Convention Swap

Another fun part of the Stampin' Up! convention is swapping.  This year, with the move, I had not planned on doing any swapping - but other year's I usually join at least one organized swap and then do some general swapping.  Then, the day before I was leaving I decided to make up some cards with only the scraps I had sitting on my desk - and this is what I camp up with - there was enough to make 10 - so that's what I had - 10 swaps :)

 Below are the 10 swaps (plus one bonus) that I received back - so now I have 11 new ideas to show my customers - cute, cute, cute!

Also wanted to share this amazing journal, pen and convention pin that SU! gave us at convention.  Since I had taken a notebook with me I did not use this there - but is is full of blank pages to use for journaling, notes, etc. and so I am using it as my new stamping event planner.  It also has calendar pages for the rest of this year -so it is perfect!  I really love it - between that and the amazing convention bag (see below) we got this year - I was happy, happy, happy!!

The bag this year is a messenger style, made out of heavy woolen/felt type fabric.  Has the Stampin' Up! name on the front and on the buttons.  Really stylish - it has become my bible study bag as it carries my bible, journal, notebook, pens, etc. perfectly!

See you all soon!  Time to plan some events to fill this baby up!  ~Maureen
Below are the products I used for my swap cards -

Very Vanilla 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

$8.50

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

$8.50

Bohemian 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock Assortment Pack

$7.00

Bohemian Designer Series Paper

$11.00

Rhinestone Basic Jewels

$5.00

Petite Petals Punch

$13.00

Itty Bitty Accents Punch Pack

$17.00

Glue Dots

$5.25

Snail Permanent Adhesive

$7.00

Personal Post Monday - things that made me smile!

So today's post is not stamping or crafty related - it is just personal.  I am having a tough time with our move, missing my girls and their families.  My health with my autoimmune has been really acting up, and I just can get everything unpacked and put away.  Paul is working so hard - but there are just so many things I need to do. And I can't really get active in my Stampin' Up! business till I can get it unpacked - yikes!!  But I know I am so blessed still, and just wanted to share a couple things that made me very happy this week.  The first is this gorgeous crocheted tablecloth.  We unpacked a box with it in and I had, had it packed up for years and had forgotten about it.  It was given to my hubby and I by my  in-laws for our wedding to drape on the alter at the front of the church, and it looked lovely.

It was made by one of my husband's grandmothers (we're trying to track down that information).  After the wedding she asked me to keep it - and it was a beautiful gesture and gift to me.  Below you can see the detail - it is beautifully made.  So putting it on my table this week really made me happy.

The second really great thing this past week was this peach tree.  It is loaded with peaches and they are starting to ripen.  Paul and I draped netting over the entire tree this week to keep the birds away as the fruit ripens.  I hope it works - as I am soooo looking forward to canning homemade peach jam.  Just the thought makes my mouth water.  Last year Jenee said the tree didn't have any fruit - but this year it looks like it will make up for it.  I counted 120 peaches and then stopped as I was getting dizzy looking up :)

So am trying to be positive - relying on the Lord and His abundant blessings - praying for all of you to do the same.  Will share pictures when the jam is made ;)  ~Maureen

More Convention Gifts

As I stated before - convention gifts are just part of the overall convention experience for stampers - I got a few more great gifts this year!

This adorable decorated giant clothespin to hold a picture or a card sample in from Jeri!

Jeri also gave us all this yummy jam and Huckleberry candies - it is (I mean was :) delicious!!

And a little treat bag for my chocolate fix from Diane.

Thank you to everyone who attended convention from our group - it was great seeing you all there.  And thanks for the goodies!! ~Maureen

Gifts from convention

So part of the fun of convention is downline and roommate gifts - so that last couple posts showed what I made - but today I'm posting a few of the things I received.

Birthday box full of salt water taffy from Toni!

Beautiful composition notebook journal from Heidi!  Plus some yummy homemade caramels.

Adorable little bag filled with awesome chocolates from Stefanie.

Keeping a few more goodies to share with you next time - but here are three great stamping ideas you can share for teacher, birthday, or your just my friend gifts :)   ~Maureen

Convention gifts

So convention kicked my A$$ - my autoimmune has really been giving me a hard time the past couple weeks -and convention nearly knocked me out. I had ha amazing time - but was exhausted and still have not recovered.  I'm doubling up on my supplements, and trying to eat well and get enough rest - so hopefully I'll see an upswing in my health soon.  So - I am sorry about the lack of posting - will try and do better.   But I did want to share the final pictures of the totes I made for convention gifts -

After decorating I added the goodies you see below -

Here they are just before I packed them up to take down to the convention hall - I think they are so cute.

Watch for more convention news in my upcoming posts!  but for now - nigh, nigh ~Maureen

Downline and Roommate gifts -

By the time you see this post I will (God-willing) be in Salt Lake City for the last annual convention (they are switching to a semi-annual OnStage event that will be similar but different).  It has been tradition for me to make downline and roommate gifts, so that is what I am working on today.  This "Cherry On Top" DSP pad is full of such FUN patterns - that I thought it would be perfect for FUN goodies.  I had some plastic purses that I had ordered for a different purpose - and what I had left was perfect for what I wanted to make.

I used Bermuda Bay cardstock to make a base to go in the purse, then added different patters of the DSP package to make the sides.

Side one above and side two below -

Made up bunch of these cute little bows to go on the front of  each, but am protecting them in a box while I travel and will attach when I get to convention.  The bow builder punch makes it so easy to put perfect cardstock bows together.

Here's a sneak peek of the work in progress.  I'll take a final picture when they are all put together, but probably won't get to post till we're back home Monday.  I'll also take a picture of the goodies inside.  Hope they all like them. 

I'm typing this up on Wed. morning before heading to Phoenix to catch my flight to Salt Lake - getting really excited.  I'll try and post a few updates from Convention if I can on my Facebook business page - Crazy Stamping Lady - so like my page if you'd like to get updates as well as ongoing creative ideas!  See you soon ~Maureen
Here are some of the products I used to make this project - 
 

Cherry On Top Designer Series Paper Stack

$8.00

Cherry On Top 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock Assortment Pack

$7.00

Bow Builder Punch

$18.00

Glue Dots

$5.25

Stampin' Dimensionals

$4.00

Simply Scored

$30.00

Bone Folder

$7.00

Stampin' Trimmer

$30.00

Heidi's Downline Project

So for Saturday's meeting - Heidi came through in a pinch for me with a project for the downline group.   It was this adorable little card.  I especially loved it as it used a couple items I had really over-looked in the catalog - the "Endless Thanks" set on page 14 and the "Writing Notes" background stamp on page 40.  Ladies - I have looked my catalog over and over - and missed both of these gems. 

The card is simply adorable - the background stamp had now been ordered by me :) and the Endless Thanks is on my list!  Just look how cute the card is with that note paper on there.

This close up shows the doily, the staples, the holes in the note paper, and the items that we popped up - all giving the card some great texture and dimension.  So pretty!!! Thanks Heidi, for having my back!!!   ~Maureen
Here are some of the products used to make this project - 

Endless Thanks Photopolymer Stamp Set

$16.00

Writing Notes Clear-Mount Background Stamp

$15.00

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

$8.50

Perfect Plum 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

$7.00

Perfect Plum Classic Stampin' Pad

$6.50

Elegant Eggplant Classic Stampin' Pad

$6.50

Wisteria Wonder Classic Stampin' Pad

$6.50

Wild Wasabi Classic Stampin' Pad

$6.50

Tea Lace Paper Doilies

$3.00

Whisper White Medium Envelopes

$6.50

Glue Dots

$5.25

Stampin' Dimensionals

$4.00

Whisper White Baker's Twine

$3.00

Handheld Stapler

$10.00

Silver Mini Staples

$4.00