Happy Halloween!

This was such a fun card to make on My Digital Studio!  I was given a real card a few years ago where someone made this adorable punch art spider and I thought... why not recreate it using MDS?  So much fun!  Would you like to earn a $500 shopping spree on My Digital Studio Downloads?  If so, make sure to check out Stampin' Up's My Digital Studio Design Contest!  I've left details below for you!

Date: October 1-November 15, 2010
Stampin' Up!  invites YOU to participate in our first ever digital design contest using My Digital Studio and Stampin' Up!'s digital downloads! The My Digital Studio Design contest was created to recognize the amazing digital design skills of our talented, creative demonstrators and customers! The contest is open to all demonstrators and customers who have access to My Digital Studio in the US and Canada; five demonstrators and five customers will be selected to win.  To enter the contest you will need to design one digital card and two single-page layouts using ONLY My Digital Studio product.  Submit all samples along with an official entry form and photo release form (if applicable) to MDSContest@stampinup.com.
Winners will receive FREE My Digital Studio digital downloads from Stampin' Up valued at approximately $500! You'll also receive a digital pin for your DBWS (if you are a demonstrator) or for your personal blog (if you are a customer).
Our panel of judges can't wait to see your digital artistry on display, so submit your project today!
Ready, Set, Create!

1. Read the complete official rules.
2. Read the My Digital Studio Designing contest FAQ for demonstrators. If you would like to read the My Digital Studio Designing contest FAQ for customers, click here.
3. Download an official entry form and photo release form (if applicable).
4. Remember, customers and demonstrators will be judged separately.

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Club Project Share

I really wanted my club girls to get a chance to see how cute these Mini Lunch Sacks are when they are all "dressed up".  The new Christmas Collage stamp set was perfect as it easily covers the entire front of the bag!

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Stamp Set(s): Christmas Collage
Paper: Early Espresso, Always Artichoke, Cherry Cobbler, Deck the Halls DSP
Ink: Early Espresso
Embellishments: Jumbo Designer Buttons, Very Vanilla 1/4" Grosgrain, Mini Lunch Sacks
Sizzix: Big Shot,Circle Die
Tools: Mat Pack, Paper Piercer, Paper Snips
Adhesives: Snail,  Dimensionals
Punches: Scallop Border Punch, 2 3/8" Scallop, 1 3/4" Circle

AMAZING Deal for New Recruits!

As you know, I was away at the Stampin' Up Regionals in Portland, Oregon last weekend.  While we were there, Stampin' Up! announced a special recruiting offer exclusively for attendees of Regional Seminars!!!

Here's the info:
There is a future release stamp set that will be in the 2011 Occasions Mini Catalogue (January) called "Eat Chocolate".  I've shown this super cute stamp set below as well as some samples that I photographed from the sample boards there!  Well, if you join my team of West Coast Creators and become a Stampin' Up! demonstrator between today and November 6th, both you and I get that set for FREE! Sound like a good deal???? Well it gets better!  Do you remember this craft tote?

Stampin' Up! has extended the AMAZING craft tote promotion for all new recruits who join my team from now until November 6th! So not only will get you get a FREE stamp set called 'Eat Chocolate', but you will also get that amazing craft tote for FREE!!! So, for $215.00 you will be getting close to $450.00 dollars in product! If you've been on the fence about joining, even as a hobby demo (for the discount), now is the time!

To sign up, head on over to my Stampin' Up website and click on the "Join Now" button on the left hand side and start enjoying demonstrator discounts and benefits whether you stamp for a hobby or desire the Stampin' Up! business opportunity TODAY!!! (My password is scrapaholic)

As always, please feel free to contact me for any addition details or for help getting signed up.

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Regionals Sample

This was another one of the samples that I shared on stage at Regionals.  It uses the same technique for matting the Decorative Label punch, but makes use of the Curly Label Punch!

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Stamp Set(s): Perfect Punches, Day of Gratitude
Paper: Cajun Craze, Early Espresso, Very Vanilla, Autumn Spice DSP
Ink: Cajun Craze, More Mustard, Early Espresso
Embellishments: Early Espresso Satin Ribbon
Tools: Mat Pack, Paper Piercer, Paper Snips
Adhesives: Snail,  Dimensionals, Sticky Strip, Crystal Effects
Punches: Curly Label Punch
MDS:

Boo!

I think that this could possibly be the fastest Halloween decoration that I've ever made!  I noticed this old frame in the bottom of the closet in my craft room and decided to give it new life:)  It literally took me five minutes to clean the glass, cut the DSP and apply the Decor Element to the glass!  I love it... now what else can I find to decorate?????  I think I'll find one of my old bowls and put my leftover spiders, bats and "trick or treat" around it!

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Paper: Wicked Fun Specialty DSP
Tools: Mat Pack, Paper Piercer, Paper Snips
Decor Elements: Spooky Things

Stampin' Royalty Challenge #43

This week's Stampin' Royalty Challenge is a Sketch Challenge!  It was kind of fun to try out a technique that was demo'd on stage at Regionals... I finally got it!  Come and check out the other Design Team samples and join us this week!

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Stamp Set(s): Peaceful Season
Paper: Cherry Cobbler Prints Pattern Stack, Early Espresso, Very Vanilla, Cherry Cobbler
Ink: Cherry Cobbler, Always Artichoke, Early Espresso
Embellishments: Early Espresso Satin Ribbon, Pearls
Sizzix: Big Shot, Petals a Plenty Embossing Folder, Oval Scallop Die
Tools: Mat Pack, Paper Piercer, Paper Snips , Chipboard, Sponge
Adhesives: Snail,  Dimensionals
Punches: Trio of Punches

Regionals Share

 I was lucky enough to get to do a Workshop Wow presentation at the Portland Regional.  I WAS TERRIFIED!  Somehow I can stand in front of a classroom everyday and even hold classes and workshops for my AMAZING customers.   I very rarely get nervous unless I'm doing a workshop for a completely new group of women or possibly doing a talk on "Meet the Creature" night.  This was an extreme of that situation!  I had to push my hands down against the table to stop them from shaking.  The funny part was that the technique that I decided to share was the one that I shared in my video a month or so ago about matting the Decorative Label Punch.  If you've seen the video you'd know that me using sharp scissors while having very shaky hands could have ended very badly!  (thank goodness no blood was shed:) If you were at Regionals, I would recommend watching my video... it doesn't look like it was filmed in the back of a moving truck!  I prepared this lovely little gift box to share at regionals too, but somehow I was so nervous that I just left it on the table on stage and forgot to share it:)  If Stampin' Up ever gives me another chance, I promise to do a better job!


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Stamp Set(s): Tags Til Christmas, Tiny Tags
Paper: Candy Cane Lane DSP, Real Red, Whisper White, Baja Breeze
Ink: Blushing Bride, Real Red
Embellishments: Real Red Taffeta, Real Red Satin Ribbon, Glimmer Brads, Linen Thread, Glass Glitter
Sizzix: Big Shot, Movers and Shapers Ornament Magnetic Die, Fancy Favors Die
Tools: Mat Pack, Paper Piercer, Paper Snips
Adhesives: Snail,  Dimensionals, Sticky Strip
Punches: Decorative Label Punch, Mini Jewelry Tag, Ornament Punch

Home From Regionals

I had the greatest time on the weekend... on Friday afternoon I headed down to Portland, Oregon for Stampin' Up's Regional conference.  I went down with three HILARIOUS girlfriends... two who are part of my downline and one who I met at a Stampin' Up event a year and a half ago.  Dawn, Jody, Sabriena, and I had a blast!  Although it was a whirlwind trip, we all learned a lot and had a great girl's weekend.  These were just some notebooks that I made up for the girls before we left because I know that is something that I always forget when I go to an event... a notebook.  Want to hear the funny part.... I made these for them and still forgot a notebook for myself!

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Stamp Set(s): Lovely Letters
Paper: Greenhouse Gala, Pear Pizzaz, Baja Breeze, Peach Parfait
Ink: Pear Pizzaz
Embellishments: Peach Parfait Twill Ribbon
Tools: Mat Pack, Paper Piercer, Paper Snips
Adhesives: Snail,  Dimensionals, Sticky Strip
Punches: 1 1/4" Circle, 1 3/8" Circle, Scallop Circle, Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border

ABC's of a Perfect Handmade Holiday!

It's hard to believe, but the holidays are right around the corner and Stampin' Up! want to help make your holidays more special than ever! The ABC's of the Perfect Handmade Holiday will help you prepare for the holidays without all the stress. From October 19  - December 16, 2010, Stampin' Up! will be offering you holiday bundles perfect for creating Amazing cards, Beautiful packaging, and Cherished gifts--all at 20 percent off!!!!

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Stampin' Royalty Challenge #42

I had a lot of fun creating this project for Stampin' Royalty this week!  The theme was to use ribbons, in any way that you choose!  I've been staring at this Chunky Frame in my closet for the past month and trying to decide what to do with it... this seemed like the perfect occasion. I thought that it would look great with some of the 1 1/4" striped ribbon.  It was also fun to test out a new technique that I wanted to use... I'll share it with you next week... see if you can spot it!

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Paper: Candy Cane Christmas, Whisper White
Ink: Baja Breeze, Real Red
Embellishments: Linen Thread, 1 1/4" Real Red Striped Grosgrain, Glass Glitter, Big Designer Buttons, Chunky Frame
Sizzix: Big Shot, Snowflake #2, Northern Frost Decorative Strip
Tools: Mat Pack, Paper Piercer, Paper Snips
Adhesives: Snail,  Dimensionals, Sticky Strip, Crystal Effects
Punches: Mini Jewelry Tag

I Did It! I Did It! I Did it!

I am so excited that I finally got around to making my Rag Quilt Purse designed by an amazing friend of mine, Angie Juda.  I had my parents staying with me for the past three weeks, and my mom is an avid sewer.  Yikes... that looks wrong!  She's a sew-er, not a sewer!  Although I've grown up sewing and even own a serger... I haven't made anything like this before. Mom and I had fun making it and I'm pumped with the final results... it is already in use!  I chose to make mine with the Deck the Halls fabric in the Holiday Mini.  It is more my colors... and those Big Designer Buttons are too cute!

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Embellishments:  Big Designer Buttons, Deck the Halls Fabric
Sizzix: Big Shot, Scallop Square Die

Showing Off Some New Talent

This gorgeous card was created by one of the girls attending my Artistic Etchings class.  I always encourage people at my classes to feel free to change up my cards with the pre-cut supplies that they have.  Some people follow the samples and others make minor changes.  This amazing card was done by one of my previous grade sevens who caught the stamping bug when we were working on our fundraiser!  I love what she came up with!  Way to go Haily!

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New Digital Downloads Available and New Printing Prices

Nite Owl Digital Kit (Item #: 122174) $9.95

Autumn Spice Digital Kit (Item #: 122175) $12.50

Deck the Halls Photocard Digital Kit (Item #: 122176) $4.95

Candy Cane Lane Photocard Digital Kit (Item #: 122177) $4.95

Celebrations Digital Kit (Item #: 123728) $12.50

Brad Add-On Pack (Item #: 122166) $1.25

Stampin' Up! is bringing sparkle to your holiday season a little early this year with a very special gift for our demonstrators and customers! Beginning October 19, 2010, nearly all of our My Digital Studio professional print products will be available at approximately 15-60 percent off regular retail prices! Want to know the best part about this money-saving holiday gift? It never ends! Beginning October 19, most of our professional print products will be permanently reduced! Be sure to take advantage of this significant print product savings--beat the December rush and start creating your holiday photo album books, calendars, and cards today! See flyer here!


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Getting in the Groove With a CASE

Have you ever noticed that when you don't get a chance to stamp for awhile that you lose your groove?  It always takes me a couple of nights of aimless staring in my stamp room to get hit with some new ideas.  I don't like to waste those nights so I like to CASE some of the fabulous inspirations that I've bookmarked during that time.    This particular card was inspired by a little set that the amazing Mary Fish made last week.  I wanted to keep it simple as I had to make a whole bunch to send out to the women that came to one of my workshops in the beginning of October.  This Homegrown stamp set is STUNNING!


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Stamp Set(s): Homegrown, Day of Gratitude
Paper: Crumb Cake, Whisper White, Early Espresso

Ink: Early Espresso
Embellishments: Kraft Taffeta (retired)
Adhesives: Snail,  Dimensionals

Stampin' Royalty Challenge #41 Spooky Kooky!

Sorry for the lack of posts.  I went away for the Thanksgiving weekend and came home with a WICKED cold:(  I'm starting to recover and even got a little stamping done lastnight.  I'll be back tomorrow:)


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Artistic Etchings Class Card

This was one of the cards that we made at my Artistic Etchings Classes this week.  I have one kit left if there is anyone in Canada interested.  The new Tasteful Trims Die is so versatile... cards... scrapbook pages... can't wait to play more!  I even got to use it on the bag that the ladies made to coordinate with this card!  Check out my Artistic Etchings Class Purse Here!

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Stamp Set(s): Artistic Etchings
Paper: Love Letters DSP, Very Vanilla, Basic Black, Riding Hood Red
Ink: Basic Black, Riding Hood Red
Embellishments: Vanilla Hodgepodge Hardware, Linen Thread
Sizzix: Big Shot, Tasteful Trims Die, Vintage Wallpaper Textured Impressions Folder
Tools: Mat Pack, Paper Piercer, Paper Snips, Color Spritzer
Adhesives: Snail,  Dimensionals
Punches:  Designer Label

Amazing Friends... Amazing Cards!

I had some questions on how Marjorie created this stunning first card and I've hunted her blog to find her post... you can see all the details here:

http://parttimestamper.blogspot.com/2010/07/dry-embossing.html

I just thought that I would share some of the stunning cards that I've received from friends recently... I love how creative everyone is... it truly inspires me!


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As Promised...

Here's the wedding card that I made to match the Gift Certificate Holder the other day. Sorry that I'm not writing much, busy night... AMAZING class ladies!  Too much fun for one night!

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Stamp Set(s): Autumn Days, Tiny Tags, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Paper: More Mustard, Chocolate Chip Prints Pattern DSP, Chocolate Chip
Ink: More Mustard, Chocolate Chip
Embellishments: Very Vanilla Satin Ribbon, Linen Thread,
Sizzix: Big Shot, Circle Die, Square Lattice Textured Impressions Embossing Folder
Tools: Mat Pack, Paper Piercer, Paper Snips
Adhesives: Snail,  Dimensionals
Punches: 2 3/8" Scallop Circle, Mini Jewelry Tag Punch, Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border, Word Window