I am so excited!

I just want to take a moment and welcome Lori Q and Mary P to the Stampin' Up Family! You guys! I am so excited! (okay, enough yelling. . .but YAY!)

I had my Biz Info night on Monday, and I didn't know I had so much to say. . .but I guess I did :) Fun times, and lots of questions answered to the best of my ability. Hopefully I was well informed-this was my first attempt at an in depth explanation of the myriad of benefits there are to what I do.

We made this project (mini matchbook/box):
This is based on products you get in the starter kit--as seen in one of the three starter workshop wizard templates (SU! demonstrator website).

It is small and perfect for passing out at Christmas time to every single person you know (and every single one of their kids), for very little expense! A cute little Christmas candy bag, or a little cookie in a cello bag would be perfect inside. You open the top flap and the sentiment reads, "All Spruced Up". Flippin' Cute. . .Thanks, SU!

(my ribbon is a little droopy in the pic. . .sorry! Girls, put a little crystal effects inside the knot and it will stay nice and perky :)

I am recommending this set (over Greetings Galore) for the starter kit, as I think it is the cutest darn thing! I also have a bunch of fun ideas for it from Convention. However you get five sets total in the kit--so go crazy!

And for my addition to the crazy deal SU! has going right now. . .well, just call/email me and I will tell you all about it *wink* *wink* *nudge* *nudge* :) If you don't sign up right this minute. . .you are crazy loco!

Deets on the project:
Stamps: Fun & Fast Notes; Paper: Wild Wasabi, Purely Pomegranate, Whisper White, Gable Green; Ink: Basic Black, W.Wasabi, P.Pomegranate; Other stuff: Pastels, blender pen, paperclip, black gingham

And because if I get my camera out, my daughter insists I take her picture as well. . .

"Mom, take a picture of me *with* the card! Good idea, right?"

Can you even stand it?!? I actually have several expressions captured. . .they are hilarious. . .but I will only make you look at one :)

I'm not ready.

For her to be five.

For her to leave me.

For her to go to. . . Kindergarten :)

I feel pressure in my chest. Slow it down, here. . . I can't only see my daughter in the evenings and weekends! She is with *me*. I'm her mom! Five years of pretty much every day, and all the sudden it is visitation?? I can't wrap my head around it.

I feel like nothing will ever be the same, well, because it won't. I feel a little lost at the thought that our time to be home together is coming to an end. A whole way of life for my daughter and I is just about over. My baby is going to "her work" soon . . .

A friend and I were talking the other day, and she told me that she went thru the same thing when she put her son in daycare. I know life as a mom has had periodic times of "passings", but this one feels HUGE.

Now it is time to remind myself *again* for the bazillionth time. . .five years at home with my little girl! How wonderful?! How fortunate am I?!

I am thankful :) Just a little sad.

She is eager to go. Ready to learn. We are sending her to the best school we know of. She is going to love it, and have a wonderful experience.

I am going to miss her so much.

So. . .I am loading up on hugs. Getting extra kisses. I am sure I have told her I love her at least three times in the last hour and a half. (While making a list of things I can volunteer for at her school. . .) Being as grateful as I know how to be. And trying not to think about it every minute.

Sorry for lamenting all over you :) Go kiss your babies, you will feel better. It is what I am going to do.

Punchin' a Bunch over here!

Well, I have to say. . .the punch box class was much fun!

I was a bit scattered, as I have been trying desperately to catch up after Convention (aka: time of my *life*) and then my PA vacation with my family (I know, rough life!). . .

Then a pottery demo that was scheduled the night before the class (oookay. . .now it is getting a bit ridiculous).

Luckily, my stampin' girls are the best and give me a break when I start searching the table for something that is right in front of me :) Thanks Ladies! I actually called my husband to check my stamp table at home for a spool of ribbon that was 3 inches from my face. . .does that ever happen to you?!?! *sigh* Time for things to sloooow down for a couple of days :)

Anyhoo. . .I am rested now, sooooo. . . .

Here's a couple of things we made at the class:

Inspired by a card in the IBC using the flowers as candle flames (if I have time to look, I will post the page #)

Deets: Three for You Punch Box; Paper: P. Pomegranate (textured love notes), W.White, P.Pie, B.Bayou, S.Sky, W.Wasabi, S.Saffron; Ink: P.Pomegranate, Versamark, Other stuff: Black Gingham, 2way Glue pen, Dazzling Diamonds


This mini scrapbook is going to Grandma Spinner


Complete with pictures of her son helping Regan on her bike. . .awwww :)


Deets: Three For You Punch Box; Paper:P.Pomegranate (textured love notes), S.Saffron, W.White; Ink, W.Wasabi; Other Stuff: Rhinestone brads (from the pretties kit-LOVE IT), W.Wasabi Double stitched ribbon

(Sorry these pictures are kinda dark. . .If I get a chance I will photo shop 'em and brighten 'em up for ya :)

RoseZan was the lucky winner of the door prize:
a bazillion punched flowers!
I saw this idea on splitcoast and had to make a version for my class. . .Hope you like it RoseZan!

Deets: Stamps: Vases in Vogue (hostess level 3); Paper: um, yeah :)--for the lid: P.Pomegranate, G.Guava, W.White; Ink: same as paper, plus W.Wasabi and Jet-Black Stazon; Other stuff: Jelly Jar, G.Guava stitched ribbon, linen thread, three for you punch box, spring bouquet flower punch, blender pens


Aside from that fun stuff, one of my most wonderful friends drove a whole hour to hang out with me for the day and stamp (You are Awesome, and I had a great time. . .thanks for coming :) I laughed so hard on the way home I thought I was going to pee. (Can *you* make your tongue in the shape of a W? Not me!)

An awesome day, all said :)

Just in case. . .

You actually want to read this on a regular basis (I know, it is a bit far fetched :) I have added a subscription option (on the left hand column of "stuff"). Feel free to click over!

How fun is that?!?!?

You will only get email when I post. . . and for no other reason.

Thanks, for reading either way!

Stamping in the Moonlight

Halloween is my *favoritefavoritefavorite* time of year. The fall is so beautiful in MI!

Of course, as much as I love fall. . .it is still sweltering outside and I am making Halloween swaps! It is right around the corner, people! (Anticipation is how I make it last :)

I finally got some creepy crawly paper. . .and (since SU! has dealt with the quality control issues it was having) I can start using my scallop circle *yay* I was worried about it, but so far my original one is hanging in there. . .I have been afraid to use it in a workshop, lest everyone fall instantly in love with it and order it-only to have it quit working on the first try!

The medallion on the bottom goes a little somethin' like this: scallop circle punch, 1 1/4 punch, dimensional 1in punch. . . I pretty much stamped 22 p.pie bats, then 22 black bats, and punched accordingly :) It was fun! My right forearm is now 33% bigger than my left , but it was fun :) I considered adding google eyes, but everyone has those so you can add 'em if you like 'em.

Deets: (pretty self evident, but hey. . .gotta give credit to the IBC :)

Stamps:Batty for You; Ink: P.Pie, B.Black; Paper: P.Pie, B.Black, Creepy Crawly DP; Punches: Scallop Circle, 1 1/4in, 1in; Other stuff: 1/4in black grograin

The song "Dancing in the Moonlight" (by King Harvest) kept running thru my head last night at untold hours of the morning when I was punching my brains out-trying to get these swaps done. (I am addicted to swapping! Don't start, because once you do. . .it is all over!) You know you have a problem when you are changing the lyrics to:

Stampin' in the moonlight
everybody's feeling warm and bright
its such a fine and natural sight
everybody's stampin' in the moonlight

we like our fun and we never fight
you can't stamp and stay uptight
its a supernatural delight
everybody was Stampin' in the moonlight

(I think I have read JanTInk's blog one too many times if I am putting song lyrics on my blog :) I can't help it, the woman has influence!)

Trip to PA

Just thought I would update some of you who might be interested in one of the highlights of my trip to PA :) I am somewhat of a shutterbug, so I always have an abundance of pictures! Here are some from our trip to the National Aquarium in Baltimore. . .

Here is a view of the Aquarium over the water. . .The place is *huge*

Daddy and his girl walking the Inner Harbor boardwalk while we waited 1.5hrs just to get IN THE DOOR. (note to self: buy tickets online next time and pay the extra six bucks. . .)

Regan *mesmerized* by some brook trout that are in the entryway.

This theme continues thru the entire visit :)

Daddy's favorite part: The shark tank. A little crazy, being that up close and personal to something that would happily eat you. The top of that tank was NOT open :)

Regan's favorite part: The dolphin show. . .*big* surprise

This frog could comfortably perch on my thumbnail! This was mom's favorite part :) They had an entire exhibit dedicated to frogs. Some pretty interesting looking fellows!

And lastly, ascending to the rainforest
(how many people can say they have ridden an escalator to the rainforest???)

This was an incredible place, and *very* cool to take a four year old. Nothing quite like the wonder on a little person's face when they are watching dolphins soar thru the air!

Now I am off to get my cards done for this weekend's class. . . I need to get caught up!

August/September/October Dates to Remember!

September Stamp A Stack:
Saturday September 22nd, 10am (at the Book Shoppe, Alma MI)
R.S.V.P. by September 10th
Stamps: Home is Where the Haunt Is
and
Spooky Skyline Jumbo Wheel
Cost: $42

We will be making 8 projects using a stamp set and wheel you get to take home! All your stamps will be mounted and ready for use upon your arrival. Come and catch the
Halloween bug. . .I've got it bad :) We can get all our projects done early so we can show them off! Please bring scissors/adhesive and your jumbo handle (if you have it).

September Hostess Club:

Thursday, September 27th from 6:00-8:00pm

Private party for Hostess Club members only.

This month's hostesses: Molly B. and Michelle S.

We are making three cards using the latest in trends/techniques. . .looking forward to stamping!

Private Party:

Molly B's Home

Friday, September 28th @ 6:30pm

Combined with her hostess club month, she is going to get some serious freebies! Plus all the freebies you get from *me* for having an in-home private party. . .lucky girl! Call me to be a hostess at your place of choice! There are options to having it outside your home. . .call/email me for details!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Stampin' for the Holiday

Tuesday, October 2nd @ 6:00 to 8:00pm (the Book Shoppe, Alma MI)

R.S.V.P. by September 18th.

Cost: $32

We will be making amazing Halloween Display items for your home! Introduced to me at convention, we will make a halloween paper lantern/garland, a Centerpiece, plus two more stinkin' cute display items. There will be a sneek peek of projects at my open house, so don't miss it!

The cost of this class *includes* a package of Creepy Crawly designer paper , a package of Ribbon Originals that we will be using for our projects, and a cheat sheet. Keep all the extras and have tons left over! This class is entirely *hands-on* so you will be able to re-create these at home.

As always, please bring scissors and adhesive. . .however you will also need your paper cutter at this class. I love Halloween!

National Cardmaking Day!

Saturday, October 6th

Details to follow, this is going to be a huge event! We will be at The Book Shoppe in Alma, stamping our keesters off :) Projects, and a stampfest for all-Stay tuned for further details!

October Stamp Camp:

Tuesday, October 9th from 6:00-8:00pm (the Book Shoppe, Alma)

R.S.V.P. by October 5th

Cost: $10

Come and make three cards, while learning some new techniques! Let me do all the hard work for you! All you need bring are scissors and adhesive.

October Stamp A Stack

Saturday, October 20th @ 10am (the Book Shoppe, Alma)

R.S.V.P. by October 8th

Stamp set: True Friend (Holiday Mini Collection)

Come and make 8 projects using a stamp set you get to keep. Your stamps will be mounted and ready for use when you arrive! We are going to be all set for our fall holiday cards and project ideas, using a new set from the mini you should be getting in the mail any minute. This is a set from our style watch called "Boho West", and they have made it easy on us ladies! All the colors, and supplies that coordinate. . . *shiver* Come and stamp with me!

October Hostess Night:

Thursday, October 25th from 6pm-8pm

Private party for Hostess Club members only.

Hostesses for this month:RoseZan L. and Nancy B.

Private Party:

RoseZan's @ St Pauls Catholic Church

Looking forward to this RoseZan! I love this time of year and the demo's that I get to plan :)

Hope some of these dates work for you!
Call me to save a spot in the class, seats are limited due to space restrictions.

I would have hidden this post behind a link. . . but I couldn't figure out how to do that on my blog :) Still a newbie! One day I will know what I am doing!

Mmmmm. . . chocolate!

A cutsie scratch and sniff card from stamp camp today :)

We used cocoa mix on the cupcake to make it smell like chocolate goodness! As seen in the Stampin' Success magazine (demo magazine, SU! Rocks!) the formula is:

1 part sugar free scented "something" (drink mix, kool-aid, spices, etc)
+
1 1/2 parts crystal clear embossing powder=

heat and sniff!

Here are the deets to this card:

Stamps: Big Bold Birthday; Ink:Ch.Chip, O.Olive, Not Quite Navy, versamark; Paper: O.Olive, Ch. Chip, Not Quite Navy, W.White; Other Stuff: 5/8in. O.Olive grograin, dimensionals, e.powder mixed with sugar free cocoa mix, s.saffron marker, heat gun

Here is another one:

I can't believe the stinking ribbon is crooked in the picture! I don't have this card anymore, so I can't take another one. . .but I am going to make up my extras and repost it! This picture is bugging me, but you get the idea :) Here's the deets:

Stamps: Carved & Candlelit, Perennial Favorites; Ink: P.Pie, W.Wasabi, C. to Cocoa; Paper: W.Wasabi, V.Vanilla; Other stuff: P.Pie 1/4in grograin, brown gingham, c.clear e.p., pumpkin pie spice, c. to cocoa marker, distressing tool in the kit, dimensionals

Please do not attempt this technique with a mix that includes sugar :) It will turn brown and scorch. Resist the urge! (Just eat something really chocolaty instead, right before you make the card :)

Class Extravaganza today. . . .

Okay, I am officially home. . .because:

Stamp camp last night, and again tonight! Woot!

Also, pottery class today. . .here are some pictures from that. . .

Paulette did a demonstration on whistles today. . .LOVED it :)

You start with a pinch pot-
Then you close it up. . .



Then you make the "whistler" for lack of a better way to put it :)
And you get fab whistles! My whistle is not pictured here, these are student whistles. Mine is a big daddy toad, and I will take a picture when it is finished. . . and post it of course :)

This happens to be Paulette's speciality (instruments) and I love being able to learn from her, as well as help others learn kewl things :) Yay for pottery! I will soon have some pictures uploaded of my newest clay creations. . .when I have some sun to take some nice pictures in. . .oh yeah, I live in Michigan . . .no sun!

Convention Day 4

Here is my nifty name tag :) I am going to keep this for my scrapbook!

I don't have to get up early tomorrow, so I have taken a bunch of pictures of some of the things I got to make over the course of the week. . . Here are some of the make and takes from the PJ party:

We are making this tin in a class as *soon* as I can get info out! This was so quick and easy (and of course gorgeous!). . .plus some cards for the inside and you have an awesome gift for someone (or for yourself!). I can't wait to make this with you guys!


Coloring chipboard with craft ink, and using the happiness background to its best advantage. Both things I can easily show you when I get home :) Yay!


Some textured cardstock and the Build a Flower Accents and Elements kit on this one.

We used the build a brad kit a couple of times in our make and takes, and the powers that be *assured* us that it would be ready for purchase soon. As will the scallop punch. I am really glad Stampin' Up! is policing the quality of the new products! I would much rather not sell it until it is ready, than have a bunch of unhappy stampers on my hands :)

The buzz I heard is that the scallop punch test punches worked beautifully, then once the supplier started mass producing them the quality dropped. They are replacing the ones that have already been sold and are making sure the new ones are up to our high standards.


Today, I was at a watercolor class. . . and just so everyone can see; this is what is on the table when a demo gets to a class! No neatly piled cardstock, or sorted supplies. . . a tub full of stuff, and ready set start! Seriously, it was not a big deal (they have over 2,000 demonstrators here this week, plus that many last week!) as they have classes all day in this room. I just thought it was kinda funny :)

I was going to upload the watercolor cards, but they photographed terribly, so I will do them again tomorrow if I get a chance. However, I WILL show you a picture of what I won today!!!

I was beginning to think I wouldn't win anything, and wham! I won a huge prize! We had wristbands that we received with our bag on check-in day. Periodically they would give stuff away according to your wristband design. I won this pile of supplies from the PJ party!!!

They split up all the stuff we used that first night and gave it all away. All said, there is the Sanded Background stamp, the lower case monogram C, and a ton of ink pads (two c.chip, s.sand, r.rust, w.wasabi, r.rock, r.red craft, and versamark) for a grand total of $80.40 in merchandise! paid shipping/tax it would have been 93.65! What a great prize! I had not really had time to figure that out until right at this moment, so I am pretty much thrilled with this turn of events :)

Now that I am thinking about it . . . .

For the whole week this is what I got:

Wanted (22.95)
Fun and Fast Notes (30.95)
Happiness (17.95)
Accents and Elements: Build a Flower (10.95)
(Total: 82.80 in merchandise)

A really nice 12x12 bag w/ a spot for a scrapbook page insert ($?)
A bunch of materials (paper, pretties, brads/eyelets/adhesive/etc) ($?)

The stuff I won today as seen above ($80.40)

How awesome is that?!?!?

I am off to bed. . .talk more tomorrow!

Convention, Day Three

Hi :) checking in with day three progress. . .

I have been learning so much these past few days. Honestly it will probably take me a couple of weeks to process all of this :) What a great problem to have! One of the demonstrations today, was on gift packaging. All of the boxes were originally card designs:


First the card. . .

Then the box!

I am kinda itching to get home, even though I know we have a bunch more stuff to learn tomorrow! I haven't been able to put anything into practice, and it is difficult to see so many awesome things and not be able to do much about it!

There are display boards all over with projects on them like this:


Also, after every class with demonstrations, they put the samples out on the display boards so we all can see up close. (not close enough! Next year I will be bringing my telephoto lens so I don't hurt my back bending over the dividers at the display boards!

A super cute 12x12 page from the display boards. . .

I am looking forward to seeing you all soon! I have some great ideas for my punch a bunch workshop using the "Three for You" Punch Box, from some things I have seen here at convention :) Yay for fun new ideas!!!

I must say. . .even with all the fun I am having, I am missing Regan. I made her a 3x3 card for every night I was planning on being gone, so she was sure to know I am thinking about her. Daddy has been putting them in her mailbox :)

Steve says the idea qualifies in the top three for "best ideas of all time", as she has been so excited for her little cards! Apparently, she came down the stairs with it today saying, "Daddy, I am so lucky!" Awwww! I love that! Moms--you know how it is! I need a hug from my girl :)

Well, tomorrow we are going to a watercoloring class! I am excited to see the fun projects we will be making there! It is awards night tomorrow night, so we won't be in until really late. Combined with the two hour time difference, you won't be reading anything from me tomorrow! I will be sure to update on Friday.

G'nite :)

Convention, Day Two

Hi y'all! I am having a blast :)

If you have ever wondered whether or not convention would be worth going to. . .wonder no longer! I have so many great ideas and a gazillion sample cards . . .all from the last three days! I don't know how I am going to organize all of them, but all the time it is going to take is going to be entirely worth it!

Here are some pictures of things we learned on day two:


Super cute gift ideas!


Super cute little cards!


An awesome frame on the display board, using Ahoy, Matey. . .


I have so many pictures. . . it is hard to decide which ones to put on here! Here is a picture of the "inky wenches" in front of the convention center :) I have a goofy look on my face, but then again I probably always do :) I love being here, although I am getting a little emotional when I see cute pictures of little girls on scrapbook pages! I miss you, Regan!

Next I am going to go thru my day three pics and post again to get caught up. . .I have some ideas for classes that are soooo awesome! I can't wait to plan these!