'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

Postage Stamp Punch

This card reminds me of the fluffy white frosting my mom used to make.
I think it was called Seven Minute Frosting.
Boy was it GOOD!
As you can see, I have used the Square Lattice Embossing Folder, once again.
I use it all the time! How did I ever get along without it?
It always adds such a pretty texture to whatever I am working on.
The new Postage Stamp Punch from the Summer Mini left an opening
for the birthday cake from the stamp set, Pretty Postage to peak out of.
The Pretty In Pink Taffeta Ribbon is on the retiring list.
After June 30 it will be gone!
Please check my online store for the complete
retiring accessories and stamp sets.
http://www.pamdurso.stampinup.net

Beveled Windowpanes

If I could, I would eat this card!
This is the first time I've used the Beveled Windowpanes,
but it won't be the last!
The little flower image from the set called Tiny Tags,
fits perfectly behind the1"x 1 3/4" size.
There are two other sizes included in the package of 12,
so it is a fun, versatile accessory.
The colors I used are Blushing Bride and Pear Pizzazz.
Love that combo.
Wouldn't getting a card like this in the mail make you happy?
Sara Rayner

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PENNY!

Happy Birthday to the BEST sister, EVER!

Circle Flowers

HELLO!
I found this idea while blog surfing.
Such a quick and easy card. Great for using up scrap card stock.
Using Poppy Parade, Pear Pizzazz, and Daffodil Delight card stock,
I simply punched different size circles and layered them.
The leaves and stems come from the stamp set called
Petal Pizzazz, (retiring, grab it quick!).
The flowers are accented with a few dots of Signo White Gel Pen
and all tied up with a Poppy Parade 1/2" Stitched-Poly Ribbon.
What a bright way to say HELLO to someone!

June Calendar

Here is the June calendar insert given to me by my sister, Penny Thomas.
She used the Word Window Punch behind that little hammer
from the Every Little Bit stamp set, along with a couple of pennies.
Every time you move the calendar, that little circle punched hammer will spin!
The background is called Woodgrain and perfect for this.
Wouldn't this make a great masculine card as well?

Catalog C.A.S.E.

This is a C.A.S.E. (Copy And Share Everything)
of a sample in the 2010-2011 Idea Book & Catalog, page 207.
Sometimes when I am stumped for an idea,
I turn to the Stampin' Up! IDEA BOOK!
It is filled with samples.
The new 2011-2012 Idea Book & Catalog is coming July 1!
Reserve yours now!

Happy Father's Day Dad!

My Dad graduated from Texas A & M in 1950.
He is a HUGE Aggie fan in every way.
So whenever I think of making him a card,
I think maroon and white.
This card is made with Cherry Cobbler, but close enough.
To get that manly-man metal look,
I glued aluminum foil to a piece of card stock and ran it though
the Big Shot in the Square Lattice Embossing Folder.
I use that folder so much. Love the look it gives.
Hope he does too.
Love you, Dad!
Gig 'em Aggies!

2007 Was a Very Good Year!

Steve and I have some very good friends with whom
we attend monthly wine tasting classes.
When we were recently unable to attend one of the classes,
they graciously bought us a bottle of one of the
featured wines they thought we would like.
WE DID!
To thank them I cased a card made by Robin Owen,
who had cased one of my cards, (May 15th post).
I liked her idea of embedding those grapes.

I also think it is fun to put the sentiment in a surprising spot,
as I did here on the ribbon.

The name of the wine, by the way, is
Kenwood Cabernet Sauvignon 2007.

Retiring Tart & Tangy Plus the Spiral Punch

Still walking down memory lane,
visiting some of my favorites that have found themselves
on the soon to be Retired List.
These are samples of projects made from the
Tart & Tangy stamp set.

The sample above uses the Spiral Punch as well,
which is included on that list!

This stamp set has been a favorite for a long time.
If you have been considering it,
get it before the end of the month!
It won't be available after that.
:o(

This Star Will Go Far!

Another oldie but goody -
the Star Punch is included on the Last Chance List.
I am sad to see it go.
It has so many uses for so many occasions -
Birthdays - Christmas - Fourth of July - Baby
and the occasion shown here - Graduation.
This is a good go-to punch
you definitely want in your collection!