SALE-A-BRATION IS HERE !!!!

It's Sale-A-Bration time again at Stampin' Up! and free product is what it's all about!

Every year Stampin' Up! gives customers, hostesses, and new demonstrators the opportunity to earn fantastic, FREE, limited-edition stamp sets they'll enjoy for years to come.

When you spend $50 on Stampin' Up! merchandise, you'll receive a free Sale-A-Bration reward. There's no limit-for every $50 you spend, you can select another free Sale-A-Bration reward!

During Sale-A-Bration, anyone who joins as a demonstrator can choose any stamp set--a value of up to $47.95--from the Spring-Summer 2008 Collection ... FREE! Plus, new demonstrator recruits get 20 percent off the Demonstrator Starter Kit--over $350 of Stampin' Up! products and business supplies for only $159!

The Sale-A-Bration promotion starts on February 1 and runs through March 17, so don't miss your chance to earn free products! You can view the Sale-A-Bration brochure online HERE. Contact me for details: nrileycm@cox.net

SCS FEATURED STAMPER CHALLENGE FS51 PAM VARNELL

My dear friend, Pam Varnell is Featured Stamper #51 this week on SCS! HERE is Pam's SCS gallery (StampingPam), and HERE is Pam's blog, The Stamping Addict. Pam is so incredibly talented, you've GOT to see her work! She has knack with unusual, bright color combinations that always leaves me thinking, "wow, I would have never thought of putting those colors together, but she made is work so beautifully!". Not only do I find Pam's work inspiring, she is a super sweet person and wonderful friend. THIS is Pam's card I chose to case for the challenge, and of course, I HAD to create a card in true Pam fashion .... bright, unusual color combinations!

I used the colors from the new Stampin' Up! East Coast Prep dp .... More Mustard, Real Red, Tempting Turquoise, and Wild Wasabi. Things I changed from Pam's card: a) different papers and colors, b) paper pierced the bottom border instead of dry embossing with the Crop-A-Dile, c) reversed the sketch, d) the elephant's arm and ear are paper pieced a second time for depth, and e) omitted the butterfly image (what a PAIN to cut out! ... I tried!) and used the "Sending You My Love" image from Circle of Friendship. The More Mustard piece behind this image was paper pierced using the Priceless Classy Brass Template.

RECIPE
Stamps: Happy Heart Day, Circle of Friendship
Paper: East Coast Prep DP, Real Red Prints DP (Level One Hostess), Wild Wasabi, Tempting Turquoise, More Mustard, and Whisper White CS
Ink: Real Red Marker, Wild Wasabi Re-Inker with Blender Pen, Basic Black Classic Ink Pad, White Gel Pen (for Elephant's nails)
Embellishments: Real Red 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon
Tools: Paper Piercing Tool/Mat/Template, Priceless Classy Brass Template, 1/2", 1", and 1 1/4" Circle Punches
Supplies: Stampin' Dimensionals

PAPER PRETTIES' CUDDLE ME SOPHIA and BEATE'S WEEKEND SKETCH CHALLENGE #31

THANK YOU for your patience during my absence. I have been feeling much better the last couple of days, and even stamped yesterday (it felt so-o-o good!).

I created this card using Paper Pretties' new Cuddle Me Sophia Clear Art Stamp and Beate's Weekend Sketch Challenge #31 (last week's challenge). Last night, Paper Pretties launched three more new stamp sets!
RECIPE
Stamps: Cuddle Me Sophia from Paper Pretties
Paper: Whisper White and Pretty In Pink CS, Watercolor Paper, Pretty In Pink Prints DP (Level One Hostess)
Ink: Jet Black Staz-On, Pretty In Pink, Blush Blossom, Close To Cocoa, and Barely Banana
Embellishments: Pretty In Pink Buttons, White Embroidery Floss (non-SU), Pretty In Pink Brads
Tools: Ticket Corner Punch, Paper Piercing Tool/Mat/Template, Aquapainter
Supplies: Glue Dots, Stampin' Dimensionals

RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS FROM MY FRIENDS

I've received several e-mails today from blogging friends to see if I'm OK since I haven't posted since Monday. Well, I've been under the weather all week, and just haven't felt up to stamping (gasp!). I am really hoping to be back to my old self sooner rather than later. Thank you to everyone who has checked in on me via e-mail and through my blog! Hoping to be back very soon!

I've received several wonderful RAK's (Random Acts of Kindness) this week that I can share with you today. This first beautiful card is from my friend and fellow Paper Pretties Guest Designer Dawn Easton, Treasure Oiler Designz. Dawn used the new Stampin' Up! stamp set, Embrace Life, and the new designer paper, Ginger Blossom ... two of my favorites from the new catalog!

Speaking of Paper Pretties, Christie is moving more and more inventory into the sale category in the boutique every day; an "out with the old and in with the new sale"! New products will be added daily! Click HERE to go shopping at Paper Pretties.This next card is from Cindy Motherway, aka Mothermark on SCS. This is the Featured Stamper Tribute card Cindy created for the Featured Stamper Challenge #48, and it is a HUGE card ... 5 1/2" x 8 1/2" to be exact! Wish my photograph could do this gorgeous card justice ... it is stunning in real life ... lots of layering and sparkle! Cindy played on Beth's introduction for the challenge, made it a gorgeous card, AND mailed it to me! What a wonderful keepsake to remember the honor of being a SCS Featured Stamper! Click HERE for all the details on Cindy's card.
This adorable monkey card is from my friend, Sandy Braddock, aka doublesmom on SCS. I just love the variety of circle punched monkey images! Very creative!
This morning, my friend and neighbor, Tammy Mendoza brought flowers to me to brighten my day! Tammy is always so thoughtful and full of surprises!
Hope to be back very soon!
Stampin' Hugs~
Nancy

HAPPY HEART DAY VALENTINE

I did one more challenge card last night before I hit it hard preparing my class projects. This Valentine's card combines TWO challenges:

* Jen Del Muro's SKETCH FOR YOU TO TRY on her blog, iheart2stamp, and

* Chat Wszelaki's A CHALLENGE JUST FOR YOU #001 on her blog, Me, My Stamps, And I. Chat is also known as nitestamper on SCS.

Here are the guidelines for Chat's challenge:

Stamp: Use the Mouse from the Happy Heart Day Set.
Paper: Basic Black, Bashful Blue, Real Red, Whisper White
Embellishments: Black, Red Embellishments only.
Please try not to substitute above. That is the whole objective of the challenge.
Ink: Your choice of colors
Background Stamp: Any
Sentiment: Any
Tools: Any
Designer Paper: Optional

AND here is Jen's Sketch:

As you can see, I flipped the sketch. I learned long ago in scrapbooking that faces and heads in photographs should be pointed toward the center of the page, and I think that same rule applies to cardmaking. I think the mouse looks so much better facing the center of the card, versus the outside of the card (much more inviting!)... my only reason for flipping the sketch. So now you've learned something quirky about me today!

It's difficult to tell in the photograph, but the large background piece is the Bashful Blue Designer Paper with small white flowers from Cutie Pie. The Real Red CS piece was dry embossed with the Heart Blocks Cuttlebug Embossing Folder (non-SU).

RECIPE
Stamps: Happy Heart Day
Paper: Basic Black, Bashful Blue, Real Red, and Whisper White CS, Cutie Pie DP
Ink: Jet Black Staz-On, Basic Black Marker, Real Red, Bashful Blue, Sahara Sand
Embellishments: Black Brads, Real Red Brads, Red Gingham Ribbon
Tools: Aquapainter, Trio Flower Punch, Word Window Punch, 1/8" Handheld Circle Punch, Cuttlebug & Heart Block Embossing Folder (non-SU)
Supplies: Stampin' Dimensionals, Glue Dot
Notes: Card front measures 5 1/4" x 5 1/4".

PAPER PRETTIES SNOWFLAKE KISSES

If you've been playing along with the Paper Pretties Search for Snowflake, I hope you were able to attend the party last night to hear the big announcement ... Paper Pretties has released their own line of clear art stamps! Here is just one of the images in the current release from the stamp set, Snowflake Kisses. To view or purchase the entire stamp set, click HERE.

For more samples using the NEW Paper Pretties stamps from the Pretties Girls: Joanne, Charmaine, Jana, Jillian, and Julie ... and from my fellow Pretties Guest Designers: Dawn, Carole, and Danielle. (just click on each name to be taken to each individual blog).
RECIPE
Stamps: Snowflake Kisses from Paper Pretties
Paper: Winter Bright SSK (retired), Pretty In Pink, Wild Wasabi, Bashful Blue and White CS
Ink: Black, Bashful Blue, Pretty In Pink, Wild Wasabi, and Basic Gray Classic (Barely Banana for girl's hair, and Blush Blossom for cheeks)
Embellishments: Pretty In Pink Taffeta Ribbon, Pretty In Pink Brads, Baby Blue Stickles (non-SU)
Tools: Photo Corner Punch
Supplies: Blender Pen, Stampin' Dimensionals
Notes: The Bashful Blue circles under the Pretty In Pink Brads are stickers from the Winter Bright SSK. Card measures 5 1/4" x 5 1/4".

BEATE'S WEEKEND SKETCH CHALLENGE #30

I can't believe I finally got my act together to do a little stamping this week! Allie and Drew were off with friends tonight, and John was engrossed in his hobby, computer generated art. A perfect opportunity for a challenge, and of course, I had to do Beate's Weekend Sketch Challenge #30! I've had the new stamp set Embrace Life for weeks, and I finally got around to using it tonight, along with the new Ginger Blossom DP.

RECIPE
Stamps: Embrace Life
Paper: Ginger Blossom DP, Ruby Red, Groovy Guava, and Whisper White CS
Ink: Jet Black Staz-On, Ruby Red and River Rock Classic
Embellishments: Ruby Red Brads, River Rock Double Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon
Tools: Aquapainter, Scallop Circle Punch, 1 3/8" Circle Punch, Photo Corner Punch, Paper Piercing Tool/Mat/Template, Stamp-a-ma-jig for sentiment.

LAST PAPER PRETTIES CLUE IN SEARCH FOR SNOWFLAKE AND YOU'RE INVITED TO A PRETTIE PARTY!

The Search for Snowflake is coming to an end....hurry and submit your clues! Today's final clue is posted by Christie. All the other Prettie Girls, Julie, Jana, Joanne, Jillian and Charmaine, have posted clues this week. Be sure to collect ALL the clues to register for the grand prize! Unscramble each of the clues, and rearrange them to provide a complete sentence. Your final answer is due by 5pm CST to paperprettiesprizes@yahoo.com. Stop by Paper Pretties at 7pm CST tonight to see what it is that we've been searching for all week, and to see if you've won the grand prize!! Join the new forums for a party following the grand prize draw!!

You’re Invited to Our First Ever “Prettie Party”
When: TONIGHT, Friday, January 11, 2008 starting at 7pm CST
Where: in the forum of the new website. (http://www.paperpretties.net/)
Who: Everybody who loves to stamp!
Why: To celebrate the big announcement!!!! There will be games, prizes, the customer submission contest will be announced, and LOTS of fun!!

You'll need to register as a user to the site, so please stop by a little early to make your way into the Forum. All you need to do is click on “register” below the member’s login. If you’ve already registered, then just log in and head to the Forum! Once in the Forum, look for “Parties”. Hope to see you there!

Don't forget about the sale that is happening at Paper Pretties until Midnight central time tonight! Just enter this code nwss25 to get 25% off all regular priced items!

PRETTIE GIRLS' SEARCH FOR SNOWFLAKE, Day Four

Today’s Paper Pretties clues in search for snowflake are posted by Charmaine and Jana. Don't miss your chance at today's daily prize! Julie Masse, Joanne and Jillian have all also posted clues this week. Be sure to collect all the clues to register for the grand prize!

RAKS FROM LORRI AND KAREN

Yesterday was one exciting mail day! I received TWO gorgeous RAK's!

The first card I'm showing you is from my dear friend and SU Sideline, Lorri Heiling ... Confessions of a Stamping Addict. This is the card Lorri created on Sunday for the Featured Stamper Challenge (FS48) on SCS, caseing this card of mine. I was so surprised when I saw this gorgeous card posted on SCS because I've been trying to get Lorri to play along with the SCS challenges FOREVER! I was even more surprised when I received the actual card in the mail yesterday! Lorri is just one of the most thoughtful people I've ever had the privilege of knowing ... she wrote the nicest things inside the card, along with a friendship poem. For all the details on Lorri's card, visit it on SCS or Lorri's blog.
This next adorable card is from my friend, Karen Laub, nikesmom on SCS. Karen and I are band booster moms together, she attends my classes, and has a true passion for the art of stamping! I had given Karen the Merry & Bright stamp set from the Holiday Mini Catalog, along with the Real Red 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon for her birthday/Christmas gift, and she (in her "creative Karen way") used both of them in a thank you card to me! How cool is that?! Karen's card is so cute! ... love that snowman image with the Dashing DP! I'm so impressed that she mailed thank you cards out (unlike my lame self!).