CAS TWIN BABY BOY TEES SHOWER CARD...

Just home from vacation and already hitting the ground running!  I have two baby showers this weekend.  The first was today and I completely forgot to make a card.  I had 20 minutes to make and photograph a card before Jenni was picking me up for the event, so it had to be a really quick one.

The mother-to-be is having twin boys, so I wanted the card to reflect that.  Since I didn't have much time, I chose to use the Baby Tees Jumbo Wheel on Designer Series Paper to avoid having to color.  I punched the star with the Merry Minis Punch Pack for the polka dotted shirt.  For the striped shirt, I stamped an additional shirt on Whisper White and colored in just the duckie part and then cut it out and paper pieced it on the striped onsie.  The congratulations stamp is from the Friendly Phrases stamp set.  I only used part of the stamp since the "on your new baby" would have needed to be "babies" for the twins.  A little dry embossing and I was done.  Not bad for a 15 minute card!

TWIN BABY BOY TEES SUPPLIES:

• Stamp Sets – Friendly Phrases (W#126149 $18.95, C#126151 $14.95), Baby Tees Jumbo Wheel (#118621, $8.50)
• Card Stock – Bashful Blue, Whisper White, Daffodil Delight, Subtles Collection Designer Series Paper Stack
• Ink –Marina Mist, Daffodil Delight Stampin' Write Markers
• Punches – Merry Minis Punch Pack (#126882, $16.95)
• Tools – Big Shot, Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder (#117335, $7.95) 

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!

FREE RIBBON FOR BACK TO SPOOL IN SEPTEMBER...

During September, get a FREE spool of 3/8" Stitched Satin Ribbon ($8.95 value) with every $40 purchase.  Choose from any of our 2012-2014 In Colors—or earn all five!

Item	Description	Retail Value
126848	Gumball Green 3/8" Stitched Satin Ribbon	$ 8.95
126847	Midnight Muse 3/8" Stitched Satin Ribbon	$ 8.95
126844	Primrose Petals 3/8" Stitched Satin Ribbon	$ 8.95
126845	Raspberry Ripple 3/8" Stitched Satin Ribbon	$ 8.95
126846	Summer Starfruit 3/8" Stitched Satin Ribbon	$ 8.95

To coordinate with your new ribbon, be sure to get the 2012-2014 In Color Designer Series Paper Stack (#126910) or In Color Dahlias (#127556).  They are a perfect match for your projects!  If you would like to find other Designer Series Papers featuring these colors, you can check out my Designer Series Paper Coordinating Color Chart PDF (list only) or my Designer Series Paper Coordinating Colors PDF (with pictures).

Promotion Details:

• Any order type qualifies for this promotion -- customer, workshop, or in my Online Store.
• This promotion has no limits-for every $40 purchase (before tax and shipping), you'll get a free package of 3/8" Stitched Satin Ribbon. Go crazy!
• Sorry -- hostess dollars don't count toward this promotion.
• All orders still count for hostess rewards (for $150+ orders) and my Loyalty Rewards program ($50+ orders)
• Deadline: Sunday, September 30, 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!

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!

DIGITAL CRAFTERS, MDS 2 IS COMING TOMORROW!...

My Digital Studio's newest software, MDS2 is available EARLY in downloadable form in only a few hours – Tuesday, August 1 NOW!   The best of the 75 features are ready to go, so enjoy them while we put finishing touches on the rest.  And in standard software industry style, when those are good to go, I'll let you know so you can go into your software to get the update (at no cost to you, of course).

Whether you're new to digital designing or an experienced pro, you will LOVE MDS2!  With this new My Digital Studio software you'll be able to:

• Design in spreads
• Create with custom canvas sizes
• Add more than one color to a single stamp image
• Resize vector stamp images while keeping them crisp
• See color combination suggestions
• Round photo corners (or DSP corners)
• A supply list that identifies all of the elements used on the page/project
• New Designer Kits, photo layouts,etc.
• Recolor embellishments
• Crop part of a stamp
• Recolor Designer Series Paper
• Enlarge stamps without pixilation (for the new image designs, not the ones you already own)
• Global Searches to find the perfect stamp set, embellishments, etc.
• Improvement in the Print Services
• And much more!

Do you already have My Digital Studio and want MDS 2?  Don't worry, you can purchase an upgrade to enjoy all the new design features.  Or you can try MDS 2 FREE for 30 days!

New Software	Item	Price
MDS 2    Full software	Download #130644	$39.95
MDS 2 + Full software plus over $500 in content	Download #130646	$79.95
Upgrade to MDS 2 - For those who already have My Digital Studio	Download #130650	$19.95
Free MDS 2 Trial - Try MDS 2 FREE for 30 Days!	Download #130910	$0

You can also schedule a My Digital Studio party for you and your friends today and I will show you how to use it!  Or join one of my regularly scheduled MDS2 classes!

Dive into digital designing guilt-free by getting 31% off 31 digital content options and most of our print products—for all 31 days in August!

Get 31% off:

• Some of our best digital content. 30 downloads and 1 content disc.
• ALL cards, photobooks, individual pages, and tags. See how amazing your stuff looks when it’s professionally printed.

August is not only guilt free, but it’s risk free too. Try our FREE 30-day Trial and make something cool.  Then print it for 31% off!  With digital goods on sale and the 30-day FREE trial of the software, August is the PERFECT time to enter the digital designing craze and see what it's all about.  

Item	Digital Content	Retail Price	31% Off Price
127217	Floral District Collection Disc	$  23.95	$ 16.53
118115	Night and Day Designer Series Paper	$    4.95	$   3.42
129929	Candid Frames	$    2.95	$   2.04
129921	Check This Out Page Templates	$    4.95	$   3.42
129609	Blossom Builders Embellishments	$    5.95	$   4.11
128999	It's All Me Kit	$    9.95	$   6.87
127441	Whimsical Note Journal Template	$    1.95	$   1.35
128342	Pinwheel Daily Calendar Template	$    9.95	$   6.87
127599	Party Animal Kit	$    9.95	$   6.87
127600	Autumn Traditions Kit	$    9.95	$   6.87
127620	Grateful Heart Thanksgiving Ensemble	$  14.95	$ 10.32
126027	Playful Polka Dots Kit	$    9.95	$   6.87
130066	World Traveler Photobook Template	$  17.95	$ 12.39
131221	Storybook Specialty Designer Series Paper	$    4.95	$   3.42
130850	Joyful Times Kit	$    9.95	$   6.87
124463	One Great Year Digital Kit	$    9.95	$   6.87
127175	Limited Edition Embellishments	$    2.95	$   2.04
129607	Walk in the Park II Kit	$    9.95	$   6.87
129934	#HASHTHIS Stamp Brush Set	$    7.95	$   5.49
129923	Book of Birthdays Swatchbook Template	$  12.95	$   8.94
121071	Travel Journal Kit	$    9.95	$   6.87
129924	Get it Done Kit	$    5.95	$   4.11
129005	Sweetly Nested Framable	$    4.95	$   3.42
127758	Delight in the Day Photobook Template	$  19.95	$ 13.77
130862	Blast Off Ensemble	$  19.95	$ 13.77
129890	Little Milestone Birthdays Greeting Card	$    7.95	$   5.49
128892	Designer Gift Cards	$    4.95	$   3.42
127580	And a Happy New Year Photocard Template	$    1.95	$   1.35
127435	Thanks Tons Greeting Card Template Set	$    2.95	$   2.04
127587	Sending Glad Tidings Designer Tags Kit	$    7.95	$   5.49
127762	Gratitude Framable Designer Template	$    1.95	$   1.35

Also, be sure to check out this week's newest digital downloads HERE and HERE.

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!