Hi, Honey :-)

I'm trying to get back in the groove of stamping...I'm not feeling wonderful today, so I'm hiding out in my stamp room, feeling sort of saffron and chocolatey:

On the inside of the card, there is a piece of So Saffron card stock with the saying "have a honey of a day" stamped in Basic Brown (Chocolate Chip) ink. The big flower that the bee is on, is the scallop circle punch, with some cuts added between the scallops using Paper Snips. With this card, I challenged myself to keep the colors minimal. The only ink pad you'll need to recreate this card is Basic Brown, and the only card stock you'll need is Basic Brown (or Chocolate Chip) and So Saffron. The smaller flower, the green leaves, and the two background papers all come from the Good Morning Sunshine Designer Series Paper package.

I did add a little color to the bee with some markers--but those are very inexpensive, and you could also use Blender Pens in the same color ink pads if you have those. I just had to use one of the Chocolate Chip brads from the Flower Assortment, to balance things out, and because it matches so well...but you could cut out one of the little brown flowers from the Designer Series Paper instead, if you're trying to stay within a budget. The great thing about the supplies is that you can make plenty of other cards with the same colors, because they coordinate with the Designer Series Paper.

Stampin' Supplies: Just Buzzin' By stamp set, Chocolate Chip card stock, So Saffron card stock, Good Morning Sunshine Designer Series Paper, Basic Brown ink pad (or use Chocolate Chip ink if you'd rather color the bee with pastels), So Saffron marker, Blush Blossom marker, Pretty in Pink marker (to dab the little bee's darling cheeks), Stampin' Sponge, Boho Blossoms punch, 5-Petal Flower punch, Scallop Circle punch, 1-1/4" Circle punch, 1/8" punch (for brad--use the Crop-A-Dile), Kiwi Kiss Striped Grosgrain Ribbon, Paper Snips, Stampin' Dimensionals, Mini Glue Dots.

OPTIONAL: Two-Way Glue Pen, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter (to jazz up the bees wings!). I didn't do this on my sample because I'm kind of grouchy, and glitter is just a little too perky for me to play with just yet...

If you're having a grouchy day, too, I can't think of a better way to cheer up than to get some FREE stamps!!! Check out the Sale-A-Bration promotion to see how you can qualify for FREE STAMPS through purchases, hostessing, or when you become a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator.

Jiminy O'Cricket!

I guess I've been so hung over from chocolate from Valentine's Day that I totally forgot about St. Patrick's Day coming right up soon! Here's a little project you can make--it'll give your friends something to chew on 'til Easter...

STAMPIN' SUPPLIES:

· Glorious Green card stock* (3-5/8" x 5-1/2")
· Pinch Proof stamp set
· Gable Green card stock (2½" square)
· Whisper White card stock (2" square)
· Glorious Green ink pad
· Word Window Punch
· Scallop Circle Punch
· 1-3/8" Circle Punch
· Sticky Strip
· Stampin' Dimensionals™
· Certainly Celery 5/8" Poly-Twill Ribbon (12")

[*Glorious Green card stock Cutting Tip: cut one sheet of 8-1/2" x 11" card stock into quarters, then cut each quarter to 3-5/8" x 5-1/2", to get four gum holders. Keep the scraps for the Word Window Punch later.]

DIRECTIONS:

1. Score Glorious Green card stock parallel to the 3-5/8" side at: 1-1/2", 1-7/8", 3-7/8", and 4-1/4".
2. Stamp scored card stock repeatedly with shamrock, inked up with Glorious Green, to create a background pattern.
3. Wrap cover around Orbit Gum package and SECURE COVER ONLY TO ITSELF with Sticky Strip. It is very important only to adhere card stock to card stock, and not to leave any adhesive which will be exposed to the gum package. You want to be able to slide the gum package free of the cover, to take pieces out!
4. Punch a Scallop Circle out of Gable Green card stock. (Textured card stock adds more depth and interest, but is not a requirement. To get more depth from flat card stock, consider using the Sanded background stamp with VersaMark or coordinating ink, or a Sizzix Texturz plate, on the card stock prior to punching out.)
5. Stamp the "pinch proof" circular image onto the 2" square Whisper White card stock in Glorious Green ink and punch out with 1⅜" Circle Punch.
6. Layer pinch proof image onto the center of the scallop punched Gable Green circle.
7. Using Stampin' Dimensionals™, adhere scallop medallion to front of cover, near the left side, as pictured.
8. Tie a strip of Certainly Celery Poly-Twill Ribbon around the cover, and knot it, to the side of the scallop medallion in front.
9. Use the Word Window punch to punch out two pieces from the leftover Glorious Green card stock, and adhere one to each end of the gum package (to cover up some of the distracting text and give a more finished look than just the side of the package will provide).
10. OPTIONAL: Stamp a coordinating greeting, punch a small hole to create a tag, and use Linen Thread to hang the tag from the knotted Certainly Celery Poly-Twill ribbon.

Please be aware that the Certainly Celery Poly-Twill Ribbon is available for a limited time only, through the Sale-A-Bration promotion. Feel free to email me with your order, or you can order directly through my ONLINE STORE and qualify for the benefits of the Sale-A-Bration promotion, with the convenience of having your order delivered directly and immediately to your door!

Simple Butterfly Card

Here is one more simple card I created recently. Inspiration for this card came directly from a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator exclusive web site, in a section called Stampers Showcase. It is basically a show & tell gallery put up by Stampin' Up! on their company web site, for Demonstrators Only!

The inspiration doesn't stop at the card gallery--there are stamping technique tutorials and videos, class and event project ideas, and something called a Workshop Wizard where Demonstrators can pick and choose projects which have premade supply lists that can be printed out and used for packing and/or ordering lists!

Anyone can become a successful Demonstrator with all the FREE support and training available. It's easy, just check out THIS BLOG POST for the perks and details, and then SIGN UP ONLINE whenever you're ready :-)

I Love Stampin' Up!

Just wanted to share a new sign I have hanging in my stamp room--thanks to a fellow demonstrator Kimberly V. who offered this project at a recent business meeting! Isn't this just the cutest idea ever--for anything or anyone YOU love? [click on the image to see it larger, in detail]

If you love SU! too, remember through March 31st you can become a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator for 15% OFF THE STARTER KIT and CHOOSE ANY STAMP SET FROM THE CATALOG FOR FREE (up to a $47.95 value)! Click HERE for a list of benefits, and for instructions on how to sign up online TODAY!

Stampin' Supplies: Darling Dots stamp set (Hostess exclusive only!), Sweet Always Designer Series Paper, Chocolate Chip card stock, Pink Pirouette card stock, Pumpkin Pie card stock, Regal Rose card stock, Regal Rose ink (for stamp, and to sponge on edges of die cuts), Stampin' Sponge, On Board Book Basics (Large) chipboard square, Sizzix Scallop Circle Die, Sizzix Flower Daisies #2 Die, Sizzix Serif Essentials Alphabet Dies (set of 7), Sizzix Hearts Set Sizzlits 4-Pack, 1" Circle Punch, Scallop Edge Punch, Flower Assortment brads, Jumbo Brads, Crop-a-Dile, Chocolate Chip 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon, Regal Rose 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon.

Where'd She Go?

It's been really hectic around here, but I wanted to take a moment to share a few cards I've been able to stamp recently. This first card is made using a Sale-A-Bration stamp set, and the coordinating Sale-A-Bration Designer Series Paper. It's a modified version of a sample another demonstrator put on display at a local meeting (thanks for the inspiration, Kimberly!):

This next card was inspired by a sample from a recent shoebox swap with some other demonstrators, I just made some of the colors lighter and changed the way the bow ties so it ends up flatter and easier to mail:

The next card was inspired by a picture of a sample I took from a demonstrator's sample board, but I have no idea who made it, and I made some changes to it:

This last card is probably my favorite, second to the honey pot card...it is totally my creation, and was made with the Cheep Talk set and coordinating Good Morning Sunshine Designer Series Paper:

That's the end of my stampin' inspiration for today, stay tuned as I wind down the tasks on my very long and urgent To Do List, and get back in the groove...

Nine Reasons to Become a Demonstrator in 2009!

It's Time to Shine in 2009! There's never been a better time to join my team of demonstrators. As a Stampin' Up!® Demonstrator, you have all the fulfillment of enjoying the same products you've used as a customer, plus these great PERKS:

1. NEVER PAY FULL PRICE! Demonstrators always receive at least a 20% discount on retail products, and can qualify for a higher rebate through monthly sales totals.
2. GET A REGULAR DOSE OF STAMPIN' INSPIRATION! As a demonstrator, you get a full-color monthly magazine full of samples, business ideas, and stamping and scrapbooking techniques and tips. You also have access to a demonstrator sample gallery, and tons of other training material through the Stampin' Up! web site. Seriously, this plus the discount are well worth the price of the Starter Kit.
3. EARN FREE STAMPIN' UP! PRODUCT through demonstrator incentives and promotions, and even earn an all-expense paid Cruise for two!
4. GET A TAX BREAK THROUGH STAMPING! Seize the opportunity to create a situation where your stamping pays for itself! As a demonstrator, all your business stamping purchases are tax-deductible--wow.
5. MAKE MONEY DOING WHAT YOU LOVE! Earn extra money to support your stamping habit, or to supplement, or even replace your family income! Are you unemployed? Hire yourself, to do what you love! Have a flexible job where you choose the hours and events you'd like to work. You can teach rubber stamping and earn money from customers ordering the great products you show them, you can earn money through holding classes where you determine the price (and therefore, the profit), you can even sell hand-stamped products at craft fairs or online--or any combination of those strategies!
6. LEARN THE TRICKS OF THE TRADE & NETWORK WITH SUCCESSFUL DEMONSTRATORS! Attend exclusive demonstrator training events and network with others who love what you love, and have thriving businesses, who can teach you how to also have a thriving business, all while you stamp and swap with the newest products!
7. BE RECOGNIZED FOR YOUR STAMPING TALENT! Stampin' Up! holds an Artisan Award contest every year, where 10 stampers each win a $500 SU! shopping spree, on top of a $500 prize check, and a special dinner with executive company staff...but you must be a demonstrator to enter. This is an incredibly prestigious and highly coveted award. In addition, you have the chance to win one free stamp set monthly, in any of the categories of the art contests featured in the demonstrator newsletter.
8. YOU'VE GOT A FRIEND IN ME :-) No, seriously, I've been through the ups and downs and ins and outs of being a SU! demonstrator for almost 15 years. Whether you need creative assistance, business consultation, or even just a shoulder to cry on or an enthusiastic "woo hooo" to help you celebrate your triumphs--I'm here for you!
9. START SLOW & EASY, OR FAST & FURIOUS! You have as long as 6 months to meet your first minimum sales quotas (only $300 in a quarter), and even if you decide not to remain a demonstrator after that time, you got a boatload of Stampin' Up! product in your Starter Kit at a huge discount! Or, set a few simple goals, go gang-busters, and earn NINE FREE STAMP SETS through the Stampin' Start program (available ONLY to new demonstrators during their first 6 months!).

As I mentioned in a blog post a couple weeks ago, I honestly don't see a downside to trying it out. In over 14 years of doing this, I have NEVER heard a single complaint from anyone who has joined and then decided not to continue with it later. Think of this: you get a bunch of merchandise you LOVE and will definitely use in your crafting, you get tons of support, and the opportunity to make as much more out of the opportunity as you'd like. And, the Starter Kit is so inexpensive that you can quickly earn back your investment and run your business in the black, debt-free nearly from the start, because there is no inventory to carry.

It's super easy, it's all online...you can customize your Starter Kit with your choice of stamp sets and colors. If you want some tips on choices, just email me (or call me at 719-205-5957) for suggestions.

You can also take a look at the 2009 Recruiting Brochure to understand more details about how it all works. Once you're ready, just click on my Demonstrator Business Web Site Recruiting Page, and sign up using my Recruiting Authorization Password: newdemonstrator

Kimberley Morris, Colorado Springs, CO
Stampin' Up!® Independent Demonstrator since 1994
http://kimberley.stampinup.net

Sale-A-Bration: Get FREE STAMP SETS!

Click HERE to view (right click to download) the full-color brochure!

Sale-A-Bration is HERE, from February 1st through March 31st. What does that mean for you...? It means FREE STAMPS!!! There are actually six different limited edition products you can choose from--four unique stamp sets, one ribbon bundle, or a package of Designer Series Paper which coordinates with everything else! Here are three great ways you can participate:

CUSTOMERS: For every $50 in product you order (either directly through me or through my ONLINE STORE), you may choose one FREE Sale-A-Bration product.

HOSTESSES*: For every workshop of $300 or more in sales that you close during this promotion, you may choose one FREE Sale-A-Bration product. (this is in addition to any free sets you may qualify for through customer purchases)

NEW DEMONSTRATORS: When you join my team of demonstrators during this promotion, your STARTER KIT is 15% OFF, and you may add ANY NEW STAMP SET OUT OF THE CATALOG FOR FREE (up to a $47.95 value) to your Starter Kit purchase! (click HERE to begin your application, my password is newdemonstrator).

*Hostesses in the Colorado Springs area may hold a party at their home, place of work, or other group location, or qualify for a bonus gift if you allow me to host your party in my own home! Holding a party is the best way to introduce guests to stamping, as we will make a number of FREE PROJECTS each person gets to take home! Hostesses may also simply gather orders from friends & family to create a workshop order, however, workshop orders must be placed directly through me, they are not available online at this time.

BONUS OFFERS: You will want to check out my Demonstrator Business Web Site Promotions Page (scroll down to the bottom) to see additional personal offers available only through me!

Kimberley Morris, Colorado Springs, CO
Stampin' Up!® Independent Demonstrator since 1994
http://kimberley.stampinup.net