Thursday, April 29, 2010

Shoebox Swap geometry

Striking and simple, simultaneously! Jamie sent this dramatic card with her stamping friend, because her husband surprised her with tickets to a game, which conflicted with the swap. Decisions, decisions. . . we'll have to schedule another another event soon so we can visit with Jamie!  Hooray for husbands who take their wives to fun sporting events!

Happy Stamping!
Dee Tollaksen

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Good ol' Loads of Love

Teresa was a first-time stamper at the Spring Shoebox Swap. She brought this nice "masculine" card using the Loads of Love stamp set. Every demonstrator knows and loves this set, because it was in the Stampin' Up! starter kit for so long!  It is cute, versatile, masculine and you can color it! All great features in a stamp set.

Thanks Teresa, we all love that the ribbon is the pretty road the truck travels.

Happy Stamping!
Dee Tollaksen

Monday, April 26, 2010

Spring flowers shoebox swap

One of our swappers at the Spring Shoebox event is a neighbor of mine, and she has attended nearly every shoebox we have hosted!  Iris created this lovely composition. You know I love a CAS (clean and simple) card, so this is definitely my style!

Happy Stamping!
Dee Tollaksen

Saturday, April 24, 2010

Pretty in Mambo, from the Shoebox Swap

Sue Michelotti is one of my sidelines from Stampin' Up! This lady is so talented! I always love her cards. Flowers Awash stamp set is available only during April, then it will take a little break until the new Idea Book & Catalog comes out on July 1st. It is a little sneak peek, an opportunity for all of us to see how gorgeous the new book will be!

It works great in the clear-mount version, since it is two-step stampin, you can see exactly where you will be putting the color on top of the outline  stamps. It's just great!

Hope you're having a great weekend, I am!  I'm headed out to dinner with my wonderful husband to celebrate our 26th wedding anniversary. Awesome!

Happy stamping!
Dee Tollaksen

Friday, April 23, 2010

Shoebox swap in pink and white

My friend Roberta brought this beautiful card to the shoebox swap last Saturday. She has a bit of Flower Soft decorating the front, a little product that Stampin' Up! doesn't carry. It really makes the card, though, don't you think?

I love that the card is mostly white, it appeals to my clean & simple style of cardmaking.

Thanks for stamping with me today,
Dee Tollaksen

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Spring Swap Card

Adrienne brought this fabulous card to the swap. She used Circle Circus and the pretty combo of So Saffron and Brocade Blue.

Love it!
Dee Tollaksen

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Spring Shoebox Swap

Saturday was the Spring Shoebox Swap hosted by my bff Catherine and me. We had 16 fun stampers from all around the Chicago area arrive for a few hours of fellowship and stamping!  Many of the ladies were first time shoeboxers and quite apprehensive. Once we got going though, the nerves were out the window and the laughs were full-force.

Some of the cards are from old favorite stamp sets and some are from very current catalogs. Colors are springy and festive. Occasions vary from graduation to birthday to Mother's day to all-occasion. I'll be sharing a card or two each day until I have shared them all.  Today's card comes from a local teacher, Teresa Deal. Enjoy!

Happy Stamping,
Dee Tollaksen

Monday, April 19, 2010

Blog Candy Winner

If you are JMNiffer and you commented on the Color Renovation post, you have won some fun Blog Candy! Please send me your mailing address at my email:  dtollaksen at wideopenwest dot com

Bye-Bye Barely Banana

I am looking forward to all the fresh new colors Stampin' Up! will be giving us this summer, but there are a couple shades that I will miss. . . such as Barely Banana. So here is a pretty yellow card featuring my yellow friend.

I used an embossing plate to texturize the base of this card. When I first purchased these to use on the Big Shot I wasn't too thrilled. But I needed to refamiliarize myself so I could answer a customer's question, and I think this looks great! The flower is simply a few layers of paper punched with the scallop circle punch, a 1" circle punch and an extra large brad, with a teeny bit of very vanilla grosgrain ribbon at the back of the flower. The DSP is from the Jackpot collection.

Where is the paper in the flower found? Well, if you look closely, you'll see that it is in Japanese and I punched it from the pages in a book I bought at the library used book sale. The Japanese text is so beautiful, I forgot to sponge the edges of this flower with a coordinating ink color. Most stampers would have added the ink, but I just get too distracted when I'm destroying a library book!

Happy Stamping!
Dee Tollaksen

Sunday, April 18, 2010

Awash with flowers

Showcasing the beautiful sneak peek set, Awash with Flowers. Stampin' Up! is letting us sample a new 2-step stampin set that will be available July 1 in the new Idea Book & Catalog. This gorgeous, easy set is offered for April only, then we will have to wait til  the big book comes out! There are 18 stamps in this set, so really 9 different flowers, leaves and stems and their twins (outlines and insides). If you're loving these springy flowers as much as I am, just give me a jingle and I'll get them in your hands for a trial run!

Happy stamping,
Dee Tollaksen

Friday, April 16, 2010

Beginning of the End

Are you starting to covet the colors that are retiring? This monochromatic card is done all in Orchid Opulence, a color that will be retiring soon. Remember to take stock of your color inventory and your budget, stock up on your favorite retiring colors. Stampin' Up! has promised to fill all orders placed until the end of May. During June orders will be filled until inventory is depleted. Any color products that are retiring that run out will simply be unavailable after June 1st. New colors will be available starting July 1st with the new catalog.

This card is a base cut on the Big Shot using the square scallop. The center panel was embossed using the Finial Press embossing folder and embossed on the Big Shot. We then flipped over the square and used the rubber brayer to apply color to only the areas that hadn't been embossed. So cool and fun to do, Easy Peasy!

Happy Stamping!
Dee Tollaksen

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Butterfly Case

Come on over and check this out in person, the camera doesn't do it justice.  At my last class, we used the Big Shot and a Sizzlet to pop out all these butterflies and made this lovely textured color-on-color card in Ruby Red and Old Olive, with a bit of Soft Suede ink and ribbon.  The Sizzlet makes it so easy to embellish with diecuts!  If you haven't had the chance, you have to get your hands on these! They cut and emboss in one quick pass!  So fun!

This card is a CASE from one of my sidelines in the Windy City Stamping group. Thank you to Erica for designing this gorgeous layout and color combo!

Today is the day to register for Stampin' Up! convention. If you are looking for a way to meet and stamp with a couple hundred women from all over the country, learn great new techniques, hear some business building methods and have a great time with crafty friends, just say the word, and I can make all that happen!

Happy Stamping!
Dee Tollaksen

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Elegant invite


Who knows why an image appeals, but this table setting just makes me smile. It demands to be stamped and embossed in silver, right? And the grey ribbon and cardstock seems to make the silver really pop. This is the other card that I created to swap at Regionals this past weekend. I didn't bring too many, but that's ok, I have lots of stamping events this April.

Tomorrow is a stamp camp at my place; Saturday is the Spring Shoebox Swap that I host with my bff Catherine, a week from today is my meeting with all my sidelines and we do a shoebox then the following Saturday I'm attending a motivational meeting in Huntley that will also include a shoebox.  I should have plenty of samples to keep me happy!

Happy Stamping!
Dee Tollakssen

Monday, April 12, 2010

Beaded Bags

Here is the second version of the beaded bag that I have made. This is absolutely stunning in person, if I do say so myself. These are beads offered by Stampin' Up! in a two-pack for just $9.95. They are adhered to the cardstock with Diamond Glaze, which is just $6.95.  If you don't have any, get some. I have seen a couple great projects featuring Diamond Glaze and will be sharing soon.

This darling bag would be gorgeous as a table favor or to present a special little gift, and not to hard to duplicate. I followed a template on this blog: http://melstampz.blogspot.com

I thought the bag was bigger when I saw Mel's version, but maybe this next photo with a couple tools in the picture will provide you with proportion!

Happy Stamping!
Dee Tollaksen

Sunday, April 11, 2010

Fun purse project



Sometimes a project is just so gorgeous that all other commitments and activities just have to go on hold while you find some beads in the house and unclog the tip on the bottle of Crystal Effects. Dirty dishes can just stay dirty. I'll share more on this tomorrow, but I couldn't resist sharing this little sneak peek at a fabulous fun project!

Happy Stamping!
Dee Tollaksen

Regional swap, #1

I'm home from Milwaukee. One awful turkey croissant,  7 great ladies among 500 stamping fanatics, 6 hours of Stampin' Up! program, 12 so-so swaps cards. . . did I have a good time? You do the math!

I didn't make a big box of swap cards because there is a color revolution underway and because convention comes in July after the new catalog gives us a big pile of new stamp sets.  But now I find that my group is not going to convention. boo hoo. This is awful. Only my bff Catherine and I are entertaining the thought of attending. This is very troubling.  Are you thinking of going to convention? Are you a demonstrator? Please let me know, because we need a group of fun and crazy stampers to join up with.  If you're not a demo but want to attend, I can make that happen!  Just shoot me an email or leave a comment.

The card! Oh, right!   I made a whole sheet of embossed flowers and script from Vintage Vogue stamp set, then sponged coordinating colors of ink over the whole sheet. Trimmed it up and used it as an element on the card face. The base layer is Confetti White, nice and sturdy. Then the Tempting Turquoise layer is embossed with swiss dot embossing folder on the Big Shot.  The flower and the Thank You are sizzlets used on the Big Shot and embellished with Glimmer Paint.  I didn't LOVE this card, but it was a fun and interesting technique.

Happy Stamping!
Dee Tollaksen

Friday, April 9, 2010

Milwaukee Regional Meeting

I'm going to Regionals!  You may not be familiar with the term, but for Stampin' Up! demonstrators, that means that I get to spend an entire day with other Demonstrators, learn new techniques and stamp with the training team from SU, in a local venue. Of course, for us, local means: Milwaukee!  I'm sure it is more cost effective than Chicago, and there are a ton of stampers in Wisconsin. So, I'm excited!

These are sparkly fun foam flowers I cut using my Big Shot Flower Folds die. I attached them to a key chain and will be giving them to my sideline demonstrators that will be attending Regionals. Just a little stampin' love to share with my pals.

What's that? You want one? You want to be invited to Regionals? You want to enjoy a substantial discount on every single thing you purchase from Stampin' Up! Of course you do! Especially now when we all will be wanting to buy tons of ink and paper in the new colors this summer!  Join me! Just give me a call or an email and I'll be happy to welcome you into the club!

Happy Stamping!
Dee Tollaksen

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Major Color Announcement

Stampin' Up! has announced a major revamping of the color families in our collection.  Many of the colors we have learned to love will be retiring permanently.  If any of these colors are on your favorite list, start hoarding.  Order and collect and save and hoard, paper and ink!  Call now!!

But wait!  Because new and better colors will be here on July 1st. Some are old friends, some of the In Colors will be returning and some are brand new!  Even the way the colors are organized has been revamped.

I think Stampin' Up! is very forward in their thinking. It makes sense to stay fresh and new, without having such a huge collection that nobody can own or even keep track of.

Let me know what you think.  Will you want to stockpile the retiring colors? Or clear up your inventory so you can start fresh with the new shades?

Really, leave me a comment. I will have a little stamp set for one of the comments. Something flowery that is sitting here just waiting to be loved!

Happy Stamping,
Dee Tollaksen

Monday, April 5, 2010

Mexico Monday

This is a great shot of my DD from our spring break trip to Riveria Maya in Mexico. Seems we missed the earthquake, yea!

Great colors, pretty bar with a mural painted behind the bartender's work area.  Bonus points if you notice her new friend!

More crafting soon,
Dee Tollaksen

Sunday, April 4, 2010

Texture Time


After raiding the remnant bin at the fabric store, I have this tempting pile of textures right next to the Big Shot here in the craft room. This sheer white fabric kind of melts under the camera lens, but looks smashing on the card. I cut it using the Flower Folds die, this was one of those $42 purchases that I waited and waited to make. I know what you're thinking. Really, $42? To make flowers? But I have had so much fun with this product! And it works like a dream. Yes, I have sharp scissors. I can cut flowers. But this die in the Big Shot cuts through the fabric and cardstock and chipboard, fast, accurate and gorgeous!

Oh, yea, the card. . . I used the scalloped border punch to create a 12" strip in some white dotted DSP, then ran it through the crimper, then adhered it around a punched circle. Layered it under a corner punched piece of white cardstock, all on a base of Kraft cardstock. A bit of pink, some brushed silver metallic cardstock, just for a bit of bling. Added the pink corduroy button and some large white brads.  Then added some straight lines embossed near the edge. Simple pieces to create quite a complex textured piece!

Beautiful, don't you think? This was inspired by a card in Paper Craft magazine. Thanks for the inspiration!

Happy Stamping,
Dee Tollaksen

Saturday, April 3, 2010

Easter Bags


I just adore my niece and nephews, the last little kids of our family. So I indulge them whenever I get the chance.  A long shopping trip to the book store, some high quality chocolate bunnies and a few other goodies, filling up a bag for each of them. Who is having more fun? The kids or Aunt Dee? I think it's Aunt Dee!

Happy Stamping!
Dee Tollaksen

Clearance Sale





Stampin' Up! has added loads of goodies to the Clearance Rack at great savings. If you're looking to craft "on a budget" now is the time to check it out!

Happy Stamping!
Dee Tollaksen

Friday, April 2, 2010

April Special from Stampin' Up!


Promotion Dates: April 1-30, 2010
Promotion Details
Hostesses
Host a $350 workshop and receive the brand-new Two-Step Awash with Flowers stamp set FREE!
Item Description 
117062Awash with Flowers (wood-mount) 
120549 Awash with Flowers (clear-mount)
Customers
Two-Step into spring with a sneak peek from the 2010-2011 Idea Book & Catalog! Be the first to add the Awash with Flowers stamp set to your collection.
Item Description Price 
117062 Awash with Flowers (wood-mount) $39.95 
120549 Awash with Flowers (clear-mount) $27.95

Plus, purchase spring-themed Two-Step Stampin' sets at 20 percent off the retail price--no additional purchase necessary!
Qualifying stamp sets are listed below:

Item Page Description Discount Price 
113824 94Greenhouse Garden $20.76 
113734 98 Fifth Avenue Floral $19.96 
111578 101 Flower Fancy $29.56 
113258 112 Trendy Trees $14.36 
Things to Remember
  • The Awash with Flowers stamp set is a sneak peek from the 2010-2011 Idea Book & Catalog and will not be available again until the release of the new Idea Book & Catalog.
  • Order deadlines:
    • Phone: Friday, April 30, 2010; 6:50 PM (MT)
    • Online Ordering: Friday, April 30, 2010; 11:50 PM (MT)
Hostess Promotion:
  • You must place your order on a workshop, customer, or demonstrator order to qualify. Online orders are not eligible for this part of the promotion.  Please contact me to place your order.
  • There is a limit of one free Awash with Flowers stamp set per workshop; the reward is for reaching the $350 workshop level, and is not incremental.
  • Qualifying hostesses may choose either the wood-mount or clear-mount set. Please note: Clear-mount blocks are not included with the clear-mount set (blocks C and H are recommended this set).
Customer Promotion:
  • You may place your order on any order type (customer, demonstrator, workshop, or online).
  • There are no limits, and there is no minimum purchase to qualify for the 20 percent off.
  • The 20 percent off discount does not apply to the Awash with Flowers stamp set.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at 847/670-1161 or dtollaksen@wideopenwest.com

Happy Stamping!
Dee

Pretty Treat

Sending Love DSP. I feel like I could just stop here. the Sending Love DSP is so versatile and gorgeous!  The center of this tag is punched from the textured and glittered paper. It is just fabulous!

The rest of the tag is just a 5-petal punch in pink and the smallest Flower Fold daisy in Whisper White. I used a cellophane bag to hold some pretty candy closed with gorgeous ribbon. Easy peasy!

Happy Stamping!
Dee Tollaksen

Thursday, April 1, 2010

Gift Presentation


Are you giving some goodies to the children this Sunday? My children are no longer little kiddies who will scamper after eggs or search for a basket, sadly. So I have a couple gift cards and a bit of chocolate to present, but needed a pretty packaging idea.

This is just a quick fold of DSP (Designer Series Paper) with a bit of ribbon and embellishment, and Voila! Leave me a comment if you want dimensions or instructions. It was super easy and serves the purpose perfectly!

Happy Stamping!
Dee Tollaksen