Last Days for Sale-a-Bration!

Sale-a-bration is coming to an end. March 31 is the last opportunity to earn your free rewards. Remember, with each $50 purchase, you can choose 1 of 6 SAB rewards. Choose from 4 stamp sets, a bundle of ribbon, or a pack of fabulous Designer paper.

This card made by fellow demonstrator Dawn Olchefske uses the Botanical Blooms stamp set. Earn this set for free by spending $50!

You can view the Sale-a-Bration brochure by clicking here.

The 31st is also the last day to earn an additional free stamp set and get 15% off the Starter Kit when you sign up to become a demonstrator. Some people choose to sign up for the good deal that the starter kit provides, some sign up for the 20% discount, other sign up to build a business. Any way is fine with me and I would love to help you reach your goals. You can view my FAQ about becoming a demonstrator in the right hand column under "Special Download Forms". Feel free to contact me with any questions.

SSW Layout #2

This is the second layout from the Weekend. I fell in love with the Game Night stamp set as soon as I saw it. We love to play board games. Kyle has a closet full of them. It's nice as he's getting older and likes to play grown-up games. There is only so many times I can play Candy Land!

This color scheme is based on the Sorry game. I had tried to use the colors in the coordinating Jackpot designer paper---Real red, Basic Black, So Saffron--- but I didn't like the look of it. If you've gone to Vegas or Atlantic City or any place that you gambled, the stamp set and designer paper is a must! The color scheme in the designer paper is much more grown up than my Bold Bright colors, but I had kids in mind when I designed it.

I used the Big Shot and the Serif Essentials alphabet for my title. The Big Shot got a huge workout over the weekend as most of the ladies used it numerous times.

SSW Layout #1

This is one of the two layouts we did as part of the Super Stampin' Weekend. Based on past years' feedback, I decided to keep the make and takes pretty simple so that they didn't take too long to complete. This layout uses chipboard from the On Board So Tweet pack. It uses the designer paper from the SAB catalog as well as the ribbon. I thought this would be a perfect layout for some outdoor pictures.

There are many ways to work with chipboard (you can find additional ideas here), but this time I chose to use sponge daubers to ink the pieces and then stamped on top of them with a darker ink using the scallop stamp in the Polka Dot Punches stamp set also found in the Sale-a-Bration brochure.

SSW gift

This is the gift that I hinted at in a previous post about getting ready for the Super Stampin' Weekend. I found the pink bags at Flower Factory and thought they were perfect to hold odds and ends like markers, scissors, ink pads, and other tools of the trade.

I made monogrammed tags for each person using my Big Shot and dies. I also put bags of chocolate inside the pink bags. The ladies were greeted with their happy pink bags on their tables when they arrived.

Throughout the weekend, we gave away lots of door prizes--stamp sets, Stampin' Around wheels, ribbon, layouts, cards, etc. We also had little challenge prizes for various things--who arrived first, stayed up latest, messiest table, etc.

Back from Super Stampin' Weekend!

What a fantastic weekend! I had so much fun at the Super Stampin' Weekend! We had good food, lots of space to crop, and great music (all thanks to Delilah :o)). We had a total of 16 ladies join us at King's Domain Lodge in Lebanon. Nine of us stayed the entire weekend, while 7 could only join us on Saturday.

While I had a lot of things to do to keep the weekend rolling, I was able to finish 28 two-page layouts! That's 56 pages. I am so excited. I am almost completely finished with my 2008 pictures. Most of those pages were swaps that I've received over the years. I never would have been able to get as much finished without them. I will share some of my pages over the next few weeks.

I still haven't unpacked--it's going to take a while. I don't have pictures to show you because I left my camera at home, naturally!

MOPS Easter Layout

My MOPS group (Mother's of Pre-Schoolers) meets on the 3rd Mondays of the month. After the planned craft didn't turned out as expected, I was asked if I could come up with an Easter layout for the group. Because I was short on time, I decided to take a layout that I'd already used and modify it so that I could use the Sale-a-bration Designer Paper and ribbon. You can see the orginal layout here.

When I did the orginal layout as part of my Club, we didn't have the Scallop Edge punch, yet. We used the corner rounder to make the scallops. It's a long and tedious process that most of the ladies disliked--immensely! The edge punches make the effect much easier! This new layout uses the Eyelet Edge punch found in the current catalog.

Don't forget---Sale-a-Bration ends March 31! Don't miss out on earning your free Sale-a-Bration rewards. With each $50 order (before shipping and tax), you can choose one of the 6 rewards for free. You can find the Sale-a-Bration brochure to the right (it's the pink one!).

Getting Read for SSW--Part 3

What in the world is this you ask? This is me getting organized for the Super Stampin' Weekend coming up March 20 -22. I use the 12x12 Craft Keepers to organize my pictures and swaps. I sort through my pictures and match the up with any swaps I might have. If I don't have any swaps, I still put them into a craft keeper and add some coordinating cardstock so that I can go back and make pages for them. Sometimes, I might add coordinating cardstock to the swap pages to--if I have enough time.

By doing this, I save a ton of time when I work at the weekend. I just grab a folder and get started. Most swaps don't need much added to them---some matting for pictures and a title. On other swaps, I may move things around a bit or add more stamping. It just depends on the swap and the pictures I'm putting on it.


This picture shows how I organize my swaps. I forget where I purchased the bins--maybe Michael's? Anyway, I bought the 12x12 Dividers that can be used in Stampin' Up's Paper Holders and organized the swaps by Baby/Kid, Christmas/Winter, Spring/Flowers, Sports, etc.

Are you wondering where I got all of these swaps? I've been swapping with my Scrappin' Clubs since I started them over 4 years ago. Before that, I was a member of my upline's Club. I have given a ton of swaps away to friends and family, but always have enough to do my own books. Having the swaps saves me a TON of time when I do my own scrapbooking! If you want more information about my Clubs, read more by clicking here!

Join the SU family with 3 easy payments!

Sounds like an infomercial, doesn't it? But, it's actually a fantastic promotion Stampin' Up! is offering to anyone who would like to become a demonstrator!

Right now during Sale-a-Bration is the perfect time to join. Not only do you get a 15% discount on the cost of the starter kit, you also get to choose ANY stamp set from a current catalog for FREE!

Here is how the 3 payment plan would work out when you sign up during Sale-a-Bration:

Starter Kit Payment	Payment Charged*	Payment with Stampin' Memories Add-On*
Payment 1 (charged at time kit is entered)	$56.34 (+ sales tax)	$106.34 (+ sales tax)
Payment 2 (charged around April 15th)	$56.33	$56.33
Payment 3 (charged around May 15th)	$56.33	$56.33
Total Payment	$169.00	$219.00

Here is how the payments work out April 1 - 30:

Starter Kit Payment	Payment Charged*	Payment with Stampin' Memories Add-On*
Payment 1 (charged at time kit is entered)	$66.34 (+ sales tax)	$116.34 (+ sales tax)
Payment 2 (charged around May 15th)	$66.33	$66.33
Payment 3 (charged around June 15th)	$66.33	$66.33
Total Payment	$199.00	$249.00

Being a Stampin' Up! demonstrator is so much fun! I've met lots of really wonderful ladies because of Stampin' Up!

Here are some answers to some common question--be sure to read my FAQ about Becoming a Demonstrator that can be found in the right hand side under "Special Download Forms."

How much do I have to sell? The sales requirement is only $300 in sales every 3 months. One average workshop would usually cover that. Your sales requirement can be met through a workshop, catalog orders, or your own personal orders.

What discount would I get? Every demonstrator earns a 20% instant income from every merchandise order. If you placed a $200 order, you would receive $40 in instant income. Based on your sales and title, you also have the potential to earn an additional 20% in Volume Rebate.

Do I have to do in-home "parties"? No. While workshops are important for building your business and meeting new people, you don't have to do any. Some people sign up to become a demonstrator just for the discount while sell periodically to their friends and family.

What if I decide I don't want to be a demonstrator anymore? Then you just stop placing orders. There are no penalties and you can quit at any time. Once you don't make your sales quota, you are finished.

Would you help me get started? I will support you as much as you need me! I will train you on how to place orders, use the business website, and even help you plan your first workshop, if you'd like. If you want to do it all on your own and don't want my help, that is fine, too!

Again, be sure to ready my FAQ sheet under "Special Download Forms" to the right. Call or email me with any questions about becoming a demonstrator. If you decide you want to do the 3 payment option, you will need to mail in this form found here. You cannot sign up through my SU website. I will give you the other forms you will need.

If you want to sign up and don't want to use the 3 payment option, then you can sign up directly through my website. My password to sign up online is SUDEMO.

Getting Ready for SSW--Part 2

Look what I found on my doorstep today! We pulled into our driveway and Kyle saw the boxes and said "holy cow!" These boxes hold the orders for the Super Stampin' Weekend. If you turned in your order late, then your goodies will arrive on Friday.

Look at all this stuff! Doesn't it make you happy just looking at it? It looks like the popular Sale-a-Bration items are the Polka Dot punches set and the Delicate Dots designer paper. I see a lot of cardstock and designer paper, Big Shot dies, and a few stamp sets. It looks like everyone will have plenty to keep them busy!

I can't wait for the Super Stampin' Weekend! I still have so much to get ready, but I am looking forward to having a weekend away from home. I bought some more of the craft keepers I use to organize my photos and swaps at Michael's today, so I can sort some more of my pictures. I still have to do my swap, but now that my order is here I can get started!

Club Card

Tomorrow is my Mixed Club meeting. This is a group of ladies ( a few relatives, too!) who have been stamping with me for a long while. This is the last meeting of the Club round, and we will be making cards. One of the cards we'll be making is this stair step card. It is a really neat card to make and doll up because it can sit on a shelf as remembrance of the sentiment or occasion.

I had never made one of these and was really surprised at how easy it was to make. This card uses the Big Shot and some dies. I used the "Scallop Circle" (which is my absolute favorite die) and the "Bird w/ Leaves and Flower" die which is my newest die. I am not a bird person, but I have just caught on to the bird trend that Stampin' Up seems to be on. I bought both of the silly bird sets on pages 90 and 91 and now I have the Big Shot die.

This club starts a new session on April 9 and has room for 2 more members. It will be a Scrappin' Club this round. The club meets on the 2nd Mondays of the month at 7:00 pm. We meet at 6:30 for those who want to do dinner. Each month's hostess takes turns picking up dinner (we all pay for our own!). This is an optional part of club. Our club also swaps layouts which makes keeping up with your own scrapbooking so much easier. Please contact me if you have any questions!

Directions for the Stair Step Card:

1. Start with a 5 x 8 1/4" piece of cardstock for the base of your card.
2. Score at 1 1/4, 2 1/2, 4 1/4, 6, 8 1/4.
3. Accordion fold it so that you have 3 stairs of varying heights. Start the fold so that the first small stair is facing down.
4. Cover your stairs with designer paper or cardstock of your choice. Mine measure 1 x 4 3/4", 1 1/2 x 4 3/4", and 2 x 4 3/4".
5. Decorate the 3 stairs with various die cuts or cut-out images. Be sure that when you fold the card, your pieces don't stick out to far to prevent the card from fitting into a standard envelope!

I will share the 2nd card-a spiral pop-up card---tomorrow!

Getting Ready for SSW--Part 1

What a mess! I am so excited that I have finally settled on what the make and takes will be for the Super Stampin' Weekend. It has been a huge source of stress for me lately. I had to hurry up and figure out what I needed so that I could place an order and have it arrive on time. I am still waiting on the rest of the order, but I thought I'd start getting ready what I have.

The Weekend fee includes 3 make and takes this year. We will be doing 2 scrapbook layouts and one 3D item. This picture shows me getting the materials ready. This is some of the pieces for two of the projects. We have 15 people joining us this year which isn't too bad to prepare for.

If you look closely, you will spot my gift to the participants of the Super Stampin' Weekend! I am very pleased with what I found this year. I will post pictures of the final projects after the weekend takes place so that I can keep them a surprise for the ladies attending.