Stamp Some Smiles

Cupcakes are a wrap!

Well, the cupcakes are a wrap!  The little socks, washcloths, and booties along with the scrapbook and bib card are all ready to go.

  It may not be "Pretty" but it will get there safe! 

I am giving this to my co-workers to "deliver" tee hee!

The baby shower is this weekend, but do you know what else is this weekend?  My retreat!  PJs 24 - 7, stampin', Laughin', good friends and good food!  I will be planning my Year in a Day scrapbook class and other classes too.  I am so excited!  Of course that means I will be missing Amanda's Shower, it can't be helped.  But the gift is ready to go. The "cupcakes" will stay perfectly in place for the ride to work, the ride home with my co-worker, and the ride to the shower.  The album is underneath. It is not looking too pretty, I asked my husband to get me clear cello basket wrap, and this is what I got, purple, I don't have time or energy to go out and hunt down clear so this is what I was stuck with.  It will ask the girls to take the wrap off for me when they get there.  They will look good when they are unwrapped, that is what is most important right?  

Change in Catalog program, Stamp mounting, and a pre-order Opportunity!

Oh my Goodness, I have so much to tell you!  Starting with a Change in Catalog program, Stamp mounting, and even a pre-order Opportunity!

Change in Catalog Program Announced

During Shelli's teleconference Wednesday night, it was announced that we will be moving back to an annual catalog. We have been evaluating our catalog strategy for some time to determine what is most effective for you, and based on what we've learned and the feedback provided, we have decided to return to an annual catalog this coming July 2009.

What does this change mean to you?

• Beginning in July 2009, we will go back to an annual catalog.
• The US Hispanic supplement will also become an annual catalog.
• The Décor Elements catalog will continue to be separate from the Idea Book & Catalog, and will come out twice a year.
• The mini catalog program will change to include three mini catalogs a year, each lasting for four months.

In addition to the changes mentioned above, we will be introducing a small selection of hostess sets in each mini catalog. We know that you will have lots of questions about these changes, and we will be providing more details in the coming months. Look for even more information to come as we get closer to the release of our new annual catalog in July.

I am very excited about these changes~ But WAIT, there's more!

Double-Mounted Stamp Sets

About a year ago, Stampin' Up! made the decision to start double mounting some of our larger stamp sets. They felt this would be a good way to get stamp sets with several pieces into a lower price range--since double mounting would reduce the number of wood blocks needed for the set.

This has not, however, been a popular decision with me, or some of my best customers...along with many of my fellow SU friends. Therefore, They have determined to look for other ways to reduce our costs and bring the price of these types of sets down. This means that with the exception of some alphabet sets and stamp sets that are part of a kit, we will no longer be creating double-mounted stamp sets. There is one stamp set in the Occasions Mini Catalogthat is double mounted-Soft Summer. This set was already in production when the decision to only double mount alphabet and kit sets was made. But this will be the last nonalphabet, nonkit set released as a double-mounted stamp set.

What does this mean for the long-term? All stamp sets that have already been created as double-mounted sets will remain double mounted for the life of those sets. So you may continue to see these sets in coming catalogs.

The New Occasions Mini Catalog will be out on April 1st & you're gonna love it!  Lots & lots of new stuff coming, including an oval 'scalloped' punch & coordinating stamps.
It includes a few Easter & all occasion stamp sets. 

Item	Description	Retail Price
113196	An Egg-cellent Easter	$21.95
113262	Wagon Full of Fun	$34.95
113822	Eight Great Greetings	$27.95
115421	Ocho saludos geniales (Spanish Eight Great Greetings)	$27.95
114643	Huit souhaits sympas (French Eight Great Greetings)	$27.95
113833	Egg Hunt Stampin' Around wheel	$6.50

***See the sneak peak link below.
Since Easter is on April 12th this year, Stampin' Up! is letting us order the Easter stamp sets early starting on March 1st so we have time to make our Easter cards. 
I will be putting in an order that morning as soon as I can & will most likely expedite the order so it should arrive on Tuesday the 3rd.  I will pay all of the extra shipping costs for the speedy delivery!

If you are interested in getting any of these sets 'ASAP' let me know beforeSunday, March 1st.  They will be available during the entire month of March, & then also  while the Occasions Mini catalog runs - from April - June 30th.
Occasions Mini
And remember that we can order the Manhattan Flower Textured Impressions Die (seen on page 202 of the current catalog) on March 1st also.  So some of you impatient souls like me can get that on this same speedy order. 

Here is some information about this product.

• This is a new type of die Ellison is introducing through Stampin' Up! Embossing folders will not be available through Ellison until later this year.
• This new embossing folder features Stampin' Up!-exclusive artwork and will be available to order on March 1.
• You can use this die with your Standard Cutting Pads.
• This die creates a deep embossed image, sized perfectly for a standard card front.
• This die embosses only; it does not cut out the image.
• The die is clear, which makes positioning your paper easy.

 

Lori Stevenson
Independent Stampin' Up! Demonstrator
Visit my Demonstrator Website:STAMPSUMSMILES
and order products 24/7: click on "PRODUCTS" then "ORDER NOW" if there is something you just can't wait to get your hands on!

Bella's Bloom, a little set with a big look

At this Saturday's Stamp Camp we made matchbooks with a focal point of either your initial, or the bella's bloom flower:

Isn't it sweet?  Perfect for my purse, it has a calendar and a note pad inside.  Check out this card:

 

How pretty is that?  Now here is what the set looks like: 

It is priced low, a small set with a big look, it will WOW you!  If you are interested in the set just visit my website: stampsumsmiles and click on shop now! Bella's Bloom is number 111600 and is only 12.95! 

A yummy little treat box, Big Shot Dies

There are so many Big Shot Dies that I love, and WANT badly... I did buy the beautiful Butterfly die and we will be using it in my March Stamp Camp.  I am going away next weekend to "play" with my Stampin' Up! Demonstrator friends.  I will get a chance to play with all kinds of Dies that I have not purchased yet.  I love this box die, and it is on my wish list...is it on yours?   A Little Yummy treat box: Here are the supplies and instructions.
Stamps: Yummy Sab Stamp Set	Paper: Card Stock Whisper White 8 1/2X11 Card Stock Pumpkin Pie 8 1/2X11 Card Stock Pink Pirouette 8 1/2 X 11 Card Stock Kiwi Kiss 8 1/2 X 11
Ink Classic Stampin Ink Refill Basic Gray Classic Stampin Pad Riding Hood Red Classic Stampin Pad Pacific Point	Accessories: Punch Handheld 1/16 Inch Circle Coluzzle Cutting System Starter Set Glue Dots Mini Brads Silver Punch 1/2 Inch Circle Stampin Dimensionals Ribbon Grosgrain Pumpkin Pie 1/4 Inch Clips Assortment
Instructions A Little Yummy treat box 1. Cut box from Kiwi Kiss card stock using Sizzix Big Shot die-cutting machine and Box #2 Bigz XL die. Stamp “A little yummy for your tummy” image in Kiwi Kiss ink on front of unassembled box. Assemble box. 2. Adhere Pumpkin Pie card stock (10-1/4" x 1/4") around box. 3. Stamp “A little yummy for your tummy” in Basic Gray ink on Pink Pirouette card stock. Cut out sentiment using Coluzzle Cutting System. Adhere oval to front of box using Stampin’ Dimensionals. Punch a hole in the box on each side of the oval using 1/16" Circle punch, and attach two Silver brads to box. 4. Tie Pumpkin Pie 1/4" grosgrain ribbon to clip from Clips assortment. Attach clip to front of box. Stamp heart image in Riding Hood Red ink on Whisper White card stock. Punch out heart using 1/2" Circle punch and adhere to clip and box.

Well, we had a great time today...and Jake had fun getting so much love from the "girls" at his very first stamp camp!  I brought out my new sampler with all the new designer paper samples.  They just look so much different live and in person and in bigger swatches.  Don't forget to look online if you can't make it to see my book.  There are so many new styles of papers, ribbons, and rubons.  Here is a new look, that is retro too!

 

There are styles to fit everyone's taste...so if you aren't like me, simply in LOVE with the Sheli collection and it's classic, victorian, girly styles, it is OKAY!  There is a style for you...Manhatan, Retro, you have got to check out all of the styles, you might be surprised at what you find. 

February Stamp Camp Saturday 21st...I am ready!

The house is set up for all my stampin' friends tomorrow.  I have the tables set with all supplies and the card kits are bagged and ready.  It is so hard to look at it all, and wait, wait till the morning.  I am itching to watch my friends play, stamp-a-ma-jig, heat embossing, water color crayons with aqua pens, big shot texture plate, new designer paper, new stamps...I almost feel giddy I am so excited!

 

Here they are, the four cards and project we will be making at stamp camp in the morning.  For just 15 dollars (18 if they forgot to pre-pay) they will get together with friends and share in the fun and freedom of time away from life's little hassles, and enjoy laughing and being creative.  You just can't beat it! 

The match book has a calendar and a note pad inside.  It is the perfect addition to any purse.  The ladies will have a choice of an initial, or a pretty flower as the focal point.  A closer view is earlier in my blog, look back to see the vanilla hardware. http://stampsomesmiles.typepad.com/stamp_some_smiles/2009/01/februarys-stamp-camp-sign-ups.html  The card using the Sell-a-bration set with the pretty heart is just my style, it is so "me" and I love it.  The quite masculine tree with it's peaceful grace is beautiful too.  The tall double opening card with it's cute peek through "port hole" is a different look for me, and I like the simplistic style.  By far, the card that suprised me the most was this one:   I added glitter to the center of the butterfly.  I love this card.  It isn't even my style, but I love it.  Who knew!

Thoughts and Prayers card, and a Scrapbook opportunity

When I first saw the new catalog, I picked Thoughts and Prayers out and said "this is going to be on my very first order!" and it was.   I don't regret it one little tiny bit!  I love this tree and have more ideas in store for it.  I used "to the nines" specialty paper with this card and I love the way it looks.  Sage shadow is such a pretty color and this would make a great masculine birthday card...or get well card.  I have used it as a sympathy card, but so many of our word stamps would work here!

I stamped the inside as well, and you all know how I feel about naked envelopes, so when I send this the envelope will be co-ordinating as well!  LOL

We will be making this card at my stamp camp this Saturday.  I will share more with you tomorrow.  For now I have a question:

 

 I would like to know if there is interest in attending a "Year In A Day" scrapbook workshop here at my stampin' studio.  Using my bigshot, stamps, and ink...I will sell you the kit with all the papers you need.  You can copy my designs exactly or you can change them to fit your own style...with an unlimited amount of inks and stamps I am sure you will be able to make pages you will love!  Let me know what you think. 

You will make:

·         4 Spring Pages

·         6 Summer Pages

·         4 Fall Pages

·         4 Winter Pages

In addition you will receive:

·         One 12 x 12 linen album – 3 ring binder (your color choice)

·         Elements from the 

Sunshine

Garden

Simply Scrappin’ Kit

·         Buttons, ribbons, brads, chipboard and all the supplies to make great pages

·         1 package of glue dots

PLUS

·         Your choice of a FREE SALE-a-bration product! 

SUPPLIES YOU WOULD NEED TO BRING TO CLASS: SNAIL adhesive & a refill, paper snips, and a paper trimmer

SPACE WOULD BE VERY LIMITED!!  Stations will be set up, with a limit of  two people per station.

Let me know as soon as possible if you are interested so I can pick a date and start my extensive planning, and give you a price.  THANKS!

Pretty Sale-A-Bration heart

Once again I am using my texture plate by using a brayer and Sahara Sand ink on the plate and then passing through the paper, I love how much it POPS when you use a bit of ink on there.  I used Gold embossing powder/ink to make the heart and then I used my aqua pen and added some vanilla and sahara sand from my water color crayons, isn't that a neat look?  I don't know if it is a technique, I just made it up.

I used Bella Blue, OMG this designer paper is awesome!  I love the look of so many of the papers, I am in designer paper heaven!  LOL

Here is my card:
close up of the heart:  This is one of the cards we will be making at this Saturday's Stamp Camp!  I can't wait!

Simply beautiful friendship, and a Jake Watch moment

Okay, as promised I am starting to use more of my new stamps and giving my 24 -7 a bit of a break, bet you are glad to hear that! The name of the set I used on the following card is called "simple friendship"

Simple Friendship

113397

 

I was looking on the SU site and saw this:

"Nothing means more than having a true friend. You love having someone to share life's ups and downs as well as the joys and sorrows. Only your best friend knows how to finish your sentences!  Telling your dearest friend how much you care doesn't need to be complicated—in fact, the simpler, the better. With our Simple Friendship set, you'll be able to say and show how much you care. Each image in this set—from the simple verse, to the swirls, to the single flowers, and friend circle—has a style as unique as your very best friendships."

Wow, how perfect! 

I will be using this set at my stamp camp next Saturday, I think the girls will enjoy the Spring colors.  I am so sick of winter, sorry all you snow and cold weather lovers.  I have Spring fever BIG TIME!  Here's the Simple Friendship card:

The colors on this are wild huh?  Wait to you see it in person, it is AWESOME!  This is such a simple card too, I love it when they are easy!  Spring...oh please hurry up and get here!  I am so happy I have Stampin' friends, it helps the time pass faster.

Okay, time for a Jake watch: Drum roll please.......

  Here is my boy, with a "Kong" bone hanging out of his mouth, he looks funny huh?  He cracks me up.  

He is such a mama's boy.  The kids are on vacation this week which actually means he may be home alone more, or he may have days with a full house...If Jill is here or I am home he handles everything with a spring in his step...happy go lucky Jake...when we are gone he actually pouts, can you believe it?  He does, he pouts!  Rob will do his best to get him interested in something fun, or in this case something delicious to doggies.  That gets his tail waggin for a short time, but he isn't truely happy, wild and crazy happy, until Mommy gets home.  What a sweet heart.  If feels so good to get his love when I walk in the door.  I am so glad we have Jake in our lives! 

I can't believe my Stamp Camp is less than one week away!  I am so excited!  I can't wait to share the thrill of my new papers and stamps with my friends.  This is a cool card using Trendy Trees.  I love the way it opens, and then opens again.  It is so sweet and the papers are just beautiful...don't you think?   This set is going to make perfect 3x3 cards.  I don't know which tree I love the most.  I can't wait to try to stamp them in different colors. 

   

Baby Boy Scrapbook Gift

I finished the rest of the Baby Gift for the girl I work with.  This is a scrapbook for pictures of her son.  It can be used right away or when he gets a little bigger, it is more BOY than Baby.  I think she will like it, what do you think? 

I used some card stock stickers and retired scrapbook kit papers.  Here it is:

  

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Victorian Valentine

OMG, can you believe I am going to post a card that is not Stampin' Up! based?  LOL

Okay, don't come knocking on my door saying "Who are you, and what have you done with MY Lori?"  Cause it's still me.  There is a story behind this.  (isn't there always?  teeheee)

OK, here goes....have you ever made plans you thought were Awesome, you could picture all the wonderful ways you would enjoy, and then it is so bad you have to laugh?  It's happened to me more than once.  The funny thing about it is I usually try to convince myself it isn't all that bad, and then try my best to make the best of it....and I end up having fun and coming away with something after all! 

So a few weeks back I looked online to see if any fun, inexpensive, stamping/crafting related things were going on in the area.  I found out that a museum, a textilemuseum, was having victorian card making ...for JUST FIVE DOLLARS (should have been my clue).  Well, I took half the tour, that really was enough...it was good, very interesting, very cool old pictures, looms, spinners, die machines, all kinds of neat stuff.  Then off to make the card...wooo hooooo.

WOA! Um, kindergarten supplies....yikes!  You know, the scissors with the round edges, no paper cutters (GASP), no card stock (DOUBLE GASP) sparkle stickers and fun foam hearts, wires with foil hearts dangling from them...Okay, this is funny!  Really?  Me...make a card....with these?  Where is the "textile" in this..the fabric, the thread, the yarn, the buttons, all of the Victorian collage items that danced in my head?  Copy paper?  Glue Sticks?  Round scissors?  HELP! 

No, I didn't panic or run out screaming ... I was a lady and said "thank you" as I took my supplies, digging deep for anything I thought I could use...paper doilies, OOOOH, there is a Victorian woman ...no... there are THREE, which one to choose?  I was so happy to find this little gem of a mini valentine...wooo whooo again!  I cut a heart balloon from one of the doilies, cut out one of the lacy flowers in the doily too.  Then started gluing things down.  Starting with the red heart then the lady and so on and so on, using glue stick.  Kind of messy, but it holds.  In the museum shop they were selling 12 buttons for $1.  I went and asked the woman in the shop if I could pour out the buttons on my table and I would show her which ones I used on my card, and what others I would buy.  She was happy to help and the buttons came with me back to the table. (so glad I asked!)  I poured them out and choose carefully.  Jackpot, I found some that I loved.  I cut a very thin strip from the very wide heart roll, trying to make it seem like thin ribbon.  Here is the card I came out with, I actually like it!  When I got home I stamped a bit on it and added the new flowers from Stampin' Up! and a Pretties half pearl. 

I also added a bit of real ribbon and then put my Red Copy paper card on a whisper white card-stock base.  I am giving her to Jilly, I think she will Love it!  I ended up having a fun time at that museum and left with a card I actually like.  It wasn't at all what I imagined, but I am so glad I went!

Quick Easy Friends 24 - 7 card

Okay, I promise I will try to move on to the other new sets I bought!  I am sure you are either loving this one, or wishing I would hurry up and get over it already!  LOL

So this card I am showing you came directly from the Stampin' Up! site.

 

It is so quick and easy, faux stiching with gel pen, classic inking one image, classic ink words, scallop edge punch...and layer, you are done!

Here are the supplies used:

Friends 24-7

Sincere Salutations

Old Olive 8-1/2X11 Card Stock

Watercolor Paper

Chocolate Chip Classic Stampin' Pad

Old Olive Classic Stampin' Pad

Pretties Kit

Scallop Edge Punch

 

that's all of them, I bet you have most of them on hand!  You can substitue any word set, and add a white button or a green brad, or another type of embellishment if you don't have the pretties kit.  This is so quick and easy and with a change of the colors or words could make a great card for any occasion!  If you would like to buy supplies to make this card, and you spend $50, you will earn a free Saleabrations set!  Contact me today or go to my Stampin' Up! Demonstrator website, click on Shop Now and place your order.

Here is one final look at that stamp set: Friends 24 - 7 order number: 113218

Baby shower gift

Here is a bib card and baby shower gift for a girl I work with, she is having a boy:

    The top cupcake is a pair of booties, the mini cupcakes are pairs of socks and the big cupcakes are washcloths.  I hope she likes it!  I really stink at making these, thank goodness my friend Dianne was over and showed me how, and then made most of them!  LOL

Butterfly Big Shot Gift Box

Okay, this box can be shown in its full glory today.  I gave it away, it was a gift box...the box was better than the gift!  LOL

Here it is: 

 

   

Isn't it pretty?

It started it's life as a box full of square coasters, I had bought them for a stamp camp project.   Of course I saved the box.  I didn't know why, I just knew I could use it for something.  Do you know how many areas of my house are filled up with "some day I will use this for something" pieces?  More than I will admit to!  LOL

Friends 24 - 7 Teen style (and a sneak peek)

I made that bright card I promised you, using my new Friends 24 - 7 set, to show you how different the style can look just by changing the color.  This one is for Jilly to give to a friend as a birthday card.  Of course I just had to use Chocolate chip, it seems a requirement to me with this set.

   

She really liked it, perfect teenage girl card.  I hope you like it too!

Now here is a sneak peek at a little project I am working on, a gift box.

Here is the special touch for the top of the box, using my Big shot:

Isn't it pretty?  I LOVE this and I bet I will be making lots and lots of butterflies!

Masculine Friends 24-7

Today I made a masculine card using the Friends 24 - 7 Set.  I had a couple of helpers...here's Jake.  He made sure to pick up any bits of paper, or ribbon I dropped.  He laid across my feet to keep them warm. 

  When he wanted  to go out, he would go to the door and sit there.  Just sit there.  I would be in my own world playing with my stamps and paper. 

  UM, HELLO>>>>>MOM....I need to go OUT now. 

I wouldn't answer, so he decided to tell me I needed to notice him, "ROOwrooowrow"

OMG, where is Jake?  OH, okay Jake ... hold on....

Out we went.    He is such a good boy.

OOPS, here is the card I made:

That is Hunter, my cat.  He helps me too.

You wonder why I am distracted... lol... Here is a close up:

Botanical Blooms SAB (Sale-a-bration) set

  You can make this beautiful tag and card when you get the Botanical Blooms set FREE, through the Sale-A-bration promotion. 

Visit my Demonstrator site: Stampsumsmiles and click on SHOP NOW.  Buy the supplies needed:

Sponge Daubers
102892 $10.95
IBC 190

 Earth Elements
Watercolor Wonder Crayons
106696 $19.95
IBC 152                      

Watercolor Paper
105019 $6.95
IBC 156

 

along with your choice of ribbon and cardstock.  When you reach $50 you will get Botanical Blooms STAMPSET (113812  on page 10 in the Sale-A-Bration catalog) FREE! 

Friends 24-7 Bird with an antique feel

Here is the bird from that 24-7 set, I decided to give this an antique, victorian kind of a feel, my favorite style.  Again with colors I am sure most will think "drab" but I think they are FAB!  I do have a VERY Bold and Bright card idea for this same set, so you can see the different looks.  I will post it ... but here is todays little addition to the blog:  

Now those of you who know me know that I love the Always set (with the bird in it) and although I have friends who call that bird a CROW, I love it still.  There is no way this little bird could be called a crow, as a matter of fact I think this will make a great Robin for a Welcome Spring card! 

New photo of Friends 24-7

What a differents a day makes, no...really!  I am home having lunch and decided to take a photo of the card in the sunlight, I think it makes a difference...what do you think?  Here it is during the day, Friends  24-7 Flourish:     

This is the one from last night.  I think the right lighting makes a huge difference!

   

Off to work, chat with you soon,

Lori

Friends 24-7, Oh how I love you Stampin' Up!

I got my first order from the new catalog.  I am in love.  OMG, I need a vacation from my jobs so that I can stay home and create!  I thought I would get alot done today creativity wise...but by time I got home from Church/Work, did laundry and dishes, did some light house keeping (even though heavy house keeping is needed) played with my adorable pup Jake (just saying his name makes me want to cuddle him) and started on all those yummy super bowl snacks I was beyond tired.  Then I had to go pick up Mat from work at the skate shop, go pick up Jillian's friend who was dying to have superbowl snacks with us (she loves fondue and we have chocolate fondue with strawberries, pretzels, bananas and shortbread cookies as our sweet treat).  The game started and I continued cooking, the game was so good that I actually missed the commercials, because that is when I would run in the kitchen and finish a few more steps to my dishes.  Usually I do "stuff" during the game and watch all the commercials, but this game....WOW!  Right down to the wire, a nail biter!  LOL  Okay, back to stamping.  I only made ONE thing, it was during half time while listening to The Boss, who let's admit it ladies...still has it after all these years.  He sounded GREAT.  I broke out my Friends 24 - 7 stamp set, my brand spankin new texture plates, and some nuetral paper and got to work.  It took NO time, FELL TOGETHER (LOVE IT when that happens) and came out even prettier then how it looked in my head!  (okay, I picture what I want, really imagine the detail, then make it...most of the time I can't come close to how pretty I thought it would be, but THIS TIME, WOW!)  I am thinking of actually...are you ready for this?...sending it to Stampin' Up! or for the first time ever to a magazine!  That is how much I love it (please don't copy and submit this design...thanks).  Okay ... are you ready?  Drum roll please............................ Oh gosh, now I built it up too much and you probably will wonder what I see in it, but it is SO ME.... and I LOVE IT!  I hope you like it too.....oh yeah, back to the drum roll............................................................  So Plain and simple yet elegant and such a wow in real life!  I rolled ink onto the texture plate before topping it with my paper and sending it through my bigshot.  Isn't it amazing!  Hard to take a photo of, but this baby really POPS! OMG, I am in LOVE!  I can't wait to play more, with this "It's SO me!"  style stamp set and my texture plates....Now this, my 24 - 7 blog friends, makes me very...very...VERY happy indeed!