Memorial Day - Cards for Heros Blog Hop!

...Let's go to the Hop, Lets go to the Hop, Oh Baby!.... runnin' thru MY head as I write this :-)

Welcome & Thank you for stopping in!

Memorial Day Weekend is upon us! For many, it's three days of fun in the sun and welcoming summer with that fist BBQ. It's great to enjoy yourselves, but keep in mind that Memorial Day is also about remembering soldiers that have given the ultimate sacrifice for our country.

In honor of Memorial Day, Cards for Heroes put together a nice tour of card making blogs! If you'd like to start at the top o' the hop click here!

We're all posting patriotic cards that we've made to send to the troops. To Make this birthday card I used my fabu template for making 80 cards from one Stampin' Up! Simply Scrapping Kit, and yes - I made 80! I still have some last minute finishes to them - plan to add a label to the back with the Cards for Heroes website, and some more inside greetings, but then I am shipping them all off to CFH. I have been learning more about this great group since I found them on Twitter, and as I was reading thru the website I found that Birthday Cards for Men are in high demand! Using the Best Ever Kit I was able to make about 1/2 Birthday, and 1/2 Congratulations cards. The birthday ones I did more in the red and blues, and the congrats are done mostly in the green and blues. I figure the congrats cards would be good for friend to friend cards for positive news or accomplishments. I really hope that our troops and their families will enjoy these cards!!

I encourage everyone who reads this to get involved with this organization in whatever way suits you: send blank cards (handmade or store-bought); send an AnyHero letter/card; send a donation to help pay for shipping! Even a Dollar makes a Difference!

Your next hop: Paper Fun By Lysa is a great stop - full of some really creative cards! Make sure you look around and checkout Lysa's awesome Useful Links! Enjoy!!

Before you hop, please take a second and post a comment for me! Cards For Heroes will be awarding prizes randomly chosen from all comments left, so be sure to leave a comment at every blog you visit.

Thanks for hopping by!

Happy Crafting & Hope to see you again!

~angie

"Four things support the world: the learning of the wise, the justice of the great, the prayers of the good, and the valor of the brave” Muhammad

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Memorial Day Blog Hop

A bloghop is a blast of creativity and sharing! Bloggers from all over the US and abroad will be posting a card and sharing why THEY participate in honoring our nation's heroes. And everyone else gets inspired!
This bloghop will be helping CardsForHeroes.org to get the word out to even more crafters and financial donors—so they can get more cards out to our heroes! They're getting more and more requests all the time and need to step up the shipments, and this is one really fun way to share what they're doing...letting me share!
Hop through the blogs, and get inspired to make more cards or donate funds toward the work! Tell your friends about it, even if they're not cardmakers...it'll do everyone's patriotic heart good to hear about so many Americans wanting to help our military!


Cards for Heroes Mission:
To support our nation’s armed forces by sending blank greeting cards to write home on, as well as cards of gratitude to encourage them. Please find out more at http://www.cardsforheroes.org/

And check back here tomorrow for the BLOG HOP!!!

PRIZES for Comments: CardsForHeroes.org will randomly choose Hopper-winners from all COMMENTS on the blogs by Monday night---so leave feedback on the blogs! Some blogs will have their OWN prizes for comments on that blog, so be sure to keep your eyes open for treats you can enter for! & Comment Away!

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Clubbing, anyone?

Are you interested in an economical, regular crafty stash fix?!?

Then why not join my Crafters 6 Club and earn some FREE goodies!

Let me explain how the Club will work:

The Club will run over 6 months and will require 6 people to sign up. Each month every member will spend just $25 (+tax/shipping) which will add up to a Club total of $150 each month. This is equivalent to a Virtual Workshop, which earns a Level 1 hostess stamp set plus $15 of Stampin' Up! crafty goodness from the catalogue.

Each month a different member will take a turn at being Hostess. In your Hostess Month, which will be picked as you sign up (first come, first pick!), you will also have the option of having friends or family place outside orders to increase the Hostess Benefits for your month.

This is a Virtual Workshop Club, so you do not have to make time on your calendar to meet, or clean the house for guests, or travel through traffic. Just browse through the catalog at your leisure, make a wish list, place an order with me by a certain date each month, and look forward to your crafty supplies being delivered to your door! I will also send you a monthly newsletter highlighting the current Stampin Up promotions, and a sneak peak at upcoming deals as well - the inside scoop as it were!

Once you have joined the Club I will send you a free Stampin Up! Catalog and Idea Book (worth $9.95) so that you can see all the beautiful stamp sets and paper and tools and craft supplies you will be able to choose from, and you can get that Wish List started!

If you are interested in joining in, or require further information please email me at angelabodas@comcast.net or complete the Contact Form at my Stampin' Up! website, please mention your interest in the club in the comments field.

Think you can't get much for $25? Think again!! Stampin Up has a wide variety of products at every price level!

Interested in hosting your Own Virtual Workshop? or need another party solution to fit your busy life - Contact me! I have a ton of ideas for alternative events that might work for you!

Happy Crafting!

~angie

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Back Packs - stuffed with possibilities

One of my bosses is transfering to another department, and for his Good Wishes party tomorrow I made him this New Job Survival Kit backpack. Why a back pack, you ask? Well, he ALWAYS carries one around, and I really wanted to try out this ADORable little tutorial By Paula Goff over at Inking Addict!

There are a ton of great ideas for Survival Kits HERE and you can mix and match and modify the contents as I did with Mikes. I used the Teacher Survival kit but geared it towards doing great in the new job. These would be really cute in any number of packages.. But I love the look of these backpacks - great for kids getting out of school, going away to school, teachers, daycare, you could do military or boy scout, summer camp, back packers or cutsie school kid themes. I love the use of the designer paper - and your choice of embellishements can vary as your theme does. :-) Very Nice!

More pictures at my TwitPic site.

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Hope Dad Likes Ties

Fathers Day is around the corner, so I started looking into some cards for Dad... There are ALOT of Tie Cards!

Check back to see how I incorporate Stampin' Up! Designer Paper into the designs! And to see if I can find some cards that are KNOT ties or fishing - as my Dad & hubby are knot into those! (groan - bad pun :-)

ANYWHO - heres some craftiness to get you started.. Origami is big in these - get that bone folder out!

Shirt with Tie & Name Tag This one is listed as a great card for Missionaries - (those cute little guys riding around on bikes from the Church of Latter Day Saints) - BUT would also make a cute Dads Day card. I liked the plain white shirt look with a really poppin' great tie accent. Get creative with the tie - use fabric or textured or designer paper, or stamp it up with Dads favorite theme!

Hawaiian Shirt For those Dads who mix in a little more color in the day-to-day or weekend wardrobe, check out this Origami shirt card! This would be wild in some designer paper - I'm envisioning something from the Specialty selections: Rockabilly, To The Nines; for your Retro Dad something out of Good Morning Sunshine or Pink Flamingo; or for your card playing Dad something from the new Jackpot selection? COOL!!

Good Ol' Dad Now this one I really liked - very simple, no fancy origami :-) just a nice double fold and some cutting, and of course the Tie... You gotta love the 4 step card! Easy-peasy! This one would probably be great for Grandpa, or maybe a family friend or your coworker. Simple and tasteful patterns along the lines of Manchester, Parisian Breeze, or Urban Garden sets.. go simple with the tie one this one and maybe just leave it at a nice coordinated card stock. My Favorite!

And lastly, just A Tie - again with the origami. Who knew men's wear could be so complex in this day and age! LOL But this is just a Tie, and as mentioned in the directions - many uses: card, prop for a cute skit about Dad, tied onto a nice stuffed animal bearing a gift card, tied onto a nice 6-pack of Dads favorite brew :-) Such possibilities!!

Happy Crafting!

~angie

Encore Presentation for Family Friday at HomemakerBarbi.com 6/12/09

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Psssssst!! Want a Sneak Peak at the NEW Catalog?

Do you want your NEW Stampin' Up! Catalog in June!!???
(Public release is not until July....)
Guess what!!
Demonstrators have the opportunity to receive the NEW (July 09) catalog with the first order we place in June!! I can't wait to see the NEW Crafty Goodness!!! Wheeeeee!
So, if you are not a demonstrator yet, but want that new catalog before all the rest, I'd love to talk to you about becoming a demonstrator!! There will be new "sneak peek" sets available to order on June 1st, too... so it's a great time to sign up, order at your and get that new catalog too! Find out more HERE

SCRAPBOOKING STARTER KIT PROMOTION!!
Join my Stampin' Up! family for ONLY $75!!
MAY 1 - 31, 2009
Promotion Details
In celebration of National Scrapbooking Month, join Stampin' Up! as a demonstrator for only $75 with our limited-time Scrapbooking Starter Kit. The Scrapbooking Starter Kit contains the following:
113510 Schoolbook Serif Alphabet stamp set* $42.95
*Substitutable for any stamp set up to $43.95 value.
113059 Simply Scrappin' Petal Party $19.95
108697 Earth Elements Assorted textured card stock (12" x 12") $11.95
105240 Whisper White Craft Stampin' Pad $7.50

Please note: Each of the products listed above may be substituted for like items.
Please see the Scrapbooking Starter Kit Order Form for details.The Scrapbooking Starter Kit also contains all the business supplies contained in the Standard Starter Kit:
Getting Started DVD; Getting Started Guide; Guest Invitation Postcard (100); Idea Book & Catalog (8); Occasions Mini Catalog (8); To My Hostess Envelope (10); Recruit Folders (5); Recruit Brochures (20); Hostess Brochure (20); Hostess Benefits Form (10); Customer Order Form (50)

I would love to share a few of the things YOU can look forward to as a demonstrator!
As a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator You Get:
1. To enjoy 20% instant income on all purchases (that's an instant 20% savings)
2. To earn up to 40% commission on personal purchases and customer sales
3. To enjoy an additional 20% discount on Demonstrator only preorders of stamps (that means 20% off PLUS your 20% instant income) - This is a Stampin' Up! 20 year anniversary special - I am not sure if it will continue into the next year.
4. To receive our full color Stampin' Success monthly magazine - great tips, techniques, samples
5. To host a Demonstrator only website that allows your family and friends to shop online from you 24 hours a day
6. To attend Stampin' Up! demonstrator events - Convention, Regionals, special events just for my direct recruits.
7. To know about specials, retiring items, company announcements before the public is informed
8. To earn extra income for holidays or to help out in these economic tough times
9. To earn extra income to support your habit
10. To enjoy the perks on your terms - as little or as much as you like - what days of the week, how many days of the week - what types of events
11. Credit for your personal purchases - anything we purchase as Stampin' Up! demonstrators counts toward our low quarterly minimum, great rewards program, career milestones, monthly overrides, promotions, free mini catalog program
12. To receive the catalog and minis FREE throughout the year
13. To enjoy hostess benefits and income - as Stampin' Up! demonstrators we are allowed to be our own best customer and receive all the perks of being a hostess AND a demonstrator.
14. To enjoy tax benefits of owning your own business - wouldn't you love to write off film developing, travel for business, designer series papers, the BIG SHOT, and more?
15. To be recognized for your efforts of sales, recruiting and promoting
16. Flexibility in how you generate sales - home parties, catalog shows, clubs, classes, direct orders, personal orders, craft fairs, sales of finished product - Stampin' UP! provides multiple streams of income - there is no one way to generate income from sales of product - find the way that works best for you or enjoy several avenues.
17. To see the July 2009 Catalog First!
18. To take advantage of Demonstrator only bulk buy items
19. My support - I know I can help you reach whatever personal goals you set for yourself - whether you want to just enjoy the discount, dabble as little or as much as your time allows month to month or go for greatness.
20. The awesome opportunity to have fun, make new friends, and never pay full price again as demonstrator.

I know that anything is possible when you are in control of your destiny.
Let me help you on the path to making Stampin' Up! be what YOU want it to be.
I would love to have you on my team!
Email me with any questions you may have: AngelaBodas@comcast.net
Or begin the sign up process online - Join Now Code Midnightcrafter

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The butterfly counts not months but moments, and has time enough

I am inspired by a Butterfly theme today:
The butterfly counts not months but moments, and has time enough.
Rabindranath Tagore

Beautiful background stamping! This uses the Great Friend stamp set from Stampin’ Up! Item number 113792

http://gingerbreadsnowflakes.com/node/65 This is a tutorial on how to make “tin” butterflys… I think that I will be trying out my Big Shot with the Butterfly Die** (see below) rather than hand trimming these beauties, but I thought the tutorial was good and had some Great shots of the end result! Beautiful – would make a lovely accent to the First Card above…

**Beautiful Butterflies Bigz Die Item 114507
Let nature flit about your head and land gently on your craft projects with this Stampin' Up! exclusive die. Simultaneously cut multiple butterflies perfect for layering with easy when you use this die. – cuts 4 butterflys on 1 die, 1 each of graduated sizes

• 5-1/2″ x 6″Rule-based die which can cut up to 50 different materials ** seriously – FIFTY! Use to embellish scrapbooks, dish towels or shirts or bags, wood projects, windows or walls with vinyl, -- this could be a WHOLE blog post on its own -- Let me know if you need the materials list.


• Stampin' Up! Exclusive die -- Shop Now at my website

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Sunshine Garden Class Kit by Mail

Create this one-of-a-kind card set using Stampin’ Up!’s Sunshine Garden Simply Scrappin’ Kit. With 12 different cards in fresh, spring colors and a beautiful clear box to package them in, these would make a wonderful gift for a friend, loved one, or just for yourself! Your class Kit by Mail will come packaged in a 12" x 12" craft keeper and will include all the cardstock, designer paper, ribbon and accessories you need to make these projects, as well as Stampin' Dimensionals.
You will need to provide: a Basic Black ink pad, a greeting set, adhesive (such as Snail adhesive)to assemble your cards, a paper piercer and foam mat (or a large needle) and a personal paper trimmer. Stamp-a-ma-jig is optional.
Purchase Here
As soon as payment is received, you will be emailed the Step-by-Step instructions with photos, which show you how to make your projects. Please allow 7-10 days for your actual class kit to be shipped out from the date on which you purchased it.
You will also need:

• Stamps: Short and Sweet
• Inks: Basic Black
• Accessories:Snail adhesive, paper snips, Stampin' Scrub, Stampin' Mist, Personal paper trimmer, Stamp-a-ma-jig (optional), paper piercer with foam mat.

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What to do with those scraps of paper

Business Card Envelopes - What a cool idea! Make your busness cards stand out! I was thinking of using the Stampin Up Gift Notes, but this would be an excellent repurposing of my scraps! I made some using eyelets - just two one on each side at the open edge, as I am not a big sewer (and yes, need some cards actually :-) I think that I would tie these onto orders, or gifts, or hang from a display. Would be a cute use of Designer Paper, if you were not recycling, and would even be nice for Gift Cards, maybe add a tag &/or embellishments? Oh! And the Designer Hardware (114351 and 114350)custom designed eyelets? Those would be very interesting additions, though you would need to add a bit of room as they are larger than the usual tiny eyelet! Love the possibilities! Thanks to my tweet buddy @Craft & http://www.craftingacreenworld.com/ <--- while you're there check out the other awesome tutorials they have. I also liked this really cool way to use up that stash of scrapbook paper you have...

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Thank Yous Galore

In honor of my blog kick-off this week, I present for you some nifty Thank You links and ideas...

• Appreciation 7 Days A Week a “days of the week” pill box filled with little treats and sayings. Dollar store pill boxes, cute little inserts (would be darling on some pretty Designer Paper) and crafts, and wrapped up all pretty with a Clever Poem. Focus is on Teachers, but really - you could modify this slightly and find a different Clever Poem, and this would be ADORable for that caregiver, assistant, partner in crime, or helpful kidlet... let me know if you need ideas on modifying :-)
  

• SPpring Flowers perhaps used in combination with Flower Pot Pens project: crafted paper flowers with usable pens - I love seeing these at my Dr's or Dentists office, and I think just about anywhere that has a public desk should have an ADORable arrangement! A great Thank You gift! With Designer papers you do have the option to color coordinate some fantastic combos! (remember to log me in as your demo so you get the preferred pricing! :-)

• Photo Lined Envelopes make these great envelopes for your Thank Yous - party pics for those birthday or wedding thank you cards! This is also a great idea to add some extra WOW to your everyday cards - coordinate matching designer papers...

• Thank You Cards - not just for brides and babes! http://jobsearch.about.com/od/thankyouletters/a/samplethankyou.htm says here that to stand out in today's tough job market you might want to brush up on your Interview Thank You notes! More card making opportunities! :-)

• http://www.thank-you-note-samples.com/ Wording for tons of different notes - thank yous included!
  

Happy Crafting!
~angie

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What we have to learn to do, we learn by doing

Hello! *wave* I am entering the blogosphere, and I hope you'll enjoy my tardy foray into blogging.

My name is Angela, and I have been a Stampin' Up! hobby demonstrator for just over 6 months but a crafter of sorts for over 15 years. One of the things I LOVE about Stamping Up is that I can watch how thousands of people take a single stamp or concept and work it into different and fabulous crafts - building on each others ideas, blending the best of many, and teaching others how to create their own versions of ADORable. The Statement of the Heart really speaks to me: To love what we do, and share what we love as we help others enjoy creativity and worthwhile accomplishments, in this we make a difference!

I am intrigued with the idea of remixing craft ideas I love from the world wide web with my Stampin' Up! materials, and achieving my own brand of Cute.

As the mother of two kids under the age of 4 (kiss kiss - bubby & "me too"), and working full time to boot, I do not have hours and hours of creative time! In fact, most of my crafting is done at the prime time of 9:30pm and 1am! (thus MidnightCrafter) But... I do get such satisfaction in MAKING paper crafts, and in searching out the unique and WOW items, learning new techniques and skills, and seeing the joy on someones face when they realize that they ARE crafty!

I thought there might be others out there : looking for a few good ideas!

So join me, as I hope to showcase some fabulous finds, and share with you my love of making some darn cute stuff!! Happy Crafting!

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