Thinking about that opportunity...

I just wanted to re-iterate some things on this awesome chance you have to become a demonstrator... To begin with, you can choose either this starter kit:

Standard Starter Kit

found on page 8 of the current Idea Book & Catalog

3 wood-mount stamp sets

1 clear-mount stamp set, with 1 clear block

1 stampin' around wheel, ink cartridge and handle

1 ink refill

2 card stock packs

1 Patterns DP stack

4 classic ink pads

1 Versamark ink pad

2 Stampin' Write markers

Ribbon

Stampin' Dimensionals

Stampin' Scrub

Stampin' Mist

Stamping Sponges

SNAIL adhesive

Blender Pen

Decor Element piece & applicator

8 Catalogs

Business supplies, forms and tools

Or, you can choose to get this starter kit:

Digital + Starter Kit:

found on page 8 of the current Idea Book & Catalog

My Digital Studio Software

2 wood-mount stamp sets

1 clear-mount stamp set, with clear block

2 card stock packs

4 classic ink pads

2 Stampin' Write markers

Buttons

Ribbon

Stampin' Dimensionals

Stampin' Scrub

Stampin' Mist

Mini Glue Dots

SNAIL adhesive
Decor Element piece & applicator

8 Catalogs

Business supplies, forms and tools

FOR ONLY $87.50!!!

Something you should know...there is no penalty for dropping your demonstratorship after your first quarter. So you could sign up to get all those supplies for such a deal. But be warned, you may find you love your discount...or you love your events...or you have enough friends to help keep you "in business"...!

Ready to try it?

A gift!!

Every once in a great while I realize someone's birthday is coming, rather than looking at the date and thinking "oh, its ___ birthday today!" And, even more rare is being inspired to come up with some kind of cute gift or at least packaging... So looky what I made for my friend this week!!

Fun, huh? The card was already made, and I'd bought her a candy bar, but wasn't sure if she'd be home when I stopped by. So I decorated this little bag to sort of coordinate. Meaning I used the same stamp set... and the card uses Crumb Cake card stock which is similar to the brown paper bag.

I put some crinkled, shredded, red paper in the bottom of the bag, stuck the candy bar in, and put the card in an envelope also inside the bag... and closed it like this:

I thought it turned out pretty nice, and she was happy. and that's the point. *grin*

Card Supplies:
Stamps: Artistic Etchings, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Ink: Basic Black
Paper: Very Vanilla, Crumb Cake, Basic Black card stocks, Newsprint DP
Accessories: Paper Daisies, Black grosgrain ribbon, Neutral Buttons,

Sack Supplies:
Stamps: Artistic Etchings
Ink: Basic Black, Cherry Cobbler
Accessoriess: Scallop Edge Punch, retired Cranberry Crisp ribbon

Sneak Peek 2

Sorry for the delay. Just when I think life might possibly calm down, something happens to convince me that is never actually going to happen. I really need to quit looking forward to that day! haha!

Anyway, here's another Christmas card we'll be making next week!

Clean and simple, but I like it.

Supplies:
Stamps: Dasher, Come to Bethlehem
Ink: Chocolate Chip
Paper: Cherry Cobbler, Always Artichoke, Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla
Accessories: Jumbo Brads, 1 3/8 inch circle punch

Opportunity!!

Wow. This is awesome. I know some of you are interested because you ask the right questions. Consider this an early Christmas present. Or an early kick-start on your New Years Resolution to save money- with a discount, or EARN money with a home business!!! What ever it is you're looking for, check out this opportunity!

What do you call it when you get over $310 in crafting and business supplies for only $87.50? You call it an amazing deal and an amazing opportunity! From November 15-30 you can purchase either the Standard or Digital+ Starter Kits at 50% off!

You also get these benefits of being a new Stampin' Up! demonstrator:

• Earn income while sharing creativity
• Enjoy access to unlimited creative ideas
• Opportunity to earn free products and incentive trips
• Receive two free months subscription with your own business website!

Christmas Cards Sneak Peek!

I finally got some stamp time in! I put together my plans for the Christmas Card Class, so here's a little sneaky-peek! Two others are more or less already on here on the blog, and oh...I'll show you the others soon! tee hee! This one uses a few things from the Holiday Mini! So fun!

Supplies:
Stamps: Welcome Christmas
Ink: Old Olive, Cherry Cobbler
Paper: Old Olive & Very Vanilla card stocks, Deck the Halls DP
Accessories: Glimmer Brads Brights

Veterans Day

Today I am extremely grateful to our servicemen and women, and their families. We do have family members, past and present, serving our country and I don't think words can express my gratitude for the sacrifice they are willing to offer.

I recently found this incredible organization: Operation Write Home. They have the ability and resources to do something I once attempted, and totally flopped. Any of us card makers who have a surplus of hand crafted cards just sitting in our houses can send them to the wonderful people at Operation Write Home. They organize the cards and ship them overseas to military heroes everywhere. The service men and women can use these blank cards and mail them home to their loved ones. I can't even tell you how happy I am to participate in this!

I have mentioned before that I am a cub scout leader. Last weeks meeting was on Election Day and today is Veteran's Day. In the spirit of Thanksgiving, coupled with two days this month set aside to remind us of our patriotism, we had the boys write Hero letters- all of which can be found on the Operation Write Home website.

I am sending as many cards as I can fit in a shipping box, and 18 letters from local kids, across the world to brighten the day of our servicemen and their families.

Happy Veterans Day.
and Thank You.

Thankful

Happy November! My family and I will begin our Thankful Can later this evening. In anticipation, I've been thinking about some things. And my favorite stranger-blog belongs to Meg who the other day posted a give-away if you left a comment with the positive thoughts you tell yourself when times are hard. I commented that I try to keep my faith in God and remind myself that so far, it could always be worse. And minutes after posting that comment I remembered something else.

It seems to me that sometimes we don't know why we're going thru a trial until we find a friend going thru the same thing. Have you noticed that people are put in your path who have already made it through whatever you're experiencing? I have. So maybe when we are struggling it is simply so we can help someone else later. Even if that help is "only" sympathy and a listening ear, it helps me knowing that someone made it through to the other side, and I can too. So today I am thankful for trials that make me a better person and allow me to help others.

On that note, here's a thank you card I made to kick off November.

Supplies:
Stamps: Pocket Silhouettes
Ink: Old Olive, More Mustard, Early Espresso
Paper: More Mustard, Cajun Craze, Very Vanilla
Accessories: Early Espresso taffeta ribbon

Note Cards

Thanksgiving is coming. Last November our family did a Thankful Can where we drew out something to be thankful for each day. My kids have already asked when we're going to start that again! Yeay! So here are four quick note cards I put together (in Becky's style) last night for them to use when they need to send a thank you to someone this month. I loved the rich autumny colors. And its nice and chilly here to remind us that autumn has arrived!

Supplies:
Stamps: Artistic Etchings, Grunge Rock
Ink: More Mustard, Crumb Cake, Cherry Cobbler, Perfect Plum
Paper: Bravo Burgundy, Very Vanilla card stock
Accessories: Always Artichoke seam binding

Pumpkin Patch Pages

I am on a roll! Hooray for craft time! I did a couple more pages last night! This is one of our little traditions and this is the first time we went. 'Bout time I get it scrapped! *grin These are pretty simple, but I wanted the focus on the photos.

Supplies:
Stamps: Just Perfect Alphabet
Ink: Peach Parfait
Paper: So Saffron & Peach Parfait card stock, Sunny Garden DP
Accessories: Wide Oval Punch

A Challenging Challenge...

Saturday night there was an online virtual scrapbook night that I wanted to participate in. It was a family day, so I had to wait until my kids were in bed, and then I was tired and didn't get very much done. The only challenge I participated in was a sketch challenge. Its the kind where the challenge is very specific and you are supposed to follow it, right? Sooo this is my page:

and HERE's what is missing!

Goodness. And the really silly thing is, I had to work hard to get that thick ribbon on there and cut (with the lousy scissors I could find) and then had to use mini glue dots to attach the photos over the ribbon because it was so thick. ....niiice...

made me laugh. Oh well, it didn't qualify for the challenge, but I have one more page done! LOL! So yeay for that!

Supplies:
Stamps: Welcome Christmas
Ink: Real Red
Paper: Old Olive, Sahara Sand & Real Red card stocks, retired DP
Accessories: Spiral Punch, retired brads, retired ribbon

Variations on Cards

In September I had 4 card events in a 15 day period. I am pretty sure that is a record for me and my little buisness! I loved it, but that meant I needed to use the same (or at least similar) ideas over and over. Some of these events were up in the air as far as attendance. That's a challenge in an of itself. I needed to provide 'enough' but not too many of each sample. Consequently, I have a nice stack of card kits ready to go!

While trying to tidy up my crafting space I decided to use those kits but differently than the original. Here's my first set! What do you think?

Original:

Variations:

A gift idea for you

Last year my big Christmas gift was the My Digital Studio software. Interested? This year Stampin' Up! is gifting all of us reduced printing prices...

...Permanently!

I so wish my computer was fixed! I miss being able to scrapbook anywhere, not to mention anytime! I've become a bit of a laptop junkie, so how convenient to be scrapbooking while sitting in front of the tv! Right now I've got a borrowed laptop, which is great for everything else, but alas, no MDS.

Therefore I must direct you to my sidebar. Down the side where it says "find my stamps" you can find all the pages (and a card!) I've done with my MDS.

If you want to get the gifts you want for the holidays (or any time!) write up your Stampin' Up! wish list and pass it on to your husband and mom and anyone else shopping for you. And if you're one of those who shop for your own Christmas gifts, place an order any time for your own copy of My Digital Software $79.95 (plus tax & shipping). Wrap it for yourself or get going and have completed scrapbooks ready for Christmas gifts!

*Contact me for the updated printing price list!