A Passion for Stamps

STAMPERS POEM (written by a husband)

I came across this cute poem awhile back, written by a husband concerning his STAMPIN' wife! Have you ever been known to spend your week like this?  How addicted are you? I'd love to hear your comments!

AN ODE TO MY WIFE (Author Unknown)

She learned to stamp on Monday, Her embossing was quite fine.

She forgot to set out dinner, So we went out to dine.

She brayered backgrounds Tuesday, She says they are a must.

They really were quite lovely, But she forgot to dust.

On Wednesday it was birthday cards, She says that chalking's fun.

Shading, blending, and watercoloring... But the laundry wasn't done.

Her card swap was on Thursday Using green and blue and red;

I guess she really was engrossed, She never made the bed!

It was shaker cards on Friday Using techniques she just adores,

But she never seemed to notice The crumbs on all the floors.

I found a maid on Saturday! My week is now complete

My wife can stamp the hours away; The house will still be neat.

Well, it's already Sunday, And my forehead's feeling damp.

I cursed, I raved, and I ranted-- The MAID has learned to stamp!!!

IN REMEMBRANCE

Well, it happened...and I wasn't prepared.  I needed two sympathy cards earlier this week, at the same time and had NONE in my reserve box.  What sometimes happens when I'm under pressure, is I do my absolutely best work...other times, such as this, I went totally blank and no inspiration came. So I obtained inspiration from Emily Giovanni and was able to tweak hers a bit and came up with this...thank you Emily, for being there with inspiration when I didn't have any to fall back on..

 

I made this sympathy card for our goddaughter Elizabeth, who is grieving the loss of her very good friend and  UCON college roomate-Carlee Wines, who was struck by a hit-and-run driver last weekend while walking home with some friends to her dorm on campus...she was rushed to a hospital in Hartford, CT with both arms and legs broken, and no brain activity. Many prayers were prayed on her behalf, but to the shock of many, she just did not make it-she didn't have a chance...so this one is for Beth, and Carlee's mom and family-in memory of a beautiful 18-year girl who was struck down when she had her whole life ahead of her. This tragedy is one that has touched many people and one that will not be forgotten...

I also made the same card but changed the hardware so it would be appropriate for a masculine card-which went to a good friend who lost his father, who made the decision not to go on dialysis...

We stamp because we love it-and not every card we make is for a happy occasion...but we stamp regardless of the situation-to send loving and sincere thoughts to the recipient. We want them to know we care...from the heart. So I chose the stamp set "heartfelt".

Here are the details of the card:

Stamp sets: Heartfelt, Paisley, Brighter Tomorrow

Cardstock: Sahara Sand, Bravo Burgundy, Basic Black, Whisper White

Ink: Sahara Sand, Bravo Burgundy, Always Artichoke, Classic Basic Black

Accessories: Hodgepodge Hardware, Narrow Organdy Ribbon, Dimensionals, Stamping Sponge, SNAIL adhesive

I stamped the Paisley background stamp onto Sahara Sand cardstock with its matching ink pad. Sponged the edges of the white cardstock after stamping the flowers, using the Sand Ink pad and stamping sponge to soften the white cardstock. A basic card with an elegant look.

PERSONALIZED NOTEPAD TIN

I was originally inspired by the very creative Michele Laycock when she posted this tin made by Sharon Bridwell, (yet another creative stamper):

                                                                                          

 

                                                                     

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                   

I love these DVD tins purchased online from Effectuality Inc so I created mine using Recollections Designer Series Paper! (Yes, these are my favorite! I am really hooked on these papers!!!) This was one of the projects I taught at my last Demo Class for my SOS Team downline demos in the fall...and they all loved it! What's great about these tins is they can be altered and used for SO MANY different things...this is not the last you will see of me using these!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                       

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I love Stampin' Up!'s Monogram letters, and I thought these would look great on this tin to personalize them! The flowers are punched out using the Spring Bouquet Flower Punch to accent the Monogram, and various bows. Twill Tape, Hodgepodge Hardware, the oval punch and letters punched out with the 1/4" circle punch make it easy to spell out a first name to further personalize the notepad tin cover.

I own a Carl Cutter which works beautifully to cut down a Jr Notepad that fits inside the tin. The matching RSVP pen is attached with ribbon and Crystal Effects so it cannot be separated from the tin, and the final touch is a pocket of background paper to make a pouch for stamps, or this case, I use it so I always have a few business cards on hand with me wherever I go. The inside of the tin is decorated with coordinating papers in the Recollections Designer Seriers Papers for an overall classy look. I added the papers to the top of the notepad too, as a final touch. I LOVE making these! I will be offering this as a class in spring if you want to come and make this along with some other terrific projects! projects...   

I intend to use the Recollections Papers when I organize my Stampin' Up! office, on everything from pen holders to file folders!

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             

NEW PHOTO ALBUMS ADDED!

I finally had a chance to update my photo albums with new card samples! Check out Winter MIni and Hostess Set albums.... I've been playing alot with Stampin' Up!'s designer papers...here is another card I made for a Hostess Set swap with my SOS Team demos using a Level 3 Hostess set, Basket Full of Fun:

Stamps: Basket Full of Fun, Wonderful Words

Cardstock: In Color-Buckaroo Blue, Barely Banana, Watercolor Paper, Sarah Designer Paper

Ink Pads: Basic Brown, Buckaroo Blue

Accessories: 1/16" Circle Punch, Ticket Corner Punch, Corner Rounder Punch; Snail Adhesive, Antique Brass Hodgepodge Hardware, Green Gingham Ribbon, Cream Grosgrain Ribbon, Watercolor Wonder Crayons, Aqua Painter, Sticky Strip

I used the Large Corner Rounder to create the Scallped edge on the right-how fun! The "pocket" was created simply by running only 1/2 width of the Stricky Strip down one side of the cardstock, cutting off the other half and using it on the other piece of cardstock. I also applied it to the bottom-voila! A pocket! I watercolored the basket and flowers using one of my favorite watercoloring techniques-the Aqua Painter and Watercolor Wonder Crayons! These are truly wonderful to color with...Both background papers are Sarah Designer paper.

The tag is stamped with a saying from the stamp set-just attach the hardware, some Gingham ribbon in a slip knot, and it's done.

Check out other Hostess set samples made by some of our demonstrator team in the photo album! All stamps and supplies Copyright SU 1988-2007

DOUBLE THE PLEASURE-DOUBLE THE FUN!

I created a post the updates about Stampin' Up!'s NEWS along with a card the other day, but unknowingly deleted it!!! I couldn't re-do it that day, so here is a short quick version of the exciting upcoming changes:

1. SU! will be coming out with TWO main catalogs a year, starting in July 2007! This means MORE stamps AND accessories, MORE often and DIFFERENT HOSTESS SETS every six months! The JULY 2007 catalog will be called Fall/Winter 2007 Collection and the JANUARY 2008 catalog will be called Spring/Summer 2008 Collection...
2. Mini Catalogs will be reduced from four to two a year: Holiday 2007 Mini Collection and Occasions 2008 Mini Collection!
3. There will be TWO retiring lists offered each year!
4. Although the Spring catalog will NOT have Fall/Winter sets in it, you will still be able to view them online and order them. IN Colors will remain the same in both catalogs, and will change annually.
5. There will also be a Collections Preview Catalog showing what will be coming out in the new catalog!
6. You'll enjoy twice the inspiration eac year, as EACH catalog will feature all-new samples, and hundreds more samples will at your fingertips!
7. Sell-A-Bration will NOT be held in January-February 2008...but don't worry! The same promotion will be held, but at different times each year!

I'm excited to offer fresh new stamps and accessories every six months now!

If you haven't held a workshop yet in January, or attended one of my Sell-A-Bration Card Camps, Mystery Hostess Workshop (coming up this weekend) what are you waiting for? You can also host an ONLINE CATALOG PARTY with only $150 in purchases so tell your friends to check them out, choose a FREE Sell-A-Bration set with each $50 order, and earn yourself an extra FREE set when you collect $300 in orders...it couldn't be easier! To find out more contact me-I'll take care of the rest! I can only take USA orders...Canadians must go thru a Canandian demonstrator. Learn more by checking out the HOSTESS PROGRAM on my website.

Here's a cute card I made with VERY PUNNY, just one of the five Sell-A-Bration sets you can earn for FREE (or a Simply Scrappin' kit!):

                                                    

Stamps: Very Punny (SAB), Brushstroke Alphabet

Cardstock: Whisper White, Basic Black, Loves Me Designer Papers

Ink: Classic Basic Black

Other: Black Gingham Ribbon, Stampin' Write Markers, On Board Accents, Stamping Sponge, Mini Glue Dots

I love this Designer Paper! On Board Accent is the circle ("like no utter" cow is stamped on it). The bow is simple to do-simply apply strip of ribbon to background. Then tie a separate bow and attach to ribbon with mini glue dot!

All products highlighted are from Stampin' Up! (click for specifics on products!) Created by Debbie Van Gieson

 

 

 

 

Images

GIFT FROM SHELLI & Chipboard Coaster Box

Stampin' Up! demonstrators received a lovely and unexpected SURPRISE for Christmas from the Co-founder and CEO of Stampin' Up!-Shelli Gardner!  She sent us all one of the stamp sets from the upcoming Spring Mini Catalog-Polka Dots & Paisley! I have been waiting for an opportunity to play with this very cute set, so here is my first project: A Chipboard Coaster Box:

                         

This is a sample of a upcoming class project! It was also a project I did with my S.O.S. Team group at a demo camp. The box features Sarah Designer Series Paper & Spring Bouquet Flower Punch from Stampin' Up!  This makes a great note paper holder, pen holder and even works great when filled with tissue paper or a gift in a cello bag! 

I think this set will be very popular-I know it already is with me! I'll be working on more projects with this set and can't wait to place my order for the Spring Mini Sets-they are AWESOME, and you are going to LOVE them! Did I mention that you can order from the Spring Mini Catalog starting March 1 thru JUNE? That's right! In my next post I'll update you on some other changes Stampin' Up! is implementing!   If you would like to receive a hard copy of the Spring Mini Catalog, contact me and I'd be happy to send one along to you. Otherwise, you will be able to view it online which can be accessed from the link found under my Stampin' Up! Links... starting March 1!                                                                                             

MINI STARTER KIT-now available with SU!

WOW! Stampin' Up! has announced a: Mini Starter Kit Promotion!

The Mini Starter Kit is perfect for you if you are a current stamper/scrap booker or for past demonstrators who already have current Stampin' Up! products. This business-minded kit contains fewer stamping supplies, but all the business essentials you’ll need to get started again-or for the first time!

Sell-A-Bration is an excellent time to become a Stampin' Up! demonstrator because there are now two starter kit options! When you sign up for either starter kit during this promotion, you will receive the exclusive new set coming out in the SPRING MINI catalog called Polka Dots & Paisley-absolutely FREE! (VALUE $17.95).

With a CHOICE of two starter kit options, you’ll be able to choose which kit best fits your needs!

To help you think thru all the possibilities, I am offering a Stampin’ Up! Opportuni-tea event on Sunday, February 18 at 4:30 p.m. E-mail me for more details! If you are not local, you can still benefit from this event-just give me a call or e-mail me for details!

I'M AN AUNT AGAIN!

My brother Raymond and his wife Ann (pictured here) just had their first child (a girl) in October, and the baptism was this past Saturday. My family and I drove in to NYC in rain, but the weather cleared beautifully by the time we arrived at my brother's condo. It turned into a beautiful, warm day-in the upper 60's!!!! These temps are unheard of in the northeast for early January! Patricia Ann is a beautiful baby....and she was so good-even at the restaurant!

Here she is..There are more photos taken at at St. Monica's Church and Quatorze Restaurant...in the Photo Gallery to the right.

                               

Welcome Patricia Ann!

I stamped matching images on the card and the wrapping paper for the gift. Here is the card I made using Buggies & Booties stamp set and Flannel Plaid background stamp:

                              

                          I used the Word Window Punch and Amazing to Zany for the words, which are attached to the main card with gold cord.  The baby carriage is watercolored with Watercolor Wonder Crayons and Aqua Painter on Watercolor paper. The sentiment is continued inside the card. I used black StazOn ink so I could watercolor without the ink smudging. (All products Stampin' Up!) I stamped the gift wrap randomly with images from the Buggies & Booties set and colored them in. The result is nostalgic... Very simple and quick to do. 

I plan to put together a scrapbook for Raymond and Ann using the photos I took. I'll post it when I finish it. Maybe this will inspire me to get going on the scrapbooks for my own children!  I really want to get a scrapbook done for my son Mike, by June as a surprise for his high school graduation. I'll post that as well when it is completed.