Have you ever thought about becoming a Stampin' Up! demonstrator? Now is a great time to become a demonstrator!

During July, you can join the Stampin' Up! family as a demonstrator for only $119! This limited time paired down Starter Kit—valued at $205—comes with the following high-quality products:

• Easy Events Clear-Mount Set*
• Pennant Parade Wood-Mount Set*
• Basic Black Classic Stampin' Pad
• Old Olive Classic Stampin' Pad
• Pumpkin Pie Classic Stampin' Pad
• Real Red Classic Stampin' Pad
• Brights 8-1/2" x 11" Assorted Card Stock
• Just Add Cake Designer Series Paper*
• Chocolate Chip 1/2" Scallop Dots Ribbon*
• Note Cards (20)
• Clear-Mount Block C
• Blender Pen (1)
• SNAIL Adhesive
• Business supplies

*Brand new to the 2011-2012 Idea Book & Catalogue!

Demonstrators must meet quarterly minimum sales levels to remain active and receive demonstrator benefits which include:

- a discount on demonstrator purchases

- access to the demonstrator website

- monthly Stampin' Success magazine

- invitation to events like annual convention

If you are interested, please contact me and I'll provide you with the password to sign up!

Matchbook Mini album - Pennant Parade

Don't you just love getting new crafting goodies to play with?! I received the new Pennant Parade stampset and coordinating punch just before the new catalog came out but never had time to play with it until today. I *love* it! At first I wasn't so sure and I went back and forth about whether to order it because all of the samples I saw weren't 'my' style, BUT that doesn't mean this set can't be? I think it works darling with vintage!:)

This little matchbook album was such a fun project to make...now I've just got to put the pictures in! The colour inspiration came from the elements title page in the new catalog...I had never thought about putting soft suede and rich razzleberry together...love it! The dsp used in the project comes from the neutral pad which is really just so versatile...so glad they carried this over. The ribbon is the razzleberry taffeta...I love working with taffeta and I have a bit of victoria lace under it:) I also used the boho flowers punch and the pearl jewels along with the mini library clips. AND I pulled out my bigshot of course...I just loving using impressions folders...this time the polka dot and the vintage wallpaper:)

Happy Canada Day!!

Just a little banner I made for our window to celebrate Canada Day using the Canadian Pride al a carte stamp from the summer mini and the scallop square die for the big shot (paper & ink is whisper white and riding hood red).

I feel truly blessed to have been born in and get to live in this great country.

God keep our land

Glorious & free

O Canada we stand on guard for thee

O Canada we stand on guard for thee

New Catalog!!

The new catalog starts today!! Here's a link:)

If you don't know where to begin in looking at the new catalog, here are a few of my favourite new pages:

Letters to Santa Product Suite Pages 30 & 31

Timeless Portrait Product Suite Pages 78 & 79

Beau Chateau Product Suite Pages 132 & 133

New Fabrics Page 196

New Ribbon Lace Punch Page 211

New Impressions Folders for the Bigshot Page 218

Also, there is new hostess benefit program, so be sure to check out page 9!!

If you would like to receive your own copy of the catalog, let me know...cost is $11.95 or free when hostessing a workshop. If you commit to host a workshop or do a book workshop between now and Christmas I will get you your free catalog this month:)

Cheerful Treat Digital Page

I made this MDS page using the Cheerful Treat kit that is a current hostess reward in the Summer Mini, and the good news I have for you is.... there is a Cheerful Treat designer series paper pack choice for hostesses in the new catalog which will be released tomorrow!!

I'm so excited about the new catalog coming out tomorrow, and I will be emailing a link to all of those who are on my mailing list as soon as it goes live tomorrow plus I will be having a new catalog open house/workshop on Thursday July 21st for those of you who can't wait to get your hands on one:) ...be sure to register fast because space is limited!;)

That being said, I'm so sad to see so many products I love retire as of tonight... like the Define Your Life stampset I used on this 12 x 12 scrapbook page. That's the wonderful thing about digital though...many products that retire from papercrafts, remain on in the digital world.... Define Your Life comes with the MDS full software pack:) You've ever thought about My Digital Studio there are more options than ever in the new catalog!:)

If there is something you still want from the old catty, best go online right now and place an order because in just a few short hours it is done.

I'll be posting soon lots of fun new things in the new catalog and be sure to watch for the upcoming ribbon shares from the new catalog. Oh the new ribbon is so adorable...I can hardly wait!:)

What To Do with Empty Brad & Bauble Containers...

I saw this cute video from Tami a couple of weeks ago and thought 'how clever'. This little hat is made out of a couple of circles run through the big shot and some ribbons, embossing, etc. and voila...super cute!;)

Supplies (all SU):

- baja breeze cardstock

- vintage wallpaper embossing folder

- large scallop circle bigz die

- large circle punch

- so saffron grosgrain ribbon

- fun flowers bigz die

- boho flowers punch

- filigree flower & brad

For My Rockstar Husband

I made this easel card for my rockstar husband for father's day (which is today). I've been teasing him that I hope he likes his card...that it has a sail boat on it even! (not something he's fond of;) He is fond of this image which is from the Extreme Guitar stampset which, sadly, is retiring. You, my dear friends, though will still be seeing it around here as it is one of my husband's favourite...he even requests it. It actually does bear a striking resemblance to him back in his rockband days!:) ...so I gladly oblige:) He is the best father to our girl...and the best husband I could ever ask for!!

This card was made using basic black, cherry cobbler and naturals ivory cardstock. The DSP is Love Letter which is also retiring. The ribbon is black striped grosgrain. The lettering was cutout with my bigshot. The heart behind the 'U' was punched with the Heart to Heart punch. And everything was inked for a vintage feel (with soft suede ink, whatelse?)! Also, as I do on most projects I finished it off with the spritzer tool...just adds that little something that makes them go 'hmmm'!;) Hope he likes it...he left for work at 6 this morning and so will get his stuff when he gets home around lunch time:)

Vintage Journal

This journal goes with yesterday's card. I picked the sentiment 'remember when' because she recently talked about loving that stamp from the Word Play set:)

I used the same border punches as on yesterday's card and the same cardstock and dsp - along with all of my favourite ribbons: black satin, black taffeta, victoria lace, crumb cake taffeta and cherry cobbler seam binding.

I vintaged up the edges of the central piece the same way as on yesterday's card with the soft suede ink (my new favourite!:) But my absolute favourite part of this project is the flower and the swirls...all created with my bigshot and the fun flowers die and swirls sizzlet:) The technique for the flower is the same as I used on this card. I love the effect it gives to the cardstock:) ...and it was finished off with a vintage brad:)) What would I do without vintage brads?! How did I live before them?!!;)

The charms that finish off the bookmark ribbon inside the journal are all from ACP which is selling off stock right now on ebay as I mentioned yesterday (very sad!) All other supplies are SU:)

Vintage Birthday

I made this birthday card for a sweet friend who recently had a special birthday. I used something old and something new:) The birthday greeting comes from the engraved greetings stampset which is retiring at the end of this month. I love the vintage feel of the greetings in that set. The new is the butterfly which comes from the Strength & Hope set in the current mini (the set where part of the proceeds go to BCRF:) For the butterfly to take flight I gently coaxed the wings up and then I sealed the butterfly with crystal effects...love the way that works:) I used black, crumb cake and cherry cobbler cardstock and also some black taffeta ribbon. I also used all 3 of my border punches from eyelet to scallop:) And I used the first edition dsp which I'm happy to announce is IN the new Idea Book & Catalog coming out on July 1st!

Speaking of vintage, I used my soft suede ink pad with a sponge to distress/vintage up some of the edges. Soft suede is my favourite ink right now for vintage! I also used the vintage wallpaper embossing folder for the black strip behind the greeting and the greeting was black embossed. The card was finished off with charms from ACP (which is unfortunately going out of business...see ebay for great deals on remaining charms:( ) and a rhinestone jewel. All supplies SU except for the charms.

More Love & Care

You can tell I was losing the daylight when I photographed this card...oh well;) Today's card was also made with the Love & Care stampset I spoke about yesterday. This set is so versatile. As I finished yesterday's card I was thinking about the watercolouring feel of the images and so I stamped my 'impression' of a field of flowers and then I cut it into 3 panels and matted it onto some rich razzelberry cardstock. The flowers were stamped using the rocking & rolling technique to get the two tone effect. I used the same naturals white cardstock today as yesterday. I'm really liking this paper...it's more me than whisper white...just has the bit more of a vintage feel...less shiny! I finished the card off with a double bow in baja breeze seam binding with a cordoroy button (last I looked there were still some of these in the online store on clearance for cheap!)

Love & Care

I made this card with the hostess level 2 set from the Summer Mini called Love & Care. For me, this stampset gives the feel of watercoloring with just stamping:) Also I used the naturals white card stock for the base of this card, for the stamped focal point and for the matt for the image. I like the effect of using the same color for the matt although I'm not sure if the camera picks up the impact? I also used a piece of baja breeze cardstock, some dsp from the neutrals pack and some baja breeze seam binding ribbon (which will be carrying over to the new catty...yeah!) Inks used were: marina mist, always artichoke (stamped off once first) and basic black.

Just Because

I love this card. I was trying out a new technique, double embossing...the bottom piece is first edition dsp embossed with an embossing plate inked with versamark and then heat embossed with black embossing powder. The flower is made with a new technique as well. It's two of the flowers from the Fun Flowers die, but I have done a technique to separate the paper layers and turned them inside out creating a softer brushed texture which I'm in love with!:) Stamps are from the beautiful Notably Ornate stampset, one of my favourites of all time!

Happy I Do Day

This was the first card I made for my cousin's recent wedding, but I wasn't sure about it when I was done, so I made another. Now, the card is growing on me. The background was done by stamping the Always Elegant flourish in versa mark and then clear embossing and then sponging in rose red. The greeting comes from the Word Play stampset and is finished off with rhinestone jewels:)

Pretty Postage

One of my favourite things in the Summer Mini is the new postage stamp punch and the stampset I used on these little thank you notes, Pretty Postage, coordinates perfectly with it. The cards were finished off with the swirls from the Priceless stampset stamped in the background - this stampset is retiring by June 30th. The bow on the button to finish it off is the new bakers twine in the Summer Mini:)

Strength & Hope Campaign & Class

Over the last 2 weeks I have held two classes to make the mini album pictured here. Both the album and the card are made with the Strength & Hope set which as noted in this post benefits the BCRF. If you haven't gotten your set, it will be available until August if you would like to support this very worthy cause. You can order by clicking on my website or contacting me.

I am sending my album to a lovely aunt who unfortunate lost her mum and am hoping that the classes and contributions from all the sets sold will benefit BCRF so that others will never have to experience what she did. (I'm sending it, that is, as soon as this silly postal strike is over!)

You Mean the World to Me

This was the 2nd make & take at this weekend's workshop. I combined the Open Sea stamp images with this greeting from the Word Play stampset. The card base is soft suede and the layers are cherry cobbler, crumb cake, not quite navy and naturals ivory cardstock. It's finished off with a button and some linen thread and voila a card for anyone special in your life. (I provided an option which turns this card into a Father's Day card for participants too:)

Retirement Workshop - Make & Take #1

We made this card and little gift bag as our first make & take at today's retirement party/workshop. We used both old and new things. As for the old, we used the in color DSP from the 6 x 6 pack in the current catalog that retires on June 30th (it's a level 1 hostess). As for new, we used the new blossom bouquet triple layer punch for the bows on the presents! (Thanks Becky for the idea!) The presents themselves were made with the 1 1/4 and 1 3/8 square punches. The greeting comes from the Word Play set and we finished it off with rhinestones from the jewel pack:)

I'm Still Loving MDS

My first MDS book was delivered this week from printing and I sent 2 more books in in time to get the 30% off printing deal that ended May 31st. This morning I was just playing around with a scrapbook page because I think I'm becoming addicted!:)

Also, I printed the page above and saw the value in Stampin' Up's printing service because the quality is so much better than what I can do and the colours...just amazing:) If you saw it in person you would understand.

Last Chance Stamps & Accessories

Well yesterday was a sad day, Stampin' Up announced the products that are retiring on June 30th, and among them were some of my very favourites like the following stampsets:
- Sense of Time
- Priceless

- Favourite Things

- Define Your Life.....just to mention a few.

The retiring accessories list includes some favourite punches like the spiral punch, the designer label punch and the small oval among others. However, the good news is that some of the retiring accessories have a discount applied (some have no discount, some 25% off and some 40% off). Retiring accessories are available only while quantities last so it's first come, first serve. Some good deals I noticed are: the presto patterns designer specialty paper is on 25% off, the wicked fun patterned paper (for halloween) is on 40% off and the hodgepodge hardware is 40% off. Also, there are quite a few dies for the Big Shot on the retiring accessories list, so if you have a Big Shot you will want to check that out.

There is also a long retiring list for Decor Elements. Stampin Up will be combining the decor elements flyer into the main catalog when the new Idea Book & Catalog is released on July 1st, so as a result they are streamlining their offering. This means a significant number of current decor elements will only be available until June 30th, so if you had your eye on one, you'll want to check out that list.

If there is anything you want from the retirement lists you can either place an online order (use this link) or you can contact me to place an order. I will likely have an order going in this Saturday at the retirement workshop. It's also possible that I might have another order going in around June 23rd when the Travel/Journal class takes place. Also, there are just a few spots left in this class, so let me know if you still want to register (cost is $20).

Retiring Lists:
Stamps
Accessories
Decor Elements

MDS - Paris Book

I'm working on finishing off my photobook/scrapbook of our second trip to Paris in My Digital Studio this morning. I want to get it finished before the end of the month because one of the National Scrapbook Month promotions is 30% off printing of photobooks:) I was hoping to get 2 photobooks done, but with my day job and SU classes this month, I think that might be bit too ambitious. I am loving working in MDS. It is very easy to use.

There are 2 other MDS specials this months too:

- select digital download bundles for 30% off; AND

- 30% off the digital + starter kit -- which means if you've ever wanted to become a demonstrator and you are interested in digital, now is a great time to combine those two things.

More details on each of these things can be found on my demonstrator website or contact me and I'd be happy to help you out!:)

Journal Class - June 23rd

Registration is now open for this class where we will make the journal pictured. There is an alternate cover for this project...you can do either the 'world' cover or the 'Canada flag' cover, so be sure to specify when registering. This journal will be perfect for journaling or keeping pictures and memories from your summer travels or as gifts to family or friends who travel to see you this summer. Come and learn how to make a journal base using the Big Shot and more about collaging.

The class will be from 7-8:30 on Thursday June 23rd, spaces are limited. Cost is $20.

Purse Mini Album

Thanks to Becky, the queen of purses!...I made this purse mini album. Becky's uses scalloped circles for the closure, but I used my top note die for mine because I was trying get a Hermes feel;) The essence of the album comes from two 3 1/8 square envelopes...I suppose you could adjust it for any size envelope though! The DSP comes from my favourite Love Letter DSP which is sure to retire at the end of Juen when the current Idea Book and Catalog goes out as I've never seen any DSP carry over from one year to another. All I can hope is that I'm even more excited about the DSP in the new book, but I think I'll have to stock up on this one one before the end of June just in case;)

Speaking of retirement, Stampin' Up will release the list of what is retiring from the current Idea Book & Catalog on June 1 and on June 4th I will be hosting a retirement workshop. Please email me if you would like to attend. I'll have a couple of make & takes and you'll get a chance to order your retiring favourites. I'll also have a few retired products of my own (ie. from my own personal stash) for sale cash & carry that day at good prices.

Farewell Journal

This is a journal I'm working on for as part of a farewell project for someone retiring at work. I'm gathering messages from our group and will print them on cardstock to fill the pages.

The book itself is made out of chipboard using the Big Shot. The DSP used is from the neutral pack and the colour of this sheet is soft suede. I used soft suede, not quite navy and always artichoke classic ink and the stamps used come from the following sets: Sense of Time, Definite Your Life, Notably Ornate, Artistic Etchings and Vintage Vogue. Cardstock used is soft suede, very vanilla and crumbcake. Accessories include: vintage brads, jumbo eyelets and narrow taffeta ribbon.

Open Sea Birthday Cards...a closer look

Just thought I'd give a closer look at some bday cards made with the Open Sea stampset from the Summer Mini. These are similar to the ones made at last week's stamp a stack, but with a bit more dimension...mostly by way of the banner greetings added with a brad on each.

What I love about this stampset is how well it works to collage the images...with collaging, the possibilities are practically endless! This stampset is so versatile. It's perfect for masculine cards, but it would also be perfect for travel cards, scrapbooks or journals. I will be having a journal class on June 23rd which uses this stampset, and I'll post a picture soon, so be sure to let me know if you are interested!:)

Stamp a Stack Birthday...feminine cards

This was the other end of the room on stamp a stack night, feminine birthday cards. We used the Paisley Petals DSP which is coming out in the new Idea Book & Catalog in July and it was from the DSP that we got our colour scheme of old olive & baja breeze. We also used the fun flowers die for the Big Shot which is still available along with the vintage wallpaper embossing folder. For new products, we got to play with postage stamp punch and the coordinating new stampset, Pretty Postage which are both in the Summer Mini. We also used the swirl stamp from Baroque Motifs...probably my most used stamp of all times!:)

Stamp a Stack Birthday...masculine side

This past Thursday I hosted my first stamp a stack. We did birthday cards...4 designs, 2 of each. This was the masculine birthday card station. I set up 2 ends to the room, one with feminine cards and one with masculine cards. For these, we used the Open Seas Stampset and the Nautical Expedition DSP from the new Summer Mini Catalog.

Another Purse/Tote

Another purse/tote like the one I posted on the weekend, but this time the flower was made with paper and cardstock. I like making these. You can fill them with cards, a small gift, stamps...

AND - I absolutely love the fun flowers die - it's a must have...how I waited so long to get it, I don't know?!;)

I'm starting to plan for the summer and I think I'm going to do a stamp camp in July or August, depending on interest. It would be a 3-4 hour afternoon where I would have 3-4 projects for everyone and I'm thinking that this needs to be one of the projects!:) If you're interested, let me know and I'll keep you in the loop!:)

Happy Mother's Day

I made one of these bouquet cards a few years ago, but had to revisit the design now that I have my fun flowers die. The pot is made out of early espresso cardstock and has been rolled with the very vintage jumbo wheel although te picture doesn't pic that up well. DSP was the springtime vintage that just retired and I also used the rose adornments that just retired with the occasions mini too (as I thought my MIL would like them). Cardstock for the larges flower is old olive, and ribbon is the pear in colour striped twill. All supplies are SU except for the seedpack charm with is ACP.

Purse/tote and Floral Pin

I was inspired to make the pin I've attached to this tote by the one I saw pictures of after SU Leadership. I was just waiting for my fun flowers die to arrive to play with it. My fun flowers die was backordered and so I only received it this last week, but good things come to those who wait;) Also, this die along with the fabric I used to make the flower is carried over from the Occasions Mini (the trinket keys & beveled windowpanes are too, if memory serves me correctly). To make the pin (which can be detached from the tote to wear on a lapel), I just cased the pictures I had seen and winged it!;)

The flower is made with layers of fabric flowers, 3 different sizes, cut out with the fun flowers die. I have also layered in a couple of cardstock flowers which I've sprayed with vanilla smooch spritz and some scallop circles punches from the first edition DSP. The fabric is springtime vintage from SU and is still is available (as are the fabrics from the Holiday Mini I believe).

The purse/tote was inspired by Amy Celona and since the flower pin I was going to attach was using springtime vintage fabric, I used the coordinating DSP which has now retired, but this project is easily adaptable to any DSP you have. The base of the tote is 9 x 12 and you score across at 1", 5 1/4", 6 3/4" and 11" and then the other way at 1 1/2" and 7 1/2". The handles are 1" wide with a 3/4" strip of DSP. It's that easy!:)

Strength & Hope Mini Album Class

Tomorrow (Thursday) is the registration deadline for the Strength & Hope Mini Album class (identical classes are being held on May 21st & May 26th). There are just a few spots left, so email me by noon on May 5th if you want one of them. Cost is $27 and includes the stampset in clear mount plus the class or $33 including the stampset in wood mount plus the class. The picture above is a sneak peek at the class project:)

Strength & Hope and some ribbon and hodgepodge...

Today's card is another one made with the new Strength & Hope stampset. This time with an unusual colour combination for me... cardstock is garden green, not quite navy, so saffron and very vanilla. The ribbon is retired baja breeze, but is still available on the clearance rack if you want to get some (available for online orders on my website...see sidebar).

As mentioned in my last post a portion of every purchase of the strength & hope stampset will got to the BCRF.

Also the deadline for registration for the Strength & Hope classes I'm holding on May 21st and 26th is this Thursday May 5th, so be sure to contact me in advance if you want to register so I can order your stampset, and if you can't make the class but want the stampset, let me know by Thursday as well as I have a big order of them going in!:)

Strength & Hope Campaign

Today marks the start of the new Summer Mini Catalog and with that the Strength & Hope Campaign.

"Offer stregnth & hope to those dealing with breast cancer by purchasing the Strength & Hope Set or the Strength & Hope digital kit.

Stampin' Up! is donating $2 from this purchase to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation. BCRF is dedicated to preventing breast cancer and finding a cure in our lifetime by funding clinical and translational research worldwide. For more information about BCRF, visit www.bcrcure.org."

The card I made above was made with this new darling stampset. I just love that butterfly! The swirl design is so beautiful too... Actually all the images are beautiful to play with and I'll be posting a few more projects using this stampset in the days ahead!

Contact me if you would like to order one and support the campaign or if you would like to be part of my Strength & Hope class which is being held on Saturday May 21st at 2 pm and Thursday May 26th at 7pm (both classes are identical). In the class we'll be making a very special mini album and purchase of the stampset will be part of the class fee in order to support this worthy cause! Contact me soon if you are interested in the class as both classes are almost full already!

National Scrapbooking Month Promotions

Starting today and going throughout the month of May, Stampin Up has some great promotions to celebrate National Scrapbooking month - starting with several stampsets perfect for scrapbooking and some scrapbooking bundles at 30% off. Click here for the promotion brochure!

In addition, Stampin' Up is also discounting the cost of printing hard cover & soft cover photobooks as well as individual pages by 30% as well. Check out the listing and sales prices here! I'm so exicted...I want to finish the digital scrapbooks I'm working on right away so I don't miss out on the sale!!

If you would like to order any of these products, you can do so on my Stampin' Up Website or contact me to place an order or book a workshop!:)

Occasions Mini Last Call

The Occasions Mini ends tomorrow (April 30th) and the cutoff for my order going in will be noon; however you can place an order on my website (use this link) into the evening if you miss that.

This card was made with the botanical gazette paper which I'm so going to miss with the end of this Occasions Mini. I have the short list of the few items that are carrying over from it if anyone is interest, just email me.

This card was inspired by one Kimberley made last month using the two tags die for the Big Shot...I created the 3 little envelopes form that:) The buttons are from the sprintime vintage jumbo buttons in the Occasions Mini which I'm also going to miss. The ribbon, however, is the in colour pear pizzaz ribbon that carries over in the Idea Book & Catalog...this ribbon is one my favourites to work with...love the texture and the edge trim!:)

This card was made for one of the challenges over at A Charming Place this month and that is where the charm came from. The only stamp I used on this card was my en francaise backgroun stamp. I love background stamps and the en francais is probably my favourite. I use that one and the medallion one probably the most!:)

Easter Wishes...another basket!

Easter blessings to you all! Today's project is my daughter's Easter basket. I posted one of these earlier this month with the dimensions here.

This one was made from a sheet of baja breeze cardstock, the elements of style and something to celebrate stampsets, some chocolate chip ink & ribbon. Butterflies from the embosslet for the Big Shot, pearls from the jewel pack and rose adornments! I'm in love with the adornments, it will be sad with the Occasions Mini ends at the end of this month and they are no longer available!