never before seen sale ending

The Never Before Seen Sale is ending on September 30th. If there is something you would like to purchase, let me know or go to my website and feel free to order at any time. It is http://detailmama.stampinup.net. These sets are fun and very versatile. Let me know if you want to order these while they are still on sale.

More fun ideas - shrinky dinks

I've had a lot of fun playing around with different gift ideas. I've played with candles, calendars, chipboard, ornaments, notepads and holders, and on and on.
One of the cute cool things I've been playing with is a fun thing that we use to play with as kids. Shrinky Dinks. They now come in at least 3 different colors (if not more). They also seem to work well with the stamps. I've had fun trying different sizes and colors. I've still got a few more test runs with different inks and markers, but here are a few of what I've come up with. The top picture is made with SU supplies. It is made with black stazon and white Shrinky Dinks and 1/8" and scallop circle punches. The stamp is the circle out of the Boho Backgrounds set. Aren't they cute?

The second picture is some various items I've tried. I've been playing around. Some came out really small, some just right. It's been fun picking things out.
I did use a couple of non SU items. I used a red and green Stazon pad and Sharpie markers in the ones shown here. Right now we don't sell those items. Those were items I've had for a while now. I was seeing what worked and how they stayed on. I'll be doing more experiments soon. I'm also putting together a bracelet with the red flower. So more pictures soon. The red flower is from our Spotlight on Christmas set punched with the five petal punch. The bird and house is from To You and Yours stamp set that will be on special during World Card Making week. They were punched with the wide oval punch and the key tag punch. The house is also in green stazon. The white snowflake is from Snow swirled and stamped with white Stazon (which we carry) and cut out with the 1 3/4" circle punch. The tree is also from Snow swirled and stamped in green stazon. The round red flower is from Big Flowers and is stamped with black stazon and colored in with a red Sharpie marker and punched with the 1 3/8" circle punch. The cute snowflake is a die from our new Big shot. There was no stamping there, just punch and shrink. Too cute.
There is so much you can do with these. They can make jewelry, tree ornaments, gift decorations, scrapbook and card embellishments, etc. Whatever you can dream up. Creating is a lot of fun and can even bring out the child in you. Hope you have fun creating too.

getting ideas

I've been busy playing with different ideas for my classes and creating different things. Right now I have a Christmas Stamp-a-stack scheduled and have been playing with different Christmas card ideas. I have 5 chosen to do at the stack, but I hope to have several other ideas for those coming to see as well. So there should be several ideas for Christmas cards.

The other thing I've been working on is my gift ideas class. Like the stack I'm going to have a few projects to make and then several on display to get ideas. Here is one I was going to display (a sneak peek). I got this candle on sale at Hobby Lobby this week. This is decorated with Old olive cardstock, a strip from the I Wish Scrappin kit, and the new felt ribbon from the mini (it's thick and fuzzy - it gives it dimension). Then I used the Big Shot and cut out the word Peace out of Real Red and adhered it to the top. Didn't it come out cute? I really like it anyways. I've been playing with lots of ideas (calendars, candles, jewelry, card kits, etc). So many ideas and so little time. Now to narrow it down. Well, I hope you liked your sneak peek. Hope you are having a great day. I also hope you are getting time to create too. It's good therapy. lol.

broomstick

Here is my version of the broomstick treat bag that is on page 29 in the catalog. I wanted to make mine sturdier so I used 2 bags. I also used the new stamp set coming out in the mini on October 1st. It's called Eat, Drink and be Scary and is really cute.

Here is how I made the bag. Take two brown paper bags and cut them down some or buy two smaller bags. Now take the first bag and flatten the bag and push out the bottom and push the bottom sides in (you don't want to cut the bottom at all). Then you cut strips from the top of the bag all the way to the bottom edge. Then you take the second bag and cut strips only about an inch and a half from the top (not all the way down just the top part. ) Then you put the second bag onto the bottom of the first bag (the first bag strips will be all laying down on the table.) I also smooshed (crinkled) my strips some so they weren't so straight and nice. You put whatever treat you want into the 2nd bag. You then insert your stick into your bag (it needs to be long enough to tick up about 6 inches above the bag). Then you pull all your strips from the first bag up and you gather them up near the top and combine them with the cut strips of the second bag and secure with some twine (or ribbon, etc) around both bags and the stick. I then created my tag and tied the twine around it as well. Then it's all done. If you did it right before your event you could use a pretzel stick if you didn't want a real stick (but I'd cut the bag down more). You could do one bag, so you can get a glimpse of your treat. I wanted mine more for decoration and I didn't want my kids trying to steal the candy, so I used two bags.

Here is what I used to make this:
Stamps : Eat, Drink and be Merry
inks: old olive and black
paper: old olive and ww
accessories: 2 brown bags, stick, twine, scissors, small and large tag punch

This was a super easy project and took no time at all and makes a cute treat bag or decoration for a party.

Spooky Spider now available for purchase

Limited time only!

Right now SU is offering for sale their Spooky Spider Decor element now through Oct. 31st. It comes in 3 sizes - small (4 5/8 x 4), Medium (8 7/8 x 7 3/4) and large (14 15/16 x 13). The piece of web has extentions too to extend it if you need them. This coordinates both with the Ghostly Greetings Designer series paper and the chills and thrills rub-ons.
It comes in either black or white. The cost for each one is $5.95 small, 10.95 medium and $14.95 large. Let me know if you are interested in purchasing this item. I can order it for you or if you prefer to order it online go to www.detailmama.stampinup.net. Let me know if you want to order online and I can send you the pdf with the item numbers and another nicer picture. The picture here isn't the best one, but it looks really cute in person. The only thing it comes with is the word Spooky, the spider and the web (the glass jar, ribbons, etc are not included). Decor elements will fit on most all smooth surfaces.
Picture from Stampin' Up!

ornaments from the mini - coming soon

The new mini is coming soon and has some really cool stuff in it. Sales for it begin October 1st. For my normal customers you should be getting your mini in the mail very soon. There are new papers, ribbons, stamp sets (from Halloween to Valentines), 2 ornaments kits and a calendar kit to name a few. I was playing around with some of the ornaments coming out. Here are 2 of the 3 items you can make from the one kit (the third is a star). These are just a couple of the paper samples. It has several colors of double sided dsp included, so you can mix and match if you want. The kits come pre-cut, just punch it out. You just glue, fold, or brad it together. It's pretty easy and fun. My kids liked it too, but I haven't taken a picture of theirs yet.

This picture is some of the ornaments in the second kit you can buy. I did add some to this one though. Except for the big hope saying all the other sayings are Big Shot dies. The peace/dove ornament is also Big shot, but the rest of the chipboard and paper is from the ornament kit. Again you just punch out and adhere together. a fun effect that's really easy.
If you have any questions about the upcoming mini or if you are my customer and you don't get yours fairly soon, let me know.

club meeting

Here is what we made or saw at this month's club. I got a taste of Halloween in me, so we went all out on the Halloween stuff. We also used the Bigshot, which I'm really liking at the moment. It was especially good Sunday when the power went out after Hurricane Ike went through and knocked out all the power (it doesn't need electricity to run). The biggest storm here in 30 years they said. Who would have guessed Hurricane force winds in Kentucky. So many people are without power at the moment and some with some pretty good damage. Everyone continue to pray for all those affected by Hurricane Ike and Gustav.

We made treat basket ideas. We made the baskets and items to put in them - covered suckers and covered peppermint patties. We also made the cello topper which I got the idea from SU's magazine. The cello bags were filled with candy corn and went really well with the orange ribbon.

Well here is what you see on the above photo. For the Big Shot: The basket and blooms die made into a basket, with it's coordinating tag. The top note die used for cello bag toppers.
Also used: Stamps: batty for you and Eat, Drink & be Scary from the new holiday mini available Oct. 1st.
Inks: black, pumpkin pie, old olive, elegant eggplant markers
papers: same as the inks, plus the ghostly greetings dsp
accessories: black and orange grosgrain ribbon, 1 3/8" circle punch, scallop circle punch, 1" circle punch, glue dots, dimensionals, sticky strip

This second picture is some more examples - these are a couple of the one's my club members did. We all used the same supplies, just picked different sheets of the dsp.
I hope you enjoy and get some good ideas.

big shot projects

I've been liking my new big shot. I just wish I had more time to play with it. My club meeting this week will be using the big shot and a couple of dies and the new Halloween papers and sets. I'll post those after club is over. In the mean time. Here is an envelope pouch I made using the Snowflake #2 die. I also punched out extras for an ornament and some extra snowflakes to decorate a bag with. It's just a quick and easy idea.
Stamps: Snow swirled
ink: bashful blue
accessories: big shot & Snowflake die, silver brad, glue dots, white envelope reg, large tag punch.



Here is an ornament I also made with the big shot. The bird and flower one is from the same sizzlet set. The peace is from a long die that has the words Peace, joy, love & cheer. I just cut out the peace part. These are part of the new series that SU is offering for sale.
Papers: baja blue, old olive, vv, riding hood red, ww
accessories: big shot, dies, silver cording (coming back in the mini), hole punch.

butterfly card

I decided I wanted to switch gears a little and use another set that I got at convention. When I pulled out the thank you sentiment for my hostess level card, I got inspired. So here is what I came up with. With it getting darker earlier now and it getting cooler, although not at all today, I thought a touch of spring fun.
Stamp sets: Flight of the butterfly, inspired by nature
Inks: old olive, bashful blue, night of navy, pale & perfect plum
papers: ww, perfect plum, night of navy
Accessories: snips, dimensionals, mini glue dots
I cut out the butterflies and curled them around my snips a little to help them stand out and glue dotted them only in the center. The saying has inked edges and has dimensionals under it. The blue butterfly uses the rock and roll technique. Hope this inspires you too, because creating is so much fun.

hostessing

You too can earn some cool new products by hosting a workshop. By hosting at a minimum a $150 workshop you can earn a level 1 hostess set and $15 in free merchandise. If your sales are higher you earn even more. At a workshop you can pick a technique you'd like to learn or just have a hodgepodge of items. Let me know if this appeals to you. You can also host a catalog workshop where you show friends the catalog and take orders until you qualify for hostess benefits. Let me know if any of these ideas interest you. Calendars are already starting to fill with the holiday season fast approaching. Friends and family might like to see some new ideas. Who knows they might come up with some wish lists too and make gift giving a snap. Just contact me and we can schedule something.
PS - The level one hostess sets are really cute too. (The words from the fallish pumpkin card in the post 2 days ago is also a level one set.)

Items used to make this card:
Stamps: Window dressing (level 3 hostess), Flight of the butterfly
Ink: Close to cocoa, stazon black, old olive, mellow moss. Markers - close to cocoa, choc chip, old olive, always artichoke, only orange, pumpkin pie, real red, ruby red, pale & perfect plum, creamy caramel, barely banana
Accessories: pastesls, ruler, snips

24/7

Stampin' Up! has just announced that you can order online 24/7. Yep that's right. Now you can sit at home and shop in your jammies. Isn't that cool? I could have said you could shop any way you want I guess, but we won't go there. I like doing that - shopping late at night that is, not the other parts. So now you can too - Shop in the privacy of your own home 24/7.
Anyways, you might ask how does it work? Well, right now the only way to do it is to go to a demonstrator's Stampin' Up! website. To get to my website you just need to go to www.detailmama.stampinup.net . Up in the upper right hand corner you will see a Shop now button. Click on it and start shopping. It is my understanding you will need to fill out a profile. I have not done this yet, but several demos have said that their customers have done it. If you forget my website name you can come back here and click on the link in the left column or there is suppose to be a demonstrator finder on Stampin' Up!'s website (you can search by name, city, etc. I use my work address for shipping, so don't let that throw you). The trick is once you find the name to go to the demo's website. By going to a demo's website you get benefits. Supposedly if you order from the SU site you won't get rewards or cheaper items (best rates and shipping), that's why you need to go to a demo's site. They also don't have the regular site up and running yet.

If you shop online from my site you will get the same great product delivered directly to your home and just like a regular order if you qualify for hostess benefits you qualify for Rewards (which are basically hostess benefits). There are also sample projects online as well. You will have to check it out. It looks neat. Now you don't have to order online. I'm still your demonstrator and I am still here to help you and I can still take your orders. Also, club orders, specials I offer and class items will still need to be purchased through me, just like you are doing now. But if you decide at close to midnight one night that you want to make say a teacher's gift and you need to order now, or if it's the last day of a promotion and you have decided to order more items and you are afraid to wake me up, you can order it yourself. Okay, I'm probably up at midnight if you know me, but you get the picture. Also if your spouses or boyfriends want to order you something they can do it too (i.e. birthdays and Christmas). You just show them the website (maybe give them a wish list) and they can do it all themselves, even ship to whatever address they want (or even expedite if they wait too close to the deadline). Of course, I can get it for them too and help them however they need. Well, this just allows some options, so I thought I'd share.
Also, in the US they take payment by Visa, Mastercard, and Discover and will only ship in the US.
Well, that's the general information about that. If you have any questions, just ask.

Fallish cards

I did get to play recently with some card ideas. I'm liking these fall and Christmas sets and having fun playing with them. I've been doing similar cards, but with different ways of doing them. This one is colored with Crayons - Earth elements. It's a slightly different effect but still lots of fun.

One tip I give when I color with the crayons - color the darkest areas the most and then use the aqua painter to smooth out and blend the colors.

Stamps: Autumn Harvest, Best Yet
Inks: Close to cocoa, Pumpkin pie, crayons - earth elements
Papers, Pumpkin pie, Old olive, ww
Accessories: aqua painter, ticket punch




This card was also fun to make. This was done with sponge daubers. I don't know if you can see the fine detail or not, but there are subtle changes in the colors and shading. You might could see it best in the words. This is a different color technique, but just as fun.



Stamps: Inspired by nature
inks: Chocolate chip, Summer Sun, Really rust, old olive, garden green
Papers: ww, really rust, old olive
Accessories: daubers, wide oval punch, chocolate chip grograin, dimensionals

So I hope you enjoyed these ideas. Hopefully it challenges you to do some watercoloring too.

Christmas cards

I have been busy trying out different samples of cards to get ready for my Christmas Stamp-a-stack (SAS). I'll be holding my SAS during SU's World Card Making day week promotion. This promotion is from October 4th thru 11th. During this week, they are offering 20 percent off Simply Sent card kits and Simply Sent Card Elements. I'm hoping to have samples of some of those kits this week. I'll post them as soon as I'm able too. One of these sets is a Christmas card set. An option for you if you are looking for quick and easy cards to make. My SAS will be on Friday Oct. 10th at 6:30 or Saturday, Oct. 11th at 2, unless changes are needed. It costs $15 and we make 10 cards, 2 each of 5 designs. These will all be Christmas cards. Let me know if you are interested.
Anyways, I wanted to share a couple of extra ideas I came up with too.

This one uses the following supplies:
Stamp sets: Holy Triptych, Holidays & wishes
Inks: Black Staz-on, Chocolate chip marker, Earth Element crayons
Papers: WW, Really Rust, Old Olive
Accessories: Aqua painter, Old Olive grosgrain ribbon, snail

For this card I stamped the image in Staz-on and then colored with the crayons and smoothed with the aqua painter. Then I did one part of the saying at a time for the words.



This next one uses a technique called cracked glass. I was just playing around with the technique as well as the big shot and came up with this simple, but interesting card. I'm not sure how well you see the front of the card inside the top note, but it's clear and shiny with cracks in it that look like "cracked glass", hence the name.
Here are the supplies used for this technique:
Stamps: Snow Swirled (on sale at the time of this posting)
Inks: Old Olive, Summer Sun and Real Red marker
Papers: Real Red, Old Olive, Very Vanilla
Accessories: Big shot, Top Note die, Real red grosgrain, blender pen, glassy glaze, heat gun

Hope you enjoy these samples. Come back soon for some more.

Big Shot Now available

The big shot is now available to purchase through SU. We now carry the machine, doctor's bag, supplies, several different types of dies and several SU exclusive dies. See me (or email me) if you'd like more details. They even have a starter kit. This machine is cool. If you'd like to see it let me know. The big dies can cut something like 50 different materials. You can make your own chipboard and paper to cover it, baskets, boxes, ornaments, scrapbook & card accessories, fabric for sewing, etc. There are tons of possibilities.
This would also make a great Christmas present. If you want it to be a secret possibility - have your spouses or family members contact me and we can see about getting it arranged. Just a thought to think about. Here is a link to SU's site about it. big Shot info from SU
Let me know if you are interested. Thanks

couple of autumn harvest cards

I was playing around with my Autumn Harvest set. I got this last year in the mini, but it's now in the current catalog. It got lost in the basement shuffle, but I found this one and Batty for you. Yeah, just in time. So here is a couple of ideas used with it. I have one more, but I'm probably going to save that one for club, so you have to wait to see that one. :) What do you think?


This one was made using the following:
Paper: old olive, close to cocoa, ww
ink: pumpkin pie, close to cocoa, old olive - ink and marker
Stamps: Autumn harvest & one of a kind
Accessories: aqua painter, olive grosgrain, large and small oval punches, dimensionals


This second one was made using the following.
Paper: pumpkin pie, close to cocoa, old olive, ww
ink: pumpkin pie, old olive, ruby red, close to cocoa
stamps: Autumn Harvest, Sincere Salutations
Accessories: large oval punch, dimensionals, aqua painter, snips
The pumpkin is a second piece cut out and both it and the oval are raised up.

Both samples use the watercolor technique. I had fun making these. I hope you enjoy. I did notice the lighting needs to be better when I take the pics. I hope these look okay. If you'd like to learn how to do these let me know. I'll post more tomorrow. I have a few more samples of stuff I just did. I just have stuff to get together for tomorrow. Both kids in some sort of school now, so mornings take longer now, so I have to prepare more at night. Hope you all have a great day and enjoy.

ornaments part 1 plus a candle

Ornaments:

Okay, I was playing around with various ideas for my bags, tags, and gift cards class (More about that to come soon) and I had some leftover pieces, so I made a couple of ornaments. Here is what they look like.
The first I just took a ball ornament I had and added on some of the left over rub-ons. It looks way prettier in person. The white against the blue makes a great contrast.


The first part is words in the shape of a snowflake and is on one side and the Winter Wonderland is the back side.
Simple and pretty. I realize I need to add some curly ribbon to jazz it up a little around the top.






The second ornament I took an On Board Something Seasonal and sponged it with white craft ink and added glitter. Simple and pretty. It really shines in real life. You can see it a little here.





Candle
The last item isn't an ornament but I used the halloween rub-ons and thought was a cute idea and fits into the 3d area. Not the best picture though I see. Oh well. You get the idea.
Well, I need some sleep. I post some more later.
Hope you all have a great day.

labor day weekend

Hey everyone,
I can't believe it, I actually got some time to create this weekend. I got to make several items, but I didn't get to finish any one !set of projects, because I'm still missing parts. Part of my order should be here later this week. Yeah! Okay, here is a look at some of the projects I got to complete. I'll put them in different posts, so I can label them. I hope you like them.