Inkredible Stamping

The New Annual Catalog – Q&A

July 20, 2012

The NEW Annual Catalog

Q&A

Q: How can I get a catalog?

Sending Cards

A: With the release of the new Annual Catalog, stampers everywhere want to know the same thing! The great news is that there are many ways for you to get a catalog, see the great new products, and get creative inspiration!

Host
When you host a workshop, you receive a free Annual Catalog from me. Plus, you get to be among the first to see, use, and enjoy great new products from the Annual Catalog. Contact me today to set up your fun stamping party!

View Online
If you can’t wait for your copy of the Annual Catalog to arrive, you can view it online – anywhere, anytime access! Just visit my Stampin’ Up! website, go to the Products tab at the top, and select “Catalogs”. Or you can view the products by category or search for specific products in my store. From my Stampin’ Up! website, select the “Shop Now” button at the top right. Plus, you'll find that the Digital Designing products are available in my store as well.

My Specials
Contact me to find out even more ways that you can get your hands on the amazing new Annual Catalog. I just know you are going to love it! It is packed with great new products and just bursting with creative project samples to inspire you.

I Am… Making Gifts for my Convention Goers

July 18, 2012

Hi Stampers,

The Annual Stampin’ Up! Convention started today. I wasn’t able to go this year (I’ve missed the past couple of years) I’m always a bit bummed to miss out on convention is SO full of great energy and inspiration but fortunatly a few of my team members are going so they can bring a bit of that excitement back to share with the team! 🙂

I always like to send a little gift along with my convention goers. This year the convention Theme was “I Am…” a GREAT theme because being who you are and building your SU business your way is what SU is all about!! The logo for this year’s convention theme was a fun chalkboard, sketchy theme so I knew I wanted to create a gift around that same feel.

A bag tag is always necessary at convention so you can tell your convention bag apart from all the other bags 🙂 so I came up with this idea

A Die Cut Chalkboard Bag Tag/Keychain

Here’s a little closer look so you can see the Rhinestone and flower I added to the front. I wrote each convention goers name on the tag using A Wet Erase marker so the name would not rub off in all the bumping into eachother and crowding into places that happens at convention! 🙂 But I did include a piece of chalk with each tag so they can erase their names if they want and write whatever strikes their fancy onto their tags. “Like I am.. Creative”, “Got Stamps?” and “Do Your Feet Hurt Too?”

I orignially planned to have the chalkboard on both sides of the tag, but that was a little too plain for me so I added a little Designer Series Paper to the back side instead. Now when the tag swings as they walk you get a little hint of some color now and then too…

To complete the gift I filled a cello bag with a few Granola Bars (you always need a snack now and then at convention) tucked the chalk into the bag and tied it shut. I added the Bag Tag to the package as a Gift Tag and then sent them all along with one of my downline so she can hand them out once they’re all settled into the Hotel Room in Salt Lake City!

I am working on putting together a Step by Step tutorial so you can recreate a Die Cut Chalkboard Tag / Keychain of your own! And you can pre-order your copy right now to have it delivered to your E-mail address as soon as it’s ready to go – at a reduced price.

Pre-Order Today $3.95 (Regular Pricen $4.95)

The Tutorial is ready now and avaliable at it’s regular price!

Order Your Tutorial Today
$4.95

After Purchasing the Tutorial You Will be E-mailed a link to download the file. Be sure you use the correct e-mail address when you purchase so you receive your tutorial.

For my convention goers I hope you’re having a FABULOUS time at convention and I hope to be there with you all next year!!! 🙂
From My Heart {CCMC208}

June 28, 2012
Hi Stampers,

I'm here with this week's Create with Connie and Mary Challenge. This week we had a color challenge…

The Colors for this Challenge are Basic Grey, Real Red, and Pumpkin Pie. Really fun birght colors. I love the greeting in the From My Heart stamp set that says "I'd rather do NOTHING with you than SOMETHING with anyone else." and have been anxiously waiting for the set to get here so I could play with it. I think the greeting is so sweet – it could make a beautiful love note but it's also a GREAT greeting for your BFF!

I used the Chevron embossing folder to create a fun background. I inked the folder with Basic Grey ink before embossing to get a great tone on tone look to the background. I used a window sheet over the card front so I coudl stamp my greeting without worrying about the texture in the embossed layer. I finished the card off with a fun fluffy paper flower.

Don't forget to visit the Create with Connie and Mary website to get more inspiration from the other designers! And be sure to read about the Create with Connie and Mary New Catalog Edition – Early Bird discounts are going on right now!
The Cherry On Top {CCMC207}

June 21, 2012
Hi Stampers,

I'm here with this week's Create with Connie and Mary Challenge. This week we were given a sketch to inspire our creations…

This sketch made me think of a fun Birthday Banner streaching across the room so that's what I decided to create. A fun banner stretching across the card over a Birthday Greeting!

At first when I was playing with my card I had some buttons and brads and other embelishments and was playing around with positioning them here and there but I wasn't liking anything I did. Then I realized the card was really fun and clean without anything extra added and PERFECT for mailing!!

I usually don't worry if my Birthday cards will make it through the mail well. I'm usually taking them TO the party and giving them in person. But occasionally I have to mail one and it's nice to have something on hand that will not cost anything extra and will stay perfect while it's traveling in the mail!

I used the new Hostess set Cherry on Top for the greeting. I stamped the cake stand falling off the bottom of the card and added the greeting in Early Espresso (Chocolate Cake anyone??) My favorite Cake is actually White with Chocolate Frosting so this was perfect! Then I added the Real Red Cherry on top!

Don't forget to visit the Create with Connie and Mary website to get more inspiration from the other designers! And be sure to check out the New Catalog 2012 Edition of CCMC. You can sign up right now and start getting inspiration!

I hope you're inspired to play along with us this week! We love to see what you come up with!
Wacky Monster Birthday Card {CCMC206}

June 14, 2012
Hi Stampers,

I'm here with this week's Create with Connie and Mary Challenge. This week we had a color challenge…

The Colors for this Challenge are Cherry Cobbler, Island Indigo, and Crumb Cake. At first I was thinking of going the Father's Day route with this color combo but then I decided it was perfect for a Monster Birthday!

I used my favorite new Hostess Exclusive greeting set again on this card Wacky Wishes. This time I stamped the greeting one on the Whisper White card stock and once on Crumb Cake. Then I used the Bitty Banners Framelits die to cut out just the Happy part of the greeting and poped the banner up over the original greeting. I think it adds a lot of fun to the card.

Since this was a Monster Birthday card I used Build a Monster to add some interest to the squares and one Big Monster to finish the card off. I'm in LOVE with the Danger Crafts Monsters that Rebecca does – I especially like when she does stripes on the legs and arms so I used that as inspiration for coloring. I think it needs a little more work to come out just the way I see it in my head but I still think he's a super cute monster!!

This week there's a little bonus going on with the CCMC Challenge. They're having a scavenger hunt! To participate in the Scavenger Hunt, go to the Create with Connie and Mary website for details and get a chance to win a FREE subscription to the New Catalog 2012 Edition!

Sending Cards – Q&A

June 11, 2012

Sending Cards

Q&A

Q: I love receiving cards in the mail. Any suggestions on how to remember to send cards for any occasion?

Sending Cards

A: That is a great question! We all love the art of making cards, but sometimes it’s hard for any of us to remember special occasions, write a note to a friend, or even let go of a favorite card! (Yeah, we’ve all been there!) We’ve all seen ideas that sounded great and then when you think about it you know it will fit in your life or you think to yourself sarcastically “yeah, that’ll happen”! So, I’ve got a suggestion that will work for planners and those whose schedules are loose. Here are a couple of tried-and-true tips that will put you at the top of the thoughtful friend list!

Plan a Moment
If you are a planner, you’ll love this tip. Plan a time into your schedule each week for writing cards. Now this doesn’t have to be a big event; even 15 minutes that you can take to reach out to those you care about is great. I recommend stamping a whole stack of cards – they don’t have to be specific to the person, and keeping them on hand so that you can quickly add a note and get it in the mail. As much as we love the art of stamping, the true magic comes when you share that connection with someone else. Start by checking your calendar to see who has birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, etc. coming up. Next, take a few moments to reflect on your week. Who touched your life this week in a way that makes you grateful or who could use the pick-me-up of a thoughtful note? Now write a couple lines – it doesn’t have to be a lot for someone to know that you care.

Sending Cards

Grab a Moment
If the idea of planning a time to sit down makes you crazy, then don’t! Make a "to go" card center that you can use to write notes when you have a moment and the mood strikes you. Our clear-mount stamp cases are ideal. Just add a bit of your favorite Designer Series Paper under the cover and fill the case with a couple of cards, envelopes, a pen, and stamps. Now drop it in your purse or your car. Next time you are waiting for an appointment, sitting in the carpool line, hanging out at a kids sporting event, taking a lunch break at work, or whenever it is you have a minute, you can open your card case, write a quick note, add the address and stamp, and drop it into the mail. It is easy, fast, convenient, and a thoughtful way to make the most of those little moments.

Take a Photo
If you are like most stampers, you are afflicted with the “I can’t let it go” bug. You know the feeling – you love a card, want to remember a technique, plan to re-create more just like it, so you hold onto the card instead of sending it. Stop it! Cards are meant to be shared! But you can still keep the look, idea, and reminder by snapping a quick photo with your camera or cell phone. Save the photos in a file for card ideas or several files by stamp set, occasion, techniques, whatever it was that made you love the card. Now keep the photo and share the joy of the card by sending it and everyone wins!

Share the Magic
Unlike email that gets buried and forgotten, a hand-stamped card is a physical reminder to those that receive it that you thought of them, that you care, and that they are special. So hand-deliver or mail a card today. You’ll love the feeling you get from giving, and you’ll brighten someone’s day in a very special way.

Floral District {CCMC205}

June 7, 2012
Hi Stampers,

I'm here with this week's Create with Connie and Mary Challenge. This week we were given a sketch to inspire our creations…

I loved this sketch when I first saw it. Then when I started creating nothing was coming out the way I wanted so I tossed all the cut paper in my scrap bin grabbed a random stamp set and a few things off my shelves and started over and when I was finished I was back in LOVE with the sketch! 🙂

I choose one of the bold bright prints from Floral District Designer Series Paper. I loved the Daffodil Delight and Lucky Limeade with just a touch of Rich Razzleberry so I tried to keep that balance on the card. The greeting comes from one of the new Hostess Sets Wacky Wishes. I'm LOVING that set and I can already see I'll be using it a lot this year!

The bird of course comes from Betsy's Blossoms (can you tell I'm also loving that set?? I've used it a lot already) I wanted to add just a touch of something to the background so I did a roll across the bottom of the Daffodil Delight with Betsy's Blooms wheel.

Don't forget to visit the Create with Connie and Mary website to get more inspiration from the other designers! And be sure to check out the New Catalog 2012 Edition of CCMC – Early Bird sign ups are going on right now!

I hope you're inspired to play along with us this week! We love to see what you come up with!
Pay It Forward Swap

June 6, 2012
I love the concept of Paying It Forward – no matter what form it takes it's sure to put a smile on someone's face when you tell them – you don't own me a thing – just Pay It Forward to someone else..

The other day I was lucky enough to see a post on one of my stamp campers Kelly's Blog about a Pay It Forward Swap – but I wasn't lucky enough to be one of her first three… but then I followed a link along to one of her first three posters and found another chance to jump into the Pay It Forward Swap on Kristy's Blog – St. Louis Folk Victorian and now I'm going to give Three of you a chance to jump in on this as well…

So what exactly IS a Pay It Forward Swap?

It's very simple – just read the rules below and make sure ALL of them apply to you.

RULES:
1. I will create a crafty gift for each of the first three people who comment on this post. The gift is a total surprise and will arrive on your doorstep anytime within the next 365 days.
2. In signing up for Pay it Forward, you are committing yourself to the project…someone pays it forward to you, so you pay it forward to others! Post these rules, or something very similar so others can get involved. You will create your own post where you create gifts for 3 people, and so forth.
3. You must have an active blog of your own, or some way to post up your PIF info like a Flickr, Pinterest, or Facebook account. Essentially, you'll need a place to announce your own PIF and to post some pics of the process.
4. After commenting on this post, should you be one of the lucky ones, post something similar on your blog…so you can spread the Pay It Forward love. I will email you asking for your mailing address, and the online address where you are posting your PIF info, so I can get your crafty treat in the mail. Please make sure your email address is visible on your profile or leave it in the comment.
That's all there is to it. Sounds like fun right??

So, are you up for the Challenge…want to make 3 people's day..

Here's a few of the goodies I've made in the past – they're already given away but I'm excited to make something fun just for you!!!
This Pay It Forward is full and closed but you can check these other blogs for a chance to play along:

My Lil' Scrap Corner

Krafting Kreations

Stamp Haven
New and Improved Firm Foam Ink Pads from Stampin’ Up!

June 5, 2012
Hi Stampers,

With the introduction of the 2012-2013 annual catalog, a very big change is being made to the Stampin' Pads they received a makeover that'll make your stamping experience better than ever!!

Introducing firm foam pads!

I know you're going to love these new Stampin' Pads. The first time I inked up a stamp with the new Ink Pads I think I went to Stamping Heaven!

Check out this video by Shannon West introducing you to the new Ink Pads and then Look at all the exciting benefits of the new Firm Foam Ink Pads listed below:
- Provide better ink coverage for your stamps!
- Light-tap stamping produces flawless images!
In addition, the new Stampin' Pads
- Create wonderfully solid images. The Firm Foam releases more ink onto your rubber stamp than the felt pads. When using the Firm Foam pad, your stamp will get an even, solid covering of ink that you may not have been able to achieve with the felt pads. Please note: if you are using the ink pad frequently you may need to re-ink your Firm Foam pad more often.
- Have a crisply printed, glossy label on the top of the pad that is easier to read and that will not fade or chip off!
- Come with color name labels in all four languages (English, Spanish, French, and German)–just choose your language, peel it off the back, and add it to the side of the pad for easy identification!
- Use the same patented flip-top case design that stores the inking surface upside down, so the pad surface stays moist!
- Are available in all colors, including our exclusive In Colors!
Please note: Five ink colors have undergone formula changes to improve functionality and color stability with the new firm foam pads. These colors are
- Basic Black
- Basic Gray
- Marina Mist
- Perfect Plum
- Tempting Turquoise
All five colors of the reformulated inks have been fully tested and approved. While using the new ink formula in the old Stampin' Pads is fine, we do not recommend using the old ink formula in the new firm foam pads. Any refills purchased after April 30, 2012, will contain the new formulated ink.*

You can shop online right now for the new ink pads just click here.
I’m Creating Again…

June 4, 2012

Hi Stampers! Today I'm sharing some VREY exciting news with you. Connie and Mary have invited me to be a Guest Designer again for their Create with Connie and Mary New Catalog 2012 Edition. I loved doing the Occasions Edition so I was thrilled to join in again this time! Today's card features a new Stamp set one of the New In Colors to get you excited about the fun new products that will be featured in the projects this edition. Since we'll be using sets out of the New Catalog you'll get ideas that you can use all year long!

The stamp set is Betsy's Blossoms and I used a color combo of Crumb Cake, Perfect Plum, and Raspberry Ripple (What's a Raspberry Ripple?).

The new Raspberry Ripple is so rich and fun and have I told you how much I LOVE those new Firm Foam ink pads?? Look how smooth that stamped big blossom looks and I acheived that pretty stamping so easily the first time I stamped (That's SO not the way things usually go wtih solid image stamps for me… It's usually try, try, and try again to get good coverage!) 🙂

Early Bird registration is going on right now for the New Catalog Edition, During Early Bird you can subscribe to the New Catalog 2012 Edition for only $24.95. All of the projects designed for the Create with Connie and Mary New Catalog 2012 Edition are exclusive and will not be seen anywhere else. So, If you want to see my project along with all the others, Join Today!

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