Shoe Box Swap and Networking -

Last weekend I had the opportunity to get together several other lovely Stampin' Up! Demonstrators in our area to get to know each other, stamp and do some networking.  Several were from my TEAM - but there were a few who were not.  It was just a delightful time and we hope to do it again soon.  Today I thought I'd share the cards we made.  Hope you can glean some inspiration!  The theme was general - but as you can see - there was a lot of LOVE going around!

Darle

Eva

Kelea

Mary

Nancy

Nola

Maureen

Stamping is such a creative and social hobby.  I want to encourage each of you to try something like a shoebox swap with your friends - and get out there and STAMP! (Note: there is a link at the top of my blog that tells more about what a Shoebox Swap is, if you're interested in trying one.) ~Maureen

Virginia's swap card

So I had mentioned before - that somehow my swap card from Virginia did not make it back home with me from California to Arizona :(  (Who knows what else I'm missing).

But fortunately she was able to take a picture and send it to me.  Thank you Virginia.  I am so glad this set and punch are not being retired as I love them.  Beautiful card!  By now! ~Maureen
Click on any image below to go right to my online store -

Grateful Bunch Photopolymer Stamp Set

$21.00

Blossom Bunch Punch

$18.00

Basic Black 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

$7.00

Crumb Cake 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

$7.00

Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

$8.50

Clear Wink Of Stella Glitter Brush

$8.00

Final Shoebox Swap Cards

Sharing the final Shoebox Swap Cards that I made.  For some reason the one I made of Virginia's is LOST :(  Don't know how that happened - I'll keep looking and hope to find soon - and when I do, I will post it!  But for today - we have Heidi's card which I LOVED - so simple, yet so great for birthdays - and the colors are fantastic!

Then Karen's card - she cased a card right off the front cover of the current occasions catalog - adding a few changes.  But it is also such a fun, happy birthday card -

Finally my card - which is also basically a CASE.  But using almost the same color combo as Karen's above.  With me sending cards nearly every day - each of these will be great to use for upcoming birthdays.  Do you want a card from me?  Email me your date of birth and address and you've got it!

Hope you enjoyed the cards.  Shoebox swaps can be some much fun and you come home with a bunch of cute cards.  Love it!  See you all soon!  ~Maureen

Sunday Morning Musings - Shoebox Swapping with my TEAM!

So much going on in my life - but I LOVE getting some time to just sit and have some fresh coffee out of a beautiful mug - and relax with stamping and creating.  I get such peace and enjoyment from this hobby and business of mine.  Thank God everyday for this blessing.

So we ended our last Team meeting as we always do - with a Shoebox Swap - and it was fun, as always!  Here are Annette and Paula checking out some card samples.

Below is Annette's card for the Shoebox Swap -note the wink of Stella glimmer on the fern -

Here is Paula's Card -Cannot believe this stamp set is being retired - if you love BUGS, then be sure to order this one before it is gone for good!

And the final card I'm sharing today is Teri's swap card - this was her first swap with our group - and she incorporated another hobby of hers (photography) into her creation.  Sorry for a bit of glare on the photo.

 Great cards ladies - had so much fun creating with you.  I have a few more to share soon from this event!  Our next TEAM meeting is in July,and then I'm looking at a special TEAM event for this fall and hoping it all falls into place.  See you soon! ~Maureen

Crazy Stamping Ladies' Quarterly Team Shoebox Swap -

So last weekend I made my quarterly trek to Southern California for my Cards for a Cause event; and my downline team meeting, recognitions and shoebox swap.  Here are some of the ladies creating their beautiful cards.

In a shoebox swap everyone brings kits and all the products to make their card design - then we go around the room creating the cards and up with a bunch of great ideas and cards to use! Below are what we made in our group - credit given to each of the creators!

Annette's Card/Gift Card Holder

Karen's card

Betty's card

Diane's card

Paula's Card

Heidi's card

Maureen's Card

Sarah's Card

 

Happy Stamping!!! ~Maureen

Shoebox Swap - Final Installment

So today I am going to finish sharing the cards from our last shoebox swap.  I've gotta tell you - these were all great cards and so much fun to make.  This first one was designed by Paula - and so springy, really liked it -  you can see more of her work at - http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/thehappyfulstamper/blog

Then here is Sarah's card - I love all the little details on this one - hope you can see it all in the picture - very fun card to make.  Sarah's work is showcased on her blog here -http://projectstamp.com/

And finally Virginia's card - if was such a great card, and I love the fold technique.  I think it is called the Joy Love Fold.  Here is my version - it was the last card of the night, I was tired, don't think I could find all the components - but I still think it turned out great.

 There you can see how the fold is done.

 And here is the copy of her original work  -

Thank you again Sarah and Virginia for a great night of food, stamping and fellowship.  Had a great time!!! ~Maureen

More Shoeboxing

So today I'm sharing a couple more of our Shoebox Swap cards - thought I'd be done today - but nope - still have at least one more day of sharing some of these great creations.  Her is Kathy B's card - just cannot go wrong with this set.  Kinda sad it's not coming back in the BIG catalog ;(

And then my card.  I was really, really happy with how it turned out.  Sweet, clean, simple - but ADORBS!!  This flower and punch also will not be in the new catalog.

Here is a close-up from the top so you can see some of the dimension of the card.  Kinda sad the flower set and punch are going away, as I just started using them.

That's it for today - see you soon with the final Shoebox installment :)  ~Maureen

Shoebox Swap Part II

And the fun continued with our Shoebox Swap - 
Here is Devin's card and you can see more of her work at http://devinstamps.blogspot.com -

Below is Diane's card - she also had a little tag and very on the front.  But I stamped my image too far to the left, and it didn't fit.  Leave it to me to not follow directions.

Finally for today - here is Heidi's card - I really love it in so many ways -  you can also see more of  her work at - http://stampinking.blogspot.com

Hope you liked the cards so far - stop back soon to see the final cards we made.  ~Maureen

Shoebox Swap time.....

So for any of you who have not already done a Shoebox Swap - it is so much fun. You make up a card design sample, and then kits to make that card.  Everyone brings their kits and supplies in a shoebox and places them at a table station - and then you rotate and make one of everyone's card.  My downline members, Sarah and Virginia, recently hosted a great shoebox swap at a local restaurant - and today I'm gonna share of few of those cards.  The theme was SPRING!

Here is Betty's card

and my take on Betty's card

Christel's card

Stop back tomorrow to see a couple more of our great cards.  ~Maureen

WCMD - Part II

So, as promised - here are the lovely ladies who joined me for my shoebox swap and their adorable cards.

Diane B

Karen O

Kathy B

Kathy W

Lyn M

Paula B

What a fun day - good company - great cards.  Gonna have to do it again - soon!! ~Maureen