Stampin' Up! Halloween Treat Box and Card

Welcome! 

Today begins the September Hopper's Blog Hop and our theme is Halloween.  Such a fun time of year...especially if you have children or grandchildren. There are cards and 3D projects to inspire you and get you thinking about the fact that Halloween is just around the corner.

There's also some blog candy for some lucky winner at the end of the month.  If you would like to play along, please leave an encouraging comment on each blog.  On September 28th a random winner will drawn from all those that have left comments.  Be sure to leave your email address so we can contact you. You'll find the links for the rest of the hoppers at the bottom of this post. 

The blog candy is 30 - 6" x 6" sheets of retired Halloween Designer Series Paper and a roll of retired 5/8" Black Grosgrain Ribbon!  

My Halloween project is a little bit different in that it uses a non traditional orange - Calypso Coral!  I think it would be perfect for a girly Halloween...either big girls or little girls.  :)  

• The card is a square 4" x 4" card. 
• The spider web from the stamp set Wicked Cool has been stamped in black and then sponge lightly with Calypso Coral ink.
• The spiders in the web and the cute little spider eyes are actually rhinestones.  All you need to do is color them with a black permanent marker.

• The treat box is made with the Fancy Favor Die.  
• It's so easy to construct the striped lollie with the Simply Scored Scoring Tool.
• The strip is cut 1-1/8" x 12" and scored the length every 1/4".
• I used a hot glue with the new Silicone Craft Mat to create the lolli.  You can use both hands and it's so easy to remove it from the mat.

Stamp Sets:  Wicked Cool (Clear 120600) (Wood 118738), Googly Ghouls (Clear 128063) (Wood 128060), Tiny Tiny Wishes (Clear 127802) (Wood 115370)
Ink:  Basic Black (126980), Calypso Coral (126983)
Paper:  Basic Black (121045), Calypso Coral (122925),  Howlstooth & Scaringbone Designer Paper (126906)
Accessories:  Calypso Coral 3/8" Ruffled Ribbon (122976), Rhinestones Basic Jewels (119246)
Cool Tools:  1-3/4" Scallop Punch (119854), 1-3/8" Circle Punch (119860), Fancy Favor Die (115965), Silicone Craft Sheet (127853), Simply Scored Scoring Tool (122334), BigShot (113439)

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Summer Smooches Matchbook Gum or Candy Holder

Attended our PAWS meeting this past Saturday and had a great time with all my demo friends.  It's alway fun to learn, share, and chat business and non business with gals that love Stampin' Up!.  I was responsible for one of the make and takes this month and decided to share a project that was shared at the Late Night Stampers Pre Convention Stamp Camp this year.

It's a cute match book treat holder.  This one holds a packet of gum but I can also see it with a small candy bar.  It's made with a piece of 3 x 12 inch card stock.

Here's the inside.  The Window Punch was used to make the opening for the gum packet.  This is a great no stamp project that goes together pretty quickly incase you wanted to make a bunch of them for a party or to pass out at the office.

Now if you wanted to do some stamping how about this cute version stamped with the new Ronald McDonald Stamp Set.  This set is so stinkin cute!   But the best part is that $3 of the sale of each set goes to support the Ronald McDonald House Charities where they support families with children who have serious illnesses.  This is a part of Stampin' Up!'s mission - to make a difference in the lives of others...and all the while having fun!

Order this stamp set in my online store or by emailing me and receive a video showing you how to make this cute treat holder.  (Clear 126322 - $14.95, Wood 126320 - $19.95)  And know that you are helping out a great charity!

While you're ordering remember if you order $50 or more in product you can still get the Reason to Smile Stamp Set for only $5.  This offer expires today.  Plus you will earn two points towards your customer loyalty rewards.  

Hope to see you again soon!  

Boxes and Bags - Stampin' Up!

We are on the road again today.  Home is going to look really good... especially my sleep number bed tonight. :)

I have a box and bag to show you today that are based on the 2, 4, 6, 8 box in this post.  The only difference is that I made them with designer paper and therefore they can be made larger.

Both are made with retired designer paper because I wanted to use some of my stash up but any of the current DSP would look great.  This first bag uses a large patterned retired designer paper and I love the way it wrapped around the bag.  What's fun about using Stampin' Up! DSP is that you can then easily use another sheet in the pack to make a coordinating card.

The bag was made larger by cutting the paper at 10 1/2" x 12" and scoring at 2 1/2, 5, 7 1/2, and 10.  The top was closed off by cutting off three of the tabs and folding the fourth over the top and adding a ribbon.

This box was created for a make and take at my last downline meeting. Both ends were closed and a handle was added. I decorated the front with the Mixed Bunch Stamp Set and added the small butterfly from the Beautiful Wings Embosslits.

Here the close up shows the detailed embossing on the butterfly.  There are 5 different sized butterflies in the set each with a different embossed pattern.  I love the way a few pearls or rhinestones make each project special.

So the next time you need a bag or box for a gift I challenge you to make your own.  Just grab a piece of your favorite Designer Series Paper - then cut, score and decorate!  Have you taken a look at  the Designer Series Paper in the new catalog?  Place an order today and have it ready for the next time you need to wrap a gift.

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The Best of Everything Tag Card

The past two days I've been on the road traveling to Virginia to be with my cousin.  Her husband will be buried in Arlington Cemetery tomorrow morning and I wanted to be here to support her and be a part of the military ceremony.  It's sad how weddings and funerals seem to be some of the only times I get to see part of the family.  It not only makes me want to plan a get together for fun but it also reminds me how important it is to stay in touch and connect with family and friends through hand made cards and scrapbooking.

So today I have a quick share for you.  It's another make and take from my last downline meeting.  A perfect card to lift someone's spirits or just to let them know you are thinking of them.  I think that I will be using this card for one of my convention swaps with a change in the sentiment since I need a thank you card.

• My inspiration for this card came from the tags on page 77 of the catalog.  Tags are fun to use on gifts but I also like they way they look on a card.  
• The tag is cut from the Two Tags Bigz Die which makes a very sweet and interesting tag.  I love the perforation that looks like stitching.
• The flowers were stamped, cut, and popped up with dimensionals.  The pearls make the perfect embellishment for these sweet flowers from the Best of Everything Stamp Set.

Thanks for allowing me to share. I challenge each of you to make a card using a card in the catalog as inspiration.  Email me a picture of the card and the page of your inspiration card as I would love to share them on my blog.

Have a wonderful day...happy stamping!

To order supplies to make this card please visit my online store 24/7.  

Stamp Sets: Best of Everything (Clear 123536, Wood 123534), Fabulous Phrases (Clear 120501, Wood 117002)

Ink:  Tangerine Tango (126946), Daffodil Delight (126944), Old Olive (126953)

Paper: Floral District Designer Series Paper (126919), Old Olive (100702), Tangerine Tango (111349), Whisper White (100730)

Cool Tools: Two Tags Bigz Die (115954), 1" Circle Punch (119868), 1 1/4" Circle Punch (119861), 1 3/8" Circle Punch, 1/16" Circle Handheld Punch (101227)

Accessories:  Pearl Basic Jewels (119247), White 1/4" Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon (126877)

CASEing - A Way of Life

As a demo I receive a monthly magazine called Stampin' Success.  It's full of articles, ideas, and projects that are absolutely wonderful.  One of the articles this month was all about CASEing - Copy and Share Everything.  It talked about how you can copy someone else's project exactly or you can switch out elements to make it your own.

It listed some of the reasons why you might want to switch out elements rather making an exact copy.

• You might want to use a different stamp set, or switch colors.
• Maybe your'e creating a card for  for a different occasion, gender, or age.
• You don't own all the products and can't order them in time.
• You just want to put your own twist on the project and make it your own.

The example they used is to the right.  They took the top card from a past catalog and changed it up creating the card underneath. So for my downline meeting this month I created a make and take using the two examples for my inspiration.  I want both my downline and customers to feel comfortable about CASEing.  In the world of paper crafting it is a way of life!

Here's my CASEd version.   Everyone enjoyed the wow factor of this fun flower made with 5 layers of the Scallop Punch.  The color scheme is Baja Breeze and Rich Razzleberry.

The Little Leaves Sizzlits make the perfect leaves and it was fun embellishing them with the tiny Pearls.  The sentiment can be changed depending on your needs.  I love using the Fabulous Phrases Stamp Set because there are so many words that can be used alone or in combination. It's one of my go to sentiment stamp sets.

Stamp Set:  Fabulous Phrases (Clear 120501, Wood 117002

Ink: Rich Razzleberry (126950)

Paper: Floral District Designer Series Paper (126919), Baja Breeze (111352), Rich Razzleberry (115316)

Cool Tools: Scallop Circle Punch (119854), Little Leaves Sizzlits (114511), Big Shot (113439)

Accessories: Pearl Basic Jewels (119247), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430), Glue Dots (103683)

Stampin' Up! $99 Starter Kit, Your Way!

The New Starter Kit is here and it's only $99!  And...you can customize YOUR WAY!

The Choices Are Yours:  Purchase the kit at $99 and you get to choose up to $125 in current Stampin' Up! products.  That's right...any products you would like.  You will also receive a business supplies pack valued at $65. The total value of the kit is $190 and it ships for FREE!  This is a fabulous deal, whether you are a hobby stamper or want to be a business demonstrator.

Not only will you fill your Starter Kit with your favorite Stampin' Up' products but you'll also enjoy Stampin' Up! demonstrator discounts and benefits.  Join my team and know that I will support you whether you are joining for fun and discounts or to build a business.  No pressure to sell or hold workshops.  And if you choose to drop at any time there is no penalty.  

Click here for additional information and to sign up now. 

Since I have been talking about the Starter Kit and becoming a member of my team I wanted to share with you some projects from two members of my team.  Though both of them have done a little paper crafting in the past they both have learned so much in the past six months and stamp and share all the time.  Both are hobby demos that joined for the discounts and do not do workshops.  Neither of them have blogs...yet, but I am hoping that is something they might like to do in the future.

Joyce created the first two cards.  The first was inspired by a card we did in club where she is also a member.  She changed the colors and used the butterflies from the Beautiful Wings Embosslits Die.  It is such a beautiful card in gorgeous colors.

This card Joyce says she cased exactly from one she saw on Dawn Olchefske's site.  I encourage my new team members to case cards they like when they are first starting out.  Coping projects exactly often helps someone new to stamping understand the thought behind a design.  You will then find you begin to be inspired by someone else's work changing many of the elements.  And eventually you will be surprised how you just come up with your own designs.  

Besides our own team meetings Leishman attends PAWS meetings with me. This is a group of demos that meet about 45 minutes from where I live.  We have been challenged to start a creative journal.  It is an idea that was introduced at the Stampin' Up! Regionals this year.  I have to say I haven't started mine but Leishman's is complete and AWESOME.  

This is the cover.  She did the entire journal in SAB Everyday Enchantment DSP, which we all loved.  Isn't it gorgeous.  

Most of the demos have left the inside of their journals completely blank in order to do some of the creative exercises that were given to us at regionals.  Leishman's is more like a scrapbook album with blank pages in the back.  I told her she should also add pictures to her's since it is so beautiful.

She has included quotes about creativity on some pages.

Other pages have flaps and pockets like the ones above and below.

In this pocket she has included the list of creative exercises.

I better get creating my journal because I have a lot to live up to now. :)

These are the cute bunny baskets Leishman used as place cards this Easter.  

Cute girl and boy bunnies! 

So if you have additional questions about joining Stampin' Up! and My Team please don't hesitate to contact me by email or by phone.  I would be happy to talk with you about this great opportunity.

Have a wonderful day and stop back tomorrow!

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Take a look at the retiring lists.  Items are being checked off the accessories list as they become unavailable.  I have already had some disappointed customers because items are gone.  Don't let that be the case for you.

Summer Smooches and More About the Retired Lists

Busy, busy, busy this week.  Here it is Friday and I'm finally getting around to posting the card I created for the Mojo Monday Sketch Challenge.  What a fun card!  When I first saw the Summer Smooches DSP I thought wow this may be too bright and colorful for me.  But I have to tell you I have fallen in love with this paper!  Remember there are only 4 days left to order this Summer Smooches DSP.  After that you will need to wait until you can order from the new catty in June.

• The squares are 1-1/4 inch.  Using a 1-1/4 inch square punch is the fastest way to cut them.  Of course if you don't own that punch you can always cut them with your paper cutter.
• You will notice the sketch shows the squares with space between them.  It made me crazy trying to line them all up so I chose to butt them against each other.  (Remember, you don't have to follow the sketches exactly.)
• The fabric brads are gorgeous and I am so going to miss them.  If you haven't heard yet they are gone and no longer available!  I hope you ordered yours before they ran out.      
• I only had a small piece of the baker's twine left and thought it made the perfect antenna.

Stamp Set:  Fabulous Phrases

Paper : Summer Smooches DSP (125409), Daffodil Delight (119683), Tangerine Tango (111349), Very Vanilla (101650)

Accessories:  Summer Smooches Fabric Brads (No Longer Available), Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder, Calypso Coral Bakers Twine (125573)

I changed the card some and made it part of my I Love Cards Buffet last night.  I wasn't sure everyone would have the patience to glue on all the squares. :)  Same big beautiful butterfly and brad.  I'm not sure which one I like better.  How about you?  Which is your favorite?  

Additional information about the Accessories Retired List

• You will notice that all the ink pads are on the retired list.  Like I said the day the list came out...not to worry...the colors are not changing.  The ink pads are getting a make over and it's exciting.  New firm foam pads will offer better ink coverage and therefore better stamped images.

• The Craft Ink Pads and Refills will be discontinued except for black and white.

• The Stampin' Write Markers are on the list because in the new catty only select markers will be available individually.  They will still be available in color collections

• 12" x 12" Textured Card Stock will no longer be offered

• 12" x 12" Smooth Card Stock will only be available in select individual colors and color collections.
• Two items were put on the retired list in error.  They were the Craft Scissors and Paper Snips.  Because they were included in error they will not be offered at a discounted price

I hope this clears up some questions you have about the retired lists.  If you have further questions please feel free to contact me by email or phone.

Have a wonderful Friday!

Mojo Monday - Summer Smooches

Today's card uses the sketch from this week's Mojo Monday Challenge and the new designer paper from the Summer Smooches Suite.  And because I just can't seem to get enough of the new Petite Purse Die I made one to match my card.  Well...to be honest...I made the card to match the purse. I can't seem to stop making purses. lol

The Summer Smooches Designer Paper is such fun bold paper.  It just makes you feel happy!  It includes the colors Daffodil Delight, Real Red, Island Indigo, Tempting Turquoise, Lucky Limeade, Tangerine Tango, and Rich Razzleberry.  It's available from Arpil 1 - 30 and then not again until the new catalog comes out June 1st.

For the sentiment circle I used the 1-3/4" Circle Punch (Whisper White) and the 2-3/8" Scallop Circle Punch in Daffodil Delight.  The sentiment is from the stamp set - Word Play. It's a great set especially when you need a large sentiment.

Here it is with the coordinating purse.  Isn't it a cute set?  The purse is a nice size.  Besides the normal candy I can see it as a gift box for a pair of earrings, necklace, or any other small gift.  My mother already told me she wants one filled with dark chocolate for Mother's Day. :)

If you are local, I would like to invite you to come to club this week.  We are meeting on Friday at 10:00am and Sunday 2:30pm.  There are spots at both times.  We are making a petite purse (of course) and two cards using the products from the Summer Smooches Set.  Click Here for details or to sign up.  Questions - call or email me.  

Or maybe you would like to schedule a private card class for you and your friends.  It's a lot of fun!  

Don't forget we have a blog hop going on right now.  Click on the Hop image at the top of the right sidebar and make comments on each blog.  Some lucky commenter will win a Stampin' Up! crop-a-dile. 

Thanks for allowing me to share.  Have a great day!