Big Change For Me

There have been lots of changes going on in this house the last few months.
My husband has retired from one company and is starting
a new job with a university in another state!
So that means a major move for the two of us.
We have been looking at houses and will decide soon where we will be calling home.
Steve is working hard at the university during the week
and travels home over the weekend
to help me pack and get this house ready to sell.
(Bless his heart!)
Since I am knee deep in packing peanuts,
that doesn't leave much time or room
(boxes on top of boxes)
for me to hold stamp camps.
I miss them,
and the people who attended them.
They became such good friends.
But,occasionally,
I will take a much needed break to stamp something fun.
When I do,
I will post it here.
In the meantime, don't give up on me!
I'll get back to normal when
my life gets back to normal.
Just in a different town.

How Does Your Garden Grow? With the Big Shot!

The Big Shot can cut more than just card stock!
These garden stakes are made using aluminum flashing!
I ran them through the Big Shot first with the
Scallop Square Die. Then the Polka Dot Embossing folder.
Then the Daisies Die for the center flower.

The picture doesn't do them justice.
They are shimmery shiny.
When a breeze hits them,
they dance,
and make my heart smile!

Pieces of Heart Altered Pail

Time for the Pieces of Heart dinner out and
the challenge of the month.
This month we were challenged by Donna Althoff to alter a metal pail.
Wow, you have no idea how hard that is!
But I found a very cute round card on a blog and the light bulb came on!
The pail is actually Melon Mambo, so I went with the whole watermelon thing.
Once the pail was finished, I felt it needed something inside.
So how about some little 3 x 3 cards and envelopes?
Love it!
Inspired by Lynn Pratt

'Floating' Pieces of Heart

I have the honor of being a part of an awesome team.
Both recruited and adopted.
I wanted to give them something that would show how special they are.
We are the Pieces of Heart Team and what better than a sparkling,
floating heart in a 1" x 1" Simply Adorned Charm?
After punching the heart from Red Glitter Paper,
I added a tiny Basic Pearl and inserted it into the square charm.
It's as if it is floating.
So cute.

Tied up with a pretty Real Red Satin Bow,
accented with the Victoria Crochet Trim,
and topped off with a 'jeweled' crown from the
Tiny Tags set.

Thanks ladies for making an already fun ride
even more fun!

I'm B-A-A-C-K-!

The theme for the Stampin' Up! convention this year is GROW!
That's the founder and our hero, Shelli Gardner, standing in front of the R.
She's getting things started in our first day, general session.
It was just awesome.
The kind that gives you goose bumps awesome!
(Click on any of the pictures for a closer look.)

This is my sister, Penny Thomas, beaming because she's just found out
she made Founder's Circle.....again!
She is proudly showing the very coveted purse
given to each Founder's Circle recipient.
Out of 50,000 demonstrators, Penny is ranked #41!
We are so proud of her.
She deserves all the perks that come with that distinction.

Have you ever heard of a "feeding frenzy'?
Well, this is a 'Memento Mall Frenzy'.
This is a 'store' where we demonstrators shop each year,
grabbing all kinds of SU logo stuff.
When the doors open, get out of our way!

The first night we had a party to get things rolling.
Since the theme is GROW,
we were encouraged to wear something pertaining to a growing garden.
And, of course, more likely than not,
you will find Garden Gnomes there!
They happened to be from Canada, but that's okay.
The very sweet lady in the middle is a demonstrator
from my neck of the woods,
Sally Nusbaum.
(Love her!)

The displays were over the top unbelievable.

This is my kind of ironing board!

Once you take advantage of the $99 STARTER KIT
(now through July 31),
you will receive
the kit to make this adorable Christmas box.
Come on, get one!
We can make it together!

Besides having award-receiver-Penny in our group,
we had an Artisan Award winner too!
Heather Klump was one of just a handful
to receive that award.
Her work is unbelievable, She is one of the funniest,
sweetest ladies you will ever meet.
We stared addressing her as Heather Klump...Artisan.
Here she is giving me a raspberry.
To her left is Julie Kasper, (love her!)
and barely visible in yellow is Vicki Skillman (sweetheart!).


Suffice it to say, I had so much fun and laughed until I cried.
(Note to self...next year bring along some Depends!)
Seeing old friends and making new ones.
(Hello Nicole and Nicole and Wendy!)
Sharing and hugging.
It just fills me up and inspires me.

Thank you Stampin' Up!
You have added so much to my life.

I'm Off To Salt Lake City!

One of the most anticipated events of the year
is the Stampin' Up! Convention in Salt Lake City, Utah!
It is so much fun making new friends, seeing old ones, watching exciting new
ideas in stamping, and having one heck of a good time!
That's where I'll be this week.
When I get back I'll fill you in on all the fun.

In the meantime,
for every order of $25 you place with me
either by email,
pamdurso@sbcglobal.net
or my online store,
www.pamdurso.stampinup.net
Tuesday - Sunday,
you will receive TWO numbered tickets for a drawing
of a brand new stamp set from the new catalog!
So have some fun of your own while I'm gone!

And next year...
plan on going with me!
The Starter Kit is only $99 until the end of July!
Let's get YOU started!

I Punched Uncle Sam In The Face!

I punched him,
but in the most loving way!
After assembling him from Stampin' Up! punches,
(see below for the list)
I placed him on a
3 x 3 card.
Love how that Real Red Glimmer Paper sparkles on his hat.
I think he is quite the Yankee Doodle Dandy!

Punches used were:
1 3/8" Square Punch
1 1/4" Circle Punch
Scallop Circle Punch
1/4" Circle Punch (retired)
Word Window Punch
Small Star Punch (retired)
Bird Builder Punch

Inspired by Dawn Olchefske

July Calendar Insert

Every now and then,
I love nontraditional colors for traditional holidays.
This is Penny's July mini calendar page.

Join my Pieces of Heart Team for only $99 now through July 31!

$99 Starter Kit

Friends, Fun, and Fabulous Products!

During July, you can join the Stampin' Up! family as a demonstrator for only $99! This limited time Starter Kit--valued at $185--comes with the following high-quality products:

• Easy Events Clear-Mount Set*
• Pennant Parade Wood-Mount Set*
• Basic Black Classic Stampin' Pad
• Old Olive Classic Stampin' Pad
• Pumpkin Pie Classic Stampin' Pad
• Real Red Classic Stampin' Pad
• Brights 8-1/2" x 11" Assorted Card Stock
• Just Add Cake Designer Series Paper*
• Chocolate Chip 1/2" Scallop Dots Ribbon*
• Note Cards (20)
• Clear-Mount Block C
• Blender Pen (1)
• SNAIL Adhesive
• Business supplies

*Brand new to the 2011-2012 Idea Book & Catalog!

Plus, join in July and get a FREE Christmas Keepsake project kit--a $40 value! Imagine an afternoon spent chatting with friends while creating something beautiful--isn't that what Stampin' Up! is all about? But act now because this special kit is only available as part of this limited-time offer.

As an added bonus, first-time demonstrators can get two free months of Demonstrator Business Web Services (DBWS) when they sign up during their first 21 days as a demonstrator. Subscribing to DBWS means having your own online store, blog, hostess portal, and much more!

Join Stampin' Up! in July and get brand-new products, including an exclusive project kit--all for just $99! Download the starter paperwork now! Contact me at pamdurso@sbcglobal.net today to get you started.

Happy Fourth of July!

Love the reaction from friends when they open this card!
Not only is it a striking card on the front, but there is a fun surprise inside!
The single stamp set is found in the Summer Mini and called
Land of the Free.
Inside, the small stars are attached to Window Sheets
that seem to 'wave' when you open the card.
The sentiment is from the stamp set called
Word Play.
Thanks to all who help keep this country the Land of the Free!
Happy Fourth of July, America!
Jill Olsen
The 'waving' stars inspired by Renee Coburn.

Quintessential Summer

Another 3 x 3 sample using my favorite embossing folder,
the Square Lattice Folder.
Also used is the new Triple Layer Blossom Bouquet Punch.
I used Melon Mambo, Basic Black and Old Olive to fashion watermelon slices!
Is that quintessential summer or what?
Chanda Stehlik

Not so Dum-Dum!

I participated in an area Stampin' Up! Demonstrator
swap recently and was tickled to receive a version of this little cutie.
It is made using a mini Dum-Dum sucker.
The flower is then built around it using punches.
I changed mine a bit and used our new Triple Blossom Punch to accent the
Daffodil Delight Fancy Flower Punch petals.
The 'pot' is from the Hostess Level One In-Color Paper Stack
in Peach Parfait, which looks so close to terracotta.
How cute would this be to change the colors
and use it for a baby
shower or ladies luncheon?

Carrie Fejedelem

Cheers to You! One last time

I am very sorry to see this stamp set retire.
So I am using it one last time!
What a great anniversary, wedding, or New Year's idea.
The Dazzling Diamonds and Rhinestones really dress it up.
Cheers to You!
Heather Summers