World Treasures

Sorry I haven't posted for a while.  You can bet that if I'm not posting it means that I am busy not only stamping but also many other things as well. The release of the new catalogue in June means that I have been having fun showing off the new goodies at private card parties, club, team meetings and the like.  I've also been busy going on school field trips, attending spring concerts and trying to finish off my O.T. reports before the summer hits. The end of the school year and the Stampin' Up! year speaks closure to me so much more than December does.  Everything is winding down and I know the more relaxed pace of the summer is right around the corner (although the announcement of the Reason to Smile promotion in July has already made my July calendar busier than usual!)

The closing of the Stampin' Up! year gives me reason to thank all of you who have blessed my life this year with your friendship and stamping support.  Every day I am thankful for my Stampin' Up! "job" and I can only have this job because all of you out there continue to come to my classes, host parties for me and introduce your friends to the joy of stamping.  My regular prayer is that I will be able to serve you WELL and with my heart and soul. 

Here's a card that I love and CASE'd from Jill Hilliard--a demo from the U.S.  It uses the new World Treasures stamp set and the fancy fan embossing folder.  The fabric is also new and is an excellent option since they retired the wide ribbon.  The colours are rose red and old olive.

I thought that sharing something from the World Treasures stamp set would be perfect since I am becoming a world traveler!  As you know, I've just returned from the Disney Incentive trip, I'm getting geared up to go to Salt Lake City Utah for the annual Stampin' Up! convention, AND I will be going to the next Stampin' Up! incentive trip to FIJI!  Who knew that stamping would bring such adventure!

I'll be going to Fiji with my son since it is nearly impossible for my vice principal husband to get time off during the school year.  He managed to come to Disney with me because he explained it was a once in a lifetime opportunity.  How were we to know that I would earn FiJI?  Anyway, Ethan and I are very excited about the time we will spend together on an exotic getaway.  Exotic trips are only one of the perks that Stampin' Up! gives to their demonstrators. Free stamps are another...  If you want to be a part of the family, let me know because there is a great promotion on right now.  I'd love to have you join my team!

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!

make n take muddles

Another full day here in Salt Lake City. The day was full of classes and another general session. At the general session I had the fun of walking across the stage again for some milestone awards (which is why I was told when I registered online that I was receiving an award). Here's a small picture of me. Maybe if you squint you can see me. (I'm wearing the blue shirt).

Here's the award I received: 3 new stamp sets Yeah!

(Thank you again to my Team S.T.I.C girls and my stampin' friends who make my "job" as a demonstrator so rewarding!)

Today was also the day for the make and take session. It's a 2 hour session with several make n take projects. I worked as hard as I could and this is all I got done in 2 hours:

One 3X3 card and covering the lid of a box with the timeless portrait fabric. Sad. I know. I was so bummed that I didn't get anything else done. It wasn't just me. Someone else I met said all she managed to do was put the fabric on her lid and then do the very ornate paper flower that goes on top. I feel like such a novice crafter! The make n takes here are intense.

I had signed up for an optional class called "Every last Detail" It was supposed to highlight the finishing touches kind of techniques that make a project from ordinary to "wow!".

Truly the class did focus on the little details. We were supposed to make 6 elements to put into a frame. We managed to get two done. Here's a picture of one of the ones I didn't get done to give you an idea of how cute the projects were. The new in colours are fabulous! I am loving the pool party, lucky limeade and calypso coral combo!

Hmmm, so much more to share but really, it's just too much to put on a blog. Every day is so jam packed! A couple of the girls in my room are now off to go see the Harry Potter Movie. I think sleeping is in order for me!

Easy Gift Bag

I have so many things to share with you but no time to upload everything. If I have time tonight I wil upload more.

I love it when friends and customers share their creations and ideas with me. People say that I inspire them but I feel that you all inspire me!

Friend and club member Stephanie, sent me this link after our recent club meeting where we used fabric on our cards. She remembered that I have a great fear of sewing. This link shows how to make fabric flowers.

I couldn't help but try it since it looked so easy and didn't involve sewing. The beautiful flower needed to embellish something so I put it onto a kraft gift bag. I stamped the bag with garden green ink using the snowflake from the Snow Swirled stamp set. I then put some real red grosgrain ribbon across the bag. I cut out a snowflake using brushed silver paper and the snowflake die for the sizzix big shot and then glued on the fabric flower. Voila! A handmade gift bag that anyone would love. Wouldn't it be great to cover a jam jar with matching fabric and fill the jar with some yummy treats and then include some handmade cards in co-ordinating colour?

Crafting is easy with Stampin' Up!'s co-ordinating products!

Using Fabric--without sewing

It's no secret that I don't like sewing. I've tried very hard to like sewing. Before I discovered papercrafting, I did a lot of sewing with pathetic results and a lot of stress. I bought the SU fabric because I couldn't resist buying co-ordinating product. I loved the candy cane dsp so I figured I would like the fabric as well. It took me a long time to figure out how to use it while avoiding sewing. I talked to my downline Esther who informed me she uses the fabric all the time. She said: just use it like ribbon. She ties it around her cards and everything, just like ribbon.

Here's some projects made with the fabric. I really like the added interest and texture provided by the fabric. (isn't the cheep talk stamp funny? It's a partridge in a pear tree!)

The circles for my daughters headband was cut out using the big shot circles #2 die. I just used hot glue gun to stick it all together.

If you're liking the fabric look, stay tuned for the occasions mini coming out in January. Oh my! Beautiful fabric, paper and accessories!