I know everyone is eager to see what is going to be discontinued and what is DISCOUNTED as well…. well, the list is up! So you can check it out and then let me know if you have questions or need anything!
I’m still waiting on a PDF copy of the retirement list but you can see everything in the Online Store!
Also, while you are there, don’t forget that TODAY IS THE LAST DAY for Weekly deals!
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After an amazing time in Salt Lake City for OnStage 2016, I flew home the evening of Saturday and then spent Sunday with my family and letting all that I saw and learned percolating in my mind. And so today, it is back in the saddle and getting ready for my Northwest Crafty Escape Weekend and starting to put into action all that I learned.
The big news though is that – the Annual Catalog and Occasions Catalog retirement list are going to be announced today at 1pm MST! Once it goes live, items on the list (except likely some stamps) will be while supplies last. I’m expecting some of the retiring In Color reinkers are going to be sold out by late afternoon. So, the sooner you can check it out the better. They haven’t posted it for demonstrators yet either, so I don’t know for sure everything that is going to be on the list or discounted.
To make sure you see the news you can either:
Don’t forget, this is also your last chance at the discounts on the weekly deals as well!
Also, I know I have some folks who have been asking about my Retreat to Go. I had planned to finalize pricing for this while I was at OnStage. Silly me, I thought it would be no problem to stay up late at night and get it all sorted out. 
Well, um… yeah… I forgot how non-stop everything is and how little sleep I already get when I’m away at these events. So, I had to finish it up when I got back from the trip.
But registration is open NOW!
Register NOW as I’ll only be offering this through April 30th!
What is the Retreat in a Box?
This is my way of extending part of the experience of the retreat to those of you who are not able to join us live at the event! So, if you can’t come to us, grab your pjs and some table space at home and settling in for your retreat experience there! What is included with your registration is:
Reserve your Retreat in a Box here!
We started the day being able to finish up make & take classes and get to see AND MAKE part of the May Paper Pumpkin kit! That was really cool and I’m looking forward to the kit now too.
Then it was time for a few more pictures with friends from around the event
then we were back in session for the final presentations of the day.
Shout out to two of my Fun n’ Crafty gals who got to stand and wave for their promotions – I was so excited to cheer for them! LIz Mitchell for Bronze Elite and Carla Branton for Silver! Woo hoo, girls!!
Check back later today to see the Retiring List and then stay tuned for sneak peeks, samples, and more about the new catalog coming in June!
Alright, I was supposed to be asleep an hour ago but I thought I would upload a few more pictures (ok probably more than a few) for those of you playing along at home. 
Today was the second day of OnStage Live and it was GREAT!! We have a wonderful mix of corporate presentations, demonstrator presentations, chances to see LOTS of displays, project ideas, and actually get our hands on tons of the new stuff and STAMP! Plus I got to spend a bit more time with my Fun n’ Crafty Stamper gals who were here with me. It’s been so whirlwind I am so grateful for our evenings when we hang out in my hotel room and chit chat, discuss the catalog, business ideas, and just hang out and have fun.
So we started out bright and early… I was NOT bright eyed and busy tailed…but still excited to be there none the less!
We got to hear from Shelli and Sara and I loved the quotes Sara shared in her presentation!
After opening sessions, we got to go explore the Product Showcase… there were display boards, product up on display so you could see and touch it, make & takes, food, and fun photo ops.
I had to take my annual Andrea Withers selfie! She is just the sweetest person you will find at the Home Office and I got to know her a few years back and just love working with her when I get to do Display Boards as well as seeing her at events. Isn’t she just the cutest?!
But I had to spend lots of time checking out the new stuff and taking some classes.
I wish we could show you what we were working on… so here is the best I can do right now!
In the afternoon, we were back for more recognition marches – including anniversary marches. Pamela Wu was eligible to walk across the stage for her 5 year anniversary but she chose to stay in her seat. I think she is so wonderful I had to give her a shout out anyway! Fun fact – Pamela is my longest term demo, having been with me for not quite 5 1/2 years! My how time flies!
Then it was time for more presentations ranging from uplifting, funny, and just plain creatively inspiring. Brandy shared a little bit about finding your own way and being true to who you are to find your success.
I also have to give a shout out to Sean Douglass for being so gracious to let me talk his ear off for a ton of time about the new catalog (what is awesome about it), products we would love to see, products we will dearly miss, and why. He helps run product development and they were at the event to listen to demonstrators tell them about they they think of the products and what we need/want. Though I’m not sure he expected to have someone as full of thoughts and opinions as myself! 
So, since I can’t share product pictures… here are some more people pictures.
I almost didn’t share this picture of me and Brandy just because I swear I was the most unphotogenic person today but I am just so grateful to have connected with her and her amazing sweet and caring spirit. So, I had to give her some love and take a moment to say thanks and that I can’t wait to cheer for her big successes to come!
And speaking of people to cheer about, I have to give a shout out to the gals with me here this week. They are talented stampers, but more importantly great friends! We all had the chance to go eat at Cheesecake Factory and have great discussions… but even better, we got CHEESECAKE! Cheesecake party in my room! No for real, we all got cheescake to go and took it back to the hotel and had a room party.
And they even humored me when I asked them to set aside their cheesecake and go back downstairs since we had not gotten a group photo with everyone together. I told you, they are awesome!
So, in the morning, we are back for the final day of OnStage. I don’t know what to expect, but I know it will be awesome. So, until then, I am going to get some sleep and be back soon with more!
Don’t forget, you can follow along throughout the day on my Northwest Stamper Facebook page as I post regularly during the day at OnStage.
Until then….
Earlier this week was all about getting ready for OnStage and then Wednesday was travel and Thursday was the first day! It has been BUSY! But oh my goodness has it been a wonderful experience! I can’t even believe where my journey with Stampin’ Up has taken me and I’m so grateful I stuck with it so that I can have amazing experiences like I am this week!
I know many of you aren’t able to join us here in Salt Lake City, so I thought I would share a little about the adventures happening here so you can be here with us in spirit… we can always use more crafty friends!
Over the years, I have built a team of amazing folks that we now call the Fun n’ Crafty Stampers. There are folks from all across the US from the east coast all the way to Hawaii and many states in between. So, when OnStage (the new version of Convention) is in Salt Lake City, it is a great opportunity for some of us to travel to reconnect in person, get inspired, try new things, and of course, STAMP! This year, it is in Utah from April 14-16 and we had 7 of us from the team meeting up here
So, 6 of us arrived on Wednesday and after meeting up, 5 of us headed south to Riverton for the annual pilgrimage to the Stampin’ Up home office.
It is always fun to get to meet and chat with the staff and see what has changed. This time, there were a few new displays in the Legacy Room museum
And we even got to tour the upstairs floor and see Shelli and Rich’s offices!
Then it was time for a bit of shopping… driving back in HORRIBLE rain… (sorry guys, didn’t realize the Seattle rain tagged along with us!) and then raced back to the hotel for a fun night of Shoebox Swapping with Dawn Olchefske and Kelly Acheson’s teams. Better believe some of the cards we made will be showing up in my upcoming classes!
Then it was back to the room to finish up card swaps and team gifties! These are the general swap cards I made for this year and am trading around the convention center.
OnStage 2016 – Day 1
Due to the schedule, we pretty much had the morning to kill, but as a Display Stamper this year, I ended up heading over to start putting up my projects….and can I just say, they picked some AMAZING demonstrators to work on the display boards because they all look fantastic!
Unfortunately, I can’ post pictures from that until Monday (due to SU’s spoiler alert” policy. But I can share photos of us waiting to get our bags and to go in and be part of the party! Notice any pretty colors you like from the banners? That may or may not be a sneak peek of the new In Colors. 
And of course there was swapping…. I’m very serious about my swapping….
seriously CHEESY! 
And then it was time for Opening Session! Hopefully I didn’t hurt the ears of my Mom and Nicole next to me from my screaming. Let me just say, I freaked out more than once as they gave us the new catalog and I got to see new things that are coming out! So glad I am a demonstrator and have the demo discount because my wishlist is LOOOOONG!
I know! I wish I could show you pictures or tell you more details about what I saw in that new catalog and on the presentations but we have a gag order until Monday afternoon. But I can say, you won’t be disappointed!
Stampin’ Up hosted a lovely incentive dinner that first night to celebrate and thank folks of Silver Elite and above titles – which includes me! So they bussed us to a nearby swanky hotel where we socialized and had some mocktails.
Isn’t Sheri adorable? She is a lovely friend from Canada who I always love to see at SU events.
Side note, this is one of the coolest parts of attending the SU events, you end up making friends in random places that you connect with for life! I met Sheri randomly during one of the Make & Take sessions at Convention a couple years ago. She had been recognized as a Rising Star (one of the demonstrators who had a stellar first years as a demonstrator) and so I had congratulated her and we hit it off talking. Just like I met Brandy Cox when we both went to Founder’s Circle for the first time and we had a sweet connection from that. Now I’m so blessed to see them at events and get to reconnect and share laughs and hugs. The women you meet in this business really are just some of the most amazing people! It really does make my heart full! And I’m so grateful to be able to cheer them on and get to celebrate their successes!
Anyway, back to CenterStage, enough of my sappy moment. 
We ad a fabulous 4 course meal.
They even had dueling pianos while we ate which was way more fun than I expected! I’ve never seen a dueling piano show and it hilarious!
So, at the end of the day, iit was an awesome time to meet and/or connect with folks who share this awesome journey with me. We had a few fun gifts from the company and then it was off to bed to try to get some sleep before we start bright and early in the morning!
Wish you could have been here with me! Hopefully next time you can join the Fun n’ Crafty Stampers at one of the events in the US!
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Around here, last week was spring break and I didn’t take into account how my days are different with both kids running around as opposed to them being in school. So things have been a little bit hectic around here as I prep for OnStage later this week and my Northwest Crafty Escape Weekend next week! But, I wouldn’t trade it for the world and loved the time with them. And we even got to go up and visit my parents and my Mom was amazing and helped me start prepping goodie bags for the retreat and swaps for OnStage! Isn’t she awesome?
We even took some time to visit the Tulip Festival in Mt Vernon, WA while we were away. We couldn’t have asked for a better day or prettier flowers! When I finally get to share my samples I’ve been creating for the OnStage Display Boards, you’ll see a few pictures from that trip for my scrapbook pages!
But in the meantime, as I get ready for Stamp Club tonight and finish everything for OnStage, I wanted to give you this one last reminder about the Weekly Deals for this week. These end TONIGHT at 11:59pm MST and there are a LOT of awesome deals!
If you didn’t hear, next week is the last week that Weekly Deals will be offered. Then on April 18th the retirement list will be published for the current Stampin’ Up annual catalog. So, now is the time to grab your favorites before they go to while supplies last!
And make sure you are visiting the blog this week! I’ll be posting what I can from OnStage and then start sharing some sneak peeks and display board samples next week! Its going to be fun times around here!
We always think of sending cards when it is someone’s birthday or anniversary or Christmas. But what about all those other times of the year? People do amazing things, or are just awesome for being a part of your life… so why note surprise them with a note to tell them how special they are and how glad you are in their life?
This is another one of my big projects I want to start up this year… just because and you are awesome cards. In this busy and bustling world we are in right now, how great would it feel to go to the mailbox and tucked in amongst the bills and junk mail is a little hand crafted surprise. 
Love it!
So, this card today, is an idea to create a card just for that using the Going Global stamp set. I made the center piece by stamping the globe image with Crumb Cake (to keep it light) and then punched with my 2” circle punch. Then just stamp your sentiment from the same set on top using Early Espresso ink. And you know me, I just had to add some glitz by dropping a rhinestone into the center of one of the Classy Designer Buttons and popping that onto my sentiment with a glue dot. Just makes it fancier don’t you think?
I also had to add in a pop of color and LOVE LOVE LOVE this Watermelon Wonder Stitched Satin ribbon. It is so pretty and soft in person!
Tip – When adhering your ribbon to the front of your card, only put adhesive down under where you will have your scalloped circle for the sentiment! If you run adhesive down the full length of the ribbon, it will start making strange bumps as it glues down over the embossed background. It is so much prettier fluttering losely at the bottom.
One last tip for you. I embossed a piece of Very Vanilla cardstock with the hearts embossing folder and attached it to the Very Vanilla card base. So help the layers stand out, I sponged the edge of the embossed layer. However, if you sponge AFTER you emboss, you have a higher chance of the paper tearing where it is embossed. So, you may want to sponge the paper FIRST and then emboss to minimize tearing.
>> Get all the details here! <<
Just a reminder that the deadline to sign up for this is coming up in less than a week! The tables are filling up, so make sure you’ve saved your spot!
Retreat in a Box option is coming soon too!
If you can’t come because you are out of town or can’t travel, I’ll be offering a Retreat in a Box so you can play along at home. I’Il be posting the details tomorrow so check back for that!
Product List
I wanted to do a quick post to share something I learned yesterday… the weekly deals we know and love will be discontinuing after next week! Stampin’ Up has been evaluating the program and decided to try something new and so instead of having a small batch of items that are on sale each week (this week though there are more than a few!) they are going to be moving to every few months having a bigger promotion called a “special offer” for discounting select products. I don’t know more than that… but I do know, if you love some of these items, grab them now while they are on sale!
Here are a few of my favorite projects using weekly deal items! I love so many of them, so this is only a sampling since it is so hard to pick a favorite. 
Gift Bag Punch Board
Sunburst Thinlit
or you can combine the two with this die I love! (I just realized I have a bunch of cards I’ve made with it at home but forgot to post, I’ll be fixing that!)
Rose Garden Thinlit
and the Gold 1/8” ribbon
So, hopefully that gives you a start to some inspiration! Check out the Weekly Deals online and grab your favorites before the sale is over on Monday!
And watch for next Tuesday for the LAST Weekly Deals to be offered!
One of the really fun things about going to OnStage (the new name for Stampin’ Up convention and regional demonstrator events) is that we get to try out the newest products that are coming up and make some samples to use when we get home. One of the products we got to try in November was the Botanical Blooms stamp set and matching dies. We learned that the stamp set is designed to perfectly match the patterned paper (see the details on the leaves and flowers in the patterned paper? yep, I STAMPED THEM! How cool is that??!?) And this is what we made at the event:
Now that was a fun and all sample to see how the products all worked, but I just wasn’t inspired to turn it into a card as is. See, it was this odd 4 1/4” height (same as a normal card) but only 5” wide (narrower than a normal card). So I decided I had to cut things up and experiment a bit. And ended up really liking the end result… what do you think?
So, what I ended up doing was cutting down the designer patterned paper and then layering it onto some Mossy Meadow cardstock (I’m sooooo going to miss this color when it retires later this month!!) and then put it all onto a Hello Honey card base.
The design was so busy, I wanted to keep my sentiment simple so I reached for the wooden Expressions Elements for a simple thanks and to make it easier to read, I just adhered a thin strip of Mossy Meadow cardstock behind the letters to make it super clear.
You can see from my imperfect stamping, show the detailing on the leaves is stamped on. And the centers to many of the flowers. It was kind of fun finishing out the paper design! Then I just added a few rhinestones here and there for a little sparkle and we were good to go!
I’ve had a couple people confused about the Botanical Blooms bundle… because they know that when you get a bundle you get 15% off the dies and stamp set. But what they didn’t notice, is that in THIS SPECIFIC BUNDLE, you ALSO get the pack of designer paper too!
See the bundle details in the online store
Fun bonus, right? If you have questions, don’t hesitate to say hello and drop me a line at jennifer@nwstamper.com!
Product List
Just a quick reminder – If you are a last minute person like me… don’t miss out on Sale-a-Bration! Today is the last day to get your free bonuses and gifts!
Shop online and get your FREE GIFT with your $50 order! Select from:
Get a bonus when you become a Fun n’ Crafty Stamper and join our fun group of stampers who love getting a discount on all of our products plus all the other perks of being a demonstrator – like sneak peeks, free catalogs, and other incentives! Join us in monthly challenges, creative inspiration, business ideas, support, and just fun and friendship. Get $155 in product for only $99…and no Shipping cost to get you started!
Get the Starter Kit here
ANYONE can buy it… with no obligation but to have fun and use your discount! Or decide to give it a try and have a money making hobby if you want one! 🙂
Steal the BIG deal and join our fun group – the Fun n’ Crafty Stampers! Get started here –http://nwstamper.stampinup.net/jointhefun
Alright people, we are at T-minus 2 DAYS of Sale-a-Bration! Did you get your order in? If not, let me share with you some more ideas from another of one of the free Sale-a-Bration items you could choose before the month is out!
Today I’m featuring the Botanicals For You stamp set
The name makes you think it is all about flowers, but it is because it matches some of the Botanicals Suite products in the Occasions Catalog. I just love the big “Just For You” and so created a couple cards with it that I just love:
This was one of the cards we did in Stamp Club this month
This was a fun card to pull together. I used a bunch of my favorite products… but even more fun was playing with color! I used the 2015-2017 In Colors to pull together my card. The big letters on the Just for You is perfect for coloring with your markers. So I used Mint Macaron, Watermelon Wonder, and Delightful Dijon as my focus colors here. Don’t they look awesome together?
Then I used the fun follow on sentiment and created a banner to go along the bottom of the card… because, really, people need to hear they are awesome more often don’t you think?
I stamped the flower in Watermelon Wonder and cut it out and it is hard to see, but used some of the Gold Wink of Stella in the middle for a little bit of shine and color.
And what are we thinking of the Brick Wall embossing folder as the background? I used it for texture along the back of the card… I kind of like it in Mint! 
Then add a hint of the Watermelon Wonder satin ribbon… seriously the BEST ribbon in the Occasions Catalog!
And don’t forget the finishing touch of the Mint Macaron/Black Baker’s Twine from the combo pack! Tie it in the crease of your card for the just right final touch!
Now, if you want to keep it really simple, I have one more option for you…. this sweet and simple emboss resist card.
All you have to do is stamp your sentiment in Versamark and then heat emboss with white embossing powder.
Sponge your favorite color over the top with the yellow Stampin’ Sponges and and the color won’t stick to your words but will make them really POP!
Layer on coordinating cardstock and then pop up on Stampin’ Dimensionals over your favorite ribbon and/or twine… love that gold baker’s twine! And you are done!
Shop online and get the Botanicals For You stamp set for free with your $50 order!
Steal the BIG deal and join our fun group – the Fun n’ Crafty Stampers! Get started here –http://nwstamper.stampinup.net/jointhefun
***Use Hostess Code MZ2REKD7 at check out to get a special thank you from me!***
Product List
Oops! I was so focused on getting ready for and running my Terrific Techniques classes yesterday (we had LOTS of fun with Vellum this month!) I completely spaced posting up day 4 countdown to the end of Sale-a-Bration! So, today I’ll remedy that by posting two featured products for Day 4 and Day 3 – Pedal Pushers and Party Pants! Yep! Only 3 Days Left of Sale-a-Bration! Both of these were part of the new flyer of bonus Sale-a-Bration items that came out in mid-February.
And just a quick note- All the Sale-a-Bration items are while supplies last, so if you want something, don’t wait!
So, as a reminder:
(blog post here)
I made a quick notecard using the Pedal Pushers stamp set thanks to the quick and easy Notecards and Envelopes. A little washi tape, some twine, and paper and you have a quick and cute card.
I stamped the bike with Memento ink and then colored in with my markers. Don’t you just love that little bird in the basket? Don’t forget to sponge the edges and round the bottom corner!
Then add some pizzazz with some of the It’s My Party designer paper on the left side and cover the seam with some Washi tape. This is the Stacked with Love washi tape that is on the clearance rack! You can totally score some great deals here like sets of 3 washi tape rolls for $2! And Clearance Rack stuff counts for Sale-a-Bration totals too!
Add some twine and you are done and done!
With a few of the stamp sets and the metallic tape running out, I wanted to make sure to give you one more reminder to get your order in before the last day! If you are local, I’m doing a group order today!
Or, get all your favorites in one fell swoop, when you place a $250 order! You’ll get:
Shop online and get the Pedal Pushers and/or the Party Pants stamp sets for free with your $50 order!
Steal the BIG deal and join our fun group – the Fun n’ Crafty Stampers! Get started here – http://nwstamper.stampinup.net/jointhefun
***Use Hostess Code MZ2REKD7 at check out to get a special thank you from me!***
Now, before I get to the card for today – a Joy Fold card using Wildflower Fields designer paper… let me just start by saying Happy Easter! Today is a day of fun and festivities for my family. If you celebrate Easter, I hope you have a wonderful day celebrating with your family as well. 
If you remember that Curvy Keepsake Bunny I shared the tutorial for last week, I thought I’d share how I used them… I let the Easter Bunny fill them with jelly beans and they were peeking out of the Easter baskets this morning.
Aren’t they so adorable? I think they ended up just perfect for this year and the kids were even very good with them and didn’t tear them apart to get to the candy! So success all around!
Now, back to my NEW share for you today! We are doing our Sale-a-Bration Countdown, I’ve shared ideas using Perfectly Artistic designer paper and the Honeycomb Happiness stamp set the last two days. And today I have another paper set for you – the Wildflower Fields designer paper.
So, this is paper that you can ONLY get free with a $50 order… see everything that is available as a free choice here.
It is a really pretty paper pack. I’m going to be making a bunch of envelopes to mail with mine. But I also put together this Joy Fold (fancy fold) card to share in a class as well! It was inspired by a swap I received at the beginning of the year and I made a few stamping tweaks to fit the supplies I had.
I discovered that while the images on the Wildflower Fields paper pack are designed to go GREAT with the Flowering Fields stamp set (also free during Sale-a-bration), but it goes great with the Flower Patch stamp set as well! That along with the matching Flower Fair dies is what I used to create the flower in the corner and to stamp the Calypso Coral cardstock behind the sentiment. Kind of cool, huh?
Now the neat thing about a Joy Fold card is that the layers sandwhich together so that when opened, reveal your note to the recipient in the middle of the card! You can sort of see that in the picture below.
Here is what you need to cut to make a joy fold card:
Adhere all the pattern pieces to your cardbased so that the score line is on the left. Then glue the pieces for the 3”x8” piece of cardstock together and glue down to the middle of the cardbase so that its score line is on the RIGHT.
Decorate the front of the card to your preferred design! I added a sentiment layer for the cute Lovely Amazing You stamp set and them made a flower using that Flower Patch bundle.
Yes, there is a bit of cutting up front, but the card comes together pretty easy and it is a cool WOW card for someone who deserves something a little bit different.
So, I hope this inspired you, and gave you a fun idea for your stamping!
With 5 days left, now is the perfect time to figured out how you are going to Sale-a-Brate! Did you get all the free items you wanted? Check out all the options here! Get even more free when your order (or combined party order) is $250 or more! You will get your free products PLUS a $25 hostess benefits bonus to use right then!
Or, this is also the last 5 days of the starter kit special. I’d love for you to join my Stampin’ Up peeps. 
Steal the BIG deal and join our fun group – the Fun n’ Crafty Stampers! Get started here – http://nwstamper.stampinup.net/jointhefun
***Use Hostess Code MZ2REKD7 at check out to get a special thank you from me!***
Product List
