Here’s a ‘sweet and simple’ card using the pre-cut/pre-scored Note cards & Envelopes (see them online).  I used the Scallop Edge Border Punch (see it online) at the bottom edge, then put a layer of Sweet Shop Designer Specialty Paper (see it online) underneath to peek out the bottom.

Stamp set?  It’s the Sale-A-Bration exclusive set, Sprinkled Expressions (available for free when you order $50 any time between now and March 31st).  If you’ve never experienced the joy of Sale-A-Bration, be sure to check out the details here!

The heart is stamped on the front on the 2 1/2″ Circle Punch layer and the greeting is inside: “LOVE you just the way you are”.  The coordinating Calypso Coral Ruffled Ribbon is a perfect match!

I’m completely in LOVE with the Note Cards & Envelopes — here are a whole bunch of ideas on my blog for using them.  They’re ready to go whenever I need them–pre-scored with envelopes included.  And the smaller card size makes the ‘sweet & simple’ style easy to execute.

Happy Stamping!

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Yup, definitely my favorite time of the Stampin’ Up! year!!!  When else can you pick a FREE stamp set for every $50 you order?  I mean really — wahoo for that!!

There is a special Sale-A-Bration Mini Catalog (click here to download it) and start your Wish List!

Sale-A-Bration rewards can be earned through online orders in my store, or on orders placed at a party or class.  AND, you can also earn a Sale-A-Bration stamp set when you participate in my Stamps in the Mail Club!  (Check out the NEW updated details for the Feb/Mar/Apr round)

Other Sale-A-Bration rewards? When you spend $50 with me during Sale-A-Bration, you’ll also be emailed an Idea & Inspiration Sheet!  My I & I sheets provide 4 ideas on how to use one of the Sale-A-Bration stamp sets, including supplies and photos in an easy-to-use pdf file.

Want to check out some ideas with exclusive Sale-A-Bration supplies now?  Here are a few on my blog!

Happy Stamping (and shopping!)–

To Order Stampin’ Up! Products On-Line 24/7, CLICK HERE!

The 2nd day of Leadership started out with a general session where we all met together in the main theater.  We were expecting the “state of Stampin’ Up!” report from Scott Nielsen, the CFO of Stampin’ Up!.  But instead of a boring stream of numbers, Scott showed up on stage and changed his sweater and shoes, all while singing a Stampin’ Up! version of the Mister Rodger’s Neighborhood theme song!  TOO funny!  But yes, Scott can definitely sing.  So not only was his presentation fun, but he also had a visit from the Speedy Delivery man (a la Spencer Willis), delivering the My Digital Studio album that Scott had created with the achievements he wanted to share from this past year.  Way to go, Scott!

After visiting Mister Neilsen’s Neighborhood, we had a business class (we get to choose which ones we want to take) then our Advisory Board Reunion Luncheon.  Stampin’ Up! treated us to lunch at the Little Rhein Steakhouse, for a fabulous meal.  There was even a treat for us at the tables — a package of upcoming Designer Series Paper!  I can’t share the paper on my blog, but check out the gorgeous wrapping!

After lunch we had more classes, then a final session.  Our excitement reached the roof when my friend Mary Ellen Stites (fellow LovenStampfuls demonstrator) was picked for a Backstage Pass for the final session.  Mary Ellen got the ‘behind the scenes’ tour, met with Shelli and the other Stampin’ Up! celebrities, and watched the show from behind the curtains.  Talk about a front row seat!  As if that all wasn’t enough, she got extra free stamps, too!

The theme of the whole Leadership Conference this year has been “my way”, since Stampin’ Up! encourages us to take our demonstrator opportunity and put it together ‘our way’.  The executive team presentations followed the same ‘my way’ theme, and Chad Richards, CTO (tech guy) at Stampin’ Up!, shared his love of anything with a motor.  Yup, he drove that Harley Davidson motorcycle right out on stage!

Of course demonstrators know what we like best… FREE stamps!  There was no shortage of great giveaways during Leadership this year, both drawings for special winners, as well as giveaways for everyone.  We even got a special package with the NEW Sale-A-Bration exclusive stamp set Fresh Vintage and the gorgeous Everyday Enchantment Designer Series Paper.

Remember that the Sale-A-Bration special begins TOMORROW, January 24th!  Eek, I can hardly contain my excitement… stay tuned for details tomorrow and a peek at the Sale-A-Bration Mini Catalog, but the short story is that for every $50 you order, you get a free Sale-A-Bration gift… stamp set, Designer Paper, embellishments, etc.  AND there will also be a special on the Demonstrator Starter Kit… $50 off, PLUS free Designer Series Paper for you, all year long.  Like I said…it’s exciting stuff!  Be sure to visit me online tomorrow for details!

Through the whole two days at Leadership (plus a day of registration!), great stamping ideas were shared.  Here are some projects that were displayed with our Make N Take supplies — Blossom Builders Designer Printed Kit (see it online), along with the Mixed Bunch stamp set (see it online).

And a few more…  I loved the way they were displayed by clipping with clothespins to a rope.

Every Stampin’ Up! event… Leadership in January, Convention in July, Regionals throughout the year, incentive trips in the Spring …they are all done to the ‘nth’ degree and give us the chance to be inspired and motivated as demonstrators.  So a huge THANK YOU goes out to Stampin’ Up! for taking such good care of us.  Can’t wait for the next ‘big’ event!

Happy Stamping!

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Even more reasons to dance — here’s Betsy, my friend (and fellow LovenStampfuls Demonstrator) walking across the stage to be recognized for her promotion to Manager this year.

More reasons to do a happy dance?  How about the sweet Valentine treats that Sara Douglass shared on stage?  I love these with the topper using the Labels Collection Framelits (see them online).

Yet another Happy Dance reason…”real” lunches (no boxes) and CHEESECAKE for lunch at Leadership.  Yes, I will admit that the cheesecake is the most exciting part.

And I will always be doing a Happy Dance over cute My Digital Studio projects.  Can you imagine making this little Swatchbook for a grandparent gift?

One more Happy Dance… the classes and ideas shared here have been fabulous.  I can hardly wait to get home and stamp to share!

Happy Stamping!

To Order Stampin’ Up! Products On-Line 24/7, CLICK HERE!

Here are a few highlights of our Registration Day…  First picture is of the Make N Take session tables when we first walked in.  Yes, we get to stamp projects at Stampin’ Up! events, too!!

And not only that…there were GIFTS waiting for us at the tables!  The portfolios match our fun tote bags.  Each of these was signed by Shelli Gardner (thanks Shelli!):

The Make N Take projects were fabulous.  We all agreed that they looked even more beautiful in person than they did in the photos.  There were actually NINE projects included in our Make N Take packets — more than enough to keep us busy stamping for 2.5 hours.

Here are some LovenStampfuls Demonstrators (Mary Ellen, Faye and Betsy) and some of our demonstrator friends pausing for a scrapbook photo moment 

And here are two more of the Make N Take samples.

The projects featured the Twitterpated Designer Series Paper (we got a whole package in our kits!) and the Blossom Builders Designer Printed Kit (see it online), along with the Mixed Bunch stamp set (see it online).  There were even some extra samples shared for more ideas.  Here’s one of my favs:

After Make n Takes, we picked up some coffee (gotta keep the energy up for all that stamping!) and headed to the Manager’s Reception for some fabulous hors d’oeuvres and Shirley Temples with cute little umbrellas.  Here are a few of the Managers from our group: Betsy Crider, Mary Ellen Stites, Dixie Finn & myself.

Leadership is a great chance to meet and talk with many of the Stampin’ Up! corporate staff, since the venue is a little bit more intimate than the huge Stampin’ Up! Convention held during July each year.  Here’s Betsy with Rich Jutkins, the president of Stampin’ Up.

After snacks, Stampin’ Up! treated us to a fabulous Chinese acrobat show.  Wow, those were some talented artists.  There were jugglers, gymnasts, and more.  It made my stomach muscles hurt in sympathy to see some of their stunts!  They were really impressive though, and we all enjoyed the show.

And of course afterwards, what’s more fun than FREE stamps?!  Each of us received a stamp set that will appear in the Summer Mini Catalog (due out in April).  Here’s Mary Ellen — doesn’t she look excited to have her set?  Thanks Laura!

All in all, a fun, busy, full day!  And that was just Registration!  We still have two full days of conference to go, so I probably should get at least a little bit of sleep.  I’ll look forward to sharing more with you tomorrow!

Happy Stamping!

To Order Stampin’ Up! Products On-Line 24/7, CLICK HERE!

I’m still recovering, but here are a few photos from our 2 hour voyage, plus our ‘message in a bottle’ party invitations, complete with sand!

Pink Pirate Party food:

• “Sea Brine — For Pirates Only!” (stickers on water bottles)
• Foamy Seas  (blue jello in a clear cup with Swedish Fish and whipped cream on top)
• Cake & Ice Cream (pre-scooped into pink muffin liners with a pirate sail toothpick on top)
• Goldfish crackers, carrots & celery

Pink Pirate Crafts:

• “A Pirate’s Life for Me” Notebooks
• Pirate Treasure Chests (gotta love glue & rhinestones!)

Pink Pirate Party Games:

• Dig for Buried Treasure (sandbox with buried beads)
• Pin the Pirate on the Ship
• Cannonball Pop (blow up black balloons with notes inside — “Walk like a pirate!”, “Say AARG!”

Love the font on the notebook?  I found some great free pirate fonts online.  This one is called Windlass.

Happy Stamping!

To Order Stampin’ Up! Products On-Line 24/7, CLICK HERE!

Let’s see… favorite highlights of this card?

1. It’s simple!  The base of the card is one of the Note Card & Envelopes that come as a package (note cards & envelopes together – see them online). I use these all the time now!  They’re quick to grab for a card idea I want to get down fast, and the envelope is already included.  Check out some other samples from my blog.
2. Pleated Satin Ribbon — could it be any more gorgeous?  (see it online)
3. Twitterpated Designer Series Paper — my current fav of all the Occasions Mini catalog papers (see it online)
4. For something a little different, try using the Eyelet Border Punch (see it online) along the side of the card, and layer with a short strip of contrasting paper.

Happy Stamping!

To Order Stampin’ Up! Products On-Line 24/7, CLICK HERE!

Here are the instructions for the Emboss Resist Technique:

1.    Stamp on light colored card stock.
2.    Use Versamark Ink and stamp over the background.
3.    Using Clear Embossing Powder, Heat Emboss the Versamark images.
4.    Brayer over the entire paper.
5.    Use a tissue to wipe away ink from the heat embossed areas.

Voila!  Have fun creating your Valentines!

Happy Stamping!

To Order Stampin’ Up! Products On-Line 24/7, CLICK HERE!

I’ve had this project ready to share for months, and finally get to pull it out to show!  I’m a big fan of looseleaf tea, and these cool “make your own teabag” tea filters by T-Sac.  So here’s a little gift to share with a friend — a 1×8″ Cello Bag filled with loose tea, and a 1×8″ Cello Bag with several tea filters, tied off with a sweet sentiment by Louisa May Alcott from the Tea Shoppe stamp set.

The two pieces are wrapped with a doily cut using the Paper Doily Sizzlit for the Big Shot.  Gotta love these fun new toys from the Occasions Mini Catalog!

A couple of tips on the Paper Doily:

1. Use a card stock shim (or two) between the bottom of the Sizzlit and the bottom cutting plate.  These can help the die cut more cleanly — it varies from Big Shot to Big Shot (we’re talking a hair thickness here) so it may take a little trial and error to find what works best with your machine.
2. To get most of the paper pieces out (they stick in the doily a bit after you cut it), roll the cut doily around a Stampin’ Around Marker or other small cylinder.  After rolling it a few times, most of the doily pieces will pop out on their own.
3. If you don’t like poking the center pieces out, skip it   Use the doily as a bottom layer on your projects, since the outside pieces will pop out using the rolling technique, and you can add a Scallop Circle punched piece in the middle to cover the ones that might take a little more poking.
4. Finally, just take your time and use a Pokey Tool (aka Paper Piercing Tool) to get them all out.  This is a gorgeous piece of die cut card stock — it’s worth the extra effort!

Happy Stamping!

To Order Stampin’ Up! Products On-Line 24/7, CLICK HERE!

Here’s a project I created for my current Stamps in the Mail Club Round, using the Timeless Portrait Designer Series Paper and the Forever Young stamp set, plus the sweet single stamp, Elegant Thank You.  The background shape is cut with the new Framelits Labels Collection.

The first time I put Designer Series Paper in this die, then folded the scores and ended up with a rosette in about 1.5 minutes… oh, I was in HEAVEN!  Really, I think I did a little dance in front of my Big Shot to express my happiness.

Here are my tips for the Designer Rosette Die (see it online):

1. For DSP, using the Extended Premium Crease Pad (see it online) on top instead of the top Cutting Plate was perfect.  My crease lines were crisp enough to fold easily, and no white paper core showed through when I folded them.
2. I did this small medallion with a 1.75 x 12″ strip of DSP — only one strip was needed.  The score lines are a little further than 1/4″ apart, so it has a slightly different look than the 1/4″ Simply Scored rosettes.
3. To attach the ends of the paper strip, I used Green-Lid Glue (aka Multipurpose Liquid Glue — see it online).
4. To flatten the medallion and hold it in place, I used the Green-Lid Glue again.  The trick is that the medallion isn’t quite flat on top, so I held the medallion down to make the back flat on my project (or on a punched backing circle) for a minute or two until the glue set.  Since the medallion isn’t quite flat on top, it doesn’t work to set a book on top to hold it down til the glue sets.  Make sense?
5. I love that the die has a zig-zag on one edge, and a scallop on the other.  That way you can cut a strip with either decoration, or just put your strip across the middle to make the ends plain.  Just be sure to make the strip exactly straight across, or the folds won’t cooperate when you try to assemble the rosette.  In fact, it’s probably more reliable to cut a full 5″ strip and then trim it into 3 pieces.  But still — love the edge choices!

Eek!  Okay, just writing about this, I’m getting excited about making more rosettes

You might want to know about sizes for the finished Rosettes, too.  Here’s the range that I found:

• Use 3 full strips of DSP (5 x 12″ each) — finished rosette is 11-3/4″ wide.  Perfect for home decor or a really big scrapbook page background.
• Use a single strip of DSP (1-3/4 x 12″) — finished rosette is nearly 4″ wide.
• Use a single strip of DSP (1-1/2 x 12″) — finished rosette is about 3″ wide.

Have fun with these, and watch for my upcoming Video Tutorial!  And be sure to check out more of my Occasions Mini Catalog project ideas.

Happy Stamping!

To Order Stampin’ Up! Products On-Line 24/7, CLICK HERE!