Convention 2009!

Wow! That's how I sum up this year's Stampin' Up! Convention. I was honored to earn the award of Rising Star. I placed #9 and I am on Cloud Nine!

I have so much to share it's not even funny. The bad thing is: I also have lots to do this week. I have Scrap Club on Thursday, Stamp Club on Saturday and a class in between! Yikes!

This was my 3D swap for Convention this year. This luminary actually works; I even gave a tealight candle to everyone too! This was super fun and super simple to do, thanks to the Big Shot. It's the new Fancy Favor Big Shot Die. I also used the new Snowflake Punch! A little versamark, a little vellum card stock, and a little Iridescent Ice... viola! I did add a tag to my swap in the lower right hand corner that said, Let it snow! *giggles*

There is an actual tealight candle in this luminary. The box doesn't even get warm! It works perfectly.

Vacation project

While I was on "vacation" from club, we each brought a project for all of us to do. We ended up with 4 different projects! It was great! I loved to see how these ladies handled the situation! I am thinking of doing this every month with them!

Here's mine: I adapted it from a project I made a month or so ago! Believe it or not, the colors are Summer Sun, Tempting Turquoise and Whisper White. The stamp set used was SUPPOSED to be Medallion but I left it home. I used Circle Circus instead during the demonstration :(

I, of course, covered it up by saying, "See you too can be a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator!" The funny thing was, they all were demonstrators! They all signed under me :) So then I quickly thought and said, "Oh... and you all are already! Fabulous!" This project is so quick and fun! The gift card fits perfectly! You can change the paper, colors and more! It's awesome! Can't wait to do one for Christmas!

Jumping up and down!

Woo Hoo! I am so excited! I have a picture to post that is not what I had promised yesterday! My car is now decorated! A friend has started her own business. I am always willing to help out entrepreneurs!

Check this out!! Now, the 6 little images to the "left" are Stampin' Up! rub ons. I am sooooooooooooooooooooooo in love with this! Thanks Elise!

Now the family on the left - you will notice that the cats are separated. I was going to put the cats together but... If I did, it would look like one was sniffing the other one in a place that.... well... while it's completely natural... *giggles*... I will leave it at that!

Club Vacation

This month my Yo-Yo Ya-Ya Club took a vacation! Well, not from club but we went on a trip! We went to Lorinda's house for club! We each brought 1 project to share with each other. This is Lorinda, she's all dressed up from singing at an Air Force Function. She looks so pretty! You rock, Lorinda!

I have tons to share with you! But I wanted to share a recycling tip! Lorinda's "party favor" was adorable! She took a tin can, a paper bag and the Scallop Edge punch and some twine. She made us each a BEAUTIFUL flower arrangement!

Have you thought of different ways you can recycle? Give it some thought and see what you come up with! If you send it to my email: mamaschroeg1@yahoo.com - I will post it on my blog, if you give me permission!

I will be sharing the other adorable projects we made every day this coming week!

Diva Night

I love to spoil my hostesses! Every six months, I throw a party for those fabulous ladies that help me to grow my business. This FREE event is something that I do as a Thank You. They have guests come to their home, they prepare a light snack, they probably clean their house, and they have me come in and mess it all up! LOL!! I am totally kidding but... I so appreciate those women that do that work for me (and themselves)!

I usually spoil them with free product, a homemade meal, and of course, we stamp! This is one of the 4 projects that was prepared for them to do! These nugget tins (as I like to call them) are so versatile. Coming soon you will see yet another use for them :)

If you want to be a Diva, all you have to do is contact me! Let me spoil you in December! You are sooooo worth it!

This tin was inspired by the Demonstrator Magazine, Stampin' Success. They have this beautiful layout of wedding invitations. This magazine has been inspiring my month :) Did you know that Stampin' Up! is running an awesome special this month? Sign up for $85 and you get all the In-Colors and a stamp set? OMG! To die for!! Contact me for more details!

Pull, Push, Twist, Smush

*laughing* Yes, that's the technique I am planning on teaching my stamping friends next month... I have two great workshops coming up soon and I will be showing off the Pull, Push, Twist, Smush box. PPTS is actually a lot of fun to put together but slightly time consuming. This is NOT the colors I will showing off though... I haven't decided on those yet. LOL

Imagine this box filled with some chocolate goodies... maybe a stamp and Stampin' Spot inside. Maybe a piece of jewelry would work too!

This color combo was a color challenge - Crushed Curry, Bermuda Bay, Soft Suede and... I guess it's Whisper White.. I can't remember now. Oh Well! Anyway, give it a try! It's fun!

Fancy... Cont'd

As promised, I played with Bashful Blue, Chocolate Chip and Very Vanilla - please know that is what that is SUPPOSED to be. LOL! I don't know what is going on with lighting in my house.

Anyway, I am having way too much fun with these Matchboxes and the Big Shot! I have even another color combination in mind... ooooooooo bet you can't wait! LOL

Fancy....

I can just hear my little one's saying, "Fancy" as they put the pinkies in the air and imitate Spongebob Squarepants. *giggles*...

I took the ideas and color combination (Blush Blossom, Chocolate Chip and Very Vanilla) from this coming month's Stampin' Success, a Stampin' Up! publication for Demonstrators only! I have thoroughly enjoyed this rich looking combo and put my own spin on it. I can see this at a formal dinner, a wedding, a birthday party... oh just about anywhere!

For my next trick, I am going to do a box just for someone who posted to my Facebook site... Chocolate Chip and Bashful Blue...... ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo ... aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!! yes!

A Trip to the Art Gallery

Here is a great class! This is, "A Trip to the Art Gallery." This fabulous class includes a 16 Page PDF with detailed instructions on construction of the box - which very DIFFERENT than it looks. I will be adding an option for the Kit shortly on my other website, if you are interested in purchasing the Kit (The kit includes all paper and accessories - pre-cut and packaged for your convenience.)

Just so you know, I will be releasing, "A Trip to Central Park," later this month. I ... umm... totally forgot to release this one last month! LOL! July will bring, "A Trip to Paradise!" I can't wait!

Stencils on Canvas!

I have a few more things I want to post for stencils. Here is another project with stencils. This was a canvas class that I taught on Saturday! We used the Kind Thoughts stencil on each canvas. They all turned out just a bit different... unique, is probably a better word. Here is Max. I did, of course, do a canvas for Erich but I was able to take a better picture of this one. I used Chocolate Chip DSP and acrylic paint. I cut the letter "M" with my Big Shot. I tied Twill Tape around the picture as well! WOO HOO! It looks so good on my walls! I know it looks crooked but I had to take it at a funky angle so I didn't get the "Flash Glare". LOL

Next, we have one that Erin did. She used Bella Rose DSP on both of her canvases. She used "Laughter & Love" Rub-ons. She also used Pink Pirouette Ribbon and cut her letters on the Big Shot. We also did a little bit of "hiding" on Erin's canvas. Her stenciling wasn't quite done when she sealed her canvas so it smudged a little. We hid it completely with a Flower Fusion flower and half-back pearl! It is so elegant! Both of Erin's canvases were stunning and looked unbelievable when held up next to each other!


Finally, we have a canvas that Donna did. She used Old Olive DSP, Chocolate Chip Ribbon, cut her letters on the Big Shot, she used "Love and Laughter" and "Chateau Bella" Rub ons and stenciled too! WOW! This picture does not do this canvas jealous. Donna actually made three different canvases but tied them all together with Chocolate Chip ribbon and the More Mustard Lettering. When we laid them side by side, it was a stunning display!

Clearly Thanks Box

This box was made with the Movers and Shapers: Curly Labels Die for the Big Shot. I also used the Stampin' Up! Texture Plates on the front of the box afterward. It gives it just that little bit of UMPH! I thought it needed. I used the Clearly Thanks Window Sheets too! This box is so versatile. You can fill it with candy! You can put a jewelry gift inside... What can I say? I am PMS'ing and those are things that make me happy! LOL!!

Have you tried the Big Shot yet? I use mine almost every single day! The only other tool that I use more has to be my Stampin' Up! Tabletop cutter! LOL. How else would I get the paper into the Big Shot if I didn't cut it!

Stamp Camp

Here is just one of the adorable projects we did for Stamp Camp this month. I actually had two days of Stamp Camp. Yesterday and today! If you are interested in getting these adorable projects - just visit my website: Stamp Camp Projects. There is a little catch to my virtual Stamp Camp. You have to place an online order of $15 or more. The projects come to you STAMPED & COMPLETED! Cool huh?

If you are a demo, email me at mamaschroeg1@yahoo.com - I am willing to sell the directions for $3.75. If you are MY demo, visit the yahoo group. It will be posted soon! That is just one of the perks of being my downline. You get all the classes, stamp camps, etc. that I do for free!

Did you know that for the next 3 days the Demonstrator Kit is on sale for $169? Did you know that you get free shipping on the kit?? Did you know that Stampin' Up! has also included a NEW 3 payment plan??? This is some deal! If you are on the fence about signing up, now's the time to do it! You can go to my Stampin' Up! website, http://mamaschroeg.stampinup.net and sign up right now (you can't sign up for the 3 payment plan online, however). My password is: mamaschroegstamps - if you sign up by March 31st, you can get $50 in free product from me as a Thank You!

RAK from Japan!

WOO HOO!! I LOVE GETTING MAIL! Getting mail from a friend is even better. Getting mail from a friend that came half-way around the world... you can't beat it!! Check out this BEAUTIFUL notebook from my friend Siobhan! She posted a challenge on her blog. I got one of the slots to get something special from her! She ALSO sent a box of Pocky, which I am NOT sharing with you or anyone else! It's mine... all mine... do you hear me... mine!!! LOL!

I received this either Saturday or Monday - but the day I took a picture of it, my camera battery died. I immediately put it up to charge but... *looking sheepish* I kept forgetting to go GET the battery! Anyway, here is her wonderful gift!

I absolutely adore this! Especially her color choices! You couldn't have picked a better color for me (purples in all hues are my fav!) Thank you so much, Siobhan!

Thanks to the snow, I will be working on my gifties to those that signed up for the challenge on my blog!

New Kit Class/Tutorial!

I just had my class last night! WOW, it was a lot of fun. Ladies came at different times OTHER than the class time to do their project! It was great!

At any rate, this is "A Trip to the Funky Forest." This is a tote that holds 6 adorable cards (2 each of 3 designs) and envelopes. If you are interested in making this project, I have my tutorial for sale on my website (see the link below). If you purchase Kit #1 - you get all your paper cut to the right dimensions, you get all the accessories used for the class (and believe me there were a LOT of buttons/brads used!!) and you get the tutorial with detailed photos and instructions for the low price of $15.95!! There are other options on my website! Take a look! http://mamaschroeg.com/pages/tutorials/Funky%20Forest/funky_forest.html

An Easter Card from the "Box"

Here's a card you probably can't see that was inside the box! This card was made with the Big Shot Scallop Circle. It's a little crooked because the scallops didn't line up to balance it! This is actually one of the straightest cards I have ever stamped. I don't say that lightly! I almost NEVER stamp straight! LOL!!

I used Sale-A-Bration paper (Delicate Dots DSP) and the fabulous ribbon bundle ribbon... WOW! I love the twill! I hope they come out with more of it! I really hope they come out with more Satin ribbon too... oooooooooooooooo!!! I love it!!!

Getting ready for Easter

The wait is over... LOL!! I teased someone yesterday on Facebook about my Easter box. Hopefully she will check it out... and like it! Sheesh. That's always a worry of mine... will it live up to the hype?

Well, this is the box with the lid on... Inside the box is 3 Ghirardelli Chocolates, 3 Peppermint Patties, 3 cards, 3 test tubs filled with candy... notice a pattern here?

Here's a picture with the lid off! This box was a lot of fun and only took about an hour and a half to make... What do you think, Alex? Did it live up to the hype?? Things I thought about doing to the box AFTER it was done: Stamping the "hanging heart" in white stazon on the new Stampin' Up! Window Sheets (medium was used here) all along the top so they looked like they were hanging down... Oh well, I can't always think ahead of the game........

NEW NEW NEW Toys!

OK, I am totally like a kid on Christmas morning! I had to 2nd day air my Demonstrator Pre-Order for my workshop coming up this weekend. Awwwww so sad, I know... BUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I just had to play! The first thing that I broke out was the BIG SHOT! *hears the Billy Joel song in her head and shudders*

Yes, that is the new Matchbox Box! Yes, that is new Texture Folder - Manhattan Flower! OMG! This was the cutest and fastest box I have ever put together. The bottom of the box stays together without (yes, that's right, I said WITHOUT) adhesive. You only need on line of sticky strip for the wrap around slide!

I did sponge on the flower so you can see it better. I just think it's gorgeous. I will playing with new rubber all week! Be sure to check back!

Birthday Box

Happy Birthday! This box was made for my club tonight! I had mentioned that I was making this today and my new friend Terri (her birthday is in October) thought it was sweet that I was thinking of her... So Terri! This box is for you!!

Hopefully her delusion is over now... honestly it's my birthday month! I wanted to make 1 birthday item since we are mostly doing Valentine projects! I hope my club members like it :)

What do you think? Are you interested in joining a club? I have many to chose from... even a "club at home" - for those that live far away! Think about it! I promise it's worth you time and money!! Contact me if you are interested!

A Heart-Shaped Window

WOW!! After an outstanding Leadership Conference, I have been working feverishly to get things back to normal! I have so much spinning in my brain!!

At any rate, I had an idea based on some of the things that I have seen at Leadership and other places. This little pillow box is filled with Conversation Hearts. It fits almost the entire box! All I did was punch the Heart to Heart punch to make the window in the box. I then covered the window with a piece Stampin' Up!'s transparent envelopes!! I tied the box closed with Real Red and Pretty In Pink 1/4" ribbon. The tag is made with a phrase from Love You Owl-ways - stamped in Real Red on Whisper White Card stock! Easy peasy!!

You can get that punch in the Love You Much Bundle. It's on sale for $41.48 and includes the Love You Much Stamp set, Heart to Heart Punch and the new Candy Lane Double-Sided Designer Paper. Oh what a fabulous set! Now, if you purchase the bundle, I have a class at the end of the month for $5 called the Love You Much Portfolio. You will make the portfolio and the 4 cards it holds! WOO HOO!!

Shop online at my website - 24/7!: http://mamaschroeg.stampinup.net

If you live far away, no worries! I will make you a deal - shipping you the additional cut paper and accessories you need - an additional $6 will apply for shipping costs!

New Stamps!!!

Believe it or not, I didn't even know the Big Brown Truck made a stop at my house. It's so reminicient of Christmas... Ol' Saint Nick travels far and wide to deliver presents to good little girls and boys... ahhhhh.

It's the same feeling EVERY time UPS stops at my house. Whether the package contains items for me or my customers... I just get all happy! This time is no exception because this time it was filled with NEW stamps just for me!!!!! Now, I got these new stamps on Friday but I have only just mounted one set!

"Just Buzzing By" is the name of this set. It is so stinking cute!! I am off to my upline's house today for a holiday celebration. We are all supposed to make a hand-stamped item! Here's what I am bringing. I am kind of not wanting to bring this. I am kind of wanting to keep it for myself...

Luckily, I stamped another image. The positioning is off so I can't make exactly this but I am sure I will make something else with it! hehe.. I am so happy!!! I can't wait to play with some of the other sets I bought!