Fun in the Mud

It was absolutely BEAUTIFUL here in Montana over the weekend.  Just love this place!  Matthew and I got in a couple games of tennis with my sister and her husband while the kiddos played in the park.  The girls and Elijah jumped into bed with us Sunday night and we finished up "Fiddler on the Roof".  Matty had never seen it so I insisted that it be one of our first rentals from Net-Flix this past week.  I had seen it so many times growing up and practically sing the songs as I'm floating around the house so I wanted him to know that I wasn't making up "If I were a rich man...."  Just good-clean filming...where has it gone? 

But that's not why I'm writing today.  I want to show you another scrapbook layout I accomplished over the weekend.

Last summer before we had grass on our property the girls would run through the mud as if it was a field of daisies.  They loved every minute of it...mainly because as their mom the sight of dirt on them prompts me to run for a wipe, but in this instance, I didn't say a word...I just ran for my camera. :-) 

On these pages I used both the Flower Folds and Blossom Party die cuts with the Big Shot.  Rub-ons are also a favorite of mine in scrapbooking now because they look so natural on a page without much work and expense.  Here are a few close-ups:

 

Notice how I layer the die-cuts with some stamped flowers after cutting the stamped image out?  There are SO MANY possibilities with stamping and die-cutting that one could never be out of ideas or inspiration.  All these flowers are using different shades and designer paper of either Chocolate Chip, Creamy Carmel or Pretty in Pink.  Coordination is my middle name.  hee-hee!  :-)

I used the new Vintage Vogue stamp set which was in the past Occasions Mini Catalog, but good news...It's in the 2010-2011 Idea Book as well!  YIPEE!!!  This stamp set has quickly become one of my favorite.  I stamped a border on my journaling, added rub-ons and punched flowers from the Big Shot.  Vintage Vogue is a set of 8 and the images are below.

Remember, you have until TODAY to take advantage of my FREE stamp sets and On Board gifts! 

Leave a comment telling me 2 of the reasons you LOVE to scrapbook and I'll have a drawing for a FREE package of 12x12 Designer Series Paper! (a $9.95 value) You must comment to my blog below by TODAY, June 30th to get in on the drawing!


I also have just WAY TO MANY NEW STAMP SETS (yes, a hard problem to have being a demonstrator) :-) so I need to give some away! Place any online order (or you can call me) of $25 or more by June 30th and you'll be entered to win a SNOW BUDDIES stamp set (see photo from yesterday) PLUS a package of ON BOARD (value of $15.00) Simply click HERE to order online!

TODAY is the last day to join my Stamped for Success Stampers Team and become a demonstrator for only $99!  If you've been thinking about it and you want to save $100, TODAY is the day to take advantage of it.  You'll be instructed all along the way and whether you want to become a demonstrator purely for receiving your items at a discount OR earning an income and considering it a business...there is room for both!

The new catalogs are HERE and I'm ready to ship them out to anyone who would like one! Click HERE to request an Idea Book and Catalog!!!

Hope you have a TERRIFIC day!

Bloomin' Beautiful Just For You

Today I wanted to share a card with you that I created from some old stacks of cardstock left over from some cards a few years ago.  (It's amazing what you find when you start cleaning up and getting ready for all the new colors and items from the new Idea Book!!!)  :-)

This is one set that has been a favorite of mine through the last few years.  It's called Bloomin' Beautiful and it's (sniff, sniff) on the Last Chance list. (have until tomorrow to purchase this then it will be gone for good!)  I used some Riding Hood Red Cardstock  (thrilled that this is coming back as a staple color in SU's color line!!) and rolled it through the Big Shot with the Petals a Plenty Embossing Folder.  (I'm excited that this folder will be in the new Idea Book!!)

Here is a close up of the flowers.  See how I stamped the petals a second time and placed a Stampin' Dimensional under them to give a raised look.  Makes a huge difference!

Remember, you have until TOMORROW to take advantage of my FREE stamp sets and On Board gifts! 

Leave a comment telling me 2 of the reasons you LOVE to scrapbook and I'll have a drawing for a FREE package of 12x12 Designer Series Paper! (a $9.95 value) You must comment to my blog below by Wednesday, June 30th to get in on the drawing!


I also have just WAY TO MANY NEW STAMP SETS (yes, a hard problem to have being a demonstrator) :-) so I need to give some away! Place any online order (or you can call me) of $25 or more by June 30th and you'll be entered to win the Snow Buddies stamp set below PLUS a package of ON BOARD (value of $15.00) Simply click HERE to order online!

Only a few more days to join my Stamped for Success Stampers Group and become a demonstrator for only $99! 

The new catalogs are HERE and I'm ready to ship them out to anyone who would like one! Click HERE to request an Idea Book and Catalog!!!

Happy Tuesday to you! 

Supplies Used:
Cardstock:  Whisper White, Pretty in Pink, Riding Hood Red, Brushed Silver
Accessories and Stamps:  Bloomin' Beautiful, Retired Vintage Labels, Stampin' Dimensionals, AquaPainter, Paper Snips, Petals a Plenty Embossing Folder, Big Shot, Whisper White Taffeta Ribbon
Ink:  Riding Hood Red, Staz-on, Old Olive

Tweet-Tweet

I've been scrapbooking with my sister for the majority of the weekend and it's been so fun!  I'm so thankful for a sweet friend in my sister who loves to just sit for hours creating, listening to Pandora and making comments here and there without expecting an answer in reply.  Sisters are wonderful.  Anyway, here is one of my page layouts I completed. 

Elijah turned two last August so this was his small birthday party we had for him.  It's pretty  hard to see the details so I tried to take a few close up photos for you:

In the first photo above I covered Stampin' Up!'s So Tweet On Board (this On Board is retiring and is on the Last Chance List...only available until next Wednesday, June 30th!) with Pacific Point, Bashful Blue, Tangerine Tango, and Crushed Curry ink pads.  Some of the colors I had in our Craft Ink so I simply dapped the On Board with the Craft pigment ink, poured Clear Embossing Powder over the On Board and heat set it.  For others (because I didn't have the colors in Craft ink) I had to add one more step.  I dabbed the On Board with Versamark Ink then took it and over-coated it with regular Classic Ink and followed it up with the last two steps.  I love how my little Tweet Bird turned out! 

Stampin' Up!'s On Board is amazing!  It is tough, sturdy and comes in the all-natural kraft color so you can personalize it for any project you're working on!  I was able to change On Board to any color I was working on today...I love the ability to choose my own colors to coordinate with my pages! 

On the second photo above I did the same technique with the 2 (used Pacific Point ink to coordinate with my Pacific Point Cardstock...which by the way is going to be a standard color in our new line-up starting July 1st-YIPPEE) The "haPpY birthday" was cut out using the BIG SHOT and the Billboard Sizzlits Strip Dies. 

The Designer Paper was some retired Goodmorning Sunshine that coordinated beautifully with Pacific Point and Old Olive colors. 

Thanks for being my partner this weekend, Emily!  What a truly memorable time these late nights have become.  I love you - I love you - I love you!  I'm sure we all scrapbook for different reasons but 5 of the top reasons why it's so important to me are:

1. 
   
   because I want my children to know our stories
2. 
   
   because I love taking photos and what better way to "store" them
3. 
   
   because we all have quirky personality traits and I dont' want to forget them
4. 
   
   because I love the stuff:  the papers, the cute buttons, the ribbons:  all of it
5. 
   
   because it's my creative and therapeutic outlet and time for me

Leave a comment telling me 2 of the reasons you LOVE to scrapbook and I'll have a drawing for a FREE package of 12x12 Designer Series Paper!  (a $9.95 value)  You must comment to my blog below by Wednesday, June 30th to get in on the drawing! 

I also have just WAY TO MANY NEW STAMP SETS (yes, a hard problem to have being a demonstrator) :-) so I need to give some away!  Place any online order of $25 or more by June 30th and you'll be entered to win a $15.95 stamp set PLUS a package of ON BOARD (value of $15.00)  Simply click HERE to order online!

Happy Stampin' to you this weekend! 

RED-WHITE-BLUE

One of my favorite holidays are right around the corner!  I absolutely LOVE the 4th of July.  Barbecue, backyard volleyball (a must in our family), watermelon, RED-WHITE-BLUE everywhere, patriotic songs, sunshine, and great friends and family! 

In the Summer Mini Catalog (click on the Summer Mini icon to your left) you'll find a new stamp set called July Fourth and a coordinating wheel Red, White & Blue.  Here is a card that many of my club members made in the month of June.

Wouldn't it be fun to open your mailbox and find a fun, friendly card like this?  I made plenty and hope to have them in the mail next week.  :-)

I really bought this set though for my scrapbooking. Since our family goes all out for the 4th I know every year I'll have plenty of photos to scrapbook and this duo will definitely be a staple every year. 

This two page spread is what a couple of my scrapbook clubs created this past month.  Besides the July Fourth and the Red, White and Blue wheel we used Big Shot Serif Essentials Alphabet Die Cuts and Timeless Type Alphabet Junior Die Cuts.  It is AWESOME to have a low-price die-cut machine right at home instead of heading to the local craft store.  These are photos of 4th of July last year and I love how the pages turned out!  Here are few close ups of Crystal Effects on the big letters and then Dazzling Diamonds Glitter on the USA.

It's hard to see with this photo, but I cut the letters out with chipboard as well as Whisper White Cardstock, stamped them with July 4th, sponged the edges with Chocolate Chip Cardstock, glued the cardstock on the chipboard and then added Crystal Effects using my retired Stipple Brush. 

These are photos of my sister, daughters, and then my husband and I.  Memories to be cherished forever! 

If you are one of those who have never stamped in your scrapbook, you need to join one of my scrapbook clubs!  We meet every other month for 10 months (5 months total) and you get to create the page for FREE.  Check out the link above for more information on my scrapbook and stamping clubs.  You'll use product you wouldn't otherwise and I do my best to teach you different uses of what you already own. 

REMEMBER, June 30th marks the LAST day to order from the LAST CHANCE STAMP LIST and ACCESSORIES LIST.  Many items are 25-50% off.  You can look over the lists below:

Last Chance Stamp Sets (by Catalog Page Number)

Last Chance Accessories List

I've seen the new Idea Book set to be out July 1st....WOWSERS!!!  (is that even a word?)  ;-)  In my 8 years of being a demonstrator I truly believe it's the BEST.  The samples, the coordinating products, the benefits given for hosting workshops...CAN'T WAIT TO SHARE IT WITH YOU! 

This Invitation is For You!

Today I want to invite you to think about joining me in starting your own home-based business.  I know many of you are stay-at-home moms and are thinking how can I add a business to my already crazy hectic life?  Would you enjoy a business that you can do alongside your family and other activities and at the same time be adding income to your family budget? 

You may have a full time career and you might be thinking why would I want a business after having worked all day?  Would you enjoy a business where you are the boss and make all the decisions after having worked for a boss all day?  This is a great way to try out something new. 

Are you retired or approaching retirement age and are thinking why would I want to work after having worked so many years?  Would you enjoy a business where you can have all the time you need to do all the things you have been waiting to do and have some exra income to do all those things?  This is also a way to continue to personally and professionally grow at the same time. 

There are so many people I want to share Stampin' Up! with because after working with SU for over 8 years, I believe the corporate team and other fellow demonstrators are the best at what they do and I'm proud to be with a company that not only is seeking to be the best in the industry but has a heart of making a difference in so many lives. 

This business fits into anyone's lifestyle and I could use your help in sharing Stampin' Up!'s products with others!  

During June, you can become a Stampin' Up! demonstrator for only $99!  The package of stamping and scrapbooking goodies are valued at over $180 and this deal doesn't come around too often.  With the new Idea Book coming out right around the corner, you are going to love so much about it!  I have my copy and, it's really the best I've seen in 8 years!  Who wants to pay full price for your stamping and scrapbooking items when you can get a discount with every purchase? 

Here are the top 10 reasons I continue to be a demonstrator 8 years strong:

1. Every purchase I make I get an automatic 20% off.
2. Every time someone purchases from me I receive a percentage of those sales.  (starts at 20% and works up to 40%)
3. I write all my purchases off on my taxes!  I get to play and not have to pay!
4. No one tells me how much I want to work.  I enjoy what I do so I push myself and enjoy the company of all the friends I've made, but when I need a vacation I take one without asking for permission. 
5. I'm able to give a check to my husband every month to help out with the family finances. 
6. I'm able to tithe to my church with the profit I make,
7. I receive a monthly publication from Stampin' Up! called "Stampin' Success".  Frankly, this is a highlight of the month when I receive my mail.  It's packed full of stamping ideas and full-colored pages of stampin' techniques. 
8. I love being a part of a leader in the crafting industry and seeing many of their products first-hand before it becomes available to the general public. 
9. My stamping friends have become close friends.  A good friend is cheaper than therapy!
10. Creating and then sharing with others either by encouragement and/or birthday wishes is good for the soul!

You can find out more about Stampin' Up! (watch a short video) by clicking HERE or you can call me at 406-257-1938 and I'll take you to lunch or enjoy a cup of coffee while I help answer any questions you may have. 

I look forward to stamping with you!

Mosty Vintage Decor

Yesterday I showed you my rendition of a vintage card using the Mostly Vintage decor stencil.  Look what I did with it today!

Last month one of my club members requested that we stamp on tiles.  She loved it so much she has since made dozens of them as gifts for friends and family.  These are so easy to create.  I laid the stencil over a Home Depot tile (any color will do, but you want to try to get a smooth finish) and using a Sponge Dauber dabed the Chocolate Chip Craft Ink through the stencil until it is completely covered.  I then moved the stencil over the tile dabbing again until I felt the tile was completed.  Pour Glassy Glaze Enamel over the ink while it is still dry and put in the oven at 350 degrees for 10 minutes!  Bippity Boppity Boo...it's done!  A bit hot to the touch, but after it cools off you can add any embellishments you want.  I chose Chocolate Chip Satin Ribbon, added some old Flower Fusion flowers I had lying around, stamped the saying from Fifth Avenue Floral and punched it out using our Wide Oval Punch!

Hope you've enjoyed!

Supplies Used

Ink:  Chocolate Chip CRAFT Ink, Chocolate Chip Classic Ink

Accessories:  Chocolate Chip Satin Ribbon, Wide Oval Punch, 5/16ths Jumbo Brads, Glassy Glaze Enamel (on LAST CHANCE LIST and has sold out but I'm sure a local craft store may carry it), Linen Thread, Mostly Vintage Stencil (from SUMMER MINI CATALOG), Sponge Daubers

Have you tried Stenciling?

I wouldn't consider myself a "vintagey" kind of person. (is that even a word?)  ;-)  Matter of fact when I go to garage sales with my friend Amy she hunts for the perfect vintage item while my eye catches the more modern type of "junk".  You know the saying "One man's junk is another man's treasure".  :-)  So it's my treasure...not junk...try to convince my husband of that.  :-)  Well, Stampin' Up! has come out with some beautiful vintage items and I've been quite drawn to them lately.  I was playing with my Mostly Vintage Stencil and my Vanilla Shimmer Smooch Spritz from the Summer Mini Catalog and came up with this card.

At first glance it looks torn and actually quite ugly, (yes, I have no problem with honesty) but in person (the picture just doesn't do it justice) it is definitely vintage and beautiful when the light catches the glimmer from the Smooch Spritz!  I placed the stencil over my textured Mellow Moss CS and inked it with Versamark.  Then poured Iridescent Ice Embossing Powder over it, heat set it and voila...sparkle, shine and twinkle!  Love it, Love it, Love it!  The best thing about the stenciling is that it can be used in so many purposes.  Scrapbooking, home decor and of course in card making! 

This Mostly Vintage Stencil along with the Smooch Spritz is available in the Summer Mini Catalog which you can view by clicking HERE!  You can order it directly online by clicking on the "Shop Now" button to the left or you call me and I can add it to my next order which is approximately every other day!

Happy Stamping to you today!

Supplies Used:

Cardstock:  Mellow Moss, Kraft, Chocolate Chip, Pretty in Pink, Very Vanilla

Ink:  Basic Brown, Versamark

Stamps:  Four Square (RETIRING AT THE END OF JUNE)

Accessories:  1-1/4" & 1-3/8" Circle Punches, Scallop Circle Punch, Spunges, Vanilla Shimmer Smooch Spritz, White Gel Pen, Very Vintage Stencil, Cutter Kit, Kraft Tafeta Ribbon, Iridescent Ice Embossing Powder

Bloomin' Beautiful - LAST CHANCE STAMP SET

I was in Florida when Mother's Day came and went and my mom insisted on not celebrating this year because she thought there were many mothers around and she didn't want to reign on anyone's parade.  I thought she was crazy!  :-) 

One of the main reasons we were enjoying a wonderful vacation in Florida is because of her and the many sacrifices she gave throughout the many past years!  Nevertheless, I had a little gift for her, put it aside and just came across it just today! 

So I sat down and made her a card tonight to accompany the gift using a SUDSOL challenge.  (SUDSOL stands for Simply Unique Demonstrators Sharing Online....which is an online group I'm apart of). I don't have many chances to participate in their card challenges because my family life and my customers and friends in my Stampin' Up! business are my priority, but tonight I wanted to make a special card for my MOM. 

I challenged myself to use all retiring product except for the Chocolate Chip 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon.  It was fun coming up with this card and hope it inspires you to get your stamps out and create something special for someone special in your life!  I love you, Mom!

Supplies Used 

Stamp Sets: Bloomin' Beautiful, Wonderful Words  (BOTH ON THE LAST CHANCE LIST - AVAILABLE UNTIL JUNE 30TH)

Cardstock: Close to Cocoa, Whisper White, Apricot Appeal, Blush Blossom (ALL RETIRING COLORS EXCEPT FOR WHISPER WHITE)

Ink: Blush Blossom, Apricot Appeal, Close to Cocoa, Black Stazon

Accessories: Hemp Twine, Buttons, Stampin' Dimensionals, Chocolate Chip Grosgrain Ribbon, Mini Glue Dots, Sponges, Aquapainter 

 

Bouquet Bunch

Here is a card I created recently for a friend using the Bouquet Bunch Stamp Set from the Summer Mini Catalog.  At first I thought I had plenty of flower stamp sets but I love how you can make so many different combinations with this set because of the vase, the bucket or sitting peacefully on the tree trunk or on top of a bouquet. With all our colors you can make any color of flower bouquet you want.  So fun to play around with...and don't you just love our embossing folders with the Big Shot?  They make a plain card come alive with detail!  Here are the images in this 8 piece set:

Hope you've enjoyed my card today!  Happy Monday to you!

Supplies Used

Stamp Sets:  Bouquet Bunch (Summer Mini), Tiny Tags (still available from the past Occasions Mini Catalog - 118091)

Accessories:  Medium Jewelry Tag Punch;  Elegant Eggplant 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon (RETIRING...on Last Chance List); Finial Press Embossing Folder with Big Shot; Old Olive, Whisper White and Orchard Opulence and Elegant Eggplant (last two colors are RETIRING...on LAST CHANCE List) Cardstock; 1/16 Circle Punch; Linen  Thread

Any of these LAST CHANCE ITEMS are only available as supplies last!  Order today online or by giving me a call.  You can click HERE to order directly on my website and have your goodies arrive to you within 5-7 business days!  See my post below to open the LAST CHANCE LIST OF ACCESSORIES AND STAMP SETS)

Stampin' Up! Last Chance Lists are Here!!

Hundreds of products from the Stampin' Up! 2009-2010 Idea Book & Catalog and Definitely Decorative brochures are retiring July 1. Now is your last chance to get them before they're gone for good!

Availability: Retiring stamps and Definitively Decorative products will be available through June 30. Retiring accessories (don't miss the discounted items) are available WHILE SUPPLIES LAST. If you have favorite accessories, I suggest you order on-line pronto. They sell out quickly.

PLEASE CLICK LINKS BELOW TO VIEW LISTS:
Last Chance Stamp Sets (by Catalog Page Number)
Last Chance Accessories List (FYI: retiring items with an asterisk (*) are being reconfigured for the new catalog and color collection)
Last Chance Definitely Decorative Home Décor List

MINI STARTER KITS ARE BACK!!! JOIN STAMPIN' UP! & MY STAMPED FOR SUCCESS GIRLS FOR JUST $99!

It's easier than ever to fill your Stampin' Up! Wish List and SAVE!!!

     •June 1 through June 30, Stampin' Up! is offering a special $99 Mini Starter Kit, valued at $180 in product and business supplies.  Free shipping, too!
     •Join now and pre-order select items in June from the new 2010-2011 Idea Book and Catalog.
     •Receive the new catalog (with your first June order).
     •Enjoy full Stampin' Up! demonstrator discounts and benefits with the $99 Mini Starter Kit, including 30% off your first $150 product order (within 45 days of start).
     •Perfect for the hobby stamper!!! 
 
CLICK HERE FOR THE LIST OF ITEMS IN YOUR $99 STARTER KIT!!

Being a demonstrator, whether for your hobby or as your business, is an amazing experience!  You'll grow both professionally and more knowledgeable about the produccts you use because of the tips and tools that Stampin' Up! provides for you. I LOVE what I do and would LOVE to help you too!