Let Summer Begin....

Whew, May is almost over and I've barely stopped long enough to breathe....and I don't see it slowing down anytime soon. 

Since today is Memorial Day, I want to take this opportunity to thank all the Veterans...thank you for serving your country so well!

Today's item is what I call a 9-Square.  This 9-Square celebrates all things summer - from ice cream to kites and since I live on the beach...all things water!

 

I couldn't wait to hang this up!  And the lighting in my kitchen isn't the best...but I think you get a sense of what the 9 square is all about.

 

Sets I've used in this are numerous:  Summer Splash  (surf boards), Sunny Fun (kids, ice cream and flip flops), Up, Up & Away (hot air balloons), Send Me Soaring (kites), Sweet Summer (bee), Button Buddies (flower) and Moving Forward (sail boat).  Most of them are retired but ones I love so I've kept them!  Other items include the Honeycomb and Cloudy Day Embossing Folders and Adorning Accents Edgelets.

 

The letters were cut on my Cricut using Plantin SchoolBook cartridge.  The Serif Essentials Die (retired) letters are almost an exact match.

 

Come back each days as I share other 9-Squares that I've created to decorate my home!

 

Many Blessings....Cathy



Demonstrator Perks

Being a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator has so many perks and opportunities.  I joined as a hobbyiest - I already have a full time job.  So I was looking at:
1.  Getting 20% discount off what I order
2.  The opportunity to preview and order new items
3.  No commitment to meet goals or continue as a demonstrator (I could take the starter kit and do nothing further!)

But the reality is I've gone beyond my self and gained these: 
1.  Time with girlfriends - I host at least one event a month and we get together and catch up. 
2.  A "Downline" - I've had a friend join so she too could gain the discount.
3.  Help with meeting quarterly goals.
4.  A great "Upline" who I enjoy spending time with and provides great advise.

Stampin' Up also provides so many good things:
1.  A customized Starter Kit where you choose $125 in product - anything you want - and the cost is only $99!
2.  An incentive each month - see this months special below
3.  Access to Stampin' Connection - a great website with LOTS of ideas!
4.  Opportunity to attend Stampin' Up! Convention and Regional Events
5.  Stampin' Success - a great magazine for demonstrators. It's full of ideas and information. (see below)
6.  The ability to do your business "Your Way!"

I haven't listed all the benefits of joining the Stampin' Up! team but hopefully, these few will spark you to explore further.  I would love to help you with information and to assist you in getting started.

This month's Stampin' Success included this darling card and it sparked me to CASE it.  My camera "changed" the color of the ribbon - it's really Melon Mambo pink... I sent this card to a friend - I hope she likes it!

List of Supplies:

Stamp Set: Moving Forward #1264320 - Wood, #126322 - Clear

Ink: Island Indigo #126986, Melon Mambo #126948

Paper: Whisper White #100730, Gumball Green #126840, 2012-2014 In Color #126910

Accessories:  The ribbon used is retired but would recommend using 1/2" Scallop Dots Melon Mambo Ribbon #122985, Basic Rhinestones #119246 (forgot to add them before taking photo), Adorning Accents Edgelits #125595

If you need any of these items, you can place an order here!

We are headed out of town today for a couple of days...but until the next time.

Moving Forward....

Have you ever heard of the Ronald McDonald House Charities?  They help support families with children who have serious illnesses by providing a "home away from home" while their child receives medical care.  And Stampin' Up! has contributed over $1,000,000 to RHMC.

This year Stampin' Up! has this wonderful stamp set called Moving Forward.  For every set sold, Stampin' Up will donate $3 to the Ronald McDonald House Charities.

During the last General Session of the Stampin' Up! Convention 2012, each demonstrator received a free set of these great stamps!  They are just too cute!

I've taken the set and created a Congratulations card fitting for any occasion.  I thought it would be cute to be able to play off the design by saying "Jumping for Joy for You!" on the inside of the card.  This card came together in a flash and I believe it makes a statement.  To create this card, I used the following supplies:

Stamp Set:  Moving Forward (126320-wood, 126322-clear), Sassy Salutations (#126705-wood, #126707-clear)

Ink: Gumball Green #126861, StazOn Black #101406

Paper: Basic Black #121045, Whisper White #100730, Real Red #102482, Be of Good Cheer Designer Series Paper (polka dots) #126896

Accessories: Scallop Trim Border #118402, Apothecary Accents Framelits #127003, 1" Circle Punch #119868

If you need any help with ordering these supplies, you can get a direct link to my Stampin' Up! ordering site at the link to the right or you can add a comment or e-mail me directly!