I Love my Mummy....and my Mummy loves me

Our doorsteps will soon be crawling with Monsters of all shapes, sizes, colors, and sorts. Halloween is just around the corner and I thought this week I would focus on Holloween themed projects.

I would like to present to you Mummalena...You met her cousin Franken a couple of weeks ago.

The inspiration for this mummy card came directly from Dannie Graves - she is the genius behind this layout. I did make a few changes such as addding the ribbon bow, and changed the ink color for the distressing. I tried to think of some other changes but her layout was just too easy, too cute, and too perfect just the way it was. The only thing I might try next time is googlie eyes - those would be fun peeking out from the bandages.

Ingredients:

Cardstock: Basic Gray, Basic Black, Tangerine Tango, Very Vanilla, Whisper White

Accessories: 1 3/8th circle punch, 1 1/4 circle punch, 3/4 circle punch, white signo gel pen, ribbon, stampin sponges.

Ink: Close to Cocoa Classic

The Promotion 411

In these times of looking for the best deal and the way to get the most out of your purchases, Stampin' Up! has been offering a bevy of promotions - Often having two or three going at one time. The past year has been full of lots of positive changes from SU to help provide their customers with the best value, the best products, and the best source to outlet their customers' creativity.

I wanted to take this opportunity to outline the CURRENT promotions that Stampin' Up! has going on right now:

BIRTHDAY PROMOTION
To help celebrate SU's 20th birthday spend $20 from any of the current catalogs, and get 20% off of selected birthday themed stamp sets. This promotion is in effect from October 1 - October 31, 2008.

SPECIAL PRODUCT OFFER - LARGE AQUA PAINTER
While supplies last you can purchase the Large Tip Aqua Painter individually for only 7.95. There is no qualifying purchase or minimum purchase required to take advantage of this superb offer. Normally, the Aqua Painter comes in a set of 2 for 16.95. Don't miss this great deal.

HOSTESS INCENTIVE PROMOTION
Host a workshop now through November 30, 2008 with orders of $350 or more and receive a FREE stamp set from the Catalog sampler. This FREE merchandise is in ADDITION to the hostess benefits you would normally earn.

All of these promotions are the perfect reason to host your own workshop. Wouldn't you like to spend some time with your friends talking, crafting, and creating all while earning FREE merchandise. Contact me today to schedule your workshop to take advantage of these great SU promotions.

Blogger Novice

Hi Friends

You know I'm not afraid to say that I'm new to the Blogging stuff and while trying to fancify my blog I inadvertantly changed my feed source....Why is that troubling you ask....Well for all of you who subscribe to my blog I don't believe you were getting my updates for the past few days....I am very humbled by my boo-boo. I always considered myself at least minimally technical - Well, NOPE....I have discovered that I am a techno-poop.

Please forgive my errors and omissions as I "blog" my way through this. If you have any hints, suggestions, ideas, or help sources please let me know....

Thanks for your understanding.

More projects coming soon......

Altered Notepad

I found these cute little notepads from Joanne's in their little $1 sections. I bought all they had - all 2 of them....I have gone back several times to get more and someone just keeps beating me to it....

These are such a great little gifts - I'm thinking stocking stuffers already....

The original notepad was a plain kraft front with a little elastic band around the bottom to keep it closed. I removed the elastic band and replaced it with ribbon. The ribbon is adhered with Sticky strip to ensure that it does not come off...So far so good.

Please let me know what you think....I'd love to hear your comments and/or ideas.

Ingredients

Stamp sets: Garden Whimsey

Paper: Glossy White cs, Kiwi Kiss cs, Pirouette Pink cs, Bella Rose Designer Paper

Ink: Kiwi Kiss Classic, Pirouette Pink classic

Accessories: Kiwi Kiss satin Ribbon, Pink Grosgrain (non-SU), Sticky Strip

Look what I did....

Well I spent most of my weekend getting my contributions ready for Opertation Shoebox. In a previous post I talked about Operation Shoebox. Hospice of Marion County does operation shoebox for our soldiers overseas and my friend and upline, who works for hospice, thought that blank cards would be a great addition. That way our troops can send wishes back home....I'm sure there isn't a Hallmark really close by.

Well here is the 20 cards I did this weekend. I did 5 cards each of 4 different designs. I tried to use up some of my retired papers and stamps that I didn't get alot of time to use before they retired. The layouts are fairly simple with not alot of embellshments. I didn't want them to have to have additional postage to be mailed.

Here is the group Photo:

I hope you enjoy the projects. Please feel free to add your contribution to Operation Shoebox by donating some of your own artwork. Every single card helps. All donations need to be submitted by November 1st so please contact me if you want to help this great cause.

Ta for Now !!

Splitcoast Sketch Challenge

As promised - Here is my design for the Splitcoast Sketch challenge. I did alter the dimentsions just a little bit on my 3rd layer because I used a cuttlebug embossing folder (gasp !) on my designer paper and it is just too pretty to cover up... For those of you Big Shot owners who want to know if the Cuttlebug embossing folders work - Yes, they do. Very easy to use.

Sorry the picture is so dark - I had a difficult time with the lighting today. I'm not sure if you can see it very well but the flowers are all jazzied and blingied up with Dazzling Diamonds. IRL it is very subltle, yet draws your eye right to those flowers. I really like this color combination. It has a bit of a masculine feel to it, so even though the card is flowers, I wouldn't hesitate to send this to a man.....I hope you like it.

All supplies used are Stamin' Up! unless otherwise noted.

Stamps: Upsy Daisy

Paper: Baja Breeze cs, Old Olive cs, Very Vanilla cs, Night of Navy Designer Paper (Hostess pk)

Ink: Baja Breeze classic, Night of Navy classic, Old Olive classic

Accessories: 2-way glue pen, Dazzling Diamonds, Stampin Sponges, Kiwi Kiss Satin Ribbon, Old Olive Stampin Write marker, Cuttle Bug Flower embossing folder, Big Shot.

Keep your eyes out for next weeks challenge........

Splitcoast Sketch Challenge

Ok - Here is our next Challenge. This week is from SplitcoastStampers.com. Use the layout below to create your works of art.

Try to stay close to the layout porportions but for those of you who like less layers, you may exclude Layer #2. I'll post my sample tonight when I get home....

Let me know what you come up with...I'd love to see what you have to share....

Calling All Stampers - Operation Shoebox in Motion

My friend, and upline, works for Hospice of Marion County and they are coordinating a round of Operation Shoebox. For those of you who don't know what Operation Shoebox is - it is a program where needed supplies, such as toiletries, etc. are sent to our troops overseas.

Well Deborah did a great thing and donated a bunch of handmade cards for soldiers to send to their families. I think it is a great idea and am calling all of my stamping friends to head the call and support our troops. All card donations need to be submitted by November 1st in order to make the deadline.

Don't know what kind of cards to send - Birthday, Getwell, Anniversary, Valentines Day are only a few. Please no Christmas/Hanukah cards - by the time our soldiers receive their packages they may not be able to use them in time. Please email me directly if you wish to participate. You can do so clicking the link below this post.

Now for my soapbox for a second - Whether you are in support or against the War in Iraq, the fact is that it is happening and these are our fellow Americans whose lives are in danger every single hour of every single day. They did not ask to go to a war zone - they are just doing their job and their job means putting themselves in the line of fire - literally. Lets gather together and show them that they are not forgotten.....Ok, I'm done now.... :)

I'd love to be able to give Deborah 100 cards to give to Operation Shoebox. I can only do that with your help. Please donate a little of your time and card supplies. One card, ten cards, fifty cards - all are welcome.

Halloween Treats

Isn't this little spider just so cute. I saw someone do one of these little spider treats and just had to try one myself. The scallop peppermint patty is such a popular favor it is great that it can easily transform into a Halloween spider. I wish I could give credit to who I cased it from, but unfortunately I don't remember where I saw it.....

Supplies Used: basic black cardstock, kiwi kiss cardstock, whisper white cardstock, tangerine tango cardstock, photo corner punch, scallop punch, 1/4" punch, stampin write marker

I hope you enjoy him....

Weekend Sketch Challenge

You know I have to say that I love Splitcoaststampers.com. It is a great source of inspiration and a wonderful forum to ask questions, get questions answered, and see some great ideas. I do happen to have a Splitcoast idol - Beate.....She is just one of the most creative people I have ever seen....If you are familiar with splitcoaststampers.com you have probably seen her work and know exactly what I am talking about.......If you are not familiar go to http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/ and look at her gallery. You will be impressed and amazed.

Well, every weekend Beate posts a Weekend Sketch Challenge on her personal blog. In my effort to become more creative and expand my imagination I have begun participating in various challenges. This time it is Beate's Weekend Sketch Challenge, although it is not the weekend. Usually takes me a week or so to get the project finished, as in this case.

Here is my challenge to you.....Join me in participating in these challenges and share your designs with me....I would love to see what you come up with. Use the sketch below as a guide and use your imagination, feel free to stretch your imagation....

Here is my design:

Share you thoughts, comments, and ideas. What does your design look like?

Keep your eyes out for the next challenge - Who knows when or what it will be.......

HAPPY BIRTHDAY - AGAIN

Sorry Friends - It seems my link does not seem to be working correctly......I'm very new at this blogging thing so I'm sure it was the operator, not the computer, who is having the problems.

Below is the flyer for the Birthday promo.......If you have ANY questions or wish to place an order please contact me at natalielou@bellsouth.net.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY !!

October is now here and Stampin' Up! is celebrating their Birthday. 20 years old.....

And to help everyone celebrate Stampin' Up! is throwing a party. They are having a new promotion in the month of October. From October 1 - 31st spend just $20 in the catalog and get 20% off select Birthday themed stamp sets.

Click on the link below for more details:

To take advantage of this great special, because everyone has birthdays and what's better than getting a handmade card, contact me. Please email me at: natalielou@bellsouth.net.

Happy Birthday Stampin' Up!.


Here is a little extra tidbit of information: Today is Walt Disney World's Birthday and Epcot's Birthday. WDW is 37 today and Epcot is 27. Happy Birthday to the Happiest Place on Earth (second only to my Stampin' Space).