Brenda Stamps

Haitian Relief

Stampin' Up! has dedicated $2 from the sale of select stamp sets worldwide to be donated to Haitian earthquake victims. Contact met today to order a qualifying stamp set and help make a difference in the lives of those who continue to suffer from this disaster.  Click here for more details.

It's not just for weddings!

Have you seen the Specialty papers on p. 158 of the catalog called Bride, Groom, and Bridesmaid?  Well, it looks "ok" in the catalog, but WOW, when you see it in person, it is fabulous! this paper SHINES!!!!  I don't know why they make it wedding-ish with the names, because it can be used for just about anything!  Yes, i"m sure it makes wedding projects look great, but I think they should be called - Shimmer Disigner paper!  The Bride is white, the groom is black and the Bridesmaid is vanilla.

Check out this card where the top is using the stripes of the Bride paper. Can you see how the stripes just shine in the light?  Of course, the sparkle on the bottom with my favorite of all time Sending Love Specialty paper makes it even better!

 This card uses the swirl of the Bride paper. On this card, it was sponged with color so the design shows up a lot better!  Isn't it cute too how the oval punch was used to make the vase with the ends snipped off? C-L-E-V-E-R

Now you have TWO excuses to buy this multi-functional paper!  Orders yours now by visiting my Stampn' Up! website and clicking on "shop now."  Just type in "bride" in the search and it will show up. The Groom paper is black with the shine!

Great idea for Embosslits!

So, I've bet getting quite a little collection of these embosslits recently, and I realized that I couldn't remember which flower was which design, etc, and you can't tell what they look like unless you flip it open. So, I ran the embosslit through with a large label and then just stuck it on the outside of the embosslit folder.  Viola!!!  Now, when I flip through these little cards, I can see the design immediately.  Plus, it gave me another excuse to use these fun thing with my Big Shot!

Beautiful BOLD Butterflies!

I just love this swap card I received from Kathy Hilden at Leadership.  The colors just POP!  It uses the new in colors Bermuda Bay and Melon Mambo in addition to one of my favorite Embosslits Dies.   The new Beautiful Wings embosslit makes FOUR beautifully embossed butterflies! 

We will be making this card at my next Stamp Camp on Tuesday, February 9! If you haven't signed up yet, there is still room!  Daytime class is from 9-11 am and evening class is from 7-9pm.  Email me at talksfast@charter.net if you would like to attend. 

Have You Heard the News? Clear Mount Stamps are HERE!

Stampin' Up! now has clear mount stamps! All the stamp sets in the Occasions Mini Catalog and all the Sale-A-Bration sets can be ordered in clear mount, or the traditional wood mount.  Clear mount makes things so much easier for a few different reasons.  Here are a few top on my list.  Leave a comment if there are other reasons you like about them!

1.    There is less of a problem positioning your image.  You can see EXACTLY where it is going! 

2.    The take up less space! 

3.    They are less expensive than the traditional wood mount, so I can buy MORE stamps now!

4.    They store so nicely -on a bookshelf!

5.    They come in a small storage box the same size as a DVD box.

6.    The name of the stamp set and an image of each stamp is on the spine of the box!

7.    The block aren't just square acrylic! They are curved nicely just like our wood mount stamps - but on ALL FOUR SIDES!

Here are some pictures I took of the blocks and stamp sets.

These are all the clear blocks if you get the bundle.  You save quite a bit by ordering them all together!

The edges of the blocks are curved nicely to fit perfectly in your fingers and make it easier to handle.

The block letter is engraved on the side of the block!

This is how they look in the box stored book style. As you can see the name of the stamp set AND an image of each stamp is on the spine of the box. AWESOME!!!!

The stamps just cling to the inside of the box for storage. 

This is what you see when you stamp.  You cling the stamp to the clear block and you can see straight through it to the stamp.   This makes for perfect placement of images!

The clear blocks are available in the Occasions Mini Catalog, and you can get the clear mount stamps in the Occasions Mini Catalog and the Sale-A-Bration catalog.  Order yours now by visiting my Stampin' Up! website here and clicking on "shop now."

Retired Stampin' Up! Stamps for Sale

Since I have recently re-organized my stamping things, I realized I have so many Stampin' Up! sets that I no longer use anymore!  I have over 100 not in use!  So, they are for sale on a first come, first serve basis.  You can view them by clicking on the link in the right sidebar menu of my blog or going here.  If you live in the area, you can just pick them up, otherwise, shipping charges are listed on the link.  Email me with your choices.  Enjoy!

Great NEW Features of Sale-A-Bration

I am super excited about Sale-A-Bration this year for several reasons, and I thought I'd share. 

1.    You can get the Sale-A-Bration sets in regular wood mount or CLEAR MOUNT!   Yes, that is correct, Stampin' Up! now has clear mount stamps.  You can order the Sale-A-Bration sets either way.  Clear mount stamps take up less storage space since they store in a case the size of a DVD case.  I'll have more information on clear mount stamps later.

2.    A PUNCH!  If you don't know already, I LOVE punches!  AND, Stampin' Up! has a new punch design that CLOSES!  WOW, Stampin' Up! is really thinking about storing!  The punch in the Sale-A-Bration catalog will also be available in the 2010-2011 Catalog, but why wait?  Get it now for FREE!!!  The punch is called Scallop Trim Border AND this punch also coordinated with the Trim Corner punch from the Occasions Mini Catalog.  How absolutely cool is that?  The card above uses this punch.  Isn't it so cute? 

3.    If you are like me and usually have all the Sale-A-Bration sets quickly, then what do you get for free when you order more and have everything already in the Sale-A-Bration catalog???  Well, this year you can pick CATALOG MERCHANDISE!  This is great!  You can pick from over 75 sets instead of getting the choices from the Sale-A-Bration catalog. 

4.    For the first time ever, Sale-A-Bration is THREE MONTHS LONG!  Yeppers, you heard correctly.  It goes until the end of March this year! 

Whew, I'm excited.  I might think of more reasons later, but that should do for now.  I'll let you know if I think of more later. 

So, take advantage of Sale-A-Brations now!  Just visit my website and click on Shop Now!

Sale-A-Bration is HERE!!!

Sale-A-Bration!

Sale-A-Bration, Stampin' Up!'s biggest event of the year, means friends, fresh ideas, and free products! And with three ways to earn exclusive Sale-A-Bration products, there's something for everyone. Spend: Buy $50 worth of Stampin' Up! products and get a FREE Sale-A-Bration reward! Host: Host a $300 workshop, and get a FREE Sale-A-Bration reward! Join: Become a demonstrator, and get a FREE stamp set (up to a $47.95 value)! This promotion ends March 31, so contact me today to spend, host, or join! Or click here to see the Sale-A-Bration brochure.

I'm on Shelli's Blog!!!

The Co-Founder and CEO of Stampin' Up!, Shelli Gardner, has a blog that she updates regularly, and I made her blog during the Regional Conference that was held in Phoenix the day after Leadership.  Here is the link.  If you scroll down down to the second grouping of pictures, that is me in the brown shirt holding my friend's adorable baby.  I'm sitting next to the CFO of the company, Scott Nielsen, and my demonstrator friend Carol Payne. 

I'm Back and Back Again!

Well, I'm back from Stampin' Up!'s Leadership conference in Phoenix, AZ, and I'm back to blogging again.  Our family had a lot going on this past fall, and this past year, but things have settled down enough for me to get back in the swing of things.  

Leadership conference was great!  My parents also live in Phoenix half the year, so I was able to go a day early and visit with them.  I stayed at their house for extra visit time each day, although I pretty much left at dark, and got home after dark.  But, there was still a little bit of time to visit each day. 

Keep checking back with my blog regularly, or register to receive email notifications on the side bar.  I will be updating regularly with great things from Leadership, tips, ideas and just fun information!