New Catalog Debut

The NEW Stampin' Up! Catalog will be LIVE on Wed., July 1st!! Please be patient if you are ordering on the 1st.. as the website may be slow due to thousands of people ordering! There are over 1000 items under $25! Note: The Bermuda Bay pad and reinker are not available at this time due to a quality issue.

NEED a new catalog? CLICK HERE to get your catalog for the cost of shipping! Go there on Wednesday, July 1st, to order any new items from the catalog (viewable on line) and purchase your own copy to keep at home. Just put "catalog" in the search and it will take you there. (The direct link is unavailable until July 1st.)

If you need any supplies from the current catalog (which expires tonight, Tuesday, at 10pm), let me know! Call me at 210-492-3218 or email me at crattray@sbcglobal.net

It's Christmas in July!

It's back and better than ever!
Start now and be soooo prepared for the holidays. You will be so glad in December that you started during the summer! Plus we hope that all those Christmas and snow scenes will make us feel cooler:)

Stamp 6 cards each month, 3-4 custom designs using multiple stamp sets and techniques each month. $20 class fee must be paid by the Wednesday before each class. Class is always the 2nd Saturday of each month. That means we start on Saturday, July 11th and run through December12th. There is a second seating on the Thursday after each Saturday class, 7-9 p.m. in my Stamping Studio. So if you can't make the Saturday, come on Thursday evening. The RSVP is the same for both seatings.

Come to each and every class and receive 50% off your last class. Bring a friend who is new to me to any class and recieve 50% off your class fee for that month. Bring your own Snail or Anywhere Glue stick adhesive. I take care of all the rest. Use the Paypal button below to get started or send me your check to reserve your spot.

This is a super-fun class, and I can't wait to begin! The Christmas music will be playing to get us in the mood, and the AC will be running on high to keep us cool. It's a blast and you won't want to miss out! Sign up today as seating is limited.

Barbecue in Stampin' Up! Style!

Make your next outdoor dinner party aka barbecue one that sizzles with style! It is so simple. You don't have to be a design queen or take tons of time to produce a summer time tablescape and party atmosphere. Stampin' Up! has teamed up with Country Living Magazine to produce this user-friendly kit.

Country Living Summer Cookout Kit

Make your summertime gatherings special with the Country Living Summer Cookout Kit

Spending time with family and friends can make the splendid, lazy days of summer ones you'll always remember. With the simple and speedy projects in the Country Living Summer Cookout Kit, every occasion to gather becomes a reason to celebrate!

For just $24.95, you'll have what you need to throw a smashing summer barbecue, including

• Dig In stamp set
• Die-cut table tents (two each of four colors)
• Die-cut components, bamboo skewers, and envelopes to create eight shish kabob invitations
• Die-cut coasters (three each of four colors)
• Die-cut tags (four each of four colors)
• 12" x 12" printed food wrapper sheets (12 each of two colors)
• Printed recipe cards (four)
• Linen thread (five yards)
• Ruby Red Classic Stampin' Spot
• Night of Navy Classic Stampin' Spot

This offer is only available June 15 - August 31 (or while supplies last), so be sure to contact me to order this exciting, limited-time kit! Or just click here to be in my 24/7 store. Click on Shop Now and then you will see "Country Living Kit." Just click and shop. It couldn't be easier.

Plus, in a special offer from Country Living, subscribe to a full year of Country Living magazine--12 issues--for just $10! Click here to learn more.

Father's Day in a demonstrator's house

This is the card I made for my hubby for Father's Day. I knew he would like the clean lines and crisp feel of this card--a perfect fit for him from me. The simple but bold color scheme is Very Vanilla, Basic Gray, and Basic Black, and the stamp set is All Holidays. My daughter is also a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator. Here is the card she made for Dad:



She used the All in the Family stamp set which makes personalizing/customizing any card or project so simple. You will notice the detail Tiffany added to this card: faux stitching with the Signo Gel Pen, lots of sponging to soften the look, and paper piercing to add texture and interest. My daughter-in-law is a stamper, too! Here's the card she made for Dad:



This uses one of my all-time favorite stamp sets: Fall Flair. It doesn't really show up in the photo, but Nicole gave a lot of texture to this card. In addition to the leaves in the center being popped up on Stampin' Dimensionals, she also pressed the ends of the leaves up so that they are not lying flat against the card. So the dad in our house, my DH, received THREE hand-stamped, heartfelt cards yesterday. Go to candystamps.stampinup.net to see lot of ideas (click on Creative Projects) and also to shop 24/7 (click on Shop Now). Start creating your own hand-stamped, heartfelt cards and watch people's faces light up with joy!

Scrapbooking with the family

Doesn't this look like fun? We had kids, parents, all ages, making a scrapbook page at this free event at Bannwolf Library (on Reagan High School campus) on June 9th. Everyone had a great time creating, making journal entries, and positioning their photos just so for their optimum result. The whole family can scrapbook together! Boys, girls, and parents having fun. For more information on scrapbooking, contact me today at 210-492-3218 or click here to see my website with full calendar of events, shop now option for scrapbooking supplies, project ideas and more.

Last Chance Opportunity is Almost Over!

stamps: Doodle This
ink: Chocolate Chip, Sahara Sand Classic Stampin' Pads
paper: Kraft, Chocolate Chip card stocks, Parisian Breeze Designer Series Paper
accessories: Flower Fusion II felt flowers, silver brads, Chocolate Chip taffeta ribbon, Big Shot, Top Note Die, Signo White Gel Pen

On June 30th, many great Stampin' Up! stamp sets, as well as the current in colors, will be gone forever, unavailable, gone. Are there stamp sets on the Last Chance List that you still want? Now is the time to get them.

The scrapbook page above uses the Doodle This set as well as the the Parisian Breeze Designer Series Paper, both on the Last Chance List. Doodle This stamp set is so versatile for card making and scrapbooking.

The beautiful card directly above, designed and made by my talented daughter (also a successful Stampin' Up! demonstrator at ladybugstamper.com), also uses the Doodle This set. These are just two examples of many looks that can be achieved with Doodle This.

Don't delay! Click here to see items from Decor elements to Accessories to Stamp Sets to In Colors, all retiring and some being sold at reduced prices. You can shop from there and get those items that will make your crafting projects and/or home decor all that you want them to be. Hurry! Some items are already sold out. Don't miss your opportunity.

Card Recipe:
Stamps: Doodle This, All Holidays-text
Ink: Stazon Black, Lovely Lilac Classic Stampin' Pad
Paper: Almost Amethyst, Lovely Lilac, Basic Black card stocks, Stampin' Up! Watercolor Paper
Accessories: Scallop Edge and Double Rectangle Punch, White Taffeta Ribbon, Aquapainter, Clear Rhinestone Brad

New In-Colors

The 09/10 Stampin' Up! Idea Book & Catalog will be released on July 1st with LOTS of new ideas, stamps, products, and more. I can't wait! As a SU! Demonstrator, I get a sneak peek at what is coming and an opportunity to purchase some items before the catalog release so that I can show you, in person, some of the new line. These are the new in colors. Aren't they gorgeous!
I'm having a new catalog release party on Saturday, July 11th. Mark your calendars now to attend, and see all the details here on my calendar of events. In the meantime, call me at 210-492-3218 to book your own summer Stampin' Up! party. I bring free entertainment, and you could earn some of the new stamps and in colors for yourself. It's a fun way to spend an afternoon or evening, plus we are indoors so we stay out of the heat! Hurry! Summer is in full swing.

Multi-Purpose Scrapping

When you create a scrapbook page, it can serve many purposes. I have created this super-simple page using one stamp set, Best Wishes and More, plus an alphabet set, the new Jumble Alphabet. I also used my Define Your Life stamp set in the place of journaling. I think it's a way to keep my page simple, and the definitions look like a dictionary entry, carrying along my theme of "school-aged teenager" along with my spiral punch. With a few punched shapes, felt flowers and a brad, it looks super-cute and conveys the personality of this teenager who is a great family friend. I chose the definitions for quality, because my friend is a quality girl; unique, because she is one-of-a-kind; and zeal, because she has passion for her interests.

Because I scrapped in 8 x 10, I can pop this page into an inexpensive photo frame and give it as a gift or hang it. It could also be put into the front of a school binder--you know the ones that have a clear "window" on the front? I could put it in a scrapbook as is, or I could "step it up." That means I could take this page and layer it onto a 12 x 12 page. With a few more embellishments and even another small photo or two, I would have a top-notch 12 x 12 page.

So when you scrap, consider the possibilities! To purchase any of these supplies and more, click here. Then click on "Shop Now". You can also click on "Calendar" to see my full calendar so you can join me for scrapbooking events. I would love to scrap with you!

Recipe: Best Wishes and More, Define Your Life, Jumble Alphabet stamp sets; Night of Navy, Old Olive, Bashful Blue, Pumpkin Pie Classic Ink Pads; Whisper White, Night of Navy, Old Olive, Bashful Blue, Pumpkin Pie Card Stocks; Spiral Punch, Various Circle Punches, Ticket Corner Punch, Signo White Gel Pen, Flower Fusion felt flowers, Soft Subtles Brads

Perks of being a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator-Never pay full price again!

Becoming a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator is one of the best decisions I ever made. I LOVE what I do! I get to share my passion for all things stamping with my family, friends, and new people I meet. I never again will pay full price for my stamping purchases, I set my own hours, and I get paid for doing what I love. Let me tell you some of the awesome benefits of being a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator:

As a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator You Get:

1. To enjoy 20% instant income on all purchases (that's an instant 20% savings)

2. To earn up to 40% commission on personal purchases and customer sales

3. To enjoy an additional 20% discount on Demonstrator only preorders of stamps (that means 20% off PLUS your 20% instant income) - This is a Stampin' Up! 20 year anniversary special - I am not sure if it will continue into the next year.

4. To receive our full color Stampin' Success monthly magazine - great tips, techniques, samples.

5. To host a Demonstrator only website that allows your family and friends to shop online from you 24 hours a day.

6. To attend Stampin' Up! demonstrator events - Convention, Regionals, Local Stamp Group events and special events just for my direct recruits.

7. To know about specials, retiring items, and company announcements before the public is informed.

8. To earn extra income for holidays or to help out in these economic tough times.

9. To earn extra income to support your habit.

10. To enjoy the perks on your terms - as little or as much as you like - what days of the week, how many days of the week - what types of events.

11. Credit for your personal purchases - anything we purchase as Stampin' Up! demonstrators counts toward our low quarterly minimum, great rewards program, career milestones, monthly overrides, promotions, free mini catalog program .

12. To receive the catalog and minis FREE throughout the year.

13. To enjoy hostess benefits and income - as Stampin' Up! demonstrators we are allowed to be our own best customer and receive all the perks of being a hostess AND a demonstrator.

14. To enjoy tax benefits of owning your own business - wouldn't you love to write off film developing, travel for business, designer series papers, the BIG SHOT, and more?

15. To be recognized for your efforts in sales, recruiting, and promoting.

16. Flexibility in how you generate sales - home parties, catalog shows, clubs, classes, direct orders, personal orders, craft fairs, sales of finished product - Stampin' UP! provides multiple streams of income - there is no one way to generate income from sales of product - find the way that works best for you or enjoy several avenues.

17. To see the July 2009 Catalog First.

18. To take advantage of Demonstrator only bulk buy items.

19. To attend monthly Group meetings - or participate long distance, join our Stamp Group Yahoo group.

20. My support - With my experience, I know I can help you reach whatever personal goals you set for yourself - whether you want to just enjoy the discount, dabble as little or as much as your time allows month to month or go for greatness, I can help you get there.

I know that you will have fun, make new friends and never pay full price again as demonstrator. I also know that anything is possible, and you can build the business of your dreams-whether that be big or small. Let me help you on the path to making Stampin' Up! be what YOU want it to be. Click here for more information. Once there, click on "join now" to watch informative videos and/or sign up.

Cumpleanos Feliz-Quatro Tarjetas

Stamps: Cumpleanos Feliz
Ink: Whisper White and Chocolate Chip Craft Stampin' Pads, Sahara Sand, Baja Breeze, Chocolate Chip Classic Stampin' Pads
Paper: Kraft, Baja Breeze, Chocolate Chip Card Stocks, Parisian Breeze Specialty Designer Series Paper
Other: 5/8" Chocolate Chip Grosgrain Ribbon, Clear Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Big Shot, Top Note Die, Crafters' Tool Kit, Hodgepodge Hardware, Hemp Twine-Natural, Silver Bead Deo, Fine Cosmo Glitter

Last Chance List is Up!

Here it is! What many of us have been eagerly anticipating has arrived! Old favorites are leaving the Idea Book & Catalog to make way for some new ones. That includes stamp sets, accessories, and Decor Elements. To view the list of stamp sets, click here; to view the list of the retiring Decor Elements click here. For retired accessories, the list changes hourly as they are only available as supplies last. Simply click on candystamps.stampinup.net and then click on Shop Now. Click on the Summer Fun, and take it from there. The categories are: 50% off, 25% off, and All Products. There you can see everything that is waving bye-bye.

Above is a set of cards that I made with the Cumpleanos Feliz stamp set, now on the Last Chance List. This is the Big Bold Birthday set in Spanish, so you can CASE the card with your English stamps--only the words are different. I made the set for a friend as a special gift. I gave it to her Saturday, and she loved it! Hand-stamped, heartfelt:)


If you don't yet have Big Bold Birthday, NOW is the time to purchase! This set is so versatile: dress it up or down. Make it kid or adult. Make it feminine or masculine. But make it! This set is on the Last Chance List, so it will no longer be available after June 30th. This is your Last Chance! So shop today by clicking here. Then just click on Shop Now and shop away. Contact me at 210-492-3218 if you have any questions at all.