Spring Shoebox Swap #21

Hydrangea, right? So beautiful! This large single stem is such a lovely stamp, and works in every possible color combination, even if God didn't think of this color for hydrangea! Pink and purple,  with a touch of green, Joyce did a great job letting the stamp speak for itself.  In a shoebox swap environment, the card has to be constructed in 10 minutes.  If you have a bit more time, this card could be fancied up with some sponged or watercolored ink in the flowers, some Dazzling Diamond glitter, maybe some sponging around the edge of the main panel. If there isn't time, this final version is fabulous just the way it is.
Thanks Joyce, for bringing this lovely piece to the swap.

If you are interested in owning this stamp set, you have just a few weeks to put together some orders or host a workshop and earn it free. It is a level 1 hostess set, so with just $150 in product purchases, Stampin' Up will be happy to reward you with this free stamp set, as well as $15 in free merchandise! Just give me a holler and I'll help you make it happen!

Happy Stamping!
Dee Tollaksen

Memorial Day Weekend 2011

Please remember why we have a 3-day weekend and  keep the Armed Forces in your prayers. Every man and woman protecting our country is an asset we cannot afford to waste or forget.

My heart bursts with pride when I tell you that my son proudly serves our country as a US Marine. He is deployed to Afghanistan and works to keep communication accessible and reliable. Alright, he is a computer tech, but believe me, if those Skype sessions cease to perform perfectly, heads will roll!!!

I miss him terribly and pray for the safety of all our military. And I hope you do as well. So, enjoy your family and friends as you BBQ and relax. And when you encounter a Veteran or an active duty military member, show your gratitude and bless him with a sincere word and a prayer for continued safety.

(If you notice that his uniform is incomplete, please don't flame me. He was in the process of dressing and I jumped in with the camera and grabbed a shot. I know his belt is missing and his medals, but look at that handsome smile and give me a pass.)

Happy Stamping!
Dee Tollaksen

Spring Shoebox Swap #20

You know what they say about April showers, right? Well, we have had our April showers and now we're having our May showers. It must be time for the flowers!

Enith brought this bright and flowery card to the shoebox swap. Another winner! Can't go wrong with a sunny and vibrant yellow, the embossed tulip folder and a stamp that makes your flowers look like they have been water colored!

Gotta love it! And many thanks to Enith and her stamping friends who help make every shoebox swap a success!

Happy Stamping!
Dee Tollaksen

Spring Shoebox Swap #19

Fan favorite, let me present the Ladybug. How cute is this?

Julie D brought this fabulous card to the shoebox swap. And everybody loves it. My coworkers, my customers, my family. Everyone!  Easy, cute and so bright and fun, what more could you want?

Want to re-create this cutie? Just give me a buzz (ha ha, a bug joke) and I'll put together a class or workshop just for you and your buddies.

Happy stamping!
Dee Tollaksen

Spring Shoebox Swap #18

Surprise, this mild mannered card is actually a super fancy fold card! While it fits perfectly in a standard envelope, uses the normal 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" sheet of card stock, with an extra slice and a couple folds, this fabulous card becomes a table top display!

Thanks to Pam P for going the extra cut and folds to provide us with such a great card at the Shoebox Swap!   This great stamp set is in the summer mini catalog, even if you are not a boater, it is such a great set, with lots of extras that can be used in many ways. Love the compass with a brad and ribbon!

Interested in learning how to make this card yourself? Or see it used in a couple additional themes?  Just leave a comment or send me an email. I want to do a class with this fancy fold and you!
Happy Stamping!
Dee Tollaksen

Spring Shoebox Swap #17

Wow! Cool! Love those dingle balls! How did she make that cool doily die-cut?

It is actually a punch, a 3 step punch that allows you to make the detailed punch, the plain shape and one version in-between. Come on over and try it, it is available right now in the summer mini catalog.

And those dingleballs. . . they're actually called pompom trim, but I couldn't agree more!  Did you stock up on pompoms when they were in the mini-catalog? Now we have to wait for the new Idea Book & Catalog on July 1st to see if they will be in the big book for a whole year.

Julie A brought this bright and cheerful card with the pompoms and doilys (doilies?) to the shoebox swap. So fun!

Happy Stamping!
Dee Tollaksen

Spring Shoebox Swap #16

Go Bison! Stampin' Up! has such a wide variety of stamps, they have even accommodated those of us in the Buffalo Grove High School neighborhood!  Brenda brought this lovely, masculine card to the shoebox swap: love the layout, the little pop of white, the curved corners.  And who doesn't love a card with the local high school mascot?

Usually, stamping on colored cardstock isn't very successful, but with the subtle design of this card it works perfectly. I really love all the browns with the single panel of blue.  Love it!

Happy Stamping,
Dee Tollaksen

Spring Shoebox Swap #15

Pam M treated us to this awesome masculine card at the shoebox swap. Pam is one of our senior stampers, and by that, I mean she has seniority. She has attended every swap since we started meeting, she is first to RSVP and she always brings awesome cards!

This card could be re-made in bright colors for a teenager or young man, in purples and pinks for a girl, add some Dazzling Diamonds for a glamorous look, put a flower in place of the star for your Mom, so versatile! I love this swap!

Hope you're enjoying the spring weather, and storing up ideas for stamping when the rains resume!

Happy stamping,
Dee Tollaksen

spring shoebox swap #14

I can hardly remember how we made cards back before we had so many beautiful Designer Series Papers (DSP). This card features cardstock embossed in a Big Shot embossing folder, but the DSP is the star.  Debbie B features the  criss cross of DSP but the butterflies also are from coordinating DSP.  And a bit of rhinestones to make them shine. And no card is complete without a bit of texture thanks to some nice wide grosgrain ribbon.

Love it! And my favorite, no sentiment! This makes the card ready for any event!

Happy Stamping!
Dee Tollaksen

Spring Shoebox Swap #13

Thanks, Erin, for bringing such a darling card to the shoebox swap/!  This card can be used for many different occasions, but I think it makes such a darling wedding card. You know how wedding cards are always elegant, white & black, maybe silver thrown in. Elegance is the typical theme. But these Love Bugs just make me smile, and won't they stand out from the crowd as the bride and groom open their cards and pile up the black & white elegant cards?

Love the bright colors and the hearts over the love bugs. So darling!

Happy Stamping!
Dee Tollaksen

Spring Shoebox Swap #12

 Have you ever attended a stamping event? As a demonstrator, I love the social aspect of stamping. Gathering a bunch of women (usually exclusively women, but men are totally welcome) or just a couple stampers, sharing ideas, stories, laughs.  If you are nervous regarding your skills or talents, live large and join us. 

Maureen came to the shoebox swap as a first-timer. She designed this darling leprechaun card for everyone to make. It is perfect for anytime you want to wish someone good luck, especially apropos at this time of final exams, graduations, weddings and spring hopefulness.  Love it!

I was so busy yesterday with work and an evening gathering of stampers that I never got here to post! Maybe I'll make up for it by featuring another card later today! We'll see what the day brings. . .

Happy Stamping!

Dee Tollaksen

Spring Shoebox Swap #11

Pretty purple and pink flowers, a little bit of DSP, some texture from ribbon and darling card is born!  Carole is a busy busy Mom, right in my own neighborhood. I love that she can get out of the kids  demanding schedule and come spend a few hours stamping at the shoebox swap!

I don't think every stamper understands the importance of sponging the edges of their whisper white elements. If this flower stamped panel was just left unsponged, it would look so stark in contrast to the deep rose red card base, the eye needs the softening transition of the sponging. Great design!

Happy Stamping!
Dee Tollaksen

Spring Shoebox Swap #8

Yum yum, this card is so tasty! Barbara P brought this delish card to the shoebox swap. It features the new embossing folder found in the Summer Mini Catalog and the gorgeous new stamp set Fabulous Florets.   Great choice of colors and beautiful showcasing of the stamp set.

Thanks for the great inspiration. I hope everyone is racing to their stamps to CASE this, or getting their wish list ready so they have the supplies to CASE it in the near future!

Happy Stamping!
Dee Tollaksen

Spring Shoebox Swap #7

Friday the 13th, lucky number 7, bride & groom. . . hmmm. . . how do I tie all these together?  I think I better just talk about something else!

Barbara B brought this gorgeous wedding or anniversary card to the shoebox swap. I am sorry it looks so washed out, because it looks fabulous in person. If you have a heart shaped punch, you are all set to knock out this happy card from some scraps in your craft room!  I think you could even swap out the pink in the bride for the wedding color. But don't leave out the rhinestones, they totally make the card!

An unsolicited review of the Stampin Up rhinestones: superior to any others on the market. One of my customers told me that she has some other rhinestones, she has used still others while at a crop and she will never stray from the SU product. Ours stick. No question about it. They sparkle, they are soooo affordable, and they stay where you put them. And isn't that what is really important?

Happy Stamping!
Dee Tollaksen

Spring Shoebox Swap #6

Darling little owl, paired up with this cheerful DSP (designer series paper) all rounded up with some Cajun Craze cardstock! Jill brought this cheerful owl to the shoebox swap. With a little help from her friends, this was Jill's first swap, this is one of my favorite cards!  Jill has just recently learned how to stamp and I love working with her. This card reflects her cheerful personality perfectly!

Happy Stamping!
Dee Tollaksen

Spring Shoebox Swap #6

Masculine cards, always a challenge! Sue beautifully answers this challenge with a bright, well-composed wardrobe of men's ties. Gotta love it!

In addition to this being a beautiful masculine card, Sue went to great lengths to make it simple. Before coming to the shoebox swap, Sue stamped all the ties, cut them all out and sorted them into baggies so every stamper got a variety of colors and patterns!  Wow. If there were trophies for most considerate participant, Sue would totally be in the running!

Happy Stamping!
Dee Tollaksen

Spring Shoebox Swap #5

A couple of clean and simple cards, beautiful! Teresa brought plenty of pink and blue, everyone got to pick which one they thought they might use. Welcome baby fit perfectly with the design of these pretty cards.  Love the chocolate chip panel under the sentiment, I think it works perfectly with both pink and blue!

Happy Stamping!
Dee Tollaksen

Spring Shoebox Swap #4

Spring is baby time, right? Showers and newborns seems to be everywhere!

Thanks to Gina, we all have this darling card perfect for a boy or a girl or a shower gift. Love it! Just enough coloring to be fun, pretty bit of ribbon, finished off with a beautiful border punch. Nice.

So much fun to have a huge stash of cards for every occasion!

Happy Stamping!
Dee Tollaksen

Stamps on sale

Did you get what you wished for on Mother's Day? Maybe a stamp set at a discount would be the icing on cake? Or would make up for the disappointment? Either way, Word Play is one of my FAVORITE sets! There is a sentiment for every occasion. And the 5 other sets are pretty awesome. Just shoot me an email  or go straight to my online shopping link to pick these up while you have the chance!
www.dtollaksen.stampinup.net






30% Off Stamp Sets
Page          Description            Wood Item/ Sale Price                ClearMount Item/Sale Price
54              Party Hearty         111532 /  $18.87                   --- ---
87             Grunge Rock         117080 /  $14.67                  120555 / $11.17
94             Animal Stories       116716 /   $11.17                      --- ---
106           Printed Petals         116679 /  $13.97                 120444 /  $10.47
108           Simple Friendship  113397 /  $18.17                  --- ---
147           Word Play             120308 /  $29.37                120651  /  $20.27
162           Sweet Shoppe       120272 /  $22.37                120648  /  $16.77

Spring Shoebox Swap #4

I love congrats cards. I use them for all kinds of things. Thinking of you works for many "non occasions" when you are just keeping in touch with a friend, but congrats is great when they volunteer for a tough PTA job or coaching position or when a kid umpires their first game.

Angela brought these darling monkeys to the shoebox swap and I think they set just the right tone for a casual congratulation or maybe a kindergarten graduation. So cute!

Happy Stamping!
Dee Tollaksen

Spring Shoebox Swap #3

Dawn Dickinson shared this beautiful butterfly design. This stamp set is currently on special with Stampin' Up! and me!  Anytime you purchase this stamp set during May, Stampin' Up! will donate $2 to breast cancer research. SU offers a special like this nearly every spring and we love being part of this special offer.

Keep the Set class on May 13 and 14 will feature this stamp set. If you sign up for this class with me, we will make 4 pretty cards and you will get to take the stamp set home with you!  Hope to see you here. Just leave me a comment, send an email or give me a call and I'll save you a seat.

Happy Stamping,
Dee Tollaksen

Spring Shoebox Swap #2

Iris Shapiro brought this darling card to the swap. Love the pun, "best fishes." So cute.

As much as I enjoyed the sunshine yesterday, it certainly washed out the purple in this card!  The purple and green are so fun together! And I love that Iris used a totally unique layout to feature her funny fish!

Happy stamping!
Dee Tollaksen

Spring Shoebox Swap #1

Oh, how much I love to get together with other stampers. To plan a day of fun and crafting together!  I LOVE it!!

My stamping buddy, Catherine, and I put together a day when 25 women come, bring their designed card and all the makings, then everyone makes all 25 cards. So fabulous.

In no particular order, I will be sharing all the cards made at the Spring Shoebox Swap. Today is a beautiful card created by Laura Fitzgerald. In blue and yellow/orange, with a little bit of ribbon and some diecut flowers. So simple, but gorgeous!  Laura has been one of my favorite designers since I came to Stampin' Up! I'm so glad to know her and to have the opportunity to work with her.

Happy Stamping!
Dee Tollaksen

Special Offer from Stampin' Up!

30% Off Stamp Sets
Page          Description            Wood Item/ Sale Price                ClearMount Item/Sale Price
54              Party Hearty         111532 /  $18.87                   --- ---
87             Grunge Rock         117080 /  $14.67                  120555 / $11.17
94             Animal Stories       116716 /   $11.17                      --- ---
106           Printed Petals         116679 /  $13.97                 120444 /  $10.47
108           Simple Friendship  113397 /  $18.17                  --- ---
147           Word Play             120308 /  $29.37                120651  /  $20.27
162           Sweet Shoppe       120272 /  $22.37                120648  /  $16.77


Just give me a call to place your order, or go straight online to shop at your convenience: www.dtollaksen.stampinup.net

Happy Stamping!
Dee Tollaksen

Who has the time?

Celebrity stalker. I am so fine with that reputation. What? You don't know any of these women, which one is a celebrity?  Yikes! Ree Drummond! The nationally known blogger, author, cook and Pioneer Woman!

The two Tollaksen ladies (can you tell we're related?) drove to Naperville last night, stood in line (numbers 80 & 81 out of 104) to buy her new childrens book and get them autographed. FUN!

She was lovely, friendly, admired Gen's lethal dimple (Ree's description), posed for photos with everyone in line, and super nice all the way to the end of the line of ladies waiting for a chance to meet her.

Bottom line: time that should have been spent preparing photos for this blog was spent driving and waiting. So tomorrow, I swear, I will start posting cards created at Saturday's Shoebox Swap.

Happy Stamping!
Dee Tollaksen

Every home needs a pet!

Our household has been taken over by a Boston Terrier. We love him, but he surprises us every day, with some new trick that keeps us cleaning, chasing, laughing or otherwise surprised.

This video is a Boston working for Target, but I think our dogs are closely related!

Here is my DD playing baby with him, all swaddled in a fleece blanket. He doesn't usually get to come in my stamping room, because he loves my scissors and rubber too much.  So he is letting her cuddle him while he studies the layout and the products for a later sneak attack.

I'm off to do a stamp workshop, pictures to follow!

Happy stamping,
Dee Tollaksen