Color Of the Week Wrap-Up: Subtles Collection, Part 1

Here are the first five of the Subtles Collection Color Of the Week posts.  Included are Baja Breeze, Bashful Blue, Certainly Celery, Marina Mist and Perfect Plum.  I apologize for not putting in the thumbnails, but I’m still getting used to the way my new blog works.

Baja Breeze

Color Of the Week: Baja Breeze Whale Birthday Card

Color Of the Week: Baja Breeze Whale of a Page

Color Of the Week: Baja Breeze Hybrid Birthday Card Template

Color Of the Week: Baja Breeze Combos

Bashful Blue

Color Of the Week: Bashful Blue Combos

Happy Valentine’s Day With Bashful Blue, Color Of the Week

Inside Story: Flower Embellishment with Creped Filter Paper

Happy Year of the Snake-A Little Late!

Bashful Blue Mini Milk Carton- A Spring Treat Box

Certainly Celery

Color Of the Week: Certainly Celery Combos

Color Of the Week: Certainly Celery Thinking of You Card

Color Of the Week: Certainly Celery Anniversary Page

Marina Mist

Color Of the Week: Marina Mist Featured In My Next Newsletter

Color Of the Week: Marina Mist Two-Tone Thank You Card

All Dressed Up Pop ‘n’ Cuts Card-the Outside!

All Dressed Up Pop ‘n’ Cuts Card – Easy Pop-Ups!

Perfect Plum

Color Of the Week: Perfect Plum Combos

Color Of the Week: Perfect Plum All Dressed Up Card

Color Of the Week: Perfect Plum Floral Frames Spring Page

Color Of the Week: Perfect Plum All Dressed Up Card-Belated Birthday

Check back Wednesday for Part 2.  Tool Time on Tuesday returns tomorrow.

3am Stamper’s iClub Getting Into Journaling

If you haven’t joined the 3am Stamper’s iClub yet, now’s a great time!  June’s Online Bonus Class will include tips and tricks for making a “Smash Journal“!  The Online Bonus Classes are different every month, and once you receive one, you have lifetime access to it!

It’s easy and free to join the iClub.  All you have to do is click the link that takes you to the information page, then agree to the Terms of Service, which signs you up for six months, confirm your subscription and you’re in!

After that, you place your order for $35 or more from my Online Store between the 1st and 10th of each month and you’ll receive your Online Bonus Class as soon as the order is processed!  There’s no muss, no fuss, no bother and you receive your great Stampin’ Up!® products directly to your door!

Here’s a peek at the upcoming class project:

Sign up now and you’ll receive the 2013-2014 Annual Catalog by the end of the month!

Got A Stamping or Scrapping Problem? Help Is Here!

E-mail my new Help Desk if you have a problem with your artistic rubber stamping, scrapbooking or papercrafting!  This includes projects, products and orders!!  Your message gets TOP PRIORITY and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.

3amstamperhelp@gmail.com

Free Gifts for Mailing List Subscribers

If you become a Mailing List Subscriber by signing up for the 3am Stamper’s mailing list, you receive two free gifts as soon as you confirm your subscription!  Not only that, I send surprise gifts to my entire list every so often!  For example, a few weeks ago I sent my subscribers a free mini-tutorial called “Stamp & Stitch”.  Another example was a Digital Scrapbooking E-Book.  And every year my subscribers get a dozen free tutorials with a Holiday Theme during my “12 Weeks of Christmas” program.  The value of each of these tutorials ranges from $4.95 to $7.95, but my subscribers get them all free!  Furthermore, these tutorials are not available to anyone else!

The photo shows a sneak peek of a project that appeared in my newsletter some time ago.

Would you like to get in on this action and receive free gifts in your Inbox?  Just fill out the form at right and you’ll be one step away from starting to receive your Free Gifts as a Mailing List Subscriber to the 3am Stamper’s Mailing List.

New Look for 3amStamper.com Coming

My blog re-design is almost ready.  Here’s a sneak peek at what the new look will be — coming in the next day or two:

I’m going to be offline until Friday, I think, and I’ll begin posting as soon as I can.

So, if you check in at 3amStamper.com and can’t get on – check back the following day!

Happy Mother’s Day-Belated

Happy Mother's Day-all you Moms!  Have a great day!!

Well, I hope you had a great day – this has been sitting in pending since Sunday morning!!

Apologies!!

Quick & Easy Gift Box for Mom

The Petite Purse Bigz L Die (#125606) makes a very Quick & Easy Gift Box for Mom!  It's a perfect place to hold jewelry or a folded up gift certificate!  All you need is a few pieces of Card Stock, a Big Shot Die-Cut Machine (#113439), a Textured Impressions Embossing Folder and a couple of tiny embellishments.

Other Supplies Used:  Regal Rose* (#105130) & Riding Hood Red* (#111348) 8-1/2" x 11" Card Stock; Whisper White Paper Daisies* (#119243); Elegant Lines Textured Impressions Embossing Folder* (#119277); Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack (#118309); Subtles 3/16" Brads (#119738); 1/16" Circle Handheld Punch* (#101227); Pearl Basic Jewels (#119247); Bone Folder (#102300); Sticky Strip (#104294); 3/16" Glue Dots (#103683)

Here's All You Have To Do:

1. Die-cut the purse from 8-1/2" x 5-1/2" piece of Regal Rose Card Stock with the Big Shot and crease all the score lines with the Bone Folder.
2. Punch holes in the side flaps of the purse and ends of the handle.
3. Line up the purse in the Embossing Folder, making sure the outside is against the Stampin' Up! Logo side).  Emboss with Big Shot.  I don't recommend embossing the handle as it's too small.
4. Assemble the purse with Sticky Strip-use one piece cut in half lengthwise.
5. Attach the handle to the purse with brads.
6. Punch out the small flower from Riding Hood Red scrap card stock.  Curl the petals slightly.  Layer on top of smallest Paper Daisy with a Glue Dot folded in half.  Attach a Pearl in the center (I used the middle size).
7. Attach the flowers to the purse flap with a Glue Dot.  Your Gift Box for Mom is ready to fill!

Tips: You may want to widen the slit with Paper Snips (#103579) so the tab will fit in easily.  You may also find you need to burnish the embossing on the flap so the Sticky Strip will adhere better.

Note: products marked with an asterisk (*) are retiring as of June 3rd or while supplies last.

This Quick & Easy Gift Box for Mom or Someone Else is a perfect project for a PlayShop!  If you'd like to make it or a similar project and earn free catalog merchandise (including exclusive hostess stamp sets and accessories), let's plan a PlayShop together.  (PlayShop stands for first we Play with my stuff, then we Shop!)  Give me a call at (707) 695-3571 or e-mail Mary Varley at mary@3amstamper.com and let's chat.  I look forward to tailoring the project to you!

Any Occasion Card with Build-A-Blossom

Usually at this time of year, I focus on the list of retiring stamp sets and accessories.  However, I've been so busy playing with the new stuff I get to pre-order, I haven't tended to the retiring lists properly.  So this is a compromise: an Any Occasion Card made with the retiring Build A Blossom Stamp Set (#121923, Wood-Mount*; #121994, Clear-Mount*) and Blossom Petals Builder Punch* (#121808) plus the In Colors for 2013-2015: Baked Brown Sugar, Coastal Cabana, Crisp Cantaloupe, Pistachio Pudding & Strawberry Slush!

My favorite thing about the Build a Blossom Stamp Set is that it coordinates with the Blossom Petals Builder Punch and I don't have to cut out anything!!!  There is a trick to punching out the petals and leaves individually.  I stamped the petals on a 2" strip of Whisper White 12" x 12" Card Stock (#124302) with Crisp Cantaloupe for the base and Strawberry Slush for the highlights.  I stamped them aligned vertically, with about 1/2" between the top of one petal and the base of the next.  You'll need to trim away the excess card stock between each punching so the petal will line up properly in the punch.  I stamped the leaves, with Pistachio Pudding for the base and Coastal Cabana for the accent, on another 2" strip, making sure to slant the leaves the same way as the punch.  You need to be careful to keep your images from getting punched in the wrong place, so start with the bottom petal for the blossom and the left-most leaf for the leaves.

To make the blossom: arrange the petals around the center circle, overlapping them slightly, and adhere with SNAIL Adhesive (#104332).  Punch a hole in the center of all layers with a long-reach or anywhere punch about 1/8" in diameter.  Tie a loose knot of Daffodil Delight 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon* (#119254) and pull both ends through the hole.  If the knot is too small, double it so it won't go through the hole.  Flatten the ends on the back and hold them in place with Stampin' Dimensionals (#104430).  You might want to stack two or three of them and put a stack on each side of the ribbon ends.  Attach the leaves to the backs of the petals with 3/16" Glue Dots (#103683).

Other Supplies Used: River Rock 8-1/2" x 11" Card Stock* (#108640); 1" Circle Punch (#119868)

If you want to add a greeting or sentiment, there's room for one from my Go-To stamp set: Teeny Tiny Wishes (#115370, Wood-Mount; #127802, Clear-Mount).  The retiring Not Quite Navy Classic Stampin' Pad (#126971) will coordinate beautifully, while still making your words readable!

To order what you need to create your own Any Occasion Card with the Build A Blossom Stamp Set and Blossom Petals Builder Punch, click on the Order Online Button in the far right column or on any of the product links in this article.  I've marked the retiring products with an asterisk.  These are available through June 3^rd or until supplies are exhausted.

Win Hostess Dollars At My Annual Catalog Party…

…And you don't have to be there to win!  My Annual Catalog Party, featuring products from the new Stampin' Up!® 2013-2014 Annual Catalog, will be held:

• Date: May 30, 2013
• Time: 7:00 to 9:00 pm Pacific Daylight Time
• Place: 2305 Jose Avenue, Santa Rosa, CA 95401
• Hostess Code: CTATYY92

If you can make it, you will get to try out some neat new products, have a chance to win free stamp sets and enjoy some tasty refreshments!  If you didn't get the new catalog, you'll be able to pick one up.  All attendees will be entered in the drawing to be my Mystery Host/Hostess and win the Hostess Dollars-whether they place an order or not!

If you can't make it, whether you're in town or out of state, you will still get the chance to become my Mystery Host/Hostess and win the Hostess Dollars.  All you need to do is place an order of any size between now and June 3, 2013.  You will be able to order from the new catalog beginning May 31^st at noon.  If you order now to make sure you get retiring stamps and accessories while they're still available, then order again from the new catalog, you'll get two chances to win.  Just be sure to use the Hostess Code of CTATYY92 to make sure your order counts.  If you don't use the code, you won't be entered in the drawing.

Here's how to order:

1. Browse and shop through this link or the Order Online Button in the sidebar.  Be sure to enter the Hostess Code CTATYY92 at check-out.  Deadline for orders is 10:50pm Pacific Daylight Time on June 3^rd.
2. E-mail your order to me at mary@3amstamper.com, and call me at (707) 542-3696 with payment information.  Deadline is 9:00pm Pacific Daylight Time on June 3^rd.
3. Mail your order to me at 2305 Jose Avenue, Santa Rosa, CA 95401, with personal check only payable to Mary Varley or payment information included.  Print out this form and send it to place your order.  Deadline is my mail delivery on June 3^rd.

Note that all orders will be shipped directly to you, so minimum shipping applies.  If you are ordering retiring products, it's best to place your order online to make sure you meet the deadline and that your products are still available.  All orders and payments sent to me must be in my hands no later than June 3, 2013.  Orders received after that will not be eligible for the Mystery Host/Hostess drawing.

I will be posting the link to the new online catalog on May 31^st, as soon as it's available, so you'll be able to look there if you didn't get a catalog in advance.  Bookmark this page to refer back for the details.

The winner of the Hostess Dollars will get to select products from any current catalog (as of June 4^th) and will only have to pay shipping plus my local sales tax.  I will send your winnings by First Class USPS or Priority Mail.

Want the new catalog sent to you?  Sign up for my Catalog Mailing List to make sure you get yours on time!  Be sure to confirm by clicking the link in the e-mail you'll receive when you sign up.

Summer Cold Got You Down?

Believe me when I say I know exactly how you feel!  I've had my summer cold for over a week now and it's really got me down!  Luckily, I don't have to report in to a workplace outside my home!  My job is home-based and I'm my own boss.  That means I set my own schedule and can adjust it in case of emergencies!

Fortunately, my summer cold happened between my already scheduled live events, so it was easy to readjust my work hours.  Most of my business is online, so I don't really lose anything when I have to take care of myself!  That's one of the many perks to being a Stampin' Up!® Independent Demonstrator.

Have you ever imagined being your own boss, working at home and not having to worry about passing along your summer cold?  (Family would be exposed either way, so that doesn't count!)  Maybe the Stampin' Up! Independent Demonstrator Business Opportunity would be just what you need!

Would you like to find out more?  Give me a call at (707) 695-3571 (leave a message if I don't answer and I'll get back to you as soon as possible) or mailto:mary@3amstamper.com and let's chat.  You can also click on the links in the Business Opportunity section of the near right column.  I look forward to talking with you soon!

By the way, if you decide to sign up by May 30^th, you get to select an additional $30 in products for the same small investment of $99.  This means you get to pick $155 in product to go with your business supplies in the kit.  Give me a call or click on the "Join My Team" button in my sidebar to get started now!  You'll never have to worry about a summer cold getting you down again!

Like To Stamp In The Middle Of The Night?

You know I get a lot of my inspiration from the middle of the night, and I like to stamp then, too!  Do you ever run out of ideas when you stamp in the middle of the night?  Do you wish you had time to go to a PlayShop (first we Play with my stuff, then we Shop) to get new ideas and new crafting items, but you can never break free until the middle of the night?  The 3am Stamper's iClub may be able to help!

The iClub is a buying club with a $35.00 minimum purchase each month and a minimum 6-month commitment.  After that, you can cancel or continue-it's up to you.  Club members order between the 1^st and the 10^th of each month, and receive an exclusive Online Bonus Class when their order is processed.  The card I posted today is the inspiration for next month's class project… but the only way you'll get to see it is if you join!

Membership in the 3am Stamper's iClub is free.  You'll receive the latest catalogs as they are released, as long as you're a member.  This will let you browse and shop without getting out of bed.  You'll also be able to browse the catalogs online if you wish.  You'll have lifetime access to each Online Bonus Class you receive, so you can refer back as much as you want.

Join the 3am Stamper's iClub now to start with the June session and receive the new Stampin' Up! 2013-2014 Annual Catalog.  Club orders are due June 10th!  To find out more and sign up, just click on the link and get ready use your new ideas to stamp in the middle of the night!

Exclusive Contests for Mailing List Subscribers

I offer exclusive contests for my Mailing List Subscribers.  My monthly papercrafting contest awards a $10 prize certificate to the winner.  You can enter via e-mail or Postal Service… but you've got to be on my Mailing List to win the prize!

To get on my mailing list and be eligible to enter my monthly contest, as well as receive my newsletter, 3am Thoughts, and other benefits, fill out the form in the near right column.  You'll also get 2 free tutorials just for signing up!

Celebrate National Scrapbooking Month in Digital!

It's National Scrapbooking Month and Stampin' Up!® is celebrating with My Digital Studio (#130647, Disc; #130646, Download) select Digital Downloads on sale at 25% off!  Take a look at them in my Online Store.

The print services are also on sale – just in time to make a last-minute gift for Mom… or grad!  Photobooks, calendars and cards are available for 25% off!  You can get in on the action for Dad, too, as this sale runs through June 15^th!

If you don't have My Digital Studio yet, how about giving the trial version a test drive for 30 days free?  You can download it now and celebrate National Scrapbooking Month digitally!

Drawing for Free Swatch Package Ends Today

It's the last day to comment on both of the Wild Wasabi color combinations and enter the drawing for a free package of assorted quarter-page sized card stock and paper!  The question was:  What specific occasions the Creative Combination of Wild Wasabi, So Saffron and Perfect Plum or the Sweet Set of Wild Wasabi, Marina Mist and Early Espresso would best be used for. Leave your comments here, on the original post, on Facebook, or Tweet @3amstamper.  I'm accepting comments through midnight, Pacific Time, TONIGHT-April 30^th!

Send a Personal Message to Mom with Talking Tags

Talking Tags (#129723) are a set of message labels you can attach to cards, gifts . . . anything!  You can add a personal message to Mom for Mother's Day, which you know she'll love!  The tags come in a sheet of 10, so you can record 10 different messages for different occasions or reasons.

Tip: Only use one Tag on a card or page.  Otherwise, your smartphone will have trouble getting the correct message.

See how in this video:

Recording a voice message:

1. Download the FREE TalkingTagT App on your smartphone from talkingtag.mobi, iTunes® or Google PlayT.
2. Adhere the message tag to your card or gift.
3. Open TalkingTagT App and scan the code.
4. Record your message (recording starts immediately, so make sure you're ready!).

You will be able to listen, re-record, cancel, or confirm your message after you've completed recording it.  Each label allows up to 60 seconds of a greeting, song, or personal message.

To play the message, recipients will need to download the free app and scan the code.  Messages are saved for two years, so they can listen to it over and over.

Talking Tags make it easy to send a Personal Message to Mom, or Grad, Dad or any one else!  To order, click on the Order Online Button in the right-hand column or use the product link!

Color Of the Week: Wild Wasabi Scrapbook Page Template

My Scrapbook Page Template for Take Your Daughter to Work Day was made using My Digital Studio (#130647, Disc; #130646, Download).  It features one of the-Wild Wasabi Color Coach (#120148, English only; #121046, Multi-language) Card combinations: the Sweet Set of Wild Wasabi, Marina Mist and Early Espresso.  I'm sorry it's rather generic, but I mentioned before that I was having trouble with this combo!

The page is 12" x 12" to leave plenty of room for pictures, journaling and a title.  I used Whisper White accents, including Drop Shadows and Neutrals Pack Flower Brads (#123388), and the "Create" stamp brush from the Charming Stamp Brush Set (#123988) as embellishments.  Finding an image to represent being a Stampin' Up! Independent Demonstrator isn't easy!!

Other Digital Downloads Used:  Bunch of Backgrounds Stamp Brush Set (#129885); Check This Out Designer Page Templates (#129921); School Days Stamp Brush Set (#118832-was included in the original MDS release, so you have it even if you upgraded-it's not in the newest release)

Directions:

1. Run My Digital Studio and Select Photobooks & Individual Pages.  Deselect Bleed Area from the View menu, if you wish.
2. Select Background Papers from the Design Center menu (not the Resource Palette) and pick Color > Wild Wasabi.  I recommend using the Design Center menus while you're creating as all the options you can use are there.  The Resource Palette is good for browsing your choices, but it doesn't let you use the options.
3. Select Stamps > Bunch of Backgrounds > Wonderfully Worn.  Resize to cover page, clicking "Okay" when the message "expanding to this size may cause it to pixilate when printed" comes up.  Color stamp brush Early Espresso and reduce the Opacity to 50%.
4. Select Punches > Photo Boxes > Check This Out-Punches > Photobox 4 or Photobox 12.  Size the punches for Title Bar and Photo or Journaling Mats, then Color Fill with Marina Mist and Mat with Early Espresso, width 3.  Place the punches where desired.
5. Select Text > Add Text, type in your title after and resize the Text Box to fit.  You can edit the font size, color and drop shadow as you wish.  I used Monotype Corsiva size 58 in Early Espresso with a Whisper White Drop Shadow.  Align the text box over the Title Bar.
6. Select Stamps > School Days > journaling block and fit it on the vertical mat.  Resize to fit and click Okay when the message about expanding it comes up.  Color the stamp brush Whisper White.
7. Select Photos > Photo Box and resize to fit your mat.  Repeat for the other photo mats.  Insert your chosen photos.  You can use the Crop feature to move the focal point of your image where you want it.
8. Select Punches > Photo Boxes > Check This Out-Punches > Photobox 4 or Photobox 12.  Color Fill with Wild Wasabi and Mat with Early Espresso, width 3.  Resize and move it into place over the photos.
9. Select Stamps > Charming > Create and place over Wild Wasabi mat.  Resize to fit.  Color with Marina Mist and Drop Shadow Early Espresso.
10. Select Embellishments > Flower Brads Neutrals and drag Whisper White flower brads into place.
11. Save your project.

Your page is ready to print, or you can add more to make a Photobook!  If you want the page printed through the My Digital Studio Print Services, you'll need to make sure you meet the minimum quantity of 5.  This can be 5 copies or 5 separate pages.

There's still time to comment on both of the Wild Wasabi color combinations and enter the drawing for a free package of assorted quarter-page sized card stock and paper!  Leave your comments here, on the original post, on Facebook, or Tweet @3amstamper.  I'm accepting comments through midnight, Pacific Time, on April 30^th!

It’s Take Your Daughter to Work Day-How Far Is Your Commute?

It's "Take Your Daughter to Work Day," or, in some places, "Take Your Child to Work Day."  How far do you both have to commute to get there?

"Take Your Daughter to Work Day" was established to encourage young women to learn about a variety of careers, particularly those of their parents.  It also was intended to give them the idea that they could achieve anything they wanted.

As a Stampin' Up!® Independent Demonstrator, my commute is measured in feet, not miles.  I also don't have daily costs of gasoline and car maintenance to get to and from work.  I save my Post Office and Bank trips to do once a week.  My PlayShops are usually scheduled in the evenings or on weekends.  The rest of my business can be conducted online, over the phone or by a walk to my mailbox.

I've done a scrapbook page template you can use to record activities your daughter (or son) does for this day.  My main photo would be a shot of my child working in my studio, either stamping a project or preparing materials for my next PlayShop.  Other tasks could be taking phone messages or recording receipts.  There is a journaling block that could list the activities she or he tried out!  And we'll be able to do lunch together before she or he has to go back to school!

If you would like to find out more about becoming a Stampin' Up! Independent Demonstrator, and shortening your commute, give me a call at (707) 695-3571– leave a message if I don't answer and I'll get back to you as soon as possible, or e-mail me at mary@3amstamper.com.  I'd love to chat with you about my business and talk about what the possibilities can do for you.

Get Your Faves Now: Retiring Stampin’ Up! Products Lists Posted

Wow!!  Take a look at what's leaving by June 3^rd (Stampin' Up!® extended the retiring catalog sales period so it didn't end on the weekend)!

Retiring Accessories List

Retiring Stamp Sets List

To make sure you get your favorites before they're gone, just go to my Online Store by clicking the Order Online Button in the far right column.  I'll be posting news of the out-of-stock and no longer available items on my Facebook Page, so be sure you've "liked" the 3amStamper and check there frequently.

Enter Now! Retiring Stamp Sets Contest Ends Today!

Stampin’ UP!® will announce the Annual Catalog retiring sets tomorrow, so the deadline is TODAY: April 23^rd!  Here’s what you need to do:

Guess which 10 sets from the current Annual Catalog will be on the retiring stamp sets list.  The person who has the most correct guesses will win a retiring set from my personal collection.

Do not include any of the sets in the Seasonal (Mini) Catalogs, the Hostess Sets or the Ronald McDonald House Charities set.  Just include sets in the main catalog.

If the set comes in clear-mount or another language, only use one name & number.  Variations will count as duplicates and reduce your number of guesses.

E-mail me at mary@3amstamper.com your 10 guesses including stamp set name and product number by midnight (Pacific Time) TODAY.  Only one entry per person, please.

The winner will be announced in Mid-May and will receive their set by the end of August.  In case of ties, each winner will get to pick a stamp set.  First choice will go to the winner who entered earliest.

DEADLINE:  Today!!

Mailing List Subscribers Get to Join My Birthday Club

Every Subscriber on my Mailing List receives a whole range of benefits, including the ability to join my Birthday Club.  Birthday Club Members receive a special Gift Certificate on the first day of their birth month, which they can use at any time during the entire month!  They can use it on any product or service, too, including classes!

To see the whole range of benefits for my Mailing List Subscribers, including the Birthday Club, click here or go ahead and sign up now by filling in the form in the near right column!