The Best of Flowers

It's the end of March and I hope your month has been happy and things are warming up in your part of the world. I love being able to have the windows open and spring has inspired us to repaint our living room and change things up a bit decor wise. I'm loving the simpler look!

I'm kind of a Pottery Barn/Shabby Chic gal at heart and have been missing our California style, so we're bringing cream and white back into our living room.

 It just helps me breathe.. slowly, deeply and I like that!

I embossed this beautiful hydrangea (my favorite flower) onto this wonderful new Epic Day DSP. Then colored in the flower and leaves using Sponge Daubers. Elusive and pretty!

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 All four of my cards today (yep! four of them... I was busy last night!) are using the Best of Flowers stamp set. Stampin' Up!, as you know, is celebrating their 25th Anniversary this year and part of the celebration is to bring back the most popular stamps sets. Each month will have a different collection and for March its The Best of Flowers. Funnily (is that a word?) I hadn't purchased even one of these flower stamps the first time around. I must not be in the groove or something - but I did purchase this set and I love them.

This stamp set comes with a Collector's Card... for every six "best of" sets you purchase, mail in your proof of purchase (sticker found on set label) for a FREE stamp set of your choice valued up to $14.95 US.  Start collecting now - shop online 24/7 at my store.

I'm showing them one at a time because they all look so different and won't photograph well together. Kind of like a family in all different colors and clothes, you know. What I wanted to show you was how easy it is to take one stamp set and create such a variety of cards/projects from them.

This gorgeous rose bouquet was simply embossed in gold onto Very Vanilla. I added some extra embossing to the card stock to create an elegant background for it.

I love how the oval turned out! I created it using two different size oval dies. Use the Crease Pad to create the wonderfully embossed oval. Stamp first, then cut out using the larger oval die. Then laying the smaller die, cut side up and centered around the image, run it back through the Big Shot using the Crease Pad in lieu of the Cutting Pad under the card stock.
Whew... did you follow?

This is just one of the techniques I'm giving step-by-step instructions for in

April's Online Only Class.

Sunshine and Daisies!
A love note that brings spring.... once again embossed in white and

sponged with Daffodil Delight in it's own little frame.

This time embossed in Pool Party on the wonderful Epic Day DSP.

Love, love that new paper!

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shown as part of the This and That Bundle!

Scroll down to yesterday's post to see more about it.

This and That Card

It was so fun to open my new box of crafting supplies yesterday! This and That arrived on my doorstep and I waited until last night (after we finished painting the living room!) to play a bit.

Don't you love this great paper - I have tons of ideas for it and it isn't all for the journal which is the main deal in the kit and is beautiful by the way!

And Washi Tape - yeah!!! I've been making my own as you can see in this post and I'll continue to do that, but it's really fun to have a roll that is just sitting there waiting for you.

 Here's the uber-cool journal. I can't wait to fill in some of those hexagons! 

And sweet envelopes that fit in the pockets of the journal, along with wonderful DSP pages!

And the Designer Series Paper - very, very well done! Along with your own date stamp that has some cool sayings on it also! Pages of stickers with word bubbles, tickets, banners, arrows, numbers and sayings that you'll want to use as you journal. Wouldn't this make the greatest present?

 

Order yours today - at my Online Store!

Another Chance - Woohoo!

Stampin' Up! has been making a difference in

lives for 25 years! It's their anniversary and they're doing it up big! So, today I'd like to tell you about all the amazing opportunities and products that are available right now.

First, and so exciting!
They have extended their fantastic offer of an extra 25% of product when you sign up as a demonstrator. So, that means you will receive $125 worth of your choice of product for only $99. The best part - you choose if you'd like to build a business or just be part of the fun and receive 20% off of your orders (that's why I got involved - it just made sense to me!)

Along with that, earlier this week I created a cute little gift to add to the package when you join my team.

I figured if Stampin' Up! can extend their offer again,
so can I! So a pair of Paper Snips with it's own hand-crafted flower embellishment is my gift to you.

Stampin' Up! has also released their Convention 2013 info this week. It's a fun-filled, exhilirating, informative three days. It looks like they'll have space available for guests but if you're a demonstrator you save bunches.

Check out "why join my team" at the top of the page or email me for more info at stampsnsmilesblogspot.com

 That's right - you can enter to win at Facebook.com/Stampinup!

And another great dealio! Each month Stampin' Up! is making available a new stamp set that combines the best of the best over the past 25 years.

So fun! Here's the latest one.

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Shop here today!

Hello, Word Bubbles!

Word Bubbles...

What would you stamp into this word bubble?  Any sentiment at all will do! It's such a fun stamp to use and it's the latest clear stamp set from Stampin' Up!

After stamping Crumb Cake word bubbles on the background of this card, I fussy-cut one and popped it up with Stampin' Dimensionals. Island Indigo is perfect to help it stand out from the crowd.

Designer Typeset Alphabet -
a photopolymer stamp!

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And a free download from Stampin' Up!
Click here to receive it free!

April Showers Wallpaper
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Fabric Frenzy and Flowers

In lieu of my Ten Minute Tuesday with paper and cards,

 how about a couple of darling flowers for today? Fabric flowers, that is. And they only take about ten minutes.

I created this little flower to hang on my scissors - it's a great way to help you locate them on your crafting desk or when you go to a crafting social. And Stampin' Up!'s Paper Snips - love, love them!

Would you like one?
 I have two pairs of Paper Snips, complete with flowers on a chain, for the next two gals that join my team!

THE LOW-DOWN ON JOINING STAMPIN' UP!

We’re just right for you if you dig:
• Making your own schedule
• Adapting your workload to fit your family’s needs
• Forging new relationships with amazing women
• Having a go-to creative outlet that you can share with others
• Getting discounts on wonderful products
• Making extra money

Click here for more details or email me at stampsnsmiles@gmail.com (I'd love to chat!)

Here's another fabric flower which I glued to a clothes pin covered in card stock. It has a magnet glued to the back to create a handy little note holder after it's finished holding the little bag full of goodies.

And how do you make fabric flowers? Well, Pinterest of course! Follow me here.

For one week only all of Stampin' Up!'s fabric is 50% off - and I didn't want you to miss. There are so many, many cool creative ideas that can be made with fabric. Click here to shop the sale now.

Steppin' It Up! for Free

Paper Pumpkin Stepped Up a Bit!

Just stopping by to say hi today and give you a sneak peek of what I've been creating for you!

Have you heard of My Paper Pumpkin? It's a great new monthly kit subscription available from Stampin' Up!

Each month you receive this wonderful box of goodies in the mail - it's always a wonderful surprise! All you need to do is open it and begin creating.... here's what I received in the Try It Kit.

An ink pad, a clear block, two cool stamps, buttons, stickers, card stock, Designer Paper and envelopes - enough for four cards.... but wait!

I started working with the kit and because I can never leave good enough alone, added a few embellishments and a bit of card stock. I used what was in the kit in an "out-of-the box" way and created five new spiffy projects just for you. Three cards, a gift card holder and a darling treat package. For the guy in your life, the gals, Mother's Day and/or a friend.

I created a tutorial that gives step-by-step directions for these five projects (I'm only showing a couple of the sneak peeks!) along with a small package of embellishments and additional card stock so you can create them also.
 

I'd love to send you the kit and the tutorial for free!
Here's your part:
Subscribe to My Paper Pumpkin by going to their site here, and choosing me, Penny Smiley, Star ID 83669, as your demo. Your kit and tutorial will mail the same day as your Try It! Kit.  

Check out all the details at mypaperpumpkin.com  

It's fun! So invite a few friends to subscribe along with you and I'll visit you each month with a brand-new tutorial and a surprise or two along the way! You have just created your very own party - in a box! How fun is that? Very!

This and That!



This and That!

Your life is: Awesome. Quirky. Exciting. Perfectly messy. And happening really fast.

So I'm delighted to give you a peek at Stampin' Up!'s newest product line that lets you capture it all on-the-go.
This and That will debut in the 2013-2014 annual catalog, but you have the opportunity to get it now. And from today through April 30, you can get all five This and That products in a bundle for 15 percent off! (Aren't you ever so glad you checked your email today?) I've ordered mine and I can't wait to start playing with it.

                            Click here to see flyer

Item	Description	Price
131268	Epic Day This and That Journal	$10.95
130814	Epic Day This and That Designer Series Paper	$10.95
130133	Remember This and That Rotary Stamp	$5.95
131271	Epic Day This and That Designer Stickers	$4.95
131269	Epic Day This and That Designer Washi Tape	$4.95
133350	Epic Day This and That Bundle Includes the five This and That products listed above. Only available in a bundle until April 30.	$32.08 15% Off Retail Value!

• Stampin' Up! is introducing the line with these five products, but will be adding more This and That stuff as time goes on.
• 15% OFF Bundle Dates: March 23-April 30 (remember the items that come in the bundle will be available in the new catalog, but the discounted bundle is only available through April 30).

Shop now!

It's Your Last Chance!

I know .... you saw this card yesterday, but

today, March 22nd, is the LAST day of Sale-a-bration.  If you haven't yet ordered to get your free SAB item or you want to place one more order for another free item, you have until tonight.  Don't miss out!

I have a great tutorial waiting for you and it's free! It includes the above card along with two others that have some great techniques you're going to love - see the others here. To receive your free tutorial, just place your Sale-a-bration order of $50 or more by the end of today through my Stampin' Up! website here.

Remember, after today you will have to wait a whole year until Sale-a-bration rolls around again!   

Whether you are stocking up on basics or ordering lots of fun things from the Spring Catalog it all adds up to FREE products! With every $50 purchase you can choose a FREE item from the 2013 Sale-a-bration flyer shown HERE.

And...when joining the Stampin' Up! family, you get an additional 25% worth of products added to your Starter Kit as we celebrate Stampin' Up!'s 25th Anniversary! What a great time to join!  This offer ends tonight, March 22nd.

Starter Kit is just $99 and you choose $158.50 in products.

Click on the Join the Fun button at the top of the page to see the benefits of joining today!

Bloomin' Marvelous for Free!

Just Bloomin' Marvelous for free!

As you probably know, Sale-a-bration ends tomorrow... you're almost out of time to receive your free product!

I created a tutorial for the cards above - they're so much fun to make and I'd love to give you the tutorial and supplies for making these three cards for free! There are directions on how to easily cut any size hexagon, which happen to be rather trendy right now, along with how to create the watercolor background. It's fun and it's only available with a Sale-a-bration order.

How? Well... when you place an order of $50 or more during Sale-a-bration you will receive your choice of a free product from Stampin' Up! It could be this great stamp set "Bloomin' Marvelous" or a great Designer Series Paper or... see more products here.

After your qualifying order has been placed you will receive the PDF tutorial for the project and a kit in the mail from myself with all the precut supplies for all three cards

Place your order here!

Hard Hat Zone!

THIS WEEK'S NEW MDS DOWNLOADS!
Are you constructing a birthday party soon? Let the BDAY Under Construction Ensemble help you create:

• Invitations
• Cupcake holders 
• Candy bar wraps
• Water bottle labels
• A banner
• Thank you cards 
• And more!

To help you get started, Stampin' Up! is throwing in a FREEBIE - a

construction cone favor that your guests definitely won't dodge. 

And, to top it off, don't miss the Top Notch Woodcuts embellishments. They are sa-weet. See all the new downloads (including the free one) for the week of March 19 right here!

And, did you know? Your MDS purchases also qualify towards Sale-a-bration!
Sale-a-bration ends March 22, 2013 - so order yours today!

Order here today!

Ten Minute Tuesday!

Flutterbys!

Don't you love this Elegant Butterfly Punch? It does add a touch of elegance all on it's own, which is exactly why I chose it for today's Ten Minute Tuesday! To add a little background interest I heat embossed three small butterflies in the background in white. Hope you can see them! The lighting this time of year is so interesting and changes from day to day so had a tough time getting them to show well. But they're there! You could also stamp them with a color.... ooh, that's a good idea! I'll be right back with that.

Alrighty! Now we can get started.... I actually rewrote the tutorial using pictures of this card instead.  Saved a minute by not having to emboss, too!

Did you notice I traded a card out for a piece of chocolate?
Wouldn't it be fun to have one of these show up on your desk on a Monday morning? Maybe you could start a new tradition! They make wonderful party favors also.

My favorite chocolate ..... dark chocolate with sea salt!
Just found it at our new Whole Foods here in Boise.
It's the best and a small piece each night finishes off the day very nicely, thank you.

As I do each Tuesday, here's the link for your free PDF tutorial.

Free download

 

And cutting dimensions below for those of you who like to take it from there.

           Whisper White c/s             4" x 5-1/4"
           Summer Starfruit c/s         4-1/4" x 11"
           Sycamore Street DSP       1-1/8" x 3" (candy bar)
                                                                   1-3/4" x 6"
                                                      1-3/4" x 8"

 

Papillon Potpourri
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Elegant Butterfly Punch
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Mocha Monday - Sent with Love!

   

 Mocha Monday .... Sent with Love!

It's time to get together and do some stamping, chatting and perhaps a Mocha! This month I've chosen to use the great Sent with Love stamp set and DSP which can be purchased separately or as a bundle at a 20% discount. Download the flyer  here.

We'll be meeting for Mocha Monday on Monday, March 18th @ 6:30 pm at Lucky Perks, corner of Ustick & Eagle Rd in Meridian (same coffee shop - different name)
Please reserve your kit at stampsnsmiles@gmail.com
$5 kit fee includes all precut supplies

Can't join us but would like the tutorial? Or how about a pre-cut kit and tutorial? Either way, I'm happy to oblige!

Tutorial comes as a 13 page PDF download and kit includes all pre-cut  supplies for all three projects.

This ensemble has some fun new techniques! Use an embossing folder as a stamp, emboss a partial image and and opportunity to use one of the brand new photopolymer stamps from the Designer Typeset.

    Tutorial Download                  Kit & Download (incl. s/h)
                  $1.95                                               $9.95                                 

                                                                

Welcome Baby Girl!

Hi, just a quick post before I fly out the door to a baby shower! What fun.... it's been quite awhile since I've been to one and they are always exciting.

I CAS'd myself on this one, blinging it up a bit from the one posted here to make it suitable for a little girl and using the darling stamp set, Dressed Up. I even added rhinestones on the envelope since it wasn't going to mailed.
 Sorry the pic isn't so great, but you get the drift, I'm sure.

Pulled out the sewing machine for a minute to add a bit of stitching and then a touch of Glimmer Paper, which you receive free during Sale-a-bration with a qualifying order. Get more details on that here!

Here's a sneak peek of what you can expect in the new

2013 - 2014 Annual Catalog.... check out the flyer here.

Of course, it's still a few months until the catalog comes out (unless you're a demo and get yours early - that's fun!)

Would you like to join the fun as a hobby demo to enjoy the perks and the discounts? That's fine too! Click here for more info.

        Available for ordering now -
shop here online 24/7!

Dress Up!

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