Attend Stampin' Up 2014 Convention for FREE!!!

Stampin' Up! Leadership has recently ended in Houston Texas with some awesome never before offered news, and I'm super excited to be able to share some of it with you. 

The "biggest" announcement is that..... drum roll please ............ anyone who's signed up as a new Stampin' Up! Demo between July 2013 to June 2014 will have their registration fee for Convention 2014 WAIVED!   OMG that's incredible!  That's about a $300 US savings.

How awesome is that?  If you've read my past posts on Convention, you'll know that there's no greater thrill for a Stampin' Up! Demo than hitting that Convention floor in Salt Lake City and being with fellow stampers for 4-5 days of stamping heaven!   

Wow this announcement means that if you want the opportunity to be a hobby demo and earn 20% off your purchases or if you want to start up your own small business, by joining my team now you can also register to attend Convention in 2014 for FREE!! (transportation & accommodation is not included).  And, if you join during the upcoming Sale-a-bration Event you'll get even more savings and bonuses (Sale-a-bration starts January 28).  

Just call or email me to let me know if you're interested in this great offer and want to be part of my team and you can take advantage of this wonderful opportunity to go to Salt Lake City for Convention 2014.  

Even if you can't make it to Convention, there are so many great things about being a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator. I would love  to have you join my team. NOW IS THE TIME!! Contact me at 778-880-1296 or pennyhanuszak@telus.net.

Click her to learn more about the starter kit.

Spotlight on "Swap Shares" #1

Hi Stampers.  Today I'm going to begin my new series "Spotlight on Swap Cards" with a group of very talented stampers I had the pleasure of attending Convention with in July.  Not only are these gals talented but they were funny, spontaneous and oh so sharing................ great attributes for a group you just want to have fun with!

In this group photo Joni Metras from Charlton, Massachusetts is on my left while Adel Klassen and Diane Ison from British Columbia Canada are on my right.  For obvious reasons, we called our little group the "Can/Am Girls". We had so much fun this year we're hoping to join up for Stampin' Ups! 25th Anniversary celebration next summer.  It's sure to be a blast.  When we parted after convention it was with this thought........same time, same place, same group and more fun! 

 

And now for their great swaps.  I've thrown in some product and technique details but if you want more information just click on their links below I know they'll be thrilled to help you out with any questions or kudos.  I hope you enjoy these little works of art as much as I have! 

 

Spotlight on Diane Ison:

What new mom wouldn't want to receive this sweet little baby card? It was created by Diane Ison a very talented stamper from Richmond B.C.  Diane's featured stamp set is called Baby Prints. There are 7 great stamps in this set and she's used two of them to complete this great card. 

 

The image of the baby's feet was stamped in classic white ink and embossed.  The card base and the circle with the baby's feet were made with Baja Breeze cardstock and the Scalloped Circle is in Certainly Celery.  What a great colour combination. 

 

The sentiment Cherish the Moments is also in the Baby Prints set.  The cute ribbon detail is achieved with two small strips of 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon in Baja Breeze and Old Olive and the base ribbon is a strip of Whisper White 1/4" Grosgrain Striped Ribbon.  The Whisper White background  layer was embossed with the Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder. 

Spotlight on Joni Metras:

How can you tell this card was created by a gal who loves the seashore with a passion?  When I look at this card I can feel the sand between my toes, the breeze on my face, and hear the roar of the waves.  Fantastic! 

 

Joni has featured the appropriately named Stampin' Up! stamp set "By The Seashore".  She used Naturals Ivory cardstock for her base and layered it with Baja Breeze and Crumb Cake that have been torn into strips.  Her seashell images are stamped with Early Espresso Ink on Crumb Cake, Natural Ivory and Baja Breeze cardstocks.  She's embellished the sand dollar image with a basic pearl.   The beautifully scripted sentiment "Imagine the Possibilities"  is from the Word Play stamp set and stamped in Baja Breeze ink. 

 

Don't you love the glitter along the water strip?  That was achieved with by laying down a strip of multipurpose liquid glue (pg. 177) and covering it with Glass Stampin Glitter.  This beautiful Glitter, which comes in Champagne and Silver is a chunky glitter that slightly tarnishes over time giving an aged vintage look to your projects.   

 

The final detail on Joni's card that I love is how she tied it with Linen Thread and then added some Baja Breeze Seam binding.  Can't get enough of that ribbon. 

Spotlight on Adel Klassen:

I travelled with Adel Klassen from Chilliwack BC to Convention this summer.  We were both first-timers and we had a couple of great pre-convention "swap assembling" sessions before we left on our big adventure.  This is one of many swaps Adele made.  She put so much work into this card and I was simply thrilled when she gave me one.  Thanks Adele!

 

Adele's beautiful wedding card features the "Love and Laughter" stamp set featured on page 38 of the IB&C.  This beautiful set has eight wonderful stamps that can be used for weddings, anniversarys and engagements.  The side-step card features five of the stamps from the set.  Adele did a beautiful job of embossing the dress in Pewter Embossing Powder and the cake and Congratulations sentiment in Black Embossing Powder.  Now that's a lot of embossing for one card. 

 

The side-step card base is made with Basic Grey cardstock and the contrasting Tempting Turquoise and Whisper White details really add some pizzazz to it.  The three Basic Pearls on the waist band of the wedding dress were coloured with a tempting turquoise marker and the heart on the top of the wedding cake was coloured with Perfect Primrose. 

 

Other accessories used to make this card included the Modern Label Punch, the Scalloped Oval and Large Oval Punches and the Labels Collection Framelits.  I can't remember how many of these cards Adele made but the number "50" comes to mind........... it might have been even more, and she told me her grandma, whom she adores fussy cut every single cake image by hand.  Now that's love!



Just in case you've never made a side-step card and would like to try, here is an easy video to help you out.  Side Step Card Video showing how to assemble the card base:



 

More Convention Friends

I just want to share some more pictures of the great friends I made at convention.  Some I knew already like Cheryl and Jenn, while others like Joni, Nikki, Olivia and Sherrill were new to me. 

This was taken during one of our Make N' Take sessions.  What fun we had.  Sorry I don't have a picture of DaVita our Make N' Take Helper, extraordinare.  She made it so much fun.  Cheryl LeFore and Jennifer from LaQuinta California and Joni Metras from Charlton Massachusetts.

Cheryl Lefore (in white) was the top Artisan Winner at the 2011 SU Convention.  She's an amazing artist and I'm blessed to be able to attend her workshops and Stamp Clubs when I'm in California.  Jenn (in the orange) is part of her downline.  It was really great getting to meet Jenn again.  She's always so gracious and sweet.  And of course there's Joni and me hamming it up in the Center! What fun!

Here are Nikki Smith and Olivia from Washington State.  Nikki just won a fantastic prize box filled with Stampin' Up Goodies.  Way to go Nikki.  I'm hoping to meet up with both of these gals at the September Regionals in Tacoma Washington!  See you there girls!!!

Here I am with Joni Metras.  Joni made my Convention adventures so much fun I just know we'll be life-long friends.  What a treat it was being able to share the fun of our Make N' Take and Late Night Stamper sessions with her.  Hey Joni you're the best!

These were the awesome "Purple Margaritas Joni, Diane and I had in the bar at the Radisson.  I had to share this photo with you.  These drinks made with Chambord, Tequilla and Lemon were so tasty and refreshing.  

This was the night I met Joni at the Late Night Stampers Welcome Soup and Salad Dinner.  Sherrill Graff is the gal in the Pink and is the pivotal driving force behind Late Night Stampers! 

Here's Sherrill Graff of LNS taking a well deserved break.  This session of LNS as well as the Friday night 80+ swap and Soup and Salad dinner were one of the major highlights of my convention attendance.  What a great group of women and the talent was amazing!  Thanks Sherrill for making LNS pre-convention events possible.  The Radisson Hotel where all the LNS events took place is awesome too.  Can't say enough about the Soup N' Salad buffets..............the soup was to die for. 

"I Am...........Convention Friends"

Going to Convention for the first time was a really scary thing for me.  Sure I was super excited about all the things I would see and do, such as visiting the Riverton Stampin' Up! campus, but I was still worried that I wasn't going with our big "Colourful Impressions" group. 

And I wondered if I'd wind up alone and missing out on the fun and companionship of a larger group.  Boy was I wrong!  Just look at this crowd of stampers on opening day...........no matter what I'd never be alone!

From the moment we headed out on our trip, there was no need to worry about being alone.  I was so fortunate to meet up with the nicest group of women I've been with in a long time and I'm sure these gals will be my pals for many years to come.

Adel on Opening Day

I'd previously met Adel Klassen and stamped with her, so it was a given that I'd enjoy her company, but I didn't know just how much I'd learn from her.  Adel taught me a lot.  She's patient, kind and funny.  And big drum roll she taught me how to "text".  I also really enjoyed her companions Ann and Connie who accompanied us to Salt Lake City and did touristy things while we were in convention.  We shared a nice dinner at the Blue Iguana on Thursday night. 

Sue Farrant, Liz Holloway, Linda Yamamoto, Nancy Kier and Diane Dyson in the Green top

The other stampers I met while in the departure lounge in Vancouver airport were Allison, Sue Farrant, Liz Holloway, Linda Yamamoto, Nancy Kier and Diane Dyson.  These were all super nice gals and a pleasure to be with. 

I had the pleasure of Liz's company on the flight to Salt Lake City, although didn't see her much at convention.  This is one savvy lady and stamper, and I'm hoping to keep in touch with her.  Make sure you check out Liz's blog Stamper's Plus, she's taking registrations for a "Creative Escape" event in October that's sure to be a blast!

 After settling into our respective hotels Adel, Diane and I ate a wonderful meal at the Olive Garden and then did a walkabout at the Convention Center and City Creek Shopping Mall before calling it a day.

Myself, Diane and Adel at the Olive Garden SLC

Adel and Diane at the SLC Salt Palace where the SU Convention is being held.

Adel trying to get a sneak peak but everything's locked up for the night.

The Shilo Hotel was a perfect location situated across the street from the SLC Salt Palace Convention Center where all the events were held.

View from my 8th story room.

Salt Place Convention Center

Convention Swaps

Ten days and counting down!  That's right!  My long awaited trip to convention is just around the corner and I've been busy, busy, busy preparing my swaps, getting my gear together and chatting with other convention goers. 

I'm officially entered in 3 swaps which include an 80+1 and two 10+1 swaps based on cards using stamp sets and products from the new Idea Book and Catalogue.  How exciting is that!  I'm also making some 3 x 3 card swaps and some 3-D swaps to trade on the convention floor. 

I'll be travelling to convention with Adel Klassen a member of the Colourful Impressions Stamping group I belong to.  Adel and I are both very excited about this adventure and we've managed to get together twice now to work on our swaps.  What fun we've had!  Working together really helped us stay focused and plan out our time in Salt Lake City.

Without giving away what I'm making, here's a sneak peak at my Convention Swaps.

 
Wish you could be there with us too!  2013 Convention will be even bigger, as Stampin' Up! will be celebrating their 25th Anniversary! Contact me to find out how you can become part of my team and eligible to attend the 2013 festivities!  And, stay tuned for more convention news as it happens!