The content of this blog is my sole responsibility as an independent Stampin' Up! demonstrator and the use of, and content of, the classes, services, or products offered on this blog is not endorsed by Stampin' Up!
I've been a Stampin' Up! demonstrator for 16 years now and have been to every SU! Convention since 1996. I've met so many wonderful demonstrators during these years and I look forward to seeing them at SU! events. And then I also meet new friends. I've also met many demos on Sudsol, the email demonstrator-only-list I belong to. What a great source of information, tips, and creative ideas.
Anyway, these friends just add to making a fabulous event even better!
I got to connect with my downline who are qualified and able to attend Leadership Training:
L-R: Me, Janice Rosenthal Rock, aka JRR, from Roseville, CA, Marti (not a downline but SU!'s #1 Rising Star at our 2011 convention), and Jill Nolan, JRR's downline and my 'second level downline'. Jill was #4 Rising Star at last convention. Oh yeah.......we had some fun together!
I ran into Patty Bennet, Hercules CA, many times during Leadership. We met via Sudsol years ago and have been buddies ever since.
I met these gals, from TX, at breakfast in our hotel, several years ago at the Leadership Training in Phoenix AZ. They are deaf but we still managed to have great communication. I saw them this year while waiting in line for the elevator and asked for a photo. I wish I knew their names!
67 Sudsol members gathered at lunch on Thursday for a card front swap that I was in charge of. They lined up against the wall and then, from the beginning of the line, turned to their left, exchanged cards and worked their way down to the end of the line. Worked like a dream!
This was the end of the line. Phyllis Jachowski, on the right with the Leadership Bag on her left arm, came all the way from Germany to attend this year. We'd been corresponding for several years and it was fabulous to finally meet her!
Patti (don't you DARE take MY picture) Scanlan, one of the founders of Sudsol. I softened her up and got the photo! Swappers are behind.
I stayed at the Marriott Riverwalk with my Arizona roommates. Sue Ann, on the right and I met years ago, via Sudsol. She was/is my Mac guru and helped me through many problems. You see Sue Ann and Cathy working hard on a game on the iPad! Sue Ann and I have roomed together at Leadership for about 5 years. We are compatible and share the 'facilities' without a hitch. No drama either! :)
Ahhhhh, Friday night and time for (another) drink at The Bar in our hotel. Again, Cathy and Sue Ann.
And what would a visit to San Antonio be without a check-in to the Alamo.
I WAS THERE! Not easy getting yourself in a photo in screaming sunlight.
Davy Crockett is one of my ancestors........great, great, great, great Uncle. So I had to visit.
As well as learning new ideas and business tips, I so look forward to seeing Stampin' Up! friends who I see only at Stampin' Up! events.
For example, Pam Morgan, V.P. of Demonstrator Development & Employee Development:
We met 'by accident' years ago and now look forward to a photo op at every SU! event.
The 'real' us???
Lots of the Stampin' Up! staff showing us how they get a point across, THEIR WAY! I *want* one of those tee-shirts!
Rich Jutkins, our President and COO, gives us his report, HIS WAY!
Maxine Conrad, SU! employee, demonstrator and my friend. And a 'Brit' from Hull on the east coast of Great Britain, not far from North Yorkshire where we lived in 1977. We met 4-5 years ago when I called Demonstrator Support with a question.
Shelli asked her husband Sterling to give the blessing on our food after the first morning's General Session. But he kept on talking. She was getting a tad concerned. Sara Douglass, daughter and SU! employee, observes.
"Oh my" says Shelli. "He's out of control"
As Sterling said to Shelli----"I'm doing it MY WAY!" And then he somberly proceeded with the blessing. It was fun to see this 'other side' of him.
Dinner with Scott Nielsen, Chief Financial Officer, the night before Leadership Training officially started. Scott likes to meet with demonstrators in an informal setting to get our view of how we see things happeing within Stampin' Up!. Despite the noise, it was a great evening and opportunity.
Later on today......some of my friends. Then I'll get into some stampin' ideas. It has taken me two full weeks to get HOME after leaving for Leadership so I still need to get my stampin' area set up for play. I mean work. I mean shairing. Actually I think I mean FUN!
AND WHY I'M SO PROUD TO BE A MEMBER OF THE STAMPIN' UP! FAMILY
As I've been saying, I've just returned from Stampin' Up!'s Leadership Training in San Antonio TX. It was a marvelous experience. Not only was it just a fantastic time, seeing old friends, renewing friendships, creating new friendships, and mingling with the Stampin' Up! staff, it was just another reminder as to just why I'm a part of this fabulous SU! family! What other company is going to present its past year's financial report in Mr. Nielsen's (aka Roger's) Neighborhood, using an MDS scrapbook for the documentation, closing with our CFO dancing as if he was on Dancing with the Stars?
"Mr. Nielsen", changing from his outdoor shoes to his indoor shoes. And yes, on the way in the door and while changing his sweater, he DID sing the Mr. Roger's song. HIS WAY!
Scott Nielsen, SU! Chief Financial Officer, setting the stage for his report with Demos Karen Duke from Canada and a younger demo from ??
Oh Look! It's Mr. Speedy with a special delivery! (Actually it's Spencer Willis, SU! employee and "ham"!)
The My Digital Studio report has arrived, thanks to Mr. Speedy.
Did you notice the gray/white stripes on the cover? Well flip the book over and you'll see the Yankees logo. Scott played with the Yankees !
Played with the Yankees from 1986-89.
He even goes down to the 'pick line' to pack our Stampin' Up! orders.
The newly introduced Simply Scored Scoring Tool has been a very big seller!
Remember that younger demonstrator, sitting on Scott's left? Well, as everyone was about the leave Mr. Nielsen's stage neighborhood, she pulled off her conservative-but-stylish sweater to reveal her dancing costume, stating she was going to finish off the report HER WAY. And away they danced. FABULOUS!!!!!!
So again I must ask: what company will give a CFO enough 'space' to totally engage the audience with the (usually boring and dry) annual financial report? We were on the edges of our seats throughout!
In addition to Scott's entertaining presentation, we were also presented, throughout the 2 full days of Leadership Training plus 1 day of a Regional Seminar, with A BUNCH of surprise gifts:
Click on the photo for a close up of all of these goodies!
Leadership:
Leadership Bag (which is reversable)
Real Red and Tempting Turquoise Stampin' Write Markers (in our Leadership bag)
Folding Portfolio (lower right) with My Digital Studio tag, signed by Shelli, and a Clear Crystal 5/8" Simply Adorned Bauble; along with the portfolio..........
Stampin' Up! employee-made bag of chocolates, 2" x 3" each: white (sprinkled with oreo cookie bit), milk (sprinkled with something--nuts maybe) and dark (sprinkles with dried cranberries). No photo. Long gone (as in eaten). Beyond delicious!
Mixed Bunch and Loving Thoughts stamp sets (with Leadership Registration)
Surprise: Everything Eleanor 8 piece stamp set, sneak peak of a 2012-2013 SU! Catalog item
With our Make & Takes (both Leadership and the Regional):
Designer Buttons Brights Collection full container. We used ONE button!
Tea Stain Vintage Ink Spot
Pool Party 3/8" Ruffled Ribbon spool
Lucky Limeade Baker's Twine
Blossom Builders Designer Printed Kit with Pink Rhinestones (exclusive to kit)
Surprise: Fresh Vintage Sale-a-Bration stamp set
Surprise: Everyday Enchantment Sale-a-Bration Designer Series Paper
Jewels: Basic Pearl Large
Jewels: Basic Pearl
Jewels: Basic Rhinestone
Daffodil Delight 1/4" Grosgrain ribbon
4 pack of each: Occasions Mini Catalog and Sale-a-Bration Catalog---to share with a new person
Surprise: On Board Art Journal 5" x 5" -- to create an art journal
Surprise: One Big Sale-a-Bration Content CD for My Digital Studio
My PRIZE PATROL win (with a yellow wrist band): The SIMPLY SCORED DIAGONAL PLATE, available March 1, 2012. WOOOOOHOOOOO! Also, Simply Scored 6-pack of Markers and a Simply Scored Stylus
So, why become a member of the Stampin' Up! Family???
You are treated like royalty.
You are treated like family.
You are treated like a friend.
You are spoiled at company events.
You are rewarded for accomplishments of all sorts.
Think about joining me and becoming a member of this great 'chosen' family. Creativity, and sharing it, is a great kind of therapy. Call or email me and I'll guide you with more information and how-to-do-it. I'd love to have you as a part of my team. Long distance??? No worries. None of my team members are closer than 120 miles and it could just as well be 1000 miles. We meet via the computer and with a semi-annual retreat at my mountain get-away.
And I thought I'd hit 'go' on this post on the 24th. Hmmmm. Not! When I'm away from home my life just doesn't function in the quiet, organized, planned manner that it does normally. In a house with 3 darling grandkids who love to be with their Oma, a thoughtful wonderful daughter and son-in-law, and 2 dogs (one is a puppy) I'm sure you might understand. Every hour for me is totally unpredictable. Throw a birthday in there and life is totally out of control---and that's a great thing.
Yes it's blurry. 7 year old Austin took the early morning photo with my iPhone.
This is what I wanted to share with you on Tuesday:
NOW is a great time for YOU to join the Stampin' Up! family!
And tomorrow, I'll tell you about some personal benefits that come from Stampin' Up! when you attend a Stampin' Up! event.
During S-A-B any new demonstrators who joins Stampin' Up! will get the starter kit for $125 -- that's almost $300 worth of Stampin' Up! product plus business supplies -- at $50 off of the regular price of $175.
You'll also get a free pack of designer paper or a digital download (worth up to $10.95) every month for the rest of the year when placing a monthly Demonstrator order. (No demonstrator order -- no free DSP or digital download for that month -- simple as that.)
Here's a list of what comes in the starter kit:
Any stamp set worth up to $24.95 Any stamp set worth up to $28.95 Any stamp set worth up to $22.95 Any stamp set worth up to $9.95 Any standard wheel $6.50 Clear mount block $6.95 Designer Paper Stack (the big pack) $21.95 A pack of assorted color card stock, 8-1/2" x 11" $6.95 A pack of basic card stock 8-1/2" x 11", Whisper White, $8.50 Any $8.95 ribbon Any 5 ink pads (5 x $5.95. or can include a versamark pad) Any 2 markers (2 x $3.50) Any ink refill $4.25 Snail Adhesive $6.95 Stampin' Mist Stamp Cleaner $4.50 A $23.95 or less punch A Décor Elements product $9.95 or less Pack of envelopes $6.50 Color Coach $14.95 Wheel Handle $3.95 Uninked Wheel Cartridge $5.25 Blender Pen (single = approx $3.30) Stampin' Scrub $16.95 Pack of Dimensionals $3.95 Business supplies including 8 catalogs and minis, order forms etc
So, a lot more than the $125........and no shipping fee!!!!!
CHECK THIS OUT........ Your first $150+ order gets 30% off. So, if placed during S-A-B, your order will be approximately $100 (plus shipping and tax). You'll also get THREE FREE SAB products AND a FREE shopping tote........AND, $25 in FREE hostess goodies as well!
It's a GREAT time to join SU!
Tomorrow I'll tell you about the benefits I received at last week's Leadership Training. *I* *was* *stunned* at the generosity of this amazing company called Stampin' Up!
Call me or email me and we can talk about YOU joining ME, and my team of wonderful demonstrators. I've been a Demonstrator since April of 1996 and my enthusiasm for this company (and the fun I have creating and "playing" while doing my job) has never wained. I LOVE IT! Think about joining me!
Let's see if I can count the ways that make this year's event more special than years past:
Simply---it's 2012's Sale-A-Bration Event. As in current, right now! Woohoo!
The awesome hostess opportunities! Like a snazzy FREE Tote Bag with every order over $150. Yes, you can earn more than just one. And if you hostess a $400 workshop you'll also earn a FREE Hostess Bundle which consists of the Fresh Vintage Stamp Set, a pack of Everyday Enchantment designer series paper, 2 rolls of 1/8" Organdy Ribbon (Lucky Limeade, Calypso Coral -- 10 yards each), and a package of 3/8" Printed Designer Brads (30)
An awesome opportunity to join the Stampin' Up! Family(I'll have more about the SU! Family tomorrow so be sure to check back) as a demonstrator. The Starter Kit, during Sale-A-Bration, is available for only $125 (normally $175--more than a $340 value). In addition to all of the goodies (click here for more information) in the Starter Kit, you'll receive FREE Designer Series Paper or a Digital Downloadeach month for the remainder of 2012. Simply place a demonstrator order each month and you'll be able to choose a qualifying paper or digital download for free! And you can alternate your choices---DSP one month, digital download the next........through December 2012. Click HERE to learn more about this great opportunity.
The great new stamp sets, accessories, fabric, designer series paper plus selected stamps from the 2011-2012 Idea Book & Catalog.
How do you take advantage of these free products??? Choose one for every $50 you order in Stampin' Up! product. I'll share some bundle ideas later today. Right now I'm taking advantage of some 'quiet time' while my daughter and her children are out. I'm 'camping out' at their home for the rest of the week while we do some work around my stepson's house, take him to doctor's appointments, get my car repaired (ooops that simple hose repair got buried in the rush of other priorities and now the car's in the shop with a blown power steering pump), and celebrate my birthday. Why drive home (125 miles) one day only to return the next? It's so nice to have the option of staying with Andrea and her family during these crazy times!!! Thank you so much. Plus I get to spend more time with 3 of my grandkidlets.
Call or email me if you need help with an S-A-B order or simply place it yourself by clicking here or on that shopping cart in the upper right sidebar. Be sure to round up to the nearest $50 bracket to get as many Sale-A-Bration items as possible. Remember, S-A-B continues through March 31st.
Here is one of my favorite swap cards, received at Leadership last week, highlighting the Fresh Vintage Stamp Set and the Twitterpated DSP from the Occasions Mini:
I'm sorry the color is so faded. Brighter cards will be coming forth in the next days.
If you haven't received your Sale-A-Bration brochure, email me immediately (link in the left sidebar) and I'll get one sent right out to you (customers only please, no demonstrators---we all got a free one from Stampin' Up!).
And then maybe I'll have time to post. I just don't seem to be able to put it all together when I'm at a Stampin' Up! event to get to my blog. Hotel internet. Iffy. Time iffy. Exaustion definite. Sleep a must!
Attending SU!'s Leadership Conference is non-stop sensory overload. I look forward to reunited with friends from throughout the US and Canada. And this year I got to meet one of my online buddies from Germany. HI again Phyllis!!!
The most important general announcement made by Stampin' Up!, that affects all of us, is an upcoming change in our catalog year and mini catalog strategy.
The 2011-2012 Idea Book & Catalog, rather than ending on JUNE 30, 2012, will be ending on MAY 31, 2012. The new 2012-2013 Catalog will debut on July 1st. Monday correction! The new 2012-2013 Catalog will debut on JUNE 1st! This change, along with some mini catalog changes, will allow us to get going earlier on holiday season card and project making. (Yes, I know it's only January!)
And the most exciting new product announcement: we are coming out with a Diagonal Scoring Plate, 12" x 12", that will fit right onto Stampin' Up!'s fabulous Simply Scored Tool. Twelve by twelve. Wowsers. The whole shebang! It's awesome and I'll be sharing some projects and techniques during the next few days. It will be available on March 1, 2012.
And what makes it even better??? I won one when my yellow wrist band was called out by Donna Griffith for the PRIZE PATROL!
I can't turn the picture on the diagonal here!
I'll be off to Forbes Norris ALS Clinic in San Francisco tomorrow, but I'll show you a few things you can easily make with this great new tool on Tuesday. It'll be nice to be back home and back to regular blog posting!
And guess what??? It's finally snowing at home. First snow fall since the first weekend in November! We need the precipitation!
Well, it's 16 days into 2012. I'm leaving tomorrow for 6 days in San Antonio, TX for Stampin' Up!'s annual Leadership Conference. Although I'll be posting some new ideas each day, I need to give YOU something to do! So what better way to kick off the New Year than to make a tempting offer:
Place an order for 13 items while I'm gone, between January 17th and 22nd, and only pay for 12 of them! You'll get the 13th item (lowest price) for free. Just send me an email (blythe@stampinwithblythe.com) with your order, I'll do the calculations and get back to you with your total, get your payment method, and then I'll place your order. Your least expensive item will be FREE. (FYI, this will not work on an online order.)
What is she thinking you ask? 12 items??? Well---have you been wanting a bunch of ribbons? Order 12 and get the 13th roll of ribbon FREE. How about 12 markers or stamp pads or ink refills? Get the 13th FREE. Or maybe some Simply Adorned Baubles or Trinket Keys? The items do NOT have to all be the same. You could select 12 stamp sets!!! They just have to total 12 items with a 13th (the lowest priced item) that will be my 2012 While-I'm-gone-to-Leadership gift to you.
BONUS: From the orders placed, I will randomly select one order that will receive an additional gift from me added to their order---one of my favorite products demonstrated at Leadership. We always have WOW demonstrations at Stampin' Up! events where we learn how to use various stamps and other products and it's from those demonstrations that I'll pick a product that really sparks my interest.
You'll be hearing a little something from me each day while I'm in San Antonio. Could be a meal report, a great swap card that I've received, photos of an activity or new product............ Who knows!
Finally, since I am a standy-by traveler (one of the "perks" of my husband being with UAL for his entire career), hold positive thoughts for me that I get both TO and FROM San Antonio on the days that I'm scheduled to travel. I don't enjoy sleeping in airports! :)
Have a great week and I'll be back tomorrow with news of my successful arrival in San Antonio! The power of positive thinking.
Do you remember Sandwich? He's my Stampin' Up! bear that I got at our Convention a few years ago. He's always good so I take him to all of my Stampin' Up! events.
When I finished these cards a little bit ago I decided he should be in the group photo. (By the way, Sandwich's fashion eye wear came from Build-a-Bear when we went there for my granddaughter Nora's 3rd birthday. And tomorrow she'll be five! Yikes!!!)
Back to the cards........these are single sided cards to be used as quick notes to customers or friends as a thank you or thinking of you or........as Just a Note.
And they use accessories from the the 2012 Occasions Mini Catalog and....and little sneak peak from the upcoming Sale-a-Bration Catalog. The S-A-B catalog will go live on January 24th so stand by for more sneak peaks. I love the Designer Series Paper and some of the accessories inside those pages.
The new Edgelits Dies and Adorning Accents Textured Impressions Embossing Folders are just awesome AND addictive. I'm constanting thinking of how I can use them for my next project. I used them for both of my Leadership swap cards. I also used them earlier today to make my January and some February birthday cards. But I can't share those with you yet because of certain people who have b-i-g e-y-e-s.
Here's the second note card, with only a different sentiment:
Be sure to click on the photos for a larger image. This is pretty much a look--see--do card.
I've packaged these cards up in sets of 4 and will be giving them to my two Leadership roommates, two downline who are attending, and my fabulous upline Debra Godfrey. And then I'll make some more for my own use!
Supplies:
Stamp Sets: Oval All (113790, p. 131), More Great Greetings (retired a long time ago), Tiny Tags (118091-W; 118592-C, p. 136)
Card Stock: (based on the DSP I used): Lucky Limeade, Pool Party, Very Vanilla
Ink: Pool Party
Accessories: Big Shot Die Cut Machine, Adorning Accents Edgelits Die, Adorning Accents Textured Impressions Embossing Folders, Punches: Scalloped Oval, Large Oval, Jewelry Tag; Lucky Limeade 3/8" Ruffled Ribbon, Linen Thread, Mini Glue Dots, Dimensionals.
I hope you'll try making some of these simple note cards. Just choose a Designer Series Paper that suits you, and then select your card stocks. I cut pieces of the upper decoratively cut piece of Pool Party card stock to 4-1/4" x 1-1/2". I trimmed it using the Adorning Accents Edgelit and the Big Shot. Then I set that piece into the matching Embossing folder, lined up the design and ran it through the Big Shot.
Need supplies? Send me an email and I'll help you out or click on the shopping basket in the upper right side bar which will send you right to my Stampin' Up! Store and you can place your own order. But..........wait until....................tomorrow!
Tomorrow: I have a fun offer for you while I'm off to San Antonio and Stampin' Up!'s Leadership conference. Even though the Marriott Hotel makes getting online annoying, I'll be posting either swapped cards or a fun idea every day while I'm there. Be sure to check in.
My (you fill in the adjective and it will be appropriate) grandaughter Nora Blythe will be celebrating her 5th birthday on Monday, January 16th. She was born at home---came blasting out as Mommy was walking (waddling) from her bed to the waiting birthing tub. Boom---there was Nora. And the call out to Daddy --- Dennnnnnnnnnnnnnnis!!!! The midwife was in the driveway. (I was on alert to take care of the then 2-year old.)
Nora and her family will be going to Disneyland to celebrate her birthday and have a little family get-away. So in honor of that, and the fact that I have sequined mouse ears for her to wear on her great adventure, I labored over this card this morning.
I can't figure out what it is that's giving Minnie/Nora that mischievous look but something sure is.
The card is made with the help of many Stampin' Up! punches, paper snips and the Just Add Cake Designer Series Paper.
2-1/2" Circle
1-3/4" Circle
Butterfly
Large Oval
Large Oval (narrower-retired 2011)
Small (15/16" x 3/4") Oval
Extra Large Oval
Ornament
6-Petal Flower (retired pre-2010)
I found my inspiration piece in the creative Gallery on the Sudsol website. That website is exclusively for Stampin' Up! demonstrators to share creative and business ideas plus woes and suggestions. The card below was stamped by Lucia Dawe and posted in July 2011.
Have a great weekend. I'll be packing and doing final preparation for my Tuesday departure to San Antonio and Stampin' Up!'s Leadership Conference. Woohoo! A get-away for me will be so good!
Among the products that caught my eye was the Create & Keep Simply Sent Card Kit on page 42, way in the back of the Mini. It was one of the first items I ordered and I've been playing with it ever since. And it is SO MUCH CUTER than it looks in the mini. The images are very delicate.
This Simply Send Card Kit will be the focus of my February Class, February 15th, at My Country Loft here in Mi Wuk Village. I'll talk more about it in my mid-month Newsletter that will be coming out on the 17th of January. I'll be offering the class as a Kit To-Go as well in case you don't live near my little burg here in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Are YOU on my mailing list???
Here's a hint of what we'll be doing:
First, a card holder and dividers:
And then some great (and easy) cards..... Sneak peaks to these will come later.
More details to come in the following weeks. It's so much fun to be able to create beautiful cards in less than 2 hours.
