Stampin' UP! Convention 2012!!

Opening session of our 2012 Stampin' UP! convention.  

Our theme this year is "I am".  

There were over 3500 demonstrators that are here attending.

It was a fun day of classes, make & takes & seeing friends.

Awards night was last night, followed by a DJ & dessert.

Here is a picture of Shelli Gardner- Founder of Stampin' UP! & myself 

taken after Awards night last night.  

She is just the sweetest person ever!

Today we start out our morning just like yesterday with breakfast, a walk to the convention center, general session, classes & make & takes.

 Tonight my group & some other friends are getting together to eat supper 

& then do some stamping together.  

We all brought shoe box swaps to share.  

It will be fun!

Have a great day!

Happy Stamping!
ENJOY!

SUSIE

Love this new WOODGRAIN embossing folder!!

HI!  BUSY day yesterday!  Took a bus tour to our Riverton Distrubution Center.  Then picked up our darling convention bags (Summerstar Fruit color), took some pictures, visited some friends & ate at Olive Garden for our lunch/dinner combo.  It was great to see so many demonstrator friends that I haven't seen for several months!!  Lots of hugs!  Lots to talk about!

I was very honored to have earned Founders (the top 100 demonstrators in the company) again for the 6th year in a row.  THANKS to all of my customers & downline for allowing me to share my love of stamping with them!!

Last night we took a stamp class called "I am Inspired" & made a darling pin board.  Wait until you see it!!

I also had my GoDiva's swaps too, right before the class!  Here is my cute 3D swap that I did for it!
It is a note pad holder.  Don't you just LOVE the new Woodgrain embossing folder!!
Many of the products used here are "sneak peeks" of upcoming things from the NEW HOLIDAY MINI that you can start ordering from on 08/01/12!  WAHOO!!!!

'Itty Bitty Banners'
cs:  Early Espresso
Orchard Harvest Designer Paper
supplies:  Big Shot, Woodgrain folder, Autumn Accents BigZ die,  Itty Bitty Banners Framelits,  Top Note die, Brushed Bronze designer buttons, linen thread, dimensionals, glue dots

Sorry this is so short.  We got in late last night & up really early this morning to be at the convention center by 8:00 to start out our general session.  Then we  have classes throughout the rest of the day!  Tonight we also have awards night.  So will be another very busy day & late night!  But can't wait to learn some new things!!

Have a great day!
Happy Stamping!
ENJOY!
SUSIE

STAMPIN' UP! RIVERTON DISTRIBUTION CENTER

Lynda, Hannah, me, Rory & Dawn
We are by the big rock at the driveway as you pull into the parking lot.

This is the Riverton Distribution Center.It is a beautiful place!

This is a waterfall inside the building.

Here is a photo inside the distribution center.

This is the beginning of the line where boxes start & then they off they go to be filled & on there way to us!! :)

Another convention swap.........

Hi!!  Here is another convention swap that I made.  

Wanted to share.....know Christmas is months away, but it will be here before we know it!

'Scentsational Season' & 'Joyous Celebrations'

cs:  Cherry Cobbler, Gumball Green, Whisper White

Snow Festival Designer Paper

ink:  Gumball Green

supplies:  Cherry Cobbler 1/4" Sweater Trim, Designer Label punch, Merry Minis Punch Pack (star punch), dimesionals, glue dots, Cherry Cobbler marker

Continue down to my next post to see all about our day in Salt Lake City yesterday!!

We are here for Stampin' UP! Convention in Salt Lake City, Utah

HI!
What a great day we had yesterday touring Temple Square in Salt Lake City, Utah!!!  This is such a beautiful place.......like Heaven on Earth!

We had 2 young women that were on missions give us a half hour tour around.  They were the sweetest!!  They were also a wealth of information too!

This is the waterfall as you entered the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

We visited the South Visitors Center to learn of the history.
Then went to the North Visitors Center were we saw an amazing statue of Christ that was 11 feet tall & made of marble & viewed the amazing art galleries.

Here is one of the gardens....

These are some neat statues.

Here is some of their beautiful flower gardens.

Here is a fountain.

Here are more beautiful flowers.

This is the North Visitor Center.

Here is Salt Lake Temple.

It was built by the Mormans between 1853 & 1893.

It took 40 years to complete this masterpiece.

Here is an inside view of the Tabernacle.

Look at this organ!
There are over 11,000 pipes in it.
The sound was AMZING!

We were lucky enough that we got to attend an organ recital.

It was fabulous!!!  

It gave you goose bumps.

All I could think of all day as we were touring is that my mom should be with me!

She would LOVE all of this.

Next year mom- you will have to come along.  

You'd so love to see this history.

Here is a picture of Lynda, me, Rory & Dawn.

We also Toured the Church Office Building.

It has 28 floors.

We got to go to the observation deck on the 26th floor for a spectacular view of
Salt Lake Valley.

It was breath taking!

We also toured the Joseph Smith Memorial Building 

This was another old building but SO BEAUTIFUL!

Lots of fancy chandeliers, pillars, gold painted trim & so much!

Inside it was the Nauvoo Cafe.

I was SO EXCITED as on their menu was Turkey Pot Pies.

So that is what I had for lunch.
Oh my gosh.....it was SO YUMMY!!

I couldn't even eat it all.

It has HUGE chunks of turkey in it.

We went to the Melting Pot for supper & I forgot to take my camera,
so I don't have any pictures to share. (Bummer)
It was a fondue place & something I've never done before.
It was really delicious & so much fun!

Today we are headed off for breakfast & then doing a tour of the
Stampin' UP! Riverton Distribution Center;
check in for convention & get out bag & goodies;
hopefully go to Momento Mall;
& then have a stamp class we are going to tonight!
We have a busy day ahead of us!

I'll be back tomorrow- hope you stop back by!!
Happy Stamping!
ENJOY!
SUSIE

We are here & here is my convention swap!!!

HI!
Wahoo.........Dawn & I are in Salt Lake City, Utah.   We had a little bit of a rough ride coming through a storm to get here yesterday afternoon.  But our plane flights were on time & we made it safely.

I sat by a very sweet 17 year old girl on the plane from Denver to Salt Lake City.  She lives in Riverton, Utah- right by the Stampin' UP! distribution center.  We had a very nice visit!!  I had planned to sleep......but I talked instead.....imagine that!

As soon as we got to our hotel we called Lynda & Hannah & went out for supper with them.  It was pouring down rain, so we called a cab, but after a half hour of waiting & he wasn't here yet we decided to walk.  We had Mexican food & it was yummy.  Dawn & I were both starving as we hadn't eaten much all day.

Today we are going to do some site-seeing.  Rory came in late last night so we will connect with her, eat some breakfast & then we are not sure where we are headed.  It is a beautiful city with lots to see so I'm sure we will find plenty to do.

Tomorrow will be convention registration & our Riverton Distribution Center tour.  And the CONVENTION FUN BEGINS!!

Today I wanted to show you my general convention swap.  I made 100 of these (with Nicole's help).  I so LOVE this new set- 'Scentational Season'.  This card is very basic, but would make a great workshop card.......but just think of ALL of the possibilities you could do to step this card up.  You could sponge around it, use the mug framelit to cut it out, add glitter, etc.....my wheels are turning.....maybe I'll have to try making a stepped up card when I get home & post that for you.

'Scentational Season' & 'Made for You'

cs:  Early Espresso, Crumb Cake, Naturals Ivory

Neutrals Designer Paper stack 

ink:  Early Espresso

supplies:  Big Shot, Perfect Polka Dots folder, Basic Pearls, dimensionals

Be sure to check back tomorrow sometime.  I am not sure when I'll get a post done.  Sometime- promise!  It may be LATE.  Remember- we are on Mountain Time Zone here.......

Have a great day!
Happy Stamping!
ENJOY!
SUSIE

Another simple, but elegant card.....

HI!
Happy Monday!!!
Here is another simple, but elegant card that was on our display table at Disney.......

I love it!  It is so "my colors".

'Forever With You'
cs:  Naturals Ivory
 Comfort Cafe designer paper
Comfort Cafe material
ink:  Midnight Muse
supplies:  Regals Designer buttons (Mustard), Jewelry Tag punch

I am packing right now & then I'm off to the airport soon!!  I am headed to Salt Lake City, Utah for the week!!  I will be attending our annual Stampin' UP! Convention!  I'm so EXCITED!!  Dawn & Rory from my downline will be attending with me, along with side line demonstrators- Lynda & Hannah!  I know I'll be learning TONS OF NEW THINGS to SHARE WITH YOU WHEN I RETURN!! :)

I am also really looking forward to seeing many of my demonstrator friends from all over the US & Canada!  Convention is like a big family reunion.  SU! is a wonderful family to be a part of!  I'm so blessed to have SU! in my life & be part of their family!  :)

I am a huge home body.......so I know by Wednesday I'll probably already be home sick & missing Deke, our kids & grandsons.  Hopefully I'm so busy I won't have much time to fret about missing them.  I am also worrying about missing the races this week.  Nathan will race 3 times & I won't be there!!  Luckily I will be able to keep in contact with minute to minute race happenings by getting text messages from Manda & Deke.  

I plan to post convention updates each day.  I probably won't have time to do any posting until bedtime each night......so if you check my blog & don't see anything new- I will get something posted when I have time.  We have to get up early each morning & head to classes- so know mornings will be busy.

Have a great week!!!
Happy Stamping!
ENJOY!
SUSIE

Simple........but oh so elegant!

HI! 
Here is a pretty card that was on our display table at Disney.  I love the simplicity of it.  It has room to add some words along the bottom too.  I love the way it has material & designer paper on it, with ribbon & buttons too. 

cs:  Summer Starfruit
supplies:  Naturals Designer buttons, Vintage trinkets, Linen thread, Victoria crochet trim, 3/8" Whisper White Taffeta ribbon, Comfort Cafe Designer paper, Comfort Cafe fabric
 
Yesterday my dear friend Nicole & her daughter Avery came & helped me work on my convention swaps all day!!  They are DONE!!  YIPEE!!  I had my ideas created & part of some of them already done- but needed to get everything finished up & ready to go!!  Stamping yesterday was a team project.  Avery colored little witches & rhinestones, put on dimensionals & was a great little stamper for only being 6!  She is already a PRO! 

April, Brayden & Beth stopped by too to visit & worked on things in my stamp studio.  It was a fun day!!

I did all of these to take to convention with me. 
*20- 3D swaps- a post stick it note holder with the new Autumn Accents (leaves) die, bronze button & tag;
*100-card fronts using the new set 'Scentsational Season' using the mug;
*50- whole cards doing a fun fold with a belly band, using the new set 'Googly Ghouls', googlie eyes.
*8- Holiday Mini sampler books in a clear case.  They were LOTS of work- but oh so CUTE!  These are gifts for my roomies & a few others.  They are several pages showcasing new products!  Can't wait for the girls to see them. 
 *8- SUPPLIES that are whole cards using the set 'Rejoicing with You' using window sheets & ribbon.  These are for a shoe box swap we are doing one evening with my group in our hotel.

Now just imagine all of the great ideas I'll get in exchange for swapping with other creative demonstrators.  I will have a whole basket full of new ideas to share when I get home!!

Today I'm catching up on emails, paying bills, doing laundry, packing, attending a Birthday Party at my moms for July BD's in our family, etc.....LOTS to do!!  Making sure everything is done & taken care of here.  I need to be all ready to leave in the morning! 

Hope you have a good day!
Happy Stamping!
ENJOY!
SUSIE

'For You' card.......

HI!

Here is another card that I did at my workshops this month. 
Very pretty.......different......FUN!
The cut out piece is actually what opens up & the back piece is just nothing but to hold the other.
It is very elegant.
I put a ribbon over the piece I scored on the front to help cover up that.
I love the richness of the new Midnight Muse color.

You can't tell from the photo, but the FOR YOU words are set down inside the frame around them & the frame is what is popped up with dimensionals.
Just something different- but really made the card just beautiful!

'Layered Labels' & 'Blooming with Kindness'
cs:  Midnight Muse, Very Vanilla
ink:  Midnight Muse
supplies:  Large Oval punch, Very Vanilla seam binding ribbon, basic pearls, glue dot, dimensionals, Big Shot, Square lattice folder, Apothecary Accents Framelits, Oval Accents Bigz die, Simply Scoring tool

Here is the card slightly opened.
Don't you just love the shape & size of the new Oval Accents Bigz die!

Here is the card opened all of the way up!

Yesterday Nathan & Brayden were in the shop all day working on the race car-
so Brayden was here most of the day visiting grandma.
They both ate lunch with us.  (tacos)
I really enjoyed having them here!!

Then-
Last night the twins were in the Baby Contest in What Cheer.
There was a nice crowd at the fair &
it was great to see many people I don't see often. 

The guys were suppose to race in Columbus Junction but they got rained out.
(Wish we could have gotten some much needed rain here!)
So all of us got to go the fair together.
That was fun!
We then all went to the Copper Lantern in Sigourney & ate supper. 
Afterwards we sat around the Fountain at the Courthouse & enjoyed looking at it-
with the lights & beautiful evening.
Jackson & Brayden had gotten balloon figures from the clown at the fair &
so the boys all enjoyed playing swords with them.
(Including the big boys!)
It was a very nice night out with our family!

Today I am going to "hide" in my stampin' studio & work on swaps
& things for convention.
I leave on Monday morning....have LOTS to do!

Hope you have a great weekend!!
Happy Stamping!
ENJOY!
SUSIE

A beautiful butterfly pocket card......

HI!
WOW.........I had a FULL HOUSE last night to stamp!!  I think it went ok & everyone enjoyed the cards.  Glad everyone could make it!

Here is a one of the cards we did last night.  Another pocket card.  Notice all of the new products on it.  My inspiration from this card came from a card that another demonstrator friend, Mary Fish posted on her blog.  I used the same colors & stamp set- but mine is totally different.   I just LOVE this new stamp set & coordinating butterfly punch!

'Papillon Potpourri' & 'Blessings from Heaven'
'Alhambra' Jumbo wheel
cs:  Basic Black, Whisper White & Summer Starfruit
ink:  Black Stazon
supplies:  Jumbo Handle, Black ink cartridge, In Color Dahlias, dimensionals, glue dot, Ticket Duo Builder, 1 3/4" circle punch, Big Shot, Finishing Touches Edgelits, white gel pen, sticky strip

I am looking forward to a busy day today.  Brayden is coming to visit!  Grandma wanted him to spend the day with me so I could see him before I'm gone to convention for a week.  We are going to the What Cheer Fair tonight.  The twins are going to be in the baby contest.  The guys will go racing in Columbus Junction.  They worked in the shop all night last night.  I took supper up to them about 10:45- after everyone left from stamping & visited with them.  Hope Nathan has some good luck!!

Gotta run......need to get my house back in order......gosh have tables, chairs & stamp stuff everywhere!!

Have a great day!!

Happy Stamping!
ENJOY!
SUSIE

Here are some sneak peeks for you.........

HI!  Here are some sneak peeks for you!!

These are things I've been creating in my stamp studio the past two days.....

I'm getting geared up for our SU! Convention!!

WHAOO!!  I can't wait.....

This card is my general swap.  

I am making 100 of them.

Notice the NEW- stamp set 'Scentsational Season'.  

I love it!!  

This stamp set also has framelits to go with it for cutting them out!  

Too cool!!

 Here is my 3D swap!

It is a post-sticky note holder.

Notice the NEW- Orchard Harvest Designer Paper, Woodgrain embossing folder, Autumn Accents (leaves) die, Brushed Bronze button

WOW!!

 Here is a cute Halloween card.

Notice the NEW- 'Googly Ghouls' stamp set, Googlies (eyes), 

Howlstooth & Scaringbone Designer paper.  

COOL!!

Ok......I'd better get in gear.  

I have Stamp Class here at our home tonight, so need to get things cut & set up for that today.

I have a big group coming & can't wait for them to see all of the neat cards that they get to make.

I'm looking forward to seeing everyone & sharing.

Have a great day!

Be sure to check back again tomorrow to see some more stamped creations!

Happy Stamping!
ENJOY!

SUSIE

They are ALL boy- they love CARS!!

Here is a picture of the twins with their new little race cars.  Only true boys would run them on the table & have their "motors running" too.  It was so cute!  Can't believe that they are old enough to do this.  They are growing up so fast!!  As you can tell they are walking around things  It won't be long & they will be walking everywhere on their own.

They are precious!!

Off to the races we went to watch Uncle Nathan!

'Wacky Wishes' card

HI!
Here is another card that my downline Dawn Klein created!!  This cute card show cases the new Comfort Cafe designer paper really good!!!

'Wacky Wishes'
ink:  Midnight Muse
cs:  Crumb Cake, Midnight Muse, Very Vanilla
Comfort Cake designer paper
supplies:  Modern Label punch, 1 1/4" square punch (to make the points on the banner strips), Big Shot, Stripes embossing folder, dimensionals, glue dot, Neutrals Designer buttons, linen thread

Yesterday I got ALOT done!!!
*Helped Deke with the pigs (to the locker & selling them last night).
*Manda & the twins came out to visit me a bit -which was great since I haven't seen them for a few days.  They had both learned new things.  Brody walks around everything & can stand alone for a long time; Drake says Papa & smacks his lips when you ask him to kiss.  So cute!  They are growing up too fast.
*I also got ALOT of stamping done.  I got my 3D swap figured out, all cut & put together for Robins swap.  It it DONE!; my general swap designed; & my swap for Robins card group figured out.  Still have my card for Carols swap to figure out & my shoe box swap with our convention group to do.  I am gaining......

I will post some sneak peeks soon of things I've been making for convention.  I am using new products from the upcoming Holiday Mini.  Oh my GOSH.......I want everything in it!!  Wait until you see this mini.  It is AMAZING!!!  If you stamp with me on a regular basis, you will be getting your copy of this mini in the mail by the end of the month.  You can start ordering out of the New Holiday Mini starting August 1st!  NOTE:  This NEW HOLIDAY MINI is bigger than normal.....it is 8 1/2 x 11" & 40 full pages of lots & LOTS of new products!!  

Tonight we race!!  Hope Nathan has good luck.  Nathan went to Allison last night to race in a special race up there.  That is a LONG haul- like 3 hours one way.  He didn't have very good luck.  He was running 2nd & had to pull in because water pump broke.  It tore up alot of stuff!!  He has a lot of work to do in the shop today before he can race tonight. :( 

Deke will be gone all day today as he has meetings.

I have to go to town sometime today to run several errands too- post office, drug store, bank, recycle center, etc.

Hope you have a good day!!

Happy Stamping!
ENJOY!
SUSIE

I got a nice surprise in my mailbox!

HI!  I got a nice surprise in my mailbox & just had to share these pretty cards with you.  My demonstrator friend, Christy Kimball sent them to me.  Isn't that sweet!!  THANKS CHRISTY!

Stamp sets used are:
'Reason to Smile'
'Betsy's Blossom'- on 2 of them
'Mixed Bunch'


Yesterday I spent the whole day working on placing orders & doing SU! & farm bookwork.  I got alot done.   Deke worked late last night so I stamped!!  I am working on a set sampler of the new products in the upcoming Holiday mini so that I can show customers at workshops!!  The over achiever I am- this project has turned into a much bigger project than I thought it would.   I am still not done with it......but it is so cute!!  I can't wait for you to see it.

I will spend as much of the day today as I can in my studio figuring out swaps & things for convention.  Gosh- we leave next Monday- July 16th!!  Yikes- I have tons to do before then.

I do want to run in town & maybe go on a quick walk & visit with Manda & the twins.  I haven't seen them since last Friday & am going through withdrawl.  I miss my little man Brayden too (haven't seen him since the 4th of July).  I will have to see him this weekend sometime- before I am gone for a week to convention. 

Today we take hogs to the locker & pick up meat there.  Then we sell hogs tonight- so I'll be spending some time with Deke farming!  Which I LOVE!! 

Ok.......I have to get some sleep.  It will be time for the alarm clock to go off before I ever get in bed at this rate. 

Have a great day!
Happy Stamping!
ENJOY!
SUSIE

'Quint-Essential Flower' has endless possibilities...........

HI!

Happy Monday!!

Wow- what a FUN day I had yesterday with a building full of stampers!

I think that it worked out pretty good with having one party & 2 hostesses.

Thanks to all of you that joined us for a great afternoon.

Wonderful company, cute cards & yummy food- what more could you ask for?

 

Here is another card that I did at my workshop yesterday.

I've seen several cards using this new die in many different ways.

Infact- Dawn did one at my downline meeting- will get that posted sometime soon.

The inspiration for this card came from her original idea.

Note the NEW Oval Accent Bigz Clear die.

It is folded in half & used as the flap to open the card.

The card is held shut with a belly bad.

And I used the new 'Quint-Essential Flower' stamp & punches!

'Quint-Essentials' & 'Wacky Wishes'

cs:  Calypso Coral, Lucky Limeade & Whisper White

Floral District designer paper

ink:  Calypso Coral & Lucky Limeade

supplies:  Big Shot, Oval Accent Bigz Clear die, Polka Dots emobssing folder, Lucky Limeade ruffled ribbon, Pearls, 2 1/2" circle punch, Boho Blossom punch, 2 3/8" scallop circle punch, 1 3/4" scallop circle punch, dimensionals, glue dots

Here is a picture with the belly band off.

Notice that I saved the outside of the flower that I punched off & used it on the 

inside around my words.

There are LOTS of different punches that coordinate with this

 amazing little flower stamp.

2 3/8" scallop circle punch

1 3/4" scallop circle punch

1" circle punch

3/4" circle punch

1/2" circle punch

Have a wonderful day!

Happy Stamping!
ENJOY!

SUSIE