Georgia Giguere

I just have to brag once again about the great stampers on my team!  We had a great meeting last Sunday and as always some great ideas were shared.  Here are the winners of our card swap!

4th Place. . .Krista Tesky

3rd Place. . . Carol Eberhardt

2nd Place. . . Bobbie Bjergo

1st Place. . . Susan Schenkenberg

They did an awesome job using NEW product from both the NEW Occasions Mini Catalog and Sale-a-bration. . . which is coming up quickly on January 24th! 

Happy Stampin’

My Stampin’ Up! team members are so creative!  Once again they made beautiful cards for our card swap in November!

We always vote for our favorites and here are the winners in a vote by their fellow stampers!

4th Place Winner . . . Paula Connell

 Paula’s Supply List:  Tool Shed & Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp sets; Well Worn Designer Series Paper; Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border, Oval, Modern Label, & Word Window Punches; Dotted Scallop Ribbon (reversed); Square Lattice Texture Embossing Folder with the Big Shot 

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3rd Place Winner. . . Bobbie Bjergo

Bobbie’s Supply List:  Serene Snowflakes & Christmas Greetings stamp sets; Christmas Lane Simply Scrappin’ Kit; Window Sheets; 2 1/2″, 1 1/4″, 1 3/8″, and Scallop Circle Punches; Basic Rhinestones; NEW Simply Scored scoring tool

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2nd Place Winner. . . Christine Pierce

 Christine’s Supply List:  Button Buddies & Petite Pairs stamp sets; Silver Glimmer Paper; NEW Simply Scored scoring tool; Basic Brads; Ruffled Ribbon

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 1st Place Winner. . . Kristie Sloan 

Kristie’s Supply List:  Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp set; Elegant Lines Texture Embossing Folder with Big Shot; Full Heart, Modern Label Punches; Basice Pearls; White Organza Ribbon (dyed);

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Aren’t they amazing?  Here are some of the other projects they brought to the meeting to share. . .

 Created by Betty Peterson

Created by Christine Pierce

Created by Meg McAlister

Created by Becky Edson

Created by Bobbie Bjergo

(Her card pictured above matches the card box and treat holder!)

I’m sure you’ll agree that the Show and Tell portion of our meeting is quite impressive!  Attendance at these meetings is just one of the perks to belonging to my team! 

So very creative!  I’m so blessed to have such amazing stampers on my team!

Enjoy!

I have a lot of fun deciding on what card ideas I’ll use for Stampin’ Fun & Run Class every month!  I try to use a wide variety of products as well as show simple techniques that can be used often when creating your own cards!  I know that if it’s too complicated, I’m not going to do it again!

Here are the projects for October:

Idea cased from a swap done by demo friend, Patsy Wagonner!

Supply List:  Just Believe stamp set; Flower Garden Embossing Folder; Beautiful Wings Embosslit; Crumb Cake Taffeta Ribbon; Crumb Cake, Early Espresso, and Calypso Coral cardstock

Idea cased from demo friend, Cindy Westerink!

Supply List:  Gently Falling and Grateful Greetings stamp sets; Scallop Square Duo Bigz Die; Houndstooth Embossing Folder; Spice Cake Designer Series Paper; Water color paper; Watercolor Crayons

Idea cased from fellow Advisory Board member, Karen Duke!

Supplies List:  Nature Walk and Petite Pairs stamp sets; Framed Tulips Embossing Folder; Rose Red Seam Binding; Stampin’ Write Markers 

Idea cased from teammember, Meg McAlister!  (Treat box is made with 2 Mini Envelopes and holds a chocolate treat!)

Supplies List:  Gently Falling stamp set; Mini Envelope and Scallop Circles #2 Dies; Spice Cake Designer Paper and Fabric; Horizontal Slot Punch

I just love that I can copy wonderful ideas from others!  I will continue to say that all you need to be a demonstrator is the ability and willingness to copy!   Thanks to all my demonstrator friends for so freely sharing their ideas!

If you thought you missed out on the Big Shot Recruiting Promotion, you are mistaken!  This amazing offer was extended through November 11th!  Call or email me to find out how Stampin’ Up! (always getting a discount on your Stampin’ Up! purchases!) might work for you!

Well I couldn’t wait any longer to post what I’ve been working on next!  I had made some lollie ornaments with my team at my last Impressive In Ink meeting, but after attending a wreath class with my teammate, Meg, I couldn’t stop!  I made more lollies, some scored every 1/4 inch and some every 1/2 inch, some with scalloped edges, some made from cardstock, some from designer series paper.  Look what I ended up with!

The compliments haven’t stopped coming since hanging it on my front door yesterday! The comments have been incredible!

My supply list:  Hand Penned Holidays Stamp Set; Spice Cake Designer Series Paper; Soft Suede, Riding Hood Red, More Mustard and Shimmer White (banner) cardstocks; Soft Suede Striped Grosgrain Ribbon; Antique Brads; Spice Cake Buttons; Hemp; 3/4″, 1″, 1- 3/8″ and both Scallop Circle Punches; Leaves #2 Die with the Big Shot and then embossed with Elegant Lines Embossing Folder, Sticky Strip, and of course the NEW Simply Scored Scoring Tool!  I absolutely couldn’t have done it without that awesome new tool!

Fa la la la lollie. . . now I’m playing with the Holly Berry Bouquet Designer Paper to make one for Christmas!  So, like all good ideas, I want to share this one!  If you’d like to create your own lollie wreath (of course, you can copy mine!), you’ll want to come to this class!

HOLIDAY LOLLIE WREATH CLASS: 2 Sessions to choose from on 

Monday,  November 28th:  1:00-4:00 pm OR 6:00-9:00 pm

Choose from Holly Berry Bouquet or Frostwood Lodge Designer Paper!

Click here to learn more and download a Registration Form!  RSVP deadline is November 14th, so sign up today!

Enjoy!

I had so much fun making this ah-mazing advent calendar!  I was inspired by one that I saw at Stampin’ Up! convention in July.  Of course, I took photos and had every intention to make one!  (You know how that goes!)  I purposely selected the 25 & Counting stamp set as one of my recruiting rewards after convention so I could turn my good intentions into a reality!  I’m so glad I did.  I spent a day stamping and planning with my teammate, Meg, and this is what we came up with.  It’s slightly different from the one I photographed, but I love it! 

I also created a box by cutting 4 of Scallop Envelopes with the Big Shot.  This is my Advent Activities box that contains 25 - 3×3 mini square envelopes, each stamped with one of the 25 & Counting stamps and filled with a special holiday activity and/or treat!

Here are some of my teammates making theirs last night!  I’m set for customers and more teammates to come today! 

Do you wish you would have been able to make it?  It’s not too late!  Call me about setting up a private class!  That’s right. . . I’ll set up a private class for you and 3 friends in my Stampin’ Studio!  Call or email me today!  (I’ll need at least 10 days lead time to order and prep the supplies.)  Click here to download a registration form (obviously the dates will no longer be in effect, but cost and what comes with the class will be the same).

Wait til you see what I’m working on next!  Equally as amazing!

Happy Stampin’!

Have you ever found that when your supplies and tools aren’t organized, you struggle with creativity and productivity?  I have. . . and often, unfortunately!  It seems that I spend more time looking for things and working around things than actually being productive and efficient.  After my Magic Garage Sale (for customers to sell their gently used items) and my own Mega Stampin’ & Scrappin’ Sale, I decided that it was time to use the new space this created to get organized.  (Don’t get me wrong, I’d much rather spend my time craftin’, but my work space had become a problem!)  I spent one week thoughtfully organizing and purging even more so that my brain would function better (I need all the help I can get these days!) and I could make better use of my time.  It was difficult to stay on task, but knowing that I would be able to “play” when I finished was a great carrot to keep me going!

I’m excited to share with you that I’ve been able to keep it up for nearly 2 months.  I actually don’t even mind doing the mundane things (like filing) and other paperwork now that I have a planned out system that works!  I have WAY more time for creating and playing and a clean surface to do it on!  (AND I spend less time looking and looking for things!)

This used to be my least favorite place to sit!

Have you also noticed a few more blog posts over the last month?  It’s because I have more time to do so!  (I really think it has more to do with not having the clutter in my room or my brain!)

This is my computer corner, but this is where the creativiy happens:

I am very blessed to have a separate room to store my stamps and tools (toys)!  If I can’t see it, I don’t use it!  That’s my motto!  Literally everything is at my fingertips.

Before we moved to this house ten years ago, my crafting space was a tiny (6 x 6) room next to the furnace under the steps in the basement.  I thought it was wonderful because I had a space to dedicate to crafting.  If you don’t have one, I encourage you to even make a corner in a room a crafting station.  You’ll enjoy your hobby when you have a designated space for it!

Now. . . for the finale!  When my sons moved out several years ago, I turned their hangout room into a classroom!  It’s always more fun to share your hobby with others!  I can accomodate up to 24 happy stampers!

Here’s what you’ll see when you first enter the room!  (A Big Shot station equipped with yes . . . 2 Big Shots!)  Told you I liked to share!

Each table can seat 6 stampers (less scrapbookers, of course, as we require more space when we scrapbook).  Hmmm!

Best part is. . . since all of this space is used for my business, I can deduct it!

It’s been fun sharing my creative space with you!  If you live in the Mpls/St. Paul area, I’d love to literally share it with you!  Check out my club and class offerings!

Stamp Fun & Run Club (Oct. 17th): Click here!

Stamp n’ Scrap Fun & Run Club (Oct. 20th): Click here!

Amazing Advent Calendar Class (Oct. 28th) & Mini Desk Calendar Class (Nov. 4th):  Click here!

I hope to stamp with you soon!

I know that many of you have been watching for details and photos from my Founder’s Circle trip, but you will have to wait just a little longer!  I want to boast on my team of demonstrators just a bit more!  I hosted a team event the Saturday before I left and I have to show and tell some of that first!

Here are the winning cards from our Holiday Mini Catalog swap!  (The competition was very stiff, I might add!)

4th Place. . . Bobbie Bjergo

Bobbie’s Supply List:  Beautiful Season & Petite Pairs stamp sets; NEW Snow Burst Embossing Folder; Oval Scallop Frame Bigz Die; Stampin’ Write Markers with Blender Pen; Black Embossing Powder; Dazzling Diamonds Glitter; Silver Foil Smooch Spritz

3rd Place. . . Meg McAlister

Meg’s Supply List:  Gently Falling, Fabulous Phrases; Tiny Tags stamp sets; Square Lattice Emb. Folder; Scallop Circle #2 Bigz Die; 2 1/2″ Circle Punch; First Edition Designer Paper; Spice Cake Fabric, Designer Paper, and Buttons; Jewelry Tag Punch; Linen Thread; Basic Pearls

2nd Place. . . Becky Edson

Becky’s Supply List:  Gently Falling & Grateful Greetings; NEW Simply Scored (to create grid); Spice Cake Designer Paper; 1 3/4″ & 2 3/8″ Scallop Circle Punches

1st Place. . . Christine Pierce

Christine’s Supply List:  Pines & Poinsettias Stamp Set; Top Note Die; Designer Frames Embossing Folder Set (oval); Frostwood Lodge Designer Paper; NEW Quilted and Velvet Stitched Ribbons; Holly Berry Bouquet Fabric (tie); Stampin’ Write Markers

Each of these talented stampers received NEW Stampin’ Up! product as prizes for the artwork!  Congratulations!

One of the projects that we made during the meeting was a peice of art that we can use to decorate our craft rooms!

I got my inspiration for this project from a special monthly publication that all demonstrators receive.  My supply list:  Creative Elements stamp set (Yes, all these elements and even more are in this stamp set!); Designer Frames Embossing Folder Set (oval); Sponge Daubers; Antique Brads; Victoria Lace Ribbon; Basic Pearls; First Edition Designer Paper

Watch my calendar for upcoming Demonstrator only events!  In fact, my team will be getting together this Thursday evening, Sept. 22nd, for Impressive U! (a time for training and stamping together) and my next scheduled team meeting is November 12th!  If you’ve ever wondered or thought about becoming a demonstrator. . . let me know!  I’d love to have you attend a meeting to learn more and see how much fun we have when we get together and the support and help that is available!

Happy Stampin’ (pretty hard not to be happy when you’re stampin’!)

I do like to boast about the quality of stampers on my team!  They are very creative and do very nice work!  I consider myself very fortunate that they share their ideas with me!

Meg McAlister’s card:

Meg’s Supply List:  Fabulous Phrases, Domestic Goddess DSP; Window Sheets; Round Tab, Snowflake, Modern Label, 1/2″  3/4″, 1″, 1 3/8″, 1 3/4″ Circle Punches; NEW Mica Flakes; NEW Shaker Card frames

Linda Kempfert’s Card:

Linda’s Supply List:  Tiny Teacup stamp; 1 1/4″ and 1 3/8″ Circle Punches; Black Taffeta Ribbon; Metallic Brads

Paula Connell’s Card:

Paula’s Supply List:  Button Buddies; Tiny Tags; Lace Ribbon Border Punch; Jewelry Tag Punch; 1/8″ Taffeta Ribbon

Candy Westlund’s Card:

Candy’s Supply List:  Snow Much Fun; Oval & Scallop Oval Punches; Blender Pen; Stampin’ Write Markers; Bakers Twine; White Craft Ink; Clear Embossing Powder

Betty Peterson’s Card:

Betty’s Supply List:  Faith in Nature Hostess Set; Sponge Daubers (for coloring); Metallic Brads

What fun we had making each other’s projects!  It’s sharing opportunities like this that make being a demonstrator so much easier and so much fun!

Happy Stampin’

I promised to share more of the samples from the Shoebox Swap!  Here are a few!

This card idea is from Bobbie Bjergo!  Supplies:  Hostess set Simply Soft; Square Lattice Embossing Folder; Watercolor Wonder Crayons; Aquapainter; Dazzling Diamonds Glitter; Black Taffeta Ribbon

. . . and another. . .

This card was made by Cindy Rider.  Supplies:  House & Home stamp set (the vase is made using the lamp base); Domestic Goddess Designer paper; Ovals Bigz Die; Square Lattice Embossing Folder; White Satin Ribbon

. . . and another. . .

This card was designed by Linda Hermanson.  Supplies:  Oval All and On Your Birthday stamp sets; Movers & Shapers XL Bigs Die (using a special technique to only cut half the window!); Paisley Petals Designer Series Paper; Always Artichoke Seam Binding

Check back for more ideas often!

A group of us (from left to right: Paula, Linda, Linda, Candy, Cindy, Bobbie, Betty, Christine, and Meg)  met at Emma Krumbees in Inver Grove Hgts for some stampin’ fun!  We did a shoe box swap . . . no, we didn’t trade shoes!  What we did do was bring a shoe box filled with the tools and enough supplies for everyone to make a project we designed.  I like that alot. . . I come up with one idea and go home with 9 more.  (There were 10 of us.)  Don’t they look eager?  This photo was taken as we awaited our food order.  Stampers need sustenance you know!

I bet you’d like to see some of those projects!

This is Christine’s never ending card. . . I like to refer to it as “the card that never ends”!  It opens 3 more ways and then ends up where you began!  It’s really cool, but definitely not a project for whimps!

This is position number 2. . .

and position number 3. . .

. . . and lastly position number 4 . . . which opens back to position number 1!  Christine had all the pieces cut for us and gave great assistance as even demonstrators need it from time to time!  She’s a great teacher (and one with great patience I might add!)

Christine’s Supply List:  Delightful Dozen stamp set; Just Add Cake Designer Series Paper, Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder with the Big Shot; Petite Pennants Punch, Itty Bitty Shapes Punch; Scallop Ribbon Punch; Rhinestones

Check back for more Shoe Box Swap ideas!