Welcome!!

Hi all - just want to give a quick shout out to my latest recruit, Beth!!  She is official and soo excited to receive her new kit.  She is going to have a little Christmas before Christmas, I think!!!  Fun!  Welcome. Beth!!

Peggy

Countdown to Christmas Tin

Hi Stampers
You might have noticed that Sunday was the Countdown to Christmas class and so of course, today I want to show you the project.  I love the way it turned out!

Originally, I had planned to use a heavy duty mini muffin tin for the base of the project but recently I decided the entire task would be easier (and lighter) if it was made from a disposable aluminum pan.  Now just cuz the pan is disposable doesn't  mean this will only last one year.  I think it is good for a while!!  Of course the trim around the edges is the Stampin' Up! fabric (currently on sale til Nov 30th).  I used a piece of retired sage shadow cardstock as the face of the project - the layers are done in real red, blushing bride, and whisper white.  The images are from the Jolly Bingo bits and I used a bit of Stickles to highlight each image.  I used almost 30 silver brads to hold the whole project together.  They were easy to push through the tin.  I used some retired SU ribbon to hang the project.  I put Hershey kisses in my tin but you could easily use any similar size candy or treat.  You could even put non-candy small trinkets or clues  inside.  As you can see in the second picture, to get to the treats you just swing the circle to the side.

Would love to hear what you think of my project.  Leave me a comment or e-me!
Peggy

Black Friday activities

Hi all
Hope everyone is enjoying the holiday weekend!  Many of you spent Black Friday standing in lines and shopping the malls.  Not me!!  Last week I decided to schedule to have my car worked on - regular maintenance.  I called to make the appointment and the lady astonished me with her prediction of the cost.  Apparently I had rolled over a major mileage level and big things needed to be taken care of.  My car has been great so I resigned myself to the fact that eventually we all have to face the music. Go for it!  Well, when I dropped off the car we discovered I had another major "thing" to be updated ...so the "estimate" doubled...yikes!  A couple of hours later, the sales gal called me to confirm that the second "thing" was indeed necessary...AND when they checked my front and rear brakes they needed replacement....and the estimate was now triple the original amount!!!  Luckily, I was given a rental car free so I was able to be at home during the day.   I feared driving an unfamiliar car in the craziness of the mall parking lots, so at home is where I stayed. Although I usually do all the family driving, I chose to leave the rental car at home.  Anyway while I was waiting for the car repairs to be finished, I worked on making a pile of tags.  Each year the drumline and the color guard  go to Barnes and Noble to wrap holiday gifts in hopes of getting some donations from the patrons for the Band.  I always make tags to go with the gifts as the store only gives us the paper.  We are doing two Saturdays in December (11th and 18th) during the day at the White Marsh store.  If you are there, stop by and say hi!  Here is what I accomplished while I waited for my car to be finished.

The DSP is retired from previous years; the snowflakes are from a current SU/Sizzix strip die.  The base of each tag was cut from the cardboard box that contained my anniversary roses.  I love to recycle!!  I covered the green side and let the white show in the back.  I think I finished over 70 - hope that is enough for at least the first day.
Stop back tomorrow to see the countdown to Christmas tin I made.  I was very happy with how it turned out.
Peggy

Stampin' Up! Saleabration and new Mini Brochures

Hi Stampers!
I have until Nov 30th to select the names of the people I want to receive the new Stampin' Up! mini catalog (will begin on Jan 4th) and SAB brochure (begins Jan 25).  Would you like to have one of these?  Email me at david.outen@verizon.net with your snail addy so I can add you to my list.

Remember too that this Sunday, November 28, 2010 is the deadline for signing up with payment for the Holiday Card Stamp a Stack, Part 4 which will be held on Dec 5, 2010 starting at 2PM.   This is the last holiday card class to be held before Christmas.  Imagine how great it will feel to go home with 20 hand crafted holiday cards ready to be signed and mailed– knowing I did all the cutting and prep work for you!!  I only have a few seats left, so contact me PDQ!!  Hey!  You'll even be home in time to see the Steelers/Ravens game!

Peggy

shopping for a bargain!!!

Hi stampers!!
While you are running around with sore feet and a tired back, remember you can shop online in the comfort of your home through my Stampin' Up! website AND get some fabulous deals at the same time.  There are quite of lot of great items reduced by 30%, 40 % and 50% and if your order reaches $150 (subtotal) you get FREE SHIPPING TOO!!!   Wouldn't your loved ones want to get you EXACTLY what you want at a reduced price with free shipping.  Tell them today all the Stampin' Up! goodies you want!!  You say your wish list is short right now?  Send me your wish list and I will put it together with others to get you free shipping. Imagine all the great things you can make with these great products. 
Peggy

FAB- U - LOUS holiday SALE !!!!!

http://www.stampinup.com/us/documents/Online_Spectacular_flyer_US.pdf

Well did you click on this link?  YOU MUST!!!!  You have to see the many many (over 60) items that are reduced 50, 40 or 30% right now!!  but they are only on sale until Nov 30th!!!   things like...

My digital Studio at 50% off  ...only 39.98
Candy Cane Christmas Designer fabric  only 4.98
Fire and Ice Brad Bundle  only  19.71

The items on sale have special code numbers to be sure to check out the total list on the link.
If you get together a $150 order from yourself and your friends, you will qualify for hostess benefits
AND   FREE SHIPPING!!!

If you are thinking of joining  SU as a demo, be sure to choose the regular kit and after you have your demo number you can order the My Digital Studio at half price!!!

Call me  for help!!
Peggy

gobble gobble gobble!!!

Guess what?  I'm still not finished ...but I am close!!
Here is what the first turkey looked like....notice he has the googly eyes.

Here is what I did instead of the googly eyes.....I punched two holes in the owl body using the retired double hole punch, and then used a very small sponge on a stick to smudge around the eye holes.  Then I used a hand held heart punch and half of the mini scalloped circle punch for the beak and wattle.  Candies are attached on the back.  Hopefully, they will give my coworkers a smile!   and you too!!!!

Tomorrow there will be a special offer announced by SU! but I will be at work til 4 so I hope you can be patient until I get home to post the details.  It will be worth checking out!!
Peggy

Still in progress.....

Hi all
Here is the mess of my "turkeys in progress"!!  I have several punches out - the owl, the largest scallop punch, the medium scallop punch, a small non-SU scallop punch, the mini scallop circle punch, the retired SU double circle punch, and a mini heart punch. Oh! and the candies I am attaching to the backs of each turkey.  I am using my glue dots and my  two way glue pen - it gets in tight spaces very nicely but I haven't been neat so I  have stickiness all over the place!!  I have been doing this assembly line style.

I also have out my black pad and my name stamp to sign the backs...oh and a black marker too. 
I started out using googly eyes but they are so tiny I was going bonkers - the static electricity was making them pop all over the place so I decided to use the double circle punch to make holes in the owls body and use the marker to make eye balls.  Works much better!
Anyway, it is late and I have completely finished only about 50 or so - we went out for dinner tonight to celebrate my 27 wedding anniversary.  Had a delicious dinner of shrimp and scallops.  Yum!  Also popped out to the craft store to get myself a new cutting mat for my counter top-  with a coupon of course.  Ran into a stamper in the store and we chatted a bit.  I should have been home working on these, I guess, because  I still have lots more to complete.  I'll finish them tomorrow.  It's off to bed - watch a quick episode of West Wing and I'm off to sleep.  Hope you will come back tomorrow to see the final products.

Peggy

thanksgiving treats are in progress

Hi all
Has been a busy week and so I am a bit behind in making my coworkers their "owl" thanksgiving treats.  I have been punching all night!!  ....scalloped circles...hearts....more scalloped circles....owls...more scalloped circles.... hearts.....I am working on trying to make the assembly a bit more expedient as I really do not have time to glue 300 googly eyes!!!  I hope to have the model and at least half of the final products done tomorrow  .....then I will post them for you to see.  I am using up some of the retired SU colored cardstock  from last year as they are sooo autumn-ish.  Lovin' it!
I want to remind you about the wonderful offer from Stampin' Up! for the HALF PRICE starter kit - that $87.50 will get you at least 20% off all your own purchases and an opportunity to pre-order from the upcoming mini catalog and SAB catalog.  You will get the monthly SU Stampin Success magazine and access to the "demo" side of the SU website.  Even if you never choose to do a workshop, you can enjoy all these benefits for only $300 per quarter (3 months) in sales/purchases.  I would love to have you join my group ...call me so I can answer your questions.
Having mentioned Sale a bration - I should remind you that it is not too early to set up your SAB workshop.  The SAB period is long enough to even do two workshops a month apart.  Call me.!  Also - you are going to want to jump back here on Monday to see a GREAT new offer from SU!  Can't tell but it is worth coming back to peek!!
Peggy

Makin' fun for the kids!!

Hi all 

Today I have a simple little project to show you.  Why simple?  Because this is the project I have offered to set up for the kids at one of my schools to make when they come to Barnes and Noble night at our local store.  Last year they had 100 kids show up but this year they are expecting closer to 200!!!!  Holy cow!!  200 kids in just a couple of hours.  Yowwww zaaa!  I have decided to use the owl punch - mostly because the schools mascot is the owl!!!  Hope the kids will enjoy making the owl into a reindeer!!  We will attach them to the popsicle stick as a bookmark. 

We will use gem and wiggle eyes and adhesive dots to speed up the process and the mouth is done using a white gel pen.  His antlers are made from 1/3 of a snowflake punch.
Now here is what I wanted to share with you .....The snowflake punch takes quite a hard squeeze to cut through cardstock - mostly because of all the details.  I was struggling (my carpal tunnel didn't enjoy this activity) but then it occurred to me I should try my old power punch.  It worked!!!!  see here....

So glad I thought to try it!!  See the white strips attached to the sides?  I put them on the sides to  show me where to position the two inch strip of cardstock so I could accurately align the paper to the punch without turning the punch up side down.  I punched them out lickety split!!  I'm all ready and the event isn't for weeks!!  We will probably stick the eyes and jewels onto the dots and let the kids peel them off.  Hope it works!!
Hope to hear from you soon that NOW you are ready to get 20% or more off all your Stampin' Up! purchases.  Or that you are interested in attending convention in the summer.  Or that you want to receive the Stampin' Success magazine each month- full of stampin ideas!  Or that you want to see if you can succeed at your very own business, tailored to your liefestyle and schedule.  The half price ($87.50) starter kit goes on sale on Monday!! Call me!!
Peggy

Holiday/Xmas Card Stamp a Stack, Part three card 5

Hi all
Here is the last card from the Stamp a Stack class.  This is a PRO original.  Hope it makes you smile.

I think the certainly celery cardstock gives it a fresh look with the wild wasabi accents.  The "YUM YUM" is from a retired stamp set - I have two of these sets to sell if any one is interested.
Peggy

Holiday/Xmas Card Stamp a Stack, Part three, card 4

Hi all
Today's card is tweaked from an adorable card by Jan Carlson.  I am such a HUGE fan of the Big Shot so when I saw this card made from a top note die cut, I had to make it.  Actually, you use half of a top note die cut and you cut that half in half.  Use a circle punch and an oval punch to form the top of the Elf's shoe and you are good to go!!  I think the dry embossed snowflakes in the background are a nice addition to the design - of course, I did that with the Big Shot too.  Crystal Effects keep the white poms on the tips of the shoes.  Cute, huh?

Peggy

Yawza!!!! What an offer!!!

What do you call it when you get over $310 in crafting and business supplies for only $87.50?

You can call it an amazing deal, but Stampin' Up! is calling it an amazing opportunity!

From November 15-30, you can purchase either the Standard or Digital+ Starter Kits at 50 % off the regular retail price of $175 (plus free shipping!), and enjoy these great benefits as a Stampin’ Up!® demonstrator.
Demonstrator Starter Kit for 50% off!
Just $87.50 gets you $310 worth of stampin products and business supplies.  Whether you want to get your own business off the ground or just want to take advantage of the (at least) 20% demo discount on all your stampin purchases, this is the time to sign up with me!!
contact information:  Peggy  410-256-6772  david.outen@verizon.net or use the password stampeg08 on my stampin up website

I'd love to have you join me in this fun adventure!  Remember to sign up beginning Nov 15th

THIS IRRESISTIBLE OFFER IS ONLY AVAILABLE UNTIL NOVEMBER 30, 2010, SO CONTACT ME BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE!

Holiday/Xmas Card Stamp a Stack, Part three card 3

Hi all
This card has a lovely elegance - I tweaked the design from a card by Lori Spendlove.

This is another example of a faux layer.  The red strip on the left side is the little piece left over after you punch out the scallop border.  I glued the strip on the left edge and layered the punched part under the right side of the DSP.  Looks like two layers but it is really just one - saves weight on your card and maybe saves you postage too.
Hope you like it!!!!
Peggy

Holiday/Xmas Card Stamp a Stack, Part three card 2

Hi all
The ladies were hesitant when they attempted this card because they thought it might be hard to match the ornaments and the strings but every one did a great job!

I think the rich DSP (retired, but very similar to a current DSP) and the jewels (rhinestone, pearl and black rhinestone) really gave this card a special bling.  Thanks to Brenda Hugar for this great design.

Let me take a minute to remind yo'al that the there is a Longaberger/Vera Bradley bingo this Friday night (12th) to benefit the Perry Hall High School Marching Band.  Tickets are $15 in advance or $17 at the door - contact me to get your tickets.    This is a wonderful cause - I hope you will consider supporting the band.  I have sponsored a bag and filled it with Stampin' UP! goodies...maybe you will win!!

Also this Friday, the Perry Hall High School senior class is collecting used clothing which will be taken to needy countries.  The senior class will earn a small amount of money per pound of clothing which will be used to support the after prom party.  This is an important event to me because I dread hearing that some high school senior got hurt in an auto accident while driving around after prom.  Help us keep our kids in a fun and safe environment after prom.  Note:  the post prom event  is open to all seniors - even if they choose not to go to prom.  Call me for details about the clothing collection. 
Peggy
Peggy

Holiday/Xmas Card Stamp a Stack, Part three card 1

Hi all
Well yesterday's class was a fun one.  Lots of chatter and lots of stampin!  Welcome, again, to the three ladies who joined us for the first time (HI Betty, Laura and Logan!!) ..hope they will come again soon!!  We were happy to see Kitty join us again too!

Here is the first card we made - this was a stamp a stack, so each lady did four of each card.
This card was tweaked from Lisa Freeman's card

Colors include Crumb Cake, Chocolate Chip, and Riding Hood Red.  This is a great card to make when you need to send LOTS of cards because you stamp all the dasher's in a single color. You can quickly die cut the scallop squares and  precut the ribbon so you are ready to go!!
Come back each day this week to see another sample from this class.  Remember to check out my website (peggyouten.stampinup.net) for info about other classes ...I have one set up for each week into December. Join us for some fun!!
Peggy

I'm late, but look anyway..ok?

Hi all
I had this idea several weeks ago but I have been crazy busy lately and didn't get a chance to play with it until tonight.  This is the first time I have stamped Tess but I felt she needed a Halloween costume.  Where would I get a costume?  Ah ha!!  of course!! the owl punch!!!  Only had to trim off the ears and VIOLA!  The M & M peanut guy!!!  She had to carry a bag for her treats so I wrote "Trick or Stamps" on her tote bag.  I think she would look adorable on a Halloween treat for a stampin friend!!  Hope it make you smile!!!  Stay tuned...I hope to post the cards from my Stamp a stack on Sunday night or Monday.  They are great cards!!

Peggy