Today I thought I'd share with y'all my collection of goodies showcasing this oh-so-popular Designer Series Paper "Urban Garden".  This particular paper has been so popular it got held over from the Fall/Winter catalog into the current Spring/Summer catalog, too.

Many of you will recognize the box in the back on the left, because that was from a class I offered last fall, and you made it yourself!  The card shown on the right in the rear was one of the cards included inside.

The little box in the front (left) was a project my Stampers 30 Clubs made recently (although each person chose from a selection of different paper designs), and the tear-off calendar in the middle (rear) was a project I worked up, based upon a picture of something I saw "somewhere" – although unfortunately I have no recollection of where. 

And finally, the wonderful box on the right was a gift from a dear friend – and it's loaded with magnificent coordinating cards, too.  Here's the box again all by itself – from a slightly better angle.

So here's a challenge for ya:  choose your favorite DSP (preferably current) and make a coordinating grouping of things yourself.  You might do an office accessories grouping, gift ensemble, or perhaps even a party theme.  Then bring all your pieces over so we can stage and shoot a picture – and I'll feature them here!

  More handstamped birthday cards.  The one on the left, from my DIL, Jennifer…. and the one on the right from one of my downline friends, Maureen.  It always makes me smile to open an envelope and find a handstamped card inside, doesn't it you?

Today I wanted to share this darling birthday card my niece made for me (well, with some help, I understand, from her Oma).  Kaia's not yet 5, but I think she's a pretty good stamper, don't you?

The delicious Occasions Mini Catalog will be available in April, but while you're waiting, Stampin' Up! is offering up a sneak peek at the Easter stamps in it.  These darling stamps are available to order right now so you can get a head start on your Easter stamping.  And since Sale-a-Bration is continuing through March, your Sneak Peek purchases can count towards your SAB rewards!

Order either online (link is in the right-hand column) - or else by contacting me directly.

By now you've probably noticed the supplies lists have been removed from our newest catalog (to make room for that awesome expanded Big Shot section, woo hoo!!!!) – but never fear; the lists are still available.  In two formats, as a matter of fact.  Choose the first option if you've got a beefy computer and fast internet, or the 2nd option if large files give your computer heart failure.

Here's the project supplies list – complete with a new feature: full-color project thumbnails!

And here's the text-only version – without any pictures.

I'm back!…… after having spent much of my recent weeks focused on other elements of life and business.  And somehow taking pictures of my stamped projects and getting them ready to post and then actually posting them seems to always land at the bottom of my priority list.  So each day runs out before I get there. But thankfully, many of you have already seen these in real life – at a Stamp-a-Stack, or Club meeting or other event you've attended recently.

So, now, on the day AFTER Valentines Day, I finally have these pictures ready to upload:

Here's a sampling of some of the mini cards I've had so much fun with recently.  I love working with these little cards because they go together quickly.  And besides, tiny projects (kinda like puppies and kittens) seem to have that built-it extra "oh, how adorable" factor.  These little things use a combination of punches, Big Shot dies, and bits of scraps and embellishments for texture.

This close-up highlights some of the fun textures on this card – beginning with the textured Pink Pirouette cardstock, the Flower Fusion (felt) flower, and half-pearl from the Pretties kit. And the heart (Full Heart punch) gets its dimension from one of our newTexturz plates (Stampin' Up!® Backgrounds I). (Oh my gosh!  You have GOT to see these Texturz plates, btw; be sure to ask about them at your workshop this spring!) The entire card, like the others in the first photo, is 3" x 3" when closed.

This was a VERY popular card at my Stamp-a-Stack last weekend!  Again, it also features one of the new Texturz plates for the dimension in the background.  (Although a bit disappointing in how it photographed; it's waaaaay prettier in real life.)

Here's another card from last weekend's Stamp-a-Stack.  The flower comes from the current 2-step Sale-a-Bration stamp set, Botanical Bloooms, and the circle was made with our new Circle Scissor Plus.  These colors kind of remind me of rainbow sherbet:  Regal Rose, Certainly Celery, and Apricot Appeal….. a refreshing change from the heavier colors of fall and winter!

I have to confess I cheated a little bit on the design of this one – and pulled out a few retired accessory items.  But they just fit the design so perfectly!

And finally, you're gonna have to ask me when you see me next for the funny story behind this cupcake card.  How 'bout asking me to bring it to your upcoming workshop and explain how it's made?

That is, assuming you already have your workshop on the calendar.  There's still time to grab a date if you don't have one already…..

And there's something fun for everyone!   

Customers: 

• Get a free Sale-a-Bration product bonus with every $50 in product you order! (Through March 31st)
• Get a free Spring/Summer 2009 Idea Book & Catalog with every online order you place (until April 30th, or until the supply of free catalogs has been distributed – whichever occurs first.  Tip:  Get your order submitted right away before they run out!)
• Earn Great Rewards credit when you place your orders through me (online or not) 

Hostesses:

• A great time to invite your friends and have a really fun show! 
• Get a free Sale-a-Bration product bonus with every $300 in sales at your workshop – in addition to all your regular hostess gifts, too!

New Demonstrators:

• Get any current stamp set of your choice for free (hostess stamp sets not included) when you join Stampin' Up! during Sale-a-Bration.  Read more about joining Stampin' Up!® here.……. and even sign up online!
• Also get a 15% discount on your Demonstrator Starter Kit – during Sale-a-Bration

Email me to book your Sale-a-Bration workshop or place on email order……… or place your order online by clicking here and selecting the SHOP NOW button!

If you're in love with Stampin' Up!'s Designer Series Paper like I am, here is your chance to own a sample of most* every piece of DSP shown on pages 158 – 161 of the brand-new Spring-Summer 2009 Idea Book & Catalog!  Use these samplers to plan your projects, mix and match with other papers you may already own, or use in any way your creativity inspires you!

Samplers will include not only a 3" x 3" piece of each of these gorgeous papers (that's 126 different papers, if you're counting!), but you'll also receive (via email) a template of labels along with instructions for making your own cover, tabs, and section dividers – similar to the one shown in these pictures.  (Actual supplies for assembling your cover, tabs, and dividers are not included, however.  See below for list of main supplies needed if you'll be making your own cover, dividers and tabs.) 

Labels will indicate paper collection name, ordering information, and a list of the exclusive Stampin' Up! colors that coordinate with each paper collection. Additionally, you will receive approximately 1/4 of a remaining DSP package (roughly 1/2 sheet of each of 6 different papers) as a bonus!  At this point I'm hoping to have these ready somewhere around the 21st of February…. and perhaps even earlier if I will not be assembling yours for you.

Two addtional convenience options you may choose are: 

• To have me assemble your sampler for you (supplies are included in the pricing)
• To have your sampler mailed to you if you are unable to pick it up from me. 

Editted on 1-28-09:

Even though this offer was originally open only through 1-25-09, I have just learned it is possible there may be a couple sets still available.  If you would still like one, please contact me IMMEDIATELY, and I will check about availability and reserve it for you for a very short time……  just long enough for you to pay the PayPal invoice I will email you.  Please be sure to pay that right away to confirm your sampler.

Here's the pricing, including the options available.  (US orders only, please.) 

• (126) 3" x 3" DSP papers, plus emailed labels and instructions for making your own cover.  Also includes approximately 1/4 package DSP ($13.00)

• 3" strip of white backing board from a DSP package
• Approx. 6 sheets Whisper White cardstock
• Approx 3" strip of a sheet of DSP
• Round tab punch
• Basic tools for cutting and scoring
• Sticky Strip
• SNAIL adhesive
• 2 Jumbo eyelets
• 1 book ring – 2" – 3" diameter
• Crop-a-dile
• 1 sheet Avery labels that accept #5267 format (20 down x 4 across)
• Ability to read PDF files on your computer
• Ability to read MS Word files if you would prefer editting options for labels

*  Note:  These samplers do not include papers available in the current Level 3 Hostess Set, and they only include a single color of "Patterns" paper shown on page 159.  Any papers shown on any other pages other than 158 – 161 will not be represented.  Also, your sampler cover may feature a different paper than is shown in these pictures.

I will be introducing several Stamp Club enhancements over these next several months, so if you're currently a Club member or perhaps just have wondered what it's all about, please keep an eye on this article to read the latest news.  I have several enhancements on the drawing board that will add flexibility to your Stamp Club membership – and I'll be rolling them out over the upcoming months. 

The first enhancement begins January 16th; be sure to read about it here. 

You know?  I was having a conversation recently with a friend about her themed Christmas tree (featuring snowflakes made with the Big Shot).  It sounds really pretty, so I hope I get a chance to see her tree eventually, but in the meantime I suddenly realized that without even really having planned for it, *I* have a themed tree this year, too! 

Since no one was coming to my house this season (and as it turned out I was even snowed in on Christmas Day!), I kept the decorating pretty simple this year.  Here's *my* version of a themed tree: