Really----I've been here

Whoa, where has the time gone?
I seem to say that quite a bit lately. The days seem to speed by faster and faster. If the time goes this quickly now, how am I going to stay with it as I get older?

Anyway, I've been working on projects and I finally got them uploaded from my camera.

Let's see if I can catch up a bit. Here are some cookie cutter tags I made up last year for the kid's classes. The teachers requested no candy treats, so this is what I made up---the night before, of course!

We also made these at this month's Stampin' Playdate. The kids were able to choose their background cs, stamp on the image and put it all together. Super cute and quick

I participated in a PIF military spouse thank-you swap earlier this summer. I made this card folio with some cards to send to the lady I was assigned.

This is really quite easy to put together. It takes 6 12x12 sheets of cardstock. Score and fold at 4 inches. Rotate and score at 6". Fold up the 4" score, then turn over and fold in half. Using this cool binding tool I picked up at Staples a few years ago, punch each sheet. Stack all the punched sheets and add binding, close. Voila! Quick and easy project for a thoughtful gift.

Here are the examples for October's technique class. The focus was on glossy paper, so I did Wax paper resist and Polished Stone.

I also began a new program during my PMS Nights. I had a workshop for Shannon in early October and I got a great idea from one of the ladies (HI Helen!) to offer kits to make up the cards. Helen wanted to make cards, but she didn't have alot of supplies or money to order much. So I took the idea and made up 10 cards and the tag for the cookie cutters.



Shannon came over for the Stampin' Playdate and helped me work out the kinks in the boxes. I tried really hard not to use supplies on more than one card. However, I love my punches and dulpicated a few punches on two cards. Shannon said that people would just work that out, so I didn't stress over it. It worked out well. $1.50 a card with envelopes.
I'm going to be offering this as a class in November and December for holiday cards. That one will be a sign-up and prepay class, so I can make up the kits beforehand.



Here's another project I made up using directions found on SCS in the Resources section.

This advent calendar was made as a wedding shower gift for a good family friend. I wanted to make her something, but I did have a gift card in reserve if I didn't get it finished!

This uses a ton of supplies:
16x20" artist canvas
wedding favor tins from M's, JAs or Walmart
sticky strip, lots of sticky strip!
colored and patterned cardstock
ribbon
punches, Scallop, 1 3/8" circle, 1 1/4" circle, 5-petal flower
jumbo eyelets and crop-a-dile
alphabet and numbers (Quirky, retired)
choc chip, old olive and real red craft ink
clear embossing powder

I've been asked to do this as a class and if I was selling these. Honestly, with all the additional supplies, I'm not sure it would be cost-effective! But I'm pricing it out.

I'm off for a bit. I have more to post later!

I LOVE THIS CATTY!

I am absolutely stoked over the partnership of SU! and Sizzix!

Yesterday the Fall/Winter IBC went live at 12:00pm MT. I love this catty! I love that SU! is carrying the BIG SHOT with exclusive dies!
My first order should be here later this week or Monday.
I've been planning my class schedule so I can have them printed off for my vendor table this Friday. The coordinator for the event said they expect 300 people! I'm not sure I'll have enough brochures and catalogs! But I'll try!

Here are the classes/events I have scheduled so far (that I remember without my calendar!):
Sept. 14 PMS Night at Donato's on Norton Rd 5-10pm
Sept. 17 Stamping Playdate at my house 9-11am
Sept. 17 Bunches of Punches---Punch art my House 7pm
Sept. 22 Sept. Scrapbooking class at my house 7pm

Also on the calendar is the 60 cards from a Simply Scrappin' Kit, probably in October. We'll be using the new Holiday kit. Wrap up the holidays class: Gift wrapping, focusing on the holidays, but also ways to inexpensively gift wrap all year long.

I'm trying a new type of party. It's called a Tag Party. What makes this so interesting is each person invited tags a friend to bring along. I'm thinking there will be prizes for those who bring the most people tagged, for the taggee that traveled the farthest, mother-daughter tags....well, you get the idea. Of course we'll be making tags. Lots and lots of tags! This will be sometime in November, I think.

I have to decide if I'm going to try any craft shows this year. I might try to get into one near my mom's house that is really big every year.

Whew! Convention updates....

Whew....I'm finally feeling like I'm catching up from Convention. First off, it was awesome!
I had a non-stop flight to Salt Lake City. The flight was uneventful until we came to the mountains. There were several moments that I had to remind myself to breathe! We landed safely and I made my way to my hotel. I finally hooked up with my roommates (One of the same ladies I roomed with last year) and the other three. Wednesday morning I was awake at 5:15! So when another roommate began moving around, I headed down to the gym and had a great workout. It helped level things off for me and I had a ton of energy for the day.

We got dressed and headed to the Convention Center to pick up our bags. First thing---find a seat and look at the new catalog!

Wow! It is incredible. I can't wait to show it off this year. I had a few organized swaps to do, so we wandered around a bit beforehand.

Thursday opened with General Session. It is so difficult to describe the energy and excitement. I found this clip on YouTube. Coincidentally, I'm in the row right behind the stroller across the aisle from this lady who shot the video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-QAXpUa8kxQ&NR=1
This is just a small glimpse of the amazing energy and the sheer number of people at Convention. Roughly 6,000 demonstrators!











Here are the announcements/demonstrations from Thursday:
Style Watch: Sweet Bella
Under the Stars demo (set will be included in the Never BeforeSeen 15% off promo)


Decor Elements Phase 2: Ginormous Flowers


Colors in So Saffron, Pixie Pink, Choc Chip and Gable Green

Nursery Necessities in Choc Chip---sorry no pictures.

Demonstrations:
Chills and Thrills Rub-on's
Advent Calendar

The break-out classes were really good this year. Classes focused on every aspect of Stampin' Up!, whether you are a business demo or hobby demo or demo in between.

25% off Selected Retiring Accessories

For the first time ever, SU! is posting a discount on some retiring accessories.


Item # Pg. # Description Regular Price 25% Off Price
109117 167 Pocket Notes assortment $9.95 $7.46
110479 168 Jersey Shore Designer Series paper $9.95 $7.46
110699 168 East Coast Prep Designer Series paper $9.95 $7.46
109159 169 Flowers For You Designer Series paper $9.95 $7.46
110273 169 Spring Fling Designer Series paper $9.95 $7.46
110748 170 Notebook Designer Series paper $9.95 $7.46
109153 170 Porcelain Prints Designer Series paper $9.95 $7.46
110751 171 Azure Designer Series paper $9.95 $7.46
109164 171 River Rock Prints Designer Series paper $9.95 $7.46
109175 171 Almost Amethyst Prints Designer Series paper $9.95 $7.46
109168 171 Groovy Guava Prints Designer Series paper $9.95 $7.46
109169 171 Close to Cocoa Prints Designer Series paper $9.95 $7.46
110284 182 Eastern Elegance Rub-Ons $10.95 $8.21
110285 182 Urban West Rub-Ons $10.95 $8.21
110281 182 Cherished Memories Rub-Ons $10.95 $8.21
109185 190 Jersey Ribbon Originals $12.95 $9.71
109187 190 District Ribbon Originals $12.95 $9.71
109189 190 Beachfront Ribbon Originals $12.95 $9.71
110716 191 Wild Wasabi striped grosgrain ribbon $7.95 $5.96
109062 191 River Rock double-stitched grosgrain ribbon $8.95 $6.71

A quick update

Ok, so it's July 17th and I haven't posted in over two weeks. It's not that I haven't had things to post--I've been stamping whenever I have a chance. Everytime I go to upload my pictures, the cord to the camera is missing (aka with Mitch at work).



So no pictures right now, but I'll give a quick run down of what I've accomplished the past two weeks.



****One set of Card Candy for Convention (11)
****Both sets of Technique cardfronts (11 each)
****6x6 2-page spread for Convention pictures (11)
****6x6 2-page spread for any occasion (11)
****one set of Christmas cardfronts (11)
****Reagan's name frame for her birthday
****cards for convention buddies/roommates (4)
****projects for Stamp club that focused on the different inks (3)
****PIF image card swap (2 sets, 6 each)


Designed and in various stages of completion:
****6x6 Technique swap for Brayered Sky (20)
****Card Candy (12)
****Over the Top Stamp Camp project/roommate gifts (6 plus 4)


Still need to design:
2 sets of Christmas cardfronts (11 each)


I'm really having a difficult time with the Christmas card ones. But once I figure them out, they will go together quickly. Much will be determined by the fact I've run out of Whisper White CS. I have two-plus packs of Very Vanilla so I'm fine on the cardstock, but it's a bit of a bite to not have WW.


If I have any time, I want to make up a name frame for my new niece that I"ll see for the first time right before I leave for Convention. I also would like to do up a frame of the kids' pictures for my mom's birthday--which is the same weekend as I'll see my niece.

We are heading to Toledo for the Gargac family backyard camp-out at my BIL's house July 25-27. I'm scheduled for jury duty on July 25. Mitch's birthday is July 28 and I leave July 29.


So my deadline for Convention stuff and gifts is a week from today. I forsee some really late nights. I've been getting up when Mitch leaves for work so I have a few hours before the kids wake up to stamp up stuff. Reagan is now old enough to turn on the TV for them so they are content if I'm not downstairs when they wake up. I've also told them that I'll be upstairs stamping any chance I get.


Keep me in your thoughts and send me good stamping vibes!

ACK! IT'S (almost) JULY 1ST!

Where has June gone? July is beginning to look a bit crazy between family stuff and getting ready for Convention.

Warning!!!! Here comes a serious whine: I've been called for Jury Duty here in Madison County for several dates in July and August. I was only excused for the date I'm in Salt Lake City. I guess being a SAHM with 3 kids under 7 isn't a good enough excuse for getting out of jury duty. My sister has graciously agreed to watch the kids on the days that I have to report. No matter when I get called, it's a pain. However, I have more people able to watch the kids for me during the summer than I do during the winter, so I'm counting on this to work. And I'm going to do everything I can to not be sat for a jury!

I got some exciting news the other day! My downline, Kim, will be back in Ohio for two weeks and we have set up a stamping get together! So excited to see her! I'm really looking forward to chatting with her and getting to know her a bit better. Emails are good, but aren't the same as face-to-face chats.

With tomorrow being July 1st, that means it's preview ordering time for SU! At midnight SU! time, the new catalog preview will be posted and demos will be able to order new stuff to get ready for the new catty debut! I'm stoked because I have two free sets to redeem that I've been hoarding, waiting for the preview! If there aren't any sets that I love in the preview, I have my backup sets that I've been wanting but haven't ordered from this current catty that will also be in the new one. I'm definetly getting an alphabet. I really like the Wild West Alpha, but Lovely Letters is really nice too---and a bit more versatile. It can also be used well with my Wanted and Brono Buster sets that I just LOVE!

So here's my (before I see the preview) order:
New In Color cs
2-3 ink pads for the In Colors
Double-stitch ribbon to match, at least one color
Night of Navy cs (I'm out and I seem to reach for this color for every swap I'm making!)
Silver brads (again, use these on almost every project I do!)
A new Designer Series Paper

PMS Night was this past Friday and the tech class was dry embossing. I'll post a picture when my batteries are recharged. We used the Carasol Notes from the Occassions mini.

Today is the last day to order any sets out of the Occassions mini. Today is also the last day to take advantage of 10% off any retiring stamp set special. Email or call me with your order today! Don't miss these great offers!

Group buys open now

THE STAMPIN' UP! ® MARKER/CARDSTOCK CLUB

Does your Stampin' Up! ® "Wish List" include the 48 Stampin' Write Markers with the storage case (pg. 183). Do you wonder how you can financially "swing it"?

Well, here's a way to get the full set of markers with the storage case plus cardstock in all 48 colors without hurting your monthly budget. Team up with three other stampers to form a Marker/Cardstock Club. Each of you will be the hostess each time we order (every month or every other month). We'll order the complete set of markers with the storage case plus one package of 36 sheets of assorted cardstock from each of the color families. I will also throw in ½ pack of any neutral cardstock of your choice during your hostess month. Payment will be due to me by the 15th of each month, or a date everyone has agreed upon. The cost for each of you will be $46.50 for each month. If you choose to gather outside orders or schedule a workshop when it's your turn as hostess, you can get even more free merchandise.

The hostess of the month keeps the marker case, one set of markers with matching cardstock and, because the workshop meets the $150 minimum, also receives the usual hostess gifts. The other three members each get a set of markers with matching set of cardstock. At the end of four months, each member will have a complete set of markers with the storage case; three sheets of cardstock in each of the 48 colors (144 sheets), 20 sheets of neutral cardstock, a Level 1 stamp set and at least $15 in free merchandise.
$46.50 for 4 months
(Club by Mail option: add $4.85 each month)


2007-2008 In-Color Cardstock and Double-Stitched Ribbon Share
Purely Pomagranate River Rock
Blue Bayou Soft Sky
Wild Wasabi Groovy Guava

6 Sheets of cardstock for each color and approximately 3 yards of
In-Color Double-Stitched Ribbon

$25.50
$27.50 for Mail option

1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon Share
Basic Black
Whisper White
Very Vanilla
Pumpkin Pie
More Mustard
Apricot Appeal
Pretty In Pink
Real Red
Bravo Burgundy
Elegant Eggplant
Night of Navy
Tempting Turquoise
Bashful Blue
Certainly Celery
Mellow Moss
Always Artichoke

Approx. 3 yards of each color listed.

$18.80
$21.00 for Mail Option