OCTOBER IS HERE!

Happy 1st of October!  This tenth month is one of the busiest months' of the year for me and my family.  We start off the with my hubby's birthday....yeah, happy birthday honey!  And then, we shift into three weeks of almost daily family and friends birthdays and anniversaries. 

As if that isn't busy enough, we have World Card Making Day on the 5th, Thanksgiving on the 13th and Halloween at month's end.  Whew!  I need a lot of greeting cards in October! 

So let's get cracking and start the month off with my Hostess Code for October.  I also have some special Stampin' Up! October Promos to share. 

Every paper crafter needs stuff, but not everyone can afford to place orders over $200 or host workshops to accumulate sales, so offering my monthly hostess code for smaller orders, is my way of saying "thanks for supporting my business".

If you're planning on placing an October order valued from $60 to $199.00 (before shipping and tax) just add my October Hostess Code #RJPVNDY3 at the end of your order to receive a small token of my appreciation and a thank you card.  The benefits of shopping at my online store and adding my monthly Hostess Code are:

• You never have to go to a workshop or party, you can order from your own home.
• If you need help with your product choices just call or email me, I'm always here to help. 
• You decide when to place your order - daytime or evening my online store is always available 24/7.
• Want exclusive items that aren't available in any of the catalogues, well you can get them in the Online Exclusive Shop on my webpage. New Online Exclusives are released every two months.  
• Delivery is fast and comes directly to your front door.  Orders generally arrive within 5-7 days of placing your online order.
• After you've placed your order and applied the current hostess code you'll receive a free surprise gift from me and thank you card generally within 2-3 weeks.

ADDING THE HOSTESS CODE TO YOUR ORDER:

If you don't already have an online Stampin' Up! account with me, you'll need to set one up.  It's fast and easy.  Locate the "shopping cart symbol" in the top right hand menu line on my web page.  It looks like this:

Before you finalize your Shopping Cart order at the checkout you must add my hostess code for the month into the circled area marked "ADD HOSTESS CODE" (see blue circled area in above snapshot).  Please note:  I can no longer add the hostess code for shoppers after their order has been submitted.  So remember, if you haven't added the current month's hostess code to your order before hitting the checkout button, it won't qualify for my free gift.  

Stampin' Rewards:  If your order is over $200 you'll automatically receive Stampin' Rewards at the checkout based on your order total and will be prompted to enter products adding up to the qualifying amount. 

NOTE: My October Hostess Code promo closes at noon on Thursday October 31st, 2024.   Your free gift and thank you card will be sent to you by the 2nd week in November.  Thank you.

OCTOBER PROMOS FROM 

STAMPIN' UP! 

Stampin’ Up! has a fantastic offer for anyone who becomes a demonstrator during the month of October! If you join my team between October 1–31 you'll get to  choose $206 worth of product in your Starter Kit for only $135! Starter Kits normally include $165worth of product for $135, so that’s an extra $30 worth of product at no additional cost. This offering also includes free shipping and free business supplies! 

Don't delay, this is the last opportunity to become a Stampin' Up! demo this year. The benefits of signing up now are:

• early access to all Stampin' Up! products 
• special discounts for demos
• a chance to earn product credits, 
• access to all the new catalogues online and by mail
• grow your own team and become a Rising Star
• attend demonstrator-online and in person events
• receive training and guidance from me and interact with other members of my team, and so much more! 

As a demonstrator, I am here to help you through the join process and beyond. If you’re interested in joining my team, please reach out! I am excited to answer your questions and help you get started on your creative journey. 

New Online Exclusives for October: 

Stampin' Up! has added more Online Exclusive goodies! Click here to see the Online Exclusive Flyer.  These offers are only available to customers who have set up an online account.  If you haven't done this, just contact me and I'll walk you through it.  It's safe and secure and only takes a few minutes to set up. 

Kit Collection Sale: 

From October 1st to 31st, you can shop for all your favorite kits from Stampin' Up!s Kits Collection and save up to 30%!  The Kits Collection is an all-inclusive paper crafting box that arrives with everything you need for card making, gift tags, treat packaging, home decor and more. There are a wide variety of kit styles to suit all types of crafters.  Here are the details: 

• ALL kits from our collection qualify for the discount.
• All order types qualify for this sale. There is no limit on how many kits you can order, as long as product is available.
• Orders must be opened and placed during the promotion dates. Orders opened before October 1 will not qualify for the sale.
• Kits on sale will NOT qualify for the Stampin’ Rewards 50% off.
• Kits can be added to a Starter Kit at their discounted rate.
• Coupon codes can also be used with discounted kits.
• Save up to 30% off on all your favorite kits October 1–31! 

WORLD CARD MAKING DAY - OCTOBER 5, 2024:

HAPPY STAMPING!

PENNY TOKENS STAMPIN' SPOT

Penny Hanuszak, CDN Stampin' Up Demo since 2006

Birthday Cakes All in a Row - FMS#655

This week's  Freshly Made Sketches #655 challenge is designed by Jen B.  It's a very clean and simple design, but it was one I had to think about for some time. I had many ideas but finally decided to go with a birthday theme.  Here's the sketch: 

Here's My Card: 

For this card I pulled out one of my very old but well used birthday stamp sets aptly called "Birthday Bakery".  The six cakes in a row image was perfect for emulating the design element in the sketch.  I actually extended the row on a larger piece of Whisper White card stock and then cut it down to fit the Magenta mat.  I borrowed the pink and brown coloring idea from a post by Kim S of Joyful Creations that dates back to 2012.

This is a very clean and simple card for me.  I'm not use to leaving so much white space, but decided that if I mounted the stamped mat onto some Designer Series paper that it would give enough colour to pull it off.  I think it worked! 

I debated about stamping a cake on the inside of the card, but opted to keep it plain and simple like the card front.  The sentiment is from a new to me stamp set called Frosted Forest, which is available in the Online Exclusives for Stampin' Up.  Totally love this sentiment, and I know I'll be using it often.  

I wanted to ground the cake images but didn't want to have them sitting on a ledge so I decided to add a confetti look by repeatedly stamping the sand image from the old Waterfront stamp set in Crumb Cake ink.  I added some pink dots with my Magenta Blends.  To give this card a little more umph because it is so clean and simple, I dabbed the cakes and the sand areas with Stampin' Ups! Dazzling Details.  It's just the right amount of sparkle to brighten up the card but not make it look garish in any way. 

Supplies:

Stamp sets: 

• Birthday Bakery #120115 (R) cakes and front sentiment
• Waterfront #146386 - sand stamp for brown confetti 
• Frosted Forest #164344 - for inside sentiment 

Ink:

• Crum Cake ink and blends light and dark
• Soft Suede blends - light and dark
• Magenta blends - light and dark 
• Momento Tuxedo Black 

Cardstock and DSP:

• 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" piece Whisper White scored at 4 1/4" for card base
• 3 3/4" x 5" piece of Whisper White for inside sentiment mat
• Two 4" x 5 1/4" pieces of Designer Paper Incolor 2020 - Magenta for front and inside mat

Accessories: 

• Dazzling Details glitter glue by Stampin' Up to add sparkle to all the pink areas and the confetti on the base of the front panel. 

Thanks for dropping by and checking out my birthday card.  Appreciated.  

HAPPY STAMPING!
PENNY TOKENS STAMPIN' SPOT

Penny Hanuszak, CDN Stampin' Up! Demo since 2006

Click here to visit my 24/7 Online Webstore 

My September Hostess Code closes at noon on Monday September 30th(today).  If you're planning on placing a small order, don't miss out on the Hostess Code Free Gift from me for September. Click here for details on how to apply the code. 

I Made Top 3 - AHSC #

Wednesday September 24, 2024  

Woo Hoo!!  I just found out that my Christmas Scottie entry made the "Top Three" in the Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #595.   Here's my badge: 

There's nothing more gratifying than receiving recognition for your card design.  Much Appreciated Atlantic Hearts Design Team!  If you haven't tried a sketch challenge yet, I'd recommend this site.  Great challenges and the Design Team always comment which again is very fulfilling. 

Happy Stamping! 

Penny Tokens Stampin' Spot 

Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge # 596

Hi everyone.  Another week has flown by with so much on the go.  I'm delighted to say I managed to squeak in some cardmaking time, and have a couple of cards to share with you.  The first card is for the Atlantic Heart Sketch Challenge #596 which closed on Sunday September 29th.  Here is their sketch: 

HERE'S MY CARD: 

This sketch gave me an opportunity to show off the Nests of Winter designer paper I recently purchased from Stampin' Up!  This  beautiful sketch allowed me  to mix and match the papers and create a small scene with virtually no stamping  except for the sentiments. This 12 x 12 paper is part of the Nests of Winter Suite Collection on pages 30 and 31 in the 2024 Holiday Mini Catalogue.  

I love the detailed images of the birds and the subtle natural tones, which make it ideal not only for Christmas cards but those other winter time celebrations.  

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used: 

Stamp Sets and Dies: 

• Something Fancy #160416 for "Happy Birthday" sentiment for card front.  Die cut for sentiment.
• Frosted Forest #164344 for sentiment inside the card.  Tree Die cut in black and pecan pie for card front. 

Cardstock and Designer Paper: 

• 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" Whisper White for card base and scrap for sentiment.  3 7/8" x 5 1/8" piece for inside mat
• 5 3/8" x 4 1/8" Pecan Pie for card front base mat; 2 1/8" x 4 1/8" Pecan Pie mat for Pool Party DSP strip; 1 5/8" x 4 1/8" Pecan Pie Piece for Birch Tree DSP strip. A scrap for the Tree Die Cut in Pecan Pie.
• A scrap of Basic Black for Tree die cut 
• 5 1/4" x 4" Pool Party for base mat inside card.
• 4" x 5 1/4" Birch Design DSP from Nests of Winter
• 2" x 4" Pool Party Diamond design paper from Nests of Winter 
• 1 1/2" x 3 7/8" strip of Birch Design with Small Birds from Nests of Winter

Accessories:

• Opaque Faceted Gems in Pool Party # 162979 

Here are a couple of birthday cards I made using the same papers.  The images were so easy to fussy cut that I didn't purchase the stamp set or dies that coordinate with it.  

HAPPY STAMPING!

PENNY TOKENS STAMPIN' SPOT 

Penny Hanuszak, CDN Stampin' Up! Demo since 2006

Click here to visit my 24/7 Online Web Store 

Clearance Refresh......Stampin' Up!

 

I just had to share the good news!   The Clearance Rack has finally been updated in the we hours with lots of new items! There are definitely bargains to be had, with some products discounted by up to 60%. 

Clearance items are only available while supplies last and can sell out quickly, so don't delay placing your order if something catches your eye.

If you're looking for designer series paper, embellishments, cardstock or blends there is currently lots to choose from.  

Check out the Very Vanilla products that are reduced.  You might want to stock up if that's one of your favourite neutrals .......just in case it's being phased out.  Just sayin! 

HAPPY STAMPING!

PENNY TOKENS STAMPIN' SPOT 

Penny Hanuszak, CDN Stampin' Up! Demo since 2006 

Click here to visit my 24/7 Online Store 

Don't forget to add my September Hostess Code
if your  order is under $200.00
Click here for instructions.  You'll receive a free gift from me!

Sending Happy Thoughts FMS#654

It's Sunday and the weather has turned cold and cloudy.  Perfect weather for going to my card room and working on some projects.  I'm using this weeks sketch challenge at Freshly Made Sketches for my card inspiration:  

Here's My Card:

Truthfully although this looks like  a very easy sketch challenge, I wasn't sure how to approach it.  After looking through my stamps for trees or tall features that I could use and not finding anything that really worked, I had a lightbulb moment.  

I decided to rummage through my past Paper Pumpkin kit bags to see if there was anything that would work.  I was so excited when I found the Adventure Begins kit from 2021 which featured nature and camping scenes.  There were still some card bases left in the bag that worked perfectly for creating this card.

The leftover background scenes in the kit were simply amazing, but the one I chose seemed to be the best for this sketch.  Using this scene eliminated the need to do anything else apart from attach the trees and a card strip to the card front. 

I cut the picture mat to 3 3/4" x 5" and mounted it on a 4" x 5 1/4" Whisper White mat.  After adhering these two mats I attached them to an 81/2" x 5 1/2" Basic Black card base.  

Deciding on what to do with the strip was difficult.  I had lots of ideas but no time to start searching for dies that would cut the strip into rolling hills or a picket or log fence.  So I decided to keep it simple and used a 1" by 3 3/4" piece of Basic Black cardstock. When I was positioning the strip, I realized it didn't add any dimension or life to the card so I embossed it with the Fern embossing folder. This simple step added the depth I was looking for. I adhered one of the trees with adhesive and the second one with dimensionals. I grabbed a pre-stamped sentiment from my stash and I was finished.  This is literally a 5 minute card. 

The sentiment is from a long retired Stampin' Up! set where all the sentiments were on one piece of red rubber and you used a coordinating solid die to cut them out.  The stamp and die are long gone, that's why I don't remember the name, however before I sold it, I stamped and cut out  a gazillion of the sentiments and I'm still using them.  Having pre-stamped sentiments on hand is a life saver when you're in a hurry.

Supplies:

The Adventure Begins - June 2021 Paper Pumpkin kit by Stampin' Up! for background paper, tree shapes (ephemera) and coordinating envelope. 

Cardstock:

• Basic Black 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" for the card base. 
• A 1"x 4" strip for the front card layer and 
• a 4" x 5 1/4" Whisper White layer for inside mat.  

Ink:

Momento Tuxedo Black ink

Accessories: 

• Fern Embossing folder for black strip
• Basic Rhinestones 
• Dimensionals 

Thanks for dropping by and checking out my card for this week's Freshly Made Sketches challenge.  Appreciate it.  Let me know if you've ever used kits to complete a sketch, I'd love to hear your story.  

HAPPY STAMPING!

PENNY TOKENS STAMPIN' SPOT 

Penny Hanuszak, CDN Stampin' Up! Demo since 2006 

Click here to visit my 24/7 Online Store 

Christmas Scotties - AHSC #595

 Here I am once again with my version of the Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #595.  This sketch was created by Michelle and digitized by Brandi.  

HERE'S MY CARD: 

Since I'm trying to get my stash of Christmas cards built up I'm doing a Christmas theme for my focal point.

This was such a fun card to make. Nothing in this card is current. The stamp set and designer papers are all part of my stash that I'm trying to use. I love the Christmas Scottie stamp set and coordinating punch, and probably will never part with them, as this is one of my most loved Christmas bundles.

As a Stampin' Up! demonstrator I'm obligated in my agreement to use what's called the "Angel Policy" when creating cards. It's really easy to add the Stampin' Up! logo and my brand when using light coloured cardstock, however when using black as a cardbase, or some other dark neutral, it's almost impossible to see this information.

To resolve this problem I came up with a simple solution, that not only looks good, but is easy to do.

Voila, problem solved by simply stamping on a neutral cardstock and cutting out a tag or die that holds the information.  I usually add my small  Stampin' Up! logo stamp as well, so that it conforms with the Angel Policy.  

Supplies:

Stamp Sets:

• Christmas Scottie #159740 (R) 
• Christmas Gleaming #150464 (R) for sentiment

Ink:

• Momento Tuxedo Black ink
• Real Red
• Old Olive 

Card Stock and DSP:

• Basic Black 81/2" x 5 1/4" scored at 4 1/4" for the card base. A 1" x 5" strip for the bottom of the card front.
• Garden Green mat for card front 5 1/4" x 4", a 3" x 3" piece for stitched circle piece for focal.
• Plaid DSP 2 3/4" x 5" for front mat
• Whisper White 4" x 5 1/4" mat for inside card
• Scrap of Daffodil Delight for Street Light

Accessories:

• Red Rhinestone Basic Jewels #146924
• 3" Stitched Circle Die 
• Basic 3-D Embossing Folder Cross Hatch pattern (R) 
• Dimensionals 

Well that's it for this sketch challenge.  I hope you enjoyed this card and that it inspired you to try a sketch challenge or create some Christmas cards using this stamp set.  Please leave me a comment, I love to hear from you. 

Happy Stamping!

Penny Tokens Stampin' Spot 

Penny Hanuszak, CDN Stampin' Up! Demo since 2006

Click here to visit my 24/7 online store