Happy Birthday!

Paper: Whisper White CS, Real Red CS, Brilliant Blue CS
Stamps: Happy Everything, Big Bold Birthday
Ink: Real Red craft, Brilliant Blue craft, Yo-Yo Yellow craft
Card Base: Whisper White 4 1/4" x 5 1/2"

Sock Money

My middle Daughter Wynter made this adorable little Sock Money Card for her cousin Taylor's birthday. As far as the recipe, I'm going to have to investigate this one.


Stamps: Sock Money
Paper: Real Red, Brilliant Blue
Accessories: Dazzling Diamonds, Crystal Effects, Dimensionals

*NEW* Stampin' Up! Fall/Winter 2008 Catalog NOW ONLINE!

TODAY is a big day in Stampin’ Up! land! As you can see from my blog there are TONS of announcements and specials both that I’m offering and Stampin’ Up!’s offering.

I don’t know how Stampin’ Up! keeps doing it, but every year they always exceed my expectations and then some!

I am so excited that the new catalog is finally here. Because we used to get the new catalog on July 1st, and this year it’s August 11th, it’s felt like I’ve been waiting for ages. The wait was worth it though! Over 200 pages of inspiration and ideas can be found in our latest Fall-Winter 2008 Idea Book & Catalog. With full supply lists for every project, it’s so much more than just a catalog!

Backed by 20 years of quality, award-winning designs and innovation, I know you’re just going to love our product offering this fall. The stamp sets are absolutely gorgeous (in fact I have a HUGE wish list already) & there are over 20 NEW Designer Series Papers, 6 NEW YUMMY In Colors and 5 NEW PUNCHES that are at the top of every demonstrator’s wish list of must-have accessories. You’ve just got to see this collection! Click on the catalog photo cover to visit the new catalog RIGHT NOW!

A little funny...

Little Girl Outfit & Bookbag - SU! Style

Isn't this just the most adorable project you have seen? Thanks to our friends at SU! for designing this cute little ensamble ;o) Oh did I mention this is project is done by using the Big Shot!!
So ya wanna know what you need to make your own "fan-tab-u-lous" (as Wynter called it!) outfit? Well, here's your recipe:

Old Olive 5/8" grosgrain ribbon
Pewter Jumbo Eyelets
Flower Layers w/Leaf Bigz die
Flower Layers Originals die
Sizzix Big Shot for Stampin' Up!
Buttons
Fabric
Felt
Sewing machine and thread
Shorts
Tank top
Black crochet thread

Décor Elements Phase 2

I love Décor Elements! I love the idea, I love the color, I love the style. I just love Décor Elements.

Demonstrators caught a sneak peek of Décor Elements, phase 2, during the first general session of Convention 2008. Jill Kocherhans, training director, demonstrator services and development, demonstrated darling projects featuring the new images. Although she didn’t unveil the entire new offering, there were plenty of images to get excited about, and after the general session, convention attendees were also able to view additional phase 2 images on a wall in the convention center.

In addition to new images, phase 2 also offers new colors! Many of the new images will be available in a selection of our exclusive colors, an announcement that was well received by convention attendees.

Décor Elements, phase 2, will be available for customers on October 1. Many of the new images are holiday related, so DécorElements can make holiday decorating quick and beautiful!

Stampin' Up! partners with Country Living

For the second time, Stampin’ Up! will partner with Country Living magazine to offer an exclusive holiday kit. The Holiday Collection Stampin’ Kit will include exclusive stamps, a combination of Designer Series paper, and coordinating accessories that will only be available by purchasing this kit.

Shelli announced the partnership and kit during the first session of Convention 2008, noting that the kit and project ideas made from the kit would be featured among 20 pages in the magazine’s December holiday issue.

So Shelli

I have been blessed to have friends who were able to attend our 20th Anniversary Convention share all the details and pictures about the happenings. This is just one of the hot announcements that they shared with me.

During the first general session of Convention 2008: Celebrate ‘08, Shelli made an exciting announcement–she’s starting her own personal blog! Beginning Monday, August 4, at 9:00 AM (MT), you can visit So Shelli to find all sorts of things, from gift ideas and project ideas to a personal look at Shelli’s family activities and fun happenings, both at home and at the home office.

“My main objective for this blog is simple,” Shelli said in the announcement. “I want people to visit my blog and have a better day. I hope to accomplish that by sharing a personal side of me that will help people feel uplifted, positive, and optimistic.”

One element of So Shelli that will be sure to catch your attention is Shelli’s creative challenge. She will announce each challenge on her blog and invite blog visitors to submit their project ideas; she’ll announce the winners on her blog as well. “I’m hoping in this way to recognize the creative side of both our demonstrators and customers much more frequently and in a very accessible way,” Shelli observed.

Shelli’s Signature Collection

During the first general session of convention, Shelli announced the launch of Shelli’s Signature Collection, a line of products that span the entire Stampin’ Up! product line, including stamp sets, home décor, and accessories. “These will be products that I either personally love or, in some cases, even played a part in developing,” Shelli explained during the announcement.

Demonstrators attending convention saw the first item in Shelli’s Signature Collection–an apron for sale in Memento Mall–and in her remarks in the first session Shelli noted that she’d be showing additional Shelli’s Signature Collection products during her traditional stamping presentation in the second general session.

The first official look at the initial offering in Shelli’s Signature Collection will be in the Holiday Mini on October 1.

“Now I want to make sure you know that just because a product isn’t included in my signature collection, that doesn’t mean I don’t like it,” Shelli pointed out. “In fact, I love almost everything Stampin’ Up! offers. My signature collection items are simply products that I’m particularly excited about for a particular reason.”

We hope you’re excited about these products as well!

Never Before-Seen Stamps, Never Before-Seen Savings!

HOLY COW! Stampin' Up! is amazing! From August 11th to September 30th you can receive 15% selected brand new die cut (yes I said - already ready cut - ready to mount) stamp sets from the brand NEW 2008 Fall-Winter idea book and catalog.

Click here to view the flyer.

Your Business, Your Choice!

Becoming a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator has never been eaiser! From August 11th to October 11th you can choose from three different Starter Kits with three different Focuses!

And the best part? These starter kits are just $99! You get to try a sampling of our wonderful products and receive Demonstrator benefits. Now is the time for you to try our products for yourself!

Your business, Your choice - click here to see why NOW is the time to join the Stampin' Up! family.

Stamp-Focused Starter Kit includes the following:

• Fun & Fast Notes stamp set (pg. 67)

• Bold Brights 8 1/2" x 11" Card Stock assortment (36 sheets - 3 each of 12 colors)
• Basic Black Classic Stamp Pad
• SNAIL Adhesive
• Whisper White Card Stock 8 1/2" x 11

Scrapbook-Focused Starter Kit includes the following:

• Contempo Alphabet stamp set (pg. 157)
• Simply Scrapin' Petal Party
• Pixie Pink Classic Stamp Pad

Home Décor-Focused Starter Kit includes the following:

• Inspired by Nature stamp set (pg. 100)
• Décor Elements Chocolate Classic Ff
• Décor Elements Medium Chocolate Long Stem Silhouettes
• Décor Elements Applicator
• Kiwi Kiss Classic Stampin' Pad

Stampin' Up! announces the Big Shot!

Stampin' Up! just announced that they will be offering the Sizzix Big Shot ($99.95) and exclusive Stampin' Up! dies (prices vary) for customers beginning September 2. This powerful gizmo (and 6-time winner of Creating Keepsakes Reader's Choice Award) manually die cuts, embosses, cuts through card stock, Stampin' Up!'s designer series paper, plastic, chipboard and fabric (think pillow appliqués, quilting and clothing décor) and even pops out boxes and scalloped envelope templates with perfect fold (scored) lines in place (using the crease pad). Very cool!

There are special dies called Bigz that can cut through up to 8 layers of card stock (think of the time savings for mass producing invitations, gifts). Most importantly for those of us who already have a die cut machine (mine is my trusty Cuttlebug), it works with most other dies and embossing folders, including Cuttlebug's versions--and my beloved Nestabilities. Stay tuned for more details, sneak peek pictures and ideas. The machine, exclusive die cuts (plus an offering of specially selected Sizzix dies) are making my heart go pitter pat and will all be available to order on-line through me on September 2 :)

Want to see MORE of our brand new product line? Click here to see a sneak peak of the our Big Shot product line!

Stampin' Up! Starter Kit Special

Over $300 worth of Stampin' Up! products for $199. Shipping is included (local tax applies). There's no obligation either.

Click Here for Stampin' Up! Starter Kit Contents!

I admit it. I love to stamp and initially bought the Stampin' Up! starter kit as a way to get over $300 worth of Stampin' Up!'s most popular merchandise for $199. The free shipping and handling was a nice bonus, too. Wow! As the wheels continued to turn, I discovered that I also got 30% off my first order and a 20% discount on future orders.

So I loaded up. Taking advantage of the 30% off allowed me to purchase many of the Stampin' Up! products I always coveted.

What happened next? The arrival of all my beautiful new stamps and supplies convinced me to begin a career doing what I adore. I also enjoy other demonstrator privileges including receiving the new catalogs and being able to order new products in advance of the sales period.

However, everyone has different reasons for purchasing the Stampin' Up! Starter Kit. There is absolutely no obligation to sell anything or buy anything more. The quarterly minimum is $300 in retail sales to remain active.

Perhaps one of these possibilities describes you . . . .

I Just Want the kit. Do you simply want to indulge in the enormous savings on the starter kit? Are you new to stamping and just want to get a great start? This scenario is perfectly acceptable and describes my original motivation.

Short-Term Demonstrator: You will sell for a short period of time to earn a set sum of money for bills, holidays, a new car and plan to stop once your goal is reached.

Hobby Demonstrator: You love purchasing Stampin' Up! at a discount, doing workshops and earning extra income. You work a lot some months and a little other months.

Love a Bargain Demonstrator: You love to stamp and would enjoy getting all your Stampin' Up! purchases at 20% off. You can't resist the great deal on the starter kit plus 30% off the first order. You'll satisfy your stamping addiction this way and occasionally sell to friends and family to keep up your quarterly $300 minimum to stay active.

Career Demonstrator: Who wudda thunk it? I started in the "I Just Want the Kit" category and have moved to career demonstrator. I view my Stampin' Up! demonstratorship as a viable business which has developed into a long term career option. You decide if you want to actively pursue workshops, sales, recruits or, in my case, become a blog maven.

I'm here to help. Whether you would like to earn money to pay for your stamping supplies, create a full or part-time career . . . or simply want the discounts on your personal stamping projects, I'm here to answer any questions and help you get started.

How do I sign up? You may sign up by reviewing the Independent Demonstrator Agreement and completing the Independent Demonstrator application. Both may be downloaded below. I will contact you to review and answer any questions. You may complete the paperwork online or if you prefer you may download the agreement and fax it to me. The special password is lefty.

First Ramblings...

I have so much information to share with you! Within the next few days I will be posting all about our new product lines, new stamps and SPECIAL PROMOTIONS!