Attention Stampers: Extra $25 Hostess Promotion through August 31

Stampin’ Up! just announced that for a limited time, workshop hostess benefits  for a workshop of $350 will be increased by $25 in Stampin’ Up! products!  This means if your workshop order of $350 is placed by August 31st, you will receive the normal hostess benefits of your choice of a Level 1 or Level 2 Hostess gift  and $40 in Stampin’ Up! products + $25 in products. 

I have dates open for your workshop.  Just call or email me and we will start planning.  You can even start collecting orders right now!

Blessings,

Diane

 

Technorati Tags: SU!,Hostess,Promotions

Under Construction.......Thanks for your patience!

I am redesigning my blog, so it may be messy for a few days and I appreciate your patience.  I am trying to design a custom header and background and really am not sure of what I'm doing!  Come back and check out my progress!!!

Blessings,

Fabulous Friday!!! Part 3 – 23.4 lbs. of Fun!!!!!!!!!

What a great week this has been!  I have played in my craft room all week trying to use all my new catalog Stampin’ Up! stuff.  I made a few cards, got to visit with new and old stamping friends, rode to Chattanooga with my sweet Lisa (well, not really ride- she was driving and we were talking on the phone) and today talked for 45 minutes with my good friend and stamping buddy Cleo. 

Plus, I started Nutrisystem on Tuesday and have had fun trying out their food.  Usually I am waiting outside for Brown (UPS) to deliver my Stampin’ Up! order, but on Monday I was waiting on my big ole box of food!  140 meals – 5 weeks of food.  So, I went to the grocery early Tuesday to get fruit and veggies to supplement and then dropped by my mom’s garden for fresh tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers.  So far, so good.  As of this morning I had already lost a pound!  Yoo-hoo.  Many more to go, but I am pumped about how easy this is.  No planning.  Just read the book and do what it says.

Back to the important stuff- making cards!  Here’s a couple of cards made with a couple of pounds from my first new catty order.  I loved these so much that I made several of each.  Both are a variation of examples in the new Idea Book and Catalog.  The samples in the catty are absolutely awesome and I know I will be CASEing even more of them. 

Isn’t this gorgeous?  10 minutes from cutting to finish – Easy Peasy. I used several new items (listed below), but the main image is the brand new A la Carte stamp  Elizabeth.  And everytime I think of the name, I keep hearing “ Oh, E-liz-a-beth” by the Statler Brothers.  For you younger folks and non-country fans, the Statler Brothers ruled the group category of country music for more than 20 years.  That pretty, pretty flower started out white and I colored it with my Pear Pizazz Stampin’ Marker to make it fit my card.  These flowers are a brand new item and you get 40 daisies (10 each of 4 sizes) for only $6.95.  It’s a steal! (item # 110243, page 188)

Here are the deets: (All supplies by Stampin’ Up! and available in the 2010-11 Idea Book and Catalog.)

Stamps:  Because I Care – Hostess Level 1, Elizabeth (A la Carte stamp #117120, $9.95  – page 18)
Paper:  Daffodil Delight Textured, Very Vanilla
Ink:  Early Espresso, Pear Pizazz (Marker)
Accessories:  Pearls, Punches: Oval and Scallop Oval,Paper Daisies,  Stampin’ Marker, Pear Pizazz ribbon, Scallop Trim Border Punch, Dimensionals, SNAIL

I was fortunate to earn this gorgeous set of 7, Simple Friendship,  during Sale-A-Bration.  A big thank you “shout out” to my customers for helping me get free stuff!  The sweet sentiment is from the 4 piece Thank You Kindly set that I use almost every day.  It’s one of those “go to” sets that you keep on your craft desk.

Deets: Stamps:  Simple Friendship (#113397-page 108, $25.95; Thank You Kindly (#111700-page 158, $13.95)  Both of these are wood mount only
Paper:  Crumb Cake (formerly Kraft), Naturals White
Ink:  Chocolate Chip, Crumb Cake
Accessories:  1-3/4 Circle Punch, Paper Snips, Stamp-a-ma-Jig, Kraft Taffeta ribbon (retired), Dimensionals, SNAIL

I’ve been making covered notebooks and Post It note holders all day long.  I can’t stop- intervention is needed!  So stay tuned ‘cause next post I am gonna tell you all about these cute projects as well as the saga of the falling chandelier.

Technorati Tags: SU!,Stampin' Up!,Thinking of You,Thanks,Punches

23.4 lbs. of Fun – Part 2

Hallelujah, Glory Be To Our Great God!  Can’t stop humming that song from our worship service this morning.  I hope that you and your family also enjoyed an awesome Sunday worship. 
Latisha Yoast, aka 1busymomof2, is being honored this week as the Featured Stamper on Splitcoaststampers.  If you have a chance, drop by and take a gander at her amazing gallery.  If you aren’t already checking out SCS and the amazing creations and tutorials and just about everything under the sun…go right now and take a look.  Lots of great ideas, card and scrapbook sketches…you get the picture.  I would love for you to browse through my gallery on SCS too…..Lost in the 60’s.
Now, to further honor Latisha, I have chosen one of her creations to CASE (Copy and Share Everything), changing an item or two to make it my own.  I chose to CASE this card.
And, as Part 2 of 23.4 lbs. of Fun…I am using a bunch of brand new stuff from Stampin’ Up! including my very favorite new stamp set Just Believe.  I predict this awesome set of 9 be around for a very long time.  I’ve included a picture of the set.  Also used, for the first time, Presto Patterns Specialty Designer Paper. It’s the pinkish layer behind the image.  I sponged it with Blushing Bride ink and like magic, err, Presto!, the pattern appeared and it is GORGEOUS.  Can’t wait to demonstrate this at my next workshop.  More new stuff Pear Pizazz stamp pad and ribbon and the Blushing Bride ribbon, plus the Pearl accents.  All in all, it was a pretty easy card to make…but IRL (In Real Life) it is stunning.  Take a look:

Give me a shout if you want to learn how to make this pretty all occasion card.  Hope your weekend is continuing to be peaceful and restful.

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Technorati Tags: FS180,Just Believe,In Colors,SU!,SCS

23.4 lbs. of Fun – Part 1

Brown arrived at my house last week with 23.4 lbs. of brand spankin’ new playthings from the 2010-11 Stampin’ Up! Idea Book and Catalog.  For those of you who do not know about Brown, that is our nickname for the UPS truck.  I tore open the box and sorted through my order….16 new stamp sets, stamp pads, a zillion packs of new color paper, pearls, jewels, brads, markers, paper flowers, designer series paper, etc. etc.  It was like Christmas in July. 

So, my goal is to put ink to all the stamp sets so you can see what you can create with these gorgeous images.  Today I decided to play in Splitcoaststampers Inspiration Challenge – IC241 based on this website.  I chose this interesting tea towel as my inspiration and used the new masculine stamp set, Countryside.

I sponges the edges of the outer layers and designer paper with Always Artichoke and Early Espresso and watercolored the apples and grass on the main image.  The twine is from my father’s garden stash- he uses it to tie up the tomatoes (which are just getting ripe and are de-licious!).

I will be working on Part 2 tomorrow, so stay tuned.  The new sets include:  Elizabeth, Simple Friendship, Tag Alongs, Come to Bethlehem and my favorite, Just Believe.

Stay cool and enjoy the weekend.

Technorati Tags: IC241,Masculine,SU!,SCS

Because I Care…..about Cleo- it’s Elemental!

My dear friend and stamping buddy Cleo celebrated her birthday last week and I regret I wasn’t able to join in the festivities.  She and her precious daughter Leisa Jane live about 2-1/2 hours away and I don’t get to see them nearly often enough.  But, I did take the time to make a special birthday card for her.  I think I’ve mentioned before that making a card for a fellow stamper puts a lot of pressure on the creative process.  It’s just got to be perfect!  Well, this card isn’t perfect, but I was very pleased with the way it turned out.

I used the terrific new Level 1 Hostess set, Because I Care.  It is truly one of the prettiest hostess sets that Stampin’ Up! has ever offered.  I love hydrangeas (who doesn’t) and have already made a box full of cards with the image.  Lots of new stuff on this card- at least new to me.  The punches, butterfly embosslits, paper and ink.  Tell me how you like it…..here are a few techniques I used:

• Watercolored the main image and a bunch of little flowers
• Added flower centers using a white gel pen
• Clear embossed the whole lot
• Cut out the main image and all the little flowers and the leaves
• Sponged the edges of the two embossed butterflies

I used the same techniques on the Elements of Style card (first ink on it), plus used the little flowers from the Because I Card set.  I’m pretty proud of myself and, since I usually make two of every card so I have one to keep, I can admire my creations all day long!  (insert a chuckle here)

 

 

Here’s another tip that I learned from Cleo and Leisa Jane…..your card is not finished unless the inside and the envelope is decorated.  I’ve included photos of the inside and I also decorated the envies just as nicely.  I hope the recipients smile when they see a card from me in their mailbox and know I was thinking of them when I made it.  That smile is my reward!

I would love to show you how to make these cards.  Just give me a shout and we will get together.  In the meantime, you can get all the supplies in my online store.  Just click here.

Supplies: Stamps:  Because I Care – Hostess Level 1, Elements of Style (current Idea Book and Catalog)
Paper:  Early Expresso, Very Vanilla, Concord Crush, Regal Rose, Pretty in Pink, Perfect Plum, Elegant Eggplant
Ink:  Perfect Plum, Cherry Cobbler, Old Olive, Early Espresso
Accessories:  SU! Pearls, Punches: Oval and Scallop Oval, Dies for Big Shot: Beautiful Wings Embosslits, Big Circle, Scallop Circle, Signo White Gel Pen, Sponges, Dimensionals, SNAIL, Versamark, AquaPainter,

Technorati Tags: SU!,Birthday,Flowers,Embossing,Butterfly,Big Shot

Terrific Weekend! New Baby and the Name Game….

Oh, what a terrific weekend!

All my children were here visiting and we were also blessed with a new addition to our family.  Sons Scott and Bo and sweet DIL Jennifer arrived at various times during the week and we had such fun.  We celebrated (a little late) Jennifer’s birthday- she turned 29 on July 4th, and niece Marcie and hubby Michael’s first child, Easton James Williams, arrived at 5:12 a.m. on July 10.   I cannot believe I was holding this sweet angel just 30 minutes later.  Things have really changed since my fellas were born.  All went well- God is good.  I’ve added a few photos – isn’t he adorable?

View Full Album

It was so nice having my boys and Jennifer around for a few days.  We ate great and large and visited family and laughed and just had a great time.  It was totally a baby weekend because Bo and Jennifer are having our first grandchild in early December!  And it’s a girl!!! Jennifer is doing great and we are all so excited about this miracle baby.   At Jenn’s birthday get together we all got to “vote” on the name.  Bo posted the “top ten” on a chalkboard and everyone voted for their top three.  Scott assigned a value to each place and tallied the official results.  And the winner?  ISABELLA….with AnnaKate and AnnaBelle coming in 2nd and 3rd.  I guess we all knew that Bo and Jenn’s top name has been Isabella from the get-go and they hadn’t even heard of Twilight when they picked it!   So, as of today and, maybe subject to change, we will be welcoming Isabella Song Stader later this year.  Sweet!!!

Sure hope your weekend was wonderful too.

 

 

Technorati Tags: Bo,Jenn,Marcie,Michael,Scott,Baby,Isabella,Easton

New Idea Book and Catalog is Here! Check out this hostess set…..

The brand spankin’, hot off the press, new and gorgeous Stampin’ Up! Idea Book and Catalog is here and you can order from it right now!  My Wish List is pages long and I am waiting very impatiently for my first order and recent workshop order to ship.  Take a look- you’re gonna love it just like I do. 

Just look at this Level 1 Hostess gift- just one of several you can choose from with a $150 workshop or individual order (plus you get $15 in free merchandise).  It is Because I Care and is a set of 5 available in wood or clear mount.

Tomorrow is July 4th and I want to take a moment to say thanks to all the brave men and women who are leading the charge for our freedom.  I am humbled by your loyalty and service.

To all of my friends- thank you for taking the time to visit me and I hope you have a wonderful holiday.

Supplies: Stamps:  Because I Care – Hostess Level 1
Paper:  Pear Pizazz, Early Expresso, Very Vanilla
Ink:  Early Expresso
Accessories:  Pearls, Antique Brass HPH, Scallop Trim Border Punch, Scallop Oval punch, non-SU ribbon (waiting on my order of Early Expresso), Dimensionals, SNAIL

Technorati Tags: SU!,Punches,In Colors,Sympathy