Where in the World is Erin??

Ok, so it has been almost a month since my last post...I have no real GOOD excuse other than I have not felt *REAL* creative. I am not really sure why but I assume it is because since my kids are out of school, I don't have a ton of personal free time. I work M-Wed during the week so when I am off on Thurs. and Fri. I feel that I should do fun things with them since they are stuck in the house with my while I work. So no *ME* time, at least until school starts. Although I did come across this picture on another blog a few months ago, and I get a kick out of it EVERY time I see it, so I thought I would share. I am counting down the days until CONVENTION!!! I am super excited and trying to get everything done and printed before so I DON"T forget a thing!!! If I get a chance I will post something crafty later this week...HOPEFULLY!!! :)

EDIT: I almost forgot...TOMORROW Stampin' Up! will post all the RETIRING ACCESSORIES LIST, I will send them to you (if you are on my mailing list) via email first thing tomorrow! I can not wait, and I know you will want to grab the items you want ASAP because unlike the stamps once the items on the accessories list are sold out, they do not re-stock, so they are gone for good. Believe me that could be MUCH sooner than 8/10, when the current catalog expires. So email or call me with your orders to me ASAP to avoid missing out.

NEW PRODUCT LINE from STAMPIN' UP!

Introducing Decor Elements...Stampin' Up!'s new addition to our Definitely Decorative product line! Our Decor Elements designs coordinate with may of our exciting products, so you can combine them to make beautiful, handcrafted home decor pieces. Personalize your surroundings with a variety of exclusive images designed to create a customized, unique space. With our self-adhesive vinyl elements (which are easy to apply and remove), you'll discover how easy and cost effective it can be to do your own decorating. You purchase any Decor Elements product starting July 1st. If you are currently on my mailing list you will get a copy of your brochure as soon as they arrive, if you would like one then join my mailing list by emailing me erin@stampinstuff4u.com today!

Stamps on VACATION??

Nope, but it is that time of year again! This is the time where Stampin' Up! releases their RETIREMENT LIST for the stamps from the Dormant list of the Fall/Winter Cattie and the current Spring/Summer Cattie. Click on THIS LINK and see the list in its entirety. There have been times before that certain sets (and especially wheels) that have sold out prior to the final deadline (Aug. 8th) for these sets to retire, so get them NOW while you can! :) Contact me today to get those items that will soon be gone!

Another No Brainer! :)

I thought I would share SOMETHING today, even though it is not one of my own creations. :) I am working on something that i hope to have done in the next few days for you to see...but until then ENJOY! :)

FOREVER IN MY HEART CARD

Stamps:ALWAYS STAMP SET

Paper:
CARD STOCK WHISPER WHITE 8 1/2X11
CARD STOCK ALWAYS ARTICHOKE 8 1/2X11
CARD STOCK SOFT SKY 8 1/2 X 11

Ink
CRAFT STAMPIN PAD ROSE RED
CLASSIC STAMPIN PAD ROSE RED
CLASSIC STAMPIN PAD ALWAYS ARTICHOKE

Accessories:
SPONGE DAUBERS
STAMPIN DIMENSIONALS
SCISSORS CRAFT & PAPER
RIBBON DOUBLE STITCHED RIVER ROCK
ON BOARD HEARTS AND STARS BULK

Instructions

1. Color chipboard heart using Rose Red Craft ink and sponge daubers, and set aside to dry.

2. Stamp heart image in Always Artichoke ink on Always Artichoke card stock (2-1/2″ x 3″), and adhere to card.

3. Stamp heart image in Rose Red ink on Whisper White card stock (2-1/2″ x 3″). Cut out heart, and adhere to card using Stampin’ Dimensionals.

4. Stamp saying in Always Artichoke ink on card. Stamp again in Rose Red ink on Whisper White card stock scrap. Cut out “Heart,” and adhere to card using Stampin’ Dimensionals.

5. Adhere chipboard heart to card using Stampin’ Dimensionals. Tie River Rock double-stitched grosgrain ribbon around front of card.

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.”