Photo cube

I found this project on paperjewels.blogspot.com. I happened to have 4 cd cases left over from a different project and went to work! I didn't create the holder for the bottom like others did- so my cube is open. I still need to add my photos, but I kind of like it plain too. This would be a cute gift for a teacher! Check out her site for more great ideas and let us know if you create one!

You will need 4 empty cd cases, scrapbook paper, thin embellishments, a paper cutter, scoring blade, and some adhesive.

Give a Hoot...

How fun is this guy? Or is it a girl? He will be featured on one of my upcoming Hostess club projects!

Here are all of the parts I punched out...

To create the layers for his chest and wings, I used a circle punch after I punched the scallop to get the size of layer that I wanted. His feet are a little weird looking - but aren't most feet? I used the scallop circle punch, and then cut a space between to make 2 feet. His beak was just snipped off of a corner piece of Pumpkin Pie card stock.

The best part... the whole thing was created using scraps! Give a hoot... don't pollute! {:

Inspired by Nature

I LOVE this set! It is so fun and easy to use! I used my sponge daubers to ink Old Olive, More Mustard, and Basic Brown onto my Very Vanilla card stock. Then layered it onto More Mustard card stock and then onto my Very Vanilla base. This card stands straight up. Instead of cutting my card stock in half "hamburger style" I cut it in half "hot dog style". It is the same size as cutting it "hamburger style" so it will still fit in a standard envelope! I stamped the "live with passion" sentiment in Basic Brown onto More Mustard, and used my new wide oval punch. I added a few dimensionals to the back to make it stand out a bit.

I want my mummy!

Here's Frankenstein's buddy. I really don't care for him. I just couldn't get his mouth right - no matter what I tried. I even tried no mouth, but even that didn't look right! Any suggestions?

I used Whisper White card stock. Tore strips and swiped in Creamy Caramel Classic Ink. Punched circles in Whisper White, Basic Black, and Real Red. I puffed up his nose with pop dots (though you can't tell in the picture).

Monster Mash

Isn't he cute? This guy has been seen many times on Splitcoaststampers.com. While shopping at Hobby Lobby today, I was really put in the fall mood. Nothing like all the yummy pumpkin pie and cinnamon smells in the air, and then being jolted back to reality when you walk outside and its 106+!

I used Old Olive, Whisper White, and Basic Black. I cut 2 circles out of Old Olive scrap and Whisper White scrap with my 1-3/8" circle punch. I punched 2 circles out of Basic Black. After cutting the Old Olive circles in half I added some Old Olive classic ink to the sides and top. The hair was cut freehand - though I have seen some might cute Frankenstein's that used a grass die cut! The mouth and scar were added with a Black Sharpie.

He seems a little sad. I think I will make him a friend later. Perhaps a mummy!

Cute ... More Cute

I found these notebooks that had dogs on the covers. Cute. Not my style, but it had potential!
Here's what I turned it into...

I used the All in the Family set to make the "teacher" on the cover. These will go into one of the teacher bags that I am doing for the craft fair. The pen has a clear barrel. I pulled it apart, then I rolled a piece of Tart and Tangy Designer Series paper into the tube and then reassembled the pen.

More bags!

I found these canvas bags while I was out shopping yesterday. I knew right away that I wanted to stamp on them and create some "to go gifts" for a couple of craft fairs that are coming up soon! I used black Stazon for the Bronc Buster bag, and black Craft Ink for the Jumbo Outline Alphabet bag. I really like how the Craft Ink gave a bolder color than the Stazon. I have a few other bags that are in need of some stamping... so I may try another Bronc Buster using the Craft Ink. After I stamped the images I gave them a quick heat set with my heat gun. If you don't have a heat gun, you could toss them in the dryer for a couple of minutes to set them. They are just so cute! I am going to fill them with small gifts items, like a water bottle, note pad, pen, etc. that match the theme of the bag!

Quality Control

One of the things that I love about Stampin' Up! is the fact that they refuse to sell inferior products. They stand behind their products 100%

New catalog releases are no exception. They know how excited customers are to get their hands on all the new items. But they want customers to be happy. So they are constantly doing quality control checks.

The following products featured in the new Fall-Winter Idea Book & Catalog are not available at this time due to quality issues. They will be available - but not until the issues have been resolved!

Item 111616 - Classifieds Background Stamp
Item 111544 - Putt Putt Stamp set
Item 111716 - You & Moi Stamp set
Item 112454 - Styled Vanilla Hodgepodge Hardware

It's in the bag!

Well, nothing is really in these bags - yet. I made these bags at our last Hostess club. They are plain white lunch bags stamped with images from the now retired, Big Pieces. After we stamped them, we ran them through the Crimper to give them a fun look! I love that Crimper - it does so much! Then we made the tag with the Large and small tag punch. A simple, but fun way to dress up your next gift bag!

Monkey see, Monkey do!

Isn't he cute?! Come on - you know he is!! :) I made this water bottle tag using the Shrinky Dink material that I used for my In the Neighborhood key chain! I used the new Sock Monkey set, colored him in with Sharpie Markers, used my SU! heat gun and then let it cool. I then used another Sharpie to add "Mom" to the tag. I used a small ring and attached it to a black hair band. So simple! So cute! So no more "missing water bottles" huh! We'll see.

Wise Men Seek Him Still

I don't know what bothers me more... the saying - that is usually "Wise men still seek him" or the fact that the saying is above Santa and his reindeer?

Well... good news! I can fix both! These will be featured in Phase 2 of the Decor Elements that is coming in October. I can switch the "still" around if I want to. And I realized that these are 2 separate pieces! Thank goodness!

You are probably wondering why you would want to add these to the walls of your home for just a couple of months. I have more good news! You can add these images to almost any surface in your home. Including windows, the sliding glass door, the refrigerator, a frame, a mirror, and more. Or you can do what I will do, and add them to a piece of painted wood so that I can use it year after year!

Watch for a Decor Elements class coming in October to learn more about Decor Elements.

Together

Here is an 8-1/2" x 11" scrapbook page that I made for one of my Hostess club meetings. It uses Old Olive card stock, now retired Home Again DSP, retired River Rock card stock for the tag, On Board chipboard for the "t", and now retired Hodgepodge Hardware that was added to the tag. The together stamp is from the Define Your Life stamp set.

No, Stampin' Up! hasn't created a longer tag punch. The card stock was cut into a strip and pulled through the punch to elongate the tag. You can create any length tag to go with your projects this way!

Workshop in a bag!

If your wish list for the Fall-Winter Idea Book & Catalog is as long as mine is, you are probably wondering how you can get it all without breaking open the piggy bank!

What if I told you that you could get some of those items FREE?
Yes, FREE! Host a Workshop in a bag!

All the benefits of being a hostess,
without scheduling an in-home workshop!


You will receive a Fall-Winter Idea Book & Catalog,
Current Stampin’ Up Special Flyers, Decor Elements Brochure, Order Forms, Wish lists, and a few stamped samples in a gift bag. Don’t forget to include a wish list of your own in the bag! You never know who will be shopping for you!

As the hostess, you will pass the bag and its contents to your friends and collect orders. You may just be surprises by who places an order with you! You choose when you want to close the workshop. Once your workshop total reaches $150 you will receive hostess benefits of at least a Level 1 gift, and $15 in free merchandise. You really have nothing to lose!
__________________________

Host your Workshop in a Bag before September 30 and receive an extra $10 in hostess benefits from me when your workshop reaches $150.

Become a Demo for only $99!

Dates: August 11-October 11, 2008
Promotion details:
From August 11-October 11, potential recruits will have the option of becoming a Stampin' Up! demonstrator by purchasing one of three special mini Starter Kits* priced at $99.

Stamp-Focused Starter Kit:
Fun & Fast Notes stamp set
Bold Brights card stock assortment (8-1/2" x 11")
Basic Black Classic Stampin' Pad
SNAIL Adhesive
Whisper White card stock (8-1/2" x 11")

Scrapbook-Focused Starter Kit:
Contempo Alphabet stamp set
Simply Scrappin' Petal Party
Pixie Pink Classic Stampin' Pad

Home Décor-Focused Starter Kit:
Inspired by Nature stamp set
Décor Elements Chocolate Classic Ff
Décor Elements Medium Chocolate Long Stem Silhouettes
Décor Elements Applicator
Kiwi Kiss Classic Stampin' Pad

*Each kit also includes the same business supplies that are found in the standard Starter Kit (the Home Décor-Focused Starter Kit also includes 25 Décor Elements brochures). While all items in the Starter Kits are recommended, a new demonstrator may substitute a like item of equal or lesser value.

click here for more information

andreamason.stampinup.net

I have a new website! You will want to keep this web address handy! Stampin' Up! has announced that we will soon have an online ordering feature! Stay tuned for more information. Please go check it out, and let me know what you think! While you are there, sign up to receive my monthly newsletter! It will feature special offers, upcoming classes, and more! My next newsletter will be sent out on August 12 - go sign up now, so you won't miss it!

andreamason.stampinup.net

Open house projects

For those of you who missed my open house last night, I wanted to post a picture of some projects you missed out on!

Here is Sock Monkey on Very Vanilla, Kiwi Kiss (ran through the Crimper), and Tangerine Tango. The cupcakes were stamped in Versa Mark.

Here is a tulip. Made with 10 large ovals punched from Riding Hood Red. The ovals are cut at an angle at one end, then folded in half. Apply Snail to one side of each oval and stick together accordion style.
We also had a Decor Elements demonstration! This one was sent to me from Stampin' Up! to use as a demo piece. I'm not sure if it will be available in Phase 2 of the Decor Elements coming in October - but it does coordinate with the Big Flowers stamp set.

I also went over some of the new specials that Stampin' Up! will be offering over the next few months! I will be back to post those in the morning!

And somehow, I ended up ordering the Sizzix Big Shot! It will be put to use at an upcoming Sizzix class. Be sure you add your name to my newsletter list at andreamason.stampinup.net

It's not too late to sign up for a Hostess Club! If you would like more information just email me!

Tomorrow is the first day that you can order from the new Fall-Winter catalog! If your wish list is as long as mine... you may want to consider having a Workshop in a Bag to earn some of those sets for FREE! Contact me for more information.

Just a taste!

After searching high and low... here is what I found to share with you... These images are from other Demos who attended the Stampin' Up! convention. Thanks to all of you for sharing your trip! *Suz - are we still on for next year?*
You are going to LOVE the new Decor Elements that are coming!

We have NEW punches! A scalloped edge, a wide oval, a curvy label, a 1-3/4" circle, and a scalloped square! The curvy label, scalloped square, and wide oval all have coordinating stamp sets!! Too fun!

This is one of the Christmas sets that is coming for us! At first glance, the words make me think of a really bad rap song! Bad Andrea - I know!

And here is the BIG news! Stampin' Up! has partnered with Sizzix!! We are getting our own Big Shot! It is a die cut machine that will cut and emboss some great images! Woo hoo!! More info to come!

I'm back!

I am back from vacation! I have a lot of catching up to do since I took a vacation at the same time as the Stampin' Up! convention! What was I thinking??!! I'll be back tomorrow with some great SU! news!!