Summer Fun!

July's Summer Fun Campaign puts the fun into your summer workshops and stamping! The NEW 2009-2010 Idea Book & Catalog begins Wednesday, July 1st and is full of new products, new stamp sets and new ideas! I am in love with this catalog and have a long long long wish list! This catalog also marks Stampin' Up!'s return to annual catalogs.

Stampin' Up is smokin' through the summer with some more great deals, too! They just announced Summer Fun Deal of the Week! Every week during the month of July, Stampin' Up! will offer one discounted product as a "Deal of the Week." No limits and no minimum purchase required. The new Deal of the Week will be announced each Wednesday morning at 10:00 am. You will definately want to check my blog each Wednesday at 10:01 to find out what the new Deal of the Week is!

I also am planning some Summer Fun of my own - we are returning to Colorado this summer as a permanent move. We're actually packing right now and plan to arrive in Englewood next week. I will be announcing some HOT new classes along with a FUN and FREE Open House.

S'Mores at theBon Fire

So, I never did show you the finished project from this marshmallow fluff post, did I? Here they are - little S'Mores packages for a fun invitation for a Friday night at the bon fire. We have lived in Minnesota for less than a year, but have come to appreciate many things here - one of them is the relaxing fun to be had sitting around a bonfire late into the night - lots of laughter and chit chat. There are enough jumbo marshmallows and Fudge Stripe Graham cookies to make six yummy S'mores - the perfect snack food.

To make this oh-so-easy invitation, I created a simple box from a 7 3/4" square of Summer Sun cardstock, scored, cut and adhered. The dividers are made from the Summer Sun as well and then the lid is a 7 3/4" piece of Medium Window Sheet, cut and scored, then adhered with Mini Glue Dots at the corners.

I added strips of Bella Bird DSP to each of the four sides. Another piece of the same pattern is used to make the tag, with a coordinating strip across the bottom. The S'mores circle is popped up on Stampin' Dimensionals onto a Large Oval Punch of Chocolate Chip cardstock.

Stamps: Under the Stars, Hugs & Wishes
Cardstock: Summer Sun, Chocolate Chip, Confetti White, Bella Birds Designer Series Paper
Ink: Black StazOn, Chocolate Chip, Assorted Markers
Accessories: Chocolate Chip 5/8" Grosgrain, Chocolate Chip Taffeta, 1 3/8" Circle Punch, Tag Corner Punch, Large Oval Punch, CropADile, Mini Glue Dots, Stampin' Dimensionals

Don't forget that the Bella Birds Designer Series Paper is retiring in just a few days, as well as the Hugs & Wishes stamp set (you're invited sentiment.)

Up Fold Album

I saw an Up Fold album on the Bind It all blog a few weeks ago and thought it looked so fun with the opening to the left and also another part of the album opening to the top. And they are SO EASY to make with the Stampin' Up! Designer Series Paper packs! This one uses the Parian Breeze Specialty Designer Series Paper (soon to be retired!) The great thing about the Specialty packs is that they have a heavier, card stock weight pattern paper that allowed me to use the pattern papers as pages, instead of regular card stock.





I also made one using the Jackpot DSP during the Bon Voyage Blog Hop. Here are a few peeks of the inside pages of each of the albums, just waiting for photos! Both of my books are intended to be gifts, so I don't have pictures or journaling in them - which makes them look just naked, I know!




To assemble my Up Fold Album, I cut two chipboard backings from my DSP packs for the front and back covers. I cut 2 each of 6"x12", 6"x8" and 6"x4". I rounded the corners of all the pieces with my 3/16" Corner Rounder Punch and then glued them together with Tombow Mono Multi Glue. Here is a picture of my cover 'sandwich' with the designer series paper, two pieces of chipboard and finally, another piece of designer series paper.

To clarify: the BACK cover of the album measures 6x12", the FRONT left cover measures 6x8" and the FRONT right cover measures 6x4".




I cut several pieces of the designer series paper to the same dimensions - some to finish the cover pieces and the remainder for album pages.( Two pieces are 6" x 12" to finish the back cover of the album.) The remainder of the pieces are 6"x8" or 6"x4" for the covers and pages of the two parts of the album. Here are several of the pieces for the album pages.






Finally, I decorated the front cover of the album, this one is for someone who is moving to a new home. I added pockets and photo corners and tabs and strips to the inside pages. When I was finished decorating each page and cover of the album, I punched it with my Bind It All machine.

Here is a photo of the album, just off kilter, to see how it layers together. The final step is to thread the binding coils and give it one last squeeze with the Bind It All machine.



Finally, another picture of the finished Up Fold album, along with the thank you note I included with it.

Stamps: Neighborhood Jumbo Wheel, Contempo Alphabet, Thank You Kindly
Paper: Kraft, Parisian Breeze Specialty
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Whisper White Craft, Basic Black
Accessories: Chocolate Chip 5/8" Grosgrain, Baja Breeze Corduroy Buttons, White Embossing Powder, Round Tab Punch

More Big Deal Scrap booking

Here are a few more pages I have made using the soon to be retiring Big Deal Alphabet. This 'Splash' one is one of my favorites with the bright summer colors and again with the White Gel Pen highlights on the letters. We used to have a dog named 'Splash'.














I used lots of chipboard and doodling on this page. The COOL part of the title is stamped in Brocade Blue directly onto the Barely Banana page. Then I used a Basic Black Journaler to doodle around the letters and add a lot of character and definition.
















This page is such a simple layout, but I just love the photo of my son shivering under a towel, watching the other kids on the slip n slide, with that pensive look on his face. The title is stamped in Whisper White Craft Ink. The corner doodle is from Doodle This, also soon to be retired.












Another Big Deal title - I love the mixed alphabets on the title here, as well as the '2 Cool' page above. No highlights or texture added to this one.









**The mini tutorial for the Up Fold Album is coming soon.**

Bon Voyage Blog Hop!

*ETA: Time's Up! All blog Hop links have been broken. However, if you go to the forums at Stampin' Addicts Bon Voyage Blog Hop, you can find the list of all the blogs.*

Welcome to Port of Call #32 on the Stampin' Addicts 2009 Bon Voyage Blog Hop featuring Stampin' Up! Retiring Stamps Sets! You may have arrived here via Port of Sarah's Ink Spot. One announcement before disembarking: the Blog Hop links are only active through 11:59 pm Tuesday June 16; after that, many hostesses will post more details on projects you see today. Bookmark your favorite stops now--on return visits, you'll bypass customs & immigration and go straight to the fun!



My projects feature the fun and a little bit funky Big Deal Alphabet. I am so sad to see this alphabet set retire - I just love its round letters with some over-sized ones and some just a little smaller. It makes for fun titles for happy themed scrapbook pages and works great for card fronts as well. You can stamp it out straight and perfect with your Stamp A Ma Jig, or stamp them tight and loopy or even stamp them with overlapping letters; this alphabet is so accommodating to all kinds of titles and greetings.





This card is a great example of how versatile the Big Deal Alphabet is for helping you to create just the right focal point sentiment. I stamped the letters in Pacific Point ink onto the Bashful Blue card front and then gave them highlights them with the Signo White Gel Pen. I think the touch of white gives the letters a lot of dimension. Don't forget that the 2008-2009 In Colors, including this Pacific Point, are retiring as well at the end of this month.

TIP: To get the word centered on your card front, first stamp it onto Grid Paper. Then place the card front just above your stamped letters and center it. Finally, stamp the word onto your card front, using the Grid Paper sample as your guide.

Stamps: Big Deal Alphabet (retiring), Cheap Talk, Best Wishes & More (inside sentiment)
Paper: Bashful Blue, So Saffron, Whisper White, Good Morning Sunshine DSP (retiring)
Ink: Pacific Point (retiring), Really Rust Marker
Accessories: Three Blossom Punch, Scallop Circle Punch, 1 1/4" Circle Punch, 1 3/8" Circle Punch, Mat Pack, Rich Regals Brads, Signo White Gel Pen

Here is a more traditional sample of a scrapbook page using the Big Deal Alphabet set. I chose a background page of Chocolate Chip card stock and then stamped my title word in Whisper White Craft Ink. I used the Signo White Gel Pen to add a lot of texture to the letters by doodling down each letter and smearing the gel pen with my finger before it dried. Then I dotted the I's in the title with a half back pearl from the Pretties Kit secured with a Mini Glue Dot. A tiny bit of journaling below the photo and a few flowers from the Pretties Kit finish off this page.

Stamps: Big Deal Alphabet (retiring)
Paper: Chocolate Chip, Almost Amethyst
Ink: Whisper White Craft
Accessories: Signo White Gel Pen, Pretties Kit



My final project is also a scrap booking one, but a mini album this time. I saw an 'Up Fold' album like this and had to give it a try. I just love the fun way it opens on the left side, but it also opens UP on the right side. I used the chipboard backing from a package of Designer Series Paper to help me with this. I had a lot of fun with this mini album and it came together so quickly and easily! The Big Deal Alphabet helped me create just the right title for the cover. This time I stamped the letters in Real Red Craft Ink and then embossed them with my Heat Gun and some Clear Embossing Powder.

If you'd like to see how I put this Up Fold Album together and take a peek at some of the inside pages, be sure to bookmark my blog and come back next week.

Stamps: Smarty Pants, Big Deal Alphabet (retiring), Short Order Numbers (retiring)
Paper: Real Red, Basic Black, So Saffron, Jackpot DSP
Ink: Real Red Craft, Basic Black Craft
Accessories: Large Oval Punch, Round Tab Punch, Real Red 5/8" Grosgrain, Black Gingham, Clear Embossing Powder, Heat Gun



Well, thanks for stopping at my blog on this Stampin' Addicts 2009 Bon Voyage Blog Hop! Now it's time to continue on to your next stop A Touch From the Heart.



If you would like to see more Stampin' Up! inspiration, be sure to visit the Stampin' Addicts website at stampinaddicts.com. Take a look in the gallery at Stampin' Addicts where I've uploaded several more scrap book pages featuring the Big Deal Alphabet Set.

Going, Going......

The Last Chance List is out - Retiring Stamp Sets and Accessories! Stampin' Up! manufactures their own stamp sets, so the retiring stamp sets will be available until June 30th. Alphabetical List of Retiring Sets and Numerical by Page List of Retiring Sets. However, retiring Accessories are only available while supplies last - the list is below. I will update the accessories list through out the month to let you know as items are sold out. But lookie! Stampin' Up! has several of the retiring Accessories on sale! Check it out and be sure you don't miss out of something that's been on your list or ink refills and ribbons in those beautiful In Colors!






Also, a Summer Fun Bonus!

• Hostesses who hold a $250-$399.99 workshop will receive an additional $20 in hostess free merchandise dollars.
• Hostesses who hold a $400 or more workshop will receive an additional $40 in hostess free merchandise dollars.

How about another beautiful Country Living set - this BBQ set has some really fun stamp sets and die cuts that will make your next summer get together so fun! Check out Shelli's blog (Stampin' Up! co-founder and President) at soshelli.com to see how she used it for a recent family event.




BOLO (Be On the Look Out) for a Bon Voyage Stampin' Addicts Blog Hop in another week, too! Several demonstrators from the Stampin' Addicts website are having a Blog Hop showcasing many of the retiring Stamp Sets and I'll be right in the middle with one of my favorite alphabet sets, Big Deal Alphabet - it's not just for scrap booking!

Item #	Product Description	Price	Discount	Sale Price	Availability
112735	RUB ONS HIDDEN GARDEN BLOSSOMS	10.95	0.5	5.48	Available
112970	LO MEJOR DE TODO	19.95	0.5	9.98	Available
105143	DAYS TO REMEMBER 6X6 FR	9.95	0.5	4.98	Out of stock
113888	RUB ONS MANY OCCASIONS	10.95	0.5	5.48	Available
109044	PUNCH SNOW BLOSSOM	10.95	0.5	5.48	Available
111364	RIBBON POLY TWILL SO SAFFRON 7/8"	8.95	0.5	4.48	Available
106961	STAZON REFILL WHITE	4.95	0.5	2.48	Out of stock
114341	COURDUROY BUTTONS PACIFIC POINT	9.95	0.5	4.98	Available
114316	RIBBON ORIGINALS PIG TAILS	13.95	0.5	6.98	Available
111414	RUB ONS HIDDEN GARDEN	10.95	0.5	5.48	Available
114351	DESIGNER HARDWARE HOORAY	4.95	0.5	2.48	Available
114338	COURDUROY BUTTONS KIWI KISS	9.95	0.5	4.98	Available
114019	ACCENTS & ELEMENTS FLEURETTES	9.95	0.5	4.98	Available
114317	RIBBON ORIGINALS DRESS UP	12.95	0.5	6.48	Available
102875	HEMP TWINE RED	2.95	0.5	1.48	Available
101259	HEMP TWINE BLACK	2.95	0.5	1.48	Available
113979	ACCENTS & ELEMENTS CANVAS CUTS	7.95	0.5	3.98	Available
114350	DESIGNER HARDWARE SOHO	4.95	0.5	2.48	Available
111363	RIBBON GROSGRAIN PINK PIROUETTE 1 1/4"	7.95	0.25	5.96	Available
111365	RIBBON TAFFETA RIDING HOOD RED	6.95	0.25	5.21	Available
111847	RIBBON DOUBLE STITICHED BAJA BREEZE 1"	8.95	0.25	6.71	Available
111371	RIBBON GROSGRAIN STRIPED TANGERINE TANGO 5/8"	9.95	0.25	7.46	Available
111373	RIBBON GROSGRAIN STRIPED PINK PIROUETTE 5/8"	9.95	0.25	7.46	Available
111372	RIBBON GROSGRIAN STRIPED KIWI KISS 5/8"	9.95	0.25	7.46	Available
113884	RUB ONS FASHION DISTRICT	10.95	0.25	8.21	Out of stock
114318	RIBBON ORIGINALS VALET	12.95	0.25	9.71	Available
111374	RIBBON GROSGRAIN STRIPED RIDING HOOD RED 5/8"	9.95	0.25	7.46	Available
111370	RIBBON GROSGRAIN STRIPED PACIFIC POINT 5/8"	9.95	0.25	7.46	Available
111415	RUB ONS GREATEST MOMENTS	10.95	0.25	8.21	Available
113887	RUB ONS BRIGHT DELIGHTS	11.95	0.25	8.96	Available
111416	RUB ONS CHATEAU BELLA	10.95	0.25	8.21	Available
111338	NOTES TEXTURED LOVE ASSORTMENT II	12.95	0.25	9.71	Available
111879	RIBBON SATIN KIWI KISS VERY VANILLA	7.95	0.25	5.96	Available
111277	RUB ONS A PERFECT DAY	10.95	0.25	8.21	Available
110730	DIE CUTS POCKETS & PIECES	8.95	0.25	6.71	Available
107272	PUNCH KEY TAG	15.95	0.25	11.96	Out of stock
113980	DESIGNER SERIES PAPER CANDY LANE	9.95	0.25	7.46	Available
111375	RIBBON GROSGRAIN STRIPED BAJA BREEZE 5/8"	9.95	0.25	7.46	Out of stock
112010	DIE CUTS BLOOMS AGAIN	8.95	0.25	6.71	Out of stock
113991	TASTE OF TEXTILES	9.95	0.25	7.46	Available
101399	STIPPLE BRUSHES	6.95	0.25	5.21	Out of stock
112092	BUTTON BOUQUET	7.95	0.25	5.96	Out of stock
112139	NOTES CAROUSEL II	11.95	0.25	8.96	Out of stock
111336	NOTES SCALLOP II	11.95	0.25	8.96	Available
111840	CLASSIC STAMPIN INK REFILL PACIFIC POINT	2.95			Available
111841	CLASSIC STAMPIN INK REFILL TANGEIRNE TANGO	2.95			Available
111843	CLASSIC STAMPIN INK REFILL PINK PIROUETTE	2.95			Available
111839	CLASSIC STAMPIN INK REFILL RIDING HOOD RED	2.95			Available
111842	CLASSIC STAMPIN INK REFILL KIWI KISS	2.95			Available
112161	DESIGNER SERIES PAPER PATTERNS KIWI KISS	9.95			Available
112042	DESIGNER SERIES PAPER URBAN GARDEN	9.95			Available
112156	DESIGNER SERIES PAPER PATTERNS PINK PIROUETTE	9.95			Available
112150	DESIGNER SERIES PAPER PATTERNS PACIFIC POINT	9.95			Available
112153	DESIGNER SERIES PAPER PATTERNS TANGERINE TANGO	9.95			Available
111844	CLASSIC STAMPIN INK REFILL BAJA BREEZE	2.95			Out of stock
111836	CLASSIC STAMPIN PAD RIDINGHOOD RED	5.95			Available
111838	CLASSIC STAMPIN PAD PINK PIROUETTE	5.95			Available
113966	DESIGNER SERIES PAPER GOOD MORNING SUNSHINE	9.95			Available
109123	STAMPIN WRITE JOURNALER BASIC BROWN	3.25			Out of stock
113981	DESIGNER SERIES PAPER BELLA BIRDS	9.95			Available
112157	DESIGNER SERIES PAPER PATTERNS BAJA BREEZE	9.95			Out of stock
113975	DESIGNER SERIES PAPER RASPBERRY TART	9.95			Available
114037	DESIGNER SERIES PAPER SPECIALTY SWEET SLUMBER	11.95			Available
113978	DESIGNER SERIES PAPER URBAN OASIS	9.95			Available
112041	DESIGNER SERIES PAPER BELLA ROSE	9.95			Out of stock
112468	DESIGNER SERIES PAPER SWEET ALWAYS	9.95			Out of stock
111834	CLASSIC STAMPIN PAD TANGERINE TANGO	5.95			Available
114039	DESIGNER SERIES PAPER SPECIALTY ROCKABILLY	11.95			Available
108590	CARD STOCK NATURALS ASST 12X12	8.95			Out of stock
111337	NOTES GIFT ASSORTMENT II	9.95			Available
112471	DESIGNER SERIES PAPER RAINBOW SHERBET	9.95			Out of stock
112464	DESIGNER SERIES PAPER MANCHESTER	9.95			Available
112006	ACCENTS & ELEMENTS FLOWER FUSION II	14.95			Available
111837	CLASSIC STAMPIN PAD PACIFIC POINT	5.95			Available
112461	DESIGNER SERIES PAPER WASHINGTON APPLE	9.95			Out of stock
113993	DESIGNER SERIES PAPER SPECIALTY PARISIAN BREEZE	11.95			Available
112155	DESIGNER SERIES PAPER PATTERNS RIDING HOOD RED	9.95			Out of stock
111353	CARD STOCK KIWI KISS 8-1/2 X 11	5.5			Available
111348	CARD STOCK RIDING HOOD RED 8-1/2 X 11	5.5			Available
112172	SIMPLY SCRAPPIN ROCK A BYE BOY	19.95			Out of stock
100900	GIFT SACKS WHITE	2.95			Available
114605	SIMPLY SENT CARD KIT MORE THOUGHTS	42.95			Out of stock
102264	COLUZZLE STARTER KIT	19.95			Out of stock
111346	CARD STOCK IN COLOR 12 X 12	8.95			Available
111835	CLASSIC STAMPIN PAD KIWI KISS	5.95			Available
111350	CARD STOCK PACIFIC POINT 8-1/2 X 11	5.5			Out of stock
105668	TATTOO KIT I	13.95			Out of stock
111349	CARD STOCK TANGERINE TANGO 8-1/2 X 11	5.5			Available
109231	SIMPLY SENT CARD KIT SENDING HAPPY THOUGHTS	54.95			Available
111351	CARD STOCK PINK PIROUETTE 8-1/2 X 11	5.5			Available
112165	SIMPLY SCRAPPIN ROCK A BYE GIRL	19.95			Out of stock
113950	DIE CUTS BUILD-A-FAIRYTALE	8.95			Available
111345	CARD STOCK TEXTURED IN COLOR 12 X 12	11.95			Available
105669	TATTOO KIT II	13.95			Out of stock
111833	CLASSIC STAMPIN PAD BAJA BREEZE	5.95			Available
113936	SIMPLY SCRAPPIN HOPPY MEMORIES	19.95			Out of stock
111347	CARD STOCK IN COLOR 8-1/2 X 11	7.95			Out of stock
107288	ENVELOPE WHISPER WHITE EXTRA LARGE	5.5			Out of stock
104310	CRAFTERS TOOL KIT	39.95			Available
111352	CARD STOCK BAJA BREEZE 8-12 X 11	5.5			Available
113943	SIMPLY SCRAPPIN 2 SWEET	19.95			Available
113925	SIMPLY SCRAPPIN SWEET NOTHINGS	19.95			Available
112179	SIMPLY SCRAPPIN LOVE STORIES	19.95			Available
113911	SIMPLY SCRAPPIN SUNSHINE GARDEN	19.95			Out of stock
112054	SIMPLY SCRAPPIN BEST EVER	19.95			Out of stock
111253	Blooms & Bulbs	6.5			Available
109684	Doodle	8.5			Available
111257	Happy, Happy Birthday	8.5			Available
109692	Love	6.5			Available
109568	My ABCs	6.5			Out of stock
109682	Perfectly Pretty	6.5			Out of stock
109687	See You Around	8.5			Available
109683	So Swirly	8.5			Available
111260	Something Fishy	8.5			Available
111262	Stems & Silhouettes	8.5			Available
105516	Watercolor Joy	6.5			Available
114528	Embosslit Flower	11.95			Available
116209	Note of Thanks	9.95			Available
116210	Birthdays Count	9.95			Available
112966	Curly Label Bundle*	33.95			Available
115535	Hand Drawn Bundle				Available