Samplers and Swatches - I am CONSUMED!

Here is your loverly paper! Aren't those YUMMY shades!?! Wait till you feel this stuff! It's not called smoothies for nothing! Smooth and heavy with rich pigments! If you haven't claimed your Sampler Pack, it's not too late! I hope to order the second round on Monday. I need to get 10 more Samplers Packs claimed so tell your downline, upline, sister angels and stampy friends! Email me if you want one of the second round Sampler Packs!
Here is a peek behind the scenes. That is my daughter Desi. She and I spent most of yesterday afternoon and into the evening walking around the two tables turning the 60 packs of 25 sheets into 25 packs of 60 sheets! I am so thankful for her help! Each Sampler Pack contains one full sheet of each of the 60 Smoothies colors for $29.95 shipping included.
The last picture for now is my progress on the Swatches. I have 53 of the 60 colors cut into swatches. You can print your swatch card here. These are 1x2 pieces cut to fit on the TAC cards. If you want a set email me. They are $2.50 plus actual shipping. I will be able to pack and weigh these today...so if you are waiting on a total from me I can get that to you tomorrow. EDITED.

For Gayle

This post is especially for Gayle! I promised some more ideas with TAC's Wonderful Trees. Gayle commented that she loves my July Kit featuring Wonderful Trees, but she asked me how many tree cards does she really need. I told her that is why I love Wonderful Trees so much. The trees don't have to be trees! See, they make BEAUTIFUL flowers! Next up, CLOUDS.

I used Lotsa Dotsa, Give it a Whirl, Wonderful Trees stamps and Memento Tuxedo Black ink, a button, black scrappers floss and Penelope Ribbon to make this card. Oh! My pink cardstock is some pink that I got from Shar, my SU! demo.

Happy Simple Stampin'!

Oh! Speaking of simple stampin' check out TAC's Card Club Quickies...BRILLIANT!

Christmas in July 7-25 Make 5 Cards for $20

Merry Christmas in July! Here is a peek at two more cards for my Christmas in July card class! Can you join us? Come to get a jump on your Christmas cards. Trust me, in November when you have Thanksgiving preparations and Christmas shopping and gift wrapping and halls to deck and parties to attend you will be so glad you started your Christmas cards in JULY!
Class is from 6:00 to 9:00pm and costs $20. You will make 5 cards and have the opportunity to plan and order supplies for your cards. I am happy to help you with ideas and designs so you can get rolling on those cards early. Have a stress free and enjoyable time doing your Christmas cards this year! Email me to RSVP so I know how many class kits to prepare. If you are in the Chicagoland area and want to join us just shoot me an email!

Happy Christmas card stamping!

Christmas in July on Savvy Projects Blog

Have you been watching the Christmas in July bloggin' going on at the Savvy Projects Blog?! My fellow TAC Dream Team Designers have been posting Christmas cards all week! July is a great time to start planning your Christmas cards.

Angi featured some great holiday uses for TAC's all occasion papers.

Kerry did a nice job with some of TAC's brand new rewards/hostess sets.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE what Rita did with Vintage Rides and who would have thought of Brandi and Emma for Christmas?!

Paula Kay's card just screams Merry Christmas and her coloring is wonderful!

Michelle used Reece for both a elegant and playful Christmas card.

Here is my contribution to Christmas in July! Isn't that little penguin so CUTE-Y?! He is a Gift with Purchase. That means he can be yours for free with a $30 purchase. This is one of 5 cards we will be making in my Christmas in July card class. Do you want to join us to get a jump start on your Christmas cards? Class is Monday, July 25th from 6:30-9pm, email me to RSVP.

Like Angi I used all occasion papers from TAC's Kaleidoscope Girlz and Mia's Cottage Collections. My greeting is from TAC's Merriest Wishes T3147. The white ribbon is from the Lilly Anna Ribbon Collection. I used Nestabilities Standard and Scallop Circles Large and Labels 3 dies.

Welcome to the World of Blogging!

I am sitting here with my downline Arlene Cook and we are starting a blog for her. We decided that a good training post would be blogging the card we made for our monthly swap. Each month I get together with an excellent group of stampers and we do a shoebox swap. This month we started with a sketch. Everyone used this sketch to make a card. I will add an inlinkz to the bottom of this post, as soon as I teach myself how. PLEASE take a look at the sketch and play along. There will be prizes for everyone who shares a card AND comments on Arlene's Blog! YUP that's it just link your card and leave Arlene some LOVE.

Here is the card I made with the sketch. My cards features Nina B for TAC's Wonderful Trees, Lilly Anna SWIC Pattern Paper, Cardstock, Ribbon and Hardware. I stamped my images in Palette Beaux Arts Blue, and Chartreuse and Memento Rich Cocoa.

Hostess Club Projects

Last night was hostess club. Here is a peek at the projects we made! The card is a 3x3 gift card. Don't you love that purdy hat? I stamped the Mimi cardstock with the big lace from Beautiful Lace in VersaMark Dazzle. The hat, also from Beautiful Lace, is paper pieced with More Mimi SWIC paper. I colored the roses pink and green with Copic markers. I used Nestabilities Scallop Circle Lg and Standard Circles Lg.

The project we did was one from Michelle McDaniel's class at TAC's Seminar. Isn't that the cutest little purse? I am not sure about the photograph, it was kind of hard for me to get a good picture.


The purse is made with More Mimi SWIC pattern paper. I love the double sided paper for projects like these because you actually get to use both yummy sides!

I used Labels 5 Nestabilities to make the flap for the purse. I cut the flap and pocket from TAC's brown cardstock. It's a rich dark chocolate brown that has a nice weight. Loverly cardstock. The flap is embellished with a Bitty Blossom, button and acrylic gemstone. The leaves are punched from More Mimi with a SU! punch.


These little purses are so easy and quick to make. I plan on giving this one with it's little gifty to Violet's bus driver. Violet just loves taking the bus for her summer reading program. Her bus driver is a nice lady. I hope she likes the purse. I see myself making bunches of these.

Oh wait, you want to make one too? Ohhh. Well you should have joined my Hostess Club! It's not too late! I am looking for groups of 5 to rotate hostess benefits. Come stamp once a month with other crafty ladies making projects like this. You'll get the brand new TAC catty free as one of the many benefits to being a Hostess Club member! Email me if you need more information!

Techinque Blog Hop - Spotlighting

Spotlighting - It's not a new technique that's for sure...BUT just between you and me, this it the first time I have ever tried it!
Since I am confessing here, I might as well tell the whole truth...I have never really liked the look of Spotlighting! Boy, is my opinion changing! Here is my first attempt at the technique and I have to say I am very happy with the results.
Since I don't have any experience with the technique, after popping in on the Savvy Projects Blog, I decided not too look at any of the stops on the hop until I made my card. Here is one more confession - I JUST FINISHED about 3 minutes ago. I didn't want anyone else's creative spin on Spotlighting to effect what I would ultimately do with the technique. I can't wait to see more of this technique in action. It's an old technique, but I am sure the fabulous TAC Dream Team has put a new and modern spin on it.
Have you tried Spotlighting? Are you a fan? I would love to see your take on this technique. Grab some stamps and some paper and play along. Thanks for hopping by! Be sure to check out the Savvy Projects Blog for Mischelle's very inspiring Spoghtlighting post.
This card features: TAC New Creation T3492, TAC Maggie SWIC Pattern Paper, Copic Markers, Prismacolor Pencils, Rich Cocoa, Dessert Sand and Tuxedo Black Memento, TAC Emma Ribbon, Neutral Bitty Blossoms, Paper Flower from In Bloom Blossoms and Buttons, and Smoothies Kraft Cardstock all available from The Angel Company My card also uses Rust and Dark Brown Cardstock, a blue button, paper floss and eyelet lace trim from my stash.

Desi and Violet's Thank You Cards

Stamping is a fun family activity! These are a couple of the thank you cards my daughters made last night. The first and third cards were made by my 15 year old daughter Desi. She used a brand new set from The Angel Company called Konnichiwa.

The second and fourth cards are made by my 6 year old daughter Violet. She decided to do her own doodles instead of using stamps. So we pulled out the Stardust Glittering Pens, Souffle Pens and the Gelly Glaze Pens and let her imagination run wild. TAC carries all these lovely specialty pens. They make very nice hostess 1/2 price items!

If you want to see more BEAUTIFUL cards made with Konnichiwa, check out fellow TAC Dream Team Designer, Angela Kelley's Blog here.

Look at that one of a kind art work...maybe with a little more practice and a few years Violet could be TAC's next great artist! Thank you for stopping by today! In honor of my crafty kids, take 10% off of Konnichiwa AND anyone or more packages of specialty pen sets. Just mention this blog post at the time of your order. Must buy both the stamp set and pen set in one order. Offer expires 9-30-11 and can not be combined with any other discount such as, but not limited to, hostess half price items.

July Kit is HERE!

That's right! I have another fun card kit for you. This kit features stamps by Nina Brackett exclusively for TAC. Have I mentioned to you how excited I am to have her stamps in our line of product? You should see my wish list, it includes all but 3 or 4 of her sets! The July Card Kit includes Wonderful Trees, an $18.95 retail value. As always, the kit includes enough product to make 2 each of these four designs PLUS some extras for you to play with your own designs.

My July Card Kit is $42 (plus actual postage if I need to reship to you) and it Contains:
Nina B for TAC's Wonderful Trees Stamp Set - $18.95 retail value
10 - 6x6 Lilly Anna Soar With It Collection Pattern Papers
8 - 8 1/2 x 5 1/2 Lilly Anna Soar With It Collection Cardstock Card Bases
12 - 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 Assorted Cardstock Sheets for Layers and Stamping
5 - yards of Lilly Anna Soar With It Collection Ribbons - 1 Yard each of 5 styles
20 - Assorted Pieces of Lilly Anna Hardware
4 - Full Color Photo Instruction Cards

I am offering a few add on items this month. Since the Wonderful Trees are a bold stamps that require stamping in colored ink I am offering 10% off any of the recommended ink colors. I recommend Memento Rich Cocoa and either Memento Rose Bud, Memento Pear Tart, and Memento Bahama Blue OR Palette Claret, Palette Chartreuse and Palette Beau Arts Blue. Add any of these inks in any size pad and save 10%
I am also offering two sentiment stamp sets as discount add on items. I love the thinking of you sentiment that comes in Wonderful Trees and used it on all four of my cards this month. I was thinking that you might like to have more variety. Since TAC just came out with a new catalog and I am so excited about a bunch of the new word sets, I am offering 10% off of Grace and Peace T3503 and Contemporary Greetings T3505. I will add photos of the stamp sets as The Angel Company makes them available. Since they are all new set released on Monday there are only thumbnails out there right now.

If you would like to order my July Card Kit just send me an email. I have about 60 people coming over in 6 short hours so I need to get a move on it. I hope you have a happy and safe Independence Day weekend. Speaking of Independence Day, If you haven't seen my Savvy post from yesterday go check it. The Dream Team really rocked it. You will not be sorry!

You CAN NOT miss this Savvy Post!

'America I Love' is a brand new Level A Hostess Reward/Card Club Incentive Set from The Angel Company. Isn't is lovely? You just have to go to the Savvy Project Blog and check out my post there. The TAC Dream Team designers have made a bunch of unbelievable cards for your viewing pleasure. You will be so inspired. I promise. So go. Go on and look. Go.

Have a safe and happy Independance Day weekend. God Bless America.

My card features America I Love TA3482, Bazzill Cardstock and gold ribbon from TAC's Emma Ribbon Collection. I colored my image with Copic Markers and trimmed the edges with deckle scissors.

Beautiful Lace - New for 2011-12

I am back from Seminar and can not wait for you to see the new TAC catalog! Just let me know if you want one. I am offering the new book for $5 or FREE with a $35 order from the catalog. If you are a current hostess I have your free copy here. I'll see ya on July 11th or 12th for hostess club.

My sample today features Beautiful Lace, a brand new Nina B set. The sentiment comes from Brighten Your Day. That pretty pink and black paper is from TAC's Uptown Girl Fly With It Collection. Notice the little Scor-Bug detail on the main panel? I thought it looked like a pull chain and reinforced the lamp image.

I am still catching up AND I have so many ideas for the new catalog year so this post is going to stay short and sweet. Peace out.

20011-12 Catalogs are HERE!

Come and get 'em!

I can not even begin to tell you how excited I am about the new catalog. Wait til you see it. I have not been this excited about a catalog EVER.

I got home from Seminar at about 1:30 am after about 16 hours in the car. I am so tired I can't even tell you any more right now!

Stay tuned, I have lots of great cards to show you. I did all my Seminar trades with new stamp sets.

I'll be back when I can see straight. For now, Check out Angi Kelley's blog. Angi did the smart. simple. sophisticated. cover sample. She is wonderful.

Vintage Rides Sneak Peek!

YUP! You heard right! Nina Brackett is now designing exclusives for TAC! I am so excited about her newest set - Vintage Rides.
I love the bold line-drawn clean style of this set. It's just a taste of what TAC has in store for you in the 2011-2012 catalog year. I am so excited I can't stand it!
If you like the look of Vintage Rides, now is the time to order it. TAC has a fun sneak peek going on right now. Vintage Rides will retail for $23.95 when the new catalog goes live on June 27th. Right now, Vintage Rides is just $16.95 for a limited time! Order your Sneak Peek stamp sets from me by email me before 6-21!

TAC Favorites Blog Hop

Thank you for hopping by today! This blog hop is all about FAVORITES! I had such a hard time narrowing down my favorite TAC product or stamping technique. I finally settled on this card. I decided on this card because it represents my two favorites from the 2010-2011 catalog. Funny Farm and Funny Farm Phrases were my favorite stamps debuted in the soon to retire publication. My favorite TAC SWIC collection (today...lol) is Emma.

I pictured an outside/inside view of this card so you could see how funny the those Phrases are! They are perfect with the animals that look like they are up to no good. If these stamp sets make you smile and you want to have them for your own, than you need to order them before I leave for Seminar. They just got the retirement ax. I am so sad, I thought I had another year with my mischief making buddies!

Here is a list of the other stamp sets that were added to the Final Farewells retirement sale:
Discontinued ADDITIONS!

Page Item Description Retail Value
5 TA3286 Basic Blooms $7.95
5 TA3324 Whooo Loves Ya $7.95
16 T2798 Ornamental Joy $5.95
19 T2692 Snowman Nativity $19.95
30 T3109 Summer Boys $10.95
40 T3308 Blossom $7.95
55 T3115 Funny Farm $10.95
55 T3125 Funny Farm Phrases $15.95
91 T3369 In My Heart $19.95
97 T2665 Little Things $7.95
97 T2895 Life is Short $19.95

SHOP EARLY & SAVE BIG on our Final Farewell ADDITIONS!

June 3-12th ~ Receive 40% OFF!
June 13-19th ~ Receive 35% OFF!
June 20-24th ~ Receive 30% OFF!

TAC has also slashed the prices on some of my favorite accessories! To be honest with you, I am a little nervous about it. Check out the list of Discontinued Accessories and save big on my favorites; paper floss, stickles, CABOODLES CARDSTOCK, and much more.

June Kit - Details

These card are SO MUCH MORE AWESOME in person! I just can not seem to get them to photograph right. Maybe it's the time of day I am trying to take pictures. I will try again tomorrow morning. I just wanted to get these posted since I promised yesterday I would be back today with more details!

Here are the other two designs you will be able to make with the June Card Kit. You really need to see these in person!

The June Kit is just $38 (plus shipping if I need to reship to you) and here is what it includes:
-Fun Flower Pots Stamp Set Retail Value of $19.95
-10 6x6 Sheets of Emma Soar With It Collection Pattern Paper
-8 A2 Cardbases from Emma SWIC Cardstock
-5 yards of Emma Soar With It Collection Ribbon, 1 yard each style
-Antique Copper Hardware, 20 assorted pieces
-8 - 4 1/4x 5 1/2 Ivory Cardstock
-1 - 4 1/4x 5 1/2 Yellow Cardstock

I used Ordinary Greetings on all four cards. If you don't have the stamp se,t I highly recommend adding it on. It is a casual sentiment set that is not too big and not too small. It's my favorite TAC greeting set. I was sad to see it on the retirement list...however, that's a bonus for you since it's 30% off right now.

I used VersaMagic Ink on my samples. You might want to check your ink pads and make sure you have colors that will work. If you want to add ink to your kit just say so! I am going to offer 10% off any ink pads ordered with the June kit. I used Jumbo Java, Gingerbread, Brick Red, Thatched Straw, Tea Leaves, Pink Grapefruit, and Aspen Mist on my cards.