Update from Utah

Oh my goodness ladies!! I can honestly say that I am thoroughly exhausted after our first full day of convention action! Actually, we checked in yesterday and received our wonderful Fall-Winter Idea Book and Catalog and an awesome bag to carry our goodies. After getting our catalog, we waited in line for over 2-1/2 hours to enter Momento Mall for logo merchandise! Stampin' Up! definitely outdid themselves this year. We were able to purchase an awesome stamping tote to carry our supplies, along with a sweater and other goodies! This is just one of many things that I love about convention.

Oh, would you like to hear about some stamp sets? I received three stamp sets for attending convention: Flight of the Butterfly, Inspired by Nature and Eastern Blooms. In addition, I received two free stamp sets for my sales award which are A Flower for All Seasons and Time to Party! I can't wait to play with them and have my first make and take session tomorrow!! I gotta say it was soooo cool to get all die cut stamp sets! Rumor has it that in the next Spring Summer Idea Book and Catalog (in 2009) all the stamp sets will be die cut!! The accessories section is awesome and along with the Silver Hodgepodge Hardware, there is Styled Vanilla Hodgepodge Hardware and it's gorgeous! There are also designer brads that will take your breathe away!!!! And new punches!!! They are no longer carrying a punch box, for now a Curly Label Punch Bundle for $33.95 and includes a punch and set stamp -- you'll just have to have this!

We also saw the Stage 2 of the Decor Elements product line and you'll see in the Fall some new colors and images added to the Decor Elements line!!

Tomorrow promises more surprises which really makes it hard to sleep at night. I'm signing off now to go make out my wish list. I'm really in trouble this time, because I love so many things in the Fall Winter Idea Book and Catalog, I believe I have to have them all!!!

Come back and see me on Friday for more info!!

Off to Convention

Good morning to you all!!!! Just an update that I'm off to Salt Lake City for the Stampin' Up! convention. I am hopeful to be posting some updates while I am there so you can share in the excitement! Tomorrow we will be checking in and getting our Fall-Winter Idea Book and Catalog and I'll tell you, I can hardly wait!!!! In the evening, we are taking a tour of the Stampin' Up! facility which is amazing!!! Please feel free to email me if you have any questions or need to order any of the retiring items as I can process credit card orders while I'm out of town!!

I'll keep you posted!!!!

Christmas in July!

Now that we have started the new Stampin' Up! year, I also realize that we are less than six months away from Christmas! WOW! Christmas in July is well known and quite frankly, I think it "cools" us off a little bit from the hot weather we are currently experiencing. Now, I live in Norfolk, Virginia and yes, it's been a tad hot!

Each year, I have the privilege of doing a Christmas in July workshop for one of my customers and good friends, Theresa, and that workshop was last night. I loved these cards so much and I wanted to share them with you because, well, they are too darn cute!

Card No. 1

Stamp Set: Peaceful Wishes

Cardstock: Bravo Burgundy, Mellow Moss, Confetti White

Ink: Classic Always Artichoke, Bravo Burgundy

Other: Ticket Corner Punch, White Gel Pen, Dimensionals, Stampin Sponges

This card is made with the Peaceful Wishes stamp set which is retiring this year and no longer available after August 10. Notice the "snow" on the needles!!! That is done with the White Gel Pen and it really is a great way to accent your winter cards!!! All you do is stamp the image and highlight with the gel pen! Makes you want to put on your winter coat, huh!

Card No. 2

Stamp Sets: Punch Pals, Jumbo Outline Alphabet, Sincere Salutations

Cardstock: Bashful Blue, Always Artichoke, Watercolor Paper

Ink: Classic Bashful Blue and Basic Black, Stazon Jet Black

Other: Aqua Painter, Watercolor Crayons, Stamp-A-Ma-Jig, Two Way Glue, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter

Isn't this just adorable!!!! I so love snowmen and that's probably because we suffer from a severe lack of snow in the winter, so I live through my snowmen!!! The snowman is from the Punch Pals set, which has alot of different stamps for the holidays that coordinate with many of the punches that Stampin' Up! carries! I used the Aqua Painter and Watercolor crayons to color him in; unfortunately, it doesn't show up too well in the scan!!! I did use the Stamp-A-Ma-Jig to line up the letters which made putting that "o" perfectly in his little tummy!!! I highlighted the letters with Dazzling Diamonds Glitter applied with Two Way Glue!

One of the great things about being a Stampin' Up! demonstrator is the Demonstrator Website. We have a section called "Show and Tell" and there are tons of card samples that we can check out! I did get the ideas for both of these cards from our Demonstrator Website!!! If you want to earn a discount on purchasing Stampin' Up! products, you should seriously think of becoming a demonstrator!!! You only have to purchase/sell $300 of product in a quarter and enjoy a starting discount of 20%! Plus, you have access to the Demonstrator Website and a ton of wonderful ideas like the cards above!!!! And, if you would like to earn some extra cash -- you can always have your friends over for a stamping get-together!!! The friendships and interaction between people is the absolute best thing about being a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator.

For more information, check out the First Impressions Video! You can also sign up on line on this link -- just email me for the password to do so!!!! If you have any questions, please let me know!

I hope you enjoy the upcoming weekend and remember to relax and take out some time for yourself -- it's healing and therapeutic and you'll feel better! I promise!

Retired Accessories List

As I continue to learn the "do's and don't's" of Blog and Stampin' Up! Land, I cannot post the list on my blog, but can post a link to it!!! So click here! I will continue to update this list as supplies are exhausted!! Don't delay -- you don't want to miss out on anything! Thanks so much! Also, check out the post below for certain items that are 25% off!!! Woo hoo!!!

Discounted Retiring Accessories Promotion

There are certain retiring accessories that are being offered at 25% discount from July 21 through August 10 or while supplies last! Hurry so you don't miss out on these great savings!!! Oh, don't forget to scroll to the bottom when you click on the following link - Stampin' Up! is offering the empty punch box tins for only $3.95!!!!! Click here to check out the great deals!

Sparkling Touch of Nature

I think there should be a "sparkling" button on scanners so when you have an image that sparkles, you could press a button and it would show how much the scanned image sparkles!!! I'll explain this technique to you and when you do it, you'll be amazed at the finished look!!!

All the images on this card are from the Touch of Nature stamp set which will be no longer available after August 10, 2008. We'll work on the focal part of this card first, the flower. I stamped the flower on Naturals White cardstock using Stazon Jet Black ink. I then watercolored the image. Click here for some watercolor techniques. Then I stamped the Canvas background stamp with Bashful Blue ink, completely covering the Naturals White cardstock. Now, I get to smoosh - don't you love all the technical terms!! Take your VersaMark pad and smoosh it all over the Naturals White cardstock making sure to cover the whole piece of cardstock. Then dip it into Iridescent Ice Embossing Powder and heat. It will magically shimmer and sparkle. I then adhered the Naturals White cardstock to the Basic Black cardstock, tied Certainly Celery Grosgrain ribbon around the cardstock, then adhered to the card using Dimensionals. You'll see the Certainly Celery cardstock was stamped with the fern using the Certainly Celery Classic ink and the word phase is stamped in black and adhered to Basic Black cardstock bottom.

I love this simplisitic, yet elegant look of this card. One thing I always try to remember is many times, less is more! Don't feel that you have a create this spectaculor work of art - create something that is an expression of your self and it doesn't need to have 10 layers or tons of accessories!

Today, pull out one stamp set and some scrap paper and create a simple card. Also, you don't have to stick to a normal size card (4-1/4" x 5-1/2"). Create a little note card and just hand it to someone to brighten their day! Don't ever underestimate the power of a hand stamped card!

Close as a Memory

Sometimes we have occasions where we have to make a sympathy card. It is always a sad occasion for sure, but creating a work of art can give you an inner sense of peace and will do the same for the recipient of the card. The "Close as a Memory" stamp set is perfect for a sympathy card. It has one decorative image which is the bouquet of flowers and three word stamps. On this card, I used markers to color in the flowers, then "huffed" on the stamp and stamped it on the paper. If you are not familiar with this technique, you are probably wondering what in the heck is "huff". Here's the scoop!

After you color the image with your markers, making sure to use the brush end of your marker, the ink drys very quickly. Before stamping it on your paper, you will need to remoisten it and that is where the huffing part comes in. Just breathe a little on the stamp and by doing this, you are remoistening the ink so the color comes out true on the cardstock! This technique allows you to have various colors on different parts of an image. It always amazed me when I looked at stamped images that were different colors. I knew how to use a stamp pad on an image, but the different colors totally threw me for a loop until I learned about this technique! Simple, but yet packs a wow punch!

Also, don't reserve this image just for sympathy occasions, because the image can be used for almost any occasion that I know of! All you have to do is add the appropriate word phrase and you're set! Versatility -- that's one of the things I look for in a stamp set and this one has it!

Think of adding this stamp set to your collection. I think you'll be surprised at how many times you use it and each time, it will be a work of art!

I thought and I thought . . and then I forgot!

Ah, this is the story of my life!!! Sad, but true. Alot of times things will come to me in the car or in the shower -- two places where I do my best thinking. (That isn't too much information, is it?) Yes, I know I should write it down, but it's awfully hard to write while driving and, well, writing in the shower, it just gets wet! Unfortunately, I don't have a solution .... yet!!!

Today I'm sharing a birthday card that is so beautiful that you will be forgiven if you forget someone's birthday! (Hum, this sounds like a perfect excuse to be late, now doesn't it!) This card uses several stamp sets: Heartfelt Thanks, It's Your Birthday (on the retired list) and the Cheesecloth Background (retired some time ago). The colors for this card are Bravo Burgundy and So Saffron. I love these colors together!

I selected this card because it features the It's Your Birthday stamp set which will be retired and no longer available after August 10. I wish you could see how loved my stamp set is. "Loved" is another word for very used stamp set! I use it all the time and am sad to see it go. This stamp set has what I call "innies and outies" meaning phrases that go on the outside, then have a coordinating phrase to go on the inside. You'll never be without the appropriate birthday greeting with this stamp set!

When you have a chance, don't forget to review the Retired Stamp Set List. You have until August 10 to make your purchases. Also, the retired accessories list will be out on July 21. Items on the retired accessories list are FIRST COME, FIRST SERVE and have a tendancy to sell out quickly. Be sure to visit my blog on July 21 for the list.

I hope you have a great day and don't worry if you forget .. eventually you will remember!

What is the Dormant List?

Boy, isn't that a great question! This weekend, I used the Summer by the Sea stamp set and told people that it was on the Dormant List. I could see many puzzled faces when I said this, so here's the scoop!

The Dormant List contains stamp sets that, while they have not been retired, are not listed in the Spring/Summer Collection 2008. These sets are available for purchase until August 10, 2008 and may or may not be listed again in future catalogs. Sometimes we have a tendancy to forget about these stamp sets and I'm sure they feel the same way. I know I forgot about some of them when I looked through the list! So click on the Dormant List and check them out! There may be something that you've been looking for!!!!

Summer Waterplay

This weekend was our July Stamp, Play and Create session entitled "Summer Waterplay". Oh boy, I have to tell you we had a blast and everyone left here with beautiful watercolored projects that I'm going to share with you.

Card No. 1

Technique: Watercolor with Markers using Aqua Painter
Stamp Sets: Seaside and All Holidays

First, you need to stamp the shells using Jet Black Stazon Ink onto watercolor paper. Then using a Stampin' Write Marker, draw lines onto the stamped lines in the shell. Then you will take your Aqua Painter and color over the marker and pull the color out to the rest of the image. You have instant shading. Another touch to this card is that the shells are raised - we did dry embossing to the back of the shells using the Empressor Embosser!

Card No. 2

Technique: Coloring bold stamp with watercolor crayon
Stamp Set: Spring Solitude (Level II hostess set)

This is such a cool technique to do with watercolor crayons! First, you color on the stamp using the watercolor crayon, applying different colors to the stamp if necessary. They you lightly mist the stamp and the cardstock and stamp! Ta da!!!! That's all there is to it. Now, Confetti Cream cardstock was used for this technique. Also, your stamp must be completely dry each time you color the stamp!

Card No. 3

Technique: Watercolor with Ink Pads
Stamp Set: Wonderful You

For this project, the flower was stamped using Craft Chocolate Chip ink onto watercolor paper and then embossed with Clear Embossing Powder. To color, with your ink pad closed, "smoosh" the top and bottom of the pad together, then open it. You'll see ink in the top portion of the pad. Touch the ink with your Aqua Painter, then paint the color! Another simple and elegant technique!

Card No. 4

Technique: Watercolor with Watercolor Crayons
Stamp Sets: Summer by the Sea, Touch of Nature

You know, no matter how hard you try, you always have a favorite and this was my favorite card today. She looks so peaceful, it is almost as if you are spying on her sitting in the boat! This image was stamped with Craft Basic Black and then embossed with clear embossing powder. To color this image, you take your Aqua Painter and touch it to the flat end of the crayon and paint! It is so easy to blend your colors and you'll find that you will be a pro using this technique.

Now, while we were creating this project Saturday morning, we were talking about how nice it would look framed. So this morning, I ventured out to find the perfect frame. I think I found it!!!! Isn't this just gorgeous! I also used rub ons from the Love & Happiness rub ons featured during Sale-A-Bration this year. The "thinking of you" is applied directly on the matting and the butterfly is applied on the glass. It really is beautiful! Don't overlook mounting your artwork. It is a great gift that anyone would love to have.

In August, our Stamp, Play and Create session is entitled "You're Hot Stuff" and we'll look at some of the new items in the Fall-Winter Idea Book and Catalog 2008! Also, I'll still be on my "convention high" so prepare yourselves. You have plenty of time to sign up -- you don't want to miss it!!!

I hope this inspires you to do some watercolor! I find it very soothing and relaxing and we all love that feeling, now don't we!

Hodgepodge Hardware Discount

From July 1 through August 10, the following Hodgepodge Hardware finishes, found on page 188 of the Spring Summer Collection 2008, are being offered at a special 25 percent discount. They normally sell for $27.95 and are now on sale for $20.96!!!!

Item No. 105532, Aged Copper
Item No. 105531, Antique Brass
Item No. 105515, Pewter

Don't wait too long--these products are retiring and are only available while supplies last!!! Just email me to place your order!

Touch of Nature Watercolor

I absolutely love to watercolor. I find it very soothing and peaceful. You know, if someone told me 8 years ago that I could watercolor, I would have told them they were crazy! It's amazing what we learn sometimes, huh!

This card features the Touch of Nature stamp set and is currently on the Retired List. The watercolor technique was done with an Aqua Painter and Watercolor Crayons. I applied the watercolor by dipping the brush of the Aqua Painter on the flat end of the watercolor crayon, then painting. If you look closely, you'll see that the paper was a slightly textured look. That is because it is watercolor paper. I think this is definitely the secret to beautiful watercolor. Why? I'm so glad you asked!! It is thicker than our normal cardstock and holds the water better. This allows us to blend the colors. Plus, you can add more color on top of a color your have already applied without worrying about the cardstock "pilling up" -- you know when the cardstock becomes saturated with water and you get those little cardstock balls!!

Another feature to this card is the closure using the Hodgepodge Hardware and the Slit punch. I really love the way this works! I do know the Hodgepodge Hardware that is currently in the Spring Summer Collection 2008 will not be in the upcoming Fall Winter Idea Book and Catalog, but I'm going to go out on a limb here (like the Robin!) and I bet it will be repackaged. Of course, it is a great time to pick up a box of the Hodgepodge Hardware -- Antique Brass is my fav!!!!

This weekend the Stamp, Play and Create session will feature watercolor techniques and this is one technique we will be using! I'll be sure to post the samples for you on Monday! If you are local and would like to attend, there is still room, so let me know as soon as possible. I would love to have you!

Have a great day!

Graduation

I have a niece and nephew that graduated from high school this year and yes, I am late in making the cards -- but they are now being hand delivered to Minnesota! My problem was that I didn't have a graduation stamp set! I love the Great Grads set in the Spring Summer Collection 2008, I just haven't purchased it . . . yet! Don't you hate it when that happens! So, I pulled out some of my cardstock and accessories to see what I could come up with and I'm going to share them with you!

This is the card for my niece, Abbie. I used Rose Red textured cardstock for the base of the card and the Bali Breeze Designer Series Paper. For the star, I covered the chipboard star found in the On Board Simon Upper package of chipboard. All I did was trace the star onto the designer series paper and cut it out. I applied it to the chipboard using the Stampin' Up! Glue Stick (which is the perfect adhesive for chipboard) and then sanded the edges with a Stampin' Up! sanding block! For the personalized information on the star, I printed it out from my computer onto Whisper White and punched it out using the Large Star Punch! You can't tell from the picture, but I took my VersaMark and embossed the Whisper White part of the star over and over again, creating a nice glossy embossed finish! The chipboard star is applied using Dimensionals. The Congratulations was also printed on the computer!

This is the card that I did for my nephew, Quinten. I used Blue Bayou textured cardstock for the bottom of the card, Spring Break Designer Series paper and Naturals White cardstock. The words on this card (inside and out) are done on my computer. This is a tri-fold card as shown below.

I was excited how these came out and you know, sometimes when you don't have a particular stamp set, you just have to improvise! But then again, you guys are probably ahead of the game, huh!!!

Hope you enjoy!

Happy New Year!

Yes, I know I'm off by six months, but this is the start of the new Stampin' Up! year. Today demonstrators can order some sneek peek items and some new hostess sets! This is one of the reasons why I love being a demonstrator -- because I can get the goods early and we get 20% off the pre-order stamp sets (plus our regular 20%) for a total of $40% off! Woo hoo!!! It's a great time to sign up to be a demonstrator and you can enjoy the same purchasing power this month! There is a video on my Stampin' Up! website that talks about the becoming a demonstrator. Go check it out! You can also sign up on line in the comfort of your own home! If this is something you would like to do, just email me for the password to sign up! I'll be more than happy to assist you in any way I can.

We are also able to order the new In Colors which are Pink Pirouette, Riding Hood Red, Tangerine Tango, Kiwi Kiss, Baja Breeze and Pacific Point. This is a picture of the cardstock that I took on the Stampin' Up! cruise which will give you an idea on how beautiful they are! I've been waiting inpatiently since the cruise to get my hands on these babies!!!! Soon, soon, the man in the big brown truck will be bringing them to me. Ah, we all love the men in the big brown truck! I hope after seeing these colors you won't be too sad to see the current In Color selections go. Keep in mind that you have a month left to purchase the current In Colors, so now is a good time to stock up on cardstock and order those reinkers for your stamp pads!

Another pre-order item we could purchase is the Scallop Edge Punch. Woooooo hooooooooo!!! This is something else they told us about on the cruise and I can't wait to get it in my hot little hands!!! Yes, I've taught many of you how to use the corner round to create the scallop edges, but this is the bomb! Much quicker and easier!

Two weeks ago (has it been that long?), I told you about Stampin' Up!'s new product line - Decor Elements! Check out the brochure and look at an easy way to decorate your home -- and this is just the start. They will be adding to this product line in the future. I do have the Create Definition up in my living room and love it! I will be ordering the Flourishes Decor Elements to add to my Create Definition soon!

I hope you have a great day and don't forget to find some time to stamp!