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

Scallop Square Fabric Purse

I have been seeing these purses all around different blogs, and on other Demonstrators websites. I actually bought fabric back in the Fall, and never got around to making one. The fabric I had was browns & golds, very pretty, but very fallish. I can sew, but didn't have the confidence to try this on my own, so I went to my sister, who can "sew with her eyes closed", and she helped me. She had this adorable fabric in her stash, and was so kind to let me use it. I Love it! It's so springy & cheerful. They are really easy, and after watching my sister, I know I can do it on my own.

You may be asking yourself what this has to do with Stampin' Up! Well, the squares were cut with the Big Shot and the Scallop Square Die. I was able to cut 9 layers of fabric at one time! You need 54 squares, so I only had to run it through 6 times. Sure beats cutting them by hand!

I'm anxious to try different sizes. Wouldn't they be adorable with just 4 squares for little girls? You could make a smaller bag with 6 squares too. I think this would make an adorable diaper bag. I didn't add pockets to the inside, but it would be so easy to do. My mind is just racing with all of the possibilities!

Here is a close-up of the closure & the inside.

Thanks for stopping by!
dd

Congratulations

Today's card is a quick card that I made using Well Scripted, the Sweet Pea Designer Series Paper Pack in the Occasions Mini Catalog, and the Scallop Border Punch in the Sale-a-Bration Brochure. I used So Saffron Cardstock as my card base and punched one edge of the Chocolate Chip to add an elegant border. Then, I simply added a strip of Very Vanilla Taffeta Ribbon, tied it in a knot, and stamped my sentiment. A simple yet elegant card. I Love it!

If you were to purchase the Well Scripted stamp set, the Sweet Pea Paper Pack, a package of cardstock, and a spool of ribbon, you would earn the Scallop Border Punch for FREE! And ~ you would have the supplies to make around 50 cards! That's about $1.00 per card.

If you want to learn more about getting FREE product during Sale-a-Bration, click on the brochure on the sidebar, visit my website, or contact me directly! I would be happy to chat with you. You can earn even more by Hosting a workshop or joining my Team!

Thanks for stopping by, have a great day!
dd

Let's Get Organized

What a great class yesterday! We decorated our Forget-Me-Not-Keepers and dividers with the adorable Sweet Pea Designer Series Paper from the Occasions Mini Catalog. We now have our cards organized and ready to send at a moments notice. That's my hope any way. I am usually the one to remember the day of some one's Birthday that I haven't mailed their card, let alone made it yet. Now I can have them made ahead of time, organized by month and ready to go! The Keeper is designed specifically for Birthday & Anniversary cards, so we also added a couple of extra tabs for other occasions like Thank You, Sympathy and Baby.

We are in the last month of Sale-a-Bration. Only a short time remains to earn FREE product. If you haven't seen the great Stamp Sets, Paper Pack, or New Border Punch that you could get for FREE, check my website for more information. If you've already earned all of the Sale-a-Bration sets, don't forget to check out the additional items SU added from the 2009/2010 Idea Book & Catalog. There's over 50 more sets to choose from! These are listed inside the back cover of the SAB brochure. When placing your order, you must use these item numbers to redeem your free sets.

There's still time to join my Team & get a 15% discount on your Starter Kit, and choose a FREE stamp set from the Idea Book & Catalog valued up to $47.95. Contact me today!

Love You Much

I don't often mix my personal life with my business life, but I do want to explain my lack of postings lately. My Father-in-Law was put in Hospice this past Tuesday, and my husband & I have been spending much of our time with him and our family. He was admitted with the thought that they would regulate the pain medication and then he would return home, but he has declined rather quickly in the last few days. He is comfortable now, and sleeping most of the time.

I do have a card to share, another Valentine. This one I did for a challenge. We were to use the colors Chocolate Chip, Real Red and Pretty in Pink. I love this color combination! I used Chocolate Chip for my base, Pretty in Pink for the main layer and accented with Real Red. I'm very pleased with the way it turned out. I used the new stamp sets, Vintage Vogue and Well Scripted from the Occasions Mini Catalog and the new Small Heart Punch.

I can't believe we are already half way through Sale-a-Bration! From now through March 31, 2010, when you spend $50 you earn FREE SAB product. Also during SAB, if you're thinking of becoming a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator you receive a 15% discount on your starter kit, plus you'll receive a free stamp set of your choice. Value up to $47.95. Contact me today!

I have 3 spots left in my Lets Get Organized Class on Sunday, February 28. Check out my website for more details.
It's snowing here again today ~ hope you have a great day! Thanks for stopping by.

dd

Little Vacation

Just got back from a long weekend trip with my three sisters to Marco Island, Florida. It was so nice to escape the gray dreary skies, cold temperatures and snow, even if it was only for four days. I am a firm believer that we need some sunshine in our lives to keep us feeling alive! I had heard that as of the last week in January, we had only had one day that the sun had managed to shine. What a wonderful feeling it was to have the sun shining on my face, the white sand between my toes, and the sound of the waves splashing on the beach. I think this is just what I needed to get me rejuvenated so I can make it through these last few weeks of winter. I'm still catching up on a few things around here after being gone, but I should have time to post a project for you tomorrow. Until then, I hope the sun is shining where ever you are!

Thanks for stopping by today.

dd

More Valentines

Here's another Valentine card featuring the Specialty Designer Series Paper Sending Love, and the I {Heart} Hearts and Well Scripted Stamp Sets, all found in the Occasions Mini Catalog.

Right now, during Sale-a-Bration, if you purchase this DSP, the two Clear Mount Stamp Sets and Clear Mount Block B, you would qualify for a FREE SAB product!

This one is actually pretty simple. Start with a Pretty in Pink card base. Add a layer of Sending Love Specialty Designer Series Paper and a strip of Pink Taffeta Ribbon. Stamp your images with Real Red and Pretty in Pink Classic Ink, punch them out with the Curly Label Punch & adhere them to your card with Stampin' Dimensionals.

My next class is Sunday, February 28. This is my Let's Get Organized Class. Decorate the Forget-Me-Not Keeper & it's 12 dividers using the Sweet Pea Designer Series Paper found in the Occasions Mini. We will also create coordinating cards to get you started on using this organizational system you're sure to love! This class is $40. You will receive your Keeper, 24 sheets of DSP, and all other supplies needed to complete this project. Deadline to sign up is Wednesday, February 10. Don't wait, contact me today.

Thanks for stopping by today!

dd