Boy I'm super-excited this morning, still so much to do for my New Catalog Open House tonight! If you live in Southern Illinois, don't have a demonstrator but would like to have a new catalog, just contact me today for directions to my house. You can come see & take home a new catalog, stamp a couple of M&T's, browse my samples, and enjoy an Ice Cream Buffet! If you make an order of $50 or more OR book a stampin' party in the next few months, your name will go in a drawing for one of two $25 Stampin' Gift Certificates (you do not have to stay the whole time to win, I will mail out the certificates) I will also have my inventory of Scallop Square purses on display, and any $50 order will get you $5 off the purchase of a purse!

Thought I would show you one of the FREE projects we will be making tonight!

©Stampin'Up!™1990-2010

Isn't it fabulous? I think it's a pretty cool card. I showed it to my daughter, Alisa, last night and she said, "Isn't it amazing how your stamping has changed over the years? How did you even have a business when you started?" I think she is referring to two things:

1. Stampin' Up! has the most amazing stamps, and continuously tries to keep on trend and ahead of the "stamping curve" by providing us with fun creative stamps and accessories so we can create works of art like this in minutes.

2. My stamping skills have improved. (makes me wonder, how bad was I? lol!)

I have to admit, I've gotten better at stamping over the years, which is just the natural result of practice, practice, practice. It's practice that I happen to LOVE, so that makes all that  practice a win-win for me!)

Anyway, this card we will be making, which looks rather complicated, uses no fancy techniques, nor has a level of difficulty beyond the easy level. We will be using the gorgeous new set, Artistic Etchings, along with new colors Early Espresso and Marina Mist. We will be using the Cutter Kit to do a little distressing, a Stampin' Sponge to do ALOT of sponging, the Scallop Trim Border punch (it's back in the catalog after being available during Sale-a-bration!), brand-spankin'-new Designer Paper "Newsprint", and a little Log Cabin Smooch Spritz! It was a fun card to create, and I think you will love making it!

Here's the inside of the card. I chose an encouragement sentiment, but I always have several other verse sets available so you can customize your card to fit the occasion and loved one you are planning to give it to!

©Stampin'Up!™1990-2010

While I''m at it, here's the other Make & Take, only this one you will have your choice of THREE different color combos:

Baja Breeze (a returning In-Color) with Very Vanilla using the new Level 1 Hostess Set, "Because I Care"! You are going to need to have a party soon to get this set! We will also be using the Big Shot (of course!) with a brand-new Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, "Vintage Wallpaper"!

©Stampin'Up!™1990-2010

Cherry Cobbler (a new Core Color) with Very Vanilla:

©Stampin'Up!™1990-2010

Or Pink Pirouette (another returning In-Color) with Very Vanilla:

©Stampin'Up!™1990-2010

Well, I've gotta run, lots still to do to get my house ready for tonight! (Come on, you people know how it is, it takes having a party to make you clean up beyond your usual comfort level of clean!)

See ya tomorrow, (or tonight from 5-8 if you come see me!) so for now, have  a GREAT STAMPINROX! day!

Carol