All you need to know about Ribbons and Bows

Q&A Q: What is your favourite ribbon bow technique? A: Well, I’d like to say it’s a natural ability, but that wouldn’t be true! I’ve learned how to make a bunch of great bows through resources from Stampin’ Up! and my fellow demonstrators. Here are 5 of my favourite bows as well as tips for making them. 1. Two Coloured Double Bow: Layer two 18” ribbons. Layer ribbons then tie a standard bow. Before pulling the bow loops to tighten the bow, take a moment to twist the ribbon ends so they lay straight. Pull bow loops to tighten, then fan the inside bow loops out from behind the top loops. 2. Elegant Bow: Lay a 5” piece of ribbon out flat. Add a dab of SNAIL to center of ribbon. Fold in right end and adhere to center. Add a dab of SNAIL on top of ribbon end. Fold in left end and adhere to center. Add a dab of SNAIL on top of ribbon end. Place one end of 2” ribbon over center of ribbon, creating a “T” shape. Add a dab of SNAIL on top of 2” ribbon end over folded ribbon. Wrap 2” ribbon around folded ribbon until it overlaps and adheres to itself. Pull ribbon snug so it is flat, but not so tight it causes the folded ribbon to gather. Trim off excess ribbon. Press bow flat or push the ends gently to puff it up a bit. Add to card or layer on top of a ribbon strip. 3. Perfect Double Bow: Select a brad and spread prongs out flat. Begin with 18” ribbon. Use a ruler or estimate the lengths. Fold ribbon 3” from end with 3” section on top. Hold finger over folded layers 1” from fold with loop to left. Fold long end towards your finger to create 1” loop on right. Keep finger over center to hold layers in place. Fold long end back to center to make 1-1/2” loop on left. Fold ribbon back to center again creating 1-1/2” loop to right. Pinch ribbon at center and pick up layers. Set layered ribbon on brad with opened prongs. Fold prongs over ribbon and press flat. Trim ends. 4. Hole Bow: Punch a hole in card stock with 1/8” or 1/4” punch. Thread both ends of a 22” long ribbon up through hole from bottom. Slide ribbon loop around card stock and tighten by pulling ends. Keep ribbon ends the same length. Split ribbon ends so one comes out above ribbon and one comes out below. Make sure ribbon isn’t twisted. Tie a basic bow. Fluff and adjust bow as needed and then trim ribbon ends. 5. Fork Bow: Begin with a standard dinner fork with four tines and a 10” piece of ribbon. Place ribbon across front of fork with 1/3” of ribbon to left of the fork. This end will stay stationary. Wrap right end of the ribbon around behind the fork, around left edge, over the top of the first end. Thread end down through space between the center fork tines below where the first ribbon crosses. Pull ribbon up behind the fork and through the space between center fork tines. Knot the two ribbon ends firmly. Slide ribbon from fork and trim ends. Go Bow Crazy Have fun practicing and experimenting with these bows and different types of ribbon. Pretty soon your friends will be asking you how your bows always look so great! We have a number of ribbons retiring this month. Make sure to order your favourites before they are gone! © CraftyPerson Production. Images © Stampin' Up!

What's to know about "This and That" Journals

 Q&A

Q: The new This and That journals look cool. In what ways are people using them?



A: Our latest This and That product line is based on a growing trend of smash books. They go back to the roots of scrapbooking when people created memory books filled with photos and mementos. Today’s scrapbooks can truly be a work of art to be cherished as a family heirloom, but some scrapbookers prefer to go back to a simpler and faster way of capturing what is happening in their lives. So, are you still wondering what it’s all about?

• Do you remember doodling in your school notebook? It’s like that!



• Have you ever created an Imagery Board for your wall or collages of magazine pictures that you like or places you want to go? It’s like that!



• Have you ever had a journal you kept in the past and stopped because you just wanted to add a journal entry when you felt inspired instead of chronologically? It’s like that!



• Have you ever collected ideas and inspiration from several different sources for a school project, a home renovation, a wedding, a party, or maybe a garden? It’s like that!



• Ever wanted to have a place to add your favourite quotes when you hear them? It’s like that!



• Need a place to collect all your love notes, recipes, or funny quotes from your kids? Yeah, it’s like that too!

I could go on and on because, as with most crafting products, the only limitation for using This and That journals is your imagination! But, I will leave you with this last idea - basically, it’s Pinterest on paper. 











As you can tell, this would be a great product for teens, Tweens, mothers, planners, would-be artists, collectors of pretty things ... the list goes on and on. Take a look at this video and then give it a try and see what inspires you!

Paper Pumpkin is a monthly kit-in-the-mail subscription that is delivered to your door. Each month will be a different surprise project - anticipation is half the fun, isn't it? Stampin' Up! will design, colour, measure, and cut it all for you. It's like having a class in your own home on your time. No worries, though, you'll have everything you need to complete the project: paper, stamps, ink, accessories, and more! (You will need adhesive.)

Monthly subscriptions are only $24.95 billed on the 10th of each month - this includes shipping, too!

     » Complete instructions are provided with each kit!
     » The projects are designed to be completed in 30 minutes or less.
     » Projects are designed by Stampin' Up! designers
     » Projects can be several cards or 3-D projects.
     » You can skip a month or cancel at any time.

Go to: http://Mypaperpumpkin.net to sign up.   The first shipment is being sent March 10th!

Easter Ideas

	Q&A Q: I’d like to make some treats and decorations for Easter, but I’m not sure what. Do you have any suggestions? A: Spring and Easter are coming up quickly! This time of year we think about the weather warming up and start looking forward to spring flowers. Spring also brings to mind holidays like Easter and Mother’s Day, and small gifts for teachers at the end of the school year. Stamping and paper crafting have virtually unlimited possibilities, but some of the most popular are tags, treats, and baskets. Read on to get your creativity blooming this spring! Tags & Décor Tags are a quick and easy way to personalize gifts, holiday tables, and Easter baskets. Tags can be made for: • Spring themes with small stamps like Spring Sampler (#125510 wood, #125512 clear). • Floral themes with the Secret Garden stamp set (#129141 wood, #129144 clear) and coordinating Secret Garden Framelits Dies (#129372). You can save when you bundle the stamps and framelits together in the Secret Garden Bundle (#131100 wood, #131099 clear)! • Easter themes with the A Little Bit of Spring stamp set (#126009 wood, #126011 clear) or use punches to create punch-art bunnies, chicks, eggs, and more! • Family events with the Amazing Family stamp set (#129189 wood, #129192 clear). Treats A little special packaging makes even a simple and small gift feel special and heartfelt. Try creating a quick and pretty small box using the Fancy Favors Bigz XL die (#115965) and the Tea for Two Designer Series Paper (#129311). Fill it with homemade candy, small gifts, or seasonal candy like jelly beans or chocolate eggs. Or fill a Small Cello Bag (#102757) with homemade cookies and make a quick topper by folding the tag from the Pop-Up Posies Designer Kit (#131395) in half. Decorate the tag topper with one of the beautiful flowers from the kit and stamp “just for you” using the stamp included in the kit and you have a very special gift! Baskets Store-bought baskets can be decorated with stamped embellishments, torn fabric bows, ribbon, and tags. Or create your own basket using card stock. This small basket features the Mixed Bunch stamp set (#125535 wood, #125537 clear) and the coordinating Blossom punch (#125603). The Dragonfly is created using Vellum card stock (#101856) that has been stamped and heat embossed with Iridescent Ice Stampin’ Emboss Powder (#101930). The body is created from the Word Window (#119857) and 1/2” Circle (#119869) punches. Let Your Creativity Bloom I hope some of these ideas for tags, treats, and baskets have given you a few seeds to help your ideas grow and bloom into beautiful handmade gifts and décor this spring! As always, I love to brainstorm ideas with you and can demonstrate some spring-themed projects for you and your friends. Just get in touch with me!
© CraftyPerson Production. Images © Stampin' Up!

How to make the most of Sale-A-Bration

Q&A Q: How do I get the best deals out of Sale-A-Bration? A: Sale-A-Bration is all about great deals and rewards. You can get wonderful rewards by shopping, hosting, and joining Stampin’ Up! Which is the best deal? That all depends on what you are looking for! Shop During Sale-A-Bration, you get extra rewards just for purchasing the great Stampin’ Up! products you already love! For each $60 of merchandise you purchase, you get to pick a reward item. Spend $120, and you get to select two reward items. Spend $180, and you’ve made your own party! You’ll get 3 rewards plus additional hostess rewards. See the Host section for those details. Many customers stock up on essentials like card stock, adhesives, and embellishments during Sale-A-Bration to take advantage of the extra goodies they can get only during Sale-A-Bration! Rewards include exclusive products like: stamp sets, ribbon & button bundles, Designer Series Paper, a Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, and a Simply Sent Card Kit, as well as a sneak peek at a new punch and an assortment of goodies from the Annual Catalogue! Host Get your girlfriends together for a social night of fun and creativity. You bring your friends and I’ll bring the creative projects you all will love to do together! Your friends all get the extra Sale-A-Bration rewards when they shop and place a qualifying order. You get a fun night with your friends, Sale-A-Bration rewards on your qualifying purchases, and additional Hostess Rewards for qualifying parties. With a $200 party, you’ll receive: • The traditional $35 Hostess Shopping Dollars to spend as you like • Silver Glimmer Paper as a special Sale-A-Bration reward to celebrate Stampin’ Up!’s Silver Anniversary! With a $525 party, you’ll receive: • The traditional $90 Hostess Shopping Dollars to spend as you like • 50% off any full-priced item • Silver Glimmer Paper to celebrate 25 years of Stampin’ Up! • Free Sale-A-Bration Product Bundle (includes stamp set, buttons, ribbon & Designer Series Paper) Join I think the best deal of all is joining Stampin’ Up! Why? • You get to become part of the fun! • You can make a difference in your life and the lives of other women by sharing Stampin’ Up! • You receive a 20% discount on all products! • You’ll have exclusive access to Stampin’ Up!’s creative and business resources. • You’ll be among the first to see and play with new products. • You can earn money to pay a bill or replace an income, depending on your goals. It’s always a great time to join Stampin’ Up! The Starter Kit is a unheard of deal at only $125 and includes $155 worth of products of your choice plus business supplies. During Sale-A-Bration, you’ll get an even sweeter deal: • All the fantastic benefits as usual, plus • 25% more in your starter kit! ($194.00 worth of products for just $125) Your Best Deal So what’s your best deal? Contact me today and I’ll be happy to help you put together your very best Sale-A-Bration deal! I just love getting to give out extra rewards as part of my job!
© CraftyPerson Production. Images © Stampin' Up!