SWAPPIN' SUNDAY, Winning Swap Entry: Woodgrained Autumn Leaves...

Today I have one of the swap cards I created for the Providence Regional Event yesterday.  This one was for an organized swap with SUDSOL members.  I also submitted this card for Stampin' Up!'s swap contest.  And... I won!  A $50 shopping spree--YAHOO!  I can't wait to get home and plan how to spend it!  A FREE mini tutorial follows for how to make the "woodgrained" veining on the leaves.

The background of the card features our new Core-dinations card stock!  The outside layer is our exclusive Early Espresso color.  The inside layer is light colored.  By embossing it with the Woodgrain embossing folder and sanding the raised areas, you reveal the light colored core giving you a fabulous two toned effect.

For the leaves, I first tried just embossing them with various folders.  They came out very pretty and I am sure you will see them in a future project.  However, they weren't quite what I was looking for with this swap card.

In the past, I have used the Spider Web Embossing Folder on the old Leaves #2 Die leaves.  When lined up just right (with one vertical line up the middle of the leaf), they look like the veining of leaves (left leaf).  However, the largest leaf (maple, right leaf) on the Autumn Accents Die doesn't fit right on the embossing folder.  No matter how you position it, you end up with more than one vertical vein.  The maple leaf in the photo was actually upside down in the folder.  The horizontal lines should angle up.

So, I decided to try out the Woodgrain embossing folder.  I began by scoring each leaf down the middle with the Simply Scored Scoring Tool and then I folded the leaves in half.  Then I placed the leaves in the Woodgrain folder, being careful to place them in an area with only vertical lines and no "knots".  I placed them with the folds toward the bottom of the folder at an angle so that the lines are running at an angle up towards the top of the leaf.

When you remove the leaves and open them, you will notice that one half is embossed and the other side is "debossed".  This is fine as the opposite lines still appear embossed.  (see picture at the top)

If you want to color distress the edges of the leaves, you should sponge them BEFORE embossing.  Otherwise, they can rip easily.  Enjoy!

WOODGRAINED AUTUMN LEAVES SUPPLIES:

• Stamp Sets – Day of Gratitude  (W#120835 $26.95, C#121148 $18.95)
• Card Stock – Crumb Cake, Cherry Cobbler, Cajun Craze, Bravo Burgundy, More Mustard, Soft Suede, Old Olive, Early Espresso Core'dinations Card Stock (#127848, $6.95)
• Ink – Soft Suede, Cajun Craze, Bravo Burgundy, More Mustard Classic, Early Espresso, Cajun Craze Stampin' Write Markers
• Punches – Extra Large (Wide) Oval (#119859, $16.95)
• Tools – Big Shot, Autumn Accents Die (#127812, $21.95), Labels Collection Framelits Dies (#125598, $26.95), Woodgrain Embossing Folder (#127821, $7.95),  Square Lattice Embossing Folder (#119976, $7.95), Simply Scored Scoring Tool (#122334, $29.95), Stampin' Sanding System (#129367, $3.95), Stampin' Dimensionals (#104430, $3.95), Sponge Daubers or Stampin' Sponges

LOYALTY REWARDS - When you purchase $50 or more, you qualify for my Loyalty Rewards program!  This Frequent Stamper program is my way of saying "thank you" to my returning customers in appreciation of their business and is in addition to other Stampin' Rewards.  Earn FREE stamps with MarieStamps.com!

HEADING FOR THE PROVIDENCE REGIONALS & VACATION...

Radiation side effects have been kicking my butt!  I'm so tired of going to the doctors and Navy hospital.  Stampin' Up! is having a Regional Event in Providence, RI this weekend which is only an hour away from my parents house and where I grew up in Massachusetts.  I made a last minute decision to attend and called SU! to beg for a ticket (ticket sales have long closed) and they had ONE left.  I know I'm not really up to it, but I feel the need to get AWAY from all the doctors and will take a two week vacation back home with family following the Regional!

I am feverishly working on swaps for the event with some help from my daughter Jenni and will be sharing them with you as soon as I'm able.  After Friday, you can reach me via email only for the next two weeks.  Take care and keep stamping!  

LOYALTY REWARDS - When you purchase $50 or more, you qualify for my Loyalty Rewards program!  This Frequent Stamper program is my way of saying "thank you" to my returning customers in appreciation of their business and is in addition to other Stampin' Rewards.  Earn FREE stamps with MarieStamps.com!

THINKING OF YOU SHARES...

Muddling through radiation right now with lots of side effects.  Not fun, but I'll get through it.  Only one more week to go!  Since I'm pretty much out of commission, I thought I would post a few Thinking of You/Get Well cards that I received lately...

The first card is by a Canadian demonstrator, Judy Saunders.  It is a center step card.  View my Center Step Tutorial.  This version makes a standard size card.

This lovely card is by one of my customers, Kathleen Wright.

This card is by a fellow demonstrator, Ylita Ballard.  Unfortunately, it arrived on a very rainy day here and was a little bedraggled.

Thanks so much, ladies, for brightening my days!  :o)

LOYALTY REWARDS - When you purchase $50 or more, you qualify for my Loyalty Rewards program!  This Frequent Stamper program is my way of saying "thank you" to my returning customers in appreciation of their business and is in addition to other Stampin' Rewards.  Earn FREE stamps with MarieStamps.com!

DISCONTINUED STAMPIN' UP! DESIGNER FABRIC FOR ONLY .99 CENTS!...

Exciting Offer on Designer Fabrics!

For a limited time, the following discontinued Designer Fabrics from the 2011-2012 Idea Book & Catalog will be available at the super low price of just 99 cents!  This is a great opportunity to try Stampin’ Up!’s exclusive Designer Fabric for just pennies - don't miss out!

While Stampin’ Up! does not typically allow Clearance Rack products to be sold on a workshop order, they are allowing these four discounted fabrics on all order types—customer, workshop, and in my Online Store!  There is NO LIMIT to the quantity of these Designer Fabrics that you can purchase.  However, this offer is only good while supplies last only!

LOYALTY REWARDS - When you purchase $50 or more, you qualify for my Loyalty Rewards program!  This Frequent Stamper program is my way of saying "thank you" to my returning customers in appreciation of their business and is in addition to other Stampin' Rewards.  Earn FREE stamps with MarieStamps.com!

TAX-FREE WEEKEND IN VIRGINIA & OTHER STATES...

Enjoy Tax FREE Shopping All Weekend

Sorry!  I forgot to post this yesterday...  The state of Virginia is having a sales tax holiday for school supplies up to $20.00 per item August 3–5.  Because school supply items are included in this sales tax holiday, the below list of items will be tax free during the holiday period.  Also, keep in mind that this is a state sales tax holiday and may not apply to any city, county or jurisdiction taxes.  Please note that you must place your order in my Online Store or via email or phone with me during the tax holiday period in order to receive these items tax free.  Don't miss out on this limited-time benefit!

The following items are tax-exempt during the Virginia sales tax holiday:

Item #	Description	Price
100425	2-Way Glue Pen	$4.50
104045	Anywhere Glue Stick	$3.95
103683	Mini Glue Dots	$4.95
110755	Multipurpose Liquid Glue	$33.95
104332	Snail Adhesive	$6.95
104331	Snail Adhesive Refill	$4.50
104430	Stampin' Dimensionals	$3.95
104294	Sticky Strip	$6.95
103179	Craft & Rubber Scissors	$19.95
103579	Paper Snips	$9.95
101879	Watercolor Pencils	$19.95
105021	White Uni-Ball Signo Gel Pen	$3.95
102845	Blender Pens	$9.95
Various	Stampin' Write Markers (individual)	$3.50
123002	2011-2013 In Color Markers (5)	$14.95
126856	2012-2014 In Color Markers (5)	$14.95
119802	Watercolor Wonder Crayons Subtles (10)	$16.95
119803	Watercolor Wonder Crayons Regals (10)	$16.95
119804	Watercolor Wonder Crayons Brights (10)	$16.95
119805	Watercolor Wonder Crayons Neutrals (10)	$3.50
128978	Silver Stampin' Dazzle Marker	$3.50
128979	Gold Stampin' Dazzle Marker	$3.50

Other states may be having a similar tax-free weekend this weekend or later this month.  Stampin' Up! only notifies us of our home state tax holidays.  However, you would still get any applicable tax savings for your state on your order.

LOYALTY REWARDS - When you purchase $50 or more, you qualify for my Loyalty Rewards program!  This Frequent Stamper program is my way of saying "thank you" to my returning customers in appreciation of their business and is in addition to other Stampin' Rewards.  Earn FREE stamps with MarieStamps.com!

A SPOOKTACULAR OFFER: FREE Halloween Printer's Tray Kit!...

It's a SPOOKTACULAR Time to Join Stampin' Up!

Have you ever considered becoming a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator?  Now is the perfect time!  Purchase the Stampin' Up! $99 Starter Kit and receive everything you need to complete the Halloween Printer's Tray Project Kit (valued up to $60) featured above as a FREE product bonus!  The best part is that the kit is completely customizable -- you choose up to $125 worth of brand-new products from the annual or holiday catalogs for your Starter Kit!

This exclusive Howl-o-ween project kit isn't offered anywhere else and ends August 31, so be sure to take advantage of this special offer in August!  The kit contains all the perfect elements of a boo-tiful Halloween decoration*:

• Black Printer's Tray w/handle
• Toxic Treats stamp set** in wood or clear-mount
• 1 Pack of Bakers Twine in Lucky Limeade
• 1 Pack of Basic Jewels Rhinestones
• 2 - 12x12 sheets made with MDS digital images.  Images include rectangular shapes of DSP from Howlstooth & Scaringbone, Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie & More Mustard CS.
• Laser cut spider web, pennant and flag in Silver Glimmer Paper
• 6 Buttons - 1 Vintage Faceted Designer, 2 Basic Gray, 2 Pumpkin Pie and 1 Old Olive
• Glue Dots Adhesive
• Ribbon - Very Vanilla Seam Binding (approx 18") and 1/2" Black & Gray Striped Satin Ribbon (approx 36").

  *Project kit does not include ink or clear blocks.
**You may choose the Toxic Treats set in English or French.  Or you can choose Spooky Bingo Bits in Spanish instead of Toxic Treats.

Test-drive FULL Stampin' Up! demonstrator benefits and discounts through Dec. 31, 2012 with NO further obligation including the following:

• Enjoy a 20-40% discount on all your Stampin' Up! products and be the first to see and order
• Earn FREE stamps, cash & product awards, incentive trips and awards!!! 
• Free access to an exclusive online stamping community with 30,000+ members.
• Attend Stampin' Up! regional or national events to get together and stamp and forge new friendships!
• Receive the exclusive Stampin' Success magazine each month full of exciting projects, new techniques and information.
• Have access to the demonstrator website with fabulous video tutorials and projects.
• And so much MORE!

I welcome both hobby stampers and business-minded demonstrators to my no-pressure group.  I'd LOVE to have you join my nationwide team!!  Don't be afraid, contact me today!

Deadlines:

• Paper IDA: Must be received in Stampin' Up! office by Friday, August 31, 2012; 6:50 PM (MT).
• Online IDA: Must be submitted by Friday, August 31, 2012; 11:50 PM (MT).

LOYALTY REWARDS - When you purchase $50 or more, you qualify for my Loyalty Rewards program!  This Frequent Stamper program is my way of saying "thank you" to my returning customers in appreciation of their business and is in addition to other Stampin' Rewards.  Earn FREE stamps with MarieStamps.com!

STAMPIN' UP! 2012 HOLIDAY CATALOG IS LIVE...

Our Holiday Catalog Starts TODAY!

It's finally here!   August is SUCH a busy month for Stampin' Up! and I have waiting so long to share all the news with you.  Not the least of which is the release of our exciting new 2012 Holiday Catalog.  This GORGEOUS catalog is filled with beautiful new stamp sets, accessories, punches, dies, framelits and more!   You won't want to miss out on any of it!

View the online versions of the catalog here:

2012 Holiday Catalog (Flash)

  2012 Holiday Catalog (PDF)

  Stampin' Supplies (PDF)
Shop Now

SAVE WITH BUNDLES:  Be sure to check out the coordinated product bundles Stampin' Up! is offering NEW this year!  There are 7 bundles and 2 digital content discs that save you $$$ (10-15%)!  Check out the detailed listing on page 2 of the Holiday Catalog.

You can place your order now in MARIE'S ONLINE STORE or call or email me with your order!

PREFER A PRINT COPY OF THE HOLIDAY MINI CATALOG?  Isn't it nice and cozy to have a real, live copy of the catalog to curl up with?   If you do not have a Stampin' Up! demonstrator that you have a customer relationship with and would like a print copy for FREE, please email me your name and address at marie@mariestamps.com and I will send you one.   US residents only per Stampin' Up! policy.

LOYALTY REWARDS - When you purchase $50 or more, you qualify for my Loyalty Rewards program!  This Frequent Stamper program is my way of saying "thank you" to my returning customers in appreciation of their business and is in addition to other Stampin' Rewards.  Earn FREE stamps with MarieStamps.com!