My offering for you today is a 3-D project that my stampers made at last Sunday's workshop. The Stampin' Up! matchbox die is a quick and easy to make little treat holders for your friends and loved ones. The matchboxes can be made from card stock or from designer papers. I have done both. This time I used card stock and embellished the top with hearts punched from Glimmer paper. I also used one of the three tags that also comes on the matchbox die. You can get a lot of conversation heart candies in one of these cute little boxes! If you don't already have this die, hurry over to my online store to order one. If you order soon, it will arrive in time to make these little 'Matchless Love' boxes. Thanks for stopping by to visit today and come back tomorrow to see what else we made at the workshop.

Happy Stamping,

Sue

Stamp: Valentine Defined (121941, wood) (123057, clear)

Ink: Real Red Classic Ink Pad

Card Stock: Early Espresso, Pink Pirouette, Whisper White

Other: Glimmer Paper (121790)
           Heart to Heart Punch (119881)
           Matchbox Bigz xl die (114890)

Good Monday to you all! It is My Digital Studio Monday and I have a card for you today. It took a little experimenting to get theVintage Overlay #3 resized to fit a 5 1/2"x 4 1/4 " card. I hope you enjoy this card. If you do, let me know by leaving a comment. If you would love to have a complete stamp studio right on your computer, click here to purchase your own copy of My Digital Studio. I will help you have as much fun with it as I do.

Happy Stamping,

Sue

Software: My Digital Studio

Stamp Set Brush: Thank You Kindly

Backgrounds: Vintage Overlays #6
         Springtime Vintage #3
         Baja Breeze Card Stock

Accessories: Curly Label Punch once filled with white and once filled with black
         Square Punch filled with the Springtime                 Vintage #3
         Chantilly Bow and Ribbon

The February issue of The Soggy Stamper Newsletter comes out tomorrow. You really need to be on my mailing list so you can receive this issue packed with projects, tips, and current updates of my classes and Stampin' Up! specials. The sign up box is to the right so take the time right now to sign up! The process is easy and painless.

Happy Stamping,

Sue

  This afternoon a customer hosted a workshop. She had 11 people attend and earned over $100 in free Stampin' Up product plus two free exclusive hostess sets and a free Sale-a-Bration set. Sale-a-Bration is a great time to host a workshop as each $50 in product ordered gives the choice of one of the many offerings in the Sale-a-Bration brochure for FREE. These choices include stamp sets; designer papers; embellishments; a Decor Element item; and even a CD filled with all the digital versions of the stamps. Quick Accents, ribbon, buttons, and Decor Elements image in the Sale-a-Bration brochure. Long-distance customers can host a catalog workshop where you gather up orders and send them to me. Email or call me for more information about scheduling a time for fun, stamping, and great savings with your friends.

Happy Stamping,

Sue

Each weekend the Stamping 411 blog posts a sketch and I love to play along with them. The timing is perfect for me since my day job doesn't get in the way of my stamping fun. Lots of other things often do but at least I have a little more time. Here is this weekend's sketch and my version as a Valentine. I love the way my card came together. It isn't quite like I had originally planned. Thanks for coming by to visit. I love getting comments…hint, hint! Let me know I have been visited.

Happy Stamping,

Sue

Stamps: Love You Much (113756)

Ink: Cherry Cobbler Classic Ink Pad
       Pirouette Pink, Always Artichoke and Pumpkin Pie Markers

Paper: Pirouette Pink, Early Espresso, and Very Vanilla Card Stock
       Glimmer Paper

Other: Scallop Trim Border Punch
       Heart to Heart Punch
       Very Vanilla 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon

I seem to always be slow to start making holiday plans until the holiday is almost on us. Valentine's Day is no exception. Here is a little Valentine treat I have made along the lines of the one Holly Krautkremer shared on her blog. It is going to be one of the projects the guests at Barb Moot's workshop make next Sunday. This is such an cute and quick way to use the Heart Treat Cups that Stampin' Up! sells. To order the supplies to make this project, click here. Thanks for coming to visit. Come back tomorrow to see one of the cards that will be made at this workshop.

Happy Stamping,

Sue

Stamp: Teeny Tiny Wishes (115370)

Paper: Real Red Card Stock (102482)
        Whisper White Card Stock (100730)
        Glimmer Paper (121790)

Ink: Real Red Classic Ink (103133)

Other: Heart Treat Cups (120435)
        Modern Label Punch (119849)
        Crop-A-Dile (108362) – to punch hole in top for ribbon
        Real Red 5/8" Satin Ribbon (117286)

You are missing out on a wonderful collection of projects complete with directions and pictures, tips, and techniques by not being on my mailing list. The February issue of my newsletter will be coming out next Tuesday so sign up now so you will begin receiving the benefits of being on my mailing list with this issue. The sign up box it to the right of this post and the process is easy. Thanks for stopping by today and do come again soon.

Happy Stamping,

Sue

This sounds like something that the student council at the school where I work would declare. It is actually a recognized day nationwide. In honor of Opposite Day, I have created this black and white card…total opposites. Now this is greatly out of my comfort zone for colors but the color combination takes little thought. This stamp set Notably Ornate also makes this card very easy to do and very elegant. I used the Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder to add texture to the black layer. All of this is mounted on a Whisper White base which is barely visible in the scan. I am sure you, dear reader, can do a better job of a black and white color combination than I have. Email me a photo of your card and I will share it here. Thanks for visiting today. Do leave a comment…I love comments!

Happy Stamping,

Sue

Stamps: Notably Ornate (117098, wood) (120561, clear)
             On Your Birthday (111664)

Card Stock: Basic Black (121045)
             Whisper White (100730)

Ink: Basic Black Craft Ink (102192)

Other: Decorative Label Punch (120907)
             Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder (120175)
             1/2" Lace Trim (retired)
             Sponge Dauber (102892)

Have you been wondering if you could do what I do? That is be a Stampin' Up! demo? The answer is YES! And now is a great time to begin your papercrafting business. Jan 24 – March 31 is Sale-a-Bration and Stampin' Up! is offering a special on the starter kit. Check it out!

Choose either our standard Starter Kit or our Digital +Starter Kit – both at a 15% discount. Plus receive a special bonus bundle of over $50 in free products! If you are interested in more information as to how you can earn extra money, design your work schedule to fit your family's needs, and have great fun while working, contact me now!

Sunday, January 23 is National Handwriting Day. This reminds me that we should be doing journaling in our scrapbooks. I have a lot of family pictures from previous generations. Some of them have names on the back of the photo but most are unmarked and I have no idea who they are or what they were doing. Journaling in your scrapbooks will fix this problem. Here are some things to journal about:

• Who is in the picture/s
• When the photo was taken
• What occasion is being shown
• What emotions are felt when looking at the photo/s
• What are the emotions of the subjects in the photo

This is a good beginning. Now the question arises…journal in your handwriting or type the journaling. Granted, typing it may look neater, but your own handwriting expresses part of your character. Your children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren will treasure the scrapbook even more if your handwriting appears on the pages as well as your memories.

The bottom line…however you may do it…don't forget the journaling!

Happy Scrapping and thanks for coming by,

Sue

Sunday, Jan 23, is National Handwriting Day. Here is an excerpt from an article posted on the AOL Shopping webpage.

"According to retail authority National Retail Federation (NRF), handwritten notes are making a strong comeback. Text and e-mail are the primary modes of communication between people, but a recent study of the greeting card and stationary market reveals that electronic communications are falling to the wayside as handwritten note cards re-emerge as the favored trend — or, "counter-trend." Yes, even with the convenience of Facebook.

Personalized, handwritten note cards are so much more meaningful to receive. It's a way for you to realize that you really do matter to your sender, as they have taken the time to think about and write out this message. With handwritten note cards, you can really connect with people on a personal level, helping yourself to build and maintain those warm and valuable relationships. Let someone know that they are a top priority.

With this head's up, take some time to practice your cursive and build up your stock of note cards. People's standards are higher today, so if you really want to impress and show people your sincerity, handwritten note cards are the way to go."

A packet of hand-stamped notecards makes a great gift for any occasion. Email me a card that you have made and I will be happy to feature it on this blog.

Happy Stamping,

Sue

This weekend's Stamping 411 sketch appeals to my sense of proportion. I used Stampin' Up!'s Botannical Gazette Designer Series Paper and the Noteably Ornate stamp set for my version of the sketch. Thanks for coming to visit me and leave a comment so I know you were here.

Happy Stamping,

Sue

Stamp Sets: Notably Ornate, On Your Birthday

Paper: Marina Mist, So Saffron, Very Vanilla, Botanical Gazette Designer Series Paper

Ink: Marina Mist

Other: Daffodil 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon

What a difference just a little touch of embellishments make on a card! Here is a card I created for a swap. I did plan to add a bow but that was all I was going to add. Here is that card:

It is OK. It does have three layers and I did pop the heart up with Stampin' Dimensionals and it will have a bow. Then I got an inspiration and added a tiny self-adhesive rhinestone to the word 'Love'. Just that little bit of bling elevated the card to another level. The rhinestone doesn't sparkle in the scan but in real life it is so sweet! Have you tried those rhinestones yet? If not or if you have run out order them here. Thanks for stopping by and visiting today. I love getting comments so I know you were here.

Happy Stamping,

Sue

Stamps: Valentine Defined

Card Stock: Rose Red
        Whisper White

Ink: Craft Whisper White
         Rose Red

Other: Full Heart Punch
        Rose Red Seam Binding
        Jewels Basic Rhinestone

This is the 8th day of the New Year and I wonder if you are still keeping your New Year's Resolutions? Or are you like me and didn't even make any?

I do know that credit card bills are coming in with the expenses of Christmas. Maybe you are wondering how you are going to pay those bills. Maybe you wish you had a way to earn extra money so those bills would get paid off faster. Well…I have a solution for you! I am offering you the wonderful opportunity to own your own rubber stamping and paper-crafting business.

Here are some of the benefits of joining my team as a Stampin' Up! demonstrator: 

• You get to determine for yourself how much profit you make. The more time you spend on your business and the more effective that time is, the more profit you will make. I will give you the training and resources to maximize your income potential.
• You will be joining a sisterhood of fellow demonstrators who freely share their expertise and creativity with you.
• You have the opportunity to achieve reconigtion and awards from Stampin' Up!
• You will realize gratification through sharing your love of stamping and Stampin' Up! products with others.
• You have the backing of a company who places relationships and family as important as the financial bottom line.

Now is the perfect time at the beginning of the year to start your own stamping business! Contact me for more information.

Happy Stamping,

Sue

The January issue of The Soggy Stamper Newsletter is coming out tomorrow! This issue has several wonderful projects to soothe the creative savage in you and get you prepared for Valentine's Day. Yep…it is time to be thinking about that holiday. The process to subscribe to The Soggy Stamper Newsletter is simple. Just fill out the form to the right. If you enter your birthday when asked during the sign-up process, I will send you birthday greetings when your birthday arrives. Come join me in monthly stamping ideas and tips! Do it now so you don't miss another issue of my newsletter.

As usual, I am most grateful for you coming by to visit. Do come visit often!

Happy Stamping,

Sue