A Stampin' Sale and a Skiing Adventure

Yesterday was my first time ever trying a cash and carry sale that involved giving away a gift certificate for the value of what was purchased off the table.  I was so excited about it because I thought it was such a BARGAIN!  I just kept thinking, before I was a demonstrator, I would've been so totally excited about such an opportuntiy.  I spread out all my things across a big long table.  It looked impressive, even to Kevin who said "you've got your own momento mall here!"  I of course corrected him and said that what I had on this table was NOTHING like the beautiful things at the momento mall (Stampin' Up! convention).  It was a great event.  I had set a long time frame for it so that people could drop in whenever was convenient for them.  Several stayed to stamp since any purchase of $30 would get them the sweet and simple class free anyway.  The longer time frame allowed me to have time to chat and visit with everyone and it never felt too crowded.  I haven't yet had time to tidy up the table from the sale, so if you want to make an appointment to drop by and see what's left, let me know.  Warning, the table is not as impressive now that many things have been taken but there are still many stamp sets left and the star and oval punch and the markers...

I hope you have all had a great Christmas holiday with your family and friends.  I've been busy spending time with my family too.  My brother and his wife and two kids are here from New York so it has been nice visiting with them.  My brother is 4 years younger than me so we have never had much in common but now that he's got two kids, it seems like we can relate more and are finally in the same kind of life stage together.  Their oldest daughter is the same age as my youngest son. They have a lot of fun playing together which is a good thing since I dropped off my youngest so that the rest of us could go skiing.
Today we went skiing as a family.  I am physically unco-ordinated and prone to injuries but I was determined to go along even though I could have stayed home and crafted all day.  I really wanted to spend time with Kevin and the kids and I envision how wonderful it will be one day when we can all ski together as a family activity and enjoy the whole apres ski experience.  Kevin is an experienced skiier.  Ethan has had a couple of lessons and can definately hold his own on the slopes.  The problem is that Michelle has never skiied before and I had tried skiing many years before and it was pretty much a painful disaster.  I spent most of the time rolling down the hill.  I tried not to think of the past and only focus on the great possibility before me.  Do I look ready and optimistic?

Kevin and Ethan were off hitting the slopes.  Michelle and I did okay but of course when you have a young child, the whole experience is a little different.  First, Michelle decided her ski boots were too tight so clomp clomp clomp back through the rental area to change the boots which meant we had to also get her skis re-fitted.  Then out for our group lesson which partway through Michelle declared that she had to go pee.  Off she went to the bathroom.  Then we finally got to try bunny slope number two which involved going up the slope with the tow rope.  That tow rope experience wasn't so great.  I felt like my arm was going to get ripped out of its socket grabbing that thing which was supposed to pull me up the hill.  Both Michelle and I fell using the tow rope and then they have to stop the whole thing while you flail around trying to get up.  If they don't stop it in time and it keeps going while you're getting up or still lying on the ground, the person behind you slams into you and there is no other handle for you to grab to continue your journey up the hill.  In my opinion they really need to have a better design.  Look at how stressed I am using the device.

Nonetheless, I am glad I went.  My beginner lesson and ticket only allowed me to go on three very very small hills so I experienced great success (not including using the tow rope) and I am eager to try again.  I was pestering Kevin with questions when we were driving home.  Things like "do you think I could manage to drive out to Dagmar and practice skiing and get back home in time to pick up the kids from school?"  "Do you think I should take another lesson or just go and practice on my own?"  Do you think I will ever learn to ski well enough so that I can go on a big hill?"
Well, I"m sure I'll be very sore tommorrow but today I feel great that I tried something new with my family and pleased that the kids had a good time.

Sniff this Card!

Isn't this a cute card?  I think it could be for a guy or a girl.  I tried really hard not to pretty it up too much since it's always good to have a card on hand that I could give to a boy or man.  It uses the new sweet shop specialty dsp from the occasions mini.  The stamp is from the button buddies stamp set and you can't tell from the picture but this card smells like cherries!  Yes!  New beautiful scented embossing powders that you can use on your card.  How cool is that?!

Red is Right on!

Just thought I would share more samples I have been creating using my new occasions mini products.  I love this little mini catalogue.  It is full of beautiful colours and of course some new fun "toys"

Here's a super simple card that you can re-create in a jiffy.  It uses the Take it to Heart stamp set and the twitterpated dsp.  So fast and easy.

This one below uses a stamp set that I got way back but never got around to mounting because Christmas crafting hit.  This set is called "The Best of Everything".  It's such a cute little set and has pictures and words which I love.  It just means you don't have to reach for anything else.  You can complete a card or two or three with just one set.

I dressed it up with the new cherry cobbler dazzling details and the pleated satin ribbon which I LOVE LOVE LOVE!

I am having so much fun playing with all my new things.  If you want to get a great discount on Stampin' Up! products and get all sorts of special perks, consider joining the Stampin' Up! family.  Sale-a-bration is just around the corner and I promise the sale-a-bration starter kit opportunity is amazing!
If you want to see more of the wonderful occasions mini products in action, make sure you come out on Dec. 29th anytime after 4:00pm.  I'd love to see you!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all of you.  I know I don't say it enough but you all mean so much to me and make my "job" as a demonstrator so amazingly fun and rewarding!

Another occasions mini creation

As promised, here is another creation using the new occasions mini stamp set called Apothecary Art.

  I had some left over paper and scraps from a previous team make n take and I used it to create this card.  I LOVE how Stampin' Up! sells their stamps in sets.  This set includes some beautiful images but it also includes a couple of sentiments that fit right into the banner. Excellent!
I coloured in the image using my blender pen and the old olive and tangerine tango ink pads. I added some interest using the colour spritzer tool and sponging around the edges.  Here's a close up.

I couldn't finish the card without adding some embellishment...the antique brad and scallop polka dotted ribbon seemed just right.
Happy 3 days before Christmas everyone!

Stocking Punch: Only while supplies last!

It's just been announced that the stocking punch from the holiday mini catalogue will NOT be carrying over into the idea book and catalogue.  This means, once the supply is gone, they will not be ordering more. 
If you didn't yet pick up this punch and you want it in your collection, let me know and I will order it for you right away.  Speaking of the stocking punch, here's a card I received from Diane today.  I love how she used the silver glimmer paper for the cuff and heel and toe.  The cherry cobbler/white bakers twine is just perfect too!

Fun flowers on Stockings

Just thought I would share a picture of what my friend made with the fun flowers big shot die.  I love how it can cut fabric.  She sews.   I do not but the great bigz dies (like the fun flowers) and all the beautiful fabric that Stampin' Up! has released makes me want to learn to sew. 
Want to see more big shot project ideas?  Make sure to book a private class date with me.  I'd love to prepare some big shot make n take projects just for you and your friends!

Last minute gifts

Kevin was talking with his principal about gifts for the office and cartaking staff at the school.  They wanted something meaningful but not necessarily breaking the bank.  Kevin felt that handmade was the way to go.  He came home from work and asked me what we could make.  I believe this happened to me last June.  I  have no plans to make anything for his staff thinking he's got it all under control but then am surprised to discover that he assumes I can whip something beautiful up. 
I was running out the door after he came home because I had to go to a memorial service,  I mentioned that I had some candles that we could stamp and I left him the instructions and told him to choose what stamps he wanted to use.  I thought I could make it tommorrow when the kids were at school and he was at work but when I came home tonight, he was all set to go and began talking about making these candles.  Well, I wasn't going to turn down the opportunity to stamp with someone rather than stamping alone... and to stamp with my honey...well...how could I say no?
So, down to the craft cave we go.  He did most of it.  I was tired so I was moving really slowly.  Of course after he made the first beautiful candle, I kept thinking how I was going to package it.  I tried the large cello bag but it didn't look quite right.  We had to go with the fancy favour bag.   It was pretty easy with the big shot.  I just rolled them out and Kevin did the assembly and then passed it to me to do the little ribbon handle. 
Here's one of the finished candles...

I'm aiming to bake some of those sweet pressed cookies tommorrow and then he can take the candles in with the cookies.  There you go, 8 little gifts done.  I promise I"ll get back to crafting with the occasions mini stuff soon.  Stay tuned!

Sweet Pressed Cookie Gift Bag

Sweet Pressed Cookie Gift Bag

I just saw the coolest video about the sweet pressed cookie stamps. I hope this link above works. Have fun!

I couldn't resist!

I fell in love with the occasions mini catalogue the moment it arrived in my hands.  I paid a fortune to expedite everything so I could have things sooner.  Then when the box arrived I ripped it open but stopped short of taking everything out.  I felt I didn't deserve to play with all my new stamps and accessories until I'd finished my Christmas crafting.  Sadly, I'm still behind schedule and haven't made the teacher gifts yet or finished some other family gifts.  However, Kevin was out at a meeting and the kids were in bed and I just didn't feel like any more Christmas crafting.  I decided since yesterday was my designated sabbath/rest day, I should do what makes me feel relaxed and happy.  YES!  In a mad rush I grabbed a stamp set, some new big shot dies and of course that incredible new pleated ribbon and ran down to my craft cave.  This is what I made. 



I think I am in love with that pleated ribbon.  Here's a close up.

Please come out and stamp with me on Dec. 29th where I'll have 4 cards for you to make showcasing more beautiful things from the occasions mini catalogue.  I'll also have a cash and carry table of retired stamps and accessories.

Please RSVP.  I can't wait to see you!

Hijacked! Christmas Cards

Merry Christmas! In an effort to save time, she has enlisted me (yes, I have hijacked her account) to highlight and showcase her newest creation:  the annual Christmas card.  Using "My Digital Studio" this little "ditty" has been created and captures a magical time at Disney World... ok, the photo wasn't done at Christmas, but (a) how many of you are going to Disney World at Christmas and (b) it's one of the few we have all together.  (Usually I am taking the photos).

In an effort to make it easier to print, I used an image editing program to allow me to copy the original twice.  Two photos will fit across an 8x10 photograph.  You will need to do some cutting and trimming to make it fit.  It should fit into a #10 envelope.  Use your paper trimmer (OK, I'm not the demonstrator... so I call it by our "house name" the "kachung machine".)  If you want to know, the image editing program, just as powerful as the commercial editing programs is called GIMP (Gnu Image Manipulation Program, available at www.gimp.org)

As always, contact Genevieve for all your Stampin' Up needs :)

K.

Dudes and Flower Fest

So, I held my first ever Dude Night.  I heard about this idea at Convention.  Of course in the ecstasy of convention, it sounded like such a great idea.  Get some husbands together, serve dude food like wings and chili and beer and get them to make a super simple project for their wife that involves tools like the Big Shot and the heat tool and of course offer the opportunity for them to Christmas shop for their wives without having to even step into a mall.  What a great idea I thought to myself.  Even better considering my husband is the extrovert in the family and loves to socialize with other guys but for some reason doesn't do it as often as he should because the ability of men to plan ahead and book a guys night is too challenging.

I sent out a cool evite about it to my husbands friends and guys whose wives stamp with me.  I can't say the positive RSVP's rolled in.  A few weeks before I started to get wind that some men didn't want to come because the very thought of making something was frightening them away.  I then started to worry that in fact this was a bad idea.  Perhaps the stamping element was going to ruin an otherwise perfect guys night.  (Kevin pointed out to me that men do NOT call themselves "dudes").  Well, about 5 men overcame their fears and came out.  As promised, there was beer, wings, chili and soda pop.  I don't think there was a vegetable in sight.  (oops, maybe in the battered sweet potato fries). 

Now, in retrospect, I would have to say, dude night was a blast.  Hilarious is a better word.  I don't know how I can capture the mood. Here's some pictures.  Before the guys started arriving and while I was trying to get the kids to bed, I told Kevin to reassure the guests that yes, they were going to make something but it would be really really easy and short and that there was going to be lots of beer and video games and other manly things.  I was so nervous after I put the kids to bed and headed downstairs to the guys.  I was afraid I was going to get boo-ed or mocked out of the room.  I plucked up my courage and announced that I was going to help them make a cute card for their wives because what wife wouldn't want a card with a nice message inside from their husbands.  I even told them that a nice card might help with the "lovin"  (yeah, I even stooped so low as to suggest that if they put the effort into making a card, they might get some bedroom time).  The guys were great.  The 5 minute activity turned into an hour activity.  Here's what the card was supposed to look like (minus the rhinestone...one husband insisted that he needed a jewel in the flower)

 I kept calling the heat tool a power tool to go with the whole dude theme but of course that just started a whole round of hooting and jokes because frankly they thought that it was a fairly lame power tool.  One husband even said"power tool? this is a heat gun".  Can you believe one guy made jokes about it being a hair dryer???  You could set your hair on fire and burn your head with the heat tool.  Give me a break.  It is nothing like a hairdryer.  Humph.
What cracked me up is how creative the men were.  I expected that they would just follow the sample and get out of the craft cave as quickly as possible.  No no no.  One man wanted a jewel (aka rhinestone), another one wanted different colour ink, another one wanted more sentiment options.  He started by using my teeny tiny wishes stamp that says "hello baby"  and then just kept stamping obsessively.  Here's his card:

By now, I was spending most of my time laughing hysterically.  In fact, even as I type this, I am giggling to myself. 
Here's someone fascinated by the wild wasabi embossing powder.  He's making lines and talking about cocaine. 





I don't have a picture but one husband used one of my punches to create leaves around the flower.  This was his idea, not mine!
Now my husband went all out and asked me for sponges and brown ink.  I offered him the sponge daubers and he turned his nose up at those.  He wanted the "other"sponges.  I couldn't believe he knew the difference.  Here's his card. (I suppose he put the beer bottles on either side to attest to his masculinity despite the fact that he had made a card).  He kept calling his technique "ripping" even though I kept insisting it was called "tearing".

Here's what my craft table looked like after the "dudes" were done.

I was able to clean up quickly and the guys stayed in the craft cave to play poker.  It was really a neat evening and I know the guys had a fun time too.

So, the moral of the story is: stamping parties are fun for everyone.  Even dudes.

Earn money stamping!

How ironic.  Just yesterday I was posting and commenting about how super Stampin' Up! is about giving out free stuff.  Wouldn't you know, I just received an e-mail from Stampin' Up! about a very special opportunity for those that want to purchase the starter kit and become a demonstrator.
This is a very exclusive offer that only demonstrators attending leadership can offer.  Since I am registered to attend the leadership conference, I can offer this amazing deal to you.  THIS DEAL IS ONLY AVAILABLE DECEMBER 13TH AND 14TH.  If you are curious about this offer.  Contact me now so we can get all our ducks in order so you can take advantage of this offer on December 13th.
I am not posting the offer here on the internet because not all demonstrators are able to offer this.  If you want to find our more, you must contact me!
Stamps, fun, friendship and making money.  Being a demonstrator is good!
Contact me today!

It's so great to receive a card!

Tis the season when I start receiving cards in the mail.  I love opening mail at this time of year because sometimes the mail is a handmade card for me and not a bill!  It's fabulous!  Of course I have received a few Christmas cards already (shame on me for not getting mine out yet) but this one seemed peculiar because the return address was from Stampin' Up!

Of course, with Stampin' Up!'s track record, I couldn't help but wonder "wow, what free thing are they giving me now?" (Did I tell you I won a contest where they gave me a $130 shopping spree? I LOVE stampin' up.  Anyway, I digress)

Well, I didn't get any free product but this is what I got.

A beautiful handstamped card. It just made my day. 
Don't worry if you didn't get a handstamped card from Stampin' Up!.  Stampin' Up! is dying to give you something free too...Sale-a-bration is around the corner.  This means you will get free stamps and accessories with every $60 purchase.  It's the most wonderful time of the year!  It's not too early to be booking your sale-a-bration classes and workshops.  I'm already booking for the new year.  Don't hestiate to contact me! I love stamping with you and your friends.

sweet pressed and bingo

Sorry I have not posted in so long.  So busy!!!!  I have so much to share but no time to post.  Here's some pictures of the fun I was having last weekend.  There are a group of girls I get together with a few times a year.  Every December, we do a cookie exchange.  Of course I had to use the new sweet pressed cookie stamps!  I felt I had to wrap the cookies nicely this year because I was attempting to compensate for the fact that I had no handmade Christmas cards to go with them!!!  I am madly working on getting my Christmas cards done but I definately didn't have any ready to go last weekend so here are the cookies:  Do you think the wrapping compensated for the lack of card?

I also tried something my downline Shelley showed me:  Chocolates made with the sweet pressed cookie stamp:

Pretty cool eh?

I also wanted to share a picture of the bingo cards Salena made for me.  I loaned her my stamp set and this is what she created for me.  It'll be perfect for playing with the kids over the holidays!

So hopefully you all get what you need to get done for the holidays and have as much fun as I do!

Fun with Team S.T.I.C

I have to say that the Team S.T.I.C girls are such fun and are such an encouragement to me.  I love hearing their stories, getting to know them and being a part of their lives.  It is such an unexpected blessing and joy in my life.  Those of you who know me a while knew that I went kicking and fighting into this role of being a Stampin' Up! demonstrator and I was even more wary of having team members: girls who purchase the demonstrator starter kit from me.  I didn't feel that I could inspire or train anyone.  I was just trying to figure things out for myself.  Now that I have been led on this journey, I realize that my fears were unfounded.  My team girls are amazing!  They all have unique gifts and personalities that make our group interesting.  Never mind me inspiring them. They inspire me! 

I just came home from our team holiday party and I am so pumped.  I learned some new techniques, made some cards, we swapped and ate food.  It was so great.  Here's the card I made for the swap.  I wanted to keep it simple and I saw this card on a blog but it didn't have any embellishments.  No embellishments???!!!!  It is such a simple, eleganat card it didn't need much but I felt that some pearls and paper piercing would be perfect.

Here's one of the cards that one of the girls brought to show.  The winter wishes felt accents are so amazing!  This is the last month to buy them before they disappear with the holiday mini in January.

If you want a dose of inspiration, come on out and check out our team meeting next month!