Tutti Frutti is very Cute-y!

Hello my friends!

Here we are, back together again on a fine Monday morning!  I hope all is well in your world!  Down here in Northern California it almost seems like spring.  Yesterday was sunny and warm-ish and we've noticed that all of the almond orchards near our neighborhood have bee hives placed in them, ready for the blossoming of the almond trees.  It's a bit early for that, but the bees are actively buzzing about the hives.  I'm pretty sure that those of you in the Portland area are ready for some sunny springtime weather, even though that is probably a few months away.  

Today I've got a couple of sweet cards for you, made with products in the Tutti Frutti Suite on pages 28 and29 of the Occasions catalog.   The first card I'm going to show you was made by my very talented down-line member, Janet Jones.  Janet's cards are just my style... clean and classic with a touch of WOW!  Take a look and you'll see what I mean...

Wouldn't this sweet card brighten up someone's gray and rainy day?  

The next card is one I created, using the same Tutti Frutti Designer Paper, the same Fruit Basket Stamp set, and the same Itty Bitty Fruit Punch Pack (set of 4 fruit punches).  I also used the same basic layout as Janet's.  

I just love the Tutti Frutti DSP!  It has melons, bananas, pears, apples, strawberries, pineapples, watermelon, kiwis, papayas, and citrus fruits. What bright, happy, yummy paper!  Check it out on page 29 of the Occasions catalog.  It is item # 145607 and will only set you back $8.00.   The matching stamp set, called Fruit Basket, is item # 145833, has 25 stamps for the amazing price of $16.  Best of all, you don't need to invest in a big set of framelits... just the Itty Bitty Fruit Punch Pack, item # 145657, for $23.00.

You might be wondering how we raised the very cute but very tiny punched fruit on the front of our cards.  It's very simple!  We both used the new Mini Stampin' Dimensionals, item # 144108 on page 203 of the annual catalog, $4.00 for 720 of them!  No more cutting up the regular dimensionals to fit on a small spot!

I hope these fun cards have inspired you to pull out some stamps, ink, and paper and indulge in a little creativity today.  Stamping can make even a gray and rainy day more bearable and a sunny day even happier.  Give yourself a little break today,  The dusting and laundry will still be there tomorrow!  

Remember, everyone, my free shipping offer lasts only until the end of January, so if you want to get free shipping on your online order of $50 or more, please submit your order by 10 pm on January 31st.  If your order is less than $150, please use the January Host Code:  HTZ4RFVG.  

Happy stamping!

Susan

Good Things in Small Packages

Hello stampers and hello Monday!

Is it just me?  Lately it seems like I blink a couple of times and another week is gone and it's Monday again.  How does that happen?  Wasn't Christmas just a couple of weeks ago?  

With February just around the corner, I'll continue with some Valentine projects for at least another week or two.  Today's project isn't limited to Valentine's Day, though.  This pretty little gable box would be good for all sorts of celebrations, but it could be especially sweet on Valentine's Day filled with some Dove Dark Chocolate hearts.  Have a peek...

This great little box measures 4 inches long, 2 inches wide and it's just a hair over 4 inches tall, to the top of the handle.  I know that doesn't seem very large, but you can fit a good amount of candy, small cookies, nuts, or other sweet treats in this box.  It would also be great for a gift of jewelry, votive candles, fragrant soap, lipstick, nail polish, socks, theatre tickets, movie tickets, gift cards, keys to a new car (we can dream, can't we?) or even a roll of money.  And wouldn't these be perfect for wedding favors or a 25th Anniversary celebration? 

You can find these little gems on page 13 of the new Occasions catalog (#145568), Silver Mini Gable Boxes, 12 for $8.00.  The

box in the photo above was one I created at the OnStage event in Salt Lake City last November.  It is covered in the gorgeous Sweet Soiree Specialty Designer Series Paper (#145564), 12 sheets of 12 x12 paper, with silver foil designs on one side and printed images on the other, $13.00  The photos do not show just how beautiful this paper really is.  The ribbon is Berry Burst Metallic Edge Ribbon (#145489), 10 yards for $7.00.  The boxes, DSP, and ribbon are all on page 13 of the Occasions catalog, part of the Sweet Soiree Suite.

Items like this very seldom "carry over" to the next catalog, so if you have an upcoming occasion where you'd like to use these boxes, please get them now during Sale-a-bration, when you'll get a free stamp set or other free product every time you make a $50 purchase.

Don't forget that my free shipping offer ends on January31st.

You'll receive a check via snail mail from me for the amount of your shipping on orders of $50 or more placed online using the January host code  HTZ4RFVG

If your order is $150 or above, please do not use the host code.  Then you will receive host benefits on your order and I will still send you a refund check for the amount of your shipping.

I don't know what's on your calendar for the week ahead, but please know that I'm thinking of you, wishing I could stamp with you, and that I'm hoping that happy days are coming your way!  

Hugs and love,

Susan

Show some love!

It's Monday and that means it's time to blog again.  And since Valentine's Day is the next big card-sending event, I've got another Valentine to show you today.

But first, let's talk about just how big Valentine's Day is.  According to the site www.statisticbrain.com, 180 million Valentine cards were exchanged in 2017 and 85 % of those were purchased by women.  The Fortune.com site reports that 18.2 billion was spent on Valentine's Day in 2017... on things like flowers, chocolate, jewelry, dining out, clothing, cards, and even gifts for pets.  Yikes!  That's a LOT of money!

We who love to stamp can show our love for a lot less than what people spend on a store-bought card (usually somewhere around 4.95 and up to 8.95).  Check out this pretty card...

I have a confession to make, though. You won't be able to purchase the embossing folder I used here to make this background of tiny hearts.  I can't recall the name of it, but it is now discontinued.  However, you could certainly use the Softly Falling embossing folder on page 211 of the annual catalog for a very similar look.  

I used the new Painted with Love Specialty DSP that's on page 19 of the Occasions catalog for the heart, which I cut out with the Sweet and Sassy Framelits on page 214 of the annual catalog.  I think you can see the shimmer of the gold foil on this gorgeous new paper.  

The sentiment is from the Bloomin' Love stamp set (page 88 of the annual catalog).  I stamped it in Melon Mambo ink on Whisper White card stock, then punched it out with the Duet Banner Punch
(page 206 of the annual catalog).  

That pretty gold ribbon can be found on page 198 of the annual catalog.  Sadly, the tiny heart sequins are no longer available, but you could easily substitute some of the pink sequins in the Sequin Assortment that's on page 197 of the annual catalog.

Here's a quick list with item numbers and prices, just in case you'd like to make a similar card:

Whisper White Thick Card Stock, p. 194, #140272, $7.00
Painted with Love Specialty DSP, p. 19 (Occasions catalog), #145580, $13.00
Softly Falling embossing folder, p. 211, #139672, $8.50
Sweet and Sassy Framelits, p. 214, #141707, $35.00
Bloomin' Love stamp set, p. 88, #140643, $17.00
Duet Banner Punch, p. 206, #141483, $18.00
1/8 " Ribbon in Gold, p. 198, #134583, $5.00
Sequin Assortment, p. 197, #144212, $5.00

Don't forget, I'm offering FREE SHIPPING on orders of $50 or more only during the month of January when you place your order online and use the host code, so if you'd like to take advantage of my special offer, then please submit your order by January 30th.  The January host code is HTZ4RFVG.  If your order is $150 or more, please don't use the host code!  Then you will get the freebies you are entitled to!  I will send you a refund check by snail mail for the amount of your shipping.  If you have a large order ($150 or more) I will still refund your shipping charge, even though you are not using the host code.

One last reminder.... today... January 15th is the last day to sign up for my 2018 Card Challenge, where we are committing to send one card a week to someone who needs a lift, is having a birthday, etc. Any occasion works... even a "just because" card.  The point is to make the world a happier, kinder, more loving place... one card at a time!  We can all do this!  It's just ONE card a week! If you'd like me to count you in, just send me a quick email at sjrstamps@gmail.com and I'll add your name to the list.  You will be entered into a drawing to win your favorite $50 level Sale-a-bration product!  The drawing will be held on January 16th, so be sure and let me know you are participating asap.

That's it for today, my friends!  Have a great week!  
Hugs,
Susan
PS  We are excited that rain is in our forecast this week... yippee!  We really need it!

From the Heart

Hello there, stampers!

Sale-a-bration is now in full swing!  What a fun time of year to be a stamper and a Stampin'Up! customer!  I made time to stamp this past weekend, even though I had a million other things to do.  Valentine's Day is sneaking up on us, and I wanted to be prepared with some cards ready to go.  Having some fun Valentines tucked away in advance is almost better than having money in the bank. Almost.  

Here's one of my Valentine creations...

This card is called a Triple Z Fold card.  If you would like the directions, just type "triple z fold card" into the google search box and you'll see several sites that will give you the measurements.  

Note:  The small heart DSP that you see is not part of the card.  I just used it for the background of my photo. It is part of the Painted with Love Specialty DSP on page 19 of the new Occasions catalog.

That cute panda is part of the Party Pandas stamp set that you can get for FREE with a $50 purchase.  You can see it on page 15 of the Sale-a-bration Brochure.  The base of the card is Powder Pink, and the inner Z fold is cut from Smoky Slate card stock.  The Powder Pink base is embossed with the Polka Dot Basics embossing folder on page 210 of the annual catalog.  The inside sentiment "I just love you" is part of the new Petal Palette stamp set that's on page 23 of the Occasions catalog.  The ribbon is 3/8 inch Shimmer Ribbon.  I used Powder Pink to match the card stock.  You can find this silky and sparkly ribbon on page 199 of the annual catalog.

I hope that more of you will join in my 2018 Card Challenge.  I'm challenging you to make 2018 a kinder and more loving year by making a commitment to send one card a week.  It can be a birthday card, thinking of you, thank you, get well, etc.  The point is to give those who might be going through a difficult time a little encouragement and love.  Please sign up for the Card Challenge by January 15th to have your name put into a drawing for a free host stamp set of your choice.  I think we can all manage one card a week, don't you?  

FREE shipping continues throughout the month of January!  This offer is from me, not from Stampin'Up!   I will send you a check via snail mail for the amount of your shipping charge.

When you place your online order for $50 or more and use the Host Code HTZ4RFVG,   I will add your name to my January Host Code drawing.  And of course your name will go on my 50-50 board, for a chance to win a $50 gift certificate from me!  And you'll get one Sale-a-bration item for each $50 you spend!  

I hope I've inspired you to get started on your own Valentines!  Valentine's Day is more than a romantic occasion to celebrate love with our husband/wife/significant other.  Valentine's Day is much more than that!  It's a day to spread love around like confetti to everyone... brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, moms, dads, friends, neighbors, children, grandchildren, grandparents... everyone!

May the week ahead find you busily creating some cards to spread love and affection to everyone you hold dear!

Happy creating!

Susan

It's Almost Here!

Good Morning Stampers!
Happy Monday and Happy New Year!  

I know that I've mentioned in the past that Monday is my favorite day of the week, because I'm one who just loves a fresh start.  And what could be better than a Monday that starts off a fresh new year???  This is definitely my kind of day!  And in just TWO more days, we can begin with a fresh new catalog... the 2018 Occasions catalog!  If you don't have one yet and would like to get one, email me right away at sjrstamps@gmail.com and I'll send one to you, along with a Sale-a-bration brochure.

Wednesday, January 3rd is the starting date for both the Occasions catalog AND Sale-a-bration.  I'm sooo excited and I hope you are too, because Sale-a-bration is the BEST time of the Stampin'Up! year.... a time when you get to chose a free item from the Sale-a-bration catalog for every $50 purchase.  There are other items for purchase shown in the Sale-a-bration brochure, so don't be confused.  Each FREE item has a little blue or orange seal next to it that tells you the item is free with a $50 purchase (blue) or $100 purchase (orange).  New this year... there are some larger items that you can earn with a $100 purchase.

OK, I think I've rambled on enough about the new catalog.  Now let me show you some new goodies!

This card was made with my favorite new suite of products in the Occasions catalog.  It's called Petal Passion and you can find it on pages 22 and 23.  This card features not only the Petal Palette stamp set, but also the Petal Passion embellishments, the new 1/4 inch Whisper White Organza Ribbon, and the Petal Passion Designer Series Paper.  The paper is Basic Black and Whisper White in a variety of prints, stripes, florals, and geometric shapes but what makes it so versatile is that you can add your own color.  In this sample you can see that some of the small flowers are colored in with a marker.  You can also add color by sponging, using a brayer, colored pencils, or ink and a blender pen... just whatever medium you'd like to use to add a pop of color... or not.  It's beautiful in black and white as well.   

The Petal Palette stamp set comes with a nice variety of sentiments along with some very pretty images (love that little bird!).  

Let's all resolve to make 2018 a kinder, gentler, more loving year.  We have to power to do that simply by creating and sending more cards.  We all have people in our lives who are facing challenges of one kind or another.  It could be a health challenge, a financial challenge, a mental or emotional challenge, or just the challenges of growing older.  Whatever the problem or issue is, it always helps to know that someone is thinking of us, is supporting us, is wishing us the best.  If we could all send just one card a week to someone who could use a little love and support, this world would be a happier place.  Will you join me in this effort?  If you'll resolve to do this (much easier than resolving to lose weight or beginning a new exercise program!) please email me by January 15th and I'll add your name to my 2018 Card Challenge drawing for a free host stamp set of your choice.

May the year ahead bring many, many blessings your way!

Happy New Year!

Love to all,

Susan