Hi Gang! I haven’t posted for bit as I’d been super busy preparing for my Hostess Appreciation Dinner. I was stamping into the wee hours of the mornings but it was so worth it. Everyone loved their prizes and gifts and we all had a wonderful time. And that’s what it’s all about. This exclusive event is my way of showing my sincere gratitude for these lovely ladies – not only for their business and loyalty – but also for our friendships. I am always amazed at how lucky I am that my Stampin’ Up! business brought us together.
If you’d like to attend next year’s Hostess Appreciation Dinner you must be a Hostess and hold a workshop (which is super fun & a great way to earn FREE items), or join one of my monthly stamps clubs (learn new stamping techniques and fun projects) – contact me today!
The unveiling of the new 2010-2011 Idea Book & Catalogue had everyone squealing with delight as they ‘oooohhheed’ and ‘aahhhhheed’ over the new stamp sets and product. I made sure everyone had a Wish List inside their catty, which I noticed most were filling up! All of us, myself included, are just overwhelmed with all the new goodies Stampin’ Up! is offering. And if you think this catalogue is a amazing, just wait until you see the new Fall/Winter mini when it comes out. A TOTAL WOW! Stampin’ Up! is certainly on the cutting edge of all that is HOT (ie. vintage, retro, crafting tools, colors, accessories, etc) and it’s just all very exciting. I can only imagine what I’ll be sharing with all of you when I return from Convention!
Let’s get on with the photos! (Grab a cuppa, because there’s a LOT of pics.)
Getting the tables all set up with goody bags and decorations. The materials for the Make and Take projects were placed in each bag, along with a ticket for the prize draws that would take place throughout the event.
I’m placing a ‘Thank You’ banner above the side door, made with my Big Shot and Pennant Die. (LOVE LOVE LOVE my Big Shot!)
The ‘Silent Auction’ table. These stamp sets have all retired and I need to make room for new sets to demo with in the coming year! Everyone cleaned up and went home with AMAZING deals!
I also had samples displayed of some of the sets I was selling.
On this display counter I had the new 2010-2011 Idea Book & Catalogues (soooo fabulous!) along with the Summer Mini (also fabulous! LOL) and flip flops that I accessorized with some Big Shot bling! (I used the Daisy die). The Mini Envelopes in the holder (again, made with my Big Shot and Envelope die) held surprise gifts for anyone who booked a workshop (three people booked workshops!). The workshop booking incentive gifts varied from a package of envelopes (for FREE) to $20 FREE merchandise to FREE stamps and MORE!
Here’s a close up of the Flip Flops
Here I am, giving Cathy her pair of flip flops. Everyone in my downline – also known as “The Serene Stampers” received their own pair of flip flops. The ladies loved them!
Them there would be Shallon’s tootsies, modeling her new flops!
My ‘Inspiration’ table – featuring samples of cards, scrapbook pages and gifts, as well as new product.
A couple of samples on the display board featured stamp sets that had retired and I hadn’t had time to replace them – still good for layout inspiration though. A few ladies inquired about the ‘snow’ card, with the ‘light’ coming through the trees. This was made using a brayer, and as requested, I will indeed hold a class. So stay tuned for that!
LOVE the new DSP (Designer Series Paper). LOVE the Definitely Decorative catty! LOVE the new Colors (especially the Marina Mist and Cherry Cobbler and Crumb Cake!) These colors are making me hungry…. LOL
Can you say “FUN?”
The gals checking it all out!
An early bird draw! Heather won a Craft Black Ink pad and yummy Cherry Lip Gloss -altered with the Cherry stamp from the “It’s the Thought” Hostess Set in the Summer Mini.
Have you ever stamped your napkins? Easy and stunning! As I had jars of hydrangeas from my yard on the tables, I stamped the napkins with the “Because I Care” stamp set (Level I hostess set in the new catty). I inked it up in the Marina Mist and Old Olive. The “Thank You” sentiment was stamped with the “Early Espresso” ink pad. Great new colors!
Dinner is served!
Shallon (in the purple) proceeds to dig in. Thank you sooooo much, Shallon, for not only driving 4 hours from Nova Scotia to attend but also for all your help! xoxoxo
For dinner I made my favorite kebab recipe, courtesy of Jamie Oliver (my cooking hero). These are Grilled Lamb Kebabs with Pistachios (I used beef for this event – though my hubby and I prefer the lamb) with Spicy Salad Wrap. DH and I are so hooked on these, I’ve been making them almost weekly! Also makes a nice salad, with the meat broken up on top. Click here for the recipe. Mega yum! I’d have to admit, I think I am hooked on Jamie Oliver as much as I am with Stampin’ Up! *wink*
I think it’s safe to say everyone enjoyed their meal.
Of course, I had to give away a few gifts while we ate!
Guess what we had for dessert? It’s the same each year and probably my most requested desert! Triple Chocolate Cupcakes with Butter-cream Frosting and a hint of mint. This year I went ‘wild’ and even added a marshmallow filling in the centers. To. Die. For. As I told the girls, there’s a reason I only make these twice a year (I also make them my community’s Winter Carnival) – LOTS of BUTTER and LOTS of straight-to-the-hips GOODNESS!
Sooo worth it!
Here’s some of the gifts I made for the giveaway prizes….
To make these post it note holders, I simply slide in some DSP (this particular one is retired) into an acrylic frame and rolled some DSP inside the pen. Topped off with a bit a ribbon. Cute, hey?
Another post it note holder, using the new ‘Newsprint’ DSP (LOVE IT!) and the Pun Fun set!
Some altered note books
Made with the “Because I Care” Hostess set and Big Shot
I cased this one from a card I saw on Splitcoaststampers. LOVE the new “Studio Sketches” stamps!!!
A chocolate bar ‘slider’!
Simply pull up the ribbon…
…and VOILA! Chocolate with cherries! Is life good or what?!
Little travel sewing kits that I altered
Pin cushions made on my Big Shot, using the Top Note die, with some ‘Sweet Pea’ flowers. I’m a total ‘newbie’ when it comes to sewing (as I’m sure you can tell) but these were so much FUN to make! And super quick to stitch up!
Pin cushions made with the ‘Scallop Square’ die. (Thank you, Cathy, for your quilting fabric scraps!!!)
Packaged up together and ready to be given away!
I also gave away a couple of punches and a package of assorted new In Colour card stock!
Time to get on with the Make and Take projects!
Denise, Beth and Michele
A M&T sample that I cased from SCS. So sweet! I LOVE the Elements of Style stamp set!!!
Cathy, Shelly and Kerri stampin’ their hearts out.
“Apple Blossom” Hostess Level Two set
Tammy, Shelley, Chrissy and Trish
A bookmark made with the “Occasional Quotes” Hostess Level Three set and the “Studio Sketches” stamp set.
Becky, Rhonda and Deb
Shelley and Cathy
I made a few of them….
This was the gift inside.
It’s an altered DOMINO made into a brooch!
I made a few of them. *wink*
Thanks to those of you who also booked workshops and signed up for this year’s Stamp Clubs! I am looking forward to lots of fun, creativity and good times!
HAPPY STAMPING!
PS – to view and/or order items used in the above photos, simply go to my online store by clicking here. More project ideas are on my Stampin’ Up! website.
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