The 2010/2011 Idea Book & Catalogs are here!

Hello friend!

There is so much to show you, and not much time.   Most importantly, the new catalogs are here! If you pre-ordered or qualified for a catalog, come and get 'em!  (and if you didn't, contact me to see how you can get your hands on one of these beautiful books!)

Next, I have tons to show you from my Hostess Appreciation Brunch!  We have a great time, and I have swaps, prizes, etc. to show.  You'll see those in the next couple of days, so stop back often.




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Crumb Cake!

Hello friend!

Today is our final new regular-line color....  Crumb Cake!  (are they hungry at Stampin' Up when they come up with these names?)  The card stock has been in our line for a while--you knew it as our Kraft card stock.  Since it is now a regular-line color, it will also be available in inks, marker, and accessories! 

This one, of course, was for my husband for Father's Day.  So nice to be able to stamp in Crumb Cake to match the card stock!

I don't think this really shows the details.  I used the Crumb Cake ink with Blender Pens to color the roses, and then Whisper White and So Saffron on the smaller blossoms.  It is stamped on Very Vanilla, so the white pops nicely--in person, but not in the photo.  Add some sponging and tearing and here you go!

Happy Father's Day!

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Crazy for Cajun Craze!

Hello friend!

Today's "color of the day" is Cajun Craze... which I must admit I wasn't sure I liked at first.  Now, I'm a fan.   Let me know what you think:

I've got two photos of this one because when the card was open, you couldn't see the heart on the inside, but when the card was closed flat on the table, I kept getting a shadow.... 

Strangely enough, this one turned out to be one of my favorites of this entire week.  It is difficult to see the ribbon in the photo.  I just tied black grosgrain across the black card stock and tied a knot.

Both of these cards had to be simple, because when I sat down in the Stamp Cave this morning I only gave myself 25 minutes to stamp.  This afternoon Natalie's friends are coming over for a birthday party, and there are lots of things to prepare.

Have a great Saturday, and be ready for our final "new" regular-line color tomorrow:  Crumb Cake.  This is "the card stock formerly known as Kraft".  I used the Kraft all the time, and now we have inks, marker, and accessories to go with it.  Thank you Stampin' Up!

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Fabulous Friday aka Cherry Cobbler Day!

Hello friend!

The news is good!  My 2010/2011 IDEA BOOKS HAVE SHIPPED!  Have you reserved your book yet?  Don't delay, the $5 special is good only until June 30.  Of course, all hostesses and club members always get their book for free from me.

Now for today's samples, which are in today's featured, new regular-line color, Cherry Cobbler.  I must admit that this color was one I wasn't really excited about.  I wondered if we really needed "another" red....

Then I played with it and the answer is YES!  I love this color--it is so rich and, well just plain yummy.   Tell me what you think:

The color in this photo isn't quite right--as if the flash washed out that beautiful red (and some of the other colors, as well)  I CASE'd this idea for the flipping the party hats to make a banner from the new Idea Book.

Stamps:  Party Hearty

Inks:  Cherry Cobbler, Daffodil Delight, Cajun Craze, Always Artichoke, Not Quite Navy, Elegant Eggplant

Card Stocks:  Cherry Cobbler, Daffodil Delight, Cajun Craze, Whisper White

Accessories:  Scissors, Stampin Dimensionals, Anywhere Glue Stick

 Stamps:  Totally Tool

Inks:  Cherry Cobbler, Basic Black

Card stocks:  Cherry Cobbler, Basic Black, Whisper White, Going Gray

Accessories:  Ticket Corner Punch, Black Gingham ribbon (retiring), Craft & Paper Scissors, Stampin' Dimensionals, Anywhere Glue Stick

 This one is a secret, because it is a Father's Day card for my dad.  Shhhhh... don't tell!  I've decided that one of the colors I will most miss after the Color Renovation really isn't much of a color at all--Going Gray.  Especially when you pair it with Cherry Cobbler, because these look like Ohio State colors.  Guess I won't be selling off my Going Gray stash after all!  I CASE'd using the measuring tape for the d's on this from another demonstrator.  I just wish I could remember where I saw it, and could give her credit.  Isn't this a fun idea?

Tomorrow's color is Cajun Craze.  Talk to you then!

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Marina Mist Thursday!

Hello friend!

This was a great vacation day.  I took Natalie to Bible School, and then went to Green Valley Growers for their 60% off sale.  Love it!  I bought a ton of plants--but only got half of them planted.  I also started a new wallhanging for our dining room (with the Big Shot, of course) and made these cards for you. 

 Stamps:  Because I Care (new level 1 Hostess set coming in the new catalog!)

Ink:  Marina Mist, Certainly Celery, Old Olive

Card stock:  Whisper White, Marina Mist, Early Espresso

Accessories:  Scallop Trim Border Punch, AquaPainter, Stampin' Dimensionals

Stamps: Just Because I Care

Inks:  Marina Mist Early Espresso

Card stocks:  Very Vanilla, Marina Mist, Garden Green

Accessories:  Scissors & Stampin' Dimensionals

Talk to you tomorrow!

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Daffodil Delight Wednesday!

Hello friend!

Today I'm featuring our new regular-line color, Daffodil Delight.  My first card is rather special, because today is Natalie's birthday, and I made this card for her:

Stamps:  Party Hearty
Inks:  Early Espresso
Card stocks:  Daffodil Delight, Old Olive, Whisper White, Regal Rose, Melon Mambo
Accessories:   Big Shot, Flower Clear Die, Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder, Melon Mambo ribbon, Scallop Punch, Stampin' Dimensionals

(Want to learn how to make this cool scallop border?  This is one of the techniques you'll learn at my Video Class on July 7!)

Here's some more Daffodil Delight, in a card I made for a friend:

Stamps:  Friends 24/7, All Holidays

Inks: Daffodil Delight, Marina Mist
Card stocks:  Daffodil Delight, Marina Mist, and Whisper White
Accessories: Big Shot, Manhattan Flower Embossing Folder, Beautiful Wings Embosslit Die, Stampin' Dimensionals, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, Half Pearl, Multipurpose Liquid Glue


These new colors will be available July 1, in the 2010/2011 Idea Book & Catalog.  Contact me to reserve your copy  here.


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:- ((¸¸.·´ .·´ Wendy *· -:¦:-
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A Totally Terrific Tuesday!

Hello friend!

What a great day I'm having!  This morning I spent quiet time in the Stamp Cave watching Pride & Prejudice (never as good as the book, but it will do!) while I worked on a few projects.

Then my UPS man arrived with a very special delivery....  My 2010/2011 Idea Book & Catalog!  This year Stampin' Up tried something new.  During the month of June, when a demonstrator placed her first demonstrator order, she received her Idea Book for free (and earlier than usual).  Of course it takes longer to ship items to Ohio, so I feel as if I've been waiting forever for it to arrive, but I'm ok now!



Here's what the cover looks like up close.  These are "my" colors this year! Not that past years have not been beautiful, but I LOVE this color combination.

Have you pre-ordered your catalog?  Remember, you can have it for FREE if you join a club, book a party, or purchase at least $75 in product this month!  Don't delay, cause YOUR book will arrive by the end of the month!

This book is wonderful, from cover to cover.  I think Stampin' Up has done a fantastic job of giving us new (and affordable) stamp sets and wonderful new accessories.  And the colors?  Yummy!  Today I decided to feature the new color Early Espresso (that fabulous dark brown) in the cards I made for you. 

This is just a simple 3 x 3 inch card with the stamp set, Friends 24-7.

Another Tropical Party card... I just can't seem to leave it alone!

And this one is made with a new Hostess set that Stampin' Up gave us (again for free--love being a demonstrator!) called Because I Care.  This set is gorgeous, and is a Level 1 in the new book.

I'm not sure what I can do to fix it, but my Baja Breeze didn't photograph well.  It seemed to come out in several different shades, but you still get the idea.

 Have a great Tuesday, and I'll be back tomorrow!

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Lots of "good stuff"!

Hello friend!

If you could see me now, you'd see a big smile on my face...  I'm on vacation!  Last week I told my boss I needed a "mental health" week.  We are not going anywhere, or doing anything big, but I don't have to go to the office.  What a good feeling!

To celebrate, I'm going to post new items every day this week.  I won't be able to show you everything, cause I'm working on "good stuff" for the brunch, but be prepared for me to post more than I have in quite a while.

Speaking of the brunch, I'm posting my invitation, now that everyone has received their originals:

Yes, I'm going with a luau theme this year!  Aloha!

Next up, graduation samples.  My nephew Jake's grad party was Saturday, and I really struggled with his card.  I know the card itself probably didn't mean all that much to him, but I wanted it to be just right.  I actually started and stopped and tore this apart several times before ending up with this simple design:

And the final touch was using the arrow punch on the envelope, so the orange showed through:



Natalie made these cards for her teachers:Natalie made these cards for her teachers.
She personalized them on the top layer (Mr. Hess's is a math teacher, hence the minus sign, etc.)  She did these with a little help from me, and did a great job!

Ok, we've covered Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, so here's a card for today, once again using the Tropical Party set from the Summer Mini Catalog:

These palm trees are wonderful for a brayered scene.

That catches us up, so I'll be back tomorrow!
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Here are the Retiring Accessories & Supplies!

Hello friend!

I'm cleaning this afternoon in the Stamp Cave... it really needed some TLC. As I go, I'm sorting items for the Hostess Appreciation Brunch (June 26, be there or be square) and a retirement sale, and it also occurred to me that I need to provide you a link for checking the Retiring Accessories and Supplies.   When you click on the title, it will take you to shop all things SU.  You can either place your order on line, or contact me to order for you.  All I ask is that you don't delay, these items will be disappearing soon!

Hopefully, once I've made a dent in the mess I can also do some stamping, and I can post it here.

See you later!

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:- ((¸¸.·´ .·´ Wendy *· -:¦:-
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Last Chance List!

Hello friend!

It is June 1, so that means that Stampin' Up has released the Last Chance List for stamp sets in the 2009/2010 Idea Book!   The link above will show you the sets that are retiring, and June 30 is your last chance for these favorites.  Contact me to place the order before this last chance if over!

I

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 :- ((¸¸.·´ .·´ Wendy *·
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The robot

Hello friend.

We'll be going to the Memorial Day parade here in a bit, and I feel guilty because I should be posting a beautifully done tribute to those we celebrate today for their service and sacrifice.  Perhaps I'll have time before our cookout to do that--or even in the coming week. 

Instead I have a cute little robot that's been trying to "get out of my brain" for months now, and finally made the trip last night.  Better explain... Hannah and I were shopping, and walked down an aisle of scrapbooks.  One album was done in various shades of blue & green and had robots on the cover.  The robots  were darling and very kid-friendly.  My brain immediately said "I could make robots with punches!"  
So here he is:

He is kinda silly, but he makes me smile!  Everything is punched except his mouth arms and legs--for those I cut thin strips and ran them through the Crimper.  There are two retiring colors on my robot:  Brilliant Blue and Going Gray.  The Tempting Turquoise,  Whisper White and Pumpkin Pie will be staying. 

The 2010/2011 Idea Book & Catalog will be here in about a month, and we can start ordering on July 1.  Have you let me know if you want a new catalog?  (Who wouldn't want a new catalog?)  You can receive your book for free by:  booking an in-home party; joining one of my stamp clubs; purchasing $75 of product in June.  If you prefer, you may pre-order a catalog for only $5 by June 15.  Either way, you want to get your name to me ASAP!

Have a safe and happy Memorial Day, and God bless the men and women we celebrate today!

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:- ((¸¸.·´ .·´ Wendy *· -:¦:-
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The news is good...

Hello friend!

After a really rough time in the hospital, my Dad came home on Friday the 21st.  It is quite a relief for all of us, because there was a point when we didn't think he was coming home at all.  God is good, and we are so grateful.  He's got a long way to go to be back to where he was before, but with so many people praying for him, I know he will get there.

I've been able to make my invitations for my annual Hostess Appreciation Brunch, and they went in the mail yesterday!    I want to thank my Mom and Natalie for helping me with preparing these cards.  Quite a bit of cutting was done as we went back and forth to Grant Hospital, and Mom even kept some of it with her in Columbus to keep her hands busy.

This year, I'm using a theme for the brunch.  We're having a luau!  It was an easy decision to make, because we have a great set of stamps (Tropical Party) in the Summer Mini Catalog.  There are also other great items to go with the stamps.  Next week I'll show you the invitation, but I want them to be in the hands of my hostesses before I post it.

To whet your appetite, though, here is a card I made using Tropical Party:

This stamp set is so much fun, and the designer series paper is awesome!

The background on the tag is Summer Sun, which is another one of of our retiring colors. 


Here is some more good news, straight from Stampin' Up!:

"At Stampin’ Up!, we are constantly evaluating our levels of service to you and your customers. One particular area that we have been looking at is our shipping service to the eastern regions of the United States, and the time it takes for you to receive your orders, and in what condition they arrive. With this focus, we are excited to announce an opportunity to earn a 3-day shipping option as a FREE upgrade!


From June 1 – September 30, all workshop orders that equal $425 or more will receive a free upgrade to UPS 3-Day shipping. This upgrade will be automatically applied when you place a qualifying order in OEX. As it is a free upgrade, you will still need to pay the basic shipping charge. The 3-day option does not included expedited handling, so the 3-day shipping time begins once the order has been processed and fulfilled in the order it was received, not from the date of the order. This upgrade will only be available on the workshop order type for orders totaling $425 or more, and is only available to demonstrators and customers who live in UPS shipping zones 4, 5, and 6. You may receive a survey at some point during the promotional period to help us measure any improvement you and customers may see in shipping due to this added service.

We look forward to providing this service in your area, and hope you see improved shipping service to your workshop customers in the coming months!"


Happy Stamping!
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:- ((¸¸.·´ .·´ Wendy *· -:¦:-
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Hi everyone.

Just wanted to let you know what's going on.  My dad has been in the hospital since 5-1-10.  You won't be seeing me here much for a bit.  If you know my dad and would like to check on how he is, go to this site:

www.caringbridge.org/visit/duaneeagle

Thanks to those of you who have been praying for him.

Wendy

Stampin' and Dancin' and Baseball, oh my!

Hello friend!

There are about a million and one things I could talk about here.  Maybe I exaggerate just a little, but it has been a busy couple of weeks.  Here's a little of what's going on:

The All-Daughter Banquet was awesome!  We set up for 292 women, and I'd definitely say it was a hit.  The quilt show was a fun addition, and our music was great.  (Didn't expect that because we had a Bluegrass band--something I know nothing about--but they were very talented and I could have listened to them longer!)  Remember the pincushions I showed you last week?  Here is what the centerpieces on the tables looked like:

You can just barely see my pincushion in the sewing basket.... and here is what the entire table looked like:

And part of the quilt show:

We've also been very busy with Natalie.  Her bell choir played several times last week (wonderful!) and the dance recital was fabulous! 

This is her tap class.... look at the concentration!  :)

Nick is on the JV baseball team, and their record is now 16-2, so they've obviously been successful.  I keep waiting for one of his monster hits to be over the fence, but he hasn't quite made it yet.  Keeps it exciting!  So exciting, in fact, that I just realized that I have taken my camera several times and just forgot to take any photos.  Gotta fix that today at the games!

With all this, you could understand if I had not done much stamping--but I've managed!  Here is one of the cards I made last Friday at the Scrapbook Fundraiser:

I absolutely ADORE this set!  It is called Elements of Style, and if you click on the link on the right, you can see it in the Summer Mini Catalog.  I've also got a link for the supply list for you. 

The hummingbird was made with our Watercolor Crayons colored directly on the stamp.  You need to use a little water (love the AquaPainter for this) and play with it a bit but you get a neat effect.  After I stamped, it seemed as if the hummingbird didn't have enough definition, so I used a Basic Black marker to give it a little bit of outlining.  Not a lot, you don't want it to look like a coloring book, just a few touches.  

My final photo is of our new card stock colors!  Stampin' Up sent them to all the demonstrators in our Stampin' Success magazine, but when mine arrived the magazine was not in the shrink wrap bag and there was no card stock.  Boo hoo... but when I called they immediately sent me another set so I wouldn't feel left out.  Thanks Stampin' Up!

I don't think the photo does them justice, but I can't wait to play with them!  You'll be seeing more of these later....

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Big Shot to the rescue... again!

Hello friend!

I just don't know what I did before the Big Shot!  Not only do I use it for scrapbooks, cards, and my quilting, but time and again it is the solution to some way-out kind of need.... like this:

I made over 30 of these in the last couple of days for our All-Daughter Banquet next week.  We have a country theme going (including a quilt show) and we've got pieced quilt tops for the centers of the tables, on which we are putting "Grandma's sewing basket".  We've filled the baskets with fabric, scissors, threads, etc. but I just KNEW they had to have a pincushion-- which really were not in the budget.  I ended up cutting a Scallop Circle with the Big Shot, gathering it together for the bottom, and then cutting the green flower top from another die.  They were quick & easy--the hardest part was putting all those pins into 32 of them!

Anyone need a pincushion?  I'm going to have 32 extras after next Tuesday....

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Looks like spring! (even though it doesn't feel like spring)

I've been wanting to show you these flowers for weeks, and finally went out and got a photo.  When our first big snow melted, I noticed a bit of purple in my flower bed.  This was LONG before any crocus or daffodils came out, so I went to see what it was and found these pansies.  At that point they were small and didn't look like much, but they have really exploded in the last month.   I had no idea how hardy these could be!

This is the new set, Awash with Flowers that is available this month from Stampin' Up! 

I've decided I want to feature some of the retiring colors over the next couple months, so I made this card with Pink Passion, Lavender Lace, Cameo Coral, Yoyo Yellow, and Handsome Hunter--and was very happy with the way they came together.


Wendy

Big News from Stampin' Up!

Hello friend!

We got some big news today about our color line.  Now, I will warn you that when I first heard it I wasn't sure I'd be very happy, but the more I've studied the information Stampin' Up! has given us, the more EXCITED I'm getting about these changes! 

Starting with the 2010/2011 Idea Book, this will be our collection of colors:

Click here to see a larger copy of the list:

http://204.228.150.61/color_revamp2010/USENG/New_Colors_US_0310.pdf 

Did you notice some of our In Colors from previous years are coming back?  And three from this year are becoming a part of our regular line!  (Woohoo to that!)

Now, of course to make these changes (and this is the tough part), some of our colors are leaving to make room for the new colors.  These are the colors we will no longer carry after June 30:

  

Click here to see a larger copy of the list:

http://204.228.150.61/color_revamp2010/USENG/Fond_Farewell_Colors_US_0310.pdf

If these are colors you absolutely can't live without, then please stock up on your ink refills, card stock, markers, and accessories before the end of June.  (actually, my recommendation is not to wait even that long--who knows what the availability will be at the end of the catalog year)

We will also be getting 5 new In Colors this year (in July), and the really good news is that they will be sticking around for two years, instead of just one!  (Woohoo to that, too!)

As a demonstrator, I'll be able to pre-order these items--if you were a demonstrator, you could do the same thing--hint, hint!   :)   I'll be sharing samples with you here as soon as I can, and as I get more information, I'll pass that on, as well.

When you think about this, I think you will agree that these changes are going to be good ones.  PLEASE let me know what you think, or if you have questions!

Happy Stamping!
Wendy

My Rag Bag!

Hello friend!

I had such fun making this rag bag!  All you need are basic sewing skills and supplies--and of course the Big Shot to cut all the squares....

I wanted a long handle, so that's what I put on it... you can make this to suit your style & needs!

 
If you'd like to make one of these with me, reserve your spot for next Saturday, March 27.  The cost is only $15, and I need you to make your reservation by March 25. 

It will be "sew" much fun!  :)

Wendy

A good day....

Hello friend!


The brownies are in the oven. The corned beef & potatoes are almost done. Tim’s at work, Nick’s at baseball, and Nat is at bell practice. This means something very unusual has happened… the house is QUIET!

It also means I spent some time in the Stamp Cave.  Let me show you what's been going on....

This one was fun, mostly because it is so different from my usual style, which is much simpler.  I decided I wanted to use lots of products and see what I could come up with.  I just kept adding and adding, and it was fun!  Every part is stamped, sponged or punched--and sometimes all three!  The hummingbird is from one of my new favorite stamp sets--and you'll be able to get it from the Summer Mini Catalog, which will start on May 1.  (be patient)

This next project is one I've been thinking about since last summer.  One of my friends at work is a Civil War buff.  To be more accurate, he's totally into the Battle of Gettysburg.  Because he is such a great guy, we (I mean the court employees, law enforcement officers, attorneys, and other involved in the legal system) went together and gave him this special gun last July.  I took photos that day, and intended to give them to him...  but somehow I just never got it together.  This is the scrapbook I came up with.   

You might recognize the Flower Fusion tin, and Hodge Podge Hardware.  To make it look like this I beat it with a hammer, sponged it with Stazon ink, and did my best to distress it.

On the inside lid and bottom I distressed Chocolate Chip card stock in an effort to make it look leather-like.  The photos are printed in sepia tones, and I mounted them on a thin chipboard to give the appearance of cabinet cards.

This is a description of the gun, directly from a soldier's Civil War diary.  

This lady was not there when we presented the gun.  :)  Actually, this photo is from a cabinet card from approximately the 1880's.  My mom has it in an old album, and I took it to Spectrum and copied it.  I've researched these cabinet cards and this lady in particular on line.  I believe she was a snake charmer in a circus, and her name might have been "Miss Uno".  Lovely, isn't she?  I just added it as a joke--and he kept referring to her as his wife.  (I can't imagine Lisa's going to like this comparison!)

The color on those other photos was not good.  this is a little more true.  I've certainly had fun putting this together.  I love scrapping, and when you can do something just a little bit differently, I think it is even better!

It's almost time to head out and get Nick.  Thanks for stopping by!

Wendy

the Borg....

Hello friend.

No stamping today.  I went this afternoon to get "fitted" for my cpap machine.  Tim has been teasing me that I was going to look like a jet fighter pilot, and sound like Darth Vader.  Actually, I think I'm going to look more like one of the Borg (If you are not a Star Trek fan that won't mean much--but it isn't good).

Wish me luck, this will be interesting tonight!

I have a couple ideas for projects, so I'll be bringing them to you later this week.

Wendy