Here's a simple birthday card that you can whip up in a hurry!  Just a couple of layers and you are set with a card that is sure to bring a smile!  This card uses Pretty in Pink, Basie Gray and Naturals Cream cardstock.   I love the look of pink and gray together.  The natruals cream carstock has a little more porous surface and thus is great for watercoloring – and that is how the cupcake tree is colored in – using aqua painters.  I received this card from Christine Ekrem – she certainly came up with a great card that was pleasing to my customers!

Here's a challenge for you. . . make and send a card today – perhaps its for a birthday or some other occasion – it matters not.  But, what does matter is the feeling the recipient will get when they receive your card!  Why not make someone's day and send a card?

Are you thinking about your Easter cards yet?  This is from the set called Abundant Hope from the Occastions Mini Catalog (p 24).  It is really designed for an Easter card – but here you'll see another way to combine it with the Only Ovals set (a must have!) for a thank you card.  The Abundant Hope set comes with it's own greetings;

• Easter Blessings
• Rejoicing with you in the abundant mercy and hope of Christ the Lord

This card was designed by my downline Sue Hood – I love the contrast of the colors and the texture she created in the background by using the texturz plates. 

We are winding down to the last few weeks of Sale-a-Bration. . .think ahead and order your Easter card and project stamp sets today – while you get the Sale-a-Bration freebies!

OK, so I have to admit that I am becoming more and more of a "vintage" fan. . . .and I think the Vintage Vogue set from the Occasions Mini Catalog is perhaps a catalyst.  If you've been to my stampin' spot – you have seen tons of ideas with this set – here is one of the standouts made by a fellow demonstrator (if it's yours let me know).   Here's what I love;

• the color combination – so springy (don't we all need that right now?)  So Saffron, Old Olive and Regal Rose
• the variety of techniques showcased on this card;  collage stamping, Stampin' Around, rock-n-roll technique (you see a variation of this technique on the "f"), and dimension.
• it's a card that I can have rady and available that I can use for multiple occasions;  birthday, congrats, thanks, etc.

Here's a list of my upcoming events – I have openings in my card class tomorrow night;

• Big Shot – Fun, creative and eye popping ideas with your Big Shot!  Wednesday, March 10 at 6:30pm
• Chicks, Chocolate and Cards – formerly called stamp a stack.  This super fun class gives you the opportunity to use a variety of stamp sets and techniques while basically being pampered.  That's right – I'll have the ideas ready, cardstock cut and everything set out for you to use – you just come and stamp away!  Of course, maybe have some chocolate too!  Thursday, March 11 at 6:30pm
• Workshop just 4 U! – want to attend a Stampin' Up! workshop but haven't been invited to one lately?  Here is your opportunity - Monday, March 15 at 6:30m (3rd Monday of every month)

I am looking forward to seeing you soon!

I love Stampin' Up!   This month is my 7 year anniversary (after signing up for a discount)!  And I will pass a career sales milestone!  Yippee!!

So, I celebrated with a stamping night with my downline.  Last night 10 of us gathered (2 brand new demos too!).  We celebrated.  I shared some of the great projects I had done with fabric – and let them oooh and ahhh a bit.  They really like this purse – little did they know that when they got ready to stamp and they needed their make n take supplies, Jim pops in with 10 purses on his arm and hands them out.  It was a BLAST watching and hearing their excitement!  I think I will have a smile on my face for days!  

Are you ready for a purse making day of your own!   I would love to teach you how – and you will just marvel at how easy it is!  Give me a call and I will gladly get something scheduled! 

Oh, back to my downline – check them out. . .

Aren't they just the happiest group around!    Yes sireee!   By the way, you too could join my team.  If you are looking for an opportunity to supplement your income, get a discount or grow your own business. . . .until March 31, you can get started for a special price and during the biggest sale of the year!   We have room for more.

P.S. – don't forget to give me a call about scheduling a purse class!

Friends – you are all welcome to join me the 3rd Monday of every month for an open workshop night at my stampin' spot!  This is the perfect solution when you want a night out, don't have a Stampin' Up! workshop to go to and you just plain want to have fun!   Bring a friend and come on over!   This month, we will concentrate on layouts.  Using simple layouts, how can you use different stamp sets, layers, and techniques to give you different looks. 

Join me on March 15 at 6:30pm.  Don't forget to RSVP as I want to have make-n-take supplies for everyone!

This sweet card uses a couple of my favorite things – Cottage Wall designer series paper and the perfect details texturz plate.  I received this card in a swap at leadership conference (if it's your's let me know so that I can give you credit).  I love getting samples for other great Stampin' Up! demos!  (summer convention is in July in Salt Lake City if you want to join me!)

The set used on this card is a FREEBIE!   Yes, that's right, it is one of the many (yes, lots!) sets you can get during Sale-a-Bration!   See it on p 71 of the Idea Book & Catalog.   While I don't really like frosting, I like what it says;  "May your layers be many & your frosting be thick". 

I will be demonstrating this card along with others at my Open workshop night (it's the 3rd Monday of every month!).  Yes, you can come. . . . just let me know you're coming and I will reserve your spot.  You'll even get to make this card!

See you then!

Check out these cool flower pins!   My customer Sue Stein made one and showed me – of course I had to make some myself.  And make them I did – they were a great "keep the fingers" busy thing while JIm was in the hospital. 

They use the Big Shot (of course!) circle die #2 and are made of fleece.  Yum yum.  Susan is a great stamper and crafter.   She is making them to sell for extra spending money for a trip to Ireland this summer! 

Isn't he cute!!!!    I am feeling like the queen of big shot boxes!    I will credit Tami White for turning me on to the Perfect Details texturz plate (p 195).  I used it on the head and also brayered Creamy Caramel ink right on the texturz plate for added dimension.  Here are the products I used on this cute little guy;

Circle Scissors Plus (Head & body), Build a Flower sizzlet #2 (ears), Circle punches in 1/2", 1" and 1 3/8", Heart to Heart punch (nose), Small oval (feet), 2 step bird (tail), bag with scallops die (box), gel pen, dimensionals, sticky strip, etc.

You may be wondering about the tail made with the 2 step bird punch.  This punch from the occasions mini catalog has a branch on it that is perfect for the tail if you cut off 2 of the 3 leaves.  Duh!   When I figured this out – I just had to smile! 

Now, where did I get this inspiration for this little lover?  I was in Michaels one day and saw in their dollar area a bag with something like this on it. . . . and with the help of my cell phone camera – I went right home to make him!  Wouldn't these just be adorable for a children's birthday party?  You'd be the envy of all of the mothers.

Don't have your big shot yet?  You are sooooo missing out!   Now is the time to purchase it – well I have a sale PLUS it is Sale-a-Bration – add a $4.95 die and you will get 2 free items from the Sale-a-Bration brochure!!!  oh lala!

Enjoy!

Isn't this cute?   This card was designed by the awesome Terri Gaines.  It uses a strip of DSP – one of my favorites Cottage Wall.  It opens to reveal a small space to write your message.  I love this clean and simple design that really highlights the colors of the card. 

Note the cute bird and branch on focal point of this card.  It is a way cool new punch in the Occasions Mini Catalog – this has been a very popular item.  I highly recommend that you get yours ordered today!. . . . and here's why!

Let's Celebrate! 

This month, I will have been in business for 7 years!   I love what I do and the passion is just the same as it was 7 years ago.   Additionally, I will reach a career milestone in sales this week!   So, I think it's time to Sale-a-Brate!

• Customers will receive 10% off their merchandise totals this week!  Club members will receive 15% off!  If you aren't a club member – you're missing out in more ways than one – Join today and I'll give you the discount!
• Hostesses - March hostesses will receive an extra special gift this month – I will post a pic later just to tempt you . . . I still have some dates left on my calendar so pick one and get your gift!   (I garantee that you'll not want to miss out!)
• Downline - my downline will be joining me for a fun night of stamping with some super fantastic ideas next Monday (March 8) night – join now and you won't miss out on the action!  (Remember the Sale-a-Braiton special 15% off PLUS a free stamp set of your choice!)
• Be the one customer to push me over my sales milestone and you'll receive a gift from me!

All of these DEALS in addition to Sale-a-Bration – now talk about a "to die for special" – this one is it!!!!    Hurry as my offer expires on Monday, March 8 at 5pm!

As you know I love texture!   This new polka dot embossing folder helps create that for me!  I received this in a swap at Stampin' Up!'s leadership conference. . . unfortunately there is no name on it for the creative author!

The stamp set is the I Heart Hearts stamp set.  Please check out this stamp set in the Occasions Mini catalog as if you purchase it by Feb 28, $2 will go to relief efforts in Haiti. 

You'll also notice the very cute little epoxy brad – these are delicious!  ohhh lala – not quite as good as bling for girls – but gettin' close!

Remember to check back every day this week for more inspriation!  On Friday, vote for your favorite card and you'll be entered into a drawing.