Here's one more reason to use Stampin' Up! Products. Stampin' Up! has been recognized as a winner in Creating Keepsakes' annual Readers' Choice Awards! They won in three categories: Idea Books (for our 2004-2005 Idea Book & Catalog ), Rubber Stamps, and Stamping Inks. In addition, Stampin' Up! was nominated in more than 25 other categories. These awards are determined by CK readers, who vote on products nominated in each category.

If you received this newsletter in error or you would not like to be on my mailing list anymore please email me and put in the subject line "remove from newsletter."

What's New?

Featured Accessories

Stampin' Around Wheel Guide

Featured Stamp Set

In Full Bloom

Creating multicolored art is quick and easy with this Two-Step Stampin' set - it's just two steps to colorful, vibrant images! First, stamp the base image with a light color. Then use a darker color to stamp the corresponding detail image.

This time saving technique adds color to your images without requiring markers, pencils, or chalks.

Aqua Painters are really fun to use with this stamp set. This stamp set is a must have! Definately one of my favorites.

Set of 9 stamps. Price $35.95 CAD, Item #103829 Pg 133

Tips and Techniques

Let's have a "wheely" good time!!! By Colleen Kidder (Part 1 of 2)

Wheel Tips:
Rolling on the Sides of Gift Bags:
Fold the gift bag outward. Look at the sides and see how they go in.just refold so they point outward. You will end up with a tiny triangle at the bottom that you will not be able to wheel. Either leave it plain or stamp something that coordinates with the wheel or even a part of a saying or a greeting in that spot. Or create a triangle shape stamp out of left over "rubber clippings" and then just stamp some coordinating color in that area.

"Wheelie" Creative Ideas - Tips to getting started:
For those just beginning to use the wheels you will need to get a feel for the wheel. With most of the wheels I like to roll corner to corner starting with the upper left hand side and pull towards myself. Everyone has to develop what "feels best" for them.

Idea File:
One of my all time favorite things to do with wheels is make stationary:
1. Cut regular copy/printer paper in half.

2. Then place a standard size envelope 3-5/8 X 6-1/2 directly in the center of this paper (longer side to longer side and shorter to shorter but leaving about a 1 inch border all the way around). Use a small piece of tape rolled over on itself to adhere the envelope to the paper so it will stay in place.

3. Then cut a sticky note to about 1-1/2 X 3 inches and place this on the envelope where you would write the address for the recipient of a letter. This will leave a white spot after you use the wheels and make it easier for the post office to read.

4. Next just choose a wheel you'd like to use. I like to use two together in an alternating pattern. Then you just roll your wheels across the paper/envelope stack you created.

5. Remove the sticky note and the envelope and you have a very pretty bordered page on which to write a nice letter to a distant family member or even to your child's teacher.

NOTE: I like to do many of these at one time and gather 10 sets (paper & envelope) together with a piece of matching organdy ribbon. Tie a bow around the center of them and place them in a cello bag. You can create a matching topper but it looks just as pretty to fold over the cello bag top and simply seal with mono adhesive.

These make great graduation gifts, birthday presents, Mother's day presents, hostess thank you's, etc.

Another idea is to use them to create background "printed" paper:
Use something like the snowflake done in white on brocade blue paper.simply beautiful. You could use the hugs and kisses wheel with pink passion ink and roll on positively pink paper for a nice background or for something more striking use the white ink on the real red paper.

You can roll them as an "edge" on the bottom of a card or even on the side depending on the design of the wheel. The butterfly is pretty this way with clear embossing ink and then do the popping pastels method to add color.

* Note Part 2 of "Let's have a Wheely Good Time" will follow in my next newsletter.

Stampin' Up! It's all about creativity.