Big Shot Madness!

Every once in a while, Stampin' Up will have a promotion that I think is absolute MADNESS!  How can they offer such wonderful things?  And how can a company have a culture that is warm, creative, and loving?  I may not have all the answers, but I know for a fact that Shelli Gardner who founded the company, was meant to begin this wonderful company.  As an independent demonstrator, I feel like a part of Shelli's family every time I host a workshop or sit down to create something with my stamps and die cuts. 

Shelli's main focus is not on the products themselves, but on the relationships we build.  It doesn't really matter what the project is or how detailed you can make it - it's about who you share it with!  This is why I am a demonstrator.  This is the one area in my life where I feel successful every time I sit down and ink up. 

For the month of October, Shelli has done it again!  If you have had your eyes set on a Big Shot, this is the time to get it FREE! What? Did I say Free?  You heard me right!  Join my team of demonstrators and become a part of Shelli's extended family during the month of October, and Stampin' Up will GIVE you a Big Shot!

The demonstrator starter kit includes over $345 of products for only $175 - and you also receive the Big Shot if you join in October.  Already have a big shot?  Want free products anyway?  Well, you can have $100 of free products in place of a Big Shot!  WOW! 

For more information about this promotion, or to talk about joining the Stampin' Up family, give me a call!

Blessings

Congratulations to my brother-in-law (and wife) on the addition of little Connor Dade Lay to their family.  I had the honor of doing a newborn photo shoot for them just 7 days after he was born.  This is such a wonderful stage to capture on camera, and I wanted to share a few photos with you. 

Ready For Fall

Is summer almost over?  Normally I enjoy the summer heat, but this year seems to be just too much, too long.  I am ready for fall and the cool weather. 

In preparation for the Embossing Class on September 10th, I created this fall themed card.  Using craft ink and clear embossing powder, the focal point becomes a beautiful Not Quite Navy embossed leaf.  This is a quick and easy way to add a little elegance to your projects.

Be sure to RSVP for the class on September 10th!

Happy Stamping,
Angi

To Brayer, or to Sponge??

Oh, I have fallen in love with an old new tool! You heard me right, an old, new tool.  I purchased a brayer a while back, but have not been brave enough to pull it out and experiment with it.  Thanks to a few of my demonstrator friends, I have seen the brayer used on a few projects in the last few months and decided I would give it a try.

If you like to sponge, then you will probably like the brayer too.  I used my brayer on a technique called emboss resist, and I have to say that I prefer it over my sponge.  It is much faster and provides more even coverage.  Don't get me wrong, I will still use my sponge when I want that uneven look, but these particular projects were perfect for the brayer.

Colors: Card 1 - Rose Red, Early Espresso  Card 2 - Pumpkin Pie, Poppy Parade, Basic Gray

This technique, along with the cracked glass technique, will be featured in my upcoming card class on September 10th.

Event:  Embossing, Resisting, and Braying, Oh My!
When: September 10th
Time: 3 - 5 pm
Where: 701 S Indian Meridian, Choctaw
How: RSVP to 618-8717
Great Value: $15

Bring a friend and attend this class FREE -   I can't wait to see you there!

Happy Stamping,


Angi

Another Way to Use your Stamps

I have searched for a while to find coasters for my living room, but have not been able to find anything that matched my decor exactly (at least not something under $20). I've made several sets of coasters over the last few months, but always end up giving them away to friends or family as a gift.  Everyone seems to love these homemade items, and I am finally getting around to making a set for my own home.

I also made a hanging trash container to connect to one of my coasters for my stamping table so I don't have to get up to throw little scraps away.  To make this project, I used the big shot and clear scallop square die, tumbled marble tiles from Lowes, craft ink, so saffron ribbon, and some fabric scraps.   Here is a glimpse at how it turned out! (A special Thanks to Connie Stewart for this MARVELOUS idea!)

  You'll have to come to the coasters class later this month to see this complete project!

Class Date: August 20, 2011
Time: 3 PM to 5 PM
RSVP by: August 18, 2011. (You can RSVP after this date, but will need to supply your own tiles)
Class Fee: $15.00

Class Description:  Learn how to make beautiful, customized drink coasters for your home.  These coasters also make beautiful gifts for any occasion.   Your class fee includes material to make 4 coasters. 

The first person to RSVP will receive a free hanging trash container for your stamping table as a special thank you! So, don't delay and RSVP today!


Happy Stamping!

Angi

Pennants Punch, Anyone?

I have to admit, when I first saw this punch I immediately thought of a used car lot.  I know, I know.  It's silly, but true.  Once I got that picture out of my head, I was able to come up with a few ideas on how to use this punch.   At first, I thought I might be able to make a contempo flower using the pennants as the petals (and I still haven't given up on that yet).  It has taken me all week to finally come up with a few layouts that I enjoyed, but I had fun playing with this punch and was able to actually create my own layout this time instead of just copying someone else!  The majority of the time I get my inspirations from the demonstrator website or Stampin' Connection, but this time I had something particular in mind that I wanted to try.  Enjoy! 

(And, by the way, I have found that I really like this color combo - Rich Razzleberry, Island Indigo, and Pretty in Pink). The Creative Elements stamp set that was used in these layouts is very versatile, and the images are just the right size for cards.

Need Organization Help?

 As a crafter, I am sure you can relate to the need to have supplies organized.  I am always searching for new ideas on how to store supplies to make it easier to create something on a whim without having to go through the "I know I have that" routine.

A fellow Demonstrator with Stampin' Up, Jill Olsen, posted a video tour of her craft room that gave me some new ideas.  My favorite find on this video is the matchbook cars case used to store her ink refills! What a great idea . . ..now if I could only find the clear cases like that somewhere!

If you are in need of some inspiration to organize your space, take a peek at this video.  I also want to acknowledge Jill's recent promotion to Senior Advisor (the HIGHEST level that you can achieve at Stampin' Up!).  I hope you are as inspired by her as I am.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jRWpqc3Qjfw&feature=player_embedded

The Never Ending Card

I have seen several technique videos on this "Never Ending" Card, and I thought I would give it a try.  Boy, what an experience putting this together!  I'm not going to say that it was easy, but it wasn't difficult either.  Just a little more precise than I usually try to be when I'm stamping.

By nature, I have a perfectionist personality.  I've come to the realization that the reason I love paper crafting, stamping, and sewing so much is because of the built in imperfection.  These are my creative energy outlets where I don't feel bad when I make a mistake or something isn't the way I started out thinking it would be. .. .

This card is one example of that perfection.  I decided after I was done that I didn't like some of the colors I used, and the way I laid out each piece, but I enjoyed the process and learned a few KEY things about making this type of card.

I Love Embossing

One of my favorite "WOW" techniques is heat embossing.  I am always looking for new ways to use my embossing powder, and I put together this card using the "Cracked Glass" technique.

I will be demonstrating this technique in an upcoming embossing class. I love being a demonstrator because I get to learn techniques like this from the Stampin' Up Demonstrator website.  And, I'm going to share these ideas and techniques with you every time!  So, if you haven't already signed up for a class or the monthly club, give me a call.

Unbelievable Value!

For the month of July, Stampin' Up is offering a business starter kit for only $99!  This kit is valued at over $175, and it also comes with a FREE Christmas Keepsake box valued at $40.

 

The starter kit is normally $175, but this special will give you the opportunity to join for only $99!  And, the resources you will have are unbelievable.  From the demonstrator website to Stampin' Connection (a forum where other demonstrators post ideas, training videos, and pictures), you are sure to feel inspired and well equipped to sit down to create a beautiful piece of art or a simple greeting card for a friend.

Call me today to find out more!  This amazing special ends on July 31.

2011-2012 Catalog Launch

I can't believe that July is almost over!  The 2011-2012 Idea Book and Catalog was released on July 1st, and I have thoroughly enjoyed browsing through the pages and getting fresh ideas. 

My favorite stamp set right now is the hostess set, Faith in Nature.  I was able to pre-order the set and recently used it to make this beautiful card!  This was the first time that I used shimmer ink too! And WOW! Does that ever give it a unique touch and elegant finish. 

This Saturday, July 30th from 2 pm to 6 pm, I am hosting an Open House to launch the new catalog.  Come by and make this beautiful card, receive a special gift from me as a thank you (make sure you RSVP so I can create your gift!), and browse through the new catalog.

I am also holding a BUY one GET one free special to kick off the new catalog.  Buy any NEW set from the catalog, and you can choose one of my retired sets of equal or lesser value for FREE!  I've never offered this before because usually I love the stamp sets I buy so much that I can't bear to part with them.  However, my husband is getting nervous because I'm running out of room in my stamp cabinet . . ... .so I've agreed to reduce my inventory a little! So, FIRST come FIRST served!

Hope to see you there!  If you need directions, just give me a call.

Happy Stamping!

Angi

Back Again - Finally on the Technology Train

You would think that since I work in the Technology Industry as my "real job", that I would have jumped on the Blog train a while ago.  But, simply put, I just don't feel like getting back on the computer once I get home.  So, you can bet that my posts will be short and to the point (most of the time!). 

So, this post is my Dry Run for future posts.  The two cards below are from the All About Punches class from earlier this year.  Talk about fun! This class focused on using punches in a different way to get more use from them.  Cute, Cute, Cute! I have to say though, if you don't like working with tiny pieces of paper, you may want to say away from these projects! Whew! By the end of the class, we were all cross eyed putting these little guys together. I guess I really need to figure out how to watermark my pictures. . . .but for now. .. .here are a few.  If you happen to know how to add the watermark, please post the directions for me.

Welcome!

Welcome to my Blog Spot! 

After many months of debating whether or not I wanted to take the plunge . .. .here I am.  This is a work in progress, so check back frequently to catch a glimpse of what is up and coming!