Another Double Bonus Card Day!

This card was one of those quick and easy cards that we made. It was really quick and easy because Susan, who designed this card, even cut and stamped the cardstock for us. Ah, you gotta love that!!!!

Notice how the Love shines -- it was stamped on Glossy white cardstock. Remember when stamping on glossy white cardstock to allow it a few minutes to dry, even when using Classic ink! Since it is such an non-absorbent surface, it does take a few minutes to dry!!!

On this card, I used the 1-1/4" Pink Pirouette ribbon again as well as the pearls from the Pretties Kit. Notice the adornments around the stamped scallop image??? This is a new product that will be featured in the upcoming Spring Summer 2009 Idea Book and Catalog!! It is an embosslet, which cuts and embosses a piece of cardstock using your Sizzix Big Shot. These are so much fun to play with!!!!!!

As 2008 comes to an end, I wish you all a safe and wonderful New Year's Eve and a prosperous and fun-filled 2009!!!!

Stampingly yours,

Pearled Hearts

For this card, I used the Heart to Heart punch (which I fondly refer to as the three heart punch). The thing that I like the most about the punch is that it lines up perfectly with the stamp that coordinates with it. All you do it stamp your three heart image onto your cardstock, then punch it out using the Heart to Heart punch!! Here, I stamped the image onto Pink Pirouette cardstock using Riding Hood Red ink and punched!!! I also used the 1-1/4" Pink Pirouette Grosgrain Ribbon for the front. Before adhering the ribbon to the front, I tied a knot in the ribbon and wrapped it around the back to adhere.

For the little tabs hanging down, I stamped the "friend to friend" on cardstock and punched it out using the Word Window Punch. I used the round pearls from the Pretties Kit between the strips and threaded them on the Silver Elastic Cord. I punched holes in the cardstock using the Paper Piercer and tied the ribbon on the back of the cardstock. I love the way the tabs hang down on the card!!!

I think sometimes we forget all the things we have to embellish our cards until AFTER we make them. Next time you stamp, pull out the Pretties Kit, or some beads or buttons!!! They will add just the touch you need!!!!

Stampingly yours,

Heart to Heart Punch

With all these pictures of projects made with the Love You Much Valentine's Bundle, I thought I would take a second to show you a close up picture of the punch! I think you will agree that the possibilities are endless and you can punch hearts ... until the cows come home!!!!

I hope everyone is enjoying the daily updates!!! I've been very busy over the holidays with doing some re-organizing. Actually, I was thrilled with the addition of cabinets in my Stampin' Up! office (woo hoo) for Christmas!!!! I told my husband that I thought I would finally have a place for everything, but he didn't believe me. My stamping items multiply faster than rabbits!!! I just can't help it!!! Needless to say, when one re-organizes, the process is somewhat scary as my living room a/k/a my stamping room, is covered!!!! When I get done, which will be this week, I will post pictures of everything!! Promise!!

Stampingly yours,

Top Note Die Card

I have seen so many samples of cards using the Top Note Bigz Die, that I was excited to be able to finally make one!!! All you do is take a piece of cardstock and fold it in half. Then, when you put the cardstock on top of the die, you put the folded edge just a little bit below the edge of the design so it doesn't cut off the top edge. Then, I saw a card that was made using this stamp set by Patty Bennett, who is also a Stampin' Up! demonstrator and on the Stampin' Up! Advisory Board, and she adhered a piece of DSP on the top portion of the card to cover the fold. I just thought this was such an awesome idea!!!! You can see from the side view below what the card looks like.

You'll notice that across the middle of the front of the card, there is a strip of DSP. All I did was take a piece of cardstock, approximately 1" along and place it on the die. Then I ran it through the Sizzix Big Shot and it trims the edges to fit perfectly on this card.

For the flower above the "Love", I used the small flower button from the Designer Button Bouquet. To adorn the button, I used a small pearl from the Pretties Kit. I find the best way to adhere the pearls is the Mini Glue Dots!!!

If you have the Sizzix Big Shot and the Top Note Bigz Die, please try this card!!!! You'll be thrilled with how it comes out and can be mailed in our regular Medium Envelopes!!!

Stampingly yours,

Two Card Bonus Day

Way back when, there was a time when I didn't own a pair of Paper Snips because Stampin' Up! didn't carry them! It was a sad time for sure and I avoided cutting anything, especially if it had a curved edge!! There is no way I would have cut out this heart without a pair of Paper Snips! Stampin' Up! sells Paper Snips for only$9.95 and they are worth their weight, no, more than their weight, in gold!!! I really just love to cut cardstock now!!!

Stampin' Up! has so many products and when I was pulling out things to use with this bundle, I was going crazy!! My table was covered!! I purchased the Red Bead Duo and the Pink Bead Duo and adhered them to the center of the flowers in heart using the Tombow Multi Adhesive glue. Those beads really added such a cute element to the heart!!!


When I get a package of Designer Series Paper, I usually just open up the top flap and flip through the pages. I just have to stop doing that because, you know, I miss stuff, like these birds on the bottom of one of the pages!!! This card was a piece of cake to make! All I had to do was cut off the corner of the DSP and adhere it to cardstock!!! Simple!!! I did also use the three Stampin' Up! oval punches that layer so nicely!!! I tied the Vanilla Taffeta ribbon about the card and, believe it or not, I pulled the taffeta ribbon through the holes in the Pink Designer Buttons from the Button Bouquet and tied the ribbon on top of the button!! A little hint in doing this is to make sure the ends of the ribbon are trimmed to a point. They slip right through the buttons!!!!!

I hope you are loving all these samples as much as I did while I was making them with my good friends!!!! Don't worry ... there are still some samples left to share, so don't forget to come back tomorrow!!!

Valentine Trio

I really do enjoy making 3" x 3" cards. They are so cute and the perfect size!!! Yes, they are -- because you can carry several in your purse and give them to your friends, people who make your day or people that need a lift! It's called a "RAK" or random act of kindness. How many times have you left a tip for a great waitress? How much better would it be to have also left a little 3" x 3" card with a "thank you". This is one of my goals for 2009. There are so many people that I've met who have really been kind and I'd love to let them know how much their kindness is appreciated!!! You can also put these little note cards in your loved one's pocket, leave it on the seat of their car .. you know ... think of all those places where a little note card can be left! I guarantee the recipient will be thrilled!!

Stampingly yours,

Three-Fold Valentine's Card

This is a cute little tri-fold card that is adorable!!! One of the stamps in the Love You Much stamp set is this scallop hugs & kisses stamp, which again is perfect with the Scallop Punch. I then used the 1/8" circle punch to punch holes in each of the scallop points. When you open up the cover, you'll see a nice scallop around a circle which shows the image on the inside of the card. Then open the next flap, and you have the inside of your card. One thing to remember when creating a scallop frame, punch the circle in a piece of cardstock, then punch out the scallop frame, it will be so much easier!!!

Stampingly yours,

I'm Back . . . . .

I know you might think we are getting ahead of the game, now don't you. I know, but I do try to stay ahead of game -- although it really doesn't always work!!! This second card is enhanced using the Scallop Edge Punch. The three hearts are stamped from one of the hearts on the three heart punch out of the Candy Lane Designer Series Paper.

I would love to get this card for Valentine's Day (along with some chocolate!!) -- wouldn't you??? Have an awesome day!!!!!!

Valentine Bundle Fun

Have you had a chance to view the Love You Much Valentine Bundle??? It's such a delightful stamp set, along with a package of Candy Lane Designer Series Paper AND a three heart punch that coordinates perfectly with one of the stamps in the Love You Much stamp set. I was lucky today and had an opportunity to sit down with some good friends and play with this bundle and will be sharing our creations with you over the next few days. Really, I want to share them all with you right now, but that might be a tad overwhelming .. so I'll start with this one!

You'll notice that I incorporated a flower from the Pretties Kit in this card. Hum .... funny though because the flowers in the Pretties Kit are white, right??? Well, not now!! What I did was to smoosh the flower onto the Riding Hood Red stamp pad, then blended out the color with my Aqua Painter. This makes the flower a bit wet which enabled me to dip it into Iridescent Ice Embossing Powder and heat. You'll see "specks" on the petals of the flower which is really the glitter in the Iridescent Ice Embossing Powder. I learned this technique at our Regional Seminar back in November and I love it. The image on top of the flower was stamped with one of the stamps in the Love You Much stamp set, then punched out with the Scallop Punch. Isn't this card adorable?????

Stay tuned as I share more creations with you over the next week. Remember, this bundle is only $41.48 which is 20% the retail value!!!

Have a wonderful day!!!!

How to Cut Cardstock

Happy Monday to you all!!! Brrrrrrrrrrrrr ..... it's chilly outside --- does it put you in the mood for Christmas! You know, my husband is from Minnesota and my sister lives in New York and they are well versed in the "White Christmas" routine! I do wish we could enjoy the "White Christmas", but then when I hear my sister talk about having to dig out of their driveway yesterday morning so they could come down to visit, I appreciate the no snow!!!! My sister and her husband arrived safely yesterday to spend the holiday with us. Oh, and my husband doesn't have to go back to work until Jan. 5. Now, I have to go to work shortly .. boo hoo!! I'm just trying to get some sympathy here .. he he .. is it working??? (I shouldn't complain though -- I only have to work today and tomorrow!!)

Opps, sorry, I just remembered the topic for this blog post which is cutting cardstock! I get so easily distracted, now don't I??? Okay, I'll get back on track!!

As a demonstrator, baby, I can cut some cardstock!!! I could probably do it in my sleep. However, I do remember when I first started stamping, cutting cardstock was such a chore! I absolutely dreaded it. I love going to shows where the cardstock was already cut and wished that someone would cut my cardstock for me! Well, my demonstrator at the time, Gail, told me something that has helped me for years. She told me to remember one-quarter inch! That's the secret. This is the key for layering cardstock! For example, you stamped your image on a piece of cardstock and then trimmed it to say, 2" x 3". You want to place a layer underneath that. All you do is add one quarter inch to each measurement, so the bottom layer will be 2-1/4" x 3-1/4". You want another layer underneath that? That layer would be 2-1/2" x 3-1/2".

Now, working in the opposite direction, you want to place a piece of cardstock on top of a piece of cardstock which measures 3" x 4". You would cut your cardstock to 2-3/4" x 3-3/4". See how this works?

What is the basic size of a card? It is half of a sheet of 8-1/2" x 11" cardstock. You can either cut it vertically or horizontally, because when you fold it in half, it will measure 5-1/2" x 4-1/4". Let me give you some basic measurements . . .

Folded card bottom: 4-1/4" x 5-1/2"
Layer 1: 4" x 5-1/4"
Layer 2: 3-3/4" x 5"

Notice the quarter inch decrease in the measurements? I hope this helps you in cutting your cardstock and if you are sitting there saying, oh great .. now she tells me AFTER I've done my holiday cards, I'm sorry -- you'll be ahead of the game for next year!

Enjoy your day and practice cutting some cardstock!!! You'll be a pro in no time.

Another Paper Weight

Oh goodness, can you tell how much I love doing these paperweights?? This one is for my hairdresser who is such a sweet person!!! I'm very fond of this DSP for the paperweight and have had numerous requests! to make these as gifts!! I used a stamp from the Deer Friends, Level 2 Hostess Set, on the tag, which is popped up with Dimensionals!

I hope you like and I'm off to deliver the goods!!!

Have an awesome day!

Christmas Gift Idea

During one of my shopping excursions to a local office supply store, I found these adorable photo paper weights. I'm always on the hunt for items that I can use with my Stampin' Up! products and these paper weights are no exception. Matter of fact, they almost jumped off the rack and hit me in the head, but boy, that would have been a problem!!!! I obediently picked up some to embellish "when I get a chance" -- I do this often, but shhhhh, don't tell!!! Then, one day my sister comes to my house and sees this paper weight on my desk, complete unadorned!! She freaks!!! She saw some cute projects on line using the paper weight. I told her that I couldn't peel the back off the paper weight. She grinned and looked at me with a gleam in her eye and proceeded to show me that it was held by magnets .. and it just pops off!!!! Hum ... I guess that's why she's the "older" sister. Ha ha!!!!

During that visit, I did play with them and had a blast. The picture above shows three that I've done for a friend to use a Christmas gifts. I used some of the Stampin' Up! DSP (designer series paper) and for the letters on top, I inked them with Craft Ink and used Glossy Glaze Enamel to emboss them, doing that twice to create a nice clear coating on the letters before applying them to the paper weights. I thought they turned out beautifully. Also, if you click on the picture, you can see it larger!!!

A lesson learned here??? Always keep your eyes opened for items you can use with Stampin' Up! projects, especially on the sale racks!!! There are tons of items just waiting for your touch!!!

I hope you are enjoying your holidays!!! My goal this weekend is to get my holiday cards done. I'll let you know how that comes along!

Until later,

Join a Stamp Club!!!

One of the ways to attend the Hostess Appreciation Workshop in December 2009 is to participate in a Stamp Club. Stamp Clubs are alot of fun and a great way to earn hostess benefits, such a FREE merchandise, hostess sets AND a FREE 2009 Spring-Summer Idea Book and Catalog!!!

Now, here is how it works. There are six members in a club that meet once a month for six months in a row. Each month, a different member is the "hostess" and gets the hostess benefits. Of course, since you are a hostess, you can attend the Hostess Appreciation Workshop in December 2009!!! I currently have two spots available in the Rich Regal Stamp Club which will begin on January 18, 2008. This club meets the third Sunday of each month through June. I'd love to have you participate!! Please email me if you are interested as soon as possible as space is limited.

Hostess Appreciation - Part 4

For our last project, we created this cute little "purse" treat holder using coasters and Washington Apple DSP. I received a similar project during a swap over a year ago on a Stampin' Up! cruise. I had been waiting and waiting to do this project because I love the way it closed at the bottom and opened up at the top like an accordian. You can fit gift cards in here or candy using a small cello bag. I will share with you the measurements of the cardstock sides that create the accordian: 4" x 4", score 1/2" continually, then fold creating a "fan".

I hope you have enjoyed these projects! I'm already on the lookout for the projects for the December 2009 Hostess Appreciation Workshop! With the new year right around the corner, you have plenty of time to be a hostess! I guarantee you don't want to miss another Hostess Appreciation Workshop!

Hostess Appreciation - Part 3

Okay, many of you know that I just adore snowman. Maybe that's because we never have a chance to make them here in Virginia!!! During the pre-holiday season, I usually share quite a few projects using snowman, but for some odd reason, I did not this year! I know, I can't believe it either!! However, I saved the best for, well, almost the last!!! I just keep looking and looking and looking at these ornaments and I swear I hear those snowmen talking to me!!! Now, how were they created???? We stamped the snowman from the Holiday Lineup stamp set onto Whisper White cardstock and colored it using Stampin' Write Markers. We adhered the Silver Elastic Cord to the back of the Whisper White cardstock, then backed it with a piece of DSP (designer series paper). Then, and here's the tricky part, we put a microscope slide on the front and on the back and wrapped Sticky Strip around the entire edge. Then we dipped into the Chunky Essentials Glitter!! I love, love, love, love them!!!

Now, of course, there are two other stamps in that stamp set - a line of reindeer and one with elves. We decided to do one using the reindeer which turned out too cute. Don't you just love the expressions on their faces??????

Again, these are the perfect gift for anyone -- and a great way to decorate for the holidays.

If you are wondering where to purchase the slides, I went to Home Science Tools website under Microscopes and Accessories. Click here for the slides that I purchased.

There is still one more project ..... which I will feature tomorrow!!!

Hostess Appreciation - Part 2

Now to share the projects that the hostesses created!!!! This first project is a mini-magazine file that holds 3"x 3" notecards and envelopes! Again, we used the Patterns DSP pack and Best Yet stamp set, both of which are Level 1 Hostess Sets. We also used the 1/2" Striped Grosgrain Real Red ribbon, 1-1/4" and 1-3/8" circle punches, Scallop Edge Punch and Dimensionals. This is a project that I found on the internet, but cannot remember the person's name to give them appropriate credit!!! They are quick and easy and make a wonderful gift!!!!

So, want to know what we next for our next project? Come back and see me tomorrow! :-)

Lets Stamp with Phyllis Banner Booklet

Don't you just love to create? I know I really do!!! This project above was inspired by a project created by Patty Bennett, a fellow Stampin' Up! demonstrator. I'll tell you a little bit about how I created this!!

The front and back of the booklet are chipboard covered with DSP using the Holiday Happenings Bundle, a Level 3 Hostess set. I then pulled out some Baja Breeze cardstock to create the pages in the booklet. To cover each page, I pulled out more DSP from the Holiday Happenings bundle. Since the coordinating colors of cardstock are listed with the bundle information, I used those colors to create my letters using the Serif Essentials Dies and the Big Shot machine. Now, to embellish the pages, I started pulling out all kinds of supplies!!!!

On the cover sheet, I used flowers from Flower Fusion Too, as well as half-pearls and clear rhinestone brads from the Pretties Kit. The self-adhesive die cuts are from the Roof Garden Accents and Elements and the ribbon is Baja Breeze 1" Double Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon.

Page two features rub-ons from Anchored package and the button from Button Bouquet Designer Buttons. I'm not sure if you can see them too well, but inside the button and on the brown strip of cardstock, there are rhinestones. I used the Circle Ice Rhinestone Brads, peeled off the back of the brad and out popped the rhinestone which I adhered using Mini Glue Dots.

On page 3, I used a snowflake from the Little Felt Flurries and smooshed (a very technical term) the snowflake with the VersaMark pad. I applied Heat and Stick Powder, then Dazzling Diamonds Glitter to make it sparkle. I used a half-pearl from the Pretties Kit to accent the snowflake.

A Filigree Designer Brad is featured on page 4. Do you notice the heart beside the brad? It is from a new three-heart punch which will be featured in a Stampin' Up! special on December 23. Mark your calendars!!!!!

I used more flowers on pages 5 and 6 from Flower Fusion Too, as well as die-cuts from the Roof Garden Accents and Elements.

By the time I finished my book, my table was completely covered with supplies! It was great to be able to utilize many of the different Stampin' Up! products that I have!!!!




Here is another banner booklet that I made using the "I Wish" Simply Scrapping Kit!!! This was so easy to make because everything was in the Simply Scrapping Kit except for the "peace" on the last page which was created using the Join in the Cheer Decorative Strip Die and the Big Shot!

You never know what you can create -- until you play!!! In the hustle and bustle of the holidays, I hope you can set aside a little bit of time to stamp, play and create!!!

Hostess Appreciation - Part 1

On December 6-7, 2008, I held my annual "Hostess Appreciation Workshop" which I look forward to all year long. I'm always keeping my eyes peeled for projects that I want to share with my 2008 hostesses!! This year, I had a terrible time trying to limit all the projects that crossed by path. It was so hard, but I did finally select a few. I want to share with you some of the treats that the hostesses received.


When the hostesses arrived, they were greeted with a name plate personalized with their name!!! This was created using the Wide Oval Punch and Small Oval Punch. I printed the names on Very Vanilla cardstock using my computer. After adhering the nameplate, I punched a rectangle on each side of the Very Vanilla nameplate and threaded the Riding Hood Red Striped Ribbon through the Riding Hood Red cardstock. The ribbon is featured in the Holiday Mini catalog and is 1-1/4" wide. It is absolutely elegant!!! I want thank Linda Heller for this wonderful and gorgeous project! She was inspired by a project she saw from Martha Stewart!! See, inspiration is all around us!


Now, each hostess gets a coupon card which entitles them to special purchases throughout the upcoming year. I made these cute little card holders using the Patterns DSP Pack which is a Level 1 Hostess Set. I also stamped the word phrase using the Best Yet stamp set, also a Level 1 Hostess Set!! Woo hoo!!!!!



Finally, what is stamping without chocolate!!! These little goodie bags were created using DSP paper from the Holiday Happening Bundle, a Level 3 Hostess Set. The measurements for the bag are: 7-1/2" x 4", scored at 1/2", 1" 1-1/2", 4", 4-1/2" and 5". The snowflake was punched out using the Snowflakes Set No. 2 Sizzlets Die 4-Pack. This is another project inspired by Linda Heller.

If you think these projects are exciting, just wait until you see what the hostesses created . . .

It's a SPECIAL Day!!!

You never know what comes your way when you get up in the morning, do you! Well, I eagerly checked the Stampin' Up! website for the list of retired stamp sets and boy was I surprised!!!! No, not because of the stamp sets on the list, but because Stampin' Up! is offering a special on these retired sets! They are 10% off through December 23!!!! Just in time for Christmas -- woo hoo! Just click here to view the list!!!

But wait, there's more!!!! There is FREE shipping on orders that are $70 or more!!! I'm just so excited about this offer!!!! It's a great opportunity to make those last minute Christmas purchases!!! And remember, you can shop on line by going to my website and click on "Shop Now"!!! Of course, feel free to contact me for your orders or any questions you may have.

Happy Shopping!!