September is Full of Butterflies

Have you noticed all the great bundles in the Annual Catalog?  Well, Stampin' Up! is at it again and offering a sweet bundle!  You receive a 15% discount when you order this Papillion Potpourri stamp set and Bitty Butterfly punch bundled from now until September 30.

Bundle Item	Description	Retail Price	Sale Price
135311	Butterfly Bundle (Clear-Mount)	$30.90	$26.27
135312	Butterfly Bundle (Wood-Mount)	$34.90	$29.67

Papillion Stamp Set

Bitty Butterfly Punch

Don't forget to join us in the LNS Treasurer Hunt!  Open to anyone!  Details can be found in my posts from 8/24/13.

Happy Friday!

Happy Friday everyone!  I am so sorry I have been a little off the radar this week!  The kids went back to school and life has been a bit chaotic getting the house back in order from three trips this summer.  In fact after this post, I am going to tackle some much needed cleaning.  I was not sure what I was going to do with myself with my youngest starting all day kindergarten this year, but I am finding it is not hard to find things to keep me busy!  Yesterday, I felt like I got nothing done!

Tonight, I am hosting my "So Long to Summer" Stamp-A-Stack, which seems rather appropriately named for my week.  This card is one of the cards that we will be making.  This card was designed using the sketch from Freshly Made Sketches.  Here is the sketch for this week:

I used my product for the Late Night Stampers Fall Treasure Hunt in this card.  Can you guess what it is?  Visit my posts from August 24 to pick up my clue and join us in the Treasure Hunt.  You can win a Stampin' Up! shopping spree!

Here are the ingredients for my card:
Stamps: Settin' Sail PHOTOPOLYMER
Paper: Whisper White, Sahara Sand, Cherry Cobbler, Baked Brown Sugar, Polka Dot Parade DSP, 2013-2015 In-color DSP
Ink: Cherry Cobbler, Baked Brown Sugar, Marina Mist
Accessories: Hexagon Punch, 1-3/8" Circle Punch, Stampin' Dimensionals

Don't forget to join us in the LNS Treasurer Hunt!  Open to anyone!  Details can be found in my posts from 8/24/13.

Paper Pumpkin Monday: An Alternative with August's Kit

Here is a quick and easy Paper Pumpkin card to jump start your work week.  Today's card uses the August kit.  I was so excited to receive mine last week before I headed up to the Cape.  I just popped it into my bag when it arrived.  You can imagine my disappointment when I broke it open and realized I forgot my Clear Block!  I was so bummed that I could not enjoy a few moments of stamping when my sister took my kids for a jog!  So lesson to all: DON'T FORGET YOUR BLOCK!!

This card is an alternative to the one offered in the kit this month.  The only additional supply you need is Whisper White cardstock and Stampin' Dimensionals.  I stamped the sentiment and bike on the Whisper White.  I hand trimmed the sentiment and mounted it with the dimensionals.  The Crushed Curry sticker strips were trimmed to fit along the top and bottom of the piece with the bike.  I love this bike stamp!  Once I am done with the kit, I will be using the bike on some of my scrapbooking pages.  My Cub Scout den (one of my activities in all my spare time :) ) had a Bike Rodeo this past spring.  I am quite sure I can incorporate this stamp into those pages!

You only have a few more days to take advantage of Paper Pumpkin for $10+tx.  This offer is ending on 8/31/13.  You can sign up by clicking on my link to the left.

Don't forget to join me on the Late Night Stamper Fall Treasure Hunt!  See my two posts from 8/24 for details how you can win a Stampin' Up! shopping spree.

Fab Friday 25

This week my stamp club meets and we will be focusing on using Simply Pressed Clay, one of my new favorite products in the 2013-14 Stampin' Up! Annual Catalog.  With my stamp clubs, I try to focus on a specific technique each month.  My new club will be starting in January.  It is never too early to sign up for those of you in Connecticut!  For those of you already in my club, this will be one of the cards you will get to make this week!

For this card, I used the following sketch that I found on Fab Friday Challenge Blog.

I originally was going to use the opposite side of the Designer Series Paper, but was drawn to the fans on this side.  Here are the ingredients for this card:

Stamps: Feel Goods
Paper: Rich Razzleberry, Eastern Elegance DSP, Whisper White, Old Olive
Ink: Crushed Curry
Accessories: Simply Pressed Clay, Buttons and Blossoms Clay Molds, Little Leaves Sizzlit, Crushed Curry Reinker, Costal Cabana Reinker, Rich Razzleberry Reinker

Don't forget to join me on the Late Night Stamper Fall Treasure Hunt!  See my two posts from 8/24 for details how you can win a Stampin' Up! shopping spree.

LNS Treasure Hunt- Participating Blogs

Here is  a list of participating blogs where you can find clues for the treasure hunt:

First Name Last Name Blog Address Tammy Baldwin www.creativeapplescrampers.blogspot.com Carolyn Bennett www.carolynstamps.com Jody Brechbill www.jodybrechbillstampinqueen.com Brenda Cook http://www.cardscraps.com Carolee Crabb Care2stampwithcarolee.blogspot.com Tina Davis http://www.tinadavisstamps.blogspot.com/ Beverly Farmer www.createwithbev.blogspot.com Sherrill Graff http://yourhiredscrapbooksupplies.blogspot.com/ Penny Hanuszak http://pennytokensstampinspot.blogspot.com Lori Helvick createwithlori2.blogspot.com/ Diane Ison http://teachtostamp.blogspot.ca/ Suzanne Johnson www.gottastampwithsuzanne.com Nancy Legate www.stampnnuggets.com Carolyn Lindenmayer http://carolynscardcreations.blogspot.com.au/ Rhonda Macnally http://rhondalovesstamping.wordpress.com Serena Marsh www.reenybeanies.blogspot.ca Robin Messenheimer http://robinscraftroom.com Joni Metras www.joniinthespotlightstamping.com Cynthia Millan http://www.StampWithCynthia.blogspot.com Kimberley Morris http://procrastistamper.blogspot.com Ruth Pearson http://pearsonifiedcrafting.blogspot.co.uk/ Ginger Rabesa http://www.stampingginger.com Brenda Riehle www.stampandscrapwithbrenda.blogspot.com Linda Rodenberg www.prettyinky.blogspot.com Heather Sewczak heatherscutecards.com/blog Cynthia Simpson http://cynthiastampinhappening.wordpress.com/ Dee Slater http://createwithdee.typepad.com Deborah Smart www.stampandcreate.net B Jayne Stenstrom http://www.jaynestamps.com/ Tanya Stottlemire www.scramptastic.blogspot.com Charlene Tackvic www.AlwaysStamping.com Jackie Watson jackielwatson.blogspot.com Lesley Lendon http://lellyjellys.blogspot.com/ Amanda  Frankel www.OurCraftyPlaydate.com Vanessa Terrell www.stampwithvanessa.com Kris Sobolik  www.maddiebugdesigns.blogspot.com  Misty Shell http://snellmisty.wordpress.com Rhonda Price www.stampbyrhonda.blogspot.com  Jaime Barnett http://kankiepopscards.blogspot.co.uk Janet Yates www.stampinnerd.blogspot.com Avery Murphy http://alongcamestamping.blogspot.ca Jennifer King http://stampingcontact.com Erika Trowell www.idigstamps.com Mary K. Wessling http://maryscraftroom.blogspot.com Jean Piersanti www.Beautyandthestamper.blogspot.com Karina  Chin www.karinaskreation.com  Samantha Joyce www.crafty-sammy.blogspot.co.uk Jennifer Kay (Wren) www.txjennywren.blogspot.com Susan Timchack http://susan-stampinsue.blogspot.com Cindy Mitchell-Clark www.cindysstampingcorner.wordpress.com Cindy Fodor  www.stampthelove.blogspot.com Amber Meulenbelt www.stampwithamber.com Anastasia Radloff www.stampinblondie.blogspot.com Robin Boyer www.robinscreativecorner.com Amy Hoffman www.stampandscrapwithamy.blogspot.com   Louise Radies www.creationsbylouise.blogspot.com Holly Stene http://hollyshobbs.blogspot.com  Melissa Banbury www.porchswingcreations.com Laura Leuenberger www.stamplaura.blogspot.com Denise Willerton http://chezmoicreations.blogspot.com Raissa Spatola www.raissastamps.com Sandy Risi http://thecrewquarters.blogspot.com Rachel Bateman http://rachelscraft.blogspot.com/ Nicole Mahler www.creationsbynikki.blogspot.com Cathy Parlitsis http://www.stampsandscrapbooks.com Laurie Reaume www.stampwithlaur.blogspot.com Jacqueline Dorer-Russell http://sugarssmilinpapercrafts.blogspot.com Kay Marini www.stampingforsanity.blogspot.com Carey Payette http://stampingbandit.blogspot.com Cindy Techlin http://www.stampinaninktrail.blogspot.com

LNS Fall Treasure Hunt

Welcome to the Late Night Stampers Fall Treasure Hunt!  This is a fun way to check out some great Stampin' Up! websites and get a chance to win a Stampin' Up! shopping spree.  This contest is open to demonstrators, customers and anyone who loves or wants to try stamping!

Here’s how to play:

• Go to the page (listed at the top of my blog) titled ‘LNS Treasure Hunt-Participating Blogs'

• Visit each of the blogs listed (it’s always nice to leave a comment!)

• Look for participating Treasure Hunt players – they will have the picture of the SU! box (above), and they will list their clue

• Make a note of what the clue is, and whose blog it is on

• Once you’ve collected 50 clues, email them to ME at (stampinwithamy@att.net)  listing each clue and where you found it

• You have from Tuesday August 20th to Friday, October 25th 2013 to collect 50 clues and email them to me, to be entered into the contest 

• Contest closes Friday Oct. 25th at midnight PST

So are you ready for my clue?  

I am loving our new Photopolymer Stamps!  They cling so well to our clear blocks and make for perfect stamp placement!  Check out my previous postings of samples of Photopolymer by clicking the Photopolymer link at the left of my blog.  Hope to share some more samples this coming month using these great new stamps!

Thanks for visiting and joining us in our Treasure Hunt!

Long Lost Scrapping

I was thinking this week that is has been quite a while since I have posted a scrapbook page, so I decided to break out a new stamp set I got this summer.  I prefer not to journal prior to posting, so I will be adding some journaling strips to the page over the banners on the right.  The title will be on the corresponding page "A Pirate's Life for Me".  It came together very quickly.  The most time consuming part was cutting out the banner images, but did that while I was catching up on some of my TV programs!

Here are the ingredients for this page:
Stamps: Settin' Sail
Paper: Crushed Curry, Basic Black, Cherry Cobbler, Crumb Cake, Whisper White, Eastern Elegance DSP
Ink: Crushed Curry, Night of Navy, Cherry Cobbler
Accessories: Cherry Cobbler Bakers' Twine, Stampin' Dimensionals (hard to see in picture; used to lift the banner)

A World Record Card

One of the highlights of Convention this year was that we set the World Record for number of greeting cards sent from a single location.  Each demonstrator was asked to bring at least one card to send to someone from Convention.  For me the choice was clear, I needed to send my card to my little munchkins.  It was the longest I have ever been away from them!  This is the card I sent them.  I have to admit that I had to use a retired ink pad when after much searching, I could not find my Soft Sky ink pad.  I still have not found it!  I am currently suffering many missing items!  My craft area is a disaster!  Often my disorganization is my organization, but it got a little out of control prior to Convention.  My goal for when the kids go back to school is to finally get my bonus room (25% of which is my craft room) 100% clean.  For those of you who have known me for a while, you know this has been a goal of mine for years.  Thankfully, my craft area is not always in disarray.  Most of the disarray is the excess of toys my children have.  I do believe the end is in site though!  If I accomplish my goal, I will be sure to post proof pictures here!

Hopefully if the cleaning goes well, I may be able to host a craft tag sale this coming spring!  I definitely have my fair share of supplies I am ready to pass on.

But I digress!  You must be wondering how this card came about!  Here are the details:
Stamps: Wanderlust, Around the World
Paper: Whisper White, Soft Sky, 2013-2015 In Color DSP Stack
Ink: Night of Navy, Crisp Cantaloupe, Bashful Blue (but I recommend Soft Sky)
Accessories: Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder

Paper Pumpkin Monday

Today, I have another alternative idea for you when making cards with your Paper Pumpkin Welcome kit.  For this card, you just need some additional Old Olive cardstock for matting your "hey there friend" piece.  Another trick I used for this card was that I cut my banner sticker in two and cut out the banner points on the second piece to make it appear that I used two banner strips.

Paper Pumpkin is fun to use as is or by altering it!  Don't forget to subscribe to Paper Pumpkin before August 31 to get it at $10+tax for the first two months (shipping included in the price).  Just click on my Paper Pumpkin link at the left to get started!

CAS(E) this sketch! #41

Good morning!  Fridays are a great day to put together a nice Clean and Simple card.  Today, I used a sketch from CAS(E) this sketch!  This is a clean and simple sketch blog, one of the newer ones that I found recently.  Here is the sketch I had to work with:

I made this card to give to my cat sitter as a thank you for watching my cats while we were away on vacation.  I played with the stamp set I won as my prize patrol give away at Convention this past July.  I hope to use this set for many cards this fall!  As stated, this was simple and super easy to put together.  It took me about 5 minutes to put together the card.  Great when you need a card in a pinch!

Here are the supplies:
Stamps: Truly Grateful
Ink: Early Espresso, Cajun Craze
Paper: Crumb Cake, Summer Starfruit, Very Vanilla
Accessories: Paper Piercing Tool, Apothecary Accents Framelits

Convention Inspired

This is the card I gave my husband for his birthday this month.  It was inspired by a Make and Take that I made at Convention.  I love how the glimmer paper is used to add a little glitz to the card.  We got many free stamp sets at Convention.  The Gorgeous Grunge set used in this card was one of those.  I was not sure what I thought of the set until I saw it in action and now I adore it!

Here are the details:
Stamps: Blue Ribbon, Gorgeous Grunge
Paper: Whisper White, Island Indigo, Tangerine Tango, Coastal Cabana, Champagne Glimmer Paper
Ink: Island Indigo, Tangerine Tango, Coastal Cabana
Accessories: 1-3/8" Circle Punch, 1-3/4" Circle Punch

I have made mention of Convention in my last several posts and today I would like to share with you some of the great things I got to do.  I got in a little early so decided to take a trip out to the Great Salt Lake.

Once Convention started, there was no time for sightseeing.  There was so much to do and not enough time to do everything.  We got to see demonstrations of new products, participate in Make and Takes, go on a tour of the home office, swap cards with demonstrators all around the world, participate in business and creative development classes, and enjoy thousands of samples on amazing sample board displays.  This year is Stampin' Up!'s 25th birthday, so the giveaways were tremendous and we even got to celebrate with a 25th birthday party with many sweet treats.

 

One of the best things that I got to do was get to know members of my upline/sideline, basically my Stampin' Up! family who live several states away.  What a great group of ladies!  I made friends that I hope to keep in touch with and visit for years to come!  I am so glad my first Convention after almost 10 years was this one!  I am so glad to be a part of such a great company!

Alternative Pumpkin Idea

So as promised, here is an alternative idea for making your cards in you Paper Pumpkin Welcome Kit.  For this card, I cut down the banner stickers and the background paper to accommodate the card.  I added a little piece of linen thread from my stash to the button for a little added attention.  Don't be afraid to play with your Paper Pumpkin and modify your projects.  I love how quickly I can put together the contents of my kit.  As a mother of two, time is a precious commodity, but it is nice to fit in that little time of crafting fun just for me!  I was able to work on my cards while the kids played at the playground this summer.  All I had to bring was my little box and my adhesive!  Paper Pumpkin can be a great creative escape for moms on the go!

Dreaming of Cape Cod

Today, I have another card I used for swaps at Convention last month.  This one was pretty popular with folks.  I love it because it reminds me of Cape Cod!  I have to say when given a choice when swapping, I always chose a card using this set if available.  I love the beachy cards!

This card uses one of my first techniques that I ever learned as a stamper, masking.  I cut out images of the starfish and blue shell stamped on scrap paper to "mask" them when stamping the sand dollar.   I mentioned the other day how I enjoy getting my color scheme from DSP.  Well, this is another card inspired by a retired set of DSP.

Here are the ingredients of today's card:
Stamps: By the Seashore, Sweet Essentials
Paper: Very Vanilla, Night of Navy
Ink: Night of Navy, Calypso Coral, Crumb Cake, Island Indigo
Accessories: Calypso Coral Baker's Twine

A Little Pumpkin at Your Door

Today's card is a sample of what you get when you subscribe to our monthly Paper Pumpkin kit club.  This is the card you can make with our Welcome kit when you join.  Each kit contains everything you need to make the month's selected project (precut paper, ink, stamps and accessories) with an exception of adhesive.  The Welcome Kit also contains an acrylic block you can use for mounting all your Paper Pumpkin stamps.

This is the best time to try Paper Pumpkin!  If you are a new subscriber, you can get Paper Pumpkin for $10+tx per month for the first two months.  This is about 50% off the original price. What a deal!  The great thing about this monthly kit club is you can skip a month when life gets busy with absolutely no penalty!  Just be sure you opt out by the 10th of the month if you need a month off.

Today's card is the design Stampin' Up! gives you with your Welcome Kit.  Watch the rest of the month on Mondays for some alternative ideas of how you can use your Welcome Kit.  If you are ready to sign up for Paper Pumpkin, select the link on the left side of my blog.  Be sure to select me as your demonstrator when asked. 

Just a Reminder

If you would like to receive your first Paper Pumpkin this month, be sure to sign up by August 10 and enter the promo code "PUMPKINDEAL".  Click on my link to the left to get to the site to sign up today.

Clean and Simple: FTL252

I was so happy to see the sketch last week over at Clean and Simple Stamping!  I wanted to make a fun and bright card for my kids to send to their aunt who's birthday is today.  Between the sketch and the brand new Designer Series Paper that arrived at my door last week, I was able to come up with a fantastic card that I absolutely love!

To make the flower "pop", I sponged the edges of the flower with the corresponding color.  The colors for this card came directly from the pack of DSP, Eastern Elegance .  I love getting my color scheme right from my DSP, not much thought involved!

Here are the ingredients for this card:
Stamps: Happy Day, Bright Blossoms
Paper: Whisper White, Coastal Cabana, Sahara Sand, Summer Starfruit, Eastern Elegance DSP
Ink: Coastal Cabana, Summer Starfruit
Accessories: 7/8" Scallop Circle Punch, Blossom Punch, Scallop Trim Border Punch, Stamping Sponges

Football Fan Birthday

Today's card was made for my son's friend who plays football.  It utilizes a sketch from one of my favorite sketch sites, Clean and Simple Stamping, FTL 251 (sketch below).

If I was not making this card for someone into football, I would have preferred to leave the Daffodil Delight paper plain.  This card does require a bit of cutting, but is well worth the final product!

Here are the ingredients for this card:
Stamps: Great Sport, Blue Ribbon
Paper: Whisper White, Daffodil Delight, Cajun Craze, Night of Navy
Ink: Daffodil Delight, Cajun Craze, Night of Navy
Accessories: Paper Snips, 1-3/8" Circle Punch, Stampin' Dimensionals