Some more convention Highlights

Today I want to share with you some more of my convention 2010 highlights.  I know I shared some with you a while ago but I had more that I want to share with you today.

This first picture is of Jacque Craig and I taking a break from our Ink, Paper, & Marker Charts.  Jacque is one of my Sister in Stamping sisters. I only get to see her at Stampin' Up! events because she lives in Hawaii and the commute is just too much to get together more often.

The above picture is of Jenn Sunada and I. Jenn and I have been roomies for the past 2 conventions.  Jenn and I hit it off right away.  We didn't even know each other last year, we trusted our friends Dawn and Jacque who paired us together.  I'm sure glad they did.  Jenn has become a great friend.  She also lives in Hawaii so I don't get to see her too often either. : (

This is Stephanie Nishimura.  I was introduce to Stephanie at convention. It was her very first Stampin' Up! Convention.  She was so excited and it was contagious.  Stephanie also lives in Hawaii.  She was also a roomie of mine this year.  I must admit, not so sure I can keep up with those Hawaii girls.  I was the first one asleep every night (sometimes with all lights on) and that was usually around 3:00AM. We had a great time chatting 'til the wee hours of morning.  I look forward to next year.

This a a group shot of most of us that were hangin out this year at convention.

From left to right:

first row: Alison, Jenn, me, and Jacque

second row: Stephanie, Betty, Mickey, Dee, Dawn and JerriAnn (aka Jerrilynn: that's what I kept calling her and then everyone else caught on to the wrong name too.  Sorry, JerriAnn)

I had a great time with all of them. A few of them I met for the first time at convention but by the end we felt like old friends.

And this final picture is of me getting ready to take the stage (so to speak) for the annual sales marches.  I had over $30,000 in sales this year. I thank each and every one of my supporters for their continued support and encouragement throughout the entire year by hosting workshops, placing orders, attending classes and just plain being there for me.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I'm glad each of you is along for the ride of this journey I have taken for the past 9 1/2 years.

Hip to be Square Part 2

Here's part 2 of the Hip to be Square card class. I love the Simply Thanks Birthday cupcake and don't use it nearly often enough.  So I said I'm going to use it for this class because it would be perfect for a square card.  To make this card I used a Stampin' Write marker to "color" the rubber image I wanted to use.  If I had used a regular Classic Ink Pad, I would have had the words in the center of the cupcake bottom but I wanted it to be just a plain birthday card to give to someone and not a thank you for a birthday gift.  Understand???

The background was also stamped with the row of cakes/cupcakes stamp from the Birthday Bakery Hostess Level 1 set.  It's difficult to see in the picture but it does make a difference. Trust me. : )

And here is the final card we made at the Hip to be Square card class.  This was a pretty simple Christmas card to make. (You just need to remember to stamp the tree right side up, right?).  The colors on this are old olive, cherry cobbler and very vanilla.  I also embossed the background with the perfect polka dots folder andthe Big Shot.  Don't you just love how the pearls finish the card off?

Remember all cards are 5 1/4" square.  And yes Stampin' Up! carries envelopes for this size card. Hope you have enjoyed these cards. I had a great time designing them and will definitely doing more square card classes in the future.  I promise.

Hip to be Square Cards Part 1

As promised, here's more square cards.  These cards are from a class I held last weekend: Hip to be Square Cards.  Each attendee made 8 cards in total, 4 different designs, 2 of each.  I ended up making all celebration type of cards. Today I'll be sharing the brides and babies half of the class.  Come back tomorrow for Birthday and Christmas. 

This card using the soon be be gone Blissful Bride stamp set from the summer mini catalog.  I really liked how this card turned out.  The multiple layers of black and white really add a lot of dimension to the card without a lot of bulk.  Of course, we needed to add some pearls and bling to this card.  What bride wouldn't want to be dazzling on her Wedding day?  This card is simple yet elegant.  I loved it.

This second card is the baby card everyone made.  When I first envisioned this card I was going to use a different baby stamp set.  Well after searching high and low for a set I was convinced I had purchased, I checked out my orders on Stampin' Up!'s web site and low and behold, I never ordered that set. So then it was back to the drawing board (but only so far back because the base of the card was designed and cut for everyone).  So that when I decided to use the cute little Momma elephant and her baby for the focal point of my card.  This card uses blushing bride, pear pizzazz and early espresso.

Hope you enjoy these square cards.  Remember to check back tomorrow for the other two cards from the Hip to be Square class.

Enjoy your weekend.

Defined lines.....

That's what I get everytime I use an embossing folder with the Big Shot.  And I must admit that I absolutely love the look you get.  I'm always impressed with the end result because the embossing folders are simply fabulous!  So what better to focus on on Fabulous Friday then, right?  That's right, over at Sisters in Stamping we are looking at what we can do with embossing folders today.  So head on over there to see what the other sisters have done.

I must admit, I'm loving square cards right now.  Last week, I did a Hip to be Square Card class where we made 4 different square cards.  They are little different than what we normally make so I think that's why I'm liking them so much.  I hope you enjoy this card as much as I do.  It was a quick, pretty simple card to make that gives a big bang for your buck (in my not so humble opinion).

I used textured cardstock to begin with.  Both the very vanilla and marina mist cardstock have texture to them already.  Another thing that I'm really liking right now, textured cardstock.  I ran the top layer of marina mist through the big shot using the Elegant Lines embossing folder.  A lot of detail but it's still very delicate looking.  I felt the little circles on the cards were just screaming to hold some of our great half back pearls.  I know that's why they are on the folder to begin with.  :  )

I then used the Thanks Embosslit to add a greeting to this card.  I ran it through the big shot twice (once using very vanilla cardstock and once using marina mist cardstock.  I then cut the center piece out of the marina mist piece and layered it onto the very vanilla thanks.  To finish it off, I added some cute little pearls to each end of the label. Don't forget to attach it using some dimensionals.  (You didn't think I'd make a card without them, did you?)

I also added a 1 1/4" marina mist striped grosgrain piece of ribbon and some smooch spritz in vanilla shimmer.  I know that's really difficult to see in the picture but it's really there. I promise.  It really finishes off the card nicely.

I will post the cards from the Hip to be Square class this weekend.  I'll do 2 on Saturday and 2 on Sunday so be sure to check back.

Don't forget, there's more for you to look at on the Sisters in Stamping blog.  Go check it out.

Also, the Summer Mini catalog is ending in a few short days.  4 to be exact.  If you want something from there let me know by Tuesday evening.

Have a Fabulous Friday and a Wonderful weekend.

Another Back to School Set

Here's the other set of back to school items that I did for my kid's class last weekend.  We used the Island Oasis paper that is available until the end of the month in the Summer Mini Catalog.  The girls that came to this class had a great time making their special set of items.  Each one was a little different because of the different patterns in the pack of paper.

I don't think you will find anything as unique as this in the back to school aisles in stores.  For this set I used the Simple Serif Alphabet for the Big Shot and chose to just use an initial.

 

From a plain red folder to a fabulous folder with some added bling.  Notice the rhinestones on the striped strip.

This time the table matches the folder exactly.  I didn't want to have too many steps that were different because I wanted to keep it pretty simple for the kids.

This paper clip uses the Island Floral big shot die.  I used the technique on this flower that I used on the flowers in this posting.  The girls had a great time crumpling their flowers.

Here's a side view of the paperclip.  I created two flowers and squished them together back to back so I didn't have a right side or a wrong side to the paperclip.  I wanted both sides to be pretty.

Hope you have enjoyed these items.  Go head out to the store and make some with your little ones.

Where does the time go?

Seriously, I need an answer to that question.  It just keeps passing by me, I can't stand it anymore.  I know I didn't post the tin for the build a bear magnetic set yet. I'm sorry.  I was crazy busy all weekend and week because we are putting a new hardwood floor in our family room and then I had the task of buying furniture too.  So I promise I haven't forgotten about it, I will get post it, just not today because today is Fabulous Friday.

This week over at Sisters in Stamping we are focusing on all the great new Designer Series papers that we have.  You will want to head over there to check out what the other sisters have done with it.

I decided to recreate a project I did last weekend for a kid's class I held.  It was a back to school class so we decorated a folder, notebook, pen and made a bookmark.  We used paper from the Summer Mini Catalog so I switched it up a bit and used the new Play Date Designer Series Paper that I thought was perfect for a back to school theme.  I think Jonah may give this to his teacher on the first day of school.  Bet she'll love it.

Here's the complete set.  I also used the Big Shot and the Simple Letters Dies to cut letters to put on the notebook that says quite simply "notes" and the folder says "stuff."

Now this was just a inexpensive boring blue tablet that I took and applied some Stampin' Up! magic to.  Who wouldn't want to carry this around versus a plain tablet that everyone has?

The folder is one of those really inexpensive paper folders that are in abundance this time of year. Add some designer paper, a couple of die cut shapes and letters and presto, you are at the top of your class.

The paper clip is a jumbo clip that can be found in any office supply area.  I used the stars die to make the topper of this bookmark.  Or you can simply hold a lot of papers together with it as well.  Your student will never lose the page again.

And lastly, to complete the set you need a coordinating pen, right?  I just took a small piece of designer series paper and rolled it around the barrel of ink that comes apart from the pen case.

Hope you are inspired to create some great back to school projects for your favorite student.  I have already set up a posting for tomorrow with the set that I did as a class last weekend so check back tomorrow for a totally different look.

Don't forget to head over to Sisters in Stamping for more ideas using the Designer Series paper.

Build a Bear Time

Yea, it's Friday.  Doesn't it seem like it comes so fast anymore.  I barely recoup from the weekend's activities and then it's the Friday all over again.

This week at Sisters in Stamping we are focusing on the Build a Bear line.  Some of the sisters used the Build a Bear stamps and others used the Big Shot dies.  I decided to use the Build a Bear Big Shot dies and the new magnetic sheets to make "paper" dolls or I should say bears?

As a little girl, I loved playing with paper dolls and Color-Forms, so I was excited to make some of my own using Stampin' Up! products.

Look at all the pieces.  Don't you know some little kid that would love to be occupied for hours playing and dressing up these cute bears?  This would be a great personal gift that you can give to that special little someone in your life.

Of course, you can even make holiday themed outfits using the Big Shot dies.  I love this little "pumpkin."  What would finish this gift off nicely would be a decorated little metal box to keep them in.  Be sure to come back tomorrow to see the box I made to keep them in.  Making the box makes it easy to take with you when you are travelling. 

Don't forget to head over to Sisters in Stamping for more Build a Bear ideas.

Still time to get extra free money

Extra, Extra Hostess Promotion

Through August 31, Stampin' Up! hostesses can earn an EXTRA $25 to use toward Stampin' Up! products of their choice when they host a workshop totaling $350 or more!

This extra benefit is included along with the standard hostess benefits they receive when they host a workshop. The standard hostess benefits include:

A free 2010-2011 Idea Book & Catalog worth $9.95!
Free stamp sets only available to hostesses (with qualifying orders; select from the products on pages 10-16 of the Idea Book & Catalog)!
Free Stampin' Up! products of your choice!

Workshop                 Free               Extra,                    Grand
total before              Stampin'           extra                      Total
shipping                   Up!                  Hostess                 Free
& tax                       Product            Awards                 Product
$350 - $399             $40                + $25                     $65

$400 - $449              $45               + $25                     $70

$450 - $499              $50               + $25                     $75

$500 - $549              $60               + $25                    $85



This extra hostess benefit is only being offered for a limited time, so contact me TODAY to schedule a workshop!  There's still plenty of time to host an Augut workshop.

Some of my Favorite Convention Highlights part 1

Today and tomorrow I'm going to share with you some of my favorite memories from Convention 2010.  It was a great convention seeing old friends, making new friends, learning great ideas about all the wonderful new products and so much more.

This first picture was taken right out front of the entrance to Momento Mall.  My friend, Dawn Rapsas,  and I were given the VIP treatment and were able to go into Momento Mall without waiting in huge lines for hours because we each welcomed at least one new demonstrator to our group during July.  I have to say, standing next to Dawn, I feel tall. Now that's a notion for you, right?

Later that afternoon we trekked to one of Shelli's favorite boutique stores to shop and have lunch.  If you follow Shelli's blog, you will know that she loves Dear Lizzie's.  So I was estastic when Dawn's one downline member, JerriAnn (or as I like to call her Jerrilynn) had a car and was willing to take us there.  It was about a 1/2 hour from Salt Lake City but so worth the trip.  Isn't my lunch the cutest thing?  Baked potato soup in a tea cup and ceasar salad in a nice big dessert type bowl.  The food was great.  The shopping was fun too.  I bought a "Blush Bride" bracelet to go with my outfit that I had picked to wear when I went across stage for my Annual Sales award.

This picture is from the great Flower Power Party we had on registration day.  Shelli and her husband Sterling (aka Sonny Bono) were having fun at the party and I got to sneak in and get a picture with them.  I like how my outfit was similar to Shelli's.  Made for a nice picture, right?

And this last picture (for today) is of Dawn Rapsas (my, how she changed from earlier in the day, LOL) and one of my Sisters In Stamping sisters, Jacque Craig.  Dawn had these outfits made for them to wear to the flower party.  It really was a GROOVY evening.

Fabulous Favors

Friday???? Really????? I just don't understand how the weeks continue to fly.  But good news for you is that it's time for another Fabulous Friday posting at Sisters in Stamping.  This week we are focusing on the Summer Mini catalog.  This is a last chance call to get your favorite items from the Superb Summer Mini Catalog. You have until August 31 to get anything you still NEED to have.

I was doing double duty with this challenge because I needed to do something for Sisters in Stamping and I needed to make party favors for my team BBQ tonight, so I combined both.  Aren't these the cutest little things?

I used the party favor boxes (which come 12 to a pack, 6 of each design) and the Island Floral Die for the Big Shot.  I used colors for the flowers that are found on the boxes, old olive, so saffron, pumpkin pie, rose red, and tempting turquoise. 

I die cut the flowers and then spritzed them with water before crunching them up to give them more texture.  I also used the great new flower brads that you can find in the 2010-2011 Idea Book & Catalog.  If you are planning any type of party you will want to order several packages of these favor boxes because they make creating fabulous, festive favors very easy.

I just hope my downline love the favor boxes tonight.  Remember to head on over to Sisters in Stamping to see what the other sisters have created using Summer Mini Catalog items.

Have a great weekend.

Ribbon Share & Designer Series Paper Share

Back by popular demand Ribbon Shares and Designer Series Paper Shares.  Read on for complete details on how you too can have all of them at a fraction of the cost.  If you were to buy each one on your own the cost would be nearly $950.

Here are the complete details of both shares.  If you are anything like me, you want it all but simply just can't afford to have it all. So these shares are a great way to have it all (in small doses) without the huge expense that usually comes with it.

With the ribbon share you will get 2 yards of each of the ribbons offered on page 190 and 191. You can pick and choose which type of ribbons you would like or you can have all of them.

With the Designer Series Paper share you will get a 6x6 sheet of each of the designer papers that are on page 172 and 173 (with the exception of Presto Patterns and Nursery Suite because these 2 are difficult to split effectively). You will get a total of 134 pieces of great designer paper.

Ribbon Share Prices:
All ribbons ( 83 different ribbons for a total of 166 yds) $100
1 1/4" striped grosgrain $25
1/4" grosgrain $10
5/8" grosgrain $15
5/8" satin $20
1/8" taffeta $18
3/8" taffeta $16
1/2" stitched-poly $7.50
Crochet trim $7

(If you don't want all of the ribbon but want more than one variety, just add the prices together for the ones you would like) However, you do get a discount if you select all of them.

Designer Series Paper share cost is $25 per 6x6 option.

If you need these shares mailed to you, please add an additional $4.95 for priority shipping. I can accept check or cash.

I will be taking orders for these until August 21, 2010. When one share fills up, I will place the order and begin a new round.

Color Information for each ribbon selection:
½” Stitched-Poly Ribbon in 5 different colors In – Colors: Blushing Bride, Peach Parfait, Poppy Parade, Concord Crush & Pear Pizzazz

1 ¼” Striped Grosgrain Ribbon in 11 colors (8 new) Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie, Pretty in Pink, Real Red, Rich Razzleberry, Night of Navy, Marina Mist, Certainly Celery, Old Olive, Early Espresso, & Basic Black

¼” grosgrain ribbon in 13 colors (4 new) Whisper White, Very Vanilla, Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie, Pretty in Pink, Real Red, Rich Razzleberry, Night of Navy, Marina Mist, Certainly Celery, Old Olive, Early Espresso, & Basic Black

5/8” grosgrain ribbon in13 colors (8 new) Whisper White, Very Vanilla, Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie, Pretty in Pink, Real Red, Rich Razzleberry, Night of Navy, Marina Mist, Certainly Celery, Old Olive, Early Espresso, & Basic Black

5/8” Satin Ribbon in 13 colors (6 new)Whisper White, Very Vanilla, Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie, Pretty in Pink, Real Red, Rich Razzleberry, Night of Navy, Marina Mist, Certainly Celery, Old Olive, Early Espresso, & Basic Black

1/8” Taffeta Ribbon in 13 colors (all new) Whisper White, Very Vanilla, Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie, Pretty in Pink, Real Red, Rich Razzleberry, Night of Navy, Marina Mist, Certainly Celery, Old Olive, Early Espresso, & Basic Black

3/8” Taffeta Ribbon in 13 colors (10 new) Whisper White, Very Vanilla, Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie, Pretty in Pink, Real Red, Rich Razzleberry, Night of Navy, Marina Mist, Certainly Celery, Old Olive, Early Espresso, & Basic Black

My Convention Swaps

Here are a few of the swaps I made for convention.  I had a great time, got a lot of new ideas, and I can't wait to share them with you.  Book your August, September, October workshop with me soon, so I can share many of these ideas with you.

The above card used the Aviary Set.  One of my new favorites. I promise to show many more samples over the next year with you.

Just had to have the Monster set.  It was so fun "making" monsters.  All the pieces in this set are separate and you can easily create some crazy monsters in a lot of different color.

This card was for an organized swap I was in.  Pretty card but it was a lot of work.  Who am I kidding, I would so do it again. LOL