En Route to Leadership

Good morning!  We are in Seattle, heading to the airport for our flight to Houston for Leadership 2014.  Hope everything is on time!  I will update you with more pictures once we are settled!

I wanted to share one of my Swap cards with you.  I didn't do many this time as time ran out, but here is one that I will be swapping as part of a WOW! Valentine Swap:

• I knew I wanted to do something with hearts made from the music page from the Modern Medley DSP, but I wanted a little extra sparkle to add that WOW factor.  Did you know that you could sponge glimmer paper?  Well, you can.  Obviously, you would start with the Silver Glimmer paper because the other two kinds are too dark to add a different colour.  But silver works perfectly.  For this card I sponged the silver hearts with Crisp Cantaloupe ink refill.
• You know how hard it is to adhere anything to glimmer paper, right?  Well, it turns out it's even harder when you recolour the paper.  You have to let the ink really dry and wipe it off the back of the paper, too.  With the ink even slightly wet, NOTHING will work to adhere it.  I ended up only sponging the glimmer paper around the edges, as I knew the middle would be covered with the music hearts.

• I made rolled paper flowers using the 2 3/8" Scallop Circle punch and cutting a spiral out of the outer edge.  I rolled it on a skewer, the let it relax slightly and adhered it to a 3/4" circle punched out of the middle of the scallop circle, using a little Sticky Strip to hold it well.  Then curl/push the edges out a bit and add a Pearl Basic Jewel in the middle.
• The leaves are from Soft Suede cardstock, die cut with the Little Leaves Sizzlet.
• The background DSP is from the Venetian Romance collection and the sentiment is from the stamp set, Hello, Lovely, and they both add just the right vintage look to the card.

Stampin' Up! is promising some big announcements this week.  I can hardly wait to find out!  I will pass the info on to you as I am able!  TTFN! (Ta ta for now!)

• Hello Lovely Wood-mount Stamp Set
• Hello Lovely Clear-mount Stamp Set
• Venetian Romance Designer Series Paper
• Crisp Cantaloupe 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock
• Soft Suede 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock
• Modern Medley Designer Series Paper
• Very Vanilla 8-1/2X11 Card Stock
• Silver Glimmer Paper
• Soft Suede Classic Stampin' Pad
• Stamping Sponges
• Crisp Cantaloupe Classic Stampin' Ink Refill
• Hearts Collection Framelits Dies
• 2-3/8 Inch Scallop Circle Punch
• 3/4 Inch Circle Punch
• Little Leaves Stampin' Up! Sizzlits Die
• Basic Pearls Jewel Accents
• Sticky Strip
• Decorative Label Punch

Pre-Leadership Crazies and Chalk Board for The Paper Players

I leave today for Houston, Texas and Stampin' Up!'s Leadership Convention!  Very exciting!  I've never been to Houston before so that will be a new experience.  But I found myself scrambling to get everything finished on time and it all got a little crazy!  I do try to be ahead of the game, but I think there is just too much game to get ahead of!  It happens every Stampin' Up event.  Over the next few days, posts will be a bit whirlwind, I'm afraid, but I'll try to keep you up-dated on everything that happens.  I will only participate in two swaps this year so I didn't have a ton of cards to make, but I'll show you later this week.  I also made some cute roomie gifts that you'll see as well.

But I thought I would do one more challenge before I left and that would be The Paper Player's Challenge #177.  Nance came up with "The Clean Slate" challenge, since every new year is like getting a fresh clean "slate"!  A "Do-Over"!

Since I love the look of chalkboard art, I was keen to try this one and here's what I came up with:

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• I used an older stamp set with brand new DSP for this card.  The paper is from the Watercolour Wonder collection and in case you hadn't yet noticed, I'm kind of head-over-heels in love with it.  Every. Last. Piece. of it!  
• The stamp set is from You're Amazing and I chose it because the font and embellishments are perfect for the Chalkboard Technique.

• To do the chalkboard technique you just stamp with Versamark on dark cardstock and heat emboss with White Stampin' Emboss powder.  Then you sponge using Whisper White craft ink around the edges and just a tiny bit in the interior, to look like chalk residue.
• A little Daffodil Delight fork bow and some Daffodil Delight Candy Dots provide a bit of interest and contrast to complete the card.

Here are this week's weekly deals:

WEEKLY DEALS

Here are this week's Weekly Deals!

	Borders Scoring Plate Simply Scored Item # 126192 Regular Price $19.95 Discounted Price: $14.96   25% off
	Classic Pad Soft Sky Item #131181 Regular Price: $7.25 Discounted Price: $5.44   25% off
	Finishing Touches Edgelit Die Item # 127010 Regular Price: $11.95 Discounted Price: $8.96    25% off
	Houndstooth Textured Impressions Embossing Folder Die Item # 123134 Regular Price: $9.95 Discounted Price: $7.46   25% off
	Marina Mist 3/4" Chevron Ribbon Item # 130016 Regular Price: $12.50 Discounted Price: $9.38   25% off
	Envelope Liners Framelits Item # 132172 Regular Price: $32.95 Discounted Price: $24.71  25% off
	Frosty Day II Digital Download Kit Item # 128875 Regular Price: $10.95 Discounted Price:  $6.57   40% off

If you would like any of these deals, good until next Monday, Feb. 13, email me, since I will not have phone contact, but will have internet access, or shop at my On-Line Store at any time, day or night.  Talk to you again from Houston Texas!

• You're Amazing Clear-Mount Stamp Set
• You're Amazing
• Watercolor Wonder Designer Series Paper
• Crisp Cantaloupe 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock
• Basic Black 8-1/2X11 Card Stock
• Versamark Pad
• Whisper White Craft Stampin' Pad
• Stamping Sponges
• White Stampin' Emboss Powder
• Heat Tool
• Daffodil Delight 1/8 Inch Taffeta Ribbon (retired,oops)
• Brights Candy Dots

My Top Ten Products from the new Occasions Catalogue

I really like doing these Top Ten lists because I really take a close look at the features and versatility of all the new products and I get so many ideas myself from doing it.  It was really hard to choose in the new Occasions Catalogue because there are so many treasures that I might just have to mention a couple of products in some categories where I couldn't decide.

So without further ado....

The Top Ten (or so) Products from the 2014 Occasions Catalogue:

1.  Top Design Series Paper:  This one was easy ....

• Watercolor Wonder Designer Series Paper - 132994  $13.50   Every single one of these designs are gorgeous, watercolour magic!  And the colours are amazing!

2. Top Stamp Set:  This category was tough.  I had to choose between my favourite and the most versatile.  I picked my favourite, but with a nod to Peaceful Petals as a bit more versatile.

• Happy Watercolor [wood] - 133188 - $36.95
• Happy Watercolor [clear] -   133191 - $26.95

3.  Top Specialty Paper:  No contest here.  This paper is beautiful and has all sorts of applications when metallics are so on trend these days.

• Gold Fancy Foil Designer Vellum -133363  $13.50 for 9 sheets: 3 each of 3 designs
• Silver Fancy Foil Designer Vellum -133364 $13.50 for 9 sheets: 3 each of 3 designs

4. Top Ribbon:  I've been waiting for this ribbon soooo long!  I just hope they'll come out with more colours soon.

• Pacific Point 1-1/4" Striped Grosgrain Ribbon - 132981 - $12.50 for 10 yards

• Summer Starfruit 1-1/4" Striped Grosgrain Ribbon - 132980 - $12.50 for 10 yards

5. Top Bundle:  Again, this was hard to pick because there are so many great bundles to choose from, but I picked this one because I'm tired of cutting banners by hand and I love having these framelits.

• Perfect Pennants Wood-Mount Bundle - 134815 - $59.50 - 15% savings
• Perfect Pennants Clear-Mount Bundle - 134816 - $50.95 - 15% savings

6. Top Embossing Folder: This one will work well with all the Grunge style projects that are so popular now. (Note:  It was not available for pre-order, so I hope it is ready for purchase now.)

• Arrows Textured Impressions Embossing Folder - 132187 - $9.95

7.  Top Punch:  I was tricky here, because along with the punch, I was able to squeeze in another bundle I liked, with it's stamp set.

• Petite Petals Wood-Mount Bundle - 134821 - $30.50 15% savings
• Petite Petals Clear-Mount Bundle - 134822 - $26.25  15% savings      or just the punch by itself:

• Petite Petals Punch - 133322 - $15.95

8.  Top Kit:  Again, it was a contest between my favourite and my most versatile and this time, versatile won although you need all the components beyond the basic kit to take advantage of that versatility. I've made delightful cards and tags with the materials in the Add On kits. (But I will give a nod to my favourite Burlap And Blooms Simply Created Wreath Kit.)

• Simply Celebrate Wood-Mount Bundle - 134825  $33.95
• Simply Celebrate Clear-Mount Bundle   -134826  $29.50
• Celebration Basics Invitations               - 133008  $5.95
• Bermuda Bay Celebration Add-On Kit - 133432  $12.95
• Calypso Coral Celebration Add-On Kit - 133431  $12.95

9.  Top Background Stamp:  Well, the only background stamp, but it's very nice!  It's along the same lines as the background in Truly Grateful.

• Hardwood [wood] - 133032 - $21.95
• Hardwood [clear] - 133035 - $16.95

These make quite large flowers but you can trim the width and length of the spiral to make smaller ones as well.

And last but not least:

10.  Top Value:  No doubt about it, this is a great deal.

• Fresh Prints Designer Series Paper Stack - 132996 - $8.50 for 48 sheets of 4 1/2" x 6 1/2" paper: 4                                                                                              each of 12 double sided designs.

There you have it.  Remember, these are my preferences and you may have different ones, but for what it's worth, you have my picks!   Leave me a comment with your favourites!   Happy creating!

Papercraft Cats Rewards for Customer Loyalty

Most of you who have read my blog for any length of time know that I have a Papercraft Cat!  It's my cat, Pickle, who looks part Siamese.  She has one endearing quality and that is that every night, she skulks down to my Craft Cave in the basement and pounces on one or two or three unsuspecting craft items and brings them upstairs as her prey for the day. (And announces it with a very loud and triumphant meow, too!)

This is Pickle with some Rhinestone Basic Jewels and some Dimensionals, her kill for today!  She also likes to come and closely check out my workshops and classes when they are at my house.  I really think she wants to be a Stampin' Up! demonstrator and only the lack of opposable thumbs is keeping her from doing it!

So when I was searching for a logo and name for my downline group and my customer rewards program, Papercraft Cats seemed a good fit.  I designed a logo:

and the rewards program, and I'm proud to announce the 

Papercraft Cats Customer Rewards Program!

Here are the details:

My Papercraft Cats rewards program is designed for orders placed online, in person and by phone/email and will help you build your supplies. Once you earn 20 points, you will receive a $50 gift certificate to spend.

Hereʼs How it Works:

• Points are awarded based on every $30 you spend per order. Separate order totals cannot be combined. Eg. A $66 order = 2 points, a $57 order = 1 point.

• Points on are based on your pre-tax and shipping total.

• Points are good for a two-year period.

• Valid on Canadian orders only.

To Track Your Points and Redeem Them:

• Download and fill out this sheet. 
• Once it is completed, use it to fill out the form on my website under Redeem Rewards and submit to me to redeem your $50 gift certificate.
• I will send you a Papercraft Cat token in your thank you cards for every $30 you spend to remind you to fill out your sheet. 
• You are responsible for tracking your own orders and one customer per sheet.

There's no need to bookmark this post because you will be able to access this from the top menu under Rewards. This program is retroactive to January 1, 2014.

I'll be back tomorrow with my Top Ten products from the new Occasions Catalogue!  I've already completed one round of product shares and I have someone waiting  for another group to be complete. Let me know if you want to be a part of the shares.  You can email me if you are interested.

The Occasions Catalogue Goes Live Today and Lots of Arrows!!

Well, it's finally here!  The first day that you can order from the Occasions Catalogue!

                        

There is so much cool stuff that I know I kind of overspent my budget in the pre-order period for demonstrators. So I know it's going to be hard for you to put a limit on it!  (Make sure you save a bit for Sale-A-Bration starting on January 28, though, because then, for every $60 you spend, you get a free Sale-A-Bration product.  Let me know if you would like a Sale-A-Bration flyer.)  I will be by the phone and email today, if you want to give me your order.  Or you could order through my On-Line Store any time, day or night, and it will be delivered straight to you!

                                                   (Just click on the catalogue to download.)


Today is also a new As You See It Challenge!  Number 018 to be exact and it's a theme challenge.  The theme for this week is ARROWS!

Here's my Design Team Sample:

• This card uses some Watercolour Wonder DSP for the back panel mounted askew on a Smoky Slate cardstock card base.  
• I used a new photoframe framelit from the On Film Framelits* set.  It's so neat because it embosses as well as diecuts.  It's a little hard to see on this darker Island Indigo cardstock.
• The images come from two different stamp sets, Peachy Keen* and Off the Grid.  The ink used is Smoky Slate, Crushed Curry and Island Indigo.
• The little ribbon flags are made with Naturals 7/16" Trim, stamped with an image from Gorgeous Grunge.

• In compliance with the theme, we have two different kinds of arrow, both stamped from stamps from the Peachy Keen stamp set.  The larger ones are also cut with one of the On Film Framelits.
• This is a great example of the grunge style, which is so on trend these days.  It's also a lot of fun to do.

Come back and visit me tomorrow when I will unveil a new customer rewards program, designed to help you earn free stamp sets through your customer loyalty!  

One More Sleep!

Sleep!  I've been a little short on that lately!  I had a two year old in the house for a week, then there was New Year's Eve, and a lot of work getting ready for the new season of stamping classes and swaps for my Leadership Conference in Houston next week.  But there is only one more sleep until you can order from the new Occasions Catalogue!  Stampers, start your engines!

Here's one last sneak peek!  After today I will be able to show you products and give you catalogue numbers for ordering them.

• This card was created for my Technique Class using new catalogue products.  I figure that after Christmas you're are all going to need lots of thank you cards, so you can thank Aunt Mabel for the lovely sweater that looked like a fully bedecked Christmas tree complete with tinsel!
• Notice the vellum overlaying the Coastal Cabana card base.  It is the new Fancy Foil Designer Vellum and comes in 3 different designs in either silver or gold.  The metallic elements on the vellum, besides looking gorgeous, give the added benefit of being able to use adhesives without them showing through.
• The stamp set I used is called Peaceful Petals and has 5 beautiful floral images and 2 sentiments.  I embossed the images on Coastal Cabana with black embossing powder and used a Coastal Cabana Stampin' Write Marker to colour in some sections darker and add some depth.

• I stamped the sentiment with StazOn Jet Black right on the vellum.  My first sample, I tried to heat emboss it in black, but I found out that doesn't work as the gold stripes heated up and melted as well and left holes. So a word to the wise:  You can't heat emboss this vellum.
• I hemmed and hawed about adding the doily.  I wanted to do a little gold embossing on parts of it and it did work and added some interest, but I'm not sure if it wouldn't be more classic without the doily.  Or maybe the doily needs more gold on it.
• Notice that I rounded all the corners on the card.  Now that I have the envelope punch board, I can use the opposite side as an awesome corner rounder!  

I hope you enjoyed that one last Sneak Peek, and be ready with your wish list tomorrow for the new 2014 Occasions Catalogue!

By the way, I have 2 new openings in my Stamp Club and can fit in two more people, for those customers who indicated an interest.  It will definitely be worthwhile and allow you to earn free Stampin' Up product by having a month where you are become the Hostess - meaning you will get all the Hostess Rewards from all the other Stamp Club orders that month.  Here's more information on that.  Let me know if you want to join! First come, first served!                                                               

• Coastal Cabana 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock
• Whisper White 8-1/2X11 Card Stock
• Versamark Pad
• Black Stampin' Emboss Powder
• Heat Tool
• Paper Snips
• Jet Black StazOn Pad
• Envelope Punch Board
• Tea Lace Paper Doilies
• Gold Stampin' Emboss Powder
• 2012-2014 In Color Stampin' Write Markers
• Peaceful Petals Stamp Set (wood or clear )*
• Watercolour Wonder DSP*
• Fancy Voil Designer Vellum*

*Available on Jan. 3 from the Occasions Catalogue 2014!!!!

Happy 2014!

Wishing all my readers, friends and family beautiful tomorrows in 2014!