Sunday, January 19, 2014

Valentine's Day Cards and digital Valentine's Downloads

  • Another Valentine's Day Swap Card from Leadership
  • Get started on your Valentine Cards today with these MDS downloads 
  • My Library App to manage your MDS Digital downloads 

Here's another card I designed for Leadership swaps last week.  I fell in love with the Language of Love stamp set from the Stampin' Up! Occasions Catalog and couldn't wait to use it.  I know I'll be using many more of the cute flag, triangle and heart shapes from that set before Valentine's Day is over. 

The heart is heat embossed in gold, and the Champagne glitter paper compliments it nicely.  Its so nice to have so many matching products.  The Coastal Cabana card stock matches the designer paper and the ruffled ribbon. I used the Fancy Fans embossing folder as the background.  Stampin' Up offers a wide selection of affordable embossing folders and Framelit shapes you can use if you want to case this card, but don't have the exact items I used.


Valentine's Day Card using non-traditional colors


Recipe
Stamps: Language of Love.(133074-w, 133077-c)
Paper:   Baked Brown Sugar, Coastal Cabana, Champagne Glitter Paper (127885), Whisper White, 2013-2015 In Color Designer Series Paper Stack (130136)
Inks:  Versamark
Accessories:  Fancy Fan Embossing Folder, Big Shot Die Cutting Machine and Pressure Plates, Windows Frames Collection (129021), Hearts a Flutter Framelit (130159) NEW-On Film Framelit Dies (132969) - from the Occasions Catalog, Small Heart punch (117193), Full Heart Punch (119883), 3/8" Coastal Cabana Ruffle Stretch Trim, Festive Paper-Piercing Pack (127857), Paper-Piercing Tool  9126189), Stampin' Pierce Mat (126199), Stampin' Dimensionals, Gold embossing Powder, Stampin' Up! Heat Tool

To place an order for any products above:  Visit my Stampin' Up! Store

 

 

Get started on your Valentines today with the MDS downloads.

Tuesday's MyDigitalStudio (MDS) Releases for 14-January included three great downloads to get you started making your Valentine's Cards and Scrapbook pages. If you don't already own the MyDigitalStudio design software, download the Free trial version, buy these 3 downloads, and for the next 30 days, play with MyDigitalStudio to complete all your Valentine's needs. If you haven't used the software before, visit MyDigitalStudio site for free videos to get you started and a great forum to answer you questions. There are also several classes you might want to purchase and download to your computer to learn how to make a specific page or project. Stampin' Up! releases new download every Tuesday. To see each week's downloads, sign up for the mailing list on the MyDigitalStudio site.

 





1. This download (above) includes a video tutorial showcasing two digital projects and beginner MDS techniques. It includes a follow along tutorial to make a Valentine's card mailbox and valentines. This is a Digital-exclusive. It includes:
  • 6-page designer templates (8-1/2 X 11) so you can print them on your home computer or through Stampin' Up!'s professional printing services
  • 16-Piece SVG stamp brush set
  • 5 Designer Series Papers
  • 5 embellishments
  • 8 punches (yes 8!)
 
2.  This next download (above), called This and That Ensemble (item 136783) works with your This and That journals.  It is set up so you can easily add colors you want to use to the designer papers, and it also includes two cute envelopes templates to fold together and use on your pages of This and That. 
 
 
 
 

 
There are a full line of traditional products you can also use in your This and That journal, including new products just introduced in the Occasions catalog like Designer Washi Tape, a Rotary Stamp for making notes, and designer journaling tags and stickers.  Use the new This and that Ensemble download (above the journal) on your This and That journal today to capture all the Everyday Memories you'll wish you had captured as they happened.

3.  The third download this week is the Love is All Around kit (item 136821).  This download includes:
  • 19-piece SVG stamp brush set
  • 12 Designer Series Papers
  • 12 embellishments


 
 
Also, if you have an iPad, download the new My Library App from the iTunes store.     You can add all of your downloads for easy reference, create a wish list, plus see all the digital downloads in one place.
 
Take a look at how the My Library App for iPad works with your library:

 



 
 
 

Quick Links

  • Browse the Occasions Catalog or download any of the catalogs for FREE
  • Prepare your Valentines early - hurry, special products available through 27-Jan
  • NEW - Weekly Deals -- every Tuesday, while supplies last - now available!
  • Order a hard copy of the 2013-2014 Annual catalog or Occasions catalog - now available!!
Enjoy!


Donna Ross
Stampin' Up! Independent Demonstrator
Private Classes for 1 or a small group of friends:  http://cardmaking.meetup.com/71/


Tuesday, January 14, 2014

Stampin' Up! Leadership 2014 Wrap up


  • Stampin' Up! Leadership wrap-up 
  • Valentine Love
  • Get ready for Celebration - Start your wish list now 

Here a swap I created for one of my favorite swapping events, Lyssa's Leadership 2014 swap.  Lyssa Zwolanek's swaps are not only high quality, but they are so motivational!  Love all the great ideas!  Thanks, ladies, for another great swap!  One tip I'll pass on to you when making swap cards -- get a second set of your most-used Framelits.  When cutting 20 or 50 swap cards, you'll save a lot of time by cutting two pieces of card stock at a time and using two dies for the shapes you are cutting. 

Hearts a Flutter  (131922-w, 129252-c)
 
Recipe
Stamps: Hearts a Flutter (131922-w, 129252-c), Everything Eleanor (131987-w, 124164-c), and Seasonal Sayings (131937-w, 128009 - c)
Paper:   Sweet Sorbet - 133521 (Free with $50 order during Celebrations (starts Jan 28-Mar 1)), Pink Pirouette, Basic Black, Crisp Cantaloupe - In Color Designer Series Paper Stacks (130137), Pink Pirouette - Subtles Color Collection Designer series Paper Stack (130135)
Inks:  Black Stazon
Accessories:  Hearts a Flutter Framelits (130159), Magnetic Big Shot Platform, Big Shot, Full Heart Punch (119883), Ovals Collection Framelits (129381), white gel pen, 3/4" Pumpkin Pie Chevron Ribbon (130015), Dimensionals, Basic Black Candy Dots from the Neutrals collection (130934)

I have to admit, I haven't used the Candy Dots until now.  What a time saver over adding regular brads to my 20 swap cards.  I'm so glad Stampin' up offers these!

To place an order:  Visit my Stampin' Up! Store

And a big shout out to Lyssa, for all your hard work organizing and running this swap!


(l) Lyssa Griffin Zwolanek and (r) Donna Ross
 
Of course, it wouldn't be a Stampin' Up! event without display boards.  Leadership 2014 was no different here.  Lots of great ideas.  I'm still in the process of posting some of these great card and paper craft ideas to my Meetup Site.



Display boards at Stampin' Up! 2014 Leadership conference in Houston, TX
However, the display boards were about the only thing that was the same as previous years.  Stampin' Up! does a great job of keeping the format of Conferences fresh and staying current with the current trends
 
 
One of the Hottest trends - Gold.  Gold is everywhere this season!
 
 
Stampin' Up! offers many new products to keep up with the Gold trend this Spring.
 
The new Occasions catalog carries many new gold items  -- right on the mark with the latest trends.  Gold Washi Tape, Gold foil sheets, Gold vellum, Gold metallic Encore Ink pad, Gold glitter, and Gold Sequin Trim.

Another new format at this year's Leadership was the combinations of demos from the Stage combined with Make & Takes.  Instead of separate sessions where you watched the creative Home Office staff stamp projects on-stage in General Sessions, this year the on-stage demos were combined with an evening of make and takes.  Several presenters shared their inspiration for their assigned projects and we were given samples of kits and cards to put together during the evening Make & take Session.  Below are some of the Make and Takes tags we made this year  -  3 tags using the new Scalloped Tag Topper Punch (133324) punch from the Occasions catalog.  This is an exclusive design you can only get through Stampin' Up!



3 tags made with new Scalloped tag topper punch during Stampin' Up! Make & Take session at Leadership 2014


Stampin' Up! introduced several other new products which you'll hear about in the next 1 to 6 months.  Demonstrators attending Leadership received a new stamp set for demonstrates to use to make cards of encouragement for their downlines and customers.  Everyone  attending Leadership also received a new set from the new 2014-2015 catalog.  Watch my blog for samples from this new set soon.

Another booth on the display floor was covered with drapes.  This is where we got a  sneak peek at the Paper Pumpkin kits coming up in the next few months.  They are great! I really want the Feb and March kits!! For the same price, Paper Pumpkin monthly kits are now going to include a lot more product in each kit.  The kits are perfect if you want to make a few cards or paper craft projects to meet your needs each month, and you don't want to buy a house full of stamping supplies.  Watch for more information about the new kits!  Or sign up now so you don't miss anything

I have a lot more new to talk about in the next few days, but that's all for now!


Quick Links

 



Enjoy!

Donna Ross
Stampin' Up! Independent Demonstrator
Private Classes for 1 or a small group of friends:  http://cardmaking.meetup.com/71/



Thursday, January 09, 2014

News from 2014 Stampin' Up! Leadership -- starts Jan 8


  • Stampin' Up! Leadership Conference 2014 Starts today... 
  • Swaps from Sherrie Robinson's shoebox swap 

Stampin' Up! 2014 Leadership Starts today here in Houston, TX and I'll be sharing updates on my blog and cards I swap on my Meetup site. 

Be sure to visit my Meetup Site to see swaps I made or received during Leadership.  Here's one of the swaps I received from Sherrie Robinson's shoebox swap from the 7-11pm session last night.  Several more cards are on my Meetup site.  If you haven't visited the site in a while, visit again to maintain your membership to my Meetup site for easy access.  Meetup automatically drops names who haven't visited in over a year.  So I'll keep giving you reasons to visit!

This is one of my favorite swaps from last night.  I will post more swaps after today's sessions.  This card is from one of the two other shoe box swaps Sherrie held earlier in the day on Wednesday, so I don't have a name or website to link to  give credit.   If this is your wonderful card let me know and I'll link to your site.







Last night's shoe box swap was so much fun.  Lots of stories about the challenges to get to Houston with delayed or cancelled flights due to the extremely cold weather in other parts of the country.




Thanks, Sherrie Robinson, for another great experience at your show box swaps.  I can only tell you that Sherrie puts on one of the greatest swaps at Leadership and Convention every year.



Now I have almost 50 cards to show off with stamps from the new Occasions catalog, sneak peeks of the Sale-A-Bration stamps and new papers, and favorites from the main catalog.  See the links at the bottom of this post to download FREE copies of the catalogs.  And visit the right hand side of my blog to sign up to receive updates when my blog is published this week so you don't miss a thing!


Quick Links


Enjoy!
 
 

 
Donna Ross
Stampin' Up! Independent Demonstrator
Private Classes for 1 or a small group of friends:  http://cardmaking.meetup.com/71/


Wednesday, January 01, 2014

Happy New Year!. . . And Occasions Sneak Peek

  • Happy New Year's card using new Occasions catalog products 
  • An every-day card with Sneak peek products from new Occasions catalog
  • Jumpstart your Valentine cards and treats with these new stamps

Happy New Year's Day!  I was able to play in my craft room today. Such a rare treat!  So sad to see the holidays fly by.   Love hanging out with our nearly one-year old Australian Shepherd and my dear husband, who spent his holiday's redoing our kitchen cabinets and a long list of other house-hold projects.   

I put together this card with several of the new items that will be available Friday, Jan 3, 2014, when the new Occasions Catalog is released.  The Memorable Moments stamp set from the main catalog has a full set of numbers making it a must-have set.  I used the Deco Labels collection Framelit and the Big Shot to make the background for the "2014".  I created an embossed boarder using the Stampin' Pierce Mat and a stylus and tracing the outline freehand.  Then to give it added dimension, I set it up on two layers of Stampin' Dimensionals.  I love the elegance of the gold foil and the vellum.  I was surprised at how well the Summer Starfruit ribbon matched the gold foil.



Recipe
Stamps: Memorable Moments, avail in the main catalog (132039 -wood, 126682 - clear), Seasonal Sayings (131937 - wood, 128009 - clear)  
Paper:   Gold Foil, (returning favorite from the holiday catalog - 132622), Gold Fancy Foil Designer Vellum (1333363 - new in the Occasions catalog), Whisper White
Inks:  Versamark.  Both the sentiment and the numbers are Gold Embossed.
Accessories:  Gold Embossing powder, tray, and heat gun,  (New) Summer Starfruit 1-1/4" Striped Grosgrain Ribbon - 132980, Deco Labels collection Framelit, the Big Shot, magnetic base, and cutting mats, stylus, and Stampin' Pierce Mat.

To place an order for these items on Friday when the Occasions catalog is released:  Visit my Stampin' Up! Store

FAQ: 
Q.  How long will it take my order to arrive?
 
A.  It depends on your distance from Salt Lake city Utah.  For instance, in Houston, if you order before 11 am Monday, you will general have your order by Thursday or Friday of the same week.  Add more time if you are ordering the week a new catalog is released.  You can also order for 2-day or overnight shipping, which will put your order in front of other orders being pulled by the Stampin' Up! warehouse.  Software downloads for My Digital Studio are available as soon as you order.

Here's another sneak peek card using new products from the new Occasions Catalog, to be released Friday, Jan 3rd, 2014.


This card uses the new 1-1/4 Pacific Point Grosgrain Ribbon, and two of the new stamps from the occasions Catalog due out Friday, January 3.  The flower is water colored with Daffodil Delight and More Mustard using an Aqua Painter and Stamp Pads.



Recipe
Stamps: Peaceful Petals (wood - 133104, Clear - 133107), Vivid Vases - sentiment( wood - 133818)
Paper:   Whisper White, Daffodil Delight, Quatrefancy Specialty Designer Series Paper (130141) from the main catalog.
Inks:  Black Stazon, Midnight Muse (Sentiment), Gumball Green (stem) Daffodil Delight, More Mustard
Accessories:  1/4 Pacific Point Grosgrain Ribbon (132981), In Color Dahlias (Summer Starfruit),Labels collection Framelits, Big Shot, magnetic base,  and cutting pads, Fancy Fan Embossing Folder

To place an order for these new items on Friday when the Occasions catalog is released:  Visit my Stampin' Up! Store


Want to get a start on Valentine's cards,  order these special stamps until January 27 or until gone.






To place an order for these items Visit my Stampin' Up! Store.  Look for the Whole Lot of Love promotion.

Quick Links

  • Browse The Holiday CatalogFlipbook. (Check back Friday for new Occasions Catalog Release)
  • NEW -  Prepare your Valentines early
  • NEW  - Weekly Deals -- every Tuesday, while supplies lastNow available!
  • Order an 2013-2014 Annual catalog or Holiday catalog Now Available!!
Donna Ross
Stampin' Up! Independent Demonstrator
Private Classes for 1 or a small group of friends:  http://cardmaking.meetup.com/71/





Saturday, December 21, 2013

Gift Card Flurry with Envelope Punch Board


  • Fast Gift card holders using the Envelope Punch Board
  • Up to 80% off on Stampin' Up!  Clearance Rack Blitz
  • Sign up on my blog today to see news from Leadership in Jan 2014
Busy, busy trying to finish Christmas gifts for family scattered from Boston to Palm Springs California.  Thank goodness for gift  cards and the wonderful Envelope Punch board!! 

Here some of the cute gift card holder I'm making this year.

Click for larger image



I started with 5-1/2 X 5-1/2 paper, based on the convenient dimension chart included with the Envelope Punch Board and then followed the instructions on the board for punching and scoring so that my finished gift card holder size was 2-1/2 X 3-1/2. 
 
Stamps:  Very Merry Tags (clear 130402)
Ink:  Bermuda Bay
Papers used:  Winter Frost Specialty Designer Series Paper  (132341), Whisper white and Silver Glitter Paper for the tags.
Accessories:  Petite Curley Label (129405), Decorative Label (120907) Silver 1/8" Ribbon (132137), Dimensionals
 

To place an order:  Visit my Stampin' Up! Store


Haven't seen a demo of the envelope punch board yet?  Take a look here!







Love the punch to make the card below? 

This punch is now on sale!! (while quantities last) on the Stampin up Clearance Rack.

 

 



This is one of my favorite card from a previous post that uses the retired Blossom petals XL Punch (121808).  On Sale now for $10.19 (originally $16.95). Check out all the items on the Clearance Rack Blitz -- up to 80% off on retired items.  (Tip:  to quickl scroll through all retired items now on sale, go to the "Show" pull-down and select "all").


Enjoy!


Quick Links
  • Browse The Holiday CatalogFlipbook.
  • NEW Prepare your valentines early
  • NEW Weekly Deals -- every Tuesday, while supplies lastNow available!
  • Holliday Bag it, tag it, gift it awayNow available!
  • Order an 2013-2014 Annual catalog or Holiday catalog Now Available!!


Donna Ross
Stampin' Up! Independent Demonstrator
Private Classes for 1 or a small group of friends:  http://cardmaking.meetup.com/71/



Friday, August 09, 2013

Texas Tax Free Holidy Week-End Buys & a Banner VideoTutorial



  • Easy Holiday Banners "How-to..." video
  • Buy stamping supplies during Texas Tax Free Holiday - Aug 9-11
  • Visit the Clearance rack for great values
Love, love, love the banner kits in the new Holiday Catalog

This was so fun to make, using the new kits.  And I have so many supplies left over from the kits, I'll be able to make several more.  The die cuts are covered with fancy Black glitter.  The photo doesn't do this banner justice.  I can't wait to do one for the Christmas holidays.






Recipe
Stamps: None (Kits- Bad, Skull and spider die cuts from the Halloween Banner Simply Created Accessory Kit(132698).  Striped, polka dot and chevron backgrounds from the Build a Banner Simply Created Kit (133507)) from the Holiday Mini Catalog
Paper:   Basic Black, Pumpkin Pie with dots Paper Elements from the Halloween Banner Simply Created Accessory Kit and the 3 die cuts from the same kit.
Inks:  Tangerine Tango, Wild Wasabi, Perfect Plum, Basic Black
Accessories:  Sponge Daubers (102892) (probably my favorite product every.  Sponge Daubers hooked me on paper crafting!) Designer Rosette Bigz XL (125594) Die -- can't live without this great die!!  Big Shot Die Cut Machine.  The twine is from the Halloween Banner Simply Created Accessory kit.  Hot glue gun and Stampin' Dimensions. 

To place an order for any of these items:  Visit my Stampin' Up! Store
 
To download your free copy of the Holiday Mini catalog, click here!


Here's a photo from the boards at Convention showing some of the elements from the two kits used to make the "Spooky" banner.  And, if you want to make even more banners with your stencils, you can buy a refill of 18 blank canvas (5 X 7") and 9' of jute twine  (132699) 



Take a look at the video below that walks you through making a banner using the kit and the Halloween accessory kit.  I made mine in about an hour including cleanup!  Lay your stencils on paper towels and just spray Stampin' Mist Stamp Cleaner after using sponge daubers to color your blank canvas pennants.






Tax Free Weekend in Texas -- starts today


The state of Texas is having a sales tax holiday for school supplies up to $100 per item from Aug 9-11, 2013.  Because school supply items are included in this sales tax holiday, the list of items below will be state tax - free during the holiday period.  If you're from Texas, you must place your order through my Stampin' Up! Store during the tax holiday period in order to receive these items tax free.  This is a great time to order Stampin' Write Markers, individually or in the color family packs.  I always buy more Tombow glue and White Gel pens to have on hand for fall and holiday projects!  Make sure to order right now before this offer expires.

Here are the Stampin' Up! items you can order this week end tax free in Texas.

  • 2-Way Glue Pen (item 100425) $4.50
  • Snail Adhesive (item 104332) $6.95
  • Snail Adhesive Refill (item 104331) $4.50
  • Sticky Strip (item 104294) $6.95
  • Stampin’ Dimensionals (item 104430) $3.95
  • Mini Glue Dots (item 103683) $4.95
  • Paper Snips (item 103579) $9.95
  • Craft & Paper Scissors (item 108360) $29.95
  • Uni-Ball Signo Gel Pen (item 105021) $3.95
  • Blender Pens (item 102845) $9.95
  • Stampin’ Write Markers (various item numbers) $3.50
  • Subtles Stampin’ Write Markers (item 131263) $28.95
  • Regals Stampin’ Write Markers (item 131262) $28.95
  • Brights Stampin’ Write Markers (item 131259) $28.95
  • Neutrals Stampin’ Write Markers (item 131261) $22.95
  • Tombow Multipurpose Adhesive (item 110755) $3.95
  • Anywhere Glue Sticks (item 104045) $3.95
  • 2012-2014 In Color Stampin’ Write Markers (item 126856) $14.95
  • 2013-2015 In Color Stampin’ Write Markers (item 131260) $14.95
  • Stampin’ Write Marker New Color Kit (item 130034) $28.95

Well, I'm headed off to place my tax free order before I forget.  It's my opportunity to stock up on many of the staples I use all year long.   Place your order at my Stampin' Up! Store, today!

Clearance Rack items offer great values

Don't miss new clearance rack items

Enjoy!

Donna Ross
Stampin' Up! Independent Demonstrator
Private Classes for 1 or a small group of friends:  http://cardmaking.meetup.com/71/




 

Friday, August 02, 2013

Holiday Mini Catalog from Stampin' Up! is now live!


  • Get festive with the new 2013 Holiday Catalog - bags & tags
  • Holiday Banners kits & Tags and Packaging
  • Best of Halloween Clear-Mount Stamp Set
  • New Framelit video - "how to..." 

It's finally here!  The 2013 Holiday Catalog is now live and you can begin placing orders for new kits, stamps and framelits to start your fall and holiday projects.



To download your free copy, click here!

Check out these Halloween and Christmas banners.  The new kits in the Holiday Mini catalog offer plenty of variety and versatility. 



 
 
 
 
 
 

I also love the Tags and packaging.  You can see how easy it is to stamp these new muslin bags.  Great for gift cards or treats.  Order a bunch today before they go on back order.  The boxes are equally cute and can be decorated in so many ways! Click for a larger image, or download the catalog.   Before you buy, look for the "Bundles" link and take advantage of savings when you purchase stamp sets and matching punches together, stamps and matching dies together, or muslin bags and the Morning post clear mount stamps together.
 
 
 

Like these ideas?  Pin them to your Pinterest board for easy reference.  Hover over the photos until the "P" appears.

To place an order for any of these new items:  Visit my Stampin' Up! Store


"Best of..." Halloween Stamps


Each month during Stampin' Up!'s 25th Anniversary, SU is releasing "the best of" stamp sets.  I'm so glad they are offering  these stamps.  I love the haunted tree with the owl.  I was so sad when it retired.  And now its back!  This is the August Best of 25 Years stamp set and it includes some of your favorite Halloween stamps from the past quarter century from Stampin' Up!    Order this clear-Mount Stamp set today for US$14.95.  Item Number 134381



Check out this Thinlits Card Dies video to see the versatility of these new dies offered from Stampin' Up!






For a closer look at the Circle Card Thinlits Die and the Label card Thinlit Die, visit my Stampin' Up! 24/7 Store.


Enjoy!

Donna Ross
Stampin' Up! Independent Demonstrator
Private Classes for 1 or a small group of friends:  http://cardmaking.meetup.com/71/