Convention Wrap-Up

I've been home from convention just under a week now. It was truly a wonderful and amazing experience. I'm so engergized with great new ideas for both projects and building my Stampin' Up! business. I'm absolutely inspired not only to craft but to put more energy into Stampin' Up! as a business so that I can be a better demonstrator and provide you with more resources.

I wasn't sure what to expect with my experience. I knew the Make and Takes would be great and the presentors would wow, but I was going in with roommates I found on Stampin' Connection (a demonstrator only bulletin board) so I had never met them in person before. Oh how God blessed me! I roomed with two wonderful ladies named Janet and Rose, both from California. Rose is a new mom (and just great at it) so she had her 6 month old son, Malachi, with her. What a joy to have a sweet baby boy to enjoy. It made me far less homesick to see his smiling face each day.




After we met up at the airport, we headed to our hotel, got checked in and then headed out to the convention center. There was a bit of thunder, lightening and rain but it didn't dampen our spirits. I was so excited to check in and get my bag full of goodies. Our convention bags included 3 stamp sets and a wheel, plus our convention literature and additional catalogs. I also got a pin that says, "My First Convention."



We were all starving but when we saw Momento Mall had no lines, hunger seemed to no longer matter. I made some great purchases, including a craft tote with matching laptop bag. This was a particularly special treat because my dear friend, Diana, gave me money to take with me to spend on me and me alone. YEA! I love the colors. I also picked up some cute reusable shopping bags. If you like these bags, you'll want to host a show in August. All hostesses with a minimum of $150 in sales will earn one of these bags. I only have a limited quanity so book your shows soon so you don't miss out.







The first night we had a Flower Power party full of great music and crazy flower power games. I dressed for the occasion in the costume that Tim found at the party supply store for $5. What a great husband to go out and find me a costume so I'd be eligible to win a prize. Of course, there were some costumes that far exceeded mine in creativity so no prize for me, but I still had fun.




The next three days were a whirlwind of classes, SWAPs, make and takes, demonstrations, and so much more. It was just simply amazing! On the final day, I was able to meet Shelli Gardner, CEO. I took some pictures, including the one I previously posted where Shelli was so generous as to hold a sign saying "Hi" to Tessa. She signed it and Tessa was so excited to get it.







Each general session, they had marches across the stage recognizing anniversaries, sales achievements, incentive trip winners and more. I was inspired to reach new heights in my Stampin' Up! career. Instead of passively wishing I could win an incentive trip, I've decided to actively seek it and make it my goal. The incentive trip for this year- Disneyworld. Those that meet sales and recruiting goals in 2010-2011 will be hanging with Mickey in 2012. I plan to be there.





Convention wrapped up with one final treat from Stampin' Up! - We were each given a package of Designer Series Paper, Cherry Cobbler Classic Stampin' Pad, Glitter and a new hostess stamp set from the Holiday Mini. I can't show a picture of these items until August 1 as they are part of the upcoming mini and demonstrators are asked not to post any images of new merchandise/stamp sets until the pre-order period begins. I know you will love them though and I'm looking forward to sharing them with you.

I'll be posting the Make and Take projects soon. Again, due to the restrictions regarding posting of images, some will not be posted until after August 1.

So, join me soon to see all my SWAPS and here more about convention. Next year, you'll want to be there too!

God Bless and Happy Stampin!
Charity



- Posted from my iPhone

SWAP 3 of 3

My third and final general card swap features Kimono Kids.  This is a set that purchased to go along with Tessa's birthday party.  We are planning a Japanese style tea party.  She wanted a tea party, I wanted Kimono Kids stamp set- compromise:  Japanese style tea party with Hello Kitty favors in the goodie bags.  She's a tough negotiator.

On to the SWAP, you will need:
Marina Mist, Peach Parfait, Crumb Cake, and Very Vanilla cardstock
Rich Razzleberry or Daffodil Delight cardstock, and 1/8" tafetta ribbon
Rich Razzeberry, Marina Mist, and Daffodil Delight (if using Daffodil Delight cardstock and ribbon) Classic Stampin'  Pads
Stazon Stampin' Pad
In Color Stampin' Write Markers
Texturz Square Lattice Embossing Folder and Big Shot
Blender Pens
Snail and Dimensionals

The only special technique for this card is using the blender pens to color the parasols.  I drew color from the stamp pad by pressing the stamp pad against the lid and used it for as my palette.  The flowers were colored by using the markers directly.  Other than that, it is just standard layering the pieces and standard stamping.

God Bless and Happy Stampin'
Charity

SWAP 2 of 3

This is my second SWAP, a 3x3 inch card featuring the Morning Cup stamp set.



You will also need:
Blushing Bride, Early Espresso, and Pear Pizzazz Cardstock
Early Espresso Classic Stampin Pad
Poppy Parade and Pear Pizzazz Stampin' Write Markers
1 3/4" Scallop Circle
1 3/8" Circle Punch

This card is pretty easy, stamp the image on the Blushing Bride card stock and then punch using the circle punch. After, punch a scallop circle from the Early Espresso and layer the two pieces together. I then colored the flowers on my tea cup with my markers.

I cut strips of Blushing Bride and adhere it to the Pear Pizzazz square and then added my stamped image with dimensionals.

I added the little tea bag and sentiment to finish it off. This is the design I will use for Tessa's birthday thank you notes.

You can take this up a notch by usin ribbon instead of paper.

God Bless and Happy Stampin'!
Charity

- Posted from my iPhone

Convention is almost over

Convention is coming to a close and although I've had a tremendously wonderful time, I have to admit I'm feeling a little homesick. This feeling was especially strong during this morning's General Session when Shelli was doing a product demo with her daughter Sara. I immediately thought of all my kids- Liam, Tessa, Phoebe, and Isabel. It seems like we are always crafting together. I especially thought of my biggest Stampin' fan, Tessa, and how much she wanted tocome here and meet Shelli.




After General Session and a class, I headed to lunch and saw that Shelli was doing photos with demonstrators so I got in line. While in line I made a sign that said, "Hi Tessa!" and held it up:




Shelli was even so generous to sign the sign for Tessa. And, she thought Tessa was very special and amazed that she is already a big stamper. She told me that Tessa and I might one day be on stage. Sounds like a plan to me!

God Bless and Happy Stampin'
Charity


- Posted from my iPhone

SWAP 1 of 3

As promised, I want to share the SWAPS I made to exchange here at convention. This is one of my general SWAPS. I alsoade some 3D items which I'll share later.





This card features the Because I Care Level 1 hostess set. I was inspired by the big bouquets you get wrapped in newsprint at the farmers market.

You will also need:
Whisper White, Concord Crush, and Crumb Cake card stocks
Newsprint Designer Series Paper
Basic Black and Perfect Plum Classic Stampin' Pads
Concord Crush and Old Olive Stampin' Write Markers
Old Olive Satin Ribbon
Adhesives and Dimensionals

I used a technique called thumping and another called masking. For my hydrangea image I first masked off the stem by putting tape right on my stamp and then inked up my flower part with Perfect Plum. Then I used the Concord Crush and randomly "thumped" areas of the flowers to highlight and add dimension. After, peel off the tape, ink the stem and stamp. Viola!

I also wanted texture, so my DSP is crumbled and the edges of my paper are torn and brushed with ink.

Still having a great tim at convention!

God Bless and Happy Stampin'
Charity

I Won A Prize!

I just won a prize at convention! Play Date Designer Series Paper!



Looks like I know what I might use for our July 30 open house. For more details on the Open House, email me at stampinfrog@yahoo.com



- Posted from my iPhone

Location:Salt Lake City, Utah

General Session is Starting

Disco music, swaps, giant rubber stamps on stage, and cheering when I entered- I'm in a stampers heaven!




- Posted from my iPhone

Location:Salt Lake City Utah

In Salt Lake Now

So, I've landed in Salt Lake City, checked into the hotel and hit the convention center. We were greeted with some thunder and lightening but that won't bring me down! I'm so excited!



Here is a photo of my convention bag:


I've already been swapping and sharing. Lots of great ideas!



- Posted from my iPhone

Leaving on a jet plane!

I'm on my way to convention in Salt Lake City, Utah. SWAPs are made (a few to be finished on the plane LOL), bags are packed, and I'm off to the airport! I can hardly believe it!


I will be sharing posts all week, including photos of the cards and 3D SWAPs I made.

I know it will be exciting and I'll have lots to share, stay tuned!

God Bless and Happy Stampin'
Charity


- Posted from my iPhone

Wedding Favors - Daffodil Delight

I wanted to quickly share the wedding favors I recently made for a friend's wedding. I've blurred their photo to respect their privacy.




This favor was made using the Fancy Favor die cut for the Big Shot. I cut them from Daffodil Delight. For the embellishment, I used retired Designer Series paper and retired Orchid Opulence. These are the colors the bride wanted. The pattern for this DSL is still available but in yellow and prams hues.

The design is simple- I layered coordinating solids with designer series paper. I tied my Daffodil Delight 1/8" Taffeta ribbon around the Very Vanilla cardstock. Before attaching to my favor bag, I added a photo. Using the photo viewer for our computer, my husband printed contact sheets giving me the perfect size.

Sorry for posting some retired items, bu I wanted to share my idea as it is great for showers, first birthday parties, weddings, anniversaries, etc.

Enjoy!

God Bless and Happy Stampin'
Charity


- Posted from my iPhone

Chipboard Memory Book

A few weeks back, my friend Diana shared a cute little album she was working on using chipboard and long legal size envelopes. She shared the link to the blog where she found the instructions, http://followingthepapertrail.blogspot.com, but I was unable to watch the video so I decided to recreate by sight only. I had some chipboard pieces which measured 5 3/4 x 14". I don't think this represents the size from the inspiration piece, but I made it work.

First, I measured to the center of the chipboard lengthwise. I then marked it on one inch on each side of center. I scored with my paper cutter to allow me to open and close my book.





Diana clued me into the fact that the designer series paper tends tear along fold if too tight so I decided to add chocolate chip cardstock to the spine of the book. Before I adhered the cardstock, I scored it in the same locations as the scores on the spine.




After applying the cardstock, I used my Pinking Hearts border punch on my Greenhouse Gala Designer Series Paper and then adhered it to the cover. I used more Greenhouse Gala and Very Vanilla for the inside. I also adhered a piece of retired Baja Breeze striped grosgrain to the covers to tie closed my book.





Using my Crop-a-dile I punched two holes in the top and bottom of the spine so I could feed two large jump rings to hold the pages.











My chipboard was larger than the inspiration piece so I could not use envelopes. Instead, I cut cardstock to 10x10 1/2 scored the long side at 5 and 10 inches. This allowed me to fold and adhere the small 1/2 flap to create a long tube. I folded it evenly in half to create pockets which each hold a 4 1/4 x 4 3/4 page for journaling and photos.

To embellish both the pages, inserts, and cover, I used Baja Breeze, Peach Parfait, Chocolate Chip, Crumb Cake, Whisper White, and more Greenhouse Gala Designer Series Papers. I also used Friends Never Fade and Teeny Tiny Wishes.























































Originally I considered using this for a convention memory book, but I think I will give it to my mother-in-law as a memory book for her mom. We lost Nana yesterday morning. She died peacefully in her sleep. To keep busy yesterday, I finished this book.

- Posted from my iPhones

Location:Port Angeles, WA, United States

Convention Countdown

In 20 days, I will be on my way to convention in Salt Lake City! Yahoo! I received my convention badge today. I think I will wear it every day.




God Bless and Happy Stampin'!
Charity

- Posted from my iPhone