One more day...

Hello Stampers!

There's just one day left to order from the Summer Mini Catalog.  Be sure to call me at 503-925-1929 if there is anything you want, because those stamp sets will be gone after August 31st.

I'll be working on my Fall Newsletter soon and I'm hoping to send it to your inbox before Labor Day.  But right now I still have company (my son-in-law's parents from Lake Tahoe) and when they leave on Wednesday morning,  my daughter Amy and her family will be arriving for an overnight stay as their house is torn apart in preparation for their move to Seattle.  Younger daughter Katie's baby Allie is still in the hospital due to a high bilirubin count.  She needs to spend more time under the "bili lights" with her little mask over her eyes.  Let's hope that she will be released soon.  I'm really looking forward to a little peace and quiet after this crazy mixed-up week is over!

While I'm cooking up a storm and playing hostess, you can play with your stamps!  So here's a card to inspire you.  This sweet card is made with the new stamp set Best of Everything (# 123536, 17.95 in clear mount).  The cardstock is Pink Pirouette (our lightest pink) and the green accents are Certainly Celery.  The edges of the white panel and circle are sponged with a little Pink Pirouette ink and the ribbon is Pink Pirouette Taffeta (#122981 6.95 for 10 yards).  The Perfect Polka Dot embossing folder adds just the right amount of texture to the Pink Pirouette base.  The sentiment "all I want for you is the best of everything" is also from the Best of Everything set.  It is accented with a tiny flower, punched with the Boho Blossom Punch (#119858, 16.95) and one of the smallest pearls from Basic Pearls (#119247, 4.95 for 150).

So there it is, a clean and classic card that would bring a smile to the face of anyone lucky enough to receive it!  Don't forget, you can always write your note on a "Post-It," so that your friend can remove your note and re-send the card to someone else.  That way, it's like getting a card and a little gift, all at the same time.  Let's spread some smiles today by letting those we love know we're thinking about them!

Happy Stamping!
Susan

Crazy Week Around Here

Good Morning Stampers!

 My new granddaughter finally arrived on Saturday, Aug. 27th... only 9 days late.  Allie Marie weighed in at 7 lbs. 12 oz and was 20.5 inches long--- that's 20.5 inches of cuteness (that's not even a word, I know, but I'm a new grandma)!

I have a housefull of company and I also need to help my other daughter this week as she and her family are moving to Seattle on Sept. 1st.  So things are going to be crazy around here and I may not be posting every day.  I will get back to a regular schedule after Labor Day.

Here's a card for you to keep you stamping while I'm off playing cook, grandma, hostess, and moving assistant

This is my favorite new stamp set from the new catalog, Field Flowers (#122762, 17.95 in clear mount).  You can find it on page 120 of the Idea Book and Catalog.  The colors are Soft Suede, More Mustard, and Old Olive... a perfect color scheme for a late August card.  The background is En Francais (# 109521, 17.95)  I stamped it in River Rock and then sponged the edges of the panel with Soft Suede.  The sentiment is from the Pursuit of Happiness set (# 121970, 13.95).  A strip of More Mustard Polka Dot ribbon adds the perfect touch (#124140,  7.95 for 10 yards).

I've got to run now... thanks for stopping by and I'll connect with you soon!
Keep on stamping in the sunshine (if you can find any today!).
Susan

Here comes the weekend!

Happy Friday, everyone!
 
It looks like we're in for another stellar weekend, weather-wise, and there's a lot going on.  From Hood-to-Coast to music festivals and fairs, not to mention the usual camping trips, days at the beach, and family reunions, it will be a great weekend to be "out and about."  So I'll forgive you for not stamping anything this weekend.  You need to get outside and enjoy our beautiful corner of the country.

I'll be out and about too, in Vancouver, at a big Stampin'Up! gathering where I'll be presenting some pretty projects featuring new products in the upcoming Holiday Mini Catalog.  Do you have your copy yet?  Many of my customers got one in the mail, but if you didn't receive one, please email me at sjrstamps@gmail.com and I'll make sure you get your very own copy.  If you've seen it, I'm sure you'll agree that it is the best Holiday Mini in years.  That thing has cost me some serious $$ and it's not over yet!  There are still a few more things on my wish list. 

Tonight is my last free class of the summer, my Free and Fun Friday event.  The class is full, but never fear.There are lots of opportunities to stamp coming up this fall.  I'll be scheduling a few new classes here and there, in between stamping parties.  Look for a fall newsletter in your email box around September 1st.

Well, I guess I've put it off long enough.  I know you really came here to see a card, so here it is.

This little beauty is a 4 1/4 inch square, so it will still fit into a standard envelope.  That way, no extra postage is required.  The background panel is Old Olive, while the card  (with the front folded back on itself) is Perfect Plum.  The focal image is from another hostess set called Faith in Nature.  It "costs" only $8 in hostess dollars, so you could easily get this set ( and many more) when you host a party of $150 or more.

With a $150 party, you earn $25 hostess dollars, so you'll have plenty to get the hostess sets you want.  The pear is stamped with black Staz-On ink, and colored with Watercolor Wonder Crayons and a Blender Pen. A tab of Old Olive Satin Ribbon accents the focal panel, making this a simple and classic card.

Product List:
       Faith in Nature stamp set, Hostess Only
       Staz-On  Jet Black stamp pad  #101406, 7.95
       Watercolor Wonder Crayons # 119804, 16.95
       Blender Pens  #102845
       Watercolor Paper   #122959, 4.95
       Old Olive Satin Ribbon  #117292, 8.95

Enjoy the weekend, everyone!  Thanks for stopping by!
Susan

Living in the Sunshine

Hello Stampers!
   Thanks so much for stopping by today!  Blue skies, a light breeze, and warm temperatures.... ah, summer!
Is there anything better than summer in the Pacific Northwest?  To inspire your summer stamping, I've got a fun card for you today.  The sentiment "Live in the Sunshine" is definitely says summer, but the colors I've chosen are transitioning into fall.

The sentiment "Live in the sunshine"--- a quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson-- is from a new stamp set called Pursuit of Happiness (#121970, 13.95 in clear mount).  As a former English major and librarian, I am a quote junkie. This set has another quote I love, as well as several great sentiments.  Check it out on page 157 of your Stampin'Up! Idea Book and Catalog.

The stamp set I used is the same one as yesterday's card... one of the new hostess sets called Posy Punch. It will only take a measly $9 of your hostess dollars to "buy" this set!  The colors of card stock I used were: Early Espresso for the base of the card, Old Olive for the panel that is embossed with the Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder (#117335, 7.95), and Cajun Craze for the horizontal band.  The flower is stamped on So Saffron with More Mustard ink. The center of the flower is stamped on Early Espresso and punched out with the 3/4 inch Circle Punch ( #119873, 10.95).  The lacy band is punched with the new Lace Ribbon Border Punch ( #122362, 19.95) and the sentiment is stamped onto Crumb Cake card stock and then punched out with the Decorative Label Punch (# 120907, 16.95).  A bit of Early Espresso grosgrain  (# 120931, 4.95 for 15 yards) adds the final touch.

OK, stamping friends, get out there and enjoy another beautiful summer day.  And if this afternoon should prove to be a bit too hot for you, stay inside with a cool drink and stamp up some fun!

Sunny Stamping!
Susan

P. S. On a personal note,  the "baby wait" continues.  Today is overdue day #7!  If nothing happens by the 30th, the doctor will take action.   

Another sunny day in paradise

Hello Stampin' People!

Looks like it is going to be another warm and sunny day.  I don't know about you, but I love it!  If summer lasted 9 months of the year, I think that would be just about right.  Right now I don't want any reminders of what is coming up... let's just put that out of our minds and go pour a glass of something cool, get out some stamps, ink, and paper and PLAY!

In honor of a sunny day, I have a sunny card for you.  This card has a summery look to it, thanks to the color scheme of So Saffron, Poppy Parade, and Baja Breeze.  I pulled these colors directly from the Just Add Cake designer paper (#124339, 10.95).  By the way... Stampin'Up! has a great promotion going on right now-- buy 3 packs of designer paper ( the ones priced at 10.95) and get the 4th one FREE.  This sale ends on August 31st, so if you'd like to stock up on some of the new papers, right now is the time!  You can email me, call me, or place your order directly by clicking on the "shop now" button here on my blog.  I have an order going in this Saturday, so if you'd like to save on shipping, email sjrstamps@gmail.com or call me at 503-925-1929 to add your order to mine. 

Today's card also features a fun new stamp set called Posy Punch.  It is one of the new hostess sets. You can see it on page 11 of the new catalog. Unfortunately, you cannot purchase this set, but you can get it free when you host a stamping party of $150 or more.  What I love about the new hostess sets is that they are discounted for you, so that your hostess dollars will go even further.  This great set, for example, is valued at 14.95 in clear mount, but only $9 of your hostess money "buys" it for you!   The Fancy Flower Punch  (#118073, 16.95) coordinates perfectly with this set and punches out the flowers with no muss or fuss.  The sweet eyelet trim is punched with the Eyelet Border Punch (#119853, 15.95).

I would love for you to get a lot of Stampin'Up! goodies absolutely free, and you can do that by signing up for a party and inviting your friends to come stamp with  you.  Then when your order arrives, it will be like Christmas morning when you unpack all of your new stamping toys.  Doesn't that sound like fun?  Send me a quick email at sjrstamps@gmail.com and we'll get your party scheduled. 

On a personal note, waiting for baby continues.  We're on day 6 now, so something should be happening soon. 

Enjoy this beautiful day and go stamp something sunny!
Susan

Going, going, gone!

Hello Stamping Friends!
   I thought I would remind you that the Summer Mini-Catalog, like summer itself, is going away.  August 31st is the last day to order from the Summer Mini-Catalog, so it might be a good idea to take a quick tour through it to make sure that you've got everything you wanted.  I will be placing one last order after Friday night's "Free and Fun Friday" class on August 26th, so if you'd like to add to that order and save on shipping, you are welcome to do so. 

  One of the stamp sets that I think we'll all miss is The Open Sea (#123032, 18.95 in clear mount) and its coordinating paper Nautical Expedition (#122343, 10.95).  They go together so perfectly and with both of them in hand it is so easy to create fabulous masculine cards that are great for birthdays, Father's Day, congratulations, get well, thinking of you, retirement, etc.  You name the occasion and this set and matching designer paper is a perfect fit.  Perhaps you're like me. I get so wound up creating beautiful flowery cards that I sometimes forget that half the human race doesn't appreciate such girly cards.  So if you don't already own this masculine set, maybe it is time to add it to your stamping tool box!
   Take some time out today and stamp something manly (or pretty!).  I'll be stamping today for sure, as I'm working on a ton of swap cards for a Holiday Mini Catalog swap.  I can't wait for September 1st, when we can start ordering from the best Holiday Mini Catalog in years!
Happy Tuesday, Stampers!
Susan
PS  We are now on day 5 of the "overdue baby" countdown.  When will it end??  Stay tuned.

A Fresh New Week

Good morning, Stampers!
   
I don't know about you, but I love Mondays!  Even when Mondays involved getting out of bed early and going to work, I still loved them. Of course now that I'm retired, there is more room for planning the fun stuff.  There's nothing like a fresh new week stretching out before me to inspire all sorts of thoughts on what I want to accomplish, things I'm going to do, places I'm going to go (even if it's just grocery shopping). 

Here in Portland, Oregon we enjoyed a very summery weekend with temperatures finally into the 90's.  It was great to barbecue, sit outside, and watch my grandchildren splash in their wading pool! Wherever you are, I hope you enjoyed the weekend too.  I'm not sure how many more sunny summer weekends we'll have, so it is important to savor every single one!

This will be a busy stamping week for me, with a downline meeting, a class, a large Stampin'Up! gathering, and then a workshop.  But since I love stamping, it isn't really work!  It is "fun with a purpose."

Well, I guess I've rambled on long enough.  Let's get to the card, shall we?  This card shows off a different format.  I'm not sure what to call it but the folded card is short, with the focal panel popped up.  It makes for a fun variation on the standard card. And there's still room inside to write if you like to write, but not too much room (for those who have a hard time thinking of what to say!).

The stamp set is Flower Fest (#122280, 19.95 in clear mount). 

 I stamped the flowers randomly in Rich Razzleberry, Old Olive, and Pumpkin Pie, then stamped the butterfly in Rich Razzleberry on Rich Razzleberry card stock and punched it out with the Butterfly Extra Large Punch (#119848, 16.95).  The ribbon is pumpkin pie (that 5/8" size is now discontinued, but I'm guessing that many of you have it and would like to use it!). The Designer Paper is from the Patterns Designer Series Paper Stack ( Brights, #117155, 19.95).  Three little rhinestones finish off the butterfly... (Basic Rhinestones, #119246, 4.95).  The sentiment "It's the little things" comes from the set You're a Gem (#122270, 11.95 in clear mount).  It is punched out with the Small Oval Punch (# 120908, 10.95) and layered onto the 1 1/4 inch Circle Punch (#119861, 15.95).  This card would be fun to try with a different stamp set and different colors.  Experiment see what fabulous cards you can come up with!

Enjoy your Monday, everyone, and plan something fun this week!

Stamping with a happy heart,

Susan

Happy Friday, Stampin' People!

I'm a little late in posting today because of the big Stampin'Up! Garage Sale that I held today from 9am-2pm.  It was good to clear out more of my old sets... that way I have room for more new sets to entertain you with.  Who doesn't love new stamps, new colors, and new accessories?  And even though I said I wasn't going to do it, I ended up buying lots of new goodies because I just couldn't resist!  Can anybody identify with me on that?  I admit that I am hopelessly addicted to stamping.  Considering the whole realm of addictive substances, I'm sure you'll agree that my "habit" is fairly harmless. 

I'm sorry I haven't yet posted all of my fall events to my calendar.  I will get to that soon, but things are a bit crazy around here right now.  First of all, we are waiting on pins and needles for Katie's baby to arrive.  He/she was due on the 18th, so we are thinking our new little peanut could arrive any day.  Then Amy and family are moving to Seattle at the end of August, so we are trying to spend as much time as possible with the grandchildren before they move. 

In between everything else, I've been busy creating some awesome projects for a large Stampin'Up! demo meeting to be held in Vancouver next Saturday.  I'll be demonstrating these projects featuring Holiday Mini-catalog products and I'll also be featuring them in a couple of holiday classes for you, my great customers. More info on my Holiday classes will be coming up in my fall newsletter.  Look for it in your email inbox around the first of September.

Here's a fun 4" by 4" card for you today.   Do you ever get bored with the usual 5 1/2 by 4 1/4 inch size like I do?  This 4 by 4 size fits just fine in one of our regular envelopes, so you don't need to supply extra postage to mail it. The colors are Whisper White, Cherry Cobbler, and Always Artichoke.  This card shows off the new Pennant Parade stamp set (#122742, 16.95 in clear mount) and the new Petite Pennants Builder Punch (#122361, 16.95). It has some of the new Baker's Twine in Cherry Cobbler (#123125, 2.95).  The tiny tag is made with the Jewelry Tag punch (#117190, 10.95). The rhinestone at the top of the tree was colored with a red permanent marker.   This card was one of the swaps I did for convention.  I love the classic look of it... simple and elegant.  I hope you like it too! 

Hope you'll all get out there and enjoy this glorious weekend!
Stamping with a happy heart,
Susan

Customer Garage Sale Tonight... and a sneak peek for you!

Good morning Stampers! 

Before we get to the sneak peek, I want to remind you that tonight is round 2 of the big Stampin'Up! garage sale at my house in Sherwood from 7-9 pm for my customers ... that's YOU! Then tomorrow, I'm expecting that things might be a little crazy as the people who saw our announcement on Craig's List arrive.  Friday's sale starts at 9am and goes until around 2pm.  Everything is marked down even more, at least 55%  and there are lots more stamps added to the sale, including some rare sets from the past.

I've been busy playing with new stamps and accessories from the fabulous new Holiday Mini catalog that begins on September 1st.  While I hate to see the calendar page turn from August to September (summer is definitely my favorite season!), the new goodies in the Holiday Mini will help to ease the pain.  In fact, I might be so busy creating that I don't even notice!

If you haven't already seen the Holiday Mini, I can promise you that you are going to want (translate that to "need") so many of the new products that are featured.  Of course the best way to get what you need is to be a hostess.  I still have some fall dates left, so get your fun stamping party booked soon.  Then you can pick out your favorite stamps and accessories from the Holiday Mini absolutely free.  Doesn't that sound good?

Here's my card...

I won't bore you with the product numbers right now, as you can't order yet anyway, but I will tell you that the stamp set is called Gently Falling and it features a number of leaves and an acorn.  It is a two-step set, which adds a lot of versatility.  You can choose the more solid stamp, or just the line stamp.  Or, combine the two as I did here.  I then cut the leaf out.  It looks laborious, but really cutting goes pretty quickly, especially with Stampin'Up!'s super sharp paper snips which are sized especially for "fussy cutting."
The designer paper you see behind the leaf is the gorgeous new Spice Cake collection.  The colors are Soft Suede, More Mustard, Pool Party, Pear Pizzazz, River Rock, and Very Vanilla.  Across the bottom of the card I created a ribbon by cutting some of the new Spice Cake fabric into a strip and using it just like ribbon.

I hope your Thursday goes well.  We are excited here, as today is my daughter Katie's due date for her first baby.  Too bad the baby doesn't know that!  We'll just have to be patient as first babies are often late.

If you haven't treated yourself to some stamping time lately, get out your stamps and stamp something pretty today!  I'm  hoping to see you tonight at the big sale!
Stamping with a happy heart,
Susan

It's almost over

Hello stampers! 
Yes, I'm afraid it is true... summer is almost over.  Summer?  What summer??  Here in the northwest, we've had one of the coolest summers on record.  We still haven't made it over 90 degrees and it looks like we might not this year.  In fact, one of my customers referred to July as "Juluary."  With the end of summer comes the end of the fabulous Summer Mini-catalog.  If you haven't purchased all of your favorites yet, it is time to do so, as the Summer Mini-catalog expires on August 31st.  After that, those cool stamp sets will be gone for good! 

Here is a card to inspire you to get out your stamps and get them inky!  This is a birthday card, but with a change of sentiment, it could be a great thank you, thinking of you, get well, or anniversary card. 

This card uses several of the new 2011-2012 In-colors:  Lucky Limeaid, Calypso Coral, and Wisteria Wonder.  I love how these 3 colors look together... so summery!  The stamp set is "Delicate Doilies" (122592, 16.95 in clear mount).  The sentiment "not just a year older but a year better" comes from the versatile set "Bring on the Cake" (121958, 27.95 in clear mount).
The 3-D flower is quickly made using several punches: 
119854, 1 3/4 inch Scallop Circle (16.95),
119880 5 petal Flower (16.95)
119858  Boho Blossoms (16.95)
The lacy strip down the right hand side was created using the new Lace Ribbon Border Punch (122362, 19.95).
You can place orders 24/7 on my web site http://www.susanrodgers.stampinup.net/  When you place your online orders with me at this site, you will get the "preferred price," which is less than you'd pay if you ordered from the Stampin'Up! site.  Questions??  Call me at 503-925-1929 or send me an email at sjrstamps@gmail.com

I encourage you to take some time just for yourself today!  Do something that makes you happy, whether it is stamping, visiting with a friend,  or reading a book in the shade.  Summer 2011 will never come again, so enjoy it while you can! 

Stamping with a happy heart,
Susan