Here are some of the treats that everyone who attended received.  Everything was in keeping with the circus theme.

This was a little note card that accompanied a cookie made from Stampin' Up!'s new Sweet Pressed Cookie Stamps – it was packaged in a cello bag with a pretty red bow on top, but I ate it!  Am I terrible?  I didn't even wait to snap a photo!

Here is our second pillow gift.  Notice the darling tag made from Under The Big Top stamp set.  And look at that gorgeous Red Glimmer Paper punched out for the bar bells!  It also uses a Mini Clothespin to keep the bag shut.  And inside was some ruffled ribbon.

I showed you a picture before of our amazing popcorn popper – well, here are the containers we used to dish it up!  The popcorn motif was created from the Cupcake Builder Punch, as well as a punch from Itty Bitty Punch Pack.  So clever!

And here's the card I received for my sales for the month of September.  Love this idea of creating a circus tent!  It's made by punching lots of card stock pieces from the Word Window Punch and another image from the Under the Big Top stamp set.

I bet you're wondering how YOU can join us for our next retreat!  There couldn't be a better time than right now! 

GET A FREE BIG SHOT OR $100 IN FREE PRODUCTS as a BONUS with the Stampin' Up! Starter Kit.  October only!  The $175 Starter Kit and Product Bonus are valued at $440 and shipping is FREE! That's a 60% savings!  Check out the details HERE!

AND be sure to call in to our conference call to find out all about purchasing the starter kit – call-in information is HERE.

Stampin Up! has added more items to the in the Clearance Rack, including some holiday products! Be sure to check out all the great deals.  You'll find high-quality, discontinued Stampin' Up! products priced at over 60% off!  If I were you, I'd grab some gorgeous Autumn Spice Specialty Designer Series Paper for your Fall crafting needs, and the Bitty Bat Punch, Haunting stamp and Spooky Night Rub-Ons are perfect for Halloween!  There are Candy Cane and Merry & Bright Rub-Ons and two 8"x8" scrapbook albums for Christmas.  I'd also recommend snagging all of the available ribbons – love the 1-1/4" striped ribbons and they're available in wonderful colors for the holidays.  And the Melon Mambo Polka Dot is a fun choice!  Here's what's available:

Click HERE to go to the Clearance Rack and start shopping!  Be sure to click "Show All" to get the full listing!  You can add regularly priced items to your Clearance Rack shopping cart as well!

Here's a fun project using Stampin' Up!'s new fabric line called Flirtatious Designer Fabric.  It isn't my own idea – I got it from Convention this past July – but I made it my own by adding some piping around the edges to bring in the third color of fabric.  The Stampin' Up! version used just 2 of the 3 fabrics and was less sewing – you can just put the pieces together using the Fabric Adhesive Roll and use pinking shears on the edges rather than the trim.  This case is designed to hold the two sets of In Color Markers each year, for a total of 10 markers.  You could also use it for a travel case for make-up brushes or change the size a bit and use it for children's crayons.

Here's a picture of the case as it's rolled up and tied closed.  The 1/2" Scallop Dots Ribbon in Melon Mambo coordinates perfectly.

Everyone likes a little competition, right?  So I'm giving this fun marker case to the first person on my Stampin' Up! Team of From the Heart Stampers who signs up a new member!  Won't that be fun!

THINGS YOU'LL NEED:
Item No. 122335 Flirtatious Designer Fabric $9.95
Item No. 122985 Melon Mambo 1/2" Scallop Dots Ribbon $7.95
Item No. 122194 Big Shot Fabric Adhesive Roll $14.95
Item No. 123002 2011-13 In Color Assorted Stampin' Write Markers $14.95
Item No. 119801 2010-12 In Color Assorted Stampin' Write Markers $14.95

Click HERE to find out why you'd love to be on my team – hobby or business demonstrators welcome equally!

Here's a peek at our card projects:

My color scheme came from the beautiful designer paper in the Occasions Mini Catalog called Shades of Spring.  It's Pretty in Pink, Certainly Celery and So Saffron.  The stamped images are from Elements of Style, a new stamp set that will be available on May 1st, from the Summer Mini Catalog.  Click HERE,  HERE and HERE to see other samples made with this great new set. I used Stampin' Write Markers to color the flower and filigree image directly on the rubber, and the hummingbird is cut out and adhered with Dimensionals.  I used some Certainly Celery 5/8" Satin Ribbon behind the flower. 

The flower is made by cutting out Shades of Spring Designer Series Paper using the following:

• 1 flower from the smallest flower on the Flower Folds Die for the Big Shot
• 1 flower from the XL Fancy Flowers Punch
• 6 flowers from the Scallop Circle Punch

Just crumple each flower up, then smooth out and stack them in the order above.  Using a Paper Piercing Tool and Mat Pack, pierce a hole through all 8 layers, then add a brad through the center.  Work the petals of the flowers back to achieve the desired look.

THINGS YOU'LL NEED:
Item No. 117160 Shades of Spring Designer Series Paper $9.95
Item No. 118611 Elements of Style stamp set wood mount $27.95 or clear mount $19.95
Item No. 117288 Certainly Celery 5/8" Satin Ribbon $8.95
Item No. 115970 Flower Folds Bigz XL Die $42.95
Item No. 109043 Scallop Circle Punch $15.95
Item No. 118073 XL Fancy Flower Punch $15.95
Item No. 116631 Paper-Piercing Tool $3.50
Item No. 105826 Mat Pack $9.95

EXCLUSIVE Coupon:

EXCLUSIVE Card Sample:

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Don't Forget!

• To take advantage of Sale-A-Bration by making a $50 purchase and receiving a FREE product!  Click HERE for more details.  This promotion ends March 31st!
  
• To join the Stampin' Up! family and save 15% off the Starter Kit, plus take an additional free stamp set valued at up to $47.95!  Click HERE for more details, or email me at krisshuels@gmail.com!  This promotion ends March 31st! 
• To sign up for the Spring Song Scrapbooking class. Click HERE for more details and to register.  Registration ends April 1st!

Missy used the designer paper and stamp set contained in the Lovely Flowers Bundle, a Level 3 Hostess-Exclusive set and free with a workshop total of $500 or more.  It's a fabulous color scheme with Rich Razzleberry, Crushed Curry, Melon Mambo and Old Olive.  This card is all about using the Big Shot die cut machine to add quick and easy pizzazz to all of your cards.  The oval is cut with the Ovals Originals Die and the Big Shot, and the Melon Mambo scalloped circle is cut with the Scallop Circle #2 Bigz Die and the Big Shot.  She did some fabulous dry embossing with the Perfect Polka Dot Textured Impressions Folder and, you guessed it, the Big Shot!  She scalloped the edge of the Crushed Curry card stock with the Scallop Edge Punch and added some beautiful Old Olive 5/8" Satin Ribbon. 

To order your very own Big Shot and dies, click HERE 24/7 and click "Shop Now".  There are just 2 short weeks left of the Sale-A-Bration promotion.  With ever $50 you spend, receive a FREE product from the Sale-A-Bration brochure!  That means with the purchase of the Big Shot die cut machine, you can earn TWO free products this month only!  Click HERE for more details on Sale-A-Bration, and get your order placed today!

Don't Forget!

To sign up for our Spring Stamping Retreat Weekend! Click HERE for more details and to register!

In January we met to work on some fabric ideas using the Big Shot and the Scallop Square Die.  You can view a couple of the bags that were made HERE.  Pam Kane brought along her version of the rag purse — she turned it into a supply tote by making a bag that would accommodate a photo box.  How cool is that!

Phyl Lyons also shared a project she's been working on.  It's a very cute note pad holder and matching pen.  Wish I could have taken Phyl's class and made this myself! 

Missy Shipman, my "upline's upline" sent some fun things our way!  Here's a beautiful felt pin she made each of us in attendance using the Big Shot:

She also sent me a beautiful hand-stamped card with matching envelope for being in her top 10 Sales Achievers!  It's using Vintage Vogue stamp set from the Occasions Mini Catalog.  Missy's card is so gorgeous, and it's a reminder to do some stamping on the envelope as well.

I was also recognized by my upline, Aly Schilling, for top sales achiever in her group, as well as recruiting a new team member.  Aly began making these darling Sweet Treat prizes for us!  I was lucky enough to earn four of them!

And here's the card I received from Aly as well.  February was a great month for me — thank you to all my wonderful customers for your support!

We also did some swapping, but I'll save those cards for later! 

Would you like to come to our next Team Time?  Contact me to find out how to become a part of a very active group of Stampin' Up! demonstrators and join in the fun!

Anyone who hosts a workshop totaling $350 or more during the month of April will receive a FREE Stamp Set called "Awash with Flowers" valued at $39.99 in addition to the rest of the hostess benefits! You can receive this two-step stamp set in either wood mount or clear mount.  Here's a sneak peek at this fantastic stamp set:

Check out the fabulous samples made with this stamp set — aren't they gorgeous and so perfect for Spring!

Also, April is also the LAST MONTH to make any of the cards featured in this U Pick 2 Menu!  I also have some dates still available for March.  But in May, a brand new selection will be released. So if you want to schedule a time for you and your friends to make two of the eight cards featured in the Menu, contact me right away!

View all eight of the U Pick 2 Menu selections HERE or go to "U Pick 2" in the navigation bar below the banner.

What is a "U Pick 2 Private Stamping Class?  Simply set a date and time to have me come to your home. Invite your friends & family, and I provide the rest.  For each Private Stamping Class that you host, U Pick 2 of the cards from the current Menu, and you and your guests will complete them FREE of charge! My Stamping Studio is also available for you to hold your U Pick 2 Class in if you prefer. An extra perk? As a U Pick 2 Hostess, you'll receive all Hostess Benefits!

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 March Card Kit!  Click HERE for more details and to purchase!