2008 Convention - Final Day

Started today by first checking out the display of the new Stampin' Up! Big Shot adn carrying bag (the demos hadn't started yet, so I just peered longingly thru the plexiglass cube). I can't wait to get a Big Shot. Sure, it will cut through cardstock and chipboard but I can't wait to try it out on fabric, leather and other materials!


Eventually, convention had to come to a close - but it went out with a bang ... the bang of confetti canons. The minute the UPS guy walked on stage, we all knew something was up because usually when one of sees the UPS guy at home, that means new stamping stuff being delivered. Sure enough, the UPS guy was there deliver all of us the "Say It with Scallops" set from the new catalog!



UPS donated these sets and Stampin' Up! will be giving $2 from every set we received (plus all future sets sold) to the Ronald McDonald House Charities. A friend of mine stayed at a Ronald McDonald house for 3 months after her daughter was born 3 months early (happy to report, the daughter is now in grade school and doing great) so it makes me smile to know dollars are going to this cause.

It's been fun hanging out with some friends. Susan and I both celebrated 5 years as demonstrators so I decided to capture the moment ...


And, ended the day by having dinner & drinks with Teresa & Cheryl, demonstrator friends I met at convention last year in Denver ...


Here are a couple of the projects we made today. I had fun not only playing with some of the new Stampin' Up! products but also learning new techniques. All the projects today featured the new 'Eastern Blooms' stamp set - love it! Here are a couple of the projects - will post the others when I get home (just wait until you see the ribbon rosette)

This card uses several new In Colors: Baja Breeze, Kiwi Kiss and Tangerine Tango (ink). The main focal point of the card was made by dry embossing using the Floral Frenzy Brass Classy Brass template and then lightly brayering Tangerine Tango (new In Color) over the de-bossed side and using the template again as a guide to create the stems by making little dots with a white gel pen. I used the Color Spritzer Tool for the first time (yep, that's on my wish list now, too)


The next project is a mini-book made using two 3 x 3 inch Love Notes in Tangerine Tango and the coordinating envelopes in Very Vanilla. Of course, I didn't have pictures with me to finish off the inside so will have to do that at home. I was also thinking this could be a creative new form of invitation ... a little booklet highlight weekend events for a girls getaway to the spa ...



I'll post the other project pics when I get home. In fact, I have tons (only a slight exageration) of pictures from convention so I'll be creating some photo galleries to share.

2008 Convention - Day 3

Wrapping up the third day of Stampin' Up!'s demonstrator convention ... but first, a bit more about yesterday. As I mentioned, it was "Awards Night" which means stampers were recognized for all sorts of achievements they accomplished during the past year. Stampin' Up! also announced their new demonstrator advisory board (they pick 8 new members each year) and my upline, Patty Bennett, was chosen to be a member.

I managed to snap a couple pics. Here's Patty standing out in the crowd just after her name was called ...


And, of course, getting a congratulatory hug from Stampin' Up! co-founder, Shelli Gardner ...


After all the awards were handed out, it was time for the entertainment. As I mentioned in day 2's post, the band was Tonic Sol-fa, an acappella group from Minneapolis, and they were great. Here are a couple snaps of the band ...



Congratulations, Patty.


The big announcement today, Stampin' Up! has partnered with Sizzix to deliver an SU! Big Shot and exclusive Stampin' Up! die-cuts and embossing templates. The convention center practically shook from the cheers in the room. The projects were adorable (stay tuned for more pictures) I'm excited to get mine and share it with all the visitors to the Stamp Garage.

Of course, there are the new stamp sets, too. Here are a couple more make-n-take projects from yesterday. These both feature Stampin' Up!'s "Flight of the Butterfly" set.

The scrapbook page uses cardstock in: More Mustard, Old Olive, Rose Red, Whisper White (to stamp the little butterfly) and the new In Color Baja Breeze. It also features On Board chipboard 'Loads of Letters', a flower from the 'Flower Fusion Too accents & Elements' kit and a button in Baja Breeze from the new Button Bouquet.


The card use cardstock in: More Mustard, Certainly Celery and the new In Colors Baja Breeze and Riding Hood Red. It also features a 'U' from On Board chipboard 'Loads of Letters' and a brad from the new Styled Vanilla Hodgepodge Hardware kit (shabby chic anyone? these new Vanilla hardware pieces are great!). The circle was cut using teh Coluzzle (5th circle from the center) and the scalloped edge was punched using Stampin' Up!'s new Scallop Edge punch (mmm, punches!)


Long day, but a good day. Thoroughly enjoying my stay at The Peery Hotel ..


So, closing out with a snap of some stampers happily swapping cards at The Peery ...


One more day of convention festivities tomorrow ...

2008 Convention - Day 2

Today was the first full day of convention activities kicking off with the general session at 8:30am. I'm not sure how so many people can muster so much energy at that hour of the morning - but I witnessed it happen. Lots of fabulous demos including some peeks at new wall decor elements! I'm already brewing up some new class ideas from what I saw today.

Plenty of pictures to go through, but for now, thought you might enjoy seeing a couple of the make-n-take projects we made today featuring one of the new silhouette sets, "Inspired by Nature"

First, a card featuring the new In Color, Kiwi Kiss ...


Next, a gift bag featuring the new In Color, Tangerine Tango. This bag also uses the brand new So Saffron 7/8" polly twill ribbon and Tangerine Tango double-sided designer paper.



Tonight was the "Awards Night" with entertainment by acappella group, Tonic Sol-fa from Minneapolis. Great show! (never thought I'd hear 'The Lion Sleeps Tonight' done 'Muppet Show Style')

We're supposed to hear more new product announcements tomorrow ... stay tuned ...

p.s. Colors might not be quite accurate - using my hotel bed as a photo backdrop and the tableside lamp for extra light (the flash washes everything out) ... will take better pics when I get back to the Stamp Garage.

Greetings from Convention!

Hello from 'Celebrate '08' ... Stampin' Up!'s demonstrator convention! The festivities officially begin tomorrow but so far things are getting off to a good start ... cute tote bags! What's not to love about a brown, green & turquoise messenger bag - and one that's big enough to hold books n' things but small enough to be purse-like.


Next up, cool display showing how to use items from Ikea to create a super-efficient (and, of course, cute) storage & workspace for stamping. (sorry if the pics are a bit blurry - didn't want to use the flash and cause glare from the glass)





On the outside of the Ikea cabinet, they decorated with Stampin' Up!'s new Decor Elements vinyl wall decals (need to paint the wall in my Stamp Garage so I apply my own decals)


And, of course ... the new catalog! (time to peruse the new images before catching some shut-eye ... convention general session starts at 8:30 am)


Stay tuned ... will try to post daily upates of convention projects & more.

Thanks, eBay Folks!

The auctions are over and a big THANKS to everyone who looked and purchased. All the sets sold which means my Stamp Garage has a bit more room for new things. I'll be posting some more sets for sale after the current catalog retires. Stay tuned ...

The Stamp Sale Is On!

Posted over 50 retired stamp sets on eBay last night - time to make room for new stamps & supplies. Decided to start all the auctions at $0.99 and also include a buy-it-now price to, hopefully, make it easier for folks to get the stamps they like. Over 15 sets already sold! To see what's on eBay, check out items by seller Kumquat.

Sharing the stamping love ...

Belated Spring Cleaning ...

Had a great 4th of July weekend (hope you did, too). I spent quite a bit of time in the Stamp Garage but instead of stamping, it was photographing ... retired stamp sets. I decided to do some belated spring cleaning to make room for new stamps and supplies. So, pictures are taken and just over 50 retired sets will be posted on eBay soon!