject? When you are looking through the viewfinder of your camera, if you see anything that will interfere with a good picture, have the subject move or try finding a different location that has a simple background.

In this photo, it looks like there are tree branches growing out of my head:

 

In this photo, by simply shifting in front of the Forsynthia bush, this makes for a better less distracting background:

Before you take a picture, be wary of what is in the background, and make adjustments before you click that button. 

Thanks for visiting! Be sure to return tomorrow for the next photo tip!

Passionately scrapping,

Here's my Easter Card-Easter Blessings to you!

I'm sorry to post this so late in the day on Easter Sunday, but we were up early, went to church, drove to my mom's, went to dinner and just got home a short while ago! The day isn't over yet, though-so I wanted to start the week off with a blog post-what better way to do that than to show you my Easter Card: (click on image for larger view)

 

I love the Abundant Hope stamp set in the Occasions Mini Catalog...Daffodils are one of my favorite Spring flowers and pink is different, isn't it? I watercolored the image on watercolor paper with ink refills and an Aqua Painter, then layered it onto other colored cardstocks.  I colored Styled Silver Hodgepodge Hardware for the pretty double ribbon embellishment on the left.  I featured this technique in my March Customer Newsletter!

If you haven't joined my newsletter which I send out to my (CUSTOMER) email list every month, you are missing out on alot of great information:, techniques, scrapbooking ideas, specials, Customer Q&A, etc.

My April newsletter will be going out sometime mid-week-so if you want to receive a copy, look on the left side bar for:

Newsletter with specials, classes, and news!

then enter your email address to join my (CUSTOMER) email list! 

If you would like to order this stamp set (available only through April 30) or any other products, you can place an online order any time 24/7 by going HERE then click on the SHOP NOW link!

BECOME A FAN of A Passion for Stamps! Click on my Facebook link on the left sidebar for exclusive offers, contests and lots more creative sharing!

Do you enjoy scenery cards like this? I just love doing landscapes...so I've decided I will be offering some classes in the upcoming months to teach you how to make stunning landscapes and realistic flowers too!

Enjoy this beautiful day, gorgeous weather!

Happy Easter to all!

Versamark-CLEARLY the answer!

Have you ever found yourself in a predicament when you started a stamp project such as making a card, then you realize you don't have the right color Ink Pad? You have a picture in your mind of the tone-on-tone look you want for your card (ink that is just a shade or two darker than the cardstock you are using) but without that color Ink Pad, what will you do now?  (Not EVERYONE has all 48 colors of Stampin' Up! inks in their stash!) So...you have a dilemma. Do you start the card over using a different color cardstock, and change things up a bit based on an Ink Pad color you already do have? Now you have to start over, and you really need this card in a hurry!

You don't have to get caught off guard like this again! There is a simple solution to this problem so NEXT time, you aren't stuck without the right Ink Pad color. Yes, you COULD order all the other Classic Stampin' Up! Ink Pads you don't have (or whatever brand of ink you are using) but you'll be happy to learn that you don't have to do that-unless you really want to-I won't stop you!

There IS another solution to this problem...and one pad will always come to your rescue-VersaMark is CLEARLY the answer! Why is this one pad the solution to your problem? Because  VersaMark Ink is a watermark ink...a CLEAR ink, which when stamped on colored cardstock, will give the effect of a darker shade of the same color-(tone-on-tone) like a watermark! So if you purchase this one ink pad, you will be able to have a darker shade of every colored cardstock paper you own!

(yes, mine is WELL used and loved)

But there is something else I want to make perfectly clear-the VersaMark Pad isn't solely a watermark pad, it's an embossing pad too!  There are so many things you can do with a VersaMark pad, that I'm going to teach a class on it!

Be on the lookout for this Trendy Techniques Class coming up in March and be sure you sign up for it! (The Calendar on the right will be updated shortly). You will learn some of the techniques you can do with a VersaMark Ink Pad, such as Clear Embossing, Color Embossing, Tone-on-Tone, Poppin' Pastels, etc.! You will want to have your own VersaMark ink pad for this class, so if you want to order one yourself, you can do so from my online store- www.stampwithdeb.stampinup.com anytime, 24/7-or email deb@debbiestamps.com if you would like me to order it for you-and I'll send you a PayPal invoice.

Ordering Information:

102283 VersaMark Pad  $7.50

Other similar products you may want to purchase:

102193 VersaMark Pad Refill (1/2 oz) $3.95                                                                100901 VersaMarker (for coloring in) $3.25 

Embossing Powders: See page 190 of the Stampin' Up! Catalog 

CLEARLY, this will be one of the best little pad investments you will ever make!

How can I decorate my walls without damaging them?

Have you ever wondered if there is an easy way to decorate your walls? I have the perfect solution for you!

Stampin' Up! has several wonderful products, one of which is called Decor Elements! It's a vinyl wall art that provides a way to decorate your walls (and most hard surfaces) quickly, yet is easy to remove when you want to change it!

We have a living room with a cathedral ceiling.. and for almost 10 years, I was trying to figure out how to decorate a cathedral ceiling, and could never make up my mind, so it has remained blank all this time.

When Stampin' Up! came out with their Decor Elements Collection and I saw Tree, Thoughts & Prayers Design, available in 3 sizes up to 52 inches wide and in two colors, I realized THIS IS WHAT I'VE BEEN WAITING FOR! I totally loved the sample shown in their Fall-Winter 2009 Definitely Decorative brochure, which added lovely doves coming out of the tree with the saying "Go confidently in the direction of your dreams." by Henry David Thoreau. So-after 9 years of undecision, I finally had a plan for our living room wall!

Here is what it looks like after the images were applied: (click on image for larger view)

I plan to add an oval mirror between the two photos under the tree-or I may move our TV/ Curio Cabinet under this-so I placed the Decor Elements design high enough to accomodate either choice. Here is a close-up of the image after applied to the wall:

 

Although my photograph appears crooked,

the design is perfectly straight on the wall!

   

So just WHAT ARE Decor Elements? It's Stampin' Up!'s designs, and colors in various sizes of the latest craze in home decor! This product enables you to add a seasonal creation to your home walls very quickly!

Stampin' Up! also offers Decor Stencils too, for those more artistic who want to be able to select their own colors, and want to add creative shading. This takes a bit longer to achieve then simply using Decor Elements but enables those who are more creative to come up individual styles that suit their tastes.

If you are not confident you can do this, start with something small and simple-maybe applying a Decor Element to a decorative jar, lamp, candle or even your laptop!  Then, as you acquire more confidence and skill move on to bigger projects. 

Whichever product you choose to try, you are sure to love the variety of designs and colors Stampin' Up! offers.

Did you know if you have any type of Stampin' Up! party or place orders of $150 or more, you can also select a hostess item from Level One of the Decor Elements brochure? There are actually three additional levels of hostess gifts available to you from this brochure, in addition to the Idea Book & Catalog and the Occasions Mini Catalog! Then you are also entitled to at least $15 in other catalog product for free!

Right now, during Sale-A-Bration (until March 31, 2010), you and your friends are also entitled to a free stamp set or product from our Sale-A-Bration catalog too, for every $50 you spend!

If you are unsure how to use a product, how our hostess plan works, or how to qualify for FREE Sale-A-Bration products please feel free to contact me! I will be happy to go over the different types of in-home parties I offer-which I can also do from my home stamp studio.

You can view our Decor Elements Brochure and our NEW additional insert on the right sidebar of this blog, or contact me if you would like to see one in person.

I love decorating with all these latest options! I know you will just love all the designs and colors available in our newest additions to our Decor elements brochure. Ask me about it!

Stampingly yours,

What we stamped at January Jamboree!

I just LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the new products in the Stampin' Up! Occasions Mini Catalog and the Sale-A-Bration brochure, don't you?

The Last weekend of January I held my first annual January Jamboree class....didn't come? Here's what we made:

  ...a Love You card, sympathy card, Friend Mini Milk Carton

and a Birthday all-in-one treat box!

I created this floral sympathy card using the Faux Silk Technique(the bumpy white textured cardstock) -one of my favorite techniques:

Notice the new Scallop Trim Border Punch (118402)? This is one of the FREE products you can get right now during our Sale-A-Bration event with an order of at least $50! There is also a matching corner punch too! (available for purchase in Occasion Mini Catalog) Don't you just love the silk ribbons? and now they come in different colors!

Here is the same card showing the scallop punch used on the top and on the side. Which do you prefer?

This card also utilized the Big Shot die cut machine, and Polka Dot background (hard to see), the new Extra Large Fancy Flower punch, Sending Love Specialty Designer Series Papers! Isn't this so bright and cheerful? I could have used hearts, but just had to try the new floral punch!

 

The new Mini Milk Carton Die used with the Big Shot Machine is SO adorable! Here it is featured with the NEW Vintage Vogue stamp set, Sending Love Specialty DS papers and a rhinestone brad and grosgrain ribbon to finish it off! So many great NEW products!

The last project was this pretty Birthday box showing both sides of the designer papers, and using different bow designs and button colors. Can't really tell from the photo, but the Specialty paper is glittered! Oh, so chic!

 

Here the box is opened-the lid is attached-VERY cool! Fill it with Hersey's kisses or whatever you like, and it's the perfect gift for a Birthday--or Valentine's Day!

So--don't you wish you came to January Jamboree?

I'd love to hear what you think of these projects...and all the wonderful new products Stampin' Up! came out with!

Be sure to check out my future classes and events on the Calendar to the right....

or, visit my website to view events and to shop for any of these products 24-7!

Come back and see me tomorrow,

DEALS OF THE WEEK-4TH AND FINAL WEEK!

A day late...sorry about that! (Guess I messed up my post a day challenge!)

This is the fourth and final week for Stampin' Up!'s Deals of the Week Promotion. Here are this week's deals being offered at a special price from Monday October 26 through Saturday October 31, 2009:

Week 4 Deals of the Week

Item	Description	Special Price
116214	Princess Party Kit	$9.99
116213	Pirate Party Kit	$9.99

   These kid's party kits are WONDERFUL & fun and will make party planning for your little princess or pirate a snap!  For only $9.99 each kit includes:

• die cut pieces to create 8 party invitations and envelopes!
• 8 purse or treasure chest boxes!
• 8 crowns or eye patches!
• 24 food toppers with picks!
• 20 paper pennants!
• ribbon or cord!

 

These kits are regularly $15.95! To order these or any other products online click HERE

What's really cool is you can have Personalized Name Stamps made up with "Captain" or "Princess" followed by your child's name! Wouldn't they love that? 

There are also coordinating stamp sets called Pirate Time and Princess Time that would make great gifts for your child! These are located on pages 74 & 75 of the Idea Book & Catalog.

I SO wish they had these when I did these parties for my son and daughter years ago!

But remember, special pricing of $9.95 for the kits lasts ONLINE only till 1:50 AM EST on October 31! Then the magical price reverts back to its regular price! To order online now, click HERE then click on the SHOP NOW button under my contact information! If you have any questions feel free to contact me.

Happy Shopping,

Four-piece Chocolate Nugget Box Gifts from Stampin' Up! Matchbook Die!

Well I'm getting ready for the 2009 Mistletoe Market Craft Fair at my church this Saturday October 24 from 10-3...if you happen to be in the Northern New Jersey area, specifically Sussex County, come and look us up! Go here for the website of the First Presbyterian Church of Franklin for it's location and phone number. This is our third annual event. Be sure to stop at my table to shop and chat, do a Make & Take, and don't forget to ask me for a door prize slip-I'm giving away a set of ten Christmas Cards to one lucky winner! There will be other drawings too during the day, and great food brewing in the kitchen, so come and get a head start on that holiday shopping!

I've been getting my projects ready for the Craft Fair, and working on 3-D projects. If you've been following my posts the past few days you know that I'm hooked on the Big Shot™ Die-Cut machine from Stampin' Up!, so I pulled out my Bigz XL Matchbook Die that arrived awhile ago. I've been anxious to play with it, but just hadn't been able to find the time, so it was fun giving it a try. I came up with this *sweet* little 4-piece Hershey's Nugget gift box:

 

The photo is a bit fuzzy, as I was up late working on this last night, (and I was seeing fuzzy myself by the time I took this photo), but I did a great job NOT getting a glare from the clear window sheet cover, didn't I? If I didn't tell you, you wouldn't even know it was there, would you? It's almost invisible! But it is there, a simple wrap around cover... I wanted folks to be able to see what was inside, because if you have ever done Craft Fair events, I'm sure you've experienced little children who just LOVE opening things...they are so curious and inquisitive, so they just HAVE to find out what's inside boxes when they have lids on them, and it's always when you are busy helping someone else too! I think since I'm covering the nuggets with such pretty paper and leaving the shiny edges of the candy wrappers exposed, that it's nice to show off the inside with clear packaging.

I used the Holiday Lounge Designer Series paper from Stampin' Up! (of course) and just love all their double sided-papers! You can see the Hershey's candies are wrapped in both sides of the paper (four fit PERFECTLY inside this completed matchbox!)

The die makes a little box, the wrap around lid, plus three tags, one of which is shown here. The DSP actually has little starry snowflakes on it, although you can't tell because I photographed this straight on, standing up so you could see the candies and the tag. I decided to try the Snowfall printed clear Window sheet over the white tag to carryover the snowflake theme.

Here is a rundown of how to make this project:

1. First I laid out my DSP over the box on the die; then I covered the lid with a piece of window sheet, and laid down the Snowflake window sheet over the tags, ran it through the Big Shot™.

2. Next I covered the tags with white cardstock and ran it through the machine again.

3. I stamped the greeting with ink on the white tag, then layered the snowflake tag over the white tag, so the words are visible through the snowflake window tag.

4. I assembled the box and lid according to the directions that come with the die.

5. Cover the chocolates with strips of the same designer paper.

6. I used Taken With Teal layered over a wider strip of Silver Metallic cardstock for the belly band, punched a hole in the tag and pulled the silver cord through the tie before tying the bow. 

I will make some of these, but then I'll switch to other colors and DSP for variety.

These are fun to make, go together pretty quickly and are easy-the result is SWEET elegance, so I'm sure they will sell well at the Craft show.

I hope you've enjoyed this mini tutorial...if you would like to order the supplies to make these, just email me and I'd be happy to let you know what you need!  If you would like some other project ideas check out some here.  Don't forget to leave a comment and let me know what you think of this project-and if you make some, I'd love to see it!

Have a great stampin' day!

DEALS OF THE WEEK! OCTOBER STAMPIN UP SPECIALS FOR WEEK 3 ARE HERE!

Dates: October 1-31, 2009

Promotion Details:

During the month of October, Stampin' Up! will offer several discounted products as "Deals of the Week." No limits and no minimum purchase required.

Customer Weekly Deal Announcements:    

    * Deal #1: Thursday, October 1, 2009; 2:01 AM  EST

    * Deal #2: Monday, October 12, 2009; 12:00 PM  EST

    * Deal #3: Monday, October 19, 2009; 12:00 PM EST

    * Deal #4: Monday, October 26, 2009; 12:00 PM  EST

We are now in WEEK 3 of the DEALS OF THE WEEK! Here are the specials good till Monday October 26:

Dates	Item	Page	Description	Regular Price	Sale Price
October 19, 10:00 AM (MT) through October 26, 9:50 AM (MT)	114348	179	Basic Jumbo grommets	$6.95	$4.49
	109857	179	Mini Library clips	$12.95	$8.99
	122571	179	Circle Designer brads	$5.95	$3.99
	112581	179	1/2" Library clips	$6.95	$3.99

If you would like to place an order for these specials and/or order other products,click HERE then click on SHOP NOW under my Contact information.

CLASS EARLYBIRD SPECIAL PRICE REMINDER: ONLY 2 MORE DAYS to sign up at the EARLYBIRD PRICE of $20 for my Holiday Big Shot Class at my stamp studio in Hardyston NJ! To learn more about Stampin' Up!'s awesome Big Shot machine and to use some of Stampin' Up's exlusive dies, gather a few friends together and sign up for my Holiday Big Shot Class

You won't want to miss this class where you will make 6 amazing projects and learn about all the other mediums that can be used with Stampin' Up!'s incredible die cut machine called the Big Shot! This class is being offered on three different dates and times for your convenience! After October 21, the price goes up by $3! If you sign up now, you will get the earlybird price and save $3! 

Holiday Big Shot Class Price $23 thru 10/26

Session I Thursday 10/29 10-12 p.m. $23.00 Session II Thursday 10/29 7-9 p.m. $23.00 Session III Sunday 11/1 1-3 p.m. $23.00

In tomorrow's post, I'll tell you why you need a Big Shot and what it can do for you!

Have a great stampin' day!

A Few Photos From Fall Fest 2009 featuring the Holiday Mini Catalog!

A few weeks ago, I spent the day with some of my downline from my local S.O.S. Team (S.aving O.verwhelmed D.emonstrators) of Stampin' Up!  demos at an event my upline Tina sponsors twice a year (Spring Fling & Fall Fest).

It was really a fun day where demonstrators spent some time with their stamping sisters visiting, making new friends, seeing old friends again, stamping Make & Take projects, viewing live demonstrations for new products, swapping cards, getting new ideas and so on.

This one was special because a friend and stamping sister-Karen Barber and one of her dl girls Michele Zindorf (both are FABULOUS and talented stampers) came back east from Ohio where they live, to help with the M&T projects and see old friends again! These are my renditions of their projects that we made:

This is Michele's card using the adorable Wandering Words set from the new Holiday Mini Catalog...isn't this just dreamy?!!! Makes you want to get out the toboggan, doesn't it?

You won't want to miss my Holiday Card Camp where I will show you how to make this card!

...and this is Karen's card: (click on photos to see larger image)

Isn't this drop dead GORGEOUS? Believe it or not, the background design is NOT one of Stampin' Up!'s Designer papers but both the background and central floral image (sorry about the glare) were made with the Charming set #116519...also from the Holiday Mini on page 32!

Stamps were used to create the beautiful background. The greeting is from Short and Sweet #115060. Cardstock used is Melon Mambo 115320 (one of this year's new IN colors), Shimmery White #101910 and Basic Black #012851. The technique is called Black Magic with a White Twist... a technique you will learn at the upcoming Autumn/Holiday Card Camp as well!

Here are the other Make & Take projects we took home:

 

This card designed by Kelly Mahoney utilizes the new Sweet Treat Cups from the Holiday Mini Catalog. So much fun!

This will be a popular product-for ANY season of the year! 

                     

Here's the Photo Cube (available in Holiday Mini Catalog) that we decorated as we wanted...with the Designer Series Papers in our packets. We used stamps from the Define Your Life set too. The photo cubes are new in the Holiday Mini Catalog too!

Notice that little green photo clip at the top? Those are fun and available for purchase as well from Stampin' Up!

The leaves are die cut using our Big Shot™ machine and Sizzix Leaves #2 die. Click Click HERE to learn more about this great product system

                                                                                     

Have you heard about Stampin' Up!'s partnership with Build-A-Bear™?  This is loads of fun for young and old alike! In our Holiday Mini Catalog is a section devoted to this new series of products: stamp sets, Die Cuts for the Big Shot™ machine and even Designer Series papers!

This is so adorable! It's like using those Color Forms (is that what they were called) years ago when I was a little girl...

There are so many ways to make this fun for kids or grandkids...attach magnets to the back and decorate a tin to keep all the pieces in one place! To learn more about these great new products, click HERE

Here are some of my downline enjoying the day:

                                                                                                   

And here we are together...(check it out-there isn't a single part of the table showing!)

All in all it was great to get out and spend the day with friends doing what I love most-stamping!

I even got to take home the table centerpiece-another photo block! (love these!)

My favorite number just happens to be-seven! Just got lucky, I guess...

I just love everything in the Holiday Mini Catalog this year....have you checked it out yet? Click HERE to see the online catalog, or contact me if you would like one! 

HAPPY FALL!