Happy Birthday CASE!

CASE--Copy And Share Everything.  This is a great way to make cards.  I had received a wonderful card, while swapping at convention, from Cathy Seal.  I loved her color use and design.  I do have this fascination with this years In Colors.  I changed my card to use more of the colors.  I also added some spritzer to the flowers.  You can see my card on the left and Cathy's on the right.  Both stamped sentiments are from the same stamp set.

A close up of the flower details.  

The best part of making cards is giving them away.  I made this one for my friend Rie's birthday.  Here she is celebrating at the Cheesecake Factory in Waikiki, HI.

Of course we had to have cheesecake.  I had the carrot cake cheesecake.  Yummmmmm!!

PRODUCTS USED:

Stamps: Bring on the Cake (WM #128490, CM #121958)

Colors: Crisp Cantaloupe, Strawberry Slush, Pistachio Pudding, Coastal Cabana, Whisper White, Black Stazon Ink #101406

Accessories:  Ovals Collection Framelits #129381, Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder #117335, Coastal Cabana Ruffled Stretch Trim #130024, Sticky Strip#104294, Dimensionals #104430, Blossom Party Originals Die #115971, Bird Builder Punch #117191, Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack #118309, Pearl Basic Jewels #119247

Convention Swap #2

I LOVE SWAPPING!  I participated in a few organized swaps this year.  This is my card for the Stampin' Addicts Birthday Card Swap.

I did a little twist with the focal image.  You could stamp the image on Whisper White and then punch it out with the Scallop Circle Punch.  Instead I punched through the Crisp Cantaloupe Cardstock and put the image behind the space.  All of the colors were chosen to go with the designer paper from the Birthday Basics DSP.

PRODUCTS USED:

Stamps: Sketched Birthday (WM #130423, CM #130426)

Colors Cardstock and Markers: Bermuda Bay, Crisp Cantaloupe, Gumball Green, Raspberry Ripple, Summer Starfruit, Whisper White, Black Stazon Ink Pad

Accessories:  Birthday Basics DSP #130145, 2-3/8" Scallop Circle Punch #118874, Silver Brad, Crisp Cantaloupe Ruffle Stretch Ribbon #130021, Dimensionals #104430

DON'T MISS OUT --Offer Ends: July 31st

Offer Details: Buy three packs of select Designer Series Paper and get one for free!

Order Online 24/7 at My Demonstrator Website.

25th Anniversary of Stampin' Up!

I have enjoyed my 7-1/2 years as a demonstrator for Stampin' Up!  I have been blessed to attend several major events, but nothing compares to the 25th Anniversary Convention in Salt Lake City.  My friend Paula snapped this photo of me near the main stage.

Demonstrators love Stampin' Up! events for all the tips and training we get for our business.  Still, the freebies are kind of nice.  This year they went all out.  Here is a photo of all the stamp sets and kits I received at convention.  Be on the lookout for more information about that little brown bag marked "Undefined" in the lower left corner.

Of course we needed something to carry it all in, so they gave each of us a backpack.  It is white with silver printing in the modern mosaic pattern.  Sorry for the photo quality, I took it with my phone just after we got our bags.

Have you been thinking about becoming a demonstrator?  There is never a bad time to sign up with Stampin' Up!  All new demonstrators can sign up for only $99 and you get to select $125 worth of Stampin' Up! products of your choice.  You will also receive a business pack worth over $65 of catalogs, forms and everything needed to get started right away.

From now thru August 31st Stampin' Up! is having a special for those who sign up.  You can select a project kit from the list below.
You can sign up and become part of my Stampin' Up! team online 24/7 on My Demonstrator Website.

Kit Options:
The first three project kits are from the holiday catalog and the last option is from the annual catalog.

Option	Kit Description	Item	Total Value
1	Build a Banner Simply Created Kit AND Halloween Banner Simply Created Accessory Kit	133507 132698	$29.90
2	Build a Banner Simply Created Kit AND Christmas Banner Simply Created Accessory Kit	133507 132697	$29.90
3	Thankful Tablescape Simply Created Kit	133463	$19.95
4	Tag a Bag Bundle AND Tag a Box Bundle	131371 131372	$22.45

Convention Swap #1

I got back a couple days ago from Stampin' Up! Convention 2013 in Salt Lake City.  I have finally gotten a few hours of solid sleep and can think more clearly.  I have so many ideas it has been hard to decide where to begin.  I have updated my class schedule and uploaded all my photos to my computer.  I took over 700.

"Be the Difference" was the theme of this years convention.  It has encouraged me to think out of my comfort zone in my business and community.  Over the next week or so I will share more of the photos I took at convention.  For now, how about a card.

This is one of the 5 cards I made to swap with other demonstrators at convention.  This was my largest group as I made 216 of this card.  That is 432 flowers stamped and punched, 432 dimensionals, 216 stamped sentiments, 216 cuts of ribbon, 216...of my gosh it was tiring the first time to remind myself again.  I made this card for swapping with my StampersExpress Family, the shoebox swap with my Stampin' Addicts friends, and for general floor swaps with anyone with a card to trade.

It is a fantastic card and the saying can have so many meaning and uses.  It is from the "Feel Goods" stamp set in the Annual Catalog.  You can easily change the card for any color collection.  Just use the coordinating buttons, pack of DSP, and ink.  The coolest thing about this card is the ease of making them in bulk.  There are 72 buttons in a pack of Designer Buttons (available in all 4 color collections--I used Bold Bright).  The beautiful chevron ribbon (I used Marina Mist) cuts into exactly 72 five inch pieces.  You can get 48 cuts from one sheet of Designer Series Paper (Polka Dot Parade DSP) and 28 cuts from one sheet of cardstock (Real Red embossed piece).

PRODUCTS USED:

Stamps:  Feel Goods (WM #131916, CM #129684), Flower Shop (WM #130939, CM #130942)

Ink: Real Red #126949, Dafodil Delight #126944, Stazon Black #101406

Cardstock:  Whisper White #100730, Daffodil Delight #119683, Real Red #102482

Accessories:  Pansy Punch #130698 (available as a bundle with the coordinating stamp set on pg 95), Polka Dot Parade Designer Series Paper #126902, Bold Bright Buttons #130028, Rhinstone Basic Jewels #119246, Dimensionals #104430, Marina Mist 3/4" Chevron Ribbon #130016, Fancy Fan Embossing Folder #127751, Big Shot #113439

Paper Pumpkin On SALE!!

Offer Dates: Thru August 31, 2013

Offer Details: Use the promotion code PUMPKINDEAL to join Paper Pumpkin before August 31, 2013, and pay only $10 a month* for the first two months.
*plus tax, where applicable. Shipping included!

The Fine Print:

• For new subscribers only.
• Promotion applies only to the first two months of a new subscription. After receiving two month's worth, the price for each month's kit will go to the regular price: $19.95.
• You need to visit mypaperpumpkin.com to join.
• You must click "Add Promo Code" and then enter the promo code PUMPKINDEAL in the "Promo Code" field when you sign up on the mypaperpumpkin.com website to take advantage of this promotion.
• You must join by Saturday, August 31, 2013; 11:50 PM (MT).

More nitty gritty about Paper Pumpkin:

• Each month we send you a unique, surprise kit with a project-cards, journals, décor, and more! (We've even color-coordinated, measured, and cut everything for you!)
• Each kit includes stamps, ink, paper, and accessories-everything but adhesive.
• Each kit gives you a 30-minute creativity escape.
• We will ship your Paper Pumpkin on or around the 15th of the month. 
• You need to sign up for a kit by the 10th of the month to get that month's kit. If you sign up on the 11th of the month, your first kit will come the next month. (Let's say you sign up on August 10, we'll send your kit around August 15. If you sign up on August 11, we'll send your first kit around the September 15.)
• There's no commitment, you can cancel your monthly Paper Pumpkin at anytime. You can also skip a month if you want.

SPECIAL OFFER FROM ME:
Sign up by August 10th and be entered into a drawing to receive a kit from a past month.  I will draw one name from those who start a new subscription by August 10th and designate me as their demonstrator.  

FLEX CLUB!!

I am starting a new club year with the new catalog.  The great part about Flex Club is you decide your benefit level.  Our first gathering is this Wednesday, June 12th at 10:00.  For more details about Flex Club click on the "Flex Club" tab at the top of this page.

This month we will be doing a Father's Day card and using several new items from the NEW Catalog.  Come check out the new Big Shot magnetic platform, In Colors and stamps.

Spring Cleaning Time

Long Time....No Blog.  We all go through those times where life throws us a curve ball.  Then there are the times when you need to focus on something else for awhile.  The last few months I have had a combination of them both.  February 1st I started homeschooling my middle child.  It took us both some time to get into a groove that didn't wear us out by afternoon.  Summer is upon us and we are still schooling, but we have found a groove that will allow for a little more me time (aka. Stamp Time)!  I am gearing up for new classes. clubs and lots of great surprises!!

The new catalog is just around the corner.  Stampin' Up! is currently in retirement sale time.  For the most recent update of retiring items go directly to MY STORE.  Click on "Shop Now" and then "retiring products".

To prepare for the new catalog I am doing some major Spring Cleaning.  I have been a demonstrator for over 7 years now and collected a lot of swaps in my time.  What is a swap?  From time to time demonstrators exchange card ideas.  I send copies of one card to someone, who then sends me back an assortment of cards from other people.  At Stampin' Up! events the most fun thing can be swapping cards with other demonstrators in person.  Many of us will use these cards for inspiration for our classes or show our customers what other ideas are out there for a stamp set.  Over time the stamp sets retire and the colors may change.  Ribbon or designer paper is no longer available.  BUT I STILL LOVE MY SWAPS!!  I have used many over and over.  I might like the layout or it gives me a technique idea.  Something catches my eye each time I look through them.  After 7 years I have A LOT.  I just don't have room for them all and it is time they helped to inspire someone else.

HOW CAN YOU GET MY INSPIRATIONAL SWAPS?  Easy, place an order of any kind between now and June 30th and I will send you a ziplock bag of swaps and maybe (wink) another small gift from my retired spring cleaning stash.
What good are the swaps to you?  Use them for your own inspiration.  Copy the layout for your next project.  Make it into a full card.  (Many swaps are just the front of the card--ass a half sheet of cardstock and viola--ready to go card.)  Some of the swaps may come ready to send---feel free to give it away.  The only thing I ask it that you DO NOT SELL THE CARDS.  Some wonderful demonstrator took the time to make these to trade with other demonstrators over the years.  These are a treasure that I have valued over the years.  It is just time for me to "pay it forward" so please give the designers the same respect that I have.

DOUBLE YOUR PLEASURE!!  Want two sets of inspirational swaps?  Place an order before May 29th and use the code  "RQXAHHYV" at check out.  I will send you two packs of swaps and an extra gift from my retired stash.

Need a little inspiration each month?  Check out Paper Pumpkin!  It is a new kit that comes to you in the mail each month directly from Stampin' Up!  For only $19.95 a month you receive exclusive stamps and all the supplies you need to create a fun and step by step project.  You can skip a month at any time or just keep enjoying those special red boxed surprises in your mailbox for months to come.  Join Paper Pumpkin! and select me as your demonstrator before June 30th and I will send you another set of inspirational swaps!