ohhhh lalala!!!!!   Check out this sneak peak of the Holiday Mini Catalog starting Sept 1!!!! 

I am VERY excited about this exciting addition to the Stampin' Up! product line.  The opportunities are tremendous with the coordinating designer series paper and fabric.   Watch my calendar for additional classes coming this fall that focus on fabrics – now, you say, I'm not a sewer – DON"T worry.  Jump on the "I'm excited!" bandwagon as I will show you FABULOUS projects that will make lovely gifts and home decor items for your upcoming holiday season!   Trust me!  

Remember to watch my website for upcoming classes!

You will be “wow’d” by this fabulous project! Use for any occasion, since spring colors coordinate with any event. Not a scrapbooker? TRY IT ANYWAY!! This is a quick and easy way to test-run the hobby!  Plus, I think the simply scrappin' kits are one of the best values in the catalog.  Check them out on page 178 of the 2010-2011 Idea Book & Catalog!  Not a scrapbooker?  Here are several reasons why you should attend this class;

• Thinker – if you are thinking of doing some scrapbooking for a trip, a special event (wedding, birth, etc) – this is a quick and easy way to get started.  Everything is provided for you in the Simply Scrappin' Kit
• Gifter – This makes a FABULOUS gift for a wedding or baby shower.  With the holidays coming up, you could create yours with the Chrismas Cheer simply scrappin' kit.  This would be a perfect place to put those picture Christmas cards!
• Scrapbooker - a mini album that is soooo stinkin' cute, you'll love the pattern you'll receive as part of the class. 

Are you excited?   Here are the class details;  Monday, August 23 6:30pm   Cost is $22 and you'll get a Simply Scrappin' Kit with your class fee.  Please note that I have to order your Simply Scrappin' Sets in advance so, late registrations will not work!  Please register no later than Aug 17. 

Visiting Stampin' Up!'s home office was a highlight on my recent trip to convention.  Especially since my downline and I were given the opportunity for a VIP tour!   One of the best highlights is their idea rooms – check out these highlights! 

 Isn't it amazing what can be done with Stampin' Up! products, a little paper or fabric?   (Fabrice – yep check it out!   Coming soon to the mini catalog near you!)  While I have a great desk – the one in the picture looks soooo inviting!  The fireplace just speaks to me of relaxed time with a cup of tea and a nice warm fireplace.  The bedroom – hmmmm, my niece just painted her walls pink – I think I need to encourage her to try ou the flower touches – they look so great!  I hope you feel as inspired as I do when I see pics like this!

Ok, I know it's been a bit since I posted.  Believe me, I have started several times!   Had a BLAST at convention.  TONS of ideas.  If you are havin' a party in the near future, looking for wedding favors or have a sweet tooth – this post is for you!

Yum Yum!   Don't you love what you can do with paper, sizzix die cuts, embossing folders and a little creativity?  LOVE it!   Check out the house. . . . seen it before?    Nope – sneak peak of what is coming in the awesome Holiday Mini catalog!    This house reminds me sooo much of ones my grandma used to make – of course her's were made of hardened frosting and she had an entire village – I am excited about this one. . . . can't wait for my pre-order to arrive!

Today my baby is 25!   Yes, precious little Chrissy has grown up!   I am very proud of her.  Here we are at my Grandma's 100th birthday celebration a couple of weeks ago.  Chrissy is the one on the far right.

From left to right;  Mandy, Grandson Joey, Jim and I, Chrissy.  We had a wonderful weekend celebrating Grandma's birthday.  I got to see all of my siblings – which was very special!

From left to right;  Bonnie from Hastings, Sally from Fort Collins, Dad from Otter tail, MN, me, Bob from Indianapolis, Jim from Terra Haute.

And the queen for the day was Grandma – doesn't she look awesome at 100?

I am about exactly half of grandma's age.  Both of our birthday's are in November – we celebrated early to cooincide with a family reunion and everyone's travel plans.  So, yes – I'll have a BIG birthday this year. 

Yes, this is the name of one of my favorite new stamp sets.  Here is a card showcasing it's talents!

I love this card!  It just looks so sophisticated!  Ingredients used;

• Pear Pizzaz – yep a new In Color, Regal Rose, Very Vanilla, and DSP from Greenhouse Gala
• Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder – p 214 – you know I love them!
• 1/8" taffeta ribbon!  Yes it's narrow but it sure adds the perfect touch to this card!  Check out the colors its available in on p 191
• Friends Never Fade stamp set – p 99

Now if you were going to convention with me – you could get one of these cards as a swap!  Now, you probably aren't going to believe this but, I leave for convention on Tuesday (July 20), and as I am writing this, it is Friday (July 16) . . . . .My SWAPS ARE DONE!!!!   yes, there is a first for everything.  My swaps are finished, packed and ready to go!   Yes, I need to thank my Sis-in-law Carol and my niece Molly – they gave me a little help!   I can't wait to share with you the exciting swaps I get in return!

This goooorgeous card uses the new Elegant Lines embossing folder (p 214) and the "hi" embosslet from p 215.  Very yummy!  This card was one of the samples made at my Big Shot class this month.  It uses vellum cardstock.  When using vellum cardstock in your big shot with an embossing folder, use tab 2.  If you don't know what I'm talking about perhaps you should check out my next Big Shot class on the second Wednesday of every month! 

Also check out the color of the cardstock – it is an In Color called Blushing Bride.  Remember the In Colors are now here for 2 years!!  yep – we'll still get new ones but, they'll last longer (kind of like the tootsie pop commercials of old!). 

Yes, I know time has gotten away from me – a bit of a hiatus from posting.  However, my classes have gone on and the NEW catalogs are HERE!  Yes sirreeee.  I really don't know how Stampin' Up! does it – each catalog seems to get better and better.  To say I am thrilled is understating the obvious!  

First if you haven't yet received your catalog, you can come visit me at Rivertown Days this weekend.  Yep – a good supply of those precious things.  There will be a little gift for you in it too!  If you are ready to schedule your fall show – don't forget the 10 Terrific Temptations!   

Hostess Club – yes – the clubs met in July and are organized, recharged and excited about a new season!   There are always openings, so let me know if you want to get in on this exclusive deal!

OK, so do you want to know my top Accessory favs in the new catalog?   Here they are!

• New sizzix dies!  my favorite new embossing folder is Elegant Lines on page 214.  Yummy!
• Die storage!  Yes, I can finally get my dies organized so that I know what I have!   I found I have 2 of some    page204
• New punches and punch design – 2 pages! p 200-204!  Woo Hoo!
• PUNCH storage!  Yep – gotta love it!  p 200
• Bling and Pearls – ok – so I don't know why this wasn't tops on my list – but it is one of my favs!  p 188
• Clear block storage caddy – I don't have this yet – but, one of my customers ordered it and wowza – it is great!  p 192
• Ribbons – p 190,  Brads p 187, Buttons – 186 (they are goooorgus!)
• scrapbooking albums in printed colors!  yea! p 180
• quick accents p 176 – I am imagining the possibilities!
• Designer papers – yep – I am lovin' Greenhouse Gala p 172-175
• OK, you have to check out the deal on the patterned DSP packs on p 175 – I can't believe the price compared to last year!

Are you ready for a few samples?  Check these out!

This stamp set is Awash with flowers.  It uses the new Cherry Cobbler color as well as the Daffodil Delight marker.  You can't see it well but the popped up flowers are sprayed with shimmer paint (yep- it's back!).  This card was inspired by my downline Jan Ledman.  Love it!  and so did my customers at my Hostess Club this month! 

 What a great gift this is!   I love it!  So stinkin cute!   It was inspired by Terri Snider and Rachel Tessman.  This purse box uses the Island Floral DSP.  I used the matching stamp set on the 3 card designs for the inside.  There are a total of 6 cards and envelopes in this set.   Can I just say – I love the packaging – the purse is adorable!!!!  Wouldn't you like to learn how to make this?  Well – you can. . . Sunday, June 13 at 5pm.  Cost is $25 with a $10 discount when you order the stamp set with the class!  RSVP today! 

Think about it. . . Is it your time to consider the Stampin' Up! opportunity?   Whether you just love to craft or would like to grow a thriving business, Stampin' Up! has the perfect opportunity for you.  (did you know that Stampin' Up! has continued to do well during the economy of today?)  A Mini starter kit!   Only $99 from June 1-30!  The value of this kit is over $180!

  Check it out!

• Watercolor Trio stamp set (wood-mount) From the summer mini catalog
• I {Heart} Hearts stamp set (clear-mount) Reappearing in the 2010/11 catalog
• Clear-Mount Block C
• Homemade single stamp*   NEW!!  Sneak Peak
• Whisper White card stock (8-1/2" x 11")
• Brights Collection assorted card stock (8-1/2" x 11")*
• Melon Mambo Classic Stampin' Pad
• Daffodil Delight Classic Stampin' Pad*     NEW!!!   Sneak Peak
• Rich Razzleberry Classic Stampin' Pad
• Tempting Turquoise Classic Stampin' Pad
• Basic Black 1/8" taffeta ribbon* Sneak Peak    NEW!!!!  Sneak Peak
• Color Coach* NEW!!!!  Sneak Peak  (I saw this on cruise and it is awesome!)
• SNAIL Adhesive

The Mini Starter Kit also includes the same business supplies that are in the standard Starter Kit (AND as a New demonstrator who joins Stampin' Up! in June, you will receive a free box of 2010-2011 Idea Book and Catalogs during the first part of July. An over $30 value bonus!)

As always, you can attend a number of my classes to get you started.  This coupled with initial success training and ongoing support will get you well on your way to success!