Flowerbug's Inkspot

Extra FREE Product for Hostesses & New Demonstrators!!

SU just announced a new promotion for both  Hostesses & New Demonstrators! 

Dates: April 15-May 30, 2013 (yes, it ends the day before the last day of the month)

The Offers:

• New recruits: You'll get an extra $30 for their Starter Kit! That means your new recruit will get to choose $155 worth of ANY products they choose for only $99!
• Hostess offer: If they host a $350 party they'll earn an additional $30 in FREE products!

So now you all have something to think about!  Whether it's hosting a party (or even a book party) or signing up to be a Demonstrator!  I will be offering free benefits with product orders while I am away in Fiji in a few weeks. Stay tuned for more info on that next week. 

I'd love to have you on my team!  Go here to read about it and to sign up too.  And if you like to have fun, attend Convention with me this year for Stampin' Up!'s 25th Anniversary on July 18th - 20th.  They're giving away over 25,000 prizes this year!  We always have sooo much fun!  We get to register this week! 

Big Shot class

I finally scheduled a Big Shot class!  It's been forever since I held one.

We're making 5 projects and this is one of them:

It uses the Secret Garden stamp set and framelits all done up in Raspberry Ripple. 

Do you see the cool embossing trick here?  I used two different embossing folders all on one piece of card stock.  Love it!  I've been playing with a few others since and will show you those soon.

I'll share the 'step-by-step tutorial/trick' for this very soon; (after the class of course)!  Stay tuned!

• Stamps - Secret Garden, Friendly Phrases
• Ink - Raspberry Ripple
• Card stock - Whisper White, Raspberry Ripple
• Accessories - Raspberry stitched ribbon, Framed Tulips and Perfect Polka dots embossing folders, Big Shots, mini glue dots, dimensionals, Pearls Jewels.

If you live locally and would like to attend the class on Saturday, March 23rd let me know by the 20th.  It's at 2 pm.  If I get more people I'll open up a 10 am class.  Cost is $12. 

Sketches

This card is one we're doing at my Sketches class this month.

I used a sketch from Mojo Monday - sketch #216.

One of my favorite color combinations with Rich Razzleberry - Old Olive and Pretty in Pink.  I found it on SU's Color Coach!

I used the Sale a Bration 'Petite Curly Label punch' and the matching 'Pretty Petites' stamp set - only available 2 more weeks!  And that pretty Rich Razzleberry patterned paper is from the SAB Sycamore Street designer series paper too.  All Free with a $50 order. 

Class is held locally on March 26th at either 3 pm or 6:30 pm.  I'll share the other two cards with you soon. 

I have a suggestion for you - if you want all three of these products why don't you place your own hostess order and get even more free!  If you order $150 you'd get 3 SAB choices plus $25 in free merchandise!  So if you've been wanting to order a few things now is the time - just 2 weeks left of SU's best promotion of the year!  And since it's SU's 25th Anniversary you'll get a package of our Silver Glimmer paper free! 

Click here to order.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

There's just two more days! to get in on this month's Paper Pumpkin kit!  If you love getting stamping kits you can put together without thinking, planning, measuring and cutting! this is for you!

If you order on March 11th you will get April's kit, not March's.  Remember it's all a surprise - we never know quite what we'll be getting unti it arrives at our door in a pretty Red box.  Can't wait to get mine!

If you order be sure to add my name as your Demonstrator please!   

Go here to read all about it!

All Occasions Stamp a Stack

This is coming up fast so I thought I'd better get it out!

On Saturday, February 16th at 10 am I'm offering an All Occaions Stamp a Stack at MSU here in Minot.  It's a two-day Relay for Life fundraising crop everyone is welcome to attend but even if you're not there all day you can come to the class. I hope you can come! Here's the registration form for you locals.

Here are the 6 cards we're making; many of which use brand new product!

Thnking of you - featuring the new Bitty Butterfly punch. 

Sympathy card with the 'So Sorry' and 'Serene Silhouette's' stamp sets.

A baby card using the Sale-a-Bration set Patterned Occasions.  Cased from Kelly Acheson's swap I received.

Birthday perfect for young or old!  'Make a Wish' stamp set and the new Pinwheel Sizzlit.

A versatile 'Hello' for any occasion using the 'Oh, Hello' stamp set; my class to go stamp set this month. 

A pretty Thank You card using the Sale-a-Bration 'Vintage Verses' set and the Sycamore Street designer paper. Cased from Georgia Giguere's swap card.

We'll be making 2 or each card at class and you'll get envelopes too!  $20 for everything; pre-paid by 2-13-13.  RSVP by Wednesday, Feb 13th please.  Class is held at MSU Student Center at 10 am. *Space is limited!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

***If you cannot attend my local class and you'd like a pre-cut kit for these 12 cards mailed to you let me know by 2-13-13. 

Cards kit details for mail out:

• You'll receive all pieces pre-cut, textured and punched (except for border punching). Envelopes are not included in this kit.
  
• Items will not be pre-stamped.  You'll need to use your own ink and substitute stamps you already own or order what you need from my website here. 
• I'll send the pdf directions with photos to you via e-mail.
• Order by February 13th to get your kit; they are not available after that.  

The cost is $24 and includes shipping.   E-mail me at lagreff@gmail.com to order by Feb. 13th. 

Merry Moments Speedy Scrappin'

I just love this Simply Scrappin' kit in the Holiday catalog.  It's called Merry Moments and features a beautiful and unique color combination of Old Olive, Vanilla, Cherry Cobbler and Basic Gray. 

I've made both cards and scrapbook pages with it.  The sixteen 12 X 12" pages are done almost exclusively with the kit. I only added a few extra pieces of 8 1/2 X 11" card stock for photo boxes.  See some of them below.  I plan to fill mine up with the beautiful photo cards I receive during the Holidays.

This class will be on January 12th at 10:30 am.  You'll make all of the 16 pages at class and it will take about 3-4 hours at the most.  The class fee is $18.  Just order your Simply Scrappin kit this month and I'll prepare and cut your pieces for you for class.  It's on page 9 of the Holiday catalog - item #126911 and costs $21.95. RSVP for this class by December 30th please. 

I also have a pdf tutorial available here for just $7.50.  It includes the following:

• Photos of each finished page
• Measurements
• Sketches
• Supply list
• Step-by-step instructions in pdf format

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Here are the 20 cards I made with half of a kit:

I added a few coordinating ribbons and sentiment stamps in addition to the kit supplies.  Quick and easy to do.

I do not have a tutorial to make these cards but how I started it to cut two different sheets of patterned paper into 4 X 12" strips. **Remember they are double sides so you now have 4 different patterns. Then you can cut them into 4" and 2" lengths that fit on the card front perfectly.  Add a die-cut adhesive strip or another matching piece of card stock to it and you're ready to add the greeting or card stock sticker. These cards are standard 4 1/4" X 5 1/2" in size. 

 

November's Sketches Class

I am excited about the Sketches class I'm offering every other month.  I truly do believe sketches are a fantastic way to begin the card making process.   They make it so easy!

This class is perfect for those who are beginners or even those who have trouble designing a card on their own. 

These are the cards we're making. 

A very simple card using the Bells & Boughs stamp set.   A few of my favorite products here - Cherry Cobbler Dazzling Details glitter glue and coordinating Seam Binding.  The pretty scallop trim is done with the Large Scallop edgelits on page 190 of the main catalog.

I used the Snow Festival dsp and Greeting Card Kids stamp set here. 

This sketch highlights the beautiful flocked window sheet in the Candlelight Christmas dsp pack.  I also used the new Snow Flurry Bigz die & glimmer paper. 

This is a new single stamp called Bold Snowflake - never seen or available before!  It's just $5.95.  See them all here. 

Class is on Tuesday, November 27th at either 3 pm or 6:30 pm. The cost is just $10.  Let me know by Monday the 26th, at 11 am if you'd like to come. 

Besides the 4 cards you'll get a copy of each sketch I used to create them.  Put them together in a binder or scrapbook for a fantastic reference when you're creating cards.  And if you bring one or more cards using any of these sketches to the next class I'll give you $2 off your next class fee.

This class is only available locally at this time.  Later on I may offer a bundle of tutorials for them online. 

Amazing Online Extravaganza Sale!!!!

Monday starts the fabulous Online Extravaganza sale.  It's better than ever with 24 hour door busters and lots & lots of items from 20-50% off regular price.

Check out this flyer to see all three pages of items on sale.

Online Extravaganza 2012 

Don't wait!  And remember that if your order totals $150 or more you get free hostess benefits of at least $25 free!  If you've been wanting to place an order this is the time to do it. 

You can either order from my online store or contact me to place the order for you.  I will need a debit or credit card to do that however. lagreff@gmail.com

The sale is from Monday, November 19th - Wednesday, November 28th. 

Get a Bonus!  If you order $50 or more from me during this time you can choose one of my many online tutorials free! 

I am especially excited about my two new Speedy Scrappin' tutorials I'll have ready in the next few days.

My Merry Moments Speedy Scrappin' - get 16 pages done in just a few hours!

Pinwheel Parade Speedy Scrappin' for another quick 16 pages! 

Both of these use our Simply Scrappin' kits and just a few other pieces of card stock for photo mats.  Watch for more info on them in the next few days!

See the other tutorials here on my shop.

October Technique Class

About every other month I have a technique class where we make three cards and three technique sample cards.  It used to be every month but I added my Sketches class now that it alternates with. 

Here are the pretty cards we're making:

This is the Select Embossing technique.  I love the possiblilities with this one!  So many neat combinations to highlight your stamped image with our embossing folders. 

And this is what I am calling Framed Shimmer.  The clean look of this technique shows of our stamped images wonderfully.  It was a swap card I received from Lyndsay Mahon at Founder's Circle. I loved it and knew you would too! 

And this is Crayon Rubbed Embossing - a new way to get a colored pattern on your card stock without actually embossing it. 

The class will be on Wednesday, October 24th at either 3 pm or 6:30 pm.  Cost is $10 pre-paid in advance.  We also make three technique sample cards for you to put on a ring or in a binder for easy reference when you are looking for a great technique idea. 

If you cannot come to my class locally you can purchase the written tutorial for these technique cards.  The tutorial includes a pdf with step-by-step directions with measurements, photos and the printed technique sample cards.  It's just $4 per month.  I also have a few bundles of 12 months of techniques for a better deal.  Check them all out on my Stampin' Shoppe here. 

 

October Scrapbook Class

I love the SB pages this month!  Check them out:

This first layout is for my Scrapbook Club gals but if anyone else wants to come and make this layout they're welcome too.  There's room for 8 photos here!  The adorable stamped images are from the Googly Ghouls stamp set.  Of course we'll add googly eyes too!

This second layout is an option for those who cannot attend but want the 2-page layout.  The International Bazaar designer paper has great patterns and colors.  I'll prep most of it for you in a kit to go. 

Each of these layouts is just $7.00 or free with a $30 order. Class is on October 18th.  You can arrive anytime between 1 and 6:30 pm to make your pages. 

RSVP for one or both of these by October 11th if possible please. 

NEW - Sketches Class

I'm starting a brand new class this month.  It's called Sketches Class and it's purpose it to help you feel comfortalbe and confident in designing your own cards.  I know that many people love to stamp but have no idea just where to begin.  That's what this class it about - helping you to use and enjoy your stamping products!

Basically we start out with a sketch and a stamp set.  I think sketches are one of the best ways to get inspired.  Here are a few sites that offer weekly sketches:

• Mojo Monday
• Clean & Simple
• Stamping 411
  

At this time the class is only held locally but it's possible that I'll add it as an online class in the future. 

Here are the three cards we're making.

A pretty card using the hostess set Summer Afternoon.  The colors are Pacific Point and Whisper White.

This cute one uses Greeting Card Kids and the hostess set Mixed Medley.  Notice the paint chip layer?  Here I used Wild Wasabi, Night of Navy, Pumpkin Pie & White. 

And this is a card I did for a swap awhile back.  I had used a sketch for the idea and since so many liked it I included it in the class.  I used Daydream Medallions stamp set and Early Espresso, Turquoise and Whisper White card stock.

The class is on Tuesday, September 25th at either 3 pm or 6:30 pm.  Cost is $10 pre-paid by the 22nd.  I still have spots open at each time slot.  

We are putting these cards in an 8 X 8" album along with photos of the actual sketches.  This will be a great idea book for you!  Just pull it out and use a sketch to design your card.  You'll have your own reference guide!  

Crazy Stamping Sale

I think this is our 7th year of hosting this huge Annual Stamping & Scrapping Sale.  It seems to grow each year; this time we have over 40 sellers!   The sale is on Friday night for my customers and Saturday 9-3 for everyone else.

Take a look at our stamps for sale!

We did a rough count and there are over 400 sets for sale here!  I hope you local gals don't miss this chance to get a good deal! 

Here is another table for you to drool over. Ink pads, markers, ribbon and paper trimmers on these tables. 

I am sorry to tempt so many of you that cannot make this amazing sale locally. And I know some want to ask as they do each year, but I cannot sell or send any of these items out.  Unfortunately there is just no time in my schedule for that.

I am so proud of my gals who set up & run this sale.  They help organize it, set the whole thing up and even work the sale!  I am very lucky in the friends I have! 

Online Extravaganza

Stamin' Up has announced that their Online Extravaganza is coming next week! It's the annual sale to kick off the holiday shopping season and will begin Monday, November 21, 2011, and run through Wednesday, November 30, 2011. While this promotion is perfect for online orders during an especially busy time of year, you can also contact me to order for you.

I will be sharing the direct link on Monday so you can see exactly what is on sale then.  They are hinting that these items will be part of the sale:

• FREE digital downloads valued at $40 when you buy My Digital Studio Express
• 30 percent off an exclusive ribbon bundle
• 60 percent off select Designer Fabrics
• In addition, there will be two items on sale for 24 hours only (November 21, 12:01 AM - 11:59 PM [MT])

So make sure you check my blog for the link right away on Monday morning so you don't miss these one-day only specials.  

If you are a long distance customer you can order online on my website here. Or if you want me to order for you, call or e-mail me to add your order to one I will place as a group order.

And I am adding an additional incentive for you to place an order from me during this special: 

• If your order is over $50 I will give you any one of my Tutorials e-mailed to you free.  You can see all of them on the right side of my blog.
• If you order over $75 you'll get two FREE tutorials.
• And if your order is over $100 you'll get two free tutorials plus a stamp set FREE from me.  First orders gets first choice of any of these:

1. All Holidays wood mount
2. Autumn Days wood mount
3. Grateful Greetings wood mount
4. Many Merry Messages wood mount
5. Word Play wood mount
6. Holiday Happiness clear mount
7. Friends Never Fade clear mount
8. Hodgepodge Happiness clear mount
9. Funky Four clear mount
10. Tree Trimmings wood mount
11. Swirls & Curls Verses hostess clear mount
12. Four the Holidays wood mount
13. Snow Buddies wood mount
14. Love & Care hostess clear mount

I will mail your stamp set to you in early December after the sale is over free of charge.  Or if you are a local customer you can pick it up anytime.  

August Stamp a Stack cards

I thought I'd show you the 4 cards we're making at this week's Stamp a Stack class on Thursday.  I really enjoyed playing with some of my new stamp sets.  Lookie!

This gorgeous color combination was derived from our Color Coach - Lucky Limeade, Wisteria Wonder with Elegant Eggplant.  I just love it!  So fresh and pretty.

This stamp set isn't really new - it's the Level 2 Hostess set from the Summer mini catalog - Love & Care.  Did you know you can get this set when you're a hostess in clear mount for just $10.00?   I just LOVE the new hostess bennies! 

I inked the stamp with  markers and added the darker Eggplant marker to the petal tips before stamping. 

This combination is Razzleberry with Crumb Cake and Very Vanilla.  The background flourish is from the new stamp set called Creative Elements.  And the 'Thank You' is from 'Perfectly Penned'. 

And this unique birthday card is one I got in a swap at Convention from Ann Nahm.  I loved her set of candles and the use of the Blossom Petals punch for the candle flames.   

And last is this beauty.  This is another gorgeous color combination I found in my Color Coach - Night of Navy, Old Olive and Pretty in Pink.  Get your Color Coach out people!  It makes creating so much easier.

Do you see the gorgeous embossed oval frame?  This was achieved easily with our new Designer Frames embossing folder set.  I just sponged the dotted frame a bit with a pink sponge dauber.  And our large oval punch fits inside it perfectly. 

We're making 3 each of the 4 cards above at class.  12 cards total along with envelopes for just $18.

If you live locally and would like to attend this class on Thursday night, I have a few spots open at 6 pm.  You will need to RSVP by Tuesday evening. I am sorry for the late notice on this class!  

If you cannot attend class and still want to make these cards, e-mail me at lagreff at gmail.com by Tuesday evening and let me know.  I'll send you a PayPal invoice for the $18 plus priority shipping of $5.00 for a total of $23.00. 

***You will need to use your own stamps and ink but will receive everything else needed to complete your cards.  This includes pre-cut card stock, envelopes, ribbons and embellishments  You'll also receive instructions via e-mail that include finished photos of the cards.

Thanks for stopping by today!

Annual Stamping Rummage Sale

It's that time of year where my customers and friends get together to sell our excess stamping and scrapping stuff.  The flood is not going to stop this sale. This year there are over 40 of us selling crazy amounts of stamping and scrapping items!

I know it's hard for many of you long distance gals to see all of this when you cannot come and take advantage, but I am going to share some pics anyway.  Sorry if it's terribly frustrating for you!  I don't mean to tease you!!  But maybe this will inspire some of you to get together to have your own sale. 

I actually don't have that much in the sale myself; I save quite a bit for hostess gifts and incentives.  So to beat you to the usual questions I get, no I am not selling any of my stamps or anyone else's online.  Sorry!  It would take more time than I have to organize that.

We always have tons of stamp sets and paper.  Here is a photo of the three 8' tables full of stamp sets - many piles are about 5 deep! 

Here are the same tables with a view of the other side.  You can see the boxes and bins of paper in the back on other tables.  The far left back corner is where the tools and accessories are.

There is even more on the other side but I couldn't get a good shot of the embellishments and storage items.

My customers are shopping tonight before we open for the city tomorrow.  They get first dibs at all of the goodies.

We also do a potluck for the people that help out at the sale.  I actually have a 'committee' that does most of the work running this sale each year.  Yup; I am terrible spoiled by my best buds!   

 

 

Schedule of events

I haven't had time to send a newsletter to my local or long distance customers lately so I thought I'd let you know the important events coming up.

June 22nd - Annual Hostess Appreciation party 5:30 pm

• This is for anyone who has hosted a workshop for me in the last year.  Be sure to attend - there's tons of benefits for you that night.

June 30th - Annual Open House 4-7 pm

• Come and get your new catalog!  Don't miss all of the specials, prizes, make & takes and great food.

August 5th & 6th - Annual Stampin' & Scrappin' Rummage Sale

• Amazing deals for anyone who does paper crafting. 
  
• The 5th is a pre-sale for my customers and downline.  The 6th is for the everyone else.  It's an incredible event that you do not want to miss if you are in the area.