Lollipop Swaps

This is one of my favorite cards at the shoebox swap at Allison's a few weeks ago. I ended up CASEing it and making several to take to convention for swaps.  Just punch 1" circles from Polka Dot DSP and arrange in a circle.  Glue together and add a circle in the center with a pearl.  I colored the white pearls in various colors.  I bought the lollipop sticks at a big box craft store and tied a piece of ribbon around it.  Easy Peasy!!

I am all packed.  Got all my swaps done.  My suitcase is UNDER 50 lbs!!  And I am waiting for Marianne!  We have a 6:30 flight from Greensboro (about 1 1/2 hours from here) to Atlanta.  Then we have a 2 hour layover in Atlanta before boarding a plane to Salt Lake City.  We arrive in SLC at midnight .... 2:00 AM our time (EST).  Marianne will have been up almost 24 hours by that time.  I'm sure by the time we retrieve our luggage, find our shuttle and get to the hotel and checked in, she will be a zombie!  She's not used to late hours so I am going to have to work on her this week.  Luckily Wednesday is a "do nothing" day for us.  We are going to take in the sights of Salt Lake before meeting our NC demos for dinner.  I will do my best on blogging this week but my laptop was not cooperating with me last night so we'll see!

Ice Cream??

I'm making progress with my swaps for convention!  Finished up a few more this morning before heading over to the Soup Kitchen to do a little volunteer work.  Marianne and I met up later for dinner.  I don't think we've seen each other in about a month!  It was funny.  I stopped off at Belk's to browse while waiting for her to get off work and get her hair cut.  She called me right after I got to Belk's and asked me where I was.  When I told her, she said, "no way - where are you?"  Turns out she was in Belk's too - right across the aisle from me.  The sales girl got a big kick out of it - she could hear both sides of our conversation!  After she got her hair cut, we went to Chili's for dinner - one of favorite places.  

This is one of the cards I have made for a convention swap.  I saw a card similar to this somewhere on the internet and made my own version of it.  Doesn't it look like a yummy ice cream cone?  It was so easy to make - I used my scallop circle punch for the three "flavors" and cut the come free-hand and embossed it.   Then I used the ticket punch to punch out a few tags.

My Convention Swap

I think we may be building an ark here soon if this rain doesn't let up!  It has rained the whole week.   But that has given me a good shot at staying inside and working on my swaps for convention (which is next week!!)  We went to the movies on Thursday, the 4th and saw The Heat.  I really liked it and got a few good laughs in but I'm a big Sandra Bullock fan.  I heard some people complain about the language (the "F" word was used a lot.)  But it didn't really bother me.  I don't use that word and don't like to hear others use it, but I'm not a prude about it either.  I think we may go see White House Down this afternoon in between the rain drops.

Here is the card I finally chose for my organized swap at convention.  I had to make 40 of them and they had to be something for the month of January.  My hopes of doing a snowman card was dashed when Stampin' Up did not include any of them in the big catalog.  So I borrowed Zoo Review from my downline and made this card.  It turned out pretty cute.

 

The sentiment is from Chalk Talk (pg 12) - probably my favorite set in the catalog!  It's hard to see but I put a bit of Dazzling Diamonds right under the bear's paws.

Well, back to the drawing board - I have more swaps to make that I will be sharing with you soon.

Shoebox Swaps

Today is the day when the annual flight of the Stampin' Up demonstrators begin to flock to Utah for Convention. This year I am not among those winging their way to the Salt Palace. (boo hoo)  I will try not to whine too much since it was a choice I made.  I hope to go next year though!   Instead I will try and console myself with stamping and being productive.  My friend and roomie from last year is going to convention tomorrow.  She has busted her butt this past year building her business and I think it will pay off for her.  She has earned the trip to Fuji!! plus she told me she has gotten a couple of letters from SU that she has earned rewards this year and will be walking on stage.  I can't wait to hear what she is being rewarded for.

In the meantime, here are a couple of the Shoebox Swaps I did last Saturday.  Even though we only paid $5 for the event (plus gas & lunch), this swap is going to cost me.  We used several stamp sets that are now on my "must have" list.  This next one is one of them.  It is also on Marianne's list too.  We both love this card.



Shape Card Open (by Kathy Hunt)



Shape Card closed.

We used the Labels Framelits and the Big Shot to create the card.  The back piece is creased so it will open easily.  But the stamp set is what I love.  It is Stippled Blossoms (two step stamp).  We stamped the outline image in full strength Primrose Petals and the inside image in Primrose Petals that was stamped off.  The green leaves were done the same way.  The sentiment is Perfectly Penned - another great stamp set. 



Thoughts and Prayers by Amy Pennell

Luckily, I have this stamp set .... Thoughts and Prayers.  But I don't have the Apothecary Framelits!!  (on the list though.)  We punched out the flowers with the Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack with a tad of glue in the center and glitter.

Convention Cards

Thought I'd share a few more of my convention pictures.  These are cards that I liked that were on the display boards.  Enjoy!

A lot of cutting out of the Fabulous Florets!  This was on the Hispanic display.

Another Fabulous Florets flower - this time paper pieced on DSP

A cute punch art frog!

Button Buddies - love this set!!

Friendly Mr Owl!

These roses are beautiful!!

These pennants are going to be popular this year.

New Friends

I made a few new friends at convention.  That's what it is all about ... friends and fun!

This is me and Nancy (my roomie from Wilmington).  We hit it off great and had such a good time hanging out with each other.

This is Lee Conrey.  She lives in Florida and has a great blog.  She posted about me HERE.

Marianne's best girlfriend, Sharon R., lives in Jacksonville.  I introduced her to stamping a few years ago when she was here visiting.  When she asked me to find her a Stampin' Up demonstrator in Florida so she could go to some classes and workshops, I did a search and found Lee's blog.  So Sharon told Lee to find me at convention.  What a small world!  On Saturday after my Make and Take session, I ran back to the hotel to drop off my packet.  When I was getting on the elevator, there was Lee and Sandi MacIver.  We chatted for a bit and both gave our cameras to Sandi to snap our pictures.

Me on stage!  I hit my 5 year mark with Stampin' Up last year.  Since I didn't go to convention last year, I walked the stage this year.

On Friday, Nancy and I took the tour over to the home office.  It is always such a treat since it is decorated so great.  The "pick line" was closed since it was after working hours but we were able to go down and view it anyway.

This darling topiary was on someone's desk!

Yummy cupcakes .... made with paper!

No calorie chocolates!

More Convention Chatter

I'm still recovering ... didn't get dressed till noon today!!  Finally got to talk to my gal today though and that made me happy.  I wasn't able to Skype with her while I was gone and was missing my daily "Ashley fix."  We chatted for about an hour today!  Sonny finally made me hang up so we could go to the "Y" and to lunch.

Here are more convention pictures for you.

Lamp covered with paper petals!

Display highlighting the Home Suite from new catalog - note the paper strawberries

Display highlighting the Big Top Suite

Cute slicker - it has Decor Elements on it.

Hand towels decorated with ribbon!!

Sweater with ribbon trim!  So much you can do with ribbon.

Some of our newer ribbon - note the ruffled and scalloped!!

I'm Tired but I'm Home!

I'm back home from convention.  Whew!  What a whirlwind.  Sorry I was such a slacker on blogging but I was usually wiped out when I got back to the room at night (as mentioned in an earlier post).  Nancy and I finally got to have a real sit-down dinner Friday night!  She finished her swap with Late Night Stampers around 6:15 and we were able to catch the bus that took us to Stampin' Up's corporate office.  I had been before (in 2006) but Nancy never had and it is an experience you shouldn't miss.  When we got back to the convention center, we found a nice Asian restaurant right across the street.  It was really yummy!  On Saturday we wrapped up convention with a couple more classes and the closing general session.  We finished around 4:30 and then walked a couple of blocks to Gateway Mall with two of our Wilmington friends, Jeria and Peggy.  We had a nice dinner at an Italian restaurant and then wandered around the nice outdoor mall .... well, just Nancy and I.  Jeria and Peggy headed back to the hotel for bed.  Nancy and I decided to catch the Trax Lite Rail back to our hotel.  We weren't too sure where we were supposed to get off and missed our stop.  We ended up getting off way past our stop in a not so good part of town and getting on the next trax rail going the other way.  We made friends with a nice man on the rail who helped us find the right stop!  Then it was back to the room and try to get all our stuff in our suitcases and carry on bags!

Here are a few pictures I have had time to sort through.

 

The theme was GROW - this was Main Stage and it was beautiful!!

Me and my upline, Carol Bartle.  She lives in Tacoma, Washington and I found her in the crowd the first night.

Shelli on stage

Me relaxing in the garden!!

Tired but having fun!

Too tired for much of a post but just wanted to tell you I'm having a blast here in Salt Lake City.  I've made a bunch of new friends, seen some old friends and am learning a bunch!  Things have been going at a break-neck speed though and I haven't had any dinner in the two days I've been here!!  I arrived at the hotel around 2 pm yesterday and hurried over to the Convention Center (located right next door!!) to pick up my FREE stamps and convention tote bag (pretty cool!).  Of course, while there I had to run into Momento Mall and buy a few goodies!!  Our room wasn't ready so Nancy and I and a couple of other new and old friends hung out in the lobby.  While there, we met a gal who wanted to teach us how to make a rose.  So we found an empty conference room and she had all the ingredients for us to make a super cool rose and a little box that will hold small note cards!  By then, we checked into our room, unpacked and headed over to the Convention Center for the Convention Kick Off Party.  It wasn't over until after 8:00 and we were too tired to try and find a restaurant.  Lucky for me, my roomie likes a glass of wine as I do so we headed to the hotel restaurant and had an appetizer and a couple of glasses of vino!!  Then it was bed time and we were beat.  We were up bright and early this morning to have a quick bite (yogurt and a peach) before heading back to the convention center for our first general session and classes.  By the time all that was over, I had to head over to do some swaps and then back to Momento Mall!!  I also took some time to look over all the wonderful displays and demonstrations of the new products we'll be offering soon (like a Scoring Board!!).  A quick trip back to the hotel  to look over all my goodies and then back to Awards Night.  There was an After Party after Awards Night.  Nancy and I hung around a few minutes - enough to eat a dessert and for me to do the Electric Slide!!  Remember .... 2nd night - NO Dinner!!  So back to the hotel lounge it was for another appetizer and vino!  Tomorrow, I AM GOING TO EAT!!  We get a box breakfast and box lunch so you can imagine!! 

Well, Nancy has gone to bed and I think it is time for me to do the same.  Another full day tomorrow!!

I'm Ready for Convention!

I'm packed and ready for convention.  I leave tomorrow.  I have all my swaps done, my suitcase and swap bag packed and I'm ready to have some FUN!!  Salt Lake City - be prepared for some crazy demonstrators!!

I don't know how much I'll be able to blog while at convention but I'll do my best.  If you don't hear from me, check back next week for pictures and details of my trip!!

SWAP BAG with my bag tag attached.

I made bag tags for myself and for my roommate so we will be able to spot our bags without too much trouble.  Stampin' Up gives us bags filled with goodies and everyone's will look the same!

Roomie's bag tag

Roomie's bag tag - front

I made notepad holders for my roommate and myself to take down all that important knowledge we will be getting!  It was so easy because I made them using My Digital Studio!!   I used an empty clear stamp case for the holders.  You can order the empty cases from the catalog.

This one uses paper from Flirtatious DSP. 

I added a pocket inside for receipts and loose papers.

Convention Swaps

I have been busy getting my swaps together for convention.  Next week this time, I will be there!!  Can't wait!   I've only been to convention once before - back in 2006 - just a year after I started with Stampin' Up.  So, I am looking forward to seeing all the changes that have been made since then.

I have signed up for just two organized swaps - one is for just 11 cards and the other I have made 50 cards to swap out.  The rest of the cards - about 50 - I will just use for general swapping on the floor of the convention.  So, I will be coming back with a lot of new ideas and samples!!

I love this snowman!!

Recipe:
Stamp:  Snow Much Fun
Paper:  Night of Navy, White
Accessories:  Markers, Dazzling Diamonds

This is one of the cards for the general swap.  I ran the Vellum through the Big Shot with the Dotted embossing folder (stamp the sentiment first!)

Stamp:  Vintage Vogue
Ink:  Calypso Coral, Tempting Turquoise, Old Olive