Monday, October 1, 2012

Christmas Card Stamp a Stack Tuesday, Halloween Classes Coming Up!

I can't believe that I totally forgot to post about my Christmas Card Class that is tomorrow (Tuesday).  Well, these days I can believe that I forgot pretty much everything because it happens so often!  Here are the details and a picture:

Christmas Card Stamp A Stack, Tuesday, Oct 2
Get an early start on your handmade Christmas cards!
 In this class you will make 3 each of 4 different designs,
a dozen cards to get a start on all those cards you want to send.
 Class meets in the morning at 10:00 or in the evening at 6:30, sign up for the one that fits your schedule the best.
Cost is $20, that is less than $2.00 each! 
 I will have the paper pre-cut so you get the fun of stamping and putting the cards together without measuring anything.
Wow, sorry for the terrible picture.  I have to get a new camera soon, my cell phone just doesn't do these cards justice!
 

Other classes in October: 

Halloween is coming! Come to my
Halloween Cards and treats class
and make 6 cards, 3 each of 2 designs as well as the cutest little
 Halloween purse you've ever seen! All of this for the amazingly low price of $15.
Monday, Oct 15 at 10 AM
 
 
On October 23 I will have a Halloween Treats class
10:00 AM
 Come create amazing Halloween treats to share with your friends and families!
 We will make 5 great projects; bags and boxes and even little purses to hold
Halloween treats as well as a great idea for those mini hand sanitizer bottles.
 I'm really excited that I have some push pop containers that we will use to make a
fun layered Halloween treat in.   
All these fun projects for the low price of $15 per student
 
email  me to sign up for any of these classes, wrightplace4 @ mindspring dot com
 
I love the Holidays!  I get excited to decorate and use all the fun ideas I come across to make these Winter months fun and pass faster.  I really don't like the cold weather but since I have to stay inside to avoid it I'm so glad I can craft and create to help time pass. 
 
My reconstruction of my stamp room is finished.  I've been unpacking all the things I've had packed up and stored in other rooms.  I hope I can organize things so I can find things easier.  Organization isn't one of my strengths.  If I have a place for everything I reckon that I can usually remember to put everything back in it's place though.  I'll take more pictures soon to show you the difference.  The before pictures are very scary, kind of like Halloween  :~)


Saturday, September 29, 2012

Last Chance for Free Ribbon!

The free ribbon offer is nearly over.  It ends tomorrow (Sunday, Sept 30) so if you want to claim a roll or 2 of this beautiful ribbon for free, act fast!  You can place an online order at my website. Download both the regular 2012/13 catalog and the Holiday Catalog here:
http://www.stampinup.com/ECWeb/ItemList.aspx?categoryid=682

When you finish entering your order just click on the red check out button and it will direct you to choose your free ribbon.   Very easy.  Much easier than deciding what to order!  Oh, I noticed that the cute Bat Punch that was discontinued with the 2012/13 catalog is still available on the clearance rack.  I don't know how many they have left but if you wanted one and didn't get one you better hurry before other stampers creating Halloween projects notice them!

I thought I would post some projects with the free 3/8" Stitched Satin Ribbon.  It is such pretty ribbon, I love the stitching.  It is available in the five 2012/13 In Colors.  This layout has a couple of pieces of the Gumball Green ribbon on it.  What a great layout and an adorable baby.  I don't know who did the layout but they used the stamp set that we used at the Regional meeting, Clockworks.  It is a great stamp set and this stamp from it makes a wonderful background for a layout.  I think I need this stamp set too! 
 I took a picture of these 2 cards from one of the display boards, I don't know who made either one of them but aren't they beautiful!  The bottom one has a piece of the Primrose Petals 3/8" Stitched Satin Ribbon tied around it.  I think it is an amazingly gorgeous card.
 And last, another card with Gumball Green ribbon on it.  I really like this ribbon, it is $8.95 so it is quite a nice offer to be able to get a roll for free.  I've taken advantage of this offer several times the past month!  Get it while it's free!
One more thing for tonight, I have my October classes posted on my website, they are listed on the lower right side.  http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/elainestamps    Check them out and I hope I'll see you at a class soon!

Thursday, September 27, 2012

October Classes

I have missed teaching classes the past couple of months.  I took a little break while I painted my stamp studio and then decided to put laminate flooring down instead of leaving the carpet in there.  The day I was going to start ripping out the old carpet was the day I was in the car accident and hurt my thumb.  Not a serious injury at all but bad enough that I couldn't do heavy work like that.  After 2 weeks of thinking about it I decided to hire someone to do it for me.  I'm sure it looks much better than it would have if I had done it myself.  Now I need to paint the trim too because it clashes with the floor but that shouldn't take very long.

I still haven't put the drawers back in the desk.  I will have to move it  to paint the trim so I'm waiting until then to put them back in.  It is a huge, sturdy and very heavy desk that my Dad used to use.  It needed new legs, I thought they wouldn't show so I didn't bother to buy stain for them.  I might eventually have to get around to that since they are definitely noticeable!

I also have the fun of picking out fabric for new curtains.  I've been looking, I know I will find the perfect fabric soon.  I want something fun and bright that will let in lots of light.  They will set the mood for stampin' fun and creativity.  Of course, I'll take pictures when I get them made.
I have classes planned for October!  I will do a Christmas Card Stamp a Stack, 12 cards, 3 each of 4 designs.  October isn't too early to get started on your Christmas cards, especially if you are going to make them yourself.  If you bought cards of similar quality in the stores they would cost $3 or $4 each.  In the class you will make 12 cards for $20, that is less than $2 each!  I do the planning, cutting and preparing for you.  You just come and enjoy the stamping and putting the cards together.  Here are the 4 cards we will be making in the October class.  It will be held on Oct 2 either at 10 AM or 6:30 PM.  I hope you can join us!  Email me with the time you prefer to attend. 
wrightplace4 @ mindspring dot com.
 
I will be having a Halloween Card Class on October 15 at 10 AM and a Halloween Treats Class on October 23 at 10 AM and 6:30 PM so keep your eyes open for more details and pictures of the class projects.  I can't wait to start creating in my studio again instead of at my kitchen table.  I reckon my husband is even more anxious than I am for that to happen!

Monday, September 24, 2012

Chattanooga Regional Stampin' Up meeting

I had so much fun and learned so much in Chattanooga this weekend!  I wish it lasted longer than 1 day.  I hardly got to visit with anyone except the ones I roomed with and the ones at my table.  I guess I'll get another chance at the Stampin' Up convention next Summer.  It will be Stampin' Up's 25th anniversary and I know they will have all kinds of special surprises for us there.

Here I am at the Regional meeting this weekend with 2 of my downline members, Debbie and Jamie.  It was great having them both there and sharing stamping fun with them.  Wow, am I short or what!
 
One of the new bundles in the Holiday Mini catalog is called Perfectly Preserved. It has a cute stamp set with a set of framelits dies to cut the images out. I love quick and easy! I will feature 4 cards I got as swaps at the Chattanooga Regional meeting. 

This is one of the cards I made at the shoebox swap Friday night.  There were about 20 swappers so we made 10 cards and had the rest ready for swappers to make.  It would have taken hours to make all 20 of them!  This one had the jar cut out of the middle of the card with the die.  It is so easy to do this with the Framelits dies.  She also had a piece of DSP with the canning bottle cut that I placed on the inside to cover up the back of the Window Sheet which had the jar stamped on it with Staz-on black ink.  I love peek-a-boo cards and this one is so easy with the Framelit.  Sorry I forgot to take a picture of the inside.  I really need to find time to do something about my real camera.  My cell phone does relatively decent but the pictures just aren't the quality I would like for my blog.
 Here is another one from the shoebox swap.  I love it!  It reminds me of how my mom used to can at the end of Summer as the fruits and produce came in.  I'm buried in apples right now myself!  I think I will get 2 or 3 more batches of applesauce before the last apple falls off the tree.  I also like how the blue print DSP from the Comfort Cafe pack looks like a farmhouse wallpaper behind the jars and the Woodgrain Embossing Folder looks like a wooden table or counter.  And she must have won a blue ribbon on her bottled fruit at the fair, look at that ribbon  :~)
 I also got a couple of swaps with the Perfectly Preserved bundle.  Isn't this one clever for Halloween?  This fun card was made by my friend Mary Robinson.  I reckon I need to buy this bundle.
 The last card is another beautiful one made by AnnMarie Bryant.  She is from Virgina.  Besides the jar stamp and die from the Perfectly preserved bundle she used the flower and sentiment from the Field Flowers set.  Combined with that beautiful Marina Mist polka dots from the Polka Dot Parade DSP and a bit of the Primrose Petals 3/8" Stitched Satin Ribbon this is a very happy card.
I hope you enjoyed the selection of Perfectly Preserved projects.  If you NEED this bundle, go to my website and order it or contact me to place an order.  I'd be glad to help!  The bundle features 14 stamps and 7 dies, that is 21 pieces in this set! 
Clear mount bundle is $38.95 and Wood mount is $44.95. 
 
Oh, and don't forget the Treasure Hunt.  I'm still offering blog candy each month for anyone who places a $20 order with me during the hunt.  I posted the details back on August 25th.  Just think, if you order the Perfectly Preserved Bundle you will be entered in the drawing for a free stamp set!  Oh, and did I forget to mention that the prize for finding all 50 of the clues in the Treasure Hunt is $150 worth of Stampin' Up merchandise of your choice?  I think it is worth checking out all those blogs to hunt for the clues for THAT prize!  And think of all the ideas you will find along the way . . .
 

Friday, September 21, 2012

Stampin' Up Regional

I'm in Chattanooga for a Stampin' Up Regional Meeting.  We had a great time tonight, we walked to a good restaurant that I can't remember the name of, it was 1.8 miles from the hotel so it was a nice walk, a bit warm going but it had cooled down nicely by the time we headed back to the hotel. 

I had signed up for a class where we made 5 cards and some gift tags using the super cute No Peeking stamp set.  The stamp set came with the class so I'm glad I have it to use in upcoming Christmas card classes!  I''ll post pictures of those projects later.  After the class we had a shoebox swap and I ended up with 19 cards.  We made part of the cards but had kits for 10 so we went around and made 10 cards and just grabbed one of the ready made cards for the ones we didn't have time to make. 

I'm so tired!  I should be in bed already but I wanted to post something before the clock strikes 12 so it wouldn't be a full 2 weeks since I last posted.  I've been so busy the last couple of weeks I didn't realize it had been that long.  I was up until 1:30 last night making applesauce because those apples just wouldn't wait until I get home.  Fresh applesauce with no sugar and no preservatives taste so good!  My yellow apple tree is to the end, just a few more apples left on it but the red apple tree still  has over 100 apples on it so I guess I'll have to buy some yellow apples from somewhere so I can make more applesauce.  It tastes so much better when you have a mixture of different kinds of apples.
I though I would share a cell phone picture of my 2 swaps.  This one is the one I did for the shoebox swap tonight.  I love the little frog from the Moving Forward set.  He is just adorable! 

This is the card for the swap tomorrow at the actual regional meeting.  I made 50 of these.  Actually, this is what they were supposed to look like but when I was cutting them out I cut out 50 cards and layers and sayings and when it came to the flowers I cut out 50 also.  I didn't realize that since I wanted to put 3 on each card I should have punched out 150 until I was half way to Chattanooga!  So they ended up with 1 flower per card.  Not nearly as nice as I wanted them to be but the only other option would have been to have 16 cards instead of 50 and I wanted to swap more than that. 

I reckon I need to hit the hay, I'll have a hard time staying awake for all of the meeting tomorrow if I don't.  But I did manage to get a post up before midnight  :~)

Saturday, September 8, 2012

Free Ribbon! More Treasure Hunt blogs

I can't believe I have forgotten to post about our free ribbon offer!  I thought I had but I just looked back at my last few posts and I didn't!  It is such a fun offer I can't believe I forgot to tell you about it.  With every $40 of Stampin' Up merchandise you purchase during the month of September you will get a FREE roll of 3/8" Stitched Satin Ribbon!  That is an $8.95 value!  Have you seen this beautiful ribbon?  I love it, and it comes in the new In Colors, 5 great colors for you to use on your crafting projects.
Since the ribbon is going to be free I thought I would put some pictures of cards I got in convention swaps that have this great ribbon on it.  This one has just a few inches but doesn't that little tab add a lot to this card?
Choose from the following ribbons:
  • Gumball Green 3/8 Stitched Satin Ribbon #126848
  • Midnight Muse 3/8 Stitched Satin Ribbon #126847
  • Primrose Petals 3/8 Stitched Satin Ribbon #126844
  • Rasperry Ripple 3/8 Stitched Satin Ribbon #126845
  • Summer Starfruit 3/8 Stitched Satin Ribbon #126846
  • Any order type qualifies for this promotion-customer, demonstrator, workshop, or online.
  • This promotion has no limits-for every $40 you spend, you'll get a free package of 3/8" Stitched Satin Ribbon.   I just had a customer get 4 FREE rolls with her order last week!
  • Hostess dollars don't count toward this promotion.
  • Promotion is through the entire month of September!
Last of all, I am posting the rest of the names on the list of Treasure Hunt blogs.  If you haven't been playing, a quick explination: Look on the blogs I have listed here and on the previous post and find each blogger's clue.  Send the list to me or one of the other bloggers and we will forward your information on the Sherrill.  At the end of the Treasure Hunt (Oct 31) she will draw from all the players who sent in the correct clues and blog names and give the winner $150 in free Stampin' Up merchandise!  How cool is she???
The fun started on August  20 so if you are just joining you may have to look through a lot of posts to find the blog post where each blogger posted her clue.  Unlike me, a lot of bloggers post nearly every day!  Good luck, even if you don't win, think of the ideas you will find looking through over 50 blogs!

26. Jen Webber - www.jennslayoutkits.blogspot.com
27. Wendy Cranford - www.luvinstampinup.blogspot.com
29. Virginia Megin Gallagher - www.vmg206.blogspot.com
30. Kris Sobolik - http://www.maddiebugdesigns.blogspot.com
31. Mary Campbell - www.mimitojett.blogspot.com
32. Denise Foor - www.denisefoor.blogspot.com
33. Doris Fryman - www.dorisanndesigns.blogspot.com
34. Tanya Bell - www.stampingt.com.au
35. Elaine Wright - www.stampinreckon.blogspot.com
36. Kimberly Salmonowicz - www.stampingfit.com
37. Raissa Spatola - www.raissastamps.com
38. Cal Bryson - www.heartfullyyours.blogspot.co.uk
39. April Vicary - http://www.aprilscraftingaddiction.com/
40. Anne Marie Hile - http://stampinanne.blogspot.com
41. Cynthia Millan - http://StampWithCynthia.blogspot.com
42. Jenny Wren - www.txjennywren.blogspot.com
43. Elin Kovash - http://elinselegantdesigns.blogspot.com/
44. Katherine Roberts - www.craftinginkc.blogspot.com
45. Leanna Kerr - http://stampingwithleanna.blogspot.com/
46. Kristina Carlson - http://kristinascraftycorner.blogspot.com/
47. Phyllis Strickland - http://allstampingworld.blogspot.com/
48. Carolyn Bennett - www.carolynstamps.com
49. Jan Mata - www.stampinwithmyfriends.blogspot.com
50. Keri Blake - www.inkinalatte.blogspot.com
51. Jackie Watson http://jackielwatson.blogspot.com
52. Emma Lee - http://cocktailofcard.blogspot.co.uk
53. Heidi Weaver - http://heidistampinalong.blogspot.com    
54. Jan Mata -  http://stampinwithmyfriends.blogspot.com

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Exciting news from Stampin' Up + Treasure Hunt Help


 
Since this post is going to feel a lot like Christmas I thought I would post several of the Christmas projects I saw at the Stampin' Up Convention.  They will be great inspiration as you prepare for you Christmas crafting over the next few months.  Did you realize it is less than 4 months away???

Now, on to why this post will be like Christmas, a free gift to some of the most deserving people around!

I am so excited about Stampin' Up's latest offer!  I know how hard teachers work and that they often take  money from their own family's budget to buy things they need for the classroom.  Most of you probably don't know this but I used to be a kindergarten teacher.  That was many years ago but I remember what a hard yet rewarding job it was. 

Stampin' Up! is giving away FREE My Digital Studio program discs to teachers that request them for their school. All you have to do is fill out an application and email it back to them. Supplies are limited.

My Digital Studio is a great solution for your needs. You can use it to:


*Create bulletin board décor
*Make certificates and awards for student achievement
*Make birthday cards for students
*Create parent flyers or newsletters
*Create a photo book of a special class activity, or an overview of the whole year
*And more!!

If you are a teacher and interested in this great offer, PM me and I'll send you the information. Remember it's FREE, FREE, FREE!!!!

Once the school receives the software discs, if you are local to me, I'd like you to come give a brief overview of the program to show the teachers and staff some of the ways they can use it.

Here's what you need to know to help your school take advantage of this opportunity:
  • Your school can get copies of the program for free. If your school is interested, have them fill out this request form and e-mail it to ds@stampinup.com with "My Digital Studio Donation Request" in the subject line.
  • Note that if a school has already received a donation from Stampin' Up! and has exceeded the amount of donations that we allow in a given time period they will not be able to participate.
  • Donations will be met on a first come first serve basis while supplies last.
  • Stampin' Up! will follow-up with the schools to see how they are using the software and may contact them for stories about the usage.
  • This offer is only available in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico.

 I love how the ornament dangles in the cut out of this card.  The side view shows how it looks opened up. 


Now, on to another give away, the Treasure Hunt!  I know it can take a long time to find 50 clues from the list of all those blogs I posted with my clue for the treasure hunt.  I thought I would post the list of the ones who are actually participating to help you out.  I would love it if one of my blog followers won!  In my next post I'll add the rest of the list to help you out farther.

Oh, and remember, besides winning the $150 worth of Stampin' Up merchandise if your entry gets drawn to win the whole treasure hunt, I am giving a free stamp set to someone who orders from me each month of the treasure hunt.  Linn Cole won my drawing for my August customers, will you win for Sept?  I'll be emailing Linn a picture of several stamp sets so she can choose which one she wants!
This card looks like a regular card closed up but when you pull that green tab on the left it magically opens up to show 2 fun pop outs!  I'll have to add this clever card to one of my Christmas card classes I'll be having the next few months, don't you think?

On to the list:
1. Sherrill Graff – http://latenitestampinwithsherill.blogspot.com
2. Deborah Smart – www.stampandcreate.net
6. Miriam Permut - http://myinkpad.com
7. Lori Witt – www.stampinwithlori.com
8. Trish Cortez – www.astampinsole.com
9. Beverly Farmer - www.createwithbev.blogspot.com
10. Dawn Johnson – http://stampinwdawn.blogspot.com/
11. Laurie Reaume - www.stampwithlaur.blogspot.com
17. Siara Acdal - www.siarasweetsensations.com
23. Janice Edmonds - www.stampingwithjanice.com
24. Carolyn Garland - www.carolyngarlandsu.ca
25. Tina Munzke - www.craftedwithclass.blogspot.com

Good luck finding the clues and winning the free merchandise!

Thursday, August 30, 2012

Layouts from Convention Boards

I wish there were more scrapbook layouts on the boards at convention so I could get more ideas for my scrapbook classes but there were enough layouts for a good start.  I thought I would feature several of them in a single post.
 
 I like the way this artist used diecuts to add dimension to the background of this layout.  Sewing them on is an unusual yet fun way to adhere diecuts to a layout.
 The scalloped borders under the picture is cut from the Tasteful Trim Bigz Die.  The fabric flower adds another great touch to the layout. 
 This layout features the Perfect Pennants die.  I love the way she topped the pennants with a little piece of the scallop die. 
Even though there is a lot of white on this layout the use of diecuts and embossing folders gives it a lot of depth and character. 
 There is another effective use of multiple dies on this layout.  Cutting the same die with multiple patterns of paper makes for a fun background to go with fun pictures.
 Circle punches abound on this bright layout.  I love that she carried out the circle effect with buttons and a pleated flower too.  The subtle spritzed yellow in the background ties it all together.
I like to put as many pictures as I can on one page so this page definitely appeals to me.  I like the tree bark background and die cut leaves that carry out the nature theme of the page.
 
Aren't these inspiring layouts!  I need to find more time to work on my scrapbook pages. 
 
Don't forget that if you place an order between now and Oct 31st, you will get your name entered in my drawing.  I'm giving away 3 sets of stamps, one for Aug, one for Sept and one for Oct.  Good luck with winning!  And if you haven't finished your Treasure Hunt, go to my previous post and write down my clue to add to your list.  Wouldn't it be great if you were the one to win the $150 of Stampin' Up supplies!

Saturday, August 18, 2012

Wonderfall!

Cooler weather has visited us the last few days and reminds me that Fall is just around the corner!  I love the changing colors of the leaves and raking them up in the yard.  Yes, I'm nuts!  I live in the woods and have LOTS of leaves to rake but I enjoy doing it anyway.  I like leaf crafts and leaf stamp sets.  Guess what - not only do we have a great new leaf stamp set called Wonderfall, we have a matching die cut!  It is called Autumn Accents and has 4 leaves and an acorn.  Not only that, there is an embossing folder to top these fun Fall leaves off with a Woodgrain texture!  I used all 3 for this swap card I made for a team meeting I went to a couple of Saturdays ago.

I used the new Core'dinations Cardstock to emboss with the Woodgrain embossing folder.  Then I used the new Stampin' Sanding Block to sand off some of the color so the woodgrain pattern shows up better.  This new cardstock comes in your choice of 3 great colors, Early Espresso like I used as well as Cherry Cobbler and Gumball Green.  It is going to be great for Fall and holiday crafting!  I'm very impressed with the Stampin' Sanding System.  The block has velcro on it that you can use to attach the sanding block refills.  The refills are only $1.95 a set so it will be much more economic than replacing the whole sanding block whenever the sandpaper wears out. 

They also have a Core'dinations Dust Buddy that is great for picking up the sanding dust when you use the sanding block on the Core'dinations cardstock.  I just cut off a bit of the 33 1/2" strip of sticky gauze to pick up the debris from all 30 cards I made!  It is like the tac cloths used for tole painting.
Here is another leaf card I got in my swaps.  She also used the Woodgrain background stamp on her card.  Simple and sweet.
 This is one of my favorite projects from the Convention displays.  I love the way they used the frame and "clothesline" to display pictures and stamp art.  I reckon I need to try this, I've got some old frames.
Last of all, a quick reminder that if you join my team you will not only get your Stampin' Up kit that is completely customizable for only $99, you will get this cute Howl-o-ween project kit that is valued at $60.  It is adorable and fun.  I've seen some people use Velcro to attach the pieces to the printer's tray so that they can change them for each season.  What a great idea!  AND, what a great time to join Stampin' Up!

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Stamped Silk Scarves

I also signed up for a silk scarf swap at convention.  I happened to have a few craft ink pads to stamp the scarf with so I signed up and right after that Stampin' Up sent out it's new retiring accessories list and the craft inks were ALL on it!  Well, all but the Whisper White and Very Vanilla.  I decided to remain in the swap anyway and I was glad I did!  I got some wonderful creations and with Fall and cooler weather coming I will be wearing scarfs again very soon.  We can't get the craft ink anymore but we can still use the great Stampin' Up stamp sets and pigment inks to create beautiful silk scarves.

I think you will agree with me that these silk scarves are wonderful!
 This is the scarf I made using Tempting Turquoise and Wild Wasabie Craft Ink and the Circle Circus stamp set. 
 Penny Geigner used the Artisan Etchings and Postage Due stamp sets to create this scarf.  She also used Stampin' Up's Craft Ink.
 This scarf was created by Donna Pelon.  She used the Postage Due and Artistic Etchings stamp sets.
 Kim Stathakos made this scarf using the great swirly stamp and a flower one from the Everything Eleanor sets.
I think this is my favorite scarf from the swap.  We only had 5 in each group so we wouldn't have to make too many scarves to make.  Once I decided on a pattern and colors it took me about 1/2 hour to stamp each scarf so I was glad I didn't have to do a dozen!  Debra Brown took the time to tea die her scarves, I love the look!  She also used the french Foliage stamp set, isn't it perfect for a Fall scarf?