Bloomin' Bouquet Kit

Mother's Day. Teacher appreciation. Just because. Say thank you with this no-maintenance bouquet. There's no watering, no weeding-just enjoying. This easy-to-assemble kit comes complete with the petals, stems, and buttons to create the flowers, as well as four different tags to make this the perfect gift for any occasion. All you need is some paper, ribbon or a vase to add the finishing touches to the bouquet.

As if that weren't enough, the kit contains a "baker's dozen"! This means you can create and give (or keep) a dozen flowers, and have a bonus flower left over to pass along to someone new! Give it to someone you wouldn't normally think of: a teller at the bank, a grocery store clerk, or the librarian at your local library. Anyone you encounter on your way that you'd like to give a little "thank you" to-and introduce them to Stampin' Up!

Ordering information:
Item 134542 $12.95 Available starting April 29, while supplies last.


Kit contents:

• 2 sheets of preprinted and precut flowers on 12" X 12" cardstock; makes 13 flowers using Pool Party, Gumball Green, Calypso Coral, Daffodil Delight, and Rich Razzleberry
• 13 Vintage Faceted Buttons
• 13 green floral wire stems

Adhesive not included. (Glue gun recommended.)

Retirement: You've been good, but now you're gone...

A bittersweet day at Stampin' Up! when the Retirement List is posted: Parting is sweet sorrow for many of my favs (So long, dear stamps...for some, I never used thee!) but the anticipation to fill my shelves with NEW products cheers my heart. I will warn you as you look at the following lists: Everything is available while supplies last (some are already gone!!), so grab your highlighter and mark the ones you must have and ORDER them ASAP!

Click on the images for a printable PDF file including retiring accessories

OR CLICK HERE to see them in my store

Here is an appropriate and elegant card I made at a Shoebox Swap during Convention (designed by demonstrator Sharon Fisher?) that showcases a few of the *soon-to-be-retired products:

Card Recipe:

• Stamps: *Build a Blossom and *Word Play stamp sets
• Ink: Basic Black and Versamark
• Paper: Very Vanilla & Basic Black card stock, First Edition Specialty DSP (121878)
• Accessories: *Blossom Petals punch (121808), Scallop Trim Border Punch (118402), Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder (120175), Big Shot (113439), Heat Tool (129053), Black embossing powder (109133), Dazzling Details glitter (124177),  2-Way Glue Pen (100426) and Stampin' Dimensionals (104430)

*Soon-to-be-retired products

Helpful Hints for creating a card like this:
1. Ink one side of the embossing folder with Versamark and place DSP inside and run through Big Shot to emboss design. Immediately sprinkle the wet (Versamark) side of the DSP with black embossing powder, shake off excess and heat to set.

2. After stamping, punching and assembling flower, "paint" on petals with 2-Way glue pen and sprinkle on Dazzling Diamonds glitter. Shake off excess.

Departing from "Normal" with My Paper Pumpkin

Pop Quiz! Yes or No...have you ever thought to yourself:

• "I'd love to make cards but I don't have the time"
• "There is no space in my house to craft"
• "I don't have a creative bone in my body"
• "Stamping looks expensive and I don't have the $$ to start a hobby like that!"

If you answered YES to any of those questions, read on Friend!

I've been enjoying My Paper Pumpkin, the new "Kit of the Month" program for people who have had the thoughts above...so let's quickly dispel any negative vibes by comforting the fore-mentioned concerns:

• No Time? Each kit is designed to be finished in 30 minutes or less
• No Space? A year's worth of supplies (MPP provides EVERYTHING you need--except scissors & adhesive) would fit inside a SHOEBOX...the things you create will be things you use or share (could be cards, journals, home decor, gifts, etc)
• Not Creative? You can COPY the design/instructions included in each kit, or, as your creative muscles build strength, shake it up a bit (see samples below).
• No Dough $? At $19.95 (plus tax) MPP is about the same cost as going out to lunch with friends, but you'll have some cool finished projects to share with those friends and lots of supplies remaining to use again in the future!

This was the card designed for April's kit that I just got in the mail last week:

 

Because I don't like "naked" envelopes, you'll see I've dressed  up each one below the cards :)

The kit included supplies to create 4 cards, and you are welcome to make them all the same, but using the kit, here are a few other "versions" I created as a departure from the NORM...as you gain confidence, you'll find yourself mixing it up, too!

 

For the next one I pulled out the stamps from the Welcome Kit (which is the first one you'd receive when you subscribe) to use...you'll be able to mix and match supplies throughout the year!

Everything is cut and prepared for you to use...the only things you need to add are scissors (surely you have those laying around somewhere!) and adhesive (I prefer SNAIL from Stampin' Up!).

Once you are done creating, you could find a box to store your stamps in, but if you subscribe through me, I'll happily send you a case for your storage as a THANK YOU gift :

And before I forget: Did I mention that you can cancel your membership at any time? Or even just put your order on hold for a month? My Paper Pumpkin is as flexible as you are! Just make sure that you change your subscription before the 10th of the month. You could even ADD a kit one month to give as a gift (or two, or three...)

For more information or to give it a whirl, CLICK HERE. And if you are looking for a gift that "keeps on giving", why not try it for a mom, sister, daughter, husband or friend? Chances are, they'll love it too!

The Whole Kit & Kaboodle

Did you know we have all sorts of KITS at Stampin' Up! to make your crafting simple and enjoyable? I really love this new All Dolled Up kit that was created by Chris G, a fellow demonstrator from Ohio which creates 6 feminine birthday cards in minutes:

It comes with everything shown for just $15.95 (item 133913)...all you will need is a clear block (D or H recommended) and adhesive. With everything cut and prepared for you, you will feel the joy of creativity immediately :)

That's not the only kit waiting to help you capture your creativity with ease...have you ordered "This & That"? It's 15% off the whole bundle when you order it before April 30th!

The thing that makes me the most giddy in this kit is that little rotary stamp!! I'm using my kit to capture the thrill of Stampin' Up! Convention in July, but I'd love to hear what you are going to do with yours...

Speaking of limited time, the Sent with Love bundle is going to be flying away at the end of the month, too. These are just a few of the cards you could create with the bundle, but you can purchase the stamps and paper separately, should you want to stock up for future creations:

But wait, there's more! You may have heard about the "gift that keeps on giving", but Stampin' Up! really has it with My Paper Pumpkin...

Guys...don't just give ONE gift to your gal for mother's day or her birthday: Subscribe for a whole year at My Paper Pumpkin and be sure to select Loni Spendlove as your demonstrator!

Just want to give My Paper Pumpkin a try or give one kit as a gift? Choose the "Try It" Kit that you can add to any order (item 132600) OR you can sign up and cancel at any time.


All this and more can be found in my store. Thanks for stopping by today!

Changing Shape

Who says greeting cards have to be square (or rectangle)? I pulled out my Oval Framelits to create this fun card for my stamp club tonight:

Card Recipe (all supplies from Stampin' Up!)

• Stamps: Oh, Hello set (Spring 2013 Catalog)
• Ink: Island Indigo, So Saffron, Garden Green
• Paper: Very Vanilla, Island Indigo, So Saffron, Tea for Two DSP (129311)
• Accessories: Big Shot (113489), Ovals Collection Framelits (129381), Designer Builder Brads (129329), Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack (118309), Victoria Crochet Trim (118481), Occasions Paper Piercing Pack (129387), Stampin' Pierce Mat (126199) and Paper-Piercing tool (126189)

You can order the supplies to create this card (and so many more!) in my store!

More for Free

Can you see yourself at Stampin' Up! convention with 7,000 of your newest friends: Swapping cards, dancing to the theme song, winning Prize Patrol, celebrating our 25th Anniversary, sniffing glue getting crafty....if so, don't waste a moment before you join my stampin' family so you can register to come to convention with us!! Getting MORE free in your starter kit is just the cherry on top of this dream-come-true :)

OR

Do you want to gather your friends to do something creative and you can imagine a fun day (or evening) where you share yummy food, making something that means something and get some fabulous FREE products to keep and continue to share your creativity with your friends for special occasions? Better book your party quickly because I only have 4 dates available before the end of May.

Here for You

I believe God gives us experiences to uniquely prepare us to help others. I've been blessed to have a dear friend who is struggling right now and trusts me to be there when she needs me because our experiences have been very similar. It is a stewardship I am grateful for, and pray every day for guidance from my Heavenly Father that I may say the right thing to help lift and strengthen her. Today's card is for her.

Serendipitously, I was able to tie it to two of my favorite challenges at Create with Connie & Mary and SU Only :) Wish you could see the sparkles on some of the raindrops just a little better...

Card Recipe (all supplies from Stampin' Up!):

• Stamps: Million-Dollar Moments (Spring catalog)  
• Ink: Island Indigo (stamp it off to make it lighter) 
• Paper: Whisper White, Island Indigo, Bashful Blue and vellum card stock, Sunshine & Sprinkles Designer Series Paper (126922) 
• Accessories: Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border punch (119275), Designer Printed Brads (122940), 1/4" White Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon (126877), Dazzling Details (124117), Stampin' Dimensionals 

One of my favorite quotes is from a modern day prophet, Spencer W. Kimball (1895-1985) who said, "God does watch over us and does notice us, 

but it usually through someone else that he meets our needs."

May you find someone to serve who has been praying for you today!

Pikachu and Pokeballs...or Food Blogging Dreams Dashed

I've often said that if I wasn't a Stampin' Up! demonstrator, I'd probably be doing something with food...because I just can't live without it (ba-da, bump).

Recently I had an epiphany that confirmed that as much as I love food (especially all things BAKED), I may never make it into the Blogger Stardom of greats such as Bakerella, Our Best Bites or Pioneer Woman. In fact, my baking is probably not even pinworthy...but after I buried any aspiration to those dreams, I thought I would at least share my attempts, because at least they were appreciated by 18 year old boys.

This is my Braden, a sweet kid who still loves to hug his mom, have birthday parties and play video games like Pokemon:

He celebrate his 18th Birthday at the end of March. Since it was the last "friend" party we would host (we alternate years through age 18: Friends one year, Family the next), I wanted to do something special for him, so I decided to make a Pokeball cake, "How hard can fondant be?" I thought to myself...

Luckily, Denise down at Goodies on Main Street saved me from myself and literally took me by the hand to help me create my masterpiece. THANKS DENISE! She worked magic with the fondant and let me put in a plug to grab her new book "The Cake Whisperer" when it comes out this month...and taught me a LOT about fondant. She was so gracious and helped me to the bitter end. 

Sadly, the Pikachu cake pops didn't fare as well, but I did finish ONE of them to show the boys that this is how he should have looked. I also made him the Pikachu's out of Red Velvet so it looked cool when they bit into them...and despite looking like they spent too long at the gym, they tasted good.

The boys jumped around at Hang Time in Orem until they were all sweaty (Hooray for having the party somewhere else!) and then we stuffed them with sugar and sent them home to bounce off their own walls. There was also pizza and video games in there somewhere, but it's all a blur...

Can you see Braden's "Lucky Shirt" gifted to him by his brother...it explains his sense of humor perfectly. His sister Kiersta earned points for his new Pikachu Game Boy gift and a good time was had by all. Top it off with $$ from his Grandparents and this totally stylin' Zelda/Link-inspired towel his grandma made for him (had to do a separate photo because I wouldn't want to be mixing my video game metaphors in a collage to confuse you, dear reader):

Yea...just imagine that hunk of meat walking around in just a towel and you'll get an appreciation for beef cake! Happy Birthday, Son... I love you. You make our family fun and always make me smile!

Creativity is Served at the Card Buffet

Doesn't receiving a hand-written note in the mailbox make your day? It's always better than the bills and advertisements, right? I am sure your friends feel the same way, so why not brighten their day with a note in a HAND-STAMPED card??

Come to my 

Card Buffet

Thursday, April 25

10 a.m. OR 7 p.m.

At my house in Spanish Fork

You will make 2 each of the cards shown (you can change the greetings to match almost any occasion) and each card comes with an envelope. Cost: $15.00 Bring your own scissors and adhesive (Snail or Multipurpose Adhesive from Stampin' Up! is recommended and you can pick up a refill at the buffet, if needed)

Need a place to organize your cards? You can also create a card keeper like this (colors may vary) for an additional $5...fill it with your own creations and it makes a great gift!

Please register by April 22:

Buffet Choices

Card Buffet (8 cards + envelopes) $15.00 USD    8 Cards + Card Keeper Box $20.00 USD

Get Refreshed

I love change! And the newest announcement that the Stampin' Up! color palette is being updated or "Refreshed" is good news! Say goodbye to these colors and make sure to order any card stock, ink refills, markers or ribbon quickly as they are only available WHILE SUPPLIES LAST:

 What will the new color palette look like? Here it is and it becomes official on June 1st:

What I love best: Most of the returning colors are past IN-COLORS, so you may already have them in your collection! The only truly NEW color will be Smoky Slate (in the Neutrals).

And of course, we'll be welcoming five fresh new 2013-15 In-Colors in June, too, so stay tuned for that.

Meanwhile, don't forget that today (April 8)  is the last day for free shipping on everything in the store, including print products!!

A Little Bit of This and a Little Bit of That...

What could you create with the new "This & That" book? Here's a list and I'd really enjoy YOUR ideas shared in the comments!

1.  A Vacation Memoir
2. Boredom Buster Book (for kids who say "I'm Bored" this summer...fill with ideas or let them fill it themselves!)
3. Top Ten Book (Your favorite books, movies, recipes, friends, travel destinations, songs, etc)\
4. YOUR STYLE Fashion Folder 
5. Dinner Guests (Snap a photo of people you invite for dinner and include menu)
6. Wedding Planner
7. Graduation Gift: Document the graduation and beyond!
8. Best Friends
9. Creativity Journal 
10. Bucket List
11. Things in My Purse
12. Words to Live By (Favorite Quotes or Books to Read)
13. A Day in My Life or A Week in My Life Journal
14. Memories of Mom (in time for Mother's Day!)
15. Wish List
16. Gratitude Journal
And to make it nicer, you can order the bundle for 15% off before April 30th!

BREAKING NEWS: Get FREE SHIPPING on orders placed from my store or through me April 6-8, 2013

 

Women Craft, Dudes BUILD