My Computer Crashed

Yes, it happened to me. The thing we all think will never happen to us. My computer crashed and I lost everything. I'm trying not to stress too much. After all in the grand scheme of things this is a little thing. We are currently in the process of getting a new computer so I hope to have a newsletter out by the end of next week and new samples on the blog sometime next week.

Simply Sent Kits 20% Off

October 4-8 Stampin' UP! is offering 20% off all Simply Sent Card kits. These kits are awesome, they include everything, yes, everything that you need to make cards including instructions. This is a great gift idea!! I need all orders by 5p October 8th.

To take a look at the different Kits take a look at the online catalog, here's the link:http://catalogs.shoplocal.com/stampinup/index.aspx?pagename=shopmain&fsid=d8bf2c5d-1226-47e6-87e7-e6404e6e5c38&storeid=1038724&circularid=10999

World Card Making Day

Saturday October 6th paper crafters around the world will be celebrating World Card Making Day. I love to make cards because it's fun, I love to make cards because it's relaxing. But I also love to make cards because I love to give cards. I think that most people appreciate the hand stamped cards. That is what this day is all about, making cards to share a little bit of happiness. Yes, I am a hopeless optimist. Yes I think sending someone a handstamped card CAN make the world a better place. So in honor of World Card Making Day I'm going to host a Stamp-a-Stack from 10am-noon on Saturday Oct 6th. For $10 you will make 8 cards, 4 your will keep and send to someone you love, 4 I will keep and send to soldiers that are serving overseas. This is a very small and easy way to say a big ThankYou!!. The cards will be a mix of thank you, thanksgiving and Christmas. This is a sample of one of the cards we will be making. My goal is to end 100 cards to soldiers overseas between now and Christmas. . .will you help??

Merry & Bright

I love the new little Merry and Bright Set. It's so cute and so versatile!! I don't always like small stamps because I don't know what to do with them but I love this set. And the snowman fits perfectly into the circle punch!!

I'm sure you will see these at one of the four Christmas Card stamp-a-stacks that I'm offering this season.

Snowman Card:

Stamp Set: Merry & Bright

Cardstock: Confetti, Certainly Celery, Real Red

Ink: Basic Black

Accessories: Blender Pen, 1 1/4 circle punch, 1 3/8 circle punch, scalloped circle punch, real red wide grosgrain ribbon.

Christmas Tree Card:

Stamp Set: Merry & Bright

Cardstock: Almost Amethyst, Confetti, Certainly Celery

Ink: Basic Black, Almost Amethyst

Accessories: Blender pen, Pretty in Pink Ribbon, rhinestone brads.

Fall Stamp Camp

I have been really busy making samples for upcoming classes the last two days. I'm sorry to admit that I'm not usually this organized (I'm trying though). Usually the day before the class I look to see how many people are coming and frantically start making projects and cutting supplies. I'm trying to plan ahead more so that you can see what you will make at the class.

Here are some samples of what we will be making at the October Stamp Camp--it's a Fall Theme. We will be making a gratitude journal, coaster, decorated candy jar and one or two cards.

When:Tuesday October 9th 7p

Where: My house (email for directions)

Cost: $20 (read the fall frenzy article to find out how to attend this class for free)

RSVP by October 4th.

Fall Frenzy Promotion

Don't forget to take advantage of Stampin' UP!'s great September promotion. This is a great time to get ready for fall holidays. And in addition to to the 30% off, I will give you free admission to my Fall Stamp camp coming up on October 9th. When you call or email your order to me, just mention this additional perk. This special is only for my Blog readers!!

Fall Frenzy Promotion
Spend $30 in regular priced merchandise and qualify to purchase one of each of the six promotional stamp sets at 30 percent off!
Item Page # Description Discounted Price
105355 26 Bitty Boos Too $12.57
109284 29 Haunting Halloween $13.27
107383 30 Thoroughly Thankful $16.07
109373 108 Autumn Fest $16.77
109421 91 Elementary Essentials $19.57
110366 17 Stem Silhouettes* $22.37

School Days Scrapbook

I'm always excited to try new things, especially when stamping is involved. Well I'm trying something new on the business end of stamping. I've partnered with the Indy Parks Department to offer a 6 x 6 "School Days" Scrapbook class. I will be teaching the class October 3rd at 6:30pm at the Broadripple park. This is so exciting for me because it's a chance to meet new people. It also got me to do something I was really dreading, that is figure out a way to scrapbook the kids school years with out getting overwhelmed. For this project I decided to use the KISS method, Keep It Simple Stamper. I used the Primary Colors Simply Scrappin Kit and created a two page spread for each grade K-8. On one page will be for a 3 1/2 x 5 school picture, the other page will contain a journal card for teacher names, activities and friends. There will also be a journal card that simply says notes at the top so that you can choose to write anything you want. The scrapbook will be completed in one night, then as your child finishes each grade you can take time to reflect on the year and journal in this scrapbook. There will be room for expansion if you choose to add in the high school years later. I've included a picture of a sample two page spread, the full album is on display at the Broadripple Park.

If you would like to take this class you can call the Broadripple Park at 327-7099.

What: School Days Scrapbook

When: October 3rd 6:30

Where:Broadripple Park

Cost: $45 (this include all of the supplies including a 6x6 linen scrapbook)

Christmas Stamp-a-Stack

Hey Guys are you ready for Christmas? No? That's okay because I am, and I'm ready to help you. My first Christmas Card Stamp-a-Stack is coming up quick so make sure to RSVP to get your spot. I need all rsvps by September 20th. We will make 15 cards. Probably the ones in the picture--but I might change some of them a bit.

When: Tuesday September 25th 7-9pm

Where: My house (east side of Indy, call or email for directions)

Cost: $20

These cards use the following sets: Loads of Love, Snowflake spot, Snow, Star Studded, City of David and Merry and Bright.

Louisville Regional Seminar

I had the most awesome weekend. I attended a Stampin' Up! Regional Seminar is Louisville KY on Saturday. On learned so much and I can't wait to share it with all of you. Some of you may be wondering what exactly happens at a seminar like this. Well let me tell you that the fun starts in the car on the way down. I went with 5 other Stampin' Up! demonstrators. We shared class ideas, great gifts to give our hostesses, and even some organizational tips. Once at regionals--the swaps began. I made about 45 card fronts and 6 tile coasters to swap. we swap card fronts because the purpose is to get ideas not cards and it's a little cheaper and faster to make multiples. Some people made as many as 100 swaps. My swaps were gone before they even open the doors to the main room. I wish I would have brought more, but I got a lot of great ideas. Everybody makes cards and projects differently, so it's great to see what other people have done. Once inside the room we found a table and began putting together or free stamp set!! Yes I said free, all attendees received a stamp set called "So Much". I have to admit I didn't think much of this set when I saw it in the catalog--but now I'm in love. During the day we had classes on techniques, products (I've fallen in love with the Coluzzle and the crop-a-dile) class ideas (You'll be hearing more about a really cool holiday decor class) and business ideas. These classes are taught by both Stampin' Up! employees and some of the top demonstrators. It's really great to see what "real demonstrators" do in their workshops. Throughout the day we have the opportunity to make several projects using our new stamp set and another cool stamp set out of the Mini catalog called "True Friend". There are display boards all around the room full of cards and scrapbook pages. there were literally hundreds of ideas displayed. Thankfully my friends all brought their camera because I forgot mine. So I'll show pictures of displays later. Then the 6 of us went to dinner and rehashed everything we learned, breaking it down to figure out exactly how we could make it work for us. It was a great day--thank you Stampin' UP!

Criss Cross Pocket Card

I'm just now starting to experiment with different folds for cards. I'm typically a pretty basic card maker, cut the cardstock in half, fold it in half and decorate. However I love these pocket cards. I especially love that you can really show off some of the great designer paper that stampin up offers.

Here are basic instructions:

Step One: Cut 81/2 x 11 cardstock at 4 1/4 inches

Step Two: score both pieces of cardstock at 5 1/2 inches

Step Three: (Here's the tricky part to explain) Cut each piece of cardstock at an angle from the scored corner to the outside corner.

Step Four:Glue the two pieces of cardstock together by layering the 4 1/2 x 5 1/2 sides of the cardstock together. This will create the back of the pocket .

Step Five: Fold the diagonal flap over each other adhering only at the bottom, this will create the top of the pocket.

Step Six: Create the note card inside (4 x 5 1/4 inches) and decorate as you wish.

If this doesn't make sense you are just going to have to come to the class on Tuesday and make one with me.

Just Like You Class

My new favorite stamp set is "Just like You". I seem to be going for it everytime I stamp. Which is why I decided to vote a whole class to just one stamp set. I even love the designer paper that matches--I really do love when things coordinate.

We will be making a notebook, gift box, a regular card or two and a cool criss cross pocket card.

When: Tuesday September 11th 7pm

Where:My House

Cost: $20

RSVP: By Friday Sept 7th.

When the leftovers are better than the original

On Saturday I will be attending a Stampin' UP! Regional Seminar. One of the best parts of any Stampin' Up! event is swaping cards with other demonstrators. So this week I've been working on my swaps, I designed two different cards and I made 20 or each design. Now in the world of swaps that's not a huge number. Some of the demonstrators that I'm going with are making 80! Anyway, I had some scraps laying on my table after I was done and decided there were enough scraps on the table for me to make one more if I altered the colors slightly. So I did, and I love the outcome. In fact I love the card with the leftovers more than I love the original design.

Stamps: Define Your Life, Big Deal Alphabet

Ink: Groovy Guava, Chocolate Chip

Paper: Chocolate Chip, Groovy Guava, Rose Red, Certain Celery, Whisper White

Accessories:Hodgepodge Hardware, Groovy Guava stitched ribbon

I'm still working on getting a good picture--be patient.

Are you ready for Fall?

Are you ready for Fall? I am. I sat around a campfire this weekend and it felt great. I have even picked up a few leaves that have fallen in my front yard. That is what inspired this card. the leaves are a Jumbo Stampin' Around Wheel "Leaves Awash". I used Old Olive ink on Sahara Sand cardstock. then I colored with Really Rust and More Mustard Watercolor Crayons. Then I blended the colors with a blender pen. The leaves are backed with Old Olive cardstock and mounted on Really Rust cardstock. Then I stamped "Thankful Thoughts" in Old Olive. The sentiment is from the "Thoroughly Thankful" stamp set, which is great for fall and is currently on sale. To learn more about the sale check out the Stampin' UP Website at www.stampinup.com

My First Post--Goals

Wow, I'm so excited. This is my first official post to my blog. Let me start by telling you what my goals are for the blog. I plan on updating weekly, adding new samples with directions on how t o make the project. A future goal is to have tutorials on the blog (but I don't what to gt ahead of myself). I will also post information on classes and specials offered by Stampin' Up! much like I do with the monthly newsletters. I believe that in this craft, imitation is truly the highest form of flattery, so please feel free to CASE (copy and share everything). When you want to stamp but have no ideas I hope you can come here to "Paper Inklings" and get an inkling of what you can do.