Stamp and Scrap Expressions

And the winner is...

I used Random.org to generate a random number based on the total number of comments I received this week.

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

2

Timestamp: 2008-08-24 18:51:28 UTC

FELICE is the winner with this comment:

Very beautiful card. i am inspired by this catalog also. i have not stamped since spencer was born and am so missing it. It is on my agenda for this weekend, and due to time constraints i will be casing some cards i know.

Posted by: Felice | August 19, 2008 at 02:39 PM

Thanks so much for the very kind comments you all left.

Thanks for stopping by! ~Santell

Ten Minutes to Terrific

As my kids get older and start participating in more activities, the busier I seem to be. This past year I was so busy that I hardly did any stamping at all. I really enjoy stamping and creating cards and I sometimes even get around to mailing them to some deserving recipient!

Well as of today I've set out on a mission to mail more cards!! But in order for me to do that I've got to find time to MAKE more cards. My solution....make SIMPLER cards. Let's face it, cards that use three different stamp sets and five layers of cardstock take a lot of time to make. So my goal is to make cards that take 10 minutes or less to make, but still look good.

It took me less than 10 minutes to complete this card. While it is a very simple card, I still think it's really pretty. I'm not quite sure about the ribbon, but it's stuck there now. I was trying to add just a little more "umph" to the design. I'll probably do another version of this one without the ribbon. Maybe add a little glitter to the flower tips to give it some sparkle.

The stamp set I used is Upsy Daisy (which is on SALE right now). I inked the flowers with Baja Breeze and then used a sponge dauber to add the Pacific Point highlights. This stamp set is one I would recommend to anyone just starting out. It comes with three greetings in the set, is not very expensive (especially the sale price), and is very versatile and easy to use.

So now you see that cards don't have to have a ton of layers to be pretty. Don't forget to leave me a comment so you'll be entered in my drawing to receive all of the cards I post this week. Thanks for stopping by! ~Santell

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps: Upsy Daisy
Cardstock: Whisper White, Pacific Point
Ink: Pacific Point, Baja Breeze
Accessories: Pacific Point Striped Grosgrain, Ice Circles Rhinestone brads

CASE the Catty: Eastern Blooms

I really like the samples in the 2008 Fall-Winter Idea Book & Catalog. So much so that I've CASEd several of them using stamps that I already own and my own color combos. Over the next couple of weeks I'll share some of my CASEd cards with you. And I'll start now.

On page 4 of the new catalog, there is this very cute sample using the Party Hearty (111532) stamp set from page 63. This sample uses the following colors of Stampin' Up! cardstock, ink, and accessories: Riding Hood Red, Kiwi Kiss, Pacific Point, Chocolate Chip, Confetti White, and Kraft.

While I really liked this sample I didn't want to use Party Hearty. My goal on the day I created my card was to use the new Eastern Blooms (111626) stamp set that I received free at convention. And since I had not received my first order from the new catalog yet, I had to use colors I had on hand. For my sample I chose Rose Red, Old Olive, and Perfect Plum,the color combo that is featured in the Flower Power Card Elements Simply Sent Kit on page 176 of the new catalog. Of course I changed a lot more than just the stamp set and color combo, but this is definitely a CASE of the original sample.

Feel free to leave me a comment. At the end of the week everyone who has left me a comment on any of my posts will be entered in a random drawing to receive all the cards I post this week.

Thanks for stopping by! ~Santell

$99 Starter Kit Promotion - Join My Team!!

Would you enjoy a discount on all of your Stampin' Up! purchases? Would you like to get paid to stamp? Would you like to develop long-lasting friendships with other women that share your love for stamping?

If you answered "Yes!" to ANY of these questions, then you should consider becoming a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator!!! There is room for EVERYONE at Stampin' Up!, and there are many levels of demonstrators:

• Discount Demonstrator: Likes the idea of buying stamps for personal use at a discount and may occasionally sell to family and friends, but doesn't hold workshops or classes.
• Hobby Demonstrator: Loves doing workshops and earning extra money when it's convenient, works a lot some months and very little other months; likes to do workshops that are easy to book; doesn't like to work too hard to book workshops. Enjoys her discount on stamping supplies.
• Career Demonstrator: Views Stampin' Up! demonstratorship as a viable business with long-term career potential; pursues management and wants to move up the career ladder, loves attending Stampin' Up! events and has developed close social relationships with other demonstrators; works at her business in a consistent and outgoing manner. Still loves the discount!

Beginning tomorrow, August 11th you can join me and the Stampin' Up! family for just $99!!! An incredible deal. You can choose one of 3 different mini starter kits.... and just like our standard starter kit, you can customize your mini kit too! Choose from a Card Focused, Scrapbook Focused or Home Decor Focused Starter Kit!

Of course, if you want more products, you can still order the Standard Starter Kit, packed full of  stamps & accessories, for only $199 AND, when you do, you get an additional stamp set from the new catalog for FREE!

This is the BEST time of the year to join Stampin' Up! as a demonstrator. Plus the first order that you place (as long as it's over $150) you will receive 30% off--you can get all those great new products that you want from the new catalog for this great discount!

Signing up is really easy. Call or email me and I will give you the code to sign up on my website.

Let's Get Caught Up

Okay, so I realize it's been a long while since I posted. My summer has just been really busy, a good busy though. I've done a little traveling, both for myself and for the kids. So I thought I'd try and get you all caught up on what I've been doing.

In June I attended Creating Keepsakes University (CKU) in Houston. I have to admit that this was the highlight of my whole year. I met and took classes with some of the biggest names in the scrapbooking and papercrafting industry including Lisa Bearnson, editor-in-chief of Creating Keepsakes magazine, Tim Holtz, Ali Edwards, Jessica Sprague, Stacy Croninger, and Margie Romney-Aslett among others.

If you ever have a chance to attend a CKU I would definitely recommend it. At CKU the class sizes are so small that you get to interact with and really get to know your instructors. And the give-aways and freebies are phenomenal. I went with one suitcase for my clothes and a second empty suitcase and when I came home I had 2 suitcases and 2 carry-ons stuffed to the gills with some really great SWAG!!! They haven't posted next year's schedule yet, but when they do I hope there's one near me again.

I also attended Stampin' Up! convention in Salt Lake City on July 29 - August 3 and had an absolute BLAST!! Stampin' Up! began the celebration of their 20th year anniversary at convention this year and it was awesome. Convention is just one of those must-be-there experiences for every demonstrator.

Now for some really BIG news...here is a list of announcements, in no particular order, that Stampin' Up! made during and just before convention (I copied these and tweaked them):

• SU is partnering with Sizzix to release our own Big Shot die-cutter and exclusive dies!! Customers will be able to order beginning September 2. Demos can preorder until the end of August.  The Big Shot will also be featured in the Holiday Mini. Not making it into the Holiday Mini but available then are: raw vinyl (12" x 24" sheets) and chipboard sheets. Demonstrators will be able to order a bundle, with or without this darling black & white checked bag, and includes the Big Shot with spacers, cutting pads, & exclusive dies.
• Shelli Gardner, SU CEO and Co-founder, annnounced her new "Shelli's Signature Collection--Love Shelli" which will include products that reflect her personal style. They'll be identified in future publications and catalogs with a heart symbol. I was able to buy the cutest apron that matches the pattern from the new Bella Rose Designer Series Paper. It has this floral pattern and the pockets have these darling little red bows - a cross between Donna Reed (a la 1950s) and Shelli's shabby chic style.
• Stampin' Up! will have another partnership with Country Living magazine. This year's "Country Living Holiday Collection Stampin' Kit" will be featured in a 21-page spread in the December 08 issue of Country Living. It will be available for demonstrator pre-order on October 1 and available to customers November  1 thru December 31.
• Beginning with the 2008 Fall-Winter Idea Book & Catalog, all new stamp sets will be die-cut! This is HUGE!!!!
• Phase 2 of the Decor Elements product line will be released in the upcoming Holiday Mini Catalog. Customers may start ordering October 1 which is also the start date for the Holiday Mini.
• Shelli has started her own blog called "So Shelli"! She will be sharing personal tidbits about her life,  project and gift ideas and challenges.
• "World Card Making Day" (October 4) Promotion: From October 4 thru 11, 20% off a selection of Simply Sent Card Elements and Simply Sent Card Kits.
•  Making A Difference Program: SU is giving $2 per set for the new Ronald McDonald charity set "Say It With Scallops" (on the inside back cover of the catalog). Set is darling! SU donates $100,000 annually to charity and has donated a total of $700,000 to date!

Okay, this should get us caught up. I will now spend a little time updating the sidebars with all the specials Stampin' Up! has going on right now. Keep checking back!!

Never Before Seen...

I have catalogs and they will be going in the mail tomorrow or Saturday. I know your wishlist will be VERY long, but Stampin' Up! is having a sale that might help you decide what to get first!!

August Card of the Month Kit

 The August Card of the Month Kit is here featuring the "Simply Said" stamp set and the "Flower Fusion" Accents and Elements from the current Stampin' Up! catalog. Click here for more information on purchasing this kit.

Every kit gives you the option to purchase add-on products that you might need to recreate the samples. If you'd like to purchase add-ons, just send me an email with your list.

Happy Stampin'!