I'VE MOVED!!!

Please check out my NEW Blog at:

www.inkspiredtreasures.com

Email Blog Subscribers: You will need to RESUBSCRIBE at the new Blog...they did not transfer over to my new one...sorry!

Good news is that all my old posts are transferred to my new Blog!

Hope to see you there! I'm offering Blog Candy for my move AND my birthday this Friday!

Quick update

Just a quick update to let you know that I'll be changing Blog platforms within the next few days. Plus...I'm swamped with classes this week! Check back soon for more information.

GREAT NEWS! I have TWO cards in the latest issue of Stampers' Sampler, available June 1st! Check out Page 9 and Page 51! Woohoo!!!

Here is another great June special!

The Great eScapePut down the phone, turn off the computer, and break free from the ‘e’!
Remember when you got letters in your mailbox instead of your inbox? On June 25, 2008, Stampin’ Up! is taking the day to unplug and unwind, and reconnect on a personal level with friends and loved ones through handmade cards. And we invite you to eScape with us throughout the month of June!

Reconnect with your "wireless network" by taking advantage of the 25 percent discount on select items in the eScape bundle to help you create that special message from the heart.

eScape Bundle (item 113700):

Circle of Friendship stamp set
p. 143
$17.95
Love Notes assortment
p. 167
$8.95
Rose Red Classic Stampin’ Pad
p. 165
$5.25
Very Vanilla 5/8" grosgrain ribbon
p. 191
$7.95

Total (non-bundled) $40.10

eScape Bundle price $30.00

Hurry and call me to order yours today!

New Fresh Cuts - Sneak Peek!

Yeah! Stampin' Up! has given us a sneak peek at the NEW catalog by unveiling the set, Fresh Cuts, and coordinating laser cut 4x4 Note Cards! These are a perfect size for hand-written notes, to tie on packages, or use as place setting name tags. And, the stamp set is die-cut for quick and easy mounting to your wood blocks! There are a couple ways to get this new set.

From June 1-30, everyone can order the Fresh Cuts set for $21.95 and purchase the note cards for $5. Additional note card sets are $8.95 each. A package contains 15 laser-cut note cards and envelopes made from Whisper White cardstock.

Or, you can hostess a workshop in June and with a qualifying $400 workshop, earn the Fresh Cuts stamp set and Note Cards FREE! That is an extra bonus of over $30.95! This is on top of your already outstanding Hostess Benefits.

Email me today to schedule your workshop...my home or yours!

Tart & Tangy

This was one of the cards that I was going to use in my Tart & Tangy stamp camp last month, but then decided against it. I didn't feel it sat in the box as well as a regular sized card. I do like the way it opens up. The bottom, you could adhere a gift card. The ribbon around it keeps the card closed, and you remove the ribbon to open it up.

I colored the cherries with Old Olive and Real Red markers, then added a little tie of red gingham ribbon. I punched it out with the 1 1/4" inch circle punch, then the 1 3/8" circle of Real Red and the Old Olive Scallop Circle Punch. Under the flap is the cherry designer paper from Summer Picnic...just a great package of designer paper! The greeting on the inside is from the Full of Life set in the Spring mini catalog. I find those greetings to be SO timely and use them all the time. The stripe Bashful Blue ribbon goes all the way around. (I still have Ribbon shares left! Get a 3 yard sampling of each color ribbon...Stripe, Double Stitch, Grosgrain, 5/8 Grosgrain, or Taffeta...Email me for details.)

Whew...I just finished a big project that is going in for submission. I actually finished it yesterday and let it sit...went back today and tore a few things apart so that it flowed a little better. I like it now. The bad thing is that I hate to give it away! lol!

Have a great day!

Retired Sets for Sale

My Vendor sale went well today...did bring a couple empty boxes home with me. As promised, here is a list of the retired stamp sets I am selling. All are in excellent condition from a non-smoking home. Shipping is $4.80 for one or two sets, actual shipping costs will be figured on three or more. I take Paypal (no credit cards).

In () are the number of stamps in that set. UM - Unmounted

$4 sets
Seasonal Patches (4) - SOLD
Swirl Frame (1)
Thank You Blocks (4) - SOLD

$5 sets
Around & About (4)
Beyond the Basics (4)
Itty Bitty Borders (4)
Exotic Blooms (6) - SOLD
It All Adds Up (4) - SOLD

$8 sets
Simply Circles (6)
Border Builders (9) - SOLD
Little Layers (8)
Little Layers II (8)

$10 sets
Sketch an Event (8)
Fun with Shapes (13)
Very Punny (8) - SOLD
Buds & Blossoms (7) -SOLD
Something Nice (6) - SOLD
Botanical Garden (3) -SOLD
Provencal (4) -SOLD

$12 sets
Sunflower Serenade (7) - PENDING
Sweet of You (6) - SOLD
Wild Things (6) - SOLD
Announcements (13)
Sew Seasonal (9) - SOLD
Best Bar Codes – UM (4)
Aged to Perfection (7)
Oh My Word (6)
Large Monogram C
Large Monogram E - UM
Large Monogram T - UM
Autumn Frame – UM (7)
Shapes & Shadows (12)
Holiday Frame (7)

$14 set
Watercolor Garden II (9) - SOLD

$20 set
DD Sunflower (12) - SOLD

Class on the Go Kit

For my classes, I recently adapted the Tie the Knot Scrappin Kit card class that Patty Bennett created. My stampers loved the classes and using the GORGEOUS papers and die-cut adhesives in this kit! It is truly so much more impressive to see in real life and they were so quick and easy to make! My stampers were in and out of class within 2 1/2 hours and completely finished.

Due to a cancellation after I had ordered their kits...I still have two Class Kits to Go available! Price of $25 includes 1/2 kit, standard envelopes, mini brads, dimensionals, stamped images and punched shapes to complete the twelves 4x4 cards! All you add is some final greetings and adhesive. You will have TONS of designer paper and die-cuts left to make additional cards... Kits include step-by-step instructions with photos of finished cards. Want the full kit? Add $10 to the price!

And...keep watching my Blog! I will have 5 additional samples of FULL cards using this marvelous kit! What are you waiting for? Email me today!

And...don't forget! Sale-A-Bration ends on Monday. Make sure you earn your FREE sets by placing a $50 order...$100 order get 2 sets FREE...$150 order get 3 sets FREE plus hostess benefits! And...as a BONUS...I'll give you two card ideas for each free set you earn! But, email or call me no later than 11:00 PM Eastern time on Monday, March 17 to take advantage of Sale-A-Bration and my Bonus offer.

Sale-A-Bration Time...and I'm CELEBRATING!

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.

Customers: When you spend $50 on Stampin' Up! merchandise, you'll receive a free Sale-A-Bration reward (your choice of 5 stamp sets or package of rub-ons). There's no limit-for every $50 you spend, you can select another free Sale-A-Bration reward!

Hostesses: When you host a workshop of at least $300 (before tax and shipping), you'll receive a free Sale-A-Bration reward in addition to all of the regular hostess benefits!

New Demonstrators: 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! It is the BEST time to sign up! Also, as a gift from me...when you qualify as a demonstrator, you'll earn the wonderful Fushion Flower Kit...another $14.95 value FREE from me!

The Sale-A-Bration promotion starts on February 1 and runs through March 17, so don't miss your chance to earn free products or take advantage of becoming a demonstrator yourself! You can view the Sale-A-Bration brochure online HERE and then email me to place your order!

SURPRISE!!!

I had a few minutes while I'm on break from Stampin' Up!'s Leadership convention. Sorry, no Blogger's Challenge for me this week...

However, the weather in Palm Springs is absolutely LOVELY. Not to make you jealous, but temps are in the mid 70s, not a cloud in the sky, and the view of the mountains is spectacular. I'm definitely bringing my hubby back out here with me some time.

Of course, part of what makes it so special is seeing those stamping friends, catching up, and getting lots of design ideas! A few surprise announcements from Stampin' Up!, too!

I'll be back to regular posting on Monday! Have a great weekend!

Off to Leadership!!!

Sorry, I haven't posted. I've been really busy getting ready to head to Palm Springs for Leadership! I will have lots to show you when I get back...see you then!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Just wanted to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! We are starting off this afternoon on our yearly trek around the city with parties and gift giving!

Safe travels everyone...

RETIRED list is HERE!

Wow...it is time for a new catalog already! Stampin' Up! will premiere the new Spring/Summer 2008 catalog on January 1st. But...you know BEFORE the new catty comes out, that Stampin' Up! shows the list of stamp sets that will be retiring! The stamps on this list will only be available until December 31st, then they will no longer be available.

Here is the list of retiring sets in Alphabetical order.

Here is the list of retiring sets by Page number.

Check them out...then let me know which ones are on your "must have" list. I'll be happy to place an order for you.

Today's Women's Expo was fun...everyone loved our Make & Take. (I'll bring one home with me tomorrow to show you.) I'm tired, but ready to go back in the morning and finish up!

End of Season Hydrangeas

Last night listening to the news, I heard that we were going to get a heavy frost. For some freaky reason, our hydrangea bushes decided to bloom in September/October and they have been GORGEOUS! I decided at 11:30 PM to go out and cut the larger blooms and cover the rest of the bushes with sheets. However, we had such a hard frost that the sheets didn't help...the budding flowers have mostly turned brown today. So sad to see all the flowers dying off. On a happy note, the trees around here are beautiful.

So...here is a picture of the last of the season Hydrangeas I rescued. They are resting on my island in the kitchen so I can enjoy them all day long. Does anyone know how to dry them? I'd love to make a wreath from the dried blooms.

You can BARELY see the new watermark that Beth Silaika did for me because of the granite countertops (lower left corner). She offered up some Blog Candy and I won a free watermark! Woohoo! Make sure to check out her awesome site here to get your own Watermark or Banner. She is the one who did my Banner, too!

I'm Exhausted!

Whew...the craft fair is OVER! I'm so tired! I did well...over $200 worth of small items I stamped or altered sold. In fact, I sold out of several items. I was shocked that nothing over $10 sold! Luckily, I had only done a few things in that category. Good news is that I can use them for gifts, door prizes and hostess gifts. I'm excited that I picked up a few new customers for my classes, too. And, I was happy that I used up some of my retired designer papers and supplies.

Remember the Altoid type tins? I sold out of all the Santa face ones, sold several Snowman ones (which I'll use for my Christmas gift cards this year) but only sold ONE Frankenstein tin!!! Everyone picked it up and commented how cute it was. So now I have about 7 poor lonely Frankensteins left... I ended up filling the tins with wrapped Hershey Nugget chocolates, 5 fit in each tin. Almost everyone who looked at the table picked up one of those tins to look at it closer. lol!

Silly me didn't take closeups of the items I had for sale. I just had a picture of my overall "practice" table. I always practice my table arrangement at home before I go to a craft fair...that way I can determine what goes where instead of doing it the morning of the show. I'll post it tomorrow when I have a little more energy. lol!

Burnished Watercolors Technique

Sorry! I disappeared on you for a couple days! I had classes Tuesday and classes out of town Wednesday/Thursday and then went with friend to her doctor's appointment today (good news!) and then shopping! Fun day. Just got back in town tonight at 5:30 PM! Whew...long day. My girlfriend I sat up until 12:30 AM talking and then had to get up at 6:30 AM this morning! Driving around all day, shopping and then driving the 2 hours home just wore me out. I did catch a little nap after I got home, but I am SO ready for bed right now! I wanted to get this out to you first....

This was one of the cards and matching envelope we did for my Technique Classes this week...the technique is called Burnished Watercolors! Check out my Stampin' Up! calendar for future dates and join my classes!

Burnished Watercolors is one of the techniques featured in this month's Technique Junkies Newsletter...an awesome publication (and yes...I am a design team member for this publication!) I've been with Pat and Technique Junkies since she started this newsletter service. Pat and I are on an awesome yahoogroup together where we started doing technique challenges each week YEARS ago and it was the "birth" of Technique Junkies Newsletter inspiration.

Small ad here...To celebrate the 5th year of publication, Pat is offering a wonderful special. Check it out...you won't be disappointed! I get a lot of inspiration for my Stampin' Up! Technique Classes from her publication. Thanks, Pat, and congratulations on 5 years of publication!!!

Get two years of the Technique Junkie Newsletter at 2004 prices! Get the 2007 and 2008 Technique Junkie Newsletters for just $33.00 (US addresses only). You will receive a whopping 150 techniques delivered to your doorstep. TJ techniques are step-by-step -- not an overview -- and the newsletter itself is full-color, professionally printed and high-quality. In addition, you have online-access to the step-by-step picture tutorials online -- and GREAT artwork from talented designers.

No-one has more tutorials than the Technique Junkie Newsletter. With our 5 years of publications, we have an archive of nearly 400 Rubber Stamping Tutorials -- and so many more to come!

Email me at phuntoon@optonline.net for a PayPal invoice to get your subscription started -- or send a check to the address below. Thank you!

Technique Junkie Newsletter

PO Box 16547

Stamford CT 06905

PS: Yes, it is good for renewals, too...

I'm Published in Rubber Stamper magazine!

I knew the minute that I saw the large envelope from Rubber Stamper magazine that they must have used one of my cards in their magazine! For those that don't know, magazines usually will send you a complimentary copy when a card you send to them is published. It was truly an awesome feeling to see my card in their September/October magazine...my first time with them! I don't know if I'm allowed to post a picture of it to my blog, so I'll just say that it is a Halloween card. I used two techniques on it...one was spot bleaching...I bleached out the moon area of the stamped image. The other technique was frosted filters using reinkers! The background was an awesome orange, black, yellow and purple! Run out and get a copy...or just check out my card on page 84!

My hubby called just as soon as I had picked up the mail, and I was telling him of my excitement...somehow...he just didn't get it. So...I emailed a couple of my stamping buddies...THEY got it! lol!

No card posts tonight. I've been working on my designs for the Control Freak Holiday Mini swap. I have it narrowed down to two selections. I'll post the one I decide NOT to use tomorrow!

Matching Colors

Sorry I've been MIA. As you know, I'm frantically preparing for Convention. After today, I do feel in pretty good shape. I have my organized swaps done...and my 3D shoebox swap figured out...just need to cut paper and get stuff together for that. Tomorrow I plan on working on some general swaps and then my roommates gifts!

But...I thought after yesterday, everything I was doing would come to a screeching halt! I was out for my normal morning walking exercise, when I tripped and took a nose dive on concrete! I wrenched my shoulder and scraped up one hand (luckily my left one!) pretty badly. My left arm and shoulder are really sore, I can hardly raise it above my waist...I must have taken the brunt of the fall on my left side (even tore my t-shirt!). Hopefully tomorrow I'll feel much better. But, it is hard to type, so here is a quick post!

Wow...the new designer double sided papers and designer ribbons are LUSCIOUS! I just received my order (second big one!) with several packages of the DS paper...I love the patterns...especially the stripes! Sometimes it is hard to know exactly what colors to coordinate with the paper, so here is a list of all the DS papers and the coordinating Stampin' Up! colors!

Brocade Backgrounds: Always Artichoke, Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, River Rock

Cerise: Real Red, Very Vanilla

Charbon: Basic Gray, Very Vanilla

Creepy Crawly: Basic Black, More Mustard, Pumpkin Pie, Really Rust

Cutie Pie: Bashful Blue, Basic Black, Certainly Celery, Rose Red, So Saffron

Darling Doodles: Brocade Blue, Groovy Guava, Rose Red, Wild Wasabi

Dashing: Old Olive, Real Red, River Rock, Very Vanilla

Fall Flowers: Old Olive, Really Rust, Sahara Sand, Soft Sky

Flowers for You: Certainly Celery, Lovely Lilac, Regal Rose, Tempting Turquoise

LeJardin: River Rock, Soft Sky, So Saffron, Very Vanilla

Linen Prints: Apricot Appeal, Cameo Coral, Close to Cocoa, Old Olive, Pink Passion

Notations No.2: More Mustard, River Rock, Very Vanilla, Wild Wasabi

Outlaw: Chocolate Chip, Creamy Caramel, Really Rust, Sage Shadow, Very Vanilla

Petals & Paisleys: Certainly Celery, Tempting Turquoise, Rose Red, Old Olive, Pretty in Pink, So Saffron, Soft Sky

Porcelain Prints: Blue Bayou, River Rock, Wild Wasabi

Uptown: Almost Amethyst, Basic Gray, So Saffron, Wild Wasabi

Wintergreen: Always Artichoke, Certainly Celery, Sage Shadow, Soft Sky

Prints: Monochromatic papers available in Almost Amethyst, Always Artichoke, Blue Bayou, Brilliant Blue, Certainly Celery, Close to Cocoa, Groovy Guava, Lovely Lilac, More Mustard, Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie, River Rock, Rose Red, So Saffron, Soft Sky, Tempting Turquoise

I'll try to post some new stuff I've been working on over the next couple days!

OK...BREATHE!!!

Sorry...I truly didn't mean to leave you hanging for several days! Best Buy's awesome Geek Squad came out and restored my computer to its former FAST self! Yeah! That nasty Norton AntiVirus is gone...it totally corrupted my files. Now, I'm working like a charm! However, I spent yesterday reinstalling all my software, my documents, my photos, etc. I had a mini crisis when I thought we wiped out my Contact List...but he installed it on the wrong ID, so I was able to Import it into my business one. Whew. The only thing I forgot to backup was my Free Fonts file. I'll have to find a bunch of special ones I've been saving for years. Oh well...

I see my Blog hit over 10,000 visits! Yeah! Thanks to all of you for visiting. I will take comments up until tomorrow night and then draw a random number for the Blog candy. I've been busy today preparing for my Stamp Club meeting tomorrow...nothing like waiting until the last minute. But, I think they will be very happy with the projects we are doing...2 cards and 1 3D item. I'll share them with you after tomorrow. I've also got a picture on my camera of my first SU catalog order of this year. But, I have to reinstall my Canon software before I can download it...

Have a great evening!

SO thankful!

OH...I'm so thankful to be back! I cannot believe how much I do on the computer each day. It was driving me crazy trying to fix it on my own. I guess I don't feel bad, it took the Geek Squad agent almost 4 hours trying to fix it...only to determine that we are going to have to do a complete restore...on another day, thank goodness! I put that off for 2 weeks so I can recover from this experience. Whew.

So...I haven't done ANY stamping the past few days, except for a little work on my Technique Junkies assignments for the upcoming newsletter. Mainly cause I've been trying to get my computer up and running. I guess I'll be playing catch up this weekend on my stamping assignments.

Glad you hung in with me. I'll have some samples to show you tomorrow! Take care.

I need to adjust my computer font size...he left it VERY tiny! lol!

New In-Colors!!!

NEW In-Colors! Woohoo! This picture has been floating around cyberspace since last week and I just found it! It must have been posted on SCS when I was on vacation last week. Stampin' Up! introduced the new colors on the cruise. I'm definitely going to miss the old In-Colors and have stocked up on paper and reinkers, but the new colors are quite intriguing...can't wait to see them in person. I hope Soft Sky will replace my beloved Cool Caribbean. And, don't you think Stampin' Up! is rockin' with their choice of names...even though they are challenging to spell! lol! These new In-Colors will be available in the new catalog, set to premiere July 1st!

Have you seen the retired list yet? If not, check it out at http://www.stampinup.com/us/enu/8071.asp

If you want any of the retiring wheels, make sure you order them from your demo NOW...once current supplies are gone, they will no longer be available. Many are gone already and several are on the endangered supplies list....

A fun Name Game!

Looking at the meaning of my name, you'd think being double "neat" would mean my stamping studio was clean! NOT! It looks like a tornado went thru it! What is sad, I just cleaned and organized it a couple weeks ago when I returned from my stamping retreat weekend!

What Connie Means

C is for Cheesy O is for Outrageous N is for Neat N is for Neat I is for Intelligent E is for Expressive

What Does Your Name Mean?