Bon Appetit

Hello Friends,

I am so excited to spotlight one of my fabulous and creative customers today.  Jeannette Siciliani from CA. 

Look at the cute flower in the top right hand corner.  LOVE it !  Black and White cards are so elegant.  Thanks for sharing your creativity with us Jeannette.  You are awesome.

Here's a close up of the rose so you can see the leaves. Punch a circle, then punch the circle in half to make the leaf.

Stamp Set: Compliments to the Chef, Bella Toile Background

Card Stock: Basic Black, Whisper White

Classic Ink: Basic Black, Going Gray Stampin' Write Marker

Accessories: Black Vintage Brads, 1-1/4" Circle Punch (to make leaves),

Scallop Trim Border

Sale-A-Bration ends today!!  Place an order or join our team.

Click here to shop online 24/7

Have a wonderful day!

How about a challenge?

My Necklace, Charm and insert

Hello Friends,

What a fun filled day I had yesterday.  From beginning to end I had so much fun.  I had a lovely surprise.  My friend and fellow SAM, Natalie does a great job in taking care of us on our birthdays and she decorated my desk real good.  She brought in chips and salsa and cookies and 6 bottles of Sprite (My favorite drink at work).  Later in the day, my children came by with balloons and banners and flowers and candy.  What a lovely surprise :) NOW, I took awesome pictures of both these fun events on my birthday BUT I had something posted on my cubicle wall that is TOP SECRET and so I cannot post the pics.  My buddy, Kevin at work is an awesome photographer.......I will see if he can work his magic and then maybe I can post them.

Another highlight of my day was when one of my Stamp to the MAX team members, Cassie came into Stampin' Up! for a Focus Group.  She brought with her a dozen of the most FABULOUS donuts.  I told her they looked like 'Stampin' Up! donuts. I feel so special.  Thanks Cassie for thinking of me on my special day :)

So my fellow stampers, let's use this picture as an 'Inspiration Challenge'.  Post this picture to your blog, along with your creation, then link back to this post.  A winner will be chosen and will be sent a 'gift.' You have until Wednesday April 8th to join the challenge.  Be sure to e-mail me (maxstamps@yahoo.com) or post a comment right here once you have posted your challenge.

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Click here to learn more about becoming a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator.

Have a great day!

A very special birthday gift

Hello Friends,

Today is my birthday and I received a beautiful package from one of my SAMee's and friends, Mary Fish. 

A day before the package arrived I received this adorable birthday card with a special surprise inside.....

You may recognize these as inserts for our Simply Adorned line. Each of these are very special to me and I am just so grateful to Mary for taking the time to think of me and help me celebrate.

Here are the items that were in the package

Check back again tomorrow to see how beautiful these inserts look in the charm.  I am going to wear the 'M' for my special day. 'From Mary to Max' :) See the bracelet too....I am going to have fun making an insert for the cute charm.

Thank you dear Mary - so sweet of you!

You may wonder why there is a 'soccer' stamp set in the package.....Well don't forget it is Sale-A-Bratiion and with a $50 order you get to choose one of many stamp sets for Free.  This fabulous promotion ends on Wednesday ...so click here for more information.

Click here to shop online 24/7

Click here to see the Simply Adorned line

Have a wonderful day everyone

Utah Divas International - Saturday Sketch Challenge

Hello Friends,

Time for another Sketch Challenge.  I really enjoyed working with this weeks challenge.  Here is the Sketch we were given.

One of this years In Colors "Bermuda Bay" has barely seen the light of day in my Craft Room.  I don't think I have used but one sheet of this color.  I decided to use it for this weeks sketch and shocked myself.  I really like the color.  I used Whisper White as the base and then layered it with Bermuda Bay.  I accented it with Crushed Curry and Melon Mambo.

Here is what I came up with!

I am loving the Embossing Folders with our Big Shot. The Polka Dot Ribbon is my favorite ribbon and of course used the Bermuda Bay to coordinate.  I stamped the sentiment using Whisper White Craft ink.  I embossed it using white embossing powder.

Stamp Sets: Good Neighbors, Whimsical Words (Sale-A-Bration sets)

Card Stock: Whisper White, Bermuda Bay, Melon Mambo

Paper: Welcome Neighbor 6x6 Paper Pad (Sale-A-Bration) 

Classic Ink: Crushed Curry

Craft Ink: Whisper White

Accessories: Bermuda Bay Polka Dot Ribbon, 1 1/4" Circle Punch, Scallop Circle Punch, White Embossing Powder, Embossing Buddy

Tools: Big Shot, (Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder), Paper Cutter, Craft & Paper Scissors, Snail Adhesive, Stampin' Dimensionals

Sale-A-Bration ends on March 31 so don't miss out on this once a year promotion with no chance of ever buying these stamp sets or paper again.

Whimsical Words

Good Neighbors

Welcome Neighbor 6x6 Paper Pad

Click here to shop online 24/7

Click here to join my team

Let's see what Ruthie came up with this week.....I heard she was in the UK this week but it turns out her facebook was hacked!!  Glad Ruthie did not go see the Queen without me and above all, so glad that she really is ok :) Click here to see Ruthie's creation.

Click here to see what the rest of the Sketch Challenge Team came up with this week.

Have a wonderful weekend! 

See you Monday :)

Vellum Butterflies

Hello Friends,

Today I had an opportunity at work to share what I loved most about being a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator.  The products, hands down are fabulous and I love creating with them but above everything for me, is the friendships that I have formed with the most amazing women, and even a few males :) My customers, my downline, my Divas (http://www.utahdivasinternational.blogspot.com/), my friends who I have met due to events such as Leadership, Convention, Regionals etc, through online media etc.  And of course, there are extra special people I work with due to my employment with Stampin' Up! - My SAMee's (the demonstrators I work with), and my co-workers. 

In less than a month I will be going on a Cruise (my first ever) to the Southern Caribbean as I earned the Incentive Trip.  I am so looking forward to seeing my friends.  I was thinking of one of the friends I am excited to see and that is Dawn Griffith.  She and I share a lot in common and I love being around people who are 'Happy'.  Dawn is a very happy person.  Just love her to pieces.

Here is a card that Dawn created. She is a very creative stamper and she named her group the 'Glitter Queens'.  Love it.

Look how cute this is!!!! What an elegant card.  Beautiful job using the vellum with the Big Shot.

Looking forward to seeing you next month Dawn :)

Join my Stampin' Up! Team by clicking here and using stamptothemax as the password.

Click here to shop online 24/7

Have a great day!

Tulips from Florida

Hello Friends,

For those of you who follow our Utah Divas International blog (http://www.utahdivasinternational.blogspot.com/) I apologize for this being a repeat post but I just HAD to share. 

Elizabeth Harris who happens to be my friend and a part of my Stamp to the MAX team, created this most fabulous card. What an incredibly creative idea.  Fabulous job Elizabeth.

Here is what Elizabeth wrote:

I have seen these tulips made with the XL Bird punch all over and decided to make one for myself.

I just love it! It's so bright and cheerful! The stem and leaves are from the tulip stamp in the Garden Whimsy set. The flower petals are 3 wings from the bird punch, and they're sponged with the matching ink. There is a piece of Whisper White on top of the card base that has been embossed with the Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder. Garden Green background layers really pop. The sentiment is from Teeny Tiny Wishes and is punched with the Word Window punch and layered on a Modern Label punch. Whisper White taffeta is the finishing touch.
Supplies: Stamps- Garden Whimsy, Teeny Tiny Wishes. Ink- Garden Green, Summer Sun, Pink Passion, Tempting Turquoise. Paper- Whisper White, Garden Green. Accessories- Big Shot, Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder, XL Bird punch, Word Window punch, Modern Label punch, Whisper White taffeta.


To shop online 24/7 click here.
Join my Stamp to the MAX team by clicking here.  The password is: stamptothemax

Have a wonderful day!

Happy Moments

Hello Friends,

Sale-A-Bration is almost over.  Just one week left for FREE stamp sets with a $50 order.  This card was created by Julie Davison, a friend and fellow Demonstrator. 

Stamp sets •Happy Moments •Itty Bitty Backgrounds

Paper •Certainly Celery card stock •Regal Rose card stock •So Saffron card stock •Whisper White card stock


Ink •Regal Rose Classic Stampin' Pad •Jet Black StazOn ink pad •Certainly Celery Stampin' Write marker •Regal Rose Stampin' Write marker •So Saffron Stampin' Write marker


Accessories •Soft Subtles brads •Stampin' Dimensionals •Scallop Edge punch
•1/16" Circle punch

Click here to read more about Sale-A-Bration

Click here to shop online 24/7

Have a great day!

Two Step into Spring Promotion & Sale

Hello Friends,

STAMPIN' UP! TWO STEP INTO SPRING PROMOTION & SALE!

Promotion Period: April 1 - April 30, 2010

Two-Step into spring with a sneak peek from the 2010-2011 Idea Book & Catalog! Be the first to add the Awash with Flowers stamp set to your collection. Item Description Price

117062 Awash with Flowers (wood-mount) $39.95

120549 Awash with Flowers (clear-mount) $27.95

Created by Marlene for Diana Gibbs

Created by Mary Fish

PLUS, purchase spring-themed Two-Step Stampin' sets at 20% OFF the retail price--no additional purchase necessary! Qualifying stamp sets are listed below:

Item Page Description Discount Price

113824 94 Greenhouse Garden $20.76

113734 98 Fifth Avenue Floral $19.96

111578 101 Flower Fancy $29.56

113258 112 Trendy Trees $14.36

Stay tuned for samples using the above Stamp Sets. 

Have a wonderful day!

Punched Art

Hello Friends,

For those of you who follow my blog regularly, you know that Saturdays are our Sketch Challenge days as part of the online group for Stampin' Up! Demonstrators - Utah Divas International.

Currently we are holding a contest.  These are the entries for the contest.  Our Divas will choose their favorite via a poll and the winner will get to select a punch of their choice as the prize.

Here are the entries.  Such fabulous talent and creativity.

For those of you are members of Utah Divas International, be sure to place your vote.

If you are interested in joining our group for Stampin' Up! Demonstrators or becoming a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator, please contact me at maxstamps@yahoo.com

Click here to place an online order 24/7

Have a wonderful day!

Utah Divas International - Saturday Sketch Challenge

Hello Friends,

This is the sketch we were given to work with for this week.

It has been a while since I have used my Pretties Kit and so it was fun to use this kit as part of the challenge.

Here is what I came up with!

Can you tell who I was thinking of whilst in my Stamp Room? :) 

Stamp Set :  Messages for Mom, Tiny Tags

Card Stock: Rich Razzleberry, Whisper White

Designer Series Paper: Cottage Wall

Ink: Rich Razzleberry, Old Olive 

Ribbon: Old Olive 5/8", Rich Razzleberry Polka Dot

Accessories: Pretties Kit, Petals a Plenty Embossing Folder, Eyelet Border Punch, Mini Glue Dots, Glue Dots, Stampin' Dimensionals, Snail Adhesive

Tools: Big Shot, Paper Cutter

I tried something different.  I used the heart stamp from the Tiny Tags Stamp Set.  I inked it up with Rich Razzleberry Ink and stamped directly on to the flower from the Pretties Kit.  I 'stamped off' for some of the images too to give it a different look.  I added a pearl with a mini glue dot in the middle of the flower.

Added some beads from the Pretties Kit for an extra special look. I also used the flower stamp from the Messages for Mom Stamp Set and inked it up with Old Olive and then stamped off before stampin' sporatically over the Mom Image.

Click here to shop online 24/7

Pretties Kit 109114  Price: $29.95

Use this versatile kit to embellish all of your works of art! The flowers are white so you can color them to coordinate with our exclusive colors using Stampin' Pastels, Watercolor Wonder Crayons, or Classic ink to dye the flowers. The beads, pearls, and flowers add elegance to any project, and you can create custom hat pins using any of the pieces. Approximate kit quantities:


■ White flowers: 50 (5 sizes, 10 each)


■ Halfback White pearls: 60 (30 small, 20 medium, 10 large)


■ Halfback Cream pearls: 60 (30 small, 20 medium, 10 large)


■ Round White pearls with holes: 45 (30 small, 15 large)


■ Round Cream pearls with holes: 45 (30 small, 15 large)


■ Clear beads: 40 (10 round beads with center hole, 10 round beads with side hole, 20 tear drop beads)


■ Round Rhinestone brads: 50 (20 small, 15 medium, 15 large)


■ Hat pins with clutches: 10


■ Spacer beads: 30


■ Packaged in a beautiful keepsake tin

Click here to go directly to Ruthie's blog.  I am sure she has come up with a something wonderful for this weeks challenge.

Click here to see what the rest of our team came up with.

Please leave a comment :) If you want to try out our sketch, we would love to see what you come up with.  Just post a link to your blog either here or on our main blog - http://www.utahdivasinternational.blogspot.com/

Have a wonderful day! 

Life Happens - Love Helps

Hello Friends,

I started creating this card with nobody inparticular in mind to create it for or send it to.  This creation came by starting with the Designer Series Paper (DSP). This piece is from the Sending Love Speciality Paper that is available until April 30.

The coordinating colors for this DSP are: Chocolate Chip, Real Red, Pretty in Pink and Very Vanilla.  This enabled me to choose the Card Stock I used for the card.

I placed the DSP into the Manhattan Flower Embossing Folder and ran it through the Big Shot.  This close up shot shows you how beautiful this looks and believe me, it looks even better in person.

I adhered this to the Chocolate Chip Card Stock and then to the Real Red Card Stock.  I tied some Pretty in Pink Satin Ribbon round the card.  I then tied another small piece of ribbon round the 'original' piece, the reason you see 4 pieces of ribbon edge. Very classy.

I made the flower using the Big Shot and the Flowers Layers #3 die using Real Red, Chocolate Chip and Pretty in Pink Card Stock. I folded the flowers to give them a crinkle effect. I placed a Very Vanilla Jumbo Brad in the center, enabling me to use ALL the coordinating colors of the DSP and used a glue dot to stick the flower to the card which gave it a raised look.

At this point of making the card, I KNEW who I would be giving this card to so looked for sentiments that would complete the card.

I began thinking of a wonderful woman and friend at work who is going through the most difficult time.  Ever since this friend told me last week of her trial, I have NEVER stopped thinking about her.  Faced with one of life's hardest challenges, I wanted her to know (even though I believe she knows already) just how much I really care for her.

I used the sentiment from the Vintage Vogue Stamp Set and used the Modern Label Punch and put it on Chocolate Chip Card Stock punched out with the Scallop Oval Punch using a Stampin' Dimensional.

So to my friend, "Life happens. Love helps."

Here is the inside of the card.  I added another sentiment here from the

Sale-A-Bration set Whimsical Words. (Available until March 31 - FREE with a $50 order. I added a Chocolate Chip 1/2" Library Clip to express deeply,(kind of like a reminder) how I felt.

I will hand write a message in this and hand deliver it to my friend tomorrow.

"Nothing says more than a hand stamped card straight from the heart"

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Join our Team

Hello Friends,

This fabulous card was created by a fellow demonstrator and friend, Robin Merriman.  I wanted to share her creativity with you as this is the best card I have seen with the color "GREEN".  Green was my Dad's favorite color and it really reminded me of him.  Hope you had a great St. Patrick's day :)

I decided to become a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator back in 2004.  Originally, I signed up for the Starter Kit and before I knew it, I was in a fully fledged business.  I love it !  I love the product and love the fact that I have made the most wonderful friends. 

Last year I earned my first incentive trip to Hawaii.  This for me was the trip of a lifetime.  We had so much fun and I loved every minute of it.  In just 6 short weeks, I will go on another incentive trip to the Southern Caribbean.  My Mom, (who will be joining me) and I have never been on a Cruise before and we can barely wait.  Who knew this would happen just by simply signing up for a starter kit?

I would love you to join our team!  We have so much fun and learn so much from each other.  One of our team members, Laura Widdison just recruited her 2nd recruit, Martha from Logan UT.  Here's to a new friendship with Martha :)
Whether you want to join to save 20% or to start a great business, you will be welcome.

Click here for more information on joining the Stampin' Up! Family and our team during Sale-A-Bration *Discounted Starter Kit ends March 31*

Click here to read "My Story"
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Simply Adorned - Simply Gorgeous

Hello Friends,



Presenting Simply Adorned, Stampin' Up!'s all-new line of charms and chains, ready for you to adorn with your personal style.

Charms


Stampin' Up!'s nickel-plated charms feature tempered, beveled glass on front, flat glass on back, and a lobster clasp. The locket-style charm with hinge allows you to easily insert custom artwork. Charms are available in three sizes; the largest charm makes a beautiful Christmas ornament that can become a cherished keepsake.


Chains


The Simply Adorned stainless-steel chain--available in two lengths--features a toggle clasp and exclusive Stampin' Up! charm identifier. The finish coordinates perfectly with the Simply Adorned charms.

Look at what my friend Monika made

Have fun creating your own inserts.  Class coming soon.  Contact me if you are interested in making or buying your own personalized inserts.

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Have a fabulous day!