Sometimes, Life Gets in The Way

WOW! July 25th!?!? No way! How was my last post in JULY!?!?
Sadly my non-stampin' life jumped into hyper drive and I haven't had much of a chance to finish my projects, let alone post them here. (Notice I still have the link to the Summer Mini posted...Lord, color me embarrassed.)
With the end of the year comes a deep breath, a whispered "Thank you God for getting me through the last six months" and a slow circle around my scraproom to take in the damage that half finished projects, the attempted project graveyard, and the apparent cyclone caused. It also brings a revitalized vision and a hope and prayer I can pull it off.
Tomorrow I have my Christmas cards to show you (yay!) and then later in the week I have some of the presents I've created for my family. After that? Well...after that I have plans (which could also be loosely translated into 'Delusions of Grandeur'.)
Give me through Christmas.....then I promise I'll be back.

Now, go get inky!
Gabbie

PS: We're no longer under construction.....you know, aside from those embarrassment inducing outdated mini catalogs. ;)

Site Updates

Hi There! If you notice that (*GASP*) my page isn't as matchy-matchy as usual, don't fret. I'm just in the middle of a blog update. I'm working on creating my blog background (done) and new banner (in progress) through My Digital Studio from Stampin' Up, so things may be wonky for the next few days while I figure it out. Thanks for your support, and I'll see you when the reno is done!!

My Stampin' Story....Love What You Do

My Stampin Story starts about as far away from stamping and card making as possible...I was a scrapbooker who hadn't scrapped a page in over 2.5 years and I was obviously quite behind. I hadn't "made a card" since I was a kid for my parents, and I felt so overwhelmed, I didn't know how to get back into it. I knew that I needed a creative outlet, and I knew I needed to take the plunge. A friend of mine invited me to one of her monthly crops, and I decided to jump back in with both feet. At that crop, I was introduced to a handy little machine called a Cricut, and the next eight months or so passed by in an eBay-induced whirlwind. (whoopsie!)
I was a member of the Cricut Messageboards, and was always on the lookout for tips and tricks for my new toy. I kept hearing about Stampin' Up papers and how wonderfully they cut in the Cricut, and wait...there was matching ink, markers and ribbon? Well, that was too much for my little Organizational OCD brain to handle. Sign. Me. Up. Matchy-Matchy = Heaven. :D
I participated in a few online clubs with various demos on the messageboard, and ended up developing a great friendship with one in particular...this demonstrator eventually became my upline when I decided to bit the bullet this past January and sign up during Sale-A-Bration. We live on opposite sides of the country, and have never met in person, but she's become one of my dearest friends, along with my sidelines, who are also spread across the country. I love how a product can bring people across the country together, who never would have met otherwise.
As for being a Demonstrator, I really signed up with the fullest intentions of only being a hobby demo....someone who really is their own best customer and who doesn't focus on Stampin' Up as a business. Oddly though, at the same time I was signing on the dotted line, I started getting emails from friends and aquantances about card techniques and scrapbooking ideas. This was when I realized that I might be able to do something productive with my obsession/hobby. I hosted my first Open House at the end of January to introduce my friends and family to SU, and from that Open House, my monthly Sunday Scrappers technique class was born.
A mere six months later and I'm having a great time teaching classes and introducing new people to the joys of Stampin Up and their fantastic products. I make extra money to help out my famiily and to help fuel my obsession/hobby. ;) I originally purchased Stampin' Up products because of their quality and their customer service. I chose to become a demonstrator because I believe in those products and honestly think they're the best out there. I continue to love what I do as a Demonstrator because of the friendships I've made and because there is something so fulfilling about staring at a blank piece of cardstock and watching it come to life in front of your eyes. There's something even more fulfilling about teaching others how to discover that for themselves.

Why I Love Stampin' Up!

I'm taking part in a program through Stampin Up that, for me, is really making me think about why I signed up to be a Demonstrator and why I stay. As I thought about my reasons, I created the design below in My Digital Studio as a visual to help me remember my goals.

So, what is my why? My Why is two-fold. I originally signed up to be a demonstrator to save some money on the products I already loved. (I'll be posting My Story for your enjoyment in the next day or so) I honestly didn't believe I'd ever make any money at it. Now, while I can't give up my "day job" to be a full-time stampin' queen (yet!), I am proud to say that this little savings plan of mine is actually helping around our home. For example, my sales in June enabled me to buy my son his first big-boy bicycle for his birthday. So that's my first why....to be able to help my family (while still supporting this habbit - I mean hobby - of mine.
My second Why is the friendships I have built in my short six months as a Demonstrator. My Upline and Sidelines have become some of my dearest friends, even though we live thousands of miles apart. My customers and club members have become friends, and the ones that were my friends before have become my Stampin' family. I love the time I get to spend with them each month and love getting to share my love of stamping, scrapping and crafting.

These are the reasons I do what I do, and why I love it. Thank you for letting me share with you. I hope you find inspiration everywhere you turn! Now, go get inky!

July 25th Stationary Box Class

This month's class is going to be SO MUCH FUN! I found this awesome Stationary Box over at SplitCoastStampers, and I knew I had to try it so I could share it with my customers! This fantastic little box, once complete, includes 4 standard A2 cards/envelopes, 4 3"x3" cards and envelopes, 4 gift tags, and a customized pen!

Here's a photo of the box all closed up and the three items that come with the box. I used the Elegant Soiree Designer Series Paper and Thoughts and Prayers, Because I Care and Vintage Vogue stamp sets for this project.

Here is the open box. On the part that folds down, there is a small notebook and a little spot for stamps. Love it! I really enjoyed this project, and I'm sure my customers will too!

Have a great day, be inspired, and get inky!!

July 18th Workshop Cards

I'm so excited for my IB&C Catalog Launch Workshop next Sunday! Here are the projects we'll be creating! My workshops are all hands on, meaning that each guest will make each of these three cards. I hope they like them!!
This card you have seen before during my sneak peak countdown. I heard some great comments from my customers about it, so we've added it to the roster for the workshop!
This card pairs the Season of Friendship stamp set with the brand new Brights Designer Buttons! This card was inspired by and combo-cased from two fantastic cards made by fellow Demonstrator Mary Brown. You can see her work at http://stampercamper.com. I absolutely LOVE the Sweet Treat Cups and the various stamp sets that go with them. I used the set Sweet Centers here to make this fun little hot air balloon. (Note: This card was made using a retired ribbon, but the cards made in the workshop will be made using current 5/8" Real Red Grosgrain ribbon.) I'll also be teaching my guests how to make their card refillable so it won't get destroyed when trying to get the candy out.

It's going to be a very fun workshop for sure! I hope my guests have as much fun making them as I did!

Have fun, be inspired, and get inky!

NEW Color Renovation Retrofit Kits Now Available!

One of the things I love the most about Stampin' Up is that they are always thinking of how things will affect current die-hard SU lovers when they make changes. In this Color Renovation, they've made Retrofit Kits available for those of us who already have full sets of markers, watercolor crayons, pastels, etc. Click on the photo above to go to the SU PDF of their Retrofit Kit Offerings!

Here's hoping you had a fantastic 4th of July!
Now, go get inky!