A Paper Angel

Valentine's Day idea!

2010-01-21T21:03:00.000-05:00

Here are two more ideas to make for the ones you love on Valentine's Day.

You can never go wrong with candy, right? But these new Heart Treat Cups can be filled with any little thing you want! I found some old buttons collecting dust, so I added them here.

But I must admit, I would prefer pink M&M's any day! I love chocolate, and pink is my favorite color! This stamp set, SWEETHEART is available in wood mount stamps or in the new Clear Mount format. I have lots of these new clear mount stamps here for you to try out. The deadline for January Card Class has already past, but next month's class will be held on the third Saturday of the month, February 20, at my home in Covington Park, Apollo Beach, FL. The cost is only $17, which covers all the supplies needed to create 12 cards with envelopes. All you need to do is R.S.V.P. two weeks prior to class, and bring your adhesive.with you.

These cards are quick and easy to put together. Would you like to make some yourself? Just go to my website here and place an order whenever it's convenient for you -- 7 days a week, 24/7. Or, if you'd like me to place an order for you, just contact me and I'll be happy to help you choose the right products you will need to make whatever you'd like.

~ Alice

SUPPLIES:

Heartfelt Thanks Card:

Stamps: Sweetheart (Item# 120780)

Card stock: Bashful Blue, Certainly Celery, Whisper White

Ink: Bashful Blue, Pixie Pink

Accessories: Heart Treat Cups (Item# 120435), Full Heart Punch (Item# 113693), 1/2" Striped Grosgrain Ribbon Bashful Blue (Item# 110717), Scallop Trim Border Punch (FREE SAB Item# 118402)

Be Mine Card:

Stamps: Sweetheart (Item# 120780)
Card stock: Melon Mambo Textured, Crushed Curry, Whisper White, Welcome Neighbor Designer Series Paper (FREE SAB Item #118401)
Ink: Melon Mambo
Accessories: Heart Treat Cups (Item# 120435), Full Heart Punch (Item# 113693), Pinking Hearts Border Punch (Item# 117649), Pinking Hearts Corner Punch (Item #118072), Heart to Heart Punch (Item #113694), 1/2" Polka-Dot Grosgrain Ribbon Melon Mambo (Item# 115611)

NEW Heart Treat Cups

2010-01-20T23:54:00.001-05:00

Do you remember these Sweet Centers cards from last fall? Well, Stampin' Up! has brought them back -- with a twist. Instead of a circle cup we can now use Heart Treat Cups (Item# 120435, 12 cups $2.95). The Sweetheart Stamp Set is perfectly coorrdinated with the Full Heart Punch. Stay tuned for tomorrow's post to see a photo of a card I just finished making using the new Heart Treat Cups and the Sweetheart Clear Mount Stamp Set from the New Occasions Mini Catalog.

I made this card for my granddaughter, Madelyn a while ago. Now I can use the Heart Treat Cups to make her a Valentine filled with confetti (as seen here) or any other small treat. When filling with candy or chocolate, I recommend lining the back of the insert with a clear transparency to prevent the candy from melting into your cardstock and leaving a stain. Or, you could possibly include confetti, buttons, hair barettes, or some other treat for your loved one. :-)

~ Alice

12 Days of Christmas Sale

2009-12-13T11:50:00.002-05:00

Stampin' Up! is hosting an AWESOME Christmas sale -- just in time for Christmas! These prices are 15-25% lower than the regular price -- but will only be available until Dec. 22. So contact me right away to place your order for a scrapbooking friend, a card-making neighbor, or for yourself! Santa knows you've been a very good girl this year, so why don't you have HIM contact me to order a special something to fill YOUR stocking? :-) Orders placed by Dec. 15 (that's THIS Tuesday -- only 2 more days!!!) will arrive in time for Christmas.

Item      Page#   Description                                  Reg Price    Discount Price

114515   195      Flower Burst Embosslits die           $11.95               $8.96

114516   195     Cherry Blossom Embosslits die       $11.95              $8.96

115957 195      Thanks Embosslits die                    $11.95              $8.96

114513   195      Sweetest Stem Embosslits die        $11.95              $8.96

115952   195      Hi Embosslits die                            $11.95             $8.96

115951 197      Timeless Type Junior Alphabet         $74.95             $59.96
                              Medium Sizzlits die

113446   197      Build a Flower #2 Set Sizzlits          $19.95             $16.96
                              4-Pack die

114509   197      Big Bold Cupcakes Sizzlits             $21.95              $18.66
                              4-Pack die
113448   197     Hearts Set Sizzlits 4-Pack die         $19.95             $16.96

113457   198      Tulipe Bigz die                               $21.95             $16.46

115954 198      Two Tags Bigz die                          $21.95             $18.66

114524   199      Fringed Flower Bigz die                  $19.95            $15.96

114523   199      Decorative Accents Bigz die            $19.95             $15.96

114534   199      Flower Bigz Clear die                     $19.95              $15.96

113473   199      5-Point 3D Star Bigz die                $19.95             $16.96

113472   199      Circle 3D Ornament Bigz die          $19.95              $16.96

113470   199      Flower Layers w/Leaf Bigz die        $19.95              $16.96

113465   199      Bird w/Leaves and Flower Bigz die   $19.95            $16.96

115961   200      Perfect Setting Bigz XL die              $42.95           $32.21

113483   200      Pennant Bigz XL die                        $39.95           $29.96

113484   200      Baskets & Blooms Bigz XL die $39.95          $31.96

116760   201      Pop-Up Three Tier Cake Bigz XL die $39.95          $29.96

116759   201      Pop-Up 3D Ball Bigz XL die              $39.95           $29.96

114890 201      Matchbox Bigz XL die                      $42.95           $36.51

113458   202      Flower Layers Originals die               $15.95           $13.56

114336   158      Kraft Décor Elements sheets 12" x 24"(2)       $12.95          $10.36

114334   158      Dark Gray Décor Elements sheets 12" x 24" (2) $12.95          $10.36

114337   158      Chocolate Décor Elements sheets 12" x 24" (2) $12.95         $10.36

114335   158      White Décor Elements sheets 12" x 24" (2)     $12.95         $10.36

118797 n/a      So Saffron Décor Elements sheets 15" x 24" (2) $12.95        $9.71

118798   n/a      Rose Red Décor Elements sheets 15" x 24" (2)  $12.95        $9.71

118799 n/a      Taken With Teal Décor Elements 15" x 24" (2) $12.95        $9.71

118800   n/a      Pretty In Pink Décor Elements sh 15" x 24" (2)   $12.95        $9.71

118801   n/a      Bashful Blue Décor Elements sh15" x 24" (2)   $12.95        $9.71

118802   n/a      Real Red Décor Elements sheets 15" x 24" (2)  $12.95        $9.71

118803   n/a      Old Olive Décor Elements sheets 15" x 24" (2)  $12.95        $9.71

118804   n/a      Black Décor Elements sheets 15" x 24" (2)       $12.95       $9.71

118805   n/a      Night of Navy Décor Ele sheets 15" x 24" (2)    $12.95       $9.71

118806   n/a      Cert Cel Décor Elements sheets 15" x 24" (2)   $12.95       $9.71

118807   n/a      Tempt Turq Décor Elements Sh 15" x 24" (2)   $12.95       $9.71

118808   n/a      Clear Décor Elements sheets 15" x 24" (2)      $12.95       $9.71

118809   n/a      Pumpkin Pie Décor Ele sheets 15" x 24" (2)    $12.95        $9.71

118810    n/a      Pixie Pink Décor Ele sheets 15" x 24" (2)     $12.95         $9.71

118812   n/a      Sahara Sand Décor Ele sheets 15" x 24" (2)   $12.95         $9.71

118813   n/a      Gable Green Décor Ele sheets 15" x 24" (2)   $12.95         $9.71

118814 n/a      Basic Gray Décor Ele sheets 15" x 24" (2)      $12.95         $9.71

118815   n/a      Chalkboard Décor Ele sheets 15" x 24" (2)     $14.95         $11.21

Orders may also be placed by going directly to my website here and click on the SHOP NOW under my name in the upper right corner. Keep checking back to see the new classes being offered in the New Year!
                                         Merry Christmas!
~~Alice

Bridal Specialty Paper

2009-12-11T22:51:00.001-05:00

I fell in love with this beautiful Bridal Specialty Designer Series Paper when I first discovered it in the new 2009-2010 Stampin' Up! Idea Book & Catalog last summer. I have worked before with the Groom Black on Black paper. But this Bridesmaid Very Vanilla was a special treat. I guess this could be a Christmas card, or maybe a Thank You card. I didn't put any wording on the front, and thought that would keep it open to be used for a variety of different purposes, depending on my need. The finished size is 4-1/4" square, which allows it to be enclosed in a medium Very Vanilla envelope. I used the Textured Impressions Elegant Bouquet and the Big Shot to create the subtle embossing along the top and left edge of the card. Then the Nestabilities Labels One die was used to cut and emboss Kraft card stock. The next layer is a piece of the BridesMaid Very Vanilla Striped DSP. The only stamping is on the top layer and was stamped in VersaMark Watermark Ink using the largest snowflake from the Snow Swirled Stamp Set. I covered that with Heat & Stick Powder, heat set it briefly to make it sticky, than generously covered it with Dazzling Diamonds and heat set it briefly again. I love this technique when I want to create an entire snowflake with glitter. Since Versamark isn't glue, Dazzling Diamonds won't stick to it permanently. This very simple technique is one I only use rarely, but I love the final look.

I added the Pretties Kit hat pin with pearls and crystals, knowing that this card would probably be hand-delivered rather than mailed, due to its fragile nature. Thus I was able to top the focal image with a flat-back Very Vanilla pearl and a piece of Kraft Taffeta Ribbon.

I know this sounds like a lengthy process for what appears to be a rather simple card. But it really wasn't difficult at all. Contact me if you would like to purchase the supplies to re-create this beauty yourself. Would you like some help pulling it all together? Beginning in the New Year, I will be "renting" out time in my art studio. For just $20 for the first two hours, and $10 for each hour after that, you can use all of my stamp sets, ink pads, punches and other tools and I will help you design your own cards, scrapbook pages or other projects. You will only need to bring your own paper and adhesives. This way you will have my supplies and my skills working for Y-O-U! Time is limited and will go fast, so contact me SOON to reserve your spot.

~~Alice

CHRISTMAS IDEAS

2009-11-27T22:29:00.000-05:00

Well, hello there strangers. Actually, I guess I'm the one who has been a "stranger" around here! hehe I think now might be a good time to share some Holiday gift ideas with you. This Stampin' Up! Matchbox XL Die makes an adorable little box and cover. The die provides a punched out and scored template which can be folded into a box. It also provides three different tag shapes which can be stamped and placed on top of the box cover, which is also scored and cut to size. Just some simple folds and a stamp here and there and VOILA!... a great little gift!

There are lots of different looks you can create using different types of Designer Series Paper and card stock. Maybe you could enclose a small piece of jewelry, some matching mini note cards, or some candy, like I did in the next photo.

Hershey's Mini Nuggets are wrapped with a 1" x 3" piece of Designer Series Paper which is adhered in the back. This is a cute last-minute gift idea for neighbors who stop by unexpectedly, or a nice treat for a teacher.

Check back often during the next couple of weeks for more helpful hints on how to be prepared for those last minute holiday gift needs.

~Alice

2009-10-06T16:57:00.000-04:00

Here are some more ideas using this wonderful MEDALLION Background Stamp. I just can't seem to get enough of it! This time I used In-Color Melon Mambo, a wonderful, bright pink (which is my favorite color!), but I "stamped off" to get a lighter image. "Stamping off" is a technique that is easy to learn and has many applications.

This detail includes some Melon Mambo Polka Dot Grosgrain Ribbon. All the In-Colors have matching Polka Dot Ribbon. I used a Filigree Brad anchored with a white brad from the 5/16" Neutrals Assortment Brads.

Here are another couple of samples using the "Stamping Off" technique and matching card stock and ink pad. The Eyelet Border Punch gives a nice bright white border to the sentiment, don't you think? Both cards were embossed using White Embossing Powder.

On this last card, I added some butterflies from the FLIGHT OF THE BUTTERFLY Stamp Set. I love the Bermuda Bay Polka Dot Ribbon against the soft color of Sahara Sand on the card base. I also stamped two butterflies onto Vellum Card Stock to adhere on top of the card stock butterflies for a nice 3-dimensional look.

So there you have it. I think this is the end of my MEDALLION card samples. Next time, I'll try something different!

~Alice

2009-10-06T00:36:00.000-04:00

It's been way too long since I've posted here. This month has been crazy busy, so I've had to focus on designing and prepping for classes. But I have a few days before I leave to visit my sister for a long weekend (WOO HOO I can't wait, Sandy!!!) so let's see what we can update with, OK?

First of all, here is a copy of a swap I made for Amanda Coughlin's Holiday Mini Catalog Swap. It's been awhile since we traded cards, but I never did get around to showing you what I made for it, did I? I had lots of fun with this card. I got to use the beautiful new stamp set, SERENE SNOWFLAKES and some of the SHIMMER PAINT in the Holiday Mini Catalog. That paint is very different than anything else Stampin' Up! has to offer. I combined a little of the paint with a little bit of water in a small spray bottle. I used this to deliver a few short squirts onto the background Bordering Blue card stock, and topped it with the largest snowflake, embossed with silver embossing powder with a clear brad in the center. All other supplies are listed below. I made over 30 of these cards, and traded with 30 other demonstrators. I received 29 different card fronts using all the different stamp sets in the Holiday Mini Catalog.

Swaps are a great idea, don't you think? And they're LOTS of fun, too! Thanks, Amanda, for letting me be a part of your Holiday Swap! I did have a little trouble with the post office. It seems they sort of lost my package, and it wasn't delivered in 2-3 days Priority. It came a week later! I was so worried it was lost and that I wasn't going to get the other card fronts I had been waiting for (impatiently). But I contacted Amanda, who is such a sweet person, and she helped me out until my package FINALLY arrived! I just love Stampin' Up! and all the demonstrators I have met through this wonderful company!! Everyone is always so nice... and will try to help out whenever possible. If you would like to order any of these supplies, or if you'd like to learn more about how to use the Shimmer Paints, just contact me and I'd be happy to help. :-) Have a GREAT week!

Stamp Sets: Serene Snowflakes, Four the Holidays

Card Stock: Night of Navy, Brushed Silver, Whisper White, Bordering Blue

Ink: Night of Navy, Bordering Blue, VersaMark

Accessories: Silver Embossing Powder, Clear Rhinestone Brad, Eyelet Border Punch, Jumbo Snowflake Punch, Platinum Shimmer Paint, Silver Elastic Cord, Whisper White Organza Ribbon

~Alice

A Different Idea

2009-09-15T22:24:00.000-04:00

Hi all. Do you remember the project we made at my Open House a few months ago? It was a small folder which held 3"x3" notecards. We used the new In-Colors card stock which were just being released with the new catalog, the RAZZLEBERRY LEMONADE DSP, and the WINGS OF FRIENDSHIP Hostess Set. Well here's another look at the same design -- with a different DSP. This version was made by my upline, Lisa. Isn't it awesome?!?! This first photo is of the outside cover of the holder.

This view shows the inside of the open holder with a couple note cards.

And these last two are of the individual note cards. I think I'm going to have to order some of this beautiful NIGHT AND DAY SPECIALTY Designer Series Paper (Item #116768, $11.95). The holder is held closed with a piece of 5/8" Whisper White Organza Ribbon (Item# 114319, $5.95).

~Alice

MEDALLION BACKGROUND STAMP

2009-09-11T07:00:00.000-04:00

"MEDALLION" (Item #115223 $17.95) is currently my favorite stamp set. It's also currently the #1 best selling stamp set at Stampin' Up!. A customer and very dear friend of mine, Susan, purchased this a couple of months ago. I sort of hinted to her that it would be very cool if I could try out this stamp before I gave her the package of goodies she had ordered. She very graciously offered this and any other stamps she owns! Can you believe that? WOW! THANK YOU, SUSAN!!! You're AWESOME!

Well, I had LOTS of fun with this one. In this first sample I used Very Vanilla Textured Card Stock and a technique called "STAMPIN' OFF" to get the distressed, faded image of the Medallion shown here. I would be happy to show you and some of your friends exactly how to replicate this technique at a Girls' Night Out at your home or mine. You bring the friends and I'll bring the stamps! Together, we'll have lots of fun making projects designed especially for you.

I loved this color combination of the new In-Colors Soft Suede and Melon Mambo so much that I used it on this next card also. The MEDALLION was again stamped off -- this time onto Very Vanilla Textured Card Stock. The central image is from the Level 1 Hostess Set, Of the Earth. Markers were used to color directly onto the stamp, which were then re-moistened using the "huffing technique" before stamping onto Very Vanilla card stock which was punched out with a 1-3/8" Circle Punch. This circle was then mounted on a Soft Suede Scalloped Circle Punch and placed into the center of the Medallion stamp using Stampin' Dimensionals. Would you like to learn more about the "huffing technique"? Would you like to have this Of the Earth set in your own private stamp collection? The only way you can is to invite me to meet with you and your friends for a Girls' Night Out at my home or yours.

Here is yet another MEDALLION card. Are you tired of seeing them yet? I'm not tired of making them! hehe This was one of the cards from last month's Card Class. We used the "stampin' off" technique to create the flowering focal image using another stamp from the Level 1 Hostess Set, Of the Earth. Isn't this a pretty set?

Well, I still have more samples to show you, but I think this should suffice for a little while. Thank you again, Susan, for your generosity! I thoroughly enjoyed using this set -- as I think is obvious here, don't you?

~Alice

SEPTEMBER SCRAPBOOK CLASS

2009-09-09T23:40:00.001-04:00

Our September Scrapbooking Class was lots of fun this past weekend. We worked on two separate page spreads, as we usually do. The first was a layout about Back to School. Most of those attending the class have young children who returned to school in the past couple of weeks. (School starts in August here in Florida -- rather than after Labor Day as up North.) We had been discussing how to get good photographs of the children on their first day on school, subject matter, poses, lighting, etc.; so now we needed some pages for our wonderful photos.

But the real focus for this month's class was JOURNALING. We had a Guest Speaker, Ann, who opened our eyes to the fantastic world of JOURNALING on our scrapbook pages. THANK YOU, ANN!!! :-) I'm not an avid journaler, myself. I don't know about you, but I just never seem to know what to say... other than names, place and date... rather elementary (hehe... elementary... hehe... Get it? Back to school? Elementary?... A-hem.) Anyway...

Ann gave us many examples of different styles of journaling, including, but not limited to:

lists
tell our own thoughts and memories
record someone else's observations
letter writing
interview/dialog

Ann encouraged us to write about how we felt seeing our children leaving for school, or maybe about their feelings about returning to the classroom. There was a hand-out with lots of Journaling Prompts to get our brains jump-started in the right direction. She showed us some fabulous pages from her own personal scrapbooks in which journaling played a major part. Ann pointed out that, many years from now, a page with a story would be much more meaningful than a page with only photographs. So we are all going to do some journaling and bring back our layouts next month to share with each other. We will all read each others' stories, and vote on our favorite. The scrapper with the "best" journaling on her page will be rewarded with a copy of the book Simple Scrapbooks 2, by Cathy Zelsky, an award-winning scrapbooker and Contributing Editor to Creating Keepsakes magazine. Thank you, Ann, for both your thought-provoking presentation and your contribution of the journaling contest Reward!

This is our "Back to School" layout:

As you can see, our journaling will be entered onto the "notebook page" on the right side of this spread. But that is no ordinary notebook page... nooooo. It was created by computer-printing horizontal blue lines and one vertical red line onto Stampin' Up! Whisper White cardstock. We then punched the left edge using the Spiral Punch (Item# 108341) and the right sides with the Corner Rounder Punch (Item# 109047). The layout uses primary color card stock and Designer Series Paper from (retired) Simply Scrappin' Kits.

We also learned how to get more than one color of ink on a stamp by using Real Red, Old Olive and Close to Cocoa markers to color in the apple with its' leaf and stem from the Tart & Tangy Stamp Set (Item# 111514). Color directly onto the stamp, then huff by breathing air directly onto the stamp, then stamp onto Whisper White card stock. Voila! Tres jolie! (That's very pretty in French.) We cut out the apples using the 1-1/4" Circle Punch (Item# 104403) to be used as photo accents after our photographs are cropped and mounted onto the page. If you have any questions, please feel free to leave a comment here, or you may contact me directly.

~Alice

NEW HOLIDAY MINI CATALOG

2009-09-03T07:00:00.000-04:00

The NEW Holiday Mini Catalog is here! I have been creating with stamp sets from this mini catalog for a month! It's awesome! First of all, would you like to see it? Click here to see the new Holiday Mini Catalog. It's bigger and better than ever before! There are 40 pages of cards,scrapbook pages, and holiday home decor ideas that are sure to inspire you to start preparing for your holiday season NOW! Would you prefer to hold the little book in your hands, so you can page through it slowly, staring at each page, planning your gift wrapping and party decorations? Most of my regular class-attenders should have received their own copy in the mail by now. But if not, contact me here and I'll be happy to mail you a copy of your own!

~Alice

INTRODUCING MY DIGITAL STUDIO™

2009-09-01T23:08:00.013-04:00

CREATIVITY WITH STAMPIN’ UP!® GOES DIGITAL

INTRODUCING MY DIGITAL STUDIO™

Stampin’ Up!’s award-winning artwork, colors, and accessories

available in digital format via My Digital Studio

Stampin’ Up! is venturing into the digital age with the release of My Digital Studio™. My Digital Studio is an easy-to-use, software-based design studio featuring thousands of Stampin’ Up!’s award-winning images, colors, and accessories.

Extremely intuitive, My Digital Studio allows crafters of all skill levels to easily navigate the program and design their own digital project or use hundreds of templates to create professionally designed cards, photo albums, scrapbooks, and more. New artwork and templates will be available on a regular basis for download via Stampin’ Up!’s Online Store. In addition, My Digital Studio will offer professional print services where customers can purchase bound photo albums, cards, individual scrapbook pages, and calendars.

The design studio offers perfect coordination when embellishing digital output products with traditional Stampin’ Up! embellishments, as well. Users can produce exquisite, multi-dimensional projects that marry the ease of digital with the beauty of handcrafted projects, creating what are known as hybrid projects.

“I love the way My Digital Studio combines what Stampin’ Up! is known for—exclusive images, terrific color coordination and inspiring project ideas—and offers it in a digital format,” said Shelli Gardner, Stampin’ Up! cofounder and CEO. “This will make it easier than ever before to scrapbook or create other paper crafting projects while still ensuring that your end result looks great!”

Please contact me here if you are interested in gathering a group of 3 or more of your friends together for a Girls' Night Out Digital Stamping event. I will bring my laptop to your home, or you can bring your friends to mine, where I will be happy to show-off the product and offer hands-on support. Those interested in attending this event or scheduling a personal crafting event with me are invited to visit my website here.

DECOR ELEMENTS

2009-08-26T00:05:00.000-04:00

This is my new laptop.

Well, actually it's not really my "NEW" laptop. It's just newly decorated. I used ADORNMENT (Item #117929), and in just a few minutes and for under $10 I had a new look. Do you remember my beginning attempts with the vinyl DECOR ELEMENTS last year? You can see the wall decorating I did in this old post here. It's so easy, and comes in a multitude of colors. Obviously, I chose pink. Just about everyone who knows me can tell you that pink is my favorite color. I love this little bit of home decorating. A little bit goes a long way, right?

There are lots of styles to choose from, including designs to help decorate your home for the coming Holidays. Contact me to request your full color brochure, or just check it all out on the Stampin' Up! website here. You can order directly from my website 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Just click on this link to my website here, and click on the button in the upper right corner, under my name, that says SHOP NOW. Or, if you prefer, you may contact me directly and I will be happy to place an order for you.

~~Alice

Princess Madelyn's Dance Recital

2009-08-24T15:00:00.000-04:00

This post was created mainly for my baby sister, Sandy, who listened to me for over a month as I created this labor of love. But I thought some of you might be interested in seeing one of my "non-Stampin' Up!" projects, too.

This is a special gift that I made for my granddaughter, Madelyn, for her second dance recital this past June. This board book came shaped like a purse in plain white chipboard. I added the patterned paper (purple, of course! DUH!), the embellishments, and the photos. This cover shot features a Princess Tiara that flashes with mini lights and the fabric covered heart-button that served as the closure for the book.

I have a new posting program on my blog which is causing me all kinds of problems placing the photos. Please forgive the awkward spacing while I learn how to manipulate this new program. Isn't Madelyn adorable?!?!?

Madelyn is taking dance lessons from Mary Beth Snow at The Dance Place in Ocean City, NJ. Her mother, my oldest daughter, Kristie, studied dance at the same studio under Miss Mary for 12 years while she was growing up in Ocean City. Isn't that cool?

I had to keep the embellishments to a minimum so that the book wouldn't get so thick it wouldn't close! I used mostly shear ribbons around the handles and patterned paper punched into flower shapes. The journaling is printed by hand along the handles. I thought that gave it a nice personal touch that Madelyn can save and treasure for years to come.

The outside back cover of the book has a photo of Madelyn and her adoring Mimi cut out with a heart-shaped punch and a stamp saying "Created for you by Mimi 2009."

~Alice

POST-IT NOTE HOLDERS

2009-08-22T07:00:00.002-04:00

We had a great time at my last workshop with Faith and her MOPS (Mothers Of Pre-Schoolers) Group. (Hi Faith!!) She wanted to make a simple 3-D project to show her friends how to stamp, and let them know a little about Stampin' Up! and the great business opportunity it can provide. These Post-It Note Holders were easy to stamp and easy to assemble. They make a cute little gift for a friend, or a handy notepad for yourself on the kitchen counter, or maybe in your car! We made this one using the beautiful bird image from the Level 2 Hostess set, WINGS OF FRIENDSHIP. The sentiment was cut out using the MODERN LABEL PUNCH.

This image is of another holder I made using the CIRCLE CIRCUS stamp set, showing how to use small stamps to create your own patterned paper. It's all wrapped up with MELON MAMBO 1/2" POLKA-DOT GROSGRAIN RIBBON and centered with layers of punched circles and a FLOWER DESIGNER BRAD. The small gel pens were found at Staples, thanks to Dawn Griffith and her blog which can be seen here.

If you and your friends would like to have a fun Girls' Night Out with stamping, creativity and some refreshments, contact me at Angelsme@aol.com. I would love to come over and show you how you can make creative projects designed especially for you and your friends!

~Alice

August Scrapbooking Class

2009-08-21T07:00:00.001-04:00

This birthday layout was lots of fun to make! The colors were bright and cheery, with Bermuda Bay, Melon Mambo, and Crushed Curry playing accent to the lively Lovely Lilac (try to say that fast 3 times... hehe). Letters from the new JUMBLE ALPHABET, were stamped inside Melon Mambo cupcakes, which were created by using the Scallop Circle Punch with a little extra trimming at the bottom. The Orchid Fine Cosmo Glitter was applied to the Textured Bermuda Bay cardstock strip using a 12" piece of 1/4" wide STICKY STRIP.

The TAFFY ALPHABET and the "H" from the retired LETTERPRESS ALPHABET were used to create the "Happy" Title Strip. The entire spread was pulled together at the end by using a fun technique called DOODLING, something most of us have done while sitting and talking on the phone, or while daydreaming in a warm, boring classroom. The BASIC BLACK STAMPIN' WRITE MARKER has two different tips, one is a wide brush tip and the other is a fine, hard tip -- perfect for journaling or doodling!

This layout was a generic spread, which means that it can be used with almost any kind of photographs taken about male or female in almost any activity or situation. There are several different small swatches of patterned paper used in the blocks across the bottom of both pages, which draws the viewer's eye from one page into the other. The same patterns can be found in the petals of the flower on the left page, which were created by choosing a stamp from "PICK A PETAL" stamp set and then trimmed around the edges of each. The center is stamped with Tempting Turquoise ink on the same card stock, then covered with a clear round button and Linen Thread. Then stitching was added around the edge of both pages, and from the flower on the left page across to the flower on the other side of the layout. Once again, this helps unify the two pages and carry the eye to the photos stretched from left to right in one long line across the center of the layout.

~Alice

MORE SCRAPBOOKING

2009-08-19T07:00:00.000-04:00

This SUMMER FUN layout would be great for photos of the beach or pool, a day spent fishing or just laying in the sun, vacation or "Stay-cation". There is lots of room for photos of any size, with small accents from the Occasions Mini Catalog's new set, JUST BEACHY. The bottom border was created using a Bashful Blue Ink cartridge and the SOMETHING FISHY jumbo roller wheel. The ink was rolled on Bashful Blue card stock and on Tempting Turquoise card stock. Both strips were hand torn to create the nice texture along the top of the border. KIWI KISS is a nice background contrast and provides a lush green color of summer.

Can't you just feel the hot summer sun in the title block below? The "S" was cut from SUMMER SUN card stock using the Cricut and Plantin Schoolbook cartridge, and the other letters of the title were stamped using the TAFFY ALPHABET SET and Summer Sun Ink. The "S" was placed on a 1-1/4" SQUARE PUNCH of Tempting Turquoise layered on a piece of ONLY ORANGE Square Scallop Punch. One of the Orange Flowers from the FLOWER BRADS ASSORTMENT makes the perfect finishing touch, don't you think? All of this is layered on top of TEMPTING TURQUOISE PRINT PATTERN DESIGNER SERIES PAPER.

I thought this layout would be good for photos from the Strawberry Festival, which is a large local event held in nearby Plant City, FL annually in March. I know... I know... these are cherries, not strawberries. But this stamp set, TART & TANGY, also has a cute strawberry stamp in it. But I wanted to use this awesome print from the (now retired) ROCKABILLY SPECIALTY DESIGNER SERIES PAPER. Can you see that I also used the cherries stamp and Versamark Ink to create my own patterned paper for the background? This is the best of both worlds: using Stampin' Up!'s beautiful DSP -- and creating my own patterned paper using repetitive stamping of the main image stamp and Versamark. How much easier can it get?!?

The embellishment below was created by stacking alternative colors of card stock using successive sizes of Circle Punches and the Scallop Circle Punch. The rhinestone in the center adds just a touch of bling to the spread.

We are having so much fun creating these layouts as we work toward compiling a year's worth of photos into one full scrapbook by the end of the school year. Would you like to join us? Class meets 9:30AM until noon every first Saturday of the month at my house in Apollo Beach, FL. Contact me here to R.S.V.P. two weeks prior to the class date. If you would like to take the class but flying here each month creates a problem for your busy schedule, contact me about ordering a packet to be sent to you via the USPS. I would love to have you join us -- either way!

~Alice

July Scrapbooking Class

2009-08-18T17:14:00.006-04:00

The first layout in this class is a common theme for families with young children, but can be used for "children" of any age! We had lots of fun using ANIMAL STORIES, a stamp set from the new Stampin' Up! catalog which coordinates wonderfully with TALL TALES DESIGNER SERIES PAPER. The letters were created using the CRICUT and Plantin Schoolbook cartridge, and were cut out of both Crushed Curry and Old Olive card stock. Layering one on top of the other made the Old Olive pop off of the dark Chocolate Chip background. The animals were all stamped on Whisper White card stock and carefully trimmed out using Stampin' Up!'s wonderfully sharp PAPER SNIPS.

The journaling block below was created using a strip of Tall Tales Designer Series Paper using the Spiral Punch along the entire left side, creating a look of paper torn out of a loose-leaf binder. I really liked the color and gridlines of this paper to be used for writing in a straight line without the look of traditional "lined" notebook paper. The PHOTO CORNER PUNCH was used to create boundaries on both pages, and the 1-3/4" Circle Punch was used to create mattes for lots of small photos, common from visits to the local zoo. Have fun!

This rather simple layout uses Textured Real Red cardstock and a couple of pieces of Pink Flamingo Designer Series Paper to create an open design where photos of any size may be added almost anywhere. The right hand page is divided so that two verticle 4"x6" prints could be placed at the top, and two more 4"x6" prints could be placed horizontally across the bottom. The flower at the top right was created using the largest flower from PETAL PIZAZZ and a technique called "Rock 'n' Roll. In this technique, the stamp is first fully inked up using Cameo Coral Classic Ink. The stamp is then rocked in a circular motion, so that only the edges of the image are inked up in a Real Red Classic Ink Pad. This creates the unique image shown in this second photo, where the pink flower has red edges. An old sewing basket full of buttons was raided to produce the large red button in the center with some white embroidery thread tied into a bow. At the bottom of the left page, three red flower-shaped buttons, again tied with embroidery floss, echo the flower theme. The Eyelet Border Punch creates a pleasant border strip at the bottom of the page, while the journaling block was created using Spellbinders Nestabilities Labels One die and the Big Shot die-cutting machine.

~Alice

2009-08-10T09:44:00.006-04:00

I just wanted to take a moment to let you all know about my husband, Larry. He is the most wonderful, fantastic, loving, caring, romantic person in the entire world. It may have taken me over 40 years to find him, but we were meant to be together. One of the coolest things about him is that he is THE BEST poet! He has written over 500 love poems to me in the 10 years we have been together. I have them handwritten and typed, on notes on scraps of paper, full page designs for regular days, and in cards for holidays and special events.

DH has a hobby. He owns a 1969 Corvette Stingray with a 427, tri-power, 4-speed with 400 horsepower, T-tops, and factory side pipes. (He sat here and narrated that for me... hehe) I don't know what all that means, but if you do, or if you would like to know more, go visit his blog:

http://vetteguy.wordpress.com/

Leave a comment telling him I sent you. I'm sure he'd love to hear from you. Or maybe your DH would be interested. They tell me it's a "Guy Thing" :-)

~ Alice

CHA

2009-08-05T01:04:00.000-04:00

This is CHA. The Craft & Hobby Association's Summer SuperShow held at the Convention Center in Orlando. The major difference with this show is that it's the first time it was open to the General Public. It was open only to Retailers for placing orders from Tuesday through Thursday, but on Friday and Saturday it was flooded with crafters who were determined to find the latest, greatest new product to hit the market.And we were not disappointed. There were lots of new die-cutting machines scheduled to make our lives easier, and some more Digital Scrapbooking programs coming out soon. I talked to a few different marketers about Digital Scrapbooking companies to learn more about their programs. But the BEST software system will be released this fall by Stampin' Up! That's right... you heard me. Stampin' Up! has been working on this for over a year. And this fall the wait will be over. I had a chance to view the program at Convention in 2007, and it promises to be the easiest, and the most user-friendly program on the market. For those of you who aren't quite ready to make the big jump to digital scrapbooking, what about going Hybrid? That's when you design your scrapbook page on the computer, using Designer Series Papers that coordinate with Stampin' Up!'s current papers and card stocks. You will be able to "stamp" using the same sets and colors that make SU! the best in the market. Once you print your page out onto paper, you can add traditional embellishments, ribbon, Hodgepodge Hardware etc. and VOILA! You now have a HYBRID SCRAPBOOK PAGE.

Anyway, back to CHA. Agnes and I dressed up with some supplied props and had our photographs taken in a stall located in the JoAnne's booth. The photos were developed within a minute, and we used them to create our own 8" x 8" scrapbook pages. It's hard to see in these photos, but the pages we are holding each have 3 small photos on them.

This last photo shows a mini scrapbook made with Vintage Christmas ephemera. A new spray called Glimmer Mist was applied very sparingly. It dries almost on contact, and gives the card stock a shimmery appearance. It's not glitter; but rather a light shimmer. I'll let you know when I get some, so we can all experiment together. Thanks for stopping by. Have a GREAT day!

~ Alice

New In-Colors and Designer Series Paper

2009-08-05T00:05:00.001-04:00

I just wanted to post a couple of cards that I recently made using the new In-Colors and some of my favorite Designer Series Paper. The first card features a new Level 3 Hostess stamp set called KIND & CARING THOUGHTS. Ask me how you can win this stamp set for FREE! The card stock is Crushed Curry, which coordinates well with this sheet of Designer Series Paper from the TALL TALES pack.

This giraffe is adorable, don't you think? I used the new ANIMAL STORIES stamp set, and my favorite new Designer Series Paper called RAZZLEBERRY LEMONADE. This paper coordinates well with almost ALL of the new In-Colors, but I chose to combine it with MELON MAMBO, since my favorite color is pink :D. The greeting is from another new stamp set, TEENY TINY WISHES, and fits perfectly into another fabulous punch from Stampin' Up!, the MODERN LABEL PUNCH.

Both of these cards are representative of the types of cards we make at my Monthly Card Class, which meets on the third Saturday of the month, at my house in Apollo Beach from 10AM until 1PM. Please R.S.V.P. if you would like to attend. The cost is only $17, and includes everything you need to create 12 cards and envelopes. All you need to bring is your adhesive. I would love to have you join us this month. The deadline to save your seat is Saturday, August 8. Contact me now to save your seat!

~Alice

2009-08-02T23:47:00.006-04:00

This is my grandson, Zion. As you may see from the photo, he recently lost another tooth. This is a very exciting event in the life of a young boy, so I made him this card to let him know how proud of him I am, and that I love him.

I used the new In-Colors Bermuda Bay and Melon Mambo, and I just love how the two interact to create a bold, bright card. I used the new stamp set ANIMAL STORIES, which I also used on a double page spread for my Scrapbook Class about a trip to the zoo (more on that later, I promise!). Can you see the texture on the white background paper? It was created using a Cuttlebug folder called TEXTILE, and I just LOVE the pattern. Zion preferred touching it, hehe. He said it was OK to have pink on his card, since pink is Mimi's favorite color. (That's me. I'm Mimi.) Finishing off the special card made just for Zion is a touch of the matching polka dot ribbon available in all of the In-Colors.

I'd also like to show you a card I C.A.S.E.d from Dawn Griffith's blog here. I just couldn't resist the adorable ladybug she created by gluing 3 scalloped circles together. I had a small piece of retired Rockabilly Specialty DSP, and used that as a background for the featured image. What do you think? Dawn is another Stampin' Up! demonstrator, and I subscribe to her blog. Every day -- and I DO mean EVERY day -- she adds another awesome idea for a card or project she has created to her blog. Go check out her blog here. Dawn has no idea who I am, but we share ideas and procedures with each other through our blogs. That is what a fantastic company Stampin' Up! is! Read my last post for more information on how YOU can join the Stampin' Up! family, too!

~ Alice

BECOME A DEMONSTRATOR

2009-08-02T23:09:00.002-04:00

While anytime is a great time to join the Stampin' Up! family as a demonstrator, joining during July and August is especially sweet!
Starting your own Stampin' Up! business means free and discounted products, plus a little extra cash--and who couldn't use that? Plus, from July 15 - August 31, you can become a Stampin' Up! demonstrator for only $85!
The special, limited-time Mini Starter Kit contains many of the items you need to get started in your new business, including:

For All You Do stamp set
In Color Classic Stampin' Pads (6)
Whisper White card stock (8-1/2" x 11")
In Color assorted card stock (8-1/2" x 11")
Business forms and tools

Or if you want to buy the Standard $199 Starter Kit, in addition to the supplies listed below, you'll get all six of the new In Color Classic Stampin' Pads and one pack of In Color assorted card stock (8-1/2" x 11")--a $43 value! The standard Starter Kit includes:

Five stamp sets
A Stampin' Around wheel, handle, and ink cartridge
Stampin' Pastels
Card stock
Eastern Blooms Décor Elements and applicator tool
Five Classic Stampin' Pads
VersaMark Pad
Stampin' Scrub and Mist
Blender pens
SNAIL
Business forms and tools

These special offers--the Mini Starter Kit and the In Color add-on to the standard Starter Kit--are only available for a limited time, so you must act fast!

Benefits of Becoming a Demonstrator

Whether you just love to stamp, or you want to grow a successful, thriving business, the Stampin' Up! opportunity is the right fit for you. Stampin' Up! demonstrators enjoy many benefits, with just a few listed below:

Product discount. Demonstrators get a 20 percent discount on all Stampin' Up! products, including stamp sets, paper, and accessories. It's a great way to support your love of stamping and paper crafting.
Extra income. You'll earn extra income based on your sales and recruiting--how much extra income is up to you. Maybe you just want enough income to pay the electric bill every month, or maybe your goal is bigger--the monthly payment for your new car--it's your decision!
Flexible schedule. This is your business, so you can put in as much (or as little) time as you'd like.
Support from Stampin' Up! We love our demonstrators and it shows through our demonstrator support materials, including a monthly magazine, workshop ideas, and audio and video trainings on all kinds of topics available on our Demonstrator Web Site.

So what are you waiting for? Contact me TODAY to join the Stampin' Up! family!

FINAL "DEAL OF THE WEEK"

2009-07-27T23:16:00.002-04:00

This is the last Stampin' Up! "DEAL OF THE WEEK" for the month of July. This is a GREAT sale! If you missed this punch last Valentine's Day, now is the time to make up for it! This punch normally sells for $15.95, but for the last few days of July, you can purchase it for only $10.99. That's more than 30% off the regular price!

Just go to my website here and click on the SHOP NOW in the upper right corner, just below my name. There are many new stamp sets and accessories to be found in the new 2009-2010 Idea Book & Catalog. If you need help choosing, I would be happy to help. Just contact me today!

~Alice

MONTHLY SCRAPBOOKING CLASS

2009-07-23T07:00:00.000-04:00

My daughter, Shannon, asked me to start up another Scrapbooking Class. We are both thrilled with the results of last year's class: a completed 24-page Album In A Year filled with holiday highlights, birthdays, special days, and the everyday traditions that make each family unique. Now most of you know how much work it is to prepare packets for scrapbookers, where everything is measured and pre-cut and ready to be stamped and assembled. And I must admit, it can be a lot of work. But I just LOVE doing it! I love seeing all the strips of paper lined up, and collated into groups, with embellishments carefully counted out and selected to create just the right "look". Here are the pages we made at our first class.

We used the BEAUTIFUL BUTTERFLIES Bigz die and the Sizzix Big Shot for Stampin' Up! to die-cut the butterflies, and various swatches from the Hostess Level 1 PATTERNS PACK of Designer Series Paper to create the colorful eggs in the Easter/Spring page spread you see here.

This page spread uses the GOOD MORNING SUNSHINE Designer Series Paper (now retired) and Pacific Point card stock (also retired).

The owl is a personal creation, and was really very simple for everyone to make using various Stampin' Up! punches. He's sitting on branches die-cut with the SWEETEST STEM Embosslits die. (Sorry for the blurred image.)

The cost to attend the Monthly Scrapbooking Class is only $17, which includes almost everything you need to complete (2) 12"x12" double-page spreads. All you need to bring with you is adhesive! The theme changes from month to month. Please R.S.V.P. 2 weeks prior to the class date so that I have time to order enough supplies for everyone. I would love to have YOU join us! Just send an e-mail to Angelsme@aol.com today! It really is that easy!

~Alice

ALOHA

2009-07-21T07:00:00.001-04:00

This is the greeting that welcomed customers to my Open House last weekend. I had lots of fun making it! The letters were cut by hand from chipboard, and mounted on all different samples from the new Razzleberry Lemonade Designer Series Paper. I think I'm IN LOVE!! hehe It's hanging from a long piece of Polka Dot ribbon, which is available in all of the new In-Colors. Again I say, "I think I'm IN LOVE!" hehe This is Bermuda Bay shown here.

This close-up shows one of my favorite new stamp sets, WINGS OF FRIENDSHIP, a Level 2 Hostess Set. This means that the only way you can get this set is to invite a few of your friends in for a night (or morning) of creativity. I'll bring the stamps and supplies, and you have all the fun! Based on the sales at your workshop, you might be eligible to choose this stamp set -- for FREE! Contact me to learn more!

This close-up shows a stamp from RAZZLE DAZZLE, another favorite stamp set found in the new catalog, and a few of the Flower Assortment Designer Brads. The butterfly punch, silver brads, and adhesive-backed pearls are non-Stampin' Up! products. I rarely use anything that isn't made by Stampin' Up!, since I can almost always find exactly what I'm looking for in our catalog. But sometimes it's fun to see what else is available, too. I find that searching around usually brings me right back to Stampin' Up! -- wholly satisfied and excited about the variety -- and the quality -- of Stampin' Up! products.

This last close-up shows the sentiment from RAZZLE DAZZLE inside a Styled Silver Hodgepodge Hardware oval frame. Next to it are some of the FLOWER FUSION custom colored felt flowers, held together and to the background, by a Turquoise Circle Ice Rhinestone Brad. This square version of this brad was last week's DEAL OF THE WEEK #3, and the STYLED VANILLA version of the Hodgepodge Hardware shown here is this week's current DEAL OF THE WEEK #4, see my post from yesterday below.

As I said at the beginning of this post, I really enjoyed creating this banner. The RICH RAZZLEBERRY In-Color Card Stock makes a heavy, strong background to mount all these pieces to. It has been hanging in the niche in my foyer for over a week now. I hate to take it down! :-) Thanks for looking!

~Alice

Deal of the Week #4

2009-07-20T22:31:00.002-04:00

There are 1o each of five different metal accents which coordinate with many of the wonderful Stampin' Up! punches, such as the square shape shown above. There are also 10 each of 4 different brad designs, 10 ribbon slides, and 100 3/16" plain brads for mounting the punch shaped hardware. That's approximatly 200 pieces of Styled Vanilla Hardware for only $18.99! What a GREAT deal!! Contact me to place your order, or visit my Stampin' Up! website here to place your order directly 24/7/365. Just click on the SHOP NOW button below my name in the upper right corner.

~Alice

Open House Highlights

2009-07-14T18:03:00.008-04:00

My Open House celebrating the Stampin' Up! NEW Idea Book & Catalog 2009-2010 was held last Saturday. What we lacked in numbers we made up for in enthusiasm!! There were Make 'n' Takes featuring the NEW In-Colors and lots of Retired Stamp Sets for sale. Every half hour a name was drawn to win one of the awesome Door Prizes! I think everyone who attended ended up winning one of those! We experimented with the Color Spritzer tool, adding some texture to the sand on this Make 'n' Take card.

The palm tree branches were punched out of Old Olive card stock using the Scallop Oval Punch. Fold the frond in half, then cut diagonally from the bottom of each scallop toward the center. We used a sponge and Old Olive ink to shade the edges and center vein. The sentiment is from the new Level 2 Hostess set, Wings of Friendship.

We used that set to create another Make 'n' Take at the Open House, too. This set of three 3"x3" note cards has matching lined envelopes gathered into a holder that's wrapped up with some of the new gorgeous polka dot grosgrain ribbon which comes in every one of the new In-Colors. We used Melon Mambo here.

The cards were created with the NEW 8-1/2x11 TEXTURED In-Color Card Stock, Razzleberry Lemonade Designer Series Paper, the Boho Blossoms Punch, and the new Modern Label Punch. Stamp sets used include the Wings of Friendship, Razzle Dazzle, and Teeny Tiny Wishes. These are some of my favorites in the new catalog. Don't you just LOVE this bird?!?!?

There's one more thing I'd like to share with you. Click on this link here and you'll see the Recipe List that used to be at the end of the Stampin' Up! catalog. Do you remember the one that listed absolutely every product used to create every sample in EVERY photo on EVERY page in the entire catalog? Well, this is it, Ladies. It's not at the end of the catalog anymore. But here it is!! You can open this, then save it to a file on your computer. Then you'll be able to see all the products you'll need to C.A.S.E. every awesome project in this FANTASTIC NEW CATALOG!! What? You don't have one? Contact me NOW and I'll see that you get one! It's only $10! Or you can get it FREE if you schedule a workshop with me. OR... if you place an order for over $100, I'll give it to you for FREE!

Go to my web site here and click on the SHOP NOW box in the upper right hand corner. You can shop 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year! Or if you would like some assistance, e-mail me and I'll get back to you and we'll shop together! I'd love to help you start working on those projects you've had on your "To Do" list for sooooo long! Don't keep putting it off. Today's the day! Do it now! :-)

~Alice

Deal of the Week #3

2009-07-14T17:48:00.003-04:00

Contact me to place an order, or shop 24/7 on my website here . This deal is only good until 10 AM next Monday, so HURRY!

~Alice

THE NEW CATALOG IS HERE!

2009-07-01T22:16:00.008-04:00

First of all, I would like to invite everyone to an

OPEN HOUSE

Saturday, July 11, 10AM - 2PM

The gala will be held at my house, and you may come and go anytime during the event. But allow enough time to create a couple of Make 'n' Takes, enjoy snacks, and win FREE GIFTS! That's right. I said FREE! There will be lots of samples made with this year's new, gorgeous In-Colors, which are available in MARKERS this year, too. Isn't that exciting?!! So mark your calendar now and contact me to let me know you're planning to attend. (That way I'll be sure to have a packet of supplies with your name on it!) Would you like to invite a friend? Please do! Just let me know. If you bring someone I've never met before, I'll order a stamp pad in your choice of color -- and, of course, it's FREE!

The deadline for reserving your FREE packet of supplies is Monday, July 6 at 5:00PM. As always, I look forward to seeing as many of you as possible. Don't wait until the last minute -- e-mail me at Angelsme@aol.com.

P.S. Did I mention that the Open House is FREE??!! :-)

~Alice

Just Buzzin' By...

2009-03-02T22:49:00.008-05:00

Hello all. Has it really been over six weeks since I've posted to my blog? WOW! I have been fighting a cold/virus/respiratory infection/yucky cough for almost that long, too! I am sooo tired -- ALL THE TIME! But I think I might just be turning the corner to getting well. WHEW I'm ready!

Anyway... let's move on to what you've been patiently waiting for... those BEE CARDS! As I promised, I'd like to post here some of the cards I received in swapping at the SU! Regional Seminar in Orlando in January. I apologize to the demonstrators who created these cards for my poor photography. Thank you for sharing your wonderful ideas with us all. My customers thank you for inspiring them to create beautiful cards using JUST BUZZIN' BY (Item #113228, page 57, Spring-Summer 2009 Idea Book & Catalog).

The first is by Nancy Hewitt. You can visit her blog here . This square image which frames her focal point honey jar is created by using the Scalloped Edge Punch and some careful punching into a 2-3/4" square of So Saffron card stock.

The next is by Karen Mickel. Can you see the Dazzling Diamonds on the wings of the bees? Also, Karen created a "wet" look when she applied Crystal Effects on the honey on the middle jar which has been popped up on Stampin' Dimensionals to give it more dimension.

This card was designed by Susy Miller, a Senior Executive with Stampin' Up! Obviously, she is a talented artist as well as an accomplished business woman. Susy also mounted her honey pot on dimensionals to create that extra dimension. She used a red brad to create the look of a knob on the lid of the honey pot. How cute is that?!?!

Our next sample is by Diane McMullen, who chose to create a simple 2-color design. Diane colored in her bees and the "Hive Sweet Hive" sign with a YoYo Yellow Marker. I just love SU! markers because of the different tip on each end of the marker. One end has a really fine point which is great for journaling or getting into those tight spaces. The other is a brush-tip, which is great for "painting" color onto the image.

Susan Barron created this next card by stamping the honey pot in More Mustard ink on More Mustard card stock, thus creating a subtle background image. Her honey pot has Crystal Effects on the honey to give it a "wet" look, and is placed on a strip of Haiku Designer Series Paper. If you look closely, you can see some paper piercing on the Tangerine Tango Photo Corner Punch and in the bottom right hand corner of the card.

All images copyright Stampin' Up! 1990-2009.

~ Alice

WATERCOLOR CARD CLASS

2009-01-13T23:40:00.003-05:00

Time flies when you're having fun! That's what they say, right? Well, I must have been having lots of fun... hehe, because the time sure has flown by! I was planning to start my monthly card class up again after the holidays, but half of January is gone already! So let's get to it! This will be the first in a series of three classes featuring various watercolor techniques.

Card Class

Saturday, January 24

10AM-1PM

$17 for 12 cards & envelopes

Bring your own adhesive and aquapainter.

If you do not own an aquapainter, you may order a set of two (one medium, one large) at the first class for $16.95. Please RSVP by Monday, January 19 so that I can prepare a packet of pre-cut supplies just for YOU!

Come see the NEW 2009 Spring/Summer Idea Book & Catalog, filled with new stamp sets, new Designer Series Papers, and lots of new accessories. SPECIAL OFFER for Jan. 24th only: Place a minimum $50 order from the new 2009 catalog and I will give you a Classic Stampin' Pad FREE (you pick the color).

Remember, RSVP soon to reserve your seat. Space is limited.

~Alice

WILL SOMEONE PLEASE HELP ME??

2009-01-08T21:33:00.007-05:00

I have been trying to paste a little picture here so you can just click on it and see a flyer, but I don't know what I'm doing. I want to find someone who can teach me how to do all this cool BLOGGING stuff... hehe I've been just fiddling around, pushing buttons and getting lucky so far. But I am getting frustrated that I can't do more.

I have seen many Stampin' Up! demonstrators' blogs with lots of pictures in their sidebars that link up to every event listed on the SU! website, including catalogs, mini catalogs, brochures and sales flyers. Why can't I figure out how to do something that everyone else can do?

SCREAM!! Ahhhh that feels a little bit better, getting that out... hehe

It seems that recently I have seen more and more demonstrators charging each other for their ideas, templates and class outlines. When I first signed up to be a Stampin' Up! demonstrator almost 4 years ago, it seemed that most demonstrators shared ideas and knowledge of techniques with each other... not for money, but just because we all love stamping and sharing what we love with each other.

Sooooo, is there anyone out there reading this who is willing to give me some lessons on technology and how to blog??? I would like to learn how to use widgets, how to add links and photos to my sidebars, even just how to size my photos and place them around the text so that it looks like how I WANT it to, instead of just how it happens to land on the page... hehe I would be more than happy to offer a trade for your services... free hand-made cards, scrapbook pages, water-color lessons... I'm sure we could come up with something.

WILL SOMEONE PLEASE HELP ME??

~Alice

INVENTORY BLOW-OUT SALE!!

2009-01-08T20:52:00.007-05:00

Stampin' Up! is having a huge INVENTORY BLOW-OUT!! I think if you click here you will be taken to the Stampin' Up! website where you will be able to see a flyer with merchandise that is on sale for up to 50% off the original price. If that doesn't work, try clicking on this:

http://www.stampinup.com/us/documents/Inventory_Blowout_109US.pdf

But you need to act FAST because this merchandise is moving out of the warehouse faster than I can keep up with it! Go visit my website here or by clicking on the link below:

http://www.alicehancock.stampinup.net/

and just click on the SHOP NOW button located in the upper right hand corner, just underneath my name. The retired stamp sets and accessories will only be available until January 18! Then we will start with a BRAND NEW Spring/Summer 2009 Idea Book & Catalog. I am soooooo excited! Demonstrators have been able to pre-order some of the new stamp sets, and I am looking forward to showing you some cards I've made featuring them. I can't do that yet, though. If I show you before they're available, I might have to kill you. hehe Not really... but you'll have to wait until January 19th! I'm going to the SU! Regional Seminar in Orlando this Saturday, and will have lots of swaps to show you when I get back. See you then!

~ Alice

I'm on STAMPERS SHOWCASE!!

2008-12-18T12:25:00.004-05:00

WOW! I am so excited. A while back I submitted a card I had made for a swap to Stampin' Up! for a contest. Well, I didn't win the contest (or the free stamp set) -- but they posted my card on STAMPERS SHOWCASE yesterday. Isn't that cool? Thanks to my friend and fellow demonstrator Jill George (go see her blog) who sent me an e-mail to let me know!! WOW! I am all smiles! This is the card:

I think I showed you this one already, didn't I? I like to watercolor, and don't spend enough time using this versatile techncique. Hmmmm... maybe that will be another of my New Year's resolutions... making more cards using watercolor. Hey, I have an even better idea! I think I'll make more scrapbook pages using watercolors!

OK. That's it for today. I have orders to sort through and more presents to wrap. How are you all doing? Am I the only one who is not ready for Christmas? Good luck! See you next time!

~ Alice

Stampin' Up! Retired Stamp Set List is here!

2008-12-09T11:27:00.008-05:00

The Stampin' Up! Retired Stamp Set List is here!

And... all retired sets are

10% OFF December 9-23!!

And... you get

FREE SHIPPING for all orders over $70

Just click Here to go see the list of stamp sets that shows the 10% discount so you can see how much you're going to save! It's very easy to shop. Just go to my website here and click on SHOP NOW in the upper right hand corner.

LAST REMINDER...

Be sure to send me your Holiday Wish List so that your friends and relatives can contact me to do their Holiday Shopping! The deadline is tomorrow, Dec. 10th. I will deliver the merchandise, wrapped and ready to place under your Christmas tree! Won't it be nice to know the gifts you receive this year will be exactly what you wanted?!?!

Also...

GIFT CERTIFICATES are available in any denomination. These make a great last minute gift for family and friends who craft. Just e-mail me right now! Angelsme@aol.com

Now... I know you're looking for another idea of what to make for last minute gifts, right? Well, I won't disappoint you. My grandson, Braiden, loves Sour Patch Kids candy. So I bought 3 boxes of it, and wrapped each one individually with some of the Holiday Prints Designer Series Paper (DSP) from the Holiday Mini Catalog (which is only available until December 31). Then I stacked them one on top of another, and wrapped the stack with a belly band made from another piece of DSP and topped that with some 5/8" Baja Breeze Striped Grosgrain Ribbon.

Then I had lots of fun adding some SU! Felt Flurries, snowflakes from my Cricut and Martha Stewart punch, all topped with a rhinestone snowflake I picked up last year somewhere. I attached them to the ribbon using one of the Small Library Clips from the Clips Assortment on page 184 in the SU! catalog and only $6.95. What a great stocking stuffer!!

Ooooooops, how could I forget???!!! It's time for BLOG CANDY!! And I was supposed to pick a winner YESTERDAY!!! I am soooooo sorry. Let's go to random.com and pick a number for our winner! I'll be right back...

Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:2
Timestamp: 2008-12-09 18:16:05 UTC

OK... the results are in. It's number 2 which means derr.sandy@gmail.com is our winner! CONGRATULATIONS! Contact me with your snail mail address and I will send you the promised BLOG CANDY!!

Thanks for being so supportive and for coming to my blog regularly. One of my new year's resolutions for 2009 is to be better about posting new ideas and tutorials to my blog. Hey... it's better than trying to stay on a diet, right? hehe
That's it for today. See you next time!

~Alice

THANKSGIVING HIGHLIGHTS

2008-11-30T23:53:00.005-05:00

I spent Thanksgiving with my Darling Daughter (DD), Shannon, and her family. DH Larry had to work, but managed to snitch a few hors d-oeuvres before he headed off to work. I just wanted to share a few family photos with you to show what I am very thankful for.

This first is Shannon and her youngest son, Declan, who is 18 months old now, and happily running around and getting into absolutely everything that isn't nailed down... and even some things that ARE nailed down! hehe

This second photo is DD's oldest son, Zion, and his Mimi (that's what they call me. I love being a grandmother!!!)

I spent the night at Shannon's house so that we could wake up early (3:00AM! Yes, I said 3:00 AM!!) for our traditional Black Friday shopping excursion. Here is a picture of my van at the end of almost 12 hours of shopping!! The back seat was filled, as was the rest of the back of the van. There were presents from floor to ceiling. I also had a Christmas CD blasting out the holiday tunes, to help us stay awake and get in the "Holiday Spirit"!!! hehe

The day ended with a very exciting and truly memorable event... Zion lost his first tooth!! It's a little difficult, but can you see the space in the center of his bottom jaw? The Tooth Fairy came for a visit while we were all sleeping... and Zion was one very happy little 4-year old!!

I made this little tin for Zion a few weeks ago when his tooth first started feeling loose. I used the "fairy" from the stamp set "IF THE HALO FITS". OK... OK... I know she's not really a fairy. But I don't think Zion noticed at all. And the tin is just the perfect size to hold a tiny tooth and slide under a pillow to wait for a visit from the Tooth Fairy, don't you think?

Did you notice I used the new Curly Label Punch to create a label for the words? It sticks up JUST high enough to be seen, but not high enough to get caught up on anything. If you would like to order one of these tins for your child (or grandchild... or Godchild), just contact me and I would be happy to make one special for you!

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your loved ones!!

~ Alice

SNOWFLAKE CARD

2008-11-30T23:09:00.004-05:00

This is one of the cards we made at the Christmas Card Stamp-A-Stack held a few weekends ago. I have some pieces left over, so I decided to go ahead and make them up into cards. But I changed each one a little, so that each looked unique. It was lots of fun!

This first card uses one of the new Filigree Brads on top of the snowflake image from Stampin' Up!'s SNOW SWIRLED stamp set, along with some Rhinestone Brads in the centers of some of the Big Felt Flurries snowflakes. The Designer Series Paper (DSP) strip is from the Ski Slope collection in the Holiday Mini Catalog. The words are also from the SNOW SWIRLED stamp set.

All of the cards shown here use the same stamp set and DSP. The images are all on Whisper White cardstock which was mounted onto Sahara Sand card background. The card below also uses some of the pearls from the Pretties Kit in the Spring/Summer 2008 Idea Book & Catalog.

I think this last card is my favorite. I used the new Sizzix Sizzlits 4-pack die, SNOWFLAKES SET #2. Although I do not have the Sizzix Big Shot, it was easy to punch out the snowflake using my Cuttlebug Die Cutter.

This close-up below shows a bit better the Sizzix die cut snowflake punched out of Vellum Card Stock, covered with glue and then Dazzling Diamonds glitter. I firmly believe that a little glitter and bling makes any card more appealing, don't you? :-)

It's not too late to order the supplies you need to make your own Christmas cards to send to loved ones this year. Just contact me and I will help you pick a design (or two!) from the samples you have seen here on my blog -- or we can plan your own unique card design. Then we'll just fill out an order together, or you can go to my website here and place the order yourself, any time of the day... 24/7. Expedited delivery is available as we get closer to Christmas, but I would recommend placing your order by December 10 to assure timely delivery.

There are only 25 days left 'til Christmas!!

~ Alice

HOLIDAY EXTRAVAGANZA SALE

2008-11-26T11:20:00.004-05:00

Click on the title of this post above and it will take you to the SU! flyer that shows all the bundles that are on sale.

Stampin' Up! is getting in the Holiday spirit by offering a variety of sale bundles at

20%-50% off regular retail price.

These products are only available while supplies last, so I suggest that you go to my website here RIGHT NOW!! In the upper right hand corner, underneath my name is a little block that says SHOP NOW. Just click on that, and you can place your order directly there. Your savings will be automatically figured, and, yes, I will get credit for the sale. SO GO NOW! Yes, RIGHT NOW! Supplies are limited!

The sale is only

November 26 - December 1.

Would you like some more Christmas Card Ideas?

2008-11-25T23:05:00.003-05:00

Here is another sample of a card we made at the Christmas Card Stamp-A-Stack. I used the Cuttlebug Snowflakes Folder to create the texture on the Whisper White CS. Don't you just love the way we colored the inside text with SU! markers to highlight the "true" meaning of Christmas?

Here is a simple little bag filled with Hershey's Kisses. Doesn't it look awesome dressed up with a little bit of Stampin' Up! cardstock, rubber stamps,and ribbon?!! Amy and I made these one afternoon while we were creating gift ideas in my studio. We got the idea from page 19 in the Holiday Mini Catalog. We changed a few things because we didn't have all the same supplies, but we were very happy with the results!

Here is a close-up. Notice the gold embossing on the little red tag, and the clear embossing with the Jumbo SWIRLY Roller Wheel on the base tag. I just fell in love with that GORGEOUS 1-1/4" Riding Hood Red/Very Vanilla Grosgrain Ribbon and the Rope Twine (page 23 in the Holiday Mini). I could go on and on and on... but I think you get the point. I just LOVE LOVE LOVE EVERYTHING in this mini. I can't wait for the NEW 2008/09 Idea Book & Catalog which will be released in about 7 weeks. I know... I know... Where does the time go?!?!?

Contact me if you would like the product list and directions for how to make this cute little gift idea... perfect for your babysitter, teacher or even your personal trainer! (Hmmmm, maybe we should think again on this gift for your trainer... hehe)

Stay tuned for more great ideas! :-)

~ Alice

2008-11-25T22:43:00.004-05:00

We're making lots and lots of Christmas cards. Here are some more for you to see. Need more ideas? I have plenty of those! Just not enough time to post them all... hehe... I think you can figure out how to make these by looking at these photos. If you need any directions, or lists of supplies, just contact me. I will be happy to help you in any way I can! Thanks for stopping by!

Stampin' Up! is having a HOLIDAY EXTRAVAGANZA SALE! They have been very hush-hush about the whole thing, but tomorrow (that's WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 26) we will have the scoop! So check out my Demonstrator Business Website for all the details. The information on how to save $$$ on your ordering during Thanksgiving Weekend ONLY by ordering online will be posted here on my blog and on my DBWS. Sign up for Blog Update Notification by subscribing to my blog. Just click on the box in the left column up above. Then you will automatically receive an e-mail telling you there has been an update for you to go see! (That way, you won't have to rely on my memory to send you information! And we all know about my memory!!! Or should I say, LACK of memory??? hehe)

Remember to check back here tomorrow!!! Very IMPORTANT!!! HUGE SALE!!!

~Alice

GypsyCrafter is moving on...

2008-11-19T21:09:00.008-05:00

A few of the demonstrators with our Hawaii Ink group got together last week to say goodbye to our dear friend Kim (see her blog here), who is moving with her family to northern Florida. They are military, so I think they know how to go through moves better than us "normal" people. I mean... that's not to say that military people are not "normal"... I mean... ummmmm... well... you know what I'm trying to say, don't you? Military wives seem to know how to make friends easily and quickly, maybe because they know they don't have much time to get acquainted and settled in, and then it's time to pack up and move again.

<-- Whitney looks on as Kim opens the beautiful journal/scrapbook tin that she made for her "dear kind and wonderful friend" using the ALL HOLIDAYS stamp set, a DVD tin, and silver embossing powder. Only Whitney can create miracles with a few tools and accessories as gorgeous as this keepsake! You can go see Whitney's blog here.

Here Kim holds up the notepad holder that Lisa C. made for her using an On Board Clipboard. Hmmmm, maybe I should consider moving so that I can receive all these awesome Stampin' Up! gifts!?!?

And here is the card I made for Kim. It's really an ornament attached to a card front. On the back of the ornament there is a frame for a small photo to be inserted, thus creating not just a decoration, but a cherished memory. I can't take credit for the Origami tree. I found that on one of the gazillion blogs I peruse every day, but can't remember who to give the credit to. Sorry! When I remember, I will update here so you can all go get the directions from the original artist. I used some retired DSP to pull this all together, and slid it into place on the card front using the slit punch. Cute??

I know Kim, her DH (<-- that's Darling Husband for those of you new to blog-language),Paco, and their two daughters are excited about moving to a new place, with a new home and new friends. Kim will be in an area where there are no other Stampin' Up! demonstrators. That is... for now! Once she gets settled, Kim will be teaching classes, techniques and the love of card-making to all who want to learn. Then she'll have an entire downline of her own to nurture and instruct. Good luck, Kim. We'll miss you, but we know you'll keep in touch. Right? Good friends are never really gone, just re-located.

~Alice

Christmas Card Stamp-A-Stack #1

2008-11-19T20:27:00.005-05:00

I have been keeping all my Christmas card ideas hidden because I didn't want anyone who was attending my Christmas Card Stamp-A-Stack this past Saturday to see any of the designs before they came to make them. But the event is over now, and it was a big success. Everyone who came made four cards each of five different designs, for a total of 20 cards and envelopes. We learned some new techniques, including "Faux Silk" which we used on this card. We also learned how to heat emboss using Gold Embossing Powder and a Heat Tool; and we used the Cuttlebug Die Cutting System and Nestabilities to create the large scalloped circle behind the "Peace Love Joy" focal sentiment. The design flourish was stamped with Handsome Hunter ink directly onto the tissue paper, which is crumpled up after the ink dries. Then just open up the tissue and adhere it to a piece of Handsome Hunter cardstock, mounted on a 1/4" larger Very Vanilla cardstock, which is in turn mounted onto the base card made of Handsome Hunter for this 5-1/4" square card. A length of gold elastic cord tied around the top layers finishes off this elegant Christmas card.

It's Never Too Late for Cute Pics of Grandchildren :-)

2008-11-12T01:19:00.005-05:00

It's never too late for pictures of my grandsons -- even if Halloween was over two weeks ago... hehe Here is 4-1/2 year old Zion as "The Incredible Hulk"... hehe He's sooooooooooo scary!! (Do you see the little lion complete with tail in the background? How cute is he?!?!?

And here's a closer look at our "King of the Jungle" 18 month-old Declan, my youngest grandson.

Uh-oh... where is my lollipop? hehe

That's all for now. I just wanted to get these pics uploaded before it was Thanksgiving! See you again soon!

~Alice

2008-11-12T00:05:00.006-05:00

Hello everyone. Sorry it's been over a week since I've updated. I really am trying so hard to update more regularly! But I went out of state to a family wedding last weekend, and have been super busy getting ready for my upcoming Christmas Card Stamp-A-Stack this Saturday, Nov. 15. I don't want to show you anything we will be making -- it's a surprise!! :-)

But... I do have some cards for you. Don't you just love it when Christmas season rolls around and we make special cards to send to everyone we know? I know it's not really reasonable, but sometimes I want to make a unique card exclusively for each and every person I send cards to. I want them to know how very precious they are to me.

This card was designed with Thanksgiving in mind, but can be used for a "Thank You" card any time of the year. Can you see that I stamped the small single flower from EASTERN BLOOMS using VersaMark in the background? I love this technique of making a subtle, repetitive image to produce your own patterned background paper.

Can you see the shiny brown ink used for the words and filigree image above and below? I used Chocolate Chip Craft Ink to stamp, then covered it with Clear Embossing Powder and heat set it using my Heat Gun. It takes a few extra steps, but I think the result is worth the extra time, don't you?

OK... moving right along. We have another Thanksgiving/Thank You card. I used some of the Kraft Patterned Paper you can choose as a Hostess Reward with any qualifying workshop. Just contact me to schedule your own personal workshop, or Girls Night Out, to see how you can earn this paper packet or a stamp set for FREE!

The close-up shows the leaves which were created using WATERCOLOR WONDER CRAYONS. I colored directly onto the stamp, spritzed it with a very small amount of water, and stamped onto Watercolor Paper. I cut out each leaf and placed them with Stampin' Dimensionals on one of the stamps from CUTE AND CURLY, then punched it out using the corresponding CURLY LABEL PUNCH. I tied everything up with a little touch of NATURAL HEMP and had a few Thanksgiving cards to send to friends and family. Thanks for looking. Keep checking back for samples from my Christmas event this weekend. I think you'll be pleased at the new ideas you'll see!

~ Alice

CHRISTMAS CARD

2008-11-02T00:30:00.005-04:00

This is the Christmas card that I designed for Amanda Coughlin's swap that I participated in last month. I don't know how I forgot to post it earlier, but 'tis the season... and the card making has begun! I really enjoyed watercoloing this image with my Aqua Painter using some Refill Inks and my Watercolor Wonder Crayons. This stamp is from Home for Christmas in the Stampin' Up! Holiday Mini Catalog. You can still place an order and get your supplies in time to produce your own hand-made Christmas cards this year. I can help you design your cards so that you have a beautiful message to mail to your friends and family -- and still have plenty of relaxing time to spend with your loved ones this holiday season. Just call me or e-mail me here.

I am hosting a Christmas Card Bazaar at my home on Saturday, November 15, 11AM - 4PM. We will make 4 each of 5 different designs, totalling 20 cards with envelopes. Louise has graciously volunteered (cough cough) to bring us some homemade Christmas cookie treats to keep our sugar level at a high. There will be Christmas carols playing in the background, and I promise not to sing along with Johhny Mathis (not too loud, anyway... hehe). But you need to R.S.V.P. by Nov. 3 so I can prepare a packet for you that includes ALL your pre-cut cardstock, Designer Series Paper swatches, ribbon and other embellishments. All you need to bring is your adhesive and $30 to cover the cost of supplies. C'mon now, where else can you get 20 cards for $1.50 each?!?! Space is limited, so call me today to save your spot!

Recipe for Home for Christmas card: Stamp Sets: Home for Christmas, Best Yet (Hostess Level 1); Inks: Black StazOn, Chocolate Chip, Riding Hood Red, Kiwi Kiss; Paper: Kiwi Kiss, Bravo Burgundy, Parisian Summer DSP, Watercolor Paper; Accessories: Watercolor Wonder Crayons, Silver Embossing Powder, Satin Ribbon Kiwi Kiss/Very Vanilla, Scallop Edge Punch, Hodgepodge Hardware Styled Vanilla, Aqua Painter, Designer Label Punch, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, Stampin' Write Markers

I hope to hear from you SOON! :-)

~Alice

MATCHING COLORS

2008-11-01T23:59:00.002-04:00

For those of you out there who would like to try a little something different for coloring in those fine-line drawings on some of Stampin' Up!'s stamp sets, you may want to try out COPIC MARKERS. They are alcohol based, which means that they are much easier to blend. There is also a colorless blender pen that can be used to blend lighter and darker colors for nice gradation. These markers may be purchased at various Internet storefronts. I would recommend ELLEN HUTSON or Eclectic Paperie.

Based on lots of feedback and color swatches with stampin' friends, the following Copic Colors are purely a suggested list that may compliment Stampin' Up! In Colors. The following color suggestions are completely subjective and open for interpretation, but I think you will be pleased:
Pink Pirouette -RV000
Tangerine Tango - YR18 or YR09
Kiwi Kiss - YG95, YG93 or YG03
Riding Hood Red - E07 or R37
Baja Breeze - BG72
Pacific Point B37 or B06

I hope this is helpful for those of you who would like to try a different technique for coloring. Copic Markers have been around for a long time, and are the preferred marker of most artists worldwide. Have fun!

~Alice

BLOG AWARD

2008-10-28T21:44:00.005-04:00

I was tagged today. This means someone gives me a Blog Award because they liked something about my blog... either a project that I've made, or something I've written about, or just the overall design or theme, etc. I received this award from Nancy Riley at here . Thanks Nancy! Then I need to name a new recipient for this Award and link their blog to mine. It's fun! Let's try it. I am supposed to place a fall picture here on my blog, because that's the theme of this award. But I don't seem to be able to do that part... hehe Instead, I'll just show you a Thanksgiving card that I made last week. Will that work for you?

Here is a close-up of the turkey, which is made using double-sided Designer Series Paper from Stampin' Up! I punched 3 scalloped circles, then folded them each in half. After folding the circle in half, you un-fold it. Leave 5 scallops at the top of the circle, fold each side IN-ward to meet the center-fold line, then fold the remaining part of the piece OUT-ward to resemble the feathers shown here. I've seen some of these turkeys made using card stock. Because the card stock is heavier, the feathers seem to be more "poofy". But I like the double-sided paper because you can see both patterns when you fold it in and then out. Does this make any sense? I think you can figure out from the photo the punches that were used to create the rest of the turkey. If you need more help, just let me know.

I would like to pass this award on to Kim and you can see her blog here. She just started blogging, but her work is clean, creative and UBER cute! Remember I told you that I participated in a Swap at my Group Meeting this past Saturday? Well, here's the card that Kim made for the swap. See what I mean? Very clean and simple, but sooooo nice! Keep up the good work, Kim!

One last thing to show you before I leave. My friend Jill came over last week and showed me how to make these cute little candy holders for Halloween. Aren't they just ADORABLE? My grandchildren in NJ liked them lots, according to my oldest daughter, Kristie. But shhhhhh, my youngest daughter, Shannon, has two little boys and they're not getting their candy until they come over to trick-or-treat on Friday. So don't tell them about these, OK? It's a surprise! hehe

See you next time!

~Alice

HAWAII INK ANNUAL GROUP MEETING

2008-10-26T00:31:00.008-04:00

I went to our Hawaii Ink Annual Group Meeting today. We had so much fun talking about business ideas, swapping cards, and completing Make 'N' Takes. Then we had lunch and talked some more. Lisa Curcio, the demonstrator who leads our Group (and my upline) designed 4 awesome projects for us. It was tough picking out a favorite, since all of the pieces were beautiful and taught us new techniques. "The "Faux Silk" technique was shown to us by Doris Davies, and the card it produced is just the first of many I will make using this easy process. :-)

This is my new downline, Francine. This was her first experience with swapping, and I'm sure she will agree with me when I tell you that the card fronts we received in our swap were all AWESOME! A swap is when you have a group of people who want to trade cards. Let's say we have 15 people who agree to swap. Usually there is a theme, such as Halloween cards, or cards using one of the new stamp sets from the Holiday mini catalog. Then a deadline is set, and everyone makes 15 identical card fronts using Stampin' Up! products. The swaps may be exchanged in person, trading one of your own cards with everyone else in the group. Or everyone mails their 15 cards to the "host" who sorts and distributes them into 15 piles, each with an assortment of one of each card front. Are you confused yet? hehe It's really much easier than it sounds. You end up with 14 new and different card fronts to give you ideas and inspiration. It's lots of fun! See you next time!

~Alice

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO STAMPIN' UP!

2008-10-21T10:59:00.008-04:00

Stampin' Up! is celebrating its 20 year birthday -- and we had a party! During the month of October, if you spend $20 on regular catalog merchandise you get 20% off select birthday stamp sets. We put our birthday hats on and ate cupcakes to help celebrate the occasion.

We also made 12 birthday cards (envelopes provided) using some of the discounted stamp sets, CRAZY FOR CUPCAKES and the CUPCAKES jumbo roller wheel. Watercolor was the technique of the day, and we learned lots of different ways to create beautiful cards.

Our first card was painted with an AquaPainter using new In-

Color re-inkers in Baja Breeze, Pink Pirouette and Riding Hood Red. The card was finished off with a ribbon created with the new 1-1/4" Pink Pirouette grosgrain Ribbon. Isn't it gorgeous?!?! I think this card was the favorite of the day.

But card #2 was lots of fun also. We used our AquaPainters again, but this time we used the Soft Subtles Watercolor Wonder Crayons to apply the color to our stack of cupcakes. Then we topped it all off with just a touch of Dazzling Diamonds to add a sparkle to the frosting. Can you see it?

Our last card used the Cupcakes Jumbo Roller Wheel with a black ink cartridge. Color was applied using blender pens and ink from the lid of Taken With Teal, Real Red, and Apricot Appeal stamp pads.

Remember, don't touch your blender pen to the actual surface of the ink pad!Before you open the stamp pad, hold it in both hands and press your thumbs on the lid, depressing it into the top of the ink pad. When you open the stamp pad, you will see a small area of ink sitting in the lid. Touch the tip of your blender pen into this area and you'll be able to color with the same ink that you used to stamp elsewhere on the card. Don't you just love how all the Stampin' Up! ink colors match their card stock?!! This has to be one of my favorite things about SU!

Here's my next-door neighbor, Amy, headed out the door after class with a bag full of goodies, a balloon, and one of the cards created at class. Thank you everyone for attending and making today such a fun event! I can't wait for our next class. Keep an eye out for more information here on my blog, or you can always check out the Calendar of Events on my Stampin' Up! website here.

~Alice

OCTOBER CARD CLASS

2008-10-21T10:43:00.005-04:00

Card class was held just before the World Card Making Day event began. This month was a bit special, as we made 12 cards PLUS a box to hold 4 of the cards. This makes a nice gift set for a friend, as a hostess gift, or even to keep for yourself!

The cost for all this was only $15! Where can you get a bargain like that -- AND have fun at the same time?!! Check out my Calendar of Events on my Stampin' Up! website at www.alicehancock.stampinup.net to get more information on how and when to sign up for the next class. I hope to see you here!

~ Alice

WORLD CARD MAKING DAY

2008-10-21T10:23:00.004-04:00

Wow! It's been too long since I've posted here. Let's try to get caught up on what's been going on around here. First, the 3rd Annual World Card Making Day was a great success! We donated over 30 handmade cards to our local Ronald McDonald House on Davis Island. We used -- of course -- the new Ronald McDonald House Charities stamp set, SAY IT WITH SCALLOPS, and the new SCALLOP SQUARE PUNCH. We also tried out one of the new Stampin' Up! Simply Sent kits to make a few Christmas cards. Everything was provided in the kit, which made the cards super simple to create! The kits were on sale for 20% off during the week. Next year will hopefully be an even bigger event!

Lots of events... all in ONE DAY!

2008-09-05T14:01:00.009-04:00

I've had my blog for a little while now. But my customers don't seem to know I'm here. Sooooo, we're going to play a little game. My monthly Card Class usually meets at my house on the first Friday of the month. In October, that would be Oct.3. But since World Card Making Day is on Saturday, Oct. 4th, I thought I would combine the two events. Therefore,

My Monthly Card Class will meet at my house

on Saturday, Oct. 4, 9:00-11:00AM

This Card Class is a PRE-BUY EVENT.

This means that in order to attend the Card Class,

you must register by Monday, Sept. 22

Registration fee is $35 (check or cash)

and includes

NEW Eastern Blooms Stamp Set

NEW Designer Buttons

NEW In-Color 5/8" Striped Grosgrain Ribbon

and Pre-cut card stock and supplies to make 12 cards (envelopes included)

If you already own this stamp set, cost of class is only $15.

Here is the "game" part:

All customers who register and pay the fee to attend this Card Class

will be entered to win a FREE GIFT! Just leave a comment here on my blog so I will know you've been here.

Sign up now! Send me an e-mail to register by clicking on this link:

angelsme@aol.com

or pick up the phone and call 813-741-0876

to reserve YOUR packet of supplies.

Plan to stay after class for

World Card Making Day
Saturday, Oct. 4 11:00AM - 4:00PM

Learn to share the joy of personal creativity and the value of handmade gifts.

There will be a FREE Christmas card Make 'n' Take,

sample the NEW Simply Sent Card Elements & NEW Striped Grosgrain Ribbon!

Use the NEW Scallop Square Punch, the NEW Scallop Edge Punch

and win prizes!

Bring a new friend and enter to win a FREE GIFT!

RSVP by 9.22.08.

Stay for the

Retirement Party

at my home 11AM-4PM

Start your Christmas shopping early. Select from new,

almost new, and gently-loved stamp sets looking for a new home.

Retired stamp sets will be on sale for 20-70% off!

Come early for best selection of Designer Series Paper,

Accessories and Retired In-Color merchandise.

Are you getting the theme here? This day will be filled with lots of card-making, Make 'n'Takes, NEW products, Retired products for SALE, and chances to win FREE GIFTS! Keep checking my blog for upcoming posts with more information on how YOU can have fun with Stampin' Up!

~Alice

Decor Elements

2008-08-02T15:08:00.008-04:00

Have you heard about the new Stampin' Up! Decor Elements? Home Decor is not really a new area for Stampin' Up!, and their expert sense of color and design is now extending to vinyl wall decorations. I finally got DH and I together in the same room at the same time and we applied them to the window valance in my office. As you can see from the clock, the whole episode lasted about 1/2 hour from start to finish. That included watching the video on the SU! website which gives step-by-step directions on how to prepare and apply the images.

This is the "before" window:

Now, do you want to see how easy it is to apply the designs? (It's REALLY easy when I just stand there and supervise my sweet DH while he does all the work... hehe)

And here is the end result:

What a difference this makes in the room! I can't believe how nice it is. I can't wait to order more Decor Elements. I'm already searching the house for the next wall to decorate. Decor Elements are available NOW, so contact me to request a full color brochure describing how easy it is for you to do your own decorating.

~Alice

Back to School

2008-07-14T14:00:00.005-04:00

I can't believe it's been over a month since I've updated my blog! WOW! I have been so busy! I thought it might be nice to share a "Back-to-School" scrapbook layout, since school is just around the corner. Enjoy the rest of the summer! It always flies by way too quickly, don't you think?

Here is a double page spread:

And here is a closer view at the left-side page:

And another look at the right-side page:

I used STAMP OF AUTHENTICITY which is one of the stamp sets on the Stampin' Up! Retired List. I will definitely miss this set! But OHHHH!! Wait until you see all the new sets waiting for us! I am soooooooo excited! Demonstrators have been able to pre-order a few of the new products, including ink pads and cardstock in the NEW IN COLORS! Mmmmmmmm they are beautiful!!!

Have you heard about the new DECOR ELEMENTS from Stampin' Up! yet? Contact me if you would like a full-color brochure, so you can browse through it at your leisure. Again, demonstrators were permitted to pre-order, and my selections have just arrived. I need help from DH to put mine up, since I have chosen to rub the vinyl images onto a window valance box in my stamp room and it's a bit too high for me to reach without a ladder. Anything involving a ladder automatically involves DH... hehe

Check back soon to see pics of the DECOR ELEMENTS on my walls! Contact me NOW to be one of the first to receive vinyl rub-ons to decorate the walls in your home. They are very easy to rub onto a smooth surface, and easy to remove when you're ready to update your home decor again. See you soon...
~Alice

Oldy but Goody

2008-06-03T14:00:00.001-04:00

Although the Touch of Nature stamp set was retired by Stampin' Up!, I can't resist to continue to use it for making cards. The stamps have a wonderful line drawing image which is a great base for colored pencils and/or watercoloring. I used a new birthday present from my DH, the Cuttlebug, to cut the oval and scalloped oval for this simple design.

Stamps: Touch of Nature

Ink: Chocolate Chip, Basic Brown, Wild Wasabi

Paper: Wild Wasabi, Naturals Ivory, Whisper White

Accessories: Wild Wasabi double-stitched ribbon, colored pencils, Stampin' Sponge, dimensionals

~ Alice

Scrapbooking

2008-06-02T14:00:00.001-04:00

I have been busy creating, but haven't posted here on my blog for quite awhile. So here are a few ideas to get you caught up on what I've been doing. :-) I finished a scrapbook that contained all of the page spreads that I taught in my Scrapbook Class for the past year. When we started in September 2007 I promised the attendees that if they came every month, they would have a completed "Year in the Life of My Family" scrapbook with highlights of holidays, birthdays, and other important events that they wanted to remember. The layouts below are the opening and closing pages of this scrapbook. We used the Stampin' Up! Creative License Simply Scrappin' kit from last year's Hostess Rewards. If you would like the chance to earn free stamp sets and other SU! merchandise, contact me to set up a date to have your friends attend a "Girls' Night Out". We can meet in your house or mine, and make two hands-on projects for FREE! You can choose to make cards or scrapbook pages -- whichever you prefer. You provide some simple snacks and interested friends, and I will bring all the supplies and fun!

~ Alice

Shuttle Launch

2008-06-01T16:35:00.006-04:00

We drove for about 2-1/2 hours to the Space Coast of FL to watch the NASA Space Shuttle launch. Route A1A was one long parking lot as tens of thousands of people lined up on both sides of the narrow road to claim a spot and camp out until the time finally came for the countdown to begin. Seasoned veterans were prepared with collapsable chairs, coolers, beach blankets and battery operated radios. We just stood next to a tree and tried not to look too hot... hehe As the countdow began, we all inched closer to the edge of the beach, cameras and video cameras all pointed across the water for the exciting spectacle. We were not disappointed. Although the entire take-off was over way too soon, the launch was thrilling, and took place without a hitch. The shuttle is on its way to the Space Station with another load of precious cargo.

We then returned to our car, packed up and headed for home. About two hours later, we had travelled only nine miles . So we switched to Plan B, made a U-turn, and drove in the opposite direction of home for awhile. We finally found a route that wasn't backed up with mile after mile of jammed traffic, and almost five hours after the launch began, we finally arrived home in Apollo Beach.

~ Alice

What Color Is That?

2008-05-03T10:43:00.003-04:00

Have you ever wondered what Card Stock colors match the colors in Stampin' Up!'s Designer Series Papers?
Here is a list of all the current papers:
Azure: Brilliant Blue, Very Vanilla
Bali Breeze: Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie, Rose Red, Taken with Teal
Berry Bliss: Close to Cocoa, Pretty in Pink, Purely Pomegranate
Cutie Pie: Bashful Blue, Basic Black, Certainly Celery, Rose Red, So Saffron
East Coast Prep: More Mustard, Real Red, Tempting Turquoise, Wild Wasabi
Fall Flowers: Old Olive, Really Rust, Soft Sky, Sahara Sand
Flowers for You: Certainly Celery, Lovely Lilac, Regal Rose, Tempting Turquoise
Ginger Blossom: Cameo Coral, Groovy Guava, Ruby Red, River Rock
Jersey Shore: Bashful Blue, Brilliant Blue, Pumpkin Pie, Wild Wasabi
Le Jardin: Always Artichoke, Bashful Blue, River Rock, So Saffron, Very Vanilla
Notebook: Kraft, Soft Sky, Very Vanilla
Olive Press: Old Olive, Very Vanilla
Porcelain Prints: Blue Bayou, River Rock, Wild Wasabi
Spring Break: Blue Bayou, Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie, Soft Sky
Spring Fling: Certainly Celery, Pretty in Pink, Sage Shadow, So Saffron
Spring Silhouettes: Certainly Celery, Soft Sky, Very Vanilla, Wild Wasabi
Western Sky: Blue Bayou, River Rock, Ruby Red, Soft Sky

Occasions Mini:
Afternoon Tea: Chocolate Chip, Groovy Guava, Soft Sky, Wild Wasabi
Summer Picnic: Bashful Blue, Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie, Real Red

~Alice

Pocket Card

2008-04-25T00:26:00.003-04:00

This is a pocket card I made using the Level 2 Spring Solitude Hostess Bundle. The card is Wild Wasabi textured card stock with the Polka Dot background stamp in Wild Wasabi ink. I read on Dannie Graves' blog that she liked to use this background when the card "needed something", but she couldn't figure out what. She said to just stamp the background using the same color ink as the card stock, and VOILA! Emptiness solved! Dannie has lots of GREAT ideas, and you can check out her blog here.

http://danniesdesigns.typepad.com/my_weblog/

I used a little bit of the Afternoon Tea DSP with a corner rounder punch, and closed the pocket by tying Wild Wasabi Double Stitched Ribbon around the card. The Solitude Roller Wheel was inked with Groovy Guava by rolling the wheel directly on the stamp pad, rather than using an ink cartridge. I find this works very well if I'm doing a small amount of wheeling. If I want to make an entire card front background with a wheel, or if I'm inking wrapping paper, then I would definitely want to use a cartridge. The tree limb was colored with Close to Cocoa and Garden Green markers, and the little bird was stamped with Soft Sky on Soft Sky cardstock, and then cut out with an x-acto blade and popped up on a dimensional. This card was actually pretty easy and quick to complete. Why don't you try it and see for yourself?!
~Alice

I'M BACK!

2008-04-23T23:24:00.006-04:00

WOW! I've been gone for so long! I have been fighting a head cold, and then busy with classes, and then busy with other things, hehe... but now I'm back. Just a quick post for you tonight. I started with a Stampin' Up! Itty Bitty Board Book, and covered it with "Notations" DSP, inside and outside covers, and also the box that the book fits into.

My friend, Ann, ordered some "Dew Drops", and shared some with me. I just love how dimensional they are, as you can see in the close up above, and how they instantly scream for your attention wherever you place them. Just a small glue dot will hold each one in place. Awesome little invention... don't you think? Ann is THE BEST friend to create with. She's always full of fantastic ideas, and loves to encourage me to attempt bigger and better things when it comes to making cards and scrapbooking. We have begun a scrapbook page "Challenge". We have only completed one page, but we have the guidelines set up for the second and we're ready to start any day now. Maybe we need to set a deadline to motivate ourselves. What do you think, Ann?

Well, now, that wasn't really that difficult. :-D Maybe I'll just start posting some of the projects I've been working on for the past couple of weeks. See you next time!

~Alice

Baby Cards

2008-04-05T18:00:00.001-04:00

My friend, Ann, bought a Cuttlebug and brought it over to show me how it works. It's pretty cool. We made a few cards using the small dye that came with the CB and a background dye with small swirls.WOW! Now I know first-hand what everybody is talking about. VERY COOL! I also bought a Scor-Pal and will have another sample to show what we made in my Card Class using it.

~Alice

Paradise

2008-04-05T11:00:00.004-04:00

Vacation? Who needs it when you live in Paradise? We just added a new garden at the back of our lanai, filled with tropical plants to soften the edge of the house. It's beautiful. Things look a bit droopy in these pictures, because everything had just been planted and not thoroughly watered yet. But we've had just a touch of rain the past two days, enough to get everybody all perked up and standing proud.

I have had two classes this past week, and with the new furniture and landscaping, I'm afraid I have fallen a little behind in my posting here. But I plan to make up for that in the next few days, and will show you some of what we made in both my Scrapbook Class and my Card Class. See you soon!

~Alice

New Furniture

2008-03-29T16:10:00.007-04:00

YEAH! Today FINALLY arrived!! I thought it would NEVER get here! All week I have been so excited I can't even sleep... waiting and waiting for the new furniture to arrive. Well, it's here! So you get to see it!

Yes, that is my Cocker Spaniel, Hobie. As you can see, he's not overly excited about the new furniture...hehe But I am! One thing I have wanted for a long time is a sofa table. My view from the kitchen sink is staring at the back of my couch. But now... I see this instead:

This is a much nicer view, don't you think? It's hard to see the details of the wood carving, so here is a close-up shot of the end table:

Can you see the little spots on the chair fabric, and on the center pillow on the couch? Well, they're not really spots (DUHHHH! hehe), they are DRAGONFLIES!! Can you believe it?!?! I have dragonflies on my furniture!! How cool is that?!?!

Well, I think I'll go stare at my furniture some more... hehe I know I promised some scrapbook pages, but that will have to wait until later this weekend. They're all done! Really they are! I just have to upload the photos! See you later alligator... hehe Hmmmm, I wonder... what rhymes with dragonflies? LOL

Easter News

2008-03-27T10:38:00.004-04:00

We had a wonderful Easter this year! Our 4-year old grandson, Zion, had lots of fun running around finding the brightly colored plastic eggs filled with chocolate (that had melted in the hot Florida sun).

10-month old Declan enjoyed his first Easter, but didn't really get to eat any of the candy that he wanted to shove into his mouth.

And my DD Shannon prepared a PERFECT meal complete with turkey and all the trimmings. I know, I know... you're supposed to have ham for Easter. But I really do NOT like ham, so Shannon graciously agreed to prepare turkey just to make me happy. Isn't she the GREATEST?!?!

Well, the photo list wouldn't be complete without a pic of DH and my son-in-law so here are the family shots:

I'll have some scrapbook pages for tomorrow. Have a great day!

Alice

My Mentor

2008-03-24T22:47:00.007-04:00

I want to share something with you. My friend, Jill, has been such an inspiration to me. Go check out her blog http://jillstampingwithink.typepad.com/signedwithink/ and you'll see why I think she is an absolute fountain of creative ideas. This card is just one of a series made with the Die-Cut Blooms (Item #111376, $8.95, p. 14) from the new Stampin' Up! Occasions Mini Collection 2oo8. Jill was selected by my upline, Lisa Curcio, to be my "mentor" last year, while I acted as one of a group of coordinators who planned and demonstrated Make & Takes at the quarterly meetings of our Hawaii Ink group. Jill is always reminding me to "K.I.S.S.", Keep It Simple, Stupid... hehe

Thanks for your influence and help, Jill. I hope you're feeling better soon! This year's flu bug is a tough one to recuperate from, isn't it?

And thanks to all of you for stopping by! See you next time...

Alice

An Easter Gift

2008-03-24T21:33:00.008-04:00

I love making 3-dimensional pieces of art using Stampin' Up! DSP and whatever embellishments I can find on my desktop or stored away in one of a gazillion containers (that really should be labeled so that I can find embellishments with greater ease). But I digress... Here is a little something I made for my DH for Easter. Yes, I did give him some candy, too. But since I'm the one who usually ends up eating most of the candy, I thought it might be nice to give him something I couldn't take back... hehe

As you can see, I had lots of fun using different embellishments, including some Vintage Brads (Item #109109, $8.95, p.189 SSC), Pewter Jumbo Eyelets (Item #108432, $9.95, p.189 SSC), and pearls from the Pretties Kit (Item #109114, $29.95, p.188 SSC). The gorgeous one inch wide brown satin ribbon can be found on the Theater Ribbon Originals (Item #109186, $12.95, p.190 SSC). I even used some of the Love & Happiness Rub-Ons that I earned for FREE during the recent Sale-A-Bration. The list of punches that I used is almost as long as the list of punches available on pages 180-181 in the Stampin' Up! catalog.

Next, I need to start working on the designs for the next meeting of my monthly Scrapbook class. The group meets at my home in the Covington Park sub-division in Apollo Beach (near Tampa, FL). Just contact me to reserve your seat! I know you're going to love the new pages! I hope to see you soon...

Alice

I'm here!

2008-03-23T22:05:00.004-04:00

Hello everyone. I have finally given up just thinking about it and have decided to take the first step into blogging. I would like to be able to post pictures, photos of cards and scrapbook pages I've designed, and just about whatever I want to share :-). So this is my first post. I look forward to many more.

I wanted to try and add a card, so below is a sample of a recent card I made for a Swap with some other Stampin' Up! demonstrators. We each chose a stamp set from the Occasions Mini catalog, made 30 identical cards, and received in exchange about 30 cards, 2 each of the 15 featured stamp sets. I have been perusing www.SplitCoastStampers.com to get inspiration and ideas for what to make, but it sure is nice to have lots of samples from different stamp sets to display for customers to see when they come to my house for classes. When they see awesome cards using new and fun techniques, then they usually want to purchase new stamp sets so they can make beautiful cards like they saw displayed here. So think about it the next time you have an opportunity to sign up for a swap! It's fun to swap, meet new friends, and have fun sharing what you love to do with others.

That's all for tonight. I hope you all had a wonderful Easter with your families and friends. 'Til next time...

Alice