Star Book

The project for our monthly demo meeting was an awesome star book. Despite its complexity it is really fairly easy to make. The book actually will close and tie to be carried anywhere and displayed! We used the Tart and Tangy set along with the Summer Picnic Designer paper. The hanging fruit could easily be replaced by photos of kids or grandkids. Just think of the endless possibilities. A baby's first album for grandma or Christmas album using fun Christmas stamps and pictures or a wedding display maybe......Email me today if you would like to learn to make one of these fun books!

Just Plain Fun

Here are a few projects that I have created over the past few days...

Sock Monkey Returns!

I placed an order for fresh favorites buttons when I saw this card on someone's blog (thanks a lot! :)) I love the colors and the monkey holding the banana...too fun! Now that the new catalog is out you can get even more accessories for this little guy....man oh man!

Stamps: Sock Monkey
Paper: Cameo Coral, chocolate chip, apricot appeal and whisper white
Ink: chocolate chip
Accessories: markers, linen thread, buttons

Frog in the Grass

How adorable is this guy!? I had my monthly demo meeting on Monday and our swap theme was to use the color Always Artichoke. This little guy was a lot of fun to make AND there is the grass from the Inspired by Nature again!

Stamps: Inspired by Nature, Flight of the Butterfly
Ink: Versamark, Always Artichoke and Regal Rose
Paper: Always Artichoke, whisper white, certainly celery and basic black
Accessories: big and small oval punch, 1 3/8 circle punch (body); horizontal slot punch (toes); 1/2" circle punch and 1/8" circle from the cropodile (eyes); black marker for the mouth

Sock Monkey and the BIG SHOT!!

This fun card was inspired by a card they taught us to make at Convention. It is a pop up spring card. I used the 1 3/8" circle punch and just cut into a spiral. The adorable envelope is one of our awesome Sizzix

Stamps: Sock Monkey, All Holidays, Itty Bitty Backgrounds (sprinkles on the cake)
Ink: Black, versamark, pacific point, tangerine tango
Paper: Pacific point, tangerine tango, whisper white, kiwi kiss
Accessories: Big Shot, scallop circle punch, 1 3/8 circle punch, markers

Window Dressing

How cute is this stamp set!? It can be yours with a $500 workshop, which is pretty easy to do. Call or email me today to set up your workshop! This set is very versatile and fun to play with. I plan to create more projects in the near future so be watching!

Merry Christmas!

This idea was spinning around in my head for a while and I couldn't wait to try it out! This cute little girl is watching for Santa..don't ya think? The tree is from Loads of Love and just stamped off to the side.

Stamps: Loads of Love, Window Dressing and Polka Dot Background
Ink: Whisper white craft, chocolate chip
Paper: Old Olive, Riding Hood Red, and whisper white
Accessories: Stamp a ma jig, blender pens (to color), markers

This card was a lot of fun. I am sure the idea was cased from someone somewhere! I love the idea of her looking over the fence instead of just the window.

SMILE!

Stamps: Window Dressing
Ink: Basic Black
Paper: Baja Breeze, real red, close to cocoa
Accessories: blender pen, markers, word window punch, scallop edge punch, paper piercer, and gingham ribbon

Open House...

The past couple of weeks since Convention have been a whirlwind of events. I have had club meetings, demo meeting, and open house. You will see the cards I have created over the past week as I attempt to catch up on blogging! :-)

Open House was a lot of fun and I enjoyed seeing familiar faces and not so familiar faces to the stamping world. Watch out guys, I am out to turn your wife into a die hard stamping addict!


The first card we created on Friday night was from a set I got at Convention (I love being a demo and getting lots of goodies!). I have to admit when I saw this set I was not excited about it. I have since fallen in love with it. If you know me well then you know I don't do flowers very often. It is all about to change with this set!

Inspired by Nature

Stamps: Inspired by Nature
Paper: Chocolate chip, whisper white and more mustard
Ink: Mellow moss (grass), chocolate chip
Accessories: markers (old olive:grass; summer sun, really rust, more mustard and chocolate chip for flowers), Chocolate chip poly twill (retired but we now have 1/4" grosgrain now!! woohoo!)

Another set I got at convention. I also used the build a brad and Hidden Garden Rubons. The rub ons were a lot of fun to use! I didn't have enough of one color for everyone so they got to choose which one. It is funny that I did the card originally in white and most chose the chocolate chip rub ons! I love seeing the creativity in my customers as they stamp.

Eastern Blooms

Stamps: Eastern Blooms, Hugs and Wishes
Paper: Bashful blue, tangerine tango, pacific point
Ink: bashful blue, pacific point, and tangerine tango
Accessories: Hidden Garden rubons, build a brad, 1/2" circle punch, glue dots, 1/4" white grosgrain ribbon, ticket punch

Club Meeting!

My first club meeting was on Thursday, August 14th. We stamped 3 really cute cards....If you are curious about club here is the run down.

A group of 5-6 ladies get together once a month and agree to spend $25-$30. One girl acts as hostess each month, brings snacks, can collect outside orders etc. The exciting part is you get the hostess benefits, fun stamping time and new ideas without having to clean your house!!!

In addition to the hostess benefits, I will supply you with a copy of our awesome Idea Book and Catalog and you will be invited to our hostess only year end party! If this sounds like something you and your friends might be interested in contact me today for more details!!

Celebrate the new In Colors!
I love the Kiwi Kiss and Tangerine Tango together. I think this card has a tropical feel to it! One of my favorite cards so far!!

Stamps: Eastern Blooms, Celebrate Everything
Paper: Chocolate Chip, Kiwi Kiss, Whisper White and Tangerine Tango
Ink: Tangerine Tango, Kiwi Kiss and Chocolate Chip
Accessories: Dimensionals

Stamp a ma jig 101
We used the stamp a ma jig to create the sweet little girl. I have taken all of my people and stamp a ma jig them on vellum sheets to make stamping faster.

Stamps: All in the Family, All Holidays, and Polka Dot Background
Paper: Rose Red, Regal Rose, and Whisper White
Ink: Basic Black and regal rose
Accessories: Stamp a ma jig, large and small tag punches, horizontal slot, regal rose 5/8" ribbon and linen thread

Sock Monkey Love!
I am loving this guy! He is so fun to stamp. I got this idea off of a blog or splitcoast one....thank you to whomever I cased this from! The chocolate background was decorative paper in the picture I cased but since I don't have it I used itty bitty backgrounds to create my own.

Stamps: Monkey Buisness, Itty Bitty Backgrounds
Paper: Baja Breeze, Regal Rose, Chocolate chip, close to cocoa, whisper white
Ink:Chocolate chip, whisper white craft, pink pirouette
Accessories: Scallop edge punch, scallop circle punch, 1 3/8 and 1 1/4 circle punches, markers, 5/8 chocolate ribbon, sponge

SIZZIX BIG SHOT!!

Some of you have asked me about the newest tool that Stampin' Up! has now added to their product line: the Big Shot!! So, I thought I'd just give you a little bit of info although I know that there is tons around, but you may not have seen it yet. You can click on the picture above to see some of the dies that will be available on September 2nd and some that will be offered in the Holiday Mini on October 1st.

The Big Shot is a die cutting machine, manufactured by Sizzix for Stampin' Up! It is not a new tool to the market, although I've heard that this design is slightly different than what you can purchase at your regular craft stores. Don't quote me on this, but I believe that Stampin' Up's tool is made out of one piece whereas the ones you can purchase at other stores is made in three pieces. This means less chance for breakage! The Big Shot is a nice stable platform. I do have a Cuttlebug and must admit that the Big Shot is easier to use. I don't have to fold down the flaps, it's stays stabler on the table, there's a handle on the top that is easy to grasp. The handle turns easily and the sandwiches are easy to make. If you don't know what I mean by a "sandwich", I mean that every die you run through the machine needs to be put between different items so as to protect the machine mechanisms as wells as allowing it to do it's desired function whether that's cutting or embossing. So, a large die, like the Top Note die, is about 3/4" thick whereas the Swirls die is about 1/4" thick. The instructions for making your sandwich are handily located on the materials to sandwich with!

Stampin' Up! will be offering this machine and accompanying dies in September, on the 2nd. There will be some dies that are completely exclusive to Stampin Up but there are also several that will be found in your regular craft stores. The Big Shot works with ALL competitive dies, and the steel rule dies can cut through an impressive list of 50 different materials, including fabric, foil, and chipboard.

As to price, this machine is very competitively priced. I actually did some price comparisons with other competitors and found that our prices are considerably cheaper. Although we cannot compete with the 40% off coupons, you can't get hostess benefits from the others or a fabulous demonstrator to show you how it all works!! :-)

Convention and "STAR" Sightings!!

Hello ladies!! I know it has been quiet on here for a bit...Convention was amazing! I am so tired and so excited at the same time! Stampin' Up! has introduced a lot of fun and new products and ideas! I am holding an Open House on August 15th so come check out the new stuff, stamp a card, and see the new catalog!!!

Start saving your money, being really sweet to your hubby or grandma (whichever gives more money) because the new catalogs (yes catalogs) are awesome!!! You don't want to miss out!!

I will leave you with a couple of pictures of my adventures....

20th Anniversary Cupcakes!

Mamma Mia! Cute movie! Notice I was the one they put on the counter! LOL

Me with Kristina Werner!

Valerie and I with "Roxy"..Corrine!

I have close to 1500 pictures on my computer that Valerie, Janet, Kimberly S and I took...I don't think we missed a thing, except SLEEP!

Updated Retiring Accessories List!!!

Item Number	Page #	Product Description	Availability
109200	177	Accents & Elements Build A Flower	Not Available
110718	177	Accents & Elements Lucky Star
110719	177	Accents & Elements Messenger
103158	184	Acrylic Graph & Grid
108638	163	Card Stock 12 X 12 In Color
108642	163	Card Stock 8-1/2 X 11 Blue Bayou
108643	163	Card Stock 8-1/2 X 11 Groovy Guava
108637	163	Card Stock 8-1/2 X 11 In Color
108640	163	Card Stock 8-1/2 X 11 River Rock
108639	163	Card Stock 8-1/2 X 11 Soft Sky
108641	163	Card Stock 8-1/2 X 11 Wild Wasabi	Not Available
108644	163	Card Stock 8-1/2 X 11 Purely Pomegranate	Not Available
103975	166	Card Stock Brushed Copper	Not Available
108694	163	Card Stock Textured 12 X 12 In Color
107312	167	Cards & Envelopes Gift Whisper White
107292	167	Cards & Envelopes Greeting Whisper White
109116	167	Notes & Envelopes Long Notes
109118	167	Notes & Envelopes Love Notes
109117	167	Notes & Envelopes Pocket Notes*	Not Available
110729	167	Notes & Envelopes Scallop Notes
109119	167	Notes & Envelopes Gift Notes
109018	163	Classic Stampin' Ink Blue Bayou	Not Available
109019	163	Classic Stampin' Ink Groovy Guava
109017	163	Classic Stampin' Ink Purely Pomegranate	Not Available
109016	163	Classic Stampin' Ink River Rock	Not Available
109015	163	Classic Stampin' Ink Soft Sky
109020	163	Classic Stampin' Ink Wild Wasabi	Not Available
109013	163	Classic Stampin' Pad Blue Bayou
109012	163	Classic Stampin' Pad Groovy Guava
109011	163	Classic Stampin' Pad Purely Pomegranate
109010	163	Classic Stampin' Pad River Rock
109009	163	Classic Stampin' Pad Soft Sky
109014	163	Classic Stampin' Pad Wild Wasabi
110751	171	Designer Series Paper Azure*
110696	169	Designer Series Paper Bali Breeze
110749	169	Designer Series Paper Berry Bliss
109154	169	Designer Series Paper Cutie Pie
110699	168	Designer Series Paper East Coast Prep*	Not Available
109160	170	Designer Series Paper Fall Flowers	Not Available
109159	169	Designer Series Paper Flowers For You*
110697	169	Designer Series Paper Ginger Blossom
110479	168	Designer Series Paper Jersey Shore*
109151	170	Designer Series Paper Le Jardin
110748	170	Designer Series Paper Notebook*
110750	171	Designer Series Paper Olive Press
109153	170	Designer Series Paper Porcelain Prints*	Not Available
109175	171	Designer Series Paper Prints Almost Amethyst*	Not Available
109177	171	Designer Series Paper Prints Always Artichoke
109173	171	Designer Series Paper Prints Blue Bayou	Not Available
109174	171	Designer Series Paper Prints Brilliant Blue
109178	171	Designer Series Paper Prints Certainly Celery
109169	171	Designer Series Paper Prints Close to Cocoa*	Not Available
109168	171	Designer Series Paper Prints Groovy Guava*	Not Available
109171	171	Designer Series Paper Prints Lovely Lilac
109172	171	Designer Series Paper Prints More Mustard	Not Available
109176	171	Designer Series Paper Prints Old Olive
109170	171	Designer Series Paper Prints Pumpkin Pie	Not Available
109164	171	Designer Series Paper Prints River Rock*
109167	171	Designer Series Paper Prints Rose Red
109166	171	Designer Series Paper Prints So Saffron
109165	171	Designer Series Paper Prints Soft Sky	Not Available
109163	171	Designer Series Paper Prints Tempting Turquoise	Not Available
110698	168	Designer Series Paper Spring Break
110273	169	Designer Series Paper Spring Fling*	Not Available
110271	170	Designer Series Paper Spring Silhouettes
110272	170	Designer Series Paper Western Sky
107299	167	Envelope Confetti Cream Medium
105320	189	Eyelets Basic	Not Available
100375	189	Eyelets Bold Brights	Not Available
100381	189	Eyelets Earth Elements	Not Available
107233	189	Eyelets Fresh Favorites I
107234	189	Eyelets Fresh Favorites II
105316	189	Eyelets Rich Regals
100378	189	Eyelets Soft Subtles	Not Available
105515	188	Hodgepodge Hardware Pewter	Not Available
105531	188	Hodgepodge Hardware Antique Brass	Not Available
105532	188	Hodgepodge Hardware Aged Copper	Not Available
101120	183	Metallic Art Pencils
107307	179	On Board Accents
109181	178	On Board Blossoms & Basic
109179	178	On Board Ginormous Pieces
107306	179	On Board Simon Lower
102678	166	Mulberry Paper White	Not Available
109227	181	Punch Box Three For You	Not Available
102686	180	Punch Handheld Rectangle
100271	183	Pure Color Pencils
109060	191	Ribbon Double-Stitched Blue Bayou	Not Available
109063	191	Ribbon Double-Stitched Groovy Guava	Not Available
109061	191	Ribbon Double-Stitched Purely Pomegranate	Not Available
109062	191	Ribbon Double-Stitched River Rock*
109059	191	Ribbon Double-Stitched Soft Sky	Not Available
109058	191	Ribbon Double-Stitched Wild Wasabi	Not Available
109189	190	Ribbon Originals Beachfront*
109187	190	Ribbon Originals District*
109188	190	Ribbon Originals Fairy Tale
109185	190	Ribbon Originals Jersey*
109184	190	Ribbon Originals Sherbert
109186	190	Ribbon Originals Theater
110716	191	Ribbon Striped Grosgrain Wild Wasabi*
110281	182	Rub-Ons Cherished Memories*	Not Available
110284	182	Rub-Ons Eastern Elegance*
110285	182	Rub-Ons Urban West*
110557	174	Simply Scrappin' Boho Blend
109610	174	Simply Scrappin' Confetti	Not Available
110572	172	Simply Scrappin' Crew Kids Boy
110567	173	Simply Scrappin' Crew Kids Girl
109597	175	Simply Scrappin' Home Again
110562	174	Simply Scrappin' Rose Cottage
109648	173	Simply Scrappin' Special Delivery Boy
109627	173	Simply Scrappin' Special Delivery Girl	Not Available
110587	175	Simply Scrappin' Summer Days
110577	175	Simply Scrappin' Tie The Knot
111184	15	Simply Sent Friendly Notes
109228	16	Simply Sent Simple Delights	Not Available
109229	16	Simply Sent Three Thoughts	Not Available
106662	197	Stampin'Around Wheel Daisy Field
107561	197	Stampin'Around Wheel Garden Annuals
109681	197	Stampin'Around Wheel Good Dog
109678	197	Stampin'Around Wheel Kisses
107482	197	Stampin'Around Wheel Lily Pad	Not Available
109680	197	Stampin'Around Wheel Meow
109677	197	Stampin'Around Wheel Mistletoe	Not Available
106610	196	Jumbo Stampin' Around Wheel Basics Outline
107467	196	Jumbo Stampin' Around Wheel Birthday
109571	196	Jumbo Stampin' Around Wheel Dilly Dally Baby
109570	196	Jumbo Stampin' Around Wheel Dilly Dally Friends
109569	196	Jumbo Stampin' Around Wheel Dilly Dally Party
108423	196	Jumbo Stampin' Around Wheel Leaves A La Carte	Not Available
107468	196	Jumbo Stampin' Around Wheel Nature Hike
108980	196	Jumbo Stampin' Around Wheel Petals
107464	196	Jumbo Stampin' Around Wheel Rough Texture	Not Available
111261	196	Jumbo Stampin' Around Wheel Spunky Spots
109554	193	Stampin' Color Index Labels	Not Available
106694	194	Stampin' Kids Markers
102673	183	Zig Painty