Convention 2010: General Swaps and FTL 99

I participated in several organized swaps this convention, but I still wanted to take a swap to do the general swapping everyone does while standing in line, eating lunch, waiting for the sessions to start, etc. By the time I started thinking about what I wanted to do for my swap, I was struggling for ideas. I needed something that would be easy to mass produce (I think I made around 60), but it also needed to be something I would be proud to share with my fellow demonstrators. Of course, I immediately thought to look at the Fall-to-Layout sketches over as Clean and Simple Stamping. As soon as I saw the FTL 99 sketch, I knew exactly which set I wanted to use. You can see the sketch HERE.

I used the new Aviary stamp set from the Idea Book & Catalog. I am not usually much of a bird person, but I fell in love with this set when I saw it. The base of the card is Crumb Cake card stock. The scalloped border was punched using the new Dotted Scallop Ribbon Punch and Concord Crush card stock. I stamped the birdcage image using Concord Crush, the bird is Pear Pizzazz, and the "Thanks" is Marina Mist with the Perfect Punches stamp set. I love the Perfect Punches set, because every stamp coordinates with one of our fabulous punches! For this sentiment, I used the Scallop Oval Punch. Be sure to let me know what you think of my project - I love reading the comments!

I am so glad I participated in the general swapping, because I received some beautiful cards and projects in return.

Click on a picture to see it larger. If you are a demonstrator and see one of your projects here, let me know and I'll be sure to give you credit and link over to your blog.

Convention 2010: Christmas Card Swaps

Swapping projects with other demonstrators is a big part of the Convention experience. This year, I participated in some organized swaps (set number of people + a theme) and also some random swapping. My sweetie patiently took pictures of all that I brought home over the 4 days of Convention. I'm going to share the cards from a Christmas Card swap. I actually participated in two groups from this swap, but I somehow didn't keep one of my own. It actually wasn't my favorite card that I've ever made, so maybe it is good it is gone! :)

I do like this card. I used the Dasher stamp set, Very Vanilla and Early Espresso cardstock, Real Red Satin Ribbon, the Perfect Polka-Dots Embossing Folder with the Big Shot and one of the new Basic Pearls on the tip of cute Dasher's nose. I was happy with the result of this card. In fact, I tweeked it a little and we made a similar one in my July Stamp Camp (pictures to come in a later post - yes, I'm behind).

Here are the swaps from the other creative ladies! If you see your card here, please let me know and I'll link it to your blog. You can click on the pictures to see them larger.

The middle card in the last photo was made by my friend and downline Linda. You can visit her blog HERE.

Convention 2010!!

What a month July has been! Between new catalog workshops, Stamp Camp, a bike trip from Seattle to Portland, and Stampin' UP! Convention 2010, I haven't posted to my blog all month! I have so much catching up to do. I definitely need to post the pics from Stamp Camp and the projects I've been doing, but that will have to wait!

Stampin' UP! Convention began last Wednesday with check-in, some fabulous optional classes, and my absolute favorite: Memento Mall. Memento Mall is a reason in itself to become a demonstrator if you aren't already! Past demonstrators can sign up again for only $35!

Here is a picture of the goodies we received at check-in. This bag is so bright and cheerful! It was fun to see all the demonstrators walking around the Convention Center and the surrounding streets carrying these cute bags! We received three stamp sets and a wheel, too! We were able to choose from wood-mount or clear-mount for our sets. I love the sets! We received Just Believe and So Many Thanks from the current IB&C and Paisley Prints and the Paisley Party Wheel from the upcoming Holiday Mini 2010. I'll share the Make-n-Takes using these sets in a later post.

I absolutely love this Greenhouse Gala tote available in the Memento Mall! The Greenhouse Gala DSP is definitely a favorite in the new catalog, so I am thrilled they made this great tote using the same print. I'm so excited to take it to my next workshop or Stamp Camp!

Of course, I had to get the matching laptop bag!

I love the designs of the new reusable shopping bags! I also bought the new DSP sampler and the new punch sampler. I love having access to those tools! I also had to get these cute rulers, too. The stamp highlights the Stampin' UP! motto of "Share What You Love." So fitting!

I didn't buy any of the Stampin' UP! clothing last year at Convention, and I have totally regretted it all year. To make up for last year, I bought two darling shirts this year!

I love these cute little trash bags! I won the Playground DSP at one of the booths. Of course, I had to get a new ribbon sampler since so many of the ribbons changed with the current catalog.

Another favorite experience of Convention is looking at all the amazing project on the display boards. I took soooo many pictures of the display boards, so I am going to spread them out over the next few posts. Don't worry: I'll be sure to post them all! These first ones are the Artisan Award Winners. I really should have made sure their names were all with the pictures... but I didn't. These ladies did beautiful work this year!