Stamps and Smiles

When A Nut Knocks You In The Head

Okay, so hopefully the nut is an actual nut or an idea ... not a friend.  :)

I've spent minus the 5 hours I slept last night, the last 11 hours stamping... and I have about 4 more hours left to enjoy before I need to head home.  I've had an absolute blast creating at my friend Jan's house but she was sharing with me some magazine pages she pulled out for ideas.  Right beside the tree she was showing me was a card with 3 acorns.  All I could see was our ornament punch and after a squeal of delight, went straight to work.

This is what I came up with:

Alright -- so I totally apologize for the bad photo.  This came from my Blackberry and I promise I'll take another early next week with my camera.

This is the ornament punched out of Really Rust cardstock and then sponged with Soft Suede and Chocolate Chip.  The tops were punched with the Scallop Border punch and the Wide Oval Punch.

Okay... stinkin' cute!

To order this awesome punch (and why not throw in the Delightful Ornament Set that coordinates with this punch) please visit www.stampsandsmiles.com and click on "Shop Now" for preferred pricing and a discount on shipping.

Enjoy the rest of your holiday weekend!

Falling Leaves

We survived the couple of days of school, back to school night and the first sheet of of 64 math problems for homework.  Third Grade is so different! 

Indulge me as I share my beauty on her 1st Day of 3rd Grade:

Okay -- so here's what you're really here for... hopefully some inspiration!  As I mentioned, I had a couple more samples using Falling Leaves for you:

This one uses Soft Suede, Old Olive, So Saffron and Dusty Durango as the color scheme.  I CASE'd the layout from somewhere... I just can't remember where so thank you to the creative person for this idea!

Finally -- this is a box I made using the awesome new Treat Boxes from Stampin' Up!  The decoration was made using the Scallop Square die and The Big Shot.  The pumpkin was made by layering various Circle punches (the edges were first distressed and sponged) and if you look closely, the cirlces on the punmpkin and the background scalloped piece were textured.  The Falling Leaves stamp set and the coordinating Jumbo Wheel Bright Blessing were used.

As always, if you'd like to purchase any of the products used to create these projects, you can shop my online store 24/7 by visiting www.stampsandsmiles.com and click on SHOP NOW.  You'll receive preferred pricing and a reduced shipping rate.

Thanks for stopping by...

Great Swap Girls New Catalog Swap

  I had the privilege to participate in the Great Girls New Catalog Swap not once but twice.  The cards I received back were amazing -- as always.  I feel so lacking in talent when I swap with these ladies.  They have more talent in their pinky than I do in my entire body.

Anyway, here's what I created.

 

This one uses the Falling Leaves stamp set.  I totally love this set and I have another 2 projects to show you next week with this set.  I used Soft Suede, Dusty Durango, So Saffron cardstocks and Ink as well as Old Olive Classic Ink and Very Vanilla Cardstock.  And let's not forget the Old Olive grosgrain ribbon.

 

This one uses On A Pedestal.  While I love this set, the best part about it was I got it free from Stampin' Up! after attending a Regional Conference last year.  One of the great perks of being a demonstrator.

The background was created using the Perfect Details Texturz Plates and the Big Shot.  I used Chocolate Chip, Melon Mambo, Bermuda Bay and Whisper White cardstocks.  A Real Red brad mimics a cherry in the bon-bon.  The scalloped edge is created using the Curly Label Punch.  I was short on time getting these out during a very busy week so I recycled the layout used in this post.

As always, if you'd like to order any of the products used to create these cards, you can order 24-7 at www.mycreativeramblings.com for preferred pricing and discounted shipping.

That's it for today!  Time to soak my feet after a long day at Hershey Park!  Bradleigh, with some serious coaxing rode The Great Bear -- and LOVED it!

 

Wedding Party, Part Trois

 This is the last sample of the Specialty Paper Bride, Groom and Bridesmaid -- and it's my personal favorite.  In fact, I do believe this might very well be the Kemp Family Christmas Card this year -- as well as a Club Card for September.  I love the simplicity and elegance of it.

 

The ornament is made using the Ornament Punch and Delightful Decorations stamp set from the upcoming Holiday Mini Catalog.  The "Joy Ornament" was embossed on Real Red cardstock with clear embossing powder and then a white gel pen was used to fill in the swirls and the word "joy."   The ribbon is from the Mistletoe Ribbon Originals collection -- also from the upcoming Holiday Mini.  Of course, this card also features both the Bride Specialty Paper and the Groom Specialty Paper.  Don't you just love it?!

If you'd like a copy of the Holiday Mini Catalog, please email me your address to DebKemp@stampsandsmiles.com and I'll get one in the mail to you immediately.  To order any of the products here and get preferred pricing and reduced shipping, please visit www.stampsandsmiles.com -- but keep in mind, products featured in the Holiday Mini are not available until September 1st but I'd be happy to add your products to my Preferred Clients order going in first thing on September 1st.

Have a wonderful day!  Tomorrow I'll share with you the swaps I did for the Great Girls Swap I participated in!

Wedding Party Part Deux

   As promised -- here are some more samples using this wonderful Specialty Paper -- "Bride, Groom and Bridesmaid."

 

Did you know that this Specialty Paper is very, very special?  You can make it any color you desire!  As you'll see from the projects below, the foil imprinting resists the ink leaving striped or filligree paper in any color -- or colors -- you desire!  Now really, how cool is that?!

 

The care above is brayered with Cameo Coral ink on the Bride Specialty Paper.  The flower is stamped using "Pick A Petal."

 

This scrapbook page (sized 8" x 8") uses the striped design from the Bride Specialty Paper brayered with Regal Rose and a non-brayered square of the filligree design from the same Specialty Paper.  The chipboard letters were given the same "irridescent" quality by first covering them with White Craft ink, letting it try and then using the fabulous new Frost White Shimmer Paint found in the upcoming fabulous Holiday Mini Catalog.  I used the same Shimmer Paint on the large flower from the Pretties Kit to add more sparkle.

 

This card uses the Sense of Time stamp set.  The Bride Specialty Paper was sponged with Soft Suede Classic Ink.

 

Finally, for this card I used a sponge dauber and Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, Not Quite Navy and Barely Banana Classic Inks to color the Bride Specialty Paper.

Tomorrow I'll post my absolute favorite card made with this paper!  In the meantime, to receive preferred pricing and reduced shipping on any of the products used for these projects, please visit www.stampsandsmiles.com and click on "Shop Now." 

Wedding Party? What Wedding Party?!

I was challenged by my upline to create samples that weren't wedding-related with the new Specialty Paper "Bridesmaid,"  "Groom" and "Bride" shown on page 158 of the Idea Book and Catalog.  Sometimes it's hard for me to think out of the box but I think I rose up for this challenge!

Sit back and enjoy!

 

So first I embossed on the striped groom paper.  The Embossing Buddy is an absolute must to do this as the Embossing Powder sticks to the foil.

 

This uses Eastern Elements Stamp Set and Teeny Tiny Wishes Stamp Sets and the Modern Label Punch.

   Sorry for the poor photo!  This one uses both the Bridesmaid and the Groom paper.  The sentiment "you are awesome" is from Three Little Words -- one of my favorite greeting sets!

The large flower is from the Pretties Kit and I used the new Shimmer Paint from the upcoming Holiday Mini to add some irridescent quality to it. 

 

The Groom Specialty Paper lends itself beautifully to Halloween projects, too!

   This one uses the Spooky Treats Rub Ons.  I think this could make a really cute bag topper for Halloween treats, too!

 

   

This tube is cut from a 5.5" x 6.5" piece of the Groom Specialty Paper.  The top and bottom lids are cut from the Basket and Blooms Bigz XL Die and features the Spooky Treats Rub Ons again -- I think you might see these again in my upcoming Haunts and Howls class!

So this is just the first couple of projects -- there are a few more ready to come your way so come back on Monday!

To order any of the products featured here and get preferred pricing and reduced shipping, please visit www.stampsandsmiles.com and click on "Shop Now" button.

Kind & Caring

     

I finally had a chance to play with some of the new products so there will be lots to post over the next few days.  :)  I am feeling much better -- still really tired.  I lost 12 pounds in 2 days... I can honestly say I'd have rather given birth again then deal with the abdominal pain I felt.... anyway....

Here's a club card that I put together for my Stamp Club Diva Girls this month. 

 

This card uses the Level 3 Hostess set called Kind & Caring thoughts and the new Designer Series Paper "Cottage Wall."  This is a great color combination -- using Old Olive, Orchid Opulence (which I hardly ever use) and Rich Razzleberry. 

In other wonderful news -- Stampin' Up! announced this week's Deal of the Week!  :)

JUST $6.99  (Save 30%)

You can order online by clicking here.

Have a great day!

You must be really sick if...

You must be really sick if your new catalog order arrives and sits on the front porch for more than 24 hours.

Can you believe that?

We returned from our 4th of July camping trip on Sunday and early Monday morning I became very ill.  My box of goodies is finally inside the house but haven't had the energy to do anything.  Thankfully the fever (103+) broke this morning but still experiencing abdominal pain and some other symptoms which I will not divulge except for saying I'm so thankful for toilets that flush and not the camping port-a-potty. 

So look for some fun samples of new products in the next couple days!

In the meantime... another DEAL OF THE WEEK!

  Yours for $49.99!

 

I have to say the Doctor's Bag is one of my favorites and I use it for more than just my Big Shot.  Did you know it fits under the seat in an airplane?  Roomy enough for your Big Shot and a variety of dies or everything you need for a weekend away!  A great bargain!  Regular Price:  69.95.

Visit my online store at www.stampsandsmiles.com to shop for this deal and browse other Stampin' Up! products!

 

 

 

 

Happy New Catalog!

It's official!  While some of you may be excited about the upcoming 4th of July weekend (or Canada Day if you're a Canuck, like me!) ... true crafters, stampers and rubber stampers know that today is the start of a whole new Stampin' Up! year!

I have my new catalog order ready to go and am so excited!  I will place it later today... I won't tell you what the total of the order is but it's close to our mortgage payment!  ACK!  Maybe I'll revisit it before I hit the "send" button.  I am having the order sent 2-Day so I should get it on Monday so if you'd like to add anything to the order and pick it up at my home in Harrisburg, PA -- please feel free to email me.

Stampin' Up! has made several new announcements -- including a very fun July promotion entitled "Deal of the Week."

 

This week's deal is a great savings on the Scallop Edge Punch!  This offer is only available until July 5th!  The scallop edge punch can be yours for just $10.99 (reg. $15.95) plus tax and shipping.   

 

Stampin' Up! also announced a fabulous deal on the Starter Kit!  Now is a fabulous time to become a demonstrator.  No matter what you goals!

  

If your wishlist from the new catalog is too long... for $85 you can enjoy a 20 to 40% discount on everything you purchase. 

If you'd like to add a few dollars a month to your monthly budget by collecting orders from friends and a flexible work schedule ... for $85 you can do just that.

If you're looking for all the above plus the possibility of an all-expenses paid cruise for two to Alaska and a great way to boost you resume, you income and much more... take a look at the opportunity that you're provided with the $85 starter kit.

 The $85 Mini Kit (shown below) is a great value to get you started on a new and exciting adventure.  All new demonstrators will receive a very special gift package from me!

Whew!  That was a lot of information... now maybe for some inspiration!

Last week was a crazy week, which is why I didn't post.  Not only was it our VBS at church, I had the pleasure of presenting a program for the Dauphin County Library entitles "Make It & Play It."

It was a long week but I had a blast interacting with so many kids and parents alike.  Here's what we made:

 

 

This fun magnetic tic tac toe board was a hit with parents and kids alike.  With 75 kiddos at each library at a time, I had to keep things fairly simple so I pre-punched everything.  (FYI -- it takes 4.5 hours to punch out 3600 white 1" circles.)  The kids were able to choose which stamps and colors for their tic tac toe pieces -- which sometimes turned into a challenge.

Enjoy your holiday weekend -- I know we will!

More Animal Stories

Another Sneak Peek from Stampin' Up!  The new Animal Stories Stamp Set.

 

This one was made for a friend who just had a baby girl.  I'm certainly going to miss the retiring Pink Pirouette -- such a great pink!  This card also uses Basic Gray cardstock and Rose Red Stitched Ribbon.

 

And here's one I made at Jan's house last week.  This one didn't turn out the way I had planned in my head.. then again, more times than not things don't turn out the way I have planned in my head.  :)  This one uses the awesome new Bermuda Bay -- a 2009-2010 In Color as well as the Circle Circus Stamp Set (another Sneak Peek set from Stampin' Up!) 

Hope you're enjoying your day!