Inspiration Club

Stampin' Up! Sale-A-Bration Sale

Don’t let the title fool you ... we’re not talking about Christmas ... we’re talking about Sale-A-Bration! Every year, Stampin’ Up! does a little bit of post-holiday celebrating with their fabulous Sale-A-Bration promotion. This year, from January 24-March 31, you can take advantage of all that Sale-A-Bration has to offer. And this year, Stampin’ Up! has changed things up a little bit. There are three ways to “Sale-A-Brate”. Here are the details:

As a customer , with every $50 purchase, you can choose something for FREE from the Sale-A-Bration brochure. This brochure includes exclusive items that are available ONLY during Sale-A-Bration as well as some handpicked items from the 2011-2012 Idea Book & Catalog. There is no limit to the number of Sale-A-Bration items that you can earn, so get out your wish list and start reaping the rewards!

As a hostess , when your workshop sales reach $150, you will automatically receive a free reusable shopping tote that sports a design from the Sale-A-Bration Everyday Enchantment Designer Series Paper. And when your sales reach $400, you will also receive a free bundle of Sale-A-Bration products that includes the Fresh Vintage stamp set and the coordinating Everyday Enchantment paper and accessories. All of this is in addition to the fantastic Hostess Rewards that you get all year ‘round!

As a new demonstrator , when you join Stampin’ Up! during Sale-A-Bration, you can start your own stamping business for only $125! It includes the standard Starter Kit and all of the perks and benefits ... just at a lower cost to you. And when you join, you’ll get additional benefits for the rest of the year because each month, you will get to choose either a free pack of Designer Series Paper or a free digital download.

For More Details Contact Me or Visit My Stamping Store.

I'm a big fan of the Rosettes or sometime called Dollies. Do you love using paper rosettes in your craft projects? Are you even frustrated with how long it takes to cut, score and fold the rosette properly? Try Stampin' Up!'s Designer Rosette die and make rosettes for your next project in a flash.

One of the benefits of using Sizzlit dies is the delicate and intricate designs they cut. Now, with Stampin' Up!'s Paper Doily die you have the opportunity to create those beautiful detailed designs in a size that hasn't been an option before.

Q: I have a friend who would like to start stamping with me and I’d like to give her a gift to get her started. What are the best things for a beginner stamper to have?

A: Sharing the fun of stamping with a friend is one of the things that Stampin’ Up! is all about. There is nothing like the joy of seeing the sense of accomplishment and joy that a new stamper feels when she first discovers the art of stamping. What a great thing for you to experience with your friend! Some of the basic supplies a new stamper needs are stamps, ink, card stock, and tools.

Stamps
As much as we may want it all, we have to start somewhere! For new stampers, I suggest a versatile set, like the Easy Events (#116958 wood-mount, #123225 clear-mount) stamp set. It includes images and greetings for a variety of occasions. Plus, the Easy Events stamp set is ideal for your friend to test out simple techniques like coloring, or stepped-up techniques like watercoloring.

Ink
New stampers don’t need the full spectrum of colors in order to get started. A couple of ink pads in versatile colors or favorite colors are a great place to start. One of the ink pads I recommend most is Jet Black StazOn (#101406). The quick-drying, permanent black ink is versatile for many images and perfect for a variety of techniques that new stampers will want to try. Another great ink pad to consider is the VersaMark pad (#102283). Since VersaMark is a clear ink, it creates a slightly darker watermark-type effect when stamped on most any color of card stock. A Color Collection of Stampin’ Spots is another budget-friendly option for beginning stampers who like a lot of color options. Each Stampin' Spot Color Collection includes anywhere from 8 to 11 ink pads that are 1” square in size.

Card Stock
Not all paper is created equal! Most of us have learned by trial and error that there is a difference. Help your new stamping friend avoid the frustration and expense of poor-quality card stock. She’ll appreciate the crisp images she can achieve with our ultra-smooth Whisper White (#100730) or Very Vanilla (#101650) card stock. Pair the Whisper White or Very Vanilla card stock with an assorted pack of card stock from one of the Color Collections and the Neutrals Collection, and your friend will have the basis for many beautiful creations!

Tools
It seems obvious, but it is important not to forget the basics like a Paper Cutter (#104152) and a SNAIL adhesive (#104332) along with a couple of refills (#104331). Once you have those basics, consider fun and functional tools like our great punches. A couple of circles that can be layered together are a great place to start because circles are a very pleasing and versatile shape that you can't cut by hand without making yourself crazy! (You know what I mean if you’ve tried it!)

Got to have it all?!
Do you know the best-kept secret deal in the Stampin’ Up! catalog? It’s the Starter Kit. Yep - with stamps, ink, card stock, and basic tools, the Starter Kit is valued at $345, but only costs $175, making it a steal-of-a-deal and an ideal way for new stampers to get all the basics in one affordable bundle. Plus, when new stampers join Stampin’ Up!, they’ll have a whole host of great online resources, including an amazing online community of demonstrators for training, ideas, and support. Talk about having it all! Contact me today to find out more about the Starter Kit, including the limited-time extras and discounts available only to new team members who join during Sale-A-Bration!

So I'm playing some more with the Easy Events stamp set. These cards will be part of my upcoming class (See Events Calendar). In the yellow background project, I used the same supplies from my last post just changed the theme and stamp set. I wanted to highlight the watercoloring here. Adding the beauty of watercoloring to your stamped images is easy when you use Blender Pens! These travel friendly pens have all the fun of watercoloring and none of the mess. Use Blender Pens with ink refills, ink pads, Watercolor Wonder Crayons, Stampin’ Pastels or Watercolor Pencils to create a watercolor effect on Whisper White card stock or Watercolor Paper. Stamp outline images, like those in the Easy Events stamp set, and have fun adding color, accents and shadows with your Blender Pens. With three Blender Pens to a pack, and the ability to use them in so many ways, they are a great value and an essential tool. One of my favorite tricks is to use a Blender Pen to remove ink from a stamp when I want to add another color. Order your Blender Pens today and let out your inner artist!

INSTRUCTIONS:

1) Color stamped image with Blender Pen. The ink color becomes less saturated as you color creating a watercolored look. To add more color scribble the tip of the Blender Pen on the ink pad again. Repeat until image is colored as desired.

2) With the ink pad closed, squeeze the lid to create a palette of color.NOTE: Create darker and lighter areas of color with the darker areas creating shadow and lighter areas creating highlights for dimension.

3) Scribble the tip of the Blender Pen in the ink on the lid.Color the stamped image as shown previously.For more intense color re-ink the Blender Pen frequently.

4) Keep the Blender Pen moving to avoid uneven areas and lines.If using Whisper White or Very Vanilla card stock do not color over the same area too much or the paper can pill. For more detailed watercoloring, stamp the image on Watercolor paper.

5) Use a Blender Pen with Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie & Tempting Turquoise ink pads to color the duck body, beak and water. Adhere umbrella cut-out over top of umbrella image on 2-1/2” circle with 1/2 of a Stampin’ Dimensional. Adhere hat cut-out over the hat image using SNAIL.

6) One Blender Pen can be used with any ink color. To change colors simply scribble the tip of the Blender Pen on scrap white paper until it runs clear. Select a new color. Repeat to clean tip when changing colors or when done using the Blender Pen.

TIPS: Many images look better if they are “grounded” by a shadow instead of floating. Blend a shadow below a stamped image using the Blender Pen for a true watercolor effect. To clean the tips scribble gently on white paper. Tips will stain but that doesn’t effect performance.

PRODUCTS:

Easy Events stamp set (#116958wood-mount, #123225 clear-mount)

Blender Pens (#121881)

New stampers often ask me what stamp set they should purchase first. It’s a tough decision because there are so many great stamp sets and everyone has their own personal style! I think the best stamp sets for new stampers are ones that work well for a variety of occasions, techniques and also include some greetings with the images. The Easy Events stamp set is an ideal stamp set for new stampers because you can use the outline images with a Basic Black Classic ink pad or a StazOn ink pad and then use techniques like paper-piecing, coloring with Stampin’ Write Markers, or watercolor with ink, Watercolor Wonder Crayons or Watercolor Pencils. With the addition of a few basic supplies you’ll have a great variety of images for of all types of occasions!

Tip: For best results use Black StazOn ink with Watercolor paper for watercoloring.

Join Me for My Class - Saturday January 14th MORE DETAILS

Products Used:

Stamps
• Easy Events stamp set
(#116958 wood-mount, #123225 clear-mount)

Ink
• Black StazOn Ink Pad (#101406)

Tools
• Simply Scored Scoring Tool (#122334)

Project on the Left
PAPER: Whisper White Card Stock, Brights Patterns Designer Series Paper Stack
INK: Classic Ink Pads: Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie & Tempting Turquoise
OTHER: Blender Pen, 2-Way Glue and Dazzling Diamonds Stampin’ Glitter (or Dazzling Details)
PUNCHES: 1-1/4”, 1-3/8” & 1-3/4” Circles, SNAIL (14”) & Stampin’ Dimensionals (3)

Project on the Right
This alternate card sample showcase the versatility of the Easy Events stamp set by using a different Designer Series Paper set and coordinating colors to complement the kid birthday theme. To create the layer around the circle, punch several Real Red Scallop Punches and cut into pieces and adhere.

I bet you think the Stitched Stockings stamp set (#123782) is just for the holidays, right? Au contraire! How about all those baby cards you need to send? The Stitched Stockings stamp set makes adorable baby socks and booties. Add the coordinating Stocking Builder Punch (#124095) and you can create even more styles and save time since the punch does the work of cutting the stockings out for you. How about using the argyle stocking to create a stick horse for a child’s birthday card? When you get done creating baby and birthday cards you can create some great holiday designs, too! Add sparkle when you stamp the stockings in a variety of colors and add punched Glimmer Paper for the cuff, toe and heels. Try selecting three colors of card stock or Designer Series Paper designs, punch a stocking in each and play mix n’ match with the pieces. Lots of fun and variety are tucked into these sweet stockings. Get your Stitched Stockings stamp set and coordinating Stocking Punch now so you can use them for the upcoming holidays and then keep using them all year long!

I know the Stocking Builder Punch will retire on January 3rd. So if you love it like I do, you will want to order it today. I'll include the step-by-step tutorial for all my stocking projects via email.

Woo Hoo! Can't wait. I've always wanted to see San Antonio, TX. Leadership is the premier event for Stampin' Up! demonstrators. We learn all kinds of great tips and business ideas.

Wow, I can't believe I found the Treat Bags (#115690) in the Clearance Bin for only 99 cents for 5! That's an incredible buy. These are so handy to have on hand and so easy to decorate. Here's some examples! Don’t you love it when you give a gift that is so pretty that your friend almost doesn’t want to open it? Well now you can give your friends that anticipation easily with the super-fast and versatile Treat Boxes! They are so pretty your friends will never know what a value they truly are! Limited supplies so order fast. Easy Ordering - Click Here