Valentine Girls' Night Out

So...I am mostly a "hobby demo" for Stampin' Up. Like thousands of stampers, I LOVE the quality of products, and so I buy a lot...maybe more than I need...Nah! Well, after my hubby got a better paying job in the summer of '08, I signed on as a demonstrator so I can get a 20% discount on everything I order! I say to him "Honey, I spent your overtime today." LOL! Bless his heart, he supports my habit, I mean hobby. After all, I make cards for the family, cards for the ministry...truly it is something I love.

I do have some stampin' friends from years ago who wanted me to start a monthly club. We met once a month for 10 months in my home. I showed them new techniques, and they purchased supplies like stamps and card stock. We also take time to eat, 'cuz, well, why not?? I love having customers and sharing this hobby with them.

Here it is 2010, and my club will be starting in February...I can't wait! But before that, I actually will host a Stampin' Workshop for a friend and her co-workers on February 1st!! I am so excited, because I get to introduce people to this great craft! Let's face it...with electronic communication like email, Twitter, Facebook and blogs (like this one!), the personal hand written note is nearly extinct! I love making someone a card, then writing a note...sloppy penmanship and all. Now I get to encourage others to do the same!!

So. let me show you what we're gonna make...

This first card uses Stampin' Up's In-Colors: Rich Razzleberry, Crushed Curry, and Melon Mambo, including the designer series paper Razzleberry Lemonade. It features the Mini Occasions stamp set I {heart} Hearts, plus Teeny Tiny wishes. This will be a fun card to make with new stampers!

I admit, it is a toss-up for the second card. Here are 2 samples...I am letting the hostess pick...

The first was for a splitcoaststampers "Clean and Simple" challenge. I wanted something for a man. I used black craft ink, versamark and red classic ink, and clear embossing powder. The images are from Baroque Motifs...a must-have set in my book! I stamped on sahara sand card stock, and added the new black satin ribbon at the fold.

This next card has just basic black and very vanilla card stock. I stamped the flower from "Three Little Wishes" in Stazon Black, but decided not to color it in. The sentiment is stamped in real red. Add dry embossing with my Big Shot Texturz Plates, oval punch, scallop oval punch, ticket corner punch and satin ribbon, and you have a simple, but classic looking Valentine. This stamp set is in the regular Idea Book & Catalog (IBC), but from Jan-March, it is available for free as a Sale-a-Bration item with a $50 order! How cool is that??

Finally,I wanted to make a non-card item. Well, using my Big Shot, along with the Bigz XL Fancy Favor die, and I have this CUTE bag! I added the strap, using my new scallop trim border punch (another FREE Sale-a-bration item, with a $50 order.) The paper is Sending Love designer series paper...LOVE the patterns! I added a cute sentiment from All Holidays, stamped in chocolate chip. It's hard to se, but the strap is attached by ADORABLE pretty in pink corduroy button brads! I have these corduroy embellishments in about 6 colors! Circle and scallop circle punches come in handy for cute little projects like this too!!

So...if any of this stuff looks like fun (of course it does!) but you are not gonna be at the Girls' Night Out, you can contact me, or even order online by clicking HERE

Happy Stamping!!