Flowerbug's Inkspot

Technique Video's plus the Stampin' Up! Starter kit at a discount!

2012-01-27T20:17:00-06:00

Did you know that during Sale a Bration there is a discount on the Starter Kit?

For just $125 you can join Stampin' Up! to be a demonstrator!

There is a saying at Stampin' Up!

If you want a little - place an order.
If you want a lot - host a workshop.
If you want it all! - Become a Demonstrator.

I did & haven't regretted it for even one minute since!

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Choose between a standard starter kit or a digital starter kit. When you join during Sale a Bration you will benefit for the rest of the year! Each month that you place an order (of any amount) you will get to choose from a free pack of Designer Series Paper or a free digital download! That's right - free product each month for a year! That could be an extra $100 in free product for you!!!

And if that isn't enough to convince you read all of the benefits listed below. Plus you will be a member of my Flowerbugs Team and get access to my downline blog where you'll get free tutorials and class ideas.

More Details:

Product discount

Demonstrators get a 20 percent discount on all Stampin' Up! products, including stamp sets, paper, and accessories. It's a great way to support your love of stamping, paper or digital crafting, home décor - or whatever your passion may be!

Extra income

You'll earn extra income based on your sales and recruiting - just how much extra income is up to you. Maybe you want enough income to pay the electric bill every month, or maybe your goal is bigger - the monthly payment for your new car. That's the beauty of the demonstrator experience - it's all up to you! See the Compensation Table for more information.

Flexible schedule

This is your business, so you can put as much (or as little) time into it as you'd like!

Support from Stampin' Up!

We love our demonstrators and it shows through our demonstrator support materials. Workshop ideas and audio and video trainings on all kinds of topics are available at your fingertips on our demonstrator website. Plus, you'll receive our monthly magazine just for demonstrators, which is full of informative tips and beautiful samples.

The Stampin' Up! Career Plan illustrates all of the different ways demonstrators can earn income. Here are some highlights of Stampin' Up!'s generous Career Plan:

Meet a low quarterly minimum of $300.
As a Stampin' Up! demonstrator, keep 20 percent of the personal net sales you earn through workshop and customer direct sales!
Earn an extra 10 percent instant income on your first order of $150 or more when you place your order in the first 45 days of being a Stampin' Up! demonstrator. That means you can earn up to 30 percent from your first order!

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*****Would you like to see three quick Stampin' Up! video's showing you coloring techniques, a fun & easy box and card ideas too? Click this link below to see them:

Stampin' Up! Video's

Gorgeous Designer Cuts

2012-01-27T13:07:41-06:00

Until you see them you have no idea how pretty they are! they are called Designer Cuts and you can see them on page 9 of your Occasions mini catalog.

These laser-cut delicate cards come almost finished! We added just a few finishing touches to them.

a 4 X 5 1/4" piece of Riding Hood Red card stock behind the card front.
a strip of Riding Hood Red Pleated Satin ribbon with a pearl
a sentiment from the Perfectly Penned stamp set
a spritz of Blushing Bride Smooch Spritz

And this one looks like you spent hours making it, but it was sooo fast!

Here is what we did on this card:

We threaded a piece of Vanilla seam binding through the di-cut area and adhered it in the back.
We placed a strip of Blushing Bride card stock behind the die-cut area.
Tied a bow using Vanilla seam binding and added it on top with a mini glue dot.
punched out 3 Itty Bitty punched flowers and added pearls before adhering it to the card.
Stamped a wedding sentiment from the Word Play stamp set and punched out with an extra large oval punch. We lined this piece with another extra large oval in Blushing Bride.

***You get 4 of each design (8 total) laser cut Vanilla cards and 8 Blushing Bride envelopes in this set for just $9.95.

Everyday Enchantment

2012-01-25T20:06:00-06:00

I have to share a card I received from my downline Carolyn.

She made this with the new Sale a Bration Everyday Enchantment designer series paper and the new Everyday Enchantment narrow taffeta ribbons and brads. She also used the Blossom punch for the flower. Remember that you can get these products FREE with a $50 order. Check it out here.

I love it! Thanks Carolyn!

Punch Art Kimono Girl

2012-01-25T11:05:32-06:00

A few years ago I made this Geisha Girl card using punch art:

I liked her so much I thought I'd change her up a bit.

Now she is wearing a kimono. I added feet and a change in her hair.

Here is a link to how to make her. Geisha Girl

I hand cut the sleeves of her kimono and ran them through the Square Lattice embossing folder. Then added a 1/2" circle punch for the bun in her hair and a heart punch for her feet. Plus a sash using our Dotted Scallop Ribbon punch along with tiny pearls I colored with a Sharpie marker.

Here's a close-up of her. My husband Andy insisted she needed a rhinestone in her hair. What do you think? Yes or no?

Thanks for stopping by for this week's Punch Art day! To see more of my previous punch art click here.

Supplies:

Card stock - Attic Boutique dsp, Soft Suede, Pool Party, Black, Vanilla
Accessories - 1 1/4" circle, 1/2" circle punches, dotted Scallop ribbon punch, Heart to Heart punch, pearls, extra large oval punch, square lattice embossing folder, rhinestones, black marker, dimensionals, Labels Framelits, blue permanent marker

2012-01-24T09:39:31-06:00

Sale a Bration is here!

It's that WONDERFUL time of year again...

Sale a Bration means FREE GOODIES

for customers, hostesses, new recruits & demonstrators!!

Click on the this link or the photo above to see the SAB catalog.

Select a FREE GIFT from the Sale a Bration catalog for each $50 you purchase during Sale a Bration! no limit!

When you spend $100, get TWO free Sale a Bration gifts! and so on.. no limit!

When you spend $150, get THREE free Sale a Bration gifts PLUS the adorable FREE Sale a Bration Tote (see photo below) PLUS $25 in free hostess dollars to spend in the catalog!

And when you are a hostess of a $400 workshop order you get a bundle of three Sale a Bration items on pages 6 & 7; the Fresh Vintage stamp set, the Everyday Enchantment designer series paper and the Everyday Enchantment Ribbon & Brad pack.

Call or e-mail me to schedule your workshop before SAB is over. We have just through March 31st!

Valentine Pocket Pouch Tutorial

2012-01-23T07:22:00-06:00

I promised you the directions to make this adorable treat pouch from the Freaks blog hop:

For the pouch cut out two Petal Cones from Vanilla card stock using the Petal Cone die. You also need one of the banners included in the die.

Then you'll trim part of the top petals off and a bit more of the top below the petals like this.

Do this with both of the petal cone die-cuts and adhere them together along their sides either before or after you trim them as shown above.
Basically you want an even triangle cone box small enough to be covered by your scallop heart. So just keep trimming until the triangle box is small enough. It will look like this when you're done:

You'll need to cut two of the largest scallop heart framelits from Vanilla card stock.

First, to create the decorative front, die-cut one medium heart (using the 3rd from the largest framelit) from the Everyday Enchantment designer series paper (Sale a Bration paper). Adhere sticky strip tape behind the heart completely around the outside edges. Adhere the Riding Hood Red pleated ribbon to the sticky tape. Set aside. Do not adhere it to your large scalloped heart yet though! Here's a close-up of the front:

I inked my greeting (Loving Thoughts) in Riding Hood Red ink and stamped onto the banner. I then added a length of punched Vanilla dotted scallop trim above and below this banner, along with two pearls. Adhere to the heart with mini glue dots.

Now you can adhere your large scallop vanilla heart to this triangle box - one on each side. I used the liquid Tombo multipurpose adhesive sparingly; it has a terrific hold for boxes. Be sure to open the box slightly as you adhere the heart so it wants to stay curved and open as it dries.

Once this has set, you can adhere the ribbon embellished heart with dimensionals.

The handles are two 1/2" X 9" strips of the same designer paper I used on the front of the heart. Two pieces per handle - 4 total. As I glued these strips together I made sure to curve the paper so it dried with a natural curve in it. Adhere the ends inside the heart.

I added some Cherry M & M's to a medium cello bag and tied it closed with Vanilla seam binding ribbon.

Supplies:

Stamps - Loving Thoughts
Ink - Riding Hood Red
Card stock - Vanilla, Everyday Enchantment designer series paper
Accessories - Hearts framelits, Petal Cone die, Big Shot, Riding Hood Red pleated ribbon, Sticky Strip tape, mini glue dots, Tombo multi-purpose glue, dimensionals, Dotted Scallop ribbon punch, pearls

Love is in the Air Blog Hop

2012-01-19T18:15:53-06:00

Welcome to the January Control Freak's Blog Hop! This month's theme - Love is in the Air.

If you just arrived from Lisa Young's blog, you saw some incredible projects! Just keep clicking on the Freak's icon at the end of each post and you'll be able to see it all. I know you'll be inspired since the Freaks are freakin' amazing crafters!

This card is one we made at January's Card Clubs. I decided to go traditional and romantic in my color choices of Red & Black for our Club Valentine this year.

I used two of the new Occasions mini catalog stamp sets to create the card front - Take It fo Heart and Loving Thoughts.

The hearts are die-cuts using our fabulous new framelits. I added some ruffled Red Satin ribbon under the sentiment label.

Now, check out the inside view of this card!

It's a Valentine pop-up card! When I die-cut the full red heart for the card front, I added a second larger framelit around it to create this heart frame. I scored it in the center and added it to my White card stock using glue dots placed on just the outer-most area of the heart. ***You need to place the heart frame on the card while the card is slightly folded, not flat.

Then I added all 5 of the new Fashionable Hearts embosslits hearts around the heart pop-up. The larger stamped heart is our Full Heart punch that I stamped with the new Sale-a-Bration stamp set 'Sprinkled Expressions'.

The 'Be My Valentine' stamp is part of the Delightful Dozen stamp set.

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Next up is my Ruffled Heart Pocket.

I used our Hearts framelit dies again to make this project, die-cutting 2 of the largest scalloped hearts from Vanilla card stock.

I used the Loving Thoughts stamp set again along with the beautiful new Riding Hood Red ruffled ribbon and the Sale-a- Bration designer paper called Everyday Enchantment. ***I'll post the directions for this project on Monday the 23rd right here on my blog.

And now you're off to see what the creative Jan Tink has for you.

Enjoy your tour!

Valentine Punch Art

2012-01-18T13:40:02-06:00

It's Wednesday Punch Art Day! I am going to do my best to post one (almost) every Wednesday. I have tons of ideas for punch art; I just need the time and energy to get 'em done!

I have been wanting to do a penquin for awhile now. I think he works for more than just Christmas time, don't you?

Punches:

Body - Black 1 3/4" circle, white 1 3/8" circle punch

Flippers - large oval punch; punch once and then move it over and punch again

Feet - Owl punch in Pumpkin pie card stock

Eyes - Cupcake punch

Beak - Heart to Heart punch - trim off top of heart

Hat - 1" square punch for the top (trimmed slightly at an angle) and 1 3/8" for the hat brim

Heart on hat - small heart punch in Red glimmer card stock

If you want to see more Valentine projects be sure to stop back on Friday, January 20th when the Control Freaks do their monthly Blog Tour. The theme this month is 'Love is in the Air'.

More Occasions Swap Cards

2012-01-17T10:56:37-06:00

Here are a few more of the swap cards my downline and I made:

Jane made this one using the Mixed Bunch stamp set, the Blossom punch and the Baja Pleated ribbon. Very pretty colors - Baja Breeze with Basic Gray and White.

Mary made this beauty using the Bordering on Romance stamp set and Apothecary Art. The Designer Paper on the bottom is the new Twitterpated. It's just gorgeous! And did you spot the new die-cuts? She used the Labels Framelits below the flowers and the Adorning Accents Edgelits die to get the curved label on the base of her white card stock.

And this is mine. I wanted to do a soft, almost one color card using the Apothecary stamp set. I chose Riding Hood Red with Sahara Sand here.

Steps to make this card - wow; there are a lot more than I thought!!

Stamp the Netting background stamp on the large Sahara Sand rectangle using Sahara Sand ink. Sponge the edges with more Sahara Sand ink and add a spritz of Blushing Bride Smooch Spritz. Adhere to the main card.

Ink the floral Apothecary image in Riding Hood Red ink and stamp onto a piece of Sahara Sand card stock.

Die-cut this piece using the Labels Framelits die.

Die-cut one more piece in Riding Hood Red card stock using the next size up of Framelits. Adhere these two together and to the main card.

Ink the ribbon label stamp from 'Take it to Heart' in Riding Hood Red ink and stamp onto a piece of Sahara Sand card stock.

Ink my greeting in Riding Hood Red ink and stamp onto the ribbon label. Now cut out the label. Add a bit of Blushing Bride Smooch Spritz

Add mini glue dots behind the stamped ribbon label and press over a bit of Riding Hood Red Pleated ribbon. Trim off excess. Add dimensionals and adhere to the main card.

Finish off with a few pearls.

January Technique Class

2012-01-15T08:00:00-06:00

Technique Classes are back!

I love the cards this month and I hope you are inspired by them too. The three techniques this month are Two-toned Texture, Highlighted Embossing and Telescoping Image.

This is Two-Toned Texture done with an embossing folder and classic ink. Love this card! This cute little duck image is from the stamp set 'Easy Events'.

This is Highlighted Embossing. The flower images are from the new set 'Bordering on Romance' in the Occasion mini. Isn't this color combination pretty? It's Calypso Coral and Pool Party.

And this is the Telescoping Image technique using the new 'Take It to Heart' stamp set, also from the Occasions mini catalog. It's hard to see in this photo but the image is stamped multiple times, cut out and popped up over and over.

Local class is on January 23rd at either 3 pm or 5 pm and on January 24th at 6:30 pm. Cost is just $10 to make all three cards plus the technique sample cards. Please RSVP by Jan 19th.

If you cannot attend my local class you can still make these cards. I offer the written tutorial for just $4. You get complete directions, measurements and photos. Plus you also get the technique card templates you can print out to add a sample of the technique to. **See some of mine below. These are perfect if you want to create your own technique ideas bundle. Demonstrators are welcome to use any of these ideas for your own classes. The class is all ready for you!

Choose your Technique Class

See all of my Technique Classes here.

I also have technique bundlels when you want more than just one or two months. You'll get 2 free when you choose a bundle!

I now have two separate choices for this. My first 12 months (May '08- June '09) & now the latest of my 2009-2010 techniques (July 09 - Sept 10). Be sure to use the drop down arrow to choose which one you want.

2 Months FREE

Occasions & Sale-a-Bration Swaps

2012-01-13T07:35:00-06:00

Last Saturday I held a downline/team meet and swap. These are a few of the card swaps my gals made:

Annette makes a calendar card each year in January for her friends. She used the new set Mixed Bunch here along with the Adorning Accents embossing folder seen on the bottom. She adds a magnet in back of the card for those who want to hang it up. ***I know many of you will want to know where to get these tear off calendars - I believe Impress rubber stamps is where she orders hers from.

Becky made this valenine using our new Hearts Framelits and the Take it to Heart stamp set.

Carolyn made this beauty using Take It to Heart & a Sale-a-Bration set called Fresh Vintage. You can also see a piece of the Sale a Bration paper Everyday Enchantment on the top. The beautiful curved label is from our new Labels Framelits die-cuts..

Mixed Bunch Class to Go

2012-01-11T11:36:11-06:00

I am so excited about this month's stamp set, Mixed Bunch. I LOVE it when Stampin' Up! offers us coordinating stamp sets and punches. They give us the tools that make card making so much easier!

Here are three of the cards included in this month's Class to Go:

One of my new favorite color combinations - Calypso Coral and Pool Party.

Yes, you can create a gorgeous butterfly by using the stamp set and punch together.

This beauty in Pool Party, Black and Vanilla was cased from a card created by Chris Smith on our SU demo website called Stampin' Connection.

How does the Class to Go work??

Basically you are making your own set of cards using the stamp set, embellishments and supplies I cut out & send you. You'll use your own new stamp set plus a basic supply of ink or markers, other stamps and a few common tools along with your own adhesive. I will texture and die-cut the card stock for you when needed. I like to call these cards 'Set samplers'. You'll have 5 great ideas finished and ready to use right away or to copy later.

I do suggest you add on the Blossom punch that coordinates with this stamp set so perfectly. If so, I can add it to your order without increasing the Priority shipping cost. And if you add this punch onto your order you are so close to getting a free Sale-a-Bration choice (or to reaching that $50 mark). Just find one more item you want to order valued at $11.10 or more and choose a free SAB item.

When you order the Mixed Bunch stamp set in clear or wood mount you'll receive all of the supplies needed to make the 5 cards shipped to you for just a few extra dollars included in the class price. Plus you'll receive the photos & step by step directions with measurements sent in a pdf via e-mail.

Clear Mount

Local cost - $28.00

Priority shipping - $34 (with Blossom punch - $55.95)

Wood Mount

Local cost - $36

Priority Shipping - $42 (with Blossom punch - $61.95)

If you'd like to order the Mixed Bunch stamp set from me & get the Class to Go cards kit please contact me at lagreff at gmail dot com by Tuesday, January 24th & I'll send you a PayPal invoice. Or contact me with your credit card information.

The stamp sets will be ordered on or after Tuesday, January 24th and the Class to go sent out in early February.

*****A head's up on February - the Class to Go will be the Apothecary Art stamp set.

My Freak's Swap

2012-01-09T07:26:00-06:00

I thought I'd share with you the swap I made for the Control Freak's Occasions mini card swap last month. I just received the 30 swaps from the Freak's and they are just amazing! I am so blessed to be part of these fantastic swappers.

I used the new stamp set called Tea Shoppe. It has adorable 'tea time' images. I inked up each tea cup separately and used the masking technique. I first stamped the bottom cup in Soft Suede. Then I placed a post-it note on top of that stamped cup to mask it and inked & stamped the middle cup with a So Saffron ink spot. And again with Calypso Coral for the top tea cup.

Do you see all of the details on the left edge of the card? I first used our newest Edgelits dies on the side of the So Saffron card stock. This set has two dies - one with a curved bracket edge and the other scalloped. Next I wrapped the whole edge with three strands of the Calypso Coral bakers twine and secured the ends in the back. To finish it off I spiraled our new 1/8" Calypso Coral taffeta ribbon around the twine and secured the ends with mini glue dots.

**** Ignore the extra halo of recessed dots beside my Perfect Polka dots texture above. This was the sample card I worked on and accidentally ran the card stock through the wrong way the first time so I embossed twice here.

Thanks for stopping by today. I have tons of new samples to share with you in the next few weeks. The Occasions Mini and the Sale-a-Bration catalog are jam packed with great new stuff!

Framelits Dies Video

2012-01-06T10:44:19-06:00

I am so excited that we now have framelits in our Occasions mini castalog products! You can see the full catalog online here:

Check out this video:

Snowmen Punch Art Display

2012-01-02T07:00:00-06:00

Happy New Year to you all! I hope this year is a great one for all of you.

When I was moving into my new studio and going through boxes I found all of these different snowmen (etc) I've made in the past few years. So I put them together as a family for this cute little display wall I have. I think I'll have fun changing this up for the different occasions and seasons.

Here are a few of the links to the past posts so you can make some of these cute guys if you want to:

Top Note Snowman on the far left.

Snowman Patty - not shown.

Frosty with slanted hat - second from the right.

Punch Art Snowman card - not shown.

Punch Art Snowman bookmark - second from the bottom left.

Penguin candy bar holder

Don't forget that today is the last day to order some of your favorites from the Holiday Mini catalog. We do not know if they will bring any of these items to the new catalog in July or not. But we do know that they are carrying over a few of the items. See just which ones on the flyer here:   CarryOver_Occassions_1211_