Merry Christmas

This post was on our SU! website this week, and Shelli has said so well something that I truly believe.

Wishing You Happiness



December 21, 2009


'Tis the season of commercials and advertisements. Recently a billboard along the highway caught our attention. It was large, bright, and straightforward--it showed a woman, larger than life, drinking a popular soda, with the simple message: Drink Happiness.


We live in a world where people want us to believe that if we drink just the right drink, eat just the right food, or wear just the right clothes, we'll be happy. In reality, of course, we know that's not the case. The world is full of people who have plenty of everything they could possibly want, yet who aren't happy, and those who don't appear to have much of anything, yet who are very happy.
Inspiring quotes about happiness abound, and most are rooted in the idea that we experience happiness most when we are not searching for it, when we are reaching out and serving others, and when we are focusing on the good things in our lives rather than the bad.


During this holiday season, we wish you happiness--a happiness that comes from spending time with those you love and celebrating what you value most.

Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year!

Beautiful!

This card was on our SU! demonstrators' website this a.m. and I just fell in love with it.  It is really simple but looks like a million bucks.  It was designed by Becky Hay de Garcia, and shows a very easy technique called embossing resist.  You emboss the image in either clear or white, depending on the effect you want - I almost always use clear.  Allow it to cool completely, and then ink up a sponge with a coordinating ink - in this case, pale Bashful Blue.  Pounce the sponge up and down over the embossed images until you get the desired effect.  When you have enough ink, take a piece of paper towel or tissue (not the lotion kind!) and rub all over the design.  This will remove the ink from the areas of embossing ONLY, revealing the design in shimmering glory!

A beautiful woman

I have never blogged anything except SU! stuff, but today I will make an exception.  The Republic ran an article about an amazing woman - you may have heard of her.  Her name is Stephanie Nielson, and she was in a terrible plane crash and burned over most of her body.  She has spend over a year in recovery.  Her story is one of incredible strength and through it all is the grace and goodness of Our Lord.

Stephanie was a very pretty girl before the accident, with four young children and a loving husband and large family.  Like me, all she ever wanted was to be a mom. 

Now, she still has four young children, a loving husband, and large family but she's not a pretty girl anymore.  She's a beautiful woman.  Like Mary, our dear Lord's mother, she is full of grace and God's love.

You can read the article at Arizona Republic and you can read her blog at Nie Nie Dialogues.  It is an amazing journey.

Retiring Stamp Sets

As promised, many of the stamp sets currently on our dormant list have been available for a year and now it is time to say goodbye. The following stamp sets will be discontinued on January 4, 2010.



113407 Back Woods


114492 Beautiful Baby


114486 Birthday Wish


113200 Branch Out


114496 Celebrations


113732 Central Park


113206 Classic Sketches


113226 Classy & Fabulous


114498 Flowers in Silhouette


113405 Font of You


113216 For the Bride


114494 Forever


109425 Friend by Definition


114488 Fun Flowers


113716 Garden Greetings


114490 Glad Friends


111580 Grand Soiree


113242 Hit the Road


113710 Lexicon of Leaves


113236 Man's Best Friend


114423 Ocean Commotion


113728 Playful Petals


109276 Polka Dot


111544 Putt Putt


113240 Quilt Quips


113754 Really Retro


113403 Sip by Sip


113726 Sweet Stems


113250 That's Funny


113688 Wonderful Watercolors


114028 Para la novia


114032 Acuarelas Maravillosas






If any of these stamp sets are on your wish list make sure to purchase them before they are gone for good!  To see images of these stamp sets, go to the SU! website, put "dormant list" in the "search" and click on the first thing that comes up.  Have a wonderful December day!

Gorgeous Shutter Card

These cards are so amazing and are great to wow your friends because they're actually really easy to make once you know how.    This one was on our demonstrator's website today and was created by Kelly Acheson (wonder if she's a relative - my stepbrother and sister's last name is Acheson)  I love how she made the poinsettia by punching two Five Petal flowers and adding three gold brads!  Visit Craftiblog for a tutorial with pictures on how to make these!

Don't forget to take a break from your Thanksgiving preparations and visit my SU! website to see all of the fantastic bundles and items for sale!  Remember - the sale ends Monday, Nov. 30!!

Snow - how I miss it!

When I see a card like this, it makes me long for cold and snowy weather!  It was created by Annette Jensen, and posted on the demonstrator's website this a.m.  So gorgeous!  I think I'll make my own copy and put it above my worktable so I can have a snow fantasy while it's 81 stinkin' degrees here....YUCK!

Okay, enough complaining.  Don't miss out on the fantaastic Holiday Extravaganza sale, going on now.  There are some SERIOUS deals going on!

HOLIDAY EXTRAVAGANZA SALE!!!

Don't miss out!  Savings of 30%, 40%, and even 50% on great SU! items!  Many items have been bundled together for even greater savings!  Visit my SU! website and place your order today, or visit the website to see the savings and then call or email me.  Remember - if your purchase contains an item or items that will be gifts, you get a gift bag and tag FREE from me.  The sale lasts ONE WEEK  and while there are NO LIMITS to most of the items,  the Ultimate Stamper's Starter kit IS first come, first served.
If you order through my website, you will have your order sent directly to you.  If you order through me, I can either wait and combine orders, to save you s/h - but you'll need to come and pick up the order - OR, you can have the order sent to you.  Have fun shopping!
Merry Christmas early!

What a beauty!

Every so often I come across a card which takes my breath away.  This card, by Michele Reynolds, was posted on our demonstrator website a couple of days ago.  The piece on the left side is made by running a piece of blue cardstock through the Petals of Plenty embossing folder for the Sizzix and then sponging the darker blue on the raised design.  Then it's just simple coloring in with a blender pen and finishing the card.  Simple  - and simply gorgeous.  Also incredibly simple to make in bulk, making it a great choice for a Christmas card, even at this relatively late date.

Did you know that if you buy most of your materials, including a stamp set, from me, I will happily help you create, cut, and complete your stamping project at no charge, so long as you let me know in plenty of time?

new My Digital Studio downloads!

As promised!  Your copy of My Digital Studio will NEVER get stale because SU! will always have great new downloads, like the ones which came out today.  These run from $1.95 - $9.95, very reasonable, and have such great stuff in them which you can use NOT JUST in MDS, but in any application which uses a .jpg format, like Publisher, MS Works, and so on.  If you've taken any classes recently you know how much I LOVE the new red and white flocked paper in the Christmas Cocoa DSP.  Well, now I can play with it online, in the Christmas Cocoa download, for $9.95!  Best of all, it loads immediately, so no waiting and NO shipping/handling charge!!  I made this tag in about five minutes, and I've already printed out several to go with some paper I bought last year.

Get ready for Christmas!

Here's a couple of inexpensive and cute ways to put yourself in the Christmas mood. The first is a Christmas ornament box. It's similar to last year's trinkets kit but much nicer to give as a gift! Here's what you get:

metal box suitable for decorating

approx. 35 shaped chipboard pieces

laser cut double sided paper to cover the pieces front and back (there are a few exceptions, see below**)

Felt Flurries - laser cut felt snowflakes in 3 sizes and 3 colors

silver wire

silver elastic cord

assortment of brads

six sheets of 6 x 6 double sided patterned paper

a finished ornament

sheet of ideas

You can make at least 30 ornaments with your kit - just add glue and glitter! Just $15.00.

** A few of the pieces will have only one piece cut to fit or won't have any. This is because I combined several kits, some of which did not have matching paper. You have plenty of paper in the kit to cover these and more! Just glue the piece face down on the wrong side of the paper ( leaving the paper that you want to show on top), Let dry, then cut out with a craft knife.

Next, try our Pop-Up Christmas Tree kits. These are from the new die in the Holiday Mini-Catalog and can stand alone or can be put inside a card. These come in patterned paper (patterns vary) or in Garden Green with colorful ornaments. This kit is just $5.00. Wouldn't a flock of these look beautiful marching down your holiday table or on a mantle or sideboard?

I have a limited number of both kits, so it's first come, first served. Remember that I no longer can take credit cards, but I do have a PayPal account. Have fun!

So creative!

As I've said before, I'm not good at thinking out of the box, so I'm very impressed by people who do.  This card was created by Alisha Linn.  She used our new Petals-a-Plenty embossing folder for the Sizzix, but, instead of just putting the paper inside and running it through, she got the bright idea to brayer ink on the inside of the embossing folder first!  Then, she put white cardstock in (very quickly, I'm sure, so it didn't dry!) and ran it through the machine.  Et voila, a wonderfully creative card!

39 days...

...'til Christmas!!  If you haven't started your Christmas cards, it's time to get moving!  Here's a darling card to help you with that.  This was from a swap that our Inkin' All Night team did, and, unfortunately, I've lost the little piece of paper that had the gal's name who created it.  What I thought was SO great about this card is the creativity she used.  For one, I wouldn't have thought to combine these colors.  And - I would NEVER have thought to use this particular Designer Series Paper to run through the Petals-a-Plenty embossing folder.  I just love Dasher, the stamp she used, and have used it myself in a bunch of classes - including today's tag class.

Have a great Sunday!

Holiday Gift Giving Guide promotion

You'll love the convenience of our Holiday Gift-Giving Guide! With gift ideas for kids, teens, neighbors, and more, it's your one-stop shop for all your holiday needs. You can find all kinds of great ideas AND don't miss out on this great offer!  From now until January 4, 2010, when you spend $50 on products in the guide, you'll get a Décor Elements for FREE (up to a $16.95 value)!

If you'd like a copy of the guide, use this link Gift Giving Guide to visit the Stampin' Up! customer website and you can download it.  It has dozens of great ideas for projects you can make and give to everyone on your list!  Then contact me, place your order, and get a beautiful gift bag and tag FREE with any order from the Gift Giving Guide!  You know, everything at Christmas should be this easy....

Oh, man - this just keeps getting BETTER!!!!

Demonstrators get to see the mini catalogs ahead of time, of course, so we can plan ahead - and boy, do the new minis blow me AWAY!!!  I'm only going to give you a few hints at what's coming up, so that when you do get the minis, it will still be exciting.  However, there's ONE new thing that I just CAN'T keep to myself!!  You know how, in Sale-a-Bration, you get something for each $50 you spend?  Well, let's say you want a LOT of stuff, and you have bought so much that you have every free thing in the SAB mini catalog.  Before, you just got multiples of the free items, which is fun but....THIS YEAR, once you have everything free, you can start getting $15.95 or lower sets from the main catalog FOR FREE with each $50 purchase!!!!!  Yes, you heard me right!!  And, since SAB lasts until the end of March, you've got a chance to get TONS of free stuff.  Is this company great or what?!  So, you guys need to start booking workshops, because it's the one time of the year when I have TONS of workshops and it's first come, first served....do I hear the phone ringing?

THE PERFECT GIFT

There are a LOT of wonderful things coming up...
SO - you need to start talking to your hubby, your mom, your kids, or anyone who wants to buy you a COOL gift for Christmas, and have them purchase you a Stampin' Up! gift certificate from me, YOUR Stampin' Up! demonstrator.  Each gift certificate comes in this beautiful holder AND includes a discount coupon good for purchasing SU! products from me. THIS IS A LIMITED TIME OFFER.  All gift certificates must be purchased by Dec. 19!  With this certificate and your coupon you'll be all ready to jump right in to the Sale-a-Bration and Occasions mini catalogs, which will come with the certificate!

Tag Time Class

Many apologies for being away from the blog for so long.  I came back from my trip feeling extremely worn out and am just now getting caught up, in energy and in STUFF left over to do!  One thing I don't want to miss out on is advertising this class.  This class will be SO MUCH FUN!  Like the Christmas 10/10, we'll have music and treats and a door prize.  You'll make both of these adorable containers of tags that you can give as gifts or use yourself!  Here's the class info:  Friday, Nov. 13 from 6:30 - 9:30 p.m or Sunday, Nov. 15 from 2:00 - 5:00.  The cost is $15.00.  Let me know ASAP if you're interested!  You can also purchase the tag holders either separately or together.  Each holder is $7.50 and together they are $15.00.  The Christmas season is so wonderful!!

Deal of the Week #4

This week's Deal of the Week is on the Princess and Pirate Party Kits. These packs are a fantastic way to easily prepare for a party, so stock up while supplies last! In our Party Kits, you get everything you need to have fun except for food - invitations, decorations, and fun things to wear and make for eight people. These are a steal at the regular price of $15.95 and this week only you can get them for just $9.99!!! PLUS, since I goofed last week and didn't get the sale items up in time, I am again offering an additional 10% off so you'll get an extra dollar off each kit you order, making them almost half price!  Below is the catalog page that shows what you get with the Princess Party Kit and it also shows how you can use everything.  PLUS, each kit has a coordinating stamp set (on the left) that's just $16.95 AND (it just keeps getting better!) you can purchase a personalized stamp that says either "Princess So-and-So" or "Captain So-and-So" for just $9.95.  Can you imagine how thrilled your child would be with his or her own name stamp! 


Copyright Stampin' Up! 2009

It's time to think outside the box and see what wild and wonderful creations you can punch up using our Stampin' Up! punches, Sizzix, and so on!  These are five of the seven great cards we'll be doing at this week's Punch it Up! classes on Thursday, Oct. 29 from 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 or Sunday, Nov. 1 from 2:00 - 5:00.  The class is just $17.50 - a real deal, given that I've seen similar classes with fewer cards go for $30 and up around the Valley here!

Third Deal of Week ends today!

OOOPS! I missed letting you know about this week's deal because I was out of town. Today is the last day, darn it, and it's a GREAT deal, so I'm going to sweeten the pot. Get your order to me by no later than 8:00 p.m. tonight and I'll give you an additional 10% off what's already a GREAT deal.




Basic Jumbo Grommets regular price $6.95 special price $4.49 then save 45 cents!



Mini Library Clips regular price $12.95 special price $8.99 then save 90 cents!



Circle Designer Brads regular price $5.95 special price $3.99 then save 40 cents!



1/2" Library Clips regular price $6.95 special price $3.99 then save 40 cents!



(all of these are found on pages 179 of the regular catalog)



Don't miss out!!!

Greetings from Indiana!

It's so cold here that I am in a Christmas frame of mind, so here's a beautiful card for you:

This card uses the Delightful Decorations set and punch, the beautiful and luxurious Christmas Cocoa DSP from the mini catalog, the Modern Label punch and the Modern Label die from the new Movers and Shapers dies in the new catalog, and the stamp set called "Warm Words".  Oh, and it looks like they used the Petals embossing folder, also from the mini!  What a WOW card!  This would be a wonderful card for a very, VERY special person.

Don't miss out on the current Deals of the Week, good until Sunday (tomorrow!).  Get the Perfect Settings Sizzix die from $25.99, the Flower Burst embosslit for $5.99, and the Bigz XL Pop-Up Birthday Cake die for $25.49.  These are substantial savings!

I'm writing to you from Richmond, Indiana, where I am being a kid again with my Dad and my other mother, Pat.  We've been to flea markets, antique malls, an apple orchard (fresh apple cider!), and I've eaten good home cooking that I did NOT have to cook until I'm stuffed.  I've also been sleeping nearly 'round the clock, which is a rare, rare, and precious thing for me.  No Callie waking me up at 4 a.m.!  I miss them all dreadfully, but I am enjoying myself wonderfully.  Here's my dad eating an apple from the orchard and framed by gorgeous leaves.

Tomorrow it's off to Cape Cod to visit my mom and be spoiled some more.  And another flea market!  I'm looking forward to fish and chips, and a lovely time making E's Halloween costume with my mom.

I have internet access, so if you need me, send an email my way.  I hope that you guys are fnishing up your Halloween cards and mailing them out to win that $10 gift certificate!

Blog Challenge #2 - Make a Halloween card!

I got this cute card from the SU! demo'rs website - I just love this witch!  My favorite stamp set for Halloween this year is Trick or Tweet.  I just love this skeleton and dog card by Lilibeth Urea.

So, I thought it would be fun to make this week's blog challenge a card challenge!  This is how it works.  You make a Halloween card (Stampin' Up! sets ONLY but they can be retired) and email it to me as a .jpeg file.  If you don't know how that works, mail me the actual card and I'll take care of it.  I'll post each card as it comes in.  You get five tickets for sending your card in.  Then,after I've posted your card, tell EVERYONE you know about it and where it is, and ask them all to look at the blog, find your card, and send me a comment on it.  It's easy to do - there's a "comment" to click on at the end of each blog.  Or, have them send me an email.  Either way, every comment about your card that I get wins you a ticket!  Then, day after Halloween, I'll put all those tickets in a bucket and pick one.  The winning ticket gets you a $10.00 gift certificate that you can use for merchandise or classes.  Pretty cool, huh?!  Start stamping!!

Christmas 10/10 - don't miss out!

This class is my favorite out of the whole year!  We have so much fun, and it really gets us into the holiday spirit.  Iit's important to show how wonderful hand-crafted things can be, especially this year when money will be tight for so many of us.  Plus, the simple delight of giving something from your hands and your heart - well, it just can't be beat.  Even if you don't usually make your Christmas cards, it's great to have some on hand for those extra special people.  They also make great thank you cards, too.  I didn't hold back on the neat materials - we're using the expensive shimmery white cardstock, brushed gold cardstock, the rhinestone brads, wonderful taffeta ribbon, and so much more.  These cards are WOW cards, but aren't actually difficult.  I've done a lot of the boring stuff for you!  Won't you join us?  We'll be singing along to the carols, eating sinful snacks, exclaiming over neat door prizes, and grabbing up Party Packs, ornament kits, and the new pop-up Christmas trees.  Don't miss out!

Here's the last three cards - I think these are my favorites!

If you can't make the class, you can still have the cards by purchasing Long Distance packets.  The cost for materials plus stamped images (you assemble the cards yourself) is $25 plus shipping.  If you want me to make the cards for you, the cost is $30 plus shipping.  There are a limited number of the competed card packets available, so get your order in early!

October starting out with a BANG!!

Wow!!!! So much to tell you!  October is starting out with FOUR fantastic announcements from Stampin' Up!  First, and best of all (drum roll please.......)

That's right - the most amazing computer crafting program available is now available to YOU!  My Digital Studio is just $79.95, and what you can do with it will blow you away.  The header at the top of my blog?  That's from MDS.  This cute little frog?  Yep, MDS.  You can make scrapbooks, cards, calendars, and much, much more.   I'm still learning so many things I can do.  And the most wonderful thing of all is that the program and its contents won't get stale because you can download new elements throughout the year!

Okay, the second and third cool things includes the FIRST cool thing.  If you host a $400 workshop between now and November 30, you get two wonderful rewards.  You get to chose any item in the Holiday mini (except MDS) for just $10 AND you get My Digital Studio for half price - just $39.95.  Also, if you join Stampin' Up! between now and March 31, 2010, you will receive MDS with your Starter Kit.  Here's what you'll get for $185 (actually worth over $295!!):

My Digital Studio software

Party Hearty and Petal Pizzazz stamp sets

Whisper White card stock (8-1/2" x 11")

Earth Elements assorted card stock (8-1/2" x 11")

Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie, Real Red, and Tempting Turquoise Classic Stampin' Pads

Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie, and Real Red Stampin' Write markers

Chocolate Chip 1/4" grosgrain ribbon

Real Red 1" double-stitched grosgrain ribbon

Button Latte Designer buttons

Stampin' Dimensionals

Mini Glue Dots

SNAIL Adhesive

Business supplies (product catalogs, order forms, training DVD, and other supplies)
***don't forget, you can usually substitute items so if you already have any of these materials, you can usually substitute something of equal or lesser value.

Last, but definitely not least...

Customers loved our "Deal of the Week" in July, so we decided to do it again!
During the week of October 1 - October 11 you can get these THREE punches on sale:
Trio Flower Punch and Five Petal Flower Punch are just $10.95 and the My Way Punch is just $11.95.  All three are usually $15.95!

Don't miss out!  Call or email me today, or...shop now at my website.  Just click "Shop Now".  Have fun!

Stamp Sampler

Here's the other cards from tomorrow's Stamp Sampler class.  We're doing a set sampler - seven cards from one set!  The set is the Ronald McDonald House set - there's a new one every year from SU!  $2 from the sale of each set goes to RM House charities up to a guaranteed $100,000.  That's a LOT of money!  The class is $10 if you just want to do the cards, or for an additional $12 you can get the set which is a BIG savings, as that cost includes s/h and tax and the set costs $14.95. 

We'll make the seven cards and then you will choose one to donate to our local RM House, along with a bunch of extra cards I'll be sending from my retired cards.  These are for the families who stay there when a child has major medical issues at local hospitals.  As you can imagine, it's a nice thing to have free cards so you can write to people when you're stuck far away from home in a terrible situation.  Won't YOU join us?

Huge Clearance Sale!!

Wow! Stampin' Up! now has a Clearance section on their online website. You can save up to 80% on items ranging from paper to scrap kits to those wonderful felt snowflakes from last year - remember those?!! To begin saving, go to my SU! website, click "Shop Now" and away you go. HAVE FUN!!!

Party Packs for sale

I told you guys that I would show you an example of the prize for the first Blog Challenge - well, here it is!  This is the first of several Party Packs which I'll have for sale this fall.  This one uses last year's Ghostly Greetings Designer Series Paper (DSP).  Just in time for Halloween, these are a killer deal (pun definitely intentional!)  You get five pre-cut Fancy Favor bags (all you have to do is fold them together and add Sticky Strip); five Top Note fold over Treat Bag toppers plus five small cello bags; large strips of coordinating DSP, and ten stamped circles from the Batty For You set attached to Kiwi Kiss and Pumpkin Pie scalloped circles.  The cost is just $9.95, or FREE if you're the first person with correct answers on the Blog Challenge.  You get to choose what kind of Party Pack you want (or card pack, when I get them up).  Here's the goodies:

I'll be adding a couple of other Party Packs for you to purchase.  Some, like this one, I have a limited number of because they use retired DSP.  Others can be ordered as they'll use current materials.  I'll always let you know which is which.  You can use the PayPal button or you can call or email me.  I have three packs available right now - Ghostly Greetings DSP (retired, limited quantity), Cast a Spell DSP, and Tall Tales DSP.

Packs

Ghostly Greetings DSP $9.95 Cast a Spell DSP $9.95 Tall Tales $9.95

One last thing - I've added a really neat gadget at the bottom left of the page - it's pictures of Autumn - the season I MOST miss from living in Ohio.  Sorry about the ads - they come with it, and since this blog is free, I'm not complaining!

Ronald McDonald House set class

October's Stamp Sampler class showcases the many ways you can use the new Ronald McDonald House set called Very Thankful.  It's a small set, but my, oh my, can you do some BIG things with it!  Here are some of the cards we're doing.  Look below the cards for the class info, cost, and a special offer!

Join me on Thursday, October 1 from 10:00 a.m. - noon or from 7:00 p.m. - 9:00.  We'll make six cards, with an additional extra easy card to donate to RM House of Phoenix.  The cost is $10 to just do the cards or you can also order the set at a substantial discount ($12, includes s/h and tax) so it's $22 for the cards and the set.  I need to know ASAP if you're coming, so PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE call or email me!

Blog Challenge #1

Hopefully most of you have had a look at the new Holiday mini catalog.  If not, stop by to pick one up or look at it online at http://www.stampinup.com/ so that you can compete in my first ever BLOG CHALLENGE!  Here's how it works.  I am posting a list of questions, the answers to which you can find in the Holiday mini.  Answer the questions in an email to me at matthewsfarm@aol.com.  The first person to send the correct answers to all the questions will receive a Party Pack or Card Pack for free (more about those in tomorrow's blog - trust me, you'll love them!)  Then, I'll take all the other names of people who took the quiz and pull another person to win the same prize!  Okay, the clock's ticking - start looking!

1.  What are the three new product lines released in the Holiday Mini-Catalog?

2.  What's so special about the Christmas Cocoa Specialty Designer Series Paper?

3.  What holiday item has Stampin' Up! built a collection around including rub-ons, a punch, stamps, and a wheel?

4.  What new product makes your paper look shimmery in three different shades?

5.  How many "Under $10" products are listed in the catalog (hostess sets don't count)?

6.  Which product can help your projects have a yummy center?

7.  How many new Big Shot products were introduced?

8.  Which product helps children send thank you cards?

9.  What 2-Step Stamping set can be used for lots of other holidays besides the obvious?

10.  Which product helps to keep you organized, is a nice desk accessory, and fits perfectly in our new Magnetic Gift Box?

Okay - start looking!!

My Digital Studio

The more I work with our amazing new program, My Digital Studio, the more I'm blown away by it!  This is a truly amazing program.  It goes FAR beyond most photo editing/scrapbooking programs because of its enormous versatility.  You can make scrapbooks, cards, calendars, web pieces, movies, and more. You can print your work yourself, publish it online, or get a professional product from our printing services.  I can say with utmost sincerity that this program is one of a kind and worth every penny of the $79.95 price.  I will be using this for years to come, with new tools and attachments coming throughout every year.

I will be offering a free look at My Digital Studio in October.  Join me for a group look at the elements of the program and some of the gorgeous items you can make.  Each person who signs up before September 30 will receive a free set of four cards just for attending and the chance to win door prizes.  Each person who purchases the program in October will receive the first new digital download FREE!

Here's two pages from my current scrapbook.  We visited Mackinac Island on a gorgeous summer day and our girls rented bikes and cycled all around the island - seven miles!

Pumpkin Frame Blog Project

Here's an adorable little picture you can make in about an hour.  This is a 7 1/4 by 5 1/4 wood frame I purchased at Ikea (pkg. of 3 for just $1.99!)   Think of all the possibilities!  You could make one for Halloween, one for Thanksgiving and one for Christmas, or make a set of three using various sets or variations on one set.  With all of the wonderful Designer Series papers we offer, your ideas are limitless!

Materials:

wooden frame

Night & Day Specialty Designer Series Paper (mini cat pg. 11, #116768, $11.95 for 12 sheets, two are window sheets)

Cast a Spell DSP (cat. pg. 161, #115677, $9.95 for 12 sheets)

Pumpkin Patch* stamp set (mini cat pg. 9, #116499, $22.95)

Holiday Best Level One hostess stamp set (cat. pg. 13)

Halloween Frights stamp set (catalog pg. 24, #111766, $15.95)

Whisper White c/s (cat. pg. 155, #100730, $7.50 for 40 sheets)

Basic Black Classic ink pad (cat. pg. 155, #101179, $5.95

Basic Black Stampin' Write marker (cat. pg. 155, #100082, $3.25)

Going Gray Classic ink pad (cat. pg. 155, #103274, $5.95)

Pumpkin Pie Classic ink pad (cat. pg. 156, #105216, $5.95)

Pumpkin Pie Stampin' Write marker (cat. pg. 156, #105115, $3.25)

Garden Green Classic ink pad (cat. pg. 156, #102272, $5.95)

Garden Green Stampin' Write marker (cat. pg. 156, #100080, $3.25)

Chocolate Chip Stampin' Write marker (cat. pg. 156, #100071, $3.25)
Silver Hodgepodge Hardware (cat. pg. 178, $29.95 for 200 pieces; holders match our punches)
Pumpkin Pie 1/4" grosgrain ribbon (cat. pg. 183, #109030, $4.95 for 15 yds. - compare to 3 yds. for $3.25 at a fabric store and you'll never match the color!!)
Designer Label punch (cat. pg. 186, #107590, $15.95)
Scallop Circle punch (cat. pg. 186, #109043, $15.95)
Hobby Blade (cat. pg. 191, #102449, $4.50 for blade plus 5 refill blades - it's very elegant!)
Cutting Mat (cat. pg. 191, #101087, $15.95)
Glue Dots (cat. pg. 192, #103683, $4.95)
Anywhere glue stick (cat. pg. 192, $3.95 for two)
Sticky Strip (cat. pg. 192, #104294, $6.95)
Stamping Sponges (cat. pg. 192, #101610, $3.50 for 3 which can be cut into four pieces each)
Clear acrylic spray

*this set can be used all year - the ovals for pumpkins could also be balloons or Easter eggs!

Directions:

1.  Cut two 7 1/4 by 3/8 and two 5 1/4 by 3/8 in. strips of Pumpkin Pie dotted paper from Cast a Spell DSP.  Cut a 7 1/4 by 5 1/4 rectangle of houndstooth check from Night & Day Specialty DSP.  Place frame upside down over the rectangle (check side down) and use Hobby Blade and Cutting Mat to cut the inside out and trim any extra; set aside.  Use Basic Black Stampin' Write marker to cover bare wood along sides and inside edges of frame.  Take out the plastic and backing piece from the frame and spray the black edges lightly with acrylic spray once the marker is dry (it will smear, be careful!!!)  When acrylic spray is dry, use glue stick to attach Pumpkin pieces to the sides.  Let dry, then attach black houndstooth check piece to front of frame with glue stick.   Set aside.
2.  Cut a 5 15/16 by 3 16/16 in. piece of Whisper White c/s.  Make sure it fits inside frame and adjust if necessary.  Punch a scallop circle from a scrap piece of Whisper White and use sponge and Going Gray pad to make gray cloudy sky.  Start about an inch up from the bottom of the paper and move sponge frequently and in different directions to create the sky.  Stamp the pumpkins in Pumpkin Pie, the stems, vines, and grass in Garden Green, the faces and bats in Basic Black.  Place inside frame and replace plastic and cardboard layers.  If you use the Ikea frame, there's a film over both sides of the plastic that protects it.  Pull this film off before you insert the plastic.
3.  Use markers to color the Trick or Treat saying on a scrap of Whisper White c/s.  The rule with markers is to always use the lightest color first, so that you don't get a dark color on your light marker.  Use Pumpkin Pie on pumpkin and flourishes; Garden Green on vine; Chocolate Chip on stem; Basic Black on words and don't forget to "HUFF" on the stamp before you stamp so your breath can make the ink moist again.  Hint:  the Basic Black marker takes a VERY long time to dry completely, so be careful of smearing (I did mine three times; this one is actually too light but I was tired of coloring!!)  Punch saying out using Designer Label punch and glue to the front of the frame using glue stick.  
4.  Cut two 9" pieces of Pumpkin Pie ribbon.  Cut four 4" pieces of Sticky Strip.  Pull one piece of ribbon through the hole on the left of the Designer Label silver hardware piece and even the pieces up.  Place on piece of Sticky Strip on the inside bottom piece and sandwich the pieces together.  Place a second piece of Sticky Strip on the back of the "sandwich".  Repeat with other side.  Place two glue dots on each metal piece next to the hole where the ribbon goes. Pull the covering off the back pieces of Sticky Strip and attach the silver label holder over the saying, pulling the ribbon evenly around to the back of the frame and pressing down.

Remember that you can get a 10% discount on any item used in this project if you order before the next blog project goes up (about a week...or more!)  You must order through me, though, not through my web site.

ENJOY!!

October Stamp Sampler Class

This month's Stamp Sampler is a Set Sampler!  We'll use one set (mostly - a few other stamps thrown in, like backgrounds and sayings) to create six cards for just $10!  Also, you can purchase the set for just $12 (includes s/h and tax) which is a considerable savings as the set is regularly $14.95 plus s/h and tax.  The set we're using is called Very Thankful and it's this year's Ronald McDonald house set.  Each year, Stampin' Up! designs a new set and $2.00 from each sale of the set goes to Ronald McDonald house charities.  SU! gives $100,000 a year even if they don't sell that many sets.  Demonstrators in each city also do stamping events at the RM Houses to help guests deal with the devastating effects of major illness.  At our class, you'll have the opportunity to do an extra card which we'll send to our local house for guests to use.  Here are two of the cards we're doing:

Hope to see YOU at a class soon!

Christmas 10/10

It's almost time for my favorite class of the whole year!  The Christmas 10/10 is a super jumpstart to the holiday season.  We do it early so that you have tons of ideas for your annual, hand stamped Christmas card and plenty of time to order your materials and get it done.  It's not just stamping, though!  We have music, treats, door prizes, and other fun surprises.  This class ALWAYS fills up really early - in fact, the Sunday class is already more than half full.  So, get your fee in right away because I can't hold a seat without pre-payment.  We'll do ten cards that each take about ten minutes, for just $20 (it's a bit higher because the gorgeous materials, such as shimmery white and brushed silver cardstock, rhinestones, and flocked Designer Series Paper cost quite a bit.

There are three sessions of the class - Friday, Oct. 2 from 6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 4 from 2:00 - 5:00, and Thursday, Oct. 8 from 9:30 a.m. - 12:30.  Here's eight of the cards we'll be doing.  Have fun looking at them and get that fee in soon to save yourself a space at this great class!

Wow!!! Sale-a-Bration news and Project of the Week

When I scooted over to the demo'r side of Stampin' Up!'s website this a.m. for my daily look at what's going on in our fantastic company, I read something that just about made me shoot up into the stratosphere.  (Drum roll, please.........)
Sale-a-Bration will be THREE MONTHS this year!!!
Imagine having THREE months to earn free stuff every time you spend $50!!!  And that's not all that's coming, but I'm going to keep the best part secret until Dec. 1, so watch the blog and see the coolest part - and it is SO cool, it's unbelievable!!!  It will be sure to put a smile on your face.

Okay, let me wipe the sweat of excitement off my brow and get to work this a.m.  Here are four more cards using printed window sheets for this week's blog project...

Printed Window Sheet Cards

As usual, my scanner has done a really icky job with the color green... the card  with ferns and ribbon is one of my favorites and here it's the color of something you'd find on the bottom of your shoe around ducks, if you know what I mean....oh, well, can't afford a new scanner so you'll have to take my word that the card is a beeyootiful Mellow Moss! 

Don't forget, any time you order supplies from a current (within a month of publication) blog project or email project, you get free s/h on those items! (You must order thru me, not my website)

Materials:

Clearly Thanks window sheet pkg, catalog pg. 169, #115122 $5.95 for two sheets
Soft Subtles assorted cardstock, catalog pg. 157, #105568, $7.95 for 3 sheets ea. of 12 colors
Medium Whisper White envelopes, catalog pg. 168, #107301, $6.50
Heard From the Heart stamp set, catalog pg. 142,#111644 , $22.95
StazON White pad, catalog pg. 190, #106960, $11.95 (includes refill)
Soft Subtles brads, catalog pg. 179, #106954 $8.95 (TY card)
Small Filigree brad, catalog pg. 179, #112577, $5.97 ( " )
Vintage brads Antique Brass, catalog pg. 179, #109109, $8.95 (happiness card)
1/4" Mellow Moss grosgrain ribbon, catalog pg. 183, #109033, $4.95 ( " )
Crop-a-dile, catalog pg. 191, # 108362, $29.95 (lg. puncher)
Paper-Piercing tool, catalog pg. 191, #116631, $3.50
Mat Pack, catalog pg. 191, #105826, $9.95
Pretties Kit lg. flower, catalog pg. 178, #109144, $29.95 for kit
Jumbo (5/8") white brad, catalog pg. 179, #112533, $6.95
Brushed Silver c/s, catalog pb. 159, #100712, $7.95 for 10 sheets (our silver color runs through the entire piece of cardstock, unlike others which have a white core, so it cuts and tears beautifully!)  (dandelion card)
Clear Rhinestone brads, catalog pg. 179, #113144, $10.95 ( " )
Circle Ice Rhinestone brads, catalog pg. 179, #109111, $10.95 ( " )
Stampin' Dimensionals, catalog pg. 192, #104430, $3.95( " )



Directions:

1.  Cut three 8 1/2 by 5 1/2 cards from Mellow Moss, Lavender Lace, and Bashful Blue cardstock.  Cut one card from Brushed Silver c/s.  Cut one Perfect Plum panel piece 4 by 5 1/4.
2.  Carefully cut each printed plastic panel, centering so that each design is in a 4 by 5 1/4 in. area.
3.  Stamp one saying from the Heard from the Heart stamp set on each plastic panel using White StazON ink.  Allow to dry - takes a minute or so.
4.  Using pictures as a guide, apply all brads.  On "wishes" card, set brads through plastic and c/s layer but not through card, as you will use Stampin' Dimensionals to pop this up.
5.  Use large puncher on Crop-a-Dile to punch a hole through plastic and c/s 1/2" from bottom right side.  Cut 14" of Mellow Moss grosgrain.  Thread ribbon through hole and tie a square knot (right over left, left over right!) to cover the hole.  Trim ends.

You're done!  These are so quick and easy, and the window plastic packages give you two sheets of each, so you can get eight cards from just one pack!  And trust me, when people see how amazing these look, they'll think you spend HOURS on them!!

Have a great weekend!

Pack it Up! class

This week's "Pack it Up" class is truly a wonderful value. You are making 12 treat/gift holders for just $20, PLUS getting templates so that you can recreate the projects at home. The classes are Friday, Sept. 11 (day after tomorrow!) from 6:30 p.m. - 9:30 or Sunday, Sept. 13, from 2:00 - 5:00. Kids are welcome as long as an adult stays with them to help with the projects (no drop offs).  It would be a fun thing to share with your child!   Here are the projects.  The brown treat bag is my favorite! Perfect for cookies or other home baked treats!

The projects we will be doing are:

1. purple Sweet Treat Halloween card

2.  "Eat, Drink, and be Scary" treat bag

3.  "Happy Halloween" Sweet Treat candy holder

4.  Snowflake treat cup

5.  Halloween gum holder

6.  "Matchbox" candy holder with snowflake window sheet top and decorated mini candy bars

7.  spooky fence Halloween bag

8.  Delightful Decorations Christmas bag with 3 tiny note cards

9.  Merry Moments DSP bag

10.  flocked red bag w/ tag

11. flocked red bag w/ grommets and ribbon

12.  reindeer larger treat bag

*the only one that comes with candy/treats is the matchbox holder - you can choose your own fillers!

Also, a limited number of Long Distance packages are available for this class. Since so many of these are 3-D I am only having one option. You'll receive all the materials, stamped and ready to go, for you to assemble at home. All of the bags will have Sticky Strip on them to make it VERY easy! The cost is $30 (includes s/h).

I hope to see YOU at class!

It's a GREAT time to host a workshop!

Dear Friends,


From now through Nov. 30, Stampin' Up! is offering one of the best hostess promotions I've seen!

Host a workshop totaling $250 or more and choose any one item* from the 2009 Holiday Mini Catalog for only $10!


*Offer excludes hostess sets and My Digital Studio.

On October 1, when My Digital Studio is released, this offer will become even sweeter:


Host a workshop of at least $400 and get My Digital Studio for 50 percent off the retail price (retail price: $79.95; promotional price: $39.97)!

Right now, you might think, "This is a terrible time to do a workshop," but you'd be surprised. Studies show that even in a flat economy, craft sales GO UP!!! That's because we turn to "do it yourself" to help us with our budgets. I can show your guest great packaging, card, and gift ideas that can be made for pennies.

Plus, we have so much fun!!! And even in these tough economic times, a $250 or $400 workshop is completely do-able, with a little effort on your part, and what a GREAT way to spend a couple of hours!


When you do a workshop with me, you get all kinds of goodies as a "thank you".

For a minimum $150 in sales, you get:

+ a free catalog or $5.00 off your own order if you already have the catalog

+ $15 to spend in the catalog

+ a Level 1 hostess set

+ all of the samples I make in class

+ a hand made hostess "Thank You" gift

At $250 in sales, you also get

+ the $10 item listed above, from SU!

+ instead of $15, you get $25 to spend in the catalog

+ PLUS from now until Nov. 30 you'll receive your choice of Stampin' Dimensionals or Classic Color Marker (from me)

At $300 in sales, you'll also receive

+ $35 total to spend in the catalog

+ a Level 2 hostess set

At $400 or more in sales, you also get

+ the $10 item from the Mini Catalog AND 50% off My Digital Studio (starting Oct. 1)

+ any Classic ink pad (this promotion is from me)

+ $45 total to spend in the catalog


Many of my weekends are already booked with classes, so to get the date you want, call or email ASAP. However, workshops can really be fit in just about ANY time - I even have an ultra quick workshop that I can do in about an hour and a half!! Don't delay, book a workshop TODAY!

Birthday 10/10

This week I'll be uploading most of the card samples that I've done so far, so that you can make sure to put on the calendar a class that you really want to attend!  Here are some of the cards for the Birthday 10/10 (10 cards that take about 10 minutes each!), which is coming up on Sunday, Sept. 20 from 2:00 - 5:00, Thursday, Sept. 24 from 9:30 a.m. - 12:30, and Friday, Sept. 25 from 6:30 - 9:30.  Each class is the same ten cards, just different dates.  The cost is $17.50 and includes all materials, envelopes, pre-cut supplies, and so on.  The only thing you have to bring is your adhesive!

As usual, my scanner doesn't do justice to the lovely Sage Shadow green that the "Enjoy" is on - this would be a great masculine card (but doesn't have to be!) and you can choose your sentiment because the "Enjoy" set has several - plus you could also use the similar "Thanks" set's choices!  I always encourage my customers to alter the sayings if they don't fit.  I don't want you going home with a card that you can't use!