UStamp's Hey Big Shot Free Pass Winner

I want to thank everyone for all the wonderful comments.  It really touched me. 


I used random.org to pick the winner for the free UStamp pass.  The results are in:

True Random Number Generator

Min: 1
Max: 40

Result:  15

The winner is t_lockart5.  Congratulations!  Please email me at jradcock1@yahoo.com with the subject line UStamp Pass Winner by 9:00 p.m. Eastern Time on April 29th to claim your prize.  If I don't hear from you, I will choose another winner.

Have a great day!

Scrapbook Pages - My Digitial Studio Style

I have never been much of a scrapbooker.  It's not that I don't want to be, it's just that I've always found it so intimidating.  No more with My Digital Studio papercrafting software! 

I have to admit, I had the software for a few months before I even loaded it on my laptop and a few more before I actually used it.  I don't know what I was waiting for!  It is so user-friendly and easy to use.  And most of all it's so much fun!

I whipped up this two page layout in about 20 minutes using My Digital Studio.  It was so easy.  Just like all Stampin' Up products, everything matches.  If you don't have this software yet, you really should get it.  You are not limited to scrapbooking!  You can make cards and calendars as well.  Stampin' Up has a fabulous printing service that matches our colors exactly.

Occasions Mini Items No Longer Available

The Occasions Mini Catalog sales period ends on Friday, April 30; however, there are a few items that are no longer available: 


(117179) Eggcellent Eggs Kit
(117266) Sweet Pea Stitched Felt
(117161) Sweet Pea Designer Series Paper Pack
(117236) On Board Heart Book


If there is anything at all that you have your eye on, hurry on over to my online store and get it while you can!  Remember, there is a Level 1 Hostess Set and a Level 2 Hostess Set that will also be retiring when this catalog ends.

Stamp Camp Projects

We had a great time at my Stamp Camp!  The girls each made three Mother's Day projects (2 of each -- one for Mom and one for Mother-in-Law); a card, a mini purse scrapbook (courtesy of Becky Roberts and UStamp Spring Soiree) and a flower bookmark.  The card was the same as my mom's birthday card here; just changed one color and a few sentiments.  The book mark was made with flower punches. 

Stamp Camp

I have my first Stamp Camp since I've been in Okinawa tomorrow and just because life is life, I am sitting here at 11:56 p.m. having just finished cutting and prepping!  Nothing like procrastination, I tell ya!  I will hopefully have some pictures of the projects to post tomorrow.  For now, I'm just too pooped!  Good night all.

Masculine Birthday

My hubby turned 40 on Tuesday.  I have always had a really difficult time with masculine cards.  I saw this one and had to CASE it.  I did change a few things.  I did not use a background stamp nor did I use chipboard letters or rub-ons.  Sorry about the poor photo!  Hope you like it. 


Recipe: 
Chocolate Chip Cardstock, Welcome Neighbor Designer Series Paper Pack (Sale-A-Bration - no longer available), Basic Black Ink, 1-3/8" Square Punch, Corner Rounder and Teeny Tiny Wishes Stamp Set. 

I'm super busy with creating my second project for UStamp and just with life in general.  I am still going to try to publish to my blog daily, however, in reality, it will more likely be 3-4 times a week.  I think I'm going to start taking weekends off to spend more time with family as well, especially since the weather is getting nice and the kids would really like to spend more time at the beach!

Exciting Announcement and Blog Candy!!

Woo Hoo! I have been asked to be a Guest Designer for the next Ustamp with Dawn and Friends event, Hey Big Shot Worldwide...that's how we roll!!!! (Check it out here ). I am so excited and honored to be included with this group of awesomely talented women!

Check out these cool Blinkie's that you can add to your blog! Mine is the Guest Designer Blinkie and every member can have the Member Blinkie!

One of the perks of being a Guest Designer (besides this awesomely cool blinkie) is the fact that I have TWO FREE PASSES to give away. Anyone who leaves a comment on this post between now and April 28 will be placed in a draw for one free pass. Anyone who refers someone to my blog that has never visited me before will be placed in a separate draw for a free pass. Make sure they comment on this post and that they tell me you sent them!!! This is a $24.96 value!!! How exciting is that?

This is an amazing online class! If you haven't guessed from the title of the class, we will be featuring the Big Shot! You can expect:

* New projects shared everyday!!
* Several "Double Designer Days"!! 2 projects on 1 day...DOUBLE the fun!!
* All projects include a step by step tutorial, including LOTS of Photos!!
* EVERY Tutorial is available in English, Spanish, German and French
*All measurements are available in Inches and CM
* Prizes, Prizes and MORE Prizes!!
* Live Chats
* Every member gets a cool Big Shot Member Badge for their blog/website!!
* Friendships around the world...happens every event!!
* Way Cool SWAP!! (Optional... but really fun!!)

Class begins May 7 and runs through June 4. If you're too busy during this time frame, not to worry! The class will be available for many months to come so you can recreate these projects at your leisure! What are you waiting for? Jump on over to the UStamp website and join now!

Sorry I've Been Absent

I've been busy working on something really exciting! I can't share just yet, but I will as soon as I can, I promise! In the meantime, I realized I never shared my mom's birthday card. I CASE'd this card from the gallery at Splitcoaststampers!

Recipe:

Chocolate Chip Cardstock (102128); Whisper White Cardstock (100730); Perfect Polka Dots Impressions Folder (117335); Cameo Coral Cardstock (100475); Beautiful Wings Embosslit (118138); Pretties Kit (109114); Well Scripted Stamp Set (118601); Messages for Mom Stamp Set (118580); Scallop Trim Border Punch (Sale-A-Bration item -- will be in the new Idea Book and Catalog in July); Sweet Pea Designer Series Paper Pack (117161); Wide Oval Punch (112082); Ovals Big Shot Die (114525)

New Core Colors

One of the perks of being a Stampin' Up Demonstrator is a monthly magazine called Stampin' Success. This magazine is full of valuable information to help you build your business. This month, Stampin' Up included an 8x10 cardstock sample of each of the new core colors: Marina Mist, Daffodil Delight, Cherry Cobbler, Crumb Cake (formerly Kraft and not included in this sampling), Early Espresso and Cajun Craze. Can I just say WOW!!! I know it's hard to tell from the picture, but these colors are AMAZING. I especially love the Early Espresso and the Daffodil Delight. And they compliment Stampin' Up's other Core Colors just beautifully!!! I can't wait to get my hands on some more of these colors. And I really can't wait to see what new In Colors we will get in July.

Stamping 411 Saturday Sketch Challenge 146

I decided to participate in the Stamping 411 Saturday Sketch Challenge 146 (you can find it here). I am not really sure how I feel about the card, but I think it's okay. I'm also going to use this card for an Occasions Mini swap I'm in over at Splitcoaststampers.

Recipe:
Layer 1: Wild Wasabi (Retired, but returning in July) 8.5x5.5" cored and folded in half at 4.25"
Layer 2: Close to Cocoa 5-1/8x3-7/8"
Layer 3: Afternoon Tea Designer Series Paper (Retired) 5x3.75"
Layer 4: Groovy Guava (Retired) 3-1/8x4-1/8"
Layer 5: Whisper White 3x3.25"
Stamp Set: Whimsical Words
Accessories: Beautiful Wings Embosslit (Purely Pomegranate and Groovy Guava - both retired), Groovy Guava Ribbon (Retired), Wide Oval Punch, Coluzzle Oval (Retired)

New Color Collections/Colors

Earlier I announced that Stampin' Up will be doing a Color Renovation with the new Idea Book and Catalog in July. Here is a list of the new and returning colors, which will be in effect with the new catalog in July:



Brights Collection

• Regal Rose
• Melon Mambo
• Rich Razzleberry
• Pacific Point
• Tempting Turquoise
• Old Olive
• Daffodil Delight (NEW)
• Pumpkin Pie
• Tangerine Tango
• Real Red

Neutrals Collection

• River Rock
• Chocolate Chip
• Soft Suede
• Early Espresso (NEW)
• Crumb Cake (formerly Kraft)
• Sahara Sand
• Very Vanilla
• Whisper White
• Basic Gray
• Basic Black

Regals Collection

• Elegant Eggplant
• Night of Navy
• Not Quite Navy
• Always Artichoke
• Garden Green
• More Mustard
• Cajun Craze (NEW)
• Riding Hood Red
• Cherry Cobbler (NEW)
• Bravo Burgundy

Subtles Collection

• Pink Pirouette
• Pretty in Pink
• Rose Red
• Perfect Plum
• Marina Mist (NEW)
• Bashful Blue
• Baja Breeze
• Wild Wasabi
• Certainly Celery
• So Saffron

Stampin' Up Announces a Color Renovation!

I am so excited to share with you that Stampin' Up! just announced a Color Renovation. This means that they are retiring some of our current colors, bringing back some of the past In Colors and introducing some BRAND NEW COLORS in July!! This is great news!
There will be some colors retiring and they will be available while supplies last so order early to ensure that you get the products in the colors you want.
Here is a list of all the retiring colors:

Soft Subtles
Pale Plum
Blush Blossom
Apricot Appeal
Barely Banana
Mellow Moss
Sage Shadow
Almost Amethyst
Lavender Lace

Bold Brights
Glorious Green
Green Galore
Gable Green
YoYo Yellow
Only Orange
Pink Passion
Pixie Pink
Orchid Opulence
Lovely Lilac
Brilliant Blue

Rich Regals
Bordering Blue
Brocade Blue
Ballet Blue
Taken with Teal
Handsome Hunter
Earth ElementsClose to Cocoa
Creamy Caramel
Really Rust
Ruby Red
Cameo Coral
Summer Sun

These In Colors will be in the new collections: Pink Pirouette, Melon Mambo, Rich Razzleberry, Pacific Point, Baja Breeze, Wild Wasabi, River Rock, Tangerine Tango, Riding Hood Red, and Soft Suede.
In addition to the new color families, we will continue to have In Colors with each new Idea Book and Catalog.

I will post more info as I can.

Late Night Stampers

If you are a stamper who would love to have wonderful resources, then check out the Late Night Stampers yahoo groups.

StampinUpLNStampersfor all stampers who love stampin up stamps

LNSDemoOnlyThis group is for ACTIVE Stampin Up Demonstrators.

Boy Birthday

My kids were recently invited to a birthday party for a 14-year-old boy. I am the first to admit that I am NOT good with masculine cards. Add to that the fact that it's for a teenage boy and I'm at a total loss! I finally settled on this square card and I have to say that the young man really liked it! I was so pleased. Hope you like it, too!

Recipe:
Basic Black Cardstock (102851)
Whisper White Cardstock (100730)
Extreme Guitar Stamp (115328)
Just Jawing Stamp Set (111660)
Basic Gray Classic Ink (109120)