Making My Way to a Major Milestone

Do you set goals for yourself? I usually don't, but 2018 started out to be a year of wonder for me, so I decided it was time to jot down some plans for my Stampin' Up! business... and here's what goals I set for myself:

I've been a demonstrator for 13 years and I've done things this year I've only thought about in the past, but never had the guts to do. There is, however, one thing I actually never dreamed was possible when I signed up to be a demonstrator in 2005 (remember, I joined for the discount) but it now seems to be within reach: achieving $100,000 in career sales. It's certainly not as glamorous as being a Million Dollar Achiever, but to me, it's just as huge! My goal for 2018 isn't to make this happen... because I know it will. My goal is to make this happen by October so I can celebrate at OnStage in November (convention for Stampin' Up! demonstrators) during our 30th Anniversary celebration!

To help me achieve this goal, I'm reaching out to you. Stampin' Up! has an amazing promotion going right now - if you buy 3 packages of select Designer Series Paper, you receive 1 of your choice FREE! These papers are AMAZING!

Our Designer Series Papers aren't represented well in the catalog (in my opinion), so be sure to check out the video below to see just how pretty they are (they should be seen in person to really appreciate their beauty)!

To sweeten the deal, if you participate in this promotion and purchase 6 packages, I will gift you a bonus package of Designer Series Paper! So basically... you purchase 6 packages and receive 3 FREE! Make sure you're shopping from the list above (bonus from me will be shipped after August 1. Also, if ordering online, please use host code 3MJ3EPQV.


Can you tell I really want to hit that milestone soon? There's only one week left in this promotion, so be sure you place your order by July 31. And be sure you don't click the "no contact" box... if you do, I won't know you ordered, and I won't know where to send your free package of Designer Series Paper!

As of today, I am only $3,829.33 away from my milestone! If you're not interested in participating in the Designer Series Paper promotion, but you still want to help me reach my goal, I appreciate orders of any size and if you place an order with me, I may just send you a small token of my appreciation!

Gratefully,

Kre8tors Blog Hop - Creating with a Card Sketch

Hello! And welcome to July's Kre8tors Blog Hop! If you're not starting here, you've likely hopped over from the creative Jacqui Lawrence.

This months' theme is a card sketch challenge. I love card sketches! When I am lost in the creative cloud and don't know where to begin, I turn to a sketch. I jump on Pinterest or pull out an old card (anything would work) and follow that format. My project may go in a totally different direction - and usually does (I encourage that when I post card-sketch challenges for my team in our Facebook group). Today, however, I'm sticking close to this sketch (or at least... as close as possible).

When I saw this sketch, I knew immediately I wanted to use items from the Animal Expedition Suite, so I grabbed pretty much everything I had on page 27 of the annual catalog. I decided Rich Razzleberry suited my card a little more than the suggested coordinating color Berry Burst. One of my favorite elements of the paper is the sloth hanging from the tree branch, so that had to be included. OMGosh SO CUTE! Honestly... it reminds me of my brother - his nickname is Sloth - and he's proud of it. LOL!

There was very little stamping, a little more fussy cutting, some die-cutting, and some ribbon-winding. But it came together fairly easily. It's always easy when you have a sketch to follow and more or less of a picture in your mind.

And THIS is what all of that morphed into!

As you can see, I did take some liberties with this sketch. I changed elements C and D and turned them into "ribbon" elements. Also, we were told we could change the shape of element E... so I did. I also added the thin layer of white behind the giraffe designer series paper - because it felt like it needed something to tie in the white frame and sentiment.

And by the way... the background behind the sloth? That's vellum cardstock covering a piece from the Tranquil Textures Designer Series Paper. It gave the sloth and his little reptilian friend the perfect backdrop! The complete list of supplies is (as always) at the bottom of this post (after the blog hop roll call). Oh, and if you didn't already know... some of the designer series paper is Buy 3, Get 1 Free! BUT if you order 6 from me using the host code below, you get 3 FREE! This is an offer only through me - and only until July 21 (complete details with host code below).

Thank you for stopping by to see how this month's challenge has inspired me. Now hop on over to Laura Mackie and see what she's created from the sketch! If you get lost along the way, or missed someone's blog, our roll call is below the "next" button.

Happy hopping!

Stampin' Up! may be giving you 1 package free for every three, but if you order 6 packages of Designer Series Paper, I will give you a bonus pack FREE!! Here's how it works:

• Order using host code XKHSZSFA by July 21
• Other items may be added to your order, but all 8 packages of Designer Series Paper must be on the same order (6 plus 2 free) and be from the list above
• After placing your order, email me your order confirmation (be sure your name and shipping address are shown)
• Bonus free package of Designer Series Paper will be shipped to you on or before August 1

Melissa Tennison

Lisa Kmiec

Su Mohr

Kirsteen Gill

Jacqui Lawrence

Diana Tillery --> You are here!

Laura Kate Mackie

Jackie Lawless

Sue McDonald

Tricia Butts

Jo Blackman

Linda Handford

Deb Naylor

Tracy Marie Lewis

Rebecca-Jo Unwin

Cheryl Taylor

Amy Grendel

Sandra Roberts

Maria Calia

Anastasia Radloff

Becky Browning

Want to create my card at home? Here's what you'll need...

Rich Razzleberry 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [115316] $8.50	Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [100730] $9.75	Vellum 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [101856] $9.00	Animal Expedition Designer Series Paper [146902] $11.00	Tranquil Textures Designer Series Paper [146331] $11.00
Rich Razzleberry Classic Stampin' Pad [147091] $7.50	Pool Party Light Stampin' Blends Marker [144595] $4.50	Leaf Ribbon [146905] $8.00	Linen Thread [104199] $4.50	Layering Squares Framelits Dies [141708] $35.00
Stitched Shapes Framelits Dies [145372] $30.00	1-1/4" Circle Punch [119861] $16.00	Paper Snips Scissors [103579] $10.00	Big Shot [143263] $110.00	Big Shot Magnetic Platform [130658] $40.00
SNAIL Permanent Adhesive [104332] $7.00	Glue Dots [103683] $5.25	Mini Stampin' Dimensionals [144108] $4.00

Let's Get Hopping - Gratitude

Welcome to July's edition of Let's Get Hopping! You probably just hopped over from the sweet and crafty Teresa Brown. The word cute comes to mind whenever I see her projects! I absolutely LOVE this month's theme... gratitude. There is so much for which to give thanks - every day - and I'm certainly grateful to be a part of this group of talented crafters!

If you're in the US, it's July 4th... and I'm sure you're with me in celebrating Independence Day - the day we consider our Nation's birthday! I'm focusing on today because I am grateful for those who have been brave enough to fight for our independence. One of my favorite sayings is, "Because of the brave, we are free," so my gratitude extends to those who are serving or have served in the United States Armed Forces, protecting our inalienable rights to Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.

I've had (the now retired) For Your Country stamp set for a number of years and - surprise! - I've never used it. That doesn't happen to you, does it? I didn't think so. Well, I decided it's time to get it out and create something... and what better occasion is celebrating America's 242nd birthday?

This card is really easy to create, but it's not so quick. To create the border, you need to fashion a mask using post-it notes or low-tack painter's tape (be careful though... painter's tape can sometimes rip your cardstock - ask me how I know. LOL!). Once your mask is in place, use Stampin' Sponges to add color to your card. I used Pacific Point and Real Red for the background and Stazon for the silhouette. Thank you was embossed on the star die-cut using Versamark and white embossing powder.

Another thing I'm grateful for - as simple as it sounds - is being able to wake up and get out of bed every day. No joke. When you lose your dad at 15 and your mom at 27 - and a few friends shortly thereafter - you learn to look at each moment as a gift and say thanks for another day of life. Everything else good that happens after I get out of bed is simply a cherry on the top of the sundae. Sappy, I know... but that's just me.

I fell in love with the sentiment in the Enjoy Life stamp set... it sums up just how grateful I am to be alive.

I used the same technique for this card as I did for the For Your Country card... sponging. This time, I decided to mat the Whisper White elements on Lemon Lime Twist and Coastal Cabana cardstock. It looks like there are two layers of white cardstock, doesn't it?

I have to admit... I had just re-inked my Stazon and it was a little juicy, which makes the sentiment a tad difficult to read. So you can appreciate just how special it is, I've included it here...

"When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive: to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love."

Amazing message, isn't it?

Okay, enough mush! LOL! Thanks for joining me today and letting me share. Now hop off to my dear friend Jennifer Olea! You're going to love what she's created (and maybe even be inspired).

Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Thick Cardstock [140272] $7.75	Lemon Lime Twist 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [144245] $8.50	Coastal Cabana 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [131297] $8.50	Lemon Lime Twist Classic Stampin' Pad [144086] $6.50	Pineapple Punch Classic Stampin' Pad [147141] $7.50
Bermuda Bay Classic Stampin' Pad [147096] $7.50	Coastal Cabana Classic Stampin' Pad [147097] $7.50	Jet Black Stazon Ink Pad [101406] $9.00	Stamping Sponges [141337] $3.50	Stampin' Trimmer [126889] $30.00
Stampin' Dimensionals [104430] $4.00	SNAIL Permanent Adhesive [104332] $7.00

I Wish I Could Join All Over Again!

Is your Stampin' Up! shopping list so long that you wish you could get a discount? Do you want to earn a little extra money to cover your car payment or perhaps for holiday gifts for your loved ones? Or, do you want to do what I do... gather people together and create fun projects? If your answer is yes to any of these questions, then you may want to consider joining the Stampin' Up! family.

The above is pretty much how my journey started... I had so much flagged in my catalog that I decided to sign up to get the discount. I was my best customer! Okay... I was my only customer. Then I asked my friend Cindy - who actually introduced me to Stampin' Up! - if she would consider having a party. She did... and the rest, as they say, is history (I love a good cliché, don't you?).

What do you get when you take advantage of this amazing deal?

• Customizable Starter Kit which includes $125 in product (you choose anything in the annual catalog!)
• Choice of Classic Stampin' Pad assortment (see options below)
• Free shipping on your starter kit
• 20% Discount on future orders
• Opportunity to increase your discount up to 33%
• Option to build a business with sales and team building
• Sneak peeks and exclusive pre-orders (you get to know, order, and receive product before customers!)
• Extensive online resources
• Exclusive Facebook groups for Stampin' Up! demonstrators and members of the Getting Fancy with Ink and Paper team
• Virtual get-togethers with other members of the Getting Fancy team
• One-on-one phone or in-person support from me... your team leader

Which color family would you choose?

If you're interested in joining Stampin' Up! or have questions about what it's like to be a Stampin' Up! demonstrator before you take the plunge, please contact me. If you're ready to join me in this amazing Stampin' Up! community, please click here or Join My Group up top.

Signing up 13 years ago was one of the best decisions I've made... but with a deal like free stamp pads, I wish I could sign up all over again! LOL!!