A group of enthusiastic crafters joined me last Saturday to make these bright and happy "purse boxes" that hold 5 coordinating cards.  Thought I'd share some of the fun.

First, the assembly process (busy hands and focused minds)…..

And TA-DA!  Finally, the finished results!

Sorry I didn't get everyone's picture; I'll try to remember to pick up the camera more often next time!

I've had some requests to repeat this class next month, and I'll be happy to if there's enough interest.  Please let me know if you'd be interested!

I can’t believe we’ve only got one month left of this year’s Stamper’s 30 Club term!  Wow! Where *does* the time go?!? 

Anyway, today I wanted to share with you the 2 projects Club members made at our May get-together.  The box features an On Board Chipboard flower, enhanced with a piece of Ginger Blossom Designer Series Paper.  I think the focal point on this project is particularly fun because the center of it is inset from the surface of the box.  So between the inset of the center of the focal point and the depth of the surrounding chipboard flower, there is a fresh and fascinating dimension.

The other project my Stamp Club ladies did is one of the projects I demoed at my workshops last month. I don’t know whether there is an official technique name for this idea, but I like to call it Paper Ribbons.  And it’s another great way to use up tidbits of paper you may have lying around.   

I started with a color palette that kind of reminds me of ice cream or maybe sherbet:  Apricot Appeal, Regal Rose, and Chocolate Chip.  Then the main card was given a softening effect with Whisper White Craft ink & a background stamp.  (I used "Canvas" on this particular card.)  All the horizontal stamped images come from the stamp called "Happiness" (page 122 of the Spring/Summer 2008 Collection), and the circular image is from "Circle of Friendship" (page 143).  The circles at the bottom were dry embossed onto Chocolate Chip cardstock using the Pick a Petal Brass Template (page 187), and the special technique I taught at my workshops in April:  "How to dry emboss on dark cardstock without a light box".  And then after embossing the circles I highlighted their raised edges by gently applying some Whisper White Craft ink with a stamping sponge – rubbing in circular motions.

Since next month (June) will be our final session of this year’s Stampers’ 30 Club series, *next* year’s Club is now forming.  Shoot me an email and sign up for *your* space now!  As a Stampers’ 30 Club member you’ll be able to place your Stampin’ Up!® orders on the budget plan, enjoy discounted pricing and other special perks at my various classes and Stamp-a-Stacks, get hostess benefits based on the total purchases of the entire group during your assigned month (minimum of $300 in sales), and make fun projects every month while enjoying a social time out with "the gals"! 

Woo Hoo!  It’s official!  I’ll be back again at the Island County Fair in August! Although Dennise won’t be there with me this year, I’ll be sharing the booth with Becca (her 1st year at our booth), and Shannon (her 2nd year) – and we’re looking forward to a great time!  As the dates get closer we’ll have a work schedule we can share, and I hope you’ll come say "hi" when I’m there!  Look for us in booth #61 in the Commercial building.

Here are a couple of the cards our May Stamp-a-Stackers made this month. This first one features Big Bold Birthday, in a gate card format held closed with a band of ribbon wrapped around a base of coordinating cardstock.  My niece was celebrating her 4th birthday just about this same time, so I made her one of these cards, but with *4* candles on the cupcake!

This next card uses a template we learned at Convention last year.  The circular focal point is actually a "latch" to hold the front of the card closed.  So while this particular card is oriented in a horizontal format, it could just as easily have been oriented vertically – simply by changing the direction of the words on the top layer of the focal point. This card was a really simple one to do, and a great way to use up your scraps of Designer Series Paper you might have left over. 

  I have opened registration for 3 upcoming classes in May – in addition to my regular monthly Stamp-a-Stacks on the first weekend. 

To view the details or register for any of these fun events, click the button below:

Another upcoming class you’ll surely want to take!  This includes 4 sweet little cards (roughly 4" square), and their coordinating envelopes and slip case.  A darling gift for a special friend.  This project will feature chipboard, Build-a-Brads, Ginger Blossom Designer Series Paper, and lots and lots of wonderful texture!  Keep an eye on my newsletter and Calendar of Events ……… and register here as soon as it’s listed!

   Here are a couple shots from an upcoming class project I’m planning: a fun "purse box" filled with 5 full-size cards and envelopes.  This class will feature Bali Breeze Designer Series Paper, Die-Cut Blooms (Occasions Mini Catalog), Bead Duos, and several other charming details.  See this project in real life at my upcoming workshops and events, and then watch for registration to open so you can make one of your very own!

Well I see it’s been exactly one month since I last posted.  Geesh!  I guess it’s about time, isn’t it?  I think I’ve been feeling kinda bad (yes, even guilty) that I haven’t had time to shoot any new pictures to share – but I finally dragged out all my paraphernalia for doing that last night, and now (finally!) have some new samples to upload.  In the meantime, I have ordered a mini "lighting studio" that I’m hopeful will make that whole picture-taking process a little easier and quicker, and that should be arriving sometime next week.  Can’t wait!  🙂

So without any further ado, here are a couple of cards from my series of 3 Stamp-a-Stacks earlier this month.  (My ladies did 5 cards; I’ll probably share an additional sample or two in my upcoming newsletter.)

The apples in this first card come from the Tart & Tangy stamp set in the Occasions Mini Catalog.  They’re stamped in Whisper White Craft ink onto Basic Black cardstock.  Olive ribbon is dyed with Classic ink, and the dotted background behind uses the Lots of Dots jumbo wheel, also from the Occasions Mini.

This card features the hostess gift stamp called "From the Garden" – and I think this is such a glorious  stamp it would be worth submitting a $150 order all by oneself just for the chance to own it!  These colors were accomplished by blending several shades of pastels together, burnishing them into the paper – and then finishing up with additional color applied with blender pen.  It’s hard to see, but the flower’s center glistens with glitter.

There was quite a bit of speculation as to what kind of flower this is?  Several ladies thought it looked like a lily, but I remain unconvinced.  Anyone know for sure?  Drop me a line if you can identify this gorgeous flower.

Just got these awesome stats from Stampin’ Up!® regarding the Sale-a-Bration season that just concluded:

• Yesterday (Monday, March 17), the final day of Sale-a-Bration, Stampin’ Up! experienced their all-time biggest sales day ever – at $3.5 million in sales!  (And I also personally submitted more orders that day than on any previous day, too!  Sounds like I was probably in good company!)
• The most popular Sale-a-Bration item was "Lots of Thoughts".  (Of course YOU already knew that, didn’t you?!?  It was certainly the most popular choice among MY customers!)  More than 120,000 "Lots of Thoughts" sets were earned during the 6-1/2 weeks of Sale-a-Bration.
• Altogether, there were over 650,000 free Sale-a-Bration items earned!

Thank you all for YOUR parts in making this a totally fantastic Sale-a-Bration season!

You didn’t think Stampin’ Up!® would let up on the fun just because Sale-a-Bration is over, did you?!?  No way!  Check out these links to see what they’ve got on tap NOW – that all last through April 30th:

FREE Wheelin’ Promotion

Extra, Extra Hostess Promotion

Wild for Wasabi Special Product Offer

Pick your favorite(s), then contact me to help you take advantage of ’em.