Paisley Prints convention make & take...

My favorite part of this card was the little punched out "clover" on the same color heart with a tiny pearl in it.

The hearts are just two of the five stamps in the Paisley Print stamp set, available in the Holiday Mini on Sept. 1.

Just Believe 3" x 3" card...

This was one of the make & takes we stamped at convention a couple of weeks ago.

We started with a 3" x 6" piece of Whisper White, folded in half (Love Note size).

We started by laying a circle (cut with the Circles die for the Big Shot) over the front of the card and sponging on Pear Pizzazz, Peach Parfait, and Daffodil Delight first. Then we stamped the foliage (I kept the circle guide in place), and then the sentiment in Early Espresso.

I ended up sponging around the outside to cover up a boo-boo, but I think it looks nice. Don't you?

Fun trivia from SU! Convention 2010...

The Top Sellers for Stampin' Up! are:

1. Beautiful Wings embosslit (47,000 sold)
2. Elegant Bouquet embossing folder (37,000 sold)
3. Top Note die (30,000 sold)

Because of Stampin' Up!'s relationship with Sizzix (the maker of the Big Shot and the dies/embosslits/sizzlits/embossing folders/etc.), Sizzix has had to increase its staff by 20 percent.

Top Ribbon Sales - 1/2" Pear Pizzazz poly stitch ribbon

Top Ink Pad Color - Pear Pizzazz (In Color for 2010-2012)

Top Card Stock Color - Cherry Cobbler

Most Searched Item in Online Ordering - Punches

Using Stampin' Up! products in your home decor...

Look how beautifully stencils can complement your antique furnishings.

It doesn't take much stenciling to achieve a "look." Below, notice the satin ribbon and antique brads on the lampshade.

Decor elements displayed at convention...

Every year at Stampin' Up!'s convention, there are display rooms and walls showing how to use our decor elements and stencils and more for home decor.

This picture shows three Decor Elements Simple Signs (item 118246, 12" x 12", $15.95 each) with two other decor elements on top of them. The signs are chalkboard.

Though smooth walls are recommended, I placed a chalkboard decor element on the side of my studio fridge (similar to an orange peel finish) and it looks and "works" just fine.

There's a Chore Chart Large Decor Element, only available in white, that is at the top of each sign. This costs $7.95 and measures 11" x 4-1/8" (item 121675).

At the bottom of each sign is a Remember/To Do... Large Decor Element ($7.95, item 121677), also only available in white.

Decor Elements Botanical Flower (set of 3) in Crumb Cake and White colors also grace this wall. You can view the sizes and colors on page 224 of the Idea Book & Catalog.

As with everything you see on this blog, if you'd like to place an order, please click here.

Being a Stampin' Up! demonstrator means you get to play!

After the morning's general session, Kim and I would grab our boxed lunches and head to our hotel, the Hilton. We'd eat some of our lunch and then get into swimsuits for a dip in this wonderfully warm pool before stepping out into the sun to lay out on some lounges. It was a nice break. We had the pool to ourselves every day but Saturday!

More goodies from convention...

I love how these hostess stamps from Cute by the Inch look like candies.

Last day of Stampin' Up! Convention 2010...

We've had an incredible time at convention. At the last general session today, Shelli gave us this amazing packet filled with upcoming Holiday Mini items: Deck the Halls dsp, the Level 2 hostess set Peaceful Season, a Cherry Cobbler ink pad, and Champagne Glass Glitter (Kim's holding the packet).

We've enjoyed chatting with old friends (our friend Jennifer Cotton of Texas earned #8 Demo of the Year!) and making new ones. The classes, Memento Mall, make & takes, and displays were all terrific. If you sign up as a demonstrator for no other reason that you want to attend convention, I wouldn't blame you! As it is, we had four of our downline here. That was awesome in itself.

We saw so many samples and ways to use items from the catalog and upcoming Holiday Mini Catalog that I can't wait to share them with you (but I will!). ha ha ha All I can say is that you're in for a treat!

A yummy paper cake...

A paper cake at convention 2010 with Newsprint dsp, paper flowers and more!

Stamping IS yummy...

Sweet stampin'

The Candy Shoppe at SU! Convention 2010

FREE Product for Promising to Recruit!

We got to spin the wheel at convention for these excellent prizes because Terry and I promised to recruit at least 1 person by August 31st.  If you'd like to be that person please contact us and we'll give you FREE product!

Terry got the Flower Brights Collection brads and I got the Play Date DSP! WooHoo!!!

We're learning so much and having so much fun. If you'd like to join us next year, sign up now and start saving for a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Memento Mall goodies...

There were so many luscious items to select from in the Memento Mall at the Salt Palace Convention Center... so we had to have it all!

There was a Sneak Peek for us on the demo website of the Greenhouse Gala tote that holds 12" paper and trimmer. But did you know there's a matching laptop bag? It's NICE.

The cylindrical thing on the right is a collapsable scrap bag to set on tables while stamping (very cool!). And there were two designs of the reusable shopping bags with cute owl tags. This floral one and another with Play Date numbers.

See the Love What You Do single wood stamp? And the pens? How about the Stampin' Up! ruler? And all those things are sitting on a Share What You Love apron!

Oh, there are also keychains (a Greenhouse Gala flower), and a Christmas ornament.

Reusable shopping bag (left) and the bag we received at Check-In

The fun orange and pink bag was what we received at check-in, with a new catalog, Holiday Mini, and wristband (for doorprizes). This photo shows the inside (with a matching pink pen). It snaps closed and has an adjustable shoulder strap.

Kim relaxing in our room; Play Date reusable bag

It's hot here - like 92 degrees. So Kim put her hair up and cranked the air conditioning in our room.

Here's a photo of the Play Date shopping bag. There was a limit of 4 of each style of bag at $2.95 each.

A closer look at the pens, ruler, and single stamp...

Memento Mall items!

Newsprint bag tags...

Today is check-in day at Stampin' Up!'s annual convention, held in Salt Lake City.


Kim and I are going, along with four of our downline. We always get a nice bag or backpack, so I decided to make unique bag tags for all of us.


These tags are Soft Suede and Basic Black, with Newsprint dsp that's been torn and sponged. I used the Big Shot to die cut the letters, then did a cheap lamination job ala packing tape. I added a jumbo eyelet with two of the 1/8" taffeta ribbons (Vanilla and Early Espresso). Then added Antique Brads.


Kim is "special," so she got 5 safety pins from the Trinket pack with ribbons knotted around them.


I can't wait to share many more photos and ideas with you when we return!