Pinkalicious!

Hello Friday Friends and thanks for coming back to The Classic Card!

I hope that your week went amazingly well and that you are now ready for the weekend in which you can do three important things:
                                   Bid January a fond farewell (I'm always happy to see the end of January!)
                                   Welcome in February... the month of Valentine's Day, chocolate, and primroses
                                   Watch the superbowl... only if you must!

 Luckily, I've never been coerced into watching this testosterone-fueled sideshow.  This year I'll be out in Hillsboro enjoying a stamping party with a delightful group of women.  Thankfully, there won't be a hot wing in sight!

Well, enough about that... let's move on to the card, shall we???  The card I'm going to show you today was a make-and-take project by Mary Peterson at our last demonstrator meeting.  I think it is just "pinkalicious!"
Is anyone familiar with the book Pinkalicious by Victoria Kann?  It's all about a little girl who loves pink so much (and eats so many pink cupcakes) that she turns pink.  Whenever I see a really pink outfit, a really pink dessert, or a really pink card, I think Pinkalicious!  I guess that's what comes from reading the book over and over to my granddaughter.
                                   
So without further ado, here's the Pinkalicious card for Friday...

I just love this card!  Thanks, Mary, for letting us stamp this pretty pink card.  The stamp set is called Too Kind and can be found on page 71 of the annual catalog.  I love the two-step process of creating the petals. The first stamp is done in Melon Mambo, but stamped off once.  The second stamping is the Melon Mambo stamps without stamping off.  The Designer paper is called Gingham Garden and it's on page 153 of the annual catalog.  The fun new Decorative Dots embossing folder ( one of the free Sale-a-bration  products a was used to give the white panel a great texture.   What a bright and pretty card for a gray January day!                                                                                                                                                                        
Thanks for coming by for a visit and please come back on Monday for more stamping inspiration
Happy week-ending, everyone!
Suan                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          

A gift of Sunshine

Hellooooo stampers!

It's Wednesday already, Sale-a-bration has begun, and the folks at Stampin'Up! have ramped up the warehouse pick-line to near warp speed, I would guess, as orders pour in from every part of the US.
If you attended my open house on Saturday, your order has been placed and now we just need to be patient, as it might take a couple of days longer to receive our merchandise.

Here's a sunny project to inspire you today, made by Janet Jones, one of the talented stampers in my group.
This little gift card holder measures 3 3/4 by 4 1/4.  I should have photographed the inside as well, to show
you the little pocket that holds the gift card.

Janet used the Sale-a-bration Designer Paper, called Sweet Sorbet for the front of her project.  The colors in the Sweet Sorbet collection are Pool Party, Crisp Cantaloupe, Summer Starfruit, Pistachio Pudding, Sahara Sand, Basic Black, and Whisper White.  She stamped the sentiment from the free Sale-a-bration stamp set called See Ya Later in Pool Party, then added some Dazzling Diamonds (which are very hard to see in this photo... sorry!) to the cloud for a little sparkle and shine.  The base of the card is Summer Starfruit card stock and the Summer Starfruit Stitched Satin ribbon is the perfect match.

Don't you know someone who brings a smile to your face who'd love to get a card like this?  You don't have to put a gift card in the pocket.  Why not try a fun photo of you and the sendee?  Or some cash, movie tickets, or even just a nice note.  Spread a little sunshine today... you'll be a happier person!

Thanks for stopping by today and I hope you'll come back on Friday to see another Classic Card!

Be happy!

Susan

Only two more days until Sale-a-bration 2014!

Hello stamping enthusiasts!  Or should that be stamping addicts?  

Whether you consider yourself  merely crazy about stamping or hopelessly addicted to stamping, either way you'll be happy that Sale-a-bration is starting on Tuesday, January 28th.  What fun it's going to be to pick out a free item for each $50 you spend!  And the freebies continue until March 31st, so there will be plenty of time to get the goodies you like best in the Sale-a-bration brochure.

Here's a quick and easy card made with one of the free Sale-a-bration items, the Good as Gold Card Kit.

I received this card from Shannon Carrier in a swap at our last demo meeting.  She used the basic 3 1/2  by 5 inch card and adhered it to a base of crumb Cake and Pistachio Pudding card stock to make the card the regular 5 1/2 by 4 1/4  size.  Here's what you get in the kit:
                                                               8 card bases
                                                               8 envelopes with gold foil liners
                                                               1 sheet of gold foil tags
                                                               1 sheet of printed die-cut tags
                                                               8 pieces of gold elastic cord (each 24 inches long)
                                                               8 pieces of Bermuda Bay baker's twine (each 24 inches long)

The cards are printed with the polka-dots on the front and the back, so if you want to, you can cut the cards in half and have 16 polka-dotted panels to use on the fronts of cards.

This card kit would be a great gift for a pre-teen, teenager, or even a busy adult. Or, you could assemble the cards yourself, slide them into a cello bag and give them as a thoughtful gift to a friend.   The cards are quick and easy to put together.... no stamping involved... just punch out and assemble with a glue stick.  And when you are finished, you'll have at least 8 great professional-looking cards that are all ready to go into the mail.
How easy is that?

Thanks for stopping by The Classic Card today.  Hope this Monday finds you starting out your week on a happy note and that the week ahead will be a good one!
Be happy!
Susan

Going, going, gone!

Hi there, Stampers!

It's finally Friday and I'm ready for the weekend!   How about you?  Hope you've got some fun things planned that will put a smile on your face!

Today I want to show you a fun card I made with Stampin'Up!'s Valentine products.  I'm sad to say that the items in the Valentine flyer that I sent out in December are going away on January 27th... that's next Tuesday, BEFORE the start of Sale-a-bration. So if you want to order some of these cute Valentine products, you don't have much time.   One of the stamp sets, Follow my Heart is already sold out in clear- mount, but is still available in wood-mount.  The cute little Monster Hug valentines are also being discontinued, along with the treat bags, the pre-printed note cards and envelopes, the stamp set called Love You More and the single stamp Flowerfull Heart.

Here's the card, made with one of the pre-printed Sweet Sayings Cards and Envelopes...

You get 12 printed card bases and 12 envelopes in assorted colors ( 4 Pool Party, 4 Real Red, and 4 Crisp Cantaloupe) for just $5.95.  To make this quick and easy card, I just added a panel of the new Fresh Prints Designer Paper Pack (page 33 of the Occasions catalog), then added a heart stamped with the new Flowerfull single stamp in Real Red.  Next I used one of the heart framelits to cut the heart out.  The sentiment is from Delightful Dozen, page 27 of the annual catalog. Some stitched grosgrain ribbon in Real Red was a nice finishing touch.  You could easily make all 12 cards in just a few minutes.  What a day-brightener these cute cards would be, come February 14th!

To see all the Valentine goodies that are going away, please go to my shopping site www.susanrodgers.stampinup.net
Click on the "shop" button under my name in the upper right.  Then choose Valentine Products from the menu that appears on the left of the screen.   I'm sorry to see these fun things go!  

Well, stampers, that's a wrap for today!  Now I'm going to go downstairs, put on my baking apron (not my Stampin'Up! apron) and bake up some delicious treats for the Sale-a-bration Open House on Saturday!  I;m so happy to get back to stamping with you!  It has been a long time.
Hope you'll have a relaxing, sunshine-filled weekend!
Be happy!
Susan                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          

You are my sunshine....

Hey there, stampers!  Thanks for dropping by today!  Like usual, this week is just flying by and it's Wednesday already!  Since I returned from the Stampin'Up! Leadership Conference on the 12th, I've been steadily at work in my stamp room creating cards, making display boards, and cutting paper for upcoming Sale-a-bration events.  With all of the beautiful sunny days we've been enjoying, it has been difficult to stay inside and work.  I know there was quite a bit of rain and even a wind storm while I was gone, but lately it has been wonderfully sunny, which makes me want to drive to the beach, work in the yard, or just sit in the sunshine.... anything but work indoors.  The Wednesday forecast, however, is calling for a bit of rain, so we'll just have to wait and see.

If we should get rain today, this card will be quite appropriate.  If not, a card like this is bound to come in handy at some point, as I'm sure the rain hasn't deserted us forever.  This fun card will be the make-and-take at our monthly Stamp2gether (demonstrator meeting) tonight.  I love the sentiment on this card..."you make me happy when skies are gray."   It reminds me of days long past when I sang "You Are My Sunshine" to my little girls.  At one time, it seemed like they'd be little forever, and then they started school and the days, weeks, months, and years sped by.

In my quest to create cards with the free Sale-a-bration sets, I thought this punch art card would be fun for my fellow demos to make.  The sentiment is from the See Ya Later stamp set which you can get free with a $50 purchase.  The blue card stock is Soft Sky and I textured it with the Woodgrain embossing folder.  The clouds are punched with the 2 3/8 inch scallop punch and the 1 3/4 inch scallop punch.  I sponged the edges of the clouds with Smoky Slate ink.  The sun was cut from Daffodil Delight using one of the flowers from the Blossom Party Originals die and the 1 " Circle Punch.  I used Daffodil Delight ink to sponge the sun to give it a bit more dimension.

The designer paper is Smoky Slate and is from the Neutral Designer Series Paper Stacks on page 152 of the annual catalog.  I stamped the sentiment in Basic Gray ink and then punched it out with the Decorative Label punch on page 181 of the annual catalog.  Some Daffodil Delight stitched grosgrain ribbon covers the seam where the two papers come together.

Enjoy your Wednesday!  Oh, and please come back on Friday when I'll share another Classic Card with you!
Be happy!
Susan

A Susan-style re-do...

Hello there Stampers!

Thanks for coming back to the Classic Card today!  Are you one of those people who aren't fond of Mondays... maybe one of those who refer to Monday as "blue Monday?  Well, today I've got something blue to show you, but hopefully it will cheer you up, not make you feel blue.

If you visited on Friday, you know that I showed you this card, which I stamped and assembled at Leadership during the evening make-and-take session.

I mentioned that I was not too fond of the bold stripes, especially paired with the pretty pastels that were used to color the vases and flowers.  It just seems like an odd juxtaposition to me.  So I promised you a "re-do" in my style---- something I would do with that focal panel of vases and flowers.  I played around a little bit and here is what I came up with.

[Of course the tag that has my name on it is not part of the card.  We're actually supposed to use a "copyright by Stampin'Up!" statement on everything we post on the internet.]

So to completely change the look of the card, I first trimmed down the focal panel.  I adhered it to a Daffodil Delight panel and wrapped the bottom of that panel with some Melon Mambo 1/8 inch taffeta ribbon.  I punched two tiny flowers using the new Petite Petals Punch (page 33 of the Occasions catalog)  I stacked two of them together, then added a candy dot to the center,  I stamped the sentiment (from Delightful Dozen) in Basic Gray on Very Vanilla card stock, then punched it out and adhered it to a larger circle of Melon Mambo.   The background piece is Coastal Cabana, embossed with the Pretty Print embossing folder from the Holiday Mini catalog. I thought this folder had carried over, but perhaps not :(

So, which card do you prefer, the bold stripey one or the "re-do"  that is more my style?  You can tell the truth; I won't have hurt feelings. There are so many different card styles out there and there's room for all sorts of opinions.  This stamp set is called Vivid Vases and is available in the new Occasions catalog on page 20.  As you can see, I cut off the sentiment.  I think this delightful image would make a great BD, Thinking of You, Thank You, or just about any kind of card except for a "guy" card.  Men would not enjoy the shades of pink, the little punched out pink flowers, or any of the other pink touches I used.                    

OK, friends!  That's a wrap for today!  Hope your week is off to a smooth start and that you'll continue to  enjoy smooth sailing as we voyage toward the weekend.        
Here's one of my favorite quotes to contemplate...
"We tend to seek happiness, but happiness is actually a choice."

Until Wednesday, I'll be happily stamping!
Susan                                                

Yippee... Friday is here!

Hello and Happy Friday to my readers!

Wasn't that sunshine we had yesterday just the best???  I even got to wear my sunglasses!  Sadly, no capris or sandals were worn in honor of Mr. Golden Sun's appearance.  It was definitely too cold for that.  But that warm sun and blue sky was a welcome sight for sure.  I hope you were able to get outside to enjoy it for a few minutes!

Usually when I attend a Stampin'Up! event I opt out of doing the make-and-takes.  Typically there are 10 people at a large round table making the projects and I find it nearly impossible to get my hands on the supplies I need to complete the cards.  It seems that I wait forever for someone to finish with the item I need next, or when I finally get it, someone grabs it off the table or out of my hands.

At Leadership last week, there were just 3 of us sharing one of those big tables, so it was very easy to stamp the make-and-takes.  Today I'm going to show you one of the cards I made and then on Monday, I'll show you the same card done "Susan Style."   Here's the card, made the way Stampin'Up! said to do it...

The stamp set is the single stamp Vivid Vases, page 20 of the Occasions catalog.  I had fun watercoloring the vases with stamp pads and a water-filled aqua painter.  The image is stamped with Jet Black Staz-on which won't run when the watercolors hit it. The stripey paper is part of the Kaeidoscope Designer Series Paper on page 27 of the Occasions catalog.

I'm just not sure about those bold black and white stripes on the same card with those bright and springy flowers, so I'm planning to take the card apart and re-do it in a style that I think will be much prettier.  It'll only take a few minutes to change out the background.  Then you can tell me which one you like best.

Let's keep our fingers crossed that we'll see more sunshine over the weekend!  I hope you have something fun planned that will put a little bounce in your step and a smile on your face.  I'll be working in my stamp room most of the weekend, trying to get all my ducks in a row for upcoming Sale-a-bration events.

Thanks so much for stopping by today and I hope you'll come back on Monday for the re-do of today's card.
Happy weekending!
Susan

Leadership Conference, Houston

Hello Stampers!

I've been home from the Leadership Conference for a couple of days, so thought it might be time to share just a few photos with you.  I had an amazing trip, although I have to say that Texas might be one of the flattest places I've ever been.  Downtown Houston looks much like any other convention venue I've been to... a huge convention center surrounded by lots of pavement, parking lots, and huge hotels.  The schedule was quite full of meetings, classes, meals, and other events, so unfortunately there wasn't much time for exploring.  I'm sure Houston has many attractions that we weren't able to visit.  We were able to get out of the hotel the first night there and the last night there, so we got to experience some authentic Tex-Mex food as well as going to a Texas BBQ "joint,"  and it really was a joint...but clean and the pulled pork was yummy!

The Manager's Reception, open to those who hold the title of Manager or above, was held at the Downtown Aquarium.  We had the whole place to ourselves and enjoyed all the exhibits.  You know me... I didn't go on the ferris wheel or the ride that dropped you straight down.  However I did ride on a train through a shark tank... that was very cool.  And the food and drinks were just over the top!  I discovered a new favorite drink... the Nojito ( a Mojito without the alcohol).  I could drink those all day!

Here are a couple of photos from the Manager's Reception....

Unfortunately my camera batteries ran out of power... ugh!  My sweet friend Karen, shown above as we hopped on the train, took more photos for me... my favorite being the photo with Shelli Gardner, the co-founder and CEO of Stampin'Up!

One of the fun things about Leadership is rubbing elbows with all of the "famous" demonstrators.  If I mentioned their names, I'm sure you wouldn't recognize most of them.  It was fun to talk to some of them, get a picture with them, and of course I'm sure they feel like celebrities.

Here's a quick photo of all the goodies I received at Leadership.  One of the stamp sets (it is on the bottom of the stack so you can't really see it) is a sneak peek from next year's catalog.  I'll make a card or two with it in the next few weeks, but I cannot show you the product itself.

The black T-shirt in the foreground is one of the things we received at Manager's Reception.  I think it will make a great night-shirt.

On the last morning in Houston, we decided to eat a sit-down breakfast, as most of the other days breakfast was a granola bar eaten on the way to the convention center.  I splurged and ordered the waffle and I had to laugh when the waiter set it down in front of me.  Those Texans are sure proud of their state, although I'm not quite sure why!

So sorry if you found this post boring... it really was a great experience and I'm glad I attended.  On Friday I'll be back to share some of my favorite card swaps from Leadership!  Thanks for bearing with me!
Be happy!
Susan

Hope of Spring

Hello Stampers and Happy Monday to all!

I'm so grateful that you stopped by this morning!  I'm sure there are at least a dozen or more things that are calling out for your time and attention.... a load or two of laundry, maybe some dishes that need loading into the dishwasher, or perhaps you need to scoot out the door to run errands, go to the gym or the cleaners or the grocery store.  I promise I won't keep you from your "to-do" list very long today.  Just long enough to show you a pretty card that will serve to remind you that spring is just around the corner.  OK, maybe that's a slight exaggeration.  Either that or it's a very BIG corner that we still have to turn.  One sure sign that there's hope for spring's arrival is when I see primroses for sale at the grocery store.  And yesterday, I saw a full display of them.... purples, pinks, yellows, reds, and whites... the whole gamut of colors!  What an encouraging sight that was!

Now let me show you my card and hopefully it will also serve as a reminder that spring, although quite far away, will come.

This layout is one of my favorites.  I'm realizing that I tend to over-use it, but it is just so balanced and pleasing to my eye, and to yours too, I hope!  Today I used the same stamp set (Happy Watercolor) as I did on Friday, but with different splashes of color and a different flower.  I used the new Scallops embossing folder, page 32 of the Occasions catalog, along with the Delicate Designs folder on page 190 of the annual catalog. I was going for a very feminine look and I think I accomplished that with these two folders.  The colors I used are Pink Pirouette and Daffodil Delight.  The butterfly was embossed with the new Decorative Dots embossing folder (a free Sale-a-bration item with a $50 purchase).  The sentiment is from the same set I used on Friday, Blooming with Kindness.  I'm a big fan of Stampin'Up!'s taffeta ribbon.  It is silky, but has more body than the ultra-soft seam binding.  I thought about using some pearls on the butterfly, but decided against it.  Again, I'm beginning to think that it's not necessary to use pearls on every butterfly.  But you could certainly add some to your card if you'd like!

Have I convinced you that you need this Happy Watercolor set?

Again, thank you for being my readers.  I so appreciate all of you and hope you will share my blog with others. I could use thousands more readers for sure!  Please come back on Wednesday, when I'll show you some of the amazing cards I got at Leadership.

Be happy!
Susan

Make a Splash!

Hello Stampers!

Yipee Skippy, It's Friday!

While you're reading this, I'm attending a 3 day Stampin'Up! conference called Leadership.  The location of this meeting changes from year to year and this year it's in Houston.  I have to admit that traveling right after Christmas is not really my cup of tea, but I decided to take the leap and attend this year.  I guess it's about time, as I've been a demo for 13 years and have never attended.  I know, I'm a stick-in-the-mud for sure.  So many people are going to have great difficulty getting to Houston, especially those people who live in the areas impacted by the big snowstorm.  Ugh! Flight delays, cancellation after cancellation.... it doesn't sound like any fun at all.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I can get on in Portland and get off in Houston with  a minimum of fuss.

True to my word, I've got a card for you today that shows off a new stamp set in the "Celebrate the Everyday" catalog.  It is called Happy Watercolor and with this set, you can create a splash.  Just check out the card below and you'll see what I mean.

This set has a "splash" that you just ink up and stamp and the fun result is a splash of color.  Then all you do is choose one of the flower stamps and stamp it right over the splashes in a darker color... so easy and fun and so "artsy!"  For this card I used Black Staz-On, but you could use Early Espresso as well.
The colors I used for the splashes are Soft Sky and Pear Pizzazz.  Then I added a background panel of Soft Sky and some Soft Sky seam binding as well.  I'm sure you recognize the embossing folder by now... it's the new Decorative Dots folder that you can get free with a $50 purchase during Sale-a-bration.  Sometimes it is difficult to find a sentiment that is small enough to go in the corner of a card, without taking over the whole card front.  When you need a smaller thought, a good "go-to" set is Blooming with Kindness (page 65 of the big catalog).  Wouldn't a friend who's going through difficult times love to get a card like this and know that she's got you in her corner??  This fresh and pretty color combination would also be perfect for a spring wedding card, or perhaps even a sympathy card.

OK, my friends!  That's a wrap for today.  Enjoy your Friday and I hope it leads right into a wonderful weekend, full of whatever makes you happiest... like maybe a little stamping and creating!
See you on Monday!
Susan

It's Time for Valentines!

Hello Stampers!

With the holidays only a pleasant memory, it's time to turn our attention to the next occasion on the horizon... Valentine's Day.  Maybe I'm a bit sappy, but Valentine's Day has always been one of my favorite days of the year, even when I was in elementary school.   What's not to love about pretty cards, a party at school, and candy?   And then when I got older, Valentine's Day was more about romance, including a special dinner, roses, and chocolate.  Again... all good stuff!  Now that I'm positively ancient, Valentine's Day is all about making cards for the grandchildren and sending them treats in the mail.  Oh, and it might still involve a nice dinner, preferably one I don't have to make myself.  What is your favorite thing about Valentine's Day?
I guess the most important thing is to spread a little love around this old world, which seems to be in desperate need of love these days.

I apologize to my SOSers, as this card won't be new to them, since we made it at SOS on December 30th.

But for the rest of you, here's a Valentine that is quick and easy and fun. And the best part is that it isn't overly feminine so you could send it to anyone

I used the new Fresh Prints Designer Series paper stack that's in the new Occasions catalog on page 33.  The prints are pretty and fresh and perfect for Valentine's Day cards.  The stamp set is called Love You More, and is on the Valentine's Day flyer I sent out earlier.  The colors I used were Coastal Cabana and Real Red.  The sentiment is from Teeny Tiny Wishes, page 44 in the big catalog.

I hope I've inspired you to get started on your Valentines!  It would be a perfect way to while away a gloomy winter afternoon, so get a cup of cocoa or tea and have fun!

Don't forget to come back on Friday!  I've got another card featuring new products from the new catalog!

Be happy,

Susan

Try the Masterboard Technique....

Hello Stampers!  Happy Monday to all!

In just two short days I'll be on a plane to Stampin'Up!'s Leadership Conference in Houston.  I've got a lot to do before I fly, but didn't want to miss blogging today.  So... how are you liking the new goodies in the Occasions catalog?  I've got a TON of favorites that I cannot wait to play with.  Today, however, I'm going to whet your appetite a bit for the fun Sale-a-bration FREE sets that you'll be able to start earning on January 28th.

I'm wondering if you've ever attended one of my classes where we used the masterboard technique to create a sheet of stamped paper that can then be cut to make several cards.  The card I'm going to show you today uses this fun technique.  Pick out a stamp set or two, then choose several colors that make a pleasing combination.  Then start stamping all over the paper ( 8 1/2 by 11).  I like to start in one corner and stamp diagonally, but you can stamp in any pattern you wish.  Then when you've completely filled the paper with stamping, go ahead and cut the paper to make a card.

Here's my latest masterboard effort, using the FREE Sale-a-bration set called Petal Parade.  I used Blushing Bride, Pool Party, and Summer Starfruit  for my colors and Whisper White for the neutral background.
The sentiment is from the new stamp set called Happy Watercolor (page 22 of the new "Celebrate the Everyday" catalog, also known as the Occasions catalog).

Oh, I guess you probably want to see what I'm talking about, don't you?  Well, here it is...

I know it's a little too early for Spring, but don't these colors feel fresh and happy and springy?  I'm afraid we have quite a bit of winter to get through, but I'll do my best to keep you focused on things other than the weather.... fun things like new stamp sets, ribbons, pretty papers, and all sorts of creative events where you can escape your normal routine for a few hours and enjoy stamping with a friendly group of women.

Thanks for coming over to The Classic Card today.  Please come back on Wednesday for another card and more stamping inspiration.

Hope your week is off to a smooth start!
Be happy!
Susan

A Sale-a-bration Sneak Peek

Hi there and happy Friday to you!  Oh, and happy 2014 as well!

Today's the day we've been waiting for... the new "Celebrate the Everyday" catalog is now open for ordering!  There are many lovely new stamps, papers, and accessories in this great new catalog.  You should have received one in the mail.  Please let me know if you didn't receive one and I'll get one to you.

As many of you already know, Sale-a-bration is coming (January 28th through March 31st).  This is the very best time of year to be the hostess of a stamping party, as the rewards for hostesses are increased.  When your party reaches $300 and on up in sales, you will receive an additional $30 in hostess dollars to spend on anything in the catalogs.  So at the $300 level you would normally receive $50 in hostess dollars, but during Sale-a-bration, you'll earn $80.  As the hostess of a $400 party, you'll receive $95 in freebies.  You just cannot lose by being a hostess during this time!

And for customers, there's the fun of choosing a free Sale-a-bration item for each $50 you spend.  There are some fun stamp sets to choose from, along with great designer paper, accessories, and more.  You'll be able to pick up the Sale-a-bration brochure, showing all of the choices you'll have for free merchandise, at my big Sale-a-bration Kick Off Open House on Saturday, January 25th  from 11 am- 3 pm.

I've already shown you a sneak peek of the pretty new Sale-a-bration stamp set called Petal Parade last Monday.  Today I've got another sneaky peeky featuring the fun FREE Sale-a-bration set called See Ya Later.  Here it is...

Are you old enough to remember the very preppy Izod polo shirts of the 1980's with the little alligator on the chest??  I guess they're still around to this day, but they were HOT in the 80's.  Well, in my mind there's no preppier color combination than pink and green, so I thought Gumball Green and Melon Mambo would be perfect for this alligator-themed card.  The designer paper is from the 2012-2013 In-Color paper stack on page 152 of the annual catalog.  I used the zig-zaggy pattern of the DSP and the Chevron embossing folder to mimic the jagged teeth of the alligator.  I cut the focal panel using one of the framelits in the Apothecary Accents set, then punched holes in the ends and threaded some Melon Mambo ribbon through the holes.  I thought the Melon Mambo heart popped up on a dimensional added a nice touch.

Thanks for stopping whatever you were doing to come here and read my blog!  I appreciate each and every one of my readers!  Please come back on Monday, when the parade of new goodies continues.
Have a super-duper weekend!
Be happy!
Susan


                                                                                                                                            

Hello 2014!

Hi there, Stampers!

Happy New Year!

Thanks for coming back to The Classic Card on this first day of 2014!  Like most years, 2013 held its share of ups and downs.  Thanks to all of my wonderful customers, 2013 was a great year to be your Stampin'Up! Demonstrator.  And now, as the page has been turned to a fresh new year, I look forward to lots more stamping good times with you!  Let's avoid all of the downer resolutions for the year ahead.  You know the ones I mean (like getting up at 6 am to jog, eating fish 6 times a week, and all those other unrealistic resolutions that doom you to failure). Instead, let's resolve to have more fun than ever!

A fresh new year calls for fresh new stamps, and that is just what is awaiting you on January 3rd, when the new Occasions catalog goes "live."  I'm hoping that you've received your new catalog in the mail by now.  If you haven't, please let me know.  This bright new catalog is full of new stamps, designer paper, and accessories to make your Springtime stamping fun and easy.

January can be a bit depressing after the warm and happy holiday season.  The pretty decorations are put away, the lights that added so much neighborhood cheer are down, and the gray coldness can start to seep into our attitudes, too, if we aren't on guard against it. Then along comes a new catalog and lots of fun stamping events to take our minds off the weather!  Here's a card I made recently that I think will be a day-brightener for you:

I used several new items to make this card:

First, the sentiment is from a new set called Starburst Sayings (page 34 of the new Occasions catalog).  There's a set of matching framelits on the same page, so there'll be no hours of fussy cutting for you!  The designer paper is from the Watercolor Wonder collection on page 23.  The fun dotted texture on the Daffodil Delight panel was made with a free Sale-a-bration item.... the new embosssing folder called Decorative Dots.  You can get this new embossing folder free when you make a $50 purchase during Sale-a -bration.                                                                                                                                                        
I hope I've inspired you to get out some of your brightest colors and brighten your own day with a little stamping.  Please come back on Friday for another Classic Card, featuring more new goodies!
Be happy!
Susan