Clearance!!!

Everyone loves a good deal, I know I do! Stampin' Up! announced they too have a "Clearance Rack" where you can purchase items for up to 80% off! These items are surplus inventory and you will find some retired items that you might have missed your chance to purchase at times! To take advantage of the Clearance Rack, you need to order ON LINE ONLY. This is due to the fact that supplies are limited, so if call or email me with an order, if might not be available. (Oh, Dugan is so driving me crazy .. he keeps coming up and laying on the computer while I'm trying to type this!!)

All you need to do is go to my Stampin' Up! Website and click on the "Shop Now" button in the upper right corner. Then in the left column, click on "Clearance Rack" and shop!!

I hope you have fun shopping!!!!!

Click here to place your order for any Stampin' Up! products on my Demonstrator Website - just click on the SHOP NOW in upper right hand corner!

Upcoming Stamp-A-Stack

This is just one of the cards we will be doing tomorrow, Saturday, Sept. 26 at 2:00 p.m. at the Stamp-A-Stack. We will be making five Christmas cards, two Thanksgiving cards, one Halloween card, one Thank You card and one all-occasion card. I always love these classes!! While the payment deadline has passed, I still have two openings, so if your schedule has changed and you would like to attend, please email me today! The cost is $15.00.

See you all tomorrow!!!






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More Gifts!

This is the other card that I did on Monday night to relieve my neck and shoulder pain! For this card, I used a different watercolor technique. I'll list below the steps to create this project.

1. Stamp words and image onto Watercolor Paper using Craft Basic Black ink and emboss using Clear Embossing Powder.

2. Using Stampin' Write Markers, color in a little bit of color into the image and spread it out through the entire image using the Aqua Painter. Then, go back and color in the detailed parts of the image with the Stampin' Write Marker.

3. Adhere the Watercolor Paper to the Garden Green, then Real Red cardstock.

4. Using the Finial Press Embossing Folder, run the Cameo Coral cardstock front of the card through the Big Shot.

5. Adhere the Real Red cardstock to the Cameo Coral cardstock using Dimensionals.

6. Apply Crystal Effects to the apples to make them shine!

Stamp Set: Gifts of the Earth (116501)
Cardstock: Cameo Coral, Real Red, Garden Green, Watercolor Paper
Ink: Craft Basic Black
Other: Clear Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Dimensionals, Stampin' Write Markers, Aqua Painter, Finial Press Embossing Folder, Big Shot

Hope you enjoy!!




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The Many Gifts

I've said this before, many times, but it bears repeating -- I love to watercolor! It is so relaxing and I completely forget about everything around me, except the image that I'm watercoloring. I've had a sore neck and shoulders for the last couple of days, not that bad, but just annoying, you know what I mean? Well, after dinner, I told Mickey I was going to go stamp and created this card, along with one more, both of which involved watercolor. It was amazing, but when I was done, I completely forgot about my "pain in the neck". Woo hoo!!! Listed below are the steps on how I created this card.

1. Stamp image using Craft Basic Black ink onto Watercolor Paper and emboss with Clear Embossing Powder.

2. Use Watercolor Crayons and an Aqua Painter and color in the image (very relaxing part).

3. Adhere the Watercolor Paper to Elegant Eggplant, then onto Pumpkin Pie cardstock.

4. Adhere the strip of More Mustard cardstock onto the Autumn Traditions DSP.

5. Use 1/4" circle punch and punch out two circles from Elegant Eggplant cardstock. Adhere the circles to Pumpkin Pie cardstock. Using Paper Piercer, pierce holes into the two Elegant Eggplant circles and insert Ruby Red brads.

6. Adhere the DSP to the Elegant Eggplant card, then adhere the Pumpkin Pie cardstock to the DSP, using Dimensionals.

Watercolor Hint: I touched my Aqua Painter to the flat end of my crayon and then colored the image. Since this is a detailed image, you want the more detailed parts of the image darker. When using watercolor paper, you can add additional color on top of the image that has been watercolored!

Stamp Set Used: Gifts of the Earth (116501)
Cardstock: Elegant Eggplant, Pumpkin Pie, More Mustard, Watercolor Paper, Autumn Traditions
Ink: Classic Basic Black
Other: Paper Piercer, Ruby Red Brads, Watercolor Crayons, Aqua Painter, Dimensionals, 1/4" Circle Punch, Clear Embossing Powder, Heat Tool

Tomorrow I'll share another project with you that I created!




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Snow Day!

It's true. I love snow and am sad that we don't have more of it. Mickey, on the other hand, grew up with feet and feet of snow in Minnesota and doesn't miss it (well, he might miss it a bit). Even with a dusting of snow, which it seems is the only thing we have had the last few years, I love it! The first thing I do is get my camera and take pictures!!!

This page was created with Stampin' Up!'s new My Digital Studio ("MDS"). I wanted a simple page because I wanted to photos to speak. When creating the page, I tried alot of different background colors and designs for the page, but couldn't come up with the right color. One of the great things about MDS is that I can pick out a color in the picture (which I did from the shutter) and used it to create the color for the background page. I love it!

My Digital Studio is available to you on October 1, 2009, so put it on your wish list because you'll be sure to want it!!

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Plenty of Card Samples!!

They say cats have nine lives, well, I believe they also have a sixth sense!!! At least Dugan does! He comes and jumps up on my lap about 10 minutes before I have to get up to get ready for work. He is making it very difficult for me right now to even type on my laptop. He keeps putting his paw on the mouse ... he he ... isn't that funny ... and looks up at me with those big eyes and says, mom, pet me!! So, I will!! Below are some more display boards from Convention. Just click on the picture and it will open in a larger view so you can see the cards/projects in more detail! Hope you enjoy them .. and I'm off to give Dugan some lovin!!!!

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Cheers To You

When I decided to post this card, I thought that I really should have posted this on Tuesday as many parents celebrated the first day of school! Many of my Facebook friends are celebrating! I guess my mom celebrated too when my sister and I went back to school, but she kept it to herself, I'm sure.

This card is another one that we did at this past weekend's Stamp, Play and Create. I picked this card for a couple of reasons, first, Labor Day reflects the end of the summer and I thought we needed something bright and secondly, many people celebrate so I'm sure there were many drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) consumed! Me? I stamped, played and created on my Labor Day and it was heavenly!! While the focal image is small, is packs a wallop! I'll break down for you what we did!

1. Stamped the image using Staz On Jet Black ink onto the Whisper White cardstock. Why did I use Staz On? First, I love the way it smells (but don't sniff it - it says that right on the stamp pad!! he he). Secondly, I was using a Yoyo Yellow marker and when you use Yoyo Yellow with Basic Black, it smears the Basic Black. Did you know that? I learned some time ago that many people use their Yoyo Yellow stamp pads to clean off the Basic Black stains on their stamps. There is something in the make-up of the Yoyo Yellow that does this -- JUST the Yoyo Yellow.

2. Color in the image using Stampin' Write Markers.

3. I used Frost White Shimmer Paint and painted it onto the drink and the lime slice using a paint brush. It's hard to see in the picture, but it adds such a nice shimmer to the image!!!

4. On the umbrella, I applied Two Way Glue and then the wonderful Dazzling Diamonds Glitter.

5. On the bottom of the class and stem, I applied Crystal Effects. How did I get the Crystal Effects on the stem? Easy peasy! I put the Crystal Effects on the base of the glass and then just spread it out using an old Paper Piercer. Make sure you wipe off the Paper Piercer immediately so the Crystal Effects doesn't harden. Other things to use to spread the Crystal Effects are a hat pin (thanks Dena) and toothpicks (non-colored). I'm sure you can suggest other things you can use!

All these elements really make the focal image just pop right out!!!!

Enjoy this upcoming weekend and I hope you have a little time to stamp!!!

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My Very First Stamping Project

My project for tonight was to go through some unlabeled boxes and see what was in them. Boy, it's amazing what you can find! When I pulled this card out of the box, I had to chuckle and knew that I had to do another post to share this card with you. It is the very first stamping project that I did!!! Check out the words -- no, they are not supposed to look that way, I double stamped the image (oh my)! We used the Watercolor Pencils and Blender Pen to color in the images. The basket is attached with Dimensionals. This card was made on Superbowl Sunday in 2001! I know, I'm surprised I remembered that!!! Ah, the things I remember -- and the things I don't remember!!!! And, look at the color of the bunny! It does look a little like Orchid Opulence, don't you think?

I do remember the feeling that I had after I made this card. I thought this is really fun. I can't believe I made it! I love this!! And, well, you know the story!!!

So, if you want that "lovin' feeling", come stamp with me!!!

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Christmas Jingle SSK Scrapbooking Class

Wouldn't you love to have these pages? Well, you can! On Sunday, September 27, 2009, I am having the Christmas Jingle SSK Scrapbook Class! It starts at 2:00 p.m. We will be making 10 12" x 12" pages, yes, you read right - 10 pages! I truly love these classes, because when you leave, you have 10 pages already to go!!! The fee for this class is $35.00 and is due no later than September 17, 2009. I think this would make such a great Christmas present for anyone because all they have to do is put their Christmas pictures on the pages!!! Please let me know if you would like to attend by emailing me. You can always save time and sign up and pay below by clicking on the "Buy Now" button below!

If you have any questions, please let me know. I look forward to seeing you at the Christmas Jingle SSK Scrapbooking Class - don't miss the fun!!







Click here to place your order for any Stampin' Up! products on my Demonstrator Website - just click on the SHOP NOW in upper right hand corner!

A Productive Day

On this Labor Day, I enjoyed a day off from my day job and so I devoted it to getting ready for some upcoming classes, which I did. I don't think I've ever had things prepared so far in advance, it's kinda scary! Well, I'm doing a presentation tomorrow night for my downline on the new My Digital Studio, and decided I would play around with it some more so I can at least look like I know what I'm doing. I know I've told you before I'm such a computer geek and I swear My Digital Studio was made just for me!

I made this page from scratch, meaning a blank canvas. I added the papers, images and words, as well as the pictures. I took these pictures at Saturday morning's Stamp, Play and Create. Notice how the kitties are perched in their boxes, just enjoying life. Dugan (the black cat) is rapidly outgrowing his box and I think everyone commented on it this weekend! They keep telling me he needs a bigger box. He's only 5-1/2 months and he already weighs 8 pounds. He's gonna be a big guy. While they were both driving us nuts during class, we were glad when they crawled into their boxes to sleep!!

I hope you have had a wonderful relaxing day!!!! I been doing what I love to do - stamping and scrapbooking!!!!

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Graveyard Gala Treat Holder

Are you looking for cool Halloween Treat Holder -- it so, this one's for you! When I saw this, I just thought it was so cute and it also reminded me of my father. He loved black licorice! He also loved those Good and Plenty candies .. yuk!!! Nope, I'm not a black licorice girl at all, but you could always substitute red licorice .. well, actually, the black looks really cool -- and a lot of people do like black licorice. So, let's stay with the black licorice. I've listed below all the products used to create this Halloween Treat Holder. Hope you enjoy your Labor Day Holiday!

Stamps
• Graveyard Gala stamp set (115458)

Paper
• Going Gray textured card stock (Assorted Neutrals Package 108693)
• Pumpkin Pie textured card stock (Assorted Earth Elements Package 108697)
• Whisper White textured card stock (Assorted Neutrals Package 108693)

Ink
• VersaMark® pad (101406)
• Black Stampin’ Emboss® powder (109133)

Accessories
• Old Olive 5/8" grosgrain ribbon (109054)
• Linen thread (104199)
• Spooky Treats Rub-Ons (115729)
• Stampin' Dimensionals® (104430)
• 1/16" Circle punch (101227)
• 3/4" Circle punch (107217)
• Sizzix® Big Shot™ (113439)
• Pillow Box Bigz™ die (113466)

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Twick or Tweet

Isn't this just adorable??? This is one of the projects we made this weekend at Stamp, Play and Create.

This project is one that is in the Holiday Mini Catalog. It was suggested that I include this project at this weekend's Stamp, Play and Create and I'm so glad that I did! You know, I always tell you guys you can copy any of the projects in the Stampin' Up! catalogs and boy, was it fun!!! When I was making the project, I looked at the cardstock that that bird was stamped on and thought, shoot, I don't have that stamp - what is it? How did they stamp those words behind the bird??? So, I went to My Blog and clicked in the right column under the Holiday Mini catalog that has the supplies listed for all the projects. About that time, I realized that it wasn't stamped cardstock that the bird was stamped on -- it was actually DSP from the Night and Day DSP also in the Holiday Mini. I had one of those "DUH" moments!!! Amazing how that works! I was also excited that the stores have their Halloween candy out, so we used Candy Corn in the small cello bags in the inside of the treat holder!!!

I'm looking forward to today's Stamp, Play and Create - I get to make another one - plus the three other projects!! Woo hooo!!! There's nothing like a day that includes stamping!!!!

Click here to place your order for any Stampin' Up! products on my Demonstrator Website - just click on the SHOP NOW in upper right hand corner!

Wonderful Fall

Sicne we seem to be enjoying some nice fall like days here in Norfolk, Virginia, I thought it was fitting to share with you this card made with the Autumn Traditions DSP. I love this time of year when the temperature changes and the cool breezes from the north come through my den windows! Ummmmmm ... again, it makes me not want to leave my house at all. Let me tell you how easy it is to make this card!

1. Adhere the leaf DSP to the top of your Ruby Red cardstock, then adhere the More Mustard DSP to the bottom of your Ruby Red cardstock.

2. Stamp your word image onto the More Mustard DSP using Basic Black ink.

3. Tie your Elegant Eggplant Grosgrain Ribbon around your cardstock, covering the seam where the DSP papers meet.

4. Adhere the Ruby Red cardstock to the Elegant Eggplant cardstock using Dimensionals.

There you go! In this day and age when time to create is at a minimum, DSP really comes in handy to help you create a quick and gorgeous card! If you are new to My Blog - DSP means "Designer Series Paper". Below is a list of the products used and cardstock/DSP measurements!

Stamp Set: Hard to Say (115419/$23.95)
8-1/2" x 11" Cardstock/DSP: Autumn Traditions DSP (115668/$9.95); Elegant Eggplant (105126/$5.50); Ruby Red (102030/$5.50)
Classic Ink: Basic Black (101179/$5.95)
Other: Elegant Eggplant 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon (109039/$4.95); Dimensionals (104430/$3.95)
Measurements: Elegant Eggplant (5-1/2" x 8", scored at 4-1/4"); Ruby Red (5-1/4" x 4"); Leaf DSP (3-3/4" x 3"); More Mustard DSP (3-3/4" x 2")

Hope you enjoy this card and if you live in this (Norfolk, Virginia) area, enjoy this gorgeous day!





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I Must Share!!

I just had to create one more page before I ate dinner!! I pulled out these pictures and smiled as I thought about how small Darci and Dugan were when we first got them! It will be four months on September 11 since we got them. We took Dugan to the vet yesterday and he weighs 8 pounds already!! He's the black cat and he's gonna be a big boy!!!

Hope you like the page!!! :-)

Click here to place your order for any Stampin' Up! products on my Demonstrator Website - just click on the SHOP NOW in upper right hand corner!

A Quick and Simple Scrapbook Page

I'm excited to share my very first page created with My Digital Studio from Stampin' Up! Let's see, it took about 10 minutes to download the program and content CD's, then I played with importing photos into a ready made template, then I added stamped images, buttons and ribbons onto the page, then I created this page. All that took about 1-1/2 hours.

My first take on the product is the ease of use. I can start from scratch on a page or use a template. I can easily add embellishments, ribbons, buttons, text, pictures ... oh man, you just wouldn't believe it! And, as I learn more, I'll share it with you! Needless to say, I am really impressed!!

Now, don't be afraid that I'll never create another scrapbook page, because that is the furthest thing from the truth. I can take this page now that I created it on my computer and actually create a page for my scrapbook! So, you can design your page on your computer, experiment with different things, and when you get something you like, actually create the page using your SU products!!! Am I making sense because I'm just sooo excited!!!!

I'm gonna go play some more!!! :-)

Click here to place your order for any Stampin' Up! products on my Demonstrator Website - just click on the SHOP NOW in upper right hand corner!

Woo hoo!!!

Today is a wonderful day in Stampin' Up! land. Why? Well, today is the first day to order from the Holiday Mini Catalog. I know, you are probably thinking how nice it would be if you had that mini catalog in your hands, huh! I agree totally! Unfortunately, the mini catalogs are arriving a tad late, so it should be at your home any day now. But, you can view it on line so I hope that helps. You'll see in the right column on my blog if you scroll down just a little bit the link to the catalog!

Now, as a demonstrator, we were notified just this morning that we could order the "My Digital Studio", which is Stampin' Up!'s new digital scrapbooking program TODAY!!!! It is in the Holiday Mini Catalog, but is not available until October 1. I have been fortunate enough to see this software demonstrated both at Leadership in January and Convention in August and was really impressed about the ease of use and the features of this awesome software. Now I know that this won't appeal to everyone and that's okay. I hope to show you many different ways you can use this software from scrapbooking to making calendars or other projects! I'm really excited to say that I'll have my order in my hot little hands TOMORROW and you can bet that I'll be counting the hours until I can come home from my day job!!! Also, my wonderful husband and I hooked up my laptop computer to the television in the stamping room to see if you can see my display from the television and lo and behold, it worked. I can't tell you how excited I am because I can teach you all about My Digital Studio (and my bear that is hanging out on my file cabinet can watch too).

I always like to show you a picture so here is another Display Board from Convention. Display boards are one of my favorite things at Convention because I get so many ideas -- I hope you do too!!

Click here to place your order for any Stampin' Up! products on my Demonstrator Website - just click on the SHOP NOW in upper right hand corner!