Questions and Answers

Sale-A-Bration Starter Kit Sale

	Q&A Q: What happens if I become a demonstrator during Sale-A-Bration? A: When you join the Stampin’ Up! family during Sale-A-Bration, you not only get the Starter Kit at a huge discount, but you eligible to get your choice of a package of Designer Series Paper or a Digital Download each month of 2012.  Here’s the scoop: Discounted Starter Kit      It’s a bit of a secret, but the Starter Kit is the best deal in the entire catalog with more than $425 worth of stamping products and supplies for only $215 During Sale-A-Bration, the Starter Kit is an even more amazing deal since it is on sale for only $150. Plus, you get a bonus gift each month when you place a demonstrator order! 10 Free Designer Series Papers or Digital Downloads     You know how special you feel when you receive a card or a gift for no particular reason, just because someone cares? Well, you can have that feeling up to 10 times in 2012! When you join Stampin’ Up! during Sale-A-Bration, you can receive a free package of Designer Series Paper or a free Digital Download each month of the year. You can select your choice of Designer Series Papers ($13.50 or less) or Digital Downloads (any price) starting the month after you join! That’s an additional $135.00 value added onto the already amazing Starter Kit bargain! Here’s the nitty-gritty on the free goodies: Each month you can choose to order Designer Series Paper or a Digital Download for My Digital Studio, and you can switch back and forth so you aren’t committed to one format for the whole year. Of course, you’ll only continue to receive the free products from March-December 2012 as long as you remain an active demonstrator (shipping fees may apply). Online Sign-up    Since you don’t want to miss out on a single month of free Designer Series Paper or Digital Downloads, you can sign up online right now! It’s the fastest and most convenient way to get started! Whether you sign up online or by traditional mail, you can customize your Starter Kit so you can receive the products you love most! You can substitute the stamp sets, card stock and ink colours, for like products so that you get your kit your way! What’s Next?      Does the idea of joining Stampin’ Up! sound interesting, but you are afraid of a big commitment? I often here that from potential team members, and they are always surprised at how non-threatening the real thing is! Well, you aren’t marrying Stampin’ Up! and there aren’t any big scary commitments. Once you purchase the Starter Kit, it is yours, end of story. You have until June to make your minimums in order to remain active or you go inactive. That’s it. Nothing scary, and no penalties or sales requirements to keep your kit. You choose how to make Stampin’ Up! fit you, your way. You can remain an active demonstrator by placing the minimum order each quarter, build a business to support large or small goals, or go inactive if you choose. Whatever you choose, you don’t lose anything because you started out with such a great deal on the Starter Kit, plus you’ll get your extra free products each month in addition to access to all of the great Stampin’ Up! demonstrator resources. Think of your first few months as a trial period, an opportunity to see what it’s like to be a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator. I think once you join, you’ll love it and want to stay! Questions? Please contact me today, I’m happy to talk over the opportunity with you!
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Beginner Stamping Tools

	Q&A Q: I have a friend who would like to start stamping with me and I’d like to give her a gift to get her started. What are the best things for a beginner stamper to have? A: Sharing the fun of stamping with a friend is one of the things that Stampin’ Up! is all about. There is nothing like the joy of seeing the sense of accomplishment and joy that a new stamper feels when she first discovers the art of stamping. What a great thing for you to experience with your friend! Some of the basic supplies a new stamper needs are stamps, ink, card stock, and tools. Stamps As much as we may want it all, we have to start somewhere! For new stampers, I suggest a versatile set, like the Easy Events (#116958 wood-mount, #123225 clear-mount) stamp set. It includes images and greetings for a variety of occasions. Plus, the Easy Events stamp set is ideal for your friend to test out simple techniques like coloring, or stepped-up techniques like watercoloring. Ink New stampers don’t need the full spectrum of colors in order to get started. A couple of ink pads in versatile colors or favorite colors are a great place to start. One of the ink pads I recommend most is Jet Black StazOn (#101406). The quick-drying, permanent black ink is versatile for many images and perfect for a variety of techniques that new stampers will want to try. Another great ink pad to consider is the VersaMark pad (#102283). Since VersaMark is a clear ink, it creates a slightly darker watermark-type effect when stamped on most any color of card stock. A Color Collection of Stampin’ Spots is another budget-friendly option for beginning stampers who like a lot of color options. Each Stampin' Spot Color Collection includes anywhere from 8 to 11 ink pads that are 1” square in size. Card Stock Not all paper is created equal! Most of us have learned by trial and error that there is a difference. Help your new stamping friend avoid the frustration and expense of poor-quality card stock. She’ll appreciate the crisp images she can achieve with our ultra-smooth Whisper White (#100730) or Very Vanilla (#101650) card stock. Pair the Whisper White or Very Vanilla card stock with an assorted pack of card stock from one of the Color Collections and the Neutrals Collection, and your friend will have the basis for many beautiful creations! Tools It seems obvious, but it is important not to forget the basics like a Paper Cutter (#104152) and a SNAIL adhesive (#104332) along with a couple of refills (#104331). Once you have those basics, consider fun and functional tools like our great punches. A couple of circles that can be layered together are a great place to start because circles are a very pleasing and versatile shape that you can't cut by hand without making yourself crazy! (You know what I mean if you’ve tried it!) Got to have it all?! Do you know the best-kept secret deal in the Stampin’ Up! catalog? It’s the Starter Kit. Yep - with stamps, ink, card stock, and basic tools, the Starter Kit is valued at $345, but only costs $175, making it a steal-of-a-deal and an ideal way for new stampers to get all the basics in one affordable bundle. Plus, when new stampers join Stampin’ Up!, they’ll have a whole host of great online resources, including an amazing online community of demonstrators for training, ideas, and support. Talk about having it all! Contact me today to find out more about the Starter Kit, including the limited-time extras and discounts available only to new team members who join during Sale-A-Bration!
© CraftyPerson Production. Images © Stampin' Up!

Q: Do you have suggestions for quick and affordable gifts?

A: People love getting handcrafted gifts. The saying about the thought being what counts is so true. You don't have to spend a fortune or eons of time making thoughtful gifts. Read on to find out about ideas for Food from the Heart, Inexpensive & Impressive, and Fast & Fabulous gifts you can create in the twinkle of an eye - but don't tell Santa he has competition!

Food from the Heart
We all love the comfort and thoughtfulness of homemade goodies around the holidays, and honestly, any other time, too! One of my favorite gifts to give (and receive) is the timeless Mason jar filled with a family cookie mix and recipe, soup mix, baked cookies, fudge, candies, cocoa mix, etc. This inexpensive gift is great because it's personal, it doesn't need to be dusted, it fits anyone, and it's a snap to create. Simply create a belly-band around the jar using Designer Series Paper or stamped card stock. Then add a bit of ribbon around the neck of the jar with a hand-stamped tag, fill with goodies, and you are done! I like using the From the Kitchen Of (#114964) stamp set to include the recipe for the treat included in the jar. Another great option is a big, oversized mug decorated with Decor Elements and filled with a special flavored coffee or tea bags. Add a Decor Element to the mug, then tie a ribbon with a hand-stamped tag around the handle and you have a great gift. The Letters to Santa Decor Elements (#124195) are a great option because they include lots of images that are perfect for the holidays, there is a coordinated stamp set for a tag, and they are a great value.

Inexpensive & Impressive
Gifts don't have to cost the world to be impressive. Purchase inexpensive scarves and/or gloves (sometimes even in $1 bins) and dress them up with fun embellishments. You can use Designer Fabric or ribbon to create a colorful ruffle. Add a whimsical flower using the Big Shot to die cut Designer Fabric, fleece, and felt. Create a coordinating brooch that can be pinned to a jacket for a fun, coordinating look! Quickly stitch on buttons in the recipient's favorite color for a stylish look, or a whole rainbow of colors for a fun and vibrant look. The Tasteful Trim Bigz XL die (#120893) is great for creating fabric accents and ruffles. The Flower Folds Bigz XL die (#115970) is one of many options for creating flower brooches and accents. Another thoughtful gift is a stack of hand-stamped cards. Make a whole set of cards with a monogram or an assortment of all-occasion cards. Tie them together with a ribbon and a hand-stamped tag and you have a fast and useful gift.
 
Fast & Fabulous
Simply Adorned Charm necklaces are one of my fast and fabulous gift items. They are ideal gifts to give to mothers, sisters, friends, daughters, etc. No worrying about sizes makes it easy, and the style can be customized to any preference, and can also be easily changed. It takes next to no time to create a couple of inserts customized for your friends and family. Create inserts with a monogram, simple floral images, seasonal inserts, or any of a huge variety of options. When you consider the nearly endless possibilities and the ease of changing the look, you'll appreciate the amazing value and thoughtful personalization that this gift offers! Because the Simply Adorned charms and chains come in gift boxes, just tie a ribbon and add a hand-stamped tag to enjoy stress-free gift wrapping!


It�s not too late!
These are just a few of the many possibilities for heartfelt, last-minute gifts that let you share your creativity and the true spirit of the season. Imagine how special your friends and family will feel when they receive the special gift you designed and created just for them! Contact me today for more ideas and to get any supplies you may need, and you'll have those last-minute gifts checked off your list in no time!

� CraftyPerson Production. Images � Stampin' Up!

 

Making Gifts for the Holidays

	Q&A Q: I’m thinking of making gifts this year. What do you suggest? A: Handmade gifts are always popular because they show the heartfelt thought and effort that you put into choosing and creating the perfect, unique gift. Advent calendars are fun gifts to give and create ahead of the holidays, and gifts like a set of cards, homemade treats with decorated bags, holiday banners, and calendars are ideal for a variety of people and budgets. Advent Calendars The ever-popular tradition of opening a door a day to get a piece of candy, a special quote, or even a suggestion of a fun holiday activity can be made even more fun when you create a custom Advent calendar. The detailed Advent calendar on page 36 of the Holiday Mini Catalog uses the Peekaboo Frames Bigz L Die (#124587) and the 24 & Counting stamp set (#123792 wood mount, #123794 clear mount). This makes a great format for sharing the Christmas story or suggesting holiday activities like cookie baking and decorating the tree. If you prefer a different type of Advent calendar, try the Matchbox Bigz XL Die (#114890) to die cut Frostwood Lodge Designer Series Paper (#124002). Stack and glue the boxes in a square or in the shape of a Christmas tree and fill each box with small gifts or candy. Budget-Friendly Tasty Treats For less expensive gifts that are perfect for neighbors, co-workers, or for children’s classes, you can make homemade candy or cookies and package them in our skinny Cellophane Bags (#124134). Add a stamped topper to the 1” x 8” tube and you have a unique and yummy gift that anyone will appreciate. For larger items, we also have rectangular cellophane bags in three sizes: 3” x 5” (#103104), 4” x 6” (#102757) and 6” x 8” (#102210). Or create quick & easy, custom decorated boxes using our Kraft Gift Boxes (#124106) as your starting point. Wrap with our 1-1/4” Striped ribbon and add a hand-stamped tag and you have a great gift. Personalized Gifts For those special people on your list, you can step it up a bit and create a custom holiday banner using the Holiday Stocking Bigz L Die (#124098) and coordinating Stocking Accents Originals Die (#124099). Use die-cut or chipboard letters to put a family name or a message like “joy” or “Merry” on the banner with one letter per stocking. String the stockings on a Satin ribbon with the adorable and functional Mini Clothespins (#122942). And everyone needs a great calendar for 2012. You can create a custom calendar using our digital paper crafting software, My Digital Studio (#118108). The great thing about using My Digital Studio to make a calendar is that you can completely customize each page with your favorite designs or use one of our designer templates to save time. Make the calendars extra special when you add photos of your family members on their birthday or anniversary dates. Plus, you can design once and print as many as you like! Or design once and then just tweak it a bit to customize the calendar for different families! Handmade Joy There is a joy to creating and giving a handmade gift that is extra special. Store-bought gifts just don’t have the same heart as something that you designed and created with someone special in mind. Plus, you get the added benefit of slowing down and enjoying the experience of creating that gift without having to fight crazy mall crowds or stormy winter roads! Contact me today to plan your holiday gifts and you can get started with the fun and festive process of creating your heartfelt, holiday gifts!
© CraftyPerson Production. Images © Stampin' Up!

My Digital Studio-Printing Cards

	Q&A Q:How do I print cards using My Digital Studio? A: My Digital Studio allows you to design a variety of card styles including traditional cards in several sizes, postcards, and even tri-fold cards. You can print cards on your home printer or through our professional print service. The easiest option, and the one with the best results, will be using the professional print service.   Printing at Home Once you design your cards in My Digital Studio you can print them at home, but it is a bit tricky since every printer operates a bit differently and prints colors differently. Even good-quality printers may not give the high-quality print and color detail that you’ll get with professional print services. When you design a traditional card in My Digital Studio, it actually has four pages - front, inside left, inside right, and back. It is great to be able to customize all four pages, but it makes printing at home more complicated. The easiest way to print at home is to print just the front of the card, cut it out and then layer it onto a card body just like you do when making a hand-stamped card. This also has the benefit of giving you a heavier weight card body since most printers cannot handle heavyweight card stock. To print the full four-page card at home, you’ll need to do a bit of experimenting with how your printer prints. You’ll need to print pages 1 and 4 (front and back) then re-insert the paper into the printer to print pages 2 and 3 (inside left and inside right). The trick is knowing if you need to just flip the paper over, or if you need to flip and rotate the paper. Each printer is different, so it will take some trial and error. Professional Print Service You’ll be the happiest with the results you get from the professional print service. The professional print service neatly prints high-quality images on heavy card stock and includes a heavy-weight envelope along with the card. You simply upload the card using the link in the My Digital Studio program, tell us how many copies you want, and all the work is done for you. Plus, with our professional print service, the colors are guaranteed to match the Stampin’ Up! colors. So if you want to add on embellishments like punched images, buttons, or ribbon, they will all coordinate as they should. New Bulk Pricing You’ve seen the $5-$7 cards in card stores. But how often are those cards exactly what you want? Now, with My Digital Studio and the new bulk pricing, it is easier and more affordable than ever to print your custom-designed cards just as you want them. Make your custom Christmas cards or baby announcements with photos and your personalized greeting. Design a card with your monogram or a variety of birthday, thank you, and blank cards to have on hand for any occasion. You’ll save on printing and shipping costs when you order a group of cards instead of just a couple, making your custom cards even more affordable.
© CraftyPerson Production. Images © Stampin' Up!