3/$5 Card Making Night - July

It was another fun and successful card making night for the month of July. Even with the busy-ness of the summer, eight ladies came to stamp with me and I enjoyed having the company! I had prepared for up to 15, so I had a LOT of leftover cards to make, but after everyone left I got to stamp the rest of the night away while all of my supplies were already out. I ended up making 15 of the 22 card kits I had left. The rest of them I will make sometime tonight after the kids go down and the hubby and I watch a show.

I was chatting with a friend last night and as I was talking, I realized that being a demonstrator has really made me USE my craft supplies. Many times, we buy things and then never get to use them because we don't have time, or there's many other things to do. But, by planning these 3/$5 nights, it gives me the opportunity to sit down and play with my "toys" and let others do the same without having to make a mess at their own home.

The first 2 cards I CASEd (Copy And Share Everything). I did use retired Designer Series Paper on the first 2 cards because 1) I still have it to use, so why not? and 2) I haven't ordered anything new out of the catalog yet! I'll be taking a peek during the kids' nap time and making my list of things I want for my next couple of events.

The inspiration for this card is found HERE.

Stamp Sets: With All My Heart (originally featured in the 2009 Holiday Mini Catalog, but a carryover to the new 2010-2011 catalog)

Paper: Pretty in Pink, Real Red, Very Vanilla, Sending Love Specialty Designer Series Paper (from the 2009 Holiday Mini catalog - now retired)

Ink: Pretty in Pink, Real Red

Accessories: scallop trim border punch, 3/8" Pretty in Pink taffeta ribbon, Dazzling Diamonds glitter (hard to see in the picture), Stampin' Dimensionals

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I CASED this card pretty much to the T...I loved it that much!!
The credit where credit is due goes to HERE

Stamp Sets: On Your Birthday (sentiment - such a great set with so many choices of birthday sentiments), Fox & Friends (originally featured in the 2010 Occasions Mini Catalog, but a carryover to the new 2010-2011 catalog)

Paper: Tempting Turquoise, Real Red, Whisper White, Pink Flamingo Designer Series paper (recently retired)

Ink: Early Espresso (for sentiment); markers - Tempting Turquoise, Real Red

Accessories: 1/4" Real Red grosgrain ribbon, corner rounder punch, mini library clip, Stampin' Dimensionals

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This one is an {HB Original}, which I'm so happy with the way it turned out after messing around with it for way too long!

Stamp Sets: On Your Birthday (sentiment), Punched Posies (Level 2 hostess set from the 2010 Summer Mini Catalog)

Paper: Melon Mambo, Whisper White, Certainly Celery

Ink: Pretty in Pink, Daffodil Delight (new!), Marina Mist (new!), Chocolate Chip

Accessories: Stampin' Dimensionals, rhinestone brads, Big Shot: Top Note die & Texturz plate, butterfly punch, 5 Petal Flower punch

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I'm most likely taking a one month break from the 3/$5 card making nights for August, as I hope to schedule some workshops for next month. If you or anyone you know is interested in possibly earning free product and would like to host a workshop, let me know! There are many ways to host, so let's talk if you're interested!! I'm booking now for August, September, and October.

punch it out with Stampin' Up! punches

New Punch Designs

I love the stamps sets that Stampin' Up! has to offer, as well as the accessories, ink, paper, etc. but I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE their punches! You just can't beat Stampin' Up! punches in quality and they are super easy to use...not to mention they have so many fun choices to choose from! Even better is that many of the punches coordinate with the stamp sets and that always makes it easier to whip out a card. In the *NEW* 2010-2011 catalog they have some awesome *NEW* punches, along with the sleek *NEW* design that makes it nice for organization and storage. Personally, I think that punches are one of the best investments!!

I thought I might take a minute to share with you some of the new punches on my wish list! (If you'd like to see ALL of the punches and their prices, check them out HERE!) Click on each picture shown below and it will link you to more information for each punch.

Two-Step Bird Extra-Large ($16.95)

Fancy Flower Extra-Large ($16.95)

Two-Step Owl Extra-Large ($16.95)

Designer Label Large ($15.95)

Ornament Extra-Large ($16.95)

Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border ($15.95)

2 3/8" Scallop Circle Extra-Large ($16.95)

What's on your favorites list?? Go check out all of the punches HERE and if you are interested in ordering, please visit my Stampin' Up! website at heidiboos.stampinup.net and place an order any time of the day or contact me at heidilynneboos@hotmail.com if you live in the Portland Metro, Oregon area!

The *NEW* catalog is here!

Click on the image below to go take a peek online at what this catalog has to offer!

**Right now, I am selling hard copies of the 2010-2011 Idea Book & Catalog for $7 (reg. price $9.95). With this $7 purchase, you will also receive a "$5 off $25 or more" product purchase coupon. Better yet...host a workshop and get one for FREE or if you spend $50 or more in product in a single purchase, you will also get one for FREE!

3/$5 Card Making Night - June

Last night I held my monthly 3/$5 card making night. It was so fun to have nine ladies come over to stamp with me! I love that every month it's a new group of women who come to stamp...with a few steadfast attendees, of course! My sister visiting from Washington this coming week even came down a day early just to come to my event (well...that and to go to the community garage sales here in town on Friday).

I'm excited to share with you the cards we made. Two of them were inspired by other cards I had seen, but one of them is an HB Original. *wink* I try to create at least one of them from my own imagination, but I also like CASEing cards, too, to show to my customers that you don't always have to come up with something yourself!

Card #1 - I messed around with this card for awhile before I got it just right...that's the perfectionist in me!

Stamps: Eight Great Greetings (retiring June 30th!)

Paper: Pretty in Pink, Rose Red, Whisper White, Taken with Teal (retiring - sold out!), Sweet Pea DSP (from Occasions Mini Catalog - no longer available, but it's oh so cute!!)

Ink: Chocolate Chip, Stampin' Markers: Rose Red, So Saffron, Taken with Teal, Pretty in Pink

Accessories: scallop trim border (Sale-A-Bration item that will be in the new catalog!), Rose Red 1" double-stitched grosgrain ribbon (retiring - now 25% off!), Dazzling Diamonds glitter (applied with 2-way glue pen)

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Card #2 - I had inspiration for this card, but now I can't find it so I can link to it!! I will keep looking and be back to give credit where credit is due! I tweaked it a little to make it my own, but I definitely "borrowed" the concept of the card. I just love how simple it is, but yet it makes a statement. It can be used for a birthday card or to send for the 4th of July.


Stamps: Itty Bitty Bits (from the Summer Mini Catalog), On Your Birthday (sentiment)

Paper: Brilliant Blue (retiring - sold out!), Whisper White, Real Red

Ink: Brilliant Blue (retiring - sold out!), Real Red

Accessories: 3/4" Real Red polka-dot grosgrain ribbon (retiring - now 50% off!), dimensionals, 1/2" circle punch, 1/4" circle punch from the Punch Pack (from the Summer Mini)

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Card #3 - Another card I had some inspiration for, but I have had a picture printed off for the longest time, so I don't even know where to begin looking to link to it. {Updated to add on 6/27/10: I just found the card on the Stampin' Up! customer page - go HERE to see where I got my inspiration.} I actually changed it quite a bit, but the orange slices with the flower and "It's Your Day...Enjoy" was part of the original card. If I find it, I will definitely link to it! You may not notice, but the Pumpkin Pie for the background is polka-dotted by using the Big Shot and texturz plates.

Stamps: Tart & Tangy, On Your Birthday (sentiment)

Paper: Pumpkin Pie, So Saffron, Whisper White

Ink: So Saffron, Stampin' Markers: Pumpkin Pie, So Saffron

Accessories: flower assortment designer brads (retiring - now 25% off!), silver brads (used with mat pack/paper-piercing tool), 1 1/4" circle punch, 1 3/8" circle punch, ticket punch, 1/4" Pumpkin Pie grosgrain ribbon, Big Shot Texturz Plate (polka-dot)

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Join me for my next 3/$5 card making night on the THIRD THURSDAY - July 15th, 6-8 PM. I really enjoy hosting these events because it helps me stay active in making cards and I can share my love for Stampin' Up! products to others!

retiring products party on display

This morning I co-hosted a 6/$10 card making event featuring mostly retiring products. It was a fun time with 12 stampers who came out to play even though the sun was appearing for the first time in weeks! Thanks, ladies!!

I designed and prepared supplies for 3 cards and my co-demonstrator and friend designed and prepared supplies for the other 3 cards. We held a door prize drawing every 1/2 hour and had lots of "on hand" products to buy and goodies to eat! I think the ladies had a fun time...I know I did!

For each card, I'll share with you the products that are retiring in case you see something you love that you might want to purchase before it's too late! Click on the link to see the full details for each product. The last day to order retiring products is June 30th and then the new catalog is released on July 1st! To see a complete list of retiring products, check them out HERE.

Retiring Products: Best Wishes & More stamp set, Mellow Moss cardstock (sold out!), Barely Banana cardstock (sold out!)

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Retiring Products: Eight Great Greetings stamp set, Rich Razzleberry 1/2" polka dot grosgrain ribbon, Orchid Opulence cardstock (still available in 8 1/2 x 11), Cottage Wall Designer Series Paper

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This is a card that I have posted before, but used the stamp set Warm Words for the greeting instead as it will be retiring along with the Cute & Cuddly set. I hadn't used this card for a class yet and thought it would be a great one to use since there were so many things retiring on it.


Retiring Products: Cute & Cuddly stamp set, Warm Words stamp set, Bashful Blue Patterns Designer Series Paper, Barely Banana cardstock (sold out!), Chocolate Chip 1" double-stitched grosgrain ribbon

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My next 3/$5 event is on Thursday, June 24th and I'll most likely be using some retiring products for that event, as well. Not only will it give my attendees a chance to see what they might miss, but it gives me a chance to use up my stash because, as a demonstrator it's best to use the current stuff for events since that's what stampers will be able to buy!

As always, if you see something you like, but don't live in my area (Portland Metro, Oregon) feel free to visit my website at heidiboos.stampinup.net and you can order straight from my site by finding the button that says SHOP NOW. Right now they have many things on clearance up to 60% off and some accessories 25-50%. Also, if you're interested in wall vinyl home decor, any of the retiring designs will be 25% off. HERE is a list of those that are retiring.

get it while it's hot!

It's June 1st...that means that Stampin' Up! has just released their LAST CHANCE LIST (retiring products) for the 2009-2010 Idea Book & Catalog in preparation for the new catalog being released on July 1st.

Don't miss out on purchasing some products that we will be saying goodbye to forever. The following information will help you navigate your way to finding something that might catch your eye before we say farewell!

STAMP SETS

**If you would like a list of the retiring STAMP SETS that you can print out (including a list of page numbers and prices), click here.

**If you would like to browse the retiring STAMPS SETS (and their images) online, click here. (Stampin' Up! retiring wheels can be found here.)

Special note: I, personally, will be holding a special that for anyone who orders a retiring stamp set (accessories not included) through me, I will give you 10% off any set you order.

DEFINITELY DECORATIVE - Home Decor

**Each Definitely Decorative vinyl/stencil that is on the retiring list will be sold at 25% off the regular price. Click here for a list you can print out (including the discounted prices).

**If you'd like to browse Definitely Decorative online, click here (please note that if you view them online, it will not show the discounted price yet).

PAPER & INK oh my!

**You will find paper here and ink here. Refer to my previous post about the color renovation that shows at one glance all of the retiring colors. Some of these colors have already been sold out or are on backorder. I will let you know if you choose to order some of these colors, if they are on backorder.

PUNCHES

**There are also some last chance punches you can find here.

New Catalog Sneak Peek: The 2010-2011 catalog will be selling the newer sleeker design of punches in all of your favorite images!!

ACCESSORIES

**Retiring embellishments, including buttons, brads, ribbon, die cut materials, etc. can be found here.

**If you would like a list of all accessories, here is a printable list. On the list it will show you whether or not the item is sold out.
**There are a handful of accessories that are selling at 25% or 50% off!! These items will go FAST, so don't hesitate. If you'd like to see those discounted items online, click here and here (please note: these prices do not reflect the 25% discount yet).

If you are in the Portland-Metro area, I will be placing an order tomorrow evening (Wednesday), so please feel free to send your order through e-mail at heidilynneboos{at}hotmail{dot}com by Wednesday at 8:00 PM. If you live far, far away...you can still order through me by going to my Stampin' Up! website (heidiboos.stampinup.net) and clicking on SHOP NOW. Everything will be shipped straight to your door and you can use your credit card to order on a secure site.

Upcoming EVENT: I will be co-hosting a "Retiring Products Party" with another SU! demonstrator on Saturday, June 12th, 10:00-12:30. All supplies will be ready for you to make 6 cards for $10 using mostly retiring sets/products. We will also have various products on hand that you can purchase that day, and you will be able to order from the catalog at that time, as well. It will be a fun morning of making cards...bring a friend and it will be even more fun!

Never hesitate if you have a question to leave a comment or send me an e-mail. Hope you find something you love that will help you be crafty and creative!

3/$5 Card Making Night -May

I had a GREAT turn out for last night's 3/$5 card making at my house - 17 stampers!! I feel so blessed that now I have a home big enough to house all 18 of us comfortably. I had 3 tables set up with a card and supplies at each table. It was fun to see some of the ladies go "out of the box" and create something all their own instead of using the examples I had. I like to see that creativity.

The following are the cards that we created last night:

This first card could be used for a congratulations or a birthday card. I used some retired DSP, but the giraffe just looked perfect with the polka dots, so I went ahead and used it for this event anyway. I wish this paper would have stuck around!


Stamps: Animal Crackers, A Little Birthday Cheer (sentiment)

Paper: Sweet Always DSP (retired), Regal Rose, Whisper White, Pumpkin Pie, Chocolate Chip

Ink: Chocolate Chip (used watercolor pencils and blender pen for the image)

Accessories: 5/8" Regal Rose grosgrain ribbon, scalloped edge punch, Stampin' Dimensionals, clear gemstone (non-SU!)

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With Father's Day coming up, I knew there was a need for one of these. I fiddled around quite a bit to get this one just right, but I really like how it turned out!


Stamps: Eight Great Greetings

Paper: Creamy Caramel, Real Red, Night of Navy, Very Vanilla, Night of Navy DSP (from the hostess pack)

Ink: Night of Navy

Accessories: hemp twine, dimensionals, Big Shot Stars #2 Original Die, Star Designer Brads

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This last card used the new Watercolor Trio out of the Summer Mini Catalog. I LOVE this set (I purchased it in clear mount). I'm glad I stepped outside of the box for this one because I don't really have anything like this in my collection so far. It's not my style per se, but I will enjoy playing with this set anyway and I know I will love it! This card was pretty closely CASED from this gorgeous card by Silke Ledlow. I just loved it so much I had to share it with others! (This particular card is 4.25" x 4.25".)

Stamps: Watercolor Trio

Paper: Barely Banana, Perfect Plum, Whisper White

Ink: So Saffron (didn't have BB), Old Olive, Perfect Plum, Pale Plum

Accessories: silver brads, dimensionals, paper piercing tool, ticket corner punch

Hope to see some of you at my next 3/$5 card making night on Thursday, June 24th, 6-8 PM.

Color Renovation - coming your way!!

Stampin' Up! has recently announced that they will be re-organizing their color collections and they will debut their new collections in the 2010-2011 Idea Book & Catalog coming out on July 1, 2010.

However, with anything new that means change. And change is often hard. In order to re-energize the color palette, Stampin' Up! will be saying farewell to a handful of colors. Among these colors, are some of my favorites and at first it really saddened me to think that I will be saying goodbye to some of my "well loved" colors, but then I realized that when you say goodbye to one thing, this usually means you get to say hello to another! There are many exciting bright and vibrant colors we are welcoming and even some "in-colors" that have retired, but will be coming back!

For a complete list of the retiring colors, please click on the image below. These are already selling out quickly as many are wanting to get their hands on these colors before they go away for good! If you have a favorite color on the "fond farewell" list, please do not hesitate to place an order because once they are gone, they are gone forever! As always, order online at heidi.boos@stampinup.net or contact me today by e-mailing me at heidilynneboos{at}hotmail{dot}com.


Now onto the new and exciting stuff...

I would love to share with you a sneak peek at the fresh new palette of colors that Stampin' Up! has created to inspire new possibilities using their new color collections! In the past, Stampin' Up! has had 4 color families with 12 colors in each family, along with the 6 neutral colors which were separate. Plus, with each new catalog we welcomed 6 new "in-colors". This is a total of 60 colors!! When you look at the new color collection below, the first thing you might notice is that there are only 40 colors (plus the addition of "in-colors" - see more info below). They are grouped into 4 collections (10 colors in each collection).

{click here for .pdf document}

What you need to know about the new color collections:

-There are six new colors making their debut: Daffodil Delight, Early Espresso, Cajun Craze, Cherry Cobbler, Marina Mist, and Crumb Cake (formerly called Kraft).

-Past/present "in-colors" will become regulars: Baja Breeze, Pacific Point, Pink Pirouette, Riding Hood Red, River Rock, Tangerine Tango, Wild Wasabi, Melon Mambo, Rich Razzleberry, & Soft Suede.

-In July, Stampin' Up! will release 5 new "in-colors" with the new catalog. These will be available for 2 years. Every year an additional 5 new "in-colors" will be added and then retire after 2 years, basically rotating in and out 5 "in-colors" every year, but you'll have 10 "in-colors" to choose from starting in July 2011. (Let me know if you need more clarification for this!)

Does this mean that you'll have to buy all new Watercolor Wonder Crayons & Stampin' Pastels?

No. Stampin' Up! will be offering kits that you can purchase which will have new tins (for Watercolor Wonder Crayons) or plastic cases (for Stampin' Pastels) along with inserts and product in new colors. A new Color Coach will be available to purchase to help you mix and match the new colors.

I will do my best to answer any questions that you may have regarding the new Color Renovation. Again, if you have a favorite color that is on the fond farewell list, PLEASE do not wait to get it! I don't want you missing out on one of your favorites!

This is a snippet from a note Shelli, Cofounder and CEO of Stampin' Up! recently wrote to all Stampin' Up! demonstrators regarding the availability of the discontinuing colors.

The situation is more complex than that. The main problem is that, if we place orders for the discontinuing products, we run the risk of postponing product production of our new colors. To begin the new Stampin' Up! year without inventory on our new colors would be tragic. On the other hand, not having inventory on hand to fill orders for our discontinued products through the time period we stated is also tragic. But we can't do both...

...We determined that our highest priority is to have product on hand for our new colors. We also committed to filling as many orders as possible for discontinuing products. We will do this by 1) substituting textured card stock for smooth card stock in cases where we run out of smooth, and 2) continuing to place orders for other discontinuing items such as inks and markers in backorder status and work with our vendors to fill those orders. Some backorders may take weeks to fill, but they will get filled.

clearance rack - don't miss out!

I've really been lacking in being crafty lately, but I'm getting closer to those creative juices starting up again! I've officially unpacked my craft room, but now it's a matter of getting everything organized and put away so I can use it and work efficiently and effectively. I'm dying to be able to makeover my craft room, but it will have to wait for many, many months as we are in the midst of working on other "more important" rooms to makeover. More important than my craft room...yea, I know! Who would have thought?!

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I did want to take a moment to shout out that Stampin' Up! has added some new items to their Clearance Rack online and I know how everybody loves a good deal these days! Most items are 60% off. Everything in the clearance rack is retired, and it goes pretty fast, so if you are in the area (Portland-Metro, Oregon), I'd be happy to add anything that catches your eye to my order that I am placing on SATURDAY AT NOON! If you don't live in the area, but still would like to order something at "preferred pricing", visit my website at heidi.boos@stampinup.net and shop away! (Shipping starts at $6.95, but it will be mailed directly to your door!)

What's in the clearance rack you might ask? So many fun things! Designer Series Paper Packs, ribbon, buttons, rub-ons, misc. embellishments, stampin' wheels, etc. You really must go see for yourself! Check it out HERE.

And, because it kills me to do a post without some inspiration. Here is a card I made for my cousin who graduated from college last weekend. It was so fun to make this card...even if it took me forever to come up with the layout. Sometimes I re-position things over and over until I get it just the way I want it! (P.S. Too bad this paper is no longer. It was out of the last mini catalog (Sweet Pea DSP) and I loved it!!)

Congratulations to all the graduates for 2010! What an accomplishment!! And I can hardly believe that I graduated from college 10 YEARS AGO!

Occasions Mini Catalog - 2 days left to order!

There are only 2 days left to order out of the 2010 Occasions Mini Catalog. It will expire April 30th and then on May 1st the 2010 Summer Mini Catalog will come into affect with many new exciting products!

Not sure what's in the Occasions Mini Catalog? If you haven't seen it yet, you're missing out!! There are some CUTE things in there that may no longer be available in 2 days (some products may transfer to the new Idea Catalog coming in July, but you never know...even I don't!) Check out the products online HERE or download the PDF version of the catalog HERE.

And while we're talking about the Occasions Mini Catalog, I thought I would share with you one of my newest favorite stamp sets that I purchased using the *new* Clear Mount. The cost for the set was $14.95 and since I didn't own any clear blocks yet, I purchased one block for $5.95 that can be used for many more stamp sets if I choose to order clear mount sets in the future.

**Ask me questions if you'd like to find out more about clear mount sets!**

This set is called Fox & Friends. It is the cutest little set and can be used for so many things, especially kid birthday cards.


Here are some cards I have made using Fox & Friends.

*FYI: the patterned paper you see used in three of the four cards shown below is from the Sweet Pea Paper Stack which was originally in the Occasions Mini Catalog (and a favorite of mine!). Unfortunately, due to high demand, it is no longer available and out of stock.


The following are other products out of the Occasions Mini Catalog that might catch your eye:

~ Well Scripted ~
wood mount - $19.95
clear mount - $14.95 (+ cost of block)

~ Tiny Tags ~
wood mount - $22.95
clear mount - $16.95 (+ cost of block)

Stampin' Up! is well known for their coordinating punches...

~ Medium Jewelry Tag Punch ~
(*new design of punches*)
$10.95

~Extra Large Fancy Flower Punch ~
$15.95

~ Extra Large Two-Step Bird Punch ~
$15.95

Want to see more? Go browse the catalog online by following the links provided above. Don't wait too long...remember these products are only available for 2 more days.

Contact me directly by e-mailing me at heidilynneboos{at}hotmail{dot}com or visit my Stampin' Up! website and order right from the website any time of day or night. Just find the SHOP NOW button and start shopping!

**I will be placing a local order (Portland Metro, Oregon), so feel free to order through me by e-mailing me your order by FRIDAY, April 30th at noon. I will be sending in an order at that time.

Happy Stamping!!