Brayered Gingham Serene Silhouettes Card

It's the last day of July and as I look back, I think I was truly home less than half the month! I've been on the go and trying to catch up in the few days I was there. I'm in Michigan this week, staying at my parents' house. The kids are going to camp and the hours with the little ones goes way too fast! I'm behind on posting a video for my Stamp of the Month Club. I still need to film it! And I'm trying to finish up the cards to mail the packages tomorrow. ((sigh)) and August is already upon us!

Here's the second card in the series for my July Stamp of the Month Club. (Click here for club details.) I love the way this turned out, especially with the pierced border around the Apothecary Accents Framelits. You know I love when products coordinate!

 

Have you seen this Brayered Gingham technique? It's super easy. Just brayer ink on one side of the Stripes Embossing Folder and run your cardstock through the Big Shot. Clean the embossing folder off and brayer a second color and run your cardstock through in the opposite direction. The possibilities are endless!

Stampin' Up! Supplies: Serene Silhouettes, Teeny Tiny Wishes, Basic Black, Gumball Green marker/ink & cardstock, Primrose Petals marker/ink & cardstock, Jet Black Staz-On Ink, VeryVanilla cardstock, Apothecary Accents Framelits (Big Shot), Stripes Embossing Folder, 1" Square Punch, 1/8" Basic Black Taffeta Ribbon, Stampin' Dimensionals, Essentials Paper Piercing Pack, Rubber Brayer

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Lacy & Lovely Hello Heart Card

Here's another banner-turned-card that I made in the "I am Creative" class at Convention. The color combination looks a little odd on it's own, but when this card is with the others (see one here), it makes more sense.  When of the fun things about this class was watching the presentations by Stampin' Up! concept artists and learning their tips for using products in new ones. One thing is for sure, those girls love Summer Starfruit!!

Stampin' Up! Supplies: Lacy & Lovely stamp set, Pool Party ink & cardstock, Basic Gray ink & cardstock, Summer Starfruit cardstock, Howlstooth & Scaringbone Designer Paper, Full Heart Punch, Vintage Faceted Buttons, Linen Thread


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Affection Collection Convention Make & Take

Here's a sneak peek from the Holiday Catalog, which comes out on Wednesday. This stamp set, Affection Collection, was one that we received at Convention and this card was one of our make and takes. I wasn't keen on the stamp set at first, but it's growing on me! Can't wait to play some more with this set at home.

Stampin' Up! Supplies: Affection Collection stamp set (Holiday Catalog), So Saffron ink, More Mustard ink, Basic Black ink & cardstock, Midnight Muse ink, Raspberry Ripple ink & cardstock, Whisper White cardstock, Heart Punch, Scallop Edge Punch, Rhinestones, Stapler


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Lacy & Lovely Banner Card

At Convention, I took an extra class called "I am Creative". The class project was to make a banner, but since I'm not much of a banner hanger, I decided to convert each of the banners into a card front. This one was my favorite:

Stampin' Up! Supplies: Lacy & Lovely, Basic Gray ink & cardstock, Summer Starfruit ink & cardstock, Gumball Green ink & cardstock, Pool Party ink & cardstock, Very Vanilla cardstock, First Edition Designer Series Paper,  Howlstooth & Scaringbone Designer Series Paper, Vintage Faceted Buttons, Linen Thread, 1/16" Hole Punch

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One Million Milestone + Blog Candy

With all the other excitement from Convention, I forgot to pay attention... but sometime last week, my blog hit counter surpassed ONE MILLION! I can hardly wrap my head around that number. When I started this blog four years ago, I has excited to get 1,000 hits!


To celebrate this milestone, I'm giving away two prizes! In a recent closet clean-out of my stamp room, I found two "Purse Your Art" purses that are brand new and never used. The company that made them is now closed, but you can check out their blog with samples at Purse Your Art. You can decorate the purse with your cards and backgrounds and change it out as often as you want to coordinate with an outfit or season.

To enter to win, leave a comment on this blog post. As part of your comment, please also tell me how you follow my blog: whether you come directly each day or week or whether you receive my posts by email, Facebook, or other feed. I'm curious to know all the ways you find me each day that added up to 1 million hits!

Thank you!! From the bottom of my heart. I appreciate the time that you take to visit my blog. I appreciate all the comments (please leave more!) and all of the friendship and support you have given me! Here's to one million more...

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Summer Smooches Poppy Notecard

Here's another project we made in Stamp Club this month. I was inspired by this scallop square notecard that I posted in the spring. I updated the colors and stamps to give it a more summer feel. Do you like it?

 

Stampin' Up! Supplies: Bright Blossoms stamp set, Tiny Tags stamp set, Basic Black marker, Old Olive ink & cardstock, Tempting Turquoise cardstock, Daffodil Delight cardstock, Whisper White cardstock, Summer Smooches Designer Paper, 1/2" Circle Punch, 1/16" Hole Punch, 1-1/4" & 1-3/8" Circle Punches, Brights Brads, Scallop Square Die (Big Shot), Daffodil Delight Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon, Stampin' Dimensionals

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MDS Thank You Tag & Upcoming MDS Special

I recently sent gifts to all of my downline who placed in order during the month of June. I knew that July would be a crazy month and that I wouldn't have a lot of time to hand stamp cards for everyone, so I designed a tag in My Digital Studio and had them printed and tucked inside the packages.

Great news if you're a My Digital Studio fan -- MDS 2.0 will be available August 1st! You can download a 30 day trial of the new version (whether or not you have the software already) or you can upgrade to the new version with or without all of the extra content. And that's not all! During the month of August, you'll save 31% on all printing services when you print your My Digital Studio designs through Stampin' Up! Watch for all the details to be posted on August 1st!

(front)                                            (back)

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Stained Glass: Reasons to Smile Card

I am home from Convention and totally exhausted!! But smiling all the while! It was a great week at Convention and it's good to be home with the kids again, but I'm so tired and still have so much to catch up on! I didn't quite get through all my email yet, so if you're waiting for a response, hold tight!

Here's a card I designed using the July promotional set called Reason to Smile. (Find out how to get this stamp set for only $5.) We made this at our group meeting last month and in Stamp Club this morning. I'm not happy with the photo, so I may try to get a better one and update this post later. The flower just looks so dark here. I embossed it in black on vellum cardstock and colored the back of the vellum with markers. (You may have seen the tutorial for this technique, called Stained Glass, in my newsletter. Not subscribed yet? Check out the Newsletter Sign-Up box on the left side of my blog.) The technique is easy and the results are stunning!

Stampin' Up! Supplies: Reason to Smile, Sweet Essentials stamp set, Cajun Craze marker/ink & cardstock, More Mustard marker & cardstock, Whisper White cardstock, Vellum Cardstock, Versamark ink pad, Black Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, 1-3/4" Circle Punch, Fancy Fan Embossing Folder, 1/4" Stitched Whisper White Grosgrain Ribbon, Stampin' Dimensionals


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Convention 2012: Last Day

Whew! Is it really over? Today was the last day of Convention and the shortest day for activity, but I am no less exhausted! We enjoyed another great day or classes and stamping presentations. Carrie Cudney demonstrated different techniques to create flowers, like the ones in this project that was on display. I can't wait to try some of these myself! I may not have the time and patience for a whole flower box, but I think I can handle a single flower!

I was excited to meet my Scoop Group friends and visit over lunch! We had such a nice chat that I almost forgot to pick up my free stamp set for attending six classes! Free stamps were in no shortage today. We got TWO of them during the last General Session! Every attendees was gifted the Moving Forward stamp set and  the brand new hostess set from the Holiday Mini! There was lots of happy dancing!! I even won a door prize!

Needless to say, my suitcases are FULL...and not with clothes

There's about 25 demonstrators in our group who attended Convention this year and we always get together on the last night for a pizza party. We spread out our swaps and then go around and snap pictures. Here are a few of the ones I loved. Sorry, I didn't take photos of the back sides, so I can't give proper credit to the artists.

My bags are packed and I'm ready to go. We leave in the morning to head back home.  While I'm ready to get back to my hubby and kiddos, I will certainly miss bunking with Mom! It's been an amazing week and one of my favorite parts of Convention was being here with her! I have lost count of how many Stampin' Up! events we have attended together, but I am so thankful for the opportunity and excuse to spend this time with her. Love you mom!!

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Convention 2012: Inspired & Excited + Fave Display Samples

Whew!! It was another long day at Convention!! Classes all day and even another one at night! It's already nearly midnight again and I am going to keep it short so I can get some rest for the last day!

Today, I was inspired and excited! As always, the main stage presentations were great! I was excited to see some of the home office staff share projects...some were clean and simple and easy to duplicate, and some, like Shelli's journal were detailed and gorgeous works of art. One of the projects I loved the most was a Halloween frame. (I didn't get a picture of it, sorry!) But I was so excited when they announced that the project would be part of a recruiting promotion in August! When you join my Stampin' family in August, you and I will both get a project kit to create this spook-tacular frame!! I promise I'll share more details and a photo as it gets closer!

The class I took this evening was about My Digital Studio and I got to install the beta version of MDS 2 and play around with some of the new features. It is INCREDIBLE!!!! You can check out a sneak peek of some of the new features at http://mydigitalstudio.net and the happy news is that MDS 2 and the 30 day free trial version will be available starting August 1st!!! 


The other classes I took today were good, though not quite as exciting as the MDS class! I enjoyed "I am earning an Incentive Trip" led by Karen Hauley.  I really loved one of the quotes she shared: "A goal should scare you a little and excite you a lot." Sooo true!

Shannon West's class was entertaining! Her presentation "I am Having Fun" was a brilliant reminder that above all, our stamping events need to be FUN! She had us on our feet and dancing (literally), laughing, and smiling. I think I snorted when she showed a clip of this video on exercising your facial muscles.

 Well, so much for being "short" tonight! I'll leave you with some stamping inspiration. These projects really caught my eye in the display area this afternoon. I am inspired by some of the amazing talent displayed by my fellow demonstrators!

 

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Convention 2012: Awards Night

It is way, way past my bedtime, so I'm going to keep it short and sweet! What fun it was to be recognized on stage tonight for all my achievements! I got all dolled up and wore a new dress and shoes! This doesn't happen very often, so I made sure to get lots of photographic evidence! Thanks to Mom for snapping these great photos!

 Me with fellow Founder's Circle Achievers Meg Loven and Lynsay Mahon.

 The coveted bag, given to all Founder's Circle achievers.

The ImPeckable Stampers group on the red carpet before the awards show! Yes, they had a red carpet!!! So fun!

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Convention 2012: Reaching Out & Convention Lip Dub Video

Yesterday was busy with check-in and Memento Mall, Riverton Tours, and an evening class, but today was the official start of Convention. And it started with this awesome video created by Stampin' Up! staff. This song was stuck in my head the rest of the day. I LOVE it!!

What an exciting first day! The keynote speaker, Jason Dorsey, was great! Jason works at the Center for Generational Kinetics and had some fascinating insights on fundamental differences between generations and tactics to use to reach out to new generations.

I also really enjoyed Emily Montoya's "I am reaching out" class. And it wasn't just because she used some quotes from me! (wink!) I was taking notes with the rest of the crowd and could relate to much of what she said. If you simply look at birthdays, I fall into "Generation Y", but I definitely relate more to Gen X and especially when it comes to technology, I was happy to get some advice on how to better communicate with some of my customers!

We attempted make and takes, but I failed miserably and gave up. Margo fared a little better!

We also enjoyed some great Demonstrator presentations in the "I am savvy" class led by Donna Griffith. My favorite project, created by Laura Mulligan was a set of notecards in a fabric envelope. I am not a fabric person, but I was inspired and just might do a class with a project like this!

Of course, the highlight of the day for me was Awards Night! More about about in my next post!


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Convention 2012: Riverton Campus Tour

One of my favorite parts of attending Convention is going to the Home Office in Riverton, Utah. All of the main offices and the distribution center (where there pack up our orders) are located in the same beautiful. It's gorgeous! Inside and out. I would love to work there!! Too bad I can't relocate to Utah!

 (That's Gloria and Freddie! They are in my mom's downline and our suitemates at the hotel.)

The visit to the Home Office is a self-guided tour. I love visiting the legacy room and seeing the incredible displays. I can't possibly post pictures of everything, but here are a few of my favorite shots.

 

 

It's awe-inspiring to enter the warehouse and see the shelves and shelves of product in boxes, waiting to be ordered, packed, and delivered to stampers across the country!

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Convention 2012: There Were Tears

 In my ten year career as a demonstrator, this past year has my very best ever. I strived for and earned several goals: the Achiever's Bonus and the Fiji Incentive Trip. I earned both a combination of my personal sales and promotions in my downline (the people I recruited). I also earned another bonus for helping my downline promote to a new title. All the while, I've been dreaming and hoping that those accomplishments would add up to something bigger: Founder's Circle. Each year at Convention, the top 100 demonstrators are recognized at Awards Night. There's some complicated formula, but basically, you get points in different categories like sales, recruiting, promotions, etc. It really takes a well-balanced business to rank among the top 100 and be in Founder's Circle.

I've been anxious and nervous and excited. It was killing me not knowing! But today was the day!! The very first thing on my agenda when we got to the Convention Center this morning was to check in at the Awards Booth. There was a long line, but I waited with butterflies in my belly. And finally it was my turn. At the Awards Booth, they hand out pins for different awards that you earn, but the Founder's Circle answer came in an envelope. And as the gal collected my goodies, she started by pulling the envelope!! There were tears...LOTS!! but they were happy tears! My friends were all waiting and cheering me on and I know many of them took pictures, but I'm not sure that any are worth sharing because all I did was wipe tears from my eyes!

To say that I am thrilled is a vast understatement! I have dreamed of this and wanted this for years and I still can't believe it's real!! I'm looking forward to going to Awards Night tomorrow and walking on stage, but even more so, I'm excited for the Founder's Circle Retreat this fall. A few days away, by myself, with all the other achievers. To be spoiled and pampered. To relax and rejuvenate. I can't wait!!!

Thank you! Thank you for reading! Thank you for your friendship and support! Thank you for caring! Thank you for following my stamping journey!




Here is my nametag with all my "flair". The pins are for $30,000 in sales, Excellence in Recruiting, Excellence in Leadership, Fiji Incentive Trip, and Founders Circle 2012. It's hard to read the ribbons. In order, they say: Executive (that's my title), Grand Vacation Achiever, Achievers Bonus Achiever, and Founder's Circle Achiever.

 

It was a busy day! After I collected all my goodies from the Awards Booth, I ran off to a Focus Group, visited Memento Mall (lots of goodies this year!!), took a tour of the Home Office in Riverton (more on that in my next post), and attended a class. Whew! There is SOOOO much to take pictures of and I haven't seen it all yet. I'll share more photos later this week, but here are a few from the class tonight.

I attended the "I am Creative" class. Concept Artists from the home office shared projects, tips, and ideas as we worked on the banner (pictured below). I am not much of a banner person, so I cut the pieces down to card front size and made cards instead!

 

Here is one of the projects shared by one of the Concept Artists. I love the bright color and layout of this one! And I think Sassy Salutations just might be my new favorite stamp set!

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Convention 2012: Arrived Safely

I spent all day traveling, but I'm here in Salt Lake City, unpacked, and unwinding before I hit the sack! I can't wait for all the Convention activity to start up tomorrow! I met up with other demonstrator friends from our group at the hotel and we exchanged small gifts. I had a little gift for everyone. It was a Stampin' Sponge in a cello bag and I tied on a tag that I created using My Digital Studio.

 The butterfly trail says: "The time to be happy is now. The place to be happy is here." Perfect for Convention, don't you think?

It's kind of hard to read the text. It says: "Absorb" what you can and take pictures of the rest! Convention 2012

The flight here was the perfect opportunity to finish up my swaps!

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Stamp of the Month Club: Serene Silhouettes

It's that time of the month! Time for a new "Stamp of the Month"! Join this online club and you'll get a new Clear mount stamp set every month and three completed finished hand-stamped samples to go with it! Here is one of the cards featured this month, using the Serene Silhouettes stamp set.

Click here for more information about my "Stamp of the Month" Club. It's not too late to sign up for July!

Stampin' Up! Supplies: Serene Silhouettes, Teeny Tiny Wishes, Basic Black marker, Primrose Petals marker & cardstock, Wild Wasabi ink & cardstock, Crumb Cake cardstock, Very Vanilla cardstock, First Edition DSP, 2-1/2" Circle Punch, Apothecary Accents Framelits, 1/8" Basic Black Taffeta Ribbon

Click HERE to Order Stampin' Up! Products Online, Anytime!

Birthday Cupcake Fun Fold Card

Tomorrow (Monday) is my birthday! It's going to be a busy day, so we celebrated early. I had a great day with my family! Yummy cupcakes, a dinner out, some new jammies, bright flowers, and homemade cupcakes. I finished some small Convention gifts during the car ride, but I did not have time to take photos of new projects. I have one more Fun Fold card to share (click here to see the video tutorial and learn how to make this card) and then hope to get more photographed and ready before I leave for Salt Lake City on Tuesday.

Stampin' Up! Supplies: Create a Cupcake, Itty Bitty Banners,Jet Black Staz-On Ink, Primrose Petals ink & cardstock, Pink Pirouette cardstock, Whisper White cardstock, Simply Scored Tool, Stripes Embossing Folder (Big Shot), Bitty Banner Framelits, Primrose Petals Stitched Satin Ribbon, 1-3/4" circle Punch, 2-3/8" Scallop Circle Punch, Cupcake Builder Punch, Brayer, Stampin' Dimensionals


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Free Stamp Set of the Month: A Cherry on Top

Thanks to everyone who placed a Stampin' Up! order with me in June! I drew one winner from all of the online and email orders and Susan C. from Mountain View is the lucky stamper to win the Summer Afternoon stamp set! Congratulations, Susan!

It's a new month, and time for a new free stamp set giveaway! Each month, I will give away a free stamp set. To be eligible for the drawing, all you have to do it place an online order (email orders count too!) that is not part of a club or workshop. You'll get one entry for each order that you place with me between July 1-31. I'll draw a winner in August. This month's stamp set is A Cherry on Top. You can also earn this stamp set for free when you host a party or place an order over $150!

  


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"For the Birds" Fun Fold Card

Ugh! The week has gone so fast and I still have so much to do before I leave for Convention in a few days! For the first time, I am planning to bring my laptop along and blog at Convention, so be sure to come back next week to get the scoop on what I'm seeing and doing in Salt Lake City!

In the meantime, I have more project ideas to share! Here's another Fun Fold card. If you missed my video tutorial last week, click here to check it out and learn how to make this unique card.

Stampin' Up! Supplies: For the Birds, Jet Black Staz-On ink, Whisper White cardstock, Crumb Cake marker & cardstock, 2012-2014 In Color Markers (Summer Starfruit & Primrose Petals), Primrose Petals cardstock, Dazzling Details Glitter Glue, Simply Scored Tool + Diagonal Scoring Plate, Adorning Accents Embossing Folders, Summer Starfruit Stitched Satin Ribbon

Click HERE to Order Stampin' Up! Products Online, Anytime!