Stamping & Scrapping with Jen

FREE Tutorial

I am really excited about this month's Virtual Club Tutorial!!!  It uses the Gently Falling and Thank You Kindly stamp sets and best of all, it's FREE!

So, what is a Virtual Club you may ask????  Well, let me tell you!!! 

My Virtual Club is a simple rewards program.  When you place a $50 or greater online order ($50 in merchandise, tax & shipping not included) through my online store, you will receive a FREE Project Tutorial emailed to you within 24 hours of your order!! (All online items qualify, including digital downloads, My Digital Studio printing services, and regular catalog merchandise.) Each month the tutorials will change, so if you order every month, you'll get a new tutorial every month!

Unlike a traditional club, there is no time commitment in terms of months (typically my clubs run for 6 months).  But the more often you order, the more tutorials you will receive!

Typically, the tutorials will be available monthly, so all orders placed during a regular calendar month will all receive the same tutorial.  On the first of the next month, the tutorial will change!

For the month of Septepmber, I will be offering the Gently Falling Cards & Coordinating Gift Box Tutorial.

The tutorial includes full color photos and detailed instructions for each of the 5 projects you see above (card box & 4 different cards).  Also included is a detailed materials list complete with item numbers and descriptions.

Within 24 hours of when you place your online order, I will send you your tutorial via email.  It will be sent from my email account and come through as attached PDF document.  

I look forward to sharing these tutorials with you through this new program!!  Please post a comment or just send me an email if you have any questions.

Be sure to sign up for my FREE Stampin' Up! e-Newsletter to receive coupons, stamping tips, ideas, and subscriber-only contests!

Order Online - Get a Free Gift!!

I am very happy to announce a new program that I will be offering starting TODAY!!!  Some people might call this a Virtual Club, but it's really just a rewards program for those of you who order from me online!

From now on, anyone who places a $50 or greater online order ($50 in merchandise, tax & shipping not included) through my online store will receive a FREE Project Tutorial valued at $17!!!  (All online items qualify, including digital downloads, My Digital Studio printing services, and regular catalog merchandise.) Each month the tutorials will change, so if you order every month, you'll get a new one every month!

Unlike a traditional club, there is no time commitment in terms of months (typically my clubs run for 6 months).  But the more often you order, the more tutorials you will receive!

Typically, the tutorials will be available monthly, so all orders placed during a regular calendar month will all receive the same tutorial.  On the first of the next month, the tutorial will change!

For the month of August, I will be offering the Flirtatious Cards & Coordinating Gift Box Tutorial.

The tutorial includes 8 pages with full color photos and detailed instructions for each of the 5 projects you see above (card box & 4 different cards).  Also included is a detailed materials list complete with item numbers and descriptions.

Because we are almost through August, the Flirtatious Tutorial will be available through September 6, 2011, which is when my September newsletter will be released.  The September tutorial will be announced in the September Newsletter, and that will be available from September 6-30.

Within 24 hours of when you place your online order, I will send you your tutorial via email.  It will be sent from my email account and come through as attached PDF document.  

I look forward to sharing these tutorials with you through this new program!!  Please post a comment or just send me an email if you have any questions.

Emily's Easy Events Cards

The other night at my stamp club, one of the projects was these little 3"x 3" cards.  I know I am usually pretty simple, but usually my cards aren't quite this simple.  But my clubbers loved these!!  It turned out it was a pretty practical choice.  I found out lots of them actually needed cards like this!!

So, on Tuesday Emily assimilated herself into the group (as she often does) and asked if she could make a card with the extra pieces.  Everyone was done, so I said it was okay.  And before I knew it, she had made THREE of them.  She did them all on her own; they are pictured above, and I have to say, she did a great job!  Even my Wednesday Clubbers thought so!!

If you are looking for a fast & easy set that's great for lots of occasions that fit all age ranges, Easy Events is it!!!  Of course there is lots you can do more to make the cards more "involved", too.  I'm sure I'll be using this set over & over again, so I'll be sure to share those with you in the future.

On a personal note, despite the crazy heat & humidity we (and most of the rest of the country) are dealing with, I have run almost every day this week!  Our time has shifted up to 5:30AM, but if I didn't go then, I don't think I could go at all.  In four days, I have run a little over 15 miles, and tomorrow I plan a long run - at least 6, maybe up to 8.  I haven't run over 4.5 at a time since I've had the issues with my iron levels, but I have been feeling noticeably better.  (YEAH!!!)  My friends are going for 8 tomorrow, so I'll see what the day brings, but either way, it will put me above 20 miles for the week, and it feels so good to be back at that point!!!

And to reward myself tomorrow (we actually did this today too), after our run, Theresa and I will likely jump in her pool!!  Today we just took our sneakers & watches off and jumped in - clothes and all!  It was awesome!!  (Because it was already 80 degrees and super humid by 6:20 when we were done!)  I was finally able to take a shower and get out without still sweating!!!  (Okay maybe that's TMI!!)  :)

Oh, and if you get a chance, stop by my Facebook page today because it's Facebook Fun Friday and I have a fun game going on today!!

Stay cool today everyone!  I will be working on all the fun stuff for my New Catalog Open House tomorrow!!  I'm looking forward to it, so if you are in the area and want to come by for a free make & take, to peek at the new catalog, sign up for clubs, or heck, even to sign up as a demonstrator, please stop by from 10AM - 12Noon!!!  If you can't make it, check back here for some cool photos tomorrow!

Be sure to sign up for my FREE Stampin' Up! e-Newsletter to receive coupons, stamping tips, ideas, and subscriber-only contests!

BFF Scrapbook Page: A Club Project

My clubs have started up again and we met this week.  I wanted to share the layout that the scrapbook clubbers did.  I often share the cards, but I seldom share the layouts, and I really liked this one, so I wanted to show it off!!!

First I have to say it was a collaborative effort because Pam helped me a lot with it!!  I had the idea in my head with the colors and stamp set and even knew the sketch that I wanted to use, but I had nothing done on paper.  All I did was explain it to Pam, show her the sketch and off she went to work on it.

In the end it was exactly what I was looking for (actually I think it was even a little better than that!!  Did you want to see the whole layout??

I know it's really simple, but it leaves lots of room for photos and journaling.  I like the simplicity of it since the focus can be on the photos and not on the embellishments.  It also can work for adults & kids too.  Don't you love those new clothespin clips, though???

So if you are in the northern New Jersey area and are looking for a stamping or scrapbooking group to join, I have 2 more spots left in my club!!  They run for 6 months and you get to take advantage of being the hostess once during the 6 month period - and those new hostess benefits are AWESOME!!!  (My clubbers are really excited about them!!)  To read more about the hostess benefits, click here.  To read more about what happens at club, click here.

Be sure to sign up for my FREE Stampin' Up! e-Newsletter to receive coupons, stamping tips, ideas, and subscriber-only contests!

Calling All Clubbers (and How to Subscribe to my RSS Feed)

It's time for new clubs to start and I am really excited about this year!!  I have a lot of new people interested in my clubs and many who have remained from last year.  They are lucky people those clubbers!!!  Know why?? Because I have LOTS of surprises for them over the next 6 months!!

If you are local to me (which would mean you would probably live in northern NJ), you might want to join, too!!  All you need to do is spend $25/month for 6 months.  One of those months you get to take advantages of the awesome new hostess benefits available through Stampin' Up!  Our clubs will meet typically the 3rd Tuesday and Wednesday of the month, so there is still plenty of time to sign up before we begin!!

If you are wondering what we do in clubs, here is a link to check out: Club Projects. There are 2 options available:

• Stamping Club - each club member will make 2 cards each month.  All the materials are cut & ready for you - just just come, stamp, give me your order, and that's it!!!
• Scrapbook Club - each club member will make one 2-page 12x 12 scrapbook layout each month.  All the materials are cut & ready for you - just just come, stamp, give me your order, and that's it!!!

Now, since so far I have been able to post every day this year (I know it's only 9 days in, but you have to start somewhere!) I want you all to be able to get all my content and not miss anything!  Especially since I will be posting from Salt Lake City next week with news from Convention!!  So, to do that, you can do a couple things.

1. You can just come everyday to www.jenstamps.com and see what's new, OR
2. You can use the RSS feed.  If you know what that means and how to do it, then you don't need to read the rest of what I have written here.  But if you don't, here's a quick tutorial:

Okay, I made it really easy for you!  Look over in my left hand sidebar and you'll see a box that says "Subscribe to My Blog Feed". You can either enter your email address in the box, and it will prompt you to enter the verification word, then it will send you an email that confirms your interest.  Be sure to click on that and you'll start receiving emails when I post (and only when I post!).

OR

You can click on the link that says, "Subscribe in a Reader".  This will bring you to Feedburner, and if you already use a news reader, you an select that and my feed will be added to your reader.  If you do not have a reader, but you use Microsoft Outlook for your email, I would recommend clicking on the "View Feed XML" and then clicking Microsoft Outlook.

If you have any questions or any trouble, please email me.  And remember, the steps above will subscribe you to my blog posts NOT my mailing list and newsletter.  In order to subscribe to my mailing list (where I publish a monthly newsletter packed with project ideas as well as a few other subscriber-only contests, specials, and info!!), click the link at the bottom of this post.

Be sure to sign up for my FREE Stampin' Up! e-Newsletter to receive coupons, stamping tips, ideas, and subscriber-only contests!

 

 

One of These Things is Not Like the Other :)

I think this little owl punch is so cute and when the Sale-a-Bration set, Punch Bunch came out, I was so excited to put them together! 

This card is a sneak peek of one of the cards that my Stamp Club members will make next week.  So if you are a clubber, here is one of the things you have to look forward to!!!  It's the last month of Sale-a-Bration (how did that time go by so fast??), so be sure to place your order today if there is something you want!!!

Here is a full recipe:

• Stamp Set: Punch Bunch
• Ink: Chocolate Chip
• Cardstock: Pear Pizzaz, Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla, Pumpkin Pie
• Accessories: Scallop Border Punch, Owl Punch

Be sure to sign up for my FREE Stampin' Up! e-Newsletter to receive coupons, stamping tips, ideas, and subscriber-only contests!

Build-a-Cupcake on a Card

I love, love, love the new Build-a-Cupcake punch that is in the Occasions Mini Catalog.  I thought I would treat my clubbers to a yummy card made with it, so here is a sneak peek of one of this month's club cards.

The card also uses the Create a Cupcake stamp set.  The cupcake is popped up on dimensionals.  The cherry is made from the Red Glimmer paper which is also in the Occasions Mini.  That paper is also awesome and makes some killer hearts that will be great for Valentine's Day.

Here is a full recipe:

• Stamps: Create a Cupcake
• Ink: Pretty in Pink, Chocolate Chip
• Cardstock: Whisper White, Pink Pirouette, Chocolate Chip, Red Glimmer Paper
• Accessories: Build a Cupcake Punch, Word Window Punch, Modern Label Punch, Big Shot, Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder, Stampin' Dimensionals

I still have some room in my clubs, so if you are interested, please send me an email!  if you are local to Morris County, NJ, this is something you would LOVE!!!

Be sure to sign up for my FREE Stampin' Up! e-Newsletter to receive coupons, stamping tips, ideas, and subscriber-only contests!

 

Be My Valentine Card

This is one of my favorite stamps from the Occasions Mini catalog. (For now.  I'm sure once we get further into the year, my favorites will change!)  It's called Be My Valentine (122045) and it's one of those single stamps at the end of the catalog that you might miss if you didn't know to look for it.  I have made a few cards with it, and so far this is my least favorite, but I was trying to go with a black, white (it's actually Very Vanilla) and pink theme.  Not to create any suspense or anything, but my stamp clubbers will be making a similar-ish (is that a word?) card with Cherry Cobbler, Very Vanilla, and Basic Black and I like that one much better, but hey you can't like it ALL, right???

If you are interested in stamp club, I have just opened another group and have room for 5 more.  If you are local to Morris County, New Jersey and are looking to get out once a month for a little easy stamping or scrapbooking, please email me.  You would LOVE my clubs.  All the details and specifics are here, but really all you need is a desire to have a little fun with a great group of women once a month!!!  (And who doesn't need a little of that??)

Be sure to sign up for my FREE Stampin' Up! e-Newsletter to receive coupons, stamping tips, ideas, and subscriber-only contests!

Stamp Club Sneak Peek: Pirate Halloween

Here's a sneak peek to one of the cards my clubbers will be creating this month.  It was inspired by the Mojo Monday sketch this week, but of course I simplified it A LOT!!!  I was also heavily influenced by Catherine Pooler's sample on the Mojo Monday site.  Catherine is a Stampin' Up! friend of mine, and I like to give credit where credit is due, so a huge thanks to her for the idea!

I realized most of my Halloween & fall stamp sets have retired, and for whatever reason, I didn't order any new ones this year, so I had to get creative and I used this scary pirate and skull from the Beware Pirates set.  I think it works; plus, how can you go wrong when you use the Spider Web embossing folder?  I love that!!  (Okay, I love almost ALL the embossing folders I meet.)

So if you are a clubber, you'll get to make this card tonight or tomorrow.  Looking forward to seeing you!!! (And if you are not a clubber, but live in the NJ area, click here to see how you can join!)

Be sure to check back all week for some more exciting blog posts.  There is a new Stampin' Up! promotion (posted tomorrow) and I'll be posting samples from my 10 Christmas Card Class on November 3 (posted on Thursday), and if all goes well (please keep your fingers crossed), another new video on Friday!! 

Oh, and we're up to Week 4 in the 12 Weeks of Christmas.  The next email comes out tomorrow, but remember you need to be a newsletter subscriber.  Click on the link below to sign up!  It's FREE and totally worth it!

Be sure to sign up for my FREE Stampin' Up! e-Newsletter to receive coupons, stamping tips, ideas - like my 12 Weeks of Christmas currently going on, and subscriber-only contests!

Looking for a Few Good Clubbers

If you are in the Morris County, NJ area and would like to purchase your Stampin' Up! products on a budget, I NEED YOU!  I am looking for a few good club members to complete a club that will start later this month!

I run two clubs and you can actually join either one.  Both clubs meet at the same times so you can be in one and your friend can be in another and you can still come together!  Club Nights are two different nights each month and you can pick which one works best for you and that can change month to month!!  Minimum purchase per month is $25 and the club will run for 6 months.  (The club that starts this month will end in March, so you'll get to take advantage of 3 months of Sale-a-Bration!!!)

• Stamping Club - each club member will make 2 cards each month.  All the materials are cut & ready for you - just just come, stamp, give me your order, and that's it!!!
• Scrapbook Club - each club member will make one 2-page 12x 12 scrapbook layout each month.  All the materials are cut & ready for you - just just come, stamp, give me your order, and that's it!!!

If you are interested in either club or know someone who is, please email me.  Club Nights this month are October 19 & 20!  For more information on the specifics of my clubs, click here.

Be sure to sign up for my FREE Stampin' Up! e-Newsletter to receive coupons, stamping tips, ideas - like my 12 Weeks of Christmas currently going on, and subscriber-only contests!