My Play Date is over….

Here’s the last of my Play Date creations. I made several items and used them to change my display at Arts and Scraps. Things I have for sale are notepads, bookmarks, matchboxes, cards and the metal/cork/calendar from this post.

Here are the cards that I made:

I have completely depleted my Play Date Collection. Nothing left! I can hardly believe that I used it all up.

So, later this month I’ll be teaching a class at Arts and Scraps. It’s a canvas class. I am really looking forward to it! We’ll be covering a canvas and then adding handmade flowers to it. The class is really all about creating the flowers. I’ll be teaching how to make 6 different ones.

I am preparing another class sample to present to Denise, who owns Arts and Scraps, for a second class on the same day. Usually Denise would be teaching however, she will be at Uncovered Ruby in Battle Ground for a Vintage Fair.

I’m feeling very vintage-y myself these days and have more projects rolling around in my mind.

Now would be a great time to join my team. Here’s why:


Free Craft Tote Promotion
September 1 through October 18, receive a FREE craft tote—a $39.95 value—when you join Stampin’ Up! as a demonstrator!
Imagine sharing your love of Stampin’ Up! with this stylish and practical tote, patterned after our Greenhouse Gala Designer Series Paper and large enough to carry 12" x 12" card stock and a Paper Cutter, as well as punches, ink pads, and accessories. And with two Starter Kits* to choose from—Standard and Digital+—at a new lower price, there’s never been a better time to join the Stampin’ Up! family.

Contact me TODAY to get started with this tote-ally awesome opportunity.

*Sample Starter Kit contents pictured in tote

I’ve also been selling my retired Stampin’ Up! sets on eBay. My seller id is desireesellsstamps. I really need to add more items to my Etsy shop as well. It’s hard to find the time to do everything!!!

Have a great day!
Desiree

A little two-step stampin'

Just in case you aren't familiar with two-step stamping, or need a refresher, I put together this little photo "how-to" for you. The only stamp set that I have handy is a retired set however there are several great sets in the catalog and some of them are ON SALE NOW! For this project I am using the masking technique along with two-step stamping.

First, I am stamping the outline stamps on a post-it and then cutting them out to create the masks. I stamped near the top of the post-it so that the sticky part is underneath my mask. That way they stay in place while I am stamping over them.

I stamped a row of leafy stems in Chocolate Chip ink along the bottom of my Very Vanilla cardstock.

Covering the stems with the mask allows me to stamp the next row of flowers without stamping on the leaves. I only cut two leaf masks so I'll have to move them over.

I've stamped the solid part of the leaves in Certainly Celery. You can see how the row of flowers appears behind the leaves.

Using the leaf masks again, I am stamping in Cameo Coral for the solid part of the flowers. You will notice that the solid part and the outlines do not exactly match up, they are designed that way.

Here I am using the flower masks that I cut out so that I can add another row of flowers.

Here you see the second row of flowers with Blush Blossom centers.

I trimmed the cardstock down a bit and sponged Chocolate Chip around the edges as well as adding a sentiment in Chocolate Chip ink. This piece is layered on Certainly Celery and Cameo Coral and adhered to a Kraft base. The ribbon is Certainly Celery twill, from Sale-a-Bration 2009.

Here is the end result. Thanks for stopping by. I hope that this inspires you to do a little two-steppin' yourself! Desiree

Supplies
Stamps: Botanical Blooms (retired)
Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Kraft, Cameo Coral, Certainly Celery
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Cameo Coral, Certainly Celery
Embellishments: Certainly Celery Twill (SAB 2009)

April 1st brings new offers from Stampin' Up!

Two-Step into Spring!
From April 1-30 only, you can buy the brand-new Awash with Flowers Two-Step Stampin' set—or get it FREE when you host a $350 workshop!

117062 Awash with Flowers (wood-mount) $39.95
120549 Awash with Flowers (clear-mount) $27.95

Plus, get 20% off a selection of springy Two-Step Stampin' sets:

Item #113824 Page 94 Greenhouse Garden Stamp Set,  Regular Price: $25.95 Sale Price: $20.76
Item #113734 Page 98 Fifth Avenue Floral Stamp Set,  Regular Price: $24.95 Sale Price: $19.96
Item #111578 Page 101 Flower Fancy Stamp Set,  Regular Price: $36.95 Sale Price: $29.56
Item #113258 Page 112 Trendy Trees Stamp Set,  Regular Price: $17.95 Sale Price: $14.36

View the flyer to see the beautiful creations you can make with the Awash with Flowers set—then contact me to place your order or schedule your workshop.


Free Technique DVDs Special Offer

From April 1-May 31, join Stampin’ Up! as a demonstrator and receive two FREE technique DVDs.

Free Technique DVD Details:

Workshop Wow DVD 2008-2009 (140 min.): Includes 19 demonstrator presentations of “WOW” techniques. Retail value is $24.95
Workshop Wow 2007-2008 DVD (117 min.): Includes 18 demonstrator presentations of “WOW” techniques for use in preparing for workshops. Retail value is $17.47
Total value for over 250 minutes of stamping and paper crafting ideas! $42.42

*DVDs are in English only

Contact me, or click Start Your Own Business, to learn more.

Have a great day!!!
Desiree

Don't miss the Online Extravaganza!!!

For one week only, you can get amazing discounts....up to 50 percent off....on over 40 products and product bundles!

Click here to go to my Stampin' Up! website to view them.

Things to Remember:

• Use the Gift Giving Guide for ideas
• Orders may be placed online or through me.
• The sale ends Monday November 30, 2009, 11:50 PM (MT).
• Discounts range between 30 percent and 50 percent.
• For online orders, discounts will be shown in the shopping bag at checkout.

 One of my lucky shoppers will win a Holiday Best level 1 hostess set and some goodies (including the ornament stencil)  to make the card from my Christmas Stenciling post!

Have fun shopping!

Desiree

The Holiday Mini has arrived!

Without further ado... I present the 2009 Holiday Mini Catalog!

You can see it here. A couple of things I would like to point out to you:

• Two new exclusive hostess sets  
• Sweet Treats and Sweet Centers - make some super cute cards full of goodies (see photo below)  
• Christmas Cocoa Designer Series Paper - metallic and flocked!  
• Ornament Punch, coordinating set and rubons!  
• More exclusive Sizzix dies: Table Setting and O Christmas Tree Pop Up  
• Make your own jewelry (see photo below)  
• Build a Bear!!! Stamps, paper and Sizzix dies (see photo below)  
• My Digital Studio - available Oct. 1

 Yeah, I pretty much want one of everything! Look!!!!

These sweet treats will be fabulous for all kinds of cards and projects! Fill them with candy, buttons, glitter, beads, etc. The coordinating stamp set includes stamps to make a flower, hot air balloon, Halloween scene, heart and ornament. Use these products all year long!

I can't wait to make necklaces and ornaments with these beautiful jewelry findings! They come in three sizes with two lengths of chains. Or use ribbon to hang them on. The beveled glass front opens so you can change out your handcrafted creation whenever you want. Too cool!

Who doesn't love these awesome little bears? SU convention goers had the opportunity to buy exclusive Stampin' Up! bears dressed in cute SU aprons. These little cuties can be dressed up for Halloween, Christmas, school or playdates. Choose from stamps, dies and paper. Use the dies and magnetic sheets to make a set of bears and clothes for the kids in your life!

So, go download your catalog now! Here's the link: www.stampinup.com/us/documents/Holiday09_US.pdf 

Enjoy!
Desiree

A safron embrace

I loved making this card! Its a bit different with the recessed center but oh so easy to make. Instructions are on SCS Resources page. I pulled out the Embrace Life stamp set which I love and don't use ofter enough and some Chocolate Chip cardstock. I used the Bella Birds designer series paper and cut it so that the bird is partially in the framed area and partially in the recessed area. I also used a stamp from the Friends 24-7 set to add to teh background. The flower was stamped on watercolor paper with Timber Brown stazon and then colored with Watercolor Crayons. I colored, cut and curled (sounds like a hairdresser, heehee) two flowers and popped them out with lots of dimensionals. For embellishments, I used chocolate tafetta and clip from the retired antique copper HodgePodge Hardware and in the upper corner are some gems - I think from K & I. I wish that Stampin' Up! would bring on gems to match their colors. Wouldn't that be fun?

This Sunday is brunch for my hostesses from the past year. We'll also make a couple of projects. That reminds me... I need to share the book we created in Crafter's Club. We used the Nouveau Chic papers, Sage Shadow, Basic Black and Very Vanilla cardstock. It turned out pretty cool. I'll post it tomorrow.

So, for those interested in Stampin' Up! August specials, you only have a few more days. Check out the details on my Web site http://www.desiree.stampinup.net/!

Country Living Cookout Kit - 40% off

The Country Living Summer Cookout Kit gives you everything you need to hold a fantastic summer party, including:

Creative invitations

Fun food wrappers

Customizable coasters

And more!

Now only $14.95 (refill $9.95), the Country Living Summer Cookout Kit will ensure your summer party is a hit. Available through August 31, or while supplies last.

Button, button who's has the button? YOU!

Get a free package of buttons when you purchase $35 of merchandise from the Growing Up section of the Stampin' Up! catalog.

Last but not least.... I would love for you to be a part of my team. As your upline I will help you with creativity, business ideas, group events and lots more! Stampin' UP! offers flexibility and fun. I can't imagine a better way to connect with friends, share what I love and express my creativity!

You can choose from just saving money on personal purchases, earning some Holiday cash or starting to build a business that will generate steady income. All are possible!

There are no requirements except $300 in sales a quarter if you wish to remain active - and your own purchases count. No mandatory training, no mandatory recruiting, no mandatory starter shows, no nothing. JUST lots and lots of options for stamping, scrapping, crafting and home decor.

As a demonstrator you can choose to focus on:

1. Supporting your personal habit
2. Just stamping
3. Just scrapping
4. Just Digital Scrapbooking
5. Just Home Decor
6. Just crafting
7. Building a business
8. Dabbling around your priorities
9. One day at a time
10. Or any combination there of - again there are NO requirements other than $300 a quarter.

With our $85 and $199 low priced starter kits, Our Buy Back Guarantee on anything new and used within 12 months and me - what do you have to lose?? You only have great product that you select in your starter kit to gain, as well as friends, fun, pre-public access to product, discounts, tax benefits, travel, full color monthly magazine, 2 FREE months of your demonstrator website, and this is just the tip of the iceberg.

Again I personally invite you to give Stampin' UP! a try. Consider it a gift to yourself that will keep on giving.

$85 Kit Special Ends August 31. Sign up today on-line and let the fun begin!

http://www.desiree.stampinup.net/ and click on "join now" - Recruiter Authorization Password: desiree

Have a great day and see you here tomorrow!

Desiree

Beautiful and ON SALE!

Square Fire Rhinestone Brads are just $6.99 - that's 30% off of the regular price of $10.95. Sale price ends on July 19 so don't wait!

Shop here: www.desiree.stampinup.net

Take a look at Last Chance products!

Click on this link (http://www.stampinup.com/ECWeb/CategoryPage.aspx?categoryID=310) to see photos of last chance products! Many are 25% and 50% off! They are selling out FAST!

Last Chance!!!

It's PAST the last chance to get this awesome Designer Series Paper however there is still time to get paper from this year's outgoing catalog! It is selling out fast so don't wait!

This card features Haiku dsp which I really liked! The colors are vibrant. This was a fun sketch from the Stampin' Out Alzheimer's site from last week. Can't wait till next year - it was a fun event and the fundraising goal was exceeded. So that is truly wonderful.

I pulled out my favorite little Cheep Talk set and Tangerine Tango and Old Olive inks. The base is Whisper White and a little So Safron layered under the stamped image. Old Olive is layered underneath the dsp. Flowers were made from Felt Fusion, a So Safron button and a bit of linen thread. The ribbon is So Safron 5/8 grograin from Sale-a-bration.

My Crafter's Club order came in yesterday so I gave it out to my club members today. It is always so fun to see what everyone orders! I also placed my order for new catalog items. The new In Colors are divine. Wait till you see them!

For now though, be sure to check out the Last Chance List to make sure you are not going to miss out on that one thing you haven't purchased yet.... when it's gone, it's gone forever.

June also brings increased Hostess Benefits! So now is a really good time to host a class, party or catalog/virtual party. I have evenings throughout the week open. Weekends are already booked, sorry!

Last but not least, follow me on Twitter! www.twitter.com/desireeatplay

Thanks for stopping by!

Desiree

Sweet raspberry!

I just love this Raspberry Tart DSP from Stampin' Up! Isn't it sweet? This is a double fold pocket card. I haven't made one before and I wanted to include this in my Funky Folds class coming up in April. The colors included here are Whisper White, Pink Pirouette, Rose Red and Kiwi Kiss. The front is adorned with the Sweetest Stem Sizzlet ( a SU exclusive).

These are the cute tags that go in the pockets. The coordinating stamp set is called Sweet Stems and I used it on the large tag. The bottom of the tag is sponged with Kiwi Kiss and I watercolored the petals with Pink Pirouette reinkers. The center is Rose Red. Then I used Pink Pirouette striped ribbon. The smaller tag was stamped with Yummy and Warm Words. I decided to cut the Yummy stamp apart so the curly brackets are separate from the words that were inside. Yummy is a Sale-a-Bration set.

That's it for me tonight1 I gotta go to bed and read. I am almost done with the fourth Twilight book, the movie is playing in the background....

Rustic Rooster

I just had to have this set! It's Rustic Rooster and its a Level 2 Hostess set from Stampin' Up! Let me know if you want it and we can start planning your party!

I made this card for the dot-to-dot challenge on Papertrey. The cardstock colors are Creamy Caramel, Kiwi Kiss, Chocolate Chip, Coffetti White and Really Rust. The ink is So Safron, Chocolate hip and Jet Black Stazon. The markers I used are More Mustard, Really Rust, Creamy Caramel, Close to Cocoa, Ruby Red and Old Olive. I also used a blender pen and linen thread. I cut out the rooster and popped him up on dimensionals. Cock-a-doodle-doo!

So I have to tell you about Sale-a-Bration.... for each $50 you purchase in SU product, you may select an item for free out of the Sale-a-Bration catalog. Really cute stuff in there!!! Hostesses get a bonus as well as new demonstrators. Email me for info!!!

Thanks for stopping by!

Desiree

and a partridge in a pear tree....

Well, not exactly a partridge... maybe it's a bluebird? Anyway I made these cute little notepad booklets for my guests at last week's open house. I think they turned out so cute!!! I love this set - Cheep Talk - I was so ithing to ink it up especially after a couple of weeks of Always.

So I had to pull out Kiwi Kiss, So Safron and Confetti White paper. I stamped the branches in Kiwi Kiss and the bird in Pacific Point. I used a marker on his beak and legs (Summer Sun and Chocolate Chip). The pear is from teh So Tweet On Board Chipboard. The leaves are Kiwi, stem is Chocolate Chip and for the pear I colored it with Summer Sun first and then rolled the edges in Kiwi Kiss. Then I embossed it with clear to give it a nice little shine.

The ribbon is available through the Sale-a-Bration promotion going on right now (for each $50 purchase you can select an item from the Sale-a-Bration catalog for FREE). I added a cute paperclip too. It has a chocolate chip flower underneath and a felt flower with brad on top.

The next photo is the inside. I found these short mechanical pencils that worked perfectly. I used the ribbon as a holder. Opposite the paper pad is a littl pocket for notes or whatever. I decorated that with a strip of Good Morning Sunshine designer series paper.

I am making more of these to sell at Mugs, the coffee shop I work at on Saturdays. Maybe I'll bring a few to my day job too. It's a cute little gifty thing.

Have a great day! Happy stamping!

~Desiree

25 days until Christmas!

An easy and pretty card to start off the Christmas season.

A little glitter and a little Elegant Eggplant on a lovely piece of Almost Amethyst.... I used the Punch Pals set for the center piece along with the Scallop Punch and some circle punches. I glittered up the center circle and the edges of the Amethyst square. Instead of Whisper White, I used Shimmery White. The sentiment comes from the Best Yet hostess set (it's not too late to earn this set by having a party!).

Happy creating!

I survived PTC!!!

Portland to Coast is touted as the "Mother of All Relays". It's 129 miles walking from downtown Portland to the beach at Seaside. Those who know me know that I am super out of shape and should not be walking the long legs of this relay, which I did. Next year I am picking the short legs!!!! Anyway, we have a team of twelve Wonder Women in two vans and we trek through night and day handing the baton off from person to person until we cross the finish line. We feel like celebrities because so many people comment on our costumes and ask to take our picture. When we pull to the side of the road to cheer on our walker, we treat everyone to a dance routine set to the Wonder Woman theme song. It is a ton of fun!

After a lot of rest I managed to put together these two cards. Both are based on a recent "sketch for you to try" at Jen's blog. I love her sketches. Both cards use the same color scheme and stamp sets. The colors I used are Kiwi Kiss, Not Quite Navy, Whisper White, and Baja Breeze. On the second card I also used Tangerine Tango. The stamp sets were Eastern Blooms. Inspired by Nature, and Embrace Life. I misted the Whisper White cardstock with water before stamping to get the watercolor look. I also distresssed the edges of all the layers. Both flowers were made with two layers of the flower cut out and adhered together. On card two, I layered the Tangerine blossom on a fabric flower that was dyed with Old Olive. Of the two cards, card one is definitely my favorite.

Thanks for stopping by. Please check out my web site for lots of cool specials from Stampin' Up! and me!!!

Retired stamps for sale!!!

My New Catalog Celebration on Thursday night was a great time! We had a lot of fun looking through the catalog!!! There were a lot of retired stamp sets for sale as well. Below is a list of what I have left.

On Thursday night I also offered two Make and Takes, the first one was a copy of a card from Convention. We used the Eastern Blooms stamp set (love it!). The base of this card is Baja Blue cardstock which is stamped with one of the smaller flowers in Baja Blue ink. Then tear the edge off a piece of Kiwi Kiss cardstock and adhere that to the card. Next dry emboss the small vine of flowers using the Floral Frenzy Classy Brass on a peice of Whisper White cardstock. Now here is the tricky part: ink up your brayer with Tangerine Tango and LIGHTLY roll on to the Whisper White cardstock on the side that is debossed (meaning that the flowers are indented). Using a sponge dauber, sponge Apricot Appeal around the edges to soften the Tangerine. Add a clear rhinestone brad to one of the flowers. This piece is adhered over the Kiwi Kiss cardstock with stamping dimensionals. Stamp a sentiment in Chocolate Chip on to Confetti White cardstock, tie chocolate chip grosgrain to one end, and adhere with stamping dimensionals. Cute card, huh?

The second was a CASE of a card on the Art from the Heart CD that is sold at the convention Memento Mall. We used the Flight of the Butterfly stamp set. The base of the card is Pink Pirouette. Stamp the small flower with Kiwi Kiss ont he Kiwi Kiss strip of cardstock. Punch one edge of the Riding Hood Red cardstock with the scallop edge punch. Stamp the grass from the Inspired by Nature set with Kiwi Kiss ink on the Whisper White piece. Adhere these together and then tie black grosgrain ribbon around before adhereing to the card. Stamp one of the sentiments in Basic Black and the little butterfly with Riding Hood Red. Punch a circle scallop from Riding Hood Red cardstock and a 1 1/4 circle from Basic Black. Stamp the butterfly background with Pink Pirouette ink on Whisper White cardstock, then the butterfly dots in Riding Hood Red over it. Cut out and adhere with dimensionals to black circle. Whew... that's a lot of typing!

Lots of promotions going on! Check out my web page (www.desiree.stampinup.net) to see the latest.

• Never before seen stamps at never before seen savings! August 11 through September 30. Don't delay! Click here for list!
• Sign up with the $99 Starter Kit between August 11 and October 11 and choose from three different options! Click here for flyer!
• Sign up with the $199 Starter Kit between August 11 and October 11 and choose a stamp set from the new catalog for FREE! - Click here to sign up! Contact me about the benefits of being a SU demonstrator!
• Hostesses: Have a $350 Party from October 1 to November 30 and choose one stamp set from the Fall-Winter Sampler for FREE. - Click here for sampler!

Do you want a new catalog???? I would be happy to deliver one to you for $10 OR host a party and get one for free!!!! Either way, shoot me an email at desdm@msn.com and we'll work out the details.You will love looking through this catalog, there are so many cool ideas for gift giving, scrapbooking, and card making. I love looking through all the new designer papers and embellishments. It is so easy to want it all!!! That is why I became a demonstrator!

Retired stamps for sale! They are all 40% off the original price. Shipping is $4.80 for one set, if you purchase more then I'll need to find out postal charges. Now for the list of stamps that I am selling: Amazing to Zany $25.17; Crazy Alphabet $16.17; Print Pattern $10.77; Sweet Shapes %15.57; Looks Like Spring $17.37; Time Well Spent $19.17; Spring Party $14.97; Bud Basics $10.77; All About U $15.57; Polka Dots and Paisley $11.37; Be Happy $12.57; Birthday Best $7.77; Eat Cake $15.57; So Much $19.17; Touch of Nature $16.77

Thanks for stopping by and happy stamping!!!

Desiree

Don't fall over....

Yeah, can you believe it, 2 posts in the same week! One right after the other.... Crazy!

The following 2 cards are based on Sharon's "Black and White plus 1" challenge that you can see here. For my extra color I used Soft Sky. I will really miss it when it's gone. Maybe I'll buy a few packs of cardstock and stash them. Anyway, I also used a sketch challenge from Beate that you will find here. I haven't used these stamps in forever, A Quiet Life, but I have loved them for a long time. Spring Silhouette DSP makes a lovely background for this card. I also added a bit of white zigzag ribbon and a silver ribbon slide.

For the second card I used Jen's Saturday sketch (here) and the same color palette. I also used a bit of paper from Spring Silhouette DSP. I broke out my silver hodgepodge hardware and the Fresh Cuts stamps set. What a super cute set and a great special going on right now. The details are in the bar at right.

Thanks for stopping by!