New Year, New Clubs!!

It's almost a new year, so that means it's almost time to start some new stamp clubs!!
Because time seems to be slipping away from me much faster than I had planned, both new clubs will not start meeting until February. But, be sure to check your inbox for an invitation to an open house in January. It's Sale-A-Bration time at Stampin'Up! and that means free stamps, and more!!!


For those of you who always love having hand made cards on hand, the new

Card Crank Club is for you!

The Basics:

Club Length: 11 months- You only pay for 10!

First Class: Decorate a Forget-Me-Not-Keeper, includes tabbed dividers for each occasion.
Remaining 10 Classes: Make a total of 80 all occasion cards to fill up your Card Keeper!
Cost: $16 per month- no tax or shipping charges!

Optional Bonus: Earn free shopping dollars when you place a catalog order on monthly meeting dates. Total credit will equal 10% of your qualifying sales at the end of the club.

Additional Class Discount: Receive a $5.00 discount on any Stamp-A-Stack (outside of club) that you participate in during club months.

This club will be offered on two different nights:

CCC will meet on the 3rd Thursday of each month, at 7 PM.
First class on February 18th.

CCC will also meet on the 4th Monday of each month, at 7 PM.

First class on February 22nd.

Please choose one of the days to meet, and plan to attend each month. If something comes up, and you are unable to attend on your regular day, you may be able to come to the other class, if it is not full.

Below is a sample of a decorated Forget-Me-Not Keeper, made by my friend Deena. You'll be able to choose your own colors and decorate it however you like! And if you aren't able to attend a class, no problem! I will be happy to stamp your layers and you can put the cards together when it's more convenient for you.

Christmas Crank #2

It's October already!!! The holidays are knocking at the door- so let's 'crank' out some more handmade Christmas cards!


Join me on Tuesday, October 27th, from 7PM to 9:30PM to get a jump on the holidays. For just $25, you'll make 3 each of the 5 different cards shown above, with envelopes, too!
Please RSVP by Thursday, October 22nd.

Deal of the Week is Back!!

Stampin' Up! has brought back the Deal of the Week for the month of October!
This week's deals are listed below, and are good through October 12th at 6AM. Order your deal of the week online here:

http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/jenaustin/promotions

Spooky Banner Class

Join me on Monday, October 19th, at 7:30 to make this cute and scary Halloween Banner. It can be displayed as a decoration, or folded up and sent to one of your ghouls!
For $15, you can make this banner, or make 2 of them for $25!
Please RSVP by October 15th, and don't forget your scissors and adhesive.

Christmas Crank!

Doesn't this heat and humidity just get you in the mood for the holidays???? No? Me either, but August seems like as good of a time as any to get started 'cranking' out the handmade Christmas cards. Join me on Sunday, August 23rd, from 2PM to 4PM to get a jump on the holidays. For just $25, you'll make 3 each of the 5 different cards shown above, with envelopes, too!
Please RSVP by Friday, August 21st.

Bleaching Technique

This month's club class focused on a technique known as bleaching. Basically, instead of using a stamp pad to 'ink' your image, you use a paper towel folded, and soaked in regular household bleach. It's really fun to experiment with the different colors of cardstock to see how the bleach will change the color. The first example uses the stamp set Bugs and Kisses, which is kind of a kid-like cartoony set. When you use the bleach technique, the image is a little blurred, and more close to the kind of dragonfly you would actually find in nature! Then I dipped the sides of the cardstock on to the bleached paper towel to rough the edges a little.

Stamp Set: Bugs and Kisses
Cardstock: Green Galore, Bahama Breeze, and Whisper White

Stamp Sets: Upsy Daisy and Teeny Tiny Wishes
Cardstock: Soft Suede, Very Vanilla, and Crushed Curry

For this card, I used my blender pen, dipped in the bleach to color in the frosting on the cupcakes. It's hard to tell from the picture, but I also used the VersaMark pen to bring out a little bit of the Melon Mambo color. The cupcakes were stamped in Black Craft ink, and then heat embossed with clear embossing powder. You could also use Staz-on ink in this example.

Stamp set: The More the Merrier
Cardstock: Whisper White, Basic Black, and Melon Mambo

Stamp tax free!!!

Stock up on all your stamping adhesives, markers, scissors, and watercolors this weekend! North Carolina is having a tax-free weekend, and several Stampin'Up! items are included. Visit my website to place your order online, anytime!

• Uni-ball Signo gel pen, 105021, $3.95
• Basic Black Stampin’ Write journaler, 105394, $3.25
• Stampin’ Write markers, various, $3.25
• Watercolor Pencils, 101879, $19.95
• Watercolor Wonder Crayons Bold Brights, 106695, $19.95
• Watercolor Wonder Crayons Earth Elements, 106696, $19.95
• Watercolor Wonder Crayons Rich Regals, 106698, $19.95
• Watercolor Wonder Crayons Soft Subtles, 106697, $19.95
• Watercolor Wonder Crayons Neutrals, 106746, $9.95
• Stampin’ Pastels, 105542, $24.95
• Craft & Rubber scissors, 103179, $19.95
• Paper snips, 103579, $9.95
• Craft & Paper scissors, 108360, $29.95
• Pencil sharpener, 100745, $4.95
• Blender pens, 102845, $9.95
• 2-Way Glue Pen, 100425, $3.50
• SNAIL adhesive, 104332, $6.95
• SNAIL refill, 104331, $4.50
• Mini Glue Dots, 103683, $4.95
• Pop-Up Glue Dots, 104183, $3.95
• Stampin’ Dimensionals, 104430, $3.95
• Anywhere Glue Stick, 104045, $3.95
• Dotto, 103305, $12.95
• Dotto refill, 100902, $6.50
• Sticky Strip, 104294, $6.95
• Tombow Adhesive, 110755, $3.95

Deal of the Week

Stampin' Up's Deal of the Week: Square Fire Rhinestone Brads

Get them now, thru July 20th for only $6.99 (originally $10.95). This accessory set includes approximately 80 square brads. Color assortment includes pink, red, pumpkin, and yellow- 2 different sizes in all four colors! What a great way to add a little bling to any project! To order a set today, just click on the SHOP ONLINE button to the right or click on the SHOP NOW button on my Stampin' Up website.

On A Pedestal

I made this quick and easy card using one of the very cute, new stamp sets from the new catalog. It's called On A Pedestal, and it has so much potential for quick birthday cards! The color combo in this sample is Pink Passion, Close to Cocoa, and Pretty in Pink. The cake stand and candles are stamped in white craft ink on the Chocolate Chip cardstock. The cake is stamped in Close to Cocoa on Whisper White, and then cut out. The frosting is stamped in Pink Passion on Pretty in Pink CS and then cut out. If you haven't seen the new catalog yet, be sure to attend my open house this Saturday night.

Summer Special!

I'm having a special for the months of July and August. Book a workshop with me anytime between now and the end of August, and you can choose a special card kit that includes all the stamps, cardstock, and other supplies you need to make a set of 8 cards and envelopes! Call today to make plans for your workshop featuring the new Stampin'Up! catalog! It's a great opportunity to get your friends together and stamp, and earn free merchandise from the new catalog!

Stampin'Up! is having a promotion thru August 31st where YOU can join for only $85! Check out the details on the Mini Starter Kit, and start saving 20% on your Stampin'Up! purchases! It's a fabulous way to start your own business!

Dates: July 15 - August 31, 2009

Promotion Details:

Become a Stampin' Up! demonstrator with the limited-time $85 Mini Starter Kit. The Mini Starter Kit contains the following products:

Item Code	Page #*	Description	Retail Value**
115360	118	For All You Do stamp set	$28.95
115658	155	Rich Razzleberry Classic Stampin' Pad	$5.95
115656	155	Melon Mambo Classic Stampin' Pad	$5.95
115659	155	Crushed Curry Classic Stampin' Pad	$5.95
115654	155	Dusty Durango Classic Stampin' Pad	$5.95
115655	155	Bermuda Bay Classic Stampin' Pad	$5.95
115657	155	Soft Suede Classic Stampin' Pad	$5.95
100730	155	Whisper White card stock (8-1/2" x 11")	$7.50
115315	155	In Color assorted card stock (8-1/2" x 11")	$7.95

*All page numbers refer to the 2009-2010 Idea Book & Catalog
**All products may be substituted for like items; see Mini Starter Kit order form for details.

My version of scrapbooking

I don't do much in the way of scrapbooks, but I do enjoy putting together a quick page in a frame- great for Daddy to take in to hang in his office. It's hard to see the background page very well, but I used the Circle Circus stamp set, a new item from the 2009/2010 idea book and catalog. This set is so versatile, I love it!!

Get Away to Bermuda Bay!!!

Come join us next Saturday night, July 11th from 6-10PM in Apex.
Bermuda Bay is a tropical destination where stamping is a breeze!!
Take in the sites of the NEW 2009/2010 Idea Book & Catalog,
gorgeous new in-colors, never before seen samples, and more!!
Come enjoy an evening at this tropical themed, new catalog, OPEN HOUSE.
This is sure to be a fun event with make-and-takes, snacks, and great raffle prizes!
This is a FREE EVENT, bring your scissors and adhesive, but you won't need your bathing suit!

This is one of the make-and-takes we'll be doing- using all new In-Colors,
Crushed Curry, Melon Mambo, and Bermuda Bay polka dot ribbon!

Father's Day Wallet

I think everyone struggles a little for Father's Day gifts, I know I do. This wallet card was the perfect solution this year! Using Chocolate Chip cardstock and the Sanded Background from Stampin' Up!, along with some faux stitching and the 'Happy Father's Day' greeting from 'Teeny Tiny Wishes', featured in the new 2009-2010 catalog and idea book- I created an awesome card/gift for dad!

When he opens the card, the inside has pockets, just like a real wallet- and it can be loaded with gift cards, pictures, lotto tickets, notes, phony money- you name it! What father wouldn't love such a creative card?!?!

And now that you're finished with your Father's Day shopping, be sure to check out my website for 25-50% Stampin' Up! accessories. The new catalog will be available on July 1st, so now is your last chance to order those favorite stamp sets and accessories that will not be available after June 30th! Hurry- supplies are limited!!

Bright Delights

I've been playing with the Bright Delights Stampin'Up! rub-on's lately. That old papercrafter's adage about being able to stamp anything that sits still long enough to be stamped- the same thing applies to rub-ons!!!! I'm not much of a scrapbooker, (although I'm working on it!) but I do manage to do a photo collage of some memorable times to hang in the stairwell at the end of each year. (Or at least before the end of the following year!) And of course my photos do this project very little justice, it is so much cuter in person! Basically, I used some of the words from the Bright Delights rub-on package, playing off of the "life is..." good, marvelous, sweet, perfect, love, etc. underneath all of the pictures, directly onto the photo matte that came with the frame.

My stampers club meeting for June is going to be several projects using these rub-ons. If you're interested in joining club, or attending this class Monday, June 22 at 7:30 PM, please contact me before June 8, so I have plenty of supplies for everyone on hand.

Walk in the Park

This is another swap card I received from my friend Alicia. She used the Walk in the Park Designer Series Paper and the Matchbox Messages stamp set, both from the current Stampin'Up! mini catalog. SU is currently running a special on paper- buy three packs, get one free! Contact me to place your order, or go to my website to place your order online anytime!!

Cheep Talk!

My stamp club members got to make this cute little project at our meeting in April.  It is a stationary folder that contains three envelopes and three hand stamped cards, all using "Cheep Talk", one of the newest stamp sets in the Stampin' Up! spring and summer catalog.  The flower embellishments on the folder are some of the new designer brads, from page 175 of the catalog.  We also used the designer buttons from page 176.

One of my favorite things about Stampin' Up! is the way so many products are designed to fit together.  The 'Good Morning Sunshine' designer series paper used for the three cards pair up perfectly with the Cheep Talk stamp set- also one of my favorites!  The little birdies are so cute, and the greetings can't help but make you smile!

Beachy Birthday

I stole this idea from my friend Deena, she made a very similar card using different colors and different stamp sets. My rendition uses Stampin' Up! set "Life's a Breeze" and the greeting is from "And Many Mower". It's a pretty simple card, but it always amazes me how many different ways there are to 'embellish' a card without using any extras- tearing the edge of the card stock can really give a cool effect to a card, especially if you want to showcase sand and water at the beach!

Corner Bookmark

This month's club class was all about bookmarks. The corner bookmark style was one of our favorites!

Cut your heavy-duty Stampin'Up! cardstock into a 4"by4" square (And yes, I have a Disney character ruler, I've probably owned it since I wanted to marry Mickey and change my name to Minnie.)

Mark 2" on 3 sides of the cardstock and score

Fold the corners in

Tape

Cut another piece of cardstock 4"by4" and cut on the diagonal lines.

Glue one of the triangles to your original piece to hide the taped portion.

Cut a piece of Stampin'Up! designer paper into a 3 3/4" square, and once again, cut the square on the diagonals to make 4 triangles.

Adhere your designer paper to the cardstock, and continue to embellish your one-of-a-kind corner bookmark with stamps, embossing, punches, etc.

More note cards

That same friend liked my first set of cards, and decided to have me make some for her father. I used the All in the Family set to make a stick figured replica of Glenn Smith.

Monogram Stationary

I made this set of stationary for a friend to give as a gift to her sister. I think they turned out really cute. I used the chocolate chip cardstock on all of them, and used Stampin Up!'s in colors as the background color.