On sale and FREE Stampin' Up! items!!!!

Who doesn't like getting things on sale...or better yet, free?  Stampin' Up! realized that some of us may have missed the daily deals they had going for Scrapbooking month.  They decided they'd bring ALL the digital sales back - BUT ONLY FOR TODAY!  So hurry and get your digital items for 50% off.

DIGITAL KITS 50% OFF

TODAY ONLY

Amped Up Ampersands Kit

Hello There Kit

All Time Fave Photobook Template

Modern Medley Overlays kit

Be Brave Pocket Cards

Nobody's Business Photobook

Autumn Traditions Kit

Afternoon Day Dream Kit

MY DIGITAL CLASS GIVEAWAY

Stampin' Up! has come up with some new downloadable classes...Digital Studio Classes.  These classes will be available starting November 12, 2013 and you can win them for free.

Stampin' Up! will be having a digital class giveaway November 12 - 22 on their Facebook page 

The Details

Dates: November 12-22, 2013

What is it: We're giving away our next My Digital Class for free. Click here to learn more about these classes.

Who can win: Anyone! Well, not Stampin' Up! employees or their families, but both demonstrators and customers can win.

How to enter: Go to the My Digital Studio Facebook page.  Like our page if you don't already, then click the link to enter.

How we'll pick our winners: Every person who enters the giveaway will get their name entered into the drawing. If they then share the link to the giveaway with their friends, their name will be entered in the drawing again for each friend that enters. After November 22, we'll select 10 names at random and contact them about how to redeem their prize.

TGI-Tuesday!!! New Digital Downloads

Every Tuesday Stampin' Up! releases brand new Digital Downloads.  Here are today's downloads:

Baby's First Christmas

Love & Joy Stamp Brush Set

New Home For The Holidays

Today is the Day Photobook Template

Also, today only (November 5,2013) "Be Brave Pocket Cards" digital download is on sale for 50% off.  For the rest of the week (until Nov. 8, 2013) Stampin' Up! will have one digital download on sale for 50% off ONE DAY ONLY!!!  Make sure to check The Digital Studio Website every day to see which one is on sale each day.  Find me on Facebook at Stampin' 1-2-3 and on the web at www.karenegeland.stampinup.net (Coming Soon on Etsy).

Stampin' Up! limited time promotions

We're going to give this blog another chance.  The last few times I posted (a LONG, LONG time ago) it was having serious issues uploading photos, so I quit using it.  I'm going to start using this blog again, and as long as it's working I will keep posting. :)

Here's a quick run down of some of the promotions Stampin' Up! is offering right now.

Tag it Bundles - 20% OFF

To get more information on these promotions or to purchase the holiday tag bundles, check them out here

MDS (My Digital Studio) 30% OFF Select Digital Holiday Downloads and print products

What's included in the 30% off promotion?
A variety of Holiday downloads to help you get ahead this holiday season.  Once you've created your holiday projects you'll need to print them.  Until November 30, 2013 you can also get 30% off your printing projects.  See Discount Pricing Here

Remember with the new hostess code you can also add digital items and online orders to your workshop orders. If you don't have My Digital Studio and may be unsure if it's for you, remember you can get a  free 30-day MDS trial.  You can try it free for 30 days and if you decide you have to have it, you can purchase it and keep all of your downloads you have purchased during the 30-day period.


Holiday Simply Sent

Simply Sent packages are great for people who enjoy creating cards but don't want to (or simply don't have the room to) collect a lot of card stock, ink, and accessories.  Perfect for the Holidays check out the Holly Jolly Greeting Simply Sent no need to have oodles and oodles of card stock, inks, and accessories.  This kit comes with everything you need to create 12 Christmas cards. If you enjoy the Simply Sent line of cards, they will want to enroll in Paper Pumpkin , a monthly creative "escape".   Every month you will get a new project to create.  The kit comes with everything you need (except adhesive) to create the project each month.  It will be delivered right to your door.

If you have any questions or concerns feel free to contact me.
My Stampin' Up! Blog
My Facebook Page

Just so you know

I just thought that I would let you all know. If my blog doesn't get any better (the pictures take FOREVER to upload...and then something almost always goes wrong and I have to re-do it), I will only be posting to my website. karenegeland.stampinup.net feel free to visit me there anytime. I will tyr a few more times on my blog, but it's not looking good. Just thought I'd let you all know. Or I may just do the text version here and if you'd like to see the pictures you can visit my blog. Also, there were some people asking if they could use my images from this blog and post it to their website or blog. And, anyone that would like to use images from my blog are more then welcome to do so as long as they make sure not to take the credit themselves for the work. Feel free to link them to the blog or back to my website. Thanks.

Happy Halloween Cake

Is this the cutest cake or what? It was so simple. Cover the cake with fondant, and then stamp your image (I used food coloring, I've heard others that use non-toxic ink. Click the title for more details. Happy Halloween.

Happy Halloween

This is my newest creation. It's the most fun I've had in a long time. This uses the shaving cream technique. Basically you use Classic Ink Refills to color your shaving cream, put your card front in the shaving cream and end up with this fabulous card front to use as a simple "Happy Halloween" or a "Halloween Party Invite" or anything else you can imagine.

Click the title for a more detailed "How To" on this card

Check out the new poll

I just created a new poll. (Check it out just to the right, it's on the top) If you select "other" feel free to leave a comment on the comment form to say what the "other" hobby would be. You can choose multiple answers.

Inexpensive Solution

Sorry I've been slacking on posting things lately, summer hit and my head is still spinning. I will be able to post more after my kids' school starts. This post is using an inexpensive solution to the problem.

The problem: I left my music out where my 1 year old could reach it. I HAVE to have a pocket in this particular music book.

The Solution: One of those 5-cent folders for "Back to School"

Open it, and cut it in half right across the fold line (length-wise). Trim the folder to fit the area you are going to put the folder. Stamp as desired (I also embossed, I don't know how well you can see it in these photos). Use sticky strip to make sure the pocket stays closed (if needed). And then use sticky strip to adhere to the book. Finished!

It literally took me about 5 minutes for the entire project. And it cost under 10-cents. What's better than that? I'm sure something is...but I can't think of anything right now.

Sorry about the pictures not showing up, click on the link if you want to see all the photos.

Changing your Wood Mount Stamps To Clear Mount!!

Are you running out of room to store all your stamps? I know I am. I am being overrun by my stamps. My first thought was "Well, I guess I need to sell some." So I started to go through all my stamps to get rid of the ones I haven't used, or the ones that I think I could do without. The problem with that was out of about 100 stamp sets, I chose 2 that I could do without. That doesn't really help my storage problem. So I found a way (with the help of a few other Stampin' Up! Demonstrators) to change my wood mount into clear mount stamp sets.


1. Choose your stamp set. For this tutorial, I am using "Ribbon of Hope"



2. Take your clear label off your stamp. (The image on the top of the stamp that let's you see which stamp you are using). Put your stamp in the microwave...yes, I said put it in the microwave, this is the only time you will hear me telling you to put a stamp in the microwave (5-10 seconds will be fine, depending on the size of the stamp) this will loosen the adhesive on the rubber backing of your stamp...and if you have small children, I would suggest doing this when they aren't looking. I had a hard time explaining to my children why it was alright for me to put my stamps in the microwave, but why they'd get in HUGE trouble if I ever saw them doing the same thing.




3. IMMEDIATELY peel rubber stamp from the wood block. BE CAREFUL!!! It's really hot and really sticky. If it doesn't come off real easily, you can put it back in the microwave for a few seconds.



4. Center the image directly on top of rubber stamp (thanks to Stampin' Up! all of their stamps are now the "punch out" design. Which means you don't have to guess where the center of the image is, and it fits PERFECTLY on the rubber backing. Then trim the excess of of the clear image.

5. Place a piece of clear vinyl on top of the clear image (not the rubber stamp, just the clear image that you just placed on the rubber). Trim the excess of the clear vinyl. Now you are finished! You have your clear mount stamp sets.





Now, before you ask how that clears up any room, since you just have to put them right back in the "wood-mount containers" that you just took them out of. Let me tell you about the Clear Mount Stamp cases. Item #119105 You get 4 cases in each package ($4.95 per package...that's only $1.24 per case). Another plus to changing to clear mount instead of wood mount stamps. If you start ordering all your stamps in clear mount instead of wood, you can save $3-$12 per stamp set. Buying just a few of those will pay for your clear mount blocks, and you will continue saving money. Also, (with a tip of the hat to Tami Brown), you can make your own inserts using the Stampin' Up! "My Digital Scrapbooking". If you have any questions contact me using the "Contact Me" icon on my website karenegeland.stampinup.net or e-mail me at karen.egeland@yahoo.com

TIP: You can reuse your wood blocks as well. I found the easiest way to clean the glue off of the blocks is as soon as you take your wood block out of the microwave and take the rubber off, take a smaller wood block or something flat and sturdy and scrape the glue off. Since the glue is still hot from the microwave it comes of easily. You can use them as building blocks for your children, or you can paint and decorate them to add some "home decor" in your home. Simple and free!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

I know, it's an odd title to see at the beginning of July.

It's the start of a new Stampin' Up! year, and I am so excited about this new catalog! There are so many new things and some of the same things that we loved in the old catalog as well. Call me odd, but I am really excited about all the new storage that Stampin' Up! has to offer. They've redone their punches in a slimmer (not to mention easier to handle) new way. It takes up far less storage space. And now they have a storage case for these new punches (Page 200 in the new catalog). They have 4 different options to choose from depending on what types of punches (Small, Medium, Large, Extra Large, Borders or Corner) you have. They also have new Storage for your Big Shot Dies(Page 204 in the new catalog), which is great for me because up until now I have been storing my larger ones in Stampin' Up! Boxes and the smaller ones in decorated Velveeta boxes. :)

If you love your Big Shot as much as I do, they also have 15 new colors of Decor Elements Sheets that you can use with your Big Shot to create more images than you could before. Now your decoration is only limited by your imagination. Stampin' Up! has a TON of new items in the 2010-2011 Idea Book and Catalog, if I were to name them all we'd be here for DAYS! Get your Idea Book today and see for yourself.

You have a few options if you want an Idea Book. You can go to my website (karenegeland.stampinup.net) and order one. You can order one from me directly (save yourself some shipping charges), or...and this one is my favorite...you can get one for FREE! Just host a workshop for me. There is no minimum amount of guests and there is no minimum amount of sales for this offer to be effective. Hold a workshop for me...it doesn't matter if 2 people show up or 20 people show up...it doesn't matter if they order a combined total of $20 or $2,000...you get a free Idea Book just for hosting a workshop for me.

Once you've ordered your 2010-2011 Idea Book you are automatically part of my "Catalog Club" you get special coupons and offers that other customers won't receive. There will be one special each month and only members of my Catalog Club will be able to take advantage of them. However, be aware that if you choose to order a catalog from my website, the coupons will not come WITH that order. You will still receive them, but they will be shipped separately.

Contact me if you have any questions or comments. Just go to my website karenegeland.stampinup.net and hit the "contact me" button.

Stationary Purse

Stamps

Fifth Avenue Floral (#113734)

Paper

Cherry Cobbler (#119685)

Not Quite Navy (#101722)

Ink

Basic Black (#101179)

Rose Red (#101778)

Versa Mark (#102283)

Stampin’ Up! Accessories

Sticky Strip (#104294)

Your Choice of Brads or Buttons

Clear Embossing Powder (#109131)

(Powder Pal - #102197)

Heat Tool (#100005)

(Bone Folder - #102300)

Clear Envelopes (#102619)

Paper Cutter (#104152)

Whisper White Medium Envelopes (#107301)

3/16" Corner Small Punch (#119871)

(Big Shot - #113439)

(Top Note Die - #113463)

Non-Stampin’ Up! Accessories

Velcro Circles

Computer Paper

Take an 8 1/2" x 11". Score at 5 1/8" from both directions (length-wise). Then measure in (on the top and bottom) 3/4" on each corner. Cut from that mark to the edge of the closes score line. (You will be cutting diagonally). That is the purse.

Then for the "Purse Flap" cut a piece of a coordinating CS 3-1/2" x 5" (Or use the top note die if you have it). Score at 2-1/4" from both sides (length-wise). Round each corner using the Corner Small Punch. Use the “Faux Alligator Technique”. To do this ink up the front of the purse flap with Versa Mark Ink. Cover with Clear Embossing Powder.

Taking your bone folder (or other blunt object) make random, wavy lines through the embossing powder. Then use your heat tool to heat-set. (Tip: DO NOT reuse the embossing powder that falls off when doing the Faux Alligator Technique, this will ruin future projects that you use your embossing powder on because it will be mixed with Versa Mark Ink).

Put sticky strip on one half of the "flap" below the score line. Adhere the purse flap to the back side of your purse in the center.I usually use the flower brads (Item #112579), but if you want a less expensive button you can take the 1/2 circle punch (#119869), cut 6 circles and stack them together with crystal effects (#101055). Put round velcro (with the adhesive on the back) on the back side of your brad to keep the purse closed. Add 2 clear envelopes (#102619) on both sides (inside) of the purse using sticky strip. Decorate computer paper (cut in 1/2 width-wise) and envelopes as you desire.

Inside the finished project.

The outside of the finished project. The purse on the right was made with the 3-1/2" x 5" piece of Card Stock. The purse on the left was made with the Top Note Die.

Teacher Easel Card

This is my newest creation. I was going to write the whole tutorial on here, but there are a lot of pictures and blogger seems to take so much longer to upload photos. So this time I will just send you the link.

http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/karenegeland/blog?directBlogUrl=/blog/2041982/entry/teacher_easel_card

I hope you can just click on it. Sometimes it works and sometimes it won't for me (I'm a little challenged when it comes to technology). If not you can either copy and paste this link, or you can go to www.karenegeland.stampinup.net - click on "About Me" - Click on "My Stampin' Blog" then go to the Teacher Easel Card Blog.

Thanks for checking this out. This was a ton of fun to make...I hope you have as much fun.

After School Snack Bag

Items Needed:

Serif Essentials Alphabet (#113464)
Big Shot Die-Cut Machine (#113439)
Iron-on Adhesive
Material of your choice

If your kids are anything like mine...when they get home from school the first thing they ask is NOT "Hi, Mom, how was your day?" it's "What is there to eat?" This was a VERY simple bag to make (I know, the story of my life huh? If it's not simple, it's probably not going to get done around this house). I am NOT a sewer by any stretch of the imagination, so you know this bag didn't take much. It is basically a piece of material sewn in 1/2 with some handles attached. I added the Letters using iron-on adhesive (I used Heat n' Bond). That's all it takes. Now when they ask what they can eat (without ruining their appetite for dinner) they can just go get something out of this bag.

Headbands

This headband is so simple to make. And yet it looks SO cute.

Items Needed:

Stampin' Up! Beautiful Butterflies Die (#114507)
Big Shot Die-Cut Machine (#113439)
Iron-on Adhesive
Headband

Using your Big Shot Die-Cut Machine and your Beautiful Butterflies Die, cut 1 large and 1 small butterfly. (The larger butterfly in this picture is made using old jeans that had outlived their usefulness as pants, so I decided to recycle them to make a headband). Layer the smaller butterfly on top of the larger one using the Iron-On Adhesive. Then (again, using the iron-on adhesive) adhere the butterflies to your headband. DONE!

TIP: I made sure to just put the iron-on adhesive in the center of each butterfly to allow the wings to "fly" freely.

This head band was a little more "involved" than the butterfly headband, but I would still put it in the "simple to make" category. And more importantly...it was FUN!
Items Needed:
Headband
Flower, Daisies #2 Big Shot Die (#114520)
Big Shot Die-Cut Machine (#113439)
Clear Rhinestone Brad (#113144)
Any type of Iron-on Adhesive (I used "Heat n' Bond)
1/2" Circle Punch (#104390) (Optional)

TIP: I would also suggest using some "Fray Check" or "Fray Block" or anything similar to prevent fraying of the flowers.


Cut the fabric to the size of the flower die (or cut the pieces the size of each flower to save on fabric. You will end up with 6 total flowers (2 Large, 2 Medium, and 2 Small). Layer them on top of each other largest to smallest, alternating the angle of the flower petals (so each of the layers show). There are a few options in the next step. Use your 1/2" Circle Punch (or a pair of scissors) to cut out a small piece of the Iron-on Adhesive. #1 option: you can cut out 6 small pieces of the Iron-On Adhesive and layer them between each flower to hold them together. Put the brad in the center (before you put the last iron-on circle on). Turn the flower over, open the brad and put the remaining iron-on circle on top of the opened brad. #2 option: you can cut out 2 small pieces of the iron-on adhesive and put one on the back of the large flower (after you have layered all the flowers), heat it, then put the brad in the center of the flower. Turn the flower over, open the brad and put the other circle over the opened brad. (I used the 2nd option for this flower, it seemed to hold just fine after the brad was put in, but it is really your preference).
After you have put the final iron-on circle on top of the opened brad, flip the flower over (right-side-up). Place the flower in the position that you'd like the flower to be on the headband. Hold the iron on it for a few seconds. DONE!

Color Renovation

Hey All! Coming up in July Stampin' Up! will be doing a "color renovation". Some of the colors are the old "In Colors" (now they will just be core colors instead), some of the colors are brand new, and some of the colors are the same colors that we have currently...but sadly some of the colors will be leaving. Take a look at this color renovation chart. If you happen to have a color that you simply cannot live without, make sure that you stock up NOW if you don't see that color on the chart. Stampin' Up! will be selling these colors (Ink, Re-inkers, Card Stock, etc.) until July 01,2010 (or until they are sold out). After that, you will not be able to get those colors.

I think that you can make this bigger by clicking on the photo. If not, make sure to leave a comment in the comment box and let me know that it didn't work. If you have any questions, you can leave a comment in the comment box on this blog. Or you can go to my website karenegeland.stampinup.net and go to "contact me" in the upper right corner and leave your question or comment that way as well.

"It's a..." Card

This picture is the outside of the card to announce that there is another baby on the way. The items for this card are:

Night of Navy Card Stock #100867 (8-1/2 x 11) #106547 (12 x 12)
Brocade Blue Card Stock #101166 (8-1/2 x 11) #107091 (12 x 12)
Whisper White Card Stock #100730 (8-1/2 x 11) #106529 (12 x 12)
Night of Navy Classic Ink #102977
Varsity Alphabet Stamp Set #113684
Big Shot #113439
Stampin' Up! Billboard Sizzlits Die #114510





This is the inside of the card. The items used are:

Pixie Pink Card Stock #105121 (8-1/2 x 11) #107105 (12 x 12)
Pink Passion Card Stock #102762 (8-1/2 x 11) #107106 (12 x 12)
Whisper White Card Stock #100730 (8-1/2 x 11) #106529 (12 x 12)
Lovely Letters Stamp Set #115030
Big Shot #113439
Stampin' Up! Billboard Sizzlits Die #114510

A Good Egg Card

Easter is right around the corner; so I thought I would start posting some Easter themed ideas. (Keep checking back, I also have an Easter basket with the cutest eggs that I will be posting shortly).



To start take a 5 1/2" x 4 1/4" piece of Barely Banana Card Stock. Using your SNAIL adhesive (or whatever adhesive you have handy), adhere the background (from Stampin' Up!'s Sweet Pea Designer Series Paper (DSP).






Stamp your chick on Summer Sun Card Stock using Basic Black Classic Ink. Cut your chick out and adhere it to your card front. (TIP: notice the legs on the chick are not real nicely cut...the legs will be covered so you don't really need to worry about what they look like).





Using a piece of blue DSP from the Sweet Pea DSP bundle stamp the egg in Basic Black Classic Ink. Cut a jagged line across your egg. Slightly overlap the 2 pieces of the egg. Pierce a hole in the edge of the egg (pierce one hole that goes through both the top and bottom of the egg) using a 1/16" punch, a paper piercing tool, or a needle. Put a rhinestone brad through the hole. Adhere the egg (ONLY USE ADHESIVE ON THE BOTTOM 1/2 OF THE EGG) over top of your chick using Sticky Strip
(TIP: The use of Sticky in this step is HIGHLY recommended since the egg will be opened and closed repeatedly by the recipient of this card)




Stamp your saying on Apricot Appeal Card Stock using Basic Black Classic Ink and adhere with your SNAIL adhesive to the top of your card.




And your project is finished! Wouldn't you LOVE to receive this card? Make someone's day and send them this cute card.

Wish List Wall Hanger

This is a fairly simple wall hanger to make. For the "Wish List" you can either contact your Stampin' Up! Demonstrator, or you could substitute a shopping list for the Wish List. This is made with the On board Book Basics (Large), simply add some Designer Series Paper of your choice, a sticky note pad and a small piece of cork board. For the list of items needed visit my website karenegeland.stampinup.net

February Drawing

This is the thought jar that will be the prize for the February Drawing.

Make sure to get your name in as many times as you can

to increase your chance of winning.

As always, to see how to get your name into this drawing check out my website

karenegeland.stampinup.net

Thank you flower card

This is a simple "Thank You" card...and pretty fun to make, if I do say so myself.

Use your Big Shot (Item #113439) to cut out all 3 of the Daisies #2 Bigz die (Item #114520) on Whisper White Card Stock (Item #100730...8 1/2" x 11"). Use the larger flower and a dauber (Item #102892) in Mellow Moss Classic Stampin' Ink(Item #102774) . Lay the flower on your card (as shown below) and use the dauber to create the technique below (this is called a masking technique). And make sure when you finish with each flower to set it aside, we will use them later.

Repeat the same technique in Apricot Appeal Classic Stampin' Ink (Item #105218).

And Again in Bravo Burgundy Classic Stampin' Ink (Item #105214). You will notice (in the picture below) that there is still some white space between the flowers. Take a dauber (in your choice of the 3 colors) to fill this space in.

After "masking" all those flowers, you will now have a large Mellow Moss, a medium Apricot Appeal, and a small Bravo Burgundy flower. (Tip: If you have a flower that hasn't been completely covered, or if you want the flower to be a little darker, just place it on a scratch piece of paper and use the dauber again.) Layer your flowers, as seen below, and glue them together using Tombow Multipurpose Adhesive (Item #110755).

Almost finished! Using your Tombow Multipurpose Adhesive adhere the flower to the card. (See picture below). And punch a small hole through the center of the flower using your paper piercing tool (Item #116631).

Put a Rhinestone Brad (Item #113144) into the center of the flower and stamp "Thank You" (From the Happy Moments Sale-A-Bration stamp set) on Apricot Appeal Card Stock (Item #105124...8 1/2" x 11"). Adhere the "Thank You" with your Tombow Adhesive.

(Tip: If you do not want your brad to be showing through the inside of your card, you have a few options. Option #1: Skip the step where you put a hole in the center of the flower. Put the Rhinestone Brad through the center of the flower BEFORE you put the flower on the card...if you use this option it would be very wise to use Sticky Strip (Item #104294)to adhere the flowers to your card instead of Tombow Adhesive. You can put the Sticky Strip directly on the back side of the brad. Option #2 Add one extra step at the end. Simply cut another piece of Whisper White Card Stock the same size as your card and place that piece on the top of the inside of your card - so the paper covers the brad completely - Tombow Adhesive would probably work on this as well, but I would recommend the sticky strip.)

FINISHED! See, wasn't that fun?