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

Blossom Bouquet Triple Layer Punch

Holy cow! I can't believe it's been a month again since I've posted! Things have been busy around here. I had another niece get married, we're closing in on the end of another school year, I've taught some great classes, we've had some illness ~ including me ~ ugh! I'm also preparing for a Huge Garage Sale. I'm clearing out my studio ~ again ~ in preparation for the new catalog release in July! If you would like to reserve a copy, just let me know, I'll be ordering them soon.

I had a great class this past weekend. We made a 2-Page Scrapbook Page Layout featuring the Blossom Bouquet Triple Layer Punch in the Summer Mini. I was intrigued when I saw it, and just had to have it. It is awesome! You know the little directions pamphlet that comes with the unique punches that you (I) usually set aside thinking "I know how to use a punch". Well, you'll want to make sure to read this one. They're not difficult to use, but they're very easy when you read the directions! Here's a little peak of the pages from class.










My next class is June 12 ~ Cards, Cards, Cards. Time to restock that card stash. We'll be making
20 cards and matching envelopes. Contact me to reserve your spot today!
I promise it won't be another month before I post again. Thanks for stopping by ~
dd

Word Play

One of the perks of being a Demonstrator is that during Sale-a-Bration, we have the opportunity to earn free stamp sets through our sales and recruiting. This year, I was fortunate and earned free sets by doing both! I chose Word Play as one of my sets. It is a set of 12 great sayings, for many different occasions. I'm sure I'll be using this one a lot. I'm so happy to have it in my collection!

As I've said before, there are just so many new things that I love in the new catalog. The new Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border Punch for instance. That's what I used to create the three "ribbons" along the bottom of my card. I used Cherry Cobbler, Daffodil Delight, and Early Espresso Cardstock. The greatest thing about this punch, is that you just punch once, and both sides are done. Then you just move your cardstock along the punch until you get the length you want. You could do a whole 12" border for a scrapbook page! Can't wait to do that!

The top half of the card was created using my Big Shot and the Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder, and of course, I had to add the 1/8" Daffodil Delight Taffeta Ribbon. I used Stampin' Dimensionals to pop up my sentiment and added the Small Heart Punch as an accent.

Don't forget, along with the new catalog, you can still order from the Summer Mini Catalog through the end of August.

Having a much better day today ~ hope you're having a great one too!
Thanks for visiting!

dd

Colors, Colors, Colors!

Guess who visited me yesterday. Yep, that Man in Brown! One of the perks of being a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator is that we get the opportunity to pre-order a few of the new products before they are actually available. I was trying to be good and not go crazy and order everything. Well, after receiving my first "very good girl" order, and playing with the very few things that I got, I couldn't help myself. I just HAD to have ALL of the new colors! Aren't they gorgeous! Every time I think I've chosen my new favorite, another one "speaks" to me.

I do have a card for you too. I had fun with this one! These colors just scream summer to me. I am loving the Pacific Point and Pumpkin Pie combo. I also threw in some Bashful Blue. This is the Upsy Daisy Stamp Set. It is really a very versatile set. I stamped it a couple of times first with Bashful Blue Classic Ink, and then with Pacific Point. The patterned paper is from the Island Oasis DSP in the Summer Mini. The Butterfly is just Pumpkin Pie 1-1/4" Striped Grosgrain Ribbon tied with Linen Thread. I tied a couple of knots to form his head. The sentiment is from Teeny Tiny Wishes.

I should have my boxes of the New 2010/2011 Idea Book & Catalog in just a couple of days. Please let me know now, if you would like your very own copy so I can get it to you as soon as possible. In the mean time, take a look at the Last Chance Lists so you can be sure you get all of the items that you just HAVE to have, before they're gone for good!

I appreciate your visits! Until next time~
dd

Thinking of You

If you get the Paper Crafts magazine, then you may recognize this card. No, I didn't get published. I was inspired by a card featured in the magazine. I used different stamps and similar colors, but basically made the same card. The floral stamp is from the Messages From Mom Stamp Set. I used Marina Mist, Daffodil Delight, and Melon Mambo Classic Ink. These colors are all part of the New Core Colors in the New 2010/2011 Idea Book & Catalog being released on July 1. The Thinking of You stamp is from one of my all time favorite sentiment sets; Sincere Salutations. It is a set of 8, a very nice font, and has something for almost any occasion. I've also used the Bitty Buttons, and the Itty Bitty Punch Pack to punch buttons from coordinating cardstock.

These items are available now in the Summer Mini Catalog. There is also a coordinating stamp set; Itty Bitty Bits that is just too adorable when used with the clear buttons and punches. All items in the mini catalog are available through August 31, 2010. Some of these things are being carried over to the big catalog, but some are not. So, take a look at it and let me know if there is anything you need.

Thanks for stopping by!

dd

Watercolor Trio

Today's card uses several new products featured in the Summer Mini. The Watercolor Trio Stamp Set is gorgeous! I Love it, because like it's name states, it looks like a watercolor painting. I kind of CASE'd this card; Copy And Share Everything, from another Demonstrator. That is one of the many perks of being a Demonstrator, we all Love to share our ideas with everyone. She had made a card similar to this, same color scheme and stamp set, but I changed it up a bit so it wouldn't be a complete copy.

Other new products used were the Square Lattice Embossing Folder and the Bitty Buttons. The embossing folders are an excellent way to add texture to your projects. Just put your cardstock in the folder and run it through your Big Shot. It's that simple! You can use them on cards like I did here, or customize your own embellishments for your scrapbook pages. Imagine texturizing the letters for your title, or chipboard shapes, the possibilities are endless.

The Bitty Buttons are just too cute. There are 64 in a package. 16 clear buttons each of 4 different shapes; heart, circle, flower, and scallop circle. And that's not all! There are coordinating punches for the circle, flower and scallop, sold in an Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack. I used the Small Heart Punch that was sold in the Occasions Mini Catalog, behind my heart button. It's not a perfect fit, but I think it looks just fine. The colors I used are Not Quite Navy and Garden Green, two colors that will be staying with us as Core Colors when the New Catalog is released in July. The ribbon is Mellow Moss Satin. The color doesn't look great in my photo, but it really does blend nicely in person. Mellow Moss has always been one of my favorite colors. It will be retiring the end of June.

Have you looked at the list of colors that we are wishing a Fond Farewell? Don't wait too long. You don't want to miss out on getting your favorites before they are gone for good!

Book now for your workshop featuring the New 2010/2011 Idea Book & Catalog!
Contact me for information about our Retirement Class ~ Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Thanks for checking in, I hope you're having a lovely day!

dd

"Delft" Just For You

Brilliant Blue has always reminded me of Delft Pottery when paired with white, and definitely when using this beautiful swirl design in the Elements of Style stamp set. I love the crisp look when using white cardstock. White is also the perfect choice when using the Eyelet Border Punch. It's so cute and looks just like real eyelet.

These mosaic type cards are fun and so easy to make. Just cut your cardstock to size, stamp your image, then cut it into squares. When adhering it to your project, just leave a little space between each square to create the mosaic look. Larger patterns work best to achieve this look.

Brilliant Blue is one of the colors that will be retiring the end of June. There are actually 30 colors that will be going away, but not to worry, there are New Colors to be introduced! You can see the list of retiring colors by clicking on the color wheel on the sidebar, or visiting my website. If you see any of your favorites on that list, be sure to contact me, or place your order right away. Retiring colors are only going to be available while supplies last. You can also see the New Colors while you're there and start your Wish List for the upcoming Stampin' Up! year.

Check out the information about our Retirement Class, Tuesday, June 8 on my website.

Book now, for your July workshop!

Thanks for stopping by today!

dd

Smooch Spritz with Style

Here is another card using the Elements of Style set from the Summer Mini. I do Love this set! I just can't get enough of it! For this one I randomly stamped the image on Apricot Appeal and then cut it into thirds before layering on the Close to Cocoa base. Both of these colors are going to be retiring the end of June. I stamped the sentiment on Very Vanilla, and used three Circle Punches and the Scallop Circle Punch for the layers. The ribbon is the 3/8" Chocolate Chip Taffeta.

Now, here's where the Smooch Spritz comes in! To give my card just a little more vintage look, I added just a"smooch" of Log Cabin "spritz". This is one of the new products in the Summer Mini. They are pearlized accent sprays that you can use to add just a splash of color to your projects. There are four different colors; Gold Glow, Silver Foil, Vanilla Shimmer, and Log Cabin. They are so fun, and reasonably priced at just $4.95.

It does take a little practice, but I think you'll like them if you try them!

Have a great weekend!

Check out the card from Tuesdays post ~ I felt it was a bit too plain, so I added the small hearts!

dd

Hello Again!

Wow! It has been way too long since I've been on here. Stampin' Up! has added a blog feature to our Demonstrator Website and I have been debating as to whether I should change over to just the SU blog, just keep this blog, or do both. This one has many great features, but is a bit more time consuming in that I have to link everything. The SU blog isn't quite as "pretty", but you would already be on the site, and I wouldn't have to link anything. I have been using this one for over a year, and feel very comfortable, and obviously am still in the learning process with the SU blog. I thought I had made my mind up to use the SU blog mostly for time-saver purposes, but as I sit here typing, I think I've changed my mind, and will probably do both for a while. Well, with all of that out of the way, I have so much information to share with you!

The Summer Mini Sales Period starts May 1. This is another great mini! So many wonderful products, and I'm loving having the choice of wood mount or clear mount stamps. New Travel Designer Series Paper & Stamps, along with Tropical DSP & Stamps and New 6x6 Coordinating Albums. I am so excited! I Love making the 6x6 albums. I just finished up 2 so I wouldn't feel guilty buying the new ones, although that has never stopped me before!

This is one of my favorite sets from the Summer Mini, Elements of Style. I used another one of my favorite products the Big Shot & the Top Note Die. I cut two Top Notes, one in Chocolate Chip and one in Naturals White and trimmed it at the perforation to layer it on top. I stamped my image with Chocolate Chip Classic Ink and used my Blender Pen and Bashful Blue and So Saffron Classic Ink to color it in. I wanted to make my ribbon look distressed, so I used the brush end of my Soft Suede Marker and gently ran it along the rib of the Satin Bashful Blue Ribbon. I also sponged all the edges with Soft Suede.

It feels good to be back. With so much going on with Stampin' Up!, I hope you check back often so you don't miss out on all of the great things coming up.

Thanks for stopping by today!

dd