Woo Hoo!!!!  The 2011-2012 Stampin' Up! Catalog is officially released...and it's awesome.

 
Isn't she lovely?

 I have added a link to the on-line catalog in the right side bar. 

Go ahead...click it. 

I dare you.

Grab some coffee and allow yourself to get lost in the creativity. 

You won't be disappointed.

And, when you've come to the last page, start over.  There will be things you notice the second time that you missed the first time.

Go ahead.  You deserve this.

And, when you realize your wish list keeps growing every time you turn a page, I have a proposition for you...

Being a demonstrator isn't just a matter of getting your supplies at a discount, it's an opportunity to run your own business, be your own boss, and having an earning potential that YOU determine.

I would love to have you on my team.

Contact me at: [email protected]

Let the creativity begin...

No, I'm not going anywhere, but the 2010-2011 Stampin' Up! Idea Book and Catalog is.  Today is the last day to purchase products from that catalog.  All retiring stamps and accessories are available only through the end of the day. For a complete list of last chance items, please refer to the links on the right side bar. Click here to visit my on-line store.

While I'm sad to see some of my favorite things go I am excited about the new products in the 2011-2012 Idea Book and Catalog...and you will be too! Just a bit of housekeeping before I show you today's project.  My online store and demonstrator website will be down for maintenance on July 1st from 7am to noon (MT).  This will allow all the new catalog information to be updated.  The store will be back in business 2PM (EST)!  I will also be updating my blog with new information over the weekend too, to include access to the catalog on-line.  And finally, if you want need a new catalog, please let me know.  I will make arrangements with locals for a pick-up.  If you are not in the Central FL area, I ask you pay the $4.95 priority shipping cost (US residents only).

Ok, on to today's project.  This is a continuation from my previous post - all about pretty packaging. 

I already had my sewing machine out and I had some "fun" fabric laying out so I grabbed my Island Floral die (#118871) and Big Shot machine (#113439) and cut out this flower and petals.  I really like this fabric and the bright, bold colors are eye-catching.

The flower is adhered to the box with mini glue dots and the box itself is another Big Shot die called Box #2 (#114518).  In order to match the blue color on the fabric, I  used some retired card stock (do you remember Brilliant Blue??).  The corduroy brad is also retired but available in the Clearance Rack section of my online store.  (There are some GREAT bargins in the Clearance Rack section - you need to check them out!).  And to tie things up, I used 5/8" Real Red grosgrain ribbon - which, by the way, is also retiring as of today. To add that final, personal touch, I added two sentiments from the Tiny Tags stamp set (#118592) and punched them out using the Jewelry tag punch (#117190) and wrapped them around the brad using white Baker's Twine (#124262).  To make this projects from beginning to end took less 20 minutes including the flower!

I encourage you to break out alternative materials and try them with your Big Shot.  You won't be disappointed.  Wait...what?  You don't have a Big Shot?? Luckily, I can help you with that too!

Thank you for visiting.  See you next time with a brand new catalog!!

There is a flurry of activity in the blogging world now with samples made from the soon-to-be-released Stampin' Up! catalog.  One of the benefits of being a demonstrator is the ability to pre-order product and get samples made.  Now that my product has *finally* made its way to me, I'll join in on the excitement.

 
Today's card is a 3x6 card that features the new Stampin' Up! punch called Petite Pennant Builder. This new punch has so much potential and is a lot of fun to work with.  The scallop pennant is a perfect fit for the straight edge pennant and we stampers love our layers!  The punch also corresponds with several sets in the new catalog.  I promise you won't be disappointed.

This card also uses new designer scrapbook paper called Just Add Cake.  It has great color combinations along with some fun patterns.  The lighting on this card is a bit off, but the colors in the DSP are Wild Wasabi, Baja Breeze, So Saffron and Peach Parfait.  It's a great combo for either gender.

Join me again on Monday when I will show another sneak peek from the new catalog.  In the meantime, time is running out to purchase the retiring stamps and accessories from the current catalog.  Get them while you can! 

Visit my online store today to check out some great values!

Click here to Shop now

In the Summer Mini Catalog, Stampin' Up! has an offer you can't refuse - especially if you or someone you love has been touched by breast cancer.  Beginning from May through August 31st, SU! is donating $2 from the purchase of each set to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF). This money will be used to fund clinical and translational research worldwide.  The Strength and Hope set also comes in digital form for only $9.95.

Click below to view the stamp set and digital set:

Download Strength_Hope_Images

My card today was a tribute to my cousin who lost her battle to breast cancer 10 months ago.

I added an interesting dimensional element to this card - a flattened bottle cap and an epoxy cover.  I really like it.  Other elements on this card include Vintage Flower Adornments, lace ribbon and the Elegant Lines embossing folder for the Big Shot.

This card was completed by both of my monthly stamp camps and everyone loved the vintage feel and look of the card.  For those who did not want to have the "H" for hope in the center, the substituted another letter from an alphabet set.  A big "thank you" to all of my ladies who have purchased this set to date.

The clear mount set is only $13.95 and the wood set is $17.95.  Won't you please consider owning this awesome set while at the same time making a contribution to one of
the leading research foundations for breast cancer research? 

Thanks for stopping by.

Ok, seriously...I have creativity overload.

 I'm exhausted, but my mind won't let my body go to sleep. 

I had SO MUCH FUN today!!!  I spent the day at the Stampin' Up! Regional Seminar in Orlando meeting hundreds and hundreds of new and experienced papercrafters.  I was a "helper", which basically means I went around helping people with their projects when they needed it. I just can't get over the amount of talent out there. In my nine years with the company, I can honestly say I continue to learn as much today as I did the day I joined. Awesome.

I spent the day with 500 of my closest friends, including Amber, who is not only a dear friend, but she is also on my Ink Happens! team.  Amber, being an art teacher, has a natural talent for this craft.

Here is a picture (a poor one) of the seminar during a break.  Each picture shows one half of the room.  As I mentioned above, there were 500 of us so it was hard to get us all in one shot.

 
Oh, take a look at this:

We had "snack time" at 3:00pm and they provided us with these fabulous cupcakes.  Delish!

And finally, here is a photo of one of my swaps. I received some really nice cards in return.  You'll probably see some of them in the near future.  I can't wait to replicate some of them!

 
I'll have to add the "recipe" for this card at a later date.  I'm so tired now I can barely think. 

Thanks for stopping by and letting me share a bit of my day with you!

Stampin' Up! is truly an amazing company.  They are continuously reaching out to help make the world a better place.  Whether it is a monetary need due to a tragic event or cause they care deeply about, SU! has gone deep into their pockets to help.  And, they're about to do it again.

Beginning May 1st through August 31st, Stampin' Up! will start a new promotion called the Strength and Hope Campaign.  For each set sold during this time, SU! will donate $2 to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.  Demonstrators are able to order their sets now. 

 This card uses some of the stamps from that new set. The set will come in a clear or wood mount option.  And, SU! will also offer a digital kit too that will include designer paper and embelishments. I will be posting more about this campaign as it draws closer.  Please consider purchasing this set - it is going to such a worthy cause.  All of us have been touched by breast cancer in one form or another.  Woudln't it be great if we could do our part to eradicate this disease?

Supplies Used:

Stamps: Hope and Strength

Paper: Crumb Cake,Pretty in Pink, Very Vanilla

Ink: Crumb Cake, Pretty in Pink

Accessories: Fancy Flower punch, Antique Brads, Victoria Lace, Big Shot, Perfect Dots embossing folder

Thanks for stopping by.

If you are new to Stampin' Up! or are interested in learning more about our products, I encourage you to take a moment to view the video below.  Shelli Gardner is Stampin' Up!'s co-founder and provides a brief overview of what Stampin' Up! offers. Enjoy!

It's been a long time coming, but I am happy to tell you the quality issue we were experiencing with the 2-3/8" Scallop Circle Punch (#118874) have been resolved.  It is now available to order and our supply is ready to go.

Thank you for your patience as Stampin' Up! works to continue to provide you with high-quality products.

 
Yes, it really is the most wonderful time of year! It's time to Sale-a-brate! It only happens once and year and for a limited time only (January 25 through March 31, 2011). For those of you who may not know what Sale-a-bration is (gasp!), it's a great way to earn FREE product.  EVERYONE is a winner with this promotion.  For every $50 you spend, you get to choose from a select group of product which includes stamps, Designer Series Paper, a ribbon and button pack, Decor Elements and more for FREE!

Click here to view the Sale-a-bration brochure.

There are three way for you to earn free products:

Spend: Customers will receive a free Sale-a-Bration product for evrey $50 they spend (before tax and shipping).

Host a workshop: A hostess will receive free Sale-a-Bration product for every $300 in workshop sales IN ADDITION to the regular hostess benefits (excludes on-line orders).

Join: New recruits will receive 15% off their starter kit (standard or the digital kit), plus a special Sale-a-bration bonus bundle valued up to $50!

This really IS the most exciting time of the year!

If you are in the Orlando, FL area and would like to hostess a workshop, call me so reserve a date!

Contact me today if you would like to learn more or to place your order!

Happy Sale-a-brating!

Hi Friends!

Today begins a month-long birthday celebration from Stampin' Up!  SU is turning 20 and as a result is offering 20% off select stamp sets.  To view the complete list, you can click this link.  I will also have the flier on my sidebar this afternoon.

In addition to the birthday promotion, today is also the first day of the Holiday Mini Catalog.  There are awesome stamp sets and accessories to choose from.  View the Holiday Mini catalog here.  A mini catalog link will also be on my sidebar.

And, just to make all this shopping easier for you, you can now buy directly from ME on my Stampin' Up! website!!  Is that nice of me or what?  Simply visit my site at: http://thejoyofstamping.stampinup.net and then click on the "SHOP NOW" button in the upper right corner.  No more waiting for me to input your order - it's now at your finger tips 24 hours a day!

Today's post is short.  I am tending to a very sore mouth after an aggressive dental procedure yesterday.  I'll be back tomorrow!

Mary Ann