Stampin' from the Heart

Graduation card

Sneak peek at my grandaugher's graduation card, made with one of the $10 and under stamps from Stampin' Up!

The colors are not quite navy and summer sun.  The not quite navy was textured with the Big Shot, using the Texturz Plate - It doesn't show up in the photo, but gives the card the right touch.
How fun it is to use the Big Shot!  Get your shot at winning a Big Shot in my Big Shot giveaway - just place a $50 order (before s/h and taxes) and you are automatically entered!

For you

Here is another special card that I have created:

Using the Manhattan Flowers Sizzix Embossing folder and vellum cardstock, this is layered over Pink Pirouette designer paper.  Of course, I had to use the new oval scallop punch available in the newly released ocassions mini catalog and layered the small & large oval punch, popping them up with dimensionals.  And, I to make it even more feminine, the organza ribbon adds that very special touch!
Enjoy!

Kindness card

Here is another card made in Rose Red, Regal Rose and Pink Pirouette DSP.  The scallop edge is lined with Rose Red and the designer paper is dazzled with dazzling diamonds:

I like the shadow effect.
Enjoy!

Another Eastern Influences Card

Here's one more card that "appeared" - okay - so I put a little bit of effort into this one!  Once again, I watercolored but "popped" this one up with Stampin' Dimensionals.  I placed the branch a bit off center so that it looks more like two branches - a little sponging around the edges to give the sky some color.  The birds ... I think they are so graceful.  Enjoy!

This is what the SU! community is all about

Marilyn Dollar lost everything in a flood this past year.  A group of Stampin' Up! demonstrators (from a list that I belong to), pitched in and helped Marilyn to get back on her feet.  You can read here  in her own words, just how caring, thoughtful and giving our stamping community is.  From Marilyn's and other SU! demonstrator's tragedies resulting from hurricane Ike, floods and house fires, a special disaster recovery group called "sudden response" was formed.  We pitch in and purchase whatever is needed to assist in getting these demos back on their feet.
This is yet one more thing I love about being an SU! demonstrator.  We help one another.

Things I Love About Being an SU! Demonstrator

I don't know who the author is, but I give credit it a fellow Stampin' Up! demo, Kay, for posting this and I have to share!  These are things I love about being an SU! demo:

Independent Contractor
 Unlimited Income Potential
Ability to invest in your own business

Tax Advantages
Incentives (trips, free stamps, great rewards…)
Travel
Fun – Friends, including those yet to be met!

Personal Growth & Development, Self Esteem, Confidence…

Minimal Investment/Start up costs
Regional & National Conferences
Leadership Training

Direct Deposit
On Line Ordering
Company Website
Full Color Monthly Training News

Quarterly Recognition Publication
Contests
Rapidly Growing Company

Variety of Sales Options  (In Home, Book, Customer Direct, Personal, Classes...)

Commission on Personal purchases

Credit for Personal Purchases toward incentives

Commissions – 12 Step, 5 level overrides

No minimum number of recruits needed before overrides begin

AAA awards

Customer Incentives from SU!

Low Quarterly Minimum

Flexibility

Creativity at its best

Ability to continually rebook – seasons, techniques, quarterly new product, scrapbook, crafts, in home décor, cards and more
Automatic Promotions
New catalog twice a year
Ability to involve your family/teach your children business skills
No Inventory

Stampin’ Start Program

12 Months of Stampin' Success

24/7 on-line order access

24/7 access to the website for samples and pattern library

Live Demo support 8 hours each weekday

20% instant income on all personal and customers orders

FREE Great Rewards!

20% hostess rewards on top of your 20% instant income

Camaraderie of fellow demos

Tons of inspiration and creative ideas

Take part in demo only swaps, workshops and chat groups

Be among the first to know when something new is coming up

To be able to share the new with fellow demos or customers

Being affiliated with Stampin' Up! makes us feel PROUD!!

M is for Monograms

And how fun they are to create - Lovely Letters stamp set makes such beautiful monogrammed notecards - the only trouble I had was figuring out which one I like the best.  Here are two of the cards I've made for my daughter for her bridal "thank you's".  I've made several designs, trying out different styles.  It's tough not using ribbon or other embellishments as she leans toward the "sleek" and "no frills" side.  Hence, no ribbon, no brads, no rhinestones... The first card (on the right) is Riding Hood Red, with brushed gold on Very Vanilla.

I used embossing and color - here is a second card, using a different color scheme (Bravo Burgundy and Mellow Moss with a touch of Brushed Gold and Very Vanilla).  She is getting married at Christmas, so the cards need to reflect the Christmas theme.  I think she will like either of these!  Her invitations were made using the Baroque Motifs set and this is carried foward in her "thank you's" as well.  I think she'll like them.  This is my surprise gift to her.

 Leave a comment and let me know which one you like the best!

The other cards that I made (variations) are posted in my gallery.  Altogether, she is receiving 20 of these handcrafted cards!

Now, on to making the wedding programs...

Hints and Tips for Making Wedding Invitations

Needless to say, I share this from own first hand experience!  As I am going through this wonderful experience of creating wedding invitations for my daughter's wedding, I thought I would pass on some VALUABLE insight that I've learned - not to be repeated, I hope, by anyone!

1.  Pick out your envelopes, first.  It's easier to cut your invitations to match the envelope size than to find the size of envelope to fit the invitation.  HMMM.... did I have to recut ALL the invitations down to size?  Good thing I didn't have them matted before looking for the envelopes!

2.  Plan on making more than 20% over the anticipated amount.  It seems the wedding list keeps growing and growing and growing.... and I thought I had plenty to spare for last minute additions.

3.  Proof the invitations before printing them and be certain they pass the in-law test, too!  Yes, I had to re-do them all (and they are all embossed!)

4.  Buy plenty of extra envelopes, just in case.  Even though you think you have correct addresses, corrections do happen!