Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Convention swap

I don't know why, but this coffee mug just makes me smile! I don't take myself over to the coffee shop very often, and I should, cause it makes me happy.

We made this cheerful card in Stamp Club this month, and I took a handful to Salt Lake City to swap at the Stampin' Up! convention.

Besides the cup being so cute, I used the rotary stamp that is in the This n That journalling collection. It has a dozen cute sayings, and "Pencil Me In" is my fave, I have my next birthday noted. So all you demonstrators who received this, my contact info is on the back. Don't forget to send me a card. LOL

Happy Stamping,
Dee Tollaksen

Saturday, July 27, 2013

You're invited to join Stamp Club

Stamp Club members were invited for July as a "bonus" month, because we had one extra person attend the entire club period and contribute to everyone's hostess benefits. Members were very gracious to add a month to our plan and our extra member received generous benefits. For my part, I planned some fun cards!

This pretty peek-a-boo card uses the Quatrefancy DSP printed window sheet. I CASEd a card that made a panel of the acetate part of the front of the card. The Modern Mosaic stamp set and matching punch are used to coordinate with the printed pattern. A teeny bow and ribbon of white bakers twine adds just the right amount of texture.

After using this design for Stamp Club, I cut a few extra and used this as one of my swaps at Stampin' Up! Convention. It was well received and I got some great swaps in return.

Stamp Club will start up again in September and I have a few openings. Now is a great time to reserve your spot. We meet on the first Wednesday of the month, for ten months. Each member has a turn receiving hostess benefits, we make 3 cards every month with a wide range of techniques and styles -- all this for just a $15 or more purchase each month. Meeting time is at your convenience each month, 1 pm, 3:45 pm or 7 pm. What a great way to enjoy the company of stampers, build your stash of cards and develop your crafting skills!  Hope you can join us!

Happy Stamping,
Dee Tollaksen

Thursday, July 25, 2013

Too busy to get crafty?

Busy? I know, me too. Too busy to craft? Never!  But I sometimes feel like I just can't think of what I want to make with the stuff on my shelf.

If only someone else would figure out a cute project, gather all the supplies and just send them to me, for a really affordable price. Right?

Done. Join My Paper Pumpkin and just like Cinderella's Fairy Godmother, Stampin' Up! will make your wish come true! Each month a box arrives with all the card stock, ink, stamp and instructions. You may find cards, home decor, gifts or a journal. Until it arrives, the monthly project is top secret!

Subscribe now and your first two months are only $10 each! You can quit at any time, no commitment, no penalties. But why would you? Get a friend to join also, and then you have a great reason to get together every month and get crafty!

Offer Dates: July 18, 2013 -August 31, 2013
Offer Details: Use the promotion code PUMPKINDEAL to join Paper Pumpkin before August 31, 2013, and pay only $10 a month* for the first two months. Remember to choose me as your demonstrator: Dee Tollaksen
*plus tax, where applicable. Shipping included!
The Fine Print:
  • For new subscribers only.
  • Promotion applies only to the first two months of a new subscription. After receiving two month's worth, the price for each month's kit will go to the regular price: $19.95.
  • You need to visit mypaperpumpkin.com to join.
  • You must click "Add Promo Code" and then enter the promo code PUMPKINDEAL in the "Promo Code" field when you sign up on the mypaperpumpkin.com website to take advantage of this promotion. Remember to choose me as your demonstrator: Dee Tollaksen
  • You must join by Saturday, August 31, 2013; 11:50 PM (MT).
Happy Stamping,
Dee Tollaksen

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Major Haul

Just in case you missed this on Facebook, here is a shot of all the goodies I received from Stampin' Up! at our annual convention. It is our 25th anniversary, so we were showered with gifts.

Some of these are handmade gifts from my "roomies" and some are door prizes from outside events I attended. All in all, 7 stamp sets, two kits of DSP, a holiday journal, a Paper Pumpkin kit, make n take kits and more!

Gotta love this company!
Happy Stamping,
Dee Tollaksen

Monday, July 22, 2013

Fun at Stampin' Up! convention 2013

Stampin' Up! always gives away great product prizes during the general sessions at our annual convention. This year my group of 11 friends was excited when one of our own won a prize. It is probably about 10% of the attendees who usually win a prize, so we each hope that we meet or exceed that percentage within our group.

This first picture is of Dawn, and we were excited when she won. I got a really good picture of her holding her prize.
 This second picture is of Barbara with her prize. How exciting that more of our group is winning prizes! Sue was chosen to help with the Make n Take projects, so she wasn't in the room when her prize wristband was selected. But we were sure happy that so many of our group is winning!
Pictured here is Sue with our friend Mike. He is a demonstrator from New York and he arrives alone but spends his convention with our contingent from Chicago.  Mike treated us to a round of Raspberry Daiquiris.
 Mike also won a prize from the prize patrol. Eventually, over the 3 day convention, 10 of our 11 attendees were selected from the "random" prize patrol.

Guess who was the only one who hadn't been called yet? I was so happy for my friends, and certainly, I had a haul of product that Stampin' Up! gave to every attendee. But I was feeling a bit sorry for myself, that everyone else got to jump up and celebrate when their wrist band color was chosen for a prize patrol. When, finally, my color was chosen! Yea!


After mine, one more giveaway was called. Then Shelli Gardner, the co-founder of Stampin' Up! revealed that there had been 24 Prize Patrols and that only 25 people in the audience had not received a free bonus prize package. And that these people were last but best--each one of them will receive EVERY stamp set in the holiday catalog!  So I was two colors away from the huge prize! So close, but no cigar. I received a This n That journal, DSP, roller wheel stamp and sticker set. Come on over and see what a great journal it is and how you can use it to be organized this holiday season!

Happy Stamping,
Dee Tollaksen

Sunday, July 14, 2013

Five Way Flower #3

I love this "single" stamp from Stampin' Up!, largely because it is so versatile.

On this card I used it as a background stamp. I used the Strawberry Slush ink on the same color cardstock. With a bit of DSP, a Sassy Salutation and a tiny pop of chevron ribbon, done!

There is one more card in this gift set. And about the time I finish posting these, it will be time to leave for convention in Salt Lake City! Whoo hoo!!

Happy Stamping!
Dee Tollaksen

Friday, July 12, 2013

Tutorial for pretty & simple gift box

Have you started using Instagram? I'm sure all of you crafty people are already on it, hash tagging all your projects and searching for cute stamping projects, right? If not, get going! I posted this cutie patootie and got a couple requests for instructions, so I'll try to provide a few tips.

This requires 1 1/2 sheets of cardstock, I used Gumball Green.  Cut the full sheet in half, so you have 3 pieces of 8-1/2" x 5-1/2" cardstock. Use your Big Shot or border punch to decoratively trim two pieces across their 5-1/2" end. I used the Adorning Accents Edgelit and Adorning Accents embossing folder. At the opposite end of both pieces, score at 1".



Use Sticky Strip or your choice of strong adhesive and connect these two panels of cardstock by overlapping the 1" sections you just created.

You now have a "folder" and you can decorate the outside to match the cards you will store in the folder.

Use a small punch to create a couple holes near the decorative edges, your ribbon will thread through these and hold the box closed.



On your remaining panel, start scoring!

Score at 1", 1-3/4", 6-3/4", and 7-1/2".
Use your strong adhesive again, on the outside edges.

Be sure to fold those scores so the cardstock is nicely shaped and creates a "box." Adhere the "box" to the "inside" of the "folder." Place it on the inside, back panel, close to the 1" section. I hope the photo helps show where to put this!

You will have an open bottom, but when the "folder" is closed, that 1" section becomes the bottom and holds your cards.

Clear as mud? Leave a comment if you are more confused that you were when you started. I can provide more mumbo jumbo to push you over the edge.

Happy Stamping!
Dee Tollaksen

Thursday, July 11, 2013

Five Way Flower version #2

Certainly, having inky fingers is a good thing, except when you are working with a large panel of Whisper White card stock! Keep your fingers clean when stamping a bright red flower on your panel of white! Then be patient while your black ink dries on your Sassy Salutations sentiment!

Now that you have stamped and the ink is drying, feel free to make an Early Espresso card base, add a panel of basic black and stamp the red flower again so you can punch a layer or two to add dimension to your card.

Super simple, if you can stay clean and wait patiently. Okay, so you know I had to really stretch my skill set, keeping clean and waiting are not in my top ten talents!

Happy Stamping,
Dee Tollaksen

Monday, July 8, 2013

Five Way Flower, version 1

On a budget? Simply frugal? This is the stamp for you! Stampin' Up! has responded to the customer demand for "individual" stamps. While most of our products are packaged in coordinating sets, we have a nice collection of single stamps.  The Five Way Flower is a great one!

In class, we made 4 very different cards and a box to hold them, all focused on the Five Way Flower. Here we stamped it in Strawberry Slush, used the circle scallop punches to punch it out and layered it up over some Elegant Eggplant trimmed into a banner; a panel of Pool Party with a sentiment; and a card base of Basic Grey we embossed on the Big Shot. Very CAS (clean and simple) but plenty to please the eye.

Stay tuned for the remaining cards and a picture tutorial of the box to store them.

Happy Stamping,
Dee Tollaksen

Friday, July 5, 2013

Washi Tape simplicity

Maybe because it is summer time, but a CAS (clean and simple) card just works better for me. I have to have some white space or I start to feel claustrophobic!  This is the final card from the recent Washi Tape class I offered. We simple laid down a strip of washi tape in all three of the Gingham Garden tapes. Then used the coordinating DSP (designer series paper) from Stampin' Up!  to punch a couple pansies and a circle. These were layered over a die cut and a little banner with a quick bit of stamping.

Once you have designed the card, these elements came together super easily. It is the kind of card where any die cut will do, any flower punch will do, any simple sentiment will do.

Hiding in plain sight is the new In-Color Boutique embellishment, every flower needs a little pop of prettiness in the center, right?

Hope you're enjoying a family & friend filled holiday weekend,
Happy Stamping,
Dee Tollaksen

Monday, July 1, 2013

Alcohol for spritzing- rubbing alcohol vs vodka

The design was taking a definite path toward "masculine" when suddenly, a big ol' flower demanded attention. I guess you could still send this Washi tape card to your favorite guy, he knows it was handmade by a gal, right? Maybe sub in a star shape instead of the flower?

We had fun in class copying this sample, using the spritzer with a bit of Crumb Cake ink & alcohol to add color to the background. We used Naturals cardstock since it is sturdy enough to handle a bit of moisture. I wouldn't recommend Whisper White since it is compressed to a thinner thickness.

I mentioned yesterday that my class was especially lively, right? It has been officially decided that rubbing alcohol is nowhere near as fun as vodka, therefore, all future projects that require alcohol in a spritzer will feature vodka, and the Crumb Cake ink is totally optional. And every student will require her own spritzer. And maybe a bit of lemonade or orange juice would be nice.  And wouldn't it be nice if we always have spritzers on the table, even if the cards aren't being spritzed? Oh my goodness, I love my customers!

Happy Stamping,
Dee Tollaksen