Stampin' with Kristin

Wondrous Wreath - Holiday Catalog Sneak Peek

The new Wondrous Wreath Stamp Set and Coordinating Framelits may be one of my favorite duos coming out in the Holiday Catalog.  And, oh yeah, they're bundled together so you can save 15% when you buy them together!!!

Demonstrators had the opportunity to check them out at convention earlier this month in their Product Playground.  We had the opportunity to stamp the wreath (made up of 3 separate images) and cut it out with the framelit.  Stampin' Up! has made an enhancement to some of the coordinating stamp sets and framelits which may be difficult to line up.  You know - like the Flower Patch set and coordinating framelits in the big catalog?  They've added "tabs" to the stamps and framelits that help you line them up!   It makes it so easy. 

Well, I loved my wreath so very much that I VERY CAREFULLY transported it home from convention.  Demonstrators had the opportunity to purchase some of the Holiday Catalog items at convention - but not the Wondrous Wreath.  So, I finally adhered my wreath to a card so I could show it to you!

Do you recognize the "merry christmas" sentiment?  It should look familiar.  It's from the EXTREMELY popular Endless Wishes stamp set that was available for a very limited time last year.  WELL, it's coming back in the Holiday Catalog!  So, if you missed it, you are guaranteed to be able to purchase it between August 28 and January 5!

Do you want to get your hands on this bundle later this week - and at a discount?  If you join Stampin' Up! today, you'll have the opportunity to order all of the products out of the Holiday Catalog starting on Thursday!  Customers can't order products until August 28th!

Convention Swaps - Banners

I didn't get a chance to stamp much today, so I'm sharing some more swaps I received from convention.  Tonight's theme is "Banners".  Here are the first four banner-themed cards I came across in my box of swaps.

This first one was created by Arianna Wasserburger.  She patiently tied TWO bows with linen thread.  You go girl!  That takes more patience than I have to do that on swaps!

Next up is a swap created by Kristi-Lee Newton.  What I like about hers is that her banners aren't connected and it doesn't bother me!  So many times I feel like I need to make them look like they're strung together somehow.  Kristi-Lee has shown me in her swap that it's okay not to!

Next up is a card created by one of my extended Stampin' Up! family, Gayle Wilton.  Hers is a hybrid card - meaning she created part of it using MDS and used more "traditional" products to make the rest.  Basically the banners and the background are all created using MDS.  She then used her punches to punch out her printed letters and then added a little ribbon.  Now why didn't I think of that for string???  Just print it!

My fourth and final card of the evening was unsigned.  It uses the Banner Framelits instead of a punch.  But I love her two-color theme.

I hope some or all of these cards inspired you!  Be sure to stop by my open house(s) - yup there's now more than one - next month to see more!

Convention Swaps - Simply Stunning

Last night I shared four of the swaps I received at convention.  You may remember that they all featured doilies.  I'm calling today's collection "Simply Stunning".  They're all Clean & Simple - not necessarily Quick & Easy.

The first TWO were created by my "Stamping BFF", Mary Ellen Byler.  I'm sad that Mary Ellen and I only see each other one or two times a year.  But, when we do see each other, it's like it's only been a day or so.  I was lucky enough to get two of her cards because she was lucky enough to get two of mine.  Ha!

This next card was created by Sandy Kubu.  I'm loving her curly threads of cardstock - that's what you see springing from the flowers! 

Today's fourth and final card was created by Mary Haugen.  It's Clean and Simple, yet, I'm gonna guess it took some time to put it all together.  It's one of those deceptively time-consuming swaps!

Convention Swaps!

I don't normally post swaps I've received on my website unless they are from my monthly team meetings.  But, I figured you'd enjoy seeing some of them while I'm prepping for classes and an open house next month, right?!?!?

Here are the first four I selected to share.  I chose these because they were on top and then realized they all had something in common - Doilies!

This first card was created by BJ Peters.  She's a member of the Stamper's Dozen Blog Hop with me.  If you hop through our blogs each month, BJ's blog follows my on the tour.  Our blog hop group was supposed to meet up at convention this year - and some of them did.  Some of us got the time wrong and missed out on the fun!  I was so incredibly bummed!  But, I bumped into BJ later and here's her card!

This next card was created by Linda Funnell.  I love all of her punching and layering!

This next card is from Sharon McNeely.  I remember swapping this particular card (most of them all blend together after awhile).  She showed me a baby boy card which was adorable but then she showed me this one.  I love the alternate baby girl color - and of course her use of the doily for the skirt!

My fourth and final card for the day was created by Betsy Lang.  You're just gonna have to check out her card in person because of the unique fold.  But, it's also gorgeous and a super fun fold!

Want to see more of my swaps?  I have around 130 from convention!  I'll have them and more on display at my next Open House which is currently scheduled for Saturday, August 23rd!

Stampin' Up! Inspire Create Share - Convention 2014 - Day 2

 

I had to stop and take a break this afternoon.  We've been going and going and going!  We're having a blast out here at convention this year.  It seems that today is the day of recognitions.  We started off General Session by recognizing all sorts of accomplishments - Stampin' Start, Annual Sales, Recruiting, and Leadership.  This year was a first.  We stood and were recognized.  In previous years we marched across stage.  It certainly made this go much more quickly.  Next they recognized those of us who earned one of the two free incentive trips.  For this one, we marched across the stage.  Here I am marching for earning the Getaway.

After the marches were finished, the next logical announcement was the destination for the next Grand Vacation.  I'd been hoping.  Many had been speculating.  And I literally cried tears of joy when they announced that we're now working to earn a Mediterranean Cruise in May 2016!  It actually sounds like the same cruise that Mike and I intended to take when we cashed out the Fiji trip but ultimately canceled because we adopted a dog.  So, I've decided to make the Grand Vacation my goal at the beginning of this year. 

We had a stamping demonstration by Donna focused on Blendabilities.  TONS of great tips and techniques were shared - I'll be incorporating many of them in my upcoming Blendabilities classes.  Rich also spoke.  It's exciting to hear how Stampin' Up! is looking for the "new".  I'm glad they are agressively trying new things and entering new markets (like Japan!!!).

Surprisingly, General Session wrapped up early - very early.  So we had about an hour before our next class.  We relaxed a little and I wandered over to the Product Playground where I tried out the new Gift Box Punch Board and made a cute little Project Life page.

We then took our next class and watched a demonstration workshop and got some great tips.  Then it was on to lunch.  We walked over to Nordstrom.  They have a little restaurant in there.  And, we found out the night before we left for Salt Lake City that Deanna went to grade school with the manager of the restaurant!  So, we knew we had to stop by for a visit.  Oh, and she might have hooked us up with free appetizers and even gave Deanna a cookbook!  It certainly pays to know people.

After lunch we headed back to the Demonstrator Resource Center.  I wanted a photo in front of the flower wall.  This wall is INCREDIBLE.  I'm pretty sure I heard that it took 7 Stampin' Up! employees 20 hours to create the wall.  The flowers were hand-cut.  And they're gorgeous!

Impressive, huh?  We next needed a break so we walked across the hall to the Recognition Room for some free Diet Coke, chocolate, and try to retake a photo.  Yesterday's version was cuter.  I think they had us standing too close.  But yesterday's photo never made it to me :( which is why we needed a retake.  And, the photo below was our THIRD try today!  Can you read my sign?  It says I have an Awesome Downline!  And I do!

So, now I'm back in the hotel relaxing and blogging.  It's gonna be a fun one tonight!  It's awards night!  I don't anticipate I'll be up on stage for winning any awards this year...and I'm kinda glad!  This year NO ONE knows if they've earned a spot in Founder's Circle - the top 100 demonstrators.  They'll find out tonight.  In previous years, we learned at the Info Booth before Awards Night - we just didn't know the ranking or what exactly we won.  I'm kinda glad we get to watch them all find out if they earned a spot!

Stampin' Up! Inspire Create Share - Convention 2014 - Day 1

Wow!  Today was a long, fun-packed day.  I got down to the convention center before 7am and was already swapping!  I successfully swapped close to 100 cards before General Session began.  I can't wait to share them with you - they're especially good this year!  I had the opportunity to visit with so many friends I've made over the years.  Lots of sefies going on! 

I'm pictured below with my very dear friend, Mary Ellen.  And on the right is my only team member to join me this year, Deanna.  This is her first convention.  We're also here with my "sideline", Ilina.

The majority of the first general session focused on the new Holiday Catalog.  Oh my goodness.  It's packed with amazing goodies - which we had the opportunity to purchase today!  I'm going to have some serious weight issues when it comes to my checked luggage on Sunday.  I'll cross that bridge when I get to it.  My love of wood-mount stamp sets is going to cost me.  I just know it!  I don't even know where to begin with showing you photos of some of the new products.  I posted a bunch on my Facebook page - click here to view them.  Be sure to like my page and follow along with me on the rest of convention.  I posted close to 100 photos today - I can't begin to post them all here, but I will share my favorites!

General Session started out VERY differently than it had in other years.  Before anything began, we were being handed FREE STAMPS!  An all-attendee Prize Patrol was certainly a great way to get things started!  Shelli gave us a warm welcome, we also celebrated another Million Dollar Achiever - Connie, and we had a special visit from Becky Higgins.  They packed a whole lot into the first 90 minutes!  All demonstrators worldwide had the opportunity to watch via live stream.  At the end of General Session, we all received a copy of the new Holiday Catalog.

After General Session, we dumped all of our stuff back at my hotel room and boarded the very first bus to the home office.  I was pretty darn excited to be on the first bus - because that meant that there would be no crowds.  There are some amazing displays there.  And, I got a bit choked up when I spotted one of the tags my team made for each of the demonstrator support agents on display!  It was fun to chat with some of the agents who were SO surprised and delighted by a week full of treats and cards and surprises.

Then there are the exterior shots we HAD to get - in front of the rock and the exterior of the building.  Again, because we were the first ones there, there were NO crowds or lines. It was awesome!

After we got back from the home office tour, we decided to finally check out the displays and other booths Stampin' Up! had for us.  Deanna and I checked out the Recognition Room - a special place for those of us who earned an award.  This year was very special for me because one of my team members earned the opportunity to enjoy the Recognition Room.  I am a proud stampin' mama!  Deanna achieved the various goals for the Stampin' Start program - an incentive for new demonstrators.  I was celebrating a sales award and my free trip.  There's free chocolate, comfy seating, and endless Diet Coke in the room.  This year they had a VERY fun photo booth for us where we could hold up a variety of props.  Here's the photo I took...

Next was shopping!  We picked up our "order forms", filled them out, and walked over to the Convention Store where we purchased a variety of Holiday Catalog items.  I can't wait to start playing when I get home!  I have all kinds of class ideas floating around in my head. 

After shopping, we split up a bit. Deanna and Ilina went to a class and I headed back to the hotel to dump all of our Holiday Catalog goodies and pick up some swaps - the 3D projects I posted this week and the card I shared during this week's blog hop.  The card swap was with a group of my extended Stampin' Up! family - the INKredible Impressions.

After a quick dinner (Olive Garden Take-Out) we headed back to the convention center for an optional class.  We weren't sure what to expect, but we made a little journal that was filled with 27 different techniques that are new and trendy.  I actually stayed for the whole thing!  I was exhausted, but we were rewarded with cupcakes at the end.  YAY!

After returning to the room, I got all of my stuff organized and took a moment to enjoy my swaps.  I'll have them on display at my Holiday Catalog open house next month!

Santa Fry Boxes!

Yesterday I posted the first of two designs for the Treat Holder Swap in which I'm participating.  Today I'm sharing the second design.  I'm loving these Santa Fry Boxes.  I spotted a project on Pinterest that inspired them.  I have to believe that I'm not the first person to do this with the Fry Box!  I know I've seen them decorated for fall/Halloween.  These were super simple to make - they'd make great favors for treats for school or favors for a holiday gathering.  The box is created from a 1/2 sheet of 8.5 x 11 cardstock cut using the new Fry Box Bigz L die for the Big Shot.

Do you recognize the sentiment on the flag?  No, it's hot handwritten.  That's a sneak peek of an AWESOME new Hostess Stamp Set that will be available soon - I'm guessing the Holiday Catalog.  I AM IN LOVE with this hostess set.  It's like the best hostess set...EVER!  Seriously!  I love the font, I love the phrases...I love it all!

Glue Dot Treat Tubs

For the last several years I've had every intention of making some 3D projects to swap at convention.  This year I had a really fun 3D project in mind.  So, when some of my FB friends starting talking about organizing a 3D swap, I jumped on board.  However...after I signed up, I learned that it was a 3D TREAT HOLDER swap.  My 3D project idea was NOT a treat holder.  SO...I had to go back to the drawing board!  AND, not only did I sign up for 1 round of swaps, I signed up for TWO! 

Today's project is the first of my 3D Treat Holder projects.  I had to make 10 of these little guys.  I made them out of empty Glue Dot rolls.  I've been saving them for YEARS.  I used hot glue to glue two of them on top of one another.  I then wrapped them inside and out with Flowerpot DSP.  They're the sturdiest little things!  I then cut a circle out of Night of Navy card stock using my Circles Framelits for the base and the top.  However, for the top, I used the 2" circle punch to cut the inside hole.  It fits PERFECTLY!  (Note, I punched the 2" circle first then lined up the circle framelit to cut the outer circle - much easier than trying to center the punch.  I hope that makes sense!!!  I tied up the cello bags with some Blushing Bride Cotton Ribbon.

I plan to fill my treat tubs with Skittles or some other bright candy.  But, for photo purposes, I only had goldfish crackers in my craft room.  I won't be filling the ones for the swap until I get to Salt Lake City.

If you like this project, start saving your Glue Dot rolls!!!

Introducing Christmas Bliss

Hello!!!  Did you wonder where I'd gone?  The month of July has been crazy hectic for me.  Between July 1st and July 11th, I was home for a whopping 15 hours!  YES!  But, I've been getting caught up this weekend.  I've pretty much locked myself in my craft room to prep for this week - Stampin' Up!'s Annual Convention!  So, you can be sure I'll be posting lots of info and sneak peeks on my blog and my Facebook Page later this week!

While I was gone, Stampin' Up! introduced a couple of CHRISTMAS stamp sets including this limited edition photopolymer set, Christmas Bliss.  After making a stack of swaps for an organized swap with it, I realized that it might not stick around very long!  As you may know, our Photopolymer Stamp Sets that are not pictured in the catalog sometimes FLY out the door!  I hope the gals I'm swapping with love it.  It would be easy to swap out the stamps.

Do you recognize the Cherry Cobbler Ribbon?  I'm guessing you may not.  It's actually 1-1/4" Cherry Cobbler Striped Grosgrain Ribbon that I cut down!  I embellished with some Cherry Cobbler, Old Olive, and Whisper White Candy Dots.  The DSP is actually from the Sweet Taffy DSP collection.  I thought the olive and the circles worked perfectly for this Christmas card!

Here are all of the supplies I used to create the card:
- Christmas Bliss Stamp Set - 138897
- Cherry Cobbler Classic Ink
- Sweet Taffy DSP (on sale during July - All $10.95 DSP collections are Buy 3, Get 1 FREE)
- Whisper White, Cherry Cobbler, and Old Olive CS
- Regals, Brights, and Neutrals Candy Dots
- 1-1/4” Cherry Cobbler Striped Grosgrain Ribbon
- Project Life Corner Rounder Punch
- Dotted Scallop Ribbon Punch