Stamping with Aly!

Leadership Summit

I just returned  a little over a week ago from a Leadership Summit outside of Salt Lake City, Utah. Then this past weekend, we had our Team's big Oktoberfest Stamping Retreat Weekend.... it's been busy, busy, busy for me around here!!!! I've been traveling non stop since August, but will finally be on the ground until January. 2 whole months at home!!!!!! Not that I don't love traveling and being a part of all of these wonderful things at SU!, but when you're pregnant..... well.... let's just say it's good to be home for a while!

PLUS, this means that I'll finally be able to get some new samples posted and stamping done!!!! I haven't been able to do any of that lately -- but I do assure you, stamping posts are coming soon now that I can re-group!

So back to Leadership Summit....

It was a very small event, 120 Demonstrators were invited to attend and around 80 were there. We had wonderful presentations for the two days from the Corporate Staff as well as a guest speaker, Pat Pearson, who is a psychologist for Direct Sales Women.

We had to sign a Confidentiality Agreement, which means that most of the event I cannot share with you. We had some discussion time about "hot topics" -- it got a little intense from time to time, but it was good conversation and good feedback for the company to hear. Then we also got sneak peeks from the New Catalog! (And they GAVE us 3 packs of NEW Designer Series Paper that I can't show you!!!).

But here's what I CAN share:

I'll say right now that you won't really see any picture of me from this trip..... I had a BAD hair situation before I left..... the camera was not allowed to be focused on me the entire trip!

When we arrived on the 1st day, there were these beautiful, personalized, notebooks at each spot! They were handstamped for us by Shelli and Pam Morgan!

We did this fun exercise with folding paper.... we all had some problems with it....

Dale even joined in on the exercise! He actually did better then a lot of us...

Meg Loven & Beverly Jacobson with their not-so-finished creations...

On day 2, we came in to bookmarks that went with our journals (again, hand stamped by Shelli and Pam) and 2 books. 1 by Pat Pearson and 1 about a topic we talked about, "Crucial Conversations."

Then we did a fun exercise while playing "Stampin' Up! Bunko" -- they had handstamped these cute boards for us!

When I won a round, this is what I got:

Then on the last night we had a nice dinner at the Country Club, I got to sit with my Advisory Board, and we did a Group Shot. Top Row Left to Right: Anna-Marie Still, Patty Bennent, Tammie Ackerson, Me. Bottom Row Left to Right: Lynsay Mahon, Kim Peck, Jen Jacobson, Joann Wiemers.

After dinner, Shelli was telling us how close Dear Lizzie's (her favorite store) is. We wanted to go, but none of us had cars. Sooooo...... Shelli negotiated with the Bus Driver and got him to take us there!!!! The store was closed, but they opened up late for us, what a treat!!!

Jen Jacobson picking out charms....

Shelli looking at shirts...

Meg Loven posing for the camera...

Advisory Board Retreat

Yikes!!! I'm going on too many trips!!! I can't keep up with sharing them all -- I feel like I should be sharing the Leadership Summit, but I still haven't shared the Advisory Board Retreat!!

When we got off the plane, this beautiful van was waiting for us... YES! It's decorated in DECOR ELEMENTS!!!!! How COOL is THAT?!?

Then, we were taken to the "Grand American" Hotel.... WOW!!!! I have NEVER stayed somewhere like that in my LIFE!!!! It was crazy!!! We had Standard rooms, and yet they were suites.... I can't even begin to capture it, but here's a try:

There was a Wedding Reception going on while we were there... we didn't crash it.... but DID take photos.... This was the courtyard of the hotel... In the middle of Salt Lake City.... it still amazes me!

Stampin' Up! had these treats waiting for us on our beds:

When we arrived at Stampin' Up! headquarters the next morning, we were greeted by Shelli and Dale personally, and this sign!

We looked around the Stampin' Up! Idea Room before we started... Patty loved the sewing room, Joann was taken with the bedroom decorating, and I loved the nursery (funny how I didn't love it the LAST time we were there......)

Then it was time for our 1st meeting with the Corporate Staff.... WOW!!! I think we were all a little stunned that 1st session..... they had us sitting in between two members of the Corporate staff. The bulk of our time was spent there in meetings, lots and lots of long hours and long discussions. But it's all confidential..... so that means the bulk of the trip I just can't share!!

I CAN share lunch that day....! That's when Shelli gave us our Advisory Board Rings!!!! SU! is engraved on one side and a little diamond is placed on the other.

And Shelli gave them to us in this BEAUTIFUL box she had hand stamped!

Then that night, we went back to the Grand America with Shelli for dinner and our "Favorite Things" pajama party!!! We had so much fun. We all had to fill gift bags for everyone else filled with things that describe us and tell our story. Everyone was so creative!!

Joann monogrammed all of our bags!!!! She used the Serif Essentials Sizzix Die and our Chocolate Chip Vinyl!!! How COOL is THAT!?!?

The next day, Brent broke out the REAL Stampin' Up!/UPS Ken doll from the Convention Video:

And then after hours and hours of more board room discussions, we took one last group shot there at Stampin' Up!:

And then the Corporate Team took us all out to dinner at "The Roof" Restaurant!!!!

WHAT an EXPERIENCE it was!!!!!! I'm still in disbelief that it actually happened.... and honored! WOW!!!

Card Kit Rejects

You may remember back in August that Eastern Bloom was the featured stamp set for my Card Kits of the month.

While, it took me quite a few attempts to get to where that kit was!

Here are my "Card Kit Rejects" for that round -- they weren't fitting will with the Card Kit concept, but are still good cards!

The Haiku Designer Series Paper was my inspiration, and used under the buttons.

Stamp Set: Eastern Blooms
Cardstock: Pumpkin Pie, So Saffron, More Mustard, Old Olive and Whisper White
Classic Ink & Stampin' Write Markers: So Saffron and Pumpkin Pie
Accessories: Clear Buttons, Linen Thread, Old Olive Wide Grosgrain Ribbon

November Card Kit of the Month

Featured Set: True Friend
Featured Accessory: Clips Assortment

You’ll receive the supplies to create SIX of EACH design – so you will receive all of the consumable supplies that you need to create 12 cards total. You will also receive 2 additional full color samples of “alternative” cards that you can make with the combined contents of the kit! In addition, you’ll receive detailed, step by step instructions on how to complete each of the 4 designs. This month’s card kit items are listed below, and the price of the Card Kit is $15.

Orders for the Card Kits must be received by November 15th. You will receive your kits by the end of the month.

Special Offer for November! Purchase the Card Kit and receive the Coordinating Set, “True Friend” and the Featured Accessory, “Clips Assortment” at 20% off!

The Card Kit ($15) Includes:

• 6 Pieces of 5-1/2" x 8-1/2" Really Rust Cardstock
• 6 Pieces of 5-1/2" x 8-1/2" Always Artichoke Cardstock
• 6 Pieces of 2-1/4" x 5-1/2" More Mustard Cardstock
• 6 Pieces of 1-3/4" x 3" Chocolate Chip Cardstock
• 6 Pieces of 1-1/2" x 2-3/4" Very Vanilla Cardstock
• 6 Pieces of 2-1/2" x 2-1/2" Chocolate Chip Cardstock
• 6 Pieces of 2-1/4" x 2-1/4" Very Vanilla Cardstock
• 6 Pieces of 5-1/2" x 1-1/2" Juntos Designer Series Paper
• 6 Pieces of 5-1/2" x 2" Juntos Designer Series Paper
• 6 - 6 1/2" Pieces Chocolate Chip Wide Grosgrain Ribbon
• 6 - 3" Pieces More Mustard Narrow Grosgrain Ribbon
• 18 - Silver Brads
• 12 - Very Vanilla Envelopes
• Step by Step Instructions to complete 4 different card designs using the kit pieces

Add-On Products:

• Chocolate Chip Stampin' Write Marker ($3.95)
• Really Rust Stampin' Write Marker ($3.95)
• More Mustard Stampin' Write Marker ($3.95)
• Always Artichoke Stampin' Write Marker ($3.95)
  
• Always Artichoke Classic Inkpad ($5.25)
• Really Rust Classic Inkpad ($5.25)
• True Friend Stamp Set ($22.95) $18.36 with the purchase of the Card Kit
• Clips Assortment ($6.95) $5.56 with the purchase of the Card Kit

Other Optional Purchases:

• Crafter's Tool Kit ($39.95)
• Stampin' Dimensionals ($3.95)

Please Note: I am glad to ship kits directly to you! If the kit needs to be shipped, there will be an extra $3 shipping charge.

If you would like to order Add-On Products and/or Other Optional Purchases, you'll need to send me an e-mail to alystamps@gmail.com or call me at 585.360.2667 so that we can get them ordered for you and the discount can be properly applied.

To purchase the November Card Kit of the Month ($15 plus $3 shipping) Click Here:

If you want to receive Card Kits of the Month Automatically on a Monthly Basis, you might want to consider purchasing a subscription - you get a discount!! To order a Subscription by mail, simply print and mail in the below form:

To purchase a Card Kit of the Month 3-Month Subscription online using a secure checkout ($40.50 + $9 shipping) Click Here:

 

To purchase a Card Kit of the Month 6-Month Subscription online using a secure checkout ($72 + $18 shipping) Click Here:

Are you a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator?? You can purchase a November Card Kit of the Month File Pack for just $5! You can also subscribe to receive Monthly File Packs EARLY and AUTOMATICALLY!!! Visit the "Stamping with Aly! Demonstrator WebStore" for more information/to purchase by clicking here (www.alystamps.com/store).

Christmas Bonanza 2008

Please join us on SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 22nd, from 9:00AM to 4:00PM at Crosswinds Wesleyan Church, 3300 Middle Cheshire Road, Canandaigua, NY.

EVENT DETAILS:  Join other stampers from all around Central New York as we put on the holiday music, bring out the Christmas cookies and capture the spirit of the Season as we stamp the day away!  You'll go home with all sorts of completed projects including:  Christmas ornaments, holiday home decor, Christmas cards and more!  Keep your handmade items for yourself, or give them away as Christmas gifts to someone special.

REGISTRATION INFORMATION:  All registration forms and payments MUST be received by November 8thin order to attend! Because of the large quantity of products that have to be ordered and prepared, no exceptions to this deadline will be able to be made. However, while the registration deadline is November 8th, our space is limited to 70 participants. With 10 Demonstrators working this event, we're likely to hit that number quickly! If we reach 70 before November 8th, then registration will CLOSE before the November 8th deadline. Registration is 1st come, 1st served, so to ensure that you receive a spot, register today!!! You will find a registration form below that you can copy and mail in.

EVENT FEE:  The cost of this event is $49 and is non-refundable after November 8th.  After that date, should you be unable to attend, you can pass your spot onto a friend or receive all of the project supplies to use on your own.

THE EVENT INCLUDES:  There are ten demonstrators working to make this event a success, so you're sure to have plenty of guidance and instruction as you complete your projects.  Your registration fee also includes Christmas cookies, hot apple cider and hot chocolate served throughout the day, as well as a catered lunch from Panera Bread. 

Also, all of the Stampin' Up! products featured here will be given to you the day of the event.  You'll use some of these items to complete your projects during the event, and whatever is left over at the end of the day is yours to take home.
 
The total value of products is $34.11, and it's a wonderful way to get a sampling of these products--if you had to purchase the full-sized package of each of these items, the cost would be $71.04.

In addition to the products outlined above, you'll also receive all of the other supplies that are needed to complete your projects, such as card stock, ribbons and brads.  You'll also have the use of our punches, stamp sets and ink pads.  This is a terrific way to make a variety of Christmas projects at very little cost to you!

Please Note:  You will need to bring your own Stampin' Up! SNAIL Adhesive. If you do not have any, you can order one on your registration form and we'll have it for you the day of the event.

Click on the registration form below.  A larger version will be on your screen, and then you can print it off, fill it in and mail it:



Should you have any questions, please contact me either by telephone or email.  It's going to be a tremendous event, and I'd love to see you there!

Please join us on SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 22nd, from 9:00AM to 4:00PM at Crosswinds Wesleyan Church, 3300 Middle Cheshire Road, Canandaigua, NY.

EVENT DETAILS:  Join other stampers from all around Central New York as we put on the holiday music, bring out the Christmas cookies and capture the spirit of the Season as we stamp the day away!  You'll go home with all sorts of completed projects including:  Christmas ornaments, holiday home decor, Christmas cards and more!  Keep your handmade items for yourself, or give them away as Christmas gifts to someone special.

REGISTRATION INFORMATION:  All registration forms and payments MUST be received by November 8thin order to attend! Because of the large quantity of products that have to be ordered and prepared, no exceptions to this deadline will be able to be made. However, while the registration deadline is November 8th, our space is limited to 70 participants. With 10 Demonstrators working this event, we're likely to hit that number quickly! If we reach 70 before November 8th, then registration will CLOSE before the November 8th deadline. Registration is 1st come, 1st served, so to ensure that you receive a spot, register today!!! You will find a registration form below that you can copy and mail in.

EVENT FEE:  The cost of this event is $49 and is non-refundable after November 8th.  After that date, should you be unable to attend, you can pass your spot onto a friend or receive all of the project supplies to use on your own.

THE EVENT INCLUDES:  There are ten demonstrators working to make this event a success, so you're sure to have plenty of guidance and instruction as you complete your projects.  Your registration fee also includes Christmas cookies, hot apple cider and hot chocolate served throughout the day, as well as a catered lunch from Panera Bread. 

Also, all of the Stampin' Up! products featured here will be given to you the day of the event.  You'll use some of these items to complete your projects during the event, and whatever is left over at the end of the day is yours to take home.
 
The total value of products is $34.11, and it's a wonderful way to get a sampling of these products--if you had to purchase the full-sized package of each of these items, the cost would be $71.04.

In addition to the products outlined above, you'll also receive all of the other supplies that are needed to complete your projects, such as card stock, ribbons and brads.  You'll also have the use of our punches, stamp sets and ink pads.  This is a terrific way to make a variety of Christmas projects at very little cost to you!

Please Note:  You will need to bring your own Stampin' Up! SNAIL Adhesive. If you do not have any, you can order one on your registration form and we'll have it for you the day of the event.

Click on the registration form below.  A larger version will be on your screen, and then you can print it off, fill it in and mail it:



Should you have any questions, please contact me either by telephone or email.  It's going to be a tremendous event, and I'd love to see you there!

Founder's Circle Part 2

I promised that I would share my other half of the pictures from Founder's Circle... here goes!!

We're on to Days 3 and 4! After the pajama party business share night, the next morning we got up early and went to SU!'s manufacturing facility in Kanab.

It was a 2 1/2 hour drive, so of course, SU! had to make it fun! We were the Georgia Peaches bus led by Bonnie Thurber. Bonnie is all the entertainment you need for 2 1/2 hours, that's for sure!!!



Shelli also did a bunch of Q&A on the bus ride, gathering our different ideas and feedback for the company:



This is what the Kanab facility looks like on the outside:



And then here is a picture of the lobby area, they have a lot of display samples set up around the place! I noticed projects from all of the past Mini Catalog Covers in this China Cabinet:



Then the next 2 parts of the Kabab trip I actually can't share pictures of because of Privacy and Trade Secret Policies, but I can TELL you what we did! 1st, we took a tour of Shelli's apartment on the upper floor of the manufacturing facility. Then the 2nd part of the tour was seeing how the stamps were manufactured!!!! Boy did a learn a LOT!! And gained a new-found respect for die cut stamps -- the process they have to go through ss CRAZY!!!!!

After we left Kanab, we went to the Kanab park, where the playground is filled with the leftovers from OUR Rubber Stamps!!!!! Check it out!!!!



Fellow Advisory Board Member Anna Marie Still had her (6-Month?) Old baby with her, Rowyan. Here's the cutest shot of him in the rubber:



We also did an Advisory Board Group Picture on the playground:



We also had lunch while we were at the playground, they brought in a Subway Cart just for us, and made us any sandwich we wanted!!!!!



Then we ate in the Pavilion:



After we got back later that evening, a bunch of us went out to dinner at Famous Dave's..... only..... I didn't want any meat..... soooo.... I ordered chicken fingers just for the side of corn on the cob.... and then took up offerings for everyone else's corn that didn't want it!! Haha... I had about 6 ears of corn for dinner that night..... I couldn't get it all outta my teeth!!!!



That night, this beautiful gift was on my pillow!!! Shelli had these necklaces had made for us with our Designer Series Paper put inside! We each had our own initial on them - it was so personal!



Then the next day was just a very relaxing day, I lounged in the big comfee couches and chatted with different Demonstrators. We shared ideas, both business and stamping projects, and it was just a great day! I was able to catch up for a good few hours with Penny Thomas, who is pictured below. Penny and I met at my 1st Leadership Conference 2, almost 3 years ago. I was there by myself, and she kindly let me tag along with her for the few days! In fact, we were both "solos" for Manger's Reception that year, I was by myself all together, and no one that was there in her downline had qualified, so we were "dates" to the Manager's Roundup, riding those mechanical bulls together!!! We've seen each other at just about every event since then, and then were so excited when we both earned Founder's Circle for the 1st time together this year!!! It was funny, but not only did we both earn it, we bumped into each other yet again on stage that night -- we were in the same category as well!!!! Penny ranked #59 and I was #51, so we were the start and end of our category. What a small world :) -- Anyways, it was so nice to be able to catch up and renew friendships on this day:



Christie Daugherty shared with us this awesome banner she made with the Sizzix Pennant Dies -- it's made out of fabric!! -- AND, reversible!!!! You hang it up for 1 season and then just flip it over for the rest of the year!





Glenda Travelstead had made a version as well:



That night was our last night there, and Bonnie Thurber led us in the Georiga Peach bus once again! Only this time, we didn't know WHERE we were going or WHAT we were doing!!!! It was all surprise mystery event....



And we arrived at..... This BEAUTIFUL Country Club where High School Musical 2 was FILMED!!!!! How COOL is THAT!?!?



It was so beautiful there, we took a bunch of different photos. The 1st that I'll share is one of me with Christie Daugherty, a friend from Texas:


The next one is an Advisory Board Group Shot:



We also did a huge Founder's Circle Group Shot:



Then, we had the most fun evening!!!! They had set up an outdoor theater for us to watch a movie!!!!! Of course, every little detail was PERFECT:



We had a popcorn and candy station...



Only the banners were all of course hand made with the Big Shot Pennant Die:



And the popcorn holders were cones made with our Designer paper, Brads, and Scallop Edge Punch!!!!



We also had a Soda, Pizza (like no other you've ever had... GOURMET pizza) and Salad station all with the same beautiful pennant banners.

Then the next BIG surprise.... was that our Pillow Gifts for the evening became chair gifts!!! At every chair was the wonderfully comfortable pink blankets that we had been cuddling up in all week in the Gathering Place!!!



They were sooooooo awesome!!!! We had all been secretly hoping that we might get them at the end of the week.... wish came true!!! Here's a picture of me with Meg Loven and Catherine Pooler and our cozy pink blankets!



WHAT a TRIP!!! I'm still in such belief that I was able to go. What an amazing honor it was!! They always do such a beautiful job with every event they put on, and this was NO exception!!!!

I hope that I'm able to go again next year!!!! Now that I've seen what one is like, I don't want to miss out ever again!!!

The NEW Decor Elements Line is HERE!!!

The 2nd Phase to our Decor Elements Line featuring COLORED Vinyl is now available for purchase!!! Check it out!!!

If you have a smaller computer screen and/or are having a hard time viewing the below flyer - just click on it and a larger version will appear!

This 4-page brochure is simply an insert for the existing brochure! If you already have the 1st brochure, just contact me and I'll get this insert right out to you so that you can view the complete line!!!

If you never received the 1st brochure, just contact me and I'll get a full, 8-page brochure right out to you!!

If you live in the Rochester, NY area and would like to see these Decor Elements in person, let me know and we'll set up a time for you to come on by to take a tour of my home!! I have them up in many of the rooms, and with this new line will have them up in many more!!!

I can be reached at 585-360-2667 or at alystamps@gmail.com.

Happy 20th Birthday, Stampin' Up!

Stampin' Up! is celebrating their 20th Anniversary this year!!! And in celebration, they are offering the following stamp sets at a 20% discount with any $20 order placed!! Place a $20 order and you can take 1, some, or ALL of these fabulous stamp sets at this discounted price!

AND, for the month of October you can also purchase a single Aqua Painter for just $7.25!! But hurry, this offer is only available while supplies last!

Here's the full flyer featuring both of these promotions...

If you have a smaller computer screen and/or are having a hard time viewing the below flyer - just click on it and a larger version will appear!

And don't forget! You can order from me any time, day or night with the NEW Online Ordering System!!! Just go to www.alystamps.stampinup.net and click on "Shop Now" in the upper right hand corner. Your order will ship directly to you no matter where you live, anywhere in the US!! Pretty easy!!!

AND -- I still have TWO, FREE Classic Inkpads to give away for Online Orders!!!! Be one of the next TWO people to place an online order through me, and you'll get one of these free stamp sets! For more details on this offering, refer to this post by clicking here.

Extra Hostess Benefits!!

From October 1-November 30, host a workshop of $350 or more and get a FREE stamp set from the Fall-Winter 2008 Catalog Sampler in addition to the already fabulous hostess benefits!

Here are the stamp sets that are featured in this brochure:

I'm already booked solid for October, but have several openings in November that are ready for YOU and YOUR friends!!! November Dates Available: 12th, 13th, 15th, 19th and 20th.

I offer Cardmaking and Scrapbooking -- YOU choose which type we do! My workshops are FREE of charge and all of your guests go home with what they've made that night!

Don't have the time to host a workshop but still want to take advantage of this fabulous offering? No problem! No matter where you're located, anywhere in the US, you can hold a "Booking Party" and get the same benefits!!! Simply collect $350 from your family and friends (and of course that big old order of your own counts!), give me a call or send me an e-mail with the orders, and we'll start picking out your free stuff!!! The order will ship directly to you!

Contact me for more details and/or to get your workshop on the calendar! 585-360-2667 or alystamps@gmail.com.