A "MINI" BIT OF LOVE :-)

Good morning stampers!! I hope you are all enjoying a fabulous weekend - I am sitting here drinking coffee in a quiet house! The kids are out doing things with friends, my sweetheart is golfing, and the dogs are snoozing :-) Later on, my friend is coming over so we can plan out the crafty things for her daughter's baby shower - YAY! So, it is a good day here in sunny California (although it is really not too sunny today).  I am going to be prepping things for my next downline meeting, but I thought I would share the project we did at our last downline meeting. I like to have a couple of stamping projects for my team to do using new products, techniques, and ideas so I decided to do a mini page for them this time, and they loved it! Okay, I know I shared the bird yesterday but I just love it so you have to see it again - at least it looks different, right??! Heehee,  I see lots more birdies in my future :-)  This is a 6x6 mini page that will eventually end up in an album, but I need to make the matching page for it and then decide what book, lol! We used a lot of new products on this page, and bright, fun colors from this year's In-Color family. The base of this page is Calypso Coral card stock, which made it easy to choose my designer series paper- Enchanted!! LOVE it, and it is also a FREE pack of paper from the Sale-a-Bration catalog so it makes it that much better :-)  I seem to reach for this paper again and again, sooooo pretty! The wing of the bird is also from this same paper pack, I just love the pretty colors! We also played with three of the Sale-a-Bration stamp sets, which is always fun because they too were FREE :-)
The bird is stamped with an image from the Fresh Vintage Stamp set; we just stamped at an angle all the way across the bottom of the bird to give it some texture. See the frame around the sentiment? Well, that is a stamp from the set called Elementary Elegance, and it is beautiful! We stamped the frame on Poppy Parade card stock in Soft Suede Ink (Yummo) and then trimmed around the frame, which is popped up on dimensionals. This frame is gorgeous and can be used in several different ways - there is even a little crown at the top of the frame so I could totally see a picture (of me, bwahahahaha) in that frame wearing it :-) The sentiment is from the Sprinkled Expressions stamp set - isn't it fun??! The whole stamp set is super cute; it's on page 8 of the SAB catalog which can be found in the sidebar of my blog - just click on it, and it will take you there:-)  The other new product used on this mini layout is the ribbon. The ribbon is also a SAB freebie and actually comes in a two pack of ribbon with matching brads and they are FABULOUS!! The whole pack is called the Everyday Enchantment Ribbon and Brad pack and so of course it coordinates beautifully with the paper! I hope you like this fun little layout - I will have to make the matching page and share that one too, and add some pics too *wink*  If you like the products you see here, all you have to do is place a $50 order for each item you want FREE and you can do that in my online store OR you can email me your order and I will be happy to place your order for you!  Enjoy the rest of your weekend, I am off to get ready to stamp the afternoon away on fun baby items!
Layout Recipe:
Paper - Calypso Coral, Pool Party, Lucky Limeade, Soft Suede, Poppy Parade card stock, Enchanted Designer Series paper
Inks - Soft Suede, Poppy Parade classic inks
Stamps - Elementary Elegance, Sprinkled Expressions, Fresh Vintage (all SAB sets)
Tools - Big Shot, Elegant Bird die,Crimper, Scallop Ribbon punch, Fancy Label punch, Dimensionals
Accessories - Everyday Enchantment ribbon, Basic Pearls

PSSSSTTTTT...........LOVE YOU! :-)

Happy Thursday stampers!!! It is a beautiful day here in Northern California - I swear, winter is skipping us completely this year! It is like a Spring day out there, full of sunshine and already feeling warm :-) I don't really mind, I happen to not be a huge fan of winter, lol!! So, I am planning on spending at least a little time outdoors today so I can soak up some sun! I will probably take a stamp project out to the patio and enjoy the weather AND some stamping :-) I plan on getting a lot of stamping done over the next five days as my husband is leaving for a long weekend golfing trip with one of his best friends. I will miss him BUT that DOES mean I can hang out in my stamp room for hours and hours without feeling guilty - the kids have their own lives, so that is what I am going to do, lol! Today I want to share another sweet card that I made using the PS I Love You set from the Occasions Mini catalog.

I totally love that little Cupid stamp in this set, and seem to use it a LOT :-) You have to admit, he IS cute, lol! This is a card I actually made for my husband to celebrate a special day of ours in January. Our official anniversary is in May, but we do have one in January that is just ours *wink* so this is what I gave to him. It is simple but pretty without being too frilly. I used some greys and blacks to make it a little more masculine, but I could not resist using a little bit of ribbon too!  I also did a bit of embossing - the hearts were stamped in Calypso Coral ink and then I used my Versamark Pen and clear embossing powder to make them all shiny and purdy :-) I also love this heart image because I can punch them out using the Full Heart Punch - makes is so very easy! The sentiment is also from this same stamp set - in fact, this is one of my favorite stamp sets because it has so many sentiments to choose from!  The little hearts along the bottom of the card are a really fun border stamp, I love the little accent it provides here!

I also used some of the fabulous embossed patterned paper from the Sweet Shop series, also in the Occasions Mini. Such fun papers - not really a traditional Valentines or Anniversary paper, but these hearts are puffy and oh so cute, so I decided that for this card, it would be, heeheee! There are some really cute and fun papers in this set, and a couple of the others patterns are also embossed, making them really fun to use! I see an ice cream social in my future class schedule using this same paper *wink*  Like I said, a pretty simple little card, but he loved it and that is what matters to ME :-) If you like the products you see here, you can purchase them in my online store or email me your order and I will be happy to put it in for you! Don't forget: since it is SALE-A-BRATION time right now, for every $50 order, you get to choose something from the SALE-A-BRATION catalog FREE!! I love FREE, don't you?? *wink* I am off to soak up some sun, drink some more coffee, and STAMP!! Have a fabulous day, and remember to take some time to be creative :-)
Card Recipe:
Paper - Basic Gray, Basic Black, Whisper White card stock, Sweet Shop Designer Series Paper
Inks - Basic Black, Calypso Coral ink pads, Versamark Pen
Stamps - PS I Love You
Tools - Eyelet Border Punch, Word Window Punch, Modern Label Punch, Clear Embossing Powder, Heat Gun, Dimensionals
Accessories - Basic Black Taffeta Ribbon

SWEET MINI BOOK

Good afternoon stampers! Sorry I am a little late with this one, but today is my birthday and I spent the morning doing NOTHING but drinking coffee and watching some of my shows that I needed to catch up on, lol! I love being lazy every once in awhile BUT then I get restless and need to get back to it, lol! I am spending the afternoon stamping, and then out to dinner with the fam :-) I am excited because we are going to the Japanese Steakhouse, one of my all-time favorite places to go! But before all that, I wanted to share a sneak peek at my mini of the month! You see, every single month I offer a mini book class of some type - I try and change it up to keep it fresh and exciting! This month we are going to do a paper bag book with with some super fun elements like 3d pages :-) I am hoping that they all love it as much as I loved putting it together! I am going to share just the cover; I will share the whole mini at the end of the month once the class has been held. I want them to see it first*wink*
For this mini, I am using the Enchanted Designer Series Paper that you can receive FREE as a SALE-A-BRATION choice with a $50 order - yep, FREE! It's is BEAUTIFUL - easily my favorite paper right now!! I just love all the colors and patterns in this pack, and I can't believe it's FREE!! There are lots of pretty details in this mini - I love to use my Big Shot and all the fun embellishments and of course the STAMPS!!!

I played with two of my favorite new dies to make things for this cover.  The first one is the XL Designer Rosette Die, which I used to make the fan! I just love the versatility of this die, there is sooo much you can do with this one! I have enjoyed experimenting with this one, and coming up with all kinds of cool projects and elements for my cards, books, and scrapbook pages! Such a wonderful die! It is located in the Occasions Mini, and was one of the first things I ordered, lol!

Here is a close-up of the fan that I made using the die. What I loved about it is I can make it as big or as small as I want just by the paper size that I use. So cool! And, isn't that paper just sooooo yummy??!!! Remember, it's FREE, LOL!!!! I used some super cute Lucky Limeade Ruffled ribbon to the bottom to hold the fan together, and I just think it gives this cover the WOW! factor is deserves :-) Plus, it looks purdy, heehee!!!
The second die that I used is called the Elegant Bird Bigz Die and it is just that - elegant! I love this bird; I actually squealed out load when I first saw it in the Mini, and yes, it was also on my first order, lol! Not only does it dress up ANY project that you make, but there are TONS of different projects you can use this die with as well! It is one of the things I love about the Big Shot - there are limitless creative ways to use all the fun dies and folders you can get! See how cute it turned out??!! I did stamp some on the bird, and I used Lucky Limeade Card stock as well as some more of the Enchanted DSP for the wing. I also added some pretty ribbon and bling because well, I LIKE it :-)  I had such fun putting this mini together - the inside pages are full of all kinds of different techniques and elements that everyone is sure to be happy with! It makes a great gift, OR you can keep it to yourself as I tend to do, lol! I always have good intentions to give them away, but then I fall in love with them and I don't want to part with them....so now, I make two so I have one to keep :-) If you like what you see here and would like to order it for yourself, you can do so in my online store OR you can email me and I will be happy to place your order for you! Remember, the patterned paper you see here can be yours FREE with your order of $50 or more - what a great deal!!! So, now I am off to stamp some and then get ready for my birthday dinner! I am excited to be going out tonight - no cooking for ME, LOL!!! Have a wonderful day and don't forget to make time to be creative, it's good for the heart!!!
Mini Cover Recipe:
Paper - Pool Party, Lucky Limeade, Soft Suede, Naturals Ivory card stock, Enchanted Designer Series Paper(SAB item)
Inks- Lucky Limeade, Pool Party classic inks
Stamps - Elementary Elegance, Fresh Vintage (both sets are Sale-a-Bration sets), Petite Pairs(sentiment)
Tools- Big Shot, Elegant Bird Bigz Die, XL Designer Rosette Die, Pinking Hearts Border Punch, 1 1/4 inch and 1 inch Circle Punches, Scalloped Square Die, Crimping Tool, Dimensionals
Accessories - Victoria Lace Ribbon, Lucky Limeade Ruffled Ribbon, Whisper White Thin Ribbon, Basic Rhinestones, Basic Pearls

A MIXED BUNCH

Good morning stampers! Life has been very busy here in the Hobson household - we had a couple of family emergencies that have thankfully been resolved and everyone is doing much, much better! I have been able to get some stamping done as well, and have lots to share with you! Today I am sharing a workshop card I made using the fabulous new products from the Occasions Mini! This mini is chock full of amazing products, and I just love playing with them :-) And, to make the deal even sweeter, for every $50 spent on new product, you get FREE stuff from the Sale-a-Bration catalog - AWESOME, right?? 

This card is the one we made in my workshop last night -we had a great time, and everyone enjoyed using the fun new stamps and papers! We made this one using the fun set called Mixed Bunch! It has beautifully detailed flower images and they are all different so layering them all together looks amazing! I also love this set because it comes with a coordinating flower punch that makes cutting out and layering these images a snap!
 We also used the Enchanted Designer Series paper from the SAB catalog and holy cow! this paper is beautiful!! I will honestly say it is my absolute favorite paper to play with right now, and even better, it's FREE!!!!!!!!  Yep, FREE! The colors used on this card are from the 2012-2013 in-colors, and I love them! I never thought I would stamp Valentines cards with these colors, but they really come together and work! It's nice to not always use pink *wink* The flowers are done in Pear Pizazz and Pool Party with Peach Parfait in the centers. Both the flowers and centers are punched out and layered with dimensionals so there is lots of dimension on this card. The ribbon is the yummy Pear Pizazz ruffled ribbon - love, love, love this ribbon! So nice that is is already beautifully pleated, and it really adds the perfect WOW! to all your projects.

The sentiment is actually from another Occasions Mini set called PS I Love You - I love this set because is has so many sentiments in it, which makes it very versatile for many different occasions.  I just love the little cupid too - very sweet :-)  I will be sharing another project tomorrow that is made with this same stamp set - and yes, I used the little cupid, lol! I couldn't help myself!  I hope you enjoyed seeing some of the fun, new products used in my card today! If you would like to have any of these items, they can be purchased in my online store, or you can email me and I will be happy to place your order for you! Remember, with every $50 order, you can receive something FREE - don't miss out on this amazing deal, it won't last forever :-) I am off to stamp and get ready for one my favorite times of the month - my downline meeting!! We will be getting together and doing some fun projects tonight, and enjoying some wonderful girl time! If you would like to be a part of such a fun group, now is the time to join - with the $125 starter kit price and FREE paper pack or Digital Downloads for a year, this is a GREAT time to be a demonstrator  :-) I wish I could sign up again, lol!!! Have a wonderful day, and I hope you take some time to get creative!!
Card Recipe:
Paper - Poppy Parade, Peach Parfait, Whisper White card stock, Enchanted Designer Series Paper
Inks - Pool Party, Pear Pizazz, Poppy Parade, Peach Parfait classic inks
Stamps - Mixed Bunch, PS I Love You
Tools - Blossom Punch, Eyelet Border Punch, 3/4 inch Circle Punch, Modern Label Punch, Dimensionals
Accessories - Basic Rhinestones, Pear Pizazz Ruffled Ribbon

SALE-A-BRATION IS HERE!!!

Good morning all!!! I have just recently returned from Leadership in San Antonio and I am sorting through all my pics so that I can share some of those with you, but today I want to share that fact that SALE-A-BRATION is here!!! What does that mean??!! It means FREE exclusive stamping and scrapbooking sets and accessories that can only be earned with an order of $50 or more! Plus, if you decide that you want to JOIN MY TEAM during this time, you will receive a HOSTESS EXCLUSIVE BUNDLE FREE on top of the wonderful specials Stampin' Up! is currently offering! Here are all the details so check them out:

WHOOHOOO!! IT'S HERE!!   Sale-A-Bration, Stampin' Up!'s biggest promotion of the year, begins today and runs through March 31, 2012. 

FREE SALE-A-BRATION GIFTS!  Now through March 31, 2012, earn a free Sale-A-Bration gift for EVERY $50 you spend on Stampin' Up! products.  Items from the on-line clearance rack can be included in your on-line order and count toward your total!  Spend $150 or more and you will receive both Sale-A-Bration gifts AND earn Hostess Benefits!  (Qualifying totals exclude shipping and tax.)

Click on the catalog pictured above to see all the FABULOUS Sale-A-Bration choices and additional promotion details. Here are some of the highlights:

HUGE SAVINGS WHEN YOU SIGN!!!   Become part of an AMAZING stamping family AND SAVE up to 60% with the Sale-A-Bration Starter Kit Deal! 

• SAVE $50 on the Stampin' Up! Starter Kit (NOW $125).  Includes up to $340 in products and ships FREE.  Choose and customize either the Standard Starter Kit or Digital Starter Kit.
• SALE-A-BRATION STARTER KIT BONUS!  Receive your choice of either FREE Designer Series Paper (you pay for shipping) or a FREE My Digital Studio Download (no shipping charge) EVERY MONTH that you are active, from Feb. through Dec., 2012.  Up to a $120 value!
• HOBBY STAMPERS!  Feed your stamping habit with wonderful demonstrator discounts and benefits plus all the fun specials and promotions that are also available to demonstrators!!!
• Become a member of my BUTTE COUNTY BIG SHOTS team!! Not local?? I have demonstrators all over the United States and they ALL feel part of our stamping family!    I welcome both hobby and business demonstrators to my group. 

QUESTIONS FOR ME?? If you are interested or simply curious about purchasing the Starter Kit and becoming a member of my fabulous family of stampers,please email me (lilstamper@yahoo.com)  I am happy to answer any and all questions you may have!

NEED A FREE COPY of the Occasions Mini and/or Sale-A-Bration Catalogs?  Please email me (lilstamper@yahoo.com) your name and address (U.S. only) and I'll send them right out to you! (If you already have a demonstrator, please go through them for all your stamping needs :-))

I hope to hear from you soon!!! Have a wonderful stampin' day!!!

*STAMPIN HUGS* Alex

BLISS IS BLISS!!

Howdy all! Whew! It has been such a busy week so far, I cannot even believe it is already Thursday! I reallly like my new job though, and the people are great, which is always nice! I have gotten to stamp some too, which is always fun - I was worried that I would have less stamping time, but I think I have just gotten better at managing my time, lol! I had a wonderful workshop this week with some fun new friend so I wanted to show you a card that we made together.  We used the Sale-a-Bration set called Bliss and I have to say, I LOVE LOVE LOVE this set!!! It will no longer be available after the 31st of March, so if you have not gotten this one yet, you need to make sure you do - it's FREE with your $50 order - yep, I said FREE!!! Can't beat that :-)  We had such fun putting this card together! I shared the wonderful Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder using Early Espresso card stock  on a Crumb Cake  base.  Don't they look great together?!  Good enough to eat, *wink* The patterned paper is the Sweet and Sour Specialty series paper from the main catalog and is sooooo pretty! I really do like the diverse selections of patterned paper we have in this catalog - sooo much to choose from! We used the Eyelet Border punch to create the pretty borders, then added some Rose Red Seam Binding ribbon that can be found in the Occasions Mini.  Have I told you how much I love this ribbon? So easy to manipulate, I and the colors and texture are gorgeous!  The main image butterfly is stamped in Rose Red ink, then stamped over with the sentiment in Early Espresso.  After punching it out using the Designer Label punch, we ran it through the Big Shot using the Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder - love how it turned out! We mounted it on a Scalloped Circle of Marina Mist card stock that is stamped with the swirly stamp from the Bliss set - well, that's my name for it anyway, lol! Lastly, we added one of the gorgeous Vanilla Rosette flowers that can also be found in the Occasions Mini - you get three sizes of flowers in this fun set, and they reallly make a project pop! In the center, we added a rhinestone - every flower needs a little bling, don't you think?  The ladies loved it, and I sure enjoyed sharing it with them!  If you would like to make projects similar to this one with YOUR friends, contact me and we can set up your workshop! And, if you have to have these items right now, you can purchase them in my online store or email me your order and I will get your order in!  Now, I gotta run and get to work, but I hope you all have a wonderful day and find some time to stamp!
Card Recipe:
Paper - Crumb Cake, Early Espresso, Marina Mist, Very Vanilla card stock, Sweet and Sour Specialty paper
Inks - Marina Mist, Rose Red, Early Espresso classic inks
Stamps - Bliss from the Sale-a-Bration catalog
Tools - Extra large scallop circle punch, Exrra large designer label punch, Eyelet border punch, Big Shot, Vintage Wallpaper and Perfect Polka Dots embossing folders
Accessories - Rose Red Seam binding ribbon, Basic Rhinestones, Vanilla Rosettes