Summer Mini Ending

Wednesday is your last chance to order from the Summer Mini Catalog and take advantage of the Buy 3 Get 1 Free Designer Series Paper Promotion! September 1st we turn our thoughts to Fall, Thanksgiving and Christmas projects. Are you ready???

We spent last week at the cabin my Grandparents built on the Teanaway River in Central Washington almost 50 years ago. It is just a simple 2 room building with electricity. That means no running water and an outhouse but we have the most fun there! Isaac has said at least once each of the three days we have been home that he misses the cabin and wants to go back.

Total relaxation!

One brave little guy

Toni took over my chair. Sitting with just your feet in the river is the perfect way to cool off.

A one-clawed crayfish

The river is perfectly shallow this time of year for playing in

Another treasure found

Just in case you couldn't tell what it was :)

Making a Difference

The Summer Mini catalog contains the very beautiful Strength & Hope stamp set. Stampin' Up! is donating $2 from every purchase of this set to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation. BCRF is dedicated to preventing breast cancer and finding a cure in our lifetime by funding clinical and translational research worldwide. If you would like to own this set and assist BCRF you must order it before August 31st. Click on the promotion button on the left sidebar for more information.

The 4 stamps in this set are the butterfly, filigree, background words, and the H with the word HOPE

Convention Swap from Jen Blank

Less Than 2 Weeks Left to Order from the Summer Mini

Where has August gone? If you are in the Pacific Northwest, like me, you know that summer has barely started here and soon it will be ending. Sorry I have been missing the last couple of weeks. The kiddos had a great time at a day camp last week and that meant we were away from home most of each day. Add on great extended family picnics the last several weekends and time just flies!
 
I did receive my Holiday Mini pre-order and can't wait to begin showing you some fun, new stuff!

But first - If you want something out of the Summer Mini Catalog you have less than 2 weeks to order it and August is also the time to buy your Designer Series Paper. Buy 3 get 1 FREE!!!
Here are a few cards I received at Convention that were made with The Open Sea stamp set and Nautical Expedition DSP only available until in the Summer Mini...

Deanna Hibbert

Heidi Nebeker Bullock

Linda Hooken

Aren't they beautiful? I just love how one stamp set can be used in so many different ways. Did you notice that each one also uses the new Baker's Twine? Don't let September 1st come before you order your favorites from the Summer Mini - call me, send me an e-mail, or go online to order today!!!

B3G1 FREE & Metal Garden Stakes!

What do the things in this post have to do with one another, you ask? Nothing, I just wanted to share them with you today. LOL!

Look what Stampin' Up! has for you...

  BUY 3 GET 1 FREE! Who doesn't love free stuff? With the upcoming holidays creating so many stamping opportunities, this is the sale for you!

August 1-31, 2011

Promotion Details: During August, you will get a FREE package of Designer Series Paper when you buy three! It is the perfect time to stock up on all your favorites, including brand-new designs from the 2011-2012 Idea Book & Catalog.

Click on the "Shop Now" button at the top of the page to take advantage of this opportunity at your convenience (prior to August 31st of course). 

Now, to show you what I have been up to lately. Laura Haffke posted a video on the Stampin' Up! Demonstrator website showing how to make Metal Garden Stakes and I just had to give it a try. I bought some metal flashing and plant support stakes at the local hardware store and started playing. I have since given several away as gifts. I LOVE my Big Shot!

Isn't it pretty? The Big Shot can be used to both emboss and cut the metal flashing. I used the Crop-a-dile to punch the holes and attached the flower with a brad.

Flowers and butterflies. YES, even the embosslits die can be used!

My "assistant" photographer

I received this pin at convention from Kathy Howes, Denver, CO. She used pop cans and fun foam with the Flower, Daisies #2 die.

What else can you cut with the Big Shot? Take a look at this list and then call me so we can get together soon and create!

Big Shot Materials List for Bigz and Originals Dies

The following materials work well when creating die cuts with the Big Shot machine and Bigz and Originals dies. Please note the maximum thickness of several materials. As a rule of thumb, you can cut a material with your Big Shot machine and Bigz or Originals dies if you can cut it using your Craft & Paper Scissors.

Thick corkboard Thick chipboard (59 mil) Colored magnet Ruffle board Paper wood Balsa wood (3/32") Bass wood (1/16") Metal mesh Aluminum (.016) Tin (.008) Adhesive and non-adhesive mat board Drawer liner Shelf liner Vinyl Static cling vinyl Shrink film Fine sandpaper Clear acetate (20 mil) Vellum Card stock Patterned paper Flocked paper Contact paper Textured paper Metallic paper Linen paper Suede paper Embossed metallic paper Basketball embossed paper

Faux alligator textured paper Self-adhesive glitter paper Fabric Canvas Iron-on fabric Soft plush fabric Burlap Velvet Corduroy Lace Heavyweight denim Terry cloth Funky fur Thin leather Quilt batting Warm & natural batting Fusible fleece Self-adhesive craft metal Self-adhesive cork Self-adhesive foam Self-adhesive magnet Self-adhesive felt Adhesive and non-adhesive rubber Pop up sponge Poly foam 100% pure beeswax (cut with parchment paper on top & bottom of beeswax.)