November Online News

	Debbie McNeill debbie@debbiestamper.biz http://www.debbiestamper.biz

We are moving…

We are in the process of moving.  It’s crazy…boxes in two locations and no utilities yet.  Internet and heat should arrive in the next couple of days or so they tell me. The worst is having to clean two houses, I don’t even like to clean one! I hope to be ready for Treeters by Halloween as it’s my favorite time of year.  Since I have no idea where my stamping supplies are, I’m sharing a project from last year.

MY FRIEND FRANKIE

I created this project using punches, our white gel pen and a black marker to contain a chocolate bar. I made like 25 of these projects last year and made a slightly different face on all of them and the recipients loved it. We dressed up and stopped by a few close friends and neighbors house and did our own trick or treating.

You can make this any size by just adjusting the circle punches. The hair was made with the 1-1/4″ square punch.

Supplies: Green Galore, Old Olive, Basic Black
and Lovely Lilac card stock.   Circle
punches, 1-1/4″ Square Punch
and Round Tab Punch.

October Online Newsletter

	Debbie McNeill (503) 285-4565 debbie@debbiestamper.biz http://www.debbiestamper.biz

Creating Holiday Cards Q&A

Q: I want to create Holiday cards this year. What do I need to do?

© CraftyPerson Production 2008. Images © Stampin' Up!

A: Creating your own custom Christmas cards is a great way to share holiday joy with your friends and family. Custom cards are unique and always stand out from the stack of manufactured cards received each year. Those receiving your cards will know how special they are to you. Custom Christmas cards can be traditional or trendy, simple or ornate, include photos or not, and can be handmade or even created using the new My Digital Studio digital paper crafting software. There are so many options for creative and unique cards!

Design

Begin by selecting a design you like. Be inspired by ideas in the beautiful Stampin’ Up! catalogs, online samples, create your own unique design, or contact me for more ideas — I would love to help! When selecting your design, or a couple of designs, keep in mind how many cards you want to create and the time you have to make them. Cards with lots of detailed coloring, for example, can take longer to make than cards stamped with solid image stamps. Digital cards created using My Digital Studio are fast and a great way to include a favorite photo in your card.

Plan & Order

Decide how many cards you want to make, or how many of each design if you are making more than one. I can help you figure out how much card stock, Designer Series Paper, ribbon, envelopes, accessories, and adhesive you will need. Place your order online or directly through me so I can help make sure you have all the needed supplies. Remember, you can take advantage of Hostess Benefits on any order of $150 or more. Consider adding gift items to your order to get a jump start on your Christmas shopping and earn free stamps and goodies, too! Orders usually arrive in about 7 business days.

Assemble

Set aside a block of time or a couple smaller blocks of time and create your own assembly line system. Cut card bases and layers then stamp and assemble in steps to make the project go more quickly. Like to multi-task? Do a step a night while watching your favorite television show. Or get the family involved! Kids, girlfriends, and even husbands can have a great time together while assembling Christmas cards. Put on some merry music, pull out some hot chocolate, and make it an event. Everyone will have a great time and the time together can be a special part of the holidays and making sweet memories!

Summary

Custom cards are great fun for you and for those that receive your special cards. Using these simple steps, you can make your cards now and enjoy the holidays knowing your cards are done and ready to share some heartfelt cheer! Contact me today to get started!

Bow Making Tutorial

I’m preparing my Holiday Helper for this year, which is 12 emails of step-by-step project inspiration for the holiday season. Two years ago I presented this project to my readers. This bow was so much fun to make and you should have heard how my gift recipients went on and on about how creative, attractive and unique the bow and gift was. Give it a try this year and let me know how it goes.

Gift Bow Making with Designer Series Paper Tutorial

Download Project Details and Instructions

Treat Box

As you can see the theme for this month is getting ready for the holidays with gift bags and tags. We need these all the time. Why not make them now and get a wrap on the holidays with these rich-looking, yet inexpensive, packages.

Using Big Shot die cuts and designer series paper make these packaging super fast and festive to create in quantities for goodie bags and can be customized to many color themes! Items used in the projects: On Your Birthday Stamp Set, Treat Box, Big Bold Cupcakes Sizzlits 4-pack dies, Ink & Card Stock: Bermuda Bay Patterns Designer Series Paper, Chocolate Chip Classic Ink, Bermuda Bay 1/2” Polka-Dot Grosgrain Ribbon,  Crimper.

Here’s the Christmas Version:

 

Don’t you love it when you give a gift that is so pretty that your friend almost doesn’t want to open it? Well now you can give your friends that anticipation easily with the super-fast and versatile Treat Boxes from Stampin’ Up! They are so pretty your friends will never know what a value they truly are!

Tags, Tags and More Tags

I am having a ball creating these quick and simple tags.  This is a different spin on the same tags I have posted a few days ago.  But this one I’ve created a slide box so that I can give them away as a gift.  Fun idea huh?   It would make a fun teacher’s gift or make a holiday theme for a fund raiser. 

The tag slider box cost less than $2 consumable supplies to make.  You could easily sell this at a flea market or as a fund-raiser campaign for $5.  That’s a $3 profit.  They are so easy to make, even small chidlren can make them.  In fact, my latest downloadable class tutorial has three different quick and easy designs that can easily be adapted for fund raisers or holiday market sales.  Contact me and I’ll send you all the details and some sample pictures.

Images Stampin' Up! © 2009

Need a quick holiday tag?

When I opened the new Holiday Mini Catalog I was immediately drawn to the ornament collection on pages 24-25. Stampin’ Up! has made the ornament icon fashionable and fun again and the stamp set is available in 3 different languages: English, French and Spanish. 

Need a holiday tag in a hurry? Apply a rub-on image from the Merry & Bright Rub-Ons to a piece of card stock, punch it out with the Ornament punch, and tie it to a gift with a bit of linen thread.  

Love the Delightful Decorations stamp set as much as I do?  You will receive a ornament stamp set in the Inspiration Club – Fall Session. You can upgrade and purchase the complete Delightful Decorations stamp set and save $7.   More Details

Ornamental Bags & Tags Set

This is my latest class offering – Ornamental Bags & Tags Set

Get a wrap on the holidays with these rich-looking, yet inexpensive, packages and tags. A special presentation makes a real treat of simple gifts and is the finishing touch on your extra special gifts. Bold and vibrant colors make these bags and tags stand out in the crowd. Have a great time creating these projects to have on hand for the holidays. You’ll love the way the special presentation makes your friends and family anticipate the goodies inside!

In this tutorial, you will make:
==> One Treat Box with 3-D Ornament
==> One Ornament Bag-a-lope
==> One Ornament Slider Box
==> Six Coordinating Ornament Tags

These projects feature the Delightful Decorations stamp set and coordinating Ornament Punch along with a blend of traditional and non-traditional vibrant colors. Get started on a heartfelt holiday with these beautiful and functional bags and tags!

This class will be sent to you soon after purchase via email in Adobe Acrobat format (PDF). No supplies are included unless ordered. When you order the product listed below you get the class for free. 20-Page Tutorial only $7.00.

Please note these classes are not available to Stampin’ Up! demonstrators. If you are a Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator please contact me for more information.

Price: $7.00

Inspiration Club Discount $2.00

116794 Ornamental Punch

Learn a New Technique

One of the things we most enjoy about paper crafting is the new products and techniques coming out. There are new stamps, new papers, new tools, new embellishments and great new techniques. One of the best ways to learn these techniques and keep up with all the great new information is to join my Inspiration Club.

You already know that I am your source for all the latest stamps, papers and embellishments for your creative needs. As your Stampin’ Up! demonstrator, I have access to learn the newest techniques and I am eager to pass them on to you. Each month, Inspiration Club members will be learning a new technique. We will all be inspired together with new ideas and new ways to use the techniques.  Request a complimentary sample of one of my favorite techniques.

My monthly Inspiration Club is meant to inspire you. Be prepared to learn exciting new techniques or maybe a twist on an older one. Use it as a jumping off point. Take the techniques and project ideas you will learn, use them, and make them your own. It is easy to come up with new ways to use techniques, stamp sets and supplies once you are inspired.  More details below or click here to join today.

September Card Template

Inspiration Club – Fall Term

I’m excited to announce the details for the Fall session (October-December 2009) of the Inspiration Club. We are getting ready for the Holidays! Your 3-month membership includes 6 projects, a Delightful Decorations stamp, Bermuda Bay Classic Stamp Pad and a Really Rust Stampin’ Write Marker all delivered to your door. We will be playing with some just released Designer Series Papers in yummy colors – sure to get you excited for the upcoming Holidays. All three-months for only $35. I can’t wait to share these fun ideas with you just in time for Holidays. It’s inspiration delivered to your door! More Details

The Inspiration Club Fall Term (October-December)

Sign-up in September for $5 savings.

Holiday Mini Catalog Challenge

Have you had a chance to download the Holiday Mini Catalog yet?   Click to download your copy on the left because you are going to need it for this challenge.  I sent a challenge to my newsletter subscribers.  Here it is.

Answer 9 out of the 10 questions correctly and I will send you my September Online Class (a $7 value).  ALSO everyone who qualifies with 9 questions correctly will enter into a drawing for a FREE Fundamental Phrases stamp set (a $37.95 value).   Everyone needs this stamp set, it has got all the essentials covered. Have fun and come up with unique combinations to give your friends and family a good laugh! This set is double mounted to save you space.

To apply, click here to submit your answers using my contact form.  Please see challenge rules below. Good Luck!

 

 

Challenge Rules

• Challenge is open until October 5th
• Open to current newsletter subscribers
• Must live in the U.S.
• Active Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator do not qualify, sorry.

Q&A: Growth Chart

	Q&A Q: I’ve heard about a special Growth Chart — how can I use it? A: From now through September 30th, Stampin’ Up! is offering an exclusive Décor Elements Growth Chart (item# 117519) for only $24.95, plus you receive a free applicator tool. This sweet tree and bird themed chart is perfect for measuring the growth of kids, but it also has some other great uses! No Kids in the House The Growth Chart is perfect for measuring kids, but it has lots of other handy uses. Cut out the ruler portion of the Décor Element and place it on the edge of a craft table and use it for measuring paper, ribbon, and fabric. Then use the remaining tree elements for decoration. Or place the ruler portion on the edge of a garage workbench to help with measuring wood, rope, nails, and other things for those fix-it-up projects on the honey-do list! Teaching Kids to Measure Up Teachers are always looking for new ways to get kids excited about learning. Use the Décor Elements growth chart in a classroom. The teacher can take beginning- and end-of-the- year photos of each child. Or use coordinating die-cut or punched shapes with each child’s name and use it for marking their learning progress. For example, they could move up a number for each chapter they complete in their math book, or when they are learning to add 1, 2, 3, etc. Use it in language arts to encourage outside reading, by having students move up the chart for each chapter book they read at home, each chapter they complete in their workbook, etc. Or cut out the ruler portion as described above and use it for measuring games and practice. This would make a perfect teacher gift, so do your homework now and be ahead of the game when the holidays arrive! What if I move? Décor Elements are great on walls but can be used on most smooth surfaces. If you love the Décor Elements Growth Chart, but are worried about putting it on your wall in case you move, try this idea. Get a piece of Medium Density Fiberboard (MDF) or plywood from your local home supply store. Paint it to match or coordinate with your décor and then place the Décor Elements Growth Chart on the board. You can hang or attach it to a wall and even add a frame using baseboard molding to dress it up. You can use it now and take it with you wherever the road may lead you. Use coordinating die-cuts or punches to mark the age, date, and height measurements or write directly on the painted surface. Summary There are so many ways to measure growth. These are just a few ideas for the fantastic Décor Elements Growth Chart! Contact me today to order yours!
© CraftyPerson Production 2008. Images © Stampin’ Up!

September Promotions

Debbie McNeill (503) 285-4565 debbie@debbiestamper.biz http://www.debbiestamper.biz   You have been sent an eCard If you cannot see the eCard please click here to view this card in your web browser.

If you do not wish to receive further emails from this person, all you have to do is click here to reject any future mailings. or copy this URL into your browser’s address bar

Gift Sacks

I attended the yearly Stampin’ Up! convention 2009 in Salt Lake City in early August. There are many reason I enjoy going to the convention. One of them is all the project ideas. Stampin’ Up! posts boards with projects to inspire us to try new things. These pictures are from art boards posted under really bright lights so some of the pictures maybe a bit blurry – sorry. I learn so much from reviewing the project boards that I would like to share some of those ideas with you. I’ll be posting a project idea once a day for the next few weeks. Enjoy!

 This project is using the Sweet Season stamp set (#116471) I’ve been highliting the last couple of days.  I’m sure you are seeing the versatility of this stamp set.  This project is using white craft ink.  All you have to do is stamp a sheet of Real Red card stock, let it dry and then cut it down to fit the sack.  A really easy project to do multiples at the same time.  Hey, what a thoughtful gift this would make for someone.   For those of you looking for fund-raisers, creative gift containers sell well.  Let me know if you need some help with your fund raiser.  I’ll be happy to contribute some of my commission to the cause.

We all need gift bags for the holidays and winter gift giving.   Make these up in advance to have them on hand.  The last thing you need to do is run around wrapping or purchasing the same old gift sacks from the store.  Trust me you will be so glad you did.   

Whisper White Craft Stampin’ Pad (#101731)

Stampin' Up! © 2009

Coordinating Stamp Set with Punches

I attended the yearly Stampin’ Up! convention 2009 in Salt Lake City in early August. There are many reason I enjoy going to the convention. One of them is all the project ideas. Stampin’ Up! posts boards with projects to inspire us to try new things. These pictures are from art boards posted under really bright lights so some of the pictures maybe a bit blurry – sorry. I learn so much from reviewing the project boards that I would like to share some of those ideas with you. I’ll be posting a project idea once a day for the next few weeks. Enjoy!

I love stamp sets that match a punch.  This stamp set actually goes with two punches, the Scallop Circle Punch (#109043) and the Wide Oval Punch (#112082). You can make so many fabulous projects going two of my favorite things…stamping and punching!

This sour cream template has always been a favorite of mine as well.  You can make the container any size you want.  It is easy to get 4 containers out of one sheet of 8.5×11 card stock.  Wonderful to use with Designer Series Paper.  Great idea for Halloween Parties.   I can also see adding some of those small cookies inside and then treating your co-worker to a coffee and this cute little container.  She will think you are an angel. 

Scallop Circle Punch (#109043)

Stampin' Up! © 2009

Gingerbread House Card

I attended the yearly Stampin’ Up! convention 2009 in Salt Lake City in early August. There are many reason I enjoy going to the convention. One of them is all the project ideas. Stampin’ Up! posts boards with projects to inspire us to try new things. These pictures are from art boards posted under really bright lights so some of the pictures maybe a bit blurry – sorry. I learn so much from reviewing the project boards that I would like to share some of those ideas with you. I’ll be posting a project idea once a day for the next few weeks. Enjoy!

I think this picture speaks for itself.  Isn’t it wonderful.  The artist used the Gel Pen to create the accents.  This could be a card or you could make it in to a house for decorations.  I thought I could use the same template for my birdhouse project.   The lollipops are punched circles but I think you could also use the scallop punch if you wanted. For the roof, the artist used the Scallop Edge Punch (#112091) but I was thinking the Eyelet Border Punch (#113692) would be cute as well.

Eyelet Border Punch (#113692)

Stampin' Up! © 2009

Foot Stompin’ Enthusiasm!

Picture by Jennifer Schaerer - Paper Crafts

I was preusing my favorite blog scene and lo and behold look what I found on Paper Crafts Blog.   Jennifer Schaerer shared her enthusiasm for the Stampin’ Up! convention and the BIG news regarding My Digital Studio and Build-A-Bear.

View more pictures and read her comments here.

Handmade Goodness

I attended the yearly Stampin’ Up! convention 2009 in Salt Lake City in early August. There are many reason I enjoy going to the convention. One of them is all the project ideas. Stampin’ Up! posts boards with projects to inspire us to try new things. These pictures are from art boards posted under really bright lights so some of the pictures maybe a bit blurry – sorry. I learn so much from reviewing the project boards that I would like to share some of those ideas with you. I’ll be posting a project idea once a day for the next few weeks. Enjoy!

I saw this stamp set and I thought of all the great uses for it.  It’s going to be hard to decide on which project I want to do first.  If you plan to make any home made goodies to share with co-workers, potlucks, family member treats, good neighbor gifts, this is the stamp set for you. 

* NEW * Sweet Season Stamp Set (#116471)

Stampin' Up! © 2009