Stampin' & Scrappin' with Donna

3 QUICK PROJECTS AND A WINNER!

Despite the torrential rain storm, the street yard sale & the lack of parking spaces all competing with my New Catalogue Launch Party last Saturday, I think my event went rather well. <grin>

A big thank you to everyone who came out on the weekend - it was great to see some new and some familiar faces & I appreciate you spending part of your day with me. Judging by how tightly you were gripping your copies of Stampin' Up!'s new catalogue as you went home, I'd say it was a good day for you too ... and the free shipping I offered to all attendees really helped make a dent in your wish lists!

For those who couldn't make it, here are the three quick make & take projects that we did - all 3 featured one or more of the new IN-COLOURS, plus some new stamp sets and Designer Series Papers...

First up, a really simple bookmark - I received one from Mary Mennie of Fergus at our team meeting last week (she used the cute new robot set from Stampin' Up!) and I borrowed her idea for Saturday's event. This sample says happy birthday & is perched on the corner of my new Definitely Decorative brochure) This bookmark is so easy to make - I'll post the instructions here on the blog tomorrow for everyone. Thanks, Mary for sharing the idea!

SUPPLIES: Rich Raspberry & Melon Mambo textured card stock, Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp set, and Word Window Punch, Oval Punch, & Eyelet Border Punch.

Second, a quick 3x3 note card & envelope to introduce two more new colours: Crushed Curry & Dusty Durango (sorry, my Crushed Curry sample didn't make it into the picture.) I pre-cut the mat behind the stamped image for everyone on my Big Shot with the Movers & Shapers die ... I love that those dies are just a smitch bigger than the coordinating punches, making a perfect mat every time!

ADDITIONAL SUPPLIES: Choclolate Chip textured card stock, Scalloped Edge punch, Curly Label punch, and retired stamp set "Cute & Curly" - I discovered that I don't have any current stamps to fit the Curly Label punch - I'll rectify that on my next order for sure!

And our final make & take quicky was a photo frame using a 4x4 chipboard coaster as the base. We covered it with Tale Tales Designer Series paper and added a 2-1/2 x 2-1/2 square of the new Soft Suede card stock as a future photo mat.

Then people chose an animal stamp from the new "Animal Stories" stamp set, stamped it in Soft Suede and matted it in Old Olive card stock. I used the owl, but other folk tried it with the whale, elephant and giraffe - they all turned out great!

The final touch was to add a 3D easel to the back, made from Whisper White card stock. It folds flat to mail or store, and pops right up when you want to display your photo! I made up a whole bunch of these in one sitting so I'll have them handy .. I'll post the measurements here on my blog later this week.

One final thing to share ... of course everyone who attended on Saturday got to fill out a ballot for my draw; the prize being a $25 Stampin' Up! Gift Certificate! I'm happy to announce that our winner (drawn by my impartial hubby while he was re-reading Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince) ... IS

(insert drum roll here)

... Phyllis Connell - CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!

DEAL OF THE WEEK: July 13 - 19

Square Fire Rhinestone Brads

Add sparkle to your projects with our Square Fire Rhinestone brads. From July 13–19, they're just $10.99—over 30% off the regular price of $15.95! Throughout July, be sure to check my web site every Monday for the week's new deal.

DEAL OF THE WEEK: JULY 6 - 12

Stampin' Up! just announced their next Deal of the Week: from July 6th to 12th you can get a Big Shot Doctor's Bag for only $77.99  -  carry your Big Shot and all your dies in style, and save 25% off the regular price of $103.95! 

Item # 113474, page 194

To order now online through my store, click on the "SHOP NOW" button on this page: http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/scrappinwithdonna/

To see all of the current Promotions and Specials, visit my Demonstrator Business website here: http://tinyurl.com/ng5rsr

cheers,

aka The Frugal Stamper

ADD SOME EXTRA INCOME TO THE FAMILY..

... and save money while you do it! Being a Stampin' Up! independent demonstrator has many perks, not the least of which is saving at least 20% off your own hobby purchases.

And starting on July 15th, Stampin' UP! is giving crafters like you an even better deal, with the introduction of their Mini Starter Kit. For only $105 you  can get the basics you'll need to earn some extra cash for the household bills, for family outings, or for yourself!

The Mini Starter Kit contains the following products:

Item Code	Page #*	Description	Retail Value**
15360	118	For All You Do stamp set	$38.95
115658	155	Rich Razzleberry Classic Stampin' Pad	$7.95
115656	155	Melon Mambo Classic Stampin' Pad	$7.95
115659	155	Crushed Curry Classic Stampin' Pad	$7.95
115654	155	Dusty Durango Classic Stampin' Pad	$7.95
115655	155	Bermuda Bay Classic Stampin' Pad	$7.95
115657	155	Soft Suede Classic Stampin' Pad	$7.95
100730	155	Whisper White card stock (8-1/2" x 11")	$9.95
115315	155	In Color assorted card stock (8-1/2" x 11")	$10.50

*All page numbers refer to the 2009-2010 Idea Book & Catalogue
**All products may be substituted for like items; see Mini Starter Kit order form for details.

Demonstrators who order the Mini Starter Kit will also receive all the same business supplies as those who order the standard Starter Kit.

*** During this promotional period (July 15 - Aug 31) there will also be a standard Starter Kit incentive for new recruits who choose the standard Starter Kit instead of the Mini Starter Kit; new recruits who choose the standard Starter Kit will receive the following, along with the standard Starter Kit supplies:

• All six of the new In Color Classic Stampin' Pads
• One pack of In Color assorted card stock (8-1/2" x 11")

(Standard Starter Kit Incentive items have a $58.20 value and are not substitutable.)

As of July 1st, Stampin' Up! has updated the stamp sets in the Standard Starter Kit and has included a single stamp priced under $12 to give new demonstrators a chance to showcase one of these stamps at their workshops. In addition, they've also changed the Décor Elements piece in the Standard Starter Kit.

NOTE: Although the "Under $12" stamp chosen is $8.95, a new demonstrator may choose any of the single stamps (valued up to $10.95) found on page 208 of the new 2009-2010 Idea Book & Catalogue.

FOR MORE INFO, JUST CLICK ON THE FOLLOWING LINKS:

• MINI STARTER KIT ORDER FORM
• FAQ ABOUT BECOMING A STAMPIN' UP! DEMONSTRATOR
• INDEPENDENT DEMONSTRATOR AGREEMENT

You can join my team, the Artful*Inkers and receive as much (or as little) support and encouragement as you want while you start your own business or just expand on your hobby. We have regular get-togethers to share both creative and business ideas, stamp together, and have a blast!

TIP: Sign up on my website, using my password (artful_inkers) and your kit will be on it's way to your home uber fast!

Got questions? Ask me; that's what I'm here for!
    PHONE: 519-823-8891
    EMAIL: donna@scrappinwithdonna.com

THESE ARE A FEW OF MY FAVOURITE THINGS...

"Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens" ... oops sorry, I drifted off topic for a sec ...

Just wanted to tell you that I updated my page of Favourite-Sites-I-Like-to-Visit-When-I-Need-Stampin'-Inspiration.

One of the items I added today is the link to the recipes for all the projects in Stampin' Up!'s new 09-10 Catalogue. (You may remember - Stampin' Up! no longer prints the recipes in the book itself, making room for even more accessories, stamps, and well ... project photos!)

You'll find the recipes and all the rest of my FAVE site links when you click on "CREATIVE RESOURCES" - it's one of those big red squares in the upper right of this screen ... see it?

ENJOY!!

THE NEW STAMPIN' UP! CATALOGUE IS ONLINE!

WAHOO!!!!

Click here for the links to view the new 2009 - 2010 Catalogue AND the new Fall/Winter 2009 Definitely Decorative Brochure .. I'll be back soon to pretty up the links - just wanted to get them out to you all PRONTO first!

Happy Canada Day!
Donna

ANNOUNCING: DEAL OF THE WEEK!

NEWS: Every week during the month of July, Stampin' Up! will offer one current product at a discount as a "Deal of the Week."

Weekly Deal Announcements will be made on Monday mornings at NOON (Ontario time), so tune in here each Monday to see which product is on sale!

There are no limits and there's no minimum purchase required to cash in on these deals, but you must place your order with me between the Monday and the following Sunday night to get the discount price.

Today we start with WEEK ONE'S Deal of the Week, which is available at the discount price starting at 2 pm today until Sunday July 5th:

(drum roll, please)...

Period	Item #	Page #	Description	Regular Price	Special Price
July 1-5, 2009	112091	187	Scallop Edge punch	$22.95	$15.99

LAST ORDER HAS GONE IN ... NOW WHAT?

Whew, I've just submitted my last order of the 2008-2009 Stampin' Up! year - and what a year it's been!

A huge cyberspace thank you goes out to everyone who has encouraged & supported my blog, my business, and my creative endeavors over the last twelve months. You are my inspiration to continue, my muse, and most importantly, my friends.

Tomorrow will be another busy day .. the new 2009-2010 Stampin' Up! catalogue and business year both officially start tomorrow, July 1st, at 2 pm (Ontario time) when the new catty goes live online, the new promos will be up, and new changes to my business website will take effect....

... but until then, I'm in limbo; time to turn off the computer, put away my stamps for the night, and pick up a good book and a cool drink for the rest of the evening. Heck, I might even sleep in tomorrow!

Good night all, and Happy Canada Day tomorrow!

cheers
Donna

BEAT THE PRICE INCREASE!

With our Canadian dollar fluctuating over the last eight months, it was inevitable: Stampin' Up! had to raise the prices in the new 2009-2010 Catalogue ... but you can beat the increase NOW and save shipping costs as well!

On June 29th  & 30th only: I'm offering FREE SHIPPING on ALL orders from the outgoing catalogue, the Occasions Mini & the Decor Elements brochure.

This is your last chance to stock up on the basics (or to get the items on your wish list) before the prices increase on July 1st.

To place your order, just call or email me before 9 pm Tues June 30th. (Or shop online through my site & receive a gift certificate equal to your shipping cost.)

happy shopping,
Donna
aka the Frugal Stamper

NO CHALLENGES ... JUST A THANK YOU

I made this card a while ago & just realized that I never posted it - I was inspired by a similar card on Diana Gibb's blog - that one used the truck stamp from Stampin' Up!'s "Loads of Love" stamp set. I thought it would be fun to use the wagon stamp from "Wagon full of Fun" ... that's a set from the Occasions Mini catalogue that WILL NOT be in the new catty on July 1st ... too bad, I really like that set.

The thank you images come from a variety of stamp sets - all by Stampin' Up! (I knew I should have written them all down at the time, lol). I actually hand-printed the greeting in the oval punch at the bottom of the card, copying the font in one of the thank you stamps.

Card stock: Bermuda Bay (avail. July 1st), Naturals White, Close to Cocoa.
Inks: Melon Mambo, Rich Razzleberry, Crushed Curry & Bermuda Bay (avail. July 1st), plus Choc Chip & Close to Cocoa
DSP: Taste of Textiles (retiring)
Ribbon: Close to Cocoa & Tan Gingham (both retired)
Accessories: Large Oval punch, Wide Oval Punch, sponge, Flower Asst Designer Brad

ONE MORE CHALLENGE

Even though I'm on an impromptu get-away trip with my hubby, here I am in the hotel room finishing yet another challenge just before the deadline .. while hubby rolls his eyes and shakes his head <grin>

Keesha's sketch challenge gave me a lot to think about, and in the end I couldn't resist adding a little bit to it - hope you can still see her original design in my card!

For colours, I used Kraft, Pink Pirouette, and Baja Breeze - this week's colour combo on Colour Throwdown. (You'll have to take my word for it on those colours ... the lighting in our hotel room is terrible!)

The centre bottom of this card is too bare for my liking, so I'll probably stamp a greeting down there when I get home tomorrow - hey, I couldn't bring EVERYTHING from my Stampin' Studio on this trip, now could I?

Stamp Set: "Circle Circus"
(available in Stampin' Up!'s new catalogue on July 1st)

RAZZLEBERRY DAISY

Today's challenge card features Stampin' Up!'s new "Razzleberry Lemonade" Designer Series Papers (available for purchase on July 1st ... soon, my friends; soon!) - I absolutely LOVE the colours & designs; it takes me back to my teen years in the mid 70s (gasp; did I just admit that out loud???)

My stampin' cohort Julie let me try out her new Daisies #2 die today, so that's how this card started .. with a daisy. Then I dropped the flower onto different combinations of the DSP until I finally narrowed down my choices (I told you I LOVE it all!) - THEN I found a sketch challenge that would work with a big round flower in the middle of the card... kind of a backwards process, but there you have it.
 

CHALLENGES MET:

1) 2SKETCHES4YOU: Kazan's sketch #29

2) PILE IT ON: use purple + at least one other current challenge (second time this week, I know)

Now onto some exciting news for my Stampers' Club members ... your pre-ordered catalogues arrived today!!!!!!!!!!! I'm leaving shortly for a stampin' class in Kitchener, but tomorrow (Wednesday) I'll be home all day & evening if you want to drop by and pick up your copy!

Not in my club but still NEED to get your hands on the new catalogue NOW??

Well, I give away my catalogues for FREE to anyone who a) books a workshop with me, b) places an order of at least $50 before tax, or c) joins my Stampers Club ... so let's talk!

BAROQUE GONE BAD?

I do the card challenges because they make me try new things with my card designs, but today's card is WAAAY OUT THERE  - at least for me, lol.

I wanted to combine this week's colour challenge from kwernerdesigns.com (#55) with the "sketch-for-you-to-try" challenge on i{heart}2stamp.com.

Each one has its own complexities, and combining them may have been my first mistake, lol.

After many false starts, adding & subtracting, trimming & re-stamping ... this is the end result.

I wanted the look of many layers without layering, so I tried lots of cut-aways to let the bottom layers show through. Too hard to line up, so I gave in & layered the circles in the middle.

I'm still not happy with it (either it's missing something, or the ribbon is way too much; I can't decide) ... but after a full afternoon of fussing, the time has come to let it be and move on to something new.

PILE IT ON: 3 NEW CHALLENGES

It's Monday, which means there are lots of new challenges to try out this week!

Here's what I came up with for the following sites:

1) PILE IT ON: entry must use purple, and be combined with at least one other current challenge (mine covers three different challenges - wahoo!)

2) MOJO MONDAY: use this week's layout sketch (#92)

3) SPCC: colour combo #3 (Garden Green, Lovely Lilac, & Chocolate Chip)

(all supplies © Stampin' Up!)

Stamp Set: Lexicon of Leaves
Inks: Chocolate Chip, Garden Green & Lovely Lilac
Card Stock: Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilly, Lovely Lilac & Garden Green
Techniques: bleach stamping, sponging, & stamping off (aka 2nd generation stamping)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY HUMAN!

I was just blog surfing this am and found a treasure that I had to share ... featuring one of the new stamp sets that Stampin' Up! offered to their demonstrators as a sneak peek purchase: "Lots of Bots".

Mary Jo Albright (one of my Stampin' Up! heros) shows how she changed the stamps in this set to suit the theme of her card, using the omitting technique ... check it out!

PILE IT ON: 2 CHALLENGES ON TODAY'S CARD

As soon as I saw the sheet of elephants in Stampin' Up!'s new "Tall Tales" Designer Series Papers, I thought of "Elephants on Parade" - is that from Winnie the Pooh's nightmare about pink ephalants?

Anyway, these elephants look like they're dancing, so I thought this saying was perfect for today's card ... put your left foot in, take your left foot out ...

CHALLENGES:

1) PILE IT ON - use two different ribbons, plus at least one other challenge

2) 2SKETCHES4YOU - sketch #28

All supplies © stampin' Up! ("Tall Tales" DSP will be available for purchase starting July 1st)

HAVE THE BEST DRESSED DESK IN THE OFFICE!

Here's the project we're making at this month's "Anything But A Card" class (June 15 & 24) ... a handy desk set to give as a gift or keep for yourself! (The original design comes from Becky Roberts at Inking Idaho)

The three drawer chest and three mini magazine holders are perfect to hold all the do-dads that seem to collect, multiply and clutter our work spaces.

Made from "Riding Hood Red' and "Baja Breeze" card stock, with "Sweet Slumber" Specialty Designer Series Papers & "Baja Breeze" Corduroy Buttons for the drawer pulls.

(FYI: all four of these products are retiring on June 30th)

SNEAK PEEK:

I made this second set at this past Monday's class, using Stampin' Up!'s new "Tall Tales" Designer Series Papers (available July 1st in the new 2009-2010 Catalogue)

The fuzzy picture to the right shows the drawer pulls - using "Filigree" designer brads and "Flower Fusion" felt flowers - both of which will be available again in the new catalogue - wahoo!

There's still time to sign up for the second session of this class, to be held on Wednesday June 24 from 7:30 - 9:30 pm. Full printed instructions are included with the class, so that you can re-create this project again and again using your favourite Stampin' Up! papers!

Call or email me now to reserve your seat! Cost: $25.00 (My Stampers Club members may choose this class as their June freebie; my Artful*Inkers demonstrator team members may attend for a $5 embellishment fee & just bring their own card stock & DSP)

COUNTRY LIVING & STAMPIN' UP! TEAM UP AGAIN

 

This summer, Stampin' Up! has partnered with Country Living magazine to create a unique craft kit, which is featured in Country Living's July 2009 issue. You will love how the Summer Cookout Kit can help you create special memories with a fun and convenient, coordinated summer barbecue!

The kit is available from June 15 to August 31 (while supplies last) at the preferred price of $32.95 by purchasing directly through your Stampin' Up! demonstrator (I hope that's me!)

The Summer Cookout Kit includes all of the following:

• 8 die-cut table tents (2 each of 4 colours)
• Die-cut components, bamboo skewers, and envelopes to create 8 shish kabob invitations
• 12 die-cut coasters (3 each of 4 colours)
• 16 die-cut tags (4 each of 4 colours)
• 24 12" x 12" printed food wrapper sheets (12 each of 2 colours)
• 4 printed recipe cards
• 5 yards linen thread 
• Ruby Red Classic Stampin' Spot
• Night of Navy Classic Stampin' Spot
• Dig In stamp set (item number 116700)

MONDAY MORNING UPDATE:

First of all, a big thank you to everyone who dropped by my Retirement Party on Saturday - I told you there would be great bargains, lol!

The winner of the door prize was drawn by my little friend Emily around 3 pm Saturday (thanks, Em!):
and the winner is ......

Kerry S!!!! (Hey, for once your daughter didn't win - Yeah for You!!!!)  <grin>

This week is full of Stampin' Up! events at my Studio ... there's still room in some, so RSVP ASAP and come on out for some stampin' fun:

TONIGHT (MONDAY): Designer Desk Set - 7:30 to 9:30 pm
THURSDAY NIGHT: "Just Cards" - Masculine Birthdays & Fathers Day cards - 7:30 to 9:30 pm
FRIDAY NIGHT: "Mom & Me" for Fathers Day - 6:30 to 8 pm
SATURDAY AFT: "Mom & Me" for Fathers Day - SORRY THIS CLASS IS FULL
SUNDAY: HAPPY FATHERS' DAY!!

PILE IT ON: 3 CHALLENGES IN ONE CARD!

There's a new challenge blog in town called "Pile It On" .. the idea is to combine 1 or more challenges with theirs ... there's no limit as to how many challenges can be met on one card, as long as they're all current at the time of posting.

Well, the Frugal Stamper applauds any initiative that encourages multi-tasking .. in my mind it's just as frugal to save time as it is to pinch pennies!

So, just under the wire (the ink is still wet!) - here is my entry for the following challenges:

1) PILE IT ON:
use a non-stamped sentiment (mine is cut on the Big Shot using the Go-Go Boots alphabet dies)

2) I [HEART] 2 STAMP:
this week's sketch (posted just this morning)

and
3) OUR CREATIVE CORNER:
use border punches (I used Stampin' Up!'s scallop border on the 3 background panels, as well as to make the corners on the tag and I even saved the straight strips from the border punch leftovers & glued them onto 2 of the panels - who says border punches aren't versatile!

 All supplies © Stampin' Up!

Stamp Set: Love You Much
Card Stock: Razzleberry (available July 1st) and Whisper White
Inks: Razzleberry
Accessories: Razzleberry Lemonade Designer Series Paper (available July 1st), Go-Go Boots Alphabet Dies, sponge, Clear Rhinestone brads

i FINALLY GOT TO USE THE NEW iN COLOURS!

After waiting soooo verrrrry loooong for my pre-order to arrive from Stampin' Up! land (well, it seemed like forever, pout) I finally got to sit down and play on Friday with the new iN-COLOURS for 2009-2010, along with a couple of new stamp sets that we demonstrators were allowed to purchase ahead of the July 1st release date...are ya lovin' the sneak peeks, or what!

All supplies are © Stampin' Up! and will be available to purchase on July 1st, 2009:

Card #1:
Cardstock: Bermuda Bay, Melon Mambo, Crushed Curry & Whisper White
Inks: Bermuda Bay, Melon Mambo & Crushed Curry
Stamps: Circle Circus

Card #2:
Cardstock: Rich Razzleberry & Whisper White
Inks: Soft Suede, Crushed Curry, Melon Mambo & Rich Razzleberry
Stamps: Wings of Friendship (a new Level 2 Hostess set!)
Designer Series Paper: Razzleberry Lemonade

Card #3: Made with last week's sketch challenge from OUR CREATIVE CORNER
Cardstock: Crushed Curry, Dusty Durango & Whisper White
Inks: Soft Suede, Dusty Durango & Crushed Curry
Stamps: Circle Circus
Accessories: lots of Stampin' Dimensionals (there are 13 layers on this card!)

BON VOYAGE BLOG HOP HAS BEGUN!

 

Stampin’ Addicts is hosting their 2009 Bon Voyage Blog Hop, where they bid a fond farewell to 34 of the stamp sets on Stampin’ Up’s Last Chance List.

I'm not part of this blog tour, but I love following them - it's a great way to discover new creative ways to use our stamp sets and seeing other stampers' work helps me create beyond my comfort zone!

It runs from today (Saturday June 13) until midnight Tuesday June 16th - after that the links will be removed. To go to the first stop on the tour, click here

Enjoy!
Donna

TODAY'S THE DAY I SAY GOODBYE ...

... to some of my favourite stamp sets - yep, I've weeded through my retired stash (seven years worth) and today between 1-3 pm you can adopt them and give them a new home .. for free (with purchase).

While you're here, be sure to enter the door prize draw, have a few munchies, play my Retirement Bingo (free card with $50 purchase) and make a quick card with Stampin' Up!'s new In-Colours!

See you this afternoon!
Donna

RETIRED STAMP SALE: THIS SATURDAY!

This SATURDAY JUNE 13th from 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM ...

It's the event you wait for all year long - come say goodbye to all of Stampin' Up!'s retiring stamps, tools and accessories and get yourself a great deal!

Drop in between 1-3 pm this Saturday and bring your friends - no RSVP is required for this event.

You can stamp a free card (using the new 2009-2010 IN COLOURS!), enter my draw for a gift basket of Stampin' Up! products, and browse through the new catalogue (if you can pry my only copy from my fist, lol).

But here's the best part: you can browse through all the retired stamp sets I'm selling off: pick the sets you want, place an order from the current catty for an equal amount, and take the retired sets home for free!

PLUS: All orders over $50 placed on Saturday get to play my Retirement Bingo game - one line wins a free Classic ink pad; full card wins a $50 gift certificate!

See you on Saturday!

PS - June's newsletter just went out this morning via email - if you are a subscriber & don't receive your copy, check your spam file - your filters may be set too high; adding my email address (donna@scrappinwithdonna.com) to your address book will help correct the situation.

If you'd like to receive my monthly newsletter and mid-month Samples email, just type your email address in the "SIGN UP FOR MY EMAIL NEWSLETTER" box in the upper left corner of this page.

Cards Magazine features Stampin' Up!

Hello Stampers...

Cards Magazine has a feature article on their blog today about Stampin Up! which shows two projects using the new in colours - have a look: http://northridgemedia.net/blogs/cards/?p=184

My copy of the new catalogue arrives tomorrow, along with a few items that we demonstrators were allowed to pre-order - did somebody say NEW IN COLOURS?? WAHOO!!!

I'll have it all on display for you at my Retirement Party this Saturday from 1-3 pm; check out my events schedule for all the details!

cheers
Donna