Hello Fall Treat Tutorial and Project Life GIVEAWAY!

There is a nip in the air with the changing of seasons, so it's fitting that we say HELLO to Fall with this cute little envelope that holds a Ghiradelli chocolate square or a gift card...or both! Click on the picture for a .pdf tutorial and make a bunch to share:

Original project by Susan Campfield

And in other news this morning, it's time for a PLxSU giveaway!

One lucky winner will win a complete Project Life by Stampin' Up! prize pack including every product available in the product line! You could also win one of 100 Project Life by Stampin' Up Card & Accessory Packs. Enter the giveaway here: http://bit.ly/1wDBAgt

If you aren't familiar with project life, it's the most awesome and simple memory keeping system ever!

Project Life and Stampin' Up!

Since I've been super busy with wedding preparations, I have neglected to let you know of some of the awesome news from SU!...the biggest of which is Project Life!

Not familiar with Project Life from Becky Higgins? Well if you've been intimidated by scrapbooking, let's just say this is the easiest solution and one I'm thrilled about! Simply slide your photos into a pocket, write on a card for the next pocket and you are done :) While more will be available with the new catalog on June 1st, here's what you can order NOW (click on any of the pictures to take you to my Stampin' Up! Store) :

Easter Eggs and Memory Albums

Look at me! I actually finished a project BEFORE the holiday! Feeling pretty good right now :) These little Easter Egg "thrones" are such fun to make with a few punches, stamps and the Big Shot!

So I don't have time to make a lengthy tutorial, so let me give you a few tips for making them:

• Cadbury eggs are too small. I found some larger eggs at Costco (they are hollow)

• Cut a 8.5"x2.5" strip from one end of your card stock and score it (down the long edges) at 1/2" and 2" (the Simply Scored board--item #122334--makes all your scoring SUPER SIMPLE). Then chop it up into 2"x 2.5" pieces and punch a hole using the 1-1/4" circle punch (#119861) in the middle like this----->>>>
   
• Cut the rest of the card stock into 2"x8.5" strips. Score them at 3.5" and 5". Punch the ends with the Scallop Tag Topper Punch (133324). 

• Line up the Designer Frame embossing folder (#123130) with the first score line from one end and run through the Big Shot --->>>>>

• Punch the middle of the embossed frame out with the Large Oval Punch (#119859)

• Adhere the "throne" piece between the two sides with SNAIL adhesive, add egg and embellish as desired! I used the flowers and punch from the Petite Petal bundle (#134821-wood or #134822-clear mount). As always, you can purchase these supplies from my Stampin' Up! store!

And in upcoming events, if you have a mother, friend or grad that you need a thoughtful gift for, come to my Mini Memory Album class! You can bring your own pictures or come to create the book and add photos later. The cost is $17 and you MUST bring your own Scissors, SNAIL adhesive and Glue Dots. If you forget your adhesive, I will let you buy new ones from me :) Please register below.

Preserve Precious Memories: Simply, Beautifully

Create a mini album in a snap: We did the work and saved the fun for you! We measured, cut, and gathered the paper and accents so you don't have to, but the pages aren't predesigned—you put it together however you want. Keep it for yourself or give it to someone else to enjoy: It's perfect for a mother, friend, grad or to collect memories of a special event! It's a simple, quick way to capture life's precious moments.

It's more fun to craft with a friend and you can personalize this project with your bestie in Southern Utah on April 12th or in Spanish Fork on April 16th. Just check out my Events page and register early!  

Sale-A-Bration is all about great deals and rewards. You can get wonderful rewards by shopping, hosting, and joining Stampin’ Up! before March 31st! 

------------------- SUPPLIES ----------------- 

Tag-a-Bag Album & Class

If you've been busy making memories this summer, you'll want to preserve them to share in this whimsical Paper Bag Album...and you can finish it in about an hour at my class next Wednesday!

With 10 delightful chevron pages, pockets and tassels, there is plenty of room to store pictures & memorabilia from a family vacation, a special friendship or just capture the everyday happiness at your house. Participants need to bring scissors and adhesive, everything else is provided.

When: Wednesday, August 14th at 10 a.m. ~OR~ 7:30 p.m.
Where: My house in Spanish Fork, UT (Ask for directions when registering, if needed)
Cost: $18

Scrapbook Love

I had the opportunity to create a page for my daughter's church group and it was delightful to pause and reflect for a moment on how much joy she brings to our lives! She really is as beautiful as she looks, inside and outside.

Scrapbooking truly builds the self-esteem of children! I've watched my kids share their scrapbooks with friends so many times and they are so proud of every picture. They smile and laugh as they flip through each page. Sometimes they "remember" things they were too young to really recall, simply because it has been documented in their memory album. It makes the effort all worthwhile.

It is a work of love for me, too.

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

1. More Amore Designer Series Paper (129309) and Champagne Glimmer Paper (127885)
2. Card stock: Real Red, Pool Party, Very Vanilla
3. Ink: Primrose Petals, Pool Party, Real Red
4. Paper Doilies (129399)
5. Typeset Alphabet Bigz Dies (127553), Labels Collection Framelits (125598) and Big Shot (113439)
6. Pretty Petites stamp set and Petite Curly Label Punch (Sale-a-Bration items: each FREE with $50 purchase)
7. Punches: Small heart (117193), 3/4" circle (119873), 1" circle (119868), Scallop Trim border (118402), Petite Pennants Builder (122361)
8. Baker's Twine

Bridal Shower Open House

Last week I had the pleasure of throwing a Bridal Shower for my new daughter-in-law-to-be (that made me feel old while I typed it). Kayson chose a beautiful young woman to marry and we are happy to welcome Whitney to our family!

This was the invitation which matched her wedding colors of Pool Party, Silver & White, and we threw in a pop of Melon Mambo, for fun:

The new Cloudy Day embossing folder (127022) was the perfect addition to the background! I found the umbrella stamp in the Carry On stamp set (a hostess set you can choose when you hold a SU! party) but there is also a really cute NEW stamp set in the Spring catalog called Rain or Shine that would be fun to use, too, in case you are making invitations and want to "borrow" this idea!

I hope you can see this adorable banner that says "WHITNEY": we made it with the new Paper Doilies (129399) from the Spring Catalog and the Typeset Alphabet Die (127553) and the Big Shot, the flower punch from the Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack (118309) and a few Rhinestone Jewels, because you know how I feel like everything needs a little bling!

Her sister made red velvet cupcakes and we served our traditional warm "Shower Sandwiches" and fruit. That is Whitney and her mom in the background :)

Since it was Open House Style, we asked people to write advice or solutions to potential problems for Whitney's book (above) and took pictures of Whitney with each of her guests to go into the book I created with SU!'s clear envelopes, card stock and DSP.  For some awesome pre-made (and free!) Problem/Solution Printables get them HERE!  The Label Framelits (125598) made it easy to cut all the advice papers, too, and this is my FAVORITE response:

We also asked guests to write their address on an envelope to make it easy for Whit to send "Thank You" cards and I created a stack of simple cards for her using the Million Dollar Moments set (another Hostess-only set from the Spring Catalog!)

 

A Split Second: Resized MDS2 Page

Have you got your FREE digital downloads this weekend?  

This is the Split Second layout you can get while Stampin' Up! is celebrating Digital Scrapbook Day all weekend long! I added the sun/moon image for the Eclipse theme. Granted, you get it as a 12x12 page spread and I may be the ONLY person on the planet who still does 8x11 pages (besides my sister Megan) so I am so excited that with My Digital Studio 2, you can RESIZE your projects:

If you haven't downloaded your FREE downloads, click below and get them before November 5th!!! And don't forget: You can download and try out My Digital Studio 2 for 30 days free in my store, too.

Digital Tuesday

I've been working on a family photo album in My Digital Studio...trying to get it finished in time to take advantage of the 31% Off MDS Print Sale that ends this Friday...so I thought I'd share a few of the pages from my book :)

First, this is a page right out of one of the templates that comes with MDS. I just dropped my pictures in and typed in the journaling:

Simple. Beautiful. Easy!

Of course, you can create a page from scratch, too, so here's an original by Loni:

And as a reminder, there are new digital downloads every TUESDAY...here's a peek at today's downloads that you can purchase individually:

To order them, go to my store and choose "My Digital Studio". New to Digital Designing? TRY MY DIGITAL STUDIO 2 FREE FOR 30 DAYS! Stampin' Up! has uploaded many wonderful training videos on YouTube to help you get the most of it, too.

MDS2...your new Guilty Pleasure (and BLOG CANDY)

In February when I went to Beth's Scrapbook getaway, I took my computer and created an album of my trip to Prince Edward Island with My Digital Studio and FINALLY had it printed last month by Stampin' Up!'s professional print partner. It is abso-freakin-lutely GORGEOUS! AND it has the same number of pages that my hand-made scrapbooks hold (which are 3" thick) while my new MDS album is only 3/8" thick!

For a gal who just packed and carried 32 BIG ALBUMS in a house move, I am SO IN LOVE with MDS right now. And I'm ordering MDS2+ because I NEED it! AND I'm making a commitment to use it before Beth's next getaway. In fact I ought to get another album finished this month to take advantage of THIS offer:

Try MDS FREE for 30 days (click on "Buy MDS2" and then choose the Free Trial in my store) then come back here to tell me how much you love it here and I will choose a random commenter on September 30th to win a MDS "So Much To Sale-A-Brate" CD which includes:

• Five Stamp Brush Sets
  • Bliss Stamp Brush Set (five pieces)
  • Notes Stamp Brush Set (three pieces)
  • Punch Bunch Stamp Brush Set (five pieces)
  • So Happy For You Stamp Brush Set (ten pieces)
  • Sweet Summer Stamp Brush Set (nine pieces)
• Ice Cream Parlor Ribbon & Button Kit
  • Ribbon (three images)
  • Flower buttons (three images)
• Ice Cream Parlor Designer Series Paper & Accents Kit
          a. Six Designer Series Paper  Patterns
          b. Quick Accents – nine borders, 20 elements, and 27 flowers

So let me hear how much you love it!!

Sweet and Simple Scrapbook Page

Ditch the Scissors and Adhesive...

Crop for a CURE!

It's time for me to get some scrapbooking done, and I thought I'd invite a few friends over...what are you doing this Saturday? Let's combine a few good things and make a difference at the same time at the CROP FOR A CURE to benefit JDRF!

Here's the scoop: I'll host the crop at my house and there is NO CHARGE, but I would invite you to make a donation of any amount to JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation). You can donate at the crop or online here.

We'll crop from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. down Spendlove Lane in Spanish Fork!

****Bring your own card stock, photos, scissors, adhesive, etc!!****

You will have access to all my stamps, ink pads, Big Shot, dies, punches, etc. I will provide chocolate and prizes! You can leave for lunch or dinner or we can order it in (purchase your own). If you have extra scraps/embellishments/card stock/etc that you want to offer on the "Free for All" table, bring it along and we'll recycle it!

Space is limited, so please call to reserve your spot ASAP: 801-376-8685

My Fabulous Escape!

When I moved into this house in 2005, my goal that first autumn when the kids went back to school was to stay home and catch up on their scrapbook albums. Scrapbooking is therapeutic for me and my children love looking through their books and sharing them with friends and family. Alas, I have finished very few pages or books since then!

So when my friend Beth said that she was planning a casual scrapbook retreat in Salt Lake City, I invited myself and my dear friend Kelli :) It was time to do something personal I wanted to do...that didn't have anything to do with my business.

When my husband went into emergency surgery for kidney stones the day before the retreat began, I rationalized: The funeral could wait until Monday, worst case scenario. Judge me, dear reader: I *did* get him situated at home (with painkillers) 2 full hours before I left!

AND even when Kelli had to drive 4 hours home during the middle of the retreat to open her son's mission call (he's going to Paraguay), then drive her daughter all the way to Park City the next morning, she CAME BACK the next morning.

We worked through the wee hours of the night/morning, laughed heartily at Beth's entertainment (she's a master storyteller!), bared our souls to one another, ate well (Buca di Beppo and Cafe Rio along with plenty of snacks), and even managed to squeeze in a little exercise. We passed the "I-finished-a-page" crown around, shared ideas and did whatever we wanted when we wanted (which explains why we don't have makeup or hair done...and possibly not many supporting undergarments...in many of the pictures above) Pure bliss! Thanks Beth, Kelli, Vicky, Jennifer, SaraJane, Helen & Nanette...you were just what I needed.

I finished over 50 pages and it felt so good! I'll try to share a few in the next week or so (when I'm not working).

P.S. Husband survived and even had Superbowl dinner ready when I came home! He's a keeper :)

P.P.S. Will announce Blog Chocolate Winner soon!

One Great Year Scrapbook Class

If one of your New Year's Resolutions is to catch up on your Memory Albums (or to get ahead of the game in 2011), then you won't want to miss the "One Great Year" Scrapbook class! Using the One Great Year Simply Scrappin' Kit, you can create 24 6"x6" page layouts (or 12 double-sided 8.5x11" or 12"x12" pages~ for a total of 24 pages) AND finish them all in just a few hours, ready to add your photos each month! It would make a lovely gift, too :)

Tuesday, January 18th at 7 p.m.

OR

Wednesday, January 19th at 9 a.m.

Down Spendlove Lane in Spanish Fork, UT

Cost: $25 (Bring scissors & adhesive)

REGISTER by January 13th! Call 801-376-8685

**Receive 10% any Stampin' Up! Album ordered at the class!**

Summer Time, and the Stampin' Is Easy

...I just wish BREATHING were easy today (darn allergies!)

Summer is filled with trips to the pool, family vacations, yard work, blockbuster movies, sleeping in, barbecues and escaping with a good read. It's also a great time for a few easy creative projects, and I've got you covered! I'll prepare everything for you to come and spend an hour or two and go home with a bunch of finished greetings cards or even a WHOLE SCRAPBOOK!

This is a peek into my ALBUM-IN-A-DAY CLASS: Finish a complete 6x6 scrapbook using the Stampin' Up! Simply Scrappin' kit. Class includes vinyl post-bound album, 10 sheet protectors and 20 pages ready for you to add your photos for just $30. Bring scissors, adhesive and a paper trimmer if you have one. Seriously, it's that easy.

Saturday, June 26th in Hurricane at 2 p.m.

(Winkle Distributing, just off I-15 near Coral Canyon)

~or~

Wednesday, June 30th in Spanish Fork at 1 p.m. OR 7 p.m.

ALSO (or instead of) on Saturday, June 26th in southern Utah, you can attend the Stamp-a-Stack Card Class at 10 a.m. We'll have everything prepared for you to stamp and assemble 16 cool greeting cards (4 each of 4 different designs, including the one shown below) for $20. Bring scissors and adhesive. If you need to order a SNAIL adhesive refill, order when you register!

***Make a day of it on June 26! Attend both classes and a catered lunch for $60.***

RSVP for any event at least one week prior to class so I can order and prepare the materials you need. And remember, summer fun is even hotter when you share it with a friend!

Call 801-376-8685 to register or send paypal to loni@sfcn.org

More summer stamping fun to come! Stay tuned!

Scrapbook in a Day

Don't just start...FINISH a complete scrapbook at one of my June Album in a Day Classes! 

Class includes 6x6 album, 20 finished pages and 10 sheet protectors for just $30!

Southern Utah Album-in-a-Day

Saturday, June 26 at 2 p.m.

Winkel Distributing, Hurricane, UT

(Stamp-a-Stack Card Class at 10 a.m. $20 or both classes +lunch for $60!)

Spanish Fork Album-in-a-Day

Wednesday, June 30

1 p.m. or 7 p.m.

Bonus: Watch a demonstration of My Digital Studio during each class!

Registration due for both events one week before classes: 801-376-8685

Scrapbook a Moment of Life

Capturing the perfect moment in a photograph is a delight, so when my sister gave me this photo of my photogenic niece, Madi, I knew that it deserved a page of it's own! 

 

I borrowed a page "map" from Jan Tink and used the Elements of Style stamp set from the Summer Mini Catalog. The colors (Lovely Lilac, Barely Banana and Sage Shadow) are perfect together, but all are retiring on June 30th (so order them soon if you can't live without them!).