My Stampin' Story, Pt. 1

 

While some people spend their money on clothes, furniture or electronic gadgets, I have always had a weakness for office supplies. 

 

When I spent a semester in Israel in 1987 (that's me in the skirt, with my roommates Jenny and Lisa!) much of my college student budget was spent in the Mid-Eastern equivalent of "Staples" where I gloried in the vast stacks of paper, envelopes, pens and blank books. With this fondness for fiber and ink, it should come as no surprise that I fell in love with rubber stamping!

By 1992 we were living in Kanab, UT and had just welcomed baby #2 (Kayson--so precious, above with my sister Mindi and her hubby Russ in background) and I was looking for a rubber stamp company to join as an excuse for adult conversation and a creative outlet. The idea of being my own office supply store was also appealing, since Kanab didn't have many shopping opportunities! I wanted the best company, so I was looking at all that I could find and before the internet, that took some effort. One Sunday at church, my husband took the fussy baby out to the foyer where he ran into a high school classmate, LaVonne Crosby. As they visited, Vonna mentioned that she and her sister Shelli had started a rubber stamp company... and just happened to have a Stampin' Up! catalog in her van. She referred me to her neighbor, Sherrill Graff, who became my recruiter and dear friend.

Stampin' Up! has been a blessing to me in so many ways: I have learned to be a better teacher and presenter. I have learned how to share creativity and overcome some shyness (believe it or not!). It has helped me set and reach goals. Finally, it has blessed me with some of the most wonderful friends in the world...my demonstrator family, my hostesses and my customers continue to enrich my life every day. I invite YOU to discover what Stampin' Up! could do for you! If you want to CREATE, HOST or JOIN my Stampin' Family...discover the benefits, then give me a call: 801-376-8685. 

More of my story to come...

Simply Adorned: Wish

My sister Mindi hit the big 4-0 last week and I wanted to make her a gift with some bling for her Shiny Surprise party (that I was sad to miss), so what better than one of Stampin' Up!'s new Simply Adorned charms with a personalized insert? I think it will be right up her alley, even if it is late. But she expects no more from me than to be fashionable late :) If you know her, she is all about *sparkly* stuff...and even goes so far as to embellish her feline house-mates with be-dazzled beauty. Since the inserts can be changed according to mood/outfit, I am going to make her a few other glittery choices, too.

This is the 1"x1 1/4" nickel-plated rectangle charm and I love the beveled glass on the front! The back is also glass, so I filled it with the Sending Love Designer Series paper that it is sitting on. You can change out the insert to match whatever you are wearing...and try putting in photos of you and your VALENTINE, or show off those darling offspring! Try adding it to one of our stainless steel bracelets or chains (available now in the Occasions Mini catalog).

GOOD NEWS FOR YOU: If you order this or the 1"x1" charm from me OR on my website before April 30th, I will send YOU the same insert as a Thank You!

Big Shot Quilting/Fabric Class

I'm in love.......with the Big Shot! Did you know that it can cut through 50 different types of materials in addition to paper and card stock? Like our wood sheets, vinyl (yes, Stampin' Up! sells large vinyl sheets in over 20 colors), foam, felt, foil, and of course FABRIC! I have had such fun exploring the world of fabric (and copying great ideas from other demonstrators) that I am holding a class to share it with you AND you will can go home with a beautiful fabric flower that you can wear, pin to a hat or coat or bag, use as an accent on a gift, put on a band for a little girl's hair, etc, etc....If you would like to make the flower, the cost is $3 or you can just come to watch and learn for no cost :) This is a sample of one of the flowers we made at our Winter Stamp Camp in Dixie, but we'll be using Spring Colors for the class:

 

You'll also see quilts and purses and much more! It's just a half-hour, but you'll love getting new creative ideas...and find out how you can get $85 of Stampin' Up! product FREE when you order a Big Shot and a few dies during Sale-a-Bration (through March 31).

Monday, February 22 at 1 p.m.

~OR~

Tuesday, February 23 at 7 p.m.

860 E 1050 S, Spanish Fork

RSVP: 801-376-8685

Do the Can-Can

Looking for a unique way to present a gift or gift card this Valentine's Day? Do the Can-Can!

 

These are fun and simple to make: Use a clean-edge can opener (from Pampered Chef) to open any soup/fruit/vegetable can, wash and dry the can. Cans with the pop-top lid are fun to use and easy for the recipient to open...don't pop the lid open, just remove the whole lid using the can opener!

Cover the can with Designer Series Paper and/or roll an image (shown here using the I {Love} Love Jumbo Stampin' Around Wheel). Spray adhesive is good for applying your paper to the can.

Add glitter, ribbon, accessories, etc. Don't forget to decorate the top of the can, too!

 

And since it says Hugs & Kisses (from the Love You Much stamp set), what better way than to encourage that display of affection with the contents of the can:

  

Once you have filled the can with your gift, seal the lid back on the can using Crystal Effects (from Stampin' Up!, of course). The recipient will have to open the can again with a can opener :)