Lazy Day Stamper - Stampin it up for YOU!

Valentine's Day Card Shower

Valentine's Day Card Shower ... a wonderful way to Pay It Forward.

 

Here in KC, one of our metropolitan banks is collecting cards for the local children's hospital [view the details here].  Why not do something similar in your town!  Get your friends together and make cards for a nursing home, a homeless center, or a women's shelter, or even your church.  You'll have lots of fun making the cards, and they'll really appreciate your kindness.

So put your thinking cap on and come up with some fun 'heart' layouts and then get out your glue, paper & scissors to create some beautiful projects for your local Valentine's Day Card Shower!

Want to learn to paint?

My friend, Debbie Dubinsky, is a fabulous artist.  She's well known for her hand-made yarn, and her paintings are just as beautiful!  So if you're in the Kansas City area, here's a chance to learn from the best! 

Here's what she has to say about her next class ...

"I will be teaching a painting class at Michaels this Saturday morning from 10-noon. I will be at the Michaels located at 123rd and Blue Valley Parkway. We will be completing one small acrylic lanscape painting. We have a lot of fun and when you are done you have a piece of art that you did yourself. No experience needed! You do need to sign up at the store though!"

Try it ... you'll like it!

My Digital Studio Tutorial - Hybrid Card

My Digital Studio (MDS) is Stampin' Up!s digital crafting software tool.  I love it ... it's so easy to create "Hybrid" cards with it.  That means you an element or two with MDS and finish the card with your 'standard' process.  And in this case, the motocycle image was offered in Jan and it's an image of a stamp set that's now retired.  So if you loved the design but didn't buy the stamp, now you can have it with MDS ... super!

Today's card is from Kris Sobolik (click the image for a larger view)  She printed the motorcycle image (item #124491) in MDS, then colored it and backed it with Pacific Point.  She added a strip of Nursery Nest Designer Series Paper, and four of our circle punches in Old Olive, Pacific Point and Early Espresso, and Silver Glimmer Paper.  The sentiment was stamped with the Grunge Rock set - and Viola! a fabulous Hybrid Card!  Now try it yourself and I hope you liked my mini My Digital Studio Tutorial!

Tool Tip - Using Your New Stamps

Before (top) and After

Tool Tip - Using New Stamps the first time ... make sure you condition them FIRST!

Stampin' Up! designs and manufactures all our stamps at our factory in Utah.  The stamp molds are sprayed with a release agent, and although they are rigerously cleanned, there can be a little residue left on the raised image of any stamp.  That means that you could see a "bubble" or even "missing" ink the first few times you use that stamp.

So ... to avoid a problem, use one of our Sanding Blocks and lightly go over the image a few times - left to right, top to bottom.  Then clean it with a little Stampin' Mist on your Stampin' Scrub.  Ink up your stamp and try it on a scrap of paper to make sure it's ready.  If the image is not clear, repeat these two steps (it almost always works the first time for me!). 

In this picture (click for a bigger image) you'll see the difference.  It won't hurt the stamp or make it wear out faster ... it just get's ride of the gunk!

If you still have problems, send me an email and let me know.  We'll get a replacement set ASAP!

I know many of you have purchased stamps from our new Occasions Mini ... so before you stamp, try out this great Tool Tip!

 

How to Make a Card - I HEART You

How to Make a Card - I HEART You ... is the name I gave this fun card from the designers at Stampin' Up! (click the image for a larger view). 

This  is such a fun layout ... just the Pretty in Pink card base, a Very Vanilla layer, a strip of Blushing Bride Stitched ribbon with a "friends" sentiment on a Jewelry Tag Punch, then lots of Hearts punched with our Small Heart Punch.  They stitched the hearts to the Vanilla layer.  Click here to see the complete list of supplies they used.

Here's a few suggestions to make it your own ...

• Glue the hearts to the Vanilla layer, but adhere a couple with Stampin' Dimensionals #104430
• Replace the ribbon/ tag with a heart punched from Red Glimmer Paper #121790
• Cover a couple of hearts with Cherry Cobbler Dazzling Details #125585
• "Sparkle" a row of hearts with any of our Fine Galaxy Stampin' Glitter® #114286
• Emboss a few of the hearts with Cherry Cobbler Stampin' Emboss® Powder #122949

Which ever design and style you choose, it's a lovely card that can be done in a snap ... and the lucky person who receives it will easily recognize your message ... I Heart You!

Celebrate the Year of the Dragon

Celebrate the Year of the Dragon as today is the start of the Chinese New Year (aka Lunar New Year).  Here's an interesting article from msnbc.com ...

"In the Chinese zodiac, the dragon is the most auspicious symbol of success and happiness, so this year's celebrations will have special meaning.  "The dragon is very bold, unafrain and strong," said Karen Eng, spokesperson for the Southwest Airlines Chinese New Year Festival and Parade held in San Francisco.  "And in China, the dragon is the symbol of the emperor and the son of heaven."

Read more here ...

For everyone, and especially my Asian friends, Happy New Year!  May you have many, many days of good fortune and good health in the Year of the Dragon!

LOVE Quotes for Scrapbook Pages

LOVE Quotes for Scrapbook pages ... as we start thinking about gifts for friends and family for Valentine's Day, many of us will be working on scrapbook pages.  Over the months, I've shared several of my favorite quotes for scrapbooking, but today I want to also share how I would use them.  Hope it helps get your creative mojo goin' as you work on your pages! 

A kiss makes the heart young again and wipes out the years.  ~ Rupert Brooke (English poet)  Grandparents at their 50th Anniversary party.

Where there is love, there is life.  ~ Mohandas Gandhi  (great Indian leader)  A newborn baby

The best thing to hold onto in life is each other.  ~ Audrey Hepburn (Oscar award-winning actress)  The first dance at a wedding

Love is being stupid together.  ~ Paul Valery (French poet) A family building a snowman

I hope these messages inspire you to create something beautiful this month and don't forget to include one of the LOVE quotes for your scrapbook pages!

Let's Be Prepared!

Mother Nature is doin' her thing this week, especially in the Pacific Northwest.  Wowzer!  (This was our patio table last Feb after an nice little reminder that it really can snow in the flat-lands of eastern KS!)

So to make sure we're all prepared for the next storm, here's a few tips I found that I want to share ...

1. Overnight any necessary stampin’ supplies needed to lock myself inside safe from the storm
2. Purchase battery operated lamps for craft room
3. Stock up on batteries
4. Purchase necessary crafting sustenance – Coke Zero, K-cups, cranberry-almond bars, special k chips, berries (all kinds) – so these are my favorites – substitute your favorite snack
5. Download and print ideas I have saved to CASE on my computer in case the power goes out
6. Charge cell phone
7. Wash most comfy sweats so they are ready to live in for the day
8. Charge camera battery (consider purchasing extra camera battery) because you know we need to take pictures of the storm to scrapbook it!

And I like that last line ... TAKE PICTURES TO SCRAPBOOK IT!!!

SOPA and PIPA - let your voice be heard!

You may not be aware of the proposed legislation that would profoundly alter our 'internet' experience.  Rather than trying to explain it here, please go to the Wikipedia site (click on the underlined words) so you have all the facts and can make your own decisions.

I've sent messages to both my Representative and Senator.  I hope you choose to do the same.  We must stand and let our voices be heard.

KC Women's Expo this weekend!

Come visit ME at Booth #428 right on the main aisle!

Jan 21st & 22nd

Sat 10 - 6   * * *   Sun 11 - 5

Two days of Food, Fashion, Fun & more!

Click here for all the details

Click here for your $1 Off COUPON!

Stamping on Scrapbook Pages

Using stamps on scrapbook pages can be fun and economical!

Stamps can be incorporated into a title, or even use letter stamps to make your title.  No need to buy pages and pages of stickers (so you don't run out of "a" s!)  ... buy stamps in the font you like and use then over and over with every color you need. This is so economical ... your set of stamps will last a lifetime and an ink pad + ink refill will last virtually forever. 

Stamping with rollers will make great borders or complete backgrounds.  Again, you can use any color of ink, on any type of paper.  And you can make them the exact size you need.

Need patterned paper?  Use any image and VersaMark ink for a 'watermark' effect, or add Clear Embossing Powder for another layer of texture.

Need embellishments?  Stamp your image, cut it out, cover with Crystal Effects, and let dry.  Voila ... the perfect accent for the perfect page!  Tap on a little glitter and you'll add sparkle to your page too!

Over the next two months, you'll see samples of Scrapbook pages using these very techniques.  So stay tunned ... we'll have you scrappin' AND stampin' in no time!

 

Friday the 13th - make it your LUCKY day!

Friday the 13th - there will be lots of jabber today about it being an un-lucky day, but let's change that! 

Make it your LUKCY Day

Let's talk about Stampin' Up!

Call me at (913) 485-8263

• I'll share my Calendar of Classes for Jan, Feb & Mar
• I'll let you in on a BIG Secret I'm going to announce on-line in the next 10 days
• I'll even offer a special FREE TUTORIAL to every person* who calls me today - how's that for being LUCKY!

So ... don't listen to those other folks, make this Friday the 13th your LUCKY day!

* If you're a Stampin' Up! Demo, please understand that the Tutorial is for my customers only.  But I will have a special something for you if you do call!

PS: Here's a post from last year with Funny Facts (and a card sample too!) about spooky things and  Friday the 13th!

TOOL TIP - Bone Folders

Today's TOOL TIP is about Bone Folders.

A BONE FOLDER is used in many forms of paper crafting such as card-making, scrapbooking and origami.  Because it is made of real animal bones, it is smooth, sturdy and grainless. 

The most poplar uses - folding creases, scoring paper stock, distressing edges and burnishing decorative papers.  Stampin' Up!s Bone Folder #102300 is made of genuine cattle bone.  It has been sanded smooth, beveled on the sides, and polished too.  Use either of the two beveled sides to burnish a smooth fold without leaving marks. Use the pointed end for scoring; use the rounded end for the Burnishing Technique.  Because of the size (6") and the fact it's make of real bone, you'll have a sturdy tool that won't fold or bend when applying pressure for any task.

This tool is a must-have for every paper crafter ... add it to your Wish List today!

Stampin' Up! Sale - Secret REVEALED!

Stampin' Up! Sale ... sorry ... not today. But I have something better - FREE!

Here's the big SECRET ... you can earn FREE products but only if you order through my Stampin' Up! site . If you order through the corporate site ... nada!

That's right, with an on-line order of $150 or more , you can select from over 50 EXCLUSIVE stamp sets, My Digital Studio content and even a special Designer Series Paper packet! Or, you can spend your money on any SU product in any catalog! BUT ... these free products are available only if your on-line order comes through my SU site.

When you're done entering/ selecting your items, you'll see the STAMPIN' REWARDS page ... that's where you can select from the EXCLUSIVE items, or enter the Catalog Number of any other Stampin' Up! product. Yep ... just that easy for FREE stuff!

You'll know you're in the right spot if you click on the line "blinkie" link I'm sharing here (and this same link that's in the upper right-hand corner of every page of my blog).

So now you have it ... any time you want to purchase our great products you have my Stampin' Up! sale SECRETS!

2012 Blogger's Boot Camp - register today & save $10!

2012 Blogger's Boot Camp ... the BEST place to invest for yourself and your business. 

Many of you know that I've been a client of John Sanpietro, Certified Professional Business Coach, for 3 years.  I've seen a dramatic increase in my stamping business' profitability when I use the tools and techniques he teaches us.  And I'm less stressed too because he SHOWS US just how to do it.

That's right ... there will be over 30 VIDEO TUTORIALS + 4 weekly live webinars for this year's class.  Can't make the webinar - don't worry - they'll be posted to the Classroom Blog.

And remember ... you'll have access to all this material ... and John's support through our Classroom Blog, through April 15th.  That's more than enough time to implement your changes and to start seeing results!

EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT

ENDS AT MIDNIGHT TONIGHT

So ... if you're want to turn your hobby into a business and MAKE MONEY through your blog, then get your credit card out and REGISTER NOW!