Last of My Convention Swaps...

These are the last 2 final swaps I am doing for Convention/SCS Dinner swap. I am still deciding and waiting to hear how many i will need for the Dinner Swap. I made 50 of each card and 30 of the 3-D items. I will defiantly swap the candy purses at Convention and more than likely one one or 2 of the cards. I used the PARTY HEARTY set that I earned after Regionals for my swaps for SCS, I love that little set! It is so cute and I could have done more but I wont have any time between now and convention to get any more cards done, which is why I had to finish them now. I hope you enjoy and please do not case for Convention or SCS dinner. Thanks for looking!

**Edited: Oh Yeah, BTW I got the original idea for this candy purse from Dawn's Blog, I love her tutorials, and I tweaked it a little to make them small enough to swap. :)

Gorcery Game- AMAZING!

Ok, so if you are in a total $$ crunch as I am, with the cost of gas getting ready to hit over $4 a gallon, then you will love this as much as I do. There is this website called The Grocery Game, which saves you a TON of $$!! Who can pass that up. So here is how it works...

For your trial period (which I think is like 4 or 8 weeks, cant remember) it only costs $1, and please if/when you sign up put me down as your referral (eringonzales@comcast.net) because you earn free weeks when you refer people to sign up. After your trial period it is $10 for every 8 weeks for your membership- a great deal!

Basically when you sign up you choose a grocery store (or more than one if you want) in your area...and each week you will get a customized list for that particular store. The list is categorized to match the layout of the store (the only store I found this not to be the case with is Safeway) which makes shopping FAST and easy! Then you go through the list and select the items that you wish to get and pull aside the coupons for that particular week and then once you hit the register hand them your pile of coupons and viola- easy as that!

Ok, so some additional details...when you see your list you will notice that it is broken down into Blue, Green, and Black items. The Blue and Green are ROCK BOTTOM prices and you should stock up on these items as a type of food storage. This way you are stocking up on these items while they are on MAJOR sale. The black items are still a great deal but you are advised only to get the black items only if you NEED them.

This system does require you to cut and organize coupons in order to save the most $$. I was NEVER a fan of coupons until this system came along. It takes all the guess work out of it and if I can manage it then anyone can! When you sign up the website tells you how to organize your coupons (they break categories down to Beverages, Cereals, Frozen items, Snacks, Toiletries, etc.) so that when it is time to retrieve them it is super easy to find them! I go through the Sunday paper coupons every week and cut out any coupon I think I might use- ever...you may not use it this week but you probably will in the upcoming weeks. If you have friends that never use their coupons- get theirs...you can use multiples of the same coupon. The list that you get every week will list all the coupons that you will need for just that week- it is so easy!

Each week I save somewhere between 45%-69% on my grocery bill. It is amazing! My first week I spent $86 out of pocket on a total bill that was $170! The second week I saved $152 and spent $120 out of pocket giving me a total bill that was $272- can you believe it almost $300 in groceries for just $120...by the 4th week I had NO MORE room in either one of my 2 freezers for meat or anything else. I have an amazing food storage that we dwindle down and then on the weeks that i have too much food we only get necessities from the store...I LOVE THIS SITE!!! try it out and see what you think. I would love to hear your feedback on this as well- have you tried it?

Happy Anniversary Card

Stamps:
FOREVER IN MY HEART STAMP SET

HUGS & WISHES STAMP SET

HOLIDAYS & WISHES STAMP SET

Paper:
CARD STOCK VERY VANILLA 8 1/2X11
CARD STOCK CHOCOLATE CHIP 8 1/2X11
CARD STOCK TEXTURED NEUTRALS 12 X 12
CARD STOCK TEXTURED EARTH ELEMENTS 12 X 12

Ink
STAMPIN WRITE MARKER ROSE RED
STAMPIN WRITE MARKER CHOCOLATE CHIP
STAMPIN WRITE MARKER OLD OLIVE
CLASSIC STAMPIN PAD ROSE RED
CLASSIC STAMPIN PAD OLD OLIVE

Accessories:
CRAFTERS' TOOL KIT
STAMPIN DIMENSIONALS
SCISSORS CRAFT & PAPER

Instructions:

This card would make a perfect Valentine’s Make & Take. Just replace the word “anniversary” with the “Valentine’s Day” image from the Holidays & Wishes stamp set. To make it more economical, replace the textured card stock with smooth Old Olive and Very Vanilla card stock.

1. Ink “Happy” using Old Olive Stampin’ Write marker, and stamp on Very Vanilla textured card stock (4-1/4" x 2").

2. Ink “Happy anniversary” using Chocolate Chip and Rose Red Stampin’ Write markers, and stamp below “Happy.” Adhere to Old Olive textured card (8-1/2" x 5-1/2").

3. Adhere Chocolate Chip card stock (4-1/4" x 1/8") to card. Pierce row of holes along bottom of card using paper-piercing tool from Crafters’ Tool Kit.

4. Stamp small heart image in Old Olive ink on Very Vanilla card stock (1-1/2" x 1-1/2"), and cut out.

5. Stamp large heart image in Rose Red ink on Very Vanilla card stock (3" x 3"), and cut out. Layer small heart on larger heart, and adhere to card using Stampin’ Dimensionals.

“These greeting stamp sets are perfect to use on any holiday card. Having these two stamp sets in my stamp collection guarantees that I’ll have that perfect holiday greeting I need no matter the season.”

Survey Says...

Good Morning Everyone, Well I put together a little survey for my stamping friends and thought I would post a link to it here in case the email didn't come through to you. You know how that stuff can get filtered out from your INBOX...so please take a moment if you happen to live in the CO area to complete my little survey. I am giving away some prizes in a drawing once the survey time ends which is in 3 days. Thanks for participating!

Oh Yes, and later today or tomorrow, I will post some cool projects with the recipes and the last 2 swaps I have done for Convention...OH I CAN"T WAIT!!!!!

Convention Swaps...at least so far~

These are the cards that I am making so far for my convention/SCS swaps. I ask that you please NOT CASE these cards for your convention or SCS swaps. :) I LOVE these cards, my most favorite blog kwernerdesign is such an inspiration to me!!! She did similar cards, I use hers for template design, and I love how simple but complex they look. Just perfect for swaps when you have to make a million! The first card uses the PARTY HEARTY set that will be in the NEW catalog that we will receive at convention. The second card uses Wonderful Favorites and Holiday Blitz set, I think the only thing I wish I could add more of with out being tacky was BLING- glitter, shine, something...I have to look at these a little longer to see how I can "BLING THEM UP!" :) If I make more changes I will post those as well. I might make a few more cards to swap, I am just not sure...I don't really need more than 100 cards to come home with, but I LOVE to swap. Oh what a dilemma...I guess we will all have to wait to see what I decide. :)

Drum Roll Please.....

This is the FORMAL announcement of my newly finished BLOG STORE, please check it out. I know it is somewhat long and takes a little time to navigate BUT hopefully you will find items that you will like on it. I did it all myself, so I wont be surprised if there are mistakes or glitches- which I am hoping there are not BUT you never are sure. :) I know that the URL is different than the name for the store but I had not thought that through before I got them both...they were bought and assigned at different times in the process. :) These are items that I sell at the craft fairs that I do throughout the year and I thought I might try and sell them via the Internet to see if I can make a go at it that way too. :) I hope you enjoy and please feel free to leave your feedback!

Promotions Galore!!!

Recruiting Special **** Starting today thru 5/31- Stampin' Up! is giving anyone that wants to become a Stampin' Up! demonstrator 20% off the starter kit ( a value of $359.00 for ONLY $159.00 Plus you can customize your starter kit to your personal style ) ...If you want to see what all comes in the starter kit CLICK HERE, and flip to the inside back cover... Its all there for you to zoom in on and take a peek! This is great for all of you stampin' girls that missed the Sell-a-bration starter kit special ITS BACK but get this- not only do you get the 20% off the starter kit you also get the Hodgepodge Hardware Kit for FREE a $27.95 value (you even get to choose which assortment you want either Aged copper, Antique Brass or Pewter) HOLY COW!! Check out the flyer on my sidebar for more details and then contact me during the month of MAY to take advantage of this awesome special ... You can enroll on line just CLICK HERE and go to the "Join Stampin' Up!" page and click on ENROLL NOW.

There are all types of Demo's...if you are interested in getting all this stuff at a great price but not that interested in holding classes/workshops or events- no worries...you can take advantage of this GREAT price and get a discount on all your personal purchases, easy as 1, 2, 3!

Cutting Combo Pack Special **** During the month of May Stampin' Up! is offering you a FREE hobby blade with every cutting mat that you purchase. These blades and mats are perfect to use in conjunction with your On Board Chipboard!

Get On Board with Chipboard **** For the entire month of May when you purchase $35 or more of catalog merchandise you receive 25% off all On Board items, which can be found on pages 178-179 of the Spring Summer Catalog! Check out the flyer on my sidebar for additional details.