Sneak Peak

Here are some cards made with some products (paper, stamps, Big Shot Embosslit) coming out in our new catalog on Jan. 19. They are some of my favorites cards to date! :) I hope you enjoy them too.

Blog Fun!

I saw this little game on several blogs this past weekend and thought I would see how I do. If you would like to play along, just copy the list and highlight or underline those things you have done! The ones I have done are PURPLE! :)

1. Started your own blog.
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland/World
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Fostered a rescue animal (adopted)

Baby Shower Gift

Yep, another one! :) I have another friend having a baby and made her this blanket. I unfortunately was not able to attend the shower, but I hope she had a lovely time and enjoys the blanket. :) Congratulations Lauren!!!

The Big Shot!

The Sizzix Big Shot is finally here! Stampin' Up! has put some great packages together for you to get started using your very own Sizzix Big Shot! Contact me for the brochure, I have an emailable version I can send you to view everything, including a great storage/carrier bag and some Stampin' Up! exclusive dies. Plus, I am running a couple of my own specials to help you get started!

Buy the Starter Kit and receive a FREE $15.95 die from me, PLUS since your order is over the $150 minimum to qualify for a party, you will receive hostess benefits of a free exclusive hostess stamp set AND $20 in free product!

-OR-
Buy the Starter Kit with Bag (that is super cute if I must say) and receive a FREE $21.95 die. You would receive hostess benefits of 1 exclusive Level 1 stamp set and $25 in merchandise.

This special only applies on non-workshop parties. During a workshop, I will still buy you an extra die, but you would not qualify for hostess benefits.

Stamp-A-Stack

I am having my first Stamp-A-Stack on Sept. 20 at my sister's house and here is one of the cards we will be making. I CASED the idea from page 194 of the Fall/Winter 2008 Idea Book and Catalog. We will be making 12 cards (3 each of 4 designs) and the cost is $20 if you pre-pay or $23 the day of the event. Please contact me if you would like to attend or if you would like to host your own. Class prices vary, but if you have 5 paying guests, yours (as the hostess) is free!



Ingredients:

Stamps: Bella Blossoms
Ink: Kiwi Kiss, Versa Mark
Paper: Kiwi Kiss CS and Bella Rose DSP
Accessories: Scalloped Edge Punch and Very Vanilla 5/8" grosgrain ribbon

September Card Set

Here is September's Card Set for purchase. It is $10 for the four cards, envelopes and delivery. Is that a GREAT deal! Or, just use my layouts and make your own cards. :) Contact me to purchase.








Ingredients:

Stamps: Eastern Blooms, Fresh Cuts, Much Appreciated, Stitched Exotics, Cute & Curly
Paper: CS: Pink Pirouette, Chocolate Chip, Rose Red, Whisper White
DSP: Pink Pirouette
Ink: Rose Red, Whisper White, Chocolate Chip,
Ribbon: Pink Pirouette Striped Grosgrain, Hemp Twine
Accessories: Punches: Scalloped Edge, Scallop Circle, 1 1/4" & 1 3/8" circle, Curly Label, Three for You
Brads, Stampin' Write Markers

Mount Shasta Camping

Since I am not in the mood to try and figure out how to upload photos to our mac, I have decided to use some photos that are already on it and post something to my blog.  hahaha  My husband and I went camping a few weeks ago in Mount Shasta and had the BEST time!  We were there for 5 nights and enjoyed each and every moment!  We have some friends and family in the area and were able to see them as well as get some nice hikes and swimming in.  The photos are of us on the top of Black Butte with Mt. Shasta in the background.  There was a large forest fire nearby, but depending on which way the wind blew, we could sometimes see Mt. Shasta and sometimes not.  It was pretty crazy!  And of course, we had to take a photo of Chili swimming in a lake (not Lake Shasta), boy does he have a GREAT time in the water.  If I'm not throwing a stick for him, he just swims in circles checking things out. It's pretty funny to watch.  

Wedding Gift

My husband performed the ceremony last weekend for a friend's wedding. This is his 4th one and probably not his last. Normally he puts the ceremony in a photo album and gives it to the couple for a keepsake. Now that I am stampin' he asked me to make a nice album for the ceremony that we could give them. The bride LOVES the nickname her new hubby has, so I had to use that on the cover. I used silver rings to bind it and then made little tabs on each of the pages so it would be easier to turn the pages. I also made them some matching notecards as a gift. The wedding was beautiful! Greg did a fabulous job and everything turned out perfectly. :) Congratulations Lippys. :)

Card Set for Sale

I have many customers not knowing where to start and just want some home made cards. I have decided that I am going to sell small sets of cards together as a set. For those that can make their own, you can use my layouts for your own cards and for those that either don't want to make them, but would rather buy them, here's your chance. :) This is this month's set, you get 3 cards that are 5 1/2 X 4 1/4 and one card that is 3x3 all with envelopes for $10. This includes shipping or personal delivery, whichever is easiest. Please contact me if you are interested.







Ingredients:



Stamps: Dreams Du Jour

Paper: Bella Rose DSP, Pink Pirouette, Riding Hood Red, Kiwi Kiss

Ink: Kiwi Kiss, Riding Hood Red

Accessories: Scallop Edge Punch, Three For You Punch, Silver Brad, Circle Punch

Catalog Sampler Promotions

So, I finally received my new catalog and have had my nose in it since I received it! Email me to receive your copy, they are $10, $5 w/a $50 order or FREE if you host a party. We also have a Spanish catalog, with many of our current stamps in Spanish, along with a couple of sets only available in the Spanish catalog! The catalog sampler is also in the mail to many of my customers, but in case you don't receive it, there are some great promotions on the back cover I would like you all to be aware of. For those wanting a discount on products, sneak peaks at new items and a chance to pre-order new stamps, there is another promotion for a $99 starter kit, see the link to the left. But, if you are interested in signing up as a demo, hosting a party, or just want to place an order, there is something for everybody! Please contact me for more information.



New Recruit Incentive:

August 11-October 11, 2008Join as a demonstrator with the standard $199 Starter Kit and choose one stamp set out of the Fall-Winter Sampler or Idea Book & Catalog for free.


Hostess Incentive:

October 1-November 30, 2008Host a $350 workshop and choose one stamp set from the Fall-Winter Sampler for free.



Product Offer:

December 1, 2008-January18, 2009Spend $20 and get 20 percent off any stamp set from the Fall-Winter Sampler.

I WANT MY CATTYS!

So, it's a bit after 1 pm on Wednesday afternoon and I am just hoping that UPS guy comes today. I had a bit of a teaser yesterday when he came with 3 Stampin' Up! boxes, the same number of cases of catalogs I ordered, but I was so bummed when they were an order I placed. But also with that delivery were some roses my sweet friend sent me from Red Envelope, so that put a huge smile on my face! Now, I just sit and wait for UPS, please come soon.....:)

I'm lucky enough to be working from home this afternoon, so I'll be here in hopes of my delivery. So, wish me luck and send me your happy thoughts, better yet, send the UPS guy over with my catalogs!!! hahahaha

Baby Shower Invitation

My good friend Genevieve is throwing her sister-in-law a baby shower and wanted to make the invitations. She knew the colors and the stamp sets she wanted to use, but it took us a while to come up with the design. It was a fun putting these together and I really hope that Genevieve was happy with them and that Lauren likes them as well. :)

Puerto Vallarta

I should just put Playa Fiesta as the title because I did not see much of Puerto Vallarta! My friend and her husband, well my friendS, own a boutique wedding hotel in Puerto Vallarta. For the last weekend of the season one of their close friends had her 40th birthday party and I was lucky enough to attend. It was a short trip, only 3 nights but they were wonderful nights! I miss my friend dearly and was so happy to spend any amount of time with her. Thank you Lindsay and Adam for being such gracious hosts. I love you! The photos are of Lindsay (tall brunette), Teanna (Cocoa Queen) and me (blond). We had so much fun lounging by the pool, drinking cervesas and dancing the night away for Maura's 40th. Happy Birthday Maura!

Brillante Weblog Award!!!!

I also got this really cool weblog award from Dori AKA Stampin'GHmom. Thank you so very much! I was super excited that she passed it on to me! There are rules that go along with the award, however.

1. The winner can put the logo on his/her blog.

2. Link to the person you received your award from.

3. Nominate at least 7 other blogs.

4. Put links to those blogs on yours.

5. Leave a message on the blogs of the people you have nominated.

Here are my nominees, you really need to check out these incredible blogs, I am truly inspired by these ladies.

Chico Stamper

My life's inky escape and more

pipSCRAP{studio}

Sheila's Creative Spot

spice rack card co.

S K G

Downline Blogs

As many of you know, I am pretty new to alot of things, I think we each blog I post there is something new. When I started Stampin' Up! I figured I would make some cards, sell a bit of stuff and just enjoy the discount. In the midst of all of that, I had some GREAT parties, booked more, had some classes and met two wonderful ladies who had my same excitement for not only card making but Stampin' Up! These two ladies inspire me to do so much more because their work is truly amazing! Please check out their blogs and give them some shout outs, they may not be new to card making, but they are new to the SU demo world and to blogging. With that, I would like to introduce you to:

Melissa at Spice Rack Cards
and
Stacey Gilbert

Welcome ladies, I wish you the best and know you will be VERY successful!

For Laura

As you can tell, I have made journals for my friend and her parents. They are a 2nd family to me and I wish I could be closer, but they are in Denver and I am in Auburn, CA. Not too easy to be there for them. I make my phone calls and hope to get a package of stuff in the mail to them this week. This journal and card are for Laura, I know she'll love them, I just hope she uses them! :)

Ingredients:
Paper: Bali Breeze DSP
Accessories: Thickers (just love the name!), hodgepodge hardware, flower fusion, brads, grosgrain ribbon

For John

These little items are for John, Faye's husband. He has found himself having to do alot more and keep track of a lot of little things so I wanted him to be able to keep track of them. It's a small little journal I found at Target and just covered it with some paper. I think it turned out pretty cool and isn't too girly.

Ingredients:
Paper: River Rock, Blue Bayou, Western Sky DSP
Stamps: Office Accroutement, Make it Count
Accessories: Hodgepodge Hardware, 5-petal flower punch, oval punch, circle punches

For Faye

I have a dear friend, Laura, in Denver whose mom has been diagnosed with lung cancer and brain tumors. I'm not real sure on the prognosis and "they" aren't real sure of it either. I do know that she is going through chemo and it's VERY tough on the family. I thought she might like a journal to record her thoughts through out her ordeal. Not a day goes by that I don't think about her and pray for her. I love her and her family and want her to get better. I also made a matching card for her and I hope she enjoys them both.

Ingredients:

Stamp: Always

Ink: Red Riding Hood Red

Paper: Bella Rose DSP, Pink Pirouette CS and Riding Hood Red (All available Aug 11)

Accessories: White grosgrain ribbon, pink taffeta ribbon, large oval punch and Scallop Edge Punch (Available Aug. 11)

Gift for Lindsay

I am going to see my friend Lindsay in Puerto Vallarta and I have made these as a little gift. She LOVES cards and anything paper, so I'm sure she will like these. At least I hope so. :)

Ingredients:

Stamps: Just Rite Stamper, Best Friends Alphabet, Phrases for a Friend

Paper: Basic Black, Whisper White, Taken With Teal

Accessories: Brads, corner punch, white ribbon

Sock Monkey Love

I was so very excited when I saw the Sock Monkey stamp set. And I am totally laughing that there are so many different posts and polls and all sorts of commotion about the Sock Monkey. I personally LOVE it! And it goes perfectly with the sock monkey blanket that I crochet!!!! I just love coordinating the wrap and cards with the gift so this is absolutely PERFECT for me and my gift wrapping anal-ness. :) This blanket is for my dear friend Laura, she had her son, Sawyer a few months ago and I am FINALLY getting her blanket done for her! Sorry it took so long, but hopefully it was well worth the wait! I also made the cute little tag with the new Sock Monkey stamp set coming out in August! Do ya want it? Let me know and as of August 11, I can order it for you. :)

Tag Ingredients:

Stamp: Sock Monkey (Available August 11), Weather Background Stamp (retiring Aug. 10)

Ink: Chocolate Chip

Accessories: eyelets, Stampin Write Markers, Water color pencils and blender pens

A Thank You

I have been trying to get better at including Thank You notes in customer's orders. My new friend Suzie bought some stamps so I included this little thank you when I dropped off her order. I sure hope she likes the card as well as her new purchases.

Ingredients:

Card: Love Notes card
Ink: Rose Red
Stamps: Taking Care of Business
Accessories: Flower Fusion, Rhinestone brad

Clipboards

I made these clipboards for my downline, wow it sounds weird to say I have a downline, I feel so official. :) They both signed up in May so I wanted to give them something. There is another lady, Brandy, but I apparently didn't take a photo of the clipboard before giving it to her. :) I hope they enjoy them and get lots of use of them! good luck ladies!

Baby Shower Gift

As many of you know, I love to crochet. So, all the babies in my life get a handmade blanket. And of course, I love to have everything match! Matching card, wrap, tags, blankets, etc. I even checked the registry to make sure my colors matched hers. :) This friend is "lucky" enough to be having twin girls! Oh boy!!!! What a way to start out, these will be babies #1 & 2! So, here are the blankets, card, tag and wrap that I put together for the gift. I sure hope they all like it. :) Congrats Josh and Jami!!!!

Genevieve's Card

I have been trying to get some friends and family to send me photos of cards that they have made and haven't had any luck. Well, my friend Genevieve was over making invitations (will post after they are mailed) for a baby shower and she needed to make a card for a different baby shower. So, she went into my creative cave and came out with this:

I think it turned out pretty cute!

Sorry for the bad photo, we are covered in smoke around here, so there isn't much natural sunlight and everywhere I tried to take a photo, I got a bit of a shadow on it. So, we'll just have to go with this one. :)

Card for Lindsay

I am going to visit my friend in Puerto Vallarta next week and I am sooooo very excited! She is such a wonderful person and was trying EVERYTHING to get me down there. So before I even knew if I could go or not, I sent her this card. It's been about a month now and I don't think she has received it because she is always very good at thanking me for the cards and stuff I send her. Maybe she'll get it while I am there next week! hahaha If not, I will make sure she checks my blog. :) Either way, I hope she likes it. :)

Arbonne

A friend of mine, Suzie, is a rep for Arbonne and I offered to decorate her "results" book and make it pretty. :) I cheated and cut out the "Arbonne" from one of her bags and then used "Stem Silhouttes" stamps, Mellow Moss and Blushing Blossom cardstock and some flowers w/bling that I had in my "non-SU bin". I tend not to use stuff in that bin, but the flowers were so cute and perfect. I gave her the album this morning and she loved it. She is so sweet and gave me some yummy body whip and scrub in "Mandarin Cashmere". It is as wonderful as it sounds! If you need some Arbonne, give her a call, she is awesome!

July Workshop Cards

Here are the projects for my July classes, I only have 2, so if anybody would like to book one, I have plenty of free days! :) I wanted to try and use some retiring sets, so I have Carte Postale, Office Accroutement and one of the hostess sets. These are retiring on August 10, so please let me know if you like 'em and want 'em. :)