Thursday, July 29, 2010

Convention Highlights

We just had the best time possible in Salt Lake City, last week at the Stampin' Up! Convention. I wish you had come along. Here is Sue, at the happiest moment of all. She wanted the tye-die lanyard. It was awarded to members of the Recruit Crew, which we hadn't been invited to join. SU staffers were also wearing them. She asked someone if they would give theirs to her, "no, I can't" and she asked if she could buy one, "no, I can't" and Catherine tried to negotiate one for her, "no, I can't."  As we passed through the convention center about an hour after the close of convention, we were leaving for the last time and she held the door open for the president of the company, Dale Fillmore. She asked if he would give up his lanyard and he said, sure! And you have to take my nametag as well, what am I going to do with it anyway? Sue was about to jump for joy!

I took lots of pictures of cards and projects, and will try to share them with you, or my version of them, but thought this little 3D project is so cute. Unfortunately I have no idea who designed this, but the Top Note die for the Big Shot is the flap, isn't it darling!

Happy Stamping!
Dee Tollaksen

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Stampin' Up! Loves Demonstrators!

This video was posted at YouTube today, Stampin' Up! employees having fun at the home office!

Convention fun


Extra bonus for hostesses through the end of August, an extra $25 of free merchandise for qualifying demonstrations! Let me help you earn that Big Shot or extra couple of stamp sets! Just let me know you're interested!

The Stampin' Up! Convention 2010 was wonderful, as usual. This year, only 3 of us from our group attended, but we had the best time!  I will be sharing lots of the great swap samples that I gathered, but I can't begin to post the vast majority of them. If you would like to share in the fun, just give me a call and you can come over any time and see all the cards. There was some awesome talent represented in my swap collection this year!
Happy Stamping!
Dee Tollaksen

Saturday, July 24, 2010

Air Conditioning


Certainly you remember that I just celebrated my 50th birthday, right? Well, along with that comes some changes to the ol' circulation system. Hormones, aches & pains, creaks and pops. It's not a pretty picture.

But I found these plain white fans in the bridal section of a certain fabric store in my neighborhood. I grabbed one for myself, thinking it would fit in my purse and I could drag it out anytime that sneaky heat wave overcomes. Then I realized that it was white, and plain, and needed to be stamped!  So I grabbed some extras and now my roommates can also fend off the unexpected metabolic heat wave!

Happy Stamping!
Dee Tollaksen

Friday, July 23, 2010

Feeling blue


By far, blue is my absolute favnorite color. In fact, I could probably dump many of the colors of cardstock and ink I own, and just focus on the pretty blues! But I try to be fair to all the shades of the spectrum.  Today, I am sharing this gorgeous Marina Mist card. A bit of Greenhouse Gala and chocolate chip join the Whisper White panel that was embossed on the Big Shot.  The sentiment was cut on a new Clear Embosslit on the Big shot. Love it!  And the stamp set is all sentiments called Word Play and it is new in the current Idea Book & Catalog.

A couple dozen of these are in my swap bag, to share at the Stampin' Up! convention. Hope they are a hit!

Happy Stamping,
Dee Tollaksen

Thursday, July 22, 2010

Snack time


I will be rooming with a couple good friends while staying in Salt Lake City for the Stampin' Up! convention. We always bring roomie gifts, and quite often they are food related. This year, I will also be watching my diet, closely. So I prepared some healthy snacks.  Enclosed in the decorated tin are "serving size" bags of almonds and dark chocolate covered dried fruit. Alright, there was the word chocolate in there, but watching one's diet does not mean total sacrifice!

Hope they enjoy their snacks!
Happy Stamping,
Dee Tollaksen

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Did you see the preview?


After making a bunch of this card, I thought it was missing something, and a sentiment seemed to be the consensus.

So I tried to fine a little square saying that would work, but no luck. So I took a long phrase and trimmed it to make it square-ish. Then it needed a backdrop, and the heart seemed to work. But when I added the Dazzling Diamonds, well, then I knew it was done.

Hooray!

Again, a dozen or so have been created to swap with other demonstrators while I am at convention in Salt Lake City.  Hope it is a hit!

Happy Stamping,
Dee Tollaksen

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Purrfect Kitty


One more night til we take off for Utah. If it doesn't get done today, it isn't going to get done!

Long Fellows stamp set is a Hostess Benefit option, with such cute critters! I paired it up with some DSP from Greenhouse Gala, a panel of Chocolate Chip that has been embossed on the Big Shot and a bit of new ribbon.

I made a dozen of these to swap and I might just leave one at home. . . I love it! It is simple, but it doesn't look simple!

I am going to try to prepare a few posts to pop up while I'm gone, I hope it works!

Happy Stamping!
Dee Tollaksen

Sunday, July 18, 2010

Crazy choice for a shoebox swap?


Would you be happy if you got to make this card at a shoebox swap? It has fabric cut on the Big Shot, it has DSP made into a flower or medallion. It has the new flat-back pearls Stampin' Up! has just brought out, in all three sizes. The silver and pink cardstock was also cut on the Big Shot, using the scallop square die.

My BFF said I had too much going on here, for a shoebox, so I did a ton of the work ahead, and all that will need to be done is pearls, stamping, and assembly.

Fifty of these. I made 50 DSP medallions. 200 fabric flowers. Thankfully the Big Shot will let me die cut many layers of this lovely thin fabric all at once.

Fifty silver circles punched. Fifty pink circles punched, covered with Crystal Effects glue and sprinkled with Dazzling Diamonds. You can't see it in the photo, but under the silver layer, I dry embossed two lines across the bottom of the card.

I love this card. So I hope the ladies in the swap like it!

Happy Stamping!
Dee Tollaksen

Thursday, July 15, 2010

Fork Bow


Do you have one of these? A potato masher? Or a large  fork, serving or turkey lifter?  I am loving this fabulous potato masher!  It helps me make this beautiful red satin bow!  Want to know how? Let's see if I can describe it using pictures and words.
The Fork Bow, on the Potato Masher!

I like to leave the ribbon attached to the bolt. I don't like to waste any, and I don't want to cut it too short, so, I leave it on the bolt.

Thread the ribbon over the ribs, I don't know what these mashing wires are called, so I am going to call them ribs.



See how the loose end of the ribbon goes over the bolt end and then through the ribs to the inside of the masher?





Same step, just a little different view. Want you to see exactly where all the lengths of ribbon are.





Pull that loose ribbon end  through the ribs. You can use your right hand. I had to use my right hand to take pictures. But you can use both hands! It should make the job easier!!





Now pull down on the spool end of the ribbon. You want the circle of ribbon to be snug on the ribs. Not crazy tight, but snug. It should be clinging to the masher. It shouldn't be falling off the masher.











Get the two ends ready to tie. If you want to finagle (I know that finagle isn't a real word, but you know what I mean), yes, finagle the two ends so they aren't twisted. This is your opportunity to make the knot square and smooth.










Tie the two ends. Now you have a bow. And it is attached to a potato masher.











See it? Fabulous? Lovely? Ready? Just slide it off!














And then attach it to your card!  By wrapping the loose end around the back and taping it down. Of course, you will now need to trim the bow off the spool. Then wrap the second ribbon end around the back of the card. Now you can complete your masterpiece!

Any questions? Call me! or email! Get yourself some great ribbon by clicking here!
Happy Stamping!

Dee Tollaksen

Help me


I know these babies need something to spruce them up. Is it a sentiment? Is it glitter or what?

I have a dozen of these made to take as swaps to convention, but I need to add a bit of oomph.

Any suggestions?

Dee Tollaksen

Excuses, excuses


My stamping table is swamped and convention is less than a week away. The flight is booked, the room reserved, the wardrobe is somewhat planned, but the cards have not been photographed.  Hopefully today!

This is my firstborn, Steve, and his fiancee Danielle, on Independence Day in Washington, DC.  Steve is a Marine and we don't get to see nearly enough of him, so it was a treat to get some pictures of him this week. Big Thanks to Danielle.

Cards are coming, I promise!
Happy Stamping,
Dee Tollaksen

Monday, July 12, 2010

Color Coach



I hope you have the new Idea Book & Catalog in hand. I am prepping for Convention, now that the garage sale is over. My table is covered in paper and ink, but nothing is finished or ready to show, so here is a new tool to add to your arsenal.

Every shade of the new Color Renovation has is own nice big page, and the back of each page has great color combination suggestions, room for you to make notes or add your own color combinations and the color coach is bound with a removable screw, so you can add the In Color collection or take your pages out to lay on the table and play with combinations.  Add the Color Coach to your next order for just $14.95 and let the experts help you with your scrapbook and card color choices!

Happy Stamping!
Dee Tollaksen

Friday, July 9, 2010

Goodie Bags


I have all the stamp sets priced, the paper and ink sorted and priced, the tools and embellishments pulled and ready.

 I even have the goodie bags packed and prettied.  Now I just need to speak to Mother Nature and be sure that the weather is perfect for the annual Stampin' Up! garage sale!

Hope to see you Saturday morning. If you RSVP'd, your goodie bag is waiting for you!

Happy Stamping,
Dee Tollaksen

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

What a deal!


Color deals, Stampin' Up! is helping us collect our new colors! Packages for everyone's preferences. Love markers? Can't live without ink pads? Want to try the pastel crayons? There's a package just for you!

Head on over to my shopping website and take advantage of these package deals!  www.dtollaksen.stampinup.net

Happy Stamping,
Dee Tollaksen

Windy City Stampers Swap


This is the end of the cards from my group's swap. Debbie used a set from the current Summer mini catalog. I love all the tropical stamps in this set, they just celebrate the season, don't you agree?

I have a crazy busy week starting a day late. Did you have a good, fun filled holiday? And now we all have to get 5 days work completed in 4 days. But it was well worth it. I'm off to my office job now, but enjoying summer hours.

Happy Stamping,
Dee Tollaksen

Monday, July 5, 2010

Windy City Stampers Swap


I have asked before and I'm sure I'll ask again, what did we do before we had the Big Shot die cut & embossing machine?

Barbara created this card for our swap this month, and I love it! A bit of DSP, an embossed panel and a highlighted flower. Fabulous!

Hope you're still enjoying a looooong hot fun holiday weekend!

Free shipping on all orders placed from the new Stampin' Up! Idea Book & Catalog placed before July 10 -- you still have a couple days!

Check out my new class schedule for July and August, posted at right.

Happy Stamping!
Dee Tollaksen

Sunday, July 4, 2010

Swap share


I think the girls in my stamping group had babies on the mind. Gorgeous cards, and two of them are beautiful pink baby cards!

This is from Lora, she used the new Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder to create the background. This is one of the first things I ordered from the new catalog, I LOVE it! And the baby set is totally darling, but you'll have to get your own copy of that. I can't think of any new babies in my life right now, so this set won't be in my inventory. LOL

Check out the great packages Stampin' Up! has put together for you to enable you to get all the new color products and complete your palette! Click here to shop now!

Happy Stamping!
Dee Tollaksen

Saturday, July 3, 2010

Fall to Layout


Isn't this side of the DSP gorgeous? Same package as yesterday's card, Greenhouse Gala, but a much different feeling.  This is one of those layouts that can be used with any DSP and a pretty little stamp, perfect for any occasion. Often referred to as a "fall to" layout because it can be depended on, you can "fall to" it.

This is the card Dawn brought to our swap. Really beautiful!

Happy Stamping,
Dee Tollaksen

Friday, July 2, 2010

Swap share


Are you catching up on your blog viewing while the weather is so gorgeous outside? Thanks for checking out this card designed by Beth, and swapped at my recent Stampin' Up! group meeting.

Because I care stamp set and Greenhouse Gala DSP are used here. Quite a few punches were employed to bring you this card!


Now get outside, get some sun and celebrate the fact that we live in a wonderful free country!

Happy Stamping!
Dee Tollaksen

Thursday, July 1, 2010

Birthday Bears


Do these guys look familiar? I remade the card using Cherry Cobbler instead of Only Orange, a new color replacing a retired color.

July 1  New Catalog AND my Big 50 Birthday. Wow, what a big day!

Check out the new catalog, online at www.dtollaksen.stampinup.net and place an order, I'll let you pick a pack of retired cardstock from my bin. It's all sorted and priced and ready for the garage sale on July 10.  Or come on over and grab a new catalog and when you place an order, before July 10, you can select a pack from the bin. Each pack includes the matching ink pad and marker, if I own them.

Prefer something new and nothing old? How bout if I pay your shipping!  Email me your order and I will discount your order by 10%, equal to the shipping!  Whoo Hoo!  July 10 is the deadline, so don't procrastinate!

Happy Stamping!
Dee Tollaksen