Scrapnextras

Technique Tuesday; Gift Card holder tag

 

This month my focus for Technique Tuesday will be on gift tags.  I will only have 2 Technique Tuesday's this month as the holidays are closing in and I will be spending the time with family enjoying the festivities.  There is no particular product focus, but starting today Stampin' Up! is offering Free Shipping until December 23rd!  on all orders over $100!  That is a nice 10% savings in itself!  As well the Fall Winter retirement list has been released, and for the first time ever that I know of, Stampin' Up! is offering 10% off any retiring stamp set purchases!  You can view the stamp sets here for those who may not have a catalogue handy.

If you wish to place an order, let me know by email....see my link below my picture, or my local customers can just call me.  (Canadian orders only please)  Orders cannot be guaranteed for delivery before Christmas, however, orders sent this week should make it in time.

Technique Tuesday

I thought gift tags would be a fun way to wrap up the year, so I decided to combine a gift tag with a gift card holder.  There are a few "hard to buy for" people on my list who I buy gift cards for, and the problem with giving them a gift card, is that, well it seems like it's not enough.  Unwrapping presents around our house Christmas morning is an event, that we don't want to cut short with gift cards!  So I try to buy/bake or make a "little something" for them to open, and attach the gift card with in.  But this year I thought, why not make it part of the tag?

So here's what I came up with, which is a variation/collection/regurgitation of ideas that have floated around forever.  That is to say, there is no real original thought with this one!

  For this tag, you will need:

2 1/2" x 8 1/2" length of card stock

2 1/8" x 3 3/4" cardstock for front

2 1/4" x 3 7/8" cardstock for layering

Slot punch

Tag corner punch (not pictured)

Stamps & ink to decorate

Score your long piece of cardstock at 4"

Measure in 3/8" from each end and mark with a pencil

  Position the slit punch over the line you've drawn and punch.

Do this for both ends

Erase your line.

Stamp and decorate the front panels and adhere to shorter side of the tag, ensuring your adhesive does not interfere with the slit slot.

Punch the corners with the tag corner punch for more of a "tag" appearance.

  Here is the gift card open.  The card sits on the short side, and is held in place with the slit flap.

Here is the finished tag.  I actually was inspired by some Christmas wrapping paper I picked up, and thought it would be fun to match it up.

I don't think I will have all matching tags, but maybe for those wrapped in this set of papers.

  I hope you are enjoying the holiday prep!  I am a little on the stressed side myself, but that's running about par for the course for this time of year.

I will be slowing down my posting after this week as we get in to gear for Christmas parties (kids only LOL!) baking, Christmas concerts and just some plain old family time.  DH, who has been away at work on a 21 day shift is home next Monday, but will head back to work before Christmas.  So next week will be all about family for us, and our little Christmas celebration.  Then the girls and I will head off to spend some time with my family in Calgary.

I know you won't miss me, but I feel compelled to share my upcoming absence since you are so sweet to drop by and visit with me each day.  If I have time I will post, and if I have anything I can pre post, well I'll do that too.  I just don't want to commit....I'm over committed big time now, so I am staying as far from that as I can.

Drop by tomorrow for previews of Flourishes' December release.  Oh boy...I am just in love with this release.  You'll know why tomorrow!

Have a fabulous Tuesday and thanks for dropping by!  You know I love it when you do!

Recipe:  Stamps:  Season of Joy (SU) Holiday Greetings (Flourishes)  Paper:  Real Red, Whisper White, Brushed silver  Ink:  Versamark  Accessories:  tag corner punch, slit punch, dimensionals, detail silver ep, silver cord

Technique Tuesday; Hatpins

Each month I choose a Stampin' Up! product as my Feature Product.  For the month of July I am featuring the Pretties Kit! The Pretties Kit shown on page 188 of the Spring Summer collection is also on special this month when purchased through me.  My Technique Tuesday feature during the month of July will feature ideas for the Pretties Kit.  As well, throughout the month of July, you can expect to see lots of projects on my blog featuring the Pretties Kit, and I will be demonstrating with them during all my July workshops.   

Here is the special for July:

• 10% off the Pretties Kit through til July 31st
• My July hostesses will receive 20% Off!

If you wish to place an order, you may contact me via email.  I accept all major credit cards.  Canadian orders only please. Sorry, them's the rules!

Technique Tuesday; Hatpin Heart

When I first got my Pretties kit, I was all over the flowers, but the hatpins really through me.  Honestly, I had never seen them before, so it wasn't until some cards started showing up on Splitcoast Stampers that I really saw what you could do with them.  They are still not the first thing I reach for, but I wanted to share a fun idea as well as some basic hat pin how to's!

To create this simple, although I will admit, a little finicky, hatpin technique, you will need:

Pretties kit

Heart Stamp along with ink and markers to colour it

Ribbon...yes I am using retired ribbon, but when you do it, you can pick colours that have current ribbon!

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You will begin by threading the beads on to the hat pin.

I start with a larger bead, then a spacer, then a smaller bead.

You only want to place the top half of your beads on at this point.

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Now, you want to insert the half beaded hatpin through the ribbon, with about 1/2" between the in and out points.

Your ribbon should be long enough to wrap around your heart...or what ever image you chose to work with.

You could thread it through the heart without the ribbon, but I found the paper buckled too much for my tastes. 

When you have threaded it through, you can add the last half of the beads. 

When you fill it up with beads, the hatpin will not move on the ribbon.

Place the hatpin cover on the end, which covers the pointed portion and keeps the beads from falling off

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Apply adhesive diagonally across the back of the heart.

Then you will attach the ends of the ribbon.

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When you are done it will look like this.

The heart stamp is from "Just Celebrate" which was featured in the Occasions Mini, and it just happens to be my favorite heart stamp.  Here's the finished card.

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I stamped the heart in black and coloured it in with Rose Red and Regal Rose Markers.  The key to colouring with markers is to colour in a circular motion, and really get the paper wet with the ink, which helps it blend and not show lines.

The heart was mounted on a 2" square of Whisper White with dimensionals, then layered on Rose Red and Regal Rose.

The card base is Whisper White, and the designer paper is the Prints series in Rose Red.  I wrapped some Rose Red ribbon from the Fairy Tale ribbon originals set around it and snipped in flag fashion.  Now before I get feedback on the fact that this will not fit in an envelope with the ribbon like that, let me assure you, NO card with a hatpin and beads is going to fit in an envelope anyway, so if you are wanting to try that cool technique, try it with a beaded hatpin! 

The sentiment was stamped on a tag from the old retired tag sheets, and tied to the top of the hatpin with ribbon. To finish it off, I added some half back pearls, also from the Pretties Kit, using glue dots, along the bottom of the card.

There you are.  Just another fun way to use the hat pins.  Try making a flag by attaching a flag to the top of the hat pin, or a golf hole holder!  There are lots of fun things you can do once you get your creative juices flowing.

I will not be doing my Technique Tuesday next week, as I will be on vacation.  I will try to get some posts up, but I won't get another tutorial staged, shot and edited before we leave.

I hope you are having a wonderful day!  Thanks for dropping by...I always love it when you do.

Technique Tuesday; Wheelin' Frames

This month Stampin' Up! is having their "Free Wheelin" promotion.  When you purchase any one of the six selected stamp sets featured in this promotion, you will get the matching Jumbo Wheel Free!  You can learn more about it here.   

Each month I choose a Stampin' Up! product as my Feature Product.  This month I am will be featuring Stampin' Around Wheels to coincide with the "Free Wheelin" promotion!  So in addition to the free wheels above, all wheels, handles and ink cartridges purchased through me, are on special this month.  My Technique Tuesday tutorials during the month of April will feature Stampin' Around Wheels.  As well, throughout the month of April, you can expect to see lots of projects on my blog featuring wheels, and I will be demonstrating them during all my April workshops.   

Here is the special for April:

• 10% off any Stampin' Around Wheel small or jumbo, ink cartridges and handles
• My hostesses in April will receive 20% Off!

This is the last Tuesday of April, meaning the last Wheel tutorial, and your last chance to take advantage of the Wheely great specials!  My final order this month goes in tomorrow, so make sure you have your order an payment to me in time to catch these awesome specials.  Canadian orders only please!

Technique Tuesday:  Wheelin' Frames Masking technique

Now here is another technique that I think we are all quite familiar with, but I have no idea whether it has a special name or not.  So for the purpose of this tutorial, I've decided to call it the Wheelin' Frames Masking technique.  I learned this technique very early in my career as a Stampin' UP! demonstrator, but I haven't done it in ages.  So think of this as re-acquainting yourself with a fabulous technique that produces WOW results, with all the cool new wheels and products we have now!

All you need to do this is:

Wheel, handle and ink cartridge (I am using the wheel from the Spring Solitude hostess bundle, and Almost Amethyst ink cartridge)

sticky notes

Paper

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For my project I cut the sticky note down to 2" x 3 1/4", ensuring that the sticky part was not cut off!

This allows a 1 inch border all around.

I have centred it on my card front with the sticky part on the left.  I wheel left to right, so I don't want it to lift...that's why the sticky part is on the left!

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Run you wheel a few times to ensure good ink coverage.

I start at the bottom left corner, and wheel diagonally.  The eye sees left to right straight across.  Wheeling diagonally means that any inaccuracies in wheeling will not be as obvious. 

By starting at the bottom, it is very easy to see where I need to place the wheel for the next run.

This is what it looks like half way through.  As you see it now, you will focus on the diagonal direction...however, when the card is complete you won't see it at all!

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Here is the image fully wheeled, with the sticky note still intact.

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Now you can see the frame that was masked off.

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And here is the finished card.  This is so very demonstrable, and an incredible WOW!  If you attended any of my April workshops, you would have seen me make a version of this card!

To complete the card, I worked with the Spring Solitude stamp set as well.  The trio of flowers was stamped in the upper portion of the frame.  The bold flower was stamped in Almost Amethyst ink on Almost Amethyst card stock and cut out.  It was attached to the card with dimensionals.  I added some Crystal Stickles for a bit of sparkle...Dazzling Diamonds would work equally well. 

The sentiment is from Verve Visual, Happy Thoughts set, and I chose it because lining up clear stamps is just easier, plus I could stack the words so they fit in the frame. 

Finally I added some ribbon on the corners and added a clear gem for some more sparkle.  The card front is then mounted on the card base with dimensionals. 

I have mentioned before that I always stamp the inside of my card and the envelope to match, and I love how easy this is to do with wheels.  Here is a peek at the inside of the card.

This could easily be a quick, one layer card, and it's so gorgeous...don't you think?

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Here is another version with another wheel, but the same stamp set.

With this card I wheeled in Mellow Moss, then sponged Mellow Moss ink on the card before I removed the mask.  It adds a bit more definition and colour. 

Well there you are.  A month's worth of ideas with your wheels.  Dig 'em out ladies and have some fun!  They really are awesome additions to your stamping tools, and they are pretty exclusive to Stampin' Up!

Remember, my final order goes out tomorrow, that's Wednesday, April 30.  My email is at the top right side bar.

Have a wonderful Tuesday, and thanks for dropping by!

 

A Girly Card

I am still playing with my new toys.  I am loving Happy Heart Day!  It is going to be so versatile!  I am pretty sure you will see all my dd's Valentine cards made with it.  I was thinking of my youngest, she's 7, when I made this card.  She loves pinks and purples and glitz!  So this may not end up in her Valentine box, but on a day when she needs a little lift, I'll tuck it in her lunch bag!  Life can get very rough when you're 7!

I got my inspiration for this card from Sharon Johnson's card here. (notimetostamp on SCS).  I started with a base of white, top folded.  I stamped the butterflies...don't you just love those little trails. "love you"?  I coloured them with Pixie Pink and Orchid Opulence.  On a scrap of white, I stamped the butterfly stamp twice.  One I coloured and cut out the butterfly only, the other I punched out with my 1 1/4" circle punch, so that I could fit all of the trail, and some of the butterfly.  I covered the cut out butterfly with 2-way glue and sprinkled some of the new Cosmos glitter...big bling on such a little guy!  Love the new colours of glitter...really nice stuff!  I layered the circle on Pixie Pink, and then on Basic Black and popped up on dimensionals and the butterfly adhered by his teeny body with 2-way glue!

The border is a strip of Black, with a strip of Pixie Pink and on top of that a strip of Orchid Opulence.  On the black I took my white gel pen and made a border of little dots....seemed to fit with the dots on the trails, and on the Pixie Pink, I used a Rub On from the Eastern Elegance set, a thin border of tiny dots.  Around the Orchid strip I tied black gingham ribbon and added a scrap of orchid grosgrain. 

So what do you think?  Are the bold brights too much?  Personally I love it...I think the black and white provide good balance for these bright colours.  Oh and drop by later, I have my challenge card for today to post!!  See ya soon!

New Catalogue is Now Open for Business!

There is not much that makes me happier than a new catalogue!  I have to say the change to 2 catalogues per year was something that had to sit with me a while, and now I love it.  It would be about this time of the year I would be itching for something new...and now we have it!  And new lower prices!!  No kidding, the prices were down in the catalogue, and then Stampin' Up! announced that they were lowering the prices an additional 7%.  Are you doing the Happy Dance now!  I am!  I can't believe it, these are the lowest prices I have seen in the 5 years I've been a demonstrator!  Woowee!  My dollar is going a lot further.  Stampin' Up! has created a new price list, since the drop came after the caty was printed...so be sure to download it when you browse through the catalogue.

As a demonstrator, I was able to pre-order a few things in December, and today I placed my first order from the Spring Summer Collection!!  So you wanna know what I ordered??  I'm gonna tell you anyway! 

• Simply Sent Card kit Lifelong Notes  pg 15   I just love kits, and they are so great for anyone who is new to stamping!
• Always  pg 57...I'm thinking Valentines, plus I just LOVE that bird and the funky heart!!
• Stitched pg 135  I love my background stamps, and I see so many possibilities with this one!
• Valentines Day Bundle....see flyer on right side bar!  I just love a good deal, and cute stamps too!  You can't go wrong at $39.94
• Flower Fusion...pg 177  Felt flowers! Think texture, soft, dimension...and so many different sizes and kinds! I can't wait to start making beautiful things with them!
• Eastern Elegance Rub Ons pg 182 OH my gosh, you just have to see some of the coolest way they have used rub ons!  I can't wait to get my hands on these!
• Cosmos Glitter pg 186  You know what they say...all that glitters....  Well when it comes in 5 gorgeous colours it must be mine!  Love a little sparkle...or a lot!!
• Bead Duo Red pg 192  OK...I still have to think about what I will be doing with these, but they're embellishments, and I'm sure my cards will look much better once I own them!
• My Way Punch pg 181  You knew I would order it...it's a punch!  3 arrows in one....such a deal!
• Boho Blossoms Punch pg 181  see above!

For my free stuff I picked...yup, I still get Hostess Benefits as a demonstrator...really it doesn't get much better!

• A Little Bit of Happiness  pg 20  A way cute little set for lots of occasions, and lots of possibilities!
• Ginger Blossom Designer Paper  pg 169  So totally in love with this paper...I could even learn to like Groovy Guava!
• Dimensionals pg 186  My favorite Freebie!
• Tombow Multi pg 186  A girl can never have enough adhesive!

OK, enough gloating!  At least you don't have to wait impatiently until it arrives!  Anyway do stick around, I should have a card to post this evening with one of the sets I pre-ordered in December.  Have a wonderful day!

                        

Retiring Accessories

Stampin' Up! has posted the retiring accessories list.  I have placed it on it's own page on the left side bar.  These items are available until December 31st or while quantities last.  If you wish to order any of these items, please contact me at (403) 343-1714 or scrapnextras@yahoo.com  I will update this list frequently until December 16th, so that you can see how fast supplies are running out.  For enquiries after that date you may contact me directly.

Happy Stampin'!

Retirement List; Contest Winner and a card

Yesterday we put up our Christmas tree, which officially starts the Christmas season at our home!   Yesterday Stampin' Up! released their list of retiring stamp sets as we approach the Spring Summer Collection.  So we say goodbye to some old favorites!  Here it is:

'07 Retirement List in Numerical Page number order

'07 Retirement List in Alphabetical order

These sets will be available for purchase for the remainder of December, so if you need one or two, be sure to get your order it asap!  On January 2nd the new catalogue will be out, and these sets gone forever.

Stampin' Up! has also created a gift idea list for any of the stampers or paper crafters on your list, so make sure to check it out: Great Gifts Under $35.00

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We have a winner!

Congratulations to Liz C., who guessed the most correct retiring sets on her list of 10.  I'll be in touch with you Liz...you will be able to choose one of my retiring sets.  The rest I will be putting up for sale, so watch for the list in early January.

I made this card this week for the Ways to Use it Challenge on Splitcoast Stampers.  I had a feeling Solemn Stillness might retire, since it's been around for a few years now, but it's still so classic, so I wanted to make sure I had the chance to use it before it's gone for good.  The challenge was to use Metallic Paper, so I chose Stampin' Up!'s Brushed Gold, which is so classy.  I started with a base of white cardstock, cut lengthwise for a top fold.  I ran my embossing buddy over the background layer of brushed gold, and stamped Tres Chic in Versamark, then embossed with Gold Glory embossing powder.  The centre panel, I used the embossing buddy, then stamped the flourished overstamp from the set, and embossed it in Gold Glory.  I used my ticket corner punch on the corners and layered it on whisper white.  I added some gold brads to the corners, and mounted it with Stampin' Dimensionals.  I will definitely miss this set.  Be sure to check out some of the samples I have created in it's photo album on the left, and if you decide you can't live with out it, get your order to me right away!

Recipe:  Stamp Sets:  Solemn Stillness, Tres Chic  Paper:  Brushed Gold card stock, Whisper White, Ink: Versamark  Embellishments:  gold brads  Accessories:  Gold Glory EP, Stampin' Dimensionals.

I hope you are having a wonderful weekend!  See you soon!

Wrapping up the Holidays Sale!

**I will be keeping this post at the top until November 30 to make sure everyone can take advantage of the fantastic offers available while there is still the Free Shipping option!

Can November get any better?  I think not!  Stampin' Up has announced their "Wrapping Up the Holidays" sale which starts November 23 and runs until December 15, while quantities last!   Save from 20% - 50% off the following items, and until November 30th you get free shipping!  Currently Stampin' Up! has four, yes 4 ongoing promotions!

1. Pretty Paper Promotion, Buy 3 get 1 free of our Double Sided Designer paper packs
2. Holiday Glitz promotion; Quantities are still available!  Each Holiday Glitz card kit makes 15 handmade cards, all pieces are pre-cut, pre-scored and embellishments (crystal brads & zig zag red ribbon) are included!
3. Free Shipping in November
4. Wrapping up the Holidays, see below or download the flyer; Download CAN_Wrapping_promo_1107.pdf

Item Number	Description	Price
112409	Holiday Tag Bundle***	$5.50
110380	Tags for All Stamp Set* (20% off)	$33.56
110264	Designer Gift cards* (30% off)	$6.27
109862	Chocolate Chip satin ribbon*	Buy 1, get 1 free!**
109863	Purely Pomegranate satin ribbon*	Buy 1, get 1 free!**
112410	Tin 3-Pack	$13.50
110147	Celebration wrapping paper*	$24.95
110228	Hand Selected Accents & Elements (25% off)	$11.21

***The Holiday Tag bundle contains the following all for $5.50!:

-30 Pieces of Whisper White card stock 2" x 4 1/4"
- 30 Pieces of Real Red textured card stock 3 1/2" x 4 1/4"
- 30 Pieces of Soft Sky Prints Designer Series Paper (Dotted Diamond pattern) 3 x 4 1/4"
- 30 Strips of Real Red twill tape 3 1/2" long

   

     

Spring Summer Preview reveal!

Sorry this is coming to you a day late, the preview was posted just as we were headed out, so with no further ado, here is a summary of the Preview Brochure:

Preview Specials: 

• Customer Special:  From Jan 2-31, when you purchase the Valentine's Day Bundle, you'll get it at a 20% discount!  Use this bundle to make Valentine Projects or buy it for someone you love.  Bundle includes:  **Happy Heart Stamp Set, Real Red & Regal Rose 5/8" grosgrain ribbon, and medium cello bags Regular value $53.70 Bundle price $42.95!
• Hostess Special: Host a workshop with $525.00 in sales and choose one of the stamps sets in the brochure for free, in addition to all other hostess benefits!
• Demonstrator Special:  From Dec 1 - 31, purchase any stamp set in the Preview Brochure for 15% off!

Stamp Sets:

• **Happy Heart....cute, cute, cute!  Elephant, mouse, heart and flower and tag...perfect for kids or cute Valentines cards  set of 7 for $26.95**This set is part of the Valentine's Day Bundle above
• A Beautiful Thing..gorgeous floral Boho style, combination of detail and solid stamps for 2 step stamping, set of 6 for $23.95
• A Little Bird Told Me...two adorable birds included with this sentiment set that includes among others "it's your birthday!",  "about your good news",  "you're under the weather" and "you got a promotion"...this is so cute and versatile, could be used with any stamp set...or stand alone!
• Mark the Date:  A calendar set!!  This is going to be very cool for making calendars, doing invitations, (that's the project in the brochure!), think due dates...very fun set of 13 for $31.95
• Celebrate Everything:  fabulous sentiment set; large "celebrate" stamp with smaller words to coordinate, "today", "friendship", "good times", "life" etc.  Great for cards and scrapbooking!  Set of 8 for $22.95
• Embrace Life:  beautiful Asian style floral set! long stemmed flower, sprig of flowers, and large flower and large branched leaves image, and the sentiment "embrace life".  Set of 5 for $30.95
• Nursery Necessities:  Darling baby set!  Elephant, boat, birdie, 2 stars and moon, along with 6 sentiments.  Set of 12 for $37.95
• Nursery Letters Wheel:  Jumbo wheel that coordinates with the Nursery Necessities set, as the star has various sizes of letters across it, the same as the wheel.  This is one of my favorites!  $10.50

Designer Paper

• Bali Breeze...think tropical florals and motifs, blues, greens, pinks  12 double sided sheets $12.50
• Ginger Blossom...florals with an Asian feel; Red, Regal Rose, Groovy Guava & River Rock, 12 double sided sheets $12.50

Cool Stuff

• Eastern Elegance Rub-ons:  the images on these sheets are right up my alley!  They are for sure on my list of things I need!  Each set comes with 2 sheets, one white and one black, they're 5 7/8" x 12", florals, alphabets, sentiments and design images all on one sheet.  Totally awesome. 2 sheets for $13.95
• Large Star Punch: think big! This star is about 1 1/2", a nice 5 pointed star...makes a great sheriff's badge or coordinate with the current small star punch for any combination of starry creations!  $20.95

I should be receiving my order of the brochures shortly, so let me know if you need to have one!  They will be also be available at my Retirement Party that you're invited to, and on-line December 1st.  This has simply stimulated my desire to see the new catalogue, but you can be sure that I'll be enjoying my pre-ordered stamps from this while I wait for the new catalogue to arrive.

I hope your are having a wonderful weekend!

Laura

Catalogue News!

I can't help but get excited when there is a new catalogue on the horizon!  This year Stampin' UP! has changed over the two catalogues a year, and the Spring Summer Collection is due to be released on January 1st!  I can hardly wait!

Today, demonstrators got their first peek at some of the new items that will be included in the new catalogue and we will see more on the 16th!  Let me share some of the cool things you can expect to see!

• Rub-ons!  to match our stamps sets!  Woohoo!  I love the versatility of Rub-ons!
• Large star punch...personally I thought the current star punch was a bit small....go big or...
• New Designer papers, the ones in the preview are gorgeous, called Ginger Blossom..think spring!
• new stamp sets of course! 
• Nursery Necessities and Nursery Letters new baby set & wheel
• Embrace Life...this set reminds me of Artfully Asian...but they are only showing us one card!  I can hardly wait to see the rest of the set!
• A Little Bird Told Me...way cute stamp set!
• A Beautiful Thing...new floral stamp set!

And, Stampin' Up! announced that all demonstrators will be receiving a Level 3 hostess set, as their Thank You to us!  I haven't received mine yet, but you can be sure I will be sharing it with you as soon as I get it!  Now isn't that sweet of Stampin' UP!?  Aren't you wondering why you haven't signed up yet?

Well that's as much as I know today...I will update you again on the 16th! 

Hope you get to stamp today!

Laura