Taking a Little Break

For those of you that don't know, I'm taking a little break from being a Stampin' Up! demonstrator for three months.  I will be back full force and stronger than ever ready to face 2013 with some new ideas and projects.

In the meantime however, my downline, Brittney, will be happy to take your orders for you and get them placed quickly with Stampin' Up! so they are on the way to you right away!

Any email orders placed with Brittney during this hiatus will receive a free pack of Dimensionals from me as a thank you for being patient during the transition.  Everyone can always use Dimensionals, right?

Keep watching the blog, I will continue to craft and post.  Right now my full time job is keeping us all busy until 10 p.m. each night, but with any luck we'll have some time off soon and I can start crafting again.

Thank you for peeking in!

~ Donna

Stampin' Up! Paper Flowers Tutorial

Stampin' Up! has a new print ad campaign. You'll see these gorgeous new full page ads in magazines like Better Homes & Gardens, Family Fun, and Parents.

This is one of the ads. The print ad includes a link to download a free tutorial to make the flowers pictured in the ad. You don't need to run out and find a magazine though, because I've got the tutorial hook-up for you right here! Click on the image to view the PDF tutorial and make sure to scroll down to the second page for the instructions.

I hope you enjoy this easy way to make some pretty paper flowers.  Remember the old song by Marie Osmond "Paper Roses".  Wow, that just popped into my head! 

Have a great day!

~ Donna

Perfectly Preserved Window Card

I really like the Perfectly Preserved set from the Holiday Mini.  It's a great stamp set all by itself, but it's even better as a bundle with just the right set of Framelits to go with it.  Save 15% by purchasing the Perfectly Preserved Bundle (w-129943 / c-129944) which gives you the Perfectly Preserved Stamps and the Cannery Set of Framelits Dies.

This card is CASEd from Julie Davison (thanks Julie!)
who CASEd it from a swap at this year's Convention.  I just had to give it a go myself.  I made a couple of little changes of my own which makes me love it even more!

The jar is cut using the framelit die through the cardstock and the DSP (see inside).  I stamped the jar onto our clear Window Sheets (114323) and then sandwiched it between the cardstock and DSP.  Before you put the clear sheet in place, stamp the apple on the inside of the card to make it easier for lining up and to be sure it shows through the jar.

The different things I did from what Julie did was to cut two of the jar tops, one for inside and one outside.  I didn't like the way it was showing the backside of the jar inside the card.  The other difference was using the cross-stitch DSP on the upper part of the card.



Stamps:  Perfectly Preserved Bundle (w-129943 / c-129944) Stamps and Cannery Framelits

Ink:  More Mustard, Raspberry Ripple, Black Staz-On

Cardstock:  Lucky Limeade, Very Vanilla, Early Espresso, Window Sheets

DSP:  Orchard Harvest (126895)

Cool Tools:  Bitty Banners Framlits, Small Oval Punch, Linen Thread, Stampin Dimensionals

Thank you for looking in.  I hope this inspires you to try something fun with the Window Sheets.

Happy Stampin'

~ Donna

Cute Punched Spiders

I saw this in my email today from Sandi MacIver and instantly gathered all the goodies to make my own.  Sandi found it on Pinterest.  So cute and so FAST and EASY!

Cardstock:  Whisper White, Daffodil Delight, Old Olive, Melon Mambo
DSP:  Brights Collection Patterns Stack
Stamps:  Googly Ghouls (w-128060 / c-128063)
Ink:  Black StazOn
Stampin' Write:  Basic Black
Extras:  Googlies Eyes; 1 1/4" Circle Punch; 3/4" Circle Punch; Dimensionals

Curly Cute Butterfly Birthday

Jennifer came over Sunday evening and was creating from the leftover packets from previous kits.  It's nice to have someone to stamp with in the evening.

You've seen this one before, but it's a little different with 4 butterfly punches across the bottom.  Nice job Jen!

I just love the dotted paper!

Cheers!

I've been anxious to play with this set and finally had the time to do so today! Yayyy!!

My brother's birthday is coming up and a week later my best friend from high school, so I made two cards using the set and two sets of completely different colors.

Stamps:  Happy Hour (w-126640 / c-126642)
Cardstock:  Riding Hood Red, Island Indigo, Pear Pizazz, Whisper White
DSP: Twitterpated
Ink:  Island Indigo, Cajun Craze
Cool Tools:  Decorate Label Punch (120907), Extra Large Oval (119856), Chevron Folder (127749), Apothecary Accents Framelits (127003), Paper Piercing Tool (125189), Stampin' Pierce Mat (126199), Essentials Paper Piercing Pack (126187), Crystal Effects (101055)

Cardstock:  Tangerine Tango, Daffodil Delight, Rose Red, Whisper White
DSP: Floral District
Ink:  Daffodil Delight, Tangerine Tango
Cool Tools:  Decorate Label Punch (120907), Extra Large Oval (119856), Chevron Folder (127749), Apothecary Accents Framelits (127003), Crystal Effects (101055), Rhinestone Jewels (119246)

I'm really pleased how these thurned out.  You'll notice I turned the Chevron Embossing Folder in opposite directions - gives it another look too. 

Hope you had a good weekend!

~ Donna

Creative Ghoulish Weekend

We had a really fun workshop on Saturday.  We even had a couple of new girls join us and the creativity was really flowing!!  I was so tickled to see all the alterations to the original sample I gave them.  See what you think.

This first one show's my sample on the left with the black behind the Frightening Feline and on the right is Rose's version.  Don't you love the look?  She even reversed the spider and the Tangering Tango spider looks really cool in real life.  Pictures just never do it justice.

Here we have Brittney's version of the glassine bag and the smaller bag we made.  Take a close look at the witchy.  She's got a cute little handbat.... (no, not a typo, I didn't mean handbag...lol).  She stamped the little bat and then fussy cut the head out and clipped off the wings making it a cute little purse! 

Here's a close up.  You can also see she cut out the hat and hat band to give more color.  Don't you just love the Googlie Eyes everywhere?  They are so much fun to play with and are available in the Holiday Catalog for a smokin' price!  Self adhesive and easy to use.

Here we have Jen's bags.  She used a bit of Basic Gray to bring out the spider web embossing folder. She also fussy cut the bat and lifted him up with a dimensional.

So cute!

I really love the one eyed cyclops Ghost here.  Isn't he just the cutest!!!

Thank you girls for such a fun day of crafting, well, a fun afternoon anyway, since most of us had to work the morning at our real jobs.  LOL

Happy Haunting!

~ Donna

Angry Birds Strike Again... Stack and Store Containers

Some of you already know my boss has recently become addicted to Angry Birds on her iPhone.  When I saw this adorable rendition using a left-over container that our buttons and brads come in.  Be sure to save your containers, you'll find so many things to use them for.

This little guy is already filled with mints and sitting on Karen's desk.  I think she liked it!

I found this little guy on Toni Tessler's Blog.  Thanks Toni for the great little Angy Bird.

Cardstock:  Real Red, Crumb Cake, Daffodil Delight, Basic Black, Whisper White

Ink:  Real Red, Daffodil Delight - I did sponge the edge of his face, and all the edges of his beak

Other:  2 1/2" circle punch or using the Circles #2 Originals die with your Big Shot, 3/4" and 1/2" circle punches (eyeball), Heart to Heart punch (retired) for top feather, 1" square punch (beak), Word Window punch (eyebrows)

Hope you're having a great weekend!

~Donna

Ghoulish Googlies Designer Kit

So many great ways to use the Ghoulish Googlies Designer Kit.  I found the idea on Angie Kennedy Juda's website Chic 'n Scratch Live.  She has some great easy to follow videos and cute ideas.  I changed it up a little by closing the bag with a magnet and using the Jewelry Tag Punch.

Stamps:  Googly Ghouls (w-128060 / c-128063) and Tiny Tags (w-118091/c-118592)

Ink: Black Stazon (101406), Basic Gray (126981)

Card Stock: Howlstooth & Scaringbone DSP (126906), Tangerine Tango (111349), Basic Black (121045) and Very Vanilla (101650)

Tools/Accessories: Scallop Edge Border Punch  (119882), Corner Punch  (119871), Jewelry Tag Punch (117190), 1/2" Striped Satin Ribbon (127837), Googlies  Eyes (127539), Ghoulish Googlies Designer Kit (126914), Simply Scored Scoring Tool (122334) and Dimensionals (104430).

Sooooo many cute ideas to use this kit with.  I can't wait to play with more!

Happy Friday!

~ Donna

For the Digital World...

Calling all Digital Stampers!

Get 31% off 31 digital content options and most of our print products for all 31 days in August! Feed your My Digital Studio addiction.  With digital goods on sale and the 30-day FREE trial of the software, August is the perfect time for you to enter the digital designing craze and see what it's all about. What's on sale?   ALL cards, photobooks, individual pages, and tags. That's right: print any photobook, board book, swatchbook, individual pages, greeting card, postcard, trifold card, or tag-all for 31% off. Some of our best digital content. 30 downloads and 1 content disc. Yup, that equals 31. Here's the list of content:

Item	Digital Content	Retail Price	31% Off Price
127217	Floral District Collection Disc	$ 23.95	$ 16.53
118115	Night and Day Designer Series Paper	$ 4.95	$ 3.42
129929	Candid Frames	$ 2.95	$ 2.04
129921	Check This Out Page Templates	$ 4.95	$ 3.42
129609	Blossom Builders Embellishments	$ 5.95	$ 4.11
128999	It's All Me Kit	$ 9.95	$ 6.87
127441	Whimsical Note Journal Template	$ 1.95	$ 1.35
128342	Pinwheel Daily Calendar Template	$ 9.95	$ 6.87
127599	Party Animal Kit	$ 9.95	$ 6.87
127600	Autumn Traditions Kit	$ 9.95	$ 6.87
127620	Grateful Heart Thanksgiving Ensemble	$ 14.95	$ 10.32
126027	Playful Polka Dots Kit	$ 9.95	$ 6.87
130066	World Traveler Photobook Template	$ 17.95	$ 12.39
131221	Storybook Specialty Designer Series Paper	$ 4.95	$ 3.42
130850	Joyful Times Kit	$ 9.95	$ 6.87
124463	One Great Year Digital Kit	$ 9.95	$ 6.87
127175	Limited Edition Embellishments	$ 2.95	$ 2.04
129607	Walk in the Park II Kit	$ 9.95	$ 6.87
129934	#HASHTHIS Stamp Brush Set	$ 7.95	$ 5.49
129923	Book of Birthdays Swatchbook Template	$ 12.95	$ 8.94
121071	Travel Journal Kit	$ 9.95	$ 6.87
129924	Get it Done Kit	$ 5.95	$ 4.11
129005	Sweetly Nested Framable	$ 4.95	$ 3.42
127758	Delight in the Day Photobook Template	$ 19.95	$ 13.77
130862	Blast Off Ensemble	$ 19.95	$ 13.77
129890	Little Milestone Birthdays Greeting Card	$ 7.95	$ 5.49
128892	Designer Gift Cards	$ 4.95	$ 3.42
127580	And a Happy New Year Photocard Template	$ 1.95	$ 1.35
127435	Thanks Tons Greeting Card Template Set	$ 2.95	$ 2.04
127587	Sending Glad Tidings Designer Tags Kit	$ 7.95	$ 5.49
127762	Gratitude Framable Designer Template	$ 1.95	$ 1.35

Discontinued Designer Fabric ON SALE - 99 cents!

Exciting Offer on Designer Fabric  For a limited time and only while supplies last, the following discontinued Designer Fabrics from the 2011-2012 Idea Book & Catalog (see p. 196) will be available at the low, low price of just 99 cents!!!    Item Description Price 121716 Deck the Halls Designer Fabric $0.99 121715 Candy Cane Christmas Designer Fabric $0.99 121817 Springtime Vintage Designer Fabric $0.99 121818 Sweet Stitches Designer Fabric $0.99 Be sure to check it out today.  Now is the time to try Stampin’ Up!’s exclusive Designer Fabric for just 99 cents! There is no limit to the quantity of these Designer Fabrics that you and your customers can purchase; however, this offer is only good while supplies last. Contact me today or shop my online store.  Think of all the cute gifts you can make with these fabrics! Happy Stamping! ~ Donna

Halloween Treat Holder

Here's a very simple little treat holder that will be perfect for those great Halloween parties this year.  I used the Two Tags Bigz die in a way similar to how we made the baby bottle a few weeks ago. 

Cut your Tangerine Tango card stock 2" x 11", score and fold in half and then lay the fold just inside where the blade will hit to cut the bottom on the Two Tags Bigz die (115954).  This way you'll have one long tag to hold the treat - like a mini Twix bar or any small single that is long and skinny.

Score and fold the top scallop forward.  Using your 1 3/4" scallop punch and Basic Black and attach it to the folded over piece.  Be sure to only put adhesive on the portion that will be against the Tangerine Tango.  Using the Two Tags die again, pick your favorite DSP from the Holiday Catalog.  I used the Tangerine Tango zig zag design from Howlstooth & Scaringbone DSP.  Isn't that just the most creative name you've ever heard for Halloween paper?  I love it!  Best thing is, it can easily be used for fall creations too, not just Halloween.

Snip along the perforation and attach that to the front.  I used the Googly Ghouls stamp set and double stamped "Frank" on Whisper White and on Gumball Green and the snipped out his face to piece it together.  Cute!  The best part... the Googly Eyes!  You can purchase them individually (127539) or as part of the Ghoulish Googlies Designer Kit (126914).  An even better deal is the Ghoulish Googlies Bundle where you get the kit and the stamps at a 15% discount!  (w-129852 / c-129853).

Thank you for looking in!  Do you have your wish list made out yet?  The Holiday Catalog is FILLED with wonderful ideas and the tools to make them.  Contact Me to place your order today!

Ditto Day - Almost...

Here is my version of the Sweet card in the Holiday Catalog on page 16.  It is a nice clean and simple card which I always love.  Especially as the season gets busier, fast and easy (yet beautiful) cards are very important!

Recipe:

Stamps:  Fabulous Phrases (w-117002 / c-120501), Scentsational Season (w-121026 / c-121190)

Card Stock: Cherry Cobbler, Very Vanilla

DSP:  Be of Good Cheer (126896

Ink:  Cherry Cobbler, Gumball Green, Soft Suede and Soft Suede Stampin' Marker

Tools:  3/8" Stitched Satin Ribbon - Gumball Green, Sponge Daubers, Holiday Collection Framelits Dies (127814), Labels Collection Framelits Dies (125598), Jewelry Tag Punch (117190), Linen Thread (104199)

I also want to do a little shout-out to my friend Bobbi for making my cool new watermark.  Thank you Bobbi, you're the greatest!

Happy Crafting!

~ Donna

Updated Mummy and Batty Bags...

After making these adorable bags the other day, I noticed some others out and about and just had to add a little something to mine!  Look how great it looks after running it through the Big Shot (113439) using the Chevron embossing folder (127749).  The Spider Web (120889) would look even better!

I can't wait for the girls to make these at our next workshop later this month.

Happy Stamping!

~ Donna

Fabulous You

This is for all the girly girls who love their shoe collections!  The stamp set is called "Fabulous You" and while I'm not a heel's kind of person, I think this card came out really cute.

The dotted paper is actually long since retired that I picked up of the Clearance Rack a while ago, but it worked perfectly to fill in for what I didn't have.  I actually wanted to use the dotted paper from the Neutrals Collection DSP but sadly I was out.  Time to re-order!

The ink I used was StazOn Jet Black (101406).  I've found when using the Whisper White or Very Vanilla cardstock it is best to use the StazOn ink.  It dries faster and won't smear.  Just something to keep in mind.



Cardstock:  Basic Black, Elegant Eggplant and Whisper White

Stamps:  Fabulous You (w-126520 / c-126522) and Perfect Punches (w-117022 / c-120516)

Cool Tools:  Rhinestone Basic Jewels (119246), Extra Large Oval Punch (119859), Fancy Fan Embossing Folder (127751), 1/2" Scallop Dots Ribbon - Basic Black

Ink:  StazOn Black

Hope you have a great day!

~ Donna

The HOLIDAY Catalog is Here!!

Stampin' Up! has outdone themselves with this amazing catalog!!  I think I want one of everything and I'm on my way to owning a lot of it already... hehe

 

 

 

Here are a few of my favorite things about this catalog:

• Bundles!  Stampin' Up! has bundled matching stamp sets and framelits saving you money (15% off)!  You're going to fall in love with them too!  Be sure to watch for several bundles throughout the catalog.

• Kits!   Several cute kits for Halloween, Christmas and Valentine's Day!

• Suites!  Four new Suites to fit everyone's holiday needs.

• Ideas!  There are so many wonderful ideas inside to CASE (that's Copy And Share Everything)!

 

If you're like me, you're going to fall in love with everything inside too.  Get your wish lists ready!

 

Contact me to place your orders.  I look forward to hearing from you.

 

Happy Crafting!

 

~ Donna

Ditto Day - Merry Mini's

I know I haven't done a Ditto Day in a long time... so here it is.  Oh boy, was it ever a challenge!  If you look on page 6 of your Holiday Catalog (if you don't have one yet, email me with your name, U.S. address and I'll send one out right away).  Only a snippet of the card is shown, but I loved it so much with the cute Merry Mini's and Merry Mini Punch Pack (available beginning today!).

Stamps:  Merry Minis (w-127916 / c-127919)

Punch Pack:  Merry Minis (126882)

Paper:  Cherry Cobbler, Early Espresso, Gumball Green, Whisper White

Inks:  Cherry Cobbler, Early Espresso, Gumball Green

Stampin' Write Markers:  Cherry Cobbler, Early Espresso, Gumball Green

Added Touches:  Linen thread, Dotted Scallop Ribbon Punch, Big Shot, Labels Collection Framelits Die, Rhinestone Basic Jewels, Dimensionals.

I added Stampin' Dimensionals behind the punched pieces to lift them up a bit.  I thought it looked better.

Hope you have a wonderful day... fill up that wish list and then contact me to shop now!