Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Halloween Treat...

So I LOVE Halloween! Why do I love it so much?! Because there are SO MANY reasons to give out cute treats this time of year! It's the best! Anyway: I just watched Linda Heller make a box over at Stamping School. This place is so great. She does all sorts of videos making different projects and it's SO WORTH the small subscription price. Plus...I met her at Founder's Circle and she is SO SWEET! As a matter of fact...here is a pic of her and I on the bus on the way to Kanab...


Anyway: she has great things at her "school" and I would recommend signing up to anyone! :) BACK TO HALLOWEEN...I watched her make this treat container with the "Just B" set and it was so cute. But I'm in the Halloween mode, so I decided to make a Halloween one. It's the perfect size to hold a fun Halloween treat! Here is how it turned out...

Stamps: Batty For You
Card Stock: Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie, Basic Black, Whisper White
Ink: Basic Black
Accessories: Ghostly Greetings DSP, Scallop Punch, 1 3/8" Circle Punch, 1 1/4" Circle Punch, 1" Circle Punch, Striped Pumpkin Pie ribbon, Basic Black 1/4" grosgrain ribbon, Pumpkin Pie 1/4" grosgrain ribbon, Old Olive 5/8" grosgrain ribbon, Small Oval Punch

Monday, September 29, 2008

Swapping Time...

I know by my lack of posting that one might think I haven't been stamping lately. It's quite the opposite! It's because of ALL the stamping I have been doing that has lead to my lack of posting. :) Anyway: one of the projects I have been working on is SWAPS! I signed up for two groups of Holiday Mini swaps, one using the "Happy Heart" set and one using the "Eat, Drink, and be Scary" set. So here are the cards I made...
So yes...this card is like the one I designed for my Halloween class. I am just loving this layout. It's so fun and SO adaptable. Love it! Anyway: embossed the witches hat and put a band on the hat with ribbon. I think this card is fun. Loving this color scheme too! :)

Stamps: Eat, Drink, and Be Scary
Ink: Basic Black Craft, Basic
Black marker
Card Stock: Kiwi Kiss, Pumpkin Pie, Basic Black, Whisper White Accessories: Ghostly Greetings DSP, Pumpkin Pie Striped Ribbon, Pumpkin Pie 1/4" grosgrain ribbon, Clear Embossing Powder
I LOVE the glitter on this card. I embossed the whole white circle. (Note: the scallop was done with the Big Shot, and the circle with the coluzzle) I smooshed that whole circle in VersaMark ink, and the embossed the whole thing (after stamping it of course) with iridescent ice embossing powder. Can I EVEN being to express how much I LOVE LOVE that stuff! :) LOVE IT!

Stamps: A Happy Heart

Ink: Chocolate Chip

Card Stock: Pink Pirouette, Chocolate Chip, Pretty in Pink

Accessories: Sweet Always DSP, Iridescent Ice embossing powder, Regal Rose 5/8" grosgrain ribbon, Big Shot, Scallop Circle #2 die, Coluzzle, 1 3/8" Circle Punch, Oval punch

Thursday, September 25, 2008

Same layout, different card...

So I got this layout from Becky. I love her style. I think it's so fabulous! While I was planning my swap for Founder's Circle, I came across this layout on her blog and loved it. So I made a card using that layout. THEN I read that our swap that we were doing at FC was a holiday swap. So...switch gears and I had to make a holiday card. So I turned this same layout into a holiday card. I will post that card later, but I really did like this one and I wanted to share. It's my blog I can do what I want, right?! :) I will also share some of the swaps I got a little later as well. There are some great ones! But you don't care about all this...here is the card...
Stamps: Best Yet (hostess set), Classic Backgrounds
Ink: Baja Breeze Classic, Pink Pirouette Classic, Chocolate Chip Craft
Card Stock: Kraft, Chocolate Chip, Pink Pirouette, Regal Rose, Whisper White
Accessories: Baja Breeze Patterns DSP, Clear embossing powder, Star Punch, 1 3/4" Circle Punch, 1 3/8" Circle Punch, 5/8" Regal Rose grosgrain ribbon

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Halloween Projects Galore!

HALLOWEEN TREAT CLASS!!!

(These are all the projects that we're making...see the end of this post for closer up pics.)

So I'll have more pictures on my blog later from Founder's Circle (the last night, swaps I got, etc) but I forgot I didn't share my Halloween projects that I'm doing for a class this week. So I'm sharing those now. :) SORRY! Busy month! This class I'm doing this week....Wednesday night in SLC and Friday night in Kaysville. Cost is $15.00. Let me know if you want more details. Also...would do this as a "Class to go" kit if anyone is interested. Cost would be $25.00. Email me at designwithink@gmail.com if interested. (It would include all the supplies needed to make the projects. The pieces would not be stamped so make sure you either have this set or have one that could substitute! :) )

Treat box with bag of treats inside tied with matching tag.

Candy bar holder

A darling box that holds 2 mint patties decorated to match the box.

Gotta love the Big Shot! The topper for this bag of treats is made with the "Top Note" die. SO CUTE!

This Halloween card was super fun to do! I LOVE HALLOWEEN!!! :)

Friday, September 19, 2008

Updates in Photos...

***WARNING*** Lots of pics!

Here is an update by pictures...not necessarily in the right order. :)

The welcome sign outside the hotel as we come in


The beautiful Gathering Place that is available for us to hang...

Hanging in the Gathering Place on PJ Business Share/Swap night. TOO FUN! I loved this night!!!

HOW CUTE are these pillows and blanket. Thought they deserved a close up! :)

The gift we were given on the PJ Party Business Share/Swap night. I didn't take a pic of it opened yet, but the small box is a nice matching pen and then the bottom is a notebook for us to take notes in for the evening. They said they were going to provide paper and pens for us so we didn't have to bring them. Should have know they would have cutesy-ed (not a word, but should be! :) )it up! :)

The gift on our bed when we returned from our PJ Party Business Share/Swap night. It's a WALLET THAT MATCHES OUR PURSE! :) SO CUTE! Love the tag! Says, "hey big spender, spend a little time with me." Too cute!


One of the candy spots at the Gathering Place. HOW CUTE! I'm going to make this for my workshops/classes, I think! :) Give me some time to work on it a bit! But HOW CUTE!!!!
We went to tour the Kanab manufacturing plant today. This is where the stamps become stamps. We weren't allowed to take pics inside, but we saw the rolls of rubber they start out as to the final product. AMAZING process! I actually got to do the die cut part as well! I did the die cut portion of the "Party Hearty" set! It was GREAT! I really wanted a picture, sad. I also packaged a few stamp sets as well! That was GREAT! Again...so sad I couldn't take a pic! But I as AMAZED at how much of the process was done by an individual. Oh...and can I tell you how CLEAN the WHOLE building was! We asked if it was done just for us, but they said it was always that clean. It did NOT feel like you were in a manufacturing plant. I will always think of the people here now whenever I hold a new stamp set. So great! I am impressed!
So when the new plant was built not that long ago, Shelli had an apt put in there for her, her family, or any corporate people to stay at when they came. I have more pics I might share later, but LOOK at the CHANDELIERS that are in the Master bath. SO AMAZING! Those are PINK crystals on there!!! AHHHH!!!

After the plant tour, we went to the infamous rubber park in Kanab. Ok...the whole park isn't rubber. :) However...the "floor" of the playground is all recycled rubber from Stampin' Up! :) TOO much fun! Of course us demos had a GREAT time playing!

They brought in this Subway stand for us to have sandwiches for lunch. HOW CUTE is that. I thought it was funny to have this stand in the middle of NO WHERE! Only amazing Stampin' Up! would think of something so clever for us! AMAZING!!!


Brandi and I playing in the rubber! Again...TOO MUCH FUN!!!!

Again...more laying in the rubber! Some people making weird faces...but still...TOO MUCH FUN!
Just me in the rubber this time!
I earned this Founder's Circle trip by being a "Rising Star." Here is the group of all 15 of us! What a Rising Star is....it is the Top 15 demos out of all the demos that are in their first full year as a Stampin' Up! demo! I feel honored to be included in this group of fabulous demos!
Prizes from the bus!!! It's a 2 hour bus ride so they play games with us on the way back to keep us entertained! Washington Apple paper and the new Button Bouquet buttons that I LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!
This is what was on our bed when we got back to our room after Kanab. Again...I could SO get used to this and better make sure my husband is clear on what I need now. :) The inside...

PERSONALIZED initial! Shelli actually had one just like this on the first day. HOW NICE ARE THEY!?!??!


Then tonight a bunch of us went to this place called Tuacahn. It's an outdoor theater that does Broadway plays. It is RIGHT at the base of the red rocks in St. George and it's AMAZING! I've been before, but this time was just a breathtaking. We saw "Big River" and I was impressed! This trip has been fabulous. If you have made it this far....I hope you have enjoyed this journey. I'll post later with more! I'm off to bed now! :) ENJOY!

Thursday, September 18, 2008

Geez...

Ok, ok! I'M SORRY Jill!!!!! :) I did not post a picture of the stamp set because I thought that was against company policy. However....we asked Stampin' Up today and they said it was ok! SORRY!!! So here is a pic of the stamp set they gave us last night that we are using for all our make and takes. And I'm sorry that I don't have pics from today yet...I will! :) But it's late, we just got back from our business share meeting, and I have to get up at 6am tomorrow to get ready to go to Kanab to see the manufacturing plant. So I'll try to be in touch tomorrow! BUT...here is a pic of the stamp set they gave us...
And it was a FABULOUS day! Left my room late, ate lunch, made a few of our make and takes, went shopping, got back and went to our PJ business share/swap party! Just got back to our room and they had a DARLING wallet that matches our pink purse on our bed. I really could get used to always walking in my room to find a gift. I guess I should warn my husband before he gets home. :) And by the way....I bought a big carry on bag today so that I can hopefully get all my stuff home! My bag was 49 pounds coming out so I don't have any room left! :) Anyway: hope you are all doing great!

More Founder's Circle Updates...

So more fabulous times have been had! It's just so amazing to feel the energy and excitement had here. I wonder if this hotel had any idea what it was getting in to! : ) (yes...we have the whole hotel to ourselves! :) ) We have had a great time. We had the afternoon to just hang out, and then we all met up for dinner. The tables were GORGEOUS and the meal was FABULOUS! Then after dinner people kinda broke up into different groups to do different things. Some went to movies, some just went out, but I went to a Rising Star meeting. Everyone was invited...not just the rising stars, and we took over the lobby area. Kicking myself for not getting pictures of this. But the rising stars all took a picture together with Shelli (I'll get those emailed to me so I can share later) and then we all chatted about our businesses and such. It was good to hear others ideas, how they got there, how many people how no idea how they got there, meet more people, laugh a lot, and just have a good time. I will say...we are one loud group! :) Here are some photos of the evening...
The beautiful, gorgeous, wonderful table. I wonder if anyone would notice these tablecloths were missing?! Hmmmmm... :)
The centerpiece and note from Shelli that were at each place setting.
The fabulous Shelli spoke to us right before dinner. She is SO cute!
Our DELICIOUS meal!!! It was divine.
Desert...this was great as well. We were STUFFED after they fed us all this food!
This is my amazing up-upline, Brandi. And then her sideline once removed, Wendy. These girls are great and we traveled all the way from SLC together! :) (like an hour long flight on one of those small propeller planes.)
I got to meet this fabulous Mary! She was the first ever to earn 1 million sales in her career for Stampin' Up! She is DARLING!!! When she got her million in sales, Stampin' Up treated her like a queen. They flew her out, threw her a big party, and just totally celebrated her. She deserved it and is amazing!
THEN....when we got back to our room there was ONE MORE SURPRISE!!! In the shower this was hanging...
How cute is this bag?! And matched the dinner tables! SO CUTE!!! Even better....
When I opened it up there was a stamp set!!! Three ink pads!!! And a spool of ribbon!!! (Chocolate Chip double stitched) The stamp set I have never seen before. I can't take a pic of just the stamp set, but I am sure we will use this for our make and takes so I'll take pics of those. It's a great set though...a butterfly, swirly thing, flowers, a big "friend" stamp that fits the 1 3/4" circle punch...YEAH! It's great. I guess it will be one coming up in the Spring/Summer catty or maybe a mini or something. If I find out, I'll let you know! SO MUCH FUN!!

Now we're off to go get lunch, do some shopping, etc, etc.

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

I'm HERE!!!!

Well I'm here in St. George Utah for the Founder's Circle trip now. I can honestly say if I left right now...I'd go home happy and fulfilled! :) It's been great already, and we've only just begun. I need to get some pics taken of some cute things they have done around the hotel, but forgot my camera when I went down there. However....here is a cute door sign they had on my door upon arrival....

This makes a girl feel loved, huh?! :) Your own personal name sign with BEAUTIFUL Stampin' Up ribbon! :) I have to say...I'm SO GLAD I got this award during the "pink" year! :) Our bags are pink, everything they have given us has pink ribbon on it, the SU employees that are here are in pink, etc, etc. I LOVE IT! :) Just a quick recap of my day so far: I get to the airport and meet up with my up-up line that is also going as well as one gal in my sideline. Well....we're talking and then they point out SHELLI IS RIGHT THERE!!! (Shelli is the co-founder and president of Stampin' Up! and kinda my hero! :) ) I was so excited. After we chatted for a few more mins I couldn't stand it anymore and had to go talk to her. It was great! She is SO SWEET and genuine and just wonderful. I really do have a TON of respect for her and think she is one amazing business woman! Anyway: she sat right in front of us on the plane ride over to St. George so we got to talk with her most of the way. The best part....she was working on her SWAPS for tomorrow night! :) This is the one swap a year that she does and I'm so glad I get to be apart of it! :) (Anyone who wants to participate can make swaps for everyone in the group and then tomorrow night at our business meeting we all swap our cards. Too fun!) Anyway: we got to the hotel, and they have a nice lunch waiting for us. Then we go to the "hospitality room" where there are little buckets with pink ribbon on them (of course) waiting for us along with all sorts of candy we can fill our buckets with throughout the week. How sweet are they?! :) PLUS....we played a game (everyone plays) and once you finish the game you get a STAMP SET!! They also gave us a Founder's Circle yearbook with everyone's picture so as I've met people we are all signing them and stuff. This is just so well planned. It's amazing.

So....a great plane ride with Shelli, new friends met already, a treat room, free stamps....are you serious?! Can it get any better? I guess we'll see! Sorry for all the chatter. Just kinda want to record this experience myself and this is the best way for me to do it. :) Hope everyone is having a great day!

All the pieces became whole...

Remember all the pieces I posted about earlier?! Well...here is the final project. This is for a 6x6 Calendar swap and my month was February. (The idea is one side of the month's calendar is a 6x6 scrapbook page that you put a photo on. Then the other side is the actual calendar. They are super cute. I will post photos of the whole thing all together when it's all done!) It's all glittery and shiny in real life. I post a few pics of the glitter below. :) (Both hearts are glittery, but you can't really tell in the photo.) This was a fun swap to do. I can't wait to see the other months!

Sunday, September 14, 2008

Cutie Cupcake...

Sorry for the lack of posting lately. CRAZY BUSY week I just got through! Now I just need to get ready to leave for St. George on Wednesday!!! :) Have to get ,my house ready to leave, cook some meals, do laundry, maybe do a little shopping, and most importantly...start and finish my 135 swaps needed! :) This is going to be a fun 2 days! :) But I'm really excited to see what they have in store for us. I'll share, don't worry!

On to the project. Last week I was trying to come up with something to demonstrate at my workshop. Well...I wanted to do Poppin' Pastels since that is SO FUN to show and do. (For those of you that don't know what that is...you stamp an image in VersaMark...take sponge daubers and daub into the pastel color of your choice, and then bounce that over your image where you want that color. I guess I didn't explain that very well, did I? Oh...I just remembered...there is a tutorial HERE.) Anyway: this is one of those cards that took me forever to come up with...yet it's such a simple card. So now that I know what I'm doing, it would take minutes to duplicate. This is also one of those cards that I FELL IN LOVE WITH when it was done. :) I truly love this card and think it's so cute. Not to toot my own horn...this doesn't happen to me that much. :) But I really love this card. I'm sure I've built it up too much, but here it is...


Stamps: Party HeartyInk: Chocolate Chip
Card Stock: Regal Rose, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White, Pretty in Pink
Accessories: Pink Pirouette DSP, Regal Rose 5/8" grosgrain ribbon, In Color buttons (forgot the name of them), Scallop Square punch, 1 1/4" Square punch, Linen Thread, Dazzling Diamonds

Ok...so this card incorporates what I just LOVE LOVE! It has GLITTER, PINK, PINK, and MORE PINK, cupcakes (I am loving that these are so popular), buttons, Chocolate Chip (my fave Stampin' Up! color along with their pinks! :) ) and RIBBON! :) So I guess using all these things together would lead to a card I'm in love with. :) Here's a better pick of the glittery cupcakes:
I'm sure you can tell but the cupcakes are what I did the Poppin' Pastels on. I love the shading you get and everything. And I LOVE the Dazzling Diamonds on those cupcakes! Ahhh....it's just too cute! :) Anyway: hope you enjoy!

February Fancy Blue!

Time for this month's Stampin' Fancy Friday challenge! And this one is a GOOD one!  Are you ready for SOMETHING BLUE?!  Colors :   C...