Stellar Stamps

Our big Stampin' Up! news!!!!!!!!!

Oh my gosh, I cannot believe what happened tonight at the Stampin' Up! convention Awards Night. Cherise and I both won big awards!!! The brief recap now since it's late and we've been getting to bed late and then getting up at 5 AM to race to get into queue's at 6:30 AM to get into a big general meeting room with 6000 other demonstrators! Then in meetings ALL day then racing to get to the evening events. We're exhilirated but exhausted!

Long story but I am making it super duper short. First big news which is just awesome and amazing is that my downline, Cherise Schlicher, who learned just a few days ago that she was winning some award here... then learned when she got here that she earned something so big that it qualified for the premiere honor and prize: an invitation to the annual Founder's Circle retreat hosted, personally, by CEO Shelli Gardner. Only about 150 of the over 49,000 demonstrators are awarded this honor. We knew we both got it when they gave us the special tote that we get to carry around but we didn't know what it was for. It's a gorgeous, pale pink tote that looks leather. Super classy! Well.... drum roll please..... SU gives 15, and 15 ONLY, awards to the top demonstrators who have just completed their first full fiscal year with the company. This award is called "Rising Star" and is a fitting title. Cherise learned tonight that she is a Rising Star, in 15th Place. Amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Fantastic!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Woo hoo for Cherise. There are many photos but they are taking too long to upload so will do them from home next week.

As for me, another long story but the short version is that 2 years ago, I was #21 Demonstrator of the Year. In 2007, I was #55. I came to convention just hoping to improve over my 55th place last year. I was shocked to discover that I am #19 and I won $5000!!! I also won a sterling silver Tiffany bracelet for another achievement. I am SOOOOOOOOOO excited!!! And blown away. Totally and completely surprised, shocked, HONORED!!!!!!!!!!

Super fun for me was meeting one of my downline for the first time today. Lisa is from Baltimore and she is a doll!

Cathy, my friend and traveling companion and downline, has been here with her leg in a soft cast! She is a trouper of the highest order!

So much to share but we are on this whirlwind here. Incredibly tight schedule. More later....

I'm at convention!!!

Hello :) I'm finally in SLC! It's been months of waiting and it is already proving to be even more than I expected. So much to tell but I have a tiny window to post. I have a few photos but before that, the new catalog is AWESOME! We received our spiral bound which is a special convention treat (yours won't be spiral bound - but if you sign up as a demo and go to convention, yours can be too.. hint, hint).

I'll try to throw some photos in to give you a sense of the aura and excitement. Will try to label them later but for now they're of the inside of the Salt Palace convention center while we waited in line for Memento Mall to open. It opened at 9 AM and we were in line at 6:30 AM with about 10 gals ahead of us. A total of 7000-8000 demos are either here or checking in today. I'm traveling with 2 downline: Cathy and Cherise and I am dying to get to know Lisa, another downline, here from Maryland. I met her for a second as I was following a group to another line but could not stop as we were on a tight time schedule to get to our tour bus to go the the SU headquarters. You'll figure out that when you see the warehouse photos, etc..

Anyway, some photos might need explaining but, for now, I'm just going to paste a few in to share what we've been up to this first full day here.

Note: I discovered it'll be easier to post into a Photo Album so look in my album section here on this blog - it's in an album (they're alphabetical) called "SU! Convention 2008" - it's down the left column of this screen. I could only upload 15 of over 130 photos (dial-up modem) because we have to leave for an SCS event (dinner with 400 other SCS demos and a swap with 45 of them). I will add more photos tonight.

SPOILER ALERT: There WILL be photos of the new catalog so if you do not want to see anything or know anything until you get your copy of the catalog then please do not read any of my blog posts or look at my photos.

My Stampin' Up! convention swap card for the SCS dinner

I'm leaving for the airport in a hair over 3 hours. En route to Salt Lake City for Stampin' Up!s 20th anniversary convention - been a demo over 6 years and this is my first convention!

I finished my swaps a couple days ago. I joined only one: the SplitCoastStampers Dinner Swap. We were assigned just under 50 to make.

Here's a copy of the label information I put on the back of each. I love the color combo - a blend of old (Elegant Eggplant) and brand new (Kiwi Kiss In Color). The stamp set I featured (Owl Together Now) will be in the new catalog and was ONLY given to demonstrators who were on the cruise to Bermuda in April. We used it for our Make N Take. It's a rare set to have and I wanted to show it off ;-)

Stamp sets: Owl Together Now & Canvas

Card Stock: Kiwi Kiss IC, Elegant Eggplant & Confetti White

Stampin’ Pads: Kiwi Kiss IC, Elegant Eggplant & Basic Gray

Markers: Creamy Caramel, Close to Cocoa, Old Olive, Summer Sun, Blush Blossom & Really Rust

DSP: Bella Rose

Punches: Scallop Edge, 1 3/8” Circle, 1 ¼” Circle, Small Oval, Large Oval & Scallop Circle

Miscellaneous: Crop-A-Dile, 2-Way Glue Pen, SNAIL Adhesive, Stampin’ Dimensionals

New Bella Rose Designer Series Paper covered composition book

Leaving for Salt Lake City, Utah for Stampin' Up!s 20th anniversary convention tomorrow! I noted that they suggested we bring something to take notes on. What a great idea! I just received my sneak peek order and in it was the new 12 x 12 "Bella Rose" Designer Series Paper. I used only pieces from there (plus a tiny piece of Kiwi Kiss card stock) and I also used the new Scallop Edge punch. Note how there's a straight vertical line right next to the scalloped edge. Well... I scalloped the edge of a piece of DSP paper without cutting all the way to the edge on either end. That allowed the extra piece that would have fallen off to stay connected about 1/8" away from the scalloped edge. I simply used spray adhesive and gently laid it down on the front cover to create a neat 2-piece border between the floral rose print and the large polka dots. FYI, the Kiwi Kiss strip is the reverse of the roses piece.

 

The secret to smooth edges is..... adhering the DSP so it goes off the edge of the book. Then when dry, I take a sanding block or sponge and just sand the edge. The excess DSP just falls off eventually!

I used Lovely Letters to monogram my book - voila! A unique and fresh (using hot new DSP) notebook to take to convention!

Project: "Dreams du Jour" Card (this set is part of the sneak peek into the Fall-Winter 2008 Catalog)

Stamps: DREAMS DU JOUR STAMP SET	Paper: CARD STOCK CONFETTI WHITE 8 1/2X11 2" x 2" CARD STOCK RUBY RED 8 1/2X11 2 1/4" x 2 1/4" CARD STOCK BASIC BLACK 8 1/2X11 8" x 4" CARD STOCK SO SAFFRON 8 1/2X11 4" x 1 1/4" (with torn edges)
Ink STAZON PAD JET BLACK CLASSIC STAMPIN PAD RUBY RED CLASSIC STAMPIN PAD OLD OLIVE CLASSIC STAMPIN PAD SO SAFFRON	Accessories: SCISSORS PAPER SNIPS PAPER CUTTER CRAFTERS' TOOL KIT SNAIL ADHESIVE PERMANENT STAMPIN DIMENSIONALS RIBBON GROSGRAIN BASIC BLACK 1/4 INCH
Instructions 1. Tear and distress top and bottom edges of So Saffron card stock (4" x 1-1/4") and adhere to Basic Black card. 2. Tie Basic Black 1/4" grosgrain ribbon around front of card. 3. Pierce rows of holes in Ruby Red card stock (2-1/4" x 2-1/4") using paper-piercing tool from Crafters’ Tool Kit. Distress edges of card stock and adhere to card using Stampin’ Dimensionals. 4. Stamp “We grow great by dreams” in Jet Black StazOn ink on Confetti White card stock (2" x 2"). Watercolor image with Old Olive, Ruby Red, and So Saffron ink using Aqua Painter. Cut out and adhere to Ruby Red square using Stampin’ Dimensionals.

Project: It's A Boy hostess box

Stamps: NURSERY NECESSITIES STAMP SET	Paper: CARD STOCK WHISPER WHITE 8 1/2X11 CARD STOCK CERTAINLY CELERY  8 1/2X11 CARD STOCK TEXTURED SOFT SUBTLES 12 X 12
Ink CLASSIC STAMPIN PAD BASHFUL BLUE	Accessories: STAMPIN DIMENSIONALS
Instructions 1.  Use the Download Little-Letters.pdf. Enlarge pattern approximately 140% to equal 2-inch sides. Note: Cut off top flaps from pattern so that the box is open at the top when assembled. 2. Stamp “It’s a boy” in Bashful Blue ink on Bashful Blue textured card stock (8-1/2" x 3-1/2"). Assemble box. 3. Adhere strip of Certainly Celery textured card stock (9" x 1/2") around box.    4. Punch circle from Whisper White card stock (2" x 2") using 1-3/8" Circle punch. Stamp alphabet star image in Bashful Blue ink on Whisper White card stock; cut out. Adhere star to circle using Stampin’ Dimensionals. Adhere to front of box.

Stampin' Up! to Offer Online Ordering for Customers!

I am so excited!!! Today we heard a big announcement from Stampin' Up! that soon (didn't say when) our customers will be able to order directly off our website OR directly off the SU customer website. That means you can have 24/7 access to SU products and even place an order at 1 AM in your jammies!

There were some differences between ordering on my site (www.StellarStamps.StampinUp.net) or the SU one (www.StampinUp.com) and the primary difference is that it'll be cheaper to do it on my SU site rather than on the main corporate SU site (SU is offering a lower price if you order through a demonstrator). Another thing to note is that there was no discussion about a demonstrator offering a freebie, discount or personal incentive. My guess is that I'd have to handle that the same way I do it now (you email me with your order) and that you won't be able to get my deals via this additional/new method of ordering. But if you want to order and pay full price, you will have that option without involving me at all. You can use your credit card as well. For some, it may be convenient. Others may want to keep with me processing the orders personally to keep getting those promotions I offer. It's all good in my opinion. Something for everyone!!

As soon as I learn when this will be available, I'll let ya know.

My personal Stampin' Up! Promotions and Discounts

With all the retiring stamps and retiring accessories lists out now, remember:

For every order of $150+ sent via email (not valid with in-home workshops), I PAY TAX, I PAY SHIPPING and you get ALL the hostess benefits you qualify for from Stampin' Up! (pages 18-26 of the catalog) without having a party or getting out of your jammies! Think of it this way, when you look at an item and see its price, that's what you pay me. Not one penny more. I pay the rest!

For every order of $70+ sent via email (not valid with in-home workshops), I PAY SHIPPING.

When time is of the essence, payment must be via Pay Pal only. You do not have to have a Pay Pal account to pay me via Pay Pal.

Tell a friend!

All orders for this current catalog MUST be emailed to me no later than August 8.

This offer good through August 8, 2008.

Discounted Retiring Stampin' Up! Accessories Promotion

Stampin' Up! has never offered any discount on retiring accessories until now. This is ONLY the portion of the retiring list that is discounted. The rest of the list will release on Monday. They are indicating that these items will run out faster than the other retiring accessories so time is of the essence on these hot deals!

Here's the flyer: Download US_discount_accessoires.pdf

Dates: July 21-August 10 (or while supplies last)

Promotion Details:

Save 25% off the following retiring accessories:

Item #	Pg. #	Description	Regular Price	25% Off Price
109117	167	Pocket Notes assortment	$9.95	$7.46
110479	168	Jersey Shore Designer Series paper	$9.95	$7.46
110699	168	East Coast Prep Designer Series paper	$9.95	$7.46
109159	169	Flowers For You  Designer Series paper	$9.95	$7.46
110273	169	Spring Fling Designer Series paper	$9.95	$7.46
110748	170	Notebook Designer Series paper	$9.95	$7.46
109153	170	Porcelain Prints Designer Series paper	$9.95	$7.46
110751	171	Azure Designer Series paper	$9.95	$7.46
109164	171	River Rock Prints Designer Series paper	$9.95	$7.46
109175	171	Almost Amethyst Prints Designer Series paper	$9.95	$7.46
109168	171	Groovy Guava Prints Designer Series paper	$9.95	$7.46
109169	171	Close to Cocoa Prints Designer Series paper	$9.95	$7.46
110284	182	Eastern Elegance Rub-Ons	$10.95	$8.21
110285	182	Urban West Rub-Ons	$10.95	$8.21
110281	182	Cherished Memories Rub-Ons	$10.95	$8.21
109185	190	Jersey Ribbon Originals	$12.95	$9.71
109187	190	District Ribbon Originals	$12.95	$9.71
109189	190	Beachfront Ribbon Originals	$12.95	$9.71
110716	191	Wild Wasabi striped grosgrain ribbon	$7.95	$5.96
109062	191	River Rock double-stitched grosgrain ribbon	$8.95	$6.71

Two Double-Stitched Ribbons No Longer Available

Our In Color products are one of our most popular product lines. We do our best to anticipate customer demand, but we have sold out of the ribbons below. They are no longer available. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Item Number	Description
109060	Blue Bayou Double-Stitched Ribbon
109061	Purely Pomegranate Double-Stitched Ribbon

Technique: Crinkle Technique

1. Wrinkle of a piece of scrap card stock into a ball. Straighten it out. You might want to do this a couple of times to get it good & wrinkly!

 
2. Ink up a bold image. Lightly stamp it onto your wrinkly card stock. The raised areas of the wrinkled card stock take off some of the ink.

3. Without re-inking your image.....stamp it onto your card or project. The image that you stamped now has a nice crinkly texture.

Idea: Life is Good Scrapbook Page

Life Is Good 6 x 6 Scrapbook page
Stamps: TEXT & TEXTURE STAMP SET	Paper: CARD STOCK WHISPER WHITE 8 1/2X11 CARD STOCK RUBY RED 8 1/2X11
Ink STAMPIN WRITE MARKER CHOCOLATE CHIP CLASSIC STAMPIN PAD CHOCOLATE CHIP	Accessories: SCISSORS PAPER SNIPS BUTTONS EARTH ELEMENTS PAPER CUTTER THREAD LINEN SNAIL ADHESIVE PERMANENT STAMPIN DIMENSIONALS RIBBON GROSGRAIN CHOCOLATE CHIP 5/8 INCH ACCENTS & ELEMENTS MESSENGER
Instructions 1. Adhere photo to Ruby Red page. 2. Adhere Chocolate Chip wide grosgrain ribbon to page. 3. Stamp “Life is good” in Chocolate Chip ink on Whisper White card stock (3-1/2" x 1-7/8"). Adhere die-cut flower above “I” and die-cut border on right edge of card stock. Adhere card stock to page. 4. Adhere die-cut flowers together using Stampin’ Dimensionals and adhere to page. Tie linen thread through Ruby Red button and adhere button to top flower. 5. Journal on page using Chocolate Chip Stampin’ Write marker.

Stampin' Up!s new Home Decor product line brochure

Link here to see all the new Home Decor products SU is now selling. Then email me with your order today! Download decorelements_web.pdf

Stampin' Up! announces all NEW sets to be die-cut!

Posted today: all new stamp sets in the Fall-Winter 2008 Idea Book & Catalog (including new hostess sets) will be die cut for your convenience! All stamps that carry over into the new catalog from the current one are not die-cut. Isn't that awesome???!!!! That tells me that eventually all the stamp sets are likely to be die-cut as older sets retire. Woo hoo!

Stampin' Up! discounts Hodgepodge Hardware

From now through August 10

Item #	Page #	Item Description	Regular Price	Limited Time 25% off Discount
105532	188	Aged Copper Hodgepodge Hardware	$27.95	$20.96
105531	188	Antique Brass Hodgepodge Hardware	$27.95	$20.96
105515	188	Pewter Hodgepodge Hardware	$27.95	$20.96