Day of Gratitude Card

Isn't this card designed by Jennifer Timko exquisite?  As soon as I saw it, I wanted to offer it at my "Falling in Love With Fall" Camp Wannastamp.  This is why I love fall stamping so much!  The colors are rich and deep and you can just feel the fall season coming up!  The recipe is below.  If you'd like to order these products from me, you can visit my 24/7 online store at www.pennythomas.stampinup.net and click on "Shop Now."

Recipe:

Paper:  Early Espresso - 11 X 4-1/4; Early Espresso - 5-1/2 X 4-1/4 (I cut the embossed piece this size first, run it through the Square Lattice Embossing Folder, and THEN cut it to 5-1/4 X 4); Early Espresso - 4 X 4 (for the medallion); Very Vanilla scrap for the leaves; Very Vanilla - 3-1/2 X 1/2" (for the greeting); Very Vanilla - 5-1/4 X 4 (for the inside of the card)
Stamps:  Day of Gratitude; Sweet Essentials
Inks:  Early Espresso; Crumb Cake; Cajun Craze
Miscellaneous:  SNAIL Adhesive; Big Shot Machine; Square Lattice Embossing Folder; Paper Snips; Stampin' Dimensionals; Early Espresso button; Linen Thread - 3" long; Mini Glue Dots; Stamp-a-ma-jig

Little Leaves Sizzlits Card

For the Founder's Circle trip next month, I signed up to be part of a "party ready" card swap.  The guidelines are to pick a simple card with three layers that would be a quick and easy workshop card.  Below is the design that I came up with.  It's a quick and easy card to put together, but it's also elegant and "party ready."  I also offered this card at my "Falling in Love With Fall" Camp Wannastamp.  The recipe is below.  If you'd like to order these products from me, you can visit my 24/7 online store at www.pennythomas.stampinup.net and click on "Shop Now." 

Recipe:

Paper:  Very Vanilla - 11 X 4-1/4; 5-1/2 X 4-1/4 (I like to cut this piece to this size, run it through the Square Lattice Embossing Folder, and THEN cut it down to 5-1/4 X 4); 4-1/2 X 3-1/4; 2-1/2 X 2-1/2 (for the Little Leaves Sizzlits Die)
Stamps:  Apothecary Art
Inks:  Soft Suede
Miscellaneous:  Stampin' Dimensionals; Little Leaves Sizzlits Die; Big Shot Machine; Square Lattice Embossing Folder; Mini Glue Dots; Stamp-a-ma-jig; Pearl Jewels; Paper Snips

French Foliage and Summer Silhouettes Card

I saw a beautiful card that was designed by Layne Willison, but I didn't have the stamps she used, so I compromised and made her card with what I had available.  I loved the results!  I offered this card at my "Falling in Love With Fall" Camp Wannastamp.  The recipe is below.  If you would like to order these products from me, you can visit my 24/7 online store at www.pennythomas.stampinup.net and click on "Shop Now."

Recipe:

Paper:  Sahara Sand - 11 X 4-1/4; Very Vanilla - 2-1/2 X 2-12 (for the Labels Collection Framelits)
Stamps:  French Foliage; Summer Silhouettes; Day of Gratitude
Inks:  Early Espresso; Old Olive, Always Artichoke Marker
Miscellaneous:  Stamp-a-ma-jig; Vintage Trinkets; Mini Glue Dots; Craft and Rubber Scissors (to cut off the metal prongs on the Vintage Trinkets buttons); Labels Collection Framelits; Stampin' Dimensionals; Victoria Lace Trim - 3" long; Scissors

Spice Cake Fabric Paper Snips Holder

When we attended the convention this past summer, this is one of the projects they shared with us - a SUPER no-sew fabric project!  I am excited to use our fabric without sewing because me and my sewing machine don't have the greatest relationship!  Using the Spice Cake Designer Fabric with our new Brushed Bronze Designer Buttons makes a great combo for a fall project.  Wouldn't this idea be cute using our Candlelight Christmas Designer Fabric and putting candy canes in the pocket?  Or how about our Orchard Harvest Designer Fabric and putting pencils in the pocket for a great back-to-school teacher gift?  This project is super-easy, too!  It uses the Petal Cone Die and some Sticky Strip and you're done!  The recipe is below.  To order these great products from me, visit my 24/7 online store at www.pennythomas.stampinup.net and click on "Shop Now."

Recipe:

Paper:  Cardboard Template - 6-1/2 X 5-3/4 (this is the size of the Petal Cone Die)  I lay out my fabric, trace around the cardboard template, and cut out the squares
Stamps:  None
Inks:  None
Miscellaneous:  Spice Cake Designer Fabric; Big Shot Fabric Adhesive Roll; iron; Big Shot Machine; Petal Cone Die; Sticky Strip; Scissors; Brushed Bronze Designer Buttons; Linen Thread - 7" long; Crystal Effects (to glue the button to the pocket)

Stampin' Up! Convention 2012

Every July we converge on Salt Lake City, Utah, for the Stampin' Up! Annual Convention!  This year The TOPICS! had 13 members who attended - AND WE HAD A BLAST!  Below is a picture of some of us enjoying a meal together at Changs.  Starting from the left is Matt Bradshaw, Linda Bradshaw, Margaret Digby, Debbie Riches, Leslie Carmon, Pam D'Urso, me, Kirsteen Gill, and Tammy Davis.  I am so lucky to have an AMAZING downline - and they are good friends, too!

Below is a picture of Matt and Linda Bradshaw just returning from a tour of the Riverton Campus, the home offices of Stampin' Up!

Aren't these great-looking gals below?  I heard they had a wonderful time touring the Riverton Campus!  I'm sure the bus ride there and back was an absolute HOOT!  Starting way in the back is Amy Cato, Candice Marcella, Margaret Digby, Leslie Carmon, Kirsteen Gill, and Debbie Riches.  They must have all decided to wear red that day!

Below is Margaret Digby, checking in and getting her supplies for the week!  That great-looking bag was filled with stamping goodies and things we'd need for our week at the convention.  It was a perfect place to store all of our "stuff" in!  Margaret looks happy!

Below is Amy Cato, Candice Marcella, Debbie Riches, and Kirsteen Gill checking in to get their bags.

Below is Leslie Carmon and Pam D'Urso checking in for the convention!  Pam is my sister, can you tell?

Below is Lizette Lobpries, checking in to get her special convention bag, too!

Ahhh, my favorite people!  Below, starting from the left, is Kirsteen Gill, Leslie Carmon, Margaret Digby, Candice Marcella, Amy Cato, Matt Bradshaw, Linda Bradshaw, and me!  I think we were waiting in line to get into Memento Mall, our favorite place to shop during the convention!

Below is Sally Nusbaum and my sister, Pam D'Urso.  I believe they got a special pin for their recruiting efforts last year!  WAY TO GO!

Below is Kirsteen, proudly showing off her special recruiting pin!  WE'RE PROUD OF YOU, KIRSTEEN!

Here I am below so excited to learn that I earned Founder's Circle again!  I'll get to take a special trip to St. George, Utah, next month!  I LOVE THAT TRIP!  Couldn't have done it on my own - my fabulous customers and my amazing downline helped me earn that trip!  THANK YOU, EVERYBODY!

Here we are below in one of the general sessions of the convention!  There were so many of us, we took up two rows!  It was so much fun.  I can't wait for next year's convention - Stampin' Up!'s 25th anniversary convention!

Matt and Linda Bradshaw drew quite a bit of attention with their fabulous dancing!  I didn't know they were ballroom dancers!  They looked great swirling and twirling to the music!  It was so much fun to watch them - and everyone else enjoyed watching, too!

Below is my sister, Pam D'Urso, and Kirsteen Gill walking across the stage to be recognized for their leadership skills!  They had two or three promotions to Supervisor in their first-level downline!  WOO HOO!  YOU GALS ROCK!

Here is Margaret Digby, who just won a prize from Prize Patrol!  Oh, my gosh, look at that face!  Margaret is glowing and couldn't be happier!  I'm so glad she won a prize!

Below is Candice Marcella, walking across the stage as a new recruit!  Candice is a go-getter and is motivated, driven, and on fire!  I know we will see Candice on stage again and again!  MORE POWER TO YA', CANDICE!  The world is yours, my friend - GO GET IT!

Below is another shot of our group waiting for the General Session to start!  I'm already getting excited about next year's convention!  There's an energy unlike anything else when thousands of demonstrators are together!

Below is Debbie Riches, who just won a prize from Prize Patrol!  She looks extremely happy, doesn't she?  Prize Patrol has a way of doing that for you!

Here we all are jumping, cheering, and screaming!  Stampin' Up! gave EVERYBODY a free stamp set, the cute Ronald-McDonald set!  Free stamps always gets everybody celebrating! 

Below is Lizette Lobpries and Tammy Davis, deliriously happy!  They are on a "free stamp set" high!  I think they are glowing!

Here's the whole group after the convention was over!  We posed in front of the "I am" stage!  The convention theme was all about doing Stampin' Up! your way!

On the last night of the convention, I treated my group to dinner at Bucca di Beppo.  We got to sit in the Pope's Room - and here he is!  We had a wonderful evening together!  The food was delicious and the company was divine.  It was a great way to end the convention.

Thanks to all of my downline who attended the convention!  You made this year's trip extra-special.  I'm crazy about each one of you and I'm so appreciative of all you do!

July 2012 Top Picks Day

Twice a year I have a special event called "Top Picks Day" to recognize and celebrate the demonstrators in my downline who have achieved amazing things!  It has become my favorite event to do and I get so excited about spending this special day with them.  I provide a day of stamping where they don't have to plan a thing or cut a single shred of paper - and lunch is on me, too!  We have so much fun at this event and I love spending this special day with them!  Just wanted to share some pictures from this event.

Aren't the tables lovely?  Each demonstrator received her own special teacup and saucer to take home as a special memento for the day.

Each teacup had a teabag favor in it with a vintage heart!  This was my favorite teacup and saucer!  It was beautiful!

 

There were bird cages on the tables, which were so pretty!  Our lunch was served on china.  The tables were so nicely decorated and everything was perfect for a ladies' tea.

 

I decorated a bag for each demonstrator with her initials on it so she would have something to put all of her stamping projects in for the day.  Each bag contained a catalog and two Holiday Catalogs to pass out to prospective customers.  There was also a candy bar, some mints, and Cracker Jacks in each bag in case she needed a snack during the day!

 

Love the little clothespins that say, "You suit me to a tea."  That was perfect for my luncheon!

 

 This was the drink station.  We had flavored teas and raspberry lemonade with our lunch.

 

Flowers were placed in mint julep cups to add a beautiful vintage feel. 

 

These pink organdy bags were passed out during lunch to each demonstrator.  They contained some stamping goodies to thank each demonstrator for all of her hard work and dedication!

This is Margaret Digby trying to decide which dessert she'd like!  There were quite a few to choose from, but I think my favorite was the banana pudding pies!

Our ladies' tea menu was exceptional!  For appetizers, we had strawberry soup, served with a touch of whipped cream; toast points, served with homemade tomato chutney and cream cheese.  For lunch, we had Quiche Lorraine; artichoke cups; curry chicken salad; smoked salmon on flatbread, served with a dill sauce; cucumber finger sandwiches; and an assortment of fruits and cheeses.  For dessert, we had lemon and key lime tarts, tea cookies, and quite an assortment of other things that I can't recall now!   

Here's our group enjoying a wonderful lunch together!

 

 

Here are my wonderful caterers!  They are good friends of mine and Stampin' Up! customers, too!  They have officially launched their new catering business and we were their first official gig!  We were so impressed with the wonderful job they did for us.  The decorations were tasteful and elegant and the food was delicious - and service was with a smile!!!  If you would like to use them for one of your events, the name of their business is McClendon-Lane Catering and Events.  Their business phone number is 281-382-3545 and their business email address is mcclendon.lane@yahoo.com.

Here are the gals working on their stamping projects.  We made the stampin' sampler that is already posted on my blog, as well as all of the candy pieces and the cake piece that Elizabeth Hurst was so kind to show us how to make.  We also made several cards, so it was a full day of stamping and paper-crafting!

Before each demonstrator left, I gave her one of these little boxes with a hand-stamped note expressing my gratitude for all she does!  I love how these little boxes look with a vintage faceted button on the front! 

Inside each box was one perfect little petit four for her to enjoy later at home! 

I hope I made these gals feel special!  They all have my utmost respect and admiration and I loved celebrating them and recognizing them on this fun day!  They should be celebrated and recognized every day for all they do!

Sweet Essentials Elf Shoes Card

I just found my inner elf!  What BLING this little elf brings to the holidays with his shoes!  With his cute little stocking legs, I just want to eat him up!  This card was featured at my "Happy Birthday to You" Camp Wannastamp because I told the gals we'd celebrate a little Christmas in July as well!  A big thank-you to my friend France Martin, also known as Frenchie, for her wonderful tutorial on how to make these shoes!  The recipe is below.

Recipe:

Paper:  Cherry Cobbler - 8-1/2 X 5-1/2; Crumb Cake - 5-1/4 X 4; Gumball Green - 5-1/2 X 4-1/4 (for the Top Note Die to make the shoes!); Red Glimmer Paper - 1-1/4 X 3/4 (you'll  need two of these); Silver Glimmer Paper scrap; Be of Good Cheer Designer Series Paper - 3 X 5/8 (you'll need two of these); Crumb Cake - 5 X 1/2 - score at 1/2", 3/4", 4-1/4" and 4-1/2" to create the banner)
Stamps:  Sweet Essentials
Inks:  Gumball Green; Early Espresso; Cherry Cobbler
Miscellaneous:  SNAIL Adhesive; Stampin' Sponges; Big Shot Machine; Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder; Paper Snips; 1" Square Punch (to create the banner); Stamp-a-ma-jig; Stampin' Dimensionals; Top Note Die; Tabletop Paper Cutter; 1/2" Circle Punch; Mini Glue Dots; 1-1/4" Circle Punch

Polka Dot Parade Designer Series Paper Card

If it's got polka dots, I'm all over it!  Polka dots are one of my favorite things!  This card was featured at my "Happy Birthday to You" Camp Wannastamp.  I saw a design similar to this and just changed the Designer Series Paper and the greeting.  The recipe is below.

Recipe:

Paper:  Whisper White - 8-1/2 X 5-1/2; Whisper White - 4-5/8 X 3-3/8; Polka Dot Parade Designer Series Paper scraps; Whisper White scrap for the banner
Stamps:  Itty Bitty Banners
Inks:  Basic Black
Miscellaneous:  Stampin' Dimensionals; Big Shot; Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder; Corner Rounder; 1-1/4" Square Punch; Bitty Banners Framelits; Basic Rhinestone Jewels; Paper Snips