Stamping Intervention

Family's a-comin'! Check out how I'm keeping things Consistent!

As some of you may know, I'm having minor, out-patient surgery on Monday. My parents are coming to visit and help with my two-year-old for a while and then we'll have friends and family visiting for Jackson's birthday next week. Plus, we're having to replace our babysitter. Needless to say, with all of the different adults and change that will be going on in Jackson's life the next couple of weeks, I want to keep things as consistent as possible!

So, I put my Early Childhood Development hat on and created this "What you should NO" book. Basically, it has all of the general information a babysitter would need to know about Jackson...our rules, how we discipline him,and eating and bedtime routines. My husband and I put our heads together for a simple, fool-proof what would anyone need to know if they were left alone with our son for a day? Well, here it is.

Of course, I couldn't do something like this without some crafty flair to it. I used my Bold Brights colors (they're oh-so primary based!) and Choo-Choo stamp set to create this cover.

Then, I printed out the information sheets and layered them on top of pieces of 4 1/4 X 5 1/2" cardstock panels. I took these pieces to an office store and had them laminated. Cut 'em out, used my hole punch, and bound them with a ring. Finally, I added some ribbon scraps (I always have a ton of them!) to the ring and it's finished.

Tomorrow is May 1st! That means NEW Stampin' Up! promotions! Be sure to come back to Stampin' Intervention tomorrow and see what Stampin' Up! has to offer for National Scrapbooking Month!

Do you use Kodak Gallery? Don't lose your picture storage!

In the past, I've used Kodak Gallery's FREE internet digital picture storage. I have placed orders with them in the past, so I've never received this information before. However, I got an email a couple of days ago that they've offically changed their "FREE" storage requirements. You must place an order of $4.99 or more per calendar year to maintain your storage. If you're in this situation, you should place an order with them before you lose your pictures! Just thought I should share this information.

Love Butterflies? Check out this purse!

As I was browsing the Creating Keepsakes Magazine website, I found this adorable little bag that Paula Hogan had published! It uses our Big Shot die-cutting machine and features the Butterfly Bigz die.

Purse Holder by Paula Hogan for Stampin' Up!. Supplies Cardstock: Certainly Celery, Pink Pirouette and Very Vanilla (all textured) and Close to Cocoa; Patterned paper: Candy Lane Designer Series, Certainly Celery Patterns and Pink Pirouette Patterns Designer Series; Stamps: Eastern Blooms; Ink: Close to Cocoa Classic and Pink Pirouette Classic; Ribbon: Pink Pirouette 5/8" striped grosgrain and Pretty in Pink 3/8" taffeta; Rub-ons: Bright Delight and Many Occasions; Die-cutting machine: Sizzix Big Shot for Stampin' Up!; Dies: Bag w/Scallops Bigz XL, Beautiful Butterflies Bigz, Matchbox Bigz XL, Naturally Serif Sizzlits Decorative Strip and Scallop Circle #2 Bigz; Other: 1/4" circle punch, button latte and crochet thread.

To create the purse holder:

1. Cut purse box from Pink Pirouette textured card stock using a Big Shot machine and Bag w/Scallops Bigz XL die.

2. Stamp branch image in Pink Pirouette ink on front of bag and apply rub-on image using wooden applicator included in packaging. Assemble bag.

3. Cut butterflies from Candy Lane Designer Series paper using Big Shot machine and Butterflies die. Tie two small butterflies together using crochet thread; adhere to bag.

4. Punch hole in each side of bag using 1/4" circle punch. Tie Pink Pirouette grosgrain ribbon through each hole to form a handle.

5. Tie crochet thread through holes of button; adhere to bag.

Picture, instructions and Stampin' Supplies found at http://www.creatingkeepsakes.com/articles/May_Tips_Tricks 

To learn more about the Big Shot, click on the Stampin' Up! videos link in the right sidebar or to purchase your own Sizzix Big Shot and exclusive Stmapin' Up! dies, click on the "Place an Online Order" button in the right sidebar.

Stamps that are die-cut? Learn why they're not mounted!

Stampin' Up!'s stamps now are die-cut! With the 2009 Idea Book & Catalog, every set that we sell are laser cut, so you don't have to cut them out. Many people ask why they're not totally assembled.

*When stamp sets are unmounted, it saves you money! If we were to mount all of the stamps, it would cause production costs to rise, therefore pushing prices up for our customers.

*Unmounted stamp sets give you the ability to choose WHERE to mount your stamps! All of you are different, right down to where you like to mount your stamps. Some people like their stamps mounted centered on the wooden block; some like them mounted to the left or right bottom, depending on their dominate hand. Other people choose to mount theirs on acrylic blocks instead of wood. By not mounting the stamps, Stampin' Up! gives you the power to choose!

*Added bonus??? The left over rubber from mounting your stamps can be used to fix any stamp that you cut too close to the image. Simply trim some extra rubber and mount it against the area that you cut too close. Then, when you go to stamp it, it will keep the piece from wiggling.

To find a stamp set to be mounted and view our online catalog, click on "Place an Online Order" in the right sidebar.

Spring Cleaning Challenge! Are you up for it?

I had a burst of energy today and felt inspired to clean my studio. I found some unfinished projects that were just calling my name. A couple were cards that were from a team meeting I went to last June. Can you believe that? I had neglected these poor cards with the darling "A Little Birdie" bird.

So, here he is! All watercolored in Bashful Blue. The Designer Series Paper has been retired (sorry!)...but like I said, this was from last June.

Do you have any projects that are shouting for attention? Could your stamping space use a little sprucing up? Tackle it this week! I promise,  you'll find things that you want to finish and/or play with that you'd forgotten about! You can do it!

Coordinating Gift Wrap and Cards? Adorable!

I used to be that person who LOVED card stores. I could spend hours there, browsing, choosing the perfect card, and buying the coordinating gift wrap with it. I spent tons of money there. (I'm sure they miss my business!)

Now, I don't have to. I use one set and the same color palatte to create homemade coordinating gift wrap and cards. It saves me money and it looks gorgeous!

I used Pale Plum, Perfect Plum, Pink Pirouette and Kraft to create this stunning gift and card combo. I have to say, I used my favorite, Baroque Motifs again! I can't get enough of it! I cut out the flowers on the right with my paper snips and popped them up with Stampin' Dimensionals.

To get the canvas look on the sentiment, I simply used my ink pad to outline the edge of the Whipser White cardstock. Then, I left my cardstock on a piece of scrap paper and tapped the ink pad directly on it.

I still have a few seats available in my Bleaching Class Tuesday night. To sign up, please contact me at sara@stampingintervention.com.

Want a chance to win a $10 gift certificate? Here's an easy way...

Sign up for my newsletter! All you have to do is click on the "Subscribe to The Monthly Fix" and you'll be entered to win a $10 gift certificate towards any $50 purchase for current Stampin' Up! product!

Please note, this contest is soley for NEW subscribers.

Simply click on the link in the left sidebar and get my monthly tips, samples, class schedules and more directly to your inbox!

Wheelin' and Dealin'...You SAVE 20%!

It's a big day for me! I'm picking up my NEW car! YIPPEEEEE! I don't often do this, but it's such a special occasion for me that I'd like to share it with you, my lovely Stampaholics!

Today through Sunday (April 25), you can purchase ANY stamp set in the Idea Book & Catalog that has any type of WHEEL (car wheels, wheelbarrow wheel, bicycle wheel, etc.) in it from me at 20% off. Take a peek! There are a lot of cute sets! Don't have a catalog? View it online by clicking on the "Place an Online Order" link in the left sidebar!

Please note, these orders must be placed with me via either email or phone. If you order online, you will not be able to apply the 20% off discount! To place an order at this fabulous rate, please contact me at sara@stampingintervention.com.

How's Stampin' Up! Green? Let Me Count the Ways...

Happy Earth Day, Stampaholics! I hope that this day catches you feeling a little green (not in the nauseous way!) and willing to do your part to make our Earth a better and healthier place.

One thing that I've done is placinga recycling receptacle in my studio and using it to collect all of my paper scraps. When it's full, I put it out with our weekly recycling and it'll cut down on my garbage production.

Stampin' Up! has taken many steps to reduce their carbon footprint as well. Here are some of the ways that they've cleaned up their act...

*Excess RUBBER is donated to Courage Reins, a non-profit that provides horseback lessons to physically and mentally challenged children. Courage Reins takes the ground rubber and sells it to groups and individuals for playground and horse stables to help defray costs of their mission.

*Our WOOD BLOCKS come from a tree farm in which maple trees are grown specifically for wood harvesting.

*All of our packaging PAPER is 100% recycled.

*All of our CARD STOCK contains leftover paper from other paper runs that would have otherwise ended up in landfills. The darker the color card stock, the more recycled material is inside of it! (Go Basic Black!)

*Our DESIGNER SERIES PAPERand CARD STOCK production is overseen by a broker who is triple certified to ensure that our production practices are coming from sustainably managed forests and eco-friendly paper mills.

*Our PAPER mills generate their own power.

*Stampin' Up! facilities in Utah are eco-friendly too! Lights are on sensors and timers to reduce waste, stamp production pollutants are filtered and reduced, and geothermal wells help regulate building temperatures and lower dependency on oil and gas.

*Our shipment pick ups with UPS occur during non-peak traffic times to reduce emissions. And, our in-state shipments from Kanab to Salt Lake City (the distribution center and headquarters) "carpool" with other companies that would have empty trucks coming back to each area. For example, stamps coming from Kanab "hitch a ride" with empty Sysco food trucks back to Salt Lake City. Those trucks would otherwise be traveling with nothing in them!

I'd love to hear about how you're reducing your carbon footprint while taking part in paper crafting! Please leave a suggestion in the comment area of this post to help other Stampaholics reduce theirs as well!

Add Visual Appeal with A Baby Wipe? Here's How!

ere's the Baby Wipe Technique tutorial that I promised I'd post today. I know you won't be disappointed in this quick and sometimes messy technique that is GREAT for sunsets!

     What You'll Need:
Baby Wipes, ink refills (a couple), GLOSSY white card stock, a glove and a surface you won't mind getting messy

1. Fold the Baby Wipe until it is a little bit larger than your piece of Glossy White . Place a couple of reinker drops directly onto the Baby Wipe. (Note: This ink may stain, so protect your surfaces and hands with a plate and gloves!)

2. Add reinker drops with the remaining colors in a line so that the drops touch the other colors. (I used three different colors here.)

3. Place the Glossy white card stock on the plate and drag the Baby Wipe across the card stock.

4. Use a paper towel to remove any excess ink or allow it to air dry.

5. Here's what the Glossy card stock looks like! The reinker colors are Kiwi Kiss, Riding Hood Red, and Pink Pirouette.

6. Stamp over the background with whatever stamp you'd like. (I used Black Staz-on for the ink on this one.)

Here's my final product, which utilizes the Baroque Motifs stamp set and some 5/8" Striped Pink Pirouette Grosgrain Ribbon.

To become one of my Stampaholics and remain in the loop, subscribe to Stamping Intervention and The Monthly Fix in the left sidebar.