Tag a Bag

There is a new product in the new 2013/14 catalog that I really like, and the price is great!  It is called Tag a Bag Gift Boxes.  There are  8 kraft boxes PLUS clear acetate sleeves in a package for only $6.95.  That is less than a buck each!  We used one of these boxes for a project Saturday and I love how it turned out. 

The boxes don't come with dividers but it was simple to take a strip of Crumb Cake cardstock and score it and adhere to the bottom of the box to make the dividers.  The filling is shredded packing paper so that part was free. 

We decorated a tag which we clipped onto the new 3/4" Chevron Ribbon with the adorable mini clothes pins that came in the Tag a Bag Accessory Kit.  The pieces for the outside tag came in that accessory kit too. 

The cute little tags inside were punched from the new In-Colors.  Adding the acetate sleeve finishes it off so nicely.  What a great size box for many gifts, cookies, jewelry, lotions, etc would be perfect in these. 

There are also cute little kraft bags with chevrons in white that are so cute too.  10 in a pack for $3.95.  These will be fun to decorate and present also.  They look great with some of the popular Baker's Twine wrapped around them too.  You can save a bit if you get the bags or boxes combined with the accessory kit and they go so well together!

 

I have my monthly Bunco game coming up, I need to come up with something fabulous to fill a box with for my gift.  Sometimes I end up taking something in a plastic grocery bag - is that any way for a Stampin' Up demonstrator to treat a gift???  You know what they say about presentation.  Needless to say, the months when my gift is "wrapped" in a plastic bag it isn't the first one chosen!

 

Spring (Summer???) Retreat!

Today was a wonderful day at the Stampin' Sisters Spring Retreat.  We did 3 beautiful projects in the morning, ate a nice catered lunch and did 4 cards in the afternoon.  Every project was so nice and I loved the stamps, paper and colors we used.

The DSP we used on all the projects is called Gingham Garden.  It is a bright, pretty set of papers and they made the projects cheery.  The colors we used to match the paper are Daffodil Delight, Island Indigo Melon Mambo, Night of Navy and Pear Pizzaz.  I love the combination!

The first project we did was this beautiful paper wreath.  1 1/2 X 12 inch strips of paper were clipped in v shape at the ends and then we put them around a Styrofoam wreath.  It didn't take very long to complete each wreath, including the flowers.  When I showed it to my husband he was very impressed and we decided to hang it on the front door.  It sure cheers up the living room!

Another project we did this morning was this sampler.  It used lots of scraps of the Gingham Garden paper and stamps from the Wildflower Garden large stamp and the Kind & Cozy stamp set that we got today with our class kit.  I love this stamp set!  We had fun creating with it today.  I need to get a nice frame to put this cute sampler in.

One last thing, here is my swap card.  I ordered the Tape It stamp set on my last order and had fun playing with it to make a background for the sentiment.  It is like having a supply of washi tape that never runs out! 

I have been neglecting my blog lately, I need to post more but I stay so busy that when I actually manage to find some stamp time I don't seem to get things posted.  I have a good supply of things to post now with the rest of the projects and all the wonderful swaps I got today, I reckon

 I'll see you again Monday if I manage to squeeze in a little blog time then!  I'm getting ready to drive to Colorado to see the new grandbaby and then on to Utah for the Stampin' Up convention in the middle of July, then back to see the new grandbaby a little bit longer before heading back home.   It will be a long drive but very worth it!

Scrapbook Page!

The new Stampin' Up catalog is live!  I love the new catalog, so many new stamps, dies, products and ideas for cards and gift giving.  I'm going to place another order next week so let me know if you want something.  You can view the new catalog here!

I haven't done a scrapbook page in so long!  I am kind of excited that I created this one, it seems like a huge accomplishment after so long.  I really should get back into scrapbooking regularly again.  Actually, I should get back into blogging again.  I have really slacked off the last couple of months. 

For the layout I used the new, and very cool This and That paper and Washi Tape.  I really like this paper, I had a hard time deciding which papers from the pack to use.  I might just make a whole scrapbook with it!  I like the Washi Tape and plan to use it all up.  It is a great design element and a flat option to ribbon.  Much more manly in case I decide to put pictures of  my husband, sons or grandsons on the page.  Speaking of grandsons, I got a brand new grandson Tuesday!  I'm excited about little Caleb and am looking forward to going and visiting him on my way to the Stampin' Up convention.  And on the way home from convention too.  He is adorable and I'm so thankful he and my daughter are doing well.  Caleb's 5 year old sister wants to hold him all the time.  She might do a pretty good job of getting him spoiled before I even get there to start spoiling him! 

OK, back to the layout.  I feel like my brain is playing ping pong tonight!  I love the paper but I was uncertain how I would like the colors together.  For some reason that I can't explain, I can't stand to look at things that are the oh so popular colors of red and light teal.  That color combination seems to be everywhere and it drives me nuts.  To my eyes, they just DON'T MATCH!  Anyway, I was afraid that the Pool Party and Calypso  would have the same effect on my eyes but they didn't.  I found myself wanting to add more of the Calypso Coral.  That was one of the 2011-2013 In Colors.  Most of the In Colors from that collection were added into the colors so only Lucky Limeade is gone from Stampin' Up's colors now.

I used Crumb Cake ink to stamp the new Wildflower Meadow onto the Very Vanilla 12X12 background paper.  I also used the Mixed Bunch stamp set to stamp the flower onto the same color cardstock for a tone-on-tone look and punched them out with the Blossom stamp.  On this layout I inked all of the Very Vanilla cardstocks on the whole page and the mats.  I'm going to teach a class on this layout on June 18th at 6:30 if you are interested.  I'm going to do another layout without the inking and with a different piece of the DSP for people who don't like the distressed, ink around the edges of everything look.  It will be interesting to see the difference between the 2 pages.

It's time for bed!  I've had a long day and I'm starting to have trouble keeping my eyes open.  I'm not going to absolutely promise that I am going to post more often but I reckon I'll sure try!  Hopefully I'll see you online again soon!

Last Week of May, Card Class Friday!

May is nearly over.  The last couple of nights have been a bit chilly so I'm STILL snuggling down under several blankets at night.  The forecast is for mid 60's at night and 80's during the day so I can finally enjoy sweating when I go outside.  I'm really not a cold weather girl!

I have a card class featuring the Moving On stamp set Friday, May 31 at 11AM.  The class will be held in the Sango area at The Trading Post, 3551 Hwy 41A South.  Let me know if you would like to come to the class and I'll send you all the information.  We will make 6 cards, 2 each of the 3 cards pictured.  These bright, fun cards are perfect for these beautiful Summer days we have been having, although the picture is pretty crummy and doesn't show how bright the colors are.  The class is $15 or FREE with a $25 Stampin' Up order.  Reserve your spot now!

The old catalog is on it's way out and the new 2013/2014 catalog will be live on Saturday!  The Moving On stamp set is one that is being retired.  Or maybe replaced is a better word for it.  Moving On is the set designated to support the Ronald McDonald house the past year.   $3 was donated to the Ronald McDonald house for every set sold.  The new set is another great set called "Tag It" and I can't wait to buy it on June 1st! Should I add that there are matching Sizzlet dies for some of them?  You know how I love easy!  And, again, $3 from each of these sets sold will go to help the Ronald McDonald house, sounds like a win/win to me.

One more thing, May 30th is the deadline! $155 in product (including new pre-order options) for $99 plus tax and no shipping fees!  Sign up to become a Stampin' Up demonstrator by!  I love being a Stampin Up demonstrator, I love the events, the people I meet and sharing creativity.  Let me know if you want to join me in all this fun!

Another Wildflower Meadow card

I am really loving this new big stamp.  It comes with an embossing folder so that gives a whole new dimension to the fun you can have with it! 

It took a while to color all the flowers in with Stampin' Up markers but I think it was worth the time.  I stamped it in More Mustard ink and then took off ink on some of the flowers and leaves and used markers to apply different colors.  After I got it all colored and stamped I ran it through the Big Shot with the Wildflower Meadows embossing folder.  I thought about adding some ribbon but it really didn't need it.  I stamped a sentiment from the new Label Love stamp set and punched it out with the new Artisan Label punch and adhered it with Stampin' Dimensionals.  At least that part was quick and easy!  I love it when we have stamps and punches or dies that coordinate so I don't have to spend a lot of time cutting.  I seem to always manage to cut part of something wrong so it doesn't look right.

I also want to share great news, you can get a lot more hostess rewards if you book a workshop before May 30.  You would normally get $65 in hostess dollars with a $350 workshop but for the next few weeks you will get an additional $30 in hostess dollars to make it $95 FREE product!!!  Dude, that is nearly a hundred bucks!  What a great time to book a workshop and invite your friends over for a little girl time and create something fun! 

And if you really love Stampin' Up, did you read all the small print?  You can get an extra $30 worth of product if you join Stampin' Up as a demonstrator by May 30th.  If you have been thinking about it, this is a great time, just let me know and I'll take care of the paperwork.  Not only can you join for just $99, you will get even more supplies to get started with.  You can choose your favorite stamps and colors for your kit, it isn't prepackaged the same for everyone.  Then you will not only earn extra cash and get a discount on the great Stampin' Up products, you will have so much fun when you go to "work" at fun workshops with your friends (and lots of great new friends you will meet as a demonstrator) and have the support of a great upline and the online resources available to Stampin' Up demonstrators.  It is a wonderful company to be a part of.  I love my job!!!

 

I reckon you would like to have all this fun too.  Remember $30 extra Stampin' Up product whether you host a workshop or join me as a demonstrator.  Is this your time to jump in?

New Products!

There are some fun new products in the new Stampin' Up! catalog that will be available on June 1st.  I was excited to play with the Simply Pressed Clay and the Buttons and Blossoms Simply Pressed Clay Molds.  The clay feels so good, nice and soft but not sticky.  On this project I added 3 drops of Tempting Turquoise reinker to a piece of clay, maybe a tablespoon or so in size.  It made about 10 of these flowers in 3 sizes.  I'm excited to play with the clay some more and experiment with other ways to color it.  The stamp used on this card is called Wildflower Meadow, a large, background sized stamp.  I only inked up 1 stem of the stamp on this card with the Gumball Green marker, but I didn't ink up the flowers.  Then I added the clay flowers to where the flowers on the stamp would be.  This clay is so interesting when it dries, it is kind of like foam; very light-weight, not like clay usually is.  It is an air-dry clay so you will want to make the flowers or buttons ahead of time to be ready to add them to your projects.

The stamp has a pin-dot background and I tried not to ink up the dots with the marker but several of them ended up getting inked anyway.  Solution?  I just got out my handy Color Spritzer Tool and placed the marker in it and speckled the whole background!  It looks better that way anyway.  The Color Spritzer Tool is one of the things that is going to be discontinued in the new catalog so be sure to order yours soon, before they run out! 

 

I reckon I'll be making lots of these flowers and the buttons too for future projects!  It's very cool stuff.

Retirement LIst is posted!

It is an exciting time of year for Stampin' Up!  The list of stamp sets and accessories was released this  morning.  I'll be sad to see many things go but excited for the promise of new goodies to play with.  If you see something you want, the accessories and colors go very fast and when they are gone they are gone so order quickly.  The stamps will be available until May 31 so you have a little more time to decide about them.  You can check out the list here.  If you hurry, this is a great time to get the Watercolor Wonder Crayons before they are all sold out as well as lots of ribbon and DSP.  Some of the ink and cardstock colors that are retiring have already sold out!  If you order directly from my website you can see what is sold out and what is still available and it will be sent to your house so you will get it more quickly.

I made this card using Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White and Basic Gray Cardstock.  I ran the Cherry Cobbler through my favorite Honeycomb Embossing Folder and made hexagons from the Twitterpated DSP to fill in a few of the spaces.  A little Baker's Twine and layered punches with Mixed Medley and Teeny Tiny Verses stamp sets finish off a thank you card that I'm sure will be appreciated.

 

Be sure to get your order in quickly to be assured that most of the products you want are still available!

Free Shipping! That is like getting 10% off your order!

Stampin' Up is offering free shipping this weekend.  I need more paper so I'm going to take advantage of getting an extra 10% off my order!  If you need something, let me know before 3 PM on Monday, April 8th and I'll add your order in with mine and you can take advantage of free shipping too.  Or you can place an online order here and have the order sent directly to your house. 

I'm working on a class using the Moving Forward set, more details on that early next week.  For now, another project we did at the Spring Retreat.  I love the Tea For Two Designer Series Paper, it is kind of old fashioned quilt-like but the colors are fresh and new.  I think the paper we used on the note card portfolio is my favorite from the pack.

The portfolio is so quick and easy, just take a 12X12 sheet of designer paper, fold up 4" and fold in half (at the 6" point the other direction) and adhere the overlapping edges. 

The note cards are just quarter size paper embossed on one edge with one of the Delicate Designs Embossing Folders.  The flower stamped on the envelope is one of the ones in the Oh Hello set featured in the Spring Mini catalog.  I think this is a beautiful set of note cards and it is so easy to be impressive!

 

If you want this fabulous paper or anything else, why not hop to it and order it before Monday is over so you can get free shipping?  I reckon it is always a good thing to save some money!

Necklace instructions and the new Hostess Code!

I am very excited about the new Hostess Code that Stampin' Up has implemented so you can get orders from your friends who even live in a different state when you host a Stampin' Up workshop.  It will help hostesses build their sales totals since their friends from all over can "join" the party and place an order.  You can keep your workshop open for several weeks but when a friend places an online order using your hostess code, her order will be shipped right away.  She won't have to wait until the workshop order is finalized to get her goodies! 

If you have thought about having a workshop but hesitated because you don't know many local people, call me and we will get a date on the calendar for you.  We can do cards or a scrapbook page or even a 3-D item at your workshop, whatever you prefer.  It is easier than ever to get some great hostess gifts to add to your stampin' supplies.

Several people asked me how I made the Diffuser Necklaces that I posted a month or so ago.  They are a fun and unusual project.  I started with terracotta clay, the no-bake kind.  You just need a small piece for each pendant.  I used small circle cutters to cut out my clay.  You could also make a small ball and flatten it out and smooth out any rough spots around the edge.  Any small stamp will do to put a nice design in the clay.  I thought Circle Circus was a great set since the stamps were round. 

 After stamping the clay circles be sure to make a hole to hang the pendant with.  That is pretty much it for the clay part.  They will take 24 hours or more to dry.  They will dry faster if you put them on a rack of some sort after they have dried a few hours.  If you don't have a rack you can just turn them over the next day so the backs can dry.  You may find some rough edges as they dry, just use a emery board or fine grit sand paper to sand them down when they are completely dry.

After the pendant is completely dry you can choose your cord and beads and put the necklace together.  Then you get the fun of choosing an oil to infuse it with.  Different oils last different amounts of time.  I tried lemon and it just lasted a day.  I used a blend called On Guard and it lasts 5 days strong and a couple of more days after that just not as strong.

 

I don't know if you picked up on it but I have become a doTERRA Essential Oil distributor.  I love how much more safe I feel that I can manage health problems with these oils on hand.  There is a wide range of things the oils can do.  If you want to have a less stressful day, try some lavender oil on your pendant.  If you are hoping to ward off any of the viruses and flu bugs going around try On Guard.  I didn't get sick in Jan, Feb or March after I started using the On Guard!   

 

Mental fatigue?  Try some Frankincense.  Morning sickness or nausea, try Ginger.  Are you going to be outside and want to keep the mosquitoes away?  Put a drop of Terra Shield on your pendant.  There is a long list of oils that can help you with just a drop or 2 rubbed into your necklace.  I'd love to hear if any of you try it.  Of course, I can supply you with both the stamps and the oils now!

I reckon you  might want to see a card while you are here.   This is one of the swaps I got at the Spring Retreat.  It is from Laura Ballinger.  I love how she stamped the swirly stamps from the Everything Eleanor set onto the First Edition paper and then stamped the flowers on Very Vanilla cardstock and cut them out and layered them with Stampin' Dimensionals.  It is a great card, one of my favorites.  Of course, Everything Eleanor is such a great stamp set you can't go wrong with it!

 

Do you sew? Or would you rather create and journal?

First of all, I know you want to see a great project so here is one of the cards that was on display at the Spring Retreat.  I love the boots!  The clouds embossed on the colorful background go perfect with the rain boots too.  I wish I had written down who made it, isn't it adorable?  I am looking forward to Spring, and I'm not appreciating the cold and snow on the first 2 days of the grand kid's Spring break!  They enjoyed playing in the snow though.

 

I started sewing my own clothes when I was 11 after making doll clothes from scraps my mom gave me from the time I was 5 or 6.  I still have the first 2 of dresses I made for myself but I sure wish I had some of those doll clothes I made when I was in grade school!

Speaking of sewing, did you know that Stampin' Up has put their fabric on sale?  50% off, what a deal!  And it is on all their fabric, not just a selected few.  My first question was, does it include the Tea For Two fabric from the Spring Mini catalog, and yes, it does!  Both of the fabrics from the mini are included in the sale.  I'm going to order the Tea For Two fabric just because it is so pretty and I think I'll get 2 of the Twitterpated because I think it will make an adorable dress for my granddaughter.  I might get the Flirtatious for my other granddaughter.  All the fabric is so pretty, how do you decide???

I need some new curtains for my stamp room too.  How many packages would I need for curtains?  The fabric 28" X 18" per piece and there are 3 per package.  I'll need a yard stick and calculator to figure that one out! I think that is what I will do with the Tea For Two fabric, it is so pretty I could look at it all day. 

The sale started yesterday, Monday, March 25 and goes until Sunday, March 31, 2013 so you just have a few more days to grab some pretty fabric.  What will you make with yours?  Here is the link:
http://www.stampinup.com/ECWeb/ItemList.aspx?categoryid=1014

Another fun and wonderful product Stampin' Up just released is their This and That product line.  It is a fun journal you can create to ccapture your moments, thoughts, plans, ideas, sketches, hope, dreams—anything and everything! Our bundle includes the five This and That products will be in the upcoming 2013-2014 annual catalog but you can get this set for 15 percent off through April 30!  Check it out here: http://www.stampinup.com/ECWeb/ItemList.aspx?categoryid=1448

Have a good rest of your week.  I've got a busy one, I might not have a chance to sit still again until after church on Sunday.  I'm glad I had the last 2 days to spend with the grandchildren!