Everyone is a Hostess!

On June 1st Stampin' Up! will publish their list of both the retiring Stamp sets & the retiring Accessories list - these will be called the 'Last Chance list'.

And they have mentioned there will be some items offered at up to 50% off!

There is often a rush to purchase the retired items before they're gone. In the past, many of these accessories have sold out before the end of the month; some within a day or two.

I suggest that if you really, really want something that will be (In Colors) or 'may' be retiring, either get it now, or get your order to me ASAP on June 1st. If you have the In-Color ink pads, don't forget the reinkers and coordinating cardstock!

Remember that there are just a few days left during May of the 'Buy 3 get 1 Free' Designer & Textured 12" paper special. Be sure to get any of these now before they retire.

And, also remember that the In Color accessories can go FAST! Ink pads, paper, Designer papers, ribbon & ink refills may be gone within hours of the announcement. If you have your In Color ink pads, but no ink refill for them, order it now! No guarantee it will be there after June 1st. And be sure you have enough card stock of your favorite In Colors to go with those ink pads too.

I am putting in an order on May 31st also for more paper. So let me know by then if you don't want to miss out on something on your wish list and be able to save a bit on shipping.

So, you ask, "What is the "Everyone is a Hostess special?"

Here's how it works:
I need 8 people to place orders of at least $50 each to get a $400 order. Each one of you will get something FREE! 2 people will receive their choice of Level 1 or Level 2 hostess sets, 6 people will get $15 in Free merchandise! What a deal! I want to place the order ASAP, on June 3rd or earlier if I fill the 8 spots. So you'll only have a few days to browse the Last Chance list when it comes out on Monday. I will draw names as soon as I have $400 in orders & contact you to pick out your free goodies. So let me know ASAP when the list comes out so I can be sure to get your stuff before it's gone!

Retiring Accessories can include items such as these:
all of the In Color products
designer papers
tools
punches
Simply Scrappin kits
ribbons, chipboard, rub-ons etc.

MOPS silent auction donations

Here is a card set and matching box that I made up for the annual MOPS silent auction last month.

These are super easy but cute cards using Pick a Petal and Sincere Salutations (two of my favorites!)

The box is easy to make also. I used the tutorial from SCS found here:

http://http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/resources/tutorials/a2cardbox/

I think this will be a featured set for many of my projects for the art show.

Buy 3, Get one Free Designer Series Paper

Here are two examples of how simple making cards using the DSP can be.

These cards use the Raspberry Tart DSP, Rose Red, Old Olive CS and ribbon.

These two cards took MAYBE 15 minutes to make. Most of the time was taken up by figuring out how to stamp the Elegant Thank You stamp (pg. 208, $6.95, 114484).

These cards also use the new eyelet border punch (pg. 185, $15.95, 113692)

The Buy 3, Get 1 Free Sale ends May 31.

This sale includes all the Designer Sales Paper, Patterns Designer Series and Textured Solid color Cardstock. See all the examples on pages 153-155 for Textured cardstock and pages 158-161 for Designer Series papers.

Can be ordered online through my website, http://www.monicagargac.stampinup.net

or by contacting me directly.

Memorial Day Rememberances

Take a moment to remember those who have given the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

Thank a veteran.

This was made after I learned that SPC Matt Maupin was found in Iraq last year.

Free and the Brave

page. 31

$21.95

114962

Winners of the Relay for Life donation baskets

Thank you to everyone who ordered a card kit to benefit Relay for Life. I had 21 card kits reserved.
Thanks to this, Shannon was able to donate $100.00 to the Aqua Divas of Union County and I am able to donate $100.00 to Nate's Mates of Madison County.


Here are two of the three winners of the Relay for Life donation baskets.

Basket #1 (retail value over $150.00) Rachel Wonnacott

Referral Basket #2 (retail value over $150.00) Christina Shore

Basket #3 (retail value over $100.00) Dulcey Francis/Shannon Bayer (not pictured)

The funny thing: My sister Shaela had a ton of raffle tickets for referring several people who purchased card kits. She didn't win anything!

A huge thank you goes to Shannon Bayer for donating two gift certificates for a free month of Jazzercize at the Hilliard Jazzercize located at 3440 Heritage Club Dr. Hilliard, OH 43026
(614) 771-9456. Shannon recently became a certified instructor. If you are looking for a great way to stay healthy, Jazzercize is an awesome method!


Another huge thank you goes out to Raquel Justice for donating 5 gift certificates for $25.00 off a karaoke party through her business. If you would like to host your own karaoke party with Raquel, please contact her at scrappyj@wowway.com or (614) 385-8402.

Wedding gift

I made Shawn and Sarah a scrapbook for their wedding gift. I personalized it, as you can tell.

I used the Simply Scrappin' Kit "Love Always". Mitch didn't like the colors, but thankfully it worked with the colors Sarah had chosen.

Using the kit allowed me to finish the scrapbook in less than a week. I even had the front finished and it all wrapped by Friday night! That is a miracle. I'm usually wrapping in the parking lot between the ceremony and the reception!

You think I like that set?

Ok, I really need to remember what was posted.

It's a great set of cards. But not two posts great.

A mini card ministry

I was asked to make up some cards for members of our church that are having a bit of a rough patch.

I was on a bit of a time crunch, so I used some PIF'd images I received last summer when I was enthralled with that thread.

Honestly, it was a riot getting mail almost daily and chatting with people all over the world, but it took alot of time and I was spending more time, and money!, than needed. So I pulled away. Now I have a shoe box full of images just waiting to be used.

So I pulled out the remaineder of the Unto My Path group and kept it simple. I also used some patterned paper I've had forever and some cuttlebugged cs that I also received.

The only one that was totally stamped by me is the one in the front. That is using the Thoughts and Prayers set.

Accepted!

It came yesterday!

That's right, I received approval to be a vendor for my first juried art show. I am so excited and nervous and worried a bit on whether I'll be able to pull this off.

I've also been talking a bit with my neighbor about doing tables at our village's farmers market this summer. The market opens mid-July, about the same time as the art fair. So I've been thinking of ideas for projects, taking inventory of my cardstock and patterned paper, accessories and stuff.

I am working to start a card ministry at my church and was asked to make up some cards for some members before we get together to make up the cards.

I used several images I received last summer through the PIF images swap. I'm really kicking myself for not getting Light Unto My Path when it was available and now it's hard to find on Ebay. I also used some cardstock that was run through the CB by a PIF'er that I received last summer.

I also used my new Thoughts and Prayers set for the front card. Added some retired DSP and was finished.

SCS Demo Bloggers Group #8

In an effort to post on a more regular basis I've joined a blogging group. The idea is to motivate each other to post regularly (at least once a week) and post comments on different projects that each post.

I enjoy reading other demo's blogs. I have learned some really cool techniques, got ideas for projects and I get a kick out of reading a bit about other people's lives.

I'll be adding blogs to the list over the next few days. Check them out and leave a comment that you got there from my blog.

Whew!

I did it.

I applied for my first juried craft show.

The fact that it's my first craft show as a crafter may be a wee bit in there also.

The deadline was last night. I made up some samples the other night, took pictures of them, went to CVS to print. I left the house at 8:10. Left CVS about 8:30 (bought a Diet Coke and three candy bars while I was waiting!), made it over to the Grandview library and wrote everything up on the back of the pictures and had it turned in by 8:45.

Whew.


On the way home, I realized that I forgot to enclose the check. DOH!

I'm trying to work on those goals of mine. One was to participate in more craft shows, either as a demo or a crafter. I've been researching online and talking with people the past few weeks. I found this show online last week. But in true Monica fashion, I waited to the last minute.

I will find out in a few weeks if I've been accepted or not.

I also have plans to have a table at our local farmer's market during the summer. I've begun taking inventory of my stash to see what can be decorated/altered/made up with what I have on hand. I'll be taking advantage of this month's 12x12 buy three get one free special!

Say a good crafting prayer for me.

But that's not all-----oh, no!

Yesterday I scored all the cardstock for the card bases. I have 23 card kits to make up by Sunday. I'm so pleased with the response I received for this fundraiser. I hope that everyone enjoys their cards.

So I'm off. I'll update on that project later.