Stampin' Up Changes

A lot of you may already know about the announcement Stampin' Up made last week. It was a rather startling, though not entirely unexpected, announcement: SU! demos are no longer able to blog, twitter, email, or facebook in a promotional way for another company that sells competing products. I am saddened that many who do both SU! and design team work now have to make what is a very hard decision. There has been so much speculation floating around for the past few days, partly due to the fact that SU! was not perfectly clear as to what they meant and people panicked. I have heard some people say they would never buy from SU! again or wouldn't sign up now, though they had been thinking about it. The amount of misinformation that is floating out there, some of it sadly spread by some of our own demonstrators, has already damaged SU!'s reputation.

Stampin' Up has a offered a webinar on their site for us to understand the changes. They said that we can link to our friends blogs, we can link up to sites like Splitcoaststampers, Stampin' Addicts, and Craft Critique!; we can link anywhere that does NOT sell competitive products and have a shopping cart or Buy Now button on the site. We can even design for other companies, we just can't blog about it. We can't link up to places that actually sell on their site. When you post a project using other companies stamps, or supplies, there are particular rules that apply. SU! encourages it's demos not to be too specific about who the manufacturer is, what the price was, and where you bought it.

I am saddened that many SU demonstrators are now wrestling with a hard decision, especially the ones who design for other companies. Right now, I will be signing the contract and staying with SU. I love the product .... what can I say? I love the matching inks, card stock, ribbon, etc.! I am a little upset that this has happened. I feel like my blog should be MY blog and I should be allowed to say what I want to. Probably the only changes you will notice on here is I won't link to other stores where I teach classes or buy items. Other than that, things should stay the same.

I hope you will continue to support me and order SU items from me. If you want to know specifics about non-SU items that I post, please leave me a comment or e-mail me.

Holiday Mini Catalog

I'm thrilled to announce that the Holiday Mini Catalog 2009 is here! This mini isn't so mini — it's our largest mini catalog yet! New product lines, new stamp sets for the holidays, new Big Shot® Dies, new Décor Elements, new rub-ons, and 40 pages of project ideas. I think this is one of the best mini catalogs yet. But don't take my word for it — download your own copy today and tell me what you think.

   DOWNLOAD MINI HERE

Please note that some of the new products, like the Build-A-Bear Workshop® line of stamps, paper, and dies, are available now and some are being introduced now and will be available soon. The much-anticipated release of My Digital Studio will be on October 1st and the beautiful Simply Adorned Charms are coming soon! I'll be posting more details when they are available.

Hostess Rewards
This fall is a great time to include a Stampin' Up! workshop as part of your holiday shopping.  We have an extra gift to hostesses during September, October and November. With a workshop of only $250, you can choose any one item from the Holiday Mini Catalog for only $10 (except My Digital Studio and hostess stamp sets).   Contact me today to reserve your date for a fun evening of creativity with your friends — and no mall madness!

Monday Mailer – week of 8/24

This is the Monday Mailer I sent this week.  I just got the Medallion stamp and this is the first card I have made with it.  I also used a SU wheel (Whimsey) in the background.  The color is the new In Color Melon Mambo!

Last week's Monday Mailer

Here's last week's Monday Mailer that I received. A great simple card .... Designer Paper, Sizzix letters and a fancy brad!

Last Week’s Monday Mailer

I received my Monday Mailer card from Ellie right before I went to CK last week.  It uses the Medallion again!  And now, I’ve gone and ordered it myself so you’ll be seeing some cards with it from moi!!

Here’s Ellie’s version …. and a great one I think!!

Aren’t those colors great together??

Last Week’s Monday Mailer

I want to share the Monday Mailer card I received last week.  It uses the Medallion background stamp.  When I first saw this stamp in the catalog, I was not impressed …. even though it is one of Shellie’s favorites.  But as time has gone on and I have seen a lot of the fabulous cards others have made with this stamp, I have it on my list to order!  

She stamped (and embossed) the Medallion in Vanilla Craft Ink on the Razzleberry cardstock.  It is then layered onto a Vanilla card and the edges have been distressed.  The ribbon is the polka dot Razzleberry ribbon (turned over) layered onto a piece of Vanilla Grosgrain ribbon with a button that I believe she colored to match.  Isn’t it great?

Summer Fun Specials Galore

Beginning today - August 1 - Stampin' Up's Country Living Cookout Set is ON SALE. You can view the kit HERE. It is now just $14.95! And with plenty of summer left to celebrate, it's a great time to take advantage of this huge discount. The Summer Cookout Refill is also still available at its regular price of $9.95. This special offer only goes through August 31, or while supplies last.

We are also celebrating kids during August and September. Spend $35 on stamp sets from the Growing Up section of the 2009-2010 Idea Book & Catalog (pages 74-90) and receive a FREE package of Designer buttons--a $7.95 value! Eligible buttons are listed found on page 181 (Playground, Sherbert and Button Latte Designer Buttons.)

In addition, if you purchase the exclusive SU Decor Items Growth Chart, you will receive the applicator FREE! Look HERE for details.

ALSO, if you are interested in becoming a Stampin' Up demonstrator, we are offering a Mini Starter Kit for just $85!! That is a great deal. The mini kit includes:

• For All You Do stamp set (p 118)
• All 6 of the In Colors Stamping Pads (p. 155)
• Whisper White Card Stock (p 155)
• In Color Card Stock (p 155)

During this promotional period, there will also be a standard Starter Kit incentive for new recruits who choose the standard Starter Kit instead of the Mini Starter Kit; new recruits who choose the standard Starter Kit will receive the following, along with the standard Starter Kit supplies:

• All six of the new In Color Classic Stampin' Pads
• One pack of In Color assorted card stock (8-1/2" x 11")

Contact me if you are interested in any of these great specials!

Loads of Love to New Neighbors

I’ve been a bad blogger this week!  Sorry.  Thursday I went to Charlotte and did some volunteer work at the Red Cross office.  I took my mom and dropped her off at a friend’s house.  That was nice for her since she doesn’t drive so she doesn’t get many chances to see some of her old Charlotte friends.   I ended up finishing my work about 1 pm so I went to Park Road Shopping Center and had lunch and walked around the shopping center.  I can remember when that shopping center was the main shopping place in that area of town and I spent many a day wandering into the shops back in the 60’s! 

Today I went to Charlotte …. again!!  Can’t believe how many trips to Charlotte I’ve made in the last 2 weeks!  Sonny had a doctor’s appointment this a.m. in Charlotte for a second opinion on his hip replacement.  After sitting in the waiting room for an hour, we walked out!  I get so irritated when they over-book patients.  I guess they don’t think our time is as important as theirs!  Heaven only knows what is going to happen down the road if this new health plan gets pushed through Congress.  Anyway, I guess Sonny won’t be getting a second opinion.  He is thinking about getting his hip replacement the first of 2010.

Some new neighbors moved in this week just one house over from us.  (There are only 3 houses on our cul-de-sac.)  The family is actually just moving from another house in the neighborhood.  I made a casserole and some chocolate chip cookies for them tonight and took it over with this card:

I took the picture before I colored in their hair & skin and it’s too late to take another picture – I’ve already given her the card!!

A Friendly Challenge

Saturday after my Shape class at Stamper’s Alley, I saw a really cute tri-fold card that was on display.  Debbie, Judy and I examined the card to figure out how to make it.  I told Debbie I’d put one on my blog and for her to post one on her blog.  I tease Debbie because she is not great about keeping up her blog.  (It may have something to do with the fact that she works full time but I don’t know!!)  Anyway, lo and behold, Sunday night, Debbie had made the card and posted it on her blog HERE.  Isn’t it great?

Well, I actually made my card on Sunday after we got back from the Lake as my Monday Mailer.  I wanted to wait until I got it in the mail to Ellie before posting it though.  So, even though Ellie won’t receive it for a day or two, I’m going to share it with my faithful blog followers!

Here is the card open:

Card Recipe

• Stamp:  SU Wings of Friendship (Hostess)
• Paper:  Regal Rose; So Saffron; White, Tea Party DSP
• Accessories:  Circle Maker; Dazzling Diamonds; Celery Ribbon; ScorPal; Hole Punch; Rhinestone Brad
• Ink:  Regal Rose, Certainly Celery (SU) 

Deal of the Week

This is the FINAL deal of the week!

It's the Heart to Heart punch! Just $10.99 instead of $15.95 just through Friday, July 31st. .

Contact me by or before Friday, July 31st to place an order for this punch. If I can combine orders, you only need to pay 10% shipping instead of $6.95 for a single order.

Card Shares

I haven’t shared many cards with you lately and for that, I am sorry.  So I will try to make up for that now!

This card I did for the Stamping 411 challenge last weekend and sent to my daughter.  She and I seem to share that shopping gene!  Her weakness is shoes … mine is probably purses & stamps!  So this card hits them all!

I used a clear stamp set from Stampendous.  The cardstock is Stampin’ Up.

This is the inside of the card!  It sure looks green but believe me, it was yellow!!

These are the Monday Mailers I have received so far from Jennifer.

This one uses the Top Note Die and it is crimped!  Isn’t the flower lovely?

I’m not sure what this card is called – but it swings open where the brad is on the side to reveal the message inside.

 

Happy Anniversary

My sister’s anniversary was Saturday …. 28 years!  Where does the time go?  I remember when she got married in 1981.  Both my children and myself were in the wedding.  My son was the ring bearer (at 2 1/2 yrs. old).  He was just so cute in his little white outfit.  He could only stand still at the front of the church for so long before he started tossing the ring pillow up in the air!!  Luckily, my husband was nearby to rescue him.  My baby sister looked beautiful on her special day.  I remember a day or so before she got married I told her she was too young to be getting married!  She was just 21 at the time.  So many memories! 

This is the card I sent to her on Saturday.  I stamped the Lace Background (retired) on the Gable Green card.  I stamped the flowers from Pocket Silhouettes in White Craft Ink onto Vellum and backed it with a piece of Lovely Lilac.  The butterfly is done on vellum (Flight of the Butterfly).  It is a Two-Step Stamp which means I stamped the first stamp – the butterfly outline – in White Craft Ink and embossed it.  Then I stamped the “filler” butterfly in Lilac.  I just love two-step stamping!  The “congratulations” is from a retired set from Saleabration.

Deal of the Week #4

Deal of the Week #4: Vanilla Hodgepodge Hardware

Stampin' Up!'s Styled Vanilla Hodgepodge Hardware adds class to any project. Get it for just $18.99 (over 30% off the regular price of $29.95)—only July 20-26!

Throughout July, be sure to check here every Monday for the week's new deal.

Teaser

Now – as you know being a Stampin' Up! demonstrator I get to see all the new stuff early – and I can't wait to share with you all the absolutely exciting new items coming to you this fall. I will however, will tease you a bit:

Stampin' Up! has a new line of jewelry. Jewelry, you ask? Well this is high quality jewelry that you can add your own artwork to. I can't wait to get my PAWS on these.

Speaking of PAWS… Stampin' Up! has teamed up with Build-A-Bear Workshop! Wait until you see this cute stuff! So many different things – not just stamps….. Stay tuned online for more information

Speaking of being online…Stampin' Up! is also going digital!! I am so excited about this one – this won't be available right away in September, but will be available this coming fall. There are endless possibilities with the Stampin' Up! Digital Studio!

Have I tickled your creativity bone?? I hope so! Now I bet you are thinking …."I need to host a workshop" and you do because you'll want to be one of the first to get your inky fingers on these great new products.

Contact me and I can help you out!!

Card Shares

My June Monday Mailer partner got ubba-busy in June and wasn’t able to send me a card each week.  But, she made up for it at the end of the month and sent me 5 all together!  So, thought I’d share a couple with you today.

This one uses the cute Zoofari.  I don’t have this set, but Ashley does and I have borrowed it from her on occasion.

This card uses Just Jawing.  Since I don’t have young kids/teens, this set has just never done anything for me … cute card but just not my style.  But, it’ll make a great card to send to one of the granddaughters!!  They’ll think I’m cool!

SU Product Guide

I don't know if you are aware that Stampin' Up has a Product Price Guide where you can find products in a specific price range for easy shopping. It's the perfect place to go to when you are shopping for a gift for a special occasion. It's broken down into products under:

• $10.00


• $25.00


• $50.00


• $100.00

What's even better is that within each price range, it's broken down further into categories such as:

• Stamps
• Vinyl art
• Paper Products
• Ink-cetera
• Accessories
• Tools
• Storage

Check it out HERE.

Busy Day & a Monday Mailer for you

After being a “vegetable” all week (veggin’ ya know??), I made a full day of it today!  Started out this a.m. playing mahjong …. and actually won a couple of dollars!!  After leaving my friends house, I headed into Mooresville to meet my sister and my mom to go to a movie.  We went to see My Sister’s Keeper – a real tear jerker.  I actually preferred to book to the movie, but the movie was still good.  The two little girls deserve an Academy for their acting.  Marianne had not read the book and I heard her over there just sobbing.  If you get a chance, go see it!  After the movie, we did a little shopping …. high dollar stuff!  We went to the Dollar Store!!  Then we headed on over to Donato’s Pizza for dinner.  If you have a Donato’s in your area, their pizza is really good.  I love their thin crust. 

So, here’s the card I got this week from my Monday Mailer partner.  She, like me, hadn’t gotten her new Stampin’ Up goodies so had to make do with what she had.  It’s still a cute (and very bright) card – don’t you agree?  She used the new Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp.  The cupcake and flower are die cuts. 

Monday Mailer

I’ve been waiting all week to share the Monday Mailer I sent to my partner this week.  I wanted to let her receive it first. 

Anyhoo … you know, I love Michelle Zindorf’s work and try every so often to duplicate her cards.  This is the one I did this week:

The colors I used were:  Bashful Blue & Bermuda Bay for the mountains; Old Olive & Crushed Curry for the ground and the little tree.  I stamped the flowers with black ink and used my white gel pen to highlight them.  The cardstock is Bermuda Bay and Crushed Curry.  I’m pretty proud of this card!!

Stampingly, Sharon

In Color Combos

I’m starting to play around with the new in colors and find, like many others, I need to tone them down a bit!!  If you’re wondering what other Stampin’ Up colors will match with the new colors, here’s a helpful chart for you.

 

So, what do you think?  Need your shades?? 

To make your own “go together” colors, visit this site and pick your SU color combos.   It’s fun!  I’ve also added this site to my sidebar so you can check it any time you want!

Now, go CREATE!!

Doctor Bag

Don't miss your chance to get this incredible Big Shot Doctor's Bag this week at 30% off the regular price. This bag is awesome - don't you just love it?

Regular Price: $69.95
Special Price: $49.99

Item #113474

Your Savings: $19.96!

This offer is only good for ONE WEEK: starting today through Monday, July 13th, 9:50am!