Holle Wiktorek

SALE A BRATION 2012: Elementary Elegance

Stampin' Up! Sale-A-Bration has arrived!  WHEN is your party?? Imagine the FUN you will have the money you will SAVE when you create cards and gifts.  No time??? Workshop mini projects are so easy to reproduce; you can make them in the carpool line, while watching TV, or waiting in the doctor's office.  

This project was shared during Leadership Conference, and it is a great example of a workshop card.  Friends will use paper, punches, stamps, cardstock, and ribbon to create a classic card to share with friends.

The FREE stamp sets earned by shoppers and hostesses fit all occasions! When I first saw the Elementary Elegance stamp images, I immediately thought of monograms and personalization. 

Although this project wouldn't fit into the simple category--too many layers and products to create---it was still fun!  This project is also an example of the special treats hostesses earn from me when they invite friends and schedule a stamp party!

This valentine tag was created with the Designer Series Paper chipboard piece as the first layer.  I cut and embossed the tag using the Big Shot, Finial Press embossing folder, and Two Tags Bigz die.  Other supplies include: Red Glimmer paper, Heart Framelits, Organza Ribbon, Curly Label punch, Lovely Letters alphabet stamp set, 1" square punch, Cherry Cobbler Dazzling Details, and Real Red cardstock and ink.

San Antonio...Leadership Make N Take Time

Jaws dropped when demonstrators saw the LARGE amount of make n take projects and samples.  WOW!

This event was scheduled the day before we would gather for the opening General Session.  I sat with Angela and some new Canadian friends; and I admit to watching and talking rather than creating. Surprised?

Thanks to my hostess, Bobbie, for being  a make n take helped because she shared all the supplies needed to complete a stamp session at her kitchen table with friends.

Sale-A-Bration has FINALLY arrived!  NOW is your chance to earn FREE products from the exclusive Sale-A-Bration catalog.  Gather your friends for a stamp session and FREE products for every $50 product order (before tax/shipping).

San Antonio...Leadership Lucky Ladies

Before we even opened the doors to the Convention Center; I already enjoyed the gifts of my mother watching Hayden, an incredible roommate, and a welcoming hostess to begin Leadership Fun Week.

Stampin' Up! welcomed demonstrators with a make n take logo bag, filled with project kits.  We would soon learn our exclusive fabric bag would match perfectly with the make n take table gift--a coordinating fabric trifold wallet. 

Prize Patrols, clothesline inspiration projects, exclusive announcements, and You Crew teams created fun, freebies, and fond memories.

San Antonio...Leadership Fabric Bag

Stampin' Up! Convention and Leadership always begin with "Bag Pick Up."  The bag usually includes the Make N Take packet; last minute instructions; an exclusive ink pen with the event logo; event button; and other small surprises.  A fabric bag was this year's focus; and it features FOUR different styles to fit the "My Way" theme.

Although I do not own a sewing machine, I greatly appreciate the time and talent of a seamstress.  Attempting such a project would not make it to my "To Do" list--so this was a Wonderful Wow to start my week!!! Thanks to Stampin' Up!

If you would like to create one of these beautiful bags, I will see if the pattern is available.

The layout was created with My Digital Studio program--it is a MUST HAVE!!! I love it, and you will see why very soon!

Stampin' in San Antonio...

What an AMAZING week!!!! From beginning to end, the week flowed fabulously.  I could not have asked for better chauffeurs, tour guides, hostesses, creative coaches, or roommate. 

Once the school bus arrived on Tuesday morning, I bid farewell to Hayden.  He would spend an entire week with his "Honey" (my mother).  Three out of his four school days were "green" (great behavior).  He completed homework, passed an Accellerated Reading test, completed chores, and played well with friends. WOW!!!

Before my flight, Mama surprised me with butter cookies from Nashville's Sweet & Sassy Bakery (my absolute favorite!)  Security was fast and smooth; and I enjoyed lunch before boarding the plane to Texas.  I was also fortunate to have empty seat space on my first flight.  Considerate, friendly seatmates were welcomed on the final leg of my trip.

In San Antonio, my bestest friend, Angela, was waiting with a HUGE HUG! I have missed her more than I imagined; and we would have an entire week together!  My luggage arrived quickly; and we were given an upgrade on the rental car.  The weather was wonderful; and I enjoyed the city tour and local life stories.  We enjoyed dinner at Angela's FAVORITE restaurant in the WORLD----Taco Cabana!  Service was great, and we were given a FREE order of sweetness! Sopapillas with Honey and Dulce de Leche. YUMMY!!!

I will admit my I-10 adventures this week were not the most enjoyable.  However, I am grateful to Bobbie for driving and sharing her home with us last week.  I used to think Colorado and Tennessee traffic and rush hour were horrid.  After a small taste of San Antonio's inner and outer "clock" transportation system, I am grateful for my short, less stressful, wait times.

We visited a fellow stamper, Delores; and she invited us on a tour of her stamp space.  Her detached studio featured natural lighting, controlled climate, and clever organization systems.  Meeting her was a pleasure; and I will cherish our prayer time that evening.

I promise to share the rest of my week---Stampin' Up! events are ALWAYS a wonderful investment of my time and money.  New friends, laughter, kindness, surprises, and more are ALWAYS a part of the event.  I left San Antonio with sadness to realize time had ended so quickly; but Hayden's excitement to see me cured my heartache fast as I returned to reality.

Sale-A-Bration 2012: Fresh Vintage,Everyday Enchantment

Everyday Enchantment is such a fun name for the FREE playful designer series paper pack in the Sale-A-Bration brochure.

I colored the Fresh Vintage stamp set with Poppy Parade, Lucky Limeade, and Pool Party Stampin' Write markers before stamping on a pre-cut heart from the Big Shot Framelits collection.

My mind is full of decisions and choices non-stop.  Thanks to Stampin' Up!, my color and product choices coordinate to create stress-free stamp time.  Schedule a Sale-A-Bration workshop with me, and I will create kits and projects for you and your friends to play with these fun products!

FREE, FREE, FREE...

Like the word four-letter-word, 

FREE? 

Your choice of a FREE product from the Sale-A-Bration mini catlaog awaits on January 24. 

You may also submit your order early, so I may submit it the moment the special promotion begins. 

A handmade treat will be given to the first 10 people who place a FREE Sale-A-Bration order form. (this offer does not include online orders)  Email or call me to place your order ASAP.

BIG SHOT BONUS: FRAMELITS

The Stampin' Up! Mini Occasions Catalog offers many fun products for the Big Shot.  My favorite (this week) are the Framelits sets.  I created this fun card to swap  at Leadership Conference. Notice the many FREE Sale-A-Bration products I used to design the card (Everyday Enchantment Designer Series Paper, Everyday Enchantment Ribbon & Brad Pack, Fresh Vintage stamp set).

Stampin' Up! offers videos, project samples, and tutorials on the many wonderful ways to make the most of their products.

I hope you will join me in adding the Framelits dies to your Big Shot die collection.  I will share more storage tips, design ideas, and many ways to LOVE this great new product!!

THANKS A MILLION with Blushing Bride

Time to myself feels SO GOOD.  I have made time to learn and energize this week, and I can thank Stampin' Up! for the treat of Leadership Conference.

I shared this card during the Ft. Campbell Family Readiness Thank You Card Class last week.  Participants were given a choice between two similar designs, and the polka dots were my favorite.

While military mothers created cards, the children played games and enjoyed crafts. I was impressed by their talent, creativity, and appreciation; and I look forward to hosting workshops for some of the ladies soon.  Sale-A-Bration is a great time to enjoy FREE products!

SUPPLIES:

Stamp Sets:  Word Play or  Just Thank You

Cardstock:  Sahara Sand, Whisper White,  Blushing Bride 

Ink: Soft Suede

Designer Series Paper:   2010-2012 In Color Paper Stack   (includes 40 sheets, 4 each of 2 double-sided designs in 5 colors)

Paper Punches:  XL Decorative Label Paper Punch,   2 ½” Circle Paper Punch

Big Shot:  Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine, Labels Collection Framelits Die Set, Square Lattice Embossing Folder, Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder

Other:  Basic Rhinestones

  

Friday the 13th--Good Luck for Kids! NO SCHOOL!

As you may have guessed by now, schools were closed on Friday the 13th.  I waited until Saturday to report because we have been busy with snow play, cleaning, and errands.

The school system called the house, at 5AM, to report closure. I promised to wake Hayden the moment I heard the news. He was wide awake with excitement and ran to my bedroom for his promised "breakfast in bed" with TV time. 

We faded in and out of rest before the doorbell rang for snow play with neighbors. I looked forward to learning actually HOW fun the white dust could be.  My only idea was to suggest we create messages in the snow.  Hayden's stick was too thin, so we used bootprints.

After a few minutes of cold play, I insisted we dress better for the temperature and get some actual use from our Colorado snow clothes.  Quickly, I remembered Hayden has outgrown most everything. I was prepared with a hat, gloves, warm socks, scarf, and coat.  No weather resistent snow pants this year--oh well.

I am also happy to report I found time to stamp and play with new products from the Occasions Mini Catalog and Sale-A-Bration brochure.  While I attend Stampin' Up! Leadership Conference, I will schedule posts of project inspiration to persuade you to use your craft supplies this week.