Sale-a-bration ... the BIGGEST Stampin' Up! Sale event of the year is in full swing and you don't want to miss out! Through March 31st, every time you spend at least $50 on Stampin' 
Up! merchandise, you get a FREE (yes, that's right ... FREE) Stamp Set or Accessory from the Sale-a-Bration Brochure. This year, there are 4 FREE stamps sets, one pack of Designer Series Paper and a Ribbon Bundle which includes 10-yard spools of gorgeous ribbon! You get your pick of any or all of the free items. Click HERE or on the Sale-a-Bration brochure to see all the freebies in detail and to view beautiful project samples and tips!
I've got a few project samples and tips to share with you myself today! This first card begins with a So Saffron card base and a layer of Bashful Blue with a 2-inch strip of the Delicate Dots Designer Series Paper (the FREE SAB DSP). I tore the bottom edge of the DSP to give it a little more interest and texture. The beautiful 5/8" So Saffron Grosgrain ribbon is tied across the middle and a bow attached. The sentiment is from the new Hope Happens 
stamp set (one of the items you can purchase to help you earn FREE SAB sets). The heart, from Polka Dot Punches (a FREE SAB set) is stamped on So Saffron Cardstock with Whisper White Craft Ink and embossed with White Embossing Powder and then punched out with the new Full Heart Punch. I love the look of the embossed dots (click on the thumbnail close-up to see more detail).
Okay, on to my next project, an idea that I borrowed from Patty Bennett. Isn't this little pocket card just adorable? And it fits perfectly into a standard card-size envelope! You cut two Top Note Bigz Die-cuts using the Big Shot -- one with cardstock and the other with one of the Delicate Dots DSP patterns. Fold down the top edge of the DSP about 1 1/2", stamp on the front with the flourish from the Yummy stamp set (another FREE SAB set). SNAIL the two pieces together and add a bit of ribbon and a bow. Make a simple tag to fit inside the pocket to write your message. I stamped mine with a sentiment from Elegant Cheer. And that's it! Instant (well, almost) charm and a great little note to let someone know you're thinking about them.
Okay, here's a tip for you! The ribbon in the Sale-a-Bration bundle (you get two 10-yard spools -- one is 5/8" So Saffron Grosgrain and the other is 5/8" Certainly Celery PolyTwill) is a bit stiffer than our other Stampin' Up! ribbon. For some reason, it must have more sizing in it or something. Well, I've discovered an easy and quick tip for softening it up and making it easier to work with and tie! Simply run the ribbon between your thumb and your bone folder two or three times (like you would with curling ribbon). It breaks up the sizing and makes the ribbon soft, flexible and much easier to work with!
One more great SAB project to share with you today! Isn't this Botanical Blooms stamp set (yes -- FREE SAB) just gorgeous! It reminds me of a watercolor painting! For this simple card, I stamped the images on a small square of Whisper White and mounted it on another 
square of So Saffron. The Certainly Celery medallion is so simple to do with the new Eyelet Border Punch. You begin with a 2 3/4" square of cardstock and simply center each side in the punch and punch it out. It leaves just a tiny bit connected in the corners and makes this beautiful frame which is then very 
easy to attach ribbon to! I 
love this look and it's very quick and easy. Try it, you'll see! The sentiment here is from Heard from the Heart. I also stamped some of the beautiful watercolor flowers on the inside of the card for a happy surprise inside as well.
There you go, a great look at some fun and fast Sale-a-Bration projects. And did I mention, you can earn many of these stamp sets and supplies for FREE! Oh yeah, I think you get my point!
I will be glad to assist you with any order so that you can earn FREE Sale-a-bration products! To order, you can e-mail me or call me and place your order directly with me or you can order directly from my Stampin' Up website here. Just click on "shop now" at the top of the page. Your order will be shipped direct to your door!
And finally, don't forget to check out my DSP samplers. I've extended the deadline for ordering these through February 22nd. You get a BIG 6x12" sheet of each of the DSP papers in each sampler, enough to make dozens of cards and scrapbook pages, without the expense of purchasing entire packs of each collection. You can check out all my DSP samplers HERE or by clicking on my Online Store Window in the left side-bar.
Have a great day, everyone, and thanks so much for stopping by! I hope to see you back soon!
Blessings, Gretchen
All of these so pretty, but the scallop square is very beautiful and clever!!
Diane
Posted by: Diane McCornack | February 19, 2009 at 09:37 AM
I love what you've done here, especially with the embossed dots! Great work, Gretchen!
Posted by: Stephanie G | February 19, 2009 at 10:01 AM
Love you work. Your awesome. Sue
Posted by: sue | February 19, 2009 at 11:33 PM