Last Call!

Hello there fellow crafters! 
I am so luck this week!  I was able to clean up my fancy dancy stamping space and rearrange a bit (love having more surface space to make a mess:-) as well as get my project ready for our Christmas In July meeting with the Clearly Creative gals.  They are coming to my house tomorrow for a bit of food, fun and friends...I can't wait!

Just wanted to send you all a last minute reminder about earning a FREE Christmas Club Class or Kit with any $40 order from my website.  If you haven't had a chance to drool over the new catalog, take a few minutes tonight.  The new In Colors are beautiful, so many new stamp sets to choose from and the paper...oh my...

Stampin' Up! has really outdone themselves this year with the Designer Series Paper.  There are so many options for any style.  They have added some amazing accessories to go along with the paper as well. 

As a SU Demonstrator I have already received the new Seasonal Catalog coming out August 1st.  There are so many holiday options, I can't decide what do do for my class projects! 

Click  here to shop from my website.  I look forward to hearing from you all!

Christmas Club Special!

Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way!  The holidays are on the way and I want you to be relaxed and ready!  And, I'm here to help!  How, you ask?  Well let me fill you in on the details...

Any order of $40 or more placed on my Stampin' Up! Website between today and July 5, 2012 will receive a FREE Christmas Club C lass!  Now I'm sure you are saying, "What if I don't live near Amy?"...You will receive a ready to go kit mailed right to your door!  Each class/kit consists of 16 cards with 4 different designs, valued at $20. 

What a fantastic time to start your holiday shopping!  What is your favorite homemade gift to give?  Leave a message below to share your creative thoughts!

Remember, the new catalog has arrived and the Summer Mini will be here in August!  Lots of fantastic goodies!

$99...Can you believe it?

MY WAY!  Stampin' Up! has recently released this year's theme and it couldn't be more amazing!  To kick off the "new", SU has improved their Demonstrator Promotion.  For just $99, you can put together a New Demonstrator package that works just for you!  Add more scrapbooking goodies if that is what you are into, more holiday stamps and accessories if that's what you are concentrating on, put together a great package to share SU with your friends...really the possibilities are endless.  With this change, it is easier than ever to be a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator "Your Way".

So what is My Way?  Well, for the longest time I was what they call a hobby demonstrator.  That means that really I kept up my demonstratorship just for the discount.  I was buying plenty of product (and you can't get better paper or stamp pads anywhere!) and loved getting the "scoop" ahead of the crowd.  Earning FREE product is pretty fantastic too!  And you can't ask for a better group of "gals" to hang out with...it's all about being part of the stamping family for me. 

When our family life changed drastically a couple of years ago and both my husband and I were searching desperately for new jobs, I realized that I already had my dream job!  Why was I trying so hard to find that job that would make me happy when I was already doing it?  So, I started focusing on what I could do with my Stampin' Up! product to make some money.  I knew that what I thought of as the traditional way of being a demonstrator wouldn't work for me...offering workshops/in home parties.  I just don't have the time at night.  But for lots of people, that's what works.  The part of SU that I love the most is the creating.  I've been an artist as long as I can remember and being in my craft room is what makes me happy so...I've created a great business for myself by creating personalized gifts, selling at craft fairs, hosting private classes and blogging.  That's Stampin' Up! MY WAY! 

Contact me today to find out how you can become a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator!  I'd love to chat and even tell you the rest of my story. 

Woohoo! Time to cheer!

Such a  great day...My daughter's volleyball team came home with a silver medal from Championships today!  Such a wonderful end to a really successful season:-)  The improvement and growth that the team showed throughout the season and especially today was really exciting.  As parents sitting in the stands, we couldn't have been more proud of our girls!

To say thank you to Morgan, the coach, we put together this adorable shadowbox frame.  Now, I know...it's not from Stampin' Up! and I'm really sorry (SU still doesn't have volleyball goodies for me to buy:(  But...using a few SU techniques, we created a bit of fun. 

 

Sorry for the photo quality, I was in the car and realized I hadn't taken the picture.  Here are a few others of the amazing day!

How cute are these cake pops!  My friend Robin was the creative mind behind the net!  They were so delicious!

Here's the Silver Medal Team!  Congrats on a season well done!

 

Pottery Barn for Pennies!

Now I don't know about you, but I certainly can't afford to decorate my house from the Pottery Barn catalog!  It is, however, one of my favorite design styles.  So cottage country comfortable.  The children's section has always been one of my favorites.  This personalized name frame was done in vibrant colors:  Melon Mambo, Daffodil Delight and Pear Pizzazz.   Love the pom pom border around the outside of the frame and the large, curly O is also adhered to the top of the glass.

This is a great baby shower or birth gift.  How about changing out the name for a teacher gift?  Contact me to order your personalized frame today!

Thursday Thoughts: Peace Within II

Thursday has come again and we are still highlighting the Peace Within stamp set.  I will be sad to see this set go.  This weeks example looks much better in person.  There are multiple layers applied with dimensionals to give it depth.  The photo really doesn't show this well...

There is a box at my desk labeled Miscellaneous Tools...really it's like a bottomless pit of random, trendy tools I've bought over the years and just kind of forget about.  So it's time to open it up.  The whole purpose of Thursday Thoughts was maximizing materials, right?  This week I pulled out the Spritzer tool.  Really, it's so much fun!  Choose a Stampin' Write Marker, insert the brush end into the little slot and squeeze.  Sounds a bit silly but it gives a pretty cool effect, a bit like splatter paint.  I forced myself not to color in the image this time, keep it simple and the outcome looks nice.

Little Boy Blue...

This album was for a sweet little boy and a nautical theme was requested.  As cute as the album came out, I really love the box!  Almost makes me want to have another baby just so that I can start their album from the beginning...  Anyway...just a quick post today!

Don't forget to place your order for retiring stamps!  Check out my website for more information.

Thursday Thoughts: Peace Within I

Deciding what stamp sets to purchase is always so hard for me.  I like to say that I'm frugal (really, I'm cheap!)  and want to get the most for my money.  There have to be enough ways for me to utilize the set to make it worth my money.  So...I'm thinking that on Thursdays I will highlight one set for about a month.  I've decided to start with Peace Within, which sadly is retiring.  I may evolve to showing ideas for Big Shot Dies as well, but let's start small!

I chose this set because I love to color, especially with watercolor pencils.  To then add the blender pens to give it a painted affect comes out beautiful even with beginners.  My thought with these little gift enclosure cards (3"x3") is to make a little survival kit for some of the teachers at school.  That dreaded day of making the class lists for next year is right around the corner...I think they'll be praying for a miracle!  This size card is always great to keep stocked up on to attach to gift bags, too.

Please let me know what you think and also if there are any stamp sets you're looking to maximize usage with.  I'm happy to help!

Time for a retirement party!

Although it is sad to see some of our favorite's go, the promise of an exciting new Stampin' Up! catalog is worth saying good bye!  The retired stamp list has just been released...boy is it long!  Go to my website to place your order today!

Things to remember:
* The current catalog is only available until May 31st, 2012.  After that you will no longer have access to the stamp sets on the retired list.
*  Order now...some things are only available while supplies last.
*Stampin' Up!'s new catalog will have fewer pages than the last one BUT...we will now have 2 seasonal catalogs, available for 6 months each that are much bigger than previous mini catalogs.  How exciting is that?
*  The Retiring Accessories list will be released on April 25th...stay tuned!
*Coming in May, I will be hosting a Retirement Party!  You will be able to purchase a collection of previously retired stamp sets, enjoy a free Make & Take and hopefully get a sneak peek at some upcoming sets!  Visit my website for more details.

MDS Journal

Once you start, you can't stop!  Just sitting here watching TV and see the laptop laying on the table.  Well, I could be useful, I really do want to get more scrapbook pages of my cute little kids done.  Lots of good that did!  As I opened up a new project, I saw the journal option.  This was so much fun to design and now I can order it from Stampin' Up! and have a personalized journal.  I'm thinking this would be a good gift...Christmas is only 247 days away! (Yes, I have already started shopping!)  Anyway, just thought I'd share!

I'm back...Did you miss me?

You know, when you work for yourself, you are the customer service department, head of HR, Director of Marketing, Office Manager, Director of Design and Creativity...the list goes on!  Well, I've been dealing with complaints coming into the customer service department regarding my lack of posting.  Since being busy with life is not an excuse...I don't have one.  I am sorry, though.  I'm back and ready to go.  I have decided to structure my blogging a little different from here on out.  Sundays are going to be all about Scrapbooking...Scrapping Simply Sundays.  I will alternate weeks with a My Digital Studio page/project with a more traditional style.  I've decided that since my kids are now 13 and 11 (yes, I know there's no way I look old enough to have children that age...hehehe), I should probably get started on scrapbooking their life.

So...here's the first installment!  Kylee's volleyball team came in first place in last week's tourney!  The excitement built throughout the day and I think the parents were more thrilled than the kids!

If you've never used My Digital Studio, Stampin' Up!'s fantastic digital software, you're missing out!  It is extremely user-friendly, cost effective and the images/designs are beautiful.  This week's page was created using the Ice Cream Parlor Designer Series Paper.  With the additions of a few buttons and ribbon in complementary colors and adding a drop shadow in some prime spots, this page really comes to life.  MDS also provides pre-designed pages that you simply add your own pictures into.   Contact me today for more information on MDS!

Don't you just love a bargain?

Check out what my latest trip to The Christmas Tree Shop brought me!  In the spring decor section they had these adorable little chalk boards for just $4.99.  The bird scene that was on it was a bit Stephen King-ish and was screaming for a little alteration.  Since Spice Cake paper (and color inspiration) is all over my house, I chose to use up what little scraps I have left to make a couple of rosettes, added a little Linen Thread and my favorite stamp:  Imagine the possibilities.  I dug through my Nana's vintage buttons to find a jumbo brown one to cover up the ugly picture hanger.  Love adding those goodies when I get a chance!

I think I might need another one (or maybe two)...one to hang near the pantry to make note of needed groceries and one by the door for messages to my family.  So cute...how will I decorate those?

What is hanging around your house that could be used for inspiration?  Look for my new Inspiration posts coming next week.  I'll find an everyday item and make a card or 3D item inspired by it.  I'm thinking Friday will be the Everyday Inspiration day.  I'd love to know if I set up a blog challenge, would you be interested in participating? 

Thanks for sticking around and getting inky with me!

Bouncing Babies

Now you all know how much I love making the accordion albums...for holidays, weddings, babies...really anything!  The latest album is for a soon to arrive baby boy.  I kept this one pretty traditional, lots of navy and crumb cake.  Somehow I got going with stars and they ended up throughout the album. 

I've also been making the keepsake boxes for the albums to go in.  This one has the most adorable little white frame.  If the parent's choose, the frame can be removed and hung in the baby's room.  With a matching card and gift bag, this was an adorable baby shower gift.

Take Note

You're sitting at your desk doing your hum drum daily chores...wouldn't you love a little visual pick me up?  How about covering a post it note with a few scraps of paper, adding a jewel or two and I bet you'll smile! 

This was a recent order I finished.  Wouldn't you just love to show up at work and find one of these little gems at your desk?  I especially like making these after I've finished a big project...a scrap layout, a set of cards, one of the shadow boxes.  Anything where there are leftover parts and pieces.  And keep that Big Shot close by...adding a small textured shape from one of the Embosslits is a great way to add dimension with out costing too much.

Anyway...let me know what you think of these and maybe some other goodies you'd like to find on your desk!

My Business Corner

My big goal for 2012 is to make the most of my Stampin' Up! business and to do that I needed a dedicated space to take care of the paperwork.  It seems to be working.  I see it more as a job (that I love, love, love) than a hobby so I take it much more seriously.  Although when sitting at my desk with sticky fingers covered in glitter and ink, I'm not being very serious, I guess.
This is my desk from when I was a little girl. It was passed along to my daughter and now it becomes part of the Stampin' Up! world.  Lots of goodies on the shelves along with all of those important forms.  The red and white chair was my husband's grandparents and the table in the corner is my Nana's sewing machine.  I really love that I've been able to incorporate  a little bit of family history in my creative space.

 Valentine cards are ready to go...

Another little project I just started...I've put some Spice Cake Designer Fabric in my Nana's embroidery hoops.  Eventually I will add some goodies to dress them up, attach some of Nana's old buttons and knitting needles.  When we were little, my Nana taught my sister and I to make lots of things in plastic canvas.  Even now when I decorate the tree at Christmas time, I love pulling out the little mailboxes, jack in the box and candy canes that she made. 
That's all for today!  Have a great weekend!

My Crafty Corner

 I've had a few requests to share pictures of my new stamping space.  We moved in November and I'm pretty sure I've changed the room 4 times already!  Those who know me personally, know how many times I changed my former house...the colors were changed often (which my husband didn't like as he is the "painter"), the furniture was never in the same place very long and wall hangings were often switched.  Being in this new home has been sooooooo much fun!  It was built in 1803 but has had some fabulous remodels to make it a great entertaining house.  It's really open and has some great space.  There are touches of my crafting all over the place but for now I'll stick to my very own fantastic room!  Well...I do share it with my daughter (she's the + in A+...she is a beader/jewelry creator.). 
So...the picture at the top is my main work space.  I get to look out on the little stream that runs behind our house.  My main supplies are off to the right tucked neatly in photo boxes I've bought on sale.  The cream colored desk is made from two bar stools and a slab of wood I got at Home Depot.  I did a primitive style finish and tied 2 inch ribbon on the legs so that I could put boxes there for storage.

 This is to the left of my work station and mainly consists of my stamp sets.  A good friend of mine (and fellow stamper) gave me the two DVD racks (I think they're from IKEA) and they hold the new clear stamps perfectly.  Mini glass jars hold buttons to spice up the wall.  Oh and notice those beautiful Crumb Cake walls that my husband surprised me with!

 This is my daughter's space.  She got that amazing table for Christmas and it's filled with some great art supplies.  She has oodles of beads and has recently started making her own clay beads.  That stack of drawers on the floor holds lots of random craft supplies and I was tired of looking at them so...I used spray adhesive and attached some scrap fabric to the inside of the drawers.  It just cleans it up and hides the mess!

 More scrap fabric!  This is actually a really cute wooden student desk but I have some ugly totes, bags and other random things hiding under there so...I've hot glued the fabric over a curtain rod, opened the top drawers enough to hold the rod and tucked away the mess again!  The top of the desk makes a great big shot station. 

Strangely enough, this room has no closet but has a half bath in it.  Kringle the cat love sitting in the window and it's great for washing the ink and glue off my hands but still a little wacky!

A close up of my tools...sponges, glue sticks, tape, rhinestones, sanding blocks...that sort of thing.

This is just the top of Kylee's space.  I use it for storage and extra stickers, albums, goodies that I don't use often because they aren't Stampin' Up!

Eventually the other two walls in this room will be a Cactus green.  Throughout my house I  have Crumb Cake, Cactus Green (which really is a lighter version of Always Artichoke) and So Saffron (soft sunny yellow for you non SU followers).  We still need to recarpet a few rooms...the 80's called and need the teal and mauve rugs back!  And the lighting in this house is about as bright as candlelight...talk about feeling the 1800's! 

Anyway, thanks for stopping by my crafty corner of the world.  I'd love to hear your feedback and see what you think!  Next time I'll share the office portion of my space.  Or as my mom calls it, my boutique.  I love being surrounded by color and creative things so you'll see some of Kylee's jewelry and a few goodies I've made over the years. 

Welcome Baby Girl...

One of my latest orders...really adorable baby shower invitations.  Although there were lots of steps involved, these were so much fun to make!  I received a picture of the bedding so I added the stripes and swirls to compliment the real thing.  Melon Mambo and Pear Pizzazz are the featured colors and of course I had to use the square lattice embossing folder to make the "blanket."  Both of my kids had a snuggly waffle blanket that I would wrap them in...sometimes I miss those days! 

Love U!

Happy Valentine's Day to you!  A little bit early, I know but the little banner was a fun way to kick off Sale-a-Bration.  Mainly using the Big Sh/2ot and a variety of punches the banner was really simple to put together.  I used the Top Note Die from the Big Shot and scored it at 1 1/2 inches.  This made the base of the tags.  The goodies and extras are from the Sweet Shoppe Suite in the Occasion Mini. 

More Sale-a-Bration News!

Joining Stampin' Up! is Easy and Fun!

Joining anytime is great, but joining now is fabulous!
Join for Just $125!
Chose from our Starter Kits and join during Sale-A-Bratino for just $125 (regularly $175)! You'll receive product and business supplies valued at over $340.
Free Products for the Rest of 2012
Besides an amazing price on your starter kit, you'll also get a free pack of Designer Series Paper (excludes Specialty Designer Series Paper) or a digital download every month for the rest of the year! Simply place a demonstrator order each month and you'll be able to choose a qualifying paper or digital download for free! (does not include shipping and handling charges).
Our starter kits are created exclusively for new demonstrators, contain Stampin' Up! essentials you'll need to get started in your new business. You can choose between the standard Starter Kit and the Digital+ Starter Kit. Both Starter Kits are customizable allowing you to choose products that you want to run your business your way

The standard Starter Kit includes Four complete stamp sets (including a clear-mount set and clear-mount block) A Stampin' Around wheel, handle, and ink cartridge   Assortment of Designer Series Paper and card stock White envelopes (40) Four Classic Stampin' Pads Two Stampin' Write markers VersaMark Pad Whisper White 5/8" satin ribbon Always Bird Décor Elements and applicator Adhesives Blender pen Color Coach Cupcake Punch Stamping sponge Stampin' Scrub and Mist  Box of Idea Book & Catalogs Business forms and tools

The Digital+ Starter Kit includes My Digital Studio digital designing software His & Hers Digital Content Collection DVD One clear-mount stamp set (including a clear-mount block) Assortment of card stock Note cards and envelopes (20) Four Classic Stampin' Pads   Real Red 1/4" grosgrain ribbon Brights Designer Buttons Always Bird Décor Elements and applicator Adhesives Blender Pen Stampin' Scrub and Mist  Box of Idea Book & Catalogs Business forms and tools

Plus, if you'd like to add scrapbooking, home décor, or digital designing to your business, we also offer three optional add-ons: the Stampin' Memories add-on, the Definitely Decorative add-on, and the My Digital Studio add-on. These add-ons give you a great sampling of products you can use to showcase Stampin' Up!'s Stampin' Memories, Definitely Decorative, and digital designing lines. Talk to your demonstrator for more information.

On your mark, get set...

Are you ready?  Sale-a-Bration starts tomorrow!  For every $50 you spend you get a free choice from the Sale-a-Bration catalog!  There are lots of stamp sets, ribbon bundles, My Digital Studio options, beautiful Designer Series Paper and more!

Today I was working on another insert for my shadow boxes with a spring theme in mind.  Using lots of goodies I got early from the Sale-a-Bration catty (that happens when you're a SU demo), I'm pretty happy with the result.  Somehow my stamping seems to be going in a vintage-y direction.  Although I'm just going with the flow, I'm a bit surprised.   As soon as I opened this little jem, I fell in love with the Fresh Vintage Stamp set and the coordinating Everyday Enchantment DSP.  This set really highlights my favorite In Colors anyway, so putting it all together was easy.  Love that SU offered a great ribbon/brad bundle and such cuties those little brad are!  Lucky Limeade and Calypso Coral are the stars of this show with a little Peach Parfait thrown in to balance.

And something else to keep in mind...Workshop Hostesses receive additional benefits and for any sale over $150 (which isn't hard to do when you see all of the beautiful options in the Occasions Mini Catalog) you get a really fantastic Stampin' Up! reusable tote, too!  Contact me to book your workshop, register for your class or just place your order!