Lakeshore Stamping

Weekend Excitement!

What a great weekend!  On Friday, my friend and upline, Kimberly Van Diepen came to visit me and my downline here in Michigan.  I had won a team challenge back in fall of 2010 and the reward was to have Kimberly come in for a weekend and help me run a team meeting.  We had a little delay of her visit because her husband was then deployed to Iraq.  He is now safe at home so she was able to come for a visit and we were very excited for her arrival.

She arrived Friday evening and we met up with four of my downline members who earned the title of DIVA for promoting during Sale-A-Bration for a DIVA dinner.  We had an amazing dinner and lots of laughs.  It was a great time for the four ladies to get to know Kimberly.  As soon as I get the picture that was taken I will post it, I had forgotten my camera as it was a crazy day!

On Saturday, we meet up with seven of my amazing team members for a team gathering at my studio.  Everyone had a great time meeting Kimberly and listening to her Stampin' Story and ideas.  It was great for them to hear someone else talk about running a Stampin' Up! business and I was grateful Kimberly shared so much with them. Here is a picture of the group.

My WONDERFUL friend, Jamie, always loves to surprise me and my team.  I should say SPOIL!  I sent her some Summer Smooches Fabric and she made these faboulous little pin cushion jars! 

I added some little single stamps inside the jar and had one for each of my team members who attended the gathering.  I just love these and I am so appreciative of Jamie for helping me make my business successful!  THANK YOU JAMIE!  From all of us!

I love sharing new stamping ideas using new product with them.  Here is one of the cards we made on Saturday using the Summer Smooches line, Bright Blossoms stamp set, Daffodil Delight Seam Binding and Summer Smooches Designer Series Paper.

Remember the month of April, we have a Sneak Peak of the Summer Smooches Suite available.  Download Summer Smooches Flyer

I had to show them the fun Petite Purse Bigz Die too!  I just love this die.  It only uses two pieces of Sticky Strip to put the purse together and then two itty bitty pieces to adhere the handle on.  I used the Bordering Romance stamp set to decorate the front of the purse and some Twitterpated Designer Series Paper and buttons to decorate the flap of the purse. 

After our team meeting, our DIVA's stayed after for some special stamping time with Kimberly and I which they earned too!  Kimberly brought seven projects for them to make, I will share those with you in an upcoming post.  It was a great time and we also spoiled them with some goodies of product and Memento Mall items.  They earned it and I loved spoiling them!

We only had about 2 hours of daylight left so I took Kimberly around to show her a little more of our resort community.  We were able to visit the quaint town of Pentwater where I grew up and then off to show her the breath taking Silver Lake Sand Dunes.  It was a nice visit but it always goes by too quick.  We didn't have a lot of time for any other extra activites, like shopping, but we did get to sit and chat each night and it was some great one on one time together!  Even better, I get to see her in Disney in two weeks for the Stampin' Up! Incentive Trip and our husbands will finally get to meet!

I am thankful for having a great upline who is willing to help us grow our businesses!  It was a fabulous weekend and I can't wait to see all of them continue to grow with Stampin' Up! in their lives! 

Have a great week!

Where have I been??

I have been busy!  Not really busy creating like I need to but just enjoying life!  My kids had their Spring Break starting on March 23 so we took off with my Mom to visit my sister and her family in Colorado Springs.  We were there for 6 days and enjoying watching the kids play!  Now I am trying to play catch up!

I took the pictures my sister took while we were there and made a Flip Scrapbook Album using the Summer Smooches project and will be giving this to my Mom.  I know she'd enjoy showing it off!

I just love making these little flip albums.  So quick and easy to do!  I love finishing a project so this is my kind of scrapbooking!  I held a class on Tuesday for this little album and another one I will share with you later this week.

Our promotion for April is the Sneak Peak of the Summer Smooches product from the upcoming annual catalog in June.  This product is only available during April and click this link...

Download Summer Smooches April 2012

so you can see the flyer with all the details.  You won't want to miss these fabulous items.  Then go to my website, www.lakeshorestamping.stampinup.net, to order online!

I hope you and your family have a Happy Easter!

Milwaukee Regional Presentation

I was THRILLED to be asked by Stampin' Up! to be a Workshop WOW presenter for the Milwaukee Regional Seminar last weekend.  Here is the booth I was in...

I had a mirror above me so those far back could still see the project I was showing them.

And Shelli Gardner even went around to the booths to see what we were up to!

I created my own take of a Smash Book using only Stampin' Up! product.  If you don't know what a Smash Book is, it is a small casual scrapbook of a special occasion or time period in your life all smashed together.  For instance my good friend, Tara, made one using mementos from her high school years.  She had a bulletin board of pictures, brochures, newspaper clippings, you name it of her four year of high school.  She saved everything and many years later made a mini scrapbook of everything.  I decided I was tired of looking at a bag full of memories of my honeymoon 10 years ago and a 12x12 old scrapbook with just four pages done.  I tore apart the four pages (it was before I was a SU! demonstrator and it was horrible!) and made my own mini album using just Stampin' Up! product.  I had saved everything from our honeymoon so I had lots to scrap with.  I even kept a journal of what we did everyday so I was able to go back and journal each page of what we did.  Yes, I had every intention of scrapbooking this great trip with my husband, however, a blank 12x12 page was staring at me and I was overwhelmed where to start! 

Here is the cover and a few pages to give you the idea...

I used our 5x5 Art Journal for the base of the book.  I took the book apart and covered the pages as I went with our Designer Series Paper.  I used the 3/16" punch of our Crop-A-Dile to punch the holes back into the pages after covering them.

I really did save everything, even the baggage claim tickets!  But this is what makes the book...all the little things from your special occasion!

I even inserted a few Side Notes as pages in the book.  I really tried to use many different Stampin' Up! items in this book.  The Side Notes were used a lot throughout this book.  I loved them!

I even used My Digital Studio to create one of the layouts and little things throughout the book.  I made a tag in MDS to use as a half page.  I didn't want to use up an additional layout for just a few pictures so the ticket as a half page worked out perfect.

I wanted as much room in the book for pictures so I added another half page using Designer Series Paper as another half page to journal.

This half page is one of our long envelopes which holds a map of Maui.  I loved having the map to remember the island however it didn't fit in the book.  This worked perfectly after decorating the envelope.

I even used the Top Note Die as a page to add some additional pictures.

This project was a lot of fun to create.  I also created a different kind of mini album using my pictures and items from our Alaska Cruise last May.  I will share that with you after I hold my class in April. 

This is how I took the book apart.  I would recommend purchasing two books so you have one to show you how to put the book back together.  It helped me a lot!

It was a great experience presenting at the Regional.  I enjoyed sharing this new idea with others.  I also enjoyed completing something this project after 10 years of wanting to finish it but never did.

So, on your next special occasion remember to keep everything of that occasion and take lots of pictures to make your own Smash Book.  You won't regret it!

Happy "Smashing"!

 

Milwaukee Regional & Sneak Peek

I attended the Milwaukee Regional on Saturday along with 7 of my favorite stamping friends, my downline!  For 6 of them it was their first ever Stampin' Up! event and they loved it!  I knew they would!  I was so happy when they announced the Milwaukee Regional, I knew it was something my downline could attend. We had such a wonderful time and I am SO glad they were able to attend!

We all love gifts and it is a tradition to have a little something for your downline and/or roommates.  I made each of them a few gifts that were waiting for them on the table when they arrived.  I want to share with you two of the three gifts I had for them.

Starting on April 1st, customers will be able to order some items from the Summer Smooches line which will available in the upcoming catalong on June 1st.  As a demonstrator, I was able to pre-order them in March and I wanted to share some samples with my downline.

This card uses three new items from the Summer Smooches line. 

The stencil is the Summer Smooches Decor Stencil and will be available April 1st-April 30th, it will not be carried over to the new catalog in June so get it while you can!  The Designer Series Paper is one pattern from the Summer Smooches Designer Series Pack available also available April 1st and will be in the new catalog.  The yummy ribbon is the 1/2" Daffodil Delight Seam Binding Ribbon which will also be available April 1st and in the upcoming catalog.  The greeting "Happiness" is from the Loving Thoughts which is available now in the Occasions Mini Catalog.  I really love this greeting set!

This is the CUTEST purse EVER!  I couldn't believe how much chocolate I could fit into this purse!  It was super easy to put together too!  I can't wait to use this Petite Purse Bigz L Die more as it will be carried over to the new catalog.  Contact me now to book your April Private Class at your home or my Lakeshore Stamping Studio!  I would love to show you and your friends more of these wonderful products!

I have a very special friend I meet 7 years ago named Tara.  She was in scrapbooking way before I was and has been on top of the scrapbooking world ever since.  She is a huge inspiration to me and our styles are so much alike which makes me smile.  Tara keeps me up to date on the scrapbooking world which helps me out.  In February I applied to be a Workshop WOW Presenter for the Milwaukee Regional at the last minute.  Tara helped me create the finished product and I was so thankful.  I was lucky enough to be able to have her come along to Milwaukee with me as a guest and be there for me when I presented the project we created together. 

I am looking forward to sharing with you the project I created for my Workshop WOW presentation in the next few days. 

I am thankful to have such great stamping friends which makes up my Lakeshore Stamping Team!  We are growing together and it is so much fun!

 

 

My New Niece!!!

A week earlier than expected, my sister gave birth to my adorable niece on November 22.  I've received MANY pictures during the last 3 weeks and she changes between each picture!  When I was out visiting her in Colorado in August, we designed her baby announcements.  We cut all the paper and had everything ready to go.  I wasn't able to help her finish them but the hard work of designing the perfect announcement was done which was a relief months ahead of time!  I love stamping with her so our creative juices were just flowing!

Now that the announcements are sent out I wanted to share with you the announcement.

We made a few different versions since the Beau Chateau DSP has only two sheets of each design.  This is the one I received in the mail from her last week.  I never took a sample when created them so I was excited to see the finished product!

This pulls out of the pocket...

Then this beautiful image appears...

Of all the pictures she has sent me I do believe this is my favorite!  I can't wait to have one of my own as soon as my parents arrive from being there for over two weeks helping out and enjoying the Karbowski family!  The announcement uses ALL Stampin' Up! product and I know Amy is relieved they are done and sent out! 

Thanks for letting me share my beautiful niece with you!

Team Gathering

On Saturday we had our Lakeshore Stamping Team Gathering.  We had a great group of ladies who attended and in the group was also some new ones!  We welcomed 12 new demonstrators to our team in October and November! 

I had orginally decided to have Christmas Make-N-Takes prepared to have the ladies make but then I couldn't resist the new upcoming Occasions Mini items we were able to pre-order.  So instead of Christmas we had fun playing with the new items in the amazing mini coming in January.  Although I can't post those items yet for all of you, I will be sure to share them as January gets closer!  I promise!  The pictures are already taken and ready to go so I will be sure to post them.  I again forgot take pictures of all the ladies and I am bummed.  One of these meetings I'll remember!

I had one demonstrator, Dawn Bourgette, who started as a customer, then became a good friend and is now in my downline of demonstrators bring me a Christmas gift.  I was so surprised and excited as I haven't even had the time to play with this stamp set and Christmas is just sneaking up!

Yes, she made me an advent calendar using the 25 and Counting stamp set from the Holiday Mini.  Her husband made the frame and added the screen and then she went to town decorating!  There is SO much detail to this so I know it took her a while to make.  It turned out gorgeous and now it hangs in my studio until Friday when I will then bring it home to share with my family.

I am working on my Christmas Cards and hope to share those with you once I get them in the mail.  I should also have a few more Christmas items to share once this week is finished.

I hope you are getting your Christmas list checked off and ready to celebrate the holidays!  I know I have lots to do next week as the kids are on break starting on the 17th so I don't have that week before Christmas for the last minute wrapping! 

Enjoy the Holiday Cheer this time of year!

Happy Thanksgiving!

I wanted to make sure I posted two more Thanksgiving ideas before Thanksgiving.  My kids have Wednesday off so we have lots of family time planned and I won't have much time to post on my blog.  You've probably wondered where I've been, I had my gallbladder removed on November 9th and it took me a good week to get back to normal and now trying to catch up.  I am feeling better and glad it is behind me just in time for the holidays!

This was a cute pumpkin I made for a couple of craft fairs I did earlier this fall.  It is one of my favorite fall items as I LOVE pumpkins!  It works perfect for a little something and I have a few left and plan on taking them to Thanksgiving dinner at Aaron's Aunts house on Thursday. 

Here are a couple fall pictures of a few things I am thankful for!  My two kids and my husband but he isn't in the pictures.

I also have a friend, Tara, who I am grateful for!  She is a crafting fool like me but she can sew!! LOL!  She made me these adorable pumpkins out of our Spice Cake Fabric.  Aren't they adorable!?!??!  I just love them and she also has a love of pumpkins like me!  (Don't ask me how to make them!  LOL!  I don't know and she is out of town for a week.  I believe she found it online somewhere!)

I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving and are able to spend it with loved ones! 

Thankful Ideas!

I've been having fun making projects with the Spice Cake line and it hasn't stopped.  I've had a few events where I've had different people at each event so I've been able to do the same projects lately.  It has been nice and I truly love these projects so it has been fun too!

I was in Wisconsin a week ago for my Grandma's 85th birthday celebration.  I decided to bring a couple of projects along as most of my Aunts like to craft and even the ones that don't still joined in for one project.  I also had cousins join in on the fun!  It was nice to see their smiles while finishing their projects!

This card was a similar one that Shelli and Shalae demonstrated during Convention last July.  I knew I would get lots of use out of this card!

I am loving this fabric! 

I love these Top Note Bags and you may have seen MANY of these on past posts on my blog for just about every occasion.  I like to use this idea at a workshop where there are new stampers.  Such an easy but WOW project.  Here is my Spice Cake version :)

I hope you are enjoying some fall weather where you are or at least having fun playing with these fall colors!  

Hope your November started out great!  Seriously...where did October go??

Happy Stamping!

Fun with Fabric!

A year ago a friend made one of these adorable wreath's with our fabric and I fell in love with it.  I never took the time to make one until this year.  I spent a weekend with my Grandparent's in Wisconsin and this was great to do while chatting with them while sitting on the couch.  Kept my fingers busy!

It is AGAIN made with our Spice Cake Fabric.  I started out with a metal wreath and cut my strips 1"x 8" and tied and tied and tied.  It really didn't take that long once I had all the strips cut.  I used about a package and a half of the Spice Cake Fabric.  I tied them pretty close together to make it full.  My friend, Mandy, had one at her house last weekend and she used only one package and it also looked great.  They just weren't tied as close together. 

I knew right away the spot I wanted to hang it!  In my studio on my old door I found in my parent's cellar.  It was a perfect fit!

I hope you aren't sick of the Spice Cake items yet because I still have a few more projects to show you using this suite of product!  I even LOVE the name of it so yummy!!

Enjoy your week!  I am getting ready for our 2nd Annual Stampin' for a Cure event for this upcoming weekend!  It will be so much fun!

Birthday Fun!

I had an amazing birthday weekend!  Aaron and I flew down to Atlanta to visit our friends, Mandy and Chris Grant.  I met Mandy a year ago during my Founder's Circle trip.  It was also her first time to Founder's and we met on the "first timer" bus on the way to Kanab.  We've remained good friends and have kept in contact ever since.  You'll probably recall a few pictures of us together over the last year posted on my blog. 

Mandy surprised me on Friday night when we arrived with these fanatastic gifts.  She made each of them and they are amazing!  As you know, I LOVE the Spice Cake line and all of these gifts are made with Spice Cake. Thanks Mandy!

 

Mandy is AMAZING with My Digital Studio.  She has taught me everything I know about MDS and she makes the greatest items!  The below calendar and pencil cup was made by her with MDS.  The calendar sleeves turn to change the dates, days and months.  She has directions on her blog on how make this!

During our September Stamp Club meeting the ladies surprised me with cupcakes and this pile of cards!  Yes, each of these amazing ladies made a handmade card for me and I was so delighted!  They all did an amazing job!

I still have a few projects to show you over this next week. 

Thanks for stopping by!