Hello!  I’m so glad you are here to check out the 4th card and video tutorial in the series on my Sale-a-bration Favorites!

Today we are using (again!) the Elementary Elegance Stamp Set, Fresh Vintage Stamp Set, Everyday Enchantment Designer Series Paper and the Ribbon and Brad Bundle.  All 4 of these products are FREE with a $50 purchase of Stampin’ Up product through my Online Store.  (One free for each $50 purchase.)

VISIT MY ONLINE STORE TO ORDER STAMPIN’ UP 

DOWNLOAD THE SALE-A-BRATION CATALOG  

This combination of colors (Pool Party, Pumpkin Pie and Very Vanilla) create such a fresh, romantic and vintage feel.  I love it!  I can’t tell you how much I am loving working with these projects.  I usually do 5 projects in each series here (along with a couple bonus projects for StampNation Members)…but I don’t know if I can stop at 5 for this one!

If you missed the first 3 projects click to view:

• Favorites #1
• Favorites #2
• Favorites #3

Have you seen my exclusive My Friend Video Series?  The first video kicks off with a Clean and Simple Card and teaches you how to tie a flat bow. 

CLICK HERE to see the first one, then be sure to put your info in the box to the right of the video to become a subscriber!

 Stampin’ Up Supplies:

• Elementary Elegance Stamp Set, Fresh Vintage Stamp Set 
• Cardstock: Very Vanilla
• Ink:  Soft Suede, Pool Party, Pumpkin Pie 
• Accessories:  Everyday Elegance Designer Series Paper, Big Shot, Beautiful Butterflies Embosslit, Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder, Labels Framelits, Dimensionals, Sale-a-bration Ribbon and Brad Bundle, Stampin’ Sponges

Thank you for visiting today!  Stay tuned, the 5th video in this series is a serious party of color and pattern…you don’t want to miss it!

Today’s project was entered in the following challenges:  SUO Challenges, My Time to Craft, Tuesday Throwdown, Color Throwdown, Crafts and Me Challenges, Fresh Brewed Designs, Simon Says Stamp! 

Share with your friends if you like this post!

Hello friends!  My oldest daughter is off school today, so I’m going to play hookie this afternoon and take her to the movies!  Randall and I are fairly strict with the media our children are exposed to, so this is a bit of a "big step" here.  I’m taking her to see the Woman in Black (the movie is PG-13 and she is 12).  Let’s cross our fingers that she will sleep tonight! 

(Edited to add:  it wasn’t really that scary in my opinion.  She thought so, but I don’t think she’ll lose sleep!)

Before we head out, I wanted to pop in here to let StampNation Members know that I filmed a special bonus video in the series I am running on my Favorite Sale-a-bration products, just for them.  Look for it later today!  It’s a fun card with some twist on yesterday’s design.

What?!  You’re not a member yet?  

Click here to learn how to join this premier online community!

We are on to card #3 in my series on Stampin’ Up’s Sale-a-bration…my favorites! 

I really followed a lot of design elements from my 2nd card, just tweaking a few things.  I guess I loved the one from Friday so much, I wanted to use the idea again.  I love using a strip of DSP this way.  Just cut a piece 3/8" x 12, run your bone folder along it (think curling ribbon at Christmas Time) and it curls so nicely!   It’s unique and fun and adds a great pop of color.

View the video to see how this was done and be sure to check out these amazing Labels Framelits from the Spring Occasions Mini Catalog.  (If viewing this post in a feed, click the title of the post to be directed to my site).

Are you signed up for my newsletter?  Get exclusive projects, tutorials and videos for being a subscriber!  Begin your subscription with the My Friend Series.  CLICK HERE

I also hope you’ll join me on FACEBOOK!

Stampin’ Up Supplies:

• Fresh Vintage Stamp Set (free with a $50 purchase through March 31) 
• Cardstock: Very Vanilla  
• Ink:  Chocolate Chip, Peach Parfait
• Accessories:  Everyday Elegance Designer Series Paper, Big Shot, Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder, Dimensionals, Labels Framelits, Basic Pearls 

Before I go, I wanted to share a photo with you.  On Saturday, it was 60 degrees and every kid and adult on our street was out hanging for about 6 hours.  It was Glorious! 

Sunday that all changed…look what we woke up to this morning!

Snow in Raleigh, North Carolina!  It’s all gone now…maybe our only dusting for the year because spring is right around the corner!

 Share with your friends if you like this post!  Have a super day! 

Did you know Stampin’ Up! is gearing up for some changes to their annual and mini catalogs?  Let me quickly give you the low-down.

Beginning June 1, 2012 SU will release:

• one annual catalog (it will be a bit smaller than the current Idea Book & Catalog)
• TWO seasonal catalogs (larger than the current mini catalogs)

Yes, this means that the current Idea Book and Catalog will retire ONE MONTH EARLIER than normal.  I will keep you posted, but I wanted to make sure you knew you only have through May 31 to order anything you’d like in the current IBC. 

If you have not received a copy of the current catalog and you would like your very own copy to drool over in bed, dog ear, and love all over…E-Mail me right away!  Customers that purchase from me, get their catalogs for FREE!!!

Don’t forget about my Rewards Program.  Be sure to keep up with your purchases and redeem your card by June 30, 2012.

Click here for all the nitty gritty details on ordering and your Rewards Card!

I have a funny story about today’s card.  Yesterday I filmed this video right before the kiddos came home from school, edited all the photos and started the blog post.  All I had to do this morning was edit the video, upload and finish the post.  Easy peasy!

This morning when I began to edit the video, I found all kinds of things wrong it.  It was an editing nightmare!  yikes! 

So, I took a big breath and re-did the video.  Like completely over.  From scratch.  This NEVER happens…I’m not a perfectionist, so I usually just go with "good enough, you get the point!"  lol!

I decided to tweak my design a bit and I actually think I like this card a tiny bit better than the first one! 

I also decided to turn lemons into lemonade and have some fun with the first video.  I "edited" a lot out, but kept in a lot of bloopers and added some other fun stuff to it.  I was glad to have some comic relief for myself after a few stressful obstacles I’ve dealt with this week.

Where is the video?   Well, I save some of my wackiest stuff for members of my site, StampNation.  I guess I feel "safer" there and my ridiculousness isn’t all over the internet for everyone to see.

So, if you are a member, hop over in a bit to see the edited/unedited version.  

Not a member?  If you dare, CLICK HERE FOR DEETS and join us today! 

Now on to the card.  This is the 2nd video in the series on my FAVORITE Stampin’ Up Sale-a-bration products!

I began running video series back in July and I have really enjoyed them.  It’s a great way to see many different ideas using one set of supplies (sometimes with a few other goodies thrown in.  I just can’t resist!!).  If you’ve missed my past series, or just want to take another peek at them, CLICK HERE to peruse them all.

If you missed the first card in THIS series, click here to view it!

What do you think of today’s photograph?  I am constantly refining how I take photos.  There are some bloggers out there with some top notch photos that I envy, but mine just aren’t at that level.  I just started using Photoshop and I think they look a bit better.  Also, do you like a plain white background, or one with some contrasting DSP like in this photo?  I’d love to hear your thoughts!

 Stampin’ Up Supplies:

• Elementary Elegance Stamp Set
• Cardstock: Whisper White
• Ink:  Soft Suede
• Accessories:  119851 Curly Label Punch, Everyday Elegance Designer Series Paper, Big Shot, Beautiful Butterflies Embosslit, Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder, Dimensionals

Have a wonderful day and I hope you can carve out a few minutes to stamp today!

 Share with your friends if you like this post!

Did you know that in each and every issue of SImply WOW!, you will learn techniques, tips and tricks to take your paper crafting to the next level? Just like this Masked Color Wash sneak peek!  These projects and video tutorials are exclusive to subscribers and aren’t seen anywhere else. 

Not a subscriber yet?  Simply WOW! tutorials are designed so you can quickly and easily implement new ideas and techniques into your paper crafting. 

No more searching online for something new, something fun, something cool….every 14 days an issue will arrive in your E-mail Inbox like magic!

You’ll save time AND take your skills to the next level! 

Inspiration has never come faster or been easier.

Click here for all the details, to subscribe and immediately receive your first issue!

Stampers!!!  It’s time for the next series.  Over the next couple of weeks we will be looking at my favorite Sale-a-bration products you can get for FREE by ordering Stampin’ Up products in my online store. 

I’ve gotten some e-mails from stampers saying they haven’t placed their SAB order yet because they can’t decide what to get.  So, let me convince you that you need my 4 favorite items!

Over the next couple of weeks stay tuned…today we begin the series with a Clean and Simple, then we’ll move on from there.  We’ll throw in more supplies, maybe punches, the Big Shot, some techniques, etc.  The items I’ll be using are:

• Elementary Elegance Stamp Set (WM: 125120, CM: 127105)
• Fresh Vintage Stamp Set (WM: 125115, CM: 125117)
• Everyday Enchantment Designer Series Paper  (126154)
• Ribbon and Brads Bundle (127279)

Stampin’ Up Supplies:

• Elementary Elegance Stamp Set
• Cardstock: 120953 Crumb Cake, 119796 Blushing Bride
• Ink:  100908 Chocolate Chip,119786 Blushing Bride
• Accessories:  119246 Rhinestones, 119851 Curly Label Punch, Everyday Elegance Designer Series Paper

Today’s card inspiration came from the sketch at CPS and was entered in the Color Throwdown Challenge.

Stampin’ Up Sale-a-bration Details:

For every $50 purchase you make (clearance rack items included!), you will get to choose a FREE Sale-a-Bration item!  Place a $150 or more order and get 3 items PLUS the hostess benefits!

**Always be sure my name is in the upper right hand corner of the screen when ordering.  If it’s not, you may have defaulted to stampinup.com and are no longer ordering from me and you won’t get those hostess goodies.  If this happens, just come back to www.catherinepooler.com and click on one of the Online Ordering Buttons.

Your 2012 Sale-a-bration item choices include:

• 4 exclusive stamp sets
• Exclusive Designer Series Paper Pack
• Exclusive Ribbon and Brads Bundle
• Limited time Decor Element
• 2 Digital Designing CDs
• several current catalog items (stamp sets, buttons, fabric, Simply Sent Kits, Embossing Folder, textured cardstock)

DOWNLOAD THE SALE-A-BRATION CATALOG  

VISIT MY ONLINE STORE TO PLACE YOUR SAB ORDER

Thinking about becoming a Stampin’ Up demonstrator? 

Now is the best time to get your business started!  During SAB, the starter kit is being discounted to a sick $125 (well, that’s what my 12 year old would say!).  Can you believe it? 

Sign up during this promotion and you will also receive a FREE pack of Designer Series Paper (you pay shipping) or a Digital Download for every month you are active through December 2012!  Sweet deal! 

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT BECOMING A DEMONSTRATOR  

Today’s card is for you!  Happy Valentine’s Day to my dear readers.  One day I wish I could get us together in one big room and have a huge stamp fest.  Wouldn’t that be too much fun?

I really appreciate you reading my blog, viewing my videos, leaving comments and love for me.  You don’t even know how much it means to me.  I feel like many of you are friends and that’s why I wanted to share an e-mail with you that Gayle sent to me (she will be the recipient of the "Send a card to a friend").  She says:

"Thanks you for sharing all your beautiful designs.  I feel like you are my friend already!  I enjoy reading your blog and watching your videos and I feel like I know you."

Thank YOU, Gayle, for being here!

For today’s project, if you are a StampNation Member, you may recognize it!  Last week we did a video and used this design on a fun Valentine’s Treat Pouch.  It works perfectly on a card, too!  Don’t you love when you can use one design for many different projects?

If you are interested in joining StampNation, the premier online paper crafting community where you will take your hobby to the next level, we’d love to have you!

CLICK HERE FOR ALL THE DETAILS

If you missed it, StampNation turned ONE last month.  Click here to see how I celebrated.

and now for some fun…

No, I do not have permission to post this.  And I might get in big trouble for it.  But come, on!  Hilarious, right? 

Friends of ours have a Tacky Valentine’s Day Party every year.  Randall and I headed to Good Will and found some super fabulous items for his get up right in the woman’s department.

Now thank goodness he doesn’t dress like this every day, but I’m telling you.  I was in TEARS in GW cracking up like a crazy person while he was trying things on.

Oh, how I love to get a kick out of my hubby. 

(Yes, I know. I’m not terribly tacky…I do have a big bow on my chest, my necklace said "party", fishnet stockings and high heeled boots and tons of make up…not my normal outfit!)  Hope you got a chuckle today!

Hello Friends!  I wanted to pop in here today to share a gorgeous card with you that was one of the samples from a recent Shoebox Swap with my downline.  Susan Peters is the artist and I just love the gorgeous Mixed Bunch flower stamp and punch in Poppy Parade.  Stunning, isn’t it?

I’ve had a busy day between working on a project, a work lunch with a friend, kids, then I have a photography class tonight.  I’m SO excited since I’ve been working on a scrapbooking project (coming SOON!) and I would love to learn how to get off of auto on my camera! 

Have a wonderful evening everyone!

Thank you to everyone that left a comment here on my blog letting me know what you’d like to see for my next series.  I loved reading your ideas and wow, they are very varied!  Stay tuned to see what I decide!

I used random.org to choose one reader to receive a hand stamped card in the mail from me. 

1. By Gayle Cramer on Feb 9, 2012 | Edit

   Catherine your videos are wonderful. Thanks for sharing your wonderful creativity. I’d like to see something, or several somethings, go from simple to bumped up and beautiful. Thanks again.

Gayle, please e-mail me your address and I’ll put one in the mail to you!

Hope you are having a wonderful weekend, cu tomorrow!

Happy Friday everyone!  I’m headed for my hair magician, Rosa, in a few minutes.  I need her badly…before I leave I wanted to share this with you quickly…I’ll be back later this afternoon with all the details including a video!

Have a wonderful morning!

Hey, again!  I’m back to share the entire project with you now!  The sketch at Clean and Simple stamping got my motor running this morning, and I gave me the perfect opportunity to use the cupcake liners again as seen in THIS PROJECT.

I used the Hearts Framelits from the Stampin’ Up Spring Occasions Catalog to make the interlocking hearts.  View the video to see how it was done:  (if you are viewing this via a feed, click on the title of this post to visit my blog to view the video)

Pretty fun, eh?  I’m lovin’ these hearts if you couldn’t tell.  I had fun creating this card…now who to give it to!?

If you’d like to see more videos (over 150 in fact!), I invite you to become a member of StampNation!  CLICK HERE for all the details and to become a member.

Stampin’ Up Supplies:

• P.S. I Love You Stamp Set
• Cardstock:  Basic Grey, Whisper White, Pretty in Pink
• Ink:  Pink Pirouette, Basic Great
• Accessories:  Circle Scissors Plus, Glass Mat, Large Pearls, Hearts Framelits, Polka Dot Embossing Folder

Thanks for popping in today and have a wonderful weekend! 

The challenge over at Splitcoaststampers today is to make a Valentine with no red or pink!  At first I was stumped, but then I thought I could make a Vintage Valentine with all neutral colors.  I also incorporated the challenges at the Moxie Fab Blog for using punches in an innovative way and the challenge at CASE Study (I was inspired by the repeated frame background stamping).

What do you think?  All these elements combine to make a Vintage Valentine and I think this will go straight to my hubby.  It’s masculine, but combines a few feminine features which is perfect since he lives with FOUR girls!

This card also incorporates tons of texture! 

• the crumpled and sponged background
• the "U" was embossed with the Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder
• the DSP was stamped at the bottom with the tree from the Forever Young Stamp Set
• the Crochet Trim adds some frilly, feminine texture

 Stampin’ Up Supplies:

• Forever Young Stamp Set
• Cardstock:  Very Vanilla, Soft Suede, Basic Black
• Ink:  Soft Suede
• Accessories:  Hearts Framelits, Simple Letters Big Shot Die, Scallop Trim Border Punch, Cutter Kit, Sponges, Dimensionals, Perfect Pennants Die

Thank you for visiting my blog today!  If you are a StampNation Member, Maureen put up an incredible scrapbooking challenge (sketch!) for us today.

If you are not a subscriber to my e-mail list yet, you’ll want to hop on it right away!  CLICK HERE, view the video on how to tie a flat bow and make a Clean and Simple Card, then put your info in the box to the right of the video.  You will then receive the additional 3 videos in my My Friend Stamp Set series.  See you there!

Check out my post from yesterday to weigh in on what you’d like to see me do for my next series.  There are a LOT of different opinions on there!  So fun to see what you all are looking for.

Well, I missed it by one day, but did you know yesterday was "Send a Card to a Friend" day?  I am going to send a card to a friend…one of my blog readers!  It could be YOU!

Leave me a comment here on my blog telling me what you think I should do for my next series.  A Big Shot Die, a pack of Designer Series Paper, a Stamp Set?  Which one?  I’d love to hear what you think!

I’ll draw one name to receive a hand stamped card by me on Friday morning. 

Thanks for visiting!

Valentine’s ideas coming to StampNation TODAY!

Not a member?  CLICK HERE   for details and to join this passionate online community of paper crafters and get access to the more than 150 exclusive video tutorials available for members only.

Here’s what one member has to say about being a member at StampNation:

See you there!