Online Extravaganza is Here!!!

Stampin' Up is kicking off the holiday shopping season with their online extravaganza!  There are some great deals that you won't want to miss out on.  If you were thinking of placing an order, now's the time to do it and include some items at discounted prices.  Perfect for those crafters in your family you need gifts for!

Check out a list of the items and their discounted prices HERE.

When you are ready to start shopping, head over to MY STORE to start saving now!  The prices will be discounted once you enter them into your basket.

There are 2 items discounted ONLY for the first 24 hours, so hurry and take advantage of these items.  The Simply Scored and the Simply Pressed Cookie Stamps won't last long at these prices!!  Happy online shopping!

Minnie Mouse

I have been wanting to recreate my cards that I made on My Digital Studio using my paper supplies.  I finally had the chance and have to admit that I'm LOVING this card.  I've never really been a huge Minnie Mouse fan, but since my son has gotten into The Mickey Mouse Clubhouse I've grown to love all the characters.  Well, one of my close friends out in San Diego (miss you so much Jodi) has 2 daughters and loves everything to do with Mickey Mouse.  Her daughters' birthdays are coming up in December and I wanted to make something that they as well as their mom would appreciate.  I just love how this card turned out.  I wish I could take credit for the creation but I cased it from inpirationink.com.  She created a Mickey Mouse card so I changed the colors to make it a Minnie Mouse!  I'm very pleased with the bow which truly makes it Minnie Mouse!



Close up of the card

This card used the color combo of Rose Red, Daffodil Delight and Early Expresso.  I punched out Minnie using the 1 3/4'' Circle Punch and 1 3/8'' Circle Punch for the two ears.

I did heat embossing for the first time on this card too.  I have always seen cards and wanted to try it but just never had the tools or guts to try it.  So I made myself try it and have fallen in love with embossing.  I want to emboss everything now!  What a neat thing to add to your cards.  So the polka dot background and her bow are embossed using Stampin' Up's Heat Tool and White Embossing Powder.  (If you want to learn how to heat emboss contact me for a class!)  The Happy Birthday is taken from the Bring on the Cake stamp set and was stamped using Early Expresso ink pad.  I used Daffodil Delight cardstock and folded at different spots and popped them up using Stampin' Dimensionals.  This technique makes the paper look more like ribbon since I didn't have daffodil delight ribbon on hand.  After embossing the cardstock, I used the 1 3/8'' Square Punch to make the triangles.  I connected the bow to the ear with a Rose Red mini brad.

Being a Stampin' Up Demonstrator is Great!

I love being a Stampin' Up demonstrator.  There are so many great perks when you join.  Not only do you get 20% discount on every order you make, but you can also use the business as a tool to make a little extra cash if you wish.

What I absolutely love is our monthly demonstrator magazines that we receive.  There are SO many great ideas to help you grow your business and projects just to make as a crafter.  You cannot receive these unless you are a demonstrator.  I received this in the mail Friday and there is a flower box that I'm dying to make for some holiday gifts for family members.  I can access the supplies and directions needed to make this project on our demonstrator only website too.  So I have noted what I need and will be adding these supplies to my first demonstrator order in December.  Stay tuned for a future post once I have this project created.

The other thing that I just have to brag about being a Stampin' Up demonstrator is that we receive the catalogs at least a month in advance and then get to preorder the supplies from that catalog a month before it is released to customers.  That gives us the opportunity to create projects for workshops to increase sales for that catalog.  I just received my Occassions mini catalog that will begin in January and have to admit that I can't wait to preorder in December and start creating projects to share in January!  It will be hard not to share it before than but there are some great items you will just have to wait to see but it will be worth it!

Oh how I love the perks of being a Stampin' Up demonstrator!  Click on join me on the left to learn more and join my team!  I look forward to sharing my crafting love with you and having you apart of my growing business.

Happy Birthday!

I just wanted to dedicate this blog post to my husband (even though he never reads this blog!)  He is turning 28 today and I love it!  That just means he's getting one year closer to 30 when I can tease him like he's been teasing me for the last couple of months.  I love him to death and can't wait to spoil him tonight after work.  Here's the card I made for him that I slipped into his biology book so hopefully he sees it when he's in class to cheer him up just a little!  It's hard making cards for men sometimes when all you want to do is bling it out and make it fabulous like us girls!

Not sure why I can't flip this the right way through blogger because it's the right way on my computer.



Close up of the card

This card used color combo Night of Navy, Old Olive and Cajun Craze.  My husband is a HUGE Notre Dame fan so I tried to incorporate the green since that is his favorite color.  I used Builder Wheel Birthday and Candle Crazy using Old Olive ink pad.  The number stamp is from the Bring on the Cake stamp set using Old Olive ink pad.  I colored in the numbers 2 and 8 using my Cajun Craze Stampin' Write Marker.  I stamped the Birthday from the Bring on the Cake stamp set using my Craft White Ink pad.

Online Extravaganza!

I have some exciting news from Stampin' Up!

Starting next week, Monday November 21, Stampin' Up will be having their annual online sale to kick of the holiday shopping season.  This sale will run through Wednesday, November 30th.

What do you need to do?  Log onto my website at brittnysmith.stampinup.net on Monday to take advantage of great savings, like FREE digital downloads valued at $40 when you buy My Digital Studio Express, 60 percent off select Designer Fabrics, and 30 percent off an exclusive ribbon bundle!


In addition, there will be two items on sale for 24 hours only (November 21, 12:01 AM - 11:59 PM [MT])-so make sure you don't miss the first 24 hours of Online Extravaganza!

Email me with your email so I can send you an e-card as a reminder to check out my store starting Monday, November 21st!

Thank You Card

 This was a card I did at a previous workshop.  Something simple but it was a WOW card!  We used Cherry Cobbler and Wild Wasabi Stampin' Write Markers to color the stamp in the Just Believe set.  I love doing this technique because you can personal the stamp how you want it to look.  I stamped the happy birthday from the same set using Cherry Cobbler ink pad.  We also used Versamark to stamp the circle image from the Just Believe set onto the Early Expresso cardstock.  We tied a piece of Very Vanilla 1/4'' Grosgrain Ribbon around the White and Cherry Cobbler cardstock.  This was a simple but great card to demonstrate at my workshop to show the ladies how versatile and easy our supplies are to make a card.  I also wanted to demonstrate a card that they could use for any occasion.  All they would have to is change the saying.

I wanted to make a thank you card for the secretary at my new job for all of the help she gave me when I first started.  She was such a sweetheart introducing me to everyone and truly making me feel welcome to the building.  I decided to take that workshop card and add to it.  I used the same techniques from the above card.  I than punched the Whisper White cardstock using the Eyelet Border punch and layered it over the Cherry Cobbler cardstock.  I die cut Rose Red cardstock using the Beautiful Wings Embosslits Dies and the Sizzix Big Shot.  I adhered the butterflies onto the card using Stampin' Dimensionals to add depth to the card.  I stamped thank you from the Just Believe stamp set using the Cherry Cobbler ink pad.  Here's the outcome.

I also stamped the envelope with the circle stamp from the Just Believe set with Cherry Cobbler ink.  Added a little extra touch to the card that I loved.  Here's a picture of the envelope with the card.

This would be a great card to demonstrate in a workshop or class to show simple to a more complicated card.  I would also add heat embossing with the versamark circles as well as adding depth with the flowers by cutting out a second set to adhere on top of the flowers.  I'm hoping to do this in my beginners and intermediate classes starting next year!

My Digital Studio Cards

My sons birthday is coming up on Dec 2nd.  He has become obsessed with Mickey Mouse which isn't a bad thing in my opinion! ;)  So we are having a Mickey Mouse themed birthday party.  I wanted to create invitations around his theme.  I am going to create them using my paper supplies but I wanted to see what they looked like using My Digital Studio from Stampin' Up.  I figured doing it this way would make the process a lot easier because I would have already figured out the style of the card.  I also cased it from here.  It was so simple to create using My Digital Studio (MDS) is why I just absolutely love our software.  So here's the card.

Front 

Inside

I also wanted to try to make a Minnie Mouse version of this same card.  Again, it was so simple to create it with MDS.  Even though I'm not a pink person, I absolutely love this card.  I'm looking forward to making the cards that will be posted in a future post, so stay tuned!





First Card

I have been dying to make my first card using my starter kit since I received it last week.  Unfortunately with two small kids and Halloween, I didn't have time.  I finally took some time last night to make a birthday card for my sister-in-law.  Talk about waiting until the last minute since her birthday is Friday and it needs to be mailed to Bellingham, WA!  It was probably a good thing though because it got my butt in gear to do some crafting!

I have to admit that I am in love with this card.  I just love how it turned out and I pretty much made it from scratch.  I know there are probably thousands of cards out there that look very similar to mine but I just played around with my supplies to get it to look like this.  The reason I chose this design was because of the saying.  The cupcake and saying are from the Create a Cupcake set.  The saying says, "It's not about how many candles you blow out but how many cupcakes you get!"  Because of that I knew I wanted as many cupcakes that I could get on my card.  So with my design I could fit 3.

I chose the color combination of Tangerine Tango, Tempting Turquoise, and Old Olive from the Brights collection. I think the colors just look fabulous together and they pop really well on this card. I ran the tangerine tango cardstock through my Big Shot using the Square Lattice textured impressions embossing folders. I stamped the cupcakes with all three colors to mix and match. I punched out the cupcakes using the Cupcake Builder punch. I tied the Old Olive ribbon around the card front. I used Tempting Turquoise designer series paper to mount the cupcakes on and popped the middle cupcake up with Stampin' Dimensionals.  Here's a close up of the cupcakes.

The best thing about this card is that it was made only using supplies from my starter kit.  I was a demonstrator about a year ago and had to stop due to financial hardship with having a second child and husband getting out of the military.  Unfortunately, I wasn't able to make it work.  Needless to say, I have a bunch of other Stampin' Up supplies.  But I wanted to show that you can make gorgeous cards by only using what's given to you when you Join My Team!  It's a great time to join but only until Friday because you can receive a FREE Big Shot or $100 in FREE merchandise.  Check out that promotion here.

I will keep this card in my arsenal of designs to use again because I love it so much, plus it's very easy to recreate.  The next time I will use embossing powder on the icing of the cupcake to make that pop a little more!  Just a suggestion if anyone tries this card.

Shop with Me!

I just had to write a big THANK YOU to my upline Jen for providing me with the adorable shopping cart badge on my right hand side.  I have seen this on a few blogs and searched and searched for it, but could never find it.  She happened to have it and was kind enough to send me the link for my blog.  She also got it from a very kind person's blog Debbi's Designs.  Not sure what her blog link is but do a search since she's the creator.  I also want to send you to my upline's blog since she's the best!  Check her work out at Stamp with Jeni.  Being a demonstrator is the best because we all have each other's backs and are willing to help each other's business grow!  I love Stampin' Up!!

FREE Downloads

I hope everyone got their FREE downloads from My Digital Studio for National Digital Srapbooking Day!  I just downloaded mine and look forward to creating some projects with them.  Please share any pictures or blog posts for your creations with the new FREE downloads.

Blog Header

Check out my new header and let me know what you think.  It was created solely using My Digital Studio from Stampin' Up.  I love this software!

Blog Signature

I have been using my Sunday to learn how to edit my blog a little more.  I have been meaning to personalize my blog more and more.  I ordered My Digital Studio and realized how much I can do with this software.  I have been very happy I added it to my starter kit.  It's great!!  The first thing to note about my new blog is my signature at the end of each post from now on.  I hope you like it.  It was created all through My Digital Studio.  Leave a comment to let me know what you think.  Stay tuned for my new blog header to come shortly (at least I hope!)

Monthly Projects

I updated my sidebar with the monthly projects and promotions for November.  When you click on the projects you will be taken to the site to see the supplies needed to make the project.  The promotions will take you directly to my demonstrator site.  Just wanted everyone to know.  Happy crafting!

Starter Kit

I received my starter kit yesterday!  Unfortunately with it being Halloween and having 2 small boys to go trick-or-treating with, I did not have time to do anything with it but take the supplies out of the box.  I cannot wait to make my first project using my starter kit.  I took a picture of everything and will post a little later.  Stay tuned for my first project with my supplies!

Boom, Boom Ain't It Great to Be a Hostess!! Boom, Boom

This promotion made me think of that song.  A great time to host a workshop through me!  Check out the following flyer to see the benefits of hosting a workshop now until Dec. 15th!  Contact me immediately to set up your date.

Dates: November 1-December 15, 2011

Details

Hostesses will receive an additional $35 in free Stampin' Up! products when you hold a workshop totaling $350 or more (excluding tax and shipping)! This is in addition to all the other benefits you already get as a Stampin' Up! hostess.

Things to Remember
•Only customer, hostess, and workshop order types qualify for this promotion. Online orders do not qualify. Contact me if you'd like me to submit the order for you.
•Orders must be $350 or more to qualify.
•Orders larger than $350 are not eligible for additional hostess free merchandise dollars. For example, a $700 workshop does not receive $70 in additional dollars. All orders over $350 always receive $35 in additional free hostess dollars.
•Hostesses may use their additional $35 in free merchandise on any catalog/mini catalog products.

Women's Day Advertisement

Check out Women's Day magazine holiday supplement for a Stampin' Up advertisement in stores now.  In this advertisement Stampin' Up directs readers to a unique web address that contains instructions for making the Christmas Stocking project featured in the advertisement, along with a link to a special offer designed to help new customers connect with a demonstrator through online ordering. They have Christmas Keepsake Boxes (item#129024) left over from a previous recruiting promotion, and thought these would be perfect to help new customers get engaged in paper crafting in time for the holidays! While the Christmas Keepsake Box will be available to anyone from now until December 31, the offer is primarily designed as an incentive for new customers who respond to this advertisement.  Check out Women's Day magazine to see the ad and get the web address if you are a new customer!

Digital Scrapbooking Day

Details: Stampin' Up is hosting an online event to promote digital scrapbooking.  If you have My Digital Studio software than make sure to mark your calendars for this event.  There will be FREE never before seen downloads that you can add to your Studio software and new projects all weekend long.  You can access the free downloads on My Digital Studio November 4-7th after competing a brief survey.  This is an event you won't want to miss if you are a digital scrapbooker.  If you aren't, check it out and see if it's something you want to start.  My Digital Studio offers some great tools to create all sorts of projects.  You can order My Digital Studio from my website by clicking here.  I can't wait to see what Stampin' Up has to offer during this event!!

Coming Back Soon!

Hello to anyone who still reads this blog. I have not updated this blog since June of last year. Wow! I guess my main excuse is that I stopped being a Stampin' Up demonstrator. I just couldn't find the time with being pregnant than having a new born to host events than couldn't afford to buy the product on my own each quarter with 2 small kids under 2. But things have settled down in my life and I am looking into rejoining this month. I absolutely love crafting and want to get back into hosting Stampin' Up events since I love their products and want to share my passion with others. So check back soon after I've rejoined with my first order and event. Thanks for following!!

Lots of Changes

I know I have been MIA recently, but I have had a lot of new life changes happen within the last month. I started a new job which meant that my son had to go to daycare, but nice thing is that I'm working in the same place so I can see him!! Going back to work has been a hard adjustment for all of us though. I seem to never have enough time to craft yet alone blog about it. I am starting to take my computer to work with me and doing some things during my lunch. So hopefully I will be back to posting soon.

The other big change is that we moved this past weekend. Another good reason I haven't had time to craft is packing, moving and now unpacking. I'm hoping to get my desk and supplies set up by this weekend so I have time to. I have so many ideas I want to work on. I keep itching to go home and do something but then I remember all the boxes that need to be unpacked first. I'm hoping we will be all settled in after this week and weekend. Keeping my fingers crossed that I will have something to post about next week.

So Many New Updates

There are so many new things going on this month. Please check out my sidebar for the new updates. I have changed the projects to June.

This is the month to order your last chance items that will be retiring to make room for the new catalog in July. Make sure to check out the lists of stamps, accessories and definitely decorative that will not be coming back. Please place your order ASAP since once they are gone, they are gone forever.

Also a very special promotion is going on to become a demonstrator for only $99. Check out the mini starter kit they are offering for new demonstrators. What a great time to Join My Team!!!

Please check out all the new stuff on my sidebar!!

Demonstrator Swaps

Every month demonstrators in my upline meet to talk business, swap cards and craft. We are meeting tomorrow night. This months theme for the swap is spring, summer or masculine. Since I have been working on my Father's day cards for troops event I decided to use one of those cards for the swap. It is very easy to make and I just love the way the cards turned out. Here's a close up picture and the total cards for the swap.


To make this card I ran blue cardstock through the Big Shot using the diamond texturz background #1. I thought this gave it a more masculine look to the shirt. I cut the blue at 1 inch to about the center on both sides then folded down so the points met in the middle to make the collar on the shirt. I used different colored DSP cut 4 in by 4 in to make the tie. I found a tutorial online that I followed to make the origami necktie. I used the happy father's day stamp from the Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp set to Versamark the saying onto the bottom right corner of the shirt. This is such an easy masculine card that any man would appreciate.

Summer Mini Video

If you have been paying attention, you already know that the summer mini catalog is available now. If you haven't seen the new products, click on the picture of the catalog to the left of my posts where you can download the catalog to see everything.

Stampin Up also produced a short clip featuring some of the products. Check out a few of the things you can order now from the summer mini catalog. After watching the video, click on over to begin shopping with me!



I will be featuring the build a wheel stamps that they showed in my upcoming workshop May 29th. Please leave a comment or contact me if you would like to attend. You will take home a scrapbook page along with the chance of a door prize! You will have so much fun getting to see and use the new summer mini products!!! Stay tuned for a sneak peak of the projects.

I love everything in this catalog and I know you will too!!

Stamping 411 Sketch Challege 149

I have a bunch of birthday cards that I need to mail out for the month of May. So this weekend I worked on these so they are ready when I need to mail them. The stamping 411 sketch for this weeks challenge worked perfectly for my cards.

Here's the sketch and my card.



As a demonstrator we are allowed to preorder out of the new catalog a month before the catalog is released. I ordered the new happy birthday build a wheel stamps that fit into the jumbo handle out of the Summer Mini Catalog that began yesterday and runs until August 31. I didn't have anything that I needed to make to allow me a chance to use these stamps until now. I ordered the candles and words that say "happy birthday to you." I thought I was going to be able to use both but with the size strip that I used, you couldn't tell what the words were. So, I stuck with the candles in the background. I will be featuring the new build a wheel stamps in my upcoming workshop May 29th.

To make this card, I ran the pink paper through the Big Shot using the dot texture backgrounds #1 plate. The stamps are the birthday cake from Fun & Fast Notes and "make a wish" from A Little Birthday Cheer set. I used the markers to color the cake in. Remember: You can place an order on my site 24/7.

This turned out to be a very simple sketch to make a lot of the same cards.

Let's Celebrate!!!

There are a lot of things happening today. First, Stampin' Up has released the summer mini catalog. There are a lot of great new products in this catalog. I am very excited about the build a wheel stamps. I am featuring these in my upcoming mini catalog release party May 29th. Download the catalog and save to your computer so you can look through it whenever you want.
This catalog runs from today May 1, 2010 until August 31, 2010.


This is considered my favorite month of the year! Not only is it my birthday month, but it's also considered National Scrapbooking Month!!!! Scrapbooking is the reason I started crafting. I love to scrapbook to have my memories for years to come. Stampin' Up is having a promotion to celebrate National Scrapbooking Month. I will definitely be taking advantage of the free designer brads you can order when you order a qualifying stamp set. Check out the flyer to see what stamp sets qualify for free brads when you place an order. Then come shopping on my site!!



Since a new month has started today, I changed the projects featured on the right side of my blog. When you click on the picture, a list of supplies will be shown where you can place your order from my site and receive everything you need to make. Check them out.

I will be featuring scrapbook pages this month to celebrate National Scrapbooking Month so stay tuned!!

Pat on My Back!!

As a demonstrator I am a part of two yahoo groups. One of the groups sends out a monthly newsletter talking about business and what not. It highlights sales and I was included for March sales!!! Here's part of the newsletter where you can see my sales compared to others. I did pretty good! Thank you to all my customers who had workshops and ordered from me. You are greatly appreciated. I'm praying I continue to be as successful in the upcoming months!

Top Sales
Congratulations to everyone for your sales for March!

I want to especially highlight the TOP TWENTY IN SALES for our UdderlyAwesome group! That is quite an accomplishment!

March Sales

Name and Sales
Patty Bennett $4,716.29
J Conrey $4,136.70
Michelle Halleen $3,701.45
Jami Carrera $3,364.25
Cathy Fluellen $3,157.75
Anamarie Palmerin $2,873.75
Lis Ljung $2,837.15
Rebecca Jung $2,639.55
Kari Lommen $2,634.15
Sue Kempter-Miller $2,385.15
Brittny Smith $2,316.35
Andrea Gideon $2,265.05
Sharon Moudry $2,117.30
Bethany Drew $2,036.49
Barbara Jackson $1,983.20
Linda Morris $1,947.60
Gayle Smith $1,851.55
Sheila Penaranda $1,721.30
Wanda Clasen $1,716.50
Arla DeLeon $1,716.47
Promotions

I am very excited to recognize those of you who have accomplished the work to promote to these titles!


March Promotions
Name and New Title
Tammera Richardson promoted to Senior Supervisor
Cathy Bartlett promoted to Senior Supervisor
Patricia Pobol promoted to Supervisor
Shelley Killgore promoted to Supervisor
Tamra Lewis promoted to Supervisor
Alicia Christian promoted to Supervisor
Heather Shore promoted to Supervisor
Stacy Carter promoted to Supervisor
Kelly Kobel promoted to Supervisor
Debra Barnes promoted to Supervisor
Shannon Hanabass promoted to Supervisor
Lynette Fulton promoted to Supervisor
Brittny Smith promoted to Senior Associate
Arla DeLeon promoted to Senior Associate
Tamura Oberkramer promoted to Senior Associate
Nicole Smith promoted to Senior Associate
Sabrina Dorazi promoted to Senior Associate
Cindy Ramirez promoted to Senior Associate
Tricia Flaig promoted to Senior Associate
Jennifer Brazell promoted to Senior Associate
Jessica McKinney promoted to Senior Associate
Jennifer Gill promoted to Senior Associate
Edna Parrott promoted to Senior Associate
Yolanda Sorenson promoted to Senior Associate
Katharine Homet promoted to Senior Associate
Leslie Wheeler promoted to Senior Associate
Irene Tolentino promoted to Senior Associate
Lynn Schwigen promoted to Senior Associate
All Sales over $1000

Hitting $1000 in one month is a big deal and I congratulate all of you for hitting this goal!

March
Name and Sales
Patty Bennett $4,716.29
J Conrey $4,136.70
Michelle Halleen $3,701.45
Jami Carrera $3,364.25
Cathy Fluellen $3,157.75
Anamarie Palmerin $2,873.75
Lis Ljung $2,837.15
Rebecca Jung $2,639.55
Kari Lommen $2,634.15
Sue Kempter-Miller $2,385.15
Brittny Smith $2,316.35
Andrea Gideon $2,265.05
Sharon Moudry $2,117.30
Bethany Drew $2,036.49
Barbara Jackson $1,983.20
Linda Morris $1,947.60
Gayle Smith $1,851.55
Sheila Penaranda $1,721.30
Wanda Clasen $1,716.50
Arla DeLeon $1,716.47
Chris Gallacher $1,706.50
Wendy Randall $1,689.05
Maureen Donnan $1,674.25
Susan Hokanson $1,653.60
Linda Jensen $1,641.20
Judy Meli $1,634.70
Glad Baquet $1,633.08
Elyse Foley $1,625.85
Chris McKnight $1,616.00
Evelyn Norris $1,565.30
Tammera Richardson $1,557.50
Shelly Peck $1,546.05
Lori Virgil $1,535.50
Patricia Pobol $1,525.75
Sharon Field $1,525.40
Delfina Andersen $1,524.10
Kathy Pardee $1,514.40
Carolyn Cadet $1,488.00
Anne Heard $1,479.45
Carol Conner $1,470.72
Dawn Naritoku $1,460.40
Reiko Sakata $1,422.35
Nancy Gabbert $1,418.80
Cecile Smith $1,385.55
Martha Ruiz $1,380.05
Jessica Bain $1,378.10
Shelly Whelen $1,353.00
Peggy Campbell $1,335.25
Tomi-Lynn White $1,303.50
Shelley Killgore $1,294.90
Carole Fowler $1,293.49
Monika Davis $1,279.89
Deandrea Hunt $1,263.30
Sharon Torcivia $1,255.20
Michelle Webster $1,251.65
Pearl Robb $1,248.40
Melissa Hackman $1,248.10
Janet Stockmann $1,242.80
Theresa Crull $1,240.05
Kathy Thorn $1,237.50
Chastity Thompson $1,232.55
Janet Higerd $1,229.60
Marcella Lau $1,211.05
Jane Rappleyea $1,206.20
Linda Howard $1,202.15
Cindy Stephens $1,199.20
Lynda K Glassmoyer $1,198.80
Michele M Smith $1,171.70
Cindi Thurmond $1,169.24
Chiaki Haverstick $1,158.55
Julie Collins $1,154.55
Belinda Johnson $1,151.70
Robin Messenheimer $1,148.70
Aimee Gandara $1,142.60
Shirley Griffith $1,141.90
Jennifer Yep $1,127.15
Barbara Thompson $1,124.20
Billie Ryum $1,123.35
Shari Albrecht $1,118.99
Adriana Retzlaff $1,114.60
Mercedes Person $1,087.25
Cynthia Wilkinson $1,083.40
Richard Garay $1,083.10
Janet White $1,066.20
Linda Isherwood $1,064.80
Tiffany Thorpe $1,063.75
Laurie Conners $1,057.30
Debra Forney $1,046.00
Katherine Hill $1,037.65
Charlene Leasor $1,033.15
Donna Matoi $1,030.05
Grace Lee-Navarrete $1,029.75
Antonia Gomez Hernandez $1,025.55
Karen Anderson $1,021.40
Sharon Meyer $1,012.49
Tamra Lewis $1,009.70
Suzan Meaux $1,005.30
Kathleen Hazen $1,003.21

Only 3 More Days Left

The Occasions Mini Catalog is coming to an end on April 30th. That means you have only today, tomorrow and Friday to order what you want before these items are no longer available. But, the GOOD news is that the following products will continue to be available for purchase after April 30th through June 31st....how EXCITING is that!?!?! Then on July 1 we will see which of items made it into the new 2010-2011 Catalog and Idea Book! So if you have favorites or something you want before it's too late, stop on by my website and get shopping!!


Carryover Items from Occasions Mini 2010

Item # Description Price
116519 Charming stamp set $19.95
117690 Vintage Vogue WM $23.95
118598 Vintage Vogue CM $17.95
118882 Vague vinatge WM $23.95
119109 Vague vinatge CM $17.95
118091 Tiny Tags WM $22.95
118592 Tiny Tags CM $16.95
117535 DE F IS FOR FOX CHOCOLATE $4.95
117536 DE G IS FOR GIRAFFE CHOC $4.95
117529 DE "IS FOR" BLACK $4.95
117541 DE L IS FOR LION CHOCOLATE $4.95
117542 DE M IS FOR MONKEY CHOC $4.95
117544 DE O IS FOR OWL CHOCOLATE $4.95
117528 DE SCALLOP FRAME BLACK $6.95
117549 DE T IS FOR TURTLE CHOCOLATE $4.95
117552 DE W IS FOR WHALE CHOCOLATE $4.95
118139 FOLK FLOWERS Stencil* $12.95
117597 PAISLEY PATTERNS Stencil* $14.95
118072 PINKING HEARTS Corner Punch $9.95
118870 SCALLOP TRIM Corner Punch $9.95
117191 LG 2 STEP BIRD Punch $15.95
118073 LG FANCY FLOWER Punch $15.95
117649 PINKING HEARTS Border Punch $15.95
117190 MED JEWELRY TAG Punch $10.95
117193 SMALL HEART Punch $5.95
117310 BIGZ L MINI MILK CARTON $32.95
118138 BEAUTIFUL WINGS Embosslit $11.95
117332 SCALLOPED HEART OF HEARTS Embosslit $11.95
117335 PERFECT POLKA DOTS Folder $7.95
116772 RECIPES BY DESIGN Kit* $24.95
120435 HEART TREAT CUPS $2.95

Upcoming Workshop

I have been receiving a lot of interested members for my Meetup group. We are going to meet and craft next Friday and Saturday. I offered 2 days since I know people have to work and wanted to give everyone a chance to come. So this week I worked on the 2 cards we are going to make. I have to say that I am VERY happy with the two cards that I created. I can't say that they are my original designs but did tweak them to match what I wanted. My first card I cased from the March Stampin' Success magazine. As a demonstrator, you receive a monthly idea magazine that talks about the business and has some great ideas to demonstrate with. Another great reason to become a demonstrator. You can always join my team where this month you will receive some helpful DVDs to help start you on the right track for your business. Click on the join my team link if you are interested in learning more.

Now onto the cards.

The second card I got the idea from BJ Peters using the Top Note Sizzix Die. She created a flower 3D box, so I used the idea to make it on a card. Again, I am very happy with the way this card turned out.

These two cards have been my favorite that I have created since becoming a demonstrator in February. I am really looking forward to demonstrating these examples at the Meetup because I am very proud of them! I also hoping they inspire some people to place orders (maybe for the Big Shot especially!!) I will update everyone next weekend how both Meetups go!

Meetup Group

Well, I went ahead and started a meetup group. If you have ever heard of meetup.com it's a great site to find others with the same hobbies and interests as you. I have used this site to find other stay at home moms who like to get out of the house with their children. I have met some great friends from this.

So I decided to make one to promote Stampin' Up and my business. I'm hoping to find a bunch of new friends who love to craft. Maybe, just maybe, they will become life-long customers or even better some recruits. I just started this today so I will update with how many members next week. My first meetup is planned for April 30th. Check back then to see how that went as well.

If you live in the San Diego area and would be interested in attending our meetups, click on the badge and join our group!! We always need more creative minds!

Stamping 411 Challenge and Demo Swap

I created this card for two reasons. One is apart of the Stampin 411 Saturday challenge and the other is for a demonstrator meeting swap. If you click on the link, you can see the sketch that I used to make this card. I scored the blue paper using my paper cutter to make the checkered background. I border punched the yellow paper. I used one of the stamps from the Flower for All Seasons set. It's a great set with four different flower pots. I used the earth elements crayons and blender pens to color in most of the stamp. I used the colored pencils and blender pens for the tulips. I stamped happy mother's day with versamark then used my stampin' pastels to add a little color. I am very happy how this card came out. It's inspired me to make a flower pot card for Mother's Day to send to my mom and mother-in-law. Check back this week for pictures of my version of a flower pot card.

My demonstrator meeting is tomorrow night so check back for the cards I get from the swap. There are always great cards from the other demonstrators.

Here are the supplies and directions I used to make this card:

• Bordering Blue 8 1/2 by 11 paper cut at 5 1/2 then folded at 4 1/4.
• So Saffron paper cut 4 by 2 1/4 then punched with Eyelet Border Punch.
• Sage Shadow paper cut 1 3/4 by 2.
• Flower for All Seasons stamp set stamped onto Whisper White paper cut into 1 1/2 by 1 3/4.
• Using Earth Elements Watercolor Wonder Crayons, Watercolor Pencils and Blender Pens, color flower pot
• Chocolate Chip Taffeta Ribbon cut 2 3/4 then wrap and glue onto back of So Saffron.
• Stamp happy mother's day from the Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp set with Versamark then using Stampin' Pastels, rub Sage Shadow over happy mother's day to add color to stamp.
• Glue So Saffron onto Bordering Blue

Thank you for looking and reading!

The Big Shot is the Best!!!

I have been a scrapbooker for the past 3 years. I have used lots of tools to help with this hobby. I find myself using one tool over and over again. That's the Big Shot!!

The best thing is that Stampin' Up! offers the machine and lots of die cuts exclusively for Stampin' Up!

As a scrapbooker, I love to journal the story behind the pictures. I'm always looking for cute ways for journaling blocks. I own the scallop square clear bigz die.

I knew this would be a good one to use for all of my crafting. I thought I could use it for journaling but the page I was working on required more space for me to write. I knew that I wanted to use this so I put my brain to work. I cut out two squares and figured out I can put them together to make a bigger journaling block and still make it look cute. It was the easiest thing for me to do too. The machine does all the work for you! Here's a picture of my creation and journaling block.You can't even tell I put two squares together either. I know that the machine might be a little pricey for you but it truly is a great investment for all types of crafters. You can do sooo many things with the machine so it's worth the price. I particularly love what I have been seeing from other demonstrators with this die cut. If you are a sewer and would love to make your own purse take a look at these. These were created by Lisa Freeman.

The flower featured is another die cut that Stampin' Up! offers. It's called Flower Folds Bigz XL Die. You build the flower after cutting it out. The machine can cut through all different types of material so it's definitely worth buying. I have used lots of different tools for crafting and can truly say that this is my ultimate favorite. It has paid for itself with how much I use it!

If you would like to buy the Big Shot, please go here to purchase it. I would love to show you all the different things you can do with this during a workshop. If you would like me to demonstrate for you, contact me with your information. There are so many possibilities with the Big Shot and that's why I love it!!!!

Stampin' Up! Big Changes

A few days ago, Stampin' Up! informed us demonstrators that they are introducing a color renovation for the new catalog coming out in July! At first I was shocked because I just signed up in February and wasn't expecting such a big change. Then I thought this is the perfect time for them to do this for me since I haven't invested a bunch of money like a lot of the other demonstrators out there. I can now use my rewards from workshops to stock up on colors that I know will be around for awhile. I don't think they are going to be changing the colors like this anytime soon. I am definitely looking forward to these new colors. It is going to make being a customer a lot easier because there aren't as many colors to buy so you can invest in more stamps and accessories. They are also introducing a starter kit of cardstock that will combine colors from all of the collections for beginning stampers. This is something that a lot of my new customers kept asking me for. Stampin' Up! has done the work for us now!!! The other neat thing about this change is that the In Colors are going to be around for 2 years rather than 1. That will make investing in those colors even more realistic to do. I could go on and on about all of the positives to this change but why not see the changes for yourself. Here is the new color collections that Stampin' Up! is introducing.

REMEMBER: this doesn't take affect until July when the new catalog comes out.
So take a look at the colors leaving us.

Make sure you stock up on the colors that you love to use on your projects. As of July these colors will not be produced anymore so you want to make sure you have enough of your favorites so you don't run out in the middle of your projects. Start going through your colors now while there is plenty of time to order so you don't miss your chance to have your favorite colors.

My New Sidebar Buttons

I have added lots of new buttons to the side of my blog. There are links to all of the catalogs, promotions, March projects, and some other things that you need to check out!!! I am very happy with having these to help my customers have an easier way of navigating my blog for things they want. I really want to point out the clear block template button that was designed by LaycockDesigns. Here you can see the size of each of our clear mount blocks that you might need for all of your new clear mount stamp sets you are buying. Aren't the clear mount stamps a great new addition to Stampin' Up?

I will update the projects each month and when new catalogs are released. So check back and use my buttons as much as possible.

Challenge Card

I finally got some time to craft tonight. I made this card to participate in the Saturday Stamping 411 sketch challenge. The in colors were used along with Fresh Cuts and Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp sets. This card is also going to be made at my Cards for Troops workshop next Saturday.



I will preview more of my cards for next Saturday when I get done with them. I am trying to have at least 3 different cards to make. I'm hoping I get a good response so that I can design a few more cards that we can make to send for the troops. I am very passionate about this workshop since I am a military wife and know how great it would be to have a card sent from my husband for Mother's Day.

I am also hoping to get back to scrapping my son's album. We were back in Pittsburgh for 2 weeks introducing him to both sides of the family. I have tons of pictures I need to scrap from our trip. I hope to get somewhat caught up tonight and tomorrow.

No Time for Crafting

I have been having such a wonderful time on vacation. It's been great introducing my son to all of his family. Unfortunately I didn't bring anything to craft with so I have been starting to itch to get back home to craft. I have tons of pictures from this visit that I will love to scrapbook. We have a few more days of visiting then I will start to get back into crafting and posting when we are back and settled in this weekend. Hope everyone has a good weekend.

Birthday Cards

I'm hoping my sister and dad don't see this post because I made their birthday cards this weekend. I wanted to use some of my new supplies that I got from my workshop order that I placed. I also wanted to participate in my first sketch challenge. I have been wanting to participate in these to get some more people visiting my blog. I saw a sketch one that I knew I could make and would be perfect to use my sister's card to try it. I just can't wait to post this until after their birthdays. I absolutely love the one for the sketch challenge. I will try to list the supplies a little later because I am doing laundry, packing and cleaning for my trip to Pittsburgh. Just wanted to post this real quick.


My Dad's card

My sister's card and the one for the challenge

First Workshop Finished!!!

I finished up my first workshop this weekend. I placed the order Monday afternoon and received the boxes Friday night!! I was very impressed how quickly the order came. Friday night was spent organizing the supplies and playing with our new products!! Saturday I delivered the orders to finalize my workshop. Here are some pictures from my first workshop order. I am definitely looking forward to my next workshop Friday. I hope to achieve at least $300 so my hostess can receive her benefits. Upsale, upsale, upsale!!!


My first workshop took 3 boxes to deliver!!

The first box was my free big shot!!

Supplies in second box

Supplies in third box

Organizing all of the products into customer orders.