Friday, April 29, 2011

Where were you this morning?

The kiss of the decade.

 Everyone loves a man in uniform.

Someday my prince will come.

Please, no PDAs!!!

So many captions!

One of my good friends held a Wedding Party this (early) morning. We were greeted at 4:00 a.m. with Mimosa and live coverage. What a fun memory. Thankfully none of us will have to foot the bill for a $90 million event. Our daughters should be so grateful, no matter how much their weddings cost, everything pales in comparison!

Hope your day is fabulous and that you get a chance to stamp something special. I am going back to bed!

Dee Tollaksen

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Stamp camps scheduled

  • Do you remember the very first stamping workshop you attended? How fun it was? The anticipation of hanging out with your friends, new and old, chatting, making something crafty? A couple hours of happy fun! 

  • Join me for a stamping class and enjoy that same feeling of crafty fun! Over the next two months we have a bunch of scheduled stamp camps held at my house. OR just email me if these dates don't work for you, we can schedule a date that is perfect, at my place or yours!  OR invite a couple friends and make up your own stamp event and I'll do all the preparation and planning, at my place or yours!


  • Thu May 12 at 1:00 or Fri May 13 at 7 pm: Make a Difference Event: Make 4 all-occasion cards and keep the stamp set! While supporting breast cancer research $30 class fee includes $19 stamp set, what a deal!
  • Wed May 18: Choose 1 pm or 7 pm: Graduation and Father's Day cards. $20 for 4 masculine cards.
  • Thurs June 9: Choose 1 pm or 7 pm: Stamp-a-Stack of gift enclosure cards. We will make 15 mini-cards for tucking into grad gifts, wedding gifts, any event! $20 will save your spot!
  • Wed June 22: Choose 1 pm or 7 pm: Retirement Party. Every year Stampin' Up! permanently retires many stamp sets to make room for new and exciting products. Come and stamp with some of my favorites that will be leaving the catalog. Just $20 for 5 great cards using retiring products.

Carrots for dinner



We had brussels sprouts, corn, spinach and potatoes, but the only carrots on the Easter table were these paper carrots. There were no complaints from the kids, these carrots had gift cards behind them. SCORE!!

Do you recognize the stamp? Trendy Trees, turned orange and upside down. I have to admit that I did not think this up, it was out there on a blog, and I thank the stamper who did think it up, but I don't have her name anymore.

Guests who weren't receiving a gift card did have a carrot on their napkin, not as exciting, but still pretty.

Happy Stamping,
Dee Tollaksen

Sunday, April 24, 2011

Free set from SU!

Months ago, Stampin' Up! gave me the Buttons, Buttons stamp set. I know I earned it, I don't remember how. But it isn't a set I would have selected. It doesn't have any sentiments and it is very specific: buttons. Dust has gathered on this set, but no ink has been applied.

Finally, I was inspired, and here is a pretty nice use for these buttons!  I heat embossed them all in gold, black and Melon Mambo. I bought the Mambo embossing powder on a whim, it is a sneak peek from the May 1 mini catalog. I wasn't sure just how I would use it, but I LOVE it!! So bright and cheery.

Hope you are with loved ones on this Holy day.

Happy Stamping!
Dee Tollaksen

Friday, April 22, 2011

Pink Butterflies

Tangerine Pompom trim and Melon Mambo neon embossing powder join forces to brighten up a pretty bright spring card.  The pompom trim will be gone at the end of this month and the embossing powder will be available May 1st. And this card is here for today only!

This is probably my favorite DSP (designer series paper) and it will be around until the end of June. It has shiny embossed sections and is extra thick, just gorgeous. These butterflies couldn't be easier, just use the punch, pop 'em out and layer two together, add some pearls and you're all set!

Happy Stamping!
Dee Tollaksen

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Chalkboard placemats

We are hosting Easter this year, which means there will be children in the house. FUN! I always want holidays to be remembered fondly, not as "the year Aunt Dee finally lost it." So I try to have a couple fun activities and keep the dinner simple.

These placemats are inspired by a Crayola product that is, of course, a bit pricey. These were on Overstock.com clearance plus free shipping. Then I simply trimmed some Stampin' Up! chalkboard vinyl to fit, used a corner punch to curve the corner, applied the vinyl to the placemat and we are ready for chalk!

There is enough vinyl in one package to do all 4 placemats, so cool!

Happy Stamping!
Dee Tollaksen

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Sneak Peek

The new Stampin' Up! mini catalog starts May 1, if there is anything you want from the current mini catalog, it ends April 30, better get going!

This beautiful flag stamp is in the next mini catty, so beautiful! It is a single stamp, leaving all the creativity to you. I used a music sheet from our DSP (designer series papers) and sprayed it with Log Cabin spritz to achieve the aged look.

The stamp is heat embossed using VersaMark and clear embossing powder, then the red and blue ink are sponged over the embossing. Fun and easy.

Happy Stamping!
Dee Tollaksen

Sunday, April 17, 2011

New Friends

 These are my Girl Scout friends and the second photo is of my new Mothers of Multiples friends.

Earlier in the week I met with a local Scout troop to make cards for the Military. Through "From Our Heart" handmade cards are shipped to Afghanistan and Iraq for use by the deployed service members to write home. These young women were happy to sit for an hour and create beautiful cards for this service. What a joy to be able to provide this opportunity!

In the second picture, I was the craft lady and I provided a card for all 100 attendees of a day-long meeting for parents of twins or larger multiple births. There was an entire agenda of business, planning, presentations, etc. But they started off their day with a cute card with a little stamping. It was fun to see the experienced scrapbookers and stampers line up their supplies, stamp, adhere and admire. And then the inexperienced ladies. "What do we have to do first? What do we do with this scrap of ribbon? Why is there a bendy spot in the middle of this big piece of paper? Why is this scotch tape so sticky?"

Some people are born with the creative gene. Some people really need training! But everyone was happy to have a thoroughly useful, pretty and handmade card when the session was complete. It wasn't gooey with glue, shedding glitter nor too difficult. It slipped right into their folder and gave them a sense of accomplishment in the first half hour of the event. Nice.

Happy Stamping!
Dee Tollaksen

Monday, April 11, 2011

Easter Bonnets

Pretty little Easter Bonnets clustered in a jar of foil covered chocolate eggs, this is surely going to be part of the centerpiece for our Easter table!

These little hats really did not want to have their picture taken. I can usually wrangle the card or project into a decent shot, but not these. I am just not that good with the camera to know what the problem is, so just use your imagination.

They are made from Whisper White card stock, circle punches and the lattice embossing folder on the Big Shot. Zip a bit of seam binding around them and add a bow, a button cluster and stick it all on a pixie stick. Voila!

I want to give credit to the blogger who originally posted this cute hat, but my computer rebooted itself and I lost the image that was onscreen. If you recognize them, please leave me a comment so I can give proper credit.

Happy Stamping!
Dee Tollaksen

Sunday, April 10, 2011

Flower Power

Certainly I am showing my age, but do you remember the 70's, when Flower Power was such a popular catch phrase? Of course, I was a youngster, just hitting my teens, and I thought Flower Power was way cool!

Friday night, 8 ladies got together and made cards that were all about Flower Power! Bringing people together, making some beautiful cards, getting ready to send love to our Moms, friends, MILs and others. That is really some kind of power!

Thanks to Mary Fish, an immensely talented SU demonstrator, for this super easy, super statement, daisy card. We used the oh-so-cute bunnies in DSP (Designer Series Paper) and the bright Daffodil Delight and Whisper White paper, the build-a-blossom punch and a little pop of pearls.

So easy and so striking!

Happy Stamping!
Dee Tollaksen

Saturday, April 9, 2011

Special Delivery

Kind of looks like a card, but it's not! I sealed an envelope then lopped off the top using the scallop border punch.

 Decorated the front with a wheel, ribbon, scallop circle and the pretty medallion stamp. Now, I can stuff the envelope with a few embellishments that were on back order, then deliver to my customer.

Just a tad fancier than the plastic bag Stampin' Up! provides.  And she has been waiting extra long for her goodies, so pretty wrapping is certainly required.

Happy Stamping!
Dee Tollaksen

Thursday, April 7, 2011

Mass Production

Swamped. And loving it!  Out of the blue, a call comes. A request. Almost a plea. "I am on a committee. Our craft person has backed out. Can you plan a craft for 100 people? The event is in 3 weeks and we don't have any money in the budget for supplies."

Well, it can be done. But I sent her back to her committee to squeeze out a little budget. Then I started thinking. 10 tables of 10 women. That means I need 10 sets of tools, 10 black ink pads. Who owns 10 black ink pads? Well, maybe those fabulously successful demonstrators that hold big old events with 100 people. Not me! But wait, somewhere in this room is a box of black mini ink spots! So now the paper cutting, the creation of door prize forms, door prizes, plan an outfit, create a display.

This is why I haven't posted in 3 days. 4 days. Whatever. All my energy is on mass production, not creativity. But I'll get back into the swing of it, soon.

Happy Stamping,
Dee Tollaksen

Sunday, April 3, 2011

Fabric flower card

Do you stalk the remnant bin at your fabric store? I am over at that giant fabric retailer just to score these kinds of fabric prizes. This is a thick canvas-like fabric in a beautiful rust and mustard color scheme. I knew it would match my Stampin' Up! colors perfectly! Just run it through the Big Shot with a flower die and a card is born!

Of course, I added lots of ink sponging and a bit of border punch then a button and ribbon combo. Still, this was practically a 10-minute card that looks awesome!

Enjoy your Sunday. I think spring is finally creeping up on us. The dog has run away 4 times this week, the weather broke 60 degrees and it has rained part of every day for at least the last 4 days. Awesome!

Happy Stamping!
Dee Tollaksen

Saturday, April 2, 2011

Whoever heard of a purple Gerbera Daisy?

I have enjoyed making bridal shower invites this March. But enough is enough. My BigShot Daisy die needs a rest. 50 of these stunners have been delivered and I am fine if I don't make another Gerbera daisy for at least a week!

They are pretty though, aren't they? See the glittery shimmer spray all over the embossed card base? And some clear chunky glitter in the flower  center really sparkles.

If you are planning a spring event, don't be intimidated by the number of invites you may need. A well designed project can be done in a production line and doesn't take too much time from your life, and every single guest on your list will be so thrilled to receive a beautiful handmade card inviting them to the event. You'll be getting those RSVP calls right quick, along with loads of compliments on your handiwork!

Surfing the net this morning, I realize this card fits a challenge posted on Our Creative Corner, so I think I'll submit my post! Check them out at http://ourcreativecorner6.blogspot.com

Happy Stamping!
Dee Tollaksen

Friday, April 1, 2011

Grab Bag of Goodies for a great price

GRAB A BAG OF STAMPIN' UP! PRODUCTS!

April 1, 2011
Beginning today, April 1, and continuing while supplies last, you will be able to purchase special "grab bags" in the Online Store. These grab bags will come in three sizes: the $5, the $10, and the $15 grab bag. Each bag will contain a variety of discontinued products that could include a combination of any of the following: ribbons, Accents & Elements, chipboard, Designer Series Papers, and Simply Sent kit components. Grab bags will not contain stamp sets or tools.
Please keep the following in mind:
  • Grab bag orders can only be placed in the Online Store.
  • There is no minimum purchase required to participate in the grab bag special offer.
  • There is no limit to the number of grab bags a customer may purchase; however, grab bag items are only available while supplies last. 
  • All grab bag sales are final. There are no refunds or exchanges.
  • Not all grab bags will be unique.

To shop online, just click here http://dtollaksen.stampinup.net and click on SHOP NOW, then click on GRAB BAG, pick one, or one of each or as many as you want, then click on all the other good stuff you have been wanting, then click on a few items you could give as gifts, then provide your husband's credit card info, and sit back and wait for the goodies to arrive!

No, sorry, just do the stuff in the first line of the paragraph, put in your own credit info, and wait for the goodies to arrive.  Unless you think you can get away with using your husband's credit!

Happy Stamping,
Dee Tollaksen

Spring Collage

Due to popular request, another collage project is on the calendar. This spring themed collage is offered as a class  on next Wednesday, April 6. There are openings at 1 pm or 7 pm. Participants will make 16 squares and mount them. If you bring your own frame the class is just $20, what a bargain!

There is lots of room for personalizing this class. Add your initials, use ephemera from a special event, dried flowers from your garden or bouquet. Feel free to bring along your own ideas or embellishments.

Join us, as we stamp, beribbon and have a great time.

Happy Stamping!
Dee Tollaksen