tag:typepad.com,2003:weblog-557781 2009-11-13T15:12:44-05:00 {aka THE FRUGAL STAMPER ... how to indulge in card making, scrapbooking & home decor without spending a fortune!} TypePad tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d83422764353ef0120a6976f6e970b 2009-11-13T15:12:44-05:00 2009-11-13T15:12:44-05:00

Time for another installment of FAKE IT FRIDAY, when I reveal my sources for all the amazing things I teach in my classes - nope, they're not all my own ideas. There, the secret is out & I feel SO much better; sigh. Today's Stampin' Up! Diva is Angie Kennedy Juda, who hangs out at ChicnScratch.com ... Angie makes the cutest, neatest, fun-est stuff ever; great for gifts, craft bazaars and just plain fun to make for yourself! I check out her YouTube tutorials and her blog on a regular basis; you should too! Today's project: a spinner card -...

Donna Henley tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d83422764353ef0120a690d8fb970b 2009-11-12T19:13:01-05:00 2009-11-12T19:13:01-05:00

Work a shift at the UoG proctoring exams ... check. Take Mom to Dr's and pick up antibiotics and plenty of fluids ... check. (Thank goodness it's NOT the flu!) Plan projects and pack for Helen's workshop on Tuesday ... check. (I had a blast with the gals at the retirement home!) Take Hubby to hospital for tests and home again ... check. (Pampered and spoiled, to boot!) Plan projects & pack for Sarah's workshop Sat night ... check. (Wait til they see what we're making!) Send out November's "Stampin' with Donna" newsletter ... check. (It went out today .....

Donna Henley tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d83422764353ef0120a6615543970b 2009-11-08T06:00:00-05:00 2009-11-07T22:42:21-05:00

Well, if you follow me here, you must realize by now that I've fallen WAAAYYY behind with my entries to Julie's "Easy Breezy Kewl Colour Challenges" ... I DID have a perfect record of entering every one of her challenges since the beginning, but alas, real life got in the way of my fun and I missed the entire month of October (possibly more). I'm happy to say that I'm back on track with EBKCC #10 ... AND I designed my entry using MY DIGITAL STUDIO, Stampin' Up!'s new digital designing software. What do you think of it? EBK COLOUR...

Donna Henley tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d83422764353ef0120a660e5e1970b 2009-11-07T17:48:48-05:00 2009-11-07T17:48:48-05:00

If you tuned in yesterday (Friday) for the latest installment of FAKE IT FRIDAY, I'm truly sorry to have disappointed you. What with getting ready for our booth at the MADE FOR YOU craft show in downtown Guelph, I just didn't have the time to test out any stampin' projects. FAKE IT FRIDAY will return next week (Friday the 13th ... oh-oh!) with my attempts at another fabulous demonstrator diva's creation. PS: the Craft Show was today, and our wares were very well received by those who attended. A larger crowd would have been nice, but all in all, it...

Donna Henley tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d83422764353ef0120a64b3960970b 2009-11-02T13:14:23-05:00 2009-11-02T13:16:18-05:00

Stampin' UP! presents the 2009 Gift Giving Guide and a Holiday SPECIAL! From NOVEMBER 1st to JANUARY 4th, receive a FREE Decor Elements piece (up to $22.95 value) when you spend $65 in products from this guide! Just click on the photo above to view this 4-page Guide, chock full of suggestions for everyone on your Holiday shopping list - kids, teens, crafters, and non-crafters alike! OR, print it off and turn the Guide into a wish list of all YOUR favourites and give it to someone who'll be shopping for you! Be sure to fill in my name, phone...

Donna Henley tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d83422764353ef0120a62ed25e970b 2009-11-01T13:00:00-05:00 2009-10-31T20:03:45-04:00

The big day will be here before you know it; have you started all those hand-crafted projects you want to make this year? LET ME HELP ... CARDS: Come to the Christmas Card Marathon Day, Sat Nov 14 - make 20 quick and easy cards, plus envelopes, all for $30. Extra kits are available - register now for your preferred start time: 9am, 11am, 1pm or 3pm! Register by Nov 3rd so enough supplies can be ordered in time. SCRAPBOOKS & CALENDARS: "My Digital Studio" will save you tons of time and give you great looking personalized gifts for long...

Donna Henley tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d83422764353ef0120a69afdfc970c 2009-11-01T00:00:00-04:00 2009-11-01T00:00:00-04:00

Or maybe for a co-worker, day care provider, bus driver, crossing guard, neighbour, boss, hair stylist ... the list gets longer every year. These desk calendars are the perfect answer! I ran this class in October and I've decided to add additional dates in November 'cause they turned out really well & I need to make some more. I found this great metallic paint in a hobby store in Michigan; the colour is "Rich Espresso" - how tempting is that! Add a bit of stamping to the calendar pages, make a tag, and tie it all up in one of...

Donna Henley tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d83422764353ef0120a692ef2f970c 2009-10-30T14:56:13-04:00 2009-10-30T14:56:14-04:00

I can't believe it's Friday already - I love doing this weekly segment 'cause I get to surf the web for ideas and try out new things, and at the same time tell my hubby that I'm working! Today I've chosen one of my all-time go-to gals for inspiration, Diana Gibbs of Arizona. Diana and her sister Jacqui are both very talented stampers whom I'm proud to call my friends. Funny thing is that even though Jacqui lives much closer to me (only an hour away) I usually see Diana more often in person - at Stampin' Up!'s Convention and...

Donna Henley tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d83422764353ef0120a63d5035970b 2009-10-30T10:11:41-04:00 2009-10-30T10:11:41-04:00

One of my club members Amanda showed me these adorable and easy-to-make Hallowe'en treats, using Stampin' Up!'s "Sweet Treat Cups" - check them out! Punches used: 1-3/4" circle for the body, 1" circle, 3/4" circle and 1/4" circle for the eyes (googly eyes would be fun to use too) and the photo corners punch for the legs. I thought they'd be a perfect project to make tomorrow (Saturday) at my "Mom & Me" Hallowe'en classes ... there's still room in both the 9-11am group and the 1-3pm group. Roy will have the yard all decorated early tomorrow so the kids...

Donna Henley tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d83422764353ef0120a620aa21970b 2009-10-26T13:46:19-04:00 2009-10-26T13:50:54-04:00

Ahoy there! Are you planning a party for the little pirates or princesses in your castle? Here's a real time saver to help make it a festive occasion: This is the final week of Stampin' Up!'s Deals of the Week promotion; contact me or use my online shopping service to order your deals ... but do it before Oct 31! PIRATE PARTY KIT (item # 116213, pg 175) regularly $21.95; this week: $13.99! PRINCESS PARTY KIT (item #116214, pg 174) regularly $21.95; this week: $13.99 cheers, Donna

Donna Henley tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d83422764353ef0120a66fc3ae970c 2009-10-23T16:01:20-04:00 2009-10-23T16:01:20-04:00

Here we are with my second installment of FAKE IT FRIDAY (my OCT 16 POST explains the concept & wacky title) ... today I'm featuring another of my all-time-favourite-uber-talented Stampin' Up! divas, Patty Bennett. Whenever I need inspiration or a reminder to loosen up, just try it and have fun, I visit Patty's blog or watch one of her YouTube videos. Afterwards, I'm usually RUNNING to my Stampin' Studio to try out one of her ideas; she's just THAT talented! So to get ready for last Saturday's STAMP-4-FUN event (a quarterly day I host for my downline and other local...

Donna Henley tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d83422764353ef0120a610c92c970b 2009-10-22T07:00:00-04:00 2009-10-22T07:00:00-04:00

As part of the program to become a Certified Demonstrator in My Digital Studio, Stampin' Up! requires me to create a greeting card and have it printed through their professional printing service. So today, I tackled this enjoyable task & came up with two cards ... My first attempt was based on the card sample on page 32 of Stampin' Up!'s 2009-2010 Catalogue & Idea Book, except that I had to substitute another stamp image because Season of Joy doesn't come with the software. (I would imagine that it will be offered as a future download; it's a very popular...

Donna Henley tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d83422764353ef0120a663aed6970c 2009-10-21T12:31:12-04:00 2009-10-21T12:31:12-04:00

Just popping in to tell you that ... My NOVEMBER classes are now posted online - check it out HERE! The October STAMPIN' SAMPLES Newsletter went out today - watch for it in your inbox! It's time to sign up for the CHRISTMAS CARD MARATHON on Sat Nov 14! Tune in on the 23rd for the second installment of FAKE IT FRIDAY! (You can see last week's episode HERE) Hope your day includes a bit of creativity! cheers

Donna Henley tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d83422764353ef0120a64d8c65970c 2009-10-19T15:28:52-04:00 2009-10-19T15:28:52-04:00

CIRCLE DESIGNER BRADS - MINI LIBRARY CLIPS - BASIC JUMBO GROMMETS - 1/2 INCH LIBRARY CLIPS $5.49 $12.99 $6.49 $5.49

Donna Henley tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d83422764353ef0120a5f563cd970b 2009-10-19T11:08:58-04:00 2009-10-19T11:14:16-04:00

OK, folks - we're getting pretty close to C.C.C.T. (Christmas Card Crunch Time) ... admit it; once Hallowe'en is over, we've really got to buckle down if we're gonna follow through on our vow to give out hand-made Christmas cards this year. Show of hands, please: how many of you justified buying the stamps, ink & paper by promising to use them to make your own cards; saving money in the long run and showing your friends and family that you care enough to make it yourself? (Believe me, I say that to hubby every time I buy another stamp...

Donna Henley tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d83422764353ef0120a647e08b970c 2009-10-17T19:28:52-04:00 2009-10-17T19:28:52-04:00

Poking around the Stampin' Up! website, I found a cute Hallowe'en card that would make up in a hurry .. I have Stampin' Up!'s new Jumbo wheel called Haunting Hill and it's so much fun, especially if you wheel it in Whisper White Craft ink on black card stock! Looking at the elements of this card, I think we could easily adapt it to become a simple treat bag too, using a folded "Top Note" die as the bag topper, wheel it with Haunting Hill, add a tag & some ribbon and presto! SUPPLIES USED ON THIS CARD: (100% Stampin'...

Donna Henley tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d83422764353ef0120a5ed3fd3970b 2009-10-16T18:17:15-04:00 2009-10-16T18:17:15-04:00

How do you like the title of my new blog feature? Yep, it's time to confess to all of you .. I'm a fake. I am NOT the creative guru or artistic genius that I attempt to portray here on my blog. Don't get me wrong ... once in a very long while, when the muses are with me, and Jupiter is in line with Mars, and I hold my tongue just the right way, I CAN come up with an ORIGINAL crafty idea. Then I'm exhausted and I go to bed ... KIDDING! But most of the time (and...

Donna Henley tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d83422764353ef0120a636b8c3970c 2009-10-13T08:26:40-04:00 2009-10-13T08:26:40-04:00

Hi all, hope everyone in Canada had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend; I know I did! Here's this week's DEAL OF THE WEEK from Stampin' Up! - three more current items with a terrific savings for you! Available at these priced only from October 12, noon (ET) through October 19, 11:50 am (ET): Item Page Description Regular Price Special Price 115961 200 Perfect Setting Bigz XL die $57.95 $34.99 114515 195 Flower Burst Embosslits die $15.95 $7.49 116760 201 Pop-Up Three Tier Cake Bigz XL die $53.95 $34.99

Donna Henley tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d83422764353ef0120a61f4382970c 2009-10-08T06:00:00-04:00 2009-10-08T06:00:00-04:00

... as a Stampin' Up! demonstrator! It's my 7th Anniversary, and I'm still having fun at my job! To show my appreciation to everyone who's supported me over the years, I'm running a four day special! Just call or email me to place your order between Thursday Oct 8th, 6pm and Monday Oct 12th, 6pm and choose your free item from the list below: With any purchase $50 or more*, pick ONE of the following items FREE: Classic Stamp Pad Pack (24 sheets) single color card stock Clear envelopes Dazzling diamonds Dimensionals Stampin' Mist Stampin' Write Marker With any purchase...

Donna Henley tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d83422764353ef0120a5c8a05f970b 2009-10-07T00:59:06-04:00 2009-10-07T00:59:06-04:00

Did I mention that Stampin' Palooza (held in Toronto last weekend) was AMAZING! I had a wonderful time, took lots of photos to upload here, and then realized that I didn't have to go to the trouble 'cause our hostess with the mostest, Caroline Lebel, had a professional photographer at the event - who took over 600 shots and uploaded them all for us to see! Here's the link; enjoy! (PS - the next Stampin' Palooza will be in Feb 2010 - Stampin' Up! demonstrators ... be there or be square!)

Donna Henley tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d83422764353ef0120a61410ef970c 2009-10-06T14:44:21-04:00 2009-10-06T14:44:21-04:00

Here is my "tweaked" version of the Monogrammed Stationery Set that we'll be making in October at my "PAPER JUNKIES" class, featuring Stampin' Up!'s "Night and Day" Designer Series Paper and their "Baroque Motifs" stamp set. I like this version better than the original photo I posted on my business website under "MY FAVOURITE IDEAS"; what do you think? This set of five full-sized cards, five 3 x 3 note cards, ten stamped envelopes, matching pen and a multi-pocketed folder is the perfect gift for co-workers, sitters or holiday hostesses, especially when you personalize the gift with their own monogrammed...

Donna Henley tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d83422764353ef0120a613db11970c 2009-10-05T06:00:00-04:00 2009-10-05T06:00:00-04:00

Here's a peek at the cards we'll be making at this month's 'JUST CARDS" class, featuring Stampin' Up!'s "NIGHT AND DAY" Designer Series Papers from the Holiday Mini (page 11) .. Of course, being the month for Hallowe'en, there are four cards to help you celebrate in style! I had to do a Hallowe'en theme 'cause I know some folks who really go "over the top" in their Hallowe'en preparations (you should see my hubby!) ... but at the same time I have friends who just prefer to skip all the hoo-haw on October 31, so I've created four identical...

Donna Henley tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d83422764353ef0120a613df6b970c 2009-10-05T00:44:21-04:00 2009-10-08T10:06:42-04:00

Orders of $50, $100 & $200 receive FREE Stampin' Up! Products!! Click HERE for all the details

Donna Henley tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d83422764353ef0120a6110575970c 2009-10-04T09:00:00-04:00 2009-10-04T04:33:55-04:00

OK, this might have been the best demo of the whole weekend at Stampin' Palooza ... well, maybe not THE best; there were SO MANY good ideas shared in Toronto ... but this sure is the best one as far as the FRUGAL STAMPER is concerned! How many times have I wished that I had a button to embellish my card or layout, only to find that none of the buttons in my craft stash will go with the colours in my project? My creativity comes to a screeching halt until I have the time to hunt down a better...

Donna Henley tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d83422764353ef0120a5ba0364970b 2009-10-03T21:14:40-04:00 2009-10-03T21:14:40-04:00

I've just been to Toronto to attend the first ever Stampin' Palooza event hosted by the one and only Caroline Lebel - and our guest speaker was none other than Linda Hansen of Salt Lake City - both ladies are very talented stampers, successful businesswomen, and a hoot to spend time with! Honestly, I haven't laughed out loud (for real!) like this in longer than I can remember ... Linda's SPANX story ... OMG, here come the tears again! These are just a few of the pics taken by my demo pal Ruth M - I have to recharge my...

Donna Henley