Clearance Sale From Your Sofa!


From Millan.Net  Bev's Paper Pumpkin Special!
Throughout the rest of December, 2014, I'm offering an exclusive-from-me special for new Paper Pumpkin subscribers!
  • Subscribe for 3 months to Paper Pumpkin - You'll receive your choice of either a free Multipurpose Liquid Glue or a free Snail Adhesive, shipped directly from me to you!
  • Subscribe for 6 months to Paper Pumpkin - You'll receive a free Multipurpose Liquid Glue AND a free Snail Adhesive, shipped directly from me to you! 
  • How?  Just go to www.mypaperpumpkin.com and click one of these three links:
  • . "Join Here" (middle of the page)
    . "Join" (top right of the screen)
    . "Subscribe" (top middle of the screen)
     
  • In the "Quantity" field, enter 1 (or more) and click "Continue."
  • Enter your general information and click "Continue."
  • Enter your payment information and click "Continue." 
  • Select me, Beverly Gerard, as your demonstrator.   (Thank you, bunches!!)
  • I appreciate your business, and will happily answer any questions you might have.

From Millan.Net   *Year-End Clearance!
Oh my goodness!  The new Year-End Clearance Sale is in progress online!  A few hot items have already sold out, and it all disappears on  January 5, 2015.  Check it out here while the goodies are still available!

In the meantime, wrap'em up, set'em out (or stash'em good), and savor the Christmas blessings!
Inky (((huggss))),

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Don't Wait So Long

 Any guesses on where I've been?
Hint:  I am a life-long lover of nurseries full of plant life.
 
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Alas, I had absolutely NO contact with rubber or ink ...
except the ink on a memorial program and a couple of newspapers.  (Yes ... I did miss rubber, ink, + paper.)


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Hint:  Our nurseries here in N. Texas are filled to the brim with Christmas trees right now ... but hardly any outdoor plants at this time of year.
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My cousin who can practically finish my sentences took this speckled pink cyclamen home ... and promptly set it in an outdoor arrangement on her front porch!   (Go ahead and color me a bit jealous now!)
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Yeah ... the same cousin took me on an eye-candy and aroma-candy tour.   We both savored every single second ... and made friends with the man whose father started that business 60 years ago!
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A favorite memory includes the hanging fuschias growing in a very special nursery during my adolescent and teen years.  Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh ... ...

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Here's a huge hint ...  
These two special people arrived at the same airport as I did last week, complete with traditional luggage!  (And they reported having a wonderful time on their December journeys, too.)
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Did you guess it right? 
That's okay ... 
But no, I wasn't "stuck in Lodi again".  For me it's a favorite place.

It's truly a shame that we often travel to say 'Goodbye' to someone special.  Why don't we travel to say, "Hello" more often?  But even so, I felt as though I had 'gone home' for several days, complete with sharing many special {{{hugggsss}}} and lots more memories. 

Lesson:  Don't wait so long next time.    ;)
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Inky (((hugs))),

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Have you checked out the amazing Year-End Clearance dealsUp to 80% off!  
Plus, you'll find each week's latest Weekly Deals over in the right-side column of my blog.   Thanks so much for your support of my Stampin' Up! business this year!  I couldn't have done it without you.


Creative Blog Hop! * Sharing the SU Love

I love this ride ... my personal rubber stamping & paper crafting ride!

Indeed, my stamping journey has blessed me in many unexpected ways.  Right up at the top of that list are the friendships that I have as a result of my love for this hobby-turned-business.  My dear friend, Lydia Fiedler, nominated me to participate in this Creative Blog Hop, which features Stampin' Up! projects by an ongoing list of SU demos & friends.  Big squishy thanks & {{{hugggsss}}} to you, Lydia!


I'm taking a tiny break from seasonal creations, but I wanted to feature something using one of my favorite new SU products, and share it in some of my favorite colors!  While I truly adore many of the current colors, Soft Sky, Coastal Cabana, and the bold & sassy Bermuda Bay come together to create a beautiful ombre palette and they play   together nicely for a variety of styles. 

The Striped Scallop Thinlit 'had me' at first look in the 2014-2015 catalog.  And just in case you think it looks difficult or tricky?  Just use it to make a matching cut from the Transfer Adhesive Sheets ...  a terrific method for adhering intricate items!  I used the die to cut once from each of the three colors, then used pieces from each to inlay the rows of graduated color with a dot of Liquid Multipurpose Glue behind each little piece.  

Have you tried the awesome Magnetic Platform in your Big Shot when die cutting?  My friends, "this" is the time to use and to love that fabulous tool!  Oh How Easy it is to use these dies when the magnetic platform is holding everything in perfect place while you run them through the Big Shot!!  

My tag is simply cut from the Circles Collection Framelit dies, and it's all topped off with a simple tied bow of Seam Binding ribbon.  The sweet sentiment from the Six-Sided Sampler stamp set was stamped with Bermuda Bay ink.

Ohhhh boy .... Now I'm to answer four questions.  Wish me luck on this part!   ;)
  1. What are you working on?  My paper crafting has slowed recently ... and I'm tickled to say that I have officially finished my Christmas shopping!  I know.  What's the big deal?  Lots of peeps have finished!  Well ... this is an absolute FIRST for this girl to be done before closing out the first full week of December.  Did I manage the same before having children?  Possibly, but I doubt it.   So, Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay!    
  2.  How does your work differ from others in your genre?   Hmmmmmm ...  Perhaps each of us has a slightly different perception of our own work as compared to how others view it.  Overall, I see myself as a 'variable' in the stylistic world of stamping.  I have creations in my repertoire that are multi-layered to the max, but not today.  I have previously been such a fan of coloring that I was bored with items without line art.  I'd love to become easily fluid in clean & simple styling ... but I'll continue to work on it.  So, I add a couple of layers and often resort to what might be termed 'traditional'.  That's possibly my comfort zone, but I'm also a creature of exploration at times, and I just never know when I'll break out and dabble in a new-to-me technique.  When the mood strikes ... give it a try!
  3.  Why do you create what you do?   Why??  Because since being introduced to stamping several years ago by my then college student daughter, I've discovered my favorite type of creativity.  It's that simple.  Stamping, creating with paper, inks, and embellishments brings a joy to me that is very satisfying.  I've sampled many crafting methods over my entire life.  I even have one of my first loomed-loops pot holders.  Perhaps carefully sun-baked mud pies were my beginning, but they didn't "keep" very well.  And I'm pretty sure I was a Master of Mud Pies.   Papers, inks, and stamps make me smile ... inside and out. 
  4. How does your creativity process work?    I'm influenced by so many things!  Nature, color, adjoining designs, pinterest!, fabrics, the countless stamped projects I've seen and loved over the years ... These are all a part of my process.  I usually go to my stampin' table with an idea of what I want to create ... but I may or may not have the design set firmly in mind.  Perhaps I need to ponder colors.  I often start with a stamp set ... but as I play with color ideas or design elements, so many things can change as I bring new inks or papers or embellishments to the table.  Alas, I'm often an "explosion" stamper, in that I gather & bring so many items to my stampin' zone that the table looks positively crowded or packed with a plethora of creative supplies by the time I'm actually ready to photograph the finished project.  ...sigh...  Oh how I hope I'm not alone in this!   LOL
Now for the fun part!  I get to share my nominations for the next two Creative Blog Hop players for 'next' Monday, December 15!
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Hallie G.!   Have you ever watched someone's work online and then had the delightful opportunity to meet that creative soul in person?  Well, Hallie Gainer has inspired me for a nice long time.  I was lucky enough to be on the same Creative Crew at SCS with her too.  But for a long time, I didn't even realize that she lives in Texas.  Yep!  She's a fellow Texas gal with a smile as big & bright as her delightful personality.  And when I heard a voice calling, "Bev!", in the line at Starbucks during Convention last July, I couldn't believe it was her ... right there and in person!  Yeeeehaaaaaaaw!!  You're going to love Hallie's ways with SU's paper, stamps, + inks just as much as I do.

smithr66 !   I'm still waiting and hoping ... I can be very patient, so I'm not worried.  Next week you will clearly see why I'm so inspired by Nancy Smith's creative talents!  Need an inspirational nudge on a slow mojo day?  I have no doubt that you, too, will soon be a following fan of hers.  So 'why' am I still waiting?  Well, surely there will be a time when I find myself meeting Ms. Nancy in person ... even though that hasn't happened just yet.  And yes, the Splitcoaststampers Creative Crew galleries are blessed with Nancy's challenge creations.  I know you'll be tickled to see how she becomes an inspiration for you as she has for me!

Thanks a bunch for having visited here today!  It's a pleasure to share with y'all!
Inky (((hugs))),

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MDS - the Digital Experience

During 2013 I took a little personal "leap" in my paper crafting journey.
I jumped into the world of digital scrapbooking by purchasing My Digital Software (MDS)!

Why?

When I was invited to join the Creative Crew over at Splitcoaststampers, I decided to self-challenge myself to be learn to us MDS!   I've never ever regretted it.  Here's a look at my first 12x12 page ... ever:

'Well sure,' you say.  'You're a demo!'   Were you thinking that it costs too much to try out the unknown ?  Me too.   But SU allows us to have a FREE Trial for 30 days!   And if you discover that you just might enjoy using this creative tool on a regular basis?  Purchase either the CD or the digital download for just $19.95.    Surprised?   I was.

New digital items are available weekly, so we can actually use current and retired Stampin' Up! digital papers, stamps, punches, and more.   So take a look at the newest items added to my SU store this week!  And please feel free to contact me with any questions you might have.

Inky (((hugs))),


New Downloads 12-02-2014

Stampin’ Up! is committed to bringing you fresh, exciting digital content each and every month. Check out the latest downloads from the 2014 Holiday Catalog below. Click on the download title to see it in the store, or click on the images to get an even closer view.

All Is Calm Kit
(item 138132)


Nordic Noel Designer Series Paper
(item 138133)


Wondrous Wreath Stamp Brush Set
(item 138124)

Curtain Call with Thanks to Paper Crafts + Scrapbooking!


How do I start this blog post?  What shall I say?  Okay ... here goes:

It's my privilege to participate in an exceptional blog hop today ... 
... and it all started with a magazine.  

If you're a lover of cardstock, paper, ink, stamps of rubber or photopolymer, perhaps you've read one of the publications ... or 63 ... or more.  Paper crafters near and far are cyber-gathering today to bid fond farewells to a treasured source of inspiration ... Paper Crafts + Scrapbooking Magazine.  Earlier, we knew it simply as Paper Crafts Magazine.

My subscription to Paper Crafts spanned several years.  Cabinets here in my studio easily testify to that.  Along the way I was thrilled to see my daughter, Jessica, become a Stampin' Royalty winner.   Always being one to challenge herself, Jessica's follow-up act was to became one of PC's Go-To-Gals!  
 Throughout the years, Jessica and I rarely attended CHA at the same time, but I did manage to catch a few fun pics.  Hmmmm ... I wonder if I actually squealed when I first hugged the original Ms. Moxie Fab, Cath Edvalson??  Her smile can light up the day!  The dynamic editorial staff at Paper Crafts holds a special place in my Texas heart for sure.  I feel blessed to have shared a wee bit of time with each of them along life's way.
I'm pretty sure I did squeal the first time I hugged Teri Anderson for real.  LOL  To this day, she is a non-stop creative talent! >>>>><<<<<>............>>>>>..>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><><>>> Needless to say, I truly owe my own paper crafting lifestyle to Jessica's initial influence.  Our styles are completely different, but I remain her biggest fan.  And honestly, it's the people I've met and hugged and shared time with throughout my own paper crafting journey that makes my heart smile time 'n time again.
 And so it is in honor of Paper Crafts + Scrapbooking Magazine, the consistent flow of creative inspiration, and the delightful peeps behind and in front of the scenes, that I share my personal "Thank you all, from the heart!"   


I employed a little stretch here, and substituted splattered white acrylic paint for ink!   As you can see, Paper Crafts will always have a piece of my heart.

To everyone from Paper Crafts and Scrapbooking Magazine, thank you, thank you, thank you  ... from the heart!


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 BLOG HOPPING SCOOP:
If you started your blog hopping experience at the very beginning, you've been a busy hopper!  In that event you've possibly arrived at my blog from Laurie Willison's blog.  And now you're invited to visit Nina Yang at her Waffle Flower blog!

It's been my sincere pleasure to share with you all today!
Inky (((hugggsss))),

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*Following is a list of the many, many fans of Paper Crafts & Scrapbooking Magazine who are sharing their thanks today!



Going, Going ... 25% Savings Plus Cash Back Offer Ends Tuesday!


Just in case you aren’t receiving blog updates from Texas Rubber & Ink, I’ve come to share this timely reminder about Stampin’ Up!’s delightful 25% savings on the starter kit for all who sign up …. through 11:59 PM Mountain Time, Tuesday, December 2!

Join Stampin’ Up! to Save 25% on your kit, and Earn 5% Cash Back in December!

Get a 25 percent discount on the Starter Kit when you join Stampin’ Up! between November 24  and December 2 .
Seriously!  Save 25%!

You’ll receive all the same great products AND get five percent cash back on all commissionable orders placed in December.

Trying to remember the last time we had a cash back offer? Here’s a tip: NEVER-ever!
It’s a first-time-ever deal that is definitely worth your serious consideration.   You’ll be all set with your newly-arrived kit & ready to easily earn by the time our annual Sale-A-Bration event begins shortly!  Email me with your questions if you like … I’m happy to talk with you!

More details on this limited-time offer are listed below. Can’t wait to get in on the fun? Get started here .

Details:
  • All orders must be finalized in the month of December to qualify for the five percent cash back offer.
  • A demonstrator must remain active to receive the five percent cash back.
  • The five percent cash back will be awarded in January.
  • Deadlines:
    • Mail: All Starter Kit orders must be received by the end of the business day on December 2 .
    • Online: All Starter Kit orders must be finalized on December 2  by 11:50 PM (MT).
And that’s not all!
  • During this special SU offer, I’m adding in a couple of extra surprise goodies myself !
  • PLUS, I offer exclusive continued incentives, freebies, and benefits to my team members that are in addition to the generous benefits from Stampin’ Up!
  • I adore helping new demos get started, via phone, email, or right here if you’re local.  Contact me with any questions you might have.
Inky {{{{huggss}}}},
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