Making the Best of It

Needless to say, we were all very disappointed that the Syracuse Regional Conference was cancelled due to a winter storm.  Some of us had the idea that we would leave early and get to Syracuse before the storm hit so that we'd be prepared to get there easily the next morning.  Little did we know, Stampin' Up! staff couldn't get in due to flight cancellations, and the OnCenter wouldn't permit anyone into the building!  We're so hoping that Stampin' Up! will come back again–I hope we didn't scare you away for good!

If we had to be stranded in a hotel room, this was the room to be in!  We rented a suite at the Craftsmen Inn, and it was just wonderful.  Here's a picture of the comfy beds:

And our little living room with Aly relaxing a bit.  (This is before we knew that everything was cancelled — see how happy she looks!)

We had a banana split and cocktails party in the evening, and those who arrived early in the day joined us.  We put the ice cream outside to stay cold then headed across the street for dinner.  When we came back, there was a mound of snow on top of the ice cream, and Aly had to dig it out!

Courtney's keeping up with news from home:

We played some fun games, and Aly had prizes to give away.

I got a large size candy bar wrapped with beautiful designer paper from Kaleidoscope designer series paper and decorated with the Big Shot and Lattice die.

A received a cute coaster and address book set with ice cream cones on them, and this tag holding them together.  It's from the Summer Mini Catalog that's not even out yet!  Look forward to this darling stamp set which features building ice cream cones with 2-step stamping.

And here's what I returned home to!  I must say, though, I live in one of the most beautiful places on Earth!

Don't Forget!

• To sign up for our Spring Stamping Retreat Weekend! Click HERE for more details and to register!
  
• To sign up for the Spring Card Class!  Click HERE for more details and to register.
  
• To sign up for the Sweet Pea Scrapbooking Class!  Click HERE for more details and to register — only TWO days left!
  
• To sign up for the March Card Kit!  Click HERE for more details and to purchase!

Spring Retreat Weekend – Downloadable Brochure Fixed

Thank you to those who let me know that the link to download the PDF File for our Spring Retreat Weekend wasn't working. It's fixed now, and you are able to download a copy of the brochure with all the information, including a registration form, by clicking on this link:  http://alystamps.com/wp-content/uploads/Spring Retreat 2010 Brochure.pdf

There's been some confusion because this is the FIRST time this event has opened to CUSTOMERS!   For this LIMITED TIME we are opening it up to customers that are in a Customer/Demonstrator Relationship with members of the Heartfelt Stamper's Team. We won't be opening it to customers again in the foreseeable future, so take advantage of this event!

Priced at just $165 for Demos and $190 for Guests for ALL THREE DAYS (less for Saturday Only), including your overnight accommodations, non-stop entertainment, over THIRTY different stamping projects and massive gifts and giveaways;  this is a VERY affordable retreat that you won't want to miss! It's even affordable when you add in the price of a plane ticket! The retreat is coming up on April 16th – 18th, and the Registration Deadline is March 26th – less than one month away! So be sure to register today!

Hope you'll join us! For more details, be sure to print the above brochure.  Also visit the Classes/Events section of my blog and/or contact me at 585-554-4479 or krisshuels@gmail.com.

Last call for Syracuse NY Regional Seminar!

I've been very busy making 90 of the following card to take with me to the Syracuse Regional Seminar.  Just a reminder — tomorrow is the LAST day that Stampin' Up! is accepting registrations for this fabulous event right in our own back yard.  Want to join in the fun?  Check out all the details HERE and contact me right away!

I started my card with Bordering Blue card stock, stamped with the same color ink with the En Francais background stamp.  I felt like this was a decidedly Country French feel and this was just the perfect background stamp to use.  Do you recognize the main image?  You don't?  That's because it isn't available yet!  At Leadership Convention in January, everyone attending got the Elements of Style stamp set that will be featured in the next mini catalog coming out May 1st!  I thought it would be fun to use a stamp set that not too many people own.  There are such beautiful stamps in this set!  There's a hummingbird and a flourish, coupled with a "for you" stamp and one that reas "Life is a matter of moments," as well as this beautiful floral stamp.  I stamped it on Very Vanilla card stock with Basic Brown Ink, then used an Aqua Painter and Pretty in Pink, Always Artichoke, Bordering Blue and So Saffron Classic stamp pads to color them in.  I spritzed on a little color with an Always Artichoke Stampin' Write Marker and Spritzer Tool.  I tore the edge and added an additional torn edge layer of So Saffron card stock, then punched with the Horizontal Slot Punch, fed through a piece of Pretty in Pink Satin Ribbon and tied it off with some Linen Thread.  What was I thinking watercoloring 90 cards!

If you're attending the Friday session of the Regional Seminar in Syracuse and are reading this post, please stop by The Heartfelt Stampers tables and say hello!  It would be so much fun to meet a fellow blogger!

Oh, and be sure to contact me about joining us at the Regional Seminar — you just won't want to miss it!

THINGS YOU'LL NEED:
Item No. 118611 Elements of Style (available May 1st)
Item No. 109521 En Francais background stamp   $17.95
Item No. 105089 Horizontal Slot Punch   $5.95
Item No. 103954 Aqua Painter   $16.95
Item No. 117289 Pretty in Pink 5/8" Satin Ribbon   $8.95
Item No. 107066 Color Spritzer Tool   $12.95
Item No. 105113 Always Artichoke Stampin' Write Marker   $3.25

Let’s Sale-A-Brate! Class

Saturday, February 20th, 10AM to 1PM at 5225 Knapp Rd., Middlesex
                                  OR  6PM to 9PM at 67 Covington Rd., Rochester

The cost of this class is $15 and includes all of the supplies you'll need including adhesive and envelopes.

To Register for this Class Online, click below (please specify which time session in the "notes to sender" box or via e-mail):

Regional Seminar in Syracuse NY, Opening to Customers!

I want to let everyone know about a FABULOUS opportunity that is coming up!

Shown above is a picture of two Team Members at a past Regional Seminar we attended in Canada – they're busy mounting their FREE Stamp Set!

Stampin' Up! holds Regional Seminars across the United States & Canada at various times. They have NEVER been to New York State before — in 22 years!! For the first time ever, they are coming to Syracuse, NY!  AND YOU CAN JOIN US!

Regional Seminars open up to Demonstrators first, and usually sell out at this point, but space permitting they open up to customers. Well, tomorrow morning the Regional Seminar will be opening up to customers! This means that YOU will be able to join the experience!

A Regional Seminar is a fun-filled day of stamping, stamping and more stamping! There are projects that they prepare for us that we will make and go home with, and then there are tons of presentations showing fabulous techniques and ideas. I'm always amazed at what the Stampin' Up! Home Office comes up with–they're so creative!

The cost of the Regional Seminar is just $75 and includes, the "Vintage Vogue" stamp set from the Occasions Mini Catalog, all of your make and take supplies, lunch and a full day of inspiration. It is well worth every penny!

The Regional Seminar is on Friday February 26th from 9:00 am – 4:30 pm. Registration begins at 8:00 am.

So far, we are a group of about 16 attending.  Some of us will be leaving Thursday night and staying in a hotel; others will be driving down Friday morning, so there is an opportunity to carpool either way.

We would so love to have you join us! If you are interested in attending, let me know right away. Email me at krisshuels@gmail.com or call at 585.746.6978.  Once registration opens up tomorrow morning at 9AM, it will most likely sell out fast being opened up to such a huge group of people.

Hope you can join us!

Spring Retreat Weekend – Opening to Customers!

This year's Leadership Theme was "Share What You Love" — and in the spirit of this year's theme, we want to share what WE love (our spring retreat stamping weekend!) with all of YOU, our customers!!

Mark Your Calenders for April 16th – 18th!We've reserved the lodge pictured above on Canandaigua Lake for this weekend! The lodge sleeps 40 people on the upper level and holds over 100 stampers on the lower level, so there's plenty of room for YOU to join us!

Lodge Rates:

• The Customer cost is $75 for the full weekend Friday – Sunday, or $45 just for Saturday.
• Heartfelt Stamper's Team Members receive a special rate. Pre-Pay by January 25th for just $50 for the full weekend, Friday – Sunday, or $30 just for Saturday! After January 25th it's $60 for the full weekend Friday – Sunday or $35 just for Saturday. Become a Team Member & Save!

Supply Fee:
The Lodge Rate does not include the cost of the project supplies for the weekend; there is an additional fee that will be determined once we get closer to the date.

General Schedule:
Full schedule details will be released around March 1st, but for now here is a general idea so that you can plan accordingly, especially if you need to purchase plane tickets:

• Friday at Noon: Leadership Team will begin setting up for the event
• Friday at 2:00 pm: Doors Open
• Friday from 3:00 – 6:00 pm: Class #1
• Friday from 6:00 – 7:30 pm: Dinner and Welcome Special Activities, Free Giveaways and More!
• Friday from 7:30 – 10:30 pm: Class #2
• Friday from 10:30 – ???: Shoebox Swapping for Overnight Guests
  
• Saturday from 10:00 am – 1:00 pm: Class #3
• Saturday from 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm: Lunch/Break
• Saturday from 2:00 – 5:00 pm: Class #4
• Saturday from 5:00 – 7:00 pm: **SPECIAL  EVENING EVENT!!!!!**
• Saturday from 7:00 – 10:00 pm: Class #5
• Saturday from 10:00 – ???: Shoebox Swapping for Overnight Guests
  
• Sunday from 9:00 – 10:00 am: **SPECIAL  MORNING EVENT!!!!!!!**
• Sunday from 10:00 am – 1:00 pm: Class #6
• Sunday from 1:00 – 2:00 pm: Lunch and Closing Session
• Sunday from 2:00 – 3:00 pm: Tear Down and Check Out

WOW! Display Boards:
We're going to try a new element this year called WOW! Display Boards! Everyone who attends will have the opportunity to have their very own Display Board with their name printed on it to display their WOW! Creations! To have a WOW! Display Board, you will need to complete the following:

• 1 Scrapbook Page (any size)
  
• 5 Cards
• 2 3-D Items

You can create more than that (knock yourselves out!) but that is the minimum to have your very own Display Board.

All Display Board items must contain only Stampin' Up! product (with the exclusion of 3-D surfaces, stencil creme or other stencil products needed to use our stencils) and only Stampin' Up! product that is featured in the Main Idea Book & Catalog, the Occasions Mini Catalog or the Summer Mini Catalog.

Everyone who attends the retreat weekend will be voting on their 3 favorite display boards. The 3 winners are in store for some fabulous free product!!!!

I'm announcing this now so that you have lots of time to prepare!

If you are going to participate, I'll need to know ahead of time so that I can prepare a board for you.

Be sure to bring your camera!! You'll want to take lots of picture!

Hope You'll Join Us!

Become a Heartfelt Stamper!

Want to be a part of a fun group of women who love to stamp?   We would love to have you join us! Our Heartfelt Stamper's Team loves sharing what we love with as many people as we can!

Why join with the Heartfelt Stamper's?

• We're a group of women that are completely different from one another, but all share one common love – stamping! With our Team you get diversity that unites!
  
• Our Private Team Website gives you a network to chat and socialize virtually with others on the Team to share ideas, inspire and motivate one another!
  
• The Team Website also gives you access to any project or class file created! There's a huge archive with 100's of ideas so that you have lots of help and creative support.
  
• Participate in monthly get togethers where we "talk shop" and create with one another!
  
• Attend our annual Weekend Retreats at a lake front lodge — an entire weekend filled with stamping in your pajamas!
• I offer personal training and support to all of my Team Members — just tell me your needs and I'll be sure that they're met!

What Other Perks Are There?

• Receive FREE Shipping on your Starter Kit!
• Customize the Starter Kit to contain what YOU want it to!
  
• Enjoy 20% off all of your purchases with Stampin' Up!, with a one-time 30% discounted when you first join!
• Earn 20% – 40% on all Stampin' Up! Product that you sell to others.
• The ability to pre-order Stampin' Up! Products before they become available to the general public — one whole month in advance, and sometimes at an additional discount above and beyond your 20%!
• Earn FREE Stamp Sets through Stampin' Start and other Demonstrator Programs.
• Qualify for Cash Bonuses, Product Bonuses and Annual Incentive Trips.
• Earn FREE Hostess Sets and Merchandise.
• Receive an exclusive, monthly publication just for Demonstrators called "Stampin' Success".
• Access to the Demonstrator Website filled with resources.
  
• Access to "Stampin' Connection" — an online Social Networking Site JUST for Stampin' Up! Demonstrators to inspire each other creatively!
• The ability to attend Stampin' Up! Events like Regionals, Convention and Leadership!
  

Aren't Sure? What do you have to lose?!

• The minimum to stay active is just $300 retail ($240 your cost) a quarter – easily achievable with your own purchases and a few extra sales!
  
• There is no obligation to hold workshops – whether you choose to do so is completely up to you!
  
• There is no penalty if you drop – the Starter Kit is yours to keep at it's amazing value, and any purchases that you've made at your discount are still yours – you owe nothing!

What If I Join Now?

• On top of the "regular" perks, when you join now during Sale-A-Bration, you'll receive 15% off the Starter Kit! The Starter Kit is already a great value, usually priced at $199 for over $340 worth of product, but now it's just $169 — a total value of 50%!
• In addition to the 15% discount, you also get to select a free stamp set of your choice from anywhere in the catalog – up to a $47.95 value!
• There is a special "Digital" Starter Kit being offered right now, also discounted 15% for a total of $157! This kit contains "My Digital Studio" design software, in addition to stamp sets and other products, and also qualifies for a free stamp set!
• You may get to MEET Shelli Gardner, Co-Founder of Stampin' Up!,  in an intimate setting! That's right! Stampin' Up! is holding a "Workshop of a Lifetime" Challenge through January 31st Only. The Top 24 Recruiters in different categories will get Shelli for a day, and will be able to have her do a workshop for them and attend a Team Event — if I'm one of those top 24, that means that YOU will be able to attend!

Want "In"!?

I would love to talk with you more and help you get started! Contact me today at 585-554-4479 or krisshuels@gmail.com.

Leadership Conference 2010 — Phoenix, AZ

I had hoped to post while at the Stampin' Up! Leadership Conference, but it just didn't happen.  Then I took a few days' vacation to visit my sister who lives in nearby Fountain Hills, so I'm just arriving home!

In fine Stampin' Up! style, the Leadership Conference was amazingly well done.  I learned so much and had such a terrific time.  Here are some pictures of my most favorite memories.

We started the first day out by going to Memento Mall.  Stampin' Up! has logo merchandise for sale just for those who attend.  Here's Stampin' Up! flip flops–do you recognize the print as a designer paper from Pink Flamingo?

Next is a beautiful display of shopping bags with Stampin' Up! artwork.

Here's a 3/4 sleeve black cotton sweater with rosettes made from Stampin' Up!'s black 1-1/4" Striped Grosgrain Ribbon.  I just had to have this!

Stampin' Up! Decor Elements took center stage with this impressive "display"!

Here's Shelli Gardner, Co-Founder of Stampin' Up!, on Main Stage.  The stage was beautifully decorated by the home office with very large frames.  The theme was "Love What You Do" and I certainly do!

Lunches were amazing–here's Aly with yummy food!

We took an opportunity to get together with my third level upline, Missy Shipman, and some of the other members of the Glad Heart Stampers.

More another day!

The Heartfelt Stampers Team Christmas Party

Each year, our team of Stampin' Up! demonstrators get together for a fun gift exchange.  Honestly, I can't believe how creative our gals are!  The gifts just get more and more clever each year.  Here's the gift I brought to our Christmas party.  (And did you know that if you go to the Navigation Bar and in the dropdown box under "Gallery," click "3D," you can see a larger version of the project with more detail.  Each post I make to the main body of my blog also gets added into the Gallery.  You can also scroll down to see the supplies needed.)

This project was a lot of fun — that is, once I found the right type of pins.  I had purchased these small pins designed to be used with styrofoam, but they just weren't staying in.  So I purchased long dressmaker's straight pins and didn't have any problems from there on i n.  The base is a simple cone-shaped styrofoam piece.  I used Merry Moments Designer Series Paper (yes, I'm on my second package of this gorgeous paper!).   I covered the base at the top by punching out a piece of the paper with a 1-3/4" Circle Punch and adhering it in place with Crystal Effects.  Then I began layering on paper strips that were cut at 3/4" x 5".  Then I simply curled them with the Bone Folder on one end and stuck them on the styrofoam with a pin.  I found that working from the bottom up worked the best. 

I created the top of the tree by using my Big Shot and the Stars #2 Originals Die, along with Fine Galaxy Red Stampin' Glitter and Sticky Pages.  (The glitter comes in a package of 5 different colors, and I had the red because I had bought the silver for THIS CARD CLASS.)  So here's how to assemble the star:  Cut two squares of Long Board Chipboard out that will cover the largest star on the Stars #2 die.  Then cut two pieces of Sticky Pages and adhere them to the chipboard.  Run the chipboard through the Big Shot and voila – your Sticky Pages is adhered to the star and is the perrrrrrfect size!  Then just peal off the orange protective coating and sprinkle on the red glitter.  The glitter won't flake off because the Sticky Pages is, well, so sticky!  I made two stars then used the Crystal Effects to adhere one to each side of a lollipop stick.  (Man, that Crystal Effects is a strong adhesive!)

And you know with stampers, the packaging is almost as important as the gift inside!  I purchased a large, plain green gift bag, then drew and cut out mittens, adorning them with a red snowflake punched out from the Snowflake Punch with a Clear Rhinestone Brad in the center.  I tied them together with some 5/8" Real Red Grosgrain Ribbon, then tied the bag closed with a piece of every red or white ribbon that Stampin' Up! carries!

Our Heartfelt Stampers Team Executive, Aly Schilling, was honored with a gift certificate to a local spa for all of her support and training throughout the year.  Here's the special box I made for her present:

I made the box from 12"x12" Night of Navy card stock and used VersaMark and Irridescent Ice, along with the Serene Snowflakes stamp set, to decorate it.  The tag was cut from the Big Shot and the Two Tags Bigz Die and also decorated with the same stamp set, in addition to a greeting from A Cardinal Christmas.  it's finished off with some white Organza Ribbon and Silver Cord.

Here's a close-up.  I notched the ends of the box using a 1" Circle Punch so it would make it easier for Aly to open her box.

Enough photos for one evening — check back for photos of some of the other gifts!

Join Us For Christmas Bonanza

Event Details:
Join other Stampers from all around Central New York to put on the Holiday Music, bring out the Christmas Cookies and get in the spirit of the Season as we stamp the day away! You’ll go home with all sorts of completed projects including: Christmas Tags, Holiday Home Décor, Christmas Cards, Treat Containers and more! Keep your handmade items for yourself, or give them away as Christmas Gifts to someone special!

Registration Information:
All Registration Forms and Payments MUST be received by October 31st in order to attend! Because of the large quantity of products that have to be ordered and prepared, no exceptions to this deadline will be able to be made. However, while the Registration Deadline is October, our space is limited to 40 participants. With 8 Demonstrators working this event, we’re likely to hit that number quickly! If we reach 40 before October 31st, then Registration will CLOSE before the October 31st deadline. Registration is 1st come, 1st served, so to ensure that you receive a spot, Register Today!!!

Event Fee:
The cost of this event is $49 and non-refundable after October 31st (before October 31st you will have the opportunity to take either a cash or product refund). After the October 31st deadline if you’re unable to attend, you can pass your spot on to a friend and/or receive all of the project supplies that were given out that day to use on your own. There will be a lunch break during the day for you to either eat a lunch that you’ve brought with you. Or, you can have a yummy lunch delivered for you from Panera’s for just $9.06.

The Event Includes:
There are eight Demonstrators working to make this event a success. So you’re sure to have plenty of guidance and instruction as you complete your projects! Your registration fee also includes Christmas Cookies, Hot Apple Cider and Hot Chocolate served throughout the day. The Stampin’ Up! Products featured on the next page will be given to you the day of the event. You’ll use some of these items to complete your projects during the event, but whatever is leftover at the end of the day is yours to go home with and use on your own!!

Event Products:

The total value you’re getting in products is $36.67!!

In addition to the above products that you see, you will also receive all of the other supplies that are needed to complete your projects such as cardstock, ribbon, brads, etc. You’ll also have the use of our punches, stamp sets and inkpads! This is a terrific way for you to make a variety of Christmas Projects at very little cost to you!!!

Please Note: You will need to bring your own Stampin’ Up! SNAIL Adhesive. If you do not have any, you can order one on your Registration Form and we will have it for you the day of the event.

Project Sneak Peeks:

Here is just a small sneak peek at some of the projects we will complete during this event. But we can’t show everything here – that’s just for attendees!

Registration Form and Online Registration:

Please Keep in Mind: While the Registration Deadline is October 31st, there is a limited amount of space. The maximum number of Stampers that we can accommodate is 40. Registration is available 1st come, 1st served. If we reach 40 before October 31st, then Registration will CLOSE before this date. To ensure that you receive a spot, Register Today!!!

To Register by mail, print and mail in the below form to: 67 Covington Rd, Rochester NY 14617. Registration Form & Payment must be received by October 31st.

To Register online, simply click the appropriate button below and you will be able to pay online using your Credit/Debit Card, Bank Account or PayPal Account.

To Register for Event Only ($49) Click Here:
  

To Register for the Event with Lunch ($58.06), click below.
Please include your lunch choice in the "Instructions to Merchant" space.