Camping!!!

Sorry I haven't been able to blog the last couple of days! Been busy getting my punch art class all together! We made some adorable cards and had a great time. Here are a couple of the cards.

I CASED the owls but the background is my own design. I'll be posting the instructions for it when I get back. Now it's time for a short vacation, camping to New Hogan Lake. Just for a few days. :)
We had turkeys again this year! They walked by right outside my window. Aren't they cute? ;)

I guess they sense the seasons changing and are migrating. It's almost back to school time. Are you getting ready? How are you wrapping up your summer vacation?

**NEW** Virtual In-Home Workshop!!! *FREE*

Do you live in an area where you don't really have access to a SU! Demonstrator? Or are you a technical savvy gal and you are practically attached to your laptop? Want to wow your friends with a "Virtual Workshop" and earn FREE products? Look no further, I'm your tech savvy independent demonstrator ready to help you with your very own FREE virtual workshop!!



Here are the details:

* You install Skype for FREE (http://www.skype.com)
* You pay S/H for your kit and pick a day/time for your workshop and I mail you your workshop kit priority mail (I charge $15.95 S/H but this cost will be deducted from your total merchandise order* of $150 or more! - So you will be getting an $15.95 CREDIT!)
* I will confirm your workshop day/time via e-mail and confirm the shipment of your kit!

kit includes:

- A current Idea Book & Catalog with super cute tabs & stickers so you can mark your favorite items!
- A hostess gift (either a card/tag or 3-D item) - I will demo this in the workshop
- Enough card supplies for 8-10 guests(add'l charge for more than 10 kits)
- Mini catalogs
- Order forms
- Return self-addressed stamped envelope for me


*Items in the kit will vary (picture is an example of the actual kit and will be similar)

* You log in to skype on the day/time of your workshop and I'll be there!
* I greet you and your guests and show you how I made the hostess gift, then I walk everyone through the make n take...there will be laughs and fun times at this point!
* Then I close the workshop and you and your guests have time to look through the catalog, place your orders and enjoy the yummy snacks & refreshments you have made!
* You mail the order forms back to me in the self-addressed stamped envelope and as soon as I get it I place your order. It will be shipped directly to you (the hostess) and you can deliver your orders!

You will receive detailed instructions with your kit, so not to worry! It will be effortless and FUN!


* In order to receive the $15.95 credit, you must reach a minimum $150 merchandise order from your workshop. You CAN combine the orders from your workshop to qualify! You will also qualify for $25 in FREE Stampin' Up! product when your workshop reaches $150 in merchandise sales. (before tax & shipping)

Doesn't this sound FUN & SUPER EASY??!! Book your workshop by clicking the PAY NOW button below! I look forward to a fun workshop with you & your friends!

Specify date/time of workshop

2nd choice of workshop:

Stampin' Up! Convention 2011 - "Grow" Salt Palace, SLC, UT

What an amazing event...the Stampin' Up! Convention 2011 was so fun and I was very blessed to be able to go. Just got back on Sunday from being gone 1 week. It was non-stop fun from the moment we arrived, received our bag (which had a binder catalog, pen, Grow pin, and chrome Grow bag tag) and free stamp sets...to the last main stage performance. We received free goodies (stamp sets and card kit) and of course our package of Make n Takes. We also received a "workshop in a bag" kit. I was so amazed by how much free stuff we were given!! It was great and I really appreciated everything!
Of course the highlight of my trip was meeting the amazing and beautiful Shelli Gardner, Co Founder and CEO of Stampin' Up!. I didn't even think I would meet her let alone take a picture with her, but she was very gracious and so sweet.

I also had the pleasure of meeting her daughter Shalae and taking a picture with her (will post soon - it's on a fellow Demonstrator's camera). She was beautiful and we also posed for a cute "shoe" picture since we both had on super cute high heels!
It was so very awesome to meet these wonderful women and be a part of such a great company. (too bad I have the cheesiest smile in this picture - LOL!!)

I saw so many women receive awards and recognition for their SU! business that I was inspired. I'm so ready to "Grow" my business. Especially when they announced that the Incentive trip for this year will be held in FIJI!!! I am so there!!!
I hope you will follow me this year on this journey toward my goals! It would be great if you could join me!!!
© 2011 Stampin’ Up!

Mojo Monday - Nautical Card - The Open Sea

Hi Everyone!

I saw this sketch challenge for Mojo Monday and immediately thought of the stamp set The Open Sea by Stampin' Up and the design paper Nautical Expedition. Both are available in the Summer Mini Catalog until August 31st!

I love the colors because they are not only nautical, but they are patriotic as well! It was easy to incorporate them into this challenge. Hope you like it and come back again soon for more ideas!! :)

Double Embossing Technique & "the News"

This card shows off the double embossing technique. It's done by stamping your versamark pad onto the raised up image all over your embossing folder. Then your paper through the big shot like normal. Sprinkle embossing powder all over it and tap off excess. Heat with your embossing heat tool. I love this technique!
I used the Word Play stamp set since I thought of a wedding when I started using these colors. I used Baja Breeze and Not Quite Navy. The paper is Pocket Full of Posies which is new! You can find all of these products on my website HERE.

I made this card for the CPS Card Sketch Challenge HERE. I love how simple the sketch is, but you can add many layers or dress it up however you want!



Sadly the news I have to share is not so "great" anymore. A couple months ago when we were about to say I do, we found out we were pregnant. I was very shocked that I could get pregnant to easily, we just thought it would take a while. It didn't:) But the baby wasn't meant to be and we lost it after 7 weeks. So, we know that God has a different plan for us and that's alright. We are trying again! We can't wait to be great parents, we are ready!

Thanks for stopping by!

Become a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator for $99 + FREE Christmas Project Kit ($40 value!!)

I am SO excited because for the whole month of July, Stampin' Up! is running a GREAT promotion for new Demonstrators!!!

Sign up between now and July 31st, and the Starter Kit is only $99!!! If you were waiting for the right time to get started with Stampin' Up! either as a hobby Demonstrator or a Business one, now is the time!!

Here are some benefits of becoming a Demonstrator:
- A 20 percent product discount!
- A free monthly issue of Stampin' Success, Stampin' Up!'s demonstrator-only magazine!
- Sneak peeks at brand-new products!
- Invitations to exclusive Stampin' Up! events!
- Regular get-togethers to stamp!
- Free access to a community of 30,000+ crafters/stampers and creative artists, as well as 160,000+ project samples!
- In addition, you will be eligible for TWO FREE months of Demonstrator Business Web Services (DBWS)--including your own business website and Online Store, access to a blog, calendar, a monthly e-newsletter, project gallery, and e-cards--if you sign up within 21 days of becoming a demonstrator.


In your Christmas Kit, you will get:
The Christmas Keepsake Box Project Kit--a $40 value--contains the following products (quantities are 1 unless otherwise noted):

Pines & Poinsettias Set (wood-mount)
Keepsake box
Scallop borders (cut from Tasteful Trim Bigz XL Die)
First Edition Designer Series Paper (3)
Holly Berry Designer Series Paper (6)
First Edition Specialty Designer Series Paper strip (2)
Holly Berry Designer Series Paper piece*
Real Red Top Note (cut from Top Note Bigz Die)
Real Red Decorative Label (cut from Matchbook Bigz XL Die)
Wild Wasabi Card Stock strips (3)
Naturals Ivory Card Stock piece
Holly Berry Bouquet Designer Fabric*
Real Red 1-1/4" Striped Grosgrain Ribbon
Real Red 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon
Victoria 5/8" Crochet Trim
Linen Threadhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif
Champagne Fine Galaxy Stampin' Glitter
Vanilla Pearl 1/2" Simply Adorned Bauble
Pearl Basic Jewels (1 pkg.)
Holly Berry Bouquet Designer Buttons*
Large Wild Wasabi
Small Real Red
Mini Vintage Tags

So why wait?? Please contact me today if you are interested!!! You can sign up online at my website HERE or leave a comment or email me: sweetpiecesbymeATgmailDOTcom