There's a touch of fall in the air here in Western Washington.  It seemed to happen overnight, there's  just the hint of crispness that was not there just a few days ago.   I do love this time of year.

This is one of the cards the SUnday Stampers hostess club will be making in just a few hours.  I think they are going to have fun with it.

Product List

For All Things Clear-Mount Stamp Set [135155] $17.95	Crushed Curry Classic Stampin' Pad [131173] $5.95	Cajun Craze Classic Stampin' Pad [126965] $5.95	Crumb Cake Classic Stampin' Pad [126975] $5.95	Tangelo Twist Classic Stampin' Pad [133646] $5.95
Crushed Curry 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [131199] $6.95	Cajun Craze 8-1/2X11 Card Stock [119684] $6.95	Very Vanilla 8-1/2X11 Card Stock [101650] $8.50	2014-2016 In Color Backgrounds Designer Series Paper Stack [133705] $21.95	Large Oval Punch [119855] $15.95
1 Inch Circle Punch [119868] $12.95	Boho Blossoms Punch [119858] $16.95	Color Me Autumn Designer Washi Tape [135842] $4.95	Gold Basic Metal Buttons [133763] $7.95	Crushed Curry Baker's Twine [134586] $2.95

 While I was typing this up I realized I should have used the fringe scissor( 133325) to cut the strips for the pumpkins.  Please mentally add it to to the list above!

The fringe scissors cuts the perfect length and width to make the pumpkin curls.  I wound the strip around a bamboo skewer to curl it.

I still have a few last minute things to do before the SUnday Stampers arrive so I best get to it!  Remember today is the last day to take advantage of the Big Shot and Bundles promotion!  Go here for all the details.

The day has finally arrived!  The Holiday Catalog is now live and ready to order from.  The Holiday catalog is AMAZING!  If you do not have a copy of it and do not have a Stampin' Up! demonstrator let me know and I will be happy to get one on its way to you!  It is the best read of the season. 

Today is also the beginning of a fun new promotion.  The Good Greetings Stamp Set is absolutely FREE when you reach $300 (merchandise amount before shipping and tax) when hosting a party. This brand-new stamp set is in addition to all the other exciting and generous benefits you get when you host a party from Aug. 28 to Oct. 31. This versatile stamp set covers holidays from Halloween to Valentines and more.  

You still have a little bit of time to take advantage of the Big Shot Bundles!   You can get all the scoop on the Bundles here.  Don't wait too long as this great deal goes away on the 31st!

Today is the very last day to join in the fun of Stampin' Up! and get $150 worth of Stampin' Up! product for just $99!  Seriously, it is a great time to become a demonstrator.  There is a place  in Stampin' Up! for all kinds of demonstrators from personal shoppers to business builders.  I would love to have you be a part of my team. Go here to join in the fun and have fun shopping!

One of the perks of being a SU demonstator is a great bi-monthly magazine, Stampin' Success.  I look forward to getting my copy and all the ideas, samples and techniques ideas.  Last month my copy arrived and I loved one of the samples so much that I had to make it myself.

The only thing I changed was to add the back panel of Blackberry Bliss card stock.   The vanilla card stock measures 4" x 10-1/2".

Love this set and am looking forward to sharing more ideas using it with you in the coming days!

If I had to pick 2 items on this deal I would  pick the Circles Collection and the Blossom punch.  I use the Circle framelits a lot and they are definitely a staple. The Blossom punch is a great size and shape  and it coordinates with the Mixed Bunch set.  What more do I need to say?

The Big Shot and Bundles promotion ends on August 31 so be sure to check it out.  Here's a couple of samples featuring the stamps and framelits in the Flowery Daydream bundle.

Here's another idea on how to use the Gift Card Enclosures ( 136662) in the Stampin' Up catalog.

I was so happy to find out that the individual size soup packet fit in the Gift Card Enclosure box!  This time I scored the box at 3/8" on three sides (see this post for more information).  I also added a liner to the inside of the box.

To make the liner I used the #7 circle framelit (#1 is the smallest sized circle framelit).  It was a great fit and easy to do.  Did you check out the sweet little white lacy trim?  That is one of the edgelits from the Finishing Touches edgelits and it is on the Weekly Deal.    

Product List

Fabulous Four Clear-Mount Stamp Set [134174] $14.95	Beautiful Bunch Clear-Mount Stamp Set [134282] $19.95	Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad [132708] $5.95	Real Red Classic Stampin' Pad [126949] $5.95	Whisper White 8-1/2X11 Card Stock [100730] $8.50	Back To Black Designer Series Paper [133700] $10.95	Gift Card Enclosure Pack [136662] $5.95
Circles Collection Framelits Dies [130911] $26.95	Finishing Touches Edgelits Dies [127010] $9.95	Fun Flower Punch [133785] $16.95	7/8" Scallop Circle Punch [129404] $12.95	1/2 Inch Circle Punch [119869] $5.95	Whisper White 1/4" Cotton Ribbon [134567] $5.95

Wouldn't this be a nice gift to have on hand?  If you have any questions on how to make this or the supplies you need please contact me and I will be happy to help you.

Are you wondering what the title of this post is all about?  Is it a new stamp set,  a new technique,  or did I finally get that little corgi I have always wanted?  None of the the above except it could result in new stamp sets and new techniques but probably not a corgi puppy.  I am referring to an opportunity to become a Stampin' Up!  Demonstrator at a very special price.  For a short time only (8/21-8/28) when you join Stampin' Up! you will get to choose $150 worth of product for just $99!  So now do you get the short and sweet of it all?

Are you thinking I sure love Stampin' Up! products but I am not sure how much I want to do.  There are all kinds of demonstrators from personal shoppers to business demonstrators and there is room for all types.  The SU! business is a flexible one and I would love to answer any questions you may have about what it means to be a demonstrator.  

I will be back later in the day with another idea on how to use the Gift Card Enclosures.  Until then think about if this just might be the time you become a Stampin' Up! demonstrator and enjoy all the fun, relationships and creativiy it will bring.

I have not used my Flower Patch stamp set in a few weeks (gasp!)and so it was time to ink it up again.  At the SU Convention, one of the make and take projects used the Gift Card Enclosure (136662) to make a holder for the 3-1/2" x 5" note cards.  I love this idea.  It is a simple and easy modification and then you can move on to the fun part of stamping and embellishing the holder and cards.  

The Gift Card Enclosures comes with score lines.   To modify it to make the note card holder, add an additional score line to 3 sides as shown above.  I made my score at 1/4".  I can fit 2 embellished note cards and envelopes in my holder.  You could score at 1/2" on  three sides  to make a holder that is able to hold more cards.

Pretty easy right?    Now for the fun part!  Stamping and embellishing!

I love the burlap ribbon and the lace doily together.  The lace doily is a perfect fit for this holder.  

Product List

Flower Patch Photopolymer Bundle [136788] $43.25	Sumthin' Sumthin' Clear-Mount Stamp Set [134525] $11.95	Calypso Coral Classic Stampin' Pad [126983] $5.95	Crisp Cantaloupe Classic Stampin' Pad [131176] $5.95	Blushing Bride Classic Stampin' Pad [131172] $5.95	Pear Pizzazz Classic Stampin' Pad [131180] $5.95
Gift Card Enclosure Pack [136662] $5.95	Whisper White Note Cards Envelopes [131527] $5.95	Whisper White 8-1/2X11 Card Stock [100730] $8.50	Tea Lace Paper Doilies [129399] $2.95	Flower Frenzy Bigz L Die [133728] $37.95	Itty Bitty Accents Punch Pack [133787] $16.95

I will definitely be making more of these note card holders.  It makes a sweet, practical gift.  Hope you make some of your own and if you need any of the gift card enclosures  just click on the picture in the Product List  above.  

Oh how I love this year's Stampin' Up! Holiday catalog!  It is full of amazing products that will make your holiday crafting so much fun.  I have had a hard time controlling myself and it would probably have been easier if Stampin' Up! had a single button that said "send it all to me!"  I think once you see the Holiday catalog you will totally agree with me.

Here's a quick and easy Halloween card that features the Mingle All the Way stamp set and the Motley Monsters DSP(Designer Series Paper).  The Mingle All the Way stamp set has fun sentiments that will take you from Halloween through New Years.

Product List

• Mingle All The Way Clear-Mount Stamp Set [135773]
• Project Life Holiday Cheer Photopolymer Stamp Set [135188]
• Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad [132708]
• Bermuda Bay Stampin' Write Marker [131899]
• Tangerine Tango marker
• Crushed Curry Stampin' Write Marker [131901]
• Bermuda Bay 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [131197]
• Basic Black 8-1/2X11 Card Stock [121045]
• Whisper White 8-1/2X11 Card Stock [100730]
• Motlley Monsters Designer Series Paper [135819]
• 2-1/2 Inch Circle Punch [120906]
• Starburst Framelits Dies [132967]

The Holiday catalogs have been mailed and should be arriving in your mail boxes.   If you have not received one and do not already have a Stampin' Up! demonstrator, I would love to send you one.  Contact me and I would be happy to get a Holiday catalog on its way to you!

Are you ready?  It is time for another Stamper's Dozen Blog Hop!  The theme this month is Back to School.  I had to really think about the theme this month and decided to make some lunch box notes.  A little note to be found when you open your lunch box.  A few words of encouragement can go a long way.  I might even put a note or two in my husband's lunch.  That would really surprise him.

These are 3" x 6" cards.  Just the right size for a quick note.  Here are the sets I used:

• Amazing Birthday Clear-Mount Stamp Set [134228]
• Calling All Heroes Photopolymer Stamp Set [138002]
• Fabulous Four Clear-Mount Stamp Set [134174]
• Be The Star Clear-Mount Stamp Set [135734]

After I made these cards and some others I needed to find a way to store them.  I thought about designing my own box and then I saw the Tag a Bag Gift Boxes and thought I could make that work. 

The Tag a Bag gift box is  not deep enough for the cards to stamd upright.  I have about 12 cards laying at an angle and the plastic sleeve keeps them well protected.   I did make a little divider to seperate the 2 stacks of cards. 

There are lots of fun projects to see on the Stamper's Dozen Blog Hop.  The next stop on the hop is France Martin.

or you can go back to see BJ Peters cute project!

Here's a list of all the stampers participating in the Blog Hop.

            *Patty Chenail

            http://www.stamppattys.com/2014/08/back-to-school.html

            *Lee Conrey                 

            http://stampingleeyours.blogspot.com/2014/08/everyday-adventure-with-project-life.html

            *Jodi Reinert               

            http://www.stampwithjodi.com/2014/08/back-to-school-teacher-treat.html

            *Kristin Kortonick      

            http://kristinstamps.typepad.com/elmerstamper/2014/08/stampers-dozen-blog-hop-back-to-school.html

            *BJ Peters        

            http://www.stampinbj.com/2014/08/stampers-dozen-blog-hop-back-to-school.html

            *Sharon Burkert (that's me!)

             http://www.sharonburkert.com/as_the_ink_dries/2014/08/stampers-dozen-blog-hop-back-to-school.html  

            *France Martin

            http://www.frenchiestamps.com/2014/08/back-to-school-blog-hop.html

            *Josee Smuck

             http://stampingjo.com/?p=13309

            *Laura Milligan

             http://www.lauramilligan.com/2014/08/back-to-school-stampers-dozen-blog-hop.html

            *Stella MacKay

            http://www.stellarstamps.com/stampin_and_scrappin_up/2014/08/its-back-to-school-at-our-august-stampers-dozen-blog-hop-featuring-only-stampin-up-products.html

            *Carol Payne

           http://www.carolpaynestamps.com/2014/08/stampers-dozen-blog-hop-august-edition-back-to-school.html

            *Judy Garza

             http://stampingwithjudyg.blogspot.com/2014/08/stampers-dozen-blog-hop-back-to-school.html

I hope you will enjoy all the fun projects on the hop!  Have a great time hopping!

This week's Weekly Deal features the Petite Purse die.  When I saw this die on the deal it reminded me that I have not played with it in quite a while.   The die makes a super cute little purse,  it is VERY easy to put together, and it only takes 1/2 sheet of card stock.   Yes, super easy and cute what more could you ask for?  

Wouldn't this make a great favor?  I would love to see a whole line up of little purses filled with a little treat.   Perfect for a luncheon, meetings or anytime you want to give a little something to someone.

Here's another sweet little purse idea for you.  Again, super easy and fun!

Isn't she sweet?   Her bow is made of 2 hearts and a circle from the Owl Builder punch,  her eyes are  a 1/4" circle hole punch, and her nose is the cherry minus the stem from the cupcake builder punch.  Wouldn't she be a great favor for a little or big girl party?

• Petite Purse Bigz L Die [125606]

I am getting ready for the Stamper's Dozen Blog Hop scheduled to go live at midnight!  Have a great day and check back for the blog hop and more fun stamping ideas!

One of the bundles available at a discounted price this month is the Bright and Beautiful stamp set and the Stars framelits.  This is a beautiful set and oh so elegant.   This card is a simplified version of the sample in the Holiday catalog.

I love the look of the white embossing powder on the gold foil. I wonder what silver foil and white embossing powder would look like  I am going to have to try that. 

Product List

Bright Beautiful Stars Clear-Mount Bundle [138200] $43.95	Dictionary Clear-mount Stamp Set [130351] $13.95	Versamark Pad [102283] $7.50	Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad [132708] $5.95	Cherry Cobbler Classic Stampin' Pad [126966] $5.95
Crumb Cake Classic Stampin' Pad [126975] $5.95	Stampin' Blendabilities™ Markers Cherry Cobbler Assortment [130995] $11.95	Early Espresso 8-1/2X11 Card Stock [119686] $6.95	Cherry Cobbler 8-1/2X11 Card Stock [119685] $6.95	Very Vanilla 8-1/2X11 Card Stock [101650] $8.50
Gold Foil Sheets [132622] $3.95	Gold Stampin' Emboss Powder [109129] $4.95	White Stampin' Emboss Powder [109132] $4.95	Embossing Buddy [103083] $5.95	Basic Rhinestones Jewel Accents [119246] $4.95

Lots of fun items on the deal!  I use my envelope liners framelits die a lot.  It makes my card look better when it is enclosed in a coordinating envelope.   I am going to pull out my purse die and rosette die and play with them this week in honor of them being a part of this deal.