Bridal Decorations Tomorrow

I have been busy crafting this week but haven't been able to post what I've worked on. Please check back in tomorrow for the decorations I've made for a Bridal Shower I'm hosting.  I've been too busy finishing them to take pictures and too busy trying to finish my last full week of work and Callie's swimming lessons to write about them!

I have to say that I've typically just used my Stampin' Up! supplies for card making and My Digital Studio for scrapbooking.  I don't really do 3D or home décor very often.  Maybe that is tied to having a toddler and not having the time to finish a project when a card is so quick!  When Jessica came into the craft cave, she identified her wedding colors as Blushing Bride, Night of Navy, and Basic Grey.  It's been a fun color palette to work with.  From invitations to thank you notes, I've been able to use current and retired supplies to make some cute projects (IMO).  I made bridal napkins, a Love Banner, name tags, advice cards in MDS, and a welcome sign in MDS as well. 

At least now I can focus on baking two more kinds of breakfast breads and making fruit kabobs, once I finishing cleaning the house that is!  Anyone seen Conlyn?  Oh yeah, he's at the Boise Open..... ;)  That's why I haven't felt bad spending his hard earned money on this shower.  :)

I hope when you see them all, you think they are cute as well!

Have a craftastic day,
Stacy

It's Digital Tuesday - July 23rd, 2013

It's digital Tuesday and that means Stampin' Up! has released the next round of downloads.  I realize that with my Convention prep, I missed the downloads from last week so I'm including those too!

Before I get into the downloads, I wanted to thank those that were able to attend my first ever MDS Basics class yesterday.  I'm glad you could hear me over Callie's participation.  :) My Digital Studio is an amazing product and does not require you to be technically minded to use it.  Those taking my classes receive access into a Facebook forum to share questions and ideas and offer encouragement about the software (and share photos of your cute families and projects!)  The basics classes are always free and can be scheduled according to your availability.  Please contact me today if you would like to walk through it using the FREE TRIAL. 

I will be having an advanced class on September 9th at 3-5pm that covers converting templates, calendars, and free form tools.  To do the advanced class, you must have the basics class so you know the basics!

Many ask me why I prefer MDS for scrapbooking.  The answer is simple: it's quick!  When we went to Arizona this past March, I was able to scrapbook my vacation while on my vacation and didn't have to worry about the TSA confiscating my supplies since all I needed was a laptop. Stampin' Up! has amazing print services that are now cost competitive and the books and cards I've printed through them have be professional and timely!

As a mom to a busy toddler, it also allows me to open up a page, throw a Callie quote on it and plug in the photo I know I just took before the memory and moment are gone.  Through templates and the content in the original download, you can quickly complete entire scrapbooks in record time and use the software to do your photo editing like cropping, removing red eye, or changing the tone on your pictures to black/white or sepia.  And you can either do it free for 30 days OR you can just buy the software for only $19.95.

Have I sold you on it yet?  I'll let the beautiful artwork from the design team close the deal.

 

July 23, 2013

 

Hello, Lovely Stamp Brush Set - 134852 - $5.95

Party Premiere Ensemble - 134762 - $19.95

 

 Post Card Stamp Brush - 134803 - $2.95

 Rise & Shine Pocket Cards - 134841 - $5.95

 Soho Subway Designer Series Paper - 134845 - $4.95

World Map Stamp Brush - 134802 - $2.95

7/16/2013

 

Birthday Basics Designer Series Paper - 134847 - $4.95

Birthday Cake Stamp Brush - 134851 - $2.95

 

Cycle Celebration Stamp Brush Set - 134850 - $3.95

 

 

Eastern Elegance Designer Series Paper - 134846 - $4.95

 

 

 Lots Of Thanks Stamp Brush Set - 134804 - $5.95

Yippee Skippee Stamp Brush Set - 134856  - $3.95

 

 

 

I hope you see something you like.  I am grabbing Yippee Skippee so I can have that happy sentiments for my Walla Walla pictures and the pocket cards for my new divided paper protectors from the Seasonal mini so I can scrapbook this weekend's outdoor movie with the family!

 

My Digital Studio makes it easy to get inspired and to enjoy the art of scrapbooking!

 

Have a craftastic day,

Stacy

 

Convention 2013 Wrap Up

We are back from Convention and once I convince Callie I'm not leaving her again, I might actually separate her from my hip and get my goodies put away in my craft room.

We got amazing gifts this year.  Our bags were the best I can remember in 9 years being a demo.  Mine is already filthy, the downside of a white bag, but we'll see if Mr. Clean's special sponge will help that!  I love the my sister and my mom are both demonstrators and that I get to share this experience each year with them as our annual girl trip!

We also got more giveaways than any year before.  I ended coming home with 7 stamp sets, a stamp to design myself, a goodie bag kit, a pack of Winter Designer Paper, silver taffeta ribbon, both sets of washi tape from the Seasonal Catalog, and the May Paper Pumpkin kit that was the mini book that I fell in love with and was so sad to have missed out on!!!

While I loved the free stuff and all the surprises, I have to say that the on stage demonstrations were fantastic this year and the samples were much more my style than years prior.  I felt truly inspired as these amazing women demonstrated for us!  As for classes, I also left all three of my classes feeling like I learned something I can immediately put into play for my business.  The classes were "Turning Contacts into Customers", "Teaching MDS", and "Living the Creative Life."  Emily, Kimberly, and Carrie did such a good job with these topics!!!

There appeared to be two themes at Convention.  One was Be the Difference and there was a real focus on how Stampin' Up! is able to reach out in the community and make a difference.  The other theme seemed to be Innovation and what the company will be doing to try new items and reach new customers.  This is what brings us product lines to try out, great promotions, and changes like the Color Refresh.  Some are afraid of change but I think it helps us make sure that we have products for you to fall in love with like we do.

There are several new products coming out of Convention.

 

Starting August 1st, you can order the Thinlits Card Dies.  These framelits work with the big shot and create both the pull out from the image above but also the words and embellishments unlike any of our current framelits. 

 

 

For the artist in all of us, Stampin' Up! has introduced a new line called Undefined.  These stamps need to come to life by your hand.  You get tools, rubber, and wood blocks to sketch and carve the stamps that you have been missing from your collection.  I cannot wait for this product to get into my hands and am stalking my email for the UPS notification saying they are on their way.  This product may not be for everyone but for those that know they are artistic or just need to realize they are artistic, this product line could be the best thing for you since dimensionals!!!

Through August 31st, you can sign up for Paper Pumpkin and receive the first two months for only $10 each!  Usually the kits run $19.95 per month.  You will receive a kit that is designed to give you a 30 minute escape from the world and a way to create cards or 3D items that are on trend.  Kits usually include 4 cards or a 3D item, 2-4 stamps, and 1-2 ink spots.  You just have to provide the adhesive.  If you would like to try out this product offering, click the header above.  When you sign up, click Add Promo Code and enter PUMPKINDEAL.

Another perk of Paper Pumpkin is joining my Pumpkin Princesses.  Once you have 3 kits under your belt, you qualify for this free event as a thank you!  The next time you hit 3 kits, you win it again for that quarter.  The Princess Party is free and will involve projects using the supplies from the kits you received during that 3 month period.

Click here to sign up or email me with any questions you have! 

Tomorrow I will be posting the newest digital downloads and some information on my digital classes.  I hope you are all well and had as good of a time over the last four days as I did!

Have a craftastic day,
Stacy
 
 
 

 

Chalk Talk Convention Swap

Taking a moment out of my last minute swap prep for Convention to post another of the general swaps that is complete for this week.

This card allows me to teach my customers how to do the chalkboard techique while using a few of my favorite products in the catalog like the magnetic platform and the Chalk Talk Bundle.  The bundle includes the stamp set and the framelits for 15% off! 

This card showcases how you can use the Big Shot in your paper crafting.  Embossing Folders & Framelits bring dimension and texture to cards with very little effort.  While not a glitter gal, I have to say that this card is made by having a small glitter brad right on the top!

Supplies:

• Cardstock: Real Red, Old Olive, Basic Black, Whisper White
• Ink: VersaMark, White Craft Ink
• Stamps: Chalk Talk
• Accessories: Big Shot, Magnetic Platform and Mats, Chalk Talk Framelits, Beautifully Baroque Embossing Folder, Hearts Framelits, Chalk Marker, Sponge, White Embossing Powder, Heat Gun, Powder Pal, Embossing Buddy, Glimmer Brads, Paper Piercing Tool & Mat, Dimensionals, and Adhesive

Craftastic Notes:

• If using framelits and embossing folders, make sure you do the framelit first.  Otherwise, the pressure of putting the cardstock through the Big Shot to cut it will flatten out your embossing.
• This card has a sneak peek of our Chalk Talk Marker available on August 1st!
• When doing the chalkboard technique, you use VersaMark and white embossing powder to do the saying but a sponge and White Craft ink around the Basic Black cardstock to make it look chalked.

Have a craftastic day,
Stacy

Convention Swaps - Pretty Pansies

It's Convention week!  I'm so excited because this is more than just a great Stampin' Up! event for me.  It's an annual trip I get to take with my mom and sister, who are both demonstrators, where we get to tap into every part of our creativity and we come back so energized though exhausted!

This year is the 25th Anniversary for Stampin' Up!  While the beauty of convention is that it's usually like clockwork for us (we know when to get up, where we sit, where we go on which days, etc.), this year they have changed the format up and so it's all going to be an adventure.  I have my water, apples, and energy bars - so I'm up for the challenge.

The challenge I haven't been so prepared for was getting my convention swaps done.  I thought I had great ideas and that I was done early and then I realized I only made like 50 general swap cards.  I mean, with SIX THOUSAND stampers in one space, I really only want to meet a fraction of them and get their great ideas????  So I'm back at the drawing board making more cute swaps while my husband plays single dad for the night.

I will be posting my projects this week that I'm swapping at convention.  These cards are ones that I did at my camp this weekend and will be doing again on August 3rd if anyone is interested in attending or getting a kit.

This card is for a swap group I'm in.   I love the new 2013-2015 In Colors.  All you have to do is look through a Pottery Barn catalog for color ideas for them which is how I landed on this combo.

 

Supplies:

• Cardstock: Crumb Cake, Pistachio Pudding Core'dinations, Very Vanilla
• Ink: Early Espresso
• Stamps: Dictionary, Really Good Greetings, Mosaic Madness
• Accessories: 3/4 Circle Punch, Pansy Punch, Hexagon Punch, Sponge, Basic Pearls, Dimensionals, Sanding Block, Adhesive

Craftastic Notes:

• The Pistachio Pudding flower is out of our Core'dinations paper.  You can crinkle it, sand it, and more to show the core on the inside.
• The stems are one of the strips from the Mosaic Madness stamp set.  I thought it added a little funky look to it.
• The Dictionary background stamp is a lot of fun to use. I have mine in clear mount but didn't mount it on a block.  Just cover it with ink and then lay your cardstock on it.  Tap with your fingers to get that sporatic wording all over the card.
• Use the hexagon punch to punch out the ends of the banner.  Mine was done with scissors since I hadn't heard that great tip yet.  If you use the hexagon, it works best on paper that is 1 1/4" wide or less.

Have a craftastic day,
Stacy

Free Project Kits when you join Stampin' Up!

From July 15 - August 31, 2013, any new recruits get to pick one of four project kits for free in addition to their starter kit when they join Stampin' Up!  Click here to view the flyer!  

Just a few notes about joining my Stampin' Up! team...

Obligations for an Independent Demonstrator:

• Pay the initial kit fee of $99 for $125 worth of merchandise - you choose what that $125 is so the kit is COMPLETELY CUSTOMIZABLE!
• Achieve $300 in sales each quarter (Jan-March, April-June, July-September, October-December).  There are big promotions each quarter like: Sale-a-Bration & new mini catalog in January/February, Retired List in May, New Catalog in June, and Seasonal Mini in August/September.
• When you sign up, you have until the end of the next quarter to meet your first minimum.
• If sign up between July 15th and August 31st, you receive a free creative kit from the Seasonal Catalog for free! 

Financial Perks:

• Instant Income - you receive 20% back on all orders placed with you.  If you are a hobby demonstrator in Idaho, you would basically have no shipping/tax plus 4% back.
• Your first order you receive 30% back.
• If your sales each month reach$ 400, you will receive 5% volume rebate back on that total.  Higher sales, higher volume rebates.
• Once your total sales reach $1000, you will promote to Sr. Associate.
• If you have $1500 in a quarter, you are eligible for Great Rewards.  Each dollar counts as a point and you can use them to redeem catalog and demonstrator merchandise.
• If you recruit others under you, you receive a percentage of their sales each month as well with your own qualifying sales.
• Stampin' Start - if you have $300 in sales for each of your first 3 months as a demonstrator, you receive 2 free stamp sets.  If you do that for 6 months, you get 4 free stamp sets.  For each recruit you have during the first 6 months, you also get a free stamp set.  Plus more!

Other perks include:

• Edibility to attend Regionals and Convention - this year is the 25th anniversary for SU! and it's going to be epic!
• Eligibility for incentive trips
• Pre-order and sneak peek opportunities
• Demonstrator only specials
• Demonstrator only Webinars and training on new products and promotions
• Stampin' Success - a bi-monthly magazine delivered to your door around the 15th of the month filled with ideas and business tips
• Inclusion in the Creatively Inspired meetings for free -- includes business discussions, training, make-n-takes, card swaps, and product challenges
• 50% camp fees for my buffets and camps
• Free attendance for my hostess appreciation event in November
• Access to all my instruction sheets for buffet and exclusive club projects

Some questions I have been asked:

Do I have to have classes?  No - you can use your demonstratorship to purchase your own materials at a discount.  If you purchase $300 a quarter by yourself, you wouldn't need another workshop.

Do I have to come up with all those ideas on my own?  No - you can leverage resources like Splitcoast Stampers, Stampin' Addicts, or the exclusive Stampin' Connection - an internet site just for demonstrators where ideas are shared across the world.  There is also an online site for My Digital Studio.  Plus you have access to all the Creatively Inspired demonstrators and their blogs. You can also use any of my instructions for projects you like.

What if I don't make my minimum by the end of the quarter? You will be notified by Stampin' Up! that you are in pending and you will have 1 more month to hit your minimum.  If you are unable to, you will go into inactive status and then you will keep everything from your kit but will not have access to demonstrator resources any more or financial benefits.

What if my customers are your customers?  I will continue to have my stamp classes and buffets.  If any customers are in clubs with me, they have to finish out the terms of their contracts.  Otherwise, you can have all orders from those individuals that they choose to place with you.

Am I responsible for providing catalogs to those customers?  You will receive catalogs with your kit but if you remain a demonstrator through the end of the year, you will need to send catalogs out to customers who you are taking orders from.  I will only send to those that are buying merchandise from me.

Contact me today if you have any questions - I would love to have you on my team!  If you are ready to sign up, click here and click the Join Now button.

Stay tuned for tomorrow when I start posting my week of Convention swaps!

Have a craftastic day,
Stacy

CAS(E)d this Sketch - #36

One thing I have wanted to do for some time on the creative front was participate in some of these great online sketch challenges that I've seen posted on other blogs I follow.  Now that I'm approaching the end of my corporate career, I have had time to scope them out and actually complete a few.  I can safely say that my brain is looking forward to this type of challenge over the system ones I've been faced with at work!  Though I may need to spend more time finding the right lighting for these types of photos....

This card is from the Case this Sketch blog.  See the sketch below.  Hopefully I didn't take too many liberties with the sketch since it's my first time! 

The beauty of these types of sketch challenges is that they can inspire you for the need you have at the moment.  I needed a baby card and have been dying to use Zoo Babies so this challenge was great timing for me. Plus I got to play with my magnetic platform again which is one of my favorite Stampin' Up! products ever.

Supplies:

• Paper: Whisper White, Early Espresso, Polka Dot Parade DSP
• Ink: Early Espresso, Marina Mist
• Stamps: Zoo Babies
• Accessories: Big Shot, Magnetic Platform & Cutting Mats, Square Framelits, 1 1/4 Circle Punch, Dauber, Neutrals Designer Button (retired), Dimensionals, Scissors, and Adhesive

Notes:

• The new magnetic platform and the square framelits make it easy to make these polaroid mats.
• The button has a small strip of DSP threaded through it to make it easier to combine the other colors in the cards with the buttons!
• I punched out a 1 1/4 circle from a post it note and covered the monkey.  Then I used the dauber to sponge around it.  It highlighted the monkey without me having to take time to cut it out which quickly seemed to be a bad idea.

Thank you so much for looking.  Have a craftastic day!

Stacy