I thought I'd share some pics form the San Francisco leg of our trip!

We of course visited the piers at Fisherman's Wharf and saw alcatraz, the Sea Lions on pier 39 , visited the Bordin SourDough Bread Factory and got on the Trolley from Ghiardelli Square!

We also took the electric cars to the Golden gate National Park where we visited the botanical gardens , Japanese Tea Garden and the kids' personal favorite: the KIDS PLAYGROUND!

We stayed in the heart of Chinatown (this city is FULL of culture!- Little Italy, Russian Hill...)

The streets are amazing! The hills are incredible. I don't know how anyone could build houses on these streets!

 We visited the Painted Ladies (the girls love seeing that on Full House!!!)

And visited the beach... it is cold out there (didn't go over 65 degrees our enitre stay!!)  BRRRRR..... Can you believe that sand dollars actually wash up on shore!

and last but not least! I visited the FLAX art store! This is heaven for paper lovers... like me!!! There were over 9000 different papers and various other art supplies. I could live in this store. after waiting for 2 hours for me the girls finally dragged me our out of the store... not before I bought goodies and had them shipped home!

While on our trip I read COME BACK (by Fountaine and Fountaine). a memoir by a mom and daughter about their relationship thru "hell and back". I really loved it. (I'm a sucker for memiors!). I recommend it for anyone who has daughters and/or liked GLASS CASTLES . (which is another that I loved!) 

well...  I have more from our trip down the Pacific Coast Hwy and in Huntington Beach (Surf City!). Will share later!

 I am planning on getting some stamping done tonight. I am seriously jetlagged... I can't seem to get out of bed in the am! This morning was very hard... even the girls got up before me!ARGHHHH losing 3 hours is HARD!

Good morning!

It seems like forever since I last posted a tute!

Today's tutorial (which can be found under tutorials link at the top under today's date) is the MAGIC PICTURE card!

It is similar to the SLIDER card from a while back.  However, there is a little more to it and can be used in different ways. Today's tute is the basics on how to assemble the card. If I get a chance I will work on an alternate card later this week.

Here's a view of the card:

when you pull the slider piece out, it reveals a different background!

And as you can see I am getting into the FALL spirit!!! I know this set is retired... from last year. But I only placed my new order from the new catty last night... so i don't have any Halloween sets to work with until next week!

And that leads me to...

WOW! i love the new Catalog! And there are a few new features this year:

DIE CUT stamps for all NEWLY released stamp sets. (that is, if it is new images then it is now diecut).

There are many that match with the Decor Elements... so you can COORDINATE! 

I love the new designer papers.... I am already thinking of neat projects using those!

ALSO... on the pages with the DSPs... they now list the coordinating colors right with the papers! Now there's no guessing which blue... or which green!! It's right there!

I can't wait to get my new goodies!

So if you haven't purchased your catty from me yet... please email me asap! I still have a few left! They are $5 each and if you need me to mail it to you... priority flat rate is $4.80.  Contact me to make arrangements for your catty right now!!!! 

A quick note about AUGUST atc's! they are due on the 20th of this month and the theme is OBSESSIONS .  There are still slots available and it's not too late to send yours in! I swap out on the 25th! Can't wait to see yours! (I have received Markey (x3), and Linda.)

Next month is BACK TO SU. All Stampin' Up materials only. This is the only month we are limited to SU for atcs. check "join the fun" on the left menu!

Ok. that's it for now. 

hope you enjoy the tute!

see you back here soon!!! 

I'm back everyone!

Thank you for being so patient while I got some R&R with my family before school got started for the kids.

One problem... After being on the west coast for 10 days... our bodies are now 3 hours behind!!!

So right now it is almost 11am! I feel lazy! The whole fam is still asleep!

Which gives me a second or two to post some updates...

FIRST ... THE FALL CATTIES ARE HERE. I placed my first order from it last night in fact! (I returned home at 10 pm and I had my order in by half past midnigh! LOL)

I emailed many of you last night to let you know they are ready for you. If you have not emailed me and you would like a catalog... I do have some left over.

I charge a discounted price for each one at $5 (tax included). If you are local to me, you can pick it up or I can priority USPS mail it to you for the USPS postage rate of $4.80 (2-3 days ship time in the US).

Let me know!!!!

SECOND... take a look at all the new Promotions that are going on. There's something for everyone... including discounts on some BRAND NEW 2008 Fall Catty sets!

there's also a great $99 Starter Kit offer for those who wish to sign up to be demos (like me!). I will post info on that by tonight or tomorrow. (I just saw this when i retunred home yesterday).

THIRD... I think I mentioned this before... but the co-counder  and CEO of SU - Shelli  Gardner has started her BLOG! You can visit her blog at www.SoShelli.com

She's got some exciting things going on thie SU 20th Anniversary year. Including her line signature line... (i don't have much info on that yet...).

Well. That's it for right now. I will try my best to have a tutorial up for you tomorrow morning. Also... I will share a few pics from our trip!!! 4 days total in San Francisco and 6 days at Huntington Beach, CA (Surf City). We drove the Pacific Coast Highway (15 hours  driving but well worth it for the views) and up I-5 back to San Fran with awesome mountian views and a really stinky Cattle ranch (I mean at least 400,000 cows - I think) - ugh.

Today is reserved for laundry, groceries (not a bite to eat int his house) and a short but well needed time for stampin'! 

See you soon! 

STARTING LATER THIS FALL, you can ORDER from and VIEW the the 2008 FALL IDEA BOOK and CATALOG directly from my Stampin' UP Demo website.

You can click on the LINK- DBWS (demonstrator Business WebSite) and be connected directly to my own Stampinup.net website. There you will be able to connect to view the new catty and order directly 24/7. The items will be shipped directly to you.

The web address for this site is: www.allisonlee.stampinup.net

Please contact me should you have any questions!

Thank you for purchasing your Stampin' Up items from me! I am always here to help you with ideas and techniques!

(PS. This does not replace the traditional ordering through me in person and workshop orders – all the past ordering ways are still available. =) )