Happy Hexagon and Pretty Punches Wednesday!

Today's post is coming to you from a Barnes & Noble as I sit and wait the 3 hours for my kids while they are at their 2 week Young Writer's/Young Reader's Camp. I got the awesome idea to sign them up for an amazing camp.....1 hour away from home, yes, one hour away from home, so each morning we are up and out of the house by 7:45 to head to this wonderful camp. While they are at camp I spend my mornings hanging out at Barnes & Noble. It does have its perks...Starbucks and free internet. The downside...I don't have everything I need....so today's post does not include the names of the amazing stampers. I will edit this post later today and include their names.

Tricia Hicks

Today's cards are from the awesome WOW swap I participated in at Convention. These cards feature a variety of pretty punches. I love punches! They just might be my favorite tool for enhancing a card, along with ribbon, rhinestones, embossing folders...okay so it really is hard to commit to just one favorite. I am close to owning every single punch in the current catalog because you just never know when you might need a particular punch...so why not have them all on hand! It makes the creative process easier.

Anyway, this first beautiful card makes use of the Hexagon punch, the Scallop Edge Border punch,  1-1/4" Scallop Circle punch, and the tiny scallop punch from the Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack. It also uses the Honeycomb Embossing Folder and the  Six-Sided Sampler stamp set in wood mount or clear mount. For a 15% savings, purchase the Six-Sided Sampler Bundle in wood or clear , which includes the Six-Sided Sampler stamp set and the Hexagon Punch. I love the layout of this card. There are so many features and folds. Super cute!

Crystal Kondo

 This card also uses a couple of scallop punches. First,  the 1-3/4" Scallop Circle punch and the  Scallop Edge Border Punch. In addition, it also uses the 1-3/8" Circle punch. This card has fancy folds and the cutest animals stamped, cut out, and lifted with Stampin' Dimensionals on the inside of the card. Truly adorable!

Diana Johnson

The last card for today also uses some fancy paper cutting. It uses the Adorning Accents Edgelits, Floral Frames Collection Frame lits,  and the Daydream Medallions wood mount stamp set. The Daydream Medallions stamp set also comes in clear mount. I love how Diana made several border layers on her card. It really draws your eye in to take a closer look. This was a stamp set that we got for free last year at Convention 2012. It is an awesome stamp set with so many possibilities. Super duper card!

Fun Fact for Today - Stampin' Up! offers many bundles to help you save money. A couple of bundles were featured here today. Making a card is just that much easier when you have a stamp set and the coordinating punch. This allows you to stamp and punch out your shapes without worrying about perfect placement. With punches it doesn't matter, you can place them exactly where you want them even adding Stampin' Dimensionals to make them pop! To take advantage of these bundles click on them and make a purchase today at my online store 24/7.

Thanks for stopping by...now go create something!

Convention "WOW," Swap Shares

I have a few more Convention "WOW" Swap Shares. This beautiful card was created by Linda Fisher. I absolutely love the colors and that beautiful two step stamping on the flower. I am thrilled to have this brown card. Brown is one of my favorite colors and Linda used many shades of brown on this adorable card. First, I notice she used the Beautifully Baroque embossing folder that I love. I just ordered mine and can't wait for it to arrive. I can't wait to play with it!

 This card is super cute! It was created by.....a mystery stamper. She completely left her name off of this card. Please leave a comment if you know who created this lovely card. I love the glitz of this card. The beautiful silver shimmer paper is very appropriate as we celebrate Stampin' Up!'s 25 year anniversary. Don't know if that was the goal, but it is very celebratory. Just Gorgeous!!

This happy card was created by Jo Olson. She did  a fabulous job. I love it when I look at a card and instantly smile. That's what happened at first glance with this card. I think it is the yellow that ignites a happy feeling in me. This is a super cute card that incorporates so many eye catching embellishments from the beautiful chevron ribbon, to the polka dots paper and do you see that gorgeous brad around the ribbon? What a clever way to make the perfect bow and don't overlook the pearl as the flower center. This card is just simply adorable. I love its many features.

Just for kicks, notice the fun way Stampin' Up! arranged cards on their display boards:




I could not have said it any better!

Thanks so much for stopping by...now go create something!

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Beautiful Butterfly "WOW" Convention Swap Cards

Swap card from Connie LaCroix

I am continuing to share the cards I got from the WOW swap I participated in, while at Convention. These cards were all so amazing! I am still oohing over them. Here are two more and they both feature beautiful butterflies. The first one was designed by Connie LaCroix. It features The Perfect polka Dots embossing folder, the Lattice Bigz Die, and some pretty 3/8" Stitched Satin Ribbon and the Papillon Potpourri stamp set.

Wow swap card from Denise Lewis

Another super cute card! This one is from Denise Lewis. I love the colors she used on her card. They work well together and are so complimentary. This card features a butterfly as well! It uses the Flower Shop stamp set, (I am wanting to own this set more and more...I saw so many beautiful cards made with this set at Convention.) Deco Labels Collection, Chalk Talk stamp set,  Chalk Talk Labels, the Happy Day stamp set, and the Perfect polka Dots embossing folder.

I hope you like the cards from today.

Fun Fact for today: Stampin' Dimensionals are a great addition to any stamping project. They give dimension to your focal point and add depth. If you want to give your project a boost and take it to the next level, add some Stampin' Dimensionals.

Thanks for stopping by...now go create something!

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A "Pretty Flowers" WOW! and Something Called, "Undefined

 More WOW Swap cards. This is such a pretty card. I just love it! It was created by Beverly Dahl, a fellow demonstrator. She used so many of my favorite things. It uses the Secret Garden stamp set, the Beautifully Baroque Embossing folder which has been sponged with some shade of brown. Also, I am loving the way she scrunched up the Crumb Cake Seam Binding Ribbon. And... the flowers were stamped on a window sheet and then water colored. Super cute!

Soooo....not only was the outside adorable, the inside was super cute too!

Another adorable card. I love this soft color. It uses one of the new In-colors, Pistachio Pudding. This card also uses the Beautifully Baroque Embossing folder and the Label Love stamp set. Some sanding or sponging was also done to the embossed card stock.  What a beautiful effect. It was created by Janet Davis. This is such a lovely card. It is definitely a WOW!

Fun Fact of the Day:
Did you know you can now carve your own stamps? Well, it's true.  Have you ever wanted a stamp but couldn't find the perfect image? Carve your own custom stamps!  Available NOW!

THIS NEW PRODUCT WAS ANNOUNCED AT CONVENTION:

Undefined is Stampin' Up!'s new stamp carving product line. You define the rubber stamp any way you want. When you carve your very own stamp, you will have an entirely new and different creative experience. We got to give it a try at convention and it was thrilling! When you're finished, you will have created a one-of-a-kind stamp!  Awesomeness at its' BEST!

Want to see how to carve a stamp? Watch this video for a tutorial.

 Item #                     Description                                                Price

133402                    Undefined Stamp Carving Kit                   $19.95

134808                    Undefined Refill Kit                                  $9.95

124236                   Clear-Mount Cling Foam                           $10.95

Add a sheet of the Clear-mount Cling Foam to create your own clear-mount stamps. Mounting your stamps on the cling foam allows you to make stamps any size you want, not just what will fit on the blocks in the kit.

SHOP NOW in my online store 24/7

WOW Swap Cards and More..

Kelly Gettelfinger WOW swap card closed

I love getting swaps, especially when they are WOW ones. Swaps are a fun part of going to Stampin' Up!'s annual Convention. This year I decided to participate in an organized swap. This was my first experience with an organized swap and it went seamlessly. It was hosted on the Wednesday evening before Convention started. Kelly Gettelfinger, a fellow demonstrator, was the organizer and she did a wonderful job! It flowed very smoothly. I thought I'd continue my WOW swap share with her beautiful card. There were a few rules. Cards had to have a few layers and some feature of WOW to it. Cards were also to be full cards with embellishments and points of interests.

Kelly Gettelfinger WOW swap card opened

Back to Kelly's card: She is an expert on cards with folds and I just might be inspired to incorporate a fun fold aspect into my Christmas cards this year. And, I am planning an upcoming Creative Folds Card Class.  More information to follow on this. Thanks Kelly, for the inspiration. Keep a look out at my events to see what I am up to. If you are in the Philadelphia, New Jersey, Delaware area, you just might want to swing by and see what the fuss is all about. Come once and I'm sure you'll be back for more. We always have a grand time.


A WOW Fun Fact for Today: Stampin' Up! Designer Series Paper
A splash of pattern can give your paper crafting projects instant WOW!  I love Stampin' Up! designer series papers and now you can get more for less. Now through July 31, buy three packs of select Stampin' Up! Designer Series Paper and get one for FREE!  Stock up!  Buy SIX and get two free!  There is no maximum limit!






Choose any Designer Series Paper on pages 151, 153 and 154 of the 2013-2014 Stampin' Up! Annual Catalog with the following exceptions, which are not included:

• Designer Series Paper Stacks
• Specialty Designer Series Paper
• Designer Series Paper ordered using hostess rewards

To place your order: CLICK HERE

Thanks for stopping by...now go create something!

A WOW! Swap at Stampin' Up!'s Convention and Much More...

Riverton Home Office Visit

 In years past, I blogged everyday about the Stampin' Up! Convention goings on, but this year it seems every moment was filled with events, friends, and much needed sleep...so I decided to wait until my return home to post about all of the fun. Watch the highlights video: HERE





This year I took the tour of the home office in Riverton. This was an amazing trip. I got to see where orders are boxed up to get ready for shipping....I wonder if one of them was for me...hmmm, I'm just saying....

This is where all the goodies are packaged to be shipped to us happy folks

Thinking of new ideas in the Idea Room

Meeting Up with Friends before Opening Session

While at Stampin' Up!'s Convention, in Salt Lake City, Utah,  I participated in a WOW Swap with 20 fellow demonstrators. A WOW Swap is an event where demonstrators create a card in duplicate that includes a technique that elicits a WOW response from the viewer. Each, participating, demonstrator created 20 copies of their card to "swap," with a group of 20 demonstrators. For each card we gave, we got one in return. This was my first time in an organized swap while at Convention. The cards were awesome!!!! I enjoyed each and every one of them. I am going to begin sharing them with you, one each day.

Today I am featuring my very own swap. To make this card I used the faux layering/framing technique that required sponging and masking. Not exactly sure what you call it but I love the look of it. I came across this video  by Heather North, and decided to give it a try. I think it really adds to a card and creates a faux framing if you will.
For this card, I used:

Serene Silhouettes Stamp Set, p. 64 (wood mount 132073) (clear mount 127324)
Black StazOn ink, p. 165, item # 101406
Daffodil Delight Classic ink, p. 143, item # 126944, and card stock item #119683
Coastal Cabana Classic Ink, p. 141, item # 131175, and card stock item # 131297
Smoky Slate Classic ink, p.145, item # 131179, and card stock item # 131202
Whisper White card stock, p.145, item # 100730
Coastal Cabana 3/8" Ruffle Stretch Trim (Beautiful) item # 130024
Pear Basic Jewels (one of my fav embellishments) item # 119247
Square Lattice Embossing Folder, p.191, item # 119976
Stripes Embossing Folder, p.191, item # 123128
Artisan Label Punch, p. 181, item # 130920
Small Oval Punch, p. 182, item # 120908
Large Oval Punch, p.182, item # 119855
You can get any or all of these products through my online store 24/7. 
Have a question? Email me HERE


Fun Fact of the Day (Okay, so is it a fact if it's just because, "I say so ?" For now let's say it is)

If you are ever stuck on how to get your card to that WOW factor, just add some ribbon and bling...or pearls that usually helps. And if all else fails, texture is an awesome addition to any card. If you don't own the Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine, you really should consider getting one. It really does help to push your card to the next level.

A great way to get one is to sign up to be demonstrator and put it on your first order. You will get 30% off. Another way, host a Paper Party with me and make a goal of getting to the 50% off item level. I can help you make it happen.

Thanks for stopping by...now go create something.

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Get Started With a Wonderful Deal for My Paper Pumpkin

Have you begun your great creative escape with My Paper Pumpkin? Well, now is the time to get started. Join now and get August and September's kits for just $10.00 each! Remember to use the code above and sign up HERE! 

Paper Pumpkin comes to your door each month (a fully decked-out creativity carriage). It will help you to escape your life with some paper fun.
It comes in a sweet box, but you'll really love what you find on the inside:
All the stamps, ink, paper, and accessories to create pinable projects. Create stuff like cards, journals, décor, and more!

Paper Pumpkin by Stampin' Up! is an awesome monthly kit program that anyone (even you) can enjoy! Sign on now and attend my monthly Paper Pumpkin Class on the 4th Thursday of every month at 7pm at my home. It's a FREE event for anyone who joins through this link.

Thanks for stopping by...now go get your own Paper Pumpkin and I'll see you on Thursday August 25th at 7pm.

Stampin' Up! Convention Round-Up!

Stampin' Up!'s annual Convention was so much fun! This is the 25th Anniversary of Stampin' Up! and they went all out for us demonstrators. We were spoiled rotten and I LOVED every minute of it. We were given so many goodies and exposed to lots of fun new techniques and exciting product. I can't wait to get my hands on all of it.

Each year at Convention we get a new convention bag and some stamp sets when we check in. This year when we checked in, there wasn't a bg in sight but in true Stampin' Up! style we did receive a bag at our first General session. Shelli did the big reveal and then the Stampin' Up! employees came out and gave each of us, overly excited, demonstrators one. It was a fabulous moment!

I love this bag....but my daughter loves it more, so off with the tags and then it is all hers. My friend, Deb, made the super cute tag that says Maureen going down the side. I made the one with the ribbon on it and my name in pink at the bottom. This bag has tons of pockets, I kept losing items in it and had to go hunting for them. It's an awesome bag! My daughter will get lots of joy and use out of it.

Each year we get stamp sets in our bags and materials for our make n' takes. This year there were many full attendee give-aways. Three additional stamp sets, Tag kit, a sample of the new product, Undefined (I forgot to take a pic of it) and July's My Paper Pumpkin was given to all attendees in the Gathering Place. I almost needed to buy an additional suitcase to make it all fit.

Convention was such an amazing time for us demonstrators. It truly is a highlight! Want to see how fun it is? Now is the perfect time to join my team and become a demonstrator..."see what the buzz is all about." Sign up now and you even get some extra perks. All new demonstrators who sign up between now and August 31st get to pick one of four project kits for free in addition to their starter kit.

Click HERE and get started today. I'll keep a spot open for you at our next team meeting you won't want to miss it.

Thanks for stopping by...now go create something!

An Easy Framelit Card...Thanks So Much!

This card is from Tina Murray's recent Paper Party. She wanted a card that showcased one of the Big Shot Framelits, so I chose this one for her and her friends. This card uses the Oh Hello, stamp set which is becoming one of my favorites. I am so glad it made its way into the new catalog! It is a stamp set with so many possibilities! I also used one of the new In Colors, Crisp Cantaloupe, for this card (Isn't it pretty? so soft!), along with the pretty Subway Soho Designer Series Paper. The rhinestones on the Framelit were added just to give the card some punch and pizzaz. Hope you like it.

Thanks for stopping by...now go create something!

Guest Artist - Ginormous Flowers

Short post today. My good friend, Samantha Mancini, recently sent me a picture of this gorgeous card she made for a friend and I just had to share it. It is such a feel good card. The flowers make me happy and invoke thoughts of the many joys of summer. I love how she used brads and buttons for the flower centers. She is such a creative and talented person. I am sure the receiver will absolutely LOVE IT! Thanks for letting me share your art work Sam.

Thanks for stopping by...now go create something!