Stamp With Belinda

On the First Week of Christmas...

2009-09-19T08:00:00-05:00

What? The first week of Christmas?

Why yes, it's a new Stampin' Up! tradition for me... Twelve weekly holiday projects, not here on my blog, but delivered right to your inbox! You'll receive a new and exclusive project each week, complete with a photo, full ingredient list, and instruction. Best of all, it's a FREE gift to my newsletter subscribers! So be sure to sign up for my newsletter now so you don't miss out on a singe project!

More Digital Scrapbooking... er... Card Making

2009-09-17T08:00:00-05:00

I have found that I absolutely LOVE the new My Digital Studio program! I am about two-thirds of the way through a Christmas album... and I love manipulating the images so that they look more and more like real paper and photos and embellishments! Here's a cute little card I threw together the other day.

Little Bird-day Wishes

Supplies...

"Stamps": Cheep Talk, Heard from the Heart

"Ink": So Saffron

"Paper": Kraft, Textured (Kraft), Happy Bday

"Accessories": Chocolate Chip stitching, circle punch (squished to make an oval), My Digital Studio

Of course, you can recreate this project with stamps and paper... My Digital Studio is great for pre-planning your projects so you know exactly which tools to haul out!

To order any of the actual products used to make this digital project ;), click HERE!

Retired Stamps and Stuff...

2009-09-14T08:00:00-05:00

It's way past time I did some Spring Cleaning (um, wasn't spring six months ago, you ask? why yes, yes it was. that's why it's way past time) in my stamp room. So I've taken pictures of a whole lotta stuff and posted the photos in an album right here on my blog. Take a look-- see if anything catches your fancy! Then email me with your selections and your zip code. I'll send you your total.

I accept PayPal and money orders.

Sorry, due to Stampin' Up! policy, I cannot ship outside of the US. US territories, APO, and FPO addresses are welcome!

Stampin' Up! Announces 2010 Sale-A-Bration Dates!

2009-09-11T08:00:00-05:00

Stampin' Up!'s biggest sale of the year will be bigger and better than ever in 2010! From January 4th through March 31st, 2010, (yes, three months!!!) you will be able to choose one of six exclusive items for free with a qualifying order! These items are usually five stamp sets and one other item... paper, ribbon, scrapbook kit, rub-ons... there have been a wide variety of items in the past! But this year, you're not restricted to the exclusive Sale-A-Bration offering... you can also choose from over 80 select stamp sets from the Idea Book & Catalog!

Don't hesitate, email me today to set up your Sale-A-Bration workshop!

It's HEEERE!

2009-09-10T08:00:00-05:00

And yes, I pretty much squealed like that (and ran for the door, and ripped open the box, and tore open the plastic on case) when my My Digital Studio software arrived! And then I installed it, and tried valiantly to run it, and it wouldn't run. :(

Did some looking into what might make it not run, and found that the fifteen zillion files on my desktop might have a little something to do with it... as well as the fact that I hadn't de-fragmented my computer (no, not even once *blushes*) in the last four years... So I set to work on cleaning up my hard drive. I uninstalled several programs that I haven't used in 2-4 years, too. All of that did help-- a lot! :D And finally, finally, I sat down to play!

I am still having some issues (that I attribute to my dinosaur of a computer), but overall My Digital Studio is easy to work with and has a TON of stuff in it! Sixty stamp sets, lots of Designer Series Paper, punches, ribbons, brads, and and and... most of which can be used with *any* program! Well worth getting the CDs, even if you have a digital scrapbooking program you already use.

So, what have I done with it? Wellll.... I'm glad you asked! I made this card:

Supplies...

My Digital Studio: Season of Cheer "stamps", 1-1/4" "punch" (stretched into a large rectangle), Almost Amethyst and Elegant Eggplant "ink", and Almost Amethyst "ribbon"

So, what do you think?

My Digital Studio will be available to order on October 1st.

New Build a Bear Products!

2009-09-03T08:00:00-05:00

If you flip to the end of the 2009 Holiday Mini, you'll find our new product line of Build a Bear stamps, dies and accessories! I can't wait to get some of this product... it's perfect for scrapbooking your own BAB adventures or just making fun, kid-friendly cards, party favors, and other projects!

Here's a project by Stampin' Up! using these fun new products...

Celebrate Page (8-1/2" x 8-1/2")

Stamps:

Celebrate Everything Stamp Set

Ink

CLASSIC STAMPIN PAD SOFT SUEDE

Paper:

Card Stock Whisper White 8 1/2X11
Card Stock Chocolate Chip 8 1/2X11
Card Stock So Saffron 8 1/2X11
Card Stock Regal Rose 8 1/2X11
CARD STOCK SOFT SUEDE 8 1/2 X 11
PAWSITIVELY PRINTS DESIGNER SERIES PAPER

Accessories:

Punch 1 1/4 Inch Circle
Stampin Dimensionals
Mat Pack
Punch Corner 3/16 Inch
Sizzix Big Shot Machine
PAPER-PIERCING TOOL
SIZZIX BIGZ BASICALLY BEAR
SIZZIX BIGZ BEAR ESSENTIALS
SIZZIX SIZZLETS BEARY GIRL

To order any of the products used to make this project, click HERE!

Extra! Extra!

2009-08-31T16:02:47-05:00

Just announced-- Stampin' Up!'s new digital scrapbooking program, My Digital Studio, will be released to demonstrators tomorrow and to customers on October 1st! After seeing this program demonstrated at convention, I can't wait to get my hands on it! If you are not yet a demonstrator, there's still time to join with the $85 mini kit so that you, too, can take advantage of this great pre-order opportunity! Email me for more information on joining Stampin' Up!

Now for some MDS samples displayed at convention...

Images (c) Stampin' Up!

Be sure to check back often for more information on the new My Digital Studio program and images!

Medallion is #1

2009-08-28T21:58:57-05:00

That's right, the gorgeous new background stamp, Medallion, is the most popular new stamp set in the new catalog. Of course, I wasn't surprised at this announcement at convention-- from the new catalog chatter I knew it would be a hit... Not to mention the fact that it is *my* favorite stamp! Here's a gorgeous sample by a member of my upline team, Lisa Somerville. Images (c) Stampin' Up!

Pretty Pendant Park

2009-08-25T14:48:24-05:00

Images (c) Stampin' Up!

Pendant Park is one of my favorite sets from the new catalog! I love the elegant tree, but those little squirrels on the bench really make the set!

To purchase any of the supplies to make this card, contact me at belindaking@stampwithbelinda.com.

Stampin' Up! is featured in the Deseret News!

2009-08-21T07:59:44-05:00

A recent article in the Deseret News show just a glimpse into just how much fun a Stampin' Up! Convention can be!

Crafty creativity: Utah-based Stampin' Up! adds digital products

By Carma Wadley

Deseret News

Published: Monday, Aug. 17, 2009 6:13 p.m. MDT

Inspire. Create. Share.

When it comes to the art and craft of stamping, the theme of this year's national Stampin' Up! convention says it all, says Shelli Gardner, co-founder and CEO of the 20-year-old company.

Card-making, scrapbooking, home decor, gift items, apparel — whatever you do, however you find your creative outlet, she says, your life can be enriched.

Through these crafts, "you create tangible products, but you create something of value on many levels," Gardner says.

"And then you can turn around and share it with others. True inspiration causes you to stop and think, but it also so powerful that it moves you to action," she says. "A lot of fulfillment comes from that."

One of her favorite quotes comes from Ralph Waldo Emerson, who said: "In life, the hand can never execute anything higher than the heart can inspire."

Through these crafts, she says, "you are able to create the most valuable thing of all — relationships. That's the thing that most of our stampers talk about. Fun and enthusiasm are contagious and meant to be shared."

Stampin' Up! was started in 1988 by Gardner and her sister, LaVonne Crosby, when they got hooked on stamping and looked for a home-based business opportunity that would let them buy and sell rubber stamps. Finding none, they decided to create their own.

Today, there are some 40,000 Stampin' Up! demonstrators worldwide. The products are sold through in-home workshops and demonstrations and (at a slightly higher price) online. Today, the catalog has expanded to include not only stamps but paper, punches, art supplies, die cuts, stencils, home decor products and more.

Some 3,000 of their demonstrators gathered at the Salt Palace recently for the national convention. What is so fun, says Elizabeth Gray, public relations spokesman for Stampin' Up!, is "that they come from all walks of life, all ages, all stages of life. Some do it mostly so they can get their own products at a discount, some own their own businesses, and some even support their families."

At the convention, two new product lines were introduced and will be available this fall. The first is digital crafting software called My Digital Studio, which enables crafters to digitally design scrapbooks, cards and calenders as well as create multimedia outputs such as video, says Brent Steele, vice president for creative services at Stampin' Up!

Digital is becoming an increasing part of the scrapbook and crafting world, says Steele. "It's bringing in a whole new group of crafters: computer geeks, husbands and other men, younger crafters."

A second new line is a partnership with Build-A-Bear Workshop that will allow the Utah-based stamping company to create a collection of stamp sets, designer papers and die cuts built around Build-A-Bear Workshop mascot Bearamy and his furry friends. "I know I will be spending hours playing with my grandchildren, making all kinds of Build-A-Bear creations," Gardner says.

Jill Kocherhans demonstrated a few possibilities, including a gift sack, a little canvas bag for crayons, magnetic paper dolls and a framed picture scene. Some of her projects were made from what was left of the others. "Never throw anything away," is her advice.

"Experiment, and you can often find a new use for it."

Stamps can be used on paper, cloth, wood and other materials. Die cuts can be created out of fabric ironed on to fusible web that in turn can be ironed on to other fabrics, or out of magnetic sheets, or cardstock and other things available at any craft store, she says. All it takes is imagination, inspiration and creativity.

That's one thing that Sheila Paul, a demonstrator from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, loves about it all. "You can incorporate so many different crafts into what you do; they all cross the lines these days."

Her daughter, Heather, "is in it for the photography. I love to do portfolios and wedding albums."

There's something that everyone can do, says Trina Boyd, also from Edmonton. "I love it when people say, 'Oh, I can't do it; I'm not creative at all.' I sit down with them and pretty soon, they are saying, 'Oh, this is easy. I could do this at home.' "

Cynthia Ritzman, from Ontario, Calif., was in a painting group with some friends, and "one member of the group started stamping. I thought, 'Why do I need another hobby?' But we saw the fun she was having and we all gave in and started stamping. Now that's all we do."

It's like the "Sisterhood of the Traveling Stamp," jokes Trina Lopez. "You never know where you'll go, but you know you'll have fun."

That's the thing that Ritzman loves most. "You get to have a fun, relaxing time together. If you're not friends to start, you will be soon. You will find people to share your life."

It can be "completely addicting," warns Sharon Maxwell, of Marshall, Minn., with a grin. "Maybe we need a Stampers Anonymous." On the other hand, she says, "I love it. It's a great way to spend time with your best friends, doing something you can all enjoy."

The theme does say it all, adds her friend, Carol Jones, Oreana, Ill. "It's so rewarding to see someone's eyes light up because of something they've made. You both feed good. It's inspiring. It's creative. And it's just plain fun."

Women create stamping projects during the Stampin' Up! convention at the Salt Palace in Salt Lake City. Michael Brandy, Deseret News

Babara Welch puts the final touches on her card during the convention, which featured new products. Michael Brandy, Deseret News

Diana Gibbs photographs cards on display. Stampin' Up! unveiled a digital crafting software during the convention. Michael Brandy, Deseret News

Deb Valder takes a power nap with her teddy bear during the convention. Michael Brandy, Deseret News

I love Stampin' Up! And I love Convention! I'm already saving up for next year! :D

If all this sounds like fun to you, and you'd like more information on becoming a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator, contact me at belindaking@stampwithbelinda.com and I'll send an information packet for you to look over in the comfort of your own home.