Shelli's Holiday Challenge

Wow! 2 posts in 1 day! Maybe I'll get Kristina's challenge done tomorrow and then we'll really be impressed with the resurrection of my blog! :)

Anyway, I made this box out of 4 scallop envelop dies for the Big Shot. You may have seen it before, but I decided to take it on with transparencies or acetate! Tricky tricky! Let me tell you these things are slippery. Anyway I embellished it with the snowflake from Season of Joy stamped in White Staz-On and the Christmas image from the Hostess Level 1 Set: Punches Three (retiring January 18th, see below for more details). The Christmas sentiment was stamped in Kiwi Kiss Classic Ink on Whisper White Cardstock, then punched out. Then I stamped it again on Whisper White with Read Red ink and cut out the middle portion. I popped it up on dimensionals, and adhesed (SU!'s Jaron Winder's word for adhering anything to something else) it onto another scallop square punch that I had rotated 90 degrees. Instead of folding the small flaps inside the box, I kept them outside and used the 1/8" Crop-a-Dile punch to punch 2 holes about 1" apart then threaded Narrow Real Red Grosgrain Ribbon through and tied knots at each of the four corners. I am showing a picture with candy (Hershey's Candy Cane Kisses are my favorite) and without, so you can get a better idea of what the box looks like. Even though I didn't use a flash, I know the pics look a little glare-y but without angling the camera, you couldn't even tell it was the scallop envie die! This is so much cuter in person! Give it a try and let me know if you have trouble/need clarification! I'll try to be better about posting but if not, have a very happy holiday season!!!

Stampin' Up! Retired List Discount & FREE Shipping!

Hi everyone! I am so sorry I have been absent for so long. I am just posting this special right now but when I get home I plan to post some new items as well!!!

Yesterday the retired list came out from Stampin' Up! These are products that after January 18th will no longer be available so you have to get what you want before that date! :)

The special discount and shipping apply from December 7-23. The discount is 10% off all RETIRING stamp sets and FREE shipping (I've been told SU! has never done this before) is only on orders of $70 and above. You can order directly through my website 24 hours a day, 7 days a week! You can access the retiring stamps by clicking on "Shop Now" at my website and then the box at the bottom center of the screen that says "Time to Retire". Below is a list of the sets and the 10% off price to assist you in making your selections (click on it to enlarge)!



Also, I haven't yet posted the information on the Catalog Sampler discount which began December 1st. You receive 20% off any stamp set in that Sampler when you order just $20 worth of merchandise. To find these stamp sets, go to my website, click "Shop Now", then in the left hand menu click "Specials" and then "Sampler Stamp Promo".

I apologize about the abundance of information but I'll be back later with some projects. :) Hopefully I can churn out a Kristina Werner Color Inspiration Challenge card tonight...I'd better run so I can get my papers graded and supper made so I'll have time to stamp later. Take care!!!

Kristina Werner's Inspiration #25

Two cards this week! Super quick post b/c I only have 4 minutes until deadline (couldn't find my camera anywhere)...I'll try and get the recipes down now anyway, hopefully Kristina doesn't watch the seconds on these things...


Stamps: Pocket Silhouettes & Occasions Collection
Cardstock: Whisper White, Certainly Celery, Ballet Blue, So Saffron, Ruby Red
Ink: Certainly Celery, So Saffron, Ruby Red, VersaMark
Accessories: Curly Label Punch, White Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Narrow Certainly Celery Grosgrain, Stampin' Dimensionals, Stamp-a-ma-jig

Ok - I know I cheated on this one because owls aren't Ruby Red, Ballet Blue, So Saffron, or Certainly Celery so I used various browns and More Mustard and of course Pumpkin Pie for their beaks and feet. I love these little guys and this is the first time I've inked them up since buying them (I used a cruisers set at our Sealed with a Stamp, Ink. group meeting back in April). I also used the Aquapainter which is a special this month (1 large one for $7.25) although I use the medium one more frequently so I'd recommend buying the regular package in the catalog! :)

Stamps: Owl Together Now
Cardstock: Watercolor Paper, Certainly Celery, Ballet Blue, So Saffron, Ruby Red
Ink: Certainly Celery, So Saffron, Ruby Red, Ballet Blue Stampin' Write Marker, Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa, More Mustard, Pumpkin Pie, VersaMark, Timber Brown StazOn
Accessories: Small & Large Tag Punches, Staples, Narrow Certainly Celery Grosgrain, Stampin' Dimensionals, Aquapainter, Stamp-a-ma-jig

Kristina's Color Inspiration #24 & New SU! Promos

LOVED these colors from Kristina Werner's 24th Color Inspiration Challenge! I'm obsessed with the Curly Label Punch Bundle - so fun! Go to my SU! website to order it now! I couldn't decide on Pumpkin Pie or Chocolate Chip ribbon so I did both! :) I'm also totally loving Stitched Exotics but I meant to stamp the Top Note Die with the Stitched background (LOVE that stamp!) Oh, well that's what I get for crafting at 3 am. Without further ado, the supplies are:

Stamps: Stitched Exotics, Curly Label Punch Bundle, & Calendar Alphabet & Numbers
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Pumpkin Pie, and Kiwi Kiss Classic Inks
Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Chocolate Chip, Pumpkin Pie and Kiwi Kiss
Accessories: Curly Label Punch & Trio Flower Punch, Silver Brad, Chocolate Chip and Pumpkin Pie Narrow Grosgrain Ribbon, Sizzix Big Shot w/ Top Note die, Stampin' Dimensionals

NEW SU! INFORMATION - Many new specials began today with some of the great specials carrying over as well!

BIRTHDAY/CELEBRATION PROMO - During the month of October, buy one of the following stamp sets on the Birthday Promotion for 20% off when you spend $20.









Item # Page # Description Retail Price 20% Off Price
109439 62 Big Bold Birthday $27.95 $22.36
112895 62 Cumpleaños genial y divertido (Spanish Big Bold Birthday)* $27.95 $22.36
111532 63 Party Hearty* $26.95 $21.56
110994 64 Bitty Birthday $12.95 $10.36
111618 64 Crazy for Cupcakes* $23.95 $19.16
111546 65 Simple Birthday Thanks* $17.95 $14.36
111702 65 Time to Party* $16.95 $13.56
108559 68 Crab & Company $27.95 $22.36


AQUA PAINTER - Along with the Birthday Promo, SU! is offering 1 large Aqua Painter (normally sold in a pack of 2) for $7.25 (Item #114617). Offer good while supplies last - no minimum order required. Until October 31st.








DECOR ELEMENTS PHASE 2 - More images, more colors - check the entire line out here for shopping or here to just view the catalog.











HOLIDAY MINI CATALOG - Check out all the great products - including the entire Big Shot offering - here for shopping or here to view the catalog!










MINI STARTER KIT PROMO - $99 until October 11th! Sign up with me before then and receive a special gift!
Stamp-Focused Starter Kit:

Item Code Description Price
109515 Fun & Fast Notes stamp set $30.95
105548 Bold Brights card stock assortment (8-1/2" x 11") $7.95
101179 Basic Black Classic Stampin' Pad $5.25
104332 SNAIL Adhesive $6.95
100730 Whisper White card stock (8-1/2" x 11") $7.50


Scrapbook-Focused Starter Kit:

Item Code Description Price
111570 Contempo Alphabet stamp set $40.95
113059 Simply Scrappin' Petal Party $19.95
105212 Pixie Pink Classic Stampin' Pad $5.25


Home Décor-Focused Starter Kit:

Item Code Description Price
111656 Inspired by Nature stamp set $23.95
114088 Décor Elements Chocolate Classic Ff $3.95
114126 Décor Elements Medium Chocolate Long Stem Silhouettes $17.95
114285 Décor Elements Applicator $1.95
111835 Kiwi Kiss Classic Stampin' Pad $5.25

* Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions about signing up to be a SU! demonstrator! I LOVE it and I'm sure you will too! :) Also don't forget - if you buy the regular ($199) Starter Kit before October 11th you will get to choose an additional stamp set from anywhere in the catalog FREE!!!


HOSTESS EXTRA FREE SET PROMO - Hold a $350 workshop before November 30th and choose one of the following stamp sets in addition to your Hostess Only Stamp Sets and Hostess Money:


Item # Description Retail Value
111564 Flight of the Butterfly $31.95
112911 Vuelo de la mariposa (Spanish Flight of the Butterfly) $31.95
111676 Puns from the Past $27.95
111660 Just Jawing $25.95
111624 Dreams du Jour $18.95
111700 Thank You Kindly $13.95
111714 Wow Flowers $12.95
112955 Flores llamativas (Spanish Wow Flowers) $12.95
111600 Bella's Bloom $12.95

WORLD CARD MAKING DAY - WCMD is Saturday October 4th! Find someone to celebrate with in your area or if you are in the Saint Joseph, Missouri area contact me for information regarding a WCMD event at my home on Monday, October 6th from 6:30 - 8:30 pm. Space is limited. Cost is $5 or FREE with a $30 purchase! SU! is offering 20% off all Simply Sent Card Elements and Simply Sent Card Kits on pages 176 & 177.

I know this is the longest post EVER but please contact me if you have any questions or would like to sign up to be on my mailing list (email for events/promotions and regular mail for mini catalogs or other mailings from SU!) Have a fantabulous day!

Kristina's Color Inspiration Challenge #23

Stamps: Enjoy Every Moment & Say It With Scallops
Cardstock: Chocolate Chip, So Saffron, Pumpkin Pie, Bravo Burgundy, & Old Olive
Ink: Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive, & Chocolate Chip Classic Stampin' Pads; Bravo Burgundy Marker; Chocolate Chip Kraft Pad
Accessories: Scallop Square Punch, Old Olive Wide Grosgrain, Clear Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Stampin' Dimensionals, Sewing Machine

2 Sketches 4 You & Kristina's Color Inspiration #22

Over at Angie's blog I saw a card she had made and LOVED it! As I read, she mentioned that it was based off of a sketch challenge over at 2 Sketches 4 You. The sketch this week is wonderful and I'm hoping to do the bonus card sometime soon as well.

The color scheme came from Kristina Werner's Color Inspiration #22. I didn't get it in on time but I loved the colors anyway...I did end up substituting Baja Breeze for Soft Sky. I used the Poppin' Pastels technique (stamp image in VersaMark then chalk over it) for the first time which is why the flowers look different. Leave a comment and let me know what you think!





Stamps: Stitched Exotics, Stitched Background, & Curly Label Punch Set
Ink: Rose Red & Regal Rose Classic Stampin' Pads, VersaMark
Cardstock: Bravo Burgundy, Baja Breeze, Whisper White, & Regal Rose
Accessories: Stampin' Pastels, Rose Red Narrow Grosgrain, Curly Label Punch, Sponges, & Stampin' Dimensionals

Online Ordering!!! Yeah!!! & Ordering Giveaway (Oh yeah and the Big Shot)

The day has arrived (well technically did yesterday)! You can now order online from Stampin' Up! If you'd like to place an order just head to my Stampin' Up website at sarahnaber.stampinup.net - maybe you need to get that Big Shot that I've been seeing so many amazing projects with. All you have to do is click on "Shop Now" in the upper right hand corner of the screen and then browse for what you want.

I saw a project yesterday where the person had cut balsa wood with that Top Note die (I used it in this post) Anyway back to the information on online ordering - I'd love to offer a giveaway to the person who places the first order with me from online! I will send you a hand stamped notecard set, a bunch of Top Note dies, and even some different ribbons (just got the Kiwi Kiss Striped Grosgrain - totally yummy)!!! I am so excited about this because it allows anyone to order at anytime - so important in today's technology age!!! :)

I also forgot to post that the Big Shot, Stampin' Up! exclusive dies and many other dies are available to order from SU! now too!!! Check it out here.

I'll be back later today with Kristina's Color Inspiration Challenge #22 (you should try it too - go here to check it out and post your link in the comment to let others and Kristina check out your entry)!!!

Simply Scrappin' Kit Madness!!!

I LOVE the new baby Simply Scrappin' Kits! I just used the Rock-a-Bye Boy (F/W catty pg. 173) Kit to make a 20 page 6x6 scrapbook. It coordinates with Nursery Necessities, which I used to make the card and decorate the bag. I LOVED using the Scallop Edge punch on the top of a gift bag I bought at Target (I cut off the top and punched holes for handles - not SU! ribbon because I hoard that!) - it worked like a dream, although you may need to lean on it a bit on the edges when you're punching through multiple layers. The colors - Old Olive, Chocolate Chip, Bashful Blue and Tangarine Tango - are amazing as well!!! Anyway I seriously encourage you to take the plunge and buy one of these - originally I thought $19.95 was a little steep for what you get - but when you get it into your hands and feel the weight of the textured cardstock and the sturdiness of the cardstock stickers you won't regret it. Have I convinced you yet?

*Sorry about the shiny-ness of the pictures of the scrapbook. I just couldn't take the time to get them out of the page protectors at the time. :)

Kristina's Color Inspiration #21

Ok - so Principal's day is Friday. The high school I work at has co-principals (as in 2!!!) and 1 Vice Principal so I made 3 cards tonight. I really struggle with masculine cards and used retired stuff on the male principal and male VP's cards so here's the one for our fantastic Principal (obviously a woman with these colors...)

I also tried to take an artsy picture so you'll have to let me know which one you prefer. I'm totally loving this card! I love the technique on the flowers which is adapted from a Convention Make and Take idea. I never thought about using the daubers directly onto the rubber but I LOVE it! I inked the stems first (removed ink in flower areas with a baby wipe) then sponged on Regal Rose and finished it off with a bit of Rose Red at the ends of the petals. I think I'll try simplifying it for a workshop soon! I loved the way it turned out and that Top Note die is just to die for (no pun intended). Have a fantastic day! Thanks for another great combo Kristina!

Supplies:
Stamps: Inspired by Nature, Absolutely Fabulous & Polka Dot Background (I'm so obsessed with SU! background stamps right now...love to clear emboss this one but I didn't do that tonight)
Ink: Regal Rose, Rose Red, Pacific Point, Kiwi Kiss, VersaMark
Cardstock: Pacific Point, Kiwi Kiss, Regal Rose, Whisper White
Accessories: Sizzix Top Note Die (SU! Exclusive die), sponge daubers, Scallop Edge Punch, Stamp-a-ma-jig, Narrow Rose Red Grosgrain Ribbon (mine seems just a shade too dark for Rose Red...anyone else with this problem?), left over stamp remnants to pop up the Top Note die part (Whisper White portion of the card)

P.S. I LOVE COMMENTS on my tiny little blog so please leave some!

A couple more cards...

Hi! Sorry I've been gone so long - I'm going to try to get in a better routine of posting. This week will be crazy because I'm making a baby book for my dad's longtime administrative assistant's daughter. I'm so excited to use the new baby boy Simply Scrappin' Kit to do it - Tangerine Tango, Chocolate Chip, Bashful Blue, and Old Olive look so great together! Maybe I can post some of the pages here in the coming days!

I'll be working on this project while I'm watching the opening of Season 2 of Gossip Girl tonight and Season 6 of One Tree Hill. They are two of those shows I don't often admit to liking but I guess every girl's gotta have at least one of those...I have several!!!

Anyway, the first card was my father-in-law's birthday card. I totally copied the entire thing from one of the Stampin' Success mags (a demonstrator only publication - just one reason for you to sign up! That $99 deal or the free stamp set with $199 starter kit deal is going to be ending soon!). I totally look forward to getting my SS every month, but this is my very favorite idea I'd ever seen in it (and the main reason I bought Frames with a Flourish). I had messy mechanics inside (staple and brad backings) so I decided to cover them up using the BRAND NEW SU! ONLY Top Note die - I put a matching one on the other side of the inside of the card and used it to write on (since regular pens won't really be showing up on Chocolate Chip cardstock). I think I'll be using this idea more in the future!




Supplies:
Stamps: Frames with a Flourish & All Holidays
Cardstock: Chocolate Chip, Baja Breeze, Old Olive, Kraft
Ink: Chocolate Chip Classic and Craft Inks
Accessories: Silver Brads, Staples, Narrow Chocolate Chip Grosgrain Ribbon, Top Note die, Stampin' Dimensionals

The second card is one I demo-ed when I was in Lincoln having an impromtu party with my mom, sister, aunt-in-law and neighbor. It uses the amazing set Eastern Blooms which is on that 15% off stamp set promotion (ends September 30). One tip that helps me use those stamps more is that my husband sawed apart the wooden block with 3 flowers on it and I mounted each of them individually (just cut apart the rubber and the label). It was so easy but I think I'll use it more as a result!



Supplies:
Stamps: Eastern Blooms & Heard from the Heart
Cardstock: Whisper White, Baja Breeze, Pink Pirouette, Riding Hood Red, Close to Cocoa
Ink: VersaMark, Riding Hood Red, Baja Breeze, Riding Hood Red, Close to Cocoa
Accessories: Scallop Edge Punch (LOVE IT!!!), Narrow Whisper White Grosgrain, Paper Piercer, Mat Pack, Corner Rounder Punch

A few new cards

Here's a card I made using Inspired by Nature & Flight of the Butterfly for my husband's grandma as a thank you:

Supplies -
Cardstock: Bashful Blue
Ink: Regal Rose, Rose Red, Kiwi Kiss, & Chocolate Chip
Stamps: Inspired by Nature & Flight of the Butterfly
Accessories: Scallop Edge Punch & Stamp-a-ma-jig

This is a card I made using Dreams du Jour, one of our BRAND NEW sets! It is a thank you I made for my aunt:

Supplies -
Cardstock: Kraft, Kiwi Kiss, Riding Hood Red, Bashful Blue, Whisper White
Ink: Black, Kiwi Kiss, Riding Hood Red, Bashful Blue, VersaMark
Stamps: Polka Dot Background, Dreams du Jour, & Flight of the Butterfuly (for Thank you so very much stamped inside the card - my new favorite stamp! Love the font!)
Accessories: Clear Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Scallop Edge Punch, Basic Black Narrow Grosgrain, 1 1/4" & 1 3/8" Square Punches, Blender Pens, Dimensionals

This card was one of my swaps for convention using the baby wipe technique (I used it for 1 swap and ended up using it for 2 more - I LOVE that technique)! It was the best swap I was in - my TRACK 8 swap!!!

Supplies -
Cardstock: Baja Breeze, Chocolate Chip, Regal Rose, So Saffron, Whisper White
Ink: Baja Breeze, Chocolate Chip, Regal Rose, So Saffron, VersaMark
Stamps: Priceless & Absolutely Fabulous
Accessories: Scallop Edge Punch, Scallop punch, 1", 1 1/4" & 1 3/8" Circle Punches, Whisper White Narrow Grosgrain, Dimensionals, Silver Brads, Stamp-a-ma-jig, Paper Piercer (love to poke holes in the scalloped edges, Baby Wipes (non-SU!)

Stampin' Up! New Catalog & Mega Specials!

Hi! Stampin' Up!'s exciting new catalog just went into effect yesterday! I was so excited about ordering new goodies that I forgot to post about all the specials going on!

If you want to find the new catalog (it is a giant PDF): click HERE

Additionally, we have a really exciting 15% off of 10 Brand New Stamp Sets: click HERE for that flyer with details.

Also, you can sign up to be a demonstrator with a mini starter kit in 3 different focus groups (Stamp Focused, Scrapbook Focused, or Home Decor Focused). The mini starter kits are $99 and just like the traditional starter kit, you can substitute selected items to personalize it to your taste: click HERE for more details.

Finally, if you would rather sign up with the traditional $199 Starter Kit, currently you can select an additional stamp set up to a $47.95 value from anywhere in the catalog!

The recruitment promotions expire on October 11th and the stamp set promotion ends September 30th.

Contact me now for more details or with any questions!!! Have a fantabulous day!

Convention Roomies

I said I'd post a pic of my roomies from Convention and I still hadn't yet!!! We met somewhat randomly on Splitcoast Stampers and I think we were all surprised with how well we got along as we only knew each other from SCS and through messages! They are truly awesome ladies! What a privelege to room with such amazing people - I was the young demo of the bunch and they were all so willing to share and give me new ideas! So from left to right are: Sheri, me, Vil & Michelle. It was especially cool because we were from completely different areas...the 4 of us represented Canada, Missouri, Florida & California.




The two pics above are from our whirlwind trip to see Stampin' Up!'s Riverton Main Offices! It was really cool but we missed the rooms that are set up with products and photographed for SU!'s catalog!


Awards Night was on Thursday, so Vil & I slipped out to take photos of all the display boards while they were reading the 100 Best Demos. It was not crowded at all so although we missed the rest of Awards Night it was totally worth it as I got pics of ALL the boards that night!


Waiting for the general session to start - new face here is Amber, another SCSer that Sheri met because they were both from Canada and looking for room info on SCS. I love the connections that website allows us to make!


The night of my birthday, we signed up for an 80s Mania Night and Sheri, Michelle and Amber all dressed up. Vil & I did the 80s hair and makeup but not the clothes. It was a fun night although we were all exhausted by Friday!

Anyway, we are about 30 minutes until the new catalog goes live so I've got to finalize/figure out what I'm getting for sure!!!

Kristina Werner's Color Inspiration Challenge #18

I LOVE this week's colors! I totally thought that the Summer Sun/Green Galore confusion could be easily solved with the brand new 2008-2009 In Color KIWI KISS (I'm sure Kristina didn't put it in there as it isn't availabe for customer order until MONDAY - let me know if you need me to order you some of this amazing color!)



Anyway I thought I'd do double duty by making the card for my new friend Amanda's birthday which is tomorrow. My family is coming into town tomorrow so we're celebrating tonight! (HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMANDA!!! Come to think of it I don't think she knows anything about this blog so I'll have to tell her after I give her the card tonight!)

Sorry Kristina for the terrible picture - one of these days I'm going to invest in a better camera. She does her videos with the Flip Ultra and I saw a PINK one the other day - now do I have enough viewers to warrant a video camera? NO - but the idea of a pink one was almost enough to send me over the edge - plus it is so cute and compact!

Supplies:
STAMPS: All Holidays, Jumbo Outline Alpha, & Dotted Lines Jumbo Wheel
CARDSTOCK: Basic Black, Kiwi Kiss, Rose Red
INK: VersaMark, Classic Basic Black
ACCESSORIES: Scallop Edge Punch (order that MONDAY too!!! LOVE IT!!!), Flower Fusion, Black Brad, Pumpkin Pie Narrow Grosgrain, Paper Piercer, VersaMarker, Old Stamp Discarded pieces (instead of Dimensionals - gives more height! Used Glossy Accents to adhere the rubbery portion to the card & just peeled off the other side), Glue Dots (to make the awesome bow - my new favorite kind after making one on the Make and Take gift bag at convention), Clear Embossing Powder

Everybody have a FANTASTIC day!!!