#OnStage2017 – Highlights Reel

Posted on November 17, 2017 by Linda Tolson Yarbrough

I am trying to recover from my trip to Salt Lake City last weekend followed by one of my infusions earlier this week. I guess I should have started endurance training a month or so before my trip since all that walking and excitement has certainly taken its toll.

If you blinked between 3:00 PM and 3:15 PM (CT) today and was not on your computer or mobile device refreshing your screen waiting for the Stamparatus reservation period to begin, you missed your chance to reserve one for yourself. I am happy to say I was one of the lucky stamping enthusiasts to successfully get a reservation confirmed before the limit was reached. If you wanted to get on the list, don’t fret – there are two more reservation periods coming soon so you have the opportunity to reserve one before they are offered in the 2018-2019 Annual Catalog.

Today was exciting over on the Stampin’ Up! website for another reason. Today is the day the videos from OnStage were posted online (for demonstrators only) for those who were not able to attend in person. There is also a highlights reel which I can share with you – this will give you some idea of how much fun it is to attend these events.

My delivery of my Product Purchase Premier items are scheduled to be delivered by Mr. Brown tomorrow. Hopefully they will inspire me to get crafty and share with you. If not, I will at least try to take photos of the cards I received from my group’s swap!

Thank you for stopping by. Until next time, stamp on my friends.

Linda

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Get Ready, It’s Coming — The Stamparatus!

Posted on November 14, 2017 by Linda Tolson Yarbrough

Say what? Is that some kind of dinosaur? No, it is a new tool from Stampin’ Up! that will change how you stamp in a way you could never have imagined!

Just what is the Stamparatus? It is a stamp placement tool developed in partnership with demonstrators who were part of the Leader 2 Leader team.

What does it do? Why do YOU need one?

You’ll fall in love with stamping all over again when you learn everything you can do with it:

  • Make multiples with ease
  • Consistently stamp crisp, clean images
  • If you want a darker impression, apply more ink and restamp—no need to start over
  • Make fewer mistakes, saving time and money
  • Easily create 2-step, 3-step, and 4-step stamped images using reversible plates
  • Develop new and specialized stamping techniques with adjustable stamping plates and precision placement

Still not convinced you need one of these babies? Check out this video which shows this tool in action. I guarantee you that your jaw will drop when you see what you can do with this dual plate beauty (a new stamping phrase “hinge Stamping” will soon be part of your stamping vocabulary).

With the launch of this tool, we’re trying something different: testing a new reservation system. It acts like a true preorder: you reserve your spot and we guarantee shipment as soon as the product arrives in our warehouse. This system will allow us to get the product to market as soon as possible while avoiding backorders and efficiently managing inventory.

The global launch will feature three reservation windows.

For each window, please note the following:

  • Reservation quantities are while supplies last.
  • Limit is 3 tools per demonstrator and 1 tool per customer per reservation window.
  • You may participate in multiple reservation windows.
  • In order to reserve your Stamparatus, you are required to provide your credit card information.
  • Credit cards will not be charged until the Stamparatus ships from our facility. When you close your order, be sure to verify that your credit card and shipping information is correct.

Click here for a short tutorial sheet on reserving your copy.

Thank you for stopping by today. I will be receiving one of my IGA infusions today (I was scheduled to have one while I was in SLC at OnStage, but first things first!) but I expect to share the swaps I received as well as a make & take or two later today. Until next time, stamp on my friends.

Linda

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#OnStage2017 – Day 3 – It’s a Wrap!

Posted on November 11, 2017 by Linda Tolson Yarbrough

Today’s General Session began with recognition of the over 600 in attendance of the over 4,000 demonstrators who were recognized for their accomplishments is Sales, Recruiting and Leadership. Each achiever got the opportunity to walk the stage and introduce themselves. We had a member of our tree walk the stage this year for Recruiting – YAY Karen!

We were treated to more stamping demonstrations and project ideas on the Main Stage and between these moments of wonder we recognized Career Sales Milestone awards starting at $100,000 all the way up to $1,800,000; 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 years Anniversaries; and the Top 100 Global Demonstrators. (I will mark my 10 year Anniversary in 2 years, but have a long way to go before I reach any of those other milestones! But I will never say NEVER.)

Our last presentation of the day was a stamping demonstration by mother and daughter duo, Shelli Gardner and Sara Douglass. These two ladies are amazing on their own, but when they are on the stage together it’s magical. They are also hilarious when they are on the stage together and at times I was laughing so hard I cried. They each showed us three projects they both made using the same product suite from the Occasions Catalog. Their banter during the presentation was unscripted and would have made an excellent comedy sketch.

Just before saying goodbye until next time, we were treated to an ALL ATTENDEE GIVE AWAY which was another fabulous stamp set that will be available in the Occasions Catalog, a highlights video of the week’s activities and announcements of the next OnStage Local venues for April 2018. I will share all of this with you just as soon as permissible.

Tomorrow I will fly home to be reunited with my adoring husband and our five fur babies. I hear from a very reliable source that they have all missed me very much. My husband sent me a few photos this evening to remind me of what I have waiting for me when I get home. My dogs were so distraught over my absence he ended up pushing the couch over next to his recliner so our “little” baby Ella could lay her head in his lap (second photo). The things we do for our fur babies! I have to admit I miss them all terribly as well and can’t wait to get home.

(L to R: Ella, Abby, Rosie.)

(Ella is laying where I usually sit. She sits next to me and will lean on me and rests her head in my lap. She has been whining since I left on Thursday.)

Love it Live it Share it – the theme for #OnStage2017. I look forward to continuing to share my love of Stampin’ Up! with you.

Thank you for stopping by. Until next time, stamp on my friends!

Linda

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#OnStage2017 – Day 2

Posted on November 11, 2017 by Linda Tolson Yarbrough

Yesterday’s agenda had me bustling from one end of the Salt Palace to the other as I followed my “track” to attend my SIX Product Classes! Oh my – the upcoming product suites in the Occasions Catalog (which will be available to customers in early January 2018) are amazing to put it mildly! After all that walking I had zero energy to put two thoughts together to post to my blog last night so as I sit here waiting for my breakfast to arrive I wanted to check in and say hello.

We had so many fantastic presenters yesterday, including Connie Stewart from Oklahoma who is a part of my tree in the Stampin’ Up! family. She was so inspirational – I hope I can take her words of advice and encouragement and put them into action in my business plan. Here is a picture of Connie on Main Stage.

As part of our product classes track we had the opportunity to play with the products from four of the new products suites. Here is a group photo of one of our make & take sessions.

I will share the projects we made with you just as soon as I am allowed (after Monday 1:00 PM MT).

Thank you for stopping by. Until next time, stamp on my friends!

Linda

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#OnStage2017 – Day 1

Posted on November 9, 2017 by Linda Tolson Yarbrough

Today was filled with non-stop fun! My flight arrived in SLC a little before 10:00 AM (MT) and after waiting for my roommate’s flight to land we Lyfted our way to our hotel, left our bags with the Concierge and then rushed across the street to the Salt Palace Convention Center to pick up our bags and name badges. Then all we could do was wait for the doors to OPEN OPEN OPEN.

While waiting for the doors to open we took a moment to take a family group picture.

Pictured clockwise from bottom L: Amy, me, Rhonda, Leslie, Vickie, Jann.

The doors were finally opened at 1:00 PM and we made our way down to our general seating location – right side near the front. As everyone filed in and picked their seats the employees from the home office were clapping, cheering, giving high-5’s and dancing to the music. Those of us who had staked out our seats had this view to drool over in anticipation of what was to come.

About 30 minutes after the doors opened the first General Session began with Sara Douglas dazzling us with her shimmery pants and her smile.

We got our sneak peek copies of the Occasions and Sale-a-bration Catalogs along with a flyer showing us which new products from these catalogs will be part of the Product Purchase Premier! We were shown projects and demonstrations with the new products and were introduced to a new tool that will be introduced very soon that will knock your socks off!

As with each event held by Stampin’ Up! there were several prize patrols today and I was lucky to win a free stamp set during the first one. It is an awesome set that I cannot wait to show you – but will have to wait until Monday afternoon.

This evening those demonstrators who hold titles of Silver Elite or higher were treated to an evening of dining and entertainment. I did not qualify to attend but hope to get there one day. (I need ONE recruit and $535.00 more in 12-month rolling sales to earn the title of Silver – so if there is anyone who would like to become a member of my team … just reach out and say hey!)

Day 2 starts at 8:00 AM and I will be attending numerous products classes where I hope I get the chance to get my hands on the new stuff. I will share more with you tomorrow – or as much as I am allowed to share.

Thank you for stopping by. Until next time, stamp on my friends!

Linda

P.S. Here are some other photos for your viewing pleasure.

In recognition of Stampin’ Up!’s upcoming 30th Anniversary we all received a tote and a pin.

Shelli Gardner, Co-Founder

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OnStage Bound

Posted on November 9, 2017 by Linda Tolson Yarbrough

As you likely have noticed my blog has been silent for many days. My apologies – it seems I am not able to multi-task as well as I used to! The silence was due to two things – 1) preparing a large shipment of holiday cards to go to Gladewater, TX for sale at The Screen Door Antique Mall, and 2) preparing for my trip to Salt Lake City, UT to attend an event called “OnStage Live” which is what Stampin’ Up! now calls its conventions / gatherings of independent demonstrators for a few days of fun and training.

While I am at OnStage I will get a copy of the new Occasions Catalog, will see some of the new products being used, will get the chance to play with them AND pre-order as a perk for attending – Product Purchase Premier! I will be limited as to what I can share with you immediately but will try to post something each day.

Thank you for stopping by today. I hope to have something to wow you with later! Until next time, stamp on my friends,

Linda

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Be Filled with Thanks – Paper Pumpkin Alternate Project

Posted on November 2, 2017 by Linda Tolson Yarbrough

As I was organizing my cards for delivery to the antique store, I realized that I needed more Thanksgiving cards.  The September Paper Pumpkin kit was perfect for Thanksgiving; however, I didn’t really have a need for the pillow boxes that were included in the kit.  So here is what I ended up doing:

The first picture above includes an assembled pillow box that I made and posted about last month.  Just as with the 3.00″ x 3.00″ cards, there is a lovely swirl embossed on the paper, but you can’t really see it.  My goal was to try to bring it into focus.

First I split the pillow boxes open at the seam and cut off the little flap that had previously attached the two sides together.  I cut 1.00″ off each end and then cut the piece in half on the score line, ending up with two pieces of 3.oo” x 4.oo” paper (both have the embossed swirl).

Next I tried sanding the swirls but the paper is the same color through the core so that didn’t get me what I wanted.  So then I opened up my VersaMark pad and smooshed it around on the paper.  Looked better but still not what I wanted.  Then I thought “hey, let’s try clear embossing powder” and BINGO!  The pictures really don’t do the card justice.

In addition to the September 2o17 Paper Pumkin kit, here are the Stampin’ Up! products that I used in the design of this card which can quickly be added to your shopping cart by clicking on the thumbnails below:

If you have any questions regarding any of the design elements or the technique used in this card do not hesitate to contact me.
Thank you for stopping by today.  I hope you leave here inspired to put stamps to ink to paper.  Until next  time, stamp on my friends.
Linda

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A Champagne Winter Wonder

Posted on October 30, 2017 by Linda Tolson Yarbrough

Time is flying by and before you know it I will be leaving on an airplane to Salt Lake City, UT to join other Stampin’ Up! demonstrators at OnStage (to be held November 9-11, 2017).  So today’s project is a two birds, one stone kind of thing.  First here is the card:

Now as to the “two birds, one stone comment” while I am sharing this project with you today I will also be making multiples of this card and swapping it with a group of demonstrators in my family tree (one down, eight more to go).

Since I was going to need to reproduce this card several times, I wanted it to be simple yet elegant.  I hope I have accomplished that goal.

Here are the Stampin’ Up! products that I used in the design of this card, all of which can quickly be added to your shopping cart by clicking on the thumbnails below:

If you have any questions regarding any of the measurements or design elements of this card, do not hesitate to contact me.

Thank you for stopping by today.  I hope you leave here inspired to put stamps to ink to paper.  Until next time, stamp on my friends.

Linda

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Crafting Forever “Blends” with Painter’s Palette

Posted on October 29, 2017 by Linda Tolson Yarbrough

I wanted to take a step back from the holiday cards today and practice using my new Stampin’ Blends alcohol markers.  I eyeballed my shelf of current stamp sets and was drawn to Crafting Forever and Painter’s Palette.  I was shocked to discover that I had not yet assembled the Painter’s Palette stamp set which means I have not used it yet (not an uncommon occurrence for me sadly).  Here is what I came up with:

It’s almost as though these two stamp sets were MFEO (made for each other).  I wanted to give my project some depth since there is not much color so I stamped the easel / canvas directly onto the card front but everything else was stamped and die cut or fussy cut and attached with dimensionals,  I love how it turned out and I didn’t even use any bling!

If you have any questions as to any of the design elements of this card, do not hesitate to ask.

Here are the Stampin’ Up! products that I used in the design of this card, all of which can quickly be added to your shopping cart by clicking on the thumbnails below:

Thank you for stopping by today.  I hope you leave here inspired to put stamps to ink to paper.  Until next time, stamp on my friends.

Linda

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Color Me Happy Christmas Blessings

Posted on October 28, 2017 by Linda Tolson Yarbrough

Sorry for not posting for a few days.  I got wrapped up in getting items organized for the store out in Gladewater (holiday cards and such) and as previously mentioned was having creativity block.  I started today’s project yesterday but had to start over and approach it from another way.  First, here is today’s card:

As you can see, it is a hodgepodge of stamp sets (three actually), some new and soon to be available products (Stampin’ Blends – November 1) and a technique (sponging the background).

When I originally started this project I stamped the two birds facing each other and practiced my blending skills with the new Stampin’ Blends alcohol markers (originally the birds have legs).  They turned out cute enough so I started to think about how I could turn these birds into a card.

I immediately thought of having the two birds standing on a tree branch so I reached for my Big Shot and Seasonal Layers Thinlits dies and cut out four branches from the Wood Textures Designer Series Paper and was able to arrange them in such a way to create a tree and their feet hit perfectly on the branches.

That was all cute and all but the background was Whisper White cardstock.  I then decided to use sponge daubers and my Soft Sky ink pad to carefully sponge the white areas.  I wasn’t sure what I thought about it so I decided to stop and sleep on it.  When I picked it up again today, I decided to add additional sponged colors of Marina Mist and Night of Navy.  Because of the need to be careful around the tree limbs and birds I was not able to get the “blend” that I wanted and thought I would try to watercolor the sky area with my Aqua Painter.  That was the point where I ruined my project.  Into the trash can.

I then started over, first sponging my cardstock in four colors – Smoky Slate, Soft Sky, Marina Mist and Night of Navy.  I stamped my birds on scrap paper, colored them with my blends and then fussy cut them out chopping off their feet since they were too detailed to try to hand-cut.  After I die cut and attached the tree limbs I stamped the stars in VersaMark and covered in White embossing powder, then heated to set.  I coated the birds with Wink of Stella and attached them to card with mini dimensionals.

Here are the Stampin’ Up! products that I used in the design of this card, all of which can quickly be added to your shopping cart by clicking on the thumbnails below:

(NOTE:  The Color Me Happy stamp set will be available November 1.  Also, not listed above are the Cherry Cobbler Stampin’ Blends duo (dark and light) which will also be available November 1.)

If you have any questions regarding any other design aspects of this card, do not hesitate to contact me.

Thank you for stopping by today.  I hope you leave here inspired to put stamps to ink to paper.  Until next time, stamp on my friends.

Linda

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