Catalog Voting: 2 Days Left to Win!

If you haven't already, you will want to vote for your favorite things in the new catalog and enter yourself to win a fun stamping package! Go here to cast your ballot and contest entry. I will draw the winner on September 1st.

If you aren't quite sure how to do this, follow these steps:

Go to the contest posting
Highlight the categories listed
Click Control-C while highlighted to copy the list
Click on "comments" at the bottom of the post
Click in the text box on the right side
Click Control-P to past the list
Type in your votes for each category
Go down and it asks you to type in a security code verification
Then choose your identity as "name/URL" and type in your name. Just leave URL blank.
Then submit the comment, and it should show up right away in the comments section.

Let me know if you have questions. I can't wait to see everyone's favorites so I can post MINE!

Modest...But MINE!

I always love seeing other people's craft areas so I thought I'd post a picture of my "wall". Granted, the whole room used to be my stamp space complete with a large stamping table and cute decor. However, baby Graham took over half of the room a year ago. I didn't know how I would survive without all my stamping space, but I've managed. With two toddlers, I can't imagine stamping in the confines of that little room anymore. Being out on the kitchen table is much better for supervising two little ones. The worst is just dragging stuff back and forth but that's not so hard. And Graham has learned to sleep through Mommy coming in and out with a flashlight late at night, ha, ha! Someday I will have more space but until then, my wall is fine. As you can see, being organized can make up for a lot when it comes to confined areas. See that empty spot on top of the paper organizer? That will be the new home for my Big Shot when she arrives. Yay!

And if you would like to see the other half of this small room and the goings-on over there, here ya go.

Lovin' Die-Cut Stamps!

I am so loving that SU's rubber is now die-cut! These were my new stamps that came the other day, and they are all put together....ALREADY! I just plopped in front of a recorded tv show with hubby and had all these done in an hour and a half. That's a record.

Also, if you don't already know this tip, I put the SU clear label on one end but make my own white label for the opposite end. This way I can see the names of the sets much better when they are stacked in my armoire.

Stamp Club: August Swap

Our August Club Hostess requested that we exchange tags this month. What a great idea! I loved the challenge of dolling up a small project. On my sample, I wrote the "to" and "from"...do I really not own one of those stamps anymore? Ok, who bought it retired from me? I need it back, ha, ha, just kidding. But I didn't write the "to" and "from" on the others just in case people wanted to use them on cards instead of as tags.

I used a lot of fun new product, which is why I'm doing these day-of. My order just came last night! Used the new tag scallop, the new scallop edge, new stamp set Spotlight on Christmas, In-Colors Kiwi and Red Ridinghood, and DSP Bella Rose. Yep, Bella Rose for Christmas. Not does this paper have beautiful floral prints, but it also has checks, dots, and more. And with the red and green colors, the paper is super verstatile....working for anything from summer flowers to Christmas.

Look What Came Today.....

my first order from the new catty....not counting my pre-order, ha, ha. Too bad I stayed up til after 3am LAST night. I could barely get the box opened today, much less play with the goods! But I'm not even dreading putting the stamp sets together...can you say "die-cut baby!" Woohoo for die-cut! I put one set together already while sitting on the couch half asleep. That die-cut rubber makes a HUGE difference, more than I thought.

This order is for YOU, dear clubs!

Big Shot Club!

Here's an idea for a Big Shot Club. It would require 4 participants and would last 4 months. Each month from September to December, the participants would put in their monthly payment of $43.50 total (SH & tax included). All would receive their Big Shot machine, dies, hostess benefits in December. And in January, we would have a Big Shot Party for lessons on how to use the machine and make-n-takes projects to take home!

Here is what your $43.50 monthly fee (for 4 months) will cover:

$99.95 Big Shot Machine
$21.95 Die of your choice
$19.95 Die of your choice
$4.95 Die of your choice

And here are the free goodies you will receive:

$4.95 die of your choice or SU catalog
$4.95 die of your choice
$15 in SU merchandise
Level 1 hostess stamp set

In theory, each participant serves as the hostess for one of the four months of club. The hostess has the option of adding to her $43.50 order in order to bump up her workshop total. She can do this by placing a larger order herself and/or by collecting catalog orders from friends. In doing so, she can earn more than the minimum $15 in free hostess merchandise and can potentially earn level 2 or level 3 hostess stamp sets.

Think of this as an installment plan for acquiring the Big Shot and your favorite die-cuts by Christmas!

If you are interested in more information or being part of a Big Shot Club, please contact me soon. Thanks!

PS~I just ordered my Big Shot tonight, at 1am!
PPS~I should not have had Starbucks at 9pm tonight!

My Head is Spinning!!!

I am completely overwhelmed by all the possibilities with this new catalog. I have so many fun ideas going through my head. Is there enough time to do it all?! I'm really just posting this as a "think out loud" moment. Let's see....

• Big Shot Club
  
• September New Catalog Open House
• October World Cardmaking Day Event
• October Weekend Crop in Cantrall
  
• November Christmas Card Class
• Charity Cardmaking Event for Ronald McDonald House and U.S. Troops
• December E-Mail Class (who has time to attend an actual live event in Dec, right?)
• January Club Appreciation Parties!!!

Help me out, ladies. Any of this sound particularly interesting? Feedback?

In-Color Coordination Chart

Wanna see an awesome chart for matching up SU colors, especially with the new In-Colors? Click here for a great online chart. Enjoy!

Scrap Club: August

For August, we went with a bug theme using the Garden Whimsy stamp set. Check out the little ribbon slide from the new Silver Hodge Podge, love it.

I can't wait to design layouts for the rest of the year...using all new product from the Fall/Winter catalog! The new designer papers are awesome, we continue to use a different alpha stamp set each month, there's so many new accessories like designer buttons and felt snowflakes, and we'll even be incorporating some new Big Shot dies!!! Woohoo, I'm fired up!!!

If you want to join in scrap club, it's month-by-month so it's never too late to jump in! Participants receive all contents needed to put together one or two layouts with that month's theme, all cutting and stamping done for you! And you assemble at home on your own time. What a great way to keep up with your scrapbooking this year! Contact me for more info.

New Catalog Voting!

As is tradition with my stampers and I, it is time to vote for our favorite things from the new catalog. For the first time, we are going to cast our votes online. Here's how it will work. Below, I will list the categories. Then you copy and paste the list into the comment section...adding your choice for each category. Here are the categories:

Style (p.8-13):
Hostess Level 1 (p.17-19):
Hostess Level 2 (p.20-21):
Hostess Level 3 (p.22-23):
Holiday Set (p.26-47):
Occasions Set (p.50-71):
Growing Up Set (p.74-83):
All Natural Set (p.86-109):
Elements Set (p.112-132):
Background Set (p.133-135):
Greeting Set (p.138-154):
Alphabet Set (p.154-158):
In Color (p.162):
Designer Paper (p.168-171):
Simply Scrappin Kit (p.172-175):
Simply Sent Card Elements & Kits (p.176-177):
Rub-On's (p.178-179):
Chipboard (p.180-181):
Accent & Element (p.182-183):
Embellishment (p.184-185):
Ribbon (p.186-187):
Punch (p.188-189):
Jumbo Wheel (p.197-198):
Standard Wheel (p.198):

If you don't have a hard copy, you can view the catty online here.

To make it even more fun....all those who cast a complete ballot before August 31st, will be entered in a drawing to win this versatile stamp set and wild wasabi package!

Those who cast a complete ballot AND purchased retired items from me, will be entered TWICE in the drawing. Thanks to all who adopted some of my retired items. I really appreciated it.

So now, go cast your votes! We can't wait to see what you deem as most popular this time around!

Stamp Club: July

These were some of the projects for July Stamp Club.

For the first card, we tried our hands at shading those balloons
using the SU Markers.Then we made it a pop-up card on the inside.

On the second card, we had fun with circle punches and designer paper.

My favorite, the third card, used acetate and white Staz On ink.
We also put the clear card into a clear envelope, super fun.

I also demonstrated a flip-flop album using a real pair of flip-flops.

SU Dates and Links

It's unusual for SU to release information that is not current yet. But it's kind of nice to see what is coming up. So here is a list of everything in one place.

DECOR ELEMENTS LINE: Phase 1
Jul 1


FALL/WINTER CATALOG
Aug 11 - Jan 18


NEVER BEFORE SEEN PROMO: 15% off select stamp sets
Aug 11 - Sep 30

Item Code	Pg. #	Description	Regular Price	15% off Price
111690	32	Snow Swirled	$24.95	$21.21
111586	55	It's a Stretch	$23.95	$20.36
111544	81	Putt Putt (Not available until August 18)	$24.95	$21.21
111626	91	Eastern Blooms	$21.95	$18.66
111672	98	Pocket Silhouettes	$18.95	$16.11
111710	101	Upsy Daisy	$18.95	$16.11
111556	109	Under the Stars	$29.95	$25.46
111644	145	Heard from the Heart	$22.95	$19.51
111570	157	Contempo Alphabet	$40.95	$34.81
109381	23	Felicidades Siempre*	$17.95	$15.26

BIG SHOT LINE
Sep 2


DECOR ELEMENTS LINE: Phase 2
Oct 1


HOLIDAY MINI CATALOG
Oct 1 - Jan 18


FALL/WINTER SAMPLER PROMO FOR HOSTESSES:
Free stamp set with $350 workshop
Oct 1 - Nov 30

Item #	Description	Retail Value
111564	Flight of the Butterfly	$31.95
112911	Vuelo de la mariposa (Spanish Flight of the Butterfly)	$31.95
111676	Puns from the Past	$27.95
111660	Just Jawing	$25.95
111624	Dreams du Jour	$18.95
111700	Thank You Kindly	$13.95
111714	Wow Flowers	$12.95
112955	Flores llamativas (Spanish Wow Flowers)	$12.95
111600	Bella's Bloom	$12.95

WORLD CARD-MAKING DAY PROMO:
20% off Simply Sent card kits and Simply Sent Card Elements
Oct 4 - Oct 11


COUNTRY LIVING PROMO: Stampin' Up! featured in a 21-page spread in the Dec issue of Country Living magazine and will offer an exclusive Holiday Collection Stampin' Kit for $49.95
Nov 1


FALL/WINTER SAMPLER PROMO FOR CUSTOMERS:
Spend $20 and get 20% off a stamp set from the sampler
Dec 1 - Jan 18

Item #	Description	Retail	20% Off
111564	Flight of the Butterfly	$31.95	$25.56
112911	Vuelo de la mariposa (Spanish Flight of the Butterfly)	$31.95	$25.56
111676	Puns from the Past	$27.95	$22.36
111660	Just Jawing	$25.95	$20.76
111624	Dreams du Juor	$18.95	$15.16
111700	Thank You Kindly	$13.95	$11.16
111714	Wow Flowers	$12.95	$10.36
112955	Flores llamativas (Spanish Wow Flowers)	$12.95	$10.36
111600	Bella's Bloom	$12.95	$10.36

Jamie's Retired Stuff For Sale: Update

I will keep my list of retired stuff for sale on the right side bar of this blog. And I will keep it updated by deleting anything that has sold. If you are interested in anything, let me know. And keep an eye out because I may reduce prices as we go along! The updated prices will be on that side bar list.

Thanks to everyone who has already adopted some of my retired stuff. I really couldn't keep up with demonstrating if I wasn't able to move old stuff out. So I really appreciate your support in helping me out. I hope you all enjoy the discounts as much as I love "cleaning house". :)

Jeff's Bday Jar

I just emailed this to a friend so I figured I could post it here too. This was the "30 Reasons We Love You" jar that we made for Jeff's 30th birthday. The tags inside are color coded with different ribbon, each color representing either Graham, Miles, or me. Then the names on the outside show who has what color. It was a fun easy project. :)

Retired Stamp Set for Sale: Never Ending Joy $15: SOLD

I keep finding more retiring stamp sets. This was a fun one, see how the tulips fit on top of the stems? So you can have a multi-colored image (green stems, colored flowers) without using markers. This is specifically an Easter set but the flower and butterfly can be used for so much more. And the religious phrase is very versatile too. Looking for a good home for these. :)

Retiring Set for Sale: Three For You $15: SOLD

This set came from the Three For You Punch Box. The stamp set is retiring but you will be able to purchase the coordinating punch, Trio Flowers, from the new catalog!

Retiring Set For Sale: Three Thoughts $10: SOLD

Ok, I keep finding more retiring stuff. Are you sick of this yet? I need to fund the new Big Shot so thanks for looking! This came from one of the card kits. It's a very nice versatile set. All the stamps are super useful. Let me know if you're interested. Thanks!

Retiring Items For Sale: In-Color Packages

These In-Colors retire on Monday! Many of the In-Color items are now out of stock and are a hot commodity in cyberspace! These are the items I have left from my personal stash. I only have one of each color package so contact me quickly if you want to snag one of them. I can't part with my Wasabi and Sky just yet as I am still using those in the boys' scrapbooks.

Right now SU does have most of the cardstock still available but again, we can't order it after Sunday.

Blue Bayou Package: $14 SOLD
Ink Pad (opened)
Ink Refill (full)
1.5 Sheets 12x12 Textured Cardstock
18 Sheets 8.5x11 Cardstock
5 Sheets 6x6 Double-Sided Designer Paper

River Rock Package: $20 SOLD
Ink Pad (opened)
Ink Refill (full)
3.5 Sheets 12x12 Textured Cardstock
6 Sheets 8.5x11 Cardstock
40 Feet Double-Stitch Ribbon

Groovy Guava Package: $20 SOLD
Ink Pad (opened)
Ink Refill (full)
4 Sheets 12x12 Textured Cardstock
5 Sheets 8.5x11 Cardstock
7.5 Sheets 12x12 Double-Sided Designer Papers
12 Sheets 6x6 Double-Sided Designer Papers
1/2 Foot Double-Stitched Ribbon

Purely Pomegranate Package: $12 SOLD
Ink Pad (opened)
Ink Refill (full)
3 Sheets 12x12 Textured Cardstock
4 Sheets 8.5x11 Cardstock
8.5 Feet Double-Stitched Ribbon

A Few More Retiring Accessories For Sale

$2.75: full Sky Blue ink refill

$5.50: unopened Purely Pomegranate ink pad SOLD

Let me know if you are interested!

Retired Stamp Set For Sale: Espressoly For You $18: SOLD

This set has been retired. I usually hoard my coffee stamps but I'm on a roll with weeding out old stuff so here we go. You better snag this one before I change my mind! :) The price is great for this kind of retired genre set.

Retiring Set For Sale: Merci $15: SOLD

This was one of the Sale-A-Bration stamp sets that was earned for free with a $50 purchase. This set for sale is unused and unmounted. The style is quite unique. I like the sketchiness that allows you to add your own scribbles, as I did with the border lines in the above card. Contact me if you are interested in this set. I can sell it after August 11th.

Retiring Set For Sale: Noble Deer $15: SOLD

I'm really torn about selling this since Jeff is a big deer hunter. But if someone would actually use it, then I guess it's better off in a new home. :) I'm horrible at using retired stuff.

Scrap Club: July

You get to see the whole first layout this month. Go USA!

My Scrapbooking

So some of you are keeping up with my progress on little Graham's scrapbook. We had his birthday party today and sadly, the album was not complete. BUT, I do have most of the pictures in place, and for me that is the hardest part. Now I just need to go through and add embellishments and designer papers, titles, and journaling. Easy enough! I was really feeling the crunch of the birthday party and finally came to the conclusion that I would rather take my time and do a good job than to rush and do a sloppy job that I'll later regret. I don't think it will take too much longer to finish it up. Yay! Guests still got to see the pictures and gist of it today. Most people don't get scrapbooking anyways so I'm probably the only one who cared that it wasn't done.

On a more successful note, I put all the 12x12 pages from Scrap Club into an album finally and had that available for viewing at Graham's party. It's just month-by-month for 2008 of the boys together, the family, or whatever came up each month. Having all those pages done and together really felt nice. Scrap Club has been great for keeping me up-to-date with at least one album. Yipeeee!

And for the next scrapbook adventure, I hope to have an ABC book for Miles's two-year-old album done by next month! Oh man, why do I do this to myself? However, I DO have the pictures picked out and ordered. That alone took several hours. Do you know how hard it is to find a picture for the letter X! I will keep you posted on how it's going. Wish me luck!