The winners . . .

. . . of the prize drawings are. . .

GRAND PRIZE . . .   Kelli Weaver Smith

10 winners of a FREE stamp set:  Pam Dyer, Judy Akemann, Corrine Haas, Meg McAlister, Gayle Nyhuis, Margaret Berg, Kim Blaeser, Teri Hovsepian, Autumn Norlander, and Kathy Reimer.  CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!

Thanks to all of you that helped make my Open House/Garage Sale a HUGE success!  It was so much fun to see so many of you!  I know that you fell in love with the new catalog filled with many amazing new colors and products! 

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Here’s a card idea designed by one of my awesome downline, Krista Tesky.  I love the new Vintage Wallpaper Impressions Folder! 

Supply List: Perfect Punches stamp set, Vintage Wallpaper Impressions Folder, Scallop Oval Punch, Scallop Oval Window from the Punch Windows for the Magnetic Movers & Shapers, new 1/8″ Black Taffeta Ribbon, Crumb Cake & Basic Black cardstock.

Have a super day!

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Another great Stampin’ Up! Convention!

Stampin’ Up! convention is certainly one of my favorite events of the year!  (As a matter of fact, I love all SU! events!!!)  I love connecting with friends from all over the US and Canada and a few new ones from New Zealand and the UK! 

My head is literally spinning with all the awesome ideas that I saw and of course swapped for!  (I couldn’t attend convention without swapping cards with many creative demonstrators.  Where do you suppose I get all my great ideas?  I just know how to copy and who to copy!)

Before I left for Salt Lake City, I had alot of fun making gifts for some special people.  For once I didn’t copy an idea, but made this one all by myself! 

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I used the Scallop Square Die to cut the squares (4 in front and 4 in back) and the Pennant DIe to make the flap.  This little bag worked awesome to hold a camera, ID, and a few other small items while moving around at convention.  I made the strap extra long so it could be slung across the body.p1090322

Here’s one of my swaps!  Supply List:  With All My Heart stamp set; Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder; XL Scallop, 1-3/4″, 1-3/8″ Circle Punches; Bitty Buttons & Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack.  I love how just cutting the petals on the XL Scallop changes the appearance of the flower.

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Here’s another one of my swaps.  Supply List:  With All My Heart stamp set; Top Note Die, Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder; Mostly Vintage Stencil; Stamping Sponge; Gold Glow Smooch Spritz; Color Spritzer Tool with Soft Suede marker.

You’d never guess that I used the same stamp set to make these cards!  I get excited when I can get 2 completely different looks using the same stamps!  The possibilities are endless!

If you’d like to learn more about the long list of benefits of being a Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator, I’d like to invite you to join me for a Post Convention Open House that I’m hosting for my group of demonstrators from 1:00-3:00 pm on Sunday, August 8th.  Please RSVP by August 6th, so I prepare materials for you!  One thing we always do when we get together is stamp!

Treat yourself and stamp something for YOU today!

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My pain is your gain. . .

Two weeks of vacation is a long time to be away!  While it was tons of fun, it was also tons of work coming home! 

Here’s why it was worth it!

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We saw many of these from our deck!

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Picking daisies (literally) in my front yard at the lake!  (Georgia, Carol, Vivian, and Barb)  (Dave didn’t have the heart to cut them down!)  The phrase “I must have been picking daisies!” has become a standby when we can’t quite remember things!  (It’s a Vivianism, but I find it works on many occasions!)

So since I’ve been home, I’ve been planning for a huge event!  It’s coming this Saturday, July 17th from 9am - Noon!  You won’t want to miss my annual New Catalog Open House/Garage Sale. 

I’m parting with all my newly retired Stampin’ Up! product at greatly reduced prices!  Choose from a wide variety of stamps, papers, inks, and accessories!  SALE BONUS:  You will receive a 50% credit back on your ”retired sale” purchases, to be used against your new catalog purchases that day

 

Stop in to shop and enjoy free make and take projects! Drawings and prizes, too!  Get a new catalog for $5 or it’s free with a $50 purchase that day!

 

Hopefully this pile of goodies will turn into some treasures for you!

 

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I forget how much stinkin’ work it is, but it will be worth it!  Each year I look forward to how much fun I have on the day of the sale!  Hope to see you soon!

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New Square Lattice Embossing Folder

Don’t you just love the Textured Impressions Embossing Folders?  They really make a card something special!  I received this card from my up, up, up, upline, Cherie Manderschied. 

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Cherie used the NEW Square Lattice folder with the Big Shot to emboss the flower (XL Fancy Flower Punch).  She also used the Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder to emboss the Early Espresso cardstock.  Other supplies used:  Eyelet Border and 1″ Circle Punches, NEW Delightful Daffodil 1/8″ Taffeta Ribbon.  The message is from Watercolor Trio stamp set (Summer Mini Catalog).

Thanks, Cherie, for the great idea!  Speaking of great ideas. . . I’ll have plenty on display from 9am - NOON, at my New Catalog Open House/Garage Sale on Saturday, July 17th!  See my calendar of events for more details! 

Happy Stamping!

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Even more Big Shot flower ideas!

Are these cute or what?!?!  I received these in the mail from my Demo friend, Deb Valder.  (I met Deb 6 years ago on the Stampin’ Up! cruise to Alaska.)  What an awesome surprise to open an envelope and find these little darlin’s!  Deb had emailed me a few weeks ago, email was titled, “NO Questions!”  The email simply stated, “What’s your shoe size?”  Of course, I responded right away because I love surprises!

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The flowers are made from polar fleece that was cut using the Circles #2 Die and the Big Shot!  They are attached to the flip flops with Velcro, so I can attach different flowers to match my outfits!  How fun is that!

One of the things that I never considered when I signed up to be a demonstrator was all the new friends I would make!  Deb is from Ballston Spa, NY.  I’m really looking forward to seeing many of them in July at the Stampin’ Up! annual convention in Salt Lake City.  I can’t begin to tell you all the fun we’ll have!!! 

I’ll let you in on a little secret. . . we’ll be making these flowers at Big Shot class on July 8th!  Bring your own flip flops, I’ll provide the rest.  Flip flops are on clearance at most stores now, too!  These flowers would also look great as a pin, hair clip, head band, bag accessory. . . you tell me!  Please RSVP by July 7th if you plan to attend Big Shot class at 6:30 pm on July 8th.

I’ll be heading up to the lake cabin in Ely, MN tomorrow morning and not returning until July 6th.  I’ll have limited access to email, but will be checking occasionally.

Happy Summer!

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25% and 50% off Last Chance Products

Have you noticed that there are items that are 25% and 50% off on the Last Chance lists?  Click on the link to see if there’s something you can’t resist!

Many of my club members and workshop guests have been taking advantage of the special prices!  Haven’t attended a club or workshop lately?  That’s okay, you can place your order online!  Click here to place your order now!

Speaking of club. . . I have a couple of opportunities for you!  I’m currently taking in new members for my FLEX CLUB, which begins with the club of your choice in JulyClick here to see all the details.  It’s only a 6 month commitment and you get to choose which club you attend each month!  (Thus the title Flex Club!) 

The second opportunity is SCRAPBOOK CLUB, which begins with on August 19th.  Click here to see all the details.  We make 2 double page layouts each month (4 pages) and occasionally we make a special altered scrapbook project!  I provide the materials and the inspiration!

Both of these clubs are first come, first serve!  Spaces are filling fast so sign up today!

Here’s a little peek at one of our Scrapbook Club projects from last month!

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Supplies List:

Basic Gray 12×12, Basic Black Ink and cardstock, Brushed Silver cardstock, Presto Prints Designer Series Paper (sponged with Basic Gray Ink) and Elements of Style stamp set (both in the Summer mini catalog), Scallop Circle #2 Die, Circle Scissor

I love to keep my pages clean with room for lots of photos!  These pages were designed to accomodate a scrapbook club request for pages to work with black & white photos!  (Title:  Life is a Matter of Moments, from Elements of Style stamp set)

I would love to have you join me for a club!  You wouldn’t regret it and it’s tons of fun!

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Mega Stamp & Scrapbook Sale. . .

. . . tomorrow morning, 9am sharp!

A number of my customers have cleaned out their closets to make room for new stuff and you can be the benefactor!  The variety and quality of stuff is amazing!  Set your alarms because you won’t want to miss out on the best stuff!  I’m pretty much a stickler on starting on time, but I may have to open the garage door just a wee early depending on the crowd in the driveway!  It is a garage sale after all!

So as I’m setting up today, the UPS man arrived with my preorder from the new catalog!  Whoo Hoo!  That’s just one of the many benefits of being a SU! demonstrator.  The best part is . . . my new catalog is in the box!  I’m going to have to keep plugging away at setting up the sale so I can sit down and put my feet up to study it!

If you love cheap prices on stamps, scrapbook, and papercrafting supplies and live in the Mpls-St. Paul area send me an email or give me a call for directions!  It will be worth the trip!

Have a wonderful weekend!  Mine has already started off great!

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Stampin’ Up! Beautiful Butterflies . . .

. . . and Cottage Wall Designer Paper. . . what a perfect combination for some spring scrapbook pages!  And of course, couldn’t have done it without my Big Shot!!!

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Supplies List:  Beautiful Butterflies Die, Lots of Tags Sizzlits, Beautiful Wings Embosslit, Perfect Polka Dots & Elegant Bouquet Embossing Folders, Define Your Life and Elements of Style stamp sets, Wide Oval and Eyelet Border Punches.  I added a little Rich Razzleberry Ink to the edges of my butterflies with a Sponge Dauber and then Whisper White Craft Ink over the raised part of the image.

Some of the colors and papers I used are retiring!  Don’t forget to stock up on the colors (especially ink refills!) you love most!  Click here now so you don’t forget!

I know that I wouldn’t have half of the equipment and fun tools that I do, if I weren’t a Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator!  It’s a great time to give it a try!  Click here to see why!

Happy Stampin’!

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Stampin’ Up! Summer Occasions Catalog Samples

I’m very fortunate to belong to an awesome group of stampers!  My group’s name is Impressive in Ink and once again, the gals lived up to their name!  I hosted a card swap that featured the new product from the Stampin’ Up! Summer Occasions Mini Catalog at our group meeting last Saturday. The winners are chosen by their peers and here are the results.

3rd Place Winner:  Krista Tesky

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Krista’s supply list: Elements of Style stamp set (part of this month’s Scrapbook Month Special - Free Designer Brads), Movers & Shapers and Top Note Dies, 1 1/4″ Circle Punch, Chocolate Chip Satin Ribbon, Log Cabin Smooch Spritz

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2nd Place Winner:  Carol Eberhardt

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1st Place Winner:  Susan Schenkenberg

p1090166Susan’s Supply List:  Watercolor Trio Stamp Set, SU! Square Lattice Embossing Folder, Scallop & Oval Punches, Stampin’ Write Markers, Bitty Buttons, Linen Thread, Organza Ribbon

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Okay, so my secret is out!  Now you know where my great ideas come from!  Again, I’m sharing a benefit of being a Demonstrator!  I have great resources within my own group of stampers. . . and you are only seeing the work of 3 of them.  There are over 70 great stampers for me to learn from within my group alone and literally thousands with the Stampin’ Up! family.  In fact 2 more joined my group yesterday!!!! Whoo Hooo!  More ideas and friends to stamp with!!!

Need any of the items featured above?  Host a party or book party with me!  Can’t even wait that long?  Place an order with a click here

Have a super day!

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I love being a Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator!

This has by far been the most rewarding and fun job I’ve ever had. . . and to think that I only signed up to get a discount on my very lengthy Wish List!  That was just over 11 years ago! 

If you’ve ever entertained the idea of what it might be like, I’d like to invite you to join me for an OPPORTUNITY NIGHT next Monday, May 24th, at 6:30-8:00 pm to learn more and see how Stampin’ Up! might fit into your life.  Of course, we’ll have some fun stamping and at the same time get your questions answered! Please RSVP by May 23rd.  (That night doesn’t work for you?  No problem, give me a call and we’ll get together another time!)

Currently, one of my favorite tools is my Big Shot!  It seems that there is no end to what I can do with it!  Here’s a photo of a great butterfly pick for your plants. . . and it can be used outdoors because it’s made of aluminum flashing (for roofing).  (My downline, Krista Tesky, showed us how to make these at our group meeting on Saturday.)

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Supplies List:  Big Shot, SU! Beautiful Butterflies Die, SU! Perfect Polka Dots & Elegant Bouquet Embossing Folders, Rhinestone Brads

Yes, the aluminum is embossed with the embossing folders!  Use your crop-a-dile to punch the smaller hole in your butterflies.  Insert the brad through the front butterfly and press the end of a 12″ piece of 16-gauge wire between the prongs.  Squeeze the prongs of the brad together and insert into the hole of the larger butterfly.  Press firmly into your mat pack until it holds tightly.  (No crop-a-dile?  Use your paper piercing tool with your mat pack to pierce a hole in each butterfly.  Twirl the tool to make a larger hole for the brad.)  

And you thought Stampin’ Up! was just about making cards!  Ha!  In fact, the only limit is one’s imagination. . . and that’s not even limited because I can copy many of the great ideas out there.  (Especially other Stampin’ Up! Demonstrators because we love to share!)

So don’t just wonder what it would be like any longer, give me a call! 

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