Teen Christmas Ideas

Sometimes the hardest people to shop for are right in your own house! But I know from experience that nearly all teens (yes! even the boys) like rubber stamping and personalizing their things. So to help you in your quest for a great gift, Stampin Up! has put together the 2009 Gift Giving Guide. Download your pdf copy here.

• added bonus for shopping early...spend $50 on Decor Elements and receive a FREE Decor Elements of your choice (up to $16.95).

Ready to shop? Order from my online store and have everything delivered right to your door.

Have a great day!

Tasha

Rub-ons Complete A Christmas Card

Today's card idea starts with sketch 109 from http://www.mojomonday.com/ . But the twist is that there is no rubber stamping on the card!

All supplies are Stampin' Up! and available through my website.

cardstock: pretty in pink, ridinghood red (retired In Color), kraft, garden green, whisper white

ink: ridinghood red sponged on flower petals

punches: 5-petal flower, eyelet border, trio flower

Big Shot: texturz plates Stampin' Up! Backgounds 1

Rub ons: I actually used a retired one, but Merry & Bright (116801)is a splendid collection offered in this year's mini-catalog

Have a great day and thanks for stopping by!

Tasha

Berry Christmas Gift Tags

This is one of the projects that we made at the Stampin' Up! regional seminar last Saturday. All attendees received the stamp set Berry Christmas (in the mini-catalog #116509)because a stamping seminar wouldn't be complete without some actual rubber stamping!

It's so fun to gather with demonstrators from across the area and share ideas! One of the perks of this job is meeting other women and making life-long friends. If you would like to be a part of my group, I invite you to email me.

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Whether you focus on card making, scrapbooking, or digital paper craft there is a starter kit that will get you excited!! And, best of all, you can have all your supplies within a week.

The cute little box base is a snap to make with the Big Shot and the Bitty Box and Envelope die (115967).

ink and cardstock colors: real red, bashful blue, certainly celery, soft suede, whisper white

Have a great day!

Tasha

My Digital Studio Mojo...and more

The sketch today at Mojo Monday #108 is one of those keepers. For quick cards and scrapbooking, this is a great layout! So I have one of each to share.

Since the Lovely As A Tree stamp set is still out from designing Nov. Cards of the Month, I used it for this sketch as well.

• the image background is whisper white sponged with bashful blue all over and ballet blue along the bottom and sides
• StazOn timber brown brings the trees out nicely on top of the sponging
• Shimmer Paint sponged over the top make the whole page glisten--Tip: shimmer paint will cause StazOn ink to bleed so go lightly and quickly or use water-based ink
• card base and pattern paper are bashful blue

This layout is also perfect for a team photo. Using Stampin' Up!'s My Digital Studio, I created this page in a few minutes. You can see more about the program by heading over to my Stampin' Up! website.

Attention BIG SHOT owners!! The Deals of the Week are just for you this week! You can see the deals at my Stampin' Up! website.

I'm so glad you stopped by! Have a great week!

Tasha

Last Chances Today!

This is it! The end of September means the end of entering to win my Rubber Stamper's Halloween Pack. You can still enter today until midnight by answering the question below in a comment or by placing an order (gets you 5 entries).

Today's card idea is one of my favorite stand-by layouts.

• The Kraft cardstock base was embossed with the Big Shot and Stampin' Up! Texturz plates, then a light sponging of Dusty Durango rubbed across the top to help the embossing stand out.


• A piece of close to cocoa attached at the bottom creates the "text box". The sentiment is from Kind and Caring Thoughts--email me if you would like to know how to get this stamp set free.


• For a little zip, I added some Bermuda Bay polka-dot ribbon.


• The image is Flowers in Silhouette which is a single stamp offered by Stampin' Up! It is stamped onto a small piece of Kraft first in Dusty Durango, then again (slighty offset) in Craft White. I just love the way the colors blend together creating a third color! The image piece is layered onto Dusty Durango and all the edges are sponged with Dusty Durango ink.

Today is also the last chance to order the Definitely Decorative Growth Chart.

This special offer growth chart is $24.99. It goes up in a jiffy on a wall, door, or if you think you might move you can apply it to a board that can move with you!

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And now for the last question...but first I want to thank everyone who has participated! It is so fun to hear about what you are doing and find out your view on things!!

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Do you usually have trick-or-treaters come to your house?

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Have a great day! I'll post the winner tomorrow!

Tasha

• The 12 Weeks of Christmas started today! If you're on my mailing/newsletter list you should have received a Christmas card idea this morning. The upcoming weeks will include cards, gifts, and tags/wrapping projects. Not on the list? Sign up in the upper left corner of my blog.
• click here to place an order

2 Days Left To Enter

Well, today and tomorrow are the last 2 chances to win the rubber stamper's Halloween Pack.

Today's question:

Do your kids' celebrate Halloween at school? No kids in school? Then let me know if the leaves are starting to turn colors where you live.

Here are a couple samples from the Stampin' Up! idea book and catalog. I just love that skeleton!

Have a great day!

Tasha

My First Time

This is it! I am sharing with you the first project I made with My Digital Designer. This is soooo handy! In the time that it would take to get out stamps, paper, etc. I had the page done.

• in order to make it super-quick I opted for a pre-designed page
• the pre-designed page is just a starting point, you can still move, resize, delete, and add images, colors, accessories, and text
• the finished layout is based on today's Unscripted Sketch 25

Blog Candy Giveaway Question 8:

Have you bought any Halloween/fall candy yet?

Your answer could make you a winner! Giveaway ends at midnight on Sept. 30.

Thanks for stopping in and have a great weekend!

Tasha

Chance To Win, Question 7

Cards of the Month (local club) meets today! Here is one of the cards we will be making--it's a real hoot!

The chipboard owl is a fun element to use. He is part of the On Board So Tweet collection offered in the Stampin' Up! idea book and catalog. This card uses retired fall designer series paper so if you want the look, you'll have to order this month's Cards of the Month Kit.

A little Shimmer Paint sponged on the eyes after the crushed curry gives just the right touch of glisten. And sponging the edges of the owl himself in chocolate chip finishes him off nicely.

It's a lot of fun to get together and stamp, but even better for me because it's my "job". I am always looking to grow and willing to train so if you would like to join my team let me know! Guess what? With today's technology you don't even have to be within driving distance!

An email today, and you could be ready to roll in a week. And you can decide how much you want to earn. Yes, most earn a little money to put in their pocket and cover their expenses. But you can also be a stamping demonstrator earning a full-time salary.

Now on to another fun part of my job!

Blog Candy Giveaway Question:

Do you prefer traditional Halloween costumes (witch, ghost, fairy) or the character costumes (Star Wars, Buzz Lightyear, Cpt. Jack Sparrow)?

Your answer could win you this fabulous rubber stampers Halloween pack.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!

Tasha

Get Ready For The 12 Weeks of Christmas!

I promised that I would get you ready for the holidays and help alleviate the last minute scramble. And here's how it works...starting next Wednesday, Sept. 28, I will have 12 fantastic holiday projects to make the season brighter. There will be cards, gifts, and wrapping/tags.

The project pictures, ingredient list, and details will be sent directly to you each week. Only people on my mailing list will get this, so if you're not signed up for the newsletter--sign up now!


(Giveaway question at bottom of post)

email address >

For Email Marketing you can trust

Privacy Policy -

We will NEVER share your

information with anyone, anytime!

Blog Candy Giveaway Question 7
Do you send Halloween cards?

I do not send a lot of Halloween cards. I do remember my mom making some when I was little. One year stands out in my mind. She used black paper and grease pencils. I remember the yellow writing because she made it squiggly like it was scared and it was so cool!! ;) In those days it was a lot harder to make neat cards! We are so lucky to be able to open a catalog and have a world of ideas and supplies at our fingertips.

Thanks for stopping by! Don't forget to get on the mailing list if you're not already (yes, it's all free).

Tasha

Completely Unscripted Wednesday

The card for today is made possible by my daughter who is home sick, thereby giving me time to stay home and stamp! Since my plans have all changed for the day I thought it was only appropriate to do an Unscripted sketch. :)

stamps: two that I've had for years. Bought the skeleton to stamp on kids' hands at a preschool party 9 years ago and the face I actually bought to use as coffee beans for a project a couple years ago!

cardstock: Stampin' Up!s basic black, rich razzleberry, crushed curry, and whisper white

ink: rich razzleberry (pad and marker*), basic black

accessory: crushed curry polka-dot grosgrain ribbon

• A little "connect the dots" doodling adds just enough detail to the background. Using the rich razzleberry marker on the same color cardstock keeps it from standing out too much.
• the face is popped up on Stampin' dimensionals for extra emphasis
• the card is 5-5/8"x5-1/2", nearly square!

Blog Candy** Question:

Which is your favorite Stampin' Up! halloween set? They are in the catalog and idea book pages 20-26. Click here to see the catalog in pdf form.

Thanks for stopping by!

Tasha

• *this is the first time Stampin' Up! has offered markers in the In Colors, it is so handy to have them along with the pad, cardstock, and ribbon
• **click here to see the giveaway details!

Mojo and Giveaway Question 5

When I said the blog candy giveaway questions would be posted randomly, I had no idea HOW much that was true! The question is below, but first a card idea for you today. Honestly, I don't like this card but I thought it was only fair to share it anyway! Somehow the idea was prettier in my head! lolIf you check out the sketch at www.mojomonday.com maybe you can make a better one!

stamp set: Full of Life

colors: bashful blue, gable green, regal rose, whisper white

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And now for the question. Your answer could win you this fantastic Rubber Stamper's Halloween Pack. Drawing is Oct. 1, details can be seen here.

Do you let your kids eat all the candy/treats they get throughout the Halloween season? No kids? That's okay, just leave any old comment to get an entry.

Hope you had a great weekend. Ours was full but fun! Thanks for stopping in, Tasha

• 3 more days to sign up for October Cards of the Month
• 3 more days to sign up for Die Cutting Day (see right side bar)
• click here to order supplies right now from my online store!
  

Blog Candy Giveaway Question 4

Where did Thursday go? I finished this card to show you about 24 hours ago but never got back to my computer! Just for fun I used this week's color challenge and the sketch challenge both from splitcoaststampers.

A quick and simple card that would bring a smile to the recipient's face! Both the bird and flower are paper-pieced by stamping the image on pattern paper, cutting it out and glueing directly onto the image that was stamped on white. The card is a standard 4-1/4"x5-1/2" size.

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To create this card you will need the following Stampin' Up! supplies:

stamp set--Fun and Fast Notes

cardstock--whisper white base, soft suede, pretty in pink, pink pattern paper

ink--StazOn jet black

accessory--clear crystal brad, small

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Don't forget you can enter to win this Rubber Stamper's Halloween Pack by answering the questions until Sept. 30. Tip: sign up as a follower (on the left side) and you'll know each time I post a question!

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Do you prefer to make cards for Halloween or Christmas?

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Find out the rest of the ways to enter by clicking here.

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Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!

Tasha

• Need supplies right now? Click here to order from my online store

Another Chance To Win

To get another entry for the Rubber Stamping Halloween Blog Candy just answer the following question today.

What is your favorite Halloween candy?

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Being a traditional kind of girl, mine is candy corn. Especially if they're in a dish mixed with dry roasted peanuts. My great aunt used to have that out every fall so that combo instantly brings back fond memories of being at her house. Due to a nut allergy in my own home, we do not have this in our house! And my kids would probably think it was gross. ;)

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I look forward to hearing your favorite! Thanks for stopping by today, Tasha

• watch for Cards of the Month release later today

September Blog Candy

This is it! You can win this rubber stamper's Halloween pack in September.What's included:

• 1 definitely decorative Spooky Spider small size
• 2 treat holder cards, ready to be filled with your favorite treat
• 1 Build-A-Bear gift sack kit
• 3 yds. of fall polka dot ribbon (1 yd. each of dusty durango, crushed curry, and soft suede)
• Holiday Best stamp set
  

So here's how it works:
I will be posting random Blog Candy Trick-or-Treat Questions starting today Monday, Sept. 14. You can answer the question/post a comment any time THE DAY the question is posted. Only one entry per person per day via comments.

*This blog candy is limited to US addresses--sorry to my international friends.

Other ways to enter:

• link this giveaway on your blog, let me know, and you get another entry!
• place an order (through me) from the main Stampin' Up! catalog or the holiday mini Sept. 14-Sept. 30 and you get 5 entries! place 2 different orders, get 10 entries!

First Blog Candy Question:

How old were you the last time you trick-or-treated?

I have a terrible memory so there won't be a lot of thinking back questions--lol. But I'm pretty sure I was in ninth grade, or maybe I was a sophomore. Anyway, that's pretty old!!! My friend and I covered a LOT of town that night.

Good luck to everyone!

Tasha

Blog Candy

Blog Candy Announcement: I am giving away a rubber stamping Halloween package and I will show some of it on Monday. This giveaway will be limited to US addresses because another way to enter is by ordering!

So here's how it works:

I will be posting random Blog Candy Trick-or-Treat Questions starting Monday, Sept. 14. You can answer the question/post a comment any time THE DAY the question is posted. Only one entry per person per day via comments.

Other ways to enter:

• link this giveaway on your blog, let me know, and you get another entry!
• place an order Sept. 14-Sept. 30 and you get 5 entries! place 2 different orders, get 10 entries!

So good luck to everyone! Thanks for stopping by!

Tasha

It's Stamping Time

Stampers' Clubs Start in September!

• Do you want to earn hostess benefits?
• Do you want to attend a FREE stamping class?(in person or on-line)
• Do you need a night out?
• Do you like to try before you buy?

If you answered yes to any of the above questions, you need to join a Stamp Club! (as per Stampin' Up! rules, these clubs are limited to US and APO addresses)
You can choose a monthly club or one that meets every other month--whatever works best for you!

Club members receive the following benefits:

• use the latest products--often right when they are released!
• learn techniques such as watercoloring
• try out stamping tools like the new circle scissors

PLUS...one month you will be the hostess and receive all the hostess benefits! That includes FREE exclusive stamp sets, FREE merchandise of your choice, any special offers in your month, and FREE shipping!

little peek of one of September's projects

Can't make it to the club in person? That's okay, you can also "attend" on-line at your leisure.

Contact me to sign up now--clubs start September 21!

Want to know more? Click here for the details OR come to:

Stampers Club Free Trial

Thursday, August 27 7pm

Saturday, August 29, 10am

My Stamping Place

4011 Sherwood Dr

Hutchinson, KS

RSVP by Aug. 24

Introducing Sampler Packs

As the catalogs start arriving, you will probably getting a really long wish list! With so many new designer papers and scrumptious ribbons how does one decide? So to keep your pocketbook intact I have devised a few sampler packs. You get a lot of different product for a reasonable price--can't beat that! But they are only available until July 15.

(U.S. customers only)

Designer Series Paper Samplers

I have grouped together 4 styles of the designer series paper in each pack. Each sampler has generous 12"x6" pages to use for scrapbooking, card-making, or 3-d projects. You will receive 1 of each design, 24 pages in all. The cost of $13 includes shipping right to your door.

Paper Sampler A

Autumn Traditions
Cast a Spell
Tall Tales
Kaleidescope

Paper Sampler B

Thoroughly Modern
Razzleberry Lemonade
Flock Together
Cottage Wall

Originals Ribbon Sampler

You will receive 1 yard each of all 9 styles included in Orchard, Masterpiece, and Elementary. The cost of $13 includes shipping right to your door!

Big Ribbon Sampler

You will receive a generous 2-yard sample of the larger ribbons listed below. That's 10 yards total for a cost of $12 which includes shipping right to your door!

1-1/4" Striped Grosgrain in old olive and chocolate chip

1" Double-Stitched Grosgrain in bashful blue and rose red

3/4" Polka-Dot Grosgrain in real red

Choose Your Sampler

Designer Paper Group A $13.00Designer Paper Group B $13.00Originals Ribbon $13.00Big Ribbon $12.00

If you have any questions, email me before ordering.

Have a great day! Tasha

Everything You Want To Know About Stamping

edited at 3:27pm to include the link--sorry about that!
Okay, maybe that's a little ambitious for a blog post. But I found an article that covers rubber stamping quite nicely.

Rubber Stamping Techniques:
The Basic and The Advanced
on a site called Jams World. The article covers the following areas in order:

• Basic Stamping
• Marking and Coloring Methods
• Masking Techniques
• Embossing
• Brayering
• Liquid Applique

If you have been wondering about any areas of stamping you should take a minute to read through it.
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Perhaps the attention-getter for me was the opening paragraph which ends with "The good thing about practicing rubber stamping is that both children and adults, even those without proper art training, will enjoy it, the reason that rubber stamping is now deemed throughout the world as the art for everyone." That's a pretty awesome sentence.
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And maybe it was especially striking because I found this article right after one that stated "stamping is sometimes a hobby for adults in the United States but is unheard of in Europe and considered toys for children." WHAT?! I couldn't find a date anywhere but am guessing that article had to be written pre-internet like 1950s (or 1850s).
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Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!
Tasha

-I'll be back tomorrow with a sneak peek of July's Cards of the Month Club.

There's Still Time

Hi Stampers! There's still time to take advantage of the BONUS Hostess Benefits in June. Email me if you would like to have a workshop that last week of June OR gather some orders from friends and I can place them together as a workshop.
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I have a new baby card to show today. You can have a "stampin' shower" if you know a mom-to-be that enjoys stamping or scrapbooking. Email me if you would like to schedule an event like this!

The layout for this card is via www.mojomonday.blogspot.com #89. And, if you enter a project this week there is a prize so go check it out!

This chic card starts with a 5-1/2" square whisper white base. The basic gray background is stamped with versamark polka dots from the Big, Bold Birthday* set. The basic black strip is crimped which you can see in the shadow!
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For the buggy, I stamped the image from Fun and Fast Notes on both whisper white and pink pirouette*. I cut out the pink one and glued it onto the white panel which 2-1/2" square. The polka-dots are filled with Tombow adhesive and dazzling diamonds for a little bling. The wheels and heart are simply colored with the pretty in pink marker.
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The flower accent is from the Birds and Bloom sizzlet set for the Big Shot. I punched a 1/2" circle out of basic gray and adhered behind the clear button which has hemp twine tied through it.
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Bottom panel is from Bella Rose* designer series paper. I love that whole pack!!
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Thanks for stopping by today! Tasha

*The Big, Bold Birthday stamp set, Pink Pirouette and Bella Rose paper are only available through June 30. You can see some more cards using Big, Bold Birthday in the June Cards of the Month shown in the right side bar.

Hostess Promotion

Dates: June 1-30, 2009

Promotion Details:
The Stampin' Up! Summer Fun Bonus Promotion is hot, hot, hot! You can get these additional hostess benefits by emailing me to schedule a workshop OR team up with a friend and place your order as a catalog party.

• Customers who either host a workshop or place an online product order from $250-$399.99 will receive an additional $20 in hostess free merchandise dollars.
• Customers who either host a workshop or place an online product order of $400 or more will receive an additional $40 in hostess free merchandise dollars.

With the release on June 1 of Stampin' Up!'s Last Chance Stamps and Accessories (formerly referred to as "retired"), you can stock up on your favorites and earn additional hostess free merchandise.

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NOTE: All hostess benefits are available with an individual on-line order.