Stamping with Aly!

Bridal Shower Invitations

I was asked to create some Bridal Shower Invitations for someone that Brad works with, so thought I would share what I came up with! These are the 4 proto-types, she needs to choose which of the 4 or which combination of the 4 she wants done.

The wedding color is Night of Navy so I used that on everything, both the cardstock and the 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon as well as the Classic Ink. Her dress is Very Vanilla so that's the base on each.

Sample #1: This uses the Baroque Border Stampin' Around Wheel

Sample #2: This uses the Forever Flowers Stampin' Around Wheel

Sample #3: I used a stamp set instead of the wheel for the vertical cards, this set is Together Forever:

Sample #4: Is the same as Sample #3, it just uses a Vellum Overlay

Love Birds Valentines

I don't normally share workshop projects on my blog, but thought I would this month to give everyone some more inspiration on the Valentine's Day Bundle before it ends on January 31st!

My "standard" workshop is 2 cards, and I knew that I wanted 1 of the 2 to showcase this bundle. I was inspired by a Leadership Display Board on this one, here's how it turned out:

The background of this card is Chocolate Chip Textured Cardstock, the DSP is actually not from the bundle, although it could be, instead I used Pink Pirouette Prints DSP. The accent is a Library Clip with some Old Olive 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon tied around it. I stamped the birds in Chocolate Chip Ink twice, once on the Whisper White Cardstock and once on So Saffron Cardstock. I then cut out just the bodies of the birds and attached them over the previously stamped images with Stampin' Dimensionals. The heart was stamped in Riding Hood Red Classic Ink on Riding Hood Red Cardstock and punched out with the Heart to Heart Punch that comes in the Valentine's Day Bundle. The grass is just a strip of Old Olive Cardstock that I cut with Paper Snips to create the grass.

So after I had this card designed, I found out that one of my workshops for the month wanted to do a Scrapbooking Workshop instead of the standard 2 cards. I didn't want to have to go completely re-designing things, and still wanted to show them the Valentine's Day Bundle, so I decided to use this card as a template and try to convert it to a scrapbook page - I'm happy with the results!

This layout has the same Chocolate Chip Textured Cardstock base. The strips of DSP, however, IS the Candy Cane DSP that comes in the Valentine's Bundle. The metal tag accent is the same instruction as the card above, except it's just placed inside a Metal Rimmed Tag instead of being on plain cardstock. The headline caption is the stamp set Wonderful Favorites. It works out great for a workshop, because all of the small words are approx. the same size, so while I have nice they could put daughter or son or mother or anything else they wanted. The clip attached to that is from Clip Assortments and tied with Old Olive 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon.

Then after I got done with this, I got thinking that there were some ladies coming that wouldn't probably want to make the scrapbook layout, so using the pieces that I already cut for the scrapbook page, I turned it into a 3x6 card -- they just fold one of their 6x6 squares in half to make it into a card:

These projects used all 3 components of the Love You Much Bundle. The stamp set, punch and Designer Series Paper. You have until January 31st ONLY to purchase this bundle at a 20% discount! Here's a look at what you get:

To get your bundle ordered today, contact me at alystamps@gmail.com, or go directly online to www.alystamps.stampinup.net and click "Shop Now" in the Upper Right Hand Corner.

If you add a little something to this bundle, you can use the New Catalog $5 Off Coupon that also expires on January 31st:

To take advantage of this offering, you'll have to e-mail me directly instead of using the online shopping site.

February & March Stamping Classes in TWO Locations!

Edited to Add: I forgot to put Registration Deadlines up!! Both classes are pre-pay classes -- the class fee is due at the time of Registration in order to reserve your spot and the deadlines are as follows:

February Class Registration Deadline: February 13th

March Class Registration Deadline: March 13th

I'm pleased to announce that Aly's Stamping Classes are starting back up - and at TWO locations this time! Each class will be offered twice - once in Canandaigua and once in Rochester - you choose the date/ time/ and location that work best for you!

And if you're a Stamper's 10 Club Member - you get special discount pricing! If you're not in a Stamper's 10 Club yet and would like take advantage of this opportunity, contact me and we'll get you started.

Aly's Stamping Classes will take a hiatus for the months of April & May (baby time for me!), and then start back up again in June - so be sure to register for these upcoming ones and get stamping sooner than later!

There will, however, be a large Heartfelt Stamper's Team sponsored event, "Tour de Techniques" on May 30th in Canandaigua. More details on that will be released soon, but for now, save the date!

February Stamping Class
"It's a Sale-A-Bration!"

Details: At this class, we're going to celebrate Sale-A-Bration!! Sale-A-Bration is going on for the months of February and March. What is Sale-A-Bration? A time to earn FREE, EXCLUSIVE stamp sets! This year, there are four of these exclusive sets to choose from in addition to ribbon and designer series paper. In this class, we're going to focus on the stamp sets. Come and make 4 cards - 1 using each of the 4 different sets! The card shown below is just 1 of the 4 cards that will be completed (inspired by a Leadership Display Board Sample). This particular card uses the "Polka Dot Punches" Sale-A-Bration set in addition to some of our NEW Specialty Paper! To see everything else that will be completed at this class, you'll have to attend! Envelopes are included for each of the completed cards. You must bring your own Stampin' Up! SNAIL Adhesive. All other supplies are provided.

Canandaigua Class Info
Wegmans Private Dining
Friday February 20th
6:30 - 9:30 pm
Class Fee: $20
Click Here to Register at Regular Class Price:


Club Member Class Fee: $15
Click Here to Register if You're a Stamper's 10 Club Member:

Rochester Class Info

Aly's Stamping Studio
67 Covington Road
West Irondequoit NY
Saturday February 21st
10:00 am - 1:00 pm
Class Fee: $18
Click Here to Register at Regular Class Price:


Club Member Class Fee: $13
Click Here to Register if You're a Stamper's 10 CLub Member:



March Stamping Class
"Simply Scrappin' Cards & More!"

Details: At this class, we're going to be sure to get your hands on some of our newest products! One portion of this class will be focused on one of our newest Simply Scrappin' Kits - Sunshine Garden. You'll each receive 1 sheet of Designer Series Paper and 1 sheet of Accents & Elements and use these pieces to create the 4 cards shown to the right! We'll even decorate 4 coordinating envelopes - AND you'll go home with all the left overs from your paper & element supply! In addition to this set of 4 cards, we'll also be making 1 card not using the Simply Scrappin' Kit in addition to a Hodgepodge Hardware Bookmark using some special ribbon that is exclusive to Sale-A-Bration. While I can't show you the exact bookmark that we're going to make (this project along with the additional card are only going to be shown to class attendees), you can view some similar ones on my website at www.alystamps.com. In all, you'll go home with 6 completed projects! You must bring your own Stampin' Up! SNAIL Adhesive - all other supplies will be provided.

Canandaigua Class Info
Wegmans Private Dining
Friday March 27th
6:30 - 9:30 pm
Class Fee: $21
Click Here to Register at Regular Class Price:


Club Member Class Fee: $16
Click Here to Register if You're a Stamper's 10 Club Member:

Rochester Class Info
Aly's Stamping Studio
67 Covington Road
West Irondequoit, NY
Sunday March 29th
2:00 - 5:00 pm
Class Fee: $19
Click Here to Register at Regular Class Price:


Club Member Class Fee: $14
Click Here to Register if You're a Stamper's 10 Club Member:

PDF Class Files for Demos

Both of these classes will be available to Stampin' Up! Demonstrators in PDF Format. If you are a member of the Heartfelt Stamper's Team, they will be posted on our Team Website free of charge.

If you are not on the Heartfelt Stamper's Team, you may purchase the files. These files are not yet completed, but I will gladly accept Pre-Orders. To Pre-Order your PDF Files, use the links below!

February (Sale-A-Bration) Class File Pre-Order ($5.00):
(Approx. Release Date: February 11th)


March (Simply Scrappin' Bulk Buy & More) Class File Pre-Order ($8.00):
(Approx. Release Date: March 13th)

February Card Kit of the Month

Featured Set: Flower Fest
Featured Accessory: Chit Chat RubOns

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 February 10th. You will receive your kits by the end of the month.

Special Offer for February! Purchase the Card Kit and receive the Coordinating Set, “Flower Fancy” and the Featured Accessory, “Chit Chat RubOns” at 20% off!

The Card Kit ($15) Includes:

• 6 Pieces of 5-1/2" x 8-1/2" Old Olive Cardstock
• 6 Pieces of 5-1/2" x 8-1/2" Chocolate Chip Cardstock
• 6 Pieces of 3" x 3" Whisper White Cardstock
• 6 Pieces of 2-1/2" x 1-7/8" Old Olive Cardstock
• 6 Pieces of 2-1/2" x 1-7/8" Pumpkin Pie Cardstock
• 6 Pieces of 2-1/2" x 1-7/8" So Saffron Cardstock
• 6 Pieces of 2-1/2" x 1-7/8" Pink Pirouette Cardstock
• 6 Pieces of 2-1/4" x 3" Whisper White Cardstock
• 6 Pieces of 2-1/2" x 3-1/4" Chocolate Chip Cardstock
• 6 Pieces of 5-1/4" x 2" So Saffron Cardstock
• 6 Pieces of 5-1/4" x 1-1/4" Pumpkin Pie Cardstock
• 6 - 6" Pieces Pink Pirouette 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon
• 6 - 16" Pieces of Chocolate Chip 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon
• 30 - Silver Brads
• 12 - Whisper White Envelopes
• Step by Step Instructions to complete 4 different card designs using the kit pieces

Add-On Products:

• Pumpkin Pie Stampin' Write Marker ($3.25)
• So Saffron Stampin' Write Marker ($3.25)
• Old Olive Stampin' Write Marker ($3.25)
• Old Olive Classic Ink Pad ($5.95)
• Chocolate Chip Classic Ink Pad ($5.95)
• So Saffron Classic Ink Pad ($5.95)
• Pink Pirouette Classic Ink Pad ($5.95)
• Corner Rounder ($6.95)
• 1/2" Circle Punch ($5.95)
• Dazzling Diamonds ($4.50)
• 2-Way Glue Pen ($3.50)
• Flower Fancy Stamp Set ($36.95) $29.56 with the purchase of the Card Kit
• Chit Chat RubOns ($10.95) $8.76 with the purchase of the Card Kit

Other Optional Purchases:

• Stampin' Dimensionals ($3.95)
• SNAIL Adhesive ($6.95)
• Bone Folder ($6.95)

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 February 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 December 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).

Stamping Gone Retro

I just love the look of this new Retro line!! I made this set of cards up for the February Card Kit of the Month, but then we decided that it didn't really work to have chipboard be the main focal points of a Card Kit, PLUS, we realized that we would have THREE birds images in a row for a kit if we did it -- what is UP with how popular birds are in our stamp sets these days!? haha!

So anyways because this is a "card kit reject" I can share the full set of 4 with you -- they may not work for the kit but they're still good cards!

Stamp Set: Good Friend
Color Scheme: Pacific Point, Old Olive, Summer Sun, Chocolate Chip and Whisper White
Designer Series Paper: Good Morning Sunshine
Chipboard: So Tweet
Ribbon: Chocolate Chip 1" Stitched Grosgrain and Pacific Point 5/8" Striped Grosgrain

It's NEW CATALOG Day!!!

Hooray!!! It's NEW CATALOG Day!!! We have THREE New Publications that were JUST released!

Contact me to receive your FREE Hard Copy of any or all of these award-winning publications!

Spring/Summer 2009 Idea Book & Catalog

 

The 1st NEW Catalog just released today is the Spring/Summer 2009 Idea Book & Catalog! This is our MAIN Publication that is FILLED with wonderful new stamp sets and accessories!!!

I offer copies of this catalog for FREE to anyone who wants one! All I ask is that you either pick it up from me or pay the shipping for me to send it to you.

If you are local and would like to pick up your copy, just e-mail me at alystamps@gmail.com to let me know and one will be set aside for you.

If you are long distance and would like a copy to be mailed to you, just click the link below to pay the shipping and one will be sent to you via USPS Priority Mail!

You can also view all contents from this publication by going to http://alystamps.stampinup.net and clicking on "Shop Now". You can order from it while you're there, too!

 
Celebrando Creatividad Primavera-Verano 2009

The other NEW Catalog just released today is the Celebrando Creatividad Primavera-Verano 2009 - the Spanish Catalog!

If you would prefer to receive a copy of this catalog for FREE instead of the Spring/Summer 2009 Idea Book & Catalog, you may do so! Again, all I ask is that you either pick it up from me or pay the shipping for me to send it to you.

If you are local and wouild like to pick up your copy, just e-mail me at alystamps@gmail.com to let me know and one will be set aside for you.

If you are long distance and would like a copy to be mailed to you, jsut click the link below to pay the shipping and one will be sent to you via USPS Priority Mail!

You can also view all contents from this publication now by clicking here.

Decor Elements Catalog

The last NEW Catalog just released today is the NEW Decor Elements Catalog that has been expanded to 23 pages!

Again, copies of this catalog are FREE to anyone who wants one! AND -- there's even Complimentary Postage on this item, shipping directly to you for FREE!!

To receive a copy of the Decor Elements Catalog, just e-mail me at alystamps@gmail.com and one will be sent out to you.

You view this catalog online, click here!

Orlando Regional Seminar

After Leadership, we had a Regional Seminar down in Orlando! I have quite a few downline down south, so it was nice to be able to connect with a couple of them.

Here's a group shot of our table. I stick out a bit.... but I could NOT fit into our Team shirts for this event...... and the company doesn't make maternity shirts!

After the Regional Seminar, Ali Norris had to catch a flight home, but Kriss, Jen, Dionne and I went out for dinner at a wonderful place called Cafe Tu Tu Tango. Here's a photo of Jen and Dionne:

And then here's Kriss and I:

Jen made us these beautiful photo albums and gave them to us at dinner that night:

The desert was HEAVENLY....

Leadership 2009

As promised, I'll share some photos with all of you from Leadership!

I flew out with two of my downline, Kriss Huels and Jen Rios Raner, this is them at the airport:

We were REALLY bad about taking photos this trip.... I'm waiting on the disc from Kriss's camera and she might have some more.... but I didn't get any of Check-In Day and the Memento Mall... eeek!!! So let's skip to the make and take session....! Here's Kriss and I Stamping:

After make and takes, I had an Advisory Board Focus Group meeting. While we were there, Scott Nielson, the CFO of the company, surprised us with SWAPS of his very own!!!! Scott used to play for the Yankees, so that's what his card was based on. I think he did a good job!:

The next morning I had our Advisory Board Reunion. They did a breakfast by the pool of the hotel! It was a very nice morning :) (I'm NOT photographing well with this pregnant belly!!!)

These are the ladies I ate breakfast with. The four of us on the right side are all on the current board and then the 3 on the left are from different boards:

After our breakfast, it was time for our 1st General Session! So off we went to the Convention Center. It was nice not having to wait in line, we had reserved seating!

One of my AB members, Anna Marie, still had Ronan with her for this trip. WHAT an angel! He just hung out without a peep during general sessions. He's raising my expectations too high!! I'm going to have Landon with me for the next Convention and Leaderships and if he's HALF as good as Ronan I'll be happy!

That evening, we had Manager's Reception!!! Manager's Reception this year was at Universal Studios. Here are some fun shots from the evening:

Lynsay and Anna-Marie with.... I have NO clue.....

Shots from the streets:

Kriss and I aren't really ride people.... well, she definitley isn't and the baby in my belly kinda forced me not to be. So instead we enjoyed the food and dancing, and then spent some time in the arcade. Here's Kriss doing Dance Revolution!
 
We had an AMAZING speaker for closing session who really got everyone inspired and motivated! In fact, we ended by singing the Gloria E. (not going to attempt to spell her last name) song "Get on Your Feet" -- it was fun!

That evening, we had an Advisory Board Dinner at this fantastic restaurant down the road from the hotel. It ended up being gift night - everyone kept pulling out little treats!

A couple hours after dinner, my downline that was there showed up at the restaurant. I didn't know WHAT was going on until Kim yelled "Surprise!!!"  They were throwing me a BABY SHOWER!!! I was soooooo shocked. What a wonderful treat! Here are some photos from that:

And that ends the fun at Leadership Conference!! The next day we had a Regional Seminar and I'll share some photos from that later :)

Regional Gifts

Today is our Regional Seminar in Orlando, and so I made gifts for my downline attending this event as well!

I was inspired by an issue of Stampin' Success (a Demonstrator Only Publication) to make these gifts. They showcased the concept of using this Hodgepodge Hardware for jewelry and I just loved the idea! So here's what I came up with:

The base of the necklace is Very Vanilla Designer Label Hodgepodge Hardware - you actually need two of these to sandwich the punch out cardstock with. Team Member Jen Rios Raner came up with a brilliant idea when she was teaching her bookmarks that you can actually create your main focal image/stamped piece of cardstock and then put Stampin' Dimensionals on the back and put another punch out of the Designer Label cardstock on the other side of it, making a sandwich. If you then put THAT piece between the two Hodgepodge Hardware pieces, it doesn't wiggle at all and stays very secure.

Most of the little odds and ends come from the Pretties Kit but I also used Flower Fusion Too and Filigree Designer Brads.

 

Here's a close up of the stamping. I used the Sanded Background Stamp 1st in Creamy Carmel Classic Ink. I then stamped an image from Pocket Silhouttes in Really Rust Classic Ink and another image from that same stamp set in Mellow Moss Classic Ink. The image from Bella's Bloom was inked in Close to Cocoa Classic Ink and the splattered dots are in Old Olive Classic Ink and came from the set Itty Bitty Backgrounds. Our Team name is "The Heartfelt Stampers" so I stamped the word Heartfelt from an image in the Close as a Memory stamp set. It's actually a large stamp that says "With Heartfelt Sympathy" but I used a Chocolate Chip Marker to ink up just the Heartfelt.

The entire stamped unit is finished off with the "Cracked Glass" technique -- done by embossing Glazzy Glaze Enamel in three layers over the cardstock, and then cracking it once it has dried. This gives the jewelry some protection against weather so it doesn't get water damage. Plus it makes it look nicer!

I also wanted to make something to package these necklaces in, so I made these:

I'm not exactly sure where I got the tins from, but it was probably www.specialtybottle.com -- that seems to be my main source for things like that. The Designer Paper that I used for it is NEW Designer Paper from the upcoming catalog!!! I received it at the Leadership Summit along with 2 other packs of new papers, but we were told that we couldn't use them/show them until the new catalog was given out to attending Demonstrators at Leadership. Now that that's done, I can finally put it to use! I'm drawing a blank on the name of the paper, but it's Urban something... it's another addition to the whole Urban line (that I just LOVE)!!! I really like seeing a more neutral color scheme as well -- black, caramel and white all look so sharp together!

The ribbon that I used on these tins is: Basic Black 1/4" Grosgrain, Creamy Caramel Gingham and Basic Black Gingham.

The tag was made with the Large and Small Tag Punches, Basic Black Cardstock, Creamy Caramel Cardstock, Basic Black Classic Ink and Pocket Silhouettes Stamp Set.

The band around it is just a Belly Band that can slide on and off:

Leadership Gifts

I had fun making gifts to bring to Leadership this year! I have a "3-D Closet" in my studio that is just packed with 3-D surfaces and odds and ends that I keep picking up thinking that they would make great gift items. The problem is.... I never seem to get to them!

I entered the closet in search of something for Leadership and had just enough of these bottles and bags to make these gifts for my downline that are attending, my fellow Advisory Board members and my Service Accounts Manager at headquarters. So that's what I did!

These are little travel bags, the bottles are empty so that they can fill them with the products they use and need to travel with. I got the bottles and www.specialtybottle.com and I got the clear bags at www.vippies.com.

I monogrammed each bag with their own individual initial. I did this with the Big Shot Machine and the Serif Essentials Alphabet Dies. The material that I used was White Bulk Vinyl - we sell four colors of the raw vinyl material that our Decor Elements are made out of. It's not pictured in the catalog right now, but you can still get it!

The bottles were made out of NEW Designer Series Paper that is currently available to Demonstrators to purchase, and will be available to customers on January 19th. It's called Raspberry Tart and I just LOVE it! Stampin' Up! just keeps getting better and better with their paper designs. I think this one is tied with Urban Gardens for me as my all time favorites. I also used Styled Silver Hodgepodge Hardware on the bottles around the "lotion" and "mist" labels that I printed off on my computer. You can purchase this Hodgepodge Hardware set through January 18th at a discount in the Inventory Blowout Sale!

SUPPLY LIST:
Cardstock/Paper: Whisper White Cardstock, Whisper White Raw Vinyl and Raspberry Tart Designer Series Paper
Big Shot Items: Big Shot Die Cutting Machine, Serif Essentials Alphabet Die and Standard Cutting Pads
Ribbon: Old Olive 1/4" Grosgrain, Whisper White 1/4" Grosgrain, Kiwi Kiss/Very Vanilla Satin, Pink Pirouette 1-1/4" Grosgrain, Kiwi Kiss 5/8" Striped Grosgrain, and Rose Red 1" Double-Stitched Grosgrain
Accessories: Styled Silver Hodgepodge Hardware, Mini Glue Dots, 2-Way Glue Pen,  Sticky Strip, Button Bouquet Designer Buttons, Flower Fusion, Flower Fusion Too, Pretties Kit (Clear Rhinestone Brads) and White Gel Pen

Top Note Cards

Another one of the projects that we did at our All-Day Stamp Fest last Saturday was a card with the Top Note Bigz Sizzix Die as the BASE of the card! I can't share the card that we actually made that day (exclusive for attendees) but I CAN share some other cards that were made using this template by Kriss Huels:

Off to Leadership!

Well, I'm off to Leadership!! I have to leave the house in 2 hours, so better go finish packing!!!

While I'm gone, I've set up several posts to Auto-Post -- so you'll still get plenty of Stamping Ideas while I'm gone!!! I've even included what I've made as my Leadership Gifts to my downline :)

I'm staying through for Regionals after the Leadership Conference, so won't return until January 11th. At that point, I'll be sure to share as much from the trip with you as I can over the next week!

If you need to place an order while I'm gone, the BEST way to do it (as long as you're not a 10-10 member) is online by going to www.alystamps.stampinup.net and clicking on "Shop Now" in the Upper Right hand corner. If you experience any problems with ordering online while, leave a message at 585-478-0525 and I'll return your call and try to help you through it. Although I don't anticipate any problems!!

I will check my e-mails as frequently as I can, but I will only be responding to/dealing with e-mails in regards to placing orders. Everything else will be put on hold until I return.

Fun with Bookmarks

At our Stamp Fest last Saturday, one of the projects was bookmarks. I can't share photos of the bookmarks that we made (exclusive for those who attended) but I CAN share with you some "alternative" bookmarks that were made by Heartfelt Stamper's Team Member Jen Rios Raner. She did just a BEAUTIFUL job with these!!! I want to make them all myself!!!!

 

January "09 Stamp Fest

This past Saturday was our Annual January Stamp Fest for "The Heartfelt Stamper's" Team of Demonstrators! We had a blast and went home with tons of projects.

I can't share the close ups of the projects or the project details, those are all exclusive for those who attended the event (a great reason to join our Team!!) but I will share photos of the presenters holding some of their projects :)

The 1st project was our big 1/2 a day project, a birthday card/scrapbook made from a File Folder! This project was led by Christine Luce:

Kriss Huels was our 2nd presenter, she led us in two projects, her theme was "alternative ways to use the Sizzix" -- we made a card with the Top-Note Die as the BASE of the card, and then an adorable basket made from the Scallop Envelope Die:

Jen Rios Raner was our final presenter, she led us in two bookmark projects using items that are available in bulk to Demonstrators -- Vanilla Hodgepodge Hardware and Square Chipboard Frames:

We'll be having our next Stamp Fest in July!!! These all-day stamping events are so much fun, but we also have a weekend retreat coming up before then in April, our "Spring Break 2009 Stamping Retreat Weekend" -- the weekends are 3 DAYS of stamping!!! To join our Team so that you're able to attend the next event, contact me today!

Free Paper Winner!

And the winner for the FREE PAPER is:

"Love the card! Thanks for sharing!

Posted by: Sherianne | December 31, 2008 at 07:27 PM"

Contact me to claim your prize!!!!

Leadership SWAP!

OK, I'm DONE with Christmas. I promise!!! No more Christmas projects :)

Instead, I'm starting to get geared up for Leadership, Valentine's and the NEW CATALOG!!!!

The 1st thing I thought I would share with you as I get away from Christmas are my SWAPS for Leadership.

I'm be leaving for Leadership Conference THIS TUESDAY, January 6th! I cannot BELIEVE how fast this trip sprung up on me!!!

I'm not doing a ton of SWAPS this year, but did manage to get 50 done. Here's what it is!

SUPPLIES
Cardstock/Paper: Rose Red, Pink Pirouette and Whisper White Cardstock
Ink/Markers: Jet Black StazOn, Whisper White Craft, Pink Pirouette and Kiwi Kiss Classic and Rose Red Stampin' Write Marker
Stamps: Cheers to You
Accessories: Key Tag Punch, 1/8" Punch, Rose Red 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon, Chunky Glitter, Crystal Effects and Whisper White Embossing Powder

THE STRAWBERRY DAIQUIRI IMAGE
I had a lot of fun making this realistic. I applied Chunky Glitter along the rim of the glass to look like sugar, and Crystal Effects all over the glass itself to look like glass. Here's a close up:

Now I've got to go PACK for this trip, I can't believe we leave in 2 days!!!!

Christmas GOODIES from Joann Wiemers!

One of my fellow Advisory Board Members, Joann Wiemers, was a complete doll!!!!! She spoiled all of us this year by sending out hand stamped Christmas Gifts to all of us!!! SUCH a sweetheart!!!!

Here is what she sent:

This adorable Christmas Tree Ornament made from our DSP:

Another ornament made with the Sizzix Scallop Die:

A chocolate bar wrapped so cute! I love how she used the Curly Label Punch for the belt! The chocolate is already gone.... haha:
 

Thank you, Joann!!!!!!

I'm working hard to make up some gifts for these ladies to bring to Leadership :) -- I'll be sure to post them when I'm done!

Christmas Cards Part 2

It's time to share with you some more Christmas Cards that I received in the mail!!!

The 1st one I'll share in this post was created by my mom and Heartfelt Stamper's Team Member, Kriss Huels. I love how she put the cardinal image from A Cardinal Christmas on a Scallop Big Shot Die!!! I think she also did a BEAUTIFUL coloring job :). I also really like the touch the Sanded Background Stamp gave:

This card was sent to me by Heartfelt Stamper's Team Member Christine Luce. She used a lot from the Sizzix Big Shot -- the Top Note Bigz Die and the Snowflakes #2 Sizzlets Die.

The next card was created by Heartfelt Stamper's Team Member Debbie Rought. She also used the Top Note Bigz Die from the Big Shot Machine. I really like the bakground she created with sponging Encore! Silver ink on the White Cardstock:

Fellow Advisory Board Member, Patty Bennett, created this beautiful card! I just love how she used the Whisper White Cardstock for the snow!!! It looks so great!!!

And the last card that I have right now to show is from Heartfelt Stamper's Team Member Cheryl Holman. Cheryl coordinated the Ski Slope Designer Series Paper with the Boho Backgrounds Stamp Set - they go nicely together and I never would have thought to combine the two!

Christmas Cards Part 1

I thought I would take some time to share with you some of the handmade cards I received this year that used all Stampin' Up! products! This will be a 2-Day series -- check back tomorrow for more samples!!!

This is what our wall of Christmas Cards looked like. I've got to get a bigger board for next year! This one was about 3 cards deep, covering up so many of the beautiful designs:

The 1st card I'll share was made by Heartfelt Stamper's Team Member Lena Thompson. Lena used one of my favorite sets, Snow Swirled! You might also recognize the layout of the card from the October Card Kit of the Month. It was fun to see it done in different colors (Basic Black, Whisper White and Bashful Blue):

This card was sent by Heartfelt Stamper Team Member Dawne Flammger. I love how she cut out the Top Note Sizzix Big Shot Die with Vellum Cardstock!! What a neat look:

Heartfelt Stamper Team Member Fern Legters created this card -- I love the combination of Pretty in Pink and Riding Hood Red!

I think this one is probably my favorite Christmas Card I've EVER received!!!! It's just TOO stinkin' cute!!! It was made by Heartfelt Stamper's Team Member Jen Rios Raner. And I just LOVE the layout of the card, with the Coluzzle Circle. I also really love her use of the 1-1/4" Riding Hood Red/Very Vanilla Grosgrain Ribbon and how she tied it with Silver Cording. But my FAVORITE touch is the Red Bead Duo for Rudolph's nose!!! TOO CUTE!!!

This card was made by a friend of mine, Kathy VanHorne. I believe the set she used is the Retired "Snowflakes" -- but you could substitute with any snowflakes. The colors are Whisper White and Bravo Burgundy. I like the added touch of a Pretties Kit Clear Brad in the center of the one snowflake!

Check back tomorrow for more Christmas Cards!!!