New Downloads for My Digital Studio

Have you used My Digital Studio recently? I have been hard at work using MDS to digitally scrapbook Sybella's first year. I have three more weeks to scrapbook before it's done (she turns 1 on Valentine's day). I'm hoping to share some of my pages with you when I'm done with the book.

Today, Stampin Up! released several new items that you can download and use for your MDS projects. Check them out and then head on over to my website to purchase My Digital Studio or these awesome downloads.

Item	Description	Image	Price	Content
124030	Tempting Turquoise Patterns Designer Series Paper		$1.95	Four Tempting Turquoise Designer Series Paper Patterns
124031	Old Olive Patterns Designer Series Paper		$1.95	Four Old Olive Designer Series Paper Patterns
124033	Pretty in Pink Patterns Designer Series Paper		$1.95	Four Pretty in Pink Designer Series Paper Patterns
124022	Sweet Stitches Designer Buttons		$2.95	Three button styles in Tangerine Tango, Melon Mambo, Chocolate Chip, and Daffodil Delight. Total of 12 buttons.
124028	Pattern Pieces Stamp Brush		$1.95	One oversized fabric pattern. Coordinates with the "Oh Sew Suite" product line.
124018	Blossom Petals Punch		$0.95	Four-piece stamp brush set and one 5" x 7" greeting card designer template.
124019	Build a Blossom Stamp Brush Set		$5.95	Twelve-piece stamp brush set. Coordinates with the digital Blossom Petals Punch.
124027	Eat Chocolate Stamp Brush Set		$3.95	Four-piece stamp brush set.
125161	Top 10 Photo Book Template		$14.95	This 24-page designer template (11" x 8-1/2") was used to make the My Digital Studio Professional Print Product Sampler, demonstrator supply item #124261.
125162	2011 Pennant Desktop Calendar		$14.95	This 25-page calendar template (5-1/2" x 6-1/2" calendar with easel) was used to make the My Digital Studio Professional Print Product Sampler, demonstrator supply item #124261.
125623	Baja Breeze Flower Bouquet Birth Announcement		$1.95	Double-sided baby boy announcement postcard designer template. Colors are Baja Breeze, Kiwi Kiss, and Basic Gray.
125163	Regal Rose Flower Bouquet Birth Announcement		$1.95	Double-sided baby girl announcement postcard designer template. Colors are Regal Rose, Kiwi Kiss, and So Saffron. This template was used to make the My Digital Studio Professional Print Product Sampler, demonstrator supply item #124261.
125164	Play Date Invitation Designer Template		$1.95	Birthday greeting card invitation template. Front and inside of card are pre-designed. Template includes nine embellishment pieces and was used to make the My Digital Studio Professional Print Product Sampler, demonstrator supply item #124261.
125165	Snowflake Flurry Holiday Trifold Card Designer Template		$1.95	This 4" x 9-1/4" trifold card designer template was used to make the My Digital Studio Professional Print Product Sampler, demonstrator supply item #124261.
124542	Chat Room Rock Star Stamp Brush Set		$5.95	Ten-piece stamp brush set.
124543	Chat Room Friend Stamp Brush Set		$5.95	Ten-piece stamp brush set.
124486	Chat Room Baby Stamp Brush Set		$5.95	Ten-piece stamp brush set.

Enjoy!
~Cita

Missing Christmas Already

I loved this past holiday season, and I'm kind of sad that is over; it went by too fast! I'm also kind of in denial that we are not in the holiday season anymore. I'm still jamming out to my Glee Christmas album.

I made quite a few Christmas cards this past year and was unable to share all of them on my blog. Not wanting them to be forgotten, I decided to post them anyways ( I know, I know. Christmas is over :( ). I hope you enjoy them anyway, and maybe they will be an inspiration for next year.

I was really proud of this card. I thought it was simple, but it turns out that my lovely stamp-a-stack attendees showed me that it was the most time-consuming card that I have designed in a while.

This card was CASEd from a fellow demonstrator that I found on Stampin' Connection (a benefit of being a Stampin' Up! demonstrator).  Even though the Northern Flurry Textured Embossing folder was featured in the now expired Holiday Mini, it is a carryover item and is still available for purchase (120902, $7.95 US). 

This card is another one that I CASEd and offered it at my stamp-a-stack in November. I love the new Rhinestones. They are the perfect touch to this card.

In October, I held a gift card holder class where we made two different Christmas gift card holders. This was the first holder we made.

And here is the second gift card holder. This one was my favorites. I love the Baja Blue and Chocolate Chip color combo.

Hope you enjoy my throwback to Christmas. You know, it's never to early to start preparing! :)
  
~Cita

Hello Occasions Mini Catalog

Were you a little sad that yesterday was the last day to order from the Holiday Mini Catalog? Probably not since today the Occasions Mini Catalog is available! It’s here and it’s online for your viewing pleasure! Click here to look at all the awesome products and new stamp sets feature in the mini, and then head on over to my website to make your purchase. The Occasions Mini Catalog will be available until April 30, 2011. Stay tuned for my Occasions Mini Catalog List of Awesomeness. Enjoy the new catalog!  

~Cita

Last Day to Order from the Holiday Mini Catalog

It's been a great catalog, but today we must say goodbye to the Holiday Mini Catalog. You have until 11:50 pm (MT) to place your order. Remember, not all products in the mini catalogs carryover, so this may be your last chance to get that awesome stamp set you fell in love with earlier. Shoot me an email if you have any questions or head on over to my website to make your last minute purchases.

Happy Stamping! 
~Cita

Tags on Cards

Of all my Christmas stamp sets, I think I have used the Tags ‘til Christmas stamp set the most this year. The number one reason is to make Christmas tags for presents, but I’ve also have been using the images for cards, such as I did in this card. I used my favorite image from the set – the Dec. 25 image that can be easily punched out with the Decorative Label punch. What’s neat about this card too, is that you could easily switch out the Dec. 25 image for another image in the Tags ‘til Christmas set and create a variety of cards with the same layout.

Stampin’ Cita’s Tips

•  Colors used: Cherry Cobbler, Old Olive, and Very Vanilla
•  Stamp sets: Tags til Christmas and Four the Holidays
• Accessories and Tools: Decorative Label punch, Scallop Oval punch, Scallop Trim Border punch, Stampin’ Dimensionals, and Jolly Holiday DSP
• Use a 1” wide strip of Old Olive to punch the Scallop Border on. I like using 1” wide strips when I use the border punches to have a bit of leverage when punching the cardstock. The great thing about positioning the border above the DSP is that I can adhere it BEHIND the DSP and position it better.
• Stamp the Dec.25 in Cherry Cobbler on Very Vanilla cardstock and then punch the image out using the Decorative Label punch. Stamp the Dec. 25 image again on Very Vanilla cardstock using Old Olive this time. Punch out the middle of the image using the Scallop Oval punch. Adhere this oval on the Cherry Cobbler image using a Stampin’ Dimensional.
• Stamp the “Merry Christmas” sentiment (or any of the other sentiments in the Four the Holidays stamp set) with Chocolate Chip classic ink.

Hope your preparations for Christmas are going great! Merry Christmas and God Bless!

~Cita

Happy Holidays with Markers

I don’t know why it took me so long to purchase the Big on Christmas stamp set because it has been one of my favorite sets for a few years now. The reason I like it so much is that it’s perfect to use when I want to color with markers, which is exactly what I did in this simple card.

Stampin’ Cita’s Tips:

• Colors used: Old Olive and Read Red
• Stamp set: Big on Christmas
• Accessories: Real Red and Old Olive Stampin’ Write Markers, Old Olive 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon, Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Embossing Folder Die
• Card base is 4.25” x 5.5” Old Olive cardstock
• Stamp the “Happy Holiday” sentiment on Whisper White with Chocolate Chip. Use the Real Red Stampin’ Write marker to color the letters in the word “Happy.”
•  Stamp the “Happy Holiday” sentiment again. Color the Christmas Tree and then cut out the tree. Use a Stampin’ Dimensional to adhere the cutout tree over the tree on the first stamped image.
• Emboss the Real Red cardstock with Dots by using the Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Embossing Folder Die with your Big Shot.
• Tie a knot in the Old Olive grosgrain ribbon and then wrap the ribbon around your Real Red piece. You can adhere the ribbon to the back of the cardstock by using Scotch tape. Tying a knot is so much easier than trying to tie a perfect bow, in my opinion

 Happy Stampin!
~Cita

Filled with Love

Ok, let’s take a break from Christmas and talk about Valentine’s day! (Which became one of my favorite days last year because that was the day I had my sweet baby girl, Sybella)

From December 17,2010 – January 24, 2010, Stampin Up! is offering a FREE package of Bitty Buttons (a $4.95 value) when you purchase an exclusive Filled with Love Bundle, which includes the Filled with Love stamp set and the Love Patterns designers series paper pack (exclusive for this promotion).

Filled with Love Details:

• You must use the promotional bundle item number to receive the free buttons
• Already have the Filled with Love stamp set and just want the paper? You can purchase the exclusive Love Patterns Designer Series Paper Pack alone for $9.95 (item 124156). Free Bitty Buttons are not included with the purchase of only the paper pack.
•  The Filled with Love Bundles include the Filled with Love stamp set from the 2010 Holiday Mini Catalog (pg. 43). Although the Holiday Mini sales period ends January 3, 2011, this stamp set will continue to be available for purchase through January 24, 2011.
• Promotion ends Monday, January 24, 2011.
• Filled with Love Promotion Items:

o   Filed with Love Bundle contains the Filed with Love Set and Love Patterns Designer Series Paper Pack (Wood-mount 124380, $32.90; Clear-mount 124381, $26.90)

o   Lleno de Amor Bundle contains the Lleno de Amor Set and Love Patterns Designer Series Paper Pack (Wood-mount 124382, $32.90; Clear-mount 124385, $26.90)

o   Plein d'amour Bundle contains the Plein d'amour Set* and Love Patterns Designer Series Paper Pack (Wood-mount 124384, $32.90; Clear-mount 124385, $26.90)

o   Love Patterns Designer Series Paper Pack (non-bundled) 12 sheets total: three 12" x 12" sheets of two double-sided designs in Real Red and Pretty in Pink (124156, $9.95)

Head on over to my website to purchase this awesome deal, and get a head start on your Valentines.

~Cita

Fun & Fast Merriness

When I became a demonstrator I was super excited about the Demonstrator Starter Kit. For just $175, I got a plethora of awesome Stampin’ Up! products valued at over $300 (it was my rite of passage into demonstratorship). One of the four stamp sets I received was the Fun and Fast Notes stamp set. I wasn’t too thrilled with the stamp set at first, and regretted my decision about not exchanging that stamp set when I ordered my kit (which is something you get to do when you order your kit). However, over the last couple of years I have found a love for this versatile stamp set. Seriously, you can make all sorts of cards with this stamp set, including Christmas Cards like the one in the picture. I’ve also made thank you cards, get well cards, baby shower cards, and baby scrapbook pages with this set.

Stampin’ Cita’s Tips:

• Colors: Poppy Parade, Soft Suede, and Old Olive
•  Stamp Sets: Fun and Fast Notes, Tiny Tags
• Punches: Word Window, Eyelet Border, and 3/16" Corner Small
•  Card base is 4”x 4”
• Stamp the Christmas Tree from Fun & Fast Notes on Whisper White using Soft Suede Ink. Use the Stampin’ Write markers to color the Christmas Tree and then use a sponge to sponge a little of Poppy Parade ink on the edges of the Whisper White cardstock. Finish this piece off by rounding the top corners using the 3/16" Corner Small punch.
•  Stamp “Merry” from the Tiny Tags stamp set three times on Soft Suede cardstock using Soft Suede ink. Use the Word Window punch the punch out the “Merry” words. Remember to stamp your word first and then punch it out, that way you can position the word where you want it. Adhere the three “Merry” words to the card and cut off the excess part of the word window.
•  Use the Scallop Border punch to make the border. Punch one side of  a strip of Old Olive, and then punch the other side. A simpler way of doing this part of the card is to use the Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border punch.

Enjoy your MERRY Christmas Card!

~Cita

Sweet Christmas

Break out the sweets and Christmas candy! More specifically, break out the sweet Candy Cane Christmas Specialty DSP. What makes it so special? It glitters! Notice the red bar on the DSP? It glitters. I love it. This pack of Specialty DSP features several glittery designs.  Another thing I love about this paper is the unconventional Christmas colors. I love making Christmas cards that go against the traditional red and green  or blue and white color schemes. The Candy Cane Christmas paper combines both of these traditional color schemes and then adds Blushing Bride to throw things off.

Stampin' Cita's Tips:

• Colors used: Blushing Bride and Real Red. 
• Stamp sets: Teeny Tiny Wishes and Jolly Bingo Bits 
• Acessories: Scallop Border punch, 1' Circle punch, Dazzlin' Diamonds Stampin' Glitter 
• Both stamp images come from the Jolly Bingo Bits stamp set, which is super awesome in that it contains so many cute and simple images. Keeping with the candy theme, I used the candy cane and peppermint candy images for this card. 
• Use Versamark ink the candy cane image to stamp a quick background of candy canes on top of the card. 
•  Stamp the peppermint candy image from the Jolly Bingo Bits stamp set on Whisper White in Real Red three times. Use the 1" Circle punch to punch out each image and then sponge some real red around the edges of the circle. Add some sparkle by gluing some Dazzlin' Diamonds on the peppermints. Adhere the peppermints to the card using Stampin' Dimensionals. 

~Cita

Online Spectacular - Starts Today

Black Friday starts today for Stampin' Up! and it lasts for 9 days!!

Two things to definitely take advantage of: My Digital Studio is 50% off (originally $79.95, now available for $39.98). Also, the designer series fabric is 50% (originally $9.95, now available for $4.98).

Additionally, if you spend $150 or more, you get free shipping.

Click here to see the list of these amazing deals (20%-50% off selected items) and then head over to my website to make your order. Hurry though, these sales are only available until November 30.

~Cita

Amazing!!! Save 50% off the Starter Kit!

Who wants to be a Stampin' Up! demonstrator?

Who wants to get the Startup Kit for 50% off?

You do? Perfect!!

Until November 30, Stampin' Up! is offering the Starter Kit for $87.50, which is half of the regular price of $175. Everything that you get in the kit actually is worth over $300. Now that's a deal!

Here are my reasons why you should seriously think about becoming a demonstrator:

• It is SO MUCH FUN!!!
• You become part of Ladybug Ink and get to participate in monthly swaps, meetings, and events
• You can save 20% on your Stampin' Up! orders (This is the main reason why I joined, and then I discovered how much fun being an demonstrator really is)
  
• You gain access to learning tools, tutorials, and Stampin' Connection
• You get a copy of Stampin' Success each month, which is Stampin' Up!'s monthly demonstrator magazine filled with ideas, tutorials, and business ideas
• Did I mention it's fun?

If you want to take advantage of this awesome opportunity and join my team of stampers, Contact Me or visit my website. I'll get you hooked up. :)

Happy Stampin'
~Carmelita

It's Beginning to Feel a Lot Like Christmas....

This past weekend I was in Wal-Mart and was appalled by the amount of Thanksgiving and Christmas items that were out for sale. I was thinking "sheesh, we still have plenty of time and they have to put out everything so early!" And then I realized that Thanksgiving is NEXT WEEK! And Christmas is just around the corner!

So with that, I decided to start posting my Christmas creations, starting with this unique Christmas card using Deck the Halls DSP. What makes this card unique? Well, it's, what I'm liking to call, a flap card, because the front cover is almost like a flap. It's a standard 4.24x5.5 card, but I cut off 1 1/4 inches off the cover of the card. I got this idea from a fellow demonstrator on Stampin' Connection.

Stampin' Cita's Tips:

• Cut 1 1/4 inch from the cover of your card to make the flap and then decorate it.
  
• On the "inside", which will show beneath your flap, use a Stampin' Wheel to stamp a continuous image. I used the Music Notes wheel with Basic Black. You may notice that my stamped image is not straight, and that is intentional. I love curvy music. :) However, if you are conscious about keeping your wheeled images straight, use the Stampin' Around Wheel Guide.
  
• Deck the Halls DSP is the paper of the season! Use the holly paper for your background and punch out the bird (using the Two-Step Bird Extra Large punch) from any other piece of paper in the set. I gave the bird's wing a bit of dimension by using a Stampin' Dimensional to adhere the wing to the bird's body.
• This year is a good year to crumble paper. I crumbled a strip of Always Artichoke and Crumble Cake and stamped my "Merry Christmas" sentiment in Cherry Cobbler.
• Colors used: Basic Black, Crumble Cake, Always Artichoke, and Cherry Cobbler
• Stamps used: Music Notes Stampin' Wheel and Christmas Greetings

~Carmelita

Stampin' Up! Holiday Bundles

A handmade holiday is as easy as ABC....Amazing cards, Beautiful packaging, and Cherished gifts.

And Stampin' Up! is dedicated to helping you make your handmade gifts this year at a 20% discount!

See the Holiday Bundles options by clicking here.

Some things to take note of:

• The Decorative Label punch is currently on backorder. The Tags til Christmas Bundle will still be an option as part of the Handmade Holiday promotion. This will allow you to order it now and receive 20 percent off. The Tags til Christmas Set will ship immediately and the Decorative Label Punch will ship as soon as the Decorative Label Punches are in stock. However, I can't give you a definite date as to when it will come in. As another option you can order an alternative Tags Til Christmas Bundle that includes the Ornament Punch instead of the Decorative Label Punch. This bundle will be available throughout the promotion even when the Decorative Label Punch is no longer on backorder.
• Additional products from current catalogs 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% discount will not be applied if individual bundle item numbers are entered separately.
• Order on-line by Thursday, December 16, 2010

Hurry on over and take advantage of this great offer!

~Carmelita

CASING Fox and Friends

Look at the card in the picture above. Look at the card on page 96 of the Idea Book and Catalog. Look at the picture. Look at the card. Do they look similar?

Of course they do! That's because I CASEd (Copy And Share Everything) the card on page 96 of the IB&C. That's what is great about the catalog (and all Stampin' Up!'s catalogs ) is that it is full of ideas. That's why they call it an IDEA BOOK! Yay!

Obviously, there are a lot of things different in my card. I used Marina Mist and Early Espresso as my colors for stamping the animals from the Fox and Friends stamp set. I then used three different ribbons the Early Espresso and Marina Mist taffeta ribbon on the horizontal and then the Organza ribbon on the vertical. Because of the way I positioned the ribbon, this card reminds me of a present, so I'm thinking this would be a great baby shower card.

~Carmelita

Clearance Rack Blitz

Who likes a deal? You like a deal? Well, check this out! Today, Stampin' Up! added over 200 items to the clearance rack, some discounted up to 80%. How do you like that for a deal? To check out this awesome deal, visit my website and click the Shop Button. You'll want to hurry, the quantities are limited and the deal is only available until October 18.

~Carmelita

Look What You Can Do

Have I told you lately that the Big Shot is awesome? No?

Well, let me tell you, the Big Shot is awesome.

I love how you can use the Big Shot for a variety of different crafting projects. I generally use the Big Shot mainly for card making and scrapbooking, but sometimes there will be a miscellaneous project that I can use it for. Such as making a Flower hair bow.

My fabulous sideline Joanna Banta (who, by the way, made Rising Star in Stampin' Up!), taught the Ladybug group to make these Flower bows. We used material (toule, fabric, and felt), the Big Shot, and the Flower Folds Bigz xl Die to make these flower bows. We had the option of putting alligator clips on the back or pins. I made mine into a pin, but lots of the other ladies put alligator clips on theirs so they can attach the flower bows directly to their hair, to a headband, or to a beanie. As you can see in the picture below, my daughter Sybella had the honors of modeling the flower bow attached to the headband. Doesn't she look thrilled?


~Carmelita

Holiday Mini Catalog List of Awesomeness

When I first saw the Holiday Mini Catalog, I wasn't too impressed. However, the more I looked at it, the more I fell in love with the awesome product that is in it. Is it bad to fall in love with stamp sets. Probably, but oh well. I am anyways.

So here's my list of awesomeness for the Holiday Mini Catalog.

• Northern Hearts Level 1 Hostess Set. I want it, I want it, I want it. It's such a beautiful set and I have so many ideas of what you can do with it.
• 1/2" Lace Trim. It's in the Halloween section of the catalog, but this lace trim could be used for a variety of different cards. It's so pretty, and I'm anxiously awaiting for mine to come in the mail so I can try to use it in a Christmas card.
• Designer Fabric. I'm no quilter, but I'm still hooked on the Designer Fabric. I've been playing with the idea of using it on my scrapbooking pages. And Sybella could use a few new bows. This fabric is perfect to use with the Big Shot.
• Tasteful Trim Bigz XL Die. Oh the things you can do with the trim you get on this die. This would be a perfect die to have if you are big on scrapbooking. These trims will go great on scrapbooking pages. And of course you can use these trims on all sorts of cards and other papercrafting projects.
• Christmas Designer Series Paper. The two featured Christmas DSP - Deck the Halls and Candy Cane Christmas - are absolutely wonderful. They have two completely different color schemes, but they both scream Christmas in their own way. The Candy Cane Christmas paper even sparkles.
• Jolly Bingo Bits stamp set - This stamp set goes along with the Bingo Card stamp, but it's also great to have around for Christmas related stamping. With 24 stamps in this set, there's an image for all aspects of the Christmas season. There's a candy cane, Stanta Clause, a poinsettia, mittens, a candle, and a snowflake just to name a few images.
  
• Design-a-House Decor Accents - This is like a gingerbread house made of chipboard and paper. I'm super excited about this because I can decorate a house and not feel bad that I just wasted a whole bunch of food. (As I did when I made a gingerbread house a few years ago.) What's great about it to, is that you don't have to use it for a Christmas project. Decorate it for any type of holiday or use it as a playhouse.

I could actually continue listing things for awhile, but I'll stop here. What's your favorite product in Holiday mini?

~Carmelita

Teeny Tiny Wishes

There are so many events that happen during the year, and so many cards to send out for each occasion. Earlier this year I was so frustrated that I did not have some sort of "Happy Graduation" stamp. And then another time I realized that I did not have a "Happy Anniversary" stamp of some sort. And then ANOTHER time I was in need of a simple "Happy Birthday" stamp, and I had none. I think you get the point. I have hundreds of stamps, but I still don't have a stamp for every occasion. At least that was until I discovered the Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp set. Now I have a stamp for practically every event that can happen in a year.

So, in May I had several events that I needed a card for. I needed several graduation cards, a sympathy card, and a wedding card. So I designed one card and used that design for each occasion with some variations. What made this idea work so great was that there was a graduation, sympathy, and wedding stamp in the Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp set.

Here's the wedding card I made. I got this idea from a fellow demonstrator on Stampin' Connection (a benefit of being a demonstrator). I can't remember who it was, and I apologize to you and to the demonstrator out there.

Here's the sympathy card. Instead of stamping on the ribbon for this one, I stamped on card stock and used the Word punch to punch out the words.

And finally, here's the graduation card. I was super proud of myself for making this card as I was able to use the University of New Mexico colors (which is the university my friends graduated from). They loved it, and so did I; I almost wanted to keep it for myself.


Well, that's it for now. I definitely recommend the Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp set. It's worth it!

Happy Stampin'

~Carmelita

Tote-ally Awesome

I love it when Stampin' Up! offers extra incentives to become a Stampin' Up! demonstrator. Check this one out.

Become a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator between now and October 18, and receive the Greenhouse Gala Craft Tote for free! I had to pay $39.95 for mine. I wish I would have gotten it for free.

Here are some details about the tote:

• 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

You can even check out this video (yes, there is a video).

Contact me if you are interested in becoming a Stampin' Up! demonstrator or head on over to my website for more information. This is such a great deal; I wouldn't want you to miss out on this.

~Carmelita

Elements of Style

One of my favorite parts of being a Stampin' Up! demo is the monthly Ladybug Ink meetings. These meetings are conducted by my upline, Amber, and we get together, stamp, watch demos, and check out each others' latest creations. Each month, Amber usually prepares a make-and-take for us. This card is one of the make-and-takes from our April Ladybug meeting (I know, I am WAY behind), however, it's one of my favorites. Here are some details about the card.

• We used the stamp set, Elements of Style, which is such a pretty stamp set.
  
• We added texture to the card by using the Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder with the Big Shot.
• The image was stamped on watercolor paper. We then used the aquapainters to color the flowers.
• We used the eyelet border punch to punch the border at the bottom of the card.

For such a beautiful and elegant card, this is truly an easy card to make. If you are interested in becoming a Ladybug stamper and would like to participate in the monthly Ladybug Ink meetings, contact me.

Happy Stampin'
~Carmelita

Holiday Mini Catalog

It's been available since September 1, but I was enjoying the sunny beach of Cocoa Beach, Florida so I didn't get a chance to post it: the new Holiday Mini Catalog. So here it is. I am pretty excited about the stamp sets and products featured in this year's edition. I hope to post my Holiday Mini Catalog List of Awesomeness in the upcoming days, so stay tuned. In the mean time, enjoy your journey through the Holiday Mini Catalog.

~Carmelita

And the winner is....

CASSANDRA! Yay Cassandra.

Actually, Cassandra had little competition as she was the only comment that I got. I guess not many people read my blog... My counter says that people visit, but I guess they don't read. Oh well. I enjoy blogging the little that I do so I will continue to clutter up my little bit of cyberspace with my ramblings and stamping projects.

By the way, be prepared for Wednesday; the new Holiday Mini Catalog will be released. I am loving all the new products and stamp sets featured in this catalog. It will be a great holiday season.

Happy Stampin'
~Carmelita

A Personal Best (and trying out a thing called Blog Candy)

A few days ago I realized that I have posted 35 blog entries this year. This is 2 more than I posted last year and the most I have ever posted since having a blog. I think this is pretty cool! I know there are some hardcore bloggers out there that can post 35 entries in one month, but I'm still proud of my achievement.

So to celebrate my personal achievement, I'm going to offer some blog candy. What's that? Well, it's free stuff for you just for reading and commenting on my blog. Leave a comment to this post letting me know what your favorite stamp set is in the 2010-2011 Idea Book and Catalog and you will be entered in a drawing for a pack of 6x6 Patterns Pack of paper, a package of handmade Floral Fusion embellishments, and a Stampin' Up! Marina Mist pen (see photo at the top of this entry). Make sure to not leave an anonymous comment as I will not be able to know who you are and enter you in the drawing. Unfortunately, I have to limit entrants to those of you who live in the United States.

Leave your comment by August 27, and I will post on August 28 the lucky winner.

Looking forward to hearing what your favorite stamps sets are and giving some lucky reader some free stuff!

~Cita

My Stampin' Up! Story

Last month, I joined a Stampin' Up! demonstrator training program called Recruit Crew. Basically, it's a training program that teaches us the skills and helps us build confidence on recruiting demonstrators. Recruit Crew is divided up into two-week modules, requiring us to complete a set of challenges during each module. One of the challenges in both the first and second modules require us to write and share our personal Stampin' Up! story. If you "Like" my Facebook fan page, you may have already read my Stampin' Up! story, but I thought I'd share it with you here on my blog.

When I was 15, my mom bought me my first scrapbooking kit. Because of that kit, I fell in love with scrapbooking; furthermore, I fell in love with papercrafting. Fast forward several years, and I’m convinced to go to a function at my church where we hand-stamped Christmas cards. Having never stamped in my papercrafting endeavors, I was intrigued and excited about how stamps could possibly enhance my scrapbooks. I went home that night and told my husband that I had a new hobby – stamping.

It wasn’t until the next year that I really did anything with my newly declared hobby. I attended my first Stampin’ Up! event that summer, which was a Stamping 101 class, met my upline, Amber, and was just amazed at how fast I developed my hobby. The more I stamped the more I craved to know more and stamp more. Within six months, because of Stampin’ Up!, I had learned some amazing stamping techniques, acquired the basic supplies (stamps, paper, and ink) to make projects, and joined Stampin’ Up! as a demonstrator. I was drawn in specifically by 1) the discount you receive as a demonstrator, and 2) the endless resources Stampin’ Up! offers to learn different stamping techniques and get ideas for my own personal projects. I don’t know how many technique videos I have watched, and each month I wait anxiously for my copy of Stampin’ Success, the magazine you get when you become a demonstrator. I am amazed at how much I have grown as a stamper because of Stampin’ Up!, and I love how well stamping complements scrapbooking. Since joining SU! I have done loads of scrapbooking, met wonderful people, formed unexpected friendships, made some amazing paper projects that I never thought I would be able to make, and now have a reason and an inspiration to continue stamping and scrapbooking.

In other words...I Heart Stamping. :)

~Cita

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The Joys of Butterflies

Recently, I mentioned that Sybella's nursery theme is monkeys and butterflies, which is great because Stampin' Up! Decor Elements have both of these. There was a perfect place right above Sybella's changing table that was perfect for the Flutter Decor Element in Rose Red. It was a lot of fun putting the Decor Elements on the wall, and once all the little butterflies were up, I thought it was a perfect fit for the room. One thing I did not expect was that Sybella would be fascinated by the butterflies. There are times when she is laying on the changing table and will stare at the bright butterflies. Sometimes she will even reach out to them.

Here was the work in progress. Honestly, it took me several weeks to get all the butterflies up, but it really shouldn't take you as long (unless you have a newborn, then maybe it will take you several weeks). I'm not exactly sure how other people put these up, but I taped the butterflies up in the positions I wanted them before I applied the Decor Elements to the wall.



Here is a close-up of the butterflies on the wall. I love how Rose Red looks with the green color on the wall. (I can't remember what the actual color of the paint was, but it reminds me of Certainly Celery :) )



And here's the diaper changing area in action. Bella Bug just got her diaper changed and is admiring the butterflies. She's such a cutie. :)

I'm looking forward to purchasing more Decor Elements and placing them around our house. Hopefully now that Bella Bug is 6 months old it won't take me weeks to put up.

~Cita

EXTRA! EXTRA! Extra Hostess Benefits

Here's some good news: host a workshop with me by August 31 and get $25 extra in hostess benefits (aka FREE Stampin' Up! merchandise), starting with a $350 workshop.

This extra benefit is included along with the standard hostess benefits you receive when you host a workshop. The standard hostess benefits include

• A free 2010-2011 Idea Book & Catalog worth $9.95!
• Free stamp sets only available to hostesses (with qualifying orders; select from the products on pages 10-16 of the Idea Book & Catalog)!
• Free Stampin' Up! products of your choice!

Click here for the Extra Extra Hostess Benefits brochure or click here for the hostess benefits chart.

Interested in this awesome opportunity? Host a workshop! It's really easy and lots of fun. Contact me for more information or to book your workshop.

~Cita

Saying Thanks

In April, I went and visited my midwife for the last time. It was a little emotional because I had been seeing her for almost a year and had grown to really like her. She was an amazing midwife and if (IF) I ever get pregnant again, I'm going to go to her again. To show my gratitude, I decided to make her a box full of chocolate.

I absolutely love this origami box. Once I made it, it's quite easy. It looks more complicated than what it really is. I first saw this origami box on the Stampin' Up! demo website (a perk for being a demo), but it was Kathleen Hopperstad that had an awesome tutorial that I followed.
This is the outside of the box in it's closed form. I secured the box closed with ribbon by securing it with velcro. This way after the box is opened, it can be re-secured by attaching it to the velcro. I used the Big Shot and Upsy Daisy die to make the pretty flower.
Here is the box opened. Like I said, it looks a lot more complicated than what it really is. There are four rows of six decorated Hershey Nuggets.

Here's the top view into the box. I used the Jewelry Tag Medium punch to cut out the sentiments from the Tiny Tags stamp set.

Here's the matching note card that accompanied the origami box of chocolates. I love the versatility of the Scallop trim corner punch. You can use it in conjunction with the Scallop Trim Border punch to create a seamless scallop border, or you can use it alone, such as I did here, to give a simple square a little pizzazz.

My midwife seemed to like her present, and I hope you enjoy it as well. Give this origami box a try. You'll be amazed at how easy it is to make and how quick you can make these boxes once you get the hang of it. If you try it out, let me know how it goes.

Happy Stampin'

~Cita