Happy Together

Wednesday is my travel day. I feel like I will be leaving my comfortable home, and heading into the jungle, hence the "wild" animals. But I know I will be happy, and together with all the other Stampin' Up! demonstrators. Convention starts on Thursday, and I will travel home on Sunday. This is definitely a highlight of the year--free stamp sets, new catalog/idea book, friends and fun! I only wish you were coming along!
See you next week,
Dee Tollaksen

Squinting required

I have been busy this week, so my blog has been a bit neglected. I was challenged to demonstrate more uses for the brayer and give a class on uses for the brayer. Well, let it be said that the brayer is a good tool, but there aren't that many unique techniques for it. At right is a resist technique card. Clearly in monochrome, purple in all it's permutations! The flowers were stamped in Versamark ink on glossy paper, then Lovely Lilac ink was brayered over the entire image area. I used a tissue to gently wipe any ink off of the image. Then layered it over Lovely Lilac cardstock, Whisper White cardstock, Designer Series paper and all mounted on a Lovely Lilac card base. Add some ribbon and hardware, and we have a card. That spot in the center is actually a reflection from the flash. Imagine how glossy this paper must be! And in person, the card is subtle, but a bit less subtle than it appears here. More brayer technique to follow!
Dee Tollaksen

New stamp sets

Yummy new stamp sets coming soon -- this dreamy little number will be available on August 18 when the new catalog goes live, and I have used it to make swaps for convention. I can't believe it is just 10 days away! I have my roommate gifts ready, my swaps underway, my ticket paid and the family prepped. Yippee!
Dee Tollaksen

Anticipation. . .

Sneak Peek. . . I know the pink doesn't photograph well, but it is lovely and it is a preview of the button accessories, the Designer Paper, and the In Color papers for 2008! WOW! Just a few more weeks to the new catalog and idea book from Stampin' Up!

Have you ever seen this little folding technique? I spied it once on a sample in a scrapbooking store, and have been waiting for just the right paper to come along, and here it is! This is one of the designs I am mass-producing to swap at Convention. Just 11 days till we leave for Salt Lake City! You could be coming with us next year, just say the word!

Dee Tollaksen

Catalog clearance

Stampin' Up! is clearing the decks for New Designer Papers and Ribbons!
If you love love love any of the current products, check the list for sale prices and give me a call! This is a first come, first served deal, so don't hesitate!

Item page Description Regular Price 25% off Price
109117 167 Pocket Notes assortment $9.95 $7.46
110479 168 Jersey Shore Designer Series paper $9.95 $7.46
110699 168 East Coast Prep Designer Series paper $9.95 $7.46
109159 169 Flowers For You Designer Series paper $9.95 $7.46
110273 169 Spring Fling Designer Series paper $9.95 $7.46
110748 170 Notebook Designer Series paper $9.95 $7.46
109153 170 Porcelain Prints Designer Series paper $9.95 $7.46
110751 171 Azure Designer Series paper $9.95 $7.46
109164 171 River Rock Prints Designer Series paper $9.95 $7.46
109175 171 Almost Amethyst Prints Designer Series paper $9.95 $7.46
109168 171 Groovy Guava Prints Designer Series paper $9.95 $7.46
109169 171 Close to Cocoa Prints Designer Series paper $9.95 $7.46
110284 182 Eastern Elegance Rub-Ons $10.95 $8.21
110285 182 Urban West Rub-Ons $10.95 $8.21
110281 182 Cherished Memories Rub-Ons $10.95 $8.21
109185 190 Jersey Ribbon Originals® $12.95 $9.71
109187 190 District Ribbon Originals $12.95 $9.71
109189 190 Beachfront Ribbon Originals $12.95 $9.71
110716 191 Wild Wasabi striped grosgrain ribbon $7.95 $5.96
109062 191 River Rock double-stitched grosgrain ribbon $8.95 $6.71

July 24 Meet Up

This is one of the cards designed for my July 24 Meet Up event. Catherine and I have promised you a dozen cards, four designs -- using retiring stamp sets. This the first design that we will share. If you can come, we will provide all the supplies, pre-cut and prepped. My current goal in stamping is to create more cards appropriate for the men in our lives. This one may pass that requirement. What do you think? Shoot me an email if you want to see more for this class or if you can join us!

Dee Tollaksen

pray

Retirement: remember that things change. This darling little angel is a long retired stamp offered as a limited time special back in 1998. So many people have stamps hidden in a closet or drawer, a purchase that never turned into a hobby. Today is the day to rescue those old hopes and turn them into a beautiful gift for someone you love. And while you are thinking of that person, send up a little prayer for them.

And if you have the heart for it, remember my friend Teresa and her family and ask God to give them strength as they endure a tough situation.

Have a blessed day!

Dee Tollaksen

Super Simple

Sometimes simple is the best. This card was originally published by Becky Carafa using a different stamp set, but I could see the possibilities for Sun Fun stamp set and we had fun making this at Jan's stamp demonstration yesterday. Textured card stock, jumbo eyelet, dimensional adhesive and lots of smooth surfaces. Enjoy!

Dee Tollaksen

Faux Silk

There is no way for the camera to capture the texture of this technique. Only the human eye can make sense of this, but I'll try to describe it: the main area of this card, that is white and stamped in pink, is the same texture as raw silk. The ink saturates the paper and it just cries out to be touched. It is a very easy and fun technique, achieved with the tools you already own! Of course the felt flowers and gold embossing just makes this a celebration of texture! I will be teaching this particular card to a small group of demonstrators when we all travel to Salt Lake City at the end of the month. If you think you might like to know more, just drop me a line!

Dee Tollaksen

Happy Birthday

So, what do you want for your birthday? Send me an idea of what to ask for and I'll give you a gift! Yes, today is my big day and I am blessed to have everything I need. And more! Send me and idea for a great gift for a stamping fanatic, suburban wife/mother/daughter/friend and I'll send you a great gift for a stamping friend. Deadline is midnight tonight. Email me or leave a comment here.
Happy Birthday to all of you, Dee Tollaksen