A Diversionary Tactic

Everything Eleanor Catalog Kick-off Sample

Sweatshirt weather this morning!  I headed out to the office and my computer tells me that it's 46 degrees this morning.  Really?  Hard to imagine that we may hit 100 by Thursday? 

We are playing hooky today and heading to the zoo before the weather turns steamy.  Rob's sister and kids are in town from MA and since we don't see them often enough, we are throwing garden and stamping work to the wind and heading out to the zoo to see the lions and tigers and bears, oh my.  Ok, I never played hooky, even it school, so really,  I'm up with the early birds and doing a few things in the office and then heading out to the garden for a smidge, hence the sweatshirt.  :)

But I promised that I would share the Everything Eleanor card sample that we did for our Catalog Kickoff.  My challenge for myself is a big one.  I want you all to fall in love with the Summer Starfruit new In-Color.  I'll admit I was less than wowed by this one but man, SU knews me better than I do....I love it now.  So I'm on a mission to make you fall in love.  Watch for it this summer and fall.   I'm pretty sure I'm going to use it A LOT!  It's fun and different from others in my normal palette of taste.

• Stamps:  Everything Eleanor, Perfect Pairs
• Inks:  Summer Starfruit, Soft Suede, Early Espresso, Crumb cake, Raspberry Ripple
• CS:  Summer Starfruit, Early Espresso, Crumb cake
• Misc;  Scallop Punch, Starfuit Ribbon, Sponge Dauber, Essentials Paper-Piercing mat (ok I admit, it's the absolute most favorite item in this catalog for me!)

So here's to new love....Starfruit, you are probably a re-bound relationship.  I'm definately NOT over Concord Crush, but you'll definately work for a Summer Crush.  :)

Summer Starfruit - my summer and fall new best friend.

Order it up online and you too can fall in love.

Or call:  262-521-3194

Summer Afternoon Hostess Set

Would you like to see the card that my Catalog Kickoff attendees did on Thursday with the Summer Afternoon Hostess Stamp Set?  I wanted a super simple card, a layout that was pretty self explanatory so that I didn't need in-depth explanations and would allow me to help others make out their wish lists AND tally up the vast amount of Rubber Rummage that was available!  So I used Black, White and our new Raspberry Ripple pad.  I wanted to make sure that I educated the girls on the benefits of the new pads.  They are very very juicy and I find that they work really well when you ink them opposite of usual.  Meaning, laying the stamp face up on the desk and gently tapping the pad to the stamp.  Works SO well.

So here's my simple little card, the other card was more involved.  I'll share that tomorrow and you can check it out.

• Stamps:  Summer Afternoon Hostess Set, Wacky Wishes
• Inks:  Raspberry Ripple, Black
• Misc:  Argyle Embossing Folder,

Now Stampers, you know that we have a fabulous HOSTESS SPECIAL running for the month of June and July.  I really really think you should book a party! 

It's big bonuses!  Call me.

262-521-3194

 

For the Birds Card Sample

More For the Birds....I adore, adore, adore this stamp set.  It's whimsical without being cutesy.  Occasionally my downline, Cheryl Lentz and I joke about "our clown" cards.  What's a clown card, you ask?  It's a card that is "busy" and loud and we are definitely sure if it's not our favorite?   And then someone comes along and just "loves" it?  You know, clowns...you either love them or don't.  I'm not really sure how else to describe it.  When we create our display boards for Camp Stamp-In-Oga we always have at least one "clown" on the board and make a game out of picking the "other's" clown out.   Maybe it's just that the card is a step outside of our normal comfort-zone style?

So here's my clown for today....

Did I mention that I love this set?  I'm pretty sure that I need to do this for a Stamps by Mail, this year yet?  Don't forget to get in on the Stamps By Mail for June.  I've a few packets unclaimed....

Well off to mark that big ol bin of retired stamps for tomorrow's Catalog Kickoff.  You'll want to stop by, of course!

Home Again...Home Again...

We're HOME! The Schueler clan spent a relaxing week sans internet and cell phone service in the Wilds of Northwestern Ontario.  So no blogging or stamping last week, just a LOT of fishing and books.  It was a nice change of pace but I'm certainly happy for the conveniences of home, as are the teens.  No texting while fishing and not for lack of trying.  :)  I will say the weather was SIGNIFICANTLY cooler up north.  My studio air conditioner is working overtime this week.  But if it's this hot then I don't feel one iota of guilt when I'm not in the garden.  I'd prefer to work up a sweat with stamps, in that case.

One of the things I'm working on this week is a set sampler done with the stamp set, For the Birds.  I need to make six designs with this set and then several of my demo friends and I swap.  They use different sets and voila, lots of samples.  So this is one of the cards that I've created for the swap.  (we also used it for Hostess Club last week.  I would say that I killed two birds with one stone but that just seemed so WRONG, considering the subject matter!) 

It's a fun fold called the Double Dutch Fold.  The top flap flips up and the two bottom flaps open up like a dutch gate, hence the name...ok the card is WAY cooler in person.  Make sure you stop by on Thursday, June 21st to see it in person!  I'll have it out during my Catalog Kick Off -It's too cute.

Remember - Catalog Kick Off - Thursday, June 21st.  Stop in anytime between 2pm-8:30pm and make a couple of ADORABLE cards, pick up your catalog, check out my swap cards, shop the retired rummage stuff that I cleaned out last week, check out the specials etc, etc!

email or call me if you are planning on attending, I'll make sure I save a catalog for you!  (I ordered plenty but you JUST never know.)

 

June Monthly Card Kit

I'm going to tempt you into LOVING some of the new 2012-214 In colors with the month's Monthly Card Kit. 

Need easy?  Need quick and mindless?  Basically need design and stamping help?  Short on time and want a packet of cards to stamp?  How about trying the Monthly Kit?   I change the stamp set and featured accessory each month.  You can purchase the featured stamp and/or accessory from me that month at a discount and I will also provide a list of additional necessary items to complete the kit.  Those can also be purchased from me.  (Of COURSE, it's fun to get a new set but you CAN use a similar sized or style set from your current collection) 

Then around the 15th ofthe month, the cardstock packets and directions go out and you can stamp them in the comfort of your own home.  It's FABULOUS!

Click here for more information and list of supplies for June's Monthly Card Kit

Enjoy!  Sign up today!

 

Stampin' Up! In-Colors 2012-2014

I'm not always so crazy about change and it holds true in my stamping business as well as my personal life!  So every year I have to give myself a little pep talk about change and how what doesn't kill you makes you stronger etc etc.  But I swear, I will go to my grave clutching my Concord Crush 2010-2012 In Color ink pad, and so occasionally, I need to remind myself of my maturity level and thus there are things that I need to move on from.  But one minute while I beg and plead....please please, SU, bring back my Concord Crush.  I can't fathom my life without it.  Do you think if I'd bat my eyelashes that it would help?  I know it works with Ella and her father, anyway.

Along with my reluctance to initial change there is a willingness to slowly embrace new things.  SLOWLY being the operative word here.  I will tell you that I do really really like the new Summer Starfruit Color, especially paired with the Midnight Muse and Primrose Petals.  I know, I know, it's a weird color but you HAVE to admit we have NOTHING even close to this color.  And it's really pretty fun!  Now the Raspberry Ripple....I thought it was pretty close to some of the other colors we've had in the past but the "intensity" of the color is different.  I think I will love it, someday soon.  It's not as in your face as the Pomegranate that we had a few years ago and is much richer than Rose Red.

I've used it on the card that we are doing in class today. (I have room in both the 9:30am class and the 6:30 pm class.  Call me if you want to come!)

We are focusing on the Itty Bitty Punch Pack and Itty Bitty Buttons.  (i typed Bottoms, hmm, freudian slip? or at least wishful thinking on my part.  I need to go swimsuit shopping here shortly.  uggh.)

• Stamps:  Up, Up and Away
• Inks & CS:  Raspberry Ripple, Wild Wasabi, Daffodil Delight, So Saffron, Pool Party
• Misc:  Obviously the Itty Bitty Punch, (ok i just noticed that my button fell off!)  It's supposed to be by the heart and the circle.  Oh brother.  It can't be another Monday.

Here's a photo of the "reds" we currently carry, left to right.  Primrose Petals, Cherry Cobbler, Raspberry Ripple, Riding Hood Red, Rose Red.  So yeah they are a bit different.  Come check them out in person at my Catalog Kick off on Thursday, June 21st, if not before!

 

A Little Old and a Little New

Noon MT!  it's when YOU can check out the online version of the catalog and when WE can BOTH place our first order from the new 2012-2013 catalog.  I simply cannot wait. Don't want just an online version?  Contact me for your free copy or attend my Catalog Kick Off on Thursday, June 21st.  (Yeah, you can stop by earlier and pick one up!)

I know I certainly wish there wasn't an ACL surgery, a huge car repair bill and a crashed computer = new computer all in one month.  Today would be certainly a WHOLE lot more fun.  Groceries, who needs them.  We've got radishes growing in the garden and I'm sure my kids will learn to like them by week 2, right?  There's also kale, so between the two, we've got lunch and supper covered!  So I'm off to browse the catalog and make my list of new things that I absolutely cannot stamp without!

But before I head off to grab a cup of coffee and my catalog, I need to share a quick card that we will be doing at class on Monday and Tuesday, June 4th and 5th.  Theme is Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack.  All the cards will be done using these punches.  You will have a lot of fun.  I still have room in all three sessions.

• Monday, June 4th - 9:30 am
• Tuesday, June 5th - 9:30amd
• Tuesday, June 5th @ 6:30pm

Reserve your spot via Paypal here or contact me to sign up.  Either is good!

 

Class Options

5 Cards -$15.00 USD 10 Cards - Double UP$22.50 USD

I love the Itty Bitty Punch Pack, as will you!  Oh, and I can't wait to share all the details of new Hostess Promotion for June.  Oh it's really really good.  All I can say is let's set YOUR party date today!  It rocks!