Stampin' Rubber with Michele Zwart

Clearance Rack!

2009-09-29T17:35:00.002-05:00

There is now a CLEARANCE RACK on my Stampin' Up! website that has items up to 80% off!

Go to http://stampinrubber.stampinup.net then click on Shop Now. Once there, click on "Clearance Rack" to begin shopping!

Halloween Candy Treat Box

2009-09-23T14:32:00.002-05:00

HALLOWEEN TREAT BOX PROJECT

This sweet little box is ideal for two fun-sized candy bars—a perfect Halloween treat!

Stamp Highlight:
Pumpkin Patch (#116499)

Other Supplies: Card Stock in Pumpkin Pie and Whisper White; Classic Stampin' Pads in Basic Black, Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, and Pumpkin Pie; Stampin' Dimensionals, Sticky Strip Adhesive
Instructions:
1. Using the treat box pattern, trace pattern on Pumpkin Pie card stock, then cut out and score. Stamp grass image in Pumpkin Pie ink on unassembled box. Assemble box using Sticky Strip Adhesive.

2. Stamp pumpkin image in Pumpkin Pie ink, face and stem images in Chocolate Chip ink, and grass and curly vine images in Old Olive ink on Whisper White card stock. Adhere to treat box using Stampin' Dimensionals.

3. Stamp “from our patch to yours” in Basic Black ink on top of treat box.

Happy Halloween Card

2009-09-23T14:29:00.003-05:00

Autumn Harvest stamp set
Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp set
Naturals Ivory Card Stock
Not Quite Navy Card Stock
Earth Elements 12X12 Textured Card Stock
Watercolor Paper
Chocolate Chip Classic Stampin' Pad
Crushed Curry Classic Stampin' Pad
Old Olive Classic Stampin' Pad
Pumpkin Pie Classic Stampin' Pad
Really Rust Classic Stampin' Pad
Jet Black Stazon Pad
Clear Stampin' Emboss Powder
Stampin' Dimensionals
Aqua Painter

June Specials

2009-06-12T20:02:00.013-05:00

LAST CHANCE PRODUCTS....CLICK HERE FOR UP TO 50% OFF

HOSTESS BONUS....CLICK HERE FOR ADDITIONAL HOSTESS DOLLARS!!

SUMMER COOKOUT KIT...CLICK HERE FOR THE FUN, SPEEDY PROJECT KIT

New In Colors

2009-06-12T19:57:00.001-05:00

Here they are! The new In Colors will arrive on July 1st! In addition to paper and ink, word is that we can also order markers. :) More info later.

Brady School needs your help!

2009-04-13T21:09:00.002-05:00

Hello friends and family!

Next week, (on April 22) my school is holding its annual "Family Reading Night" where we will be teaching parents how to practice reading strategies at home with their children. My school has a 95% bilingual population and a population just as high of families living in poverty. This year, to help increase the attendance at our night, we will be serving dinner. The problem is that we have been asking stores and restaurants to donate chili for the dinner and we do not have enough. Here's how you can help (if you choose!).....

If you can donate chili (canned or homemade), can you please let me know? I am happy to pick it up. If you would like to help, but are far from me, you can also make a donation to my PayPal account and I will purchase the chili locally. My paypal username is michlz319@yahoo.com

If you would like a donation confirmation for your taxes, I can also provide that for you. Thank you so much for your help! We appreciate it.

New teacher name frames

2009-04-04T13:14:00.004-05:00

A friend from my school saw my teacher name frame and wanted to create her own. She came over this week while we were on Spring Break and we made name frames for her, her son's teacher and her student teacher. It was a great time!

Free Product with Occasions Mini Catalog

2009-04-04T13:11:00.002-05:00

A Great Way to Connect

Connect with family and friends when you make them beautiful cards and gifts using products from the Occasions Mini Catalog. From April 1-30, when you buy $40 in products from the Occasions Mini or host a workshop totaling $150 or more, you'll get one item from the "Under $10" page (p. 208) in the Spring-Summer Idea Book FREE!

Start connecting today! Contact me to schedule your workshop or place your order. You can also place orders online at www.stampinrubber.stampinup.net
Click on "shop now".

Catalog news! Have you heard?

2009-02-19T07:22:00.001-06:00

I'll have more details in the coming days, but it appears as if Stampin' Up! is going back to one catalog per year, instead of two.

More info later.....

Free Stampin' Up! catalogs!

2009-02-03T17:47:00.001-06:00

Check out my website for details!

Can you help? PLEASE!

2009-01-12T21:21:00.003-06:00

Two of my friends were married this summer. They met on eHarmony. During their engagement, Matt was diagnosed with cancer and HE BEAT IT. He finished chemothermapy 11 days before the wedding and was given a clean bill of health after the honeymoon. Great story, huh? You may remember reading about their engagement here.

Can you vote for them as the most inspiring eHarmony couple? This link will take you straight to their page. The "vote for this couple" link is at teh bottom of the page. You don't even have to read the whole story if you don't want to, but I don't know why you wouldn't want to! THANKS!

Retired Accessory List

2009-01-05T20:12:00.003-06:00

Items on this retired accessories list will be available at regular price while supplies last or through January 18, whichever comes first.

Products are marked as available or unavailable. If an item is unavailable, our supply is exhausted and the item can no longer be ordered. This list will be updated every day through January 18.

Keep in mind that the status of any retiring product may change quickly based on demand.

With most catalogs, some accessories are completely retired while others are redesigned or reconfigured for the new catalog. Sometimes popular items are "retired" in their current packaging or style to come back with improved packaging or added product features. This year, no accessories are being reconfigured.

If you want the products as shown in the Fall-Winter 2008 Idea Book & Catalog, now is the time to purchase them.

Last updated January 7, 3:50pm (MT)

Item #	Product Description	Availability
111377	ACCENTS & ELEMENTS ROOF GARDEN
112012	ACCENTS & ELEMENTS SEASON TO SHARE
112088	ACCENTS & ELEMENTS TRUE ELEGANCE
102782	ALBUM LEATHER BLACK 12X12	Not Available
104188	ALBUM LEATHER BLACK 6X6
105384	ALBUM LINEN POST MELLOW MOSS 6X6*
104516	ALBUM LINEN POST NAVY 6X6
105381	ALBUM LINEN POST REAL RED 6X6*	Not Available
103977	BUTTONS BOLD BRIGHTS*
103978	BUTTONS EARTH ELEMENTS
103981	BUTTONS EARTH ELEMENTS & NEUTRALS
105446	BUTTONS RICH REGALS
105445	BUTTONS SOFT SUBTLES
103604	DAYS-TO-REMEMBER CALENDAR 12X12
102174	DAYS-TO-REMEMBER CALENDAR 8 1/2X11
112465	DESIGNER SERIES PAPER BANBURY
112462	DESIGNER SERIES PAPER GEORGIA PEACH
112463	DESIGNER SERIES PAPER GHOSTLY GREETINGS
112040	DESIGNER SERIES PAPER GREEN TEA
112470	DESIGNER SERIES PAPER HAIKU
112460	DESIGNER SERIES PAPER HAWAII PAPAYA
112469	DESIGNER SERIES PAPER HOLIDAY TREASURES
112458	DESIGNER SERIES PAPER JUNIOR VARSITY
112459	DESIGNER SERIES PAPER MAINE BLUEBERRY
112466	DESIGNER SERIES PAPER MUIRFIELD
112149	DESIGNER SERIES PAPER PARISIAN SUMMER
112467	DESIGNER SERIES PAPER PRESTWICK
111355	DESIGNER SERIES PAPER SUMMER PICNIC
112039	DESIGNER SERIES PAPER WINDSOR KNOT
112963	ELEMENTOS PARA TARJETAS DIAS FESTIVOS HECHOS A MANO SIMPLY SENT
106523	ENVELOPE TEMPLATE FIVE-IN-ONE CARD COVER
104104	ENVELOPE TEMPLATE MINI
107298	ENVELOPES CONFETTI WHITE MEDIUM
110695	ENVELOPES OPEN END KRAFT SMALL
109115	ENVELOPES OPEN END VERY VANILLA SMALL
103372	METAL EDGE TAGS ALUMINUM WHITE SQUARE
107925	ON BOARD BITTY BOOK*
109190	ON BOARD CLIPBOARD 9X9*
109180	ON BOARD SIMON UPPER
112086	ON BOARD SOMETHING SEASONAL
107923	PAGE PROTECTORS RING 3.25 X 3.25
104942	PUNCH 1/4 INCH CIRCLE	Not Available
104943	PUNCH 1/4 INCH SQUARE
107273	PUNCH 3/4 INCH SQUARE
104389	PUNCH DOUBLE CIRCLE*
100391	PUNCH HANDHELD 1/8 INCH CIRCLE	Not Available
104830	RIBBON GINGHAM CARAMEL
104829	RIBBON GINGHAM LIGHT BLUE
104828	RIBBON GINGHAM LIGHT PINK
104831	RIBBON GINGHAM MOSS
109037	RIBBON GROSGRAIN MORE MUSTARD 1/4 INCH
110282	RUB ON ANCHORED
111806	RUB ON CHILLS & THRILLS
111805	RUB ON SCHOOL DAYS
111417	RUB ON WORD FLURRIES
110283	RUB ONS TAKE NOTE
112193	SIMPLY SCRAPPIN I WISH
112186	SIMPLY SCRAPPIN PINA COLADA
112068	SIMPLY SCRAPPIN SUMMER HOME	Not Available
112043	SIMPLY SCRAPPIN U R SWEET
112061	SIMPLY SCRAPPIN WINTER RETREAT	Not Available
112016	SIMPLY SENT CARD ELEMENTS HANDMADE HOLIDAY
109868	SIMPLY SENT CARD KIT LIFELONG NOTES
103647	STAMPIN STORE MINI
105813	WRITE ME A MEMORY FONT CD VOL II
	Retiring Wheels
107212	MATEYS MAP
106749	BRIGHT BULBS
109672	BRONCO	Not Available
104100	MAKING TRACKS
108978	SANDY SHELLS
110332	SNOW
101233	SNOWFLAKE
109694	SWEET STARS
111249	TAKE A NUMBER

*This item is discounted and included on the Inventory Blowout.

Inventory Blowout!

2009-01-05T20:06:00.000-06:00

Inventory Blowout

Dates: January 5-18, 2009

Promotion details:

Get retired, retiring, and current products up to 50 percent off regular price!

Items retiring from the Fall-Winter 2008 Idea Book & Catalog:

Item	Page	Description	Regular Price	Discount Price
109190	180	On Board 9" x 9" clipboard	$7.95	$5.99
107925	181	On Board Bitty Book	$9.95	$6.99
105384	183	Mellow Moss 6" x 6" Linen Post album	$19.95	$14.99
105381	183	Real Red 6" x 6" Linen Post album	$19.95	$14.99
103977	187	Bold Bright buttons	$6.95	$4.99
104389	188	Double Circle punch	$5.95	$4.49
114447	n/a	Country Living Holiday Collection Stampin' Kit	$49.95	$24.98

*Items available while supplies last; page numbers refer to the Fall-Winter 2008 Idea Book & Catalog

Retired items from the Spring-Summer 2008 Idea Book & Catalog:

Item	Page	Description	Regular Price	Discount Price
109013	163	Blue Bayou Classic Stampin' Pad	$5.25	$3.99
109012	163	Groovy Guava Classic Stampin' Pad	$5.25	$3.99
109011	163	Purely Pomegranate Classic Stampin' Pad	$5.25	$3.99
109010	163	River Rock Classic Stampin' Pad	$5.25	$3.99
109009	163	Soft Sky Classic Stampin' Pad	$5.25	$3.99
109014	163	Wild Wasabi Classic Stampin' Pad	$5.25	$3.99
109179	178	On Board Ginormous Pieces	$14.95	$10.99
109189	190	Beachfront Ribbon Originals	$12.95	$7.99
109187	190	District Ribbon Originals	$12.95	$7.99
109188	190	Fairy Tale Ribbon Originals	$12.95	$8.49
109185	190	Jersey Ribbon Originals	$12.95	$8.99
109184	190	Sherbet Ribbon Originals	$12.95	$8.99
109186	190	Theater Ribbon Originals	$12.95	$8.49
109062	191	River Rock double-stitched ribbon	$8.95	$6.49
110716	191	Wild Wasabi striped grosgrain ribbon	$7.95	$5.49

*Items available while supplies last; page numbers refer to the Spring-Summer 2008 Idea Book & Catalog

Current products appearing in the upcoming Spring-Summer 2009 Idea Book & Catalog:

Item	Page	Description	Regular Price	Discount Price
111349	162	Tangerine Tango 8-1/2" x 11" card stock	$5.50	$4.49
111345	162	In Color (2008-2009) 12" x 12" textured card stock	$11.95	$8.99
109110	185	Fire Circle Rhinestone brads	$10.95	$7.99
109112	185	Fire Square Rhinestone brads	$10.95	$7.99
109113	185	Ice Square Rhinestone brads	$10.95	$7.99
111325	185	Styled Silver Hodgepodge Hardware	$29.95	$22.49
112454	185	Styled Vanilla Hodgepodge Hardware	$29.95	$22.49
113451	n/a	20th Anniversary Embosslits die	$11.95	$9.49

*Quantities at reduced price are limited; page numbers

Order online for fastest order at www.stampinrubber.stampinup.net

Another Name Frame

2008-12-26T21:43:00.004-06:00

Here is the name frame I made for my parents for Christmas. Click on the photo for a close up! More details later....

Merry Christmas!

2008-12-24T16:08:00.004-06:00

Merry Christmas everyone!

A few photos of holiday projects are coming in a couple days!

Amazing Grace Christmas Lights

2008-12-20T22:13:00.002-06:00

My friend Darrin posted this on his blog. It is awesome!

Amazing Grace Christmas Lights

Merry Christmas!

RETIRED LISTS!!!!

2008-12-09T07:38:00.002-06:00

Here they are! Click on the links to see!

Stampin' Up! Retired List 12/08

10% off list

Please see attached list showing the retired and dormant sets for the Fall/ Winter Idea book. For the first time ever - some of the sets are at 10% off - Stampin'Up! has never done this on their retired sets. Also - Free shipping on orders over $70- see announcement bleow

Our gift to you, FREE SHIPPING!

From December 9 through December 23, all workshop, customer, and demonstrator orders of $70 or more will receive free shipping. (Not available for supply orders.) You will not need to do anything special to receive free shipping; OEX will automatically calculate free shipping for qualifying orders.

If you order to me by the 15th and use a c/c - you will still receive your stamps by Christmas !!!

Looking for the Retired List?

2008-12-02T19:16:00.003-06:00

Check back here on December 8th!

Sale-a-Bration 2009

2008-12-01T07:58:00.002-06:00

Sale-A-Bration

Promotion Dates: February 1- March 31, 2009

Promotion Details:

Our Sale-A-Bration promotion gives reason for everyone to celebrate!

Customers: Receive a free Sale-A-Bration product for every $50 purchase.

Hostesses: Receive a free Sale-A-Bration product with a $300 or more workshop, in addition to the normal hostess benefits.

Recruits: Choose any retail stamp set (a value up to $47.95) from the current catalog when signing up during the promotion.

Christmas Clock

2008-11-28T18:14:00.003-06:00

My husband came up with this idea while we were folding socks and watching Martha Stewart. I was complaining on how all she was doing today on her show was to promote her circle cutter. I guess if you have your own t.v. show you can do that. Anyway, Frank said, "HEY, do you know what would be cool?" Then he goes on about how I should take the plastic cover off of the clock and make an insert for each holiday. I thought it was a good idea, but wasn't ready to go to the basement to start. He then says, "You should go downstairs and do it. Right now." So, I did. But first I had to vacuum about 3 million dead ladybugs and clear off a bunch of junk off of my tables.
I used a Stampin' Up! jumbo wheel for the background, Stampin' Up! patterned paper for the presents, Riding Hood Red and Basic Black cardstock, my Cricut Beyond Birthdays and one other cartridge I can't remember..
This turned out pretty darn cute, I must say. Who would have thought that my husband would have sent me to the basement to craft today? :)

Holiday Extravaganza Sale

2008-11-26T09:01:00.003-06:00

Holiday Extravaganza Sale!!

Up to 50% off of these sets today through Sunday ONLY! Click here to see the sale!

Some items are limited quantity. I recommend ordering online at www.stampinrubber.stampinup.net

Click on SHOP NOW and select your bundle!

What happens at Stampin' Up! on Halloween?

2008-11-01T08:41:00.006-05:00

The Stampin' Up! corporate offices go all the way on Halloween. Check out Kristina Werner's blog below for photos and a video. The video shows the marketing department re-enacting Michael Jackson's Thriller, which I love. I've always wanted to be in that dance.
Check out the "stick person" costume. Very creative!

What goes on at Stampin' Up!'s corporate office on Halloween?

20th Birthday Promotion

2008-10-02T10:59:00.005-05:00

To celebrate Stampin' Up!'s 20th birthday....
(Click on the link for the PDF)

Birthday Promotion

Dates: October 1-31, 2008

Promotion Details:

Spend $20 in regular catalog merchandise and qualify to purchase any preselected birthday/celebration stamp sets at 20 percent off.

Click HERE for images

Item #	Page #	Description	Retail Price	20% Off Price
109439	62	Big Bold Birthday	$27.95	$22.36
112895	62	Cumpleaños genial y divertido (Spanish Big Bold Birthday)*	$27.95	$22.36
111532	63	Party Hearty*	$26.95	$21.56
110994	64	Bitty Birthday	$12.95	$10.36
111618	64	Crazy for Cupcakes*	$23.95	$19.16
111546	65	Simple Birthday Thanks*	$17.95	$14.36
111702	65	Time to Party*	$16.95	$13.56
108559	68	Crab & Company	$27.95	$22.36

*Stamp sets are die cut.

Online Ordering Sale

2008-09-27T18:25:00.005-05:00

Have you taken advantage of online ordering yet? When you place an order of $50 in ANY merchandise and place an order online, (or email me), I will give you a $10 gift certificate on any future order good through December 17th.

You can order stamps, card stock, ink, Decor Elements, embellishments...anything! You get the picture!

Place your order today! Click on the link and go to SHOP NOW in the upper right hand corner.

You can always email me and order and I can submit the order as well!

*This offer not valid for buyer's club orders.

Stampin' Up! Winter Mini

2008-09-27T14:02:00.003-05:00

Winter Mini is here! Click on the link here or in the toolbar on the right to see the mini!

Spooky Spider

2008-09-20T11:09:00.002-05:00

Click on the image or click to the right under Spooky Spider!

Decor Elements...Phase 2

2008-09-15T12:39:00.003-05:00

Beginning on October 1st, you will be able to order the newest additions to the Decor Elements line! Click on the right sidebar to download the new brochure. The front cover looks the same as the previous one, but it has new product inside!

You can also click here to the download the Decor Elements brochure.

Come back on October 1st to add items from the newest Decor Elements line and the new Holiday Mini Catalog~with online ordering it's as simple as can be. Don't forget you can always call or email me to place an order.

Online Ordering!

2008-09-10T19:14:00.003-05:00

Yesterday was the unveiling of online ordering for Stampin' Up! You can now place orders through my website! Of course, you can always call or email. But if you're up at 3 a.m. and want to place an order, you can! The orders will go directly to you from Stampin' Up!

Click here to shop now!

Once you get to my website, click on the SHOP NOW button in the upper right hand corner right under my name.

Wedding Shower Card

2008-08-31T13:27:00.005-05:00

I made this card for my nephew and future niece. Today is their wedding shower. It comes at a less-than-perfect time, since my father-in-law (their grandfather) had open heart surgery two days ago. Hopefully, today will give everyone much needed time away from the hospital and celebrate the reason why we are together.
All supplies are from Stampin' Up!

Carousel Notes
Chocolate Chip card stock and ink
Shimmery White cardstock
Garden Silhouettes stamp set
Warm Words stamp set

ETA: I forgot to add the VersaMark to the supply list. :) I used it on the Carousel Note with a Garden Silhouette flower.

Finally, my OWN name frame!

2008-08-19T20:52:00.003-05:00

I have made so many teacher name frames and never made one for myself. Tonight, I decided I was going to do it! I used a potpourri of materials and will post them all later. All of the stamps, eyelets and cardstock are from Stampin' Up! The ribbon and red background paper wer from a stash of leftovers!

Window Dressing

2008-08-11T17:24:00.002-05:00

Today was my new catalog Open House and here is the card we made!

Window Dressing Card
Open House Materials

Item # Description page price
STAMP SETS

112953 Window Dressing stamp set 22 Hostess Level 3
111097 Mark the Date stamp set 117 $24.95

INK

101406 Jet Black StazOn ink pad 193 $7.95
100072 Close to Cocoa marker 164 $3.25
100078 Creamy Caramel marker 164 $3.25
100037 Blush Blossom marker 165 $3.25
111836 Riding Hood Red stampin’ pad 163 $5.25

PAPER

111838 Pink Pirouette 8 ½ x 11 card stock 162 $5.50
111837 Pacific Point 8 ½ x 11 card stock 162 $5.50
111353 Kiwi Kiss 8 ½ x 11 card stock 162 $5.50
100730 Whisper White 8 ½ x 11 card stock 163 $7.50
112041 Bella Rose Designer Paper 168 $9.95

ACCESSORIES

108362 Crop-a-Dile 184 $29.95
109111 Circle Ice Rhinestone Brads 185 $10.95
109065 Chocolate Chip Taffeta Ribbon 187 $6.95
110711 Boho Blossoms Punch* 188 $15.95
103579 Paper Snips 192 $9.95
103954 Aqua Painter 193 $16.95
102642 Stampin’ Scrub 192 $14.95
102394 Stampin’ Mist Stamp Cleaner 192 $3.95
102787 Grid Paper 192 $9.95

$99 Starter Kit Promotion

2008-08-06T07:42:00.002-05:00

Dates: August 11-October 11, 2008

Promotion details:

(click here or in the download section on the right for a brochure)

From August 11-October 11, potential recruits will have the option of becoming a Stampin' Up! demonstrator by purchasing one of three special mini Starter Kits* priced at $99.

Stamp-Focused Starter Kit:

Item Code	Description	Price
109515	Fun & Fast Notes stamp set	$30.95
105548	Bold Brights card stock assortment (8-1/2" x 11")	$7.95
101179	Basic Black Classic Stampin' Pad	$5.25
104332	SNAIL Adhesive	$6.95
100730	Whisper White card stock (8-1/2" x 11")	$7.50

Scrapbook-Focused Starter Kit:

Item Code	Description	Price
111570	Contempo Alphabet stamp set	$40.95
113059	Simply Scrappin' Petal Party	$19.95
105212	Pixie Pink Classic Stampin' Pad	$5.25

Home Décor-Focused Starter Kit:

Item Code	Description	Price
111656	Inspired by Nature stamp set	$23.95
114088	Décor Elements Chocolate Classic Ff	$3.95
114126	Décor Elements Medium Chocolate Long Stem Silhouettes	$17.95
114285	Décor Elements Applicator	$1.95
111835	Kiwi Kiss Classic Stampin' Pad	$5.25

*Each kit also includes the same business supplies that are found in the standard Starter Kit (the Home Décor-Focused Starter Kit also includes 25 Décor Elements brochures). While all items in the Starter Kits are recommended, a new demonstrator may substitute a like item of equal or lesser value.

Sampler Special Details

2008-08-04T19:08:00.003-05:00

The following specials have been announced:

Never Before Seen Promotion- August 11-September 30
15% discount on selet brand-new die cut stamp sets. No additional purchase necessary! See details in the "download" link on the right.

New Recruit Incentive: August 11-October 11, 2008
Join 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, 2008
Host a $350 workshop and choose one stamp set from the Fall-Winter Sampler for free.

Item #	Description	Retail Value
111564	Flight of the Butterfly	$31.95
112911	Vuelo de la mariposa (Spanish Flight of the Butterfly)	$31.95
111676	Puns from the Past	$27.95
111660	Just Jawing	$25.95
111624	Dreams du Jour	$18.95
111700	Thank You Kindly	$13.95
111714	Wow Flowers	$12.95
112955	Flores llamativas (Spanish Wow Flowers)	$12.95

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

Item #	Description	Retail	20% Off
111564	Flight of the Butterfly	$31.95	$25.56
112911	Vuelo de la mariposa (Spanish Flight of the Butterfly)	$31.95	$25.56
111676	Puns from the Past	$27.95	$22.36
111660	Just Jawing	$25.95	$20.76
111624	Dreams du Juor	$18.95	$15.16
111700	Thank You Kindly	$13.95	$11.16
111714	Wow Flowers	$12.95	$10.36
112955	Flores llamativas (Spanish Wow Flowers)	$12.95	$10.36

Stampin' Up! Catalog Sampler and Big Shot brochure

2008-08-04T14:29:00.004-05:00

Can't wait until next Monday for your copy of the Stampin' Up! Fall-Winter Idea Book and Catalog?

Here is a link to the Sampler Catalog.

And here is a link to the Big Shot customer brochure.
Did you know by purchasing the Big Shot starter kit or the Big Shot and a set of dies, you qualify as your own workshop, which means you automatically earn free product and a free hostess set?

Happy Shopping!

News from Convention

2008-08-02T09:32:00.007-05:00

Stampin' Up! is wrapping up their 2008 Convention today and there is lots of exciting news coming from attendees. Here are some highlights of what we have to look forward to:

Big Shot die cut machine
Exclusive Big Shot dies
Decor Elements in new colors
Ribbon in more colors
All new double-sided designer paper in cool colors like Blueberry!
All new scrapbooking kits
12x12 available in all colors
Vanilla Hodgepodge kits
New punches
New Rub-ons
Signature line from Shelli, the founder of SU!
Shelli will have a blog called SoShelli that will open on Aug. 4th
Aug 11-Oct 11- Additional Free set with Starter Kit purchase
Oct 1-Nov 30- Host a $350 WS earn a free set from the sampler catalog
Dec 1-Jan 18- When you spend $20 you'll receive 20% off any stamp set in the catalog sampler.
More info later....

Here is the SCS gallery with photos coming from Convention.

Stampin' Up! Online Ordering

2008-07-22T14:58:00.005-05:00

WooHoo!

Stampin' Up! announced today that we will begin having ONLINE ORDERING! Customers can go straight to my website www.stampinrubber.stampinup.net to place an order! We don't know when it will begin, but more details will be available tomorrow.

Here's what you should know as a customer:

1. Customers can order through a demonstrator's Stampin' Up! website OR through Stampin' Up.
2. Customers ordering through www.stampinrubber.stampinup.net will pay the same catalog prices and shipping as if ordering in person with the demonstrator. They will also receive the regular hostess benefits.
3. Customers ordering through Stampin' Up! customer website will pay 10% higher than catalog prices and also higher shipping, and not be eligible for any benefits. They will be able to choose a demonstrator to get the lower prices throughout the order.

There are other details for demonstrators, but I won't outline them here!

More details tomorrow!!!!

Retired Accessory List

2008-07-21T08:04:00.015-05:00

Last updated August 1

Items on this discontinued accessories list will be available while supplies last or through August 10, whichever comes first.

Products are marked as available or unavailable. If an item is unavailable, our supply is exhausted and the item can no longer be ordered. This list will be updated every afternoon through August 10.

If you want to order an item, choose a backup item in case that item is no longer available once your order is placed.

Keep in mind that the status of any product may change quickly based on demand.

With most catalogs, some accessories are completely discontinued while others are redesigned or reconfigured for the new catalog. Sometimes popular items are "discontinued" in their current packaging or style to come back with improved packaging or added product features. This year, no accessories are being reconfigured.

We hope this explanation helps. If you want the products as shown in the Spring-Summer Collection 2008, now is the time to purchase them.

Item Number	Page #	Product Description	Availability
109200	177	Accents & Elements Build A Flower	Not Available
110718	177	Accents & Elements Lucky Star
110719	177	Accents & Elements Messenger
103158	184	Acrylic Graph & Grid
108638	163	Card Stock 12 X 12 In Color
108642	163	Card Stock 8-1/2 X 11 Blue Bayou
108643	163	Card Stock 8-1/2 X 11 Groovy Guava
108637	163	Card Stock 8-1/2 X 11 In Color
108640	163	Card Stock 8-1/2 X 11 River Rock
108639	163	Card Stock 8-1/2 X 11 Soft Sky
108641	163	Card Stock 8-1/2 X 11 Wild Wasabi	Not Available
108644	163	Card Stock 8-1/2 X 11 Purely Pomegranate	Not Available
103975	166	Card Stock Brushed Copper	Not Available
108694	163	Card Stock Textured 12 X 12 In Color
107312	167	Cards & Envelopes Gift Whisper White
107292	167	Cards & Envelopes Greeting Whisper White
109116	167	Notes & Envelopes Long Notes
109118	167	Notes & Envelopes Love Notes
109117	167	Notes & Envelopes Pocket Notes*	Not Available
110729	167	Notes & Envelopes Scallop Notes
109119	167	Notes & Envelopes Gift Notes
109018	163	Classic Stampin' Ink Blue Bayou	Not Available
109019	163	Classic Stampin' Ink Groovy Guava
109017	163	Classic Stampin' Ink Purely Pomegranate	Not Available
109016	163	Classic Stampin' Ink River Rock	Not Available
109015	163	Classic Stampin' Ink Soft Sky
109020	163	Classic Stampin' Ink Wild Wasabi	Not Available
109013	163	Classic Stampin' Pad Blue Bayou
109012	163	Classic Stampin' Pad Groovy Guava
109011	163	Classic Stampin' Pad Purely Pomegranate
109010	163	Classic Stampin' Pad River Rock
109009	163	Classic Stampin' Pad Soft Sky
109014	163	Classic Stampin' Pad Wild Wasabi
110751	171	Designer Series Paper Azure*
110696	169	Designer Series Paper Bali Breeze
110749	169	Designer Series Paper Berry Bliss
109154	169	Designer Series Paper Cutie Pie
110699	168	Designer Series Paper East Coast Prep*	Not Available
109160	170	Designer Series Paper Fall Flowers	Not Available
109159	169	Designer Series Paper Flowers For You*
110697	169	Designer Series Paper Ginger Blossom
110479	168	Designer Series Paper Jersey Shore*
109151	170	Designer Series Paper Le Jardin
110748	170	Designer Series Paper Notebook*
110750	171	Designer Series Paper Olive Press
109153	170	Designer Series Paper Porcelain Prints*	Not Available
109175	171	Designer Series Paper Prints Almost Amethyst*	Not Available
109177	171	Designer Series Paper Prints Always Artichoke
109173	171	Designer Series Paper Prints Blue Bayou	Not Available
109174	171	Designer Series Paper Prints Brilliant Blue
109178	171	Designer Series Paper Prints Certainly Celery
109169	171	Designer Series Paper Prints Close to Cocoa*	Not Available
109168	171	Designer Series Paper Prints Groovy Guava*	Not Available
109171	171	Designer Series Paper Prints Lovely Lilac
109172	171	Designer Series Paper Prints More Mustard	Not Available
109176	171	Designer Series Paper Prints Old Olive
109170	171	Designer Series Paper Prints Pumpkin Pie	Not Available
109164	171	Designer Series Paper Prints River Rock*
109167	171	Designer Series Paper Prints Rose Red
109166	171	Designer Series Paper Prints So Saffron
109165	171	Designer Series Paper Prints Soft Sky	Not Available
109163	171	Designer Series Paper Prints Tempting Turquoise	Not Available
110698	168	Designer Series Paper Spring Break
110273	169	Designer Series Paper Spring Fling*	Not Available
110271	170	Designer Series Paper Spring Silhouettes
110272	170	Designer Series Paper Western Sky
107299	167	Envelope Confetti Cream Medium
105320	189	Eyelets Basic
100375	189	Eyelets Bold Brights
100381	189	Eyelets Earth Elements
107233	189	Eyelets Fresh Favorites I
107234	189	Eyelets Fresh Favorites II
105316	189	Eyelets Rich Regals
100378	189	Eyelets Soft Subtles	Not Available
105515	188	Hodgepodge Hardware Pewter	Not Available
105531	188	Hodgepodge Hardware Antique Brass	Not Available
105532	188	Hodgepodge Hardware Aged Copper	Not Available
101120	183	Metallic Art Pencils
107307	179	On Board Accents
109181	178	On Board Blossoms & Basic
109179	178	On Board Ginormous Pieces
107306	179	On Board Simon Lower
102678	166	Mulberry Paper White	Not Available
109227	181	Punch Box Three For You
102686	180	Punch Handheld Rectangle
100271	183	Pure Color Pencils
109060	191	Ribbon Double-Stitched Blue Bayou	Not Available
109063	191	Ribbon Double-Stitched Groovy Guava	Not Available
109061	191	Ribbon Double-Stitched Purely Pomegranate	Not Available
109062	191	Ribbon Double-Stitched River Rock*
109059	191	Ribbon Double-Stitched Soft Sky	Not Available
109058	191	Ribbon Double-Stitched Wild Wasabi	Not Available
109189	190	Ribbon Originals Beachfront*
109187	190	Ribbon Originals District*
109188	190	Ribbon Originals Fairy Tale
109185	190	Ribbon Originals Jersey*
109184	190	Ribbon Originals Sherbert
109186	190	Ribbon Originals Theater
110716	191	Ribbon Striped Grosgrain Wild Wasabi*
110281	182	Rub-Ons Cherished Memories*	Not Available
110284	182	Rub-Ons Eastern Elegance*
110285	182	Rub-Ons Urban West*
110557	174	Simply Scrappin' Boho Blend
109610	174	Simply Scrappin' Confetti	Not Available
110572	172	Simply Scrappin' Crew Kids Boy
110567	173	Simply Scrappin' Crew Kids Girl
109597	175	Simply Scrappin' Home Again
110562	174	Simply Scrappin' Rose Cottage
109648	173	Simply Scrappin' Special Delivery Boy
109627	173	Simply Scrappin' Special Delivery Girl	Not Available
110587	175	Simply Scrappin' Summer Days
110577	175	Simply Scrappin' Tie The Knot
111184	15	Simply Sent Friendly Notes
109228	16	Simply Sent Simple Delights	Not Available
109229	16	Simply Sent Three Thoughts	Not Available
106662	197	Stampin'Around Wheel Daisy Field
107561	197	Stampin'Around Wheel Garden Annuals
109681	197	Stampin'Around Wheel Good Dog
109678	197	Stampin'Around Wheel Kisses
107482	197	Stampin'Around Wheel Lily Pad	Not Available
109680	197	Stampin'Around Wheel Meow
109677	197	Stampin'Around Wheel Mistletoe	Not Available
106610	196	Jumbo Stampin' Around Wheel Basics Outline
107467	196	Jumbo Stampin' Around Wheel Birthday
109571	196	Jumbo Stampin' Around Wheel Dilly Dally Baby
109570	196	Jumbo Stampin' Around Wheel Dilly Dally Friends
109569	196	Jumbo Stampin' Around Wheel Dilly Dally Party
108423	196	Jumbo Stampin' Around Wheel Leaves A La Carte	Not Available
107468	196	Jumbo Stampin' Around Wheel Nature Hike
108980	196	Jumbo Stampin' Around Wheel Petals
107464	196	Jumbo Stampin' Around Wheel Rough Texture	Not Available
111261	196	Jumbo Stampin' Around Wheel Spunky Spots
109554	193	Stampin' Color Index Labels
106694	194	Stampin' Kids Markers
102673	183	Zig Painty

*Items are 25% off and part of our discounted retiring accessories promotion

25% off Retiring Accessories

2008-07-20T16:54:00.002-05:00

Stampin' Up! is offering 25% off of select retiring accessories! C lick the link below to see qualifying accessories.

25% off Stampin' Up! Retiring Accessories

This sale is good through August 10th, or until quantities run out.

The rest of the retiring accessories will be posted tomorrow.

Blog Candy

2008-07-19T07:22:00.000-05:00

Anne-Marie is giving away some adorable cupcake stamps over here! Check it out. :)

New In Colors

2008-07-17T16:13:00.004-05:00

Pacific Point is the most gorgeous color! It is my favorite. If you want to see how the new In Colors are in comparison to other colors in the Stampin' Up! family, click here.

Here's what I think about a few of them:
Pink Pirouette is that perfect "little girl pink".
Kiwi Kiss is a brighter Old Olive
Pacific Point is that perfect yacht-club blue.
Riding Hood Red is kind of brick-like.
Tangerine Tango is kind of fiery, reminds me of a mexican sunset orange.

New Catalog Open House

2008-07-10T19:22:00.008-05:00

Join me on August 11th for a quick

NEW CATALOG OPEN HOUSE

with a fast MAKE-AND-TAKE

using the new IN COLORS

Pacific Point
Pink Pirouette
Riding Hood Red
Tangerine Tango
Baja Breeze
Kiwi Kiss

and a NEWLY RELEASED STAMP SET!
Details:

When: Monday, August 11th
Time: 11:00 a.m.-12 p.m.
Or
6:00-7:00 p.m.
Fee: FREE with $30 order ($5 otherwise)
Where: Michele’s Stampin’ Space
87 Red Fox Run

r.s.v.p. by Thursday, August, 7th
michlz319@yahoo.com or
630.264.1269

Can't join us, but you'd still like a new catalog? Click on the link on the right and I'll be happy to ship one to you!

My Color Inspiration #4

2008-07-07T17:21:00.001-05:00

I am a *huge* fan of the Tori and Dean reality show. I know it's just a big waste of an hour every week, but I can't pull myself away. What does that have to do with stamping, you say? I came across a picture of Tori and Dean on my daily news from US weekly and Tori was wearing this WAY CUTE dress. Not only do I love everything about the dress, but I want the dress too. I'm sure I'll find it and it will be by some designer and be $400. So, in the meantime, it is my color inspiration. I'll be posting my card later...

Here are the Stampin' Up! colors I'm gonna go with for this challenge:

Wild Wasabi (it's almost retired...just a few short weeks left)
Rose Red
Whisper White

Comment below and include a link to your photo, or send me the photo and I'll post it. Happy stamping!

Ribbon Birthday Cake Card

2008-07-07T14:28:00.007-05:00

So, Mike...don't look because it's YOUR card!
I found a card similar to this on a blog with a cake made out of ribbon and loved it. (I can't find it now...of course.) I thought it was such a neat idea and needed to try it. I used my good old double sided adhesive to attach all of the ribbon.

Ribbon: from all over the place!
Images: Birthday Whimsy (Stampin' Up! and What's Up Cupcake (My Favorite Things)

This is what my stamp space looked like after making 30 baby shower invitations, 20 baseball birthday party invitations, this card and the paper piecing one below. And as Pioneer Woman would say, "just keepin' it real".

My first try at paper piecing

2008-07-06T22:05:00.004-05:00

I don't know if just cutting out one piece counts as paper piecing, but it's more than just stamping. I won the stamp set free from Gina K. It's called Retro Boutique. All of the paper is Stampin' Up! (Groovy Guava and Whisper White cardstock, Groovy Guava Designer Paper). I first stamped the dress on the Whisper White in Stampin' Up!'s Basic Black ink. Then I stamped the dress again on the Groovy Guava Designer Paper and cut it out. Cutting around that hangar was a bugger! I didn't cut all the lacy fringe on the bottom. I also used the Word Window punch from Stampin' Up! for the sentiment.

I really like how quickly this card came together with all of the Stampin' Up! designer paper. And I picked the pattern for the dress and background, then used the back side for the other layer. The SU! designer paper is double-sided, so there's a lot of designs.

All supplies are Stampin' Up! except for the dress and sentiment.

And to boot....Gina K. herself commented below! My job here is done....hehe!

Stampin' Up!'s NEW Scallop Edge Punch

2008-07-04T10:26:00.002-05:00

Want a sneak peek of the NEW scallop punch? Check out Linda's blog, Where the Rubber Hits the Road. She's got a short video tutorial of how to use the new punch. Do you own the Spiral punch? This punch lines up the same way with the little "tab" stop at the end. It looks super easy! I got to pre-order mine as a demonstrator on July 1, but as a customer, you can begin ordering on August 11.

10% off Retiring Stamps

2008-07-01T09:58:00.005-05:00

Would you like to get 10% off retiring stamps? Place an order by July 17th! All orders will be shipped or delivered to you. There is no limit, but paper and accessories are not included.

View the retired list in this thread.
or use the links on the right....

Don't forget, this year's In Colors will be retiring forever!

This is a promotion offered by me, Michele Zwart, not Stampin' Up! For this offer, I will only accept PayPal.
Order with me at michlz319@yahoo.com

All new stamp sets are die cut!

2008-07-01T09:27:00.001-05:00

From the demonstrator side of the Stampin' Up! website...

When it comes to quality stamp sets, Stampin' Up! has been an industry leader for several years. Our original, exclusive stamps have earned the prestigious Creating Keepsakes Readers' Choice Award for best rubber stamps eight years in a row, and every year we work to make them even better!

We're excited to announce that all new stamp sets in the Fall-Winter 2008 Idea Book & Catalog (including new hostess sets) will be die cut for your convenience! We know you enjoy the flexibility of custom mounting your stamps, and with these die-cut sets, all you'll need to do is pop, peel, and place before you begin stamping.

Only our new stamps will be die cut; sets carried over from the last catalog and those on the dormant list will still require trimming. But, each new set will feature a die cut icon so you and your customers will have no problems identifying die-cut sets.

Baby Shower Invitation

2008-06-26T17:23:00.004-05:00

I made these invitations for my niece's baby shower. I love the way they turned out. Originally, I was going to do the onesie invitation, but I wanted something a little more formal. I love making those bows now! Here are the details:
Cardstock:
Stampin' Up! Chocolate Chip
Stampin' Up! Pretty In Pink
Stampin' Up! Whisper White

Ribbon:
from Michaels

Designer Paper:
Making Memories: Brooke

Accessories:
It's a Girl charm from Michael's

Baby Bunny Rescue

2008-06-23T12:41:00.009-05:00

Our Weimaraner, Emmett, spied a baby bunny in the yard last night and my husband rescued it before Emmett did. Everyone had a chance holding it for a few seconds. I'm sure the rabbit nest is in our neighbor's yard, because they are the only one within four houses that don't own a dog. :)

Get Well Card

2008-06-20T21:48:00.003-05:00

I'll add more details later....

Stamps are from My Favorite Things and everything else is Stampin' Up!

My Cricut can do THAT?

2008-06-20T12:00:00.000-05:00

I was at SCS today and found a thread about using your Cricut for scallop punches. Now, when the Stampin' Up! Scallop punch came out (and So Many Scallops during Sale-a-Bration), I almost couldn't stand the excitement. I *love* my punch and all the other ones I have, so I'll still be grabbing those first. However, sometimes, you just don't have the size you need. I was going to splurge after getting a bonus for a task force I was on in my school district and buy a Wizard and Nestabilities. Then, I just couldn't do it. I couldn't justify spending $99 for the machine and then over $80 for the dies and that was just for the circles. My parents bought me the Cricut for Christmas and I got some cartridges with the rebate that Cricut offered.

So, like I said, I found the thread today about how some Cricut cartridges have scallop circles. I ran *like wildfire* down to my basement.....I *HAVE* those cartridges.

So, I spent the next 60 minutes cutting out circles, squares, rectangles, ovals and scallops. I plan on using these as size guidelines for all my Stampin' Up! stamps. I still cannot figure out why the same number with different shapes are different sizes. I don't even touch that "real dial size" button, because I still have NO idea what they are talking about. Tell me if you know!!!!! Also, none of the images are a "border" or "background", it's just the regular cut.

I will always pull down one of my Stampin' Up! punches when I can, but when I can't, I can use my Cricut. Also, how cute would a scrapbook page be with giant circle scallops? How easy would it be to mat some pictures?

Here are the details:
Mini Monograms cartridge
Scallop Circles (Real Red)
Circle (Kraft)
Scallop Square (Glorious Green)
Square..rounded corner (YoYo Yellow)

George and Basic Shapes cartridge
Square..sharp corners (Only Orange) R + shift
Oval (Bordering Blue) W + shift
Rectangle (Perfect Plum) Y + shift

My Color Inspiration #3 Card

2008-06-19T19:57:00.005-05:00

I have been making stuff for the past few days and finally completed My Color Inspiration #3! All materials are Stampin' Up! I love the way this turned out! Never would have used the colors together, had it not been for the pretty inspiration picture!

Stamps:
Pick-a-Petal
Mini-Mates

Ink:
Real Red
So Saffron

Cardstock:
Real Red
So Saffron
Gable Green
Whisper White

Ribbon:
Certainly Celery

Pay It Forward Blog Candy

2008-06-19T09:00:00.005-05:00

I won some blog candy from Mary Dawn's blog My Pink Mexico. So, as a result, I will be giving away THREE envelopes with blog candy. Here's what I am including:

brown ribbon (1 spool)
tan ribbon (1 spool)
Vellum marker dual-tipped (1)
double sided adhesive (1)
Just Jinger scrapbooking element (1) (each envelope will be different)

The first three posters to this thread (U.S. addresses only) will win my blog candy. Here are the details:

To be eligible, you must be willing to Pay It Forward yourself.
You must be a blogger.
You will put together three PIF packages to give away on your blog as "Pay It Forward".
I will email you when you post to get your US address.

Decor Elements...new line

2008-06-18T16:45:00.010-05:00

Stampin' Up! introduced a new line of products yesterday called Decor Elements. Here are some photos....I'll post more info later! These products will be available to customers beginning on July 1st!
Here's what I can post quickly:

over 100 images in Phase 1
available in three colors
REMOVABLE !

Wedding Card

2008-06-18T14:00:00.000-05:00

My friend Krissie is getting married on Saturday. You may have read about her proposal on my blog a while ago. The bridesmaids are wearing different shades of pink, this is the card I made for them. I used my Koh-i-Noor pencils, mineral spirits and blending stumps to color the flowers. I used Stampin' Up!'s Sweet Treats and sentiments from My Favorite Things. I also used Stampin' Up designer paper. The Stampin' Up! ink and card stock colors I used are:

Blush Blossom
Regal Rose
Rose Red
Shimmery White

I got a Target gift card for them a couple months ago and just left it on the kitchen counter. So, after I made the card, I go and dig out the card and when I open it up, here's what it looks like:

Do you believe that? A cake with pink flowers....it matched perfectly and I hadn't even seen the gift card. Funny how that worked out. Here's what they looked like side by side...I also stamped the inside of the card with a Versamark pad and Itty Bitty Backgrounds (SU).

I hope they like it!

My Color Inspiration #3

2008-06-17T10:00:00.003-05:00

As soon as I got this email, I knew it would be the next My Color Inspiration! There is nothing prettier than fruity drinks or strawberries in lemonade. Mmmm...

This week's colors will be:

So Saffron
Gable Green
Real Red
Whisper White

The only rule is that your creation has to use all the colors above! Make a card, scrapbook page or an alterable and send me a link or photo! I'll post mine tomorrow....

Who wants Free stuff?

2008-06-16T22:47:00.004-05:00

The new Fall-Winter Idea Book and Catalog is almost here! See the countdown calendar over there on your right?

You know there is going to be *so* much in that catalog that you want, but your budget just cannot afford it all right now! I have an easy solution for you! My buyer's club!
5 stampers get together with me and we all spent $25 on anything in the catalog each month. They email or call me with their order and we never actually got together as a "party". By all 6 of us spending $25 each month, the order was at least $150 each month. With the "workshop" over $150, it qualified for hostess benefits. So, each one of us got a turn being the "hostess" on of the months. As a virtual hostess, you earn at least $15 in free merchandise, plus a free stamp set that only hostesses can earn.

Some of the "hostesses" wanted to earn more benefits, so I actually did a workshop at their house and they invited their friends. You could also have your stamper friends look at the catalog and we can collect outside orders. The orders from the workshop got added on to the buyer's club orders and she earned more. Also, because there were 6 of us, the club went for 6 months.

Here are the details:

Free Fall-Winter Idea Book and Catalog
Free hostess stamp set
Free merchandise (at least $15)
6 month commitment (August-January)
Spend $25 per month
As a sign-up bonus, I am including 4 free double-sided adhesive runners

Sound interesting? Email me with questions. I have a few slots open for the upcoming club!

What if you're not in Illinois? Not a problem! I will ship directly to you!

Stampin' Up! Retired Stamp List

2008-06-15T08:57:00.004-05:00

Hello readers! Today, Stampin' Up! announced their Retired Stamp List. You can order these stamps through August 10th and then they'll no longer be available.

Here is the Retired List by catalog page number.

Here is the Retired List alphabetical by stamp name.

Retired accessories (tools, paper, wheels, etc.) list will be available on July 21st.

And the winner is...

2008-06-12T17:48:00.004-05:00

Thanks to the big whopping 13 of you who entered my first blog candy. Hehe! So, since there were WAY too many entries to write numbers and cut them out, I decided to go with Random.org to pick a number for me. Geesh, I'd be writing and cutting forever otherwise. :)

True Random Number Service

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

Timestamp: 2008-06-12 22:54:35 UTC

So, here it goes...
Congratulations to Brandi Parshley! Send me your snail mail address and I'll send it right out!

Brandi Parshley said...: Great blog! Love to read the story behind your card creations!; June 11, 2008 2:00 PM

My First BLOG CANDY...here it is!

2008-06-11T10:56:00.004-05:00

Here it is! My first blog candy! They are pre-made scrapbooking embellishments. Here's what you might win:

Just Jinger Dream Tags
JingerBread Shoppe Beach
JingerBread Shoppe Baby Boy Block

All you have to do is post a comment below! I will be drawing a winner on Thursday around 5 p.m.

The fine print: I won't ship out of the U.S. Sorry!

There's gonna be blog candy!

2008-06-11T10:44:00.000-05:00

Check back later for my FIRST BLOG CANDY GIVEAWAY!

Sale-a-Bration 2009

2008-06-11T09:48:00.001-05:00

Stampin' Up! just announced today that Sale-a-Bration 2009 will be from February 1-March 31. That's two whole months to earn free stuff!

With Enough Caffeine, I Could Rule the World

2008-06-11T09:00:00.001-05:00

I was trying out the watercoloring technique with this coffee mug and really had no intention of actually making a card. But after I colored it, it actually wasn't hideous, so I decided to try it out. Magically, the Stampin' Up! designer paper matched the colors of the cup perfectly. It was by total accident. I love when that happens. I was going to mat the sentiment, but thought, "Hey, what if I just stamp it right on the paper?" And voila....a card that took me about 5 minutes to make after the image was colored. I think that may never happen again. It's one of the beautiful things about designer paper...cards look like they're so much more embellished than they really are.

I think I'm going to change this design up a little bit and make a name frame with it for my office....

I won Gina K.'s Contest!!!!

2008-06-10T15:30:00.003-05:00

Didn't I say on Friday that I was no Gina K. and needed a tutorial? Well, not only did she post a tutorial, but I won the contest! Check it out below...

Gina K.'s Koh-i-Noor Package Winner

I should have asked for a one-on-one tutoring session! Hehe! Thanks Gina K.!

My Color Inspiration #2 Cards

2008-06-10T11:34:00.005-05:00

Did I say how much easier it is to start a card when the colors are already chosen? Holy guacamole. I love this. It is a total time-saver.I decided right away (I don't know how) that I would use Stampin' Up!'s All About U stamp set. I was going to make two identical cards, but ended up scrapping one of them because the eyelets were all crooked.

Then, I thought I would use Grandma's sewing machine to sew on some red ribbon (that I just paid $80 to have tuned, or whatever it is called). I wanted to sew it around as a border kind of haphazardly around the U like in the bag. You would think that you could just kind of wad up the ribbon and sew it on and it would look kind of quirky, like in the photo. Not so much. It looked like I wadded it up and sewed it on.

So....(no pun intended), I ended up without one of the card bases and had to start over. I decided to still include the ribbon on card #1, but I used my ever-so-sticky red line tape instead and was much happier. For card #2, I just stamped a few flowers instead of doing the whole ribbon thing again.

When it was all said and done, I'm pretty happy with how they turned out. Did you try it? Send me a photo or a link and I'll include it here.

My Color Inspiration #2

2008-06-09T19:47:00.003-05:00

Let's try this again! I also found this page for My Color Inspiration in my Country Living Magazine. This time it's from the June issue on page 48. Isn't that a cute, little bag, by the way?

So, for the color rules this time, let's go with:

Wild Wasabi
Real Red
Brilliant Blue
Whisper White

Seems easy enough, right? The only rule is that you have to use all the colors above somehow. Make a card, scrapbook page, alterable item, etc. Send me a photo or a link and I'll post it here. My card will be coming tomorrow!

50% Michael's Coupon

2008-06-09T17:19:00.001-05:00

Need a 50% off Michael's coupon? Click HERE.

Let me know what you bought!

Stamped Summer Library Bags

2008-06-08T14:28:00.005-05:00

Every year, the kids sign up for the library summer reading club. The problem is that with three kids, we end up getting about 30 books each week and they end up everywhere. So last year, I made Kylie this bag and never got around to finishing the bags for Carter and Makenna. We took our first summer trip to the library last week and I quickly remembered why we needed the bags.

The bags come from Michael's and come in a three pack for $9.99, but if you use the coupon they're cheaper. They come in both the tan color and white.

Makenna wanted a zoo bag and Carter wanted an Elvis bag. I stamped the names with the Big Deal Alphabet (page 155). Makenna's is stamped with Wild About You (page 70). I think I'm going to go back and sew some ribbon along the top edge and "glam" it up a bit. I stamp the image, but because of the rough surface of the bag, I go back over and colored it with Sharpies. I used the Elvis line from Cornish Heritage Farms for Carter's bag.

White Sox Game

2008-06-08T12:00:00.016-05:00

I do not know what is up with the formatting of this post, but I can't get it fixed. Sorry about the wonky fomatting!

We had a great opportunity on Saturday to go to the White Sox game and sit in the Jim Beam Club. It is the most exclusive seating area and we absolutely loved it! Here is Carter, Kylie and Frank.

Here I am with Kylie. Makenna got to stay with Grandma and Grandpa for the night.

On the way to the game, it absolutely down poured and we worried the game wouldn't even happen. In fact, there were tornado watches everywhere. When we got to U.S. Cellular Stadium, the rain tarp was on the field and it was just barely raining. There was a rain delay in the bottom of the first inning, but it was all good after that.

We were sitting in the Jim Beam section and got to enjoy the free buffet and open bar before and during the game. You can sit outside in the big, cushy padded seats.

Or you can sit inside where all the food is! There was a cheese platter, pasta, chicken, mashed potatoes, taco bar, a carving station with roast beef or turkey, plus a ton of other stuff. My favorite were the pretzel rolls. Mmmm.....

Kylie opted for the chopped salad and some mashed potatoes. Carter had crackers and mashed potatoes.

We found out that there is a different menu when you go to the outdoor seats that is traditional baseball food. The menu included hot dogs, hamburgers, nachos, tater tots, loaded french fries, soft pretzels, boneless wings, popcorn, rueben sandwiches, BBQ pork sandwiches or beef tenderloin skewers. And of course, anything you wanted to drink.

You sit in your seats and the servers come take your order and bring it to you! You never have to leave the game to go get food! And, it's all free!

About in the third inning, they put out the dessert buffet. Kylie got ice cream with sprinkles, candy and gummy bears. There was also cheesecake, brownies, cookies, etc. I opted for loaded nachos!

The game was so exciting. The Sox scored home run after home run! Crede was awesome! The final score was 11-2!

We had an unbelievable time!

At the end of the game, there were fireworks!

The whole baseball field experience was so exciting for everyone! There's loud music, lots of cheering, fun games during innings, plus the roar of the crowd when you hear the ball smack the bat and go flying into the outfield. We can't wait to go back and do it all again.

These boots are made for walkin'

2008-06-06T16:36:00.007-05:00

Today I came home from work and had two new stamp sets in the mail from My Favorite Things! It was my first order from them and I was super-excited to try them out. I also gave my new Gina K. order a try...mineral spirits, blending stumps and Koh-i-noor Woodless pencils. Let's just say, I'm no Gina K. (Did I ever mention my mom's name is Gina K.?...every time I read Gina's blog, I think of my mom.) Anywahoo....I definitely need another tutorial on using these pencils because I have no idea what I'm doing. Any of you who can post a great tutorial, it would be mighty appreciated. A video tutorial would be even more awesome!

So, my new sets from MFT are called Ride 'Em Cowgirl and Essential Sentiments. I thought the cowgirl stamp would go well with my Stampin' Up! Bronc Buster set (which it did!). The cowgirl image and sentiment on the front are from MFT, the star-swirly thing is from Bronc Buster and the sentiment inside says "I'm Here for You" is from Essential Sentiments.

I plan on sending this card to a friend at work. Her husband is being a poopy-head and she needs some cheering up!

Stamps:
Ride Em' Cowgirl (My Favorite Things)
Essential Elements (My Favorite Things)
Bronc Buster (Stampin' Up!)

Ink:
Chocolate Chip (Stampin' Up!)
Memento Black

Koh-I-noor Pencils

Cardstock (All Stampin' Up!):
Kraft
Pretty in Pink
Whisper White

Other stuff:
Gina K.'s Blending Stumps
Gina K.'s Mineral Spirits
Twine
Mini-glue dots (Stampin' Up!)
Brads (Stampin' Up!)
Transparent Glitter

My Color Inspiration #1 Card

2008-06-05T16:45:00.003-05:00

After posting the first My Color Inspiration yesterday, I promised to show you what I came up with! This is the first time I tried this and it was so much fun. :)
The Stampin' Up! colors to be used were:
Rose Red
Elegant Eggplant
Sky Blue (In Color)
Whisper White

I used solid color cardstock, except I decided to use the Rose Red Designer Paper. As many of you know, I am a DP hoarder, and it just about kills me to cut it up! However I thought that the Rose Red DP was perfect for this project, so I took the plunge.

I also cut the paper in the opposite direction that I usually do. The sentiment just seemed to fit better that way. Overall, I'm pretty happy with the way this turned out. I was bummed that when I looked at my ribbon stash, I had nothing to match! I think I'm needing some ribbon on my next order. :)

In addition to the cardstock above, I also used Stampin' Up!'s square Ice Brads and non-SU punches. The stamp set is Time Well Spent. I wanted to use this set because I have a dear friend who's going through a rough time right now and I'm going to give her this card.

Don't forget to send me your photos if you tried this My Color Inspiration and I'll post them here.

Raise your hand if...

2008-06-05T15:16:00.003-05:00

...your children have been on summer break for less than three hours and somebody needs a time-out already! Geesh!

Grandma's Peonies

2008-06-04T19:42:00.000-05:00

Before my grandma died, we dug up the peonies in her yard and split them up between myself, my brother and my parents. The first few years, nothing really happened and they barely bloomed. This year, I got some huge blooms and decided to cut some of them for a vase. This year, I counted 19 blooms all together. I cut off about 7 of them for the vase and left the rest on the two plants. I hope one day, they will get huge so I can split them and be able to line a big area with them. Every year they get bigger!

Inspired by Berries~My Color Inspiration #1

2008-06-04T15:55:00.009-05:00

Whisper White
Sky Blue

Rose Red

Elegant Eggplant

I loved the idea of using a magazine photo to inspire a color combination, like in the post below. Today, my new issue of Country Living came and I found this gorgeous photo of berries. For any of you that have this issue (July 2008), it's on page 132. I love the color combination, so I thought I'd give it a whirl. In fact, I even am calling it My Color Inspiration #1, just in case there actually might be a #2 or #42.
I started by choosing the Stampin' Up! colors that matched the photo. (Anywahoo....here are the colors:
Rose Red
Elegant Eggplant
Sky Blue (In Color)
Whisper White

I will post the card that I made tomorrow (Thursday), so stay tuned to see it. In the meantime, try it for yourself! The only rule is that you have to use every color listed above in some way! Send me your photo or email me a link and I'll post them all here! Ooohh, this is gonna be fun.

Cool New Blog

2008-06-03T14:03:00.004-05:00

I found this new blog over the weekend and it's really cool! The post that sucked me in was the Color Inspiration. She finds a picture for inspiration and then tells you the exact Stampin' Up! colors to use. Then, she picks 20 entries. Ten of them are her favorite and ten are random. They are so cool!
Also she has a section of videos where she makes a card in fast forward. I watched a really neat one where she weaved some ribbon. So, I used to just sit online and look at cards (instead of making my own). Now, I am sitting online WATCHING other people make cards....Hmmm....

Summer and America Name Frames

2008-06-02T13:58:00.003-05:00

I have been meaning to make myself a "Summer" name frame since last year. I made my mom one (and for spring, fall and winter too), but somehow I ran out of time and never got around to finishing my own Summer frame.
Today, I was on a mission to make it! I originally got out my Citrus and Such set by Stampin' Up!, but then realized that I had some designer paper that would work just fine. And instead of using the Big Deal alphabet like I did on my mom's, I decided to use my Cricut and layer the letters. I love that darn thing! (My mom and dad surprised me at Christmas with one!)

Also, I had made this God Bless America frame a while back, but it was just ugly somehow. So, I ripped off the top set of letters and re-cut larger ones on my Cricut (never would have done THAT by hand!). I think it looks much better now. I'll use it for Memorial Day, 4th of July and Labor Day.

Another Teacher Name Frame

2008-06-01T20:26:00.004-05:00

Last year, I made this name frame for Carter's kindergarten teacher. I was so excited to see that she had it hung in her new classroom window when I visited the school this year. So, I decided to make one for his first grade teacher as an end of the year gift. I also made this notebook for her earlier this year. I hope she loves it! :)

Stampin' Up! Stamp Sets:
Headline Alphabet
School Days

Stampin' Up! Cardstock:
Whisper White
Real Red
Basic Black
Stampin' Up! Ink:
Whisper White Craft Ink

Accessories:
Stampin' Up! Bold Brights Brads
non-SU ribbon
stickers
Cricut (to cut out the "Ms.")

Second Hand Shelties

2008-05-31T19:57:00.003-05:00

If you ended up here because you are a Secondhand Shelties newsletter reader, you can see the blog entries, updates and Jack's photos in the links below...

Goodbye, Old Friend

Happy Update

One More Jack Update

Our first Cubs game...(plus a Sox disclaimer)

2008-05-31T14:53:00.012-05:00

We took Carter and Kylie to their very first Major League Baseball game last Saturday. Cubs played the Pirates. It was an awesome game, the weather was super and it was a great day all around! Except for the part where I went to the bathroom and security came over and told Frank and the kids that we couldn't hold up our sign during the innings. Funny thing is, they waited until the bottom of the 8th inning to say something. Ironically, the poster says, "It's our 1st Cubs game!" Oh, well. I now find myself however, yelling out "Fukudome" at random times throughout the day, such as today at Giordano's Pizza.
DISCLAIMER: And for all you Sox fans out there...if it makes you feel any better, my husband and son are MAJOR Sox fans. Carter wouldn't even wear a Cubs shirt last year and made his grandma return it. And even better yet, these tickets were free. :)

And, although I did not intentionally take the photo below, I decided to keep it because they show off my comfy new cute shoes. They're Sketchers from QVC. And yes, I need a pedicure.

Palette Generator

2008-05-26T21:11:00.003-05:00

I just found this link for a Palette Generator from Inkin' Creations and it is SO COOL. You upload a photo and it tells you the color palette to use. They're not Stampin' Up! colors, which would be awesome, but it's still very helpful. Here's how it looks...

PREVIEW Fresh Cuts

2008-05-25T21:17:00.004-05:00

Click on the image for a larger view.

Want to get a stamp set from the new Fall and Winter Idea Book? Me too! Here's how you can get it June 1-30.

Customers:

Customers may purchase these two products the following ways:

Buy the Fresh Cut stamp set and get the Fresh-Cut Notes for just $5 (limit one Fresh-Cut Notes at $5).
Buy just the stamp set for: $21.95.
Buy just the Fresh-Cut Notes for $8.95.
Orders may be placed on a customer, workshop, or demonstrator order.

Hostesses:

Place a $400 order (or more) and earn the Fresh Cut stamp set and Fresh-Cut Notes free.
There is not an additional incentive for workshops of $800 or more. This incentive is for reaching the $400.
Orders may be placed on a customer, demonstrator, or workshop order.

eScape Promotion

2008-05-25T21:01:00.005-05:00

(Click on the image above for a larger view.)

Take a break from email and computers and communicate with a handmade card!

Plan now to join Stampin' Up! during the entire month of June in breaking free from the 'e'! Stampin' Up! has designated June 25, 2008 as eScape day--a day to put away your cell phones and laptops and focus on reconnecting with your "wireless network."

Available until June 1-13....

eScape Bundle (item 113700):

Description	Page Number	Price
Love Notes assortment	p. 167	$8.95
Circle of Friendship stamp set	p. 143	$17.95
Rose Red Classic Stampin' Pad	p. 165	$5.25
Very Vanilla 5/8" grosgrain ribbon	p. 191	$7.95
Total (non-bundled)		$40.10
eScape Bundle price		$30.00

Contact me today to order. I can ship it straight to you!

Retiring list is coming!

2008-05-25T20:56:00.001-05:00

Stampin' Up! announced that the retiring stamp set list will be available on June 15th. The retiring accessories will be announced on June 21.

More info later....

Mother's Day card

2008-05-11T14:17:00.005-05:00

This is the card I made my mom for Mother's Day. It is based off of the Ginger Blossom page 169 Item # 110697 designer paper colors. I also found inspiration from these cards. I love the color combination. I never would have thought of adding the Certainly Celery color, but I am really happy with the way it turned out.
I colored directly onto the Whisper White with Stampin' Up!'s markers in the rectangle, but I colored directly onto the stamp and huffed for the circle. This gives a watercolored look and it is not as bright.
All supplies are from Stampin' Up! except for the ribbon and the sentiment:

Stamp Sets:
Artfully Asian page 56 Item # 106772

Cardstock and Ink:
Black StazOn
Cameo Coral
Ruby Red
Certainly Celery
Whisper White

Signo White gel pen

Stampin' Up! circle punches, Scallop punch and slit punch

Catalog name change

2008-05-11T14:10:00.002-05:00

From the Stampin' Up! demonstrator website:

Based on your feedback, we are changing the name of the Collection back to Idea Book & Catalog. We are pleased to return to this name because Idea Book & Catalog reinforces the reason so many people love this publication--for the ideas!

The name change will begin with the Fall-Winter 2008 Idea Book & Catalog. This change will not affect the content of the catalog or the semiannual catalog schedule.

I am happy they are changing it back! I don't think I ever called it the Collection...

Brady School in Elvis' Teddy Bear

2008-05-08T22:17:00.008-05:00

Tonight was East Aurora's Razzle Dazzle Variety Show. Each of the schools in the district perform some sort of song and dance. Our school chose Elvis' Teddy Bear. :) Our fantastic lunch lady, Deb Hunley sang. Our "Elvis" is Mr. Sardana, a second grade teacher from Spain. His screaming fans are Mrs. Harvey (math and reading support teacher), Mrs. Zepeda (third and fourth grade teacher), Miss Becker (kindergarten teacher) and Mrs. Novak (music teacher).
They did a great job and no one got hurt. :) It was a great night and lots of fun for everyone to get together and celebrate the end of another school year.

A bunch today! Free templates, free fonts, Manic Mommies and Going Green! Whew!

2008-05-03T20:21:00.006-05:00

I came across this website today, called The Mom Pack. I found it through my favorite podcast EVER called Manic Mommies. (Hi Erin and Kristen! ) On The Mom Pack site, click on the link and go down the left side...under FREE STUFF, you can click on templates for cute little candy wrapper templates that you could stamp on for little gifts. Also under the same FREE STUFF tab is a link to some free downloadable fonts. I didn't try them yet, but I love free fonts. One of my favorite sites is DaFont. They have everything!

The Manic Mommies podcast can be downloaded through lots of different ways, but I do it through iTunes. You can also just listen online through their blog. Their last podcast was about going green and organic. They even interviewed Kate Gosselin from Jon and Kate Plus 8, one of our very favorite shows! She feeds her kids all organic and gave some great ideas. We decided in our house today that we are going to try to accumulate LESS garbage.

We bought a whole bunch of Rubbermaid containers so we can use them for work and school lunches instead of the 5 or 6 Ziplocs every day from all of us. Other quick and simple ideas we brainstormed include using real silverware at work and washing it instead of plastic, using our "real" towels in the kitchen instead of so many paper towels, and looking into some more organic cleaners. We're going to check out some of the Method cleaning products at Target, especially the Cucumber one because everyone says it smells so good. I am a sucker for good smelling stuff, plus their stuff has cool packaging and I'm a sucker for that too. :) Method even has a blog! We can't wait to get really into this, but you can't do it all in one Saturday, as much as I would like to considering my personality.

Do you know of any cool ideas for going green? Any products you swear by that won't break the bank? Any stamping related cool sites besides SCS that you love? Post them here!

Elvis is back in the building

2008-04-28T18:48:00.006-05:00

As you all know, Carter was supposed to be in his school's Idol lip sync contest a couple weeks ago. We practiced, bought the silver wide-frame glasses, watched Elvis videos and movies and even bought a wig. We ended up not using the wig, because on a 6-year-old boy, it looked a little more like Don King.

Anyway, the morning of the show, Elvis is nauseous at 5 a.m. Elvis never wakes up at 5 a.m. Elvis needs to be drug out of bed at 6:45. So, we were hoping it was just a case of nerves. But when he says he has to throw up, you run. Fast. So, it ended up being a nice case of the flu.

We were all devastated that he'd miss the show. At 3 p.m., he woke up after sleeping for about 5 hours and said, "I think I could do it." Sorry, buddy. No school...no contest. He ended up doing the little routine with his "moves" for a house full of ladies here for a bridal shower on Sunday without hesitation.

A few days later, his class wrote letters to him. They were so adorable, I almost cried. They said things like, "You are still a rock star to us." and "I know that you would have rocked good." They drew pictures on the back, which were just as adorable. Check these two out...
(I'll upload the photos tomorrow....)
The first one is supposed to be Carter up on the stage.

The second one and my favorite, is by Caitlyn. Notice the vomit. Only in the eyes of a first grader.

His teacher emailed me later in the week and said that they were going to let Carter do his little stint for the entire first grade on Friday during school. I went to his school and helped him get changed. It was right after he had P.E. so he was sweaty as a hog, and then had to put on the leather jacket. :) He walked into the gym and there was the whole first grade, a fifth grade class, the principal, assistant principal, custodian, secretaries, some parents, plus the music teacher. He drew a pretty big crowd and was really pumped up. He got out there and sang his heart out! I was so proud. Here's the video.
The first part is him in the morning before school (notice all the dirty dishes in the sink...just keepin' it real as Pioneer Woman would say) and then it goes into the song. Then we go back to his classroom and they're having a little party. I should also mention that it was pajama day, which Carter would never do in a million years. :)

Old date, new date

2008-04-26T18:38:00.002-05:00

Stampin' Up! announced that the current mini catalog, Occasions, will be available through June 30th instead of May 30th.

Additionally, the current Spring-Summer catalog (the "big" one) will be available through August 10th, not July 30th.

Credit cards and PayPal

2008-04-21T17:31:00.004-05:00

Good news! As of this Wednesday, Stampin' Up! will be allowing demonstrators to enter their customer's credit card information directly into the SU! ordering site to pay for orders. In the past, demonstrators have had to locate and pay for fees with their own credit card company. Now, Stampin' Up! will be letting us process your payments and they will pay the fees!

For this reason, I will no longer be accepting PayPal as a form of payment. Thanks for understanding!

Added 4/22...additionally, your orders will be submitted faster due to the new online credit card feature. In the past, I have had to wait until the next day after customers pay for their order to show up. Then, it took an additional 3-5 business days to post into my bank account. The order that my buyers club members placed last week on April 17th was just placed today, April 22, waiting for funds to not be in limbo. Starting tomorrow, there will be no more waiting. :)

Dymanic Cutting Calculator

2008-04-21T16:54:00.003-05:00

I would like to thank Julie (justjulier on SCS) for making up this very cool Dynamic Cutting Calculator Excel spreadsheet! Click on the very first post and there is an attachment.

This handy little calculator lets you enter in the size of the layers of your cardstock and it will tell you how many you can fit on one sheet. You can also tell the spreadsheet how many projects you want to make and it will tell you how many sheets of cardstock you need, as well. This is awesome for when you're making a ton of cards or projects!

Thanks Julie!

Elvis has left the building...

2008-04-14T21:03:00.006-05:00

Our son, Carter, who is six is infatuated with Elvis. He heard one song on my husband's iPod and fell in love. Now, a couple months later, he has every Elvis song ever made (not to mention knowing all the words), owns two Elvis full-length movies and has the DVR set to record *anything* with Elvis. He has several Elvis books and watches concert clips on YouTube and Elvis.com.

He bought himself a guitar, I bought him the glasses and he made his grandma buy him the white shirt and tie. He already had the black Harley jacket. He wanted me to dye his hair black...um, no....you are six years old. He also bought a wig but it now resembles Don King a little more than Elvis, so we vetoed it. He wanted to take the Harley letters off of the leather jacket and replace them with a big Elvis patch, but we vetoed that as well.

Tonight was the practice for his school's Idol contest in preparation for the real deal on Friday. He's going to sing "Don't Be Cruel" and he has some "moves". Here's the conversation that transpired last night:
Me: Carter, tomorrow is your rehearsal, you should practice your dance.
Carter: Mom! It's not a dance!
Me: Huh?
Carter: Boys don't dance. They have "moves".
Me: Okay. Whatever.

These are some photos. He did three go-rounds. As soon as I can get it working correctly, I'll upload the video. I can't stand how adorable it is. In the meantime, here are a few photos that my mom took....

New Name Frame..

2008-04-11T22:36:00.005-05:00

I know you'll find this hard to believe, but I finally stamped today. I can't believe it myself.

I went to Wal-Mart tonight to get a birthday present for a party my daughter is going to on Sunday. In the middle of the aisle, lo and behold! The $3 frames! My Wal-Mart has been out forever. I only bought three of them and now I'm thinking I should go tomorrow and buy more. Anywhoo, I wanted to make something. I didn't have the brain power to be creative on my own, so I lifted this idea from Splitcoast. I have to add some embellishments and ribbon, but didn't have the right color on hand. I happen to have a handy Michael's coupon though....so I'll get some tomorrow.

One of the stamp sets I used was Garden Silhouettes. It is a retired Hostess set from the Fall-Winter 2007 Collection. If you missed out on this one, try Embrace Life on page 84. Here's a card made with it. This is my first time using this set and I just love it! I definitely need to do something else soon with this one.

Also, this is the disaster zone I created in that hour.

Cricut Opposites Attract Cartridge
Stampin' Up! supplies:
Stamps: Garden Silhouettes, Heartfelt Thanks
Cardstock: Mellow Moss, Baroque Burgundy
Ink: Baroque Burgundy, River Rock
Stampin' Up! Designer Paper

My favorite...

2008-04-06T22:09:00.003-05:00

So, I haven't been stamping in a while, but I had to post this. It is a link to the floating otters that are holding hands. Watch through the whole thing...toward the end, they let go, then one reaches out for the other one. I forgot how much I *love * this video.

Otters Holding Hands

Then my nephew sent me this one from a Bear Wildlife Reserve. It's a bunch of bears scratching their backs on trees, but they set it to music. It is a riot. There's a little commercial first...

Bears Dancing

Do you have any good ones? Share them below...

50% Michael's Coupon

2008-04-04T07:21:00.001-05:00

Here's a 50% off at Michael's coupons for my blog readers! Comment here and let me know what you get!
Happy shopping!

It's live...

2008-03-28T10:33:00.001-05:00

For all my Pioneer Woman fans....her new site is live. The old cooking site doesn't work...you access it through the new site here.

OOhhhh, I can't wait!

2008-03-25T23:06:00.005-05:00

You all know what a fan I am of The Pioneer Woman Cooks website. She has another website ready to go live pretty soon and I can't wait to see it. Check out the "scenery" she has in the meantime. Very nice Ree....very nice. Thanks.

EDITED....if you missed the scenery yesterday, it's too late.....ya missed it. Too bad.

She won't forget this Easter....

2008-03-24T19:52:00.002-05:00

I hope everyone had a nice Easter! We left my in-law's house and the kids wanted candy. We wouldn't be eating at my parents' house for another couple hours so, I told them they could have one piece. Here's how the rest of this transpired...

Makenna (who not long ago turned 5): Mommy, there's something stuck in my tooth.
Me: Go upstairs and brush them. You probably have candy stuck in them.

A few minutes later...
Makenna (crying): Mommy, my tooth hurts.
Me: Let me see...(thinking)...Holy crud. Her front tooth is going to fall out. It wasn't even loose!

We wiggle it for an hour or so and it's just hanging. We go to my mom's and she sticks her finger in and pulls it out. Unbelievable. I have been a teacher for 16 years and I have never had a kid go straight from "oh, wow. I have a loose tooth." to "I lost my tooth." in an hour. I'm kind of glad though, because we're home on Spring Break and if that tooth stuck in there for days, we might all go crazy. :)

The tooth fairy was very generous for a first lost tooth....20 quarters....next time, she won't be as rich. :) So, I'm wondering, what is the going rate for the tooth fairy at your house? Does the first lost tooth pull in more $$ than the subsequent ones?

Free Wheelin' Links

2008-03-17T18:54:00.003-05:00

Here are the links to the stamp sets and free jumbo wheels in the Free Wheelin' promotion. Buy a listed stamp set and get the jumbo wheel for free!

Wonderful You bundle $33.95
Wonderful You stamp set
Stems & Silhouettes jumbo wheel

Life's a Breeze Bundle $29.95
Life's a Breeze stamp set
Something Fishy jumbo wheel

Pun Fun Bundle $30.95
Pun Fun stamp set
Sweet Stars jumbo wheel

Year after Year bundle $30.95
Year after Year stamp set
See You Around jumbo wheel

Stitched Exotics bundle $33.95
Stitched Exotics stamp set
It's Beautiful jumbo wheel

Enjoy Every Moment bundle $29.95
Enjoy Every Moment stamp set
Daisy Dash jumbo wheel

This promotion runs March 18th through April 30th!

Another Michael's coupon for my friends....

2008-03-16T13:42:00.002-05:00

Michael's Coupon

Click here and print out your own 40% off Michael's coupon...good from March 16-March 22.