New Punch Design and a Sweet Valentine! -- UPDATED!

*** Post updated at 3:54PM.  Please scroll down to the very bottom of this post to see how Stampin' Up! is contributing to relief efforts in Haiti***

Hey!  That rhymes!  : )

I've been looking forward to sharing with you some info about Stampin' Up!'s brand new punch design since I started playing around with one of the punches!  I'm loving it! 

Starting with the new 2010 Occasions Mini Catalog and continuing with all new punch designs going forward, Stampin' Up! has adopted a new body style for our punches!  A few features of the new punch style:

• Low-profile, rectangular punch body allows for easier stacking and storing
• Punches lock shut for easier storage and transport
• Dual labels on top and end allow for easy identification and selection when stored
• Available in three sizes: small, medium, and extra-large
• New punches allow for larger punched images and more intricate designs while providing greater ease of use.
• Extra -large punch images also allow for two-step designs like the Two-Step Bird punch in the Occasions Mini Catalog
• Corner punches allow you to punch a corner design along the inside edges of a page, not just corners
• larger, whole-hand handle design provides better leverage for easier use
• Available in an exclusive Stampin' Up! color

I love the extra large Fancy Flower punch and the Pinking Hearts border punch, both from the Occasions Mini Catalog...

And I put together this sweet Valentines Day card* using the small Heart Punch shown above.  It's just $5.95!

 

To order one of our new punches, or for any of your Stampin' Up! needs, head over to my Stampin' Up! Website or e-mail me at joanneroehm@yahoo.com!

*Stampin' Up! products used:  Small Heart Punch, Real Red Cardstock, Sahara Sand Cardstock, Very Vanilla Cardstock, Pretty in Pink Cardstock, Chocolate Chip Ink, 1/2 inch Polka Dot Grosgrain Ribbon in Real Red, Whimsical Words Stamp Set (SAB), Eyelet Border Punch

Stampin' Up! is doing a great thing for Haiti. For each sale of the I (Heart) Hearts stamp set between now and the end of February - the company will donate $2 to the American Red Cross Haiti Relief fund. Congrats and thanks to my customers Heather Hill and Belinda Robinson who already ordered this set. I'll be ordering mine next week. Interested in getting this set and helping relief efforts in Haiti? Just e-mail me.

THE BRITISH INVASION: An Overview

You may not know this about me, but I was born in England.  I moved to the US with my family when I was in the 8th grade, and have lived here in Michigan ever since.

Now that I'm an adult (ha!) and have my own home, and (someday) will have my own kids, it's becoming increasingly important to me that I retain that part of my identity, the BRIT in me, and I think the main way to do that is through traditions.

(Random -- I promise you that as my Mum reads the above paragraph she will break out in the song "Tradition" from the musical "Fiddler on the Roof" -- she's cool like that.)

Anyhow, back to business!

I think one of the greatest ways we keep traditions is through food.  How many family gatherings do you remember simply by what you ate?  To cook a great meal for someone is truly a sign of love and family.


So... I'm adding a new series of posts to my blog titled "THE BRITISH INVASION" where I share my adventures in re-creating some traditional Britsh recipes.  Some of the recipes I will get from my Mum, and friends still in the UK, and some will come from Delia.

Don't know Delia?  She's kind of England's Julia Child, and I remember seeing her recipe books in my Mum's kitchen since I was a little girl.  It just so happens I got Delia's basic book for Christmas...

Now I'm not going all "Julie & Julia" on you here, I'm not going to cook my way through the entire book and blog about it.  I'm just going to pick and choose some staples that I'd like to perfect and cook for my family some day.  Sound fair?

I'll be kicking this project off next week with the help of my Mum and my English BFF Claire.  I'll be creating a link in my sidebar that will have all of my BRITISH INVASION posts listed.  Fun, right?!

Until then... tell me about a favorite family recipe of yours?  And why it's so special to you?  I'd love to hear all about it in the comments section below!

2010 Stampin' Up Open House Recap

We had a small group at Sunday's Stampin' Up! Open House, but it was a wonderful, intimate afternoon of stamping... and the girls even learned some new embossing techniques!

Cindy checking out the latest catalogs...

 Heather working on a "make and take" card project...

The information table...

 Info about Stampin' Up!'s new streamlined punch design and clear mount stamps (info about and projects using these items coming to this blog soon!)...

 Everyone left with a goody bag!

 And no get together is complete without snacks!

 

To place a Stampin' Up! order, or to find out about my February stamping events and classes, visit my online store today and join in the fun!

Play Doh Valentines

Update!  This project was featured on Craft Gossip this afternoon!  Thanks so much!

 
One of my fondest memories as a kid was when my Mum would make home-made play doh.  I would always get to choose the color, and help knead it once it was cool enough.

(Yup, that's me as a tot!)

I always giggle when I see those teeny tiny tubs of play doh you can buy en masse for Valentines and Halloween treats because I know it is sooo quick, easy and cheap to make.

Here's how you can make your own play doh Valentines for the kiddos to take to school and pass out to friends, without breaking your budget...

Play Doh Valentines

Ingredients

2 cups plain flour

1 cup salt

2 cups water

2 tbsp vegetable oil

2 tsp cream of tartar

food coloring

(super easy) Directions

Combine all ingredients in a medium to large pan over low heat. 

 Stir!  It's a good arm workout!

Add food coloring and continue to stir until mixture leaves the sides of the pan, like so...

Remove from heat.  Wait a couple of minutes to cool, then knead in your color thoroughly.

I nabbed these little heart containers at the dollar store - I think there were 10 per bag.  Put a little play doh in each, and there you have it!

And yes, you will start to see an obnoxious amount of hearts, pink and red fonts, and all kinds of Valentines-ish projects around here in the next couple of weeks.  I just can't help myself! 

Stampin' Up! Group Order -- FREE SHIPPING!

Helllooooo!  I'm not usually around these parts on a Sunday, but...

Just a quick note for those of you that couldn't make today's Open House (pictures and recap coming on Tuesday) that I will be placing a group Stampin' Up! order on Tuesday, first thing in the morning, with FREE SHIPPING.

So, if you need something, drop me an e-mail and let me know.  I'd be happy to include you in the order, and will deliver (if local) or mail (if not local!) you your products when they come in in about a week. 

Take advantage of FREE SHIPPING and get in on this order today!  Current catalogs can be found on the left hand side of the screen, just click on them to view them electronically!

Please e-mail me at joanneroehm(at)yahoo(dot)com by no later than 10pm EST on MONDAY to be included in the order.

And come back tomorrow for a great Valentines idea for kids and adults alike!

Happy Sunday!