Hope and Clout

This Blooming With Kindness set is just too easy! The sentiments are wonderful and the simple but elegant image makes a wonderful focal point to any card. We made this card in the Blooming With Kindness card making class. I usually have my classes be primarily all about one stamp set so you can see how versatile one stamp set can be! My favorite thing about this card is the sentiment, "Hope is a wish with a little more clout." It reminds me of Georgia. She is a wonderful friend and customer. This class was the day before my birthday and she brought me the beautiful flowers pictured next to the card. Georgia is full of hope and clout. She is fighting a terrible illness and yet she always has the most beautiful smile. Her passion and love for stamping is inspiring! I consider this post a special tribute to this dear lady! We used a technique called Shadow Stamping on this card. To create the block shadow we inked up a clear block and stamped it. Easy technique; great look!

Supplies used on this card are listed below. Remember to click my order online button (above right) to be taken to my demonstrator business website and click the shop now button to purchase any of the following items!

	BLOOMING WITH KINDNESS CLEAR-MOUNT STAMP SET Item: 126422
	PRIMROSE PETALS CLASSIC STAMPIN' PAD Item: 126858
	PRIMROSE PETALS 8-1/2" X 11" CARD STOCK Item: 126841
	PINK PIROUETTE CLASSIC STAMPIN' PAD Item: 126956
	WHISPER WHITE 8-1/2X11 CARD STOCK Item: 100730
	BIG SHOT DIE-CUT MACHINE Item: 113439
	FRAMED TULIPS TEXTURED IMPRESSIONS EMBOSSING FOLDER DIE Item: 121809
	LARGE PEARL BASIC JEWELS Item: 125577
	CLEAR BLOCK E Item: 118484

Going, Going, Gone!

Dates: April 24-June 3, 2013 (select items available while supplies last)

Details
Hundreds of stamps and accessories from the 2012-2013 catalogs are retiring, and this is your chance to get them before they're gone. Many products are only available while supplies last, so be sure to get your orders in early! (And remember that some items having amazing discounts!)

Click the the picture above to shop online now! Click the links on the left to download the lists in PDF!

I'm Here For You

"Kindness has a ripple effect." The ripple may be bigger than we think. This has actually been studied. You can read about it here. This study gives me hope. It cheers me up immensely. It actually gives me motivation to be better about sending out my cards. I have been a demonstrator for 15 years (it will be 16 in May) and I decided to identify myself as Inkheaven way back then because I wanted my cards to be a source of encouragement to others. Like anyone, I have had to stop and refocus on that purpose over and over again. Sometimes my own life has just gotten in the way and distracted me from my purpose. Sometimes discouragement overwhelms the encourager! A little while back I came across a seminar that I had put together in those days called, "Get Caught in the Acts of Encouragement." I was amazed that I was the one who put it together. I was also a little saddened that my vision had gotten lost in the fray. This card is made with a set called, "Blooming With Kindness." I think it is aptly named. "Blooming With Kindness" sounds a lot like a ripple effect. It is a beautiful set. One simple flower and wonderful sentiments with lovely fonts. This was a card that we made in my card making class last Saturday. The gals that came turned the class into an early surprise birthday party for me. They brought treats and gifts. It did wonders for my spirit! Jess gave me this adorable teddy bear with the umbrella...it seemed appropriate that I would share it with this card. It.Just.Fits.

Supplies used on this card are listed below. Remember to click my order online button (above right) to be taken to my demonstrator business website and click the shop now button to purchase any of the following items!

	BLOOMING WITH KINDNESS CLEAR-MOUNT STAMP SET Item: 126422
	ISLAND INDIGO 8-1/2 X 11 CARD STOCK Item: 122923
	POOL PARTY CLASSIC STAMPIN' PAD Item: 126982
	ISLAND INDIGO CLASSIC STAMPIN' PAD Item: 126986
	ISLAND INDIGO 3/8 INCH RUFFLED RIBBON Item: 122974
	HONEYCOMB TEXTURED IMPRESSIONS EMBOSSING FOLDER Item: 129378
	BIG SHOT DIE-CUT MACHINE Item: 113439
	BEAUTIFUL WINGS STAMPIN' UP! EMBOSSLITS DIE Item: 118138
	2-1/2 INCH CIRCLE PUNCH Item: 120906
	BASIC RHINESTONES JEWEL ACCENTS Item: 119246
	WHISPER WHITE 8-1/2X11 CARD STOCK Item: 100730
	STAMPIN' DIMENSIONALS Item: 104430
	SNAIL ADHESIVE Item: 104332
	MINI GLUE DOTS Item: 103683

Baskets and Birthdays

Isn't this totally adorable? Something that not everyone knows about me...I am a sheep collector. One of my favorite Bible passages is Psalm 23. Because collections can get out of control (I am sure I am preaching to the choir here - if you are a papercrafter - you are very familiar with this problem!) I try to keep my sheep limited to those of a unique nature or from a special trip, etc. This little guy is extra special...he is an Easter gift from a customer turned friend (I love all the friends I have made through stamping!) Kay made the beautiful little basket and had him all nestled in it. I took him out for this shot so you could get a good look at him before I find him a home in my displays. Here is a shot with him all nestled in the basket:

I guess you could say that this basket is better than a #sleepnumber bed!

New Catalog Sneak Peaks!

I have a hint board on Pinterest...just for Stampin' Up! I have no idea if they even are aware of its existence; but it is fun for me! I saw these rug designs sometime back and said to myself, "These would make awesome embossing folder designs." So I pinned to Pinterest and hash tagged Stampin' Up! Later on as I was checking in on the Stampn' Up! website; lo and behold, much to my delight and surprise, there were some cards posted there from the So Shelli blog that had been shared at the Baltimore Regional. It was a magical moment. DREAMS.DO.COME.TRUE! Then a few days later, my Stampin' Success Magazine (a publication for demonstrators) came in the mail and those same cards were featured along with more information! Embossing folder, punch, stamp set...I just love coordinated stuff!!! Then...as if that were not enough...I discovered that I missed (that's right, I missed a blatant hint of the new product on the packaging of a new product! Are you confused, yet? I was looking at My Paper Pumpkin Try It Kit again and noticed the outside of the box...the new Quatrefoil design was there...the whole time! I am going to have to train my Stampin' Up! sniffer to pay more attention! So...what is Quatrefoil?

Here is a definition according to Wikipedia:

In art, architecture and traditional Christian symbolism, the quatrefoil is a type of decorative framework consisting of a symmetrical shape which forms the overall outline of four partially overlapping circles of the same diameter. The word quatrefoil means "four leaves", from Latin quattuor, four, plus folium, a leaf.^[1]) and applies to general four-lobed shapes in various contexts.

The quatrefoil enjoyed its peak popularity during the Gothic and Renaissance eras. It is most commonly found as tracery, mainly in Gothic architecture, where a quatrefoil can often be seen at the top of a Gothic arch, sometimes filled with stained glass.

So, enough of my chattering on...here are the samples that were posted from the regional to get you started dreaming about your Quatrefoil creations!

Bicycles And Flowers Are A Wonderful Combination

"Bicycles and flowers are a wonderful combination."

I happen to be a rails-to-trails bicycling enthusiast. We have several lovely trails in our neck of the woods with some very creative people whose yards border the trails. One of these creative people has placed an older bike with a basket full of flowers in her yard along the trail. This place happens to be at the top of a steep grade on the trail. I stop at the top (going up and coming down) to enjoy her display every time I go by. After reaching the top...it helps me catch my breath...and before going down...it gives me a few minutes to anticipate the speedy and pedal-less ride down! The proceeds from the sales of this lovely set support the Ronald McDonald House Charities (which is near and dear to my heart!) You really can't tell from the picture...but this ribbon was made to be touched! The middle has a soft velvety feel and adds wonderful interest to this very simple card!

Supplies used on this card are listed below. Remember to click my order online button (above right) to be taken to my demonstrator business website and click the shop now button to purchase any of the following items!

	MOVING FORWARD CLEAR-MOUNT STAMP SET Item: 126322
	WHISPER WHITE 8-1/2X11 CARD STOCK Item: 100730
	2012-2014 IN COLOR PAPER STACK Item: 126910
	MIDNIGHT MUSE CLASSIC STAMPIN' PAD Item: 126860
	MELON MAMBO 3/8" STRIPED ORGANDY RIBBON Item: 129293
	MELON MAMBO CLASSIC STAMPIN' PAD Item: 126948
	BIG SHOT DIE-CUT MACHINE Item: 113439
	NEEDLEPOINT BORDER TEXTURED IMPRESSIONS EMBOSSING FOLDERS Item: 129383
	2-1/2 INCH CIRCLE PUNCH Item: 120906
	BASIC RHINESTONES JEWEL ACCENTS Item: 119246
	SNAIL ADHESIVE Item: 104332
	STAMPIN' DIMENSIONALS Item: 104430

Good Things Come In Small Packages!

"Good things come in small packages!"

In our super-sized, over-sized, king-sized, world, small really doesn't get the credit it deserves. We are told to, "Go big or go home." Small courtesies often get over-looked in our fast-paced lives. There used to be an era when the importance of these small courtesies was not overlooked. Thank you notes fit into this category. I confess, I am guilty of overlooking this from time-to-time. I think we need to bring it back! Thank you notes show our appreciation and gratitude for people and their efforts. Our world is filled with people whose efforts go unnoticed. Who could you give a simple card like this to and bring a smile to their face fueled by the warm, happy, glow that someone noticed? We have hair stylists, delivery people, wait staff, neighbors, day care providers, teachers, etc. The list goes on and on! This card is 3"x 3" and is quick to make. Make up a bunch of them and start handing them out to those who make your life a little easier. The envelope was made from Designer Series Paper from Sale-A-Bration; but we have plenty of gorgeous Designer Series Papers to choose from! The catalog lists the colors in our Designer Series Papers so it is a cinch to color coordinate to any Designer Series Paper you love! Pick something bright and cheerful!

Some of the supplies used on this card are listed below. Remember to click my order online button (above right) to be taken to my demonstrator business website and click the shop now button to purchase any of the following items!

	OH, HELLO CLEAR-MOUNT STAMP SET Item: 130733
	SIMPLY SCORED Item: 122334
	SIMPLY SCORED DIAGONAL PLATE Item: 125586
	LARGE PEARL BASIC JEWELS Item: 125577
	NEEDLEPOINT BORDER TEXTURED IMPRESSIONS EMBOSSING FOLDERS Item: 129383
	SNAIL ADHESIVE Item: 104332
	POOL PARTY 8-1/2 X 11 CARD STOCK Item: 122924
	SUMMER STARFRUIT CLASSIC STAMPIN' PAD Item: 126991
	ISLAND INDIGO CLASSIC STAMPIN' PAD Item: 126986
	POOL PARTY CLASSIC STAMPIN' PAD Item: 126982
	POOL PARTY BAKER'S TWINE Item: 125574
	BIG SHOT DIE-CUT MACHINE Item: 113439