Countdown to Convention!

6 Days Until I Leave for Convention!!

Can you tell I'm excited?? Since the first day that became a Demonstrator, I've dreamt about going to a Stampin' Up! Convention...I mean FREE stamps, LOTS of ideas, inspiration and business advice that you just can't beat.  PLUS the chance to see Salt Lake City Utah...somewhere I've never been before.

Well, THIS is the year that I finally get a chance to go! No husband and No kids for 5 days....

WOO HOO!

And I've decided to take you along with me....well, not in my suitcase or anything (those extra baggage fees are EXPENSIVE) but in blogland.  I'll fill you in on all the sites, sounds and excitement that goes into attending a Convention...I've heard about it, I've read about it....so I know that it's going to be GREAT!

Yesterday, I got some fun mail to get my excitement going...

When I opened it I found tickers to the "First Timer's Breakfast" (this was a surprise to me...I didn't know that existed!), my bag voucher (which I believe gets me my FREE Stampin Up bag filled with all my goodies!!) and my ticket for the +One class I'm taking called "Village of Cuteness".  I can't wait for this class...apparently we're making something out of a little wooden house!! I'm considering that my souvenir for my trip...well, that plus all the other stuff I can purchase in Momento Mall...

SO, it looks like my adventure is about to begin! I need to start figuring out what I am going to bring, what I am going to WEAR and all the other travel details that go along with flying to Utah!  I'm traveling with three other girls...so I'm not too nervous about that part!

Now need to focus on creating 150 swaps or so to exchange at Convention.  If you have no clue what a "swap" is, it's typically a card front using all SU! current product that you randomly swap with thousands of other demonstrators while you're there!  What a great way to get samples for my own inspiration and well as for my customers!  Then, they can always be turned into cards for when I need them!!

I am working on my swaps all this week & weekend....I'll be sure to post the pics once I get a couple completed for you to see and let me know what you think!

Make sure you check my blog every day during convention...I promise to share with you EVERYTHING I can!!

Okay, now back to stamping....

July Stamp & Chat Sneak Peak

TODAY is the last day to register for the July Stamp & Chat!! 

Check out my orginial post with all the date, time & info you'll need to know:

http://raeannskerrett.blogspot.com/2011/06/july-stamp-chat.html

In the meantime, here are some Sneak Peaks that you all love to see!

The theme for July is "Something Old...Something New"!  Of course, we are talking about Stamp Sets! We'll be revisiting some oldies but goodies....and adding in a WHOLE LOT of new sets too from the NEW CATALOG! 

Guess what, I've also decided to get you in the pre-holiday spirit by creating a CHRISTMAS CARD as one of your designs!! Hey only 5 months until you'll be NEEDING that card!

So, here you go...Here's your Something Old...

Remember this set? It's still alive and kicking....Baroque Motifs!  This is a classic set that we have been playing with over the years...and I still Love It everytime!

And....something NEW!

Straight out of the NEW CATALOG (that will be available for pick up at Stamp & Chat!).  This is actually a NEW HOSTESS SET called Faith in Nature!! You know what's great this year about Hostess Sets??  Stampin' Up! is giving you HOSTESS DOLLARS to spend on ANY STAMPS you want!! But we still LOVE and APPRECIATE our hostesses, so they have a special selection of stamp sets that ONLY YOU can get your hands on!

Well, I'm off to do some cutting and prepping for Stamp & Chat on Friday! 

Grab a friend and come stamp with me....You'll be glad you did!

NEW Product Shares

It's NEW Catalog time...and, boy, do I have a FUN, NEW & EXCITING offer for you...

PRODUCT SHARES!!

These shares are a wonderful way for you HAVE IT ALL without having to buy it all! By purchasing a share - you're able to get smaller quantities of all of the new products at a very low price.

All you need to do is EMAIL ME which shares you want to participate in, and when the share fills, I can send you an email invoice to finalize your order.  You can send me a check or pay by cash when I see you!  

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Ribbon Shares!

All ribbon shares contain 2 yards each of the NEW ribbon in it's category (if the ribbon is a carry over from the last catalog it is not included in the share) featured on pages 194 and 195 of the NEW 2011-2012 Idea Book & Catalog.  

 

3/8" Ruffle Ribbon Share: A yummy collection of the NEW In Color Ribbons. This share includes a total of 10 yards of ribbon (2 each of 5 colors) To purchase all of these ribbons individually would cost $59.11, purchase a share for just $12.25!    

 

1-1/4" Striped Grosgrain Share: This ribbon is so much fun - there's no other way to describe it! And it's available in SEVEN, NEW colors this year! This share includes a total of 14 yards of ribbon (2 each of 7 colors) To purchase all of these ribbons individually would cost $82.80, purchase a share for just $17.00!   

 

1/2" Scallop Polka Dot Grosgrain Ribbon Share: This ribbon is ALL Brand New and simply DELICIOUS!!!!! Available in TEN of our most popular colors, this share includes a total of 20 yards of ribbon (2 each of 10 colors). To purchase all of these ribbons individually would cost $94.45, purchase a share for just $19.50!

  

3/8" Taffeta Ribbon Share: This ribbon has been a favorite of mine, it ties the most beautiful knots and bows. So I was thrilled when they came out with 7 new colors! This share includes a total of 14 yards of ribbon (2 each of 7 colors). To purchase all of these ribbons individually would cost $57.80, purchase a share for just $12.00!

     

1/8" Taffeta & 3/8" Denim Ribbon Share: There aren't a ton of new colors of the 1/8" Taffeta ribbon - but this delicate ribbon isn't anything you want to miss! Additionally, there are only 2 ribbons in the new Denim line - but they are 2 FABULOUS new additions, so couldn't be left out! So this share will combine the two ribbons and includes a total of 8 yards of ribbon (2 each of 4 types). To purchase all of these ribbons individually would cost $30.65, purchase a share  for just $6.50!

5/8" Satin and 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon Share: These 2 ribbons are like the above grouping - important and needed, but not as wide of an assortment as others, so they're being combined! This share includes 14 yards of ribbon (2 each of 7 types). To purchase all of these ribbons individually would cost $55.43, purchase a share for just $8.25!

      

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Fabric Shares! 

Fabric makes a FABULOUS additions to Paper Crafting projects. I just LOVE it...!  And, of course, there's all that you can do with Die Cutting it with the Big Shot...or for that special sewing or quilting project!

Fabric is featured on page 196 of the catalog. The Fabric Share includes 9, 9"x9" squares of fabric - a segment of each of the new 9 prints - 3 prints in each of the 3 different assortments.  

Here's a look at 3 of the 9 prints!

 

To order each of these things individually would cost $35.47, purchase the share for just $7.00!

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Designer Series Paper Share! 

This share is to help you get all of the DELICIOUS New Designer Papers featured on pages 183 - 186! This share does NOT include the First Edition or Beyond the Garden Designer Series Papers from recent Mini Catalogs that have carried over.

It DOES include a piece of EACH piece of paper in EACH of the following assortments:

• 6 Swatches of "Flirtatious Specialty Paper" (Note, you will get Pumpkin Pie OR Melon Mambo of the special laser cut sheet, not both as quantities to not allow) 
• 6 Swatches of "Mocha Morning Specialty Paper"
• 6 Swatches of "Paisley Prints Designer Paper"
• 6 Swatches of "Beau Chateau Designer Paper"
• 6 Swatches of "Pocketful of Posies Designer Paper"
• 6 Swatches of "Domestic Goddess Designer Paper"
• 6 Swatches of "Just Add Cake Designer Paper"
• 6 Swatches of "Frightful Sight Designer Paper"
• 6 Swatches of "Timeless Portrait Designer Paper"
• 6 Swatches of "Berry Blossoms Designer Paper"
• 6 Swatches of "Well Worn Designer Paper"
• 6 Swatches of "Nursery Nest Designer Paper"
• 6 Swatches of "Letters to Santa"
• 6 Swatches of "Big Top Birthday Designer Paper"
• 10 Swatches of "2011-2012 In Color Patterns Designer Paper"

Here's a look at a couple of the prints - you can check out the rest in the catalog!

There are TWO different shares that you can purchase:

A "Standard Share" that includes a 6"x6" square of each print or a "Double Share" that includes a 12"x6" piece of each print. This way, if you're a Scrapbooker - you have the option of having the full 12" length to go across your page! (Or maybe you just want MORE paper!)

That's a total of 94 sheets of paper!!!!! 

To order each of these packages individually it would cost you $179.25, purchase a Standard Share for just $27.00 or a Double Share for just $54.00!

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Important Ordering Info! 

Orders for shares will be sent out as they fill. For example, most all Ribbon Shares are an even distribution among 5 people, so as soon as 5 people order, the ribbon will be ordered. Please keep in mind that it is a process for me to collect orders, place orders, get the orders in, then cut and divide everything appropriately before dropping it off or mailing. I will move as quickly as I can, but it can take a couple of weeks for you to receive your orders.

Thank you in advance for your patience!

I will be happy to mail your share to you directly for an additional cost of $5.00 ANYWHERE in the US!!

Questions? Let me know!!

Remember what you're Momma always told you....

It's GOOD to SHARE!!

July Stamp & Chat!

NOW TAKING REGISTRATIONS!!

July Stamp & Chat

Friday, July 8th

6:30pm-9:30pm

Montgomery Park Community Center

6363 Transit Road, East Amherst (next to Pautlers)

Create 6 cards for only $15.00 or FREE when you place a $25.00 order (before taxes and shipping) that night!

ANOTHER BONUS! 

Bring a friend who has never stamped with me before...and make an extra set of cards FREE!

This is NEW CATALOG TIME!! 

Pick yours up if you preordered one...or you can purchase one that night too! 

We'll be using some NEW PRODUCT that you'll just LOVE!  Come have fun, chat with friends (both old and new) and go home with some handmade cards that you'll be proud to give this summer!

Whether you're brand new to stamping or a seasoned veteran...I guarantee you'll enjoy your evening stamping with us!

Registration is a MUST!

Please email me by Tuesday, July 5th to make sure I have room for you!

Happy Summer!

"Circle of Ten"

As you may know, over the past few months I have mentioned that I was working on a "very special and super secret project".  Well, today is the day that I can finally reveal what I've been working on and who is being celebrated!!

I was fortunate to be approached by PTA friend and Vice President of Development, Cindy Eller, from the Roswell Park Alliance Foundation about partnering with them to create "ten keepsakes" that would be presented to ten very special and generous people. This is when I first was first introduced to Roswell's "Circle of Ten" campaign.

The "Circle of Ten" represents ten very generous donor families who have donated $1M to Roswell Park to help support efforts to build a $40M Clinical Services Center here in Buffalo.  There are some very notable families on this exclusive list, including Mr. Ralph Wilson Jr, owner of the Buffalo Bills.

So, to say that I was overwhelmed and honored to create such a special piece is an understatement!!  The Circle of Ten honorees all received their keepsake this afternoon at a special ceremony at Roswell, which is why I can share it with you now!

I'm sure you are curious to see what the heck I've been working on...and so am I!! I can show you all the different stages and creative changes that my project went through...but even **I** haven't see the "final" framed pieces as they just got that today and even I haven't see it....but I heard it's getting lots of ooohs and aaaah's! 

It all started here....

This is the Stampin' Up! Strength & Hope stamp set that literally was released the week that I was asked to work on this project...talk about timing!!  Stampin' Up not only is offering this set to offer strength and hope to those dealing with cancer, but they are also donating $2.00 from each purchase to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation! You can see more info about that HERE.

This set was perfect in every way in celebrating what the Circle of Ten has brought to Roswell Park.  The stamp with all the words says "courage, hope, believe, unity, survivor, caring, together, love kindness, support, strength, blessed and finally thank you".  So appropriate!!

When I first met with Cindy, her vision was simple...the word "hope" with the names of the donors in a circle around it.  Here was my very first stab at that vision....

(notice I didn't even have enough HodgePodge Hardware at that time! haha)

I realized pretty quickly that the Keepsake would become a 12X12 scrapbook page that could be framed.  They were specifically looking for something unique, more homespun/handmade as opposed to a "corporate look & feel".  I think at this stage, the one thing that I KNEW was that the Hodgepodge Hardware was going to the be key to this piece!

So, back to the Roswell Board it went and someone came up with the FABULOUS idea of adding a rendering of the new Clinical Services Center to the look..

(Off comes the flower...on comes the building image!)

Bingo!!  Having the rendering of the building in the middle gave me the opportunity to stamp the fabulous words all around the outside of the circle in Crumb Cake Ink with a couple of Baja Breeze ones added for more color!  What I also loved about this project is that I was able to work the the graphics department at Roswell.  I was able to give them the color codes for all the fantastic Stampin' Up! colors so that Chocolate Chip, Crumb Cake & Baja Breeze were all represented in the printed images on the Keepsake as well.  As with everything Stampin' Up!....Perfect Coordination!

You may also notice that I was also able to work in their logo in the bottom right corner just by doing some creative cutting. The Decorative Label Punch also worked PERFECTLY!

Just a few more tweaks and then on to finding the frame...

(Getting closer...now have to start thinking about framing!)

I loved the dark wood of this frame...I think it really make the Keepsake have that "homey" feel.  But alas a very generous framing company offered to CUSTOM FRAME all the Keepsakes as a donation...so my dark frame went away.  But that's okay, because I hear the new one looks AWESOME!

So, off comes the frame and a few more tweaks.....and....Drum Roll Please....

Here it is!! The final version!

Here's the nitty gritty details, if you're interested:

The main page is 12 X12 Very Vanilla Textured Cardstock, layered over the building rendering on smooth Very Vanilla.  The edges of the circle was gently rolled back and then stamped with the sentiment stamp from the Strength & Hope set in Crumb Cake & a Baja Breeze here and there....that was ALOT of stamping and ALOT of trying to be as straight and "perfect" as possible!  All the names are displayed around the circle were printed on Very Vanilla Cardstock and then stamped off with the heart and flourish stamp from the set.  I punched them all out with the designer label punch and then carefully adhered them inside all the matching Hodgepodge hardware matching piece in the silver finish.  LOVE IT!  The header strip is V. Vanilla on top of Chocolate Chip textured cardstock and then stamped with the "H" Hope stamp (I REALLY wanted to get the work Hope in there somewhere as per our original vision!)  The bottom strip is also printed on V. Vanilla cardstock and finished off with another HodgePodge brad and then the logo piece using the Decorative Label Punch and some Smooch Spritz!!

As I mentioned, I created 10 of these (well, actually 13 for additional family members, the President of Roswell & Cindy, of course!) so I had to keep all the parts and pieces as organized as possible during this project...turns out a muffin tin works just fine for keeping all my names at hand...

So, that is it!  I am happy and thankful that it's complete...I am anxious to see it after it's been custom framed (I'll share it with you as soon as I see it!).  What a fabulous opportunity....

So, do you think Ralph Wilson has this hanging in his office tonight??  Maybe not, but it makes me happy just to think that it MIGHT be...

I've been asked to create another Keepsake for a Breast Cancer event/project coming up.  We'll see what the future brings!!

Thanks for sharing this special & exciting day with me!

If you would like to learn more about the Roswell Park Circle of Ten, Click HERE.



A Little Something to Share

Hi Everyone!

Yes, I have been neglectful in my blog posting lately!! School is nearing it's end and so was my BIG super special project that I've been working on over the past few months (I get to post pictures later TODAY!!) 

Needless to say...I've been a very busy girl.

A little something I wanted to share with you while we wait....it's a card I received from my upline Aly Schilling for being in the Top 3 Demo's in her group last month....

I LOVE everything about this card!  The colors, the designer series paper, the embossing with the new Stampin' Embossing Powers that are in the Summer Mini, and the images from the Flower Fest stamp set (also in the Mini).  I keep walking by this card and stopping to pick it up again and again to look at it!

 I hope you enjoy this card as much as I am...

Oh, guess what??  The NEW STAMPIN' UP! IDEA BOOK & CATALOG is scheduled to arrive at my house TOMORROW!!  So, don't expect any posts tomorrow.....my nose will be in that book ALL DAY LONG!!

Keep an eye out my one more post later this evening to show off what happens when some wonderfully creative minds and a bunch of VERY generous folks merge...

BYE, BYE!

Happy June 1st Everyone!

This time of year, it is VERY exciting in Stamping Land....that's because the NEW IDEA BOOK & CATALOG is almost here (July 1st). 

But, in the meantime, we get all the info about what is RETIRING and not going to be available anymore.  As a Demonstrator, it's a chance to see what stamp sets I'll be still using after July...but also a time for YOU to get any stamp sets that are on your WISH LIST before they're GONE!

Alot of the sets I wasn't too surprised about...but a couple I was!

Yes, our Cocktail Friends will be no longer in the new Catty...I know that was a favorite for all of my Girls Night Classes and Parties!!  And, here's another surprise to me...

Yes, my friend, Monty the Monkey will also be leaving us.  BUT, the good news is, I'm SURE that Stampin' Up! is replacing them with some even more exciting stamps and accessories!

If you want to see the entire list of what will be retiring at the END OF JUNE, Click Here:

Last Chance Stamp Sets

Last Chance Accessory List

Last Chance Definitely Decorative

(Don't worry the line will still be available in the new catalog, just with a smaller offering!)

Enjoy having a Sneak Peak about what will be leaving...and I can't WAIT to show you the NEW STUFF that is COMING!!!

As always, please feel free to call me or place your Last Chance orders ONLINE at my web store:

CLICK HERE TO PLACE AN ORDER

Also, if you would like to Pre Order the NEW IDEA BOOK & CATALOG  with me...

let me know and I will add you to my list!