Online sales, in-home workshops and the home-based business opportunity with Stampin' Up! crafting products

August CD Calendar

My thought in using this for August is that owls are wise and school starts again in August. However my owl looks a little cross-eyed. The stamp set is Bird’s Eye View and is just $20.

Designer Series Paper Sale – 15% off

Now through the end of August the DSP below from the annual catalog are 15% off. With Stampin’ Up’s coordination of color I almost always start a card design with the DSP. You don’t even need to think about what color cardstock to use with it because the colors in the DSP are listed on the back. Easy Peasy!

I do remember the phone number we had when I was a child. The prefix was RE2 followed by the phone number (yes, I do remember). RE stood for REgent.  The phone below is like the one we had. Phone have come a long way since then. 

Happy July. I hope your 4th was spectacular. I didn’t see any fireworks last night but did hear some noise from people nearby celebrating. This CD calendar page was done using retired products. 

Bonus Days Are Back

Two New Kits

Mother/Daughter Fun

My daughter and I went on a 4 day cruise last month on MSC. This was my first time going on one of their ships.

The price of the cruise included a drink package and wifi. 

Bacon and egg sliders for breakfast. They are so stinkin’ cute!

We found these two ducks.

Just monkeying around.

One of the indoor pool areas

There are two infinity pools

Up, up and away!

Pretty cool hallway

At their private island.

This ship has a NYC theme. We knew there was a Statue of Liberty onboard but it took awhile to find it. That’s because it was in the casino.

There was some great entertainment on the ship. This ensemble performed music and dance highlighting divas one night including Whitney Houston and Tina Turner. Another night they did rock stars. Queen was my favorite. The last night was a “Journey” through song and dance. The other nights entertainment was a magician.  

Les Miserables

Last week my daughter and I went to see Les Miserables. We have season tickets to broadway in Orlando. I love sharing my love of broadway with her.

This was my 4th time seeing this production. It is a favorite for sure.

I had seen this video several years ago and after seeing the play I looked for it again. This is the finale of the 25th anniversary of Les Mis in London in 2010. The Valjean quartet is four of the lead performers over several years. The first man singing was Jean Valjean in the first broadway production in 1985. This gives me chills. 

From now until the end of June you can get 10% off  stamp and die bundles so in addition to the already 10% discounted price on bundles you are saving 20%.  With a new annual catalog just out and many new stamps and die bundles this is the perfect month to shop. Also included in the 10% off sale are the two Cut and Emboss machines. 

New Kits Just Released 

These kits are available in my online store while supplies last.

I love, love, love the watercolor look and the colors in this kit. #163905  $23

Watch the video

This new kit is perfect for scrapbooking or making a travel journal.  #163904 $22

Watch the video

A Little R&R

Twice a year three friends and I take a 4 day getaway to work on craft projects and play a ridiculous number of mahjong games. At home we play mahjong twice a week so I guess we are a little addicted to the game. We used to drive to Georgia and stay at a state park in a 2 bedroom cabin. There was no wifi (needed for those who do digital scrapbooking) and the cabin was sparse and the chairs very uncomfortable. When you play mahjong for hours at a time you want a comfortable chair. So a couple of years ago I found the perfect vacation rental just about an hour and a half from home. It has 3 bedrooms and fully furnished with comfortable chairs, an extra bathroom, and the best part it sits right on the bank of the St. John river. 

This guy was floating by yesterday morning.

This Limpkin makes an appearance several times a day.

We don’t go anywhere on this trip. Once we are unloaded and inside the most we might do is walk around the yard. We are very casual. No makeup and often wear pj’s during the day. Each of us is responsible for dinner one night. We always have hot dogs one night (cooked on a grill) and a baked potato one night. Our first night here we had yummy chicken salad on crossants and tonight is my night to be the chef so I am making Kentucky hot browns. It’s all very simple, no fuss meals. 

In the past I have made cards during this getaway trip but it takes a lot of supplies to bring with me so the last few trips I have worked on other things. When I was cleaning out a closet recently I discovered a Christmas crewel embroidery I started over 40 years ago. Because it’s nearly finished and because it’s so darn cute that is what I am working on. 

Here it is in its unfinished, wrinkled state. When I do get it done I will post a new photo.

Seen in a library

Have a great day and thanks for stopping by.

Just a reminder that the last chance sale is now going on with those products that are retiring. Some are on sale up to 60% off. Also know that with the new catalog going live in May there are some price increases. You may want to order before the prices go up.

ANNUAL CATALOG PRICE INCREASES.pdf – Google Drive

I have a few more photos from my trip to Houston for Stampin’ Up’s OnStage convention.

This large display in the product playground started out blank and pieces of cardstock were then added to create this ….

I love this DSP. Such bright colors.

Look who I found walking to one of my classes. It’s always exciting to see and be able to talk to Shelli, the founder of Stampin’ Up. 

He was one of the presenters demonstrating a new stamp set. When he sat down in front of me I couldn’t resist taking this photo. 

This happy couple was in the hotel lobby.

This post will primarily focus on photos of new product that we saw demonstrated at Stampin’ Up’s OnStage convention but first I want to share a photo with my traveling buddies.

Catherine Harwood and Carol Hall, both friends and fellow demonstrators from here, are on both sides of the photo. Heather, who is Carol’s sister-in-law, came by herself from Massachusetts and joined us for most of the sessions. It was so nice that they could spend time together. We were photo bombed by an astronaut.

It was a nice start with a special message from CEO Sara who was actually at the event in Australia. 

We had stamping demonstrations live on stage and also via recordings. It was especially fun to see the male CFO and CTO stamping. 

This is a fun technique adding ink to a window sheet with a Blend marker then spraying with 91% alcohol and drying. No two are alike but all are WOW!  From this to this …..

I love this new stamp set (Charming Duck Pond) and it is already on my “I have to have it!” list.

The Unbounded Beauty dies have two long dies that cut out 8 flowers in a long row. Put colored strips of cardstock behind the cutouts to create this card. What do you do with all of those white die cut flowers? Check out the next card.

Another favorite from the new catalog is called Attention Shoppers. When I first saw it in the catalog I skipped right on by not giving it much thought. Then when it was demonstrated I totally changed my thinking and I have already ordered it. That’s one of the perks of being a demonstrator and going to OnStage. You can order early. I can’t show images from the inside of the catalog right now but I can show you these great cards that were demonstrated.

See why I love it. There is a cake, wine bottle, shopping bag, flowers, a plant and that shopping cart along with some great sentiments.

Adventurous Sky is another one of my favorite new sets. 

This reminded me of that great movie Aviator about Howard Hughes staring Leonardo DiCaprio.

Stampin’ Up has the best color coordination and starting any card I pick a stamp set but then go for the DSP and pick my colors for that card from the DSP. You won’t be disappointed in the new line of DSP. Here are a few samples:

Remember anything from the new catalog won’t be available for order until May. I will let you know when I have them to give out. April is the month to stock up on retiring ink refills, anything that was on your wish list that you didn’t get, and those items that are going up in price in May. I posted the most significant increases on the previous post. I plan on stocking up on cardstock, mini glue dots, and envelopes since I use a lot of these things.

There has not been an in-person convention (OnStage) since before Covid so I am excited to be heading out later today for Houston and this event. They really are such fun connecting with other demonstrators, some who have become friends over the years. 

Thank you to all who kept me as your demonstrator and supported my little business. It helped me earn the following recognitions:

Many who go make cards to swap. I use to do that but stopped a few conventions back knowing that if I did see a Wow card I could usually take a photo of it. And besides it takes a lot of time to make those swaps.

I did make some small gifts for my roommates and will share photos of those later after I have given them.

This is a card I made in my friend and downline Betty Herring‘s class. The Trusty Tool set has been very popular and the free coordinating DSP from Sale-a-bration made it easy to create this card. All of the tools were cut from the DSP although there are stamps and dies to stamp and color your own since the DSP is no longer available.

This reminded me of individual charcuterie that I made several years ago at Christmas. They were so much fun to do in a small mason jar.

Oh boy I have several months to catch up on stuff. It’s been very busy ever since Christmas. 

First I will post the CD calendars I have missed.

Of course we don’t get snow here in Florida but this Iowa raised gal still misses it. The snowflakes were dusted with some ice crystals.

I was determined not to use red for the February calendar. I love the pinks and purples.

March is one of the hardest months to do but when Stampin’ Up came out with this set and a punch for the large shamrock I knew it would be perfect.

Get ready for some new Online Exclusives that will be available March 5th. There are several new items that can only be found online. 

Here are just a couple of what will be available.

I often shy away from floral sets because I have so many but this new set is calling out to me. The DSP that coordinates with it is gorgeous. 

Be sure to go check out all of the new products (and all of the other great things only available online) on March 5th in my online store. 

Easter is early this year (March 31st). Have you made any cards or Easter treats?

Excellent Eggs stamps and dies are available in the mini catalog and in my online store.

A couple of recent class cards:

This card was cased from demonstrator Erica Cerwin with just a few edits. The stamp set and dies were part of the free product from Sale-a-bration.

One of the biggest highlights of the past 3 months was the wedding of my oldest grandson, Alex, and his new bride Morgen. They got married January 5th. It was a beautiful wedding and Morgen was stunning. 

With my three children.

I also had two trips in February which added to not having time to blog. I will post more on those trips in my next post (hopefully soon!).