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Sunday, February 22, 2009

Have Your Art Featured Here

I am so impressed with the swaps my Stamp Club members have been creating recently, that I just had to publish them last month.

If you send me a card made with current Stampin' Up! products, I'd love to feature your art here too.

You can drop your art off with me or mail it.

Anything you create with Stampin' Up! products can be published, 3D, Bookmarks, Cards, Scrapbook Pages, Ornaments.

I'm looking forward to seeing your creations.

Sale-A-Bration

Images © 1990-2009 Stampin' Up!


My ladies ask me where I get my ideas.........

This one came strait out of the Sale-A-Bration mini.

Don't forget you can still earn this fun stamp set FREE until March 31st - Every image has a coordinating punch.

I used Bashful Blue, Barely Banana,Certainly Celery and Pink Passion Classic Ink. In the catalog they used paper piercing on the Barely Banana to create a background but I couldn't resist using my new Big Shot Dry Embossing technique. You can earn FREE ribbon during Sale-A-Bration, its beautiful So Saffron and Certainly Celery, but here I used Vanilla, because my ribbon hadn't arrived. I popped up the centers of the flowers by stamping the flower image with coordinating ink on card and then punching out the centers with my half inch circle punch.

Are you having fun using your FREE Sale-A-Bration gifts yet?

Saturday, February 21, 2009

The First Scrapbook Page I Ever Created

Scrapbooking can be daunting to someone who has never done it before.

It can feel like a secret club that you don’t quite know how to join.

I don’t read a lot of scrapbooking magazines, I take my ideas from the pictures. I don’t think there is a right or wrong way to scrapbook and so here are some of things that I thought about when I created my very first page.

First, I broke the rules, I didn’t create a page for on event, I chose two pictures of my children that were taken when they were roughly the same age, which means the pictures were taken almost four years apart.

I loved the picture of my son, but there was a ladies “bottom” right in the corner, so scrapbooking helped me hide that. (it couldn't be cropped since it wasn't my picture)

I didn’t want the page to be to girly or too much for a boy, so I chose dragonflies for my son and flowers for my daughter.

I wanted to use stamps to create my images, because I knew that in years to come the stamps would still be there if I wanted to add to this page.

When thinking about color, I always use the rule of three, picking out three colors that were in both pictures. I love that Stampin’ Up! has a color for just about anything I need.

I also like the scrapbook page to be the backdrop and the pictures to be the focal point.

Back then, I was nervous about using color, but Stampin’ Up! made it easy for me, because I chose colors from the same color family, I knew that they would work together – I wasn’t quite ready to do my own thing with color all those years ago.

Well, that was about it. I just used what I had and what I knew and this is what happened.

There is one thing that I wish I had added – “journaling” – I now know that it is a fundamental part of scrapbooking. While a picture speaks a thousand words, there’s always a little more that needs to be said, that can only come from your heart.

I hope you enjoy my trip down memory lane.

Friday, February 20, 2009

We Asked For New Easter Items and Stampin Up Listened

Occasions Mini Catalog Information
Our next Mini Catalog is the Occasions Mini, which runs April 1st through June 30th 2009.
This mini also includes some fabulous Easter items and because Easter is so close to the launch date of this mini……
Beginning March 1, you will have the opportunity to buy a few select sneak peek products from the Occasions Mini Catalog.
Item
Description
Retail Price
113196
An Egg-cellent Easter
$21.95
113262
Wagon Full of Fun
$34.95
113822
Eight Great Greetings
$27.95
115421
Ocho saludos geniales (Spanish Eight Great Greetings)
$27.95
114643
Huit souhaits sympas (French Eight Great Greetings)
$27.95
113833
Egg Hunt Stampin' Around wheel
$6.50
These items--including an Easter stamp set and two all-occasion stamp sets with Easter images--will give you the opportunity to plan for Easter crafting.
I am currently unable to post images, but I will have them for you the moment I receive authorization from Stampin’ Up!, but as always you just know they are going to be fabulous.
Watch for more information on the Occasions Mini, including a special PDF on March 1.
The information contained in this post is correct at time of posting and is subject to change without notice.

Catalog Changes Coming Later This Year

Change in Catalog Program Announced February 20, 2009
During Shelli's teleconference Wednesday night, it was announced that we will be moving back to an annual catalog. Stampin’ Up! has been evaluating their catalog strategy for some time to determine what is most effective for you, and based on what we've learned and the feedback you have provided, they’ve decided to return to an annual catalog.
Stampin’ Up! Will launch the annual Idea Book & Catalog this coming July 2009.
What does this change mean to you?
Beginning in July 2009, we will go back to an annual catalog.
The US Hispanic supplement will also become an annual catalog.
The Décor Elements catalog will continue to be separate from the Idea Book & Catalog, and will come out twice a year.
The mini catalog program will change to include three mini catalogs a year, each lasting for four months.
In addition to the changes mentioned above, Stampin’ Up! will be introducing a small selection of hostess sets in each mini catalog. This will give you even more reason to host multiple workshops throughout the year.
Stampin’ Up! know that you will have lots of questions about these changes, and they will be providing more details in the coming months. Look for even more information to come as we get closer to the release of our new annual catalog in July 2009.

Short and Sweet Gift Unique Gift Idea




Images © 1990-2009 Stampin' Up!

Stampin’ Up! Bundles Make Great and Unique Gifts

When it come to giving gifts, it can be hard to come up with ideas, how about this one:

Make a Gift Bundle:

Here are some great items to get you started during Sale-A-Bration

107311 – 20 Note cards with Envelopes $5.95
115060 – Short and Sweet Stamp Set $17.95
4 x Stampin’ Write Markers $3.25 each - $13.00
Total $36.90


For the markers I chose certainly celery, bashful blue, pretty in pink and rose red – why?
Because in the short and sweet set there is a baby pin, so I can make cards with a pink or blue baby pin and use the celery for the words. For Christmas I can use blue for the snowflake and rose red for the words and for any of the other sentiments I can use any of the combinations.

During Sale-A-Bration, spend an additional $13.10 (why not add a punch) in merchandise and you can earn a FREE Sale-A-Bration item.

What would I do?

I’d choose my FREE stamp set Polka Dot Punches and I’d get to my $50 level by adding a punch that coordinates with this stamp set – all four images in Polka Dot Punches have a coordinating punch.

Take a look at the versatile Short and Sweet Stamp Set and tell me how you would bundle it, the possibilities are endless……

All prices and details are correct at time of publishing and are subject to change without notice

Video Tutorials are ready for you to view at www.elizabethreeve.stampinup.net

If pictures speak a thousand words, they video tutorials speak a million.

Have you visited http://www.elizabethreeve.stampinup.net/ recently? If you look in "Creative Projects" you will see lots of video tutorials. (look for the ones with the little triangle in the middle of the picture).

http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/elizabethreeve/distPages/projectList.soa?easyTemplatePageType=1

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Stamping With Bleach - Heartfelt Thanks Stamp set

Images © 1990-2009 Stampin' Up!


Take a look on page 104 and you will see "stamping with bleach"


I love how each time I use a different color card I get a different effect.
Shelle noticed this technique in the catalog at our last stamp club meeting, so I thought I'd share this with you.

Eastern Michigan Scrapbooking Retreat

Over the years many of you have heard me talk about how much I enjoy going to scrapbooking/paper craft evenings two Friday evenings per month.

The lady who organizes this event (Sarah) is hosting the 1st Annual Eastern Michigan Scrapbooking Retreat and she has asked me to provide the FREE make ‘n take projects.

Soooo, what is EMI Scrapbooking retreat?

It’s the chance for you to gather together with fellow paper crafters and stay over night or just join in for the day and craft ‘till you drop.

Here are the details:

Schedule:
Friday, March 6th 2009
1:00 pm – Arrival or whenever you can get there
5:30 pm – Dinner
Saturday, March 7th 2009
8:30 am – Breakfast
12:30 pm – Lunch
5:00 pm – Depart for Home

Where:
Echo Grove Camp, Leonard, Michigan

Housing:
Redwood or Magnolia – bedding and towel provided
3-4 women per room

Cost:
Weekend $35 – includes 3 meals, housing, FREE make ‘n takes
And fellowship
Saturday only $25

There will also be some extra classes you can sign up for $5 per class

Registration:
Must be submitted to DHQ Women’s Department by February 20th 2009
Please email me for contact details.

Don’t worry if you aren’t a scrapbooker – I’m pretty sure they won’t mind if you do any kind of paper crafts. Historically I’ve taken cards to catch up on at Sarah’s smaller retreats and two of the make ‘n takes I’m showing are not scrapbook pages.

I’ve tried to keep this post short, so if there is extra information you need, please contact me and I’ll do my best to let you know more.

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Kitten Scrapbook

It will look peeeeerrrrfect just there!






Images © 1990-2009 Stampin' Up!

That's mine - no, it's mine!



Yummy - Stampin' Up! card stock tastes the best!
Scrapbooking is exhausting!
You thought I was going to post a picture of a scrapbook page with a kitten in it didn't you? Wellll, not exactly this is a scrapbook page with a kitten on it.

We have a new family member and she couldn't help joining in while I was trying to work.

Did she get ink on her? Yep, right on the end of her nose.

I think I should actually put these pictures on the page - don't you?

If you'd like to know where you can make this double page layout as a FREE make 'n take, please email me. I'll be sharing it as one of three free make 'n takes at Sarah's Spring Scrapbooking retreat.

Monday, February 16, 2009

Open House Card


Tonight is my last New Catalog Open House and so it is time to share our project with you:



I just love the new Sweet Stems stamp set and there was a choice of either stamping a message or using my new best friend "Chit Chat" rib ons. If you haven't seen these, take a closer look, they have a sentiment for just about every occasion, I just can't stop using them.

I haven't used other brands but I can tell you that everyone who has used Rub Ons by Stampin' Up! say that they are fantastic and I understand that not all rub ons are created equal. Soooooo, go on take a look and give "Chit Chat" rub ons a try.

Feel free to email me if you'd like me to email you instructions and ingredients for this project.

Images © 1990-2009 Stampin' Up!

Thank you to everyone who visited my New Catalog Open Houses - I loved sharing everything with you!

Chatter

Hi there,

Well it looks like my little chap will be home for another day tomorrow, so I thought I'd post for tomorrow now.

It's been an interesting day. Have you ever tried stamping with a "kitten"? No, it's not a new Stampin' Up! tool, it's our new family member.

I've tried so hard not to mention personal stuff here, but today was just a hoot - every time I tried to stamp, she jumped up and either sat in the middle of my scrapbook page, walked back and forth across it, ate and played with strips of card and finally got a brown nose from sticking it in my chocolate chip ink. Lucky for me the sun came out and she took a nap.

I took some pictures of my new little helper, so now I'll have to scrapbook a page to show you, since I'm trying to keep my blog about stamping.

Sunday, February 15, 2009

It's All New For 2009!



My poor little chap is sick again, so he's staying home again on Monday, so I'm posting while he's sleeping for Monday. I'll come back and update details about this cute card as soon as I can.

Build a brad, my scallop punch and of course Big Shot were my friends here, along with In Colors and Raspberry Tart Designer Series Paper.

Images © 1990-2009 Stampin' Up!

Easter Is Just Around The Corner - Take a look at the stamp set "A Good Egg", it's AWESOME!

Images © 1990-2009 Stampin' Up!

Believe it or not, it's time to start thinking Easter.
This collection uses one of my favorite Easter stamp sets EVER! The fence on the jar of eggs was super easy to make with the word window punch and I also used it on the blue egg card for the cute words because my words don't always go on strait and the word window punch is perfect for that because you stamp your words an then punch them out.
I used build a brad on the center card, I find I'm turning to build a brad more and more, because I can create something that coordinates with anything I make.
I wish I could take credit for being artistic, but honestly it is all down to the fabulous products I have to work with from Stampin' Up!





I love "A Good Egg" Stamp set and the blue ribbon is just so easy to tie bows with.
If you are enjoying my blog, do please drop me an email from time to time, I love hearing from you and judging by my hit counter someone out there is taking a quick look :-)
Have a great day!

Saturday, February 14, 2009

You'll be able to see this in person at my Open House evening on Monday. Don't forget to email me to reserve your spot!

Images © 1990-2009 Stampin' Up!

If you look closely you can just see that I dry embossed the card with my big shot. Who knew dry embossing could be sooooo easy and quick? With the Big Shot it takes seconds and these images are exclusive to Stampin' Up!

I also love how easy it is to stamp images with my new FREE Sale-A-Bration stamp set and then punch them out with the coordinating Big Heart punch - Have I told you lately I love being a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator?

Happy Valentines!

I've Been Upstaged By My Daughter




The other day I was playing around with my new Sale-A-Bration FREE stamp set and my new Heart punch and Window punch and I came up with a Butterfly.
Today my daughter is going to a Birthday party and as it is Valentine's Day, she thought she'd make a card for her friend - I think I've been upstaged - Her's is the pink one.


Happy Valentines!




I thought today I'd show you what my children did for Valentine gifts - they are growing up way too fast, I'll be out of a job soon!


Friday, February 13, 2009

Magnetic Bookmark Card - Lovely Letters 115030




This card is great to send when you are giving a book as a gift, because the magnetic bookmark that slides out from the card can be used with your gift.
115030 is the number for the stamp set I used - It's called Lovely Letters.
Someone asked me yesterday what makes the stamps from Stampin' Up! special and different. Well, apart from the fabulous and exclusive images, as well as amazing quality, I love the way that their stamps are current and yet timeless at the same time, but most of all I love that when you buy them in sets, you get beautiful images that work together. Without the flourishes, this set would just be a beautiful alphabet set, but with those extra stamps to make it a set, I feel like Stampin' Up! is my creative guide too.
I loved making this project at our stamp club and I loved sending it with a gift. My daughter made a similar version for her friends at school.

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Blue Pretties Kit Flower

Images © 1990-2009 Stampin' Up!

I love using my pretties kit and when you soak the flowers in ink from the ink refills, you can make them any color you like and it works with ribbon too. This was one of the techniques from our last Idea Book. I just love the techniques Stampin' Up! have added to the catalog.

Isn't it sweet how the pearl fits perfectly inside our recently introduced buttons too?

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Sale-A-Bration 2009 Come and See!

Don't forget to call me to reserve your spot at my FREE open house - Thursday 2/12/09 11 am - 1.00 pm or Monday 2/16/09 7 - 9 pm. You'll get to see these samples up close and create your own Make 'n Take card using my brand new supplies from the Spring Summer 2009 Idea Book.


Images © 1990-2009 Stampin' Up!

When I saw the Polka Dot Punches stamp set in this year's Sale-A-Bration catalog, I just knew it was one I wouldn't be able to resist earning.

What makes this stamp set fantastic beyond the images is that each of the four images has a coordinating punch.

For spending $50 in Stampin' Up! merchandise, you too can own my favorite set this year for FREE - but offers like this don't last long, you only have until March 31st 2009, then it will be gone forever.

February Stamp Club Swaps

I was so impressed with these swaps the ladies made for our recent Stamp Club swap, that I just had to show you.

Way to go ladies, these are great!

Images © 1990-2009 Stampin' Up!

Monday, February 9, 2009

Tart and Tangy - Another Favorite Stamp Set Of Mine

Images © 1990-2009 Stampin' Up!

Yesterday's post featured one of my favorite stamp sets - Tart and Tangy and these cute note cards are made with the same stamp set. You only need a few simple supplies:

Markers - Red, Green and Orange instead of ink pads to color the images

Whisper White card stock - I cut mine to 2 3/4" x 2 3/4"

Bashful Blue card stock - my card base measured 6"x3" to make a 3x3 card base

The scallops were punched with the Circle Scallop Punch - I used red, green, orange and blue

I cut circle mats from coordinating card and stamped the images on whisper white

I chose the sentiment stamp set - Short and Sweet

Of course Stampin' Up! also sells 3x3 envelopes or love notes that include pre-cut cards and envelopes.

These were very quick to make and lots of fun.

Want to make the strawberry look like it is dipped in chocolate? Just stamp the strawberry image on chocolate chip card, cut it out and cut it in half with a wavy line and stick it on the bottom half of of the strawberry.

Want to make lemons and limes? Just use green or yellow on the citrus image.

Did you notice that we have new cherry images on our designer series paper in the new catalog? Wait 'till you see them in the flesh, they kind of have an embossed feel.

I'm posting now for tomorrow, as I still have a sick child at home - guess we're having ice cream for breakfast again tomorrow.

Sunday, February 8, 2009

Yum!


Images © 1990-2009 Stampin' Up!

I have a feeling I'm going to have a sick child at home tomorrow and so I'm adding tomorrow's post tonight. I let my children eat ice cream whenever they like when they feel sick, so these cards were perfect to show you today.

To change the flavor, just change the fruit and the colors. You wouldn't believe how easy these cards were to make, especially if you have the "circle scallop punch"

Blog Update

Hi there,

Just a quick note to let you know that because my "technical advisor" was here today (Andrew), I decided to do a little more work to my blog. Take a look at the side bar and you will see lots of new links and updates. I hope you enjoy them.

Thanks Andrew for helping out when I get stuck!

Stamp Club Projects - Too much fun not to share!


We used brayer resist with VersaMark on Glossy Paper with Sweet Stems stamp set, Raspberry Tart Designer Series Paper and my favorite new item "Chit Chat" Rub Ons!

We went green and altered Altoid tins. The Crop A Dile punched through the metal for the handle, like a hot knife through butter. The Pretties Kit made all the pretty bling and I wrapped left over Raspberry Tart paper around mini chocolate bars to fill mine.
I just love stamp club - Wait 'till you say the truly amazing swaps this time........
Thank you Melanie for being a great hostess with such delicious treats. I know you are going to love all the Hostess Benefits you earned. Thank you ladies for supporting Melanie's Stamp Club! See you all again March 21st.
Images © 1990-2009 Stampin' Up!