2013 - Imagine the Possibilities

Happy New Year's Eve!

This is my "Welcome 2013" card.... a brand new year that lies before each of us to live as we choose. Incredibly grateful for the freedom we have to do that!

There is something so inspiring about 2013, isn't there? Imagine the possibilities! I thought this stamp was perfect to go along with a new year.

Are you a list person like I am - creating a new spending plan, planning vacation, setting goals. I've always loved the planning part of anything (now to get better at the follow-through, hah!)

So, here's one of my goals .... oh, you're going to love it!

Each day create something new that I found on Pinterest! Just sounded so much more fun than losing 30 lbs, don't you agree? No, seriously, how fun would that be! Want to join me? 

It doesn't have to be a craft - maybe an organization idea, cleaning product, recipe, write a great saying on our kitchen chalkboard. The list is endless!

I'll do my best at keeping you updated about how that all works out. And, really, I do have some other goals also - related to my health, my education and of course my Stampin' Up! business. My first "health goal" being to begin each day with a tall glass of water. Yep, can't touch the caffeine til it's done.

And along the way I'd love to have a Pinterest Potluck party! Choose one cool thing to make, invite the girls, have all the supplies for making that craft ready for them and they each bring one dish made from a recipe they found on Pinterest.

Good food, good times!

Let 2013 begin!

Word Play
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or now available as a single stamp!

Imagine
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So Glad We're Here for Each Other

So Glad We're Here For Each Other

Here's a card I made for my husband.... I don't do that often enough. But, the feeling is always there and hopefully expressed in words and actions each day, because I do value who he is and how supportive he is of me and all my "you know what I was just thinking?" or "you know what I'd love to do?". He's peaceful, pleasant and calm and I love that about him.

One of the free stamp sets, Bloomin' Marvelous, that can be earned during Sale-a-Bration (Jan 22 - Mar 22) is where you'll find this sentiment along with the hummingbird which I lightly stamped with Crumb Cake ink as a background.

Another free item is the Sycamore DSP which pulls together so many great colors and is accented with Tangerine Tango ribbon (another freebie!)

How do you earn freebies! During Sale-a-bration you receive one item free with each $50 order! There's bunches to choose from and the entire flyer will soon be available for viewing online. Or... I'd be happy to mail you one - just contact me at stampsnsmiles@gmail.com

The Chevron Folder always makes a fantastic backdrop on a card or stamping project.

Chevron Folder 127749

Oh, Hello!

 I love the snappy little saying "Oh, Hello"!

This new stamp set has some great stamps - sentiments, a flower and great patterns. And take a look at the new embossing folder that mimics crosstitching.... so very cute!

There are so many great new products that will be available for you to order soon in Stampin' Up!'s Spring Catalog.

 It's time to book a party! Sale-a-bration is coming and it means so many FREE items to choose from.

Contact me today @ stampsnsmiles@gmail.com to set a date to get together!

Oh, Whale!

Oh, Whale!

Isn't this the sweetest little whale in the world?

This card shows off lots of new products! Sunshine & Sprinkles DSP provides the waves our little whale is riding on.  

I used the new Ovals Collections Framelits to give Mr Whale a porthole to swim through and accented the card with another sweet embossed edging that carries the wave feeling along.

Oh, Whale! (and all the other fun products) will be available for ordering January 3, 2013. I'd love to send you Stampin' Up!'s Spring Catalog - stampsnsmiles@gmail.com

Oh Happy Day!

I love this saying "oh happy day!" 

Maybe it's because it reminds me of my Dad who is little bit famous for saying "Oh, Happy Me!" when things are going nicely for him (which they often do!) 

Actually he and my Mom met on Valentine's Day, so this card would be perfect for them! They will soon be married for 57 years - and have always been a big inspiration to our family on working together in a marriage.

Proud of you, Mom and Dad!

All dressed up in Primrose Petals and Pool Party, this card shows off so many new products.

The banners are part of a wonderful Hearts a Flutter Bundle.

 More Amore Specialty Designer Series Paper has some terrific designs along with two sheets of laser-cut hearts. Perfect!

And the embossed border and heart-shaped paper clip are the perfect accents.

Would you like your very own copy of the Stampin' Up! Spring Catalog. I'd be happy to mail you one - just let me know at stampsnsmiles@gmail.com

Merry Christmas!

              






   

A special Merry Christmas from myself and Stampin' Up! Enjoy!

Bloomin' Marvelous

Bloomin' Marvelous - another sassy saying from a great new stamp set that you can earn free during

Sale-a-bration!

Sale-a-bration runs January 22 through March 22, 2013. It's time to book a party and earn freebies! I'd love to help you and your friends create a fun project using all new products! Contact me @ stampsnsmiles@gmail.com

Isn't this Honeycomb Embossing Folder wonderful. I've been waiting for one and it's arriving. Available in the Spring Catalog beginning January 3, 2013. Just around the corner!

Apothecary Accents Framelits
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Yes there's time!

Alrighty, we're down to the wire! But there is still time to make somegift  tags and treats. 

Don't have a stamp set.... no worries.
Stampin' Up! has a free gift tag  just for you!

Chalkboard art is all the rage right now and here it is.... as a gift tag.

Becky Roberts was my inspiration for these, amazing lady that she is!

It's hard to tell by the picture, but they're tied around the top of a cellophane bag full of Hershey Kisses.

Perfect to keep in a basket by the door for people that drop by during the holidays! Even the nice ones :)

Download you free gift tag now!

And just in case you're still looking for a last-minute tutorial - here's another opportunity to purchase "It's a Keepsake Christmas" tutorial! A seventeen page tutorial with step-by-step instructions for creating five cards and darling gift tags.

Tutorial download
$3.95

                                                                          

Here is another assortment that's available from Stampin' Up! for download also. How cute!

To You From Me - MDS download
132915    $3.95

Stampin' Up! now available on Google Catalogs!

 

First two gift tags and then some fun hi-tech news for you today! 

The shopping is done, the cards have been sent (right!) and now it's time to create some tags to dress up the presents!

These were made using the Peekaboo Frames Bigz L Die and are so fun to make.

I dressed some tags up with the mittens using the Mitten Builder Punch - love those little mittens! Adhered to a silver snowflake and topped off with a sweet little bow. Open the tag to read the sentiment!

  

Stampin' Up! is now available on Google Catalogs
in the US

In partnership with Google Catalogs, Stampin' Up! is thrilled to announce its first tablet-friendly catalog! It's interactive, it's easy--and it's now available for iPad and Android tablets in the US.

Cool Features:

 Browse the catalog with ease on your tablet.

Get more information, see additional images (beyond what is available in the catalog), and zoom in on your favorite products.

Watch videos from our YouTube channel right inside the app! Jump to the Stampin' Trimmer on page 180 (page 182 in the app) to see it in action.

SHOP ONLINE! Order products directly from the app with just a few taps through Stampin' Up!'s online store.

Click here for directions to access catalog

Merry Gift Tags!

Still needing gift tags? I thought I'd share a few more with you today that I've been making.
Tags are such a fun way to dress up a present. They're quick and easy to make and add that special "I thought of you" touch. Enjoy!

And once again using the Peekaboo Frames Bigz Die!

I've also had more requests about tying tiny bows so thought I would share the steps for that with you again today.

Using 7" of ribbon,  place around a fork, left over right, in what resembles the breast cancer symbol.

The end that's on the top then gets threaded between the center tines to the back.

That same end gets brought up between the center tines to the front.

Bring it down over the other ribbon.

And tie in a knot.

Pull very taut! This is the back of the bow. Slide bow off of fork, turn over, trim edges and you have the perfect little bow!

You can create larger bows by using a larger fork - or anything that resembles it. You can also loop your ribbon around multiple times to get a darling fluffy bow! I like to use Glue Dots to adhere my bows to projects.

All Dressed Up!

Oh my! Is this the sweetest "to die for" die or what? I love it! Not a bit of stamping on this card - just lots of the fun with the Big Shot! Die-Cutting Machine! What did we ever do without it?

This sweet dress and dress form stand, along with this beautiful ribbon flower come from Stampin' Up!'s new Spring Catalog.

Along with a pretty dress are two very amazing women that I have the privilege of being friends with and would like to honor!

Congratulations, Renee, for being promoted to Senior Associate. See Renee's blog here!

and

Welcome, Judy Benson, newest team member!
It's always fun to spend time with you.

I know you haven't seen it yet - but SU! demos have been playing with the products for almost a month now!  All kinds of fun perks with this business! Click here to find out more!

There's a great stamp set that coordinates with this die. Keep watching for more awesome projects coming soon.

Click on the sidebar to receive a new project a day via email. It's time to play!

Scentsational Season Tags!

I had such a delightful afternoon yesterday getting better acquainted with two new stampers, Brenda and Jackie. These are some of the tags we created! Aren't they the cutest?

The tags are created using the brand new Ovals Collection Framelits Die - I'm finding many uses for them!  This Ovals Collection is featured in the Spring Catalog, along with so many other yummy stamp sets and paper - wait til you see it in January!

Did you know that as a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator you have the fun perk of pre-ordering items before they're available to the public?

You can join Stampin' Up! now for only $99! You will receive your choice of $125 of merchandise, which can include items from the Spring Catalog! Click here to see the other wonderful benefits you'll enjoy.

The images are actually set into the ovals and this is how I created that look. If you don't happen to have this Oval die, it would look great using one of the Apothecary Framelits or a die of your choice.

 Die cut your image from the Oval, laying the die over the edge as shown.

This is what it looks like after cutting.

Die cut the image from DSP and lay it in the space you created - see how it fits in so perfectly?

Adhere the two pieces onto a background oval using Snail Adhesive.
Embellish as desired!

Scentsational Season Bundle
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Shop online now!

Coffee Cup Gift Tags - a free tutorial!

Today's post was a tad late, but that's because I decided to update my Coffee Cup Gift Tags from last year and offer you a free tutorial! How fun would it be to get together with a few friends, share a cup of coffee and make a stash of these?

I love, love these little tags and they can easily be used for any occasion and year-round just be changing the embellishments a little - thinking, thinking.... Valentine's Day! I can't wait!

It's a free, five-page tutorial, with step-by-step instructions and photos to guide you. They're easy to make and fun to give.

Free tutorial download!

And when you've created your Coffee Cup Gift Tags - send me a picture @ stampsnsmiles@gmail.com. I'd love to share them on my blog!

Peace on Earth

I love the colors used on this card and gift tags! They add such a serene feel to holiday gift giving. Baja Breeze and Gumball Green - almost sound as if you went south for the holidays! Somewhere warm and beachy! Not sure how the snowflakes fit into that scene, but, oh well.... you get the drift!

Stamp the snowflakes first and then emboss using the Northern Flurry Folder, finally topping off with a few sparkles.

This is the card I'm bringing to our "shoebox" stamp night this week. It will be the first time I've participated in something like this but sounds ever so much fun! Each person brings the pre-cut supplies for their card in a shoebox. Pick a shoebox, create the card, pass it on to the next stamper and start on another one. Just one of the perks of being part of our team....  want to join the fun now? Click here to get started.

Stampin' Up! has just added over 200 new items to their Clearance Rack Blitz - including stamps for the first time ever! It's just in time for last minute holiday shopping! Click here to enjoy the savings!

 Snowflake Soiree

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Northern Flurry Folder
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Greetings of the Season
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