Memorial Day Weekend

Inspired by a piece I saw on a magazine blog, I  played with my paper and made a table decoration. I will be bringing this one to a hockey viewing party today. The Chicago Blackhawks are doing very well, going into the playoffs, and we have had a ton of fun viewing the games with friends through the season.

Being Memorial Day weekend I went with the red, white & blue theme. Hopefully my host will enjoy this for Flag Day in June and Independence Day in July. Then she can retire the bright, gaudy piece.  I made one for myself, and I will probably enshrine it in my stamp room for even longer!

I have yards of sparkly garland, and yards of patriotic fabric, so feel free to come on over and create table decor for yourself!

Remember the veterans who made your freedom possible. Pray for the young men and women currently serving our country, especially my son Steve, at Camp LeJeune with the 8th Communications Battalion, USMC.

Happy Stamping!
Dee Tollaksen

An apple a day. . .

Teacher thank you card?  Graduation card for a future teacher?  Diet encouragement card? Get well card?

Simple, striking and versatile, this little apple card can be used for a myriad of occasions! The Tart & Tangy stamp set comes with 4 fun fruits, so you can sub any of them in this design. I love it! I CASEd this card from one Dawn Olchefske posted ages ago. Thanks Dawn!

This card will be made in class tonight and tomorrow. If you are suddenly available at 7 tonight (during American Idol) or Thursday at 1 pm or 7 pm, just give me a call or email and join us!

Happy Stamping!
Dee Tollaksen

Kinda Masculine

Everyone knows, masculine cards are the most challenging, right? So we all love it when a card ends up looking kinda masculine.  This one feature DSP from the new Summer Mini Catalog from Stampin' Up!, which is all about travel. This is part of a 12 x 12" sheet featuring a ship and may be ocean water. And the Kraft panel is also DSP from the same Travel Journal collection, looks somewhat like men's suiting fabric. Love it!  But I think it is the colors that make it masculine.

This is the second card we will be making in all the classes this Wednesday and Thursday. Plenty of room for you to join us!

Happy Stamping,
Dee Tollaksen

Graduation card?

Stamp Camp this week--clear your calendar and come to stamp!  It looks like you can choose from Wednesday at 1 or 7 OR Thursday at 1 or 7!  I tossed the Wednesday class on my calendar and was later informed that American Idol Finale is Wednesday. . . what was I thinking?  Sheesh! So I was going to move the class, but there must be at least one other person not caught up in the Idol excitement, because Debbie signed up for Wednesday night! Thursday works better for others, so we'll just do both!

I love how this card turned out, spotlighting the owl from the Level I hostess set "It's the Thought" and his sentiment is "...a little wiser."  I think that works for a graduation card, right?  And the embossed black layer makes it quite elegant. Just a teeny bit of coloring and a short length of satin ribbon. Voila!

Come on over and make a card or 8, Wednesday or Thursday! Plenty of room.

Happy Stamping,
Dee Tollaksen

Kiss Kiss

I was asked to teach the kissing technique at a recent stamp camp, so we combined a couple cute stamp sets and practiced a new technique.  The DSP in this card is from Pawsitively Prints, they are absolutely gorgeous and work well with tons of spring cards, but especially for the Build-a-Bear stamps and diecuts.

The butterfly is a solid stamp from the Flight of the Butterfly stamp set. It was inked up in Bashful Blue, then we inked up the flowers from Bouquet Bunch stamp set and stamped directly onto the butterfly stamp, not the cardstock. We reinked and stamped onto the butterfly stamp again, then we stamped the butterfly onto whisper white cardstock. Then punch it out and apply to card. Simple!  This technique works great with the Sweet Scoops stamp set. In fact, the square squiggly stamp is designed just for this technique!

Happy Stamping!
Dee Tollaksen

Sparkle

All-time favorite? Maybe! At least in the top 5!  These cards are meant to be seen in person, but let me try to describe the fabulousness of this card. This was demonstrated at the Stampin' Up! Regional Meeting in Milwaukee, by a demonstrator named Donna Griffith.

A panel of acetate is stamped with this great all-in-one stamp from
Fresh Cuts stamp set using black stazon ink. Then flip the acetate over and pour on a generous amount of Crystal Effects glue, drip 3 drops of re-inker (Melon Mambo shown) and with a gloved finger spread the paint/glue mix all over the acetate. Sprinkle with the teeniest amount of Dazzling Diamonds glitter. Then place a piece of tissue paper over and press down into the glue. Anytime you have to wear a glove, is obviously a time you are making a messy project, gotta love it! Set this aside to dry.  The Rich Razzleberry panel is sprayed with the new Smooch Spritz in silver. Layer it all up, when dry, trim the acetate/tissue panel and put it all together. So gorgeous!

What is that you're thinking? You don't want to attempt this without the supervision of a demonstrator?  Well, I just so happen to have this down to an art and would love to share it with you!  I can stop by your place and   demonstrate for you and a few friends! And you can earn some free supplies to stamp and scrapbook! Just comment here or give me a call!  Or attend the SPARKLE class I have scheduled for June 17. You'll LOVE it!

Happy Stamping!
Dee Tollaksen

Acetate Flowers

Are you busy this afternoon? Because you really should see this card, in person!  I have a lovely point-and-shoot camera, which works well for my needs, until it comes to acetate. There is no magic "clear plastic" button, so I have to try to figure it out by myself!

This is artist acetate, I think they use it to protect artwork in their portfolio. It is the same product Stampin' Up! offers as Window Sheets. It is fun and different to work with. Here I have stamped with white Stazon ink and Fifth Avenue Floral stamp set, then there is a strip of Kraft cardstock, gorgeous red w/polka dot grosgrain ribbon and the daisy cut on the Big Shot with my new daisy die.  So fun!  The ladies in class were surprised that when they folded the acetate and even used the bone folder to sharpen that fold, the plastic folded, no fight, and no cracks or breaks. Cool.

If you missed this class but want to try this technique, just leave a comment or give me a call.

Happy Stamping!
Dee Tollaksen

Spring is coming

Even though the furnace was needed again last night, the weatherman says that Chicago will be getting weather in the 70's by the weekend. Hooray.  In the spirit of spring, I bring you a pretty butterfly from my acetate card class.

They were cut using the Stampin' Up! exclusive Beautiful Wings embosslit for the Big Shot. This was introduced in the spring mini catalog, but is still available for just $11.95 (item #118138). Can you tell it cut and embossed the acetate beautifully? Of course it works perfectly with cardstock and DSP, but this class focused on acetate!

This is a photo of the prototype card. The class version substituted a bit of DSP with a bit of flowers and vines for the white squares. I didn't get to photograph that one, but the stampers agreed it put just the right oomph into the design to make it work.

I would love to teach this again, if you and your friends would like to try it, just leave a comment or send me an email!

Happy Stamping,
Dee Tollaksen

Acetate daisy

If you missed this week's acetate class, whoo boy, did you miss a cool one. And I'm not just saying that, the ladies who came were really having a good time! Acetate can add a real punch or WOW to a card, and it seems like it might be hard to work with. . . but we conquered our fears! We embossed with an embossing folder and the Big Shot, we die cut with the Big Shot, we stamped with black stazon, we stamped with white stazon and we smeared with inky glue to make a really outstanding card. Yes, I'll be sharing all week. But don't you want to try all this? Just leave a comment and we can get a class or workshop scheduled so you can try it all!

This little card has a big ol' daisy on it, that was a little camera shy. So I went in for the close-up. This was cut using the Big Shot, as easy as could be!

Happy Stamping!
Dee Tollaksen

Dusty Dreams

I love this card. Yes, I made it, but I copied it directly from one that Cindy Lou posted on her blog:
http://cindyloustampingguru.typepad.com

I want you to schedule a workshop at your place or mine, so I can show you how gorgeous this is, in person! Then I'll show you how I made it, then you can make it! So easy, and BEAUTIFUL!!!!!

It includes heat embossing the leaf image in black on glossy paper, then sponging  some rich razzleberry ink across the glossy paper, then sponging loads of dusty durango ink across the glossy paper. This is fun! The glossy paper just allows you to slide the sponge easily,  building up loads of color.  Then get out your new Smooch Spritz in Gold Glow, and give it a good coating. While you assemble the layers, the smooches can dry, then you add some black brads and satin ribbon and VOILA, gorgeousness has been achieved.  Thanks to Cindy Lou for sharing this with me!

Happy Stamping,
Dee Tollaksen

End of the road

This is it. The end of the road. The final masterpiece. Here is the last card from the Spring Shoebox Swap. Cynthia brought this gorgeous z-fold card in beautiful spring colors. I love this stamp, a branch with leaves and blossoms. So pretty. And a darling little butterfly from the Big Shot embosslit. Lots of pretty details: distressed edges, tone-on-tone stamping, paper piercing. But it doesn't come off as busy or overdone. Great job. Love it!

Tomorrow, it is back to cards from me! I have a little stash of really good ones to share, and some fun classes to promote. Be sure to check the calendar, at right, for two special events in June. Mark your calendar!

Happy Stamping!
Dee Tollaksen

May Showers help the flowers

Yes, I know the saying is "April Showers bring May flowers" but it is raining cats and dogs here in Arlington Hts, so I just hope it is helping the landscape.

Cindy brought this darling spring card to the Spring Shoebox Swap. I just love the bright color and contrast with black and white. So perfect. And that bumblebee looks quite determined to enjoy the flowers!

Another winner!

Happy Stamping!
Dee Tollaksen

Graduation again

Probably the biggest bonus I have received from being part of Stampin' Up! are the friends.  No kidding, some of my best friends are people I have met because of stamping. This card was brought to the Spring Shoebox Swap by Laura. She is one of my "sidelines" in the stamping business.  She is somewhat of a "hobby" demonstrator, enjoying the privileges and discounts of being a demo, but she has a great fulltime job in the engineering world. Wow.  But WOW can she stamp! This is one of her typically fabulous creations.

But, the point here, is that this week, Laura bailed me out of a sticky situation with supplies that I had ordered incorrectly.  If the people in this "business" weren't so great, I would just be up the creek without a paddle. So, thanks again, Laura. And I'm so glad to have you as my friend, and to have made so many great friends!

Shout outs to Catherine, Sue, Barbara, Lora, Dawn, Joan, Denise, Arlene, Cynthia, Cindy, Barb, Teresa, Enith, Pam, Jamie, and if I missed your name, I'm sorry. So glad to have made friends with all of you because of this great and fun hobby!

Happy Stamping!
Dee Tollaksen

Wonderful Mother

It may look familiar, because I posted it earlier this spring, but today is actually Mother's Day, so here you go, again!

Happy Mother's Day!

This card is filled with details and techniques, all of them easy and fun. The skirt is just Designer Series Paper (DSP) that has been trimmed to strips of 4" by 3/4" then punched on the scallop edge border punch. Then I layered them one over the other like shingles on the roof. It is quite impressive in person. You can come on over and try it, or schedule a workshop and I'll teach you and your friends!

Happy Stamping!
Dee Tollaksen

Something new and something less new

Pam brought this lovely graduation card to the Spring Shoebox Swap. I love the tradition of celebrating graduation. Another student has reached a milestone in their life. Their family and friends gather to mark the event. Gifts are offered. Food is shared. It's the glue that holds us all together. Just a bit of sappy of emotion for me today. Hmmm. I don't know where that came from. I just love the image of the graduation hat flying off. Makes me smile. Thanks to Pam for creating this great card.

And now to something new. Here is my girl with her new bike. She has a funny history with bikes, so it comes as no surprise that she chose this throwback style of two-wheeler!  Enjoy!

And here is a card using the new set from the Stampin' Up! mini catalog, to commemorate the purchase.

Happy Stamping!
Dee Tollaksen

Sell-a-Bration visits Shoebox Swap

Kelly use a great Sell-a-Bration set to make her card for the Spring Shoebox Swap. The bird cage fits perfectly in the small tag punch, so clever!! And this is a great example of an embossing folder adding texture to the card base. I absolutely love this  "clean & simple" style of card. Thanks Kelly, for one more fabulous swap card.

Happy Stamping!
Dee Tollaksen

Gift Card Holder

The Spring Shoebox Swap cards gave everyone loads of inspiring samples. This pretty Gift Card holder was brought by Kathy Z. It is made from an envelope that is all folded up and given a pretty face. This idea can be used for wedding gifts, graduation gifts, Mother's Day or Father's Day, as well as a birthday.   Love the cupcakes here, so trendy!

Happy Stamping!
Dee Tollaksen

Cold spell

This fabulous spring card was brought to the spring shoebox swap by Karen. I love the grass and the butterflies, in fact, I think I will be doing that today at my stamp camp!  What a coincidence!

Today's weather is supposed to let the nice 70 degree weather move along and the temperatures are supposed to drop and rain will join in. It is spring in Chicago, so I can't complain, but I can miss the warm sunny days.

At least I can enjoy this pretty and springlike card. Thanks Karen!

Happy Stamping,
Dee Tollaksen

Trendy card from the spring shoebox

You know anything with coffee is right on target, trend-wise. So, this card by Gina totally hits the mark.  The cute mug of coffee and the "warm wishes" over the spring colors, it makes me wish for spring to come and to bring summer along.

I have a birthday party tonight and this summer I will be celebrating a big 'ol birthday of my own, so I am certainly not wishing away any of my days, I just want my days to be sunny and warm. Bring it on!

Happy Stamping!
Dee Tollaksen

Stampin' Up! Scrapbooking special for May

Promotion Dates: May 1-31, 2010

The special promotion for the month of May:
Purchase a qualifying scrapbooking stamp set or the My Digital Studio software and receive a FREE package of Designer brads--choose from four designs!
Qualifying products and Designer brads are listed below:

Stamp sets
81 Extreme Elements 115181 $26.95 wood mount
119 Framed with Love** 114389 $27.95 wood mount
128 Certified** 113706 $27.95 wood mount
129 Circle Circus 115778 $28.95 wood mount
12* Elements of Style 118611 $27.95 wood mount 120045 $19.95 clear mount
14* Rough Type 118659 $26.95 wood mount 120072 $18.95 clear mount
22* Sentimental Journey 118513 $23.95 wood mount 120075 $17.95 clear mount
25* First Day 118521 $23.95 wood mount 120051 $17.95 clear mount
*From Summer Mini Catalog
**Last Chance stamp set!

My Digital Studio software
32* My Digital Studio 118108 $79.95
*From Summer Mini Catalog

Designer brads
179 Flower Designer brads 112579 $5.95 FREE
179 Filigree Designer brads 112577 $5.95 FREE
179 Circle Designer brads 112571 $5.95 FREE
179 Star Designer brads 112572 $5.95 FREE 

Oh Happy Day

There is a birthday in my circle of friends this week, so we are all gathering and headed out for a ladies night and fun dinner together, I can't wait!

This pretty birthday card was brought to the Spring Shoebox Swap by Enith. I love how chocolate chip complements just about any shade you put with it. This is one of those "fall-to" layouts, a style of card that you can reproduce for any occasion with any stamp set, and always get a great result!  Thanks Enith, for being an enthusiastic and faithful attendee at our shoebox swaps!

Happy Stamping!
Dee Tollaksen

Daisy day

Good morning! And hello to Barb's fabulous card! A new stamping customer of mine, Barb has been enjoying the craft of stamping for a while and has always got a lovely hand-stamped card on her desk at work! Usually one she has receive from a stamping friend! Awesome!

This is the card she designed and brought to the Spring Shoebox Swap for everyone to enjoy. I just love it. The flowers are heat embossed and cut, they really pop on this very springy card.

We still have a few more swap cards to enjoy, so keep checking.

On Wednesday I am offering a technique class. One of the projects will NOT be a card, but a gorgeous flower. I can't wait to show you how easy this is to make and to add to a gift box or bag or, in this case, jar!

Happy Stamping!
Dee Tollaksen

Enjoy the ride

Here is one of the new stamp sets offered in the Summer Mini Catalog, Pedaling Past.

Available today and tomorrow, from me for 20% savings if you're using it for scrapbooking, see previous post!

Dee

Scrapbooking Day

Today is National Scrapbooking Day! And Stampin' Up! has released the new Summer Mini Catalog with tons of fun new stamps and embellishments!  Let's celebrate!

Take 20% off anything you order this weekend, if it relates to scrapbooking. Just from me, only if you call or email me by midnight Sunday May 2 and mention this blog post.

Do you have your very own copy of the summer mini catalog? My current customers should have received one of their very own in the mail this week. If you want or need one, just call, I'll get one to you.  If you want to shop immediately, just click over to www.dtollaksen.stampinup.net and look at all the goodies. Remember not to place your order on-line though, I can't discount on-line orders. Pictures of the catalog and samples from new sets will be posted soon!

Happy Stamping!
 Dee Tollaksen