Just a couple more swaps...

So, I keep finding swaps I really like in my stash - here are the next few, and then I think I am done. Although, there are two more wonderful swaps, which I will share tomorrow. Then, I will be back to creating my own designs - I finally have some time!

This gorgeous card above was created by Lana Horton and uses the stamp set Everything Eleanor. I love the combination of blues, and I am taking a guess with the colours she used - Bashful Blue, Baja Breeze and Not Quite Navy - love it. 

This cutie pie card was made by Monika Davis, super super cute. I may need to acquire that stamp set soon. The DSP is from the new Polka Dot Parade - another fun paper I will need to order. The stamp set is from Animal Talk. Everyone of those stamps are cute.

My final card for today is a Christmas one made by Bertina Maloy. The Midnigth Muse layer has been embossed with the new Fancy Fan Embossing Folder - I need to use that one more! The Top Note is cut from Crumb Cake and spritzed with the Frost White Shimmer Paint. I need to do more spritzing!

I wish I had time to stamp all day, don't you?

Enjoy!

More swaps...

As promised, a few more swaps from Convention 2012, some more of my favourites...they all feature Daffodil Delight and lots of Whisper White - very crisp and clean, just my style!

The first one uses that (crazy) Elegant Bird Bigz Die, which I never ever thought I would like in a million years. Kind of a little creepy, if you know what I mean. But, I saw so many wonderful samples and swaps made with this die, that I am reconsidering. Sometimes you just have to see lots of good ideas, and it grows on you. It is created by Janet Bell in California.
Both the body of the bird and the Whisper White layer are embossed, a pearl for the eye and a sprig of green in the beak. Nice touches.

My second choice for today was created by Carol Nordquist and shows the flower from Blooming with Kindness using the emboss resist technique. The first layer is embossed with the new Chevron Embossing Folder (got it free at Convention - gotta love that!).

And my third choice for today was created by Andrea Furtivo from Los Angeles. She used Bordering on Romance, some mini pearls and the new Daffodil Delight 1/4" stitched grosgrain ribbon. The DSP is from Floral District, in Baja Breeze. Love that colour combination.

The daily breakout sessions were very well done. I only skipped one to get a bit of shopping in..shhhh..but Convention 2012 was so well organised that there was hardly a minute to myself - jam packed with information, ideas, new product demos, stamping demos and fun. Not to forget Memento Mall which I visited a couple of times. 

My favourite breakout session was with Bonnie, Ronda Wade and Tami White - they were so inspirational and honest. And, just normal and lovely. Both had fabulous tips on expanding our businesses, and shared what was working for them. From listening to these ladies speak, I really do have to just concentrate on doing business My Way, as both of them had very successful businesses, but completely different approaches.


I have only been back home since Sunday night, and I am already looking forward to next year's 25th Anniversary Celebration. I think it's going to be spectacular. Better start saving....


Enjoy!

Swaps from Convention 2012

OK, so I am just home, very late last night (after a delay in Chicago which required a plane change), and so excited from being at Convention 2012, I couldn't wait to sit down and tell you all about it. I loved the breakout classes - very informative. Shelli really is so sweet, I didn't meet her in person, but from her appearances on stage, I wish I had have. I loved Memento Mall, I loved the swaps, I loved the atmosphere, I loved that all the Stampin' Up Home Office team cares so much and I loved meeting demonstrators from all over North America. I loved it all and can't wait to get back there next year.

The theme this year was "I am..." and to complete that sentence, I wrote "I am busy", and this year, I hope I will be even busier. I think that statement takes in everything I do - and more. As with everyone, I am a mother, wife, daughter, sister and friend. I am also working outside the home, I am a caterer in my own business and I am now a dedicated Stampin' Up Demonstrator! Busy, right?
At the closing session, Shelli asked us to finish the sentence "I want to be...", well, after convention I realised, "I want to be more like Shelli". She is strong, caring, savvy, gracious, extremely creative, sensitive, uplifting and motivating. There is definitely more to add, but those are the things I took away with me this year.

Right now, "I am tired from convention", and "I want to be in bed" :) But, as per usual, my kids won't leave me alone :)

Back to swaps, I made up 100 swaps, and could easily have made double or triple that. I received a bunch of great ones, some good ones, and then, I received some where I think the demos had just plain run out of time. Here are three of my favourite swaps from convention. I will post more tomorrow!

This first card is from Lidia Brandt and uses Basic Gray, Whisper White and Summer Starfruit. The image is Pleasant Poppies and is heat embossed in white. I wasn't really a Summer Starfruit fan until I saw this card, and now I love this combination. Such a simple card, but so stunning.

This second card is from Colleen Vassos, again a simple, but stunning card. Real Red, Basic Black and Whisper White with a square of silver glimmer paper. Love it - but then I love everything about the holidays.
Santa's beard is made by trimming down the largest Apothecary Accents Framelits Dies. Such a great idea!

And this last card has no name on the back, so I have no idea who made this. But I love, love, love that that the Owl Punch has been turned into Rudolph. His antlers are made from the leaves of the Bird Builder Punch. I love the googly eyes - I never thought I would have a use for them until now. And a little circle of red glimmer paper for the nose. Super cute!


I really am lucky to be in a business which embraces creativity!


Enjoy!

Product Shares

Here is the information you have been waiting for - product shares. Email me if you want to take part in the shares and I will order and send your product out within the next couple of weeks.

Here are the details:

Share #1 – Naturals

$32.00 per share (tax & shipping incl.)

Product	Item #	Price
Naturals Designer Buttons (1/2 package)	127554 Pg 176	$6.95
Natural Cosmopolitan Specialty Designer Paper	126917 Pg 162	$15.95
¼” stitched grosgrain ribbon 2.5 yards (90 inches)	Basic Gray 126879 / pg 173	$6.75
¼” stitched grosgrain ribbon 2.5 yards (90 inches)	Daffodil Delight 126872 / pg 173	$6.75
¼” stitched grosgrain ribbon 2.5 yards (90 inches)	Early Espresso 126871 / pg 173	$6.75
¼” stitched grosgrain ribbon 2.5 yards (90 inches)	Night of Navy 126874 / pg 173	$6.75
¼” stitched grosgrain ribbon 2.5 yards (90 inches)	Pacific Point 126878 / pg 173	$6.75
¼” stitched grosgrain ribbon 2.5 yards (90 inches)	Pretty in Pink 126880 / pg 173	$6.75
¼” stitched grosgrain ribbon 2.5 yards (90 inches)	Real Red 126875 / pg 173	$6.75
¼” stitched grosgrain ribbon 2.5 yards (90 inches)	Rich Razzelberry 126876 / pg 173	$6.75
¼” stitched grosgrain ribbon 2.5 yards (90 inches)	Whisper White 126877 / pg 173	$6.75
¼” stitched grosgrain ribbon 2.5 yards (90 inches)	Wild Wasabi 126873 / pg 173	$6.75

  

Share #2 – New in-Colours

$32.00 per share (tax & shipping incl.)

Product	Item #	Price
Vintage Faceted Buttons (1/2 package)	127555	$10.95
In Colour Designer Series Paper Stacks 2012 – 2014 (10 full sheets)	126910	$26.95
3/8” Stitched Satin Ribbon 2.5 yards (90 inches)	Gumball Green 126848 / pg 172	$12.25
3/8” Stitched Satin Ribbon 2.5 yards (90 inches)	Midnight Muse 126847 / pg 172	$12.25
3/8” Stitched Satin Ribbon 2.5 yards (90 inches)	Primrose Petals 126844 / pg 172	$12.25
3/8” Stitched Satin Ribbon 2.5 yards (90 inches)	Raspberry Ripple 126845 / pg 172	$12.25
3/8” Stitched Satin Ribbon 2.5 yards (90 inches)	Summer Starfruit 126846 / pg 172	$12.25

Share #3 - Ribbons Galore 

$32.00 per share (tax & shipping incl.)

¼” stitched grosgrain ribbon 2 yards (72 inches)	Basic Gray 126879 / pg 173	$6.75
¼” stitched grosgrain ribbon 2 yards (72 inches)	Daffodil Delight 126872 / pg 173	$6.75
¼” stitched grosgrain ribbon 2 yards (72 inches)	Early Espresso 126871 / pg 173	$6.75
¼” stitched grosgrain ribbon 2 yards (72 inches)	Night of Navy 126874 / pg 173	$6.75
¼” stitched grosgrain ribbon 2 yards (72 inches)	Pacific Point 126878 / pg 173	$6.75
¼” stitched grosgrain ribbon 2 yards (72 inches)	Pretty in Pink 126880 / pg 173	$6.75
¼” stitched grosgrain ribbon 2 yards (72 inches)	Real Red 126875 / pg 173	$6.75
¼” stitched grosgrain ribbon 2 yards (72 inches)	Rich Razzelberry 126876 / pg 173	$6.75
¼” stitched grosgrain ribbon 2 yards (72 inches)	Whisper White 126877 / pg 173	$6.75
¼” stitched grosgrain ribbon 2 yards (72 inches)	Wild Wasabi 126873 / pg 173	$6.75
3/8” Stitched Satin Ribbon 2 yards (72 inches)	Gumball Green 126848 / pg 172	$12.25
3/8” Stitched Satin Ribbon 2 yards (72 inches)	Midnight Muse 126847 / pg 172	$12.25
3/8” Stitched Satin Ribbon 2 yards (72 inches)	Primrose Petals 126844 / pg 172	$12.25
3/8” Stitched Satin Ribbon 2 yards (72 inches)	Raspberry Ripple 126845 / pg 172	$12.25
3/8” Stitched Satin Ribbon 2 yards (72 inches)	Summer Starfruit 126846 / pg 172	$12.25

Of course, if there are any other collections you are interested in, let me know and I can most likely create a share, just for you!

Enjoy!

Bianca

Retired List Released

Stampin' Up just released their Retired Stamp List, and there's a lot on it. You should check out the list and if there is anything you fell in love with over the past year, but put off purchasing, now is your chance. Send me an email with your order and I will get them for you before they are gone.

Some of my favourites are on the list - Fox & Friends, Dasher (what are we going to do without Dasher this year?), Triple Treat Flower, Flight of the Butterfly (a classic must-have), Serene Snowflakes (another Christmas / Winter favourite) and Pendant Park (don't you LOVE that tree?) just to name a few.

But, it means there must be a whole bunch of new stamps coming that will turn into my new favourites. I can't wait for the new catalogue - available for June 1st!

Some important dates to remember:
- April 25, 2012 - the Retired Accessories list is released. Lots of great things always on here that you won't want to miss out on.

- May 2, 2012 - Fabulous, Fun & Fast Card Workshop at my house. Make 4 fabulous one-of-a-kind cards in 2 hours. We will be using product from the Summer Smooches suite, a sneak peek product from the new catalogue :)

- May 10, 2012 - Technique Club. Learn a new stamping technique and make two cards using this technique. Take home a 6x6 instruction sheet so you don't forget how to do it afterwards.

- May 31, 2012 - the last day to order anything from the Retired List. After this date you won't see them again. Let me know if you would like to place an order.

- June 1, 2012 - new catalogue is released. Send me an email with your address if you you like a new catalogue mailed to your house. Or, you can stop by and one up from me anytime from June 1st onwards.

Have a great week, and I am hoping for some time to get some stamping done soon. I am having severe withdrawals.