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 :)

Hearts for Haiti and Under Bed Disaster Kit

My heart goes out to those in Haiti who have suffered loss and pain. So many are left without families, homes or even basic necessities like food and water. I have made donations and hope to continue to do all I can to help. As we assist the people of Haiti and help them rebuild, I pray we can also help them prepare for future crisis and become a strong independent nation. Since Utah has it's own active fault line, I have pulled out information from the newspaper to help my family prepare for an emergency like this, as well. (READ ON to learn what YOU should keep under your bed to be prepared in an emergency...)

At times like this, I am grateful to represent a company like Stampin' Up! who has created 5,000 hygiene kits and are donating $2 from the sale of every I {heart} Hearts stamp set (through February 28th) to the Red Cross Haiti Relief and Development Fund, which will be used to provide immediate relief as well as long-term support. Here are a few samples using this set (available in wood mount-$26.95 or clear mount-$18.95):

I love the simplicity of that card :)

 

We'll be making this card at the Stamp-a-Stack class this Saturday :)

Have a Heart, Share Some Love! If you would like to order this set and do some good for Haiti, go to my website and click "Shop Now" on the top right under my name or give me a call 801-376-8685.

Now, as promised, I recently learned that if you were sleeping when an emergency happened (such as an earthquake, tornado or hurricane), most likely you won't have time to find what you need or can't see to find these important items. Take just a few minutes this week to assemble this kit and BE PREPARED! This is NOT your 72 hour kit (which I hope you have and may also want to keep close at hand or in your car), but a 72 SECOND Disaster Kit. Not only is it CREATIVE, but it just may save your life. If you have children, help them make one, too.

Under Bed 72-Second Disaster Kit -

Keep items in a Bag/backpack (this will prevent glass and other debris from getting in your shoes)

Sturdy Shoes
Pair of Socks
Emergency contact list
Whistle (to attract the attention of emergency personnel)
Dust mask (Useful in fires and earthquakes)
Work gloves (To protect your hands when moving glass or debris)
Several bottles of water
Flashlight (Don’t use if you smell gas)
Light stick on a lanyard
Pry bar
Portable radio with spare batteries

On Bedside Night Stand Keep:
Extra car keys
Cell phone and charger
Glasses
Wallet

Music & Lyrics

While I was at Stampin' Up! Leadership, I learned a fun idea from presenter Shannon West and it seems to fit my theme this week of Music and Lyrics. Her suggestion was substitute lyrics from your favorite song as journaling for your scrapbook! You saw a peek at our On Board Heart Book available in the Occasions Mini Catalog (also in Scallop Circle and Bird shapes) in this post, but check out the inside of her Valentine Album...she used lyrics from Diana Ross' song "Love Hangover":

 

 

 

 

 

Now isn't that simply adorable? Thanks, Shannon, for the tip! If I was going to make a "song" book, I'd use "The Pina Colada Song" (official title: "Escape" by Rupert Holmes) because that is on the play list for my life :)

What about you? Which song could you create a scrapbook to? Please comment!

Itching to Get Inky?

Are you itching to get inky? 

Come to an upcoming class or stamp camp!

Saturday, January 23rd (Washington, UT)

10 a.m. Stamp-a-Stack Class, $20

Stamp 16 cards (4 each of 4 different designs...sneak peek above!)

2 p.m. Winter Stamp Away, $30

Tin, Fabric, Chipboard and Glitter...you'll get a chance to use them all as you create 4 fabulous projects from Gifts to Valentine Decor at this spectacular event. Join us to "Stamp Away" the winter doldrums!

Saturday, January 30th (Spanish Fork, UT)

10 a.m. Stamp-a-Stack Class, $20

See description above

2 p.m. "Things I Love" Stamp Camp, $25

4 projects AND a Stamp Set! (See project sample, below)

Register for two events and save $5! Space is limited, so call 801-376-8685 to register today. Attend with a friend for twice the fun!

Bring these tools: Scissors, SNAIL adhesive (order refill when registering, if needed), Paper Trimmer and Bone Folder (optional, but helpful). All other supplies cut and prepared for you :)

Ode to the Supermarket Musical

I am *always* inspired by music (have I mentioned my college degree was in music ed?) and recently I've been pondering what the sound-track to my life would be. I'm composing the play-list for my existence, but when I saw the following video, I was infatuated! I've always wanted to stage a spontaneous musical (um, you may have noticed my devotion to improveverywhere...) so today I present my "Ode to the Supermarket Musical":

I’m ambling through the produce aisle

When suddenly I stop and smile,

And looking through the garden fare

Imagine music playing there

Enticing me to sing and dance

Amidst the veggies, fruits and plants.

Spontaneously I bounce and skip

Through frozen food and take a trip

(While singing) past the dairy case ~

Another shopper pulls a face!

I guess they can’t enjoy the glee

This Spontaneous Musical supplies me!

So on past cereal, cheese and chips

I wave my arms and shake my hips!

What if the whole store met to belt

A tune while letting ice cream melt?

So on with grocery shopping ‘til

Applause and cheers! My cart I fill

And take my bow. The concert ends,

But in my dream the song extends,

Encompassing a marching band.

The clerks join in (and all unplanned)

We journey to the parking lot

In chorus line with all we bought!

Absurd? Not so! Just tap your toe

And sing along…you’ll say “Bravo!”

--Loni Spendlove, January 2010 

Love What You Do

"To love what we do

and share what we love, 

as we help others enjoy creativity 

and worthwhile accomplishments

...in this we make a difference!"

~Stampin' Up! Statement of the Heart

Having just returned from Stampin' Up! Leadership, I can truly say I LOVE WHAT I DO and I love sharing it with you :) Here are just a few things I loved about Leadership Conference in Phoenix, Arizona (aside from the weather being in the upper 60's) :

1. My new bag! Isn't it cute??  I have such a collection of cute bags from Stampin' Up! events :)

2. Make-n-Takes: Like a stamp camp for demonstrators! We oohed and aaahed over each one. L to R: Sue, Sherrill, Kristi, Judy and Loni. Now we have many new ideas to share with you!

3. The demonstrations and ideas that flowed from day to day! Every year I think "They can't show me anything I don't already know" and every year they prove me wrong (thank heavens!). There is always "fresh creativity" that astounds me...and keeps me coming back for more.

4. The FOOD is always spectacular at Leadership. They spoil us rotten and I *may* have eaten the extra one of these at our table on day at lunch...

5. Manager's Reception! This year it was a Mexican Theme complete with a Mariachi Band and Rodeo. What fun! Have I mentioned that Stampin' Up! now has a Spanish Catalog? I'm hoping one of my Spanish-speaking friends will join my Stampin' Family of demonstrators, soon (call me!).

6. Swapping and Sharing. Demonstrators bring stamped cards to trade and share. This is a great way to get lots of new ideas (but only have to come up with ONE yourself). This sample was actually shared by Shelli Gardner (CEO and founder) during one of her presentations.

Now that I've shared just a peek at all the fun we had at Leadership, let me invite you to come to CONVENTION with me in July...as a new Demonstrator in my Stampin' Family! During Sale-a-Bration (through March, 2010), our Starter Kits are 15% off AND you can choose any stamp set from the current catalogs FREE when you join! I'd love to have you come and enjoy the fun and creativity of Stampin' Up! with me in Salt Lake City this July, so call or e-mail so we can visit about this fantastic opportunity :)

Tie One On

Here is a pictorial for a perfect knot everytime! It works best on a card with layers. Begin by taping a piece of ribbon to the back of the top layer of your card:

Second, thread a second piece of ribbon behind the flat ribbon on the front of the card and tie in a knot.  NOTE: If you are stamping on the top layer of card stock, stamp before you tie your knot!

You only need to tie the knot ONCE, working your ribbon to where you want it to be...once it is tied, you can slide the knot where you want it.

Finally, layer this on your card base and embellish to finish your card:

This is the card I am swapping at Stampin' Up! Leadership in Phoenix this week! It uses the Something Sweet set from the Occasions Mini catalog and I added Crystal Effects to make the gumballs shiny. I'll post more next week when I return from the warm weather:)