Saturday, August 22, 2009

Deseret News Article

Inspire. Create. Share.

When it comes to the art and craft of stamping, the theme of this year's national Stampin' Up! convention says it all, says Shelli Gardner, co-founder and CEO of the 20-year-old company.
Card-making, scrapbooking, home decor, gift items, apparel — whatever you do, however you find your creative outlet, she says, your life can be enriched.

Through these crafts, "you create tangible products, but you create something of value on many levels," Gardner says.
"And then you can turn around and share it with others. True inspiration causes you to stop and think, but it also so powerful that it moves you to action," she says. "A lot of fulfillment comes from that."

One of her favorite quotes comes from Ralph Waldo Emerson, who said: "In life, the hand can never execute anything higher than the heart can inspire."
Through these crafts, she says, "you are able to create the most valuable thing of all — relationships. That's the thing that most of our stampers talk about. Fun and enthusiasm are contagious and meant to be shared."

Stampin' Up! was started in 1988 by Gardner and her sister, LaVonne Crosby, when they got hooked on stamping and looked for a home-based business opportunity that would let them buy and sell rubber stamps. Finding none, they decided to create their own.

Today, there are some 40,000 Stampin' Up! demonstrators worldwide. The products are sold through in-home workshops and demonstrations and (at a slightly higher price) online. Today, the catalog has expanded to include not only stamps but paper, punches, art supplies, die cuts, stencils, home decor products and more.
Some 3,000 of their demonstrators gathered at the Salt Palace recently for the national convention. What is so fun, says Elizabeth Gray, public relations spokesman for Stampin' Up!, is "that they come from all walks of life, all ages, all stages of life. Some do it mostly so they can get their own products at a discount, some own their own businesses, and some even support their families."

At the convention, two new product lines were introduced and will be available this fall. The first is digital crafting software called My Digital Studio, which enables crafters to digitally design scrapbooks, cards and calenders as well as create multimedia outputs such as video, says Brent Steele, vice president for creative services at Stampin' Up!
Digital is becoming an increasing part of the scrapbook and crafting world, says Steele. "It's bringing in a whole new group of crafters: computer geeks, husbands and other men, younger crafters."

A second new line is a partnership with Build-A-Bear Workshop that will allow the Utah-based stamping company to create a collection of stamp sets, designer papers and die cuts built around Build-A-Bear Workshop mascot Bearamy and his furry friends. "I know I will be spending hours playing with my grandchildren, making all kinds of Build-A-Bear creations," Gardner says.
Jill Kocherhans demonstrated a few possibilities, including a gift sack, a little canvas bag for crayons, magnetic paper dolls and a framed picture scene. Some of her projects were made from what was left of the others. "Never throw anything away," is her advice.
"Experiment, and you can often find a new use for it."

Stamps can be used on paper, cloth, wood and other materials. Die cuts can be created out of fabric ironed on to fusible web that in turn can be ironed on to other fabrics, or out of magnetic sheets, or cardstock and other things available at any craft store, she says. All it takes is imagination, inspiration and creativity.

That's one thing that Sheila Paul, a demonstrator from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, loves about it all. "You can incorporate so many different crafts into what you do; they all cross the lines these days."
Her daughter, Heather, "is in it for the photography. I love to do portfolios and wedding albums."

There's something that everyone can do, says Trina Boyd, also from Edmonton. "I love it when people say, 'Oh, I can't do it; I'm not creative at all.' I sit down with them and pretty soon, they are saying, 'Oh, this is easy. I could do this at home.' "

Cynthia Ritzman, from Ontario, Calif., was in a painting group with some friends, and "one member of the group started stamping. I thought, 'Why do I need another hobby?' But we saw the fun she was having and we all gave in and started stamping. Now that's all we do."
It's like the "Sisterhood of the Traveling Stamp," jokes Trina Lopez. "You never know where you'll go, but you know you'll have fun."

That's the thing that Ritzman loves most. "You get to have a fun, relaxing time together. If you're not friends to start, you will be soon. You will find people to share your life."
It can be "completely addicting," warns Sharon Maxwell, of Marshall, Minn., with a grin. "Maybe we need a Stampers Anonymous." On the other hand, she says, "I love it. It's a great way to spend time with your best friends, doing something you can all enjoy."

The theme does say it all, adds her friend, Carol Jones, Oreana, Ill. "It's so rewarding to see someone's eyes light up because of something they've made. You both feed good. It's inspiring. It's creative. And it's just plain fun."

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

A fabulous gift from a fabulous friend!


Hello Friends,

Most of you know that not only am I a Demonstrator for Stampin' Up!, I work at the home office too as a Service Account Manager (SAM). This is an awesome job and the best thing for me is the friendships which are formed from this job.

One of the very most talented and creative demonstrators I know is Kimberly Van Diepen of Colorado Springs, CO who just so happens to be one of my SAMee's. Through this relationship, we have become very good friends. Kimberly was appointed to the 'highest' of all honors within the Stampin' Up! world and that is to serve on the Advisory Board. What an accomplishment.

Kimberly very kindly made me the cutest gift and gave it to me personally at our annual convention. The cover is shown above and here are the inside pages. It is absolutely adorably stunning!





I could barely wait to see Kimberly at convention this year. I met her, along with a bunch of other great friends and we went to Red Rock for dinner. They were all stunned by my shoes. Don't ask how many pairs I have? :)


To see how Kimberly made the cute cute project, visit her blog by clicking HERE!
Have a fabulous day!

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Oh my stars - EXCITING news!



Hello Friends,

I have some very exciting news to share with you today. Here it is :

Celebrating Maxine

August 13, 2009


"We don't often talk about the accomplishments of Stampin' Up! employees who are also demonstrators, but this case is special. Max (Maxine) Conrad is a Stampin' Up! demonstrator who also works as a service account manager in Demonstrator Support. Although employees are not eligible to win the Founder's Circle or Demonstrator of the Year awards, Max's achievements would have placed her in the top 100 Demonstrators of the Year! We are excited about her accomplishment and congratulate her for this success!" (Pictured above is the Stampin' Up! building where I work as a Service Account Manager (SAM).

This is so wonderful. I am so happy Stampin' Up! (whoever it was:) decided to post this as a current update. I am so thrilled that my downline, Edie Bunting is a RISING STAR. I have so many friends in the 'Stampin' Up! world (Is there another one?) Whilst I won't be at Founders Circle in person, I will be there in spirit.

Are you a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator and a member of SCS? Check out all these fabulous well wishes by clicking here.

Would you like to be a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator? Contact me for more information. $85 to start up your business :)

Enjoy your day

Monday, August 10, 2009

The new look

Hi Friends,

Michelle Laycock (Laycock Designs) has done a wonderful job with my blog. I am loving the new look. The Thoroughly Modern DSP is my favorite and I am loving the new In Colors.

I really have to get better at blogging. I have lots of pictures and ideas to share. For today, I want to remind you that Stampin' Up! has a great 'Starter Kit' special. For just $85, you can join our family. Our Stamp to the MAX team is growing and I would love you to be a part of it.
Click here for more information. Already a Demonstrator? E-mail me for more information on joining a wonderful group for Demonstrators.

Enjoy your day!