Is It Over Yet?

Shh! It’s A Secret!

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!

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?!

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

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?

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

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

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!

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?

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!

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!

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!

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

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

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

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!

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

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…

…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!

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

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...

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’

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!

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!

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

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

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!

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...

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

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!

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!

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.