West Philly Stamper

Tea Time

2011-09-19T15:07:00.000-07:00

The theme for the Founder's Circle retreat - The Tea Shop! Our central gathering place at the hotel was decorated in a Victorian/vintage theme with hand-stamped items, tea cups, pillows made with our gorgeous new fabrics, etc. The night of our first dinner we each had a tea cup at our place, with three roses and we get to take that tea cup home too. I arrived back at my hotel room to find a pillow gift too! A nice sturdy chocolate colored box that holds Big Shot dies, and it was full of supplies for our make and takes!

My very own hotel room!

2011-09-17T15:07:00.000-07:00

For Founder's Circle, Stampin' Up! flew us to St. George, Utah, and booked individual rooms for us at the Marriott. Here is a picture of my hotel room door, my dinner group from the first night, and the meal we ate together - filet mignon wrapped in bacon! It is an honor and very inspiring to be spending so much time with Stampin' Up!'s top demonstrators! There are many women here who sell stamps and recruit demonstrators 4 times as much as I do! We are always sharing ideas and comparing notes on our businesses just casually hanging out and relaxing together.

Kanab is where they make the stamps!

2011-09-16T15:08:00.000-07:00

I'm in Utah through Sunday at the 2011 "Founder's Circle" retreat with the top 100 demonstrators. They are pampering us soo much! Today we had a trip to Kanab, to see the facility where they actually make the stamps. I got to die cut a sheet of stamps, and see the process of how a stamp set is made start to finish. It revealed to me the value of our products! There is so much that goes into the process before it ends up in a box that arrives via UPS to my house.

Here I am sitting in the playground in a lovely town park, which Shelli Gardner's family built up years ago. What am I sitting on? Bits of recycled rubber from the stamps! Now that'd be a safe landing for any kid who fell from playground equipment. (Heaven forbid!)

Kristin and I got to go on this trip together this year. (Last year she was on her own, as this is my first year earning this trip). I liked what she said today - "we are here because of each other." I'm sure she's going to cry when she reads this post.

The Kanab facility is a fairly new building, so bright and cheerful. The employees LOVE working there. This is a big group of them waiting for us with signs as we got off the buses today. They gave us high 5's and clapped for us as we walked in for our tour:0)

Peace Within

2011-08-29T15:04:00.000-07:00

Peace Within is a great set. I like the Adirondack chair. I'm headed to the Adirondack Mountains soon for a vacation! My family lives up there and they have a reunion around this time of year. The sponging is just on the edge, and I left the middle uninked, so that it is sort of highlighted.

Fabulous Florets for my fabulous Philly Inker Divas

2011-08-04T15:05:00.000-07:00

On Tues. I made tacos, roasted vegetables, guacamole, and peach crisp for 6 of my Divas who could join us (Ilina in Georgia and Patty in Lancaster area were too far away). These six - Kristin, Gina, Janet, Ann Marie, Marci, and Melissa joined me for dinner, stamping and prizes. Here are the three projects they made using the new stamp set Fabulous Florets. The vanilla and black card is a CASE from Jenna Barber, my cousin-in-law. I found it in her Splitcoast Stampers gallery. Isn't it so elegant?

Vintage pink and white

2011-08-03T15:05:00.000-07:00

CASEing Jenna Barber's card. (orginal here).
Click on the picture for a better look, there are some fun techniques on this card. Jenna loves making vintage projects, and she does a wonderful job at this style.

Did you notice that the base of this card is wider than the embossing folder? (Probably not because you can't tell it's a 5x5 square inch card from the picture.) You can run a layer of cardstock through a folder with a pattern like this vintage wallpaper pattern, and then line up part of it with the folder and run it through the Big Shot again, to extend the embossing!

This stamp set is On the Grow, which also includes a scooter image and two wonderful sentiments. Only with us until Aug. 31!

Did I really go to college for journalism?...

2011-08-01T15:06:00.000-07:00

...because I realized today I'm a lousy reporter:0) I finally uploaded pictures of a HUGE stack of cards today that I've been working on ever since I came home from Ohio, 4th of July weekend. I got a watercoloring lesson with my upline Karen Barber, and of course I got lots of inspiration from looking at Jenna and Aunt Karen's cards. So if you check back over the coming weeks, you'll see pictures of these and more:0)

Here is a card I received from Stampin' Up! Maxine Conrad wrote me a note in it:0) This year I was #58 out of the top 100 demonstrators, which means I am in the "Founder's Circle," and I get to go to a special 5 day retreat in St. George, Utah in September. A huge thank you to my downline (the Philly Inkers) and my customers, all who helped make this happen!!!

They say I'll come back 15 pounds heavier, 5 from the delicious food and 10 from the free stuff!!:0) Hope it's only 10 I gain....I'm soo looking forward to relaxing and having my own hotel room in which I can sleep in until my heart's content. ahhhh....stay tuned for more!

more baby cards

2011-05-26T14:58:00.000-07:00

Ezra is now 7 and a half weeks old. It's a little strange to think about this, but we would be on an Alaskan cruise right now, (if he hadn't been born). Instead, Stampin' Up! deposited a tidy sum into my bank account, since I did earn the cruise and I am not able to go with a baby less than 6 months old:0), it's a cruise policy.

Here are just a few more cards I received from some sweet and thoughtful stampers I know. (Ann Marie Urban, Sue T, Marci Allen, Grace Fende)

Baby card from Kristin

2011-05-11T14:59:00.000-07:00

Fox and Friends stamp set makes such a cute baby card! My friend Kristin Kortonick sent me this card after Ezra was born.

Vintage card in black and vanilla

2011-05-09T15:00:00.000-07:00

This card features "Oval All" stamp set, Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder, and some vintage trinkets, First Edition DSP (which is carrying over!), plus butterfly embosslit, pearls, and crochet trim. It's very close to a sample I saw in the Occasions Mini catalog. This would make a great wedding card.

Pansy card

2011-05-08T15:01:00.000-07:00

My Aunt Karen sent me this card in a stack of cards I earned a while back for being in the top 3 in sales in her downline. The watercolored pansies are made from two punched out butterflies. Awesome technique!

Daisy card

2011-05-05T15:02:00.000-07:00

This card is a case of a card by my Aunt Karen, which I saw on her Splitcoast Gallery. I love the colors! So much texture to this card too, don't you think?

Baby card by Aunt Karen

2011-05-02T15:02:00.000-07:00

This sweet card is from Aunt Karen, who send me a box of goodies for the boys last week.

When I opened the box of goodies and found the card I noticed there was no bow, just a strip of ribbon behind the train. The reason I noticed is because if you know Karen Barber, you know she uses bows on most of 99.9% of her cards. For a minute I thought she might have skipped the bow because sometimes I comment on them. (Like one time I saw a bow with four layers of ribbon, and I called it the bow on steroids)...so I was beginning to think she thought I didn't like bows and left it off this card on purpose....but then I continued to go through the box of goodies and lo and behold, I found the bow, which somehow escaped from the envelope in transit. (I was kind of wondering why there was a sticky spot on the card:0) Thanks for the sweet card, Aunt Karen!

Baby card

2011-05-01T15:03:00.000-07:00

This adorable creation was given to me by my friend and downline Juliana Bibas. She came over a few days after Ezra was born and blessed me with this card, dinner (a yummy savory meat pie, among other things), treats from Dunkin' Donuts, (which were gone lickety split), including a decaf coffee, a pack of thank you cards, and a coordinating onesie. (Click here for a picture of the whole adorable frog ensemble). Oh and, equally appreciated by the recipient - some Thomas trains for my Elihu. She covered the whole family :0)

Paper Quilt Cards

2011-04-30T14:55:00.000-07:00

These first two are based on Jenna Barber's paper quilt card. You can check out her tutorial here. The third card is an embossed vellum overlay (Finial Press folder) on Springtime Vintage DSP.

Butterflies inspired by Jennabee

2011-04-28T14:55:00.000-07:00

I made these two after perusing Jenna Barber's Splitcoast Stampers gallery, which featured some vintagey butterfly cards a while back, in February. Here's a link to her blog. She does such awesome work with so much variety! She's my stampin' "sideline" - that means we have the same upline, and she's also my cousin-in-law, and she lives just behind our upline, Karen Barber, in Ohio.

If you've been reading my blog and wondering how I have time for stamping elabroate and multi-layered cards with a newborn, I actually don't :0) The cards I've made since he was born (which number about 80 and took me a few days when I had a minute to sneak in some stamping), are actually a very easy design, that I could mass produce. The recent cards on my blog, I made before he was born. I just hadn't gotten around to posting them:0) I love to make elaborate cards when I get the chance, but lately it's been more of what I call "bulk stamping" - cards that are easy to reproduce, since I need to be able to have a lot of cards on hand to send to my Philly Inkers, and to customers for thank you's, etc. :0) Good thing both kind of cards are fun and cute and appreciated by the recipient! That's the great thing about stamping!

Spring Fling Report, part 2

2011-04-23T14:57:00.000-07:00

Lynn Fones showed some fun fabric projects!
The Color Book - one of our make and takes
Display of Aunt Karen's cards - better up close of course! That box was FULL of amazing cards. I wanted to give it a good home here in Philly, but I didn't think she'd like that too much if she got back to Ohio and realized it wasn't in the van.
Kristin Allcorn demoed favors/3d items.
Megan Bastow taught cards with fun folds.
Our final dinner at The Bistro in Elmer - great food and fun atmosphere. We were there for three hours! :0)
Janet and Lee - swap til you drop!
Juliana Bibas teaching some brayer/sponging techniques.
Karen Barber card display
Retiform card by Karen Barber
Me and Ginnie Rueber
Tina Rosenkrans, our stampin' great grandmother, who came from North Jersey, pictured with Sue Astheimer and Heather Yates
Make and take designed by Karen Barber, watercoloring with markers

Make and take designed by Melissa Levay

Notebook designed by Gina Thornton

Recap of the last 30 days

2011-04-22T14:57:00.000-07:00

I wanted to bring you up to speed on things:0) It usually bothers me when people begin a blog post with "I've been a really bad blogger...." (so I'm not going to do that, but I do realize it's been way over 6 weeks since I've posted) A lot has gone on! We had a really fun Technique Day in Mt. Airy on March 5, my team, the Philly Inkers, and guests, gathered for training/inspiration at Spring Fling in Elmer, NJ, on March 19, and then the birth of my son, Ezra, was 9 days later. He came a bit early, 6 days or so. I'm happy he let me attend all the March events I had planned! (He just cut in to my "get blog posts done ahead of time for maternity leave.") Ha! Like I really would have done that even if he were 6 days late!

I've been immensely enjoying him, along with my other son, who is just about 2 and a half and is a very proud big brother. You'll have to email me privately if you want pictures. (Dad is not so fond of pics of the boys going online.) And since I'm a bad blogger anyway, I can easily acquiesce to that request. ooops, I said it, so I guess I might as well say it again - I'm a bad blogger! It's the darn picture taking and uploading that slows me down...I'd rather look at other people's blogs instead. But I have some pics to share with you today from our awesome Spring Fling event. It was our biggest Philly Inker event to date, and we had some stamping "royalty" join us too :0) Read on for the deets! And look for more pics tomorrow:0) or sometime...

The Friday night before the event, special guests Maxine Conrad (middle right side) from Stampin' Up!, my aunt and upline Karen Barber (seated front on the right side) and my sideline Michelle Zindorf (on my left) all arrived. Kristin Kortonick (seated back on the right side) and I took them to Pattya Grill, one of my favorite Thai places in West Philly. Good thing I was still pretty round with child - I was so full I had to practically roll out of there!

This is Melissa (left), my dear friend for about 10 years now, me, and Kristin, who planned the event with me. (also a dear friend:0) I actually met Kristin through Melissa! (at a workshop Kristin's aunt and Melissa's colleague hosted in 2006.)

Here I am giving a few tips at one of our make-and-take tables.

Jill, Megan and Tara chillin' at the registration table! Tara is pregnant here with twins! She's due on July 4. Funny how she'll be losing her independence on Independence Day:0) Don't worry Tara, it's really wonderful to have dependents in the house :0)

Here's Maxine, our special speaker of the day. She gave us such wonderful advice, encouragement, ideas, and made us laugh a lot. She's a successful business demonstrator, as well as a full time Stampin' Up! employee, and she's a mother of four, so she knows a lot about time management:0) We were honored to have her there!

Sharing some of my birthday cards

2011-03-04T14:53:00.000-08:00

Let me tell you about the variety of cards I got for my birthday last month! The quilt card is from my Gramma Wright in Ohio. She learned this pattern from my cousin's wife, Jenna, who's paper quilt card tutorial was featured on Splitcoast Stampers a couple weeks ago, on my birthday actually:0) The farm card is one I made for my mom last year for a Christmas gift. (It went with a pack of cards and matching magnets). There was a nice check in her card, so I forgave her for giving me a "birthday card." :0) Just kidding, Mom, if you're reading this. She did follow up with a store-bought card too, which was a really nice one :0)

The one that says From the Heart is from Juliana Bibas, one of my Philly Inkers. I love that design! She said it was inspired by Ilina Crouse, another one of my Philly Inkers.

And then we have this long pink card, made by my hubby! He said it took him a few hours, (including the research phase). I was floored when I realized he figured out the butterfly die AND embosslit. One of the butterflies is cut out of a piece of cardboard that held some stamp accessory (he wanted to make sure I knew he'd made them, and didn't pick them out of my scrap pile). Just look at his attention to detail! When he makes me a card, embossing has to be involved, and this time he included dry and heat embossing. :0)

Pink and Red Cards

2011-02-04T14:52:00.000-08:00

Some pink and red cards for Feb! The first one is a valentine that didn't make the cut for my Vintage Valentine card class I held at my house and a couple other places. Did you know my classes can easily go on the road for you and 4-5 of your friends? Check out my calendar to see what class you might want to bring to your house!

The second card I received from my upline, Karen Barber. What a beautiful watercoloring job she did on the rose!

Do you ever feel like your stamping is in a rut?

2011-01-27T14:38:00.000-08:00

Come to Technique Day in Mt. Airy, and learn 18 fun techniques! You'll use all kinds of fun stamps and tools to create one of these mini technique books, with a sample and instructions on each page, to use as a resource when you need to spark some creativity!

Saturday, March 5

Church of the Annunciation, Mt. Airy

Lincoln Dr. & Carpenter Lane

10am-12pm - first round of 9 technique pages and book cover

12pm-1pm - lunch break (pack your lunch or go out for lunch)

1-3pm - second round of 9 technique pages

Cost: $25 when you sign up by 2/19

$30 after 2/19

Doorprizes, raffles, displays!

Light snacks and beverages will be provided.

Invite a friend!

Supplies: Please bring your favorite adhesive, as well as a refill.
Optional supplies/tools TBA

Contact me or leave a comment for more info!

Trip to Nashville

2011-01-18T14:41:00.000-08:00

I attended Stampin' Up!'s annual Leadership conference last week, a first for me, after many years of wanting to go. It was so special to bond with two of my Philly Inkers (Kristin K and Kristin A), stay in an gorgeous hotel with a beautiful conservatory and river running through it....oh, just look at the pics, they tell it better than I can! (Yes, I am wearing a cowboy hat for a special reception at the Wildhorse Saloon, however, I did not seem to find room in my suitcase to take it back to Philly.)

showing off some of our freebies (L-R - Kristin, Kristin - 2 of my Philly Inkers - me, and Michelle Zindorf, my sideline).
never thought I'd wear one of these! these are the bags, wait til you see it in real life!

Kristin A and Max, my SAM (Service Account Manager) at Stampin' Up! Max is coming from Utah to speak to my group in March!
The Gaylord Opryland Resort is beautiful!

Cute box and some really simple Valentine's Day cards

2011-01-07T14:51:00.000-08:00

My friend Kristin Allcorn, a Philly Inker from NJ, made me this adorable box! She used the new flower die from the Occasions Mini. I think she inked it up and sprayed it with water to get the layers to curl like that. What a fun box!

These are some really fun and easy 3x3 Valentine cards. Would your kids like to give these to their classmates, instead of the same old canned ones from the store? You can get a group of 5+ friends together to make a bunch of these for your children! Contact me for more info. Contact me before I contact you, and you'll receive an extra hostess gift at any class you host!

Deck the halls with stamps and embellishments

2010-12-10T14:37:00.000-08:00

More Christmas swaps to share...card 1: Melissa Chadwick Levay, card 2: Beverly Kidd-Taylor, card 3: Lynn Hunt Fones, card 4: Gina Thornton

It's hard to tell in the picture, but the ornaments are shiny in real life (embossed in black)

I love Bev's use of the waffle paper!

Such a cute way to use lots of different images from this set!

What a great layout - way to go Gina for figuring out how to not have to color in images from an adorable outline set!

Less than one month til Christmas?!

2010-11-26T14:36:00.000-08:00

How did that happen? It actually bugs me when I hear those countdowns, so lets move on to the samples for today:0) The first two are my Aunt Karen's cards. She gave me a dozen gorgeous samples for being one of her downline's top sellers the last few months. I was so happy to open that package of priceless inspiration!

The 3rd one I made with the Welcome Christmas stamp set. I love the shimmer paint! It might be hard to see in the photo, but wow, what an easy and economical way to add glimmer to your project without embossing. It dries pretty fast too! I tapped it with the sponge dauber and eventually ended up swirling some of the ink in there too, for a blueish background.

Enjoy your Black Friday! Shopping from your computer? Visit my online store. Don't miss the Online Spectacular sale, ends Nov. 30!

More Christmas swaps

2010-11-19T14:35:00.000-08:00

Three more card samples for you, designed by some of my Philly Inkers, Tara Gupta, Lynn Fones, and Dawn Kifer. Tara and Dawn used the Northern Hearts Hostess set. Lynn made the center fabric embellishment her card, for all 17 of us for the shoebox swap! The fabric on Tara and Lynn's cards is featured in the mini catalog, what fun ways to use it!

Christmas and misc. swaps

2010-11-13T14:35:00.000-08:00

A couple weeks ago I went to a shoebox swap/brunch with my Philly Inkers. We met in a cute little town called Elmer, NJ. Here are a few cards from the event: (designs by Juliana Bibas, Annie Reimel, and Dawn Kifer). Stay tuned for more samples from this event soon!

More Baltimore Make-and-Takes

2010-10-15T14:33:00.000-07:00

Here are three more projects we made at the Baltimore Regional conference two weeks ago. Two square cards and a little luminary. All with the Day of Gratitude stamp set (my recent favorite). Email me for any details you desire:0)

Stamping in the Charm City

2010-10-08T14:33:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday 20 of my Philly Inkers and I attended the Stampin' Up! Regional Conference in Baltimore. We had a blast! We saw tons of stamping techniques, including a presention by Ilina Crouse, who showed us all Rock and Roll with a Twist during a "Workshop Wow." I was so proud to see her on stage wowing hundreds of people with her amazing talent! Here are a couple pictures from the day - our group shot (wearing our Philly Inkers shirts designed by Ilina with My Digital Studio), Ilina on stage and two of our make and takes. Stay tuned for more pictures soon!

Elements of Style

2010-08-20T14:30:00.000-07:00

These three are made with Elements of Style stamp set, Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla, and Early Espresso card stock. (Email me for complete supply lists.)

Monogram Cards

2010-08-04T14:31:00.000-07:00

I've been making packs of these mongram cards for gifts for my party hostesses lately. It might be hard to tell from the picture that the bottom section with the flowers has some polka dot texture - I cranked that piece through the Big Shot using the Perfect Polka Dots folder after I stamped the flowers from Printed Petals.

Three 3D Cards

2010-07-30T14:27:00.000-07:00

In May I offered a "3d cards" class. Two groups of stampers requested these cards again, so I brought it to them in June, and earlier this week. (My classes are portable - if you have 4-5 friends who also want to take the class, I will bring the projects to you!)

I had so much fun designing these. They are such versatile designs, out of the ordinary, and all fit in an A2 envelope. The first one is a shadow box card, then a stair step card, and finally, an easel card. On the first one, you can see our new rhinestones! $4.95 for a whole sheet. Stamps: Card 1: Herb Expressions, Card 2: Elements of Style, (also available in clear mount), Card 3: Bouquet Bunch - only available until Aug. 31! (and also available in clear mount)

Never Ending Mini Technique Book

2010-07-29T14:27:00.000-07:00

At each Philly Inkers (my team of demonstrators) meeting, we make a page using Stampin' Up!'s Top Note die as the base, to add to our technique books. The Top Note is the perfect size to feature a stamping technique, with instructions on the back. Technique books are great, because you can flip through them if you ever find yourself in a creative rut, and they are sure to inspire you to think outside the box.

Guests are always welcome at the Philly Inkers group meetings - come visit us sometime! We meet second Mondays at alternating houses in the Ambler/Ft. Washington area for now. We swap cards, do a make and take, technique page, and there is also some shop talk, snacks, and chatting.

I sure love these...

2010-07-28T14:28:00.000-07:00

And I love spending them too! That's because I typically spend them on stamps and other goodies from the Stampin' Up! catalog, which means an increase in my sales/cruise points that particular month, for which I didn't have to dip into my bank account:0) "These" are debit cards, that Stampin' Up! gives me based on my quarterly sales. I get them at least a few times a year through Stampin' Up!'s "Great Rewards" program for us demonstrators. The prizes in Great Rewards range from adhesive and embellishment packages all the way up to a hefty gift card. Want more info on being a demonstrator for a hobby or business or both? Leave me a comment or send me an email.

And don't worry, I'm not worried about anyone taking the number and using it - it's already spent:0)

Proud Stampin' "Mom"

2010-07-24T14:28:00.000-07:00

Thursday night I stayed up past my bedtime. Why was that? You see, I had to catch the "Awards." What? You say, Claire, the Academy Awards were over a long time ago? No, not those awards - I'm talking about something much more exciting - the Stampin' Up 2010 Demonstrator Awards!!! I waited with baited breath (in front of my email, at home) to hear from any of my 4 Philly Inkers attending the convention this week, in Salt Lake City. We already knew Kristin Kortonick made it into the top 100 (she got the special bag which all "Founders Circle" achievers get, when she checked in on Wed.). But we did not know where she was in the top 100.

So the awards ceremony started, and the yahoo group messages started pouring in, providing all the juicy details. First we had a fun discovery - Ilina Crouse, another Philly Inker, was a finalist for the Artisan Awards!! What an honor! We weren't too surprised. Her creations are amazing. Check out her blog by clicking on her name above. You will be in awe.

Picture 1: Here is Kristin on stage (far right), after they announced that she was #30 (out of 40,000+ demos). That picture is followed by one of her with her downline (Kristin version 2). Ilina and I were wide awake, following the online forum, to which Kristin (version 2) was giving us the blow by blow of the entire ceremony, from her phone. (She had taken over when Kristin K was getting ready to walk on stage for her moment.)
The last picture shows Ilina and I, a while back, when she still lived in Philly.

What a week! I wish I had been there to see it!

Summer Stamp Camp

2010-07-23T14:29:00.000-07:00

A week ago, my friend and Philly Inker Heather Yates and I had our Summer Stamp Camp, in Mt. Airy. It was a shorter version than our other stamp camps, because it was on a Friday night. The campers made this card tote and 3 mini notes, plus a post-it note holder, using the Island Oasis DSP, and the Tropical Party stamp set. Heather found these adorable matching pens online, which completed the ensemble. We also made another card, plus the card below, featuring the Friends Never Fade stamp set (I got this one free on the Southern Caribbean cruise in April, and now I get to use it!) We stamped on the white Top Note first, and then embossed with the Square Lattice folder, to give the piece some texture.

Stay tuned for more samples with Friends Never Fade set. I've been using it a lot. I try to do that with my stamps to get the most mileage out of a set that I can:0) So what stamps have you been using lately?

Email me or leave a comment for instructions on any of the following!

Emboss Resist, etc.

2010-06-18T14:25:00.000-07:00

I finally tried an emboss resist card! I saw tons of them at my Aunt Karen's house in Ohio a few weeks ago. It's one of her favorite techniques, which she learned from her good friend and downline Michelle Zindorf, the master of this technique. My first attempt had way too much white around the flowers. Silly me - you have to stay in the lines for this one when coloring with the VersaMarker, or else you'll have a white border around EVERYTHING. Remember that when you try this technique, otherwise you'll end up doing a whole lot of coloring and embossing for nothing;0) This one was definitely better than the first. Email me for the steps. It's a really fun way to create a scene on white paper, and you'd never know you started with white! That's blue ink I sponged over my stamping/inking. (That's why I embossed the flowers first, using the VersaMarker and clear embossing powder.)

And here are two "swaps" from my Philly Inkers meeting this week. Card 1: Gina Thornton, Card 2: Renee Tucci - I love that cute little tricycle in the background!!! Click on the picture for a better look.

Click to order Stampin' Up! products online anytime!

~Claire

Diva Night Projects

2010-06-11T14:26:00.000-07:00

Several of my Philly Inkers team members came over for "Diva Night" this week. They met certain criteria for my quarterly reward program, and I have them over for dinner, stamping, and prizes. I love it when Diva Night rolls around!! We made a very simle card with the stamp set Elements of Style, and a "tent card," using the Tropical Party stamp set. Email me or post a comment for more details or directions on either of these!

There's no place like home, except maybe the Caribbean!

2010-05-14T14:19:00.000-07:00

We are back from our Stampin' Up! cruise and our own extra vacation to Puerto Rico. It was quite the trip! Our 18 month old kept us hopping. I got to take home a few free stamp sets - 2 brand new from the next catalog. So fun!! It was so nice to be on a cruise, all that food and not having to cook any of it! :0) Stampin' Up! really knows how to pamper its demonstrators! Going on the trip makes me want to make sure I make it on the next boat! The next boat goes to Alaska in 2011, stay tuned for more info on that later this month.

Here are a couple pictures from our trip, and down below, a couple samples, made by my Philly Inkers in recent swaps.

This "flower power" card was designed by Tara Gupta, one of my Philly Inkers, for a shoebox swap in April. I always know a Tara card will have a lot of ink to define the edges, which will end up on my fingers afterward, what a great feeling! I love her crafting style! It gets me to use techniques I might not have on my own.

This swap was not autographed. If you are the Philly Inker who made this fun Father's Day card, please let me know, so I can give you credit!

Workshop of a Lifetime in Pitman, NJ!

2010-05-13T14:23:00.000-07:00

Today my very good friend, Melissa Chadwick Levay, hosted Shelli Gardner, Stampin' Up! co-founder and CEO! Shelli was the guest of honor at an afternoon open house for the Philly Inkers group (my downline), before the main event this evening, Melissa's "Workshop of a Lifetime." Melissa won a recruiting contest in January, and she and the other 23 winners (out of 40,000+ demonstrators!) all got to have Shelli demonstrate a stamping workshop at their houses!

What a wonderful way to spend the day - the Philly Inkers got lots of uninterrupted and personal time with Shelli and also her long-time friend Sue, another east coast demonstrator, who travelled up to NJ with her. We got to ask Shelli lots of questions, hear about her life and work, as well as a little of the history of Stampin' Up!, which began 22 years ago. I am sure we got to know Shelli better than we ever could have at a larger demonstrator event like Convention or a regional conference. What a wonderful opportunity! If someone told me 5 years ago - or even a year ago - that this day would happen (and that I'd have a downline of 50 people, almost half of which got to join us today), I would have had a very hard time believing it!

I was so impressed that even though Shelli has done over 20 of these workshops (she's doing 24 total across the country!), she made us feel like the demonstrators must have felt at her first workshop, like we were the most important demonstrators ever. :0) Shelli is an amazing and gracious guest, and this was a great day for the Philly Inkers!

Here are some pictures with Shelli and Melissa, followed by some group shots and stamping, of course:0)

Embellished scrapbook covers

2010-04-30T14:17:00.000-07:00

Did you know you can use decorative stencils (which Stampin' Up! now carries) to put a beautiful flower on our linen scrapbooks? These two were stencilled by Lynn Larson, a very talented stampin' sister of mine from Vermont. What a wonderful artist! Email me for details on the supplies for these projects!

By the way, I'm currently in the Caribbean finishing up a cruise with Stampin' Up!, and about to start a Puerto Rico vacation. (I scheduled this post ahead of time:0) Can't wait to show you pictures!

Good things come in small packages

2010-04-05T14:18:00.000-07:00

If you've ever gotten a box from Stampin' Up! you know that the goodies inside are packed with a long piece of brown paper. Sometimes I like to tie it around my little guy's waist, just to get a smile out of him. It's never on long, he figures his way out pretty fast and then either "helps" me unpack the box or plays with the paper. Thought I'd share a pic of this little ritual:0)

Speaking of packages, this is a cute little box we made at the shoebox swap in North Jersey. We "sueded" the flower after punching it out with the ex. large fancy flower punch. Faux sueding is a really fun technique to make aspects of your projects look aged. Click on the picture for a better view.

Happy last day of winter samples!!!

2010-03-19T14:16:00.000-07:00

The first two cards feature Vintage Vogue and Very Vintage wheel, and a little paper curling trick I learned from a Kim Van Diepen video tutorial. The last 3 are from a "shoebox swap" at Winter Wonderlude, in North Jersey last month. The butterfly card is designed by Pam Morgan, of Stampin' Up!'s home office. The next card is designed by Dale Morin, and the third one - unfortunately, I can't remember who designed this one. Say, Happy Moments/Lattice die card designer - if you're reading this, please leave a comment so I can give you credit!! The color scheme is great and so is your use of the Lattice die in the background!

Time again for some Vintage Vogue

2010-02-06T14:13:00.000-08:00

A few more samples for you, made with my (current) favorite stamp set "Vintage Vogue"....such an elegant, romantic stamp set. Enjoy!

Click to see see all its images: ($17.95 clear mount, $23.95 wood mount, $8.50 for coordinating jumbo wheel, Very Vintage)

More Vintage Vogue

2010-01-22T14:11:00.000-08:00

I've got some more samples for you made with this fabulous stamp set! I think my Philly Inkers team is probably getting tired of me raving about it...By the way, it's available in Stampin' Up!'s new clear mount stamps, or in the wood mounted version!

The first one includes another shape you can make with the Top Note die! Ask me for more info on that. The third one features Stampin' Up!'s brushed gold card stock, so beautiful!

"Vintage Vogue" is in Vogue

2010-01-08T14:11:00.000-08:00

That's my opinion anyway! This stamp set is so versatile and elegant. Hope you enjoy these samples!

The first one is inspired by Lisa Freeman. The last one is gold embossing (with the Occasions mini wheel that coordinates with Vintage Vogue) on Stampin' Up!'s brushed gold cardstock, (so simple), and it looks awesome in real life! I got that brilliant idea from a Philly Inker of mine...Ilina Crouse:0)

Vintage Vogue and some polar bears:0)

2010-01-01T14:12:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year! I know this title might seem random, but I've been stampin' up a storm at my stampin' desk lately, and this is the beginning of what I'll be showing you over the next few months:0) The polar bears are made with punches, and were inspired by a card I saw on Lynn Pratt's blog. Her polar bear card is a holiday card. My version is more of a Valentine card, for a kid from a parent:0)

The second card is the first of about 20 cards I've already made with Vintage Vogue, a stamp set in the Occasions Mini catalog, due to go live Jan. 5, along with an almost 3 month-long 2010 Sale-a-Bration promotion! I told my Philly Inkers it's the stamp set I've been waiting for all my life and didn't know it!

Bridal Shower Favor

2009-08-28T14:04:00.000-07:00

Dusty Durango + Top Note Die. Put them together and you have a cute little bag to hold some candy! I used the Designer Series Paper to create these favors for my sister's bridal shower. With a little help from some of the bridesmaids, we had them all assembled (25) in an evening.

Bermuda Bay for Hanauma Bay...ahhh...Hawaii

2009-08-22T14:06:00.000-07:00

Wow, If I had known just how much fun it would be to scrapbook our Hawaii trip, which Stampin' Up! gave us, I would have done it so much sooner! We've been back almost 5 months, which is how old Elihu was on the trip - so that's half of his life! Journaling about all the pictures brought back so many good memories of this amazing travel experience.

I hope to see you sometime at an event or class this fall, and you can see the whole book and lots more close-ups of Elihu:0)

Bermuda Bay is a new In Color. It's perfect for the background of the Hanauma Bay spread below. This is what all of Hanauma Bay looks like. Fifth Avenue Floral worked so well for the pictures! I'm getting a lot of mileage out of that set. It's definitely a must have.

Bridal Shower Invitation

2009-07-24T14:02:00.000-07:00

I was going to wait until after my sister's shower on Aug. 23 to show this sample, but she managed to get an invitee to show her what it looks like:0) Not that she even looks at my blog, she's a geologist - she probably looks at blogs about rocks...This dress is from Patty Bennett's dress pattern, using the big scallop circle die. I made two layers - one vanilla and one vellum, and I embossed the vellum with the Big Shot. The stamp is from Boho Backgrounds and the rust color is Dusty Durango. These are also her wedding colors (terra cotta). Next week we'll be stamping 100+ wedding invites!

Spring Fling - A Walk in the Park

2009-04-24T13:59:00.000-07:00

Last Sat. I went to an event (Spring Fling) in North Jersey for demonstrators and guests. We stamped for hours!! We made this adorable frame with butterfly die cuts and rub ons. It was so quick and easy!! Then we made the birthday cake pop up card, and finally a beautiful stationary box with notecards, tags, and more, using Walk in the Park DSP from the new Occasions mini catalog!

Dress Card

2009-02-26T16:50:00.000-08:00

I made this dress card for a recent Philly Inkers reward night make-and-take. I found the pattern online after seeing it in Paper Crafts magazine. E-mail me or leave a comment if you'd like to have the pattern for yourself!

I used Old Olive ink, card stock, and grosgrain ribon, plus Very Vanilla card stock and grosgrain ribbon. I also used Pocket Silhouettes stamp set, scallop circle and scallop edge punches, and the white gel pen. It's a pretty quick and easy card to make!

Ink Thinkers Retreat

2009-01-27T16:47:00.000-08:00

Last weekend I had another opportunity to visit Tina's cabin in the Catskills. We sat around and stamped and talked all things stamping for a whole weekend. You can read more about it here on her blog. This picture gives you an idea of our workspace. We always feed off each other's creativity at these events, and I always leave soo inspired to be a better Stampin' Up! demonstrator.

You can read a bit about my last weekend there - I was still pregnant then. This time I brought the little guy and to my amazement, I actually accomplished some stamping! I made a couple 6x6 scrapbooks (Simply Scrappin' kits make these easy and so quick! - and cute to boot), and I made a bunch of cards with a new Sale-a-bration stamp set called Polka Dot Punches.

Cabin Scrappin' Retreat

2008-10-01T13:56:00.000-07:00

Last week I got the chance to go on another "Cabin" Scrappin' trip. You can see from the picture of me that it doesn't matter in Forestburgh, NY, if your hair sticks up, or if you wear slipper socks with sandals. If you go on a walk, the only thing that will see you looking like this is maybe a deer or two (or 9, I counted once)!

As you can see from the pictures below, it's not at all a "cabin" - it's a wonderful, spacious, comfortable lake house owned by Tina Rosenkrans, and she generously shares the space with half a dozen lucky stampers a couple times a year, based on their sales in a given period. She cooks yummy food for us too! I love these trips!!! This one felt like my last big hoorah before baby Lawrence arrives in a few weeks. I got so many cards made - probably around 175! - including a large stack of Christmas cards and my swaps for the next 3 months of Philly Inkers meetings! Stay tuned this week for pics of some cards made by very talented Cabbin' Scrappers who attended.

Change of (Web) Address

2008-08-15T12:44:00.000-07:00

My blog has moved to www.westphillystamper.com.

Please save my new location, and update your Google Reader.

See you there!!!!

Retired Accessories List - going fast!

2008-07-29T11:14:00.000-07:00

These items are available until Aug. 10, or while supplies last. Order soon - a lot is already sold out! Read more about a 25% off sale, as well as the cute punch box available for $3.95.

Page Item
177 Accents & Elements Build A Flower - Sold Out
177 Accents & Elements Lucky Star
177 Accents & Elements Messenger
184 Acrylic Graph & Grid
163 Card Stock 12 X 12 In Color
163 Card Stock 8-1/2 X 11 Blue Bayou
163 Card Stock 8-1/2 X 11 Groovy Guava
163 Card Stock 8-1/2 X 11 In Color
163 Card Stock 8-1/2 X 11 River Rock
163 Card Stock 8-1/2 X 11 Soft Sky
163 Card Stock 8-1/2 X 11 Wild Wasabi - Sold Out
163 Card Stock 8-1/2 X 11 Purely Pomegranate - Sold Out
166 Card Stock Brushed Copper - Sold Out
163 Card Stock Textured 12 X 12 In Color
167 Cards & Envelopes Gift Whisper White
167 Cards & Envelopes Greeting Whisper White
167 Notes & Envelopes Long Notes
167 Notes & Envelopes Love Notes
167 Notes & Envelopes Pocket Notes* - Sold Out
167 Notes & Envelopes Scallop Notes
167 Notes & Envelopes Gift Notes
163 Classic Stampin' Ink Blue Bayou - Sold Out
163 Classic Stampin' Ink Groovy Guava
163 Classic Stampin' Ink Purely Pomegranate - Sold Out
163 Classic Stampin' Ink River Rock - Sold Out
163 Classic Stampin' Ink Soft Sky
163 Classic Stampin' Ink Wild Wasabi - Sold Out
163 Classic Stampin' Pad Blue Bayou
163 Classic Stampin' Pad Groovy Guava
163 Classic Stampin' Pad Purely Pomegranate
163 Classic Stampin' Pad River Rock
163 Classic Stampin' Pad Soft Sky
163 Classic Stampin' Pad Wild Wasabi
171 Designer Series Paper Azure*
169 Designer Series Paper Bali Breeze
169 Designer Series Paper Berry Bliss
169 Designer Series Paper Cutie Pie
168 Designer Series Paper East Coast Prep* - Sold Out
170 Designer Series Paper Fall Flowers - Sold Out
169 Designer Series Paper Flowers For You*
169 Designer Series Paper Ginger Blossom
168 Designer Series Paper Jersey Shore*
170 Designer Series Paper Le Jardin
170 Designer Series Paper Notebook*
171 Designer Series Paper Olive Press
170 Designer Series Paper Porcelain Prints* - Sold Out
171 Designer Series Paper Prints Almost Amethyst*- Sold Out
171 Designer Series Paper Prints Always Artichoke
171 Designer Series Paper Prints Blue Bayou
171 Designer Series Paper Prints Brilliant Blue
171 Designer Series Paper Prints Certainly Celery
171 Designer Series Paper Prints Close to Cocoa* - Sold Out
171 Designer Series Paper Prints Groovy Guava* - Sold Out
171 Designer Series Paper Prints Lovely Lilac
171 Designer Series Paper Prints More Mustard
171 Designer Series Paper Prints Old Olive
171 Designer Series Paper Prints Pumpkin Pie - Sold Out
171 Designer Series Paper Prints River Rock*
171 Designer Series Paper Prints Rose Red
171 Designer Series Paper Prints So Saffron
171 Designer Series Paper Prints Soft Sky
171 Designer Series Paper Prints Tempting Turquoise - Sold Out
168 Designer Series Paper Spring Break
169 Designer Series Paper Spring Fling*
170 Designer Series Paper Spring Silhouettes
170 Designer Series Paper Western Sky
167 Envelope Confetti Cream Medium
189 Eyelets Basic
189 Eyelets Bold Brights
189 Eyelets Earth Elements
189 Eyelets Fresh Favorites I
189 Eyelets Fresh Favorites II
189 Eyelets Rich Regals
189 Eyelets Soft Subtles - Sold Out
188 Hodgepodge Hardware Pewter - Sold Out
188 Hodgepodge Hardware Antique Brass - Sold Out
188 Hodgepodge Hardware Aged Copper - Sold Out
183 Metallic Art Pencils
179 On Board Accents
178 On Board Blossoms & Basic
178 On Board Ginormous Pieces
179 On Board Simon Lower
166 Mulberry Paper White - Sold Out
181 Punch Box Three For You
180 Punch Handheld Rectangle
183 Pure Color Pencils
191 Ribbon Double-Stitched Blue Bayou - Sold Out
191 Ribbon Double-Stitched Groovy Guava - Sold Out
191 Ribbon Double-Stitched Purely Pomegranate - Sold Out
191 Ribbon Double-Stitched River Rock*
191 Ribbon Double-Stitched Soft Sky - Sold Out
191 Ribbon Double-Stitched Wild Wasabi - Sold Out
190 Ribbon Originals Beachfront*
190 Ribbon Originals District*
190 Ribbon Originals Fairy Tale
190 Ribbon Originals Jersey*
190 Ribbon Originals Sherbert
190 Ribbon Originals Theater
191 Ribbon Striped Grosgrain Wild Wasabi*
182 Rub-Ons Cherished Memories* - Sold Out
182 Rub-Ons Eastern Elegance*
182 Rub-Ons Urban West*
174 Simply Scrappin' Boho Blend
174 Simply Scrappin' Confetti
172 Simply Scrappin' Crew Kids Boy
173 Simply Scrappin' Crew Kids Girl
175 Simply Scrappin' Home Again
174 Simply Scrappin' Rose Cottage
173 Simply Scrappin' Special Delivery Boy
173 Simply Scrappin' Special Delivery Girl - Sold Out
175 Simply Scrappin' Summer Days
175 Simply Scrappin' Tie The Knot
15 Simply Sent Friendly Notes
16 Simply Sent Simple Delights - Sold Out
16 Simply Sent Three Thoughts - Sold Out
197 Stampin'Around Wheel Daisy Field
197 Stampin'Around Wheel Garden Annuals
197 Stampin'Around Wheel Good Dog
197 Stampin'Around Wheel Kisses
197 Stampin'Around Wheel Lily Pad
197 Stampin'Around Wheel Meow
197 Stampin'Around Wheel Mistletoe - Sold Out
196 Jumbo Stampin' Around Wheel Basics Outline
196 Jumbo Stampin' Around Wheel Birthday
196 Jumbo Stampin' Around Wheel Dilly Dally Baby
196 Jumbo Stampin' Around Wheel Dilly Dally Friends
196 Jumbo Stampin' Around Wheel Dilly Dally Party
196 Jumbo Stampin' Around Wheel Leaves A La Carte - Sold Out
196 Jumbo Stampin' Around Wheel Nature Hike
196 Jumbo Stampin' Around Wheel Petals
196 Jumbo Stampin' Around Wheel Rough Texture - Sold Out
196 Jumbo Stampin' Around Wheel Spunky Spots
193 Stampin' Color Index Labels
194 Stampin' Kids Markers
185 Stipple Brushes
183 Zig Painty

Retiring Accessories on Sale!!!

2008-07-20T13:47:00.000-07:00

Wow!! For the first time ever, Stampin' Up! has a 25% off sale on some of the retiring accessories! View the list of discounted items here. Also, be sure to check here on Monday, July 21, for the rest of the retiring accessories.

Retiring accessories are only available until Aug. 10, or while supplies last, and items on this list will be sure to sell out! Email me to place an order.

I used Almost Amethyst Designer Series Paper to make the Dahlia flower on this card, (Almost Amethyst DSP is 25% off!!)

Summer Days Scrappin' Class

2008-07-14T09:07:00.001-07:00

Register by July 19 for the Summer Days Scrappin' Class! We're making the Explosion Box pictured here (open and closed), to which you can add photos later, and you'll receive 1/2 of a Summer Days Simply Scrappin' Kit. This means you'll have plenty of supplies left over -patterned paper, textured card stock, and embellishments to make more projects on your own, like the cards shown below!!

Class date is Thurs., 8/7, 1-3 or 7-9 pm, or choose the "class by mail" option and have all the supplies (cut and scored) shipped to your doorstep!

Click here for more details on the class and how to register.

Hodgepodge Hardware 25% off!!

2008-07-02T20:04:00.000-07:00

From July 1 through August 10, the following Hodgepodge Hardware finishes are being offered at a special 25% discount: $20.96 (regular price $27.95)

Aged Copper
Antique Brass
Pewter

But don't wait! These kits are retiring, and they are only available while supplies last.

Here is a card I made with Hodgepodge Hardware: (hoping this set makes it into the new catalog Aug. 10)!

Fresh Cut Sneak Peek Samples

2008-06-05T14:11:00.000-07:00

Isn't this a beautiful stamp set?? It's a sneak peek into the next catalog, which arrives in August. This stamp set is die-cut and is available this month for $21.95! And when you buy the set, you can get a coordinating pack of square cards like the one shown, for $5!

My aunt made some really nice cards with this set. Click here to take a look!!

Bloomin' Beautiful

2008-05-28T05:36:00.000-07:00

This has got to be my favorite stamp set in the current mini catalog. Bloomin' Beautiful has so many beautiful images in it! It's $25.95, and it's available through June 30.

For the hydrangeas, I used glossy cardstock, markers, blender pens, and the white gel pen to color. I used my aqua painter, ink pad covers, and watercolor paper for the rose. Plus a little bit of Dazzling Diamonds glitter!

More Kind Thoughts...

2008-05-22T16:00:00.000-07:00

We could all use more kind thoughts, don't you think? I love this stamp set! It's so elegant!

Opportunity Night Success!

2008-05-20T06:20:00.000-07:00

The Philly Inkers gained a few more members last night at Kristin's house (in New Jersey)! She hosted an "Opportunity Night" where stampers learned what it's like to be a Stampin' Up! demonstrator.

Kristin designed two cards for us to make! Don't recognize the stamps on the second card? That's because we demonstrators got a sneak peek into the new catalog and got to buy that set a month early! Everyone else can buy it in June, and it sure is a cute set!!! It also has coordinating 4x4 note cards/envelopes which make for super easy card-making!

There is still time to sign up to be a demonstrator this month and take advantage of the Expand Your Toolbox Promotion. The starter kit is only $159 (reg. price $199), and it comes with a free Hodge Podge Hardware kit, ($27.95 value). Contact me for more info.

Kind Thoughts

2008-05-19T05:14:00.000-07:00

"Kind Thoughts" is another one of my free stamp sets from Sale-a-bration Rewards. I love that it has some different elaborate designs, plus a butterfly with designs built in (butterflies were my favorite "animal" when I was a kid.)

These colors are Bravo Burgundy and Groovy Guava. And there is some Brushed Gold cardstock in there too.

I am going to miss Groovy Guava when it retires in August!

Bundled in Love

2008-05-16T04:09:00.000-07:00

I've been having fun with this set, which makes the cutest baby cards ever! Hope you enjoy these!

Brayer Fun!

2008-05-14T04:33:00.000-07:00

These cards show my attempts at the "Brayered Sky" technique. Visit Michelle Zindorf's blog for more on this technique. Her tutorials are out of this world! Michelle lives near my aunt, and Aunt Karen was very inspired by this fun technique. (Click on "very inspired" to read about her meeting with Michelle!)

In the first card, I wanted the shells to sit on the beach, and in the second card, I wanted them at the bottom of the ocean, with the white lines (used my white gel pen) showing the top of the water. What was in my head didn't quite make it on the paper, but it was sure fun! Stay tuned for some more cards with brayered backgrounds this week!

May Philly Inkers Meeting - Dahlia Fold

2008-05-13T06:30:00.000-07:00

Last night at our monthly meeting, Alison showed us the Dahlia Fold technique for our make-and-take. What a fun way to make a flower! It looks so cool!

Click here for step-by-step directions on this fold. And click here to see more samples!

More Peonies

2008-05-12T11:37:00.001-07:00

Love this set! I'm giving it back to its owner today:0)

Fun with Seaside stamp set

2008-05-09T14:18:00.001-07:00

I chose this set as one of my (5!) free stamp sets from my Sale-a-bration period rewards. It's a really fun set to watercolor, a technique with which I'm slowly getting more comfortable. The backgrounds on these two are done with Sahara Sand ink, and I used my aquapainter and ink pads to color the images.

Stay tuned for more Seaside samples and other random cards this week - I've been stampin' up a storm the past two days!!

Diva Night

2008-05-08T03:54:00.001-07:00

Last night was the first quarterly Philly Inkers Diva Night Celebration. Stampin' "Divas" are demonstrators in my group who met one or more of several criteria regarding sales and recruiting. I treated them to dinner, stamping, and prizes.

Menu:

Tortilla chips, crab dip, and guacamole

Regular and peach/mango salsa

Chicken/spinach/roasted red pepper quesadillas

Black bean and corn quesadillas
Fiesta rice

Lime Pound Cake

Chocolate Mousse from Dove

And here are two of the three projects we stamped.

Pretty Peonies

2008-04-30T13:25:00.000-07:00

Kristin came over last Saturday. We stamped just for fun, and it was very inspiring. I had fun with her new set Pretty Peonies.

Birthday May-nia Class

2008-04-23T12:55:00.000-07:00

Wed. May 14 - 1 pm and 7 pm
Thurs. May 15 - 7 pm

Take home the Bitty Birthday stamp set ($12.95 value) and 10 birthday cards with envelopes - 4 reg. size and 6 love note size (3x3)

Fee $20 - last day to register is May 3

Attendees supply adhesive

Already have Bitty Birthday stamp set? Substitute with any $12.95 stamp set.

Long-distance Class-by-Mail option - Get Bitty Birthday stamp set and 10 completed cards by mail for $30!! (includes shipping).

For more info contact Claire.

Wild for Wasabi? Wild for free ink pads?

2008-04-04T10:18:00.000-07:00

From March 1 through April 30, you can purchase a specially-priced Wild Wasabi card stock pack for only $3.95--that's 16 sheets of pre-cut (4-1/2" x 11-1/2") and pre-scored (at 1-1/8" and 5-5/8") Wild Wasabi textured card stock that can be used to make all kinds of fun and easy cards and projects! See more Wild Wasabi samples here.

Choose a free Classic ink pad or pack of card stock ($5.50 value) for free when you place a $50 order in April!!

Contact me today for more details on these specials.

Spring Card

2008-04-01T06:53:00.001-07:00

I created this card for the last Philly Inkers Shoebox Swap. The flowers in the background are on one large stamp, which makes it so easy to quickly cover a large space.

Supplies: Soft Sky cardstock (CS), Double-Stiched Grosgrain ribbon, and ink, Blush Blossom CS, Groovy Guava Ink, white gel pen, Pretties Kit, Bloomin' Beautiful and Pretty Petals stamp sets.

Free Wheelin'

2008-03-20T05:58:00.000-07:00

It's a Wheely Great Deal! Stampin' Up!'s wheels make quick and easy backgrounds for any cards, scrapbook pages, or projects. Between today and April 30 when you purchase select stamp sets, you will get the coordinating wheel absolutely free!

Click here for all the details!

March Scrapbook Kit

2008-03-10T10:14:00.000-07:00

Make 6-8 pages for $25!
created by Kristin Fuller

This kit features the Spring Fling DSP, and includes flowers, pearls, and rhinestone brads from the Pretties Kit, plus some assorted chipboard pieces and ribbon! You will also receive sample layouts to get you started! It's the perfect assortment to scrapbook your Easter or spring pictures.
Kit Price: $25 - Contact me by March 17 to order. Your kit will be available for pick up (or shipped for an additional $6) on March 31!
Save with a 3-Month Subscription and pay $22.50/month. Contact me for details on how to subscibe!

Spring Occasions Mini

2008-03-06T04:17:00.001-08:00

It's here! Perhaps you saw this one in the mail? If not, check it out online here. It sure has a fun selection of stamps and other cool stampin' stuff. Check out the new chunky glitter in great spring colors, the new Hodge Podge Hardware - including ribbon charms. And remember - all stamp sets in this catalog are already die-cut for you!

Stay tuned for samples later this month, made with the stamps in this spring mini catalog!

Happy National Craft Month!

2008-03-01T07:49:00.000-08:00

Did you know that March is National Craft Month? What better time to get crafty than when we are fed up with the cold!

You would think I might be fed up of the pink and brown color combo by now, since I've used it sooo much this year already, but I still love this Berry Bliss Designer Series Paper. I also enjoy how quick and easy it is to make the the 3x3 love notes. One very lucky hostess will receive this tin today at her stamping party, along with six 3x3 love notes inside! She'll also get free stamps and a shopping spree in the catalog!

18 more days to Sale-a-Brate!!

2008-02-29T09:24:00.000-08:00

Did you know there are two ways to get a free Sale-a-bration set? Sale ends March 17! You can place a $50 order or host a party (actual party or book party that reaches $300 in orders) to earn your free stamp set. This is the best sale of the year - don't miss out! These stamps will be gone for good after March 17.

Ever thought about joining Stampin' Up! as a way to pay for your hobby or to start your own business? The Philly Inkers group (Claire's downline) is alive and growing, and it's so much fun to be a part of this group! Sale-a-bration is a great time to join! Through March 17, new demonstrators get:

~20% off the new demonstrator starter kit! That means you pay $159 for $360 worth of products, rather than the normal price of $199! What an economical way to start your own business or get all those items on your wish list at an amazing discount.
~your choice of a free stamp set, no matter what price, to add to your kit!

Another Purse Card...

2008-02-27T05:43:00.000-08:00

These purse cards and love notes are so much fun! So quick and simple too!

Email me for a pattern and instructions!

Altered Planner in Pink and Brown

2008-02-25T08:31:00.000-08:00

I found this planner and slipped some Berry Bliss paper in the cover (with some stamping and ribbon too)...It's so easy to personalize these! If I want a change later in the year, I can remove this cover (and probably make it into a card), and replace it with a new theme and new colors.

Supplies:
Berry Bliss Paper
One of a Kind stamp set
Purely Pomegranate Double-Stitched Ribbon
Pretty in Pink Grosgrain Ribbon
Soft Subtles Brads
Purely Pomegranate card stock - $5.50 (24 sheets)
Pretty in Pink card stock - $5.50 (24 sheets)
Stampin' Dimensionals

More fun folds

2008-02-23T06:08:00.000-08:00

Debbie Van Gieson, one of my fellow INKredible sisters (Tina's group), made this cute project for the WOW swap at Tina's Winter Gathering Feb. 9. (In a WOW swap we make something extra special, usually a 3D item or a project other than a card.) Underneath the flower is a pack of post-its. This fun flower fold is called the Dahlia Fold. You can find instructions here.

Happy weekend!

A Really Fun Card!

2008-02-21T09:46:00.000-08:00

For some reason, I got addicted to extra special cards last week. This one was inspired by Dawn again. You can watch her video on this card here. I used Berry Bliss paper and the stamp set Sweet Shapes.

Note Card Purse

2008-02-20T04:05:00.000-08:00

I found this great template for a double pocket bag on Splitcoast Stampers. It's very easy to make, and what a fun way to give 3x3 note cards to someone!

I gave this one to my friend Rachel in Connecticut for her stamping party hostess gift last weekend. If you are an upcoming hostess and would also like one of these note card purses, send me an e-mail or post a comment!

Card with Bees and Beads

2008-02-18T03:48:00.000-08:00

This card is made with the Sale-a-Bration stamp set Merci. Ilina has gotten me into using our Micro Beads. I had them for probably a year before I used them. They were given to me for free at some event a while back!

Micro Beads are only $5.25, and to apply them, just use Sticky Strip or some Crystal Effects. I prefer Crystal Effects, since you can also use it as a glaze, and you can place it in whatever shape you want to. However, if you want a perfectly straight row of beads on a project, Sticky Strip is the way to go.

Triple Shadow Box Frame

2008-02-14T13:00:00.000-08:00

This is an altered version of the yellow shadow box card Tracy made for the Winter Gathering, which is just below this post. I used beads around the edges of the ovals. Ilina uses a lot of beads on her projects and I think it adds a lot!

Shadow Box Cards

2008-02-13T01:00:00.000-08:00

Last Saturday Tiffany, Kristin, and I went to North Jersey for Tina's Winter Gathering and saw some really cool projects! Tracy A. displayed her lovely shadow box card, inspired by a tutorial on this blog. (Be sure to watch Dawn's videos - you'll love them! They sure made me want to stamp something besides regular cards.)

I was so inspired by Tracy's shadow box card, that I made these blue and purple cards this week. Enjoy! And stay tuned for a picture of a triple shadow box frame!

Hand-stamped Birthday Presents

2008-02-12T18:12:00.000-08:00

Some goodies I got for my birthday from Kristin and Tiffany! Aren't they cute??

My 30th birthday special ends Fri. Check it out below!

Also stay tuned for more pics this week from the big Winter Gathering event some of the Philly Inkers attended last weekend. We made some really fun stuff!

Happy Birthday to.............Claire!!

2008-02-09T01:00:00.000-08:00

I'm offering some web-only specials* to celebrate the big 3-0! E-mail me soon, sale ends Fri., Feb. 15!

1. All items in Stampin' Up!'s catalog with a birthday theme, birthday cakes, or birthday words are 20% off! Click here to see Stampin' Up!'s birthday-themed items.

2. Order $50 worth (of any products) from now until Fri, Feb. 15, and receive a 25% discount (and also get a free Sale-a-Bration stamp set!!!)

*Sale applies to individual customer orders, (outside of club or party orders). Shipping & tax based on original item price. This special cannot be combined with other discounts, coupons.

There's still room at the Stamp-a-Stack!

2008-02-07T06:21:00.000-08:00

Join us tomorrow (Friday, Feb. 8) in West Philly, at 2 pm or 7 pm, and take home 4 each of these 3 cards! We'll be using Dazzling Diamonds glitter, Watercolor Wonder Crayons, Stampin' Pastels and more!

Choose from many different sentiment stamps to make your cards say whatever you'd like.

$15 material fee. To sign up: Pre-pay by credit card or paypal, and receive free envelopes! All you bring is adhesive! E-mail me to sign up.

February Scrappin' Kit: Berry Bliss

2008-02-04T05:44:00.000-08:00

If you received my Feb. Stampin' Sentinel, you might have read I now offer monthly scrappin' kits. These are shipped directly to your door!

Berry Bliss Scrappin' Kit Includes:

~Assortment of Designer Series Berry Bliss Paper (double -sided)
~Assortment of coordinating 12x12 cardstock
~Assortment of 8.5 x 11 cardstock
~Coordinating embellishments, like buttons, brads, and/or ribbon
~Sample templates to help you design your pages ~Posted samples online

Each month's kit will contain patterned paper, cardstock, and other embellishments as well as samples to jumpstart your creative process. Each kit contains enough material for 8-10 pages!

Subscribe 3 ways:
month to month for $25/month
3-month subscription for $22.50/month
6-month subscription for $20/month

A $6 additional shipping & handling fee will also apply each month. (Fee will be waived if you'd like to pick up your kit.)

E-mail me to sign up through February 18, and you will receive your Berry Bliss kit on or about February 29.

Congratulations, Judith!

2008-02-03T10:44:00.000-08:00

Judith, from Norwich, CT, won the January card contest! What a pretty card.

It was a close contest - two cards tied and we had to enlist a tiebreaker :0) Thank you to my independent panel of demonstrators, who served as judges for the contest.

Thanks to all who entered! Look for your cards from me in the mail soon.

Judith, enjoy your $10 gift certificate!

Cabbin' Scrappin'

2008-02-02T20:04:00.000-08:00

Just got back from a 2 night stay in the Catskills - with some other gals who won Tina's Cabbin' Scrappin' Contest! What fun! We relaxed and stamped the whole time. We ate very yummy food which Tina cooked for us.

We ate, laughed and stayed in our pj's for as long as we wanted to. We stamped til we dropped. (until 1 am the first night!) Did you know that a Crop-a-dile can turn into a good weapon after someone walks by and smears your face with Real Red ink? And Stampin' Scrubs are a great defense against the Crop-a-dile. The instigator finally turned to the spray hose, and then got chili powder dumped on her (by accident). (Cindy just meant to sprinkle Tina, but a whole bunch came out:0)! This Stampin' Shenanigans had us in stitches! (And Tina sure makes a mean chili.)
Stay tuned for pics of some of my creations...

Two more days to enter Jan. Card Contest!

2008-01-29T06:46:00.000-08:00

Win a $10 coupon!

Create a card based on this template, and mail it to me, postmarked by January 31. When I receive your card, I will send you one in return! Once all cards have been received, some of my fellow demonstrators will cast their votes for their favorite card. The winner will be announced with a picture of the card on the blog, and s/he will receive a $10 coupon to use on a future Stampin' Up! order or class!

I hope this fun contest will motivate you to use some of your stamping supplies and inspire you to try new layouts.

Good luck, and I can't wait to see your creations!!!

Inspire Your Heart with Art Day

2008-01-22T05:33:00.000-08:00

This little explosion box is so easy to make...What a unique Valentine! I used the Sweet Shapes stamp set, as well as cardstock, one brad, punches, and two ink pads. Post a comment or e-mail me if you'd like detailed instructions.

Did you know that January 31 is Inspire Your Heart with Art Day? To celebrate this day, I'm offering 20% off any stamp sets containing an image of a heart now through January 31!*

Order three or more sets contining a heart image, and get 25% off!!

To place an order, send me an E-mail.

*Sale applies to individual customer orders, (outside of club or party orders). Shipping & tax based on original item price.

All in the Family

2008-01-18T06:33:00.000-08:00

I love this stamp set. I just got it this week. It has all kinds of stick figure images, so you can customize your own family. This is actually the cover of a mini photo album that holds 4x6 photos. Click here to see what the rest of the stamp set looks like.

Lots of fun, as usual...

2008-01-15T15:02:00.000-08:00

Last night was the monthly Philly Inkers meeting. We had a great time, like we always do. We talked about taxes, websites, stamping, and lots of other things. We had a guest, and she enjoyed herself too. She graciously took our picture...here are the Philly Inkers who were able to make it last night. We sure missed those that couldn't make it!

Laura B. provided our make and take - it was a really cool card that uses 4 punches. I loved the way the slit punch holds the card closed.

Another Sneak Peek...

2008-01-11T04:50:00.000-08:00

I simply adore this 2-page spread Kristin designed yesterday for the Album in a Day class we are holding on Saturday, January 26. Isn't it so purty? You can read more about Album in a Day in the post below, and register online!

We have 12 spots for this class, and registration ends Jan. 15.

Cabin Scrappin' Retreat

2008-01-10T16:43:00.000-08:00

Album in a Day

2008-01-09T06:49:00.000-08:00

You can now register online for Album in a Day! This spread is a sneak peek at just two of the twenty pages you'll get to make in this class.

We are SO excited about this class coming up on January 26! Kristin and I are having a blast designing the pages for you! There is a nice variety of seasonal, all-occasion, and other general pages that you can easily tweak for your photos. I'm amazed at the variety that comes when two designers with very different styles and color preferences create 20 scrapbook pages!

You can choose to purchase an album at 20% off when you register for this class and have a brand-new high-quality completed scrapbook to take home that day. You can also incorporate the pages into existing 12x12 top-loading scrapbooks you already have.

Long Distance Option: Want to make the pages but already have plans that day or live too far from Elmer, NJ? No problem! We're offering a long distance option where you can buy a kit, including all of the materials to make your own 20-page album for $60 at home using your own stamps and ink. Stop by to pick up your kit anytime after the class, or we will ship your kit to your doorstep! Contact me for more information and for shipping charges. Register for the event online!

Claire thanks Jen Peel for the basic layout design of this spread.