Promotion Monday

Happy Monday Everyone!

Who doesn't like a Promotion? It's great when you can get something FREE. Here are a few projects and details of just one of the fabulous promotions offered by Stampin' Up! just now.

Two of our Divas, both from Texas (Maria Williams from Katy and Ruthie Burkey from Fort Worth) sent me their creations using products from this promotion. Featured today you will see the "Year after Year" , "Life's a Breeze" and the "Enjoy every Moment" bundles.

Maria made this adorable page. I had the opportunity to be Maria's Stampin' Sister and she is one creative Diva. She can 'bring' things to life. Talking of life, look at her adorable baby 'Brooke'. What a wonderful way to show various pictures on one page.

Stamps: Enjoy Every Moment, Daisy Dash Wheel

Paper: Spring Fling DS, Pretty in Pink, Certainly Celery, Whisper White

Ink: Rose Red, Pretty in Pink

Accessories: White Gel Pen, Chocolate Chip Stampin' Write Marker, Word Window Punch, Corner Rounder Punch, Circle Punch

Maria also made this fabulous card using the "Enjoy Every Moment" bundle.

Stamps: Enjoy Every Moment, Daisy Dash Wheel

Paper: Berry Bliss DP, Purely Pomegranate, Close To Cocoa, Whisper White

Ink: Purely Pomegranate, Close to Cocoa, Pretty in Pink, VersaMark

Accessories: Paper Piercer, Dimensionals

I ran the wheel as a background on the base of the Close to Cocoa cs using VersaMark ink. I even ran the wheel again in VersaMark, over the whisper white cardstock.


Both Maria and Ruthie made cards using the bundles. ('Year after Year' and 'Life's a Breeze')

Maria's card:

Stamps: Phrases for a Friend, Year After Year, See You Around Wheel

Paper: Only Orange, Tempting Turquoise, Yoyo Yellow, Basic Black, Whisper White

Ink: Basic Black, VersaMark

Accessories: Bold Brights Brads, Stampin' Write Basic Black Marker

Ruthie's Card:

Isn't this just too cute! What a great way to use the vellum! What a clever way to stamp the 'O'. Just LOVE that wheel.

SET: Life's a Breeze, Something Fishy SA Jumbo Wheel

PAPER: Vellum Cardstock, Whisper White, Bashful Blue

INK: Night of Navy, Summer Sun, Only Orange

Free Wheelin' Promotion If you haven't experienced the fun, ease, and versatility of our Stampin' Around wheels, now is your chance. From March 18 through April 30, when you buy a pre-selected stamp set, you'll receive the coordinating wheel absolutely FREE!

Item Number 112848 Description Wonderful You bundleIncludes Wonderful You stamp set and free Stems & Silhouettes jumbo wheel Price $33.95

Item Number 112851 Description Life's a breeze bundleIncludes Life's a Breeze stamp set and free Something Fishy jumbo wheel Price $29.95

Item Number 112850 Description Pun Fun bundleIncludes Pun Fun stamp set and free Sweet Stars jumbo wheel Price $30.95

Item Number 112847 Description Year after Year bundle Includes Year after Year stamp set and free See You Around jumbo wheel Price $30.95

Item Number 112849 Description Stitched Exotics bundleIncludes Stitched Exotics stamp set and free It's Beautiful jumbo wheel Price $33.95

Item Number 112853 Description Enjoy Every Moment bundle Includes Enjoy Every Moment stamp set and free Daisy Dash jumbo wheel Price $29.95

You'll be amazed at all the ways you can use wheels to add depth and dimension to your projects! To take advantage of this wheely great deal, contact your demonstrator TODAY! If you don't have a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator, email utahdivasinternational.com to find a Diva Demo in your area.

This promotion lasts all month. Take advantage of it up until April 30th.

Happy Stampin'

Max

(s)Hopping Saturday

I am so very excited to introduce Jeanna to you today. Her project is absolutely wonderful...especially since I LOVE frogs. :) Jeanna and I have started to build a great friendship and I hope to meet her in person very soon.

Here is what she wanted to share......

Hi! My name is Jeanna Linzer. I am a cop's wife from Eudora, KS and the mother to four fabulous boys! I've been a Stampin' Up! demo for just over four years and I'm loving every minute of it! I joined SU to meet new people (I'm not very outgoing and needed a push!!) and to find a new creative outlet! I am a canine cosmotologist (dog groomer) by trade and that used to be my creative outlet but after 17 years of it, I needed something more! I have found so many great friends through SU and stamping and I want MORE!

I just recently joined UDI (last November) and have already made some great friends here too! I am looking forward to my first convention and meeting all the great gals staying at the Diva house!!! I am also looking forward to meeting a couple of the "local" divas very soon!

Stamps: Unfroggetable, ABC Upper and Lower Alphabet sets
Inks: Black Stazon, SU markers (Green Galore, Tempting Turquoise, More Mustard, Creamy Caramel, Close to Cocoa) Green Galore and Temping Turquoise Ink Pads.
Cardstock: Tempting Turquoise, Green Galore, Whisper White
Tools: Crop-A-Dile,
Other supplies: Tempting Turquoise Grosgrain, Goggle Eyes (non- SU), Mini Glue Dots, Mono Multi Liquid Adhesive, Craft Knife, Ruler

Materials:
1 - Jr. legal Pad
1 - 9 x 12 manilla envelope
1 - 8 1/2 x 5 1/5 piece of chipboard (cereal box, back of legal pad)
1 - 5 x 2 GG cardstock scored at 3/4" and 1" (to cover binding)
1 - 5 1/4 x 8 1/2 TT cardstock for the matting
1 - 5 x 8 1/4 WW cardstock for focal image
2 - 2 x 8 1/2 1TT and 1GG for flap of envelope

Directions:
1. Fold 9 x 12 envelope in half.
2. Using Crop-o-dile, punch 1 hole about 1/4" in, in the center of folded edge.
3. Cover binding of Jr. Legal with 5 x 2 piece of cardstock, glue to pad with Mono Multi.
4. Put piece of chipboard into envelope all the way to bottom.
5. Lay envelope out flat with flap to your left. Measure 1 1/4" down and using craft knife, cut a slit measuring 5 1/4". (The chipboard backing of your Jr. Legal will slide into the slit so you can change it out when it's empty!)
6. Stamp your images and color in!
7. Slip the ribbon through both holes of folded envelope! This will create a loop inside to slide a pen into!
8. Secure ribbon to envelope with glue dots.
9. Adhere focal image to front and enjoy!!!

Jeanna...thank you so much for sharing this terrific project with the directions. I am definitely going to have to create one for myself. Hugs!

Have a great weekend.

Alicia :)

Thursday, Thursday

Sorry for such a late post today - but when time flies, it sure goes fast!! So without further hesitation, let me introduce our talented diva Sue Ann Olsavicky! Here is what Sue Ann shares about herself:

"Hi, I’m Sue Ann Olsavicky. I’ve been a Stampin’ Up!® demo since Sept 2004. I joined Stampin’ Up! after much convincing by Laura and Diane who were teaching rubber stamping in the community where I live. I had been attending classes for about 6 months and my wish list --- well, let’s just say that almost every stamp set in the Stampin’ Up! catalog had a little wanted star beside it!

I didn’t want to teach classes, I didn’t want to sell anything I just wanted to stamp. They convinced me that with my wish list I could keep myself as an active demo for generations and get my stampin’ stuff at a 20% discount.

When Laura and Diane (her upline) decided to stop teaching classes in my community, my classmates asked me if I’d take over the classes. So with much reluctance (I didn’t want anyone touching my stuff!) I started classes in Jan 2005 every other week. I soon found that sharing my love of stamping and seeing the joy that it brings to my customers was far more rewarding than concerns about getting black ink on my wood blocks, or messy stamp pads. Now I teach classes twice a week, hold in home workshops and just for good measure have a special event every couple of months. I also have fun with my blog at http://NeverTooManyStamps.com

Last year at the Stampin’ Up convention I walked across the stage for achieving $20K year in sales. Pretty amazing to me since I’m the person who didn’t want to sell anything!

What I like best about being a Stampin’ Up! demo is that I get to meet the most amazing, creative women who are my best friends.

My stamp room is a small walk in closet that I love because everything is within arms reach and it forces me to put things away or there is no room for me to stamp! As my stamp collection has grown I’ve taken over part of my other walk in closet...but who needs clothes anyway when you can have stamps!

I’m married for 33 years. My DH was a blind date. We both are Air Force retired officers with over 58 years of service between us—that must be some sort of record. We have two pound kitties, Mimi and Sadiie who routinely have glitter in their fur from helping me with my class prep.

I joined UDI because I was looking for some mentoring on moving from a hobby demo with a full class calendar to a more business minded approach. I still want everything in the catalog…don’t think that is going to change anytime soon."

Here are a couple of cards from my recent classes. All supplies are Stampin’ Up!® some from the Occasions Mini Catalog.

Stamp Set: Baroque Motifs, Baroque Background Stamp, Full of Life

Paper: Close to Cocoa, So Saffron, Very Vanilla, Close to Cocoa Designer Prints

Ink: Chocolate Chip Craft, Close to Cocoa Classic, So Saffron Classic

Accessories: Chocolate Chip Poly Twill Ribbon, Square Rinestones (Fire), Tool Kit

Instructions: Close to Cocoa is 4 ¼ x11 scored at 2 and 7 ½. I stamped Baroque Background with So Safforn on Very Vanilla (4x5 ¼ ) for the inside of the card. It makes a very elegant, subtle background to your handwriting inside the card. Words were stamped with Chocolate Chip Craft ink. (I usually use craft ink when I stamp on darker colors as it is more vibrant).

Stamp Set: Polka Dots Background Stamp, Just Celebrate

Paper: Whisper White, Real Red, Handsome Hunter, Brilliant Blue

Ink: Brilliant Blue Stamp Pad and markers - Brilliant Blue, Handsome Hunter, Real Red

Accessories: Real Red Stripped Grosgrain Ribbon

Thank you Sue Ann for sharing a little about yourself and your beautiful projects!

I hope everyone has a very happy and enjoyable week!!!

~Maria~

Pat in the Box!

Welcome to another Wednesday!!

Today I'd like to introduce you to a lovely Diva from Utah - Pat Washburn.

When I first joined Utah Divas International Pat was one of the first to email me privately and welcome me to the Diva's. She has since been there for me when I needed help and over the past few months I have been struggling with lots of headaches and she offered to help me with some aromatherapy which I truly appreciate.

One thing I love about being part of the Diva's is the fact that we are just not online acquaintances but we become good friends and family to each other.

Here is Pat's intro ....

Hi, my name is Pat Washburn. I am one of the really lucky Divas. I live in Riverton, Utah just 1/2 mile from Max! I was so fortunate to choose Max as my Demo when I moved here from Kentucky 2 1/2 years ago. I have loved knowing her and became a Demo under her last May.

I will celebrate 40 years of marriage to a wonderful man (David) the end of March. We have 6 great children and 5 wonderful in-law children (our youngest is not married yet) who have given us 15 fabulous grand children - with one more due the end of May. I am lucky enough to live near ten of those sweet little people (the oldest here is 7yrs the youngest is 7 months).

I was introduced to Stampin' Up! way back when they started, but I never caught the "bug" until about 8 years ago when I moved to Kentucky for my husband's job. I fell in with a great group of "addicts" who got me "hooked" big time. I now feel deprived if I can't stamp at least an hour a day (and usually more - we are now retired). I have fallen in love with all kinds of paper crafting and love making stamped gifts like the box of gift cards shown here.

Thanks for looking and for being the great group of support you are for this "unrepentant addict!"

Here are some more boxes that Pat shared with me and I think they are just too nice not to share them with you! Pat got the idea from one Split Coast Stamper made by Sharon Johnson.


Tied Baskets

2 pieces of DS Paper 3" X 9" long

-Score paper at 3/4", 3", 6" and 8 1/4" (or 3/4" and 3" from each end)
- Fold the 3" score marks so that the side of the paper you want on the inside of the basket are facing.
- Fold the 3/4" flaps the opposite way (toward the outside of the basket).
- Punch holes and insert eyelets at the 4 corners of each piece centered on the folded flap
- Apply adhesive to the bottom of one piece and adhere it to the inside of the other piece at right angles to form a + shape.
- Stamp or decorate sides as desired (I left mine plain)
- Fold sides up and thread ribbon through eyelets at each corner.
- Tie ribbons at corners.

These can be made larger and used as centerpieces. Then untied and stored flat for later use

Arent they just gorgeous?? I hope you like what Pat shared with us - I know I did as I'm off to make some of these boxes now!

Have a great day and may all your weeds be wildflowers!

Leonie from Australia

Meet Valerie!

When Max asked me to be part of the UDI Blog and serve as manager, I was so honored that she thought enough of me to give me the responsibility over a project that I knew was very important to her. I just knew I had to work hard to get everyone organized so things would run smoothly. What I didn't know was that I would make so many more friends along the way. It has been so much fun for me getting to know each of the Divas better through our blogging site. I hope it has been for you too.

So, having said that, I would like to introduce to you one of my stampin' friends ~Val. Val has a very cute personality and was very excited to send me pictures of some of stamping projects. She is so creative. I just smiled and smiled as I opened each one to take my first look. You know a girl loves her family when she puts her heart into a scrapbook page like this one. Isn't it darling? This page shows off Stampin' Up's! East Coast Prep Designer Series Paper, complimented by Real Red 5/8 Grosgrain Ribbon. These colors just pop. I love the way Val layered the stars and circles and button to give the page dimension and interest. Check out the new Occasions Mini Collection to find that new and versatile set "In the Stars". Here is what Val has to say about herself.

I have been a Stampin Up Demonstrator for 11 years. I love the creativity and the ability to meet
new people and make friends. I work full time for the Department of Health and Human Service as a caseworker for the Aged, Blind and Disabled program. I was invited to become a Diva by Jean Thomas, who has been a friend for 4 years and is also a member of my down line. I have 2 children Ryan who is 27 years old (his wife Amy and my darling grandson, Braylen who is 23 mos. old, and a new grandson that will be born around April 23rd) and Michael who is 20 years old and is a Sophomore in college. I love to read, scrapbook and stamp. Val


Val's Embrace Life card is in Chocolate Chip & Groovy Guava, embellished with the Groovy Guava Double-Stitched Ribbon. It looks and sounds yummy. To make each flower stand out, Val first stamped the flower with Chocolate Chip Classic Ink on Groovy Guava card stock and cut each one out. She then adhered the flowers to Chocolate Chip card stock and shadow trimmed them to give the image an extra splash of color.

Beautiful work Val. I hope you will share more of your work with us on the UDI blog soon. Thank you. And, thanks to all of you for visiting. Happy Stampin'! EdieB

All about UDI

Happy Monday Everyone!

I hope you have enjoyed the projects shared so far and enjoyed getting to know a little more about our Divas.

Today I thought it would be fun to share a little more about our group and some fun projects created by group members.

I formed Utah Divas in 2004 to develop friendships with other Stampin' Up! Demonstrators. I wanted my business to succeed and I wanted others to succeed also.
As the group grew and Demonstrators joined us from Canada and England I changed the name to Utah Divas International. We now have members in Australia and France and am looking forward to divas from New Zealand and Germany joining us.
This is a fun filled active group where you will always find a friend, a tip, advice, swaps, and many other exciting things.

We have many Coordinators who help by posting weekly. Posts include Spiritual Sundays, Motivational Mondays, Training Tuesdays, Workshop Wednesdays, Tips for Thursdays, Fantastic Fridays and Scrapbooking Saturdays. We also have Coordinators for Swaps, Membership, Stampin' Sisters, Challenges, DBWS, Publications(Stampin' Success), Mini Catalog Overviews, Get to know our Divas and Question of the week.

Convention 2008 will be here before we know it and this is something I am so excited about. I have rented a "Divas House" for us to stay during convention. This is going to be a blast. We are cyber friends for the most part, so this will be so much fun to actually get to 'hang out'.

If you are interested in joining UDI, please send an email to utahdivasinternational@gmail.com Without this group, I doubt I would be a Demonstrator today. The support and friendship or so many wonderful people is the best.

Here are comments from a couple of our Members:

Carol M from MI wrote:

I was invited to join UDI in 2005 by a diva in San Diego whom I met on line through my fourth SU up line. We had corresponded since the prior fall and after getting to know each other she thought I would like to join the divas.

I loved the familiarity between the divas. I became a member in May and was able to meet a bunch of the divas at convention that year. I do not think I had laughed so hard in ages. I even got to meet Max, THE Diva and heard her say “barely banana” which is a treat in itself. (Note from Max: This is because of my beautiful British accent....:) I felt like a little fish in a very big pond and did not even think she remembered me. How wrong I was and now she won’t let me go. ☺ I went home after convention with such good memories and really became an active member of the divas.

As time went by there were certain divas that I grew closer to and being part of the “stampin’ sisters” program increased those relationships. Based upon certain posts or comments I or another diva would email each other privately and our friendship has grown steadily closer over the years. Some of these divas I have never met face to face (as my “original” divas left the group for other commitments). The fact that we have not met personally has had no effect on our friendship. It will just be all the better when we do meet.
Each diva has their own personality and style. Mine tends toward the humorous and laid back, though sometimes my serious side comes through. I always type in lower case letters and 99.9% of the time it is in purple. On occasion I feel the need for another color. No one knows for sure why.

To be a member of the Utah Divas International is an honor to me. Even if I never learned a thing about the rubber stamping business I have made wonderful friends and treasure that above all else.

Jennifer T from ID wrote:

I was invited to joind UDI by Cristena Bagne. I met her when I posted a request (to another online group I belong to) searching for a newly retired set. She offered to sell me her set at a VERY discounted price, and mailed it to me before she even received my payment. I emailed her a note of thanks, and she replied with a comment about how she believes demos should help each other out whenever possible. So we sent a few notes back and forth, then she invited me to join UDI. She said, "I wold like to invite you to join a group of ladies that I think you will really like" Boy, was she right. I joined right away, and immedately began making friends.

The friends I have made are truly amazing. They have been there for me in times of need, both personal and business, small and great. It will never cease to amaze me how a group of so many women, most of whom I have never met, can be so giving. I know that if there is ever anything I need, I can ask the Divas and they will work something out. UDI personifies the heart of Stampin' Up!, and I believe are truly the cream of the crop.

Thank you to all the Divas, I truly appreciate you all. Max, you are a true blessing to me. Thank you.

Michelle H from MN wrote:

UDI provides me with a friendly atmosphere with positive posts about business, relationships and life, swaps and challenges to further my knowledge and help my business, current updates from the head office, suggestions and tips on increasing business, and deep and lasting friendships. UDI has been a place for me to find a home among other demonstrators who enjoy what they do and want to help others have fun and get the most out of their businesses. I highly recommend joining UDI... you won't regret it!

You can see from these comments just what UDI means to us, all of us!

Here are a few projects created by Divas! Carol M (MN), Adriana B (FL), Brenda T (MN), and Andrea W. (Canada)

Wishing you all a wonderful day.

Happy Stampin'

Max

Stampin' Sister Saturday

Our featured Diva for today is Courtney. Today she wanted to share some of her projects that she created for her Stampin' Sister. Here is what she has to say.....

A little about me.... I am a SAHM with a loving husband and two spirited boys! We reside in Clay Center Kansas which is 4 hours away from Kansas City in a small but friendly community! We love having grandparents 30 minutes away and hope to raise our family here. My son Owen will be 4 in July and Miles turned 2 last month and we are trying for another, girl hopefully! :) As far as my business I am a hobby demo turned business b/c of the overwhelming support from the community. I teach scrapbooking classes at the public library monthly as well as having card classes, mommy and me classes, and others in my home as well. (Remember small town and the closest Michaels is 1 1/2 hours away! :) This is my 'me time' and I love it!

The Baby Gift bag:

Michaels kraft bag using LeJardin designer paper

The Baby Gift tag:

SU! on board accents tag

Paper:bashful blue, kraft, ivory

Ink: bashful blue, mellow moss

Accessories: scallop punch, ww taffeta ribbon

Stamps: SAB So many Scallops

Baby Frame:

Paper: LeJardin designer paper, kraft,bashful blue, chocolate chip, so saffron

Ink: chocolate chip,bashful blue

Accessories: scallop punch, ww taffeta ribbon,circle rhinestone brad

Stamps: Baroque Motif

Frame chipboard: Scrapbook store

I was ecstatic to be asked to do this and I look forward to meeting you all at Convention!

Thank you so much for sharing your creativity with us. I hope you all have a wonderful Easter.

Alicia :)

TGIF!

Please join me in welcoming Shelly Reid as today's featured stamper! Here is what Shelly has to say:

I first joined UDI in about October 2006. I had only been a demonstrator for three months at the time and was so excited to bei ncluded in such a talented group of stampers. From the very beginning, Max was there to help me to feel welcome. Isn't she awonderful lady! I just felt right at home with all of you since Ifirst joined. It was really nice to have people to help me stay motivated with my demonstrating. I have really loved doing Stampin'Sisters and always had wonderful sisters.

So here's a little about me: I am a mother of three, a daughter and twin boys. So, no need to explain that stamping time is not very plentiful. They keep me busy. Next year my boys will be in preschool and my daughter will be in first grade, so I'll have about 3 hours to do whatever I want every day! I'm so excited. Besides stamping I am an enthusiastic knitter. I have now made sweaters for the whole family. I'm going to finish up the neckband on my DH's today and then we're going to get our pictures taken in them. I love all kinds of crafts and have recently taken up quilting too. So much fun!! I have so many crafts I'd still like to learn:woodworking, wood carving, painting, drawing, tatting and the listgoes on. I just love working with my hands on anything that isn't really work. I have always been somewhat of a perfectionist, but slowly and surely, I'm learning that things do NOT have to be perfect to be appreciated. It really is the thought and love that goes intothings that count.

My husband is a computer geek/programmer/gamer and got me into computer gaming as well, especially Battlefield 2142 and real-time strategy games. I've found it to be a great way to de-stress. In addition to crafty things, I love to sing. Always have, I am listening to and/or singing something most of the time. I like to play the piano too even though I'm not very good.

We live in the Denver Metro area and love it. I grew up in Indiana and thought that was the perfect place to live until I moved here. Wehave a great view of the Rocky Mountains from our backyard and it just takes my breath away on a pretty day. We love to go up into the mountains and just spend time. Sadly I have yet to go skiing or snowboarding and we've been here for almost 7 years. Maybe nex twinter when I'm in a little better shape I'll make myself go. I'm not the most graceful person, so it kind of scares me.So that's me in a nut shell.

I would like to say that I love this group. You have really helped me a lot with ideas for workshops and how to get bookings. I love you all and feel that it is a privilege to have the chance to get to know you.

Shelly Reid

Thank you Shelly, I feel like I know you now! It is great for you to share so much about yourself.

Shelly's card is a "spinner card". She used Heartfelt Thanks stamp set,

Bashful Blue, Brilliant Blue, Whisper White CS

Bashful Blue, Brilliant Blue Ink

Stampin' Dimensionals, 2 pennies, paper trimmer

For more information on how to make these fun cards, please check out the UDI tutorials section, or visit splitcoaststampers.com.

Have a great weekend! Jennifer

Hoppy Spring!!!

Today is the first official day of Spring! It's just in time for the Easter weekend just ahead of us. (I didn't misspell the title ;) ). You couldn't ask for a better day! The temperature is in the 70's, there's a gentle breeze, and the sun is shining bright! How perfect does that sound?!?

Ahhh..., now that we are all relaxed and enjoying our Spring daydream, let me introduce today's Diva, Diana Valdez. I have had the opportunity to receive Diana's beautiful scrap pages through a SCIAB. Here is a little bit from Diana:



"My friend Charmaine encouraged me to join Utah Divas last year. I had just signed on as a new Stampin Up demo and thought it would be good for me to join, participate in swaps, message boards and get inspired by our group. I realized, as I was nearing one year as a demo, that I wasn't enjoying it as much as I used to when I was a customer. I decided to drop my demonstrator status and got back into being an active member of the stampin club that I belong to. I love using my stamps to create cards, scrapbook pages as well as many other projects and sometimes I even get my 14 year old son Jonathan to stamp with me."

Stamp Set: Priceless

Ink: Purely Pomegranate

Accessories: Chocolate Chip Ribbon

Punches: Scallop Punch, Horizontal Slot, Circle Punch,

Paper: Berry Bliss Designer Paper, Close to Cocoa

1- 9 x6 card stock in Close to Cocoa, score at 3 inches

1- 2 1/2 x 5 1/2 purely Pomegranate

1- 2 1/4 x 5 1/4 piece of Berry Bliss Designer Paper

1- 5 1/4x 5 1/4 of Berry Bliss Designer Paper

1- 4 1/4 x 4 1/4 Purely Pomegranate

assemble according to picture and decorate with stamps, ink, and ribbon

Thank you Diana for sharing with us today! I love how your page opens - something different! :)

Until we meet again my friends, I wish you a very Happy Easter!!!
~~Maria~~

My Mate Maggie

It is my utmost pleasure to introduce to you my good friend and fellow Aussie demonstrator - Maggie Mathern. I have known Maggie for some time now and we both share the same upline and during our time with Stampin' Up! We have become such good friends that we will be sharing a room when we are at Australia's 2nd Stampin' Up! convention in Brisbane in just three weeks!

Here is what Maggie has to say ...

Hi everyone, I am Maggie. Maggie M in my posts. I have been with UDI now for some time, can't really remember my original date that Max found me and pulled me kicking and screaming into UDI LOL. Lately I always seem to be so busy with life I do not get the chance to visit and participate as much as I would like.

Leonie and Tracey (my upline) are awesome friends and I look forward to spending some time with them both at Convention in Brisbane 10-13 April 2008.

I grew up on a farm in north central Victoria, Australia. It was primarily and wheat/sheep farm. I had a very happy and carefree childhood there. I still miss the farm as it was sold in 1992 after my father was unable to run it. I became a nurse in 1982 in Bendigo, Victoria and have been working in aged care ever since. In 1997 I took a leave of absence from my job and trained as a Travel Consultant in Ballarat. Another gold mining area of Victoria.

I met my now husband Shane, online in 1999. I moved to Geelong later that year. We got married in 2002. Have just had our 6th wedding anniversary. Yes, I was a late starter with this marriage thing.
I was too busy working, saving money and travelling the world when I could!!!! I will be 46 later this year...it almost scares me when I say this. Where did the time go??? I don't feel that old..therefore it
cannot be true.

I first started stamping in the mid 1980's after doing an adult education course. I stamped off/on for a while and then my supplies got packed away after one of many moves and I didn't start again till 1999. Mainly as I didn't know many people in Geelong and had to fill my time in. I did a few lessons at a local Scrapbooking shop in 2002 and started to scrapbook. I first heard about Stampin' Up! on FOXTEL (pay TV) several years ago now. Shelli was demonstrating and I loved the look of the inkpads, stamp-a-ma-jig, stampin' scrub/mist and the size of a background stamp. I was hooked!!! I was so disappointed after doing an online search to discover that I could not buy these products in Australia.

I belonged to several online crafting communities in Australia and was so excited when I heard Stampin' Up! was going to start up over here. Like many others, was concerned about making the minimum requirements. $500 every 3 months. I now laugh at this, cos one workshop usually covers it!!!! I joined approx 6 months after SU came to Australia as I was doing my medication endorsement course. This kept my budget very tight as I lost 50% of my working hours during the course and my husband had little income either.

Life has been enriched in so many ways since joining SU. As I said to Shelli at Convention in Sydney last year, SU has really saved my life. I have become a better person for it and I have gained so many friendships all over the world. Crafters of the world unite!!!!!! As our convention motto last year said...It Starts With Heart and this is so true.

The card with the On Board chipboard letter I have made for a friends birthday on March 25th.

I guess my style is clean/classic. I love shabby chic and generally stick to pink, green and cream, but have been venturing out lately to use other combinations. I love that Sahara Sand goes with all the other colours so well.

I am really looking forward to getting the new In Colors soon. The new IB&C2008-09 is almost due to be released April 1st.

Can't wait..and can't wait to spend some more time with my Diva friends again soon.

Cheers for now and UDI Huggggs, Maggie Mathern

Easter Blessings to you all and have a happy & safe holiday

Tuesday Treat

Today’s featured stamper is Micki, a woman whom I have had the pleasure to meet and get to know. She is a very talented stamper, but like many, does not give herself enough credit. The following is a brief bio written by Micki herself as well as some fantastic projects with supply lists.

"Hi, let me introduce myself. My name is Micki and I am a wife to a wonderful husband, a mother to an awesome daughter and son-in-law, a grandmother to the worlds most adorable two granddaughters (I know – I’m being biased, lol), and a craft-a-holic. I was born and raised in Bad Hersfeld, Germany and immigrated to Leavenworth, Kansas 31 years ago. Several years ago, we bought an old Victorian house in Wathena, Kansas which is west of St. Joseph, Missouri, so we could be closer to the kids.

I have always dabbled in some kind of craft; crochet & knitting, quilting, sewing, folk art stuff, one-stroke painting and yes, had even tried rubberstamping about 15 years ago. Being German and having been raised in Germany, arts & crafts are taught early on in school. I distinctly remember in 3rd grade having to knit a sweater and it still brings a chuckle out of me as I had cheated and had my ‘Oma’ knit it for me.

So as I had mentioned, I tried rubberstamping before but it did not catch my interest. Back then it was too labor intensive in my opinion. Years later, a friend invited me to a Stampin’ Up! Workshop and I truly responded with “Ugh, I tried stamping and I am not interested. And scrapbooking – no thanks”. Honest to goodness, that was my answer. Kari just said to come, it’ll be fun, a night away for you and you don’t have to buy a thing. Well….. I’m sure you can imagine how the rest of the story goes. The demonstrator showed 3 different cards, which took less than 10 minutes each and a major light bulb went off in my head…. As for scrapbooking, having grandchildren changed my mind really quick.

I have been a demonstrator now for close to 3 years and joined Utah Divas International shortly after starting my demoship. Through UDI, I have learned so much and am still learning which is so much fun. I have met an amazing community of crafters that are always there to offer creative feedback, encouragement and just inspire me to step outside of my comfort zone and just create! Customers are not customers but have become my friends and crafting buddies. When I have a workshop, it’s more like a creative forum and it is so much fun to absorb all that creativity. Not to mention the laughs we share.

That is my story. To sum it up- Creative Stress Relief. My stamping & scrapbooking allows me to forget about the daily challenges of work, stress and general every day trials & tribulations and helps me to unwind."

A little about the 12x12 scrapbook page created here. Scrapbooking is relatively hard for me because I tend to ‘over analyze’ and instead of letting it be, I alter a page a gadzillion times before going back to the original layout. Sound familiar? This page was intended to be a Christmas present…. (I know :)) for a close friend who lives in Oklahoma and I realized I better just ‘do it’ so she can have it by Easter. It is my first time using Rub Ons and I absolutely fell in love with them, which is why no stamps were used. I had too much fun with the Rub-Ons. I also used Stampin’ Up!’s On Board Chipboard, colored it with the Chocolate Chip re-inker. The colors were randomly chosen since they appealed to me and seemed to go better with the Sepia tone of the photo.

Circle of Friends
Paper
􀂉 101556 Old Olive
􀂉 105141 Pumpkin Pie
􀂉 100946 More Mustard
􀂉 102851 Basic Black (scraps)
Ink Pads/Markers
􀂉 101065 Chocolate Chip Reinker
􀂉 105021 White Gel Pen
Accessories
􀂉 109179 On Board Ginormous Pieces
􀂉 111276 Love Birds Rub Ons
􀂉 111228 Love & Happiness Rub Ons (SAB)
􀂉 110720 Flower Fusion
􀂉 109113 Square Rhinestones Ice
􀂉 109041 5-Petal Punch
􀂉 109043 Scalloped Circle Punch

The Essence of Love cards were an idea about using Transparency sheets. I know I saw a similar idea somewhere with other stamps and I’m sure that’s how I came up with this idea, I just can’t remember where or who otherwise I would give credit.

Essence of Love
Stamps/Wheels
􀂉 111494 Essence of Love
Paper
􀂉 108641Wild Wasabi
􀂉 109178 Prints Designer Series Certainly Celery
􀂉 Transparency from office supply
Ink Pads/Markers
􀂉 Staz On Black (or White)
Accessories
􀂉 Silver or Gold Brads
􀂉 Wild Wasabi Double-Stitched Ribbon

Happy Petals
Stamps/Wheels

􀂉 109445 Pick A Petal
􀂉 107375 Happy Everything
Paper

􀂉 100730 Whisper White
􀂉 102837 Only Orange

Ink Pads/Markers

􀂉 102696 Only Orange Classic Ink
􀂉 102913 Only Orange Reinker

Accessories
􀂉 110720 Flower Fusion
􀂉 109113 Square Rhinestone - Ice
􀂉 109114 Pretties Kit
􀂉 Cuttlebug Embossing Folders
􀂉 Tea Dye

Thanks, Micki, for telling us about yourself and sharing your great projects with us! As always, I look forward to seeing what you create next.

Have fun stampin' and creatin'!

Last Day of Sale-A-Bration!

Happy Monday!



I'm filling in for Max today who is manning the SU phones for the rush of last day of Sale-A-Bration (SAB) 2008. And what a great SAB it has been. Stampin' Up! treated us to a choice of five fabulous FREE stamp sets this year and, for the first time ever, a pack of rub-ons! I don't know about you, but I was hesitant to try the new rub-ons offered in the Spring Occasions Collection, so it seemed like a good idea to give them a try since they were FREE. Adrian G & Selene K shared their rub-on projects with us earlier this month and here we have a gorgeous Friend card made by Carol using the SAB Love & Happiness rub-ons, Groovy Guava cardstock, Designer Series Paper and Double Stitched Ribbon. If you still don't know where to start with your rub-ons, click here to check out Selene's rub-on tutorial.



Well, as I said, SAB wasn't only about FREE rub-ons. It was also about FREE stamps and what do we love best about Stampin' Up!? FREE stamps, right? There's also the coordinating color families, cardstock, inks, punches, etc. I could go on and on. But, seriously, did you know that for every Stampin' Up! punch there are like a bazillion coordinating stamp sets. Well, maybe not a bazillion, but there are a lot. SAB gave us a coordinating stamp set for Stampin' Up's new Scallop Circle Punch. SAB set So Many Scallops gives you a set of 4 stamps that you can punch and layer using the Scallop Circle Punch, 1-3/8 Circle Punch, 1-1/4 CirclePunch and 1 inch Circle Punch. BrendaT made the Happy Birthday Card to the left using the So Many Scallops stamp set, Brilliant Blue & So Saffron Classic Inks and cardstocks, So Saffron Designer Series Paper and Earth Elements brads to embellish the center band.





The card to the right was also stamped by our very own BrendaT. For this card, Brenda used the Friendship Blooms SAB stamp set. This was my favorite set this year. This set of 5 stamps has 2 really cool flower stamps that you can stamp on their own or cut out and layer like Brenda did. There is also a filigree, leaves and the cute sentiment shown here. I love the colors Brenda picked out too: Wild Wasabi and Pretty In Pink. Brenda embellished her card with an Ice Square Rhinstone brad in the center of the flower and matching Wild Wasabi Double Stitched Ribbon. You'll see she used the Horizontal Slot punch to make a perfect-sized slot to slide the ribbon through. And, to add a finishing touch to the card, Brenda stamped a filigree accent in the bottom right corner. This not only adds interest for your eye, but also balances Brenda's layout.



So, as I said before, today is the last day of SAB so run to the phone or email your favorite Diva demonstrator and place your order today to get these free stamp sets and rub-ons.



Thanks for stopping by and Happy Stampin'! EdieB

Perfect Timing

Today I am so excited to share some wonderful, timeless treasures created by Christine R. It was so great to be able to meet Christine at Convention last year then see her again at the UDI retreat. She is a very sweet, knowledgeable and talented hippie. I'm so glad I've been able to get to know her and learn from her. Hugs to you, Christine. :) And....Here's...Christine.....

I have been a Demonstrator for almost 7 years and a Diva for 2. I took early retirement from my job (16+ years) as a judge's secretary last July. I still type trial transcripts for the Court at home (I get to work in my pajamas! how cool is that?!) to supplement my pension, and am trying to build my Stampin' business more, plus I'm now madly trying to do all those other things we all tell ourselves we'll do when we retire (y'know, watch all those videos you taped, read all those books you bought, try all those recipes you've been cutting out since high school, scrap 40 years worth of photos, make quilts from a lifetime's stash of fabric, etc. etc.!) Trouble is, there's just not enough time in the day...

Speaking of time, and since we just went back to Daylight Savings Time (yay!), I was thinking of clocks -- and how I enjoy creating decorative clocks with Stampin' Up materials! Here's how:

Buy a relatively inexpensive clock (usually can find very plain ones at Wal-Mart and Target for under $4.00).

Use a dull knife (I actually use my "baby knife" from my childhood flatware set!) to gently pry off the clear cover from the face of the clock.

Next, gently lift the hands to remove them, after taking careful note of the order in which they will be put back on...

At this point, I lift out the paper on which the numbers are printed and use it as a template to trace and then cut out either a circular piece of cardstock or DSP. Be sure to also trace around and cut out the little notched-up part that helps you orient the paper when you put it back in. Also trace and cut out the little circle in the middle where the hands will be attached. Here is where we need that long-reach circle punch back, but I'm getting better at just using my snips to cut a nice little circle!

On the printed clock face, I then draw lines with a heavy marker from 12 to 6, 1 to 7, 2 to 8, etc., (kind of making the clock face look like a pie cut into pieces), and then use those lines to make pencil "tick marks" on my cardstock or DSP circle. (Save this to use on future clocks...) This will help you know where to put the numbers, if you're using them, or to stamp small designs (like the ladybug stamp from "Garden Whimsy") in place of numbers.

Some of our smaller number stamps sets, like "Short Order Numbers" or "Best Friend Numbers" can be used, or you can get metal numbers at your local craft store, or maybe even stick-on numbers at the Home Depot-type store, or rub-on numbers by some other brand. I tend not to use numbers at all, which I realize is a problem for the younger folks who are more used to digital and don't have the same intuitive understanding by just looking at clock hands that we old geezers do...!!!

Next, just decorate your cardstock or DSP circle however you wish! I like using the "Garden Whimsy" set because it has the saying "The time to be happy is now...", and I've also used the big stamp from "It's Your Birthday" that says "Life is not a matter of counting years; it's a matter of making years count" (stamping the first 2 lines above the center hole and the last 2 below).

I am showing you four different ones I've made,
two using stamped cardstock and two using DSP with some stamping as well. Look through your DSP for pretty swirly things and "fussy-cut" your base circle to make the most of the design. Be imaginative and have fun!

My experience so far has been you don't want to get real elaborate with layers or brads, etc., because once re-installed, the clock hands may "hang up" on anything too dimensional.

Once you have the design you like, lay the decorated circle down on the clock base and re-insert the hands mechanism in the same order in which you took it out. Use that notch to orient the paper properly, and then gently ease the plastic cover back over the entire clock face, letting the notch on the cover settle into the opening on the base.

You can use Sticky Strip to lay some ribbon (the double-stitched works nicely) around the outer perimeter of the clock, with a bow somewhere if you'd like.

Put a AA battery in your clock and let the time begin! I actually usually keep an eye on my clocks for at least 12 hours. Once in a while, the hands spazz out and stop, or the minute hand always stops on the 7 or something -- just take the clear face back off and re-set the hands and try again. I want to know if there's going to be a problem before I give the clock to someone as a gift.

Last fall, before the holidays, I made quite a lot of clocks and had my little clock "nursery", where they were being watched over to make sure they were all okay. But I'll tell ya', the ticking in my craft room was really starting to get to me...

Well, I hope you'll try making a clock, and if you do, post a pic to show the rest of us. You might want to incorporate a clock into an upcoming Stamp Camp or as a special project at a Hostess Appreciation Event. I'd think you'all might come up with some nifty new approaches to this if you start experimenting with it, so be sure to share!

Thank you so much for sharing, Christine. I cannot wait to try one of these. You're creations are amazing.

Have a great weekend.

Alicia :)

Snappy Friday!

Welcome to another Friday!

Today I am posting an ENTIRE TUTORIAL created by Tami Maerten. Tami is brand new to Utah Divas International, but has been stamping for some time. Here is what she has to say about her hobby....

"I am not only ADDICTED to stamping ... I NEED to stamp OR I need an intervention. :) I went to my first Stampin' Up party in 1999 right after my first child was born. I thought it was ridiculous for people to spend so much money just to make a card. I bought the Business Booster Stamp set for my Pampered Chef business. Then I started using it, masking out the business stuff to make personal cards. Next thing I knew, I was hounding down any show I could find so I could learn new techniques. I became so obnoxious that I had four demonstrators showing me everything they knew ... but they always knew MORE!!! So, after we moved into a larger home and had our fourth child, I decided I had to quit spending all my money on stamps and start selling them to support my habit. I am always amazed that at every Stampin' Up event I learn even MORE new techniques. The Snappy Birthday card was my moment of inspiration. We had just introduced the dual oval punches and there was this CRAB card. I realized the ovals HAD to be used for claws. I had to engineer them just right. Before the set even arrived, I had it all worked out. I even submitted the card two months later for a "Projects with Punch" contest. I didn't win. I could only deduce that it was because it was in the Mini Catalog and the winner would be announced after the mini catalog period. This project just ROCKS so hard it HAD to be the only reason."

Supplies: Crab & Company stamp set; Whisper White, Cool Carribean, Real Red & Tempting Turquoise cardstock; Basic Black, Real Red, Cool Carribean, Creamy Caramel, Tempting Turquoise & Yo Yo Yellow Classic Ink; Aquapainters, Lg Oval Punch, Sm Oval Punch, Word Window Punch, 1/16" Punch, Slot Punch, Silver & Bold Bright Brads, Stampin' Dimensionals, Glue Dots, Snail Adhesive & Twill Tape

Directions:
Cut a half sheet of Real Red and score in half; Cut Tempting Turquoise to 4" X 5" and mount on Real Red card front; Cut Cool Carribean to 2" X 4" and punch two slots with Slot Punch in the middle of the Cool Carribean approximately 1/4" apart.

Cut Whisper White to 2" X 4" and stamp the crab with Basic Black in the center and the cake and present to either side.

Using a paper cutter, cut a straight line horitzonally across the top of the crab from edge to edge so that you cut off his claws, but NOT his eyes. Trim out his eyes as shown in the next picture.

Watercolor the sand and sky. Set aside to dry.

Punch 2 Real Red Large Ovals and 2 Real Red Small Ovals. Using papersnips, cut a portion of the ovals off and create a jagged edge to resemble claws. Pair one large and one small oval with jagged edges facing one another, punch a 1/16" hole in the bottom and hinge with a red brad. Repeat for other claw in opposing direction.

Punch two Cool Carribean pieces with the Word Window Punch. Punch one Whisper White piece with the Word Window Punch. Place these pieces in a Y shape and place a brad through all three pieces at the common juncture with the white piece on top. Place a brad through the top of each of the Cool Carribean pieces.

Arrange the top of the Y shape to fit through the two slots in the large Cool Carribean piece. Adhere the Cool Carribean piece in the top center of the Tempting Turquoise piece with Snail adhesive at the top and Stampin' Dimensionals at the bottom.

Now carefully color the gift, cake and crab. Stamp "Snappy Birthday" in Basic Black on a piece of Twill Tape and frey edges. Adhere Twill Tape with Glue Dots under the crab.

Adhere crab claws with Stampin' Dimensionals on the large oval and attach the small oval to the brads of the Y with glue dots.

Adhere crab piece under but overlapping slightly the Cool Carribean piece with Snail adhesive on the top and Stampin' Dimensionals on the bottom.

Adhere the Twill Tape under your crab. Now that the project is completed, pull the Whisper White bottom of the Y and watch the claws open and close. If it doesn’t move correctly, you may want to toggle the white piece to make sure it’s centered and moving up and down, not diagonal.

I agree Tami, it ROCKS, for sure!