We Create Blog Hop - VERY Last Chance + Sneak Peeks

Welcome to the JANUARY 2023 "VERY Last Chance + Sneak Peeks" Blog Hop!!! We generally hop on the first day of every month, and this month the focus will be projects using products from the Last Chance List* (last day to order is Jan 4th), and/or Sneak Peeks using products from the upcoming 2023 Jan-Apr Mini Catalog and 2023 Sale-a-Bration promotion (BOTH will debut January 5th). I am featuring the soon Retiring Yeti to Party. *Products from the Last Chance List are available through January 4th, or while supplies last, so some products may already be sold out.
{scroll to the bottom of this post for ALL product purchase links}

Right now you can get a screamin' deal on the Yeti to Party Stamp Set, Yeti Dies, Fine Sparkle Adhesive-Backed Gems, Whimsical Woodland Embossing Folder, and Snowfall Accents Puff Paint that I used on this card. Everything except the Yeti Dies are in the Last Chance Products section of My Online Store, and the dies are on the Clearance Rack. Normally you'd pay $68 to get all those supplies, but right now you can get them for more than HALF OFF, at $27.20 for the lot! Scroll down below the Blog Roll on this post to click the links that will take you to these products in my store. It's kind of hard to see in the picture below, but the white part of the mountains, the yeti's body, the snowflakes, and even the Snowfall Accents Puff Paint all have a faint shimmer from the Clear Wink of Stella Brush.

 

I also used some Blender Pens with the Balmy Blue Ink Pad to color in the tops of the mountains, and with the Soft Suede Ink Pad, to color in the hot cocoa cup, and to add some color to highlight the yeti's face and feet. I also used it to go over the little embossed marks on the scarf, but that's hard to see in this light. I held my Paper Snips open and used them like a hobby blade to slice around the yeti's paw so I could tuck the hot cocoa cup under it. Another one thing I'd like to point out on the close-up below, is the wrinkle marks around the edges of the die cuts. I loaned out my Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine, so I had to use my old Big Shot with these dies...that's what left the wrinkle marks! If you have not yet purchased the Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine, it works SOOOO much better - with the embossing folders, as well. It's totally worth getting. (But you might want to wait until January 5th, when you can choose a free item for every $50 you spend, during Sale-a-Bration.)

The Yeti to Party Stamp Set is great for winter themed projects, because it's not totally about Christmas. A picture of the stamp set is below. You can easily trim apart the photopolymer stamps to rearrange the greetings to say things like: "is it your birthday Yeti?", or "winter wishes & hugs", or "birthday wishes". And you can see the images aren't all just about Christmas, either. I love the little hot cocoa cup.

I can't share the insides of the 2023 Jan-Apr Mini Catalog, or the 2023 Jan-Feb Sale-a-Bration Brochure with you yet. Come back to my blog to grab your digital copies on January 5th! In the meantime, I can share the catalog and brochure cover, and some of the goodies I pre-ordered.

Stampin' Supplies: Yeti to Party Stamp Set, Crumb Cake Cardstock, Basic White Cardstock, Soft Succulent Cardstock, Balmy Blue Cardstock & Ink Pad, Soft Suede Ink Pad, Blender Pens, Clear Wink of Stella Brush, Yeti Dies, Whimsical Woodland 3D Embossing Folder, Fine Sparkle Adhesive-Backed Gems, Snowfall Accents Puff Paint, Multipurpose Liquid Glue, Stampin' Dimensionals, Simply Shammy (to clean photopolymer stamps), Paper Snips, Bone Folder, Grid Paper, and Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine (for dies and embossing folder).  {see Product Purchase Links under the Blog Roll}

We Create Blog Hop January 2023 Blog Roll
Kimberley Morris YOU ARE HERE!
Tricia Butts
Cheryl Curtis
Libby Fens

Stampin' Supplies Product Purchase Links:

Yeti To Party Photopolymer Stamp Set (English) [159826]	Crumb Cake 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [120953]	Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [159276]	Soft Succulent 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [155776]
Balmy Blue 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [146982]	Balmy Blue Classic Stampin' Pad [147105]	Soft Suede Classic Stampin' Pad [147115]	Blender Pens [102845]
Clear Wink Of Stella Glitter Brush [141897]	Yeti Dies [160253]	Whimsical Woodland 3 D Embossing Folder [159831]	Fine Sparkle Adhesive Backed Gems [159967]
Snowfall Accents Puff Paint [150691]	Multipurpose Liquid Glue [110755]	Stampin' Dimensionals [104430]	Simply Shammy [147042]
Paper Snips [103579]	Bone Folder [102300]	Grid Paper [130148]	Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine [149653]

Coming SOON: JANUARY's PAPER PUMPKIN kit!!!

SIGN UP no later than 11:50pm MT on JANUARY 10th to get the "Key to My Heart" Paper Pumpkin Kit!  Kit includes all the supplies you'll need to make 9 darling love-themed CARDS (which foldover to 4-1/4"x5-1/2") with coordinating envelopes (4-1/2"x5-3/4"), 3 each of 3 designs. It includes 9 coordinating envelopes, special padlock and key die cuts, adhesives, Vellum, and more than enough adhesive to complete the projects. This month’s kit has a unique love-theme photopolymer stamp set with special sentiments and featuring images that represent the tradition of locking padlocks on a bridge. January's kit comes with a Fresh Freesia Classic Stampin’ Spot (mini ink pad).

Coordinating colors for this kit include: Calypso Coral, Mango Melody, Petal Pink, and of course, Fresh Freesia. The pre-printed designs are accented with gold foil.

Note: Supplies may be limited toward the end of the subscription period, so SIGN UP NOW!

PLUS, this month there is a coordinating ADD-ON package of Heart Boxes available for purchase separately. Each package contains 10 heart-shaped boxes (finished outer size 3"x4"**), with 10 key-shaped stickers, and 12 die-cut labels. Coordinating Colors are Petal Pink with gold foil. You will need to be a Paper Pumpkin subscriber to purchase this Add-On, so SIGN UP with your email address, to make sure it is in the system for verification. Then, once you are a subscriber, you can Skip the January box (or any months you want), or even Cancel your subscription after ordering the Add-On if you don't want to get the Paper Pumpkin kit delivered to you. **Please note that the inner box size is smaller.

View or Download PDF of CURRENT Product Catalogs:

2022 July-December (HOLIDAY) Mini Catalog

Stampin' Up! 2022-2023 Annual Catalog

    JANUARY Monthly Perks HOST Code: AATNZEB7
(if your order total in My Online Store equals or exceeds $150, please do NOT use my Monthly Perks Host Code...you will have earned Stampin' Rewards of your own!)

Get your Stampin' Supplies in my ONLINE STORE, and Be sure to check out these Deals:
CLEARANCE RACK (Up to 60% OFF Retired Product)
BUNDLE & SAVE!!! (Product Bundles at 10% OFF Everyday!)
BEGINNER STAMPER?? (Click the link and Choose a Category to BEGIN!)

~Kimberley Morris Colorado Springs, CO
Stampin' Up! Independent Demonstrator since 1994
procrastistamper@gmail.com
http://kimberley.stampinup.net (SHOP ONLINE 24/7!)
BECOME A DEMONSTRATOR
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Connect with me on FACEBOOK
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SUBSCRIBE to my Blog via EMAIL

Round Array Stamp Set and 7/8" Scallop Circle Punch BUNDLE

Hey, you remember that 7/8" Scallop Circle Punch I mentioned in yesterday's blog post, that coordinates with the Ciao Baby stamp set? Well, here's a totally cool deal for you: Get the NEW Round Array stamp set* and the 7/8" Scallop Circle Punch in a Bundle for 15% OFF!!! It's available in English, Spanish and French, and you can get the Bundle Savings through May 30th. Do you already have the punch? No worries, you can buy the Round Array stamp set all by its lonesome. See below for ordering links:

BUNDLES
Spring Surprise Bundle (English; clear) 133899
Spring Surprise Bundle (French; clear) 133898
Spring Surprise Bundle (Spanish; clear) 133897

STAMP SET ONLY
A Round Array Stamp Set* (English; clear) 129090
Médallions séduction Stamp Set (French; clear) 131616
Variedades Stamp Set (Spanish; clear) 131682

*Stamp set is only offered in clear-mount for this special Sneak Peek promotion. Wood-mount option will be available in the 2013-2014 annual catalog.

~Kimberley Morris Colorado Springs, CO
Stampin' Up! Independent Demonstrator since 1994
procrastistamper@gmail.com http://kimberley.stampinup.net (SHOP ONLINE 24/7!)
BECOME A DEMONSTRATOR
Connect with me on FACEBOOK
Connect with me on PINTEREST
Connect with me on TWITTER
SUBSCRIBE to my Blog via EMAIL

Green & Growing...Summer Smooches

I haven't been feeling well the last couple months, and I was so excited to get the Summer Smooches Designer Series Paper...then just wasn't up to playing with it. By the way, tonight (April 30, 2012 at 11:50pm Mountain Time) is the deadline to order not only the Summer Smooches Sneak Peek products, but also products from the Occasions Mini catalog. Anyway, my one goal today was to get this card posted for you, and for me--as an entry in the SoShellicom Creative Challenge, themed Green & Growing.  As soon as I read the theme, this card was Green & Growing in my mind :-)  I started it early in the month but just finished it today. {Click photo for full-size image!}

All the printed paper is from the Summer Smooches Designer Series Paper pack, and the Daffodil Delight Seam Binding Ribbon is from the Summer Smooches promotion also. I love how the green colored paper has lines on it--I just snipped right down those lines, then cut the tops at angles, and scrunched, to make the "grass" on the card! See those little tiny flowers at the top left and bottom right of the greeting? They are punched out of another piece of Summer Smooches DSP, using the little 4-petal flower from the Itty Bitty Punch Pack. The flower punch fits perfectly over each of the little circles on that patterned piece of paper, for the perfect accent.

The greeting itself is actually a stamp available only to demonstrators to purchase. I got it at Convention last summer. Don't you wish you were a demonstrator, too? Guess what...Stampin' Up! has just come up with a NEW $99 Starter Kit, where you order ANY product you want, up to a retail value of $125. Stay tuned, I'll give you full details tomorrow.

~Kimberley Morris
Stampin' Up! Independent Demonstrator since 1994
Colorado Springs, CO
procrastistamper@gmail.com
http://kimberley.stampinup.net (SHOP ONLINE)
BECOME A DEMONSTRATOR

Summer Smooches Sneak Peek (April 1-30)

Click HERE for the PDF color flyer!

During the Summer Smooches promotion, Stampin' Up! is offering the opportunity to purchase a suite of brand-new products from the 2012-2013 catalog, including two Limited Edition products that are only available April 1-30.  The items are listed below for your convenience, the Limited Edition products are marked with an asterisk. Click the image above to SHOP SUMMER SMOOCHES NOW!

125495 Bright Blossoms Wood-Mount Set $16.95
125497 Bright Blossoms Clear-Mount Set $12.95
125409 Summer Smooches Designer Series Paper $10.95
125583 Daffodil Delight 1/2" Seam Binding Ribbon $6.95
125411 Summer Smooches Designer Fabric $9.95
125589 Summer Smooches Fabric Designer Brads* $6.95 SOLD OUT
125626 Summer Smooches Décor Stencil* $7.95
125606 Petite Purse Bigz L Die $32.95
129919 Summer Smooches Photobook Template $17.95 (digital art)
129601 Summer Smooches Digital Kit $9.95 (digital art)

My favorite is the Petite Purse Bigz XL Die...you can see how adorable it is in the picture below--the sample was made using the Summer Smooches Designer Series Paper, and coordinating card stock. The coordinating colors are: Daffodil Delight, Real Red, Tempting Turquoise, Lucky Limeade, Island Indigo, Tangerine Tango, and Rich Razzleberry.

Can't you just see these adorable purses as table favors at your Mother's Day luncheon? How about making them to give out at coffee with your gal pals? And, wouldn't your girly-girl graduate just coo over a gift of jewelry in this petite purse?? You don't even have to put gifts or treats in the purses, think of the fun you could have putting a basket of these out on a table, with fortunes or fun quotes in them! Remember, the Petite Purse Bigz XL Die will not be available again for purchase until June 1st, so BUY IT NOW to use for Mother's Day and your graduation celebrations.

NOTE: Stampin' Up! dies are intended for use in the Big Shot Die Cutting Machine...and if you purchase your Stampin' Up! dies from me, you are welcome to come over and use my Big Shot if you are not yet ready to make the investment in your own :-)

~Kimberley Morris
Stampin' Up! Independent Demonstrator since 1994
Colorado Springs, CO
procrastistamper@gmail.com
http://kimberley.stampinup.net (SHOP ONLINE)
BECOME A DEMONSTRATOR

2011 New In Colors - Color Collection Sampler Cards

Earlier today, I mentioned the new In Colors that you will be able to order from the catalog on July 1st.  As you may already be aware, every year there are 5 trendy colors (hence the name, In Colors) added to our repertoire. These trendy colors stay at least two years, so that the In Colors introduced in 2010 will be retired in 2012, and the new ones we are getting in 2011 will be retired in 2013, and so on. So, starting this year, we will have a selection of 10 In Colors to augment our 40 Core Colors every year :-)

I was trying to create a simple sampler, and ran across a 1/4 sheet system, but wanted something smaller. So, I came up with an eighth-sheet card system for not only the In Colors, but also the Core Color collections. Below is a picture of the all 5 sampler cards, and a shot of just the card featuring the new In Color Collection. Please remember that colors can be difficult to picture accurately on a computer screen [click either pic to see it full-size]:

NEW 2011 IN COLORS: POOL PARTY, CALYPSO CORAL, LUCKY LIMEADE, WISTERIA WONDER, and ISLAND INDIGO

Click HERE to download Color Collection Cards PDF

(cards only, no colors or product included)

The file above contains three pages. If you are only going to be printing out a set for your own personal use, you can just print out the first page. If you are a demonstrator and are mass producing sets for downline or customer use, you'll find pages 2 and 3 convenient for volume. TIP: Be sure you print these at 100%, which is the same as Page Scaling set to None.

The cards are set to be 4-1/4" wide by 2-3/4" tall, so that you can get 8 equal size cards from a letter sized sheet of card stock. I punched card stock using the Small Heart Punch, and it fits perfectly in each section! You can punch a hole in the top corner of each and put them all on a ring. And at this size, you can add them to the back of your Color Coach cards (which already include a ring). I want to stress that the Color Coach is an amazing tool for coordination, color comparison, and color combination, and the cards I've made have a different purpose--they display "real-life" product samples.

~Kimberley Morris
Stampin' Up! Independent Demonstrator since 1994
Colorado Springs, CO
procrastistamper@gmail.com
http://kimberley.stampinup.net (SHOP ONLINE)
BECOME A DEMONSTRATOR

Sneak Peek Pennant Parade & Punch

I've been yakking about the retiring products every day because I haven't wanted you to miss out on getting something you want before it's gone. But I'd also like to take a moment to give you a little Sneak Peek of some cool upcoming new products:

Oooh, look at the pennants...aren't they so cute?? Notice the neighbor kids' playhouse behind the card? That just makes it even more fun!

This card features new products that you will be able to purchase July 1st. It includes the Pennant Parade stamp set, and the Petite Pennants Punch. The punch has two images on it--the scalloped pennant, as well as a smaller triangle, which I layered onto each scalloped pennant punch on this card. The pennant images in the Pennant Parade stamp set can be rotated to become Christmas trees, and there is even a little tree trunk stand you can stamp underneath. The set also includes several greetings, so you can use it for the holidays, and all year. The "wish big" greeting is perfect for birthdays!

There are also a couple of new In Colors featured on this card, namely Island Indigo (the teal color) and Pool Party (the lighter blue). I really like these colors together, and especially on a neutral background because they can be used for a guy or a girl. I'll post more about the upcoming new In Colors later, just keep in mind that pictures hardly do them justice. They are awesome in person :-)

And I want to point out the Early Espresso Baker's Twine stringing the pennants across the card--you can order that right now, and let me just say that I think we'll be seeing more of this twine throughout the year (hint, hint). To bring in a little coordination with the twine, I inked and sponged the "wish big" greeting with Early Espresso ink. The background of the card is my favorite neutral color that goes with everything: Crumb Cake.

~Kimberley Morris
Stampin' Up! Independent Demonstrator since 1994
Colorado Springs, CO
procrastistamper@gmail.com
http://kimberley.stampinup.net (SHOP ONLINE)
BECOME A DEMONSTRATOR

Spring is Blossoming!

[Click graphic to see full-size.]

During the month of April, purchase or earn for FREE, two Sneak Peek products, which will not be available again until the 2011-2012 Idea Book & Catalog debuts in July: Four Frames stamp set, Paisley Prints Designer Series Paper. Qualify to purchase either or both products with a $20 minimum order, OR get BOTH ITEMS FREE with a Workshop of at least $350 in sales (before tax & shipping).

Click HERE to see full-color flyer.

Below is a card I've made using these two Sneak Peek products, and some coordinating items. Just as an FYI, the Four Frames stamp set is sized perfectly for use with the Decorative Label Punch, and here are some colors that coordinate well with the Paisley Prints Designer Series Paper: Baja Breeze, Cherry Cobbler, Chocolate Chip, Marina Mist, Not Quite Navy, Old Olive, River Rock, Soft Suede, and Tangerine Tango.

[Click card image to see full-size.]

Click HERE to see a cute boxed card set you can also make with the Spring Is Blossoming Special products!

Stampin' Supplies: Four Frames stamp set, Paisley Prints Designer Series Paper, Decorative Label Punch, Three Little Words stamp set, Baja Breeze card stock and ink, Bravo Burgundy card stock and ink (or use Cherry Cobbler), Very Vanilla card stock, Crumb Cake card stock, Chantilly lace ribbon, Baja Breeze seam binding ribbon, Vintage Adornment (Baja Breeze flower), Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder (used with Big Shot), Mini Glue Dots, Stampin' Dimensionals, Stampin' Sponge, Pearl Jewels.

~Kimberley Morris
Stampin' Up! Independent Demonstrator since 1994
Colorado Springs, CO
procrastistamper@gmail.com
http://kimberley.stampinup.net (SHOP ONLINE)
BECOME A DEMONSTRATOR

Animal Stories Bat

As I was putting away the kitty card I made for the previous post, I realized you can also make a bat with the owl image in the Animal Stories stamp set (available for purchase July 1st!).

All I did was stamp the owl in Basic Black. Then, I took a scrap piece of Basic Black card stock and took a "bite" out of it in two places with the Scallop Circle Punch. Then I lined up the 1" Circle Punch over 3 of the scallops in one of the "bites" I had taken out of the Basic Black card stock, and then punch to get a wing shape that is rounded on top, and reverse scalloped on the bottom. Line up the 1" Circle Punch over the second "bite" area in the same way, and you have your two wings!

Glue the wings alongside the owl body in whatever position you like. I used the Two-Way Glue Pen because it's quick and neat, and I can easily use just the very little amount of glue I want. Then, take a Close to Cocoa marker and fill in the spots on the owl. Color in the "beak" and eyes with a Real Red marker, and you're done! If you're really good, you might be able to add in a couple of white fangs over the red mouth...but I don't have time for that just now!

I can see this on a card front, with maybe some Rich Razzleberry sponged clouds behind it, and the "happy halloween" greeting from the Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp set, on the Modern Label Punch. I'll have to give that a shot for tomorrow's blog entry!

Sneak Peek with a Twist (Animal Stories Kitty)

This card was made with a Sneak Peek stamp set, called Animal Stories. The set is a Sneak Peek because it will be in the new catalog, which will be unveiled July 1st...but I got to preorder the stamp set as a Demonstrator! There are 4 stamps in the set, a whale, a giraffe, an owl, and an elephant. So, you may be wondering how I got a kitty out of the set. Honestly, a kitty was the first thing that came to mind when I saw the picture of this stamp set. If I didn't have my sweetie, my kids, and my stamps to keep me entertained, I'd probably be a CCL (crazy cat lady).

It wasn't hard at all to make the kitty. I just stamped the owl, and then the tail of the whale, in Brocade Blue, and then used my handy-dandy Paper Snips to trim off the last swirl of the whale's tail to use as the cat's tail. I then colored in the nose with a Pretty in Pink marker, and made whiskers and colored in the eyes with a Basic Black marker.

You can actually draw little triangle shapes down the side of the inked up owl, with a darker colored marker, and then stamp, to get a stripey cat--it turns out way cute! Use different colored markers to make a tortoise-shell or calico cat. For those of you out there who just don't like to, or can't, cut the little strip of whale's tail out, you can still make a kitty by using the brush end of a coordinating marker and just drawing it on.

The tag on the card was also made from Sneak Peek product--it uses the Modern Label Punch. Believe me, you're going to see this punch everywhere, and you will HAVE to have it on July 1st. In fact, you might want to order it as soon as you can (Noon MST on July 1st) so you don't risk waiting for it on backorder, because I'm sure it is going to be a big hit with everyone! I took a VersaMarker and drew around the inside of the tag, to make it look a little more 3-D, and I even added a couple of score lines around where I put the brads. It gives the label a lot more depth...or at least it seems that way to me.

The Designer Series Paper (DSP) I used in the background is called Tall Tales, and the images on many of the sheets coordinate with the Animal Stories stamp set. The flowers on my card came from the flip side of the So Saffron sheet I used from the Tall Tales DSP package. I used those wonderful Paper Snips again, to trim them out. I stamped a greeting from another Sneak Peek stamp set, called Teeny Tiny Wishes, on the tag. I used Craft ink to stamp this in Ballet Blue, so that it would be opaque, and the color of the ink would remain true instead of soaking in and mixing with the card stock to take on a greenish tint.

Stampin' Supplies: Animal Stories stamp set*, Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp set*, Melon Mambo (8-1/2"x11") Textured card stock*, Tall Tales DSP*, Modern Label Punch*, 1-3/8" Circle Punch, Scallop Circle Punch, Ballet Blue card stock and Craft Ink, Whisper White card stock, Brocade Blue ink pad, Basic Black marker, Pretty in Pink marker, 1/16" hole punch, Rich Regals Brads Asst. (Brocade Blue), VersaMarker, Paper Snips.

*THESE PRODUCTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE UNTIL JULY 1ST!

National Scrapbooking Month Specials

May is National Scrapbooking Month, and Stampin' Up! is offering THREE specials to celebrate! Use promotional products to help you record your memories, or make new memories by becoming a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator at a huge discount :-) ACT NOW--ONLY TWO WEEKS LEFT TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THESE GREAT PROMOTIONS!

Click HERE to view, or right click to download, a full-color promotional flyer listing all three specials.

JUMBLE ALPHABET SNEAK PEEK AT 20% OFF:
The new Stampin' Up! Idea Book & Catalog will be available for ordering starting July 1st, 2009. This special involves a stamp set, called Jumble Alphabet, which will be available for order in the new catalog. This month, you get a Sneak Peek at the stamp set, and you may purchase it at 20% off the retail price, for $35.16! (reg. $43.95). Click HERE to view all the images in the stamp set. (This set contains 52 images, and is intended to be double-mounted on 26 wood blocks. Right click HERE to download a PDF to assist you in correctly mounting the images on the wooden blocks included with the set.)

BUY 3, GET 1 FREE - Designer Series Papers & 12"x12" Textured Card Stock:
During the month of May, buy three packages of any Designer Series Paper (DSP) or 12"x12" Textured Card Stock, and get a 4th package FREE! You may mix and match products, so you could purchase two packs of DSP, one pack of Textured Card Stock, and get one pack of *either* product for FREE. Click HERE to view, or right click to download, a PDF file listing all available selections, with colors, patterns, and prices for reference.

$75 SCRAPBOOKING STARTER KIT:
This month, you can become a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator for only $75 with the scrapbooking focused Starter Kit. You don't have to be a scrapbooker, or even use the Scrapbooking Starter Kit supplies for scrapbooking--you can make cards using the supplies! (I can show you how!) As with the Standard Starter Kit, the Scrapbooking Starter Kit is customizable, and contains all the business supplies you would get with the Standard Starter Kit.

Click HERE to see the contents of the Scrapbooking Starter Kit, and look for my next blog post for details on how you can use the Scrapbooking Starter Kit to jump start your Demonstratorship. You don't have to run a business with your Demonstratorship, this is a great way to get your stamping and scrapbooking products at a discount. Check out THIS BLOG POST for some great benefits of becoming a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator.

If you're ready to sign up right now, just hop on over to my Join Stampin' Up! page and enter my Recruiter Authorization Password: newdemonstrator (all one word, no spaces).

If you want to sign up and you have any questions at all, please feel free to call me at 719-205-5957, or email me. I'll be sure to call you back on my dime! The same goes for any of the specials, or any purchase you would like to make through me.--you may shop 24-7 at my ONLINE STORE, or call or email me with your order if you have questions before you place it.

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

Movers & Shapers, and Tantalizing Texture Plates

I got my new catalog order the other day, and I felt like I just had to play with the Movers & Shapers Curly Label Sizzix Die for a swap I participated in yesterday. The Movers & Shapers die cut creates a foldover card (complete with score line), and you can move the Curly Label cutout anywhere you want on the front. So, I quickly made the cute card below.

But then I remembered an old cello bag trick that would be perfect with this die, so I played around a little, put an extra couple of score lines on the card (about 1/2" on either side of the Curly Label die score line), and folded the card up so I could put a cello bag of treats in there, with a topper holding it closed. The Curly Label cutout lets the treat peek through. Notice the Top Note die cut folded over the top, embellished with a stamp from a delightful Sneak Peek stamp set called "Yummy", which you can get for FREE during the-Sale-A-Bration which starts February 1st!

You'll notice that the front of the treat holder is covered with dry embossing. I used my new Texturz Plates! After some experimenting, I figured out that I would need to run the front half of the card stock through the Texturz Plate FIRST, and then run the card through the Curly Label die. If you do it the other way around, the perforations around the Curly Label cutout get sort of mashed and aren't as pronounced and flattering.

Also, to get the Texturz Plate to make a nice crisp emboss, I spritzed the front and back of the card stock with water (then blotted off excess between some paper towels) before placing it through the Big Shot. I was very pleased with the results, and highly recommend this trick with the Texturz Plates. You can always use a heat gun to more rapidly dry the card stock afterward--just remember that heating it gently and evenly on both sides (i.e., flip it over and back again, often) is the trick to help prevent buckling or warping.

Curly Label Love Card Stampin' Supplies: Short & Sweet stamp set, Riding Hood Red card stock & ink, Basic Black ink, Whisper White card stock, Scallop Edge Punch, Curly Label Punch Bundle (incl. Curly Label Punch + Cute & Curly stamp set), Movers & Shapers Curly Label Sizzix Die, White Organza ribbon, Crop-A-Dile (3/8" punch holes).

Curly Label Treat Holder Stampin' Supplies: "Yummy" Sale-A-Bration stamp set, Riding Hood Red card stock & ink, Pretty in Pink card stock, Top Note Sizzix Die, Movers & Shapers Curly Label Sizzix Die, SU! Backgrounds I Sizzix Texturz Plates, Crop-A-Dile (3/8" hole), Riding Hood Red Striped Grosgrain, small cello bag.

You can place your order NOW for any of these supplies through my ONLINE STORE, however, you'll need to wait for February 1st if you'd like to qualify for the "Yummy" stamp set, or any of the other five FREE items! You can also qualify for more FREE stamp sets during the Sale-A-Bration, as a Hostess--so give me a call today to book your Stampin' Playdate in the Colorado Springs area, on your preferred date! (719-205-5957)

Bee Mine, Valentine

This picture just doesn't do this project justice, so I'll have to see if I can take a better one for you tomorrow in the daylight. UPDATE: the picture below was taken in the morning sunlight, but it was super windy so I only got one shot at it! [Click on the picture to see it full-size.]

I spent like all afternoon making this card. I don't usually take this much time making a card, but I had a vision of the starting point (a bee hive and bees in Pink Pirouette & Riding Hood Red) and not much more than that. So, I had to think it out as I went. And, it took a while to get it to where I was happy with it--especially with having to watercolor on Very Vanilla card stock, cutting out the delicate little bees, and then cutting out all the stamped letters individually.

How do you like the Pretties Kit hat pin used as an arrow through the heart on the top left? I felt so clever after that finishing touch! I dyed White Tafetta ribbon with the Pink Pirouette ink to get it to coordinate with the card. And, I don't know if you can tell, but the little bees' wings have a teensy bit of Dazzling Diamonds glitter which is quite adorable in real life.

This sample was made with products from the Love You Much Bundle, which you can order right now, but it's only available if you contact me directly. (portions of the bundle are on backorder, and the Online Store will not let you purchase out of stock items) I also used a new stamp set called Just Buzzin' By as my focal point. It's cute as a bug...which is appropriate, since bees ARE bugs...and you will be able to order it starting January 19th. The letters were stamped with the Short Order Alphabet. I'm too embarrassed to tell you how long that set has been sitting unassembled on my shelf. But at least it's all put together now that I just had to use it for this card!

Wow, Flowers!

I mean, Wow Flowers...as in, this is a Sneak Peek at the new Wow Flowers stamp set. This is going to be my shoebox swap card at Convention. I'm making 35 of these, and bringing supplies for 5 other Demonstrators to make this card. It is not complicated, but I think it looks nice, and it features a lot of new stuff: the Wow Flowers stamp set, Bella Rose Designer Series Paper, and three new In Colors (Pink Pirouette, Riding Hood Red, and Kiwi Kiss).

I think I've mentioned before that I'm just not a really big fan of flowers, so you'll notice that I used non-flower patterned sides of the Bella Rose papers. The patterns I used are little bit leafy and baroque. There are also stripes and dots, and other non-flower designs in the package, so the Bella Rose papers are a great product with a lot of versatility!

I'll be leaving for Convention on Tuesday, and I'd like to set some posts to display while I'm gone, but you know I'm a procrastistamper so that may or may not work out!! Either way, I'm sure I'll have tons of great stuff to post when I get back.

Stampin' Supplies: Wow Flowers stamp set*, Pink Pirouette card stock and ink pad*, Whisper White card stock, Bella Rose Designer Series Papers*, Riding Hood Red ink pad*, Kiwi Kiss ink pad*, Scallop Edge Punch*, 1/16" hole punch, Horizontal Slot punch (ribbon feeds through that hole on the right side of card), Whisper White 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon, 1" Circle Punch, 1-1/4" Circle Punch, Earth Elements Brads (Ruby Red & Old Olive), Stampin' Dimensionals®.

*Denotes products which will be available for purchase beginning August 11th, 2008.

Sock Monkey for President!!

Sorry I've been a little absent here lately, we've had kind of a "family emergency" going on...long story...suffice it to say, it's been BUSY around here!

But I did get a chance to fiddle around some more with Sock Monkey before the poop hit the fan, and I came up with the Patriotic Monkey look. The hat was made with the Large and Small Oval Punches. The band of the hat is a Small Oval punched piece, with a "bite" taken out of it again with the Small Oval Punch. The white top of the hat is the Small Tag Punch (which I trimmed at the top and sides), then I added strips of red to the hat, and a layer of red behind the white section of the hat. I used the white gel pen for stars, and a Versamarker for some highlights on it.

Stampin' Supplies: Sock Monkey stamp set*, StazOn Jet Black ink, Pacific Point Textured card stock*, Riding Hood Red card stock*, Blush Blossom Textured card stock, Whisper White card stock, Very Vanilla Watercolor Wonder Crayon, Going Grey Watercolor Wonder Crayon (for shadows on the monkey), Large & Small Oval Punches, Small Tag Punch, VersaMarker, white gel pen, Two-Way glue pen.

*Denotes Sneak Peek product not available for customer order until August 11th, 2008.

In other news, the Retiring Accessories List is HERE. All items marked with an asterisk are on SALE for 25% OFF!!

And you will be able to place your personal Stampin' Up!® product orders with me, anytime day or night, 24/7 via ONLINE ORDERING, directly from my company web site this fall! Stay tuned for more details and the unveiling...