Sneak Preview of Holiday Mini Catalog

Today started at 6 a.m. and it's now 11 p.m.  We've been going ALL day!!!   We had a class tonight from 7-9 which 500 demonstrators had 2 hours to complete a 6 hour project.  We all got to feel first hand what it was like to sit in our customer's seats with very detailed projects and not enough time to finish.   My apologies to any of my customers if I've done this to you ... wahoooooo ... we're beat!

Seriously, it was another incredible day.  We learned so, so, so much. 

As promised, here's a sneak preview of what's coming in the Holiday Mini catalog September 1.  We are not permitted to share any photos of the products themselves before September 1, but I can show you some finished projects.  See if you can figure out what's coming ...  think ... Bigz for the Advent calendar!

Okay, now you know that I did not make any of these items.  They were all on display at our convention and all projects made by and copyright by Stampin' Up!   Enjoy ...

One more day of convention and then traveling all day on Sunday.   I can't wait to share as much as I can with you when I get back.

Holiday Mini Catalog Revealed Today

Oh my gosh ... I'm not even over the shock and joy of the new 2011-2012 big catalog; and today they gave us the Holiday Mini Catalog and previewed on stage many of the stamp sets, accessories, new punches and bigz dies are in the catalog.  Please come back Saturday.  I will be posting a few photos of some of the items they've made with the new products.  There is one Bigz Die that will blow you away.  Look for samples on the Advent Calendar I will be posting (didn't have time to get over and take photos).  It will give you a hint of what's in store.  The papers are beautiful, the accessories are awesome, and the Bigz Dies (two are to die for). 

For today I am going to share just a few of the cards from the Easy Events stamp set.  (Sorry, I don't have a catalog handy to share the page number).  This was just one of the many free sets I received for coming to convention this year.  I LOVE IT!!  You will be seeing a lot more from this along with a special offer for this set.  I will post the special in a few days.  

Wahooo ... I won a Stamp!

Yes, each year at convention they give out different colored wrist bands.  During an event, if they flash your colored wrist band, you win a stamp set.   I've never won one ... tonight as the event was going on (along with numerous side events), they flashed my colored wrist band.  I was off in another area learning new techniques and I didn't see it.  Fortunately for me, a girl came by me and said they just flashed my wrist band.  I went running ... and I got the large sunflower background stamp (sorry, I don't know the name) and a roll of so saffron taffeta ribbon ... wahoooooo  ... first time I ever won anything here!

Okay, enough bragging ... on with some of the swaps I got today ... Enjoy.

New Hostess Benefits

We are so happy here at Stampin' Up! that the Hostess Benefits have been revised beginning with the release of the new 2011-2012 Catalog July 1st.   This is a major benefit to my Diva clubs as now you are not restricted to only a Level 1 hostess gift.  And, depending on what hostess gift(s) you choose, you could get up to 3 sets!  AND ... IF YOU HOST A PARTY and your total sales exceed $400, you can get any item in the catalog for half price.  If the total is over $500, you can get two HALF PRICE items, etc.  (see chart below)  That means you could get the BIG SHOT for $50!

 
A SPECIAL TO MY DIVAS!

If you sign up now (at your July Diva Club meeting) for my next Diva Session (Sept - Dec, 2011), not only will each Diva be hostess for one of the FOUR (not Six) months and receive $20 in hostess bucks, but for all of those who sign up at July Diva, I will put all those names in a hat. I will draw 2 names for AUG, SEPT, OCT, NOV & DEC. Those lucky Divas will be able to use the 50% off one item discount. (Your normal $25 product order is still required to make this work). So think now about signing up for this shortened 4-month Diva Club. Again, all Divas will still get to be hostess for one of the four months plus 10 of you will be able to get something for 50% off! IN ADDITION TO THIS ... anyone who puts in a $150 order from Aug - December will not only get $25 in hostess bucks (even if it's not your month), but you will also be able to get something for 50% off.

If you will not be attending July Diva but know you want to sign up for the next session, simply email me and I will put your name in the drawing for a 50% off item. Think about all those Bigz Dies and more expensive stamp sets that you could get for 50% off!!!

On another note, I'm still having some difficulty receiving emails from this blog. If there is ever a time (like now) that you want to be certain I receive your email, please send me an email from your email account, not from this site. Thanks.

Made it to Salt Lake City ...

... and the swaps started on the plane.  It's a blast.   I'm tired, but wanted to share a few of the swaps with you so you can enjoy my convention, too.

These were mostly from strangers so I can't give them credit. 

Tomorrow, we're off to see the Stampin' Up! facility in Riverton and then back to the convention to get our bag of goodies!!!!!

I'm Leaving on a Jet Plane

...off to Stampin' Up! convention in Salt Lake City ... Yahooooooooooo!  (I had to learn this "yahoooooo" because at convention everytime a new product is announced (and many given away), we all scream ... "yahooooooo!"   Just practicing!

Okay, here's my favorite swap.  I was going to save this for a Punch Me Silly Class, but after putting together thirty of these card fronts, I don't think I want to make any more!!! 

Is she not adorable?!!!!   Okay, here's a quiz for you ... can you guess how many different punches were used to create this beauty????   Hint, one shape if from a Big Shot Die, not a punch.  You will soon find out.  But, before you read on, see if you can guess ...

Oh, by the way, I made one with white hair and sponged concord crush (purple) on the tips.  It was awesome (looked just like a sophisticated purple-haired lady), but it was just too much work to make 30!

Supply List:

CARDSTOCK:  Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie, Pacific Point & Real Red
DSP:  Brights Collection Patterns Designer Series Paper Stack (pg. 185)
EMBOSSING FOLDER:  Perfect Polka Dots (pg. 219)
BIGZ DIES:  Scallop Squares Duo (pg. 223)
MISC:  Gold Lame Smooch (pg. 203), Rhinestones (pg. 198), Black Marker and a piece of a blue feather from a package of feathers from Dollar Tree!

OKAY ... Here are the punches used (see pages 209-213)

Small Oval & Postage Stamp (Hat)
Bird Builder & Decorative Label (Hair)
Ornament (Face & Turtle Neck)
Owl Builder (Lips)
Lace Ribbon Border (Pumpkin Pie background)
Scallop Edge Border (Pacific Point trim under White Scallop Square)

SO IF YOU GUESSED ... 8 ... PUNCHES USED, YOU GOT IT RIGHT!

Hope you enjoyed this!  I'm saving this swap for the really great card swaps I see.  Sometimes the "swappers" can get a little picky.  They don't want to swap their works of art for just a simple swap.   I'm loaded and ready for some serious swapping this year!!!

As time permits during convention, I will try to post some quick photos of my favorite swaps so you can share my fun!  Stay tuned!!!  YAHOOOOOOOOOOOO!

3 Days to Convention!

It's been a crazy, busy few days and hence, no blog postings.  Returned from PA and then busy getting my swaps ready for convention.  A swap is a CARD FRONT (made with 1/4 sheet of cardstock) to be exchanged swap for swap with other demonstrators throughout the country.  I made 130 swaps; and if all goes well, I should be bringing home 130 card fronts (swaps) to share with my Divas and blog followers.  This is one of my favorite parts of convention.  The ideas are incredible ...

Here's one of my four swaps:


 

The rules of a swap are that you have to use current product and all Stampin' Up! items.  Since the new catalog just came out July 1 and we leave July 12, time is a factor.   For this card I used the following items:

STAMP SET:  Strength & Hope (pg. 4 of Summer Mini - only available through Aug 31, 2011)

CARDSTOCK:  Pear Pizzazz and Old Olive

DSP:  Paisley Petals (pg. 184)

INKS:  Pretty in Pink & Old Olive

PUNCHES:  1" & 1 1/4" CIRCLE PUNCHES & Corner rounder Punch

DIES:  Clearlits Die (pg. 224)

RIBBON:  Pretty in Pink 3/8" Taffeta (pg. 195)

MISC:  Sponges, Dimensionals, Rhinestones & Glue Dots

This stamp set, Strength and Hope, is in my opinion a staple stamp set.  We, unfortunately, all know way too many people who have had the cancer diagnosis and are fighting a tough battle.  The butterfly is a symbol of Hope.  I will be using this set for years to come to have cards made with this set on hand at all times. 

Check back Tuesday a.m. for my favorite swap!!