Long Time - No Post!

OK, It's been awhile - a LONG while.  I'm not sure what to blame, but it was a strange combination of things.  I've been job searching for almost a year, and I had this funny feeling at the end of August that when the kids were going back to school that it was time for me to back too.  Well, September 1st and 2nd I had back-to-back interviews, and as a result I'm heading back to the work force this Monday.  Ironically it means I'll probably blog more because my time will be more structured, and I'll get into more of a routine!  Funny, eh?

So today I finally updated my blog to show the new mini catalog, which is TOTALLY AMAZING, and if I wasn't trying to show a profit finally this year for my business I would have bought half of what's in it already, but I have some stuff, and everything in there is totally cool!

So while I've actually been doing more than what I've been posting, I will start up again with the September Club Projects (too late for previews in case you want to come, but anyway)...


First up - I've been wanting to buy "Lovely As A Tree" for several years now.  For whatever reason I never brought it up to the top of the priority list, and now that I've finally purchased it, Stampin' Up! will most likely retire it at the end of this season.  I may have to use it multiple times this year for that reason!  (The Reason for the Season? nah!)  I've seen a ton of great examples of how to use this set - it is SO versatile!  I wanted something that used the big "grove of trees" stamp, and came up with this idea after browsing hundreds of examples.  Also, due to circumstances called "Great Rewards" where I had everything else, I ended up with not only the bulk buy of these Designer Label vanilla frames, but two boxes of Hodgepodge Hardware Vanilla that each contained some of these.  So it was about time I used them.

The next card is really a recipe card, and I'm compiling recipes from everyone who came to club this month and will send them out in the club orders - let me know if you want a copy.  Anyway, I love this stamp set "From The Kitchen Of" and if you notice I have it backed in So Saffron which allows you TWO chances to get the stamping of the 3x5 recipe card correct!  One could do a class on this stamp set alone!  If only one had thought of it when she was still unemployed (who could that be :-)!  Oh well...

Project #3: I always like to feature a "non-card" or at least a "super-card" - this is an idea I borrowed from Dawn Griffith of Dawn's Stamping Thoughts from about two years ago.  I have the instructions available for anyone that want them, but it's another stamping project whose main purpose is to hold candy - oh yeah!  Dawn is the queen of candy related projects, so check out her blog too for wonderful ideas.

These candy holders showcase the new In Color Designer Series Paper pack, which I'm excited about, because it gives you so more options with the In Color paper without having to pick and choose which ones as in the past.

So, here we go, a super-blog entry to make up for almost 2 months of nothing much of anything.  Hope my next post comes sooner than this one!

Cheers,
Peg

Tastefully Tuesday - Smoky Bacon Grill Sauce

Cooking out this weekend?  We are - having the family over for Foltz Fest!  Grilled burgers, hot dogs, chicken, brats, etc. etc.  I'm going to try this stuff on my cheeseburger, or maybe I'll mix it in to the ground beef!

Flavored with bacon, tomatoes, molasses and brown sugar, this thick, mellow sauce will take your grilled meats to new heights. Open and brush on grilled ribs, steaks, chicken or salmon. Or stir it into your favorite recipe for pulled pork or Sloppy Joes.

Ingredients Needed: 0


10 fl. oz. bottle (300ml)

Tastefully Tuesday - Backyard BBQ Dip Mix

Your backyard BBQs will be the talk of the town when you serve this creamy, smoky dip. Just add mayonnaise and sour cream, and serve with chips, chicken wings, potato wedges or fresh veggies. Also makes a delicious spread for roast beef sandwiches. Each packet makes about 1 cup dip.

Ingredients Needed:

• ½ cup mayonnaise**
  **Real mayonnaise only.
• ½ cup sour cream***
  ***Light may be used.

2-0.4 oz. packets per box (0.8 oz.) 24g

Tastefully Tuesday - Roasted Garlic Infused Oil & Decanter Special!

Reward includes 5 oz. oil decanter and 8.8 fl. oz. Roasted Garlic Infused Oil.
Reward items may vary from those pictured.

New Color Kits

Hold on to your hats folks - TWO Stampin' Up! posts in TWO days!  Maybe tomorrow I'll make it THREE!  Ha ha...

Today I promised you more information about the new catalog, so check out this link (New Color Kits).  I tried to post the picture directly into my blog, but for some reason PDF files are not supported with this blog provider.  If you are interested in purchasing any of the kits, please visit my website and click on Shop Now or drop me a call/email line!  Some of the kits aren't available right away :-( like the Pastels and the Watercolor Crayons, but I will let you know when they do come available.

So sorry this is a shorter post than I intended - have a great 4th of July weekend!

Take care,
Peg

Today Is The Day! The New Stampin' Up! Catalog Is Here!

I'm so excited - the first day of the new catalog!  Of course as a demonstrator I've been drooling over this catalog for several weeks and dropping major hints to everyone about it, then I got to distribute catalogs to my returning Stamp Club Members last Saturday!  But today we can actually order from it - with a few exceptions (aren't there always a few?)  Let's not dwell on that for today, shall we?

I think I mentioned that I now have a downline right?  My BFF Lisa K. joined up with me in mid-June, and she and I are coordinating our Open Houses.  Mine will be Saturday, July 10th, 1-5PM, and hers will be July 17th (I think the times are the same, I'll have to get back to you on that).  But we will be featuring similar items, so if you can't make one, maybe you can make the other!  The only thing we ask is that any Open House order you place be placed with the demonstrator you are already associated with (and if you're new, then you get to pick!)  In my case, I will be offering a FREE stamp pad of any color with ANY size order, and a FREE catalog with orders of $50 or more!  Plus I'll have retiring product for sale, and of course yummy snacks from Tastefully Simple as well!

So I thought I'd give you a sneak peek of some of the samples we will be featuring (we each made two so we can share them later):

Stamp Sets: Friends Never Fade, Occasional Quotes
Colors: Pacific Point (base), Daffodil Delight, Pear Pizzazz
Accessories: Scallop Border Punch, Daffodil Delight 1/8" Satin Ribbon, Stampin' Dimensionals

Stamp Set: Rough Type Alphabet
Colors: More Mustard (base), Cherry Cobbler, Cajun Craze, Daffodil Delight, Marina Mist, Early Espresso, Very Vanilla
Accessories: Big Shot, Textured Impressions Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder, Small Heart Punch, 1-1/4" Square Punch, Stampin' Sponges, Stampin' Dimensionals

Stamp Set: Elements Of Style
Colors: Pretty In Pink, Soft Suede, Very Vanilla
Accessories: 1-3/8" Circle Punch, Scallop Border Punch, Crop-A-Dile, Pretty In Pink 5/8" Satin Ribbon

Stamp Set: Cute by the Inch
Colors: Naturals Ivory (base), Pear Pizzazz/Peach Parfait (left) OR Early Espresso/Cajun Crazye (right), Whisper White
Accessories: 1-1/4" Square Punch, 1-3/8" Square Punch

Stamp Sets: Awash With Flowers, Occasional Quotes
Colors: Crumb Cake (was Kraft), Old Olive, Very Vanilla, Pacific Point
Accessories: 1/16" Handheld Punch, Ticket Corner Punch, Gold Brads

Hope seeing these samples will entice you to come to the Open House, enjoy some discounted items and the chance to do a make and take with new stamp sets & colors, and enjoy some treats as well!  Please RSVP to either Lisa or me as soon as you can!

Take care,
Peg

Tastefully Tuesday - Lovin' Lemon Slush!

I'm so excited - in a little while I'll be heading with the girls down to Orland Park for a Tastefully Simple party at my cousin Ann's house!  Awhile back she ordered the Lovin' Lemon Slush drink mix so I asked her if she'd mind mixing it up for the party as well - she agreed!  So now I will have tasted all of our slush drinks as of tonight!

Sweet, tart and refreshing, this lovely drink mix is perfect for summer! Just add vodka and water, and freeze in the handy bucket**. (Or if you'd prefer, use rum or tequila in place of vodka.) Excellent served with fresh fruit, cheese and crackers for summer entertaining. Makes about 9 (8 oz.) servings.

Ingredients Needed:

• 14 oz. (1¾ cups) vodka
• Warm water (about 6 cups)

12.5 oz. bucket (354g)
TIP: For non-alcoholic cocktails, combine with 5 cups water or sparkling water. Chill, pour over ice and enjoy (do not freeze).