Here's a super cute gift box that helpers at my downline meeting today will be receiving. . .  don't you wish you were getting one?

I love this color combination and it features several sneak peaks. . . . can you guess what they are?  Well, here's the ingredients list.  Respond to this post with the 2 things that aren't in the current catalog and let's see if you're right! 

Cardstock and Ink:  Peach Parfait, Pear Pizzaz, So Saffron, Early Espresso, Very Vanilla, 2010-2012 In Color Paper Stack

Big Shot:  Fancy Favor Box, Scallop Square Die, Snow Burst Textured Embossing Folder

Stamp Set:  Petite Pairs, Raining Flowers

Accessories;  Brights Collection Buttons, 1/8" Taffeta in Daffodil Delight, Simply Scored, Paper Piercer, Mat Pack, 1/2" Stitched Poly Ribbon, 1 " circle Punch, Stampin' Dimensionals, Mini Glue Dots, Sticky Strip

That's it – quick post.  Downline on their way here!   Woo Hoo!   Celebrations ahead!

Blessings!

The last 2 days, I have been spending some time to getting ready for my downline meeting.  This is the first meeting with the new catalog – and is also the time where we celebrate last years accomplishments.   I absolutely love celebrating with my team!   It's just the bestest!  I have some surprises, gifts and fun planned! 

Today, I wanted to share one of the table runners I created.  Here I have used it as a centerpiece for one of the tables at my upcoming meeting.

Note the pumpkins have leaves cut out of felt with the leaves #2 die.  This is a must have die for fall!  Here's a close up of the table runner design.

Isn't it pretty?  It totally uses the scallop square die.  I'm certainly not an expert sewer – or even a quilter but, I can do this!  Straight seams work well for me.   Remember that with the Big Shot, you can cut 8 layers of cotton material at a time.  The batting is warm & natural and I can cut 6 layers at a time.  Basically, the cutting is a very important part of the process when quilting (or so I'm told).  Get it wrong and you will have hassles through the whole quilt.  By using the Big Shot, I am assured that each block is the same AND, the cutting takes minutes vs hours because I can cut so many layers at a time!  If you need a few more pics to help you make this cute runner, post a comment with your email and I will send you some pics!   You'll love the ease with which you can create a gorgeous gift or decoration for your home!

Back to my downline celebration.  I am VERY excited!   I know they're going to love the surprises I have planned – I'll try and post some pics this weekend.  If you are interested in learning more about what fun we have, why not join us tomorrow?  9:30am my place.  Send me a quick note that you are coming so that I can include you in on the gifting!

Here's the other good news. . . . I will soon be employed.  Well beyond Stampin' Up! that is.  I accepted a position with Allina Health Systems and will start on August 22.  I am excited.  Today I have been receiving a bunch of emails about classes I need to attend as part of my orientation. . . so it's getting "real!"   I guess my summer crafting vacation is coming to an end!    Thanks everyone who kept me in their thoughts and prayers while I underwent this transition in my life. 

It's about mid-month so, here are a couple of reminders for you;

Special:  Designer Series Paper – buy 3 and get 1 free!   This is a GREAT sale – and a perfect time to have it since we all love at least 4 (or more) of the new DSP's!  

Classes;

• Chicks, Chocolate & Cards – August 15 – next Monday!  6:30pm   Class is ALMOST full so rsvp now!
• Pennant Parade – August 23  6:30pm only   RSVP to assure that your products are available for you!  Choices for this class include;
  • Class only
  • Class with stamp set
  • Class with stamp set and punch

That's about it for today!   Enjoy your weekend!  Blessings to you!

BJ

Are you feelin' the love?  With this banner as a reminder you might be.  Those of you who visit my studio know that I try to make a seasonal banner – and I'm sharing this one – I "love" it!  Haha. 

The color scheme really makes this banner stand out – Basic Black and Real Red.  Here's what I used to make this banner;

• Basic Black 1 1/4" Striped Grosgrain Ribbon  115615 p 191
• Scallop Square Die (a must have) 115950 p 207
• Pinking Hearts Border punch 117649 p 201
• Real Red Designer Series paper
• Glimmer paper from Occasions Mini Catalog 121790 p 7
• Full Heart Punch 119883 p 203
• Victoria 5/8" ribbon 118481 p 190
• Serif Essentials Alphabet 113464 p 207

So, are you feelin' the "love" yet?  Leave me a comment – it's like sending a little "love" my way. . . I'd "love" to know what you think!

While putting away most of my Christmas things last week ( I say most because today is the 12th day of Christmas.)  I remembered that I wanted to "copy" on of the table runners I have had for years.  I thought it would be very easy using the scallop square die and the Big Shot. . . . . and as usual I was right!   Check out these 2 gorgeous table runners!   They took just a snippet of time because I could cut so many layers at once.  Once I got going, I couldn't stop!  So, now  I have a stash of table runners (like 9 of them!)  These 2 color combos are my favs. 

If you're from the area, you'll find these table runners for sale at MDK Hair Salon here in Hastings, MN.  Mary there always has great little extra's for sale. 

Here's another runner I did before the holidays and sent as holiday gifts.  I just realized that I didn't share this great creation with you. 

This runner uses the same scallop square die (If you haven't purchased this yet – it is a MUST in my book!)  In addition, I used the 5 point 3D star die to make the pointsettas.  This pic really doesn't do this table runner justice – but, trust me – it is oh, so cute! 

Check back tomorrow for another sneak peak of something pretty cool!!!!!

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

Is it Springfield Mass or Epcot?   My wonderful friends Tami and Meg and I were having fun today at a demonstrator meeting in Springfield Massachusetts.   The dome in the background is actually the basketball hall of fame.  I presented at my friend Tami's downline meeting.  I had an awesome time.   I showed some of the awesome big shot projects I have made – and they loved them!  

Do you love these purses?  They were pillow gifts from Stampin' Up! on the cruise. . . . I LOVE them.  Every great woman has an awesome purse or two (or more) and I can tell you I think Stampin' Up! is doing an awesome job of keeping me supplied in beautiful handbags!

Here's one that perhaps you haven't seen. . . .

This is my newest creation using the scallop square die (rapidly becoming one of my favs).  It also uses the 5 point star die, stars #2 die and the Sans Serif alphabet.  This was an awesome and easy project to do.   Have you heard that I LOVE quilting (my grandma would be proud) with the Big Shot!  This machine is so easy to cut everything soooo quickly – and with the rag quilting technique, you can sew this together in a small amount of time.  You can check out some of my Big Shot projects the second Wednesday of every month – or get a group of your friends together and I will come and amaze your socks off! 

I'll be home from Boston on Sunday.  Check back for some significant updates this week!   There is some excitement building! 

Here are my Easter baskets this year. . . using the scallop square and the Big Shot of course!  Don't you love it!  Just too stinkin' cute!  The flower is made out of fleece and is cut from the clear Flower die. 

My craft room is in a bit of an upheavel as I am getting new cabinets.  You won't want to miss the BIG reveal at Club nights April 6 and 7 (I hope!)   I'm excited about the new cabinets but the mess is driving me crazy!    There are surprises in the works for the Big reveal (a new technique, great promotion, fun fun fun!)  So, don't miss it!!!! 

What do you think of the door banner you'll see on arriving at the Peters house?  Do you think spring has sprung!   I do – and am sooo ready!   As you know, the Stampin' Up! cruise is in April this year – so my vacation is 33 days away!    Not that I'm excited or anything!

OK, back to the spring banner. . . I know that you've heard that I have had a great time with the scallop square die and some quilting (SU style! – easy!).   This banner is easy peasy if you have some basic sewing skills.  The Big shot cuts 8 layers of fabric at a time – and you sew all of the layers at once!  I used these die's;

• Scallop square
• scallop oval
• Flower (clear)
• Blossom party (center of flowers)

Other items I used are fun buttons (they've got to be fun!), scraps of fabric (the blue, flowers and the back I used fabric scraps).  I purchased the multi-colored striped fabric and the ric rac. 

This is the last week to purchase your Big Shot while getting 2 FREE Sale-a-Bration items!!!!    You see the value to your papercrafting and home decor projects. . . how much longer can you not have yours?

I love Stampin' Up!   This month is my 7 year anniversary (after signing up for a discount)!  And I will pass a career sales milestone!  Yippee!!

So, I celebrated with a stamping night with my downline.  Last night 10 of us gathered (2 brand new demos too!).  We celebrated.  I shared some of the great projects I had done with fabric – and let them oooh and ahhh a bit.  They really like this purse – little did they know that when they got ready to stamp and they needed their make n take supplies, Jim pops in with 10 purses on his arm and hands them out.  It was a BLAST watching and hearing their excitement!  I think I will have a smile on my face for days!  

Are you ready for a purse making day of your own!   I would love to teach you how – and you will just marvel at how easy it is!  Give me a call and I will gladly get something scheduled! 

Oh, back to my downline – check them out. . .

Aren't they just the happiest group around!    Yes sireee!   By the way, you too could join my team.  If you are looking for an opportunity to supplement your income, get a discount or grow your own business. . . .until March 31, you can get started for a special price and during the biggest sale of the year!   We have room for more.

P.S. – don't forget to give me a call about scheduling a purse class!

Check out these fantastic ideas!  I have used my Big Shot and a little fabric – and don't you just love the results!  Quilters – you are missing out ona fantastic machine if you don't have one!  

The pennant was my first project.  I used the pennant die along with the scallop circle and sans serif alphabet.  This is all machine stitched – and went together in just a couple of hours!  Check out the scallops stitched on the ribbon at the top of the pennant – these are on the pennant die.  This pennant will also serve double duty as the back side says "spring". . . . .you'll see that side later!

Well, I didn't stop with the pennant.  I LOVE the scallop square die!   This table runner was made in just a snippet of time of a standard quilt project!  i hope you'll stop by and check out this very cool idea!    Besides – it's much cuter in person!

And every girls needs another purse – right?  Don't you love this one?  I do!  And not just for the hearts or because I made it. . . . it's just stinkin' cute!  Another simple and easy project to put together!   Crafting made easy with the Big Shot!   Did I tell you that the best time to buy your BIg Shot is right now during Sale-a-Bration?  With your purchase, you'll receive a free SAB product of your choice and when you add at least one die to your order – you'll get 2!