Convention Check In Day!

Wow. 

That's pretty much all the energy I have to explain today right now...but, wow.

I knew that Convention was fun, I knew that people loved to go...but I truly had no idea what I was in for.  And today is ONLY CHECK IN DAY.  Yup, the real meat and potatoes starts tomorrow for the 2,000-3,000 of us that are lucky enough to be here.

(Just a note: I am running on about 2 hours of sleep right now and going on a 15 hours day.  So, enjoy the pictures, but excuse me if my comments are incoherent!)

We were up around 6:00am this morning (after finally falling asleep close to 3ish) to get in line for Check In Day.  Today was JAM PACKED with activities....

Everyone starting to line up outside Salt Palace for Convention

First stop...Memento Mall!

This is pretty much where you get the opportunity to get your hands on some really cool, exclusive Stampin' Up! toys as well as some fantastic business tools.  Wanna See?

MDS branded laptop skins and mouse pads

Umbrellas (got one!)

ADORABLE lunch bags and mugs (got them too!)

...and a TON  of other stuff...some, of which I can't show you, because they will be HOSTESS GIFTS, DOWNLINE/NEW RECRUIT GIFTS and of, course, something for Mom!! (Speaking of which, MOM, you NEED to sign up to be a Demonstrator...you NEED to see this!)

Here is my very full bag of some VERY fun things!! Woo Hoo!!

Next Stop...Bag Pick Up & Awards Booth!

One of the exciting things of Convention is that you find out if you've won yearly awards, get ADDITIONAL free stamp sets, and find out if you've won the Incentive Trip (which is Disney this year).  This was a big deal for a bunch of members on my team...THREE won the incentive trip and Aly, my upline, (once again) got Founder's Circle (Top 100 demonstrator). This is a BIG deal...and comes with some BIG

bonuses and free gifts...plus a super cool purse!!

Aly finding out she got Founder's Circle

(I want to be her some day!!)

Now, time to get our BAGS!!

Check out our bags!!! We get these for FREE for attending and they are FILLED with all sort of fabulous things!

See all these stamp sets?? Mine. Free. In the bag.  Yep, I'm a happy camper!!!

(on a side note, while we were waiting in line for Memento Mall there was a video playing of one of the Make N Takes we'll be doing....You are going to DIE when we see how fabulous they are!!! I can't wait to make ours!!! (Saturday, I think)

Okay, back to the bag...

If you know me, you know that I LOVE office supplies. Especially pretty ones!! Check out this awesome binder!! Why it's super cool? They entire Stampin' Up! catalog was disassembled and printed out to find in our pretty binder with all the pretty tabs to separate the catalog sections.  LOVE IT! 

A quick stop for lunch at Olive Garden, and then we hopped on a bus and left for the Stampin' Up! home office tour in Riverton, Utah.

Could there not be a more beautiful place to work??

We got to tour the beautiful and impeccable clean building and got to see the distribution center, meet the Demonstrator Support Reps, and my most favorite thing....

(Warning:  Be prepared to have your socks knocked off)

There is a part of the building called the Legacy Room...a place of inspiration and some amazing creativity at Stampin' Up!

Paper Crafted Yumminess!

I could just eat these all up!

How cute are these??

Table Place Setting

My dream workstation

You know the Stencils we carry?? Check this out!! Makes me want to get out that stipple brush!

Vintage Fabulousness

So, we get back from Riverton and our day is hardly over yet!!

Stampin' Up! put on a "Garden Party" for us tonight. The whole theme and name of Convention is "Grow" with the whole garden/plant theme

The Gathering Place

There was a contest to see how had the best sun hat, here's a couple fun ones!

How cute are they??

During the whole thing there were games, prize patrols, and a TON of product demonstrations that we would watch.  SO much creativity everywhere.

And, that, my friends is the end to Check In Day. 

 I can't even begin to explain what today has meant to me. I am lucky and fortunate to have been able to come this year. Without Mom's help getting me here and Mike's help watching my four little ones while I'm gone...I could not have been here.  If you are a demonstrator...you NEED to come to convention if you haven't already.  If you aren't an demonstrator, but want to be apart of this fantastic experience, you NEED sign up just for nothing else but having the opportunity to be here.  Speaking of being a new Demonstrator, you HAVE to see the Christmas kit you get for joining in July (they have it on display and I almost FELL OVER when I say it..that picture online does in NO justice...

This sucker is BIG and it's BEAUTIFUL!!

 If you want one, contact me and I can give you all the details once I get back!

  I can't even imagine what's in store for us tomorrow and for the rest of the week.  Stay tuned & I'll show you!!

Convention Swaps

One day to go!! 

Four members of the Heartfelt Stampers Team and I are leaving for the airport at 4:00 tomorrow to head out to Salt Lake City for the 2011 Stampin' Up! Convention!!  I still have lots of packing to do, getting the kids schedule all organized for hubby while I am gone...and, of course, finishing up my swaps to take with me!

My goal was to bring 150 swaps with me...I am quickly learning that that will probably NOT happen. So, I am just going with "whatever I have done" by tomorrow afternoon. I'm at about 50 so far...so maybe 75?  We'll see!!

So here, is what I will be swapping...

I decided to go kinda mixy/matchy and focus on the decorative papers and minimal stamping (for speed of making my swaps as well as effect!)

I don't enjoy mass producing my cards (frankly, I get bored) so I decided to do three different cards to keep my interest over the past few days...

Here's each of them:

This one uses  the NEW in color Wisteria Wonder cardstock, paper from the Hostess Designer Series Paper...Cheerful Treat, First Edition DSP, Whisper White cardstock, Baja Breeze seam binding ribbon, Concord Crush ink and that FABULOUS new stamp set, Delicate Doilies.  I also used the 2 1/2" circle punch and the scallop border punch. And don't forget the "bling" using the Basic Rhinestones

This card is my homage to the sadly gone, Kraft cardstock...oh, how I miss you!! BUT, Crumb Cake is my new "go to" so I knew I needed to use it for some cute swap cards!  

This is also paper from Cheerful Treat, some Whisper White Craft Ink, Basic Black grosgrain ribbon, Basic Black & Lucky Limeade ink (my new favorite!) and some random stamps--the park bench & white border  is from the Pendant Park Set and "friend" is from the Fabulous Phrases set. Love the colors...love the feel!

And here is swap #3...

I think this is my favorite! 

Again, paper from Cheerful Treat (just LOVE it...SO worth being a hostess to get this paper!) Some Very Vanilla Seam Binding,  more First Edition DSP, and the sweet little single stamp, Tiny Teacup.  I used that border at the bottom of the card with the same stamp from Pendant Park. It just seems to work with everything!  You can also see that I used some punches as well...the 2 3/8 scallop circle and the 1 3/4" scallop punch

Now, the design are done in place...now just need to keep making more, and more, and more....

When you ready my next post I will be on an airplane to Salt Lake City!

I hope you can come along from the ride

 (at least in blog land!!)

While you're waiting...

....are you waiting to see all my pictures from the Stampin' Up! Convention in a mere TWO DAYS??  Yes, I am excited, and I CAN'T WAIT to share some of my fantastic experience with you!!

As you are reading this blog entry, I can tell you that I am feverishly working on my SWAPS for Convention. 

What are those, you ask? Well, you know that Silly Band craze that all our kids were apart of....they have silly bands....they trade for other kid's silly bands....they find different kids with silly bands they want and then trade.  Get the picture?  It's the same thing. But just substitute adult women (and Men!) for the kids and change the bands into cards!  I can't wait to start swapping...lots of great ideas, lots of ideas to share with my customers...and it's just fun to see how creative other people can be!

Speaking of which, I wanted to share some cards and items that another very creative friend and Stampin' Up! Demonstrator, Christine Luce, created for our monthly Team Time meeting.  Get ready to whip out your credit card and place an online order for one of SU! most fun and versatile set you'll be DYING to get your hands on....

Pennant Parade & the Petite Pennants Builder Punch!

Let's just jump right in...

Can you see the cute little pennants on top of the cupcakes!! You just adhere them to some toothpicks and Viola! instant classroom cuteness for all the school birthday parties!

...And with birthday parties, you need cards...

(you can use baker's twine to "string" your pennants all in a row!)

...and, of course, you need Birthday Invitations...

Don't forget the Party Favors...

...Or the Gift!

And then, of course, you need to SCRAPBOOK that special day...



Now, wait one minute here...DO NOT  think that this is just another "Birthday Stamp Set". Nope!  Just flip those uber cute pennants around

And....

Party Hats!

Or...how about...

A Flower!

And don't let me forget...

Christmas Trees!!

(sorry, Blogger isn't cooperating with my photo download on this one!)

So, if I convinced you that you cannot live without this set, just head over to my online store and click yourself away to Pennant Bliss!!

Hey, I'll be online and mobile the whole time I'm away....have a question about Convention, want me to take a picture of something specific or maybe samples of a special card or something?? Leave me a comment letting me know what you'd like to know or see!

Tomorrow I should have pictures of my Convention Swaps available for you to see...

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!  

---

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!

      

---

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!

---

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!

---

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!!