Punch Template Idea...

Hi Everyone. Today I wanted to share an idea with you. This past week a customer of mine shared a website with me that I had not seen yet. This gal's name is Dawn and she had a great idea on her site for a punch template. Dawn used pieces of cardstock in 4x11". After talking with my friend Karen, who is also a demonstrator, I decided to go with something smaller and more managable. I wanted to have easy access to using these punch templates with my catalog and be able to get in tight places. First I'm going to share the pictures with you for my punch templates and I'll also give you a link to Dawn's site so you can watch her video of how she made hers. Then decide for yourself what best suits your needs.




This is the product I used for my laminating. It is a self laminating pouch so it doesn't require a big machine - just a flat surface. I bought mine at Walmart for under $10.00.







This picture shows you my punched out items. I started with black cardstock - 3 1/2 x 4 1/2. Then I used my punches on each page, making sure to leave room for my labels. I typed up on my computer the name of every punch I have so that way I would know certain sizes/names at a quick glance, and printed them out on return address labels.









This is how you use the self laminating pouches. Just lay your items down on the left side and peel the paper off from the right side...gently pressing laminate down over your items smoothing air bubbles as you go.








Here is what it will look like after you laminate them, before you cut them. Just make sure to leave about 1/4" of laminate around the edges when you cut them. Also make sure to leave room in the upper top left corner for a hole punch so you can put them on a binder key/ring.











A picture of my completed punch templates. I chose to cut mine all the same size and put them on a binder key/ring. Then they are easy to use with my catalog.









In this picture I demonstrate how to use your Punch Template. Here I want to see if I can use my Scallop Punch to punch out this stamped image from the Boho Backgrounds Stamp Set - pg. 111. In this picture you can see that this punch would work perfectly!









This shows how to use the actual punched out images. This way allows you to see what fits in what. In this picture I'm checking which size circle punch would fit perfectly inside this stamped image from the Gallery Stamp Set on pg. 107 in the catalog.

I really love this idea and hope that it will help you with your stamping, scrapbooking, and paper crafting needs.
Here is the link for Dawn's site. She actually has a video of how to use the laminate. http://dawnsstampingthoughts.typepad.com/dawns_stampin_studio/2009/01/punch-template-.html

Happy Stamping - Kendra

Featured Customer Projects ...

So this week I had some customers bring some of the things they have been working on in December and January. I'm glad they are willing to share their ideas with me and the other members in the club! They all did a great job on them and I'd like to feature their artwork and share their ideas with you. GOOD WORK LADIES!



This was a cute Christmas card made by Traci Faust, who is a member of the Scrapbook Club. Her card uses stamped snowflakes that are punched out with different sized circle punches to create the look of ornaments. Great idea!







This is the inside of the card. Look at her beautiful girls- Mia & Kylee!








This card was made by Danielle Faust, also a member of the Scrapbook Club. She is throwing her dad, who is a policeman, a retirement party - hence the donut & coffee. What a cute idea to use the scallop punch as a bite mark out of the donut. (The invite is printed on the back - but I'm not going to show it out of respect for her family since the party still hasn't taken place.)






This invitation was made by Celesa Felix who is also a member of the Scrapbook Club. She was making these for a baby shower she is throwing I believe for her sister. She took the time to emboss and cut out each part of the boat and then used dimensionals to give it a Three-D effect. Celesa just started stamping with us less than a year ago - way to go Celesa!

IT'S THAT TIME AGAIN!

Many of you have asked when I'm going to start up some of my product clubs again. In February I will be starting the following clubs: Marker Club, Ink Pad Club, and a Designer Series Paper Club. You do not need to live close to me or attend any functions to be able to participate. You can do this on line and your products can be sent to your doorstep. So if you want to get on the list or would like more information on a clubs details contact me @ skjj4ichardson@msn.com by January 31st and an email will arrive the first week in February outlining all the fun details.

January Club Demonstrations -

So I wanted to share a couple of ideas with you and remind my club goers about the projects I demonstrated this month. I only used one stamp set this month. I've NEVER done that before! It was fun though and I love this months special - The Love You Much Bundle. You get the Love You Much Stamp Set, Candy Lane DS Paper, and the Heart To Heart Punch at a 20% discount when you buy all three at the same time. Contact me to order yours today so you can start on some of these fun projects!

So I'm always on the lookout for a new way I can do a party favor or name place card. This is a cute way to do it. Thanks for this project goes to Missy carter, Melody Eberhard, and Sue Brown. Thanks gals for the cute idea. You use a Dumb Dumb Sucker upside down in this planter pot. I used the Love You Much stamp set and Sweet Always DS Paper. Rhinestone Circle Brads, and 1/4" Grosgrain ribbon completes the look. This would make a cute gift for kids to pass out in class on Valentines Day!





This is the side view of the Dumb Dumb Planter.





This card is based on a Matchbook Style card. I just turned it sideways for a different look. I used the Love You Much stamp set, Candy Lane DS Paper, and the Heart To Heart Punch for this card. Look below for a peek at an actual matchbook card used as a coupon book.





This is a cute matchbook style coupon book that can be given as a gift for Valentines Day. It's also perfect for your children to write love notes in or write something to their special valentine!







This is the inside of the matchbook. Cut white copy paper and stamp the top with an image. Score the bottom 1/2" of the paper with a perforating blade so that the papers can be ripped off like coupons.





I love this page. I like how you don't always have to stamp alot to get a a nice looking page. On this page I used my computer and a lot of different fonts for words that I wanted to add to my page. I printed them out, cut them, and sponged the edges for more of an impact. Strips in varying sizes of the candy lane paper also help complete the look.







Sometimes less is more and for this page all that was required was a small stamped image on the journaling circle. It adds the final touch to an easy but cute page.





This was a fun page to demonstrate! I love being able to find new ways to play with old accessories. I've had my SU! Water Color Crayons for years now and was glad to use them in a new way. I took the water color crayons and used them directly on my stamp, then holding a misting bottle of water, I gently sprayed it (Not getting it real wet) and stamped it on to my cardstock. I like this look. It reminds me of crayons.







This was the card that I demonstrated for the Project & Card club based on the page above. The same technique was used.






This was the Make-N-Take card for the Card & Project club this month. I was grateful that I was blog hopping and found this idea - I only wish I could remember the artists name so I could give her credit!







This was the Make-N-Take page for Scrapbook Club this month. We used textured Kiwi Kiss cardstock and just used the scissors to create the blades of grass.






A close up of the butterfly. I used the heart stamp from the love you much set for the wings, the small oval punch for the body.

LOVE YOU MUCH STAMP SET

I just wanted to share a card idea with you. I made these cards for my SW Demonstrator Meeting/Swaps this week. I was not able to attend again this month, but wanted to participate in the swap, so I sent these. I love the way they turned out! I copied a pattern my sister-in-law used on her Christmas card, but turned the opening to open on the right side of the card instead of the bottom.
I used the new set Love You Much - $25.95 for six stamps. I also used Chocolate Chip 12x12 Textured Cardstock, 8 1/2 x 11 Vanilla Cardstock, 8 1/2 x 11 Pink Pirouette Cardstock, Designer Series Paper; Candy Lane, Heart To Heart punch, 5/8" Real red Grosgrain ribbon, Chocolate Chip & Riding Hood Red Ink Pads,Medium Glue Dots, and Dimensionals.
Another idea for these is to keep the opening at the bottom (like a matchbook cover) and you can create a "Valentines Day" matchbook full of paper with a small stamped image on each piece - so that the recipient can write sweet somethings and leave notes for others!

SNEAK PEEK FOR YOU!!!

So I wanted to share a sneak peek with you from the newest Spring/Summer 2009 catalog. I am really excited about a lot of items and stamp sets in this catalog! I hope that you like the sneek peek! (Click on any of the pictures to bring them to full screen size, to return back to my blog, you will have to hit the back arrow) In this picture, there are actually four sets & one wheel. Starting from L to R and top to bottom: Petal Pizzazz set of 7 $32.95/Cheep Talk set of 11 $26.95/Good Friend set of 8 $28.95/Trendy Trees set of 8 $17.95/and Funky Forest small wheel $6.50







This set is called - Cute & Cuddly. It is a set of 6 stamps for $26.95. It is also a product from Shelli's Signature Collection. I love this cute set and can't wait to get it and use it on some projects and pages!







This set is called - Love You Much. You are able to get this set right now in the 'Love You Much' Promotion from SU! See the flyer on the righthand side of my blog and click for details. It is a wonderful set and I love using it. I even made swap cards for our SW Demonstrator Meeting this week.








There are two sets and a small wheel on this page. From top to bottom; Card Games is a set of three stamps for $19.95. Then there is Game Night which is a set of 8 stamps for $20.95. And lastly, there is a cordinating wheel called In the Cards - $6.50. These are great for a Bunko, Poker, Rummy, or a game night in general.







I am SO VERY EXCITED about this new paper line. It will retail at $11.95 and is a little different from our regular Designer Series Paper. These are "Specialty" Designer Papers. Three of them (Parisian Breeze, To the Nines, and Sweet Slumber) are printed on textured cover weight cardstock. The last one (Rockabilly), has a printed gloss design. I can't wait to use these on projects, pages, and cards!





And last, but not least...some new ribbons; From L - R & top to bottom - Ribbon Originals are back and are available in three different types (Dress Up/Pig Tails/Valet). They are $12.95 & 13.95 for 9 and 10 yards worth. Then we have our returning 1" Double Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon, our 1/2" Striped Grosgrain Ribbon (which now has three new colors - Old Olive/Pretty In Pink/ and So Saffron), and finally our 5/8" Striped Grosgrain which is in our "In Colors". There are so many more things I'd like to share with you that I love in this catalog, so call me today (520)744-2537 to get your 2009 Spring/Summer 2009 catalog!

Happy Stamping! - Kendra

The Spring-Summer 2009 SU! Catalog is almost here. I have been so excited to get a copy of it (SU! sends every demonstrator a free copy), and finally I had it in my hands! I couldn't put it down. I've probably looked thru it 10 times already since last night. Just when you don't think it can get any better - it does. I know you will all love it. But I did want to let you all know about a few price increases will be implemented in the new catalog due to vendors raising their prices. The price increases aren't major, but I wanted to inform you just in case you wanted to order anything before the price increase takes effect on the 19th. You can order thru the 18th to receive the current catalog prices.

ITEM/ NEW PRICE/ OLD PRICE
Individual Classic Ink Pads/ $5.25/ $5.95
Classic Ink Refills/ $2.75/ $2.95
Embossing Buddy/ $4.95/ $5.95
Heat Tool/ $26.95/ $29.95
6x6 Page Protectors (post or ring)/ $5.95/ $6.95
12x12 Page Protectors (post or ring)/ $9.95/ $10.95
Stamp 'n Scrub/ $14.95/ $16.95
Stamp 'n Scrub Replacement Pads/ $8.50/ $9.50
Stampin' Mist/ $3.95/ $4.50
Stampin' Mist Refill/ $8.95/ $9.50
Adhesive Remover/ $1.95/ $3.50

**For the Classic Ink Pads - the cost for the whole color family has not changed in the new catalog. So if you can, it is cheaper to buy them in the color families, then individually.

**Also, I wanted you to know that more of the old stamp sets have now been die cut for your convience, which means a price increase by $1.00 to $3.00 depending on the stamp set size.

Give me a hollar if you'd like to place an order @ skjj4richardson@msn.com
or (520)744-2537

It Must Be Bad if the Dog Recognizes the UPS Truck!

I love the sound of the UPS truck! Usually I am fore-warned that the truck is just around the corner by my dog, Zoe. She will run to the door as fast as she can and bark non-stop. If I don't get up right away, she comes back to let me know we have a package waiting. (This is very bad if your trying to hold a phone conversation. It makes it difficult to hear anything!) So...I found that my excitement equals hers as I open the door and wonder what has come. I quickly hope it's for me, but usually it's for you! Sometimes, like today, it was an order for me though. I've been waiting and waiting for this package to get here though in anticipation of putting together some demonstration ideas for this months club meetings. I ordered the 'Love You Much' promotion bundle. (For more information on this special - click the link on the right.) It comes with a package of designer paper, a large punch (with 3 hearts) and a VERY cute stamp set. In this package - I also was able to order some hardware that will be available in the new catalog - it's super cute...so look closely, click on the picture! Well I gotta run and go start on those projects, YEAH!
Happy Stamping - Kendra

"STAMPING GREEN!"

The Green trend is here to stay & Stampin' UP is no exception. As a Stampin' Up! demonstrator, I receive a monthly magazine to help me grow my business, it gives me lots of ideas, and helps me stay up to date on the latest trends. In the January issue, there is an article about SU! "Stamping Green". Stampin' UP! is using eco-friendly practices in their business, and I wanted to share with you what they have been doing to help the environment. The environment is important to me & my family. Being married to a biologist has opened my eyes to the world of "Green". So, I am proud to promote products from a company who shares the same ideals I do regarding our planet. Listed below are some of the ways SU! takes care of our planet:

*Rather than dumping all the excess rubber in landfills...the excess rubber from making the stamps is donated to a non-profit called Courage Reins so the excess doesn't go to waste. This group takes the rubber and and they sell it to groups and individuals for the use in playgrounds and horse stables. You can learn more about this Organization at: www.couragereins.org

*Our wood blocks are not only created from a renewable resource, but SU! also engages in a sustainable practice to get those blocks. They are harvested from a tree farm in which maple trees are grown specifically for the purpose of harvesting wood.

*SU! cardstock is made with recycled papers so any excess paper is reused into another batch of cardstock. The darker the cardstock color, the more recycled paper is included in that cardstock. This means black cardstock contains the highest percentage of recycled paper.

*The shipping paper SU! uses is 100% recycled paper.

*The SU! buildings are environmentally friendly because the facilities filter out the harmful pollutants, as a result of making the rubber stamps, from the air. The buildings also have geothermal wells to help keep the temperature in the buildings stable. Lights are on sensors so energy isn't wasted, and the landscaping minimizes water because SU! uses plants native to the area.

*At SU!, they strive to reduce their carbon footprint as much as possible. They have even worked closely with UPS in efforts to reduce greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide. In picking up packages in non-peak traffic hours, it cuts down on the amount of gas UPS needs to get your package to your door.

*These are just some of the ways SU! takes care of the environment we live in. I'm proud to use and sell products from a company who is always trying to make their practices more eco-friendly, and hope you will too! Kendra

A NEW YEAR THANK YOU!

How - time flies when your paper crafting! I can't believe it's already 2009!
I just wanted to take a minute to THANK each of you. Whether your a customer, club member, friend, family member, blog hopper, crafter, scrapper, or stamper... I appreciate YOU!
I appreciate your business, your friendship, your ideas, your comments, and your inspiration! There are times when life gets so hectic and I feel like I'm barely floating...but it's the friends I have met over the years, the talented & energetic, the quiet & demure, the loud & fun- loving - that keep it all so fun and real. THANK YOU! THANK YOU!
I am thrilled that you take time out of your busy schedules to visit my blog! I hope that you have found ideas and inspiration to spark your own creativity, and that you are fulfilled with the outcome of your own projects.
I hope that 2009 is a productive, and creative year for each of us.
THANKS AGAIN,
Kendra

A Quick Idea For You!

Try this set for a quick and beautiful card. It's called "Upsy Daisy". You can find it in the catalog on page 101 for $18.95 for a set of four. Beacause it's a solid image, it makes quick cards. Just add some glitter for dimension and use a punch and ribbon for some embellishing.