WHAT'S IN YOUR BOX?

Everyday is a great day to celebrate!  And who wouldn't love finding an unexpected surprise awaiting them on their desk or pillow, filled with a special little treat. I am thinking chocolate, cookies, and coffee.  But why not, art supplies, a scarf, a collection of Post-it notes, sewing notions, little tools. a small toy.  Easy to decorate and assemble,  I think I have found the perfect container to hold special little surprises for those I love.

These food-safe kraft boxes are  to aa snap to assemble and come 4 to a package with handy acetate sleeves to keep the contents safely tucked inside. These cuties can be stamped and embellished as much or as little as you like, or  decorate with some of the supplies in the Tag a Bag accessory kit that can be purchased separately. You can even keep your treat a mystery by adding a layer of designer paper or card stock before sliding on the sleeve.

To see these and other sweet packaging and stamping supplies be sure to visit MY WEBSITE and click on the SHOP link under my name.

Supplies used in the project featured today:
stamp sets:  Gorgeous Grunge; Hello, Lovely
card stock & paper:  Bermuda Bay, Calypso coral, Coastal Cabana, Whisper White CS; Crisp Cantaloupe designer series paper stack;  Tag a Bag gift box
ink:  Bermuda Bay, Crisp Cantaloupe classic stampin' pad
accessories & tools:  Summer Stafruit 3/8" Stitched Satin Ribbon; Linen Thread; Stampin' Dimensionals;
glue dots; bone folder; paper-piercing tool; Stampin' Pierce Mat; 2-1/2" & 1-3/4" circle punches; paper snips; Simply Scored Scoring Tool

Thanks for stopping by.  wishing you a happy day!
Trish

UNDEFINED

NEW!!!!  Undefined Stamp Carving Kit:


Have you ever wanted a stamp but couldn't find the perfect image? Maybe there is a special family logo or a sketch you'd like to have as a stamp. Well now you can! Undefined is Stampin' Up!'s new stamp carving product line. You define the rubber stamp any way you want.
When you carve your very own stamp, you have will have an entirely new and different creative experience. And when you're finished, you will have created a one-of-a-kind stamp!
How exactly do you carve a stamp?
Click here for more details.

Included in the Stamp Carving Kit: 2 carving tools 3" x 4" rubber 3" x 4" foam 4 wood blocks (various sizes) 1 Island Indigo Stampin' Write Marker 3 postcards Instruction sheet Stamp image templates

Included in the Refill Kit: 3" x 4" rubber 3" x 4" foam 4 wood blocks (various sizes) Instruction sheet

Intrigued? We know you want to get your hands on the kit and start carving your own masterpieces. Here are the item numbers you'll need (we suggest adding a refill kit on your first order . . . trust us, you're gonna want it).

Item #	Description	Price
133402	Undefined Stamp Carving Kit	$19.95
134808	Undefined Refill Kit	$9.95
124236	Clear-Mount Cling Foam*	$10.95

*Add a sheet of Clear-Mount Cling Foam to create your own clear-mount stamps. Mounting your stamps on the cling foam allows you to make stamps any size you want, not just what will fit on the blocks in the kit.

Product Sneak Peek

Quick and easy projects are my favorite.  This one features a quick peek at 2 new producst you may have seen in the new Holiday Catalog, that goes "live" on August 1st.  These muslin bags will be perfect for place settings, little treats and so much more.  Keep them simple or gussy them up. Either way, they are sure to please.

I tried to do the Rock & Roll technique here -- obviously I need to slow down and practice a bit more, but aren't these bags just as cute as can be.  What will you stuff inside yours?

Have a happy day, and take time to be the difference in someone's life.
Trish

Don't Miss Out on these Special Deals!

Some great deals from Stampin' Up! Get in on them before it is too late:

PURCHASE THE STAMPIN' UP! $99 STARTER KIT & GET A BONUS!    Choose one of four Stampin' Up! project kits for FREE when you purchase the Stampin' Up! $99 Starter Kit!  By joining now, you'll become a part of the Stampin' Up! family (demonstrator discounts and perks PLUS get a FREE bonus project kit!  Hobby stampers are welcome!  Offer good through August 31, 2013.

Kit Options:
The first three project kits are from the holiday catalog (get them early!) and the last option is from the annual catalog.

Option	Kit Description	Item	Total Value
1	Build a Banner Simply Created Kit AND Halloween Banner Simply Created Accessory Kit	133507 132698	$29.90
2	Build a Banner Simply Created Kit AND Christmas Banner Simply Created Accessory Kit	133507 132697	$29.90
3	Thankful Tablescape Simply Created Kit	133463	$19.95
4	Tag a Bag Bundle AND Tag a Box Bundle	131371 131372	$22.45

PAPER PUMPKIN

 
Paper Pumpkin Monthly Kit Special Offer.  Ends August 31:  Pay only $10 a month for your first two months.After 2 months the price will return to $19.95 a month (with the option to cancel your subscription).
Take a monthly creativity escape! Stampin' Up! offers Paper Pumpkin, a monthly kit program.  Curious?  I thought you might like a fun peek at what's included in the kits and why everyone is so excited.

Click here for more information about the kits and how to get started.

 It's like getting a class to come to you, ready when you are.  Each month features a different paper crafting experience. Not knowing in advance what will be in the box is part of the fun you won't want to miss out on.

To get in on the special pricing, be sure to enter the promo code: PUMPKINDEAL

AND

Who doesn't love getting free supplies?

 Click here to order yours today!

Happy crafting one and all!

HOME Again, HOME Again

Just got back from Stampin' Up!'s 25th year Convention.  What a wonderful celebrations about all the things that I love about this company and its products.  There was so much to see and experience, we couldn't do it all.  But we packed in as much as possible and enjoyed every minute of it.  Click HERE  to get a taste of what we experienced.  I hope you will come away with a better understanding that Stampin' Up! is not just about stamps and crafting supplies, it's about service, friendships, meeting needs, making a difference. 

Before I get everything put away and ready for me to create fabulous projects and classes to share with you, here's a sneak peek of the products that were lavished on me through learning labs, classes, prize patrols and all-participant giveaways.

I can't show clear details as many of my goodies are awaiting the release of the Holiday catalog on August 1, but my silver and white 2013 Convention backpack came home loaded with 7 boxed stamps sets as well as a stamp I created myself (the new "Undefined" stamp carving kit was released during Convention, check my website for details),  Washi tape, a This and That journaling book, rotary stamp, kits, make & takes, embellishments, and more.

Time to get stampin'!
Trish

CRAZY BUSY JULY part 5

When our Colorado son and his family leave to return home after a visit at our house, they always leave something behind.  This one I am not mailing back to them:

Isn't she adorable?  This is Chica, a 3 year old chocolate Apple-Head Chihuahua.  All of 7 pounds.  She can and will bark and growl (especially when someone approaches the house that she knows doesn't "belong" to us, but mostly she makes birdlike chirping noises.  Because Nebraska can have really cold, harsh, winters and she is so very little, I am hoping to get her box trained so she won't have to go out.  We will start that when I get back from this week's Stampin' Up! Convention in Salt Lake City.  If you have any tips, feel free to share.

Happy weekend, Everyone!
Trish

CRAZY BUSY JULY part 4

Today's post will come to you while I am away in Salt Lake City to celebrate Stampin' Up's 25th Anniversary Convention.  It's like a family reunion on a very huge scale.  I am writing this several days in advance, so I have no details to share yet, but I do know (as Ed Sullivan used to say)  it's going to be a "really big show"! (Am I the only one who actually remembers Ed Sullivan?)

back to the July saga:
Sunday afternoon, Lou and I finally pulled out our June Paper Pumpkin boxes.  (Since we were notified that the July shipment is on its way, we thought it would be good to get this one done.)  We are so glad that we did.

Except for a little adhesive, we had all the supplies we needed in the boxes to make this cute, cute cute window card:

We could have made 3 more just like it, but decided to use some other stamps (En Francais, Elementary Elegance (retired) and  Happy Day ), we have on hand to change up the design to make:

Liking the way the tiny images from Elementary Elegance fit right into the punched out hexagon windows,  we chose the crown and greeting this time along with a stamp from Hearts Aflutter.

For our fourth card, we used Stippled Plaid, Bloomin' Marvelous, and Moving Forward (all retired) to create this card:

Small changes can make a big impact.  We are delighted with the results and think these 4 cards, packaged together, would make a great gift for someone.

To find our more about My Paper Pumpkin, visit the website HERE.  If you decide to subscribe (no long term commitment, you can cancel at any time), please be sure to choose me as your demonstrator.

Laundry is done.  Now to finish up my packing and get some sleep before the start of 2 days of travel.
Hopefully, though I am so technologically challenged, I will be able to share some same day pictures from convention.  If not, I know there will be plenty to share with you when I get back home.

Until the next time, happy stampin'!
Trish

CRAZY BUSY JULY part 3

As you read this, I am on my way to Salt Lake City for Stampin' Up's 25th Annual Convention.  Traveling with others always makes the going better, and lovely it is to be sharing the drive with 3 other amazing women and fellow demonstrators:  Eloise, Mary Lou and Joyce.  We can hardly wait to get to SLC and see what they have in store for us and about 6000 other demos) as we celebrate this Silver Anniversary.  More on that another time.

Now back to our continuing story:
Reunion over, family heading home, it was now time to get some dental repair done (replacing a sensitive cracked filling) and then turn my attention to "Cheaper than Therapy", my monthly hostess club.  The next meeting was Friday July 12.  This month's theme was Punch Power, using punches to create 3 distinct card fronts.  Here are the cards I prepared for the ladies to do:

Decorative Label, Scallop Oval, Postage Stamp and 1" Square punches were used to create this card in Early Espresso and Pistachio Pudding card stock, using the Postage Due stamp set.

Next, 3/4", 1", 1-1/4" and Cupcake Builder punches were used to fashion this fun monochromatic flower arrangement.  Isn't that a cute greeting?  Love the fonts found in the "Four You" stamp set.

 Then on to this quick-and-easy card perfect for all sorts of occasions.  Adding a bit of Designer Series Paper (here Polka Dot Parade) to line the envelope takes a simple card to simply charming.

The details are a bit hard to see in my picture, but that blue rectangle is actually a mini-"envelope" created using our Hexagon punch  and finished off with on of our new Candy Dots.
The card was finished using a stamp from "Sassy Salutations".


 To get these and all Stampin' Up's wonderful products, be sure to visit my website by clicking here HERE.

Still puzzled on how I made the little envelope embellishment on the card above? Call me to arrange a class so I can teach you just how easy it is to make your own special touches to your cards, scrapbook pages and more.

I need to get packing so I am ready to leave for Convention bright and early in the morning.
 Thanks for checking out my blog.

Trish

CRAZY BUSY JULY part 2

There are so many things to do here in Omaha in the summer.  With out-of-town family visiting, we wanted to do it all, but time (and energy) prevented.  Among our choices were:

watching fireworks

Waiting, waiting, waiting.......

horse trail rides, romping in Activity Center, and the family picnic at Mahoney State Park

Tons of food and family to enjoy!

swimming in the hotel pool, a visit for our granddaughters to the Henry Doorly Zoo (simply the best!) and taking in Despicable Me 2 (what a fun movie!)
 worship and Sunday School
walking to Council Bluffs and back across the Missouri River via the John Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge, (HOT!)
a trip to the batting cages for some of our grandsons, a tour of the Strategic Air & Space Museum (includes a very thought provoking Holocaust exhibit)

and lots of time just chillin' at home and playing yard and board games.

Texas Hold'em

 Everybody gets in the game.

All too soon we had to say good-bye to Tom, Patrick, and John and their wonderful families.

More tomorrow.
Trish

 

CRAZY BUSY JULY

July has already been such a busy month!  From the 4th to the 9th, we had family in from Texas, Colorado, Ohio, and Nebraska ( more local) to celebrate a Family Reunion as well as Independence Day.  I hate being tied to the kitchen when we should be visiting with our loved ones, so the days prior found us cooking up a storm.

Some of our "satisfied customers"

A real favorite was our pulled pork.  YUM! and so easy. 

Trish's Pulled Pork for a crowd
8-12 lb pork shoulder roast (I use boneless, but bone-in adds more flavor)
2 tbs oil
salt & pepper
electric roaster, Dutch oven or oven roasting pan

Cut roast into 2 or 3 pieces.
Generously season meat on all sides.
Brown in heated oil on all sides.
Put on a rack in roaster.
Bake covered at 325 degrees 2-1/2 hours.
Turn off oven (or electric roaster), do NOT open,  and let sit for another 30 minutes.
Remove meat from roaster to carving platter or tray and let sit until cool enough to handle.
Using 2 forks, shred meat.
Discard fat and bone.  Return meat to pan.  Rewarm as needed.
Serve on Kaiser rolls or hard rolls, slathered with your BBQ sauce (my current favorite is Rufus Teague's Honey Sweet.

Tons of pictures were taken at the Reunion. (my scrapbook is calling me to hurry up and get them printed!)

Happy eating and may all of your family gatherings be joyous ones!
Trish

HOMEMADE INSECTIDE

If you are a stamper or one who scrapbooks, you are already into do-it-yourself projects.
Here's a recipe that can save you money and is safer all-around than chemicals to control those pests that invade your green space.
 
DIY July: For those with a green thumb, here’s a homemade insecticide. Combine 25 drops of peppermint and sweet orange essential oils with 1 teaspoon of unscented liquid soap, and dissolve in 32 ounces of water. Use with a spray bottle.
Happy summer, Everyone!

Trish

Buy 3 Get 1 Free Offer

Offer Dates: July 1-31, 2013
Offer Details: Buy three packs of select Designer Series Paper and get one for free!
The Fine Print:

• These items don't qualify for the offer:
  • Designer Series Paper Stacks
  • Specialty Designer Series Paper
  • Designer Series Paper from the holiday catalog preorder
  • Designer Series Paper ordered through hostess benefits
• Orders may be placed on any type of order (demonstrator, workshop, customer, or online).
• No limits. Order six? You'll get two for free. Nine? You'll get three for free.
• Check out our Designer Series Papers in the annual catalog pages 151, 153, and 154.
• Order deadlines:
  • Phone: Wednesday, July 31, 2013; 6:50 PM (MT)
  • OEX or online: Wednesday, July 31, 2013; 11:50 PM (MT)