Archive for the ‘Convention’ Category:
Retiring List Rewind: Raining Flowers
Here’s another card I didn’t realize I hadn’t shared on my blog already – it features the Raining Flowers stamp set (soon to be retired – 122767). This was one of the Convention Make N Take projects from a past Stampin’ Up! Convention. We always have the best time together as demonstrators — I’m looking forward to this year’s convention in July!
Have you been watching my Retiring List Rewind? Be sure to check all the project inspiration for stamps and accessories that are about to retire!
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Subscribe to the comments for this postThree Step Leaves: A Video Tutorial
I keep finding these random leaves around my craft room – and they make me smile every time! The Wonderfall stamp set (see it online) and the coordinating Autumn Accents Bigz Die (see it online) are too much fun together!
The project and step-by-step directions were posted this week on my blog — but sometimes it’s nice to see the process in action!
Here’s a Video Tutorial that will teach you how to make these at home:
Happy Stamping!
To Order Stampin’ Up! Products On-Line 24/7, CLICK HERE!
Ghoulish Googly Treat Bags: Chevron Embossing
Yesterday my blog post used the clean & simple Googly Ghouls stamp set (see it online) for a fun fall card. Today I’m sharing another project with the same stamp set, only this time I used all the goodies from the Ghoulish Googlies Bundle (see it online) –
both the stamp set AND the Designer Kit with the bags, ribbon and tags.
These little waxed paper bags are super fun – and they only come as part of the Designer Kit. This project was shared on stage at Convention this summer by Shannon West, complete with witchy costume for Shannon. I have to say that *I* didn’t wear a costume when I taught this project at Stamp Club in August, but we still got to make Shannon’s fun bags!
Curious about the fun technique used for the background? I can help you with that! It’s Double-Embossing, and uses both dry embossing with the Big Shot and heat embossing with Embossing Powder and your Heat Tool.
Here are the steps for Double-Embossing:
- Press Versamark Ink Pad directly onto the Chevron Embossing Folder (see it online). Use the Big Shot to dry emboss as usual.
- After dry embossing, pour heat embossing powder over surface. Shake off excess and heat emboss as usual.
Curious about the embossing powder I used to get both the black and the sparkle? I mixed Dazzling Diamonds Glitter (see it online) with some Basic Black Embossing Powder (see it online) – about half and half.
Curious about how to punch a hole in the middle of the Scallop Circle so the little mummy can peek through? Stay tuned for a short Video Tutorial that I’ll get posted soon!
Finally, need more Halloween ideas? Here you can find a good selection of projects from my blog.
Happy Stamping!
To Order Stampin’ Up! Products On-Line 24/7, CLICK HERE!
Pizza & Swaps Night: so many ideas captured!
During the last night of Convention, we gather as a group to share pizzas from The Pie in Salt Lake City – if you haven’t had their pizza before, it’s quite the experience. Their large pizzas are absolutely humongous!
We also bring all the swap cards we’ve received during the week and lay them out on tables so that everyone can see all the fabulous ideas that they might like to take home with them, even if they didn’t receive that particular swap card.
There are always tons of fun ideas to see, and I usually take another 100+ photos to bring home and have for future card ideas!
Here are a few of my favorites – and since I don’t have the swaps, I don’t have names to give credit to the artists. If you recognize a card, please leave me a comment so I can give credit! Here’s a fun card using Designer Paper strips to make a patchwork quilt (check out the directions on my blog):
Here’s another great idea for using up Designer Series Paper scraps – love this banner!! Thanks to Dee Tollakson for sharing this card!
And here’s a fabulous watercolor card – using the Pleasant Poppies (see it online) stamp set. Want some watercolor tips? Here’s a Video Tutorial from my blog.
Here’s a card using the Moving Forward stamp set (see it online). This set is special because when you purchase it, $3 from your purchase goes to the Ronald McDonald House Charities. Stampin’ Up! has donated over $1 million to RMHC through the sales of the yearly RMCH stamp sets! Thanks to Sarah Sagert (Artisan Award Winner!) for sharing her card:
Here’s another card with the same Moving Forward stamp set, by Artisan Award Winner Heather Summers:
And here are some Punch Art treats that were absolutely adorable!! The little skunk and raccoon could hardly be cuter!! If you’re into little animal images, be sure to check out my Stamps in the Mail Club for August… and the Owl Occasions stamp set!
Okay, that’s it for now, but really, too many fun ideas to cover, even if I posted one each day of the year!
Happy Stamping!
To Order Stampin’ Up! Products On-Line 24/7, CLICK HERE!
Could we have any more fun?
The Stampin’ Up! Convention this year was absolutely terrific — take a look at the faces of everyone in our group… don’t they look like they’re having a blast?
Seriously, there isn’t a half-smile in the group. 
That’s me, in the striped shirt kneeling towards the left side.
If you’ve given any thought to joining me next year, here are the dates for Convention 2013.
Since we’ll be celebrating 25 years for Stampin’ Up!, I’m expecting (could it be possible?) even more fun than this year. A big part of that fun comes from being part of a terrific group! Thanks everyone who came with us this year!
Think about joining my Stampin’ Up! family – not only is the Starter Kit a great deal, but beginning August 1st, you can get a “spooktacular” gift along with your kit.
The kit includes not only the materials to make the project, but also stamps, rhinestones and more — that you can use on your Howl-O-Ween project and on anything else you’d like to create.
I’d love to be sitting with YOU next year when we get more FREE STAMPS at the 2013 Stampin’ Up! Convention!!
Let me know if you have any questions about what it means to be a demonstrator (email Meg), or check for more details on the starter kit here. Remember, the Spook-tacular special begins August 1st.
Happy Stamping!
To Order Stampin’ Up! Products On-Line 24/7, CLICK HERE!
So Much Inspiration. Where to begin??
What a fabulous problem to have… I saw so many inspiring projects on stage and on display boards and in the swap cards I received. Now I don’t know where to begin! Should I make a few scrapbook pages first? Or maybe some sweet cards?
Here are a few of the inspiring projects that were shared at Convention 2012. Click on the photos to see bigger images:
Good luck picking out your own upcoming projects — and think about whether you’d like to join me at Convention next year! There’s a fun new Demonstrator Kit Special coming up on August 1st (with a fabulous project INCLUDED!). So no need to stress about picking a project — there will be one ready for you with your kit! Let me know if you’d like some details (email Meg).
Happy Stamping!
To Order Stampin’ Up! Products On-Line 24/7, CLICK HERE!
Convention Day 2: The Good News & The Bad News
Which do you want to hear first? The GOOD news or the BAD news? Okay, here it comes… the good news is that we saw so many fabulous/gorgeous/inspiring projects today at Convention Day 2. The bad news… well, the bad news is that the only 4 items from the Holiday Catalog that I didn’t think I needed to get? So much for that. After today, now I know that I’ll need to get all 4 of them, too!! So yup, that makes it pretty much the whole catalog that I’ll be needing. Good thing we get a discount as demonstrators 
Here are some pictures from our day, starting off with gathering for the first general session.
Want to see some of those fabulous stamping ideas? Shannon West came out in her witch costume to get us in the mood for Halloween and fall projects, and here’s a holiday place card that she created using White Staz-On Ink (106960 – see it online) and the upcoming Woodgrain Embossing Folder (127821 – new on August 1st!).
First, the Staz-On Ink goes directly on the embossing folder. Next, press the Window Sheet (3 x 3″ here) onto the folder and emboss with your Big Shot. Finally, embellish with elements from the Wonderfall stamp set (w- 128084 or c-128087; available August 1st).
Want to see how Shannon made some gorgeous leaves?
Here are her 3 simple steps to a perfectly natural leaf (if natural leaves could have letters on them
- Cut out the maple leaf with the Autumn Accents Bigz Die (127812 – available August 1st) and stamp the coordinating Wonderfall image
- Use a Sponge Dauber to color the edges of the leaf
- Crumple the leaf and flatten it out, then press a darker ink pad directly onto the leaf to create the veining
So many fun projects (I might have mentioned that) and then we had a chance to win free stamps! Here’s Karla from our group…doesn’t she look excited?
We also have the chance to see LOTS of display cards and other projects at Convention. Here’s just one of several aisles of projects:
And on one display, we were excited to see a project sent in by our very own Rae Anne Littrell! Rae Anne created this sweet baby project for her son Cole using My Digital Studio.
ALL the displays are gorgeous – check out the banners that are part of the ‘summer picnic’ theme in the Gathering Place this year. Can’t you see them as part of a festive backyard BBQ?
Alright, once again I’m falling asleep while typing… it’s hard on the keyboard (and my nose) so I think I’m done for the evening. But stay tuned for more of my Convention 2012 posts!
Happy Stamping!
To Order Stampin’ Up! Products On-Line 24/7, CLICK HERE!
Convention 2012: Day 1 is up and running
Convention is one big whirlwind of excitement, inspiration and ideas. This may be my 9th Convention, but being here is just as much fun and just as motivating as the 1st time I attended. After several rounds of swapping cards with other demonstrators (love taking home new ideas!), we headed in for the first General Session.
We were greeted by members of the Stampin’ Up! staff from the Riverton, UT home office, as well as from the stamp manufacturing facility in Kanab, UT, which is about 5 hours away. It’s hard to say who was more excited to see the other group — the staff members or the demonstrators! The staff even recorded a fun video to introduce Convention, complete with a group that came out on stage to dance and kick everything off.
We saw stamping demonstrations (cute project, Shelli!), followed by several fabulous classes and more demonstrations (loving the Designer Fabric ideas that were shared). We had lunch, and of course had to shop at Momento Mall one more time today. Really! We *had* to shop! You would have been running, too, if you’d seen the cute Stampin’ Up! logo cookie presses and coordinating cookie cutters!
After shopping, more classes, more stamping ideas and more general session. During the afternoon session, several demonstrators from our group won Prize Patrol gifts — wahoo for free stamps!! Actually, the prize wasn’t free stamps, but it was still free stampin supplies, and that is always good!
After sessions, we headed back to get ready for the Awards Night. We like to get a little bit dressed up — it’s fun to get out our pretty clothes and go out for an evening!
But now it’s after midnight, and my coach is turning back into a pumpkin. Time to call it a night. I’ll be sure to take more project pictures tomorrow, and have them ready to share with you.
Be sure to check the rest of my Convention 2012 blog posts!
Happy Stamping!
To Order Stampin’ Up! Products On-Line 24/7, CLICK HERE!
Convention Gifts: Floral District Designer Fabric
I didn’t mention in my Registration Day post, but you may have seen my sneak peek last week. I always make something special for everyone from our group who goes to Convention, and extra little treats for my LovenStampfuls demonstrators who attend.
This year I made bag tags (did I mention that the Convention bags are fabulous this year?!) that we can all put on our bags to keep them from getting mixed up.
The tags are about 6 inches across, and created from the Designer Rosette Die (see it online). I’m in love with this die, in case you wanted to see more project ideas. The center of the die was created with My Digital Studio (learn about the free 30 day trial) and the World Traveler Photobook Template (see it online – 130066).
For my LovenStampfuls teammates, I made some extra little treats. I just realized that I never got a photo of the insides! I’ll have to get those for you, too. But until then, here’s the treat pouch that I made with the Scallop Square Die (115950 – see it online) and the Floral District Designer Series Fabric (126893 – see it online).
I’m in love with the whole Floral District Product Suite (see more online)! The tags are created with the Loving Thoughts stamp set (w 125843 or c 125845 – see it online). I love this set for simple gifts! (see more ideas on my blog)
We have such a good time together at Convention — the little treats are just an added bonus!
And with my suitcase nearly empty without this huge box, I think I have room for a few souvenirs
Happy Stamping!
To Order Stampin’ Up! Products On-Line 24/7, CLICK HERE!
Convention 2012: Registration Day?
Really? Only Registration Day so far?? Amazing, because there was an amazing amount of FUN and INSPIRATION packed into this single day. If today was the last day, instead of the day before Convention starts, I’d believe it…so much we’ve seen already!
Here’s a shot from last night actually, when we handed out this year’s green hats. If you’ve seen my Convention photos from past years (see last year’s photos), you know that our group always wears hats so that we can find each other among 3500+ stamp-crazed demonstrators. Personally, I think this year’s hats are the best ever!
This morning my first stop of Registration Day fun was shopping at the Momento Mall. Yay! I mean really, what’s better than shopping? Why, shopping for fun Stampin’ Up! goodies, of course!
And there were stamping ideas everywhere, even on the displays in the Momento Mall!
Then after shopping, I attended a class for several hours with other demonstrators at the Senior Executive level and above. We had some great discussions, heard from Rich Jutkins (President of Stampin’ Up!), and visited with friends we only see a few times a year. And as if that wasn’t great enough, we also received a gift bag of ‘favorite things’ personally selected by Shelli Gardner, Stampin’ Up!’s CEO. Watch out, Oprah!
After class I met up with my demonstrator group, and was excited to find out that again this year I earned a place in the Founder’s Circle by ranking as one of the top 100 demonstrators in the US. So a huge shout-out to all you who are a huge part of that achievement — I couldn’t have done it without you! Here is a picture of me with Tammie Rundle, my friend and LovenStampfuls Demonstrator, since Tammie also earned an award for her recruiting this year. Way to go, Tammie!!
Finally, after a yummy dinner (mmm… Buca di Beppo) we headed back for our final official event of the night — a bonus My Digital Studio Class. Don’t we look excited?
You may have heard that My Digital Studio 2 is coming out soon. No release date yet, but we were all cheering when we were told that we’d each get a copy of MDS2 for a free 30-day trial as part of our class, plus a printed Board Book to take home, AND a disk of new digital downloads. EEK!!
Want to know what I think of the new MDS2? It was “love at first click” for me! My favorite new feature is the selection tool for the digital templates. EEK!! (I’m feeling a bit repetitive.) But really, EEK!! When I start a new project, it’s so wonderful to be able to browse all the templates at one time, and pick the one that’s perfect. EEK!!
There are a slew of other great new features, but I have to get to bed so that I’ll be able to post tomorrow, on DAY 1 of Convention! Really? How can it be that we are not even started on the actual Convention yet?? All I can say is that if you were thinking about coming next year as a demonstrator, then you should start making plans now. You definitely don’t want to miss out!
Happy Stamping!
To Order Stampin’ Up! Products On-Line 24/7, CLICK HERE!
