Sale-A-Bration sneak peek-Christmas Gift

We had our DYEnamINK Stampers team Christmas party last week and one of the highlights is the handstamped gift exchange.  This was the gift I made.

I got a flat 12 x 12 acrylic frame forever ago that has been in the 'someday I'm going to do something with this' cupboard (yes, we ALL have one of those!)

I inserted some of the NEW Sale-A-Bration paper that I decorated with some of the decorative adhesive strips.  The frame doubles as a dry erase board too!

I used the big shot scallop #2 die to cut out the cork and post it notes and used sticky strip to attach them to the outside of the frame, along w/ the calendar.  And look at those cute push pins!!!  I used the SAB adhesive die cuts and glued them to the push pins..... I know... ADORABLE!

I strung the Sale-a-bration ribbon to string across the top and glued SAB buttons to the mini clips to put on the ribbon.

What do you think?
I hope you made a few of your gifts this year!
Merry Christmas!

Matchbox Die for Big Shot

I don't know what life was like before the Big Shot!
Especially when it comes to making fun little boxes... No more measuring, scoring, cutting....  Just crank and go!

This little box (which we made at my last Too Stinkin' Cute Class) uses the Greenhouse Gala designer series paper.  Stampin' Up! used this paper on samples on the front of one of our Stampin' Success Magazines (our monthly demonstrator newsletters) and I loved the colors.  They are so yummy!

The little tag on top is actually from the same die.  There's three different tags included in the die.  What a value!  And I know you LOVE the shimmery brad (from the Holiday Mini Catalog!)  I'm kind of addicted to them.  Once I got over the fact that I cannot hoard them!  You know what I mean... you have that pretty paper, or in this case, shimmery brad, and you open it up and just look at it.  You don't want to use them because they will be gone!  Well, that's why you have me! You can always get more, silly!

Inside, I wrapped some Hershey nuggets with some paper strips (1x3).  LOVE THEM!

What friend do you know that would love a little pick me up like this....?  Don't you think you should make her one today?

Cake in a Box

Ok, I am such an 'inside the box' girl! I never would have thought to take a battery operated candle and make a cake out of it!  DUH!

Here is another project we made at conventional....

Inside is this cute cake!

We used the new Nursery Suite Quick Accents.... self adhesive die cuts that all coordinate (they even have matching designer series papers!)

You know.. this would be a fun gift to give someone just to let them know that THEY are a wonderful reason to celebrate!  You know.... The gift of each other is a reason to Celebrate! God is so good to give us each other, don't you think?

Conventional Highlights

What an absolute honor to be invited as a guest speaker to my friends' team training event this past weekend in Chicago.  Connie Sylvester and Susan Gardner, two of my absolute favorite demonstrator friends, invited me to share information on what I do to create a fabulous workshop experience for my hostesses and guests.  They had 80 ladies join us, and did a phenomenal job at putting on this event!

Connie and I:

Susan and I:

My friend Beverly and I arrived in Chicago on Saturday afternoon and were blessed to have dinner with Pam Morgan, VP of Demonstrator Relations at Stampin' Up!  We joined Pam, and 6 other demonstrators for a fabulous dinner.... the BEST either of us had ever had!

Pam and Beverly:

Sunday evening we were treated to a FABULOUS stamp camp where we made an awesome project. (pictures of that coming soon!)

Sunday/Monday shared my presentation, and we were delighted to have Pam share a special message from Shelli Gardner (owner of SU!) as well as demonstrations of items coming out in the next Holiday Mini Catalog.  What a treat to have her there as one of us... just hanging out and chatting for the weekend!

Here are a few pictures of the gifts they made for us.  Susan made me this Simply Adorned Necklace/charm.  It is so beautiful!

And here are a couple of the gifts for Pam. This is an adorable sampler frame.

And a personalized stationery set made from a 3 dimensional acrylic frame.

I'll be posting more pics of our FABULOUS make and takes, as well as the incredible swaps I got.  These ladies are amazing stampers!

Two-Step Owl Punch and Quarter Queen Event

This is by FAR my FAVORITE event for my downline!

I treat them to dinner and stamping, and this month, 7 ladies earned my Quarter Queen event.  I am so proud of all of them!

When they arrived, I had a couple gifts waiting for them at their seats....

A magnetic dry/erase board-you can get these magnetic photo holders in 2 packs at discount stores.  They have clear fronts that you can write on and wipe off.

And a milkbox with CHOCOLATE inside!!!  I love the big shot... it makes cute things like this easily!

The Two-Step owl punch is SO FABULOUS!  I love using him, and think it will be a new addiction!

Here are my beautiful quarter queens:

Back Row: Loretta Kavanagh, Beverly Brownell, Beth Jansen
Front Row:  Veronica Grimm, Shellie Ashley, Deanne Fell
Missing:  Debbie Bartak (we missed you girl!)

Oh, we had a yummy dinner.... chicken salads and strawberry shortcake.  Here is the recipe for the salad girls :)

Salad:
Lettuce (I used premade bag salad)
Chicken (I used a precooked rotisserie from the deli and cut it up)
Grapes
Bacon (again, precooked in the dressings section)
Sunflower Seeds
Mozarella Cheese

Dressing:
1 cup canola oil
1/2 cup red wine vinegar
3/4 cup splenda (or sugar)
1 tsp dry mustard
2 tsp poppy seeds

Toss salad ingredients together.  Combine Dressing ingredients in a shaker container.  Pour dressing over salad and enjoy!
Stop back over the next few days to see what they got to make :)

Sweet Treat Heart Cups Card Idea

Well, what do you think of the new look of my blog?  It was fun freshening things up!

Speaking of a freshening up..... This fun card idea holds Candy Cane Bath Crystals from Lemongrass Spa.  These were some gifts I made for guests who brought a friend to my first spa party.  They loved the idea! And thanked me for the treat!

The hearts are clear cups that are self adhesive.  You fill them with what you like, then stick them down! I used the full heart punch to punch a heart for the treat cup to poke through.  So fun!

Watercolor Trio Build A Journal

This project has been on my mind for quite some time, but just couldn't get straight in my mind what I wanted to do.... ever have that happen?

Well, let me tell ya, it's all about God's timing!

Yesterday I was stamping some ideas from my upcoming Big Shot Class, and after I was done, I sat down, and viola, this project happened.  I am so excited to share it with you.  God is so good.... I love it when He works through me like this!

This is a journal, but it's not your ordinary journal!  It's totally hand made and built my me!

I wanted a place to keep all of my thoughts (yes, there's lots of them and it's hard to keep them all contained in my head without forgetting something!)

Inside my journal are five divided sections: places to record my notes from Pastor's sermons, prayer requests and also a place to write the answers to those prayers so I can see God's work and reflect back on how He has blessed me, Scripture verse page to record my favorites and ones I want to memorize as well as what those verses are saying to me, Letters to the Lord pages to write out my own prayers to God, and In My Thoughts pages where I can just journal whatever is on my mind.

I hope I've inspired you to spend more time meditatating on the promises of God.  They are so beautiful, and now, you can have a special place to keep them all :)

DEMONSTRATORS: You can purchase this class planner HERE.

This planner/project and ALL my planners are FREE for demonstrators on my team.  Email Me to find our more about joining my team of DYEnamINK Stampers today!

Holland Seminar Fun!

What a fun weekend we had at the Holland seminar here in Michigan!

Seven of my team mates joined me in Holland for a fun girls weekend. 

Friday night, we learned tons of great ways to use the big shot with fabric, including hair clips, pins, quilts, table runners, banners, flags, purses, totes and more. 

Then, on Saturday we focused on workshops.... and I have TONS of great ideas to share with you... You will want to get your party on the calendar so I can share lots of great ideas with you and your friends.

I did a presentation at the seminar... over 100 ladies, and I made it through! :)

Here are a few projects to inspire you....

One of the best thing about any Stampin' Up! event are the friends.... especially ones you don't get to see very often!
Here's Tiffany, Beth and Deanne, taking a little break from stamping.

My dear friend Sherry Weldy..... She is an amazing lady! And SOOOOOO funny!

My dear friend Jackie Bolhuis, who organizes this semiar every year....

My sweet soul sister Cathy Worrell.... I love you girl!

And one of the amazing gals on my team, Debbie Bartak! She is a fabulous demonstrator! We got to know each other so much better at Leadership Conference in Janaury.  It's amazing the friendships you make through this wonderful company!

Thanks ladies for a fabulous weekend, and all your love and support!  You are amazing ladies, and I am truly blessed to have you in my life.  I thank God for all of you, and pray he blesses your life in many ways,,,, as you have blessed mine!

Stampin' Up! Watercolor Trio meets Big Shot Matchbox Die & More!

Well, today, maybe as we speak, I am doing my presentation on workshops... And sharing some fun ideas I do with my workshop guests.

Today's project is a DOUBLE FUN project.....

I created this little box using the Big Shot and our Matchbox Die... I love this little die!  It holds such fun little goodies... I've used it before to hold lip balm and nail polish, chocolate, office supplies, mini note cards, peeps and more chocolate. 

I used the same technique with the Presto Paper, emboss resist and Smooch Spray as yesterday. 

And inside this time......

A coordinating Simply Adorned Charm! I made a little insert for the box to hold the necklace.

I stung taffeta ribbon through the chain.  It looks really cool when you wear it!
Here is the front of the charm

It's hard to tell in the picture but the center of the flower has microbeads attached w/ sticky strip.

And the reverse side....

I used the presto paper , and alo stamped it with the flower from watercolor trio.  Then I stamped the flower on white cardstock and cut it out.  I added a tag with the tiny tags set and punch.  I love how it turned out!  Can't wait to show it off!

I think the ladies at the seminar are going to like this gift set idea, don't you?

What a great gift to give to a friend!