What’s Up You Might Ask?

You might be wondering “where’s Penny, and why isn’t she posting? What has she been doing this month? Well, let me tell you September has been a really fun month for me, and I’ve been doing the things I love.

To begin with I’m participating in Ustamp with Dawn Fall 2009 and what a blast it’s been. I was amazed at how much fun the summer Ustamp was, but I’m absolutely bowled over by the beautiful projects and the numbers of women participating from around the globe in this fall session. I can’t wait to get on my computer every day and check out who’s there and what the latest projects are and then get to my studio to do the “creating” part. So stay tuned as I start to post more of my projects.

I was delighted to find out I was paired with Holly Griffith from New Plymouth, New Zealand as “swap sisters”. Wow what fun I had making my projects to send to Holly. I managed to get everything done and mailed two days before deadline. Woo Hoo! I can’t show you my whole project yet because it’s a secret until we post our swaps on September 28th on Ustamp with Dawn and Friends but here’s a sneak peak…………….. Is this exciting or what!

Also this week my door bell rang twice, sending the dogs (yes dogs………… I’m babysitting dogs this month for good friends) into a frenzy. I was in a frenzy too because my latest shipment of goodies from the Holiday Mini Catalogue had arrived by UPS.

These goodies include the new My Digital Studio.  Over the coming weeks I hope to share a number of projects that I have created using the MDS so stay tuned! Here are some details you need to know about My Digital Studio.

Beginning October 1, 2009 - Go digital with Stampin' Up's "My Digital Studio"

• Perfect for beginner or intermediate digital scrapbookers or cardmakers. There are also enough creative options that advanced users will have everything they need

• Creates cards, pages, calendars, books, and albums - plus interactive digital scrapbooks that you can burn to DVD.

• Runs on PC and Mac (PowerPC and Intel) platforms

• Three ways to design: Build from scratch; generic card, calendar, and scrapbook templates and pre-designed scrapbook templates (just drop in your photos)

• Three product line elements: My Digital Studio software, printing services, and downloadable brushes and papers through the online store - Digital Downloads

• My Digital Studio comes on a DVD with a selection of brushes, not all of which are available as Digital Downloads

• Digital Downloads can be used with My Digital Studio or with another application, such as Photoshop Elements

• Digital Downloads will be available in the online store

• Printed versions of your digital creations can be ordered through My Digital Studio printing services

Stampin' Up Workshops

A Stampin' Up! workshop is a creative event you host at your home, or in my home. You can even hold a virtual workshop on line (ask me for details). It's an event where you invite your friends to enjoy an exciting demonstration provided by a Stampin' Up! demonstrator. When you host a workshop, you'll see new project ideas, learn different techniques, make a project, and have fun with people you enjoy.

As a hostess, you'll work with me to choose a date for a workshop, then invite your friends and family into your home or mine, to stamp and have fun with you. Your Stampin' Up! workshop can be as simple or elaborate as you want it to be. It can be a class where you make specific projects, or a training event where you learn new techniques. No matter what you have in mind, I will help you make it the perfect event for you and your friends!

Three Great Reasons to Host a Workshop

1. "FREE STUFF! When you host a workshop, you can earn FREE stamp sets, ink, paper, accessories, and more! Check out our Hostess Benefits table to see all you can get.
2. SEE HOSTESS BENEFITS EXCLUSIVE PRODUCTS FOR HOSTESSES! Hostesses have the opportunity to earn exclusive hostess-only products that cannot be purchased from the catalog.FUN, FUN, FUN! Hosting a workshop means getting together with your friends, having a great time, and discovering (or rediscovering) a way to express your creativity.
3. CONTACT ME TO HOST A WORKSHOP"

Refrigerator Magnet Note Books

Everyone loves notebooks and when they can be mounted on the refrigerator they are even better!

Here are two cute examples I designed following Mirabella De Rossi, from UStamp with Dawn, demonstrated a her beautiful little refrigerator notebook, during our recent session of UStamp with Dawn and Friends.

Mirabella loves butterflies, so when I designed my femine version of her notebook, I added some little butterflies from the Dreams Du Jour stamp set (page 99 of IB&C).

For the femine version the card stock base is Melon Mambo and Old Olive and the retired DSP Raspberry Tart were used as accents. I cut the "notes" letters from Old Olive cs using my Medium Sizzlit Die called Go-Go boots (page 197 of IB&C). A small notebook from the dollar store was covered in the same materials and mounted to the inside. A magnet was used on the back to mount to the refrigerator.

I used the Friends 24-7 stamp set (page 100 of the IB&C) set for my masculine version and Soft Suede card stock for the base. DSP used for the front cover trim and the booklet is from the retired Outlaw designer paper series.

To give this one some added interest I stamped the bird three times, twice on Vanilla cs and once on the base cs. I hand cut the two Very Vanilla birds and then mounted a full cut out on top of the base stamp and then a portion of the head, beak and wing to the Very Vanilla stamped piece using dimensionals. I glazed up the legs, beak and bird's eye with Crystal Effects. Before mounting each layer on dimensionals, I used a tip from a fellow stamper and using the new soft suede marker, I coloured around the each portion of the dimensional that could be seen if the bird is turned sideways. By colouring the dimensionals the same as the main image, the little foam pieces simply disappear. Neat trick eh?


I sponged the background of the soft suede with soft suede ink and used the medallion stamp for the piece of card stock withthe gold brads. I think this gave the card a very masculine feel.

The scallop punch was used on the Outlaw DSP to give the front of the notebook some additional dimension.

Goodie Boxes

How's this for a treat holder? This week on UStamp with Dawn and Friends Tracey Old the very talented Crew Team member from New Zealand shared her "Coffee Treat" gift box. What a winner? This quick to make nifty little box would make a great house warming gift during the upcoming Holiday season. To that end, I have designed my box to hold chocolate nuggets covered in last year's Holiday Treasures DSP and candy canes............ where's the hot chocolate?

The box base is made from Old Olive cs and the belly band again from the Holiday Treasures DSP. I used the "Just For You" sentiment from the Oval All stamp set and mounted it on Old Olive and Red Riding Hood cs punched out with the large oval punch. The same cs was used with the Trio Flower punch to add additional interest to the belly band and each of the chocolates. and finally SU's gold brad's were used for the flower centers to give a bit of added colour. All in all, this was a very quick and inexpensive gift to make, and I'm sure it will be a hostess pleaser.

Simply Scrappin Kits - Have You Tried Them?

How many of you have ever looked at the Simply Scrappin Kits shown in the Stampin' Up Idea Book and Catalogue, and passed them by because you thought "they're just for scrapbooking". I know when I first started with Stampin Up that's what I did, because I make cards, boxes and treat bags and do fewer scrapbook projects. Well, no more. During the last UStamp with Dawn session, I discovered just how versatile these beautiful kits are. This beautiful Criss Cross box and card set are a great example of what you can make in under two hours with just half of one of these kits. Now that's value! This kit called Sunshine Garden is now retired, but you can see other projects I've made with this same kit in older posts.

Each kit comes with 3 sheets of double sided 12 x 12 Designer Paper. You also get 2 each of four different coordinated pieces of 12 x 12 textured cardstock - that's 8 sheets of cardstock. And finally, 2 each of three 6 x 12 sheets of matching self-adhesive die cuts. All the bells and whistles with these ones.

All this for just $26.95. So what are you waiting for check out the kits featured on pages 164 to 167 of the 2009 -2010 Idea Book and Catalogue. You can use my on line ordering button to shop now, or click here. You'll be creating in no time.


If you're looking for the perfect sentiment stamp set to use with these types of cards, check out "Sincere Salutations" on page 143 of the IB&C. For just $4.00 a stamp (there are 8 in the set) you get a sentiment that is perfect for every occasion.

Sincere Salutations
115068 Price: $31.95
Use these simple stamps to celebrate and sympathize with those you love. Sometimes the short messages say so much.
Set Quantity: 8

Elegant Black and White

Last week I received this belated "Happy Retirement" card from a very good friend of mine. A simple design made by punching black and white circles with SU's 3/4" and 1" circle stamps. Random small flower images from the Greenhouse Garden set(113824) were stamped in black ink on 3/4" white circles. The Trio Flower Punch (109183) was used to stamp small flower images from black and white DSP and black brads were used for the centers. The medium sized floral stamp from the Fifth Avenue Floral set (113734) was stamped and embossed on Whisper White Card stock and the center was highlighted with dazzling diamonds. Although this card uses a retirement sentiment, it could easily be changed to honor a birthday or anniversary. I wish the picture could do this card justice, as it is truly well put together and very classy. Thanks my friend for the card and your well wishes!

Holiday Mini Catalogue

The Holiday Mini Catalogue begins today and is available until January 4, 2010. There are so many exciting new stamp sets and accessories to look at, you'll be amazed.

If you would like to have a catalogue of your own please contact me by email: pennyhanuszak@telus.net, and I would be happy to get one out to you, or discuss any product questions you may have.