TGI-Tuesday?

Phew!

The weekend was such a busy one that it took all of Monday for me to regroup, reorganize, and get back on the wagon!  I spent two days over on the east side of Michigan hosting a stamp a stack for my stampers over there and doing a workshop for wonderful hostess, Sue.  There was lots of stamping and lots of socializing - but also lots of driving for me - which was the only downside to the weekend!

Here are a few picks of Sue's workshop guests working away on their make and take projects...

And of my East Side Stampers working away on their Halloween cards at the stamp a stack...

All of this stamping has got me thinking about the holidays for sure!  I'll have a few Halloween projects to share with you this week, and then I'm already thinking about Christmas!!!

(I've been stamping away making up Christmas card samples for my customers!)

How about you?  Are the holidays on your mind, or is it too early to start planning?

Stamp A Stack - Tomorrow!

It's not too late for my West Michigan friends to get in on the fall stamping action this weekend!  I'm hosting my September stamp a stack on Sunday (tomorrow!) afternoon at 2pm at my home in Grand Rapids.

Make 8 cards for $10, 12 cards for $15 or 16 cards for $20.  If you bring a friend who's never stamped with me before - you both get half off the class fee!
We're using the Trendy Trees stamp set with the polka do embossing folder, new taffeta ribbon, and funky forest Stampin' Around wheel.  It's going to be a lot of fun!

Simply drop me a note at joanneroehm@yahoo.com to RSVP for Sunday's class!  Happy Stamping!

August Stamp A Stack Cards

I'm really excited about this month's Stamp A Stack cards... so excited in fact that some of these cards may crop up at workshops throughout the next couple of months as well.  If you're local - you should join us to make some great cards and learn some new stamping techniques.  We have a ball!

This card features the "Birthday Bakery" level 1 hostess set.  It's a simple card, but the embossing with the heat tool on the image and greeting really make it look sharp.

Here's the second card - also using Birthday Bakery.  I love the little cakes on cake stands - so cute!  We'll be using Stampin' Write markers to color in the line-art images.

The third and fourth cards we're doing at the Stamp A Stack are using the "For You Flower" a la carte stamp.  This is a great single stamp for just $7.95 that can be used throughout the year for a variety of occasions.  I'm loving it!  These cards use Poppy Parade, Concord Crush and Pear Pizzazz - three of the five 2010-2011 In Colors.  I love the red, especially.

Live in West Michigan?  I have plenty of spots available in my August 20 Stamp A Stack as several of my regular stampers are out of town this month.  First time class attendees get half off their class fee.  Join us to make 8, 12, or 15 cards - you'll have a great time!  Friday August 20, 2010 at 7:00pm at my home.  Drop me a note at joanneroehm@yahoo.com if you'd like to join us.

Not local?  Head over to my Stampin' Up! website to purchase all of the supplies needed to make these cards and more!  Happy Stamping!!!

Cupcakes with Kids

Heather and I were invited to the YMCA (where both our husbands work - and where both of us have worked in the past) to work with a group of children, teaching them how to make cupcakes.  The seven school-age kids helped us put ingredients into the mixer, make and color the frosting, and then the real fun started when we showed them how to pipe.

We made more than 100 mini cupcakes - and the kids frosted every single!  Look how great they turned out!

I always enjoy baking - and working with children - but what was especially cool about this experience was that it drove home to me how important it is to cook and bake with your kids.  It's an easy and fun task to do together, it teaches math and science skills paired with creativity, and it can be a wonderful platform for lessons in nutrition (although let's be honest - cupcake baking isn't ideal for that message!) 

Cooking is an activity the entire family can do together - and I'm pleased to report that all seven of the kids we worked with had personal stories about baking or cooking with mom, dad, grandma, aunts, uncles, etc.  So neat to hear about great family memories made in the kitchen!

Getting Crafty!

What I truly love the most about being a Stampin' Up! demonstrator, and an all-around crafty gal, is getting groups of people together and creating.  Whether it's introducing people to stamping for the first time and seeing their astonishment as their make and take project comes together, or getting a group of experienced stampers together for a stamp a stack or to learn new techniques.

Last Friday I hosted a Craft Night.  There were six ladies total, all working on completely different projects!  It was a free event that I hope to do on a monthly basis, and everyone brought their projects with them to work on with a little socializing mixed in!

I had the big Shot and my paper cutter on hand, and Heather brought her Cricut...

Emily worked on some cross-stitch, Erin made a baby shower card and a decoupage frame, 12-year old Mariah worked on some friendship bracelets and a card, Heather worked on Lily's scrapbook, and my Mum stamped some cards.  Everyone was very willing to share supplies and help each other out...

I made a little set of 3x3 notecards with envelopes that fit into a little gift box.  I used some retired designer series paper, the scallop envelope die for the Big Shot, and the "Picture This" stamp set fom the Occasions Mini Catalog...

Here it the card that my Mum made... she only started stamping about six months ago... isn't this card beautiful?  She's been such a help and inspiration to me with sewing, so it's fun to be able to teach her a little about stamping and see her enjoy it!

And Mariah is ALWAYS so creative.  She used the Bugs & Kisses stamp set with some Stampin Write markers and a couple of circle punches to create a card for a new baby in her family.  She did a great job!

If you're interested in becoming a Stampin' Up! demonstrator - it's easy to get started!  For just $99 you can join my team - no matter where in the US you live.  Check out the Starter Kit info below, and just drop me a line at readysetcraft@yahoo.com if you'd like more info, or want to get started.  I've loved being a demonstrator, and would love to help you get started, too!

Starter Kit Flyer 0610 JUNE US

Thanks for coming to Craft Night, ladies!  Looking forward to more creative time with you in the future!

Keeping it simple...

For my May Stamp A Stack class I decided to keep things simple.  I have a pretty clean and simple stamping style to begin with, but I wanted to put the emphasis on cards that are easy to make, easy to reproduce, and of course completely lovely!

Sometimes we try to get so "artsy" that we forget that just by adding a ribbon...

or a little glitter...

or choosing a vibrant color palette...

or using a little texture...

...can elevate the overall effect of a card and make it just that little bit more special.

May's Stamp A Stack class will take place at my home in Grand Rapids, Michigan on Sunday May 23rd from 2-5pm.

We'll be making thank you cards in the designs shown above.  Create 8 cards for $10, 12 cards for $15 or 16 cards for $20.

If you're new to my Stamp A Stacks, you receive 1/2 off the class fee.  If you bring a friend who has never stamped with me before, you BOTH receive 1/2 off the class fee.

This is a great opportunity to stock up on thank you cards... I sure hope you can join me!

Class is limited to 10 participants - register soon to reserve your spot in class (e-mail me at joanneroehm@yahoo.com or leave a comment), and don't forget to let me know how many cards you'll be making!

Birthdays and Color

Now that my classes are over for the semester (yippeee!) I've been having some fun easing myself back into stamping, and put together some card samples for my Birthday Stamp A Stack later this month.  Here they are!

"Celebrate You" card inspired by Kristen Bryant, using the Sweet Pea stitched felt from the Occasions Mini Catalog

Products used:  Old Olive and Whisper White Cardstock, Olive Oil ink pad, Stitched Pea felt, Old Olive grosgrain ribbon 5/8 inch, Big Shot Die Cut machine and texture plates, A Little Birthday Cheer stamp set.

"Top Note" Birthday Card inspired by Kristen Bryant, using the NEW "Awash With Flowers" stamp set

Products used:  Barely Banana and Whisper White Cardstock, Olive Oil, Bashful Blue and Melon Mambo ink pads, black Stazon Ink Pad, Old Olive satin ribbon 5/8 inch, Big Shot Die Cut machine and Top Note die, Awash With Flowers stamp set.

"Make A Wish" card using the "Animal Stories" stamp set

Products used:  Sahara Sand, Brilliant Blue, Bashful Blue and Whisper White Cardstock, Sahara Sand ink pad, Bashful Blue grosgrain ribbon 1/4 inch, Big Shot Die Cut machine and texture plates, A Little Birthday Cheer and Animal Stories stamp set, 1 3/8 inch circle and scallop edge punch.

"And You Thought I Forgot" birthday card using the "Tart & Tangy" stamp set

Products used:  White Cardstock, Green Galore, Real Red, Only Orange ink pads, Stitched Pea felt, A Little Birthday Cheer and Tart & Tangy stamp sets, 1 3/8 inch circle punch.

If you're a Michigander, here's the Stamp A Stack sign up info:

Join me for a Birthday Card Stamp A Stack!  We'll be creating four unique birthday cards (above) using Stampin' Up! products.

Friday April 16, 2010 from 7-10pm at my home in Grand Rapids.

Create 8 cards for $10, 12 cards for $15 or 16 cards for $20.

Bring a friend who has never stamped with me before and you both receive 1/2 off the class fee.

This is a great opportunity to stock up on birthday cards, and learn about all of the latest and greatest Stampin' Up! products.

And as if that's not enough - we'll have a SNEAK PEAK of one of the new stamp sets from the not-yet-released 2010-2011 Stampin' Up! Idea Book & Catalog!

Sure hope you can join me! Class is limited to 10 participants - register soon to reserve your spot in class, and don't forget to let me know how many cards you'll be making!

E-Mail me at joanneroehm@yahoo.com to get registered.

In other Stampin' Up! news, the company announced its "Color Renovation" yesterday!

Beginning in July 2010, we're reorganizing our color families.  We'll be saying goodbye to some of our old colors, be bringing back some old favorites, and even keeping some of our current 2009-10 limited edition "In Color" colors for good!

Each of our four new color groups:  Brights, Subtles, Regals, and Neutrals, will contain 10 colors each for a total of 40 colors.  You can see below the colors we're bidding a fond farewell to, and the brand spankin' new color families and all they have to offer.

And more good news!  The "In Color" series, which has previously been a set of six colors that were new each year and had a lifespan of just that year will now be a set of 5 new colors each year, with a lifespan of TWO years.  That means that after this year, every year we'll have a total of 10 "In Color" selections to play with in addition to our 40 regular colors.  So fun!

Fond Farewell Colors US 0310

This may seem confusing right now - but believe me, it's a wonderful and exciting thing!  I will be keeping you updated as I find out more - and will be sure to share all of the new colors and tools with you as I test them!  If you have any questions, be sure to drop me an e-mail at joanneroehm@yahoo.com

So, tell me, what's your favorite color in Stampin' Up's new color groups below ?  I'm loving Melon Mambo (SO glad it's sticking around!) and Wild Wasabi!

New Colors US 0310

Sale-A-Bration and Weekend Workshop!

I had a fabulous time hosting a workshop this past weekend.  It's always a blast to introduce stamping to those that have never done it before, and demonstrate new products and ideas to those that have. 

As a Stampin' Up! demonstrator, I'm so lucky to have the opportunity to share my love of papercrafting with friends old and new!

Here are the three make and take projects we made on Saturday...

A birthday card using the "Happy Moments" stamp set from the Sale-A-Bration catalog...

A mini Easter card (3x3 inches) to stuff into an Easter basket...

And this darling little bookmark / paperclip using the "Tart & Tangy" stamp set. 

Both the "Happy Moments" and "Tart & Tangy" stamp sets I used in the projects above are available as FREE sets during Sale-A-Bration... but you only have ONE WEEK left to earn them for FREE!

This week is the LAST WEEK of this year's Sale-A-Bration promotion!  Every year Stampin' Up! gives customers, hostesses, and new demonstrators the opportunity to earn fantastic, FREE, limited-edition products they'll enjoy for years to come.

Here's how Sale-A-Bration works:
 
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!

The Sale-A-Bration promotion runs through March 31... don't miss this last opportunity to earn some free stamp sets!  You can view the Sale-A-Bration brochure online to see all of the great products you can earn for free!

So don't wait... head over to my Stampin' Up! website to place your order this week.  Orders must be in by March 31 to be eligible for free products!  If you have any questions or need help placing an order, just drop me a line at joanneroehm@yahoo.com!

Easter Stamp A Stack Wrap Up

We had a great time at my Easter Stamp A Stack on Sunday.  It was a full house with ten participants, and we created three Easter cards and a St. Patrick's card.  The ladies chose to make 2, 3, or 4 of each card design.

Here's how I modified my craft studio layout to incorporate so many stampers.  We were a little snuggly, but it all worked out!

Thanks for coming, ladies!  Save the date for my next two stamping events:

Stamp & Crop:  Friday March 26th from  7:00 PM - 10:00 PM (Eastern )

Join me on the fourth Friday of the month (February-November) from 7-10pm to stamp and crop!  Bring whatever projects you're working on and join social time while you create!  All of my stamps, inks, and tools available for you to use.  No cost.

Birthday Stamp A Stack:  Friday April 16th from 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM (Eastern )

Stock up on birthday cards for friends and family!  Create 8, 12 or 16 cards in four different designs.  Bring your own adhesive, all other supplies included!  $10, $15, or $20/person.  Bring a guest who has never stamped with me before and you both get the class for half off.  

E-mail me at joanneroehm@yahoo.com to get registered!