Last Day for Summer Mini Coming Soon

August 31st is the last chance for orders from the Summer Mini, so I thought I'd make a card spotlighting one of my favorite sets Hello Blossoms.  This set is so easily colored with Stampin' UP! Markers so you can have a variety of color.  Because this is a Birthday Card, I covered the "hello" with flowers.  The person this card is for loves to feel the bumps and dimension on the cards our group makes, so the flowers will make it perfect for her.

I'm sitting here watching the wind blowing the trees back and forth and hoping for some rain.  It looked like it was coming this way, so I have my fingers crossed.

I hope you all had a great weekend.  Make it a good week... August FIRST is tomorrow, the beginning of a new month.

~ Donna

Cards by Brittney

Today was a fun creative day!  Brittney came by and after running some errands around town we got busy with making pretties!  A friend is getting married next spring and has asked for help with her invitations, so this is what Brittney came up with.  I think they look amazing!

Here is the outside.  Papers used is Basic Black, Cherry Cobbler and Whisper White.  Inks:  Craft White and Cherry Cobbler.  The flowers on the inside isn't SU but is the only thing that would give a soft silvery look inside.

Another card she made today is this one.  Cardstock and inks used: Pear Pizazz, Daffodil Delight and Tempting Turquoise.  Stamp set: Sweets for the Sweet (w-122510 / c-122512).  Love the bright and cheerful colors!

Great Job Brittney.

My creations will be on here later.  I'm working on my swaps for Regionals in Henderson, Nevada at the end of August.  It's my first Stampin' Up! event ever and I'm extremely excited!

Have a Crafty Weekend!

Jack of All Trades

Halloween will be here before you know it and out will come the Jack-o-lanterns and Trick-or-Treaters.  I don't do a lot of Halloween "stuff" but I do like the cute stamps and fun images that Stampin' UP! has.  They are just so much fun!

Recipe - Cardstock: Crumb Cake, Tangerine Tango, DSP Brights Pattern Stack and Whisper White.  Inks:  Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive and StazOn Black.  The ribbon is the new 1/2" Scallop Dots.  Stamp Sets used:  Teeny Tiny Wishes (115370) and Jack of All Trades (122620-w / 122622-c).

I really like how it turned out.  I don't know that I would use the brads though if I were making a lot of them.  They are nice but for the top part that sticks out over the edge, both tines have to be folded the same direction so you can't see them.  A little difficult for a big project, but awesome for that little bling!

Tomorrow is finally Friday!!!  Do you have crafting plans??

Snow Much Fun Swapping

I really love this stamp set and the new In Colors - especially the Island Indigo and Pool Party.  You'll also see the card folder that we used at the last Stamp a Stack and at Brittney's Workshop.  I obviously LOVE that folder too.  Thanks so much to Dawn Olchefske for sharing it on her blog!

On the left you will see the folder made from Island Indigo and Pool Party.  The sentiment stamp set is from Delightful Dozen (w-122650 / c-122652), the stamp along the bottom is from Snow Much Fun (w-122560 / c-122562) and the design stamp on the top is from Delightful Decorations (wood only - 166517).  The ribbon to tie it closed is the 3/8" Ruffled Ribbon Island Indigo (122974).

The card itself I've shown on here before, except this time I was out of Whisper White so I stamped it on watercolor paper (122959) and inked the edge of it with my sponges using Island Indigo (of course)

Here's a look at the inside complete with Whisper White envelope (107301).  The card holder can hold several cards and envelopes - perfect for a gift for someone who loves hand made creations.

Thank you for peeking in today.  I hope you're having a wonderful weekend.  I'm working on some ideas for upcoming workshops and gatherings.

~ Donna

Brittney's Workshop

What a nice time we had today at Brittney's house doing her workshop.  Brittney put on a great spread of tasty treats for lunch and the most marvelous brownies.  Yum!  Even though it wasn't her first workshop, it was the first one she's held in her home and I know she was extremely excited to be able to have us over to show it off. 

Here are the projects from today. 

Just for Fun!  Stamps used - Sweets for the Sweet (w-122510 / c-122512). Cardstock - Pumpkin Pie, Melon Mambo, DSP Brights Collection Patterns Paper, Whisper White. Tools - 1" and 1 1/4" Circle Punches and Bigz L Die - Perfect Pennants (122126).  Also used was Tangerine Tango Embossing Powder (123223) and 1/4" Whisper White Grosgrain Ribbon.

It's Your Birthday - Stamp Sets - Patterned Paper (w-123065 / c-123067) and Happiest Birthday Wishes (Hostess Set) (w-$21.00 Hostess Dollars and c-$15 Hostess Dollars).  Cardstock Island Indigo and Whisper White.  Inks - Island Indigo, Melon Mambo, Daffodil Delight, Wisteria Wonder and Calypso Coral.  Also used was the Candle Crazy (builder) wheel (118618), Jumbo Stampin' Round Handle (103661), Builder Wheel Spindle and Spacers (119895) Large Tag Punch (119876) and Bakers Twine - White.

This was a folder we made to hold the cards and will hold several cards and envelopes inside.  We've made two of these now - this birthday one and a Christmas one at Stamp-a-Stack last week.  I'm really enjoying all the possibilities with this folder.  The original design and pattern came from Dawn Olchefske.  She has amazing ideas and is so willing to share them.

Hope you had a creative weekend! 

Donna

Christmas in July - Stamp a Stack

First let me say thank you to Linda and Kristi for posting on my last post.  It's great to know that it's working easily. 


Friday night was our Christmas in July Stamp a Stack and I think it went very well and was a lot of fun.  I don't know if it cooled down any of the summer temperatures here in Phoenix, but it was certainly cool inside and relaxing coloring and visiting with friends!

We made 5 cards each of two designs and a card folder to put the cards and envelopes in.

I'm looking forward to making more of these folders for gifts and different occasions.  I wish I could tell you where I got the pattern from.  I really thought I wrote it down, but I can see where I saved it.  As soon as I do I'll update this post to share with you. 

Have a great day and enjoy your Sunday!

~Donna

Talk To Me...

I'm noticing that some blogs it is very easy to leave comments on and others not so much.  Is this one hard to leave comments on or easy?

Could you do me a favor if you are reading this?  Please make a quick comment (if it is easy to do) and let me know how easy or difficult it is to post.

Hope you have a wonderful weekend.  With any luck I'll be creating some things to share this weekend.

Looking forward to "hearing" from you!

~ Donna

Arizona Dust Storms

Well, it's Monsoon Time in Arizona, which means it's time for giant dust storms, heavy rain and interesting weather.  Last night was our first big dust storm of the year and most likely the biggest one we've ever had in Arizona history.  Some areas had rain afterwards, but here at my house, just dust, dust and more dust.  Here's the proof.  My car is under a carport, but not inside a garage with a door and protection.  When the wind comes up it swirls round and round under our carport.

The footprints are mine, also under the carport as I walked around the car.  We even made national news with the storm but the best photo's are here:  AZ Central.

More forecast for tonight, so my fingers are crossed we'll get some rain this time!

~Donna



Sponge Daubers and Storage

I've just organized my sponge daubers and sponges.  I've had them stored this way for a while, but finally took the time to make a space for each color (whether I've used it yet or not) and put them in their color families.  I have three boxes and have written the colors onto file folder labels for each space.  The boxes are intended for jewelry making with the slightly rounded bottoms on each space.  One box has Brights and Subtles, one box has Regals and Neutrals and the third box has my 10 In Colors and spaces for extra sponges and daubers.

The sponges are the white makeup sponges which allows me to write the color directly on the sponge without adding a bulky tag to it.  The Daubers are Stampin' Up! (102892) and I've labeled them with my label maker.

The only real problem is on the row near the latch where there's only about 1/2 a space, but it still holds one sponge and one dauber, so that's fine by me.

How do you store and use your sponges or daubers?

Hope you're having a great Holiday Weekend.  Remember to raise those flags this weekend (and every day for that matter!) in honor of Independence Day!

Donna

Snow Much Fun 2

Here's another "Snow Much Fun" card that I've made today.  I wanted to find a way to actually put some white on my snowman and decided that I could do that if I stamped him on Crumb Cake, so that's what I did and it came out pretty well. 

We may do this little guy for our July Stamp a Stack... Christmas in July sounds like a great theme to me, especially in Arizona with our 110 plus degree temperatures.

The card base is Riding Hood Red, then layered with Whisper White and Crumb Cake.  I used the Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder on the large piece of Crumb Cake and tied a ribbon of Cherry Cobbler around that piece.  Mr. Snowman was colored using the Whisper White Craft Refill ink and my Aqua Painter.  His hat is Cherry Cobbler and Basic Gray.  Doesn't he just look like he's ready to launch that snowball at some unsuspecting person!  I just love it!

Hope you have an enjoyable Independence Day weekend.  Keep safe and remember to always watch the kids around water!

~ Donna

It's HERE!!!

Finally, the time has arrived and you can now view the 2011-12 Catalog online!!  Check it out over in the sidebar to your right.  Ordering can begin at Noon (MT) today!!

There's even more exciting news ... for anyone interested in becoming a Stampin' UP! Demonstrator can do so beginning today for only $99, that's right $99 is all you need to get started with your own business or even just as a hobbyist. 

Dates: July 1-31, 2011

Promotion Details: A limited-time $99 Starter Kit ($180 Value--See Kit Contents below!) is the perfect choice for the hobby stamper and lover of Stampin' Up! products. 

• SAVE!!! Enjoy the new Stampin' Up! 2011-2012 Idea Book & Catalog using a one-time 30% Off Start Up Discount on product orders of $150 or more (placed within 45 days of start).
• Get 20% off future Stampin' Up! orders, oodles of exclusive resources and the opportunity to pre-order new products.
• Receive Stampin' Up! Demonstrator Discounts and Benefits through Dec. 31, 2011 with NO obligation to to purchase anything further or hold a workshop.
• Hobby stampers are welcome to my Stamps Well With Others Team.  
• There's no penalty to drop.  You keep everything.

$99 Starter Kit Contents

Contains over $180 in products and business supplies--including new products from the 2011-2012 Idea Book & Catalog! You CAN substitute a similar item of equal or lesser value.

Page	Item	Description
57	123225	Easy Events Clear-Mount Set*
69	122740	Pennant Parade Wood-Mount Set*
177	102277	Old Olive Classic Stampin' Pad
177	105216	Pumpkin Pie Classic Stampin' Pad
177	103133	Real Red Classic Stampin' Pad
177	119706	Brights 8-1/2" x 11" Assorted Card Stock
180	101179	Basic Black Classic Stampin' Pad
182	107311	Whisper White Note Cards (20)
185	124339	Just Add Cake Designer Series Paper*
195	124142	Chocolate Chip 1/2" Scallop Dots Ribbon*
203	122129	Blender Pen (1)
205	118486	Clear-Mount Block C
206	104332	SNAIL Adhesive

*New to the 2011-2012 Idea Book & Catalog!

Business Supplies
The business supplies in these promotional mini kits will be the same business supplies that are in existing starter kits; no alternative selections can be made for business items.

• Getting Started DVD
• Getting Started Guide
• Guest Invitation Postcards (100)
• 2011-2012 Idea Book & Catalog (8)
• 2011 Summer Mini Catalog (8)
• Stampin' Up! logo vinyl
• Décor Elements applicator
• To My Hostess Envelopes (10)
• My Digital Studio Marketing DVD
• Recruit Folders (5)
• Recruit Brochures (20)
• Customer Order Forms (50)

PLUS Get a Christmas Keepsake project kit (example below) absolutely FREE--a $40 value! This exclusive kit contains everything you need to create a beautiful Christmas Keepsake Box to hold your most treasured Christmas memories. It will be available with your first demonstrator order in August and must be redeemed by Sept. 30.

The Christmas Keepsake Box Project Kit--a $40 value--contains the following products (quantities are 1 unless otherwise noted):

• Pines & Poinsettias Set (wood-mount)
• Keepsake box
• Scallop borders (cut from Tasteful Trim Bigz XL Die)
  • First Edition Designer Series Paper (3)
  • Holly Berry Designer Series Paper (6)
• First Edition Specialty Designer Series Paper strip (2)
• Holly Berry Designer Series Paper piece*
• Real Red Top Note (cut from Top Note Bigz Die)
• Real Red Decorative Label (cut from Matchbook Bigz XL Die)
• Wild Wasabi Card Stock strips (3)
• Naturals Ivory Card Stock piece
• Holly Berry Bouquet Designer Fabric*
• Real Red 1-1/4" Striped Grosgrain Ribbon
• Real Red 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon
• Victoria 5/8" Crochet Trim
• Linen Thread
• Champagne Fine Galaxy Stampin' Glitter
• Vanilla Pearl 1/2" Simply Adorned Bauble
• Pearl Basic Jewels (1 pkg.)
• Holly Berry Bouquet Designer Buttons*
  • Large Wild Wasabi
  • Small Real Red
• Mini Vintage Tags

Additional Supplies Needed

• Early Espresso Stampin' Write Marker
• Real Red Stampin' Write Marker
• Wild Wasabi Stampin' Write Marker
• Adhesives
• 3/16" Corner Punch
• Scallop Circle Punch
• Paper Cutter
• Paper Snips
• Needle
• Glue gun

*From the 2011 Holiday Mini Catalog!