Ideas to Stretch your Creativity

• Ingredients for Creativity - By the Tide stamp set + ribbons
• Fully Customizable Starter Kit gives you $150 worth of product for $99!

What you make is up to you.  I couldn't agree more!  I saw this simple card in Stampin' Success this month (a magazine for Stampin 'Up! demonstrators) and I couldn't wait to make it -- because of its simplicity. It included all the ingredients for using my own creativity.  I copied the first card. Then I turned around and made 3 more -- each with a little twist from the original -- another sentiment, different ribbons, and different placement of the elements.  Quick, easy, ...and now I have four masculine cards ready to go.  

Here's the original card -- well, not exactly, I mounted my card on Chocolate Chip.  The sample used only one base layer of Very Vanilla.  Instead of Very Vanilla, I've been on a Naturals Ivory cardstock kick, so my background card uses Naturals Ivory.

 

 

Recipe
Stamps: By the Tide - 2013 spring catalog (129117-w; 129120-c), Teeny Tiny Wishes
Paper:   Chocolate Chip, Naturals, Ivory
Inks:  Chocolate Chip
Accessories:  1-1/4" Punch; 1-3/8" square punch

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

This is a great starter set if you are just getting started stamping.  The Dallas Regional had many card ideas using this set on display.  I posted some of the display board photos in my last post.

Here are a few more samples made with this same stamp set.

 

This card just scattered the 3 square blocks a little differently and used a different sentiment Stamp from Blooming with Kindness (126422-c).

Here's all 4 of the card together.  Click for a larger image.

Next are the final two close ups of the alternative cards.  I love the ribbons on these final cards.  Most ribbons on cards are a little too feminine for a masculine card.  However the two I used are perfect for male cards. 

This card uses the 7/8" Cotton Ribbon (127844) ... a carry over from the Holiday Catalog that we can still purchase using the item number above.  You can also find it in the back of the Spring Catalog.  The Hello sentiment is from Lacy & Lovely (122887-c)

This card uses the 7/16" natural trim ribbon.  It looks like burlap, but it's made of flax and cotton.  The Thank You sentiment is also from Lacy & Lovely (122887-c)

Fully Customizable Starter Kit gives you $150 worth of product for $99!

If you are placing an order for ~$100, consider this.  You can become a  hobby demonstrator, and order your entire order as a "Starter Kit", plus, until March 22, the end of Sale-a-Bration, you’ll get 25% more products for FREE in your Starter Kit!  That's ~$150 worth of merchandise for $99!  Find out more and take advantage of this limited-time offer.
As a hobby demonstrator, you place your future orders at a 20% discount; 30% off your first order as a demonstrator.  Plus, with Stampin' Up!, you have access to not only all of the card samples and 2,000+ videos on Stampin' Connection, Stampin' Up! hosts additional regional events, yearly Conventions and on-line tutorials and free training that will quickly grow your Stampin' skills.  So shop today to take advantage of this special.

To place an order: Visit my Stampin' Up! 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

Start You Own Business

Host a workshop

Download Free Stampin' Up! Catalogs

Dallas Regional Wrap-up

• Photos from Dallas Regional
• My Digital Studio Dallas Regional Page
• Free My Digital Download
• Easter Project - swap from Dallas Regional
• Sale-A-Bration - Spend $50; Get a free product

Saturday, Feb 16, I drove from Houston to attend the Stampin' Up! Dallas Regional Event. Six hundred Stampin' Up! demonstrators and guests decided to join me there! I didn't realize how much I needed a break from my daily routine --which doesn't include enough time in my stamp loft.  I returned refreshed and inspired by the new techniques and project ideas! 



Click for larger image.  These were some of the ideas from the stage and display boards.

.

I used the Comfort Cafe Designer kit in My Digital Studio software and created a couple of pages to share some of the many, many inspirational presentations and display boards at the Dallas Regional.

Shelli, Stampin' Up! CEO, demonstrated, New Table Friends, and great project ideas

Here are a couple of the display boards from around the ballroom. 

Click for larger image.  Product Displays from the Spring Mini Catalog

 

 

One of the many display boards.  Click for larger images

 



Another display board of some of the swaps at Dallas Regionals.  Click for larger image.

If you want to see more, visit my Meetup site. I uploaded all my photos from the Dallas Regionals. Look under the Photos link on the site. There I have close ups of many of the cards on display.

FREE Label Download to Organize your scrap room for use with My Digital Studio design software. 

There is a Free download for My Digital Studio available right now...Don't miss it!.  Item number 133267.   The download includes:
 - 5-page decor designer template (8-1/2 X 11")
 - 88-piece SVG stamp brush set

Use this free download to organize your craft room with all the Stampin' Up! Colors (even the retired ones).  Then mark your calendar to see what's new each Tuesday when Stampin' Up! releases more weekly downloads.  Inspiration and help are available in Forums, with samples and plenty of videos to show you how to use My Digital Studio step by step on the MyDigitalStudio.net site

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

One of 5 free pages with this MDS Download.  Item 133267 

I also made a few swaps to take with me to the Dallas Regional. 

I'll share some of the swaps I received in return over the next couple of weeks.  I used the images from the Everybunny stamp set from the main catalog.  I got it too late to use last year, so I very happy it was in the 2013 catalog and I could use it this year.

Recipe
Stamps: Everybunny (122705-w; 122707-c)
Paper:   Pretty in Pink, Whisper White, Designer Series Paper Stacks In-Color Patterns, Cherry Cobbler
Inks:  Cherry Cobbler, the matching flower stamps
Accessories: 3/8" Striped Organdy Ribbon (Melon Mambo) 129293 from the Spring mini catalog, Raspberry Ripple Dahlias (127556); 2-1/2" Circle Punch (120906), 2-3/8" Scallop Circle (118874), Fancy Fan Folder (127751), Labels Collection Framelits (125598), Cello bags, Delicate Doilies Sizzlits (126999), Big Shot Die cutting machiens and cutting plates;

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

Have a party; earn free gifts.

Buy again to earn even more free products.  Even if you purchased last month and earned free products, you can buy again and earn more free products.  For every $50 you spend, you'll get to select one of 19 FREE Sale-A-Bration products.To see all 19 items you can select from, check out this link. Be sure to use your scroll button at the bottom of the page to view all the items available.
 
Have a little party of your own to get more free stuff for hosting.

Sale-A-Bration-exclusive products will be gone for good after March 22 (except for the Petite Curly Label Punch), so place your order now!

To place an order: Visit my Stampin' Up! 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

Start You Own Business

Host a workshop

Download Free Stampin' Up! Catalogs

Hearts A Flutter Valentine Bundle - Saves 15%

• Wide-ribbon Valentine
• $1 content disc clearance for My Digital Studio design software
• Two new single stamp assortments - available until March 31, 2013 

I've missed wide ribbons so much!  I'm so happy that the Stampin' Up! Spring catalog has two 1-1/4" two-tone ribbons.  My Valentine's card today shows the Pink Pirouette/Rose Red 1-1/4" Two-Toned Ribbon.  Loved the ribbon with the More Amore Specialty designer series paper.

The heart-shaped elements was cut apart.  All the shape elements are popped up on Dimensionals.  This was so fast and easy, I'm going to make a bunch more!  You can too -- at a 15% saving for the Hearts a Flutter Bundle that includes the stamp set and the Framelits Dies.  Order the bundle # 131097

Recipe
Stamps: Hearts a Flutter (cut apart) (129252-c; 12924-w), You are Loved (123779-c; 123777-w)
Paper:   Cherry Cobbler, Naturals Ivory (101849)
Inks:  Cherry Cobbler
Accessories:  Hearts a Flutter Framelit Dies (130159),  Pink Pirouette/Rose Red 1-1/4" Two-Toned Ribbon, Windows Frames collection Framelit Dies (129021), Dimensionals, Big Shot Die Cutting Machine and cutting plates.

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

Unbelievable $1 offer --Build your content for My Digital Studio

From now until February 12 (or while supplies last) you can get your hands on any of these content discs for just $1. That's not a typo--they're just one buck. That means that you can quickly grow your My Digital Studio content library--it won't break the bank.

• Avant-Garde Collection DVD (item 125841)
• Cheerful Treats Digital Content CD (item 124237)
• Express Booster Pack DVD (item 124889)
• His & Hers Collection DVD (item 125842)
• October, December, Whenever Collection DVD (item 124485)
• Simple Snapshots Content CD (item 127185)
• Sweet Retreat Collection DVD (item 125840)

Since the discs are on the Clearance Rack, they must be purchased via demonstrator or online order. Go get yours today.  

Haven't tried My Digital studio digital designing software yet?  This is a perfect time to try the free 30-day trial of the basic software.  Adding these $1 discs from the clearance rack will give you a great way to test the power and creativity of this software!!  with all the on-line video demos on the My Digital Studio site, you'll be up and running in no time!

Single Stamp assortments -- Available only until March 31

Check out these great stamp values.  Purchase these Single Stamps for a short time only!  Perfect for the upcoming Spring holidays and Celebrations.



Single Stamps -- Assortment 3.  Available until March 31. Purchase Block E separately
 



Single Stamps, Assortment 4.  Limited-time offer until March 31,2013.  Order either Block D or E separately

Order Single Stamps from my on-line store today.


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

Start You Own Business

Host a workshop

Download Free Stampin' Up! Catalogs

Getting creative with Valentine stamps

• More Cellophane Treat Bag ideas
• Free Sale-A-Bration products for every $50 you spend
• Dallas Region - February 16 -- Just 6 more days to sign up 

Today I'm going to show you how to use alternate stamps to make the same project I showed yesterday.  Yesterday's post showed a treat sample using a stamp that was one of the Single Stamp Specials and was offered only for a limited time.  You can make the same Valentine project with many different stamps.  I pulled from current sets and retired sets.  You could also create images from your digital downloads and make hybrid projects (tradition and digital images).  Don't miss out again!.  Get these new single Stamps today, while they are still available.  

Here are some additional samples of the Cellophane treat bags using the same color combinations, die cuts and ribbon as I used for yesterday's project. 

Click for larger image

My original project used the Love Stamp, (132334) one of the limited time-offered Single Stamps, It also used the Hearts a Flutter Stamp set (w-129249, c-129252) from the Spring Catalog.  That's the sample on the far left. 

I checked my own stash of stamps.  I admit, I haven't been good about getting rid of all my old stamps, so I found not only current stamps, but also a few retired sets that all work well with this quick and easy design.

Click for larger image

First the current stamps:  The sample on the left uses You are loved (w-123777; c-123779) from the main catalog,  Hearts a Flutter (w-129249- C129252) from the Spring catalog, and the sentiment is Teeny Tiny Wishes.  I also used the Modern label stamp from the Affection Collection set from the Holiday mini (no longer available), but the sentiment would look just as good stamped and punched with the modern label punched and the edges sponged with Cherry Cobbler.  I used the heart punch on the heart stamp from the You are loved set to get the shape and size I needed for this design.   I'm really pleased with how this one tuned out.

The sample on the right uses the another stamp from the You are loved set from the main catalog, and Hearts a Flutter. from the Spring mini  One tip on this sample... I cut the Hearts a Flutter heart apart and let some show on the bottom and some show on the top of the "Love " label.

Click for larger image

Next - retired stamps:  If you're stamping on a budget, a great place to find bargain stamps is in the Clearance Rack.  Stampin' Up recently starting offering retired stamps along with their retired papers and accessories.  Look for the P.S. I love you set (w-125460) and order it from my Stampin' Up! store today to finish your Valentine projects.  The sample on the left uses the heart from P.S. I love you.  The sample on the right is the same except I added  the "Love" sentiment from Affection Collection set (127946).  I love how you can mix and match stamps from different sets, from different catalogs and even from different years and still come up with great - looking projects.  So what are you waiting for?   Get creative!  Dig out those old sets and mix them up with your new sets.  You'll be surprised at how creative you can be once you get started.  Need more sets?  Place an order today to take advantage of the Sale-A-Bration specials going on now.  read more below.


Recipe
Stamps: See above for stamps used with each sample
Paper:   Cherry Cobbler, Naturals Ivory (101849)
Inks:  Cherry Cobbler
Accessories:  Hearts a Flutter Framelit Dies (130159), Windows Frames collection Framelit Dies (129021), 7/8" Cotton Ribbon (127844), Raspberry Dahlias (127556), 1" X 8" Cellophane Bags (124134), Fancy Fold Impression Folders (127751), Heart Punch, Glue Dots, Dimensionals, Big Shot Die Cutting Machine and cutting plates.

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

Shop today and earn FREE products for each $50 you spend.

For every $50 you spend, you'll get to select one of 19 FREE Sale-A-Bration products. Below is a sample of one of the selections you can pick.  To see all 19 items you can select from, check out this link.  Be sure to use your scroll button at the bottom of the page to view all the items available. Then start shopping digital downloads, stamps, kits, ribbon & trim or tools from the Stampin' Up! store.  When you finish checking out, the store (the strore needs a clever name--what shall we call it?) will tell you how many Free products you qualify for and you can add these Free products to your order! 

Stampin' Up! Dallas Regional Event - Feb 16 - for demos & their guests

Have you signed up for the Dallas Regional Event -- Feb 16?  Demos, retired demos, customers, or crafters are all invited.  Guests can register through their demo.  Please contact me if you are interested in attending.  Sign up ends January 30.  Read more about what happens at regional events in yesterday's blog post. 


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

Start You Own Business

Host a workshop

Download Free Stampin' Up! Catalogs

Valentine treats and card

• Valentine Cellophane treats and card
• Stampin' Up! is coming to Dallas for a day of Stampin' - Feb 16, 2013
• Get Free Products during Sale-A-Bration - for each $50 order

I'm making these wonderful treats for my friends at work.  I can't wait to fill my candy dish with these wonderful treats.  I used the same color theme and design elements to make a matching card.  I'm make more treats and send them to my mom to have on hand for visits from the grandchildren. 

 

 

I used the 1" X 8" Cellophane Bags (124134) to make these cute treats.  The Window frame die cut is layered with the heart from Hearts a Flutter and then topped with a heart stamped with the Love Heart single stamp (132334) and punched with the Heart punch.

 

 

The new 7/8" cotton ribbon (127844) from the Spring Catalog  is so easy to work with.  It matches the Naturals Ivory card stock well.

 

I quickly pulled together this card using some of the  elements from the candy sleeves.  All of the framelit dies and Impression folders offered by Stampin' Up! help make cards like this fast and easy.  I planned on making more of these cute treat sleeves filled with Cinnamon Jelly Hearts, but after I ate all the first contain, I found that  the grocery store didn't have any more!  I'm kicking myself for not buying more!  I guess some other people found out how good they were too -- and its still 3 weeks before Valentine's Day!


Recipe
Stamps: Hearts a Flutter (w-129249; c-129252); Love Heart (Single Stamp) (132334)
Paper:   Cherry Cobbler, Naturals Ivory (101849), Pretty in Pink
Inks:  Cherry Cobbler, Basic Black
Accessories:  Hearts a Flutter Framelit Dies (130159), Windows Frames collection Framelit Dies (129021), 7/8" Cotton Ribbon (127844), Raspberry Dahlias (127556), 1" X 8" Cellophane Bags (124134), Fancy Fold Impression Folders (127751), Heart Punch, Glue Dots, Dimensionals, Big Shot Die Cutting Machine and cutting plates.

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

Stampin' Up! will host a stampin day in Dallas - Feb 16, 2013

Stampin' Up! announced a Regional Event in Dallas, TX.  I'm signed up and I'm planning to drive up from Houston for the day.  Are you going?

The Regional event is Saturday, Feb 16, 2103 from 9 - 5 PM. 
Check in will begin at 8:00 am. 
The fee is $75 US for demonstrators.
Where: Hyatt Regency Dallas - Landmark Ballroom
 
Guests can attend by registering through a demonstrator for $90 US. 
If you're a former demo, a Stampin' Up! customer, or a crafter that just wants a fun day with stampers and scrap bookers, contact me to sign up.

Registration ends January 30 or when space sells out.  Hurry.  Sign up today! 


What are Regional Events?

Regional events are an opportunity for hundreds of stampers and paper-crafters  to come together for a fun day. Along with training from the Stampin' Up! home office, attendees will enjoy stamping, swapping, creative and inspiring demonstrations, and fresh ideas. Hosting a regional event in our area also means you can travel to and from the event in one day and save on hotel and fuel expenses. Also, if you've ever though of becoming a Stampin' Up! demonstrator, attending a Regional event gives you a peek into the kinds of activities that are only availalbe to demonstrators -- Conventions, training on how to use the latest crafting products, and idea samples that will keep you busy for months!

Here's what to expect:

•Informative and creative stamping presentations
•Make & Takes
•Beautiful and inspiring stamped displays
•An opportunity to swap with other demonstrators
•A boxed lunch
•Prizes and surprises
•An intimate setting with Shelli Gardner (as her schedule permits) and other presenters from the home office.  Shelli makes a point to visit with demos and guests while we're working on make and takes and wants to know about our crafting interests.

Come and spend the day doing what you love with hundreds of other Stampin' Up! demonstrators and their guests who share your passion for creativity. Contact me today to register as a guest!

Wow!  It’s here! Sale-A-Bration 2013 has begun. How will you party during Stampin’ Up!’s premiere event? There are three ways!

1. Host

Have your friends over for a party and earn fantastic Sale-A-Bration freebies with a qualifying order! Your home or my studio:

• For a minimum $150 US party (or your own order), you’ll get a FREE pack of Silver Glimmer Paper (silver paper for Stampin’ Up!’s silver anniversary!).
• Host a $400 US party(or place your own order), and you’ll get the free Glimmer Paper PLUS a FREE product bundle—and that’s in addition to the normal hostess benefits (including $65 US in FREE products of your choice)!

Contact me today to schedule your Sale-A-Bration party with your friends....in your home or in my studio. 

2. Shop

Shop 'til you drop! For every $50 you spend, you’ll get a FREE Sale-A-Bration product! Take a look at the 19 different products you can choose from -- stamps, punches, ribbons and buttons, kits, digital content for your My Digital Studio design software.  Visit my Stampin’ Up! Online Store to start shopping.

3. Join

Love what you do and party all the time when you become a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator.  It's a great full-time or part-time job.  Work your own hours; and work from home! It's a great transition between jobs, or if you want to earn extra cash for short term goal liken a family vacation or as a way to build up your stamping collection. Plus, when you join during Sale-A-Bration, you’ll get 25% more products for FREE in your Starter Kit! Find out more and take advantage of this limited-time offer.

Sale-A-Bration is one of the most exciting times of the year at Stampin’ Up! It's a great time to be a demonstrator!  It's a great time to be a customer!  Don't wait --take advantage of these fantastic offers today.

Enjoy!

Donna Ross

Stampin' Up! Independent Demonstrator
 

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

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

Paper Pumpkin - A Monthly Kit program for paper crafters

• Introducing Paper Pumpkin....monthly paper crafting kits
• A 3 X 3 valentine
• Stampin' Up! Dallas Regional Event - Feb  16, 2013

Sweep away the mundane-your creativity carriage awaits!


I'm Paper Pumpkin . . .

I'm a Magical Paper Escape Every Month!

I come to your door each month (a fully decked-out creativity carriage). I'll help you to escape your life with some paper fun. Each project will offer about an hour of escape.   Perfect if you're short on time, or don't have a lot of space, but love to craft.

I come in a sweet box, but you'll really love what you find on the inside:

All the stamps, ink, paper, and accessories to create projects. Create stuff like cards, journals, décor, and more!  Perfect if you cannot get enough through classes or workshops or can't get away to attend live classes.   Invite your friends to sign up and make this a get-together for a girls' night out with your pretty red box.  Add this to your Facebook posts and forward a link to this post to all your friends today to make sure you and your friends are signed up to receive your kits each month.

Paper Pumpkin is the perfect introduction to stamping and to Stampin' Up! without investing in a lot in building a stamp collection (yet). You'll get all the stamps, ink, paper, and accessories to create beautiful projects. Projects are all cut, measured, and ready--with instructions included.

 

Paper Pumpkin by Stampin' Up! is a new monthly kit program that anyone can enjoy!

Starting in early March, you can try Paper Pumpkin for one month. See more here www.mypaperpumpkin.com and learn about the benefits you'll receive when you sign up.  Be sure to select Donna Ross as your Stampin' Up! Demonstrator when you join Paper Pumpkin, and sign up today!

Every month a new, surprise project kit arrives at your doorstep.  Just think of the anticipation of creating a fun project to showoff and share with your friends and family-every month.

A Paper Pumpkin membership is $19.95 per month (and shipping is included!).  There's no commitment, you can cancel your monthly Paper Pumpkin at anytime.  You can also skip a month if you want.

Starting in early March, you can receive a Try-It kit if you'd like to try Paper Pumpkin for one month.

Have questions?  Please send me a quick email and I'll tell you more!

3 X 3 Valentine card

Here a quick 3 X 3 valentine note card I made using the paper designs from the back side of the 2012 calendars that fit in the clear desktop display calendar cases (127033).  What a great bonus, after using this cute calendar all year.  Of course I  picked up the 2013 calendar and I'm already penciling in the Stampin' Up! Dallas Regional event on Feb 16 (read more below) and the 25th Anniversary Stampin' Up yearly Convention in July.  I used the Hearts a Flutter stamps and matching Framelits Dies from the Spring Catalog.  These two items can be purchased as a bundle for 15% savings.  Just enter either the Wood-mount number or the Clear-Mount number into your order  (w-131098 or c-131097)

Recipe
Stamps: Hearts a Flutter (w-129249; c-129252)
Paper:   Primrose Petals, Red Glimmer Paper (121790), Whisper White
Inks:  Basic Black Marker, Primrose Petals
Accessories:  3/8' Primrose Petals Stitched Satin Ribbon, Hearts a Flutter Framelits Dies (130159), Bitty Banner Framelit (129267),In Color Dahlias ( !27556), Glue Dots, Big Shot Die Cutting Machine and pads

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

Stamping Up Regional Event - Dallas, TX Feb 16 2013

I'm so excited to hear that Stampin' Up! is holding  a Regional Event in Dallas, TX, Feb 16.  Registration begins the week of January 14.  These are fun experiences for demonstrators, guests and customers where you'll receive great ideas, inspiration, training, and tools.  And of course there will be lots of swaps! 

If you've never been to a fun-packed day of stamping led by Stampin' Up! experts from the home office, with free prizes throughout the day and lots of samples, contact me today.  You'll want to go.  You'll want to win prizes.  You'll want to swap with other stampers.  Timing couldn't be more perfect to get ideas for Easter and Spring projects.

If you want more information on the Stampin' Up! Regional Event in Dallas as it is released, visit my blog and make sure you've registered to receive Stamped Sophisticates by email (its on the right hand side of the page).


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

Start You Own Business

Host a workshop

Download Free Stampin' Up! Catalogs