Grab Bags

Stampin' Up announced yesterday that while supplies last, they are selling grab bags. Here's the scoop:

Beginning today, April 1, and continuing while supplies last, you and your customers will be able to purchase special "grab bags" in the Online Store. These grab bags will come in three sizes: the $5, the $10, and the $15 grab bag. Each bag will contain a variety of discontinued products that could include a combination of any of the following: ribbons, Accents & Elements, chipboard, Designer Series Papers, and Simply Sent kit components. Grab bags will not contain stamp sets or tools.

Please keep the following in mind:

• There is no minimum purchase required to participate in the grab bag special offer.
• There is no limit to the number of grab bags a customer may purchase; however, grab bag items are only available while supplies last. 
• All grab bag sales are final. There are no refunds or exchanges.
• Not all grab bags will be unique.
• You should use the following item numbers when ordering grab bags:

Item	Description
125873	$5 Grab Bag (containing at least $20 worth of products!)
125874	$10 Grab Bag (containing at least $40 worth of products!)
125875	$15 Grab Bag (containing at least $60 worth of products!)

If you want to take advantage of these grab bags, go to my Demonstrator Website at http://www.dorotheashields.stampinup.net/

Happy Stamping and shopping!

Birthday Friday 2

Here we have another round of birthday cards and gift card holders.

I had a request for a gift card holder class. I am putting that together - I have three designs so far and we'll see what else I find before the class. I haven't scheduled it yet, but will get it on the calendar soon.

Here is a birthday card:

I am loving the Fun Flowers Die in the Occassions Mini Catalog (it is available until April 30, and if you remember, these are the flowers David gave me for Valentine's Day - they are still living and going strong!). I used Whisper White, Basic Black, Pumpkin Pie, and Melon Mambo card stock, Polka Dots embossing folder w/Big Shot, Melon Mambo pom pom trim (also in Occassions mini), Something to Celebrate Hostess stamp set, Slice of Life Hostess Stamp set (both from the occassions mini), Basic Black Ink, Sale-A-Bration Daffodil Delight bitty button, Melon Mambo and Daffodil Delight Stampin' Write markers.

Here is the new design of gift card holder. I got the physical design from another demonstrator's website, but I put the outside together (based on several other things I've seen around). Anyway, this card holder uses a medium white envelope - it is very clever!

I made this card holder with Rich Razzelberry, Whisper White, Daffodil Delight, and Pretty in Pink cardstock, I used the Sale-A-Bration Designer Series Paper, 2-way glue stick, dazzling diamonds glitter, modern label punch, rhinestones, and a medium white envelope. I also used the polka dots embossing folder w/Big shot and the blossoms punch (in occassions mini).

Stamp A Stack Class Cards 1

Last night I had some ladies over for the Stamp A Stack class. We had four card designs and made three cards of each one. Whew! We were busy. It was hard to get the "one" card mentality out - I kept passing out one of everything, but really it was three. I cut a set for myself and even got to sit down with the group and make cards too. That's part of why I do this job. I like to make cards and visit with my friends. Thanks to all the ladies who came!

Here are the cards we made. Keep in mind, we all ended up with 12 cards (and envelopes)!

We used Pumpkin Pie, Daffodil Delight, Melon Mambo, and Whisper White card stock, Melon Mambo Ink, and several Sale-A-Bration items: Punch Bunch and So Happy for You Stamp Sets, and the Daffodil Delight bitty button. We used the 1 1/4" and 1" circle punches.

Here we used the Soft Suede, Baja Breeze, and Very Vanilla card stock, Very Vanilla Satin Ribbon, Pearls, Soft Suede Ink, sponges, Elegant Lines Embossing folder with Big Shot, and Perfect Punches stamp set.

I thought this was a nice masculine birthday card. It is made with Garden Green, Very Vanilla, and Early Espresso card stock, Early Espresso grosgrain ribbon, silver brads, Garden Green ink, Square Lattice Embossing Folder w/Big Shot, the Decorative Label punch, and Afterthoughts Level 1 Hostess stamp set.

This is my favorite out of the group. We used Whisper White, So Saffron, and Early Espresso card stock, Square Lattice Embossing Folder w/Big Shot, 1 1/4" circle punch, Fancy Flower punch, Certainly Celery Satin Ribbon, Eyelet Border Punch, Early Espresso Ink, and Many Thanks Stamp Set (I got as a Sale-A-Bration item).

Sale-A-Bration is winding down, but it isn't too late to take advantage! Just $50 in product order gets you one FREE Sale-A-Bration set. There are so many to choose from - there is something for everyone.

I started planning April's card class today. We are focusing on flowers and Mother's Day. I am taking reservations, so let me know if you plan to attend.

Also, if you plan to attend the Simply Adorned class, I need your RSVP and $40 by April 6.

March Hostess Gifts in Springtime Vintage

These cards I CASEd from my upline demonstrator, Linda Barnes. I loved them the moment I saw them and had to copy. I'm giving a set of four cards and four envelopes to all my March hostesses. It's not too late to get in on the deal!

I used Baja Breeze, Whisper White, and Not Quite Navy Card Stock, Springtime Vintage Designer Paper, Baja Breeze Seam Binding, Not Quite Navy Classic Stamp Pad, Scallop Punch, Circle Punch, Big Shot and Embossing Folder.

I used the Bliss medallion stamp for the envelopes in Not Quite Navy Ink.

I made this variation of the card for a bridal shower I am going to on Saturday. I used the heart punch, the modern label punch, teeny tiny wishes stamp set, and pearls.

Let me know if you have questions!

March Card Class

My card class this past Saturday was a blast. I had eleven ladies at two tables and stuff all over the place. I ran up and down the stairs I don't know how many times to get this or to get that. I was thankful to have a trial run at home before I take these cards to my private card classes at hostesses homes. I did forget a few little things here and there.

Here are a few of my favorite cards. I haven't taken a picture of the grouping because they are still in boxes on my stairs. I wasn't going to take them out since I still have two classes to go this month. These are the ones I like the best:

Ok, well, this first picture is actually of my boxes all lined up as I was preparing...

The bird card and the next card, the butterfly, both use the bliss medallion stamp. I have to say, I am going to miss that stamp. I just love it! It looks great on everything. I used it on three of the cards we made on Saturday but they were all different and it adds so much.

I liked all the cards, except one, but all for different reasons. This is a different style and it uses the Apple Blossoms set, which is a Hostess Level 2 set. You can get it for free when your workshop reaches $300. There is still time in March to host a workshop and get a Sale-A-Bration set when your workshop reaches $300 plus you get $35 in free merchandise of your choice as well. It really pays to be a hostess.

As I get away from doing office work tomorrow, I will take pictures of the other cards and post.

I also have two classes coming up soon and I am taking RSVPs: Stamp-A-Stack (12 cards and envelopes, 3 cards each of 4 designs, $20 class fee or free with $40 product order), it is on Wednesday, March 23. The Simply Adorned class is also coming up. I need to place the order for the necklace and charm by April 6, so I will need payment by then, if you plan to attend. I already have several ladies signed up and paid! The class is on Wednesday, April 20 and is $40 (chain, charm, tax, shipping, and $2 class fee).

Let me know, if you plan to come to any classes. Hope to see you soon.

Also, I'd love to get some more workshops on my calendar. The hostess benefits are great and I'd enjoy helping you get free Stampin' Up! products. Plus, it's a wonderful way to get together with friends and have fun.

Friday Is For Birthday Parties

Here lately it seems that if it is Friday, there is a birthday party to attend. I also made all my March birthday cards. Here are some samples:

I made this gift card holder for a party my son attended. I used Daffodil Delight Card Stock, the Ice Cream Parlor Designer Paper (free Sale-a-bration item!), ice cream parlor ribbon (also a free Sale-a-bration item), glimmer brads, Mambo Melon Ink, Teeny Tiny Wishes Stamp Set, 1" circle punch, window punch. I also used the Bigz L Fun Flowers Die (the "flowers" my husband gave me for Valentine's Day!)

I love this card! It is so beautiful to me and I truly had joy while making it (sounds weird, I know, but true!). I adapted it from a card I saw somewhere else. I used Marina Mist, Early Espresso, and Vanilla Card Stock, Marina Mist and Early Espresso Ink, Bliss Stamp Set, Something to Celebrate Hostess Stamp Set, Linen Thread, Vanilla Rosettes, Rhinestones, Marina Mist stripped ribbon, scallop edge punch.

If you see a project you like and want more information, let me know.

It isn't too late to get Sale-A-Bration items!!! With just a $50 product purchase, you can choose a Sale-A-Bration item for FREE! This promotion continues until March 31.

Perpetual Birthday Calendar

I am now taking RSVPs for the Perpetual Birthday Calendar Class on Wednesday, March 9 at 7 p.m. at my house. The class fee (which covers supply costs and my time to put it all together) is $12.50. This includes the clipboard! The class fee is waived with a minimum catalog order of $25.

I am also taking RSVPs for my next card class on Saturday, March 12 at 10 a.m., also at my house. The card class fee is $12 or free with a minimum catalog order of $24. Like last time, there are some really cute and pretty cards planned for class. I know a few people who were sad they couldn't make it the last time, especially after they saw the cards we made.

Here are the pictures of the perpetual birthday calendar...we will be using different paper for class, though, but still very pretty!

Not sure what a perpetual birthday calendar is? Well, it is a monthly calendar with the dates (as you can see). Since it doesn't have the day of the week (which is what changes year to year), you just put the names of people on their birth dates. Then, you use it year to year. For example, you have a friend who's birthday is April 24. You put her name on April 24 and every year you are reminded of her birth date.

Hope you can make it to class! Let me know.