Great Savings Available!

Want to get some terrific Stampin' Up! supplies at a great discount?  Of course you do!  Be sure to check out the Clearance Rack at my online store and see all the fabulous items available!  There are so many great items available, all at a considerable discount. The punches are an especially great value, in my opinion.  They are the old style "whale tale" punches, but the shapes are all current and work just as well as the current "flat" style.

Punches are a great way to easily add some pizazz and dimension to your projects.  I often use a scallop circle as a small "gift tag" on a package.  It looks great, and if you don't have time to stamp, you can just punch a hole, tie a ribbon through it, and write "to" and "from". At under $10 a punch, these add value to your stamping collection.

Remember, clearance rack orders must be placed on line, and cannot be part of a workshop.
If you take advantage of the clearance rack now, your purchases will eligible for a free sale-a-bration item with each $50 you spend.

I can't wait to see what you choose to order!

:-) Miriam

I have spent the past few days working on a new "brand" name.  I have bought a domain with an easy to remember, very catchy title!  I am super excited about this and will share the news once I have the website set up.  For now, please continue to come to this site to shop or leave comments.  I love to hear from you! This is a big challenge for me as I am not a "techie" person and am trying to do all the set up work myself.  Take care everyone, I am looking forward to having a bigger and better presence on the web; and getting back to sharing my samples with you!
:-) Miriam

Sketch Challege Card: CCMC191

I am so excited to be participating in my first ever public color challenge.  The challenge, from the Create with Connie and Mary Blog, was to create a card using: island indigo, wild wasabi, and so saffron.  I knew these colors would look great together and got excited to play along.  I have been enjoying the "Send Me Soaring" stamp set from the Occasions Mini and decided it would be great with these colors.  The sentiment is from the Outlined Occasions stamp I got free - and so can you! - from Sale-A-Bration.
Enjoy!
:-) Miriam

I've been having fun making Bat Mitzvah cards with the Shalom Sayings stamp set.  I have collected all the retired Jewish Stampin' Up! sets that I am aware of, but today I wanted to see what I could do using only current products. The printed paper is the hostess cheerful treat dsp.  Colors are melon mambo; pink pirouette, and lucky limeade.

Bar Mitzvah Cards

My nephew will be celebrating his Bar Mitzvah in Israel next month.  I made two cards.  The traditional one for my mom to give him (below) and the top one will be from me. It's very non-tradional, but I like the fun, celebratory feel from the "send me soaring" stamp set shown here coupled with the Just Add Cake dsp.

Enjoy!

:-) Miriam

Embellished Heart Sachet

I was inspired by my very talented friend and fellow demonstrator, Mercedes Weber, to embellish my heart sachet a bit more.  After looking at one of her samples mine looked positively naked.  That was quickly cured with a double faux bow and a vintage brad.  Much better, don't you think?!
:-) Miriam

Easy Peasy Heart Sachet

My son is finally fever free, after six days  - hooray!  We are still laying low at home, though, as neither of us is feeling too great.  I have spent a couple more days playing with MDS and ordered a few downloads.  This morning I wanted to do something tactile, however, and created this very simple heart sachet!  I used the scalloped heart from the new hearts collection framelets dies, and cut through two pieces of springtime vintage fabric (one at a time).  Then I hand stitched a running stitch all around the two front sides, back to back, adding a loop of ribbon as shown. I left an opening and stuffed it with some fiber fill.  I also crushed up half a cinnamon stick and added that to the middle of the stuffing, to give it a good smell.  Ta Da! A very quick and easy hand made little gift.

I Hope you are having a great week and that this little nugget inspires you to get out your own craft project.

:-) Miriam

My MDS creations

 (repost from 2/19/12)

Now that I've (hopefully) gotten you interested in My Digital Studio, I will show you some of the things I've created over the past two days. top: cover for a family recipe "easel style" book. Second: thank you e-mail to a customer for an on-line order.
Third: a cover for a "gratitude journal".  Last: a birthday card.

I can choose to print them at home or use Stampin' Up!'s professional printing service.  All purchases count towards a sale-a-bration freebie, which is awesome. But the best part is how fun it is to "create" on the computer.

:-) Miriam
computer.  

MDS Fun

(repost from 2/19/12)

I have been home with a sick child for the last several days and have taken the opportunity to play around with My Digital Studio.  For those of you who may not be familiar with mds, it is Stampin' Up!'s digital software program.  I have seen people make the most amazing scrapbook pages, cards, blog headers, and more with this program.  I have had mds for over a year and a half, and I have been the first one to admit that I have NOT had that type of success.  All I can say is that I truly have had a major mental breakthrough, and I suddenly LOVE mds!

Also, while this sounds too coincidental to be true, (but I swear it is!) Stampin' Up! is now offering a 30 day free trial of My Digital Studio express, as a computer download.  All you do is go to my online store, enter order #129600, and you will be able to download the software for free.  I will be happy to schedule a time to help you get started with a free introductory class.  I can come to your house, you can come to mine, or we can even chat over the phone as we both look at our computers.

Give it a try, you have nothing to lose.  For real.

:-) Miriam

Valentines Class teenagers table

(repost from 2/15/12)

 These were the cards I designed for the "big kids" and teenagers who attended my kids valentine making event.  There was plenty of stamping and punching available so the kids could really be creative and express themselves.  The base of these valentines are the whisper white notecards available in the big catalog (IBC).  They are 3 1/2" by 5", and with 20 cards and envelopes selling for just $5.95, they are a low cost way to get started making professional looking cards.

That's it for the kids valentines. Check back tomorrow to see what else I've been working on!

:-) Miriam

Kids Valentines Class table 2 cards

(repost from 2/15/12) 

This table offered another option for 3" by 3" valentines. These cards are made with Sweet Shop designer series paper, and the in-colors: calypso coral, wisteria wonder, and pool party.  The greetings are from the Sweet Cake stamp set and stamped in chocolate chip ink.  The dsp and stamp set are from the Occasions mini.  I am absolutely loving this paper!  It coordinates SO well with the in-colors, and is perfect for birthday cards or other happy occasions.

This table appealed most to the "tween" girls who attended.

:-) Miriam

Kids Valentine Class table 1 cards (repost from 2/15/12)

 Sunday's kids valentines making workshop was so much fun!  There were ten kids there, ranging in age from preschool through 8th grade.  I had three tables set up with different card samples and supplies, and the kids were each able to find the table where they were most comfortable and began their creative process.  These kids were all so engaged in making valentines that they kept busy for at least an hour and a half before taking a break for cookies and lemonade/ milk.  The moms had fun hanging out while their kids kept busy.   These are samples of the valentines I had at the first table, where the youngest kids spent the most time. The kids were free to use the materials however they liked, and they came up with so many creative ideas!

Check back tomorrow to see the samples from the second table.

:-) Miriam

Happy Valentines Day! (repost from 2/14/12)

 How is your Valentines Day going so far?  I am having a quiet day at home to catch up on my blog entries (and maybe sneak some house work in there, too.)  Steven and I will have a rare, quiet evening at home, with both the kids busy with their activities.

These are the valentines that our Thursday stamping group made last week.  The one on the left is a "lift the flap" card using the "peek-a-boo frames" die with the big shot.  The inside says "like you just the way you are" with hearts. The stamp set, "sprinkled expressions", is one of the FREE sets available in during sale-a-bration with each $50 spent.

The middle card features the fabulous stamp set "sweet cake" and "sweet shop" designer series paper - both from the occasions mini.  I am loving this set and the designer series paper.  It goes so well with this year's in-colors, which will be here next year as well.

The third card is one of the "designer cuts" cards, also in the Occasions mini.  It comes with the heart beautifully die cut; all you have to do is embellish as desired! These cards are a bargain as well, at only $9.95 for eight die cut cards with blushing bride envelopes.  The set includes four of the heart design cards, which are great for weddings or anniversary cards, and four of a more neutral, but just as beautiful floral design.

Have a great Valentines Day!

I have lots of valentines and other cards to share with you, so I am going to space them out over the coming week.  Check back each day to see what's new!

Miriam

February Already! (repost from 2/8/12)

 Hi friends,

I am so excited about all the fun new products in the Occasions Mini, as well as the great (free!!!) items available for sale-a-bration which is going on NOW!

This is a great time to host a workshop, as you not only receive the regular hostess benefits, but you get lots of extra freebies, too.  And if you are interested in joining my team and starting your own Stampin' Up! business - this is a great time for that, too.

Stay tuned for pictures from my upcoming Valentines events.  My Thursday club will be making Valentines this week - and I am hosting my second annual kids valentine making class Sunday, February 12 from 2 - 4 which is sure to be a lot of fun.

Like my Facebook page at www.facebook/stampinwithmiriam for more updates and photos, too.  If you can't directly link from this blog, please copy and paste the address into your browser.

Happy Valentines Day!

Miriam

Punch-A-Palooza (repost from 12/6/11

These are the three cards we will be making at my house this Thursday - 10 a.m. to noon.  (This month we are meeting the second Thursday  instead of the third.)

I often enjoy designing my own cards, but this month I was so impressed and inspired by some other creative people, that I couldn't wait to CASE* their projects and share them with you!  I got the idea for the farm card from a tutorial by Dawn Mills on "u-stamp with Dawn and Friends" knock out punches series.  The glimmer ornament card was inspired by a u-tube video from a fellow demonstrator, Kay Kalthoff. Finally, Martina Blair was kind enough to share her template for the star quilt card on our demonstrator website.

I had so much fun making these cards and I hope you enjoy them, too!

*CASE = copy and share everything, a fundamental Stampin' Up! principle

:-) Miriam



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Stampin' Up! Extravaganza Sale!!! (repost from 11/21/11

Be sure not to miss the huge Stampin' Up! sale going on RIGHT NOW!  Two items are on sale today only.  The rest will be on sale until November 30th.  Go to my website store and click on "extravaganza" to see the items.  You need to click on the item to see the sale price.  You can order directly from my website and have it shipped to you.  You can also add items from the clearance rack on an online order.  You can also email me your order or call me: 650-302-0610.
Please pass the news on to all your friends and give them my website address:  www.miriam.stampinup.net

Easy Gift Tags Workshop (repost from 11/11/11)

 I had a fun workshop yesterday morning.  The hostess requested a holiday theme and a "thinking of you" card.  I came up  two cards and these three gift tags that are SO easy and fun to make.

All the stamps are from the "tags til Christmas" stamp set from the main catalog.  We used the ticket corner punch on the top two corners of both layers of card stock, and the 1/2 circle punch for an extra pop of color before punching the hole.  Each image has a coordinating punch, but we kept it simple.  Don't they look cute?  Colors: really red; pacific point; early espresso and whisper white.

Paisley Petals (repost from 11/11/11)

 This is the "thinking of you" card from yesterday's workshop.  I used one inch strips of paisley petals designer series paper for the background.  The ribbon is baja breeze seam binding.  The sentiment is from "herbal expressions".  Decorative label punch and some pearls.  Colors: not quite navy and river rock.

DIY Holiday Wreath (repost from 10/29/11)

 
This wreath is a hostess gift for an upcoming workshop.  It was so fun and easy to make, and very inexpensive, as well.
Notice all the buttons?  I made them myself out of card stock and some crystal effects!  It was so much fun!  I am having a wreath making class at my house on Saturday, November 19th from 2 - 5 p.m. Check my website calendar for more details.My Events It will be lots of fun!
Here is a close up of the buttons:

Bells and Boughs

 This is a very simple card made with the Bells and Boughs Stamp Set.  I kept it very plain with just outline stamping in Old Olive, and a tiny bit of Cherry Cobbler marker on the bells.  I used the new quilted ribbon from the holiday mini, as well.  I ordered this set in Spanish so I would have a nice "Feliz Navidad" stamp.  I used the "Merry Christmas" greeting from the "Four the Holidays" stamp set.  Background is very vanilla.
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free big shot!

This amazing promotion has been extended until November 11th! Contact me to take advantage of this incredible offer.

The TOP FIVE reasons you will LOVE being a Stampin' Up! demonstrator:
1)  Receive an automatice 20% discount on everything you buy!
2)  Be among the first to find out about new products and promotions.
3)  Access to fabulous creative resources, including a demonstrator only website   and a monthly magazine filled with great ideas.
4)  The opportunity to buy new products 30 days before customers.
5)  Low minimum order requirements. Just $300 per quarter! Easy to achieve by       holding just one or two workshops per quarter. 



 

torn

I have never been a big fan of the torn paper look on a card, and this is the first time I have used the technique.  I actually really like the way it turned out!  I made this card for my daughter.  I'll be curious to hear what she thinks of it since it is so different from my usual style.

Details:

 I started with the retired "irish Blessing" background stamp, since she really likes that verse.  I stamped the background  in chocolate chip on naturals white card stock.  I stamped the three flowers (from "simply soft" hostess set) in stazon, and added some color by water coloring a little with a not quite navy water color wonder crayon and an aqua painter.

I liked the look, but was struck with the idea that the edges needed to be torn.  Once I started I kept going, until most of the background was torn away. I mounted that on a tilted rectangle of old olive that I had stamped with a flower from "raining flowers".  The card base is not quite navy embossed with the "flower garden" embossing folder. Some hemp twine with a vintage brad finished it off.  I stamped the "sending you love", from the "easy events" stamp set, in old olive onto old olive card stock.  I cut that out  free hand and added it as the final touch.

Happy stamping,

Miriam