Now's the perfect time to make up a bunch of winter-themed thank you cards to send to those thoughtful friends and family right after Christmas.  Don't have a lot of time?  Here's a really quick and easy card that I'm sending out this year.  Simply layer together Marina Mist and Rich Razzleberry card stocks.  The Whisper White card stock was run through the Big Shot with the Northern Flurry Textured Embossing Folder.  I placed one of each of the three sizes of Jewel Basic Rhinestones in the centesr of three snowflakes and stamped the sentiment from Sincere Salutations.  Voila – done and in the mail!

THINGS YOU'LL NEED:
Item No. 120902 Northern Flurry Textured Impressions Embossing Folder $7.95
Item No. 119246 Jewels Basic Rhinestone (150) $4.95
Item No. 115068 Sincere Salutations $23.95

REMINDERS
EARN FREE STAMPS with Kriss's Online Customer Perks – be rewarded for your shopping loyalty.  Click HERE!
TRY A SAMPLE OF NEW PRODUCTS from the new Occasions Mini Catalog in a Product Share.  Click HERE!
SIGN UP FOR STAMP SHOPPE which is next week, either attending or "on the go".  Click HERE!

Debbie Sowards (earned a spot at Grand Achiever's Day!)
Pam Kane
Pat Schmidt (also promoted to Sr. Associate!)
Sheila Edwards
and
Nicole Bertrand (also promoted to Sr. Associate!)
You ladies rock!  And here's the special card I made them.

I was giving out these cards at our Oktoberfest weekend retreat, so I wanted to keep with the circus theme.  The red and white star designer paper from Big Top Birthday Designer Series Paper pack was perfect for my sales stars!  But I couldn't stop there – I cut out two size of stars using the Stars #2 Die with the Big Shot die-cutting machine and Red and Silver Glimmer Paper, holding them together with a Tempting Turquoise Glimmer Brad from the Brights collection.  The Daffodil Delight card stock is run through the Big Shot using the Stripes Textured Impressions Embossing Folder.  Stampin' Write Markers direct to the rubber stamp create our "you're a star" sentiment from Workshop Words stamp set, and a few Basic Rhinestones give even more bling.

THINGS YOU'LL NEED:
Item No. 127067 Workshop Words – free at Convention!
Item No. 122348 Big Top Birthday Designer Series Paper $10.95
Item No. 121790 Red Glimmer Paper $4.95
Item No. 124005 Silver Glimmer Paper $4.95
Item No. 121006 Brights Glimmer Brads $4.95
Item No. 119246 Basic Rhinestone Jewels (150) $4.95
Item No. 119850 1-3/4" Circle Punch $16.95
Item No. 114526 Circles #2 Die $15.95
Item No. 113461 Stars #2 Originals Die $15.95
Item No. 123128 Stripes Textured Impressions Embossing Folder $7.95
Item No. 113439 Big Shot die-cutting machine $99.95

You can see by this card that I LOVE using my Big Shot!  From textured embossing to cutting out shapes, it's become my most used crafting tool!  And now you can have your very own Big Shot FREE during the month of October!  Click HERE to find out how!

Want more information about the FREE Big Shot?  Don't forget to call into our informational conference call this evening!  Click HERE for all the details – don't miss it!  

To register for this FREE Q&A Call, Click Here:

http://www.eventbrite.com/event/2370103042 

Sheila Edwards
Brenda Rivera
and
Lauren Caratozzolo

Great job, ladies!

And here's the special card I made them:

I can't stop using the delightful Sale-A-Bration stamp set, Bliss.  It's one of my absolute all-time favorites!  You can't purchase it – but you can earn it free with a $50 purchase until the end of March.  My color scheme also comes from Sale-A-Bration – a fun, perky color combo found in two of the Sale-A-Bration gift offerings.  It's Pacific Point, Daffodil Delight and Melon Mambo.  A row of three Jewels Basic Rhinestones adorn each butterfly, and a strip of Daffodil Delight designer paper from the Brights Patterns Designer Series Paper Stack gives this card a little something extra.  Had to try out my new toy – the Tasteful Trim die for the Big Shot created the cute row of rick-rack.  The sentiment comes from Afterthoughts, another stamp set you can earn free – this one is a hostess exclusive set.  Either host a workshop or place your own order that totals $150, and you an choose this terrific set!  Then take Bliss for free as well!

THINGS YOU'LL NEED:
Item No. 121851 Bliss wood mount – earn FREE or
Item No. 123217 Bliss clear mount – earn FREE
Item No. 118388 Afterthoughts wood mount – earn FREE or
Item No. 120121 Afterthoughts clear mount – earn FREE
Item No. 120893 Tasteful Trim Bigz XL Die $42.95
Item No. 119246 Jewels Basic Rhinestones (150) $4.95
Item No. 117155 Brights Patterns Designer Series Paper Stack $19.95
Item No. 119761 Daffodil Delight 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon $6.95

Don't Forget!
To book your Sale-A-Bration workshop today – click HERE!
Order Stampin' Up! products online 24/7 — click HERE!

So how clever is my "over-achieving" hostess!!!  Phyl Lyons of Seneca Falls, NY, recently had a workshop and she went all out.  This is her invitation to her workshop – on the flip side is all of the information!  Isn't it darling?  The results?  Phyl's workshop closed at over $900 earning her 3 free stamp sets and over $120 in hostess free merchandise!  It really pays to go the extra mile!  You might like to use this idea for an upcoming Christmas party invitation.

Phyl coupled my favorite stamp set of the year, Greeting Card Kids, with Newsprint Designer Series Paper for this gorgeous creation.  The Big Shot along with the Scallop Circle #2 Bigz Die made it a snap to cut out the scallops for the background.  When creating a vintage feel, don't forget to sponge the edges of your card stock and papers.  It really adds to the feel!  In this case, Phyl used Soft Suede Classic Ink along with a Sponge.  Phyl's favorite technique for coloring in her images is to use the AquaPainters with her Classic Stamp Pads.  Just beautiful!  And congratulations to Phyl for hosting a fantastic workshop!

Don't Forget!

To register for the Christmas Bonanza event -  Click Here!
To register for the November Stamp Shoppe – click HERE!
Order Stampin' Up! products online 24/7 — click HERE!

Sheila Edwards
Ruth Petrovich
and
Heather Matos

Great job, ladies!  AND Sheila received her very first promotion to Sr. Associate!  Woo-hoo!  Here's a special card I made just for them:

I love the colors used in Greenhouse Gala Designer Series Paper - Early Espresso, Pear Pizzazz, Pumpkin Pie, Real Red – but for some reason, I couldn't get the papers to work with this layout.  So instead I "borrowed" a piece of Pumpkin Pie designer paper from Sweet & Sour Specialty Designer Series Paper and combined it with solids in the other colors.  The main image from Just Believe is stamped on Very Vanilla card stock cut with the Big Shot and the Oval Scallop Frame Die – just save the frame for another project.  So Saffron butterflies are also cut with the Big Shot and the Beautiful Wings Embosslits Die.  More Very Vanilla card stock is punched with the Scallop Trim Border Punch and tucked under the designer paper, and a big Real Red button in the Candy Cane Button collection from the Holiday Mini Catalog adds some zing.  Simply cut some card stock in a very thin slice and use as "thread".  Don't forget the Mini Glue Dots for adhering it to the card.  The "celebrate" sentiment is from Fabulous Phrases, a truly fabulous set for all sorts of greetings!
 

Don't forget to do a little stamping inside your card.  I simply used one of the other stamps in the Just Believe stamp set along with Early Espresso Classic ink to create this attractive border.

THINGS YOU'LL NEED: 
Item No. 116948 Just Believe wood mount $33.95 OR
Item No. 120453 Just Believe clear mount $25.95
Item No. 117002 Fabulous Phrases wood mount $37.95 OR
Item No. 120501 Fabulous Phrases clear mount $26.95
Item No. 117390 Sweet & Sour Designer Series Paper $11.95
Item No. 118402 Scallop Trim Border Punch $15.95
Item No. 114521 Oval Scallop Frame Bigz Die $19.95
Item No. 118138 Beautiful Wings Embosslits Die $11.95
Item No. 121718 Candy Cane Big Designer Buttons (48) $8.95

Don't Forget!

To register for the Christmas Bonanza event -  Click Here!
To register for the November Stamp Shoppe – click HERE!
Order Stampin' Up! products online 24/7 — click HERE!

Jodi Brown, Mitra Prat and Dolly VanSickle all recently joined my From The Heart Stampers Team, and I made this card especially to welcome these wonderful women.  The card began with Whisper White card stock, with a layer of Pretty In Pink card stock next.  Then I used Basic Black card stock embellished with the Scallop Trim Border Punch along the bottom edge.  I'm finding the Patterns Designer Series Paper Stacks to be so useful – here I've used a Basic Gray and Whisper White polka dot piece from the Neutrals pack.  A sliver of Pretty in Pink card stock run through the Big Shot using the Top Note Bigz Die decorates the edge.  This is our most popular selling die, and you'll get more mileage with it if you think about using bits and pieces of it as well as the whole image.  I've added a little sophistication with the Basic Rhinestone Jewels and Basic Black 5/8" Satin Ribbon.  The Stampin' Up! Statement of the Heart stamp is the sentiment.

THINGS YOU'LL NEED:
Item No. 118402 Scallop Trim Border Punch $15.95
Item No. 117157 Neutrals Patterns Designer Series Paper Stack $19.95
Item No. 113439 Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine $99.95
Item No. 113463 Top Note Bigz Die $21.95
Item No. 119246 Basic Rhinestone Jewels (150) $4.95
Item No. 117285 Basic Black 5/8" Satin Ribbon $8.95
 

Don't Forget!

To register for the Christmas Bonanza event -  Click Here!
To register for the November Stamp Shoppe – click HERE!
Order Stampin' Up! products online 24/7 — click HERE!

Here's a card to congratulate Judy on her first recruit!  I love the Fall color scheme but just a little on the softer side!  I've begun my card with Crumb Cake card stock (formerly known as Kraft) which has become my new favorite neutral!  I've been using it like crazy lately.  Some Peach Parfait Designer Series Paper and 1/2" Stitched-Poly Ribbon decorate the lower half of the card and Soft Suede Textured card stock the upper portion.  I punched the star from Pear Pizzazz card stock using the Extra Large Star Punch, then ran it through the Big Shot using the Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Embossing Folder.  The sentiment is stamped in Early Espresso Classic Ink with Word Play – oh, what a great stamp set – and punched out using the 1-3/4" Circle Punch.  More In Color Designer Series Paper in Pear Pizzazz adds a backdrop for the sentiment.  Three Early Espresso Brads from the Neutrals Brads are perfectly lined up using the Mat Pack and Paper-Piercing Tool.

THINGS YOU'LL NEED:
Item No. 119264 Peach Parfait 1/2" Stitched-Poly Ribbon $8.95
Item No. 121028 In Color Designer Series Paper Pack – Level 1 hostess gift
Item No. 119736 Neutrals Brads (120) $6.95
Item No. 119875 Extra Large Star Punch $16.95
Item No. 113439 Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine $99.95
Item No. 117335 Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Embossing Folder $7.95
Item No. 119850 1-3/4" Circle Punch $16.95
Item No. 120308 Word Play wood mount $41.95 OR
Item No. 120651 Word Play clear mount $28.95

Don't Forget!

To order your Clearance Rack sale items today before they're gone!  Click below to order online.
Order Stampin' Up! products online 24/7 — click HERE!

I've said it before, but it's really true — Stampin' Up! designer series papers are the best!  I love taking my color scheme from the beautiful color combinations found in these gorgeous paper packs.  Here I've used Pawsitively Prints II Designer Series Paper that was created especially for our Build-A-Bear line, but these great papers work for any country feel. I love the smaller patterns so that I can use smaller pieces of the paper.  Here I began with Whisper White card stock as my card base, layered on Real Red card stock that was run through the Big Shot using the Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Embossing Folder.  Next came a piece of Daffodil Delight 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon with three rectangles of designer paper.  The sentiment is stamped from A Word For You in Early Espresso Classic Ink and punched out with a circle punch.  I created the flower by punching Tempting Turquoise card stock out with the Boho Blossoms Punch.  A Silver Brad sets off the center and Dimensionals pop up everything for interest.

THINGS YOU'LL NEED:
Item No. 117396 Build-A-Bear Workshop Pawsitively Prints II $9.95
Item No. 113439 Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine $99.95
Item No. 117335 Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Embossing Folder $7.95
Item No. 119761 Daffodil Delight 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon $6.95
Item No. 117032 A Word For You wood mount $21.95
Item No. 120528 A Word For You clear mount $16.95
Item No. 119858 Boho Blossoms Punch $16.95
Item No. 104336 Silver Brads (200) $6.95

Don't Forget!

To sign up to help with Cards for a Cause!  Click HERE for details.
To sign up for the Stamp Shoppes on Oct. 8th and 9th!  Click HERE for details.

If you're a regular reader of my blog, you've seen congratulations cards for Ruth before.  This time, a HUGE congratulations goes out to Ruth for her Sr. Supervisor promotion!  This is a terrific accomplishment – Ruth signed up as a demonstrator on Feb. 20th and has promoted to this management level in just 6 mos.!

This is another look for the Sweet & Sour Specialty Designer Series Paper that I worked with a few days ago HERE.  The card begins with Confetti White card stock, then a small piece of Rose Red card stock, then some of the designer paper.  The Big Shot helps create this card once again – I cut So Saffron card stock from the Top Note Die for the bottom portion, then added some Pumpkin Pie 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon along with a Brights Button with Pumpkin Pie 1/8" Taffeta through the center.  The balloon image is stamped from Crazy for Cupcakes onto designer papers then stamped again onto a circle cut with the Circle Scissors Plus.  It's backed with Rose Red card stock punched with 2-3/8" Scallop Circle Punch.  The sentiment comes from a fabulous Level 1 Hostess set called Afterthoughts that you can earn for FREE with a personal or workshop order totaling $150.  I was able create a coordinating decorated envelope because I was hand delivering the card.

THINGS YOU'LL NEED:
Item No. 111618 Crazy for Cupcakes $23.95
Item No. 118388 Afterthoughts wood mount OR
Item No. 120121 Afterthoughts clear mount – Level 1 Hostess Stamp Set
(Also available in French or Spanish)
Item No. 11790 Sweet & Sour Specialty Designer Series Paper $11.95
Item No. 113439 Big Shot Die Cutting Machine $99.95
Item No. 113463 Top Note Bigz Die $21.95
Item No. 119747 Brights Designer Buttons $8.95
Item No. 119760 Pumpkin Pie 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon
Item No. 119765 Pumpkin Pie 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon
Item No. 118874 2-3/8" Scallop Circle Punch $16.95
Item No. 119747 Bolds Buttons collection

Order Stampin' Up! products online 24/7 — click HERE!

The fabulous Sweet & Sour Specialty Designer Series Paper takes center stage with this quick card!  Notice the shiny image at the top?  That's the paper strutting its stuff!  When you order Sweet & Sour, you'll get 2 sheets of each of 6 12"x12" double-sided paper with gloss patterns on one side.  The pretty white border is Whisper White card stock punched with the Eyelet Border Punch.  A piece of Pumpkin Pie 5/8" Satin Ribbon wraps around an additional patterned paper from Sweet & Sour, and the sentiment is from Curvy Verses stamped tone-on-tone with Rose Red Classic Ink on the same color card stock.  The heart image is stamped from Punch Potpourri, the most wonderful Level 1 hostess stamp set we've ever carried!  Each image in the set lines up with one of the Stampin' Up! punches for easy use.  In this case, the heart stamped image lines up with the Full Heart Punch.  I added a few Basic Rhinestone Jewels and backed the heart with Whisper White card stock cut out using the Big Shot and Scalloped Heart of Heart Embosslits Die.

THINGS YOU'LL NEED:
Item No. 118394 Punch Potpourri wood mount OR
Item No. 120124 Punch Potpourri clear mount
Level 1 hostess stamp set free with $150 or more
Item No. 114948 Curvy Verses $23.95
Item No. 117390 Sweet & Sour Specialty Designer Series Paper $11.95
Item No. 119749 Pumpkin Pie 5/8" Satin Ribbon $8.95
Item No. 113439 Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine $99.95
Item No. 117332 Scalloped Heart of Hearts Embosslits Die $11.95
Item No. 119246 Basic Rhinestones Jewels (150) $4.95
Item No. 119853 Eyelet Border Punch $15.95
Item No. 119883 Full Heart Punch $16.95

Don't Forget!

To sign up for the Stamp Shoppes on Sept. 10th and 11th!  Deadline to register is Sept. 9th!  Click HERE for details.

Order Stampin' Up! products online 24/7 — click HERE!