Holiday Stamp A Stack Card #2

What a cute little guy!  He is perfect to give to any child who is on your list or to anyone who is still a child at heart.  I think I saw this little guy on Leann Greaff's blog and fell in love with him. 

For this year 's cards I personally am trying to come up with more cards that use supplies that are more versatile.  I think it is a good idea that when you buy a stamp set, embossing folder, punch, ect., that you can use it for more projects than just the one you bought it for.  Hopefully, this is a card that gives you a reason to pull out that Top Note die and punches and start working.

This is the second card that you can choose to make at our Holiday Stamp A Stack which I am hosting on August 18 @ 1 PM at my house.  If you are interested in attending, please contact me before August 10th.  

Today is a day off from babysitting so I am trying to get some cleaning done and run some errands.  Enjoy the day!

Holiday Stamp A Stack Already?

Yes, it is that time of the year again when Susan and I go crazy and start getting ready for Christmas.  I know you must be thinking we are crazy for starting so early but there is a method to our madness.  We hold 4 Holiday stamp a stacks  each year.  We hold one in August, September, October and November.  We offer 15 cards or 20 cards that you can make each month.  We calculate that if you attend each Stamp A Stack, you will have made 60-80 cads (depending how many you chose to make at each session) by Thanksgiving.  How great is that, all your Christmas cards finished before the Christmas season begins!


This is one of the cards that we will be making during the first Stamp A Stack.  Every year we try to put a blue card in along with the more traditional red/green cards.  I love the color of this card.  And if you look closely at this card, you will see that the Mosaic Madness stamp set was used.  How cute!  All this week, I will be posting the cards that we are offering for our first session.

I will be hosting the HOLIDAY STAMP A STACK at my house on August 18, 2013 at 1 PM.  The cost is $25 for 15 card/envelopes or $35 for 20 cards/envelopes plus a package of Rhinestone Jewels.  I will be offering 4 different designs.  If you want to make 20 cards, you will make 5 cards of each of the four designs.  If you want to make only 15 cards, then you will make 5 cards each of the 3 designs that you choose.

Please contact me if you are interested in attending.

I have a busy day ahead of me.  I am starting to cut supplies for the Holiday Stamp A Stack for those you have signed up already but I am also watching the smallest grandson today.  He was always the quiet one, but since he learned how to crawl I find that now I am chasing after him more and more.  I am not complaining.  I love every minute of it because I know that time goes so quickly and he will be grown up before you know it.  Enjoy the day!

Convention starts off with a Bang!

Thursday evening, Opening Session of convention started.  This is a picture of the front stage which a sign that read, Be The Difference, which was the theme of the convention.  A male singer ( I forget his name.  I'm sorry.), came out singing the theme song.  He had a marvelous voice.  And then some pyrotechnics were set off.  It was fantastic!!!!  So we started off with a bang. It was a wonderful evening.

Shellie spoke with us about Stampin' Up's partnership with the Ronald McDonald Houses.  Stampin' Up donates $3  to the Ronald McDonald Houses from every Ronald McDonald stamp set it sells.  This year's RMCH stamp set is titled "Tag It".  Shelly then introduced Ronald McDonald to us and he spoke to us, what this charity is all about.  HE stayed for a while while demonstrators drop off hand made cards to be given to Ronald McDonald Houses where families there will be able to use them.  Stampin' Up demonstrators also volunteer at Ronald McDonald Houses all over the US.  It is one way the SU demos can "Be The Difference."

A lot more went on, but I will post that on my next blog post.  There is alot of "new" going on at SU and I will tell you more about that then.  Enjoy the day!

Back from Convention

 I'm finally back home after convention.  I had a great trip coming home on the train.  Although it takes longer, I enjoy the view and you meet such nice and interesting people.  

Today I want to show you one of the convention gifts that I got.  When our small group gets together and we go to stamping events, we always make gifts for each other.  This year the gifts were unbelievably over the top.  This gift was made by my sideline Susan.  It is a gift box.  When you open it up.  There are 4 note cards, a piece of chocolate, and a tea bag inside.  It is so cute!  The first picture is the box closed.  When you remove the Belly Band, you can see what it looks like inside.  Everyone in the group loved it.

This is a group picture of all of us together at the Stampin' Up office at Riverton.  What a great time we had.  Tomorrow I ail post another gift and also a swap card.  There is just so much to share with you.

Enjoy the day!

First, Riverton

Sorry I have been away for a bit but Convention started on Thursday and we have been kept very busy.   The first thing that we did on Thursday was to go on a tour of Stampin' Up's home offices in Riverton, Utah.  This is also the place where the orders are filled.  It is an unbelievable place.  I would love to work there.  The lobby has a waterfall and the view form the office is spectacular.

Cindyrae and I went out to the rock which is the first thing that you see when you enter the road going up to the office building.  Cindyrae is my sideline and lives in Massachusetts.  We do not get to see each other except these events.

When we walked into the office, we were greeting with this colorful banners.  It was a beautiful sight.  You can on the next picture, the waterfall which is in the middle of the office building.  How soothing is that?!

We took the tour of the facility.  We went through an area where they have rooms that are decorated using SU products.  Check out the lamp shade which is made entirely of paper flowers.  The three dimensional flowers on the walls match the paint and are also made form SU card stock.








When we entered another room, there were canvases on the walls using Stampin' Up colors and using the Betsy Blossoms image.  There was a nice large sofa and we all sat down and a staff member at the office offered to take our picture.  Here is our group.  We had a such a great time visiting there.




Just one last picture of our morning trip.  This is a picture of SU employees in the warehouse where they pick our orders and pack them.  The place was huge!  It is amazing to see them picking our orders and packing them up for delivery.

It was an amazing morning adventure!  And it was just the beginning of a wonderful couple of days of convention.  Monday I will try to post again.  I leave on the train in a few hours to come back home. Enjoy the day!

Convention Swap Card #3

Isn't this card adorable!  Another baby card!  I told you that I had baby cards on the brain.    This card uses the new stamp set, "Zoo Babies".  I used a lot of new product on this card.  I love the color combination on this card and I managed to use 3 of the new 2013-15 In Colors for this card.  The supplies that I used on this card were:

STAMP SETS:  Zoo Babies, Sweet Essentials
PAPER:  Whisper White, Baked Brown Sugar, Pistachio Pudding, Coastal Cabana
INK:  Pistachio Pudding, Whisper White, Daffodil Delight
ACCESSORIES:  Alphabet Press Embossing Folder, 3" Circle Die, Bitty Banner Framelits,  Big Shot, Dimensionals, Blender Pens, Baked Brown Sugar and Crisp Cantaloupe Markers

This is such a cute card and I hope the people I swap with tomorrow like it also.  Today the rest of the gang will arrive in Salt Lake City.  Once everybody gets to the hotel, we are going to do some sightseeing.  Will try to post tomorrow before the first general session starts.  I am so excited!!!  Enjoy the day!

Convention Swap #2

Okay, rough time trying to get everything ready for various events this month.  It just seemed like there was not enough time in a day to get everything done.  So here is the second swap and it is also a swap that I already used for an earlier swap this past May.  I had extra left over and decided to make more for one of my swaps.  This card uses "The Open Sea" stamp set.  It is a great stamp set and I use it often. Do not worry, tomorrow's post is a brand new design I came up with for convention.

I will not bore you with the supply list since I already posted it earlier.  Convention is getting closer and I am getting more excited.  I should be getting into Salt Lake City tonight.  Can't wait.

Tomorrow I will post my last swap card.  My other friends will be flying in this morning.  Then we plan to do some sight seeing before convention starts on Thursday.  Enjoy the day!

Convention Swap #1

You are going to say that you have seen this card already.  This is similar but I made a few changes to it so that it would be made using all current product.  When yo are swapping at SU events, you need to make all your cards using current product.

I made this card for Technique class when I was showing the CHALKBOARD TECHNIQUE.  I had used a chevron patterned DSP for that card.  But this card I used the new "Positively Chevron" stamp.  I love it!  I was so pleased that it came out looking so nice.  I also changed the background to Smokey Slate card stock.  I really like the changes and could not be happier how this card turned out.  The supplies that I used for this card were:

STAMP SETS:  Blooming with Kindness, , Positively Chevron and Oh,Hello
PAPER:  Smokey Slate, Basic Black, Whisper White
INK:  Versamark, Daffodil Delight, Whisper White
ACCESSORIES:  Dotted Scallop Edge Border Punch, Apothecary Label Framelits, White Embossing Powder, 1/8" Daffodil Delight Taffeta Ribbon

I was running out of time and so I decided to use a card that I had made earlier but changed it up a bit.  Convention starts Thursday so I still have a bit of time to finish the rest of my swaps.  Enjoy the day!

Simply Pressed Clay Pin

I love this new product!  When I first saw it in the catalog, I was unsure.  I just could not imagine what I could do with it.  Well, once it was in my hands, the ideas started to flow.  I played around with it and came up with this pin.

It took a while to come up with it and I think that is because I tend to over think things.  In the end this pin was very simple and easy to make.  
1.  I started with making the clay flower.  
2.  To make it a bit glitzy, I covered the flower with an adhesive and then covered it with Dazzling Diamonds.  
3.  I then hot glued a Large Rhinestone Jewel to the center.
4.  Next adhered the flower and a Pistachio Pudding leaf (punched from the Bird Builder Punch) to a 1-3/8" Scallop Circle Punch out of Silver Glimmer Paper.  
5.  I added ruffled White Organza Ribbon to the back of the Scallop Circle using a hot glue gun.
6.  Finally I placed a card stock scallop circle on the back which I glued a pin back before I glued it onto the ribbon.
7.  And Voila!  You have a cute pin!

There is something special that I am using this pin for and it has to do with convention.  You will find out more about that in the next week or so.  I leave for convention on Sunday.  Since I am going by train, I will be reaching my destination on Tuesday evening.  Can not wait to start celebrating Stampin' Up's 25 year anniversary!  I will post pics of my swaps next week and hopefully some pictures from convention.  Last year I had so much trouble trying to get access to the internet so that I could post.  This year, the schedule they gave us looks so full that I may not be able to find the time.  But please stay tuned because I will do the best I can to post.

I am started my packing today and get all my stuff together.  There is so much to get ready.  Next post will be Monday.   Enjoy the day!

Christmas in July Card

I saw this card on Jill Hilliard's blog and knew I had to CASE it for our Christmas in July event.  How elegant is this card?  I think it is so clean and elegant.  This is a card everyone will love!

If interested in attending my Christmas in July event, please con act me so that I have enough supplies prepared.

Christmas Tag Box

Outside of box

Isn't this most elegant box that you have seen?  What a beautiful gift you can give someone for the Holidays!  It really just folds up into a box and then you adhere a belly band.  That is what helps to keep it in it's box shape.  This box holds 6 gift tags.  You could put more in if you like.  Or if you did not want to give gift tags, it also will hold Girardelli Chocolate for that chocolate lover or Tea Bags for a tea lover.  

Inside of box with tags

This is another one of the projects that we will be making at my Christmas in July event.  That event is my favorite.  I love when we stamp and create while listening to Christmas Music, eat Christmas cookies, and drink hot chocolate.  I even put up some Christmas decorations.  It is a fun event.  If you are interested, contact me so I have all your supplies prepared for you.

Today I plan to finish up what I need to do on my swaps and try to do some packing.  Next week at this time I will be in Salt Lake City, trying to some sight seeing before convention starts.  Enjoy the day!

A Christmas Gift Card Holder

This year I had such a tough time trying to figure out what type of Gift Card Holder to make for the Christmas in July.  Finally I decided to go back to an old friend, the envelope Gift Card Holder!  There are so many things that you can do with envelopes besides using them to put your card in to send.  There are a variety of gift card holders that you can make using envelopes and this is my favorite to make.  

Just remember once you learn the technique, then you use any stamp set and make them for any occasion.  Cute1 Cute! Cute!

Remember if you would like to attend my Christmas in July event, contact me.

Today I plan to continue to work on my swaps for convention.  Can not believe it is next week.  Wow!  Will share my swaps that I am making for convention with you next week.  Enjoy the day!

Christmas in July Cocoa Pouch

This week I am going to post pictures of the projects that we will be making at our Christmas in July Event!  Last year Dawn Oshefske posted this cute Cocoa Pouch on her blog.  I thought it was adorable and wanted to do it with my customers.  I had so many other projects planned that I could not fit it in but I put it in my file for future projects.  So when getting ideas together for Christmas in July, I knew that this pouch was going to be on the list.

The Cocoa Pouch is easy to make and holds a package of cocoa and a peppermint stick, which you can use to stir the cocoa.  That will give it a minty flavor.  This would be a great gift for a Sunday School teacher, Daycare Provider, favors for a Christmas event or really anything you can think of.

All products are SU except for the cocoa and peppermint sticks.  If there is something that you do not recognize, when you receive your Holiday Catalog, you will find it. Hint, hint, hint.  If you are interested in attending my Christmas in July event, please contact me.  I am off to play Grandma again for the day.  I only have one grandson to watch today.  Enjoy the day! 

It's Christmas! In July Again!

Yes, it is that time of the year again when Susan and I get together and come up with some GREAT projects for you to make to help you kickstart your Christmas Card and Craft making.  Here is a sneak peek of what we have planned this year.  We always try to give you a variety of ideas for you to help you pan all those cards and projects for the upcoming Holiday Season.  This year we have a gorgeous Christmas Card.  The Very Vanilla card adorned with a gold embossed tree is very elegant.  We also have an Ornament that showcases a punch art Cardinal.  If do not need an ornament, you can always add it to a piece of card stock and change it into a card.  A frosty wintery looking card actually holds a pouch of Hot Chocolate and a Peppermint Stick.  How cute is that!  It is a cute, fast project that you can make for your children's teachers, friends, coaches and anybody else you think could use a hot drink on a cold day.  A whimsical Christmas Gift Card Holder created from an envelope!  And finally a beautiful box which contains Gift Tags.  Or if you wish to keep and use the tags, you can fill it with chocolate or tea bags.

Come join me on July 28th  at 1:30 PM at my house for a morning of sights, sounds, and smells of Christmas!.  Listen to Christmas music while making five great projects for only $15!    All these items would be great as a gift or items you can use yourself during the Holiday season.   There will be presents under the tree that Santa left, for those stampers who have been very good throughout the year.  Christmas cookies, door prizes, and specials of the day will finish off your Christmas in July.

If you are interested please contact me by July 14th.

Well today will be another busy day because I am going to be working on my swaps for convention all day.  Enjoy the day!

July Thank You's

I already told you the New Year's Resolutions that I made about my business.  One of them was to make Thank You Notes for my customers when they made a purchase.  This is a pic of the note cards that I made for the month of July.  Another very simple and quick card to make.  These are the supplies that I used for this project:

STAMP SET:  Wildflower Meadow
PAPER:  Whisper  White, 2013-15 In Colors
INK: 2013-15 In Colors
ACCESSORIES:  Rhinestone Jewels

I cut the card stock 3" x 6" and fold the cardstock on half for the base.  These would be perfect a perfect size to use as gift tags also.  

Well I am on my way to Susan's to work on our Christmas in July Event.  I will have more information about that event tomorrow.  Enjoy the day!

Coastal Cabana Baby

While trying to come up with some ideas for a baby card, I thought that the new In Color Coastal Cabana would be a nice color to use.  My daughter never was one that liked the baby blue that most baby boy layettes use.  So when coming up with a baby boy card, I kept that in mind and used Bermuda Bay and Coastal Cabana.  I love that color combination.  I used a very simple layout for this card.
 The supplies that I used for this card were:

STAMP SETS:  Baby Prints, Cuddles and Kisses
PAPER:  Whisper White, Bermuda Bay, Coastal Cabana
INK:  Coastal Cabana, Smokey Slate
ACCESSORIES:  Alphabet Press Embossing Folder, Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder, Big Shot, Jewel Rhinestones, Dimensionals

When I stamped the foot prints, I stamped it off first and then stamped it.  I just thought that it made it look more like real print.  I love the Alphabet Press Embossing Folder and I have been waiting for something like it for a long time to use with making baby cards.  I will be using this embossing folder a lot. This is another card that I plan to use for my upcoming Card Buffet.  I am thinking about doing a similar card using colors that are more feminine.  We will see if my babies will give me a break today and take a nice long nap.  Enjoy the day!

Babies and More Babies!

I was working on some cards for an upcoming Card Buffet that I am hosting.  I am working on All Occasion Cards.  So I started off creating a Baby Card when I get a call from one of my close friends that her son and daughter-in-law just gave birth to a boy!  Although I knew she was going to have this grandchild, he came a few days early.  This is the card I had just finished when I got the call.

These are the supplies that I used for this card:

STAMP SET:  Best of...Babies and Brides

PAPER:  Baked Brown Sugar, VEry Vanilla, Pistachio Pudding

INK:  Baked Brown Sugar

ACCESSORIES:  Pistachio Pudding3/8" Ruffled Stretch Trim Ribbon, Delicate Designs Embossing Folder, Large Scallop Edgelits

I was working on a neutral gender card for the card buffet.  I will now have to go back to the drawing board and come up with one for a boy.  I need to send a card to them and also my friend who is a first time Grandma.  It is a very exciting time for my close group of friends.  There are 5 of us that are very close.  Our group has 10 children and last weekend, we married off the 8th one.  So we have 2 more to go.  This week, the 5th grandchild was born and we all have BOYS!  At this time all the grandbabies are aged 2-1/2 and under.  And another baby (boy) is due in September so you can understand how excited we all are.

Tomorrow I will post another baby card.  It seems I really am going to need a lot of them in the future.  These cards will be part of the Card Buffet that I am trying to put together.  I am off to do my Grandma duties today.  All three are here and will be indoors all day because we are having thunderstorms right night and heavy rain.  Enjoy the day!