Northwest Stamper

Tag: convention 2011

  • Convention 2012 Here I Come!

     

    Alright, I’m going to warn you right now that today’s post is going to be a total photo bomb!  Some folks have asked where I get my ideas or have said I am so excited about what I do – so I wanted to share with you where some of that comes from and how you can get in on it too!

    The annual Stampin’ Up! convention!

    I was so excited when registration for the Stampin’ Up! convention 2012 opened up earlier this week that I registered in the first 15 minutes!  This will be my 4th convention in a row and my 2nd where I’ll have a baby with me.  I get so many ideas, learn so much, and have a ton of fun that I can’t imagine not going each year.

    If you can see yourself getting excited about a sneak peek announcement with 3,000 of your stamping friends…

    If you LOVE seeing the most A-MAZING project ideas with things you probably have in your home already…

    If you want new ideas for how to share your love of crafting with others…

    This is the place to be. 🙂  Here are some photos from my trip last year so you can see what I mean.

    If you are interested in learning more about coming, shoot me an email and I’d love to give you the full scoop!  Already registered?  Leave me a comment, I’d love to see who all my stamping buddies are that are coming with me to Salt Lake!

     

    imageimage
    Free prizes! (Including products before you can buy them!)Swapping! I get so many amazing ideas each year from fellow demos
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    Business and Stamping Tips from Stampin’ Up! and other successful demonstratorsAchievement walks! That is me in the purple. 🙂 I got to walk across the stage for growing my team.

     

    If that wasn’t enough, here are even more awesome snapshots from my time in Utah: Keep reading to see lots more Convention Photos!

  • A Little More Convention Inspiration

    Well, today is my day to photograph some of the recent projects I’ve made to share with you; so while I work on that, I thought I’d share with you a few more swap cards I received at convention.  These were all cards that when I saw them I just had to trade for them.  So I hope you enjoy like I did!

     

    card by Tammy Olsen

    I love how this card uses the scallop circle from the Perfect Pennant bigshot die and weaves Cherry Cobbler seam binding ribbon to make this adorable wreath!

    card by Kathy Gage

    I see this card and I think it looks like a present in the middle of a white card – perfect for a birthday card.



    I’m trying to find the creator of this card, I’ll update shortly.

    When I saw this card, I thought it looked like a work of art and was so excited to swap for it.  The cutest thing was the person who created it had designed it for a “Wow! swap” and was concerned it wasn’t good enough.  So, she really appreciated that I was wow’ed by it and I loved having such beautiful inspiration.

    card by Jacque Henry

    I’ve done masking techniques before and I’ve seen sponging and brayering techniques but I never put them together like in this card.  Doesn’t it make such a neat effect!  I know I’ll have to try different fun masked shapes now.

    Been thinking about Designer Paper?  I just got in my paper for the paper share and will be mailing out samplers shortly!  I have a couple samplers extra, so if you are interested in one – it is a great deal!
    Only $25 shipped for 96 6×6 sheets of all the patterns including specialty papers!

    Check out all the designs and reserve yours in this post – http://www.nwstamper.com/love-designer-paper-check-out-this-sampler/.

  • Simple Is Beautiful Too

    When looking at card samples online and at events like the Stampin’ Up! convention, its easy to be drawn in to the “WOW!” cards.  You know, the ones that surely took someone multiple hours to make and look like they should be hung on a wall as art and you could never bear to throw away.  You know which cards I’m talking about. Smile

    I love the inspiration and ideas from these cards, but often I don’t get the time to play with these ideas and replicate many of my favorites.  So, I get extra excited when I see some cards that are clean and simple, and ideas I can try in minutes at home.  Here are a few examples of some of my favorites from Convention this year:

    card by Julie Gunhus

    card designer unknown

    card by Nancy Knowles

    card by Rhonda Wells

    Each of these cards has a cool touch, from the Fancy Fan letterpress plate (which I’m now convinced that I have to have!), to heat embossing, to glitter and shimmer.  But none of the layers is elaborate or particularly fussy.  So, you could make these at home in no time at all!  Got to love that.

    I’m still trying to figure out how to get the best lighting with my new photo tent, so sorry if some of the details are hard to see; but let me say these are all striking in person.  Hope you got some fun ideas to try!  If you have any questions about how any of these cards were made, just let me know!

    On a side note, I’ve had some folks ask me in the past about what was the standard card size and how to cut their paper for a typical card base.  So, I’ve thrown together a photo-walkthrough to answer just that question.  So, if you are interested, you can check it out here  – http://www.nwstamper.com/how-to-cut-a-standard-card-base/ and I’d love to hear if you have any feedback on how it could be better or more useful!

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  • Fun with Pennant Parade and the New Pennant Punch!

    I don’t know about you, but I LOVE stamp sets that go with punches.  See I love my punches (you can never have enough punches), but when you can stamp cute images in different colors and textures and then can punch them out instead of cutting them out by hand – Brilliant!  That is why I was so excited to see Stampin’ Up! come out with this Pennant Parade stamp set and the matching Petite Pennant builder punch.

    If you haven’t seen them, this is what the stamp set looks like and the shapes the punch cuts out:

    image  image

    So, when you look at the stamp set, you think… that is cool, it matches the punch so there must be cute stuff you can do with it.  But what?  Let me say, convention was FULL of inspiration with this stamp set courtesy of some awesome stamper’s swap cards.   Check out all these fun things people came up with!


    card by Krissie O’Donnell

    card by Jessi Mann
    card by Jackie Tucker
    card by Jackie White

    Totally adorable, right?  I know I’m super inspired and can’t wait to get my stamps inky!  Have you used this stamp set or punch yet?  Leave a comment and let me know what you think!

    Shop now and start earning your free stamps with NW Stamper rewards!

  • Fun and Creative Convention Swap Cards

    I am always so amazed and inspired by the swap cards I get at convention.  From the cards that make you go “WOW!” to the cards that are so simple to make that I realize you don’t have to go over the top to make a striking card.  I started taking pictures of some of the cards I received so I can share them with you.  So, expect to see more pop up on my blog.

    For today, I wanted to share a couple cards that I thought were just fun and creative.

    First up!  How lips stamps can be cool:

    card by Naomi Keeling

    I saw the a la carte stamp S.W.A.K. when the catalog first came out but I had no idea how I would use it.  Well now I do!  What is hard to see in the picture but looks awesome in person is that the dotted background looks to be a piece of designer series paper behind a square of vellum – all attached together with silver mini brads.  Then she heat embossed with the Melon Mambo embossing powder the lips on top of the vellum.  Isn’t it cute?!

    Next, an awesome idea for your Blossom Petals punch:

    card by Debbie Flattum

    Isn’t this creativity with punches is inspiring!  They sponged some vellum paper with Marina Mist ink and then punched out 5 of the larger petals from the Blossom Petals punch.  Then they punched out 5 of the leaves from the same punch on unsponged vellum.  Add a Round Tab punch for the top (with a 3/4” circle punched out to make the neck) and you have an adorable dress card!

    I think I need to start using more vellum ‘cause I just love how it is used in these cards!  Well, these cards inspired me and I hope they inspired you.

    Shop now and start earning your free stamps with NW Stamper rewards!

  • Rock and Roll Swap Card

    So, if you’ve never been to a Stampin’ Up! event, let me fill you in on an addicting activity that usually happens called “swapping”.  See, the first couple of times I went to a regional event or convention, I was told to bring some card fronts to trade with other demos…so I’d bring like 20…. or fewer.  Then I would get there and see so many amazing cards that I so desperately wanted to take home and drool over and I quickly learned that 20 was definitely NOT enough! Smile 

    So, this year I made around 80 swaps for convention – 40 of two different designs.  Today I thought I’d share one of my swaps:

    Ever since I saw the Love and Care hostess stamp set in the Summer Mini, I knew the big flower would be perfect for the “Rock and Roll” technique.  So, I decided to play with that for my swap. 

    The center flower paper is all hand-stamped.  To make the More Mustard/Bravo Burgundy flowers, I first inked up the flower with More Mustard.  Then before I stamped, I took the stamp and rolled the edges around on the Bravo Burgundy ink pad.  Then I stamped my image onto my paper.  So, it took a bit of time, but it gives you a fun effect, don’t you think?  Then just stamp the rest of your flowers like normal and you’re done!

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    Take Care Swap Card recipe:
    Stamps:      Love and Care (hostess)
    Ink:  More Mustard, Bravo Burgundy, Wisteria Wonder, So Saffron
    Paper:  Whisper White cardstock, Always Artichoke CS, Wisteria Wonder CS
    Accessories:  Medium Oval Punch, Daffodil Delight 1/8” taffeta ribbon, Sponge Dauber, Paper Piercer, Mat Pack

  • A Few More Convention 2011 Highlights

    So as I was sorting through my photos from convention, I ran across a few more pictures that I took of fun projects and inspiration to me that weren’t even officially part of convention.  :)  So, this post will be a bit photo heavy, but I wanted to share with you some of the amazing inspiration I found.  If you have any questions about how some of the projects were made, let me know and I’ll be happy to help share what I know so you can make them too!

    The Home Office – Legacy Museum:

    So, I’ve had the opportunity twice now to visit the Stampin’ Up! home office and one of my favorite stops while I’m there is the Legacy Museum.  It goes through the history of the company as well as has amazing displays using the products in a “home” setting.  It’s changed both times I’ve been there and this is some of what was there this year:

    IMG_2638 IMG_2641 IMG_2644 stampin up inspiration desk  dsp wall art Flower punch art

    Demonstrator Support – Desk Displays

    Another cool thing about visiting the home office is you get to see demonstrator support in action.  Now, those of you who are not demos and so haven’t had the opportunity to interact with demo support , let me say that SU has amazing customer service provided by the most wonderful people called demo support.  If I ever have a problem or a questions, a 5 minute phone call has it resolved and everyone still smiling and having a great day.  A fun fact is that many of the folks on the other end of the phone are demos too.  So, as we walk by their desks we see projects they’ve made as well as received from other employees and demos from around the world.

    IMG_2654 IMG_2659

    Memento Mall Displays

    Ok, and finally, many of us wait in line for hours to get into Memento Mall (basically the gift shop of convention) and not only are we greeted by awesome products but super cute displays too!  Here are just a couple of the pretty elements scattered around the room:

    IMG_6077 accordian flowers in momento mallIMG_6104IMG_6078 IMG_6085  

    Whew!  I know that was a lot but that was only a fraction of what I took pictures of! :)  I hope you found something fun and different to inspire you in those photos. 

    For those of you on my mailing list, be on the lookout for my newsletter coming out at the end of the week.  I’ll have some new project ideas and information about upcoming promotions and new products I learned about at convention.  If you aren’t on my mailing list, you can sign up here and I’ll make sure you get a copy!

    Click here to shop online 24/7 and start earning your NW Stamper rewards!

  • Last Day of the SU Convention 2011 – Notes and Projects!

    You feel like you are doing so much while you are there at convention and then all of the sudden it is day 3!  There was so much to see and do and it all was fantastic!  I wanted to share some highlights from my last day with you.  And don’t worry, I’ll be posting more pictures over the next week or so of display boards, swaps, and more!

    So, the day started off for me with more classes.  This year Stampin’ Up! changed how you register and take classes and while I wasn’t sure about it at first, turned out it was great!  They added the flexibility to pick from an assortment of options so I was able to take classes that focused on leadership at the same time my mom took classes on My Digital Studio and business tools.  Perfect for both of us!

    Then it was on to lunch and our last chance to check out the displays.  

    IMG_6385

    Samples from a main stage presentation using new holiday mini products including new fabric patterns (like the flat bow), new designer series paper (in the star bow, treat bag – its glittery!, the little house, and in the center of the frame – birch tree patterns and silver glitter paper!).

    Christmas Countdown Calendar

    A Christmas countdown calendar that makes the window/door shapes using a new BigShot die!

    Then it was back to the big convention hall room for the last General Session of the convention….sniff,, sniff.  But they saved some awesome projects to show us including this cute card using a new stamp set and punch!

    IMG_6499 

    They also showed us some unique projects that I swear I wouldn’t have come up with on my own – but that is why I go to convention!

    Like this so sweet little treat table.  I was shocked how easy it looks to make!  I’m going to try to make it myself using my notes and if it is as easy as it looks, I’ll share with you asap. 🙂

    IMG_6542

    And it was hilarious when Carrie showed us how she used the mustache stamp set.  Really makes lollipops more fun don’t you think?

    IMG_6526

    We also received an emotional presentation by the president of the Company that really showed that the company “gets it” and is focused on sharing experiences with others with the goal of helping others as people.  Lets just say there were a lot of tissues pulled out during his talk.  It really made me realize how great it truely is to be a part of this company.

    Ok, enough mushy stuff.  They mentioned the incentive trip – Fiji!, how they are planning on holding lots of full and now half-day regional events across the US and Canada (check my FB page for the cities they announced), and told us that next year’s convention has the goal to be even better than this year and it will be July 18-21.  I know I’ll be there and would love to have you join me! 

    And if you aren’t a demo right now, have you imagined what it would be like to part of the Stampin’ Up! family?  To come to convention and be a part of the excitement?  I’d love to share with you what it is really like!  Just send me  note to jennifer@nwstamper.com and we can chit chat. 

    So, I’ll leave you with one last photo.  They had the Christmas Box that is part of the $99 starter kit special this month in July.  It was bigger than I expected and so much snazzier than I expected. 

    IMG_2727

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  • SU Convention Day 2: Display Boards and More!

    Sorry I got a little behind with my blogging but  I was planning on posting last night but ended up spending a couple hours trying to figure out how I was going to stuff all my goodies in my bags!  It was a full packed day and I loved every minute of it!

    We spent the morning in classes learning lots for our business and things like how they came up with the new hostess program (have you seen it yet?  Such a great change!)  Then it was lunch and we got to peruse all the great displays and info booths:

    IMG_6197 IMG_6200 IMG_6214 IMG_6215 IMG_6223 IMG_6224 Oh, and if you are a demo and curious, next year’s incentive trips are to Hilton Head Island and Fuji!  Awesome, right?!?

    Then dinner followed by the Hispanic Night Party.  I hadn’t spent much time looking at our spanish set line before but it was really interesting to learn more about the cultural difference and get to stamp and chat with more fun ladies. (pictures coming soon)

    Then it was home to figure out how to pack all our great goodies!  I’ll be posting more pictures on my facebook page shortly and then look for notes from my last day here on the blog. 

    Click here to shop online 24/7 and start earning your NW Stamper rewards!

  • First Day of the Stampin’ Up! Convention 2011

    My word!  Its been a whirlwind of a week starting with me desperately trying to get swaps made and everything packed and ready to go for convention this year.  But I made it and flew into Salt Lake City on Tuesday in anticipation of a great week…and I haven’t been disappointed! 

    Today was the first day of convention and boy was it a doozy!  Lots of sneak peeks of upcoming products, freebies, amazing ideas, and fab projects.  I’ve been posting pictures on my facebook page when I could so if you want to see a few more pictures, check it out.  But I couldn’t take pictures of a lot of the details I learned so I wanted to share a few pictures and more details!  Enjoy!

    Ok, can I have a personal toot for a minute? :)  Each year they invite people who met certain milestones or achievements to walk across the stage.  I am still working towards that, but this year they added 2 more marches – first time attendees and anyone who recruited in the last year.  Well, Bethani, my downline, got to walk for first time attendee and I got to walk for recruiting!  Yay!

    P7130142 

    Next we had a HUGE sneak peek at the upcoming Holiday Mini that launches in September.  No joke, I am in so much trouble with how much I want out of it.  There are new ribbons (can you say velvet and quilted satin?), new punches including a stocking punch that has a matching stamp set!!, fun holiday dies and embellishments (like mini jingle bells that I have no idea what I’m going to do with yet but I have to get), more adorable fabric (I’m just saying check out my next picture), of course new papers and stamps, and a ton more.  Then they showed us this bag that we could buy in Memento Mall that looks like this:

    IMG_2708

    Know what it’s for?  AAAAHHHHH!  I’m so excited!!!  It’s made to fit the new Simply Scored tool!  That’s right, a super awesome scoring tool.  It takes the best features of what’s out there and adds some, like besides giving you lines every 1/8”, you get a metal tipped ergo stylus, multiple plastic arrows to mark which score lines you are using for a given project, a storage compartment, multiple ruled edges, etc.  I’m so stoked!

    Ok, moving on.  At lunch, I had another amazing experience where when we entered the Gathering Place to get our lunches, we got picked for a You Crew experience.  You Crew is their name for randomly selecting people to have one of a variety of one of a kind experiences and in our case, we got a special table with glasses, plates, lemonade, a staffer who made sure we were well taken care of.  Pretty fun!

    IMG_2695  At the end of lunch, we saw that they had put out a special dessert.  Cookies…but not just any cookies, check out the designs:

    IMAG1469

    Yeah, yeah you say, they have designs.  But these are special designs.  They are Stampin’ Up! cookie stamp designs!  Yes, as in a stamp that can make different impressed images on cookie dough.  How fun is that.  Oh, and the shortbread recipe that comes with it, if it is the same one they used for these cookies, is pretty darn yummy.  🙂

    Finally we finished our day with make & takes, which I still need to finish so I can share with you, and one more session where we saw some great ideas for quick, easy, and inexpensive projects.  Like did you know you can get a package of quick accent stickers, 2 packages of notecards, and make 40 cards in no time flat?  And they are simple and cute too. 

    I know I don’t have many project sample pictures today, but don’t worry.  I’ll have more of the projects and products I can photograph and share posting over the next few days.  And don’t forget to stop by my facebook page to see more photos and updates when I can.

    Click here to shop online 24/7 and start earning your NW Stamper rewards!