OK, I am really in the mode of gearing up my displays for upcoming fairs and craft shows because I have another cute project!  First, do you remember last spring when the petal cone die came out and I couldn't leave it alone?  Well, I got it out again. . . .

Isn't Frankie cute!   He was totally inspired by a sample shown at convention.  I think my trick or treaters would love to get their treasures in this little guy!  He's ridiculously cool!

Here's what I used;

• Big Shot;   Petal Cone and Tasteful Trim dies
• Punches;  3/4" circle, 1/2" circle, Round Tab
• Accessories; brads, dimensionals, sticky strip

That's it!  Quick and easy!  I think he'll have to be part of an upcoming Big Shot class!

Just a quickie (post that is) today. . . . I'm off to visit Grandpa and meet my dad today.  For those of you who follow me regularly, you'll remember that last year Grandma turned 100.  I haven't seen her for a few months so, I am excited to take her out for lunch. 

Remember, tell me your stories about making someone's day yesterday – if you share them we all get to smile!

Blessings!

There are those times where you just want to give "a little something" to a special friend.  While the feeling of giving a handmade card is satisfying for me, sometimes that just isn't enough.  Here is a little gift that I made to have on hand to give for such occasions. 

I know that the friend I gave it to squealed in delight!  So of course I made more!  But, the real purpose of my post today is to encourage you to be a day maker. . . . think of someone today that you can give a "little something" to.  It could be words of kindness, a handmade card, a hug or a special little gift like this.  The rewards you'll receive will be long lasting and aren't exactly measureable!

If you want to try making something like this, I started with a sticky note pad and then simply folded cardstock in a size to be slightly bigger than my sticky note stack.  The belly band was just folded around the stack and then embellished with a coordinating felt flower.  Cute huh?  I think this is a great gift for the work setting and just might have to be part of my holiday gift giving class later this fall.  If you don't want to try making, I'll have some with me at the Pierce County Fair this Friday as well as the Five Friends sale in Lakeville next Thursday and Friday! 

Today is a beautiful day here in Minnesota!  It feels a bit like fall.  No humidity for a change!  Yeah!  Off for a quick bike ride and then need to hit the grindstone.  Lots to do in the studio today!  Had a great downline business builder meeting last night!   9 North Starz were here for a light supper and then a My Digital Studio lesson!  Wow – we went through a lot – and had a blast.  Our annual celebration downline meeting is this Saturday – so lots to get ready for!  I love celebrating with these women – such a great group – love them all!

Remember to make someone's day today.   Blessings!

Remember the awesome Halloween Decor class last year?  We ended up having several classes to accomodate everyone?  Well, here's a sneak peak of a Halloween Decor class for this year. . . . .

Isn't it cute?  The stamp set I used is a sneak peak from the Holiday Mini Catalog!  It's called "Out on a Limb".  So, don't delay in RSVP'ing for this class. . . remember last year was a full house!  Thursday, September 29 at 6:30pm. So, reserve the date and check back after Sept 1 to see the details! 

Other Updates!

Whew!  it was a great few days at the fair!  I loved meeting everyone and am excited for new club members, hostesses and class attendees!  Friday of this week I will be at the Pierce County Fair – in the round barn, so come and check it out!   I'll have some new projects – (hint- I received my pre-order products from the Holiday mini!). 

I'm busy putting the last touches on my outline for my MDS (My Digital Studio) class tonight. . . and getting ready for Big Shot class and Downline meeting later this week.   It will be a busy one! 

Have you ordered your ribbon shares yet?  I have group 3 done and am working on group 4, so let me know!  Check them out on my Product Shares page; 

Plus, I'm working on an announcement. . . but, I can't quite tell you the news just yet. . . . Stay tuned though!

Blessings!

I know – this could be rushing it a little but, I wanted a few fall things to inspire my customers at my booths this month.  This decoration was inspired by something I saw at my favorite quilt shop last weekend.  (For those of you who have asked – Bay Windows Quilt Shop in Perham, Minnesota) 

You can make this very simply.  First have your husband cut a scrap piece of 2 x 4 into a square. . . . my wonderful hubby even sanded them a bit for me!    mmmmwahhh!  Then I applied a little stain to the block and let it dry (that took awhile in this humidity!).  Then came the fun part – and it was surprisingly easy!

Here are the supplies you need to gather;

Sizzix;  Serif Essentials alphabet set, Leaves #2, Scallop Squares Duo

Accessories:  Cherry Cobbler Quilted ribbon and BIG button from upcoming holiday mini, brads (I used the filigree ones but, the antique brads would look cool too!), embroidery thread and a glue gun

The fabrics I used were scraps I found in my stash – some were woven and one was a knit.  The leaves were cut from felt. 

There is one other element that I wanted to add – and that is a wrapping the edges in some of our new fall fabric – you'll love it from the holiday mini.   But, alas it appears that I forgot to pre-order it!  darn it anyway! 

Well, I hope you enjoyed this bit of inspiration. . . I have another similar project in mind – or actually maybe 2!  So make sure you stay tuned! 

The fair has been good. . . today you'll see Sue at the booth – a day off for me.  I've got a big day planned. . . . first a second job interview (I think they like me!).   Then I am taking a class at the YMCA on making a bird bath type thing – forgot the name of the class but, I am really excited about it.  Then I am going to the Twins game tonight. . . .taking by sis in law, Bevy.  Bevy is my sis in law who recently lost her husband very unexpectedly.  She has never been to the Twins in their new park – nor has she ridden the light rail. . . it will be truly an adventure!   In fact her and I have been on several adventures lately.  She's not truly a home body – but, she's been out more in the last 6 weeks than she has in the last year!   We're working on expanding her horizons!  It will be fun!

Have a great day everyone!  Blessings! 

The theme of this years Stampin' Up! convention was "Grow".  When you think about the word 'grow' many times you think about flowers or things growing in your garden.  And I have to admit – it is one of the things that comes first to my mind as well.  Reflecting about this theme after convention has me thinking about it in a different way and I think you'll enjoy mulling over these thoughts as well. 

• Believe it or not, I didn't use to be confident in my creative and leadership abilities. Nor was I confident that I could run a business.  Stampin' Up! has helped me grow those abilities.  I am certainly a different person today than I was a few years ago.
• While a job loss hasn't been fun, I can celebrate that I have grown through this experience and am trying to use this growth in a positive way.  (Job interview today – say a little prayer!)

To celebrate this growth, I made a "growth" pot for my open house. . . These flowers were inspired (copied) from ones that I saw at convention.  Here's a close up;

They are made using the new 2012-2013 In Colors and the Printed Brads 122940 (love them!).  The die I used is Fun Flowers 121812.

Speaking of flowers and growing. . . . look what was delivered to my house yesterday! 

Aren't they gorgeous!   LOVE THEM!  and I love who sent them. . . . . I included the word "share" on this picture because they came from my downline.  Yes, as I have "grown" , I have invited others to enjoy the many benefits of Stampin' Up! (and I thought I was only going to get a discount!  hehe!).  These flowers symbolize that I have shared the Stampin' Up! opportunity – and that my downline has grown and are appreciative of their growth.  Thanks to the wonderful group of downline that went to convention with me this year and from whom the flowers are from – what a great time we had!  You're the best!

Now if you are imagining that you want what me and my downline have – you can have it right now for a great deal!  For only $99 you can customize your starter kit that has $185 worth of Stampin' Up! merchandise and supplies.  Hurry – this offer ends in just a few days! 

Oh, you want a sweeter deal?   Perfect!  Got that covered. . . . Stampin' Up! will give you and me this awesome Christmas Gift box (saw it at convention – gorgeous!) 

I know I want one!   Blessings Everyone!

Check out this cute tag!  Wouldn't it look cute on your next gift?  You can make one at my open house – it's one of the make-n-takes!  It uses the Easy Events stamp set – remember that stamp set from a few days ago?   Easy Events on page 57 in the Idea Book & Catalog is a new and very versatile set.  Imagine this set in your collection – it could be used for almost any occasion! 

Here's the complete set of "ingredients" for this tag;

• stamp set;  Easy Events, It's Your Day (123682 p 192 $8.95)
• Inks:  Staz On Black, Calypso Coral, Lucky Limeade, Soft Suede
• Cardstock:  Lucky Limeade, Island Indigo, Pool Party, Naturals White, Calypso Coral
• Accessories;  Rhinestones, Ruffled Ribbon, Bakers Twine, Aqua Painter, Two Tags Sizzix Die, Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack

Remember that you can order online 24/7! 

Blessings!

Here's an ubber cute card using some of the new DSP (designer series paper).  It's appropriately called Berry Blossoms.  This card is full of brand new things;  Colors;  Calypso Coral and Lucky Limeade  Ribbon:  Dotted Scallop (if you love it – check out my ribbon shares - I think there is 1 spot left!), Embossing folder:  Houndstooth.   With the heat this week, I hope this brings you some cool vibes!  The stamp set I used is called the Best of Everything.  This is another versatile set – you'll see some great samples done with it at my Open House Sunday and Monday.

I sure hope everyone is keeping cool out there!   My oldest daughter is off camping this weekend – with the heat, storms coming and high water, I sure hope they have fun and stay safe.  As for me, I'm happy staying home in the AC.  Got a 10 mile bike ride in this morning and now am settling in to do some more preps for the open house and upcoming events. 

I have some good news and bad news to share;  Good news – I have a job interview next week!  I am very hopeful that this one is fruitful.  The bad news, I have a heavy heart.  I have apparently broken a rule that I didn't even know about – what hurts about this are 2 things;  A.  I'm not a rule breaker  and B.  The person who discovered that I broke a rule didn't have the common courtesy to let me know personally.   So, I have fixed my boo boo and am praying for the person that I offended. 

So on to brighter things;  I promised more pics from convention make-n-takes.  I attended a fun extra class called Village of Cuteness – I think it turned out really cool – what do you think?

Isn't it fun what you can create with Stampin' Up! products?  Well, I am promising that there will be more FUN 3D items – and home decor coming very soon! 

Blessings!

First, I thought I would start off with one of the cards we are doing at my class tonight.  I was inspired by a sample I saw at Stampin' Up!'s convention.  I have no idea how many pictures I took of the awesome samples. . . . stay tuned for more pics and samples in future posts!

This card uses the stamp set Easy Events – it was one of the stamp sets I received FREE at convention!  I paired it with Petite Pairs which is a new word set that is one of the very best word sets I have seen in a very long time!

I still have room in my card class tonight – so RSVP – quickly! 

One of the highlights of convention are the make-n-takes.  This year one of our make-n-takes involves products from the new catalog combined with a sneak peak from the Holiday Mini Catalog!   Check this out!   Imagine giving a special gift in this box!  Your friend will love you forever!   Then imagine the packaging you will receive on your next package from that very special friend! 

Yes, the box is sized just right for cards!   The cover is showcasing some of our great new fabric – AND to make this project easy, the box comes with a template to cover the lid!!   YES!!!   The box is ONE of the items in the awesomist (a new word) new mini catalog ever!   What do you think of the flower on top?

Yes, it was a bit of work – but, so cute on top of the box!   Love the bauble in the middle from our Simply Adorned line.  Great use of the new lace scallop punch – Just love it!  See this and many of the other drool worthy samples at my Open House July 24 and 25 4-7pm. 

A great trip out to Salt Lake City today!   Uneventful flight.  Got into the hotel early, ironed my clothes, went to the store and got everything squared away.  My teammates arrived throughout the day and we all went to dinner this evening.  This amazing group of women are soooo excited for tomorrow!   The energy was really high! 

Tonight we walked around the temple square area smelling the beautiful flowers and remarking at the beauty of the city and the tabernacle area.  We had a tour of the Joseph Smith building which used to be the Hotel Utah.  Fascinating history.  Everyone loved it and said that we didn't have enough time to see and do everything they wanted so they are all making plans for next year already. 

Here are a couple of the downline gifts I gave my teammates – every girl needs a great purse!  This one is made with the Stampin' Up! fabric, and you might see some of them at my upcoming craft fairs.

Of course the girls are loving them!   Check out the posies on the front.  These posies are so cute and easy – just made with circles.  OK, off to get ready for the BIG day tomorrow.  We have momento mall, get our bags, go to the home office for a tour, swap and the best part – reconnecting with my girlie friends from around the country! 

Blessings! 

So, have you been missing me just a wee bit?  Twas a busy week last week.  Of course there was a multitude of things to do at work. . . . then my dad came for a visit on Thursday.  Then assorted family gatherings and meals throughout the weekend culminating with Easter dinner (for 17) on Easter Sunday.  What a glorious day – besides the promise of a risn Saviour, the sun was shining, the kids were outside and family all around. 

I meant to take a few pics but, successfully didn't ever get the camera out.  Here is a peak at what some of my table decorations looked like. 

If I must say so, the table looked fantastic!  The napkin rings are actually shower curtain rings.  The flowers are from the Fun Flowers Die and the Island Blooms die (leaf).  As you know, I love texture – so, you can see that each piece is texturized.  One hint is that you need a little flexibility when you adhere the flowers with hot glue to the rings, so I used scraps of fleece.  The eggs had each persons initials on them and were setting on a candle holder decked out with a simple rich razzelberry striped ribbon.  Don't you wish you were here?

Tomorrow, you won't want to miss the Easter cards I made. Especially if you have been oogling over the summer mini catalog that has been delivered to your door! 

Blessings!