Sunday, January 31, 2010

First in a series


Sell-a-Bration is going strong, and I am enjoying the free stamp sets. You know, there are 4 exclusive stamp sets, available now, free and then they will go away forever. This set is so versatile and great for so many occasions. It is called Happy Moments and has darling images. I have been collecting ideas from the blogs and have designed an "All Occasions" class which I will be sharing over the next few days.

This card is done in Kraft card stock, with just a teeny layer of Whisper White. It is a CASE, but the original artist does not have a watermark on her creation, so I don't know whom to give credit, leave a comment if you know who originally posted this card.

February 24 is the class, at 1 pm or 7 pm for just $20 we will be making 8 cards, all CASEd from other blogs.

Happy Stamping
Dee Tollaksen

Saturday, January 30, 2010

Decor Elements


As a hostess gift, this cute little decorated pot is so useful. . . I've applied a Big Shot Flower Folds cut from chalkboard vinyl from our Decor Elements line. I used the Crop-a-dile to punch holes and then weave ribbon around the rim. This little beauty was just about a buck at IKEA and went to my hostess Adrienne. Cute, huh?

Happy Stamping,
Dee Tollaksen

Friday, January 29, 2010

Bird Valentine

These birds are available exclusively to hostesses, and are perfect for a clever Valentine! I have used a bit of Designer Series Paper (DSP) from the Build-a-Bear collection. The teeny tiny flowers are just yummy! and I love the Melon Mambo card stock to balance the yellow canaries.

Don't let Sell-a-Bration slip past you, Stampin' Up! will give you and your guests free stamps just for placing a $50 order! Leave a comment or give me a call to book your workshop today!

Happy Stamping!
Dee Tollaksen

Monday, January 25, 2010

Valentine Treat

If you need a bunch of valentines this year, keep this super simple, super cute idea at the top of your list.

Straight cuts, a couple punches, a bit of ribbon, a great new sentiment stamp and the most gorgeous paper! The main project happens to be made from textured 12 x 12" paper so you can get 5 of these projects from one sheet of paper. That's economical!

Punch a heart from Brushed Silver card stock, punch a word window to contain your candy and you are almost done! Stamp the sentiment and punch it out, look how perfectly it fits in the heart punch shape! A bit of ribbon at the top and this treat is ready to give away!

Happy Stamping!
Dee Tollaksen

Sunday, January 24, 2010

Simple Sewing

Uh oh. My stamping blog just jumped the track.....and I'm showing you a sewing project! All Stampin' Up! fans know that the Big Shot die cut machine can cut more than paper, right? Fun foam, cork, acetate, contact paper, chipboard, FABRIC, and about a million other products. The square scallop makes a perfect quilting shape, in addition to a fun card element, scrapbooking shape, box top and certainly many more uses.

So, here is a tote bag made from the square scallop, cut on the Big Shot. Each square is lined with quilt batting. A helpful hint I recently found, the batting comes in a fusible version, made this project a snap! If you would like to make or purchase one of these beauties, in your choice of colors and fabrics, just leave a comment or give me a call!

Happy Stamping (and sewing),
Dee Tollaksen

Saturday, January 23, 2010

Haiti Relief through Stampin' Up!







Product NameItem #Price
I {Heart} Hearts – clear-mount (block D recommended)118571$18.95
I {Heart} Hearts – wood-mount117010$26.95

From now until February 28, 2010, Stampin' Up! will donate $2 from every I {Heart} Hearts stamp set purchased to the American Red Cross’ Haiti Relief and Development Fund. The Red Cross is already well-established in Haiti, and this money will be used to provide immediate relief and long-term support through supplies, technical assistance and other support to help those in need.

Click Here to order directly from my Stampin' Up! shopping site, or give me a call: we can chat and I can help you place an order or schedule a stamp workshop.

Happy Stampin,
Dee Tollaksen


Maybe you don't want to own a bunch of Valentine card supplies. I get that. But some gorgeous stamp sets that you already own can be used to make perfect Valentine cards. That gorgeous sparkly specialty paper from the Stampin' Up! Occasions mini catalog is the star in this card, then I used a little squarish stamp from Dreams du Jour stamp set to set the theme.

This card doesn't have any hearts, it doesn't say "Happy Valentine Day" but I think you would be right on target if you presented this to a loved one on February 14th!

Send an email or leave a comment if you are interested in owning the supplies to make this pretty little card.

Happy Stamping!
Dee Tollaksen

Friday, January 22, 2010

Clean & Simple


Before I go all "Valentines" on you, one clean and simple card using a Sell-a-Bration set. Happy Moments stamps set can only be acquired FREE during Sell-a-Bration. Book a demo or place an order and select this set as your gift from Stampin' Up! and me!!

Lots of new border punches are hitting the stamping scene, but this red border is made using two scalloped ovals, just trimmed and layered to look like a border. I like it, what do you think?

The Apricot Appeal layer uses textured card stock, adding a bit more texture to this simple layout. This is a great card for beginners, I would be thrilled to demonstrate this at your workshop or stamp camp.

Happy Stamping!
Dee Tollaksen

Thursday, January 21, 2010

Wall Art


Sometimes I want a little something to decorate the house, to be seasonal, but not like the art the kids used to bring home from grammar school. And not like a Picasso that I have to pay $$.

This little frame was a holiday leftover at the craft store, already had the red mat in the frame and it seemed like a size I could compose within, right? So it has been staring at me. Sitting on my craft table just crying out for help. I couldn't stand it anymore, and I gave it some hearts. They looked okay. Then I mounted the hearts on Chocolate Chip cardstock, layered that on Very Vanilla card stock. Put it all in the frame and called it "done."

What would you add?

Happy Stamping!
Dee Tollaksen

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Tote-ally Tess


Did you know that you have a whole new group of friends, just waiting to meet you?

When you join Stampin' Up! as a demonstrator, you are a member of a local group with an upline, sidelines and group meetings. We already have a lot in common and have the most fun! Sometimes it even relates to stamping!

Last night was our monthly get-together and we had a shoebox swap. Everyone brings the supplies all prepared, for a nice card. This was the prototype for my card, tho I switched it up a bit for the final version. We have been rotating our meeting place, so it is convenient for everyone, eventually. Barbara hosted, so we finally got to meet her darling daughters.

Stampin' Up! is offering a great incentive right now for anyone who wants to enjoy the benefits of being a demonstrator: 15% off the regular start-up kit price and your choice of any stamp set in any current catalog, up to $47 value. Nice. Then you will enjoy at least 20% off the price of anything you order for your own use or for use in your business. Give me a call or leave a comment here, and I'll give you all the details.

Happy Stamping!
Dee Tollaksen

Monday, January 18, 2010

Valentine's Day is coming

I am trying to come up with a few different options for hostesses in January and early February, that they can offer at their workshops.

I think this Crushed Curry ink looks nice and golden, alongside the beautiful pink satin ribbon. Easy and beautiful. If we used actual gold ink, it takes quite a while to dry and is hard to handle at a workshop, but the crushed curry dries quick and looks great.

Want some free Stampin' Up! merchandise? Just leave a little comment and I'll be happy to organize a workshop for you!


Happy Stamping!
Dee Tollaksen

Sunday, January 17, 2010

Flower Folds

My Flower Folds die for the Big Shot arrived this week. Expect to see lots of samples with great big happy flowers on them!

Then my Stampin' Success magazine arrived in the mail, with a lovely sample using the Flower Folds diecuts, how lovely!

So this is a CASE of that card using the new Big Shot die. Yippee. So cheerful, I think. Using the delicious new satin ribbon in Old Olive, a tiny tag and a flower brad. I love this card. And it is soooo easy and fast. I think you should ask for this card at your workshop, all your friends will go home thinking they are so talented, AND THEY ARE!!!

Come on, pick up the phone and call, we will have a blast at a workshop at your house, or mine!

Happy Stamping!
Dee Tollaksen

Saturday, January 16, 2010

CASEd beauty


Copy And Share Everything. Really. Card making is all about using the stamps and the layouts and the ideas that have been worked out for you. I love to look at the swaps and the blogs and save great cards. This card is CASEd from a blog, someone who doesn't put a watermark on her work. So I don't know who originated this gorgeous card. But, I liked it so much, I showed it to a customer, and she chose to use the layout and color combo for a party invite. So if you know the original artist, I would love to give her credit, just leave me a comment, please!

The stamp set is Vintage Vogue from the new Occasions Mini Catalog. So Beautiful!

This is the prototype card, and there are some glitches, such as the miss-punch on the bottom edge. But you get the idea, right?

Happy Stamping,
Dee Tollaksen

Friday, January 15, 2010

Val Tag


Are you over Christmas? Ready to move on?

Valentine's Day is just around the corner. I heard on the radio that more cards are sent for Valentine's Day than Christmas. How is that possible? I think they must be including all the school children swapping cards and treats. That's good, children count!

Here is my first Valentine of the year, a little tag. There is quite a bit of heat embossing, the ivy is actually gold embossing, tho the camera picks it up looking kind of green. and the black sentiment is embossed, it is such a fine line stamp that the embossing makes it pop a bit better. And the entire piece is sprayed with gold shimmer paint. You have to squint and look close, but it makes the project really glow.

Are you ready? Let's stamp! Call me!
Dee Tollaksen

Thursday, January 14, 2010

"From Our Hearts"


If you ever want to touch someone, directly, think about sending beautiful handmade cards to our deployed military members in Iraq and Afghanistan. The non-profit organization "From Our Hearts" has many Chaplains who love receiving boxes of cards. They then provide the blank cards to men and women serving in the armed forces. This allows the service men and women to write home on a beautiful card.

This week I spent two hours with the ladies auxiliary of St Cecelia Church in Mt Prospect, IL. We made about 150 cards in one fun evening. If you would like to host an evening of card making, just drop me a line and I'll help you organize and host.

Happy Stamping!
Dee Tollaksen

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Lollipop Gift


Ever need an idea for a gift for everyone. . . the office or the party guests? This idea came through the blogs in December and I CASEd it in a heartbeat!

Buy a box of tea light candles. They have to be in clear plastic holders, not the silver metal holders. Get out your glue dots and put a dot inside the container and push the candle back in. This just holds the whole thing together and avoids slippage. While at the store, pick up some lollipop sticks. Wilton has them in the candy making department. Get out your trusty hot glue gun and use lots of hot glue to connect the stick to the back of the candle. Using Stampin' Up! small flat cellophane bags, slip the lollipop into a bag. Tie off with a coordinating bit of ribbon. Now -- stamp! Make a cute little tag and attach it to the ribbon. Voila! Simple, affordable, and super cute!
Happy Stamping!
Dee Tollaksen

Monday, January 11, 2010

Perpetual Calendar



Join me for a fun class this week, or offer this to your friends as a workshop in your home or mine, at your convenience! This cute little wooden desktop calendar is so easy to use. We will be making the four season panels, but you can make each month, holiday or special event occurring in your life! Personalize your panel to suit your life. Just $20 for this class, and you will also make the My Digital Studio pocket calendar for your purse or briefcase. Hope to see you soon!

Can't make it to my place in Arlington Hts? How bout doing this class by mail? I'd be happy to prep and ship for the same class price + shipping costs. Just send me an email or leave a comment.

Happy Stamping!
Dee Tollaksen

Saturday, January 9, 2010

Saturday fun!

Did you know there is a new mini catalog and that it is Sell-a-Bration time? Yes! Let me help you get lots of free, discounted, gorgeous stamping fun! Leave a comment, send an email or give me a call.

And did you know that the supplies you already have make great cards and projects? I had to stop giving all my love to the new products and turned back to the giant shelf of stamps that already live in my studio. A bit of Bermuda Bay ink, some Thoroughly Modern Designer Series Paper, the cute Flight of the Butterfly stamp set. Plus a big ol' flower made from scallop circles and a page out of a recycled book.

I love the clean, monochrome style of this card. What do you think?

Happy Stamping!
Dee Tollaksen

Friday, January 8, 2010

Bright-n-Bold


Recently I have seen a couple cards that use black as the base, and just let it speak it's piece. I gave it a shot with this simple layout and I'm pleased. This is designed to take to a "Stampin for the Troops" event I'm holding at a local church with their women's group. Lots of ladies that have never touched rubber stamps, so I kept it simple. I have done all the embossing of the flowers from the Fifth Avenue Floral set and trimmed the ribbon too. All they have to do is trim the flowers, stamp the sentiment and add pop dots to everything. If I was making this card for a special occasion, I might emboss the base, add shimmer spray, tie a bow, jazz it up. But for beginners, this looks like a winner. Then the cards will be sent to a lovely woman in Missouri who boxes them up by the hundreds and ships them off to our deployed military. They have no Hallmark stores in Iraq and Afghanistan, so these cards are put to good use!

Let's get stamping!
Dee Tollaksen

Thursday, January 7, 2010

Advantages of Clear Mount Rubber Stamps

I just saw this awesome layout and card made from the Sweet Pea felt pieces found in the new Occasions Mini Catalog, as well as the gorgeous new Sending Love specialty paper. So I CASEd the card, using a different combo of felt and Sending Love paper. Yummy! Can you see all the sparkly glitter embedded in the paper? It is sooo gorgeous!

Stampin' Up! just posted these words of wisdom by Twitter (gotta love technology) and I knew you would want to know:

Advantages of Clear Mount Rubber Stamps

Stampin' Up! now offers our exclusive stamp art in both traditional wood-mount and the new clear-mount option.

Stampin’ Up!’s new clear-mount rubber stamps are the result of extensive research with the intent to maintain the very best image quality in the stamping industry, while at the same time offering the ease-of-use and storability inherent in repositionable clear-mount rubber stamps.

Here are seven great features of clear-mount rubber stamps and blocks:

  1. Stamps and blocks are durable and easy-to-clean with your Stampin' Scrub and Stampin' Mist.
  2. The optional image labels let you decide if you want to see the image through the block or not.
  3. Stamps have tight die-cutting for easy image positioning.
  4. There are nine different sizes of clear-mount blocks to choose from.
  5. Large clear blocks can be used to create collages or spell words with alphabet sets.

Are you still reading? Awesome. First person to post a comment will be sent this fabulous card, if you can spot the funny mistake in this Twitter post.

Happy Stamping!
Dee Tollaksen

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

A little lovin'


Have you taken a look at the new products in the Occasions Mini Catalog from Stampin' Up!? There is a new specialty paper that contains images perfect for Valentine cards: it is in pinks and reds, very vanilla, it is heavy weight but not quite card stock heft and it has glitter embedded in the print. It is so gorgeous and must be seen and touched to appreciate it.

In this little kraft card I put a couple teeny pieces of this gorgeous paper inside the card, then punched hearts in the front to peek-a-boo into the card. Simple, good for the man in your life, and just right for Valentine's Day, anniversary or anytime you want to let him know how you feel.

Happy Stamping,
Dee Tollaksen

Monday, January 4, 2010

Sell-a-Bration Starts Today!



Are you familiar with Sell-a-Bration? Stampin' Up! is giving away the store! When you spend a little money (50 bucks) you get to choose a free stamp set. These are special sets, available only during this short time, and they are absolutely free. Or you can choose an exclusive pad of Designer Series Paper! Or an exclusive paper punch! If that isn't enough, you could pick a catalog stamp set from a special list of about 75 stamp sets! There are bonuses for hostesses and for new recruits! If you join Stampin' Up! right now, you save 15% on the basic kit and get an extra stamp set from the catalog of your choice, up to $47.95!!!

Do you like Tote-ally Tess here on my card? She is from the new Occasions Mini Catalog which also starts today. If you have been to a class or two in my stamp room or if you have been a hostess this year, you may receive Tess in the mail this week. She has a little bonus for you. If you don't get a card but you would like one, just leave me a message here.

Happy Stamping!
Dee Tollaksen

Saturday, January 2, 2010

Blog-spiration







So, you like surfing the blogs for inspiration? Me too! These little darlings were on a couple blogs last week, and then I found the battery powered tea lights on clearance at the big box store, so 1 + 1 = 2 Ha!

Take a half sheet of vellum, score every two inches and crease, use some sticky tape to connect at the overlapping 5th side to make a square tube. Then make a little boxy bottom: start with a 3.5 x 3.5" square of cardstock, score at 3/4" on all four sides, snip snip snip and fold the edges so the square now looks like half a gift box, adhere the flaps to keep it firm. Snuggle your vellum tube over the box using some more red tape. Is this making any sense? You have to have a demonstration? Well, now we're talking? What works for you? Weekends or weeknights? I'm available! Just leave a comment and we can firm up that demonstration and get the word out to all your crafty friends! Here's a picture of the lamp all lit up.

Happy Stamping!
Dee Tollaksen





Friday, January 1, 2010

Occasions Mini Catty


Stampers, if you have not received the new mini catalog, leave me a comment and let me help you get this in your hands. Stampin' Up! is bringing you stamps minus the wood blocks. I know that sounds shocking, but I have had the chance to work with these for a month now, and there is nothing negative about them. They are less expensive, the same gorgeous rubber, easier to place correctly on your project and storage is a dream come true. Come on over and try them out at my stamping table. You will be an immediate convert. But, if not, if you still love your wood blocks and do not want to change, fine, SU is still offering every single product in a wood mount version. No problem. Happy Stamping!
Dee Tollaksen