IT IS SO GOOD TO BE HOME!!!!

Hello everyone......
OH it is SO GOOD TO BE HOME!!!  I walked in the door about 12:30 this morning.  I had an amazing week!  Learned alot & got lots of awards.  THANKS again to all of you- my dear customers & downline for letting me share my love of stamping with each of you!!  I can't wait to see you & share some more!!! 

I so missed my whole family!! It was wonderful to walk in the door & see Deke & get a hug & kiss last night.  Manda & the twins are coming out to see me after bit.  Nathan, April & boys are out of town for a few days camping- but will get to see them on Wednesday.  I am such a home body....being away from my family is hard.  BUT I had great company at convention & so happy that Dawn, Rory, Lynda & Hannah were my buddies all week!!!  We had a lot of fun together!!! 

Lots to catch up on today- so this is going to be short & sweet.

I am sharing with you another make & take that we did at convention on Saturday.  It is another sneak peek of a set from the NEW Holiday Mini catalog.

'Affection Collection'
cs:  Primerose Petals, Early  Espresso, Very Vanilla
ink:  Daffodil Delight, More Mustard, Primerose Petals, Midnight Muse
supplies:  small heart punch, Primerose Petals stitched ribbon, Scallop Edge Border punch, Basic Rhinestones, glue dot & dimensionals

Be sure to check back again tomorrow. 

Off now to have a cup of coffee (I didn't have any while gone, as our hotel coffee was terrible) & start unpacking & do laundry!  Then I have to sort though LOTS of Stampin' UP! boxes that came the day before I left & while I was gone & get them ready to be delivered! 

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

Heading home......WOOHOO!!!

HI!
I'm heading home today.  I don't get in Des Moines until late though- so be after midnight before I'm actually at my home.  I am so ready to be home.  I so miss Deke, our kids & our grandsons!!  I am such a home body.....being gone for week is a LONG time for me. 

But what a fun & EXCITING week I had  It was full of great ideas, wonderful friends & so much for me to learn & do.  Stampin' UP! 2012 Convention was amazing & I'm so glad that I got to attend.  I enjoyed spending my week with Dawn, Rory, Lynda & Hannah & seeing all of my other demonstrator friends too!!

This is a sneak peek from the NEW Holiday Mini catalog.  Here is one of the make & takes that we did yesterday.  Isn't the material flower cool!!!  Note the new designer paper too!  

'Affections Collection'

cs:  Very Vanilla, Primerose Petals, Midnight Muse

Natural Composition Specialty Designer Paper

ink:  Daffodil Delight, More Mustard, Primerose Petals, Midnight Muse

supplies:  Basic Pearls, Primerose Petals stitched ribbon, sticky strip, dimensionals, Essentials Designer Fabric, small heart punch, Bloosom flower punch, paper snips, glue dots

We are headed out the door now to go to the Tabernacle Choir. 
Then back to check out of our hotel & off to the airport.

Have a great day!!!

Happy Stamping!
ENJOY!
SUSIE

Your'e Amazing!!!

HI!

Well- today is convention day #3 & the last day!
We are headed out the door now.  Have make & takes this morning, then classes & then closing general session.

Here is a make & take that we did yesterday.  Cute new set!!!



'You're Amazing'
cs:  Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla, Early Espresso, More Mustard, Primerose Petal. Midnight Muse
ink:  Midnight Muse
supplies:  Linen thread, Big Shot, Apothecary Accents Framelits, Itty Bitty punch pack (to make the very small heart- can't wait to show you), Ticket Duo punch, dimensionals, glue dots

Yesterday was a fun day!!  We were busy with classes & learning new things!!  I am so excited!!  I learned alot yesterday that I will be showing & doing at upcoming workshops, classes & my Fall Stamp 'Til You Cramp.

Eight of us got together last night, went out for supper at the Red Rock for salads & then back to our hotel lobby to work on shoe box swaps we all brought to share!  It was alot of fun!!

Dawn & Rory had to leave early this morning.....so sad they had to miss the last day of convention.  BUT so HAPPY they were here to get to spend the past few days with me & attend convention.

Gotta run.....hope to post more tomorrow before I head home.

Have a great day!
Happy Stamping!
ENJOY!
SUSIE

A bright vase of flowers.......

Here is a flower card I did a few months ago at my Spring Stamp 'Til You Cramp.

 

'Bright Blossom' & 'Friendly Phrases'

cs:  Tangerine Tango, Daffodil Delight, Whisper White

Summer Smooches Designer Paper

ink: Tangerine Tango & Wild Wasabi

supplies:  Daffodil Delight 1/2"seam binding ribbon, 2 1/2" circle punch, 1 3/4" circle punch, Itty Bitty Punch Pack (flower), dimensionals, glue dots

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