FREE Big Shot!

For the month of October Stampin'Up! is offering a FREE Big Shot die cutting and embossing machine to anyone who joins the SU family!  If you already have the Big Shot, you can choose $100 worth in additional product...that would mean new dies and embossing folders to me.  This is such a great offer!  The Big Shot has to be one of my favorite "go to" tools.  I have a difficult time making a project that doesn't use the Big Shot in some way.  It's such an easy way to add interest to any project or card.  If you haven't tried one, come to one of my classes and I guarantee you'll be using it for at least one project (next class is this Thurs. evening or Friday morning--call or e-mail me asap if you're interested).

The card above uses the Square Lattice embossing folder with the Big Shot as a background.  The focal point was created using the Simply Soft hostess set and colored with a marker layering technique perfected by fellow Stampin'Up! demonstrator, Karen Barber.

Also for the month of October, buy 2 Simply Sent Kits and get a FREE coordinating stamp set!  See my Stampin'Up! website or click on the sidebar link for details. 

Have a great day!

Experiment with Vellum

I was experimenting with vellum techniques the other day and came up with the following samples using products that you can find in our new Stampin'Up! Idea Book and Catalog.  You can see it by clicking on the link in the sidebar.


Vellum is an easy way to add a classy look to your project, and there are lots of fun ways to use it.

This card uses the new "Snow Much Fun" set and 2 new in-colors, Wisteria Wonder and Pool Party.  The background is a piece of vellum cardstock that has been run through the Big Shot with the Petals-a-plenty embossing folder and layered onto Pool Party cs.  Sort of gives it a cool, frosted ice look.

This card also uses the "Snow Much Fun" set.  The snowman and tree are stamped with Staz-on ink, dry embossed "freestyle" (anything I wanted to pop out) on the back, and colored with markers on the back as well.  I then colored the buttons, hat band, nose and Christmas ornaments on the front, then re-colored with a Versamark pen and embossed with clear ep.  I didn't have white brads, so I embossed silver brads with white ep.

You can learn techniques like this at my Tons of Techniques classes.  Check out my updated class schedule using the sidebar link.

Also, check out all the great new products in the Holiday Mini Catalog!

Happy Stamping!

Marge Thuen

Only 3 Days Left...

...to take advantage of the buy 3, get 1 FREE promotion. Buy 3 packs of designer series paper and get the 4th absolutely FREE. There are lots of great DSP packs retiring in the Summer Mini, as well as some great new ones in the new Catalog & Idea Book. Now's the time to stock up!

...to order from the Summer Mini Catalog (deadline 8/31). The card below was created using the digital version of the "Sail Away" stamp from the Summer Mini; however, it could easily be recreated using the stamp itself.

The next card was created using another summer mini set called "Touch of Kindness. The background was made using a double embossing technique and DSP printed from the "Strength & Hope" digital kit. The flower was made using a faux mother of pearl technique and the center is a filigree brad, embossed with white ep.

...to order the Stength & Hope stamp set. When you purchase this set or the digital kit, Stampin'Up! will donate $2 to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation. The digital kit includes 12 Designer Series Papers and 10 embellishments in addition to the 4-piece stamp brush set. Click on the link in the sidebar for details.

The following 2 samples were created with a new set, "Nature's Pace," from the brand new Idea Book & Catalog. The first one also uses the new embossing folder set, "Designer Frames," and they are both embellished with the new Wisteria Wonder 3/8" Ruffled Ribbon (available in the 5 new in-colors). You can see the beautiful new catalog, including the new in-colors, by clicking on the sidebar link.

More Samples of Retiring Sets

Remember, after tomorrow (June 30th) these sets will be gone forever....

Another "Sock Monkey" card using the graduation cap from "Sock Monkey Accessories."

This card is made using a retiring background stamp, "Bella Toile," and the rattle from "Sock Monkey Accessories."

The following 2 cards use a retiring set called, "Dreams Du Jour."

Only 3 days left!!!

....to get those Stampin'Up! retiring sets and accessories you can't live without! Check out the lists of retiring products through the links in my sidebar.

We are saying goodbye to "Sock Monkey" and "Sock Monkey Accessories" which includes this cute little rattle, a graduation cap, and more. There's also "More Sock Monkey Accessories," which is retiring as well.

"Lots of Bots" is also retiring, as well as the texture plate used on the lower half of the card below, which reminds me of the bark of a tree. It is part of Texture Plates kit #4.

Remember, you can order these online anytime between now and the end of the day on June 30th through my Stampin'Up! website.

Don't miss out!

Happy Stamping,

Marge Thuen

Tons of Techniques Class this Friday!

There are still a couple of seats available in my upcoming Tons of Techniques class this coming Friday, June 10th, at 10 a.m. If you are interested, contact me asap. One of the projects we'll be making is this cute mini legal notepad holder using the owl punch. Tuck a gift card into the inner pocket and you have 2 gifts in 1!

Last Chance Lists are out!!

It is that time of year again, when we say goodbye to some of our favorite stamp sets and accessories in order to make room for all the great new additions to the next Idea Book & Catalog! Click on the links in the sidebar to see the 3 lists (stamps, accessories, and definitely deccorative) of products that are retiring.

One of my favorite Christmas sets shown here, Home for Christmas, will be going with the bunch. Also, the jumbo brads that you see used in this ornament!

This ornament is made on chipboard cut with the Scallop Square bigz clear die and the big shot. The layers were decopaged together and the accents were created by paper layering and crystal effects. The background paper and the greeting were printed on whisper white card stock with My Digital Studio!

Order your retired products now before it's too late!!

The Never-Ending Card

This card is the coolest! It is the Never-ending Card or the card that never ends.....you just keep flipping it and folding it, over and over and over.....it almost flips by itself! We made this card in my last Tons of Techniques class. There are endless decorating possiblities for this card. All of the Designer Series Papers (and some of the embellishments) used were printed from My Digital Studio on Whisper White card stock! That makes this a hybrid card!

You start with this view...

Then flip the top and bottom back to this view...

Then flip the sides back to this view...

Then flip the top and bottom back to the last view (which might be backwards, like mine, depending on how you decorate it)...

then flip the sides back to the first view again and the back will line of correctly!

If you ever see a project(s) that you would love to learn, but you're not available on the day of our scheduled class, just let me know, and we can schedule an a la carte class (where you pick from projects I've offered in the past) on a day that works for both of us, and then open it up to see if anyone else would like to join us as well.

Happy Stamping!

Marge

New Summer Mini Catalog!

There's a new Summer mini catalog out. Check out the link in the sidebar to view all the fun new products, like triple-layer punches! My upcoming classes will feature many of the cool, new products and sets from this catalog. See my Class Schedule link for dates and times.

A few items are still available from the Occasions mini, like the Build a Cupcake punch used to create these cute little purses (also used the jewelry tag, large oval and 3/4" circle punches).

Check the Occasions Mini carryover link to view other items still available for purchase.

Check out all the current promotions in the sidebar... There are currently only $5 and $10 grab bags available in the grab bag special. Also, color retrofit kits are only available until the end of the current catalog year (June 30th). This is your last chance to add only the new colors to your watercolor crayons and pastels.

Spring is Blossoming!

Spring is here (so they say), and so is a sneak peek of a brand new stamp set and gorgeous new DSP (designer series paper) that will be in the next Stampin'Up! catalog coming out in July. So during the month of April, you will be able to buy these brand new products with a purchase of at least $20. Click on the link in the sidebar for full details, and then click on over to my website and the Shop Now section to place your order. Remember, this is only during the month of April, and then they will not be available again until July!

Also, check out the Clearance Rack (link in the sidebar) for some great online "Grab Bag" deals while supplies last!

Tons of Techniques

Our last "Tons of Techniques" class was a lot of fun. Here are the projects we made. We used sets from the Occasions Mini and Sale-a-bration Mini. The first card was made with the Create a Cupcake set and coordinating punch. The fun texture of the icing was created by embossing the Tombow multi-purpose glue!

The next card uses the Clearly for You set. The focal point uses the Faux Silk technique, and the background was made with a technique called Texture Plate Smoosh (from the Technique Junkie newsletter).
The next 2 cards are examples of Embedded Embossing. Class participants were given a choice between these cards.....no one could choose, so we made both! The first card uses images from the Sale-a-bration set, Punch Bunch. The technique used on the focal point of both cards is called Neutral Shadows (from the Technique Junkie newsletter).
The second card uses the Plane & Simple set from the Occasions Mini. Each card uses the same technique for the background just a little differently.

Be sure to sign up for the next Tons of Techniques class, scheduled for Thurs., April 28th, 6:30 p.m. or Fri., April 29th, 10 a.m. Space is limited, so contact me today at the e-mail address above to reserve your spot.

Sale-A-Bration.....only a few weeks left!

There are only a few weeks left to take advantage of all the Freebies you can get with our Sale-a-bration promotion. The deadline is March 31st. Contact me today to schedule a workshop or place an order. Or link to my website to shop online.

This card is made with the sets, "Sweet Summer" and "So Happy For You" (the greeting), and Ice Cream Parlor designer series paper, ribbon and button from the Sale-a-bration mini catalog.

Let's have cake.....cupcakes, that is!

Our next class, Create a cupcake, is this Thursday, March 10th, 6:30 p.m. and Friday, March 11th, 10 a.m. We will make cards that use the "Create a Cupcake" set and the coordinating Build a Cupcake punch from the Occasions Mini Catalog. We won't necessarily be making cupcakes! Rsvp by Wednesday, March 9th.

The following cards were projects from our last "Tons of Techniques" class which focused on watercoloring. The first card is from the Occasions Mini Hostess set "Slice of Life". We used Stampin'Up!'s Stampin-write markers scribbled on an acrylic block, and picked up the color w/ a blender pen to apply.

The next card is made using the "A Flower for All Seasons" set, which is one of the sets you can choose as your Sale-a-bration Freebie! It also uses the Ice Cream parlor DSP and a button from the Ice Cream Parlor ribbon and buttons pack; also SAB Freebies! We colored using SU's watercolor pencils and Sans Odor Oil w/ blending stumps.

Our 3rd project used the "Peace Within" set. We colored using SU's watercolor crayons and a mix of blender pens and aquapainter.

If you are interested in taking a class, but can't make the scheduled date, contact me to arrange a class at a time more convenient for you.

Nature Walk

Our last class was based on the Nature Walk stamp set available in the new Occasions Mini Catalog. Here are the cards we made...all inspired and/or CASEd (copy and share everything) from other SU demonstrators' ideas.

This card was inspired by a card created by demonstrator, Cherie Franklin. I made only minor changes, although the Designer Series Paper (DSP) I used for the stamped panel in the center of this project was actually printed from My Digital Studio (MDS) onto Whisper White cs. The advantage....everyone in the class can have the same piece of DSP. The maroonish piece of DSP, punched with the border punch was also printed on WWcs from MDS. The Framed Tulips embossing folder is available in the Occasions Mini Catalog.

I CASEd this card from a card by demonstrator, Kay Kalthoff. The shadow stamp behind the images in this card was actually made with a clear acrylic block.

This card was inspired by a card created by demonstrator, Holly Krautkremer, and posted on stampinaddicts.com/gallery. This card requires very little stamping and is accented with basic pearls (get 150 in a pkg for $4.95).

This card was CASEd from a card by demonstrator, Jodi Kutz. The first 3 projects went so quickly that we picked this card out and made it as a bonus. That's the advantage of coming to class...all your supplies are already cut a ready to stamp and assemble!

Check out my Stampin'Up! website for the schedule of future classes. (www.stampinwithmarge.stampinup.net)

Happy Stamping,

Marge

Tons of Techniques Class this Thursday and Friday!

This weeks Tons of Techniques class will be focusing on watercoloring techniques. Classes are Thursday, Feb. 24th, at 6:30-9:30 pm, or Friday, Feb. 25th, at 10 am - 1 pm, at my home in Morris Plains, NJ. The fee is $15. Please bring your favoriate adhesive to class, as well as a blender pen and aqua painter (water pen) if you have them to decrease sharing time.

Here's a sneak peak of one of our class projects. There's still room, but space is limited. Let me know if you can make it by Wednesday. If ever there's a class you would like to take, but you can't make my scheduled class, please feel free to contact me to schedule an additional class. There may be others in the same boat. Or I can schedule a class for you and your friends. Classes are usually scheduled the 2nd and 4th Thursday evening and Friday morning of the month.

Happy Stamping,

Marge

Petal Cone Bigz L Die

The Petal Cone Bigz L Die is new in the current Occasions Mini Catalog which you can see by clicking on the link on this page. I've seen many adorable samples created with this die used in so many different ways. This was my valentine to my husband (and a similar one for my daughter--filled, of course, with chocolate!), inspired by a number of different samples I found, but mostly, thank you to Andrea Walford and the Paper Crafters Library for your video tutorial with great tips on how to use this die.

The decorative band is embossed using the Big Shot and SU's Finial Press embossing folder, sponged with Cherry Cobler die ink, and then the pad was scraped across the top of the embossed image. Even the half scallop under the flap and the banner are part of this die. The LOVE note was created using My Digital Studio (MDS) with the "Filled with Love" download, and printed on my Brother inkjet printer on Whisper White cs.

As I get time, I will be playing with this die and posting some new projects.

Happy Stamping,

Marge

Sale-A-Bration Is Here!!!!

Starting tomorrow, check here to view Stampin'Up!'s Sale-a-Bration (SAB) mini catalog. This is a promotion you don't miss, 'cause everyone can get something FREE! All you have to do is order $50 worth of products from any of our catalogs or mini's and you can pick one item FREE from the SAB mini. There's no limit to the number of items you can get.....order $50, get 1 FREE; order $100, get 2 FREE; etc. Host a workshop or catalog party and in addition to your personal FREE stuff, you get another FREE item for a workshop total of at least $300 (plus a generous amount of hostess benefits)....AND your guests have the opportunity to get a FREE item for every $50 they spend!!

This is also a great time to join the Stampin'Up! family of demonstrators. Join during SAB and get 15% off your Starter Kit. Plus, get a bonus bundle filled with over $50 in FREE products!

When you check out the SAB mini, don't forget to check out page 11 (inside back page) for the huge list of sets from the Catalog & Idea Book included in the FREE options! But remember that the items created specifically for this promotion will never be available again when SAB ends!

Contact me now to schedule your workshop or catalog party. Don't miss out on the fun!

January 25 - March 31, 2011

Last DAY to order the Filled with Love Bundle!

The filled with Love Bundle contains the Filled with Love Set, Love Patterns Designer Series Paper Pack, and a FREE pack of Bitty Buttons. You can order the bundle with a clear-mount set for $26.90 or a wood-mounted set for $32.90. You can order from my website through the "shop now" button.

This simple little notecard was created using the Filled with Love set. The small heart in the lower corner is punched out using the small heart punch (item #117193) that coordinates perfectly with this set.

I've been inspired by the many other demonstrators who have been experimenting with their Big Shots and fabric to try making a rag purse. So over Christmas break, I got out my sewing machine and here is the result.

If I can find the posts that inspired this project, I will add them later. Just an old pair of jeans that were not worthy to be handed down to my niece because of a difficult to repair hole, Deck the Halls fabric from the Holiday mini (which is being carried over!), batting, thread, a button and the Bigz clear scallop square die. I also used the flower folds bigz xl die for the flower embellishments. I think it turned out pretty cool. What's even better, my daughter wants it! I hear the more you wash it, the better (and more ragged) it looks!

Happy Stamping!

Marge