Robin's Big Island - Big Shot - BIG DEAL!

Aloha stampers! Guess What? I’m in Hawaii thanks to all of my fabulous clients and Stampin’ Up!

(No, that’s NOT me in the grass skirt! Sheesh!)

Because this is such a BIG DEAL to me, as a special thank you I’m offering you a chance to experience one of the best benefits of being a Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator – our 20% discount!

As a one time thank you gift, you may use my demonstrator discount on what I KNOW is at the TOP of most of your wish lists – the BIG SHOT Die Cut Machine and ALL of the DIES and ACCESSORIES! That means that you will receive the 20% discount that all demonstrators receive on their purchases – but ONLY while I am away on this trip!

There are two ways to receive the discount.

The first is to submit your order via my website at http://www.robinstamps4u.stampinup.net/
An order placed there will process through at the regular price and I will rebate you the discount amount with a check, cash or merchandise credit if you wish!

The second way is to send your order via e-mail to stampwithrobin@yahoo.com You will receive the discount up front when I place your order on March 30th. You can still choose to apply it in merchandise credit at that time if you want to!

Either way you order, it’s a FANTASTIC DEAL and you even get something extra as well! FREE Big Shots Club Classes!

Here’s the scoop:

1) Order just the Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine (item 113439, $99.95)
Includes:
-Big Shot Die Cut Machine
-two Standard Cutting Pads
-the Multi-Purpose Platform

and receive the following:

1 free Sale-A-Bration item (valued at $20!)
20% discount AND
You will also receive 1 FREE Big Shots Club class here in the studio. ($15 value!)

Big Shot $ 99.95
Shipping $10.00
Tax $5.50
Total $115.44
Savings $19.99
Your Cost $95.45


2) Order the Big Shot Starter Kit (item 116314, $195.95)

Includes:
Big Shot Die Cut Machine
-2 Standard Cutting Pads
-Multi-Purpose Platform
-Scallop Envelope Bigz Die (SU! exclusive)
-Top Note Bigz Die (SU! exclusive)
-Sizzlits 4-Pack Birds and Blooms (SU! exclusive)
-Decorative Strip Die Billboard Alphabet (SU! exclusive)
-2 Decorative Strip Cutting Pads
-Decorative Strip Cutting Platform

and receive the following:

-3 FREE Sale-A-Bration items (valued at $60.00!)
-20% discount
-Level 1 hostess benefits (a stamp set and $15 in free merchandise). ($35 value!)
You will also receive 3 FREE Big Shots Club classes here in the studio. ($45 value!)

Big Shot Starter Kit $195.95
Shipping $19.60
Tax $10.78
Total $226.32
Savings $39.19
Final Cost $187.13

3) Order $100 in Big Shot dies or accessories (p. 194-202 Idea Book and Catalog)

and receive the following:

-2 FREE Sale-A-Bration items ($40 value!)
-20% discount.

Big Shot dies p. 194-202 $100.00
Shipping $10.00
Tax $5.50
Total $115.50
Savings $20.00
Final Cost $95.50

Remember, all orders must be placed by March 30th to qualify!
If you have questions or need clarification, my office assistant Shellie Reid will be checking e-mail in my absence or you can contact her directly at shelliestamps@yahoo.com

All orders for this special that are NOT placed through the website by you directly will be placed by me on Monday, March 30th. For that reason, I MUST have your form of payment when you e-mail me with your order. Visa, MasterCard or Discover are all accepted by Stampin’ Up! or you can mail a check – I just have to have it in hand by the 30th. No exceptions or the order will not be placed and you forfeit the discount.

Here are some great links for you to view that will give you some fun, creative ideas on using your new Big Shot!

Jaron’s Creative Projects

Karah’s Alternative Materials Projects

I know you will love, love, love your Big Shot as much as I love mine! I truly use it everyday that I stamp in the studio – it’s an invaluable tool.

Be sure to take advantage of this special deal and while you’re on my website, be sure to check out my April Class Calendar. There are new classes posted so we can have some stampin’ fun together!

And hey, if you like getting the discount – you may want to check out the Demonstrator Kit. It’s on SALE through the end of March for only $169 AND you get an additional stamp set of your choice FREE from Stampin’ Up! just for joining.
If you want to check it out, simply click on the “Join Now” button and use my password Trinitydesign to get in and design your kit – your way. You can play around with it and nothing is final until you provide payment and hit submit. Check it out – my group has grown by 6 new demonstrators since February 1st – are you next? Love to have you with me!

See you soon!
ALOHA!
~~Robin

Hawaii Bound at Last!

I can't believe it's finally arrived - we leave tomorrow for the Big Island of Hawaii! Lemme tell ya, a week in paradise is just what this stamper needs right now - I can't get there fast enough!

I just wanted to share a couple of fun things with you before I go. The first two pictures are of the wonderful Travel Pouch that Stampin' Up! sent us with all our official documents in it. Just look at those cute luggage tags! Have I told you before that when you earn an incentive trip from Stampin' Up! that they leave us gifts in our rooms each night of the trip? Yep, they do! And I'll bet some of the gifts will match or coordinate with this beautiful fabric! OOOH - I can't wait!

So when I needed to create a 6 x 6 scrapbook page spread for a share, I turned to the colors in the travel pouch for inspiration.

I started with Creamy Caramel cardstock for my background and stamped the large swirl from the Stitched Exotics stamp set in Creamy Caramel ink. The photo mats are Basic Black, Ruby Red and Naturals Ivory cardstock all layered up. On the left side page, I used a wide piece of Twill Tape and frayed the ends. It's stamped with another swirl from Stitched Exotics, this time in Creamy Caramel Craft ink, since this is fabric. I just allowed it to dry overnight instead of heating it.

The flowers are the large flower from the stamp set, stamped in Ruby Red Craft ink then heat embossed with a mixture of Clear and Gold embossing powder to make it shimmer. I did the same technique here in this post but with Cameo Coral cardstock instead. These flowers are trimmed out with my Paper Snips and mounted on Stampin' Dimensionals so the photos can slide under them on the mats.

My greeting is actually from a retired Stampin' Up! set that I just could not part with called "Handbill Headlines" I've stamped the word in Black Craft ink, heat embossed it with Black Embossing Powder and then punched it out with the Designer Label Punch. It's sponged with Ruby Red Classic ink then popped up on a Dimensional as well.

The photos I've added are from our beach vacation last summer. My daughter Emma and I are on the left and Emma and her friend Bethany are on the right. I was gonna post it without photos, but layouts just don't look right without them. I'll have lots of Hawaii photos when I get back!

Be sure and check back later today for my BIG special! It's really BIG and is only for the time I'm away on the trip! Don't miss this one!

By the way, I won't be blogging while I'm away - I truly want to take some rest time and not think about anything while I'm gone. My office assistant Shellie will be checking e-mails for me and answering questions, but since I do the blog on my own, I'm just taking the week off. But, I'll have lots of fun stuff to share when I return on the 30th!

~~Robin

Blogger's Challenge #91 - Think Spring!

Happy 1st Day of Spring everyone! It looks like spring here, but it's still a bit chilly. I'm really looking forward to getting on that plane to HAWAII tomorrow! Yahoo!

In the meantime, I have this post for you plus two more that will post later today - so be looking - I have a great special that's headed your way! It will run the entire time I'm on the trip and it's one that you WON"T want to miss!

Our challenge was to come up with a springy project or card and I couldn't think of any better color combo than the one in the Sale-A-Bration Delicate Dots paper. I've used two pieces of it here for the left edges, both are punched with the new Eyelet Border punch. There is a layer of Whisper White sandwiched in between that has been run thru my Big Shot with the Small Polka Dot texture plate. Kind of hard to see in this photo, but trust me, it's there!

I've used a piece of the Sale-A-Bration Celery Twill Ribbon from the Bundle and wrapped it around the white layer. The cute little embellishment is a piece of Textured So Saffron Cardstock punched out with the Scallop Circle punch. It's layered with a piece of Certainly Celery punched with the 1 1/4" Circle punch. The sweet little ladybug is from the hostess set 'Darling Dots' and is stamped in Bashful Blue on Whisper White, then punched out with the 1" circle punch. It's popped up on Stampin' Dimensionals and the whole thing is adhered to the card front.

For the greeting, I turned to another hostess set, 'Sweet Little Sentiments' and stamped it in Bashful Blue then edged in the same. It too is on Dimensionals and adhered to the card front. That's really it - a very simple card, but it makes me feel sunny when I look at it! I hope it makes you smile!

Be sure to check out all the other Blogger's Challenge players by clicking on the link in my sidebar. I know they will make you feel springy too!

Hey - Sale-A-Bration ends in just 12 short days! Don't miss your chance to get FREE stamps, paper or ribbon! Any order of just $50 in merchandise earns you FREE Stampin' Up! You can go to my website at www.robinstamps4u.stampinup.net to place your order. Just click on the Shop Now button and you are all set!

Back later with more fun and my BIG Special! See you then!

~~Robin

Happy St. Patty's Day!

And I have a Pot of Gold Special Offer for you too!

Today ONLY - place a minimum $50 merchandise order from my website at www.robinstamps4u.stampinup.net and not only will you automatically receive a Sale-A-Bration item of your choice FREE, I will mail you your choice of either a package of Gold Brads, or a jar of Gold Embossing Powder - FREE!

To qualify, orders must be placed by midnight tonight! Just click the "Shop Now" button from the home page of my website link above.

Now, about this card.............as you read this post and are placing your order, I am holding two card classes here in the studio. This is one of the cards we are making because I just couldn't let St. Patty's Day go by without some recognition! This card was cased heavily from a cutie I saw over on Caroline in Toronto's blog here. But, I just had to put my own "Robin Spin' on it so I turned the layout and changed it up! That's what stampers do - take a great idea and make it their own, you don't always have to re-invent the wheel! (Caro - you ROCK, GF! See you in Hawaii!)

The card base is Glorious Green, layered with Basic Black then a piece of the Sale-A-Bration Delicate Dots paper (FREE!). The Glorious Green strip is punched with the new Eyelet Border punch and then layered up with some Black Gingham ribbon.

I used the "Good Luck" greeting from the Sincere Salutations stamp set - an oldie, but a goodie! This was stamped on Whisper White with Glorious Green then edged with the matching Stampin' Write Marker. I added two Gold Brads and popped it up on two Stampin' Dimensionals.

The shamrock is made by stamping 3 of the heart images from the Sale-A-Bration stamp set Polka Dot Punches with Whisper White Craft ink. I then embossed them with Whisper White embossing powder and my Heat Tool. They were punched out with the New Full Heart punch and popped up on Stampin' Dimensionals and adhered to the front of the card. A hand cut stem completes the shamrock and now you are done! I hope you like it and I hope you all have a fun, safe St. Patrick's Day celebration!

Happy Stamping!

~~Robin

Cupcake Cutie!

Happy Monday morning everyone! I hope you had a wonderful weekend. The weather here is a bit gray today, so I thought I'd start off the week with a cheerful card for you. What could be more cheerful than Cupcakes?! Especially chocolate ones? Yumm!

This card is a 5 1/4" inch square, made to fit our Medium Square Envelopes. The base is Whisper White and the layers are Pretty in Pink and Chocoate Chip Cardstock.

I got out my Scallop Square Punch and punched 5 squares from Pink Pirouette cardstock and layered them in the corners of the Chocolate Chip piece. The middle one was placed last after I had adhered the cupcake squares. Those were created with this adorable cupcake image from the Darling Dots stamp set which is a Hostess Level 1 set. Too cute!

Using my Stampin' Write Markers in Chocolate Chip, Pretty in Pink and Rose Red, I colored directly on the stamp for the multi-color image. This was stamped 5 times, re-coloring each time, onto Whisper White Cardstock. I punched 4 of them out with the Scallop Square Punch and completed my grid on the card front. The 5th cupcake was punched out with my Small Tag Punch which was then layered onto a piece of Pretty in Pink cardstock punched out with my Large Tag Punch. I really love how my Stampin' Up! punches allow me to easily created these layered looks.

After adding a little bit of Dazzling Diamonds to the tag cupcake - the frosting just had to sparkle on this one! - I went to my "On Your Birthday" stamp set and used the little "Let's Celebrate" stamp for the greeting. Markered in Rose Red and Chocolate Chip, I then punched it out with my Small Oval Punch. It was sponged a bit around the edge with Pretty in Pink ink and a Stampin' Sponge. The greeting is attached to the tag with a pink brad from the Soft Subtles package. This was attached to the card with two Stampin' Dimensionals.

The ribbon accent is simply Chocolate Chip Wide Grosgrain and Pretty in Pink Taffeta layered together and wrapped around the front of the panels underneath the greeting. This one was a bit time consuming, but oh, so fun and pretty to look at when it was finished! Another one that just makes me smile!

Well, gotta sign off here for now, I have prep work to do for my Just Cards classes tomorrow. We are going to have some St. Patty's Day fun making cards at 10 am and 7 pm. If you are not signed up, I still have a few spaces left in both classes, but let me know asap so I can plan for you! This card is probably one of the ones we will be making! And my friend, the gourmet baker Lissa is making the sweet treats for both classes tomorrow - I know you don't want to miss that!

Stamped Blessings!
~~Robin

Exciting News from Stampin' Up!

Here you are - Hot off the Presses! Amazing, never heard before news!

Three Easy Payments for the Demonstrator Starter Kit

Dates: March 13-April 30, 2009

The limited-time Three Easy Payments option for purchasing the Starter Kit is here!

This option allows a new demonstrator to make a partial initial Starter Kit payment and still receive the Starter Kit right away in order to get your business up and running. If you have ever given even a passing thought to trying out the demonstrator opportunity, the time is NOW! If you try it out before March 31st, you still receive the SALE pricing on the Starter Kit AND the additional FREE stamp set of your choice from the catalog.

Have you ever wished you could receive a discount on all your Stampin' Up! purchases ALL the time? Have you ever wished you could earn some extra income to cover the end of the month at the end of the money? How many of you just want to be part of a fun group of creative people in a positive environment?

I would SO love to have you as part of my Trinity Design Stampers team! Since February 1st we have added 5 new members to our group! We love being part of the Stampin' Up! family and enjoy our time together as a team. Stampin' Up! gives us so much as demonstrators and they provide all the tools and ideas you need to run a successful business at whatever level you need. Here's the information you need to think about for this very special payment plan offer:

How it Works
At the time a new demonstrator signs up, she fills out her Starter Kit form and other paperwork as usual, but must also write "Three Easy Payments option" at the top of each form.

(Please note that the Three Easy Payments option is not available through the Online Demonstrator Application. New demonstrators who wish to take advantage of the offer must submit their paperwork by mail to Demonstrator Support. You must call or e-mail me to take advantage of this offer!)

The new demonstrator must also complete a separate Three Easy Payments form, available for download from the Customer and Demonstrator Web Sites.

Using the credit card information provided on her Three Easy Payments form, Stampin' Up! charges the initial Starter Kit payment (see the table below for a breakdown of payments) on the day paperwork is processed and sends out the Starter Kit.

On or around the 15th day of the two months following the month Stampin' Up! received the paperwork, Stampin' Up! will charge the subsequent payments using the same credit card information provided on the Three Easy Payments form, and the Starter Kit will be paid in full.

Stampin' Up! will only accept the same credit card for all three payments, as provided on the Three Easy Payments form. Checks or money orders will not be accepted.

Details and Restrictions
To qualify for the Three Easy Payments option on the discounted Sale-A-Bration Starter Kit price of $169, Starter Kit paperwork and an accompanying Three Easy Payments form must be received by Stampin' Up! (not postmarked) on or before March 31, 2009. Paperwork received after this time will be processed for the regular Starter Kit price of $199.

For new demonstrators who wish to add the Stampin' Memories Starter Kit add-on for $50.00, this full amount (including any applicable taxes for the add-on) will be added to their initial Starter Kit payment.

The Three Easy Payments option is not available through the Online Independent Demonstrator Application. Recruits who wish to take advantage of the offer must submit their paperwork by mail.

Payments Breakdown for the Sale-A-Bration Starter Kit Price (March 13-31, 2009)

Payment 1 (charged at time kit is entered)
$56.34 (+ sales tax) Starter Kit only
$106.34 (+ sales tax) Starter Kit with Stampin' Memories Add-On

Payment 2 (charged around April 15th)
$56.33

Payment 3 (charged around May 15th)
$56.33

Total Payment (March Special offer only)
$169.00 Starter Kit Only
$219.00 Starter Kit with Stampin' Memories Add-On

*Payments indicated are for the cost of the Starter Kit, and, if selected, the Stampin' Memories add-on, including shipping. They do not include and any applicable state taxes. (Please note that any applicable taxes for the total amount of the Starter Kit and, if selected, Stampin' Memories add-on, price will be added to the first payment.)

I would love to hear from you and answer your questions - no strings, just the answers you need. Contact me via e-mail or phone. I'm here through Friday 3/20, then I leave on the Stampin' Up! Hawaii trip for a week. My office assistant Shellie will be available to assist you while I am gone. The last day to take advantage of this payment plan offer at the discounted price will be 3/30 at noon since the paper work must be mailed and received at Stampin' Up! by 3/31.

It's time to check out all that Stampin' Up! has to offer you - I promise you will love every minute!~

Stamped Blessings,

~~Robin

Blogger's Challenge #90 - All About Texture!

Hello again, my blog world friends! I cannot believe it's been a whole WEEK since I've posted for you! I am so sorry to have been absent from here, honestly, my life has just been crazy busy this week. I am in the middle of my 9 Stampin' events in 7 days marathon and have had no time for anything else it seems! But, next Saturday, Mark and I are flying out of here to Hawaii for the Stampin' Up! incentive trip - THAT is going to be so awesome! It's a much needed break right now.

Today, I've posted one of my projects for this months workshops. It uses the new Texturz Plates for the Big Shot and I thought it fit this challenge beautifully.
This is a fun little gift bag purse that I created around some 4" x 7" paper sacks.

The cardstock front and back are cut at 4 1/4" square and then run through the Big Shot with the Texturz plate of choice. The photos show 3 different ones - Large Polka Dot, Small Polka Dot and the sweet Flowery Vine. I used my Scallop Circle Die on the Designer Series Paper for the Bag topper.
On both projects, I used matching ink and a Stampin' Sponge to rub color all over the front and back of the cardstock once it was texturized. This brings out the embossing and really makes it pop!

The paper sack was cut down to 4" square and then attached to the cardstock covers with SNAIL adhesive. I rounded the bottom corners on the cardstock as well. To make the topper handle, I cut 9" inches of ribbon for each one. Using my Crop-A-Dile, I punched a large hole through the Designer Series Paper on each side and then twice in a scrap piece of cardstock. I then took my 3/4" Circle Punch and punched around the smaller holes in the cardstock, creating cardstock reinforcements! These were attached with SNAIL and then the ribbon was strung through and attached to the inside of the topper. The whole topper was attached to the bag with Sticky Strip adhesive.

For the "clasp", I used my Scallop Circle Punch, 1 1/4" Circle Punch and the Boho Blossoms Punch to create the layers. These were then punched through the center with my Crop-A-Dile and I added the Rhinestone Brad for some sparkly fun! A velcro dot secures the clasp to the front of the bag.

These are perfectly sized for party favors or gift card holders, just a fun little treat! They made me smile and I hope they make you happy too!

The other supplies I used are as follows: Raspberry Tart and Washington Apple Designer Series Paper; So Saffron, Riding Hood Red, Bashful Blue, Regal Rose, Rose Red and Kiwi Kiss Cardstock; So Saffron and Regal Rose ink; Rose Red Double Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon; So Saffron Sale-A-Braton Ribbon Bundle; Rhinestone Fire Circle and Ice Square Brads.

Be sure to check out all the other Blogger's Challenge players by clicking on the link in my sidebar. I'm sure they have some wonderful projects for you to view! I will be back - I promise! - with some more fun ideas and projects for you. It won't be a week again, really!

Remember, Sale-A-Bration is winding down - you have until the 31st to get your FREE stamps, paper or ribbon from the special brochure with any $50 merchandise purchase. You can shop from my website 24/7 by clicking on the link in my sidebar.

Have a great weekend everyone!

~~Robin