BUBBLE, BUBBLE, TOIL & TROUBLE...

Jenni finally got a chance to come over and finish her version of the cauldron card!  Isn't it adorable?  She got the idea from a card in a magazine she saw while waiting to check out somewhere.  I'm not sure what DSPs she used as forgot to keep track.  I think they are mostly from the Patterns Designer Stacks.  Too cute!  Enjoy!

BUBBLE, BUBBLE, TOIL & TROUBLE SUPPLIES:

• Stamp Sets – Wicked Cool (W#118738 $19.95, C#120600 $14.95)
• Card Stock – Wisteria Wonder, Basic Black, Whisper White, Silver Glimmer Paper
• Ink – Tangerine Tango, Basic Black, Lucky Limeade Classic, Pumpkin Pie, Basic Black Stampin' Write Marker
• Punches – Two-Step Owl (#118074, $16.95), 3/4" Circle (#119873, $10.95), 1/2" Circle (#119869, $5.95), Word Window (#119857, $15.95)
• Accessories – Brights Designer Buttons (#119747, $8.95), Stampin' Dimensionals (#104430, $3.95), Sticky Strip, Small piece of cotton ball
• Tools – Big Shot, 3-1/2" Circle Die (#121811, $17.95), Crop-A-Dile (#108362, $29.95), Sponge Daubers

CAS FRIDAY, Halloween Bunco Skinny Bag Treats...

I needed to make some quick & easy Halloween treats for my October Bunco Game tonight.  Of course, I knew I had to use the FABULOUS new 1" x 8" Cellophane Bags (or Skinny Bags as I like to call them)  from the Holiday Mini Catalog.  They are so adorable and very economical (only 5 cents per bag) and they are FDA certified Food-Safe!  Love them!

I created various toppers for the bags and filled them with M&Ms, Pretzel M&Ms or Twizzlers.  I also made some other designs for a craft show I am doing next weekend and filled those with Halloween pencils and Pixie Sticks!  They are just too cute and so fast to make!  I am already planning my Christmas ones.  We will be making a similar Masked Owl Treat Bag tomorrow at my Spooky Stamp Camp.  Don't miss out!

Try out a sample of (10) 1x8 Cello Bags in my Holiday Mini Accessories Share!

Here's a close-up of the toppers:

HALLOWEEN SKINNY BAG TREATS SUPPLIES:

• Stamp Sets – Wicked Cool (W#118738 $19.95, C#120600 $14.95), Batty for You (#116576, $23.95), Dark & Dreary (W#120837 $19.95, C#121151 $14.95), Teeny Tiny Wishes (#115370, $36.95), Warmest of Wishes (Hostess in Holiday Mini Catalog)
• Card Stock – Basic Black, Whisper White, Rich Razzleberry, Pumpkin Pie, Cajun Craze, So Saffron, Lucky Limeade, Wild Wasabi
• Ink – Crumb Cake, Tangerine Tango, More Mustard Classic, Basic Black Craft, Basic Black, Tangerine Tango, More Mustard, Lucky Limeade Stampin' Write Marker
• Punches – Two-Step Owl (#118074, $16.95), 1-3/4" Circle (#119850, $16.95), 1-3/8" Circle (#119860, $15.95), 2-3/8" Scallop Circle (#118874, $16.95), 1-3/4" Scallop Circle (#119854, $16.95), Decorative Label (#120907, $16.95)
• Accessories – 1" x 8" Cellophane Bags (#124134, $2.50), Black Embossing Powder (#109133, $4.75), Iridescent Ice Embossing Powder (#101930, $4.75), Stampin' Dimensionals (#104430, $3.95), Sticky Strip
• Tools – Heat Tool, Big Shot, Circles #2 Die (#114526, $15.95), Spider Web Embossing Folder (#120889, $7.95), Sponge Daubers

TECHINQUE THURSDAY, Frog Wizard in the Witches Brew Punch Art Cauldron...

I have been waiting to show you this cute Halloween Punch Art card for a couple of weeks now.  Jenni had seen a cauldron card in a magazine somewhere that she wanted to case.  So I helped her come up with a cauldron for her card and she went about making her card.  I decided to take the same cauldron, but in a different direction--a punch art direction, of course!  I wanted to show them both at once, but I got impatient waiting for her to finish hers, so here it is!

I really miss the Halloween Hoot stamp set that retired earlier this year.   I loved to perch the little wizard frog on the edge of the cauldron.  So I decided to use it as my inspiration for this card.  But, this little frog wizard has gotten INTO the witches brew!  Hope he can conjure up some help with that wand to get himself out of the cauldron!  :o)

I brought several other techniques into my card beside the punch art.  I used a tone on tone version of the Faux Letterpress Technique to create subtle depth on the background.  I then sprayed White Shimmer Mist over the embossed background.  The eyes were punched from Basic Black and then I applied Crystal Effects to the punch piece and let it "mound" up.  When it dries, the eyes then have that glassy, realistic looks that frogs have.  Also, I unraveled the Hemp Twine to give the broom strands a curlier, more rustic look.

The potion bubbles are punched from the new Silver Glimmer Paper in the Holiday Mini Catalog.  Did you know you could color our beautiful Silver Glimmer Paper?  Although the shade will be more subtle, it takes color beautifully.  The quickest and easiest way is to sponge it with Sponge Daubers.  I sponged Lucky Limeade on the Silver Glimmer Paper.  See before and after photo below.  However, you can also use your Aquapainter to watercolor it or use the ink pad directly (some glitter will transfer to your pad) or color it with a marker.  It's gorgeous all on it's own, but now you can have Glimmer Paper in LOTS of different colors!  This paper is a definite MUST-HAVE!  Try out a sample of it in my Holiday Mini Accessories Share!

No punch art directions for this card as it is one of the projects from my upcoming Spooky Stamp Camp on Saturday. When Jenni gets a chance to finish her card, I will post it as well.  Enjoy!

FROG WIZARD IN THE WITCHES BREW SUPPLIES:

• Stamp Sets – Pennant Parade (W#122740 $21.95, C#122742 $16.95)
• Card Stock – Wisteria Wonder, Basic Black, Old Olive Textured, Whisper White, Rich Razzleberry, Silver Glimmer Paper
• Ink – Wisteria Wonder, Lucky Limeade, Old Olive Classic, Whisper White Craft, Basic Black Stampin' Write Marker
• Ribbon  – Hemp Twine (#100982, $2.95)
• Punches – Two-Step Owl (#118074, $16.95), 3/4" Circle (#119873, $10.95), 1/2" Circle (#119869, $5.95), Heart to Heart (#119881, $16.95), Large Oval (#119855, $15.95), Small Oval (#120908, $10.95),Word Window (#119857, $15.95), Boho Blossoms (#119858, $16.95), Petite Pennants Builder (#122361, $16.95)
• Accessories – Frost White Shimmer Paint in White Shimmer Mist (#116854, $5.95) and  70% alcohol, Crystal Effects (#101055, $6.25), Stampin' Dimensionals (#104430, $3.95), Sticky Strip, Small piece of cotton ball, twig
• Tools – Big Shot, 3-1/2" Circle Die (#121811, $17.95), Spider Web Embossing Folder (#120889, $7.95), Crop-A-Dile (#108362, $29.95), Sponge Daubers

TOOL TIP TUESDAY, Distressing Essentials & Vintage Ink Stains...

Distressing Essentials is a fabulous set of tools that were released last year.  I absolutely love this kit.  It features tools that make it easy to create a distressed, vintage appearance to your projects.  Some of the styles that distressing works well with are:  aged, vintage, steam punk, grunge, shabby chic, collage, nostalgic, antique, retro, Victorian, Edwardian, twentieth-century, mid-century, romantic, timeless and classic.

DISTRESSING ESSENTIALS INCLUDE:
■ Sanding block (3" x 3/4" x 1-1/2") and two-sided emery board (4" x 3/4") for distressing Designer Series paper or smoothing the edges of card stock or DSP that has been adhered to On Board chipboard
■ (3) Precision files (5-1/2") for sanding intricate die cuts and sanding in tight areas.  They also work well at curling up edges.
■ (4) Blendable, water-based vintage ink spots: Tea Stain, Charcoal, Mahogany, Navy
■ Flat Stamp (1-1/2") for applying ink to create an aged appearance
■ Comes in soft plastic case

TOOL TIPS:
■ Because vintage ink contains alcohol, they are not recommended for scrapbooking.
■ For an aged look, it is best to crinkle your paper into a ball, and then smooth it out.  When you dab the ink on the flat stamp and rub it over the paper, the ink will be heavier on the creases, resulting in a distressed look.
■ For a subtle ink stain look, try the flat stamp to apply the vintage ink.  It provides a softer look than applying the ink spot directly on the paper.  To intensify the distressed look, try misting the ink lightly with water before or after applying to the project.  The ink will dilute and bleed resulting in a vintage appearance.
■ When using a stamped image that you do not want to bleed, be sure to use a waterproof ink like StazOn on your stamped image.
■ Use an Aquapainter to apply the ink refills directly to a stamped image.  Be sure to use StazOn or waterproof ink to stamp your image.
■ Use sanding--both edges and top--to distress your project even more.

The one drawback of the Distressing Essentials was that there were no refills for the Vintage Ink Spots.  This was troubling for me because with spots, I used up my favorites quickly.  Because of this, I had trouble enthusiastically recommending this product.  However, I am thrilled to let you know that REFILLS ARE NOW AVAILABLE for all the Vintage Ink Spots!  Yippee!  Thanks so much for listening to customer and demonstrator suggestions, Stampin' Up!

Here are the shopping links and information to order your Vintage Ink Refills:

• Tea Stain Vintage Stampin' Ink refill  #125731, $4.95
• Charcoal Vintage Stampin' Ink refill  #125732, $4.95
• Mahogany Vintage Stampin' Ink refill  #125733, $4.95
• Navy Blue Vintage Stampin' Ink refill  #125734, $4.95
• Distressing Essentials  #118762, $19.95
  

HOW TO RE-INK THE VINTAGE STAIN SPOTS:
Re-inking a Vintage Ink Spot is different than re-inking a Classic Stampin' Pad or Spot. To create a distressed, aged appearance, a Vintage Ink Spot should be drier than a Classic Stampin' Pad. When it's too dry--that is, the ink applies more lightly than you like on your projects--you should re-ink the Spot. To re-ink your Vintage Ink Spot, do the following:

1. Using the eyedropper in the Vintage Ink Refill, apply ink one drop at a time in equal, thin stripes on the pad.  DO NOT saturate the pad--it needs to be drier than a Classic Stampin' Pad.  Let the ink settle into the pad for a few minutes before continuing. 
2. Using the edge of a credit card, drag the ink diagonally across the pad from corner to corner.  This will ensure that the ink is heavier in some places than others, which is necessary to create a distressed appearance.
3. Blot lightly with a paper towel to remove excess ink.

Here are a few examples of cards made using the Distressing Essentials:

 

3x3 THURSDAY, Awash with Pool Party Flowers...

Today, I am introducing a new occasional feature on my blog - 3x3 Thursdays!  I have become addicted to 3" x 3" cards (AKA Love Notes) lately and become obsessed with making them.  They are so adorable.  Because of their small size, they are excellent for focusing all the attention on a WOW technique.  They are the perfect size for gift enclosures, to tuck into a lunch box or briefcase, leave on a co-worker's desk, to include with a tip for a waitress, etc., or to have on hand for any occasion.  Lately, I have been using them to tuck in with customer orders. 

Today's card was designed by Jenni.  She is queen of the CAS cards!  She made a dozen of these to hand out to her customers at Starbucks where she is a manager.  She is quite enamored with the new Pool Party In-Color and Two-Step Stampin', so she really wanted to use that color and the Awash with Flowers stamp set, but otherwise keep it simple.  Isn't it adorable? 

This card was actually one of her "mistake" cards.  I wanted to show this one, to show you that there are not mistakes--only room for embellishment!  She stamped the thanks sentiment directly on the white card front under the flower for all the cards.  On this one, the sentiment was crooked.  So, she restamped it on scrap paper and punched it out and put in on dimensionals over the crooked one.  And it I hadn't told you, you would never know it was a "mistake"!  :o)

SIMPLY AWASH WITH POOL PARTY SUPPLIES:

• Stamp Sets – Awash with Flowers (W#117062 $39.95, C#120549 $27.95), Fabulous Phrases (W#117002 $37.95, C#120501 $26.95)
• Card Stock – Whisper White, Pool Party
• Ink – Basic Black, Pool Party Classic
• Punches – Scallop Edge Border (#119882, $15.95), Small Oval 
• (#120908, $10.95)
• Tools – Big Shot, Perfect Polka Dot Embossing Folder (#117335, $7.95), Stampin' Dimensionals (#104430, $3.95)

Another great aspect of 3x3 cards is that when using 12x12 card stock, you can get eight card bases from one sheet!  Here is a FREE cutting guide tutorial for you to follow to get the most out of your card stock:

HOW TO CUT 12x12 CARD STOCK FOR 3x3 CARD BASES:
1.  Cut your 12x12 card stock in half (6").
2.  With your card stock in the landscape position, cut one of the halves into four 3" strips (3" x 6" pieces).  Repeat with the other half.  You will now have eight 3"x 6" pieces of card stock.
3.  With your 3" x 6" card stock in the landscape position, score at 3".  Fold on the scored lines.  You now have eight 3x3 card bases.

SWEET STAMPING WITH NEW COOKIE STAMPS...

Introducing Stampin' Up!'s brand new line of cookie stamps...  Available from October 1, 2011 - January 3, 2012), Stampin' Up! Sweet Pressed Cookie Stamps are a brand-new product that will appeal to everyone and are perfect for adding a personal touch to your gifts!

With easy-to-use cookie stamps, you can create beautiful, hand-stamped cookies in a flash!  Just make your favorite shortbread cookie dough (or one of the two delicious recipes included) and stamp away.   The stamp images are completely food-safe and child-friendly--and no ink required!  :o)  To shop for these sweet cookie stamps, CLICK HERE.

Item	Description	Price
125152	Includes solid wood handle with three interchangeable stamp images (heart, jack-o-lantern, & snowflake), two recipes, and tips for use	$16.95

Be sure to check out these coordinating products perfect for showcasing
your stamped cookies:

Page	Description	Price
19	Simple Snowflake Single Stamp	$8.95
20	Homemade Single Stamp	$9.95
162	Creatively Yours Set	$18.95
194	Baker's Twine	$2.95
224	Lots of Tags Sizzlits Die Set	$21.95
15*	Kraft Gift Box (4)	$2.95

*From the 2011 Holiday Mini Catalog

MY DIGITAL STUDIO PROGRAM UPDATES & SPECIAL HOLIDAY OFFERS...

We have several My Digital Studio updates available beginning today . . . just in time for the holidays!

New Software Update and Print Products
A new My Digital Studio software update (1.0.8) is available for FREE today!  With the newest software update, you’ll also see more functionality, including the ability to create customizable calendars (AWESOME!), as well as more print options (a board book, different paper options, and more)!  Update your software by clicking Help (within your MDS software) and then Check for Updates, or manually update with the file in the MyDigitalStudio.net Resources section here.  You can explore our print products, including the newest additions here.

Update your software today here and start creating your holiday gift designs!

NEW Discounted Bulk Pricing
We now have discounts—up to 25%—on select print products when you order in bulk. And the bulk pricing is here to stay. Even better, if you’re a demonstrator, you can get your demonstrator discount on top of the bulk discount for extreme savings. (Not a demonstrator? You might want to think about joining my group and get a FREE Big Shot or $100 in FREE products PLUS get My Digital Studio for only $50 if you don't have it yet.)

My Digital Studio offers the perfect solution for your holiday cards. They are beautiful, personal, and (most importantly) a time-saver in the busiest season of the year. Create one card, and print several in a matter of a few clicks.  All our card types (greeting cards, postcards, and trifold cards) come in bulk pricing!  You can also get tags to dress up and personalize your gifts, or swatchbooks, for a wonderful, thoughtful present for your extended family members or a group of friends.

See the chart below for MDS Bulk Pricing (click photo to enlarge):

New Holiday Hostess Option
Just in Time for the holidays--a new Limited time Hostess option!  Get the exclusive hostess-only Savor the Season Ensemble Content CD (#127752, $16.00) with your hostess dollars.  Available October 3-December 31, 2011.  It's perfect for making holiday projects and gifts!

Content Includes: 36-piece stamp brush set, 10 Designer Series Paper patterns, 8 embellishments, 4 punches, 3 designer templates (2 greeting cards and 1 postcard), 20 decor template pages (use to make paper gift bows, banners, mini boxes, treat labels and more.)

Contact me today to host a workshop and get your digital ensemble today!

GET A FREE BIG SHOT...

Be a BIG SHOT! 

For the month of October, you'll get a FREE Big Shot (or up to $100 in free Stampin' Up! products) when you join my Divalicious Demos Group and Stampin' Up!  WOW!  This is an absolutely AMAZING opportunity you don't want to miss!

It is the perfect opportunity for a hobby stamper who loves Stampin' Up! products to test drive all our discounts and benefits without having to meet any sales minimums until March 31, 2012.  If you decide not to continue, you just allow yourself to delete.  There's NO obligation to purchase or sell anything further!  I welcome both hobby stampers and business-minded demonstrators to my no pressure virtual group. 

In addition, the new-demonstrator Starter Kit—a steal at just $175 —contains over $345 ($444 with the Big Shot) worth of stamp sets, card stock, ink, accessories, and business supplies—everything you need to start your new business.

WANT MORE INFO?   For more information on Stampin' Up!, Starter Kit contents, discounts, benefits, FAQs and exclusive resources that go hand in hand with the Starter Kit, please CLICK HERE.

ORDER YOUR STARTER KIT ON-LINE and get immediate demonstrator discounts and benefits!  CLICK HERE and then Join Now.

HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT THE FREE BIG SHOT OR BECOMING A DEMONSTRATOR?  Give me a call at 757-463-2714 or email me anytime.  I would love to talk to you!

Promotion Details:

• Any new recruit who signs up during the promotion period will receive a Sizzix Big Shot Machine or up to $100 in Stampin' Up! products of their choice from any of our current catalogs and shipping is free!
• New recruits who sign up with me online will be given access to the Promotional Product Bonus order type in OEX approximately one hour after you complete their online IDA (you will be provided a link to OEX for this redemption via e-mail).  Call me (or email me to call you) and I will walk you through the whole process.  You will have until November 30, 2011, to redeem your product bonus.
• New recruits may purchase the standard or Digital+ Starter Kit, and may add the Stampin' Memories, Definitely Decorative, or My Digital Studio Software Add-On for the regular add-on price.
• New recruits may substitute any Textured Impressions Embossing Folder ($7.95 or less; see pages 218-219) for the Always Bird Décor Elements (p. 233) that comes standard in the Starter Kit.
• This offer ends Monday, October 31, 2011; 11:50 PM (MT)

ALL NEW CLEARANCE RACK INCLUDING PUNCHES!...

Run, don't walk, to my Clearance Rack!  It is updated with lots of new retired products!  There are so many great items you won't want to miss out on.  Not the least of which is 6 of our retired punches!  I LOVE these tools and cannot recommend them more highly, especially the Small Oval which is an absolute must-have and so many of you have asked me about since it retired.  Tools are always one of the best purchases you can make for your Stampin' Dollar!

There are also several wheels including the fabulous Haunting!  I use the wheel unmounted to make many of the projects I have shown on my blog including this adorable A Hauntin' We Will Go Milk Carton.   To unmount your wheel, see my video tutorial earlier this week here:  Unmount Your Wheels.

Other products worth looking at include the Black Flourish Designer Jewels - yummy, and they don't have to be used in the design indicated - and new to the rack DSPs, Big Shot Dies, Ribbon and much more!  You won't be sorry you looked!

Also, don't forget that you get a Rose towards a FREE stamp set with EACH $50 purchase you make with me.  For more details, please check out my Stampin' Rewards page.

BUY 2 SIMPLY SENT CARD KITS & GET A FREE STAMP SET...

Buy two Simply Sent Kits and get a FREE coordinating stamp set!  Our Simply Sent Kits are the ideal choice for the beginning crafter or those who desire a creative outlet, but feel they don't have time or talent.  The card kits offer a variety of basic themes, so it's easy to quickly create cards for any occasion with these beautiful printed cards—we’ve done the work for you.  Easy to personalize!  CLICK HERE to shop now in my Online Store.

Buy any two of the following Simply Sent Kits (pictured below): 

Page	Item	Description	Price
192	122375	Simply Sent Great Day	$12.95
193	122377	Simply Sent Everyday Elegance	$11.95
193	122376	Simply Sent Sweet Moments	$13.95

And get a FREE coordinating stamp set (pictured below):

Page	Item	Description	Price
192	123682	It's Your Day	$8.95
192	124685	Es tu día (Spanish It's Your day)	$8.95
192	124800	C'est ta fête (French It's Your Day)	$8.95
193	123686	Everyday Wishes	$9.95
193	123684	You're Cherished	$8.95
193	124865	Chérissons les anges (French You're Cherished)	$8.95

Promotion Details:

• Orders may be placed on any order type (customer, workshop, or online).
• Simply Sent kits ordered as part of a hostess's free benefits do not qualify for the promotion, so be sure to order on your guest order.
• There is no limit to the number of times a customer may participate. 
• Ordering deadline:  Monday, October 31, 2011; 6:50 PM (MT)