Easy Peasy

Oooo, these leaves are so GORGEOUS!! Autumn Splendor! So aptly named. All I did was stamp in versamark and emboss with gold embossing powder. Then a sharp pair of snips made quick work of cutting them out. Really. I cut out a dozen leaves during "The Big Bang Theory" (my fav TV show). I did sponge on some Elegant Eggplant ink to the veins, added some dimensionals and Voila! A splendid Thanksgiving card!

Monday is August 31, and hoo boy is it cold here in Chicago area! We should get a rebate on the weather for this summer, it just never arrived and stuck. We had a couple visits from summer, but now it is already autumn weather. And I'm making Thanksgiving cards. What is happening here!

Anyway, back to Monday is August 31: the last day to take advantage of the $85 starter kit from Stampin' Up! Start your own business! Make some extra money! Get all the paper and ink in the new In-Colors! Get all your crafting supplies at at least 20% discount! Raid my bonus box! Ink pads, Stampin' Up! convention totes, Build-a-Bear bear! Yes, I said it, I will gift you with some awesome rewards if I hear from you Before 6 pm Monday! Go right to my SU webpage and sign-up with my password: Blitz. Do it now! Don't go talking it over with 6 people, just evaluate the fabulous opportunity and jump in!

Happy Stamping!

Dee Tollaksen

Back to school

It is Fall, and there is no doubt about it, school is back in session. This is a collection of bookmarks and a fancified pencil, from which you will be able to choose your project when you attend either the College CARE package camp or the Back To School class. Pretty cute stuff, you might not want to give away. Okay, you can make one for your student and make an even nicer one for yourself!

Loving the new In-Color collection? Have you done the math yet to prove the svings. . . if you invest in the $85 starter kit right now (today!!!) you receive all 6 colors in stamp pads and paper and then you also get 20% on every stinkin' cute item in our product line! BLITZ is the password to use when signing up online over at my Stampin' Up! website. Any word at all will work if you call me or email me so we can sit together to get your "paperwork" done. Don't pass up this deal!

Happy Stamping!

Dee Tollaksen

Deadline approaching quickly!

BEST STAMPIN' DEAL IN TOWN--
DON'T MISS OUT--ORDER YOUR KIT TODAY!
Join Stampin' Up! for just $85 and get a GREAT Stampin' Kit. Everything in the kit is NEW! You will get: (you can change the colors of the pads or change the stamp set if you'd rather have something else!)

NEW For All You Do Stamp Set (p. 118, $28.95) (or similar priced stamp set)
NEW Rich Razzleberry Stamp Pad (p. 155, $5.95)
NEW Melon Mambo Stamp Pad (p. 155, $5.95)
NEW Soft Suede Stamp Pad (p. 155, $5.95)
NEW Crushed Curry Stamp Pad (p. 155, $5.95)
NEW Bermuda Bay Stamp Pad (p. 155, $5.95)
NEW Dusty Durango Stamp Pad (p. 155, $5.95)
NEW In-Color 8-1/2 x 11 Assorted Cardstock (p. 155, $7.95)
Whisper White 8-1/2 x 11 Cardstock (p. 155, $7.50)
Catalogs, Order Forms, New Demonstrator Training Materials and business materials

Want all the In-Colors? This is the way to get them! The kit is cheaper than buying all these products on their onw!! And Free Shipping on the Kit!!

WHY JOIN STAMPIN' UP!
* Discount on all your purchases
* Get FREE stamps
* Great website and magazine only for demonstrators
* No committment! If you just want the kit--that's OK! Even if you never sell a thing, you will be an "active" demonstrator through January 2010 and can take advantage of all demonstrator benefits

ARE YOU READY TO JOIN? Just go to my Stampin' Up! site: http://dtollaksen.stampinup.net
Click on: START YOUR OWN BUSINESS (at the top), then JOIN NOW
My password is: blitz

Please contact me if you have any questions!!!

Hurry!!! This offer ends on August 31, 2009!!!

Campus CARE package

It seems like every time I open the newspaper, there is an article about empty-nesters or college move-in or something along these lines. My DD is part of this year's crop of freshman, and it is a major adjustment. I hope you can join me for the class I am preparing, when we will make loads of fun things to fill a CARE package to send off to someone we love that is away for school. Although my student is a girl, all the items will be designed with guys in mind, so I will need to know if you are working on projects for a girl or a guy. This is a little banner with her name on it, or her shortened version of her name. She is named after her Grandma Genevieve, but everyone calls her Gen. I was thinking we could put "study time" on a banner, or "Party time" or "quiet time" but girls definitely like to see their name in print! This would work well in a dorm room, an apartment, or in any bedroom, not necessarily for a college CARE package! Check your calendar and compare it to mine and let me know if my dates work for you or if you would like to schedule an alternate time to work together.

Happy Stamping!

Dee Tollaksen

Another peek at my DS

I swear, I fed thiskid. I fed him a lot! The USMC sweated off every spare ounce that his body could spare! Every single man standing on the parade ground looked this lean, not an ounce of fat anywhere in sight. He's home on leave, and it looks like he hasn't gained an ounce. Fries, beers, burgers, pizza, nothing is sticking!

What a smile on his face! As tough as basic training is, these young men thrived and are ready for anything! Please continue to pray for the safety of all our enlisted men and women, and find your own way to support their efforts. I like to send cards to "From Our Heart" operation. These ladies collect hand-made cards and envelopes, package them, pack 'em up and ship 'em to Iraq and Afghanistan. The Unit Chaplains then make the cards available, free, to servicemen and women. Evidently, there are no Hallmark shops anywhere in the Middle East! Thousands and thousands of hand-made cards have been given away (at Chapel, I love that element!) and sent home to loved ones. What a great way to lift the spirits of an enlisted service member!

Happy Stamping! Go to http://www.fromourhearts.info for more details.

Dee Tollaksen

Dusty Durango

Have you used the new In-Color choices introduced by Stampin' Up! this summer? This is one of the cards we will make next week at the Easy Circle Cards class, it is striking AND easy! Dusty Durango was my color choice, but you can select Melon Mambo, Bermuda Bay, Rich Razzleberry, Crushed Curry or Soft Suede. Or mix it up and make a couple cards in different colors. It is a real pleasure to have coordinating products that match perfectly, as you can see in the cardstock, ribbon and ink!

Today is the first day of classes for so many of our college age kids. . . I know I already have a little pile of items "from home" that we forgot to bring to school. And I have a few ideas for stamped items that we never even thought to bring. What about you? Any loved ones you would like to send a CARE package? Join me as we put together a fun box of goodies to show how much you love and miss your student, or your Marine (soldier, sailor, etc). Check your calendar and if you can't make the date I've selected, pick another date and we'll book some time together! Check my calendar (at right) for upcoming classes and sign-up soon!

Happy Stamping

Dee Tollaksen

Vellum peacock

Can you tell that the base for this card is vellum? Stampin' Up offers two weights of vellum, the cardstock weight is gorgeous, and we will be using it at the Easy Circle Cards class, coming soon! Still room for you, just leave a comment or send an email, let me know you are interested!

Looking for a job? Parttime or Fulltime? Just a couple bucks you can fritter away or big money to make the credit card debt disappear?

I can help you start your own Stampin' Up! business to answer your needs. For just $85 to start, you will receive tons of business supplies, stamp sets, paper, ink, friends, Stampin' Success magazine, inspiration and so much more! Plus, you can borrow any of my supplies, any time you need! The start up cost can go on your credit card, and by the time the bill arrives, you may have earned enough profit to pay it off! Let's talk. This deal ends at the end of the month, so let's talk SOON!!

My DD is settled in to her dorm in Texas. So now I am planning her first care package. Any suggestions?

Happy Stamping!

Dee Tollaksen

Here's the Bluebird!

This card just cracks me up! It is a direct CASE off another blog, and I'm very sorry, I cannot read the print in the watermark from the original posting. It is sooooo easy to make, so of course it will be part of the Easy Circle Cards class we will be enjoying in September, check the calendar at right.

By now, Gen and I are headed for Midway airport to head to Texas for Freshman year at Baylor Univ. My goodness people, enjoy your little children! Where have 18 years gone? My little girl is off to college! See ya in a couple days

Dee Tollaksen

Raw Talent

Shouldn't someone be editing this photo? Oh yea, that would be me. . . well, that's just not gonna happen today! All the standards are just going to the wayside, no time for the details. I was listening to the snoring husband last night, wide awake at 3 in the morning, so I got up and made some cards! Check out the class schedule at right, I'm doing an "easy circle cards" class here in my home, in Arlington Heights. This is one of the cards we will make, just loving Circle Circus stamp set! If you aren't local or can't make the time I chose, just let me know and I can prep a "stamp by mail" kit or we can pick a different time or locale. I'm game!

I will share more of the cards, watch for the Blue Bird of Happiness!

Packing up all of DD's favorite things, off to Baylor Univ tomorrow. From Chicagoland to Waco TX, in one fast flight! A sea of tears predicted for central Texas on Thursday, please bring your own tissues!

Happy stamping!

Dee Tollaksen

USMC graduation ceremony

Well, there goes my career as a professional photographer. I hope you can forgive me for being overly involved and not taking good pictures. . . wow, what an emotional experience!

This is Stephan's platoon, officially 2nd Battalion Golf Company Platoon 2145, and the best picture I have of him! If he wasn't in a formal group, off-limits, then I was too involved with him to remember to take pictures! So, in the closer picture, he is in the center row, furthest in the back. You can only see half his face, but as his mother, I CAN SEE HALF HIS FACE!!!!

He was gone for 13 weeks, no phone, no email, no facebook, just the good old post office and that was few and far between. So we have him home for 17 days, not that I expect to see much of him, but at least I can call his cell anytime I want and know that he is going to stop by for "chow."

I promise, I'll post something stamped very soon.

Happy Stamping,

Dee Tollaksen

August Trip #2

Gotta get to bed. . . gotta get up early and zip off to Midway airport, an hour from home, to fffllllyyyy to San Diego--to see my son! Yea!! Stephan is 21, way too old to be my kid! And he graduates from USMC basic training on Friday. Unbelievable!! I'll share pix with you Sunday. We're coming right back home, he gets a week or so of leave, and he wants to spend it here. Well, here being near his friends, not necessarily home with his mother!

14 weeks of basic training! Can't wait to see him!

Good Night,

Dee Tollaksen

Pleated Skirt Details

While attending the Stampin' Up! convention I participated in an extra event for demonstrators. We spent one of our free evenings learning new techniques we can use to make cards and other projects. I was allowed to demonstrate the box pleats seen on this card. It was loads of fun and I think the evening was a great success. I promised to post the details so participants wouldn't have to take lots of notes, so here we go. . .

I used an entire sheet of 12" x 12" DS paper . I scored the 12 x 12, then cut it into 1.5 strips.

Score: These are the actual locations, not the distance from one mark to the other: .25" .5" .75" 1" 1.75" 2" 2.75" 3" 3.75" 4" 4.75" continuing at the inch and inch + .75 all the way across the 12" width of the paper. The first three measures are to wrap around the edge onto the back of the card, but putting a pleat at the very edge of the card.

Fold: usually we "fan" fold, creating alternating "mountains" and "valleys." But to create "box" pleats, you must fold "mountain" "valley" "valley" "mountain" "mountain" "valley" "valley" "mountain" and continue across the length of the DS.

I used sticky strip tape to hold the pleats to the card, by applying the tape all the way across the 12" strip of DSP after softening the folds.

Then apply sticky strip to your 1/4"grosgrain, and stretch the grosgrain across the top of the pleats.

There was about an inch left over at the opposite side of the card to wrap around to the back.
Enjoy!
Dee Tollaksen
www.stampwithdee.blogspot.com

Colorful swap

Wake up!! The bright colors in this Designer Series Paper are rally enough to pop open any sleepy eyes. I kept adding elements to this card to try to tone it down, not sure I achieved a perfect balance. My pal Catherine is totally honest with me, and she wasn't thrilled with this card. Nevertheless, I had made 16 of them, because the DSP sheet made 16 of these squares! And I loved watercoloring the image from the hostess set Country Morning, so I swapped 'em at Convention and no one walked away from me! I will be poring over the swaps this afternoon and will try to photograph some to share with you.

You are cordially invited to join me in my sorting and admiring of swap cards. Any afternoon or evening this week that you might have available and want to spend laughing and admiring, I'll be happy to entertain you with stories from Convention and share my swaps with you. I have nearly 200 cards and projects you can put your hands on! Leave a comment here or call or email me. The more the merrier!

Happy Stamping,

Dee Tollaksen

Blurry Convention

The plane has landed and we are all back home, invigorated, informed, challenged and ready to rock! I will find a better image than this to share, but right now, I need to go to bed! This is Janice, me (Dee), Linda Hansen, Dawn, Julie, Catherine, Barbara and Lora. We attended the SplitCoast Stampers Dinner and Swap two nights ago. Linda Hansen demonstrated the vinyl purse last year from stage at convention, so we were all star-struck when we saw her in attendance at the SCS dinner. She was so nice to pose for a picture with us and our vinyl bags, she posted the picture on her blog! Which is where I stole this kind of fuzzy pic, more convention info tomorrow!

Happy Stamping!

Dee Tollaksen

Vote for me!

Welcome to a mixed bag of information!

I love how this card finally turned out. I have about 18 of these to swap at convention. Nice bright choices from the new In-Colors.

Please go to this link to vote for my card.

http://www.mychicnscratch.com/2009/08/creative-contest-entry-4.html

I entered a little contest at Angie's blog. . . I don't even know what the prize will be, but I thought I might get a few more blog readers, if they like my style and want to know how to make the card. You saw it here a few posts ago, the pleated skirt card. Last August I put the instructions for the pleats on this blog, and I will again, when I come back from convention!

I will try to post tomorrow before my flight, I will share another convention swap card.

Happy Stamping!

Dee Tollaksen

Convention Shoebox Swap

Imagine Dazzling Diamond glitter on the tree, sparkling like snow and now you can begin to enjoy this Holiday Card.

I will be sharing this card at a shoebox swap next week. . . what? It is Sunday already? OK then. I will be sharing this card at a shoebox swap THIS week at convention!!!

It is an unusual fold, but otherwise a very straightforward card. By now you know my style is very clean and simple, and I stayed true to that in my swaps for convention. This swap requires that I have 25 premade cards and 25 card kits prepared. At the event everyone will receive 25 premade swaps and will make 25 cards so we all go home with 50 complete cards. So much fun!

I'm sure you want to come along, but you kind of need to be a demonstrator! Sometimes they will open up registration to guests, but not always. So let's talk about you joining my team, we can stamp together all year, you can earn enough to support your habit, I mean hobby, or you can earn tons of money, go on free trips and build your own empire! Then you can come along to convention next year! Just email, call or leave a comment here!

Happy Stamping!

Dee Tollaksen