Stampin' Up! Convention Day 1 - Inspire Create Share 2014

It is annual Stampin' Up! convention time again... Woohoo. This year I am attending with my friend (and downline) Paula Hogan. Her personal blog is here.  It's so much fun to experience convention in front of the curtain and to see so many familiar and friendly faces. I am lucky to be demonstrator. I love my hobby and love to "support" my hobby. 

While I am passionate about my SU hobby, I cannot compete with the passion of this guy. Impressive!


I attended convention last year with Joellyn (so much fun). You can read posts about that here.  Last year I did not make card swaps and regretted it. This year I came prepared with swaps, not to actively trade but to have on hand just in case. Below are the swaps I created. I made about 30 cards total (15 each) and after day 1 I've depleted over half and I wasn't even trying. I know 30 swaps small potatoes for many but totally been worth it for me. I've gotten some cool cards in return but mostly have enjoyed the social nature of a swap. 



Primary sets used are: Flower Patch, Watercolor Thank you and Work of Art.

There is so much to capture with an event like this. Here are a few random phone shots from the day.

Blendabilities markers (new 'copic like' blending markers) that I got to help with packaging design (freelance, last summer). Look how pretty these colored peacocks are? 



I applied and was invited to be a convention stamper again. Yeah for me. I'm a dork but I love to stamp with a purpose and this fit that need perfectly. More fun stuff! I'll share the samples I created in the coming days, once convention is over.

July 4th at the Lake


We enjoyed a nice July 4th holiday at Bear Lake with the family. The boys enjoyed playing with their cousins. The weather was perfect and it really wasn't all too crowded. We spent a few days beachside, enjoyed some pool action, a little golfing, and golf ball hunting. It was a nice break.


June Card Club projects

We had another awesome card club. Fun to see everyone and play with new products. Thanks for coming!

June card club focused on the new Stampin' Up! In-colors, coloring with Blendabilities and other new products from the annual catalog.  We used Blended Bloom, Kinda Eclectic, Dictionary Background and Endless Birthday Wishes stamp sets.  Endless Birthday Wishes is now sold out - ug. I used it a bunch and expected it to be available for purchase. Sorry guys. 

Here are the new SU In Colors:

The Blended Bloom cards are my first attempt at using the Blendability Markers. I've never been much of a "colorer" but may do it more now.  Cards feature Blended BloomKinda EclecticDictionary Background stamps, Mossy Meadow, BlackBerry Bliss and Hello Honey In-Colors.



This Butterfly card primarily features two of the new in-colors; Hello Honey and Lost Lagoon, the Kinda Eclectic stamp set, the Dictionary Background stamp and many of the project life framelits. I also used this card as a swap for a recent INK Bug meeting.



These little birthday cards came together easily using notecards and envelopes, Endless Birthday Wishes stamp set, Dictionary Background stamp, Moonlight Paper, and Blackberry Bliss and Hello Honey In-colors.





This last project is cased from a swap Julie created last week. The little flower box easily comes together using the two largest framelits from Daydream Medallion Framelit set. The little tag uses the enjoy phrase from the Endless birthday Wishes stamp set.



June round up








I've been so bad at blogging lately. I want to but I just haven't had it in me.

It's been a busy month. We had 2 birthdays (Nic 4, Ben 12), Father's Day, lots of Baseball, too many doctor and dentist appointments with a little fun sprinkled in between. 

I plan to do individual birthday posts for the boys. I guess we will see if I have it in me.

Here are some highlights from the last month.