celebrate - it's great!

Hi everyone! Hope you've all had a great weekend! Why do they seem to go by so fast? Today, I got to stamp! I made 2 cards that will go in tomorrow's mail as birthday cards (both late)! I'll share those in a couple of days after the recipients have a chance to be surprised. I also made this can of happiness for a guy friend. This is a chunky soup can which was opened via the bottom of the can with a safety can opener. Once cleaned out and dried, I refilled it with some wrapped candy and nuts - couldn't fit any beer in there! Perhaps I should give him a 6-pack with it?!? Anyway, The tag on the side says CELEBRATE and there is a it's great circle thingy popped on dimensionals under the celebrate. The tag is tied on using a method my upline taught me. I took a picture and will attempt to explain it in case you're interested. Cut a length of ribbon (twine used here) long enough to go all the way around your can, leaving enough excess so you can make a bow. Thread both ENDS through a hole that has been punched in the tags and then place the loop end over your can and pull the ends tight. It helps to grab the opposite ends and pull kinda criss crossed (like you would if you were tying a shoe). Then just make your bow and viola! Let me know if you can't understand my oh so clear instructions and I'll help you out with some remedial lessons... LOL! Have a good monday and thanks for stoppin in!

New Starter Kit Speical Just Announced!

Have you ever thought about joining Stampin' Up! - even if it's "just to get the discount"? Well, wait no more my friend (oops, you do need to wait until Monday). This was just announced on the Stampin Up Demo Website...

$99 Starter Kit Promotion Dates: August 11-October 11, 2008 (note: this link will not show info on this promotion until August 11th)

Promotion details: From August 11-October 11, potential recruits will have the option of becoming a Stampin' Up! demonstrator by purchasing one of three special mini Starter Kits* priced at $99.

Stamp-Focused Starter Kit contents: Fun and Fast Notes stamp set, Bold Brights card stock assortment (8-1/2" x 11"), Basic Black Classic Stampin' Pad, SNAIL Adhesive, Whisper White card stock.

Scrapbook-Focused Starter Kit contents: Contempo Alphabet stamp set, Simply Scrappin' Petal Party, Pixie Pink Classic Stampin' Pad

Home Décor-Focused Starter Kit contents: Inspired by Nature stamp set, Décor Elements Chocolate Classic Ff, Décor Elements Medium Chocolate Long Stem Silhouettes, Décor Elements Applicator, Kiwi Kiss Classic Stampin' Pad

*Each kit also includes the same business supplies that are found in the standard Starter Kit (the Home Décor-Focused Starter Kit also includes 25 Décor Elements brochures). While all items in the Starter Kits are recommended, a new demonstrator may substitute a like item of equal or lesser value.

Contact me today to learn more or check out my Stampin' Up! Business Website to sign up at your convenience starting August 11th! As always, you can get the full starter kit for $199. There will be a special where you can pick a new stamp set in addition to those in the starter kit. This special only applies if you purchase the full kit (does not apply to mini kits).

New Catty Stuff Sightings!

While blurfing (blog surfing) I found this blog with pics of some new sets in the soon to be released catalog! You just need to scroll down a bit to check them out. I just LOVE the drinks set and LOOK at the new hardware - OMG!

And here are some more sneak peaks from Kristin's blog!

AND Tons of different stuff here on Sharon's Blog and here are some GREAT pictures of the catalog pages on Dina's Blog

I wish I could go to convention and share all this stuff first hand with you. As we were driving 7 hours home yesterday, I hinted to DH that if we had gone to Utah, we wouldn't have to drive AND the "vacation" could be a write-off... LOL!

Deep Sea Fishing anyone?

On our vacation in Ocean City, MD, we decided that we would take the boys fishing on the ocean. Well, this is the boat that we SHOULD have gone on. But, NO! We had to go out, out, out to the DEEP sea to fish. Well, there wasn't alot of fishing done, Tyler dropped his line once and caught a 11.5 inch sea bass, but we had to throw it back before I could even get my camera out! After that we all had to quickly go join Cullen in the cabin to lay on the benches before we gave something back to the sea, if you know what I mean. The whole bunch of us were feeling quite ill and next time we will go fishing in the bay on the happy hooker and all be much happier:) I have pictures from the other boat, but they are not a pretty sight!

I missed you guys!

I'm so torn... I REALLY want to stamp today, but I have like 12 loads of laundry to do (without bothering the awesome basement construction crew) and unpacking and grocery shopping, and I feel so out of the loop that I really need to read, read, read blogs and webstites to catch up on all that happened at convention over the weekend! Oh, what to do first! Obviously, I don't have any projects to share with you, but here's a pic of the new catty that I found on Kelly's blog that I thought might make you smile...

Note: Convention attendees got their new catalogs at convention and they also receive them spiral bound. The rest come book bound and then we can take them to staples or somewhere to get them bound... just make sure they use a big enough wire so that your book opens properly afterward!

I'm back with some big news from Stampin' Up!

WOW! We had an AWESOME time on vacation, but I'm glad to be home and back in touch with the "real" world (in cyberspace). Our hotel didn't have WiFi (WTF?) and I could only pick up a signal from across the street now and then, so my computer time was limited - not that I had time to check in anyway... This is what I've learned so far after being home about what when on at Convention (a huge meeting for Stampin' Up! demo's held in Utah this past week)

There are sooooooo many new things happening at Stampin Up! If you haven't heard the news already (I know things travel fast) - here's some of the latest (in addition to moving forward with online ordering which should be available soon):

Shelli's signature series: items that reflect Shelli's personal style. I don't know too much about these yet, but I hear they are GORGEOUS! Also .... Shelli (Shelli Gardner) will start blogging! Her new blog will go live (August 12th).

Big Shot - SU will now carry an exclusive version of the Sizzix machine in the SU black with logo, carrying case available as well as GREAT new dies (like Tulipe - which looks like the large background stamp Baroque), pennants, scalloped circles, alphabets and more! More shapes and sizes will be available shortly. You can cut cardstock, paper, chipboard, VINYL, fabric and so much more with these! You can do things like make sweet little flowers by stacking die cut scalloped circles from fabric. There is also a wall project with a fleur de lis like design made by cutting a stencil from the Tulipe die and then stenciling on your wall! (PS Tulipe is noted as one of Shelli's signature items!).

New Decor Elements - holiday (Halloween, Fall, Christmas) items AND additional colors! Check out the cute shadowbox project and candy jar.

Incredible new DSP and ribbons!

A NEW stamp set benefitting Ronald McDonald House Charitiies - its a scalloped square that matches the NEW square scalloped punch! I can't wait to learn and share more soon!

Masculine card Challenge - beerafella

Here's a quick card I made this morning. I needed a card for my uncle who turns 60 this weekend. I figured he'd get a chuckle out of the sentiment. The inside reads: Party your panties off!

Notice his shorts are the same patternn as the background paper? That's called paper piecing and it's really easy. Just stamp your full image onto white cardstock and color everything but his shorts. Now stamp him again onto patterned paper and cut just inside the lines. Glue his little pants on like paper dolls and viola - patterned apparel! He is a bella stamp called beerafella and the little grass blades are made with the grass stamp from this Hip Hop Accessories Set. The sentiments are Rubbernecker. Check out other masculine cards on the splitcoast dare to get dirty challenge thread. TFL! Have a great day!

Stampin' Up! Announces Online ordering!

Holy Cow Dude!! Shelli Gardner just announced that Stampin' Up! is going to be unveiling a new ONLINE ORDERING system! You will be able to order through a demo business website like mine or directly through the company's customer website. (but you'd better order through mine... LOL!)

Here;s what I know so far:
--The Demo Locater is being changed and will list all demos within a certain proximity who have a business website. They will also have a Demo Directory so you can easily find YOUR demo, if you already have one.

--You will be able to order from your demo's business website and receive 1) catalog pricing 2) lower shipping and 3) Stampin' Rewards (oooh, this sounds fun!)

--If you absolutely do not want to have a demo, you will also be able to order directly from the Stampin' Up! customer website BUT the prices will be 10% higher, you'll also pay higher shipping, and you will not receive Stampin' Rewards.

--If you start an order on the Stampin' Up! customer website - you will be given many opportunities to either use the Demo Locater or the Demo Directory and choose a demo. Doing so will lower the prices 10% to equal those in the catalog. However, if you complete the order through the company's customer website you will still pay higher shipping prices and you will not receive Stampin' Rewards.

--The only way to receive catalog prices, lower shipping, and Stampin' Rewards on your online orders will be to order directly from a Demo Business Website (my Stampin Up! Website).

--More details will be announced tomorrow! I'm so excited about this wonderful news and I know many of you will be too! Of course, you will still be able to order personally through a demo, like always, but if you're like me and like to shop when the stores aren't open ( the convenience of online ordering is going to be fabulous! I'll keep you posted!

fall winter catalog cards

Hi there! I have 2 cards to share today. The first is a brayered sky technique card using the new in color inks baja breeze and pacific point. The green paper is kiwi kiss and the base of the card is pacific point. Brayered sky is easy in theory, but you really have to work at your ink application in order not to get harsh straight lines. I'm still not very good at it, but I think the card is pretty. DH says it's the prettiest card I've ever made (although I think he just wanted me to quit and give him some attention - LOL!)

The other card is made using mostly all new stuff. The stamps are from the new set called WOW flowers and see the scallop border along the bottom? If you know me, you know I LOVE to use the corner rounder to make scallops - well, rejoice Kim U. - there is now a punch for that!! The scallop edge punch makes easier work of these borders by punching 5 bumps at a time! The papers used here are the new in colors Pink Pirouette and Riding Hood Red. What do ya think?

Sneak Peak - Fall/Winter Idea Book 2008

I finally received my demo pre-order merchandise today. One of my favoriete perks is that as demo's we get a chance to order limited merchadise from the new catalog that will be released on August 11th. SU does this so we have some of the fresh, new materials to share with you as soon as it become available.

Here are some pictures of some of the brandy new goodies I received today. This Designer Series Paper is called Bella Rose and is Bea-u-timous! It has alot of the new in-colors (pictured below) and also chocolate chip. Love, love, love it!


New In-colors:
--Orangey color is called Tangerine Tango
--Red color is called RIding Hood Red and is very close to the old Cranberry Crisp (just a shade bolder)
--Pink is a beautiful soft pink called Pink Pirouette (I think this one might be my fav)
--Light blue color is called Baja Breeze. It's very watery and summery looking to me!
--Green color is called Kiwi Kiss and it looks like a darker version of River Rock to me.
--Darker Blue is called Pacific Point.

Now that I have all the new in colors lined up next to the old in colors (river rock, groovy guava, wild wasabi, etc). The new in colors are quite similar, just more saturated colors. I like 'em!
















Last are some of the new stamp sets that I pre-ordered.
--Top left is called head from the heart and has 4 sayings combining script and typed fonts - pretty!
--Bottom left is a small set called wow flowers. The one flower has a happy birthday sentiment around it. There is also a thank you and a birthday wishes stamp.
--Top right will be a new hostess (level 2) set called deer friends and contains 8 circle stamps with various holiday sentiments and images.
--bottom right is Dreams du Jour. I think this will be a very versitile set.

And last, but not least - what will be my new favorite-ist tool ever - a Scallop Border Punch! Can't wait to test this baby out! There is a link to a video using this tool on the sidebar.

Okay, so there's a sneak peak - now to get inkin'!

Squash book

This is a squash book. It's made using 2 4x4 coasters for the covers and 3 sheets of 7 1/2 square cardstock pieces for the pages. The SCS tutorial I followed can be found here. Sometimes I struggle with ways to keep things closed. This time, I popped the front image up on dimensionals and tucked in a strip of paper which I rounded using my circle punch. It is attached to the back of the book and folds around the front, enventually tucking closed behind the main image.

I thought this would be a nice little kitchen warming gift for a friend who has recently remodeled her kitchen. I know she has lots of pictures of the old and the new and once she puts them in with some journaling, she'll have a cute little album to show off her new digs! Pam, can you guess who this might be for?

Decor Elements on a Frame...

Edited to Add: Which one do you like better? In the blue one, I changed out the background paper and removed the thick inner circle leaving only the dots... I really like having the ability to change the background, especially not knowing what color my new space will be.

Well, I finally got around to doing something with some of my decor elements. I purchased a frame a while ago at Walmart, but it wasn't big enough, so this project got pushed aside until today. I was in Big Lots and I found this frame which was 14 x 18 for $10, so I decided to give it a try. I put my elements directly onto the front of the glass frame, so that I could change out the look by replacing the background paper. This is a piece (actually 1.5 pieces) from the retired linen prints I think. Once I centered the paper, I reinserted the mat that came with the frame to finish off the outside edges as the frame is 14" and the paper is only 12. It looks okay in the picture, but don't come to my house to look at it closely - it was not easy to put on! I shouldn't tell you all this and scare you, but at least I've been there done that, so when you are ready, I'll have some tips for you...

Tip #1 - DO NOT put the monogram on first and then try to center the frame around it - you cannot see the letter through the transfer sheet.

Tip #2 - DO NOT decide to just cut out the middle of the transfer paper from the frame. Now you can see the monogram to center around, but the frame as no rigidity and once it touches the glass - it's there.

Tip #3 - DO NOT attempt to do this at 10:30 at night with all those freaking little bugs that gather by the light after the kids have been in and out of the house a millon times - the PIA's (the bugs not the kids) land on the glass just as you are putting down the vinyl....argh!

Tip #4 - DO NOT attempt to do this after having a couple vanilla vodka's & diet cokes! (I know, that's probably a given, but no-one told me!)

Okay, enough tips for today - I do have more though, when you are ready. I have a strange urge to go stay at a Marriott - any clue why?

You're my Mr. Wonderful!

No, not you silly, my husband of nearly 10 years! Holy cow I can't believe I got married when I was 13.. LOL!

It will soon by our anniversary and we have decided not to get each other anything (other than a small token of love) and instead hold off until the basement is done, then DH can get his home theater for down there and I will get my new office as our gifts to/from one another. I was in Target today and picked up these toffee covered cashews that I got his father for father's day and when he saw them, he wanted to steal them. So I remembered and pick him up his own jar (plus I can use the jar when he's done). Unless he wants to keep it for his do-dads. It matches the card I made him earlier. I highly doubt he's reading my blog, but if so - act surprised honey!!

Hope my brayered sky makes a big spash!

Yep... another brayered sky attempt! I am still not happy with my previous attempts and I have some alone time today, so I am playing! This sky uses going gray, brocade blue and not quite navy. Obviously, your sky should match the "mood" of the card. This one, I wanted to incorporate rain clouds into (the clouds were made using the scallop punch) and it is probably a bit more blue than it should be, but practice make perfect, I guess. Once I got the rain clouds, I "saw" the bird with the umbrella from a little birdie told me, but I didn't want him under the rain clouds, so I stamped him walking towards the rain clouds and then found the puddles, rain drops and sentiment from Melanie Muenchinger (someday I'll learn how to spell that w/o looking) jumping for joy and just so hoppy sets. I know as a SU demo, I'm not supposed to, but I just LOVE her sets - they can be found here at Gina K Designs.

another brayered sky card for our anniversary

I'm still playing around with the brayered sky technique. It sure is harder than it looks to get a pretty "sky". This one will be DH's anniversary card. It's simple, yet pretty I think (like me - LOL!).

The colors I used on this sky were pretty in pink (can't wait to see the new pink pirrouette in-color), going gray and not quite navy. The flowers from garden silhouttes were stamped in black. The happiness is a rub on applied directly to black grosgrain ribbon. If you haven't tried that yet - do! It's so easy and it really gives a great effect! Have a great day and thanks for stopping by!

NEW SU scallop edge punch!

Hey everyone! I'm not lucky enough to have mine yet, but check out this video on Linda's blog featuring the new scallop edge punch that will be available on August 11th ($15.95). Oh, I can't wait to get mine! I also put a link in the really cool tutorials section on the right hand side of my blog.

favorite.... eer, wonderful husband

Here's a quick one I made tonight for DH's upcoming birthday. It has a mish-mash of everything and it was kinda fun to make as there was really no pressure 'cause he doesn't know any better :) It's pretty self-explanatory and nothing special, but I think he'll get my humor in mistaking him for my favorite husband as we always joke with one another that we are each other's "favorite" husband/wife! Thanks for stopping by!

Brayered Sky - LIfe's a Breeze

I finally had time to stamp on my vacation! Yeah me! The boys had baseball practice and then went to a pool party for dinner, so I got to spend some quality alone time! This month's DIVA techniques will be brayered sky, so I'm playing around with it, so I can sound oh so knowledgeable (did I spell that right... LOL?) when teaching this fun technique. The black circle frame was an extra as a result of cutting the wrong sized circle with my coluzzle. The first one I cut was too big, so I laid the coluzzle back over the cut out circle and cut the smaller one from it and threw this piece in the scraps. After I had brayered the sky and found something (the sailboat from Life's a Breeze) to stamp over my sky, the black circle was what I grabbed when I went searching for a black scrap to mount the focal image on. Hope you like it! THanks for stopping by!

STAMPIN UP'S! NEW IN COLORS - SNEAK PEEK

Hi there!

Are you as excited to see the New Stampin Up! Catalog as I am? (it will be released and active August 11th). We demo's got to see a sneak peek yesterday on July 1st. The new in-colors are just a bit of the exciting news! I can't post them yet as I don't actually have them in hand. I will place my order later today and then wait 1-2 weeks for it's arrival, then I'll gladly share with you all, in the meantime, you can check out Dawn's blog by clicking here. She even has a great comparision for you.

Some other cool things coming in the new catalog are:
--all new sets will be die-cut
--There is a new long scallop punch that fits with the All Scallops stamp set on page 111!
--A cute sock money set - who loves sock monkey?
--cute new level 2 and level 3 hostess stamp sets, including a designer paper, rub-on, 4-stamp combo pack!

Hope this gives you enough info to satisify your cravings for a bit.... August 11th will be here soon - I hope! Have a great day.

Decor Elements are available!

Decor Elements can be ordered by customers starting TODAY!! I've put the link to the brochure back up on the sidebar to your right. I have received my pre-ordered Decor Elements and I must say, they are HUGE! I haven't "installed" them yet though. Anyway, these things are pretty cool and I've seen lots of demos using their pre-orders in all sorts of ways - some of the coolest (in my opinion) are:
--A Vespa Scooter (small motorcycle thingie)
--On a glass frame so the background paper could be changed out
--Over a plain doorway
--On a glass "coaster" thingy for candles
--On tinted car windows
--On a front door!
If you'd like to see these things "in action", check them out in the Splitcoast Galley under anything but a card, then home decor, then decor elements - they're way cool. I have hard copies of the brochure and if you'd like one, shoot me an email and I'll be sure to get you one. I will also be offering a 10% discount on your first decor element ordered... Just mention this post!