The Stamp Workshop

Let's Try This Again...

Happy 2009 everyone!  It's a new year and a fresh start for me.  As you can tell, my blog has been sorely neglected for about two months now.  Things are hectic, but I do miss blogging.  So, I'm making an effort to come back more often.  I've decided to post when possible.  It won't be daily, but hopefully 2-3 times a week will get me by.

Thank you all for continually returning to my blog.  I have been getting hits here and there, and I've gotten some very nice emails from people wondering where I've been.

While I was "away", this blog surpassed the 75,ooo visitor mark.  It also celebrated its first year.  Check back on Monday, January 12 for some blog candy posting to mark these two occassions.  It'll have something to do with the upcoming Spring/Summer 2009 Idea Book & Catalog!

I'll be tweaking my blog alittle bit over the next month or so, not big changes, but a few things that I've been thinking about.  I am excited about the changes and I hope you'll like them!

Well, like Forrest Gump says, "That's all I've got to say about that."

Thanks again for visiting!

OLMC Craft Fair 08

Here's my table display for the craft fair that was held this weekend at my church. I had a nice time and all the vendors there had some really beautiful things. That's the problem with craft fairs - you make money and turn around and spend it! lol

I had fun sitting near the women that I did. We had fun looking at each other's crafts. I think I may have gotten them interested in the next craft fair I am doing. We joked that we would just work the craft fair circut. lol

I have created a new photo album with pictures of some of the projects I made. You can check out the album here:  Craft Fair Pictures.

I'm hoping to put up instructions on how to make the notepad holders. It should be up by week's end. Come back to check it out!

Happy crafting!

Craft Fair Sampling

I am doing a craft fair this weekend and have been working on projects for awhile now.  Here is a look at one of the projects that I completed.  These are notepad holders.  The measure just under 3" X 5".

One thing I like about craft fairs is that it allows me to use up some of the retired supplies that I hoard - err, I mean, have.  (C'mon, you know what I'm talking about.  ROFL)

These were really easy to make (with the help of my Scor-Pal).  There is an inside pocket to hold receipts and such.  If you want to see the inside, click here.

Here's a listing of some of the supplies I used:
Stamps: Carte Postale, Short & Sweet, Warm Words
Cardstock: Old Olive, Perfect Plum, Pale Plum, Very Vanilla, Whisper White, Rose Red, So Saffron, Always Artichoke, Sahara Sand, Real Red
Ink: Real Red, Rosee Red, Perfet Plum, Always Artichoke
Designer Series Paper: Dashing, Enchante, Cutie Pie, Holiday Harmony (???)
Tools: Oval Punches, Scor-Pal

If you are in the San Diego area, come stop by the craft fair.  It is being held THIS Saturday (November 15)  from 9am - 3pm at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish, 13541 Stoney Creek Rd, San Diego, CA 92129.

I'll be selling these notepad holders, nugget tins, cards, and a few stocking stuffer type things.  I'll also have a stash of retired stamp sets for sale.

Come by if you can, I'd be happy to see you!  *smile*

Lots of Retired Stamps for Sale!

I have a lot of retired stamp sets sitting around collecting dust!  I think it's time to find these stamps another home!

All sets are prices as marked.  Shipping is at cost and is not included in the price.  I will try to fit as many stamp sets as possible into the same package if you buy more than one set.  I prefer to ship via Priority since the boxes are readily available at the post office.  If you choose not to ship via Priority mail, I will be collecting a materials fee of $1 per stamp set.

I am not including pictures at this time, but if you need one I will get one for you.  All stamps are in great condition unless noted.  Stamp sets marked NUM are new, unmounted.

If you would like to buy any of these sets, please contact me at Michelle@stampworkshop.com.  I will be posting this list on various stamping message boards so if you see something you like, contact me asap.  Stamp sets are sold first come, first served.

I will take PayPal and money orders only.  PayPal gets immediate shipping once the payment arrives.  Stamps purchased via money order will not be shipped until the money order arrives.

Thanks for looking!

$3 Stamp Sets

• Basket of Blossoms - Stained
• Birthday Whimsy - NUM
• Let's Party - 1 block stained
• Made from Scratch
• Thank You Blocks
• Quick Thinking

$5 Stamp Sets

• A to Z Accents
• All in a Row - 1 stamp mounted, others NUM
• Alphabits
• Background Basics
• Birthday Balloons - slightly stained on 2 wood blocks
• Little Love, A
• Merci - NUM
• Merci
• Mini Messages
• Remembering You - stained rubber
• Very Punny - NUM

$7 Stamp Sets

• Bunch O' Bugs -slight staining, adhesive on wood
• Crayon Cuties - partially mounted
• Delight in Life - NUM
• Eat Cake
• Fanciful Flowers - slight stain on 1 block
• Flowers for a Friend
• Light Heart, A - 1 stamp more loved than others
• Painted Posies - NUM
• Polka Dots & Paisley
• Rose Rhapsody
• Simple Sayings II
• Smorgasborders
• Small Script - NUM
• Tagger's Dozen - 1 stamp mounted, others NUM
• Tags & More

$10 Stamp Sets

• Be Happy
• Cause for Celebration
• Circle of Friendship
• Friendship Blooms - NUM
• Gift Labels
• Just Like You
• Little Bit of Happiness, A - NUM
• Petal Prints - partially mounted, some staining
• So Many Sayings - NUM
• So Many Scallops - 1 stamp mounted, others NUM
• So Many Scallops - NUM
• Warmest Regards - NUM
• Wedding Elegance

$15 Stamp Sets

• French Script - NUM
• Greetings Galore - NUM
• Happy Harmony - NUM
• Old Glory
• Sheltering Tree
• So Much
• Tags So Much - NUM

$20 Stamp Set - I Love Soccer - NUM

Guest Designers Wanted - Earn SU Product!

I admit it.  I can't do it all.  I am a busy Mom trying to juggle my time between two home based businesses, holding on to my bookkeeping clients, running a household, volunteering with Cub Scouts and Girl Scouts, being a PTA Board member and the Treasurer for the school Foundation, driving the kids around and having time for my darling husband and don't forget ME time!  I need help!

I am looking for a handful of people to design Stampin' Up! projects for publication to this blog.

Here's how it'll work.  As a designer for this blog, you will submit your artwork to me (electronically), and it will be posted here at StampWorkshop.com.  Projects will include a combination of 4 cards and/or scrapbook pages, a 3-D item and one tutorial/how-to tip sheet every month.  You will be compensated based on your submissions for the month with free Stampin' Up! products of your choice.  If you are interested, please contact me at Michelle@stampworkshop.com for more details.

Looking forward to hearing from you!

Glad to Be Back!

Well, I'm finally back  and updating the Stamp Workshop blog!

As you know we were on vacation.  It was a great vacation.  We had a great time at the family reunion.  I got to show off the brand new catalog and everyone went gaa-gaa over it!

Unfortunately, on our way home, we were in a small car accident.  We were all fine, but our SUV suffered some damage.  After getting home, the kids started school and I have been consumed with all that needed to be done to get our SUV back in order.  I've been busy with school (PTA, scouts, dance, homework, etc), dealing with insurance, the rental car company and the auto repair shop.  And wouldn't you know it, someone hit the rental while I was parked at the grocery store.  So, I've been dealing with that too.  My SUV should be done by the end of this week.  I'll be glad when it's all done and over with.

Anyway, we've had a nice relaxing Labor Day weekend visiting with family, lounging at the wonderful Torrey Pines State Beach, catching a few waves Boogie boarding and watching taking a stab at Boogie boarding too.  Now I am refreshed and committed to getting back to the Stamp Workshop!

A BIG thank you to all of my readers who have sent me emails wondering if I'm okay.  Even though I haven't posted in a long while, my readership only dropped slightly.  I still have all those promised Convention projects to post.  I'll be back on track soon with Ten Minute Tuesday and Wow It Wednesday.  I have to line up a few more Featured Stampers, but stay tuned.  I have have a few of my most favorite stampers lined up!

Glad to be back!

Movin' On!

So as you may know, we are traveling.  Well, I was hoping that the links to the new catalog were going to be posted so that I could provide you with shiny new links.

Alas, Stampin' Up! has been true to it's word.  Looks like it won't be posted until noon (MST).  And we are just about to leave the comfort of our hotel to go camping.  I shall not have internet connection *gasp*!  - unless I steal the SUV and head to a Starbucks...  Hmmm.  That's an idea!

Anyway, in case I can't get back to a computer, you will be able to find a link to the new catalog, both the Fall Winter 08-09 IB&C and Celebrando Creatividad, directly on my "official" Stampin' Up! website.  You can get there by clicking on the Stampin' Up Logo in the top right hand corner of this blog.

Or , if you want to bookmark it, here is the URL: http://TheCreativeStamper.stampinup.net

Enjoy the new catalog!  Hope to "talk" to you soon!

Off to Convention I Go!

So here are my swaps.  It's past 1:30am and I still have a couple more things to do before I leave for Convention.

Even though I don't have much time, I couldn't resist posting to the blog.  So, here is a picture of all the swaps I am doing (I have two album swaps that are not on the table here.).

When I get back, I will post these cards in detail, with close up pictures and directions.

I have decided to bring my laptop with me, but I can't promise that I'll be posting much.  There is so much to do at Convention and my free time "social calendar" is booked!

Well, I'm off to box up these swaps.

See you later!

If I Could Save Time in a Bottle...

The first thing that I'd like to do
Is to save every day
Till eternity passes away
Just to spend them with you

I was just a little girl when this song came out, but I really like this song (for those of you youngens out there it's by Jim Croce, 1974).  It's so melodic and so easy going.  When you are listening to it, you just feel like sitting back and enjoying the music.

Oh, I wish my hectic life was easy going right now!

For those of you that haven't picked up on it yet, I am such a terrible procrastinator.  Not that I'm terrible at procrastinating, I rather good at it!  I'm terrible in that I procrastinate.  BIG TIME.

You may have noticed there was no Ten Minute Tuesday or WOW It Wednesday.  Nothing for the past few days except info (good info though!).

Anyway, yes, I am STILL working on Convention swaps.  Not only am I a procrastinator, but I am an over-extender.  How many swaps do I have to do?  I won't even go into that, I can drone on and on.  lol

So, what does this mean?  Well, I do have a Featured stamper ready to post this Friday!  I am leaving for Convention on Tuesday, which means that it's crunch time.  My blog posts will have to be put on the back burner for now.  Until after I come back from Convention.

It's going to be a bit quiet here until August 4th.  But, there is a chance that I will be taking my laptop with me to Convention.  But like I said, over-extender.  I am signed up for all kinds of dinners and swaps and meet-ups, and well, I just wanna go and have some fun!  Maybe a massage at the hotel spa, a dip in the pool, some shopping.  I'm thinking about seeing the Mormon Tabernacle Organ performance.  See the sights.

Okay, I'm rambling now.  Anyway, check back after the 4th.  I'll actually have more interesting posts by then!  *wink*

See ya!

Liking Decor Elements? You Can Win!

I was recently selected to be on the design team for Utah Divas International.  We are a group of Stampin'  Up! demonstrators from around the world.

My very first feature, a recap of my Decor Elements tutorial, was posted this past Monday.

Take a peek at UDI's blog.  They are holding a prize giveaway.

Check out UDI's blog for more details on the giveaway!  Click here.

Check it out!

Do YOU Facebook?

Do you use Facebook?

Do you enjoy my blog?

Well then, I need your help!  I have just listed my blog in the new Facebook Blog network.  I need my readers to "validate" me as the author of this blog.  If you have a moment, pop on over to Facebook and validate me.  Pretty please?

Click here to get to my Facebook Blog Profile.

While you are there become one of my Blog Fans and if you aren't already listed as one of my "friends", be sure to add me!

If you aren't a member of Facebook, you should join!  Be forwarned - it's addicting!

Thanks so much!

How Do You Like the New Look?

So how do you like it? I've been wanting a new look for a while now.  I wasn't sure exactly what I wanted so I cruised around the internet to see what was out there.  I was going to go with a "professional", but decided to try it on my own.

A few months back my darling husband, Keith got me Adobe Photoshop Elements 6.0 so that I could start digital scrapbooking our almost 10 years of pictures.  Well, I really haven't played with it because I was a bit intimidated.  So, I played around with it last night and decided that I could do this!

And I did.  I worked on it last night and most of the day today.  I made my new banner, the headers on the sidebars, and I made some new post titles (like the Featured Stamper Friday one).  I even made my own signature.  I guess I finished just in time.  It's all prettied up just in time for our first featured stamper!

Here's what I used...

• The flower background is from the Vintage Grunge - 2 Pack by *resurgere on deviantart.com
• The main font used is "The King & Queen" by Brän / Fractal Eye on dafont.com.
• The other font used is Pristina (I'm not sure who to credit for this.  When I went to my font list, it was just there!).
• Adobe Photoshop Elements 6.0
• TypePad Knowledge Base to figure out how to tweak my blog typelists and layout.

Hope you like it!

Something New and Fun this Friday!

So with summer vacation in full swing,the kids are home and I can't believe how the days seems to be whizzing by.  We've been going to the beach, the movies, the park - just having some fun!  In between all that,I have been busy with Convention swaps.  Needless to say, I haven't had much chance to post anything fun on my blog.

But, come back on Friday.

Something New and Fun is coming to my blog!

Check it out...this Friday...

Until then!

A Tour of My Stamp Room

So I have finally finished putting my stamp room together.

I have set up a small photo album with a few pictures so if you are so inclined, you can take a peek at where I do my creating.

My stamp room isn't the most glamorous room out there.  Most of my storage was bought at stores like Target, Big Lots and places like the Salvation Army.  It's more functional than it is beautiful, but hey, it works for me!

To take a look, here is a link to the photo album, Michelle's Stamp Workshop.

Thanks for looking!  Now that I ahve my work area all nice and neat, now I can finally start on my Convention swaps!  Stay posted to see what I've made.  I'll have a lot to post.  I signed up for 17 swaps (or around that many - I can't keep count!).

Let's Stamp!

Artisan Award

The July issue of Stampin' Success, the monthly SU demo magazine was posted online today.  In it was listed the winners of this year's Artisan Award.  Congrats to all the winners!

What is the Artisan Award?  Well, it is an award that recognizes Stampin' Up!'s top 10 artisans.  Of the tens of thousands of demos, these ten are the BEST artistically.

Among the winners are great talent like Mary Jo Albright, Brenda Weaver, Jennifer Buck, Lisa Nichols, Michelle Fischer.  Wait!  Hold the phone!  Michelle Fischer?

Today, I have noticed an increase of hits to my blog based on google searches of "Michelle Fischer Blog" or "Michelle Fischer Stampin" or "Michelle Fischer Artisan Award".

I have strong suspicion that the increase in google hits and the announcement of the Artisan Award winners are related.  Why would people come to my blog to find an Artisan Award winner?  Because, well, I'm Michelle Fischer!  But, take a look at this picture.  I know it's hard to see.  This is a picture of me at Convention 2006, posing with - Michelle Fischer.  Yes, there are two of us.  Weird huh?  Not that Michelle is a very unique name or Fischer for that matter.  Even more weird is that when I lived in the Pacific Northwest, we lived only 45 minutes from each other!

So, thank you all for the PMs on SCS and the emails in my inbox when Michelle Fischer wins a contest.  Unfortunately, it is most likely the tall, blond Michelle (her), and not the shorter, black haired Michelle (me) who won.

If you are a demo and in case you *are* wondering, the Fresh Cut sample that appeared yesterday on Stamper's Showcase *is* mine.  *smile*

Happy Stampin'!

ISO (In Search Of)

Remember that old show from the mid 70s, early 80s?  I loved that show!  Leonard Nimoy was the host.  I found the show "fascinating". *wink*  Okay all you Trekkies, did you catch that?  Okay.  I'm a geek and this is so not what this post is all about...

Here's what it *is* about...

I know there are some longtime demos out there or even long time customers and one of you might stumble upon my humble little blog.  I am in search of old, old, old SU catalogs.  My oldest catalog is from 95-96, so anything prior to that I would *LOVE* to have.  I am a total collector and would love to have every SU catalog out there.  Contact me and let's see if we can't work something out.

I am also looking for the following minis (I'm not even sure if these exist - please leave me a comment if you can confirm their existence - or non-existence!)...
97-98 SAB
1998 Supplement
1999 Holiday
1999 Supplement
1999 SAB
2000 SAB
2001 SAB
2001 Holiday
2007 F/W Preview

Wishin' & Hopin'!

One Month and Two Days

Wow!  It has been one month and two days since my last post.  My house has been crazy busy!  Well, not busy, just sick.  First I had the stomach flu which knocked me out for a few days at the end of April/beginning of May.  Then my girls got it.  Then we had a few days of great health, but then my oldest daughter got sick.  We went to the doctor twice, and she was finally diagnosed with Strep Throat.  She was out of school for a whole week.  Then, of course, everyone else got it.  So more missed school.  Yup, all four kids out with Strep.  We have been to the doctor so many times these past few weeks.  Good thing our co-pay is only $10!

My kids never get sick.  Kevin is 8 and this was his first time ever to be on antibiotics.  Their fevers each ran for a few days, and I did not know what to do.  I called the doctor/advice nurse, and they asked for temp readings.  I could not give them readings because we do not own a thermometer!  Like I said, my kids never get sick.  Well, not like this anyway.

We are finally all well.  The kids have gone back to school.  Now I can get back to blogging instead of sporadically posting on Splitcoast!

Be Well!

I Missed You Guys!

Wow, it's been a really fast three weeks!  All the birthday parties are officially over and the kids are back in school as of Monday morning.  We ended up not camping at the beach because the weekend we were going to go, SoCal had a cold spell.  But, we did have lots of spring break fun and did manage a trip to the beach when the weather warmed up.  It's been warming up and hasn't stopped.  Can you believe it was in the low 90s today?  Stop already with the heat!

Anyway, now I am back in stamping mode.  I have to get ready for SoCal Stamp Mania.  Can you say swaps???  I organized an unofficial SoCal Stamp Mania swap with six groups of ten swappers each.  Did I join each group???  Is SoCal Stamp Mania on Saturday???  Have I started my swaps yet???  Nothing like adding another jewel to my Queen of Procrastination Crown.

The good news is, with all these swaps I have to prepare, I'll have a lot of new cards to post for you!  So, stay tuned!  You don't want to miss it! *wink*

Glad to be back!

A Couple of Items...

Did you notice?  My blog has hit more than 20,000!  Wow.  I never would have thought such a thing was possible.  I had 10,000 hits in just about two months time.  Yeah, the blog candy I offered had a  little to do with it, but people are actually reading, just to read!  lol  You all amaze me.  I get the nicest comments and emails from you all.  Thank you!

The second thing.  I want to give a shout out to the newest member of my downline.  Carol!  Welcome to the team!

Yikes!

So I went to check my feedburner today and it appeared that more than half my readers unsubscribed!  My heart skipped a beat and I thought to myself, "Wow!  what could I have possible typed to offend so many people???"  Is my blog boring, do my samples suck?  What could it be???

Well, it turns out that feedburner is having problems today.  Feedburner can't "see" my readers on Google Reader (my reader of choice).  Yippee!  So, it is not me!

I have since recovered from my heart skipping that beat, but now I want to take this opportunity to ask you all: What do you want?  What kinds of things would you like to see on my blog?  Suggest some tutorials.  Ask me some questions.  What would make you come back and check my blog more often?

Leave me a comment and let me know what you think!  I'm happy to hear it.

Anaheim Regionals

I finally had a chance to get all my pictures in order from Stampin' Up! Anaheim Regionals.  Aside from Convention every summer, Stampin' Up! hold regional seminars throughout the year.  The one in Southern California was held Feb 1 & 2.   This is a picture of me and Shelli, the founder and owner of Stampin' Up!

Here is the link to all the pictures: Anaheim Regionals Album

I was able to take pictures of all the display boards they had up for us to see.    In the album you will see some great cards made by demos from all over the country.  There are also some wonderful projects.

Of course, you can't go to something like Regionals and not take pics of all your buds.  So, there are a few people pics in the album too.

 If you are a demo and see your card pictured, be sure to let me know! I will edit the info and credit you with the card so everyone can ohh and ahh over your beautiful work!  (Email me at Michelle@stampworkshop.com) 

Enjoy!

I'm Baahck!

So, CHA was fun, fun, fun!  Not only did I see some fabulous new products lines, but I got to hook up with some really neat SCSers.  I didn't take TONS of pictures, but I did take a few.

There really is a lot to see at CHA, and you need a few days to see it all.  I typically go for two days, so there is a lot that I missed.  My impressions of it.  Hmmm.  Here are a few...

• BIRDS!  Everyone and their mother has one of those Partridge family birds in their lines.
• Clear stamps.  I noticed a HUGE increase in clear stamps.  Many "non stamp" companies have added clear stamps to their product lines.
• Class kits.  Craft companies are starting to catch on to the whole class kit concept.  Many of them were offering class kits directly to the LSS (Local Scrapbook Stores) for purchase.
• "Darker" papers.  I'm not sure if it was my imagination, but there seemed to be less girlie, springy, shabby chic papers.  Don't get me wrong, there was TONS of that stuff, but there was an increase in more masculine colors and designs.  (I personally *loved* that.  Most paper if too frilly for me.)
• Attendance was down.  There didn't seem to be as many people there this year.  Aisle were more clear and lines were shorter.

What did I like?  Here are some comments...

• Clearsnap: Owned by Shelli Gardner and her husband Sterling.  They debuted this new product line called Memory Essentials. Think of the SU wheel handles in lime green.  Those are in the line, but another thing that caught my eye was the handle with an adhesive wheel.  The salesperson talking to me said that SU wasn't going to carry this, but she also said that she really didn't know.  Anyway, this adhesive wheel was to make your own design.  she showed it with rubber bands around it, rubber grommits, sandpaper.  Anything, now get this... she said you can adhere clear stamps to make your own wheel...
• Provo Craft: They always have the BEST make-n-takes and the BEST giveaways.  They give away Cricuts, Cuttlebugs, Cuttlebug Kids and Cricut Expressions.  Check out my Make-n-Take album for all the cool projects I made.
• Making Memories: They debuted the Slice.  Essentially a protable Cricut.  Instead of sliding the paper in like a printer, the blade is on the bottom and you place it over the paper.  Very small and portable.  One interesting note.  I saw this product debuted at last year's CHA with a small, brand new company (can't think of their name right now) that was in the "new exhibitors" section.  I'd like to think that MM bought the little company for this product...
• Cosmo Cricket: They have new black-core chipboard.  I liked this because black is my favorite color, but also so that when you do projects you don't have drab grey poking out the sides.
• Little Yellow Bicycle: I thought they had the coolest booth.  Very nice!  I lover their new Zach's Life line - all boy, but not little boy, more teenage/college.  I also loved their new Vita Bella line.  A victorian line with dark blues and navy, browns, greens.  Very pretty!
• Stampotique: They had several stamp lines, but my favorite one was this Goth/Nightmare Before Christmas line.  Check it out in my vendor album.

Oh, there were so many neat things I saw.  There are too many things to list!  Check out my make-n-take album and vendor albums for a few pictures.

I didn't take tons of pictures of products because you are typically supposed to ask before you take pictures, unless you have a press pass.  I didn't want to have to ask every time I went to a different booth.  I can be a little shy sometimes.  lol

So, who did I see?  Well, not anyone famous like from TV or movies, but I did see some big SCS names.  Hmmm.  Let's see if I can remember.  There are a bunch in my People album so I won't mention them here, but there are some that I didn't get pictures of.  I saw Trudee (trudee) at the copics booth (she was busy demoing a really COOL air compressor to do air brushing with copics).  I got to see Natasha (tashers), Barbara (OldStmpr), Ellen (EllenH), Sharon (StamperSharon), Jen (genie1314).  I saw Emily from StampingBella and Kristi from Hanna Stamps.  I was bummed that I didn't get to meet Jeanne (Jeanne S) and Sherry (BadSherry).  Anyway, check out my People Album for more familiar faces.

Here are the links to my photo albums...

• CHA People - SCSers I got to hang with
• CHA Vendors - Just a few pictures of some of the fabulous projects
• CHA Make-n-takes - One of the main reasons I go!

Thanks for reading!  Enjoy the pictures!  Be sure to join in on my CHA Giveaways!

CHA FAQ

 

I got a few questions (sounds like Wonder Wednesday to me!) and I'd like to address them here...

1. Who was I with?  This typically meant what company did I go to CHA to represent.  I didn't represent any company.  I am not on any design teams.  I went to CHA with me, myself and I.  I know someone who is a member that distributes her spare tickets.  I live not to far from Anaheim, so I once a year I get to get away from kids and do something really fun that is not kid related!  lol

2. Can anyone go? You have to be a member of CHA or be somehow affiliated with the craft industry to go.  To be a member, you pay a membership fee and have to meet certain criteria.

3. You only use SU products.  Why do you go?  Although I do use mainly SU products, and this blog is exclusively SU, I go to get ideas about what to do for my classes.  I also go to see how up to date SU is within the craft industry.  And well, hey, what crafter can pass up seeing all the fun, new toys???

4. Can you buy things there?  The CHA show isn't like a scrapbook expo.  Retailers can place orders, but teachers, educators and the like can not.  This is some serious buying and the minimum purchase is definitely for resale markets.

I hope to go again next year (if it is Anaheim again).  Next year, will be my third year and I hope to take more notes and more pictures so that I can have more extensive coverage on my blog.  The more you go and the more you know.  Third times a charm and all those other cliches.  lol

Thanks for reading and be sure to check out by CHA Giveaway!

Wow.

So I've gone through and reread some of my posts.  No matter how many times I think I've proofread something, I still have errors.  Consider this a blanket apology for all my past and future spelling and grammatical errors!  (insert wink smiley here)  lol

I'll be MIA for a few days...

Just wanted to let you all know that I will not be posting for a few days.  I will be AFK (away from keyboard).  Why you ask?  Well, I am going to the CHA Show!  Yippee!  What is the CHA Show?  Here's a short summary direct from the CHA website:

The Craft & Hobby Associations' Winter Convention and Trade Show is more than just another show. It's where the world of crafts and hobbies come together under one roof in a massive burst of creativity, education, inspiration and commerce. Over $30 billion is spent annually in this industry, and the CHA Winter Convention and Trade Show is where all that buying begins. If you want your share of this powerful market, join us in Anaheim. It's the craft and hobby world's fair.

I went last year and it was so much fun.  Every craft company you can think of was there.  Over 20k attendees. When I come back, I'll post some pictures.  Until then, happy stampin'!

Jami's Swap Sneak Peek

Here's a sneak peek of a card that I will post by the end of the week.  Why just a sneak peek?  Well, read on...

I am lucky enough to be on Jami's swap list.  Now, this isn't just any list, this is a list with some of SplitCoast's finest talent.  (Not that I'm one of them! ROFL)  So, here I am in a swap that has stampers like jbalcer, tayloredexpressions, camsmom, notimetostamp, genie1314.  Okay, so I am shamelessly name dropping.

Anyway, we aren't supposed to post our swaps until after the cards are swapped out and swappers start receiving them.  So, I am posting just a little portion of it just to prove that I've been working on swaps like I've been saying!

It's always intimidating to swap with some of these ladies, but hey, as long as I do my best, I'm good.  *wink*

Stampin' Up! in the News

Here is an article from KSL (Salt Lake City's NBC affiliate):

Utah company surprises National Guard members with cruise
January 16, 2008

(KSL News) The CEO of a Utah company surprised some lucky Utah National Guard members with a special "tour of duty": a seven day cruise to Bermuda.

The Utah-based scrapbook company Stampin' Up donated 85 cruise cabins to the guard to thank the soldiers for their service.

The unsuspecting winners received the good news today. One guardsman felt overwhelmed by the unexpected gift. "This has been kind of a dream come true. We've been married 22 years and I've been trying to get my wife on a cruise, just a three- or five-day cruise," Lt. Col. David Osborne said.

Many of the guard members selected for the cruise have served multiple tours of duty overseas.

To see the original article, click here.

My Blog's Feed

Ooops!

Well, I was changing around some of the fun stuff on the left hand side, particularly "Subscribe to my Feed" and "Subscribe to this blog's feed".  I *may* have messed up your feed to this blog.  My Google reader doesn't seem to want to see my new posts since my changes.  But, if I did and you only read this blog through a reader, then you won't even see this message!  Anyway, just a heads up in case.

What is a feed you ask?  I don't know the technical terms and exactly how it works, but if you click on the Feedburner counter or the words "Subscribe to this blog's feed" it'll pop up some prompts and it'll get my blog added to your "reader" (for example, Google Reader, BlogLines, BlogRvr, etc).  Basically it's a way for you to see the latest updates to your favorite blogs.

Copyrights and Your Creations

Have you ever wondered how your creations are protected once they are posted on the internet?

Many of my readers have their own blogs.  A majority of these blogs are creative blogs in which the blog owner posts her (or his) paper craft creations.  Here is a great article on copyrights that I happened upon on CNNmoney.com.  To see the original post and the article in its entirety, click here.

Q: Do I have to patent greeting cards?

A: A patent is for an invention. According to Brent Routman, a Minneapolis attorney for Merchant & Gould, an intellectual property law firm: “Unless your greeting card has a functional or mechanical aspect to it, what you’re looking for is a copyright.”

Of course, if you’re using someone else’s artwork, you’d have to get their permission to include it on your greeting cards, and you are also barred from registering a copyright.

If your cards are entirely self-created, you have the option of registering a copyright. Registration is voluntary: Copyright is automatic under U.S. law, and your work is inherently protected the moment it is created and put in tangible form.

You will want to register, however, if you wish to file a lawsuit alleging a copyright infringement. “In doing so you’re potentially entitled to greater damages - up to triple - if and when you go to court,” Routman says.

For more copyright information, go to the US Copyright Office.

If You Give a Girl a Stamp...

Here is a fun little story that was written in the form of Laura Numeroff's story, If You Give a Mouse a Cookie.  Any stamper, as addicted to the craft as most of my readers are, will relate to this.  So without further ado, here is If You Give a Girl a Stamp by Tracy Harp (aka LodiChick)

If You Give a Girl a Stamp
By Tracy Harp

If you give a girl a stamp she‘ll want to make a card…she’ll need an ink pad to go with it. She will spend hours pouring over colors trying to decide just the right one to buy. In the end she’ll decide she just can’t choose so she’ll buy them all.

Then she’ll remember she’ll need card stock to match the ink so she’ll quickly add four packs of assorted paper to her list, oh and white, vanilla, black and kraft!

Reading about certainly celery, purely pomegranate, pale plum and pumpkin pie will make her hungry so she’ll go to the kitchen for a snack. While munching on cookies she’ll realize she needs ideas of what to do with the stamp. She’ll go to her computer and google rubber stamping.

She’ll find a site called Splitcoaststampers. Wow!! So many techniques and ideas and a gallery that never ends. She’ll spend hours gazing at beautiful cards and projects. Her eyes will become dry from staring at the computer screen. She’ll go to the bathroom for some drops.

On the way, she’ll pass her family sitting at the kitchen table waiting for dinner. She’ll quickly heat up some leftovers and try to pretend she hadn’t forgotten. While talking about the days events, her son will bring out the school pictures he had gotten that day.

That will remind her she wanted a digital camera to take pictures of her cards so she can start her own SCS gallery. She’ll convince hubby of all the reasons the “family” needs a new camera. He will finally agree and she’ll head to the store to buy one.

On her way home she’ll pass by Joanns and remember she needs an Ott-Lite to go with the camera she just bought. While shopping for a light she’ll see aisles of paper, punches, embellishments and ribbon.  She’ll pick out a cart full of items but realize they don’t carry THE punch she saw used on a card she saved to her favorites. She’ll return home and go back to Splitcoaststampers to find out where to get THE punch.

Her search will lead her to someone’s blog where she’ll see a Starbucks bottle made into a cute candy container. That will remind her she has some bottles in the recycling bin so she’ll go to the garage to rescue them from the trash.

While in the garage she’ll see her son’s bike which will remind her she needs to buy a new helmet for his birthday. Thinking about birthdays will remind her she wanted to bake some cupcakes for him to take to school.

As she walks to the kitchen she’ll pass by the table and see the stamp.  The stamp will remind her that she wanted to make a card and she’ll probably want some…