Early Results

With only a few days left to cast your vote for the stamp set you think I should select as my bonus for Sale-A-Bration sales, I thought I'd provide you with some early results. This tally includes the votes recently cast by my children who wanted a chance to voice their opinions.

With 50% of the votes, A Kind Word on page 57 is in the lead. A Best Kind of Friend (page 96) and Prehistoric Pals (page 72) each have 25% of the vote. Remember, anyone voting for the winning set will receive a handmade item from me featuring that particular set.

As a reminder, the stamp sets under consideration are:

• Best Kind of Friend, page 96
• Branch Out, page 100
• Fresh Cuts, page 92
• Garden Greetings, page 55
• Heard from the Heart, page 138
• A Kind Word, page 57
• Nature Silhouettes, page 102
• Prehistoric Pals, page 72
• Pretty Amazing, page 93
• Zoofari, page 67

Email your favorite choices to me at stampinfrog@yahoo.com

God Bless & Happy Stamping!

Stampin' Up! Regionals

My apologies for not posting prior to today, but between having wisdom teeth pulled, a nasty sore throat and preparations for Stampin' Up! Regionals, I sort of lost track of what I was doing and fell behind!

I'm home from Regionals and basking in the light of new ideas, inspiration, SWAPs, and projects. I was also the winner of a free stamp set! I have the pleasure of adding "Soft Summer" to my collection of stamps. I hope to highlight this fabulous set in upcoming workshops. It was great fun to spend the day just focusing on my Stampin' Up! business and sharing the experience with likeminded folks. The folks from the home office were so energetic and shared such wonderful ideas and information about upcoming promotions and products. I even got to chat with Shelli (co-founder and CEO) for a few brief minutes (which by the way, has my four year old green with envy!).

As soon as I have some photos downloaded, I will share with you all my treasures from the day.

Also, you'll see I've updated the tagline for my blog, crediting my daughter, Tessa. This is a phrase coined by Tessa in the midst of a difficult stamping project. After providing a bit of encouragement, she agreed to keep trying and said, "Do you know why I'll keep trying? Because Stampin' girls don't quit." So, that is our motto, Stampin' girls don't quit.

Please be sure to vote for your favorite stamp set that you'd like to see me receive for my SAB incentive.

I'm signing off for tonight, I hope to post more tomorrow. Until then, Happy Stamping and God Bless!

Charity

Still Deciding...

Don't forget to help me decide what stamp set I should select for my Sale-A-Bration bonus. Between now and April 24, 2009, submit your vote from the following sets. Highest number of votes is the stamp set I will get and everyone who cast a vote for the winning stamp set will receive a hand made card from me using that set.

Here are the stamp sets under consideration, page numbers refer to the 2009 Spring/Summer Catalog and Idea Book:

• Best Kind of Friend, page 96
• Branch Out, page100
• Fresh Cuts, page 92
• Garden Greetings, page 55
• Heard from the Heart, page 138
• A Kind Word, page 57
• Nature Sillouttes, page 102
• Prehistoric pals, page 72
• Pretty Amazing, page 93
• Zoofari, page 67

If you don't have the current catalog and idea book, you can view the stamp sets at my website, http://www.charityl.stampinup.net/ (you may have to follow the Shop Now button to browse the catalog but you don't have to make a purchase). Cast your vote by sending an email to stampinfrog@yahoo.com with "Pick My Stamp Set" in the subject line.

The Coordinating Birthday Cake

I thought that since I shared the train projects that stemmed from my son's 3rd birthday, I would train the great cake made by my friend, Shawna. I served as a sous chef on this endeavour, baking the cakes and adding inspiration.

Shawna makes great birthday cakes and we thought it was really fun that were able to coordinate the invitations, party favors and the cake. His invitations were made using the Circus Train Stamp set from Stampin' Up! which was retired a few years back. I had bought it in advance knowing my son would eventually be having a train party. We carried the theme of the train car with a giant cupcake throughout our party.

We took a similar approach with Shawna's son's first birthday this past October, only it was an airplane theme. We're considering combining our efforts and planning parties for people- invitations, cake, table decorations and party favors.

I'm off to work on a birthday card for my Pastor. He turns 60 tomorrow!

God Bless and Happy Stamping!

All Aboard!

Since the new Ocassions Catalog is now "live" on Stampin' Up!, I've decided to post my recent creations using the new Choo Choo and Right on Track sets from this catalog. I was inspired by my son's recent train themed party to create a scrapbook page, birthday card and party favor. Perfect items to help you get connected with family. I recently entered these items in a contest for demonstrators through Stampin' Up! If you would like detailed instructions for any of these items, please email me at stampinfrog@yahoo.com. I'll be glad to share!

To create these items, you will need the following:

Stamp Sets:

• Choo Choo (Occasions Mini)
• Fundamental Phrases
• Party Hearty
• Schoolbook Serif Alphabet

Stamp Pads:

• Bashful Blue Classic Stampin’ Pad
• Certainly Celery Classic Stampin’ Pad
• Tangerine Tango Classic Stampin’ Pad
• Pacific Point Classic Stampin’ Pad
• Real Red Classic Stampin’ Pad
• Basic Black Standard Cartridge
• Whisper White Craft Stamp Pad

Card Stock:

• Green Galore, 1 piece of 12"x12" and 3 pieces of 8-1/2"x11"
• Whisper White, 2 pieces of 8-1/2"x11"
• Pacific Point, 2 pieces of 8-1/2"x11"
• Tangerine Tango, 1 piece of 8-1/2"x11"

Accessories and Tools:

• Snail Adhesive
• Stampin’ Dimensionals
• Sponge Daubers
• 3/16" Corner Rounder
• Stampin’ Around Handle
• Stampin’ Around Wheel Guide
• Paper Snips
• Right On Track Stampin’ Around Wheel (Occasions Mini)
• Crystal Effects
• Dazzling Diamonds

Don't forget to help me decide which stamp set to get for my Sale-A-Bration incentive, see my April 4th, 2009 post for details!

God Bless & Happy Stamping!

Fun Decoder Card

One of my favorite parts about being a demonstrator is having access to lots of great ideas! Each month all demonstrators receive a great magazine with ideas for cards, promoting our business, etc. A few months ago, they featured a decoder card and I just had to try it. Here is the result:

• Cardstock: Whisper White, Bashful Blue, and Sahara Sand
• Designer Series Paper: Delicate Dots
• Ink: Bashful Blue Classic Stampin' Pad, Real Red Classic Stampin' Pad, Chocolate Chip Classic Stampin' Pad and Chocolate Chip Stampin' Write Marker.
• Stamp Sets: Best Wishes & More, Polka Dot Punches (Sale-A-Bration set)
• Accessories: Whisper White Ribbon, Hemp Twine
• Tools: Circle and Scallop Punch

The red cellophane is just the standard basket wrap from your local discount store.

Help Me Decide!

Those of you familiar with Stampin' Up! know all about Sale-A-Bration. We just completed this promotion and as a demonstrator, I am eligible to earn additional stamp sets based on my sales. Thanks to all my fabulous customers, I have over $600 in sales for this promotion and I have earned a free stamp set from the 2009 Spring/Summer Catalog and Idea Book. The value of the stamp set can not exceed $22.95. I've been browsing the catalog since the day I found out that I earned this set, trying to make my decision and I've decided that since all of you helped me get here, you can help me decide! Between now and April 24, 2009, submit your vote from the following sets. Highest number of votes is the stamp set I will get and everyone who cast a vote for the winning stamp set will receive a hand made card from me using that set.

Here are the stamp sets under consideration, page numbers refer to the 2009 Spring/Summer Catalog and Idea Book:

1. Best Kind of Friend, page 96
2. Branch Out, page100
3. Fresh Cuts, page 92
4. Garden Greetings, page 55
5. Heard from the Heart, page 138
6. A Kind Word, page 57
7. Nature Sillouttes, page 102
8. Prehistoric pals, page 72
9. Pretty Amazing, page 93
10. Zoofari, page 67

If you don't have the current catalog and idea book, you can view the stamp sets at my website, http://www.charityl.stampinup.net (you may have to follow the Shop Now button to browse the catalog but you don't have to make a purchase). Cast your vote by sending an email to stampinfrog@yahoo.com with "Pick My Stamp Set" in the subject line.

Altoid Mini Albums

So, I'm ready to share a project! For Christmas this past year, I made my father and father-in-law a mini photo album using empty Altoid containers. I also made one for my husband and using the same technique, I "published" the story I wrote for my daughter about her and her cat going to the zoo. The one shown in the pictures is my Dad's album. These albums were inspired by several similar items shown on http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/

As I promised in my first post, I plan to share news of upcoming events. On April 24, I will be holding a workshop in my home to make one of these cute little albums. The workshop fee is $10 and that includes all the materials necessary to make an album. The paper and materials will vary from that shown in the photo and you will have some options to choose from at the workshop. For more information, visit the Events section of my website, http://www.charityl.stampinup.net/.

Can't attend the workshop, but still want an email? For $10 + S&H, I can send you a kit that will include the instructions, paper, Altoid tin and miscellaneous embellishments necessary to complete the project. You can then add your own stamped images and photos to personalize your pages. I can accept paypal or checks/money orders. Just send me an email for more details!

Welcome!

So, this is my first ever post on my first blog. I'm pretty new to this, but I hope to post some projects and instructions in the very near future.

I recently became a Stampin' Up! ® and wanted a fun way to share news about my projects, events, ideas and new products. Please feel free to give me feedback.

Also, if you are interested in hearing more about Stampin' Up!, please let me know!