Tuesday, July 31, 2012

MOJO MONDAY

With convention & getting back in gear, I haven't had time to do a Mojo Monday in a couple of weeks! 

But I just got a box of goodies from my man in the brown truck! 

Can't wait for this one! You have a choice! I don't usually do round, but that would make a neat scrapbook page! Might try both this time! 

So if you do one, send it to me so I can post it!!!!


Happy Stampin'!

REASON TO SMILE

TODAY is the last day to order this beautiful stamp set! Only $5.oo with a $50.00 purchase!!! Contact me today!!!!!

Happy Stampin'!!!!

Monday, July 30, 2012

SCRAPBOOKERS LOOK HERE!

Are you a scrapbooker who thinks that stamps aren't really a part of scrapbooking? Yes, I've actually heard that! Remember, Stampin' Up! is so much more than just stamps-although those are the big thing here! But the Designer Series Paper & Big Shot are wonderful things to use in your scrapbooking!

Well, judging by the amazing examples of scrapbook pages I saw at convention, I'd say those naysayers are wrong!!! Scrapbooking in the stamping world is HUGE!!!!!

Here is just a sampling of some of the amazing ideas for scrapbook pages that I saw! I have tons more also! It actually seems like scrapbooking was the big focus this year! I like that!!!! Although cards never really take a back seat!!

Enjoy-and feel free to CASE!!!









Happy Stampin'! (and scrapbooking! :)

Sunday, July 29, 2012

SIMPLY SCORED ENVELOPES!




Thought you might like to see this video! It's made by an amazing
 Stampin' Up! demonstator, Jackie Topa!


She gives you great directions on how to use the Simply Scored Diagonal Plates to make envelopes! You can make them for pretty much any size card! 

I particularly like to make the envelopes with coordinating Designer Series Paper. The 2-sided paper makes a lovely presentation for the inside & outside! 

Kind of like this one! I used the Summer Smooches paper. This was a card I made for the new catalog preview in June! I made the tulips out of the Owl Punch! Yup, that's right!!! But see how nice the matching envelope looks?


If you'd like to order the Simply Scored and the Diagonal Plate to go with it, click here!

Happy Stampin'! 

Thursday, July 26, 2012

SEE WHAT I LEARNED??

Just starting to get a few minutes to review all I did at Stampin' Up! Convention 2012!!!! Below are the classes I attended at Convention!!!! The names are the instructors. They are all Stampin' Up! employees in various roles! But once you become a demonstrator, their names are quite familiar! They are amazing!!!
  • I AM HAVING FUN! Shannon West
  • I AM INSPIRED Donna Griffith
  • I AM SAVVY  Meg Wheeler, Dawn Griffin, & Laura Milligan
  • I AM DOING BUSINESS "MY WAY" - Bonnie Thurber, Ronda Wade, & Tami White
  •  I AM OPEN FOR BUSINESS-Carrie Cudney
  • I AM A FIRST-TIME RECRUITER-Jill Leigh, Jocelyn Rhodes, Colleen Vassos
  • I AM CREATIVE-Shannon West & SU Concept Artists
  • I AM REACHING OUT-Emily Montoya
We also had an AMAZING presentation from Jason Dorsey on "I AM A BABY BOOMER". He is soooo funny! Google him & check out his books!!! 

We had Make & Take sessions for 3 stamp sets!  I'm hoping to finish those today so I can show you!!! 

We had several Main-stage presentations that included inspiration, technique instruction, product instruction, challenges, announcements & lots of GREAT ideas! (Which I can't wait to share with you all once I get my feet back on the ground!)
 We swapped until we dropped!!! Every free moment was a "swapportunity"!!!! I did 4 organized swaps this year, and I also made 1 swap card for general swapping! Wait until you see what I got in return!! Can I just say WOW!!!!
You can see my swaps & get the info on my Convention Swap 2012 page! Look for the tab at the top!

So for now, gonna go try to get things going! Got a great day to stamp!!!

Happy Stampin'!!!!

Monday, July 23, 2012

MOJO 251



 

 Here's a great one!!! I can't wait to hit this one up with my new convention stuff! More convention pics & news as week goes on!

Happy Stampin'! 

Saturday, July 21, 2012

GOODBYE SALT LAKE CITY!

Well, this will be my last post from Salt Lake City! I've said goodbye to some great friends.  I'm sad to be leaving, but happy to be returning home to my hubby, pups & friends. I'm also so excited to share all the great things I learned & discovered here at convention! 

It's been a truly thrilling time! Over the next week or so I will be reliving my adventures here! You will see so many beautiful creations! There are cards, tons of scrapbook pages, 3-D crafts, and more! Be sure to check back!

But for now, I'm signing off! I have a wake-up call at 3:15 AM to make it to a 6:00 am flight!!! Ugh!!!!


 Happy Stampin'!

LAST DAY :(

I cannot believe that this is the last day of convention! It has been soooo much fun! I am truly having a great time here at the Stampin' Up! Convention 2012 at the Radisson Downtown in Salt Lake City with the LateNightStampers & everyone else!

Yesterday we had a day filled with fantastic classes, great demonstrations, and super friends!  We are a group of about 3500 this year! Crazy! 

Here are a few pics from yesterday! Sorry I haven't posted more often, but wifi is rather difficult to come by here! It's free at the hotel, but you have to pay for it everywhere else! Takes so long to update from my phone without it! I'm never in my room either! Too much to do & see! I promise I'll really shoot those pics & ideas out to you when I get back to Charlton! 

Until then, enjoy these few!!!

Happy Stampin'!

 The beautiful Wasatch mountains! This is the view from the hotel! Even more beautiful in person!

 There are ginormous boards in the Demonstrator Resource Center with all kinds of swaps & ideas posted! It's a stampers Disneyworld!!! These are just a couple of shots!

 This is Bonnie Thurber, one of the biggies at Stampin' Up! doing an amazing presentation & demonstration! You will soon be invited to a class using her ideas! I will also be able to demonstrate some of her ideas at your parties!! Be sure to book yours now! Lots of good holiday ideas where you can really get a "bang for your buck"!!!!
 These are my wonderful new Canadian friends for life!!!! Adele just won Prize Patrol!!!! Alas, I'm always the bridesmaid! lol But very happy for her!
 Palm Springs represent!!!! This was at a Make & Take Session where we used the stamp set You're Amazing! The projects are amazing! You'll see them at home!!!!
 My friend Ginny, whom Ang & I met last year (our very first new convention friend) surprised me with this treat yesterday! I was so surprised!!! Thank you Ginny!!!!
 Had to include it! At the LNS swaps, they did a 3D as well. I didn't participate, but they have everything out to look at & take pics! I couldn't resist this little gal!!! Those of you who know me know why!!! How cute is she???? You can be sure she'll be around soon! And don't those googlie eyes from the Holiday Mini look fantastic!!!!


More pretty pics from the boards!!!!

Off to start today! It will be filled with more classes, another Make & Take and the final General Session of the convention! I'm so sad it's ending! I could do this FOREVER! 

I truly do have the best "job" in the world! Would you like to join me next year? We have a special promotion coming up in August! This may be the year you want to do what I do & share what you love! Then you can join us next year for all the fun!!!!!

I hope to post tonite! But watch for "quickies" during the day!!!!

Happy Stampin'!!!

Friday, July 20, 2012

GOOD MORNING!

I just wanted to say good morning to everyone & share the view out my hotel window.  Sorry they're a little dark!

 In this first one, that patch of light in the middle is the top of the great Morman temple. It's a beautiful sight all lit up at sunrise!




This is a lovely place with mountains on one side and very flat land on the other! The great Salt Lake is HUGE! More like a mini ocean! Lots of salt flats! The weather here is hot but dry. We had a few sprinkles yesterday, but nothing even worth mentioning. 

So here are some pics! Lots more later! Convention has been so fun so far but soooo busy! I'm trying to find a moment here & there to post! Posting from my phone works, but if the pics are crazy size, don't stress! I'll fix them when I get onto the computer!

Happy Stampin'!

Thursday, July 19, 2012

I AM!

Our new theme song! This is the employees having fun lip-syncing to the song! Enjoy! I am!



SO MUCH FUN!!!!

Opening session got off to An amazing start today! So exciting! Our theme this year is "I Am"! We have our own theme song! You can see that lata!!! Posting from my phone so limited access!
Here's the opening session excitement!

We also had the most amazing keynote speaker! His name is Jason Dorsey, and he spoke on "gen y"!!! Our new target audience!!!!
More lata!
Happy Stampin'!

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

TOMORROW! TOMORROW!!! I LOVE YA!!!!

Tomorrow is the big day!!!! I will be leaving bright & early for Salt Lake City for the annual Stampin' Up! Convention!! I am soooo excited! There will be 4 continuous days of nothing but stampin' fun!!!! We get lots of ideas, freebies, and most importantly, fun friendship with other demonstrators who are as crazy about stampin' as I am!!! I can't wait to see my "old" friends & meet some new ones!!!!

Be sure to check back daily! I will be posting tons!!! You'll want to see all the great stuff they have to show!!!! I also can't wait to do your workshop & present all the wonderful things I've learned & shared!!! Contact me now!!!! August is filling up!!!!

If you have any Stampin' Up! needs while I'm away, I can still be reached by email at jmets23@yahoo.com! Or, you can place your order online at www.jonimetras.stampinup.net!

So wish me godspeed! I'll be back in good ole Massachusetts on Sunday-unless I decide not to come home ;)!



(Soon they'll be MY pictures!!!)

Happy Stampin'!

Monday, July 16, 2012

MOJO MONDAY 250

Don't know if I'll get to this one as I'm crazy busy getting ready for convention!!! But I'm gonna try!!! Why don't you decorate my blog with this one this week?! Send me your Mojo Monday creation & I'll post it proudly!!!!



                                                Happy Stampin'!

Saturday, July 14, 2012

WHY CHOOSE STAMPIN' UP!?

Every wonder why I chose Stampin' Up! as my own business?  Well, let me give you just a few of reasons.

First, quality! As a stamper, it's important to me to get a good image when stamping. I've always felt that Stampin' Up! had the best quality stamps.  Then years ago, I started exploring the Designer Series Paper packs, cardstock, etc., & found the quality of those to also be the best! The coordination of all the colors is a real treat! I've purchased the "on sale" or "with a coupon" stuff from the big box stores, but honestly, that stuff sits on my shelves.  I've even given tons of it away! Stampin' Up! is a one-stop quality shopping experience!

Second, support! We have a wonderful group of demonstrators! We are connected through a website called Stampin' Connection. Only demonstrators can access it. We get answers to all our questions, ideas, technique training, sharing, etc.  We also get sneak peeks into the new catalogs & get to purchase all the goodies earlier than anyone else! We also have an online gallery that puts the others to shame!!! Seriously!

Third, discount! Yup, that's right. We get 20% off the top of everything we order! We get an extra 15% on our birthday as well. There are always specials for demonstrators only also! We can earn tons of stamp sets, accessories, etc., from our sales!  I'm my own best customer! ;)

Fourth, convention! Next Wednesday I will be leaving for Salt Lake City for my second convention with Stampin' Up! What an amazing journey that is! We get soooo many ideas, trainings, support, suggestions, tips & tricks, etc, etc, etc!  It's the most fun 4 days all year!  It's like a stampers Christmas!!!

Lastly, you! That's right! I've met so many new friends through Stampin' Up! Not only have I met tons of demonstrators from all over the world (literally!), but I have met some of you, my customers. Many of you I will call friends for years with or without Stampin' Up! I get to spend time with you all stamping, creating & crafting! You give me as many ideas as I give you! This is a great ride!

So whether or not you want to do what I do & share what you love with others, or just simply get a great discount on all the wonderful Stampin' Up! supplies, this may be the time for you! If you think you'd like to join our team, contact me today! I'll help you get started! You won't be sorry!

Happy Stampin'!

Friday, July 13, 2012

LAYERED LOOK!

Today's card uses a layered look! It is the LNS Challenge this week! We were asked to use several layers on a card! So I did!!!


I think this came out pretty! Simple! 

Ok, so you're getting sick of Lucky Limeade! So am I! lol  But I have a ton of it-long story short-ordered several packs of the wrong color for some wedding invites I was making!  Now it's a beautiful color! But I'm ready for a change!  Since I have so much, however, I figured I'd use it for my convention swaps. This isn't a swap, but it was used the inspiration for one of my swaps! Hint! Hint!  You'll see those next week!

Anyway, so here are the deets!
Card base-Lucky Limeade. Mat-Tangerine Tango. Natural white was used for the front. 

I used the 2 1/2" circle punch to punch out 1 each of the circles.  

The stamp set is Mixed Bunch. I stamped one of the little flowers on the circles (although it's hard to tell here) using the same color ink. Just to give it some definition. I then stamped the big flower with VersaMark & heat embossed with Tangerine Tango embossing powder.  

It was punched out with the Blossom punch.

Now one thing to consider-when heat embossing on the Natural cardstocks, the glue doesn't adhere as well, so the embossing is "rustic". I really like the look! Distressed-like me!!! lol

The sentiment is from Word Play. Talk about getting your $ out of a stamp set! This set gets used soooo much!!! So versatile & the images are so nice & bold & bright! 

Finish up with a "ribbon" punched out with the Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border Punch & you're good to go!!! This is a fairly simple card! It looks nicer in person, but I'd like to receive it!

That's always how I choose my cards. Would this be something I'd like to receive? If I answer yes, then it's a go! If I answer no, it's back to the drawing board! Simple like that!

That's it for now!  Have a great weekend!

Happy Stampin'!

Thursday, July 12, 2012

KID MOJO!

Well, if you'll look below, you'll see the Monday Mojo sketch this week! Now you know I'm normally the pretty, kinda distressed, kinda rustic, , organized, coordinated kinda gal! Well, I decided to have fun with this one!

I don't make too many kid cards because my kids are all grown up!!! Occasionally there's a birthday or something, but it's not my "go-to"!  So, I decided to go that route this time & make a fun card! 

Here it is!


 I love these little guys! They are so much fun to design! They are from the Make a Monster stamp set! You have a choice of 3 cute "monsters" & 12 cute add-ons like eyes, mouths, horns, etc. 

 I used some scraps from the Summer Smooches DSP pack.  Using that one up quickly! That's a versatile pack with so many fun colors! 

The card base & mat is Island Indigo, and the coordinating colors are Daffodil Delight & Real Red.  

And the sentiment of course is from the new Itty Bitty Banners stamp set & cut so perfectly with the Bitty Banners Framelits!! 

You must recognize the Scallop Edge punch also! Who could live without that?!  

Know any little ones that may like a card like this?

Happy Stampin'!

Tuesday, July 10, 2012






 

This week's Mojo Monday sketch! Can't wait to play with this one!!!!

Happy Stampin'!

Monday, July 9, 2012

SUMMER SILHOUETTES

The DIL Gina was over the other night after a long Saturday of "work" for a swim. So of course, now that I have brought her over to the "dark side" ( ;) ), she said, "MIL, can we make a card"?! Well of course I said, "heck ya"!!! 
So she had a blast making some birthday cards for friends while I worked on my convention swaps! 
Then we decided to make a card together. A good friend of ours just lost a very close friend to ALS-what a horrible disease that is.  We wanted to acknowledge our prayers & love for her with a card made from our hearts!  
Here it is!



 I just got a shipment the other day with this beautiful stamp set, 
Summer Silhouettes! I saw those flowers & knew I had to have it!!! It's soooo pretty! Tons of stamps too!  
We used the Natural White or a base, then the colors of choice were Daffodil Delight, Night of Navy, Gumball Green & Melon Mambo.

The paper is a scrap from Summer Smoochies

The pretty design behind the paper is actually a stamp from the set! Nice! 

 I "stippled" the tops of the blossoms with markers. Gina added the cute little yellow flowers for accent! 

The ribbon is 1/4" Night of Navy grosgrain-ok, it's retired! But it goes perfectly with the card!

 Oh, the final touch was some Dazzling Diamonds on the stipples just for accent. They don't really show up on the pic, but trust me, they're there!!!

The 2nd pic shows the envelope Gina stamped to match! 

We have fun stamping together! She actually booked her first workshop for the end of July!!!

I can see lots of possibilities for this stamp set! It's very pretty! 

That's today's card! Need any more details just let me know!

Happy Stampin'!

Sunday, July 8, 2012

I AM SOOOO EXCITED!!!

I woke up to some very exciting & fun news today!!!! If you remember, I posted this card in our weekly LNS (Late Night Stamper) challenge for paper piercing!


Well, I got the news today that I WON that challenge!!!! I am soooo over-the-top excited!!! 

First, I've never won anything craft-related before!
And second, this is a group of amazingly creative & talented stampers!!! I feel like I pale in comparison to their work!!! This was such an honor I can't tell you!!!

 If you are visiting from LNS, thank you so much!!!! You made my week-and it's only Sunday!!!! Please let me know that you were here!!!

Happy Stampin'!!!

Saturday, July 7, 2012

NEW MOJO MONDAY!



This weeks Mojo Monday sketch was a little trickier than expected! Looks easy enough, right?  Well, that's a lot of elements to add to a small card! I got a little creative with it! Look!


 
This weeks Mojo Monday sketch was a little trickier than expected! Looks easy enough, right?  Well, that's a lot of elements to add to a small card! I got a little creative with it! Look!

  
It looks like Christmas colors in the photo, but it's not! It's Lucky Limeade & Rich Razzleberry with Whisper White

I don't use white often other than as a card base or to stamp the words on, but I think it looks pretty with this combo! The paper of course is the Summer Smooches! I love that paper pack!!! A little ribbon & Boho Blossoms punching & you're good to go!!!

The sentiment from the Perfectly Penned stamp set fits perfectly into the large oval punch, with a cut from the new Apothecary Accents Framelits for the background! I love this combo & think I'll be using it often!

 I also used the Bird Builder punch! Can you find where?  

Want specific details? Contact me! It's a pretty card in person! So did you do a card for Mojo Monday?? I want to see it!!! You never know if it might make "the blog"!!! lol

Happy Stampin'!

Thursday, July 5, 2012

Want yet another reason to shop Stampin' Up!? Well, here it is!!! 
For the month of July ONLY, you can get this beautiful stamp set for 
ONLY $5.00!!!!! 
That's an amazing deal!!!! Mine is on order! As soon as it comes in, I'll show you some beautiful examples!
 I LOVE this set! I hope you do too!!! Contact me NOW for information! This stamp set is exclusive to July!!!! You won't see it again!!! Don't miss out on this deal!!!

The image is here! But you can click on the link on the left side of the page for more info & an even better copy of the promo page!!! This is a good one!!! Don't miss out!!!!


Happy Stampin'!

Monday, July 2, 2012

IT'S MONDAY!

It's Monday, and I'm off to work! But I just wanted to check in! 
This week with the 4th of July being a huge family holiday here, I don't know if I'll get to post consistently! Don't worry, I'm still gonna try to stay on track! I've been so busy working on my swaps!
I'm definitely gonna pop over to Mojo Monday to see what the sketch is this week! I will definitely get to that! As well as my LateNightStamper challenge! But for today, I don't have anything to show just now! I'm gonna look later though, so check back!!!

Happy Stampin'!!!

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