Stamped Sophisticates

Friday, August 09, 2013

Texas Tax Free Holidy Week-End Buys & a Banner VideoTutorial

Easy Holiday Banners "How-to..." video
Buy stamping supplies during Texas Tax Free Holiday - Aug 9-11
Visit the Clearance rack for great values

Love, love, love the banner kits in the new Holiday Catalog.

This was so fun to make, using the new kits. And I have so many supplies left over from the kits, I'll be able to make several more. The die cuts are covered with fancy Black glitter. The photo doesn't do this banner justice. I can't wait to do one for the Christmas holidays.

Recipe

Stamps: None (Kits- Bad, Skull and spider die cuts from the Halloween Banner Simply Created Accessory Kit(132698). Striped, polka dot and chevron backgrounds from the Build a Banner Simply Created Kit (133507)) from the Holiday Mini Catalog

Paper: Basic Black, Pumpkin Pie with dots Paper Elements from the Halloween Banner Simply Created Accessory Kit and the 3 die cuts from the same kit.

Inks: Tangerine Tango, Wild Wasabi, Perfect Plum, Basic Black

Accessories: Sponge Daubers (102892) (probably my favorite product every. Sponge Daubers hooked me on paper crafting!) Designer Rosette Bigz XL (125594) Die -- can't live without this great die!! Big Shot Die Cut Machine. The twine is from the Halloween Banner Simply Created Accessory kit. Hot glue gun and Stampin' Dimensions.

To place an order for any of these items: Visit my Stampin' Up! Store

To download your free copy of the Holiday Mini catalog, click here!

Here's a photo from the boards at Convention showing some of the elements from the two kits used to make the "Spooky" banner. And, if you want to make even more banners with your stencils, you can buy a refill of 18 blank canvas (5 X 7") and 9' of jute twine (132699)

Take a look at the video below that walks you through making a banner using the kit and the Halloween accessory kit. I made mine in about an hour including cleanup! Lay your stencils on paper towels and just spray Stampin' Mist Stamp Cleaner after using sponge daubers to color your blank canvas pennants.

Tax Free Weekend in Texas -- starts today

The state of Texas is having a sales tax holiday for school supplies up to $100 per item from Aug 9-11, 2013. Because school supply items are included in this sales tax holiday, the list of items below will be state tax - free during the holiday period. If you're from Texas, you must place your order through my Stampin' Up! Store during the tax holiday period in order to receive these items tax free. This is a great time to order Stampin' Write Markers, individually or in the color family packs. I always buy more Tombow glue and White Gel pens to have on hand for fall and holiday projects! Make sure to order right now before this offer expires.

Here are the Stampin' Up! items you can order this week end tax free in Texas.

2-Way Glue Pen (item 100425) $4.50

Snail Adhesive (item 104332) $6.95

Snail Adhesive Refill (item 104331) $4.50

Sticky Strip (item 104294) $6.95

Stampin’ Dimensionals (item 104430) $3.95

Mini Glue Dots (item 103683) $4.95

Paper Snips (item 103579) $9.95

Craft & Paper Scissors (item 108360) $29.95

Uni-Ball Signo Gel Pen (item 105021) $3.95

Blender Pens (item 102845) $9.95

Stampin’ Write Markers (various item numbers) $3.50

Subtles Stampin’ Write Markers (item 131263) $28.95

Regals Stampin’ Write Markers (item 131262) $28.95

Brights Stampin’ Write Markers (item 131259) $28.95

Neutrals Stampin’ Write Markers (item 131261) $22.95

Tombow Multipurpose Adhesive (item 110755) $3.95

Anywhere Glue Sticks (item 104045) $3.95

2012-2014 In Color Stampin’ Write Markers (item 126856) $14.95

2013-2015 In Color Stampin’ Write Markers (item 131260) $14.95

Stampin’ Write Marker New Color Kit (item 130034) $28.95

Well, I'm headed off to place my tax free order before I forget. It's my opportunity to stock up on many of the staples I use all year long. Place your order at my Stampin' Up! Store, today!

Clearance Rack items offer great values

Don't miss new clearance rack items

Enjoy!

Donna Ross

Stampin' Up! Independent Demonstrator

Private Classes for 1 or a small group of friends: http://cardmaking.meetup.com/71/

To place an order: Place an on-line order through my Stampin' Up! store - 24/7 Shopping
Current Promotions

Stampin' Up 2013 Holiday Mini Catalog

Friday, August 02, 2013

Holiday Mini Catalog from Stampin' Up! is now live!

Get festive with the new 2013 Holiday Catalog - bags & tags
Holiday Banners kits & Tags and Packaging
Best of Halloween Clear-Mount Stamp Set
New Framelit video - "how to..."

It's finally here! The 2013 Holiday Catalog is now live and you can begin placing orders for new kits, stamps and framelits to start your fall and holiday projects.

To download your free copy, click here!

Check out these Halloween and Christmas banners. The new kits in the Holiday Mini catalog offer plenty of variety and versatility.

I also love the Tags and packaging. You can see how easy it is to stamp these new muslin bags. Great for gift cards or treats. Order a bunch today before they go on back order. The boxes are equally cute and can be decorated in so many ways! Click for a larger image, or download the catalog. Before you buy, look for the "Bundles" link and take advantage of savings when you purchase stamp sets and matching punches together, stamps and matching dies together, or muslin bags and the Morning post clear mount stamps together.

Like these ideas? Pin them to your Pinterest board for easy reference. Hover over the photos until the "P" appears.

To place an order for any of these new items: Visit my Stampin' Up! Store

"Best of..." Halloween Stamps

Each month during Stampin' Up!'s 25th Anniversary, SU is releasing "the best of" stamp sets. I'm so glad they are offering these stamps. I love the haunted tree with the owl. I was so sad when it retired. And now its back! This is the August Best of 25 Years stamp set and it includes some of your favorite Halloween stamps from the past quarter century from Stampin' Up! Order this clear-Mount Stamp set today for US$14.95. Item Number 134381

Check out this Thinlits Card Dies video to see the versatility of these new dies offered from Stampin' Up!

For a closer look at the Circle Card Thinlits Die and the Label card Thinlit Die, visit my Stampin' Up! 24/7 Store.

Enjoy!

Donna Ross

Stampin' Up! Independent Demonstrator

Private Classes for 1 or a small group of friends: http://cardmaking.meetup.com/71/

To place an order: Place an on-line order through my Stampin' Up! store - 24/7 Shopping
Current Promotions

Monday, July 29, 2013

More Stampin' Up! 2013 Convention Swaps

Samples and swaps from Convention
A Sneak Peek of a Thankful Sack from the 2013 Holiday Mini
A few more of my favorite swaps from Convention
Buy three, get one free DSP ends this week

I just had to case one of my favorite swaps from convention. This was originally created by Sheryl Wheatly Here's my version (or my two versions of it). I love that it uses the new 2013-15 In Colors: Strawberry Slush, Crisp Cantaloupe, Coastal Cabana, Pistachio Pudding and a card base of Baked Brown Sugar and butterflies from Papillion Potpourri stamp set.

Recipe
Stamps: Papillion Potpourri(W-132058, C 123759), Wetlands (Sentiments -c-126697)
Paper: Very Vanilla, Strawberry Slush, Crisp Cantaloupe, Coastal Cabana, Pistachio Pudding, and Baked Brown Sugar.
Inks: Baked Brown Sugar
Accessories: This uses four of the Textured Impression folders -- Fancy Fan, Perfect Polka Dots, Houndstooth, and Chevrons rolled through the Big Shot Die-Cut Machine, Scallop Oval punch, Large Oval Punch, and bling from one of the smaller Rhinestones.

I tried two different sentiment treatments. the card on the left uses the Scallop Oval to punch a background of Baked Brown Sugar and the Large Oval punch to punch out the sentiment

To place an order for any of these items: Visit my Stampin' Up! Store

Here's a closer look at the card with the punched sentiment.

Here's a version of the card with the sentiment stamped directly on the Very Vanilla background. Which treatment do you prefer?

Sneak Peek at Muslin Bags and stamps from the Holiday Mini

During one of the Convention Mini classes, we stamped this cute little Mini Muslin Bag, a sneak peak at one of the items from the Holiday Mini using the Magnificent Maple Single stamp and the Thankful for single stamp -- both from the Holiday Mini catalog. You can begin ordering these products August 1 from my 24/7 on-line store. My regular customers should have received their catalog in the mail by now. I'll be able to post a link to the on-line Holiday catalog on August 1.

More favorite swaps from Convention

I'll be sharing some of the wonderful swaps I received during convention over the next few days, so stay tuned You can ordering products to make these cards from my 24/7 on-line store

This card was created by Dawn Miller and uses the new3/8" Ruffled Stretch Trim (130024) in Costal Cabana, Eastern Elegance Designer Series Paper (130131), the Square Lattice (119976) Embossing Folder, and the Window Frame Collection Framelits

Lillian Owen created this beautiful card. It includes the extremely popular Gingham Garden Designer Washi Tape (129314), a flower made from the new Bottoms and Blossoms Simply Pressed clay molds (131272), and the Simply Pressed Clay (130685)

Buy 3 Get one Free - Designer series Paper Special Ends Soon

Stock up on Designer Series Papers from the new Stampin' Up! catalog before the Buy 3, Get one Free offer ends at the end of July. Perfect time to ensure you have all your favorites on hand for your Fall card making and scrapbooking projects.

Enjoy!

Donna Ross

Stampin' Up! Independent Demonstrator

Private Classes for 1 or a small group of friends: http://cardmaking.meetup.com/71/

To place an order: Place an on-line order through my Stampin' Up! store - 24/7 Shopping
Current Promotions

Me, receiving my new White Stampin' Up! backpack

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

2013 Convention Highlights and swaps

Happy 25th Anniversary, Stampin' Up!
Convention 2013 highlights
My Convention Swaps
Leadership 2014 Location - Houston Texas (my home town!)

I just returned from the annual Stampin' Up! Convention in Salt Lake City. It was more spectacular than ever. I left home with a 1/2-empty suit case and returned with a bulging bag filled with all the wonderful free goodies - 7 stamp sets, 2 different Designer Series Papers packs, Gold and Silver glitter, rolls and rolls of washi tape, new carve-your-own stamps product announced at Convention, a Paper Pumpkin kit, a decorative banner kit, and more and more -- FREE!!!. The best Stampin 'Up! Convention ever!

I'll show you the swaps I made for convention and some of the nice swaps I received in return over the next few days.

Loved this years Bags! White back packs with lots of pockets for catalogs, supplies cell phones and more! We received them as a surprise during our first session - Thursday evening.

6,000 white back packs with Stampin' Up! logos, a sparkly pen, a Silver Anniversary pin and our 3 free stamp sets, among other things received by all demonstrators who attended!.

As always, the display boards were fabulous. Tune in as I post more of convention photos over the next few weeks.

This was one of the display boards highlighting this year's 2013-2015bnew In colors. Click for larger image.

2012-2015 In Colors & 2013 Color Refresh

My Convention Swaps

Here are a couple of the swaps I brought to Convention. I have really gotten into the Yellow and Gray combinations this season. In fact, my Pinterest party board is full of party and wedding ideas using this color combination.

Recipe

Stamps: Morning Meadow (hostess), Flowering Flourishes, Mixed Bunch, Gifts of Kindness (sentiment)

Paper: Smoky Slate, Basic Gray, Daffodil Delight

Inks: Basic Gray, Daffodil Delight

Accessories: Fancy Fan Textured Impression Embossing Folder, Summer Starfruit in Color Dahlias, 1/2"n Daffodil Delight Seam Binding Ribbon, Blossom Punch, Pansy Punch, and Label Framelits

To place an order for any of these items: Visit my Stampin' Up! Store

Here's a second swap I put together. It isn't too early to start getting organized for this year's holiday season. I didn't get to use this stamp much last holiday, so I was very happy to see it was carried over from the last Holiday mini catalog. With a matching die and two sneak peeks from this year's Holiday mini which will be out shortly -- the Stylish Striped embossed folder and the new 1" Cherry Cobbler grosgrain ribbon-- I'm really pleased with how this card turned out. You'll be pleased to see all of the great new products coming out in the Holiday mini.

Recipe

Stamps: Very Merry Tags, Ornament Keepsakes

Paper: Smoky Slate, Cherry Cobbler

Inks: Cherry Cobbler

Accessories: Holiday Ornament Framelit, Ovals Framelit, Stylish Stripes Textured Impression Embossing Folder(Holiday Mini Sneak Peek(, Rhinestone Basic Jewels, 1" Cherry Cobbler Stitched Edge Grosgrain Ribbon (Holiday Mini Sneak Peek), and Petite Curly Label punch.

To place an order for any of these items: Visit my Stampin' Up! Store

A wonderful tutorial on designing with My Digital Studio

I ran across this My Digital Studio tutorial today and just had to show you some of what we saw during Convention this year. If you want a fast, economical way to express your creativity, My Digital Studio provides so many ways for you to quickly make those hand crafted items you'll love to give to others. Take a look at how easy it is to customize images to your color themes

Announcement of Leadership 2014 Location - Houston Texas

Demonstrators, it's not too early to start planning to attend leadership conference in January 2014! You won't want to miss the classes, the camaraderie, and of course, the stamping--in the great state of Texas--where we're famous for doing things big!

It was announced at Convention 2013 in Salt Lake City, leadership will be held at the George R. Brown Convention Center in the heart of Houston.

Date: January 9-11, 2014

Registration Opens

Managers and above: October 15, 2013
Sr. Supervisors and above: October 16, 2013

Managers' Reception

Downtown Aquarium, Houston
January 9, 2014
Managers' Reception qualification date: Sept. 30, 2013

I'm already looking forward to a great conference! Start making your plans to attend now. This is a perfect time to think, about signing up as a Stampin' Up! demonstrator. Enjoy putting together a starter kit with just the items you want, plus pick one of four project kits for free in addition to your starter kit. Offer good between July 15 until August 31, 2013.

Read more about the benefits you'll enjoy when you sign up as a Stampin' Up! demonstrator...including attending Stampin' Up! Conferences and events. If you live in Houston, don't miss this great opportunity to see what stamping with Stampin' Up! products is like this coming January.

Enjoy!

Donna Ross

Stampin' Up! Independent Demonstrator

Private Classes for 1 or a small group of friends: http://cardmaking.meetup.com/71/

To place an order: Place an on-line order through my Stampin' Up! store - 24/7 Shopping

Current Promotions

Sunday, June 16, 2013

Because I'm the Dad MDS Digital Download

Happy Father's Day
My Digital Studio Dad's Day Download
My Digital Studio FREEBIES

Taking a moment to wish Happy Father's Day to my wonderful brothers and nephews who are all the greatest fathers...what a great tribute to our father--such a kind and gentle man who is no longer with us. Here's a quick project I made with My Digital Studio scrapbooking design software. After printing the download, I mounted it on Afternoon Picnic Designer Series Paper and added a new Pear Pizzazz Chevron Ribbon. Then I put the entire project in a plastic easel frame and set it on the counter for my dear husband, proud father of our new puppy.

Recipe
Stamps: Digital Download - Because I'm the Dad Greeting Cards(134685)
Paper: Afternoon Picnic
Inks: Baja Breeze, Basic Gray, Gumball Green Midnight Muse, Summer Starfruit, Whisper White
Accessories: My Digital Studio design software, 3/4" Pear Pizzazz Chevron Ribbon

To place an order: Visit my Stampin' Up! Store

Because I'm The Dad Greeting card download, 134685

FREE Download of July Wallpaper / Calendar

Don't have My Digital Studio design software yet? My Digital Studio 2+ (now called just MDS) is only $19.95 US/$24.95CAN

The MDS software includes over $500 US / $650 CAN worth of digital content. What an incredible value at this new, lower price!. You can buy the software as a disc (item 130647) or a download (item 130646). 30-day FREE trial software still available.

Be sure to visit the MyDigitalStudio site to take advantage of the free video training and the user's forums. This will get you up and running fast! If you are already an experienced user, take advantage of the forums to ask your more advanced questions or post your finished work.

Then, visit Stampin' Up! every Tuesday for new downloads. Stampin' Up! will even surprise you with free down loads. Check out the free Downloads here, including the FREE July Wallpaper, which also makes a great July calendar.

Each Tuesday visit the MyDigitalStudio site for newly released software downloads.

New puppy has been helping unload all my new catalog products... sigh...

A couple of weeks ago our new puppy, Cookie, learned how to climb stairs and discovered my office and craft room. While I love the company, cuddling and puppy kisses, for some reason his toys aren't as interesting as my Stampin' Up! products. (I totally agree!) Below you can see the help She gave me in "unmounting" one of my new-catalog wheels.... ohhh my....

She is so sweet. I just can't be angry with her. However, my husband found a wonderful product called Sentry Stop That! It is a noise and pheromone spray that stops unwanted behavior immediately.

Our sweet Cookie

Since I spend more time on my computer than in my craft room, we've used the Sentry Stop That! spray to stop Cookie from going through the garbage and boxes of retired stamps and retired papers in my Office. Now, lets see if it works in the craft room. Wait... We've never had a little girl puppy before.. hmmm...She's so smart, maybe I'll just start giving her beginning stamper lessons. (Yes!)

Enjoy!

Donna Ross

Stampin' Up! Independent Demonstrator

Private Classes for 1 or a small group of friends: http://cardmaking.meetup.com/71/

To place an order: Place an on-line order through my Stampin' Up! store - 24/7 Shopping
Current Promotions