I Wish Everything Could Be This Easy

This is a super easy solution for gifting small items, or your famous baked goods. These little gift sets have been slashed 20% until January 2nd, you don't need mad skills to use them and they are super cute!!! You can use them for hostess gifts, party favors, or cookie swaps...so many possibilities! Purchase them to fill with anything you want and you will have enough for 25 people...don't forget those teachers and co-workers!

Trimmings & Tags Bundle

Item 132769 - $13.50 (a $16.85 value)
Includes:
Gusseted Cellophane Bags (25 bags; 5" x 3" x 11-1/2")
Snow Festival Designer Printed Tags (25 double-sided tags; 4-1/2" x 3-1/8")
Cherry Cobbler 1/4" Sweater Trim (10 yards)

Petite Treats Bundle

Item 132770 - $13.50 (a $16.85 value)
Includes:
Glassine Bags with die-cut edges (10 bags; 3" x 5" x 1-1/2")
Handmade Holidays Stitched Felt (8 pieces)
Gumball Green 3/8" Stitched Satin Ribbon (10 yards)

Available November 29th through January 2nd - Here's a link to my online store, SHOP NOW!

So Much News

Wednesday afternoon Stampin' Up! began announcing a whole slew of stuff that continued throughout the day yesterday...

First we welcome a New item - the Sizzix Texture Boutique. It's a super cute little embossing machine. Comes with 2 folders, 1 Pair of Standard Embossing Pads, and a Mylar Shim. $39.95 (item 132700) There's a limited supply of 4,000 of these available and we've already sold 1,500 since this was announced! Here's a video to see it in action:

On Monday November 19th at midnight the Online Extravaganza begins. We'll have 3 products 20% that day only along with many other items up to 50% off through November 28th. Here's a list of everything on sale for easy reference! To purchase any of these items, simply click [shop now] while on my website, or try this link to my online store.

 

Have you ever seen that little black square in an advertisement that you can scan with your smart phone and be directed to the website or promotional page? Well this is a new take on that technology. It's called Talking Tag. You buy a sheet of them and using the internet personalize them before attaching to a card or gift. Now your pictures really can say a thousand words!You get 10 tags for just $7.95 (item 129723) Here's a "how to video". 

A card-making application iPhone app! Simply Sent is what it's called, I've linked it on my Facebook Page for you to find it easily in the iTunes store! This iPhone app allows you to create an e-card-from a template or completely on your own-and send it via e-mail or post it on Facebook...and it's FREE!!! Compatible with iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. Requires iOS 5.1 or later. This app is optimized for iPhone 5.

Introducing the new and improved Stampin' Trimmer! Although paper trimmers are a common crafting tool, this trimmer was designed exclusively by paper crafters for paper crafters-and because it was made by Stampin' Up!, you know it's a cut above the rest! My trimmer is slowly losing the measurement markings when I commonly put my fiongers...they're just rubbing off. You won't have that problem with this one, and it has many more wonderful improvements! $29.95 (item 126889) 

Effective November 14, 2012 I can add digital downloads to a customer workshop order. These used to be only available as an online purchase, but as long as I have your email address, you can buy these from me in person when you attend one of my classes or clubs. Totally cool!! :) 

Well that's all for now! lol

~Sally

Cake is Not Required

So when it comes to my girls and their birthday cakes I aim to please! One year my oldest wanted an apple pie, so by golly, that's what I made for her!! As a crafty person I am bound to an unwritten contract (in my head) that says I should do the cakes myself and not order them from a bakery. I have cheated here and there over the years, but I have also had a ton of fun making different cakes. I think one the best cakes I ever did was SpongeBob, that was a real fun cake to do!!

Two of my girls just had their birthdays in September. Natalie wanted a Monster High cake and it came out ok, but I was battling a shoulder injury at the time and I only had use of one arm. I was also a bit limited on time since the injury was a new and unexpected development. I was honestly surprised to receive compliments on it. lol

Thank goodness for sugar sheets...love those things! I can use my Stampin' Up! punches with these colorful sheets of sugar and press them right into the cake...which is how I added the black bats and hearts. The pink "trim" around the top layer is another sheet. I cut 2 inch strips on my paper trimmer and lined the cake with them. It was too easy!

Sydney just finally had her annual costume birthday party last Saturday. She wanted a cake that looked like a blue monster...and no, it's not the cookie monster, but similar. lol I was planning to make a mouth with black icing gel, but got distracted and never piped it on..still cute as is I think.

This wasn't even really cake. I was pressing her for a flavor decision and she asked me if I could make pumpkin bread instead. Hmmm, well, I guess why not! So I mixed up a batch of my moms recipe since it's the BEST, and poured it into 3 cake rounds. 2 of them were 9" pans and my 3rd one is a smaller size that came in a set of 4 layering pans. I was guesstimating on baking time, so I set my timer for 45 minutes with all three pans in the oven. I pulled the little one out with about 4 minutes to go and it passed the toothpick test. Went ahead and pulled the other two pans and they passed too. Baked to perfection!

Once they were cooled I just stacked them up without leveling them or even adding frosting between the layers. The little one was on top and I used extra frosting to round the sides...CREAM CHEESE frosting of course! I sprayed the whole thing blue with decorator spray, put two marshmallows on lollipop sticks and drew pupils with a food marker. Ta-da, eyes!

Birthday girl as Wednesday Addams...all the kids had fun locking each other in the Stocks we made last year!

This cake was a huge hit once we cut it up and the kids got a taste. I was told by 4 different kiddos that this was the best cake ever! Wow, thanks!



Sally's Pumpkin Bread
(makes 2 loaves)

1-1/2 cups sugar
1-1/2 cups brown sugar
4 eggs
1 cup veggie oil (I use olive oil)
1t nutmeg
2t cloves
4t cinnamon
1t salt
2t baking soda
2/3 cup water
3 cups flour (I always use whole wheat flour)
1 can (15 oz) Libby Pumpkin

Combine ingredients in the order given above in a large bowl. Spray pans well with cooking spray and bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 75 - 90 minutes. If you do muffins, bake for 25 - 30 minutes and test for doneness. Pan, loaf, or muffins; I always do the toothpick test to make sure the bread is done in the center.

Triple Time Stamping is 3X the Fun! ;)

One of these days I'm going to start making videos, but on the flip side I know that I'm a visual person that can follow directions with pictures...have you ever assembled furniture from Ikea? I hope you find this as easy to follow, please feel free to leave any questions or comments below!

This is a quick tutorial on Triple Time Stamping. It's a new trending technique that I learned in July and have shared at my Technique Tuesday class, and tonight my stamp club will be doing this particular card.

The first thing you'll need is neutral card stock for stamping on. I used Very Vanilla; the measurements are 4 x 5-1/4, 3 x 4-1/4, and 2 x 3-1/4. It's really not like doing math, everything is in increments of 1 inch!

You'll also need your card base in a darker color. Cut an 8-1/2x11" sheet in half and when folded you have 4-1/4 x 5-1/5. I cut mine on the short side to get a "landscape" oriented card. You'll also need 2 "mats" in the same or another color that are 1" increments from there: 3-1/4 x 4-1/2, and 2-1/4 x 3-1/2. Once you have the pieces, stack the neutrals on top of each other and use a tiny bit of snail adhesive to hold them in place (or removable adhesive if you have some).

Now stamp to your hearts content! Enough?

No, this is much better!!! And don't forget to stamp a few cute images on your envelope to match while you are at it! ;)

Now you can carefully take the layers apart and re-assemble them with the card base and mats.

Once you have the matted pieces assembled add a sentiment and/or some ribbon and finish your card!

Isn't this lovely?

This technique would be stunning with simple black and white card stock and one bright stamped color! Have fun with it and I'd love to see your creations!!

Stampin' Supplies:
STAMPS - Gently Falling, Itty Bitty Banners, Netting
PAPER - Very Vanilla, Not Quite Navy, Lucky Limeade

INK - River Rock, Crumb Cake, Calypso Coral, Lucky Limeade

OTHER - Lucky Limeade Bakers Twine, Bitty Banner Framelits, Stampin' Dimensionals

A Decade of Service

For the last ten years Stampin' Up! has been making donations to the Ronald McDonald House Charities. With the release of each annual catalog a new exclusive stamp set is revealed with RMHC in mind. This year the set is called Moving Forward and it's totally adorable!!

Clear Mount 126322 $14.95 or Wood Mount 126320 $19.95

For every Moving Forward set we sell, a portion of the proceeds are donated to RMHC. Stampin' Up! has donated about 1.3 million US dollars to date! We have also donated thousands of handmade cards to Houses all over North America. There is even a House Team program where teams of demonstrators volunteer their time and effort to local houses. It's a great charity, if you don't know much about it you can learn more by visiting the RMHC website.

The stamp set includes 7 images, and there are so many things you can do with a set like this. I just posted one today on my Face Book Page. Here are a few more samples created by our corporate team. =)

To order your stamp set, just visit my website. http://imagineandinspire.com
Happy Stamping!!!

Kard Kit Kharma

Since I started scrapbooking and really dove into paper crafts I have met many wonderful new friends. That is really what this hobby is for me...a connection to people like myself that love to create! My crafty friends are a gift to me, and today I want to pay it forward, I have a gift for you!

I did this card based on a sample in the new catalog. I planned to recreate it's awesomeness from the moment I saw it on page 178. I was nearly crushed when I realized I didn't have the right stamp set. But improvising with what I had I came up with this simplified version; it's perfect for anyone at any experience level.

I would like to give you the supplies so you can make one too!

I have enough supplies to make several more...so here's my proposal. Purchase the Artistic Etchings stamp set, and I will mail you a kit with pre-cut and scored paper, complete instructions, and an envelope. You will need ink to complete your card, my supply list is noted below for additional items you might not have on hand. This offer is while supplies last, so I will update this post when I've exhausted my stash!

Stampin Supplies:
Stamps - Artistic Etchings
Paper - Rose Red, Chocolate Chip, Color Collection Designer Series Paper (Subtles)
Ink - Soft Suede Classic Ink Pad, VersaMark
Other - Stampin' Sponges, White Embossing Powder, Clear Blocks C and H, Heat Tool, Paper Snips

Artistic Etchings (118517 wood mount $18.95 or 120573 clear mount $14.95)

imagine&inspire.com

New Colors!

One of the cards I did for my "New Catalog Open House Celebration" uses all of the new In-Colors. The names are fun, as always:

• Raspberry Ripple
• Primrose Petals
• Gumball Green
• Summer Starfruit
• Midnight Muse

It was a little advanced since making ric rac can be tricky, but here's how to do it with a few pictures for a visual.

Punch a 1" strip of card stock with the Scalloped Border Punch. This strip is 1 x 4-1/4".

Stampin' Up! punches have been redesigned, the The Scallop Border Punch pictured is in the old body style.

Start in the center. Then scoot your paper over to one side to continue the pattern.

Use the silver image printed on the sides as a guide, the punched image will line up perfectly.

Move the card stock to the other side and line up the pattern with the guide.

Punch the rest of the border.

Now you should have a scalloped piece of card stock with a scrap strip.

Slip it back into the punch with the uncut side down.

With just a small bit sticking out, line the scallops up so the guide image is opposite from the punched side. I have a half scallop on the end. It is lined it up with the "valley" on the guide.

Slide it out and punch the small bit on the end.

This time lay the card stock over the silver guide image and cut.

Once again, side it over to the other end and complete the pattern.

Voila, ric rac!!

My card was done by adhering the ric rac with a little snail to the white card front layer. Then I simply embossed the whole piece before securing it to the card base. Once I added some flowers and the sentiment, this cute card came to life!

Stampin Supplies:
Stamps - Memorable Moments
Ink - Midnight Muse, Raspberry Ripple, Gumball Green
Card Stock - Whisper White, Summer Starfruit, Raspberry Ripple, Primrose Petals, Gumball Green, Midnight Muse
Other - Framelits Labels Collection, Textured Impressions Snowburst, Scallop Edge Border Punch, Boho Blossoms Punch, Jewels Basic Pearl, Glue Dots, Stampin' Dimensionals, Paper Snips

The BIG List

You should have already seen the list of retiring stamp sets I posted on my Facebook Page. It's quite a long one, and this one is even longer! There are several items discounted up to 60% off at the beginning of the list, and if there is ANYTHING at all you'd like to order, do it ASAP. These items are only available while supplies last. Here's THE LIST. Anything with an "X" in the right side column is already sold out. You can also click on the image at the right to see pictures of everything still available right from my website.

I also want to take a moment to give you some information about our ink pads. You might notice that ALL ink colors are on the retired list, but this isn't because we're launching a whole new set of colors. What's actually happening is something awesome! Stampin' Up! has redesigned the pad portion of your favorite ink pads. They are referred to as "Firm Foam Pads." They will even include labels as seen below that you can place on the end of your pads to identify the colors quickly and easily!

You’re going to love these new Stampin’ Pads; they have many benefits like these listed below:

• Better ink coverage for your stamps!
• Light-tap stamping produces flawless images!
• Pad stays juicier longer, which means better ink pad longevity!

Please note: Five ink colors have undergone formula changes to improve functionality and color stability with the new firm foam pads. These colors are:

Basic Black

Basic Gray

Marina Mist

Perfect Plum

Tempting Turquoise

All five colors of the reformulated inks have been fully tested and approved. While using the new ink formula in the old Stampin’ Pads is fine, it is not recommended that you use the old ink formula in the new firm foam pads.
Here is an excerpt from the SU! Demo site:

"Q: What are some additional features of the new firm foam pads that I can share with my customers?
A: See additional features below:

• The firm foam is nice and flat and will not become wavy.
• The firm foam material does not imprint on the stamp images like the felt pad sometimes did. However, because the firm foam material is a foam base material, the stamp image can momentarily leave an imprint on the pad, which can transfer to a second stamped image. By inking your stamp on different areas of the pad or waiting momentarily for the ink to rise back to the top, you can easily avoid this situation.
• The firm foam material is soft and has a nice bounce to it. It's not hard like the felt is.
• The ink lay-down (how the ink is absorbed into the card stock) is even, not blotchy, and dries quickly. It has an increased opacity and stamps solid images beautifully."

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns. If I can't answer your question I will be glad to follow up with SU! and get the answer!

Visit my website to see the retiring items before they're gone, and place your order! The launch of our new catalog is June 1, 2012!!!

Stampy Hugs,

Sally

SCORE!

I love my Simply Scored Tool. It's easy to make medallions or rosettes with. You can do custom boxes and such. And now with the new Diagonal Plate, everything that deals with scoring will be even easier! You can make a custom envelope for different card sizes. As a matter of fact, the Diagonal Plate includes instructions for creating common envelope sizes!

The plate includes the same 1/8" spacing as the Simply Scored, so each groove of the diagonal plate corresponds with the ruler--and all of your projects! Like the Simply Scored, it fits up to 12x12 Card Stock or Designer Paper. You just place the Diagonal Plate on top of your Simply Scored Tool and the back has non-skid rubber pads to keep it firmly in place.

Check out this video to see it in action:

Contact me or visit my website to order yours!
Available March 1 – May 31, 2012

http://sally.stampinup.net

Here are the item numbers and prices for the Diagonal Plate and coordinating products:

Item	Description	Price
125586	Simply Scored Diagonal Plate	$11.95
122334	Simply Scored	$29.95
125625	Simply Scored Place Markers (6)	$2.50
125586	Simply Scored Stylus	$4.50

...and you can click HERE for a flyer! =)

I Need You!

I really love what I do and I want to share the same opportunity with you! Did you know that you don't even have to sell anything to join my team? That's right. You don't have to hold workshops or stamp camps either. It is 100% ok to join just for the discount!

There are many crafters that join the SU! family just for the discount. You can choose to work it as a business, or reap the rewards of being a hobbyist. There are many perks to being a demonstrator besides just the 20% discount. Did you know we get an exclusive magazine every month full of wonderful ideas and inspiration? We also get first look and the ability to pre-order new things before the general population. There are annual events you can attend with fellow demonstrators...it's awesome!

If you do like the idea of a little extra income, you can even set goals and possibly earn an expense paid trip! SU! offers two of them each year. :)

Jan 24 - Mar 31, 2012

Now is an excellent time to sign up as a demonstrator! The Standard Starter Kit contains over $345 worth of stamping and business supplies—only $125 during Sale-A-Bration, and receive an extra bonus every month for the rest of the year, free paper or a digital download!!!

More Details

• FREE package of Designer Series Paper ($10.95 or less) or digital download (any price) begins the month after the new demonstrator joins Stampin' Up! 
• New demonstrator may alternate between Designer Series Paper and digital download each month.   
• Demonstrator must remain active during incentive period to be eligible for free items.
• Quarterly sales minimum $300 (every 3 months).
• I support my team 100% with quarterly meetings, emails, and other crafty get-togethers!
• Visit my website or feel free to call me for more information.        (214) 354-7685