Jostamper’s Inkspot

Layout A Day for February 2010

2010-02-10T13:33:00.003-05:00

I'm giving it another shot; Lain Ehmann's Layout A Day Challenge (LOAD). The goal is to create one layout everyday for the month of February. All the pages are posted to a group on Flickr, along with lots of discussion, challenges, and prizes. Fun! I'm working on a few different angles this time around. I've got some Project 365 layouts, some digital pages, and I'll probably get back to the never-ending Disney album as well. Here's to Day 1!

Musette Bracelet GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

2009-07-30T08:06:00.000-05:00

Musette Bracelet GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

Continuing to LOAD

2009-05-07T12:50:00.006-05:00

The computer hasn't been cooperating in the last couple of days. I struggle with hard drive space constantly, and digi scrapping takes up a lot of room. I was putting the finishing touches on a layout and the computer froze. I hadn't saved my file in a while, so I lost an hour's worth of work. Love it when that happens! Here's the page, finally finished. I used the Chit Chat kit from Shabby Miss Jenn. (It's on sale right now for just $2.50!)

Two more pages done for the Disney album as well. Finally finished the pages for MGM Studios, and I've moved on to Animal Kingdom. I used sketches from the great book Page Maps by Becky Fleck for this spread. Paper is from Rusty Pickle, and stamps, ink and cardstock from Stampin’ Up!

What's a LOAD?

2009-05-04T07:41:00.004-05:00

I've got my May LOAD blinkie goin' over on the left. You may be wondering "a LOAD of what?" (Be nice, now.) LOAD stands for Layout A Day. I've taken the LOAD Challenge for the month of May to try and jump-start my scrapbooking. In case you haven't noticed, it's been awhile since I posted any pages. Thanks to the great Lain Ehmann for getting this going again. If you don't know Lain, you should get to know her! She does a great scrapbooking podcast called ScrapHappy that you can find over at iTunes (for free, of course).

So here are my first two layouts for the challenge. Still working on the album from our Disney trip back in 2007. I WILL finish this scrapbook if it's the last thing I do! These two pages feature Cosmo Cricket papers, and the photo strips are from Katie Pertiet at Designer Digitals.

A Little Bit ’o Scrappin’

2008-10-24T11:03:00.003-05:00

Here's a two-page spread that works as an overview of our summer. The calendar pages came from AdornIt (sorry, I can't find the link) and was provided for Big Picture's Big Wig Bash, a celebration of scrapbooking that featured projects from several of their workshops and classes. The blue cardstock is from Stampin' Up! (one of last year's In Colors) and the patterned paper and embellishments are from the Sassafras Lass "Life is Beautiful" line.

Check Her Out!

2008-10-24T10:47:00.007-05:00

I know, I know, nothing new on the creative front in a while. I have been creating a bit in my spare time, but I also have been catching up on a lot of reading and TV. Now that the new season has started, I'm addicted to the box. Unfortunately, I have been falling asleep most nights around 10:30 on the couch, only to wake up during the late night shows. I think that's a really interesting time for TV; you can see just about anybody doing about anything at that time of night. I made a really interesting discovery watching Letterman the other night, the author and humorist Sarah Vowell. I had never heard of her before, although I must have heard her, since she is a frequent contributor to my favorite NPR radio show This American Life and also played the part of daughter Violet in The Incredibles. If you like David Sedaris' brand of humor, I think you'll like Sarah as well.

Sarah on Letterman

Short Interview in New York Magazine

Starving Artistamps Giveaway

2008-09-05T07:47:00.006-05:00

The uber-talented folks over at Starving Artistamps are having a Halloween giveaway of their new releases. Head on over and enter to win! I am crazy about their Doodle Factory stamps.

Adding to the Family

2008-08-25T16:51:00.006-05:00

It's not official yet, but we will be adding some small members to our household in the next week or so.... a group of hermit crabs to be exact. DD the Youngest is quite the animal lover, and wants to get those little pinchers into the house ASAP. (It's either hermit crabs or puppies, so we're taking the easier of those two routes!) I'm not so sure about it, but as an astrological Cancer, I have to admit that I'm a bit intrigued. If anyone out there has any crab-keeping tips, I'm all ears!

The Disney Magic Continues

2008-07-17T10:53:00.003-05:00

Yes, it has been a year since we made the pilgrimmage to the House of Mouse. No, my scrapbook isn't done yet. (Is a scrapbook ever done? That is a question I ask myself quite often.) I haven't given up yet, though! I'm still crankin' out a few pages every now and then. this was one of my favorite parts of the trip... getting to be an extra in the Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular! My only disappointment was the lack of Harrison Ford (although the stuntman was pretty handsome).

Summer Is Here!

2008-06-25T11:05:00.002-05:00

I've had this song running through my head all morning, "What Time Is It?" from High School Musical 2. Yes, it's the last day of school here, and I'm just as nervous as the kids! They find out which teachers they'll have next year and who will be in their class, and it's just as exciting for me as it is for them. (Never mind the fact that we now have to figure out how to fill our days for the next couple of months... I'll save that for another post!)

I discovered a great blog giveaway today that I want to share with everyone. Starving Artist Stamps has a got the cutest pirate/tropical theme new release, and they're giving one away! Hop on over there and enter for yourselves. That's where I'm headed!

How Would You Score?

2008-06-17T20:14:00.002-05:00

As a 1930s wife, I am
Very Poor (Failure)

Take the test!

A Solitary Weekend

2008-06-14T07:04:00.003-05:00

Imagine this. Your DH takes the two girls camping. For the whole weekend. Without you. Well, that's the boat I find myself in this weekend. They all left last night for an end-of-the-school year campout with the Adventure Princess group they belong to. What to do? What to do? Usually, I clear off the dining room table and spread out all my scrapping supplies and get to work. I think it might be too muggy today for that. 86+ and we haven't unearthed the air conditioner yet. Perhaps I'll head over to the lone surviving LSS in our area... I could clean up the living room and dining room without the fear of a return to chaos by nightfall... I could watch some movies that don't involve talking computer-generated animals or singing, dancing high-schoolers. Oh, the possibilities!

This is an art journal that I created for the afore-mentioned 28 Days class at Big Picture. I made it all by myself! The book is covered with papers, rub-ons, and diecuts from My Mind's Eye (Tres Jolie and Magnolia collections). The covers and pages are part of the stash that came with my Bind It All machine, which I used to wire-bind the whole shebang. I'll share some of the pages inside once the gang comes home from Lake George with my camera!

Time for Spring Cleaning

2008-06-04T09:03:00.005-05:00

Here's a layout that I did for a sketch challenge in the "28 Days" class that just wrapped up at Big Picture Scrapbooking. Just a list of what I did on a particular day. This will be fun to look back on in 10 years or so, to see how different life might be. Materials used: Noteworthy patterned paper (Making Memories), Blue Sky and Baroque Burgundy cardstock (Stampin' Up!) Thickers foam letters (American Crafts), and Rhinestone Brads (Stampin' Up)

So I'm cleaning out my stamping stash in advance of our garage sale this weekend (in conjunction with the Village-Wide Garage Sale). The interesting things that are coming to the surface never cease to amaze me. So far the treasures I've unburied include: a full box of 20 Tazo teabags from Starbucks (best before March 2005); full packages of Stampin' Up! forms dated 2003 and 2004; lots of candy and chocolates (oh, the waste!) from past swaps going back to 2003, including some fossilized giant gumballs; and what seems to be thousands and thousands of cards and cardfronts! Since I've given up demonstrating for Stampin' Up! I'm looking to clean house, so if you're interested in picking up stamp sets at bargain-basement prices, drop me an email or comment on this post and I'll let you know the specifics on the sale. Here are the sets that I've got available:

Stamp Set/Price
Funky Favorites/10
A Little Love/8
Fun Filled/8
Love w/o End/8
Little Hellos/8
Tags & More/8
Letter Patterns/5
Simple Wishes/5
Nice & Narrow/5
Handcut Holidays/5
Stars & Swirls/5
By Design/5
Background Basics/5
Gently Falling/5
Wishing You the Best/5
Double-Line Doodles/10
The Wheel Thing/5
Sweet Shapes/10
Take Three/8
Polka Dots & Paisleys/8

Wheels (regular) $2
Double-Line Stitched Plaid
Great Outdoors
Many Mittens
Size It Up
Bloomin’

Wheels (Jumbo) $4
Flitting By

National Scrapbooking Day

2008-05-05T20:45:00.004-05:00

Didja know that Saturday was National Scrapbooking Day? Well, it was. And I didn't manage to get in a while lot of scrapbooking. I tried, I really did, but it just wasn't meant to be. I did manage to get one 2-page spread done. Just one, but it's better than nothing! These pages were created using Stampin' Up's Summer Days Simply Scrappin Kit. I love the colors in the kit — Bashful Blue, Pumpkin Pie, Wild Wasabi, and Real Red. They coordinate perfectly with the Diecut Blooms that are featured in the current mini catalog as well (so I threw a few of those in there too). If you want to see more great pages created with this kit, head over to my friend Stacey's blog.

Our Family Idol

2008-02-29T10:36:00.007-05:00

For the last several months, our nephew Eric has been competing in an American Idol-style contest televised in his native Norway, called the LIPA Dream. The winner gets a scholarship to the Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts, which was founded by Sir Paul McCartney. We’ve been following his progress via emails from his parents and the show’s website and I have to say, this kid is remarkable! If you attended our wedding, you'll remember Eric as the cute little 5-year-old with the bowtie. Well now he's all grown up, very handsome, and I was shocked to find out, has been inhabited by the spirit of Led Zepplin! When he opens his mouth to sing, Robert Plant comes to mind. To say I was shocked when I heard him is an understatement! Check out the show, The LIPA Dream. While you’re there, you can vote for him by clicking on "Stem pa din LIPA-favoritt," then clicking on Eric's picture (bottom left with the red guitar). I will warn you that the video is kind of start-and-stop, so if you just want to hear a snippet of his singing, here's a link to Eric in concert. Oh, before I forget, everything is in Norwegian (except for the singing)!
UPDATE!! Eric won the competition, so he's off to Liverpool to study the music biz for the next three years. Congrats, Eric!

Stamp Camp Review

2008-02-12T10:51:00.000-05:00

For those of you who missed out on the “Beat the Winter Blues” Stamp Camp last weekend, you missed a great day with lots of great prizes and projects. Here are photos of the projects we made. First, a stunning gift box with coordinating card. This presentation will really knock someone’s socks off! The box was created using two of my favorite new products from the Spring Summer Collection — the Embrace Life stamp set and coordinating Ginger Blossom Designer Series Paper.

Next, we created a bunch of cards, many of them using sets from the Sale-A-Bration promotion. At the end of the day everyone went home with 7 hand-stamped cards and a beautiful gift box (and many people brought home free stamps, embellishments, and hand-made door prizes!). Not a bad take for two-and-a-half hours of work!

Spring-Summer Collection 2008

2008-01-29T11:20:00.000-05:00

As Eloise would say, “Oh, my Lord.” I totally forgot to tell you all, devoted readers, about the NEW Stampin’ Up! Spring-Summer Collection 2008 catalog! Well, it’s here, and it’s beautiful. Lots of great new stamp sets, some really gorgeous new Designer Series Papers, and tons of new accessories, including rub-ons, felt flowers, and more. Why doncha call me to book a workshop, then you’ll have one for your very own!

Check out the online version here.

Coming Soon: Sale-A-Bration!

2008-01-29T10:34:00.000-05:00

Remember the good old days of Januarys past, when Stampin' Up! offered free stamps thru their “Sell-A-Bration” promotion? Well, those days are back, with a twist! Now called “Sale-A-Bration,” you will once again be able to get free, exclusive, limited edition stamp sets with every $50 order you place starting February 1 and running through March 17. If you host a home workshop during Sale-A-Bration, you'll receive a free set for reaching $300 in sales (and that's in addition to your FREE hostess benefits). Also, anyone who joins as a demonstrator during Sale-A-Bration can choose any stamp set--a value of up to $47.95--from the current catalog. It's an awesome time to start Stampin' Up! Call me to book your Sale-A-Bration party now. I'll be offering a special gift to all hostesses during the months of February and March, so call now to book your date!

Download your own copy of the Sale-A-Bration mini catalog!

My Creative Classroom Grand Opening

2008-01-28T15:52:00.001-05:00

I’m becoming a big fan of online classes, and here’s a new site with lots and lots of offerings, My Creative Classroom. This week is their grand opening, and if you register for their newsletter you can enroll in their free classes this week!

More Layouts

2008-01-24T08:56:00.001-05:00

I've been doing a lot more scrapping than stamping these days… it seems to be a January habit of mine. I get into a flurry of scrapbooking to try and remember the year just past. There have been some great challenges posted online lately, so these are some of them that I have participated in.

This is a page about my oldest DD. The challenge involved choosing a word from a list given, then scrapping about it. They were all kind of unusual words, but there was no doubt who I would write about when I saw this one! All elements from "Embrace Life" freebie digikit by Sande Krieger for Memory Makers. Font is CK Becky.

This traditional page is, obviously, about my favorite color. I created the photo collage in Photoshop and had it printed on an 8x10 sheet. Cardstock, ink, alphabet stamps, and chipboard heart from Stampin' Up!, patterned paper by Rebecca Sower.

iScrap Blog Challenge

2008-01-13T08:51:00.000-05:00

There’s an online crop going on this weekend over on iScrap, and it’s a blast! I’ve only completed one page, but I do have 4 more in the works which I’m hoping to finish today. This particular challenge involves a blog post. I’ve got to answer 5 questions and link them back to my blog, so here it is:

The Power of 5

1. Five things I can’t scrapbook without: My Mac, stamps, ink, a good journaling pen, Tombow Mono Adhesive.
2. Five places I have traveled to most recently: NYC, Walt Disney World, Bethlehem PA, Philadelphia, Schenectady (woo-hoo on that one)
3. Five things I watch on TV: Young & the Restless, Sopranos reruns, CSI, Criminal Minds, As the World Turns
4. Five foods I can’t stand: This is a tough one, because I love just about any food! Definitely raisins, sardines (DH eats them for lunch almost every day -- blech!), cooked broccoli (love it raw, tho), raw onions, and baked beans.
5. Five reasons to visit iScrap!: Contests with amazing prizes, inspiring work, challenges and crops to get you scrapping with ease, discounts on supplies, and FUN!

Still Cruising on a Layout A Day

2008-01-04T12:13:00.001-05:00

Still managing to keep up with the Layout A Day challenge, although I realize it is only Day 4! I’ve been too lazy to dig out all my paper, adhesive, stamps, and embellishments, so I'm sticking with the digiscrapping for the moment. That’s probably my favorite part about it—it is largely mess free. I’ll have some details on the new Stampin’ Up! Spring-Summer Collection catalog in the next day or two. They’re running a Valentine’s bundle promotion that I will tell you about as well. In the meantime, a couple of Christmas layouts to share.

Both pages feature images from Shabby Princess’ “Twas the Night” kit. The first page I created from scratch, and used the font Didot for the text. The second page is a Piece-A-Cake quick page that was included with the kit. Font is Cheryl by FontGarden.

Stamped Goods

2008-01-02T10:45:00.000-05:00

Here are a couple of projects from last month that I neglected to post. The first is a shot of the three cards created in last month’s Stamp A Stack class. The participants created 5 each of the cards, for a total of 15 ready-to-mail Christmas cards!

The next is the gift I made for all my daughters’ teachers this year. The tin and the stamp set (Holiday Treats) are from Papertrey Ink, and the cardstock, ink, brads, and patterned paper (Wintergreen) are from Stampin’ Up! These were soooo easy to make. Just stamp on standard address labels and wrap them around Hershey’s nuggets candy. Add a stamped greeting, and voila! Instant gift!

Get a LOAD of This

2008-01-01T20:58:00.001-05:00

In an effort to jump-start my scrapbooking for 2008, I signed up for yet another class at Big Picture Scrapbooking. The best part about this one is that it is FREE! It’s called “Get A LOAD of This: A Layout A Day in January” and that pretty much says it all. Hurry over there and sign up. There are hundreds of layouts in the class gallery already, including this one, chronicling our non-New Year’s Eve party. We just hung out in our jammies, watching Dick Clark just like the old days.

Is It Over Yet?

2007-12-21T08:59:00.000-05:00

Shh! It’s A Secret!

2007-12-14T20:00:00.000-05:00

Don’t tell the girls, but these little babies are part of their Christmas presents. Yet another project from Big Picture Scrapbooking’s Giving Well class. I started with chipboard drawers by Maya Road, painted with leftover wall paint (to ensure a perfect match, of course). Then I decoupaged (again with the decoupage) with Stampin’ Up! Designer Series Papers and attached some random buttons with ribbon for drawer pulls. I think they’re adorable — hopefully the girls will too!

Look What I Did!

2007-12-13T20:09:00.000-05:00

Just what I need — another hobby! I’m just getting started digiscrapping, and I’m finding it’s just as addictive as paper crafting. I just completed this page as a homework assignment for an online lesson.

A Birthday Book for Christmas?!

2007-12-04T20:53:00.000-05:00

This is another cute project from my class. A place to store all the birthdays and special dates in your life, and room for photos too! This measures a little under 4 x 6. Materials used include: Cutie Pie Designer Series Paper, Bliss Blue, Certainly Cerlery, Rose Red, and So Saffron Craft inks, Prints Designer Series Papers, and cardstock, and Two Cute stamp set. Alphabets: Typeset Lower, Alphadots (retired), and Rough Edges Mini.

Cigar Box Remake

2007-12-01T14:45:00.000-05:00

I'm in a total decoupaging frenzy around here! I've been covering all kinds of items for Christmas gifts this year (again, influenced a great deal by the class I'm taking at Big Picture Scrapbooking). I don't want to post too many of my projects online in case the future recipient should get a peek at them, but this is one gift I made for myself. (I'm finding that happening a lot this year!) The paper is Cosmo Cricket "Halfway Cafe" that I picked up at my local scrapbook store (AKA "LSS") Memory Lane, which closed its doors a few months ago. I loved the paper, but it didn't seem to lend itself to a scrapbook page. It was perfect for this application tho. The star is a Stampin' Up! chipboard piece, with one of their big eyelets and Maya Road fibers for embellishment.

Started Your Christmas Cards Yet?

2007-11-27T19:29:00.000-05:00

Are you making your own cards this year? I make mine every year, and it always seemed like I would start somewhere around the 15th of December. Not recommended! This year, I've been taking a class over at Big Picture Scrapbooking called "Giving Well in Two Hours or Less." It’s fantastic! Loads of very reasonably priced and easily produced handmade gift ideas, including the first project, holiday cards. These are the cards we worked on for the class. I’m so proud of myself — I’ve got a good stack of cards finished before the end of November! I think that’s a personal record.

If you’d like to get a start on your handmade holiday cards, I’ll be holding a Stamp-A-Stack card class on Saturday December 8 at 9:30am. You'll be making 15 cards — 5 each of 3 different designs, including envelopes, for $20. Call or email before Monday Dec. 3 to sign up. (The cards in the photos will not be on the menu!)

Black Friday Stampin’ Sale

2007-11-20T13:52:00.000-05:00

Starting Friday, I’ve got some fun specials to offer from Stampin’ Up! These will run thru December 15.

Wrapping Up the Holidays Campaign

With the holiday gift giving season approaching, we know that you’ll want to wrap your gifts in true Stampin’ Up! style. The Wrapping Up the Holidays Campaign will run from Friday, November 23 through Saturday, December 15. This campaign will feature a number of existing catalog items, and a couple of new items chosen just for this offer. These items will include:

Holiday Tag Bundle: A new item just for this promotion! This bundle includes several pre-cut pieces from the Holiday Glitz kit and makes 15 quick and easy toppers for gift giving. $4.95

Empty Accents and Elements Tin-3 Pack: A new item chosen just for this promotion! Three of the cute tins with nothing in them — perfect for altering. $9.95

Tags for All Stamp Set:* 20% off! $24.76

Hand Selected Accents & Elements: 25% off! $8.21

Designer Gift Cards:* 30% off! Just $4.55

Purely Pomegranate & Chocolate Chip Satin Ribbon:* Buy 1, get 1 free!

Celebration Wrapping Paper:* $17.95

*Items from the current Holiday Mini Collection. Only items indicated will be extended through the campaign period while supplies last. All other Holiday Mini items will be available until November 30.

New Special Offers

2007-10-27T10:18:00.000-05:00

Stampin’ Up! just announced this special offer this morning. Due to an error they made in some of their online banner ads last month, they are offering the Wishing You Cheer stamp set (set of 4, regularly $13.95) at a 20% discount! I don't know about you, but I love sales! This offer is only available until November 3, so you'd better hurry!

Also coming up, a Paper Party! Yes, from November 1–30, if you order 3 packages of Stampin’ Up!’s Designer Series Paper, you’ll get one pack free! BOGO, baby! That includes any of the gorgeous Designer Series Papers in the big catalog, as well as the two offered in the Holiday Mini Collection.

You can also still take advantage of the current Holiday Blitz promo. October 1 until supplies run out! You can take advantage of this fantastic kit two different ways:

1. Purchase one of holiday stamp sets (below) and get the Holiday Glitz card kit (110286) for the special price of $24.95 each, or
2. Purchase the Holiday Glitz card kit (110286) for $28.95 each with no additional purchase required.

Each Holiday Glitz card kit makes 15 cards and includes:

* Precut card stock and Designer Series paper (15)
* Whisper White Envelopes (15)
* Rhinestone brads (15)
* Real Red zigzag ribbon (15)
* Full-color instruction sheet (1)

Qualifying stamp sets include:

Item	Stamp Set	Price
109234	Snowfall	$23.95
106786	The Snowflake Spot	$20.95
109266	Big on Christmas	$18.95
110359	Love & Joy*	$23.95

* Holiday Mini Collection 2007

Boo to You!

2007-10-27T10:02:00.000-05:00

This little treat jar used to be a breadcrumb container. A little soap and water, some Stampin’ Up! Designer Series Paper, a few stamps, and Voila! you’ve got a nifty, gifty treat jar! Supplies for this Project: Bitty Boos 2 and Booglie Eyes stamp sets; Basic Black, Whisper White, and Pumpkin Pie cardstock; Basic Black Ink; Stampin’ Write Markers; Prismacolor colored pencils; 3/4", 1", and 1 3/8" circle punches and Scalloped Punch; Coluzzle; and Creepy Crawly Designer Series Paper. Artwork ©1990-2007 Stampin’ Up!

What Are You Going to Be This Halloween?

2007-10-18T08:04:00.000-05:00

Sorry for my lack of posts... you know how wonderful technology is? Well, it’s only wonderful when it’s working! This was one of those classic computer moments. I upgraded my Internet security software to prevent viruses and all that bad stuff, but in the process it also prevented me from accessing any Blogspot blogs, including my own! Took awhile to figure that out. Doncha love it when that happens? Anyway, before I get my latest hand-stamped creations up here, I thought I’d help y’all come up with a costume for Halloween. Here’s what I should be. Check it out:

Your Halloween Costume Should Be

Elvis

What Should You Be For Halloween?

I've Been Tagged!

2007-09-21T07:49:00.000-05:00

My friend Kelly over at Stamptageous tagged me this morning, so I get to have a little fun here!

1. YOUR ROCK STAR NAME: (1st pet / current car) Missy CRV
2.YOUR GANGSTA NAME: (Favorite Ice cream flavor and cookie) Coffee Tagalong (ooh! I like that!)
3. YOUR FLY GIRL NAME: (1st initial of your first name and the 1st 3 of your last name) AMol
4. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME: (Favorite color / Favorite animal) Green Tiger
5. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME: (middle name / City you were born) Leah Schenectady (now that's a mouthful, even for a soap!)
6. YOUR STAR WARS NAME: (1st 3 letters of your last name / 1st 2 letters of your first name) MolAl
7.YOUR SUPERHERO NAME: (2nd Favorite color / Favorite Drink) The Pink Margarita
8.YOUR NASCAR NAME: (1st names of your grandfathers) Hector Allan
9.YOUR STRIPPER NAME: (Name of your favorite perfume / Favorite Candy) Issey Twizzlers (another good one!)
10. WITNESS PROTECTION PROGRAM NAME: (middle names of your mother & Father): Lee Archibald (sorry, Dad, I had to tell!)

Hmmm... how I have to pass this along to someone else...

Consider Yourselves Challenged!

2007-09-16T15:19:00.000-05:00

I attended a Stampin’ Up! seminar in Philadelphia this past weekend, and each of us was challenged to hold a $400 sales event in the next two weeks. If we do, we’ll receive a free stamp set (that will appear in the Spring-Summer Collection, coming out in January)! I’d like to share that challenge with all of you. If you call me and book a workshop between September 21 and 27, and if that workshop reaches $400, you will be invited to a free card class using the new stamp set! You can also score an invitation by placing a $40 or higher order before September 27. This photo features some cute projects made with the new set (the name escapes me right now — too much stamping and too little sleep over the weekend!).

DeVa Bag Class - RSVP Now!

2007-09-16T14:49:00.000-05:00

Several people have asked about the DeVa Bag class next Saturday... that was when I realized that I forgot to publish the photos of the project! Sorry about that! This project includes 14 little "Love Notes" (3 x 3 note cards) with a matching designer bag to carry them in. The notes are too small to mail, but they make great gift tags or enclosures, or you can adhere one to a full-size card front for mailing. The notes and bag would also make a great gift for someone else! The name "DeVa" is not misspelled! It’s named for my friend and upline Deb Valder, who introduced the project to our stamp group last month. If you’d like to join in the fun, please RSVP by Tuesday, September 18. This class will be held on Saturday September 22 at 9:30, and is $15. Please bring a 12-inch paper trimmer if you have one, scissors and your favorite adhesive. I'll have glue sticks available.

For the first time, I’m offering this as a “Class in a Bag.” If you can’t make it to the class, I will give you all the materials along with an instruction sheet for putting it all together, and you can make it all up at home! I can provide the project pre-stamped for you as well. To order online, send your orders via my PayPal account (alimo@nycap.rr.com). Otherwise, call or drop me an email and we can arrange for a COD pick-up. Add $5 for postage if you’d like it mailed, otherwise orders will be ready at my house on an as-received basis. Let me know at that time if you’d like your cards pre-stamped.

Due to time and supply constraints I cannot take orders for specific Designer Series papers. All cards will be white or vanilla cardstock and will come with one pattern of double-sided paper. Ribbon may be substituted for rhinestone brads based on availability. This offer is only good through Monday, September 24, 2007.

My Referral Program

2007-09-05T07:35:00.000-05:00

In an effort to branch out and expand my stamping contacts, I’m starting a customer referral program. Tell your friends about how much you enjoy stamping or scrapbooking and mention my business. If they contact me for more information or attend one of my classes, you’ll get a free Classic Stampin’ Pad in your choice of color. If they book a workshop, you’ll get a $10 gift certificate. If they sign up to become a demonstrator with me, you’ll get a $20 gift certificate!

Bring a friend that I’ve never met to one of my classes, and the two of you will get two-for-one admission to the class.

Now, get out there and start talking!

Stampin’ Up! September Specials

2007-09-03T16:28:00.000-05:00

Stampin’ Up! has just announced a great special for this month! I love specials! The Fall Frenzy promomotion runs from September 1 through September 30.

Spend $30 in regular priced merchandise and qualify to purchase one each of the six promotional stamp sets listed below at 30% off!

Item # Stamp Set Sale Price

#105355 Bitty Boos Too $12.57
#109284 Haunting Halloween $13.27
#107383 Thoroughly Thankful $16.07
#109373 Autumn Fest $16.77
#109421 Elementary Essentials $19.57
#110366 Stem Silhouettes $22.37

Call me now to reserve a date for your stamp party, and help all of your friends save 30% off too!

Upcoming Classes

2007-08-21T09:03:00.000-05:00

I’ve taken out the calendar and scheduled my classes for the next three months. There are so many new and fabulous treats in the Fall-Winter Collection and Holiday Mini, and I can’t wait to share some of them with you! Here’s a brief run-down of the dates. I’ll be posting pictures for the non-card classes as I finish the samples.

September Card Class: Wednesday, Sept. 12, 7 pm $10
DeVa Purse with 14 coordinated gift cards and envelopes: Saturday Sept. 22 9:30 am
October Card Class: Wednesday Oct. 10, 7 pm $10
Christmas Photo Wreath: Saturday Oct. 27, 9:30 am
November Card Class (all holiday theme): Wednesday, Nov. 14, 7 pm $10
Photo Gifts: Saturday, Nov. 17, 9:30 am

As always, reservations are required for all classes. For the September Card Class, please let me know if you'll be attending by September 5 (that’s right around the corner!). All card classes are $10, and will include 3 cards and a new technique.

Happy New Stampin’ Year!

2007-07-29T07:50:00.000-05:00

It’s July, and that can only mean one thing... Stampin Up! has released their new catalog and the money is flying out of my wallet! The new book is just jammed with absolutely gorgeous new stamp sets, patterned papers, and sparkly accessories. Here’s a card with one of my new favorite sets, Baroque Motifs. Check out the rhinestone brad! This card also features two of the "In Colors" for 2007-08 — Wild Wasabi and Groovy Guava.

Stamping—That’s Why I’m Here

2007-05-27T08:54:00.000-05:00

Almost forgot, this blog is supposed to be all about stamping, isn’t it? Thought I'd better share a card with you, since that’s why I invited y’all over! Yet another card with one of my favorite retiring sets, Natural Beauty. The focal point was created by watercoloring the stamped image, then coating it with 3-4 layers of Glassy Glaze embossing powder. I put it in the freezer for a little bit, removed it, then bent the cardstock to get that cracked glass effect.

If You Don't Have A Blog Yet…

2007-05-27T08:50:00.000-05:00

…look at what you’re missing! So many fun things to play with (not to mention so much time to waste)! This little widget was just too cute and I couldn’t resist. Head on over and find out what your Visual DNA looks like. Just click on the “Get your own VisualDNA” link.

Read my VisualDNA™ Get your own VisualDNA™

Retiring List... Boo Hoo Hoo!

2007-05-04T10:26:00.000-05:00

Well, the Stampin’ Up! retirement list for 2007 has been released, and the only word I can come up with for it is a bloodbath! They are getting rid of so many wonderful stamp sets. My only consolation is that the new catalog will be chock-full of wonderful NEW stuff. Here’s a sample from one of my favorite sets, Natural Beauty, set to retire at the end of June. This is a little Latch Card, made with Almost Amethyst, Mellow Moss, and Rose Red cardstock.

Silly BlogThing

2007-05-04T10:12:00.000-05:00

There are so many silly, funny things to put in your blog... the best part is, they do all the HTML code for you, so you don't have to know anything about coding to add them to your blog! Blogthings has got some cute stuff, like this:

You Are 70% Normal

Otherwise known as the normal amount of normal

You're like most people most of the time

But you've got those quirks that make you endearing

You're unique, yes... but not frighteningly so!

How Normal Are You?

I’ve always wanted to know how normal I am! Glad to know that I’m not frightening!

It’s Almost Retirement Time...

2007-04-30T18:22:00.000-05:00

I can’t believe how fast the year is flying by — it’s time for the Stampin’ Up! retirement list to be released already! I feel like I just got the current catalog. Well, by tomorrow morning I should know which of my little babies will be missing from the next SU! catalog. (BTW, did I tell you all that they’ going to a semi-annual catalog system next year? More info will be coming your way, either in your mailboxes, if you’re on my mailing list, or at the Stampin’ Up! website, or here at jostamper.com.) Check back tomorrow, when I'll start featuring soon-to-retire stamp sets.

Catch Up Scrappin’

2007-04-27T12:35:00.000-05:00

Does one ever get “caught up” on their scrapbooking? Time just keeps forging ahead, and so do all those memories that we want to capture in our scrapbooks. I’ve got boxes, drawers, envelopes, and photo albums bursting with pictures that need to be scrapped. Where do you start? I’ve read that you shouldn’t bother trying to scrapbook chronologically, you should just dive in wherever you are in life. It feels so random, but, hey, at least I’m getting something done! This layout jumped out at me from the May issue of Simple Scrapbooks; a page by one of my favorite scrapbook artists, the wonderful and inspiring Cathy Zielske. How do you choose just one photo to feature on a page? Well, you just dig in. I literally dug through one of my many junque (that just looks so much more meaningful than “junk,” doesn’t it?) drawers and pulled out this 5 x 7 of Niamh. It turned out to be a perfect fit with the layout.

This layout uses all Stampin’ Up! materials: Gable Green, Only Orange, Whisper White cardstock; Pixie Pink ink; Dots & Dashes Designer Series Papers; Polka Dots & Paisleys set; Rough Edges and Typeset alphabet stamps; On Board Accents chipboard slide frame; Bold Brights Eyelets; and the Write Me A Memory Vol. 1 font CD (Casual font). The journaling was printed on white cardstock, then Gable Green ink was rolled on using the sponge attachment for my brayer.

Love This Petals & Paisleys Paper!

2007-04-04T10:18:00.000-05:00

I am totally in love with this new Stampin’ Up! double-sided paper Petals & Paisleys! The colors are so bright and cheerful (and I must say that this photo and the pictures in the mini catalog do not do it justice — you really must see it up close and in person!). I created all these projects from just three sheets of the patterned paper. If you’d like to do the same thing, comment here or drop me an email and I’ll schedule a class.

Last Chance!

2007-02-21T10:58:00.000-05:00

It’s getting late... Sell-A-Bration and the Stampin’ Up! Winter Mini will be history in only one week! Thought I’d share some more samples from these two great mini catalogs. If you like what you see, now is the time to get an order in!

This card was created with the “Something Punny” set, and I used the spots from “Fun Filled.” I also used lots of fun accessories — Soft Subtles Mini Brads, the Tag Punch, Flirty Ribbon and Loves Me Double-Sided paper. I LOVE the colors in the paper, they're so fun and candy-dish bright, and they coordinate sooooo well with the Flirty ribbons.

Sorry about the slightly blurry photo, but I think you can see all the lovely details. This card was created using the absolutely gorgeous Carte Postale line of products from the Winter mini. The stamp set is Carte Postale, and the background stamped in Craft White is the French Flair stamp. The striped paper is from the Enchanté double-sided paper collection, and it’s embellished with a couple of Vintage Brads.

This little 6 x 6 page features the Loves Me paper again, and some of the super-adorable die-cuts from the Accents and Elements tin (also in the Winter Mini). I love that all the accents coordinate with both the Loves Me and Enchanté collections, and once they’re used up I'll be able to “alter” the tin that they came in. Stay tuned here for that project to make its debut!

The last sample I’ve got today features a brand-new product from the upcoming Spring Mini catalog. Stampin’ Up! is introducing a line of office-themed products that all coordinate as only SU! products can, and the “Thanks” tab was created using the Round Tab punch. There’s also a Spiral Punch that mimics spiral-bound paper, plus a great March special. Visit the Stampin’ Up! website for details on that!

Another Sell-A-Bration Sample

2007-02-11T13:24:00.000-05:00

Here’s a cute card using the Very Punny Sell-A-Bration set. Change out the pink and the baby card will work for a boy as well!

This one uses the very elegant Carte Postale set from the Winter Mini. This set also has a coordinating wheel, background stamp and the most gorgeous double-sided paper. You still have a couple of weeks left to take advantage of Sell-A-Bration AND the Winter Mini!! Once February ends, both catalogs are gone. Drop me a line to place your order before it’s too late! Artwork ©1990-2007 Stampin’ Up!

I'm Havin' a Party! Part 2

2007-02-09T10:02:00.000-05:00

Yes, I’m still having that party, I’ve just changed the date. And the time. Write this one on your calendar — Saturday, February 17 at 10 am. OK?

I’m Havin’ a Party!

2007-01-24T11:58:00.000-05:00

Yep, I’m throwing my own party! Mark it on your calendar — Friday February 9 at 1 pm or 7 pm. Come on over for a free Stampin’ Up! workshop at my place. Just like one at your place, we’ll do a couple of make & takes, peruse the catalog, learn about Sell-A-Bration, and gab and visit. The only difference is, even tho I’m the hostess, YOU might be the one to take home the hostess benefits! I will raffle off the free stamp sets and merchandise to lucky party attendees. Yes, you must attend to win. You’ll get one raffle ticket for attending, another for placing an order, and another if you book your own workshop. After all the orders are in I will pull the winners. The number of winners will depend on the grand total of all orders placed (more orders equals more loot to raffle off!). If you’re on my mailing list, look for an invitation in your email box. If you’re not on my mailing list drop me an email and RSVP for either the afternoon or evening workshop. The more the merrier!

Look How Cute...

2007-01-13T11:52:00.000-05:00

these Sell-A-Bration sets are! Here are some samples using the sets so you can see them "in action!" (The pretty teal and celery flowered card was stamped by me, but designed by one of my stampin' buddies in our NY Inketts stamp group.)

What I made for Christmas this year

2007-01-09T12:18:00.000-05:00

I had a ton of fun this Christmas making these nifty card organizer boxes for Christmas gifts. They really don’t take that much time at all, and each one is completely unique! Each one has a little pocket in the lid to hold postage stamps, and dividers so cards can be arranged by month or occasion. I’m looking forward to teaching a class on these. Everyone in the class will take home their own box, 6 coordinating cards, and the remaining Designer Series Paper from their project.

It’s Sell-A-Bration Time!

2007-01-08T08:46:00.000-05:00

Sell-A-Brate good times, come on! (Sorry, I’m such a product of the ’80s! My husband Pat starts singing that song at this time every year.) It’s the most wonderful time of the year — for stampers, anyway!

If you have never participated in Sell-a-bration before...here’s the deal. During January and February, for every $50 you spend on Stampin’ Up! products, you get to select a FREE Sell-a-Bration Stamp Set from the Sell-a-Bration Catalog! Workshop Hostesses (over $150 from in-home or catalog workshops) are also rewarded with an additional free set when their workshop hits $300 (which it always does during Sell-a-bration). If you are like me, you can easily hit that $300 mark all by yourself! If you didn't receive a Sell-a-Bration mini catalog from me, click here to view it online.

I accept orders from anywhere in the United States. Shipping is only 10% if you live next door to me or in Alaska! Contact me via email (click on "View My Complete Profile" to the left) to place your order. I accept Mastercard, Visa, or Paypal (preferred for online orders). If you contact me this month to book a home workshop, I'll give you a bonus free gift!

I have arrived!

2007-01-03T16:23:00.000-05:00

Looks like I've finally arrived into the 21st Century! I have my own blog! My New Year's resolution realized, and it's only January 3. Now, the challenge will be keeping it up-to-date all year. The plan is to maintain a gallery of all my stamping works of {he}art, scrapbook inspiration, and lot and lots of card samples to keep all my stamping friends jazzed up to keep on stampin' on.