Out With the Old -- Kissing the Bird Goodbye

For some reason, I have a hard time saying goodbye to retiring stamp sets. As a result I have WAY too many that are no longer in the catalog! But this year I acquired this beautiful bird in the Wings of Friendship hostess set -- and fell in love with it! But someone else loved it as much as I did, so I used it at my last two workshops of the Stampin' Up! year and then sold it to her so it wouldn't get stuck in a drawer.

I delivered the beautiful bird to his new home a few days ago and had to give him a kiss goodbye. (Cheri thought I was crazy!) I know he's in a good home and will be taken care of, but I'm still going to miss him.

And then there's the card. It's one of my favorites ever -- and everything on it's retiring! The colors are Brocade Blue and Barely Banana -- the colors of my kitchen. I'm getting over this new color transition and will have fun using the new colors in the next couple of weeks getting ready for my July workshop. But it's not easy saying goodbye to those who have been with me for so long!

New Catalog Pre-Order plus Coupon

It's almost time for the Stampin' Up! catalog! As many of you know, Stampin' Up! is retiring several old colors and replacing them with new colors. In addition, several of the In Colors from past years are going to gain a permanent place in the new color pallets! This is all in addition to the new clear stamps and all the new designs and accessories that we are all going to "need"!

In order to help you with your "needs", I am offering a catalog pre-order special. From now until June 17 you can pre-order and pre-pay for your catalog for just $5! In addition, your catalog will include a coupon for $5 off of your first $25 order! That makes your catalog FREE! I will notify everyone who has pre-ordered a catalog the day they arrive -- I probably won't know ahead of time -- and you can pick them up at my house or make arrangements for me to meet you somewhere. (If you live out of town, shipping charges will apply.)

Refilling Markers

I've been asked lately about Stampin' Up! markers drying out on the fine point end. I have to confess, most of mine don't work either, so I decided last night to try something that I had read about a long time ago -- refilling markers. And it worked!! Since so many of my markers are retiring anyway, I decided it wouldn't be a big deal if I tore one up trying, but the marker came out of the process just fine and now it works again.

Here's what you do:

Brush end -- using tweezers, gently pull from the base of the "brush" and the whole thing will come out very easily. There is a sort of wick on the other end that goes down into the barrel of the marker. Put a couple of drops of re-inker into the barrel and replace the tip firmly into the barrel.

Fine tip end -- do this end using the same concept, but I couldn't get my tweezers to work -- the tip was too slick. So I used my teeth! (I know, that may gross some of you out, but it worked. And it's okay Mom, I didn't hurt my teeth!) Anyway, a pair of small pliers would probably do the trick, too. Just put a couple of drops of re-inker into that end and replace the tip.

It will take a little while for the wick to absorb the ink and for the marker to write again, but be patient -- it should work! I also stored my markers fine tip down for a little while since that was the end I was having the most trouble with.

One Last Chance

The lists of retiring stamp sets and accessories are out! You only have until June 30 to order stamp sets and the accessories are available only while supplies last! Click here to see the retiring stamps list.

Don't miss out on accessories that you love -- once they are gone they're gone! Many of them are being offered at 25% and even 50% off of the catalog price. The list will be updated daily, but in order to be sure you are getting what you want, you may want to visit my Stampin' Up! website -- www.2scrappygirls.stampinup.net -- and place your order there. If you would rather call me, that's okay, too! Click here to see the retiring accessories list.

Be sure to get enough of your favorite retiring color before it's gone forever! And that stamp set you just love!

I'm Back!

Okay, so it's been a while! In honor of the last day of school and summer starting tomorrow, I thought I'd make a new attempt to get back to blogging on a somewhat regular basis. I have enough experience to know that my life won't really slow down much, but maybe I will at least be at home a little more often than I have been in the last couple of months.

Here is a picture of the cards we're making tomorrow night. It's not a great picture, but I've got to start somewhere! I'm pretty excited -- I really like all of the cards this month. The one with the tree says Happy Father's Day, but I will have other stamps if want to make it something different. I have also made the wedding card so that it can be a last minute graduation card if you need one. I'll post individual pictures with details later.

I will probably have several kits, so if you are one of the lucky people who is going away for the holiday weekend, let me know and I'll get you a kit!

Crop for the Cure Fundraiser

Although I am not attending Crop for the Cure this year, it has really been on my heart to donate to the cause. Someone very dear to me has recently been diagnosed with breast cancer and it seems that everywhere you turn it is affecting someone else. So with that in mind, I have decided to hold a fundraiser for Crop for the Cure. I have designed 3 different cards using the Ribbon of Hope stamp from Stampin' Up! and -- of course -- pretty in pink cardstock, ribbon and ink.

Cards will be packaged in clear boxes with 6 cards and 6 matching envelopes. Each box of 6 will cost $14 with $5 of that going to Crop for the Cure. I plan to take orders through Saturday, March 6 and deliver cards by Friday, March 12. This will enable me to donate to the Crop for the Cure on Saturday March 13.

Send me an e-mail -- stephanie@thehiggins.com -- or call me at 459-0882 if you want to place an order. Thanks!

Holiday Mini Products Still Available

I just wanted to let you know -- several items from the Holiday Mini are still available. Here is a list of those items and their prices. And Sale-a-bration still applies -- for each $50 you spend, you will get a free Sale-a-Bration set!

Item #	Description	Price
116794	Ornament punch	$15.95
116806	Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint	$5.95
116854	Frost White Shimmer Paint	$5.95
116807	Platinum Shimmer Paint	$5.95
116829	Décor Elements Blocks	$9.95
116824	Stampin' Up! Textured Impressions Folder Petals-A-Plenty	$7.95
116821	Stampin' Up! Holiday Windows Magnetic Movers & Shapers	$29.95
116819	Stampin' Up! Table Setting Bigz XL die	$42.95
116820	Stampin' Up! Embosslits Merry die	$11.95
116823	Stampin' Up! Sizzlits Merry Details die	$5.50
116822	Stampin' Up! O Christmas Tree Pop-Up Bigz XL die	$42.95
118140	Stampin' Up! Tree Decorations Sizzlits die	$5.50
118108	My Digital Studio	$79.95
116519	Charming stamp set	$19.95

Stamping Night at Crossroads

As many of you know, there will be a Stamping Night at Crossroads Christian Church starting next weekend. The second Friday night of each month from 6:30 to 9:30 I am going to host an evening of stamping. The format will be a little different than what I've done before. It will sort of be like a crop where you can bring your own supplies and do your own thing. I will be bringing some stamps and stamp pads and punches to share, but everyone will have to bring their own consumable supplies.

For those who do not have their own stamps or supplies, I will have some kits available for a nominal fee to cover costs. They will mostly be kits from workshops I have had in the past -- some WAY in the past-- and I will charge per card. So there is no charge to be there and work on your own stuff. I won't be selling anything, so if anyone needs to pay for anything or order anything, we will have to talk before or after the event.

I'm really excited to be a part of an awesome fellowship opportunity! The people I'm already met through scrapbooking and stamping are some of the best people I could ever hope to call friends. And this is another adventure where I know I'll meet even more awesome people! I hope to see you there!

Designer Series Paper Club

These are just a few of the awesome papers you might receive if you decide to join the Stampin' Up! Designer Series Paper Club! I only need one more person to commit to a $30 order for each of 5 months. In addition to lots of awesome DSP, you will receive cardstock, ribbon and embellishments! PLUS -- you will get to be "hostess" (no, you don't have to have a workshop!) one month and get hostess benefits.

Here's a breakdown of what you will get each month:

2 packages of Designer Series Paper

12 sheets of coordinating cardstock

3 yards of grosgrain ribbon

A variety of embellishments

During your hostess month, you will receive AT LEAST $15 free merchandise and a free level 1 hostess set! Also, since we are in the middle of Sale-a-Bration, each member will get one Sale-a-Bration set!

Let me know if you are interested in joining. I am going to try to place the first order around the middle of February.

Cards for this Weekend

I know -- it's been forever since I have posted anything! And this is not going to make up for that. I just wanted to post a quick picture of the cards we're making at my workshops this weekend. So, here it is. Let me know if you want to come -- I have just a few seats left.

And now I have to go cut paper!

Projects for Christmas Workshop

Can you believe it? My Christmas Gifts workshop is still a week and a half away and I have all of the project samples made!! The workshop will be held on November 21 during the day and again on December 4 in the evening.

The projects will include a white short pillar candle stamped with my favorite Christmas tree ever, a spiral bound organizer with pocket pages to keep your lists, coupons and receipts in during the busy holidays, a wall hanging and a frappuccino bottle decorated with a pocket to slide a gift card into -- fill it with candy and it makes a unique way to give money!

Now I'm off to clean up the mess I have created while being creative! I'm going to shift gears and start getting ready for an open house I'm participating in on Thursday. If anyone is interested in coming, there will be several different vendors -- Lia Sophia, Mary Kay, maybe Tastefully Simple -- and ME! I will be doing a small make and take and have various gift items and cards to sell. It is at the home of Lea Deisher on Oriole Drive in Evansville. If you are interested in coming, let me know and I will give you directions.

Have a great day!

Christmas Cards

Finally -- I'm back! Back from where? I'm not sure! I've been substituting like a mad-woman and have added a 6th grade Bible Study to my volunteer list. Between all that and driving kids life is just flying by! But today I have a sick child. So I get to stay at home and stamp! He's actually feeling better today, so I hope I really do get to stamp. I have a workshop this weekend (Friday and Saturday) and haven't started getting ready for it. I know that doesn't surprise any of you, but it always stresses me out when I don't have even one card created!

I'm going to go ahead and share pictures of the cards from my Christmas card workshop las

t month. What an awesome turnout! I had 40 people join me over 3 workshops to make Christmas cards! That's 400 Christmas cards!!! But -- never fear -- if you didn't make it, there will be kits. I made enough extra to have around 7 kits of each card. They aren't all made yet, but will be in the next week or so. Let me know if you want some.

The first one is a pocket card. The pocket is Bashful Blue with a Night of Navy snowflake made with a Sizzix die. The stamp set is retired, but any snowflake set would work for this card. I used Kraft as the accent color because I wanted to use the designer series paper from the mini catalog. I heat embossed the white snowflakes and punched them with circle punches.

Next is a simple

card made with Sage Shadow and Whisper White. I don't usually like this color, but once in a while it is just the right color. The scroll stamp on the sage is from Baroque Motif -- one of my favorite stamps EVER!! It makes anything look

pretty! The stamp on the ornament is from a hostess set. I punched it out with the ornament punch from the mini catalog and "hung" it from a white ribbon. Then I finished

it with a piece of silver cord. Very simple!

The next card

turned out to be very controversial! The design is based on a piece of scrapbook paper I saw and liked. Since I was using silver embossing powder, I used gray paper. Apparently, gray isn't a Christmas color! And someone thought it didn't have enough snowflakes on it, so they added one to my sample. (Okay, that w

as an accident, but it was very funny!) For the second weekend, I changed the base card and the sentiment to Handsome Hunter. That's more "Christmasy"! I don't have a picture of that one, but it did look nice. The red is Ruby Red.

This next card seemed to be everybody's favorite -- including mine. The card base is Chocolate Chip with layers in Garden Green, Real Red and Sahara Sand. I used the Yuletide Christmas stamp set from the mini catalog and stamped the images on Natural White paper. The DSP down the left edge is also from the mini catalog and is flocked -- LOVE it! Lots of sponging on the layers and a ribbon ('cause you gotta' have ribbon!) and the result is a very pretty card with a nostalgic touch. The stamp set also includes a nutcracker (which I used on the inside) and a horse drawn sleigh. It's an awesome set!

Here is the last card. From the time I saw the new In Colors, I knew that I had to use Rich Razzleberry on a Christmas card. This set is called Christ is Born and pretty much says it all! I used markers to color the poinsettia stamp and -- yes, you have to cut it out -- and then used Stickles or Dazzling Diamonds and glue on the center to add a little sparkle. The card base is Old Olive and the top note die cut is Certainly Celery. A very simple card, but another favorite!

So, there they are. I hope you enjoy them and get some ideas for your own Christmas cards. Consider joining me this weekend when we will do some cards with a fall color scheme. Now, I had better go create those cards!! Have a great day!

2ScrappyGirls Card Shop

Check out the cards for sale! Cards are priced individually and by the set. Each card comes with a white envelope and sets come packaged in a clear plastic box. If you want something that you don't see, let me know! Or if you see something somewhere else on the site that you would like to buy send me an e-mail!

This page is a work in progress, so visit often!

Daisy Card

Quantity

Each $3.00 Set of 6 $15.00

Sentiment

friend to friend (shown) Happy Birthday Thinking of You

Cute as a Bug

Quantity

Each $3.00 Set of 6 $15.00

Sentiment

friend to friend (shown) Happy Birthday Thinking of You

Just a Note

Quantity

Each $3.00 Set of 6 $15.00

Sentiment

friend to friend (shown) Happy Birthday Thinking of You

Retired Stamp Sets

Okay -- it's time. Actually it's way past time to clean out my stamps. I'm going to post several retired sets I have for sale today and there may be more to come. The price listed does not include shipping, which will be determined if you need it to be shipped. I hope you find something you "need"! All sets are "as is" -- some may be perfect or never used, some may have staining. I will note if they are unmounted.

Oh So Lovely -- $5 link to photo

Party Punch -- $5 -- SOLD

Fun Filled -- $8 link to photo

Love Without End -- $10 link to photo

Riveting -- $5 link to photo

Springtime Stems -- $5 link to photo

All I Have Seen -- $5 link to photo

Nice and Narrow -- $8 link to photo

Holiday Spirit -- $10 link to photo

The link next to the name should take you to a picture with each image in the set. If it doesn't work, let me know and I will try to get a picture to you.

Thanks for looking!

Long Time No Post

Hey everyone -- I decided it's time to get back to posting and thinking about stamping after a couple of weeks off. The last time I posted it was the week of Arts Smarts and now that seems like a really long time ago! I've got so many cards that have not yet been posted and now it's time to start on the next workshop.

But first, I have to tell you that my whole family is CRAZY! Here's the story: My daughter's hampster passed away a couple of nights ago : ( and although I was not emotionally attached to the hampster, I was sad for her. I have to tell you that Anna is a very pursuasive child who has her daddy wrapped around her little finger. So when he said she could get another hampster, she immediately put on the sad eyes and said "what about a dog?" You probably know where this is going by now. So my husband and 3 of my children are on their way to Newburgh to "look at" a 12-week-old pom-shitzu puppy. I didn't even go because I can't be a part of it. It's not really that I don't want a dog because I LOVE dogs (another reason I didn't go), but we need another dog like we need . . . okay, we just don't need another dog! I told Anna that I want to go on a really nice trip, but I need HER to talk her daddy into it for me!

Okay, I'm finished ranting -- here's a card for you. I wasn't sure if I would everyone would be thrilled about cutting out butterflies for two different cards on the same night, but everyone was pretty okay about it. I wanted to use the Washington Apple Designer Series Paper (retired), so just used the color scheme from it with a white card base. I really like how it turned out.

The colors are: So Saffron, Pumpking Pie and Riding Hood Red (retired). The butterfly is from Garden Whimsy and is cut out and attached at the body so it is raised a little off the card. I scalloped the edge of the DSP, punched the saying and popped the small oval up on a dimensional, tied on the ribbon and finished the edges with a bit of sponging.

In Color Ribbon Share -- The new In Color ribbon is 1/2" polka dot grosgrain and it's REALLY pretty! If you're interested in getting in on the share, let me know. For $14 you get 3 yards of each color (total of 18 yards). That's a great way to get some ribbon without getting 15 yards of the same color!

That's all for now -- have a great evening!

A Quick Hello

Good Morning Everyone! I'm having a busy week with Arts Smarts camp, so my stamping life is a little neglected. Here is a quick post to show you another of the cards from last months workshop. This card took me FOREVER to finish, but ended up being my favorite. Isn't that how it always goes?!? I'm going to tell you quickly -- and from memory -- what I used on it. The stamp set is a hostess set from the just-retired catalog called God's Beauty. The colors are Blush Blossom, Cameo Coral and Old Olive. I used a background stamp on the olive (I think it's called Sandpaper). The I random-stamped the leaves in Old Olive and the flowers in Cameo Coral on the scalloped circles. The scalloped circles were cut using my Cuttlebug and Nestabilities. Then I stamped the butterfly in Cameo Coral on Blush Blossom and cut it out, which is not my favorite thing to do, but sometimes you just have to! The ticket corner punch and a little sponging on all of the edges and it finally all came together! Hope you like it.

I must go now and wake up my children. That seems SO wrong on a summer morning, but that's what I have to do! I hope you all have a great day!

Marker Club

Marker Club I had a conversation last weekend with some ladies about getting a marker club together. I thought it was time to repost the details of what you get. If you love Stampin' Up! markers, this is an awesome way to get them at a discount a little at a time. This is a great time to participate, too, because during your hostess month you will get to choose from the new catalog!

Here's the way it works:

Each club needs 4 members
Cost: $46.50/month for 4 months
What you get: Complete set of Stampin Up! Markers (48 colors)
Carrying case for markers
3 sheets of each color coordinating cardstock (144 sheets)
20 sheets of Naturals White Cardstock
20 sheets of Naturals Ivory Cardstock
20 Naturals White Envelopes
20 Naturals Ivory Envelopes
Plus: 1 month you will be "hostess" (NO WORKSHOP REQUIRED!)

In the month you are hostess, you will get AT LEAST a Level 1 hostess set AND $15 free merchandise from the NEW catalog. (This can be increased with outside orders or, if you want to hold an actual workshop, we can work that out, too.) The bottom line is, what would cost you $219 in merchandise, shipping and tax, you will get for $186 spread out over 4 months!!
Let me know if you're interested!

A New Catalog and New In Colors!

I hope everyone had a hapy 4th! And thanks to everyone who came to my June workshop last weekend. I had a great turnout and it was a lot of fun. A lot of stuff is happening in the Stampin' Up! world. The new catalogs went into effect on Wednesday. Mine finally arrived on Thursday, so if you want one, give me a call and I'll make arrangements to get it to you. The cost is $10, or you can get one FREE if you host a workshop!


In Colors -- I'm really loving the new In Colors this time. Check out the picture to the left. They have markers this year, too -- woo-hoo!! I haven't really played with them yet, but hope to do that this week to get ready for my next 10 card workshop on July 24 and 25.


Summer Fun Deal of the Week -- Starting with the new catalog, Stampin' Up! is offering a product deal of the week. Each week on Monday, a new deal will be announced. Click here to go the Stampin' Up! promotions page to see what the deal this week is. Send me an e-mail or call me and I will place an order on Friday for the deal.


Here is one of the cards from my June workshop. It was inspired by a card I found on Splitcoaststampers. The background is the polka dot background stamp, heat embossed using Whisper White craft ink and detail white embossing powder. The stars are punched in the white and then layered on the red circles. The way to do this is to punch the star out first and then center the star in the 1 1/4" circle punch and punch the circle. (If you punch the circle first, you can't put it in the star punch!) Then punch 1 3/8" circles out of Real Red cardstock and layer them. The "celebrate" stamp is from a retired set called All About U and the star stamps are from an old shape set (I can't remember the name). I always love 4th of July cards!


I still have some kits left from the June workshop if anyone wants them. I'm going to start today on cards for the workshop at the end of July. In the meantime, I am going to try to post the rest of the cards from June this week. I guess I better get busy! See ya!

Just Some Stuff

Thanks to all the girls who came to my technique class last night. They got to use several things that I am not able to use in regularly monthly card class. We made a card using chipboard -- we covered one piece with cardstock and stamped on it and sponged the frame with sponge daubers -- and stamped with bleach on a really cute box that is sized to hold cards and envelopes. I also pulled out some of the felt flowers that I've been hoarding! And everyone found my house without too much trouble!

Here is a link to the tutorial for the card box. This has all of the dimensions and score marks. This is one of my new favorite things! What a cute gift idea -- a box filled with coordinating cards. I'm feeling a class idea coming on . . .

I'm having another technique class in July. I'm thinking shaving cream for that one. That's definitely something I would not try at Noble Roman's with 15 people! But I'll figure that out later. Right now I have to come up with the 5 cards for this weekends monthly card class! Between that and getting Anna ready to go to New Orleans, I guess had better get busy!

I have the new catalog in my hands as well as the new In Colors. I'm really loving it all! My first impression of the new colors was a good one -- usually I have to get used to them -- and the catalog has some really cute new stuff in it. Unfortunately, I think I will only have one catalog for everyone to see on Sunday, but you can't order from it until July 1 anyway.

I still have plenty of room left on Sunday, so let me know if you want to bring a friend and make some cards. Have a great day!

I bet you all think I have fallen off the earth! I am just now getting settled into some sort of routine after trying to play catch up the first part of the week. Last week was VBS -- which was awesome, but wore me out -- and Anna had to sing in church all weekend and leave for church camp on Sunday. I drove some of the worship team to Camp Illiana after church and had to go to Addison's 5th baseball game in 7 days when I got back!! By Sunday night I was tired like I haven't been tired in a LONG time!

I have sort of been "puttering" all week, trying to clean my house a little bit at a time and get some cards and kits done all at the same time. I got the kits finished today, but the house is still not clean! : ) I have 2 extra kits that I will hang on to for a couple of days, so if anyone wants them, let me know. The kits contain the stamped parts to make all 10 of the cards from the last workshop. The cost is $20 and I include a picture so that all you have to do is assemble them.

Since I've been gone so long, I thought I would just share all 5 cards at the same time today. That just means I have to come up with something new really soon! For the sake of length, I will do short descriptions without stating the obvious about each card.

Card 1

Stamps -- Little pieces, Seeing Spots, Warm Words, Holiday Blitz

Cardstock -- Gable Green, Green Galore, Apricot Appeal, Tempting Turquoise and Whisper white (these colors were taken from the Rainbow Sherbet DSP)

Ink -- Same as cardstock

Accessories -- Circle punches, ribbon, oval punch, cuttlebug, 1/8 inch hole punch, corner rounder

Card 2

Stamps -- Holiday Blits (I also did a version of this card with the windmill from A Scene from the Garden, which I liked better) Non-SU sentiment (which, by the way, was a crummy stamp!)

Cardstock -- Baja Breeze, Basic Gray, whisper white and Baja Breeze DSP

Accessories -- brad, tag punches

Card 3

Stamps -- Pick a Petal, Heard from the Heart

Cardstock -- Pink Pirouette, So Saffron, Whisper white, Rose Red DSP

Ink -- Rose Red, Certainly Celery

Accessories -- Sponge daubers, 1/8" hole punch, scallop edge punch, celery ribbon

Card 4

Stamps -- Tart & Tangy, sale-a-bration sentiment (I can't think of name)

Cardstock -- Yo-yo yellow, Only orange, Real red and whisper white

Ink -- Real red

Accessories -- sponge, real red and only orange markers, hole punch, white ribbon, Boho Blossoms punch, scissors

Card 5

Stamps -- Itty Bitty Backgrounds, Treat Yourself, So Many Scallops

Cardstock -- Whisper white, Bashful Blue, Old Olive

Ink -- Old Olive, Bashful Blue

Accessories -- markers, circle punches, lace edge punch, 2 way glue pen and glitter (on cupcakes)

I give up on working on this layout. I don't know why I put a picture where I want it and when I post it moves it?!? It drive me crazy and . . . we don't need no crazy today!! So here it is, however it turns out. Have a great day!