Mojo Monday 230

I'm really excited that it's Monday again, because that means there is a new sketch for Mojo Monday!

Here is the sketch that Julee came up with:

It's a two-for-one sketch -- we can pick to do a round card, or a square card.

I chose to do a square card:

This is a card that I've always wanted to make, every since I got the Language of Friendship stamp set.  Not only is it a beautiful stamp set, it also showcases how well Stampin' Up coordinates their products.  The Language of Friendship stamp set coordinates with the Bird Builder (117191)and the Boho Blossoms (119858) punches, has a sentiment, and allows two-step stamping.

The Language of Friendship stamp set is available as part of the main Idea Book and Catalog 2011-2012 (Wood:  122750; Clear:  122752).  But, even better, it is available for FREE (Wood:  127721; Clear:  127722).  Yes, it's one of the many awesome products that you can get for free with every $50 purchase, as part of Stampin' Up's Sale-a-bration promotion.  Get this wonderful stamp set before Sale-a-bration ends on March 31st!

Here are the Stampin' Up products I used:
Language of Friendship stamp set (main catalog -- Wood:  122750; Clear:  122752 / Sale-a-bration -- Wood:  127721; Clear:  127722)
Calypso Coral classic ink pad (122939)
Chocolate Chip classic ink pad (100908)
Everyday Enchantment DSP (Sale-a-bration:  126154)
Pool Party card stock (122924)*
Lucky Limeade card stock (122926)*
Very Vanilla card stock (101650)
Calypso Coral 1/8" organdy ribbon from Everyday Enchantment Ribbon and Brad Pack (Sale-a-bration:  127279)
Stampin' Dimensionals (104430)
Snail Adhesive (104332)

*You can also get these goodies for free during Sale-a-bration as part of the 2011-2013 In-Color card stock (127713)!  What can be better than free stuff? :)

Thanks for looking!

Keeping Track of Punches

Hello, again, everyone!

In line with my Labeling Punches post that I shared yesterday, I also wanted to share how I keep track of the punches that I already owned.

I use the current Idea Book and Catalog.

I punched a Pretty in Pink card stock (100459) with the punches, wrote the name of the punch and label number of the cuts, and used Snail adhesive (104332) to stick them to the current Idea Book and Catalog.  It works for me because I can just flip through the catalog and quickly see the punches I already have.

As you can see, I started by highlighting the name of the punches, but then I also highlighted the items that I wanted to buy in the future, so my catalog was mostly covered in highlights.  This is why I needed a quicker way to keep track of my punches.

If you're organizing your Stampin' Up tools and are looking for a quick way to keep track of your punches, I hope this works for you, too.

Thanks for looking, and have a great Sunday!

Labeling Punches

Happy Saturday, everyone!

I want to share how I label my old- and new-style Stampin' Up punches, so I can keep track of their names when I'm using them on projects.

I used the Dymo LetraTag label maker and clear plastic tape to make the labels.

Here some of the punches (old-style) that I've already labeled:

 

Modern Label punch (119849)

Butterfly punch (119848)

5-Petal Flower punch (119880)

These are old-style (whale punches) from Stampin Up.  The newer style punches can be stored flat when locked (which is great), and are available for purchase here.

If you're looking for a way to label your punches, I hope you'll find this useful.

Thanks for looking, and have a great weekend!

I Am in Stampin' Up Heaven...

Or at least, Stampin' Up products heaven.

My order came yesterday (1 day earlier than expected).  Woo-hoo, UPS!

Work was tough yesterday, and I was exhausted when I got home.  I got re-energized as soon as I saw my packages -- all 7 of them. :)  It was a struggle to get them inside, but this is what they looked like when I finally hauled them in:

They were taller than me, and definitely much heavier (or maybe not, since I gained several pounds over the past few months). :p

It was a big order, but the free Sale-a-bration and Stampin' Rewards items also added to the volume.

Here is what I actually ordered:

I ordered the following:
1.  8 1/2x11 smooth card stocks (all the colors) - I debated between ordering the individual packs of card stocks or the color collections, and in the end, decided on ordering the individual packs just because of "value for money".  The card stocks are of excellent quality (so that is already excellent value, right there), but the individual packs have 24 sheets per package, and the color collections have 20 sheets per package, for the same amount.  That's 8 more A2 cards, which equals more bang for my buck.

2.  Some stamp sets that I knew I really liked - Stampin' Up has a LOT of stamp sets that I liked, and it was hard to pick and choose a few for my first order.  I only picked a few because I wanted to invest in tools for right now.  I figured I could build on the stamp sets slowly over the next few months (can you tell I'm already planning my next order?).  I bought mostly clear mount (because I don't have a lot of room to store them), but I ordered wood mount if they were not available in clear mount.  It's really a matter of personal preference; I think either mounting works well stamps excellently.

3.  Classic ink pads - just to build my collection slowly

4.  Color Caddy (104335) and Color Caddy Extender Kit (107063) - to store my classic ink pads in (and I am optimistic that I will eventually complete the whole set -- Brights, Neutrals, Regals, Subtles, and In-Colors)

5.  Big Shot (113439) and some dies - I figured I really won't be investing in tools until I got the ultimate tool, so I took the plunge and ordered it first.

6.  Tabletop Paper Cutter (106959) - I was not planning on ordering this initially, but I've heard a lot of good reviews about it, and it's self-sharpening.  That means no more replacement blades, so I sprung for it now.

7.  Punches - in going with my "investing in tools" approach to Stampin' Up purchasing

8.  Clear Mount Block bundle (118491) - because I plan to buy mostly clear mount stamps (if I can).  I do have other blocks, but Stampin' Up blocks has nice ridges around them that makes it so ergonomic to use when stamping (in my opinion).

9.  Many Marvelous Markers (119806), Stampin' Write Markers in the 2010-2012 In-Color (119801), and Stampin' Write Markers in the 2011-2013 In-Color (123002) - I can use these pretties to ink my stamps while waiting to get the rest of the color collections, so I thought it was a great purchase.

The rest are Sponge Daubers (102892), Sticky Strip (104294), Clear Mount Cling Foam (124236), Clear Mount Stamp Cases (119105), 1" x 8" Clear Cellophane Bags (124134), Stampin' Pastels (105542), and Watercolor Wonder Crayons Brights (119804).

Then here comes the even better part -- the free stuff.  Here are the stuff that I got for FREE:

Yep, these are free because of Sale-a-bration and the Stampin' Rewards.

Want to see all the free products you can earn during Sale-a-bration?  Click here.  And when you're ready to avail of the convenience of ordering online 24/7, you can visit my site and click "Shop Now" to get started.

But wait, there's more!  I will also be offering rewards for frequent customers.  If you place an order of $40 or more (before shipping and tax), you earn a "thank you" point.  When you earn 10 "thank you" points in a calendar year, you get a FREE STAMP SET of your choice from me, to thank you for your orders.

So, what are you waiting for?  Order now!

Thanks for looking, and have a great weekend! :)

Wish Big!!!

This little pig made me decide to buy the Button Buddies stamp set.  I think he's really cute, and he was perfect for this card.

I used these Stampin' Up products:
Button Buddies stamp set (Wood:  122735; Clear:  122737)
Word Play stamp set (Wood:  120308; Clear:  120651)
Regal Rose classic ink pad (105211)
Basic Black classic ink pad (101179)
Whisper White card stock (100730)
Regal Rose DSP from the Brights Designer Paper stack (117155)
Basic Rhinestones (119246)
Stampin' Dimensionals (104340)
Snail adhesive (104332)

These products are available here.  Click "Shop Now" and take advantage of Stampin' Up's Sale-a-bration.  It's only here for one more month (Sale-a-bration ends on March 31, 2012)!

Thanks for looking!

Laughter is Healthy

Two days ago, I had to go for my yearly health assessment, and I was a ltitle worried because although I am generally healthy, I had also been stressed out in the last few months.  I was worried that my numbers/readings will reflect that stress.

Thankfully, my assessment was okay. :)  I  do try to eat healthy (when I can), and I have the best husband in the world, who makes me laugh a lot.  We have been married for almost 3 years, and I'm happy to say that we are still laughing with each other.  I feel very blessed that my husband can keep me grounded and balanced, despite the stresses of daily life. :)

I was thinking of that when I made this card:

I used these supplies from Stampin' Up:
Button Buddies stamp set (Wood:  122735; Clear:  122737)
Word Play stamp set (Wood:  120308; Clear:  120651)
Pacific Point Stampin' Write marker (100968)
Old Olive Stampin' Write marker (100079)
Real Red Stampin' Write marker (100052)
Certainly Celery card stock (124271)
Whisper White card stock (100730)
Simply Scored scoring tool (122334) to make those three score lines on the left side of the card
Stampin' Dimensionals (104340)

Snail adhesive (104332)

(The red rhinestones are not from Stampin' Up)

You can buy the Stampin' Up products here.  Click on "Shop Now" and take advantage of Stampin' Up's Sale-a-bration and Stampin' Rewards promotions.  Every $50 order is eligible to receive awesome Sale-a-bration items, and earn Stampin' Rewards are earned once orders reach $150.  What can be better than than?

Thanks for looking (and keep laughing)!

Mojo Monday 229

I stumbled upon this really great blog featuring card sketches and sketch challenges made by talented paper crafters -- Mojo Monday.  It has been around for around 5 years or so (since 2007), and I can't believe I've heard/read about it from other bloggers and at SCS, but haven't really looked into it, until today *sheepish smile.*  It's such a great site, and a great way to stimulate your creativity and inspire you when you're drawing a blank at creating cards (thank you, Julee Tilman).

The sketches are designed by Julee or one of the Mojo Monday Design Team members, and it's a very welcoming site.  They encourage anyone to participate, and use any materials (stamps and supplies) from any company.  Read more about Mojo Monday here.

Because they're so welcoming, I felt very comfortable in jumping in and joining the fun right away.

This is the Mojo Monday sketch for this week:

This is the card I came up with (I modified the sketch a little bit):

I used these products from Stampin' Up:
Word Play stamp set (Wood:  120308; Clear:  120651)
Rich Razzleberry classic ink pad (115658)
Rich Razzleberry card stock (115316)
Daffodil Delight card stock (119683)
Whisper White card stock (100730)
Rich Razzleberry DSP from Brights Designer Paper stack (117155)
Daffodil Delight DSP from Brights Designer Paper stack (117155)
Whisper White 5/8" satin ribbon (1146156)
Blossom Bouquet Triple Layer punch (122464)
Stampin' Dimensionals (104340)

Snail adhesive (104332)
Mini Glue Dots (103683)


All these products are available here.  Click on "Shop Now" and enter the product numbers from the supply list above.

Thanks for looking!