More convention fun!   One of the highlights was being able to go to the home office and pack orders!  It was so cool to have this VIP priviledge!  Above you can see one of my downline, Tatiana – she had a blast!  You can also see Tatiana, Beth and I sitting on stage. . . It was Beth's first time and boy did she have a good time!  Missing from all of these photos is Laura – somehow we missed her in the pics.  The picture of the foursome are some of my bestest Stampin' Up! friends – Lisa (Virginia), Tami (Boston) and Cheryl (Florida).  Stampin' Up! has given me the opportunity to have cherished friendships from across the country.  What a great perk for a great part-time job! 

Just in case you didn't hear yesterday, I love this set!

Yep – another totally different sample than yesterday.  My hostess club crew got to make this creation this month!   Check out the DSP – Newsprint on page 175.  I thought at first that this wouldn't be my style – but, look again!   I love how this just pops off the DSP.  So, lesson to share – don't overlook this gorgeous DSP.  Oh, and music lovers – there is a musical score!

What a cute gift bag!  And it's pretty easy peasy!   This was one of the projects at my Big Shot class this week (now don't you wish you were there?).  Check out the top or cover of the bag – it is that frequently used (and everyone should have it) scallop square (115950)die.   The flower is just so stinkin' cute. . . it was taught to me by my downline Jane Ledman.  It uses the scallop circle #2 die (113469).  Yep – you could use it for a lot of things. . . and the best part for some. . . . there is NO sewing required to make this flower!   Yep, you heard it sister – no sewing! 

So, now that I've tempted you with another gorgeous project – when are you going to get on board and check out one of my upcoming classes?

• Sunday, June 13  Pursonally class
• Thursday, June 17 Chicks, Chocolate and Cards
• Tuesday, June 22 Watercolor trio class (I LOVE this one!)
• Thursday, June 24 Sweet Scoops

Have you ever checked out Stampin' Up!'s clearance rack?  There are some awesome deals out there. . . . You can check it out by clicking HERE.  Then select SHOP NOW in the top right corner.  As in typical woman fashion – the clearance rack is right there!  

This toolkit is in the catalog for $39.95. . .  it is now on the clearance rack for $15.99 while supplies last – It is an awesome deal.  So, go check out the clearance rack for this and other awesome deals!

It's a GREAT time of the year in Stampin' Up!   The retiring lists are out today – it's all in preparation for that most anticipated new catalog coming July 1!  Now, if you were a demonstrator, you would get yours early – more on that later. . . . back to the retiring lists!

There are 3 lists – yep just 3!   Haha.  They are;

• retiring stamp set list – will remain available through June 30
• retiring accessory list – some products are discounted and are available only while supply lasts – updates posted everyday on availability
• retiring Definately Decorative list – some of these products are on sale as well – and quantitites are again limited.

Check out this gorgeous card to tempt your appetite – it uses some of my favorite retiring products!  Doesn't this card just breathe fun, happy, and sunshine!  Yep it does!   Join me tonight or tomorrow night for Club night and make this card!

• Pretties kit – this is a MUST have in my opinion – limited quantities!   Color these flowers in any color you want!
• Razzelberry lemonade Designer Series Paper – love it!
• Apricot Appeal and Only Orange cardstock – a fond farewell to these colors
• Warm Words stamp set
• Build a Brad – make your own designer brads – this kit is on sale
• Little flowers stamp set – (little flower in the middle of the brad) – a fav that has so many uses!

BJ's Customer Special – 20% off retiring stamp sets!  Sale ends Friday at 5pm!  Call or email me with your orders!  

Order Now 

OK, so back to becoming a demonstrator. . . now, you all know that I LOVE this job!  Not only can I decide how much and when I want to do it, but, I also get a permanent discount on all of my Stampin' Up! products!   Yep – it's why I got into it and still one of the best reasons to consider it for yourself – whether you want to be a hobby demo or add some money to your family income – the opportunity is here.  Now, if you are needing just another reason or two, here are some things for you to think about;

• Get started for only $99 between now and June 30
• Get your catalog early!  yippeee!
• Order SU products in advance of the new catalog at a discount and with special demo pricing!
• You'll join my awesome team and help me achieve a challenge for me from Stampin' Up!

Ok, that's it – time to make that decision and get yourself going!  Give me a call and I'll help you get started earning more free products!  Or simply sign up here using the password "stampinbj".

Isn't this cute?   This was one of my favorites from a swap with fellow demonstrators (I'll post the name of the demo when I return home).  I love this card for so many reasons;

• colors – hmmm  Old Olive and Rich Razzelberry with a little Crushed Curry thrown in for accent
• it has texture – most of you know I LOVE texture!
• it's a card that a moderately experienced stamper can re-create – that's from me the queen of copying!
• those are all great but, most of all this card will definately give the person that receives this card the message that you really care about them – and I love making people feel great!

Off to the card – It is a stamp set from the Summer mini catalog called Elements of Style (I got it free from Stampin' Up!).  Here's a few pointers;

• ladies – dig out your crimper – the background is crimped!  Now we forgot about this lovely piece of texture in our creative places too often!
• Love the top note die - it is so versatile!  Here you'll cut two – 1 in whisper white and 1 in crushed curry – you can cut both at once with the Big Shot!
• Stamp the image with staz on ink and color away – two ways to add color – aquapainter and reinker from your ink case or watercolor crayon!
• don't forget about the hardware!  It adds such a cute accent – the vellum cardstock inside it just adds to the elegance of the card

Don't forget to join me for the Mini Catalog open house on Saturday, May 8 9:30-12:30 – you'll see more like this!

Stampin' Blessings!

Check out this cute card from my friend Lynn Weglietner!   I love this graduation card because it dresses up the gift cards I typically give so nicely.  I know with graudation season coming that some of you have already asked me for graduation ideas. .. and I love this one.

This set is from the new summer mini catalog and will be available May 1.  I know its a little hard to see it all but, it opens and you stick the gift card right in the slot made with the word window punch – pretty clever! 

Are you also looking at the jars on my desk with the decor' elements chalkboard labels – another cute thing from the summer mini catalog!   OK, I know that you are calling me a tease right now but, you'll just have to come to my Mini catalog open house on May 8 and see for yourself!

TTFN – ta ta for now!

I love color. . .  and so does Stampin' Up!   I love it when colors become popular and I can get a new top or outfit in a fun color. . . well I love that in my crafting too. . . and Stampin' Up! in a BIG announcement this week, updated their colors!   YIPPPEE!!   Color is such a big part of crafting – and Stampin' Up! makes it so easy - and now they have freshened it up a bit – and I am lovin' it!!

Are you ready for the scoop?  We will be saying a fond farewell to some of the current colors and they will be bringing back some of our favorite In Colors!!!!    Yea baby!

Say a fond farewell to;  Almost Amethyst, Apricot Appeal, Ballet Blue, Barely Banana, Blush Blossom, Bordering Blue, Brilliant Blue, Brocade Blue, Cameo Coral, Close to Cocoa, Creamy Caramel, Gable Green, Glorious Green, Going Gray, Green Galore, Handsome Hunter, Lavender Lace, Lovely Lilac, Mellow Moss, Only Orange, Orchid Opulence, Pale Plum, Pink Passion, Pixie Pink, Really Rust, Ruby Red, Sage Shadow, Taken with Teal, Yoyo Yellow.

To stock up on your favorites before they are gone forever, visit my Stampin' Up! store.  Make sure that you include ink refills for your ink pads!!!! 

OK, on to the NEW – the exciting - I am sooo excited I can hardly stand it stuff. . . yes some of my (and your) favorite In Colors are coming back!   Yes sirrree! 

Say hello to the 40 core colors in Stampin' Up!'s new color collections!  Ten colors in 4 collections. . .

Introducing 5 new Core Colors

Daffodil Delight, Early Espresso, Cajun Craze, Cherry Cobbler and Marina Mist

10 Returning In Colors

Baja Breeze, Melon Mambo, Pacific POint, Rich Razzleberry, River Rock, Riding Hood Red, Pink Pirouette, Soft Suede, Tangerine Tango and Wild Wasabi

Brights Collection

Regal Rose, Melon Mambo, Rich Razzleberry, Pacific POint, Tempting Turquoise, Old Olive, Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie, Tangerine Tango, Real Red

Neutrals Collection

River Rock, Chocolate Chip, Soft Suede, Early Espresso, Crumb Cake (Kraft), Sahara Sand, Very Vanilla, Whisper White, Basic Gray, Basic Black

Regals Collection

Elegant Eggplant, Night of Navy, Not Quite Navy, Always Artichoke, Garden Green, More Mustard, Cajun Craze, Riding Hood Red, Cherry Cobbler, Bravo Burgundy

Subtles Collection

Pink Pirouette, Pretty in Pink, Rose Red, Perfect Plum, Marina Mist, Bashful Blue, Baja Breeze, Wild Wasabi, Certainly Celery, So Saffron

NEW In Color program!

Stampin' Up! will introduce 5 new In Colors withthe 2010/2011 Idea Book & Catalog on July 1st.  (watch for a sneak peak in June!) These new In Colors will be available for 2 years.  AND then for the 2011/2012 season, there will be another 5 new In Colors introcuded for a total of 10 In Colors!   The following year, the 2010/11 will retire and a new set will be introduced!  I am soooo excited that Stampin' Up! has made this color decision – just think a great refreshment every year!

New Colors made easy for U!

Stampin' Up! has thought of EVERYTHING!   to help you get started or to complete your collections, Stampin' Up! will be offering "new color" kits for stampin' write markers, stampin' pastels and watercolor wonder crayons.  This way you can add-to your already exisiting collection by only adding the new colors!  oh, and there's more. . .. . an awesome NEW color coach tool that is to die for!

Are you eeeeeexxxxcitttted!   I think I am! 

See you all next week for a class where we can chat more about it all!!  Check back tomorrow for a sneak peak of the projects for this weeks classes! 

It's almost finished!   And I am loving the creative juices that are flowing with this new decor!   You can check it out next week at any one of my classes;

• Monday, April 12 – Big Shot night
• Tuesday & Wednesday, April 13 and 14 – Club Class night (open to all)
• Thursday, April 15 – Chicks, Chocolate and Cards
• Monday, April 19  Workshop night – open to all!

While I have been busy working on this room, Stampin' Up! made some BIG announcements. . . stay tuned to hear more on that in a bit! 

More on my room.   The cabinets are from IKEA.   They also have so many other organizational items that are awesome for us as crafters.  I know have a more functional desk area, my printers are in the cabinet to the left of my chair.  The tall cabinet to the right of my chair holds the bulk of my stamping supplies including all of my stamps!  (no I don't have them all but, I have a lot!)

There is a cutting station with all of my cardstock stored above and below it.  The Big Shot station has all of my dies close at hand as well as other things to cut besides paper (foam, felt, vinyl, etc).  The bookshelf was custom built for my ink pad and 12 x 12 paper holders. 

You can see from the picture that I still have an upper cabinet to finish as well as curtains.   What you don't see are the nicks and dents in the wall that need to be fixed – that may have to wait until after cruise!

Hope you come and see it next week!   I am in the mood to celebrate it – and typically that means there are "specials" in store for my customers!