My Weblog

Promotion: Sale-A-Bration (SAB) Has Begun!

Stampin' Up!'s annual Sale-A-Bration promotion has begun!

What does that mean for you as my customer, my hostess or as a new recruit?  It means that from January 24 - March 31, 2012 you will earn FREE product with every order of $50 or more... and additional gifts for hostessing a workshop or joining our family during the promotion period.  Click here to find out more about the benefits of placing an order, hostessing a workshop or joining the Stampin' Up! family during Sale-A-Bration!  Then make the time to view the SAB brochure.  I know that you will LOVE what you see!  To further inspire you....

Here are two cards I made using some of the SAB products!  Both cards were made using the FREE Outline Occasions stamp set. 

I made this "Congratulations" card as a birthday card for my upline.  I used Whisper White and Peach Parfait card stock.  The DSP (Designer Series Paper) is from Everyday Enchantment - another SAB product that you can get for FREE!  The ribbon is Stampin' Up!'s 1/2" Peach Parfait Stitched-Poly Ribbon (pg.194) and the card was colored with Stampin' Write Markers (pg.202). 

This "Thanks" card was for a good friend who treated to me to a lunch out a couple of weeks ago.  The card stock is Whisper White, Wisteria Wonder and Concord Crush - since purple is her favorite color!  I also used Berry Blossoms DSP (pg.185), the Modern Label Punch (pg.209), Mini Brads (pg.199), Stampin' Dimensionals (pg.206) and Stampin' Write Markers to color.

This posting also serves as a sneak preview because the Congratulations card is one of the cards those attending my next class will be making... but you will have the option of using any of the sayings from the FREE Outlined Occasions SAB stamp set.  Be watching for more details within the next day or two.

Meanwhile..... feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Happy Stamping~

Mia

Sale: Clearance Rack Promotion!

Dates: December 15, 2011-January 5, 2012

Details:  Nearly 200 new Clearance Rack items are being added to the Online Store at discounts up to 80 percent off retail--while supplies last!

Visit my Stampin' Up! website today to see what is included in the sale.  Keep in mind that all products are while supplies last... so if you see something you want then you should place your order asap... before it is sold out!  Feel free to call or email me if you have any questions.

Note:  When you begin your shopping you will notice that many of the punches are shown twice... one with the U.S. item number and a second with the European item number.  Please click on the punch to find out which one is for U.S. orders.  Thank you!

Happy Stamping~

Mia

Tutorial: Extended Candy Wrapper Box... Part 1!

Yesterday I shared a Candy Wrapper box that I created using the Big Shot (pg.215) and Stampin' Up!'s exclusive Candy Wrapper Bigz L Die (pg.221).  Here is the photo for those of you who may have missed it in yesterday's posting:

I had mentioned that there was something special about the box... and there is!  It is almost double the length of the standard Candy Wrapper.  I was planning to share my technique for making it today, but have decided to share it tomorrow... in Part 2... and show you a different technique for the Candy Wrapper today instead.  Part 1 of the tutorial is for the longest Candy Wrapper boxes (6-1/2" long!) shown in the photo below:

The above photo shows an assorment of Candy Wrapper boxes that include the standard 2 inch size (So Saffron - one that I made for Easter), the 3-3/4 inch one I shared yesterday (Not Quite Navy - from Part 2 of the Tutorial) and two that are 6-1/2 inches long!

If you would like to learn how to make these different sized Stampin' Up! Candy Wrapper boxes yourself then keep reading.....

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Extended Candy Wrapper Tutorial

Part 1:  Follow these instructions for a 6-1/2” long Candy Wrapper…

Note:  This method is NOT my original idea.  It is one I learned about on Sudsol (see the link on the right side of the screen) - from demonstrators who attended convention.  I haven't seen an actual tutorial for it yet, so decided to make on of my own.

Supplies:  6-1/2 x 9-5/8" Card Stock (I used Not Quite Navy and Cajun Craze), 5 x 6-1/4" Designer Series Paper (I used Well Worn), Big Shot Die Cutting Machine (pg.215), Candy Wrapper Bigz L Die (pg.221), Standard Cutting Pad (pg.215), Standard Premium Crease Pad (pg.215), Paper Cutter (pg.208) and Adhesive of Choice (I prefer Multipurpose Liquid Glue, pg.206) 

Instructions:

Step 1:   Score the 6-1/2” x 9-5/8” piece of card stock at 3-3/4” and 5-7/8” across the width of the card stock as shown below.

Step 2:  Fold the card into a “Z” shape making sure that the folds are as straight as possible.  Your card stock should look like this:

Step 3:  Prepare your Big Shot sandwich – Standard Cutting Pad, Candy Wrapper Die, Card Stock, and Standard Premium Crease Pad – centering the card stock on the die as shown below… without the crease pad.  Note:  Keep in mind that all Big Shots are calibrated differently so you may need a shim or two for the die to cut and score properly.  I needed one shim for mine. A shim is one or more pieces of card stock, computer paper or chip board... depending on how much of a shim you need.  They are placed between the Cutting Pad and the Die. 

Your die-cut will look like this once it is cut and unfolded....

Step 4:  Fold along all score lines and form into the Candy Wrapper box.  The additional scoring is important for the final folding of the box.  Note:   You may notice the extra lines on the added fold on the right side.  If this happens to you, then make sure you assemble the Candy Wrapper from the outside edges in, so that you can hide the “flaw” under the Designer Series Paper… and so the ends of the Candy Wrapper will form properly.

Your Candy Wrapper box will now look like this: 

Step 5:  Score the Designer Series Paper ¼” from one short end.  Fold along score line.  Glue the resulting flap to the Candy Wrapper as shown below.   Note: I switched over to Cajun Craze card stock for the rest of this portion of the tutorial because I wanted more color for the photo of the finished Candy Wrapper Boxes.

Step 6:  Roll the assembled Candy Wrapper along the DSP as shown below… creasing the DSP firmly as you roll.

Step 7:  Glue the end of the DSP strip to the Candy Wrapper… trimming it if necessary.  Decorate as desired.

 

So... you have learned the first method for creating longer Candy Wrapper Boxes now.  Come back again tomorrow for Part 2... the second method... which allows you to create any length that you desire (as long as you can find paper wide enough!

Until then...  Happy Stamping~

Mia

Card Candy Projects & More!

Yesterday I promised you more Love Note cards (3 x 3) that I made using Card Candy using all current Stampin' Up! products.  Here they are!

I used Paisley Petals and Just Add Cake DSPs (pgs.184-185), Playful Polka Dots Simply Scrappin' Kit (Summer Mini, pg.15), Boho Blossoms Punch (pg.210),  Itty Bitty Punch Pack (pg.210), Big Shot Blossom Party Original Die (pg.220), Pearl and Rhinestone Jewels (pg.198), Circle Ice Rhinestones (pg.198), Stampin' Dimensionals (pg.206) and Multipurpose Liquid Glue (pg.206)

And now for my before and after photos of my scrap stash....  This is the
photo of what it looked like last weekend... while Yoko, Sachiko, Hana and I were busy punching and die cutting.  Next are photos of us busy punching and rolling (dies through the Big Shot!).

Now the photos of my Scrap Stash after three days of cutting, punching, sorting and organizing.  (The two divided plastic boxes - normally used for cross-stitching supplies - stack on top of each other.)

Now that my "Bits & Pieces" are organized - so I can actually see them - I know they will get used in my projects instead of continuing to multiply!  I hope that you will follow my lead and do the same with all your leftovers from card making, scrapbooking and die cutting so that you will use your scraps instead of letting them collect dust and multiply.

One more tip... Punch, cut and die cut your scrap pieces right away... before you end up with so many scraps that you are overwhelmed!

You would think that I am done organizing my scraps... but guess what!?!  While looking for the boxes to store all the "Bit & Pieces" I found more scraps!!!  However... they are going to have to wait for another day so that I can move on to another completely new project to share with all of you.  :O)

Have questions!  Just post below in the "Comments" section... or send me an email.

Happy Stamping~

Mia

Technique: Heat Embossing!

When the Stampin' Up! Summer Mini was first introduced I immediately knew that I would be ordering all three colors of the Stampin' Embossing Powders shown on page 23... Tangerine Tango, Wild Wasabi and Melon Mambo.  I made the card below using the Flower Fest stamp set (Summer Mini, pg.20) and all three powders.  (I LOVE this set because five of the images coordinate with our punches... making the creation of cards so much quicker and easier!)

Here is how to make your own:

Step 1:  Use Versamark Ink to stamp the stem and butterfly wings on a 4 x 5-1/4" piece of Very Vanilla card stock (as shown).  Apply the Wild Wasabi Stampin' Emboss Powder on the stem and the Melon Mambo Stampin' Emboss Powder on the butterfly wings.... shaking off the excess powder between applications.  Melt the powders using Stampin' Up!'s Heat Tool (pg.201).  Mount to a Melon Mambo card base using your favorite adhesive.  (I used our Multipurpose Liquid Glue, shown on pg.206 of the new 2011-2012 Idea Book & Catalog!)

Step 2:  Stamp the butterfly antenna and body with Jet Black StazOn and add Pearl Jewels to the body.  (Love them!)

Step 3:  Stamp the flower image on a scrap piece of Very Vanilla card stock... using Versamark... and apply the Tango Tangerine Stampin' Emboss Powder.  Shake off excess powder then heat and melt the powder.

Step 4:  Watercolor all the images.

Step 5:  Cut out the flower and mount it to the card front with Stampin' Dimensionals.

Step 6:  Stamp the saying (from Cottage Garden, pg.119) with Jet Black StazOn.... and add more Pearl Jewels to the center of the flower.

Step 7:  Dye a 14-15" length of 1/4" Whisper White Grosgrain Ribbon using a few drops of our Melon Mambo ink refill and water.  Heat set it by ironing it between two pieces of computer paper.  Wrap around the card front and tie in a knot.  Trim ends if necessary.

Step 8:  Sign your work of art with one of our "Handmade by" or personalized stamps from pages 162 and 172... and you are done!

Happy Stamping~

Mia

You Are Invited!

            What:  New Catalog Open House! 

            Where:  Sea Grill, Tamuning, Guam

            When:  Sunday, July 10, 2011 from 2:00-4:00 pm

            Fee: $10.00

            RSVP by: July 7, 2011 to reserve your space

            Phone: 653-2405

            Email:  maria@stampingwithmia.com

 

Those in attendance will create 4 projects featuring products from Stampin' Up!'s  new 2011-2012 catalog.  There will be light refreshments and door prizes.  Come have some fun and discover the creative side in you!

Please be sure to RSVP by July 7, 2010 in order to reserve your spot at the Open House!

Happy Stamping~

Mia

Last Chance 2011!

Time is running out!  There are only 10 days left to buy this year's retiring stamp sets... and any retiring accessories and decor elements that are retiring and still in stock.  If you haven't checked out the lists of products, then please do so NOW so you don't miss out on the set, accessory or home decor that you have been wanting but haven't bought yet!  Click HERE to see the lists!

Now is also the time to sign up for my Last Chance Class... to be held in Yigo, Guam on Sunday, June 26, 2011 from 2:00 - 4:00pm.  Class fee is $25.00.

Those attending will be making 12 cards using a combination of retiring stamp sets and accessories.  This is one of the cards you will be making:

One lucky person will walk away with one of the retiring stamp sets as a door prize!!!

Register by midnight on Thursday, June 23, 2011 to reserve your space in the class.  Do so by clicking on the PayPal link below.

 

 

Looking forward to seeing you there!

Happy Stamping~

Mia

 

Stampin' Up! makes it so easy!

Stampin' Up! provides a wonderful website for demonstrators that contains information and tips that help us to provide you with the help you need to be successful stampers, paper artists and scrapbookers... as well as patterns and templates for us to use as inspiration in our workshops, displays, etc.

I was looking through the site several weeks ago... while I was preparing for my Spring, Easter and Mother's Day display that was held a few weeks ago in lower Tumon, Guam.  I found a gift box pattern that I knew would be ideal for gifting Mom a piece of jewelry, make-up or any other small trinket on Mother's Day... or any other day of the year!  I liked it so much that I made four different color combinations!

They make it easy for customers as well!  They coordinate their colors, stamp images, and Designer Series Papers so even the beginning stamper can create beautiful projects from day one!  I LOVE that our Idea Book and Catalog now shows you, the customer, what colors are used in each of our Designer Series Papers and our Scrappin' Kits.  It takes out all of the guess work!

These purse gift boxes are a perfect example of how to apply that information.  I used Springtime Vintage (Occasions Mini, pg.15) and Sunny Garden Designer Series Papers (pg.174) so I went to the two catalogs to select my base colors.  I decided on Poppy Parade and Daffodil Delight for the Sunny Garden purses, and Pear Pizzazz and Baja Breeze for the Springtime Vintage purses.  I used flowers from the now retired Pretties Kit because I still had a few on hand, but our Paper Daisies (pg.188) are just as pretty!  Brads are used for the flower centers and to attach the handles.

Would you like to create your own collection of purses?!?  Leave a comment below and I will send you the pattern... along with a few tips to make creating them easy and fun!

And.... If you would like to know more about the Stampin' Up! opportunity, then please contact me at your convenience so I can show you how easy and fun it is to share your love of creating!

Happy Stamping~

Mia

Spring is Blossoming and Grab Bags!

Would you like to make this card?!?  Of course you would!  Then you need to know about Stampin' Up!'s current specials!

"Spring is Blossoming" is a sneak peek at product from Stampin' Up!'s 2011-2012 Idea Book & Catalog.  Purchase $20 of merchandise and you will be given the opportunity to order the Four Frames stamp set and Paisley Petals Designer Series Paper now... instead of having to wait until July 1, 2011!  OR... earn it for FREE by hosting a $350 workshop this month!  Call me to schedule your workshop today!  Click on the logo in the left hand sidebar if you would like more information about this time limited special.

Everyone loves specials... and surprises... so be sure to check the Grab Bag special in the Clearance Rack of Stampin' Up!'s Online Store!  There are $5, $10 and $15 grab bags available!  This is a good opportunity to get an assortment of fun stuff to play with at a very good price.  They are only available while supplies last, so place your order now... while they are still in stock!

While you are there, be sure to check out the Occasions Mini catalog... keeping in mind that these products are only available until the end of April!

As always, make sure you place your order by clicking here or on the "Online Ordering" link in the upper right corner to get the Preferred Customer price!

Happy Stamping!

Mia

Sale-a-bration Is Coming To An End!

Sale-a-bration is coming to an end... and, sadly, I realized that I never shared any samples of the FREE product you could choose while the promotion has been in effect!  Here are two cards that I made using my favorite set from the promotion... Bliss:

I used:

Stamp Set:  Bliss (FREE with a $50 purchase... until 11:50pm Mountain Time on March 31, 2011

Inks:  Cherry Cobbler, Marina Mist, Pumpkin Pie, River Rock, Very Vanilla Craft Ink

Card Stock:  Crumb Cake, Chocolate Chip, Marina Mist, Pumpkin Pie, Cherry Cobbler, Very Vanilla

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For the second card I used:

Stamp Sets:  Bliss

Inks:  Daffodil Delight, Pacific Point

Card Stock:  Marina Mist, Pacific Point, Whisper White

Accessories:  Eyelet Edge Punch (pg.200-201), Rhinestone Jewels (pg.188), 2 1/2" Circle Punch (Occasions Mini, pg.11), Stampin' Up! Exclusive Big Shot 3" Original Die (Occasions Mini, pg.39), Stampin' Dimensionals (pg.197), 1/8" Daffodil Delight Taffeta Ribbon (pg.191), Sunny Garden DSP (pg.174)

I have enjoyed this set and will miss it when it is gone!  If you like these samples and would like to have the set yourself then place your order here... before time runs out and they are retired... never to be seen again!  Orders need to be placed by March 31, 2011 -  11:50pm Mountain Time... or 3:50pm tomorrow (Friday!) Guam time!  Keep in mind that if you wait until the last minute you risk the network being so busy that your order won't be received in time.  So.... go to my website and place your order NOW!!!

If you have any problems and need my assistance then please feel free to contact me via email or phone.  I'll be here!

Happy Stamping~

Mia