Stellar Stamps

It's Certainly been a Celery day today!

Pardon the pun in my post title but I couldn't resist! I made two cards for two totally different occasions today using the same color scheme.

I received a lovely congrats note from a demonstrator who I ran into at convention who I met on the Bermuda cruise. We're in the same group under the same upline a few levels up. I was so touched by her thoughtful note of congrats on my Demo of the Year award so I made her a card today. I just love simple cards that I think are elegant and I think this is one of those. It's very "me".

Supplies used:

Stamp sets: Inspired by Nature, Pocket Silhouettes (sentiment)
Card stock: Certainly Celery, Basic Black, Confetti White
Ink: Craft Certainly Celery, Classic Basic Gray
Clear Embossing Powder
Ribbon: 5/8" Grosgrain - Certainly Celery

And in keeping with today's celery theme, a former downline had a baby recently. I found a 6 x 6 pad of scrapbook paper in a cupboard last weekend that I had forgotten about that had this light green baby print paper in it. I loved it and instantly knew it'd be part of this special baby card.

Stamp set: Nursery Necessities, Canvas

Card stock: Certainly Celery, Wild Wasabi, Confetti White

Scrapbook paper: MIni Stack by Die Cut With a View (JoAnn's)

Ink: Classic Certainly Celery, Basic Gray

Ribbon: 5/8" Grosgrain - Certainly Celery

I just love it when Stampin' Up! sends this...

When a demonstrator earns the incentive trip or is invited to Founder's Circle, Stampin' Up! (of course) pays for everything and arranges everything. One thing that always triggers excitement for me is when the travel documents arrive and they did so today!

There is always a theme in terms of color or pattern from a ribbon or something "hot" that year. This year at convention all Founder's Circle award winners were given the pink Founder's Circle tote bag (you can see it on my convention photos - link thru a post dated somewhere around Aug. 3). It is gorgeous! So, it was not too much of a surprise, when I opened the package sent from the travel incentive company SU uses, to find my Founder's Circle travel pouch for this year. See photos below. Classy! We always get luggage tags, flight paperwork, an itinerary, etc...

It's less than 3 weeks away now! I signed up for the Narrows Trail Tour at Zion National Park which a fellow demonstrator is organizing. I read some chatter that made a lot of sense to me. They have spa services available where we're going but one demo said "why do an activity alone when we have such a short time to be with our peers ... I don't want to miss an opportunity to get to know others rather than be alone having a massage." Her viewpoint works for me and I'm glad she said it otherwise I'd be having a facial or massage all alone. Anyway, this hike goes down to the base of Zion in a creek that is between narrow rock formations. It is SO cool. Have never been but heard great tales about it. Can't wait! I fly into Vegas then we somehow get transported the 90 miles (I think) to St. George, Utah.

Love covering those old composition books!

Am putting a care package together for college frosh daughter Kirsten, who is on the other side of the US. In addition to the requisite Pop Tarts, I made her two custom composition books. After high school graduation, Kirsten spent a few weeks in Europe (Italy and France included) with her brother so that will explain the theme I chose for her books. These have got to be the easiest & quickest hand-made project ever and a great way to use up the zillions of sheets of scrapbook paper I have. Shhh.... don't tell her... they're a surprise!

Introducing Club Ten... or Club Six... or Club Five... almost as fun as Club Med!

I'm starting some monthly clubs. Read here for details! Download stellas_club_ten_flyer.doc  

Three of my workshop cards and my hostess made something too!

Had a workshop last night at Resa's. Here are the three cards we made. Resa had asked for a Spinner Card, hence, the apple one from Tart & Tangy. I was inspired by Mary Polcin, at convention, when I made the pink Upsy Daisy card. Then, lastly, I stepped outside of most people's inclination to use Bold Brights for a child's card and made my Wild About You card with Earth Elements.

Resa had a bowl of these darling nugget purses. She took inspiration from a blog tutorial here: http://chicnscratch.typepad.com/stampinacademy/2008/01/nugget-purse-vi.html

Here's a handout I included last night which lists the recipe and dimensions of every card: Download su_workshop_recipes_aug_26_08.doc

Introducing Club Marker! First one begins September 1st

It's time to start Club Marker, the four-month club where you can buy all 48 markers, the carrying case, all four color families of 8 1/2" x 11" card stock, and be a hostess once which earns one Level-1 set (or higher depending on the total of the order for that month) and at least $15 in free additional product.

Cost = $47 per month which includes tax and shipping.

If you are not local to me, I will ship your monthly purchase at no additional cost!

See my flyer below for details, tell a friend (or 2 or 3) and sign up today! We need FOUR for every Club Marker.

FIRST CLUB BEGINS SEPTEMBER 1!! However, if you have 4 members and you want to start one at a different date, just say the word. I can have several clubs going on at the same time.

Here are the details and here's a link to the flyer if you want to print it out. Download stellas_club_marker.doc

Stampin’ Write Marker Club or “Club Marker”

Does your Stampin’ Up! ® “Wish List” include the 48 Stampin’ Write Markers with the storage case? You can purchase the entire set over a four-month period plus earn free Stampin’ Up! products at the same time.

“Club Marker” will consist of four members and run for four consecutive months.  Each member will be the hostess once during the club cycle. The hostess month is determined on a first-come, first-served basis, so whoever signs up first will be the first hostess, etc. The hostess for that month will be able to choose at least $15 in free SU merchandise plus one free Level-1 stamp set. You may add other products to your order to increase your hostess benefits. 

YOU WILL RECEIVE:

Each Month

-          One color family (12) of Stampin’ Write Markers, and;

-          One pack of the same family of coordinating 8 ½” x 11” cardstock.

Hostess Month

-          All the above, and;

-          Stampin’ Write Markers Plastic Storage/Carrying Case, and;

-          $15 (or more) in products from any current Stampin’ Up! catalog (regular or mini), and;

-          One, Level-1 (or higher) hostess item from the Fall-Winter 2008 Idea Book & Catalog, and;

-          If you choose to gather outside orders or schedule a workshop when it’s your turn as hostess, you may earn even more free products. 

PAYMENT:

-          Payment will be due to me by the 3rd of each month. You may pay by check, cash, or Pay Pal.

-          The cost for participating in the marker club is $47 per month (this includes tax and shipping).

-          You will commit to participate in all four months.

At the end of four months, each member will have a complete set of 48 markers with the storage case, all four color families of card stock, a Level-1 stamp set & at least $15 in free merchandise!

If you are not local to me, I will ship your monthly club purchase to you at no extra cost!

The next “Club Marker” begins September 1st. Email to sign up.

Stella MacKay – StellarStamps@comcast.net

In my spare time, I inhale....

... fumes, that is! Just so you get an idea how I do it (I won't even try to explain "why" -- it's just one of those A-type little quirks of mine), here's my garage floor soon after I get any new stamp set. I seal the woods on all sides. I have done it for at least a couple years. I know it helps repel ink and I think it adds life to my stamps. It also helps with resale when they retire as it implies longevity and that I took care of them. Anyway, here's my garage floor at this very minute. I use all sorts of sealers. This time I am using the Triple-Coat Clear Glaze Krylon shown in the photo (bought at Wal Mart for $2.97). I prefer it because I only have to do one coat on each side. Speeds things up for me. Be sure to ventilate properly!

 

A horrific tragedy for a fellow demonstrator

Though I have never met Susan (a fellow demonstrator), I heard her tragic story of loss today on SplitCoastStampers. Apparently, Susan's 17 yr. old son Thomas, who was to turn 18 this week, was killed in a freak accident on a construction site he worked on. He was just about to start college and he was just finishing up this summer job. I know that many of my customers appreciate the opportunity to make a card for someone who could really benefit from it. This is one such opportunity to share our love of card making to help ease Susan's pain. She replied to the post on SCS and willingly shared her address with other stampers and is welcoming notes of condolence. If you are so inclined.......

Susan Puckett
4758 Banks Creek Church Road
Portal, GA 30450

My new bestest buddies from convention

It's been 2 weeks and I'm STILL on the convention high! I was looking at my album of photos just now since I made a personal, mini album for my SAM, Brady using photos in my big, main album. When I looked at my 500 photos, this one just jumped out at me. This is the BEST thing I took home from convention: making wonderful new friends! We met on the first night, even before most demonstrators had even arrived in Salt Lake City. We went to this restaurant for dinner just based on a thread on SCS inviting demos from Track 10 to meet if we got to Utah early. It was the best decision because meeting Tami, Lori, Chris and Anna was the highlight for me and had we not gone to that dinner at the Blue Iguana.....

You know what's also neat is that we're primarily from opposite sides of the US. Cathy, Cherise and I are in California. Lori, Tami and Chris are on the east coast. Anna is in the "middle" in Ohio. What a neat way to meet gals from other parts of the US. And, ya know what??? We're all the same goofy girls!

Anyway, here's the gang taken on the steps in front of center stage at convention. From left to right is Lori Teclar, Chris Pyrch, Tami Morkan, Cathy Williams (my downline) and Cherise Schlicher (my downline & Rising Star #15 this year!).. then at the bottom is me and Anna Haase.

A little video from Stampin' Up!s convention

Dina, a demonstrator from Canada and a new friend, was THE life of the party at convention. Yesterday she shared this with me to ask if it was OK to use a few of my photos in it. The first one with the convention logo is mine plus you'll see me in the reflection of the glass taking the photo, LOL! I'm in another (sitting at a table) during the SCS dinner I think. In any event, Dina is fantastic and I think her video is great. Here it is (be sure your computer speakers are on as there's music too):

Dina's video - click here

P.S. It'll be easy to figure out who Dina is... look for the very proud Canadian!

Just stumbled upon this -- gotta give the creator props for, uh, courage

Yes, you are reading it correctly, TAMPON CRAFTS Note, do not read this if you have a full bladder!

How about an In Color coordinating color chart?

I feel like I've struck gold today. Every rock I look under on the Stampin' Up! website, I find another new resource that partners with the new catalog. See link below for a color chart that shows which existing SU colors work well with the new In Color line. Thanks SU!

Download CHART_incolorCombos.pdf

A list of the new Designer Series Paper and the SU colors that coordinate with each one

Fall-Winter 2008 Designer Series Paper

Coordinating Color Chart

 

• 12" x 12", 100-lb text-weight paper
• 6 patterns per assortment
• 12 sheets per package (2 each of 6 designs)
• Exclusive designs and colors, with patterns based on Stampin’ Up! art
• Coordinate with Stampin’ Up!’s exclusive colors:

 

• Banbury: Bashful Blue, Certainly Celery, Close to Cocoa, Pixie Pink

 

• Bella Rose: Chocolate Chip, Kiwi Kiss, Pink Pirouette, Riding Hood Red

 

• Georgia Peach: Old Olive, Pretty in Pink, Regal Rose, So Saffron

 

• Ghostly Greetings: Basic Black, Basic Gray, Kiwi Kiss, Pumpkin Pie

 

• Green Tea: Baja Breeze, Certainly Celery, Old Olive

 

• Haiku: More Mustard, Old Olive, So Saffron, Tangerine Tango

 

• Hawaii Papaya: Chocolate Chip, Kiwi Kiss, Tangerine Tango

 

• Holiday Treasures: Baja Breeze, Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, Ruby Red

 

• Junior Varsity: Bashful Blue, Old Olive, Rose Red, So Saffron

 

• Maine Blueberry: Bashful Blue, Old Olive, Not Quite Navy

 

• Manchester: Always Artichoke, Baja Breeze, Kraft, Very Vanilla

 

• Muirfield: Baja Breeze, Kiwi Kiss, Pacific Point, Very Vanilla

 

• Parisian Summer: Bravo Burgundy, Pink Pirouette, Sahara Sand, So Saffron

 

• Patterns: Monochromatic papers available in Baja Breeze, Bashful Blue, Certainly Celery, Chocolate Chip, Kiwi Kiss, Old Olive, Pacific Point, Perfect Plum, Pink Pirouette, Riding Hood Red, Rose Red, So Saffron, Tangerine Tango

 

• Prestwick: Basic Gray, Brocade Blue, Garden Green, Night of Navy

 

• Rainbow Sherbet: Apricot Appeal, Gable Green, Green Galore, Tempting Turquoise

 

• Sweet Always: Chocolate Chip, Pink Pirouette, Pumpkin Pie, Regal Rose

 

• Urban Garden: Baja Breeze, Basic Gray, Kiwi Kiss, Not Quite Navy

 

• Washington Apple: Bashful Blue, Pumpkin Pie, Riding Hood Red, So Saffron

 

• Windsor Knot: Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, Sage Shadow, So Saffron

Why?

Why should you sign up as a demonstrator with me or at all?

• 20% discount on every product and every order, even if you buy for yourself
• Ability to earn awards that have cash prizes (I won $5000 cash just a few weeks ago plus a Tiffany bracelet and $2500 cash last winter to name a few!)
• Ability to swap cards, samples, flyers, ideas, workshop outlines and more with other demos
• Ability to work from home
• Access to the demonstrator-only area of SplitCoastStampers
• Access to the demonstrator-only area of the Stampin’ Up! website
• Annual convention full of fun, friendship, surprise announcements and inspiration
• Being in a downline with a nationally-ranked demonstrator – me!
• Being part of a company based on these principles: Integrity, Relationships, Balance, Personal Development, Positive Environment, Growth, Efficiency and Change
• Being part of a company with these articulated Vision Goals: We will make a difference in the lives of others by sharing creativity and opportunities to enhance lives. We will be the best-known company in the world for inspiring creativity, as we share what we love with others in several countries. We will help people around the world strengthen relationships between families and friends through creativity and worthwhile accomplishments. Those who associate with us will have fun and feel loved.
• Being part of a company with this “Statement of the Heart” mission statement: 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!
• Company website full of workshop wizard templates, samples, patterns, ideas, forms, flyers, online brochures, chat room, reports, etc. regarding your demonstratorship
• Demonstrator support by phone Monday thru Friday, access to website 24/7
• Early access to promotions that only demonstrators can enjoy, such as extra discount for certain new sets last June that were part of this new catalog
• Fresh catalog twice per year
• Incentive Trips earned to exotic locals such as the ones I’ve earned to the Panama Canal, Aruba, Bermuda, Bahamas and Hawaii
• Independent Contractor status – be your own boss
• Leadership seminar invitation when you reach Manager status – this year’s will be in Orlando, Florida in January.
• Making a difference through volunteer opportunities at Ronald McDonald House Charities
• Mini Catalogs with even more fresh product offered in addition to main catalogs
• Monthly contests you can enter and compete with other demonstrators then have your winning entry published
• Monthly Stampin’ Success magazine full of demonstrator support and ideas
• No inventory to keep on hand
• No limit to how much you can earn
• No pressure to hold a workshop, ever
• Online ordering system for demonstrators which can be accessed 24/7
• Ordering online directly for your customers 24/7 beginning this fall
• Product incentives such as free stamps and products “purchased” using points earned
• Promotions based on specific and achievable criteria
• Regional seminars at a city near you (hopefully!)
• Self-employed with tax benefits
• Sheesh, for $99, why not????
• Sheesh #2, for $199 and an added free set in your kit from SU, why not???
  
• Sole requirement to stay active is to sell $300 per quarter
• Stampin’ Start Program for new demonstrators where you can earn free stamps
• The support and friendship of the over 48,000 demonstrators nationwide
• Training in every aspect of your demonstratorship whether you want to sign up just for the discount or to make this a career – Stampin’ Up! loves and supports us all!
• Very low start-up cost
• Volume rebate paid monthly by direct deposit
• Your own personal Stampin’ Up! website designed by the corporate office – no technical ability necessary
• These are just a few of the innumerable awesome reasons to join me and join the Stampin’ Up! family!

Happy Birthday Mini-Me!

Monday, August 18, Kendall (my 3rd of 4 children) turns 13! I've survived two other teens under my roof... I think I can survive another but forget it when it comes to teaching another kid to drive. I don't think I can do that ever again! This photo was taken last weekend when the whole family went out to dinner to celebrate. Older brother and sister left for college August 12, way across country, so we had to celebrate early to get us all in one place to honor Kendall.

Tomorrow (Monday) we spent the day, from opening to closing, at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom for her birthday activity. Her 2 friends will be here shortly to spend the night. Before the sleepover, we'll all go out for sushi at our favorite sushi place where Matt works when he's home from school. I love that Kendall chose sushi. It warms my heart as a mother that she is accepting of my old-fashioned "you will try anything" rule. I think because of my eastern European upbringing, I do eat just about anything and I have been very steadfast in my admonition to my kids to do the same. They all love sushi.. hooray!!! Unfortunately, Dad is still in Alabama with the older two until tomorrow night so it'll be me, younger bro Michael, Kendall and her 2 friends for the amusement park.

So, to honor Kendall, I wanted to share a little bit about her and show you our photo from last weekend's dinner. Doesn't she look a lot like me?

 

And so I don't leave anyone else out who was at Kendall's dinner... here's Matt and Kirsten with Granma  (Jan) then there's Dad (Doug) with Michael.