Suitably Stamped with Michelle Suit

You can't use up creativity....the more you use...the more you have.

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Blast from the Past

Good Morning Stampers!

I just found a fun punch art tutorial video I created a couple of years ago and I’m creating a fun project with her today.  I thought I’d share “Miss Sassparilla” with you just in case you haven’t met her yet.  🙂

Just click here to Meet Miss Sassparilla

Wishing you a wonderfully, creative Saturday,

Michelle

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New Punch Art Critter!

Happy Friday Eve!
That’s what Linz says every Thursday here at our house.  🙂
Today I have a fun little addition to the
“Suitably Punched Critter Crew”.  
Her name is “Trixie” and she’s just the sweetest!  
Are you ready??
Here you go!
I absolutely LOVE her!  I think Trixie was the perfect critter to go along with the NEW “BITE ME” Photopolymer Stamp Set. 
Her one, little fang just cracks me up!
Here’s a look at all of the images in the “Bite Me” set…
Bite Me Photopolymer Stamp Set
“Bite Me” Photopolymer Set  Item #134622  $13.95
 
I love Halloween and all things “FALL” so I know this fun stamp set will see LOTS of “ink time” in my studio.  Have you tried out the photopolymer sets yet?  You have to get them in your hands!  You will love them.  They are the perfect stamps for first time stampers and seasoned stampers alike.   I used three of the stamps from this set on the card with Trixie.  Can you find them?
Trixie was created using the Extra Large Oval punch – #119859 (body), Chevron Punch – #132154 (legs), Owl Builder Punch – #118074 (Eyes and Bow).  The mouth was drawn on with the new Chalk Marker – #132133.  Of course every girl needs a little “bling” to finish off her look.  I added one of the Basic Rhinestones to her bow.  #119246
Have you created any fun, fall projects yet?  I’d love to see what you’re working on.  Send me your photos!
Wishing you a SPOOKTACULAR day!
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Falling for Fall…

Happy Fall!  I know I’ve said that before but boy, oh boy does it feel like fall out there tonight.  I had a terrific time this past weekend with an amazingly talented group of friends and stampers at the RemARKables HOT Retreat up in PA.  I love getting to see my SU! friends and spend an entire weekend sharing laughs and creative time with them.  A huge “Thank You” to Janet Wakeland for spoiling us all rotten.

While we were there I created some fun, new projects and I’ll be sharing them with you this week.  Today’s share is a fun, fall card.  Check this out…
Isn’t that so cool??  It’s definitely a quick and easy card and there are tons of possible “themes” you could do with it.  I just cut out a couple of pieces of Designer Series Paper and adhered them to a card base of Chocolate Chip card stock.  Once the pieces were adhered, I ran the whole thing through the 
Big Shot in the “Square Lattice” embossing folder to add a little texture.  Then I added some wooden buttons with a little Baker’s Twine tied through each one and adhered them with Glue Dots.  Isn’t that fun??
What a great card for all occasions….masculine and feminine.  I just love it.
You’ll be looking at your DSP in a whole new way when you go to pick out the pattern for YOUR Sweater Card.  đź™‚
Be sure to check out all of the latest specials that are online at my SU! webstore this week.  Here are just a few….
Wishing you a magical day,
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EXCITING NEWS!

WOW!!  I tell you what….when Stampin’ Up! celebrates their 25th Anniversary they sure do it right!
Check this out…
For just TWO WEEKS….  STARTING MONDAY, OCT. 7 AND ENDING MONDAY, OCT. 21, Stampin’ Up! is offering this amazing special for just $25!!

This is the Stampin’ Up! Starter Kit Special you have been waiting for!!! Mark Your Calendar!  Stampin’ Up! will be offering a special starter kit for just $25!  Now THAT’S what I call the PERFECT way to celebrate!

  • The $25 kit includes up to $26.95 of your choice of Stampin’ Up! products (value must be more than $25, but not more than $26.95 before tax), a supply of annual and holiday catalogs and it all ships FREE.  Our regular $99 Starter Kit will not be available for purchase during this two-week period.
  • Try out all of the Stampin’ Up! exclusive resources and discounts through April 30, 2014, with no obligation to purchase anything further.
  • Save!  Receive a 20% discount on every demonstrator order you place. No pesky coupons to take with you to the craft store…It’s always available for you…24/7 once you join.
  • Receive 30% off your first demonstrator order of $150 or more (before shipping and tax).  Must be placed within 45 days of purchasing your kit.
  • Be first to know about new products and pre-order from new catalogs!
  • Reach $300 in sales by March 31, 2014 and renew an additional quarter (through June 30, 2014).  There’s NO penalty to drop.
  • It’s up to you!  Purchase the kit just for yourself and/or have fun and share Stampin’ Up! with friends while making a little extra 
PURCHASE YOUR $25 KIT THROUGH ME and you’ll become a member of my INKERBELLES STAMPERS.  You’ll get exclusive projects and ideas and you’ll get me as your team leader.
 
If you’re already spending your hard earned money on stampin’ supplies, don’t you want to get the most for your money?  Why not try it out and see how you like it?  You don’t have to do it as a business if you don’t want to.  Use this as a way to get more “bang for your buck”.  I’d love to share the details with you.
 
For more info, just CLICK HERE.  Get all the supplies you need for your upcoming Fall and holiday projects, Christmas cards and more and get it at a discount.  Order from home….NO pesky coupons needed.  YOU call the shots.  Now THAT’S what I call MAGICAL!
 
**BONUS**  Join Stampin’ Up! during this special and you will receive an invitation my EXCLUSIVE INKERBELLES HOLIDAY HOOPLA PARTY.  It’s going to be a fantastic time.  Don’t miss out!
 
Contact me today for more info or just head over to my Online Stampin’ Website to check it out.
 
Stamped Blessings,
 
 
Categories: Uncategorized

The Constant Battle

**A non-stamping related post**
My heart is pounding and I can feel my blood pressure climbing through the roof.  I know I’ve posted about issues with autism and dealing with people who just don’t get it but this honestly has ticked me off to a new record high.
I won’t go into the entire background history of Linz and Zach’s schooling and their internships provided by the school system.  Suffice it to say that they have been very well taken care of as far as having great teachers and assistants who have worked with them and helped them with skills and training for the “real world”.  Linz interned at 4 different libraries before settling at one of our local public libraries where she now volunteers five days a week shelving books and helping out.  We have still been unable to find anyone willing to hire her.  Go figure.  She’s far more organized and much more meticulous with paperwork and general office work than many “experienced” adults I’ve met.
Zach graduated from high school in 2010.  For those of you not familiar with special education, students with special needs can stay in school until they turn 22.  After graduation they return for more “life skills” classes and transition activities and hopefully internships with local businesses to help them find employment.
Zach worked two internships last year.  The first at the offices of the Amputee Coalition of America and the other at the Community Thrift Store.  At the ACA he stuffed envelopes and helped with general office tasks.  He was meticulous.  They were SO impressed.  Alas…no money to hire extra staff.
At Community Thrift Store he would help sort donations, collect hangers and sort them and help organize the book donations.  He rocked it.
So…when this school year began we found out that he was going to be doing an internship at our local Red Lobster restaurant.  We (along with his teacher) were very excited because in the past some of the students from the program were eventually hired at local restaurants and they were so successful.
Now….Zach is pretty non verbal so its not like he can come home and tell me all about his day….who said what….who was nice….who was a jerk etc.  It’s absolutely TERRIFYING not knowing how people are treating my child.  Seriously…like “cold sweat” scary.  Most days when I ask, “How was your day, Zach?” he will respond with “Was it good?”.  I know.  Makes no sense. Right?  It is what it is.
So I had signed the paperwork giving permission for him to start at Red Lobster.  There would be an instructional assistant accompanying him every time he went etc.  Well….a couple of weeks ago he started his “every other day” internship routine.  I would ask, “Did you go to internship today?” and he would usually say, “Yes.  Napkins and knife and forks.”  Um…okay.
Now since I work in the school system I know most of the teachers and assistants at the other schools.  I see some of them regularly.  So today I happened to see an assistant who comes with 2 special ed students to intern at my school.  I knew that she had gone with Zach before and had told me how much she just “loves him”.  I went over to her this morning and said, “Hello” and I told her that Zach came home yesterday and mentioned something about Community Thrift Store.  I told her I thought that was odd since his new internship is at Red Lobster.  She got a strange look on her face and said, “Did you hear what happened last week?”.  Ok….my heart stopped.  I said, “Um…..nope”.  She said, “The bus took them to internship (Zach and another sweet girl in his class) and they turned the bus away.  They wouldn’t let them stay”.  (She thought that this happened at Community Thrift but it turns out that it was at Red Lobster)
Ok…WHAT?
Fast forward to tonight when I talked with his teacher who told me what had happened.  (I’m FUMING!!!)
Apparently at Red Lobster he had been given the task of wrapping silverware and preparing it for customers.  Silverware wrapped in paper napkins for lunch time and cloth wrapped silverware for dinner time.  The assistant from school had been there with him the whole time/every time.  Last week, when their bus showed up at Red Lobster, the manager opened the front door and stood in the doorway, blocking the entrance and said, “You don’t need to come in.  We don’t need you here.”  The assistant asked her what she was talking about.  The manager repeated herself and said, “We don’t need THEM here.  I guess if you need to wait the two hours for your bus to come back and get you they can sit in the lobby.”
(I’m nauseous as I even type that!)
So….they called transportation and the bus came back and took them back to school.  The teacher said that the internship coordinator found out that Red Lobster said that the silverware wrapped in cloth napkins was done perfectly but the ones in the paper napkins had the silverware peeking out of the top of the bundles and they needed to be “completely encased”.  The assistant who had been with them since their first trip said they were NEVER told that.  Even so….why wouldn’t they show them the correct way and let them continue???  Seriously???
All I want is a place for my kids to be happy and productive.  A place to feel they belong and are appreciated for the wonderful human beings they are.  They are BOTH so very sweet and happy and such hard workers.  I don’t know about you but I’ve come in contact with some pretty useless, unhappy people in my shopping travels….eating out excursions etc.  Why won’t anyone give them a chance???  I know God has a plan.  I KNOW IT.  I just wish He would reveal it.  I’m sitting here tonight feeling tired…bone tired.  I know there are millions of people who have way worse problems to deal with than ours.  I do.  I get it.  I’m not asking for anything for ME.  I want this for THEM.
For those of you who know my husband, you know how calm and low key he is.  He doesn’t get mad often.  In fact, I’d really have to think hard to recall when he was mad last.  Well….guess what?  He’s TICKED OFF tonight!!!  He’s going to write a letter to the Red Lobster corporate offices.  Lord help the rude and hateful manager from the Manassas, VA Red Lobster.  They haven’t heard the last from us.
We will NEVER, EVER set foot there again.  
Working in special education I keep one thing in the front of my head at all times.  No matter how hard a child is to deal with….no matter how frustrating they can be….no matter what….we ALL need to remember one thing….
They are ALL someone’s child.  They are ALL someones prized possession.  We are entrusted with them for a few hours each day.  No matter how “hard” it may seem to deal with them…they are ALL someone’s child.  For those people like the manager at Red Lobster….I pray God doesn’t give you a child with special needs.  You obviously would have NO CLUE what to do with that precious gift. 
Thanks for letting me pour it all out here.  I appreciate it more than you know.
Blessings,
Michelle
Categories: Uncategorized

A “Boo-tiful “Magnetic Memo Board Class Announced!

Hello Stampers and Friends!

Happy Monday…

I have a fun project that is really quick and easy and it’s been a big hit with my Inkerbelles too.
It’s the “Boo-tiful” Magnetic Memo Board.  I’m offering it as a class on October 8th at 7 p.m. here at my place.  You will make not only the Halloween themed background with matching magnets…but you’ll also make a Thanksgiving and a Christmas background with matching magnets for both too.  The backgrounds are interchangeable on the 12×12 magnetic board.  That’s THREE holidays in one awesome project.  Awesome, huh?

Here’s a peek at the Halloween design and the matching magnets….


Here are the class details…
Class Date:  October 8th
Class Time:  7 p.m.
Class Fee:  $40 – Includes a black 12×12 magnetic frame with all supplies and accessories to create all three themed backgrounds and magnets.
**This is a prepaid class**  RSVPs are needed no later than Thursday, October 3rd.  Payments can be made via Paypal, cash or check.  I will need to adhere to this date in order to ensure that all supplies arrive on time for everyone’s kits.  If you are unable to attend at the last minute, your kit will be available for pick up on October 10th. 
I am looking forward to creating these fun projects with you.  Be sure to RSVP soon to save your spot.  The response has been overwhelming so far.  I’m thinking I may need to offer it a second time too.  🙂
Wishing you a BOO-tiful day,

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An UNBIRTHDAY Party!

 
 
Good Morning!
 
Today is my birthday (49th and I’m proud!) and I want to be the one giving the presents.
I love the “Unbirthday Party” from Alice in Wonderland and today I’m having one of my own.
 
Here are the gifts that I’ll be giving…
 
You will receive a FREE Ink Pad of your choice when you place an order of $50.
You will receive a FREE pack of “BLING”  –  Rhinestones or Pearls when you place an order of $75.
You will receive a FREE roll of the NEW Silver Ribbon when you place an order of $100 AND you will be
entered into a drawing to win the NEW ENVELOPE PUNCH BOARD!  WOOHOOOO!!!!
 
BONUS:  If you take advantage of the $99 KIT OFFER today, 9/25/13, you will be entered in a drawing to
WIN a $25 Shopping Spree!!  This offer expires tonight at midnight (EST).
 
I love celebrating and I especially love all of you, my customers and friends.  I’m excited to give back
to you today.
 
Wishing you the most magical UNBIRTHDAY ever!
Michelle
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It’s Sweater Weather Time!

Today’s the day!  Fall has arrived!
It’s probably my favorite season.  I love the crisp evenings…I love the smell of a crackling fire….I love hoodies and schmoodgy blankets and I really love watching the leaves change into gorgeous reds and golds.  There’s just something about fall that feels like “home” to me. 
 I guess that sounds a little weird.  hahaha  Oh well…
Anyway….today is the first day of fall and it was gorgeous outside here in Virginia.  I not only did a 3.5 mile “wog” (walk/jog) but I spent time in my studio creating.  How awesome is that??  I have just 48 days til my very first 5K and I’m working hard to get ready.  I’m not gonna lie…it helps a LOT that its going to be at Disney World.  🙂  I’ll be running “Mickey’s Jingle Jungle 5K” at Animal Kingdom with my friend Stephanie.  God bless her for doing this with me.  She and her husband, Alex will also be running the  
“Wine and Dine Half Marathon” while we are there too.  
Whew!!  Not THAT’S an awesome friend!
Ok…so I digress…  Are you ready to see what I made today?  
Well….one of the things I made today.  
Drumroll, please…………….
I love the “Sweater Weather” Designer Series Paper.  The colors are just yummy.  They just look like a fall day to me.  This wreath was super easy to make.  It took just six sheets (or 1/2 a pack) of DSP cut into 1/2″x12″ strips.  Each strip was curled at both ends with a bone folder.  Each piece is then attached in the middle with a straight pin.  The wreath base is a 10″ diameter straw wreath with the plastic left on.  
I can see LOTS of different themed wreaths in my future. (ahem….Disney!)  
So….what projects are you working on or excited to start for Fall?  I love hearing from you and seeing your projects and ideas.  So much so, in fact, when you send me a photo of your latest project from now through October 15th, you will be entered into a drawing for a prize from me.  What are you waiting for?  Get busy and send me a photo.  I can’t wait!!
Wishing you a magical week ahead,
Categories: Uncategorized

Christmas in the air…

Hey there, stampers!  Welcome to the next edition of “Michelle’s Playing Catch Up!”.  Whew!
That’s okay.  I love staying busy.  Yesterday the ink was flying here at my place.  I had a house full of stampers for the September “Christmas Stamp a Stack” class.  They each got to create 12 lovely cards and envelopes and they had SO much fun.  There were three designs and they made four of each.  What a great way to get a jump start on Christmas cards, huh??
Here are two of the designs they made.  I don’t have a photo of the third one yet.
The first one features a sweet, little “lady” named Roxie.  She’s one of Santa’s sweetest reindeer and the latest Punch Art Critter here at Suitably Stamped Studio.
Isn’t she just a happy, little girl?
Here’s the second one….
I love this new stamp from the Holiday Catalog.  It’s called “O Holy Night”  It comes in both Wood Mount and Clear Mount.  Wood #131832  Clear #131835.  The card base is embossed with the Snowflake Embossing Folder and I added “bling” to make it POP.  I LOVE the new bow design too.  It’s simple!  It’s just 3 ovals punched out and then “snap, crackle, POP” you have a bow!  Isn’t that the coolest??
I really have been busy creating and getting ready for my upcoming classes.  I will be sharing two of the projects with you tomorrow….so stay tuned!
Wishing you a wonderful week ahead,
Categories: Uncategorized

Clearance Sale??

Happy Thursday Peeps!

GREAT NEWS to share today!!  Stampin’ Up! just added a bunch of new items to the Clearance Rack!!  For those of you who follow my Punch Art Critters….One of my most used and favorite punches is on there!!  The Blossom Builder Punch is now just $6.79!  WOW!  Also, there are assortments of 8 1/2 x 11 card stock for just $2.79 a pack!  WOOT!  Run….don’t walk (ok…just CLICK) to grab a few deals before they’re gone.  Just Click Here

Now for a fun Halloween card to brighten your day…This is one of the cards from my recent “Just Cards” stamp camp.  I just love it!!

Ok….I’m off to stamp and prep for this weekend’s “Christmas Stamp a Stack” class here at my place.  I’m really looking forward to sharing these new Christmas card designs with all the ladies who will be here.

Have a magical day!
Michelle