Stampin' and Scrappin' With Kristin

Build-a-Bear Gift Sack

This gift bag might have been one of my favorite Build-a-Bear projects from Fall Fest.  I just love the way it turned out.  Have I been saying that a lot???  Well, actually I wish I could have gotten the tag tied onto the bag nicely.  I got frustrated and simply glued it on instead!

Here are the supplies I used to make this project:

• Gift Bag (SU retired - but you can pick one up at LOTS of stores)
• Pawsitively Prints DSP
• Stampin' Up! Bear Bigz Die
• Stampin' Up! Beary Essentials Bigz Die
• Stampin' Up! Beary Boy Sizzlits Die
• Stampin' Up! Two Tags Bigz Die
• Pumpkin Pie DSP
• Whisper White DSP
• Close to Cocoa DSP
• Very Vanilla DSP
• Basic Black DSP
• 1" Circle Punch (glued behind his head to make the eyes, nose, and mouth)
• Old Olive Wide Grosgrain Ribbon
• Playground Designer Buttons
• Scallop Edge Punch
• 3/4" Circle Punch (for hole in tag)

NEW: Stampin' Up! Clearance Rack - Up to 80% Off!!!

Stampin' Up! is launching a  new section of their online store called the Clearance Rack.  All items in the clearance rack section are retired.  Many of these retired items will be offered at a substantially reduced price.  As items sell out, Stampin' Up! will add new items - so you'll want to check back often!

These items may only be purchased online only through my Stampin' Up! website while supplies last.  Check them out!  There are some GREAT deals!  Simply follow the link above and click on the "Shop Now" button.  You'll see one of the sections in the online store is for "Clearance Rack"! 

If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact me via email (kristinfuller@aol.com) or by phone 856-503-7459.

Thoroughly Modern Build-a-Bear Office Accessories

The next set of items I'd like to share from my Fall Fest Build-a-Bear display is my "Thoroughly Modern Build-a-Bear Office Accessory Collection".  Wow, that's a mouthful!

The first piece in the collection that I made was the folder.  This was something that was shown in the Stampin' Success Magazine - it's a magazine that demonstrators receive each month.  It's packed full of ideas!  Then, I saw it again on Patty Bennett's blog - including instructions.  The folder is actually made out of the Thoroughly Modern File Folders on page 169 of the Idea Book and Catalog.  After you get over your fear of cutting into the folder, it's easy to make!  But, you shouldn't have much fear - they come as a pack of 12....plenty of backups!  I also picked up some small notepads at the local office supply store and adhered it in the folder with sticky strip.  Using some of the leftover scraps, I was even able to decorate the notepad!  I decorated my folder with a coordinating Build-a-Bear!

The folder then inspired the bulletin board.  It actually happened completely by accident.  This one is another 2am creation.  And, I'm pretty proud of myself!  I had some 12x12 cork sitting around from a recent trip to my drug store.  YES!  I found 12x12 sheets of cork at a drug store.  The 12x12 frame was an old frame that had been collecting dust.  I popped out the glass and it worked perfectly!  I adhered some Throughly Modern DSP to the wooden frame using Tombo Anywhere Adhesive - it worked GREAT!  I cut out some bear paws for the corner using my Embosslit!  Finally, I made a bear that matched my folder's bear and used Glue Dots to attach her to the board.  I then cut out the "notes" word from Bermuda Bay Card Stock and adhered them as well with Glue Dots.

To round out the collection, I emptied a can of soup...right down the drain...washed out the can, and wrapped some more DSP around the can, some coordinating ribbon, and a little stamped embellishment.

I thought this collection looked a little more grown-up!  What do you think?  Here are some close-ups of the projects:

Me at Fall Fest

I wanted to post a quick comparison of me at Fall Fest 2009 and Fall Fest 2008.  My friend, Stasia Sloma, snapped a picture of me in front of my Build-a-Bear display board this year.  Don't I look calm, cool, and collected?

Here's the picture she snapped of me LAST year at Fall Fest demoing the Big Shot.  (I can't believe I'm posting this...)  I'm thrilled to know that this isn't what I look like during every demo!!!

Build-a-Bear Outfits

OH MY GOSH!!!  Can I just tell you...I'm COMPLETELY addicted to dressing silly bears!  I could just spend hours pairing up DSP and card stock and figuring out what else to make using the dies.  For example, you can take the bear's pants and cut them down to be shorts or capris.  You can also tear the edge for a more casual look.  Santa's outfit works great as PJs for the bears!  And there are a ZILLION different things to do with the girl's skirt...ballerina, cheerleader...I'm still looking for a teeny tiny poodle so that I can make it into a poodle skirt!  Here are twelve different outfits I pulled together for my Fall Fest display.  Some of them are originals, some of them are straight from the Mini Catalog, and some of them are from out in blogland (Tamie Ackerson).

Fall Fest Highlights

WOW!  What an amazing couple of days it's been.  One of my fellow downline members and friends drove up to north Jersey last night...and we were still making Build-a-Bears!  As soon as we got up to the hotel, we set up a Big Shot station in the room.  I cut out about 10 more bears to dress at Fall Fest.  Megan made an adorable tote for her daughter using the Build-a-Bear and alphabet dies.

We got up super early to head over to Fall Fest.....too early if you ask me!  I set up my Build-a-Bear display and checked out the Make & Take I was going to be helping to demo.  I didn't design it so I had to be a quick learner....Tina did give me a sneak peek of what I'd be showing.  Here's a picture of my display board.  Don't worry...I'll be sharing more details over the next few days.

My favorite part of Fall Fest is visiting and catching up with old friends and meeting new ones.  Here are some of my downlines and sidelines.....from left to right....Gina, Heather, and Megan.  Megan helped me out with my Build-a-Bear Make & Takes.  I was grateful to have her help!

Some of the Make & Takes were taught by ROYALTY.  First up was Michelle Zindorf's gorgeous holiday card!  We were SO honored to have her at Fall Fest.  She's part of our group, but her classes are in HIGH demand.  She travels all over the country teaching classes.  She's booked out for more than a year!    She provides wonderful tutorials on her blog every day. 

I spent the morning (after making my card with Michelle) helping 100 demonstrators make Build-a-Bears.  Then the Philly Inkers headed off to lunch with Karen and Michelle.  It was great to get to know Michelle better.  And, I always love seeing Karen.  Over lunch she was telling us about how she became a demonstrator and met Tina.  I'm always get choked up when I hear of the friendships that have been formed over the hobby of stamping.  I would have known NONE of the women here if it weren't for stamping!  Here's a picture of Karen showing us how to make cards using the "Black Magic with a White Twist" technique.

Here are a few more photos of the Philly Inkers making Aunt Karen's card.  Don't worry...I'll post pictures of the projects later in the week.  But, Karen also displays wonderful examples of this technique on her blog as well.

And now I'm heading to bed....I'm exhausted and need to be well-rested for one of my Holiday Card Workshops tomorrow!!!

Build-a-Bear Fest!

Get ready for a Build-a-Bear fest!  Today I'm demonstrating the Build-a-Bear products to a group of about 120 demonstrators at our Fall Fest event!  It's a fabulous event where demonstrators from all over the Northeast...and then some...get together to stamp, swap, share, inspire, create, and chat!  It's SO much fun.  At today's event, we're lucky enough to have TWO fabulous demonstrators from Ohio demonstrate and teach us some stamping techniques - Karen Barber (my "grandma" in the SU family) and Michelle Zindorf (one of my "aunts" in the SU family) - both stamping "royalty"!

I thought I'd give you a sneak peek of one of the projects I've made to display.  It was inspired by a project shown at convention.  It's a dress-up bear game.  I've cut lots of clothes and accessories out of DSP and magnet sheets.  It's SO simple to make magnets with your Big Shot.  I found self-adhesive sheets online.  I just cut the DSP and the magnet sheet to the size I needed, adhered the DSP to the magnet, then ran it through the Big Shot! I placed a circular magnet to the back of a couple of SU containers.  One is for boys clothes.  One is for girls clothes.  It keeps them all nice and organized.

(Side note....I made this project at 1am on Friday morning.  When decorating the tin I was very focused on choosing colors that coordinated with the teal tin.  Apparently I forgot the tin was teal when I dressed my bear!  What was I thinking???  Olive Sweater???  Oh gosh!  It's still cute, though!

I used an empty Hodgepodge Hardware box as the case (thanks, Tina, for the idea).  It's the perfect travel-size companion!  I decorated the box - and turned it into a purse (inspired by a convention project from a few years back).  I think the result is absolutely adorable.

I'll be sharing more of the projects over the next few days.  But, let me tell you....these little guys are ADDICTIVE!!!  I couldn't stop cutting out little bears - trying to find new ways to use their accessories.  

3-Days Only - 20% Off Brown Sale!

I know...you're scratching your head and wondering what on earth is a "Brown Sale".  WELL....let me explain.  Have you been to my house recently?  Did you really look at the siding?  Did you notice how the siding is chipped and rotting and discolored and just plain embarrassing?   My house has absolutely NO curb appeal!  WELL...that's about to change (to the delight of my neighbors).  This photo was taken a couple of years ago...and trust me, the house hasn't gotten ANY better with age!  Heck, it desperately needed to be painted five years ago when I bought it!  I was going to do something a couple of years ago - even got a few quotes - but I decided installing central air conditioning was a higher priority than siding.  AND....I'm sure any of you who have attended events this past summer are glad that I went that route!  But now it's time to make it pretty.

We've signed the contracts....Mike and I are getting vinyl siding installed in a few weeks - it will be done in time for the holidays.  We decided on a color scheme Wednesday night.  At the last minute, I decided that I want a "chocolate" house.  For years I thought I wanted a light gray with black shutters.  Mike thought that was SO boring - especially considering all of the color INSIDE the house.  But, I had a revelation and we think it will look AMAZING and sharp.  Although, it really isn't going to be chocolate.  The company didn't offer siding that dark!!!  But, it will be a deep cocoa color.  I'll post pictures when it's done...and so will the siding company since it will be such a dramatic improvement.

SO...back to my brown sale.  To celebrate, between now and Sunday, September 27th, you get to save 20% off on any "brown" products in our current catalogs...anything Chocolate Chip, Basic Brown, Close to Cocoa, Creamy Caramel, Kraft, Sahara Sand, and Soft Suede!  Does that cover all of our brown shades - if not, let me know?  That includes card stock, DSP, ink, ribbon, accessories, decor elements, wood sheets, and rub-ons...or anything else you can convince me is brown or contains a speck of brown!  To take advantage of this sale, simply call (856-503-7459) or e-mail (kristinfuller@aol.com) me to place an order.  This offer does not apply to orders placed online.  And, everyone who places an order as part of my brown sale, will be entered to win a free prize!

Sweet Treats Cups

I don't think I've shared this card with you yet.  I made it for my Holiday Mini Open House a couple of weeks ago.  It was really easy, actually.

I simply took some of the rub-ons in the Holiday Mini Catalog and applied them to one of the Sweet Treats cups!  I filled the cup with Chunky Red glitter.  How cute?  The DSP is from the Christmas Cocoa DSP (also in the Holiday Mini Catalog).  It coordinates nicely with Soft Suede Card Stock and Real Red Card Stock.  I flipped some of the Soft Suede Polka Dot ribbon over to show off the non-Polka Dot side.

What do you think?

More Serene Snowflakes

I made this lovely card the other night.  I have attempted to make this card several times but was never happy with the result.  I never liked the ink I was using.  But, this time I used the Shimmer Paint as my ink.  PERFECT!  Yes, it's inspired by the projects in the Mini Catalog as well.

This card is slightly time-consuming.  I inked each snowflake with my Champagne Mist shimmer paint with a sponge dauber.  I certainly wouldn't want to make too many of these.

Here are all of the supplies I used to make this card:

• Serene Snowflakes Stamp Set (Holiday Mini)
• Many Merry Messages Stamp Set
• Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint (Holiday Mini)
• Sponge Daubers
• Chocolate Chip Classic Ink
• Bella Bleu DSP
• Kraft Card Stock
• Not Quite Navy Card Stock
• Very Vanilla Card Stock
• Chocolate Chip Card Stock
• Elementary Ribbon Originals
• Masterpiece Ribbon Originals

Thankful Decor Blocks

I LOVE the wooden blocks in the Holiday Mini Catalog.  I've also fallen completely in LOVE with the Autumn Meadows DSP in the Holiday Mini Catalog.  I joke that I thought the paper was the "ugliest in the catalog" based upon the teeny tiny swatches in the catty.  But, when you look at the paper in person, it's absolutely GORGEOUS!

Inspired by the blocks in the catalog, I made my own vinyl letters for these blocks using some raw Chocolate Chip vinyl, my Big Shot, and the Serif Essentials Alphabet.  I just LOVE the result!

Make Your Own!!!

Do you want to make your own set of Thankful blocks???  No problem!  I've scheduled a class where you can make your own set for $35.  It is scheduled for Wednesday, October 28th at 7pm.  Email me to register!

The class fee includes:

• 2 Sets of Wooden (3"x3") Decor Blocks (Holiday Mini Catalog)
• 1/2 Pack of Autumn Meadows DSP - you'll have leftover paper to keep for future projects
• 1 Anywhere Glue Stick
• Chocolate Chip Vinyl (you'll receive pre-cut letters if you order the "in-the-mail" kit)

Can't attend or live too far?  No problem!  I'm able to offer this class in the mail!  Your kit will include all of the supplies listed above plus step-by-step instructions.  I recommend that you provide your own hobby blade and sanding block to trim off any excess paper from the blocks, if necessary.  Classes will ship via USPS Priority Mail.  Total cost, including postage is $45.  Simply use the PayPal link below to order yours today!  Kits will ship the last week of October.  Or, feel free to e-mail me with other questions.

Birthday Mail Call

Hello everyone!  I'm back!  I'm rested!  I'm OLD(er).  I had an absolutely fabulous weekend at my family's house up in Northeastern PA with Mike.  I did NOTHING.  Well....that's not necessarily true.  I finished reading a book, started another, scrapbooked a bunch of pages using My Digital Studio from my wedding.  Did I mention sleep???  I slept until 11am on Friday morning!   Then I took a nap.

Anyway...while I was away, I celebrated a birthday.  I received some absolutely GORGEOUS cards in the mail from friends, customers, and downline members.  THANK YOU!!!!  I thought I'd share some of them with you tonight...

This first card was from my friend and downline member, Kelly.  She blew me away with this tri-fold shutter card featuring Cottage Wall DSP.  She put A LOT of work into this card - she cut out and glitterfied the butterflies.  She added a couple of build-a-brads.  She also mentioned that this was the first card she made as a Stampin' Up! demonstrator....I'm SO honored!

This next card was made by another friend and downline member, Lynn.  She's following suit with the butterfly theme!  I'm going to honestly say, I don't exactly know how she glitterfied her butterfly!!!  I know she cut it and the whisper white cs for the sentiment with the Big Shot.  She added a pearl from the Pretties Kit.  But, she must have stamped the swirl in Versamark and embossed it with Iridescent Ice???  The body is made of clear micro beads.  Too cute!  Regardless, I LOVE the result...gonna have to case that one!

Next up is a card I received from a friend and customer, Terri.  I NEVER would have thought to pair this retired DSP with Crazy for Cupcakes!  I LOVE it!  How perfect the cherries coordinate!  I also love the color scheme.  It's not one I typically pair together - Bashful Blue and Real Red, but it TOTALLY works!!!  I'm not sure you can tell in the photo, but the tops of each cupcake are glitterfied as well!  (Do you see a theme???)

My last card of the day is from another friend and customer, Kate.  She made one of the fantastic Big Shot Quilt cards using some of my most favorite (unfortunately retired) DSP.  Do you think she knew?  This card takes patience!  You have to adhere squares of coordinating card stock to a larger pieces of card stock then run it through the Big Shot.  Kate reminds me that I need to make more of these!!!

And I'm Off....

I had all of the best intentions of getting some blog posts typed and scheduled....but alas, I have been suffering from the flu for the past 8 days.

AND....I'm thrilled to say that I am taking the weekend off to enjoy my family's home in northeastern PA with Mike....and My Digital Studio! Over the weekend I will not have internet access.

But, I will be back on Monday, rested, recovered, and oh yeah....one more year older! Enjoy your weekend! I know I will!!!
Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile

Big Shot Contest Ending Soon

We are coming down to the final weeks to qualify to be entered in my Big Shot drawing.....

Here's your chance to WIN your very own Big Shot!  All you have to do is schedule one of the following events in July, August, or September 2009:

• Qualified* In-Home Workshop
• Qualified* Custom Class
• Qualified* Catalog Party - pass the catalog around to your friends and family to collect orders
• Place a $250 or more order!

Already own the Big Shot???  No problem!  If you are the lucky winner, you can choose a $99.95 gift certificate instead!

Just a couple of dates remain if you would like to hold a qualifying event...

- Monday, September 21st (evening)
- Tuesday, September 22nd (evening)
- Wednesday, September 23rd (evening)
- Wednesday, September 30th (afternoon or evening)

There are just a couple of rules:

• * Qualfiying Workshops or Catalog Parties must have sales of $250 or more (before tax and shipping)
• Custom Classes must have at least 6 paying attendees to qualify.
• This promotion is offered by me.  This is not a Stampin' Up! promotion.

Polka Dot Thank You Cards!

I stamped a stack of these delightful thank you cards the other night!  I'm SO proud of myself for stamping and mailing cards!!!  That's what it's all about, right?  It's a new goal of mine to mail more cards.  I made 16 of these cards...and quickly identified 16 people to thank!  I think that brings me to over 50 people in the last few weeks!!!  Now...if I can only be just as successful in writing out my wedding thank you cards (next Monday will be 6 months).

ANYWAY.....what inspired this card?  The new Night & Day Specialty Paper (in the new Holiday Mini) that was sitting next to my craft table.  I knew it included black polka-dot window sheets and I wanted to use them.  I really wanted to make a Halloween card, but Melon Mambo kept coming to mind.  I came up with the layout before I selected my stamps.  Once I was happy, I ran off to my classroom to see what I could find.  I knew I wanted something relatively simple since I was making a bunch.  I came across Flight of the Butterfly. And, look....one of the butterfly stamps has Polka Dots!!!  My Melon Mambo ribbon has polka dots!!!  How cool!!!!  I hope you like the result!

Here are the supplies I used:

• Flight of the Butterfly Stamp Set
• Basic Black Classic Ink
• Melon Mambo Classic Ink
• Whisper White Card Stock
• Melon Mambo Card Stock
• Basic Black Card Stock
• Night & Day Specialty Paper (Holiday Mini)
• Melon Mambo Polka Dot Ribbon
• Stamp-a-Ma-Jig (for two-step stamping and the sentiment)
• Butterfly Punch

Open House Projects

Wow!  If you missed my Holiday Mini Open House yesterday, you missed a SUPER FUN day!  It was so wonderful seeing and meeting all of you!  But, if you weren't able to make it, I wanted to share the projects everyone got to make and share some of the projects on display.  Oh yeah...and I wanted to share the winners of the door prizes. 

First up is the Halloween card:

• Pumpkin Patch Stamp Set
• Pumpkin Pie Card Stock
• Old Olive Card Stock
• Whisper White Card Stock
• Pumpkin Pie Classic Ink
• Basic Black Classic Ink
• Old Olive Classic Ink
• Close to Cocoa Classic Ink
• Scallop Edge Punch

To be honest, I was not impressed with this stamp set at all when I saw it in the catalog.  That was then...this is now.  I LOVE it!!!  It's SO stinkin' cute!  I assembled it for a workshop on Friday night.  In the last two days, I have sold three more of them. 

Here's a list of the door prizes I gave away, and the names of the winners:

• Jenn Sherburne - $50 Gift Certificate
• Judy Ferguson - Any Hostess Stamp Set
• Kelly Whitling - Any item out of the Holiday Mini Catalog

Congrats ladies!!!

The second card everyone got to make was a Christmas card.  Again, I decided to use a stamp set I haven't used before out of the Holiday Mini - Yuletide Christmas.  It was inspired by the projects on page 22 of the Holiday Mini Catalog.

Here are the supplies I used on this card:

• Yuletide Christmas Stamp Set
• Serene Snowflakes Stamp Set (stamped on the red card stock with Versamark)
• Christmas Cocoa Specialty Paper
• Real Red Card Stock
• Chocolate Chip Card Stock
• Whisper White Card Stock
• Real Red Classic Ink
• Versamark Ink
• Wide Oval Punch
• Scallop Oval Punch
• Wide Chocolate Chip Ribbon

Holiday Mini Open House

Can you believe that the fall and winter holidays are just around the corner???  I certainly can't!!!  Stampin' Up! is ready and releasing their Holiday Mini Catalog on September 1st.  It's a gorgeous 40-page catalog packed full of fabulous products!!! 

Date:  Saturday, September 12th
Time:  1pm - 5pm
Location:  Kristin's House - 20 3rd Street, Elmer, NJ 08318
Phone:  856-503-7459
email:  kristinfuller@aol.com

I'll have lots of fun things for you to do and see:

• A couple of FREE Make & Takes using the new products
• Lots of samples of projects made using the new products
• Get a chance to see demonstrations and play with My Digital Studio (available for purchase October 1st)
• Sign-up sheets for my fall and winter classes - including project samples
• Door prizes
• Tasty treats

Earn extra door prize entries for the following:

• Receive 1 door prize entry just for attending
• Recieve 5 extra entries if you book a workshop
• Receive 5 extra entries for each friend you bring who is not on my current mailing list
• Receive an extra entry for each $10 in products you order (before tax and shipping)
• Receive 15 extra entries if you sign up to become a demonstrator

There is no limit on the number of door prize entries you can earn!!!  I hope you can attend this super-fun event!

Wandering Words - Holiday Mini Swaps

Okay, okay....I guess the weekend is over...time to get back to work!!!

At our monthly downline meeting this month, a dozen or so of us are swapping cards made using stamp sets from the new Holiday Mini Catalog.  What's a downline meeting you ask?  It's our monthly demonstrator get-together!  I hate calling them meetings, because they're too fun for that boring title!  We chat, swap cards, stamp, and share ideas...oh yeah, and eat!  This month they've asked ME to conduct a "mock workshop".  I hope they know what they're asking for!!!  Do you want to see me conduct a workshop?  Contact me - I would love to do one for you and your friends!

Anyway...I was SO in love with this card that I just couldn't wait to share it online!!!  It's inspired by a couple of cards I've seen on other blogs and some techniques we learned at convention!

Let me tell you about my leaf!  First, I cut the maple leaf out of a 2.5" x 2.5" square of wood using my Big Shot and Leaves #2 die.  I LOVE the wood sheets in the Big Catalog.  And, you can get at least 10 leaves out of 1 sheet.

Next, I sponged some coordinating classic ink over the leaf using sponge daubers.  I used More Mustard and Close to Cocoa on this project.

Finally, I sponged just a wee bit of Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint along the edges of the leaf over the Close to Cocoa ink.  This stuff goes a LONG way!!!  They gave us some tips at convention this year.  They suggested dropping a little bit of the paint into the container's cap.  You then pick up just a bit of the paint with your sponge dauber - which conveniently fits perfectly inside the cap!

I thought the glittery edge made the leaf look like it was kissed by morning dew!

Here are all of the supplies I used to make this card:

• Wandering Words Stamp Set (Holiday Mini)
• Woodgrain Background Stamp
• Close to Cocoa Classic Ink
• Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint (Holiday Mini)
• Versamark Ink
• Autumn Meadow DSP (Holiday Mini)
• Close to Cocoa Card Stock
• More Mustard Card Stock
• Taken With Teal Card Stock
• Very Vanilla Card Stock
• Texture Cuts Wood Sheets
• Masterpiece Ribbon Originals
• Scallop Edge Punch
• Sponge Daubers

Grateful Leaves

One of the fun techniques I saw at convention showed the wood sheets dyed!!!  Why didn't I think of that?!?!?!  On this card, I ran the wood sheet through my Big Shot using the Leaves #2 Die.  I then sponged some coordinated classic ink on the wooden leaves.  So easy!!!

Here are the supplies I used to make this card:

• Grateful Greetings Stamp Set (Holiday Mini)
• Wood Sheets
• Leaves #2 Die
• Autumn Meadows DSP (Holiday Mini)
• Whisper White Card Stock
• Dusty Durango Card Stock
• Very Vanilla Card Stock
• Chocolate Chip Card Stock
• More Mustard Classic Ink
• Chocolate Chip Classic Ink
• Really Rust Classic Ink

Noel Decor Blocks

Did you see the new Decor Blocks on page 30 of the new Holiday Mini Catalog???  They were some of the first things on my wish list!  I couldn't wait to decorate them.  The Holiday Mix Decor Elements are designed to fit perfectly on the blocks.  My first project using these new items was to simply copy the blocks right from the catalog.  It was pretty simple....but not really cost effective.  In fact, you need three different colors of the Decor Elements to make it.  But, that didn't matter to me!  I liked it and wanted to make it!  However, you could certainly eliminate some of the supplies....I left out the rub-ons and the stamped element on the "L" block.

Here are the supplies I used:

• Decor Elements Blocks
• Holiday Mix Chocolate Decor Elements
• Holiday Mix Real Red Decor Elements
• Holiday Mix White Decor Elements
• Anywhere Glue Stick
• Hobby Blade
• Whisper White Card Stock
• Old Olive Card Stock
• Chocolate Chip Card Stock
• Old Olive DSP
• Snowfall Printed Window Sheets
• Medium Rhinestone Brad
• Scallop Edge Punch

Mail Call!!!

Don't you just LOVE opening your mailbox to find a Stampin' Up! envelope inside???  I love it when my mail carrier tucks those envelopes in with my bills for a pleasant surprise.  I was SO good last week.  I mailed 38 cards to friends and customers last week so that they could experience that joy, too!  But, I also received some cards in the mail...I thought you'd enjoy seeing them too.

This first card was stamped by Kelly, one of the new demonstrators on my team who took advantage of the starter kit offer in August!  She hosted a stamp-a-stack earlier in August....but apparently I walked out the door before she paid me.  Ooops.  I'm glad she's honest!  But, I was even "gladder" to see that she tucked the payment inside a stamped card!!!  Here it is....

 

I'm a part of a larger group of demonstrators called the "Philly Inkers".  Each month we draw the name of someone else in the group to mail a swap card to.  These next two cards are cards I received over the last month.  This first one was actually hand-delivered by its designer, "Aunt" Karen Barber.  She is an extremely talented stamper and watercolorer.  She gave me this swap at convention last month.  I stuck it in the window of my tote bag and was stopped by MANY demonstrators who thought it was the card I was swapping and wanted to swap.  Hmmm....not that many stopped me when MY card was in that window!!!  The detail in this one was truly over-the-top!

 

Finally, the third card I'm sharing today is from my direct upline, Claire Lawrence.  Claire is actually Karen Barber's niece...and the reason I refer to Karen as "Aunt" Karen.  Can you tell these two are related???  Claire has been doing more and more watercoloring...and has stamped a gorgeous card for me.  I was SO excited when I received it in the mail.  She used several of the new In-Colors.

2009 Holiday Mini Catalog and an Open House!

I'm THRILLED that I can FINALLY share the Holiday Mini Catalog with you online!  This 40-page mini catalog is the BIGGEST EVER!!!  Some of the highlights are:

• Exclusive Hostess Sets - only available September - December
• NEW Stampin' Up! Exclusive Big Shot Dies - including a Pop-Up Christmas tree
• New Designer Series Papers - including FLOCKED paper
• Several Holiday Home Decor items - including chipboard banners and decor blocks
• BUILD-A-BEAR stamps, Big Shot Dies, and DSP
• Shimmer Paint!!!
• ...oh yeah....and lots of NEW STAMPS!!!!

There are also a couple of new products shown in the mini that will be available later this fall:

• MY DIGITAL STUDIO!!!! - our FABULOUS, new digital scrapbooking solution
• Simply Adorned Charms and Chains

I know that you cannot wait to see some of these new products in action!  So, I've scheduled a Holiday Mini Open House for Saturday, September 12th from 1pm - 5pm.  You won't want to miss this event!  I will have samples of my upcoming classes for the remainder of 2009, my Holiday Card Workshop samples, an entire Build-a-Bear display, free make-and-takes, door prizes, and lots more!!!  I hope you can plan to pop in and say hi!