January T.A.L.K. of the Town Shopping Expo

I was recently asked to be a vendor in an area Shopping Expo
along with several other women with direct sales businesses.
The theme was to be Valentine's Day,
and boy, did I ever have fun putting these projects and cards together!

This little treat pouch was my Make-n-Take. It is made using one of our Crumb Cake envelopes! Tucked inside are two candy bars that have been covered in our Designer Series Paper. The stamp set is Valentine Defined from the Occasions Mini.

This is a 3 X 3 card and I just love how it turned out. The designer paper is called Love Impressions. The little dots accent the Embosslits Scalloped Heart of Hearts Die cut from our new Glimmer Paper from the Occasions Mini. I love this paper so much as you will see with several other projects shown here. The banner was taken from the 'a la Carte stamp called Be My Valentine. It's popped up with Dimensionals.

Love Impressions Paper again, on this 3x3 card,
along with that Glimmer Paper for the little punched heart inside a Treat Cup.

I think the Perfect Polka Dots Impressions Embossing Folder
really picks up the dots in the designer paper.

The Framed Tulips Textured Impressions Embossing Folder
is used around the edge of this pretty card.
The stamp set is Valentine Defined and the little hearts on stems look like flowers, don't ya think?

Eat Chocolate is the name of this stamp set and I couldn't resist taking a 'bite' out of that candy bar with the Scallop Circle Punch. The little bon-bons have been topped with Crystal Effects to mimic a chocolate ganache. Yum!

This technique is called Faux Irish Twist. It has the look of quilting.
Inspired by Julie Davison

Can you believe this card was made using the My Digital Scrapbooking program?
We received it at the Leadership conference in Nashville.
All I added was the ribbon. It's so cute, right down to the staple underneath the love!
That program is not just for scrapbooking!

I saw this design on Becky Robert's blog, (she is simply amazing). It uses the new Create a Cupcake stamp set and the Build a Cupcake Punch that goes with it. Nothing says love more than a cupcake!

I think this card comes close to being almost perfect. I love clean and simple.
Angie Juda used the Love You Much set.
Pretty In Pink and Baja Breeze are so pretty together.

This embossed paper is from the Love Impressions specialty package. It contains two each of two single-sided embossed designs that have a thicker, rich feel. And two each of four double-sided designs on text-weight paper. The ribbon is Rose Red Seam Binding. It's gathered by fraying one end and pulling one of the strands in the middle. I adhered it by using Sticky Strip. The sentiment, Watercolor Trio, is retired, but how perfect for all those little hearts above it?
Inspired by Nancy Littrell

Black and Real Red are so dramatic together for Valentine's Day. And there's that Glimmer Paper again! Stamp set is Things I Love.

Top Note Die as a treat topper for little cello bags
filled with chocolate goodies.

Love this Springtime Vintage Designer Paper,
and yes, that's FABRIC to match!

Matchbox Die two ways.
On the right, the center was punched out using our Full Heart Punch.
I covered the opening with a piece of transparency sheet.
Then filled it with conversation hearts.
The one on the right.....
scroll down to see what I did with it!

When you pull open the little drawer, up pops a Glimmer heart!
I saw this as a Christmas treat box and thought it would be so cute for Valentine's Day.

Mini paper bag ready for goodies.
The top edge is done with the Eyelet Border Punch.

Sour cream containers in both designer paper and transparency sheet.
The Glimmer Paper is punched with the Scallop Square and Small Heart.

Milk Carton Die. This should be filled with Red Hots!

These are clothes pins covered in Real Red Designer Paper and topped off with.....GLIMMER PAPER hearts! I just can't get enough of it!

So many nice ladies stopped by my table, and to thank them, I gave them one of these little tubes of M & M's with a heart on top. They looked so pretty in the basket.

Designer Fabric Mug Mats

Pardon me for a few moments while I go back to Christmas.

I resisted ordering the Designer Fabrics that match our beautiful Designer Papers when the Holiday Mini Catalog came out. Ehhh, I did my share of sewing in high school and even made my girls' Halloween costumes.

Now I'm a stamper, not a seamstress.

Well, let me tell you, I started seeing some of the cutest things done with the fabric! Like the little mug mats, and I could no longer resist! I thought, "What a perfect gift to give the ladies who come stamp with me!" Luckily, there was minimal sewing, just a little knot here and there to hold the fabric and felt together. I used the Bigz Clear Scallop Square, #115950 to cut all three pieces. Also the center heart was cut with the Movers and Shapers Extended Die, #114506. It was applied with our Big Shot Fabric Adhesive Roll, #122194. Marvelous stuff.

I'm hooked!

Unfortunately, the Candy Cane Fabric is gone, but I can just imagine how pretty this little mug mat would be with the Springtime Vintage #121817, or the Sweet Stitches #121818 Designer Fabric. I just made the little pin cushion on page 39 of the new Occasions Mini Catalog!

I'll post that soon...CUTENESS!

Don't resist like I did!

Try the Designer Fabrics today!

"T.A.L.K. of the Town" Shopping Expo

“T.A.L.K. of the Town” Shopping Expo
at Helfer’s Pastries & Deli Cafe
Two Dates: January 29th 7pm-9pm
January 30th 2pm-4pm
Featuring 10 different vendors:

Discovery Toys-Annie Shindel- www.discoverytoyslink.com/annieshindel
Mary Kay-Kim Miller- www.marykay.com/kim.l.miller
Stella & Dot-Teresa Goodlett- www.stelladot.com/teresagoodlett
Tupperware-Laurie Wallace- http://my2.tupperware.com/lauriewallace
Pampered Chef-Debby LaPlaca- www.pamperedchef.biz/debcooks4u
Heritage Makers-Dana Muse- www.yourlifestorybook.com
Thirty-One Gifts-Janet Hertz & Brianna Griffin- www.mythirtyone.com/hertz
Scentsy-Danielle Peltonen- www.daniellepeltonen.scentsy.us
Stampin' Up-Pam D'Urso- www.pamdurso.stampinup.net
Designs by Daphne-Daphne White- Facebook Fan Page:"Designs by Daphne"

With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, it’s the perfect time
to shop for all the loved ones in your life!
INCREDIBLE DOOR PRIZES!!!
REFRESHMENTS by HELFER’S
380 Saint Ferdinand Street Florissant, MO 63031
talkexpo@gmail.com
Check us out on Facebook: “T.A.L.K. of the Town Shopping Expo"

Become a Part of My Pieces of Heart Team During Sale-a-bration!

SALE-A-BRATION IS FINALLY HERE!

What a great time to become a demonstrator and help your stamping friends get free Stampin' Up! merchandise, while you receive benefits and/or start your own business.

From January 25 through March 31 when you become a part of my Pieces of Heart Team, you will receive this awesome starter kit at a 15% discount! That brings it down to $148.75!

Look at what is included in that kit!

PLUS!

You will receive this Bonus Bundle Bundle

FREE!

It includes:

The Color Coach

Something Special Simply Sent Kit

(or any Simply Sent Kit)

Live, Laugh, Love Stamp Set

(or any Simply Sent Stamp Set valued at $12.95 or less)

Heart to Heart Punch

(or any punch valued at $17.95 or less)
That's a bonus value of over $50 in free products!

Contact me today and let's get

YOU

started during this fantastic opportunity!

Valentine Stamp Camp

This little 3 x 3 card just makes me happy.

It is made using the Filled With Love stamp set and Love Patterns designer paper included in the Filled With Love Bundle.

(#124380 Wood Mount; #124381 Clear Mount)

Today, Monday, January 24Th, is the last day you can order this cute bundle.
Let me know ASAP if you would like to order it before it goes away forever! If you do, you will receive a free package of the Bitty Buttons!

Using the 1" Circle Punch inside the 'O', there is just enough room for a Kiss!
Inspired by Brenda Quintana

Love Pattern Designer Paper again. The Scallop Border punch was used on a strip that was then run through the Crimper to soften the fibers and fashion around the oval. That cutie-patootie in the oval is from the Greeting Card Kids stamp set. They remind me of the Old Campbell Soup kids. She is holding a heart punched from our new Glimmer Paper.

Inspired by Jen Sannes

I think this one is my favorite this month.

The bench is from the stamp set called Have a Seat. Two little hearts from the Filled With Love set are popped up with Dimensionals inside.

I just love the sentiment from the Filled With Love stamp set.

So sweet.

Inspired by Chat Wszeluki

Another idea from the Filled With Love Bundle.

(See, you NEED this set!)

This time we took a departure from the usual pinks and red,

and used Poppy Parade and Pear Pizzazz.

Around the outside, is the new Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Framed Tulips.

The heart has been made shiny with Crystal Effects.
Inspired by Phyllis Johnson

This pretty heart is from one of our a' la Carte single stamps. #122045, and only $8.95. You can't tell from the picture, but the banner has been popped up with Dimensions. The Rose Red Seam Binding Ribbon looks so pretty with the Very Vanilla card stock.

Inspired by Amy O'Neill

This flower-heart was made using the Sweetheart stamp set. We used the perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder to give it a pop. Just below it and tied with a Linen Thread, is the word love from the Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp set

and then punched using the Jewelry Tag Punch.

Inspired by Naoko Page

Fancy Kleenex Box

Would you like to have one of these? Make your reservation now for my

Coffee or Tea and a Wednesday 3-D

on Wednesday (DUH!) February 9th @ 9:00 am,

and you can make one of your very own!

It's only $5.00, plus, I serve you a hot beverage and a pastry!

Fancy!

Uh-oh Little Birdie!

Good day to stay in and STAMP. And that's exactly what I'm gonna do.

We have about 10" now and expecting maybe another 3".

Sounds like a good day for a pot of chili too.

Uh oh little birdie! Better work from home today!
The Stampin' Mobile.....somewhere in there.

Petal Card Heart Pocket

This little candy pocket was made using the Petal Card Punch. I punched two pieces using the Real Red Card Stock. Then folded two sides at the scored marks, (the punch scores it for you!), to make a heart shape with both punched pieces. I trimmed those side pieces so it would be flat and adhered them together. Punched a hole on each side for the ribbon. To make it frilly, I crimped two scalloped edges to fit inside.

Slip in a couple pieces of chocolate, and give to someone special!

Stampin' Up! Leadership Conference 2011

I am still pinching myself!

I just got back from attending the Stampin' Up! Leadership Conference held at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center in Nashville, Tennessee.

All I can say is OH. MY. GOSH!

The place is absolutely fantastic. It has 4000 rooms and is more than huge. Everything is under one roof...restaurants, shopping, bars, atrium with lush foliage, boat rides, entertainment and convention halls.

It is unbelievable that just nine months ago the place was under water. If I didn't know that had happened, I never would have suspected it. They have done an amazing job of restoring it. Here are a couple of youtube videos that say it much better than I can.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VfL5j9ckcyo&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFjaQoOdJvI

God Bless you, Nashville!

Following a map on the way to our room,(yes! they give you a map when you check in. It is THAT big!), I had to turn around and take a picture of how pretty this was.
We had breakfast one early morning at this little restaurant.
I had to take a picture of this creation in the middle of the lobby for my daughter, Megan, who is an artist. I knew she would appreciate it.
Once I saw the banjos up above on this stained glass dome, I was reminded that, yes, we were in Nashville.
I wish you could hear how lovely this little waterfall sounded. I could have sat there all day.

Did I tell you this place was big? This is a mansion in the middle of one of the areas. A MANSION!

While we were there, they were in the process of taking down the Christmas decorations, which were beautiful, and putting up Mardi Gras decorations.

How could you not love this?

Yes, those are little hot air balloons hanging from the ceiling in the distance.

If you are the Gaylord Resort, you have to have BIG Christmas trees!

These were B I G!

More waterfalls.

Oops, added this picture twice, but since we are here, notice the hanging strings of lights? They are lit at night and are just breathtaking.

Told ya!

I learned so much at this Leadership conference, but these two women were why I had so much fun.

Julie Kasper, on the right, is one of the sweetest people you will ever meet. I took in every little tidbit of advice she had. Her beautiful laugh, was infectious. You just want to be around her!

On the left, is my precious sister, Penny Thomas. She is my best friend and I just can't imagine attending without her. We 'get' each other, and finish each other's sentences. We can give each other a look and not need to say a word. What a treat to do what I love best, with one of my favorite people in the world!

Wouldn't you like to go to fabulous places like this too? Join my team and let's do it together!