An Amazing Paper Crafing Experience…
Posted on May 1st, 2012, 8 responses.Ooooh, ladies! I had the most amazing weekend! Some of you know my dear friend, Maureen Merritt. She is part of StampNation with me and she is even in my book, Life Scraps.
Maureen and I met online two years ago and immediatly hit it off. Communicating almost daily online, via e-mail and on the phone, we’ve developed a really close friendship that I cherish . It’s so amazing how my love of paper crafting and the online world has brought such an incredible friend to my life.
Last week I spoke to Maureen on the phone and we decided, on the spur of the moment, that we would FINALLY drive to Baltimore (about half way between our homes) and MEET!
Do you know how weird it is to get to know someone through the internet, feeling really connected to them and feeling like you know them pretty well without ever having been in the same room with them? I was so excited to meet Maureen in person and spend time with her and our weekend was no disappointment!
We stamped, shopped, did nails, ate and TALKED…it was so super fun and I can’t wait to do it again!
I have a few photos to share with you.
We chose to meet just outside Baltimore near, what else? A scrapbooking store! We got up Monday morning and went into Great Scraps for a couple hours of fun. We told Barbara and Grace (the gals at the store) our story and had a blast taking shop with them! They were very sweet and fun to talk to, so if you are in the area, stop in and say hi and tell them Catherine and Maureen sent you!
Maureen gets some goodies!
Of course we had to stamp! Here’s a peek at some of the cards we made. I cut part of the card on the right off on purpose…I laughed my behieny off over that for hours, actually days…I’m still laughing! But didn’t want to offend anyone.
Thanks for stopping by today and reading about my weekend. The internet is an amazing thing that can bring people together in ways we never thought possible.
If you want to pop over to say hi to Maureen, you can visit her blog HERE.
Coming soon…
Posted on April 28th, 2012, 4 responses.
Hello Friends! Hope you are having a lovely weekend so far! I wanted to pop in here to give you a sneak peek of the project, complete with video tutorials, that is coming out on Tuesday.
In order to see this tutorial, you must be subscribed to my newsletter. So, if you haven’t already, be sure to enter your deets in the box at the top of the sidebar to subscribe. Then, be sure to check your inbox for an email from me. There will be a link to click in that email to complete your subscription.
See you there!
Inspired by Nature Stamp Set – Moxie Fab Tuesday Trigger
Posted on April 27th, 2012, 5 responses.
Today’s bright and fun card came about when I was inspired by the Moxie Fab Tuesday Trigger, Watercolor Butterflies! You can find that challenge HERE.
I was inspired by the colors…I didn’t watercolor, but instead sponged on color gradually changing from one color to the next. If you try this, be sure to put colors next to eachother that "go together". For instance, I put Pumpkin Pie between Daffodil Delight and Regal Rose (yellow and pink or red mixed together make orange, so the gradual shading of these colors worked!).
I added a butterfly to my crochet trim for a fun touch of whimsy, while tying in the butterflies from the Trigger.
Heat Embossing the Inspired by Nature image first made the image resist my sponging and created a beautiful background. View the video to see how this card was made (if viewing in a feed, click the title of the post to visit my blog):
Stampin’ Up Supplies:
- Inspired by Nature Stamp Set, Elizabeth Stamp, Petite Pairs Stamp Set
- Ink: Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie, Regal Rose, Rich Razzleberry, Chocolate Chip, Chocolate Chip Craft
- Cardstock: Crumb Cake, Rich Razzleberry, Early Espresso
- Accessories: Matchbox Die (for the label), Scallop Oval Punch, Sponges, Crochet Trim, Basic Pearls, Mini Glue Dots, Beautiful Wings Die, Clear Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Scallop Trim Border Punch
If you like this tutorial on how to add wonderful color to your projects, you would love the Color My World event at StampNation!
Every video tutorial added to SN this month has featured a coloring technique…NINE have been added already and TWO more are coming!
Retiring Goodies…Don’t Panic!
Posted on April 26th, 2012, no responses.It seems as though most of the Stampin’ Up catalog is retiring! In all honesty, that is a good thing and makes me very, very excited! I can’t WAIT to see the new catalog and the new trendy, fun products SU has in store for us. I’ll be like a kid at Christmas (pretty please let there be a fun, whimsical, line art peacock!).
When looking at the retiring list, you may be scratching your head at some of the items on there. Let me help clarify some of it.
All of the ink pads are listed. Every one of them. This does NOT mean the colors are retiring! There are two reasons that the ink pads are listed:
- Craft Stampin’ Pads will now only be available in black and white. (If you have any pads, be sure to get your re-inkers now!!!)
- a new Firm Foam pad is coming to the Classic Stampin’ Pad
The firm pad will offer better ink coverage and better stamped images. Customers can order them on June 1.
Also, please note:
- a selection of Stampin’ Write Markers will be offered for individual purchase (you can get them all in the color collections)
- 12 x 12 Textured Cardstock is being discontinued
- 12 x 12 Smooth Cardstock will only be available in select individual colors. All colors will be available in the assortment packs by color collection.
There were 2 errors on the Retiring Accessory list:
| 208 | 108360 | Craft Scissors |
| 208 | 103579 | Paper Snips |
Now, check out that list and be sure to order what you want and what you need before it’s gone forever!
CLICK HERE TO VISIT MY ONLINE STORE! PLACE YOUR ORDER BEFORE THESE GOODIES ARE GONE FOREVER!
Happy Stamping!
Retiring Stamps, Accessories and How to Get Your New Catalog!
Posted on April 25th, 2012, one response.
There is a LOT to talk about today. First the retiring accessory list. Brace yourself, it’s HUGE. And, there are many items discounted. Remember, these items are WHILE SUPPLIES LAST. I recommend placing your order within the next day or so if there are things you MUST have. I don’t want to hear about disappointed stamper girls! ;)
- CLICK HERE FOR THE RETIRING ACCESSORIES LIST (by page number)
- RETIRING DEFINITELY DECORATIVE LIST
- RETIRING STAMP SETS
Now, a quick reminder of a few things that are about to end:
- SUMMER SMOOCHES PROMOTION ends April 30 (The Summer Smooches Designer Fabric Brads and Summer Smooches Décor Stencil are exclusive to this offer and will not be included in the 2012-2013 catalog.)
- Occasions Mini Catalog ends April 30!!!
I’m getting e-mails from customers that want to get the new catalog. Here’s how it will work…the catalog will go live on June 1. YOU can get it sooner. How?
- If you are a current customer of mine that has placed $150 or more in orders with me since January 1, I will automatically ship one to you.
- If you have placed an order with me since July 1, 2011 but are not on the first list, shoot me an e-mail and I will send one to you.
- If you don’t fit into the above categories, place an order with me by May 15, then e-mail me to request your catalog and I will put you on my list to get one shipped ASAP!
CUSTOMER REWARDS CARD- This program ends on June 30, so be sure to fill up your card and REDEEM it by then!
One last thing, don’t forget the price of my book goes up tonight! This e-book (complete with SIX videos) is available to you no matter where in the world you live! CLICK HERE for details! Be sure to check out the 12 page sneak peek at the book! Even if you don’t buy it, the sneak peek can help you move in the direction of scrapbooking freedom!
Let me know if you have any questions!!!
CLICK HERE TO VISIT MY ONLINE STORE! PLACE YOUR ORDER BEFORE THESE GOODIES ARE GONE FOREVER!
The Way She Stamps…
Posted on April 24th, 2012, 4 responses.
Hello Friends! No card for you today, but I wanted to share a quick photo of Eva. I cracked up on Sunday when I walked in my stamp room and saw this nut stamping with her bestie on the chair next to her. How funny is that! It’s amazing to me how much she adores this dog. So heartwarming!
Now for some business…Be sure to check back here tomorrow…the retiring accessories list comes out! I’ll post it as soon as I can!
AND, the introductory price on my new book, Life Scraps…how to scrapbook your life through storytelling, will expire tomorrow evening. The price will increase to $27. Just wanted to make sure you knew, so you could scoop it up at the intro price!
Click here for details and for a 12 page sneak peek at the inside!
Have a wonderful day!
Stampin’ Up Sweet Shop Product Suite Video Tutorial #5
Posted on April 23rd, 2012, 7 responses.
It’s freezing here today in Raleigh, NC…the kids had to pull some pants back out of their closets! That’s ok, because the Sweet Shop Product Suite by Stampin’ Up is making it so like summer in here this morning! 
The vibrant colors and darling images in the Sweet Shop Designer Series Paper and Sweet Shop Designer Stickers are so fun and are perfect for making summer time birthday cards, thank you cards, invitations or scrapbook pages.
Thanks to the Mojo Monday Sketch for the inspiration today!
Stampin’ Up Supplies:
- Petite Pairs Stamp Set
- Cardstock: Vellum, Soft Suede, Whisper White, Pool Party
- Ink: StazOn Black
- Accessories:1-3/4" Circle Punch, Sweet Shop Designer Series Paper, Jelly Bean Brads, Wisteria Wonder Baker’s Twine, Sweet Shop Designer Stickers
I hope you’ve enjoyed this series…if you’ve missed any click the links below to view:
Click here for the 1st video in this series.
If you haven’t checked out my brand new e-book, Life Scraps…how to scrapbook your life through storytelling, I encourage you to!
The price goes up on Wednesday.
CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE AND TO ORDER YOUR COPY TODAY!
I think Karen sums it up perfectly:
Sweet Shop Product Suite Series, Mouthwatering Stamp Set…brought to you by Eva!
Posted on April 20th, 2012, 4 responses. 
Hello Friends! I hope you are getting ready for a fun weekend! Randall and Eva just left for their Y Princess weekend, so I’m in CHARGE! ;) I’m thinking a trip to Archiver’s (have I told you how much Anna is into SMASH Books right now???), pizza tonight, a movie….girl time!
Speaking of Eva, she wanted me to share this card with you. Her teacher said that her mother’s birthday was the other day, so Eva decided to make a card for her. I know! So stinkin’ sweet!
We went to the stamp room and came up with this. She used one of my stamped ice cream cones from my video the other day showing you how to ink with markers and ink pads. I made a few other suggestions on how to finish the card and she made her choices.
She did a pretty SWEET job, didn’t she?
If you’ve missed other videos in the Sweet Shop Series using the Mouthwatering Stamp Set:
Click here for the 1st video in this series.
Life Scraps…Would You Like to SEE a Few Pages??? and a Q&A
Posted on April 19th, 2012, one response.Hello Friends! Yesterday was a really exciting (and very nerve-wracking!) day for me. Over a year ago I decided that I would change the way I scrapbook to make it easier, less stressful and my pages would be more meaningful. As I began "finding" what that way was and scrapbooking that way, I was so excited that I decided to write a book about it. I don’t think I really understood what an undertaking it was going to be. Parts of my life were put on hold while I worked on this project. But I felt so sure that this could help others, I kept on keepin’ on!
As I sat awaiting the time for the release of the book, my hands were shaking and sweaty. My "baby" was going out to the world.
I suppose after working so hard for so long on something, it becomes a part of you. And I guess it IS me, because there are over 80 scrapbook pages in this book about my life that illustrate the concept and will in turn inspire YOU to document your own.
I was still very nervous as people began purchasing the book and e-mailing me their thoughts. It was wonderful to hear the lovely comments that people had. A few of them said I could share them with you.
Before I do, I also had a few questions from people that wanted to know more:
Q: Where can I download the e-book?
A: You can download this to your laptop, desktop or e-reader. Once you purchase the e-book, you will receive a link to a page where you can get the book. I recommend copying this link and e-mailing it to yourself so you will have it on file. This way if you change computers, or want it on more than one device, you can do so!
Q: How many pages is the book?
A: 136 pages.
Q: I’m not exactly sure what the book is about. Do you have a few pages I can see?
A: Absolutely! I put together a sample of the book…the table of contents, a small part of the introduction, a few pages from the middle of the book and the conclusion. Click on the link below to view:
Thank you to those of you that have e-mailed me with your initial thoughts on the book. I’m glad you are finding value and are as excited as I am about the concept!
What they are saying:
Thank you ladies, for your e-mails. It makes all the hard work on the book worth it when I hear stories like this!
If you are ready for scrapbooking freedom, CLICK HERE to purchase your copy!
Let me know if you have any questions and thank you for being a blog reader.
BTW – Eva and I stamped last night…her teacher’s mother is having a birthday, so Eva wanted to make a card for her. What a sweetie! I’ll share it with you tomorrow.
Have a wonderful day!
The Solution is HERE! Embark on your Journey to Scrapbooking Freedom Today!
Posted on April 18th, 2012, no responses.After my e-mail went out to my newsletter subscribers on Monday and I was amazed at the number of e-mails I received from people that are experiencing scrapbooking frustration. I heard:
- Help me love scrapbooking again!!!
- Help me get started!
- I don’t know how to organize this stuff!
- I don’t know where to start!
- I NEED help!
Thank you from the bottom of my heart to everyone that wrote me. It completely reinforced what I am doing and that this is needed and will help people. I am so excited to finally reveal my e-book. This e-book is downloadable to your laptop, desktop or e-reader!
Life Scraps…how to scrapbook your life through storytelling
Click the link below for all the details and be sure to order within the next 24 hours (must be ordered by NOON on April 19th) because I have a very special bonus for you! (How about SIX bonus scrapbook pages that go along with the idea of the book to inspire you further?)
CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE AND TO ORDER YOUR COPY TODAY!
Stampin’ Up Sweet Shop Product Suite Mini Catalog
Posted on April 17th, 2012, 4 responses.
Hello Friends! FIRST I must clear up a boo-boo I made!
If you are a newsletter subscriber, you got a quick note from me saying your scrapbooking problems will be solved tomorrow, then I mentioned the 18th. I’m so sorry for those of you that I have teased long enough and are sitting on the edge of your seats…it is coming on the 18th. Which, now, IS tomorrow! So hold on tight, one more day! And please forgive me for getting you all excited, then making you wait one more day.
I do have some fun for you! How about #4 in our series using the Stampin’ Up Sweet Shop Product Suite from the Mini Catalog? Hope you enjoy today’s video! If you do, please click the like and share buttons! Thank you!!!
Stampin’ Up Supplies:
- Mouthwatering Stamp Set, Teeny Tiny Wishes, A to Z Stamp
- Cardstock: Calypso Coral, Lucky Limeade, Whisper White, Pool Party
- Ink: Calypso Coral, Lucky Limeade, Pool Party, Soft Suede, Wisteria Wonder
- Accessories: Labels Framelits Dies, Houndstooth Embossing Folder, Sweet Shop Designer Series Paper, Scallop Trim Border Punch
Click here to view the Occasions Mini Catalog
Click here to view this Product Suite in my Online Store!
Click here for the 1st video in this series.
Please let me know if you have any questions and as always, thank you so much for popping in today!
48 hours Will Change You as a Scrapbooker
Posted on April 16th, 2012, 4 responses.Hey, friends! The countdown is on! Just about 48 hours until I finally get to share with you this project I’ve been working on now for so long!
I am passionate about it. I truly believe in it. I know it can help you.
If you ARE a scrapbooker or WANT to be a scrapbooker (that would be a scrapbooker-wanna-be!) this will change you.
StampNation Members already know what it is and later today I will be starting an entire thread on it and adding bonus content just for them.
If you are interested in becoming a member of this passionate community of paper crafters, all taking their paper crafting to the next level, I invite you to join us.
INFORMATION AND REGISTRATION HERE
The Winner is…
Posted on April 15th, 2012, 2 responses.Hello Friends! With such a big retiring stamp set list (FIFTY of my stamp sets are retiring, which leaves me with only 30 that will be current with the new catalog. holy cow! But I can’t wait to get my hands on some new goodies), the odds were in your favor when guessing which stamp sets are retiring.
A few of them surprised me such as Have a Seat, Fox and Friends, Charming and the Medallion. There are a few others that I just love, you will be seeing them over the next few weeks, but I wasn’t so suprised. What about you? I’d love to hear what surprised you from the list!
If you would like to place an order with me and would like a copy of the current catalog, please e-mail me. I only have eight current catalogs left. When they are gone, I won’t be ordering anymore until the new catalog, so make sure you get yours now!
Now for the winners…
We had two stampers guess TEN stamp sets correctly, so I just have to send them both a set of cards. Ladies, please email me your address so I can get them out to you!
Stampin’ Up’s Retiring List is Here!
Posted on April 15th, 2012, no responses.I anxiously anticipate the arrival of Stampin’ Up’s Retiring Stamp Set list every year. Although it’s hard to say "goodbye" to some of our favorite stamp sets we know just around the corner are some new gems that are sure to delight us just as much!
If you see some of your favorites here (some of mine are on this list!), be sure to grab them up quick before they are gone!
VIEW THEM ALL IN ONE SPOT IN MY ONLINE STORE
By Sabine on Apr 14, 2012 | Edit
I am completely new at this (stampin) so I have no idea but thought some might not be so popular. Therefore this is my list:
Many Mustaches
Holiday Happiness
A Christmas Carol
Valentine Love
House and Home
Now you’re cookin’
Something Sweet
Always Elegant
Grunge Rock
Happiness Shared
By Debbie G on Apr 14, 2012 | Edit
HOLIDAY LINE UP
TRENDY TREES
EVERY MOMENT
NATURES SILHOUETTES
UPSY DAISY
FUNKY FOUR
FIFTH AVE FLORAL
BAROQUE MOTIF
PAISLEY PETALS
UNDER THE BIG TOP