more Convention Highlights...

On Friday evening of Convention, Mary, Sally, and myself went to Linda Hansen's event, An Evening to Remember. We had a very nice evening, which included a delicious dinner, swapping, and make & takes. Here is a picture of us with Linda!

And of course, there were suprise guests, including Jaron. He sang the same song for us, that he sang 2 years ago at convention.

Here is Sally with Diana Gibbs!! Diana designed most of the awesome make & takes that we stamped that evening. She is very talented!!

And look at this...Helen was at the same event!!!

Stampin' Up! treated us to lunch every day at convention. They held nothing back!! Here is chocolate fountain that we all enjoyed. It was loaded with everything imaginable to dip in chocolate!!

Ok, I think there will be one more post for convention highlights.

Karen

Friends and the Quiet before the Storm!

One of the best things about convention is reconnecting with your stampin' friends that don't live close to you!! I met Helen at a Leadership Conference here in St. Louis back in 2005. Helen lives in California, and we seem to find each other at each leadership/convention that we both attend. While waiting for Opening Session to begin on Day 2 of Convention, I get a text message that said, "Hi Sweetie, where are you?" I was so excited to see her!!! She is a real sweetheart, and I'm so glad we have Stampin' Up! to stay connected!!! Here is me and Helen...




I was part of the Recuit Crew at Stampin' Up! And if we recruited one person during the month of June, we were treated to breakfast with Shelli, and first choice seating at Opening Session on Day 2. What a treat!!! Here is Shelli...


Since we were able to be choose our seats before they opened the doors to the other 2500 Demonstrators, we got to experience what it was like on the other side of the door. Here is the quiet before the storm...
Ready...

Set...

GO!!!

How fun is that!!!

Karen

more Convention Highlights...

Are you tired of seeing Convention highlights yet??? I hope not, because I have a few more posts! I took alot of pictures, but of course I won't show you everything! You will just have to join us next year to see what it's all about!!

There is alot of talent at Stampin' Up! Not only do the staff know how to stamp, but they really know how to perform. Here is Brent Steele showing off his talent with his banjo!! He was very good!!!


Here is Jill Kocherhans and Bonnie Thurber. Wow...such talent!!! They first performed a little song together, then they had some awesome projects that they stamped for us!! They were a hoot!

Shelli Gardner at Awards Night...such elegance. She was absolutely stunning!

Here is Sally, Mary and myself...

Sally and Mary doing their color charts!!! Now we have color charts for all the current colors!!!

I have more coming soon!

Karen

Color Confections Part 3

Ok, here are the last of the close-ups of Color Confections...

Don't those brownies look yummy?

Karen

Color Confections Part 2

Ok, here are some close-ups of the Color Confections Display...

Part 3 coming soon...

Karen

Color Confections Part 1

Hi! At Convention, Stampin' Up! overwhelmed us with inspiration! It was everywhere! Today, I have some pictures from the Color Confections display. It was all so yummy, but it wasn't edible!!! It was all created with Stampin' Up! products! So much inspiration...

You can't go wrong with all those Stampin' Up! colors!! I have a few close-ups to share with you in my next post! But I could have sat and looked at those displays all day.

Take care,

Karen

some Convention Highlights!

Hi! I can't believe it's been a week since convention! This was my 7th Convention and Convention 2010 was one of the best conventions that I have been to!! Stampin' Up! really knows how to throw a party!!! Here are a few pictures from this fabulous event...

The theme for Convention 2010...

On the first night, before Opening Session at Convention, Stampin' Up! threw us a huge Flower Power Party!! There were prizes, displays, demonstrations, and games including hoola-hoop and Twister! Such fun!! The costumes were incredible!! Here we are with Shelli Gardner (CEO & Co-Founder of SU!) and her husband, Sterling...

L to R...Mary, me, Shelli, Sterling, & Sally

Stampin' Up! closed their offices on the first day of convention so that ALL their employees could share in the excitement of DAY 1 of Convention. It was an incredible feeling walking into the auditorium, and hundreds of SU! staff were cheering us on and giving high-fives! WOW! We felt like queens!! It was an overwhelming feeling and it gave me chills and brought tears to my eyes!!

Here are Mary & Sally, my stampin' friends and downline! I was so happy that I was able to share this incredible experience with them!


2010 marks my 10-year anniversary as a Demonstrator with Stampin' Up! The years have flown by...really they have!!! I did get to march across stage celebrating this milestone. I didn't get a good picture on my camera, so I'm hoping Mary got a good one of me on stage.

I have more Convention pictures that I will share with you over the next few days or so. I need to get some stampin' done too! So hopefully, I will have some new stuff to share!

Have a great weekend!!

Karen

Convention Swap

Hi! I'm back from one of the best conventions that I have ever been to!!!! Convention 2010 was amazing!!! I feel energized and excited!! Thank you Stampin' Up! for a truly wonderful experience!

Here is one of the cards that I brought with me to swap amongst the almost 3000 Demonstrators at convention. I only made about 20 of these at the last minute. I wish I would have made alot more, but time ran out!! I took a total of about 95 swaps (4 different designs) with me to Salt Lake City. I'll share a few of my favorites that I received in the next couple of days or so.

It's difficult to see in the photo, but I sponged Frost White Shimmer Paint on the Scallop Oval to give it some shimmer.

Supplies:
Stamps: Fifth Avenue Floral, Sincere Salutations
Ink: Craft White, Baja Breeze
Paper: Whisper White, Baja Breeze
Accessories: White Satin Ribbon, Scallop Oval Ribbon, Large Oval Ribbon, Frost White Shimmer Paint, Sponge Dauber, Dimensionals

Thanks for visiting!!!

Karen

While I'm Away Special for you!!!

This post will stay at the top until Monday, July 26th. Please scroll down for current posts.

Hi! Well, my bags are packed and I'm ready to go!!!...to Salt Lake City for Stampin' Up!'s annual Convention!!! This is a special year for me, since this is my 10th year as a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator!!! Yes, I started this adventure in August 2000, and I have loved it all!!!! While I am away at Convention this year, I have a little special for you!

For every $50 order placed with me, you will receive a gift (your choice of the Basic Rhinestone Jewels or Basic Pearl Jewels --both shown of page 188) and a chance to win a New Punch and New Embossing Folder.

Basic Rhinestone Jewels

Basic Pearl Jewels

Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border

Vintage Wallpaper Textured

Impression Embossing Folder

When I first saw the new Idea Book & Catalog, I was so excited about these new products! And I would like to give them to you FREE!!! Drawing will take place on Monday, July 26th and winner will be announced at that time. Here are a few simple qualifications:

• Order must be placed by midnight on Sunday, July 25th.
• Your $50 qualifying order is based on product subtotal (before shipping/handling & taxes).
• Order must be placed through me as your Demonstrator. Please contact me by email to place your order ... stampwithkaren@aol.com. Online orders do not qualify for the drawing, but will qualify for a free gift.
• You will receive a chance to win for every $50 order.
• Cash, checks and credit cards accepted.

Please let me know if you have any questions. I will be bringing my laptop with me, and checking my email later in the evening.

Take care and I can't wait to share the excitement of Stampin' Up! with you! I'll try to keep you updated with daily posts. So come on back and visit!!

Karen

another FTL #98

Hi! My stampin' friend and downline, Sally, came over last night to work on swaps for convention. I am happy to say that I have 75 swaps all completed and ready to be packed in the suitcase!!! I may even create a few more over the weekend! Swaps are alot of work, but it's so much fun to amongst 1000's of demonstrators as we swap our own creations!!! And swapping will actually begin at the airport, even before we get on the plane!!! It is so much fun!! Excitement will be in the air!!!!

I created this card after Sally left to go home. Her enthusiasm is catching, and I just couldn't wind down last night after she left. So I went to my stamp area to create another card. This is another card that follows along with the Fall-to-Layout #98 on the Clean & Simple Blog. Great sketch!!!
Supplies:
Stamps: Baroque Motifs, Three Little Words (for the sentiment)
Ink: Certainly Celery, Marina Mist
Paper: Crumb Cake, Certainly Celery, Marina Mist, Whisper White
Accessories: Big Shot, Square Lattice Embossing Folder, Modern Label Punch, Corner Rounder, Certainly Celery Grosgrain Ribbon, Dimensionals

Hope you are having a great Friday!!! Have a nice weekend!

Karen

July Day-Time Stampin' Cards & FTL #98

Hi! Just popping in to share with you the cards that we stamped this morning at my Day-Time Stampin' class. All the cards are soft and pretty. Here is a picture of the 3 cards...

You have seen 2 of the 3 cards in previous posts. The one on the right with the pink flower was modified a bit though. I used the Polka Dot Embossing Folder for the scalloped pink cardstock, and I used a punched embossed circle for the center of the flower instead of a corduroy brad.

Here is the 3rd card that I created for my class. The Fall-To-Layout Sketch #98 on the Clean & Simple blog inspired the layout. We embossed the flowers from Pocket Silouettes and punched them out with the Square Punch. Oh, and I love that Stampin' Up! brought back Baja Breeze!!!!!! Such a pretty blue!

Supplies:
Stamps: Pocket Silhouettes, Occasional Quotes
Ink: Versamark, Chocolate Chip
Paper: Kraft, Baja Breeze, Whisper White
Accessories: Big Shot, Square Lattice Embossing Folder, 1-1/4" Square Punch, Modern Label Punch, Whisper White Grosgrain Ribbon (Mini Glue Dots), White Embossing Folder, Dimensionals


Following is a card that I received from my monthly Stampin' Buddy. Kristine S. sent me this card and it inspired me to create the card shown above. Thanks Kristine for this beautiful card!


Ok, that's all for now. I have a busy week ahead!! I am going to Stampin' Up!'s annual Convention in Salt Lake City next week, and I'm so excited!!! I have about 80 swaps made, with hopes to make more!!

Take care!
Karen

One last one...

Hi! Hope you are all having a great weekend! It's been a busy one here! We are just vegging out here today...nice feeling! I had my Stamp Club party on Friday, including dinner, shopping, and stamping! Then I had my Sale Event of the Year on Saturday morning! Such fun!!! Oh yeah, my cousin got married on Saturday evening at the St. Louis Zoo in the Herpatarium House. We had a great time, especially RJ!!

Ok, I have one more card to share with you that we stamped over the weekend. This card was inspired by Jo-Ann Pullen from Stampin' Connection (community for SU! Demonstrators). I changed it up a bit though.

Supplies:
Stamps: Because I Care
Ink: Early Espresso, Early Espresso & Baja Breeze Stampin' Write Markers
Paper: Very Vanilla, Baja Breeze
Accessories: Big Shot, Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder, 1-3/8" Square Punch, Dimensionals

Take care,
Karen

Because I Care Card #2

Hi! Here is another card that I created as part of a set that my stamp club stamped at our party tonight. I have one more to share with you later this weekend. This is a super easy card!! Takes minutes to create!! Love those kind!!

Supplies:
Stamps: Because I Care
Ink: Early Espresso
Paper: Very Vanilla, Baja Breeze
Accessories: Big Shot, Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder, Very Vanilla Satin Ribbon

Thanks to my stamp club for a very nice evening!!! I'm looking forward to stamping with you in another round of stamp club!!!

Have a great weekend!

Karen

Quick & pretty!

Hi! Ok, I feel so bad for not blogging in a while, so I thought I would pop on here briefly and show you a quick, but pretty card!!! I have been so busy this week, getting ready for my stamp club party on Friday and my Sale event on Saturday morning!! I knew I had a lot of "stuff", but oh my, it's never-ending!!!

Note: This card was inspired by Kay's card shown HERE. I changed her Confetti White Cardstock to Very Vanilla Cardstock. What do you think about that new embossing folder??? Beautiful, isn't it???? I know you will just have to have it!!

Supplies:
Stamps: Because I Care
Ink: Early Espresso Classic Pad, Baja Breeze Marker
Paper: Very Vanilla, Baja Breeze
Accessories: Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder, Big Shot, Dimensionals

Gotta go!

Karen

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

It's a NEW Year!!! The new 2010-2011 Idea Book & Catalog is here!!! And it's loaded with lots of stampin' goodness!!

Click HERE to view this awesome catalog. It's packed with inspiration! Any paper crafter will love the stamps and accessories inside!

You can order any time, 24/7. Click HERE!!

another Watercolor Trio

Hi! I just can't get enough of this stamp set!!!! If you don't have it, we need to chat! LOL!! The idea to create this card came to me when I saw Susan's card HERE. She has a very clean & simple style. She even made a comment about how her card was even a little busy for her clean & simple style. So that will tell you how clean & simple she is! I visit her blog every day for inspiration!
Supplies:
Stamps: Watercolor Trio
Ink: Basic Black, Markers: Pink Pirouette, Certainly Celery, Pretty in Pink
Paper: Certainly Celery, Basic Black, Whisper White, Pink Pirouette DSP
Accessories: Certainly Celery Grosgrain Ribbon, Dimensionals

Thanks for stopping by!!

Karen