Birthday Invitations for a 1 year old girl :)

Recently I received a request through Belly Laughs to make birthday invitations for a little girl's first birthday. Her mom wanted a 'girly' invitation with pink, purples and butterflies. Her birthday isn't until January, and I was planning on ordering "Flight of the Butterfly" so I waited until I got it to complete it. Here's what I came up with - I'm very happy with it and certainly hope that the little girl's mom is too! A quick laundry list of supplies used:

Stamp Sets - Fight of the Butterfly, Family Phrases, Grand Soiree
Cardstock - So Saffron, Perfect Plum
Ink - Perfect Plum, Pretty in Pink, VersaMark
Accessories - Stamp-a-ma-jig (necessary for 2-step stampin' with this set), Silver Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Large Oval Punch, 1" Circle Punch

The Sizzix Big Shot is Coming!

Exciting news everyone! Stampin' Up! has partnered with Sizzix and will be selling the Sizzix Big Shot Manual Die Cutting Machine starting on September 2! Cut through several layers of cardstock, thin fabric, felt, leather and even thin craft metal sheets! This is a non-electric machine so it's super portable, not electrical outlets needed!


Although I really wanted it, my business couldn't really afford it... Until DH told me he'd get it for me as an early 30th Birthday gift (my Birthday is in November). Did I tell you how wonderful my husband is? Well, at this moment, lol! So, my wonderful UPS guy will be bringing me my Big Shot THIS Thursday!!! Stampin' Up! has some exclusive dies for the Big Shot, as well as existing Sizzix dies. We currently have a great Starter Package that comes with EVERYTHING you need to get started, including dies and various cutting mats! See more info in the Stampin' Up! Big Shot Brochure.

Want to try the Big Shot out? Join me on World Cardmaking Day, October 4th, from 3-5 PM to make a card using the Big Shot Die Cutting System. This is a free event and more details will come!

This week I also received all my goodies that I ordered from the new catalogue! New ribbon, new stamp sets, new Designer Series Paper! Love it ALL! I'm posting a few pics of cards I've made with the new sets and the Parisian Summer DP. I wish I had time to make more... all in time I suppose :) Here are some pics, for the two Christmas cards I did two similar cards but with different techniques :)

'Flight of the Butterfly' and 'Heard from the Heart' Stamp sets, So Saffron Cardstock with Parisian Summer DP. This is a 2-step stampin' set and Stamp-a-ma-jig is VERY recommended to get a good result - you can see how similar in size the two butterfly stamps are and how important good alignment is. Of course there's some silver embossing too ;)


'Heritage Holiday' Stamp Set (2nd card also uses 'Many Merry Messages' set), Real Red Cardstock, DP from Level III Hostess Bundle (includes 4 stamps, DP and Rub-ons), Silver and Clear Rhinestone Brads, Kiwi Kiss/Very Vanilla Satin Ribbon on 1st card and Chocolate Chip Taffeta on 2nd card, Silver Embossing


Finally, the 'Snow Swirled' Stamp Set (by far my favorite), Baja Breeze and Kiwi Kiss/Ridinghood Red cardstock, Rhinestone Brads, Chunky Essentials Glitter, Versamark, Silver Embossing


That's it for today - keep letting stamps bring out your creativity!

Christmas 2008 Stamp-a-Stacks!

Hi everyone... I know it's only August but we've got to start thinking about Christmas!

Have you always wanted to make your own Christmas cards but have no idea where to start? Come to one of my Christmas 2008 Stamp-a-Stacks and make 12 or 20 beautiful cards using 4 different stamp sets – without having to buy 4 stamp sets! Everything is ready for you and all you have to do is have fun! How does it work?

1 – Pick a Stamp-a-Stack date below and register. Space is limited so register early! You will make and take 12 or 20 cards with envelopes. Cost of 12 card workshop is $18, cost of 20 card workshop is $25.

*September 28, 9 AM -12 PM, 20 card workshop
*October 10, 7-9 PM, 12 card workshop
*November 8, 2-5 PM, 20 card workshop
*November 8, 7-9 PM, 12 card workshop

*Please note: All workshops are prepaid. You must book two weeks in advance to ensure supplies are delivered in time for the workshop. All supplies will be available during the workshop. The cards pictured are samples of the type of cards we may make – these may not be the exact cards made at the Stamp-a-Stack.

2 – Come to my house on the chosen date with your favorite adhesive and scissors and make your cards.

*All cards are pre-cut and include ribbon, embellishments and use of ink pads, allowing you to make and take. To make additional cards you will be able to purchase supplies during the workshop. Please allow 2 weeks for delivery.

3 – Relax, enjoy yourself and when you’re done, you’ll have 12 or 20 handmade Christmas cards! It doesn’t get much better than that!

Do you have a few friends with whom you’d like to do a Christmas Stamp-a-Stack? Contact me at monkeypapercrafts@gmail.com about a private workshop for you and your friends! This would also make a great Mother-Daughter workshop or workshop for your kids 8 and older! As a Stamp-a-Stack workshop hostess, receive a FREE gift from me, in addition to the wonderful Stampin’ Up! Hostess Benefits.

Open House Success and Retired Stamp Sets for Sale

Hi all! As usual it's been a while ;) I'd just much rather be stamping than blogging, lol! I just wanted to thank everyone for making my open house yesterday such a success! I think everyone is loving the new cattie as much as me. So many pretty things, so little time :) With the new catalog, I also have some retired stamp sets for sale. Hostess sets as well as stamp sets out of the catalog. The great thing about the hostess sets is that you couldn't purchase these before, so now is your chance to buy them! Take a look and let me know if you see something you like - monkeypapercrafts@gmail.com :) (Click on the photos to make them larger)

A Little Bit of Happiness Hostess Set - $15 - New and Unmounted











Birthday Whimsy 2008 Sale-a-bration Set - $10 - New and Unmounted











Birthday Whimsy 2008 Sale-a-Bration Set - $7 - Mounted, in excellent condition















Lots of Thoughts 2008 Sale-a-Bration Set - $10 - Mounted, in excellent condition











Much Appreciated - $10 - Mounted in excellent condition, minor staining on one wood block















Tat's all for now! Stay tuned for information my Christmas Stamp-a-Stacks - Make your Christmas cards with MY stamp sets - more variety for less money! Make 12 cards for $18 or 20 cards for only $25!!! Please e-mail me for more info.

Keep letting stamps bring out your creativity :)

Monica

It's Here and It's GREAT!!!

Woohoo!!! The new catalogue is UP! View it at this link here: http://www.stampinup.com/ca/documents/ca_fw_2008_sm.pdf

With the new catalogue come some AWESOME promotions! First the Never Before Seen Stamp Sets deal! From August 11-September 30, enjoy a 15% discount on select brand-new, die-cut stamp sets from the Fall-Winter 2008 Idea Book & Catalogue--no additional purchase necessary! More can be found below or at this link: http://www.stampinup.com/ca/images/Never_Before_Seen_CA.pdf

Item #	Page #	Description	Reular Price	Promotional Price
111690	32	Snow Swirled	$29.95	$25.46
111734	32	Folies de flocons (French Snow Swirled)	$29.95	$25.46
111586	55	It's a Stretch	$28.95	$24.61
111544	81	Putt Putt	$29.95	$25.46
111626	91	Eastern Blooms	$25.95	$22.06
111672	98	Pocket Silhouettes	$22.95	$19.51
111726	98	Silhouettes florales (French Pocket Silhouettes)	$22.95	$19.51
111710	101	Upsy Daisy	$22.95	$19.51
111746	101	Pensées en fleurs (French Upsy Daisy)	$22.95	$19.51
111556	109	Under the Stars	$35.95	$30.56
111644	145	Heard from the Heart	$26.95	$22.91
112875	145	Tout droit du coeur (French Heard from the Heart)	$26.95	$22.91
111570	157	Contempo Alphabet	$48.95	$22.91

Secondly, we have the AWESOME $119 Starter Kit promotion! Have you been thinking of joining SU! but you have so much stuff already that you don't want to buy the Standard Starter Kit? From August 11 through October 11, you can choose from three different Starter Kits* with three different focuses, depending on your interests!

Stamp-Focused Starter Kit

Fun & Fast Notes stamp set	p. 67
Whisper White card stock (8-1/2" x 11")	p. 163
Bold Brights card stock assortment (8-1/2" x 11")	p. 164
Basic Black Classic Stampin' Pad	p. 163
SNAIL Adhesive	p. 191

Scrapbook-Focused Starter Kit

Contempo Alphabet stamp set	p. 157
Simply Scrappin' Petal Party	p. 175
Pixie Pink Classic Stampin' Pad	p. 164

Home Décor-Focused Starter Kit

Inspired by Nature stamp set	p. 100
Décor Elements Chocolate Classic Ff	See Décor Elements brochure
Décor Elements Medium Chocolate Long Stem Silhouettes	See Décor Elements brochure
Décor Elements Applicator	See Décor Elements brochure
Kiwi Kiss Classic Stampin' Pad	p. 162

*Each kit also includes the same business supplies that are found in the standard Starter Kit (the Home Décor-Focused Starter Kit also includes 25 Décor Elements brochures). While all items in the Starter Kits are recommended, a new demonstrator may substitute a like item of equal or lesser value.

If you want even more product, select our standard $249 Starter Kit during this promotion and get a stamp set of your choice from the catalogue for free--up to a $49.95 value!

Enjoy browsing the new catalogue and don't forget to RSVP soon for my August 17th Open House!

Let these NEW stamps bring out your creativity :)

Monica