How About A Favor Bag?

You can make a very sweet Favor Bag with the Fancy Favor Bigz XL Die (#115965) and the Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine (#113439).

This one could be an encouragement gift with the "Dream" banner attached to a cut-down bamboo skewer.  You could easily change the banner wording to anything you want and use it for many different occasions.  The Blossom Builders Designer Printed Kit (#125410) is full of other banners, die-cut flowers and embellishments, so your bag decoration can change to fit your purpose very easily!

Other Supplies Used: Mixed Bunch (#125535, wood-mount; #125537, clear-mount) and Loving Thoughts (#125843, wood-mount; #125845, clear-mount) Stamp Sets; Twitterpated Designer Series Paper (#125406); Very Vanilla 8-1/2" x 11" Card Stock (#101650); Lucky Limeade (#122935) and Pool Party (#122938) Classic Stampin' Pads; Lucky Limeade Baker's Twine (#125572); 1/16" Circle Handheld Punch (#101227); Blossom Punch (#125603); Stampin' Dimensionals (#104430)

I threaded the twine through two holes punched on each side of the center, then tied the bag closed with a bow.  You can punch larger holes with the Crop-A-Dile (#108362) and use ribbon instead.

Want to see more ideas for this die?  Search this site with the term "Fancy Favor" and you'll get to see everything I've posted to date.  My search box is in the near right column just underneath my picture.  Then send me your creations and I'll post them here!  E-mail me at mary@3amstamper.com.

Final Four Quarters for Sale-A-Bration

The Final Four Quarter-Days of Sale-A-Bration are about to begin!  In 9 hours and 50 minutes, Sale-A-Bration will be OVER.

Don't miss out on this once-a-year chance to get FREE Stampin' Up!® Stamp Sets and Accessories with every $50 you purchase!  You get to choose one of the terrific selections in the Sale-A-Bration Brochure with no limit!

Click on the Order Online Button right now and start shopping!  Several of these fabulous free products will never be available again, so make sure you get your favorites before they're gone!

Handy Dandy Brag Book-a Page at a Time

I am really liking the Rivet Swatchbook style of album you can print with My Digital Studio (#118108 or Express #124483).  It makes a handy dandy brag book that will hold up to being carried in a purse!  The print service uses pages that are heavier than paper and assembles them with clear plastic covers front and back and a rivet that you can remove.  The pages have a finish to them that makes them water-resistant.  A Swatchbook will hold up to my purse, so it'll be a cinch for yours!  So I'm showing you my latest Swatchbook-one page at a time.

This is the cover page that tells what the album is about.  My husband, two of the grandkids and I went out to hit some balls a few weeks ago-first time for the kids and I this season.  I injured my knee and couldn't do much, so out came my iPhone and started snapping.  You'll see the best of these as we go.  There wasn't anyone to take a group picture of us, so the cover is "stamped".

Additional Digital Downloads Used:  Little Book of Coupons Designer Swatchbook Template (#126158); Play Date Designer Series Paper (#121438); Spice Cake Kit (#127759); Summer Smooches Kit (#129601-available as part of the April Sneak Peek on 4/1); Taffeta Trimmings (#129603)

Did you know you can try My Digital Studio Express for free?  Just click this link and you can download the 30-day free trial software right to your computer!  You get a full month to play with the streamlined version and you can upgrade to the full right from the trial.  Give it a try and let me know what you think!

My Cure for Rainy Day Blues

My guest artist today, Pam Morgan, the Vice President of Demonstrator and Employee Development at Stampin' Up!®, demonstrated a quick and easy lei to lift your spirits on those rainy days!

All you do is cut out a bunch of Island Floral Bigz Die (#118871) cuts with your Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine (#113439), curl the petals with your Bone Folder (#102300) and string them together with Linen Thread (#104199) or one of the Baker's Twines (like Lucky Limeade #125572)!  You don't even have to punch holes, except for the leaf die-cut.  You can even scrunch the small flower into a bud to add space between.

The colors used here were retired Purely Pomegranate, along with current Pumpkin Pie and Old Olive.  You can substitute whatever you like to match your décor or outfit!  I'm doing a bunch to put in the bottom of some large candle holders I have.

To order what you need to make this project, just click on the Order Online Button in the far right column.  You can browse and shop at preferred pricing!

Put a Window in It for a Special Treat

Putting windows in your favor or gift boxes or bags makes them look extra special and lets you show off your treat or gift, too!  It's super-easy to do with Circle Punches – you can put a terrific porthole in any project!
This simple treat box, made with the Fancy Favor Bigz XL Die (#115965) and the Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine (#113439). was a gift from Stampin' Up!® CEO and Co-Founder Shelli Gardner at my Leadership Conference in January.  She filled it with homemade chocolate bark… absolutely delicious… that's long gone now, so I filled it with Reese's Peanut Butter Eggs™ to illustrate the window.

Here's all you need to do:

1. Cut the box from a 6" x 12" piece of card stock or stiff paper.  Real Red from Brights 12" x 12" Textured Card Stock Assortment (#121077) shown here.
2. Punch an unscored side with a circle punch.  1-3/4" Circle Punch (#119850) used here.  Tip: Mark the center on the back and line up the punch upside down.  You can erase your pencil marks if you wish.
3. Cut a 2-1/2" square from a Window Sheet (#114323) and adhere over the porthole with SNAIL Adhesive (#114332).
4. Embellish as desired.  Shown here: 1" Circle (#119868), 1/2" Circle (#119869) & 5-Petal Flower (#119880) Punches attached with a Clear Rhinestone Circle Brad (#113144).  The 1" circle is from Tempting Turquoise 8-1/2" x 11" Card Stock (#102067), or you can use the color from the Brights Assortment above, the 1/2" circle is from Island Indigo and the leaves from Lucky Limeade, both found in the In Color 2011-2013 8-1/2" x 11" Card Stock Assortment (#124329 or free with $50 order until 3/31 using #127713).
5. Assemble box with a few pieces of Sticky Strip (#104294) and fill!

Try putting your own portholes on your treat box projects.  It's easy and fun to do!

Got a question about a product or tool?  E-mail me at mary@3amstamper.com or post your question below.  I'll respond directly to your e-mail and post the answer here.

Newsletter Features Showers of Sneak Peeks!

My Mailing List Subscribers are in for a whole issue full of ideas, tips and projects featuring the new catalog Sneak Peek products!

Don't miss out, join today!  Just fill in the form at right and you'll receive the current issue along with your free gifts right away… and you'll be on the list for the newest issue next month!

Sneak Peek at What’s Coming April 1st!

I couldn't wait to share this with you!  This Sneak Peek at the Summer Smooches Suite coming April 1st (no fooling!!) from Stampin' Up!® is just too cute!

You're seeing new Designer Fabric, Designer Series Paper and the Petite Purse Bigz L Die for the Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine (#113439).

Check back April 1st for the inside scoop on this project!

Retiring List Out 4/15-My Contest Starts NOW

I just learned that Stampin' Up!® is announcing the Retiring List on April 15th.  That means my annual contest is starting TODAY!

If you don't have your own copy of the 2011-2012 Idea Book & Catalog, click on the link in the far right column and go browse.  Deadline is 4/14 for your 10 picks.

My contest rules are here.  Be sure to read them first so you don't include the exclusions on your list.  I look forward to your picks – e-mail them to mary@3amstamper.com.

Cutwork Effect With Punches

I call this effect "cutwork" because the punch makes an opening that overlaps the edge, as opposed to creating a window.  This idea is courtesy of my friend, Heather Sewczak, who sent it to me.

She used the Blossom Punch (#125603) to cut away part of her layer, then embellished it as if the blossom were still there!  {By the way, Heather later told me that she got the idea from her upline, Amy Barnes, so thank you Amy for inspiring Heather!)

Other Supplies Used: Mixed Bunch Stamp Set (#125535, Wood-Mount; #125537, Clear-Mount);  Whisper White 8-1/2" x 11" Card Stock (#100730); In Color 2011-2013 8-1/2" x 11" Card Stock Assortment (#127713-free with $50 purchase until 3/31/12, then #124329); Everyday Enchantment Designer Series Paper (#126154-free with $50 purchase through 3/31/12); Pool Party (#122938), Calypso Coral (#122939) & Lucky Limeade (#122935) Classic Stampin' Pads; Everyday Enchantment Ribbon & Brad Pack (#127279-free with $50 purchase through 3/31/12); Modern Label (#119849), 1" Circle (#119868) & 3/4" Circle (#119873) Punches; Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine (#113439); Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (#SNAIL Adhesive (#104332); Stampin' Dimensionals (#104430)

Got a question about a product or tool?  E-mail me at mary@3amstamper.com or post your question below.  I'll respond directly to your e-mail and post the answer here.

A Year’s Worth of Designer Series Paper – Free

One of the fun things that happens during Sale-A-Bration is the special offer for signing up to become a Stampin' Up!® Independent Demonstrator.  This year, you get a free package of Designer Series Paper every month for the rest of the year (OK, that's not quite a full year, but it's still a great deal!)!  A part of one of the Beau Chateau patterns is shown.

You may choose a free Digital Download for My Digital Studio (or for another program, if you prefer) instead… or you can switch off each month!

What a great way to start your new business – with additional free supplies!  To find out about "Having Your Own Business", click the link.  Then click on the Join My Team Button in the near right column.

Feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns.  Just call me at (707) 695-3571 (leave a message if I miss your call-I'll get right back to you) or e-mail me at mary@3amstamper.com.