Fall Banner

It's hard to believe that Fall is here, isn't it?  I hate to see Summer go, but I love the fall and all the color inspiration that comes with it.  Here in Virginia the leaves are already starting to turn colors.  It's quite stunning.  While I'm still getting to know Virginia one of the things I love about here is the TREES!  B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L!

While at Founders Circle we had enjoyed a 1/2 day regional.  I was able to present at the regional and I wanted to share a few projects with you.  This first project is a banner that I made for my own stamp room.  I love being able to use Stampin' Up! products for decor uses in my house during the holidays. 

To make this project I started out with a Naturals Ivory cardstock measuring 3 1/2 x 8.  Score along the 8" side at 6 1/2.  This score line basically provided me away to snake a piece of White Linen thread through to make the banner.  It also gave the top piece a little more stability.  The bottom of the banner pieces I just cut a large upside down V for character.  I curled the ends using my bone folder.  There are lots of stamps used on this project.  The main image uses the Day of Gratitude stamp set.  What a beautiful set. I used the the Rock n Roll technique to get the variations of colors.  I love using Cajun Craze, More Mustard, Cherry Cobbler Old Olive and Early Espresso for Fall Colors.  YUMMO.  The large Circles were cut using the new 2 1/2" Circle punch (120906) from the Mini Catalog. I then stamped the Style Beautiful stamp set (120483) onto each of the circles and sponged around the edges using the coordinating ink. The letters were die cut using the Simple Letters Alphabet (115960).  This is a GREAT alphabet Die Cut to have.  They are simple and perfect for ANY project!

The rest of the banner uses lots of fun embellishments.  From Buttons, ribbon, Linen Thread and the awesome Vintage Trinkets… You really cannot go wrong.  

I'll share my BOO Banner tomorrow.  I made this banner for Shelli.  It has lots of Shelli's on it.  Shelli's = Vintage

Life update——-> Went back to the Dentist yesterday!  Looks like I'm going to survive the dentist trauma and the temporary crown went well.  Thankfully the staff was able to see me "normal!"  The day I walked in I was not my prettiest!  <SIGH> I brought them a card to say a BIG Thank You for the amazing care they had given me.  They were life savers! 

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Kimberly’s Drama!

In my life, drama never ends.  In fact… I'm pretty darn use to it.  I have a lot to share so you may want to get comfy in your chair. 

When I last left you I was getting ready for Founders.  Now that means I was getting my swaps ready.  No packing.  That typically doesn't happen until 24 hours prior to the flight.  I may have to change that game plan the next time I travel because of the mess I had.  Last Sunday night I ended up in the ER with "tooth pain!"  Honestly I could have delivered 14 babies with a smile instead of the pain I was having in my mouth.  Long story short… it was an abscessed tooth.  All I can say is OUCH! I came home from the ER and did not sleep all night.  Landed in the Dentist chair Monday morning at 10am for an emergency Root Canal and then came home to THROW (not lying) my clothes in my suitcase because I had a flight to Vegas that was leaving at 5:15pm.  Good grief! DRAMA!  It was very apparent when I got to Vegas that my head was not in the game when I opened my suitcase only to find mismatched clothes and no battery for my camera.  Seriously, who does this?  I guess someone like me completely zoned out on pain medication.  <sigh>  The good news was I had my friend on the plane with me and she took care of my sorry self!

Vegas…. well you know the saying, "What goes on in Vegas… stays in Vegas!"  Boy did we have a GREAT time there. 

On Wednesday last week we boarded our bus for St. George and more fun began!  I love the Founders Circle trip because it is TRUE pampering by the Stampin' Up! staff.  They make everything perfect.  Just perfect.  It was awesome to see so many faces from last year and new faces.  All these faces had smiles!  We were showered with gifts each night and able to network and catch up with friends.  Truly a great time. 

Here is my swap!

This is a fairly simple card.  I used the new Die Cut from the Holiday Mini Catalog called Scallop Squares Duo (120903).  It's 21.95 and a super die cut.  I used the new Deck the Halls buttons (121002) and two stamp sets: Welcome Christmas (120597) and the sentiment comes from Christmas Greetings (115448).  Two great sets!!!  I love how Cherry Cobbler, Crumb Cake and Early Espresso make this card so rich in color.  So yummy!

Another fun thing I did was present at the 1/2 day Regionals. I will show you some of the pics each night this week.  My presentation was on Ribbon Tricks. 

Here is one of the cards I shared:

I'm going to show a video on how to make this ribbon flower this week.  While it may look difficult, it's NOT.  So fun and easy.  I used the Seam Binding ribbon in the Holiday Mini.  It's extremely flexible and easy to make the ribbon flowers. 

Lastly, I will leave you with some of my favorite photos from Founders:

Here are my fabulous downline Jenny and Holle!  I was so excited for them and from the appearance of HUGE smiles they had a GREAT time!

Needless to say… since the big DRAMA happened I didn't finish my swaps before I left.  First time doing that but my friends chipped in to help me.  I was SO Grateful.

These were on each of our doors.  Is that not just CUTE! I really loved it. 

I love seeing this sign!  Makes me smile. 

Okay, off to bed for me.  More inspiration tomorrow. 

Enjoy your week!!!

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The Big Bad Stack!

It's no secret that I love to stamp but here is something you may not have known about me… I'm not a fan of stamping the same card over and over again.  That means when I am preparing swaps I get delirious stamping the same card after about the third one.  I'm not sure what you would call the present state of mind I'm in right now since I am working on my Founders Circles Swaps of 135.  I've been working on them the past two days and I know that my arms now stretch to the floor.  Yes, my kids will officially think I have super powers.  Maybe I will be Elastic Mom? Seriously- A background stamp feels like it weighs 20lbs right now.  I had a fight with my Cherry Cobbler Ink pad and it appears I did NOT win.  Dimensional pieces are everywhere in my stamp room.  The worst is the Sticky Strip leftovers.  You know how much static those pieces have?  Well, they are all over my body.  Not exactly sure how that happened but I know Russ will be going to work with something else on him instead of glitter.  C'mon ladies/gents… how many of your significant others have gone to work with glitter on their heads?  Russ hates to admit it but it happens. 

Here is what I started with… the TEASER!

I'll show you the final next week. 

I have to break up the swap frenzy with another card.  You know I love birdies! This card just makes me happy because the birds are chubby and cute!

Most of these products came from the Holiday Mini. Supplies will be listed below.  Not too much stamping on this card. I had to keep the stamping simple since my arm cannot handle much more.

Have you started your Christmas cards yet?  Hard to believe that Christmas is not far away. 

On a side note- Thank you so much for the sweet comments on the kids first day of school.  I have really gotten a few laughs from the mention of the convention bag and how many other little girls are using their mom's bag too.  Alexis loves the bag and thinks she is SO cool because it's Stampin' Up!  Poor Brandon!  His bag does swallow him.  The kids are adjusting fantastic at school.  They both have new friends and I even heard that one of them has a "crush" on someone.  WHAT?????  NO, NO, NO!  It is funny how "HE" smiles when I bring up her name. <sigh>

Supplies:

Stamps: Jolly Bingo Bits (121187), Merry Crittermas (121181)

Inks: Real Red, Baja Breeze

Cardstock: Whisper White, Baja Breeze, Garden Green, Real Red

Accessories: White Taffeta ribbon, Real Red 1/8" Taffeta ribbon, Vintage Trinkets, Brights Buttons, Extra Large Decorative Label punch (120907), 3/4" x 15/16" Oval punch (120908), Glimmer Brights Brads (121006), Scallop Edge Border Punch, Markers, Paper Piercer & Mat Pack, Linen Thread, Candy Cane Christmas DSP (120809)

Have a GREAT Thursday! The weekend is almost here!  Yippie! 

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Moving away from that worm!

Hello friends!  WOW! It's been a long month since I have blogged and I am so so sorry! I was leading you on an adventure that threw many curve balls and still laughing when all of a sudden the laughter stopped and the adventure got a little crazy!  I could seriously write a novel on this move and the mishaps and some funnies, but I am sure you are like me and just have no time to read that mess.  Instead, I will get you a few insights and we will try to continue on the path of why you probably really read this crazy blog of mine… stamping inspiration.  Bare with me a few paragraphs though and I will give you a little hint of what is going on in my world. 

First, we did finally move into the house 5 days after the date expected.  This 5 days sent me over the edge because I was really on a timeline and had things to get done before leaving for convention.  Of course someone else had another timeline for me and that is when I got sick, sick, sick!  In fact, I have never been that SICK.  I was basically a piece of furniture in my living room succumbed to watching TV shows I had never heard of.  I did catch up on my soap operas that I had not watched in two years.  The good news is it only took a few days to catch up on those.    Honestly, I was out for about 9 days.  This really through me for a loop as I had so much I wanted to accomplish prior to leaving for convention.  It didn't happen!  In fact, I didn't start feeling "good" until almost the end of convention.  SERIOUSLY! 

The house is a CRAZY mess and I am still unpacking.  It will be a while until we are fully set up.  I've come to terms with it.  My stamp room is a beautiful mess.  I mean with stamps all over the floor and embellishments needing a "place", they are pretty to look at they just need to be organized.    This too will take time but there is an end in sight.  If I wasn't such an organization freak I wouldn't care as much. 

Let's chat about convention.  I almost do not know where to begin!  Convention is always such a high for me because I'm reunited with my friends and I love spending time with them.  It's a time to share!  The experience and fun that you have at convention is just CRAZY!  The flower power night was awesome and the crazy get-ups that people wore were hilarious.  I LOVED that party.  As you will see below, I had fun dressing up too.  I am truly thankful to my downline for putting this outfit together because I had not one ounce of energy to help.  They did it for me.  I love you guys. 

Awards night….speechless.  Seriously??? Being awarded #1 goes down with some of the greatest moments in my life.  Up there with marrying the greatest man ever, Russ and having two beauties I call Brandon and Alexis.  However being awarded #1 doesn't mean it's all about me.  What that "number" means is that my team is #1.  That would have NEVER happened without these great ladies.  The #1 is a reflection of the great team I call Stampers by the Sea.  My heart was beating so fast when two of my downline were awarded with Rising Star this year.  When I watched three of my ladies walk across that stage earning the Incentive Trip.  Then I have ladies that did not make it to convention but I've watched their business soar this year in ways they never thought it could.  My team is a group of women that loves each other to the core.  They help each other, share with each other and love each other.  THEY are #1!

The hardest part right now is being so far away from all these great ladies.  They are all over the United States because I have LIVED all over the U.S. This will be the 5th move since starting my business 7 years ago.  I am so lucky that I have my Denise here near me.  She always can bring a smile to my face when I am feeling on the edge of insanity.  Oh, I have shed a few tears already.  Moving sucks.  It's not easy.  You have to start ALL over.  What keeps me going and rebuilding?  I just want to share the greatest company in the whole world and teach as many people as I can how to use these great products.  They are the BEST.  It's the way that I make new friends.  Stampin' Up! is all about building relationships and providing an experience like no other direct selling company I have seen.  So, it's time to make new friends and continue to build the friendships I have.  This is why I love this company! 

I want to say a HUGE thank you to so many of you for the warmest emails of encouragement during our move.  Believe me, Russ thanks you.  Thank you for being so kind.  I also want to say a HUGE thank you to the demonstrators I met that live close to me.  They have been SO kind and welcoming.  All I can say is WOW! To my team…. there are not enough words for me to say about you.  You are the BEST and will always be the BEST in my book. 

Now, how about a few pics from the "room", Convention and even a little stamping inspiration. 

Here are a few pics of the new "room!"  We will call it a room until I feel like it's my paradise again. 

This is eventually where I will hold classes.  I can't wait for the finished result. I am sure things will look much different.

This is going into my office.  Love that I can shut doors if I am a messy stamper that day!  I've opened them for you and it's an utter disaster right now.  YIKES!

This is my desk.  Nothing like Dorito's and a coke for lunch.  The cat is outta the bag!

This area  is what I like to call the command center.    It's where lots of GREAT things are created. 

Again, it will look much different in the upcoming weeks and I will share with you once I get the room updated. 

Here are some pics from Convention!

I love this photo.  We felt so silly and had so much fun!!!! That is me on the right.  <smile>

I can't believe I am actually going to show this picture but it makes me giggle loudly.  My hair dresser is in my downline.  GREAT, GREAT lady! I love her to pieces.  She is simply the BEST.  Before I left Colorado I begged her to bring supplies so she could cut and color my hair.  She did! So, we played hotel beauty shop after the Flower Power party.  Whit, you are the best and thank you!!

We can dress up nicely.  What a night!

Here is Jenny! Rising Star #4!  Holle couldn't make it to convention this year.  She was #8.  I can't wait to give her the biggest hug in St. George for Founders Circle. 

Ahhhhh……. I love this picture!

Shelli, Me and Tami White!  Love this picture too!

You can see that I am pointing to my TEAM and I think I was blowing them kisses?  Who knows, you never know what I'm up to! Just being SILLY!

This was Jenny and I after getting our bags.  Ahh…… it makes me smile!

Lastly… something creative.  Now don't shoot me.  This card has a few retired buttons on it.  I know!  Remember, it's been a month since I stamped.  I made this card a while back.  Stamping is on the agenda!  Keep me accountable. 

This card uses the new stamping hostess set Apple Blossoms!  I love it!!!  Who wouldn't want to host a workshop and earn this set for FREE?  You would just be silly not too!

Well, I guess I made this into a novel!  It felt good to write about the happenings.  Thank you again for taking time and coming to this little place of mine.  It's time to unpack a little, work a little and stamp a lot.  Not exactly in that order. 

Stampin' Hugs!

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Oh the Mess!

After being in my stamp room the last couple of days, I have now created an organized MESS.  I have found things I haven't seen in a few years.  Today I spent the majority cleaning all over the house.  I found myself jumping from one room to the next and then landed in my stamp room to stamp but ended up organizing and stamping.  I am sure other demonstrators will relate to what happened to me tonight.  I must admit that I am NOT one to stamp at Stampin' Up! Events.  When I go I have all good intentions to stamp my Make n Takes.  However, my mouth gets the best of me and I end up just gabbing away.  I tell myself every event that I will stamp these as soon as I get home.  YEAH RIGHT!  It never happens and I end up just collecting them.  Tonight I found Make n Takes from two conventions ago and Leadership.  YIKES.  Since a few of the stamp sets were no longer available I put them to good use with different stamps.  Here is what I stamped tonight:

I used the Elements of Style and Punched Posies stamp sets from the Summer Mini catty for this card.  This was a make n take from this past Leadership. 

I used the Punched Posies on this card too.  The sentiment is a Rub On.  I think these are from the Rub On's that were offered in the last mini.  They are very similar to the Chit Chat Rub Ons which I love so much.

This is super simple card and yet another Leadership make n take using different stamps.  I love the Elements of Style stamp set. 

This is a 8 x 8 scrap book page.  It uses the stamp set Punched Posies.  This stamp set is a Level 2 Hostess set that is just AWESOME.  Love that the images coordinate with our punches. 

The center of the flower I punched a small flower using the Punch Pack and then put a Bitty Button that coordinates on top of that.  I love the sentiment on this page.   

It's way past when I wanted to go to bed tonight.  I have my last club tomorrow night.  I am totally SAD!  I miss my club members already and I haven't left Colorado yet.  YIKES! 

Oh, I have one more share…

My sweet girl had her Cheerleading awards party today.  She was so excited because she got an award for her cartwheels.  She couldn't do them when she first started on the squad and now her cartwheel is perfect.  Check out her excitement!

Hope your weekend is FANTASTIC!!!!!

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