Sunday, August 29, 2010

Clearance Rack

Sorry to interrupt your regularly scheduled Sunday morning activities. . . Stampin’ Up! Has put new items on the clearance rack, not to be missed! Here are just some samples from the MANY items posted:

Pink corduroy brads & buttons $4
Chocolate chip satin ribbon $4
Silver and gold elastic cord just $2
Sending Love designer series paper just $5


These are unbelievable bargains! I mean, just the black cardstock being discounted this much is a no-brainer! The package quantity was reconfigured with the new Idea Book & Catalog, so this is the exact same paper, a larger quantity, and a lower price! The only way to purchase these deals is to go to my website, click on “shop now” then click on “clearance rack” and make your purchase on-line.  If you only want one or two things and don’t want to pay the full shipping, just send me your order by email or phone and I’ll compile one large order and split the shipping among all shoppers.

Halloween is coming, all those bats and banners will look gorgeous in black cardstock, right? Don’t wait, this may not last long, and it is definitely “while supplies last!”

Here is the link: shop online: http://dtollaksen.stampinup.net

Friday, August 27, 2010

Friday's Owl project


Still looking at owls? Good for you! This little guy has dressed up an old embellishment container. I used up all the pretty buttons but kept the container. Now a big ol' scallop circle covers the label, a bit of ribbon, a couple leaves and Mr. Owl has a pretty new place to hang out!

I hope your weekend has some time for your favorite pastime. . . stamping! I will be preparing for a Shoebox Swap I am attending Monday evening, so look for some Christmas cards in the near future!

Happy Stamping,
Dee Tollaksen

Thursday, August 26, 2010

Purple Owl!!

School supplies time!  I don't know how I will survive August when I don't have a student! Really, the bargains are so extreme that it is hard to resist the crayons and markers and pencils!

This week I bought two boxes of pencils, even though I don't need a single one. I'm not taking a math class! My college student doesn't want these old fashioned wood pencils!

But my owls love them! And purple pencils clearly call for purple owls!  Yes, I am loving the owl punch. Couple more days of owl projects, at least!

Happy Stamping!
Dee Tollaksen

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Barn Romance



I am sure owls live in the wild, but I just imagine owls living in barns, therefore this cute couple would be a barn romance, right?

The owls are all over the blogosphere, so thank you to all the stampers who inspired this card!

Maybe a little sentiment would make this a cute anniversary or even a kitschy wedding card.

Loving the owls!
Dee Tollaksen

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Whoooo Whoooo needs this punch?


Sometimes, I just don't know what Stampin' Up! is thinking. Really. I mean, who needs a punch that makes owls? Right? Unless you're a collector. Or you've been assigned to the Owl patrol in Boy Scouts. Right?  What in the world are all of us regular folks gonna do with an owl punch?

Hmmm. He is pretty cute. But why would I invest in a tool. A piece of hardware that makes just owls? You know what I mean. Just cause it's cute, doesn't mean I should spend the money to buy it, right?

What am I thinking???? Of course I have to have it. Stamping cards is all about CUTE! One of my customers ordered it, and gave me permission to punch a couple owls before delivering the punch to her. And now I'm hooked. Stick around for a week of owl projects that will show you just why you MUST have this tool!

Happy Stamping!
Dee Tollaksen

Friday, August 20, 2010

First Anniversary



My husband and I were recently invited to an anniversary party for a young couple, celebrating their first year of marriage.

I checked, and the traditional gift for First anniversary is Paper. How appropriate!  So I made a box of thank you notes, very bridal themed.  Yes, this paper is retired, but I owned it for a whole year and couldn't use it all. Hoarding. Go ahead, I can take it. I was hoarding. But now that the right gift need has arisen, I am willing to use the beautiful bridal DSP!

I made a little box from black card stock and a cover for the whole set from a window sheet (acetate). Tied it all up with a pretty ribbon and added a tag. The embellishment was on my desk, leftover from my convention swaps. But I think it works along with a handwritten note.

I might even get to book a workshop with the young women in attendance at the party. They loved the gift set!

Happy Stamping!
Dee Tollaksen

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Bold & Bright

Celebrations DSP (designer series paper) makes an easy card! Lots of layers and bright colors, and just a touch of ribbon, and a quick card is ready to rock!

The sentiment comes from the great new set Word Play, that has loads of big bold sentiments. I used markers direct to rubber to put 3 colors on all at once.

Thanks to Ginger Toivonen who posted a card very similar to this, out there in blogland, and I CASEd her!

Happy Stamping!
Dee Tollaksen

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Thank you, Stampin' Up!


Post-it Notes in hand, I flagged a few stamp sets as "must have" purchases, when the new Idea Book & Catalog was published July 1st. This beauty was one of those, and then I found out I would be receiving it as part of my convention package, oh happy day!!

We are making this card in my current classes, a CASE of one we made out in Salt Lake City. Easy, easy watercoloring, new pearls, spritzing, lots of fun!

Happy Stamping!
Dee Tollaksen

Sunday, August 15, 2010

If I were this cute. . .


Can you believe this adorable little guy was at the shelter? That people came in, went out, and left this darling puppy? We thought he belonged to one of the workers and was just visiting. He was in a crate in the foyer of the building. I'm betting we weren't the only ones confused by his isolation. The staff cried, Oh No, he's "on special!" Marky has been with us for 6 weeks now, and life is better with a pet!

He was even well behaved during stamp camp this week, and that is quite an accomplishment!

Do you have the Summer Mini Catalog? Get it out, ladies. Or check it out at my Stampin' Up! website: www.dtollaksen.stampinup.net   Let's do a special on all the stamp sets in the current booklet. BOGO -- buy one, get one half-price. August 15 til August 25, email orders only (not workshop orders, not online orders).  Half-price set will be the less expensive stamp set.

Maybe you're considering Pedaling Past? I love these bicycle images!  Now I just have to go color my bike and this card will actually be finished!

Happy Stamping!
Dee Tollaksen

Saturday, August 14, 2010

Sanitizer Present


OMG, oh my goodness, this is the cutest idea since sliced bread. Really!  This darling project is on Erica's blog, a simple, knockout tutorial and great idea! Here's the link ...

Did I tell  you I was knocked for a loop with strep throat this week? So when I ventured out after 3 days of isolation, I brought this to my host, just to acknowledge that I had been sick and she might want to sanitize her hands! Bath & Body has these cuties on sale right now!

And the inside of my project isn't as cute as Erica's, but who really looks at the inside?

Remember that your cardstock, stamps and ink are great for much more than cards! And always bring a hostess gift!

Happy Stamping!
Dee Tollaksen

Friday, August 13, 2010

Chipboard technique


There is a saying, "if it doesn't move, stamp it."  But it needs updating. My new saying will be something like, "if it doesn't move, run it through the Big Shot!"

This is a piece of chipboard that I rolled through an embossing folder! It is stunning. First I did a "direct" application of black craft ink by rubbing the ink pad directly onto the chipboard. Then I had to wait for it to dry. What am I supposed to do while I wait?

 I waved it around the room and contemplated plugging in the heat tool. I'll digress: someone once told me that the heat tool gets soooo hot, it could set my room full of cardstock into smoldering ash before I could intervene. So now I'm a little paranoid and I never leave it plugged in. But all the power outlets are buried behind tables and desks, so it is a major effort every time I want to use it.

Okay. I think enough time has passed that the ink is mostly dry. So. Put the chipboard into the Petals A Plenty embossing folder, and run it through.  I used the gorgeous Shimmer Paint to brighten up those petals, added a layer of Cherry Cobbler CS and a sneak peek of DSP that will be available on Sept. 1. A bit of grosgrain and I'm done. Not a card at all, I imagine this on a little easel on the table or counter with a hand written menu or daily schedule during the holidays, maybe like this:

So fun!  Happy Stamping!
Dee Tollaksen

Thursday, August 12, 2010

Some of my favorite things


How do you feel about Dr Pepper? Either you love it or hate it, I know. It isn't the kind of drink that you sometimes like. Everyone in my house loves it. Diet DP. Regular DP. Caffeine free Diet DP. Everyone. Except me. So I "forget" to buy it. But we happen to have some right now, which helped with my project!

Can you spot the Dr Pepper? Top right. All the daisies are cut on the Big Shot from a wide variety of materials. Can you read the tags? Vinyl, fun foam, magnet sheet, fabric, cardstock, specialty DSP, felt, and Dr Pepper!

Let me help you get the Big Shot into your craft room!

Happy Stamping,
Dee Tollaksen

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Ribbon CASE


We received this individual stamp as part of our Convention package back in July. And while it is a perfectly good stamp, is it really that useful? As part of the displays, a number of demonstrators were asked to highlight this individual stamp, and the cards are fantastic! This is the first one that I chose to CASE, and it will be one of the cards we make during tomorrow's class.

I hope you are signed-up to join us, it is going to be 5 fabulous cards!

Happy Stamping,
Dee Tollaksen

Sunday, August 8, 2010

More from Conventional


As a business demonstrator, I have to think about how to pack up all my goodies and take them with me to workshops at a hostesses home. This new tool is great for bringing along samples in an attractive display. This spiral display was one of the projects we assembled at Conventional in Lincolnshire. The cardstock is punched and threaded on a plastic binder and mounted on a dowel rod. I have about 12 permanent samples and room for probably 20+ additional samples. I haven't transported this yet, and I'm not sure how that will go, but I know it will be well received once I get it to your workshop!

These pictures are from Connie Tumm's blog, this second shot shows three of the displays. Shoot me an email if you'd like to see mine, up close. I can make that happen!

Happy Stamping,
Dee Tollaksen

Saturday, August 7, 2010

Clever Cake


I love to Copy projects when they are so cute and so clever! This little cake is made from a battery operated tea-light candle!!!  Is that not the cutest thing? The picture is a little lopsided because I wanted to be able to show you the side and the top, so it is propped up on a bent paperclip. And we made the darling box to put the cake into. So sweet!

This was one of the projects at the Conventional event held last Monday in Lincolnshire. One of the benefits of being a demonstrator! A group of very talented ladies put together an "alternative" convention at a local venue for the demonstrators who were unable to attend convention. I have been lucky enough in my business that I have always gone to convention, but wanted to know more about this event, so I attended BOTH this year!  Super fun!  A bit of stamping overload, though! HA!

Happy Stamping!
Dee Tollaksen

Friday, August 6, 2010

So Many Choices


So many new stamp sets! So many new ribbons! So many new colors!

So many new Designer Papers!

My sideline demonstrators are such a great resource for stamping success! We each bought an equal portion of the new Designer Series Papers and cut them down and shared. Now each of us has EVERY SINGLE NEW Designer Paper in a sampler so we can show you, up close, what every paper looks and feels like!

The Halloween paper is flocked! I wouldn't have guessed that from looking at it in the catalog. And who reads the details?
The Sweet N Sour is glossy embossed with swirls and gorgeous details! Who knew?

I have a swell swatch book for you, too! Anyone interested in joining the Stampin' Up! family to take advantage of the product discount or to build a home-based business, I have a swatch book similar to this, just for you!  Call me!

Happy Stamping!
Dee Tollaksen

Thursday, August 5, 2010

Hostess Benefit Bonus


It's good to be a hostess in August! You can earn an extra $25 in free merchandise when your party sales total $350 or more! Call or email me to schedule your next party! I am willing to travel (a reasonable distance) too!


Too far away to host an in-home party with me? Host a catalog party! I'll send a make and take project for you to do with your friends and they can place orders via email or phone and you'll get all the hostess benefits!

Just hangin'


Don't you just LOVE beautiful paper? Sometimes it is hard to cut into it, or to cover it up with photos or other scrapbook supplies.

This sheet of gorgeous blue die-cut DSP is from Nursery Suite designer paper. It is so lovely that I wondered what I would be able to bring myself to do to it!  This magnet board showcases the paper beautifully! I was given a 12 x 12" piece of sheetmetal that was finished off by a professional. Then I simply adhered the DSP to the metal. I used Sticky Strip, but I watched other demonstrators use mono-adhesive or Tombo mono glue, in the green and white bottle. All of these worked just fine!  Then I punched holes using the Crop-a-Dile, again, worked just fine! A length of ribbon and it is ready to hang in my studio. A few magnets with die-cut self-adhesive that coordinate with the Nursery Suite DSP, and the project is complete.

Happy Stamping!
Dee Tollaksen

Wednesday, August 4, 2010


Free Stamps!  I won free stamps!

I love my job. I love the company I represent!

Stampin' Up! just called to tell me that I won a free stamp set, any set I want. Any price at all!

I chose Fabulous Phrases, shown at right. 30 stamps to say exactly what I might want, on cards, scrap layouts or projects.

I'm so excited, my stomach is in a twist!

SU is supporting me and my fellow demonstrators with a  training program to help us share our business. We have some homework, some motivational messages and some "to do" items. When we complete a section of the training, we file a report on-line. Then SU chooses a few winners just for participating. And I won!

Whoo Hoo!  Why wouldn't you want to have a "business" or "hobby" like this?

Happy Stamping!
Dee Tollaksen

Colorful Tool



While in Salt Lake City at the Stampin' Up! convention, my traveling partners attended classes and presentations on the same schedule as I. One of the sessions gave us this color chart packet and provided all the markers, inks and cardstock pieces to complete it. All we had to do was drop our bags and water bottles in the corner of the room, then slide along the tables to stamp and scribble and glue every color onto these great charts. We were able to laugh and chat and make new friends with the ladies moving along with us.

Best thing about stamping? New Friends!  and stamping with all my new Friends!  Join us, stamp at an in-home workshop, stamp camp or join the SU family and become a hobby demonstrator or a business demonstrator! And make some new friends! Just email or call me and I'll make it happen!

Happy Stamping!
Dee Tollaksen

OK. I can't lie. There was a very unhappy demonstrator behind us in the production line for these projects. But we let her play through, and made friends with ladies who were behind her. All's well that ends well!

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

New artwork!


A pretty standard card, except for that rose. I made that rose from ribbon!
 
If you like a lot of fussy detailed work, you will love this project! This is not one I will be teaching in any class, unless you specifically want to learn ribbon roses. It is not simple or easy.  Here are the basics: select a 14" piece of ribbon. Snip it at every inch, nearly all the way across, but don't cut the ribbon all the way or you'll have two small lengths and that won't work!  Then go  back to every snip and trim the corners so they are petal-like.

Then heat each petal with your embossing heat gun until they curl, but not too much or they will melt into a rayon glob. Then prepare a piece of cardstock with some very stick adhesive, scotch doublestick tape will work. Beginning at the center, start twirling the ribbon onto the tape/cardstock and fussing with it until it looks like a rose. Voila. Ha!

I made 14 of these while on my car trip last week. And I will not be making any more. Yikes! Hope the ladies I swapped with at conventional appreciate the work and understand that it is not a demonstratable technique!

Happy Stamping!
Dee Tollaksen

Sunday, August 1, 2010

Where's the Mojo?


Sure, I spent 5 days in Utah stamping, fraternizing with stampers and learning new techniques, but now I can hardly choose a color combo or a stamp set.

I'm OVERLOADED!! I thought I would show you my nifty lanyard with the pins I received at each convention I attended. This is the first year I got a Supervisor ribbon for my badge, since I have a new recruit this year.

Tonight I am attending a make-n-take event and I'll share the pictures from it with you during the week. In the meantime, I hope my creativity returns!

Happy Stamping to you!
Dee Tollaksen