Quick Post

I am still trying to keep up with a challenge on posting to my blog, but tonight's post will be quick....  Here is a picture of the items we received at Leadership the other week for FREE..  The purse....whic Vera Bradley has a new design, exactly the same, different material...selling for $71.   We also received the Level 2 stamp set from the Occasions Mini and another stamp set, some material, MDS Sale a bration downloads, glimmer brads, glimmer paper, buttons, chunky glitter and I am sure I left out something....

Here is the matching wallet that I bought.   While at Leadership they have memento mall, which is a super shopping area to pick up lots of goodies, which I did!!!

These items are the make and takes from Leadership.   I am missing 2 cards, one digital and one we made, and a DVD (aka stamp case) decorated.   I could not find them until earlier this week and I haven't taken a picture of them. 

These are some of the PERKS of being a Stampin' Up! Demo.    One of the BIGGEST perks is meeting other demos and forming bonds with them that will last a lifetime.

ENJOY!

Sale a Bration Has Begun

Sale a Bration has barely begun....Yesterday.. I placed my Stampin' Club's order around noon yesterday. Today, I received notification that it has been shipped. NOW, I did pay extra to have it shipped 3-day UPS, however that 3-day begins after the order has been picked and packed in a box and the information sent to UPS and the box picked up!!! I think that is AWESOME!!! It will be here by Friday (that is if it stops snowing here, and UPS can get up the driveway)! AND here is a little SU news from today's quick turnaround with orders...
       "At the Distribution Center, at Stampin' Up, we shattered our old record of picks (number of  items     pulled from the shelves and placed in a box to be shipped) with over 137,000 picks in ten hours. The old record was 105,000 in thirteen hours, so we are happy to report that we are working hard to support our (demonstrators) amazing Sale a Brations efforts."

Sale a bration is just starting, so don't miss out on all the freebies. FREE stamps for customers, more FREE stamps for Hostesses, FREE stamps for demonstrators, FREE stamps and other goodies for New demonstrators that sign up to join my team during Sale a bration, not only 15% off the starter kit, but a BUNDLE of Stampin' Up! goodies too. AND that is just from Stampin' Up!. Anyone who joins my team during Sale a Bration will get to choose a FREE stamp set from my STASH of new, stamp sets, some current, some retired......Want to learn more, Just send me a email or give me a call.

Here is a quick and cute card using the Valentine Defined stamp set that is in the Occasions mini....page 9, this is the same set on my blog post yesterday...This card was a SWAP card of my roommate at Leadership, Michelle. Thanks Michelle for letting me take pictures of your SWAPS.

Boy, you think I could have cleaned up the table before taking the picture....I was just an evening of sharing and taking quick pictures.

Here are pictures of the Stampin' Club cards.   If you would like to join my Stampin' Club, I still have a few spots open and the hostess months are later this year.   Give me a call.

This first card is a 3x3 card, Chocolate chip 3x6, folded.  pretty in pink 2 7/8" square, run thru the Big Shot and the Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder, 1 7/8" sq chocolate chip, and 1 3/4" square whisper white.  I used some scraps of white to stamp the cupcake, using pretty in pink and chocolate chip ink.  The cherry on top was punched with the cupcake punch using the red glimmer paper that is in the Occasions mini.  The ribbon is chocolate chip taffeta ribbon (retired) and scraps of chocolate chip and whisper white for the greeting using the word window and modern label punches.   the cupcake was "popped up" using dimensionals.

 This card is one of my cards that I leave a tip for my super wait staff at a restaurant.   I fold up money and stick inside and the slit punch makes it stay shut without using an envelope.   I started with a piece of Crumb cake card stock and scored it at 2 11/16", then I took the slip punch (retired) and punched the longer side of the crumb cake card stock.   The rest of the card I used very vanilla card stock, some baja breeze DSP and baja breeze card stock.  I stamped the cups image on very vanilla scrap and colored the image and then cut it out.   I layered this onto a very vanilla card stock punched out using the large oval punch and the baja breeze was punched out using the scalloped oval punch.  Also used was the Victorian ribbon.

 The final card was a standard A2 card.   Whisper white card stock 8 1/2 x 5 1/2, scored at 4 1/4.  Cherry cobbler is 5 1/2 x 4.   I stamped the banner of hearts from the Valentine Defined stamp set in early espresso ink.  The flowering heart image was stamped in cherry cobbler ink on whisper white card stock and layered onto early espresso card stock.  I used dimensionals to "pop the image up" and then stamped the greeting, Happy Valentine's day in early espresso ink.  After I assembled the card,  I dabbed some crystal effects over all of the hearts on this card and patiently let them dry!!!  That was the hardest part of making this card.

Stay tuned...I am taking part in a challenge to post on my blog 5 days a week during Sale a bration, starting yesterday and thru the end of March.  

ENJOY! and if you got a lot of snow like we did, you can pass the time while you are stuck in your house  and STAMP!   Stamping is exercise....I sure there are some calories burned stampin'.



carol

Valentine Defined Card

This card was a swap card from my roommate at Leadership, Jackie Bultje from Canada.   The cute flamingo stamp is from the stamp set called Valentine Defined and has 8 stamps in the set and clear mount is only $18.95 and that makes it under $2.50 per stamp, what a bargain!!!

This card also uses some of the new red glimmer paper and Love Impressions Designer Paper that are both in the Occasions Mini too.

I will have more samples using this set and others from the Occasions Mini catalog and the Sale a Bration Catalog, which begins today...ok, it is after midnight so really started yesterday.

ENJOY! 

My Digital Studio (MDS) New Project

At Leadership Convention...which hasn't even started yet.   I am learning SO much from all these other Great Demos, Sharing what they Love.  Here is a album I started with some pictures from last year (2009) Christmas.   Notice the snowflakes, ribbon bows, punched border and even some brads on these pages.   The My Digital Studio (MDS) comes with all of these or has free upgrades which these are a part of the upgrade.   I did earn one free digital download a few months ago and added it to my program.   BUT was so "frozen"  afraid to even try using the program, so it has sat in my laptop for over a year....SILLY ME.

NOW, if you happen to be in one of these pictures and you don't like the picture...sorry, I am not changing it...TOO MUCH WORK TO UNDO...for now at least.  Thanks --Carol Taggart for helping me get this far in our fantastic digital software program.   If you have purchased My Digital Studio (MDS) from me.  I will give you a beginners class and ongoing support FREE. 

Stampin' Up's! Clear mount Stamps - How to mount video

Here is my first video.   I shot it by myself, holding the camera in one hand and doing everything else with my other.   Then tonight found I had a tripod all along and could have done the video much easier.......For now I will leave the video alone. 

The video shows how to assemble Stampin' Up's! new clear mount stamps.   Leave me a comment and I will award you something from my S Up surplus items......

Carol's Stampin' News

Carol’s Stampin’ News Happy New Year Stampers!!!


2011 is Here!! What happened to 2010??? It went by so fast and before you know it, Easter will be here. Before Easter, Valentine’s Day…My 18th Anniversary!!!

Did you get all your Christmas cards in the mail before Christmas??? If not, I know you are not alone…This year, I got most of my cards in the mail before Christmas and a few were mailed out the day after. SO this year I am going to try and get ahead by making a few Christmas cards each month. Pat Matsko mentioned this great idea, so I am going to see how I do this year. I will keep you up to date….

With the beginning of a New Year, My Stampers 10 Club starts up again this month. The club consists of various stampers who choose 1 or 2 spots in the club. When I reach 10 members, I start another club. So far I have 15 spots reserved and 5 spots available. Each spot in the club requires just a $15 minimum purchase each month for 10 months. Each month a different person will be the Hostess and receive the Hostess benefits for the total of the club orders. Also included in Club membership – The Catalog and in July, the New Catalog. These catalogs are full of fantastic ideas. Each month on the 3rd Friday evening and 3rd Sunday afternoon I hold the club meeting at my house. We usually make 2 cards or a card and a project each month. January’s club meeting will be held on Jan 21st and Jan 23rd (changed from the 16th since I will be returning from Leadership Convention in Nashville).

If you are interested in signing up for Club, please email me ASAP to reserve your spot. Any questions, don’t hesitate to ask.

Beginning Jan 25th and running thru March 31st, is Stampin’ Up’s! Sale a bration. During Sale a bration, Stampin’ Up! Has a line of products, stamps, papers, embellishments, Digital Downloads, and Décor Elements as well as some stamp sets from the regular catalog….FOR FREE! YEP. For each $50 in purchase you get to choose one of these items. FREE.

Host a party during Sale a bration and when the party total is $300 or more (before shipping and tax), you will receive a Sale a bration item of your choice FREE. This is in addition to the other Hostess benefits that you earn.

I am also offering a special during Sale a bration…. Anyone who books and holds a qualifying party ($150 in total sales prior to shipping and tax) will receive their choice of a stamp set from my FREEBIE basket. This offer does not include club meetings.

Not sure what to order to receive a FREE sale a bration item? Just ask me how? I can put kits together for beginners to advanced stampers .


Share it!!! There are so many new embellishments and DSP in the mini catalog and if you want it all (like me) How about sharing? Here are some Package Share Deals:

Designer Series Paper Share: Love Impressions – 1 - 12 x 12 sheet of each 6 designs, First Addition – 1 - 12x12 sheet of each 6 designs, Spring Time, Sweet Stitches and Botanical gazette you will receive 1 6x6 of each design (6 designs per package) – 18 6x6 sheets total and 1 6x6 sheet of the red glimmer paper. Total $16.50 Orders for these shares will be placed as soon as 4 people sign up for this share.

Brad share - Receive all of the glimmer brads, 1 of each 5 colors in each color collection, 4 collections for a total of 20 glimmer brads. Sweet stitch fabric brads – 1 of each design, 6 brads. Total $6.00. Orders for these shares will be placed as soon as 4 people sign up for this share.

Embellishment share – Vintage flowers – 1 of each color -3 total, Rosettes - 1 of each size – 3 total, BIG buttons, Springtime Vintage and Sweet Stitches – 1 of each design (3) of each color (4) for a total of 12 buttons each collection totaling 24 buttons. And Window panes 1 of each size (3). Total $11.00 Orders for these shares will be placed as soon as 4 people sign up for this share.

Seam Binding & Pompom trim share - You will receive a yard of each of the 7 colors of seam binding and a yard each of the 3 colors of the pompom trim. Total 11 yards for $8.50. Orders for these shares will be placed as soon as 5 people sign up for this share.

Stay Tuned.....My first Video is in the works and hopefully I will be able to post it this weekend....

ENJOY!

SALE A BRATION BEGINS JAN 25th!!!

Sale a Bration begins soon....What does that mean?   Well...there is a Sale A Bration (SAB) catalog with FREE stamps and accessories for you to choose from.    This is how it works.   When you host a Stampin' Up! party, and your party total is $300 , you get to choose a SAB product from the SAB catalog...Now this is in addition to the other great Hostess benefits you receive, FREE hostess stamp set and FREE merchandise.   AND for January and February, you will receive from ME, a choice of a stamp set from my Goodie Basket.   Contact me today to schedule your party.

For each person who purchases $50 in Stampin'Up! merchandise (before shipping and tax), you receive one FREE SAB product of your choice.

I have a few openings for my Stampers 10 Club that starts on Jan 21st.   By joining my club, for your commitment of $15 a month for 10 months, you receive hostess benefits for one month, plus build your stamp supplies over time...You meet some amazing stampers of all levels of stampin'... learn new techniques...and just have FUN.   If this sounds like something you are interested in, contact me soon.

AND, if stampin', making $$, travelling, earning trips, merchandise, and other goodies appeals to you.   Join my team during Sale a Bration (Jan 25th -31st, Feb and March)  and Stampin' Up! will not only reduce the cost of the Stater kit by 15% but in addition, give you a bonus bundle filled with over $50 in free product!!!

WOW!

HAVE QUESTIONS???? contact me and I will get you the answers you need.

Getting Organized....continued

This next tip has to do with my sponges and sponge daubers.   I purchased some clear hard plastic containers at Walmart in the jewelry making supply aisle.   These containers have 12 sections and are really cheap!!!  When I bought them a few yrs ago, they were about $1.50   I think they are still reasonable and I think under $2.   Each section is labled on top and on the side of each container, I have a label with the Color collection listed on the side and these are stacked  and sitting on a shelf  next to my stamping desk. 

Each section holds a sponge wedge and a sponge dauber.   I used a perm marker and wrote the color collection on one flat side...."S" for Subtles,  "R" for Regals, etc.   On each dauber, I printed a list of the colors and cut those out and taped them around the dauber.   Every color has its own dauber and sponge wedge....OCD...probably....



My inks and ink refills are organized by color collection on my Color Caddy with extender...It holds all my ink pads and ink refills nicely and takes up the least amount of room from any other organizing ink pad storage unit I have seen out there.   The color caddy is pictured on page 193 of the Idea Book and Catalog, also the extender allows for all those in colors and some other ink pads too.

Thank You Card

Do you ever cut cardstock to make a bunch of cards,  (like Christmas cards, Halloween, etc)  you know where you want to send out 5 or more of the same card?   Then either not sending as many or OMG!!! not sending any?   What do you do with the cardstock...already cut, and layers cut too, no stamping, just blank?  Well, that is how this card came about.   I had cut a bunch of cardstock and layers for some coworkers to make a card.   Real simple design using Scenic Season (borrowed, cause I don;t have it....GASP!)    Here is the card they made:

Real simple, Bravo burgundy card, Very Vanilla stamped layer, using always artichoke craft ink and clear embossing powder, (the one they made was not embossed) and bravo burgundy ink for the greeting.   I took several greetings for them to choose from.    I also used some retired artichoke organdy ribbon.   They all loved making the card and I told them they were not getting a card from me....My gift was them making their own card to give away.  

Since some of my coworkers were either not there that day or busy that they could not come by and make it, I had about  7 or 8 "card parts" leftover.    I decided to make a few quick cards for my husband to give some coworkers.    Then I decided to use some of the leftovers to make some quick cards to some friends and family....Here is the card.   Only change, stamp set is Come to Bethlehem and the ink was gold ink, which is a pigment ink that is used with embossing powders, but I wanted the card to be QUICK.   So, no embossing, just stamping and a quick pass under the embossing gun...just to set the ink to keep it from smearing.

I still had a few of these card parts leftover, so I decided to make some Thank you cards, for some special girls....my daughters and sister who gave me some GREAT gifts for Christmas.

I borrowed the stamp, Medallion  stamp because it happens to be another one that I don't own...How'd that happen????   I made this one a little different.  I wanted no ribbon - just easy and thin for mailing.  

 I made one of these for the gal who loaned me the stamp set and then the others for my sister and daughters.   Real easy and quick....I used the same card leftovers, and stamped the medallion using versamark ink and some old embossing powder (looks vanilla to match the cardstock) but I have no idea what kind of embossing powder it is, just in an unmarked jar.   I then pulled out my color coach to see what inks to use with bravo burgundy.   I used the baja breeze and sponged the ink all over the medallion in a circular motion and then buffed with a paper towel and the embossed image, "resisted" the ink.  That is the name of this technique....Emboss Resist.  I stamped the retired Thank You in bravo burgundy ink and viola`... the card was done....REALLY QUICK AND SIMPLE.


ENJOY!

Gettin' Organized!!!

New Year's inspires us all to "clear the clutter" and organize....From clothes, to that cabinet loaded with Tupperware, Rubbermaid, gladware, and every kind of plastic container known to man...You know that cabinet that you dislike opening.....I think everyone has one.   I know I do.   My husband has said he can never find the right top to go with the container.....SO for Christmas, I bought him an awesome set of plastic ware (Rubbermaid) 40 pc (on sale Black Friday at Walmart)  it comes with all different size containers, but the awesome benefit of this set...The tops are all the same size!!!  For now my cabinet is neat and organized.....

I have a few of my Stampin' organizing tips to share with you:  Cardstock - Oh my there are so many ways to organize this, but this simple system works well no matter how much cardstock you have.....In whatever container, file cabinet you use, try and make sure that it has a cover or in a closet to prevent the sun from fading it.   If you only have a small amount, like some assorted pkgs of SU cardstock, place in a folder and if you have a hanging folder system, then you can put a tab on the folder with the color collection written on it.   Then on a index card, I list those color names that are in the folder and tape the index card to the front of the folder....So, if I am looking for Old Olive and not sure which color collection , I can see at a glance which folder it is in.  If you have all the colors, a folder for each color is the best way to go...I put the color name and the item number on the tab to make it easy for me when writing a list of cardstock that I need to order.

I keep large scraps of cardstock in a pocket file folder in front of the Color Collection hat those colors are in.   I have 3 pocket folders for each Color Collection.   For smaller scraps, I use cheap dollar store coupon holders, they have 12 pockets and each color collection has 10 colors.   I have 5 of these, one for each color collection and one for the in colors and other neutral cardstocks.   My down line, Tami Maerten shared this idea with me and it helps me use up those little pieces of cardstock.

My designer series papers  (DSP) until now, they have been a little messy.   BUT, I had some 12.5 x 12.5 ziplock baggies and put each package of DSP in one ziplock bag and I wrote on an index card the name of the DSP, which catalog it is in and listed the colors that are in the package and taped the card to the inside of the ziplock baggie.   Here is a picture of my Jolly Holiday DSP.   The baggie helps keep all those small pieces from getting lost.

Check back tomorrow for another Stampin' Organizing tip.

Happy New Year!!!

WOW!   Where did 2010 GO???   It seems like it was just yesterday, ringing in 2010.   Now we are getting ready to ring in 2011.   I am ready for it...   I have some Goals set and  I hope I reach them all.    Number 1 on my list....To SHARE more.   So if you want to see something on here, let me know.   Maybe a technique, maybe a sample using a specific stamp set or an embellishment.  

My first share of the year ...A birthday card.   for two friends.   I started about a year ago making 2 cards basically the same when I make a card, what the heck, you cut the card stock in half and have the base ready and you make a mess (or at least I do) making one card, so you might as well make 2 for the same mess!

This card uses:

Hostess Level 1- Birthday Bakery stamp set #120115
Poppy Parade card stock  #119793
Baja Breeze card stock #111352
Whisper White card stock #100730
Subtles Patterns DSP stack (So saffron) #117152
Basic black ink #101179
Poppy Parade, Baja Breeze and So Saffron markers
Backgrounds #1 Texturz Plates #114512
Scallop trim border punch #118402
1 3/4" scallop circle punch #119854
1 3/8" circle punch #119860
1 1/4" circle punch #119861
Mat pack #105826
Paper-Piercing tool #116631 
Dimensionals #104430
Snail #104332

Even though a lot of supplies were used, this card went together quite quickly.  One of the ladies I made these cards for received her card yesterday.