Catching up with July Monday Mailers

I made two Monday Mailer cards for Laurie before I left for convention.  One I mailed when I left and the other one I left instructions for Sonny to mail (and he did!).  I didn't want to post them and spoil her surprise before I left.  I've finally have a few minutes and can post them now.  I've been trying to get my desk cleaned up this morning from the mess that I left it in when I went to Salt Lake City!  Think I can see the top now.

Remember our theme this month is to use colors that you don't usually use.  For some reason, one of those colors for me is River Rock.  I like the color and used it all the time back when it was an In Color.  But for some reason, I tend to grab the Crumb Cake instead of River Rock.  For this card, I used the new Postage Punch to punch out squares of the nautical DSP in the summer catalog and arranged them on the background of the River Rock cardstock. Then I ran the whole thing through the Big Shot and embossed it. (what would I do without this machine?)  I wrapped the Bakers Twine around it - tying it in a Sailor's Knot.  (I just googled Sailers Knot and found a tutorial for it.)  Then I adhered the whole thing to the Early Espresso card.  I used different circle punches to punch out the stamped world image and the compass image from the Open Sea set.  I also punched out circles in Cherry Cobbler and Marina Mist.

I'm really going to miss this stamp set!

Here are a few other colors I don't use much - More Mustard, Tangerine Tango and Cajun Craze.  The card base is Tangerine Tango; the next layer is Basic Gray that I distressed the edges; the next layer is More Mustard and I sponged it with Tangerine and Mustard.  The ribbon is SU's Vanilla ribbon that I dyed using a dauber and an ink pad.  I used the Fun Flowers Bigz Die to make a flower out of Cajun Craze and Newsprint DSP.  I used the Little Leaves die for my Basic Gray leaves and the Beautiful Butterflies Die for the More Mustard butterfly.  The sentiment is on a strip of Vanilla cardstock.  I hand cut the end BUT ...  I learned a neat trick  at convention.  Use your square punch to make this cut!

Hope you have enjoyed these cards and learned a little something today!  I aim to please!!

Monday is my Mom's 83rd birthday and since my sister is going to the beach again next week and it is Restaurant Week this week, we took her out to dinner last night.  We went to the Epic Chophouse.  It was very good.  I can't remember being that stuffed when I left a restaurant and I even brought half my steak home!  My only complaint about the restaurant is that it is a little loud.  But maybe during the week it wouldn't be so bad.  It is the type of restaurant that you would go to for a special occasion as it is a little pricey.  Sonny doesn't like to share meals but that is what I would suggest next time!

Stamp Club In July

I had stamp club this week.  Luckily, I had all the project made before I left for convention so I wasn't rushing around like a crazy person too bad!  I had a new club that started last Tuesday and my regular club on Thursday.  They made the same projects except for the nautical card.  My Thursday club had already done that one so I substituted the Triple Layer Card.

Open Sea Card

 Supplies: 
Cardstock:  Cherry Cobbler, Night of Navy, Nautical DSP (Summer Mini)
Stamp:  Open Sea
Access:  Markers, Circle Punches

Emboss Resist Card

 With this card, everyone did a different color using the In Color DSP stack found on page 186.  If you've never done Emboss Resist, it is a great technique!  First stamp the image with Versamark and emboss it with clear powder.  Next sponge ink around the embossed image.  When done, wipe the ink off the embossed image.

Recipe:  Stamp:  Curvy Verses, Friends Never Fade
Cardstock:  White, Pacific Point, In Color DSP
Ink:  Versamark, Pacific Point
Access:  clear embossing powder, sponge, brad

Summer Fun Card

 On this card everyone got their choice of which image they wanted from the Summer Fun set - the flip flops, popcicles or the little kids.  We colored the images with markers.

Supplies:  Stamp:  Summer Fun
Cardstock:  White, Tempting Turquoise, Calypso Coral, Lucky Limeade
Access:  Ribbon, Scallop Punch, Dotted Embossing Folder, Big Shot

Triple Layer Birthday

Recipe:  Stamp:  Word Play, Decor Wheel
Cardstock:  Night of Navy, DSP from In Color stack, Poppy Parade. Peach Parfait, Pear Pizazz
Access:  Wheel, Triple Layer Punch (blossom). markers

Ribbon Share

I have had several requests for RIBBON SHARES so this is what I have come up with.   Many of you, plus myself, hesitate to buy a whole spool of ribbon, as it's just  too much ribbon of one color.  Instead, you would like a little bit of all colors and different types of ribbons for different projects.  So a ribbon share, is just that, a share of a spool of ribbon of all the colors of one type of ribbon.  You can join one or both ribbon shares, and you can purchase as many shares as you would like.  Just let me know what ribbon share you would like to have and I will add you to the list.   As soon as I get enough people, I will place the order.

                                                     

Here are the ribbon shares I am offering  as of now.  

3/8" Ruffled Ribbon Share (*new ribbon!!*): Each share receives 2 yards of the 5 in-colors (10 yards total) - Calypso Coral, Island Indigo, Lucky Limeade, Pool Party, and Wisteria Wonder.  Cost: 14.00/share

 

3/8" Scallop Dots Ribbon Share (*new ribbon!!*): Each share receives 2 yards of 10 colors (20 yards total) - Basic Black, Cherry Cobbler, Chocolate Chip, Elegant Eggplant, Marina Mist, Melon Mambo, More Mustard, Old Olive, Pretty in Pink, Tangerine Tango.  Cost: $20.00/share

I will probably be offering other Ribbon Shares later.  If there is a particular one you would like, please let me know.

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.

Monday Mailers - July

Isn't it funny how great minds think alike!!  Our theme for Monday Mailers this month is to use color you don't usually use.  So, last week, this is the card I made using Rose Red and So Saffron which I don't seem to use much.   I love these little kids from the Summer Mini and hate that they didn't make it into the new catalog. 

RECIPE:

Stamp Set:  Sunny Fun

Paper:  So Saffron, Rose Red, Choc. Chip, Wild Wasabi, WW

Access:  Saffron Grosgrain Ribbon, Border Punch, Dotted Embossing Folder, Markers

So this card (below) is the one I received my Monday Mailer partner:

Kathy used this card to spotlight all the new In colors.  Isn't it funny how alike the two cards are!  Great minds I tell you!!

We had some crazy weather this weekend.  We went out to dinner Friday night with friends and it was pouring down rain when we left and mostly through dinner.  When we got ready to leave the restaurant, it started up again with the pouring rain so we stayed at the restaurant a little longer.  (It was an Irish pub and they had Sonny's new favorite Irish beer so it wasn't hard to twist his arm.)  Anyway, it probably rained really hard off and on for about 4-5 hours.  The next morning when I got up, I looked out in our back yard and boy, what a mess!  Sonny built a drainage area on the side of our house a couple of years ago - about a 10 x 3 foot area filled with rock because we had been having trouble with water washing away our yard.  It's been working ok until Friday!  Half the rock washed away into our back yard and down through the woods into the creek bed beside our house.  Sonny and I spent several hours Saturday trying to recover the rock.  We ended up recovering about half of it but it was a hot and humid day and we were drenched when we finished.  Later in the day, we rewarded ourselves by going to the movies.  I finally talked Sonny into going to see Mr Popper's Penguins.  It was really cute.  I remember reading the book when I was a child and wanted to see it.

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

Blog Problems

I want to apologize for my lack of posts this week.  I found out yesterday that my Image storage was full.  I didn't even know I had a limit but evidently, I do.  So, I have been trying to delete a bunch of un-needed pictures.  If you scroll way back to some of my posts, you may find missing pictures.  Sorry about that!  I may end up having to go to another blog server but not sure yet.  I'll let you know!

In the meantime, hang in there with me until I can get it all straightened out.

Happy 4th of July

Hope you are having a great 4th of July and are staying cool and safe.  We stayed pretty busy all weekend so today we decided to just "chill" at home!  Saturday night we watched fireworks from our boat.  They were shot off from Queens Landing and we threw anchor in a cove across the lake and had a great view.  We took a picnic dinner and enjoyed that with my mom and my sister while waiting for the fireworks to begin.  Sunday we were out on the boat most of the day.  It was pretty hot and I stayed in the water most of the time.  I was in an inner-tube and rigged a pool-chair in front of me that I was able to prop my book up on.  So, I stayed pretty cool while reading my book and not getting it wet!  Later in the evening we drove to Mooresville and had dinner at Hickory Tavern.  After dinner, we set up our lawn chairs in the parking lot and watched fireworks put on by the YMCA.  

I have made a couple of cards in honor of the holiday and also as a thank you to my daughter and all the others out there who are away from their family and serving their country. 

 These cards use a retired SU stamp set, Liberty for All and they are stamped on a piece of scrapbook paper that I bought several years ago.

Thank you Ashley.  You will be home soon.  Although I am sad to report that she will not be returning as soon as we thought.  She was informed yesterday that she will not be able to come home early like she had been told a month ago.  She now will return with the rest of the troop sometime toward the end of August.  She has been packing her things and getting rid of stuff she didn't need to take home - even threw away her sheets (except for 1 set) last week.  She had already gone around and gotten all the signatures she needed on the paperwork to return July 21.  AND, we had made airplane reservations to meet her the end of July.  Of course, the ticket is non-refundable so guess we will just have to pay the penalty to change it when we know a different date.  I just haven't felt like dealing with it and will do something next week about it.  Needless to say, Ashley was pretty upset and I was too.  But, what can you do when you're dealing with the government?

Join the Stampin' Up Family for just $99!!

During July, you can join the Stampin' Up! family as a demonstrator for only $99!  This limited time Starter Kit—valued at $185—comes with the following high-quality products:

• Easy Events Clear-Mount Set*
• Pennant Parade Wood-Mount Set*
• Basic Black Classic Stampin' Pad
• Old Olive Classic Stampin' Pad
• Pumpkin Pie Classic Stampin' Pad
• Real Red Classic Stampin' Pad
• Brights 8-1/2" x 11" Assorted Card Stock
• Just Add Cake Designer Series Paper*
• Chocolate Chip 1/2" Scallop Dots Ribbon*
• Note Cards (20)
• Clear-Mount Block C
• Blender Pen (1)
• SNAIL Adhesive
• Business supplies

*Brand new to the 2011-2012 Idea Book & Catalog!

SAVE!!! Enjoy the new Stampin' Up! 2011-2012 Idea Book & Catalog using a one-time 30% Off Start Up Discount on product orders of $150 or more (placed within 45 days of start).

Get 20% off future Stampin' Up! orders, awesome exclusive resources and the opportunity to pre-order new products. 

Receive Stampin' Up! discounts and benefits through Dec. 31, 2011 with NO obligation to purchase anything further or hold a workshop. 

 

Just want to do it for the fun? Hobby demonstrators are welcome as well as  business builder demonstrators.   

There's no penalty to drop. You keep everything. PLUS Get a Christmas Keepsake project kit (example below) absolutely FREE--a $40 value! This exclusive kit contains everything you need to create a beautiful Christmas Keepsake Box to hold your most treasured Christmas memories. It will be available with your first demonstrator order in August and must be redeemed by Sept. 30.

Contact me to get started today!

Blog Candy Winners

Contratulations Friends!  I ended up with quite a few cards so I decided to pick 4 lucky winners for the month's blog candy!  I went through all the comments for the month and typed them all up in a numbered Exel file and then used Random.org  to pick the winners.  If your name is listed below, contact me with your address so I can get the cards in the mail to you.

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

22   Diane C said  Another reason to order more. These are great cards. Love the use of the papers done with stripes. The jewelry tag is one I have yet to order. Another idea waiting to be tried on a card. Your ideas are great and usually simple to do. Love that.

38  Chris R said - What fun! I would love to win, even just one card! Love all the details you put in the cards. Hard to pick just one favorite. All have great details. Thanks for sharing your talent with us.


17  Georgiegirl said - Why do I struggle to find colors that co-ordinate instead of coming to your site and making it easy on myself and just "steal" your color combinations. Very nice cards as always.

1   Teri  said -  Thanks for the chance to win!

Timestamp: 2011-07-02 03:18:09 UTC

Have a safe and happy 4th of July!!

Good-bye Old Friends

Today is the final day to order from the catalog.  The 2011-2012 Idea Book and Catalog goes live tomorrow at noon Mountain time!!  I'm excited but also sad to see some of the older stamps being retired.  My final retirement share for you today is from a Level Two Hostess set - Long Fellows.  I have not used this set very much but I will be hanging on to it.  I think it is great and has a variety of uses from birthdays to friendship.

I thought this card was appropriate for today!

 I used a variety of old and new products on this card.  Some of the cardstock is new - Island Indigo - one of the new In Colors.  The punches are old - the Spiral Punch is being retired and the smaller Star punch is already retired.  (The large Star punch is being retired this time.)

RECIPE:
Stamp:  Long Fellows
Paper:  Cajun Craze, Island Indigo, White
Access:  Small Star Punch, Spiral Punch, dimensionals, (non-SU) ribbon, Copic markers

I'll be drawing tomorrow for the winners of the card give-aways for this month!  Comments are appreciated!

A Sad Goodbye

 
It's time to say good bye to some old favorites .... stamps, accessories and Definately Decorative Accents.  Here are the lists of all the items going bye-bye!

STAMPS


ACCESSORIES


DECORATIVE ACCENTS


So get out your catalog and high-lighter and start marking which ones you can't live without.  Then run - don't walk - to your computer or phone and give me a holler to order your goodies.  The stamps should last a while but the Accessories will be on a first come, first serve basis.  When they are gone, they're GONE.  I will be updating the lists periodically for availability.

You can also click on my SIDEBAR for an updated list any time.   That link takes you to my online store where you can place your order also.

I will keep this post at the top for June with the updates so make sure you scan down to read my posts this month.

Monday Mailers for June

 I have been so busy with the retiring stamps that I haven't taken the time to share my Monday Mailers this month.  We also used the theme of retiring stamp sets so some of the cards I shared with you, I used for my Monday Mailers also.  But I received some great Monday Mailers from Laurie, a new member of our NC Demos group.

This last one I received today and it is by far my favorite!  I will be CASE-ing this one for sure.  The Brilliant Blue card stock is retired but I think the new in-color, Island Indigo will work well.  She used the Scallop Hearts Border Punch along the side and ran the vellum through the Big Shot with the Dotted embossing folder.  Thinking of You is stamped on the vellum.  The flowers are from Fresh Cuts which is retiring.

Tomorrow I will be posting the final Retirement set.  If you want to win, leave a comment!!

Last Chance to Party Hearty!

I only had time to make one card today.  I had a pretty busy day.  I met a group for lunch at a new restaurant in town and had a nice lunch and visit with my friends.  Then it was off to pick up everything I need for my big Southern Living Luncheon at my house on Thursday.  I am having 14 ladies for lunch.  Thankfully, I don't have to prepare the food - only the beverages.  Everyone brings a dish from a recent Southern Living Magazine and we critique the dishes.  It's a great way to taste some things you wouldn't ordinarily make for your family.  I am making Strawberry Margaritas and Sweet Tea Lemonade from the May issue.  I needed a new pitcher and went all over town looking for one today - Ross, TJ Max, Target, Pier One, World Market, Bed, Bath and Beyond!  I finally found one I liked at Bed and Bath but by that time I was sooo hot and exhausted.  The thermometer in my car was registering 100 degrees!  Then I had to make a stop at the grocery store and the liquor store.  Whew!!  Now tomorrow I have to dust and mop - yuck!!  (My least favorite thing to do.)

But I did take a little time out this evening to make a card with the retiring set, Party Hearty.  Pennants are going to be a big thing this fall.  Stampin' Up has a pennant die and punch in the new catalog!  So I decided to make a pennant using the hats in the stamp set.  I thought they turned out cute.  I used all In Colors too!  

RECIPE:

Stamp:  Party Hearty

Paper:  retired DSP, Pear Pizazz, Island Indigo (sneak peek), Calypso Coral (sneak peek)

Ink:  for pennants - Lucky Limeade, Island Indigo, Pool Party, Peach Parfait, Wisteria Wonder, Calypso Coral

Access:  Bakers Twine, Modern Label Punch, Word Window Punch

IF YOU WANT A CHANCE IN THE DRAWING FOR THIS CARD AND ALL THE CARDS I HAVE MADE THIS MONTH, LEAVE ME A COMMENT!  I WILL DRAW ON FRIDAY.

Three More Days!

Just three more days and the new catalog will be up and running!  Make sure you have placed your orders for the retiring items before Friday!!

Today I am spotlighting Tart and Tangy along with Cheep Talk.  These are two really great stamp sets.

This is a really simple card to make but it looks so refreshing!

RECIPE:
Stamps:  Tart & Tangy, Heard From the Heart
Paper:  White, Black, Retired SU DSP
Ink:  Pear Pizazz, Kiwi Kiss, Daffodil Delight, Black

I used the 5-Petal Punch and my crimper (found at the very back of my drawer!) to make the flower out of some retired DSP.  Adds just the right touch, don't you think?

RECIPE:
Stamp:  Cheep Talk
Paper:  Dusty Durango, Crushed Curry, White
Ink:  Crushed Curry, Espresso, Garden Green, Dusty Durango
Access:  5-Petal Punch, Dusty Durango Dotted Ribbon, Stamp-a-ma-jig

I am going out to lunch  - trying out a new restaurant in Mooresville with the Out to Lunch Bunch.  Should be fun .... plus, an easy dinner tonight!!

Countdown has begun for Ashley!  If all goes as planned (with the Army???), she has 24 more days!