For You

Kathy liked this card format as the cover length is not the same length as the back. I like it also, it gives you a chance to use another patterned paper! The stamp set is Great Friend & is in the Occassions Mini Catalog. We also used Naturals White, So Saffron, Kiwi Kiss & Whisper White CS, So Saffron, Kiwi Kiss & Going Gray Ink, the ribbon Kiwi Kiss/Very Vanilla Satin.

You Only Live Once

I spent Monday with my friend Kathy stamping in her studio, which is located abover her garage. It was such a great day. The weather was nice, there was a breeze, flowers were in bloom & we were stamping!

We made several cards with the 5th Avenue Floral stamp set. In this project, we used Urban Oasis DSP, Kraft, Kiwi Kiss, & Baja Breeze cs, Basic Black Ink, Valet Ribbon Originals, Filigree Designer Brads, Dimensionals.

Enjoy. Thanks for stopping by.

This is such a striking card! Baja Breeze, Basic Black, & Kiwi Kiss CS, Urban Oasis DSP, Not Quite Navy Marker, Large & Small Oval Punches. The marker was used on the flowers to create some depth & interest to them. For the ovals, if you start by punching the small oval first, then taking the large oval & centering it over the punched image, you can easily create this look! Have fun.

Summertime means flip flops, beach umbrellas, swimming pools, popsicles, and spending time with friends--both old and new. This June and July, Stampin' Up! is celebrating one of the most enjoyable times of the year with the Summer Fun Campaign.

Spend time this summer doing what you love with family and friends--hold a workshop (or several workshops!) during June and July and take advantage of all the great offers that are coming your way.

Dates: June 1-30, 2009

Promotion Details:

The Summer Fun Hostess Bonus Promotion has two parts:

Hostesses who hold a $250-$399.99 workshop will receive an additional $20 in hostess free merchandise dollars.

Hostesses who hold a $400 or more workshop will receive an additional $40 in hostess free merchandise dollars.

Wow Flowers #7

Besides the kit, the only thing I added was buttons.

Everything

Such an elegant card!

Wow Flowers #6

Looking for something more to add to your cards? This one should do it! I've layered DSP onto CS and the stamped images are behind another layer of CS with some Brads attached and the Spiral Punch to decaorate. The greeting is stamped on Very Vanilla, punched with the Word Window punch and layered on Perfect Plum CS punched from the Large Oval Punch. Organdy ribbon to add a touch of softness. For the flowers, I colored them with our Stampin Write Markers.

Merry Christmas

Oops! I forgot to post the rest of the projects using Always. By changing the colors to Riding Hood Red & Old Olive, you have a beautiful Christmas card. This card comes with a "pocket."

Wow Flowers #5

A border made of DSP & CS, a Die-Cut Element with dimension added to it with circle punch and a brad, a greeting, and this card is good to go.

Wow Flowers #4

I believe in floral design, you will find a repetition of odd flowers. That also applies to card making & scrapbooking. Here there are 3 elements. I used SU Background Dotted Stamp, So Saffron Button, & an Ice Circle Rhinestone Brad for some bling! Punches used were Scalloped Circle, 1-3/8" & 1-1/4" & 1" Circle.

Wow Flowers #3

The favorite colors of so many little girs are pink & purple. I even like this one.
In addition to the kit, I used the 1/4" Circle & Word Window punches. I also used Regal Rose Grosgrain ribbon here.

Wow Flowrers #2

For those of you who are learning to make greeting cards, try this sketch. You'll find it very easy. This flower is an adhesive die-cut from the kit, but it could also be a stamped image or layered on a scalloped circle punch. Thanks for stopping by, I appreciate it.

Thank You God For My Grandmother

Yesterday, I went with my Aunt to visit my Grandma who had been entered in to a hospital Friday night. It was such a beautiful day. On the way, we got a call that she was doing much better. I felt truly blessed. I have not been able to see her for a year. As much as I wanted to see her again, I was willing to accept whatever condition that was. I was grateful to hear that it wasn't going to be what we thought. We played 5 hands of Rummy, even though neither one of us could remember the rules. She willingly walked down the hall and back. She was winded, but she did it.
I made her a card & gave it to her after she rested a bit, then I went to the gift shop and got her a pair of bright red slippers. She loved them & wanted to put them on.

Last Chance

Since the date to order the Last Chance stamps & accessories is nearing, I thought I would post some cards using the Simply Sent Card kit called Wow Flowers. The colors really attracted me. If you don't have a stock pile of cardstock and stamps and yet you would like to send homemade cards, you'll love this set. You can find this wonderful kit here.

Opportunity

I want to take a moment to share an opportunity with you; how with just a few workshops a month you can earn extra money--something we all appreciate in this economy.

Let me show you how doable it can be to make over $500 a month from doing workshops. If you hold four $375 workshops in one month, your sales for that month total $1,500 and your earnings are $510.

We all need a happy & fun place to go! At Stampin Up workshops, we laugh with each other, share stories about work, family or whatever, stamp, and have a delighful, fun and up-lifting evening. You will leave a workshop feeling rejuvenated and eager to experience that all over again. That experience, that opportunity to gather together with friends for a comfortable, creative experience is what I love about Stampin Up & I believe sets us apart from others. If you would like to join me, please contact me.


I've been to a party where the jewelry is laid out on a table, you walk by, look at it, & decide what you want or where you sit while somebody extoles the virtues of a particular dishware.

But, you don't build relationships. They don't strengthen relationships. They don't express creativity. And, I certainly don't have nearly as much fun as when I have a stamp in my hand and share stories with my neighbors and friends while we both make a card.

The benefits are so worthwhile! Financial opportunities. Most won't make millions or thousands. You can, very realistically, make hundreds of money, pay for groceries, maybe make a car payment, or save up for a family vacation.

What do you have to do? A few hours, 5 nights a month, and $500! Frist night, prepare for workshop - making phone calls to customers & hostesses, maybe organizing your business a little.

First night, prepare for workshop - making phone calls to customers & hostesses, maybe organizing your business a little. The other 4 nights you have a workshop. Each workshop needs to average $375. If you are not sure you can make that much per workshop, then schedule another workshop, for a little comfort zone. That's not even a part-time job that is 20-30 hours a week.

How do I get started? Begin by asking a few friends to help you get started, or restarted. You probably don't know 40 people who will actually host a workshop, but you likely know 4. Invite family, freinds, co-workers and neighbers to hostess a workshop, Each of them knows people who know people who know people and, well, you get the picture.

Contact me today, and I will gladly help you get started, and I will also be there along the way!

Always Funky

Who would have thought orange & pink would look so good? This puts a completely different sping on this set, don't you think? I like it so much, I bought the Sweet Always DSP. Till the end of this month, you can Buy 3 DSP/Textured 12" x 12" CS & Get One Free!

Thanks for stopping by. I really appreciate it!

Summer Living Magazine

Oh my gosh, Stampin Up just showed us a sneak peak at the new SU craft kit that will be shown in the Summer Living magazine starting June 15. It has to do with 2 of my favorite Summer activities!!! Can you guess what they are? If you think you might know, or want to take a stab at it, leave a comment at the bottom of this post by just clicking "comment" & tell me what they are. The winner will be randomly chosen from the correct answers & will receive a FREE circle scrapbook from me. I will be posting a picture soon. (not available to SU Demos) I am so excited & can't wait to order mine!!!!!!!

A Message From Stampin Up

For the ninth year in a row, our rubber stamps have won the prestigious Readers' Choice award from Creating Keepsakes. We are very grateful for this recognition from the crafting community and proud of the quality and artistic diversity represented in our stamps. Other products to win in their respective categories this year were our Spring-Summer 2008 Idea Book & Catalog as well as our Write Me a Memory Font CD.

Sneak Peak Alert!

The June issue of Creating Keepsakes features a die-cut favor box made with the new Stampin' Up! Fancy Favor Bigz XL die from the upcoming 2009-2010 Idea Book & Catalog.

However, this die, and many more great new products, will be available for purchase on July 1, 2009, when the new Idea Book & Catalog is released.

Last Chance List

As the debut of a new catalog approaches, it's almost time to bid farewell to our retiring stamp sets. Stampin Up is now calling the retired list the last chance list. It will be our last chance to buy these wonderful products. Look for this list on June 1.

Always

This is an adorable little note card. Finished size is 3" x 3". I love the DSP & the colors. Great to leave on a friend's desk at work.

Always

The first picture shows the card already unfolded to see the verse. Inside we used torn cs for a template to create the clouds.

Tip: don't forget to use part of an image as your focal point as a variation in your stamps.

The next picture is of the card folded up as you would take it out of an envelope.
We took the heart stamp, Bravo Burgundy Craft Ink, stamped on Mellow Moss, & heat embossed. This color combo is absolutely gorgeous in real life!

Tomorrow, we will go from elegant to funky with this set. See you then!

Recently, Kathy taught a class on the versatility of our stamp sets. She chose Always, stamp set shown above. From this one set we will be able to show you 8 different cards. I hope you enjoy them.

The first card uses the Scallop & Sweetest Stem Embosslits (a Stampin Up exclusive die), Scalloped Circle, 1-1/4, 1/2 & 1/4 Circle & Large Oval Punches.

Cardstock - Basic Black, Whisper White, Riding Hood Red, Blush Blossom & Cetainly Celery. Ink - Basic Black, Riding Hood Red. Black Gingham Ribbon.

Daily Reflection

As I begin to think about my day, I just finished my swaps for Friday night. We are doing Father's Day or Wedding. I'll be posting those next week. I checked out the Daily Devotion at the Lutheran Church website. It was about parenting, being single I wasn't going to find anything there to get me started. I also thought about other people and their parenting, then I remembered my Results Oriented communication lesson & backed away from that one!

That brings me back to my Dad. He died 19 days before my Mom died. My parents split when I was about 19. I was away from home and going to college. When he left my Mom, he moved in with someone else and moved to Salt Lake City and he eventually married her. I later learned there were many other affairs in his past.

It was a Friday, after school I went home to clean up my apartment, then headed home to Mom's. I walked in the door to find her on the phone talking to my Aunt Judy, my Dad's youngest sister, and crying. I don't know if she knew I was there or not, but within a minute or two, I heard the reason why she was upset.

There have been 2 very traumatic times in my life, that was the first. I left the house, got in my car & went for a drive. I was literally shaking all over, and crying. A few days, or weeks, later I spoke to my Dad on the phone. I used every 4 letter word I knew. When I was done, he told me "I can forgive, but I won't forget."

Then, and for a long time afterwards, I believed that had I reconnected with him, that would signal that what he had done was okay by me. So, for almost 30 years I made it clear to all I wanted no contact with my Dad & I didn't want to hear his name.

Then my Grandmother moved in with him as she was unable to stay by herself or with my Aunt Jo. Since I wanted to keep in touch with her, that meant I would have to go thru my Dad or Dee. Which I did. But only to say this is Deloris, can I speak with Grandma? Because of her hearing loss, she could hear better via the speakerphone than the handset. That made me mad, because everyone in the house was listening and I still wanted to punish.

It was only 5 or 6 years ago that I was watching a Dr. Phil show, when he was working with someone in a similar situation and he expressed how childish it was, & inconsiderate, to not acknowledge the person who answered the phone.

My next adult decision (huh?) was to go with the thought that I can do this if I fake it. Sad, but true. About 1-1/2 weeks before my Dad died, came my first crack at it. We talked for a few minutes, then I asked to speak to Grandma. At his memorial, I thanked God for those few minutes. As Father's Day approaches, I say thank you again.

More than that, I am blessed to have my Grandmother still here today. On the day of my Dad's memorial, Grandma was taken to the ER & treated for Congestive Heart Failure. I learned of this at the memorial, and the news was almost unbearable. When Mom passed away just days later, it was Grandma I found strength & love in.

SWAPS

Mother's Day is only 2 days away. If you don't have a card for her, here are some ideas. Our swap last month was Graduation or Mother's Day.

The first card is by Kathy - notice the technique she used with her greeting stamp. Very nice.

The next card is by Arla. Very pretty - I like the dry embossed image that was added to oval frame.

"Mom" was made by Lily. One of her favorite techniques is Batik and was used for her scalloped circle image.

Next is Lisa's scalloped circle card. It was created with the Big Shot and the Scallop Die. Gorgeous.

Lastly, is my card. I used Pretty in Pink & Certainly Celery CS, Tea Party DSP, Regal Rose Grosgrain Ribbon and Ink, Yummy Stamp (r) & Hodgepodge Hardware. Since my Mom is no longer with us, I chose to design mine so that it is more generic.

If you would like to create a handmade card for your Mom and would like my help, please let me know. I'm happy to do so.

I would love to hear your comments.

Picture the Possibilities

To celebrate National Scrapbooking Month, Stampin Up is offering a Buy 3 Get 1 Free on one of my favorite products - Designers Series Paper &/or 12" x 12" Textured Card Stock! This is for a limited time only. I couldn't order mine fast enough! (lol) Go to my website www:AwakenYourCreativity.StampinUp.net and choose your favorites. Remember, you can order 24/7 from my website. Also, feel free to email or call me with an order. It can be shipped directly to your home. There is no minimum when placing an order, unless otherwise stated. If you place an order of $150 or more, you qualify for the Hostess Benefits, too

Hooray Hardware Number 6

It took me a long time to come up with this one. I guess I just wasn't feeling the dots on the hardware, also I wanted to show a different way to use the hardware. I'm very happy with the way it turned out. Hope you like it!

Last day to register for this fun class is this Friday. We will get to play with lots of fun toys - the Big Shot & Crop-a-Dile, new stamps, scalloped edge punch, and more. I will also be showing you how to create rectangles & squares in any size you want with the Scalloped Edge Punch. You can also create frames with it - fun for your photos and a fun way to highlight your stamped images or greeting. Just think, one punch will create many different shapes for you.

Celebrate

This is the other card Lisa & I did awhile back. I found a similar card on the internet and wanted to give credit, but I can't find the info now.


5-10-09 Edited to add link. The following link will take you to the origianal card. http://www.stampinpretty.com/2009/04/beautiful-bella-bleu.html

Recipe:
Frames With a Flourish
Fancy Flexible Phrases (r)
Bella Bleu DSP
Not Quite Navy CS
Very Vanilla CS
Basic Jumbo Grommets
Punches: 5 Petal Flower, 1/2" Circle
Brads Earth Elements
Dimensionals