My Paper Pumpkin!

On my "Facebook Friday" live stream I caused a lot of excitement with my customers when I talked about My Paper Pumpkin from Stampin' Up! 

I guess I just didn't realize that maybe you didn't know what it was- just as I mentioned, on Friday, that my husband didn't know what it was -  even though I had been receiving it for two years.

They guess the old saying about the adage "don't assume" is really true. (I don't need to go there, do I?) LOL

So, I'll begin with what it is, show you some pictures, and show you how to get it! 

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MPP is a crafting subscription program from Stampin' Up!

Each month this fun red box is delivered right to your mailbox! It contains everything (well, maybe with the exception of scissors) you need to create that month's project.  Precut and ready to go !

You will always get a stamp set and all of the paper supplies, embellishments, glue dots/Dimensionals, and an ink spot( a mini ink pad). You will get a clear block, size D, with your first kit.

Each month is a surprise - we never know what we're going to get, but we always love it!

Sometimes it's cards and envelopes…

Other times it's gift packaging or home decor...

(For more examples, watch my "Facebook Friday" video.)

I mentioned on that video that the Halloween treat bags (witche's brooms? ) this year were so darn cute, but since I gave them all away I didn't even have one left over to show you... Well I found a picture that I uploaded to my Pinterest board "SU-my paper pumpkin"!

I ended up using my own brown paper lunch bags because the caramel apples that I bought were a little too large for the ones that came with the kit. The bags that came with the kit were shredded almost completely down to the bottom -way cuter than my own, but you get the idea! I'll use the bags that originally came with the kit this year.

When my kit arrives I immediately send messages to some other friends that also receive it. We schedule a day to get together to put the kits together and chat. Usually there's food involved, if Patty D attends! 

( we missed you, Marcia!)

… And sometimes we even have a birthday celebration!

I tend to follow the kit instructions, others think out of the box and come up with some designs that are a little different. I see a lot of these on Pinterest and I pin them to my board, usually leading to my purchase of a "refill kit"!

One of the perks of being a subscriber, is that you are eligible to purchase a past kits for refill kits as they become available

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I know, I know!

Now you want it!

How do you get it?

There are two ways to subscribe, really.

I.  Monthly subscription:

 Pay as you go for just $19.95 a month (shipping included).

Visit https://mypaperpumpkin.com/en-us/ to sign up.

I would greatly appreciate you putting in my name when it asks you for a demonstrator name!

By entering your credit card on file it's simply gets charged and sent to you each month until you decide to stop it.

You can even pause it for a month, (skip it) if you need to! The cut off for any subscriptions/changes are always the 10th of the month, because they are sent out on the 15th. 

So… If you sign up online before June 10, for example, you will get June's kit!

II.  Pre-paid subscription:

Pay ahead or give it it's a gift!

You would order these as you would any  other product, in fact you may have other product on your order. You simply visit my website at:

http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/dandyspandy/ and go to the online store link, and enter the code specified.

(shipping is included in the following prices):

I hope you will enjoy it as much as I do!

It is a way to get creative without any prep work!

Join me and my friends as we enjoy some "girly time" and put our kits together, or gather your own friends together to do the kit! Of course, they are a great way to relax on your own, or I'm thinking of even bringing a kit on vacation for my hotel "downtime".

You can't go wrong!

Last call for retiring list items!

This past Friday night, May 20, I did another Facebook Friday live stream presentation about my favorite retiring stamp sets from Stampin' Up!

I also held a class that afternoon/evening, so I just held up the cards that we had made that night, featuring some of my favorites.

Card #1

From "World of Dreams" (Below), stamped on washi tape.

Card #2

This colorful card from "Bravo":

Dots were made with sponge daubers! Colors are Blackberry bliss (retiring), Mossy Meadow (retiring), and Calypso Coral.

Card #3

We used a clear block as a stamp on this card from "Serene Silhouettes":

Tap the clear block on an ink pad (you can also use markers to do this), spritz lightly with water so the colors blend a little, and then stamp!

Card #4

This masculine card was made with the  "Going Global" set:

If you act quickly, there is a Designer Series Paper stack that coordinates with the set along with the awesome "World Traveler" embossing folder (shown here). They are all in the Occasions mini catalog.

Card #5( and final card that we made) was from the popular retiring set "Giggle Greetings"- so popular that it must already be sold out, because I can't find a picture of it anywhere on the website!

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Just a reminder, that the last day to order anything from the retired list is May 31.

Everything on that retired list is "while supplies last", but actually I'm surprised with the excess supplies that they have this year. I have not really run into any major problems with items selling out!

This week only (May 21 through May 28), I am offering a special offer for last-minute orders!

Any order placed through my website that has a sub-total of $50 or more will be entered in a prize drawing!

I'm giving away some stamping "loot" to one lucky winner!

If you are placing an order, please visit my website:

http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/dandyspandy/

Orders under $150 should also use this hostess code: GG4U4SZQ

If you have an order over $150 you should NOT use this code, as you  will earn your own free hostess benefits!

As always, THANK YOU!

My stamp room: A work in progress...PART 1

I love to go on all of these blogs or watch videos on YouTube about other people's craft rooms. I even pin pictures of them on Pinterest. The rooms I see are usually all nice and organized, and beautifully decorated with furniture from IKEA -every crafter's dream room.

That's my goal, too. However, I am not quite there yet!

If you have ever seen any of my stamp rooms in this or our past houses, you know that I am a "clutter bug"!

Well, let me tell you, I've come a long way!

It's getting there… Everything in its place or at least, I have a plan to put it SOMEWHERE, but haven't put it there yet!

I've come to the conclusion that it will never be perfect, but I wanted to share it with you anyway! If there is even one idea I can give you to help organize your stuff, I've done my job.

So, be warned! This is not a nice and tidy space like one of those "perfect" rooms you see on the web- you'll always see a little something messy in the photos!

... Just keepin' it real, people!

Here it is- my little piece of heaven !

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MY FAVORITES:

The card catalog

A recent addition to my room, this lovely piece of the past was GIVEN to me by my friend Pam A. I ended up taking a few of the drawers out to accommodate my cards and 12x12 paper, and boy, does it hold so much stuff!

Here is a peek at some of what's inside:

I even have those little pull out shelves that used to be used to write down your Dewey decimal system number(remember those?) it is now a shelf to use for heat embossing and/or using a glue gun. I keep the supplies in the drawers right above the pull out shelves, and I have an extension cord held up by command hooks, that runs along the top of the unit.

I do stamp 90% of the time, but I also love crafting in general! So, for that other 10% of the time that I'm not stamping, I even have room for general crafting supplies in this wonderful cabinet:

My custom made stamp shelf

My fabulous husband made this for me about 15 years ago as a Christmas gift!

I keep all of my non-SU! stamps on this. The shelves are adjustable to accommodate my tallest stamps, and I am able to fit stamps three-deep on each shelf!

The left-hand side of this shelf was created as a ribbon holder. I haven't used it in years because I used to have a long  table in my stamp room. I recently took that table away and was able to enjoy the side of the shelf again!

Note: you saw all my old, small punches in the card catalog drawer. All of my flat storage punches are on a ledge that goes across the width of the room. You'll notice some of them in this picture underneath the shelf.

Extra note: my husband always wants me to tell you that he will gladly make a shelf like this for you for $150. So there, I did!

CHA-CHING! Typical man… Always seeing the dollar signs!

Pull-out stamp shelves

When we bought this house, this room already had these shelves. The previous owner, I believe, used to have canning jars on them (kind of like a cold cellar?) My handy husband knew of my needs and converted six of them into pull-out shelves. Now I am able to store way too many stamps! The top, stationary shelves currently house some things that need to be given a new home.

The curtains and tie backs are recent thrift store purchases. Sometimes I just have to hide the mess and this was my way to do it!

More punch storage

This idea came from Pinterest!

An over-the-door shoe organizer comes in handy for storing punches! I use this one that I bought at Aldi for $5 to store my "lever punches". It's even my favorite color!

Well, that's it for today! I have lots more to show you, but another post will have to suffice!

A big "thank you" to my dear friend Nancy! Not only has she helped me on many days to just clean and organize my stuff, but she has given me lots of "mom advice" (like, "finish what you've started!") and also some great ideas for future projects! 

My favorite retiring stamps!

Last time I posted I mentioned that I am now doing "Facebook Friday" - a live stream presentation about 30 minutes long.

I am using this new social media venue to reach all of my stamp customers/friends, both near and far. 

So far, it's been wonderful! Not only is it giving my business a much-needed boost, but I've been hearing from people I haven't heard from in a long time, and maybe even exposing some new people to stamping. I love that!

For the month of May, I am focusing on a few of my favorite retiring stamp sets.

Last week, it was a set called "Bordering Blooms". As promised, those who ordered this featured set will be receiving three cards that I have made with that set:

This week, I featured one of many retiring nature-themed sets, "An Open Heart".

An Open Heart Clear-Mount Stamp Set	135002
Price: $18.00

An Open Heart Wood-Mount Stamp Set	134999
Price: $24.00

These are the cards I showed:

The background was made with an Aqua Painter dipped in Marina Mist ink refill and applied to watercolor paper.

For this card, The bird was stamped twice – once on the main card and then again on a piece of scrap paper. I cut out all of this body except for his legs/feet. I glued him on the main piece, that is how his tail feathers are able to hang off the paper.

 Next, I used my stamping blocks as stamps! I simply inked up block C, "stamped off" onto some scrap paper (to get rid of some ink) and pressed down on the white square.

The colors on this card are: Sahara Sand, Old Olive, Smoky Slate, and Basic Grey The ribbon is Early Espresso. 

Easy-peasy with no coloring on those last two cards!

...But the images in this set look terrific when they are colored in!

Look at these two that I copied from Pinterest:

When I saw this card, I fell in love with just about everything!

The card, made with a piece of Bordering Blue card stock (retired), is embossed with the Woodgrain embossing folder for the Big Shot.

The greenery image was stamped directly onto a white paper doily, colored in with a blender pen and various green inks, and then finished off with some Cherry Cobbler candy dots for the berries.

The bird was stamped, colored, cut out and glued on. The sentiment was stamped and cut out, using the word window punch, before being glued. 

The final touch was adding some linen thread to the piece.

And, this card is a exact copy of a card made by LeeAnn Johnson (also found on Pinterest):

The In Colors Mint Macaron and Tip Top Taupe, as well as some good old Real Red were used in creating this Christmas card. Also featured is my favorite retiring greeting set (which I mentioned last week) Sassy Salutations!

I showed one other card made with the retiring stamp Swallowtail just to show that images/sentiments from stamp sets are interchangeable! 

I colored the butterfly image by swiping it with sponge daubers in various yellow/orange tones:

Swallowtail Clear-Mount Background Stamp Set	129216
Price: $15.00

Swallowtail Wood-Mount Background Stamp Set

131943

Price: $20.00 -------- I also showed a couple more of my favorite retiring nature-themed stamp set, but I did not show any cards: World Of Dreams Clear-Mount Stamp Set 134186 Price: $20.00 World Of Dreams Wood-Mount Stamp Set 134183 Price: $28.00 And also this gem: Serene Silhouettes Clear-Mount Stamp Set 127324 Price: $18.00 Wood-Mount Stamp Set 132073 Price: $25.00 You can find loads of samples to help inspire you made with all of these wonderful stamp sets from sites like splitcoaststampers.com and Pinterest. ------ Don't forget my free giveaways! * place an order of $50 or more and receive some free bakers twine! * purchase "An Open Heart" in your order and I will provide you with three card samples made with the set! Please visit my website for 24/7 ordering: http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/dandyspandy/ If your order is $150 or less, please  use the following hostess code: G9YRYZGP This hostess code will be in use until Friday, May 20. See you on Facebook next Friday at 8 PM!

A new way of sharing stamping!

I'm so excited!

I recently took the plunge and did my first "Facebook Live" livestream video! You can view it here:

https://www.facebook.com/danielle.george.7399/videos/10209916641854936/

This was such fun, knowing that stamping friends and non-stamping friends alike were there to watch my first foray into social media-based sales! My only wish is that I could see all of you, just like you could see me!

I chose to call this "Facebook Friday", and I pledged to do this at least throughout this month of May. I will be showing some of my favorite stamps that are on the retired list . You can view that list here: 

http://www.stampinup.com/ECWeb/default.aspx

At the end of the month, I will share some new product with everyone ! The new Stampin' Up catalog  is coming out June 1! If you would like to receive one, you can always leave a comment here, email me, or leave a message on Facebook! I would be happy to send you one if you are not already working with another demonstrator.

"Facebook Live" will give me a way to reach out to some of my long-distance customers, as well as local friends that haven't stamped in a while.

The first episode put the spotlight on one of my favorite stamp sets that's on the retiring list called, "Bordering Blooms". (item # 133660)

Here are some cards that I made with the set and were shared during the presentation:

This card also featured the retiring set, "Feel Goods" (item #131916 W, #129684 C):

Here's another one- the embossed flower border also has Wink of Stella glitter pen on the colored flowers , but I don't know if you can see it in the picture:

And here's another sample, which features a greeting from the current hostess set "Happy Birthday Everyone" (item #139171 W, # 139958 C):

The last card shared used one of my very favorite greetings sets that has been around for a while and is now going away – "Sassy Salutations" (item #132070W, #126707 C)

There is a little trick to this card!

Photopolymer stamps are flexible but not flexible enough to make a circular image like this wreath! What you do is fold the super-sticky photopolymer stamp around a small clear block and stamp in segments around a (recommended) traced circle:

I also gave away little "door prize", which went to Carole Morgan! 

I asked the  viewers to share their favorite retiring stamp set. One of Carole's is " An Open Heart" which will be featured in one of my livestream videos, as it is one of my favorites as well! ("Oh my, Goodies!" Item #134087 W, #134090C)

If you choose to order, please visit my website and shop. Then, using hostess code G9YRYZGP, enter your order. This hostess code can be used until 9 PM on Thursday, May 12. My website link is:

http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/dandyspandy/

I am just learning to use ourwonderful tool – the hostess code! It's not something new, but new to me as I have not used it until now.

It will enable you to purchase online, pay with a credit card, and have your order processed and sent right away! No more waiting until I close the party! Also, long-distance customers can have the order shipped directly to them- no more waiting for me to get the order, repack it, and send it to you!

I apologize that it took me so long to realize what this was all about.

There is an order incentive as well!

*If your order is more than $50 you will receive an little goodie from me:

Aren't these cute?

And the tag toppers were made with another current hostess that is going away- "Love You Sew"-featured in the Occasions catalog. (Item #140640W, #141012)

*.. And, if your order contains the featured set, I will send you 3 cards made with that set to inspire your future card making!

**NOTE:  If your order is $150+,  please do not use the hostess code as you will good hostess benefits of own!

Just to be "in touch" with people I love, including those that I haven't seen in a while, was such a great thrill!

 I can't wait to do it again next week!

Tune in to Facebook at 8 PM on Friday, May 13! If we are not already "friends" on FB, please send a friend request this week and ask to be invited to the "group".

I've decided to invite people to a group to my livestream videos.

See you then!