Happy Valentine's Day!

I used the same colored pencil technique from yesterday's post to make this Valentine card.  I love how easy it is to deepen the interior of flowers to give them some dimension.  I used the Whisper White cut-out from the Labels Collection frame used in yesterday's card to make the main panel on today's card.  I stamped the flowers in Pink Pirouette and the leaves in Gumball Green using the masking technique to make the leaves appear behind the flower petals.  After coloring the petals with pink colored pencils, pearls were added to the flower centers.  I very lightly sponged So Saffron ink on the panel's edges. The hummingbird was stamped in Raspberry Ripple, and the panel was matted on the same color cardstock.  This was trimmed to make a lovely framed border.  This panel was popped up with dimensional popdots on the Whisper White cardbase.  The cardbase has the beautiful Lacy Brocade embossed panel matted with Raspberry Ripple cardstock.  The embossing texture was brought to life with a coloring of Pink Pirouette ink that was applied using a brayer.  The edge of this background was very lightly sponged with So Saffron ink.

I hope that your Valentine's Day is filled with love and laughter!

~June

Stamps:  Bloomin' Marvelous (SAB set)
Paper: Whisper White, Raspberry Ripple
Ink:  So Saffron, Gumball Green, Raspberry Ripple, Pink Pirouette
Accessories: popdots, pearls, colored pencils, Labels Collection framelit, Lacy Brocade embossing folder, BigShot, brayer, sponge dauber

Bloomin' Marvelous Coloring

The beginning of the year is always a great time of year at Stampin' Up!  It's SaleABration time through March 22, and one of my favorite Free stamp sets from the SaleABration catalog is called "Bloomin' Marvelous".  This card was made with stamps from that beautiful set.

First, I used the 3rd largest Labels Collection framelit and cut out the shape on a white cardstock panel to make a masking frame.  I placed that frame on another piece of white cardstock, then sponged on So Saffron ink around the edges to create the outlined shape.  Leaving the frame on the paper, I stamped the flowers in Pool Party ink, then the leaves in Lucky Limeade ink with a masking technique.  The butterfly was stamped in Peach Parfait, and I added little pearls for it's body.  The top frame was removed, and I cut around the outlined shape leaving a 1/8th inch border so that I could add little pen dots around the outer edge.  The depth of flowers was achieved by using 2 darker shades of blue colored pencils to darken up the interior of the flower petals.  I added little black and Peach Parfait pen dots to the centers of the flowers.  To create the cardbase, I embossed a separate piece of white cardstock that was embossed with the Square Lattice folder.  I glued it down on top of the card, then attached the flowery stamped panel to the cardbase with dimensional popdots.

You can have your own Bloomin' Marvelous set with a $50 product purchase.  Click the SaleABration catalog on the left to see the cute selections this year.

Have a great day!
~June

Stamps:  Bloomin' Marvelous (SAB set)
Paper:  Whisper White
Ink: Pool Party, Pear Pizzazz, Peach Parfait, So Saffron (markers in Basic Black and Peach Parfait)
Accessories: popdots, pearls, colored pencils, Labels Collection framelits, Square Lattice embossing folder, BigShot, sponge dauber

Card Trek and Technology

Hello again!

For those of you that know me well, you know that I'm a die-hard Star Trek fan.... especially "The Next Generation" series.  I was tickled when I saw this video released by Stampin' Up! recently:

I think that was pretty silly and fun!  I like to believe that hand-made items & gifts will still be appreciated that far into the future - after all, it comes from the heart!  But there's no denying that we are in a digital age, and technology rocks!  (In other words, I would die without the internet!  LOL!)  Using technology certainly makes our life easier, and one of my most favorite Stampin' Up! products that saves so much time is the My Digital Studio software package.  SU! has an ongoing Free offer available to download and use MDS2 for 30 days, plus you have a huge MDS catalog available with more digital items released every Tuesday.  Click the image to learn more about this versatile program....

My son, Alex, is serving a 2 year mission for our church and sends home a ton of photos on SD cards.  I was able to start his scrapbook album to record his missionary experiences using MDS2.  When he returns home, these 12x12 pages will be printed, and I will turn each of them into a hybrid page (a combination of digital and traditional scrapbook page).  It will be easy for me to add on a few embellishments here and there to 'dress it up', and for Alex to journal his memories and add names & dates.  It's great to sit down for a couple hours every few weeks and keep up with his photos - MDS2 makes this a very easy project to complete!  Here's a snippet of what I've done so far -

MDS2 is versatile.  It does more than just scrapbook pages and albums - you can create journals, cards, tags, calendars, videos, DVDs....  and you can print from home, send files to your local printer, or have your projects professionally created through SU!'s service providers.  It's truly a great product!

Have a great day!
June

Clearance Rack Blitz!! Act Now for BIG savings!

From now to October 18th, Stampin' Up! is adding over 200 more discontinued items - some at up to 80% off - to the Clearance Rack section. They need to make room in the distribution center for new items, so this means Huge Savings for You! Orders should be placed through my online store so that you can see immediately if any items are sold out. Remember, hostess benefits and rewards are available on all qualifying orders! All Clearance Rack items are available only while supplies last, and all sales on discontinued items are final.

This is a great way to begin your holiday shopping, so don't hesitate. Click this link and select the Shop Now button. You'll find the Clearance Rack link on the left side.

Have a great day!

Black & White - Ollie...

Happy Saturday to you! I thought I'd share a birthday card made for my younger son today. The background in Whisper White uses the new embossing folder available in the Summer Mini catalog called Square Lattice - one of the really neat things about this particular folder is how you can have two subtle, but different, designs with items that are embossed with it. If you click on the picture above, a slightly larger picture should appear and you can more easily see the little crosses in the pattern are debossed (going inward). A few posts down titled Sponged Backgrounds shows you a card with the little crosses facing outward. Anyhow, since this card was made for a male teenager, I had to be careful not to go overboard with the "girly" embellishments. I think the cardstock texture adds just enough to keep the card interesting, don't you think?

The neat background stamps on the main panel are from Extreme Elements. The black ink was stamped off on scratch paper two or three times before the final stamping on my main panel. Promotion plug here - you can order this stamp set, or a number of other selections, in Stampin'Up!'s Scrapbooking Promotion this month and receive Free designer brads through May 31st.... read all about it HERE. The Extreme Skateboard stamp is awesome and was stamped in Versamark/black ink, then heat embossed in black embossing powder. The black frame was made using a ruler and craft knife, then glued to the main panel before final assembly.

I really love the Extreme Skateboard stamp because it fits my son to a "T". Although he's more into the Ripstik now than the skateboard (which is quite amazing because it only has 2 wheels, not 4!), this image is good for both. I love watching him do tricks (and yes, my heart does skip a beat now and then!), and one trick he's good at is called the "Ollie". It's where you make the entire skateboard (or Ripstik) "jump" or "pop" off the ground with you still on it, land and keep on going without your feet (... or other body parts... yikes!) touching the ground.

Have a great weekend, and I'll see you soon. :)

Leadership Swap Card

Hello again - last week I was able to attend the Stampin' Up! Leadership & Regional Conferences here in Phoenix, and it was a fantastic experience!! It was just the kick in the pants that I needed to attend to my love of Stampin' Up! and focus on my goals for this year and beyond. I met some fabulous people throughout the 4 day event, as well as gaining new insight about the business aspects of demoship. I am certain that I will be attending this event again, and if you'd like to join me, please consider signing up now during Sale-A-Bration where you'll be able to pick a stamp set valued up to $47.95 for Free, as well as get the Demonstrater Start Up Kit at 15% off! Click the Sale-A-Bration link to see the details of this wonderful event, and send an email to june@mycreativecorner.com to get my special password to sign up online! Can't get any easier than that! :)

The card shown above was made for my Leadership Swaps, and was put together using the following items below:
Stamps: Friends 24-7, Sanded Background
Paper: Vanilla, Soft Suede, Creamy Caramel
Inks: Soft Suede, Creamy Caramel
Accessories: Elegant Bouquet embossing folder, Lots of Tags Sizzlet Set, Bigshot, brayer, sponges, dimensional popdots

Assembly -
The Vanilla cardstock was embossed using the Elegant Bouquet folder/Bigshot, and stamped with the Sanded background two times in Creamy Caramel ink. These large backgrounds are easily inked up using a brayer rolled over the top of the rubber several times so that the ink coverage is even and consistent. I cut two of the oval shaped labels from the Lots of Tags Sizzlet die in Vanilla and Soft Suede cardstock. I stamped the sentiment on the Vanilla label in Soft Suede. Using sponges, I darkened the edges of the Vanilla piece & labels, then attacked the floral pattern to bring out its beauty with Creamy Caramel and Soft Suede inks. This was adhered to a Soft Suede mat, then finally to the Creamy Caramel cardbase. I cut the Soft Suede label in half on the short side, and attached each piece to the left/right sides of the Vanilla label. This was attached to the cardfront with dimensional popdots.

I hope you have a terrific day, and thank you for visiting with me!

Current Specials through August...

Wow, I'm back! It's been a whirlwind summer for myself and my family. I'm sure it's been the same for you... Happily, things should start to settle back down for us into a more manageable (and predictable) routine, now that my kids are heading back to school on Monday. I think each one is happy about returning back to school (though my boys WON'T admit that out loud!).

Before I start getting back into the projects I'd like to share with you, I wanted to take this opportunity today to mention that Stampin' Up has wonderful variety of promotions this month.

The Mini Starter Kit is still available for your consideration! If you are someone who loves to purchase Stampin' Up products, and you'd like to get all these goodies at a discount (or even earn items Free when you attain certain goals!), then this is the perfect opportunity for you! If you love to create and share your projects and excitement with others, then this is the perfect opportunity for you! If you'd like to make extra money to pay some bills or support your wonderful hobbies, then this is the perfect opportunity for you!

If you felt compelled by any of the reasons above (or all of them!), and you'd like to do it based on your own schedule, then won't you consider joining the Stampin' Up Family? The Mini Starter Kit is just $85 through August 31st, and you'll receive these wonderful items (or substitute with like items and customize your kit!) -

• For All You Do stamp set
• In Color Classic Stampin' Pads (6)
• Whisper White card stock (8-1/2" x 11")
• In Color assorted card stock (8-1/2" x 11")
• Business forms and tools

Or if you want to buy the standard $199 Starter Kit, in addition to the supplies listed below, you'll get all six of the new In Color Classic Stampin' Pads and one pack of In Color assorted card stock (8-1/2" x 11")--a $43 value! The standard Starter Kit includes

• Five stamp sets
• A Stampin' Around wheel, handle, and ink cartridge
• Stampin' Pastels
• Card stock
• Eastern Blooms Décor Elements and applicator tool
• Five Classic Stampin' Pads
• VersaMark Pad
• Stampin' Scrub and Mist
• Blender pens
• SNAIL
• Business forms and tools

Contact me for the special password to be able to sign up through my Stampin' Up website at june@mycreativecorner.com. If you prefer, we can also snail mail the application, simply send me an email and request the form.

Another August special that Stampin' Up is offering is the Growing Up Promotion! Spend $35 on stamp sets from the Growing Up section of the 2009-2010 Idea Book & Catalog (pages 74-90) and receive a FREE package of Designer buttons--a $7.95 value! Eligible buttons are listed below.

Item #	Page	Description	Retail Value
116313	181	Playground Designer buttons	$7.95
116312	181	Sherbet Designer buttons	$7.95
114333	181	Button Latte Designer buttons	$7.95

There is no limit to the number of free buttons you may earn. For every $35 you spend on Growing Up stamp sets, you will receive a free package of Designer buttons!

For those of you with little ones runnin' around, Stampin' Up has an adorable Décor Elements Growth Chart available just for you! Click the link to see it up close - it's just too cute for words! When you purchase the brand-new Décor Elements Growth Chart (only available August 1-September 30), you'll receive a free applicator tool as a bonus with your purchase (a $1.95 value).

Item #	Description	Price
117519	Décor Elements Growth Chart	$24.95

Lastly, the Country Living Summer Cookout Kit is available at a 40% discount! Click the link to see all the fabulous items included in this kit to make your celebration one to remember!!

You can place your online order through my Stampin' Up website, or send an email to let me know your order at june@mycreativecorner.com. I hope that you are having an enjoyable summer - autumn is just around the corner, and I look forward to getting back into my own "normal" routines and posting regularly once again. Take care and I hope you can come back tomorrow - I have an easy and abstract background technique that you may find very interesting!

Summer Deals & Club Details

Throughout July, Stampin' Up! is offering a super promotion each week called.... (ready?).... Deals of the Week! :) This week's special is the Big Shot Doctor's Bag for only $49.95. Be sure to check my business website each Monday after 9am, Arizona time, to get the scoop! You can place your order right away by clicking the "shop now" button in the upper right corner. In addition to these great weekly promotions, between July 15 through August 31st, you can sign up as a demonstrator for just $85..... how cool is that!?! You can even sign up online through my business website (just email me for the password at june@mycreativecorner.com). Be sure to click the links to get the latest information about these awesome promotions.

CLUB DETAILS

The new catalog season is here, and I wanted to give you a heads up about my next round of Hostess Clubs that are forming right now. This is a great way to build up your supplies gradually in a very budget-friendly way! I am organizing an "every other month" club where members can make free projects with their group and learn about the variety, flexibility and coordination of products that Stampin' Up! offers in their various catalogs. Not only that, but each club member will get a turn to be the "hostess" during the club rotation. During your month as hostess, you'll receive at least one Level 1 hostess stamp set AND a minimum of $15 in free merchandise. You can earn more benefits by collecting "outside" orders to boost your total sales during your month, or maybe we can schedule in a workshop near the club date to really maximize your benefits! In addition, you will receive a free copy of the 2009-2010 Idea Book and Catalog. To join in as a member of the hostess club, you agree to purchase $25 in Stampin' Up! merchandise (before tax and shipping) during your "every-other" club months. Your order needs to be submitted on or before your club dates, so that the hostess for that month can select her hostess benefits, and I can get everyone's order in... pronto! :)

I am setting up two clubs to start with a limit of 6 participants in each club. Each club must be full before we can start the group, so if you have a "new-to-me" friend that signs up - you'll receive a free Classic inkpad as a thank-you! Pick the group which has dates that better fit into your normal schedule - I don't want you to miss out on your free make-n-takes when we meet for club!

"Sunday Stampers" group, with a focus on cards and 3-D items, will meet between 2-4pm on:
July 26, 2009
September 20, 2009
November 15, 2009
January 24, 2010
March 7, 2010
May 16, 2010

"Monday Stampers" group, with a focus on scrapbooking, will meet between 7-9pm on:
August 10, 2009
October 12, 2009
December 7, 2009
February 8, 2010
April 5, 2010
June 7, 2010

You can fill out my contact page HERE to join (please specify which group you are signing up for in the comment section), or send an email to june@mycreativecorner.com and I will respond shortly. In case you might be wondering, I will be offering additional projects, challenges and classes throughout the catalog year to keep your mojo hummin' during those months that we aren't meeting for club, so no worries! PLUS, in addition to the great benefits as hostess during your club month and free projects to make during your meetings, Club Members receive $5 off all of my classes offered throughout the year! Don't wait.... Sign up today!

Have a super day! :)

Last Chance Summer Fun Promotions

Today kicks off some awesome promotions with Stampin' Up that lasts throughout the month of June. First of all, the Last Chance Lists were posted today, and this will be the last time these stamp sets and Decor Elements will be available (click on each link to see the PDF documents). I'm sure you might have one or two of these items that's been sitting at the top of your wishlist - now's the time to get 'em! Along with the retiring stamp sets, we have a large variety of accessories that will be retiring too - and many of these are being offered at a discount of up to 50%! Remember though, the accessories are only available while supplies last, so your best bet to get these would be to shop now through my demonstrator website and pick them up today. I will try and keep this list updated for you daily, but some items have sold out already, so your best bet is to get those accessories now while you can!!!

Secondly, Stampin' Up! is having a Fantastic Hostess Bonus promotion! With just a $250 workshop, the hostess will get an additional $20 in Free products - with a $400 or more workshop, the hostess receives an additional $40 in Free products!!! How cool is that!?! I mean, think about it - with a $400 workshop, you can get $85 in Free goodies...... this is a great promotion!!!

Lastly, Stampin' Up! has a really cute offering that's perfect for summertime get-togethers. It's called the Country Living Summer Cookout Kit and it really makes me want to go fire up the BBQ!!!

If you have any questions about these wonderful promotions, let me know by email at june@mycreativecorner.com. Have a great day!!

Mother's Day Promotion!!!

Hello again - I hope that you are having a wonderful Mother's Day weekend! I wanted to make a quick card today using some papers from my huge paper scraps bin - I always check there first and use the papers that I need, but it still manages to grow! I was able to complete this card in about 20 minutes... ALOT faster than finding my keys, driving to the store, staring at all the hundreds of cards for sale, standing in line at checkout, finding my keys (again...) in my bottomless pit of a purse, and driving home. LOL - but isn't that the truth!?! Make a card instead that you would truly love to give someone, and is a wonderful reflection of you!!!

So what do you think of my simple, but sweet, little card? The little Fabulous Friend oval was stamped on a piece of leftover "Faux Linen" glossy white cardstock that was from my last Techniques class. I just swiped Pink Pirouette ink over it, and the ink filled in the lines very nicely with just enough color. The flowers were colored in with markers, then it was punched out with the large oval punch. I layered this with a Kiwi Kiss scalloped oval. I don't know if you can see it, but the white block was run through the Big Shot with the diamond Texturz embossing plate - in real life, it really adds a pretty touch to this card.

I hope that each of you will have the most wonderful Mother's Day! In celebration of Mother's Day, I am offering all my customers a Free spool of 1/4 inch grograin ribbon in the color of your choice for your purchase of the "Buy 3, Get One Free" paper special being offered by Stampin' Up! this month. (The details are that if you purchase 3 packs of Designer Series paper - including our Specialty Designer Series paper - and/or 12" x 12" textured card stock, you'll get one Free! You can mix or match your paper choices as you wish!) I hope you take advantage of this great promotion, and my offer of a free ribbon spool to be included in your order ends at midnight on Tuesday, May 12th. Please email me your paper collection choices (including the free paper and ribbon selections) at june@mycreativecorner.com or simply fill out my contact page and type in the comment section on that page. I will contact you thereafter to finalize your order. You can view the paper selections HERE and the ribbon choices HERE. Treat yourself to something special for Mother's Day! Thank you so much for visiting with me! See you soon...

Stamps - Oval All
Paper - Bella Rose paper collection, Pretty in Pink, Kiwi Kiss, Whisper White, Glossy White
Ink - Black, Pink Pirouette, SU markers: Rose Red, Old Olive
Accessories - Scallop Oval and Large Oval punches, BigShot, Texturz plate (diamond grid pattern), Pretty in Pink ribbon
Technique - Faux Linen

National Scrapbooking Month Promotions

To celebrate National Scrapbooking Month during May, Stampin'Up! has wonderful promotions between May 1-31! The Scrapbooking Promotion has three exciting parts:

1. Buy three packs of Designer Series paper (including our Specialty Designer Series paper) and/or 12" x 12" textured card stock, and get one FREE! You can mix or match your paper choices as you wish!

2. Buy a sneak peek stamp set from the 2009-2010 Idea Book & Catalog--Jumble Alphabet (set of 52; double-mounted)--at a 20 percent discount. After this promotion ends, this stamp set won't be available again until July! Click the link below to see a PDF of the entire alphabet.

115199 Jumble Alphabet Stamp Set Regularly $43.95 NOW $35.16

Lastly, for those of you thinking about joining the Stampin'Up! Family, NOW is a great time to join! Become a Stampin' Up! demonstrator for only $75 with our limited-time Scrapbooking Starter Kit. The Scrapbooking Starter Kit contains the following:

113510 Schoolbook Serif AlphabetStamp Set $42.95
113059 Simply Scrappin’ Petal Party $19.95
108697 Earth Elements Asst Textured Cardstock (12x12) $11.95
105240 Whisper White Craft Stampin’ Pad $7.50

This is a FANTASTIC Scrapbooking Starter Kit promotion! You can substitute and customize each of these items for any like items. The Scrapbooking Starter Kit also contains all the business supplies contained in the standard Starter Kit:

* Getting Started DVD
* Getting Started Guide
* Guest Invitation Postcard (100)
* Idea Book & Catalog (8)
* Occasions Mini Catalog (8)
* To My Hostess Envelope (10)
* Recruit Folders (5)
* Recruit Brochures (20)
* Hostess Brochure (20)
* Hostess Benefits Form (10)
* Customer Order Form (50)

Contact me today for my password to join now through my website! It’s so easy, just click on the “Join Now” link in the upper right corner and fill out the form. Or, if you choose, we can send the demonstrator agreement by mail, but remember this form must be delivered to Stampin’Up! by Friday, May 29, 2009.