Valentine Hearts & Brackets

Holy cow, this is the first day the kids have been to school since their half day on December 17th to start their holiday break, some illness last week when they were supposed to go back for a couple days, and a snow day yesterday! I have a much easier time getting things done when they're at school. Anyway, I guess I'm on a Valentine kick lately...which is appropriate for the season, at least. Below is a simple card featuring just one image from the Define Your Life stamp set, the Big Shot (one die, one folder), and the Decorative Label Punch.

This was super easy to make, so if you didn't get a chance to send out holiday cards last month, set your goals to send out some cute valentines like this one, instead! Your valentine will definitely stand out as memorable. Oh, and this card is almost entirely flat, especially for mailing, so no worries over extra postage or special handling.

Stampin' Supplies: Define Your Life stamp set, Crumb Cake card stock, Whisper White card stock, Cherry Cobbler card stock & ink, Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder (used with Big Shot), Hearts & Brackets Die (used with Big Shot), Decorative Label Punch, Rhinestone Jewel, Mini Glue Dots, Stampin' Dimensionals (I highly recommend these last two adhesives to get your pieces to stick securely to the uneven surface of the embossed card front!).

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

Valentine Treat Mini Envelope Pouch

If you're looking for a simple, quick treat to make for Valentine's Day, this one is great. Inside is one Kit Kat snack bar and one Hershey snack bar (both are the .49 oz size):

Cute, huh? You can even tuck your business card in there behind the chocolate, to make a memorable impression! What I like about this project is that it uses very few supplies, NO adhesive, and you can actually cut the supplies down even further and go bare bones with it. You can make it with just the Mini Envelopes, I {Heart} Hearts stamp set, and a Real Red ink pad. Of course, you could kick this up a notch, too, and really doll it up if you want. I'm thinking along these lines: Very Vanilla envelopes, Antique Brads and Trinkets, Crochet Trim, Medium Jewelry Tag Punch, Tiny Tags stamp set, and some Linen Thread. (Maybe I'll post one of those tomorrow!)

INSTRUCTIONS: All you have to do is seal a Whisper White Square Mini Envelope, and turn it over and decorate the front. Then, punch the top off with the Scallop Border Punch, and sponge it. (or just trim one end off if you don't have the punch) Tuck the candy bars in, wrap a ribbon around and tie it in a knot, and highlight the knot with a rhinestone. My only TIP is that the "bag" has a nicer top if you make sure and orient the sealed flap to the bottom of the back of the bag, as you can see in the picture below.

Stampin' Supplies: Whisper White Square Mini Envelopes, I {Love} Love Jumbo Wheel & Handle, Pink Pirouette ink pad (to ink up wheel), I {Heart} Hearts stamp set, Real Red ink pad, Real Red 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon, Rhinestone Jewel, Scallop Border Punch, Stampin' Sponge.

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

Love Stamping? Become a Demonstrator!

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 multimedia training material through the Stampin' Up! web site, and an exclusive Demonstrator-Only online community. Seriously, you want to learn more about stamping? Become a Demonstrator!
3. EARN FREE STAMPIN' UP! PRODUCT through demonstrator incentives and promotions, and even earn an all-expense paid incentive trip 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 stamping purchases can qualify as tax-deductible business expenses...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, or by winning the So Shelli Creative Challenge.
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 since 1994. 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!).

In all my years of doing this, I have NEVER heard anyone say they regret having signed up--whether they continued with it after their initial startup period, or not. Think of this: you get to customize your kit to choose the merchandise you know you will LOVE and will definitely use in your crafting, you get tons of support, and the opportunity to make as much more out of it 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, and I can call you back if it's long distance) for suggestions.

Download or View Starter Kit Choices & Contents

I'm happy to talk to you about, or send you, more details about how it all works--with absolutely no obligation. The information is free, and the choice is yours...I'm just extending the opportunity.  Your honesty is always appreciated and respected, so you can determine if it's a good fit for you without censoring your concerns when you're talking to me :-)  Once you're ready, just click on my Demonstrator Business Web Site Recruiting Page, acknowledge the terms, and then customize your Starter Kit!

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

My Digital Studio Valentine Cards (FREE Print & Give)

Through the magic of My Digital Studio®, I have created three more cards you can print out from PDF and give away. Please read the terms at the download link below, and note that your download of any of the PDF cards signifies your acceptance:

Download FREE Print & Give Cards HERE (in PDF format)

The cool thing is that I did next to nothing to create these cards--they were Designer Templates included in some of the My Digital Studio add-on Digital Downloads I purchased. On the first two cards, I just created the back side by duplicating the front. On the third card I moved some elements around a little on the front and made a few changes on the embellishments, then added the X's and O's across the bottom. It was probably meant to be a holiday card, but it's pretty frosty in Colorado in February so I think it makes a great Valentine card.

The great thing is that I can have these cards professionally printed by Stampin' Up!, through my copy of My Digital Studio. It only costs about $2 per card, and that includes a mailing envelope! Plus, I don't personally like making multiples of cards, so I LOVE that I can design it once and get it printed in whatever quantity I want, whenever I want more. Cool.

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

2011 Occasions Mini Catalog Debut

{Note: If you're getting these posts in a blog reader, you might want to jump over to my home page to see my new blog header--it was made with images from My Digital Studio®!}

The Stampin' Up! 2011 Occasions Mini Catalog debuted on January 4th, and runs through April 30, 2011. Things are a bit hectic around here because my kids are supposed to be back in school but they're sick. I was counting on them being occupied elsewhere so I could get some critical tasks completed, take down holiday decorations and rearrange, so I'm kind of behind now. In the meantime, I thought I'd post some fun samples I made at a demonstrator meeting before the holidays, to help keep you inspired and excited until I can come back to give you a more thorough walk through!

Features NEW Nature Walk stamp set!

Features NEW Build a Blossom stamp set & Coordinating Blossom Petals Punch, plus Springtime Vintage Big Designer Buttons, and Framed Tulips Embossing Folder!

Features NEW Create a Cupcake stamp set & Coordinating Build a Cupcake Punch, plus Framed Tulips Embossing Folder, and Red Glimmer Paper for the cherry on top!

Features NEW Fun Flowers Bigz XL Die, Springtime Vintage DSP, Crumb Cake Seam Binding Ribbon, and a SNEAK PEEK at an image from the FREE Sale-A-Bration stamp set called Punch Bunch!

Features NEW Petal Cone Bigz L Die, Vintage Flower Adornments, First Edition Specialty DSP, and a SNEAK PEEK at some images from the FREE Sale-A-Bration stamp set called Bliss (it's a must-have)!

Seriously, I'm sure I say this every time, but this is like the BEST mini catalog EVER! So much stuff that coordinates with so much other stuff...I don't even really like flowers and birds, and I'm sure no seamstress, but I want it ALL!

Click HERE to see the 2011 Occasions Mini Catalog (or right click and Save As to download it), or browse through it in my ONLINE STORE (click the Occasions Mini link in the left sidebar).

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

Thank You Card & Happy New Year Card (FREE Print & Give)

Things have been crazy for a long time, but now that I have my new computer (my other one was 10+ years old) with plenty of memory and stuff, I'm able to use My Digital Studio® without having to wait like 3 minutes per mouse click! Look at this fun layout I came up with stole from the front cover of the Stampin' Up! 2010-2011 Idea Book & Catalog:

I made this because this past summer I found the 29-Day Giving Challenge and started a group on their site called 29Cards. I asked and received permission from Stampin' Up! to make My Digital Studio® cards specifically for members of that group to print and give away. So, if you'd like to use the Thank You card above, you can find it HERE, just scroll down after reading the terms.

There's also a Happy New Year card that I made, which I struggled and struggled with...and I'm not sure I'm a big fan of it, but it gets the job done. You'll find a printable copy of this card on the same 29Cards Group message thread.

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

More Holiday Cards

Okay, here ya go...three more holiday cards! These three cards feature the Contempo Christmas stamp set. The one at the bottom uses Iridescent Ice embossing powder over the entire tree layer. Sorry, I can't seem to get my lighting to work for optimal photos lately. I'll work on that!

Just email me with any questions you might have on the supplies I've used. The Designer Series Paper on the cards is Deck the Halls (on the first two cards) and Jolly Holiday (on the last card). Designer Series Paper makes for super fast holiday card-making! And, if you don't have time to make holiday cards, consider stocking up to make Valentine cards to catch up with loved ones after the holidays. Check out the Filled With Love promotion for some exclusive Designer Series Paper, and FREE Bitty Buttons!

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