Christmas in August Stamp-a-Stack!

I know I've missed a few days blogging, but we've been VERY busy with the kitchen renovation, and I've been squeezing in stamping for the SAS in between! I'm almost ready, just have one more card worth of preparation to go! I find, however, that I will probably have to go to town tomorrow to buy a new printer. Mine broke off a teeny-tiny piece of plastic as it was jamming up the other day, and now it won't pull through paper at all, it just eats it! Seems like I go through about one printer per year. I just hope I can find a reasonably priced one that still uses the same ink cartridges I already have!

But on to the stamping! I'm going to show you ALL the cards we will be making at my SAS tomorrow night and Saturday:

©Stampin'Up!™1990-2009

©Stampin'Up!™1990-2009

©Stampin'Up!™1990-2009

©Stampin'Up!™1990-2009

Well, upon checking my pictures in the computer, I have realized there is one card I didn't take a picture of, a gorgeous case of a swap card I received from Mary Polcin, one of SU!'s top demos every year, and since it is almost midnight, I believe I will make you wait until tomorrow to see it! Dont worry, it's worth the wait, and if you can't wait, you can always come tomorrow evening and make it!

Hope to see you all soon!

Big Shot Daisies Wreath!

Wow! What a wonderful day I've had! Everytime I check my email I've found a new "Happy Birthday" wish from a friend on Facebook (I've GOT to get this blog linked up to my Facebook account!), my beloved big brother called to wish me a Happy Birthday (even though I just saw him yesterday at my birthday party!), I received several phone calls, voicemails, and texts wishing me a happy day, and my wonderful hubby both put a second coat of paint on my new kitchen walls while I was away at a stampin' party AND went to town and bought me a Wii for my birthday present! (apparently he doesn't know how thrilled I was he was doing the painting!) My stampin' party was lots of fun too! Someone said, "what are you doing working on your birthday? You should be going out to dinner!" But seriously, I LOVE to stamp, and teaching these girls how to stamp for (some of them) their very first time was such a joy! I spent the entire day yesterday with both my brother & sister (who live 2 1/2 hours away in Decatur, IL) as well as all of my kids & grandkids, so what better way to top off my 50th? And now that I have a Wii to "workout" with, this should be a really great decade!

Enough about the birthday girl, here's what I really want to show you, a wreath I found on one of the convention boards (therefore I have no idea who made it, but it's awesome!)

I'm always a sucker for a wreath, and my husband can vouch that I have gobs of Christmas ones up in the attic, but I have a hard time finding one I like for other times of the year. I think this one would really fit the bill! I've already made a trip to Hobby Lobby for a wreath form so I can get my Big Shot going to make this! Would you all be interested in doing this as class? If you would, just leave a comment here or send me an email!

Well, after such a busy birthday, this girl is ready to hit the hay!

I'll stamp more tomorrow!

Carol

A few Christmas card swaps for inspiration!

I am in the planning stages right now for my big Christmas Card Stamp-a-Stack this coming Friday and Saturday, and here are a few swaps from convention to get my (and your!)creative juices flowing!

This was a swap one of my downline received at convention, therefore I have no idea who created it, but I have all the supplies on hand, so it is a definite possibility!

I love the unexpected color combo of this "Winter Post" card, Pale Plum and Rich Razzleberry!

I love the use of the "Side Stair-Step" technique for this "Season of Simple Grace" card!

©Stampin' Up!™1990-2009

And lastly, I love the Medallion technique used with this stamp from "Sweet Season"!

As with the first card shown, all of these were swaps I took pictures of but do not have in my possession, therefore I cannot give credit to the fabulous creators!

If you have an opinion about these cards for my class, leave a comment here!

Well, it's back to stamping for me!

Christmas Treat Box/Hostess Gift/Birthday Special!

Happy Sunday morning to all of you! I decided I wanted to )show you the Hostess Gift I am giving to ALL of my Hostesses this Fall ( and I gave to my Harrisburg hostess yesterday):
 
©Stampin'Up!™1990-2009
It's one of our new Treat Boxes, shown on pages 28 & 29 of the new catalog! I embellished it with the Real Red 3/4" Polka Dot ribbon, and a tag I created using the new "Stampin' Up! Two Tags Bigz Die, the Snowflake punch, Bold Brights Brads, and the cute new stamp set I got in my convention bag, "Sweet Season"! Nestled inside the box, displayed here, was a Kit Kat bar wrapped with some of the "Merry Moments" DSP & "Sleigh Bells" cotton ribbon from the upcoming Holiday Mini! I also included three "incentive stamps": "Created for you", "Best Wishes", and "Friends"! Incentive stamps are available to exclusively to demonstrators to let us economically purchase to give as gifts to our hostesses and stampers. I love being a Stampin' Up! Demo!

These treat boxes are so cool! In addition to being a roomy 4 5/8" wide, 2 3/8" deep, and 6 1/8" high, they are also coated with a food-safe finish to protect any holiday treat you might choose to give! And they are also VERY economical; 5 boxes per package for only $3.95! Because they are a neutral Chocolote Chip/Close to Cocoa color, they can be coordinated for birthdays, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Valentines Day, just about any gift-giving excuse you might have! Now, anyone who knows me knows I'm not big on cooking , (I would rather stamp!), but these adorable boxes make me WANT to bake and give the results as gifts!(and with the new kitchen I am getting this fall, WHO KNOWS???!!! I might just turn into a Martha Stewart (minus the jail time, of course! ha!)

Here's the supplies recipe:

Treat Boxes: #115690 $3.95 pgs 28, 29, & 159 (5 per pkg, shipped flat)

Real Red 3/4" Polka-Dot Grosgrain Ribbon #115608 $8.95 pg 183

Stampin' Up! Two Tags Bigz Die #115954 $21.95 pg 198

Real Red 8 1/2 x 11 cardstock #102482 $5.50 pg 156

Very Vanilla 8 1/2 x 11 cardstock #101650 $7.50 pg 159

Chocolate Chip 8 1/2 x 11 cardstock #102128 $5.50 pg 156

Real Red Stampin' Write marker #100052 $3.25 pg 156

Chocolate Stampin' Write marker #100071 $3.25 pg 156

Bold Brights Brads (red) #106957 $8.95 pg 179

Mat Pack #105826 $9.95 pg 191

Paper-Piercing Tool #116631 $3.50 pg 191

Mini glue-dots (to attach ribbon to back of box) #103683 $4.95 pg 192

SNAIL adhesive Starter #104332 $6.95 or SNAIL refill #104331 $4.50 pg 192

EVERY hostess who books with me from now through the end of December will receive this Treat Box with similar treats, tag, & stamps! You will also be able to choose a free stamp set from my "pink stamp bag", as well as the generous gifts from SU! based on your party sales total. And, during Sept, Oct, & Nov, when your party total is $250 more you as hostess (and ONLY hostesses!) can purchase any one item from the Holiday mini for just $10!) Contact me today to get your party on my calendar! I still have dates available, even in Sept!

Well, there's a big birthday party at my daughter's house today for all of our family's August birthdays, and guess what? It's my birthday on Monday, and I will be the BIG 5-0!

In honor of my birthday, as well as Ava's (4), Johnny's (31), Ben's (17), Kimmy's (28), and Cody's (24), I am offering a one-week 50-50-50 birthday special!

My 50-50-50 special works like this:

You must call or email me your order (this special also will be available at all parties this week, as well as my "Christmas in August" Stamp-a-Stack this coming Friday & Saturday, August 28th & 29th!) before midnight, Sunday, August 30th to take advantage of this special which is:

Order $50 in SU! stampin' supplies (before shipping & tax), then you may choose any ONE package of Designer Series Paper from pages 160-163 for 50% off! If you decide to order $100 in stampin' stuff, then you can choose TWO packages of DSP for 50% off, and so on . .

So, I'm turning 50, you spend $50, YOU get 50% off DSP! How does that sound?

Because of the nature of this special, it cannot be applied to orders placed online at my SU! website. So call me at 618-237-6281 or email me at: carol@carolpaynestamps.com

Have a great weekend! I know I'm going to!

Carol

Well, I goofed, didn't I?

I just  got back to my computer since I wrote that post earlier, and realized I promised TWO techniques, then only showed/told you  one! SHAME ON ME!

Okay, so I'm back from the technique class (GREAT CLASS, by the way, with WONDERFUL, FUN ladies to stamp with! Hello, Harrisburg!Thanks for such en enjoyable afternoon!)the second technique we learned today was Layered Brayer, so here it is!

©Stampin'Up!1990-2009™
Here's how we did this:
We started with the Pretty Petals background with Pale Plum on Pale Plum. Next we embossing buddied a piece of glossy white cardstock, then stamped it with the "Petal Pizazz" stamp set in Versamark. We then heat embossed all the flowers, then brayered the whole piece with Pale Plum ink. We buffed the excess ink from the card with a Kleenex, then masked areas of the piece with masks we had punched with Post-it notes and the Scalloped Circle and Boho Blossoms punches. We had added extra stickiness to the masks with Dotto repositionable adhesive. We randomly covered both embossed and brayered areas with the masks, then brayered again with Rich Razzleberry ink. After buffing the excess ink again with a Kleenex BEFORE we removed the masks, we were ready to assemble the card. The greeting is stamped with "Kind & Caring Thoughts" Hostess Level 3 in Rich Razzleberry, punched with the Large Oval punch, and layered on the Scalloped Oval. Actually an easy-peasy card!

That's it! Again, I'm so sorry I promised you two techniques, but only delivered one! Please forgive me??!!

In case you want to recreate this card, here's the supplies recipe:

Petal Pizazz #1134117 $32.95 pg 113

Pretty Petals background #111008 $17.95 pg 134

Kind & Caring Thoughts Hostess Level 3 pg 16 (Hostess a $500 party to get this one!)

Pale Plum 8 1/2 x 11 cardstock #101658 $5.50 pg 157 (24 sheets)

Pale Plum Classic inkpad #102732 $5.95 pg 157

Rich Razzleberry 8 1/2 x 11 cardstock #115316 pg 155 (24 sheets)

Rich Razzleberry Classic inkpad #115658 pg 155

Versamark inkpad #102283 $7.50 pg 190

Glossy White 8 1/2 x 11 cardstock #102599 $5.95 pg 159 (25 sheets)

Embossing Buddy #102083 $5.95 pg 188

Clear Embossing Powder #109130 $4.75 pg 188

Heat Tool #100005 $29.95 pg 188

Brayer #102395 $12.50 pg 192

White Taffeta Ribbon #109070 $6.95 pg 183

Mini-glue dots (to attach the "knot-bow") #103683 $4.95 pg 192

SNAIL Adhesive Starter #104332 $6.95 & SNAIL refill #104331 $4.50 pg 192

Stampin' Dimensionals #104430 $3.95 pg 192 (300 per pkg)

As always, you can contact me direct to order any of these supplies:

618-237-6281    or email: carol@carolpaynestamps.com

or go direct to my SU! website: www.carolpayne.stampinup.net   Just click on the "Shop Now!" button and you will be guided through the steps to place your order, which will be shipped directly to you!

Until tomorrow,

Carol

Technique Class projects!

Technique Classes seem to be the thing alot of my hostesses have been wanting for their parties lately, everyone love to learn new techniques! In the spirit of new techniques, I am going to post two projects I will be teaching at a class today. I decided to wait until to today to post these so as not to spoil the surprise for the stampers in the class:

The first technique we will be learning is called "Color Spritzing"!

This technique involves inking your stamp (we will also ink the "Bright Blessings" wheel) in a light colored ink (More Mustard) then we will use the Color Spritzing tool from the catalog to "spritz" first Ruby Red, then Old Olive marker ink onto the stamp and/or wheel. We will "huff" on the stamp/wheel before stamping to make sure all the ink is moist, then stamp/wheel! The result is a lovely spritzed-blended fall leaves color!

All of the supplies for this card are available now:

Bright Blessings Jumbo Wheel: #115626 (pg 27 of the catalog) $8.50

Falling Leaves Stamp set: #115368 (also on pg 27 of the catalog) $21.95 for 9 stamps! That's just a little over $2 per stamp!)

Teeny Tiny Wishes Stamp set: #115370 (pg 145) $36.95 (thre are 24 word phrase stamps in this set!)

Watercolor Vine Jumbo Wheel: #107560 (on the Dormant List which means it is not shown in the catalog, but is still available to buy) I used this wheel to fill in the background on on the More Mustard cardstock base.

Jumbo Handle: #103661 (pg 189) $5.95

Autumn Traditions Designer Series Paper #115668 (pg 160) $9.95

More Mustard 8 1/2 x 11 cardstock: #100946 (pg  156) $5.50

Soft Suede 8 1/2 x 11 cardstock: #115318 (pg 155) $5.50

More Mustard Jumbo cartridge: #103672 (pg 156) $7.50

More Mustard Classic inkpad: #103162 (pg 156) you can also wheel your wheel over the pad a few times before spritzing to get the same effect without using the jumbo cartridge)

Ruby Red Stampin' Write marker: #100075 (pg 156) $3.25

Old Olive Stampin' Write marker: #100079 (pg 156) $3.25

Color Spritzer Tool: #107066 (pg 192) $12.95

Soft Suede 1/2" Polka-Dot grosgrain ribbon: #115612 (pg 155) $9.95 for a 15 yard roll!

1 1/4' Circle punch: #104403 (pg 186) $15.95

1 3/8" Circle punch: #104401 (pg 186) $15.95

Scalloped Circle punch: #109043  (pg 187) $15.95

SNAIL adhesive: #104332 $6.95 for starter pack, #104331 $4.50 for refills (pg 192)

Stampin' Dimensionals: #104430 (pg 192) $3.95 for 300!

You can order any of these supplies direct from me my contacting me at: 618-237-6281 or email me at:

                               

carol@carolpaynestamps.com

You can also go directly from this blog to my Stampin' Up! website! Just click on the "Shop Online" button on the upper left sidebar of this blog, or click here: www.carolpayne.stampinup.net  and you will be find a "Shop Now!" button!

I will be back again soon!

Delightful Decorations-Holiday Mini Sneak Peek!

I participate in a monthly themed card swap, and while I am waiting to get mine back in the mail I will show you the one I stamped for it using "Delightful Decorations" and the Ornament punch from the upcoming Holiday mini (it starts on Sept 1st - you should be receiving your copy from me in the mail any day now!) If you don't receive one by Sept 1st-contact me and I will make sure you get a copy!

Here's the card:
Lots of embossing on this one! I only had to make 21 of these, so it wasn't as bad as the 100 card Founder's Circle swap I mailed off the week before, but I embossed the Medallion background in Ballet Blue Craft ink with Clear e.p., the two silver ornaments are embossed Brushed Silver Cardstock with Silver Encore ink and Silver e.p., and the Ballet Blue ornament and the "Christmas Greetings" are embossed with the Ballet Blue craft and the Clear ep. I can't wait to get my 20 different cards back!

This card is a little advanced for a workshop setting, but would be perfect for a Stamp Camp where we take a little more time. If you would like to host a Stamp Camp of your own and get free hostess benefits at the same time, just contact me: 618-237-6281 or carol@carolpaynestamps.com

"Christmas in . . ." August Stamp-a-Stack!

Merry Christmas in August ! Announcing  the second installment of   "Christmas in . . ." Stamp-a-Stacks! (this card was one of our "Christmas in July" SAS cards!) Dear Carol,   Wishing you could get a head start on your holiday cards?  Wish you could be ready to mail out your cards right after Thanksgiving instead of rushing the week before Christmas?  Well, I'm right there with you, which is why I have scheduled a monthly Christmas Card Stamp-a-Stack from now through November! When: Friday, August 28th, 1 p.m. & 6:30 p.m.                                     &             Saturday, August 29th, 10 a.m. & 2 p.m. What: Christmas Card Stamp-a-Stack! You will make 10 Christmas Cards, 2 each of 5 different designs with envelopes for the $20 fee! Place an order at this event of $50 or more, the class fee is FREE! Where: My home, Bonnie, IL (contact me for directions if you have never been here or it has been awhile! Please RSVP by Wed. August 26th if possible,  (but you can RSVP at the door, it just helps me with  supply prep if I know you are coming!)   To RSVP, contact me at : 618-237-6281                             or         carol@carolpaynestamps.com Sincerely,   Carol   Future "Christmas in . . . " Dates! Can't make this class? Want to come to them all? Well here are the dates so you can plan! Each month's  class will have DIFFERENT cards, as well as TONS of  alternate Christmas ideas for cards, gifts, decorations, ornaments, and packaging, so you don't want to miss them! Friday, September 25th 1 p.m. & 6:30 p.m. 10 cards for $20 or free with $50 purchase! Friday, October 30th, 1 p.m. & 6:30 p.m 10 cards for $20 or free with $50 purchase! Friday, November 20th 1 p.m. & 6:30 p.m. & Saturday, November 21st, 10 a.m. & 2 p.m. 10 cards for $20 or free with $50 purchase!

Save 100%!!! The fee for each class is $20, but place an order of $50 or more at this class and your class is FREE! Book a party for September, October, or November and receive a coupon good for $10 off a purchase of $50 or more to be redeemed at your party! Stampin' Up! has sweetened the deal  for all hostesses from Sept 1 - Nov 30th! Every hostess whose party sales total is $250 or more will be able to purchase ANY item from the Holiday Mini for only $10! (excluding My Digital Studio and mini-catalog hostess sets)

I'm back from convention!

Well, I'm back from convention, and it's only taken me a week since I got home to get around to blogging, so  that is good for me! We are also in the middle of a MAJOR renovation in our home, which of course we are doing ourselves, so my house is in chaos! Everything in my utility room had been moved into other rooms when I got home from convention, so unpacking, prepping for workshops this week, and just FINDING stuff has really been a challenge! I hope to have something pretty to show you soon!

Here are a few fun pics from the SU! Convention in Salt Lake City last week:

On check-in day I was in the Marketing Center with my friend, Meg, when a SU! employee came up to us with two brand-spankin' new stamp sets in her hand and asked us if we would do her a favor; if we would agree to make a card with the set using the supplies they had on hand, we could keep the stamp set! This new set is "Serene Snowflakes" a fab set from the upcoming Holiday Mini, so you know we didin't turn her down! We had a few minutes to mount our sets and choose supplies, and then it was time to stamp! It was a little scary having to "Create" on the spot with SU! employees looking over your shoulder, as well as other convention goers checking out what was going on and wishing they were in our shoes, but this is the sample I came up with! I used the "Holiday Lounge" Designer Series Paper, "Four the Holidays" from the Holiday Mini, Taken With Teal ink, the new "Ornament" punch from the Holiday Mini, the Scalloped Circle punch, white satin ribbon, and a Filigree brad! What fun! Now the only drawback to this whole thing is we had to give our card sample to SU! to put on display during convention and we didn't get it back, but we took pics and I recreated it almost identically when I got home for a mail-in swap!

Contact me to find out how you can order the products to make this card, schedule a party to make this card, or sign up to become a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator (we have a great special this month on a mini-starter kit for only $85!): 618-237-6281 or carol@carolpaynestamps.com

Here I am as I was making my card (see that silly big smile on my face? I LOVE convention!)

And here I am with Meg, a great friend I met on the SU! cruise years several years ago!

Here's Meg's sample:
The display board had the heading "Holiday Extravaganza Campaign", and while they didn't tell us the details, I'm sure it means SU! has great things planned up ahead for us!

Throughout convention SU! gives everyone opportunities to win great stampin' prizes. Here's my downline, Linda, with her "Build-a-Bear" prize package! SU! has partnered with "Build-a-Bear Workshops" to offer Big Shot Dies, Designer Paper, and stamps that all coordinate together to create fun "Build-a-Bear" projects!

And last but not least, here are the convention gifts I made for my downline who attended convention with me! ("downline" refers to gals who have signed up through me to sell Stampin' Up!):

I used the gorgeous new DSP (Designer Series Paper), "Kalidescope", to transform an ordinary steno pad (I actually USED steno pads in my shorthand class in high school!) into this work of heart!

Close up of the Monogram:

©Stampin'Up!™1990-2009

I used the Ronald McDonald House set for this year, "Very Thankful" for the peacock. I did the "babywipe technique" to get all the colors on the bird. I cut my own chipboard letters with the "Big Shot" and SU's  "Longboard Chipboard". I tried the letters first just with cardboard but after using the Longboard I decided it was just a little bit thicker and nicer and would take up the color in a more true way since it is a paler gray compared to most tan cardboard! I then smooshed my Regal Rose Craft pad onto the letters, then embossed with Clear Embossing powder. I added a Filigree brad with a Clear Rhinestone brad in the center for the finishing touch!

I hope to be back later today with a information about my upcoming Christmas Card Stamp-a-Stack!

ta!