Bingo Bits Bracelets

This weekend, I had my Bingo Bits Bracelet Class. We made 2 bracelets, one for Halloween, and one for Christmas using the Spooky Bingo Bits and Jolly Bingo Bits Stamps Set.

We started with the Simply Adorned 8" Bracelet. Then we stamped the images on Shrinky Dink Plastic with Stazon Ink. This is a quick drying permanent ink that works great on nonporous surfaces.

We had so much fun stamping and punching out several different shapes to create the charms for our bracelets. Some of the shapes we used were the Scallop Circle, Postage Stamp, Ornament, the Scallop Triangle from the Petite Pennants Builder Punch, and from the Holiday Mini Catalog, the new Stocking Builder Punch. We added a Black Crystal Bauble to our Halloween bracelet, and a Clear Crystal Bauble to our Christmas bracelet. Everyone also had their choice of adding a Key Trinket or a Crown and Pumpkin Pie, Real Red and Basic Black 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon.

Even though we all used the same products & materials, everyone's bracelets turned out a little different. I love to watch as all the ladies enjoy their creative freedom. I must say, this was probably the quietest class I've ever had. Everyone was in such deep concentration.

Just a couple of reminders that the end of the month is only 1 day away and that means ~
Wednesday, August 31, 2011 is ~

• The last day to order from the Summer Mini Catalog.

• The last day for the Strength & Hope Campaign. Stampin' Up! is donating $2 from the purchase of this set to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Seen in the Summer Mini.

• The last day for the Buy 3 Get One Free Designer Series Paper. Don't miss out on this great deal. Stock up now on all the DSP you'll be needing for your holiday crafting projects.

Don't forget, you can place orders online, anytime! Just go to my website & click on Shop Now.

Thanks for stopping by~
dd

I'm So Excited!

What a perfect way to start my day! It started just like every other day. I got my cup of coffee and sat down at my computer to check my emails and other stuff before my Mom and sisters came over for the day to work in my flower gardens. I always go through first and delete the ones I have no interest in, and send the ones to my spam folder that manage to make through. One in particular caught my eye, and I hesitated to open it, thinking it was spam. It said New to You Creative Challenge Winner, and it was just from a persons name that I didn't know. I thought, "Yeah, right, what kind of scam is this?" Then, it hit me that I had entered a project on the So Shelli Creative Challenge Blog back in July. I clicked on it, and sure enough, my project was chosen by Shelli as one of the winners! I was so excited! I was home alone, and had no one to tell. I couldn't wait for my Mom and sisters to get here so I could tell someone! As a winner, I get to choose a free stamp set! The July Challenge was to use anything from the new catalog that was inspiring us. I entered my Flirtatious Canvas Bag. Our new fabrics have inspired my to get out my sewing machine which I haven't used in quite some time.

I spent the day outside today working in my flower beds. No stamping. I have my Bingo Bits Bracelet Class this weekend so I'll share that with you next week.

Thanks for stopping by ~
dd

Trying Something New

I've been trying to figure out how to do Card Kits, or Classes to Go for quite some time now. After some research, guidance from another Demonstrator and a lot of debate, I've decided to give it a try!

This is what I've come up with. Each month, I will choose a stamp set and design 5 cards using that set. When you order the featured set, you'll receive the stamp set and all of the supplies needed to make the cards for the price of the stamp set plus a few extra dollars for supplies and shipping. I will cut, punch, emboss etc., your card stock. You will just need basic supplies, inks and adhesive. With your order, you will also receive photos and step-by-step directions sent via email, to help you assemble your cards.

This month I'm featuring the Button Buddy Stamp Set for my first Card Kit On The Go. This set is so adorable and very versatile with eight images for so many fun occasions.

You have your choice of ~

Clear Mount

• Local cost ~ $29
• Priority shipping ~ $34

Wood Mount

• Local cost ~ $38.50
• Priority shipping ~ $44.50

Here are 2 of the 5 cards for this kit ~

The sentiments I've used are all from the Happy Greetings Stamp Set found in the Occasions Mini Catalog. This set, and all of the products in this mini are available through August 31.

If you'd like to get one of my very first Card Kits On The Go, please contact me at DeeLeeD@aol.com by Tuesday, August 30th. I will either send you a PayPal Invoice, or get your credit card information at that time.

The stamp sets will be ordered on or after Tuesday, August 30. I will assemble the Card Kits On The Go, and then they will be sent out to you in early September.

This is a great way for you to keep your card stash stocked. You'll always have a variety of cards stamped and ready to go whenever you need them!

Let me know what you think &
Thanks for stopping by ~
dd

Boo!

From one Holiday to another! Well, I was inspired when I received my free package of Frightful Sight Designer Series Paper. Yep, I took advantage of the August promo and stocked up on some DSP. You can get a free package too! When you order 3 packages of Designer Series Paper, you get the 4th package free. Click HERE to see all the great choices.

Halloween really isn't that far away, especially when it comes to planning your cards and projects. I tried a new technique on this card. Cutting, Embossing and Inking Wood Sheets. First, I cut the letters from the Wood Sheet with the Big Shot and the Simple Letters Alphabet. Then I embossed the letters using the Square Lattice Embossing Folder. Next, I sponged them with Basic Black Classic Ink. I think it gives it a very spooky look.

The background was embossed with the new Stripes Embossing Folder. The cute little spider is from another new stamp set, Spooky Bingo Bits. This is a great set with 24 spooky images. I punched it out with the 3/4" Circle Punch and layered it on a Mini Vintage Tag with a Stampin' Dimensional. The sentiment is from Teeny Tiny Wishes, punched out with the Word Window Punch, layered on Basic Black Card Stock punched out with the Modern Label Punch. I finished it off with a Pumpkin Pie Glimmer Brad.

August 31 is the last day to order from the Occasions Mini Catalog and the last day of the Buy 3 Get 1 Free Designer Series Paper Promotion. You can see the mini on my website, and don't forget to stock up now on DSP for all your Holiday projects and card making!

Thanks for stopping by ~
dd

Countdown to Christmas Calendar

I'm very excited to share today's project with you! It's another sneak peek at a couple of the fabulous products that will soon be available. A new die for the Big Shot, and you know how much I Love my Big Shot, an adorable stamp set and finally a One Inch Square Punch! Are you ready?

I pretty much squealed when I saw this sample and these products in the Holiday Mini Catalog. They went at the top of my Wish List. We are so fortunate as Demonstrators, to have the opportunity to pre-order items so we can prepare our samples and have them ready when the mini catalogs are released.

This project features several new products in the mini. The new Peekaboo Frames Bigz Die, the 25 & Counting Stamp Set & coordinating One Inch Square Punch and if you look closely, you'll see the new Mini Jingle Bells. I used the Letters to Santa Designer Series Paper from the current catalog, but you know there is going to be Christmas DSP in the mini. Not just one series, but two! Oh yeah, you're gonna Love it!

I've used lots of other products on this project too, and I'm not going to list them all today. If you have a question about something you see, just leave me a comment. I'll be happy to answer any questions any one may have. One I know you're going to want to know is what size frame. This is a 12x12 Scrapbook Page frame that I found at my local craft store. I mounted my project on a piece of chipboard, and did not put the glass back in, so you can "peek" under the frames.

Here's a closeup of some of the details.

And how I completed day 25.

Thanks so much for your kind words about my Rosette Tutorial. I hope you have as much making them as I did, and Thanks today for stopping by!
dd

Accordion Rosette With Tutorial

Today I have a little treat for you. Well, kind of two treats. A sneak peek of some of the products you'll see in the Holiday Mini, along with a step-by-step tutorial on how to create one of the newest crazes in card making and scrapbooking ~ Accordion Rosettes. Let me warn you though, once you make one, you're going to want to make more. These are addicting!

Most of the product I've used here is new product that will be introduced on September 1, 2011 in the Holiday Mini Catalog. Oh my goodness, let me warn you again, this mini is packed full of 42 pages of awesomeness!

This is going to be a rather long post so if you want to get a cup of coffee or a soda grab that now. Here we go ~

Here's the Accordion Rosette I created with the new Spice Cake Designer Series Paper ~ one word ~ Yummy! This rosette is just over 6" across. I plan on using it as an embellishment on a Fall Scrapbook Page. You can make them just about any size you want.

For the 6" Rosette ~
1) Cut 2 strips DSP 3-1/2" x 12" and score at 1/2" along the 12" side. Choose the front of your rosette and fold the 1/2" strip from the back to the front and adhere. With the double sided DSP, you now have a strip of coordinating paper on the front of your rosette.

2) Score at every 1/4" across both strips. This is amazingly easy with one of the new tools being introduced in the mini ~ hint hint. Fold accordion style.

3) Using Sticky Strip, adhere both ends together, forming a tube. I recommend Sticky Strip rather than Snail because it is a much stronger adhesive and won't pull apart.

4) Gently pull the top of the tube together and ~

5) Push it down. There's your Rosette ~ embellish to your liking!

6) I punched a 2-1/2" circle and used Sticky Strip to adhere it to the back to stabilize the rosette while I decorated it.

I used the Scallop Circle #2, Two Tags Die and the Big Shot. The leaves are from the new Gently Falling Stamp Set from the Holiday Mini, as is the Designer Button. These new buttons are 1-1/2"! I wanted something with more of a contrast that would coordinate with my paper to put in my button, so I cut a very thin strip of DSP with my Table Top Cutter to weave through the button holes.

Here's a close up of some of the details ~

Can you imagine a Christmas tree decorated with these, or making all of your Christmas tags like this? Oh, the possibilities! Now is the best time to stock up on card stock to create your rosettes, with the Buy 3 Get One Free Promotion through August 31.

Leave me a comment & let me know how you liked my second step-by-step tutorial.
Thanks for stopping by ~
dd

Hello My Friend

I must say I'm very pleased with today's card. This stamp set, My Friend, was one of the first ones to go on my Wish List from the new catalog. I just Love the swirly hello sentiment.

I used the new Fancy Fan Letterpress Plate to create the background. I inked up the plate with Versa Mark, placed my Baja Breeze card stock on top of it, and ran it through my Big Shot. This embosses the card stock and gives it the tone on tone look at the same time. The base of the card is the new In-Color, Island Indigo. Check out the new Ruffled Ribbon. This comes in all of the new In-Colors. The lacey border was created with the new Lace Ribbon Border Punch. I just cut it in half and put it above and below the Whisper White Card Stock used for the sentiment.

See the stamping on the little butterfly? This is another stamp from the My Friend stamp set. I stamped a scrap of paper with Baja Breeze Classic Ink, and then used the Beautiful Wings Embosslit Die and my Big Shot to punch it out. I've used all 3 different sizes of Basic Pearls to put the finishing touches on my card. Two medium pearls on the body of the butterfly, 3 large pearls on the ribbon, and the tiniest one on the swirl in the words my friend.

Don't forget to stock up on your DSP this month. Buy 3 packages and Get 1 FREE! Contact me for more details, or visit my website.

I hope you enjoyed your visit. Thanks for stopping by!
dd

Christmas in July

Well, it was still July when I made this card. We had our Group Meeting last weekend and this is the card I made to share.

We did our shoebox swap again, because we all enjoy it so much and it's a great way for all of us to get several new samples to share. Each Demonstrator designs a card and prepares everything for every other Demonstrator to make it. Then, we all rotate stations making each card. It's great to relax and make cards that someone else has designed & prepared. We also bring other samples to share, have product demonstrations, discuss business and eat great food. I always look forward to these days. They are such an inspiration and I truly enjoy spending time with my Stampin' Up! family.

I used several components on this card. I don't think I can complete a project without my Big Shot. I used it, along with the Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder, the New Fancy Fan Letterpress Plate, the Scallop Circle #2 and Circle #2 Bigz Dies. The trees were stamped using the Masking Technique. I used my new Pennant Parade Stamp Set and coordinating Petite Pennants Builder Punch with Stampin' Dimensionals to pop up the center tree. I added some of the New 3/8" Lucky Limeade Ruffled Ribbon, a Mini Vintage Tag, and Cherry Cobbler Bakers Twine. For the finishing touch, I topped each tree with a Basic Rhinestone.

If you have questions about becoming a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator and want to join our "family" and be a part of our next group meeting, contact me any time. I'd love to chat with you about what I do!

Thanks for stopping by ~
dd

Buy 3 Get 1 Free!

A new month ~ a new promotion! I don't know how they do it, but every year the Stampin' Up! catalog just gets better & better. This year, I am in Love with all of the new Designer Series Paper, so I was super excited when I heard about the latest promotion.

Starting today, through August 31, when you buy 3 packages of Designer Series Paper, you get a 4th one FREE! Now is the perfect time to stock up for your holiday projects, scrapbooking needs, or just add to your stash. You can bet that's what I'm going to do!

There is no limit to the number of FREE packages you can earn. The more you order, the more you get FREE! Specialty Designer Series Paper and Hostess Designer Series Paper are not included in this promotion and can not be redeemed through this offer. This does include all of the regular Designer Series Paper in the 2011/2012 Idea Book & Catalog as well as the Nautical Expedition DSP in the Summer Mini.

Don't need 3 packs of paper right now? Get together with a friend to place an order and then share your FREE pack! Each package of DSP comes with 12 total sheets of paper ~ 2 each of 6 double-sided designs ~ perfect for sharing.

Contact me today to place your order and get your FREE Designer Series Paper, or visit my website and order online!

Thanks for stopping by ~
dd