Category: Circle of Pals

Peeping Paul……What!?

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Paul Wood You Be Mine

I affectionately call the lumber jack in the Wood You Be Mine stamp set Paul as in Paul Bunyan. He is just so adorable and I love his beard. I didn’t color in his beard because this Paul is a much more mature Paul…LOL.

Wood You Be Mine

MAGGIE MADE TIPS: Not in cash, but great crafting recommendations

  • Make the focal point stand out. Initially, the lumber jack was placed on the  Adventure Bound Designer Series Paper Stack (wood pieces), with Stampin’ Dimensionals, but he just didn’t look right. So my Circle of Pals member, Joy C. suggested I punch the paper and make Paul jump off the page. That’s exactly what I did. Thanks for your help Joy!
  • Paper Surgery. Did you notice the saw cutting off a piece of wood? To give the look of the saw cutting the wood I used an Xacto knife to trim the top half of the wood and slipped the saw underneath it and propped it up with a small piece of Stampin’ Dimensional.
  • How did I make the ring around Paul? I’m finishing up the video that shows you how and will post soon.  Sign up here to receive free blog updates and you won’t miss it.

New Sale-a-Bration Product Announced: Sale-a-bration Bonus products—only available March 1–March 31, 2015. With every $50 you spend (before tax & shipping), you earn a free product! Click HERE to check out the full Sale-A-Bration brochure for the other great products only available until March 31.

Product Purchase Suggestion: Start with these basic crafting supplies. My Paper Pumpkin guarantees three months worth of projects deliver to your door-step. The adhesive, notecards with envelopes, and rhinestones add to your stash with additional supplies to continue using the stamp set that comes in each My Paper Pumpkin kit.

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Stampin’ Up! Leadership 2015

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Last week marked five days of pure adrenaline filled bittersweet fun! Why? Because I attended Leadership 2015 event as a Manager and the fun has just begun!

Imagine walking into a beautiful hotel and the first thing you see is this sign.

SU Welcome Board

Let the fun begin…

Leadership Leadership   Leadership LeadershipLeadership Leadership  Leadership Leadership

My Stampin’ Up! life has brought me to great new friendships at a time in my life when I needed them most and they didn’t even know it. They are more than just friends, they are my family.

Leadership

I want to take this opportunity to send out a special shout out to Robyn R. One of the event planners for Stampin’ Up!’s Corporate office. She is one of many who makes our incredible events happen. I first met Robyn at last year’s convention and I love her to pieces. She loves her job and she loves us. THANK YOU for friendship… all three of us (Justin, Nicole, and I) love you very much!

PreLeadership

I had a couple of days of pre Leadership fun with my long-time friend Carmel (above). She stamped for the first time and I’ll have that awesome experience on my FB Page this week.

PreVisit PreLeadership

One of the best things that has happened to me, next to being a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator are the special friendships I have formed. Justin from jkcardsonline.com and Nicole from PMRetreat.com are my best buddies. Justin was also visiting friends and he picked me up from Carmel’s to head out to Leadership.

I’m also lucky enough to have family in Orlando, my sister-in-law Jackie, treated us to a day at Epcot. The memories will always be in my heart. Thank you Jackie for the fun adventure!

Leadership

Stampin’ Up! is changing the structure of our annual Leadership and Convention events and will now begin to have events twice a year and they will also take place in Europe.

It would be so awesome if YOU can join me in July for the last annual convention in Salt Lake City or at one of the other locations this November: San Diego, CA; Dallas, TX; Milwaukee, WI; Baltimore, MD; or Tampa, FL.

I would LOVE to have you join me at one of these events this year. Click HERE to get more information about a pressure free MEMBERSHIP. Lets make great memories together!

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My Very First Pals Paper Arts #235 Post!

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Twitterpated

This is the first post that has ever made me nervous. Not shaking in my pants nervous, but my stomach in knots nervous. At the same time I’m jumping up and down with so much excitement because this is my very first post as a Pals Paper Arts design team member.

Up until Tuesday it still felt like Christmas to me… maybe because the colors are a very rich representation of winter. I find color challenges the most challenging to me because I think I do much better with sketch challenges. But guess what? I now get to practice, practice, practice. HA! Go on and check out the designer team sketches.

PPA235

MAGGIE MADE TIPS: Not in cash, but great crafting recommendations:

I have a very dear friend whom I’ll call Brian King to protect his identity (LOL) and he is truly the King of layering.  I love his sweet simple style and while I put my card together I thought if him the entire time.

What’s the magic to perfect layering?

  • Color coordination. You can choose colors that are a complete contrast to each other or colors that have very suttle color changes, like this challenge.
  • Don’t worry if you don’t have an eye for color… I’m a color kluts and can’t match two colors to save my life. But……
  • Don’t worry about it. That’s what color challenges are for right?! Then again, you can always use our Color Coach.

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS: For the last few months or so there seems to be so much going on with Stampin’ Up! and I’ll make it easy for you to read ahead. Simply click on the links below to read each one. 

  • Blog Candy Give-a-way: Today is pretty much your last day to enter the blog candy give-a-way drawing from Sat., Jan. 3rd, which just happened to be my cousin Veva’s birthday.
  • A Mini Paper Share w/FREE washi sheets: Great offer to try our new paper before investing in the entire pack and perfect for card-makers who don’t use two 12×12″ sheets (like me). That’s how I’m able to provide you such a GREAT price!
  • Earn FREE Sale-A-Bration Product: With the purchase a 3-month Pre-Paid My Paper Pumpkin kit receive FREE product instantly!
  • Become a Member Not a Recruit!: When you join the my Circle with the Circle of Pals during Sale-A-Bration Stampin’ Up! is giving every new member a choice of additional FREE product!

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Stampin’ Up! Product Recipe:

Almost forgot to include the Polka Dot Embossing Folder.

Tools of the Trade:

Happy New Year 2015

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New Year 2015

Happy New Year 2015 to YOU!

I am blessed beyond all understanding, my cup runneth over, and I am living the dream. My number one goal is to expand my readership and bring you fresh designs with new ideas.

In just FIVE days you will have the opportunity to experience Sale-a-bration with me. I don’t think I have been more excited about the Occasions products like this year. You are in for some very AWESOME treats on January 6th.

Also, just a few more days and I’ll you’ll be reading the BIGGEST news in my paper-crafting career! It’s killin’ me to keep it inside and I am so excited to blurt it out… just not right now! LOL

UPDATE: The news is out! I was chosen to become a member of the Pals Paper Arts Design Team! OMG! Woot woot! Jumping up & down, doing the hokey pokey and putting my left foot in… and turnin’ myself around! Read it here.

MAGGIE MADE THOUGHTS:

  • You don’t always have to use the entire stamp to design what you want to say on a card.
  • I used two stamps from the Mingle All the Way set to make this one image.
  • I stamped the HAPPY with the Metallic Silver Encore Pad  and snipped it out. Followed by lower half of a different stamp (in the same set) just to stamp “New Year” with Tuxedo Black Memento Ink.
  • Never ever be afraid to experiment. This stamped image took me two tries to get it to how I wanted it.

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT:

Make 2015 the year you’ll decide to join the Circle of Pals and get your discount on! I have a few Circle of Pals who showcase their work on various other social media sites. Please stop by, like their page, leave a comment, and tell them you heard about them from me. They’ll love you for it.

Thank you so much for stopping by today and starting the year off with me. Sending you Peace, Love, and Craftiness!

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New Year 2015

Stampin’ Up! Product Recipe:

Stampin’ Up! Tools of the Trade:

Stuffed with (Pals) Happiness

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Grateful1

I don’t know about you, but this card has Fall Happiness written all over it!  The vibrant colors of the Color Me Autumn DSP are spot on for Thanksgiving/Fall cards.  I made this card as a swap for my Circle of Pals team’s get together and also entered it into the Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge 238.

SSSC238

The layout was a life-line for me because I had been so busy for the previous two weeks that I procrastinated until the morning of the get together to make the swap cards.  Thankfully it was only three cards.

Shari

Shari applied the coloring technique to the black and white feathers in our Back to Black DSP (133700).  It gives the paper an entire new dimension and pizzaz.

Theresa

Believe it or not, this little beauty is actually the Gift Card Envelope & Trims Thinlits Dies from the Holiday Catalog.  It’s an envelope made for mini cards, gift cards, or stash a little cash inside of it.

Joy

Va-va-va-voom!  This precious rich razzleberry makes me crave plums…LOL.  Below are just a handful of my Pals and whether you want to hang with us as a hobby demonstrator you are more than welcomed to join my Pals on our next journey.  Read more about joining my team (I WANT YOU TO) even if it’s just to get a discount on fabulous product or to go for the gusto and make some extra cash.  A Circle of Pal member isn’t just a down-line member we are friends first, stampers second!

I do have one request…visit my Circle of Pals on their respective sites (Facebook or Instagram) and leave them comments about their beautiful cards…or just leave a comment for them below.

Thank you so much for stopping by.

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Grateful2

Products Used:

A Heartfelt Message

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If you’re here to view the blog hop, don’t worry, just continue scrolling and you will see it.  But if you want to read about my personal stamping story read before moving on.

Birthday

I’m not going to discuss the recent event of the loss of one of America’s beloved comedian/actor, Robin Williams. But what he suffered from… depression. I know too well about depression and I do not hide it and I have shared my personal story many times, but in a nutshell, depression is real and nothing or no one can just make it go away.

After my diagnosis, I found myself stamping and playing with paper, stamps, inks, and the feeling of being in a room full of people, but still feeling alone didn’t go away completely, but my hobby made me feel like it made my days Ridiculously Amazing (like the stamp set). It didn’t happen overnight, it took a few months, but nevertheless I began to feel better.

What added to my feeling of getting out of my funk was the new friends I made.  They are the Pals, led by Mary Fish, the sweetest most loving woman you will ever meet.  There are even more amazing men & women who I call my Pals and they’re literally all over the U.S.  We are a network of support not just for crafting, but we lean on each other when we are suffering in our private lives. We not only communicate via our private Facebook page, but we call, text, and message each other whenever we need each other.

For them I am thankful, grateful, and I love them to pieces. Every single one of them, they will never know what they have done for me.  Even while deployed, they kept my spirits up, they kept me stamping and my mind off war.

I love you with all my heart my sweet Pals!

Birthday

With all this said, I ask that if you suffer from depression, get yourself a hobby! Any hobby, not just stamping because I am living proof that my depression has been lessened and although I can’t say it’ll ever go away, I know I have special friends that will always be there for me.  You see, depression isn’t something that can be immediately cured and if you have a friend whom you know suffers from depression, know that all you have to be is a FRIEND.  Listen to them without judgement, but just let them lean on you… YOU just might save their life.

If you are just so inclined to learn more about stamping you can learn more about My Circle of Pals here or send an email to (maggie@maggiemadecards.com) and ask me anything you’d like to know about joining our group of crafters. You can even just share your story with me even if you just need someone to talk to.

Amazing Birthday Clear-Mount Stamp Set
$20.95
Amazing Birthday Wood-Mount Stamp Set
$28.95
Whisper White Note Cards & Envelopes
$5.95
Island Indigo Classic Stampin’ Pad
$5.95
Gift Card Enclosure Pack
$5.95
Flower Pot Designer Series Paper
$10.95
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Gifts from My Pals

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Who doesn’t like gifts? I know I love them and am so grateful to have such sweet friends.  Friends I would have never met if it weren’t joining Stampin’ Up!

Card Nicole Watt

Nicole Watt of Pixel Maven’s Retreat, is a very talented friend Pal gave this gorgeous Awesomeness card and coaster to me and the funny thing about crafters is that we love to give.  Coasters are the easiest project for a DIY gift and so inexpensive to make.  You can stamp directly on them and spray a clear coat of spray glue or bake them at 350 for 30 minutes.  I’ll be having a future class, so subscribe to my blog (if you don’t already) and find out real soon when I’ll be teaching this technique).

Card Karen Bone

This lovely card was a Convention Pals Card swap and each year I receive card swaps from my Pals and each year I only pass on a handful of them.  Why? Because they are so precious and cute I never want to give them away, but keep them for myself… LOL.

Tuesday

Click here to view this weeks Weekly Specials.  Every Tuesday Stampin’ Up! places few items in the Weekly Deals.  These items are not retired items, they are just that Weekly Specials.  If I don’t have them and I want them I grab them because of the great bargain price!  If you don’t have it, GRAB it before it goes back to regular price.

Buy 3, Get 1 Free Designer Series Paper – Ends Tomorrow
July is more than half over and so is this special on designer series paper.  Time is our enemy…don’t miss out on this incredible offer.  Check out the paper here.

Local August Card Class – Aug 24th
This card is one of three designs that you can make at my local card class.  If you live locally, click here to view the other two cards and sign up for the class.

Paper Pumpkin New Subscriber Promotion – Ends Sept 10th
NEW SUBSCRIBERS click HERE and use the code HALFOFF2 to join Paper Pumpkin before September 10, 2014, and get 50% off the first two months! After that, keep the creativity coming for only $19.95 + tax per month (shipping included).

Join My Team
If all you want is to receive products at a discount for yourself or earn a little extra income by selling Stampin’ Up! to others, become a part of my Circle of Pals Stampin’ Up! team.  I would LOVE to have you, send me an email (maggie@maggiemadecards.com).  It would be a blast if you would join the other Pals at Convention next year or other events we put together.

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More Hugs

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Maria

You can NOT deny that this is just the cutest card ever! I couldn’t help but feel so loved by my Pals when I opened this card.

My sweet Circle of Pals Maria R. one of my down-line sent this sweet thing wishing me well wishes. Maria is a hobby demonstrator who joined Stampin’ Up! just for the discount.  Anyone can join for any reason for as long as they want, no questions asked and you can learn more about it here.

Just Because

This second card was sent by one of my favorite Pretty Pals, Frances.  I say one of my favorite Pals because honestly I’ve lost count of how many I really have.  There are over 300+ plus of us and after a while it’s hard to keep track… LOL.

What I can tell you is that the friendships I have made are out of this world. Pals live all over the United States and we communicate virtually through email, a private Facebook page, and webinars.

Anyone can become a Pal and you can find out pretty much anything about us right here.

Stamp Used on Second Card:

Vivid Vases Wood Stamp Set
$11.95

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Feeling the Love

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photo

Since I’ve been homebound in recovery mode, card-making has taken a back seat.  I made a handful of cards prior to my surgery and since then I’ve received some cards from my Pals and friends.

Wow, do I feel the love. This is what card-making is all about.  Sending them to loved one’s and friends who can use a pick me up. If I could only describe how good I feel when getting something special in the mail besides a bill. (LOL)

Just Because

This very sweet one was given to me by my friend Rose. I met Rose last year through a referral program sponsored through my up-line where we find local Pals.  We communicated on-line and after I returned from deployment she came over for my shoebox card swap. She’s been my friend ever since and I truly enjoy her friendship.

Again, the friends I’ve made in the last three years are priceless. Learn more about my Circle of Pals here. Get your card-making on and be on the look out for my next post because I’ve got more cards to show you that I’m so excited about.  They are so darn cute, just like little kittens.

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