Cupcake Celebrations

I've been making a bunch of birthday cards recently as we have a birthday every day in February it seems. This card was made with the Celebrations DSP and the cupcake punch in the occasions mini catalog. The cherry is punched with the new glitter paper, just an added sparkle. In using this punch I was able to use a little DSP and yet put different cupcake combos together. I am still trying to decide if the frosting cupcake part should be in front of the paper cup or behind it. I barely tucked the frosting in and it looked better, but it depends on preference of course. My club members made this card last week and they had all sorts of great options. It's a great punch to work with. Love it! Sera

More Love

This is the perfect Valentine isn't it? It is a leadership swap that was one of my faves. I just spoke to both sistas Kristine and Becky today and they are hard at work stamping their cards for regionals (Mpls, February 12) and they are both very excited and are hard at work with their SAB plans. What great energy! I finished my swap cards and had a chance to work with my new downline member, Mary... sistas you will meet her on Wednesday along with a few other newcomers (I'll let their directs introduce them on the blog if they wish). We'll be sure to take a photo of the group! Enjoy your evening, I'm off to stamp for our Wednesday night meeting! Sera

I Heart Hearts again

I had the greatest day today stamping most of the day, taking naps and okay, I cleaned the kitchen. So it's been a banner of a day. One of those no tournament weekends and I have stamping events on the weeknights this week and last so it's nice to have the weekend open. Tomorrow it's basketball, plenty of it, sunday school and more stamping! I've been working on my swaps for the sista meeting this Wednesday. I'm so excited! Below is another card with the I heart hearts set, love it! That regal rose is beautiful with early espresso and crumb cake! Sera

Valentine Defined

These awesome cards were ideas that I saw at Leadership. This stamp set, Valentine Defined is very fun and I've seen hundreds of great ideas! I managed to stamp my Valentine's today as well and I think I may have even figured out Valentine's for the boys (for their classmates). Considering that it's not February... that's a good sign. Sera

The big F in Friends

You all know how much I love this set... still I planned to use it for my fourth swap choice and didn't get around to making these, but it was a decent idea. The F is from the set Vintage Vogue, a popular set, but I was really excited about the Framed Tulips embossing folder. A very nice touch and it can work as a single layer (a one layer card) and there is enough of an outside frame, that if you trim that, it fits nicely on to another card base. Very fun for spring! Sera

Swap share

I do not know who made this card, but I made sure to snap a photo while at the display board at leadership. I do not have this stamp set yet, You're a Gem. The sentiments are so cute and the 4ever just screams BF so I am going to have to get it. I also am a real sucker for riding hood red and basic black. I love all of the ideas and samples they we have a chance to admire. This card was one of many! Sera

Blushing Bride Valentine

I enjoy using non-traditional colors for holiday cards, whatever the holiday may be. I came across bluching bride, a current in color for SU! and I wasn't too sure about it, but matched with crumb cake and very vanilla it looks nice. I love to work with matching DSP too. This card was one of my swaps for leadership and it was well-received. Everyone loves that crochet trim! Sera

Wall of Wonder

Stampin' Up has the best display boards to show off new product. Below are three 12x12 sized pieces of the wall of wonder that the staff put together. Each piece showcases a different product and as they are all together... its one big occasions mini catalog quilt. The first picture shows off the new glitter and the glitter paper quite nicely. I love the glitter, nice and thick! The next piece shows off the new DSP, Botanical Gazette and picture three is a heart shape formed by the trinkets and baubles, see page 24 of the mini catalog for more trinket ideas. We were able to use many of these items during our make and take session at leadership. You'll love them! Feel free to view the mini catalog to the left. Sera

Final Day at Leadership

The last day was very busy of course. We had more classes, main stage presentations and plenty of surprises. We each made a trip back to memento mall and we were able to wrap up the night with some awesome make and takes. Melon Mambo was called and both Heidi and Carmen won a mini catalog stamp set as did Lee Ann when her color, perfect plum was called. Thank you to Stampin' Up... I love being a demonstrator! Sera

Leadership Highlights Day 2.5

This the main hall where we spent the majority of our time. The second picture is standing in the middle of it all with your back to memento mall, and this picture below is the wall of wonder. Employees at SU were given some product and were told to just create. Here are all of the items in one shot. I'll share some close ups later. Cool! Sera

Leadership Highlights Day 2

Plus one was the major theme of Leadership this year and even though it may seem plain, the 3 day conference was not! We opened the morning with breakfast and it was great to see the staff and members of the corporate team all smiles. We had a few small group sessions with the top demonstrators and each session was terrific! What a bunch of rock stars! From there it was another class... (awesome) and opening session. I was adorned with the color crumb cake and my color was called for the first prize patrol! I won a stamp set and some DSP too, yahoo! A nice surprise this year was the addition of promotional marches. Heidi was able to march as she became a supervisor this year and both Carmen and Lee Ann became senior supervisors this year... congratulations!

The highlight of course was the bag. Can you see how awesome it is? We were able to purchase a matching wallet as well, and yes, I did. So cute! We had countless compliments about these bags at the airport and convention center... it's my favorite bag to date! More day 2 highlights to come! Sera

Leadership Highlights Day 1

Our Tennessee Leadership trip was wonderful! We had such a great time! It was a very inspiring and overwhelming experience all at the same time. These pictures are from day one. We arrived early in Nashville and went right to the Country Music Hall of Fame. It's an awesome place, even for the non country music fan. I took a whole bunch of photos, but the one above is a special shot of the group as we had lunch in the Hall of Fame restaurant. Awesome food... loved my fried green tomato! The pictures below are of our awesome hotel. Whew... it was one of the most incredible hotels I have ever been to. The pictures speak for themselves and believe me I have many... the hotel was THAT spectacular. We got lost each day, or turned around at least. We spent time swapping, finishing swaps and hanging out with some pretty incredible demonstrators. It was a jam-packed day, but wait until tomorrow, even better! Sera

Happy New Year!

Hello there and happy 2011 to everyone. I've been out for a week trying to get healthy and I can hardly believe it's almost mid-month! I started my Leadership swaps and have a great start on those finally. I was looking at this awesome layout and I may have to CASE this idea for my next design. I love the fabric and the buttons! My Occasions mini pre-order has arrived as well and I've been having a great time diving into new product... I'll be sure to share sometime this month, maybe a few cards before we leave on Wednesday! Best wishes to you and yours this new year! Sera