Holiday Catalog Sneak Peek--Santa's List

August 1st marks the official start of the SU! Holiday Catalog.  Here is a sneak peek at one of the stamp sets you will find in this fantastic publication.  It is called "Santa's List" and can be found on page 31 of the 2013 Holiday Catalog.  It is a 3 piece set with the main image of Santa checking his list and two saying stamps.

Two other new products to point out.  Do you like those diagonal embossed lines in the background?  They are from the Stylish Stripes Embossing Folder.  How about that little ribbon on a clip? That is the Old Olive Simply Styled Embellishment.  They come in a pack of 12 clips.  TIP:  I cut a small slit near the corner of the whisper white and put my bow clip in the slot.  It helped it to lay flat on the card.   

Inside view

The "Merry Christmas" is from the More Merry Messages stamp set.  Do not fear, you can still purchase this stamp set.  It is on a carry-over list of stamp sets not shown in a catalog, but available for purchase.
Here is that list:

CARRYOVER STAMP SETS Evergreen Stamp Set (available in French) Greetings of the Season Stamp Set (available in French) Jewish Celebrations Stamp Set More Merry Messages Stamp Set (available in French) Ornament Keepsakes Stamp Set Snowflake Soiree Stamp Set (available in French and Spanish) These stamp sets can be ordered in the online store. PRODUCTS USED: Stamps: Santa's List (WM#131808, CM#131811), More Merry Messages (WM#126400, CM#126402) Colors: Cherry Cobbler, Old Olive, Whisper White, Crumb Cake, Early Espresso Ink Accessories:  Stylish Stripes Embossing Folder #132174, Old Olive Simply Styled Embellishments #132148, Dimensionals #104430

LAST DAY TO GET JULY DESIGNER SERIES PAPER SPECIAL

BUY 3 GET 1 FREE

ORDER PRODUCTS ONLINE 24/7 at My Demonstrator Website

New Downloads in Full Bloom

Have you tried My Digital Studio yet?  I can't say enough wonderful things about MDS2.  And as if MDS2+ doesn't come with enough fantastic stamp sets, designer papers and features.....Stampin' Up! comes out with additional downloads each Tuesday you can purchase to enhance your My Digital Studio experience.

This week they have outdone themselves.  They have everything you need to complete those summer scrapbook pages.  Here is the About to Blossom August Kit available starting today.

About to Blossom August Kit --#134860  $9.95

We all love something free too.  How about the About to Blossom August Wallpaper.

About to Blossom August Wallpaper---#134861--FREE

Download a FREE 30 day trial of My Digital Studio today. 
Purchase the MDS full software download #130646 for only $19.95  See the included digital content HERE. 
OR 
Learn more about MDS HERE.

ORDER ONLINE 24/7 at My Demonstrator Website

New Catalog Card Swap--Perfect Blend

There are all different types of swaps demonstrators can participate in at convention.  I joined a group of 34 ladies interested in swapping cards with stamp sets new to the 2013-2014 Annual Catalog.  Here is mine.  When I first say the "Perfect Blend" stamp set it immediately went on my first order wish list.  Something about it just called out to me.

I knew I wanted to use watercolor paper for the main image area.  I stamped the image in stazon black and then using my aqua painters, colored it in with Summer Starfruit and Crumb Cake.  The lipstick blotch is Raspberry Ripple to match the DSP print.

I encourage everyone to really look at all the prints in a DSP collection.  This print is on the back of one print in Birthday Basics.  I wasn't sure what to do with the large area in the background, so I made my own print.  I used a tone on tone effect and randomly stamped to cup a few times.  The label on the cup was stamped and cut out from Gumball Green.

PRODUCTS USED:

Stamps: Perfect Blend WM #130745, CM #131392

Cardstock:  Early Espresso #119686, Watercolor Paper #122959, Gumball Green #126840, Crumb Cake #120953

Ink: Stazon Black #101406, Summer Starfruit #126991, Crumb Cake #126975, Raspberry Ripple #126859, Early Espresso #126974

Accessories: Birthday Basics DSP #130145, Dimensionals #104430, Aqua Painters #103954, Raspberry Ripple Stitched Satin Ribbon #126845, Glue Dot #103683

ORDER ONLINE 24/7 at My Demonstrator Website

3D Swap for Convention

I found myself all packed, ready to go to convention with 8 hours to spare this year.  All my card swaps were done and I was just waiting out the time till I could go to the airport.  What is a stamper to do?  Make more swaps.  I sat at my work table, got out my Big Shot and went through my dies.  The Petite Purse Die has been sitting there patiently until I was ready to use it.  So Glad I Did!!

These were a hit at convention.  I thought it was so simple.  Maybe that is what appealed to everyone.  My only problem.....I forgot to put my name on them.  As you can see again, I am in love with this years In Colors.  The Stretch Ruffle Trim is fabulous also.  You can stretch it out for a less ruffled look if you like.  I used it in its unstretched full ruffle form.

The flower on front was made with three punched out 1-1/4" Scallop Circles.  I used the In Color Designer Series Paper Stack.  I crunched them up by hand and held it to the purse with a brad.

The Ruffle Trip was put on in two strips that shared the handle space with some sticky strip.  These are fast to make and perfect for just about any occasion.  I'm thinking wedding favors, baby shower or little girl birthday.  They hold a few pieces of small candy.  I put Chocolate Covered Macadamia Nuts in mine.

PRODUCTS USED:

Stamps: None

Cardstock: 2013-2015 In Colors #131200

Accessories:  Big Shot #113439, Petite Purse Bigz L Die #125606, 2013-2015 In Color Designer Series Paper Stacks #130136, sticky strip #104294, 1-1/4" Scallop Circle Punch #127811, Ruffle Stretch Trim (available in all 5 In Colors)

Ruffle Stretch Trim Product Order Numbers
Pistachio Pudding #130020
Crisp Cantaloupe #130021
Baked Brown Sugar #130022
Strawberry Slush  #130023
Coastal Cabana #130024


Order products online 24/7 at My Demonstrator Website

Happy Birthday CASE!

CASE--Copy And Share Everything.  This is a great way to make cards.  I had received a wonderful card, while swapping at convention, from Cathy Seal.  I loved her color use and design.  I do have this fascination with this years In Colors.  I changed my card to use more of the colors.  I also added some spritzer to the flowers.  You can see my card on the left and Cathy's on the right.  Both stamped sentiments are from the same stamp set.

A close up of the flower details.  

The best part of making cards is giving them away.  I made this one for my friend Rie's birthday.  Here she is celebrating at the Cheesecake Factory in Waikiki, HI.

Of course we had to have cheesecake.  I had the carrot cake cheesecake.  Yummmmmm!!

PRODUCTS USED:

Stamps: Bring on the Cake (WM #128490, CM #121958)

Colors: Crisp Cantaloupe, Strawberry Slush, Pistachio Pudding, Coastal Cabana, Whisper White, Black Stazon Ink #101406

Accessories:  Ovals Collection Framelits #129381, Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder #117335, Coastal Cabana Ruffled Stretch Trim #130024, Sticky Strip#104294, Dimensionals #104430, Blossom Party Originals Die #115971, Bird Builder Punch #117191, Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack #118309, Pearl Basic Jewels #119247

Convention Swap #2

I LOVE SWAPPING!  I participated in a few organized swaps this year.  This is my card for the Stampin' Addicts Birthday Card Swap.

I did a little twist with the focal image.  You could stamp the image on Whisper White and then punch it out with the Scallop Circle Punch.  Instead I punched through the Crisp Cantaloupe Cardstock and put the image behind the space.  All of the colors were chosen to go with the designer paper from the Birthday Basics DSP.

PRODUCTS USED:

Stamps: Sketched Birthday (WM #130423, CM #130426)

Colors Cardstock and Markers: Bermuda Bay, Crisp Cantaloupe, Gumball Green, Raspberry Ripple, Summer Starfruit, Whisper White, Black Stazon Ink Pad

Accessories:  Birthday Basics DSP #130145, 2-3/8" Scallop Circle Punch #118874, Silver Brad, Crisp Cantaloupe Ruffle Stretch Ribbon #130021, Dimensionals #104430

DON'T MISS OUT --Offer Ends: July 31st

Offer Details: Buy three packs of select Designer Series Paper and get one for free!

Order Online 24/7 at My Demonstrator Website.

25th Anniversary of Stampin' Up!

I have enjoyed my 7-1/2 years as a demonstrator for Stampin' Up!  I have been blessed to attend several major events, but nothing compares to the 25th Anniversary Convention in Salt Lake City.  My friend Paula snapped this photo of me near the main stage.

Demonstrators love Stampin' Up! events for all the tips and training we get for our business.  Still, the freebies are kind of nice.  This year they went all out.  Here is a photo of all the stamp sets and kits I received at convention.  Be on the lookout for more information about that little brown bag marked "Undefined" in the lower left corner.

Of course we needed something to carry it all in, so they gave each of us a backpack.  It is white with silver printing in the modern mosaic pattern.  Sorry for the photo quality, I took it with my phone just after we got our bags.

Have you been thinking about becoming a demonstrator?  There is never a bad time to sign up with Stampin' Up!  All new demonstrators can sign up for only $99 and you get to select $125 worth of Stampin' Up! products of your choice.  You will also receive a business pack worth over $65 of catalogs, forms and everything needed to get started right away.

From now thru August 31st Stampin' Up! is having a special for those who sign up.  You can select a project kit from the list below.
You can sign up and become part of my Stampin' Up! team online 24/7 on My Demonstrator Website.

Kit Options:
The first three project kits are from the holiday catalog and the last option is from the annual catalog.

Option	Kit Description	Item	Total Value
1	Build a Banner Simply Created Kit AND Halloween Banner Simply Created Accessory Kit	133507 132698	$29.90
2	Build a Banner Simply Created Kit AND Christmas Banner Simply Created Accessory Kit	133507 132697	$29.90
3	Thankful Tablescape Simply Created Kit	133463	$19.95
4	Tag a Bag Bundle AND Tag a Box Bundle	131371 131372	$22.45

Convention Swap #1

I got back a couple days ago from Stampin' Up! Convention 2013 in Salt Lake City.  I have finally gotten a few hours of solid sleep and can think more clearly.  I have so many ideas it has been hard to decide where to begin.  I have updated my class schedule and uploaded all my photos to my computer.  I took over 700.

"Be the Difference" was the theme of this years convention.  It has encouraged me to think out of my comfort zone in my business and community.  Over the next week or so I will share more of the photos I took at convention.  For now, how about a card.

This is one of the 5 cards I made to swap with other demonstrators at convention.  This was my largest group as I made 216 of this card.  That is 432 flowers stamped and punched, 432 dimensionals, 216 stamped sentiments, 216 cuts of ribbon, 216...of my gosh it was tiring the first time to remind myself again.  I made this card for swapping with my StampersExpress Family, the shoebox swap with my Stampin' Addicts friends, and for general floor swaps with anyone with a card to trade.

It is a fantastic card and the saying can have so many meaning and uses.  It is from the "Feel Goods" stamp set in the Annual Catalog.  You can easily change the card for any color collection.  Just use the coordinating buttons, pack of DSP, and ink.  The coolest thing about this card is the ease of making them in bulk.  There are 72 buttons in a pack of Designer Buttons (available in all 4 color collections--I used Bold Bright).  The beautiful chevron ribbon (I used Marina Mist) cuts into exactly 72 five inch pieces.  You can get 48 cuts from one sheet of Designer Series Paper (Polka Dot Parade DSP) and 28 cuts from one sheet of cardstock (Real Red embossed piece).

PRODUCTS USED:

Stamps:  Feel Goods (WM #131916, CM #129684), Flower Shop (WM #130939, CM #130942)

Ink: Real Red #126949, Dafodil Delight #126944, Stazon Black #101406

Cardstock:  Whisper White #100730, Daffodil Delight #119683, Real Red #102482

Accessories:  Pansy Punch #130698 (available as a bundle with the coordinating stamp set on pg 95), Polka Dot Parade Designer Series Paper #126902, Bold Bright Buttons #130028, Rhinstone Basic Jewels #119246, Dimensionals #104430, Marina Mist 3/4" Chevron Ribbon #130016, Fancy Fan Embossing Folder #127751, Big Shot #113439

Paper Pumpkin On SALE!!

Offer Dates: Thru August 31, 2013

Offer Details: Use the promotion code PUMPKINDEAL to join Paper Pumpkin before August 31, 2013, and pay only $10 a month* for the first two months.
*plus tax, where applicable. Shipping included!

The Fine Print:

• For new subscribers only.
• Promotion applies only to the first two months of a new subscription. After receiving two month's worth, the price for each month's kit will go to the regular price: $19.95.
• You need to visit mypaperpumpkin.com to join.
• You must click "Add Promo Code" and then enter the promo code PUMPKINDEAL in the "Promo Code" field when you sign up on the mypaperpumpkin.com website to take advantage of this promotion.
• You must join by Saturday, August 31, 2013; 11:50 PM (MT).

More nitty gritty about Paper Pumpkin:

• Each month we send you a unique, surprise kit with a project-cards, journals, décor, and more! (We've even color-coordinated, measured, and cut everything for you!)
• Each kit includes stamps, ink, paper, and accessories-everything but adhesive.
• Each kit gives you a 30-minute creativity escape.
• We will ship your Paper Pumpkin on or around the 15th of the month. 
• You need to sign up for a kit by the 10th of the month to get that month's kit. If you sign up on the 11th of the month, your first kit will come the next month. (Let's say you sign up on August 10, we'll send your kit around August 15. If you sign up on August 11, we'll send your first kit around the September 15.)
• There's no commitment, you can cancel your monthly Paper Pumpkin at anytime. You can also skip a month if you want.

SPECIAL OFFER FROM ME:
Sign up by August 10th and be entered into a drawing to receive a kit from a past month.  I will draw one name from those who start a new subscription by August 10th and designate me as their demonstrator.