reminder

Today is the last day to take advantage of the "buy 3 packs of Designer Series paper and get one free" sale from Stampin' Up!  The papers included in this sale are on pages 151, 153, and 154.  You have until 11:40 (MT) to place your order through my website or by contacting me.  If you do a customer direct order, be sure to list the three DSP's you are buying separately from the one you are getting for free even if they are all the same papers.  Questions?   I am just a phone call away!!!

I was finally able to locate the link to another of the Stampin Up! commercials submitted to convention by some demos.   This one came in fourth place but I thought it was GREAT!
check it out     http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=38jFYC5JoyU

Today is also the last day to purchase single stamps from the last two assortments.
check them out ............

- Basic Label, item # 132669, $6.95, coordinates with Apothecary Accents Framelits Die and fits best on Block E
- Boutique Blossom, item # 132663, $7.95, fits best on Block E
- Ears to You, item # 132659, $6.95, fits best on Block E
- Hello Foxy, item # 132677, $7.95, fits best on Block E
- Hello Hello, item # 132675, $7.95, fits best on Block E
- Oh Baby, item # 132667, $6.95, fits best on Block E

- Spec-tacular, item # 132673, $7.95, fits best on Block E
- Sunshine, item # 132671, $5.95, fits best on Block D
- Towels for Two, item # 132665, $5.95, fits best on Block D
- Woo Hoo, item # 132661, $6.95, fits best on Block E
Some important things to remember about the single image stamps:

• single image stamps are available in Clear-Mount only
• single image stamps are packaged in cello bags, if you want a case for your stamps, you'll need to order some Clear-Mount Stamp Cases (pack of 4, item # 119105, $5.95)
• single image stamps do NOT come with a Clear-Mount Block, if you don't already have one, you'll need to be sure to order one
• single image stamps are only available through July 31, 2013

To order any of the single image stamps, please contact me at david.outen@verizon.net or click on the Shop Now button in the upper right corner of my blog.  Then, just enter the item number of the stamp you want into the search box.

Peggy

Convention's Best class

Hi all
Sunday I had a lovely group of ladies for the Convention's Best class.  As you might imagine, I had lots of good options of cards to choose from, so I had to make some tough choices.  Actually, I may offer another version of the class to tap into to some of the other great options.  Two of the cards the gals did, you have already seen - my bird/bird house card and the LEAF card.  I wanted the ladies to have several techniques - these two offered watercoloring with the aqua painter and stamp pads (bird) and the other used the new letter stencils (LEAF - coming out on August 1st in the new mini catalog).  Today they were using a dauber to color the letters but soon I will be offering another class where the stampers will get to use another simple and quick strategy... maybe you'd like to join us, too.
So one of the cards we did started out as a variation of one I saw but it ended up so far from the original I'm not sure anyone would actually see the similarity in the two cards!! 

I love the colors ... Bermuda Bay and Daffodil Delight.  Using the Daffodil Delight gave me an opportunity to include the new plaid Washi Tape.  You just tear the tape, giving it a nice casual feel.  I had to add the rhinestone on the greeting ...a little bling!
Now is a good time to mention that if you want to explore the opportunity to be a demonstrator, now is a really good time to take the plunge.  In addition to getting $125 worth of Stampin' Up! product for only $99, from now until the end of August, you also get to choose one of four project kits for free!

The first three project kits are from the holiday catalog and the last option is from the annual catalog. Option Kit Description Item Total Value 1 Build a Banner Simply Created Kit AND Halloween Banner Simply Created Accessory Kit 133507 132698 $29.90 2 Build a Banner Simply Created Kit AND Christmas Banner Simply Created Accessory Kit 133507 132697 $29.90 3 Thankful Tablescape Simply Created Kit 133463 $19.95 4 Tag a Bag Bundle AND Tag a Box Bundle 131371 131372 $22.45

Folks who sign up with me now, have until the end of December to meet the $300 minimum of sales.  What happens if you don't have $300 in purchases/sales by the end of December?  you go into pending - giving you another month to meet that minimum.  If you cannot make that date, you simply drop.   There is no penalty.  How about you give yourself the gift of self confidence and see what you can do with your love of stamping and scrapbooking.  Invest in yourself and see how you will soar.  I'd love to have you join me in my 16+ year hobby.

lost post is found!!

Hi all
I had pre-prepared a post for you (before I left for convention) to appear the other day but dang!  it never showed up!  Then I retried to post it but alas blogger wouldn't let me do it!  Don't know what I did but suddenly I am good to go again..yeah!!!!  I'm so glad because this card was one of my favorites that I took to trade.

I have never thought of myself  as a bird person but this card really appeals to me.   Hope you like it too.  For some of the cards, I stamped the branches/leaves; for others I used die cuts. The bird house was made from a Deco Labels Collection die cut which I then ran through the wood grain textured impressions embossing folder.  Would you like to make this card?  It will be included in Sunday's stampin session.  Or you can book your workshop and request that your guests get to make it too.

Remember to check out my website and pencil in the dates for the Holiday Stamp a stack classes.  Spots are already filling up!
My older son returned home from a business trip to Korea today...it is nice to have all my chicks back in the roost!
hugs
Peggy

convention trades #8

Hi all
My final convention trade project is here for you, today.

This idea came to me as I was unpacking my last order.  Included in the box was a cool new product which will be available to customers in the next mini catalog in August.  The letters were made using stencils and a dauber.  Across the top of the card is a strip of special burlap ribbon - actually the ribbon is twice as wide as what you see but I cut it lengthwise to get a narrower strip.  I really like this card as it has a very different look from my usual style.
Peggy
The letters were done using a stencil set which is part of the Build a Banner set in the new mini catalog. Love it!

convention trades #7

Hi Stampers
I want to share a fun little treat with you today.   I took some to convention with the intention of giving them to the SU staff - but not sure if that actually happened ...I'll let you know on that one!

This picture shows you both the front and the back.
One of the SU employees did a video showing how to make a treat like this using the Apothecary Accents die cut.  She used two die cuts and trimmed away part of each and overlapped what was left.  It was so cute but I just could not understand why she had to use two...so I went to work.  You know I am a tree hugger and love to rework, reuse, and conserve supplies...yours and mine!  I was able to cut out the heart shaped hole using the heart from the Hearts a Flutter Framelits set and the Big Shot!  I had seen the hearts textured impression embossing folder on a treat and decided it added a nice element to the project.  Nice!  Of course, the small heart was punched out of the glitter paper.  Bet you have some friends who would love this fun treat!
Peggy

convention trades #5

Hi Stampers
Well, today is return home day.  Usually by this time in the convention experience, I am eager to get home and start using the great ideas I have heard/seen at convention.  Of course, I am eager to see my family ...but one of my sons is headed out of BWI just a few short hours before I land there.   He is on his way to KOREA!  Yikes! 
Today I have a card for you that came to me while playing with my hexagon punch.  I have seen lots of things done with the arrangement of the hexagons but I haven't seen this arrangement.

When you take cards to convention, it can be a challenge to keep them safe when everyone is swapping like crazy.  I wanted to pop up the hexagons but I thought they might get snagged while I was handling them so I attached them directly to the card front.  BUT I wanted them to pop!  So I applied the dazzling details around the outer edge.  I like it!
Hope to see you soon so I can share the convention high!
Peggy

convention trade # 4

Hi Stampers
I am sitting here imagining that I am having a great time at convention.  Sorry I am not able to post "live"  and all that jazz but I am not taking my laptop with me to SLC so I have no way to connect.  But if I stumble on an opportunity to post, I surely will.  In the meantime...

This card was an especially fun card to make.  The lattice is attached inside the front cover of the card.  It is fun to use the punched butterflies as 3D and I love the touch of rhinestones.  As you can see, the design on the left side of the card is different on each card.  Where did they come from?  These pieces are what is left after you die cut the lattice.  I played around with the scraps and I love how the pattern enhances the look of the card.  Hope you do too.
Peggy

convention trade #3

Hi stampers
This next card I am sharing is simple but yummy.  I stamped one of the flowers from the Mixed Bunch stamp set (clear, 125537, pg 89, 6 pieces) in the corner.  I stamped the greeting from the Kind and Cozy stamp set (c 129126, 16.95, p 82).  Then I used the Occasions paper piercing pack and piercer to poke holes around the stamped image and around the border of the card.

I put a little glitter in the center of the flower.  Sweet, huh?  Thanks for stopping by!
Peggy

Greetings stampers!!!
By the time this message posts, I should be enjoying the 25th anniversary Stampin' Up! convention.  Wish I could tell you all about it but in reality I am still at home - very excited to be heading out tomorrow.  I am pre-posting my cards so you can enjoy some inspiration while I am gone.  Remember to give me some feedback about your reactions to help me decide which projects to include in my next stampin session.
This project is a particular favorite of mine - not quite sure why, but I have always had a fondness for sand dollars.

Of course, the stamped image is from the By The Seashore stamp set (6 stamps, 126532 - clear, 16.95)  - also available in wood mount.  What you cannot see in my amateur photography is the dazzling details on the sand dollar.  The "ribbon" is a stamped strip of card stock - fun and ecological technique as it uses up those strips of cardstock left after you trim your layers.  The sand dollar is actually stamped on the inside of the card - the "petals" around the hole were made using the Fun Flowers Die and the Big Shot.
Peggy

Hi stampers
Today I am beginning to post the trades I have made to take to my Stampin' Up! convention in Salt Lake City.  There is lots of excitement this year because it is the 25th anniversary of the beginning of this great company.  So sorry more of you have not taken the opportunity to enjoy this great event.  Today I will fly out to Salt Lake City and, hopefully, make it to the meeting of my group called the Udderly Awesome stampers.  I will get to reconnect with my convention buddy, Linda,  who will be flying in from New Jersey.  There will be card trading in BWI airport, on the airplane, in the SLC airport,  in the shuttle to the hotel, the hotel lobby, the elevator, and even on the street!  It is a crazy fun frenzy! 
Here is one of the cards I brought to trade.

This card uses the Apothecary Accents Framelits and the Big Shot (my FAVORITE TOY).  I used the Strawberry Slush card stock and ink.  The swirl is from the Everything Eleanor stamp set.  You probably cannot tell but the center is either raised up or sunk inward (I did some of each).  Also, the picture does not show the dazzling detail glitter glue around the edges of the tag very well.  The "greeting" is the statement from the heart of Stampin' Up!  Because of the length of the circumference of the tag, it took me a while to apply the dazzling details so I only made a few of this card.  Come back each day to see my other trades.
I have a stampin session scheduled for the afternoon of July 28th - we will be making an assortment of projects of mine, of Stampin' Up! (such as our convention make and takes), or selections from the trades  I receive.  If you see a project you would like to see included in the class, just drop me a note or leave a comment here.
Peggy

July Paper Pumpkin has arrived!

Hi Stampers
Well I am running around doing all those last minute things one does before traveling but whoaa!  I had to stop a minute to open up my brand new Paper Pumpkin box that arrived in today's mail.  Have to admit the box itself is so bright and cheery that it makes getting a box extra fun.   This project is so cute...sorry I probably won't have enough time to assemble it before I leave.  It is a set of cute banners - looks like they would fit nicely on a cake top.   Wish I had time to make my guys a cake to enjoy while I am gone and they are left home, but that isn't likely to happen either!!
In the box are three stamps - 1 1/2" by 2" - they are background/texture stamps - honeycomb, polka dots and diagonal lines  And cool!  there are TWO spots in the box as well - pool party and summer starfruit!  (hmm, they would fit nicely in my suitcase!)  Two sheets of diecut blank banner pieces (stamp the background on there!) and circles with printed letters on them spelling Hooray! and Party! to pop out and stick on the banners.   OOOH!  Look at the dimensionals, bakers twine, and mini clothespins!!!!  Looks like there are enough letters and banners to make the sign two sided..fun!  Even the round skewer-like sticks are included.  Great box!!  So glad I got to see if before I fly off.  I wonder who's birthday comes next?  This has definitely been my favorite box so far!  Wonder what will come next month?
Peggy

announcements and invites

Hi stampers!
Wow!   I have been so busy getting ready for the Stampin Up! convention in Salt Lake City.  Though I'm sorry to leave my guys at home, I will be enjoying the pleasure of the company of 6000 of my stampin' friends.   Can't beat that!  
But I haven't forgotten you, too! 
So I am inviting you to join us on July 28th to make some of the best project ideas from convention!  What will they be?  I don't know yet myself ...but I will be thinking about you while I am in Salt Lake City!! I will be searching throughout convention for the best convention trades I receive (or see!), the best demonstrated projects from convention, the best make and take projects, or just the best ideas I hear or dream up myself.   The materials fee for this class is $20 and can be paid at the door (in cash only).  You must register for this class by July 24th.  Bring or pre-order your scissors and adhesives (snail, sticky strip, dimensionals, and liquid glue) and a bone folder, if you have one.  Can't wait to share the joy of convention with you!!  My recently retired products (stamps, papers, and accessories) will be available for purchase too (cash only!). Get in on the fun!!!!
You must check out my Stampin Up! website calendar for a list of some of my upcoming events.....I have already posted tentative dates for my holiday stamp a stack classes for Aug, Sept, Oct, and Nov and a tags and gift cards class for December.  Plan now to join us for some handcrafted fun!  Due to the huge amount of supplies needed for a stamp a stack class, these are "pre-paid" classes.  Check out my website for details.
I hope to get back to posting project pictures soon - I have been very busy prepping a box of cards for Operation Write Home - sorting, removing the projects with glitter (no glitter overseas!), and adding card bases and trying to learn the many in's and out's of my new phone.  I hope to post pictures from convention to my blog while I am there.
Have I heard from you recently?  Well catch me up on what is going on in your life!
Peggy