Send Me Soaring Card + Demonstrator Magazine Sneak Peek

I'm excited to start two new online clubs in April. One of them is the "Stamp Set of the Month" Club and the first stamp set will be Send Me Soaring from the Occasions Mini Catalog. Watch my blog for more details about the club in the next couple days!

This card was CASEd from a swap card, but there was no name on the back of the card, so I'm not sure who the original designer was. I changed the colors and designer paper, using the Everyday Enchantment series from the Sale-A-Bration brochure. I just love the color combination in that paper! The colors I used were Pool Party, Calypso Coral, Lucky Limeade, and Soft Suede.

Want to see more ideas using this stamp set? Stampin' Up! posted a sneak peek of our demonstrator magazine Stampin' Success earlier this month. Click here to see it the article featuring the Send Me Soaring stamp set. Get your own free subscription to this magazine when you sign up to be a demonstrator!

Stampin' Up! Supplies: Send Me Soaring, Pool Party ink & cardstock, Lucky Limeade ink & cardstock, Calypso Coral ink, Soft Suede ink, Very Vanilla cardstock, Everyday Enchantment DSP (SAB), 2-1/2" Circle Punch, 1-3/4" Scallop Circle Punch, 1-1/4" Circle Punch, Stampin' Dimensionals

Click HERE to Order Stampin' Up! Products Online, Anytime!

Last Chance!! Get FREE Sale-A-Bration Gifts with Purchase!

Today is the LAST DAY of Sale-A-Bration 2012! Make sure to place your order by 11:50 pm MT and get your free Sale-A-Bration gift before it's over! Click here to SHOP NOW!

Click here to view the Sale-A-Bration Brochure.

Click here to view Project Samples using the new Sale-A-Bration products.

Click HERE to Order Stampin' Up! Products Online, Anytime!

Petal Cone Die Carrot Box

Who knew this Petal Cone Die for the Big Shot had so many uses!? Remember the bat? The heart pouch? And the takeout box? Click here to see other Petal Cone die projects.

This carrot box was inspired by a project made by my friend Meg Loven. We made this in Stamp Club this week.

Here's a close-up of the tag and ribbon. The Lucky Limeade ribbon is part of the Everyday Enchantment ribbon and brad bundle that you can choose for free during Sale-A-Bration. (And don't miss out, Sale-A-Bration ends on Saturday, March 31! Just ONE day left!! Click here for details and see what you can choose for your free gift!)

I love how this ribbon looks curled! We started by wrapping in around a dowel and heating it, but we found it's just as easy to curl it with your fingernail or scissors!

Here's a tip for the tag: Punch a hole in the tag and then cut from the edge of the tag to the hole so that you can slide the tag on the ribbon without having to tie it in place! Click here to see a close-up for a tag like this on another project.

Here are the pieces I used from the Petal Cone Die (#121810, #32.95). I used Pumpkin Pie and Lucky Limeade cardstock. One cut of the die will yield one half of the petal cone, one scallop circle, and one banner. After I die cut the petal cones, I put them through with the polka dot embossing folder to get the texture. I cut one petal cone in half and then cut the half circles off the top of all of them.

I cut the scallop circles at an angle (I think I cut the last two scallops off) so that they would fit behind the top of the cone. I used Sticky Strip on the side flaps and also on the bottom of the scalloped circles so that everything would stay together.

As I am posting this, I'm thinking of even more ways to use this die, so stay tuned!!

Click HERE to Order Stampin' Up! Products Online, Anytime!

Get a Discount on ALL Your Stampin' Up! Orders

Specials are great, but it's an even better to get a discount on everything...every time you order. Don't you agree?

I am very excited to help Linda kick-start her stamping hobby! She came over on Tuesday and signed up to be a demonstrator. She's just starting out, so she couldn't resist the incredible deal -- $50 off the Starter Kit, making it just $125! I helped her pick out the stamp sets, ink pads, cardstock, designer paper, punch, ribbon, etc. that she wanted in her kit.

Linda can't wait to get her kit -- and use her new discount to get the other items on her wish list!

AND (yes, there's MORE!) Linda gets to pick out a free package of designer paper every month for the rest of 2012! With the new catalog starting on June 1st, there will be plenty of options to choose from!

Want to know more?
Get all the details about the Demonstrator Opportunity by clicking on the Join My Group ink. Still have questions? I'd love to talk to you! Email me at julie@the-davisons.com or call 217-954-0232

Ready to sign up now?If you're ready to join now and get the extra Sale-A-Bration benefits, you can sign up at online on by business website by clicking the "Join Now" button on the left.

Don't wait! Sale-A-Bration ends on Saturday, March 31!

Black & White Fresh Vintage Notecard

I love, love, LOVE this project! Dawn Olchefske demonstrated this card on stage at Leadership Conference. It's the perfect make and take and I have been sharing it with my customers a lot over the last two months. (Click here to see more samples using the Sale-A-Bration Fresh Vintage stamp set.)

It's clean and simple...and perfect! You don't need much to pull this classic elegant look off. Here's a list of supplies -- and when you order $50 before the end of Saturday night (March 31, you can choose a free gift!

Stampin' Up! Supplies:

• Fresh Vintage stamp set (Get it FREE!)
• Sincere Salutations, #115068, $23.95
• Basic Black Ink Pad, #101179, $5.95
• Whisper White Notecards & Envelopes, #107311, $5.95
• Extra Large Oval Punch, #119859, $16.95
• Designer Frames Embossing Folders (Get it FREE!), #123130, $8.95
• Big Shot, #113439, $99.95

Click HERE to Order Stampin' Up! Products Online, Anytime!

Everyday Elegance Twitterpated Cards

I love how the Twitterpated products from the coordinate with the Everyday Elegance Simply Sent Card Kit. The cards on their own are perfect for busy stampers. Add a little designer paper and ribbon and and go from simple to gorgeous!

This idea was shared at Leadership Conference and I just had to CASE it for my Girly Girl Card Class. You can get the Everyday Elegance Card Kit FREE when you purchase $50 or more before March 31. Click here for details. Click here to see more projects using the Everyday Elegance Card Kit.

Stampin' Up! Supplies: Just Believe stamp set, Basic Gray ink pad, Blushing Bride cardstock, Twitterpated Designer Paper, Everyday Elegance Simply Sent Card Kit, Blushing Bride Pleated Ribbon, Riding Hood Red Pleated Ribbon

Click HERE to Order Stampin' Up! Products Online, Anytime!

Creative Elements Birthday Card

Tonight was my Girly Girl card class (to be followed by the Manly Man card class next month). Here's one of the cards we made tonight. It's not the girliest of the cards, but it's got pearls (in the middle of the butterfly) and satin ribbon and is so pretty in person! Although, as I type this, I realized that I wanted to break out the Smooch Spritz and I forgot it...I think it would have added just the right shimmer!

Stampin' Up! Supplies: Creative Elements, Elementary Elegance, Wisteria Wonder ink & cardstock, Jet Black Staz-On Ink, Basic Black cardstock, VeryVanilla cardstock, First Edition Designer Series Paper, Eyelet Border Punch, Extra Large Oval Punch, Labels Collections Framelits (Big Shot), Designer Frames Embossing Folders (Big Shot), Pearl Jewel Accents, Very Vanilla Satin Ribbon, Stampin Dimensionals

bold = Stampin' Up! 2012 Sale-A-Bration Products

Click HERE to Order Stampin' Up! Products Online, Anytime!

Clean & Simple Elementary Elegance Card

Here's one of the cards we made at my Celebrations Card Class in Springfield last week. (Click here to see more upcoming events.) I love the clean and simple style. This stamp set, Elementary Elegance, is one of the free gifts you can choose when you order $50 or more before March 31. And did you know -- you can shop from my Clearance Rack and still get the free gift when you order $50? There are still many deals to be had there, including lots of punches and Big Shot dies! Click here to shop the Clearance Rack now.

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Stampin' Up! Supplies: Elementary Elegance Stamp Set, Early Espresso ink, Cajun Craze ink & cardstock, Crumb Cake cardstock, Very Vanilla cardstock, Well Worn Designer Series Paper, Curly Label Punch, 1/16" Hole Punch. Gold Brads, Stampin' Dimensionals

Click HERE to Order Stampin' Up! Products Online, Anytime!

Blossom Punch Cut Out Card

I literally fell asleep blogging last night! When I came back to my computer this morning, I found the photo uploaded, waiting for text. That's what happens when I work in my recliner, I guess! Since this is technically last night's card, I'll post another one tonight!

I was working on this card design for a shoebox swap, but ended up doing something else instead. I used the Blossom Punch to cut out the Everyday Enchantment Designer Paper and the Very Vanilla cardstock underneath shows through.

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Stampin' Up! Supplies: Curly Cute, Pool Party ink & cardtock, Very Vanilla cardstock, Everyday Enchantment Designer Paper, Blossom Punch, 3/4" Circle Punch, Eyelet Border Punch, Stampin' Dimensionals, Jumbo Pearls

Click HERE to Order Stampin' Up! Products Online, Anytime!

Fancy Favor Double Up Box + Blossom Punch Tip

I had resisted buying the Fancy Favor die. I didn't need it! Until of course I saw this box (and another) at Leadership Conference. This was on one of the display shelves, and my friend Robin Armbrecht must have spied it too because she designed a similar box for a joint group meeting earlier this month. Here's the version I made with my Stamp Club this month.

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I love, love, love coordinating products and the Everyday Enchantment Designer Paper and Brads from the Sale-A-Bration Brochure and coordinating Fresh Vintage stamp set are just yummy together! You can get all three products for FREE when you host a qualifying party during Sale-A-Bration. There's still one month left, so contact me soon to get your party scheduled!

The box is actually TWO boxes cut from the Fancy Favor die. The first box from Very Vanilla cardstock is adhered together normally. The second box, cut from Everyday Enchantment Designer Paper, has the bottom cut off. The bottom end sides are pinched together and secured with sticky strip. The inverted designer paper box fits snugly over the cardstock box. A hole in the top with ribbon and the flower are the perfect coordinating accents.

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Check out this tip for the flower! Pure genius from Dawn Olchefske! Use three punches from the Modern Label Punch to layer on the new Blossom Punch from the Occasions Mini. It makes the perfect layer! And then the Peach Parfait flower is stamped on Very Vanilla cardstock and punches with the Triple Layer Blossom Bouquet Punch! Just line up the line of dots inside the flower with the "petal" openings on the back side of the punch.

Stampin' Up! Supplies: Fresh Vintage stamp set, Peach Parfait ink & cardstock, Pool Party cardstock, Very Vanilla cardstock, Everyday Enchantment Designer Paper, Fancy Favor Box die (Big Shot), Everyday Enchantment Designer Brads, Modern Label Punch, Blossom Punch, Triple Layer Blossom Bouquet Punch, 1/16" hole Punch, Crop-a-dile, Peach Parfait Ribbon, Stampin' Dimensionals, Sticky Strip

bold = Stampin' Up! 2012 Sale-A-Bration Products

Click HERE to Order Stampin' Up! Products Online, Anytime!

Dyeing Baker's Twine

I was just looking over the Sale-A-Bration Brochure with someone a couple weeks ago and we were trying to figure out how they made the stitched card on page 11. As if they were reading my mind, Stampin' Up! posted a video the day after answering just that question!

The stem and leaf stitched on the card were done with the White Baker's Twine that was dyed with the Lucky Limeade ink refill. Check out the video from Stampin' Up! here.

It's easier than you might think! Here are the instructions from Stampin' Up!

To dye your Baker's Twine, simply create a mixture using rubbing alcohol and any color of our Classic or Craft Stampin' Ink refills. A good starting ratio is one tablespoon of alcohol to one drop of ink refill (you can adjust from there to get the right color intensity for your project). Place the Baker's Twine in the mixture allowing enough time for the dye to fully soak the twine. Lay the dyed twine on a clean paper towel to dry.

Click HERE to Order Stampin' Up! Products Online, Anytime!

Stampin' Up! Designer Stickers

That's not a misprint! Stampin' Up! has released designer stickers in the Occasions Mini Catalog. The Sweet Shop Stickers coordinate with the other Sweet Shop products, including designer paper and Jelly Bean Brads. And they are quite yummy if I do say so myself! I love how quick and easy it is to add full color images to my projects. The stickers have a clear base so it blends right in with the background cardstock.

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Stampin' Up! Supplies: Outlined Expressions (greeting), Sweet Shop Designer Stickers, Whisper White cardstock, Calypso Coral cardstock, Pool Party cardstock, Soft Suede cardstock, Sweet Shop Designer Series Paper, 2-3/8" Scallop Circle Punch, 2-1/2" Circle Punch, Scallop Edge Punch, Calypso Coral Ruffled Ribbon

bold = Stampin' Up! 2012 Occasions Mini Catalog Products

Click HERE to Order Stampin' Up! Products Online, Anytime!

Why Not?

I was inspired at Leadership to do what I love the most -- to share with my fellow demonstrators. At two recent group meetings, I spoke in front of everyone about sharing the Stampin' Up! opportunity. I was excited to help inspire demonstrators to do something that many of them have never done before: to help their own friends enjoy the same perks they get as demonstrators. (Isn't kind of selfish NOT to share something you love with the people you love?)

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I think the biggest hang-up many stampers have about signing up to be a demonstrator is that they are not interested in starting a business. To put it simply: most demonstrators don't join for the "business". I know I didn't. I signed up almost 10 years ago because I wanted a discount on everything I was already buying! I think most of us sign up "for the discount". So if you're not interested in starting a "business", that's okay! There's so much more to being a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator than building a business!

Why I Love Being a Demonstrator:

• I love making new friends who love the same thing I do!
• I love taking road trips with friends to stamping events!
• I LOVE getting free stamps!
• I love being the first to see new things! (I love sneak peeks -- like the card above! More details on this technique to come tomorrow!)
• I love having a social outlet with grown-ups (this is huge for me since I am home with the kids all day!)
• I love making extra money to pay family bills -- like the mortgage and home insurance!
• I love getting the demonstrator magazine and learning new techniques!
• I love sharing ideas with other demonstrator, participating in card swaps, and inspiring each other to try new things!
• I love having an excuse to do something I love! (And being able to write off all my "toys" as a business expense!)

If you would enjoy these same things -- or any of the other perks of being a Stampin' Up! demonstrator, I hope you'll consider giving it a try! 

Click here to learn more. Or, if you're ready, JOIN NOW!

Here's my group of Ju-bilant Stampers who attended Leadership Conference in San Antonio with me in January. (I'm on the far right.) I love taking trips with my demonstrator friends and look forward to attending Convention in Salt Lake City this July. Want to join us?

Everyday Elegance Simply Sent Box Tutorial

I wanted to use this card kit to make something other than a card. I was inspired by a picture of a box that was demonstrated at Convention using a different kit, but I just couldn't figure it out from the photos. So I started from scratch and made up my own box! Don't worry, you won't have to figure it out on your own! I created a tutorial with the measurements so you'll know exactly where to score and cut if you want to make this box at home.

Everyday Elegance Simply Sent Box Tutorial (.pdf)
Prefer Video? Check out this post to learn how to make this box from a half sheet of cardstock!

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I used the Everyday Elegance Simply Sent Kit for this box. The kit comes with both Cherry Cobbler and Baja Breeze cards. Click here to see the Baja Breeze card I posted yesterday. I love how simple and elegant these cards can be!

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Click HERE to Order Stampin' Up! Products Online, Anytime!

Petal Cone Takeout Box Tutorial

The Petal Cone die for the Big Shot is really so much more versatile than it first appears. Click here to see the Heart Pouch project I posted last week. And remember the Bat box I created in October? (Click here to view it now.) Here's yet another project that uses the die in a slightly different way than it was initially designed. To create this take-out style box, I cut off the tips of the cone and folded them under. Click below for see my free printable tutorial to learn how to make this at home.

Petal Cone Takeout Box Tutorial (.pdf)


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Making paper rosettes has never been easier than with the new Designer Rosette die (for the Big Shot). To create this one, I used two pieces of Everyday Enchantment Designer Paper that were cut to 1-1/2" x 12".

Stampin' Up! Supplies: Fresh Vintage stamp set (SAB), Poppy Parade ink & cardstock, Very Vanilla cardstock, Crumb Cake ink & cardstock, Everyday Enchantment Designer Paper (SAB), 1-1/4" & 1-3/8" Circle Punches, Rosette Big Shot Die, Everyday Enchantment Designer Brads (SAB), Poppy Parade ribbon, Sticky Strip, Stampin' Dimensionals

bold = Sale-a-bration Exclusive Products (click here to learn how to get them for free)

Click HERE to Order Stampin' Up! Products Online, Anytime!

Petal Cone Valentines

I have been battling a nasty head cold this week and I feel like I haven't gotten anything done all week long. I hate being behind! I hope to catch up this weekend. In the meantime, here are three projects in one post -- all different version of the Petal Cone Valentine.

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I didn't get a chance to take a picture of the the basic "how to", so if you can't figure it out, leave me a comment and then I'll know I need to upload one for you! Basically, you die cut two pieces of the Petal Cone die, but instead of folding it into a cone, leave a flat. Use sticky strip on both flaps and tuck them under to adhere both pieces together. Viola -- instant heart! You will still see some of the score lines from the other folds, but you can cover that up when you embellish it.

Here's a close-up of the rosette. I used the Everyday Enchantment Designer Paper and coordinating Fresh Vintage stamp set -- both available for free during the Sale-a-bration promotion.

Here's another version I made with my Stamp Club this month. It's hard to tell from the photo, but the layer behind on the greeting is red glitter paper. And I used the Dazzling Details to make the heart sparkly too.

Here's my inspiration -- a Leadership display project from the home office. It's the same paper I used for my rosette. Gorgeous details! The scallop around the round part of the heart are die cut from the same Petal Cone die.

Click HERE to Order Stampin' Up! Products Online, Anytime!

Blossoms Builders Leadership Make & Take

This was another one of the make and takes from Leadership Conference. There were NINE projects altogether! I didn't get a chance to make them all while I was there...and well, I haven't finished them since I've been home either. In my spare time, right? (wink!) I like this card, especially using the new Blossom Builders die cuts.

The Daffodil Delight buttons are from the Brights Designer Buttons and you can choose them as your free gift when you order $50 or more during Sale-a-bration. Click here to learn more.

Stampin' Up! Supplies: Mixed Bunch, Loving Thoughts, Very Vanilla cardstock, Old Olive ink & cardstock, Rich Razzleberry marker, Tea Stain Stampin' Spot (from the Distressing Essentials set), Scallop Edge Punch, Merry Medley On Board, Blossom Builders Die Cuts, Brights Buttons, Lucky Limeade Baker's Twine

bold = Occasions Mini Catalog Products

Click HERE to Order Stampin' Up! Products Online, Anytime!

Sweet Shop Designer Stickers

I've never been a sticker fan, but the Sweet Shop Designer Stickers from the Stampin' Up! Occasions Mini Catalog may just change my mind! The stickers offer a simple way to incorporate full color images to your projects! Here's a card I made with the addition of a few new Sale-A-Bration products.

The front of the card uses the Everyday Enchantment Designer Paper and Calypso Coral Ribbon. The inside of the card (below) utilizes the new Outlined Expressions stamp Sale-A-Bration stamp set and another sticker from the Sweet Shop series.

Stampin' Up! Supplies: Outlined Occasions (SAB) stamp set, Basic Black ink pad, Pool Party marker & cardstock, Calypso Coral marker, Very Vanilla cardstock, Everyday Enchantment Designer Series Paper (SAB), Everyday Enchantment Ribbon (SAB), Sweet Shop Designer Stickers, Word Window Punch

bold = Stampin' Up! 2012 Sale-A-Bration Products. Click here to find out how to get these for FREE!

Click HERE to Order Stampin' Up! Products Online, Anytime!

2012 Sale-A-Bration: Sprinkled Expressions Valentine Card

Here's another card using the heart from the Sale-A-Bration stamp set Sprinkled Expressions. This one uses more traditional Valentine colors: Blushing Bride and Poppy Parade. I used markers to color the sentiment with different colors before I stamped it. It's hard to tell in the photo, but I added a little Dazzling Details to the little hearts above the greeting.

Stampin' Up! Supplies: Sprinkled Expressions (SAB), Blushing Bride ink & cardstock, Poppy Parade marker & cardstock, Basic Black marker, Whisper White cardstock, 1-3/4" Circle Punch, 2-3/8" Scallop Circle Punch, Stampin' Dimensionals

bold = Stampin' Up! 2012 Sale-A-Bration Products. Click here to find out how to get these for FREE!

Click HERE to Order Stampin' Up! Products Online, Anytime!

Sale-A-Bration 2012: Sprinked Expressions Mini Card

I designed this little gift tag to go with some of the calendars that I sent out to customers earlier this month. The card is small -- only 2-3/4" x 4-1/4". Basically, it's a quarter sheet of cardstock folded in half. (I did not put it in an envelope). I really like the combination of these two In Colors: Pool Party and Wisteria Wonder. The little heart paper is from the Sweet Shop series in the Occasions Mini Catalog.

Stampin' Up! Supplies: Sprinkled Expressions (SAB), Pool Party ink & cardstock, Wisteria Wonder ink & cardstock, Whisper White cardstock, Sweet Shop Designer Series Paper, 1-3/4" Circle Punch, Dazzling Details, Stampin' Dimensionals

bold = Stampin' Up! 2012 Sale-A-Bration Products. Click here to find out how to get these for FREE!

Click HERE to Order Stampin' Up! Products Online, Anytime!