I NEED YOU!!!

YES!  I am looking to meet my goal!  Need a few new members to make our team.  Please contact me today if you are interested in making money Makin' Pretty Things!  A new catalog is out in just a few weeks a PERFECT time to join Stampin'Up!  all the new products will really help you boost your first quarter sales!

There is NO TIME BETTER than today!

IN-COLOR

It is time!  We are just weeks away from the catalog launch.  As a demonstrator, I get the privilege of  sneak peeks AND pre-ordering.  With this privilege comes awesome benefits,  I get to show off the new goods a little early.  SU has been so kind to allow us to give sneak peaks.  I am excited to share with you two of the products on the sneak peek list. 1. The IN-COLOR inks and a stamp set.  The new set is called "You've Got This"  it is such a great set to color.  Here is a card I whipped up using the New In-Colors, Mint Macaron, Tip Top Taupe, and Copic Markers that represent the Watermelon Wonder colors.  

Let's not wait any longer here is the first image... the card I got done as soon as I opened the box...

Set: You've Got This
Ink Colors: Tip Top Taupe, Mint Macaron
Cardstock: Tip Top Taupe, Mint Macaron
Colored using Copic Markers R22,R24,R29, YG 91, YG 95, YG97, Y35, Y38

And a shot of the new In Color Ink pads.  

Are you ready for the new catalog?  Let me know if you would like to own one for yourself.  Also keep checking back for more sneaks.  I also am going to have a give away all you have to do to be entered to win is leave a comment and follow my blog.  Share the post for an extra entry. 

Summer Lovin' - Looking to start a club 3 months

Good Afternoon my thoughtful friends!

I am so blessed this week.  My son Brad is home from school, finals are over and I am actually graduating!  I know it is a great start to my Summer!  

Summer always brings out the fun crafty in me because usually my "busyness" slows a bit.  I hope yours does as well!  

I have decided for the next three months I am going to subscribe to Paper Pumpkin and I want to invite you to keep with the simple side of summer and jump in with me.  

Now you are asking.. WHAT is Paper Pumpkin?  Well I am so glad you asked.  Paper Pumpkin is a box full of fun.  Each kit comes with everything you need to complete a project or several cards.  I love it because it allows me to get into my creative mind-set with ease.  I open the box and make something pretty!  It gives me a great project to keep my creating every month right to my door!   I also would love to start a PP club I will call it B.Y. O. PP  *Bring Your Own PaperPumpkin  

If you are interested in joining the BYOPP  let me know asap we will get you all set up!  IF you are out of state join...I will be setting up a cyber meeting space where we will meet once a month to chat and create... a group hangout!  Email me if you have questions. 

If you want to order off my website click here enter the information below.  We will hold the BYOPP party through the summer if we love it we will keep going but this allows you a little time out and about gathering with friends and we can create for a very reasonable price. 

137859

3 months

$59.85

Do you want to see a few first check out these favorites of mine.  All Shook Up (Dec 2014)  Filled with Love (Jan 2015) Framed Love (April 2014) Sweet as Pie (Oct 2014)  These are ones that are still available and adorable. There are many that were sold out.. but yeah.. you get the idea!  Let me know if you are IN.

CLICK HERE to order

Make someones day!

Hello my thoughtful friends!

Today I want to share an idea.  It may seem far fetched at first, you may say. Erika you're a nut.  Well that has already been established. I am indeed a macadamia nut. Okay back on the subject-- Many of you know I love to surprise people with little notes of encouragement. In fact, every year at Christmas time I take a part of our gift giving budget and purchase about 20 or 30 gift cards from different places and simply write-- "I hope you have a great day today"  Blessings from Santa's elves and I leave them on tables in restaurants or have a store employee give them away.  It is my joy to watch as people look around trying to figure out WHO gave them this gift... I love to remain anonymous because my theory works like this:  If you don't know which person gave you the gift card, you must assume it was any one of the people there-- this fosters a better day not just for the receiver, but it also makes him/her react more kindly to others. It is after all possible that the lady standing in front of the drink dispersing talking on the phone gave that away.  

I also am very fond of this method because I often target civil servants -- firemen/women, police women/men  etc.  I learned once that they are not allowed to take those from people, it could be seen as a bribe-- therefore if I am unknown to them there is no way they can get in trouble for accepting a free lunch/coffee on me!

I really love to see people get an unexpected joy so I was thinking, what can I do?  How can I encourage others?  So I devised a new plan.  As a Stampin' Up! demonstrator I have all these great stamps with beautiful sayings and images that can really make people happy.  I have decided to create what I am calling "tip cards"  What I do, is I make these cards up they are about 4 1/2 x 2 1/4 for fast food, bank teller, postal official etc and they just are a note thanking them (in handwriting)  for the great job they are doing.  I then make a few larger ones for sit down restaurants that I put my card in when I am paying the tab etc.  NOW this in no way replaces the monetary tip, but it is just a way to leave a little nice around.

If you would like to learn more about how I make these or Stampin' Up! products I used let me know, or visit my website www.mpt.stampinup.net   ALSO.. keep checking back, I will have videos up for you soon.  My ATV guy begins work after the launch date of the new catalog! June 2

Thank you all and be blessed!

Here are a few samples
 (OH happy day by Sandra Goforth www.sgoforth.stampinup,net)

Erika!  

Now Go MakePrettyThings! 

  

Open House Projects for May 2

GOOD MORNING!

Today is my open house.  I know not everyone can make it but I wanted to share the projects I have planned.

The great news is if you want to take part, I have PDF Project Sheets for each project. Just let me know which ones you would like, I will email you the PDF.  All the products are from the current Stampin'Up! Catalogs.  Each project sheet has a list of the products I used and the techniques used and step by step instructions.  All products are available at my website or contact me for more information.

KEEP an eye on the blog, I am hiring a AV guy this summer and workshops and open house projects will also have videos you can watch!


Our 1st Project is with the lovely Sheltering Tree - Thankful for you Card  $3 Make N Take

If you would like the project sheet, please ask for ST1 in your message

Project #2 - Texture and Technique Happy for You Card using Flower Patch and Crazy About You $3 Make N Take

If you would like the project sheet, please ask for FP1 in your message

Project # 3 - Mom's day is just around the corner so we have a fun Mother's Day Gift bag!

I  am using the same set from the last project. I like to show how versatile the product can be. So we go from a congrats card to Mother's Day! $4 Make N Take

If you would like the project sheet, please ask for GB1 in your message

Project #4 - Rad Grad Gift Card envelope - When you care enough to get them just want they want you want it to be more than just a card.  So we are stepping up the gift card envelope.  $4 Make N Take 

If you would like the project sheet, please ask for GC1 in your message

Let's not forget the inside!  Here is a peek at the finished inside of this cute project. I used a graduation stamp but this set is perfect for any event you want to make a special gift card envelope.

Image taken in Target

Project #5 - My open houses always have what I call an On Trend Project, and this one is no different.  Keeping with trends we have a fun card up next.  I don't know if you have noticed but Coral/Magenta and Navy accompanied with any sea image is everywhere!  When I was in Target I first noticed it.  then I noticed it all over bags, apparel its popping up everywhere.  Walk into Target and look around!   $3 Make N Take 

If you would like the project sheet, please ask for TC1 in your message

I am so excited to share the projects we are working on in this Open House.  Make sure you keep an eye on my website for upcoming Open Houses.  Remember you can choose to do one project or three.  If you want to do several of the same project just RSVP to ensure I have enough kits for you.  When you RSVP let me know which projects you would like to complete!  

If you can't make it or do you live out of town, but would like the an Open House kit (one of each project) just let me know and we will make arrangements to get them to you.  ALL kits come with a PDF step by step assembly sheet, complete with photo of the project. 

Love the projects and just want to buy them completed or multiple kits?  Contact me at gzuswins@gmail.com  

I look forward to hearing your opinions and comments!

Blessings
Erika 

Only Hours Left

I really can not say enough about the high quality and great benefits that Stampin'Up! offers.  Get in while the gettin' is good! Sale-A-Bration bonuses are great!  Comment below if you want any information. I will get back to you quick as a cricket!

Making Pretty

Making Pretty Things makes me happy.  In previous post, I have shared about that icky feeling I get when I don't create.  I am discovering there are times when my "mojo" seems to have run away from home -- you know that feeling right?-- Well I think I have stumbled upon what makes some people that are creative just seem to always have awesome ideas and they make such pretty things.

 It is simple really... they make stuff.  See creativity can not be used up it can only be fed.  If one is always creating, they are exercising that part of their mind.  Ideas begin to take root and flourish with much more ease. That constant use of your creative ability will only give it strength.

I made a commitment to myself a few weeks ago that I would attempt to make something pretty every day.  Even if it was just a doodle, it would be a conscience effort to use the creative side of me. For me, making things can range from my paper crafting to word smithing.  I am finding that my ideas for things to make is strengthening.  I encourage you to try making something (like I said even if it is a doodle on scratch paper) to feed your creativity and see if it helps you feel stronger.

I believe we are all creative.  Each person.  I believe it may not be the same kind of creativity, such as I can do a lot with paper and glue, but my husband is the most creative man I know when it comes to problem solving. (I mean that in a he really rocks at it way).

Since making my declaration of Making Pretty Things *daily*  I have not once fought the mojo monster in fact, my sketch book is getting a work out!  Here are a few MPT I have created *mostly paper art because I am trying to grow that area of my ability.

This is something I was trying, building a foundation then adding the card images and sentiment. These two cards began as one tall card with the Kind Koala stamp but it was just too much white space so I cut it and another full card escaped. 

Playing with the chalkboard trend.  I really liked the simple look.  It is hard to see but I used a little white chalk on the back of the Happy Birthday piece to give it a more "chalkboard" appearance. 

One night I was in the mood to color, so I stamped a bunch of images from the "For the Birds" set Stampin'Up.  then created four cute little mini cards.  These cards can be used on gift bags or given as a lunch box note or just a card to a friend/loved one to say... HEY I was thinking about you! 

The Yay! Yay! Yay! you brighten my day is from the Sale-a-Bration set You Brighten my Day.  I liked that the pennants are not attached, it give a whimsy feel to the card.  

Went to the convention (CKC-PHX) and found this cute little stamp set. and well it was all about the coloring!  I love that card making is not complicated.  A nicely colored image on a good solid color scheme and you have a completed work of art that can brighten someone day! 

I really hope you come back often.  I hope to have videos soon of some techniques to help you Make Pretty Things.
I would appreciate if you what you see on my blog that you will share with others.  Thanks for making my day better by being a friend/follower here.  I do value your comments and ideas, please share with me!

Go make something pretty
Blessings
e