Summer Mini Ending

Wednesday is your last chance to order from the Summer Mini Catalog and take advantage of the Buy 3 Get 1 Free Designer Series Paper Promotion! September 1st we turn our thoughts to Fall, Thanksgiving and Christmas projects. Are you ready???

We spent last week at the cabin my Grandparents built on the Teanaway River in Central Washington almost 50 years ago. It is just a simple 2 room building with electricity. That means no running water and an outhouse but we have the most fun there! Isaac has said at least once each of the three days we have been home that he misses the cabin and wants to go back.

Total relaxation!

One brave little guy

Toni took over my chair. Sitting with just your feet in the river is the perfect way to cool off.

A one-clawed crayfish

The river is perfectly shallow this time of year for playing in

Another treasure found

Just in case you couldn't tell what it was :)

Making a Difference

The Summer Mini catalog contains the very beautiful Strength & Hope stamp set. Stampin' Up! is donating $2 from every purchase of this set to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation. BCRF is dedicated to preventing breast cancer and finding a cure in our lifetime by funding clinical and translational research worldwide. If you would like to own this set and assist BCRF you must order it before August 31st. Click on the promotion button on the left sidebar for more information.

The 4 stamps in this set are the butterfly, filigree, background words, and the H with the word HOPE

Convention Swap from Jen Blank

Less Than 2 Weeks Left to Order from the Summer Mini

Where has August gone? If you are in the Pacific Northwest, like me, you know that summer has barely started here and soon it will be ending. Sorry I have been missing the last couple of weeks. The kiddos had a great time at a day camp last week and that meant we were away from home most of each day. Add on great extended family picnics the last several weekends and time just flies!
 
I did receive my Holiday Mini pre-order and can't wait to begin showing you some fun, new stuff!

But first - If you want something out of the Summer Mini Catalog you have less than 2 weeks to order it and August is also the time to buy your Designer Series Paper. Buy 3 get 1 FREE!!!
Here are a few cards I received at Convention that were made with The Open Sea stamp set and Nautical Expedition DSP only available until in the Summer Mini...

Deanna Hibbert

Heidi Nebeker Bullock

Linda Hooken

Aren't they beautiful? I just love how one stamp set can be used in so many different ways. Did you notice that each one also uses the new Baker's Twine? Don't let September 1st come before you order your favorites from the Summer Mini - call me, send me an e-mail, or go online to order today!!!

B3G1 FREE & Metal Garden Stakes!

What do the things in this post have to do with one another, you ask? Nothing, I just wanted to share them with you today. LOL!

Look what Stampin' Up! has for you...

  BUY 3 GET 1 FREE! Who doesn't love free stuff? With the upcoming holidays creating so many stamping opportunities, this is the sale for you!

August 1-31, 2011

Promotion Details: During August, you will get a FREE package of Designer Series Paper when you buy three! It is the perfect time to stock up on all your favorites, including brand-new designs from the 2011-2012 Idea Book & Catalog.

Click on the "Shop Now" button at the top of the page to take advantage of this opportunity at your convenience (prior to August 31st of course). 

Now, to show you what I have been up to lately. Laura Haffke posted a video on the Stampin' Up! Demonstrator website showing how to make Metal Garden Stakes and I just had to give it a try. I bought some metal flashing and plant support stakes at the local hardware store and started playing. I have since given several away as gifts. I LOVE my Big Shot!

Isn't it pretty? The Big Shot can be used to both emboss and cut the metal flashing. I used the Crop-a-dile to punch the holes and attached the flower with a brad.

Flowers and butterflies. YES, even the embosslits die can be used!

My "assistant" photographer

I received this pin at convention from Kathy Howes, Denver, CO. She used pop cans and fun foam with the Flower, Daisies #2 die.

What else can you cut with the Big Shot? Take a look at this list and then call me so we can get together soon and create!

Big Shot Materials List for Bigz and Originals Dies

The following materials work well when creating die cuts with the Big Shot machine and Bigz and Originals dies. Please note the maximum thickness of several materials. As a rule of thumb, you can cut a material with your Big Shot machine and Bigz or Originals dies if you can cut it using your Craft & Paper Scissors.

Thick corkboard Thick chipboard (59 mil) Colored magnet Ruffle board Paper wood Balsa wood (3/32") Bass wood (1/16") Metal mesh Aluminum (.016) Tin (.008) Adhesive and non-adhesive mat board Drawer liner Shelf liner Vinyl Static cling vinyl Shrink film Fine sandpaper Clear acetate (20 mil) Vellum Card stock Patterned paper Flocked paper Contact paper Textured paper Metallic paper Linen paper Suede paper Embossed metallic paper Basketball embossed paper

Faux alligator textured paper Self-adhesive glitter paper Fabric Canvas Iron-on fabric Soft plush fabric Burlap Velvet Corduroy Lace Heavyweight denim Terry cloth Funky fur Thin leather Quilt batting Warm & natural batting Fusible fleece Self-adhesive craft metal Self-adhesive cork Self-adhesive foam Self-adhesive magnet Self-adhesive felt Adhesive and non-adhesive rubber Pop up sponge Poly foam 100% pure beeswax (cut with parchment paper on top & bottom of beeswax.)

Last Chance for $99 Special and Keepsake Box!

I ♥ FREE stuff, don't you??

Here are the details: Save 30% on your first product order of $150 or more (placed within 45 days), plus earn hostess rewards.

IT'S GOOD TO KNOW: There's no penalty to drop and you keep the kit and everything you purchased at a discount! You'll enjoy full demonstrator privileges through December 31, 2011. To remain active beyond December 31, 2011, $300 in product sales is required - including your own purchases!.

Starter Kit ships FREE.

JOIN MY TEAM! When you sign up for your starter kit with me, you become a member of my personal downline and a member of the Inking Everything upline. Whether you are a hobby stamper looking for a discount on your favorite supplies or wanting to build a business and share your love of crafting with others, I would love to have you join me! We receive access to the exclusive Stampin' Up! Demo website and message board filled with awesome projects, videos and current Stampin' Up! news, a beautiful magazine in the mail, and access to Becky's Inking Everything private blog & tutorials. 

SIGN UP ONLINE and enjoy instant benefits. Go to

http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/stampingonhat Click on "Join The Fun"

If you are in the Everett, WA area and would like to host a workshop to play with some of the new toys, please contact me at carlablakestamps@gmail.com

I would love to show you and your friends all the exciting things Stampin' Up! has to offer!

One Last Convention Post

Today I will show you some of the fabulous cards I received in swap for the ones I made. First up, though is a picture of all the goodies I came home with that I received simply by attending Convention and second is my completed Make & Take...

Look at all my loot - You know you want to go with me next year!

The Stampin' Card Keeper included in the Make & Take will be available in the Holiday Mini Catalog. It comes with an easy-to-attach Silver metal label holder and six dividers for easy organization. A pattern for covering the box is also included. We covered our box lid with Timeless Portrait fabric and the dividers with matching designer series paper.

I love the detailed layers of the flower added to the top!

Here is the completed project - Card Keeper, 3 Cards & a Banner

I took almost 80 cards to swap and this is what I brought home.

Carol Steinrecher, MN

Lorri Heiling, AZ

Jane Flannigan, CO

Connie Collins, TN

Patricia Vigneau, NJ

Heidi Nebeker Bullock, UT

Tyla Darley, UT

I also participated in a Swap of 3-D items. The very cool thing about this swap is that I only had to make 1 sample for the coordinator and send a written tutorial to her. On opening day of Convention I traded my one sample for a CD containing 171 Tutorials from participating Demonstrators! Click on the "Tutorials" button at the top of my blog for your own copy of my Tealight Cake Set Tutorial.
Want to get together & craft?

More Convention Highlights

Where to start today? There were so many beautiful displays created mostly of paper & fabric to inspire us as well as row upon row of card displays. So many ideas, so little time...

Fun things to do with our punches

One of the Artisan Award Winners. I just love the detail on the white and blue, daddy kissing baby, frame

More punch ideas

Notice the paper flowers and grass. The butterflies are vinyl Decor Elements

Just a peek at one of the new Christmas Designer Series Paper packs available in the upcoming Holiday Mini Catalog

Walking into general session on Friday this lovely staff member (YOU Crew - random acts of kindness angel) asked Kathy and I if we already had seats. We thought we were in trouble for trying to get in the front section but she had something better in mind. We were given YOU Crew buttons to wear and she escorted us to reserved seats...

3rd row, center aisle! Best seats EVER!

All the extra surprises added so much to our Convention experience. You can join Stampin' Up! and go with me next year...

Don't forget about this fabulous promotion - just about one week left!

July 1-31

Promotion Details: It's always more fun to stamp with friends! The limited-time $99 Starter Kit is the perfect choice for the lover of Stampin' Up! products.

SAVE!!! Enjoy the new Stampin' Up! 2011-2012 Idea Book & Catalog using a one-time 30% Off Start Up Discount on product orders of $150 or more (placed within 45 days of start).

Get 20% off future Stampin' Up! orders, awesome exclusive resources and the opportunity to pre-order new products.

Receive Stampin' Up! discounts and benefits through Dec. 31, 2011 with NO obligation to purchase anything further or hold a workshop.

Just want to do it for the fun? Hobby demonstrator are welcome as are business builder demonstrators. Come join my team today!

Sign up here: http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/stampingonhat/jointhefun

There's no penalty to drop. You keep everything. PLUS get a Christmas Keepsake project kit (example below) absolutely FREE--a $40 value! This exclusive kit contains everything you need to create a beautiful Christmas Keepsake Box to hold your most treasured Christmas memories. It will be available with your first demonstrator order in August and must be redeemed by Sept. 30.

This limited time $99 Starter Kit—valued at $185—comes with the following high-quality products.

• Easy Events Clear-Mount Set*
• Pennant Parade Wood-Mount Set*

• Basic Black Classic Stampin’ Pad
• Old Olive Classic Stampin’ Pad

• Pumpkin Pie Classic Stampin’ Pad

• Real Red Classic Stampin’ Pad

• Brights 8-1/2" x 11" Assorted Card Stock

• Just Add Cake Designer Series Paper*

• Chocolate Chip 1/2" Scallop Dots Ribbon*

• Note Cards (20)

• Clear-Mount Block C

• Blender Pen (1)

• SNAIL Adhesive®

• Business supplies

*Brand new to the 2011-2012 Idea Book & Catalog!

All this PLUS a surprise I brought home from Convention for you!
Thinking about it?? I would LOVE to have you join my team!

Convention Day 1

The official 1st day of convention started on Thursday morning with General Session. We were wowed with fun entertainment, Welcomed by CEO & Co-founder, Shelli Gardner, and inspired by beautiful center stage project ideas.

Look how close VIP seating got me to the stage!

The theme song was introduced

During the afternoon session the Holiday Mini Catalog was unveiled! I can't wait to show you some exciting new products in August! You will want the best score tool available, the new Sizzix Dies and folders, the new punches and coordinating stamps, gorgeous paper, and cookie stamps. Oh, My! There are so many new items!!!

Treat table inside the VIP lounge

A quiet place to rest, call home, and enjoy a glass of cold water or lemonade along with the treat table. I gained access to this oasis by recruiting a team member in April.

Some beautiful samples using the Flirtatious Suite

So cute!

The day also included a couple of business related break-out classes, shopping at Momento Mall,  and an evening celebrating the accomplishments of hundreds of successful demonstrators at the Awards Night and After Party.

WOW! Convention was Awesome!

I have so many photos and ideas to share that I will need to spread them out over the next few days. Makes sense, I think, because it took 4 full days for me to take it all in. My day started with a 6:00 am flight to Salt Lake City.

First stop on Wednesday, after checking into the hotel, was the convention center lobby to pick up my tote bag filled with four stamp sets, a catalog in a binder, program, pen, convention pin & a first year convention pin. Notice the key chain hanging on the zipper? So many nice extras!

Next up was a tour of the Riverton Home Office.

Assembling boxes

The pick line

These look good enough to eat!

So many lovely displays.

VIP's received this goodie bag on the tour. The bookmark is signed by CEO & Co-founder Shelli Gardner and the bag contains caramels and a full spool of Indigo Island Ruffled Ribbon.

As soon as I arrived back at the hotel it was time for the Inking Everything Team Meeting. Becky rented a conference room and spoiled us with yummy appetizers while we exchanged cards & gifts, got to know one another and talked business. There were other lovely ladies in attendance but this is our team picture. L to R - Julie, Becky, Kathy, Me, Kari, Ruthie, Jennifer & Kim. And after all this fun we walked over to the Conference Center for the Convention Kick-Off Party!