LNS Spring Treasure Hunt Blog Hop

Hi Everyone.  Thanks for being so loyal and hanging in there this past two months.  I’m happy to announce I’m finally out of my blogging slump. I'm feeling better now that my six week winter cold has finally ended (fingers crossed here) and recovering from the loss of my dog Murphy. 

In fact, I'm feeling like heading back to my sadly neglected stamp room which means life is getting better. So let's get on with it by welcoming in March 1st!

Along with my new-found enthusiasm I'm also happy to announce the start of the Late Night Stamper’s Spring Treasure Hunt Blog Hop!

If you haven't played the LNS Treasure Hunt before then this is a fun opportunity for you to check out some great LNS blogs and be entered to win a grand prize of $150 in Stampin' Up! products offered by Sherrill Graff of LNS as well as a prize from me. If you've played before welcome back, I know you'll enjoy this new hunt too. What an exciting way to start the month?

Here’s how to play and the important stuff! 

• Visit my LNS Treasure Hunt Page and search the blogs that are listed for treasure hunt clues. All participating blogs* will have a picture of the  treasure chest pictured above and a picture of their clue posted. 

• When you've found the clue, write down what it is and which blog you found it on  

• You’ll have from March 1st to May 12th, 2013 to collect 50 clues. 

• Once you've collected 50 clues, email them to me.  Every correct entry I receive will be entered in Sherrill’s drawing on May 15th as well as my drawing on the same day. 

So don't delay, start blog hopping today. Contest ends May 12th at midnight PST so the winner can be announced on May 15th

*Note:  On March 1st there were only 31 LNS members registered for the bloghop, although we are anticipating more to sign up over the next week.  When I receive news of new participants I will update the Participating Blog List, so please come back and check the bottom of my list for new participants. 

So let's get things started here’s my clue: 

Clear Block Bundle

Clear Block Bundle  

If you stamp with clear-mount stamps, you'll need a clear block to adhere your stamps to. Stampin' Ups! blocks are a clear choice. They're made from high-quality, sturdy acrylic and these blocks can hold one stamp or multiple stamps if you want to create a collage of images.

You can save 15% when you buy clear blocks as bundles. Start with the Clear Block Starter Bundle (Item 129851 Price $26.95) which includes the most popular blocks: C, D and H. 

Or if you're like me and have to have them all, try the Clear Block Bundle which includes all of the blocks from A – I (Item #118491 Price $89.95). See PAGE 7 IDEA BOOK AND CATALOGUE for block sizes.

Sale-A-Bration Product Highlights Day One

January 22nd to March 22nd 2013 -
Stampin' Ups! Biggest Sale Event of the Year

If you're like me, sometimes it's hard to look at a bunch of images on a flyer page or in a store and actually see something you want.  I'm easily overwhelmed by too much stuff, and I'm not very good at reading diagrams or flow charts.  When I study them they become a blur of colour and images, and I can't focus on individual items.

Okay, so maybe that's being dyslexic or maybe it's just mass confusion on my part, but I know I need to see things as individual pieces before I can make up my mind to buy or use something. 

When I received my Stampin' Up! Sale-A-Bration Flyer this month I was immediately confused and a bit panicky.  There was just too much going on for me.  I became overwhelmed, and put it away to look at it later.  When I took it out again I felt the same way, but because I didn't want to miss anything, I spent some more time with it.  For Pete's sake I'm a demo and should have "got it", right?  

In defense of Stampin' Up they're bringing out a fresh new approach with this sale flyer. Everything they are offering in this SAB flyer is off the wall gorgeous but the flyer layout just doesn't work for me. I know a number of you have expressed the same feeling, so it wasn't just me and I don't want you to miss out on opportunities to get amazing FREE stuff. 

So this week I'm attempting to simplify things for you and me.  Notice I said attempting!  How am I going to do that?  Well, quite simply I am going to walk you through the product portion of the flyer showing you all the individual products and bundles in their own individual little glory. 

I've already outlined the three ways you can earn these free products in this post, so if you don't remember go back and check it out.  I'll do a different post each day this week, covering the 19 FREE products you can choose from when you spend $60 or more. Hope you'll come back every day.  Okay are you ready?

Sycamore Street Designer Series Paper:

Did you notice that this beautiful banner at the top of the page is actually the Sycamore Street Designer Series Paper (DSP)?  I didn't at first, I just thought it was a design element.  On closer examination this DSP is gorgeous. Remember it will only be offered in this SAB promotion, so don't miss your opportunity to get some.  

• Each package comes with 12 sheets of  12 x 12 double-sided designer paper -- that's two each of 6 double-sided designs.  
• This DSP is Acid and Lignin free so it's good for card making and scrap booking.
• The Sycamore Street DSP is easy to coordinate.  Just look at how many of Stampin' Ups! beautiful card stocks, buttons, inks and ribbons will go with it:
• Island Indigo
• Pool Party
• Rich Razzleberry,
• Sahara Sand
• Summer Starfruit
• Tangerine Tango
• Whisper White
• Order Item #127540 it's FREE when you place a $60.00 order (before S&H and tax).

Madison Avenue Stamp Set: 

This versatile Two-step stamp set has 5 beautiful images and comes in either wood mount or clear mount style.  The images coordinate with the Sycamore Street Designer Series Paper.  

Order Item # 129657(w) or 129660(cm) it's FREE when you place a $60.00 order (before S&H and tax).

Sycamore Street Ribbon and Button Pack:

Who doesn't love buttons and matching ribbon? When you choose this item as your free product you'll get:

• 3 spools of ribbon (1) Island Indigo, (1) Pool Party and (1) Tangerine Tango.  All hot colours!
• Each 1/4" satiny feeling spool of ribbon is approx. 5 yards in length
• You also get 36 buttons:  12 each in the 3 above colours.  The buttons are approximately 5/8" wide and have a cute pattern around their rim.

Order Item # 130812 it's FREE when you place a $60.00 order (before S&H and tax).

Sycamore Street All Bundled Up:

If you want all 3 of these products for FREE, you can earn them as a bundle when you host a party with a minimum of $525 in sales before tax and shipping.  That seems like a lot but it's not hard to do! Ask me how.  


Well I hope this series of posts will help you to make your selections a little easier.  Until tomorrow happy stamping! 

LINKS TO OTHER CURRENT PROMOTIONS

YOU MAY WANT TO CHECK OUT:

1. Fancy Friends Kit 
2. Valentines Day Promotions
3. Talking Tags
4. Stampin Trimmer
5. Clearance Rack

Click Here to Go to the On-Line Store

Happy Stamping.  Please leave a comment if you liked this post and found it helpful!

Penny Tokens

Thank You Cards for Friends

As I've mentioned before I have limited Stampin' Up! supplies in my little home away from home. So when I got around to making a batch of "Thank You" cards post-Christmas, I had to make do with what was on hand.  What a challenge!

I miss all my Stampin' Up! supplies and tools so much, but it also gives me a bit of a reality check.  I have to remember that you do not need it all and your creativity is only as limited as you choose it to be.  There are always choices. 

So with that in mind, I decided to make small gift cards with matching envelopes and liners for my friends and family who were so kind through the Christmas season.  

Getting Started:
I checked out my stash and began by choosing designer paper and then trying to match it to card stock, ink and ribbon I had.  This approach worked well.  I had a non-SU patterned paper that blended well with some Close to Cocoa (retired),  Always Artichoke and Very Vanilla card stocks. And, as luck would have it, some matching inks and a few yards of Always Artichoke seam binding.  Okay that was all I needed to get started.  Yeah!!!

Here are the six cards and matching envelopes I made.  I was also able to squeeze in a small box for a birthday present.  More on that later and a different post.  

I didn't have a sketch to work with.   I just wanted something simple that would be quick to make and easily mailed.  I decided to make the cards in the following measurements:

• Card base in Close to Cocoa measures 4 1/2 x 4" with a side fold.
• Always Artichoke layer was 4 1/4 by 3 3/4"
• DSP layer was 4 by 3 1/2"

This layout worked well with the leaf patterns on the designer paper and allowed lots of room for the ribbon and sentiment.  Each card has a slightly different look, but if they were given as a set would look really nice. 

Don't you just love this sentiment?  This tiny set called Itty Bitty Banners (126257 cm/126255 w) is on page 134 of the Idea Book and Catalogue (IB&C).   I took advantage of Stampin' Ups! one day 15% off sale back in October and  bought it and it's served me well ever since.  There are 6 perfect sentiments in this set and it has the advantage of having a matching framelit die set called "BittyBanners" on pg. 191 of the IB&C.  The "Thank You" sentiment worked perfectly on my card.  It was stamped in Close to Cocoa on Very Vanilla card stock and then mounted with dimensionals.

Itty Bitty Banners Item # 126257 (cm) $14.95 or wm 126255 $19.95 

page 134 IB&C. 

Bitty Banners Framelits - 3 dies, largest  2 1/4" x 1/2".  Coordinates with Itty Bitty Stamp Set, and Blue Ribbon Stamp set on page 33 IB&C.
Item # 129267 $18.95.

I made the matching envelopes with my old Score Pal. Let me tell you I really needed my Simply Scored tool with all the accurate measurements, and the Simply Scored plate that makes envelope making so easy.  

I always stamp the back of my cards with a Stampin' Up! Trademark stamp and usually  my personalized name stamp.  Since I didn't have the latter, I added my  signature Palm Tree stamp.  

LINKS TO OTHER CURRENT PROMOTIONS

YOU MAY WANT TO CHECK OUT:

1. Fancy Friends Kit 
2. Valentines Day Promotions
3. Talking Tags
4. Stampin Trimmer
5. Clearance Rack

 Happy Stamping.  Please leave a comment if you liked this post and found it helpful!

Penny Tokens

Hearts a Flutter Vintage Card

On Tuesday night I had the pleasure of attending a workshop hosted by Cera and demoed by Cheryl LeFore.  What a great time I had!  

The hostess and her mom were so accommodating and friendly, welcoming me into their home and introducing me to the other guests.

Cera's mom prepared and served a  delicious meal of homemade soup, salad and cornbread, which we ate before starting our evening's projects.  Talk about a wonderful way to begin a stamping evening with all the comforts; especially on a really cold evening!

Cheryl, having just returned from Leadership in Orlando Florida, had lots to share with us.  She began by showing us the flyers for the new Single Stamp sets and the 25th Anniversary Stamp Set Releases that are starting this month. We also got to ooh and aah over the Paper Pumpkin monthly kit that is being released this year.  Awesome kits!  I'll be signing up for these too!  I'll be touching on all the other promotions in a later post because for now I want to share the the first of two beautiful cards we made.

Hearts a Flutter Vintage Card:

This beautiful vintage look is achieved by combining several new products that are available in the Spring Mini catalogue.  Here are the ingredients for making this card:

Hearts a Flutter Clear Mount Stamp set 129252 ($22.95) or Wood Mount 129249 ($31.95) on page 11 Spring Mini Catalogue.

Hearts a Flutter Framelit Dies item #130159 ($30.95) make it easy to cut out the images from the Hearts a Flutter Stamp set. Cuts a single sheet of paper using the Big Shot.

Card Stock:  An 8.5 x 5.5 piece of Pool Party card stock was folded at center for the card base.   The dry embossed area was achieved with the Adorning Accents Heart Folder (125601).  Very Vanilla card stock was used for the inside liner of the card and for the two tickets that were stamped using the That's the Ticket stamp set. 

Stamps:  The largest heart image from the Hearts a Flutter stamp set and Framelit Bundle (131097) was used for the second heart which is nestled under the bow. You can barely tell in this picture, but in the closeup further down, you may be able to see some of the detail achieved by stamping the Raspberry Ripple card stock with Versa Mark Ink and then embossing it with the Pool Party Embossing Powder.  A really hot look!  

You can purchase this stamp set and framelits individually, but if you buy them in a bundle you'll save 15%.  That's what I did as I anticipate using this set a lot.

The tickets from the That's the Ticket stamp set (128075) on page 27 of the Spring mini, were stamped in Raspberry Ripple and Pool Party on Very Vanilla card stock.  They were punched out with the Ticket Builder Punch from the Idea Book and Catalogue.  They are really cute and sure added a lot of nostalgia to this card front.  

DSP:  A small strip of More Amore DSP (129309) was used for the heart banner and the large decorative Raspberry Ripple Heart was cut from the beautiful Laser cut sheet that is included in this package.  You can cut 16 hearts from this DSP.  That's a lot of cards!

More Amore DSP Spring Mini Catalogue Item # 129309 $15.95

Accessories:  One Vanilla Flower Trim (126869) piece was adhered with glue dots.  I fell in love with these little beauties.  These floral rosettes can be dyed or partially coloured to co-ordinate with your projects.   A true value at just $9.50 for 2 yards of these enchanting flowers.  

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Some Pool Party 3/8" Ruffled Ribbon (122975) was tied in a bow and adhered with glue dots on top of the large heart from Hearts a Flutter.  It really complimented the other elements on this card front.

The inside of the card  has a single heart from the Hearts A Flutter  stamp set stamped in Raspberry Ripple on this 4 x 5 1/4 piece of Very Vanilla Card stock

Well what do you think?  Leave me a comment if you  like this card.  Tomorrow I'll share the second card which was made with the Oh Whale and Rain or Shine stamp sets.  

LINKS TO OTHER CURRENT PROMOTIONS

YOU MAY WANT TO CHECK OUT:

1. Fancy Friends Kit 
2. Valentines Day Promotions
3. Talking Tags
4. Stampin Trimmer
5. Clearance Rack

Click Here to Look at On-Line Store Items

Happy Stamping.  Please leave a comment if you liked this post and found it helpful!

Penny Tokens

Paper Pumpkin Monthly Kits Are Available on January 15th

Sweep away the mundane-your 

creativity carriage awaits!

Paper Pumpkin by Stampin' Up! is a new monthly kit program that anyone  can enjoy!  Once you join the program, Paper Pumpkin will come to your door each month (a fully decked-out creativity carriage). It will help you to escape your life with some paper fun.  

Everyone loves a surprise and this one comes in a sweet box.  You're going to love what you find on the inside! There'll be all the stamps, ink, paper, and accessories you need to create pinable projects, such as cards, journals, decor and more!  

How Do You Get Started?

It's so easy to get started. Simply sign up for the program starting Monday, January 14 by visiting www.mypaperpumpkin.com and click Get it. You'll complete a simple registration process and then every month a new, surprise project kit will arrive at your doorstep. 

Just think of the anticipation of creating a fun project to pin, showoff, and share with your friends and family-every month!

Here's The Nitty Gritty:
Each month Stampin' Up! will  send you a unique, surprise kit with  project-cards for journals, décor, and more! (everything will be colour-coordinated, measured, and pre-cut for you!)

• Each kit gives you a 30-minute creativity escape.
• There's no commitment, you can cancel your monthly Paper Pumpkin at anytime. You can also skip a month if you want.
• Starting in early March,Stampin' Up! is offering a Try-It kit if you'd like to try Paper Pumpkin for one month.
• Your Paper Pumpkin will be shipped on or around the 15th of the month.  
• You need to sign up for a kit by the 10th of the month to get that month's kit. If you sign up on the 11th of the month, your first kit will come the next month. (Let's say you sign up on May 10th, Up! Stampin' will send your kit around May 15th. If you sign up on May 11th, they'll send your first kit around June 15th.)
• The Paper Pumpkin membership is just $24.95 per month which includes shipping. 

Get Started

It's so easy to get started. Simply sign up for the program starting Monday, January 14 by visiting www.mypaperpumpkin.com and click Get it. 

Every month a new, surprise project kit arrives at your doorstep. Just think of the anticipation of creating a fun project to pin, showoff, and share with your friends and family-every month!

A Free Gift in Your Very First Kit

The Welcome Kit is the very first Paper Pumpkin you will receive in your first month of membership. The Welcome Kit includes a free gift-a clear acrylic block!

If you have questions about this promo please feel free to contact me.  Happy Stamping! 

LINKS TO OTHER CURRENT PROMOTIONS 

YOU MAY WANT TO CHECK OUT:

1. Fancy Friends Kit 
2. Valentines Day Promotions
3. Talking Tags
4. Stampin Trimmer
5. Clearance Rack

 Please leave a comment if you liked this post and found it helpful!

Penny Tokens

Dude, You're Welcome! Kit

You asked, and Stampin’ Up! listened! Stampin’ Up! is excited to introduce their new, very manly stamping kit: called  Dude, You're Welcome! kit.


Guys stamp too so how about a kit just for them!  Here's a kit for guys that's designed by guys.  What fun!

Guys don't always have the easiest time expressing themselves, but with the Dude, You're Welcome! kit, they'll have:


Four wood-mount stamps (double-mounted) with the perfect sentiment for every occasion

• Twelve 4" x 6" postcards in four different (manly) colors
• Twelve gray envelopes
• A Basic Gray Classic Stampin' Pad
• An instructional guide (for the most novice stamper!)

Basically, the kit includes everything a dude needs to create the perfect manly card that any woman would adore, all packaged in an appropriately masculine box.

You can order this set using item #132807  Price $30.95.

Visit my on-line store to learn more about this exciting new kit. Check out this video and see what's new in this fun kit! 

LINKS TO CURRENT PROMOTIONS YOU MAY WANT TO CHECK OUT:

1. Fancy Friends Kit 
2. Valentines Day Promotions
3. Talking Tags
4. Stampin Trimmer
5. Clearance Rack

Happy Stamping.  Please leave a comment if you liked this post and found it helpful!

Penny Tokens

Sale-a-bration is Coming!

Sale-A-Bration What Is It?

One of Stampin' Up!s biggest events of the year is just around the corner and I'm excited to share some information about it.  Sale-a-Bration is the one time of the year when you can choose free additional stamp sets and product rewards for any purchase over $60.00 CDN (before S&H and tax).

How Do I Get My Own Sale-a-bration Flyer?
If you're a customer of mine you'll have already received your Sale-a-Bration (SAB) flyer and had a chance to look at all the neat little goodies within.  If  you're not a current customer but would like to receive  catalogues and sales promos for FREE all you have to do is place a minimum $25 order (before shipping/handling and tax) at my on-line store, or hold a workshop, or order directly through me.  Once you've done that you'll automatically receive the year's catalogues in the mail.

So What's So Hot About This Year's SAB?
Although the format of the flyer is totally different this year, don't get scared off, there are some awesome products available for FREE during the sales period from January 22nd to March  22nd.   Here's what's new:

• Six exclusive to  SAB stamp sets 
• Beautiful Designer Series Paper
• Cute buttons and ribbon pack
• A "to die for" Embossing Folder
• A cute little punch that coordinates with one of the Stamp Sets
• One big SAB 2013 Digital Disk - MDS 2 or Lemonade Stand Digital Disk
• If you earned all the above there are six additional products from the main catalogue available.  They include: 
• Itty Bitty Banners Stamp Set
• Getting Started Card Stock Pack - 24 sheets
• Vintage Faceted Designer Buttons - 24
• Quintessential Flower Stamp - single
• Simply Scored Diagonal Plate
• Essentials Paper Piercing Pack - 3 templates

Because Stampin' Up! is celebrating their 25th Anniversary this year the SAB offers you THREE WAYS to earn free products.  Make sure you check out both sides of the flyer and you'll find the best way to earn free products during this promotion.

1.  Host a Party:

• Host a Party With a Few Friends and get minimum sales of $200 before s&h/taxes and you'll earn:
• $35 in Hostess Dollars to spend on what you want
• A Free pack of Silver Glimmer Paper 
• Host a $525 Party and you'll get:
• $90 in Hostess Dollars to spend on what you want
• 50% off  Any Full Priced Item from the IB&C or Spring Mini
• Free Product Bundle from SAB includes stamp set, designer paper and buttons and ribbon pack
• Free Pack of Silver Glimmer Paper 

2.  Join My Stampin' Up! Team and You'll Get:

• 20 % Off Product Discount Every Time you Order
• 25% More in Your Starter Kit - Choose $194 in products but only pay $125.00
• Click here to find out more about the Benefits of being a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator.

3.  Simply Shop:

• Easy- Peasy!  Spend just $60 (before S&H/tax) on-line or through me and you'll earn one free product choice from the SAB catalogue.

Sab and Spring Cattie Preview Card links:

Check out Kris Sobolik's great blog, Maddie Bug Designs to see a sneak peak at a SAB card.  Click here: http://maddiebugdesigns.blogspot.com/

You can also check out the offerings on the Stylin' Stampin' Squad Blog Hop that's happening right now.  They are featuring products from the Spring Catalog as well as some sneak peaks at SAB creations.  Happy Blog Hopping! 

Blog Hop Participants:

1. Annie L. of Love Me Cards
2. Pam S. of Stampin' in the Sun!
3. Nancy B. of Lady Stamps-A-Lot
4. Rose C. of Stamp with Rose
5. Tonya B. of Stampin' with Tonya
6. Dawn S. of Dawn's Creative Chalet
7. Patricia T. of Sunnyone Stampin'
8. Pamela W. of Stinky Tofu
9. Darcy J. of DJ's Stampin' Place
10. Kim R. of Stamping with Kim
11. Terry B of Goin' Over the Edge
12. Justin K of JK Cards
13. Heidi B of Stuck on Stampin'
14. Jennifer B of NW Stamper
15. Bree R. of Craft-somnia
16. Diana E of Stampin' Fun with Diana

Technology Can Be Sooooooo Frustrating

What's the Problem?
For the past few weeks I've been experiencing problems accessing my Blogger Account, my ability to post to my Penny Tokens Blog site, Stampin' Connection and a few other sites I use. 
I've been techno-challenged!

How frustrating it's been!  
I wanted to start the New Year off with some exciting new blog posts, but nothing was simple.   For example, I'd spend hours trying to compose a new post.  Blogger would freeze as I typed and I'd have to wait in between each word.  As well, I couldn't access the picture Icon to download pictures from my browser and could only rely on what was stored in Picassa.  And, even after following a suggestion to used HTML mode to add pictures, the post would be corrupted and the paragraphs and photos would bounce all over the page.  Grrrrrrrrrh!

Asking for Help:
I know I haven't been alone with this problem. When I put a call-out for help on the Late Night Stamper Forum several stampers advised they've been having similar problems.   It's awesome being part of Late Night Stampers as the advice I received was almost instantly forthcoming and it was good solid information I could act on.  Unfortunately I did not have a similar experience in trying to access and receive help for these issues from Blogger's help forum.

Solution and Success!
So if you've hung in with me this far I've got some good news, at least from my point of view.  After trying several methods to recover my blogging access I was able to finally fix the problem by upgrading my browser from IE to Google Chrome.  So far so good but my fingers are crossed.  This week I'll be catching up with posts that should have been out a weeks or so ago. Please bear with me as I catch up.  Thank you. 

More Convention Friends

I just want to share some more pictures of the great friends I made at convention.  Some I knew already like Cheryl and Jenn, while others like Joni, Nikki, Olivia and Sherrill were new to me. 

This was taken during one of our Make N' Take sessions.  What fun we had.  Sorry I don't have a picture of DaVita our Make N' Take Helper, extraordinare.  She made it so much fun.  Cheryl LeFore and Jennifer from LaQuinta California and Joni Metras from Charlton Massachusetts.

Cheryl Lefore (in white) was the top Artisan Winner at the 2011 SU Convention.  She's an amazing artist and I'm blessed to be able to attend her workshops and Stamp Clubs when I'm in California.  Jenn (in the orange) is part of her downline.  It was really great getting to meet Jenn again.  She's always so gracious and sweet.  And of course there's Joni and me hamming it up in the Center! What fun!

Here are Nikki Smith and Olivia from Washington State.  Nikki just won a fantastic prize box filled with Stampin' Up Goodies.  Way to go Nikki.  I'm hoping to meet up with both of these gals at the September Regionals in Tacoma Washington!  See you there girls!!!

Here I am with Joni Metras.  Joni made my Convention adventures so much fun I just know we'll be life-long friends.  What a treat it was being able to share the fun of our Make N' Take and Late Night Stamper sessions with her.  Hey Joni you're the best!

These were the awesome "Purple Margaritas Joni, Diane and I had in the bar at the Radisson.  I had to share this photo with you.  These drinks made with Chambord, Tequilla and Lemon were so tasty and refreshing.  

This was the night I met Joni at the Late Night Stampers Welcome Soup and Salad Dinner.  Sherrill Graff is the gal in the Pink and is the pivotal driving force behind Late Night Stampers! 

Here's Sherrill Graff of LNS taking a well deserved break.  This session of LNS as well as the Friday night 80+ swap and Soup and Salad dinner were one of the major highlights of my convention attendance.  What a great group of women and the talent was amazing!  Thanks Sherrill for making LNS pre-convention events possible.  The Radisson Hotel where all the LNS events took place is awesome too.  Can't say enough about the Soup N' Salad buffets..............the soup was to die for.