August Stamps by Mail

-for “out of town” and “busy” stampers.  Receive the latest Stampin’ Up! products each month with supplies and instructions to make some fun projects. August - Three For You Punch Box

-Includes the Punch Box Kit (page 183), 30 FREE textured Love notes (3”x3” cards) from Stampin’ Up! and all the precut textured cardstock, ribbon and brads to complete the 30 cards as pictured from me, at no extra charge!   This is a fabulous kit and includes inkpads, punch and die cut stamps!  I have enjoyed it very much.  Now is the best time to purchase it and receive the extra freebies.Cost:  $45.95 plus shipping and tax (total $53.58).IMPORTANT:  Orders are due by August 20^th.  Receive your order and class projects about 10 days from then.

When Inspiration Strikes...

Convention is less than 3 weeks away and I am frantically trying to get some swaps done.  I have signed up for 2 scrapbook page swaps, 15 pages are required for each.  With new stamps in hand, I found inspiration for my page designs from cards.

Don't you just love the look of Black & White?  It's hot in fashion and in stamping!!  We made the card at a demonstrator shoebox swap last weekend using the new Pick-a-Petal stamp set.  The polka dots were made by punching out circles with the 1/4" circle punch.  The trick is to put Snail adhesive on the cardstock before you punch, and the dots are ready to stick.  The scalloped border was created with the corner rounder punch.  Very neat trick and such a nice look.

I love the way the scrapbook page turned out and I can't wait to add some cute pictures of Bella to it.  Hopefully, my fellow swappers will like it, too.

 

Stampin' Up! has introduced 6 new IN COLORS this year, and I must say that  I love all the color combinations that I have tried so far!   The first card was designed by Jennifer Gilbert using the Baroque Motifs stamp set.  She used a pallette of Soft Sky, Purely Pomegranate, Mellow Moss, and a hint of Groovy Guava.

The second card was my attempt at using the new colors.  I used River Rock, Groovy Guava, and Soft Sky on a Close to Cocoa base.  Now here's what I love.....I stamped the paisley background in River Rock ink onto the River Rock cardstock, then stamped the flourish in Old Olive.  It gives the card such a nice, rich texture.  The flowers are double layered and were created with a paper toling technique taught to me by Jennifer.  I'll certainly be demonstrating at upcoming workshops and classes!  It's a real WOW! 

I wasn't sure how these cards would inspire a scrapbook page, but it worked out nicely.  I would have never thought to use this color combination, and yet, it looks very striking.  The Baroque Motifs stamp set is certainly very versatile.  I can't wait to try some of the coordinating accessories with it!!! 

I'm off to stamp some more!  Hope to see you at an upcoming class!

Melissa

Wild Roses for Mother's Day

Are you ready for Mother's Day?   At the gifts for mom class last week, we completed 3 projects:  the stamped frame, photo album, and coaster box.  The scrapbook pages were made at this month's scrapbook club.  All of the items were made with the Wild Rose stamp set and the Recollections Designer Series Paper.  I love the rich colors of Chocolate Chip, Cranberry Crisp, and True Thyme.  Unfortunately, all of the IN Colors will be retiring soon.  If you need to stock up on Cranberry Crisp, True Thyme, Buckaroo Blue, Cool Caribbean (another favorite!), Marigold Morning, or Vintage Violet, then call me today! 

 

And the winner is....

Julie Rupert sent me her list of 30 stamp sets that she guessed would retire......and she had 23 correct!  She has earned a FREE stamp set to add to her collection.  Congratulations!

I'm busy getting ready for the Great Scrapbook Escape next weekend and I'm very excited that I'll have time to work on my own scrapbooks.  If you weren't able to join us for this event, we have already booked October 12th and 13th for the next ESCAPE.  We'd love to see you there!

But first, I have had several classes and clubs this weekend, so I'll share with you what we've been up to....Friday was Funky Technique night.  We made 6 artist trading cards and learned 6 stamping techniques: 

Polished Stone, Kissing, Masking, Faux Mother of Pearl, Emboss Resist, and Dry Embossing.

Verda and Renee also completed the Gifts for Mom class on Friday night.  I'll share photos of the projects later this week.  They coordinate very nicely with the scrapbook pages we'll be making at scrapbook club on Sunday.

Please take a close look at the Stampin' UP! retirement list.  Stamp sets can be ordered anytime until June 30th, but the wheels are in very limited supply and many have already sold out.  Don't miss out!

Have a great week!

Melissa

So what stamp set is the FART in?

Two weeks ago, I had a stamp-a-stack that featured masculine cards.  The class was very well-attended, mostly because I think we all feel challenged to create a nice card for the men in our lives.  So, this week I'll be showing you the cards that we made at the class to inspire your Masculine creative side!

My rules for masculine cards are simple.....KEEP IT SIMPLE!  Men are not impressed with ribbons, eyelets, flowers, and such.  Save the goodies for your girlfriends!

You can click on each image to get a closer look.  So what stamp set is the FART in?  Happy Camper, of course!  It's on page 134 of the Idea Book & Catalog!

Happy Stampin'

Melissa

Back from hiatus....

I know it has been a LONG time since I last posted.  April is always a hectic month for me, and having a little one around doesn't make things any easier.  I'm sure many of you can relate!  I'm looking forward to getting away this evening for some stamping therapy.  Tonight is our April club meeting and we will be making a beautiful cork board and a Mother's Day card. 

The club meets each month and completes 1 or 2 stamping and/or scrapbooking projects.  The projects are a bit more advanced than what I usually demonstrate at a workshop, but the members always seem up for a challenge.  We also do a card swap, which everyone loves!  It's nice for all of the ladies to have a night out to do nothing but STAMP!!!

Additional clubs will be forming in July when the new catalog becomes available.  If you would like information, feel free to contact me anytime to learn more!

To make up for my absence, I thought we could have a bit of fun......the retirement list will be published on TUESDAY, MAY 1st.  Get out your catalog and make a list of the 30 stamp sets you feel are most likely to retire.  Submit all your answers to me by Monday night, April 30th.  The person with the most retired sets on their list will win a FREE STAMP SET!!!!

FINE PRINT:  Your guesses should only include stamp sets from the 2006-2007 Idea Book and Catalog.  Do NOT include hostess sets, the Ronald McDonald set, or any of the stamp sets listed on the Austrilain retirement list, wheels, kits, or other accessories.  In addition, the two word stamps that have already been announced as being retired, All Year Cheer II and Tiny Talk, can not be included in your guesses.  If for any reason the contents of Stampin' Up!'s retirement is announced, leaked, etc, prior to April 30, the contest will immediately end.

Have fun looking through the catalog!  And if you see something you can't live without, well....you know what to do!

Happy Stampin'

Melissa

And the winner is.....

I'm happy to announce that Vicky Merritt is the winner of my first blog contest.  She'll be receiving the Loves Me desinger series paper and Flirty ribbon.  Congratulations!                                          

Kim Norris (Verda's daughter) hosted a Stamp-a-Stack last night at her home in Noblesville.  We had a great time creating all of the cards you see above!  I'll be repeating this class on Friday, March 16th at the Stamp Shack.  There are still a few seats remaining, so if you would like to attend just let me know.

And remember if you see a class that you would like to attend, but have a scheduling conflict, I'm happy to teach any class to groups of 5 or more and we can schedule a time and location that is convenient for YOU!  Just ask!

Be sure to visit me at the Shine 99 Women's Fair at Johnanning Civic Center on Saturday, March 17th.  Mention this website and you'll also receive a free gift from me!

Happy Stampin'

Melissa