To all the Hokies out there...

When I first saw the Smarty Pants stamp set in the catalog last year - I knew it was one of the ones I had to have for personal reasons. My husband is a graduate of Virginia Tech, and anyone who has heard of them knows that they are called the "Hokies". If you have ever been to a football game (and probably other Virginia Tech sports games as well, but I've only ever been to football games), you might know that the "Hokey Pokey" (or maybe "HOKIE Pokey") is usually played and danced to at least once. So, I love the stamp that reads: What if the Hokey Pokey really is what it's ALL about?

I was having so much fun doing the last challenge by my 2nd level upline (see post below), that I decided it was time to finally make a Hokie card with that stamp. I thought the bear from the Under the Stars set was a great dancing bear - (sorry no turkeys) - so I added him in. I'm still working on my watercoloring, but I'm having fun doing it! :-)

Oh... and by the way, Pumpkin Pie and Bravo Burgundy were the closest I could get to Orange and Maroon. But I also think the Sahara Sand looks a lot like Hokie stone!

Supplies:
Under the Stars and Smarty Pants stamp sets
Sahara Sand, Pumpkin Pie, Bravo Burgundy (textured) card stock
Watercoloring paper
Basic Brown, Chocolate Chip, Creamy Caramel, and Bravo Burgundy Classic ink pads
Pumpkin Pie and Bravo Burgundy 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon
Basic Gray Taffeta Ribbon
Linen Thread
Gold Brads
Sticky Strip
Stampin' Dimensionals
SNAIL

Lisa's Group Challenge

Happy March! I know it has been forever since I posted... I was getting ready for an awesome vendor fair that I had yesterday. I will tell you all about it in another post - I just wanted to share this card really quick. Then I need to get ready for tomorrow and head to bed - although I'm hoping the weather is nasty enough that tomorrow will either be delayed or no work at all! Then I can stamp some more! (and update this blog more)

My 2nd level upline, Lisa (her blog is on my favorites list to the left), is in a weekly challenge group called the Diva Coffee Break Designs. She has given her group of downline demonstrators some of the challenges that she has been participating in. I haven't participated every week, but I wanted to just do some fun stamping and decided to try out this week's design. Some weeks it is a color challenge, some weeks a design challenge... this week was a design challenge.

As soon as I saw the Classic Sketches stamp set in the new catalog, I knew I had to get it. My undergraduate degree is in Architecture, and even though I'm not an architect now that stamp set gave me a way to have fun with the memories. So, I thought it would be fun to see how I could incorporate that set into a card. Let me know what you think!

P.s. - It is always easier for me to scan in my cards than take photos, because the scanner is right here beside me. However, whenever I have a knot or other 3-d element in my card, it causes focus issues. I'm still trying to work on how to fix this - if I even can; but luckily this card didn't turn out so bad.

Supplies:
Classic Sketches and Define Your Life stamp sets
Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa, Creamy Caramel, Kraft, and Very Vanilla card stock
Chocolate Chip and Creamy Caramel Classic ink pads
1" Double-stitched Chocolate Chip Grosgrain Ribbon
1/4" Chocolate Chip Grosgrain Ribbon
Vintage brads
Sponges
Stampin' Dimensionals

Wondering where the supply list went???

Have you been looking through the new catalog, seen a great project, wondered what was used for that card, flipped to the back of the catalog to see the supplies... and realized that it isn't there? Don't worry - it still exists and has been improved. Now there are small pictures by each supply list/recipe for the project, so it is even easier to figure out which list applies to the project you are looking for! All you need to do is go HERE to the Stampin' Up! website and download or print all the supply lists for the projects in the catalog.

Happy Birthday to my Upline!

February 12th was my upline's birthday. In case you don't know the term, an upline is the Stampin' Up! demonstrator that you sign up to become a demonstrator with. For example, if you were to join the Stampin' up! team using my web site, or through a demonstrator agreement with me, I would be your upline.

In honor of her birthday, I thought I would show you the card I made for her. I was really happy with it - unfortunately the scan does not do the card justice. For one thing, it is blurry. Any time I have a card with a lot of things that "pop out", the scanner always focuses on those things and makes the rest of the card blurry. I haven't figured out how to fix that yet, and it is so much easier for me to scan my cards than take pictures! Luckily, with this card, the blurriness doesn't matter as much since it is a watercolored image and it looks good a little blurry. Yes, I did use some retired Stampin' Up! items... but you can definitely substitute current products for the items that are retired.

Supply list:
Crazy for Cupcakes stamp set (I LOVE this set)
Very Vanilla, Bashful Blue, and So Saffron card stock
Watercolor Paper
Le Jardin DSP (sorry, this is retired)
Basic Black, Bashful Blue, So Saffron, Always Artichoke and Rose Red Classic Ink
Ivory 5/8" Organza ribbon (also retired)
Filigree Brads
Ice Circles Rhinestone Brads
Clear Rhinestone Brads
Aqua Painter

It's Sale-A-Bration time!

I love this time of year! Sale-A-Bration give you an easy way to get even more free stamp sets and accessories! All you need to do is order $50 and you get a FREE Sale-a-Bration, limited offer, stamp set or accessory bundle. If you order $100, you get two; $150 and you get three; do you start seeing the trend? Plus, there are other great benefits if you host a workshop or join the Stampin' Up! team during Sale-A-Bration. Hostesses: host a workshop with $350 in total sales and get a FREE Sale-A-Bration set or bundle - that is in addition to any you earn with your personal order in the workshop. Join my team: get 15% off the starter kit, plus a free stamp set from the current Idea Book & Catalog (a $47.95 value). See below post for more details on joining my team.

To give you a peek at the fabulous products offered only during Sale-A-Bration, here is one of the projects I am doing for my February club meeting. I used both the Sale-A-Bration designer series paper bundle (Delicate Dots) and the Sale-A-Bration ribbon bundle for this 6x6 scrapbook page. I picked this size, because for my club members who are not scrapbookers, they can easily turn all the exact same supplies in to an adorable 3x6 card.

Supplies:
Define Your Life stamp set
Chocolate Chip Classic Ink
Baja Breeze textured, Whisper White and Pink Pirouette card stock
Delicate Dots DSP (Sale-A-Bration)
Certainly Celery ribbon (Sale-A-Bration Ribbon Bundle)
Key Tag punch
Wide Oval punch
Linen Thread
Silver Brads
Clear Buttons
Stampin' Sponge
Stampin' Dimensionals

Join my Stampin' Up! team

Have you been addicted to stamping for a long time now, or just getting into this fabulous craft? Are you looking for something new to do, either as a full time job or just want to earn a little extra cash? Becoming a Stampin' Up! independent demonstrator may be the perfect answer for you. I have a fabulous time sharing what I love to do with others, not to mention the great opportunities and trips Stampin' Up! offers where you get to meet other amazing demonstrators and, of course, stamp!

Now is a great time to join my Stampin' Up! team. During Sale-A-Bration (SAB - Feb 1 - Mar 31), if you become a demonstrator you get the Starter Kit for 15% off PLUS any stamp set from the Spring/Summer '09 Idea Book & Catalog (IBC) for free! That is an awesome value! If you are interested, e-mail me at memoriesbyvanda@gmail.com. It is easy to sign up - it can be done on my Stampin' Up! website!

Joining Stampin' Up! Frequently Asked Questions:

What comes in the Starter Kit?
The starter kit contains almost $350 worth of fabulous supplies for $199 - and now until March 31 you get it all for 15% off: so only for $169! You get the following:
- You choose FIVE stamp sets, this price or lower: 21.95, 30.95, 27.95, 35.95 and a bonus until March 31 of one at 47.95.
- One Stampin' Around regular wheel ($6.50)
- One Stampin' Around handle
- One Stampin' Around ink cartridge - your choice of color
- Stampin' Pastels - a full box of 51 colors!
- Two packs of assorted 8.5x11 card stock (72 sheets total) - your choice of color group
- One pack of Whisper White or Very Vanilla card stock (40 sheets of 8.5x11)
- SNAIL adhesive
- One Decor Element of your choice valued 20.95 or lower (vinyl wall decoration)
- Stampin' Scrub and Stampin' Mist - awesome stamp cleaner!!!
- VersaMark ink pad (clear ink used for watermarks or embossing)
- pack of Blender Pens (3 pens in the pack, each pen is double sided)
- 5 Classic Ink pads, you choose the color
- PLUS all the business supplies you need to start your business: box of 8 catalogs, mini catalogs, order forms, our demonstrator magazine and more.

What are the minimum sales requirements?
You only need to have $300 in sales per quarter. That is only $100 per month - less than an average workshop! I know I can do that in an order for myself most times, so it really isn't that difficult to meet the minimum. PLUS, if you join during the month of February or March, you don't have to meet your first minimum until the end of your first full quarter as a demonstrator. What does that mean? If you join Feb 1st - you actually have until the end of June to make your first $300 minimum sales. After that, it is $300 per quarter. Also note, the $300 minimum can be done in any increments over the quarter - it doesn't have to be all in one order.

Do I have to hold workshops and classes?
Absolutely not. Stampin' Up! is extremely supportive of ALL types of demonstrators; whether you want to make this your sole career, just need a little extra cash, or just want an extra discount on your own orders! There is no problem with having your $300 quarterly minimums entirely your own orders or with a few from family and friends. By the way, you can even be your own Hostess anytime you want! Just invite friends and family over for a night of stamping and you get all the Hostess benefits PLUS receive your demonstrator benefits of instant income & commission.

Do I have to recruit other demonstrators?
Again, not if you don't want to. All you have to do is maintain your $300 quarterly minimum and Stampin' Up! will love having you as a demonstrator. There is no requirement to recruit other demonstrators into your downline.

What are the incentives and benefits associated with being a Stampin' Up! demonstrator?
Stampin' Up offers all sorts of incentives and benefits - here are just a few:
- You get 30% off your first demonstrator order (that's 10% more than your normal 20% discount/instant income) if you place it within 45 days after signing up.
- With the Stampin' Start program, you have the opportunity to earn more FREE stamp sets from the current catalog within the first 3-4 months of being a demonstrator
- You can earn up to 40% commission on personal purchases & customer orders.
- You can pick even more free items (both business and product options) each quarter through Great Rewards (does depend on sales amounts each quarter).
- You are eligible to earn a FREE cruise each year!!
- The opportunity to meet other demonstrators, learn awesome business tips, and STAMP at Convention and/or Regional seminars.
- FREE catalogs throughout the year.
- Monthly demonstrator magazine (Stampin' Success) which includes great project ideas and business tips. PLUS find all sorts of ideas and support on-line with Stampin' Up!s demonstrator support site.
- Get to pre-order new stamp sets and accessories before they are available! :-)

Why would I sign up just to get a discount?
Here is an example of why you should think about signing up even if it is just because you have a big order you want to place. Say you want to order a lot of Stampin' Up! products for a big project, or something big like the BIG SHOT. First of all, you get all the fabulous products listed above for pretty close to 50% off (about $350 worth in supplies for $169). Then, with your first demonstrator order placed within 45 days of signing up, you get 30% off your first order over $150. Since it is over $150, you also get all the hostess benefits: free hostess stamp set and $15 in free product! Plus, every order you place after that you still get a 20% discount. Just think of all that savings!

What if I decide I don't want to be a demonstrator? Is there a minimum required time, or will I get penalized?
There is no minimum time requirement or penalization of you choose to stop being a demonstrator. All you have to do is no longer place the $300 minimum quarterly. You can stop any time you choose.

Do you enjoy being a demonstrator?
ABSOLUTELY!!!! I have a blast stamping and teaching others all the wonderful techniques and designs that are available with Stampin' Up! products. As your upline, I will be here for ideas, questions, and any and all support you need to get your business (or hobby) off the ground. Stampin' Up! is so great to its demonstrators - I've gotten numerous free stamp sets, the opportunity to travel to Salt Lake City for Convention. I had a blast last year with all the demonstrations, learning about new products, and getting to stamp with thousands of other demonstrators from all over. I even got the opportunity to tour the Stampin' Up! headquarters just outside of Salt Lake City. I can't wait to go again this year! I hope you come join me as part of my downline!

Thank you to other Stampin' Up! demos who I borrowed from to compile this list of questions and answers; especially Lisa Freeman and Angie Kennedy Juda.

Shelli's Valentine's Day Challenge

It's been a couple of months since I entered something in Shelli's challenge on her blog. Of course, due to procrastination and our computer issues - I'm entering this on the last day possible! :-) This month's challenge is for Valentine's day, so I thought I would get in on this challenge because I love Valentine's Day - even if my husband isn't that big on the holiday! ;-) For those who don't remember or know, Shelli is the co-founder and CEO of Stampin' Up! She has a blog (link is on the left) and will every month or so post a challenge for demonstrators and customers - note: you don't have to be a demo to enter!

I did both of these cards a couple of months ago for a swap for the Holiday Mini. I was very happy to see that the stamp set I used is in the new catalog since I thought it is adorable. The set is A Happy Heart. I had fun using it for both a more masculine-flavored card (the 3x3 I"Heart"U card) and the regular sized card. A note about the Designer Series Paper (DSP) that is one of the layers - I used the Kraft Patterns paper that was part of the Fall/Winter Hostess Level 1 pack. The colors have been changed for the Spring/Summer Hostess Level 1 pack... but the Basic Gray that is in the new pack would be a great substitute. Or, you can use the Manchester DSP since that has a Kraft background color in some of its designs.

For the second card, I also used the Wonderful You set as both a background and used Stampin' Write markers to create the saying I wanted out of the word stamps from the Wonderful You set. I will admit, I need to work on getting those lined up better! Perhaps I should have used the Stamp-a-ma-jig. :-) By the way, the Wonderful You set is not in the catalog, but you can still order it. It just made its way over to the dormant list. It is kind of hard to see, but for the background, I embossed the outline of the leaves in clear embossing powder. Also, the three hearts that form the diagonal "win" are popped out with dimensionals.

Supplies:
3x3 card -
A Happy Heart stamp set
Always Artichoke, Night of Navy, Very Vanilla card stock
Riding Hood Red Classic Ink Pad
Patterns Level 1 DSP or Manchester DSP (see note above)
Designer Label punch
Styled Silver Hodgepodge Hardware
Cutter Kit (distresser tool)

"won heart" card -
A Happy Heart and Wonderful You stamp sets
Elegant Eggplant, Always Artichoke, and Very Vanilla card stock
Riding Hood Red and Regal Rose Classic Ink Pads; VersaMark Ink
1/2" circle punch
Ticket corner punch
Styled Silver Hodgepodge Hardware
Cutter Kit (distresser tool)
Blender Pen
Clear Embossing Powder
Embossing Buddy & Heat Tool
Stampin' Dimensionals