Sponging on the Color

Solid image stamps are perfect for sponging. The stamp set used above (Inspired by Nature) is a perfect example! Ink up your stamp with the lightest color ink. Then using Sponge Daubers; pick up the darker color(s) and ink over the top. Be careful to use colors that will layer nicely together or you will end up with funky colors.

The color combos above work very well together. Bashful Blue and Old Olive, Barely Banana and Pumpkin Pie, Pirouette Pink and Riding Hood Red, Lavender Lace and Close to Cocoa.

Eastern Blooms

I copied this card from Jackie Wright. Love the color combination!...Apricot Appeal, Tangerine Tango, and Old Olive. Eastern Blooms is one of the fabulous stamp sets in the new catalog. I have plans for this set, so check back for more samples.

Notecard Purse Class

This purse is so cute paired up with monogrammed cards. Easy to duplicate and perfect for gift giving...the Holidays are right around the corner! Come learn to make this set (purse and 6 cards) on August 24th. Color selection will be available. Check my calendar of events for more details.

Join Us!

Have you ever wondered what being a demonstrator is like? Well I'm here to tell you that it's more fun than being a customer! Be my guest to a demonstrator event to get a taste of what it's like. Check my calendar for upcoming demonstrator events.

Stampin' Up! is having a super promotion through October 11th that you won't want to pass up!
You can get more information on becoming a demonstrator through my demonstrator website (deenboos.stampinup.net). Signing up is easy too! Send me an email and I'll give you my password to complete the process online.

***Buy the $199 starter kit and receive a free stamp set from the catalog.
***Or you can get started for only $99 with the choice of three starter kits:

Stamp-Focused Starter Kit:

109515 Fun & Fast Notes stamp set $30.95
105548 Bold Brights card stock assortment (8-1/2" x 11") $7.95
101179 Basic Black Classic Stampin' Pad $5.25
104332 SNAIL Adhesive $6.95
100730 Whisper White card stock (8-1/2" x 11") $7.50
Plus Business Supplies (some substitutions can be made)

Scrapbook-Focused Starter Kit

111570 Contempo Alphabet stamp set $40.95
113059 Simply Scrappin' Petal Party $19.95
105212 Pixie Pink Classic Stampin' Pad $5.25
Plus Business Supplies (some substitutions can be made)

Home Decor-Focused Starter Kit

111656 Inspired by Nature stamp set $23.95
114088 Décor Elements Chocolate Classic Ff $3.95
114126 Décor Elements Medium Chocolate Long Stem Silhouettes $17.95
114285 Décor Elements Applicator $1.95
111835 Kiwi Kiss Classic Stampin' Pad $5.25
Plus Business Supplies (some substitutions can be made)

Inspired By Nature

This new stamp set 'Inspired by Nature' is absolutely beautiful and will be available for purchase on Monday! I'm really impressed with Stampin' Up!'s new catalog and I can't wait to show it to you. Contact me if you would like a copy of the new Fall/Winter catalog or come join me for the New Catalog Open House this Saturday in Cary. For more information on the Open House email me.

Flower Fusion

I was playing with Pun Fun and Flower Fusion and came up with this cute card. Colors are Certainly Celery, Old Olive, and Pumkin Pie. I used the Scallop Punch from the upcoming catalog to scallop the edges of the Designer Paper. Super simple!

Made By My Son

My DS spent an evening with me in my stamp room. He made this card that he titled 'Twister". It took him a long time to cut the circles with the Coluzzle and assemble them with a brad so they can rotate. All the colors were sponged on the background to match the circles. We had such a fun night together!

Just Announced!

Stampin' Up! has partnered with Sizzix and will be offering the Big Shot as well as exclusive dies. The Big Shot is a lightweight manual die cut machine that also does embossing. It can cut through many different materials including chipboard, plastics, and fabrics (including leather!). It is compatible with dies made by other companies too! The Big Shot will be available to customers September 1st. Please contact me if you have any questions.

Convention Highlights

Unfortunately I couldn't make it to Stampin' Up!s convention this year. Fortunately Stampin' Up! still keeps us informed on exciting announcements. Here is an overview of what has been announced so far:

• Stampin' Up! will be offering online ordering sometime this fall!
• Shelli Gardner (Co-Founder and CEO) will be starting a blog on August 4th.

You can visit SoShelli.com to find all sorts of things, from gift ideas and project ideas to a personal look at Shelli's family activities and fun happenings, both at home and at the home office. One element of SoShelli.com that will be sure to catch your attention is Shelli's creative challenge! She will announce each challenge on her blog and invite visitors (not just demonstrators) to submit their project ideas. The winners will be announced on her blog as well.
Shelli said, "I'm hoping in this way to recognize the creative side of both our demonstrators and customers much more frequently and in a very accessible way."

• New Decor Elements will soon be available: new images and colors!
• All new stamp sets in the Fall/Winter 2008 catalog will be die cut!

Stay tuned for more updates!