Stamped Sophisticates

Download Free Stampin' Up! Catalogs - including the Holiday mini catalog

Saturday, November 05, 2011

Celebrate Digital Scrapbooking Day with FREE downloads

Celebrate Digital Scrapbooking Day with FREE downloads
Get an additional $35 in FREE Stampin' Up! producgts when you host a $350 workshop Nov 1- Dec 15

Free Big Shot Promotion extended until Nov 11 for signing up as a new demonstrator

Celebrate Digital Scrapbooking Day with Stampin' Up! with a four-day online event designed to introduce more you to digital content. Learn More about FREE Digital Content.

Digital Scrapbooking Day is November 5, but Stampin' Up! expanded the celebration from November 4-7! The event includes free downloads, blog posts with exciting project ideas all weekend long, and the announcement of the 2011 My Digital Studio Contest winners.

Here are a couple of pages I made with the FREE Delight in the Day Photobook Template.

Get the FREE Downloads:

As much as I would prefer to use traditional scrapbooking products for my Scrapbooking, I find I just don't have the time or the space to create multiple pages that all match. As a digital photo nut who often captures 500 photos at a time, I converted to digital scrapbooking to save time and space. Going digital, I've created more scrapbook pages this year than I have in the past 6 years -- and they are so easy to share!

With Stampin' Up! designer papers, cardstock colors, punch shapes and a wealth of pre-formatted templates available I have endless possibilities for creating original content or for customizing templates using colors that match my photos.

Celebrate Digital Scrapbooking Day and check out Digital Scrapbooking Events this weekend!

Digital Scrapbooking Day is November 5, but Stampin' Up! expanded the celebration from November 4-7! The event includes free downloads, blog posts with exciting project ideas all weekend long, and the announcement of the 2011 My Digital Studio Contest winners.

Get the FREE digital Downloads Here:

Brand-new, never seen before FREE downloads include:

So Typefelt Stamp Brush Set
Neutral Delightful Digital Tape
Home for the Holidays Ensemble
Delight in the Day Photobook Template

I can't believe all the pieces included in these four downloads. Digital ribbons and digital tapes, Labels and Tags (Ho Ho Ho, hot cocoa, To: From:), three Christmas village images, a snowman, Christmas trees, a separate Word Christmas Tree, bunches of boarders, lots of words stamps, and templates for a Holiday Postcard invitation, a template for a photo Thank-You card, and a two - page template for a photo book spread!...all for FREE!

The downloads are available for MAC OS X files for My Digital Studio software, Windows files for My Digital Studio or as files for use with other applications. Access the free downloads from Nov 4-7 at MyDigitalStudio.net. Complete a quick survey for Stampin' Up! and download your FREE downloads.

These digital downloads can be customized to help you create Holiday gift tags, photo cards, seasonal greeting cards, journals, and photo books. Print your finished products on Winter White cardstock on your home printer, or have your digital creations professional printed through Stampin' Up!. Let me know if you have questions or need help with your digital downloads.

Get the FREE digital Downloads Here:

Get $35 more in FREE products until Dec 15. ... another promotion just in time for the holidays from Stampin' Up!

Contact me today

You can host your workshop in my studio

Free Big Shot Promotion extended... for new demonstrators who sign up before Nov 11 (or up to $100 in Free Products) ...don't miss your chance to add this great tool to your scrapbook room.

You can sign up on line immediately and start enjoying your 20% discount this month for all your holiday projects. (AND an extra 10% discount on your first order!) Remember, when joining Stampin' Up! you can customize your starter kit with stamps of equal or lessor value, and select the paper and ink colors you want. Find out full details here. Feel free to contact me to learn more about this offer.

Enjoy!

Donna Ross

Stampin' Up! Independent Demonstrator

SU Demonstrator Web Site: http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/donnaross/

Download Free Stampin' Up! Catalogs - including the Summer mini catalog

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Holiday Glimmer Paper to Die for

Glimmer paper and dies make great holiday cards
You love Cookies....You love Stamps... why not a Cookie Stamp!
Free Big Shot Promotion for joining Stampin' Up! ends Oct 31

I'm still playing with different ways to use Glimmer Paper and dies. Here's a card I created. I love trying different combinations of papers, ribbons, die cuts and embellishment until something feels right. This combination uses my favorite die this year, the Perfect Pennants Die, which includes two scallop circle shapes. I used the die with a background cardstock of Baha Breeze, and for the smaller scalloped circle I cut from a piece of Silver Glimmer paper.

The larger Bigz L Dies are ideal for cutting thicker materials like the Glimmer Paper using the Big Shot. I also used the Northern Flurry Textured Impressions Embossing Folder in the Big Shot to create a dry embossed background for my elements.

There was a scrap of 1/8" Baha Breeze Taffeta Ribbon laying on my work surface and I absent-mindedly poked it through the holes in the die cut pieces while I was looking for the right embellishments to add. I liked the way it looked and decided to use it with an Antique Brad that looked like a stamped snowflake. The Sentiment is from the Curly Cute set from the big catalog. I bought this set in both wood mount and in clean mount -- sometimes you just know you'll be using a set for many years to come and it's worth it to invest in something you know you'll use for a long time. I would love to hear what you think of this card.

Visit my Online Store to buy the supplies to make this project

Recipe:

Stamps: Curly Cute (117014-w, 120510-c)

Paper: Whisper White, Baha Breeze, Silver Glimmer Paper (124005) - from the Holiday Mini Catalog,

Ink: Baha Breeze

Accessories: Antique Brad (117273), Northern Flurry Textured Impression Embossing Folder(1240902), 1/8" Baja Breeze Taffeta Ribbon (122964), Big Shot Die Cut machine (113439), Paper Piercing Tool (116631), Mat Pack (105826)

Crafting and Baking...Cookie Stamps, anyone?

Another new product from Stampin' Up! is the Sweet Pressed Cookie Stamp. These are easy-to-use cookie stamps with a solid wood handle and three interchangeable stamp images; a heart, a jack-o-lantern, and a snowflake. Visit my Online Store and order your cookie stamps today (item #125152)

Make your favorite shortbread cookie dough (or one of the two included recipes) and stamp away! Create beautiful, hand stamped cookies in a flash. The stamps are completely food-safe and child-friendly. Cookies make great holiday and hostess gifts. Couple your home-made cookies with a Sweet Pressed Cookie Stamp set for a wonderful, thoughtful gift for your family members or friends who love to cook.

Watch this demo and see how easy it is to make home-made holiday cookies for holiday gifts, work get-togethers, or to make with your family. Cookie Stamps would make a great gift basket item along with all the ingredients to make cookies.

Visit my Online Store and order your cookie stamps today (item #125152)

Count down has started for the end of the Big Shot Special on Oct 31

Join Stampin' Up! by Oct 31 and get a free Big Shot (or up to $100 in Free Products ends in only a few days...don't miss your chance to add this great tool to your scrapbook room.

Donna Ross

Stampin' Up! Independent Demonstrator

SU Demonstrator Web Site: http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/donnaross/

Download Free Stampin' Up! Catalogs - including the Summer mini catalog

Saturday, October 22, 2011

Planning for the Holidays

Two days of cool-ish weather (that's in the low 50s here in Texas) got me thinking about the busy holiday's ahead.

With Stampin' Up!'s Promotion on Simply Sent card kits this month, I wanted to show you how these cute base cards could be dressed up and used as the base for some very lovely Chrismas Cards.

Both of the cards today are from the Simply Sent Everyday Elegance set (122377), my favorite of the three Simply Sent card kits available on pp. 192 and 193 of the big catalog, the 2011-2012 Stampin' Up! Idea Book and Catalog. These sets are great for new stampers or for a stamper who doesn't have a lot of time. Much of the work is done for you. However, if you want to dress up these base cards, today's ideas will show you a couple of ideas for taking a good card and making it a WOW card.

Here's what these cards look like with a few embellishments from the Holiday Mini Catalog. Don't you love the sparkle?

The first card includes stockings punched from the Red Glimmer Paper (page 181 of the big catalog) using the Stocking Builder Punch (from the Holiday Mini catalog). I'm so happy that the Red Glimmer Paper is in the big catalog. That means it will also be available for Valentine's cards in a few months.

Visit my Online Store to buy the supplies to make this project

Recipe:

Stamps: Delightful Dozen (122650-w; 122652-c) (sentiment stamp-masked to show only Merry Christmas)

Paper: Simply Sent card Kit (122377), Red Glimmer Paper (121790), Whisper White, Cherry Cobbler

Ink: Cherry Cobbler

Accessories: Stocking Builder Punch (124095), Snow Burst Textured Impression Embossing Folder(124096

), Petals-a-Plenty Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (116824), Cherry Cobbler/White Baker's Twine (123125), Big Shot Die Cut machine (113439)

The second card is so pretty in person. The snowflakes are from the Northern Frost Sizzlits Decorative Strip Die. They are cut from Silver Glimmer paper. I found I needed a light shim when running this thick glimmer paper through the big shot with this die, and it worked best if I ran it through the Big Shot 2 or 3 times without moving paper in the die. The Whisper White background behind the snowflakes is the Snow Burst Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, The snowflakes are mounted on double dimensionals behind the glimmer brads.

Visit my Online Store to buy the supplies to make this project

Recipe:

Stamps: Chrismas Greetings (115448-w)

Paper: Simply Sent card kit (122377), Silver Glimmer Paper (124005) - from the Holiday Mini Catalog, Whisper White, Baha Breeze

Ink: Baha Breeze

Accessories: Tempting Turquoise Glimmer Brads (121006) - Brights, Northern Frost Sizzlits Decorative Steip Die (120901), Snow Burst Textured Impression Embossing Folder(124096), 1/8" Baja Breeze Taffeta Ribbon (122964), Big Shot Die Cut machine (113439), Paper Piercing Tool (116631), Mat Pack (105826)

Join Stampin' Up! Oct 1-31 and get a free Big Shot (or up to $100 in Free Products.

Find out full details here. You can sign up on line immediately and start enjoying your 20% discount immediately this month for all your holiday projects. (AND an extra 10% discount on your first order!) Remember, when joining Stampin' Up! you can customize your starter kit with stamps of equal or lessor value, and select the paper and inck colors you want. The new-demonstrator Starter Kit--a steal at just $175--includes over $345 worth of stamp sets, card stock, ink, accessories, and business supplies. In addition, new demonstrators may substitute a Textured Impression Embossing Folder ($7.95 or less; see catalog pages 218-219) for the Always Bird Decor Element (p.233) that comes standard in the Starter Kit.

Note: Approximately one hour after completing your online demonstrator sign up, new demonstrators will be given access to a Promotional Product Bonus link on the Stampin' Up! order page (called OEX) via email. Here you will either enter the item number for the Big Shot (item 113439) or the item numbers for up to $100 in Stampin' Up! products. Products can be chosen from any current catalog and shipping is free!
Sign up today so you can introduce others to Stampin' Up! so they can take advantage of this offer before it ends Oct 31. Hear more from Shelli Gardner, Stampin' Up! cofounder and CEO, in this video:

Place Orders on-line 24 X 7
Order online, here: Also check out the Clearance Rack. Up to 60% off on ribbons, punches, and other embellishments you may have missed....like this wonderful Spiral punch (108341). Originally $10.95, now US$4.99

Here's a card that uses this wonderful punch...one of the punches that is a staple in my stash, even if it is retired. Get it while it lasts!

Enjoy!

Donna Ross

Stampin' Up! Independent Demonstrator

SU Demonstrator Web Site: http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/donnaross/

Download Free Stampin' Up! Catalogs - including the Summer mini catalog

Saturday, October 15, 2011

Warm Halloween Wishes

Two Halloween cards
Free Big Shot (or $100 in free Stampin' Up! catalog merchandise) for new demonstrators
January 2012 Stampin' Up! events in San Antonio, TX

I woke up with a strong urge to play in my stamp room today. I just barely took time to make a steaming cup of coffee, grabbed my favorite mug, and headed to my craft loft. With the Big Shot promotion in full swing, I wanted to showcase some of the fun, Stampin' Up! dies you can use with your big shot.

Here are two fun card using the Big Shot Dies and Textured embossing folders.

This first card uses both dies and textured embossing folders with the Big Shot Die Cut Machine. I used the smaller circular die from the Perfect Pennants Bigz L Die as a background accent behind the owl. The Halloween owl is part of the hostess set from the Holiday Mini catalog. The stamp set, called Warmest Wishes, is a perfect set for fall holidays. It is available at a reduced hostess price for hosting a Holiday Workshop or free with your hostess dollars earned by being a hostess.

The Owl is punched with the Owl Builder Stamp punch(1180740), making this an easy and fast card to recreate. Other stamps in this set work with the Petite Pennants Builder punch (122361), The 2-3/8" Scallop Circle Punch (118874) and the Decorative Label Punch (120907). The 1/2" Scallop Dots Ribbon in Basic Black add just the right touch of playfulness.

Hostess Set, Holiday Mini Catalot: Warmest of Wishes (122670-w; 122672-c)

Visit my Online Store to buy the supplies to make this project

Recipe:

Stamps: Warmest of Wishes (122670-c, 122672-c), Teeny Tiny Wishes (115370-w)
Paper: Calypso Coral , Wisteria Wonder, Whisper White, Basic Black
Ink: Jet Black StazOn (101406), Calypso Coral (Stamp Write Marker)
Accessories: Perfect Pennants Bigz L Die (123126), Owl Builder Punch (118074), Word Window punch (119857), Modern Label punch (119849), Spider Web Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (120889), 1/2" Scallop Dots Ribbon (124145), 1-3/4" Circle Punch(119850), Big Shot Die Cut machine (113439)

The second card uses the other circular shape from the Perfect Pennants Bigz L Die. I can't stop using these two shapes on projects since this die were first introduced in the new July 2011-2012 Catalog. The rickrack on the top of this card was created using the Tasteful Trim Bigz XL Die (120893) with the Big Shot. With four different trims included on this one die, I had a hard time choosing which to use on this card. The textured spider web background was created using the Big Shot and a textured embossing folder. The sentiment block uses the Spooky Bingo Bits stamp set embossed with Tangerine Tango embossing powder.

Visit my Online Store to buy the supplies to make this project

Recipe:

Stamps: Warmest of Wishes (122670-c, 122672-c), Spooky Bingo Bits (123944-w; 123946-c)

Paper: Calypso Coral, Whisper White, Basic Black

Ink: Jet Black StazOn (101406), VersaMark (102283), Calypso Coral (Stamp Write Marker)

Accessories: Perfect Pennants Bigz L Die (123126), Owl Builder Punch (118074), Tasteful Trim Bigz XL Die (120893).

Scallop Square Punch (119884) 1-3/4" Circle Punch(119850), 1" Square punch(124094), White gel pen (105021), Tangerine Tango Stampin' Emboss Powder (123106), Powder Pal (102197), Big Shot Die Cut machine (113439), Heat Tool (100005)

Join Stampin' Up Oct 1-31 and get a free Big Shot (or up to $100 in Free Products)

If you've been looking for an opportunity to do what you love, while getting a 20% discount on your favorite products, this week is the perfect time to join the Stampin' Up! family as a demonstrator. During October, you'll get a FREE big Shot die-cutting machine (or up to $100 in free Stampin' Up! products!)

Join as either a hobby demonstrator or make it a business or even a side business. Don't wait! Join today so you can begin offering the Free Big Shot to start growing a downline before this offer ends. With a downline you'll have even more opportunities to earn money before the holidays or for a warm weather vacation in the months ahead! Plus, you'll have access to an exclusive video and training for your new Big Shot! And, free access to an online community of 30,000+ crafters/stampers and creative artists with over 160,000+ project samples so you're never at a loss for ideas.

Find out full details here. You can sign up on line immediately and start enjoying your 20% discount immediately this month for all your holiday projects. (AND an extra 10% discount on your first order!) Remember, when joining Stampin' Up! you can customize your starter kit with stamps of equal or lessor value, and select the paper and inck colors you want. The new-demonstrator Starter Kit--a steal at just $175--includes over $345 worth of stamp sets, card stock, ink, accessories, and business supplies. In addition, new demonstrators may substitute a Textured Impression Embossing Folder ($7.95 or less; see catalog pages 218-219) for the Always Bird Decor Element (p.233) that comes standard in the Starter Kit.

Note: Approximately one hour after completing your online demonstrator sign up, new demonstrators will be given access to a Promotional Product Bonus link on the Stampin' Up! order page (called OEX) via email. Here you will either enter the item number for the Big Shot (item 113439) or the item numbers for up to $100 in Stampin' Up! products. Products can be chosen from any current catalog and shipping is free!

Introduce others to Stampin' Up! so they can take advantage of this offer before it ends Oct 31.

One of the best benefits of being a Stampin' Up! demonstrator includes sneak peeks and early ordering of brand-new products. Plus invitations to exclusive Stampin' Up! events. For instance, two upcoming Stampin' Up! events in January:

This January, Stampin' Up! will be hosting their Leadership Conference in San Antonio, TX, Jan 18- 20, 2012 for Supervisors and above. Join today, recruit others by offering the Free Big Shot promotion to friends you know love to stamp, and be ready to attend this fun event.
In addition, Stampin' Up! will also hold a 1-day regional event on Saturday, January 21 -- immediately after Leadership -- at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center. Fun with friends. Workshop WOWs presented in demonstrator booths, Mix and mingle, Make & Takes with Stampin' Up! providing all the Make & Take Supplies. Product sneak peeks, and swaps galore. All demonstrators may register on a first-come, first-served basis beginning Oct 26. If space permits, demonstrators may register guests on Nov. 2.

Sign up as a Demonstrator now and so you'll be able to register for these wonderful opportunities to learn from the best in the industry.

Well, my stomach is growling for something more than coffee...

Enjoy!

Donna Ross

Stampin' Up! Independent Demonstrator

SU Demonstrator Web Site: http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/donnaross/

Download Free Stampin' Up! Catalogs - including the Summer mini catalog

Tuesday, October 04, 2011

Gently Falling and Frostwood Lodge

I get a little thrill every time I work with the Frostwood Lodge designer series papers. This project pairs one of the wood looks from Frostwood Lodge Designer Series Papers with the Gently Falling two-step stamp set.

I stamped the leaves in Soft Suede using the leaf outline from the 2-step stamp set. Then I stamped with More Mustard as the second step of the Gently Falling stamp set. Then I used a sponge dauber and ink from the Cajun Craze ink pad around the edges of each leaf. I tried edging the leaf two different ways. First I sponged the edges before cutting out the leaf. Then I tried it where I cut out the leaf and then held the leaf in my hand to sponge the edges. Both worked equally well and gave about the same results. Then, after cutting out each leaf, I used my bone folders and slightly curled the edges of the leaf to give them even more dimension. It made the leaves look much more life-like, in my opinion. I added one of the Spice Cake designer Buttons in the fun jumbo size. There were so many sentiments that would look good on this card. "Grateful" form Always Thankful, or "Give Thanks" from Hand-Penned Holidays. I used Thank You from the Perfectly Penned sentiment set.
Here's the recipe for this card:

Visit my Online Store to buy the supplies to make this project.

Recipe:

Stamps: Gently Falling (123802 (w), 123804 (c)), Perfectly Penned (Sentiment) (122890 (w) 122892 (c))
Paper: Frostwood Lodge, Early Espresso, Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla,
Ink: Soft Suede, More Mustard, Cajun Craze
Accessories: Square Lattice Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (119976), Sponge Daubers (102892); Paper Piercing Tool (116631), Mat Pack, 105826),Glue Dots (103683), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430), Glitter Brads - Brights (Pumpkin Pie (121006), Linen Thread (104199), Spice Cake Designer Buttons (124113 - Holiday Mini)

Additionally, This fun gift box uses the Kraft Gift Boxes from the Holiday Mini Catalog. Perfect for gift cards, or a few of the cookies made with the new Stampin' Up! Sweet Pressed Cookie Stamps. Decorate them in a seasonal theme, like mine, and you'll have the perfect hostess gift for your Thanksgiving Dinner hostess.

I used the Simply Scored Scoring Tool from the Holiday Mini Catalog and pleated my topper at 1/4". I grabbed 5 punches--including my largest circle punches and scalloped circle punches--and quickly formed the center base to showcase the Jumbo Spice Cake Designer Button.

On the sides of the box I layered Soft Suede, Pool Party and and Very Vanilla. I used more leaves from the Gently Falling stamp set and added a label and sentiment to the front of the boxes. These boxes are less that $1 each and come in a four-pack.
Visit my Online Store to buy the supplies to make this project.

Recipe:

Stamps: Gently Falling (123802 (w), 123804 (c)), Teeny Tiny Wishes (Sentiment) (115370 (w) )
Paper: Soft Suede, Pool Party, More Mustard, Spice Cake print, Very Vanilla,
Ink: Soft Suede, More Mustard, Cajun Craze
Accessories: 2-1/2" Circle Punch (120906), 2-3/8" Scallop Circle Punch (118874), 1-3/4" Scallop Circle Punch (119854), Decorative Label Punch (120907), Large Oval Punch (119855) Sponge Daubers (102892); Paper Piercing Tool (116631), Linen Thread (104199), Spice Cake Designer Buttons (124113 - Holiday Mini)

What a great gift set for Thanksgiving. Arrive for Thanksgiving with a hostess gift in the decorated craft box. And send the Thank-you card following the meal.

If you're from the Houston, TX area, attend my class this Sunday, Oct 9, to make these and other wonderful fall projects and get a head start on the Holidays.

Reminder: Check the Stampin' Up! Clearance Rack: A number of Holiday items were added Oct 1 at up to 60% off. But hurry! We've seen popular punches and other items disappear quickly. Look for bargins on Pumpkin Pie 5/8" Satin Ribbon (119749), Pumpkin Pie Corduroy Buttons (114342), 1/2" Raven Lace Trim (120988), and the Batty Bat Punch (119279) for Halloween cards and scrapbook pages.

Enjoy!

Donna Ross

Stampin' Up! Independent Demonstrator

SU Demonstrator Web Site: http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/donnaross/