I'm On A Decor Elements Kick!

Okay, I have to share a project I just did while hanging some things in our new house.

As you may know, my hubby is deployed. I decided to hang 2 clocks so the boys and I can keep track of what time it is in Kuwait... and here, of course.

Well, I've had this roll of Chocolate Decor Elements sheets (114337) for quite some time now and have, for some reason, been afraid to use it. I think it's my hoarding complex kicking in. Whatever it was, I got over it. For those of you who may not understand what hoarding is all about, I'll explain how it works for me. I buy things because I think they're cute or a great idea or I JUST HAVE TO HAVE THEM. These things may or may not cost all that much, but they are very "rare" and "valuable" things to me, so they can only be used on a VERY SPECIAL project... if they ever get used at all. I figured this was a "Decor Elements sheet worthy" idea, so I finally cut into it! I have to tell you, this project took me all of 30 minutes. The most challenging part was lining up the letters, which wasn't too difficult (just don't look too closely).

The letters are cut out with the Big Shot (113439) and the Serif Essentials Alphabet (113464). Here's a look at the clocks where they hang over our desk and the elderly desktop computer that I try not to use much anymore since getting my laptop.


Now that I've cut into these sheets and find that it's actually kind of fun (and maybe even a bit liberating), I'm wondering what else I can label!

STARTER KIT SPECIAL REMINDER: While we're on the subject of time, don't forget that time is running out to take advantage of the awesome $85 starter kit special! It ends in less than a week on August 31. If you've ever thought about becoming a Stampin' Up! demo, now is perfect the time to take the plunge! Even if you're not interested in "selling stuff", you don't have to! Just think, you can hoard even more with your very own 20% demo discount! Not that I condone hoarding... I'm just saying... If you'd like more information or are interested in signing up, give me a call or send me an email. My contact info is on my website.

Happy Stampin & Decor Elements Applyin!

Blogging on my New Computer!

Today is a bittersweet day for me. My kids went back to school, which should have me doing back flips of excitement. However, at the wee hours of the morning, I had to bring my hubby to the airport for his deployment to the middle east. He will only be gone for about 4 months, but during those 4 months we will be celebrating several holidays and a couple birthdays--including mine (Sept 7). Since he was taking his laptop with him and our desktop computer has become so sluggish in its old age, I got my birthday present, my very own laptop computer, a little early! I've had it for about a week now and spent yesterday transferring all of my files from my hubby's computer to my own. AND... I made it look pretty with some So Saffron Upsy Daisies Decor Elements ($9.95/117926):

These were super easy to apply. All I did was trim them down a little bit, gently rub them with my finger and peel back the backing paper.

To make it through the day, I think I'll head to my craft room to create some new Holiday Mini samples for my upcoming Holiday Mini Open House on September 3... it's called Stamp Therapy!

Happy Stampin!

Best Time To Become A Demo... ENDS AUGUST 31!

Have you ever thought about doing what I do... being a Stampin' Up! Demo? With the $85 mini starter kit special, now would be the perfect time to give it a try. Here's what you'll get:

Whether you want the opportunity to receive the demo discount (20%) on all your orders or you'd like to earn some extra money, this is an awesome deal! For more information, check out the details HERE. If you're ready to sign up, it's easy! Go to the Start Your Own Business page on my website and click on JOIN NOW. You'll need this password: bbstampinrecruit

If you have any questions or would like to talk about this wonderful opportunity, feel free to give me a call! 210-557-1455.

Happy Stampin!

Convention Continued: Turtle Montage

Having a son who has LOVED turtles for over 7 years (he's 12 now), I am always on the lookout for turtles wherever I go. My trip to Utah was no different. How excited do you think I was to see that the "demo flight" (yes, the plane was filled with mostly demos on their way to convention) from Denver to Salt Lake City on Wednesday (Aug 5) had Sheldon the sea turtle on the tail?! This was the first picture I took on my trip... and I HAD to call home to tell my son about it. His reaction... cool.


Later that same day, during our tour of Demo Support at the Riverton campus, I saw this:

I forgot to note which DS agent's cubical this was... whoever she is, she's cool in my book! BTW, isn't that butterfly basket of flowers cool too?! That entire thing was made using our awesome Big Shot with Beautiful Butterflies ($21.95, 114507) & Daisies #2 ($19.95, 114520)!

Then, on the last day, someone asked if I had seen the pop-up ball turtle on display... um, NO! Why had she not mentioned that earlier... I do not know! So, as soon as I was done with my lunch, I was off in search of the turtle! Here it is!

And a side view:

I don't have this Pop-Up 3D Ball die ($39.95, 116759), so I don't exactly understand the engineering behind how it works, but isn't this turtle COOL!

AND, then I walked around the displays some more and found this:

It's our Decor Elements T is for Turtle in Old Olive ($4.95, 117908) and "Is For" in black ($1.95, 117529).

Happy Stampin!

More from the Riverton Campus (Legacy Room): Day 1 cont.

As promised, I'm back with more from my trip to Utah.

Stampin' Up!'s Legacy Room is not a single "room", it's actually a collection of several rooms that is a wonderful museum of the company's history along with wonderful room displays that any crafter and non-crafter alike would LOVE to have in their home. Here are a few of my favorites:

I bet you can guess why this is tops on my list. (hint: yarn & knitting needles)


How cool is this border?!

That's are Decor Elements!

This Advent Calendar would be a wonderful family project that could be used for many years to come:


What kid (or mom) wouldn't love to have a room like this?

I know Amy would!

Happy Stampin!

I'm back... with Highlights from Day 1 in Utah

I'M BACK!!! How exciting! I've finally reached 10,000 hits! Being such a momentous mile marker, now the pressure is on. You may not know this, but when I sit down to blog, I don't usually have a plan of what I'm going to talk about. Today is no different. I've been home from Stampin' Up!'s Convention in Salt Lake City, Utah for almost a week... so I have LOTS of pictures from my trip that I could show you--552 picture to be exact! Instead of posting them ALL this morning, I will share a few highlights from the first of my fabulous 5 days.

I'll start with the classic Rock picture.

My awesome friend, Jenn (who's not even a demo--yet :)) was our chauffeur for the day. After she picked Amy and me up from the airport (at different times) we went to the Stampin' Up! Riverton campus for a tour.

Here we are on our way into the building:

Me, Jenn & Amy (my upline)

Here's what you see when you walk through the doors:

Below this, is a beautiful atrium with a water fountain and lots of plants.

This sign is posted in the room where many of the creative Stampin' Up! ideas are developed.

There are beanbag chairs, dry erase boards, ping pong, air hockey and foose ball tables... everything you'd need to let loose and get the creative juices flowing!

If you've ever wondered where your box of stampin' goodies comes from, here's a view of the picking line and warehouse!

You might be amazed to know that your little (or not so little) box could travel miles before it even makes its way onto "Mr. Brown's" truck!

Okay, I need a break! I promise I'll be back to post more picture... both of the fun I had and of some of the many creative projects I saw.

Happy Stampin!

A Little Something To Tide You Over...

I really shouldn't be here blogging right now. I'm delaying what needs to be done... PACKING FOR THE STAMPIN' UP! CONVENTION! But, I thought since I haven't blogged in awhile, that I should share a project with you to tide you over...

As you know, my hubby is in the military. You probably also know that families in the military move quite often. Summer is an especially busy time of year for moves. As we were packing a few weeks ago for our trip to Alaska, my hubby came home and said that he wanted to bring some beer over to a guy he works with that would be moving while we were away. Even though I was rushing around trying to get the 4 of us packed and the house ready for us to be away for 2 weeks, I couldn't let my hubby bring the beer over naked now, could I?! I know, the card doesn't scream manly by any sense of the word, but the guy does have a wife (a super sweet wife, I might add) and I knew she'd appreciate it. AND, it might also have to do with the fact that I had just got this stamp set and couldn't wait to use it. :)

Okay, I'm off to pack!