Butterfly Basics and special GIVE AWAY!

Hi Friends! Whilst working on today’s post it occurred to me that my 15 year anniversary with Stampin’ Up! was around now. So I checked my reports and sure enough, this past Monday (April 10th) marked 15 years since I bought the starter kit and joined this amazing company. So much has changed since then! First of all, the starter kit was WAY more money than it is now (over $300!) but oh my gosh, I remember going through that kit like it was Christmas! I even have some of the old ink pads and odds and sods from that kit. I was lucky because not only did I sign up the night Stampin’ Up! arrived in Canada (with Shelli Gardner, Pam Morgan and Dale Hampshire all in attendance!) but I also won the door prize from the event! I went home with a Stampin’ Up! bag full of amazing goodies – I was on cloud nine.

Originally, I had wanted to run with the business opportunity – especially as SU was brand spankin’ new to Canada. However, my full time career with the airlines kept me too busy except for the occasional workshop. Fast forward from 2002 to 2010. I attended my first SU convention in Salt Lake City in July 2010 and what a game changer! I saw all those people walking across the stage for their achievements and I clearly remember thinking “I can do this! These ladies are no different than I am!” – I was so inspired. When I got home I decided to jump in with both feet and work my business full time. It was sink or swim and I was determined to swim! I signed up for training with my amazing business coach, Ronda Wade, and that first year I earned the Grand Vacation to Disney World! Over the next few years I continued to earn trips and amazing awards (including two Founder’s Circles Retreats) and the rest as they say, is history!

Earning vacations and Founder’s Circle Retreats was surreal – I had to keep pinching myself! Lots of hard work but so worth it – and none of this would have happened without my amazing customers and Serene Stampers group! This year I’m working towards the Cruise to Alaska! I’m halfway to earning it….fingers crossed!

Friends and members of my group who attended the 2013 Convention – I miss conventions in SLC!

Ronda and I at the awards ceremony for earning the Grand Vacation and Founders Circle Retreat

Friends and stampers at one of my annual Hostess Appreciation Dinners

I love what I do, I love sharing my passion for stamping, and I love Stampin’ Up! I’ve met amazing friends through both customers and my “Serene Stampers” team and my life has been continuously blessed through my business. And all because I bought the starter kit!


So, today I think we need to celebrate with a give away!  I’ve got an assortment of goodies which include a Tangerine Tango Ink Pad, Paper Pumpkin Pen, Project Life Celebrate Every Day Photopolymer Stamp Set, AND a package of Basic Rhinestones! For your chance to win, just leave a comment to this post telling me what you love most about Stampin’ Up! I’ll announce the winner on Friday, April 18th.

Let’s get to some stamping! Today’s card features the “Butterfly Basics”and “Gorgeous Grunge” stamp sets. It’s a simple card but elegant and pretty. I simply inked the flower stamp with Old Olive, Garden Green and Rose Red markers, lightly misted with water and voila! A sentiment and some gold splatters, a bit of ribbon and that’s it! This is also my card share for the project sheet demo group I belong to. Also, you may want to consider getting the “Gorgeous Grunge” stamp set if it’s been on your wish list, as it’s retiring! Ack! This is hands down my most used stamp set – so much so that I wore out the case from opening and closing it so much (fortunately SU sells empty cases!).

1. Fold Old Olive card stock in half to create 5 ½” x 4 ¼” card base.
   Adhere Whisper White and Basic Black layers to front of card.
2. Ink flower stamp from “Butterfly Basics” using Old Olive, Garden
   Green and Rose Red markers. Mist with water and stamp onto Crumb Cake card stock.
   
3. Scribble Old Olive and Rose Red markers onto a porous surface and
   pick up ink using Aqua Painter to fill in the leaves and the flowers. Let dry.
4. Use Black Memento ink to stamp sentiment.
5. Rub embossing buddy over crumb cake layer and stamp splatter image
   from Gorgeous Grunge set using versamark. Sprinkle gold embossing powder over,
   shaking off excess, and set with heat tool. Adhere to front of card
6. Add 1/8” Gold Ribbon to side of card, tying into a knot.

Product List

 If you haven’t had a chance to see what’s retiring from the current Stampin’ Up! catalogues, click HERE for all the information. Items are while supplies last and already products have sold out and are now discontinued! Keep in mind accessories are usually the first to sell out (as of today, the Heat and Stick Powder and Basic Pearls, select Designer Series Paper and LOTS of other items are SOLD OUT!).

Enjoy the day and HAPPY STAMPING!