The Stampin' Grounds

Card Swap #1 - Wedding Congrats

So, I leave for Convention next week (oh my GOSH I'm so excited!!!) and of course, along with convention come MANY swaps! 

This year I got involved with a 5 minute card swap - LOL, you know me, always needing a last minute card, so I thought I would participate!  The rules include that you have to be able to make this card in less than 5 minutes (once the supplies are cut up) - here's mine!

The idea is that I will come home with 50 designs of cards which take less than 5 minutes to make - FUN!  I'll be sure to share them with you over the next few months! :)

I used the awesome new 'Wedding Sweet' stampset, and then used the silver microbeads to make little flower accents attached with Crystal Effects.  Also, check out the Modern Label Punch which coordinates with the words on this set - cute, eh?!  I used more of the silver microbeads to make faux rivets.  The paper is soft suede in the background, and then kraft, and of course, whisper white.  I corner rounded two corners, and that's about it! (oh, and used kraft taffeta ribbon too). 

What do you think?  I hope they like my card! 

Cancelling Midnight Crop

Wow - hot enough for you?  We are SO toasty here - I haven't gotten below 30C in the house yet (Even at night!)  ouch! 

Seems like most of you who were planning to attend the crop tomorrow night (Friday) are canceling from the heat and vacations, so I'm going to officially cancel it for this month.  

Also, lots of you have expressed concern about me, as I haven't been blogging like usual or returning emails as quickly :) - I'm totally fine! (and thanks for thinking of me!) I'm taking care of my family, and focusing on my boys for the summer.  Rest assured that come September I have a FULL line up of classes that is going to get you REALLY excited!  I have the most exciting year planned yet!  WOO HOO!  While I love this down time with my boys, I am ACHING to get back to stamping again!  I miss it, and most importantly, I miss YOU!! 

I do have an event next month - I will be holding a Stampin' Garage Sale to clear out all my Retired Items on Saturday AUGUST 29TH!  It will go from 1:30-4pm, with early entry at 1pm for all club members beginning in September, and all hostesses (scheduled and current) for the 2009-2010 Stampin' Year (July-June).  I'll be emailing you shortly if you are on this list.  Not on it?  Book a workshop now, or join a club for September!  Check out my clubs here!

See you in August!

Final Deal of the Week

Last Deal of the Week, everyone!  This one lasts until July 31st only! 

 SALE: $15.99 (regular $22.95)

LOVE IT, especially come Valentines' Day, or just with my kids always!

Splitcoast - a Stamper's Paradise!

I get lots of questions about where my inspiration comes from, and while I do have lots of sources, the one that is far and away the best is www.splitcoaststampers.com . Basically the site works like this:

You have a Stampin' Up! stampset, say the new Medallion Stamp.  You go to Splitcoast, click on 'Gallery' in the top right corner (tiny print).  It takes you to a list of galleries.  and you click on 'SU! Galleries'.  A list of alphabetized images comes up - you click on 'K-N', and scroll down until you see the 'Medallion' stampset (yes, EVERY STAMPSET SU! has ever printed is here!!!!!!!). 

Inside, you will find hundreds to thousands of samples of projects using that card!  Yep, inspiration at your fingertips - go and enjoy - just make sure you set aside a LOT of time, and you have a list of the stampsets you own at your fingertips!

Pirate Party!

The boys and I had so much fun playing with the new pirate pack yesterday!  I found this puppy on Page 74, and while it is obviously a great idea for a boy's birthday party, I had another idea for it - summer fun when there is nothing else to do (aka the 'I'm bored mommy' moments). :)  Sure enough, it worked like a charm - and I've got another couple of days worth of supplies for them, if they need more of a retreat! 

Lot of stuff came with it - we made treasure chests, pirate flags on toothpicks, pirate banners, eyepatches (hugely popular!), and still have invitations we'll have to save for our next pirate party (every year that's the chosen birthday party theme!)  LOVE THIS!

I surprised them by getting them each a 'Pirate Personalized Stamp' (also on pg 74) and they FLIPPED!  You would have thought I had inducted them each into the pirate hall of fame or something!  They are now 'Captain Ryan Metzger' and 'Captain Tyler Metzger' - I may get them each one with special pirate names too, if they think of a name they each one. 

Ok - now I had to share some of the pics of them putting them together!  SUCH fun!!

They are currently wearing their patches and saying 'arrrrgh me hardies' to each other in their best pirate voices - SO funny!!!

Join the Club!

I've got a fantastic year planned for you in my clubs! All clubs start in September, and are filling up fast!  I am extending the special from my Open House one more week for you - if you sign up for a September series club before the end of July, I will give you a FREE classic stampin' pad in your choice of colour! 

Here are this season's options!

Sizzix BigShot Club

Meets the Third Wednesday monthly, 7-9pm

o    10 months, one month where you are the ‘hostess’
(free level one hostess set & $25+ in free merchandise of your choice)
o    $35/month post-dated cheque or visa/mc authorization
o    10 complimentary BigShot Classes  (value $150+)
o    BigShot custom kit of materials (receive in hostess month, or provide the last 3 months of payments up front and receive your kit right away), includes:

•    BigShot Machine
•    Decorative Strip Spacer Platform
•    Decorative Strip Cutting Pads
•    Premium Crease Pad
•    Impressions Pad
•    Silicone Rubber
•    Perfect Details Texture Plate
•    Naturally Serif Alpha Die
•    Top Note Die
•    Scallop Envelope Die
•    Buttons #5 Die

o    TOTAL VALUE >$500!

NOTE: If you already own a Bigshot, but want another club option, you can join the club with a monthly $25 purchase for 10 months and receive the class and hostess benefits in your month for free

If you purchase the BigShot TODAY, you will receive 10 free Bigshot Classes!

**There are 3 Spaces Left in this club - if it fills, I will start a waiting list to get a 2nd club going**

Marker Club

Meets the 4th Tuesday Monthly

Everyone wants the markers - they are so versatile, and you get all the colours to stamp with as well!

Here's what you get:

o    8 months, one month where you are hostess
(free level one hostess set & $20+ in free merchandise of your choice)
o    $35/month post-dated cheque or visa/mc authorization
o    8 complimentary Technique Classes (value $80+)
o    Full Marker Set, In-Colour Marker Set

Technique Club

Meets the 4th Tuesday Monthly

What you get:

o    8 months, one month where you are the hostess (free level one hostess set & $20+ in free merchandise of your choice)
o    You commit to $25/month in product purchases
o    8 Technique Class Vouchers (value $80+)

Inkpad Club

Meets the 4th Tuesday Monthly

If I had a nickel for how many times I hear 'I wish I had ALL the colours'... well, never fear my friend, I have the club option for you!  As an alternative to a monthly purchase in the Technique Club, you can instead purchase all the inkpads!  Yep - ALL the classic inkpads, in all 4 colour colour families. just waiting for you to snatch them up!

What You Get:

• 8 months
• $40/month post-dated cheque or visa/mc authorization
• 8 complimentary technique classes (value $100+)
• All 4 colour families of classic inkpads (value $307.80), the Colour Caddy to hold your inkpads (value $84.95)

**Note - there are no hostess benefits associated with the inkpad option, as the Colour Caddy takes the place of them.**

Scrapbook Club

Date to Meet Not Set Yet

What you get:

o    8 months, one month where you are hostess
(free level one hostess set & $20+ in free merchandise of your choice)
o    $25/month in purchases (or inkpad, marker or bigshot payment plan)
o    8 complimentary Scrapbook Layout and Project Classes (value $100+)
•    Classes will consist of various layouts (12”, 8”, 6”, etc) as well as projects (memory cubes, mini scrapbooks, etc.)

Crop Club

Want to join a club with no obligation?  Join my crop club!  This is the simplest club going!  Here's a FAQ  on crops, and this club:

1) What's a crop?
    A place you can go with your friends (or to meet new friends) and work on your projects. You get to use all my non-consumeable tools, stampsets, machines, punches, etc., and it's kind of a party.  I usually have a make n' take for everyone, and everyone brings a little snack to share, and drinks if they like.  It's very casual, and people show up in their favourite, most comfy cropping outfits.  :)  Crops are also used to 'make up' any classes from the prior month (if you can't make the date of a class, you can complete the projects at cropnight instead, in which case the crop fee is waived).

2) When are your crops?
    I hold a midnight crop each month, and they are generally (unless travelling gets in the way) the LAST Friday evening of every month (8-midnight) (note that this has changed for 2009).  Check my calendar on my official website for specific dates each month. Each Crop is a $5 drop in, unless you are a making up a class (then it's free), and is free to all club members.

3) What's the Crop Club?
    That's where you sign up to be a member for the whole year.  You get to come to any crop (you still need to let me know you are coming) and your fee is waived.  There are other benefits which come with being a crop club member as well, such as previews to special events and sales, preferred customer invitations, and other fun stuff. 

4) How much is the Crop Club for the year?
    The crop club is $50 for the year, and you receive one guest pass for free as well, to bring a friend to a crop night.  (the normal crop fee is $5)

Sign up now!

Join My Stampin' Up! Team!

While anytime is a great time to join me as a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator, joining during July and August is especially sweet!

Starting your own Stampin' Up! business means free and discounted products, plus a little extra cash--and who couldn't use that? Plus, from July 15 - August 31, you can become a Stampin' Up! demonstrator for only $105! 

The special, limited-time Mini Starter Kit contains many of the items you need to get started in your new business, including

• For All You Do stamp set
• In Color Classic Stampin' Pads (6)
• Whisper White card stock (8-1/2" x 11")
• In Color assorted card stock (8-1/2" x 11")
• Business forms and tools

Or if you want to buy the standard $269 Starter Kit, in addition to the supplies listed below, you'll get all six of the new In Color Classic Stampin' Pads and one pack of In Color assorted card stock (8-1/2" x 11")--a $58.20 value! The standard Starter Kit includes

• Four stamp sets
• A Stampin' Around wheel, handle, and ink cartridge
• Stampin' Pastels
• Card stock
• Eastern Blooms Décor Elements and applicator tool
• Five Classic Stampin' Pads
• VersaMark Pad
• Stampin' Scrub and Mist
• Blender pens
• Business forms and tools

These special offers--the Mini Starter Kit and the In Color add-on to the standard Starter Kit--are only available for a limited time, so you must act fast!

Benefits of Becoming a Demonstrator
Whether you just love to stamp, or you want to grow a successful, thriving business, the Stampin' Up! opportunity is the right fit for you. Stampin' Up! demonstrators enjoy many benefits, with just a few listed below:

• Product discount. Demonstrators get a minimum 20% discount on all Stampin' Up! products, including stamp sets, paper, and accessories. It's a great way to support your love of stamping and paper crafting!
• Extra income. You'll earn extra income based on your sales and recruiting--how much extra income is up to you. Maybe you just want enough income to pay the electric bill every month, or maybe your goal is bigger--the monthly payment for your new car--it's your decision! See the Compensation Table for more information.
  
  
• Flexible schedule. This is your business, so you can put in as much (or as little) time as you'd like.
  
  
• Support from me and Stampin' Up! Stampin' Up loves its demonstrators and it shows through their demonstrator support materials, including a monthly magazine, workshop ideas, and audio and video trainings on all kinds of topics available on our Demonstrator Web Site.  Click here to learn more about the programs I offer to my Demonstrators!

So what are you waiting for? Contact me TODAY to join my Stampin' Up! family! Go to my website and click the "start your own business " tab.  Use my password of join me!

**As an Added Bonus, the first FIVE PEOPLE to sign up as Demonstrators between now and August 31st will receive the In-Colour Marker Set for FREE as a gift from me!**

Deal of the Week #4 (July 20-27)

Check it out!  The deal of the week this week is the Styled Vanilla Hodgepodge Hardware, which is on sale for $26.99 (regularly $41.95) - get in there and get it before the end of the week! 

ALSO, if you purchase this Deal of the Week, OR place an order for $25 of merchandise before July 31st, I will give you a New Idea Book and Catalog for FREE!  (value $11.95)  Don't want to place an order?  I'm offering the catalog for $5 for this week as well!  Drop on by and pick it up!!

Reward Class is August 19th & Summer Special!

For those of you who helped me in my final push for earning the cruise this year by placing an order in May or June, you will be receiving an email in thanks with an invitation to the free class I told you about for your reward! 

We'll be making this adorable 'chest of drawers' at the reward class on August 19th (Wednesday), from 7-9pm.  These little bureaus were making the rounds on Splitcoast a month or so back, and I had to try my hand at it.  I don't know who originally inspired it (if you do, give credit), but I had to play with the new papers and try out a daisy with the awesome grommets and felt buttons.. 

If you made a purchase in May/June, look for your invitation soon!!

For those of you who didn't qualify for this class, you can make this yourself  with the following supplies:

• Matchbox BigShot Die
• Top Note Bigshot Die
• Crushed Curry Polka Dot Grosgrain Ribbon
• Pretties Kit (flower)
• Large Grommet
• Summer Sun Corduroy Brad
• 5/16" Brads
• Chipboard (page 185)
• Razzleberry Lemonade DSP
• Sticky Tape
• Tombow Glue

SUMMER SPECIAL: if you place an order with me for 6 or more of the items above by Sunday, July 26th, I will pay your shipping for you!  ORDER NOW on my website or call/email me with your order!

Come Out Tomorrow to See the New Catalog!!

I'm SO excited!  I'm just finishing up preparations for tomorrow's big event - my annual New Catalog Open House!  WOO HOO!  Seriously, this catalog is the best yet, everyone agrees, and there are so many incredible new products, I have had a hard time choosing which one to show you - for a while you were going to stay a month at my house while I showed you everything!!! :)  LOL

I have space for a few late-registrations (without make 'n takes), so if you want to pop in tomorrow, just register yourself a place for either the morning or afternoon session!  Click here to register!

AND... how about another special?????  OK!  Now, several of you who are travelling this weekend have asked if you can submit an order for tomorrow and still have the specials honoured - YES, you can send me an order to get the specials, but it must be in by tomorrow (Saturday), 5pm!  Here are two new specials for tomorrow!!!

1) IN COLOUR MADNESS: Purchase a pack of each in-colour paper and each of the in-colour inkpads & ink refills, and receive the set of matching in-colour markers for FREE as my gift to you! 

2) SIGN UP AS A DEMONSTRATOR: Sign up as a Demonstrator tomorrow with either the Special $105 mini-starter kit OR the full starter kit, and receive the set of in-colour markers as my gift to you!

Here's the original post about tomorrow's event - see you then!!!

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Are you ready to see the new catalog??  I'm SO excited to announce the date for this - it's one of my most popular events!  I will be showcasing all the new items and techniques on July 18th!  Pick either the morning session or the afternoon session - both are the same!

You will:

• Get a look at the new product lines, accessories, SUPER CUTE new stuff and more!
• Get a chance at specials that ONLY HAPPEN at my Open Houses!
• Watch Demonstrations using the hottest new items every hour!
• Have your name entered into draws for door prizes EVERY HOUR, AND a grand prize basket of over $100 in value!
• Place an order of $25 or more, and get a FREE CATALOG (value $12)

More specials to be announced as the event approaches! I will be limiting attendance this time, so be sure you reserve a space by RSVP'ing early!

Special #1 (announced June 1st):

BRING A FRIEND who is new to me, and each of you get 3 Extra Doorprize Tickets!   Be sure to register them below, so that there is a doorprize ticket for them!

Special #2 (announced June 16th):

All orders for $50+ placed at the Open House will receive FREE SHIPPING!

Special #3 (announced July 17th)

IN COLOUR MADNESS: Purchase a pack of each in-colour paper and each of the in-colour inkpads, and receive the set of matching in-colour markers for FREE as my gift to you! 

Special #4 (announced July 17th)

SIGN UP AS A DEMONSTRATOR: Sign up as a Demonstrator tomorrow with either the Special $105 mini-starter kit OR the full starter kit, and receive the set of in-colour markers as my gift to you!