Teacher Thank You

Todays sample was made by my daughter, Elizabeth. She wanted to make a card for a teacher that is retiring. I suggested sponging the background. She chose bashful blue, brocade blue and not quite navy for the sky, and mellow moss for the grass. The trees are from the stamp set Lovely as a Tree in handsome hunter, garden green and old olive. The phrase is from Curvy Verses.

Jessica and Jesse both had the same teacher this year, so we'll see what they come up with for a design. When they do, I'll share them as well.

Happy Stamping,

Twila

Graduation

Graduation is a wonderful time in any childs life and most parents want to make the party a big hit. What do you do, though, when money is tight and you don't want to pay a lot for those little extras? How would you like to make them with supplies on hand? My daughter wanted a guest book for her party, but with the cost of all the necessary things like plates, napkins, food, etc., I didn't want to pay $13 for a guest book. We compromised and made this one! The paper is from the DCWV Luxury Stack and are beautiful shimmering cardstock papers. The title is printed using the script font on the computer, and no, there isn't a gold color on my printer! Jessica suggested embossing the print, which after a couple of trials, turned out beautiful. I printed lines on regular paper, then cut to size, and bound it together with my Bind-It-All. I think it turned out pretty well. Tomorrow, we'll finish her name banner, so I'll post it for all to see.

Until then,
Happy Stamping,

Twila

Top Note Gift Box

Do you like making or receiving cute little gift boxes? The box shown is one I made to show at my recent Big Shot Workshop. I used the Daisy Die Cut flowers to embellish the top, and centered a circle in the middle, then added a brad. The box is made using Certainly Celery cardstock. Two jumbo eyelets and some ribbon to close the box, and Voila! A perfect box for a small gift! If you don't want to add the eyelets and ribbon, that's OK. The flap on the box keeps it shut just fine.

Want to learn more about making these and more? Call me to schedule a workshop. You'd be amazed at the things you can do with just a few supplies!

Remember, this is the last week to take advantage of the May Scrapbooking Specials. Buy 3 packages of DSP or Textured card stock and get the 4th one FREE! Mix and Match to suit your needs. Call me to place your order, or go online at www.twilamustain.stampinup.net

Happy stamping,

Twila

Impression Plates

Today's focus is on Stampin' Up! exclusive impression plates. There are 3 double sided plates for a total of 6 patterns. The impression shown is on whisper white card stock and highlighted with Stampin Pastels Green Galore and Yoyo Yellow. Without the color, you might not be able to see the impression pattern in this picture, but they are very effective on cards.

Would you like to learn more about this technique? I'm hosting a Big Shot Workshop on Thursday, May 21 at 7:00. Contact me for more information.

Happy Stamping,

Twila

Best Wishes

Have you ever seen a cutout dress used on a card before? I have to confess that I hadn't. I like to get ideas from other stampers, so when I saw a version of this card this morning done by a demonstrator named Eileen LeFevre, I knew I just had to CASE this card. My first thought was "Where would I use this?" Then I remembered that someone very special to my daughter, Elizabeth, was married this past Saturday. The original was so elegant, using vellum cardstock for the dress and dotted window sheets for the background. I used what I had and came up with a beautiful card in its own right. The 'dress' starts out with Taste of Textiles Specialty Paper (on sale this month) and is cut out and embossed using the Big Shot.

Want to try making this card? I will have the pattern and materials available next Thursday, May 21 at my Big Shot Workshop starting at 7:00 P.M. Contact me for details at tmustain@grics.net. I hope to see you there.

Until then,
Happy Stamping

Twila

FREE BIG SHOT WORKSHOP

MARK THE DATE! Thursday, May 21 at 7:00 is a FREE Big Shot Workshop! We are meeting at the Salvation Army located at 510 N. Kellogg. My daughter and some of her friends will be working on making decorations for their graduation parties, but YOU are invited, too. If you have someone graduating and would like to make a banner for a party, or just want to try all the wonderful dies that Stampin' Up! offers, give me a call. You have the option of bringing your own paper for large projects or calling by Tuesday to place your order for paper (it's on sale!), or if you just want to play and experiment, I will have supplies on hand. Call me for more information or e-mail me at tmustain@grics.net.

Pictured on the left is the graduation party invitation that Jessica and I created. She chose tempting turquoise and Pacific Point cardstock with coordinating Tempting Turquoise ribbon. I started by printing the party information on the computer and cutting the cardstock to the desired size. The stamps are both from retired sets that I had available to me using Gold ink. I used my Crop-A-Dile to punch holes at an angle to the corner through both pieces of cardstock and attached them with the ribbon. What do you think? We thought it turned out pretty well.

May Promotions

Right now there are three wonderful promotions during the Month of May. My favorite is the Buy 3-get 1 FREE paper promotion to go along with National Scrapbooking Month. Purchase 3 packs of cardstock or DSP and get the 4th one FREE. I plan on stocking up during this sale!

There is also a great deal on a new stamp set coming out in the upcoming 2009-2010 Idea Book & Catalog. It is called the Jumble Alphabet Stamp set and is 20% off the regular price of $43.95. That means you can get a set of 52 double-mounted stamps for just $35.16.

The third promotion is the Scrapbooking Starter Kit Promotion. Now you can become a demonstrator for as little as $75.00. Can you believe it? If money is tight, but you still would like to be a demonstrator, now is definately the time to join. I've posted the details below. Call me if you have any questions.

Scrapbooking Starter Kit Promotion
Dates: May 1-31, 2009
Promotion Details
In celebration of National Scrapbooking Month, join Stampin' Up! as a demonstrator for only $75 with our limited-time Scrapbooking Starter Kit. The Scrapbooking Starter Kit contains the following:
Item Code
Description
Retail Value
113510
Schoolbook Serif Alphabet stamp set*
$42.95
113059
Simply Scrappin' Petal Party
$19.95
108697
Earth Elements Assorted textured card stock (12" x 12")
$11.95
105240
Whisper White Craft Stampin' Pad
$7.50
*Substitutable for any stamp set up to $43.95 value.
Please note: Each of the products listed above may be substituted for like items. Please see the Scrapbooking Starter Kit Order Form for details.The Scrapbooking Starter Kit also contains all the business supplies contained in the standard Starter Kit:
Getting Started DVD
Getting Started Guide
Guest Invitation Postcard (100)
Idea Book & Catalog (8)
Occasions Mini Catalog (8)
To My Hostess Envelope (10)
Recruit Folders (5)
Recruit Brochures (20)
Hostess Brochure (20)
Hostess Benefits Form (10)
Customer Order Form (50)
Things to Remember
Scrapbooking Starter Kit orders may be submitted either through the Online Independent Demonstrator Agreement (IDA) or mailed to Stampin' Up! at the following address:
Stampin' Up!12907 S. 3600 W.Riverton, UT 84065
The business supplies in the promotional Scrapbooking Starter Kit are the same business supplies that are in the existing Starter Kit; no alternative selections can be made for business items.
New recruits have the option of purchasing either the standard $199 Starter Kit OR the $75 Scrapbooking Starter Kit with a different product offering.
Sizzix will be sending an e-mail to their approximately 250,000 e-newsletter subscribers the first part of May. Included in this messaging will be an invitation to become a Stampin' Up! demonstrator with the $75 Scrapbooking Starter Kit.
The standard Starter Kit ($199) will continue to be available during this promotional period. On the Online IDA, the promotional Scrapbooking Starter Kit will appear as an additional option.
Recruits who join Stampin' Up! by purchasing the Scrapbooking Starter Kit are still eligible for any programs available to a new recruit. This includes but is not limited to the Extra 10% Instant Income offer, Stampin' Start, and the opportunity to purchase a Business Booster Kit.
A Starter Kit Order Form for the $75 Scrapbooking Starter Kit will be available for download on the Demonstrator Web Site, but will not be available for purchase as a supply item.
Demonstrators choosing the Scrapbooking Starter Kit may still purchase the Stampin' Memories Add-On for the regular price.
The Scrapbooking Starter Kit is not available for purchase by active demonstrators. This kit is only available to new recruits.
New recruits who purchase the standard Starter Kit may not purchase the Scrapbooking Starter Kit. Instead, they may purchase the Stampin' Memories Add-On for an additional $50.
Deadline for the Scrapbooking Starter Kit IDA:
Mail: Friday, May 29, 2009
Online: Sunday, May 31, 2009; 11:59 PM (MT)
FAQs
Q: Can I choose a different stamp set for the special scrapbooking-focused Starter Kit?A: Yes! As with our regular Starter Kit, we have a recommended stamp set, but you can choose a different one valued at $43.95 or less.
Q: What business items will appear in my specially-priced Starter Kit? A: You will receive the same business supplies found in the full-priced Starter Kit.
Q: What is the deadline to join Stampin' Up! with the specially-priced Starter Kit?A: Mailed IDAs must be received in the Stampin' Up! office on or before Friday, May 29, 2009. Online IDAs must be submitted before 11:50 PM (MT) on Sunday, May 31.
Q: Will the regular-priced Starter Kit be available during this time? A: Yes. New recruits will be able to choose between the full regular-priced Starter Kit or the specially- priced, scrapbooking-focused Starter Kit.
Q: If a new recruit purchases the discounted Starter Kit, will she still be eligible for new recruit benefits? A: Yes! New recruits who purchase the special scrapbooking-focused Starter Kit will still be eligible to receive all new recruit benefits including, but not limited to the Extra 10% Instant Income offer, Stampin' Start, and the opportunity to purchase a Business Booster Kit.
Q: Can my new recruit purchase the regular Starter Kit as well as the scrapbooking-focused Starter Kit?A: No. They can, however, purchase the Stampin' Memories Add-On with the purchase of the regular Starter Kit.
Q: Do you have any tips for making the most of the scrapbooking promotions?A: Yes! Visit the Making the Most of the Scrapbooking Starter Kit Promotion web page.

Happy Stamping,

Twila

Tiered Box

I'm not sure who created this beautiful tiered box. I copied a picture of it some time ago from Split Coast Stampers website. There are wonderful ideas to help you be creative. I have copied the pattern and made my own, though I don't have any pictures of them. (Thanks, Georgia, for getting me the directions and dimensions.) I gave them away before I got out the camera. Oh, well. Anytime I've had someone watch while I assemble one of these, they are always amazed at what you can do with paper! Would you like to learn how to make this box? It's really not that difficult. Contact me to join a Thursday night card club or host a workshop. It's possible to earn free merchandise either way. I'm hoping you'll help me reach my goal for the next two months.

Happy Stamping,

Twila

Prom and Salvation Army Dedication Week

Last Saturday was my oldest daughter, Jessica's Senior Prom. Wow, what a busy day getting her ready! I think the results were worth it, though. She's pictured here with her fiancee', Terry, at the entrance to the dance. Don't they look great?

This past week, I have been helping my friends at the Salvation Army get ready for their new building dedication. It looks great. Tonight I decided that I really should make them a card. After all, that is my business. I really wanted to use one of their emblems, but didn't have them on my current computer. After some thought, I decided to look one up on their website. I found a simple shield printed it on Whisper White cardstock, then cut it out with the Curly Label punch. I used Pacific Point cardstock and cut out the Top Note Bigz Die. The card is Yoyo Yellow. I used the Congrats stamp set in Craft White and the Itty Bitty Buds Hostess Set in Pacific Point.

I also played around a bit and made the circle sign using the Yoyo Yellow, Real Red, and Pacific Point Card Stock. I used the Circle Scissor Plus to cut the circles. It was so easy to use.

Interested in learning how to make the flower? Call me to set up a workshop and you and your friends can make one for yourself.

Happy stamping,

Twila