Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Weekly Deals - February 25th to March 3, 2014

Tuesday's rolled around again and Stampin' Up! has some great offerings for you on this week's special deals.  


These weekly deals are available while supplies last or until March 3rd, whichever comes first.  My favourite this week is the Backyard Basics Framelit dies, which co-ordinates with the beautiful six piece stamp set of the same name.  They're a perfect match!  


Backyard Basics #129255, Wood Mount Price: $30.95 or Clear Mount # 129258 $21.95.  As winter fades and spring approaches, the images in the Backyard Basics Stamp Set will inspire you to appreciate the beauty that is all around you!  It's easy all you need to do is 1) stamp 2) Cut and 3) Go:




Sunday, February 23, 2014

Featured Artisan on Paper Craft Crew Challenge Blog

I just wanted to share my good news with you. My card was chosen as one of the Artisan cards for the February 18th Paper Craft Crew Challenge #79. 

If you voted for my card thanks so much!  What a nice honour!  Here's  my card and the sweet little badge they gave me for my blog. 






PCCC#79

Demonstrator Resources and Support

Have you ever thought about becoming a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator but hesitated because you weren't sure what type of support you would need or whether you could host workshops and home parties?  Well you're not alone.  I think all the demos I've ever talked to have had the same concerns at one time or other. 

Stampin' Up!  offers lots of resources for their demonstrators such as Stampin Connection, a website just for demonstrators where we can share information and projects, a Video Library, Training Webinars and much much more.  

Recently a new resource was added called "Doctor Penny".  Doctor Penny is a free on-line resource for Stampin' Up! demos that accepts questions by email and can assist with just about any dilemma that may arise.  I answered a survey on Doctor Penny a few weeks back, and was rewarded with a full package of Watercolour Wonder Paper.  What a surprise and treat!


Becoming a demonstrator during a promotional time such as Sale-a-Bration is a great opportunity.  Not only do you get your free products and start up kit but it's an awesome time to take advantage of the sales with your own friends and family. 

If you'd like to know more about starting your own business or becoming a hobby demo just click here, watch the video and see the information that's available on my web site.  I'd love to have you join my team! 

Saturday, February 22, 2014

PRODUCTS ON BACKORDER

February 20, 2014
Everyone's in love with the new Fringe Scissors and Petite Petals Punch by Stampin' Up!. Who knew theses two products would be so popular!  

Well that's the good news, the bad news is that so many were bought in the past month, that Stampin' Up! has run out of stock and this means these products are on backorder until they can renew their supply. Stampin' Up! is currently working with their suppliers to determine how quickly additional stock can be made available.  

You can still order them, but I just wanted to let you know they're currently out of stock, so you won't be disappointed.  I'll let you know when they are back in stock.


Petite Petals Punch Item #133322  Price: $15.95  Coordinates with the Petite Petals Stamp Set.  Punched image size: 7/8" diameter.
Petite Petals Item #133155 Price $14.895

Fringe Scissors Item#133325 Price: $13.50  Make fringe trim in seconds without tediously making each individual cut. Cut fringe or grass trim with a few snips. Makes quick work of confetti, too.

Thursday, February 20, 2014

Thank You Cards You're Going To Love

I don't know about you but I'm always running out of thank you cards and I like to have a large variety on hand to cover any situation that arises. My mom always taught me that one of the most important things in life is showing your gratitude for a gift, a good deed or just because.  She also taught me not to wait to express that gratitude. As a result, I'm always on the lookout for quick and easy thank you card sketches and designs that I can use. 

On a recent search of Youtube I found four fun Thank You cards designed by Connie Stewart and Josee Smuck in their Simply Stampin Stampin Gals Gone Wild Wednesday series. This is a great inspirational site.  Connie is an American Demo and Josee Smuck is her Canadian counterpart.  

I never like to waste cardstock, it's so precious, so what really intriqued me about these cards which feature the Secret Garden and Oval Framelits is that you can make four cards from one card concept and use up most of the scraps.  

Is it any wonder I fell in love with the quick and easy design of these cards and wanted to CASE them?  I only changed one thing when I made them the first time - I left off a bow on the first card because I wanted cards that mailed flat.  
Card One is a top fold card featuring an oval window which shows off the inside of the card.  Both the dimensional flowers and the "Thank You" sentiment make a bold image. After stamping with the Another Thank You stamp set, I've simply fallen in love with it.  So stay tuned, you'll probably be seeing a lot more cards from me with this sentiment, or one of the other 9 from the set.   


For the inside of the orange card I stamped the "Thank You" image first and then added the flower and one stamped leaf, which hid a little ink smudge (don't tell anyone!).  In retrospect I think I would use my Stamp-a-ma-jig to line up flowers and leaves and stamp the images on the cardstock and then add a couple of dimensional flowers. It might add a little more depth doing it that way.

This is the inside view of the Old Olive card.  

Card Two  is a Gatefold Card that is constructed with the left over ovals from the first card to create the "latch".  

This view shows the two cards.  It would have been super easy to do a change-up by adhering the flowers on the second card on the opposite side, or a different configuration.   

Here is a view of the card's interior.  It's stamped with Another Thank You Photopolymer Stamp set and images from Secret Garden.  

Here's a closeup of the oval latch .  I stamped an additional flower and adhered it to the back side of the oval to give it a more finished look.   


Here you can see how the gatefold closes oval over oval.  The Old Olive oval tucks in behind the yellow flower on the bottom of the card and this helps keep the card face closed.  



Supplies:

Card Stock: Old Olive, Whisper White and Tangerine Tango

Ink: Baked Brown Sugar, Star Fruit, Raspberry Ripple

Stamp Sets: Another Thank You Photopolymer set, Secret Garden

Secret Garden Stamp Set  Clear Mount#129144 Price: $22.95 or Wood Mount #131940 Price $31.95.This 7-piece set is perfect for spring and summer motifs. Coordinates with our Secret Garden Framelits Dies.




Another Thank You Photopolymer Stamp Set #133454 Price: $16.95. Use this exclusive 10 piece photopolymer stamp set for any occasion that calls for a thank you. Stampin' Up! recommends clear block sizes A, B, C, D, and F (not included in the set).
Accessories:  Oval Framelits, Secret Garden Framelits, Big Shot, Magnetic Platform, Trimmer, Large Rhinestones, adhesive, dimensionals.

Well that's it for today stampers.  I hope you've liked these cards too and that you'll try out this fun technique for yourself.  Just watch the video as noted above.   Leave me a comment if you enjoyed this post.  

Penny

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Weekly Deals, Clearance Rack and Paper Pumpkin

Weekly Deals:
My how the time just flies! It's Tuesday again and time for this week's deals.  Here's a look at what's available between now and  February 24th:

I'm thrilled to see the Label Insert Pop N' Cuts Die on sale for 25% off...........it's been on my wish list for sometime now, so I'll be taking advantage of this sale.  I'm also excited to see the Gold and Silver Stampin' Glitter listed.  If you're interested in checking out these items and this week's other deals just click on this link to my online store.

The Clearance Rack 

The Clearance Rack has been updated with some great new deals on designer series paper, ribbons and more.  Just click here:   to see what's new.  


Paper Pumpkin Promo

Stampin' Up! has announced a special offer for active Paper Pumpkin subscribers.   While suplies last, current subscribers can purchase a selection of past Paper Pumpkin Kits and Paper Pumpkin Refill Kits.

This special offer is only available for active Paper Pumpkin subscribers 
(someone who is receiving one or more Paper Pumpkin kits on a monthly basis). Former Paper Pumpkin subscribers are not eligible unless they resubscribe.

Kits and refill kits will count toward Sale-A-Bration rewards (through March 31) and hostess benefits for all subscribers, including demonstrator subscribers.

If you're an active subscriber you can order as many kits and refill kits as you'd like while supplies last. Once Stampin' Ups! current inventory of a kit is depleted, the kit will not be available for ordering.

Fine Print:

  • Kit prices do not include shipping; standard shipping rates apply.
  • To order these kits, Paper Pumpkin subscribers must call Demonstrator Support during normal business hours (M-F, 7 AM [MT] - 7 PM [MT]) at 1-800-STAMP UP (1-800-782-6787). 
  • Kits cannot be ordered in the Online Store or via OEX (Online Ordering Express).
  • Kits can be added to a demonstrator, customer, or workshop order.
  • Kits cannot be used on incentive orders or as a Starter Kit item.
  • Kits can be purchased with hostess dollars or as hostess 50%-off items.
  • Paper Pumpkin Refill Kits do NOT include the stamp set or ink from the original kit.
  • Full Kits - $20.95 + shipping


Thursday, February 13, 2014

Paper Players Colour Challenge #PP182

I've added a new badge to my side bar today that will link you to The Paper Players blog.  Look for this badge:

I've played along with a couple of their challenges in the past, and decided to revisit them this week when I saw this gorgeous colour combo challenge.  
Colour Challenge #182
The Paper Player's Design team is comprised of some very talented ladies so you'll want to check out their creations and visit their blogs.  One of the things I like about the The Paper Players challenges offer is the variety of their challenges. They're not just about sketches.  

Their challenges are posted on Sundays and run until Friday noon, and they annouce their winners each Saturday.  Here is their monthly schedule of challenges.  Hope you'll play along too.

Week One:     Theme Challenge with Pinterest Inspiration It'
Week Two:    Colour Challenge
Week Three:  Clean and Simple Challenge
Week Four:    Sketch Challenge
Week Five:     Tic Tac Toe

Here's my card for this week's Colour Challenge:

If this card looks similar to the one I did for the Paper Craft Crew Card Sketch #79 last week, you're right.  I really enjoyed that sketch and the way it came together so quickly, so I decided to reuse the sketch and the Starburst Sayings stamp set.

The colour combo of Crisp Cantaloupe, Midnight Muse and Gold works so well for this card.  Here are some more views:


The Starburst Sayings stamp set includes a variety of small, medium and large stamps that are perfect for celebrating many events and successes. Here I've stamped the images in Cranberry Crisp and Midnight Muse and added a small touch of gold.   

Starburst Saying Stamp Set 
This view shows the inside of the card.  

This is such a cheery card.  I like all the textures from the embossing folders, the dsp and the gold shimmer paper. Check out my supply list to see what I used. 

Supplies:
Cardstock & Designer Series Paper: 

  • Midnight Muse 8 1/2 x 5 1/2 for base and 2 x 3 1/2 for banner
  • Crisp Cantaloupe 4 x 5 1/4" for first layer
  • Very Vanilla 3 3/4 x 5 for the inside panel and a 4 x 4 piece to stamp the Starburst Sayings on
  • Gold Shimmer Paper
  • Venetian Romance DSP for the 2 x 3" Crisp Cantaloupe banner
Ink:  Crisp Cantaloupe and Midnight Muse 

Accessories:
  • Big Shot Machine, Modern Mosaic Embossing Folder, Stripes Embossing Folder, Starburst Framelits 
  • Two Gold Brads
  • Scissors, Dimensionals, Sponge Daubers, Trimmer 
Okay thanks for dropping by and checking out my post for today.  I'd love to hear your comments on my card.  

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Sans and Stripes Photopolymer Stamp Set

If you like your ABCs there's a new photopolymer alphabet stamp set in town and it's sure to be a big hit!  

This new set is called the Sans and Stripes Photopolymer Stamp Set.  It's a fantastic value as it comes with 58 stamps for only $16.95.  This trendy must-have set offers bold and striped options that will look great on their own or used together!  This past week I saw some really cute cards that combined this set with the Pennant Banners and Banner Punch from the Sale-A-Bration catalogue..... think "happy birthday" on banners.  Oh so cute!


Sans And Stripes Photopolymer Stamp Set 136796 Price: $16.95
Stampin' Ups! photopolymer stamps offer a versatile all-clear stamping option. You'll find these photopolymer stamps to be of top-quality and they'll give a perfectly stamped image every time. You'll be sure to have tons of enjoyment with all these images and for such a low price!  Stamping doesn't get any better than that.

When Stampin' Up! first released Photopolymer stamps in 2013, they weren't sure if they would be a product that would continue, so they were offered on an "as available" basis.  Well I have some great news for you that's just been released about the longevity of these stamps.  Stampin' Up! is so happy with this product line that come June when the new catalogue is released, they will be included and there will be more options available for purchasing them, for instance, they will be coming out in the plastic DVD Cases so no more dilemmas about how to store them.  

Penny 

Stampin' Up! Promotions 
and Specials 

PCCCS Challenge #79 -

One of my 2014 New Year's Resolutions was to participate in card sketch and colour challenges on a more regular basis.  Sketch and colour challenges are a fun way to rejuvenate your creativity and challenge yourself to do something different and exciting.  

So with that in mind, I was drawn to the Paper Craft Crew Card Sketch #79 this week and had fun making my first "challenge" card of the year.  Hope you like it!
Paper Craft Crew Card Sketch Challenge # 79 - February 5,2014

My Card:
I really liked all the layers and the colour mix.  


Supplies Used:

Stamp Set:  Starburst Sayings Item # 133185 (cm) $18.95 or #133182 Wood $25.00 from the Occasions Catalogue pg. 34
Cardstock:   Baked Brown Sugar, Crisp Cantaloupe, Island Indigo, Very Vanilla
DSP:  Venetian Romance
Ink:  Baked Brown Sugar, Crisp Cantaloupe

Accessories:  
  • Big Shot- Starburst Framelits, Circle Framelits, Beautiful Wings Embosslits and Fancy and Fan Embossing Folder
  • Trimmer, Dimensionals, Snail Adhesive.
  • Candy Dots Brad Bases and Candy Dots in Island Indigo
  • Linen Thread  

Happy St. Patty's Day!

Rainbows, a Pot of Gold, Leprechauns green beer and shenanigans are all part of celebrating St. Patty's Day on March 17th. I have a sma...