Here is my tree:

Here are the Halloween Cone Decorations that we made. 

Aren't these the cutest things?  Seriously, so fun to make.  Remember that ribbon tutorial I said I would show you…. tonight I have a video on it. I wanted to incorporate it with these spooky little decorations.  The ribbon technique works on any project and it's messy and fun.  You will notice the Striped Grosgrain ribbon is thinner because I cut it in half.  When you do this it makes the ribbon fray. If you are looking for that messy frayed look this is a GREAT way to get it.  

Here is the video!  I hope you enjoy and I would love to see your creations.  I'm getting ready to make more for my Fall Tree.  Can you tell I love these fun trees? 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_CTxYRyyt40

  As for the products used on these cones… if there is anything Halloween in the Mini Catalog or the Main Idea Book & Catalog, I used it! <smile>  Really, I did! 

Lastly, I am so excited about something else!  Friday I will be on a jet plane headed to Colorado for our 4th Annual Stampin' for a Cure event.  We have broken a record this year on the amount of attendee's coming.  I'm over the moon.  Each year every single RED cent goes to the Susan G. Komen Foundation.  It's such an honor to do this event and I am amazed at the amount of time, effort and work that each demonstrator puts into it every year.  These demonstrators give not only their time but they donate ALL the products too.  Last year we raised $4700.  This year our goal is $6K.  I feel strong that we can make that goal and even if we don't we gave it our ALL.  I hope you can keep these great women in your thoughts on Saturday.  They will be working hard. I'm going to hug them as much as I can this weekend.  <sigh>

Have a GREAT Thursday!

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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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Fishing is not my idea of fun.  I never liked it as a kid and nothing has changed today.  Mostly because I am extremely impatient.  I also do not like putting a live WORM on a hook.  It's nasty and I feel like I am hurting the worm.  I know, silly!

The kids on the other hand love to fish.  Anything outdoors they are game. Alexis still holds a fishing pole with a little fashion:

Brandon had dirt from head to toe at the end of the day.  You can tell from his picture that he is just happy to be out of the car and not stranded on the side of the road!

…and then there is Russ! This pic speaks volumes!  This is why I love this crazy guy! We have laughed at each other over and over again!

You might be wondering if we caught a fish… the answer would be NO! Russ scared them all off. 

We are actually sitting in West Virginia tonight.  The last leg of our trip is tomorrow.  It will take about 5 hours. Thank you to each of you for sharing your fun stories with me. Russ and I have enjoyed them and laughed together.  While moving is never easy it's been much easier when I can share it with you. 

While I've been on the road my little brother had a birthday.  Here is a card I made for him. It's not in the mail yet but will be in just a few short days.    He's also in the Navy so I thought this would be a fun card done in Red, White and Blue.  The stamp set comes from the Level 3 Hostess set called Playful Pieces. WOW this is a great set.  There are tons of pieces in it.  

I stamped each of these boxes in Craft ink onto Crumb Cake.  I really love Craft ink and love it even more on Crumb Cake.  I cut each image out and popped them up with dimensionals.  It's a super easy card including the cutting.   

I hope your weekend is fantastic!  Again, many thanks to each of you for your continued prayers, thoughts and laughs.  If you only knew what it does to a girl's spirit.  <wink>

XOXOXO

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Today, my co-pilot husband redeemed his manhood.  We noticed that the gas gauge was not moving at ALL after traveling about 150 miles.  The gas gauge is officially BROKEN!  He did mention last night that after he put the 6 gallons of gas in the tank the gauge said we had a half tank which just wasn't right.  Anyways, this means we have to do a little math along the way so we know when we're running out of gas.  So much for relaxing. The rest of our trip has been uneventful.  Kids are doing great and we are in Iowa for a few days chillin'.  Friday we start the journey again. 

After reading this novel story I better leave you with something fun.    More new stuff.  This time it's a new Hostess set coming.  Customers, you will want to host a workshop to receive this amazing hostess set. It's a Level 2 set called Apple Blossoms.  Such a FUN stamp set. 

I love how White Craft ink looks on Crumb Cake cardstock. It's so pretty.  It won't be long and this set could be yours for any workshop over $300.  Whoo Hoo!

Don't forget, just a week left of the Last Chance list.  Also check out the Clearance Rack in my Online Store.  GREAT savings up to 70% off.  WOW. 

I'll keep you updated on more of Thelma's antics as the adventure continues. Thank you for all the sweet comments you have been leaving.  You are giving me warm fuzzies during this entire process….AGAIN. 

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Tonight's card doesn't have new stuff actually.  I was going through pics of cards I had made and wanted to share this one because I think it's fitting for how I feel today.  Honestly, I made this card for my dad's birthday which is at the end of the month. The birds however look like our little family today.  Big Birdie Dad and the rest of his flock following him.  That pretty much sums it up!

At the end of the day… this is how I really FEEL:

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First, the packers…. they were great but took forever.  Imagine that.  Those of you that have been in my home know that we have a ton of stuff.  Friday the packers were here until 9pm.  I was a little miffed to say the least.  We were all WIPED!  My house obviously looks like a chaotic mess.  The stamp room…

Just not a pretty site.  In just a few short weeks it will look back to normal.  I feel pretty confident. 

Now, back to the fun at the fair and then I promise a pretty card that will give you warm fuzzies. 

Besides the Pirates I love the fairy's.  They always look amazing. 

Loved seeing this family of fairy's.  That little one was just PRECIOUS.  My kids received beautiful dragon tears from them.

OF course a little face painting.  I thought this was the best painting Alexis has ever had.  The lady was amazing.

What's a Ren Fair without a little Bad Girl action?  Cathy and I had to get a Henna Tat! I get one every year.  I love them.  I love the artists.  The lady that did mine actually stamps on Domino's.  We had a great conversation and she was a lovely gypsy! 

Time for my own artwork.  It's time to start showing you what I have been working on the last two weeks.  It really was non stop stamping.  I have many things to share over the next two weeks during the move.  All NEW stuff to get you excited with the upcoming catalog.  I think you will likey!

This card uses both Old and New.  I used the new Newsprint Designer Series Paper with the Perfect Punches stamp set.  I love how this card is elegant and fluffy.  The ribbon will carry over into the new catalog.  SO thankful. I did a little sewing with this card.  Then I got really crazy.  I actually took the Itty Bitty Buttons and sewn those onto the ribbon.  They are the little heart buttons.  I love how these are clear and can go with just about any card.  The center Fleurette will also be in the new catalog.  I love these little flowers because you can dye them any color you need.  Great embellishment. 

Well, Monday is loading day.  I am sure they will be here ALL day but it will all be GREAT. 

XOXOXO

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This stamp set is called On a Pedestal (113814).  Great set with many ways to use it.  I decided to get scissor happy and cut a lot of the layers out.  This gave the card lots of dimension.  I also used buttons and white linen thread to add accents.  The layered cake was matted and then placed on a Pink Pirouette cardstock layer that was run through my Big Shot using the Polka Dot embossing folder.  These add perfect texture to any project.  Lastly, I added a bit of Shimmer Mist to the card.  Lately, there isn't a card that doesn't get a little shimmer added. 

Now, for a move update.  Packers came yesterday.  The stamp room is officially packed.  However the lazy bums decided that TODAY they would not come and they would finish on Friday.  I think they made a big mistake.  I cannot see how they will finish packing this house tomorrow.  I will simply keep my big nose out of it and let them figure it all out themselves.  I hate not being in control.  My only concern is actually leaving when we originally wanted and not prolonging the pain of leaving this great place any more than I have to.  The kids think the whole process is great.  Thankfully I've had awesome friends take them for play dates and my kids think this is ONE heck of a summer vacation.   

I'll keep you updated.  I hope your FRIDAY is filled with stamping.  I think mine will be all about supervising.  I'm pretty good at that.  <sigh>

XOXOXO

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I want to share one of my favorite sets that is going away.  It's been used SO much.  I used this set for one of my rounds of Scraps in the Mail and it was a really great set to scrapbook with.  Here are two cards I made using it. 

Here is another one…

For both of these cards I used Bermuda Bay cardstock (Retiring) and Pear Pizzaz cardstock (New In Color-whoo hoo!)  Both cards use the Certified stamp set. The bottom card uses the Park Avenue Patterns.  You can see these sets HERE for all the images in the sets. 

I used Bermuda Bay ribbon as well on the bottom card and it's retiring too.  These are simple cards but fun! 

I can't leave today without showing you a few more fun photos of my great ladies I will be saying goodbye too….

This one below makes me laugh all over again.  <smile>

Have a SUPER week.  I am in the midst of a MESS! 

XOXOXO

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The software is so user friendly and the BEST thing is that Stampin' Up! is adding more and more digital images all the time. While I've done some cards and scrapbooking on the program, today I want to share a hybrid card I made for customers who signed up for my Stamps in the Mail program.  Check out this card.

Can you tell which part of this card is from the My Digital Studio program?

The background paper printed in gray was made using the MDS program and then I mounted it onto Basic Gray cardstock and used it with the Sentimental Journey stamp set.  It was PERFECT. It's actually a Stamp in the program called World Tour.  I changed the size I wanted the image to be and then copied it several times to make several of them at a time.  That way when I printed it I just had to cut and put the card together. I really enjoyed this.  It was fun and easy to do.  If you are looking for more information on the My Digital Studio program, please ask.  The program is $79.95.  Click HERE and you can watch a video on how great it is.  If you want more info on printing & pricing click HERE. Since I won't have my stamps readily available during the move, My Digital Studio is going to be my friend. 

Today was also a VERY special day!  My demonstrator girlfriends had a farewell party and I was so grateful.  They are such special women!  We had a wonderful lunch hosted at Dawn's house and then just sat and chatted.  I was given a GORGEOUS scrapbook made by so many of my demonstrators.  Even those that could not make it sent beautiful pages along.  I didn't read their journaling until I got home.  THANK goodness.  Russ caught the tears and we laughed together.    Russ will miss these ladies just as much. It's such a special book.  It even has a picture of my UPS guy.  <sigh> 

Anyways, I want to share a few pics today.  I will be sharing more each day.  These are some of my great demonstrators and most of all GREAT friends.  

It was an AWESOME time!  Thank you friends for taking time out of your day to spend with little ole me! Sniff!

After being with all these great ladies today I came home and started packing my room to get it ready for the packers this Wednesday.  All I can say is OH MY GOSH! I will never find anything again!!!  It will take two weeks just to UNPACK my room in VA.  All is well.  I know. 

XOXOXO

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This card only has a few things retiring on it. The stamps are all current, but many of the accessories are going bye bye!  I used the background stamp on Chocolate Chip cardstock and the On Board Chipboard Timeless Type. The ribbon is from the Ribbon Originals Masterpiece.  Again, beautiful ribbon.  Button Latte has been one of my favorite button choices all year long. YOU know I love a button.  The arrow is from the My Way Punch (110709) seen below! This is a great punch for Scrapbookers. I've used it on so many pages.

Believe it or not it's a quick and fun card. 
Here are a few fun pics!  The first one says it all….

I cannot begin to tell you how much I will miss these beautiful ladies.  It was a GREAT day seeing so many of my friends.  I am one lucky girl to have the friends I do and it all started with rubber stamping.  I am so thankful for Stampin' Up!  It's brought me many great things in my life, but the best yet is my friends.  

Charlene and her daughter have been stamping with me since I moved here.  Charlene is such a special person and everyday is on a mission to help fight breast cancer.  I love this about her. She lost her sister three years ago.  Amazing is what I think of when I think of her.

Josie, Me and Charlene.  I am so grateful for you ladies. 

Oh Cathy!  I can't even begin with you right now.  I won't be able to type and could ruin my computer from water damage.  I know I will have to skype you to hear your crazy laugh and please have your starbucks ready with the straw in it so I can giggle.  Seriously, can we survive?  Can Russ survive? ROFL!

If you can imagine Russ trying to take this photo and we are all laughing so hard because he is taking 500 photos being silly.  I love these ladies.  Boy, have we laughed!  That's enough for one night.  I have many more to share from today but I am emotionally wiped from just sharing these.  On the bright side, these photos make my cheeks hurt from smiling.  Great, GREAT memories!!!

XOXOXO

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