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Join Stampin' Up! for $75

I want to explain a little bit more about why I think the $75 Scrapbooking Starter Kit is such a great deal for you, no matter whether you want to run your demonstratorship as a business, or as a hobbyist.

The Standard Starter Kit is regularly $199, and you can see all the contents HERE. This month's Scrapbooking Starter Kit is only $75, and you can see all the contents HERE. The default product choices for the Scrapbooking Starter Kit are pictured above, for your reference.

The business supplies are the same in each kit, only the retail products are different. And you do NOT have to make scrapbook pages with the Simply Scrappin'® Kit in the Scrapbooking Starter Kit, so don't let that bother you! There are tons of ideas I can share with you for cards or projects you can make with whatever Simply Scrappin'® Kit you choose!

Once you become a SU! Demonstrator, all your purchases are at least 20% off, and you also qualify to get 30% OFF on your first Workshop Order ($150 or more) that you place within 45 days of signing up.

So, here's the deal with the $75 special for May:

- If you get the Scrapbooking Starter Kit for $75, and you want to be a hobbyist who gets their product at a discount, you are set up right away to order at a minimum 20% Demonstrator Discount.
- If you want to start a business to generate revenue, once you sign up with the $75 Scrapbooking Starter Kit, you can then plan to order any other startup products you want on your first Workshop Order, and get them at a 30% discount!
- Whether you only order products for yourself, or you submit orders from customers, all your sales after the $75 Scrapbooking Starter Kit will count towards your minimum sales quota to keep you active as a Demonstrator!

If you want to start a SU! business, it looks to me like the $75 Scrapbooking Starter Kit might cost less than the Standard Starter Kit, even if you place a $150 Workshop Order for basic supplies to get you going! Follow along with my train of thought here...your outlay would be $75 for the Scrapbooking Starter Kit, then you could place a $150 Workshop Order for the basic stamping supplies you'll want for your demonstrations or classes. That's $225, HOWEVER, you are going to get $45 off the $150 Workshop Order (as your 30% discount) if you place it within 45 days.

That means your Scrapbooking Starter Kit, PLUS your basic startup supplies will only cost you $180*, which is almost $20 less than the cost of the Standard Starter Kit. PLUS, you will get an additional $15 in FREE Hostess Merchandise on your Workshop Order. Between the items in the Scrapbooking Starter Kit, and the items on your $150 Workshop Order, you should have approximately $250 worth of retail product for an outlay of only $180. And, that total does NOT include the $63 worth of Starter Kit Business Supplies--so it's like you're getting all of those for FREE! PLUS, you will have $150 in sales from your Workshop Order to go towards your minimum sales quota to keep you active!

FYI: The minimum sales quota for a SU! Demonstrator is $300 in three months, and the three months are always divided by calendar quarters (Jan-Mar, Apr-Jun, Jul-Sep, Oct-Dec). For brand new Demonstrators, the quota is not enforced until the first FULL quarter you have been a Demonstrator. Therefore, if you join during May, your first $300 in sales will need to be turned in by September 30th.

Once you purchase the $75 Scrapbooking Starter Kit, all your catalog purchases after that will count towards your sales quota. So, you are putting out less money to become a Demonstrator, and to get to the point where you can place discounted orders which will count towards you remaining active as a Demonstrator! You decide whether your activity will be hobby, or business (part-time or full-time!). Either way, the $75 Scrapbooking Starter Kit will help you get more out of your Demonstratorship with a smaller investment!

Please feel free to call me at 719-205-5957 or email me to get ideas on how to customize your Scrapbooking Starter Kit, and what basic supplies you might want to order on your $150 Workshop Order (if you want to hold workshops or classes). I'd love to have you join my team--there's no experience necessary, I can teach you all the stamping and business stuff you want or need to know!

If you are ready to sign up now, you can do so online at my Join Stampin' Up! Page. You'll need to enter my Recruiter Authorization Password: newdemonstrator (all one word, no spaces), and you can join by using a credit or debit card. If you would like to sign up by mailing in a check, please download the paperwork HERE. The mailing address is located on the Scrapbooking Starter Kit Order Form, and you'll need to make sure it reaches Stampin' Up! no later than 5pm on Friday, May 29th. (If you need to express your letter, you may choose to use this street address: Stampin' Up!, 12907 S. 3600 W., Riverton, UT 84065.)

*Please note: prices do not include shipping or tax. Starter Kit orders have free shipping, shipping for Workshop Orders is 10% of the retail merchandise total.

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

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

Great Friend Card Pouch

I saw something like this posted on a fellow demonstrator's blog recently, without a pattern, and thought it might be easy to re-create something similar with a sheet of card stock. I started by making a larger one with 12x12 card stock, but I honestly don't keep much of that size on hand, so I thought a tutorial for using letter sized sheets might be more practical. This card pouch should easily hold at least 8 standard size cards & envelopes! (I hope to post some matching cards tomorrow, to complete the gift set)

REMEMBER: as you go through this tutorial, you can click on any picture to see it larger. You will use ONE full sheet of 8-1/2" x 11" card stock to create the card pouch itself. Additional card stock will be necessary for embellishment.

First you'll want to cut two 4-1/2" x 8-1/2" pieces from your sheet of card stock. These pieces form the front and back of your box, so if you would like to decorate the background of these pieces, with Texturz Plates or Stampin' Around wheels, this is the time to do it! On each of these two 4-1/2" x 8-1/2" pieces, you will make one score mark 1-1/2" into one side of the card stock, parallel to the 4-1/2" side. The area from the score mark to the end of the card stock (approximately 1-1/2" x 4-1/2") will be the bottom of the project, so it's okay if your decoration does not extend all the way across that part.

After you cut the two 4-1/2" x 8-1/2" pieces, you will be left with a 2" x 8-1/2" strip. Cut this strip in half to get two 2" x 4-1/4" strips. On three sides of each 2" x 4-1/4" strip, make a score mark approximately 1/4" in from the side. Cut out the two small scored squares in the corners of each of the pieces. See picture below for end results of all cut and scored pieces:

Next, you'll want to punch holes in the top of each 4-1/2" x 8-1/2" piece, to use as a "handle", to tie the box closed. The top of each piece is the end farthest away from the score marks. The easiest way I've found to place a punch hole exactly where I want it, is to create a template out of grid paper.

To create a punch template for this project, cut a piece of grid paper to 4-1/2" wide, by 2" tall. To find the middle of the strip, fold it in half, then take a pen or pencil and mark the center line. Then decide how far the punch should be from the edge of the project. For this project, 1/2" from the edge is perfect. So, make another pencil mark at 1/2" from one of the 4-1/2" edges of the grid paper. See grid paper picture below for visual on the markings:

Now that I have the center of my template marked, and have marked the edge of where I want my punch hole, I will line up my punch using these lines for reference, and punch it. See pictures below for closeups:

All that's left is to place Dotto (temporary adhesive) on the back of the template, and stick it to the top of the 4-1/2" x 8-1/2" piece of card stock, lining up the edges of the grid paper with the card stock, as shown below. Remember, the top is the end farthest from the score mark. You can see exactly where to punch the hole now. You can either leave the template in place and line up the punch to punch inside the hole, or you can trace the punched out area with a pencil, if you don't want to risk over-punching into your paper template. Remove the grid paper template, and place it on the other 4-1/2" x 8-1/2" piece, and punch the second handle hole.

Take one of the 4-1/2" x 8-1/2" pieces, and place Sticky Strip (or other high-tack/strong adhesive) across the scored part as shown below. I like Sticky Strip because it is strong, and I don't have to wait for it to dry!:

Remove the red liner from the tape, and stick the two 4-1/2" x 8-1/2" pieces together, by overlapping the scored areas. For more detail, see the pictures below--they are taken from a few different angles to give you a better idea of what you're looking at. The front panel will be the one on which you place your Sticky Strip, because you will only see a fold at the bottom front, and not a seam.[Remember, you can see a larger image by clicking on any picture in this post.]

Now you'll use the 2" x 4-1/4" pieces to make the sides of the card pouch. To make assembly easier, fold each of the scored sides in towards the bump of the score mark, then fold back flat. See pictures below for visual:

Next, place adhesive onto the scored edges of each side piece, as shown below. If you use Sticky Strip, you may find it is just slightly wider than the area your scored tab will allow for adhesive. In this case, you can trim your Sticky Strip down the center lengthwise, and use half as much as I did on mine!

Remove the red liner from each piece of Sticky Strip as you get to it. You do not want the adhesive exposed before you are ready to join the pieces, or you might accidentally join tabs at the wrong place. I find it easiest to adhere the bottom tab of each side piece, to the bottom of the pouch first, as shown below.

After you adhere the bottom part of each side, then pull the sides of the box up and one by one remove the red liner from your Sticky Strip, carefully line up your pieces, and press to adhere.

Once all the side piece tabs are adhered, you may wish to take your bone folder and reach it inside the pouch, and press on the back side of the tabs to burnish the card stock into the adhesive. This provides a more secure holding.

Decorate the front of the box as desired, and loop ribbon through the handle to close the card pouch. The front looks beautiful when embossed with Texturz Plates, or stamped with a wheel in a coordinating color, prior to assembly. Experiment with rounding the corners, or punching partial shapes away from each corner (i.e., with the Designer Label punch) to add interest and elegance. You should be able to fit 8-12 standard cards, plus their envelopes, in this box--depending on the amount of layering you use on your cards.

This card pouch, filled with handmade cards and coordinating decorated envelopes, makes an excellent Mother's Day gift! Just remember, if you are giving away notecard sets, you'll want to be careful with your embellishments. Anything that makes a card over 1/4" thick, or which causes a significant protrusion from the card, may result in the following: sender may have to apply extra postage to the card, recipient may receive the card postage due, or, a protruding embellishment may be caught in a postal machine and mangle the envelope and/or the card.

Stampin' Supplies: Great Friend stamp set, Baja Breeze card stock and ink, Whisper White card stock, Top Note Sizzix Die, Walk in the Park Designer Series Paper, Kiwi Kiss ink, Bordering Blue ink (for the butterfly), Mini Glue Dots (rolled up and placed along fold of butterfly to adhere), Kiwi Kiss/Vanilla Ribbon, Stampin' Sponge (for Baja Breeze along top of die cut), Stampin' Dimensionals (to adhere Top Note), Large Oval Punch, Corner Rounder Punch, 1-1/4" Pink Pirouette Ribbon (1" Baja Breeze Double Stitched would also be great here!), Sticky Strip, Paper Snips, Bone Folder & Fiskars Trimmer (for making score lines), Grid Paper, Dotto.

Starter Kit in 3 Easy Payments -- APRIL ONLY!

During the month of April, you can become a Stampin' Up!® Demonstrator with a payment of as little as $66.34 (+applicable tax). Complete your kit purchase with two more payments of approximately $66.33 each, on or about the 15th of May and June.

Click HERE to download a packet with all the details, instructions, and forms you will need to submit in order to become a demonstrator.

The most important bit of information you need to know is that this offer is NOT available online--Stampin' Up! must receive your application and order form (at their P.O. Box address) on or before April 30th.

The contents of the Standard Starter Kit are pictured above. The default choices are pictured, but you may customize the stamp sets, ink colors, and card stock colors in your kit as you choose! (see the Starter Kit Order Form included in the downloadable packet listed above for details)

You may also choose a Stampin' Memories Add-On Kit to supplement your Standard Starter Kit. This Add-On Kit includes 12"x12" card stock, an alphabet stamp set, an archival Craft stamp pad, an archival journaling marker, and a Simply Scrappin® scrapbooking kit. As with the Standard Starter Kit, there are some customization options available for the Stampin' Memories Add-On Kit.

Again, all the details you want and need to know may be found in THIS PACKET. Please feel free to email me, or call me at 719-205-5957, with any of your questions.

DEMONSTRATOR BONUS OFFER: If you become a demonstrator in my downline during the month of April, I will purchase any current stamp set valued at up to $28.95 for you, as my Welcome Gift!*
*This offer valid only through Kimberley Morris, Stampin' Up!® Independent Demonstrator.

April Get Connected Special

During the month of April, earn one FREE "Under $10" item from page 208 of the Spring-Summer Idea Book & Catalog, for every $40 in Occasions Mini Catalog merchandise purchased! That's up to nearly a 25% return on your order!!!

Hostesses during April may also choose one Under $10 item for FREE, for every $150 in customer merchandise purchased (from any current catalog) on their workshop.

Here are some links you may find handy...click to view them, or right click to download and save a copy on your hard drive:

• Occasions Mini Catalog
• Under $10 items
• Get Connection Promotion Flyer

There are two Mini Note Kits to choose from, which include 4 Gift Note Cards & Envelopes, 2 stamp images, and a Chocolate Chip Ink Spot.

You may also choose from eight different single stamps, and mix & match to cover a variety of occasions. Get connected with your friends, neighbors and relatives this month, using hand-stamped note cards!

Check out the mini picture below for a preview of your FREE stamp choices:

Drop me an email to place your order, call me at 719-205-5957 to place your order, or place your order directly through my ONLINE STORE (Open 24/7!). Several of the free Under $10 images would lend themselves quite nicely to 'thank you' notes for your child's teacher at the end of the school year, which is coming right up. Match them with your $40 in Occasions Mini Catalog merchandise to make some darling cards!

DEMONSTRATOR BONUS SPECIAL: Get a FREE Stampin' Write Marker in the color of your choice, with your first earned Under $10 item. Get a FREE blank stationery kit (8 foldover cards & envelopes), with your second earned Under $10 item. Choose either the marker, or the stationery kit, for each successive Under $10 item earned.*

*Online Orders will receive their free items in a separate shipment, please allow 2-3 weeks for processing and shipping. Color assortment of blank stationery kit will be Demonstrator's choice. This special only valid through Kimberley Morris, Stampin' Up!® Independent Demonstrator.

A Shower of Onesies!

I know people have babies all year round, but for some reason there is a huge surge in interest for baby cards in the Spring! So, I have a few to share, and a pattern so that you can make your own baby cards.

Click HERE to download ONESIE CARD PATTERN.

Of course, these make awesome baby announcements and baby congrats cards, but you could also make up a bunch to give to a new mom as 'thank you' cards for baby gifts, or they would be great for baby shower invitations. Use the gown version of the pattern for a christening...it could even be tweaked to make a little paper angel! Since you can print out the pattern, you could reduce the size of the onesie and cut some of them out for scrapbooking pages, or to put multiple onesies on the front of a card for twins, triplets, etc. The gown even makes a cute little dress that could be used as an invitation to a little girl's victorian tea party.

I have posted three different samples made with this pattern, so you can see that you can make a very simple and quick card (handy for making sets as gifts), or you can take your time and doll it up for a unique and memorable event.

Blue/White Onesie Stampin' Supplies: Family Phrases stamp set, Bashful Blue card stock and ink, Whisper White card stock, Brocade Blue ink, Stampin' Sponge (to highlight bib and flap with Bashful Blue ink), Sizzix Ovals Die (largest oval makes bib and medium oval makes flap), Large Oval Punch, Scallop Oval Punch (NEW-Order it beginning April 1st!), 1-3/8" Circle Punch, Scallop Circle Punch, Square Scallop Punch, Metallic Eyelets (silver), Crop-A-Dile (to punch holes and set eyelets), Paper Snips (for cutting out the pattern).

White Welcome Baby Onesie Stampin' Supplies: Short & Sweet stamp set, Whisper White card stock, Certainly Celery card stock, Basic Black ink (must be waterproof), Apricot Appeal marker, Almost Amethyst marker, Certainly Celery marker, Bordering Blue marker (to outline metal parts of diaper pin image), Soft Subtles Brads (Certainly Celery), 1/16" hole punch (to make holes for brads), Large Oval Punch (for neckline and for greeting), 1-3/8" Circle Punch, Paper Snips (for cutting out the pattern). [Other great sets to decorate the front are Zoofari, or other sets with little animal images. There is also a cute little teddy bear in the Family Accessories set, a baby rattle in the Holiday Blitz set and in the Sock Monkey Accessories set, and a cute little ducky toy in the Level 3 Goody-Goody Gumdrops set!]

White Gown Stampin' Supplies: Whisper White card stock, Large Oval Punch, Scallop Oval Frame Sizzix Die (snip into parts to create lace), Blush Blossom ink, Stampin' Sponge (to sponge ink on ends of lace for highlights), 1/16" hole punch (to make holes in scallops for "lace"), Paper Snips (for cutting out the pattern).

REMEMBER: TODAY IS THE LAST DAY FOR THE SALE-A-BRATION special! You can shop my ONLINE STORE anytime, 24/7 for your Stampin' Supplies! Stay tuned tomorrow for details on the April Special...