Shoebox Stampers

New Catalog open house projects

Today I held my Open House for the new catalog and this was one of the cards we created!  We used the pink pirouette, which is a new In Color, and the new Ronald McDonald set, Say it with scallops.  I also used certainly celery and chocolate chip (okay, where's my chocolate?  I always get a craving for it when I think/use/see that color!).  I stamped the "thanks" stamp in Versamark and embossed with white embossing powder, then punched it out with the new scallop square punch.  It is adhered with stampin' dimensionals on top of regal rose grosgrain ribbon. It is a CASE of one by stampininutah on split coast stampers.  I changed mine to a regular card size and changed the bottom to a wheel, which is super easy.

Something else I wanted to share with you is a color chart for using the new In Colors.  I try to use them as much as I can since they are only here for a year, but sometimes I have difficulty coming up with combinations, so I just love it when Stampin' Up! puts out their suggestions! 

Download in_color_combos_2008.pdf

Make sure to download it and let me know what you come up with - sometimes just seeing what others create helps me find a new combination too!

Stampin' Up! song - you've gotta hear this!

I don't usually post twice in one day (actually never since I started this blog) but I stumbled onto this and had to share it!

After Awards NIght at Convention, Stampin' Up! brought in Tonic Sol Fa, an a cappella group, to play for us.  Greg is the funny one who created a song about Stampin' Up! that is just hilarious!  I cannot emphasize this enough!  You just have to check it out!

The amazing part for me is that Greg reminds me so much of my brother-in-law Kevin.  Maybe I can get his band, Spooge, to play it for me (us)?  (BTW, he and his band do graduations, weddings - my sister's was awesome! - and other celebrations.  Just email him for information.)

Create Decor Elements!

Let me tell you!  I had the toughest time with this piece, and it was all my doing! 

I have a board that is stained and fitted with clips which I use to display my children's artwork and assignments (which my father-in-law made for me - he's so nice!).  I have wanted something to go above this board and couldn't decide what, but the decision was quickly made when the Decor Elements line came out with the "create" rub-on.  So I placed my order, and, when I received it, I rubbed and rubbed the small "Create" rub-on and just couldn't get it to adhere to the side for application.  I went to convention and saw how to do it right and lo and behold, it was super easy!  You simply rub over the application once or twice, then pull the gridded side 180 degrees away from the rub-on!  Once I did it right, it took about a half hour total to prep and adhere it!  And I love it!  I can't wait to see what Grace thinks - she's my number one critic (but she just loves everything I do, so it works perfectly!).

If you would like to watch the video that explains it better than I can (and preferably before you try to put it on your wall!), go here.  It's a lot easier to see that than to understand my babbling, but I just had to share my experience!

My Big Shot is here!

I was hoping I would receive my Big Shot with enough time to play, but alas, my UPS guy (always on my favorites list!) didn't show up until right before dinner, then I had yard work to do, so I hope to unpack and play tomorrow. 

Remember that the Big Shot will be available for order starting September 2, so save your pennies and contact me for your own Big Shot!  Plus if you attend Friday's Open House (to showcase the new catalog), you'll be able to play with it and let me know how you like it.  Plus, it's a FREE class!  So what are you waiting for?  Contact me ASAP for your spot either at 9 am or 6:30 pm.  I can't wait! 

And as soon as I get a chance to play, I'll share what I've made!  I can't wait until tomorrow!

Shelli Gardner, Stampin' Up!'s CEO, starts a blog!

At convention 2008, Shelli Gardner, our CEO and co-founder, announced that she is starting a blog! There will be creative challenges, projects, and snapshots of her family - pretty much anything she decides to  write about!  While I enjoy hearing about her growing family, I am looking forward to all the ideas she will be sharing!  I imagine she and the team at the home office see quite a few!  Let me know what you think and make sure to submit your own creative challenge efforts - she wants to hear from all of us, not just the demonstrators!

Jello in a cake?

Many of you have probably already tried (and loved!) this dessert, but I hadn't heard of it until the last couple years when the moms would meet and have coffee and dessert together.  My friend Sarah told me about this one, and I love it's versatility! 

It's simply a cake mix made according to directions and allowed to cool.  Then you use the handle of a wooden spoon to make holes in the cake.  After choosing your flavor of jello, mix it up using only the hot water and pour it over the holes in the cake.  Finally, ice the cake with whipped topping and cool it in the refrigerator.  It's so easy and really yummy!  And jello has a recipe here.

As always, if you have a great, easy dessert, let me know!  I love to bake up new goodies for my stampers!

More fresh cuts fun

Since I haven't posted these yet, I thought I'd show you what I came up with during the June promotion (I know, it's August, already!).  I have been so busy getting ready for school and cleaning my craft room that I haven't had much time to create but these are so nice and easy that I figured they would do the trick!

They both use the fresh cuts love notes, but one has the fresh cuts background stamp in the background (the pretty in pink card) and one has it in the foreground (the elegant eggplant on the right) with a solid in the back.  I love ribbon, brads, and beads, so these cards showcase a few of my favorites!  If you would like directions, or would love to purchase the stamp set and love notes for yourself, just email me and I'll set you up!

SU announces $99 starter kit!

With the start of the 20th anniversary, Stampin' Up! has announced a $99 starter kit through October 11, which is great for those who already have a lot of our items.  You can even choose if you would like to focus on stamps, scrapbooking, or home decor!  Please email me with questions - I would love to have you on my team! 

Download 99_starter_kit.pdf

Of course, if you don't have a lot of supplies already, the original kit is available with an extra free stamp set of your choice ($41.95 and under)!  Plus, when you join, regardless which way you choose, I will give you another free stamp set when you reach $1000 in sales! 

I can't wait to hear from you!

New catalog has new discounts!

Wow!  Stampin' Up! usually does not release a new catalog and new promotions at the same time, but with the 20th Year Anniversary, anything is possible!  So, having said that, there are several new sets that are 15% off without an additional purchase!  If you don't have your new catalog yet, make sure to contact me for your copy!  Then, when you have your copy, check out the new sets on the special and contact me to place your order!  I can't wait to hear from you!

Download august_never_before_seen.pdf

The new catalogs are HERE!!!

Yes, late yesterday afternoon, my pre-order shipment arrived on my doorstep!  I am so excited to show all the new stamp sets and accessories to you!  If you haven't already reserved your copy, email me right away because they are going fast!