Mini Scrapbook

Although it was a couple of months ago, I wanted to share some pictures of a mini scrapbook we created as our August club project. The project was inspired by a make-n-take done at an event I went to while at convention.

The inside of the book is a folded piece of cardstock that ends up giving you seven 4" pages to add pictures, journaling or momentos. I think it would be a great gift for a friend or family member.

Stamp Sets - On Your Birthday, Circle Circus
Paper - Pretty in Pink, Rose Red, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White, Old Olive, Kraft, Chocolate Chip Patterns DSP
Ink - Chocolate Chip, Pretty In Pink, Rose Red
Accessories - 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon (Rose Red, Pretty in Pink and Chocolate Chip), 1 3/8" Circle Punch, 1 1/4" Circle Punch, 1" Circle Punch, 3/4" Circle Punch, Scallop Border Punch, Scallop Circle Punch, Daisy Die, Big Shot, Fine Supernova Glitter (Chocolate), 2 Way Glue

If you are interested in learning how to create a mini scrapbook similar to this....let me know and we'll create it together.

Have a wonderful day.

Design Team, plus this week's challenge

I have only told a couple of you about my exciting news of being chosen as a member of the Late Night Stampers Design Team. For those of you that do not know, this is an amazing group of those who love to create with Stampin' Up! products. The group has a weekly challenge and the DT members help inspire others from the group to participate with our creations. I submitted three projects with my application and was thrilled to get the email stating that I had been chosen. If you are interested in joining the group, check it out here. You do not need to be a demonstrator to join, just have a love of paper crafts and use Stampin' Up! product.

This is my first week as a DT member. The challenge this week is a color challenge. We were challenged to use Ruby Red, Really Rust and Old Olive together. The colors definitely screamed "fall" to me, but I didn't listen and created something else. :) I'm not too sure how I feel about this one. I'll keep working with the colors and come up with something else later in the week. I would love to see what you create using these colors and current Stampin' Up! product. Make sure to submit your card to the group by Sunday, October 25th.

Stamps-Baroque Motifs
Ink-Ruby Red

Paper-Ruby Red, Old Olive, Really Rust, Very Vanilla

Accessories-Old Olive Grosgrain, Ruby Red brads

Have a great day!!

My Digital Studio Blog Banner

So...I was playing around with My Digital Studio last night and came up with the banner that you now see up top. What do you think?? There are so many different things you can do with it. If you are interested in checking it out for yourself, let me know and we'll set up a play date. Remember...if you host a $400 workshop by the end of November, you can purchase My Digital Studio for 50% off the retail price. Get your calendar out and let's schedule some fun time. :)

Favorite Medallion Creation (so far)

As soon as I got my new catalog back in June, I knew I needed this stamp. I wasn't sure at the time because it doesn't seem to be my 'style' (whatever that is :) ), but I love it. This is my favorite creation with the stamp so far. I inked it up with So Saffron and then sponged Dusty Durango on the edges and center directly on the rubber before stamping. I accidentally picked up the So Saffron instead of the Crushed Curry, but love the look of it. I made a bunch using Crushed Curry and Dusty Durango for a Convention dinner swap back in August. Didn't realize my mistake until I was making those and then had them side by side. They are both great, but have different looks. Hopefully I'll get a chance soon to make some other color combinations.

Stamp Sets: Medallion, Short and Sweet
Ink: So Saffron, Dusty Durango
Paper: Whisper White, Crushed Curry
Accessories: Dusty Durango Polka Dot grosgrain ribbon, Small and Large Oval punches, half pearl from Pretties Kit, Mini Glue Dots, sponge

My Digital Studio Video

I'm loving all the great things you can do with My Digital Studio. Check out this video about it. Remember...you can purchase it for 50% with a $400 workshop in October and November. Let's set up a date now for your workshop.

SU! CLEARANCE RACK!!!

Stampin' Up! has added a new section to my online store--Clearance Rack!! You can purchase retired, discontinued items for up to 80% off! Check it out often to see what is available as items will be added and removed based on availability. All items are only available WHILE SUPPLIES LAST. Orders must be placed online through my website. Click on Shop Now and go to Clearance Rack. Any questions, just let me know. :)

Have fun purchasing fabulous products while saving money.

My Stampin' Up! Story

My Stampin’ Up! Story

At the end of 2005, my mom showed me a Stampin’ Up! catalog and I was very excited to see all the fun stuff in it. I had done a little bit of scrapbooking and had various supplies that I had picked up here and there. My mom told me that if I had a party at my house, I could get a catalog for FREE. So…I decided to go for it and booked a party. My oldest son was only a couple of months old, so when sending my invites out, I told some friends and family members that I’d love to see them and have them see my new baby boy. That was the first time I had ever stamped.

As I was figuring out my order and the free stuff I was going to get for hosting, I started asking the demonstrator some questions about being a demo. During the party, I just watched her tell people what to do. She wasn’t really pushing anyone to order or anything like that. I thought I could do something similar. When she told me the minimums, I looked at two orders—mine and my mom’s. I then looked at my mom and said “We could do that between the two of us.” I continued to email the demonstrator with questions after the party. Sell-A-Bration was nearing and she told me about the benefits. I signed up at the end of January, 2006. I knew nothing about stamping and very little about Stampin’ Up!. I set out to learn what I could on my own.

I invited all of my friends and family members to my first workshop as a demonstrator. My first workshop was in my grandfather’s basement due to it having more room for all of us. One of the best stories of my time as a demonstrator was when my grandfather received a call from my stepdad during the workshop. My stepdad was calling to see how things were going and my grandpa realized he hadn’t heard much noise from us. He ended up coming down to check in and found us all coloring quietly. He couldn’t believe that a group of women could be so quiet, but everyone was concentrating on their projects.

After that workshop, I recruited a very excited friend and another friend of mine booked a workshop for a couple of months later. Due to some unexpected events, my new recruit never went on to demonstrate. However, she is still a very good customer today. My second workshop went well and I met my minimums for that next quarter. Shortly after that, my mom decided to sign up as a demonstrator. I was very nervous because I wasn’t sure I could make my minimums without her. I had some customers that would order at times, but nothing on a consistent basis. A couple of months later, three customers were interested in the markers, so I started a marker club with them. During this time, my journey as a stay-at-home mom began. My oldest was 13 months old when my daughter was born. After her birth in October, 2006, I decided I wanted to try to do more with Stampin’ Up! and build it as a business. I went to all of the meetings my fifth level up offered, but had no support from the levels between.

In 2007, I went to convention in Colorado and had an amazing time. I was on complete overload after that week and came home to try to implement all of the things I had learned. Before I went to convention, I was starting to realize I needed more support in an upline. I ended up resigning as a demonstrator in September with the intent of rejoining under another demonstrator that had become a friend. During the six months required for me to be able to sign up under a new upline, I started to realize what I really wanted and needed in an upline. One big thing for me was that I needed was someone local. I needed to be able to stamp and get together with others. I was at home with two babies and pregnant with my youngest, plus babysitting an infant full time. I needed to be with other adults. I knew of this amazing lady that was also a demonstrator, so I contacted her about it. We had known each other for years, but never really discussed Stampin’ Up!. I went to observe her at one of her monthly events and loved it. I knew she was a good match for me, so the day my six months was up, I rejoined the Stampin’ Up! family under her.

Although I continue to work to grow my business, things have become much more consistent. I currently have a club and teach various monthly classes. I would love to do more, but my three little ones are (and will always be) my first priority. In addition to my business, I babysit two kids and officiate swimming. I pray that at some point it will be my Stampin' Up! business that will allow me to stay home with my precious children.

What's your story? Does Stampin' Up! sound like a good fit for you? If so, I would love to sit down and talk with you more about the wonderful opportunities available. Please contact me for more information.

Have a wonderful day. Go create something beautiful.
Alicia