Falling Leaves & Bright Blessings Wheel

Look at this beautiful card I found on the Stampin' Up! website using the same stamp set you can get for 20% off with your Monthly Card Kit purchase in September. I will look for more samples to show how versatile this stamp set is.

September Girls Night Out

The soft, elegant colors of the Cottage Wall Designer Series Paper paired with simple, striking card designs and a unique card purse will make this a project you’ll want to turn to over and over again! The $32 class fee includes the For All You Do stamp set, precut supplies, and a light dinner. Please RSVP by September 15th.

I am doing a broadcast call tomorrow to remind all of my customers about my upcoming events. Augusts Girls Night Out is one of those events. I'm posting this photo at the top of my blog so it's easy to find.

I know I haven't posted much since returning from Convention. With my husband away on a bear hunt in Canada, I've taken advantage of the free time to work on organizing my craft room, setting up my classroom (the beginning of the school year is coming up so quick), and preparing for upcoming events. I will try to post more great swaps from Convention and upcoming event projects in the next few days.

Join Stampin' Up! for only $85 in August!

What a super low-cost way to add income to your houshold for:

* paying a bill

* purchasing Christmas gifts

* saving for a vacation

What would you do with an extra $100 or more per month?

Last Day of Convention

My swap post today is a very simple, yet elegant wedding card. I love the use of designer paper to create this amazing look.

This is my friend Missy's Gladheart Stampers group. It was very fun having lunch with this group of demonstrators.

Here is what Missy called her group of adopted Gladhearts. I was proud to be included.

We enjoyed manicotti at Olive Garden for dinner. It was absolutely delicious! What a nice relaxed last dinner.

Another Great Day at Convention

Here we are with just a little of our loot from Momento Mall - our new Rich Razzleberry shirts and our exclusive Suzie Stamper Build-a-Bears wearing Stampin' Up! aprons and holding stamps that only come with the bear. We also picked up many other items, but thought it might be dangerous to post a pile of the loot (we don't want husbands to see how much we bought).

Isn't this just the cutest card. I love Trendy Trees anyway, but what a great layout. This is one of the swaps I received yesterday. I can't wait to share the rest of the awesome swaps I've received when I get home.
Shelli Gardner (the co-founder of the company) demonstrated many gift ideas on stage yesterday. I most enjoyed the Simply Adorned Charm part of her presentation. She showed the 1" x 1 1/2" charm insert she designed and then sent the Prize Patrol out to give the lucky winners a handstamped and signed insert, charm, and ribbon to hang it on. None of our group won, but it was amazing to see.

This is a shot of the amazing entertainment at Awards Night. Tonic Solfa has the most amazing sound without using any instruments and a variety of song styles. We enjoyed the music so much that Missy, Kirsten, and I got up and danced. We were even pulled into a conga line by Sterling Gardner.

Dinner last night was fantastic. We at at P. F. Changs. We each ordered an appetizer and an entree then shared. It was wonderful tasting all of the delicious foods - chicken lettuce wraps, crispy green beans, spicy green beans, honey chicken, beef with broccili, and pepper steak - yum, yum, yum!!!

First Day of Presentations

I've been taking photos of adorable swaps and wanted to post a couple for you to enjoy. This is the cutest idea. I think I will make some of these to put in the lodge at the campgrounds we stay at with my contact information. Maybe I could gain some traveling customers.
Here's another cute card that may were well with my campgrounds. Unfortunately, the talented lady who did this didn't have any left for me to bring home.

Here is a picture of me with the mascot from Build-a-Bear Workshop. At first I wasn't too excited about this partnership (I have an almost 21 year old son), but after seeing the presentation in general session yesterday I can't wait to order.

They demonstrated this adorable project on stage yesterday. It is a little decorated bag (they used canvas, but I'll use paper because of cost) with a ring of stamped images and a box of crayons. I thought this would be the best birthday gift for each of my students. I will stock up on crayons now while they are cheap. You can be sure I will stamp my business information on the back of the coloring image ring and the bottom of the bag so I may gain some new customers.

Now for the gratutitous food photo. We loved Jason's Deli so much that we went back. Sandy and I had the salad bar and this is what I came back with. It was absolutely delicious and I almost finished the whole thing with my french onion soup.

As promised - photos of our amazing room. This is the sitting area (the couch is a hide-a-bed so we each have our own bed).

Here is the sleeping area. There is also a kitchenette. It has been the best room!!!

More From Yesterday

Sandy snapped this picture right after I received my pin and stamp set for $20K in sales. Next year it will be for earning the incentive trip!
Here is a picture of Missy with her Founder's Circle bag. She was so excited that she cried a few times. She said she wished that Linda was here to share it with her.

Here is the gatuitous food photo of the day - my baked potato at Jason's Deli. We accidently discovered this place trying to find our way out of town to get to Stampin' Up! Headquarters. We will definately be eating here again!

This is going to be another project at my Christmas Gift Class. The talented stamper who stamped and embossed on these big washers did a wonderful job. I can't wait to make these with my ladies.

I will try to post more photos this afternoon between Convention and Awards Night.

Check-In Day Photo Ops

Loved the giant catalog - I knew we had a big new catalog, but this is amazing!
Just kicking back at Stampin' Up! headquarters!!!

In the atrium at Stampin' Up! - Can you believe the employees get to eat in this setting every day?

Check out the big rock at the entrance to Stampin Up! headquarters. The tour was amazing and we were able to see exactly how shipments work - the guy described every step in the packing process for us.

I love the new necklaces we will be carrying. I've seen several inserts and can't wait to get mine!!!

My favorite project from the boards today. This will be in an upcoming gift class - but I'll feature new designer paper.

So Much Fun and Convention Hasn't Even Started Yet

We arrived safely and after a little discussion with the manager at Avis, were able to rent our car with my driver's license and Carolyn's credit card - I forgot mine on my desk at home. After checking in at the hotel (it's amazing - may post photos this evening), we went to Olive Garden for soup, salad, breadsticks, and the most amazing desert!!! Unfortunately, Sandy's flights didn't work out well and she didn't arrive until after 8:00.
Here is the cutest swap that Carolyn got on the airplane - the lady was assembling them on the plane - I just love the aluminum tape that she ran through the Big Shot with a texture plate.

My favorite picture of the day - Carolyn's strawberry shortcake at the coffee shop at Little America.

Waiting at the Airport

I'm just hanging out at the airport waiting for my flight. I decided yesterday to treat myself to my first EVER manicure and pedicure. I absolutely the cool flowers I had the girl paint on my big toenails. Can you believe the detail they can get in such a small space? Notice - there's a tiny jewel in the center of each flower.

Leavin' on a Jet Plane!!!

I'm taking off for Salt Lake City for Stampin' Up! Convention early this morning. I'm looking forward to gaining business tips, project ideas, great project samples, etc. I can't wait to come back home and share with all of you. Visit my blog often this week - I hope to post pictures from convention each evening.

Convention Swaps

I'm so excited - all my swaps are finished, suitcases are packed, and I'm getting ready to go to bed. I feel like a kid at Christmas - I can't wait for tomorrow to come!!! I thought I would post a picture of my swap bag for convention so you can see the designs I made. I have a total of 250-300 swaps, so I'll come home with lots of different ideas. Hope you enjoy!

August Girls Night Out Project

I'm so excited about our project for Girls Night Out this month. I'll need you to RSVP by August 15th to allow time for me to order, cut, and prepare supplies for this fun box of cards. More details coming soon.

Stampin' Up! Specials!!!

I was so excited to check the demonstrator home page this morning and find that we have 4 really great current specials. Please see the side bar for more information. If you click on one of the pictures, you will be taken to my website for details.