VIDEO TUTORIAL: Flower Garden Shimmer

flower-garden My video tutorials are back! After breaking my thumb in a motorcycle accident (click here for details) videos had to get put on hold for a few a little while. I've missed them! This video was filmed before the accident (what a nice looking right thumb!) for my stamp club last month. I'm finally able to get back to both filming and editing (yeah!!!). I LOVE this card, it's so pretty. Along with the new Flower Garden Impressions Folder, it also sports some "shimmer" and a fun label technique. My stamp club members also get photo/written instructions for this and all of our exclusive club projects, along with the video. Click here for more info on my clubs >

Inspiring Cards from friends

friends-never-fade-tami-waddell There are a few inpsiring, gorgeous cards I received from my uplines Tami Waddell and Cheri Manderschied. The pink card from Tami, uses the Friends Never Fade stamp set (118750 wood, 120618 clear mount). The cards below were from Cheri, the first uses the Inpsired by Nature stamp set (111656) and the Beautiful Wings Embosslit (118138) for the butterflies. The crumb cake card uses the Doily Triple Layer Punch (122465) and Curly Cute Stamp Set (117014 wood, 120510 clear mount)

Button Buddies cards

button-buddiesHere are a couple super cute cards from my demo meeting last week, these were shared by Theresa Howe. Both cards use the new Button Buddies Stamp Set (122735wood, 122737 clear mount). And of course when you are playing with this stamp set, you can't forget the BUTTONS >!!!

Fun with the new In Color Collection

stampin-up-in-colors1Teresa Howe made this super cool cards to show of Stampin' Up!'s new In Color collection. She shared them at our Stamp It demonstrator meeting this week. She did one card in each of the new in colors: Pool Party, Calypso Coral, Lucky Limeade, Wisteria Wonder and Island Indigo* (I missed taking a picture of Island Indigo, sorry). Teresa used sponge daubers (102892) to apply the color to the background, she embossed the Fabulous Florets stamp (123025 wood, 123027 clear mount) with White emboss powder (109132) and used the new Houndstooth impressions folder (123134).

Stampin Up Convention Pictures

Finally I had a minute to post the rest of my Stampin' Up! Convention pictures, yeah!!! I've been dying to share these. I've posted a few of my display samples on my Facebook Page (click here to view > )

Stamp It Demo Meeting Fun

p7216936Last night was one of my favorite nights, my Team Stamp It demonstrator meeting! It was also a convention recap, my friends Dawn Gutro and Tami Morken spoke about their convention experiences. You could almostfeel and catch some of the excitement we felt being there. It was not our traditional demo meeting in that it was sooooo hot in my meeting room that we opted to hang outside inside until it cooled off a bit! So fun!! Another fun part of any stamping event is swapping. At the meeting we not only swapped our own cards, but we swapped "swaps" and got to see what everyone else got for inspiration!! And I loved that our group is growing, it was fantastic to meet the new members of our family and share together.

A Taste of Convention

stampin-up-approved Trying to describe Stampin' Up!'s annual convention to people, is like trying to describe the Blue Man Group experience. No matter how much you see of it in stories and pictures, there's nothing like actually being there. The energy level, and the excitement! And it's everywhere, when we go out, stampers are there...and even if you don't know them (yet) they are friends...a sisterhood of traveling stampers lol! I got a kick out of this restaraunt's sign out front. They were truly getting in on the buzz..."Best burgers in the city, Stampin' Up! approved!".

Convention Excitement

2011-stampit My favorite part of going to Stampin' Up!'s annual convention is seeing everyone! I get to see gals in my demo group that don't live close, and sometimes this is the only time we see each other in person. Every year I look forward to new gals in the group coming and joining the fun! Speaking of newbies to convention, there was a march on stage for convention First Timers and I think I heard over 1/3 of the attendees were there for the first time. That is just plain AWESOME! One of the highlights of this convention was walking across stage with 3 members of my demo group for recruiting!! Congratulations to Dawn Gutro, Liz Miller and Oksana liz-on-stageSemenska!! I'm so proud of you gals!! I wish I had a photo, sadly, along with being great recruiters they were also the photo takers in the group hehehe. Here is a group shot of us all at dinner.

#1 Demonstrator of the Year – WOW!!!

I've just returned home from Stampin' Up!'s annual convention, and still all I can see is WOWOWOWOW!!! BEST CONVENTION EVER!!! If you've been following either my Facebook, and/or Stampin' Up's Facebook for convention highlights, you heard this on Awards Night...if you missed it... stampin-up-demo-of-the-year-announcementI was named Stampin' Up!'s #1 Demonstrator of the Year for 2011 (US)!!!!!!!!!! OMG!!!!!!!! WOW!!! It is an honor, and truly amazing feeling. THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! To all of my demonstrator group, my customers, my stamp clubs gals and of course my family for all of your Stampin' Support!! You made this possible. I LOVE YOU!!! founders-circle-bagI think it's finally sinking in, it came as an unexpected shock. Let's start at the beginning way back to last week when I checked into convention online

My Friend Stamp – Part 3

my-friend-3This card combines lots of fun new products from the new Idea Book and catalog. The main set is My Friend stamp set (122585 wood, 122587 clear mount), the background is the Fancy Fan Letterpress plate (123129) and the flags were created with the Perfect Pennants Bigz L Die (123126) for the Big Shot.

My Friend Stamp – Part 2

my-friend-2aThis is a really fun mini note card kit and envelope created with the new My Friend stamp set (122585 wood, 122587 clear mount) and Pocket Full of Posies designer paper (122354)

My Friend Stamp – Part 1

my-friend-1Lots of excitement going on here! The brand new 2011-12 Stampin' Up! Idea Book & Catalog has been released!! We have soooo many fun new products and stamp sets, so much to play with. And to add to the exciting times, I'm packing up to head off to Salt Lake City, UT for Stampin' Up's annual convention!! I can't wait to get there and see my team, and hang out with the girls. This is one of my favorite events every year. For Convention updates, be sure to check in on my Facebook page later this week (click here). If you want to be a part of the good times at the next SU event, or have a wish list of 3 or more stamps from the new catalog...check out the demonstrator special > And to hold you over until I get back I'll be posting some fun ideas from new stamp sets the rest of the week. Stay tuned.

My Digital Studio: Free Stuff & New Products!

mds-dvdNew Catalog Products The catalog has made its debut, and with it came 26 NEW My Digital Studio downloads! The new downloads coordinate with your favorite traditional stamps, embellishments, and Designer Series Paper from the catalog. You can purchase all of this content as individual downloads or as four large DVD collections, priced at over a 10% discount from the individual download prices. Print this flyer .

New 2011-12 Idea Book & Catalog Available

It's here!!! July 1, the brand new Stampin' Up! 2011-12 Idea Book and Catalog is released today!! These beauties retail for $9.95, however you can get one free from me or purchase yours for a limited time for $6.95 (plus ship) and get a coupon for $10 OFF your first order in July.

Sneak Peek: Button Buddies Cherries – Part 3

Here is another super cute “seank peak” from the brand new 2011-12 Stampin’ Up! Idea book and Catalog that is being released July 1!!  This cherry image is from the new Button Buddies Stamp Set (122735wood, 122737 clear mount) that will be available in my store on July 1. Stay… Read More

Sneak Peek: Button Buddies Vase – Part 2

button-buddies-vaseHere is another super cute "seank peak" from the brand new 2011-12 Stampin’ Up! Idea book and Catalog that is being released July 1!! This vase image is from the new Button Buddies Stamp Set (122735wood, 122737 clear mount) that will be available in my store on July 1. It is attached to a "sour cream" container fold. Once my broken thumb heals ( accident details >), I'll try to put a video together.

Sneak Peek: Button Buddies Piggy – Part 1

button-buddies-piggyI'm soooo excited for the brand new 2011-12 Stampin' Up! Idea book and Catalog that is being released July 1!! I've gotten a peak, and I'm dying to get my hands on all of these fabulous new products!! One of the many perks of being a demonstrator is getting "pre-order" stamp sets and products from the new catalog. I love that!! We are not allowed to post images of the sets, or catalog before it's released, but we can post projects made with them. This super stinkin' cutie is from a new stamp set called Button Buddies (122735wood, 122737 clear mount) that will be available in my store on July 1. This set is filled with images that are made to go with our buttons! Look at Mr. Pig...TOO CUTE!!! Makes you smile doesn't it?

New Catalogs are coming – get 1 FREE!!

new-idea-book-tamiYes!! The brandnew 2011-12 Stampin' Up! Idea Book and Catalog will be released July 1!!! It's a very exciting time around here, and probably the worst timing for my accident (I guess you're thinking there really isn't a good time to get in a motorcycle crash...and you would be correct!). This broken thumb will NOT keep me down, be prepared for tons of exciting new sneak peeks from the new catalog coming to this blog starting tomorrow! How do I get the new 2011-12 Stampin' Up! Idea Book and Catalog FREE:

Wedding and Motorcycle Crash Update

weddingYou've probably been wondering where I am, and why I haven't posted in almost a week? Especially if you've emailed me and received my auto-responder saying I'd get back to you on Monday and still haven't. First, my apologies! I'm truly sorry to leave you all hanging at such a crucial time in the Stampin' Up! year, with only 1 week left before this catalog is gone forever!! It was not my intention, let me start at the beginning... Last week, my entire extended family traveled to Key West, Fl for my baby sister's wedding. Congratulations to my sister Robyn, and my new BIL Adam!!! The wedding was Thursday, June 16. It was incredibly beautiful, as was the bride (maybe I'm biased, she is my sister hehehe). We had a very special time to spend with all of my family (from my Nana on down). harleyWe traveled home on Sunday, and I fully intended to be back at work on Monday, June 20. That Monday morning was a gorgeous one here in Massachusetts, and after being away from a week, all I wanted to do was take my beloved Harley Davidson Motorcycle out for a spin. One of the joys of owning my own business is setting my own hours, and thought to myself..."self, it's ok for you to go for a motorcycle ride and start an hour later than you planned" ... so I did!

Tulip Punch card

p5225889 Here's a gorgeous, and versitle card using the Blossom Petals Punch (121808) and the Framed Tulips Impressions folder (121809). Both are available in my online store.

Summer Splash Surf Boards – Part 2

p5225883Surf's Up, and so is this stinkin' cute surfboard card using the Summer Splash Stamp Set (123035 wood, 123037 clear mount) Click here for more inspiration from the 2011 Summer Mini Catalog. Stay tuned for more.

The Open Sea – Part 5

p5225886The Open Sea Stamp Set (123030 wood, 123032 clear mount) is such a fun, and gorgeous stamp set. So many great samples from it. This one from the Stampin' Up! Alaska cruise share. I love the embossed anchors, super, super cute!!!

Travel Log cards

p5225858Here are some really fun samples from the Travel Log Stamp Set (123080 wood, 123082 clear mount). These samples are from the Alaska Stampin' Up! Cruise.

On the Grow & Pretty Postage Cards

on-the-grow-karen-titusHere's a pretty card using the On the Grow stamp set (123075 wood, 123077 clear mount), below the card is from the Pretty Postage stamp set (123095 wood, 123097 clear mount) both created by Karen titus. Click here for more inspiration from the 2011 Summer Mini Catalog. Stay tuned for more.

Hello Blossom Easel Card

hello-blossom-nancy-juliano-1 This is a super cool easel card created by Nancy Juliano. Nancy used the Hello Blossoms stamp (123102) in the summer mini catalog. The designer paper is also from the mini catalog, it's called Beyond the Garden (122342).

Summer Splash Surf boarding Card

summer-splash-carol-payne-1Here in New England it is hot, hot, hot out today!!! If you live here, or are familiar with the area you know summers can be humid and sticky, and that is what today is all about. Of course my mind instantly goes to the water and the beach and cooling off. This super fun card is perfect for today's heat, summer birthdays and parties. Created by Carol Payne, the card uses the Summer Splash Stamp Set (123035 wood, 123037 clear mount) it's gorgeous bright and eye catching. I especially love the seagulls drawn in...too stinkin' cute!!!

Free Stamp Give-away & Gallery

Congratulations to Kay Pirrello! Kay won a free Swirls & Curls stamp set during my Facebook challenge. Every month I give away free stamp sets randomly, be sure to visit my Facebook page for details on how you can win. While you’re there, visit my photo section for TONS of… Read More

Stampin Up Alaska Cruise Pictures

craftyperson_cruise2011 Last week I had the honor and privilege of an all expenses paid cruise for 2 to Alaska, all thanks to Stampin' Up! This was truly the trip of a lifetime, and what I love is SU gives trips like this away to demonstrators who earn it every year...anyone can do it (starting in June there will be 2 trips to choose from). Below is a collage of some of my fav photos, you can click on it for more of my pics! Thank you for making this trip possible!!

New MDS Downloads

Just posted all of May’s My Digital Studio download images, so many cool images.  Downloads from May 31 > NEW  Downloads from May 24 > NEW  Downloads from May 17 > NEW  Downloads from May 10 > NEW  Downloads from May 3 >  View our complete list of My Digital… Read More

20-40% OFF Retiring Stamps and more…Say Goodbye!

2011-06-retiring-stampin-up-stamps It's time to say goodbye! Hundreds of products from the 2010-2011 Idea Book & Catalog and Definitely Decorative brochures are retiring, and now is the time for you to get them before they're gone. All retiring items are only available until June 30. However, the accessories are while supplies last, so don’t delay.
  • 20% OFF All Retiring Stamp Sets - now thru June 10 ONLY This special offer is available thru Tami only. Orders must be emailed. I IMPORTANT: My online store will not recognize this special sale. If you would like to place the order through the online store, you will receive a gift certificate from me for 20% off the retiring items purchased to be used in July.
  • up to 40% OFF Retiring Accessories - June 1 - 30, 2011 While Supplies Last!