Stamped Sophisticates

Friday, July 27, 2012

Early Halloween Projects - Toxic Framable Digital Template

I know it's a bit early, but I've been inspired by the new Holiday Mini catalog, which many of you have already received if you've purchased from me during the past year.

I received my Holiday Mini Pre-order just before leaving for Convention. One of my favorite purchases is the Haunts & Harvest Collection Disc for My Digital Studio (1298350). It is filled with papers and stamps from the Orchard Harvest product suite (p. 28-30) and Howlstooth & Scaringbone product suite (p. 24-25) from the Holiday Mini.

I saw the sample at the bottom of p. 25 of the Holiday Mini, and had to print my own version. Here's a sample I made using a 3 x 5" photo holder. You can print the Toxic Framable image in a large framable size or in smaller sizes for use on card fronts.

My versions:

After printing the digital template in a size that fit a 3 X 5 frame, I backed it with Howlstooth & Scarinbone Designer Series paper (126906). Then I glued a strip of Pumpkin Pie 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon (119253) to the center of the 1/2" Basic Black Scallop Dots Ribbon (124145) and tied it in a knot at the top of the printed image. I keep a candy dish on my desk at work. I'll display this behind my candy dish. I love making items ahead of time. This year, Stampin' Up! is releasing the Holiday Mini a month earlier than usual, which means I might actually have a chance to play with ALL the wonderful items from the catalog before the next mini arrives!

Here's a framed sample of the Toxic Framable Digital Designer Template from Haunts & Harvest Digital Collection Disc (129835) on display during convention. You can also purchase this framable artwork as a single digital download (128139). You save 10% by purchasing the entire Haunts & Harvest Digital Collection Disc (129835) over purchasing all of the downloads on the disc individually, if you're like me and "want it all"!

The My Digital Studio disc, Haunts & Harvest Collection (129835) (available August 1), from the new catalog includes many digital images of the Halloween stamp sets from the Holiday Mini catalog, including the Toxic Treats set. Or you can purchase the traditional stamp set separately (w-127898; c 127901) beginning August 1.

Below is a swap I received during Convention from Cari Miller using the Toxic Treats stamp set and the Etruscan Elegance jumbo wheel (127868); available August 1. This card had so much texture, showcasing both the new Woodgrain Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (127821) and the Vintage Wallpaper Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (120175). I know I'll be using the Etruscan Elegance jumbo wheel for many card other than Halloween. It is soooo versatile! I can see using it for holiday cards, wedding cards, birthday cards, and Valentine's Day cards. This one will be part of my stamp collection for quite a while. You'll need to order a jumbo handle (103661). And you note that the image fits the Labels Collection Framelits Dies from the annual catalog p. 191, making it even faster to put together a bunch of holiday cards!

Join as a demonstrtor for $99 and Pick your own Starter Kit Products

Many of my customers have received their copy of the new Holiday Mini catalog from me and are busy putting together their "Wish List". On Wednesday, August 1, you can begin to place orders from the new catalog.

If you plan to order over $99 from the new catalog, your better choice is to sign up as a demonstrator. For $99, you can choose $125.00 worth of any traditional or digital supplies with free shipping...just for signing up as a Stampin' Up! demonstrator.

Stampin' Up! has made the new standard Starter Kit completely customizable! This is a great way to update your supplies with the new In Colors, new dies, new digital downloads, new ribbons and new stamps from either the big catalog or from the Holiday mini. And after purchasing your Starter Kit order, you'll receive 20% or more off future orders. Read more here...and let me help you select your starter kit items. We'll hold the order until August 1 so that you'll qualify for this free kit...A special offer for signing up between August 1-31, 2012.

Get this kit for signing up as a demonstrator between Aug 1-31, 2012

The tray and products to finish your tray are free when you sign up as a demonstrator August 1-31

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

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Do you like texture on your greeting cards?

Here's another card I designed for swaps at Convention...featuring lots of texture. I love the new Apothecary Accent Framelit dies and the butterfly stamps from Papillon Potpourri (w-123757; c-123759)!

This card features several easy-to-do textures. The Early Espresso layer uses the new Core-dinations Card Stock from the Holiday Mini. Core-dinations Card Stock is sandable card stock that crates an antique, distressed look when sanded. The inside layer is a monochromatic color. I sanded my cardstock but you can also reveal the inside layer by tearing or distressing. The Certainly Celery layer is dry embossed with the Vintage Wallaper Folder (120175). Both layers only took minutes to create. The addition of the punched butterflies and the Crochet Trim added more texture to the card.

I used the largest of the Layered Labels stamp from the Holiday Mini. I covered the sentiment in the center with a hand-cut oval and then added punched butterflies using the new Elegant Butterfly Punch (127526). I stamped the center section of the Layered Labels stamp again and hand cut the oval center and placed it on a banner die cut from the Petal Cone Bigz L die. (We need an Oval punch that size...hhmmmm... I think I have something for the Stampin' Up! suggestion box).

New dies; new texture folders, new stamps; new tools -- what's not to love!

Recipe
Stamps: Papillon Potpourri (w-123757; c-123759), Layered Labels (C-127072-Holiday Mini)
Paper: Certinly Celery; Gumball Green, Early Espresso Core-dinations Card Stock, Very Vinella
Inks: Soft Suede
Accessories: Apothecary Accent Framelit dies, Oval Accent Bigz Clear (127005), Big Shot Die Cut machine, Petal Cone Bigz L Die (for the banner), Elegant Butterfly Punch (127526), Pearl Basic Jewels (119247), 1/4" Crochet Trim (118481), Dimensionals

*Holiday Mini merchandise will be availalbe to purchase beginning August 1

Want to save some money on your fall and winter holiday craft projects?

Sign up as a demonstrator in early August to earn a discount on a customizable starter kit ($125 in product for $99). Beginning August 1, if you sign up you'll also receive a Halloween Home decor kit that you'll love! Let me help you select the starter kit items you really want today and we'll hold the order until the August promotion begins!

As a Demonstrator you'll also be able to attend Convention next July and hear from Stampin' Up Staff presenters like Pam Morgan, Donna Griffith, Carrie Cudney, and the always humorous and irreverent Bonnie Thurber. They share great tips from research they've done on what makes a successful Stampin' Up! demonstrator to help you start your own successful business or enjoy your stamping as a passionate creative outlet and a reason to get together with friends, family and neighbors.

Want to experience what a Stampin' Up! Convention is like? Watch this video below. It was streamed live the last day of this year's convention to demonstrators...but now you can see it too! Note that the demontration also uses the Layered Labels stamp set. You can create so many wonderful looks with this stamp set!

Stampin' Up! Convention 2012 Live Stream

Enjoy!

Donna Ross

Stampin' Up! Independent Demonstrator

Private Classes: 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 23, 2012

Convention 2012 Memories

Convention memories
Another swap sample

Home in Houston after the Convention, and so sad to leave Salt Lake City. Our shuttle driver knew we were all from Stampin’ Up!. All except one of us had two large suit cases in addition to our extra computer bags and Memento Mall bags. The only reason we had enough room for all 5 of us and our luggage in the shuttle was that one smart demonstrator ships her swaps ahead of time to the hotel and also ships her swaps and Memento Mall purchase home via UPS rather than carry it with her. Our driver commented that of all the Convention visitors that he Shuttles to and from the Convention Center area, that Stampin’ Up! demonstrators have the most fun and are the happiest people he drives.

I have to agree with him. On my last day at lunch I grabbed an empty table to collect my thoughts and set some goals for the coming Stampin' Up! calendar year. I was quickly joined by a group of 7 other ladies who invited me to join a birthday celebration a demonstrator's birthday -- complete with candles and Eclairs (someone’s husband ate half the cake that was originally planned for the celebration, so the Éclair’s were a last-minute improvise). How nice!

Earlier I had dozed off for a moment in one of the large general sessions--too many late-night swaps... I remember waking up thinking that the wonderful women that filled the ballroom and stage reminded me of waking up to warm buttermilk pancakes and maple syrup. Maybe someone left an open bottle of Sugar & Spice Scented Stampin’ Embossing Powder close to a ventilation fan. The entire ballroom of 2,500 demonstrators felt warm and homey. It is so hard to describe the feeling of enthusiasm and concern for providing demonstrators what they need to be successful from Stampin’ Up!’s staff and executives. I can’t wait to go to next year’s convention. We will celebrate Stampin’ Up!’s 25 years in business , and in order to make it possible for more people to attend, the Convention will be one day shorter.

Here’s a YouTube video showing you the flavor of what a Stampin’ Up! convention includes:

Another of my swaps from Convention

I'll post another couple tomorrow since this post is getting long:

This card uses several products that are new in the June release of the 2012-2013 Catalog.

Tip: I purchased two of the Delicate Doilies Sizzlits L dies to save time when cutting swaps or for large classes. Two dies fit on one cutting pad, and you only need to roll it through the machine once to get two Delicate Doilies in all three sizes.

Stamps: Serene Silhouettes (wood-127322; Clear 127324); Itty Bitty Banners (126255 – wood, 126257 – clear)

Papers: Pretty in Pink, Rich Razzleberry, Whisper White, In-Color Designer Series Paper Stack (126910)

Ink: Rich Razzleberry

Embellishments: Fancy Fan Folder Embossing Folder, Big Shot Die Cutting Machine, 2-3/8” Scallop Circle Punch (118874), 2-1/2” Circle Punch (120906), In Color Dahlias (127556) (love these little Dahlias!)1/4 Pretty in Pink ¼” Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon

Die Cuts: Delicate Doilies Sizzlits L (126999), Bitty Banners Framelits (129267)

Grand Vacation 2014

This vacation trip was announced during the final session on Saturday. Demonstrators that earn the Grand Vacation this year will Sail away with Stampin’ Up! May 4-11 2014 for a world-class adventure* aboard the Royal Caribbean’s newest ship, Allure of the Seas®. You should see it! It is 17 decks tall!. Onboard there are seven unique neighborhoods that include a theater featuring Broadway hits, the DreamWorks® Experience, and restaurants such as Rita’s Cantina and the Samba Grill Brazilian Steakhouse. The ship also features a FlowRider® surf simulator, aerial acrobats in the AquaTheater, a classic carousel on the Boardwalk, a zip line ride over Central Park® –or a garden lined with fine restaurants and shops. And because this is Stampin’ Up!’s 25th anniversary, we will be joined by demonstrators from all over the world! This is one experience well worth working towards!

Click here to learn more about the awe-inspiring Allure of the Seas®, and, if you're a demonstrator, start planning today to earn this truly unforgettable luxury vacation!

*The vacation package includes a 6-day, 7-night Western Caribbean cruise with ports of call in Fort Lauderdale, FL, Labadee, Haiti, Falmouth, Jamaica, and Cozumel, Mexico.

Sign up as a demonstrator in early August to give yourself as much time possible during 2012 -2013 to earn this fun, exciting trip. Beginning August 1, if you sign up you'll also receive a Halloween Home decor kit that you'll love! Let me help you select your start kit items today and we'll hold it until the August promotion begins!

As a Demonstrator you'll also be able to attend Convention next July and hear from Stampin' Up Staff presenters like Pam Morgan, Donna Griffith, Carrie Cudney, and the always humorous and irreverent Bonnie Thurber. They share great tips from reasearch they've done on successful Stampin' Up! demonstrators to help you start your own successful business or enjoy your stamping as a passionate creative outlet.

Enjoy!

Stampin' Up! Independent Demonstrator

Classes: http://cardmaking.meetup.com/71/

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

Current Promotions

Start You Own Business

Host a workshop

Download Free Stampin' Up! Catalogs

Saturday, July 21, 2012

Stampin' Up! 2012 Convention Swap

I'm at Convention....

I've been busy the past few weeks preparing for Stampin' Up! Convention in Salt Lake City. Swaps are a big part of getting ready for convention. Here's a quick look at one of my swaps. I'll be sharing others with you later when I get home and get caught up on sleep.

I know, a little early for Christmas... but with all the wonderful products in the new Holiday catalog (available for purchase August 1), I wanted to start showing you some of the great projects you can quickly create with new dies and papers from the catalog. This card uses the new Woodgrain Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (127821) on the Very Vanilla background layer. The checked paper is from the Festival of Prints Designer Series Paper Stack. This pack includes 48 sheets (4 ea. of 12 double-sided designs in a 4-1/2 X 6-1/2 in -- and corrdinates with your favorite Stampin' Up Christmas colors like Cherry Cobbler, Early Expresso, Lucky limeade and Crumb Cake. The image is stamped in Soft Suede and it is mounted on a Soft Suede cardstock

One of the best announcements at Convention is that MDS 2 is coming August 1...

I know some of you of you are just as anxious as I am about the new My Digital Studio (MDS) 2 design software. One of the Convention evening classes I finished my first night here was an overview of the 75 new features coming with MDS 2. We downloaded an early version onto our computers and were able to experience some of the new features such as being able to round paper and photo corners, designing in spreads, recolor embellishments, recolor designer series paper, layers, and cropping stamps and cropping embellishments. Everything just became so much easier. Lots more to tell you later! The Free 30-day trial is still in effect.

Convention 2012: Live Streaming Video

If you are already a Stampin' Up! Demonstration and always wanted to join the party and be a part of convention in Salt Lake City? Here's your chance! Tune in for an exciting stamping demonstration (and a fun announcement!)-streaming live from Utah at 2:00 PM (MT) on Saturday, July 21. Make plans now to be here! You won't want to miss it. http://www.stampinup.com/us/enu/22934.asp

If you aren't already a demonstrator, but love to create ....

$99 Fully Customizable Kit lets you choose $125.00 worth of merchandise

I'll post some of the great projects from convention using items from the 2012-2013 soon. If you plan to order over $99 from the new catalog released in June or the Holiday Mini (which my customer will receive shortly), your better choice is to sign up as a demonstrator. For $99, you can choose $125.00 worth of any traditional or digital supplies with free shipping...just for signing up as a Stampin' Up! demonstrator.

Stampin' Up! has made the new standard Starter Kit completely customizable! This is a great way to update your supplies with the new In Colors, new dies, new digital downloads, new ribbons and/or new stamps. And after your Starter Kit order, you have no further obligation. However, if you choose to continue purchasing as a demonstrator, you'll receive 20% or more Instant Income from future orders. And your first order within 45 days as a new demonstrator is 30% off! As long as you purchase $300 each quarter... that's about $100 a month...you can continue to purchase at a discount. This is a great offer if you plan to be a hobby demonstrator or if you want to make a little extra money at different times of the year.

Add up what you spend at craft stores and scrapbook stores and you may be surprised at how signing up as a demonstrator can save you time (with coordinated products and product suites) and stretch your crafting dollars (discounts off your purchases, plus additional free merchandise you select from anywhere in the catalog on orders over $150). Read more here...and sign up today, on-line. You can even turn what you love into a part-time or full-time business, with free training, webinars, and demonstrator support available on line. Stampin' Up! makes it easy for you to do it any way that works best for you.Read more here...and sign up today, on-line. You can even turn what you love into a part-time or full-time business, with free training, webinars, and demonstrator support available on line. Stampin' Up! makes it easy for you to do it any way that works best for you.

One of the most powerful experiences during convention is the opportunity demonstrators have to spend time with each other. As demonstrators chat together, forging friendships and sharing their ideas, goals, and challenges, convention becomes one of those invaluable opportunities that can only be found at at Stampin' Up! If you're a business demonstrator or hobby demonstrator, I'll be sharing some of the great tips and projects here over the next few weeks.

Don't forget! During July, $5 stamp set with $50 order.

Check it out now! http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/donnaross/promotions

Enjoy!

Donna Ross

Stampin' Up! Independent Demonstrator

Classes: http://cardmaking.meetup.com/71/

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

Saturday, June 02, 2012

2012-2013 Stampin' Up! Annual Catalog is now available

2012-2013 Annual Stampin' Up! Catalogs - Free download or order your copy today
Download new In Colors Free for your copy of My Digital Studio design software
See my favorite new items - In Color Dahlias, Paper-Piercing Pack
Spending more than $99 on New Catalog merchandise June 1? Become a demonstrator for $99 and get $163 of catalog merchandise and free shipping.

The new 2012-2013 Stampin' Up! annual catalogs were released June 1, and you can now begin placing orders for new merchandise. I was so excited to learn that Stampin' Up! picked and shipped most of my order yesterday and I'll have it by next week. Way to go Stampin' Up! warehouse team!

Download the .pdf version of the new catalog to your desktop for free. It is a very large file so give it some time.
Or order your own copy on-line for $5.00 (Item 129855). Celebrando Creatividad can be purchased for $1.00 (Item 129840). Visit my Stampin' Up! store to see new products and to order your copy of the catalog. Remember, you'll earn Stampin' Rewards when your merchandise subtotal reaches $150.00

The new catalogs are packed with beautiful samples, ideas for color combinations, and simple tutorials. Large product photos and less text makes the new catalog easier to use. The free merchandise benefits and hostess gifts have moved to the back of the catalog so you can get right into seeing new stamp sets and products.

Coordinated Product Suites for smart purchasing

I love how Stampin' Up! has made it easier and faster than ever to coordinate products. Stamp sets, Designer Series papers and embellishments are grouped into suites...products that all work together. This time-saving coordination of products means smarter purchases for you. My favorite product suite in this catalog is Floral District. Take a look at pp. 70-71 of the new catalog to see samples of stamp sets, background stamps, stampin' around wheels, designer fabric, Bigz XL dies that all work together beautifully in this Suite. Which is your favorite product suite from the new catalog?

Product Suites also available on disc for My Digital Studio

And, if easy purchasing of coordinating products weren't enough, this suite is also available on disc for My Digital Studio. You'll find coordinating My Digital Studio discs for your favorite suite (s) on pp. 198 -199 of the new big catalog.

The Floral District Collection DVD is Item 127217, $23.95. This is a 10% savings over downloading each of the items in the collection separately.

Free In Color download for My Digital Studio

Speaking of My Digital Studio, you can download the five new In Colors for your copy of My Digital Studio for FREE. These five new In Colors will be active for two years, and are a wonderful addition to coordinate with with your digital designs or your traditional card making and scrap booking projects.

To add the new In Colors to My Digital Studio, Open the software, go to Help in the menu bar and select, Check for updates. Accept the update and restart your computer after the software is finished loading.
Order the new In Colors in Card stock, Pens, Ink pads and reinkers and coordinating embellishments from my store.. Visit my Stampin' Up! store to see new In Colors and don't forget to add the new catalog to your order.

In Color resin Dahlias

I was so excited to see the new In Color Dahlias that match the 5 new In colors (Gumball Green, Midnight Muse, Raspberry Ripple, Primrose Petals and Summer Starfruit)!

I have been making my own resin flowers and shapes from molds, clear resin and Stampin' Up! Craft reinkers. None of my molds are a wonderful (or as convenient) as this little 3/8" Dahlias from Stampin' Up! I know I'll be using a ton of these the next two years, so I went ahead and ordered 15 packages with my first new-catalog order. Better hurry if you want some of these (hee hee)...or they'll be on back order! Order Item number 127556, pp. 175, $7.95 for 20 flowers, 4 each in 5 colors.

New Paper-Piercing Pack

I have to tell you about one more new product before I sign off today. Its the new Paper-Piercing Pack. This pack allows you to accent many of the new Big Shot Edgelete and Framelit designs, punched shapes and tags. It is item number 126187 p 181, and at only $7.95 I think it is one of the best values in the whole catalog! If you need a new Paper-piercing tool and a Stampin' Pierce Mat, those items are also available on p 181.

Paper-piercing Pack - Item 126187, p181 - $7.95

One thing I like about downloading the FREE pdf of the catalog is that I can view the samples in the catalog at a very large size. Take a close-up look at the sample on p 181 to see the beautiful accents you can add to your cards with this Paper-piercing pack! View the new Big Shot Edgelets and Framelets on pp 190-191. Download the .pdf version.

$99 Fully Customizable Kit lets you choose $125.00 worth of merchandise

I'm sure this quick catalog tour of some of the new items in the 2012-2013 has whet your appetite for updating your supplies with a few new items. If you plan to order over $99 from the new catalog, your better choice is to sign up as a demonstrator. For $99, you can choose $125.00 worth of any traditional or digital supplies with free shipping...just for signing up as a Stampin' Up! demonstrator.

Stampin' Up! has made the new standard Starter Kit completely customizable! This is a great way to update your supplies with the new In Colors, new dies, new digital downloads, new ribbons and/or new stamps. And after your Starter Kit order, you have no further obligation. However, if you choose to continue purchasing as a demonstrator, you'll receive 20% or more Instant Income from future orders. And your first order within 45 days as a new demonstrator is 30% off! As long as you purchase $300 each quarter... that's about $100 a month...you can continue to purchase at a discount. This is a great offer if you plan to be a hobby demonstrator or if you want to make a little extra money at different times of the year.

Add up what you spend at craft stores and scrapbook stores and you may be surprised at how signing up as a demonstrator can save you time (with coordinated products and product suites) and stretch your crafting dollars (discounts off your purchases, plus additional free merchandise you select from anywhere in the catalog on orders over $150). Read more here...and sign up today, on-line. You can even turn what you love into a part-time or full-time business, with free training, webinars, and demonstrator support available on line. Stampin' Up! makes it easy for you to do it any way that works best fo ryou.

Sign up during June 2012 and get an extra $48 in FREE Patio Party products

Need an extra push? Sign up June 1-30, 2012 and not only choose the products for your fully customizable Start Kit, you'll also get products from the brand-new Patio Party suite for FREE, including the Make a Cake Set, Patio Party Designer Series Paper, and the Patio Party Digital Collection DVD! (See samples from Patio Party on pp 42-43) That's up to $48 in additional FREE products. These extra FREE products are shipped with your new $99.00 demonstrator fully customizable Starter Kit order.

Add these items to your on-line Starter Kit order form for FREE. What a great way to update your crafting supplies with new 2012-2013 catalog items -- $173 in new products for only $99.00... and no future obligation!

Choose either Make a Cake Set wood-mount - (126740) or Make a Cake Set clear-mount (126742) (p44).
Add Patio Party designer Series Paper (126916), and
Patio Party Digital collection DVD (127215) (p199)

Contact me if you have questions, want to book a new catalog party and earn free merchandise, or sign up as a demonstrator, and we'll talk some more!

Donna Ross

Stampin' Up! Independent Demonstrator

Classes: http://cardmaking.meetup.com/71/

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