Sweet Stamper

Sweet Cookie Stamps

 
 
Introducing our Sweet Pressed Cookie Stamps!
A brand-new product that will appeal to crafters and non-crafters alike--
not to mention kids!

The easy-to-use cookie stamp has a solid wood handle with three interchangeable stamp images: a heart, a jack-o-lantern, and a snowflake.

Just make your favorite shortbread cookie dough (or one of the two included recipes) and stamp away! Create beautiful, hand-stamped cookies in a flash. The stamp images are completely food-safe and child-friendly.

Use the Sweet Pressed Cookie Stamps if you enjoy creating and adding that personal touch to what what you do--no ink required!

Item	Description	Price
125152	Includes solid wood handle with three interchangeable stamp images, two recipes, and tips for use	$16.95

In addition, check out these coordinating products:

Page	Description	Price
19	Simple Snowflake Single Stamp	$8.95

If you have any questions about this great new product, feel free to contact me today or visit my Stampin' Up! website here.

If you are coming to my Homespun Holidays Stamp Camp, you will get some cookies made with this wonderful press!  They are part of one of our 17 (!!!) projects for campers.  Registration remains open till October 4th.  Sign up today!  stampcamping.com

Quick and Easy Scrapbook Pages

People sometimes ask, "What is your favorite tool for quick and easy scrapbook pages?"  I have to say the Big Shot Die Cutting Machine, hands-down!  But I will get even more specific in this post and say that the Tasteful Trim Die is my favorite die for scrapbooking. 

Being able to make 12" borders/embellishments with a few cranks is one of the greatest helps in creating scrapbook pages in a snap.  The fact that you can use your scraps to create those borders also makes this a money-saving tool!  I like that!

I'm showing a few quick and easy scrapbook pages here so you can see some of the applications of the Tasteful Trim Die.  Although you can make 12" trim pieces, you can also make them shorter, of course.  So if you have a 1" x 6" scrap, you can roll it through the Big Shot on a portion of the die and make your own embellishment for $0.00.  Free is my favorite price:)  This is true "trash to treasure"!  I'm only showing here 2 of the 4 fantastic trims on the die due to space.  But click on the link and you can see them all.

Did you know I have a monthly free crop in San Antonio?  If you are in the area, you are welcome to join us!  This is a FREE crop, so you don't pay anything to come.  Bring what you need to work on, and I will provide you with a distraction-free work space, a great group of scrapping friends, and free access to my inks, stamps, Big Shot, and scrap bin.  Our next crop is:

Free Crop in San Antonio

Thursday, October 20th

12 (noon) - 4:00 p.m.

My Studio

RSVP by Monday, October 17th

(210-355-5729 or candy@sweetstamper.com)

12 Days of Christmas

It's almost time for my annual gift to all my newsletter subscribers, The 12 Days--I mean Weeks--of Christmas...for stampers!  Beginning October 5th and continuing each Wednesday for 12 Weeks, all my loyal subscribers will receive a free holiday project in their inbox.  The project includes photo(s), supply list, and complete instructions.  All this is free!  And free is MY favorite price:)

Don't miss this free gift of 12 holiday projects including handmade cards, tags & wraps, and gifts.  Just think of the handmade, heartfelt things you can make for your family and friends this year!  Sign up today by using the little sign up box in the upper left corner of this blog.  My free gift flies freely across the miles of distance between me and some of you.  Then sit back and let the free projects begin!

Field Flowers

In the midst of so many Holiday Mini Catalog shares and so much info about my upcoming stamp camp on my blog of late, I thought I would take a detour today and catch some Field Flowers (122760 wood mount, 122762 clear mount).  This great set from the Idea Book & Catalog is a natural--no pun intended:)--for beautiful handmade cards. 

I received this card, made by Cathy Somody, as part of a swap, and I love the way Cathy used the Hello Doily stamp (122845) in the background and the Field Flowers in the foreground.  The neutral color palette makes this handmade card extra versatile and appropriate at any time of year.

Learn to make your own handmade cards by joining one of my monthly Hostess Clubs where you get a free class, make new friends, and build your stamping supplies a little each month (aka not breaking the bank!) plus earn free stuff.  All the info is here, and I would love for you to call me at 210-355-5279 to talk about which club works best for you.  Monthly stamping is a great way to enrich your life!

Great Day SA

Gail and I had a blast this morning doing live TV on Great Day SA!  What a wonderful set of crew, staff, and presenters we encountered at KENS 5!  Paul was a fantastic interviewer and really put us at ease.  It was great to see the "inside" workings of a local TV show that works hard at keeping us all connected here in the San Antonio area.  You can catch it here on the KENS5 website under Great Day SA.

We are so grateful for the coverage they gave our upcoming event, Homespun Holiday Stamp Camp.  You can find out about it at stampcamping.com  Registration is open through October 4th, so hurry and sign up!  You get a full day of creative fun while giving back to your community.  It's a little bit of Harvest/Halloween, a little bit of Thanksgiving, and a whole lotta Christmas:)  And our stamp camp is a charity event benefitting the Tower City Storehouse.  Get in on the action and start preparing for your handmade, heartfelt holidays!  You will feel great when you leave our camp, full of finished projects, great food (check out our guest chef who is creating our Top Chef style dessert!), new skills, instructions to make more projects, and plans for the things YOU will make to ensure your holidays are extra special:)  Let us help you have your own Homespun Holidays!

Gently Falling stamp set

Gently Falling stamp set is the gorgeous new Two Step stamping set from the Holiday Mini Catalog.  If you love nature images, this is a must-have set!  The beautiful card below is one I received in a recent swap, made by Cathy Somody.  I love the rich colors!

Two step stamping is a technique developed by Stampin' Up! whereby you have a stamp image that creates an outline.  You also have a coordinating image that fills in the outline.  You can do lots of things with the images together or separately giving you a bevy of technique options that range from the quick and easy to the very artistic. 

Call me today at 210-355-5729 to schedule a fall workshop.  I'll bring Gently Falling stamp set and show you how to Two Step!  Not the dance, the stamping technique!  It's fun, it's easy, and you will love it!  My workshops are free events where you learn to stamp, make something to take home, and get to order premier stamping supplies that offer the latest and best on the papercrafting market:  Stampin' Up!  I'm booking workshops for late October through the new year.  We can focus on fall or the Christmas Holiday season including Hanukkah.  It's your workshop, and we will focus on what YOU want.  I do handmade cards as well as scrapbook pages workshops.  Call me.  I can't wait to stamp with you!

Scrapbook Pages with the Big Shot

Have you ever made scrapbook pages with the Big Shot?  You can have your very own die-cutting machine to use at your leisure, when YOU are ready to scrapbook, not just when the scrapbook store is open.  Get your own 1/2 price Big Shot.  I'll tell you how!  But first, let me show you this 8 x 8 scrapbook layout in gorgeous fall colors (Cajun Craze, Garden Green, Not Quite Navy, Baja Breeze, Wild Wasabi, with a dash of Tangerine Tango!).  With a few die cuts and punches, I produced these quick and easy scrapbook pages in a snap!  You can too!

Can you spot the die cuts? 

• The letters are Timeless Type Junior Alphabet Sizzlets. 
• The Baja Breeze journaling piece is from the Two Tags Die. 
• The long scallop edges are from the Tasteful Trim Die,
• and the butterflies are from the Beautiful Wings Embosslit--which cuts out AND dry embosses those gorgeous butterflies! 

The Big Shot Die Cutting Machine is a scrapbooker's best friend making quick and easy scrapbook pages the norm!  It saves you time and even allows you to use scraps of card stock and other materials, saving you money.

So how do you get that 1/2 price Big Shot?  Simply host a Stampin' Up! workshop with $400 or more in sales.  You can get ANY item in the catalog at 1/2 price, and that includes the Big Shot.  My Stampin' Up! workshops are lots of fun.  Simply gather some friends and/or family, I'll show them all how to make a scrapbook page or card--your choice.  Everyone will make something to take home, and your guests can place orders for the awesome supplies they need for their own crafting.  YOU get $65 to use any way you like in the catalog PLUS a 1/2 price item (with a $400 workshop).  So how about it?  This is a wonderful time of year for crafting!  Give me a call at 210-355-5729 and let's find a time that fits YOUR schedule.  We will have lots of fun, make great projects, and you will get free stuff.  Sounds like a plan:)  I can't wait to hear from you!

News you can use!

Do you receive my Sweetstamper email newsletter?  It's news you can use!  Each month, I produce two FREE email newsletters.  They come out around the 1st and 15th of each month.  The first one is packed with:

• free projects including
• a card,
• scrapbook page, 
• and small gift or favor. 
• You get the supply list and instructions, all FREE! 
• Q&A--questions commonly asked with answers that help you.
• Tool Tips-helping you better use your stamping/crafting tools.
• Exclusive offers for my email newsletter subscribers
• Announcement of upcoming classes, clubs, and camps
• Notice of all Stampin' Up! specials so you can save money!

My second newsletter of the month is shorter with time-sensitive notifications such as when a special is almost due to expire or a class has only a few days left for sign ups.  And then I usually add one more free card project or tip or such.  I can't resist giving you a few more FREE goodies!

So what are you waiting for?  Get all this FREE each and every month.  Simply go to the little sign up box in the upper left side of this blog and sign up today!  My mid-month email went out yesterday, but sign up now and you will get it before this week is out.  There is a darling Halloween card in yesterday's letter that you don't want to miss:)

Halloween Treat Bag

Do you like to hand out Halloween treat bags?  Why not make them yourself and let some of your creativity be shared with your world?   Whether giving out Halloween treat bags to your child's school friends, neighborhood kids, scout groups, or co-workers (Halloween brings out the kid in all of us!), this quick and easy handmade Halloween project will hold lots of goodies.

Featuring the Haunted Forest stamp from the Holiday Mini Catalog, this is one of the club projects we made this month in my card making and scrapbooking hostess clubs.  We had great fun!  Because this is a quick and easy project, you could easily whip this up by the dozens.  And it's easy on your wallet, too!  The bag is large enough to hold small popcorn balls (something my grown kids still love!), several mini candy bars, a little notebook and some lollipops, a toothbrush and mini book, or...well, you get the picture.  Your options are endless!  I especially like to put homemade treats in a handmade goodie bag.  It's creative and handmade from start to finish!

Get started today on your handmade Halloween projects.  You will have so much fun, and your friends and family will be amazed by your beautiful creations!  Shop in my online store:  candystamps.stampinup.net for all your supplies for a handmade, hearfelt Halloween:)

Supply List:

Stamps:  Haunted Forest, Tiny Tags (little boo's)

Ink:  Basic Black Craft Stampin' Pad; Peach Parfait Stampin' Write Marker

Paper:  Chocolate Chip, Basic Black, Crumb Cake, Pumpkin Pie Card Stocks

Accessories:  Big Shot Die Cutting Machine, Tasteful Trim Die, Jewelry Tag Punch, Dazzling Details Glitter Glue, Mini Clothespins, SNAIL Adhesive; Non Stampin' Up!:  mini lunch sacks

Stamp Camp in San Antonio

Are you ready for a special day out to treat yourself (and your friend, mom, daughter, etc.) to some creative recreation at our stamp camp in San Antonio? Tomorrow is the last day for the Early Bird Special where you can save $10 at stampcamping.com.  I don't know about you, but I do like saving money! 

But even more than saving money, you will save time and effort as Gail Beezley and I have created some fantastic projects for your holiday season along with hundreds (yes, hundreds!) of samples to see, photograph, and be inspired by. 

In preparing for the holidays, sometimes I just get overwhelmed trying to decide what to make!  Our stamp camp will bring you fresh ideas and easy solutions for making your holidays handmade and heartfelt without taking you months and months to figure it all out! 

When you make our projects at Homespun Holidays stamp camp, you will have your full color instruction booklet to take home with you so you can recreate these projects for your holiday gift giving, card making, and home decor.  On our large sample tables, you will see some of those same projects made up in different color schemes for different holidays along with so many other projects that we just couldn't fit into the project bins. Let us help you have your best holidays yet!  Your friends and family will love all the wonderful things you make for them using our project instructions and inspiration.  AND you can save $10 when you register today:  stampcamping.com.

If you do not live in the San Antonio area and are unable to travel to us for our special day, we have a kit to go option as well as instructions only.  Simply go to stampcamping.com and scroll down a bit for the long distance options.  We will miss you at camp but think you will love our projects from afar!

Seven Days in Utopia

For today's Sunday post, I'm sharing an inspirational card using the Just Believe stamp set while I tell you about a fabulous new movie:  Seven Days in Utopia.  That may sound like a strange combination of  topics for an inspirational post on a paper crafter's blog, but stay with me!  Seven Days is a terrific film that will leave you with a fresh sense of being able to do all that God has called you to do, and Just Believe conveys a truth that is also underscored in the film.

There are some great lines in this movie, and I don't want to spoil it for you.  Early in the film, the character played by Robert Duvall says, "I have a respect for tradition, but I have a passion for the truth."  I love that!  I have the same feeling and do try to live that. Truth comes from God, and He speaks it to us and demonstrates it for us in so many ways that we might believe it and experience it.  Seven Days in Utopia has some fantastic truths, and I can't wait to see the film again.  In fact, I think I will want to own this once it releases on DVD.  And as my handmade card says, "Some things have to be believed to be seen."  Go see Seven Days in Utopia, and start believing!

Stamps:  Just Believe stamp set

Colors:  Garden Green, Pear Pizazz, Concord Crush

As always, call me at 210-355-5729 with any questions at all...about truth and/or stamping!

Handmade Halloween Card

Will you be sending handmade Halloween cards this year?  Americans send 20 million Halloween cards each year, and your handmade cards will stand out from the rest as shown in today's Saturday Sample.  My friend June made this handmade Halloween card for a recent demonstrator swap using Out on a Limb stamp set from the Holiday Mini Catalog, and I love her use of a single stamped image--the spiders--as the focal point for the card.  I also think her color scheme of Basic Gray, Pumpkin Pie, and Very Vanilla--taken directly from the Pick Your Poison DSP, also from the Holiday Mini Catalog--is a really grown up look and rather sophisticated.

Your handmade card need not be complicated or a great work of art (although it can!).  I like quick and easy cards, and this spooky spider card is a great example of a card in that category that doesn't look like it would be!  The supply list for this card is below, and the items with an asterisk are Holiday Mini Catalog items.

Stamps:  *Out on a Limb stamp set (clear mount), (wood mount); Wicked Cool stamp set (greeting)

Ink:  Basic Gray Classic Stampin' Pad

Paper:  Pumpkin Pie, Basic Gray, Very Vanilla Card Stocks; *Pick Your Poison DSP

Accessories:  2-3/8" Scallop Circle, 1-3/4" Circle, and Scallop Edge Punches, Very Vanilla Seam Binding Ribbon, *Dazzling Details, SNAIL Adhesive, Stampin' Dimensionals

I hope you have enjoyed today's Saturday Sample and will return next week (or before!) for another installment.  Click on any of the links above to head to my online store:  candystampstampinup.net for easy shopping any day, any time, any attire!

Earn Extra Money

In this current challenging economy (aka down economy), many of us are looking for ways to earn extra money.  You can join my team as a Stampin' Up! Demontrator and be on your way to a whole new way of dealing with the present economic circumstances, and just in time for your holiday needs.

• Earn extra money
• Make your own hours
• Create a buffer for our uncertain times
• Be your own boss
• Pay your bills
• Meet new people
• Do what you love
• Be part of a great team!

If any of these appeals to you, call me at 210-355-5729 to set up an appointment to talk about YOUR future as a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator and the beginning of a great thing in your life that can bring peace of mind to your economic situation.  You can also be my guest at this month's Southern Sweet Stampers meeting on Tuesday, September 27th at 6:30.  Call me (210-355-5729) or email me for full details of the meeting.  I'll help you get started on stamping while you earn extra money!

 

Digital Scrapping

Have you tried digital scrapping with My Digital Studio?  It has options galore, and that is one of my favorite features!  This Halloween digital scrapbook page was created by my friend Sara and shows her very cute son Alex on Halloween.  With two grandbabies, and Olivia's first opportunity to really don a Halloween costume, I'm anticipating great photo ops in a few weeks which means scrapbooking!  Sign me up for quick and easy scrapbook pages!

The neat thing about My Digital Studio (MDS) is that Stampin' Up! has created an online community with support galore, free tutorials, creative inspiration, chat forums, and more.  So when you have questions, need help or just want to shout out a great thing you just created with your digital scrapping, you have a place to go! Here's the link:  mydigitalstudio.net.  Be sure to bookmark the link so you can find it easily!

Get your My Digital Studio today and be ready for Halloween and all the other upcoming holidays (aka great photo ops!).  Here's why you want to begin digital designing:

• Great for any skill level
• Templates where you, literally, drop and click your photos into place on prepared pages
• Stampin' Up's beautiful artwork
• The ability to size up and down your punch shapes and more
• Easily added new downloads released every month, some for as little as $.95, to keep your digital supplies fresh
• Mess-free scrapbooking!!!

My Digital Studio information, pricing, and ordering are available here in my online store:  candystamps.stampinup.net.  As with the software/program itself, there are lots of options even with purchasing this wonderful world of digital designing.  Get the software here for just $79.95 with over 3000 images at your fingertips.  Then use them to create digital scrapbook pages, calendars, cards, and more.  Use our professional high quality print service with just a click to have your creations printed and delivered to you.  Of course, you may print them yourself if you wish.  Personally, I like them printed and delivered to my doorstep! 

You can get My Digital Studio Express a smaller, downloadable version for just $39.95 (it has $50+ worth of content!) and begin your digital designing right now!  Don't wait for the holidays to be upon you.  Start now and begin developing your skills with this fun, new way to create quick and easy scrapbook pages and more...digitally:)

Gift Givers Stamp Set

Have you seen the new Gift Givers stamp set from the Holiday Mini Catalog?  It has 7 stamp images, each fitting into a different punch.  I love the stamp sets that have coordinating punches--they make fun, easy work of putting together handmade cards, tags, scrapbook elements and more!

This darling Halloween card is a swap I received recently and is made by Gail Beezely, my stamp camp partner (stampcamping.com).  The beautiful stamp is enhanced by some Spice Cake DSP, a little dry embossing with the new Houndstooth Embossing Folder, some Regals Collection Brads, and an amazing job of Paper Piecing.  What is Paper Piecing?  It's a technique whereby you stamp an image on paper, in this case some Brights Collection DSP (the polka dotted pattern) and then cut it out and stick it to the place where you already stamped the image.  It's a bit like applique...but with paper.  You will know applique if you have done sewing or if you are just a fan of that look.  Anyway, Gail stamped the image on Vanilla Card Stock and punched it out, then stamped it again on the polka dotted paper.  She cut out the collection of pumpkins on the polka dotted paper and adhered them to the punched out image.  Pretty cool, huh?  Click on the card photo to get a closer look. 

To purchase great products like this, simply go to my 24/7 online store:  candystamp.stampinup.net. 

Christmas Card Classes by Mail

I have two great classes by mail for you, one featuring Merry & Type stamp set (main catalog) and one featuring Christmas Lodge stamp set (Holiday Mini Catalog).  Although you won't get to listen to any of my fantastic collection of Christmas music while you make the cards:(, you can get the kit by mail with everything you need to complete the classes except stamps.  And you can get the step-by-step instructions only--a great option if you already have quite a lot of supplies and/or want to hold your own Christmas Card Class.  Here are the details:

Merry & Type stamp set

 Instructions only-Christmas Card Class

• Step by step written instructions emailed to you
• 3 Custom Designs, all using Merry & Type
• Delivery by email within 48 hours of purchase
  
• $4.95 payable by check, cash, or credit card

Christmas Lodge Stamp Set

 

Christmas Class Kit by Mail-Christmas Lodge

• All materials included except stamps (due to copyright laws and Stampin' Up! policy) 
• Includes supplies to make 2 each of the 3 custom designs plus matching envelopes
• All cut, scored, punched, and dry embossed (with Big Shot) pieces for all six cards
• All cut ribbon pieces
• Embellishments including Mini Jingle Bells and Mica Flakes
• 6 Whisper White Envelopes with flap dry embossed (with Big Shot)
• Step by step written instructions with photos emailed to you
• Priority Mail delivery of all supplies
• $25 payable by check, cash, or paypal
• Kits sent out on September 30th
• payment due September 26th

Instructions only-Christmas Card Class

• Step by step written instructions emailed to you
• 3 Custom Designs, all using Christmas Lodge
• Delivery by email within 48 hours of purchase
  
• $4.95 payable by check, cash, or credit card

Patriot Day

For today's inspirational post, I want to acknowledge today as Patriot Day as it is September 11th.  May we never forget the sacrifices made to guard, protect, and keep our freedoms!  And may we all continue to pray for those that are serving in these vital areas of our nation.

Here are the words of President Bush on the very first Patriot Day in 2012:

On this first observance of Patriot Day, we remember and honor those who perished in the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. We will not forget the events of that terrible morning nor will we forget how Americans responded in New York City, at the Pentagon, and in the skies over Pennsylvania -- with heroism and selflessness; with compassion and courage; and with prayer and hope. We will always remember our collective obligation to ensure that justice is done, that freedom prevails, and that the principles upon which our Nation was founded endure.

Inspired by the heroic sacrifices of our firefighters, rescue and law enforcement personnel, military service members, and other citizens, our Nation found unity, focus, and strength. We found healing in the national outpouring of compassion for those lost, as tens of millions of Americans participated in moments of silence, candlelight vigils, and religious services. From the tragedy of September 11 emerged a stronger Nation, renewed by a spirit of national pride and a true love of country.

We are a people dedicated to the triumph of freedom and democracy over evil and tyranny. The heroic stories of the first responders who gave their all to save others strengthened our resolve. And our Armed Forces have pursued the war against terrorism in Afghanistan and else-where with valor and skill. Together with our coalition partners, they have achieved success.

Americans also have fought back against terror by choosing to overcome evil with good. By loving their neighbors as they would like to be loved, countless citizens have answered the call to help others. They have contributed to relief efforts, improved homeland security in their communities, and volunteered their time to aid those in need. This spirit of service continues to grow as thousands have joined the newly established USA Freedom Corps, committing themselves to changing America one heart at a time through the momentum of millions of acts of decency and kindness.

Those whom we lost last September 11th will forever hold a cherished place in our hearts and in the history of our Nation. As we mark the first anniversary of that tragic day, we remember their sacrifice; and we commit ourselves to honoring their memory by pursuing peace and justice in the world and security at home. 

I call upon the people of the United States to observe this day with appropriate ceremonies and activities, including remembrance services and candlelight vigils. I also call upon the Governors of the United States and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, as well as appropriate officials of all units of government, to direct that the flag be flown at half-staff on Patriot Day. Further, I encourage all Americans to display the flag at half-staff from their homes on that day and to observe a moment of silence beginning at 8:46 a.m. eastern daylight time, or another appropriate commemorative time, to honor the innocent victims who lost their lives as a result of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.

Kidoodles

 For today's Saturday Sample, here's another swap I received using the Kidoodles stamp set in the main catalog along with the new Stripes Embossing Folder.  I love this cute little spider!  The large medallion shape behind the spider comes from the Perfect Pennants.  Once again, our fabulous DSP, this time it's Frightful Sight, makes for a quick and easy card.

•  
• Stamps:  Kidoodles

• Ink:  StazOn Black Pad, Basic Gray, Cajun Craze Stampin' Write Markers
• Paper:  Cajun Craze, Basic Black, Basic Gray, Whisper White; Frightful Sight DSP
• Accessories:  Big Shot Die Cutting Machine, Perfect Pennants Bigz Die, Circles #2 Die, Stripes Embossing Folder, Mini Silver Brads, Blender Pen, Scallop Trim Border Punch, SNAIL Adhesive, Stampin' Dimensionals

Are you getting ready for Halloween yet?  Do you have friends and family members that live afar?  Handmade cards is the best way to celebrate Halloween with them.  If they live locally, you can branch out to cool treats, party favors, and more--or you can mail those fun Halloween treats to them.  I'll have more spooky samples to show you over the next few weeks, so keep checking back.

And if you don't celebrate Halloween, I'll show you how to make the same project into a Happy Harvest one.  Here, in South Texas, fall is in the air and I have never been more grateful for it to be!  After a truly brutal summer with day after day of record-breaking heat and a severe drought, the temperatures cooled this week. Yay and yay!  Now we just need rain.  But there is light at the end of the tunnel of this summer, and fall is on its way with Halloween, Harvest, and more.  That means some great opportunities for handmade cards and paper crafting projects!

Why not earn some free stamps and supplies for all those projects?  Simply call me at 210-355-5729 or email me at candy@sweetstamper.com and let's find a mutually convenient date where you can gather some friends and family to learn about stamping.  If they are already stampers, I'll show them some cool new techniques and projects.  If they are brand new, I'll show them how easy it is create handmade, heartfelt projects.  Everyone will make something to take home and get a free stamping lesson.   And YOU will earn free stamps and supplies.  An average party will get you $65 in free merchandise to use on anything you want PLUS any item in the catalog at 50% off.  We can have our party at your house or mine; the choice is yours. So contact me today.  My calendar is filling up, but we can find a date that will work for us both.  My Stampin' Up! workshops are a blast.   So let's stamp!

Quick Scrapbook Pages

My scrapbook club met yesterday, and I created these quick scrapbook pages for our meeting featuring the new Spice Cake Designer Series Papers, Spice Cake Designer
Buttons, and Gently Falling stamp set from the Holiday Mini Catalog.  I love this easy layout and warm color scheme, perfect for fall birthdays.  We have a lot of those in my family, and that means there are lots of birthday photos to scrapbook.  Personally, I don't make many scrapbook pages that only house one photo.  I have a big family and loads of photos, so I need to put several on each page!

I used the Happiest Birthday Wishes, a hostess set available as part of the very generous Hostess Benefits package from Stampin' Up!  With the new benefits package, you get hostess dollars to us e any way you like.  This stamp set is one of the hostess exclusives meaning it can only be "purchased" with hostess dollars. For just $15 hostess, this clear mount stamp set with 11 birthday-themed stamps is a steal!  I used one of those stamps to create the Happy Birthday border, stamped tone on tone (Old Olive

  ink on Old Olive card stock) and then used it on the other page on the little Scallop Envelope.  I love those envelopes for little journaling pieces!  Simply tuck in a smaller piece of scallop envelope (cut off the wings and trim just a bit) for a darling journaling piece that you can take out, read, and tuck back in.  Pieces like that are one of the many joys of scrapbooking!

To get your own scrapbook supplies like this and more, visit my online store where you can shop 24/7 for products that coordinate with one another, making your scrapbook pages look awesome!  It sure beats standing in a box store for hours, searching for the right stickers!  candystamps.stampinup.net

I normally feature scrapbooking on Thursdays but got behind yesterday:)  But check back here each Thursday for scrapbooking inspiration, instruction, and more!

Christmas Card Class

I'm giving a 1-day extension on my Christmas Card Class in San Antonio due to messed up Paypal buttons.  Elisha, thanks for letting me know that!  Here are all the details.  The weather has turned (finally) and will provide a little more atmosphere for us on Saturday.  Combined with a little Bing Crosby via CD, some spiced cider and gorgeous cards, we are going to have a blast stamping AND getting ready for Christmas!  Join us on Saturday!

My September Christmas Card Class is ready, and we are using the newly released Christmas Lodge stamp set for all our cards along with other fun new products from the Holiday Mini Catalog including the Pewter Embossing Powder, Mini Jingle Bells, Frostwood Lodge Designer Series Paper (coordinates with the Christmas Lodge stamp set as part of the Frostwood Lodge Suite), Dazzling Details Iridescent Glitter Glue, Mica Flakes and more!  You will love the homey "feel" of these cards as well as the opportunity to use so many of the great new Holiday Mini products!  Please note the new time.  I will be at my Retired Stamp Sale that morning and needed enough time to get home and be ready for you.

Christmas Card Class

Saturday, September 10th, 2:00-4:00 p.m.

Make 6 custom-designed, deluxe handmade cards with envelopes

2 each of 3 designs

All supplies included; bring your favorite adhesive*

$25 payable by check, cash, or paypal (below)

RSVP with payment by September 7th

 

For Class by Mail and Instructions only, see my previous post here.

*Bring your favorite basic adhesive such as SNAIL and/or Anywhere Glue Sticks.  All specialty adhesives ie. Stampin' Dimensionals, Tombow Multipurpose Liquid Glue, Mini Glue Dots, etc. are provided.  If you don't understand what I'm talking about, call me at 210-355-5729!

Bargain Stamps!

 

If you are in the San Antonio area this Saturday, join me at this multi-demonstrator Retired Stamp Sale!  You will have lots to choose from and some great bargains.  Gently used, much loved retired stamps need new homes.  Lots of other crafting goodies will also be for sale including papers, inks, dies, ribbons, and more.  Come early for the best selection.  I can't wait to see you there!

 

Retired Stamp Sale

4750 View Drive, 78228

Saturday, September 10

9:00 a.m.-12 noon

This is being held at Gail's studio, a few blocks inside 410 at Callaghan.  Click on the link above for map.

 

Stamp Camp in San Antonio

I am so excited to unveil my new website, stampcamping.com, with all the info you need to get signed up for Homespun Holidays, my fall stamp camp in San Antonio on Saturday, October 15th.  Gail Beezley and I have partnered up again and are now doing quarterly camps for your creative recreation enjoyment!  Homespun Holidays is a full day of stamping fun, a great lunch, goodies, displays galore, fun new relationships and more...PLUS it's all for a good cause. Once again, our camp is a charity event.

We will have a little bit of Halloween, a little bit of Thanksgiving, and a whole lot of Christmas!  Sign up for our free newsletter to stay informed on all our upcoming camps by signing up in the little box on the site.  We already have 4 on the calendar for next year!  So mosey on over to stampcamping.com , save the date--October 15th, and get signed up today!

Then watch us on Great Day SA on Monday, September 26th, and you will see and hear more about Homespun Holidays and all the fun we have in store for you.  You won't be disappointed!

Baby Card

Today is my grandson Jonah's baby dedication, and I made this quick and easy card for him.  It's simple and sweet and features the Bear Hugs stamp set along with the wonderful new In Color, Pool Party.  I have a small gift for him to go with this baby card to commemmorate his baby dedication, and I thought this was perfect for my (almost) weekly inspirational post.

The time came for Mary and Joseph to do what the Law of Moses says a mother is supposed to do after her baby is born. They took Jesus to the temple in Jerusalem and presented him to the Lord, just as the Law of the Lord says, "Each first-born baby boy belongs to the Lord."
(Luk 2:22-23 CEV)

As born-again Christians, Tiffany and Amir will be presenting Jonah to the Lord, offering Him back, recognizing that Jonah is a gift from the Lord.  They also did this with his big sister Olivia as a recognition that all our children come from the Lord as special gifts and ultimately belong to Him.  It's a great time for the extended family as well as our church family to gather around Tiffany and Amir and the children, praying for the parents as they raise these little ones "in the nurture and admonition of the Lord." (KJV)

Parents, don't be hard on your children. Raise them properly. Teach them and instruct them about the Lord.
(Eph 6:4 CEV)

We will also be praying for Jonah especially, as he is set apart to the Lord, that he will love, honor, and serve Him all his days.  Of course, Jonah will have to make those choices for himself when he is old enough.  But for now, he is covered by his parents and the love his Heavenly Father has for him, which is far greater than our love for little Jonah.  That is hard to imagine as we already love him so much.  Nevertheless, our love springs from the love of God which is immeasurable!

If you need a church home in San Antonio, come visit us at Tower City Church.  We are a friendly, loving church where you can raise your kids in an environment of grace, peace, help and service to God and our community.

Haunted Forest

For today's Saturday Sample, I'm sharing this quick and easy card using the single stamp Haunted Forest from the Holiday Mini Catalog.  I'm so excited about all the holidays approaching, and Halloween is first--my birthday:)

I received this handmade card as a swap at a recent demonstrator meeting, and it's a great example of simple elements coming together to form a great card.  As an added bonus, it's gender neutral, so you can use this as a masculine card or feminine card.  Love that versatility!

 

Stamps:  Haunted Forest

Ink:  Basic Black Craft Stampin' Pad

Paper:  Basic Black, Tangerine Tango Card Stocks; Neutrals Designer Series Paper

Accessories:  Embossing Buddy, Clear Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Big Shot Die Cutting Machine, Top Note Die

To order this stamp and other stamps and supplies from the Holiday Mini Catalog, go to my 24/7 store:  candystamps.stampinup.net.  It's easy browsing, easy shopping, in the air conditioning!  No traffic, no gas usage, and there are free ideas to boot!  Enjoy:)