Stampin' & Scrappin' with Donna

ENDING MAY 31 ...

A reminder from the Frugal Stamper ... take advantage of Stampin' Up!'s terrific May specials now - they're all ending on Sunday evening:

ONE:
Buy three packs of Designer Series paper (including our Specialty Designer Series paper) or 12" x 12" textured card stock, and get one FREE!

TWO:
Buy a sneak peek stamp set from the 2009-2010 Idea Book & Catalog—Jumble Alphabet (set of 52; double-mounted)--at a 20 percent discount. After this weekend, this set won't be available until the new 2009-2010 Catalogue comes out.

THREE:
DON'T FORGET THE AMAZING $99 SCRAPBOOKING STARTER KIT PROMO ENDS MAY 31 too! Sign up on my Business Website - (psst: the password is artful_inkers) - very popular!

SNEAK PEEK AT JUNE & SAVE!

A NEW SPECIAL, from me to you:

Today I'm giving you a sneak peek look at the projects we'll be making in my June classes ...

Pre-register for your favs by May 31st and I'll knock $5 off the class fee PLUS I'll give you $5 off any orders placed at the class!

"JUST CARDS"

- TUES JUNE 9 or THURS JUNE 18

* June's theme: cards for the guys in your life

* make eight cards (2 of each design)

* CLASS FEE: $25 (all supplies are provided & pre-cut)

"DESIGNER DESK SET"

- MON JUNE 15 or WED JUNE 24

* register by May 31 & choose your own DSP Specialty paper to make this set

* make a three-drawer chest & a three-sectioned card holder (cards not included)

* CLASS FEE: $25 (all supplies are provided, pre-cut & scored)

NOTE: This offer cannot be applied to my Stampers Club June freebie class; offer is only available to those paying the FULL CLASS FEE to attend.

Call or email me today to reserve your seats!

519-823-8891        donna@scrappinwithdonna.com

TIME TO BOOK YOUR JUNE WORKSHOP OR VIRTUAL PARTY!

Hey folks - it's that time of year again:

On June 1st Stampin' Up! will release their list of stamps, accessories and Decor Elements that they're retiring to make room for new goodies in the upcoming 2009-2010 Catalogue ...

Which means that June is the IDEAL TIME to host a home workshop or virtual party so that you and your stampin' friends can order all of your favs before they're gone forever!

And to sweeten the deal, Stampin' Up! has just announced a FANTASTIC HOSTESS SPECIAL for the month of June - how would you like $25 or even $50 MORE in FREE PRODUCT? - WAHOO!!

Read all the details below, then call me to book your workshop (your home or mine) or virtual party - don't wait until I'm all booked up!

Summer Fun Hostess Bonus Promotion

Dates: June 1-30, 2009

Promotion Details:

The Summer Fun Hostess Bonus Promotion has two parts:

• Hostesses who hold a $330-$524.99 workshop will receive an additional $25 in hostess free merchandise dollars.
• Hostesses who hold a $525 or more workshop will receive an additional $50 in hostess free merchandise dollars.

MADE TWO CARDS TODAY FOR THREE CHALLENGES!

Quick post ... hubby's waiting to start the movie ...

CARD #1 is for the MOJO MONDAY sketch challenge #88 - I took it pretty literally, lol.

***

and CARD #2 is for two challenges this week: 2Sketches4You # 27
and Colour Challenge #7 over at My Favourite Things (raspberry, artichoke & moss)

***

I'm really enjoying the challenges - they stretch my creativity into new directions; I hope you'll try them too!

I WAS IN KID HEAVEN ...

Hello Stampers!

I had a fantastic time this weekend at the Baby & Toddler Show in Kitchener ON - two of my fellow demonstrators (Samantha & Wilma) and I had our Stampin' Up! booth at the show, and I got to play, stamp, colour & tatoo with the most adorable group of kids while their moms and dads stamped a grown-up card. I was truly in Grandma-Wanna-Be Heaven! <grin>

A BIG THANK YOU to everyone who stopped by our booth and chatted with us ... we'll be making the draw for the 35 hand stamped cards & envelopes this Thursday, so if you entered at our booth, check back here on Friday - you may be the winner!

Here's a few of my favourite pictures from this year's show (just click on each for a larger view) ... enjoy!

1) Me & my new friends ... 2) Even the dads were stamping! ... 3) TVO's Don't Sit Still performance ...

4) & 5) My partners for the weekend: Samantha with the kids and Wilma with Saturday's Guest of Honour - ELMO!!!

TODAY'S SALE IS OVER ... NEXT STOP: TOMORROW'S TRADE SHOW!

A HUGE THANKS to EVERYONE who placed an order today during my first ever 12 HOUR SALE ... some of you got some AMAZING bargains - WAHOO FOR YOU!!!

Next thing on my weekend agenda is the BABY & TODDLER SHOW at Bingeman's Convention Centre in Kitchener/Waterloo ... I hope you'll swing by and visit me at the Stampin' Up! booth - there will be stampin' & colouring for the kids and a cute Make & Take project for the Grown-Ups too!

I did this show last year & had such a fun time .. there's no better place to be for a Grandma-Wanna-Be like me, lol. Here's the details; hope you can come!

The Kitchener-Waterloo Baby & Toddler Show

Saturday May 23rd 10am to 5pm
&
Sunday May 24th 10am to 4pm

ADMISSION: $5 (kids are free)

SHOW FEATURES:

• Elmo meet & greets Saturday 10-4, this year we have a special backdrop and photo area
• TVO Kids "Don't Sit Still" Tour Sunday at 11am, admission is free till 11am Sunday so everyone in the community can enjoy the show
• Kids play area (supplied by The Little Gym of Guelph)
• Feeding and changing area by Diapers N More
• Breastfeeding Buddies lounge by Oh Baby Fitness
• Art area sponsored by Toons for Toddlers
• and of course .... us! The Stampin' Up! booth is #25

See you there!

Donna

CARD CHALLENGE WHILE I SIT BY THE PHONE...

Because of today's 12 HOUR SALE, I've had to stay near the phone & computer all day to receive your orders as they come in ... so in between calls I decided to make a card to enter two more challenges:

The layout for this card comes from this week's sketch challenge on i{heart}2stamp.com

and the colour combo comes from this week's colour challenge on Our Creative Corner ... Regal Rose, Certainly Celery, Bashful Blue & a neutral of my choice - I used Basic Grey to tone down all the girly colours <wink>

FYI: There's still time to cash in on the savings today .. I'm offering 10% off your entire Stampin' Up! order between 4 pm & 8 pm tonight! Scroll down to my earlier post for all the details.

cheers
Donna

TODAY'S THE DAY!

TODAY ONLY ... FROM 8 AM  TO 8 PM ... EVERYTHING IS ON SALE!

Yes, EVERYTHING!

You can order from any of the following Stampin' Up! publications:

• SPRING & SUMMER CATALOGUE
• OCCASIONS MINI CATALOGUE
• DECOR ELEMENTS BROCHURE
• MAY PROMOTIONS FLYER

PLACE YOUR ORDER BETWEEN 8 AM & 8 PM TODAY AND SAVE BIG BUCKS!

• order TODAY between 8 am - 11 am & I'll give you 20% off your order!
• order TODAY between 11:01 am - 4 pm & save 15% off your order!
• order TODAY between 4:01 pm - 8 pm & save 10% off your order!

PLACE YOUR ORDER BY:

• phone (519-823-8891- if you get the machine I'm on the line with another customer - leave a message to qualify for your discount)
• email (donna@scrappinwithdonna.com)
• or shop online through my business website's shopping service (click on this link, then click on the SHOP NOW button in the top right corner)

THE FINE PRINT:

• This offer is only available in Canada and only through me, Donna Henley.

• The appropriate percentage of savings will be calculated on your merchandise total before taxes & shipping and will be then deducted from your grand total, but you must pay the full taxes & shipping based on the original merchandise total ('cause that's what I have to send to Stampin' Up! - I can't afford to give you these discounts AND pay shipping & taxes for you too! : )

• Payment must accompany your order - you'll need a credit card for online orders (you pay the full amount online and I'll give you a gift certificate equal to the amount of your savings.) Email & phone orders may be paid for by cash, cheque or credit card; however in the case of cash or cheque payment you will need to deliver your payment to me to qualify for this special.

HAPPY SHOPPING!!!!

519-823-8891 ... donna@scrappinwithdonna.com ... http://www.scrappinwithdonna.stampinup.net

NEVER PAY FOR ENVELOPES AGAIN!

Check out this VERY FRUGAL video on YouTube ... this lady makes all her own envelopes to mail her hand-stamped cards - using either larger recycled envelopes or from scratch, using a plain sheet of paper!

AND ... there's NO MEASURING involved - WAHOO!!!

Think of all the time AND money we'll save ... The Frugal Stamper approves!

NEW: STAMPIN' UP! CHANNEL ON YOUTUBE!

How kewl is this!!!!
Stampin' Up! has launched their own channel on YouTube ... so far there are eight different videos, each showcasing some of Stampin' Up!'s various product lines including:

• BIG SHOT DIE CUTTING MACHINE
• DECOR ELEMENTS - HOME DECOR
• STENCILS - HOME DECOR
• SCRAPBOOKING, &
• RUBBER STAMPING (naturally!)

There are eight videos so far, with more to be added on a regular basis - WAHOO!!! You may have seen some of these first eight videos on www.stampinup.com or on  my business website's project gallery, but NOW they are soooo much easier to view ...

Just click on the STAMPIN UP! VIDEO link in the right column of this page & it will take you directly to Stampin' Up!'s YouTube channel

... OR ...

Click on the CREATIVE RESOURCES link in the right column of this page & you can watch all the videos right here on my blog

... OR ...

If you are a regular YouTube viewer, you can suscribe to Stampin' Up!s channel by going here: http://www.youtube.com/user/stampinupvideo

So go grab a cuppa your favourite brew, sit back & ENJOY!!

ONE CARD ... TWO CHALLENGES

After several busy days with my mother & sister, I finally had the chance to stamp tonight ...

Here's my entry combining TWO challenges for this week:

Makeesha's Inkspirations colour challenge #7,

and

Taylored Expressions' Cupcake sketch challenge #68

Be sure to visit their blogs to see all the other entries, and maybe enter a card yourself!

***   ***   ***

RECIPE: (100% Stampin' Up! products)

STAMPS: Birthday Wish (#114486) & Itty Bitty Backgrounds (#114996)

PAPERS: Chocolate Chip, Really Rust, Sage Shadow & Very Vanilla card stock; To the Nines Designer Series Paper (I love this DSP & must get more while it's on sale this month!)

INKS: Chocolate Chip, Really Rust &  Sage Shadow Classic inks

ARE YOU READY FOR FRIDAY'S BIG DO-INGS?

Up here in Canada we're just coming off our May long weekend, and (insert groan here) - it's tough settling back down to the daily routine after a holiday!

I know the work week is just starting - but I want to give you something to really look forward to at the end of this week ... something I've NEVER offered before ...

On Friday May 22nd, for 12 hours only ... EVERYTHING in the Stampin' Up! catalogue is on sale!

Yes, EVERYTHING!

How can you get in on this deal? Easy - just place your order via phone (519-823-8891), email (donna@scrappinwithdonna.com) or shop online through my business website's shopping service between 8 am & 8 pm this Friday and save yourself some big bucks! Here's how it's gonna work:

• order between 8 am - 11 am & I'll give you 20% off your order!
• order between 11:01 am - 4 pm & save 15% off your order!
• order between 4:01 pm - 8 pm & save 10% off your order!

WHY am I doing this? Well, we all know that the retiring stamp & accessory lists will be published very soon and that the current Stampin' Up! catalogue is expiring on June 30th ... this is just my way of helping you save some of your hard-earned dollars while you get those last items from your wish list before they're gone.

Also, I've got a pretty important goal to reach by the end of this catalogue (June 30th) and with your help I think it might just be do-able. So it's really a win-win situation with all of us coming out ahead!

Whadda-ya say ... get out those dog-eared catalogues and check your sticky tabs one more time and get ready to SAVE BIG on Friday! No catalogue? You can view all that Stampin' Up! has to offer through our online catalogues & sales flyers HERE:

• SPRING & SUMMER CATALOGUE
• OCCASIONS MINI CATALOGUE
• DECOR ELEMENTS BROCHURE
• MAY PROMOTIONS FLYER

THE FINE PRINT:

• This offer is only available in Canada and only through me, Donna Henley.

• Products can be from any of the following: Stampin' Up!'s current catalogue, brochure & mini catalogue; and can also be combined with Stampin' Up!'s May Designer Series Paper Promotion and/or May's Jumble Alphabet promo. WAHOO!!!

• The appropriate percentage of savings will be calculated on your merchandise total before taxes & shipping and will be then deducted from your grand total, but you must pay the full taxes & shipping based on the original merchandise total ('cause that's what I have to send to Stampin' Up! - I can't afford to give you these discounts AND pay shipping & taxes for you too! : )

• Payment must accompany your order - you'll need a credit card for online orders (you pay the full amount online and I'll give you a gift certificate equal to the amount of your savings).

• Email & phone orders may be paid for by cash, cheque or credit card; however in the case of cash or cheque payment you will need to deliver your payment to me to qualify for this special.

HAPPY SHOPPING!!!!

LOOK WHAT I DID LAST NIGHT...

I drove to London last night to take a class in colouring with Copics Markers at the Scrapping Great Deals store ... look at what we made! (I'm so proud!)

Copics are alcohol-based markers, so they're totally different from anything that Stampin' Up! sells - which means that I can't use Stazon ink or my Stampin' Write markers or even our card stock - I'd have to buy all new stuff :( 

Considering the extra expense, I probably won't get into this very much, but I did pick up a couple of Copic markers (OK, seven) and the proper black ink pad to stamp my SU images. <wink> It is pretty kewl how the inks blend to create shading, but it takes a LOT of practice - hours and hours! And there are HUNDREDS of Copic colours - I was feeling a little overwhelmed by the end of the evening.

Here's a close up of my best attempt last night - if you click on it you can see the shading from dark to light, especially on the pajamas .. go figure, my very first card turned out to be my best, although the others turned out OK.

It was VERY KEWL to meet Shelia and see her store - I've ordered a few Sizzix & Cuttlebug things from her online in the past, but to see her huge selection all in one place is truly amazing.  Here's a pic of Shelia, Kim & Jacqui .. two good friends who popped into the store to say hi 'cause I told them we'd be there - 'preciate it, girls!

And here's a pic of my buds Heather & Carole who took the class with me last night - you may remember that these two are the gals who walked across the stage with me at last year's Stampin' Up! convention, celebrating five years as a demonstrator with the company. 

Good friends, all ... and good times! THAT'S what hobbies are all about!

CHECK OUT THIS VIDEO!

Just a quick post for now - the dentist stopped me from playing in my stampin' studio today but tonight I'm off to London to take my first class in colouring with Copic Markers - I'm so excited! Even if I don't get into using the Copics, I'm sure to pick up some shading tips to use with my 48 Stampin' Up! markers, lol.

Check out this great YouTube video  - how to use other companies' dies on your Sizzix Big Shot!

If you don't see the YouTube screen here (I'm still learning how to imbed stuff) then click on this link to go to the YouTube site: http://www.youtube.com/scrapylandsusan

iheart2stamp sketch challenge

My friend Julie came over this afternoon to stamp and we both worked on some more challenge entries ... here's what I came up with for the sketch challenge on iheart2stamp.com - what do you think?

It's really different from my usual style, but that's what these challenges are all about - trying something different! All supplies are Stampin' Up! except the Prima flowers (and the chocolate Designer Series Paper is retired SU - gotta use up my stash!)

Want to see the other entries, or enter yourself? Here's the link to this week's challenge at  iheart2stamp.com

STILL ROOM IN TONIGHT'S CLASS

 Just a quick heads up this morning - if you're free tonight and in the neighbourhood, I still have a few seats available in my "Just Cards" class - we're making kids' cards, from baby to teen.

Add whatever greeting suits your personal needs: congratulations, birthday, graduation, just because ... or add them to your stash so you'll always have a card ready to send!

COST: $25 for 8 cards. My Stampers Club members may choose this as their May freebie, and my Artful*Inkers team members pay only $5 to help cover supplies.
Call or email to reserve your seat!

COME SEE US AT BINGEMANS' IN KITCHENER!

If you're around town on May 23 & 24, be sure to drop by
the Stampin' Up! booth at Bingeman's Convention Centre
to say hi to Wilma, Samantha & myself - we're participating in:

the Kitchener-Waterloo Baby & Toddler Show!

2009 Show dates....
Saturday May 23rd 10am to 5pm
&
Sunday May 24th 10am to 4pm

Oh, and bring the kids (or borrow someone's) - there's lots of fun stuff going on and it's only $5 to get in (kids are free) ...

Show Features...

• Elmo meet & greets Saturday 10-4, this year we have a special backdrop and area

TVO Kids "Don't Sit Still" Tour Sunday at 11am, admission is free till 11am Sunday so everyone in the community can enjoy the show

Regular admission is $5, kids are free

Kids play area by The Little Gym of Guelph

Feeding and changing area by Diapers N More

Breastfeeding Buddies lounge by Oh Baby Fitness

Art area sponsored by Toons for Toddlers

I'VE ENTERED ANOTHER CHALLENGE

OK, I can see where this may become addictive, but I couldn't help entering just one more challenge for this week - what a great way to get me to use my stash and create just for the fun of creating!

Today I've made a card for this week's sketch challenge on "Our Creative Corner" - a personal favourite 'cause my very talented friend Vicki Garrett is on their design team - YOU GO, GIRL!

Here's my entry, using "Bella Bleu" Designer Series Paper and stamps from "Wonderful Watercolours" in the current Stampin' Up! catalogue.

Want to see the others, or maybe enter this week's challenge yourself? Here's the link to "Our Creative Corner".

Enjoy!

"GOOD FRIEND" SCRAPBOOK

Leigh-Ann & I had a lot of fun Monday night making these mini scrapbooks from ... can you believe it ... paper lunch bags! There are ten pages and three pockets with pull-out cards, and yet we finished making our books in no time at all.

They're really easy once you make your first one - we were brainstorming different themes and stamp sets to use for our next attempt (think: A Day at the Zoo, In My Back Yard, Summer Camp, or if we can find some white bags - Baby Brag Books!)

Oh, and check out these adorable cupcakes that Leigh-Ann brought to the class!

If you wish you had been with us on Monday, no worries: I'm running this class a second time on Wednesday May 20th, starting at 7:30 pm. The cost is $25, which includes all the pre-cut card stock, Designer Series Paper, stamping, punches, ribbons and embellishments - like those kewl new corduroy buttons & brads! - but sadly, no cupcakes this time. <grin>

Call me: 519-823-8891 or email me: donna@scrappinwithdonna.com

TODAY to reserve your seat.

MY FIRST DESIGN CHALLENGE ENTRY!

I've always admired the folks who organize online card challenges AND the talented gals who enter every week too ... lately I've discovered that people I know are participating (JulieL, RobbynW & Peachie, to name three) so today I've been persuaded to give it a whirl!

Here's my entry for Makeesha Byl's card sketch challenge #7 - she's a Stampin' Up! demonstrator in Australia. All the Designer Series papers I used are from "Pink Flamingo in the current Stampin' Up! caatalogue. The stamped flower inside the "Build-a-Brads" came from the set "Flight of the Butterfly".

This was a lot of fun to do! If you want to see all the entries or to enter yourself, check out the challenge details HERE

cheers, Donna

"SWEET" SCRAPBOOK PAGE

I promised in yesterday's post that I'd share the scrapbook page featured on this month's Stampin' Up! magazine for demonstrators called "Stampin' Success" ... be sure to read yesterday's post to find out how you can get your very own copy of this inspiring magazine!

2 Sweet Page (8" x 8")

(Click on the photo for a closer look. All products Stampin' Up!©)

Paper: Whisper White textured card stock (5-1/4" x 1-5/8"); 2 Sweet Simply Scrappin' Kit

Accessories & Tools: Button Bouquet; Stampin' Dimensionals; Crochet thread

Instructions

1. Adhere Designer Series paper (2-1/8" x 8") to Elegant Eggplant textured page. Adhere Kiwi Kiss self-adhesive strip to page, flush with edge of Designer Series paper. Adhere thin Basic Gray self-adhesive strip along right edge of Designer Series paper.
2. Print journaling on Whisper White textured card stock. Adhere to page. Adhere Kiwi Kiss self-adhesive heart to page.
3. Fold Kiwi Kiss self-adhesive tab over top edge of photo. Adhere self-adhesive greeting to tab. Adhere self-adhesive flower to tab using Stampin' Dimensionals. Adhere photo to page.
4. Layer circle, arrow, row-of-stars, and star self-adhesive die cuts using Stampin' Dimensionals between circle/arrow and arrow/star layers. Adhere to page.
5. Layer flower self-adhesive die cuts. Thread crochet thread through holes in Kiwi Kiss button, and adhere button to center of layered flower. Adhere to page.
6. Layer star and two sizes of heart self-adhesive die cuts. Adhere to page using Stampin' Dimensionals.

2 SWEET A DEAL ...

As if this month's $99 Starter Kit Special isn't enough incentive to join my team and save tons of money on your hobby, here's ANOTHER great reason to sign up:

Every month Stampin' Up! sends us demonstrators a great little magazine called "Stampin' Success" - chock full of projects, ideas, contests and incentives to "Inspire, Create & Share" (that's our new tagline - I like it!)

The cover of May's issue features a easy 8x8 scrapbook page and a cute box full of flowers - all made with Stampin' Up!'s "2 Sweet" Simply Scrappin' Kit (page 165, $23.95, item #113943). I've included the directions to the box at the end of this email & I'll upload the scrapbook page tomorrow.

Imagine getting this magazine delivered to your door each month, PLUS having access to the Stampin' Up! Demonstrator Website where six new cards are uploaded EVERY DAY for us to try out at home ... and there are lots more perks to being your very own demonstrator & part of my team, too ... call me for more info quick before the Starter Kit Special ends May 31!

Thinking of You Box

Paper: 2 Sweet Simply Scrappin' Kit

Accessories & Tools:Kiwi Kiss 5/8" striped grosgrain ribbon; Button Latte; Stampin' Dimensionals; Sticky Strip; Scallop Edge punch; 1-3/4" Circle punch; Crochet thread; Wire

Instructions
1. Cut box from Pale Plum textured card stock using PATTERN (just email me if you want a PDF copy of this pattern)
2. Scallop top edge of box using Scallop Edge punch, and assemble box.
3. Wrap wide Basic Gray self-adhesive strip around box.
4. Tie Kiwi Kiss 5/8" striped grosgrain ribbon around box.
5. Punch circle from Elegant Eggplant textured card stock using 1-3/4#" Circle punch. Adhere thinking of you self-adhesive circle to center of card stock circle using Stampin' Dimensionals. Adhere to box.
6. Create flowers by layering self-adhesive die cut pieces, popping up the flower centers using Stampin' Dimensionals.
7. Thread crochet thread through holes of Whisper White button, and adhere button to center of one flower.
8. Adhere flowers to wire stems, using Sticky Strip to secure flowers to wire. Do not peel second piece of backing from Sticky Strip. Tuck flowers inside box.

TREAT YOURSELF TO A VISIT ...

Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers, daughters, grandmothers, sisters, aunts, best friends ... heck to all the WOMEN reading this (my apologies to the guys) ... we ALL fill the "mothering" role at one point or another during our lives, so this special day should be for all us gals!

Today I'm sharing some special links for you to enjoy this weekend (the rain clouds are starting to roll in and I can hear thunder in the distance here in Ontario; I can't think of a better rainy-day activity than blog surfing!)

First, if you haven't heard of Kristina Werner's colour challenges, you are really missing out on some great inspiration .. stampers from all over the world tune in every week to create a card using her chosen colours & post them for all to see ... and this week's challenge (#51) is extra-special 'cause ROBBYN, one of our Stampers' Club members, has entered based on a card layout that we did at last Tuesday's "Just Cards" class, but using different stamps and this week's colours - here's the link to challenge #51 ... and be sure to check out Robbyn's entry (# 82) on the list!

Second, the Stampin Addicts are hosting a Blog Tour this weekend featuring projects using Stampin' Up!Designer Series Papers! The tour starts today and ends Sunday night - here's the first stop on the tour: http://stampingaddiction.blogspot.com/ ... you'll find a link to each of the next stops in the previous blog's post (like links in a chain) - I hope you enjoy seeing all the creative ideas using our Designer Series Papers; and don't forget to come back here to place your paper order while they are all on sale: buy any three packages and choose a fourth one for FREE!

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Donna

IT'S A WHIRLWIND OF A WEEK...

... so let me take just a second to catch you up ...first, I promised to let you know how many scrapbook layouts we made during last weekend's 24 hour crop - drum roll, please.....

... FORTY-THREE PAGES!!!!!!!!!!  Not bad for just six of us, eh?

*****

OK, next item of business this week:

One of my Stampers Club members owns a jewelery store here in Guelph and Monday night was her annual "Ladies Night" .. think red carpet, chocolate fountain, cran-tinis, manicures, hand massages, and of course a room full of beautiful pieces of jewelery to admire and purchase ... Lisa and her staff pulled out all the stops to make this a wonderful night for everyone!

So .. what does this have to do with stamping?

Lisa made 60+ bag toppers using the "Fashion Forward" Stampin' Around wheel, complete with black & passion pink cosmos glitter, and foil-wrapped truffles in each bag. I helped out a bit with the cutting and the wheeling and the glittering; we had a fun afternoon and Lisa was very pleased with the end results. Then I made 60+ little purses with post-it notes and pens to go in the gift bags that each attendee took home ... didn't they turn out cute?

On to the next event: Tuesday night was the first of this month's "Just Cards" classes - the theme this month is "Babies to Teens"... a special request by some of my Stampers Club members! Here's a pic of the cards we made; if you'd like to catch the re-run of this class on Thursday May 14th, just let me know - I have three seats left.

*****

Then last night I held a workshop with Stephanie & her friends ... what a great group of ladies! They're all long-time scrapbookers who wanted to try stamping & card making, and I had so much fun just going back to basics to introduce my passion to newbie stampers; I loved their enthusiasm and I can't wait to stamp with them some more! Here are the two cards we made last night, using "Fifth Avenue Floral" and "Wagon Load of Fun" sets.

*****

Tonight is my team meeting and we're making a Father's Day card using the stamp set "And Many Mower" from the Occasions Mini catalogue & "To the Nines" Specialty Designer Series Paper from the Spring & Summer Catalogue ... speaking of which, how exciting is this month's DS Paper Sale? I plan to stock up on my favourite patterns now while they're on sale, 'cause when the new catalogue comes out July 1st, chances are that my favs will be gone. (I've learned that one the hard way, lol)

*****

Finally, Saturday is my quarterly Stamp4Fun day for Stampin' Up! demonstrators - four hours of displays, product demos and make & take projects - I really look forward to this event every 2-3 months! Want in on the fun? Now's your best chance with Stampin' Up!'s $99 Starter Kit special - available only in May. Sign up on my business website (it's easy: the password is artful_inkers) and I'll hook you up with all the perks of being on my team while you expand & support your own hobby!

cheers,

Donna

WE DID IT! WHEW!!!

We did it! 24 hours of Scrapbooking; what a BLAST!!!!

The last of the scrappers & stampers have just left - this was an AMAZING way to spend NSD weekend; I can't wait to do it again next year!

Tomorrow I'll be posting just how many layouts we all managed to complete over the weekend - a few of the gals had to go home to count them up, lol.

Thanks to scrappers Linda, Jenn, Leigh Anne, and card-makers Esther & Joanne who shared their time and inspiration throughout the weekend - you all kept me so motivated .. now let's keep up the pace!

Here's the last pages I worked on today before breaking to help my sister with her album - these are some of my fav photos of my daughter when she was four. I had so many that I couldn't contain them to a standard 2 page layout, even though they are 12x12 pages, lol.

ONE LAST LAYOUT TO SHARE TONIGHT

Here's my last layout of the night ... I'm off to bed 'cause I have six more hours of scrap-a-thon tomorrow with folks coming by to join in - that is the BEST motivator!

After the 24 hour crop is officially over & all the croppers have a chance to tally up, I'll be posting the accumulated total number of scrapbook pages we completed this weekend ... any guesses as to the number?

BTW, I'm getting some really good feedback from this event ... so much so that I'm thinking that there should be more cropping weekends on my event calendar - on a regular basis!

cheers
Donna

6 PM - THE TREASURES YOU FIND WHEN YOU DIG

So, I read on TwoPeas about people who hoard their favourite photos, waiting for the perfect products to come along that will do them justice ... well, did that ever hit a nerve close to home; I have tons of faves from when my kids were little that I have been saving, but no more!

Off I went on a hunt for some of my dd's pics & discovered a stack that I had mailed to my mom over the years (she recently handed them back to me, saying "You're the only one in the family who will do anything with these" ... yikes, can you imagine??)

Anyway, I started to merge mom's photos with mine (chronologically) and discovered three that go together in a sequence - I had forgotten they even existed! Off I went to find a frame that would hold all three - of my dd and my mom many years ago - the photos just make me smile every time I look at them - here's the results ... what do you think?

3 PM AND STILL SCRAPPIN'

that's a total of six hours last night and six hours today so far ... I'm lovin' this!

I just entered one of TwoPeas' National Scrapbook Day Challenges - we had to use the list of five products that were given: something blue, something clear, chipboard, die cuts and stars - how fun is that!

Here's my layout (this one I did today from scratch) - the subject is my son's first Half Marathon .. enjoy!

My count is ten 12 x 12 pages completed so far this weekend ... mind you some were already half done & waiting for the "perfect time" to finish them - but there's no such thing; I just needed to jump in and Get 'er Done!

cheers
Donna

Two more layouts finished ... PROGRESS!

I've finished two more double page layouts that I found tucked away, half done. I'm hardly making a dent in the pile, but it's all about the baby steps!

Who else is scrappin' today?

Donna

IT'S NATIONAL SCRAPBOOK DAY!

FRIDAY NIGHT OF MY 24 HR CROP

Just checking in before the Saturday session of cropping in my studio starts up ... what a great night we had last night! Everyone else seemed to finish at least two double layouts but I was too busy chatting & reacquaInting myself with my scrapping supplies, lol.

I found a pizza box of partially-done layouts and decided to jump in there & finish them up, so I can say I did five 12x12 pages, but I had a head start. <grin> I even did something for the first time ever - ripped apart a finished layout & started over, keeping only the photos from the original. It was just too clumsy and not doing the pictures of beautiful butterflies & foliage any justice.

I should have taken a "before" picture, but didn't think of it until too late... but here's the "after":

The gals will be back any minute now (they just left their stuff in my studio last night so they can pick up where they left off) .. gotta go!

Hope your NSD is productive, creative, and a lot of fun!

cheers, Donna

NEW STAMPIN' UP! PROMOTION FOR MAY!

In honour of National Scrapbooking Month, Stampin' Up! has a fantastic promotion running in the month of May for Scrapbookers and Card Makers alike!

The Scrapbooking Promotion has 3 exciting parts:

PART 1:
Buy three packs of Designer Series paper (including our Specialty Designer Series paper) or 12" x 12" textured card stock, and get one FREE!

Before you ask, let me tell you that it's ok to mix & match your order of Designer Series Paper packages and Textured card stock - you can order all of your favourites and still get every fourth package for free!

PART 2:
Buy a sneak peek stamp set from the 2009-2010 Idea Book & Catalogue--Jumble Alphabet (set of 52; double-mounted)--at a 20% discount!

Item #	Description	Regular Price	Sale Price
115199	Jumble Alphabet stamp set	$57.95	$46.36

I LOVE the new Jumble Alphabet stamp set! It's exactly as it sounds - imagine if you threw all your alphabet stamps in a drawer and randomly pulled out individual letters - some might be formal, bold and serif while others may be whimsically doodled. There are 52 stamps in this set - a capital AND small-case version of all 26 letters in the alphabet .. and all different! At 20% off the regular price, the Frugal Stamper declares this a great deal! 

PART 3:
Become a demonstrator for only $99 with the limited-time, Scrapbooking Starter Kit!
The Scrapbooking Starter Kit contains the following:

Item Code	Description	Retail Value
113510	Schoolbook Serif Alphabet stamp set*	$50.95
113059	Simply Scrappin' Petal Party	$23.95
108697	Earth Elements Assorted textured card stock (12" x 12")	$13.95
105240	Whisper White Craft Stampin' Pad	$8.95

*Substitutable for any stamp set up to $51.95 value.

Please note: Each of the products listed above may be substituted for like items.  Please see the Scrapbooking Starter Kit Order Form for details.The Scrapbooking Starter Kit also contains all the business supplies contained in the standard Starter Kit:

• Getting Started DVD
• Getting Started Guide
• Guest Invitation Postcard (100)
• Idea Book & Catalog (8)
• Occasions Mini Catalog (8)
• To My Hostess Envelope (10)
• Recruit Folders (5)
• Recruit Brochures (20)
• Hostess Brochure (20)
• Hostess Benefits Form (10)
• Customer Order Form (50)

How's that for a triple play? Stampin' Up! hits another one right out of the park! (It MUST be Spring; I'm dipping into my baseball analogies, lol)

To see the flyer (and a sample of the Jumble alphabet) click here