Ask Me To Stamp

What's staying? What's going?

2016-12-01T11:44:00.001-05:00

Well, hello December! Hard to believe it is just a few weeks until Christmas! I am NOT ready by any means, are you?

I wanted to share that today marks the beginning of the Year End Close Outs with Stampin' Up! Many items in the Holiday catalog will retire on January 3rd, in preparation for the upcoming Occasions and Sale-a-Bration items, but you still have this month to get them ordered! Do you have a crafty friend who is hard to buy for? What about YOUR wish list? Ever thought to give that to your family and have them contact me? Order now and you can get those items well in advance of Christmas! You can see the close out items in my online store HERE - (and many are discounted!)

By the way, I just sent out a customer email with all the details and a special from me to anyone that places a qualifying online order this month. Use Host Code S7MJWKG4 on your online order of $25 in merchandise or more and I will send you a packet of 5 assorted handmade cards! If your order is $50 in merchandise or more, I will add a package of our fun rhinestones to your card packet! SHOP HERE

I do have good news - there is quite a list of items from the Holiday catalog that will carry over to the new year! Yippee!

Hurry because it is only while supplies last on some items, and while you are at it, sign up now for my customer emails!
Click HERE to join and get all my news!

2016-11-07T10:28:00.000-05:00

Oh my gosh! Where does the time go? I have been missing in action, and I am so sorry!

I just returned from Madison, WI where I attended a fun OnStage event with Stampin' Up! I learned sooo much, got inspired to really work my business, and have lots of fun ideas to share with you all.

They gave us a sneak peek at the Occasions catalog as well as the Sale-abration flyer that will go live on January 4, 2017, and let me tell you - start saving your pennies! If you like the Holiday catalog - the Occasions one will blow you away!

I will be sharing soon some of the great swaps I received on Saturday, but for today, here is MY swap:

This was a fun card to make - actually both of my clubs made this card last month! Using the Foxy Friends stamp set for the reindeer and trees, I added the sentiment from Christmas Pines and the Labeler Alphabet. I chose traditional Christmas colors - Cherry Cobbler and Garden Green. Quick and easy!

TIP: Use a sharpie marker to color the rhinestones - I used a red sharpie to make red noses for my reindeer!

Bonus Days!

2016-07-07T14:58:00.005-04:00

Did you get everything you want from the new annual catalog yet?

Since it only came out a month ago, you probably still have some items on your wish list, and we have some great news for you!

For every $50 you spend in between July 7 and July 31 (before shipping and tax), you’ll get a $5 Bonus Days coupon that you can use August 2–31. This is a great opportunity to shop from your wish list, whether you buy your favorite products now or later in August with your coupons!

DETAILS

• Promotion Period: July 7–31, 2016
• Redemption Period: August 2–31, 2016
• An email address is required to participate in this promotion; Bonus Days coupon codes can only be delivered via email.
• It is strongly recommended that participants both save emails containing their Bonus Days coupon codes AND write down the coupon codes in a safe place. Codes cannot be resent if the email is lost, and lost codes cannot be recovered.
• Bonus Days coupon codes can be redeemed for any product, excluding Starter Kits and Paper Pumpkin subscriptions. New prepaid Paper Pumpkin codes can be redeemed.

Click on the sidebar to shop, or contact me today to place your order!

Sweet Baby Bear

2016-06-22T09:17:00.000-04:00

My clubs made this cute card this month at their meetings. Baby Bear is a new 3-Step Stamping set from the new Annual Catalog. Some of you may remember Button Bear from years ago - this is the new and improved version!

This is such a great stamp set to use to experiment with different color combinations, since each "step" would be in a different color.

My sample uses Sweet Sugarplum first, then I stamped the second step in Soft Suede, and the final step I used Early Espresso.

If you look closely, you can see the small gold enamel heart.

Night of Navy Love!

2016-06-07T06:45:00.002-04:00

After cleaning up a bit, I was able to get into my box of new goodies and play a bit.

The new bundle of Floral Phrases stamp set and Detailed Floral Thinlits were calling the loudest, so I opened them and started stamping. This is such an elegant set that I fully expect to see amazing projects in the next few months. Here is what I came up with on my first run through...

I like that the decorative edge piece is used for both floral pieces, and you can see that I used it for edging the sentiment too. I think I would like all the pieces to have an edging of the Night of Navy, but I still like this version too. Navy and Silver are such a classy combination...great for weddings and anniversaries.

Below is the list of items used in this project. Now which stamp set is next?

Floral Phrases Clear-Mount Bundle
$42.25

Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Thick Cardstock
$7.00

Silver Foil Sheets
$4.00

Night Of Navy Classic Stampin' Pad
$6.50

Generated by SUDSOL,

It's L-I-V-E!

2016-06-05T11:03:00.001-04:00

I cannot believe it is finally time! The new Stampin' Up! Annual Catalog is here and fully active for ordering! Yippee!

This has to be one of the BEST Annual Catalogs in a long time. I'm grateful that I have earned a lot of free stuff (for sales, recruiting and other programs that SU offers its demos) so the first order I placed on June 1st was a whopper! The good news is that the grand total was much less than expected, because of all that free stuff!

My good customer Christy, always holds my first new catty workshop each year, and Thursday was the day. She had 9 guests and we had such a fun time stamping....one even decided her list was so long that SHE signed up that night! I love when that happens!

We always make two cards and I try to use lots of the new products, so everyone gets to try them out. Inspirations for both of these projects came from other demonstrators. Don't you know - pineapples are the big decor item this year! Love it!

Everyone had a great time making these and all fell in love with the new In Colors and the new ruched ribbon!

Now I get to go play with all my new goodies! But first I must clean up a bit in the classroom so I have space to create!

Graduations

2016-05-23T08:03:00.001-04:00

May is the month of graduation preparations...for those who graduate in late May and early June. Not only do you have to prepare the food and invitations, but you have to get the gift and card ready too!

While I don't have any graduates in my family this year, I did have a graduation card in my stamp club projects this month.

Both of these cards use the Number of Years framelits, as well as a sneak peek item from a new framelit set called Scribbles. I see lots of fun uses for this cut out that looks like waves!

Both cards use use the same supplies - black, silver and a touch of gold - with the exception of the stars...the individual star punch will be retiring in a few days (May 31st) and the star border punch is a carry over product! (Yay!)

Sweet Sugarplum

2016-05-01T08:45:00.001-04:00

The last of the new In Colors is called Sweet Sugarplum. It's a lovely lavender-y color that is a bit deceiving.

I am anxious to get this card stock in my hands to be able to compare with other colors for combinations that Wow!

Overall, I am excited about the five new In Colors we are welcoming in a few weeks. I think they will bring some mid-tones to our color palettes.

What is YOUR favorite color?

Peekaboo Peach

2016-04-27T13:59:00.001-04:00

I know I already mentioned that I had a favorite new In Color, but I really, really like this one too! I love peach!

The first "Hooray" card is a shaker card, using Peekaboo Peach combined with Dapper Denim. Awesome!

This second card also uses the new Flirty Flamingo. So retro!

The last sample was a 12x12 scrapbook page about beautiful roses I received last year for Mother's Day.

I only have one more color to share - Sweet Sugarplum! Check back tomorrow!

Emerald Envy

2016-04-26T07:19:00.000-04:00

The third new In Color coming to the Annual Catalog is a gorgeous green called Emerald Envy! This will be a great addition to the palette for Christmas projects.

Here are my Emerald Envy samples for the #OnStage2016 display boards:

The first two cards use the new Confetti Celebration stamp set and the last card uses the new Host set Love You Lots. The two middle cards also use stamps from the Gorgeous Grunge set. I love that set and am so glad to see it is carrying over to the new catalog!

Did you notice the ribbon? It is a new ruched design that makes it so easy to tie and use to embellish. I am happy to report that it is coming in the new In Colors!

Tomorrow I will share the samples made with Peekaboo Peach...be sure to stop by!

Dapper Denim

2016-04-25T09:07:00.003-04:00

The second new In Color is a very nice blue tone called "Dapper Denim". I love this color and it might be my favorite of the group of five.

Here are the four samples I created using this great color:

They use the two stamp sets that are in the upcoming new Annual Catalog. The first two use a Host set called "Love You Lots" which has some fun "critters" that are so cute!

The last page is an 8"x8" scrapbook page using Dapper Denim as the main color with accents of Emerald Envy. I LOVE this picture of our son and I!

Tomorrow is Emerald Envy! Be sure to check back!

OnStage 2016 was great fun!

2016-04-23T07:07:00.002-04:00

I am finally recuperated from a fun few days in Salt Lake City with a few hundred of my closest stamping friends! Last week was the annual Stampin' Up! OnStage event.

To make it even more exciting, I earned the title of Silver Elite during the last year, which entitled me to attend the special reception for recognition of our achievements. It was a fancy dinner and I enjoyed chatting with SU! Board Members as well as other demonstrators.

The entertainment was "Dueling Pianos with Jeff and Rhiannon", and they were such fun!

The second thing to make this event even MORE exciting was that I was selected to be a Display Board Stamper! I was so amazed when I got the email saying I was chosen! I couldn't believe it! Anyway, I will share the samples I made - using the NEW IN COLORS! - over the next several days.

Today I will share the four samples using Flirty Flamingo! This is such a fun, vibrant pinkish color!

I had such a fun time with these new stamps and colors! Tomorrow - Dapper Denim!

Project Life by Stampin' Up!

2016-04-10T19:53:00.000-04:00

Are you a scrapbooker? Did you use to be one, but life has gotten in the way and you have NO TIME? Did you always think maybe you should be, but have no idea how to get started? Well, wonder no more! I have your answer!

A couple years ago, Becky Higgins who is the founder of Project Life®, allowed Stampin' Up! to partner with them and provide exclusive kits, stamps and accessories in our awesome colors for you to use in your scrapbooks! I have been using these kits and I love how easy the whole Project Life® concept is!

You just need your photos, a few pocket pages in an album and a card set! You can do it as simple or elaborate as you like, but the idea is to get your photos in pockets, add a journaling card to jot a few notes about those photos, and you have made a Project Life® page!

Becky Higgins recently had a blog post that has lots of inspiration and pages for you to look through to see what is involved. Click here Project Life® by Stampin' Up! to see what I mean.

Here are the direct links to the products in my store:

Project Life Let's Get Away Photopolymer Stamp Set

[137157]

Let's Get Away Project Life Card Collection

[137907]

Let's Get Away Project Life Accessory Pack

[137908]

Let me know what questions you have! I love Project Life® by Stampin' Up!

Weekly Deals - Hurry!

2016-04-05T08:22:00.000-04:00

Stampin' Up! announced this morning that the Weekly Deals promotion would be ending April 18th. The deals were a way for SU! to clear some excess inventory (and give you a great savings!), and now that they have a better inventory system in place, the deals are going away! Not to worry - they will still have "Special Offers" periodically. But...not on a weekly basis.

So...there are two more weeks to take advantage. April 18th is the last one...

I have added a side bar widget (left side) that shows those deals, and if you click on one of the items, it will take you directly to my online store! Easy!

I've been busy working on OnStage stuff, so I don't have a project to share with you. But check back, as I hope to get some free stamping time in the next day or two!

Paper Pumpkin!

2016-03-30T09:09:00.000-04:00

It's almost the end of March! Can you believe it? I am always a bit sad at this time of year, mainly because Stampin' Up! Sale-abration is coming to an end. *insert sad face here.

Sale-abration is the best time of year because you can get FREE stuff! With each $50 in product purchased, you get to choose a freebie from the Sale-abration flyer (see my sidebar) BUT only if you act within two days! Yikes! March 31st it all comes to an end. *insert another sad face here.

Oh wait, I'm supposed to be talking about Paper Pumpkin. *insert happy face here so I'll move on to that, but do want to mention that if you purchase the prepaid 3-mo subscription for $55 in the next two days, you save not only $5, but earn a free SAB item too! #winning

The great thing about Paper Pumpkin is that this monthly subscription service is growing leaps and bounds! This month - March - they mailed their one millionth box! Isn't that amazing? I have been a member from the beginning, and have witnessed the growth of this product. I admit the first months were a bit disappointing, but if you haven't seen the kits lately? WOW! They have stepped up their game. The kits really do provide you with a 30 minute creative break and you end up with some awesome products! (and those cute little 1" square ink spots and special stamps!)

So...the point of this post is to get you to at least try April. SU! will be including a special stamp set FREE for all Paper Pumpkin subscribers in the April kit. You MUST sign up by April 10th to be included for the freebie!

Click on the picture below to go to the Paper Pumpkin website to sign up. I will appreciate being designated as your demonstrator, if you please, and you too will get in on the fun!

I can't wait to see the FREE stamp set we will get! I think the picture is a clue!

General OnStage Swap?

2016-03-29T09:00:00.000-04:00

I wasn't going to do any general cardfront swaps this year at OnStage for Stampin' Up! But....what is a convention without joining in on the chaos and frenzy of swapping? :-D

So, I think I will make 50 or so, just enough to have some fun, but not so many that I will feel stressed.

I *think* this is what I will do. A bit of heat embossing, sponging and done! No stress, no over-the-top, multiple steps swaps. Just basics!

I am using colors that I find I don't use often - Rose Red and Chocolate Chip. I don't know why because I really like this color combination! Sure hope this stamp set - Definitely Dalia - is carried over to the new Annual Catalog!

OnStage Swaps!

2016-03-23T11:37:00.001-04:00

I've been so busy in the classroom this past week! I'm trying to get all my organized swaps done for the OnStage Convention in April and I am so proud of myself! In years past, I was always scurrying to get them all done the night before my plane left! :-D Truth!

Anyway, one of the swaps I joined is a 3x3 Love Note swap. I signed up for two groups - which means 2 different designs. I love making these little cards! Such a tiny little canvas to create on!

Yesterday I posted the first design on my Facebook page (Ask Me To Stamp - please go like!) This was fun to make, lots of stamping and bling! Can't really tell in the pictures, but the flower heads were all touched with Dazzling Diamonds glitter! So sparkly!

I just finished the second design this morning and love this one even more!

Gifts from the Garden is the stamp set I used, and I love these little flower pots! I used markers to color the rubber stamp to get all the different colors. Then I stamped and clear embossed the flower pots a second time, so I could cut them out and pop them up on the card front! Voila!

Still debating on whether I should tackle general swaps. I have a big project coming next week, so maybe I could make a few....

Another Birthday Card

2016-03-15T20:08:00.001-04:00

I hope you don't get tired of birthday cards! I also hope you realize that most cards I make can be used for ANY occasion - merely by changing the sentiment. So...since I am participating in the #imbringingbirthdaysback movement, I will be making most of these to use for that!

I am all about easy and quick. What about you? If I have time, and am in the right frame of mind, I can do the vintage, shabby chic, over the top designs. But, if I just want to make a pretty card or cards, I need them to be quick and easy, while not giving up the "wow" factor.

The card for today uses the Rose Garden Thinlets (Item#140619) on page 18 of the Occasions Catalog and is so easy, you won't believe it!

Crumb Cake is the card base, along with a piece of the Designer Paper pack called "Going Places" (also in the Occasions catalog). The flower was cut in Basic Black, using the largest Thinlet die from the set. I also used the fine tip glue pen to attach.

See? I told you it was e-a-s-y!

Happy Anniversary...

2016-03-13T10:06:00.001-04:00

...to ME!!!

Today marks my 13th year as a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator! Who would have thought I would have stuck with this for that long?

Well, it is easy when you have super products and great support from the company! And of course, great customers (you know who you are!) who have all became great friends!

I love this company! They have given me so much more than just products to satisfy my creativity. They have given me the tools to share my passion with all of you!

Thanks for continuing to support me on this journey. I think I still have lots of years left in me!

#imbringingbirthdaysback

2016-03-09T08:00:00.000-05:00

Have you heard of this movement? #imbringingbirthdaysback

Shannon West, of Stampin' Up! home office fame, decided that Facebook had ruined birthdays. No one sent snail mail cards anymore, and she was gonna do something about it!

She posted on her FB page that she would send birthday cards to those who left their birth date. She carved her own stamp and started making and sending birthday cards! The response to her post was tremendous! Other demonstrators all over the world have picked up the gauntlet (me included) and now it is a "movement"!

She was recently on a local Utah news morning show explaining the concept, which was well received, and even Stampin' Up! has gotten behind the movement by manufacturing the stamp she carved. My order arrived yesterday!

At last count, Shannon says she has 1,552 names on her birthday list! My list is not as long, of course, but I would LOVE to send YOU a card on your special day. Leave me a comment with your birth date and address...I'll take care of the rest!

Don't forget - some In Colors are leaving!

2016-03-07T14:35:00.001-05:00

Yikes! How bittersweet! Do you realize that a set of our In Colors will be leaving us in a couple of months? Yes, the 2014-2016 group will be replaced by some cool new colors in our new Annual Catalog that comes out in June. Not to brag, but I will get to see them early because I plan to attend the Stampin' Up! OnStage event in Salt Lake City in April!

The colors that will be leaving are Blackberry Bliss, Hello Honey, Lost Lagoon, Mossy Meadow and Tangelo Twist. So sad to see these go, but so excited to find out what will replace them!

Since I had been neglecting those In Colors, I popped in the classroom this morning to play with them a bit, and made a set of these cute note cards showcasing all the colors.

I used a Saleabration stamp set - Pedal Pusher - and our fun notecards (#131527 $6.00/pk of 20 w/envelopes). Markers were used to color the bicycles, and I added a strip of corresponding Designer Series Paper. Quick and easy!

Only a couple more weeks to get this free stamp set! Check out my store (right sidebar) to get yours!

Silver Elite!

2016-03-05T11:19:00.000-05:00

I received a fun package in the mail yesterday!

Next week I will celebrate my 13th anniversary with Stampin' Up!

When I joined this company back then, I had just discovered rubber stamping and wanted EVERYTHING! Actually, it was my son's then girlfriend who introduced me to SU! Her aunt was a demonstrator and I was invited to a workshop. Being a potential new mother-in-law who wanted to make a good impression, of course I agreed! The rest is history! Within a few short months of that workshop, I was an official demonstrator! (And a year later, the girlfriend became my daughter-in-love!)

Of course, I simply joined to get the discount. Who doesn't want to feed their craft habit at a discount? But I soon realized that people needed to know about these great products! I started holding workshops and classes, then started some clubs, and fast forward to now, and I have a small downline and am a Silver Elite!

I absolutely never thought I would be in direct sales, let alone party sales, but it is such a fun progression, that I have never looked back. I can work as hard or as little as I want, and can't even count the number of great friends I have gained in these 13 years.

Are you looking for a creative outlet? Want some extra money, but need a flexible schedule? Talk to me! I can give you the all the details, but if you hurry, now to the end of March, you can get $155 in products for only the $99 starter kit fee! That's an additional $30! Click on the "Join My Team" button in the left sidebar to see more.

We will have such fun!

Here we go!

2016-03-04T10:15:00.001-05:00

Well, right or wrong, here we go! This is my official entry blog post for a contest I am entering. It was fun to put these projects together, and even if I am not selected, I have some cool things to share with everyone!

First are the required three cards. All three are fairly quick and easy to create. The over the top creations are beautiful, but we don't always have the time to spend, so it's nice to know pretty cards can be made quickly!

The next category is to share a scrapbook page. Again, everyone is so busy that we often have to give up what our creative side wants to do, and spend our time more wisely to create something that will be quick but still tell our story! The Project Life by Stampin' Up! is the solution! I love the whole idea of pocket scrappin', so quickly made this page. This is super simple...pictures and a couple of journaling/filler cards and the page is done! When I have more time, I can come back and add some additional embellishments if I want, or - most likely - leave it like it is. My story is told - and it looks nice!

The last category is to share two 3D items. The first is a fun framed project for Valentines Day. A frame from the local box store was painted and punched hearts were arranged inside. Such a fun home decor accent piece, or a gift!

My last project is a gift bag, using our Gift Bag Punch Board. These are so versatile, and quick to make. They can be used for any occasion, and decorated fancy, or left plain with just a ribbon to close.

Did you catch the theme with all these projects? Quick and easy!

Thanks for stopping by! While I didn't indicate the various products and colors used in these projects, I'm happy to answer your specific questions. Share your thoughts with me!

Wish me luck!

Can I Do It?

2016-03-02T14:15:00.001-05:00

So, as I mentioned on my Facebook fan page, I have waited until the 11th hour to decide to try for a spot as a display board stamper for the April OnStage Stampin' Up! event. You can't win if you don't enter, right?

Anyway, I've been working today in the classroom coming up with the required items to submit. Three card fronts, one scrapbook page, and two 3-d items. Easy-peasy, right? Well, the cards and scrapbook page aren't too much of a problem. The 3-d items? Not so easy! I rarely make 3-d stuff, so I'll have to get creative on this one for sure!

I think I have cards done - or at least designed. Here are two of them. CAS-clean and simple - anniversary card using the same Number of Years stamps and thinlets from earlier in the week.

I love the heavier Whisper White card stock we carry now. It provides a much more stable card base and I love to make no layer cards.

A second card designed today uses a stamp set from the Annual catalog called World of Dreams. The stamps in this set lend themselves to shadow and silhouette stamping. I stamped the image several times with Smoky Slate, then stamped in color. Love this effect!

I used one of my favorite colors - Cherry Cobbler. Layered with Basic Black - I think it makes a classic combination!

Leap Day! I'm BACK!

2016-02-29T10:53:00.000-05:00

Hello! Hello? It's me!

I'm finally "leaping" back into blogger-land!

Sale-a-Bration is going strong in my Stampin' Up! world, but there is only one month left to get in on the freebies! I'll share a card I made recently for workshop using some cool products that will help you earn a Sale-a-Bration freebie! Check my right sidebar for the link to click and go to my online store to see all the cool stuff!

This card uses lots of items with the Big Shot! The stamp set and thinlets are from the Occasions Catalog and uses the newest In Colors! (See the item list below for details)

Did you know you can use the thinlets by themselves too? You don't even need to stamp the numbers...just cut them out with your trusty Big Shot! Use plain card stock or even left over Designer Series Paper! You can see from the samples below how the "look" changes! Don't be afraid to experiment!

Items used:

Number Of Years Photopolymer Stamp Set
$27.00

Large Numbers Framelits Dies
$31.00

Big Shot
$110.00

It's My Party Designer Series Paper Stack
$26.00

Mint Macaron 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock
$7.00

Watermelon Wonder 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock
$7.00

Watermelon Wonder Classic Stampin' Pad
$11.25

Basic Black Archival Stampin’ Pad
$7.00

Circles Collection Framelits Dies
$20.25