Stampin' Up! Reason To Smile Promotion & Exclusive Stamp Set

First, I want to share with you a few cards I made this weekend.   The animals are NOT Stampin' Up!, but are from a foam kit I found at the store.  Each animal had to be assembled.   I created background images with Stampin' Up! stamps and classic inks.  Then I attached these background sheets to card bases made with Stampin' Up! card stock.   These cards plus envelopes will be included in a box we are sending to our military unit in Afghanistan.   We leave the cards blank inside so that they have room to write a note to their family or friend.   Cards for Soldiers Overseas is a big priority.  I have 3 wonderful friends (Joan, Maureen, and Diane) who help me make cards almost every single week throughout the year.   

 Reason to Smile Promotion

 Click here to view pdf file about this promotion.

Dates of Promotion:  July 1 through July 31, 2012 


Customer Order Details:

• Spend $50 on any current Stampin' Up! products to get the exclusive Reason to Smile Set for just $5.
• Orders may be placed on any order type (customer, workshop, or online).
• There is a limit of one (1) set per customer.
• You will be prompted to enter the $5 Item Number for a qualifying purchase.
• The Reason to Smile Set is exclusive to this promotion and will not be available after July 31, 2012.

There are plenty of reasons to smile in July with the Reason to Smile set - only $5 when you spend $50 (before tax & shipping).

This exclusive stamp set is only available during this special offer! It will be available in both wood and clear mount.

Limit one set per customer.

I will have samples using this stamp set to share with you this week.

You may order from my Stampin' Up! website 24/7 by CLICKING HERE, then click on Shop Now or by contacting me directly. My e-mail link is at the top of the screen.

Mary Director
Stampin' Up! Senior Supervisor, Independent Demonstrator & Creative Coach
http://marydirector.stampinup.net
Stampin' Up! -- Discover Your Creativity
(On-line ordering now available thru my website)

Cards for Soldiers Overseas

 It's been a busy past few days for me.  I put my card making into high gear as we have a box of cards that is almost full.  These cards are blank inside and each have an envelope.  We have a US military unit that is currently deployed to Afghanistan that we ship to.  This way they will have cards to send to their friends and families. 

Not all products used this time are from Stampin' Up!.   The card bases, envelopes, stamp sets, and accent card stock are all Stampin' Up! products.  The stickers and die-cuts are from other sources. 

When we send a box of cards, it typically contains 300 cards for many different types of occasions and thinking of you or note cards.

Another thing we do is re-purpose cards ... taking off the card fronts of used cards in good condition, and then making them into new cards.   We have also been fortunate to receive a number of brand new cards with envelopes (like you would buy at the store) to include in our shipments.  There are four of us that get together almost every week.   My heartfelt thanks goes to Maureen, Diane, and Joan for all that they do. 


Well, it's going to be a busy day for me.  I have class prep work to do for Friday.   Hope you all have a great day. 

Just a reminder that tomorrow (the 25th - Wednesday) Stampin' Up! will announce all products that will be retired.   I will post the list as soon as I can.  Remember these products are while supplies last only.  When they are gone, no more will be re-ordered.    You can also view the retired list by going to my website, click on SHOP NOW, then click on Retiring Products.   Stamp sets that are retiring are already listed, but the other products will post on Wednesday.   If you wait too long, you may miss out.

You may order from my Stampin' Up! website 24/7 by CLICKING HERE, then click on Shop Now or by contacting me directly. My e-mail link is at the top of the screen.  

Mary Director
Stampin' Up! Senior Supervisor, Independent Demonstrator & Creative Coach
http://marydirector.stampinup.net
Stampin' Up! -- Discover Your Creativity
(On-line ordering now available thru my website)

Cards For Soldiers Overseas And My Digital Studio Downloads

We have another box of cards all packed and ready to ship to our unit of soldiers in Afghanistan.   We have at least 300 cards with envelopes in the box.   The cards are sent so that the service men and women have cards to send to their families and friends.  While stationed in a war zone, our military does not have to pay postage to mail things home.

I want to give a very, very special thank you to Maureen, Diane, and Joan for all of your help.   You are the BEST !!!  The four of us meet once a week (sometimes more often) to work on these cards.   It is a wonderful sight to see when they arrive with packed cases of card stock, embellishments, adhesive and so much more.  We work on cards up to 6 hours when we get together.  

This box will be in the mail this week!!!!!  We have another box started ... let the card making begin.

CLICK HERE for the latest My Digital Studio Downloads.


You may order from my Stampin' Up! website 24/7 by CLICKING HERE, then click on Shop Now or by contacting me directly. My e-mail link is at the top of the screen.

Mary Director
Stampin' Up! Senior Supervisor, Independent Demonstrator & Creative Coach
http://marydirector.stampinup.net
Stampin' Up! -- Discover Your Creativity
(On-line ordering now available thru my website)

Repurposing Cards and Photos

I was very fortunate last year to receive a beautiful calendar that was created by my cousin, Doug, and his friend, Cathy.   They have been doing a great deal of outdoor living for a couple of years now  Their photos are spectacular to say the least.

Well, the year ended and I couldn't bare to throw the calendar away.   I decided to cut the photos out of the calendar and repurpose them by making them into cards.  The cards will be added to our box of cards for soldiers that will be shipped to a unit in Afghanistan next week.   The cards are blank inside so that the service men and women will have cards to send to their family and friends.

Here are some samples of Doug's and Cathy's photos that I repurposed as cards:

I have added in card stock to shadow plus ribbon, tiny card stock flowers, and pearls to accent many of the photos.   These have been attached to a card base.   Each card is shipped with an envelope.

Why not give repurposing a try too.   Think of photos, calendars, cards and so much more that you could embellish, add to, and change just a bit to create a beautiful brand new card.

You may order from my Stampin' Up! website 24/7 by CLICKING HERE, then click on Shop Now or by contacting me directly. My e-mail link is at the top of the screen.

Mary Director
Stampin' Up! Senior Supervisor, Independent Demonstrator & Creative Coach
http://marydirector.stampinup.net
Stampin' Up! -- Discover Your Creativity
(On-line ordering now available thru my website)

SNEAK PEEK - Take It to Heart Stamp Set & Hearts Collection Framelits

We have been busy making cards for the soldiers over seas in Afghanistan so that they will have these cards to send to family and friends towards the end of next month.   I so appreciated my friends who are helping create these cards.   We get together almost every week.  It's been perfect that Stampin' Up! has so many heart/Valentine related items in the new Occasions Mini Catalog.

The large heart stamped image is from:
Take It To Heart Stamp Set, item #125520 - Wood OR #125522 - Clear

And it was cut out using the Big Shot Die Cutting Machine and our new:
Framelits Dies - Hearts Collection, item #125599

Both of the above items will be available for purchase as of January 4, 2012.

You may order from my Stampin' Up! website 24/7 by CLICKING HERE, then click on Shop Now or by contacting me directly. My e-mail link is at the top of the screen.

Mary Director
Stampin' Up! Senior Supervisor, Independent Demonstrator & Creative Coach
http://marydirector.stampinup.net
Stampin' Up! -- Discover Your Creativity
(On-line ordering now available thru my website)

Valentine Card Sample 1

 Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving.   Ours was very nice.  

The next few days I want to showcase some Valentine cards I've made that were made this last week for Cards for Soldiers Overseas.  The unit that we send to is stationed in Afghanistan.   We make cards for them so that they have cards to send home to friends and family.  I have a wonderful group of ladies that help each week with this project.  I'm extremely grateful to all that they do to help.

Stampin' Up! products used:
You Are Loved Stamp Set, item #123777 - Wood OR Item #127779 - Clear
Full Heart Paper Punch, item #119883
Elegant Lines Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, item #119277
Top Note BigZ Die, item #113463
Stampin' Up! Card Stock & Ink of your choice

You may order from my Stampin' Up! website 24/7 by CLICKING HERE, then click on Shop Now or by contacting me directly. My e-mail link is at the top of the screen.

Mary Director
Stampin' Up! Senior Supervisor, Independent Demonstrator & Creative Coach
http://marydirector.stampinup.net
Stampin' Up! -- Discover Your Creativity
(On-line ordering now available thru my website)

Valentine's Day (Yes, I realize this is early)

(This is a Valentine card I made last year with Stampin' Up! Glimmer Paper.)

Would you believe I've been working on Valentine Cards this week????  It's true.   My wonderful ladies that meet here every Tuesday and I are making Valentine Cards for the soldiers overseas.  The unit we send to is in Afghanistan.   We create cards for them so that they have cards to send home to their friends and families.

Last week we shipped two big boxes of cards (Christmas/Hanukkah/New Years and Misc occasions cards) to them.  So it was time to start on our next holiday and misc cards too.   We made a good dent in the cards this week.  So next week I will showcase the Valentine cards I made that were done with current Stampin' Up! products.

You may order from my Stampin' Up! website 24/7 by CLICKING HERE, then click on Shop Now or by contacting me directly. My e-mail link is at the top of the screen.

Mary Director
Stampin' Up! Senior Supervisor, Independent Demonstrator & Creative Coach
http://marydirector.stampinup.net
Stampin' Up! -- Discover Your Creativity
(On-line ordering now available thru my website)

Cards for Soldiers Overseas

Today a group of us are getting together to make cards for soldiers overseas.  We actually get together weekly.    I have a friend stationed in Afghanistan.  All the cards we make are shipped to her and then she shares with others in her unit that are stationed there.  The cards are blank inside so they can write a letter home to family or friends.  Each card has an envelope, but no postage is needed.  When a soldier is stationed in a war zone, postage is free for them.

Would any of you like to help too?   We can always use more cards for any occasion such as birthday, sympathy, I love you, anniversary, congratulations etc.   We are working on Christmas, Hanukkah, and New Year cards right now too.   Do you have cards/card fronts that you would like to donate?   Contact me via e-mail (link at top of screen) if you are interested.    No glitter allowed on the cards, please.

You may order from my Stampin' Up! website 24/7 by CLICKING HERE, then click on Shop Now or by contacting me directly. My e-mail link is at the top of the screen.

Mary Director
Stampin' Up! Senior Supervisor, Independent Demonstrator & Creative Coach
http://marydirector.stampinup.net
Stampin' Up! -- Discover Your Creativity
(On-line ordering now available thru my website)

Cards for Soldier Overseas Project

We have almost 2 full LARGE priority mail boxes full of cards for all occasions for the unit Afghanistan that we are sending to.   The last few days have been filled with card making, card making, and more card making.   Getting to use a lot of my retired stash items, so am glad of that.  It really helps to cut down on the costs and we still have beautiful cards to send.

I want to thank everyone who has been so great about donating their time, supplies, and cards to this project.   You are all amazing, and I greatly appreciate all that you are doing to help me with this.

You may order from my Stampin' Up! website 24/7 by CLICKING HERE, then click on Shop Now or by contacting me directly. My e-mail link is at the top of the screen.

Mary Director
Stampin' Up! Senior Supervisor, Independent Demonstrator & Creative Coach
http://marydirector.stampinup.net
Stampin' Up! -- Discover Your Creativity
(On-line ordering now available thru my website)

Cards for Soldiers - Cute Animals

Once a week I have a get together here and people who attend make work on their own projects or help make cards for our soldiers overseas.  The cards that we make are blank inside.   We send a card and an envelope so that when the soldier picks the card they want, they have an envelope to go with it.  These cards are sent by the box full, and the soldiers then have them to send to their family and friends.   Currently I have a friend serving overseas.  These cards will go directly to her and her unit.

The little animals are made with foam and are a great addition to a card for a child.   They are NOT Stampin' Up! products, but I used Stampin' Up! TomBow multi-purpose glue and the card itself will be all Stampin' Up! products.

You may order from my Stampin' Up! website 24/7 by CLICKING HERE, then click on Shop Now or by contacting me directly. My e-mail link is at the top of the screen.

Mary Director
Stampin' Up! Senior Supervisor, Independent Demonstrator & Creative Coach
http://marydirector.stampinup.net
Stampin' Up! -- Discover Your Creativity
(On-line ordering now available thru my website)

Cards for Soldiers - Fun Flowers

 These are just a few of the cards I made the other day and have put aside for "Cards for Soldiers" who are overseas.  This gives them cards that they can send to family and friends.  The cards are blank on the inside so there is room for them to write a letter home.

I used the Bigz L Die - Fun Flowers, item #121812 to make all of the flowers with DSP (Designer Series Paper).

You may order from my Stampin' Up! website 24/7 by CLICKING HERE, then click on Shop Now or by contacting me directly. My e-mail link is at the top of the screen.

Mary Director
Stampin' Up! Senior Supervisor, Independent Demonstrator & Creative Coach
http://marydirector.stampinup.net
Stampin' Up! -- Discover Your Creativity
(On-line ordering now available thru my website)

Let's Say Thanks to Our Troops

XEROX IS DOING SOMETHING WONDERFUL

If you go to this web site, www.LetsSayThanks.com   you can pick out a thank you card and Xerox will print it and it will be sent to a soldier that is currently serving in Iraq. You can't pick out who gets it, but it will go to a member of the armed services.

How AMAZING it would be if we could get everyone we know to send one!!!    It is FREE and it only takes a second.

Wouldn't it be wonderful if the soldiers received a bunch of these?    Whether you are for or against the war, our soldiers over there need to know we are behind them.

This takes just 10 seconds and it's a wonderful way to say thank you.    Please take the time and please take the time to pass it on for others to do.  We can never say enough thank you's. 

Thanks for taking to time to support our military!

This link will take you to the page of all of the designs:  
http://www.letssaythanks.com/AllDesigns.aspx 

You can send as many as you would like each day.  

You may order from my Stampin' Up! website 24/7 by CLICKING HERE, then click on Shop Now or by contacting me directly. My e-mail link is at the top of the screen.

Mary Director
Stampin' Up! Senior Supervisor, Independent Demonstrator & Creative Coach
http://marydirector.stampinup.net
Stampin' Up! -- Discover Your Creativity
(On-line ordering now available thru my website)

Vintage Vogue Meets Smooch Spritz

It is always so much fun when we premiere a new catalog. Our new Summer Mini runs from yesterday (May 1, 2010) thru August 31, 2010. If you would like to view the catalog on-line, CLICK HERE to view the pdf file.

Vintage Vogue Stamp Set is still available, use item #117690 - Wood Mount OR item #118598 - Clear Mount. I stamped out the flower and "F" Friends images and then cut them with our paper snips. Did you notice the brads in the center of the flowers? They are perfect to layer the flowers and create a center for them. The brads are:

Jumbo Brads .. 5/16" Neutrals, item #112534 ... $7.95
80 brads (20 each of 4 colors)
Chocolate Chip, Silver, Very Vanilla, and Whisper White

The speckles on the card stock was created by using a brand new product in our Summer Mini called Smooch Spritz. It is a liquid that your spray on, let dry, and then create your card or scrapbook page. It is NOT for use by children and should not come into contact with skin or eyes. Also if you are doing "Cards for Soldiers", this product in my opinion should not be used as the dry sparkle effect "may" come off on hands when handled.

Here are some tips from Stampin' Up! on how to use the Smooch Spritz:

To help you get the best results with Smooch Spritz, please follow these suggestions:

• Before each use, shake vigorously until the particles are fully mixed. The sprayer can become clogged if particles get sucked up into the tube.
• Spray in the direction of the arrow on the nozzle top. For best results, spray six to ten inches from your project. For a heavier application of color, spray closer to the project.
• The Smooch Spritz bottles are made of glass. When you demonstrate this product, place the bottles on a towel or cloth to prevent them from rolling and possibly breaking.
• If the ink dries outside of the nozzle, remove the nozzle and submerge it in a household cleaner (such as Windex or 409) for 20 minutes. Rinse, replace the nozzle, shake well, and spray.

It is also recommended that you place the item to be sprayed in an upright position (lean it against the back wall of the color catcher) and that you hold the spritz bottle straight up and down when you spray too.


This is a close-up of my card showing some of the shimmery effect of the Smooch Spritz. I used Gold Glow and Silver Foil. Here is the information on the 4 colors available:

Smooch Spritz:
Gold Glow, item #118770 ... $4.95
Silver Foil, item #118771 ... $4.95
Vanilla Shimmer, item #118772 ... $4.95
Log Cabin, item #119921 ... $4.95

Color Catcher: (love this for Shimmer Mist, Smooch Mist, any spraying/misting job)
This useful Color Catcher portects your work area from ink overspray when using our Smooch Spritz or Color Spritzer Tool. Made from corrugated cardboard. It is easy to assemble, compact, and portable. 1 per package. Dimensions once open: 10" x 10" x 10". Item #121093 ... $5.95

Hope you enjoyed today's Monday Inspiration, and that it will inspire you to try something new.

Mary
http://marydirector.stampinup.net/
Stampin' Up! -- Discover Your Creativity
(On-line ordering now available thru my website)

In Remembrance of September 11, 2001

Mary
http://marydirector.stampinup.net/
Stampin' Up! -- Discover Your Creativity
(On-line ordering now available thru my website)

Don't Miss Out on the Chance to Win a $200+ Gift Package:
http://kreateskards.blogspot.com/2009/09/chance-to-win-gift-package-worth-over.html

Cards for Soldiers - Please read

I was very touched to receive this comment on my blog today with regards to "Cards for Soldiers". Our service men and women do so much to help protect us and our freedoms, and I have been honored to help make cards for them to send home to their families and friends. The following is being posted with permission from Courtney.

Hello - I came across your website while searching for inspirational quotes. I am a Family Readiness Group Leader for the 502nd MRBC Engineer Company from Ft Knox, KY. Our Soldiers, inlcuding my husband, are deploying very very very soon. I looked around your site and found your challenge for cards for the Soldiers to mail home. I just wanted to let you know what an amazing gift you are providing to our nations troops. It is so refreshing to see the wonderful things people come up with to support our Soldiers serving overseas and their families back home. Thank you very much.

Courtney
Champagne3champagnes@gmail.com

I hope many more of you reading this, will decide to help with the Cards for Soldiers each month. Here's the link for our current challenge:

http://www.cricut.com/messageboard/tm.aspx?m=5114015&mpage=1

Think how much even one card could mean to one of our soldiers and to his family who receives it.

Mary
http://marydirector.stampinup.net/
Stampin' Up! -- Discover Your Creativity
(On-line ordering now available thru my website)

You Can Make a Difference - Cards for Soldiers

"Cynthia gave me permission to repost her post from the Cricut Message Board here today". You know how strongly I support the cards for soldiers challenges and I thought her post was perfect for my blog .....

You can make a difference, every single day
You can make a difference, with everything you say
You can make a difference, to that stranger on the street
You can make a difference, with everyone you meet
You can make a difference, by holding someone's hand
You can make a difference, by taking a stand
You can make a difference, to someone who is sad
You can make a difference, and instead make someone glad
You can make a difference, and make someone smile
You can make a difference, by making it last a while
You can make a difference, by making someone laugh
You can make a difference, and help them forget the past
You can make a difference, stop being greedy
You can make a difference, and help those who are needy
You can make a difference, by helping a friend
You can make a difference, and be there 'til the end
You can make a difference, to those who are near and far
You can make a difference, no matter who you are
You can make a difference, just being YOU
You can make a difference, with the simple things you do.

By: Cynthia J. Bader (Edited to add that this is NOT written by me. It is another Cynthia)

How about making a difference in the lives of the soldiers who protect you every single day by SERVING you. Make some cards and see if it doesn't make you feel good just doing something special for others! WE NEED YOU AT CARDS FOR SOLDIERS! Please sign up today!!!!

http://www.cricut.com/messageboard/tm.aspx?m=5114015&mpage=1

Mary
http://marydirector.stampinup.net/
Stampin' Up! -- Discover Your Creativity
(On-line ordering now available thru my website)

"I Love You" cards - Cards for Soldiers

The Cards for Soldiers group included "I Love You" cards as part of our challenge this month. So here are just a few of my creations that will be donated.

I used a rolling marble technique (yes, I promise a tutorial very, very soon) to create the accents paper that I did using Chocolate Chip and Pixie Pink classic inks on white glossy paper.

Solid paper is Stampin' Up! Pixie Pink. I sponged the edges with Chocolate Chip classic ink and then hand wrote the I Love You! using a Chocolate Chip Stampin' Write marker.

Don't you just love the marble effect on the glossy paper. It is so easy to do and can be used for so many things: accent paper, butterflies, flowers to just name a few.

I took the marble paper and punch it out using the Stampin' Up! Scallop Paper Punch, then cut them like I did in the sunflower tutorial. Gives the flowers shape and dimension.

Mary
http://marydirector.stampinup.net/
Stampin' Up! -- Discover Your Creativity
(On-line ordering now available thru my website)

Cards for Soldiers - Won't you help?

A brand new challenge has been posted for "Cards for Soldiers" on the Cricut Message Boards. I'm hoping some of you will decide to sign up to help too. These cards are ones they can send to their family and friends and because they are deployed they do not pay for postage. Here's the link to all of the information:

http://www.cricut.com/messageboard/tm.aspx?m=4994207

And here's a bit more information too:

"Make cards in any way that you want. All 15 different, all 15 the same, or a mix of both. Just leave the inside blank to give the soldiers room to write home in please and include an envelope. NO stamp necessary, (soldiers get free mail when deployed.)

When you sign up you will sign up for how many you want to do 15,30,45,100. You will also tell us what time zone you are in. The time zone will tell us to whom you will ship your cards to at the end of the challenge. That shipper will then compile all the cards and send them to units on the ground in Iraq and Afghanistan & Navy ships. Each time zone is assigned 2 or more units to ship to (a unit is 120-160 soldiers/sailors). "

Mary
http://marydirector.stampinup.net/
Stampin' Up! -- Discover Your Creativity
(On-line ordering now available thru my website)

Cards for Soldiers - Inspiration

A new challenge has been posted for the "Cards for Soldiers", I hope many of you will decide to help. The cards go to our soldiers overseas so that they may have cards to send their family and friends. The cards may be simple or fancy with a blank inside so that they have room to write letters home. Here's the link to explain more about it:

http://www.cricut.com/messageboard/tm.aspx?m=4865687

The cards below used:
Rich Razzleberry (new In Color)
Dusty Durango (new In Color)
Cushed Curry (new In Color)
Stamp Set Nature's Nest (item #113826)

This is one of my favorite cards. I absolutely love the feather !!!! I added color with color pencils.

The turtle may be slow, but he is quick on getting his message across. I added in a bit of ribbon for accent (Organza Ribbon, item #114319).

Using chocolate chip classic ink I buffed (using a small felt sqaure) the edges. Really adds to the card I think. The Skateboarder is part of a new set of single stamps we have: Extreme Skateboard (item #115179), Extreme Snowboard (item #115177), Extreme Surfboard (item #115173), Extreme Guitar (item #115328), and Extreme Dirt Bike (item 115175) are the ones available. They are all silhouettes.

Every time I see the ocean, a shell, or a starfish I think of my family and all the wonderful times we spent at the beach. I hope this will touch someone's heart the same way when they see it.

A dear friend LOVES dragonflies and this made me think of her and smile. Added in the scallop edges to the dragonfly paper by using the Eyelet Border Punch (item #113692).

This one didn't show up as well as I hoped with the camera. I added color to the nest and eggs with color pencils. The little bird in the right corner is from: Of the Earth (hostess set). This card has soft suede (new In Color) has the accent piece of cardstock.

The new In Colors are fabulous. There are inks, refills, paper, markers, and ribbon all that match and coordinate with each other. LOVE IT.

Mary
http://marydirector.stampinup.net/
Stampin' Up! -- Discover Your Creativity
(On-line ordering now available thru my website)

Thank You & Cards For Soldiers

First I would like to THANK YOU all for your support and comments on my blog. It has really touched my heart that so many have come to my blog and found it helpful in their card making and scrapbooking. My passion in life, as I've said before, is my card making. I get so much joy out of being creative. The added bonus is that now I can share my creations with all of you via my blog.

One of my favorite projects is to make "Cards for Soldiers" who are overseas. I have been a participant now for months and hope that many of you will join in too. Our soldiers overseas need cards (blank inside) that they can send to family and friends. Imagine the joy on a child's face when they get a card from their mom or dad who is so far away or on a loved one's face when they receive their card from their soldier says "Thinking of You". It is such a good cause, won't you help???? Here's the link with all of the details:

http://www.cricut.com/messageboard/tm.aspx?m=4754220&mpage=1

Mary
http://marydirector.stampinup.net/
Stampin' Up! -- Discover Your Creativity
(On-line ordering now available thru my website)