Last month we used the watercolor crayons on a cute project. . . and we the summer mini catalog debut, you'll love that I teased you with them as this set is perfect for them!  In fact it's called Watercolor images.  Since it's in the mini – it comes with a clear mount option!   I participated in a swap with fellow demonstrators and received this cute card – I will add the name of the wonderful demonstrator when I return home. 

This card will be part of my Chicks, Chocolate and cards night on Tuesday, May 11.   RSVP to hold your spot!

Happy Stampin'!

Check out this cute card from my friend Lynn Weglietner!   I love this graduation card because it dresses up the gift cards I typically give so nicely.  I know with graudation season coming that some of you have already asked me for graduation ideas. .. and I love this one.

This set is from the new summer mini catalog and will be available May 1.  I know its a little hard to see it all but, it opens and you stick the gift card right in the slot made with the word window punch – pretty clever! 

Are you also looking at the jars on my desk with the decor' elements chalkboard labels – another cute thing from the summer mini catalog!   OK, I know that you are calling me a tease right now but, you'll just have to come to my Mini catalog open house on May 8 and see for yourself!

TTFN – ta ta for now!

This year on cruise since it was later in the year (close to fishing season) and Jim had concerns about his health, he opted to not go on cruise.  Now I can tell you when I left home that he was sad that he chose not to go as he knows how much fun I'll have and how well Stampin' Up! will treat us.  But, he also knows that I will have fun and will treasure the time I will be spending with my sister.  My older sister, Sally from Fort Collins Colorado is cruising with me.  Some of you know that I have only known this sis for about 17 years and with the distance, we don't get to spend as much time together as we would like.  So, we will enjoy this time with great pleasure!

As I got ready for cruise, I thought that I should bring a little gift for my sis to add some of her favorite pictures to.  She already has a My Digital Studio but, knew that she would appreciate something like this.  I used one of the chipboard albums from the current mini catalog (ladies – here's the deal – these are fantastic and you can do so much more than make scrapbooks with them – you will be said if you don't buy 1 or 2 of them before the end of the month when they go away!)  The paper I used is a sneak peak from the upcoming summer mini catalog – I thought it was fun, bright and reminded me of the fun colors I will be seeing in the caribbean.  This album only took a bit to put together but, the memories will last a lifetime. 

Happy Stamping!

Yes, I'm off on the Southern Caribbean cruise!   First stop is San Juan and then the Adventure of the Seas on Sunday.   I wouldn't be here without the greatest customers in the world. . . . so here is your gift – are you ready?   It is awesome!  

From now until May 2, Twenty percent off – yes 20% off all merchandise you order!   Yes sirrreee!   OK, so what do you spend it on?  Here are a few suggestions;

• Get the Big Shot  – you've been wanting to do this – now is your your best change!
• Oh, and dies - yep, stock up on those too!
• Re-inkers – especially for those colors that are going away
• Cardstock
• that stamp set you have always wanted but keep putting off – now's the time!

So, get your orders ready – and then you need to email them to me. . . . I will check my email every few days and email you with your totals.

Curious about this card?  It is called Sweet Scoops and is in the new summer mini catalog. . . you will make this card at Class/Club May 4 and 5.  This is open to anyone – come and check it out.  It is a free class with a $25 order.  This card was made by Sandy, a fellow demonstrator who participated in a swap I was in. 

Oh, and if you think I am out of surprises – uhhhhh no!     Stay tuned as I have more fun and ANNOUNCEMENTS to come!

Here are some of the great projects we will be doing this week!  Don't miss these great classes this week!

Monday, April 12 Big Shot night - 4 projects using the Big Shot 6:30pm Cost is $5 or free for 4 classes for those who have purchased a Big Shot from me!

Tuesday, April 13 & 14 – Club/Class night - this is OPEN to anyone as it is a bonus night for my club members!  4 projects that include cards and 3D items.  Cost is $5 or free with $25 order.  6:30pm

Thursday, April 15 – Chicks, Chocolate and Cards - My monthly card class features 12 cards and envelopes – check tomorrows post for one of the cards we will be doing – it's pretty cute!!!  Cost is $25 with a $10 credit on your order.  6:30pm  Only 10 spots available!

I love color. . .  and so does Stampin' Up!   I love it when colors become popular and I can get a new top or outfit in a fun color. . . well I love that in my crafting too. . . and Stampin' Up! in a BIG announcement this week, updated their colors!   YIPPPEE!!   Color is such a big part of crafting – and Stampin' Up! makes it so easy - and now they have freshened it up a bit – and I am lovin' it!!

Are you ready for the scoop?  We will be saying a fond farewell to some of the current colors and they will be bringing back some of our favorite In Colors!!!!    Yea baby!

Say a fond farewell to;  Almost Amethyst, Apricot Appeal, Ballet Blue, Barely Banana, Blush Blossom, Bordering Blue, Brilliant Blue, Brocade Blue, Cameo Coral, Close to Cocoa, Creamy Caramel, Gable Green, Glorious Green, Going Gray, Green Galore, Handsome Hunter, Lavender Lace, Lovely Lilac, Mellow Moss, Only Orange, Orchid Opulence, Pale Plum, Pink Passion, Pixie Pink, Really Rust, Ruby Red, Sage Shadow, Taken with Teal, Yoyo Yellow.

To stock up on your favorites before they are gone forever, visit my Stampin' Up! store.  Make sure that you include ink refills for your ink pads!!!! 

OK, on to the NEW – the exciting - I am sooo excited I can hardly stand it stuff. . . yes some of my (and your) favorite In Colors are coming back!   Yes sirrree! 

Say hello to the 40 core colors in Stampin' Up!'s new color collections!  Ten colors in 4 collections. . .

Introducing 5 new Core Colors

Daffodil Delight, Early Espresso, Cajun Craze, Cherry Cobbler and Marina Mist

10 Returning In Colors

Baja Breeze, Melon Mambo, Pacific POint, Rich Razzleberry, River Rock, Riding Hood Red, Pink Pirouette, Soft Suede, Tangerine Tango and Wild Wasabi

Brights Collection

Regal Rose, Melon Mambo, Rich Razzleberry, Pacific POint, Tempting Turquoise, Old Olive, Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie, Tangerine Tango, Real Red

Neutrals Collection

River Rock, Chocolate Chip, Soft Suede, Early Espresso, Crumb Cake (Kraft), Sahara Sand, Very Vanilla, Whisper White, Basic Gray, Basic Black

Regals Collection

Elegant Eggplant, Night of Navy, Not Quite Navy, Always Artichoke, Garden Green, More Mustard, Cajun Craze, Riding Hood Red, Cherry Cobbler, Bravo Burgundy

Subtles Collection

Pink Pirouette, Pretty in Pink, Rose Red, Perfect Plum, Marina Mist, Bashful Blue, Baja Breeze, Wild Wasabi, Certainly Celery, So Saffron

NEW In Color program!

Stampin' Up! will introduce 5 new In Colors withthe 2010/2011 Idea Book & Catalog on July 1st.  (watch for a sneak peak in June!) These new In Colors will be available for 2 years.  AND then for the 2011/2012 season, there will be another 5 new In Colors introcuded for a total of 10 In Colors!   The following year, the 2010/11 will retire and a new set will be introduced!  I am soooo excited that Stampin' Up! has made this color decision – just think a great refreshment every year!

New Colors made easy for U!

Stampin' Up! has thought of EVERYTHING!   to help you get started or to complete your collections, Stampin' Up! will be offering "new color" kits for stampin' write markers, stampin' pastels and watercolor wonder crayons.  This way you can add-to your already exisiting collection by only adding the new colors!  oh, and there's more. . .. . an awesome NEW color coach tool that is to die for!

Are you eeeeeexxxxcitttted!   I think I am! 

See you all next week for a class where we can chat more about it all!!  Check back tomorrow for a sneak peak of the projects for this weeks classes! 

It's almost finished!   And I am loving the creative juices that are flowing with this new decor!   You can check it out next week at any one of my classes;

• Monday, April 12 – Big Shot night
• Tuesday & Wednesday, April 13 and 14 – Club Class night (open to all)
• Thursday, April 15 – Chicks, Chocolate and Cards
• Monday, April 19  Workshop night – open to all!

While I have been busy working on this room, Stampin' Up! made some BIG announcements. . . stay tuned to hear more on that in a bit! 

More on my room.   The cabinets are from IKEA.   They also have so many other organizational items that are awesome for us as crafters.  I know have a more functional desk area, my printers are in the cabinet to the left of my chair.  The tall cabinet to the right of my chair holds the bulk of my stamping supplies including all of my stamps!  (no I don't have them all but, I have a lot!)

There is a cutting station with all of my cardstock stored above and below it.  The Big Shot station has all of my dies close at hand as well as other things to cut besides paper (foam, felt, vinyl, etc).  The bookshelf was custom built for my ink pad and 12 x 12 paper holders. 

You can see from the picture that I still have an upper cabinet to finish as well as curtains.   What you don't see are the nicks and dents in the wall that need to be fixed – that may have to wait until after cruise!

Hope you come and see it next week!   I am in the mood to celebrate it – and typically that means there are "specials" in store for my customers! 

Here's a very simple card that highlights the Two-Step Bird Punch.  There's a perfect space for the greeting of your choice to be stamped on this card – right there on the front!  This is another creation by Jan Ledman – a very creative downline!

This Two-step bird punch along with the branch are a punch available in the Occasions Mini catalog that will be going away at the end of this month.  This has been a very popular punch – and is the new design!  Make sure that you get yours before it is gone forever!

I love this Melon Mambo color combo!   It was created by Jan Ledman – such a creative member of my downline.  I will feature this card at several of my events this month.  This card has a surprise on the inside - make sure you come to a class and check it out!

Melon Mambo is an In color so, it will go away at the end of June – start thinking about stocking up on the ribbon, cardstock, re-inker, marker, etc!

ANNOUNCEMENT!!!!!    April Classes and Celebration update!

In celebration of my remodeled craft/classroom space, check out these awesome classes next week!   I guarantee that you won't want to miss these events! 

• Monday, April 12 Big Shot night - 4 projects using the Big Shot 6:30pm Cost is $5 or free for 4 classes for those who have purchased a Big Shot from me!
• Tuesday, April 13 & 14 – Club/Class night - this is OPEN to anyone as it is a bonus night for my club members!  4 projects that include cards and 3D items.  Cost is $5 or free with $25 order.  6:30pm
• Thursday, April 15 – Chicks, Chocolate and Cards - My monthly card class features 12 cards and envelopes – check tomorrows post for one of the cards we will be doing – it's pretty cute!!!  Cost is $25 with a $10 credit on your order.  6:30pm  Only 10 spots available!
• Saturday, April 17 – 9:30am - watch for the special announcement tomorrow!
• Monday, April 19 6:30pm – Workshop night - You'll love the demos I have planned for this night – it is patterned after a typical workshop that I do in your home. . . but, you get to come to my place instead!  I'll demo 3 items and then it's your turn – the make-n-take is fabulous!

Space is limited so, RSVP to hold your spot!  Email or call – 651.437.4440