It's Almost Time!!!

Can you believe I've been a Stampin' Up Demonstrator for a year now??  I'm so excited.  It was a year ago June 1st that I signed up with  SU!  I can't believe this past year has passed so quickly, it just doesn't seem possible.

At midnight tonight, the "Last Chance" list of retiring SU! items should be posted to my Stampin' Up Website and Online Store < here.  If there is anything on the list that you want, I recommend ordering it right away from my website so that it doesn't sell out before our Anniversary / Last Chance Open House on June 11th.  Since that workshop is being hosted by me, I'm not concerned with meeting any hostess goal at the party, so don't feel like you need to wait for the party to order something that is on the Last Chance list.  I'd hate to see you miss out.

I will also be placing my pre-order for the new 2011-12 Catalogs.  You can obtain a pre-order price of $5.00 by letting me know before the Open House on June 11th. 

Watch your email and this blog for the "Last Chance" list.  I know I can hardly wait the next three hours to see THE list!

Sweet Dreams!

A Couple of Cards

I finally got a chance to make some cards today.  Why does a long weekend seem so long until you get to the last day of it??

Here is a birthday card for a friend at work.  The card base is Real Red with Celebrations DSP (117164), Pear Pizzazz and Whisper White.  The stamp set is Party Hearty (111532) (only available in wood) and on sale until tomorrow at 30% off $18.87.  Inks used are Pacific Point, Pear Pizzazz and Real Red.

This is a get well card for another friend.  I really like how this turned out (if I do say so myself)!

Paper is Wild Wasabi, Basic Black and Whisper White.  The dotted paper is from the DSP Patterns Stack - Brights Collection (117155) and the color is Regal Rose.  The stamp is from the Summer Mini catalog and is called Hello Blossoms (123102) and comes in wood.  I colored the flowers and the stems with Stamin' Write Markers Regal Rose and Garden Green.  Dressed it up with 5/8" Satin Ribbon in Pretty in Pink and a retired button to cover an oops with the ribbon.  :)

The inside sentiment is from Thoughts and Prayers (113252) available only in wood.

Keep watching here and if you're on my mailing list, watch your inbox on JUNE 1st for the list of Retiring Stamps... I can hardly wait!

~ Donna

Love, Love, Love the Clear Stamp Cases!

I've found my current favorite Stampin' Up! accessory.  The Clear-Mount Stamp Cases (119105 - 4 cases for $4.95).  There are so many uses for these cases besides storing your stamp sets.  Here are just a few of my favorite things.

Do you have trouble keeping track of your Pearls (119247) and Rhinestones (119246)... well, no more!  These cases are perfect for storing several packets all in one convenient location.

Another item I'm always misplacing and then forgetting to use it is my Mat Pack (105826) and Paper Piercer (116631).  Now, I keep them both together in the Clear-Stamp Case and no more wondering where they are.

Sticky Strip (104294) can never be left out, because it is SOOO sticky, it tends to stick to everything and with 6 cats in my house, it's usually cat hair sticking to the tape!  It was so aggravating having to slide it back into the packaging but now, it easily pops into the Clear-Stamp Case and is safe from the fuzz balls.

I used my label maker and put labels on the ends of the cases so they can stand neatly in my book case or when traveling in my tote. 

What other things can YOU do with these wonderful cases?  Share your ideas with us here.  You've already seen how I've been using them to transport my Stampin' Write markers.  It perfectly holds 10 - which just happens to be the number in a color family of pens.  Cool huh? 

Thanks for looking in.  Be sure to fly your American Flags today and wear the colors to honor our Veterans and Active Duty Servicemen and Servicewomen.

God Bless America!

~ Donna

Tonight's Stamp-a-Stack - May 27th

Tonight was our May Stamp a Stack and the creations turned out wonderfully!!  My inspiration for today's cards comes from Connie Babbert.  When I saw her card I knew it would be a perfect base for a Stamp a Stack. 

Colors used were Melon Mambo, Rose Red, Night of Navy, Pumpkin Pie and Old Olive and of course Whisper White.  We used Flower Fest from the Summer Mini for the flowers on the front and for sentiments, several sets were used but the favorite choices were also from the Summer Mini - Hostess Set (level 1) Swirls and Curls Verses and Happy Greetings.

Our Stampers working away... Brittney and Alyssa and you can almost see Linda:

Linda, Marie and Barbie:

Barbie in the background, Kristi and Berta:

Ohhh... and we almost changed the name of the event to "Stamp-a-CAT"... This is Suzi, she loves to be in the middle of everything.  She saw the box and immediately crawled in.  Berta just barely got her cards out of the box before Suzi was curled up inside!!

Look at her little feet, she really curls up tight in there!

Thanks for taking a look to see what's new!  Have a happy and safe Memorial Day weekend and remember to say a prayer for our Veteran's and those still serving our great country.

~ Donna

My Birthday Cards and Cake

This week is my birthday, not just one day, but this week... may as well get all the celebrating in as possible, right?  On Tuesday our office held a celebration for all the May Birthdays with food and cards and gifts. 

Of course, all my Stampin' Girls made cards and I wanted to share them here.  BUT... before I share those, I have to share one that is probably the most precious.  One from my hubby, HAND MADE all by himself.  I have to say, I'm very proud and it's all using Stampin' Up products.  LOL  Cupcake Punch and the Heart to Heart Punch!  WTG hubby!

Here are the cards from the girls.  I think they are all fabulous!!!

And the CAKE!  My daughter Jennifer made this beautiful cake for me.  She's really getting into making and decorating cakes and I think she's really captured my love of Stampin' Up flowers and decorating here! 

I think we need to make this a challenge and make a card using the colors from the samples below.  I'd say the closest SU! colors would be Whisper White, Tempting Turquoise, Concord Crush (though the fondant isn't quite as dark as that) and Melon Mambo.  Are you up to the challenge???  LOL

Inside, the top layer is lemon with lemon and cream cheese between the layers and the bottom is chocolate with buttercream and... oh my gosh, I forget what she put in the middle... (old-timers kicking in!), but it was AWESOME.  Very moist!

Thank you to everyone who celebrated my birthday with me!  It was awesome and it's not over yet since I get to go to lunch with my son's tomorrow to celebrate yet again, plus having the girls over tomorrow night for our Stamp a Stack.

~ Donna

Rock n' Roll Baby!!

I was watching a video on Stampin' Up and learned a new technique.  Well, new to me at least!  I'm really happy with how it came out... see what you think.

Stamps:  Eastern Blooms and *Word Play

Ink:  Daffodil Delight and Melon Mambo

Cardstock:  Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie and Whisper White

Start by stamping your solid stamp in a light color (Daffodil Delight) and then gently roll the stamp edge in a darker color (Melon Mambo).  Stamp onto your cardstock and you have a beautiful two toned image.  Give it a try and show us what you come up with!

Thanks for peeking in.

~ Donna

* Remember - Word Play is on sale this month only for 30% off!  Smokin' Deal!

Here are a couple of cards I've been working on.  They are both simple cards but still come out looking very sharp.  This first card is obviously a wedding card using a stamp from "Word Play" (120308 *w* / 120651 *c*) which is on SALE this month only for 30% off.  Who could resist, certainly not me!

I used Perfect Plum for the ink and the mat cardstock and Whisper White for the base and the top.  I added a little bling to the ring in the "I do" and some pearls to a couple of the flowers on the emboss.

The card below uses Pacific Point, Whisper White and Daffodil Delight.  The set is from the Summer Mini and is one of my favorite sets.  Fun and fresh!!

Thanks for looking in.  Time to get ready for work, but I wanted to make a quick post to show you some pretties!

Have a great day!

~ Donna



A few pictures

Here are a few pictures from last Saturday's Workshop at Kristi's house.

Sorry about the darkness but there was a very bright and large window that made it a little difficult.  Should have dug out my camera instead of the iPod... lol.

This table was working on water color techniques using watercolor paper, Stampin' Write markers and the Aqua Brush.  From what I could see, everyone's creations came out really nice!  Great job ladies!

and Gentleman... our youngest creator is this little one in the bright orange shirt, Alex, helping his Mom make pretties.

Linda (on the left) doing one of her favorite things... cutting.  The only thing that would have made her happier would have been to have some ribbon to make bows with... Right Linda?    Berta at the end of the table though enjoys cutting, see she's smiling, or she's teasing Linda about cutting, it's hard to tell.

I'm already looking forward to our next event, a Stamp-a-Stack at my house on the 27th of May.  Love it when we can all get together.

Thanks for peeking in and have a great day!

~Donna



Talented Cardmakers

Today I want to share a couple of cards from two of the gals I work with.  Both are very talented and creative. 

This first one was made by Brittney.  She found her inspiration from Maria Sanchez' blog where Maria did it as a sympathy card and used different colors.  The flower and the butterfly are actually very shiny with Crystal Effects from Stampin' Up.  I wish it showed better here.  Colors used are Perfect Plum and Whisper White.  The stamps are from the Occasions Mini that ended in April and Curly Cute for the sentiment.

This card was made by Berta for family members that are graduating from North High School this month.  The school colors are shown very nicely here with Pacific Point and Real Red and a stamp set from the 2010 Summer Mini. 

Thanks for peeking in.  Sorry I've not posted for a while.  Seems like there just hasn't been enough time lately. 

Happy Stamping!!

~ Donna

Summer Mini Catalog is now LIVE!

It's the beginning of a new mini-catalog today!!  Yayyyy!  There are some great summer themed stamp sets and papers inside, so be sure to check it out.  You can also view it online over in the right margin here on the blog.

Don't forget that May is National Scrapbooking month with some extra special deals at 30% off regular price.  Click here for more details.

Happy Stamping Everyone!

~ Donna