May Swaps & Inspiration Part 1

May is almost over and I have so many beautiful swaps to share with you,  I’m going to spread them out over the next 4 days here on the blog.   After I came back from Fiji,  being gone for 10 days, I was behind quite a bit in all areas!  It was the trip of a lifetime and I wouldn’t trade it for anything but golly, that jet lag stuff is some serious business.  Matt bounced right back into this time zone but I’ve been so sleepy during the day and wide awake at 4 am!

With May almost over, so is the current Stampin’ Up catalog!  There will be a little overlap this year from the retiring catalog and new one, which starts May 31st.  The Retiring Stamps will be available until June 3, 2013.  Accessories available until June 3rd but until supplies last and some have sold out already.  Be sure to check your catalog against the retiring list to be sure you have what you want before they are gone. If you like to shop visually, go to my SU website HERE to see the retiring products.

Here’s some stamping inspiration from some swaps I’ve received in Fiji, the mail or my team get together.  (All images copyright Stampin’ Up!)

I wasn’t crazy about this paper in the Spring catalog but them I see this pretty card, and I change my mind!  This was stamped by Vickie Kahlandt using the Tea For Two DSP (spring mini, retires May 31) and Stipple Blossoms stamp set, which is carrying over to the new catalog!  Love the natural ribbon and the flower in blues.

Rhea Hughes is a talented stamper that I swap with once a month .  This cute card is easy to make with the Dress Up Framelits (yes, going into the new catty) and the Tea For Two DSP (retires end of this month)  The little vanilla fabric flowers on a roll retire this month also.  So sad they didn’t make it into the new catalog and I love dying them with my aquapainter and reinker like Rhea did here in coral.

Clever way to use this stamp set by making it look all ‘bandana’!  Flowering Flourishes did make it into the new catalog so we can try this fun technique using a white gel pen.  Stamped by Diane Dimich.  By the way, that black scalloped ribbon with polka dots is only $4.77 a roll now since it’s retiring!   As of now, it’s still available….I’m posting here since the items numbers are hard to find online:

124145		Ribbon Scallop Dots 1/2″ Basic Black
124138		Ribbon Scallop Dots 1/2″ Cherry Cobbler
124142		Ribbon Scallop Dots 1/2″ Chocolate Chip
124143		Ribbon Scallop Dots 1/2″ Elegant Eggplant
122986		Ribbon Scallop Dots 1/2″ Marina Mist
122985		Ribbon Scallop Dots 1/2″ Melon Mambo
124140		Ribbon Scallop Dots 1/2″ More Mustard
124139		Ribbon Scallop Dots 1/2″ Old Olive
124141		Ribbon Scallop Dots 1/2″ Pretty in Pink
124144		Ribbon Scallop Dots 1/2″ Tangerine Tango

This swap is so awesome! Thank you, Cindy Fodor!  The larger than life ants are a little scary like a cheesy horror flick but it’s the stamp scale   The fire label on the left side is createdwith torn paper and sponging.  I love having a great camping card!

Jackie Walker stamped this pretty card for our team meeting swap and landed 1st place in the contest!  Here is a close up of the butterfly where she stamped it on the Fan Fair DSP (retiring end of the month) and then layered it on another pattern of the Fan Fair dsp.

The stamp set is one of the Best of 25 Years sets called  Best of Butterflies.  You can see it HERE 

$14.95  # 133345  Clear mount only

I think this one is Carol Gilmore (no last name) If I’m wrong, please let me know!  My swaps got a little jumbled up between Fiji and my other swaps but I love this Americana style card. It’s a new stamp set called Simply Stars and you will find it on page 124 of the new SU catty starting May 31st. I just wish we had star punches but I did save mine for such an occasion!

A summery easel card by Patti Sharkey, one of my team here in Florida.  That lattice die is carrying over to the new catalog again this year -yippee!

Tune in tomorrow for part 2 swaps!

Go stamp something…Linda

2013 Stampin’ Up Fiji Days 6-7

Bula! I’m posting from my phone so pardon any ‘less than perfect’ photos and fonts.

As we finally made I back to the US, 3G Internet is such a treat! We have 8 hours in LA before finally boarding a plane to get back to Florida. We had to leave our friends at another terminal and while I’m ready to go home it’s hard to say goodbye.

Thursday night we were treated to a Fijian reception on the lawn with entertainment and dinner. Jan saw the hotel workers cutting leaves off of trees for our dinner placemats.
The next morning we picked up our swaps (will post those later) and Stampin’ Up organized a Share hour with 10 demonstrators showing fun projects. It was a little packed to get to all the tables but here is a sampling:

Diana Gibbs is always adorable and so are her cards:

Look at all the extra details she adds to make it extra special.
Stampin’ Up displayed our swaps on boards so we could see them all. We swapped in groups of 25 so we didn’t get to keep them all. Here are a few favs and I don’t know who stamped them since we could not see the artist’s name. (If one of these is yours, let me know):

Classic and Simply pretty

Sharp color combo

Lots to look at on this one- fun use of the little accessories

I met a wonderful stamper, Gail Lowe, and she had decorated her This n That book cover just so cute! Here is one of the inside pages:

After the 9.5 hour flight from Fiji, Matt and i still had a 8 hr layover in LA. We decided it was too pretty here in California to stay in so we grabbed a cab to Santa Monica Pier. Gorgeous weather and breeze, a ride on the Ferris Wheel, funnel cake and of course, Zoltar!

7 more hours and home!
Linda
Ps- don’t forget to check out the new Best Of stamp set for May called Brides and Babies.

2013 Stampin’ Up Fiji Incentive Trip Days 4-5

Bula from Fiji!

The weather was a bit rainy but that didn’t stop anyone from seeing the local offerings. Shopping, eating, shopping, ice cream….it’s certainly not a healthy vacation We bought a Bula Bus pass and rode around the city, getting off here and there. It’s pretty pricey to eat here but we found Mama’s pizza and it was freshly handmade & delish!

Wednesday we rented our driver, Kit Kat again. He drove us out past Suva, about 45 minutes away, to a gorgeous white sand beach. We had a private cabana hut and patch of paradise. There was a camera crew in view filming Beauty and the Geeks reality show, supposedly on a deserted island lol
After the beach he dropped us off at a Chinese place where we had an amazing feast!

We had our General Session meeting last night. Stampin’ Up Arranged a lovely welcome reception in the breezy lobby with live music. As our session began, Fijian dancers entertained us.

The guests/husbands received a thank you gift in one of the new wood mount stamp cases. A Survival kit, and Matt was most impressed that a Snickers bar for in there!

The guys/guests also got a “Dude, You’re Welcome” boxed stamp set.

The demos were thrilled to get the new catalog and a 12×12 paper stack of the new Prints patterns! Then we listened to the corporate team giving company updates.

When we got back to the room, another Pillow gift arrived!

The hat for me, the backpack for Matt!

Today we went into town for a service project at the local hospital here in Fiji. This will take the place of our make and take time this year. I’ll admit when they first suggested it and I knew we would be giving up stamping time, I was a bit grumbly. It was optional to go but I’m so glad we did.

It really helped me to appreciate our hospitals in the states. The waiting room was filled with people and no air conditioning. Even though 200 of us invaded their area, every person smiled as we worked.

We split into teams of yard or painting. We had to remove all the blue paint off the poles with sandpaper down to the silver metal, then repaint them. ( that was the team I was on, team Grit:). Lots of poles!
Shelli and Sterling and family were right in there, working just as hard as anyone.

Matt was on the Green Team, grabbing a weed wacker. No mowers, so very tedious to get the grounds looking good. Lots of rakes, weed pullers and garbage pick up.

A team also painted the front of the hospital!
It touched my heart that so many of the demonstrators took time from their vacation to work so hard. As I write this, many are still there working right up til the last bus brings them back.

No stamping to show you yet, we turned our swaps in but haven’t gotten them back yet. On Saturday we have a share event and 10 demos will be presenting ideas!

By the way, if you tried to call our toll free Stamping School line, it’s not transferring here. We had forwarded the lines but it won’t connect here in Fiji. So email us if you need help at Info@stampingschool.com

I’m off for now, switching to vacation mode!

Linda

2013 Fiji Stampin’ Up Incentive Trip Days 1-2-3

BULA!

Matt and I are in beautiful Fiji on the Stampin’ Up incentive trip. I think it took about 25 hours to get here but we made it! The internet is crazy expensive here so we may only post a few times. We get 30 minutes of free wifi BUT only 30 MB allowed so uploading pics really eats that up like pac man!

(Stamping School members, videos are up and posting as usual while we are gone so login and see what’s new!)

Here is the view from the resort we are staying at, compliments of Stampin’ Up! We decided to come in 3 days early to make up for all the jet lag we were predicting. Our room is gorgeous and even a view of the ocean!

So good to meet up with my good buddies, Georgia and Deb. That’s the best part of these trips!

On Day 2, 10 of us rented Kit Kat, a Fijian driver, who took us all over Nadi to see some local sights.

Our first stop was Nadi Temple, a Hindu temple that is the largest in the southern hemisphere and designed by architects from India. We had to take our shoes off before entering and be very quiet. We couldn’t take pics inside of course but it was beautiful.

I had read about the Garden of The Sleeping Giant before we left and wanted to see it so we all went there next. It was originally started by Raymond Burr who loved orchids and had a huge collection. We saw stunning, lush gardens with over 2000 orchids as we walked on trails through and even saw mongoose.

There is much discussion over how to tally up and convert Fijian money!

Patsy and Jan enjoying the breeze

Day 3 we booked an all day Island Tour Cruise to Tivua Island, which is about 1 1/2 hours from Port Denarau. Snorkling, white sandy beaches, a Kava ceremony and feast and sunburn

 few of us girls spent some time with our feet up – we were all still swollen from the long flights!

As we returned back to the room late after dinner, our first PILLOW GIFT arrived! A fijian mat and fabric agenda holder!

The other 250 demonstrators arrived this am (the ones who didn’t come in early) and the SU Hospitality room opened! They have the room set up so cute! We threw the bean bag for a prize, which is a fun accessory from the new catalog.

The guys are off to golf and the girls will be pool side, in the shade, recovering from sunburns!

Ni Sa Moce (goodbye!)

Linda (and Matt)

SU Retiring Stamps list is here!

14 years with Stampin’ Up and I STILL have a hard time saying goodbye to retiring stamp sets.  Some people think they are just ‘things’ and easily tossed.  For me, I remember the card I made with them and the smile it gave someone when received.  Or how I didn’t really like it that much when I earned it free but it grew on me through the year and now I hate to see it go.  Then I think about the new catalog and the stamps I will love just as much and it’s all ok

Enough about me!  Let’s talk about YOU!

This list means that it’s time for you to pull out a highlighter or post it notes, sit down with a cup of decaf and mark your Stampin’ Up catalog up.  Use the list by page number to go through and mark all the stamp sets retiring.  Keep a post it nearby to tag the possible sets you might want to get before they retire at the end of May.

Then there are Accessories – those are the inks, papers, ribbons, designer papers, buttons, brads, etc….Some of those will be going and what doesn’t sell may end up on the clearance rack.  We never know but if there is something you want from the accessories, better get those QUICKLY!  Some of those are discounted already  – you will see those on the accessories list.

**The stamps list is not out yet in excel format for me to resize.  As soon as SU puts it up, I’ll post the link .  In the meantime, stamps list pdf prints small.

Download the Retiring retired stamps large

Download the Retiring Retired Accessories List HERE

How to Order:

The Retiring  promotion runs April 24th  – Monday June 3rd.    The new SU Annual Catalog starts May 31st, so we will have some overlap.  That’s a great thing so you can compare the new catalog with the retiring list to be sure of what you need to purchase.

How To Place an Order with Me (and I’ll be in Fiji from April 25 – May 5 BUT have my phones forwarded and checking email if you need help)

You can place orders 3 ways (in no particular order)

1.  You can type up your order and send me an email.  I’ll need to get a payment from you, whether a check or credit card (visa, MC, Discover or Amex) so if you aren’t comfortable emailing that, call me !  I can keep it on file if you like so next time can be easier for you.

2.  Call me!  I have a local Florida phone number 407-435-3135 and also a toll free number 1-866-460-4902 to give me an order by phone.   I can answer questions about the products or help you with a particular project, too!

3.  Order online 24/7 on my DBWS (Demonstrator Business Website).    You will get the best deal if you order directly from my website at www.lindaheller.stampinup.net. There is an awesome clearance rack online if you like to shop for the deals!

If you are new here and don’t already have a demonstrator to send you any of the mini catalogs, fill out your mailing info here so I can add you to my mailing list.

Linda Heller

Independent Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator, Executive

14 years as a demo and still lovin’ it!

Call, email or order online HERE!

Linda

All Dolled Up Kits Available

If you’d like a kit that’s pretty much ready to go except stamping the greeting, this one is for you!  Buy at least 3 since they make great gifts   And if you buy 3, I have a special gift I’m including in your order!  Email me for details at lindastamps@cfl.rr.com

This is a Stampin’ Up product, not one I’m throwing together:)

The Dolled-Up Birthday kit includes the following:

• Dolled-Up Birthday Clear-Mount Stamp (1)
• 8-1/2″ x 5-1/2″ Crumb Cake Cardstock (6 pieces)
• 2″ x 4-1/4″ Very Vanilla Cardstock (6 pieces)
• Very Vanilla Medium Envelopes (6)
• Tea Lace Paper Doilies (6)
• Dress Up die-cuts (6)
• Soft Suede Classic Stampin’ Spot (1)
• Vanilla 5/8″ Flower Trim (6 pieces)
• Sponge Dauber (1)

Get everything you need to make six cards for only $15.95 (item 133913)!*

To assemble one card, follow the instructions below:

1. Place the stamp rubber side up and ink with the Soft Suede Classic Stampin’ Spot.
2. Stamp “Happy Birthday” at the bottom of the card front.
3. Ink the Sponge Dauber with Soft Suede ink and gently antique the doily and the edges of the dress form.
4. Adhere the pieces to the card front in this order:
   • Doily
   • Very Vanilla Cardstock
   • Dress form
   • Flower

*Adhesive not included and clear block not included.

A little Extra $ To Spend On Stamps…

Stampin’ Up is certainly feeling generous lately!  Today they announced 2 ways to get more products in your stampin’ hands.

Customer/ Hostess offer: Host a $350 party and earn an additional $30 in FREE products!  You can be your own hostess alone or get to gether with friends for a catalog party, also. 

Dates: April 15-May 30, 2013 (yes, it ends the day before the last day of the month)

Details:

• All order types qualify for this promotion (emailing me an order, workshop by bundling with friends or ordering online with me)
• Hostesses may use their additional hostess dollars on any current catalog merchandise (big catalog or Spring or any of the Best of stamp sets, etc)
  

New Demonstrator/ Hobby Demonstrator Starter Kit offer:

Dates: April 15-May 30 (yes, it ends the day before the last day of the month)

• Join today – May 30th and get an extra $30 in products of your choice in your Starter Kit! That means you will get to choose $155 worth of ANY products for only $99 plus tax, FREE shipping!

*My Notes on Signing Up Now :

 - The Retiring Stamps list comes out April 24th.  If you plan on having any classes of your own, I would wait to sign up then after you see what stamp sets are retiring.   Getting started off on the right foot with only current products to take you through the next year is important.  

- SU gives a new demonstrator the remainder of the quarter free of minimums.  Our current quarter is April, May and June.  So signing up in April would mean you get April and May free and then your first $300 in sales would need to be in by the end of September.  

- SU gives an additional 10% commission if you place an order of $150 or more within 45 days.  That means you get a 30 commission on your first order, even if it’s all for you AND you can be your own hostess with SU.  

- It makes sense to be a demo if you are already spending $300 a quarter or if you want to teach stamping and earn money doing it.  Talk to your demonstrator  (or me if you don’t have one) to see if it’s the right thing for you.

- With the end of the SU year approaching, SU will give you a case of current catalogs and when the new ones ship, you will get a case of new.

- Signing up now means you can qualify to attend the annual convention in Utah!  Imagine 1000′s of stampers all in one big convention!   This year is their 25th anniversary and sure to be special.  You and a friend can both sign up and take part in one heck of a stamping vacation!   Convention is 295.00, airfare and hotels are on your dime. I’ve been for 14 years and haven’t missed one yet. 

Call me at 866-460-4902 to chat about it.  If you need help finding a great upline local to you, I can help with that, too.
Linda