It's closing in on another year anniversary for me with Stampin' Up!  Soon it will be 9 years.  And it all started because I wanted to get a discount on my Stampin' Up! supplies.  I didn't think I was ever going to have a party. . .. well that is one thing that I am super glad never worked out the way it was planned.   

I know I mentioned it a week or so ago but, I still have an opportunity to give someone a gift from Stampin' Up!  Actually, I really have more than one gift to give;

• Free subscription to Stampin' Success magazine – this is the full color magazine only available to demonstrators until now.  I can give you a FREE 3 month subscription.  No strings attached except that you'll be inspired by all of the great samples in it.  PLUS – there's a BIG surprise coming up with the next catalog – you could be one of the first to know!  If you are interested in getting this from me, Please let me know.  I will be doing a drawing of customers who have ordered from me since January 24 and those who have scheduled workshops with me during Sale-a-Bration.
• Here's a gift that will keep on giving for a year – During Sale-a-Bration, you can join the Stampin' Up! family for only $125.  You get the full kit – worth $360!  You can customize this kit to suit your needs.  The additional gift is that Stampin' Up! will give you a choice of free Designer Series Paper or Digital Downloads every month for a year.  You can check out the details here.  If you sign up with me prior to February 24, I have an extra gift for you.  You too could have these things I love about Stampin' Up! for yourself. 
  • Discount on everything that I buy
  • Access to 1000's of ideas on Stampin' Up!'s website for demonstrators.   It beats pinterest hands down!
  • When you attend Stmapin' Up!'s events, you can learn tons of new ideas, develop phenomenal friendships around the country
  • Fill your personal bank with lots of warm fuzzies – that bank is not just about money – it is about the feel good fuzzies I get from sending cards and helping others be in touch with their creativity

Here's a card that I received in my swapping at Stampin' Up!'s leadership conference.  It was made by Cathy Wszelaki.  The reason I am posting this card (besides that I like it) is that it uses a set that you could receive when you join the Stampin' Up! family.  The set is called Easy Events.

Can you see the versatility in this set? 
I love how Cathy added some pizzaz to this card.  The base color of Island Indigo with the square lattice textured embossing folder and a strip of the printed paper in the same color creates just the perfect background.  She used the 2 1/2" circle punch to create the Easy Event focal point for the card.  If you look very closely, she added Dazzeling Details in Cherry Cobbler to the heart in the tree.  Love it! 

OK, so do you know what you gotta do?  Here's your homework simplified;

• get your order in or schedule your show to be in the drawing for the Stampin' Success subscription
• consider joining the Stampin' Up! family – for a discount or to build a business and a little extra income for your family
• consider getting "easy events"  such an adorable card it makes!

Blessings!

When you are a paper crafter at heart, you don't just stop at cards and scrapbooks.  I enjoy making pieces for display at home.  I've been frequently known to share them with family and friends too.  Here's just a small banner that I made for the "love" season. 

Are you wondering what wonderful new die or punch was used to create the elegant detail at the bottom of this banner?  Well you'll be surprised to learn that it's so much easier than even a punch or a die!  It's the Designer Cuts Cards & Envelopes set from the Occasions Mini Catalog. 

Here's what you get with this gorgeous set of cards and envelopes;

• 4 cards each of 2 different designs – the one shown and the heart (which is soooooo yummy!)
• 8 envelopes in Blushing Bride

Here's a pick of what you get;

So you can see that I took just one of the cards with the design on the bottom and cut it apart and backed it with Blushing Bride cardstock (by the way, I have been using this color a lot lately – it's a very nice pink.  If you don't have it, you owe it to yourself to check it out).

I did start another banner as well – not quite ready for prime time yet – I'll post it if I get it done.

Blessings!

I wanted to get some of my family valentine cards out of the way. . . . I created this one for my sister.  I really love how it turned out don't you?

Here's what I used;

Stamp Sets:  Mixed Bunch

Paper & Ink:  Very Vanilla, Cherry Cobbler

Punches:  2 1/2 inch circle, 3/4 inch circle, Label

Sizzix;  Dotted Texture Embossing folder, Paper Doily Large Sizzlet die

Accessory:  Large Pearl Basic Jewels

I have posted picks of the Doily Die projects before.   Here is what I have learned from using this die;

• the results are stunning – and worth just a bit of extra work
• It is best to use a shim when cutting this one out – a piece of cardstock
• roll your doily from side to side and up and down – this loosens many of the delicate pieces allowing most of them to pop out
• Use your scoring tool or paper piercing tool to push out the pieces that don't fall out – front to backside

Here's a video from Stampin' Up! creating one of the gorgeous samples in the Occasions Mini Catalog - check it out, I'm sure you'll agree with me!

Leave me a note and let me know what you think!

Blessings!

I know it's been a bit since I've given you a bit of a family update so, here's what's new in the Peters household.  Jim (my prince) is doing well.  While he has had a few days here and there of not feeling well, we are continuing our gratefulness for his health.  We go to Mayo for our 6 month check up in March.  Mandy – well she is still living at home – the 3rd times the charm right?  In all seriousness, we are doing well having her live at home.  She has met a nice young man and we'll have to see where that goes.  Chrissy has a new job starting later this week.  Back at a non-profit where she will do communications and marketing.  Non-profits have always been a passion of hers.  Mike and Mel and the grandkids are well – although we haven't seen the boys lately.  As for me, all is fine.  My job is going well.  Stampin' Up! is going – ok.  As many of you know, I have set a goal this year, and I am about halfway there with only 5 months left.  So, I better keep going, huh!

This weekend has brought a few new projects for me to share.  And I still have all of my samples out from leadership.  So, if you want to see them – come to club night on Tuesday – bring your camera!  Oh, and my downline is coming over on Wednesday for a My Digital Studio class. . . .

Here's a cool idea – one I saw at Stampin' Up!'s leadership conference.  I just tweaked it a bit to make it my own. . . what do you think?

Have you gotten your labels framelits yet?  If not, I suggest that you absolutely get them, if you can't tell over the last few weeks, they are very versatile – and I'm certainly lovin' em!  Of course they are one of many super duper products in the Occasions Mini Catalog that are just the bomb!

 I used the second to the largest one and placed it on folded Blushing Bride cardstock.  With a couple of embelishments including one cut with a labels framelit from the Apothecary Art stamp set and a little soft suede ribbon, you've got a wonderful bag topper.  The bag I used is the medium size bags from Stampin' Up!  

Here's a video using the hearts framelits – another great buy!

Here are the upcoming opportunities for you in my stampin' spot!

• Club night – Tuesday Feb 7
• Downline get together – Wednesday Feb 8
• Chicks, Chocolate & Cards Thursday, Feb 16
• My Digital Studio primer Sunday Feb  19 at 1:30pm
• Boxes & Bags has been moved to Tuesday Feb 21.

Blessings!

When I was preparing for hostess clubs this week, I wanted to show a "bunch" of samples using this set so that I could show my customers the versatility of this set.  When I created this card, I loved the look.  While it's simple, the boldness of it just catches my eye. . . . don't you agree with me?

I used the same technique I described a couple of days ago to create the interest at the top of the card.  The only difference is that I used the Adorning Accents Edgelit.  The stem is from the Sweetheart stamp set – dig it out as it was a favorite a few years ago and goes so perfectly with this set!  I finished it off with the Springtime Vintage DSP and an Everyday Enchantment brad – 2 of the free items from Sale-a-Bration! 

I also want to call your attention to the greeting on this card.  It is from the Loving Thoughts stamp set from the Occasions Mini Catalog.  What I love about this greeting set is;

• It is available in a digital download – and will be a great addition to My Digital Studio pages
• It's a little out of the ordinary but, is perfect for cards where I want something just a bit different than "happy birthday", "have a great day", etc.  

Hope you enjoyed this card as much as I did – and if you did, why not may someone's day.  Be a Daymaker!   How do you do that?  Well – make 2 of these cards – one for you and one for a friend and pop it in the mail.  Then sit back and imagine the look on your friends face and the warm fuzzy feeling they will have when they receive this gorgeous card!

Blessings!

Here is a great way to use your labels framlits in a slightly different way.  Note the poppy parade cardstock at the top of the card. 

I simply put the top of my cardstock through the framelit and cut it – only rolling it partway through the big shot!  So simple – but what a great addition to this card!   LOVE it!!!!!

Here's a close up of what I am talking about. . .

Don't you love how cool the Springtime Vintage DSP looks on this card?   Cool beans!  So many possibilities.  If you haven't yet ordered your framelits – labels or hearts – they are a must have!   Stay tuned for more great looks in the near future.

In the meantime, I am looking for some special person or people. . . . now don't go rushing to any conclusions.  While it could be a man I am looking for – it's not to replace my current prince – aka Jim.  Here is what I am looking for;

• Someone who would love to receive Stampin' Up!'s Success magazine for 3 months – yes for the first time ever and for a limited time, I get to choose 1 person to get this magazine, that I get so many ideas from, FREE for 3 months.  No strings attached – but, the hope is that you'll be inspired to join the Stampin' Up! family!
• I'm also looking for some special person(s) to join my team before February 22.   It's such a great time – during Sale-a-Bration,  Only $125 for over $360 worth of supplies and a 20% discount on your wish list!!!!  Yep, and you are a demo until the new catalog comes out so you'll get in on the fantabulous sneak peak – in other words, you get the goods before everyone else!!!!  And if that's not enough, each month for a year Stampin' Up! is going to give you a gift – either DSP or a digital download!    What are you waiting for?  It does sound a bit like to good to be true – but, trust me – it's not!

Give me a call if you want more details on either of these offers.  You can join my team for product training on Wednesday February 8 at 7pm. 

Blessings!

Here's a few questions for you to think about;

• Do you love preserving memories of your kids, family, trips and those special times you have had?
• Scrapbooking is something that you've thought about or dabble at but, don't have time?
• Is it too much work to get everything out and then put all of your supplies away after only a few pages done?

Well, I may have an answer or two for you.  First, starting today, you can order an express version of My Digital Studio FREE for 30 days!  It's not hard to use, doesn't come with the mess or fuss.  And you can create beautiful pages and albums in just a few moments!  I love the instant gratification!  You can print single pages or a whole book.  This page is part of a calendar I create every year for my prince.  It's commemorating our Stampin' Up! trip to Alaska!

If you are looking for a girls weekend away – time to get a little scrapbooking done – then I have a solution for that too!  My friend Beth has secured Liberty Lodge near Mora for a weekend scrap retreat – of course you can work on anything you like!  It's a great price – $158 for lodging and food!  Give me a call for more info!  Only a couple of spots left!

Blessings!

I saw this demonstrated at Stampin' Up!'s leadership conference – I think the technique was taught by Dawn Olchefske.  It's actually pretty easy and is going to be a demo at my clubs and workshops this month – make sure you get in on one or two!

What I really like about this card is that it uses up those little scraps that you have laying around.  The DSP I used is the Springtime Vintage from the Sale-a-Bration Catalog – in other words – it's FREE!  You simply adhere strips of paper to a piece of cardstock.  it's made easy when you cover it with adhesive from the multi-purpose adhesive sheets. 

The flower is from a fantastic new set from the Occasions Mini Catalog called; Mixed Bunch – there is a punch to match! 

The size of these flowers is so great for a focal point on your card or project.  Love it!  Check out the samples on p 17 of the mini – note how the flower was used to make the butterfly on p 16.  Cute, huh!

Remember, it you want to learn how to do this great background technique – make sure you attend one of my events this month! 

Blessings!

Oh, how I love thee!   I've always wanted to do something like this – now with the framelits hearts, we can!  If you haven't yet seen these beauties from the Occasions Mini Catalog – you have to check them out! 

I used the 3rd from the smallest heart to make this wonderful Valentine treat – filled with a nummy sucker! 

You could easily whip some of these up for Valentine treats!  Come and check it out at my hostess clubs;  This month, there are 3 opportunities;  Wed, Feb 1, Thurs, Feb 2, and Tuesday Feb 7.  Sale-a-Bration is continuing so make sure you get in on the biggest sale of the Stampin' Up! year!

Blessings!

When I first saw this bird in the Occasions Mini Catalog, I didn't think I cared much for him (or her).  But, as usual, I saw some cute samples and then it was over.  Today for my Big Shot Blast, my customer Karen and I had a chance to play with it.  Here is what we created.

We made this bird to hang in the window so, it is reversible.  Isn't he cute?  We used chipboard covered with paper from The Attic Boutique DSP from the Occasions Mini Catalog  p 23. (here's another thing – this paper didn't catch my eye too much in the catalog – but, in person, it is so much better!).  You need 1 body and 2 wings.  For the eye we used the Twitterpated buttons from the mini (p 12).  We added pearls and Pool Party Seam Binding bows to finish him/her off.  So fun! 

If you've never used chipboard, here's a few hints for you;

• It's best to adhere your paper to the chipboard prior to die cutting it.
• You can cut the chipboard with your guillotene type cutter
• The best adhesive to use to adhere paper to the chipboard is the Tombow multi-purpose glue.  This glue has a fine point end as well as an end that has a "glue spreader" on it. 

Make sure you check back this week for more great ideas!

Blessings!