Happy 2B

Fun at the Leadership Conference

 
 

Leadership was so much fun this year!  Here are just some of the Remarkable Stampers Team which I am a part of...that's me 3rd from the right on the back row. 

 
 This is a picture of me with two of my Stampin' Up BFF's, Jill Hilliard and Maria Pane.  They are both such sweethearts and a huge inspiration to me.  One of the best benefits of being a demonstrator is the relationships I've made with my customers and other demonstrators...we are all crazy about STAMPING!

At the Manager's Reception on Wednesday night, we all enjoyed a night out on the town listening to Country Music and line dancing to our hearts content at the Wildhorse Saloon...I forgot to mention the Conference was in Nashville, Tennessee.  That's me...2nd from the left.  Stampin' Up gave us all cowboy hats to wear to the celebration.

   

We also received a FREE stamp set that will be featured in our next new catalog release in July...sorry I can't show it but I'll give you a hint...everyone who travels or scrapbooks will go nuts over it! 

Stampin' Up is always so generous to their demonstators and this year we got so many awesome gifts. My favorite, and by far the most exciting at Leadership, was the Starter Kit they gave each of us to give away to someone we felt would benefit from and enjoy having their own Stampin' Up business.   I'll never forget the look on 1,000 fellow demonstrators just seconds after they announcement was made...we were all speechless.  To the best of my knowledge, this was a first!

Welcome to my newest team member, the recipient of my complimentary Starter Kit, Laurie Morris!  She is so excited for the opportunity and I am excited for her.

 

Stampin' Up Comes to Baltimore

 

 

On October 1st and 2nd, Stampin' Up invited all demonstrators and their guests to attend an event to be held in Baltimore, Maryland.  I made sure I registered as soon as possible so I wouldn't miss the fun.  A few of my MAD Stampers Team went with me and we met up with several ladies that are in another group we are a part of ...the Remarkable Stampers.  These ladies know how to have a great time and Stampin' Up provided the perfect opportunity to do so.  Approximately 400 demonstrators and guests were in attendance.

I learned several new stamping techniques and saw hundreds of samples that gave me new ideas for  projects to share with my customers.  Here are a few of my favorites.

 

 

 

My absolute favorite is below.  This card also won First Prize in the Swap Contest.   All the demonstrators bring cards to swap and this year Stampin' Up posted them on display boards at the event so we could vote on them.

 

And to end this wonderful day, my teammates and I went to enjoy dinner at the Cheescake Factory at the Inner Harbor.  By this time the batteries in my camera were dead!!  So no pictures of that yummy cheesecake...you'll have to use your imaginations! 

Does this event look like something you would enjoy?  Are you looking for a fun way to make some extra cash?   Or are you already a stamping enthusiast and would just like to get a discount on the product you buy?   My email address is carolyn@oh2bstampin.com.    Contact me and ask me how you can join my team.  I've been a demonstrator for 7 years and have loved every minute of it...You can too!!

Thanks Stampin' Up for sponsoring this really fun event.  We had soooo much FUN!

The Big Shot Meets the Sewing Machine

 

One of the awesome displays at our Leadership Conference this year featured Quilts and more all made using the Big Shot & Big Shot dies. 

I was so impressed with these projects, I am highly considering dusting off my sewing machine and trying my hand at creating with fabric and my Big Shot.  If you are quilter or love to combine your sewing skills with your imagination, I would love to meet with you and learn more about how the Big Shot could meet your quilting/sewing needs.

If you would be interested in a class this summer...I need some time to make some samples...I would love to talk to you.  Please call me at 410-479-4348 or email me at carolyn@oh2bstampin.com.

There are so many ideas that were presented.  Here are just a few to get you excited:

Wall hangings, aprons, purses, placemats or table runners, flowers to wear on your coats or headbands, embellish baby clothes, curtains and more

Enjoy the samples below and please contact me if this is an area of interest to you. 

Keep in mind that during February and March 2010, you receive a free Sale-a-Bration gift for every $50 purchase you make.

Also check out the Lay-a-Way Payment plan for the Big Shot posted HERE.

Some of the Big Shot dies used in this quilt are the 5 Point 3D Star, the Pennant XL die and the Clear Circle Bigz Clear die.   

Additional fun dies to use:

Flower Bigz Clear die

Flower Layers with Leaf Bigz die

Scallop Square

Flower Folds XL die

Beautiful Butterflies

Check out our entire collection of Big Shot products on pages 194-195 of our Big Idea Book and Catalog.  Don't have one?  It's available to download...just look for the section titled Current Catalogs in the left column and click on the one that's flashing "Just Released" or contact me to purchase one.

You can also click HERE to view our Big Shot collection online.  Just click SHOP NOW and type Big Shot in the Search Box.  Have questions?  Please feel free to contact me.

My Leadership BFF's

Many of you have heard me talk of the REMARKABLE STAMPERS group that I am a part of.  These are just some of the most wonderful, amazing and extremely talented ladies that make up that group along with our "fearless" leader, Jan Wakeland.

L-R:  Linda Hunt, Jan, Kathy Hamrick, Cathy Buch and Lois Good.

This picture was taken after dinner at the Manager's Reception.  The Manager's Reception is always a surprise...this year it was to a Mexican Rodeo and we had more of a surprise than we bargained for.  One of the trick riders broke his leg during the performance, but in the loving spirit of Stampin' Up!, all the demonstrators took up a collection for his family and sent him more Get Well cards than he'll probably ever see again in his lifetime!

Two of my roommates, also members of the Remarkable Stampers team, were Susan Adams from Virginia Beach, Virginia and Gina Shirey-Potts from Juneua, Alaska. 

Susan is one of the most fun loving ladies I've ever met...from jumping on the bed to sitting in the jacuzzi and throwing Hershey Kisses in the air...just to see if we could get a good picture of her in action...she always kept us laughing.

Gina was so good natured.  It seemed like every night, she was the first one in bed and Susan and I were quite the night owls.  Gina was so patient with us...sorry Gina for all the nights you lost sleep because of me!!

And my BFF list would not be complete without my devoted Rising Stars of 2008.  I'm so glad we got to spend a little time with each other and enjoy a delicious lunch!  Special thanks to Tiffany for making the arrangements...you are a sweetheart!

Note:  There were several BFF's that aren't pictured here because they would have killed me if I had posted some of the pictures I had taken of them!!  You know who you are!

Do you love to create things using your sewing machine?  Are you a quilter?  Do you enjoy working with fabric?  If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, be sure to come back tomorrow...you'll be glad you did.

Cool Projects I Spotted at Leadership

Shelly Gardner, CEO and Founder of Stampin' Up! LOVES anything vintage and you can see it in the way she creates.  In this project, she showed us how to use a bone folder to break down the cardstock fibers in the punched flowers to give them a three dimensional look.  She then used several different size layers in her flowers and then used buttons, brads and the Sweet Pea stitched felt as centers to add more character and dimension. 

The background was made using an Emboss Resist technique, sponging and wheeling.  She also used tearing and an emery board to "antique" her project.

This project uses our new On Board Bird Book (size in the catalog is deceiving...they are 6" wide).  They make adorable mini albums, table decorations or banners (8 to a package).  They also come in the shape of a heart and scallop circle.

Cover with Designer Paper, sand the edges and embellish to your heart's content. 

I think this card is gorgeous.  It uses the Vintage Vogue stamp set (item #117690 - wood) in the Occasions Mini Catalog, the coordinating Very Vintage jumbo wheel (item #117693) and the FREE Sale-a-Bration Scallop Trim Border (item #118402).

Here's are two quick projects using the "STINKIN' CUTE" Felt Stitched flowers and the new "Hugs" Sending Love notes...only $4.95 for 20!!  See pg 19 of the Occasions Mini for more samples and to also see the "Kisses" Sending Love notes.  Don't forget to add the Glassine Bags designed to fit these cute card embellishments.

 

  
These adorable projects are made using the Eggcellent Eggs Kit found on page 23 of the Occasions Mini.  Because my kids are grown and I don't dye Easter eggs any longer, this kit was not even on my radar until I saw the projects that the very creative Patty Bennett demonstrated at the Conference. 

There were so many more...I wish I could post them all but I can't.  If you want to see for yourself the amazing and creative projects at our Leadership Conference, ask me how you can become a demonstrator and join us at an upcoming conference.  It is so fun...not only because you see amazing projects but because you also meet amazing people. 

Check back tomorrow to see some of the amazing people I shared fun times with at Leadership.

I'm Back in the Saddle Again!!

After 16 days of living out of a suitcase (felt more like 60 days!), I am finally back home and starting to catch up on everything that got put on the back burner...like my blog...sorry!!

For some of you who may not read my blog regularly, I am just returning from a dynamite Stampin' Up Leadership Conference in Phoenix, Arizona, a visit with my daughter who lives in Texas and then the two of us traveling to Florida to visit my mother.  I had so much fun and came back with so many great ideas from the Leadership Conference.  I'll post just a few of the hundreds of pictures I took so you can enjoy some of the fun too.  This one of me isn't taken in the best lighting but it shows the Conference theme in the background which totally describes my feelings for my job...the best job EVER!!

Want to see some of the newest products?  Of course you do!!  Silly me...check these out!!

This is our new SIMPLY ADORNED line of JEWELRY!!   The charms are nickel-plated  the chains are stainless steel.  The locket-style charms include tempered glass and hinges so that you can create custom artwork (or photos) for the front and back. 

You can find additional pieces online HERE.  Want to come to a class to make one?  Just contact me and I will put a class together so we can enjpy these beauties together!

So many customers and demonstrators alike have been waiting for Stampin' Up to come out with clear mount stamps...well the waiting is OVER!!

Now you have a choice!  You can enjoy the same high-quality rubber and foam, you've grown to love on our wood mount stamps...now available in a clear mount option!  The clear mount stamp sets come packaged in a storage case about the size of a DVD case so they will save you storage space and they are also less expensive.   They stamps are die cut and repositionable.  The clear mount blocks come in 9 different sizes and are available in a bundle or can be purchased separately).

Here's a peak at our new SATIN RIBBON and it is SWEEEEET!!  The colors are vibrant and there are NINE to choose from.  They add such a touch of class to your projects.  Once you buy one, you'll want them ALL!

There are 15 yards on each spool.  If you want a smaller quantity, contact me about my Ribbon Share where you can get 5 yards of each color plus white for just $36 for local customers...shipping long distance is $4 extra but can be combined with other shares.

There are simply no words to describe these new embellishments other than STINKIN' CUTE!!  They are called Sweet Pea Stitched Felt and I have to say I am in love with them.  They are actually stitched and add a fun and whimsy personality to any card, scrapbook page or other project.  Use them to decorate frames, hair bands, clothing, hats...the possibilities are just endless!! 

Stampin' Up is listening to our customers needs.  Many of you love to craft but don't have a lot of storage room.  With our new line of punches, you will be able to STACK THEM!!  I'm sorry I didn't get a side view of the punches so you could see this feature better but you'll just have to trust me...you are going to love them.  Not only do they take up less room but check out the center punch...it punches THREE images at once!  How cute is that??   These are just a few of our new punches.  Check out the entire line HERE and then enter the word "punches" in the search box.

Well now that you've seen some of our new products, I'm sure you are ready to see some new projects!  Come back tomorrow and check out some of the fun projects I spotted at the Leadership Conference.

RAD Event

For the next four days I will be attending one of my very favorite events and a fun perc of my job.  The event is referred to as RAD (Remarkable Achieving Dreambuilders) and is hosted by my upline, Jan Wakeland.  Remarkable Dreambuilders is a group of Stampin' Up demonstrators who love the business opportunity that Stampin' Up offers and strive to make a difference in the lives of others through sharing the art of stamping, scrapbooking and crafting.  Jan sets up challenges throughout the year that will help us to grow our businesses and also helps us earn attendance at the event when we complete them.

 

 

Two close friends I met at RAD...Kathy Hamrick and Maria Pane

For four complete days and nights, we enjoy each other's company, make new friends, reconnect with old friends, stamp and laugh and stamp and get inspired by each other's projects and stamp and sleep a little bit and stamp and watch Chick Flicks and then cry and laugh because of the Chick Flicks and then stamp some more.  We go home with LOTS of ideas and samples to share with our customers.

If this sounds like something you could enjoy, ask me how you can become a Stampin' Up demonstrator.  You can't imagine the fun we have.

Jan has LOTS of projects for us to make but we can also bring our own and use all of her supplies. She has 90% of everything in our catalog...a Stampers' Paradise, affectionately known as Stamp World.  Jan's husband cooks all our meals so we don't have to cook for four whole days...my idea of heaven!

 
Me - Front Row Right 

Last year she bought us all cozy matching PJ's, we had a cupcake decorating contest (the event theme was based on a popular Cupcake stamp set), sang silly renditions of Christmas carols in between all the stamping.  I have to wonder what she has up her sleeve this year...she always makes the event jam packed full of FUN!!   And she always has lots of surprises for us.  I'll tell you all about it when I get home next week so be sure to come back!

We voted on our the cupcake we thought was best decorated!  Then we got to eat them!
 

Leadership Conference 2009

 

I had so much fun at the Stampin' Up! Leadership Conference held in Orlando, Florida in January.  I just had to take a few minutes to share.   The fun started on Tuesday as I arrived to WARM weather!!  I checked into the Castle (to go along with the Disneyworld theme!), met friends (Maria Pane and Blaney Spinelli) and had a blast at the Outta This World Magic and Comedy Theater that evening.

On Wednesday, my roomies and I headed to Disney World AFTER going to the Convention Center and picking up our new and absolutely AWESOME Stampin' Up! Spring Summer 2009 catalog and filling our shopping bags with Logo merchandise at the Momento Mall.  (I will be rewarding my team with these goodies at the next team meeting.)

We had a fun day at Disney World...the park was not crowded and there were no waiting lines...what could be better?  Of course Disney isn't Disney without getting your picture taken with Mickey and Minnie and they were kind enough to accomodate us. 

We also couldn't resist the photo opportunity in one of the stores to try on our Mickey ears!!  (Can you keep a secret?  I always wanted to be Muskateer!)

That night I met my third roommate, Jill Hilliard...hi Jill!  While Blaney spent time making some cards to swap, Maria and I went to the jacuzzi and pool (with a beautiful fountain in the center) and enjoyed some down time getting to know each other better.   One of the very best benefits of being a Stampin' Up demonstrator is the wonderful friends you make...every demonstrator will testify to that!!

Thursday morning I was up bright and early to attend Opening Session at the Convention Center.  And right out of the gate, Shelli Gardner, Stampin' Up! Founder & CEO, announced quite a few BIG things to come...how about...drum roll please...My Digital Studio...digital scrapbooking software to be released sometime later this year!!  And if that wasn't enough, they gave away about seven free ones AND yours truly was one of the very fortunate recipients!!  I could not believe it.  Another great benefit of being a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator...free product!

The FUN got really cranked up that night when everyone who was Manager level and above was invited to attend the Manager's Reception at Universal Studios.  The park was closed to the public and opened just for us!!  All the rides we wanted to ride, all the shops we wanted to browse, all the food we wanted to eat...and I'm not talking just park food, I'm talking Lobster!!  That's right...and everything else you could imagine.  The dessert bar included CHOCOLATE fondue...did I die and go to Heaven? 

The Spiderman heros...and villians...were there for photos and I'm not sure who had more fun...them or us.  There was dancing in the streets including two dancers on stilts dressed in lighted costumes.  The street banners that usually had words on them like "Shazam!" and "POW!" had been changed to read "PUNCH", "CROP" and "STAMP".  The free Frozen Ice was a big hit.  (Notice the word "INK!" on the canopy in the photo above.)  As we were leaving, we each received a Spiderman lunch box with a FREE stamp set inside to add to the one we received in our Conference tote bag!  Did I mention FOOD, FUN and FREE...I love my job!!  (Hey, if you want to get in on some of the fun...click HERE to learn how you can join me!)

Everything about Leadership was so exciting...exciting announcements, exciting events, exciting classes... hopefully I'll remember at least half of what I learned!                             

To celebrate the last night in style, a large group of us (I think something like 32!) gathered at a local restaurant, Café Tu Tu Tango to chat and laugh and of course, EAT!!  Then we went back to the "Castle" and shared our card swaps so we could come home with pictures of all the latest creations to share with our great customers...like you!  Here's one of my favorites...I'll post more in the next day or two.

Leave me a comment if you like reading about Stampin' Up! events on my blog.  Or for information on how you can participate in them, email me at carolyn@oh2bstampin.com.  

Fun Day in York, Pa.

 

On Saturday (Oct. 18), my downline, Pat Bartz, and I traveled to York, Pa. to attend a Remarkable Stampers Team Gathering.  There were approximately 100 stampers in attendance.  There were two guest speakers, Mary Jo Albright, a two time Artisan Award winner, and Cindy Zell.  Cindy and her team shared several items that could be made out of recycled items such as oatmeal boxes, mayonnaise jars, Pringles containers, plastic drink bottles and more. 

 

Mary Jo gave us lots of guidelines on how to create projects with the intention of entering them into contests.  She also brought some of awesome creations to share with us.  She is truly an artist.

   

Time of my Life

I had the time of my life at Founder's Circle.  I knew the last day was going to come but when it did I tried to think of a way to hold on to it forever.  It was so fun being treated like a princess.  On the last day, I slept in, met with new friends for breakfast, completed my make and take projects and networked with other demonstrators in the Gathering Place (shown below).  We all appreciated the over-the-top effort Stampin' Up! staff went to all week to spoil us.  What other company would ship four plush  living room sets complete with fuzzy blankets, pillows and rugs into a motel conference room just to say "we appreciate you"?    

   

In one corner of the Gathering Place, there were also 4 round tables set up where we could gather to create our make and takes.  Here are some of my fellow Founder Circle demonstrators creating their projects.  I can't name them all but in the back of the table is Patty Bennett, to the left her right) is Ruth Bingle and Karen Trelfa, both 2008 Rising Stars.

There were always treats to spoil us too...jars full of every kind of candy you could think of, root beer floats, trays of cookies, chip and dips...you name it we had it!

Although Saturday was a "free day" to do whatever we wanted, we were asked to meet in the lobby at 6:00 pm.  We were told we would be going somewhere for our Farewell Dinner but it was a big secret as to where.  We all piled in to 3 buses and took a 20 minute ride to Entrada Golf Resort at Snow Canyon.  When we got off the buses, there was a buzz of anticipation and then we all saw it at the same time...an outdoor theater had been set up for us to watch a movie under the stars! 

Our Farewell Dinner was bruschetta, salad and gourmet pizza...as in shrimp alfredo, bar-b-que chicken and supreme!!  And as always, Stampin' Up went the extra mile by setting up a concession stand with hot popcorn and theater candy such as Dots, Junior Mints, Red Vines and Milk Duds...all we could eat.  Oh what a belly ache waiting to happen!

 

Now you all are probably thinking there couldn't be any more...right?? WRONG!!  All week in the Gathering Place, we were wrapping ourselves up in those cozy pink blankets (made from chenille microfiber!) and on the back of each movie chair was our own personal blanket wrapped with a big black ribbon.  I'm here to tell you those blankets are softer than anything I've ever felt in my life.

 

The movie we watched was No Reservations...great chick flick.

Here are all the 2008 Founder's Circle members having our group photo taken.  I'm not sure how I ended up front and center but there I am with the white shirt.

 

And as promised in a prior post, here are a few of the fun "pillow presents" that I found when I went back to my room each night.

   

 

So in honor of an awesome week with awesome people in an awesome part of our country, here are a few  pictures of the scenery I enjoyed on my trip to Utah.  I thank God for blessing me with this trip.