Stampin' & Scrappin' with Donna

JUST UNDER THE WIRE ... WHEW!

I've been participating in my friend Julie's Easy Breezy Kewl Colour Challenge (EBKCC) since it's debut, and I'm determined not to miss a single week! Julie posts a new colour challenge every Friday, but since I didn't get to my stamping studio until Tuesday ... well, you know the rest. I managed to finish this card tonight, just under the wire!

CHALLENGES MET:

EBKCC -  Bashful Blue, Brilliant Blue, More Mustard & Old Olive
3 CLOVERS - use a photograph on your card
ABC - C is for Circles
PILE IT ON - Threes (3 blue circles, 3 green circles) + at least one other challenge

TODAY'S FRUGAL TIP: I really enjoyed the challenge of working a photo into the card design - what a great way to use up those random, leftover photos in my shoebox - I don't even know the people in this shot!

SUPPLIES USED: (100% STAMPIN' UP! unless otherwise stated)

PAPERS - Bashful Blue, Brilliant Blue, More Mustard & Old Olive card stock
INKS - Bashful Blue, Old Olive & Brilliant Blue
STAMPS - Itty Bitty Background (page 132), Seaside & Travel Post (both retired sets)
ACCESSORIES - GoGo Boots Alphabet Dies & Big Shot Die Cutting Machine; 1-1/4", 1-3/8", 1-1/2" & 1-3/4" Circle Punches, and chipboard word stickers by MemoryMakers (for the letter "u")

cheers

PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: GROWTH CHART

This just in from Stampin' Up!: "Demonstrators and customers alike love the Décor Elements Growth Chart special offer so much, it is now the top selling Décor Elements item for the month of August! Lucky for you, this offer is still available until September 30, during the Just for Kids campaign."

Stampin' Up! has received a lot of great photos and tips from demonstrators who have been selling and using this new, limited-time Décor Elements item; let me share a few of them with you...

Ideas for Marking Heights

Alana, a demonstrator from Alberta, uses the Décor Elements sheets (page 158 of the Idea Book & Catalog), the My Way punch (item #110709), and the White Gel pen (item # 105021)to create height markers for her Growth Chart.

Julienne, a demonstrator from Illinois, put her Growth Chart up in her playroom, and uses the cute birds made with the Birds & Blooms Sizzlit die (item #113485) to track her kids' growth. "Since my growth markers are movable," she says, "I plan to take photos of the children at various milestones and then record the date and measurement in a 'Watch me Grow' mini book."

And here's my personal favourite ... all you teachers out there, take note:

Dale, a demonstrator and second-grade teacher from Louisiana reports, "Everyone at my school decorates their classroom doors, so I decided to use the growth chart on mine. This was the first Décor Element I had put up . . . and I'm hooked!"

Here's how Dale plans to use the growth chart at her school:

"On the first day of school, I always take a picture of each student . . . so I will take it in front of the grow chart. At the end of the year, I'll take a second picture and send both of them home with our last writing project which will be a book about how they have grown to be better students during the year. I also plan to use the growth chart during Math and let the students compare the length and height of various objects. I'm going to invite other classes to send their tallest and shortest students to be measured on our door, and we'll compare the differences to the tallest and shortest in our room."

"Since my main focus is getting my students to be better readers, I also plan to use the chart to graph the number of books they have read at home . . . so I will be putting other numbers where the metric ones were and adding student names and small punched shapes to the door to show how many books they read."

"Last but not least, my new door decoration has already had lots of comments and questions about where I got it. It's a great conversation starter!"

Remember, the Décor Elements Growth Chart is only available through September 30, so order yours today!

cheers,

I'M REALLY CHALLENGED TODAY!

Technically, this story started yesterday, but today isn't much better ... ever have one of those days that for whatever reasons, whatever you try to create just gets messed up? That's the space I'm in right now; hopefully it passes soon, lol!

Despite smudges, drops, mixed inks (not intentionally!), adhesive smears, embossing goofs, upside down images, and tearing apart and reassembling ... this card eventually came together.

CHALLENGES MET:
* Mojo Monday - Week 101's sketch

SUPPLIES USED: (100% Stampin' Up! unless otherwise stated)

* INKS - VersaMark & Night of Navy Craft Inks
* PAPERS - Close to Cocoa, Bordering Blue & Ballet Blue card stock, Brushed Silver card stock
* STAMPS - Delightful Decorations (avail. Sep. 1st in the Holiday Mini)
* ACCESSORIES - Choc. Chip 1" double-stitched grosgrain ribbon, Vintage brads, Stampin' Dimensionals, Iridescent Ice embossing powder,  Heat Tool, Merry & Bright Rub-Ons & Ornament Punch (both avail. Sep. 1st in the Holiday Mini), Snowflake Cuttlebug Embossing Folder by Provo Craft.

TECHNIQUE: Faux Diamonds (goes by a couple of other names too): Cover the portion of the card you want to dazzle with VersaMark ink, then cover the entire area with Iridescent Ice embossing powder & heat to set the powder. In the sample above, the top half of the card (blue section) is done in this technique. Optional: if you like, stamp an image on the card stock with a darker shade of ink before applying the VersaMark. (Just  don't stamp your image IN VersaMark like I did, or it will disappear when you do the technique - duh .. I TOLD you I was having a bad stamping day!) To get my image back, I stamped in Craft Ink on top of the Faux Diamonds after it had dried. Not as good, but close enough.

PS: This started as a standard 5-1/2" x 4-1/4" card but to do the sketch justice, I trimmed it to a square 4-1/4" x 4-1/4" shape, and decorated the leftover bit (4-1/4" x 1-1/4") to match the card. The smaller bit could be used as a gift tag or a bookmark or .... ?  I saw this trend on Split Coast Stampers earlier this year ... but I can't remember what they called these odd bits; if you know, please leave a comment at the bottom of this post and I'll send you a card!

cheers

GET A HEAD START ON THE HOLIDAYS

Did you know ... when we reach August 31, there will be

only 41 days 'til this:     & only 61 days 'til this:    & only 115 days 'til this:

                                   

**************************************************************

 

Do Not Panic! I Can Help!
Just come to my
HOLIDAY MINI OPEN HOUSE

MONDAY SEPTEMBER 21st
from 6-9 pm

• See the Newest Stampin' Up! Products from the Holiday Mini Catalogue!
• Enjoy Making a Card with some of the New Products!
•  Sample Projects on Display!
• Door Prizes!
• Extra tickets when you bring your friends!
• All September Specials will apply at this event
• PLUS Free Shipping on all orders over $50!

PLEASE RSVP:
519-823-8891 or donna@scrappinwithdonna.com

NEW CRAFTING TRENDS

Hi all, just a quick Monday update....

1) I've sent out the August edition of my Newsletter today, entitled "NEW CRAFTING TRENDS"; if you are on my list & didn't receive it - check your spam file; sometimes the filters are set too high & good stuff ends up in the wrong place! <wink>

If you'd like to be on the list to receive future newsletters, enter your email address in the upper left corner of this page to subscribe. I usually send out two newsletters a month: one of project samples and the other listing upcoming promotions, classes, and other news from Stampin' Up!

2) Several promotions are ending on Aug 31st ... here's a last look:

	Have Fun Doing What You Love
	From July 15–August 31, you can join the Stampin' Up! family for as little as $105 with the Mini Starter Kit. Have fun helping friends and family create exciting projects, while earning free products and even a little extra cash!
	Country Living Summer Cookout Kit - 40% Off!
	The Country Living Summer Cookout Kit gives you everything you need to hold a fantastic summer party, including: Creative invitations Fun food wrappers Customizable coasters And more! Now only $19.75 (refill $13.95), the Country Living Summer Cookout Kit will ensure your summer party is a hit. Available through August 31, or while supplies last.
	Just for Kids...and the Kid in You!
	From August 1–31, get a FREE package of Designer buttons—a $10.95 value—when you spend $45 on stamp sets in the Growing Up section of the catalog or my Online Store.
	They Grow Up So Fast
	Track your children's growth with the limited-time Décor Elements™ Growth Chart, now on sale for just $33.95. But hurry—it's only available through September 30!
	Spend the Summer with New Products
	Stampin' Up!'s 2009-2010 Idea Book & Catalogue and Definitely Decorative brochures are here, and they're filled with all-new stamps, accessories, and home décor products. Contact me to schedule your new catalogue workshop or to get your own copy.
Contact me to learn more about any of these promotions, or visit my Online Store by going to http://www.scrappinwithdonna.stampinup.net & clicking SHOP NOW button!

SPAM FILTERS ... ARGGGGG!

Sure, spam filters serve a purpose, but too much of a good thing can get you into trouble!

If you were the person who emailed me today (Thurs Aug 20) at approx 12:30 pm with the subject line "Party" ... I'm sorry but I caught only a glimpse of your message in my spam folder before it was purged (which apparently means gone forever, not to be retrieved!)  Could you please email me again?

cheers
Donna

BEAUTIFUL BABY BOY

Today's card was a lot of fun to make ... Julie's colour challenge this week just happens to be my FAVE colour combo, I got to try my hand at colouring white ribbon to get the green I needed, and I even designed my own card template for this week's Cuttlebug Challenge ... my stampin' mojo was in full swing for a change!

CHALLENGES MET:

EBK COLOUR CHALLENGE: Tempting Turquoise, Certainly Celery, So Saffron & Garden Green

CUTTLEBUG CHALLENGE: shape card

ABC CHALLENGE: B is for Buttons

PILE IT ON CHALLENGE: boy card, + at least one other challenge

*** click on photos for a closer look ***

SUPPLIES USED: (100% Stampin' Up!)

INKS: VersaMark, Tempting Turquoise & Garden Green (to colour the ribbon)
PAPERS: Tempting Turquoise, Certainly Celery, So Saffron & Garden Green card stock

STAMPS: Animal Stories (pg 88) & Beautiful Baby (on dormant list)
ACCESSORIES: So Saffron grosgrain ribbon, Whisper White Taffeta ribbon, Sherbet Designer Buttons (Aug. special), Scallop Edge, 3/4" Circle & 1" Circle punches, Paper-Piercing Tool & Mat Pack, Hobby Blade, Stampin' Up! Backgrounds #1Texturz Plates, & Big Shot Die Cut machine

TIP FROM THE FRUGAL STAMPER: There's no need to own every colour of ribbon on the market - stock up on white ribbon and colour it yourself to match your projects!

Here's How: Simply hold a piece of ribbon against the ink pad with a dauber, piece of sponge or scrap card stock. (classic inks work well). Next, slowly pull the ribbon through with your free hand, keeping a light pressure on the ribbon with the sponge. Repeat the steps to get a darker shade ... if it gets too dark, just rinse it under the tap, let dry, & try again.

cheers, Donna

NEED A LITTLE CHRISTMAS?

I was working on my September class samples down in my studio yesterday (there's no better place to be on the hottest day of the year!) .. and I took a little break to check out this week's challenges. Here's what I came up with:

CHALLENGES MET:

I{HEART} TO STAMP'S SFYTT: Aug 15th's sketch

PILE IT ON: masculine card + at least one other challenge

OUR CREATIVE CORNER: Christmas in August

 SUPPLIES USED: (100% Stampin' Up!)

PAPER: Handsome Hunter, Ruby Red & Very Vanilla card stock; Merry Moments Designer Series Paper

STAMPS: Yuletide Christmas (Available Sept 1st in the Holiday Mini) & Newsprint Alphabet (retired)

INKS: Ruby Red & Handsome Hunter

MISC: Stampin' Dimensionals; Jumbo Oval, 1" Circle & 1-1/4" Circle punches; sponge

MANY MARVELOUS MARKERS

Have you always coveted Stampin' Up!'s case of 48 markers, but just couldn't come up with that kind of money all at once?

Well, here's your chance to get all the markers and the case and free hostess benefits and four free classes - as a member of my Marker Club!

The club is based on four members and runs for four months.

What do you get as a member?

• Each month you will receive all twelve markers in one of the four colour families (Rich Regals, Earth Elements, Soft Subtles and Bold Brights) - so that by the end of the four months you will have received all four sets of 12, for a total of 48 markers.
• Each month one of the four members will be the hostess and will receive a free level one Hostess set & the Marker Carrying Case, and can choose $20 of free merchandise from any of the current catalogues. 
• Each month the club will meet for a free class to learn kewl new ways to use Stampin' Up!'s Many Marvelous Markers on cards, scrapbook pages and more.

Your commitment: $55.00 per month for four months (this includes shipping and tax) for a total of $220

I already have three participants to start in September ... we need just one more person, so call or email me today to get your name on the list!

cheers

Have you always coveted Stampin' Up!'s case of 48 markers, but just couldn't come up with that kind of money all at once?

Well, here's your chance to get all the markers and the case and free hostess benefits and four free classes - as a member of my Marker Club!

The club is based on four members and runs for four months.

What do you get as a member?

• Each month you will receive all twelve markers in one of the four colour families (Rich Regals, Earth Elements, Soft Subtles and Bold Brights) - so that by the end of the four months you will have received all four sets of 12, for a total of 48 markers.
• Each month one of the four members will be the hostess and will receive a free level one Hostess set & the Marker Carrying Case, and can choose $20 of free merchandise from any of the current catalogues. 
• Each month the club will meet for a free class to learn kewl new ways to use Stampin' Up!'s Many Marvelous Markers on cards, scrapbook pages and more.

Your commitment: $55.00 per month for four months (this includes shipping and tax) for a total of $220

I already have three participants to start in September ... we need just one more person, so call or email me today to get your name on the list!

cheers

ARTISAN AWARD WINNER

Each year Stampin' Up! invites their demonstrators to send in a selection of their creative work in hopes of winning the ARTISAN AWARD. This year's winners were announced in July and some of their projects were on display at our annual Convention in Salt Lake City earlier this month.

Each month the winning Artisans are asked to create a project based on a theme of Stampin' Up!'s choice - and the results are posted to the Artisan's Gallery on our demonstrator website. I wish I could share everything in the gallery with you, but sorry, it's for demonstrators only!

I just love looking at all of the wonderful entries - these folks can really think outside the box & combine paper, ink and rubber in a truly inspirational way! Of course, I have my favourites and I wanted to show you one of them today...

The theme Stampin' Up! selected this month was Just for Kids! - using stamps from the Growing Up! section of the 2009-2010 Catalogue (which ties in nicely with August's Just for Kids promotion - have you got your free designer buttons yet?)

This card was created  by Mary Jo Albright - a very talented stamper and past winner of the Artisan Award. Looking at this card, I am not surprised at all that she won again this year!

*** click on card to see Mary Jo's original post ***

You can check out Mary Jo's other wonderful creations on her blog: Beauty Lies Within

cheers,

THERE BE BEARS IN THIS HOUSE!

 My favourite brown truck delivered this pile of goodies yesterday & last night I played with all my new stuff from Stampin' Up!'s soon to be released Holiday Mini Catalogue ... did I mention that I just LOVE my job?

The first things to be unwrapped & put to the test were the new Build-A-Bear Sizzix die cuts ... they are irresistable! Here are some of the projects I've started ... none are finished yet, lol, 'cause I keep going back to my Big Shot to try new ideas ...

*** click on photos for a closer look ***

Next I think I'll make some teddy bears in pjs!

Cheers, Donna

MOJO MONDAY .. ON WEDNESDAY

So I ask you ... when have I EVER been on time, eh? Today's To-Do List is still dated for last Friday, lol!
Whenever I get to feeling overwhelmed, I know it's time to head down to my Stampin' Studio and have some fun ... so ...

Here's my entry for this week's MOJO MONDAY card sketch challenge ... the stamps and colours I chose were inspired by a layout in the upcoming Holiday Mini Catalogue from Stampin' Up!

(Ooooh, just wait til you see this mini here on my blog on Sept 1st ... there are SO MANY kewl new things that I had a really hard time choosing my pre-order stuff. Good thing demos don't have to wait as long as everyone else to get their hands on new products - I think I'd burst!)

SUPPLIES USED (100% Stampin' Up!)

Papers: Not Quite Navy, Kraft, & Very Vanilla card stock; Bella Bleu Designer Series Paper pack

Inks: VersaMark, Bordering Blue & Whisper White

Stamp Set: Snow Swirled

BECAUSE WE'RE FRIENDS...

Two very good stampin' friends of mine launched their own caRD challenges last Friday and even though I had NO time to stamp this past week, I really wanted to participate & show my support to two of the most creative ladies I know!

So, to Julie and Robbyn .. here are my entries (quickies though they are) ..

Robbyn was selected as guest host on SPCC's
Finally Friday Challenge - we're to make a monochromatic card!

I know that technically speaking white isn't a colour, but I really wanted to play with Stampin' up!'s Texturz Plates on my Big Shot and well, the card kinda grew from there.

(ED: I just checked this week's Pile It On Challenge & to my delight, this card qualifies! See - NO patterned paper at all!

SUPPLIES: (100% Stampin' Up!)
Whisper White card stock, Pretties Kit, Backgrounds #1 Texturz Plates, Scalloped Eyelet Punch, Paper trimmer with Scoring Blade 9to make the two straight embossed lines along the left side of the card), Boho Blossoms punch & White Vellum card stock (to make the small flowers under the brads), and 5/8" Jumbo Brads (neutrals).

*** click on the cards for a closer look ***

Julie chose a very tropical colour scheme for her first Easy Breezy Kewl Colour Challenge, and for good reason ... she just got back from Hawaii!

Thankfully, one of my favourite Designer Series Papers from Stampin' Up! had most of the required colours, so all I had to do was add a greeting stamped in Chocolate Chip (why does it feel like I cheated?) GRIN!

SUPPLIES: Pink Flamingo DSP, Summer Sun & Whisper White card stock, 5 Petal Flower punch, Pretties Kit (I seem to be reaching for this a lot lately!), scallop oval punch, large oval punch, & Oval All stamp set.

Now, I'm off to set up for tonight's class ... cheers!

THIS ONE'S FOR THE PAPER JUNKIES

PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT:
"THE WRITE STUFF" Designer Series Paper by Stampin' Up!
# 115674   Page 163   $15.95

I know, I know ... August's Paper Junkies class was supposed to feature Stampin' Up!'s "Thoroughly Modern" Designer Series Papers, but the paper didn't arrive in time, so luckily I was able to create the same project using leftovers of last month's featured DSP - "The Write Stuff"

*** click on photos for a closer look ***

Join me at 7:30 pm on Monday Aug 17 or Thurs Aug 20 to make this shabby chic box of hand-stamped cards & envelopes!  This box of cards would make a great little gift OR you can use the cards yourself and keep the felt-bottomed box on your desk or dresser to hold little do-dads.

Recognize the box? It's a modified version of the one pictured on the front cover of the 2009-2010 Catalogue! Along with "The Write Stuff" DSP, you'll also get to play with chipboard letters from "On Board Lots of Letters", half pearls from the "Pretties Kit", Twill Tape, several Stampin' Up! punches and the very popular "Medallion" background stamp ... all for only $25! My Stampers Club members may choose this as their August class for just $5. Not in my club yet? Join before Aug 15th & you can take this classs for $5 too!

NOTE: I limit my classes to six participants to finish on time and keep it fun for everyone, so call or email now to reserve your spot for either Aug 17 or Aug 20.

cheers,

2 CUTE CARDS FROM AMANDA'S WORKSHOP

Amanda is an avid stamper & scrapbooker and also belongs to my Stampers Club ... and this past Saturday she hosted a workshop in her own home with some of her family & friends. I had a really good time .. everyone was so enthused & eager to make the projects I brought ... and the jelly beans and chocolates that Amanda provided were just the right treat to keep us stampin' happy!

When everyone heard about the new Hostess Promotion for September, they were eager to book their own workshops - and I'm looking forward to stamping with this group of gals again!

Here are the projects we made at Amanda's workshop:

CARD ON THE LEFT: Soft Suede ink & ribbon looks like antique gold when combined with Whisper White & Brushed Gold card stock ... how kewl is that! Oh, and the brushed gold mat behind the punched greeting was cut on the Big Shot using Stampin' Up!'s Punch Windows & the Magnetic Movers & Shapers die - a perfect fit for the scallop oval punch!

CARD ON THE RIGHT: a touch of Crystal Effects on the glasses makes this simple card POP! Everyone had fun choosing their own greeting for the front of this card.

I'm on holidays the first two weeks of September, so you bet the following two weeks will be uber-busy with classes & workshops - if you want in on this great Hostess Deal (not to mention the new Holiday Mini catalogue that starts Sept 1st) you better call or email me quick to book your date!

cheers,

GREAT NEWS FROM CONVENTION!

Stampin' Up! announced an amazing new deal for Hostesses - it starts Sept 1st, so call me to book your in-home workshop NOW!!

"We're excited to bring you this sweet deal for hostesses September through November:

• Host a workshop totaling $330 or more and choose any one item* from the 2009 Holiday Mini Catalogue for only $14!
  *Offer excludes hostess sets and My Digital Studio.

After My Digital Studio is released, this offer will become even sweeter:

• Host a workshop of at least $525 and get My Digital Studio for 50-percent off the retail price (retail price: $106.95; promotional price: $53.47)!"

AHOY MATEYS - I'M CHALLENGING YOU!

TODAY'S CHALLENGE FROM THE FRUGAL STAMPER:
DUST OFF THOSE OLD STAMP SETS!

Last week I was stamping with KIm who needed some quick & easy pirate themed cards ... so I called out to my team of enablers (aka the Artful*Inkers) & Erica loaned us her Stampin' Up! set "Ahoy Matey" and the coordinating wheel (sadly, both of these adorable items are retired).

Here's the card we came up with ... it turned out pretty darn cute, if I do say so myself!

With new products being introduced all the time, we stampers & scrapbookers can get caught up in the "must have it" syndrome while our older stamps, papers and embellishments collect dust.

So here's my Frugal Challenge for this week:
Dust off an older stamp set and use it to make a card or layout - preferably one you haven't used in a long while.

Do it just for fun, or send it to a friend who could use a pick-me-up, or take a digital photo, upload it to your computer, and email it to me, 'cause I'd love to show everyone's work here on my blog on the weekend! Who knows, I may even throw everyone's name into a hat and pick one to receive a surprise gift!

And if you discover that you really don't need that older stamp set anymore, why not sell it on Kijiji or trade with a friend - you'll free up some room in your stampin' space, you may get some money to buy something new, and the stamp will find a new home (rubber stamps can dry out & eventually crack, you know - although I've never actually seen it happen to any of mine; some are seven years old and still going strong!)

40% Off Summer Cookout Kit!

Summer's not over yet!

Beginning August 1 the Country Living Summer Cookout Kit is being offered at a 40% discount--making it just $19.75! And with plenty of summer left to celebrate, it's a great time to take advantage of this huge discount. The Summer Cookout Refill is also still available at its regular price of $13.25. 

This special offer only goes through August 31, or while supplies last, so contact me today--and make summer an occasion to celebrate!

STAMPIN' UP! PARTNERS WITH BUILD-A-BEAR©

A note from Donna before you read the press release below: I've been waiting for weeks to share this news ... this new product line will be featured in Stampin' Up!'s Holiday Mini Catalogue, which starts on September 1st, and it is ADORABLE!

Register early for a very special "Mom & Me" workshop featuring our new Build-a-Bear products to be held on Sunday September 20th

PRESS RELEASE:

Stampin’ Up! ^® has partnered with Build-A-Bear Workshop^® to produce the first-ever paper-crafting products featuring the beloved Build-A-Bear Workshop mascot Bearemy^® and other furry friends. The exclusively designed product offering includes stamp sets, Designer Series papers and Sizzix dies, providing young and young-at-heart Build-A-Bear Workshop enthusiast endless hand crafted possibilities for scrapbook pages, cards, invitations, home décor and more. 

 

“I’m excited about the opportunity we have to partner with Build-A-Bear Workshop,” said Shelli Gardner, Stampin’ Up! cofounder and CEO. “The company has a strong reputation for inspiring creativity and encouraging imagination with its products, which is what we have done at Stampin’ Up! for more than 20 years. This is a great partnership that will provide unlimited opportunities for creativity—I know I will be spending hours playing with my grandchildren, making all kinds of Build-A-Bear creations.”

Transforming Build-A-Bear Workshop characters into a crafting line is one of the many ways Stampin’ Up! and its demonstrators plan to excite the next generation of crafters while revitalizing the art of creating and giving handcrafted items. 

 

“Like Build-A-Bear Workshop, Stampin’ Up! is a company that offers a variety of ways to express creativity. We are excited to partner with them to inspire the imagination in kids of all ages and to encourage this great hands-on activity.” said Maxine Clark, founder, chairman, and chief executive bear of Build-A-Bear Workshop.