Pretty pretty pretty

Here is another new card for you!  I used Sage Shadow and Barely Banana then added some brocade blue accents..some of the colors are a bit distorted here but you get the idea.  Have you gotten the Vintage Vogue stamp set yet?  It is soo versatile.  I love to stamp the border stamp when using the clear mount - it is so easy to get it lined up!!  Contact me if you's like to order this great set!!
Peggy

Stamp therapy has occurred!!

Hi Stampers!!!
Well it has been a crazy time for me lately!!  I told you already that I have been secretly stampin in preparation for the Royal Blog Tour that begins the end of next week.  I am hoping you will enjoy those projects.  Of course it is also progress report time - as much as I hate having to write all those reports (mostly because I will not let myself do a lousy job of it so it takes a lot of time!!) the good news is that now we are in the final quarter of the school year.  Give a shout out for summer...my best season for stampin!!!  I have been struggling with one of my son's teachers lately too.  Most teachers love to see kids learn..but there are some that are there on a head trip.  John is enduring one of those teachers - and unfortunately it is in his weakest subject.  I am hoping things look up soon.
I have an exciting opportunity next month to do a craft night for a group of ladies at a local restaurant.  That will be great fun...if you are in the Belair area and would like the details just drop me a comment and I will get back to you with the details.  The Band Boosters have been very busy trying to do some fund raisers.  I am currently investigating a few other fundraisers too.  It takes a fair amount of money to keep these groups competitive with the other, better funded schools. 

But enough of all that .... tonight I have a new project for you!!  I saw a really pretty card on Mary Fish's blog and decided to use the idea of the densely stamped background using an open image.  I decided to tone down the background a bit by using Sahara Sand ink instead of black.  I sponged the Rose Red ink onto the three flowers in the center - they had been stamped in black stazon ink on white glossy paper.  Trimmed them very closely and popped them up on the front  - with a spash of glitter  in the centers.  I love it !- Peggy

Change coming to Stampin' Up! craft pads

Hi all
 By now you have heard some of the big changes coming to Stampin' Up!'s product line.   Did you also know that starting July 1, our full size craft pads will only be available in Basic Black, Very Vanilla, and Whisper White?  Craft Stampin' Spots and Craft Stampin' Ink refills will still be available in all of the core colors to use for embossing, coloring chipboard, and scrapbooking. I have always loved the spots - so easy to store and carry.  Since I only use the craft spots for specific tasks, a spot is plenty big enough for me.  Contact me with  your order or order directly through my website. peggyouten.stampinup.net
Peggy

 

Sing Bingo, Bingo, Bingo, and Bingo is where I have been!!

Can you hear me singing??  B-I-N-G-O
Yep!  Last night was the purse bingo to benefit the Perry Hall Band Boosters who support the various curricular and extracurricular bands at the high school -  my son is a percussionist!!!  Anyway, last night was our big event and it seemed to go very well!!  We are happy!  There were lots of great prizes and three of the ladies at my two tables (thank you for coming ladies!!) won prizes!  Woo hoo!  My job was to sell the "special bingo" boards and I sold tons!! 
My friend Margaret won the Margaretta bag from one of the special bingos - how appropriate - heck it had her name on it!!  Bring on the booze and we are good to go!!  Actually I don't drink much, but I do enjoy drinking my iced tea from fun glasses!!  Abby won a door prize (a cute little dittie bag with a coupon for a free pizza) and Shelly won a prize - Opps! I forgot what she won!!
Before the event I was busy stamping little treats for the the ladies (and one man ) to say thanks for coming.

Our next big event is next Saturday when we will be running the food table at a local Little League opening event.  Hope the weather is nice!!  Anyway, between all these activities and my secret preparations for the stampin blog tour I am participating in at the end of the month, I have not done much stampin that I can show you  ... yet!!

Hope by now you have heard that there are big changes on the horizon for Stampin Up!  After many years with our four color families, Stampin' Up! has done a renovation for the 2010-2011 catalog which will be out in July.  We will be saying "happy retirement" to these colors:
Retiring colors from the Bold Brights include:  Brilliant Blue, Gable Green, Glorious Green, Green Galore, Lovely Lilac, Only Orange, Orchid Opulence, Pink Passion, Pixie Pink, and Yo yo Yellow.
Retiring Colors from the Rich Regals include:  Ballet Blue, Bordering Blue, Brocade Blue, Handsome Hunter, and Taken with Teal.
Retiring Colors from the Earth Elements include:  Cameo Coral, Close to Cocoa,  Creamy Caramel, Really Rust, Ruby Red and Summer Sun.
Retiring Colors from the Soft Subtles include: Almost Amethyst, Apricot Appeal, Barely Banana, Blush Blossom, Lavender Lace, Mellow Moss, Pale Plum, and  Sage Shadow
From the Neutrals, we will retire Basic Brown and Going Gray.

Wait til you see the trendy new colors that will be added to our "collections" (that is the new name for the color groups!!)!  Some of them are colors you have seen before from our "In color" selections of past years and some are brand new!!  Also, when we get a set of new "In colors" they will remain in the collection for two years, not just one.   Each year, 5 new colors will be added to the "In Colors" so by the 2011-2012 catalog there will be 10 "In colors" at a time.  This is going to be great!!   Don't panic!  Change is good!

But for now, you need to check your supply and see if any of the retiring colors are your favorites because NOW is the time to stock up on your cardstock, reinkers, ribbons and accessories of those colors - don't run the chance of being caught without your favorite supplies!!.
As always, the best two ways to get your Stampin' Up! stamps and supplies is by hostessing a party and earning them free or by joining me as a demo (business or hobby) and get at least 20% off all your Stampin' Up! purchases.  Let's chat!!!!
Peggy

Take a Memo!!!!

Hi all
Tonight I wanted to show you a nifty project using the vinyl sheets from Stampin' Up!  Of course, I used the SU/Sizzix lattice die to cut the vinyl.  You can write on the surface of this tile with a dry erase pen then simply wipe it off with a tissue.  I am forever writing notes to my self - this will come in handy!!  You cannot see the edges of the tile but the outside is wrapped in red gingham ribbon. 
(Sorry about the glare - that square is the reflection of my craft room light...nice and bright!)
Peggy

Easter brooch

Hi all
Today many of you are probably busy cooking and baking in preparation for your Easter celebrations.  I hope your prep is going smoothly and that you are going to enjoy a peaceful and blessed Easter with family and friends.  Although our family is small, I look forward to our gathering tomorrow.

I have planned to wear a navy outfit for Easter and decided it needed a splash of color so I made this brooch tonight.  I know the picture looks like there is black in there but it is actually navy.

Since the children in my family are no longer young, we won't have an Easter egg hunt...instead we will award scratch off lotto tickets instead of eggs.  I just have to figure out how the scratch offs will be won...hmmm.....Have to dream up a game or such!!
Hope all your eggs are chocolate filled!!
Peggy

two step special

Hi  all
Today I have a little surprise card for you!

Don't recognize the stamps?  That is because they are new!!! Stampin' Up! has announced a new special for the month of April.  The two step stamp set "Awash with Flowers" will be in the new catalog this summer....but right now hostesses can earn this set free by hostessing a $350 (subtotal) workshop.  The hostess will receive this set in addition to all the usual hostess perks!  Customers can get in on the deal too!!  You can purchase this new set for $27.95 (clear mount, blocks not included) or $39.95 wood mount.

AND THAT IS NOT ALL!!!!

In addition, customers can purchase the following sets at 20% off!!
Greenhouse Garden  (113824)  pg 94  usual price 25.95,  discounted price $20.76
Fifth Avenue Floral  (113734)  pg 98   usual price 24.95,  discounted price   $19.96
Flower Fancy  (111578)  pg 101  usual price 36.95,  discounted price   $29.56
Trendy Trees   (  113258)   pg  112   usual price 17.95,  discounted price  $14.36

These great deals can only be purchased directly through me; you cannot take advantage of them through my website store.  Notice that the sets in this 20% discount offer are all two step stampin sets.  Those are my favorites because you can create many cards quickly and use wonderful color combinations to make each card look special.  Great fun!!  Contact me to place your order...you deserve an Easter treat!!  Or better yet, book your workshop and earn the new set free!!  How much fun could you and your friends have while sharing a few hours of creativity and conversation ..let's get them together soon!

Peggy