IT'S CONVENTION TIME IN UTAH

Hi, friends! For all of you who are not Stampin' Up! demonstrators, you may not know that this week is the annual SU! Convention in Utah. It's a very exciting time where demos from all over get to see the new and glorious stuff that SU! has to offer. Sadly, I have never been, but I always get so excited because I love a big unveiling!! So here's your first sneak peek at what's going on out west!! On Sharon Bridwell's blog, there are pictures of the new catalog cover and the home office, as well as a few glimpses of what will be in the new catalog!! I will keep you posted as I find out more in the 'net!

UPDATE: Check out Linda Heller's blog for lots of great info from Convention!! I just read that Tart & Tangy is in the new catalog!! SQUEAL!! You can also check out this thread from SCS for the latest catalog spoilers.

OVER 1,000 HITS - MY FIRST BLOG CANDY!!

I can't believe my blog reached over 1,000 hits today!! I am so surprised and so glad you all like what I'm posting. I have had such a great time with this blog, especially since I hadn't been stamping that much lately. But with all the wonderful new products that Stampin' Up! is releasing soon, I have been inspired to create, create, create! And I hope you have been, too! So, in honor of 1,000 hits, I am giving away a little blog candy! I've never done this before, so I am very excited! I know 1,000 hits maybe seem like a teeny, tiny milestone, but I really didn't think that many of you all would ever find me!! To win the blog candy, which is a Making Memories Foam Stamp Set and set of Chipboard Letters, post a comment telling me a project or card idea you'd like to see on my blog. I am planning a series of "Beautifully Simple" stamping classes beginning next month, so by hearing what you're interested in, I can know what my customers are interested in and plan great classes for them! I will pick a random number on Friday, August 1, at 6 p.m. (EST) and contact the winner that night! Thanks again for your interest in my blog - HAPPY STAMPING!!!

MONDAY TIP OF THE DAY (a little late)

Sorry for the delay in my Monday posting. My mom had surgery on Monday and, while I had my laptop at the hospital, my brain was nowhere to be found! Must've slipped out when I went to get coffee . . . the second time . . . or was it the third?!

So today's tip is stamping on ribbon!! I have been using this technique a lot lately and it is so easy that I want to share it with you. You can use any stamp you like, but I have enjoyed using the vine from Fresh Cuts because it fits perfectly on wide grosgrain ribbon. In addition to your stamp, you will need Craft Ink, grosgrain ribbon, a heat tool or iron, and a little patience! The process is simple: lay your ribbon out flat on a scrap piece of paper; carefully ink up your stamp with the craft ink and stamp the ribbon! It can be a little intimidating at first, but once you stamp your first image, you will feel empowered to continue!! So stamp your images along the ribbon (I like to stamp mine close together so they appear to be one vine), and then very carefully heat the ribbon with your heat tool - VERY CAREFULLY, as it can easily scorch. And that's it! Custom-designed stamped ribbon! And take it from me - it look GREAT!! This is my favorite card that I have used it on. The piece is small, but formidable. HAPPY STAMPING!

Another Dare to Get Dirty Challenge

OMGosh!! Could this cake BE any more beautiful (I'm channelling Chandler Bing here!)? This is the inspiration for Jenn Balcer's "dirty" challenge this past week on SCS. I think it's AMAZING. Well, I couldn't pass up such a beautiful challenge so here's my spin on it. I have really been into embossing lately, so the background is stamped with En Francais in Basic Black Craft Ink and embossed with Crystal Clear Embossing Powder. I've also been stamping on ribbon quite a bit lately, and the vine from Fresh Cuts worked perfectly on the wide olive grosgrain ribbon I used. Except for a smudge or two (you REALLY have to heat-set your stamped ribbon!), I think it looks very professional! Thanks for checking out my blog and have a great weekend!!

Color Inspiration

I am going to have to brag on my self a little bit today!! Believe it or not, I actually created an ORIGINAL card today for Kristina's Color Challenge!!! I know, right? I was surprised that I like this combo as much as I do, but when I got out a piece of Sage Shadow paper, I just KNEW I wanted to use the Floral BG and Whisper White Craft Ink for the base of my card. I actually heard my Dreams du Jour stamp set groan from pure exhaustion when I inked it up again for this project. I think that set might be my all-time favorite!! So this card just came together naturally! I've also been stamping with white craft ink on ribbon lately, and I like that, too! These challenges are so great because they really get those creative juices flowing and, if you're like me, you need all the inspiration you can get. Well, I'm off to get ready for my "geek date" tonight! Chris and I are going to see the 25th anniversary showing of "War Games!" I just love that movie and it's on TBS all the time, but it's been 25 years since I've seen it on the big screen. I CANNOT BELIEVE I am old enough to have seen a movie 25 years ago that I remember so vividly!! **sigh**

Dare to Get Dirty!

I've been enjoying all the challenges I've found on-line lately. This week over at SCS, they're doing the Dare to Get Dirty '08 challenges - a new one each day this week for Fan Club members. Today's challenge was to use vellum on a project, so I made a card inspired by this one that I saw on a blog called kroppykat. I simply cut a piece of vellum the same size as my card, rounded the corners, and adhered it to the front of my card. Next time, I won't use my Xyron, though, because the adhesive doesn't distribute evenly. The final touch is a couple of Love and Happiness Rub-ons that I just love!! Have a great Tuesday!

Box in a Bag

OK, of all the adorable new projects that are floating out there in cyberspace (and there are a bunch!!), this has got to be my very favorite and, aside from taking lots of Sticky Strip, it's a snap to make thanks to this amazing, easy-to-follow tutorial by Diana Gibbs! **breathe** And, what's that?!?!? Is that . . . BELLA ROSE DESIGNER PAPER?!?! Why, yes it is, and you need to make sure it's the VERY FIRST THING you buy once the new catalog is released on August 11. And do you know where you can see the new catalog on August 11? MY HOUSE!!! E-mail me for details! See you then!!

Pretty Little Bella!

My sweet friend and very talented downline, Leigh Ann, sent me some ipodBellas she stamped for me and I had been holding on to them because I wasn't sure what to do with them. Well, with all those new SU! colors, I was ready to create!! I even managed to slip in this year's Bayou Blue because I thought that was the perfect color for her jeans. I used Liquid Applique (my fave!!!) for the fur on her sweater and Icicle Stickles for her cute little purse and the face of the ipod. More Bella Rose paper (how strange!), and a bit of Bayou Blue ribbon and VOILA!! A cute & simple card!!

Another JustRite Creation (CPS74)

I happened upon this sketch challenge on the JustRite blog and I just had to try it. I am really on a roll right now . . . I'm very loyal to Stampin' Up!, but I just LOVE the JustRite Stampers DIY Monogram Stamp Kit! I have made, and will make, so many beautifully personalized gifts with these sets. And what's so great is that, with so many letter sizes and fonts, you can spell out practically anything (small words, of course) so your cards are always perfect - just right, even!

MONDAY TIP OF THE DAY

My goal is to post a new tip every Monday, because there is so much information out there about stamping that I know you all want to know and I want to be your "source!!"

Many people have complained that SU! doesn't make Stampin' Write markers to coordinate with the new In Color colors. This year, I can already tell that I will be coloring a lot using the new colors so I wanted markers, too!!

The solution is simple: buy In Color refills and a new pack of Blender Pens and VOILA! You have custom markers! Here's how you do it:

1.) If you have the matching ink pad, open it up to use as your base

2.) Choose your blender pen and then open your refill

3.) Hold your empty Blender Pen over your open ink pad and gently squirt 4-5 drops of ink from your refill directly onto the pen, turning the pen for even coverage

4.) Squirt an extra 1-2 drops of ink directly onto your ink pad and allow the Blender Pen to absorb that ink as well

5.) Close everything up and put your newly created In Color marker to use!!

Have a great week!!

Retiring Stampin' Up! Accessories Discounted 25%!!

Well, it's that time of year again!! In addition to all the Stampin' Up! stamp sets that are retiring on August 10, there is a whole list of accessories that are retiring as well! But there's a BONUS: everything on the list shown to the left of this entry is discounted 25% from July 21 - August 10 while supplies last!! Now is the time to get your favorite Designer Series Papers, ribbons, and rub-ons at a great price before they're gone forever! Just click on the list to see everything you'll want to order before it's GONE, GONE, GONE!!

NOTE: There will be other accessories that are retiring, but only the ones on this list will be discounted 25%. Please contact me for more info!

Yummy! A Cupcake Challenge!!!

I created this card for Taylor Vanbruggen's Friday Cupcake Challenge. Sorry I don't have any cupcake stamps! I wanted to make sure all those cute circles showed so I changed the orientation a little, but it's pretty close! I know I sound like a broken record, but I'm still lovin' the new Bella Rose Designer Paper. All the patterns are gorgeous and work so beautifully together. Who would've thought that red and green would be great year-round color combination. I also used the cracked glass technique for my focal point, which I haven't done in awhile. I really like it! Thanks for looking!! Have a great weekend!

Color Challenge

Here is another color challenge from KWernerDesignBlog. I think those little felt baby shoes are so precious so I made a cute little baby card using this week's colors. I'm going to miss Soft Sky once it retires, but I already love Baja Breeze, so I won't be sad for long. I just love using strips of Designer Paper on the lower half of cards. It's a fabulous idea I got from Mish Mash and a great way to use up those pieces of paper I always have lying around. I hope you're inspired to create something beautiful today!

More New Colors . . .

OK, if you can't tell by now, I AM IN LOVE WITH SU!'S NEW IN COLORS!! They are amazing and if anyone had major doubts about them before, it was ME!! So, I am so glad I was wrong and that they turned out to be beautiful! This is a super simple card that was on the SU! demo website using four of the new In Colors: Pacific Point, Kiwi Kiss, Tangerine Tango, and Riding Hood Red. I used one of my Creative Memories circles as a guide for the paper piercing - cute and easy. The stamp set I used is Wow Flowers from the upcoming Fall/Winter Idea Book & Catalog. This is another great card to use for a New Catalog Open House or Stamp-A-Stack. Have a great day!

We Wish You a Merry "Chic"mas!

As many of you know, I am completely obsessed with Angie Juda's amazing blog, Chic 'n' Scratch. I have found so many wonderfully inspiring projects there and it is such a treat to see what's new on her blog every day. Well, a few days ago, she posted a precious little notebook using the new Bella Rose Paper (which is so beautiful and versatile!) and the new "Deer Friends" stamp set (absolutely precious!). I liked it so much, I wanted to make a Christmas card from her design - a super SIMPLE card that you could use for your new catalog open house, Christmas Stamp-A-Stack, or your own personal Christmas wishes. Hope you like!!

Color Challenge

How completely cool is this!?!?! You must check out K Werner's Design Blog. It is a masterpiece - so much more professional than my little blog :) I'm going to start posting her color challenges because I just LOVE her inspiration pictures. They make me want to create something - and I think you'll feel the same!! On the right is the card I created. I fudged a little and used some Riding Hood Red for the apples. The stamp set is called "Window Dressing" and it's a new Level 3 set that will be in the upcoming SU! catalog! It's fabulous and you're going to want it! So be inspired and have a great week!!

My New Love - Kiwi Kiss

I'll be the first to admit that when I first saw Kiwi Kiss, I called it "Baby Poop Green." I was very unimpressed, to say the least. But now that I have it in my hot little hands, I really like it!!! I have used it with Riding Hood Red and with Pacific Point and it is amazing! It coordinates with the new Bella Rose Designer Paper, too, which is one of the prettiest papers I've ever seen! I CASEd this card that I saw on SCS by One Happy Stamper. I just LOVE it!! I substituted Kiwi Kiss for Certainly Celery on my card. A COOL TRICK: I used White Craft Ink and the vine from the new Fresh Cuts set to stamp the ribbon! How neat is that?? I heat set it carefully with my embossing gun before adding it to my card. You can also iron the ribbon with a white cloth over it to heat set it. BE CAREFUL!! It will scorch easily when you use an embossing gun.

More Monogrammed Note Cards

I have a friend, Alice, who also has been a tremendous help to me while I'm recuperating! Bailey had such a blast with her three precious boys on Friday. So, I made her a set of monogrammed note cards based on a set I saw on Lauren Meader's blog. The cardstock and ink are SU!'s new Tangerine Tango, which I just love! I really like using the tiny letters from JustRite Stampers to spell out the first name with the last initial. Classic, but just different enough to be fun!! That's me - FUN!!