Weekly Deals ~ July 29 - August 4

Here are this week's deals:

	Brights Designer Buttons Item # 130028 Regular Price: $7.95 US/$10.95 CAN Discounted Price: $5.96 US/$8.21 CAN
	Cupcake Builder Punch Item # 121807 Regular Price: $16.95 US/$22.95 CAN Discounted Price: $12.71 US/$17.21 CAN
	1/2" Circle Punch Item # 119869 Regular Price: $5.95 US/$7.95 CAN Discounted Price: $4.46 US/$5.96 CAN
	Pool Party Stampin' Emboss Powder Item # 129398 Regular Price: $4.95 US/$6.25 CAN Discounted Price: $3.71 US/$4.69 CAN
	Gift Bow Bigz L Die Item # 129977 Regular Price: $32.95 US/$40.95 CAN Discounted Price: $24.71 US/$30.71 CAN
	Clear Oval Accent Bigz Die Item # 127005 Regular Price: $21.95 US/$26.95 CAN Discounted Price: $16.46 US/$20.21 CAN
	Watercolor Wonder Designer Washi Tape Item # 133000 Regular Price: $4.95 US/$6.50 CAN Discounted Price: $3.71 US/$4.88 CAN
	Delight In The Day Photobook Template - Digital Download Item # 127758 Regular Price: $19.95 US/$21.95 CAN Discounted Price: $11.97 US/$13.17 CAN
	Little Book Of Coupons Designer Swatchbook Template - Digital Download Item # 126158 Regular Price: $12.95 US/$13.92 CAN Discounted Price: $7.77 US/$8.35 CAN

 Happy Stamping!

Rachel

Blessed by God Baptism

Sorry I've been MIA for a few days. Everyone at my house is sick with a summer cold - not fun! This week should be better though, because I have a long list of cards to make!

We had a baptism at our church yesterday, and another coming up this next Sunday, both little boys, so I created this card with one of my new favorites - Blessed by God. The crosses in this set are so pretty. I really like the one made out of flowers, but I decided to use the solid one for boys.

Stamps: Blessed by God
Ink: Crumb Cake, Chocolate Chip
Paper: Crumb Cake, Soft Sky
Accessories & Tools: Perfect Polka Dots EF, Big Shot, Stamp-a-ma-jig (love using this to get the stamp placement just right!)

Don't forget: the Paper Pumpkin 1/2 off sale is in full swing! Sign up now to get your August kit (and some special perks from me)! Remember to use the promo code HALFOFF2 when you subscribe.

Happy Stamping!

Rachel 

Weekly Deals ~ July 22-28

Here are this week's deals:

 

	Calypso Coral Celebration Add-On Kit Item # 133431 Regular Price: $9.95 US/$12.95 CAN Discounted Price: $7.46 US/$9.71 CAN
	Celebration Basics Kit Item # 133007 Regular Price: $14.95 US/$18.95 CAN Discounted Price: $11.21 US/$14.21 CAN
	Curly Label Punch Item # 119851 Regular Price: $16.95 US/$22.95 CAN Discounted Price: $12.71 US/$17.21 CAN
	Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border Punch Item # 119275 Regular Price: $15.95 US/$20.95 CAN Discounted Price: $11.96 US/$15.71 CAN
	Pumpkin Pie 3/4" Chevron Ribbon Item # 130015 Regular Price: $8.95 US/$12.50 CAN Discounted Price: $6.71 US/$9.38 CAN
	Crushed Curry 3/4" Chevron Ribbon Item # 130019 Regular Price: $8.95 US/$12.50 CAN Discounted Price: $6.71 US/$9.38 CAN
	Bitty Banners Big Shot Die Framelits Item # 129267 Regular Price: $14.95 US/$18.95 CAN Discounted Price: $11.21 US/$14.21 CAN
	Summer Happiness Kit - Digital Download Item # 130076 Regular Price: $9.95 US/$10.95 CAN Discounted Price: $5.97 US/$6.57 CAN

Happy Stamping! Rachel 

Join My Team!

I had a busy weekend, including a workshop at my house with products from the Annual Catalog. We made a really simple card using Work of Art and Watercolor Thank You that I posted here awhile back. 

I don't have any new cards or projects to share today, but I thought I would share a few of my favorite things about being a Stampin' Up! demonstrator. Why today? Well, last week was the annual Stampin' Up! convention. I wasn't able to go, but it's a really exciting event for demonstrators, and I hope that when my kids are a little older, I'll be able to get away for a few days and go. The other exciting thing for Stampin' Up! demonstrators last week was the sneak peek of the Holiday Catalog. I am so excited to order some of the new products and share them with you! The Holiday Catalog will be available to customers beginning on August 28, but demonstrators can begin ordering August 1. All of this excitement made me feel like sharing!

That brings me to one of my favorite things about being a Stampin' Up! demonstrator: getting to see and order new products before everyone else! Isn't it always fun to get to do something that not everyone else can do? I always love seeing the new things Stampin' Up! comes up with.

Another one of my favorite things about being a demonstrator is getting together with other people and sharing the products that I love. Quite a few of the people at my workshop this weekend were new to Stampin' Up!, and it's always so much fun to share everything that we have to offer with people and watch their excitement grow for all of the great products. It also puts me back in teacher mode, which is what I did before I decided to stay home with my kids. Fun fun fun!

I ruined the suspense and shared my absolute most favorite thing first, but a close second is the discount on Stampin' Up! products that I receive as a demonstrator. When you love everything and have a wish list a mile long, that discount helps! 

Stampin' Up! is a great company to work for, and it really is a fun job (if you want to call it that). If you are interested in learning more or joining my team (and the fun!) please visit my business website or contact me. If you join now, you too can order from the Holiday Catalog on August 1! :-)

Happy Stamping!

Rachel 

Blended Bloom Thank You

Have you tried Blendabilities markers yet? I had a few thank yous to write this week, so I pulled mine out to color a few Blended Bloom flowers. This card is a CASE of the card Stampin' Up! showed in a video (I think?) to introduce Blendabilities markers. It's simple and elegant.

 

I'm still figuring out the best way to blend colors with the markers, but the great part about them is that they look good even if you don't know exactly what you're doing! 

Stamps: Blended Bloom, Another Thank You

Ink: Rich Razzleberry, Rich Razzleberry Blendabilities Markers, So Saffron and Crushed Curry Markers

Paper: Rich Razzleberry, Whisper White

Happy Stamping!

Rachel 

Paper Pumpkin 1/2 Off!

From now through September 10, sign up for Stampin' Up!'s monthly kit subscription as a new subscriber and get 1/2 off your first 2 months! Paper Pumpkin is regularly $19.95/month + tax. This deal takes the price down to $9.97 for the first two months, and you will definitely get your money's worth!

If you want to learn more about Paper Pumpkin, visit the Stampin' Up! Paper Pumpkin YouTube channel. You can watch videos of what was included in the kits in past months. I signed up today, because this is a stellar deal! I can't wait to get my first kit next month! It's easy to sign up: just go here and you'll be on your way. Make sure to enter promo code HALFOFF2 and choose me as your demonstrator.

If you start a new subscription with me during this promo period, you will be invited to an exclusive Paper Pumpkin event in October. There will be ideas for other uses of the kit items, a Make and Take project, and a free gift to say thank you for your subscription. Aren't local or can't make it? Don't worry! I will mail your freebies to you! *USA residents only, please.*

Happy Stamping!

Rachel 

Weekly Deals ~ July 15-21

Here are this week's deals:

	Large Triangle Punch Item # 133375 Regular Price: $15.95 US/$21.95 CAN Discounted Price: $11.96 US/$16.46 CAN
	Little Labels Punch Pack Item # 126881 Regular Price: $16.95 US/$22.95 CAN Discounted Price: $12.71 US/$17.21 CAN
	Scallop Edge Border Punch Item # 119882 Regular Price: $15.95 US/$20.95 CAN Discounted Price: $11.96 US/$15.71 CAN
	Mini Metallic Clothespins Item # 133320 Regular Price: $3.95 US/$5.50 CAN Discounted Price: $2.96 US/$4.13 CAN
	1" Square Punch Item # 124094 Regular Price: $15.95 US/$21.95 CAN Discounted Price: $11.96 US/$16.46 CAN
	Melon Mambo 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon Item # 131207 Regular Price: $5.95 US/$8.25 CAN Discounted Price: $4.46 US/$6.19 CAN
	Gold Baker'S Twine Item # 132975 Regular Price: $3.50 US/$3.95 CAN Discounted Price: $2.63 US/$2.96 CAN
	Summer Smooches Kit - Digital Download Item # 129601 Regular Price: $9.95 US/$10.95 CAN Discounted Price: $5.97 US/$6.57 CAN

Happy Stamping!

Rachel 

A Colorful Happy Birthday

As promised, today I have for you... color! My mom's birthday is next week, and I needed to make a special card just for her. I think all the colors really made it pop!

To make the greeting stand out among all the flowers, I punched a flower out of the coordinating punch and inked the edges with a sponge dauber and Pacific Point ink. Then I popped it up on dimensionals to make it stand out just a little more. Lots of pearls make the card extra special, just what a card for your mom needs!

Stamps: Flower Shop, Petite Pairs
Ink: Pacific Point, Perfect Plum, Melon Mambo, Daffodil Delight, Tangelo Twist
Paper: Pacific Point, Perfect Plum, Whisper White
Accessories & Tools: Pearl Basic Jewels, Stampin' Dimensionals, Pansy Punch

Happy Stamping!

Rachel

Creating Your Own DSP

With all this talk about DSP lately, wouldn't it be nice if you could just make your own and not have to buy any? Oh wait, you can! Check out today's card:

I used the little lion from Zoo Babies to create the patterned banner you see on this card. It was really easy to line him up using the clear stamp set. The other patterned banner comes from.... Project Life! Those little cards are great for adding to other projects too! I realized as I was making this card that I've done a lot of one-color cards lately. I really like them, but I think it's time to go looking for some great color combinations. Stay tuned for that...

Stamps: Zoo Babies, Sassy Salutations
Ink: Hello Honey
Paper: Whisper White, Hello Honey, Project Life Happiness Is Cards

Happy Stamping!

Rachel 

Project Life: My First Attempt

When I first heard about Stampin' Up!'s partnership with Project Life, I was really excited. I had never tried Project Life, but I have many scrapbooks that need to be made, and it seems like this might be a way to get them done a little faster! So the other night I pulled out the supplies that I ordered and a few pictures, and got to work.

I have seen some other bloggers post their Project Life pages and share that it only took 15 minutes to put a page together. I think that could be true. For other people. I'm kind of a perfectionist when it comes to things like this, so it took me a bit longer. I probably worked on these two pages for 30-60 minutes (I wasn't really keeping track). And mine aren't finished yet. I have yet to order some of the stamps or the journaling pen that will finish these pages off, but I wanted to share this part of it with you today. I loved all the card choices for sticking in the pockets (it was hard to choose - another reason why it probably took me longer!). 

Here are my two pages:

These pictures are *only* 4 years old. You have to start somewhere, right? I decided to start scrapbooking from the time I met my husband. This was a fall hike when we were engaged. My favorite pocket turned out to be this one:

I mounted the picture at an angle on one of the Project Life cards, then trimmed the edges. The little 'LOVE' circle is a sticker that came in the accessory pack. I'm sure when I add stamps and journaling, I may go back and change or add something to the rest of it. It's kind of bland. But the pictures are the star, which is the point of any scrapbook, in my opinion.

I'll leave you with one Project Life tip today: as I was picking pictures and cards for this layout, I realized that I had quite a few full-size pictures that I wanted to use. So I didn't get out any of the 4x6 Project Life cards. That narrowed my choices down a little bit! Then I split the pictures into 4 piles - horizontal scenery pictures, horizontal people pictures, vertical scenery pictures, and vertical people pictures. That made it somewhat easier to find a good fit for each pocket.

Have you tried Project Life yet? The cards and accessories used on these pages came from the Happiness Is Project Life Cards & Accessories Pack. The rest of the Stampin' Up! styles are on my wish list! I'm sure I will have much more to share in the future!

Happy Stamping!

Rachel 

Weekly Deals ~ July 8-14

Here are this week's deals:

	Gold Fancy Designer Vellum Foil Item # 133363 Regular Price: $10.95 US/$13.50 CAN Discounted Price: $8.21 US/$10.13 CAN
	Silver 1/8" Ribbon Item # 132137 Regular Price: $4.95 US/$6.95 CAN Discounted Price: $3.71 US/$5.21 CAN
	Retro Fresh This And That Washi Tape Item # 133001 Regular Price: $4.95 US/$6.50 CAN Discounted Price: $3.71 US/$4.88 CAN
	Retro Fresh This And That Journal Item # 132998 Regular Price: $10.95 US/$13.95 CAN Discounted Price: $8.21 US/$10.46 CAN
	Smoky Slate 3/4" Chevron Ribbon Item # 131152 Regular Price: $8.95 US/$12.50 CAN Discounted Price: $6.71 US/$9.38 CAN
	Artisan Label Punch Item # 130920 Regular Price: $15.95 US/$21.95 CAN Discounted Price: $11.96 US/$16.46 CAN
	Sweet Shop Kit - Digital Download Item # 129339 Regular Price: $9.95 US/$10.95 CAN Discounted Price: $5.97 US/$6.57 CAN

 Happy Stamping!

Rachel

Designer Series Paper Product Share!

As promised, I am back today with a product share for the Designer Series Paper in the 2014-2015 Annual Catalog. Now is a great time to buy the paper, because it is on sale buy three get one free! If you're like me, and you like it all, this product share might be for you. 

If you were to buy all 8 sets of DSP, plus the 2 sets of specialty DSP, it would cost you over $100 (a little less with the current sale). With my product share, you can get a little bit of all the designs, at a fraction of the cost!

Here are the details: 
*There are two options: in the first option you will receive 66 sheets of 6"x6" DSP, one of each two-sided design in the 8 regular sets of DSP and Gold Soiree, and 2 6"x6" sheets of each two-sided design in the Typeset DSP. The cost of this share is $12.50 + $5.95 shipping in a padded flat rate envelope. (No shipping if you are local and will pick up.)
*In the second option, you will receive 66 sheets of 6"x12" DSP, one of each two-sided design in the 8 regular sets of DSP and Gold Soiree, and 2 6"x12" sheets of each two-sided design in the Typeset DSP. This share is basically two shares of option #1, in a larger piece of paper. The cost for this share is $25.00 + $5.95 shipping in a padded flat rate envelope. (No shipping if you are local and will pick up.)
*These product shares are open until Sunday, July 20. I will place the order for the paper then, and ship your order to you no later than August 1 (unless I have not received your payment). 
*Please contact me at rachel.traudt@hotmail.com to reserve your spot in the share. I do not have a Paypal account set up at this time, so we will also need to arrange payment. Payments will need to be received before your share ships.
*This share is only available to those in the United States, thanks for understanding.

Of course you are more than welcome to shop in my online store and take advantage of the great sale on DSP that is going on now! Buy three get one free only happens once a year at Stampin' Up!
 

Happy Stamping!

Rachel 

DSP Sale: Buy 3 Get 1 Free!

For the entire month of July, Stampin' Up! is running a sale on Designer Series Paper. Since I've been a demonstrator, I've seen this sale happen about once a year. And this year, I'm really excited because I love every single DSP in the new catalog! If you are with me, stay tuned - next week I will be offering a product share in which you can get a sample of every single one!

Today's card features Maritime DSP. There are a lot of great prints in this set that lend themselves to kids' cards, but also to masculine cards. My brother-in-law's birthday is coming up later this month, and this paper made it really easy to whip up a card for him. (I also carried on with the patriotic theme of this week.)

 



Stamps: Label Love
Ink: Night of Navy
Paper: Whisper White, Maritime DSP
Accessories & Tools: Artisan Label Punch, Stampin' Dimensionals

If you just can't wait for the product share next week, or want to do some looking ahead of time, check out all of the DSP in my online store.

Happy Stamping!

Rachel

Weekly Deals ~ July 1-7

Here are this week's deals:

	2013-2015 In Color Stampin' Write Markers Item # 131260 Regular Price: $14.95 US/$19.95 CAN Discounted Price: $11.21 US/$14.96 CAN
	Gold Sequin Trim Item # 132983 Regular Price: $4.95 US/$6.50 CAN Discounted Price: $3.71 US/$4.88 CAN
	Silver Fancy Foil Designer Vellum Item # 133364 Regular Price: $10.95 US/$13.50 CAN Discounted Price: $8.21 US/$10.13 CAN
	Label Bracket Punch Item # 132153 Regular Price: $15.95 US/$21.95 CAN Discounted Price: $11.96 US/$16.46 CAN
	7/8" Circle Scallop Punch Item # 129404 Regular Price: $12.95 US/$15.95 CAN Discounted Price: $9.71 US/$11.96 CAN
	Neutrals Designer Buttons Item # 130031 Regular Price: $7.95 US/$10.95 CAN Discounted Price: $5.96 US/$8.21 CAN
	Silver Baker'S Twine Item # 132976 Regular Price: $3.50 US/$3.95 CAN Discounted Price: $2.63 US/$2.96 CAN
	Summer Home Digital Kit - Digital Download Item # 118464 Regular Price: $14.95 US/$16.50 CAN Discounted Price: $8.97 US/$9.90 CAN

 Happy Stamping!

Rachel