Swaps Part I

Hello Friends,

One of the fabulous things about meeting up with other Demonstrators is 'swapping'.  At every event, you will see Demonstrators swapping their cards.  It is a fabulous way to gain ideas. Each Demonstrator makes a certain amount of cards and they come home with the same amount, only a variety!

Here are the cards we received last night.

We all voted for our favorite card.  We had 3 votes!
This card was voted the #1 swap of the night....and rightly so!  This is an easel card! Way to go Elisabeth :)

Here are the others :)

Vintage Vogue

This is a Sale-A-Bration Set.  Spend $50 and receive this or a choice of 3 more stamp sets, a punch, or a pack of 6x6 paper FREE !

Friend

Flowers - Wonderful Mother

Fox and Friends I

Fox and Friends II

Fox and Friends III

This is a cute cute slider card....so fun!

I can't wait to swap next month!

Check back tomorrow for part II of our swaps :)

Cindy's "ROCKSTARS" and Sheila's STAMP SQUAD Meeting

Hello Friends,

Just got home from a fabulous upline meeting.  Tonight was so awesome as I was able to relax and sit back and enjoy.  Normally at our Team Meetings, I plan them and am relieved when they go so well. We met at "Red Robin".  The Chicken Tortilla soup is amazing - without cheese and sour cream, of course :) We introduced ourselves and shared swaps ( check back tomorrow to see them !) I was asked to talk about 'Stampin' Connection', our new online community for Stampin' Up! Demonstrators and the DBWS (Demonstrator Business Web Site).  I am very passionate about both and it is easy to talk about things you love. 

Here are a few pictures taken at the event.  Big Kudos to Cindy Petersen and Sheila van Uitert for a fabulous meeting.

I had just told Cindy I was quitting my job and would no longer be her SAM (Service Account Manager)  Just Kidding :)

Cindy was excited to see her cute treat had chocolates inside :)

Sheila showing us some cute bookmarks one of our friends had made :)

*Fox and Friends Stamp Set*

Cindy inspired Sheila's creation for a WOW at Regionals in Phoenix.  This technique is "Faux Metal"

Paula brought along her swaps from Leadership - Totally Tess.

And LOOK !!! A beautiful quilted purse :)  Of course I had to show everyone mine :)

What a fabulous evening.  If you would like to join us at our next meeting and are interested in becoming a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator, call or e-mail for more information.

Check back tomorrow!  I will be posting the wonderful swaps from very talented gals :)

Purses and Shoes and Flowers! OH MY !

Happy Monday Friends!

For those of you are a friend of mine on Facebook or in 'real life', you will know my love for shoes and purses.  I had posted on Facebook how I wished I had learned to sew, as the big craze with Stampin' Up! Demonstrators and customers just now is making ANYTHING you can think of with the Big Shot and Dies.  A sewing machine is a plus.

Here are some pictures of what my dear friends have been making:

This cute purse and matching flower was made by a wonderful friend of mine, France Martin of Wyoming. As soon as I saw this on France's blog I just had to tell her how much I loved it.

Here is a close up of the flower.

This purse was made by Lisa Lange from Illinois.  She gave it to Patty Bennett at Leadership. Patty used it for her swaps.  What a great gift !!

Our Stampin' Up! Leadership Conference last year was in Orlando, Florida. A friend couldn't wait to take me into the BRIGHTON store. I had never been in the store before (and only afterwards found out we have one in SLC) and was eager to see what they had to offer. As soon as I walked in, there was a beautiful red leather purse looking right at me: "You know you want me!" It had my name all over it and I kinda gulped when I saw the price tag but I just knew I had to have it. I was told at the Cash Register that every year, I could take it into any Brighton store (this is when I found out we had one here in SLC) and have it cleaned and vacuumed! The purse is beautiful and the material inside the purse is fabulous with lots of organized pockets. This is where I met "Patty". I believe she loves purses as much as me.

Another of my fabulous friends, Christie Daugherty from Texas actually holds classes for her customers to make these kinda things. Here they are making the 'lovely' flowers.

Alas, Maxine Conrad cannot make anything that involves sewing. My Mom actually bought me a sewing machine and I looked at it like it was a Boeing 737!  How on earth could I use that? I didn't even use it. 
This is a little out of my league....but hey I am going to learn.  You bet I am!  I am going to have a purse in every color material with flowers to match. 

(Believe it or not, the only time I have ever been in a fabric store was in Cedar City.  We were having a Stampin' Retreat and Susan Adams, Cindy Petersen, Angi Holt , her friend and I, took a little trip to the fabric store.  Susan was making us a cushion and we had to choose the material.  NOW I felt like a fish out of water. I was like a kid "Are we done yet?" "Can we go now?"......I didn't even know what to do in a store like that :) I saw some beautiful projects!  I just wanted to buy them, not make them.

Anyways here we go!  Here is the purse I bought this weekend.  Did I need it? Absolutely NOT!  Did I want it?  ABSOLUTELY!!! 

Here are the shoes!

Check out the cute flowers

Here they are together!

I displayed it so nicely for my husband....right on the shelf in our family room

I actually took our family picture off the stand, put the purse there and waited for ..............................

NOT ANOTHER PURSE, MAX!!!!!!!!!

My purse cost wayyyyyyyyyyy more than the cute fabric ones.  I WILL make one and post it. I know I will get addicted to them and will have to have one in every color and size and pattern!  Oh how about the shoes to match?

Have a wonderful day!

Utah Divas International - Sketch Challenge

Hello Friends,

I have been so swamped just lately, I have not had the chance to take part in the Utah Divas International sketch challenges.  Each week, I do take a look at the creativity my friends came up with and I am often in awe at the beautiful creations.  Today was no exception.

This was the sketch our team was given for this weeks challenge.

This card was created by Jeannette Siciliani from California.  Jeannette and I became great friends 'online'. We belonged to a group for Stampin' Up! demonstrators.  I learned a lot in my 'early days' and Jeannette was my hero.  I looked up to her as the BEST SCRAPBOOKER in the world.  Soon we became great friends.  I roomed with Jeannette and Daisy Sparks, also from California for Convention 2005.  It was an absolute blast.  They have become two of my very special friends.

Jeannette's creation focuses on these beautiful flowers.  Do you realize that the only thing you need to create these flowers, apart from Card Stock of course, is the scallop punch? Punch the scallop out, and with a few twists, you have a flower that you can ink, watercolor or simply use as is.

Here's a closer look at the adorable flowers.

Take a look at what our Sketch Challenge Team came up by clicking here.
Don't miss Monday's post!  Hint: Those of you know me, know I LOVE purses. :) Subscribe to my blog so you can receive these posts into your inbox whenever I post.  All you need to do is type in your e-mail address!

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Have a great day!

Haitian Disaster Relief

Stampin′ Up! Demonstrators have a long history of making a difference in the lives of others--especially when disaster strikes and the need is greatest. So it was not surprising that so many demonstrators have contacted us in the past week asking what the plan is for helping to provide relief for those who continue to suffer from the effects of the earthquake that struck Haiti on January 12.



Here is the plan:


From now until February 28, 2010, $2 from every I {Heart} Hearts stamp set you buy will be donated to the American Red Cross’ Haiti Relief and Development Fund. The Red Cross is already well-established in Haiti, and this money will be used to provide immediate relief and long-term support through supplies, technical assistance and other support to help those in need.

I {Heart} Hearts – clear-mount (block D recommended) 118571 $18.95


I {Heart} Hearts – wood-mount 117010 $26.95

The beautiful card featured on my blog today was created by an amazing stamper and friend, Tiffany Bauer. 

Praying for the people in Haiti.

Have a wonderful day!

My Story :)

Hello Friends,

Many people ask me how I got involved with Stampin' Up!  I wanted to share my story with you.  I love to share this.

I was invited to a workshop in 2004. I had never heard of Stampin' Up! and being from England, I vowed when I moved to Utah, I would NEVER do anything crafty such as making my own jam, quilting or scrapbooking, A friend of mine was also invited and we decided to go only to support our mutual friend who was hosting the workshop.



I devised a plan. I asked, more like told my husband Lance, to call my cell phone at exactly 8pm which would give us an emergency excuse to leave the workshop. He did as he was told :) and at exactly 8pm the call came in. The call that would save me :) My friend and I excused ourselves and left. I ordered one stamp set as a courtesy to my friend who was hosting. On the way out, I looked at my friend and said "Do people really waste their money and time on this stuff (Okay I said crap!)


A few months later, I took the stamp set I ordered out of the bag and looked at it and wondered what on earth to do with it. All I saw was a mass of red rubber and wood blocks. I obviously left the workshop before the Demonstrator got to the part about mounting them. At this point I realized if I wanted to use the stamps, I would need some ink and paper. The total for my order was $170 - quite a bit for ink and paper. I then realized for a few more dollars, I could buy the starter kit. I called the Demonstrator from the workshop and told her I wanted to join and strictly for the starter kit. I had no intention of never ever having a workshop or selling.


When the order arrived, it sat in my living room for over a week before I even opened it. Eventually, I did and my friend suggested I hold an Open House. Not really wanting to, I decided to invite friends over to show them all this "stuff:" The event was successful and the rest is history. During the past 6 years, I have recruited a number of wonderful gals who have become great friends. Incidentally, the friend who went to the workshop with me was my very first recruit.


I have earned the incentive trip to Hawaii and the Southern Caribbean. I love Stampin' Up! so much, I decided to go to work at the fabulous facility in Riverton. I am currently a SAM (Service Account Manager) and LOVE being an Employee and a Demonstrator. As Employees, we know we cannot be in the Demonstrator of the Year category. Had I not been an employee, I would have been in the top 100 Demonstrators for 2009. All of this from signing up simply for the starter kit.

If you are interested in becoming a Demonstrator, contact me today for more information. 

Going Green - Contest

Happy Monday Friends!

Most of you know that I am the Manager of a fabulous online group for Stampin' Up! Demonstrators.  I would love you to join a contest. 


The "Going Green" Contest is being hosted by our one and only Diva Dude, Michael!

The Contest Rules:
Your full card must be monochromatic (nothing but shades and tones of green)
Cardstock, DSP and embellishments included. Please be sure to use only current products.
You may use any sentiment you wish.


These cards will be used for UDI purposes throughout the next year! For those US entries we ask with your submission; you also send a book of postage stamps! (also to be used for UDI purposes)


Your submissions must be postmarked no later than January 31st! Please write "UDI Going Green contest" on the envelope.


Once all the cards have arrived (hopefully, no later than February 6th) the voting polls will open!


That's right, all UDI members will have the opportunity to vote for the card they like the most. Voting will be open for one week! At that time the winner will be announced and the prize mailed!


The winner of the "Going Green" Card Contest will receive a package of Certainly Celery (8 1/2 x 11) cardstock, the Green Bead Duo and a roll of 1/4" Certainly Celery Grosgrain Ribbon!
To enter the contest....Please sign up in the Database on the UDI Yahoo Group Site!


All we need is your name for now and update the database when you mail your card!


This contest is open to EVERYONE. If you would like more information on joining our group, please e-mail Max at utahdivasinternational@gmail.com You do not have to be a member to join this contest but you will need to sign up by e-mailing Kellie at kellieanyn@msn.com


Please mail cards to:
Michael Paxton
1067 North Oak Drive
Bayfield, CO 81122


Questions: Please e-mail Michael at kellieanyn@msn.com and write UDI Going Green Contest in the subject line :)

Here is an example of a card Michael made using Always Artichoke, Mellow Moss, Green Galore and Certainly Celery.

If you would like more information about Utah Divas International, please contact me.
Good Luck :)

Sale-A-Bration & Occasions Mini On-Line NOW!

Happy New Year :)))))

I am so excited for this year.  Last year was a hard one for me with the passing of my dear Father, who happened to be not only a GREAT Father but a GREAT friend. 
I earned the Stampin' Up! incentive trip to the Southern Caribbean.  Lance and I went to Hawaii last year for my first ever incentive trip and it was his idea to invite my Mom this year.  What a fabulous thing to look forward to.

Exciting times with Stampin' Up!
Sale-A-Bration
Customers: Receive a free Sale-A-Bration product for every $50 purchase (before tax and shipping).

Hostesses: Receive a free Sale-A-Bration product for every $300 in workshop sales*, in addition to our regular hostess benefits.

Click here to open Sale-A-Bration Catalog

Click here to open the Occasions Mini Catalog

Click here to open the Definitely Decorative Insert

Please note product from these mini catalogs will be available beginning January 5th.

Call or e-mail me today if you would like your very own copy of these fabulous mini catalogs.

Have a wonderful day!

Christmas Festivites at Stampin' Up!

Hello Friends,

Hope you have had a fabulous weekend.  I didn't take part in the Utah Divas International Sketch Challenge this week but please check out the creations by the team by clicking here :)

Last Thursday, I had the opportunity to be part of the 'Stampin' Up! singers'.  Here is a picture of us singing to our co-workers. (I am on the front row on the left.)

You can hear a brief part of one of our songs by clicking here
Read more about our fun tradition by clicking here

Have a wonderful day :)

Pop Up Cake Die

Hello Friends,

I am so excited about the Big Shot Dies on sale.  I am offering 4 FREE classes in the New Year to anyone who purchases a Big Shot Machine through me.

You've heard of people popping out of cakes, but what if you could get a cake to pop out of your card? Now you can using the Three Tier Cake die! This die will make creating unique invitations and cards lots of fun.

Click here to see a video tutorial using our wonderful Pop Up Cake Die
Click here to learn more about the Big Shot.

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Have a wonderful day!