A Passion for Stamps

I've updated my blog!

Today was NOT a snow day-surprise, surprise! Our Nor'Easter fizzled out! Can you believe it?
My daughter was VERY disappointed, and very tired, as she stayed up late and we watched a movie together in anticipation of the "BIG STORM"! Ha!

If you tried to access my blog this afternoon, you may have noticed it looked a bit strange! I was updating the blog with some new features, and evidentally made an error somewhere in editing which took my posts and removed them from view and rearranged the items on my sidebar! It took me awhile to figure out where I went wrong...so I apologize if you had trouble finding things!

On the plus side, I added 8 new features to my blog that I hope will be helpful. Here is a recap of what I've added:

1. a Language Translator! I have had visitors from around the globe so I thought it might be  cool to give these language options to you: French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, Korean, Japanese and Chinese! It's at the very top of the blog-give it a try!
2. A Stampin' Up! Color Combination feature-if you have trouble deciding what colors to put together when you make a card or scrapbook page, try this helpful tool! It's fun!
3. Countdown clock to Sale-A-Bration! This well-anticipated event offered by Stampin' Up! occurs annually! It's the event of the year! From February 1 thru March 17, for every $50 you spend on catalog products, you will be able to choose a FREE item from our Sale-A-Bration brochure! When you host a workshop of at least $300, as the hostess you will receive any one set in the SAB brochure-for FREE! If you sign up to be a demonstrator with me during this time, you will receive any set (value up to $47.95) from the Spring-Summer Collection-FREE! I'll be talking more about Sale-A-Bration in the upcoming weeks....
   
4. 30 Boxes-is a way you can see a brief excerpt about my upcoming classes & events!
5. Interesting Sites for Scrapbookers-I will be adding more sites, but for now, check out Page Maps! There are some terrific scrapbooking layouts you will love!
6. Local weather-temps for the next few days around the Hardyston, Hamburg NJ area!
7. Snow Reports-check out the ski conditions for local ski conditions in Sussex County NJ!
8. Other Sites I recommend-I use Constant Contact as my e-mail broadcasting service (great for businesses that want to insure customers receive your mail without SPAM concerns!), TypePad for my blogging sites, and if you are a demonstrator looking for a Stamping Coach-I recommend John Sanpietro, whom I coached with for several years. I will be adding other service providers I recommend as I learn of them, or use their services.

There are also some great crafting sites, stamping sites (I am registered with them all) and so on...if you want to be notified when I make changes or additions or post to my blog, you can receive notification every day by "subscribing" to my blog! See the links on the left sidebar to subscribe! This way, I am not flooding your e-mail box with updates...you can view them at your leisure!

That's all for now...

Debbie

Embrace Life!

I think my favorite new set from Stampin' Up!'s new Spring-Summer Collection is Embrace Life!  This simple but elegant five stamp set has so much potential! I'm just in love with it! I also have a passion for the new Designer Series Paper that coordinates with it called Ginger Blossom.

I think my favorite coloring medium is watercoloring with the Watercolor Wonder Crayons and the Aqua Painter from Stampin' Up! Have you ever tried this? AWESOME combination for quick and easy watercoloring that turns ANYONE into an artist!

The Aqua Painter has a well in it that unscrews enabling it to be filled with H2O. The tips resemble a paint brush-when you squeeze the pen, the water moistens the brush tip-then you simply paint your image! I really like SU!'s watercolor paper because it has a nice texture to it and is thicker than cardstock so it doesn't buckle with moisture. If you want an image to be lighter, squeeze more water into the tip. If you want a darker area with more color, use less water. The best part is clean-up or switching to another color-just swoosh the tip on scrap paper until it runs clear, then it's ready for another cool color!

Another product that I really enjoy for an elegant look to a card is the Pretties Kit. The half pearls are great for instantly attaching to anything-with mini glue dots! Of course a little glitter is always very feminine and adds just a touch of sparkle to this card...and who was the recipient of this lovely creation? My mom! I needed a card for my mom's 84th birthday and this is what I came up with:

The photo makes the Ginger  Blossoms paper look pink, but it's actually more peachy (like the flower). I used the gel pen to slightly emphasize the flowers in the background. This truly is my NEW most favorite stamp set...so don't be surprised if you see alot of cards created with it from me in the future!

I'll post my cards when I get a few more made (which may be tomorrow). With the Nor'easter expected tonight, tomorrow will most likely be a day off and schools will be closed, but I love to stamp on "snow days"! I may even have a "snowstorm special", so come back and visit soon! PLease let me know what you think of this card! Dont' be shy...(I'm beginning to wonder what does a stamper have to do to get a few comments posted on a blog??????)

Here is the recipe for this card:

Stamps: Embrace Life

Cardstock: Whisper White, River Rock, Watercolor Paper

Ink: Stazon Black, River Rock

Accessories: Mellow Moss Taffeta Ribbon, Pretties Kit, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, 2-Way Glue Pen, Mini Glue Dots, Aqua Painter, WaterColor Wonder Crayons, White Signo Gel Pen, Stampin' Dimensionals

Enjoy this sunny Sunday (the calm before the storm!),

Debbie

Time Well Spent

Stamps: Time Well Spent , Baroque Motifs

Cardstock: Basic Black, Pretty in Pink
Glossy White, Whisper White

Ink: Basic Black, Certainly Celery, Groovy Guava, Pretty in Pink, Apricot Appeal

Accessories: 2-Way Glue, SNAIL, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, Mini Glue Dots, Paper Snips, Aqua Painter



This pretty spring-like card was a swap I made for our demonstrator group in November, using TIME WELL SPENT, a new set from the Spring-Summer 2008 Collection. Shelli Gardner, Cofounder & CEO of Stampin' Up!, generously gave this third level Hostess Set to every active demonstrator at the end of October! This is one of the reasons why I love Stampin' Up!-Shelli runs this company with her heart as well as her head!

She really lives the Stampin' Up! Statement of the Heart which is:

To love what we do

and share what we love,

as we help others enjoy creativity

and worthwhile accomplishments...

in this we make a difference!

The TIME WELL SPENT Hostess Set can be earned when you host a party of $500 or more! You'll love the experience of hosting a Stampin' Up! workshop-gather your friends and family together for a wonderful fun evening of quality time and creativity! You get them there, then I delight you with creative inspirations as I demonstrate some of Stampin' Up!'s quality stamping and scrapbooking products! I'll also have a project that you and your friends can make and take home! You'll be able to try for yourself, some of these products before you spend a dime!

Stampin' Up! HOSTESSES get a FREE copy of our lovely new Spring-Summer 2008 Collection, as well as earning FREE hostess sets such as this one showcased here:

Time Well Spent

...and time well spent is what it is! You will also get money to spend in the catalog on sets or accessories that cost you nothing! (no half-price hostess gifts with this company!) This 3rd level hostess set (there are three levels of sets you can earn based on party sales) can be earned with only $500 in party sales (which can easily be obtained when you have ten or more interested guests). 

January hostesses will  also enjoy these special incentives:

from Stampin' Up!:  With only $350 in party sales, January hostesses will be able to select anything from the Spring-Summer Preview 2008 brochure-absolutely FREE! To read more about this promotion click HERE.

from ME:

Romantic VALENTINE BASKET CONTEST!

How would you like to win a basket of romantic goodies to share with your honey or other "special someone" this Valentine's Day? Treat yourself...you deserve it!

I am holding my FIRST EVER Valentine's  Hostess Contest from January 12 thru February 12!  All you have to do to be eligible for the drawing is to host a Stampin' Up! party of at least $350 during this time period on one of the available dates I've listed below! And January is a great month to host a party of $350 because Stampin' Up! will also give you a FREE stamp set of your choice from the Spring-Summer 2008 Preview Brochure-offered ONLY to January hostesses! Still not convinced about hosting a party? Read on....


So, what's in the basket?

• a bottle of wine and 2 glasses! (sorry, not the ones in the photo)
• a Gift Card for the Movies!
• a Gift Certificate for Dinner at a local Hardyston restaurant in beautiful Sussex County NJ!
• Yummy chocolate!
• Romantic candles!

Approximate value: $100

Interested now? There's more....

To make it FUN and EXCITING plus profitable for YOU as a hostess, here are some ways ways you can get MORE TICKETS to increase your chances of winning the basket:

1 ticket for calling or emailing me to select your party date at least 1 week in advance (see choices below)
1 ticket for holding the booking on the chosen date
1 ticket for each $100.00 in sales at your party including outside orders!
(minimum  of $350 in sales is required to be in the drawing)
5 more tickets for a $500.00 party or 10 tickets for $1000.00 party
5 tickets for each party booked from your party for Feb & March (during Sale-A-Bration!)
5 tickets for 8 adults in attendance

and of course, you also get a FREE copy of the brand new Spring-Summer 2008 Collection catalog in your hostess packet!

Short on time?I will help you contact your friends by phone or even send out your invitations if you provide the guest list and the stamps, so.... you CAN do this!

Did I mention that you can also host your party at my Stamp Studio in Hardyston NJ? (see, you don't even have to worry about cleaning your house!) 

So..what other reason could possibly prevent you from hosting a workshop during this promotion?

When was the last time you got an offer THIS GOOD to host a Stampin' Up! party? Come on....

• you KNOW you will get the new & inspiring Spring-Summer 2008 Collection-FREE!
• you KNOW you and your friends will have FUN!
• you KNOW you and your friends will learn awesome and COOL new stuff!
• you KNOW I'll have goodies for YOU!
• you KNOW you and your friends will get to make and take home a lovely  project!
• You KNOW you will also earn Stampin' Up! freebies!
• You KNOW you will have an excellent chance to win this romantic Valentine Basket of Goodies....WOOHOO! All you have to do is...

Check your calendar for these dates I have available, then give me a call or e-mail to select the date that's perfect for you  and your friends:

Thursday January 17
Thursday January 24
Friday Janaury 25
Tuesday January 29
Friday February 1
Wednesday February 6
Friday February 8
Saturday February 2
Monday February 11

Dates will be given to those in the order they are selected-First Response, First Choice!  So call your friends and check your calendar-then give me a call....but hurry! There are only 9 dates available, so the first 9 lucky people to respond will likely be in the running to win this incredible  Valentine Basket!

Will one of them be you?

and if this isn't enough, an ongoing Incentive I offer to all hostesses, as your Stampin' Up! demonstrator, is any set in the entire catalog is HALF-OFF when you host a $500 party with me!

Phew! Now is that exciting? I wish I could be a hostess and get all this!!!! If you have any questions about any of these incentives, e-mail me!

 ______________________________________ 
Here are a few of the swap cards made by some S.O.S. Team demos using this set:


by Terie B.

Stamps: Time Well Spent

Cardstock: Basic Black, Whisper White, Pink Passion

Inks: Pink Passion

Accessories: Black Grosgrain, Aqua Painter

by Beth R.

Stamp Sets: Time Well Spent

Cardstock: Barely Banana, Almost Amethyst

Ink Pads: lavendar Lace

Accessories: Stampin' Write Markers: Gable Green, Bashful Blue, Pretty in Pink, Pixie Pink, Lavendar Lace, Apricot Appeal; Corner Rounder Punch, Stampin' Dimensionals

By Jo-Anne W.

Stamp Sets: Time Well Spent

Cardstock: Creamy Caramel, Chocolate Chip, Confetti Cream

Inks: Certainly Celery, Perfect Plum,

Accessories: Aqua Painter, Ice Circle Rhinestone

By Debra S.

Stamp Sets: Time Well Spent, Sincere Salutation

Cardstock: Regal Rose, Bashful Blue, Whisper White

Inks: Classic Basic Black & Almost Amethyst; Regal

Rose, Bashful Blue & Almost Amethyst Markers

Accessories: Stampin' Dimensionals, Ribbon Originals: Fairy Tale

Visit my newly designed Stampin' Up! Website!

Did you know I have a Stampin' Up! website in addition to this blog? I have the links on the left sidebar, which are now updated to bring you to the new website! I love how the design  I chose matches the cover of our beautiful new Spring-Summer 2008 Collection catalog! The website is all about Stampin' Up!, why I became an Independent Demonstrator for SU!, the benefits of hosting a party, specials SU! is offering, and a calendar of all my monthly events such as classes, camps, Open Houses, scrap camps and so on...There is also a gallery of art projects which I will be adding to as time allows!

It's another place you can visit for ideas and more information about the world of stamping and scrapping! I hope you'll stop by and visit now and then! If you would like to take a peek now, you can click HERE and remember to bookmark the site so you can visit frequently:

http://stampwithdeb.stampinup.net

I'll be back soon with some card samples...till then,

Enjoy!

Debbie

Stampin' Up!'s new Spring-Summer 2008 Collection is now ONLINE!

Well it's finally here for you to view-as promised, all you have to do is click on the photo of this beautiful catalog cover on the left sidebar, and you will ready to view it online!

Personally, I just HAVE to have my own personal copy (even if I were not a Stampin' Up! demonstrator!) because seeing it online just doesn't do it justice, and having it in my hot little hands is just so much more satisfying! If you would like your own hard-copy, just contact me! If you would like to get one for free, visit the sidebar to learn the various ways to get one!

Isn't it a beauty? Just wait till you flip thru the pages and see all the terrific new stamp sets-I love the new artsy sets!!! And the samples are just beautiful!!! Check out accessories like the new Rub-Ons! new Punches!new Designer Papers! new Simply Scrappin' Kits! new Simply Sent Kits! new Felt Flowers! new Accent Tins! new Sticky Cuts Letters!  new Stampin' Glitters!new Striped Ribbons! new Bead Duos! new Backgrounds & Sayings! new Recipe Set!new Calendar set! and so on....

Let me know what you think! Post a comment telling me your favorite new stamp set or accessory (or both!)!  I'd love to hear from you!

Debbie

Happy New Year!

I hope you had a wonderful holiday season and enjoy a prosperous and healthy New Year of peace and joy....

It's hard to believe that the holidays are over! I thoroughly enjoyed them...spending time with family and friends, relaxing (something I rarely take time to do for myself!), and just taking a breather!

But it's time to get back to work (I LOVE saying that--because teaching stamping and scrapbooking for a living is where my heart is...and although I work hard AT IT, I really do love what I do, and hardly view it as "work"!)

I love Stampin' Up! too...and am VERY excited about the new catalog that is now available for the Spring-Summer 2008 season! Do you have YOUR copy yet? If not, please do contact me and I'll be happy to get one off to you!  It retails for $9.95 but if you check the beautiful cover to the left, you will find a link to ways you can get a hard copy of your own-absolutely FREE from me! Now I don't stand on the street corner just GIVING away copies to just anyone...but it's not too hard to get one for free...without having to do too much! So check it out!

I just love the cover...it's so refreshing, so spring-like! What's inside, is even better! Lots of wonderful new stamp sets-I am thrilled to see Stampin' Up! return to adding more artsy-type sets! I am more the "artsy" gal, than the "cutsie" one...

There are some terrific accessories too, which I'm really having fun with! I have lots to tell you but it's late, and after mall-shopping for after-holiday sales with my teenage daughter today, and yesterday, I am exhausted! So...I'll have to fill you in on all the goodies over the next few days!

Meanwhile, I wanted to let you know that on Wednesday, at 2:00p.m. EST, you can officially place orders with me from the brand new Spring-Summer 2008 Collection! If you didn't order a catalog from me, or book a party a month ago for January-to get your own copy, not to worry! You will be able to hover over the picture of the beautiful catalog to the left, and will be taken to the ONLINE CATALOG so you can view all the beautiful stamps, accessories and stamped samples it offers! Check back with me at 2:00 on 1/2/07!

Also, if scrapbooking is your thing...and you couldn't attend the Winter Brights Scrapbook Camp I offered in December, you will be happy to know that I will be offering it again in January on the 5th and the 6th plus a few other times...but that news will have to wait until tomorrow...as it is late and I'm fading fast!

I'm looking forward to a wonderful and GREAT-2008 stamping and scrapbooking with you!

Debbie