I started this card with inspiration from Colour Combo CC295 and a new technique. But I cannot for the life of me remember what the technique is called, but it's really cool. On a piece of Whisper White card stock stamp in various colours to make a background, then cover with 3 to 4 layers of clear embossing powder (heat set after each layer). Let it cool for a moment before using the embossing buddy on it then stamp with Versamark with the leaf stamp and apply gold embossing powder. As you heat the gold embossing powder it will melt into the clear layers.

Supplies
Stamps: French Foliage, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Ink: Peach Parfait, Versamark, Early Espresso, Cajun Craze
Paper: Peach Parfait, Whisper White, Early Espresso, Cajun Craze
Accessories: large oval punch, stampin' dimensionals, clear and gold embossing powder

~Amanda

Has the idea of becoming a Stampin' Up! demonstrator interested you? From November 15 through November 30, 2010 you can purchase the Standard or Digital+ Starter Kits for only $107.50--that is 50 percent off the regular price of $215 for over $375 worth of paper or digital crafting and business supplies!

Interested in more details about what you can find in each of the customizable starter kits? Please click this link to learn more.
To get started right away please email me asking for my recruiter authorization password to sign-up on-line today!

~Amanda

The best product available in the Holiday Mini Catalogue has to be the Big Shot Multipurpose Adhesive sheets. They are 12x12 in size and I found that I can trim those pages down to size with my Friskar's trimmer. I have been cutting about 1" strips off to use with the Timeless Type alphabet dies. Cut a small chuck of cardstock for the letter, place it onto the adhesive sheet, make sure it adheres well then place it with the cardstock side down and white side up (make sure to keep the backing still on or else you'll have sticky stuff on your cutting plates!) to run through the Big Shot. And voila, the letters are sticky and ready to place on your project!

Supplies
Stamps: none
Ink: Stampin' Write marker in Basic Black
Paper: Early Espresso textured 12x12, Real Red textured 12x12, Very Vanilla, More Mustard
Accessories: 1-1/4" Early Espresso striped grosgrain ribbon, sticky strip, Neutrals brads, paper piercing tool, retired hardware, Big Shot, Top Note Die, Timeless Type alphabet sizzlits, Big Shot Multipurpose adhesive sheets

~Amanda

This is a most interesting colour combo! For inspiration I used Colour combo CC296 and a card sketch SC306 from Splitcoaststampers. The Poppy Parade cardstock was put through the Big Shot with the Vintage Wallpaper Impressions folder, then using the brayer I added a layer of Whisper White craft ink to highlight the texture. You really cannot tell from the picture but I dosed it in clear embossing powder before the craft ink could dry. Picking the saying had to be the hardest part of all! I am happy with the result because it came really close to what I had envisioned at the beginning!

Supplies
Stamps: Just Believe
Ink: Whisper White, Stampin' Write Markers: Tempting Turquoise and Poppy Parade
Paper: Tempting Turquoise, Poppy Parade, Whisper White
Accessories: clear embossing powder, brayer, Big Shot, Beautiful Wings embosslit, Vintage Wallpaper Impressions folder

~Amanda

Browsing through the Dasher gallery over on Splitcoaststampers last month and I came across this beautiful card (it turns out that it was a case of a case!) that I just had to case it for myself! I found it was a little tricky to get the row of trees to match up and I almost cut Dasher's feet off. Make sure to stamp the trees first then add Dasher and emboss.

Supplies
Stamps: Dasher, All Holidays, Lovely as a Tree
Ink: Early Espresso, Baja Breeze, Versamark
Paper: Early Espresso, Baja Breeze, Very Vanilla
Accessories: Very Vanilla seam binding, glue dot, Iridescent Ice embossing powder

~Amanda

So the other day I came across this thread on Splitcoaststampers or Stampin' Connection about embossing with different colours. And I thought it looked too cool not to try! Although next time I think I will omit the White embossing powder, in real life it takes away from the other colours, next time just add more Silver!
This technique is a little more time consuming than regular embossing just because you have to sprinkle each colour on one at a time before shaking off the excess powder. You also end up using a lot more embossing powder too because once you shake it all off together you get a weird combo of powders! This technique definitely merits some experimentation!

For inspiration for the rest of the card I used some challenges from Splitcoaststampers: Ways to Use it WT295 challenge was to add green to our project and a Demonstrator Challenge called Workshop Wow WW180 inspired to use buttons. And for my own personal challenge to use a piece of Woodland Walk designer series paper so that I can diminish my stash of paper! 

Supplies
Stamps: Autumn Splendor
Ink: Garden Green, Versamark, Crumb Cake
Paper: Very Vanilla, Garden Green, Crumb Cake, Woodland Walk Designer Series Paper
Accessories: Garden Green Designer Button, Basic Black brads, embossing powders: White, Black, Silver, Gold, embossing buddy, glue dots, word window punch, Very Vanilla Seam binding

~Amanda

I feel like Christmas is just around the corner! We've had cool days, received some snow on Halloween and the house has been cold enough for the furnace to be on. I feel like decorating for Christmas! For now I will just have to use my creativity to create some Christmas projects like today's card.

Supplies
Stamps: A Cardinal Christmas
Ink: Basic Black, Stampin' Write Markers: Real Red, Certainly Celery, Early Espresso
Paper: Real Red, Whisper White
Accessories: Certainly Celery Watercolour Wonder crayon, blender pen, 1/4" Real Red grosgrain ribbon, Big Shot, Top Note die, Petals A Plenty Impressions Folder

~Amanda

I am in love with these 2 pages! Whiteshell Provincial Park in Manitoba was beautiful and unfortunately we were only there for one weekend.

One the first page the bottom left section is a photocopy of the map we received when we entered the park. I scanned in the image and then printed it just in black ink onto Crumb Cake card stock. I wanted to show where we camped - Otter Falls Campground.

Do you like my leaves? I inked the texture plate with versamark then placed the leaves onto the texture plate, and ran through the Big Shot. Creates a really cool texture. Just make sure to wash the texture plate right away with soap and water or you could use Stazon cleaner to clean it.

Supplies
Stamps: none
Ink: Versamark
Paper: Crumb Cake, Handsome Hunter (retired)
Accessories: Designer Series Buttons, Round Tab punch, retired Ribbon Originals, sticky strip, glue dot, linen thread, Big Shot, Texturz Plates Kit #4, Leaves #2 die, Timeless Type alphabet sizzlits die

~Amanda

What a trial this card was! And I'm still not liking how it turned out! ;) The base for the card was suppose to be the base from this card but the whole card looked way too busy. I tried a bare base but that looked worse! Let me know what you think, I might have to revisit this one soon.

Supplies
Stamps: Serene Snowflake, Sentiment is Stampin' Up! but I cannot find which one it is
Ink: Marina Mist, Night of Navy
Paper: Marina Mist, Night of Navy, Whisper White
Accessories: Snowflake punch, 1-3/4" Circle punch, Night of Navy grosgrain ribbon, Dimensionals

~Amanda

Another page for the 2005 album. Part of the Traveling with Amanda section. This was a tough one for me, but I pulled the red from the garden photos and I love how the flowers turned out in the top left corner.

Supplies
Stamps: none
Ink: Real Red Stampin' Write Marker
Paper: Real Red, Whisper White, retired Designer Series Paper
Accessories: Decorative label punch, Early Espresso 1-1/4" grosgrain ribbon, Boho Blossom punch, rhinestones, sticky strip, glue dots, Big Shot, Timeless Type alphabet sizzlits, Little Leaves sizzlits, Big Shot Multipurpose Adhesive sheets
~Amanda

The photo does not show the sparkly snowflake very well. The main snowflake image is embossed with Iridescent Ice embossing powder and a rhinestone adhered to the centre. I am loving the self-adhesive Rhinestone and Pearl packages! The base of the card was stamped with Marina Mist ink before I ran it through the Big Shot.

Supplies
Stamps: Serene Snowflakes, Many Merry Messages
Ink: Night of Navy, Versamark, Marina Mist
Paper: Marina Mist, Whisper White
Accessories: Iridescent Ice embossing powder, Rhinestone accent, dimensionals, Big Shot, Vintage Wallpaper impressions folder

~Amanda

Starting today, Stampin' Up! is offering an opportunity to purchase select products--perfect for Amazing cards, Beautiful packaging, and Cherished gifts--at a 20 percent discount!

Additional products from current catalogues may be purchased on the same order.

There is no minimum purchase required to participate in this promotion.

You must use the bundle item codes provided. The 20 percent discount will not be applied if individual bundle item numbers are entered separately

~Amanda

Yesterday was the best day for scrapbooking I have had in years! I started working on a scrapbook for 2005 well over a year ago now and a lot of the pages were missing some stamped accents and there was no journaling what-so-ever! So I set to work making sure all the pictures I wanted were there and the events I wanted to remember the most were going to be all in order. I find the hardest job is gathering all the photos and extras like football tickets into one spot.
The above photo is to show you the ribbon detail. First put down the sticky strip onto the page, then use one very long piece of Basic Grey satin ribbon and start from the left side. At one side start folding the ribbon and sticking on edge onto the sticky strip. Keep going until you have enough pleats. The layers will bounce up a bit so to keep them all flat I went back with a pair of tweezers and glue dots to stick each pleat down.

After yesterdays scrapbooking I now have 32 complete pages and I am searching for photos for another 2 that I need to squeeze in - but that will require a trip to visit my mom and her photos!

Supplies
Stamps: Vintage Vogue
Ink: Sahara Sand, Not Quite Navy, Basic Grey, Handsome Hunter (retired)
Paper: Crumb Cake, Not Quite Navy, Handsome Hunter (retired), retired Designer Series Paper
Accessories: 5/16" Jumbo Brads, Kraft Corduroy Buttons (retired), Basic Grey Satin ribbon, sticky strip, glue dots, Neutrals brad, Stampin' dimensionals

~Amanda

I must confess, I am not a brights person. But I wanted to participate in the Colour Combination challenge over on Splitcoaststampers and Pacific Point is my least favourite colour! What Stampin' Up! colour is your least favourite? It would be neat to find out if anyone else dislikes Pacific Point as much as I do.

Supplies
Stamps: Petal Pizazz, Sincere Salutations
Ink: Rich Razzelberry, Pacific Point, Old Olive
Paper: Rich Razzelberry, Pacific Point, Whisper White
Accessories: Old Olive 1/4" grosgrain ribbon, Stampin' Dimensionals, Wide oval punch

~Amanda

Here is my first tutorial: Embossing with Classic Inks

1) First step is to ink your stamp up with Versamark ink. Then before stamping add colour onto the stamp using a classic ink pad. Start with your lightest colour first if you are going for a multi-coloured image like mine and then build up to the darkest colour.

2) Make sure to use your embossing buddy on your piece of card stock before stamping. This will get rid of any static cling on the paper so that your embossing powder will not stick in places you do not want it too.

3) After stamping your image onto card stock, cover with clear embossing powder and heat set.

4) Cut out your image and design your card. Today's inspiration came from: WICKED October 2010 WKD1010A Demonstrator Challenge, Workshop Wow WW176 Demonstrator Challenge and Card Sketch Challenge SC298 all from Splitcoaststampers. (Note: You have to be a Stampin' Up! demonstrator and logged in to SCS to view the Demo Challenges.)

Supplies
Stamps: Day of Gratitude, Curly Cute
Ink: Versamark, More Mustard, Cajun Craze, Night of Navy
Paper: More Mustard, Cajun Craze, Night of Navy, Whisper White
Accessories: Clear embossing powder, embossing buddy, Night of Navy 1/4" grosgrain ribbon, retired button, Linen thread, glue dot, Big Shot, Vintage Wallpaper Impressions Folder, Stampin' dimensionals

~Amanda

Happy Thanksgiving! I hope everyone had a great long weekend.  It was beautiful weather for hiking, taking a drive to see the fall colours and getting stuffed full of turkey and then roast beef! I was able to sneak in a little time to stamp this weekend too.

I used a technique that I learned while at Hamilton Regionals last month. I'm not sure what it is called, but I love the fact that you can use any classic ink pad to create embossed images. Mark Jessen demonstrated this technique using Versamark, classic ink and sponges. Check back tomorrow for my very first tutorial!

Supplies
Stamps: Day of Gratitude
Ink: Baja Breeze, Bashful Blue, Wild Wasabi, Basic Black, Versamark
Paper: Baja Breeze, Bashful Blue, Wild Wasabi, Very Vanilla
Accessories: Clear embossing powder, Clear crystal brad, Rhinestones, Large Oval punch, Stampin' Dimensionals, Big Shot, Texture Plates

~Amanda

Have you ever tried to create a card using only one stamp set? This one gave me a little trouble. And since this card is for Splitcoaststampers Index card for the Friends Never Fade stamp set, I had to fit all 4 stamps onto one card. Sometimes it amazes me the steps it takes to create just the right card, then other times it just kinda slides all together.

Supplies
Stamps: Friends Never Fade
Ink: Baja Breeze, Stampin' Write Markers: Early Espresso, Baja Breeze, Certainly Celery
Paper: Early Espresso, Baja Breeze, Certainly Celery, Whisper White
Accessories: Stampin' dimensionals, Certainly Celery

~Amanda

Made this card to be used as an index card over at Splitcoaststampers. I used all the stamps in the Welcome Christmas set. You can view the Welcome Christmas Gallery and my index card here. I might have to make this one of my Christmas cards, change the Joy and wreath to a circle instead of just freehand cut.

Supplies
Stamps: Welcome Christmas
Ink: Soft Suede, Ridinghood Red, Stampin' Write Markers: Certaintly Celery, Old Olive, Ridinghood Red
Paper: Certaintly Celery, Soft Suede, Ridinghood Red, River Rock
Accessories: Stampin' dimensionals

~Amanda

From October 5-18, Stampin' Up! is adding over two hundred more discontinued items--some at up to 80 percent off--to help make room in the Distribution Center for new products!

Things to know about the Clearance Rack Blitz:

• Orders for Clearance Rack items can be placed through my Online Store. CLICK HERE, and then click SHOP NOW
• Qualifying orders are eligible for hostess benefits.
• While the Blitz last from October 5–18, some items, depending on availability, may be made available in the Clearance Rack in the future.
• All discontinued items are available only while supplies last.
• All sales of discontinued items are final.

I had a quick peak at the Clearance rack and there is quite a variety of discounted product! Make sure to check it out now before these items are gone!

~Amanda

One of the Workshop Wow presenters at Hamilton Regional showed this cool idea, I'm not sure if she had a name for it though. Cut out your main colour of card stock, in this case Chocolate Chip. Then punch out your shapes, whichever you choose. Glue the shapes to the card stock base then run through the Big Shot in an Impressions Folder. Turns it into a mini paper quilt!

Supplies
Stamps: Fox and Friends, All Holidays, Woodgrain background
Ink: Bashful Blue, Chocolate Chip
Paper: Bashful Blue, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White, So Saffron, Sweet Pea Designer Series Paper (retired)
Accessories: Marina Mist 5/8" grosgrain ribbon, scallop square punch, stampin' dimensionals, Big Shot, Square Lattice Impressions Folder

~Amanda

From October 1 to November 15, 2010 you have a chance to enter a huge contest featuring My Digital Studio! This contest is open to both Stampin' Up! customers and demonstrators! Click here for details and how to submit your project!
~Amanda

My favourite new Christmas stamp set in the 2010-2011 Idea Book and Catalogue is Welcome Christmas. It has that vintage look that so many people are into recently. And I just had to use it for my second swap for the Hamilton Regional.

Supplies
Stamps: Welcome Christmas
Ink: Early Espresso, Stampin' Write markers: Cherry Cobbler and Always Artichoke
Paper: Soft Suede, Cherry Cobbler, Very Vanilla
Accessories: Glue got, Always Artichoke 1/4" grosgrain ribbon (retired), Big Shot, Petals-A-Plenty Embossing folder, Top Note bigz die, Scallop Squares Duo bigz die (Holiday Mini Catalogue)

~Amanda

What a great time I had at the Hamilton Regional on Saturday! And surprisingly I wasn't tired after staying up late Friday night. My husband and I did not get to our hotel room until 12:30pm because of work and construction and then I was awake until 2am finishing my swaps!

There must have been at least 300 fellow demonstrators there. After finding a seat it was time for some swapping. As I am standing there waiting to swap Shelli Gardner walks up besides me! So of course I just had to go get my camera and get a picture of us! So cool, I got a hug and she told me it was great that I made it to this Regional. I didn't even know she would be there and I've never had the chance to meet her before!


This was my first Stampin' Up! event. It was so great to see all the presenters from both the home office who travelled from Salt Lake City, Utah and local demonstrators presenting Workshop Wow's. Ended up with a lot of photos, some notes on how to do the techniques and a ginormous amount of ideas! Make sure to check back soon for my own takes on some of those techniques.

For my swaps I decided to make 2 different samples, I made 32 of each design and only came home with 2 of my own and 30 swaps! Unfortunately I have been unable to go through my swaps, yet! Here is my first swap design:
Supplies
Stamps: Friends Never Fade, Sincere Salutations
Ink: Concord Crush, Pear Pizazz, Early Espresso
Paper: Pear Pizazz, Crumb Cake, Early Espresso
Accessories: Daffodil Delight striped grosgrain ribbon, sticky strip, stampin' dimensionals, Decorative Label punch

~Amanda

My best friend from elementary school was married last Saturday and I was her maid of honour. Beautiful wedding, especially since they were married at Old Fort Henry here in Kingston. But last week was busy! My dress to hem, flowers to arrange, appointments to keep and the wedding card to create as well!

The scrunched spritzed flower was made at the same time as the used for a Birthday card last month. To start, the card base was embossed with the Elegant Lines folder and accented with the beautiful pearls. The Crumb Cake piece was actually left over from a Christmas Stamp Camp a few weeks ago, I just added the saying to it.

This weekend is the Hamilton Regional Seminar! This will be my first Stampin' Up! event and I'm so excited to go!! I have the day off tomorrow to finish my swaps and then off we go!

Supplies
Stamps: Curly Cute, Wood grain background
Ink: Crumb Cake, Early Espresso
Paper: Crumb Cake, Early Espresso, Pink Pirouette
Accessories: Fancy Flower punch, Whisper White 5/16" brad, Vanilla Shimmer Smooch Spritz, pearls, Elegant Lines embossing folder, Big Shot

~Amanda

This card uses a lot of my favourite things! Start first with the Vintage Wallpaper Impressions folder, then spritz on some Vanilla Shimmer Smooch Spritz. Make sure to dab at any clumps before they dry! Cut out the tag using the Big Shot, then stamp your image onto the tag. I used a clear mount stamp so that I could look through the clear block to see where the image would go. I used Black Stazon ink so that when I went back to colour in the image it would not smear.

Supplies
Stamps: Elements of Style, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Ink: Black Stazon, Daffodil Delight, Wild Wasabi
Paper: Wild Wasabi textured, Greenhouse Gala Designer Series Paper, Very Vanilla, Early Espresso
Accessories: Stampin' Write Markers: Wild Wasabi, Daffodil Delight, Early Espresso, Blender Pens, Very Vanilla satin ribbon (dyed Daffodil Delight), 5/1" Chocolate Chip Jumbo Brads, stampin' dimensionals, glue dot, Vanilla Shimmer Smooch Spritz, Word Window punch, Big Shot, Two Tags bigz die, Vintage Wallpaper Impressions folder

~Amanda

No I'm not buying presents and decorating just yet! But I like to get an early start on making designs of Christmas cards. Although this year I may not make as many since I still have all the ones I made last year and did not send out any because we moved 3 weeks earlier than expected!

For this card I used the embossed resist technique. Start with a piece of Whisper White card stock, stamp your image using Versamark ink and add some white embossing powder. Once you heat set your image and it has cooled use a sponge dauber to get your image to pop!

Supplies
Stamps: Serene Snowflakes, Many Merry Messages
Ink: Night of Navy, Versamark, Bashful Blue
Paper: Night of Navy, Bashful Blue, Whisper White
Accessories: Silver cord (retired), pearl, stampin' dimensionals, sponge dauber, white embossing powder

~Amanda

Starting today you can order from the NEW Holiday Mini Catalogue! There are 43 pages filled with new stamps, designer series paper, punches, Big Shot dies, accessories and new product!

Found an interesting project in the Holiday Mini catalogue and want to try making it yourself? Check out the Stampin' Supplies before you order so that you have all the items needed to make that project!

~ Amanda

New recruits who join the Stampin' Up! family as a demonstrator from September 1 thru October 18, 2010  will receive a FREE craft tote (valued at $49.95) with the purchase of their Starter Kit.


Click here for Starter Kit details.

Greenhouse Gala Craft Tote Description:
•100% twill nylon exterior; 100% nylon interior
•Dimensions: 15-3/4" x 7-5/8" x 8-7/8"
•Includes attachable shoulder strap for easy transport
•Center section fits 12" x 12" card stock, Craft Keepers, and Paper Cutter
•Outside pockets fit extra-large punches perfectly
•Outside flap pockets offer secure spot for accessories
•Back zipper pocket holds up to seven Stampin' Pads
•Ships free as part of your Starter Kit

~ Amanda

I just had to try making my own punched flower! It actually puffs up really well. I punched 4 flowers out using the Fancy Flower punch then scrunched them up and pulled the layers apart to get 2 flowers from each punch flower. After layering them and adding the brad to the centre I scrunched each layer and the spritzed with water. I made sure to layer the flower how I wanted it to dry. The final touch was to add some Vanilla Shimmer spray to make it all sparkly. The flower dried overnight.

Supplies
Stamps: Curly Cute, Wood grain background stamp
Ink: Early Espresso
Paper: Early Espresso, Real Red, Pink Pirouette, Whisper White
Accessories: Early Espresso 1/8" Taffeta ribbon, Fancy Flower punch, Whisper White 5/16" brad, Vanilla Shimmer Smooch Spritz, Top Note die, Petals A Plenty embossing folder, Big Shot

~Amanda

My husband turned 30 this month and to celebrate we are having a party for him this weekend. And of course I just had to make invitations to his big bash. I wanted to make a card he would like, so I asked for his input. He wanted a deer image and of course I hadn't gotten around to ordering a deer set yet, so I just had to place an order!!

Originally I had stamped the whole tree silhouette in Garden Green, but it was ugly! My husband asked if I could make it look like fall/hunting season. So out came the markers. I coloured portions of the leaves with multiple colours. For the grass I started with Pear Pizazz, then added a few swipes of Garden Green and to finish it off I used the thinner tip of the Chocolate Chip marker to create some dimension. The deer was first stamped in Chocolate Chip craft ink and embossed with clear embossing powder.

Supplies
Stamps: Nature Silhouettes, Sincere Salutations
Ink: Chocolate Chip Craft Ink, Chocolate Chip Classic Ink, Stampin' Write markers: Pear Pizazz, Cajun Craze, Old Olive, Peach Parfait, Chocolate Chip
Paper: Whisper White, Crumb Cake, Chocolate Chip, Woodland Walk Designer Series Paper
Accessories: Chocolate Chip grosgrain ribbon (retired), sticky strip, clear embossing powder, new label punch from Holiday Mini Catalogue (coming out September 1, 2010)

~Amanda

This was a interesting card to make! I had a lot of fun making this for my secret sister a few months ago. My personal challenge was to use Pacific Point on a card for her.

Supplies
Stamps: Teeny Tiny Wishes, Sanded background
Ink: Pacific Point, Basic Black
Paper: Pacific Point, Basic Black, Real Red, Whisper White, Crumb Cake
Accessories: Real Red brads, scallop border punch, Real Red grosgrain ribbon, Real Red designer button, glue dot, sticky strip, stampin' dimensionals, round tab punch, brayer, Big Shot, Heart and Bracket bigz die, texturz plates backgrounds 1

~Amanda

I am in love with Autumn Splendor and gold embossing powder! So looking forward to using this stamp set with scrapbook pages and cards. I have been kicking myself for not ordering it when it premiered in the Holiday Mini catalogue last fall, but Stampin' Up! brought it back in the Idea Book and Catalogue. Thank you!

For this card: Each leaf was stamped and embossed onto Whisper White card stock, then Crumb Cake ink was sponged over each leaf since the white stood out too much. To add a little detail along the right side use the mat pack and piercing tool to create the line of dots.

Supplies
Stamps: Curly Cute, Autumn Splendor
Ink: Early Espresso, Versamark, Crumb Cake
Paper: Crumb Cake, Wild Wasabi, Woodland Walk designer series paper, Whisper White
Accessories: Regals Designer buttons (More Mustard), Certainly Celery brads, piercing tool, mat pack, glue dots, embossing buddy, gold embossing powder, heat tool, sponge dauber

~Amanda

I had some time last night to play with some of my new stamping goodies and decided to do a challenge over at Splitcoaststampers: Monday's demonstratable card challenge. Our challenge was to case a card from the Summer Mini Catalogue on page 16A. I also gave myself a little challenge to pick colours for my card only from the Brights Collection. 

To create the tiled look: I started out with a 3" square of white, then stamped the floral image using Black Stazon. This was coloured in using a blender pen and ink, then with a few Stampin' Write markers. The square was cut into four equal parts, dimensionals added to the back and arranged on the card.

Supplies
Stamps: Elements of Style, Thank You Kindly
Ink: Tempting Turquoise, Daffodil Delight, Black Stazon
Paper: Tempting Turquoise, Daffodil Delight, Whisper White
Accessories: Daffodil Delight and Old Olive Markers, blender pen, 1-1/4" Daffodil Delight grosgrain ribbon, 5/8" Old Olive grosgrain ribbon, stamping dimensionals, sticky strip, retired button, decorative label punch (punch available in the upcoming Holiday Mini)

~Amanda

Available in the 2010 - 2011 Idea Book and Catalogue are the new Pearls Jewels Accents. These half-back pearls have adhesive on the back to make them easy to adhere. A great way to add some elegance to any project. I've used them on this card for a quick centre of each flower.

Supplies
Stamps: Watercolour Trio, Teeny Tiny Wishes, Wood Grain background
Ink: Rose Red, Pink Pirouette, River Rock
Paper: Rose Red, Pink Pirouette, Whisper White
Accessories: Whisper White 5/8" satin ribbon, sticky strip, stampin' dimensionals, large oval punch, basic pearls accents, Big Shot and Top Note Die

~Amanda

Schedule your next workshop by August 31, 2010 and earn an additional $35 in FREE Stampin' Up! merchandise when you hold a workshop totaling $450 or more! AND you still earn exclusive hostess only stamp sets and free product! What a great deal!

For example if your workshop totalled $450 you will receive:
- A free Level 1 or Level 2 stamp set of your choice. To see these great hostess only stamp sets see pages 9 to 16 of the new catalog or CLICK HERE to view the 2010-2011 Idea Book and Catalogue online. Or there are hostess sets avaliable in the Summer Mini Catalogue as well.
- Receive $80 in FREE Stampin' Up! product ($45 + $35)
- You invite friends and family to either your home or mine! I will gladly hold the workshop in my home for you!
- Personalized product demonstration and time for all stamping guests to create their own project with supplied materials.

Need more information about being a hostess? Head over here to read all about it!

~Amanda

I first heard about Stampin' Up! from my good friend, Andrea while my husband and I were living in Manitoba. Us girls would scrapbook while our men went hunting and fishing. I was not instantly hooked, to tell you the truth I was a bit put off to add stamping to my scrapbook pages. Over time though I was able to experiment with Andrea's supplies. Now I have a hard time picking my absolute favourites from the current catalogues! In the summer of 2007 we decided it was time to find a local demonstrator to do a workshop for us. It was great! As a stay-at-home wife without a vehicle and living at least 30 minutes from the nearest city becoming a demonstrator would cover a lot of our needs. So I joined in September 2007. Being a demonstrator has created the chance to make money while meeting new friends and sharing my love of crafts!

When my husband lost his job we moved back to Kingston, Ontario to be closer to our families. It certainly was a challenge and heartache to move back but I was able to bring my Stampin' Up! business with me! This job is very flexible, so while I have been busy volunteering in a local Brownie Girl Guide Unit and working a full time job at my family's business I am still able to work as little or as much on growing my Stampin' Up! business. Right now I am working on building and sharing Stampin' Up! with others so that I can quit my full time job and work from home again!

I love these photos I took around the farm in 2005 with the Prairie landscape and big fluffy clouds! My heart aches to go back! Thanks for taking the time to read My Story.

Supplies
Stamps: Circle Circus
Ink: Old Olive
Paper: Old Olive textured 12x12, Basic Grey, Retired Designer Series Paper
Accessories: Old Olive grosgrain ribbon 1/4" and 5/8", Old Olive brads, sticky strip, clips assortment, retired Designer Button, glue dot, stampin' dimensionals

~Amanda

I've been inspired lately to create some wedding cards. Especially since my friend is getting married in only 7 weeks! The card above was my first creation. The stamped image is from my seldom used Fun and Fast Notes stamp set. Did you notice the Daffodil Delight 1-1/4" grosgrain ribbon? I folded it in half on both cards.

Using Cherry Cobbler ink with the big floral image from the stamp set Elements of Style creates a vintage background for Mr. Hummingbird. The design reminds me of old platters and place settings. Both Mr. Hummingbird and the vintage background are popped on stampin' dimensionals to create depth.

Supplies
Stamps: Elements of Style
Ink: Basic Grey, Cherry Cobbler, River Rock
Paper: Basic Grey, Whisper White, River Rock
Accessories: Basic Grey 5/8" satin ribbon, large oval punch, sticky strip, stampin' dimensionals, Big Shot and Top Note bigz die

~Amanda

This card was one of the make 'n takes during the New Catalogue release workshop. If you missed the workshop and would like to host your own or have me run one at my home please drop me a line!

The Greenhouse Gala designer series paper is very striking with it's bold images and bright colours. I really wanted the paper to shine on the card, so instead of covering the designer paper up completely, I layered a piece of Crumb Cake that was cut with the Big Shot and Lattice bigz die.

The flower image was coloured in with stampin' write markers, there is even a little bit of Real Red mixed in with the Pumpkin Pie on the petals. Finish the card with a hint of red and voila, complete!

Supplies
Stamps: Friends Never Fade, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Ink: Basic Black
Paper: Sahara Sand, Pumpkin Pie, Crumb Cake, Whisper White, Greenhouse Gala Designer series paper
Accessories: Real Red, Pumpkin Pie, Pear Pizazz stampin' write markers, Real Red brad, stampin' dimensionals, wide oval punch,word window punch, Big Shot, Two Tags bigz die, Lattice bigz die

~Amanda

What a difference the Vintage Wallpaper textured impressions folders has on the base of this card! Originally I had stamped on the card base with So Saffron ink with another image from Just Believe (I just flipped the card over so the back of this card has the stamped images on it! he he) but the stamped image was not dramatic enough! So it was sandwiched through the Big Shot and voila!

The purple image with flowers was trial and error as well. First I tried Perfect Plum, but that purple was not dark enough for the card and it also had two So Saffron brads in the centres of the flowers. Then it was stamped in Concord Crush without brads, it still did not look right. Lastly I coloured the stamp with Stampin' Write markers to get the best look.

Supplies
Stamps: Just Believe
Ink: Soft Suede, Concord Crush
Paper: Soft Suede, So Saffron, Very Vanilla
Accessories: Concord Crush, Old Olive and So Saffron stampin' write markers, Very Vanilla 5/8" Satin Ribbon, sticky strip, 5/16" Very Vanilla Jumbo brads, mat pack, piercing tool, Big Shot, Vintage Wallpaper textured impressions folder, Top Note Die

~Amanda