SPRING FEVER!

Spring Fever is contagious!!

Purchase Petals Jumbo Roller, Polka Dots & Paisley set, and Petals and Paisleys Designer paper for $34.95 and get ANY item in the Spring Mini Catalog for 50% off!!

Background Stamps are the Best!

1. With the background stamp face up, ink the stamp completely by tapping the ink pad on the rubber.
2. Place the background stamp face up on your stamping surface.
3. Place the card stock on the inked stamp.
4. If the card stock is smaller than the stamp, cover the card stock with a piece of scratch paper.
5. Rub the card stock with smooth, firm strokes, making sure to rub all areas of the stamp and to keep the card stock from sliding.
6. Remove the scratch paper and carefully lift the card stock off the stamp.

QUICK TIP
Create a multicolored background by applying two or more inks to the background stamp.



Our Marvelous Markers!

Technique A: Multiple Colors

1. Use a marker to apply ink only to the desired parts of the image.
2. Add other colors if desired.
3. Breathe on the inked image to remoisten the ink with your breath before stamping onto paper.

Technique B: Omitting

1. To omit a certain part of a stamp image, use a marker to apply ink only to the desired parts of the image.
2. Breathe on the inked image to remoisten the ink with your breath before stamping onto paper.

QUICK TIP
Use a Stamp-a-ma-jig stamp positioner if you want to perfectly align the overlay image.

I Love to Doodle

Some people consider doodling a nervous habit, but I think it's fun to doodle. I have been doodling for years. Do you ever find yourself bored while sitting at a meeting? -- start doodling it's fun and contagious too.

The new Doodle This and Doodle That stamps in Stampin Ups Spring Mini catalog are fabulous. They can work for many different occasions. Here are some samples I was playing around with today. Both backgrounds were heat embossed with black embossing powder. (make sure you use your embossing buddy for this type of detail work) The sentiments "Congratulations" and "Thank You" were done on the computer with a digital font call TK Doodle by Taran Conyers. It's really easy to load a new font onto your computer and once its there it there. It is available at www.scrapbookgrahics.com for $4.00.

Remember doodling is kind of random with no real set rules. So just start and have fun with it.

Hope you have a Doodlie Day :)

St. Patty's Day in Chicago

No matter your heritage, everyone in Chicago on St. Patrick's Day is full of Irish blood, blarney, and green beer. Chicago's St. Patrick's Day parade is certainly the biggest and liveliest in town, filled with thousands of marchers, colorful floats, marching bands, bagpipers, and glad-handing politicians.

Festivities started with the dyeing of the Chicago River green at 10:45 am, a tradition that started in 1962. Dubbed the "Irish miracle", the dye used actually goes in the river orange, and as some say, gets a leprechaun's help to then turn into its true shade of kelly green. Any of the bridges that cross the river on the north side of the Loop offer a good view -- those at LaSalle, State, or Dearborn are a good bet, with Michigan and Columbus being the best.

These pictures were taken in my backyard at Columbus and Wacker and you can see Trump's building rising in the background.

Spring Cards

These are the three cards we made at our March stamp camp. The theme was "Spring".

The Hoppy Easter card (upper left) was stamped with Bunny, basket, eggs and flowers from the Spring Mini called "Bunny Hugs". Used computer font for "Hoppy Easter", colored pencils for bunny, eggs, basket, flowers and added a cute fluffy tail on the bunny with a small white puff. Stamped small chicks on the outsie of the envlope (not shown).

The second card (upper right)is a spinner card . The base card is torquoise blue and uses Polka Dots and Petals from the Spring Mini Catalog .

This green "Spring" card was super simple. Big Blossoms from the Spring Mini and Heidi Grace paper with rik rak. All the pieces were chalked on the ends. Used computer font for "Spring" and then oval punched and adhered to the card. this was a great beginners card and introduced chalking technique.

Check out the Spring Mini

Gearing up for Spring & Summer classes!

Grace and I have been asked back to Latin School and artSCAPE - Come join us!!

Here are the details...

We are teaching at artScape http://www.artscapechicago.org/

Card Making
Learn how to make gorgeous one-of-a-kind handcrafted cards. This class will focus on beginning paper crafting techniques and rubberstamping.

Artists: Grace Moore and Elizabeth Johnston

Course Fee: $39

Wednesday, May 2nd & May 9th
6:30-8:30
66 E. Randolph
Room 503

REGISTRATION IS OPEN


Latin School will be Tuesday, July 17th & July 24th 6-9pm. Registration will open up in May - we will keep you posted.

Catch the Fever!

Spring Fever Promotion

March only, receive 50% OFF any one item from the new Stampin'Up! Spring Mini Catalog!


Here's how:

Purchase the Polka Dots & Paisley Bundle (item # 109145, $34.85) and receive 50% OFF any one item of your choice from the Spring Mini Catalog.

The Polka Dots & Paisley Bundle includes:

• Polka Dots & Paisley stamp set
• Petals Jumbo wheel
• Petals & Paisley Designer Series Paper

What better way to bring in spring!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Did you know..

• In the United States, it's customary to wear green on St. Patrick's Day. But in Ireland the color was long considered to be unlucky, says Bridget Haggerty, author of The Traditional Irish Wedding and the Irish Culture and Customs Web site.

• According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 34 million United States residents claim Irish ancestry, or nearly ten times the entire population of Ireland today, which stands at 3.9 million. Among U.S. ethnic groups, the number of Irish-Americans in the U.S. is second only to the number of German-Americans. That would be me :)

• Chicago is famous for dyeing the Chicago River green on St. Patrick's Day. The tradition began in 1962, when a pipe fitters union—with the permission of the mayor—poured a hundred pounds (45 kilograms) of green vegetable dye into the river. (On the job, the workers often use colored dyes to track illegal sewage dumping.) Today only 40 pounds (18 kilograms) of dye are used, enough to turn the river green for several hours. According to the Friends of the Chicago River, a local environmental group, more people are likely to view the Chicago River on St. Patrick's Day than on any other day.

Auction Project with a Great Class

This week I had the pleasure of working on an auction project with a 5th grade class at Alcott School. They are such a great group of kids and their art work is quite impressive. They decorated three mirrors with "Hear No Evil", "See No Evil" and "Speak No Evil" monkeys. They did an awesome job and I wanted to share their projects with you. Thanks Ms. V. for sharing your class with me. Take a moment to check out their cool mirrors. I am definitely going to bid on this at the auction!

They inspired me to make a set of my own mirrors which I will post on Monday. Have a Great Weekend.

Cool Sentiment

I found my notes from our Disney Vacation. Yes, I take notes so that when I scrapbook I can use them to bring thoughts, feelings and sentiments to the pages. It's not quite like a diary, but there are many items I do quickly jot down for my future reference. Here is one that I jotted down when we were at the Harambi Wildlife Reserve in Animal Kingdom

"What you see with your eyes. . .

You should treasure with your heart"

This sentiment is true not only of nature but of art. So the next time someone gives you something that is handmade, consider the time and effort involved in making the item and treasure it with your heart.

Spring is in the Air!

Friday was a beautiful day in Chicago. You could feel Spring is on it's way and stamp camp was alot fun. It was great to see many of our friends from previous card classes and we even had 2 new guests too. Our theme for this camp was "Think Spring". We made two spring cards and one Easter card. I am always amazed how many people immediately mail there cards, I think I will start selling postage stamps :) LOL
I don't know how about you, but many of the cards I make I save. I really need to send more so that others' can enjoy them.

Hope you enjoy these cards. Have a great week.

Like No Udder

This was such a cute card that I CaSEd :) from Laura at http://inkydinkydoo.blogspot.com












Here is how she did it:

Masking Tutorial

Masking is a great technique for creating scenes on your cards. The basic idea is to stamp the front images first and then move your way backwards, by masking off the front images. It doesn't take a lot of time, but you do have to be careful when creating your mask.

Here's what you need: Stamp-a-ma-jig, imaging sheet, stamps, post it notes, micro-tip scissors, ink and paper.

First stamp your images on the post it notes, making sure you stamp them over the sticky edge.





















Cut out your masks, being careful to cut right on the line or even slightly inside it. This is THE most important step to successful masking. If you cut out the image and leave a space outside of the line, you will have a "halo" around your image.

(Note: I only had to make sure the top of the cow was cut out, because that was the only part that needed to be covered.)




















Start stamping the images you want in the very front of the focal piece.






























Using your stamp-a-ma-jig line up the first image in your second row (or the next one back in your picture).

I only made 3 masks of the cow, so I needed to move them as I worked my way across.

Once you have all you images in place, remove your masks. Some people save them by putting them on top of the sticker on the back of the wood block. Personally I don't think it takes too long to cut them out, so I don't save mine.








Color your image!

CardMaking 101 - Latin School

Class begins on Tuesday! Grace and I are gearing up and we are SO excited. Here is a card we are making in the 2nd part of the series - It was so much fun to make and it uses the Big Blossom Sell-a-bration set!

There is still time to sign up!

http://www.latinschool.org/liveandlearn/

Happiness Always

Happy Harmony card

Stamps

• Happy Harmony stamp set (2007 Sell-a-Bration Set)

Paper

• Certainly Celery card stock
• Whisper White card stock
• Apricot Appeal card stock

Ink

• Stampin Up Black StazOn

Markers

• Regal Rose Stampin' Write marker
• Certainly Celery Stampin' Write marker

Stampin' Up! Accessories

• Dimensionals
• Rose Grosgrain Ribbon
  
• Stickles Glitter (non-SU)
  

Join the party. Be a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator!

There is no better time than Sell-A-Bration to become a Stampin' Up! demonstrator! And until February 28, you can take advantage of the exciting new $99 Mini Starter Kit as an alternative offering to our standard $199 Starter Kit.

The money-saving Mini Starter Kit is ideal for long-time crafters who already have stamping supplies, and just need business supplies to get going in their Stampin' Up! business.

New Mini Starter Kit ($99) Limited time offer. Available only until February 28, 2007. Perfect for long time crafters with current Stampin' Up! products. Has all the business essentials included in the standard Starter Kit. Free Polka Dots & Paisley stamp set (a $17.95 value).

Standard Starter Kit ($199) Comes with all the essential stamping and business supplies needed to start a business from the ground up. Free Polka Dots & Paisley stamp set (a $17.95 value). Free $39.95 stamp set of your choice from the Idea Book and Catalog (during Sell-A-Bration only).

Come and experience all the fun, friendship, and opportunity that comes when you share your creativity as a Stampin' Up! demonstrator!

Cards, Cards, Cards!!

I got my Winter Mini and Sell-a-bration sets delivered this past Friday and I was busy making cards. Here are a few of them! The pear cards use a stamp I bought at Stamp On In in Lincoln Park.

Stamp Camp - Valentine's Cards

Well we had our 4th Stamp Camp!!! We had 2 new attendees - welcome Tracy and Gail!!! Thank you to Gina for introducing them to our papercrafting and stamp camp. Here is 1 of the cards we made. Grace will upload the other 2 cards we made.

Stampin' Up! Is Going to New Zealand!

We are thrilled to announce that Stampin' Up! will open for business in New Zealand beginning April 1, 2007. While the final details are still being put in place, New Zealanders can expect to see the Stampin' Up! Customer Web Site in mid-February.

Big Changes! Semi-Annual Catalog Announced

Double the excitement, Double the Fun

Stampin' Up! has announced a new catalog program. The new program, which begins July 2007, includes releasing a new Idea Book & Catalog twice a year instead of once a year, allows them to offer new products more often. The new program also affects the mini catalog schedule; mini catalogs will be offered twice a year as well. ,

Because of this change, SU will not be offering a Summer Mini Catalog; therefore, the sales period for the Spring Mini Catalog has been extended to June 30.

Sell-A-Bration 2007

Happy New Year!!!

Join the Sell-A-Bration!

It's Sell-A-Bration time again at Stampin' Up! and free product is what it's all about!

Every year Stampin' Up! gives customers the opportunity to earn fantastic FREE limited edition stamp sets they'll enjoy for years to come. And as an exciting twist to Sell-A-Bration 2007, they have also included an exclusive Simply Scrappin' kit as an additional Sell-A-Bration reward option.


Here's how Sell-A-Bration works:


* When you spend $50 on Stampin' Up! merchandise, you'll receive a free Sell-A-Bration reward. There's no limit-for every $50 you spend, you can select another free Sell-A-Bration reward.

http://www.stampinup.com/us/enu/7292.asp

artscape Chicago - Cardmaking Classes

Hello Stampers -

Grace and I would like to share with you about another class we are teaching this coming winter.

artScape Chicago, a partnership between Harold Washington College and the Gallery 37 Center for the Arts offers adults stimulating and encouraging creative classes and environments to explore creative interests, talents, hobbies and possibilities. artScape classes, all held in the Gallery 37 Center for the Arts, are affordable and vary in topic from photography to knitting, painting to Pilates and one-day workshops to career-artists development. You are sure to find the perfect creative class for you!

Card Making
Event Information

http://www.g37centerforthearts.org/calendar/view/card-making-1

Date: Wednesday, Feb 21, 2007 to Wednesday, Feb 28, 2007

Time: 6:30 - 8:30 pm

Location: G37 Center for the Arts, Rm 503
66 E. Randolph
Chicago, IL 60601
Phone: 312.742.8497

Fee: $59

Learn how to make gorgeous one-of-a-kind handcrafted cards. This class will focus on beginning paper crafting techniques and rubberstamping.

ALSO

http://www.g37centerforthearts.org/calendar/view/card-making-2

Date: Saturday, Feb 24, 2007 to Saturday Mar 3, 2007

Time: 2:30 - 4:30 pm

Location: G37 Center for the Arts, room 119
66 E. Randolph
Chicago, IL 60601
Phone: 312.742.8497

Fee: $59

Learn how to make gorgeous one-of-a-kind handcrafted cards. This class will focus on beginning paper crafting techniques and rubberstamping.




Contact Information
artScape chicago
312.744.9976

Stampin' Up!'s Holidays at Half-Off Promotion!

Dear Stampers,

Just a reminder...


Stampin' Up! is offering six selected stamps sets at 50% off their regular price when you make a $30 purchase.

We have attached a flyer to this e-mail with details about the half-off stamp sets. Check out the flyer, or just give us a call for more details or to place your order.

You can also check out the stamps sets in our http://catalogs.shoplocal.com/stampinup/index.aspx?pagename=shopmain&fsid=9ae3e67e-2c6a-4668-8d94-b35279dbc1c8&storeid=1038724&circularid=8778

Our new Winter Mini:


http://catalogs.shoplocal.com/stampinup/index.aspx?pagename=shopmain&fsid=3425f0ae-1084-471e-b185-d884a199d339&storeid=1038724&circularid=9554

We look forward to hearing from you soon!


Elizabeth & Grace
stampingonthelakefront@gmail.com
773-544-9787

Latin School - Cardmaking 101 Classes

Hello Stampers -

Grace and I would like to share with you about one of the classes we are teaching this coming winter.

132 Cardmaking 101
Your own greeting cards can be original works of art! Let ELIZABETH JOHNSTON and GRACE MOORE of Stamping on the Lakefront, teach you how to make beautiful, one-of-a-kind handcrafted cards for birthdays, holidays, or any occasion. The class will focus on beginning paper crafting techniques and rubberstamping. After viewing dozens of card ideas, you will make eight cards that will be your very own creations. To view the instructors' cards, e-mail stampingonthelakefront@gmail.com to request a portfolio.

Location: Latin Upper School, 59 W. North Blvd.
Instructor: Elizabeth Johnston & Grace Moore
Course Fee: $50
Date: Tue, Jan 30 & Feb 6, 2007
Time: 6:30-8:30 pm

http://www.latinschool.org/liveandlearn/register/

The Winter Catalogue is now online!

http://www.latinschool.org/liveandlearn/winter.html

Winter 2007 Live and Learn Live & Learn is an adult education program coordinated by The Latin School of Chicago. More than 700 courses are offered to approximately 6,000 students throughout the year in four different sessions, with more than 250 classes offered during the larger fall and spring sessions. Enjoy exciting evening and weekend classes in everything from cooking to rollerblading and personal finance to languages. Instructors - often the leading experts on a topic - generously donate their time and effort to create wonderful opportunities for you.

Sign up today, and you'll know why Live & Learn has been a leader in Chicago's adult education community for nearly 30 years!

Funds raised by the Live & Learn program help to support financial aid and faculty grant programs.

To receive a catalog by mail, call (312) 582-6035, e-mail liveandlearn@latinschool.org or fax your request to (312) 582-6036. Please include your address and phone number with area code.

Christmas Cards 2006

Well they are FINALLY done - okay so they are almost all out the door - a few tweaks and then they are FINALLY done. I made close to 50 and here are the 13 designs - Enjoy!

Latin School - Cardmaking 101 Classes

Hello Stampers -

Grace and I would like to share with you about one of the classes we are teaching this coming winter. Today is the 1st day of signing up and the slots go fast!

132 Cardmaking 101
Your own greeting cards can be original works of art! Let ELIZABETH JOHNSTON and GRACE MOORE of Stamping on the Lakefront, teach you how to make beautiful, one-of-a-kind handcrafted cards for birthdays, holidays, or any occasion. The class will focus on beginning paper crafting techniques and rubberstamping. After viewing dozens of card ideas, you will make eight cards that will be your very own creations. To view the instructors' cards, e-mail stampingonthelakefront@gmail.com to request a portfolio.

Location: Latin Upper School, 59 W. North Blvd.
Instructor: Elizabeth Johnston & Grace Moore
Course Fee: $50
Date: Tue, Jan 30 & Feb 6, 2007
Time: 6:30-8:30 pm

http://www.latinschool.org/liveandlearn/register/

The Winter Catalogue is now online!

http://www.latinschool.org/liveandlearn/winter.html

Winter 2007 Live and Learn Live & Learn is an adult education program coordinated by The Latin School of Chicago. More than 700 courses are offered to approximately 6,000 students throughout the year in four different sessions, with more than 250 classes offered during the larger fall and spring sessions. Enjoy exciting evening and weekend classes in everything from cooking to rollerblading and personal finance to languages. Instructors - often the leading experts on a topic - generously donate their time and effort to create wonderful opportunities for you.

Sign up today, and you'll know why Live & Learn has been a leader in Chicago's adult education community for nearly 30 years!

Funds raised by the Live & Learn program help to support financial aid and faculty grant programs.

To receive a catalog by mail, call (312) 582-6035, e-mail liveandlearn@latinschool.org or fax your request to (312) 582-6036. Please include your address and phone number with area code.

Holidays at Half-Off Promotion

Have you made your list? Have you checked it twice? Stampin' Up!'s got a deal that's nice!

If you still haven't finished your holiday shopping, or just want to give a little gift to yourself, you won't want to miss this opportunity to get beautiful Stampin' Up! stamps at half off their regular price! Perfect for gift giving, Stampin' Up! is offering six selected stamps sets at 50 percent off their regular price when you make a $30 purchase.

If you want your stamps to arrive in time for Christmas, make sure you order them early. Orders placed before December 15 should arrive in time for Christmas. Orders placed after this date may experience holiday shipping delays.



Love Ya Bunches
Promotional Price $8.98
Page 80

Rough Edges Alphabets
Promotional Price $8.98
Page 197

Merry
Promotional Price $11.48
Page 49

Tag Time
Promotional Price $13.48
Page 24

Mini Mates
Promotional Price $14.98
Page 62

Sketch It
Promotional Price $17.48
Page 25

We'll look forward to hearing from you soon!