UP ALL NIGHT STAMPER

Stamping Space Makeover with the Gardners

One of the exciting benefits that was offered to Convention goers this year was the possibility of winning a stamping space makeover compliments of Stampin' Up! and designed and executed by Shelli Gardner herself!  Check out this video to see how lucky Tamzin Cochrane got a total space makeover by Shelli, Sterling, Sara and Shalae Gardner.

 

 

 

Jealous?  I know *I* am!!!  Check out all the great ideas and little artistic touches they added to this gorgeous space. Are there any YOU can incorporate into your space?    Send me links to pics of your space and what you love about it and I will feature them here on my blog you can be Space Proud, too!

The Best Ribbon for Crafting - Hands Down!

Have I ever shared with you how much I LOVE Stampin' Up!'s gorgeous line of the best ribbon for crafting EVER?  Well, let me tell you about it.

I love using ribbon on my projects. I used it here and here and here, among other places.  I even use it all the time on My Digital Studio projects.  Any time I create something and think "Hmmm, that needs a little something" I reach for my ribbons.  Here's a picture of how I have some of them stored for easy access -

And here's a closeup -

Don't they all look so delicious?  I love all the colors and widths and styles and textures..... there are over 100 different ribbons and fibers you can use to accent your projects! That's a LOT of variety!

But one of the most important things to know is that Stampin' Up! ribbons and fibers are a great deal!  I continuously research and cost compare Stampin' Up! products with the competition and I can tell you that you won't find ribbon of this quality offered at this price anywhere else.  If you want to check for yourself, someday grab one of your rolls of ribbon and take it with you to one of the many places you  can get crafting ribbon.  Compare the price and the quality of what you see and I can almost guarantee that you will be patting yourself on the back for being so smart for choosing ribbon from Stampin' Up!

To see the entire line of ribbons and fibers, check them out here or on pages 194 and 195 of the 2011-2012 Idea Book and Catalog and in the Holiday Mini.

The Clear Advantages of Clear Mount Stamps from Stampin' Up!

First, let me say that I was one of those people who was NEVER going to give up her wood mounted stamps - no way, no how!  I said that because I had tried clear stamps from other companies and HATED them; the images were never crisp, you couldn't count on ever getting any detail out of them, they got sticky when you used and cleaned them and I found that the stamps themselves would start to actually degrade after not all that many impressions.  So for me to go from Stampin' Up! stamps - which are known as some of the best in the industry - to those icky stamps - fugghedaboudit!

So when Stampin' Up! started to hint around that they were introducing "clear stamps", I - and many of my demo sisters - flipped out!  We panicked!  What was Stampin' Up! thinking?

WELL, then we were introduced to Stampin' Up!'s clear mount stamps and we flipped AGAIN! They were fabulous!  Perfect impressions! Cleaned up in a snap!  Stayed fabulous!  Here's why......

Stampin' Up! has created an ingenious hybrid of clear mount blocks combined with the always amazing RUBBER that we all know and love.  I could tell you more but I think you will get more information out of this incredibly informative 8 minute video from Stampin' Up! about clear mount stamps.

Everything she says is true!  I never ever thought I would be a convert but - wow! - am I ever now!  Here's just one reason why.  Here's one of my racks of wood mounted stamps -

That's a baker's dozen - thirteen sets.  Now here's one of my racks of clear mount stamps -

There are TWENTY ONE stamp sets there - with room for more! - on the same sized rack!  And you can SEE what images the set contains on the spine of the clear mount case!  Can I tell you how much easier it is for me to find what I want even when I don't know what I want to use?

I LOVE using these clear mount stamps and nearly every stamp set I purchase now I choose clear mounth.  Oh, did I mention that they cost less?  OH YES THEY DO!  So let's see, they take up less space, they cost less, you can use more than one stamp at a time (watch the video!), they are made of the same high quality material we have all come to know and love...........I'm not seeing any downsides!

And here's one awesome tip!  When you get your new clear mount stamp sets - and you know you're going to now! - SAVE the piece of rubber out of which you have punched your pre-cut stamps.  Place that piece inside your case and then after you have added your stickers to the stamps and readied them for stamping, nestle the stamps back into their shapes inside that "template".  This way your stamps stay in place (the plastic case is not quite as sticky as the acrylic blocks) AND you can pull that piece out to use for a mask if you want to do a halo around one of the stamps!  Here's what I mean -

Easy peasy!

So, do you have any clear mount stamps from Stampin' Up! yet?  Aren't they awesome?  If you don't have any yet, are you inspired to try them?  Once you DO, you will fall in love and wonder why you waited!

 

How To Maximize Your Cardstock Stash!

Ok, so we've already admitted that many of us are papermaniacs.  And with that comes the close cousin, Cardstock Collecters.  You know who you are.........you have extra packs of cardstock tucked away for "emergencies", you save every scrap, you will change an entire card design to use a piece that you have handy instead of cut a new piece......it's OK, we've all been there.

Here are a couple of tips to help you make the most of your cache of cardstock.

First, get and stay organized.  I have my 8 1/2 X 11cardstock (the size I use 90% of the time) in a rolling hanging folder rack with my colors organized in color families in the top.  White, Vanilla, the Naturals, Metallics, Vellum and Glossy go in the bottom.  Each color has its own manila folder and there are two manila folders in each hanging folder.  This way the cardstock stays nice and flat and doesn't get crumpled on the edges. Here's the one I use

Each manila folder has the color name printed on a Word Window punch in the same color.  I do this by opening a Word document, selecting a label template, typing each color in a label field and printing the document on regular paper.  Then I use the Word Window punch to punch out each color and adhere with Dotto right over each color name on the printout.  I run it through the printer again, printing the same documet and - voila - color coded labels.  Then I just stick 'em on the folders......see?

Here's a closer look at the tabs

(Sorry about the photo quality - I had too much coffee and couldn't hold still!)

Now you might want to know what those paperclips are for on some of the folders.  That's my super high tech inventory system!  When I have an extra pack of cardstock, I place a paperclip on the folder for that color.  When I open the extra pack, I take the paperclip off.  When it's time to do a reorder, all I have to do is look at the folders that are both low on stock and don't have a paperclip and I know what I need to order.  Now, as a demonstrator, I try to make sure I have plenty of cardstock!  Hostesses will often tell me their favorite colors and I like to make sure at least one of the projects we make at her house feature her faves.  And I participate in swaps and do a lot of custom work so my stash looks like this

Now, we've already talked about scraps so I won't delve into that again other than to say if you have them organized and handy you will use them so think about how to set up a system that works for you.  You will use a lot less cardstock when you don't have to "sacrifice" a whole sheet for one punch.

Now, did you know that there's a way you can get FIVE panels, all the same size, out of a sheet of 8 1/2 X 11 cardstock?  Yes, there is!!!  Let me show you!

When you use this template you will end up with FIVE 3 5/8 X 4 7/8 inch panels which are a perfect size for cardfronts! 

So now between knowing what you have on hand and a more economical way to use it you are on your way to being totally in the groove!  Go YOU!

Believe you me, when your things are organized, you will USE them more AND tidying the clutter not only gives you space to stamp but gives you mental space, allowing all your creativity to blossom. So tell me, are these organizational posts inspiring you?  Are you getting ideas on how you can get your stash all tidied up?

Coralling Daubers & Sponges!

I love using  daubers  and  sponges  on my projects. Using them to apply ink can add dimension, texture, shading, a hint of color, can smudge a line, create amorphous shapes - there are TONS of ways you can use them!  And they are relatively inexpensive considering how much use you can get from these little suckers!

So as much as I love using them up until recently it was sort of a pain in the neck to find either a clean sponge or dauber, or at least one that had been used for the same color.

HINT: It can be difficult sometimes to tell a color of ink based on what it looks like on an absorbent surface and if you mix shades sometimes you will end up with MUD on your card!

I was absolutely obsessed with finding a way to keep them all organized; I wanted something compact and tidy and I really wanted to keep the two tools for each color together so I wouldn't have to dig.

On one of my forays I found this box and just KNEW it was going to work!  I purchased extra dividers and set out to create this

And this for the latest set of In Colors

And here are some closeups of the tabs

And here's a bird's eye view so you can see what they all look like tucked in

Can I just tell you how much MORE I use these now?  I cut my sponges into sixths or eighths - you really only need a small area to do almost all sponging techniques and actually, the smaller the better - and use that always-useful Round Tab Punch, Item # 119864 to punch out a tab in each color and staple it to the pointy part of the sponge, and then label the daubers with my Brother P-Touch.  SO easy and SO fast to find and then put away.

Now that I can put my fingers on exactly what I need at the right time I find that I do use these more and my projects are better for it.  As much as it's fun to have a plentiful stash of goodies, if you don't use them you are wasting your money and that's never a good thing!

What great organizational tips do you have?  Share one in the comments below or email me and if I feature your idea on this blog I will send you a prize!

Clearance Sale Update

Due to the BLAZING heat, my Once in A Lifetime Clearance Sale is being postponed.  As much as I want to make room for all the stuff I will be ordering from the Holiday Mini I don't want people keeling over in my driveway - at least not from the HEAT!  If you want to pass out at the BARGAINS that's a different story.

And remember, if there's anything you are looking for that is retired, drop me a message or give me a call and if I have it, you can get it before it goes out on the tables!

I will post when I have chosen a reschedule date.  Until then, check out the NEW stuff!

What's YOUR Favorite Combination?

How about some Crumb Cake brushed with Early Espresso with a little Chocolate Chip?  Or Pumpkin Pie topped with Peach Parfait kissed with just a dash of Perfect Plum?  Or maybe some Rich Razzleberry and Melon Mambo side by side atop a slice of Pear Pizzazz?

Wait, are we talking DESSERT????  It may sound like it but these are all gorgeous colors from the Stampin' Up! color families. See, Stampin' Up! has their colors organized into families of colors that coordinate beautifully not just with each other, but across "party lines". Remember "Garanimals"?  Well choosing colors for projects using Stampin' Up! colors is as easy as getting dressed with Garanimals!

And while colors in each color family are practically foolproof with one another, Stampin' Up! has carefully designed each and every color such that it can be used with colors outside its own family.  How many times have you tried to mix a "Cool" with a "Hot" or a "Happy" with a "Calm" and found that it just won't happen?  You won't have that issue with Stampin' Up!'s colors!

Want to know one of my favorite tools from Stampin' Up!?  It's the most fabulous Color Coach.  This handy tool contains swatches of samples of every single color - even all the In-Colors - on a post so you can fan out the samples to create endless color combinations without sacrificing sheets of cardstock. Plus it has suggestions on each swatch to get your started. I bring it with me sometimes when I am out and about so I can spot things that will work in my stampin' room, to wear, to alter as a project - even to pick paint colors!

So what's YOUR favorite color combination?  Do you love the always elegant Whisper White, Basic Black and Real Red?  Do you love the tropical flavor of Pacific Point, Melon Mambo and Tempting Turquoise?  Are you soothed by Pink Pirouette, Certainly Celery and Bashful Blue?  Share your favorite combination in the comments below and I will draw names and send a thank you card to YOU in YOUR favorite combo!

Do You Save Your Scraps?

Do you save your scraps?  And if you do, how do you keep them organized?

I hear that question a lot from customers and other demos so I thought I would share with you how I keep all my scraps organized and handy.  Since I started this system I can tell you that I have a LOT less waste and I never have to "sacrifice" a full sheet of cardstock for a mat or a punchie!

This is my scrap basket

This is just an old basket I had on hand but the key features that make it work for me is that it is compact, it holds all my scrap bags and it has a handle making it easy to move around and NOT SPILL (so important!).

All of the colors have their own cello bag (see supply list below) and a punched tab in the color contained in that bag with the name just jotted on the tab. The tabs are stapled to the cell bag's seam on the back of the bag.  Here's a closer look at the tabs:

This tab system makes it SO easy to find the color I want to use, especially when I don't imediately recognize the color by name or like now when the new In-Colors are out and I still don't have them all memorized!

And to make it even easier for me to find my scraps quickly all the little bags are in alphabetical order!  Sounds kooky, I know.  I originally had them in color family but then I would put one back in the wrong spot and then another would follow, and, well, finding that Lucky Limeade bag in with the Wild Wasabi and the Old Olive started to make me NUTS!  Alphabetical is the easiest way for me and now it's easy to find a bag and even easier to tuck one back in the basket.

Now some people keep their scraps in the same kind of bag format but put theirs in their folders with their stash of cardstock.  That doesn't work for me because I am an instant gratification girl and if I have to dig around, up to my elbows in a folder, I might just spot something shiny across the room and that would be end of that!

Now with my scraps all tucked into bags, organized and right there at my feet next to my desk I NEVER have to dig, can always find the right color in a second and actually use my punches a lot more now that I can always find the right size scrap quickly. And for me, any piece of cardstock that is a quarter sheet or smaller constitutes a scrap.

How do YOU organize your scraps?  Does this system look like it might be able to work for you?  Share below because what works for one person might just be the answer to another person's prayers and sharing is what it's all about!

Supply List

Basket that you have on hand or check out the dollar stores or Target, Walmart, etc.
Cello Bags, Item # 102210, $4.95 for 50
Round Tab Punch, Item # 119864
Stapler to staple the tabs to the bags
pen to label the tabs.

 

 

Subscribing in a Reader vs. Subscribing for My Newsletter

Well, I asked for questions and you responded!  As I mentioned yesterday, I promise that I will answer every question on this blog.  One of the questions I got when I was chatting with a stampin' friend was what the difference is between subscribing for my newsletter and subscribing to this blog's feed.

First, when you subscribe to my newsletter this means that every month I will send you one monthly newsletter packed with information, tips, articles, ideas, promotions, news and anything else you need to know to be on the cutting edge of all things stampin'!  I will also send one more shorter, more focused bulletin when there is breaking news or information that just can't wait. You can unsubscribe at any time (but why would you want to?) and my newsletters will never contain ads from third party entities; I will also NEVER EVER under pain of death or losing all my stampin' stuff (I don't know what's worse!) share your contact information with ANYONE. And occasionally, I will provide newsletter subscriber only treats and contests so you won't want to miss a single one!

Now, when you subscribe to my blog's feed, this means that your news information reader or aggregator will automatically pull any new content I post right to your reader page.  When you sign in to your reader, voila!, all your updates - including mine! - will be waiting for you. And, much like in my newsletters, there will be times when I will run blog reader only contests or prizes so you won't want to miss one post!

So which do you want?  BOTH!  I don't post everything in my newsletters to this site and I don't post all my blog information in my newsletters.  I want every piece of information you get from me to be fresh and new and worthy of your attention.  So go ahead and sign up for my newsletter and then hit that "Subscribe in a Reader" button. It will only take a few keystrokes and a few seconds and then you will be perfectly positioned to get all the latest fun and useful information I have to share.

 

In With the New and Out With the Old!

Even though Sunday is typically a day of rest for me - and not for any spiritual reasons, just because I am usually POOPED - this week I am working every day of the week.  I am making every effort possible to reconnect with my blog readers, my customers, my stampin' friends and my own creative inner self.  What am I doing right now?  Well, I am glad you asked!

I am purging the living DAYLIGHTS out of my studio.  I was an avid scrapbooker and Stampin' Up! customer for a long time before I became a demonstrator (WHAT was I waiting for?) and I had amassed a LOT of stuff!  Then during my few years as a multiple restaurant owner, I still managed to acquire stuff but never had time to use it.  Now that I am re-energized in my business, I have this urge to clean out all the non-useful stuff and focus on the present offerings from Stampin' Up! (along with that small handful of faves from long ago, of course).  I am reorganizing, digging out corners, installing all kinds of nice efficient racks and shelves, and getting my space into shape so I can have that lightness and peace to be able to create and play and share with everyone.

So why would YOU care about this?  Well, because I have SO MUCH stuff that I have cleaned out and because I can't part with anything unless I know it's going to a good home where it will be used and loved, I am having a Once In A Lifetime Crafterrific Yard Sale!  On July 23rd (rain date July 24th) I will have a SLEW of stuff available at rock bottom prices.

I have stamp sets and ribbons and embellishments and kits and tools and organizing products and some ready-to-give projects.......the list actually IS endless....... I will let you in on a little secret. Storage space is at a premium in my house so I haven't had a place to stash stuff as I have been sorting it out. So where have I been hiding it?  In my guest bathroom bathtub!  It's currently stacked almost to the ceiling!  So that should tell you how much stuff I have to get rid of......

Everything will be priced to SELL - I do not want to bring one single thing back into the house so I am not holding back on cutting prices; almost everything is at 40% or more off the regular retail price.  That's EVERYTHING, not just one thing with a coupon for 40% off!

I will post times and directions as the date gets closer.  In the meantime, mark your calendars and take advantage of my absolute need to make some space for all the awesome NEW stuff Stampin' Up! has in the brand new catalog.

July 23rd - Brenda's Once In A Lifetime Crafterrific Yard Sale!  Loads of goodies for rock bottom prices, a free make and take and a prize drawing for the MOST adorable treat! Come on over and indulge yourself!