Purchase the Starter Kit between August 10 and September 30, and you'll get to pick the family of your choice--colour family, that is--of Classic Stampin' Pads FREE. That's a $79.95 value (actually $100 if you factor in shipping and taxes here in Ontario)!

You'll be able to choose between our four colour families (Bold Brights, Earth Elements, Rich Regals and Soft Subtles - 12 pads each) or choose a 6-pack of our 2007 In Color pads.

Want to know more about the Demonstrator opportunity? Here are some links you may want to check out:

• Stampin' Up! needs all kinds of demonstrators
• Some FAQ's about Becoming a Demonstrator
• My next Demonstrator Information Night - Thursday Aug 30th


Unable to make it to the information night, or live too far? Email me to request a Free Information package to be mailed out (sorry, Canada only).

When properly cared for, good quality rubber stamps will last you for your lifetime! So what do I mean by "caring" for them? In a nutshell, this refers to how you clean and store your stamps. I've put together a picture tutorial which you can see by clicking on the link below:

This month's project is an adorable Bitty Book that would make a wonderful gift for a friend. Change the "Friend" to "Family" and now you have a terrific purse-sized scrapbook you can carry around to show off your family or as a gift for doting grandparents. For a full supply list and instructions on how to create this cute Bitty Book using fun accessories like Chipboard, Rhinestone brads, punches and ribbon, please click HERE.

Ladies, I apologize for having to re-schedule my hostess appreciation stamp camp from August until September. The primary reason was a problem with the location I rented.

If you hosted a Stampin' Up! party for me between July 1st, 2006 and June 30th, 2007 then be sure to mark this revised date on your calendar. This is an event that you won't want to miss. There will be an AWESOME project, door prizes and lots of other goodies.

I love my hostesses and want you all to know that I appreciate your support - this event is a special thank you to you!

If you have a friend that you think would love stamping, or is already hooked, bring her along! If she books a party you will receive a $10 gift certificate to spend at her party (this only applies to new hostesses - i.e. they have never had a party with me before). Only 1 guest per hostess please!

RSVP is required. I will be in touch with each of you individually at which time you will receive further details!

Whether you've just gotten started, you're thinking of getting started, or you just need a few tips or inspiration - then this monthly scrapbooking column is for you!

What should I scrap about?

If you don't already have an idea in mind as to where you would like to start or what you want to scrap about, then begin by sorting through your photos. This will help you jump-start a list of possible topics.When you get down to it, scrapbooking is really all about preserving the memories that are special to you and to your family. Think about what you want to remember. Think about what you want to see on your bookshelf. Here's a few suggestions:

• Baby's first year
• Friends
• School years
• Family history
• Annual celebrations
• Vacations
• All about me
• Everyday happenings

There are a number of different ways that you can set up your scrapbooks. You can create a scrapbook that focuses on a particular event such as a family trip to Disney or Christmas through the years. Or you may choose to simply scrapbook chronologically. Maybe you want to do both. Some words of advice: give yourself permission to scrapbook only the pictures that inspire you - don't get bogged down by trying to scrapbook every single picture or event - who has the time for that? Scrapbooking should be fun, not something else to add to your to-do list. Second, if you do choose to scrapbook chronologically, start where you are, NOT from the beginning. Then, as you have time, start going back in time.

Need a little help getting started? I offer scrapbook clubs and classes. For more information click on the link below.

Have a stamping- or scrapbooking-related question? Send me an email and I'll answer as many as I can in each issue of my newsletter.

Q. "What is the purpose of chipboard and how do you use it?

A. Chipboard is a wonderful accessory that adds dimension and interest to your projects, or can be used to create stand-alone projects in and of themselves. Take a look at the picture frame on the cover of Stampin' Up!'s Catalogue - this was created using Stampin' Up!'s Ginormous Pieces chipboard collection. The flower on the scrapbook page shown in the section above, is an example of how chipboard is used as an accent for projects. So how exactly do you use it? Chipboard can be used "raw" without doing anything at all to it (in it's raw form it is a kraft color). To give it a nice opaque color, you can cover it with craft ink by pressing it into your craft ink pad and then letting it dry. You can also adhere it to cardstock or designer paper and then trim around it. These are just a few ideas to help get you started!

For more details on all my classes/events please visit my *new* Class listings page HERE.

Do you know anyone who might enjoy stamping? Receive items on your wishlist for free for introducing them to me! See my REFERRALS page for more details!

So go ahead... click on the "Forward" button at the bottom of your email to spread the news and then cash in for free product!