How Challenging!

I have a confession.

I have a few sweet blogs that I visit all of the time with my morning coffee. They are like coffee for my eyeballs in the morning. They get my eyes and creative soul up and jumpin', ready to proceed with the day.

One particular blog I visit routinely is Kristina Werner's blog. A few days ago, my eyes feasted upon her new colour challenge. She has a new one every week. The challenge has a groovy picture for inspiration, and with it a colour swatch of 'mandatory' colours that are to be used in your creation.

I loved the colours.

The colours drove me to do something I've never done in my 3+ years as a papercrafter.....I MADE SOMETHING FOR THE CHALLENGE! And if I may toot my own horn, it's kinda pretty!

So here is the inspiration picture for Challenge #52

Here's my creation, do you LIKE it? :)

This mini-card folio uses the Thoughts and Prayers stamp set (tree), Oval All Stamp set, the coordinating Scalloped Oval punch, a white Button Latte' flower button, Taffeta "Kraft coloured" ribbon, whisper white/so saffron/baja breeze/more mustard/kraft cardstock and inks. (All Stampin' Up! products were used).


Here's a few close-ups of the project:


First, the inside of the folio, holds a few little 'note cards' and envelopes. I plan to use mine as hostess gifts for ladies who book parties. They deserve a little something special! The note cards they can decorate and embellish with sentiments of their choice! Cool hey?



Next up is a close up of the embellishment. I just love these little buttons, they are so sweet and add a classy touch, I think it compliments the scallop oval very nicely! If you want to browse our fabulous products and accessories you can visit my online store here.




Last but not least....a zoom in on the paper piercing! I love my Crafter's Tool Kit. Faux stitching and paper piercing are a wonderful techniques that add a little texture to a project without going over the top. Check it out:



Here's a snapshot of the main stamp set that I used. I have a feeling I'll be using it a lot more :) You can click on the photos to see them in a larger format.



If you are in the Edmonton area and would like to host a Stampin' Up! party, contact me through my website here and I'll be bringing this cute little gifty to YOU! Click here to view the fun and benefits of having a home party where I bring the fun and crafting to your home.

Men Men Men...Manly Men (the card class)

Any fans of the TV show Two and a Half Men will know that I totally hijacked a snippet of the theme song for Today's post title (and the name of the card class), but i'm okay with that!

I love the show not only because of the fast and witty verbal exchange between characters, but also because my husband (my non-tv watching husband...wait that sounds like I have more than one husband...believe me there's only ONE and he doesn't like TV) watches, and he laughs out loud, full on laughter.

If there's one thing I love, it's laughter. Laughter makes my heart smile.

Laughter, feeling good, good times, simple things :) Where am i going with this? Well, last night was my Manly Men Card Class! (*cue song in my head again*) We made 5 masculine themed cards, and enjoyed several hours of stampy bliss!

I feel pretty satisfied with the end results.....

Several hours before the class I changed my mind on a couple of things because i found a VERY COOL technique for 'faux woodgrain' and then stumbled upon a few equally adorable wallet cards for father's day. And wellllll...if you see something cool and masculine, you gotta do it! As many stampers know, it's a challenge to come up with masculine themes/cards for giving to the men in our lives.

NOTE: As a ribbon-a-holic I'm proud to say that NOTHING (zip zero zilch nada) had ribbon on it. Oh wait, one had a itty bitty bit of twill tape, but it went with the theme...and it was not tied, beribboned, knotted or bowed!!! I promise!

So do you want to see the yummy things we made? YES?! I'm taking pictures of the projects for your eyeballs to celebrate over, and some fun links to share with you. Let me get all of my ducks in a row, and y'all come back soon!

In the meantime, have you checked out the art gallery and videos on my stampin' up! homepage? You totally should! The video demos from head office are exceptionally well done. While you're there please check my calendar and see if there is any class that tickles your fancy (and check out our new business special too). Click here.

Now i must go make like a camera and be back in a FLASH. (HAR HAR HAR!)

One Sweet Bundle!

Paper Sampler Share PLUS

Designer Papers are HOT right now….

Whether you use your papers for BigShot die cutting, cutting up to decorate cards & scrapbooks or for punching up with paper punches… designer papers add a gorgeous, finished look to all of your projects!

Right now I’m offering an opportunity to participate in a bulk buy paper sampler share.

In this paper share you will receive a 6x6” piece of each design/pattern from all 20 Designer Series Paper packages! You can view all of the papers on pages 158 - 161 of the current Stampin' Up! catalogue HERE.

You will receive a total of 120 sheets of paper for $35 + shipping*
(That’s only 29 cents per sheet!)

*This offer is only open to Canadians, shipping is via Canada Post and based on your location in Canada. There is no additional shipping cost to you if you are planning to pick up your order.

How Does it Work?

Each group will consist of 8 members (you may purchase more than one spot in the share) and I will place orders as each group fills and payment is received from all members. (payment options are cheque, cash, visa, mastercard, paypal, internet banking)

Why is this a Paper Sampler PLUS?

…the PLUS is there is a paper special in May (buy 3 get 1 free) and this means that as I place the order for each group of 8, I will also be able to get an additional 6 packages of designer series paper for the group.

This breaks down to an l bonus of an extra 36 pieces of assorted Designer Series Papers for FREE! Remember, this bonus is only available in May!

In the Merry Merry Month of May.....

May 1 - 31 we're celebrating National Scrapbooking Month and Stampin' Up! is offering the following THREE special promotions (until May31):

• Buy 3 get 1 free! It's time to stock up on your favourite packages of 12x12" designer series papers AND textured cardstock (textured specialty designer papers such as Rockabilly and To The Nines and Sweet Slumber ARE INCLUDED in this offer)

• Purchase the NEW Jumble Alphabet stamp-set (sneak peek from the upcoming new release of the 2009-10 Idea Book and Catalogue) at 20% off! Item number 115199

• Join my Smarty Pants Stampers team for $99! For the month of May, we have a special scrapbooking mini-kit which provides you with a great opportunity to get business started for a really smart price. If you are looking for a low start-up cost, or if you already have a collection of stampin' up supplies at home, this offer might be perfect for you! You will have all of the full demonstrator benefits and discounts as with purchasing the full-sized starter kit. Please visit my website for more information on this Promotion (promotions tab) and the "Join Now" tab will take you to the kit purchase pages. Both kits are available for selection. Click here to view this promotion now.

Your scrapbooking mini-kit contains:

Schoolbook Serif Alphabet stamp set $50.95
Simply Scrappin' Petal Party (scrapbooking kit) $23.95
Earth Elements Assorted 12x12" TEXTURED cardstock $13.95
Whisper White Craft Stampin' Pad $8.95

*substitutions for personal preference are available on the stamp-set, scrappin' kit and cardstock (equal value)

Plus all of the business supplies contained in the STANDARD starter kit:

Getting started DVD
Getting Started Guide
Guest Invitations and Postcards (100)
Idea Book and Catalogue (8)
Occasions Mini Catalogue (8)
To My Hostess Envelope (10)
Recruit Folders (5)
Recruit Brochures (20)
Hostess Brochures (20)
hostess Benefits Forms (10)
Customer Order Forms (50)