50/50 Board full

The 50/50 board filled up today and the Random Generator picked number 31, Barb N. Congrats Barb, I will be in contact so you can chose your $50 in free SU Merchandise.

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Exciting News

I can't believe it has been a month since I have found time to post. So much has been going on that time just flies by and I don't seem to have enough hours in the day.

Stampin' Up! just announced two wonderful things.

First, the sign up to be a demo and get a FREE BIG SHOT or $100 in free merchandise has been extended till November 11th. PLUS since I attended the Louisville Regional if you sign up with me you will get an additional stamp set called Sweet Cake. Even better if you sign up with me I get that stamp set too! How great would that be!!!

Second, Hostess Benefits just got better. This is such great news that I had to read this announcement twice. Hostesses will receive an additional $35 in free Stampin' Up! products when they hold a workshop totaling $350 or more (excluding tax and shipping)! This is in addition to all the other benefits you already get as a Stampin' Up! hostess. So if your party/workshop order reaches $350 you would get $85 in free merchandise. This special goes on from today, November 1st to December 15th.

I don't generally do workshops where I am the hostess but this Saturday I am holding my Birthday Workshop and I hope I get to the $350 mark. (Note to family, I would like $$ for my birthday and I would like it by Saturday, please ). Want to come celebrate my birthday ? Contact me for the time and place. Want to place an order to help me celebrate ? Contact me as well, all orders will get the goodie bag I am giving out at the party. If you are a Hostess for Technique Club this month and next you get the extra benefits as well! Not a member ? You can place your own order or collect orders from friends and be your own party.

Happy October

Stampin' Up! is starting October off with a bang.

First off a special for those of you who have been considering becoming a demo. Starting today, and all thru the month of October, contact me to become a demo and SU! will give you a Big Shot!!! Already have a Big Shot ? No problem, SU! will let you pick $100 of merchandise of your choice in addition to the already great deal in the Starter Kit.

Second, buy two Simply Sent Kits and get a FREE coordinating stamp set. Simply Sent Kits are a great choice for the beginning crafter or experienced card maker. These card kits offer a variety of basic themes, so it is easy to create cards for any occasion.

And last but not least the CLEARANCE RACK has been updated. I looked and saw several punches and some great ribbon and Designer Series Paper at fantastic prices. Remember the Clearance Rack is a first come, first served opportunity.

Reunion lag

We had a great time at our Family Reunion on Saturday but I must be getting old because I am still worn out.

Today's card is a beautiful one that happened when I was in my monochromatic mood. Notice that I used the debossed side of the card stock. The butterflies are from the Beautiful Butterflies Embosslit and then sponged to really make them pop. Stamped the saying in my favorite color, Crumb Cake, and punched it out and sponged a bit around the edges. Added a little rhinestone and voila a card that was a breeze to make and probably would have taken 10 minutes if I didn't have to search for the supplies I needed. Maybe today should be a cleaning and organizing day!! It is extra gloomy here today so my advice is; GO STAMP SOMETHING!

IN GOD WE TRUST

I got a forwarded email the other day from a dear friend and instead of just sending it on

I decided to act upon it. Here is the relevant part of the email...

You may have heard in the news that a couple of Post Offices in Texas have been forced to take down small posters that say

"IN GOD WE TRUST " The law, they say, is being violated..
Anyway, we heard proposed on a radio show, that we should all write
" IN GOD WE TRUST" on the back of all our mail. After all, that's our National Motto,

and on all the money we use to buy stamps. We think it's a wonderful idea.

If you like this idea, please pass it on and DO IT. The idea of writing or stamping
"IN GOD WE TRUST" on our envelopes sounds good to us
SOME PEOPLE ARE HAVING A RUBBER STAMP MADE TO ENSURE IT IS SEEN........

So I emailed my friend back and told her that I was going to have a personalized stamp made from

Stampin' Up! and would she like one too. Of course she would and so would about 10 of my other friends.

Would you like a stamp that says; "IN GOD WE TRUST" to put on the back of your envelopes or to use on a patriotic card ? If so contact me today and I will get one made for you. The cost of this one line stamp is $10.95, plus S&H and tax, not a high price to show your pride in your country.

Still feeling spooky

Here is an oldie but goodie, a mummy candy bar holder. You pull up the ribbon and the candy bar appears. The paper is torn and sponged on the edge and glued on to look like a gauze wrapping. Towards the top you insert a length of grosgrain ribbon put the candy bar down inside and tie a bow. When you pull up the ribbon it brings up the candy bar. Kids love the motion of the up and down of the candy and most don't even eat it right away.

Freaky Friday

Still in the Halloween mood, I must be feeling very spooky this year. In a box of loose ends from my MIL's apartment clean out I found this lone glass. I remembered reading about stampin' on tissue paper and using Mod Podge to seal it to glass so I gave it a go.

I took a sheet of tissue paper that was leftover from between the SU! Window Sheets and stamped the skeleton from Piece of Poison. I intended to stamp random images but anyone who knows me well knows I CAN NOT do random. I tried, really I did, but I CAN NOT do random. Anyways, after I stamped I crumpled up the tissue paper into a ball and then carefully flatten it back out. Next I covered the glass, and parts of my arm, with Mod Podge and carefully covered it with the tissue paper. I set it aside to dry and trimmed the top edge carefully after it had totally dried. I then recoated it with Mod Podge and after that had dried finished it up with a coat of Clear Spray Sealer. It looks really cool close up and I really like the results. I know by now that you need the Piece of Poison set so call or email me today to order yours.

Lantern found in the clearance aisle

So we were shopping at Home Goods the other day, just browsing, when I saw this little lantern on clearance for $4. I thought it was cute so I bought it and put it on the shelf in my Stampin' Sanctuary and that was that. Then as I was stamping skeletons from the new Holiday Mini, from the stamp set called Piece of Poison and I had an aha moment. Why not stamp skeletons in the windows of the lantern? So out came the White Staz On. Instead of risking breaking the window panes taking them in and out, I stamped on SU! Window Sheets cut to size. I think it came out great and the best part is I can change the windows as I see fit because I held them in place with mini glue dots.

Halloween Class

There are only two spots left in the Halloween Class next Tuesday, September 13th. Cost is $10. We will be doing the above projects and I have added a surprise project too. Call or email to reserve your spot.

Thinking Halloween

I have never been one for Halloween and all that creepy crawly stuff but for some reason this year is different. Maybe it is because Kaylee talked me into getting a stamp set out of the Holiday Mini called Piece of Poison. She had to have it because of the rat image. Seems it isn't enough to own a hairless rat you have to stamp rats on everything in sight. Kaylee found some eerie dead looking flowers and put them in an old glass jar she found at a thrift shop. We made eerie looking water and Kaylee made a label to go on the front. It really looks like something you would find at the Adam's Family dinner table. Remember Morticia and how she would cut the roses off of the stems and just use the stems with thorns ? Hey, that gives me an idea.

Happy September 1st

Woohooo!!!! It is finally September 1st and that means you can order out of the fabulous Holiday Mini. There is something for everyone in this mini catalog and I do mean everyone. Fantastic Halloween and Fall sets, gorgeous Christmas sets and accessories and very sweet Valentine sets. I love the single stamps in the back. Everyone who has ordered from me should have received their mini by now, if you haven't or are a new customer who needs one, please contact me so you don't miss out on this mini which goes from now till January 3rd.

Is it Monday already?

Why does the weekend go by so quickly?

Today's card is a very feminine card but full of so many textures I think a guy would find it interesting or at least I hope so. I used the "wrong" side of the Elegant Lines Embossing folder and on top of the white panel on the front used butterflies from the Beautiful Wings Embosslit, popped up on dimensionals. A couple rhinestones and it really sparkles in real life.

Happy Birthday to my favorite Aunt.

Last week my favorite aunt had a BIG birthday and we surprised her by driving up to Columbus and meeting her whole family at their favorite restaurant. She was definitely surprised and we loved surprising her and getting to see everyone. This was the card I made to send to her so she wouldn't suspect anything. Inside I wrote I was sorry I wouldn't get to see her on her BIG day but I would see her soon at our family reunion. Icing on the cake for the best surprise I have pulled off in a long time.

The base of this card is Stampin' Up! 's Natural Ivory, it is a heavier weight card stock and makes for a card that will hold up better.

Busy, busy week

Such a busy week but there is always time for a little stampin'. We had a great time last night at Stampin' at the Bookstore, stay tuned for our new location as the bookstore has now officially closed. This card is another monochromatic card using the beautiful In Color, Wondering Wisteria.

Butterfly Thank You

I recently dabbled in making monochromatic cards and using my new favorite set, Creative Elements I quickly made this card. It uses my favorite color Crumb Cake and Very Vanilla.

Lovely As A Tree

I think Lovely As A Tree may be my favorite all time stamp set. No matter what I do with this stamp it always makes my cards beautiful. This one is stamped with River Rock and distressed around the edges with the same ink color. See the ripped part on the upper left? Yep, big boo boo there just hidden by making this card a vintage type card. No mistake here only room for improvements. The background is from the First Editions Speciality Paper and the strip behind the stamped image is from the Neutrals Paper Pack.

Don't forget you still have time to take advantage of Stampin' Up's Designer Series Paper sale. buy 3 get one free!!! Contact me to place your order today or click on the right hand side of this blog to order online.

Hello Kitty

Kaylee's roomie, Angela, just had a birthday and I found out she likes Hello Kitty stuff so I set out to find out a way to make a Hello Kitty card just for her. This card uses all SU! punches and is set under an awning made with another punch. Enjoy!

Thanks to Lynn Pratt for the inspiration for this card.

Hired an assistant

In hopes that I can keep up with this blog and my Stampin' business I have hired an assistant. She will come in one day a week and take photos for this blog and hopefully straighten up my always chaotic stampin' sanctuary. Of course if she finds a real job I will once again be on my own.

Today's post is a mini cupcake stand ( or mini brownie in this case ) that I have seen posted in all sorts of places. It is made using the Butterfly Embosslit folded in half and glued together. I punched out the scallop top and attached with mini glue dots. The stamp used is one of the single stamps in the front of the catalog. And because I think almost everything I make is worthy of keeping forever, I punched out a circle from a window sheet to protect the top.

Technique Club meets tomorrow night and I am making each of the club members one with a brownie on top. See, membership has its privileges.

Fortune Teller Box

Discovered this on the internet, a Fortune Teller Box made by SU! So cute and easy to do.

True Random Number GeneratorMin: Max: Result:8Well we filled up another 50/50 board and the winner is Nancy B. Nancy contact me and pick out your $50 in free SU! merchandise! Want to get your name on the next 50/50 board? Spend $50 and your name will be placed on one of 50 squares, when all 50 are filled I will use a the random number generator to pick the winner. Winner is responsible for S&H and taxes. Other merchandise may be added to take you up to earning free Hostess Merchandise and right now for every $50 you spend you get a free Sale A Bration set. Contact me to get your spot on the board today!!!

Downline Meeting

Yesterday I had my first downline meeting and I had such a good time with Phyllis, Jenny and Dorinda. It is so nice to talk shop with people who think the same way you do. We made a cute treat box using the Mover and Shaper Die for the Big Shot. That die isn't just for cards anymore. Found this idea on Dawn Olchefske's blog and redid it a little. Dawn did a presentation at Leadership and I really learned some wonderful things from it.

I made the boxes above to give to two people who helped me tremendously going to Leadership, not knowing a soul. Thanks Jan and Lyssa, I really appreciate both of you.

The boxes we made at the Big Shot Club and at our downline meeting were similar but used the heart die and had a Valentine look to it. We stamped with the set I (Heart) Hearts and used the woodgrain heart to make it more masculine.

Pompom Trim Share

I have been asked to have a Pompom Trim Share and I am more than willing to oblige! On page 35 in the Occasions Mini is the cutest trim I have ever laid eyes on. It comes in three colors, Melon Mambo, Tangerine Tango and Daffodil Delight, three very happy NON WINTER colors. Yes, I am sick of winter, not of snow, just of winter, and yes I am weird. So for $4.75 per share you can have one yard of each of these three colors. Again if you aren't close to me I will charge 50 cents more for postage. So sign up today, spaces are going fast!

1/2" Seam Binding Ribbon Share

1/2" Seam Binding Ribbon is my new favorite accessory and I have just decided I need each color. That got me to thinking, what if you, my favorite stampin' friends, needed every color too? So I got out my trusty calculator and figured out a Seam Binding Ribbon Share.

For a mere $11.50, you will get 2 yards of each of 7 colors, Very Vanilla, Cherry Cobbler, Always Artichoke, Baja Breeze, Crumb Cake, Pear Pizzazz and Rose Red. That is 14 yards of beautiful Seam Binding Ribbon, so easy to tie and fray and all sorts of other fun things.

There are 5 spots in each share and the first one already has two people signed up so contact me today to get your spot! I will order each share as it is filled and get it right out to you. If you don't live close enough to me to meet up for delivery please add another 50 cents for postage. I can't wait to get my Seam Binding Ribbon in all of those colors!!!

SWAP card for the Organized SWAP

I promised I would show you my SWAPs and the first one is for an organized WOW SWAP that I participated in with other demos. I was in the Latecomers Group and I am sure that won't surprise anyone but still came away with some incredible cards. I also came away with a stomach virus but we won't go into that, trust me you don't want to know.

This card uses Rich Razzleberry as the base and More Mustard and the Designer Series Paper Botanical Gazette. I also used the new embossing folder from the Occasions Mini, Framed Tulips. Stamps used are the Medallion stamp and the for you is from the new set, Say it Simply. I don't feel good enough to go into details but if you are interested let me know and I will list directions next post.

Wondering where I went?

If you are wondering where I went I can't answer that question. I do not know where the time goes. I have been incredibly busy and with what I'm not sure either. So can you all grant me a do over and let me start again? I promise to try harder to post on a more frequent basis.

I just got back from Nashville, Tennessee where I attended my first SU! Leadership Event and it will definitely not be my last. It was non stop fun at Opryland which is absolutely beautiful. I met a bunch of demos that I "talk" to on SCS and they could not have been nicer people. I won a free stamp set of my choice, did some totally awesome Make and Takes, swapped for some gorgeous cards and 3D projects and was given a bunch of product from the Occasions Mini. To top things off I came back with a million and one ideas for fun stampin' projects for all of us to enjoy.

I participated in one organized SWAP and I will post my card in my next post.