A Quilters Dream Come True

Our final moments at Leadership were SO exciting! Shelli presented an award to fellow Demonstrator, Jill Olsen for her efforts in blazing the trail with the Big Shot and our die-cuts into the textile industry.




She showed off all the incredible quilts and fabric things she has made and the amazing work she has done blending our products into the world of fabric. As a side note - did you know you can cut 8 layers of fabric with the Big Shot?? Not being a seamstress, I had no idea!





My dear friend, Lisa Freeman, had already taken the leap into textile with her Big Shot, and made me the cutest tote bag! I carried my card swaps in it, and people stopped me all through the conference to take pictures of the bag. She used our Scallop Square Die Cut and the Flower Folds Die cut. Isn't this the cutest thing ever????





Here are a few more pictures; a close up of the flower and the back of the bag:






The Big Shot is the only die cut machine that can cut through fabric! What a dream come true for Quilters who normally have to cut the squares out by hand. The Big Shot is a HUGE time saver!




Here are some of the quilts that were on display at Leadership. These were all made using the Big Shot and Stampin' Up! dies! Aren't they beautiful?



If you are a quilter, or know someone who is, make sure to forward this post to them! I would be happy to do a quilting workshop for anyone who is interested in learning how the Big Shot can make quilting easier and faster. :)

Have a great day!

Creative Inspiration

One of the most exciting things about Stampin' Up! events, is SWAPPING! Boy, we sure love it! I came home with so many wonderful card samples! I want to share some of those with you. Most of the samples feature new products from the Occasions Mini Catalog. Once you see what you can do with this stuff, you are going to want it all!

These card samples are from my favorite new set, Vintage Vogue. We got this set for FREE for attending leadership - just one of the perks of being a Demonstrator! I can't wait to get started using it.


This first card was made by my good friend, Lisa Freeman. I love the Bella Bleu paper she used, with the chocolate taffeta ribbon and the new Pinking Hearts border punch!


This beauty was made by demonstrator, Kathy Hilden from Michigan. I love the Bella Bleu paper, the color combo and the simple stamping. So simple to make and just gorgeous!


This last one was made by my pal Cindy Peterson from Salt Lake City. The color combo is yummy...Rich Razzleberry and Kraft! Did you notice how she used the Finial Press Embossing Folder on the top half of the card? Gorgeous!

To order online, simply visit my Stampin' Up! web site, and click Shop Now! Don't forget that it's Sale-A-Bration time! Every $50 earns you free Stamps, Paper and Accessories!

Thanks for stopping by today! Tune in tomorrow for more creative inspiration!

An AMAZING Week in Phoenix!

I am back from sunny and warm Phoenix Arizona! What a great week I had attending Stampin' Up!'s Leadership Conference, Love What You Do.

These events are always jammed packed with new ideas, creative inspiration, business tips, and old and new friends. I can't put into words how wonderful these events are. I come home rejuvenated and excited to share all that I have learned!

Here are a few pictures of the main stage area. The set was gorgeous! Stampin' Up! always does thing over the top (including spoiling us with FREE stamp sets and goodies!).

Shelli Gardner, our founder and CEO, is a wonderful person, with a kind and caring heart. She welcomed us on the first day and shared so many wonderful stamping projects with us. I got to talk with her for a short time on the last day. I always love the few minutes we get to catch up. It's a great feeling when she takes the time to really listen and care about each and every demonstrator.

One of my favorite parts of every event is the friends I make. We share a love of paper crafting, and that connects us. But it's so much more than that. These are truly amazing women from every walk of life, who are so generous and kind. Here are a few pictures of the special people I know and love!
Me and Stampin' Up! Event Facilitator and Stamper Extraordinaire, Shannon West. She did the most amazing presentation on LOVE and Valentine's Day. She ROCKS.


This is a new friend I made this year. Sharon Armstrong, who has been a demo for over 13 years. We met, and we clicked like peanut butter and jelly. Feels like we have been friends forever! :)


You all probably recognize my dear sweet friend, Lisa Freeman from VA. We room together at most every event. We have a great time together. Lisa is one of Stampin' Up!'s top demos and it's no surprise...the is so talented! Here we are ALL GIDDY with excitement over the upcoming NEW STAMP SET that Shelli gave us at Leadership! WOO-HOO!


And last but by no means least, my sweet friend, Kimberly VanDiepen. This lady is amazing! She was the #2 Demonstrator of the year, and is also on the Advisory Board this year. She is an great stamper, and even better friend. She is one busy lady, but always takes the time to encourage and support me. When I grow up, I want to be Kimberly. :)

Stay tuned for loads and loads of project samples, upcoming classes and workshops! You won't want to miss any of it!

Have a great day!

With All My Heart...

..I adore the new Occasios Mini Catalog! Have you gotten yours in the mail yet? Let me know if you need one and I will get one out to you.

Here is another sample I whipped up...this is one of my card swaps for Leadership. I am in LOVE with the Specialty Designer Series Paper...Sending Love. It's so pretty and it's already glittered. :) And I added the new Vanilla Satin Ribbon...OMG, it's spectacular and available in 9 colors. Yum.

I'm not sure you can pick up the glitter in the picture. I also glittered the heart. And the heart border was made use the new Pinking Hearts Border punch. So adorable!

This set is called With All My Heart, and I used it in the clear block option.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great week!

Last Few Calendar Pages

Well, I am packing today and headed for the warm weather! Stampin' Up!'s Leadership Conference is in Phoenix, and I am really looking forward to some sun! I will be gone for the better part of a week - but I will return with lots to share!

Here are the last few calendar pages that I made with My Digital Studio. I can't wait to get it! It will probably arrive when I am in Phoenix. :)

This is my November page...all the things that I am thankful for....

And my very favorite of them all, December....I just love the colors and the picture is one of my favorites of my kids. :*)

Thanks for stopping by today! I will schedule a post or two while I am away.

Have a great week!

A few more Calendar Pages

Here are a few more of the Digital Pages I made for my 2010 Calendar.

I wanted a page for Bella...she has truly grown by leaps and bounds. She is huge (not overweight, just a big bundle of love)! It's so fun to look back at the pictures when we first got her. Sooo cute!

This is the July page. These are pictures from one of our many trips to Sanibel Island. We adore it there. We haven't been in a few years. I was so ready to escape the snow and look at the fun times we had in the sun there. :)




And here is the October layout. I love that we have the Cast A Spell Designer Paper available digitally. There are pictures from the past few years of the kids on Halloween.

Thanks for stopping by today....I am busy getting ready for my upcoming trip to Phoenix! Can't wait to be in the warmth!

Have a great week!

New Occasions Mini Sneak Peaks

I am so excited about the 43 pages of awesome stamps, papers, ribbons, punches and embellishments in the new Occasions Mini. I got my pre-order before Christmas (a demonstrator perk!) but haven't had much time to play with it. Now that Christmas is behind us, I had some time to play. :)

Here are just a few cards I made with the new stuff...

I am in LOVE with the new Specialty Designer Series Paper, Sending Love. It's pre-glittered! How cool is that? No mess! And the colors (Real Red, Pretty in Pink, Chocolate Chip and Very Vanilla) are some of my favorites that just scream Valentines' Day.

This Stamp Set is called With All My Heart. I ordered this one in the Clear Block Option and I thought it was great. The clear blocks stamp the same as the wood, because it's the same high quality rubbah...but now you can see through the clear blocks for easy positioning. Very cool!

The border is made with the new Pinking Hearts Border punch! We have so many new punches in this mini catalog with new designs for easier storage. You are going to love all the new options!

And let's not forget the *GAWJUS* new Satin Ribbon Ribbon. OMG! It comes in 9 different colors, and is so high quality and rich looking. It is the perfect embellishment for your Valentines Day projects. :)

Here is more of that awesome Designer Series Paper and Satin Ribbon.
The greeting is from the new set call Well Scripted. I just love the font on this! There are 6 greetings in this set that all have this gorgeous font. I used the Heart to Heart punch (in the big catalog) and punched out a few glittery hearts using the new Sending Love paper. Easy peasy, and adorable!

You should receive your Mini Catalog in the mail this week. If not, drop me a note and I will get one out to you.

Thanks for stopping by!
Enjoy the rest of your weekend,