Stampin' and Scrappin' With Kristin

Happy Mail Day!!! Alaskan Cruise

What a fun surprise!  I was running around the house getting ready for tomorrow's BIG open house when I glanced down at my phone to check Facebook.  I noticed that one of my demonstrator friends had just posted that her cruise documents had arrived.  OH MY GOSH!  The day the cruise documents arrive are one of the best days of the year!  I wasn't expecting them until next week!  But, there was one catch - the person who received them lives in Canada.  Sometimes the Canadian demos receive things a day or two before or after us.  So, I tried to be patient and tell myself that I wasn't getting mine.  None of my US demo friends and said anything yet.  And, it was noon.  Surely someone else had received them by now!  Then I heard the UPS truck.  They have a distinct sound, don't they?  He had stopped at a neighbor's house three doors down.  I ran to my front door.  I watched him climb in, start up the truck, and start driving towards my house!  I didn't think he was going to stop, but he did.  I was straining my neck to see if he had an envelope.  And he pulled one out!  I ran out the door, barreled down the steps, and started yelling - "Is it for me?  Is it for me?"  It wasn't my UPS guy and this guy had no sense of humor.  He didn't respond.  He didn't walk faster.  He didn't even LOOK at the crazy woman running towards him!  But, yes, it was for me.  And, it said "Next Day Air".  It was my cruise documents!

I contained myself so that I could take a picture and show you just what I saw.  HOLY COW!  THESE ARE GORGEOUS!  Now, you may be wondering why I'm SO excited!  These documents (and the packaging) usually reveal several pieces of information:
- The theme for the trip
- The BAG we get and any other coordinating items usually match the cruise doc packaging.  For example, last cruise we received a travel document "wallet" that was teal with floral lining.  We received a clutch AND a bag on the cruise that matched.  Same thing with the Hawaiian trip and the Founder's Circle trip.
- The documents give us the agenda and tell us what SU events are planned for us (and our spouses).

Are you ready?  I REALLY had to control myself to take each of these pictures.  Then I let myself sit back for AN HOUR and digest everything inside!

Isn't this little agenda/organizer GORGEOUS???  I love how all of the new goodies from SU have a piece of rubber somewhere!  My sweater from FC has a rubber tag on one sleeve.  My purse from Leadership has a rubber tag sewn into the lining.  And this agenda has a rubber tag that coordinates with the Curly Label Punch.  LOVE IT!!!  So bright and cheery!

So, what was inside???  This is EXACTLY how it looked.  I didn't touch a thing.  I see name tags, luggage tags, a booklet of some sort, and there were a couple of other items hidden in other pockets that you can't see here.

And here's ALMOST everything pulled out.  There was a "savings booklet" for our cruise ship tucked inside a pocket that I didn't find until later.  Aren't those luggage tags the cutest?  The "band" is actually rubber.  LOVE IT!  We actually lost one of the snazzy luggage tags last year because they didn't clip real well.  We shouldn't have that problem this year.  And they each say "Stampin' Up! 2011"

The booklet is AWESOME!  It gives us our agenda for each day.  BUT, it also has places for us to make notes and journal about the trip!  I love journalling about my trips, but I haven't done much of that since I created my blogs.  I'm going to try to fill it each day with my highlights.  But, here are some of the things we have to look forward to:
- Day 1 - we have an hour-long "Icebreaker" with the Corporate Team and Shelli in one of the lounges on the ship.  It'll be nice to meet up with all of my demonstrator friends again, too!
- Day 1 - we can stop by the "Trading Post" to visit with the SU events staff, pick up our cruise jackets, spin the prize wheel, take photos of the display boards, and more!  There's even a "Man Station" where the spouses can hang out while we spin the wheel.  They've never done that before (at least since I've earned the trip).
- Day 2 - General Session - WOO HOO - This is where we might see some sneak peeks of things coming in the next catalog!  There are door prizes (I won one last year).  But, the best part about this meeting....they will tell us where we get to go in 2013!!!  Max told me that it's a pretty cool trip.  The tease!
- Day 2 - The spouses can attend a "Fly Fishing Demo" with one of the Corporate Team members, Dave Baugh.  And, they even have a chance to win a Fly Fishing Excursion with Dave while we're in Juneau!  What fun!  They seem to be really trying to involve the spouses this year!
- Day 3 - I've been invited to enjoy dinner with Dave Baugh and Chad Richards - two members of the Corporate Team!  These invitations are such an honor to receive!  I can't wait to sit and chat and see what they want to pick my brain about!
- Day 4 - No specific SU events are planned other than visiting the Trading Post to spin the prize wheel!!!
- Day 5 - Share Night!  This is a fun event.  Demonstrators bring their "best work" to display or demonstrate.  It's amazing to see the projects.  I will definitely be there!!!
- Day 6 - Make & Takes - WOO HOO!!!  This is where we get to play with some of the new products.  I wonder what we'll get and what we'll make this year!!!
- Day 6 - While the women are makin' and takin', the men can participate in a 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament with the men from the Corporate Team.  How fun is that?!?!!?
- Day 7&8 - No specific SU events are planned other than visiting the Trading Post to spin the prize wheel!!!

Fabric Friday - Quilt Block Swap - Part 2

Last Friday I posted the raw materials for a quilt block swap in which I'm participating.  It's taken everything in me to hold this post until this Friday!  I wanted to share them with you as soon as they were finished!  They only took THREE trips to my local quilt shop and to a Big Box store for the backing and batting.  Whew! 

Want to know what I used to make these???  A LOT of Big Shot Dies!!!  That was one of the requirements.  Here they are:

- Tasteful Trim Die (stems)
- Leaves #2 Die (leaves)
- Flower Folds Die (flowers)
- Penant Die (scallop circle on large flower)
- Scallop Circle #2 Die (scallop circle on small flower)
- Circles #2 Die (circles in center of flowers)
- Beautiful Butterflies Die (butterflies)
- 1/8" Early Espresso Taffeta Ribbon
- Springtime Vintage Designer Big Buttons (Occasions Mini Catalog) - only available until April 30th!
- Sweet Stitches Designer Big Buttons (Occasions Mini Catalog) - only available until April 30th!

I had to make 9 of these blocks.  So, I snapped a quick photo of all of them before I popped them in the box to mail off to the swap host.  I can't wait to see all of the blocks I get back!!!

April Downline Swap Contest

Last night was really exciting for me!  It was our monthly demonstrator meeting for the demonstrators in my group.  This month was special because I had changed them up, made some announcements, added some fun new elements, and started holding them at a new favorite Elmer Eatery - Dodge's Market!  We started off the evening stamping with an easy Make & Take that features some stamp sets that will be on sale next month!  I then rolled out a new incentive program and chatted about some exciting changes coming to Stampin' Up! over the next couple of months - some that will impact you (and you'll love them).  And we wrapped up the night learning two techniques!

We still have swaps and a swap contest!  It's always SO hard to judge.  I think just about everyone participated this month!  But, the winner was Hallie!  Hallie's card is just beautiful!  She stamped the flower from Just Believe and sponged the sunset scene behind it!  She also highlighted the flowers with her white gel pen.  GREAT JOB!!!

MDS Monday - Chocolate Bunny

A couple of weeks ago I read a post somewhere on one of the online forums that last year's Chocolate Bunny stamp is going for $40 on eBay.  THAT'S JUST CRAZY!!!  That stamp originally cost less than $10!  Granted, if most people are like me, they're not parting with theirs either which is probably why it's so expensive.  But, why on earth would you spend that kind of money when you can download the Chocolate Bunny for MDS for only $1.95!!!  And you don't even have to pay shipping!!!  And if you wanted to use him on a traditional card, you could simply print him out on your home computer and cut him out!!!  Don't go to eBay!!!  That's one of the reasons I love MDS - the images don't retire!

I created this card based upon a card that everyone loved last year.  The card was made by the fabulous Di Gibbs!  It was a swap I received from her at Leadership and cased several times for my spring workshops.  So, when I saw the topic of an Easter Card over on Utah Divas International, I knew I had to use this little guy!  Want to see what everyone else made?  Pop on over and check it out!

So, you may be wondering how I bit off their ears!  Well, the same way I did with paper!  I used the Scallop Circle Punch.  But, here's where it got tricky.  I softened the Baja Breeze layer by adjusting the Opacity level to 40% on Baja Breeze.  But, when you do that with the punches, the bunny shows through!  So, instead of playing with the Opacity for the punches, I simply color matched the punches to the softened Baja Breeze!  Voila!  I hope you and your family had a very happy Resurection Sunday!

Fabric Friday - Quilt Block Swap - Part 1

It's Fabric Friday!  And, guess what?  I'm actually playing with fabric!  Unfortunately I don't have a finished project to share just yet - that will be posted NEXT Friday.  But, I thought I'd tease you with the supplies.  First, I'll back up a bit.  Quite a few months ago (back in January), I signed up to participate in a Quilt Block Swap.  What's a Quilt Block Swap?  It's just like a card swap, but we're making Quilt Blocks!  Thankfully, I only need to make 9!  But, there were some guidelines....they MUST use Big Shot Dies.  They didn't need to use SU fabric.  My first choice would have been to use Springtime Vintage but I don't have much on hand and it's a little late to be ordering it!  So, I ventured out to my local Quilt Shop.  I'd never been there but I used to pass it every night on my way home from work.  I checked them out online and saw that they opened at 10am.  I figured they could help.

Before heading out this morning, I sat down and tried to come up with a layout.  Mine looks more like a card front than a quilt, but I guess that's because I make cards - not quilts!  I cut some pieces of fabric that I did have on hand in the pieces I wanted to use so that I could show the shop owner what I had in mind.  I walked into the store as they were opening and was immediately in love with the colors and patterns.  Fabric is just like paper, isn't it?  I spread my cut fabric samples on the counter and the shop owner was excited about what I had planned and promised me I wasn't biting off more than I could chew (these need to be done in under a week).  She gave me some ideas and let me wander.  She was trying to steer me towards fat quarters - there was even a "sale bin".  But, after being a Stampin' Up! demonstrator for close to 5 years, I had no idea how to pair them together!  The colors didn't match in the sale bin.  But, she did have bolts of fabric in coordinating colors grouped together.  So, I told her I couldn't work with the fat quarters.  I needed to use the "families".  Why doesn't everything in the world come in nice coordinated packs and sets like Stampin' Up!  I was drawn to one group and we started pulling out fabric and tried to make it work.  I walked out of the store with a pile of fat quarters from the sale bin and fabric for my quilt blocks.

After a quick lunch of leftovers, I quickly started cutting into the fabric.  I cut one piece wrong (but recovered).  And, the one pattern that wasn't part of the "set" that we threw in was just too bright.  So, back I went to the shop!  She was excited to see my project coming together but could see I was struggling with the one.  We quickly found a replacement and I was on my way.  I've got it planned out, but wanted to take a quick picture of the raw materials before I cut them to pieces.  Check back next week to see how I made out!

Simple Friendship

Have you missed me?  I know, it's been a couple of days since I posted.  However, here in New Jersey, the weather has be GORGEOUS and I've spent a lot of time outside!  When I first purchased my house close to 7 years ago, I did a lot of gardening.  However, as my Stampin' Up! business has grown and flourished, my flowers have not!  Many of you ask how I have time for everything.  Did you see the 7 foot weed in my front flower bed???  (I'm not joking.)  Gardening hasn't happened for a few years.  Last year I did manage to spread mulch and crossed my fingers that simply burying the weeds would work (it didn't).  Stop laughing.  When I stopped working outside of the home, I realized I'd have time to make my yard pretty again.  It's not easy.  I haven't pulled a weed in three years!  You should see the one in the back yard - I'm scared of it!  Now, I don't have a green thumb.  I'll be honestly surprised if any of the flowers I've planted last more than a week.  But, they're pretty now!  There's a lot more I want to do, but I think that it looks a million times better!

For the next few days (9 to be exact) I will be focusing on stamping.  I have a big open house coming up on May 1st and I want to have as many samples there to inspire you as I can!  This is one that you'll see.  Do you recognize the stamp set?  It's from Simple Friendship.  Yes, I know it's not in the Summer Mini.  So, why will it be on display?  Well, it will be ON SALE for 30% off!!!  There are a handful of stamp sets that will be on sale next month in honor of National Scrapbooking Month.  I'm creating an assortment of cards that use those sets to tempt you!  Hey, at least I'm honest! 

The colors I used on this card are Melon Mambo, Wild Wasabi, and Daffodil Delight!

Paisley Petals Designer Series Paper

Have you seen the new Paisley Petals Designer Series Paper?  It's a special Sneak Peek from the upcoming 2011-2012 Idea Book and Catalog that comes out in July.  But, you can buy it in April!  I have a ton of this paper on hand and decided to blow through a lot of it at my stamp club tonight.  Some of my fellow Philly Inkers pointed out a set of cards that Meg Loven recently created for one of her classes.  I was stuck for a project idea so I decided hers would be perfect since I was trying to figure out a way to incorporate the new DSP in a project for my club. 

I tweaked it just a bit since I'm already using the Four Frames Stamp Set on another project tonight.  My gals are making a little gift set of three of the cards in one of the Skinny Silver Tins that are still available on the Clearance Rack.  The tins are available (while supplies last) for only $2.99 for a pack of 5!  How awesome is that deal!??!?  That's less than 60 cents per tin!!!  If you've never checked out the Clearance Rack, what are you waiting for?  There are LOTS of awesome deals to be had on retired products!  Stampin' Up! adds new products to the rack all of the time!

Congrats Patty Jo!

I will post a project a little later today, but I wanted to congratulate Patty Jo for winning my drawing last weekend for a bundle of close to $50 in products!!!  Thanks to everyone who entered the contest!  Stay tuned for more spontaneous online specials!

MDS Monday - Sympathy

This week's Utah Divas MDS Monday Challenge was to create a spring or faith-based card.  Here's what I came up with.  My card started out using the Springtime Vintage DSP but it wasn't working for me.  Then I remembered a card I made this weekend using Crumb Cake and White - clean, simply, and beautiful.  Then I glanced down at the Sale-a-Bration brochure sitting on my desk and was inspired by this layout.  So, this card turned out to be a mishmash of different cards.  I hope you like it!

If you'd like to see what everyone else created, check out the Utah Divas blog!

Heat Embossing!

I've been having lots of fun heat embossing over the last few days.  Stampin' Up! is introducing a small selection of custom embossing powders that match three of our colors - exactly!  There are some FUN things you can do....so I scheduled a class!!!  This card is one of the projects that we'll make in the class - check it out!  Those surfboards are embossed with three different colors - at the same time!  How'd I do that?  I guess you'll have to attend the class and see!

The card was inspired by the box - pictured to the right.  The box was designed by Stampin' Up!  I fell in love with it and was SO excited that my (now stale) salt water candy from Stampin' Up! matches the embossing powder, too (sorta).  You can see both of these projects, and more, at my Open House on May 1st!

Sail Away

Do you see a sailing theme in my posts these last couple of days?  Not sure what brought that on other than there's alot of sailing-themed stamps and accessories coming out!  Before I begin, I admit that watercoloring is not my strength!  But, I'm still trying!  I used the Aquapainter and my ink pads to create this card - definitely not one of my favorite techniques, but I'm not giving up! 

I used Baja Breeze to do a wash over the entire image before I started.  I used a mix of Marina Mist and Not Quite Navy for my water.  Can you see the Daffodil Delight in the flag at the top of the sail?  Nope, I didn't think you would but it's up there!  I used Cherry Cobbler on the sails and Soft Suede on the boat. 

There are a ton (well, maybe not a ton) of new masculine stamps coming out in the Summer Mini.  I used three of them on this card:  Sail Away, Best Dad Ever, and The Open Sea!

This card will be one of five that we make in my Let's Hear It For The Boys class this coming June!

Did you see the special I posted yesterday?  You still have time to enter yourself in the drawing for over $45 in products!  Check it out!

Sailing in Sydney

If you read my last post, you probably knew that I was scrapbooking yesterday.  I couldn't wait to show you what I made!  Inspired by the Stampin' Success magazine, again, I created this page!  Stampin' Up!'s page was titled "Cherish" and featured 2 little kids.  Well, since I'm not really a "kid person", I didn't have any photos!  So, I figured I'd tap into the nautical theme of the stamps and paper.  One problem - I don't sail either.  My family owns a boat, but it's not really the type of boat that works well with the products in the Summer Mini.  However, while in bed last night, I remembered I had some sailboat photos from my trip to Australia back in 2005 - I just had to find them!  Oh what fun it was to dig around an ancient hard drive looking for pictures! 

I've always loved this picture.  Can you read the name of the boat?  It says "Noah's Ark" on the side!  I snapped this picture while riding a ferry from the Sydney Opera House over to Manly Beach my first day in Australia.  I loved riding the ferries.  There were always TONS of sailboats out on the harbor.  I wished I had taken a photo of one in front of the Opera House or under the Harbour Bridge.  So, you'll just have to trust me that this boat is in Australia!

This page uses TONS of sneak peek items out of the Summer Mini Catalog.  This page - along with many other projects - will be on display at my Open House on May 1st!  I advertised that I'd have "hundreds" of projects on display - and without any big Stampin' Up! events this time of year, I don't have any swaps to suplement my projects.  So, I'm making them all!!!  Therefore, you'll probably only see about a tenth of the projects on my blog!

Here are the products that I used on this page:
- Stamps:  The Open Sea (Summer Mini)
- Ink:  Sahara Sand, Not Quite Navy, Early Espresso
- Paper:  Soft Suede Textured CS, Not Quite Navy CS, Whisper White CS, Sahara Sand CS, Cherry Cobbler CS, and Nautical Expedition DSP (Summer Mini)
- Tools & Accessories:  1/2" Circle Punch, Postage Stamp Punch (Summer Mini), Boho Blossoms Punch, Big Shot, Simple Letters Alphabet Die, Square Lattice Embossing Folder, Petal Cone Die, Sanding Block, Cutter Kit
- Embellishments:  Naturals Buttons, Regals Buttons, Cherry Cobbler Baker's Twine (Summer Mini), Early Espresso Baker's Twine (Summer Mini), Log Cabin Smooch Spritz

Have you placed your order to qualify to win my bundle of FREE Stampin' Up! products?  Click here to check it out!

Win FREE Stamps!!!

Sounds good, doesn't it???  I thought I'd hold a drawing for anyone who places and order between now and the end of day Sunday, April 17th!  The winner will be announced Monday morning on my blog.  What's the prize?  How about the brand new Four Frames Stamp Set (in clear), the Paisley Petals DSP, PLUS three brand new rolls of wide grosgrain ribbon in coordinating colors - Old Olive, Marina Mist, and Whisper White!?!?!?  YES!  That's right!  That's almost $50 in products!!!

So, how does it work?  Simply place an online order through me, call me with an order (856-503-7459), or e-mail me an order (kristinkortonick@yahoo.com) between now and the end of the day Sunday (midnight Eastern Time).  For every $10 you spend before tax and shipping, you'll be entered into the drawing once.  For example, if you order $10 in products, you'll get 1 entry.  If you order $100 in products, you'll get 10 entries!  Easy, right?   AND, if you order more than $150 in products, you can also collect hostess benefits!  AND, if you shop online, you can also shop from the Clearance Rack which is packed full of discounted products!  Did you follow all of that?

What if you already own the Four Frames Stamp Set or choose to purchase it with your order?  No worries, if you win, I'll let you replace it with the Hostess Stamp Set of your choice from the Idea Book & Catalog, Occasions Mini, or even the Summer Mini!

Where it all began...

Today I'm scrapbooking.  Wow.  I know.  That's something I never do.  But, I ran across some photos that I just had to share....my very first (and only) Stampin' Up! workshop that I hosted before becoming a demonstrator!  I don't remember taking these photos, but there they were in a folder buried on an external hard drive!  I cried a little when I found them.

My workshop was on World Cardmaking Day back in October 2006.  And there, at the head of the table sits Claire - the demonstrator that night.  Claire, did you have any idea how big this would get?!?!?  We'll probably laugh at this post in another 4 or 5 years...I wonder how things will change.

Fun Flowers Pot

Each month every Stampin' Up! demonstrator receives a complimentary copy of Stampin' Success Magazine in the mail.  Each issue is packed full of stamping and business inspiration.  My favorites are always the ones that come out around the time a new mini catalog is released because they showcase the new products.  In last month's issue, a GORGEOUS flower pot was pictured on one of the pages. I immediately knew I wanted to try to make it.

While I was at out shopping last weekend for pillow gifts for my incentive trip, I came across some cute flower pots that I thought I could decorate in some way.  The first I used as a flower pot - inspired by the one in last month's Stampin' Success magazine.  My inspiration actually had leaves glued up and around the edges of the pot - I skipped those.  And, my pot was larger so I doubled the number of flowers.  My flowers are Tempting Turquoise, Melon Mambo, and Daffodil Delight.  I cut them with the Fun Flowers Die and embossed them using the Polka Dot and Lattice embossing folders.  The centers of the smaller flowers didn't turn out exactly as I  hoped, but I like them anyway.  I took a 1-3/4" circle punch and punched out a piece of card stock. I then adhered Brights Buttons to the centers of each flower using Glue Dots.

Using my paper snips, I spiral cut each center then curled them up.  I used a 8-1/2"x11" sheet of Crumb Cake Card Stock that I cut into narrow strips and ran through my crimper (yes, I finally found it) to make the "potting soil/grass".  To embellish the tin, I frayed some 1-1/4" striped grosgrain ribbon (Daffodil Delight) and tied it around the pot.  Somehow I needed to tie in the Summer Mini Catalog - since this project was ultimately created to be a sample at next month's open house.  So, I punched the "thanks" sentiment from the Pretty Postage Stamp Set and adhered it to a piece of Melon Mambo that I'd punched with the large tag punch.  And I used my favorite new accessory - White Baker's Twine - to tie the tag to my pot!

Demonstrator Cards

Last night I was in the mood to stamp.  Usually Mondays are my day "off".  But, I just wanted to create!  But, I wasn't really in the mood to sit and design a bunch of things.  I decided to stamp a stack of cards for all of the demonstrators on my team.  That used to be a quick and easy task.  But, it is no longer - and that's not a complaint!  My team has grown SO much over the last year, it's unbelievable.  As I was making cards last night, I wondered to myself how much longer I'll be able to keep making cards for all of them each month - that was my goal this year!  This is only the second month I've been successful.  But, my group of demosntrators is FOUR times the size it was this year!  That's growth that I never could have dreamed possible!  If that keeps up, I won't be able to! 

Here's the card I made for them.  It uses the Blueberry Crisp DSP.  You'll probably see me using a lot of DSP (patterned paper) over the next few months as I prepare for the next big catalog.  Traditionally most, if not all, of the DSP in the big catalog retires each year.  I can only imagine that will be the case again this year.  We'll all know for sure in June when Stampin' Up! posts the "retired list".  But, I have a large supply of DSP (as always) and I'd rather use it up than store it to sell at my retirement sale.  Do you recognize the sentiment on the card?  No?  I didn't think so.  It's a sneak peek from the Summer Mini.  It's part of the Happy Greetings stamp set.  I can't stop using it!!!

MDS Monday - For the Birds!

Over on the Utah Divas blog today, the challenge was to create an MDS project using a Bird Stamp or Punch.  I was a little late in creating yesterday since I'd been down the shore stamping!  But, I quickly came up with this project.  They layout for this 5x7 postcard is a layout I've been using recently on several cards.  I used many of the DSP, elements, and images from the Sunny Day MDS Kit.  I find that it's fun to use the kits because everything matches and coordinates already!  If you'd like to see what everyone else created today, hop on over to the UDI blog!

Stamp Sorority Incentive Trip - Stampin' Down the Shore

I recently held a contest for my entire downline (the demonstrators who are in my group).  They earned "points" for various achievements: sales, recruiting, and their own promotions in Stampin' Up!  I awarded the top three a weekend getaway trip to Ocean City, NJ.  There they'd enjoy pampering and stamping and could spend the time however they liked.  They could walk the boardwalk, read, nap, stamp, or anything else their heart desired!  I would provide the food and pillow gifts!

Unfortunately, one of the girls couldn't make it so it was just the three of us.  Tanya, we missed you!  But, Kristin, Annie, and I thoroughly enjoyed ourselves!  Annie chose to work on some scallop circle flowers for wedding favors for her daughter's wedding.  I think she made 80-90!  She made a big dent on the 150 or so she has to make by next month!  Kristin worked on some projects for her own downline then jumped into playing with the new products from the Summer Mini Catalog.  I shipped them overnight so that they'd have the opportunity to play with them this weekend!  I chose to work on my next big customer mailing - my Spring/Summer Class Schedule for 250 of my customers.  And, I decided to be an overachiever, and stamped a little 3x3 "love note" to tuck inside of each schedule showing off several of the new products in the Summer Mini - inside is a note telling about my Open House Special.  I always have some sort of promotion running at my three open houses each year.

Their first meal was dinner on Friday night.  I made them a homemade Baked Penne recipe that I absolutely love!  I served it with Garlic Bread, Tossed Salad, and some Red Wine.  For dessert we enjoyed Pound Cake with Fresh Strawberries and Whipped Cream.  Of course there was other snacking throughout the evening!  Annie turned in before midnight.  But, I was on a mission to finish my 250 cards!  And, Kristin was kind enough to stay up with me until 1am to get them done!

For breakfast on Saturday, I made them french toast with Challah bread (is that how you spell it)?  Served with a side of bacon.  I gave them the option to have fresh fruit and eggs, but that's all they wanted!  There was more flower-making, card-making, and lots of folding for me!  Kristin also asked me to show her how to make a 5x5 pocket scrapbook using the new Simply Scrappin' Kit in the Summer Mini.  So, we had our own little class and made a scrapbook!  Annie made her flowers but took notes.  Be on the lookout for the project on my blog!  It's actually one of my August classes!

For lunch I treated them to whatever they wanted from the market across the street, Boyar's Market.  They make FANTASTIC EVERYTHING!  It's a cute little store.  Annie and I had Rueben's and Kristin had a pulled pork BBQ sandwich which was heavenly!  Annie headed home shortly after lunch - she had a dinner to attend that night.  And, Kristin headed home around 3pm - she had her first downline meeting of her own that evening. 

They both LOVED having some time without distractions from kids, husbands, etc to get some stuff done.  One of them had a really hard time not helping me cook, clean, and wash dishes!!!  I had to keep kicking her out of the kitchen!  This weekend was for them.  And I look forward to the next Stamp Sorority Incentive Trip!  You can be on my team, too!  Simply click here for more information about joining Stampin' Up! and my team.  I'd love to have you join us!

Here are a few more photos from the weekend:

Our weekend Stamping Space. 

A close-up of the punches.  A few are missing (the new ones) since I'm not allowed to post photos of them.  But, both Annie and Kristin (and me) LOVE the new builder punches!!  I can't wait for you to try them, too!

I didn't bring many stamps with me with the exception of a few that they requested and all of the Summer Mini Stamps (the ones that are turned on their sides)!

In true Stampin' Up! fashion, we needed pillow gifts!  I stopped by Bath & Body Works and picked up some items to help them feel pampered this weekend!  I even met a fan of Stampin' Up! at the Bath & Body Works while I was shopping!

Just a sampling of Annie's flowers.

Some of Kristin's projects.

My pile of supplies for the weekend project.

My 250 completed "love notes".

Simply Adorned

I sat down today and designed a pile of inserts for my Simply Adorned charms.  It was so much fun to play and experiment! Some I like more than others.  And almost all of them have some sort of sparkle and shine!  The photo doesn't begin to show the detail.  I'll be scheduling another round of Simply Adorned classes again soon.  Please let me know if you're interested!

Summer Mini Sneak Peek: Happy Greetings

I wanted to share another class sample that I designed earlier this week.  This one uses the Happy Greetings Stamp Set.  This stamp set will be featured in the Happy Greeting Class in June.  (Yes, I'm designing projects for my June classes already!)

I had fun with this card!  I actually embossed the sentiment with this card using Versamark, Pacific Point Classic Ink, Clear Embossing Powder, and a Heat Tool.  Some of the new accessories in the Summer Mini Catalog are new embossing powders in fun, summer colors!  Unfortunately, Pacific Point wasn't one of them.  No worries! In this class and in my heat embossing class later this summer, I'll teach you how to do this!

Here are the supplies I used on this card:
Stamp Sets:  Happy Greetings, Fabulous Florets
Ink:  Pacific Point, Daffodil Delight, Versamark
Paper:  Daffodil Delight, Pacific Point, Whisper White, Beyond the Garden DSP
Accessories:  Daffodil Delight 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon, Mat Pack, Paper Piercer Tool, Brights Brads, Clear Embossing Powder, Heat Tool

Summer Mini Sneak Peek: On the Grow

I had A LOT of fun yesterday playing with all of my new Summer Mini Catalog goodies!  I even got quite a few of the samples for my May and June classes completed!

This card was made using the On the Grow Stamp Set.  I am not a watercolorer, but I fell in love with this cute little set almost immediately!  You can actually make this card in May in my On the Grow Class. 

The layout for this card was inspired by a card by Diana Gibbs.  She also gave me the idea to cut my striped ribbon in half, fray it, and tie it around the card.

I colored this card using blender pens and Watercolor Wonder Crayons.  It's just one of the techniques you'll learn in the On the Grow Class.

Here are the supplies I used to make this card:

Stamps:  On the Grow, Tiny Tags
Paper:  Very Vanilla, Sahara Sand, Early Espresso, Watercolor Paper, Elegant Soiree DSP
Ink:  Early Espresso, Jet Black Stazon
Watercolor Crayons:  Perfect Plum, Elegant Epplant, Certainly Celery, Old Olive, Always Artichoke, Baja Breeze, Marina Mist, Not Quite Navy, Crumb Cake, and Soft Suede
Accessories:  Vintage Trinkets, Old Olive Striped Grosgrain Ribbon, Jewelry Tag Punch, Blender Pen

Summer Mini Sneak Peek - Triple Layer Punches!!!

One of the best perks of being a demonstrator is the ability to pre-order products before customers can!  I have a BIG weekend getaway coming up this weekend with a couple of my top demonstrators.  I wanted to be sure I had new stuff to play with!  I wish I could take a photo of the box when it arrived yesterday, but I'm not allowed to show photos of the actual products until May 1st.  My absolute favorite new tools in the next Summer Mini Catalog are the two layering punches!  You've just got to see these punches to fully understand the POWER!  I used the Blossom Bouquet Triple Layer Punch to make this card.  You'll see LOTS of scrapbook pages and cards and projects that use these shapes.  But, you can make out the three different shapes this punch creates.  First, it punches the full background piece - best seen on the Certainly Celery "flower" on the left hand side.  Then you move a switch and it punches a border and smaller "flower" - best seen on the Plum/Baja "flower" in the bottom left hand corner.  Then you move a switch and it punches out a petal flower in the middle of the smaller layer - best seen in the bottom right-hand corner.  YES!  You get ALL of these shapes out of ONE PUNCH!  There are some tips I learned when punching:

1 - DO NOT hold your punch up in the air (like you normally do) when punching.  It WILL NOT punch!  You NEED to set the punch on the table and punch.
2 - Get used to the fact that it doesn't feel like it's punching when you're punching the full, large flower.  You barely feel like you're pushing down, but it's punching!  The more complex the image, the farther down the punch will compress.
3 - Keep your scraps!!!  I punched each of these in the various colors and had fun piecing them together.

I used a color combo from one of the thank you cards I made for Kara last week:  Perfect Plum, Baja Breeze, Certainly Celery, Old Olive, Early Espresso, and Sahara Sand.  Kara and Kathleen (and me) loved this color combo!  I was excited to use it again.

There are a couple of other sneak peeks on this card.  Can you find them?  Recognize that stamp set?  Nope, I didn't think so!  It's one of six sentiments that will be part of a NEW stamp set called "Happy Greetings".  I even have a class that features this stamp set on my calendar in June!  The other sneak peek...can you find it?  Is that white thread?!?!?  YES!!!  I'm TIRED of linen thread.  Stampin' Up! has a new collection of baker's twine coming out.  This one was pure white.  LOVE IT!!!

Here's a list of everything I used on this card (hopefully I get it all):

Ink:  Baja Breeze, Perfect Plum, Early Espresso
Stamps:  Happy Greetings, Dot Dot Dot, and A to Z
Punches:  Blossom Bouquet Triple Layer, 3/4" Circle, 1" Circle, 1/2" Circle, 1/16" Circle, Corner Rounder
Card Stock:  Perfect Plum, Early Espresso, Sahara Sand, Baja Breeze, Certainly Celery, and Old Olive
Accessories:  Pearls, Subtles Buttons, Brights Buttons, Big Shot, Lattice Folder, Polka Dot Folder, White Baker's Twine

Grab a Bag FULL of Discounted Products

Stampin' Up! just posted a fun sale on their Clearance Rack!  They've put together mystery "Grab Bags". Here are some important tips about these new, fun bags of goodies!

• There is no minimum purchase required to participate in the grab bag special offer.
• There is no limit to the number of grab bags you may purchase; however, grab bag items are only available while supplies last. 
• All grab bag sales are final. There are no refunds or exchanges.
• Not all grab bags will be unique.

Item	Description
125873	$5 Grab Bag (containing at least $20 worth of products!)
125874	$10 Grab Bag (containing at least $40 worth of products!)
125875	$15 Grab Bag (containing at least $60 worth of products!)

If you're not interested in the Grab Bags, you can also pick up a lot of great goodies that have just been added to the Clearance Rack!

Tropical Wedding Shower Thank You Cards

Kara, one of my friends from my former consulting client, contacted me about making some thank you cards for her niece's wedding shower.  Her niece is getting married at a tropical destination.  So, Kara specifically asked for something colorful and tropical.  So, I turned to Splitcoast and the Idea Book & Catalog for some inspiration.  The wonderful thing was, Kara liked one that I designed!!!  It also turned out to be the first card I made.  But, Splitcoast was a great resource for color combinations that I wouldn't have thought of.

The card I designed was inspired by the color combo that I chose from some DSP from last year's Summer Mini Catalog.  I just think Melon Mambo, Tempting Turquoise, Pumpkin Pie, and Old Olive look great together - and tropical!  I stamped the images in Versamark and heat embossed them with clear powder.  I embossed the Old Olive layer with the Big Shot and Lattice Embossing Folder - I thought it was kind of a thatched roof/woven/tropical kinda look.  The brads weren't part of the original design - Kara requested those.  We threw them on at the last minute - which explains why they're not straight! The stamp sets we used were Paradise and Thank You Kindly.

It was an interesting evening.  I've never had anyone come over, look at designs, make a decision, and make them in one night.  Kathleen came along with Kara to stamp ('cause she's addicted to stamping).  While they finished their dinner and I started cutting paper.  I casually asked how many we were making.  Kara said 50!!!  YIKES!  It was 6:30pm.  No paper was cut.  And we had to make 50 - including 150 brads (ouch).  We decided to skip the heat embossing and stamped Melon Mambo on Melon Mambo, Tempting Turquoise on Tempting Turquoise, and Pumpkin Pie on Pumpkin Pie.  And, we did it in under 3 hours!  And there were a lot of steps!  I hope Kara's niece appreciates the work we put into these!

Want to see the other samples I made?  Here they are....

Fabric Friday - Embossed Fabric

I wanted to share another project my Die Cut Divas are making this month.  And this card uses a layer of Springtime Vintage Fabric! 

You probably can't tell in this photo (at least I can't) but I embossed the fabric using my Big Shot!  I used the Big Shot Fabric Adhesive Roll to adhere a piece of the fabric to a piece of Very Vanilla Card Stock.  I then cut both with the Top Note Die in the Big Shot and then ran it back through with the Square Lattice Embossing Folder to texturize it!  I layered it over a full Very Vanilla Top Note.  I stamped the sentiment from Word Play (love this set) in Not Quite Navy Ink.  I embellished with some Baja Breeze Seam Binding, Baja Breeze Andornments, tiny butterflies using the Butterfly Embosslit, and pearls.  After the card was put together, I grabbed my Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint/Rubbing Alcohol Mix and spritzed the entire card....and then regretted it!  I think I should have just spritzed the Top Note piece....not the entire card.  But, there it is!