Sale-A-Bration Time Is HERE!

Stampin' Up!'s BIGGEST event of the year, SALE-A-BRATION, starts TODAY!  This would be a great time to stock up on paper, ink, accessories... or better yet, buy yourself that gift you didn't receive from your wish list?  For every $50 you spend, you choose one of the items from the brochure for FREE!

There are actually 3 ways to earn free products during Sale-A-Bration:

1. For every $50 (before s/h & tax) you spend, you earn a Sale-A-Bration reward--NO LIMIT! SHOP NOW!
2. Host a workshop of at least $300 (before s/h & tax), and receive a Sale-A-Bration reward. Contact me today to schedule your workshop!
3. Join as a demonstrator and get a free bonus bundle that includes up to $50 worth of products, in addition to 15% off the price of the starter kit! JOIN NOW!

This awesome event only happens once a year, so be sure to take advantage while you can!  It runs from today through March 31.  Contact me for more information.

Here's a simple card using one of the stamp sets you can choose from--Punch Bunch:

Basically, I punched a bunch (no pun intended!) of 1" circles out of Botanical Gazette Designer Series Paper (Occasions Mini) and then stamped the true friends stamp twice (once on So Saffron & once on Cherry Cobbler) punching one out with the 1" circle and the other with the 1/2" circle.  Then I cleaned the stamp and colored just the "true friends" words with a Not Quite Navy marker, stamped that onto Old Olive and punched it out with the Jewelry Tag punch.  Here's a close-up:

Happy Stampin... and Sale-A-Brating!
Brenda
850-466-3585
bbstampin@yahoo.com

Use What's On Your Table Challenge

So, what does your craft space look like today?  Are your creative juices stewing amongst piles of scraps and various parts and pieces left over from past projects?  Well, I want to share a challenge that my friend, Ellie posted on Facebook today--USE WHAT'S ON YOUR TABLE! 

Here's what I came up with:

I will admit, I had to use something that wasn't on my table when I got up to use the letterpress plate (Heart Pressed) in my Big Shot.  I actually got lucky, because I had started this project yesterday and hit a creative block.  I guess it took committing to someone that I would actually complete something to get over that block. 

The color combo came from a card I saw in the January issue of Stampin' Up!'s demonstrator magazine, Stampin' Success.  One of the awesome perks of being a demo!  I would have never thought to use Marina Mist on a Valentine's card, but I think it really works.

The letterpress plate is new to me.  It's in the Occasions Mini Catalog, along with the Glimmer Paper (that I punched the big heart out of).  For this card, I inked up the letterpress plate with a Versamark Ink Pad, instead of an actual colored ink pad.  This created a more subtle background.

Here's a close-up so you can see the details:

 
   So, now that you've seen one of the projects I came up with by using what's on my table... give it a try for yourself! 

Happy Stampin!
Brenda

A Quick Gift Idea: Personalized Stationery Gift Set!

Happy New Year, my crafty friends!

I want to share a last minute gift I created last month. As the hours were winding down before we were to leave on our Christmas vacation to visit family, I needed to come up with a gift for my husband’s grandma. Knowing she’s one of the few people who still enjoy sending and receiving handwritten letters, I thought what better gift than to create a set of personalized stationery for her!

Having just received my preorder for new stampin’ goodies from the Occasions Mini catalog, I wanted to use the Framed Tulips Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (Pg 28/121809/$7.95). It would add the perfect touch to a set of monogrammed note cards.

I suppose I could have just wrapped the note cards in some pretty ribbon and left it at that. But I decided to make a little something to hold the cards, envelopes and coordinating pen instead.

The base of the notecard folder was created out of a single 8 ½ x 11 sheet of card stock.

• Score at 2” and 2 ¼” along one of the long edges, then turn 90 degrees and score at 5” and 5 ½”.

• Cut out the 2 ¼” x ½” scored section to create the flaps inside the folder. Cut at a slight diagonal along the inside edges of the flaps (see picture below).

• Secure the outer edges of the flaps with eyelets (brads or staples could also be used).

• Decorate as desired.

The monogram is stamped using the Lovely Letter Alphabet set and then punched out using the 1" circle punch.  That is then layered with a 1 1/4" circle and 1 3/4" scallop circle.  I snipped in between each scallop for the monogram on the cover of the folder to add a bit more texture.
 

 
I hope this inspires you to create a quick gift for someone special.  Before you do, be sure to tell me what you think!  Your comments are what motivates me to continue blogging!  Thanks!

If you haven't already, be sure to check out the NEW Occasions Mini Catalog!  Click HERE to start shopping!

Happy Stampin!
Brenda