Before the second month of new year begins, I wanted to take one last look back at 2011.  As I perused the projects of the last year here at ink and inspirations, I decided to pick out my top 5 favorite posts and list them here for you...in no particular order:

• Love the vintage look so it was hard to pick just one but HERE is one of my favorites.
• My favorite home decor items to create are banners and HERE is a patriotic one.
• HERE is a fun gift item...a bookmark created with a beautiful Beveled Windowpane.
• Lots of videos posted but THIS ONE gives a great tip on an fun way to use a certain punch!
• I really have enjoyed sharing through my online classes, Mainly Manly Cards, and Inkspiration Classroom both which debuted this year.

I hope you enjoyed this trip down memory lane!  Did you have a special favorite in 2011?  Looking forward to sharing more Stampin' Up! projects, tutorials, and classes in my 6th year as a demonstrator!

Stampin' Up Treat Cups. Love 'em. But, don't want them to be the cause of a mangled card, right? 

There are lots of how-tos on the subject of Treat Cups but I wanted to share this video that I made in response to a customer question regarding the closure for these cute elements...my version. :)  

Treat Cups are available in the 1 3/4" Circle or the Full Heart shape. 

Other supplies used here:

• Everyday Enchantment Designer Paper- Available as a Sale-A-Bration item. Earn one FREE with each $50 in product purchase.*

• Everyday Enchantment Ribbon and Brad Bundle- Also available as a Sale-A-Bration item. Earn one FREE with each $50 in product purchase.*

• Outlined Occasions Stamp Set- Also available as a Sale-A-Bration item. Earn one FREE with each $50 in product purchase.*

* Earn one (1) Sale-A-Bration item with each $50 in product purchased.

You can shop online, 24/7, in my Online Store.

Stampin' Up! Tutorial- Treat Cup Tips

Another step taken in my digital scrapbooking project for 2012, A Day in the Life and My Digital Studio.  I am having a blast with this and love that I am creating memory keeping documentation along the way. 

Day in the Life - 128876

It's already a lot of fun looking back over the pages I've completed.  No rules, no have-to's.  Just using photos snapped from my iPhone and incorporating these into an easy-to-use digital crafting program.

I checked in with one of my customers who recently purchased the My Digital Studio program.
Terry H. says, "It's so easy to use!  Tell everyone that if I can use it, they can, too!"

Check out the details on My Digital Studio here.  It may be just what you're looking for to preserve those memories!

Sympathy cards can be difficult to make.  This is one I created for a dear friend who recently lost her mother.  I chose delicate and dainty elements using the Paper Doily Sizzlits Die, the Labels Framelits-125598, and these tiny roses . 

I love the sentiments in the Thoughts and Prayers-113252 stamp set and used it here and on the inside of the card. For the background, I've used some papers from my Subtles Patterns Designer Paper Stack -117152.  Love that collection...wish I had it in every color family!
It's nice to have supplies on hand to create cards to send your heartfelt sentiments. You can get your card making supplies here in the online store.
Thank you for shopping with me!

Look who's holding the biggest trophy. 

Hair a little longer...

Suit a little shorter...

These ladies are all beautiful but the one who's holding the prize is the gal who dared to be different. 

She is the one who woke up that morning and said, "I'm going for it!"

She is a woman who makes us sit up and take notice.

This woman is in each of us.

Show her to the world.

I did when I became a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator to share my passion of paper crafting with others.

Even though my choice was questioned...
Even when no one took me seriously...

No one is questioning now!

Join me!

Stampin' Up!...go for it!

Here's a quick and easy Valentine treat idea using the Stampin' Up! Blossom Punch!
Get yourself a bag of Tootsie Roll pops and this punch, watch the video, and then roll 'em out in no time!  The kids can help, too! 
Take a look and order your Blossom Punch HERE in the Online Store.

Stampin' Up! Quick and Easy Valentine Treat Tutorial; Order Supplies Here

Stampin' Up!'s biggest event of the year begins today!
Sale-A-Bration is here! 

FREE Sale-A-Bration Gifts!

• From now through March 31,2012, earn a FREE Sale-A-Bration gift for every $50 you spend on Stampin' Up! product...no limit!  If your order is $100 in product total before tax and shipping, you get TWO Gifts FREE, and so on.  
• Spend $150 or more on your Online Order and receive THREE FREE Gift items as well as Stampin' Rewards for FREE product from any catalog! (--->What are Stampin' Rewards?)
• Items from the Clearance Rack can be included in your online order and add to your total!

Click on the catalog image below to see the FREE Gift Item options!

Download Sale-A-Bration Brochure
Sale-A-Bration Brochure Supplies List

Anytime is a great time to join Stampin' Up!
But, during Sale-A-Bration, it's FABULOUS!

• The Starter Kit to sign up as a demonstrator is only $125!  That's over $300 worth of fabulous Stampin' Up! product at a great low cost!
• Sign up during Sale-A-Bration and receive a FREE pack of Designer Paper or FREE Digital Download every month for the rest of the year! (You only pay tax and shipping; no tax and shipping on digital downloads.)
• Why join the ink and inspirations Team? Click HERE for benefits!
• Contact me for more information...e-mail me or call me at 409-719-2953.
• Or, if you're ready to sign up and purchase the Starter Kit, get started HERE!
  

  Blog Candy Winner

Thanks to everyone who commented to enter into the random giveaway for the blog candy!

• And the winner is...{drumroll}...

  
  

  

Mary Farrington

 Mary, I'll get your prize in the mail tomorrow! 

Place your order here
and earn FREE product during Sale-A-Bration!

This new Mixed Bunch (wood-125535, clear-125537) set in the Stampin' Up! Occasions Mini is so much fun to work with especially when it's paired with the Blossom Punch (125603) which coordinates per-fect-ly!  Gotta love that. :)

I'm still putting those Labels Framelits (125598) to use. The look is fabulous on just about any card!  Also in the spotlight here are Tiny Tags(wood-118091, clear-118592), Subtles Patterns Designer Paper Stack (117152) and colors featured are Wild Wasabi and Island Indigo.

This is a little card idea to send to a friend or anyone...just because!  If you need any of the supplies to create this project, just check into the Online Store! 

And, here is a mini tutorial with some tips for using the Decorative Label Punch(120907) and Labels Framelits.  Let me know if you have questions!

Stampin' Up! Video Tutorial- Punch and Framelits Tip

What saves a man is to take a step. Then another step.

C.S. Lewis

I'm on a roll with My Digital Studio and my 2012 Day in the Life project. I'm not promising you'll see every one or that the pages will be in order.  

But, I remember that I asked you to hold me accountable...so here it is!

Easy to put together with Day in the Life Digital Kit and the fabulous My Digital Studio.  More to come...

Almost time for Stampin' Up!'s premier event of the year...Sale-A-Bration!
From January 24th to March 31st, you can earn FREE product from the Sale-A-Bration brochure with a qualifying order and/or when you host a Stampin' Up! Party!  See the FREE selections HERE.

And, to celebrate, I have something special and some special offers! 

Subscribe to my online video masculine card series, Mainly Manly Cards by midnight, January 31, 2012, Central Time, and receive an online video class (valued at $27), FREE!  This link to this class will be emailed to you on February 11, 2012.

And, U. S. readers, leave a comment here on this post today and become eligible to win this BLOG CANDY giveaway. 

And, if you need an idea for your comment...

"What is your favorite current Stampin' Up! stamp set or punch?"

For the "chosen at random" winner, I have this wood mount "Yummy" set and three yeards of striped grosgrain ribbon (one yard each of Pumpkin Pie, So Saffron, and Old Olive).

Leave your comment by midnight, January 23rd, 2012 and the winner will be announced here on the January 24th post, 1:00 pm Central Time. (Offer for U.S. residents only.)

Blog Candy and more--->  Sign up for Inkspiration Classroom and Mainly Manly Cards!

Taking center stage on today's card is Stampin' Up!'s Labels Collection Framelits and Have a Seat stamp set.
I love the shape of this die and in this video, you'll see it in action!

Here's the product listing for this card...used several of my favorite stamp sets.  Let me know if you have questions!

These items can be purchased HERE in the Online Store.

Stamps:
Have A Seat (wood-116696, clear-120447)
Notably Ornate (wood-117098, clear-120561)
Artistic Etchings (wood-118517, clear-120573)
Paper:
Baja Breeze (111352)
Crumb Cake (120953)
Very Vanilla (101650)
Subtles Patterns Designer Paper Stack (117152)
Ink:
Crumb Cake Classic (121030)
Baja Breeze Classic (111833)
Accessories:
Scallop Trim Border Punch (118402)
Decorative Label Punch (120907)
Labels Collection Framelits (125598)
Big Shot (113439)
Crumb Cake Seam Binding Ribbon (122332)
Stampin' Sponges (101610)

Shop Stampin' Up! 24/7, Online

Stampin' Up! Framelits Tutorial

Whew!  I'm a little late posting today, but just had to share this cute little hybrid card made with the Sale-A-Bration digital image from Fresh Vintage and the Everyday Enchantment collection.

Love the colors in these designer papers, ribbon, and brads!  The ribbon/brad bundle and the Everyday Enchantment Designer Paper are just two of the items that you can earn for FREE during Stampin' Up!'s Sale-A-Bration, January 24th-March 31st.

With each $50 purchase, you earn one of the items in the beautiful Sale-A-Bration brochure you see HERE.  And, if you host a workshop and have product total of $150 or more, as hostess, you will receive a precious Everyday Enchantment tote bag and (drumroll...) if you host a party of $400 or more in sales, you earn a bundle of goods...the Everyday Enchantment Designer Paper, the Fresh Vintage Stamp Set, and the EverydayEnchantment ribbon/brad bundle!  Woo hoo!

One fo the SAB (Sale-A-Bration) freebies is the One Big Sale-A-Bration CD that contains all of the new SAB products in digital format.  Couldn't wait to get my hands on that one. The image on this card is from the digital Fresh Vintage set printed on Vellum card stock on Poppy Parade.  Love that My Digital Studio!

So, step right up and get ready to celebrate with Sale-A-Bration! Coming your way soon!

My Digital Studio gave me a lot of help on this little honey bear project.  I saw a project like this on the cover of Paper Crafts magazine and I knew I had to recreate it!

Wouldn't this be a precious Valentine gift for your "honey", your little ones, your children's teachers...?

The base of the tag is created in My Digital Studio with a few added extras. :)

1. The little bee is my pinkie fingerprint in More Mustard Classic ink. 
2. Basic Black Marker adds the eyes, stripes, and stinger.
3. A mini heart from the Heart to Heart Punch in Whisper White poses as the wings.
4. A Small Heart punched in Calypso Coral and dotted with a Basic Rhinestone adds a sweet little touch.
5. Holes are punched in each side of the tag threaded with tiny Everyday Enchantment Organdy Ribbon...coming soon with Sale-A-Bration...woo hoo!

I'd love to share this digital tag with you for FREE!
The PDF file that you can print from your home computer will be going to every member of my mailing list early next week!

I'll also share helpful hints on how to print and how to put it together!

To receive this and all the benefits of being a member of ink and inspirations Mailing List, sign up HERE!