Saturday, January 31, 2009

Super Bowl Super Sale

I know you have plans to enjoy the Super Bowl, how bout some super specials as well?
 
Call me anytime from noon til midnight tomorrow for a special deal:
Early Bird special: Call before the 1st quarter starts and save 15% on any product with birds featured. (Birds are big in the new catalog!)
Call during the 1st quarter for free shipping!
Call during the 2nd quarter and receive a free ink pad (your choice of color)
Call during the halftime and leave voicemail. Choose your special from any quarter.
Call during the 3rd quarter for a free pack of card stock, your choice of color.
Call during the 4th quarter for Dazzling Diamonds--the best glitter ever!
Don't wait--shop on-line now and have your picks ready!  Want a catalog: just email me back and I'll be sure you get one! 
Sell-a-bration is in full swing starting now!! Place an order of $50 in merchandise and select a free stamp set or product from the special Sell-a-bration brochure!
 
Dee Tollaksen
Independent Stampin' Up! demonstrator
home (from noon til 3) 847/670-1161
cell (from 3 til post-game) 847/624-0353
 

Shop on-line at my Stampin' Up! website: http://dtollaksen.stampinup.net
 

More Totally Tools


Talk about an easy card!  I designed this little guy for a valentine class I'm giving on Thursday. My Bible Study class friends are intrigued by this creative side of me that they don't see in our study meetings, so occasionally we get together and work on their creative abilities.

The card needs to be great AND easy, or the whole illusion will be shattered. So this is my non-traditional take on a masculine valentine.

Remember to cut the stamps and mount the sentiments separately, making this card a snap, and increasing your versatility with the stamp set.
Love beyond measure,
Dee Tollaksen

Friday, January 30, 2009

Totally Tools -- Totally Dudes

So many stampers struggle with masculine cards. Thankfully Stampin' Up! has a new stamp set for all the guys in our lives! This Totally Tools set has really darling sayings and a variety of tools. This is the first of two cards I have made to demonstrate this new set.  I used the jumbo brads for embellishment, certainly says "masculine."

If you're looking for help with inspiration, just give me a buzz and I'll be happy to help you!

Dee Tollaksen

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

DCBD 112



These challenges are really keeping my ancient brain cells chugging along.  How to work this beautiful bright pink into a card with the soft blues and purple. . . the inspiration piece works well, the colors can be made to work well together. So, here is my attempt. I tried to give every color equal time, with Baja Breeze being the "host" color and Pink Passion, Bashful Blue and Lovely Lilac playing supporting roles. 
Let me know what you think. 
Play along! Let these colors inspire you to create a card or scrapbook layout or a project. Post it on SplitCoast or your blog or just email it to me!  Would you be more inspired if there was blog candy for playing along? Leave me a comment.
Visit all the DCBD Divas and enjoy their inspiration cards! Just click on the links under the Diva logo at right.
Dee Tollaksen

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

No more nightmare


Good morning! Same frog, same paper, same colors, but a much better card! So I turned the card, flipped the background paper and layered things up a bit more. And added some brads. All very blue! with a bit of green. I really love this dreamy frog. He is from A Flower for all Seasons, a nice cute, inexpensive set. Some designer paper, not quite navy cardstock and some vellum, and voila!
Have a great stampin' day!
Dee Tollaksen

Monday, January 26, 2009

Frog dreams


Do frogs dream? Maybe just the ones in fairy tales. This frog is having a nightmare. Now that I look at this, it's a bit busy. Putting it mildly. Okay. No more designing on cold dreary days, after the sun has gone down. And who forgot to crop the picture and add the "designed by. . ." watermark? Oh brother. I'm taking my headache and going to veg in front of the TV. I'll be back, but hopefully with a nicer card for my frog to dream about.
Dee

Friday, January 23, 2009

Peek-a-Boo


I absolutely love playing with paper and scissors and ink and STAMPS! But I'm not really that creative. So it is just awesome when I see something that just makes me want to run to my stamps & supplies and copy it.

This card was inspired by Amy Jolly, view her post here: http://burninrubber-anotherstampblog.blogspot.com/

I used the new stamp set Love You Much which was perfect for this. Amy made a standard 5.5 x 4.25" card and acetate. I simplified the process, using a square 4.25" card and vellum paper. I am so happy with the way it worked that I will be using this card for the Windy City Stampers shoebox next week! Hope all the girls like it as much as I do!
Dee Tollaksen




Wednesday, January 21, 2009

DCBD 111 Sketch Challenge




Not sure I like it. But here it is. Today's Diva's Coffee Break Design challenge is a sketch and the circle over the square was my real challenge. How to make it interesting but not too busy. . . neutral colors was my thought. So we have Very Vanilla card base, Close to Cocoa and Creamy Caramel with Night of Navy as the interesting color. I got to use my SpellBinders circle cutters to cut the vellum paper and the navy cardstock. Very cool!! Gotta use that BigShot every day! This might even pass as a masculine card, except for those flowers. Hmmm.


All the Diva's should have an inspiration card posted for you today. Let's see what you can come up with! Leave me a comment with your blog or SplitCoast posting--come on, you can do it!


Dee Tollaksen

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Fresh Start

Feast your eyes on the fresh and new Stampin' Up! Idea Book & Catalog!

So many new stamps and accessories, tools and papers. I have no new projects today, because I'm too busy studying and ordering fun stuff!

Tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow! You'll get to see a couple projects the rest of this week, come back! New stamps and paper are on their way here too!

Just email me, leave me a message, call or just go to the website and shop on-line! I'll be happy to get the new book for you and arrange a demo at your place or mine! Earn loads of free goodies!
Or join me as a demonstrator and earn money too!
Dee Tollaksen




Friday, January 16, 2009

Individuality


Stampin' Up! is always looking for ways to serve their customers better. Every time I write up an invoice for a customer, they ask me, without fail, "Why don't you sell individual stamps?" And there are lots of valid reasons: they are designed to work together (size, style, scale), it is less expensive per stamp if they are grouped, having 4 or 5 or 6 stamps in your hand gives you much more creative opportunity.
But. . . you still want individual stamps. So fine, here you go! SU has come up with a collection of individual stamps that let's you dip your toe in the pool of stamping possibilities. Be sure to check out this collection when you get your brand new Idea Book & Catalog! Call or email me for your own copy!
Dee Tollaksen

Thursday, January 15, 2009

New Idea Book & Catalog




Stampin' Up! will release the new Idea Book & Catalog on Sunday, January 19. If you are a customer of mine, just leave me a comment and I'll arrange to get one in your hands to study during this cold weather! Stay home, brew a pot of coffee or a mug of hot chocolate and study all the ideas and projects and new products.


If you already have a wish list, you might want to jump quick, some items will cost more in the new book. Ink pads go from $5.25 to $5.95, stamp 'n scrub goes up 2 bucks, stampin' mist and refill bottles also increase a bit. Many stamp sets that are not retiring will go up 2 to 3 dollars because now they are die cut for you. So that is a preference issue: to be pre-cut or to save $$, what to do?
Enjoy the little bees from a brand new set that will be released on Sunday. This card was seen on http://www.understandblue.blogspot.com/ earlier this months. She does great work! We made this card last night at our meetup at Panera, very simple yet a great card! Works best if you have the markers--let me know if you are interested in joining a marker club to receive all 48 markers and enjoy hostess benefits!
Dee Tollaksen




Wednesday, January 14, 2009

DCBD 110 Color Challenge



Photography just doesn't help this kind of card! This is a staircase or stairstep card, and lots of the details are lost in the picture: each level has shells and stars, the spritzer effect looks sandy and beachy, everything is popped up for dimension. Really cute card, great to watch the recipient turn it all around and look at it from all angles. It's even lots of fun to make. I can be this complimentary because it is largely CASEd--from a talented stamper in Susan Gardner's downline. I wish the original had her name on it somewhere, but it doesn't. If you know the artist, leave a comment and I'll be happy to give credit!

Today's color challenge was to use Riding Hood Red, Very Vanilla, Kraft and Close to Cocoa on a project. The lovely bedroom set at right was the inspiration. I hope you take time today to be inspired by these colors to make your own creation and share with us! The Coffee Break Diva's blogs should all be giving you an inspiration as well, just click on their names to jump to their blogs.
Stay warm, Chicago is experiencing a dangerously low temperature today, I will be staying home as much as possible! Give me a call and let's stamp together!
Dee Tollaksen

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

MeetUp Party Card



When I saw this card on Angie Tieman's blog, I knew it was perfect for my MeetUp gathering. It is beautiful, uses a nice new set and will be easy for stampers of all levels. Plus, it has glitter!

If you would like to brave the blizzard tomorrow, Wednesday, I will be with a bunch of friends at Panera stamping up our own storm! Contact me for details--I'd love to have you join us!

Dee Tollaksen

Monday, January 12, 2009

MeetUp card


I spent a good part of Sunday prepping for the Arlington Heights MeetUp group gathering this Wednesday night. This little pretty will be one of the four card designs we will be making. I wish you could come along.
Think there's a lot of open space? I like my cards very simple, but if you want you may add a sentiment, I think it would look lovely!
We have Eastern Elegance stamp set, Haiku Designer Series Paper, Tangerine Tango ink and ribbon, More Mustard and So Saffron paper. Usually I shy away from stamping on colored cardstock. But if a strong enough color is used and a strong enough image, it can work. It looks like this is a winner.
Keep on stamping -- Dee Tollaksen

Saturday, January 10, 2009

Monogrammed card


Lovely Letters just makes me smile! Yes, everyone loves Bella Rose Designer Series Paper, it is stunning, but combine the Bella Rose and the Lovely Letters, and WOW. At least I think so! This is one of the cards we will make on Thursday at the MeetUp gathering. If you are in the area, just clear the schedule and join us! Send me an email or give me a call--we would love to meet you and have you join us in our stamping fun. Two hours + 8 cards + $15 = good times!
Dee Tollaksen

Friday, January 9, 2009

I love you banner


Finally, my December order arrived and I could play with the Lovely Letters set that I let Santa order for me. I will be offering a Monogram card, you'll see tomorrow. It is very easy and elegant and will be featured at my MeetUp class on Jan 14. For more info, just email me.
This little "garland" has a chipboard circle at the top and 5/8" red grosgrain ribbon running through circle scallops of DSP. The sample I saw this morning had this little gem popping out of a circle tin, very cute! You can check it out on Erin Blair's blog: http://stampwitherin.typepad.com
Wouldn't you like to make this? Soooo easy peasy! Just leave me a comment or email me and we can get together on my schedule, or at your convenience!
Dee Tollaksen

Thursday, January 8, 2009

Valentine Bundle


Don't forget: Valentine's Day is a major card holiday! This little cutie uses the punches and stamps and Designer Series Paper that Stampin' Up! has on special right now. The Love You Much bundle saves you over $10 on the combination with a set of 6 really cute and versatile stamps, a large punch that pops the 3 hearts out all at once and a full pack of 12 x 12 paper in pinks & reds. Purchase this bundle and you can attend my January 28 or January 30th class for free!! That means you'll also get the new Idea Book & Catalog as a BONUS!
Hope to hear from you soon -- just leave a comment or email me or call!
Dee Tollaksen

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Design Coffee Break Divas challenge 109




Good Morning readers and thanks for visiting me today. This is my inspiration card for the DCBD #109 sketch challenge. I promised I would use Flight of the Butterfly this week, so you might be inspired to take advantage of the bargain Stampin' Up! is offering (spend $20, receive 20% off anything in the Catalog Sampler, including Flight of the Butterfly--ends January 18).


I also pulled out the Haiku Designer Series Paper which will retire as of January 18. I will admit that I love this paper, to an extreme. Faithful readers are now thinking "really?" I have never used Haiku DSP until now. I loved it so much that I couldn't cut it. Crazy, I know. So for the next week I will be using Haiku DSP on everything!!!



Anyway, I also used a dab of clear embossing powder on the Tangerine Butterfly and the Gold sentiment, and some vellum to add layers and interest. Hope you are inspired to pull out your retiring supplies and actually use the ones you love! And to jump over to my Stampin' Up! website to shop for some of the great bargains we are offering on retiring, retired and current products. The best bargains are going fast, and it is first come, first served. If you have any questions or want some assistance, you know my number, give me a call!


Dee Tollaksen


Sunday, January 4, 2009

Valentine Swap

During December I attended a swap with Susan Gardner and her downline (I am in her 4th or 5th level downline) and these are some of the cards I received. You can see my pink box with the tag attached, and the top note has been used for a bag topper holding a candy bar. Also standing up are cards using the sneak peek using the Love You Much stamp set and the Happy Heart set from the Holiday Mini catalog.  If you would like more info on any of these cards or stamp sets, just leave me a comment, send me an email or give me a call!
Unfortunately, none of these cards have the artists name on them so I can't give credit specifically. But I love them all and would be happy to give credit if one of them is yours or you know that it has appeared elsewhere.
Dee Tollaksen

Saturday, January 3, 2009

Second Annual Weekend at Aunt Dee's


Games, Wii, Rain Forest Cafe, Build-a-Bear and the Lego Store at Woodfield Mall are all on the agenda for a weekend at Aunt Dee's. But some good quality stamping time must also make the schedule. First: Bookmarks. . . These have been made using punches, double stick tape, stamps, designer paper and cardstock. The project started out as gifts to go with catalogs. As you can see my sample was quite sedate and uninspired. Wesley was not at all interested in the butterfly concept, but Penelope indulged me, until she found the heart punch. When the bookmarks were done, I discovered quite a bit of exposed tape, so the glitter was applied to all sticky surfaces, just to keep the bookmark from becoming stuck in a boook. Pretty Snazzy!
Then we needed to make a card, so out comes Under the Stars:














Pretty nice work for the grammer school set! Enjoy your weekend -- Aunt Dee

Friday, January 2, 2009

More Valentine ideas


The blogs of Stampin' Up! demonstrators are just filled with inspiration. This card is CASEd from one that demonstrator Mary Fish posted a week or so ago.  Mine is a little less detailed, but I think it works. I have used all the components of the Valentines bundle Stampin' Up! has featured at a discount right now: the punch, the designer paper and the stamp set! Plus I've added red grosgrain, the circle scallop punch, circle punch, and gold cord to act as stems on my heart bouquet. We will make this card at my Valentine class, so sign up now!
Dee Tollaksen

Thursday, January 1, 2009

Happy New Year

Santa had a little remorse this week, and went out to find the one thing I put on my list. . . lesson: if your list is too short, it gets lost. Anyway, I received a late gift of a portable photo studio. This collapsible box with photography grade lights and a tripod will make my photos of cards just a bit easier and "better." Of course, the photographer and the card are the real issue here, but having this very cool tool will make me happy. And that is what counts. 
Love you much, therefore, is my cheerful response to Santa! This is one image from the Valentine bundle that is currently on special from Stampin' Up! I used my BigShot to emboss swirls on the red card base. Yummy. I hope Stampin' Up! gives us a selection of these embossing folders to offer our customers. They are so easy to use and have such an impact on the project! 
Hope you're enjoying your holiday with your hangover and your loved ones.
Dee Tollaksen