Stampin' & Scrappin' with Donna

NEW IN DECEMBER

I've been working on a new concept for my IN-STUDIO card classes that would be more flexible for you and easier for me to prepare... and with December's hectic holiday schedule, NOW is the perfect time to launch my new idea!

It's a two-part plan: first, let me tell you about my new OPEN STUDIO HOURS:

I've blocked off six different dates during December to open my studio to everyone who has holiday cards and gifts to finish making, with full access to my tools, stamps and inks.

Working together with friends and family, nibbling on shortbread while some festive music plays in the background sounds good, doesn't it? You'll enjoy each other's company as well as the creative process at my studio, without the usual distractions from home. It's an opportunity to connect, slow down, and enjoy the true joys of the season.

Now for the second part of my plan, new STAMP-A-STACK CARD KITS:

10 Quick and Easy cards, 2 each of five different designs, all pre-cut and ready to create!

COST: $25

(40 Carat Club members & Artful*Inkers team members will receive a $10 discount - limit one kit)

Some people find making holiday cards a fun tradition and some find the thought a bit overwhelming. I can understand that. As much as I love stamping, the thought of making a bunch of cards during the busy holiday season can seem like a challenge — so I've come up with a solution to help ease the holiday madness.

Purchase December's STAMP-A-STACK Card Kit and come to my studio during any of the OPEN STUDIO dates to work on them at your own pace, using my tools, stamps and inks.

All you have to do is email me to reserve your kit and studio time (48 hrs notice is required). I think in these busy days, this will be a better way to offer classes where you can pick the date and time that suits yoru schedule .. look forward to a new STAMP-A-STACK CARD KIT each month in 2011.

cheers,

PUNCH ART from the DECORATIVE LABEL PUNCH

While I was using my new DECORATIVE LABEL PUNCH this morning to make a label for my photo box, I started playing around with the  punch and some red & vanilla scraps of paper ... I plopped them all down in my Punch Art book & then I thought I'd share it here with you all! You can find the DECORATIVE LABEL PUNCH on pg 25 of Stampin' Up!'s HOLIDAY MINI catalogue.
 
Now these are just patterns, not finished projects.

In just a few minutes of playtime (well ok, maybe an hour) I managed to make four different labels, two sets of parenthesis, two frames (one with fancy corners), a tiny banner, a cupcake or pot of pudding (I'm not sure which it is), and a purse.

I keep looking at that purse - I think I could turn it into a whistling tea kettle or a funky tulip with a little more time, but I need to move on to other projects right now, sigh.

OTHER PUNCHES USED in these samples:

• Word Window (punched at both ends to shorten it)
• Modern Label
• 1/4" Handheld Circle (retired)
• Heart to Heart (smallest heart)
• Round Tab (pudding pot)
• Large Oval and Small Oval (purse handle)

Everything else was punched from the DECORATIVE LABEL PUNCH - seriously a versitile punch, therefore a very frugal purchase! (insert a nod of approval here from THE FRUGAL STAMPER)

Remember, always look at your scraps when you punch .. you never know what ideas might pop out at you!

Oh, and if you love punchart, you really should come to the October session of CHRISTMAS COMES EARLY, featuring punches on all six cards - WAHOO!

Class Date: Wed Oct 20th, 7:30-9:30 pm; COST: $5 to my 40 Carat Club members and Artful*Inker demonstrator team; $25 to everyone else. 8 participants maximum - please register early!

cheers

 

TODAY IS ALL ABOUT THE HOLIDAY

... the Holiday Mini Catalogue from Stampin' Up!, that is!

Starting today you can all view the Holiday Mini online, you can make your wish list and start to order to your heart's content, and best of all: you can come visit me!

The HOLIDAY MINI OPEN HOUSE is today, from 1-4 pm and 7-10 pm!

I've got the new Glass Glitter,Tinsel Trim, Waffle Paper and lots more for you to see and touch in person, 'cause we all know the catalogues are great but nothing beats holding the real thing in your own hands!

Oh, did I mention that I'm giving away a SIZZIX BIG SHOT DIE CUTTER today too?

You can earn extra draw tickets for all kinds of stuff:

* Placing an order of $25 or more before shipping and taxes (one ballot)

* Joining my 40 Carat Stamp Club (two ballots)

* Bringing new-to-me friends with you (one ballot for every friend you bring)

* Book a Stamp Party of your own (two ballots)

* Sign up as a member of my Artful*Inkers Team of demonstrators (three ballots)

What'cha waiting for? I've got the Air Conditioning on .... come on over!

cheers

WAITING IS SOOOO HARD

There are only 2 days left of Stampin' Up!'s Summer Mini Catalogue ... and then ... WAHOO!!

I will finally be able to share the brand new Holiday Mini in all its glory ... and believe me, it IS glorious!! Hey, if you're free on Wednesday Sept.1st, why not come see for yourself!

HOLIDAY MIN OPEN HOUSE

WHERE: @ Donna's Stampin' Studio in Guelph, ON

WHEN: Sept 1st, between 1-4 pm & 7-10 pm

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

WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU?

• You could win a FREE Sizzix Big Shot Die Cutting Machine!!!
• You'll get to see lots of new products and samples from the Holiday Mini Catalogue!!!
• You'll get to make a quick and easy project using products from the Holiday Mini!!!
• You can place your order (min $25)* from the Holiday Mini & get FREE Expedited Shipping!!!
• You can enjoy some refreshments while you check out my new Studio set-up!!!
• You can learn all about my Fall Classes and Clubs - and sign up for your favourites*!!!
• You can bring your friends* and introduce them to your passion for stamping!!!
• You can book your own Stamp Party* & earn Hostess freebies!!!
• You can join the Artful*Inkers* and get a FREE Greenhouse Gala Craft Tote!

*Earn extra tickets for the Big Shot draw by doing any or all of the *starred items

So mark it on your calendar, rearrange your schedule, get the in-laws to watch the kids .. and come on over for some HOLIDAY MINI fun! See you on Wednesday!!!

cheers

HOW TO KEEP COOL

If you live anywhere near me, you know all about the VERY long summer heat wave we've been having ... want to know a sure-fire way to keep cool?

Come on over to make CHRISTMAS CARDS in my air-conditioned studio! Here's a sneak peek at some of the cards we'll be making this coming Wednesday evening, at the first of five monthly CHRISTMAS COMES EARLY card classes...

I still have seats available ... come for the evening to make six cards with envelopes for just $25 ... OR sign up for the whole series (July to November) and pay only $100 (you'll be getting one of the five classes for free!) 

Call or email me to reserve your seat:

40 Carat Club members - use this as your July perk class & pay only $5!

Artful*Inkers demonstrators can attend for a $5 supply fee!

All others - $25 per class OR 5 classes for just $100! call Donna @ 519-823-8891 or send an email to [email protected]. Too far away to attend? If you live in Canada, contact me for my "kit in the mail" prices.

cheers

SUMMER ARRIVES IN ONTARIO

Technically it's still Spring since it's only May 1st, but today marks the launch of Stampin' Up!'s new SUMMER MINI CATALOGUE - ergo, Summer HAS arrived! <grin>

Copies should now be in the homes of all of my 40 CARAT CLUB members, my BIG SHOT CLUB members, and regular attendees of my IN STUDIO CLASSES. If the mailman hasn't delivered one to your door yet, let me know and I'll remedy the situation IMMEDIATELY! (If you can't wait that long, click on the cover photo to the left to view the SUMMER MINI online)

Stampin' Up! always packs a lot of new goodies into their mini catalogues, and the SUMMER MINI is awesome! Highlights include new Smooch Spritz in four shimmery colours ... new embossed designer papers in elegant vintage patterns ... a new Big Shot die & embossing folder ... three new punches ... an adorable new fairy set called "A Little Bit of Magic" ... two new hostess sets ... and brand new Stampin' Around Builder Wheels - you can stack up to three different wheels on one Jumbo Handle!

By far MY favourite new product lines are the two different vacation/travel collections with coordinating stamps, designer papers, embellishments, chipboard, punches and albums - what a quick and easy way to get this year's vacation photos displayed for everyone to enjoy while the memories are still fresh in their minds!

People attending my IN STUDIO classes and events have had a sneak peek at my advance copy of the SUMMER MINI over the last few weeks and so far, the two most popular stamp sets in the new mini catalogue seem to be:

• "First Day" (page 25, set of nine stamps, $31.95 wood mount & $23.95 clear mount) - its perfect for grade school scrapbooks and end-of-year thank you cards for teachers!

• "Canada Day" (page 28, set of seven stamps, $24.95 wood mount & $19.95 clear mount) - full of fireworks, a big Maple Leaf, and a montage greeting stamp with a cake, more maple leaves, and the phrases "Canada Day" and "Happy 1st of July". Customers see lots of potential for this stamp set, and I can't wait to see what you create with it!

A picture is worth a thousand words, so later this week I'll be posting some projects featuring goodies from the SUMMER MINI - come back soon!

cheers

STAIR STEP CARD & MORE

Here's a peek at the three cards we'll be making during Wednesday's Step-It-Up card class: a stair step photo card with a punch art bunny (kewl because it lays flat for mailing!) ... and an accordion card (the ribbon holds it closed) ... and for our technique card: a revival of poppin' pastels with some fresh new colours!

There's still room to join us here in my studio; if you like what you see, give me a quick call or email to reserve your seat. This two hour class starts at 7:30 pm on Wednesday March 10th and costs $25.

40 Carat Club members can choose this class as their March perk and pay only $5; Artful*Inker demonstrators are welcome to attend for a $5 supply fee.

cheers

INTRODUCING THE 40 CARAT CLUB - IT SPARKLES!

OK, so my NEXT BIG PIECE OF NEWS is that I've added some BLING to my Stampers' Club! (Read: extra features and more benefits for all my wonderful club members) ...

First of all, I've given us a name .. the 40 Carat Club [Diamonds in the Rough] - do you like it? Who doesn't like diamonds, rhinestones, glitter and all things that sparkle, especially to use in our crafty creations! Along with a new name comes a web badge that my club members can proudly display on their Facebook page or personal blog... check it out on the left under my photo!

Next, my club members now have a SHORTER commitment (only six months instead of seven) and MORE to spend at the end of their six months ($40 hostess credit now instead of $20, plus the level one Hostess Set, of course.)

And now for the piece de resistance, (yes, I know I'm missing an accent grave et acute) ... my club members have a new online CLUBHOUSE! Using Ning technology, I've set up an exclusive site where my club members can hang out, share ideas & photos, enter contests, swap cards, get sneak peeks at upcoming catalogues & promotions, and ALSO where I'll be uploading a new club project EVERY MONTH - do I hear a WAHOO?!!!

All of the other club perks are still in place - free catalogues, the option to attend one of my in-studio classes each month for only $5, shares in the occasional bulk purchase of Stampin' Up! product, and my Frequent Shoppers Reward Program (hey, it's ALL about the free stuff, right?)

So, have you heard enough? Wanna join the 40 Carat Club? It's really easy to join - just pick the month you want to start (I have continuous enrollment all year-round) and agree to place an order with me once a month for six consecutive months (the minimum order is $40 before taxes & shipping). Email or phone your order in by the 15th of each month and pick it up at my place when it arrives; c'est tout! Now if you live too far away to pick up, I'm happy to arrange to have your orders delivered directly to your home for a slightly higher shipping fee, based on where you live. (FYI:The 40 Carat Club is open to Canadian residents only)

Call or email me now! What are you waiting for? You know you wanna, lol!

cheers