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Eleven Years Ago | Stampin’ Up!

Posted by Kimberly

on Monday, June 16th, 2014

Eleven Years Ago | Stampin’ Up!

Eleven years ago my life changed. I just had Alexis. She was 5 months old when I decided to become a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator.

WOW! Eleven years!

When I look back on the eleven years I’ve been with Stampin’ Up! I can see so many great blessings that have come along the way. After trying a few other great companies prior to Stampin’ Up! this is the one that I knew right away I was passionate for.

I’ve always loved the concept of being my own boss and the entire Direct Selling venture, but there was something about Stampin’ Up! that made me really passionate about creativity and most of all uplifting and inspiring others along the way.

For the record let me tell you that I probably wasn’t inspiring anyone with my creativity in the beginning. Boy could I make a not so pretty card when I started. Although my creativity may not have been on par, my enthusiasm was over the top. You know that contagious enthusiasm? You see someone so happy doing what they are that you want to be a part of it too? That’s was me… and it’s still that way eleven years later.

During my eleven years with Stampin’ Up! not only have I been able to enjoy a business I can call my own but the most incredible friendships along the way. Today my favorite part of my business comes from making something with my ink, paper and stamps and uplifting and inspiring others. There is something great about showing others the art of creativity and that you DON’T have to be creative to stamp. It comes with time. Just like anything else in life.

While my family has been blessed beyond belief during my time with Stampin’ Up! we all learned this year the most beautiful part about being a demonstrator was the community of stampers that I know. When Russ had his stroke my customers, downline and fellow demonstrator sisters prayed and took care of Russ and I. It was the most humbling experience during a really difficult time. You prayed hard, and I will always love each and every one of you for it!!

Today I’m sharing my two favorite things to do. Paper crafts and Digital scrapbooking.

As you know for the last year and half Heather Summers and I have lead a Digital Group completely focused on My Digital Studio. It’s been a great journey as we help inspire more and more people to enjoy the art of digital scrapbooking. Today over 1500+ members enjoy the challenges, ideas, advice and encouragement that comes from this group.

I’m grateful to Stampin’ Up! for giving me an opportunity to preserve my family memories. My Digital Studio is just ONE way I get it done.

Next, my other passion (more like ADDICTION) is paper, ink and stamps!

It’s easy to be a star as a Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator. Every time I create something I feel like a star. Not because I think what I’m creating is amazing, but the feeling I get from making it.

It’s only fair that I share the greatest opportunity that someone shared with me. Are you looking to fulfill a passion? Do you like to inspire or uplift other people around you? If so, I would love for you to join the Stampin’ Up! adventure with me.

Right now until June 30th you can JOIN Stampin’ Up! for $50. You can choose $55 in retail product of your choice AND you would get a Paper Pumpkin kit along with your kit.

Whether you make this passion a hobby or a passionate career like I have you are under NO obligation where you take it. You decide. That’s the beauty of being a business owner.

Click HERE to read more and see if Stampin’ Up! is a fit for you. I would love for you to join TODAY on my Stampin’ Up! anniversary so we can celebrate each year together.

I am grateful today. Thank you for following along the journey and making my adventure with Stampin’ Up! so so special.

XOXOXOXO

Categories : Cards, Digital Scrapbooking/My Digital Studio, MDS, Misc, Simply My Digital Studio Challenge

Tags : Be A Star, Join Stampin' Up!, MDS, My Digital Studio, Rubberstamping, Stampin' Up!, Stampin' Up! Anniversary, Stampin' Up! Demonstrator, Stars

Finally Friday!

Posted by Kimberly

on Friday, December 21st, 2012

My kids have looked forward to this day for quite some time. The countdown leading up to see their Nene & PawPaw feels like an eternity to them. When you only get to see family who live far away a few times a year it's a BIG deal. I feel their excitement and energy today and I'm trying to keep the stress of "did I pack everything" on the low. I can't wait to hug my family.

I have a few things to share today. I've worked until the final hour on new Spring Mini ideas to share while I'm on the road. I'm hoping to get some stamping time in with my mom as well. I *LOVE* getting time to stamp with her.

Kimberly Van Diepen Stampin' Up! Demonstrator Spring Mini Sneak Peek

Kimberly Van Diepen stampin' up demonstrator Spring Mini, Oh Hello

As I've said in previous posts, this Spring Mini Catalog is by far one of my favorites. Everything is so delicate and beautiful in this catalog. I love the Designer Paper and the do-dads.

This card uses the Oh Hello Stamp set and the Tea for Two Designer Series Paper. *LoVe It*

You can see all the supplies I used for this card below.

Supplies Used:

Stamp set: Oh Hello

Cardstock: Basic Gray, So Saffron

Ink: Basic Gray

Accessories: Tea for Two DSP, Paper Doilies, Chevron Textured Embossing Folder, Hearts a Flutter Framelits, Cute Clips, Basic Designer Buttons, Pool Party Bakers Twine

By now you should be receiving your Mini Catalog (it's NOT so Mini!) The cover is absolutely BEAUTIFUL!!

I have another fun thing to share.

Heather and I are SO excited about our Simply My Digital Studio Challenges each week. The Facebook page is humming with amazing ideas being shared from the challenges that we are putting out. Each Monday we have a new challenge and technique being shared. I hope you can join us. This week we have an extra challenge using Overlays!

Make sure to check out Heather's Page HERE and a video that she made.

My layout uses a few different Overlays to create this layout. When creating my digital pages I always start with my cardstock or patterned paper first and then I use an Overlay. It just adds great texture to a layout.

Download the Page Supplies HERE.

You can find all of these great products in my Online Store. Here are a few of my FAVORITES!

I hope this inspires you to create something pretty this weekend.

Start creating with My Digital Studio today! I can help you get started!!

Don't forget to check out the Clearance Rack!

Shop with ME and earn Rewards!

XOXOXOXO

Categories : Big Shot, Cards, MDS, Simply My Digital Studio Challenge, Sympathy

Tags : Digital Scrapbooking, Kimberly Van Diepen, MDS, My Digital Studio, Oh Hello Stamp set, Stampin' Up! Demonstrator

Ahhh… Sweet December!

Posted by Kimberly

on Saturday, December 1st, 2012

Can you believe it? Sweet December! 25 days until Jolly St. Nick visits! Holiday preps in place!

Hopefully I didn't stress YOU out!

December is an exciting month for me! Why you ask?

First, I *LOVE* Christmas!

Second, it's been 6 years since I started this blog. 6 YEARS!!!

The other day I took a LONG trip down memory lane. I was totally sucked into reading what I've been up too. 6 years ago I was on the great adventure of moving from Florida to Colorado and needed a *place* to share with all my Florida friends. Wow! At the time I had NO idea I would be sharing WORLD WIDE! Remember, I am a blonde. When I started the blog I didn't have a clue of what I was beginning. Honestly, there are days I still feel that. Regardless, as I took my little memory trip I was drawn to many exciting things. It all started on December 5th, 2006!

It's amazing to see how much my kids have grown over the years, so many stories shared, SO many projects from Stampin' Up! created. On my journey of reading through I also stopped back to read the comments. I am one grateful lady.

To my readers, THANK YOU! You put up with my ramblings, listen to my silliness and always give me amazing feedback. I can't thank you enough. Well I can… just make sure you check back on December 5th! *snicker*

Of course, over the last 6 years technology has changed so much and now you can follow me just about anywhere besides my little bloggy.

I have a love affair with technology. I love social networking because I feel a special connection with YOU. I also love to share. Always have, always will. This is exactly WHY I love Stampin' Up! so much. They have given me the vehicle to share what I love- crafting!

Just where can you follow me these days?

CRAZY! Right?? Seriously, it's all about having fun and that's EXACTLY what I do! LOTS of it.

I share different things on different sites. Whatever my mood may be. 🙂 <wink>

So, if you are in the mood click the button and follow along. I plan to make this December full of surprises. <wink, wink>

Speaking of sharing…. if you made it this far and didn't fall asleep on me I do have something kinda pretty I wanted to share.

Do you like to add a little stitching to your paper crafting designs? I own a little Janome Sew Mini that sits on my desk. It's tiny and perfect to sew little notions on a card or paper crafting project.

I put the Sew Mini to use with this card above. WIth just a little bit of Stampin' Up's gorgeous Scalloped Tulle I was able to pleat two colors of Tulle together for a fun look.

I added the Poinsettia image from the Watercolor Winter stamp set for a "Winter Look!" I used three images piled onto each other and gave them a little crinkle in my hand. To keep them together I hand sewed a little button with Linen Thread right into the center.

So grab a little thread, sewing machine and beautiful tulle and get started.

Create something with a little thread today.

Supplies Used:

Stamps: Watercolor Winter, Lovely Little Labels

Cardstock: Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla

Ink: Early Espresso

Accessories: Scallop Tulle, Little Labels Punch Pack, Neutral buttons, Linen Thread, Vintage Trinkets, First Edition DSP, Sewing Machine

Kimberly's Fav's

Check out some of my favorite things from my store and the NEW Arrivals!

Thank you again for visiting!

Make something pretty today… XOXOXO

Categories : Cards, Christmas, Fabric, Inspiration, Kimberly Van Diepen

Tags : Kimberly Van Diepen Stampin' Up!, Lovely Little Labels stamp set, Stampin' Up!, Stampin' Up! Demonstrator, stampinbythesea, Watercolor Winter stamp set

Full Circle

Posted by Kimberly

on Tuesday, March 20th, 2012

Today I have lots of circles to show you and both projects make me really smile. Let's get right to it!

I've been helping a few friends locally with baby invitations. During the process it made me realize that I do NOT have a lot of baby crafting supplies on hand. I guess you could say I've outgrown that department in the crafting section. However, I was able to pull a few supplies and make some fun cards. I was going through some of my paper that has been neglected and found the pretty Mocha Morning Specialty DSP. I haven't played with this gorgeous paper enough. Check out this great paper!

Nice paper! I found the Polka Dots and wanted to make a baby card with it. I also pulled out my Button Button stamp set. Check out today's card:

I decided to make a fluffy baby card using lots of ribbon, pearls and buttons. Below you will find the products used for this card.

Stamps: Button Buddies – Clear-Mount Stamp 122737, Tiny Tags – Clear Mount Stamp 118592

Paper: Soft Suede, Baja Breeze, Very Vanilla

Ink: Soft Suede

Accessories: Trinket Hearts 125605, Perfect Pennants Bigz Die 123126, Mocha Morning Specialty Designer Series Paper 122366, Baja Breeze 3/8" Pleated Satin Ribbon 125571, 5/8 Inch Crochet Trim Victoria 118481, Baja Breeze 1/2 Inch Seam Binding Ribbon 122331, Basic Pearls Jewel Accents 119247, Designer Buttons – Neutrals Collection 119743, Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Embossing Folder Die 117335, Jewelry Tag Punch 117190, Vintage Trinkets Accents & Elements 118764

Now it's time for a little bit of Digital Inspiration! Tuesday's are magical days for me. Tuesdays= New Digital Releases from Stampin' Up! Feels like Christmas!

You can download the new Digital Downloads HERE. They are fantastic.

Today I have a layout using more Circles and NEW downloads!

Today's layout was inspired by another layout seen on Pinterest. You can see the layout HERE. I loved all the circles on this layout. What I love more is being able to find a layout I like and creating it using My Digital Studio software. Sometimes it's hard to start with a blank canvas and know which way to go with it. It's much easier to start from scratch when you have a little inspiration standing in front of you.

This photo of Brandon will go down as one of my favorites. It was taken this past fall at the Vietnam Memorial in Washington DC. It was the first time any of us had seen it and it was the one place my Dad wanted to go while they were visiting. We were looking for a friend of my Dads. He had died right in front of my dad when he was in Vietnam. They were best buddies. I can't describe how emotional this visit was for my family. Seeing my dads face when he looked at the wall was incredible. Almost disbelief that he was actually standing in front of it. My kids were fascinated with the history and Brandon kept saying, "Look at all of these names!" Interestingly enough the picture I took of Brandon is one of my favorites because you can see the reflection of names on his white shirt.

Below you will see a list of downloads I used for this layout. One of my favorite downloads from this week is this one:

Get It Done Kit – Digital Download 129924

You can purchase today's downloads RIGHT HERE!

Downloads I used:

Number One DSP
Circle Punch 1.25
Candid Frames
Button Latte
Corduroy Buttons
Button Bouquet
Buttons Pack In Color
In Color Paper Buttons
Spice Cake Designer Buttons-Soft Suede
A Holly, Jolly Christmas-Star
Anchored-Star 2
Anchored-Star 3
Rough Type-Letter B
Designer Kit-Get It Done
Designer Kit- Get It Done Notepaper 3
Staples
Font-Jenna Sue
Flag Punch

I hope you are having a FANTASTIC Tuesday. We have a Family Fun Night Celebration at the kids school tonight. We are hoping to watch the principle race on a tricycle. Hope she doesn't wear the pretty heels I always see her in. Of course this could make the whole thing even more funny. Have a fabulous day and make something pretty using Circles. Share your creations with me. I would love to see them.

XOXOXOXO

Categories : Baby, Cards, Digital Scrapbooking/My Digital Studio

Tags : Baby cards, Digital Designing, Handmade Baby Cards, Kimberly Van Diepen, MDS, My Digital Studio, Stampin' Up! Demonstrator

24 Years!

Posted by Kimberly

on Wednesday, March 14th, 2012

Today I have something exciting to share and I hope you don't mind. As most of you know I'm a military wife, but did you know I was a military brat too? Yes, I moved all across the United States growing up with my Army family. My dad's last duty station was in St. Louis, MO. That's where I completed High School and my dad retired at the same time of my graduation. Two weeks after I graduated my family moved to Pensacola, Florida. I was SUPER mad when we moved and thought my parents ruined my life. LOL. I survived that move! I was only 17 when we moved. Pensacola is where I call home or when people ask, "Where are you from?" I tell them Pensacola. 24 years ago the only way to "stay in touch" with my friends was to call or actually use pen and paper to send a note. I know, GASP! I was a bad friend and didn't really stay in touch with any of my high school buddies. It makes me kinda sad. However, with Facebook and many more social media outlets I've been able to connect with a few. Which brings me to my happy post… Today I was able to spend time with a high school friend that I had not seen in 24 years. My cheeks hurt from smiling. We chatted for over 2 hours and I loved catching up on the last 24 years. Not much has changed except we are both proud military wives, each have two kids and we both LOVE to go antique shopping. I am so excited she is just a few miles down the road from me and now we can pick up where we left off 24 years ago. I've always said never say good-bye when you are a military dependent or spouse because somehow or someway you always see someone again. It's a good thing.

Today I have two quick shares. The card I have for you today was "sprouted" by my friend Cathy. We did a late night chat last night and she shared a beautiful card she made that was inspired by the Mini Occasions catalog on page 15. I loved it so much I wanted to use some of the elements from it. Here it is:

The main element I was excited about was the Window Sheet and the pearls. It just looked elegant. Super easy card and even easier when I used my Heart Framelit Dies. I love the Framelit Dies and how they nest. I used the Take it to Heart stamp set #12522 and then added a few ribbon pieces and the sentiment comes from Fabulous Phrases.

Lastly, I have a Digital page to share. I am using a download that was new yesterday. The frames are SUPER SUPER cool.

Here are the downloads I used for this layout. I encourage you to use the Candid Frames. They are AWESOME. You can visit my Digi Store HERE.

Candid Frames
Vintage Overlays
Circle punch
Daffodil Brad
Honey Script Font
Dotted Scallop Ribbon Punch
Curly Label punch
Designer Kits/Number One/Number One – glass rings
Number One DSP
Hip and Handsome Overlays

Okay, for those of you using My Digital Studio, what is your FAVORITE download so far? I would love to know.
I hope you have a GREAT Wednesday. I'm off to run the kids all over town. Oh BOY!

XOXOXO

Categories : Cards, Digital Scrapbooking/My Digital Studio, Kimberly Van Diepen, Military Spouse Chat, Misc, Occassions Mini

Tags : Digital Designing, Kimberly Van Diepen, My Digital Studio, Stampin' Up! Demonstrator