Christmas in July

As hot as it has been, I know it is hard to think about Christmas, but that is exactly what Hanna and I have been doing lately. This is the card she designed to take to our swap on Saturday. Totally out of my comfort zone, but then she has a way of pushing me there and once I am there I kind of like it. There are a lot of details on this card that don't show up in the photo. We made our own background paper with the Stripes embossing folder and Old Olive ink and then also used the Northern Flurry embossing folder to get the snowflakes. The tree is one half of a 3.5" circle folded and sponged.

Stamps: Christmas Lodge

Cardstock: Riding Hood Red, Old Olive, Very Vanilla, First Edition DSP

Ink: Soft Suede

Accessories: Stripes and Norther Flurry Embossing Folders, Label Collection Framelits, Big Shot, Victoria Crochet Trim, 3/8" Riding Hood Red Taffeta Ribbon

Don't forget today is the last day to order "Reason to Smile" for $5 with your $50 purchase. You don't want to miss it!!!

I finally got another set of shelves put together to hold the retired stamps I don't want to part with and a system for getting my ribbon under control......so today I am going to just generally put other stuff away in my stamping room. Maybe I will actually get a chance to just stamp!!!

So You want To Be A Big Shot

I have a little free time on my hands before school starts so I decide to throw in a totally free class next Monday and Wednesday nights…August 6th and 8th!!! See you there!! RSVP by August 4th!!

Reason To Smile

Cooler weather and a little rain are "Reasons to Smile". So is this stamp set, which will no longer be available after tomorrow night. This exclusive limited time stamp set is $5 with a $50 order. Shoot me an email or give me a call and we will get yours ordered today.

Stamps: Reason To Smile, Friendly Phrases

Cardstock: Whisper White

Inks: Black Stazon, Summer Starfruit

Accessories: Blender Pen, Old Olive Marker, Polka Dot Embossing Folder, Big Shot, 1 and 1/4" square punch, 1 3/8" 1/4" white stitched gros grain ribbon

Today I am off to try and tame the ribbon mess in my stamp room. For those of you who know me well, you know I am a ribbon-holic and love ribbons. Right now it tends to be all over the room and if something isn't done soon it will take over!!!

A Quiet Day

It is a very quiet day around here today. John is off painting with a friend and Hanna went to Des Moines for a reunion with the team that went to Africa with her. It has given me time to organize all of my swaps that I have received in the last couple of weeks. I have enough inspiration to last for a while!!!

Hanna and I had a great time at the stamping meeting yesterday. Twenty of us got together to swap cards, make shoebox swaps and just visit about stamping. This was an awesome day and so fun to get together with other demonstrators. If you would like to join this wonderful group, give me a call and we will get you signed up. You get so much more than a discount on your stamping supplies.....you make friends that you would never otherwise have. We actually talked about convention next year and where to stay and some things to do while we are there. It is an experience you won't want to miss!!

Here is the shoebox swap that Hanna and I took yesterday. It uses a set that is in the Holiday Mini catalog that will be available on August 1st.

Outside

Inside of Card

Stamps: Googly Ghouls

Cardstock: Basic Black, Very Vanilla, Pumpkin Pie

Ink: Black Stazon, Versamark

Accessories: Googlies, Iridescent Ice embossing powder, heat tool, spider web embossing folder, circles die, Big Shot, 2 3/8" scallop punch, 1 3/4 inch circle punch

Although you can't see it very well in the photo, the Pumpkin Pie circle has a real shine to it. We embosssed it with Iridescent Ice embossing powder to make it really pop out. We did the same with the spider web as well. Just pat both with the Versamark and then emboss with the Iridescent Ice powder.

Well, I am off to sort through more swaps!!! Happy stamping!!

Off to Stamp All Day Again Today

Hanna and I are off to stamp all day again today. One of my fellow demonstrators, Susie Wood, has a downline and adoptee meeting about 4 times a year and today is one of those days. Susie is one of the demonstrators that we were at convention with and is so talented. I am very lucky to be an adoptee and be able to stamp with her.

Todays card is one I did at my New Catalog Open House. It uses Summer Starfruit, which on first glance, I hated....but it is growing on me.

Stamp Set: Blooming With Kindness

Inks: Summer Starfruit, Cajun Craze, Black Stazon, Comfort Cafe DSP

Accessories: Fancy Fan Textured Embossing Folder, Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border Punch, Sponges

I hope to have all kinds of great ideas to share with you after today. I always get so much inspiration from these meetings and it is so much fun catching up with everyone.

Hanna's Free Stamp Set....Stippled Blossoms

Check out the card that was demonstrated on stage at the stampin' convention. It uses the set that Hanna won....Stippled Blossoms. This set is going to see a lot of use, I can tell you.

Cardstock: Whisper White, Summer Starfruit

Inks: Summer Starfruit, Daffodil Delight, Old Olive

It was certainly nice yesterday without the incredibly high temperatures. I think I finally have all of our stuff put away that we brought back from Salt Lake City. Now I can start the 20 flip album scrapbooks that I am making for all of the people on the team that went to Africa with Hanna. Look for pictures in the very near future!!

Spook-tacular Offer!!!

Isn't this Halloween Printer's Tray sweet?

During the month of August, all new demonstrators will receive a FREE Howl-o-ween Printer's Tray project kit!!! This boo-tiful kit contains all the bits and pieces to create a super spooky Halloween decoration--you won't want to miss out on this exclusive offer!!! Call me today and we will get started on your paperwork to receive this sweet tray as well as your starter kit!!!

Scrap Lovers Cards

Hanna and I attended a demonstration by Dawn Griffith while we were at convention. It was kind of funny because we both looked at each other at the same time and said "_________ would love these cards because they use scraps!!!!" These are very easy to make....You take the colored layer and punch out whatever shape you like, put adhesive on the back around the hold, and then start layering your ribbon. Then adhere to your white card and you are just about done except for the greeting. You could also use Designer Series Paper. Super easy cards!!!

I need to get ready for stamp camp tonight at my house. I am still trying to get all of the stuff put away that we brought home from Salt Lake City!!

Convention Make and Take

Check out the pinboards Hanna and I made at convention. I am going to use mine to keep track of birthdays by changing out the month and Hanna is going to use hers as a photo board. All it takes is a white frame, some Designer Series fabric of your choice and your favorite stamp set and you are ready to go!!

Home!!!

It is so good to be home. Hanna and I got back to Wellman about 1:00 AM Monday morning. We had good flights and were only delayed getting into Des Moines by about 10 minutes. I cannot say enough good about the Fairfield Inn and Suites by Marriot that is south of the airport a little bit. If you remember we were able to leave our car there under the park and fly program. When I called them to let them know we had arrived at the airport and had our baggage and were ready for them to come and get us, they told us they were already there waiting for us. When we arrived back at the hotel, not only did the driver load all of our luggage for us in the car, but he waited outside with Hanna while I went and got the car, because he didn't want her waiting alone in the dark. I would highly recommend them to anyone!!!

Today's card is another one we took a picture of on the display boards.

Stamp Set: Cheers to You

Cardstock: Very Vanila, Basic Black, Old Olive, Marina Mist, Pumpkin Pie, Polka Dot Parade DSP

Ink: Pumpkin Pie, Marina Mist, Old Olive

Accessories: Brights Brads, Subtles Brads, Apothecary Accents Framelits

Well.......I am off to cut card stock for tonight's stamp camp. Check back tomorrow for more card inspiration!

Lifetime Experience

Here is one of the make and take projects we did at convention. Super cute!!

Stamp set: You're Amazing

Cardstock: Crumb Cake, Primrose Petals. More Mustard, Midnight Muse, Very Vanilla

Inks: Midnight Muse, More Mustard, Primrose Petals

We had an awesome experience this morning....we took off to Temple Square to the Conference Center to hear the weekly broadcast of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. They are entering their 84th year of broadcasting and today was the 4323rd radio performance. Absolutely awe inspiring!!

We are ready to head off to the airport to catch our flight home. I have so many things to share at stamp camp on Monday night. I hope you can join me.

Convention...Day 3 Last Day

Here is another card from the display boards.

It's hard to believe that it is the last day of convention. The time has flown by so fast and we have learned so much. Hanna is ready to come back with me again next year. It has been so much fun having her here with me. We were thrilled that we finished the make and takes this morning. The last couple of days we have not had enough time to finish and have had to finish them in the hotel room.

Hanna and I had to make one more trip through Memento Mall before it closed. Evidently we were not the only ones with this thought!!

Hanna was lucky enough to win one of the last door prizes of the convention. What made it even better is that it was a stamp set and ribbon that was on her wish list. Look for cards made with the "Stippled Blossoms" and Cherry Cobbler tulle ribbon showcased in the Holiday Mini catalog.

As convention was drawing to a close the whole crowd was delighted when Shelli announced two all attendees give away. We were the lucky recipients of the Ronald McDonald set "Moving Forward" and the hostess set "Mixed Medley" from the Holiday Mini catalog. I love Stampin' Up!

Tonight the same group of us that had the shoebox swap last night went out for supper together to the Rodizio Brazillian Grill. A shuttle picked us up at our hotel and took us to the restaurant and then provided transportation back to the hotels after the meal.

This is a very unique restaurant with a huge salad bar and all of the meat you could possibly eat. Waiters come to your table with meats of all kind and cut off hunks for you to eat.

Here is the great group of people Hanna and I were with during convention. We had so much fun and cannot wait until next year.

Convention...Day 2

You can not believe all of the inspiration that comes from the display boards at the Stampin' Up! convention. Here is another one of the cards from the boards.

Stamp Sets: The Open Sea, Bring on the Cake

Cardstock: Soft Suede, Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla

Ink: Soft Suede

Friday was filled with more demonstrations on stage and all kinds of classes and ideas on how to help customers with their stamping.

After a delicious supper at a restaurant called "Red Rock" nine of us got together at our hotel to have a shoebox swap. In a shoebox swap every person brings the supplies for everyone else to make their card. Hanna and I had a great time making cards tonight and got some super ideas!! Can't wait to share them with you.

Convention...Day 1

Todays card is another one off of the display boards. It uses the stamp set Word Play and the butterfly embosslit.

Shelli Gardner, co-founder of the company was the opening speaker.

Hanna, being a first-time convention attendee, got to have a special lunch today. She also received a special prize for being a first timer...a package of Storytime Designer Series Paper...her favorite. Check out the convention bag as well!!

Convention...Check In Day

Todays card is one I took a picture of on the display boards today.

Stamp sets: Fabulous Florets, Field Flowers

Cardstock: Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White

Ink: Daffodil Delight, Cherry Cobbler, Old Olive

Today was check in day for convention. We headed off to the convention center early to get in line for a trip to Riverton.....the home offices of Stampin Up! This is what greets you as you walk through the front door. Who couldn't be creative in an atmosphere like this!!!

This is the distribution center where all of the boxes are packed as orders come in. This process is absolutely amazing. It is hard to believe that there are not more mistakes in the boxes as they come to all of the demonstrators.

Here we all are around the Stampin' Up! entrance Rock....Rory and Dawn on the right side and Hanna, Susie, and I on the left side.

Tonight we have a class where we are going to be making a inboard to help keep track of birthdays. I will post pictures as soon as it is complete.

Which is yummier....the food or the waiter according to Hanna?

Dinner at "The Melting Pot" was definitely an experience. We had an awesome

waiter with an even better British accent. We all chose the four course meal.....appetizers dipped into different cheeses, salad, meats of all kinds...shrimp, chicken, pork, and sirloin....and the best of all fruits and sweets dipped in chocolate!!

Card Inspiration and More Salt Lake City Sights

Here is the card that Hanna made for general swapping at convention. She made 50 of these and will get 50 different cards in return.

Stamp Set: Blast Off

Cardstock: Pacific Point, Gumball Green, Whisper White

Inks: Pacific Point, Gumball Green, Real Red, Pumpkin Pie, Summer Starfruit

Accessories: 1 1/4" circle punch, M0dern Label Punch, Scalloped Oval Punch, Metallic Brads

We met up with Dawn and Susie again as well as Rory, who arrived late last night, and explored Temple Square this morning.

We were fortunate enough to listen to a pipe organ concert in the Tabernacle. This is where the Morman Tabernacle Choir usually performs. The pipe organ is the 12th largest pipe organ in the world with over 11,000 pipes. It was absolutely phenomenal.

We had been hearing about the great homemade turkey pot pies for some time so decided to try them out today at the Navoo Cafe. They were certainly every bit as good as we had heard.

We plan on trying supper at a restaurant called "The Melting Pot". It has been years since I have had fondue and will be a totally new experience for Hanna.