Saturday, October 31, 2009

Pretty, but. . .

Read the words today, cause there's no stamping.

Today is the last day of the month, and the end of the October "deals of the week" promotions. If you have been thinking about the darling party kits, you have just a couple hours left to take advantage.

November continues the great hostess benefits, and offers a few new ones. If you scoot over to my Stampin' Up! shopping website (click at right) you can see the 4 pages of Holiday Extravaganza. Lots of great gift ideas, and for every $50 you spend with Stampin' Up! from the 4 page brochure, you get to choose a $15 Decor Element. Another great gift idea! Hostesses get to select an item from the mini-catalog for just $10 when their sales exceed $250, which is totally achievable. And they can purchase the new My Digital Studio software for half-price if their sales are just a bit higher.

Need more incentive? Like what? Like an hour of jokes and physical humor? I can do that. Like a coupon good toward a free stamp camp? For everyone at your workshop? I can do that! More? Like what???? Like all the M&Ms you can eat during a 2 hour stamp camp? I can do that!! But I'm having a hard time finding the dark chocolate M&Ms. So if you can help me with that, I'll be forever grateful.

You tell me what it is that will turn you into a hostess, and I'll try my best to make it happen.

And why am I showing you a picture of a lovely gardenia? My computer with all my pictures of cards and my software to crop my pictures. . . is sick at the computer hospital. Hopefully it will be well on Monday. So I have to make do with the pictures from our vacation to Punta Cana, that are on my husband's computer. Just be glad that no bathing suit pictures will be shared here. Never.

Happy Stamping!
Dee Tollaksen



Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Trick or Treat


Trader Joe's grocery store offers the most delicious chocolate bars at the checkout line. They are bundled in a package of three and they are available in dark chocolate. Truly, I can't buy them for myself, it is such a decadent indulgence. But I will get them for hostesses, so just keep that in mind when you're hemming and hawing over whether to invite a couple friends to get together and stamp. And of course, I will wrap 'em up nicely for your enjoyment, or to share (ha!).

These went to Waco, TX for my daughter, in her CARE package. She loved all the goodies, but I know, these were her personal fave.

There isn't any stamping on the chocolate, but I wanted to share something stampy, so here are some stamps. OMG, you're thinking, right? How messy!! Was I stamping blindfolded? Stamping with "no hands?" No, these are the stamps the Girl Scouts used last week. It's a good thing I'm not OCD about my stamps. Ink on wood is just part of the process. This shows just how much love went into those cards the girls made for the troops. Now, I'm not saying that I'm free from OCD. I'm just obsessed with ziplock bags, not messy stamps. True. Ask Catherine about my suitcase at convention. I'm sure I set a record for the most ziplock bags in luggage.

Happy Stamping,
Dee Tollaksen

Monday, October 26, 2009

Deal of the Week: Party Kits!

The Princess Party Kit and the Pirate Party Kit are the Deal of the Week! Only $9.99 will get you all the supplies you need for a party of 8 little Princesses or Pirates. The invites, envelopes, goody bags, decor pennant, cupcake toppers, and ribbon! Oh My Goodness, this is the bargain of the season! These kits are fabulous, and loads of fun for the kids or the "party planner."

Check out pages 174-175 to see these darling kits. They are a steal at $15.95, but for just $9.99 you're going to be the "best Mom ever!"

Be sure to stock up on adhesive and maybe treat yourself to the coordinating stamp set for awesome thank you notes and personal cards.

Don't wait, these are fabulous! Stampin' Up! must really love us!

Happy Stamping,
Dee Tollaksen

Girl Scouts and Sgt Johnson




After a year in Afghanistan, Sgt Johnson had lots of stories to share with the Girl Scouts. We got together to make cards to send to the Troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. Sgt. Johnson graciously accepted an invitation to come talk and share some of his experiences, making the project even more meaningful for these girls.

Can you see how many Build-a-Bear cards were made at this meeting? We had girls from kindergarten through 4th grade, and they loved these BAB projects. Every bear had an outfit lovingly selected and applied.
Every card has a little note in it to let the service member know that the card was made by love by a scout in Palatine, IL.

If you are in the Chicago area, I would love to work with you and your friends or organization making cards. Feel free to request some private coaching time to design your holiday cards or special event invites.

Happy Stamping!
Dee Tollaksen


Sunday, October 25, 2009

Sunny Day. . .


How many of us grew up listening to the Sesame Street songs? I have the tune for the Sunny Day song skipping through my brain now, probably for the rest of the day! I had so much fun with the Girl Scouts of St Theresa School in Palatine. We made over 200 cards for the soldiers, marines, airmen and sailors. These cards are intended for the troops use. They can select for an assortment that has been sent to their chaplain. So, these guys were all die-cut on the Big Shot, punched and coordinated. All the little Daisy Scouts had to do was make funny faces and suddenly Big Bird, Elmo and Cookie came to life! If you are interested in hosting a service project in your school, home, workplace or anywhere at all, just comment here, email me or send a really strong ESP message. If you want more info or would like to donate, just click on the blinkie in the right column of my blog and learn all about the organization that sends cards regularly for the troops.

All supplies used are from Stampin' Up!, all the fun was from the Girl Scouts. Much thanks to Sgt. Johnson for his year of service in Afghanistan and his time on Monday, spent with the 60 girls from St. Theresa School.

Happy Stamping,
Dee Tollaksen

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Yum Yum Yum


The Chex Cereal folks would probably have us believe that their product is tasty and healthy, but the only way to eat it is coated in chocolate and peanut butter and powdered sugar, right?

I bagged up a batch of this tasty treat to send off to the college kids. Hope everyone enjoys their CARE packages!

Oh yeah, a little stamped tag lets them know who sent the treat! This sentiment is from the Stampin' Up! mini catalog, a great set of holiday phrases. And I got the whole set for just $10 instead of the list price of $36. How you ask? By hosting a stamp workshop and meeting a sales goal of at least $250, any hostess can choose any item from the mini catalog for just $10! And there are some awesome options from which to choose, let me know you're interested and I'll get a catalog into your hands.

Happy stamping,
Dee Tollaksen

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Deal of the Week!

Are you thinking what I'm thinking? My cards are going "heavy metal!"

Some great products to spruce up your cards and projects, all at a healthy discount. Stampin' Up! is offering these products this week only, to you via on-line orders or when you order directly through me. Feel free to take advantage, that's why we're doing it, a little gift for you.

Give me a call to sit down together and plan your holiday cards and gifts, get your beautiful papers and stamps ordered so you have plenty of time to make those projects!

Happy Stamping!
Dee Tollaksen

Sunday, October 18, 2009

Embossing folder


This beautiful embossing folder makes it easy to create cards. I needed to make a production line and produce many thank you cards, so the Manhattan Flower embossing folder and whisper white paper make the front of the card, add a little pastel chalk and a punched scallop oval, layer it all on Cameo Coral card stock and your card is ready for the mail.

Happy Stamping
Dee Tollaksen

Saturday, October 17, 2009

October fun


While the web burns up with punch-art, I think it is cute but not exactly my cup-of-tea. Occasionally a use for a punch will come along that is a sure fire winner, and when I saw this pumpkin, I was on it.

It is one of the oval punches, I suppose any one of them will work, depending on the size of your desired pumpkin. I did emboss the white greeting, otherwise it takes forever for the ink to dry and your card is likely to be damaged before you can finish. Just a few leaves off the Big Shot with a Sizzlet and a scrap of brown for the stem, and we're done! Of course the entire card was die cut with the Big Shot scalloped square. Gotta love that!

Hope you're enjoying a brisk fall day. Take a break and shop the clearance sales and weekly specials offered by Stampin' Up!
Happy Stamping,
Dee Tollaksen

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Deal of the Week!

Do you own the Big Shot yet? Are you harboring a Sizzix machine purchased elsewhere? Maybe one of those cute little green embossing machines you grabbed using a retail coupon? Well the deal of the week is for you and for those of you sitting on the fence, thinking about a Big Shot.

Each of the items at right are at a great discount this week. You can find out more by clicking on the link at right for my Stampin' Up! shopping link. This picture does not show these items at proper scale, so you will want to go to the shopping site for more information, or call me! Of course I will be happy to tell you more about these products or how to use them.

I do have the Flower burst Embosslit and LOVE it! It is a great choice for adding texture and color to a card.

Happy Stamping,
Dee Tollaksen

Sunday, October 11, 2009

2 for 1

I know that I said I wouldn't be here for a while, but it is Sunday, we have done everything we can to be ready for tomorrow, and now I have a little free time. So, I have been trying to learn my new "My Digital Studio" with some success! Yes!

At right is a scrapbook page that I have converted into a flyer. The Shoe Box Swap has been rescheduled for Sat., Nov 21. So, you can see a project in "MDS" and mark your calendar for Nov 21.

Please join us. This is a highlight of the season, spending a morning and lunch with some of the nicest, most fun stampers, creating holiday cards and winning great Stampin' Up! door prizes. All this for just $28. Uh oh. I forgot to include that in the flyer. Back to the drawing board!

Dee Tollaksen

Rest in Peace


This is my darling daughter and my lovely Mother-in-Law, taken about 4 years ago at a swim meet. Just after this time, my MIL was diagnosed with Alzheimer's and we have been saying goodbye to her ever since. She passed away on Friday, and she will be sorely missed. Please pray for all of us as we grieve her loss.

More cards and projects will be coming, but I will be busy for a couple days.

Best Wishes,
Dee

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Cute as a Bug


A clean and simple design always appeals to me. I am working on bringing my projects "to the next level" but it isn't easy for me. If you look at the tin posted yesterday, you'll laugh at me. But it is still on the worktable, waiting for me to figure out how I can go to the "next level."

Certainly this little card also qualifies for Clean and Simple. But somehow a baby card should be understated, right? The Designer Series Paper is from a pack earned during Stampin' Up!s "Sale-a-Bration" last winter, but if we offer lots of paper that will work beautifully with this layout. The stamp set is a Level 1 Hostess Set, Cute as a Bug. Just darling!

How can I help you bring out your creativity?

Happy Stamping!
Dee Tollaksen

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Stash box


Where do you keep your stash of handmade cards? I had to find magnet sheets for a little Build-a-Bear project I'm working on, and these metal tins followed me home from the local craft store. So some Designer Series Paper and ribbon turned the plain white tin into a pretty stylish place for me to keep on my cards neat. I will be filling this with a few of every type of card and will keep it on my desk at work. Then when my boss pops in to see if I have a get well card or a thank you note, I can point her to my stash!

The ribbon and paper are retired from the Stampin' Up! catalog, but I have a huge supply of current product you might like. There are at least 3 more of these tins hiding under my desk. If you are looking for a little project, leave me a comment or shoot me an email.

Happy Stamping!
Dee Tollaksen

Monday, October 5, 2009

CASE time


Are you tempted yet? This card made a convert of me. I am not a fan of Halloween cards. They tend to be scary and dark and kinda creepy.

Scary? Nope. Dark, well, dark in a cheerful kind of way. Creepy, Nope.

So if I can smile and laugh at a Halloween card, I'm in. Join me Wednesday at 1 or 7 pm to make this Halloween card. Of course, this card is CASEd (copy and steal everything) from another very talented blogger. Unfortunately she didn't put her name on her posted card, so I will cheerfully share with you if anyone recognizes the artist and shares with me.

All materials are from Stampin' Up! I love the little stamped image. He is a "single" fella, available on page 208 of the catalog, with all the other single stamps.

Happy Stamping!
Dee Tollaksen

Deals of the Week


If you readers notice that I am a dunderhead, please speak up!

The Deals of the Week are for your choice of any or all of 3 (three) Stampin' Up! punches. Not just one. I only told you about one punch, because I am a dunderhead and did not understand the Deal of the Week.

You may choose one, two or all three of the following products normally sold for $15.95, but you have to order, not just think about it!
Trio Flower punch $11.99
Five-Petal Flower punch $11.99
My Way punch $10.99

Happy Stamping!
Dee Tollaksen

Saturday, October 3, 2009

Cutest Halloween Card -- Ever!


I wish I knew who thought up this awesome sweet Halloween card, but I saw it online a while back, and just LOVED it!

Wednesday, Oct 7 at 1 pm or 7 pm, join me and make this fab-o card, and 3 others, times 2. . . 8 cards for just $20 for Halloween and Thanksgiving.

Really, the tall grass, the eyes in the dark, the medallion punch, how can you resist this card? Come on over! Just shoot me an email or leave a comment here, I'll save a seat for you.

Happy Stamping,
Dee Tollaksen

Friday, October 2, 2009

Uh oh, cheating on SU


Years ago I bought a book at the local library used book sale, printed in Japanese. It is just so beautiful, and every so often I pull it off the shelf and rip out a page to use on a project. This is a submission to a magazine that requires "printed" material on the card. It doesn't show well, but there is shimmer paint sponged on the edges of the Japanese characters. Most of the materials are retired, but everything is Stampin' Up!, except the Japanese text.

Really hope you have time to stop by my "World Card Making Day" Open House tomorrow, Saturday, from 10 til 2. We are making cards for the Troops, to be sent off to Iraq and Afghanistan. Drop everything and zip over!

Happy Stamping!
Dee Tollaksen

Thursday, October 1, 2009

Deal of the Week!

Deals of the week,
starting today through Oct 12:
Trio Flower Punch, part #109183,
normally $15.95, this week: $10.99


Visit my Online Store today

to take advantage of this great offer!