Cards touch your heart

Posted on February 6, 2015 by Stamp with Jini

Have you ever wondering why you enjoy creating cards? Has someone ever sent you a letter that had brightened your day or made a difference in your life? We all paper craft for different reasons. Maybe this is one of your reasons you enjoy stamping.

Jason Wright is a weekly columnist for the Deseret News and The Northern Virginia Daily. He’s appeared in over 50 newspapers and magazines across the US and writes about topics such as the joy of service, the lost art of letter writing among other topics. This year he was the Keynote Speaker for the Stampin’ Up! Leadership Conference and I enjoyed the time he was with us that morning.

As he shared his humor and stories of learning how to stamp I couldn’t help but connect with the message of the ability we have to make a difference in someone’s life with our cards. His stories brought back memories of past pen pals, and childhood friends.

Those special sometimes hard to read letters my Grandmother used to send me when I first moved to Georgia with her recipes enclosed. She’s been gone 15 years now, but back then when long distance calls were expensive, she’d write weekly to all of us at one time with carbon paper between the layers of paper. (I know, I bet you haven’t seen carbon paper in years, right?) Those letters and memories are especially special now that she is gone.

What a wonderful opportunity we have to make a difference in someone’s life simply by taking a few moments to stamp a card. It’s part of the reason I started my Caring with Cards program – making a difference. If you’d like to join me in my free Caring with Cards events you can click HERE for my Calendar of Events to find times and dates to join me.

Now for today’s swaps – hopefully they’ll inspire you to stamp and send a card to someone you may be thinking of.

This first set of swaps is made with the Sheltering Tree stamp set (137163). It’s one of our two-step stamps that you’ll find in the Occasions Catalog.

I love the way that you can make the same image feel so different with just color.

And how about these cards made with the Petal Potpourri stamp set (137141/138586) and the coordinating punch, Flower Medallion (137417).

Isn’t it great you can save 15% when you buy the bundle (138876/138877)?

And this Painted Petals stamp set (138819/138822/137146) is now on my wish list.

You have so many great options with this 13 piece set and the coordinating Painted Blooms Designer Series Paper (137784) is fantastic!

And finally the Butterfly Thinlit (137360). I just knew I’d see some fantastic cards made with this die and I wasn’t wrong. Combine it with the coordinating Butterfly Basics set (138813/138816/137154) and you’ve got a sure hit on your hands!

So which set is your favorite? Why not leave me a comment and let me know what you like?

Oooo… I almost forgot the gift I got from my roomie. I haven’t shared it with you yet. Can you guess what Kathleen filled this great little Clear Mount Case with?

All kinds of goodies – since it holds a ton! Snail, Liquid Glue, Pearls, along with some fun goodies to have on hand for the trip. I’m planning on keeping my supplies in this box when I travel since it worked so well at keeping everything together!

Well keep warm, have a great weekend and stamp a bit! Then stop on by Monday for some last minute Valentine ideas. And if you haven’t already why not sign up for my Newsletter – the 6 Weeks of Sale-a-bration Newletter starts next week!

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Looking for that perfect gift for yourself or a friend, try a Paper Pumpkin Subscription. Add one to your next order, they count towards Hostess Rewards. During Sale-a-bration when you get a 3 month Subscription and you’ll save $5 AND get a FREE Sale-a-bration product! Prepaid subscriptions are the best way to enjoy Paper Pumpkin. Click HERE for more details.

Paper Pumpkin Spoiler Alert

Posted on February 5, 2015 by Stamp with Jini

If you haven’t tried Paper Pumpkin you won’t want to miss out on February’s Kit! During Leadership we were able to see the kits for February and March and I can tell you they’re great!

February’s kit will include 8 great fancy fold cards! Along with a great selection of stamps and 2 ink spots!!! Yes, I said 2 – so you’ll be able to add not just 1 but 2 colors to your color collections – a great way to build your choices if you are a new stamper!

Want to see what Paper Pumpkin is all about? Why not contact me today and I can share the fun projects in this box with you and tell you more about the upcoming kits! It’s free – so ask me how.

Paper pumpkin is so much fun – it’s a surprise each month when it is delivered. I love going to my mail box and getting this bright red box each month! And the best part is everything is included.

Here is the project that I received last month and put together.

The kit made 24 of these great little items to hand out – here is just a few that I put together quickly for my daughter’s friends and college.

These kits are great whether you are an experience stamper or new to stamping since you can add the left over pieces of the kit to your current supplies. Check out these wonderful projects from a Leadership display made with past Paper Pumpkin kits.

Here is a close up of the alternate 3d project made with January’s kit.

Cool right? I love all the choices this kit gives me – and the fact that everything comes in the box it means it is wonderful to take on the go when I want something easy to pack! Just one small little box.

Great news a 3 month Prepaid Paper Pumpkin Subscription is available during Sale-a-bration at a discount!!! So not only can you try Paper Pumpkin you can earn a FREE Sale-a-bration item with each 3 month Prepaid Subscription – How great is that?

And when you sign up with me and purchase a 3 month Prepaid Subscription I’ll give you this special case to hold your collection of Paper Pumpkin stamps so they are easy to store and find for your future projects.

You won’t want to delay since in order to receive the February Layers of Gratitude Kit you have to order and redeem your Prepaid Subscription by the end of the day Tuesday, February 10th!

So why not try it? What have you been waiting for? Click HERE to order yours or Contact me today to get started!

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Hello Life & the Russell Home Service Project

Posted on February 4, 2015 by Stamp with Jini

One of the wonderful things about Stampin’ Up! is that they make a difference in the lives of others. In the every day, creating and sharing, and on a bigger scale such as the service projects they organize.

This year during the Leadership Conference in Orlando we had an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of some special children by donating some of our time.

We put together 400 craft kits along with thank you cards for the volunteers who help at the The Russell Home. The Russell Home is a care facility for severely disabled children and offers around the clock specialized care, plus love and a homelike atmosphere that is essential for a child’s growth and development. They also provide respite care for the parents of disabled children. What a wonderful way to spend a bit of our time together.

Here is the card I stamped. It’s wonderful to know that it will be bringing a smile to a special volunteer soon.

And now for some swaps – I choose the stamp set Hello Life (137136) to high light today, it some how seemed fitting.

This first card brought a smile to my face as soon as I saw it – I thought it was too cute and very clever. The sentiment is from the Hello Life – it’s fun and the set contains 2 different free flowing script choices. There are so many ways you can use them.

The little bird is from the Zoo Babies stamp set (130453/130456) that you can find in the 2014 Catalog. And of course the balloon is from our Celebrate Today Bundle (138869).

I love the striking Strawberry Slush and Basic Black combination on this card.

And how about this one – it uses one of our Weekly Deals – the Sweetheart Punch (133786) along with the Hearts & Star Masks (133777).

And one perfect for your Valentine.

Isn’t the Confetti Heart Border Punch (137415) fun?

Which is your favorite? Why not leave me a comment and let me know?

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Wood You Be Mine?

Posted on February 3, 2015 by Stamp with Jini

This post is a bit later than planned since my internet has been a bit spotty today, but I’m hoping that will be fixed by tomorrow night. So instead I’ll simply be sharing some wonderful cards that I’ve received in swaps at Leadership.

Now for some fun cards – These first two cards were made using the Wood You Be Mine stamp set (137134) from the Occasions Catalog.

This next fun card is made with our Circle Card Thinlit Die (133480) and also the Groovy Love set (134243/134246)

Here is the inside

Cute right?

Which is your favorite Sale-a-bration set? How about some cards using a fun Sale-a-bration set, Big Day (139109/139112).

And how about some cards using the Lotus Blossom set (139143) – it seems it was a huge hit and I think one of the most popular sets in my swaps.

Don’t you love all the different colors combinations that were used for the blossom? Leave a comment and let me know which is your favorite.

Hopefully the internet and I will be back up and running like normal again tomorrow so can share more cards and Leadership fun with you!

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Farwell to Orlando & Leadership 2015

Posted on February 2, 2015 by Stamp with Jini

Saturday was the last day of Leadership and we closed the event with a bang, wonderful presentations, lunch, and of course prize patrol! After all who doesn’t love FREE and Stampin’ Up! does pamper it’s demonstrators!!!

This is my friend Marni and I with the Balloon Bash giveaway. (I can’t wait to play with this set after seeing all the fantastic items made with it!)

Here are my goodies – my pillow gifts and prize patrol. I almost had a problem getting it all in my suitcase!!! Great problem to have? right?

And of course I love the bag from this year – it’s so cute and will be great this summer too. It’s such a great size that what didn’t fit in my suitcase fit in my new bag! (If you’re wondering what the shot glass is doing there it’s a little goodie I’m bringing back for my new team members as a surprise. I know it seems odd, but shot glasses are great for holding our Multipurpose Liquid Glue. LOL.)

I just love the Bermuda Bay stripped pattern on the inside and as always that Stampin’ Up! logo makes it extra special.

Here are my roomie and I Kathleen taking our last Leadership selfie as we leave the convention center. Tired for sure after long days of sharing but excited to share what I’ve learned with you!

And to wrap up the night I joined my “adopted” SINKS family for dinner at BJ’s Restaurant

where I had a simply yummy Kale and Roasted Brussel Sprouts Salad with Cajun Shrimp on the advice of my friend.

(Now there is something my hubby would never try! But I’m so glad I did…. LOL)

There is so much from Leadership I’ll share a bit each day this week, but right now I bet you’d love to see some of the great projects I’ve seen there, right? Check out these boards –

These first cards were made with the Something Borrowed Designer Series Paper and other items that you’ll find on pages 42 and 43 of the Occasions Catalog.

I thought the little dress was too cute and the Sahara Sand 7/8″ Lace Trim is lovely. I’ve just added it to my must haves list. And if you haven’t seen the Something Borrowed Embellishments you won’t be disappointed since they are gorgeous!

These cards were all done with our NEW Colorbox Chalk Ink Pads that you’ll find on page 25. They are soooo cool!!! I’ll be using them as part as my up coming Coffee & Cards and Technique Class in March so you’ll be able to try them for yourself too!

And these projects using the Sweet Dreams Designer Series Paper show you it’s not just for baby! Look at these all occasions projects – you definitely don’t think baby.

Remember, the Weekly Deals for January 27th – Feb 1st end tonight so if there is something you need or want me to add to the order I’ll be sending in tonight – let me know by 7 p.m. I’ll be happy to include it and save you a little money in shipping.Click here to order your Stampin’ Up! Products online 24/7! (US only)

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Leadership happenings…

Posted on January 31, 2015 by Stamp with Jini

Leadership stared with a bang and a General Session in the Chapin Theater with Shelli welcoming everyone. I joined up with my SINKS friends to share in the fun!

And there was lots of new information to be shared with everyone.

The afternoon meal was a time to laugh and share with each other. We were pampered with a lovely plated luncheon.

After lunch and a break out session we returned to the theater for a presentation from Shelli Gardner, laughter was in the air as she presented her projects!

Wonderful projects were shared here are just a few made with the Painted Petals stamp set from the Occasions Catalog –

And another one with the coordinating framelit and stamp set. Isn’t the Mini Treat Bag Framelit Die too cute?

The afternoon ended up with stamping and some time in the Gathering Place. One of my favorite areas – I’ll try and share some photos of the displays with you tomorrow.

But mean time I excited about some cards I designed and entered into my first ever Leadership Design Contest. I don’t expect to be one of the winners since there are so many gifted demonstrators out there, but it is always fun to participate, right? And for me I love to try new things, share, and be challenged too!

Here is one of the boards we hung our cards on – I’m sure when I see it next it will be full of wonderful cards from my fellow Leadership attendees.

This first card is one done with the Moon Lake stamp set and uses the Adventure Bound Designer Series Paper too. I really love the way it turned out – I’m so a water person!

And I love this set with it’s images. And great for all kinds of occasions with the sentiments the set includes.

These next two cards include techniques that will be high lighted in my March Technique Class. This first one uses the Cheerful Critters stamp set.

It was one of my first choices from the Catalog since I just love the little animals the set contains – fun images to play with and color with the four NEW Stampin’ Blendabilities colors that you’ll find in the Occasions Catalog! And the technique is easy and a lot of fun too!

This last card uses the Sale-a-bration stamp set, A Happy Thing. How can you not love this pudgy little bird? And the Bermuda Bay Sequin Trim – love it! It is also part of my March Technique Class.

If you’d like to learn more about my Technique Class you can click HERE to see my full Calendar of Events and find out more about joining in the fun of learning new ways to use your stamping products.

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And the fun begins…

Posted on January 29, 2015 by Stamp with Jini

Arriving in Orlando I started my Leadership experience with a Shoebox Swap, making new friends and meeting up with old ones. Oh, what fun stamping with 40 other demonstrators and seeing all the wonderfully different cards.

My SINKS friends Kathleen and Teresa-

And here are some of the great swaps from the some of the group.

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Leadership Survival Kit

Posted on January 28, 2015 by Stamp with Jini

Part of the fun of going to a Stampin’ Up! event is the fellowship with your friends and fellow demonstrators. Who’s kidding that’s a big part of it! And I love creating up a little gift for my roomie.

Here is what I came up with….. or at least the gift bag!

I call it my Leadership Survival Kit – you know how when you travel, it’s always the little things that you forget or are a blessing to have on hand. Want to know what is inside?

First a name tag for our bag. With 1,500 of the same Stampin’ Up! Leadership bag at the Orlando Convention Center it is always good to be able to tell which one is yours!!!

I used this stamp set Feel Goods (131916/130538) since I thought the sentiment was perfect for this occasion. It’s my roomie’s first time qualifying for Manager’s Reception – which is a big deal since Stampin’ Up! is taking over the Disney’s Hollywood Studios for the evening. What fun, right?

A little package of mini wet wipes. I found them at Target a while back and thought they’d be great for inky fingers – or anything else we get into!

And a little pack of Kleenex for her new Leadership bag –

A little note pad –

Don’t you love the button? It’s part of the Artisan Embellishment Kit (137909) found on page 27 of the Occasions Catalog. The photo doesn’t show just how beautiful it is!

And of course you need a pen and post it notes – I couldn’t resist adding this little binder clip for keeping the paperwork we get together.

Never hurts to have a package of tic tacs and chap stick on hand. The Convention Center air gets pretty dry. And of course, chocolate – just because she might need a bit of energy. Kathleen and I tend to be night owls! LOL

Here is the set

Of course I’m sure you recognized the Stacked with Love Designer Series Paper (137779) that I’ve used for the little purse and other projects. Isn’t it great that the one side is a neutral all occasions pattern?

And since I was having so much fun making this Survival Kit – I made this little note pad for my self too. I love the soft colors in the Sale-a-bration Best Year Ever Designer Series Paper – I love that you can earn the coordinating ribbon and button pack too. I’ve used a bit of the ribbon here along with the Hello Life photopolymer stamp set (137136).

Can you tell I embossed the sentiment using our Calypso Coral Embossing Powder (133752)? And isn’t the Pompom Trim (137898) fun? I’ll be taking notes in style LOL!

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Guy Greetings

Posted on January 27, 2015 by Stamp with Jini

Stampin’ Up! is holding their Leadership Conference later this week and I’m putting my last minute touches on the projects so I thought I would share one of them today.

This card is made using the Guy Greetings set from the Occasions Catalog. I love this stamp set and it’s images, it has such a great selection of greetings for the guys in our lives and it also lends itself well to cards with a lot of texture. It also is available in ALL three types of stamps – have you noticed that in the Occasions Catalog? Stampin’ Up! has heard us and has responded to us by offering this stamp set in wood, clear mount, and photopolymer!!! Now you can have your cake and eat it too!

Anyhow, so here is what I came up with.

What do you think? I’m hoping it is a hit during my Shoebox Swap on Wednesday afternoon with my fellow demonstrators.

New Weekly Deals

Oh, What fun it is to swap!!

Speaking of swaps I’ve held my first organized swap by mail with my fellow demonstrators. What fun it was to go to the mail box each day and get another package of cards. All total there were 45 different cards using stamp sets from the Occasions Catalog and Sale-a-bration brochure. I can’t wait to share some of them with you when I return from Leadership.

After several hours of sorting and packaging here is everything ready to go back to those who participated. I know it will feel like Christmas to them when they see their package in their mail box later this week (weather willing.)

I’ll begin sharing these with you next Monday 🙂

Supplies:

Stamp Set: Guy Greetings (138825/138828/137178)

Inks: Early Espresso (126974) and Crumb Cake Classic Ink (126975)

Paper: Early Espresso (119686), Crumb Cake (120953), Cajun Craze (119684), Always Artichoke (105119), and Very Vanilla card stock (101650)

Accessories: 1/2″ Early Espresso Seam Binding (134582), Brayer (102395), Alphabet Press (130916), Zig Zag (133738), and Argyle Embossing Folders (127750), and Stampin’ Sponges (101610)

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