There are only a few days left to take advantage of Stampin' Up!®'s special $85 (mini) Demonstrator Starter Kit.  This special kit, consisting of the following items, is only available through this coming Monday, August 31st:

Alternatively, the regular $199 Demonstrator Starter Kit is still available…. but through Aug. 31, you'll get a BONUS set of all 6 In-Color Classic pads and a pack of In-Color (8-1/2 x 11) cardstock if you choose that Starter Kit.

So what might you DO with an additional $200 – $500 a month?  Or more?  Have you ever thought about that?  If you love Stampin' Up!®, click here for a list of perks you can enjoy as a demonstrator, and then let's chat.  But remember, time is drawing close to take advantage of this special mini kit pricing, so contact me quick!

Some of you know that I had intended to present a series of "Santa's Summertime Workshop" classes late in July and then again this week, too.  And I had even marked days on my calendar to hold those classes.  Unfortunately I have to confess those intended classes have fallen victim to my sometimes overly zealous habit of over-extending myself. Given how hectic my August was already shaping up to be (Stampin' Up!® Convention, immediately followed by the Island County Fair, which then became even more intense than ever before, and then houseguests I hadn't factored in, who would arrive before I was even finished with the Fair)….. well, I totally underestimated the time (and energy) it would take to get those classes prepped and ready to present.  Looking back, I should never have tried to squeeze in something that required so many hours of prep work in the weeks immediately prior to and after these big back-to-back activities already looming on my August plate.  But since I did, if you have been looking forward to those "classes-that-haven't-happened-yet", I offer my apologies for disappointing you.  I am disappointed, as well.

But the GOOD news is that I have been working like a mad-woman this week to prep those classes for the UPCOMING months!  And I'm making good progress, so please stay tuned for details.  In the meantime, I thought I'd post a few shots of some of the ideas I'll be presenting so you can think about which you might like to make.  (These are just *some* of what I've got lined up; there'll be more to follow soon.) 

And remember that if you have a full Great Rewards card (and lots of you DO!), you may choose to redeem it on one of these classes; it has a $30 value when redeemed on a class!

We (Stampin' Up!® demonstrators) have recently learned that the automated mailings of the Holiday Mini Catalog are running behind.  In most cases I would have expected those of you who are frequent customers or Club members of mine would have already received your Holiday Mini Catalog.  But apparently many of the mailings are late - particularly those headed to the western part of the country. 

Stampin' Up! anticipates the mailing cycle will be completed within the next few days.  So it sounds like even though most of you may not have your Mini by the start of September, the wait shouldn't be too much longer beyond that.  (And I expect it will become available for viewing online beginning September 1.) Please contact me directly if yours doesn't show up soon.

And we also just learned that the Simply Adorned (jewelry) line will not be ready to launch on September 1st, as originally projected.  (When your Holiday Mini Catalog does eventually arrive you'll understand what I'm referring to, lol.)  Stay tuned for further updates about the availability of this gorgeous new product line!

If you missed it, or just want a closer view, here are some more of the wedding-appropriate projects we had on display at the Island County Fair.  From the lower left-hand corner, working clockwise, highlights include:

1. Matchbox favor made with the Matchbox Die and Cottage Wall Designer Series Paper (DSP)
2. Fancy Favor box with scalloped circle punched out of the front and lined with Clear Window Sheet.  Cottage Wall DSP again.
3. 3-D Invitation (BTW, I'll be teaching how to make this intriguing 3-D card design at my Stampers 30 Clubs in the next month or two; call me if you'd like to join in!  I still have a few openings.)
4. Gift enclosure or thank-you note card, featuring Cottage Wall DSP again (the green dotted background), with the new Flower Fantasy Printed Window Sheets used as an overlay. 
5. Tag for personalizing most anything.  (Think bridesmaid's gifts, maybe?)  Scallop circle die cut from Long Board Chipboard with Cottage Wall DSP adhered.  The letter is from the Serif Essentials Alphabet.

Colors used on these projects include Rich Razzleberry, Orchid Opulence and Old Olive.  And Whisper White, of course.  But just IMAGINE the different looks you could get by substituting your OWN custom colors!

If a wedding or special party or celebration is in your future, let's get together and knock some ideas around!

Did you get a chance to drop by our booth at the Island County Fair recently?  In the week since it has closed I have heard from a number of you saying that you hadn't been able to get there during my shifts – or sometimes not even at all.  But while I don't have close-ups of many of the displays to share, I do have these things that we had grouped under wedding themes. 

Well, the cake is *obvious*, of course…..                                                      

     It features the Pop-Up Cake die with the Elegant Bouquet Textured Impressions Die used on Whisper White cardstock.  The bride and groom (yes, he's really up there to the left of the bride, just kinda dark around his head and shoulders!) are also from that same cake die, and other embellishments include the Pretties Kit, as well as 1/4" white grosgrain ribbon.

If you haven't had a chance to see this in real life, ask to see it when you're here for a class or Stamp-a-Stack or something.  And in the meantime, I'll post some additional wedding-appropriate projects tomorrow.

So did you enjoy Matt & Linda Heller’s video yesterday?  Well today I thought I’d share an oldie-but-goodie with you – another video from Linda’s husband, Matt.  This video has been around the demonstrator circles for quite a while; in fact I MAY have even posted it here some time ago.  But whether I ever did or not, it’s always fun to review clever things like this again.

So enjoy Matt’s version of how to make a “manly” card!

As you can imagine, Stampin' Up!'s Conventions are one exciting moment after another.  And some of those exciting moments include quite creative and imaginative "commercials" for various demonstrator-related topics.  These past couple of Conventions, demonstrators have been invited to submit their own video commercials, and this year's winner was submitted by Matt & Linda Heller.  I think you'll agree that it's pretty entertaining! 

(Note: if you're reading this from a subscription, you may need to come to my actual blog post to view the video:  www.StamptheRock.com.)

It was with great shock and extreme disappointment that I learned 2 days ago of the cancellation of October's Uniquely Whidbey Business Expo in Coupeville!  While apparently this did not come as a surprise to some people in the community, the brief letter I received in the mail on Wednesday announcing the cancellation of this year's event was the first I had had a CLUE there was any trouble in the wind.

While the letter was a little vague as to the full reason for the cancellation, it suggested that perhaps a projected lack of participation among the community businesses was to blame.  Obviously I do not have all the facts, so I am trying to remain as objective as possible in my disappointment, but I do have my opinions that cancelling the event all-together will not do anything positive to ensure its continuation or reinstatement next year.  I have been in this business long enough to know that any change of scheduling or venue to a steady tradition results in a reduction of followers, so I am concerned about an even smaller business turnout next year, coupled with a likely drop-off in public attendance as well.  And given that I have held a paid reservation since April, I am not even certain how I will personally feel about turning over money again 6 months in advance next year to "reserve" something that may not actually happen yet again.  Guess I'll just have to wait and see how I feel about that angle when the time comes.

It seems particularly odd to me that local businesses would not be interested in participating this year - especially in an economic environment where getting out in front of the public is more important right now than ever!  This is the part that just makes no sense to me at all, and really piques my curiousity as to what really went down behind the scenes.  Other businesses know that advertising and public exposure is critical these days; that is blatently obvious with the increase in advertising we see on television, by companies who NEVER used to advertise to the public.  So it stands to reason that the businesses of Island County should have been TRIPPING over themselves to get into this show.  If indeed they were not, I simply cannot understand why.

I do know there was SOME interest, however, because ironically, while the Island County Economic Development Board was apparently in the process of cancelling this year's event, I was out recruiting participation interest (as usual) among my peer businesses in our building at the Fair last week!  Great timing, huh? 

So anyway, it looks like one of my fall traditions is sadly coming to an end.  I have had a booth at Uniquely Whidbey for (I think) 11 years running now.  And I had never given a moment's contemplation to ever NOT being there.  But then again, I never expected they would pull the plug on such an awesome show, either.  Again, from my standpoint in terms of supporting the Island businesses, I think pulling the plug altogether (vs. making some other arrangements for those of us looking forward to participating again) was a huge mistake….. but I guess what's done is done and no one asked for MY opinion. 

So thank you to the many, MANY of you who have supported my booth at Uniquely Whidbey over the past decade!  This venue was certainly my favorite of all the expo booths I have ever worked on the Island, and I always enjoyed and appreciated the wonderful, friendly people who stopped by year after year after year to "see what's new" and breathe in another dose of inspiration.  Actually, I met many of you for the very first time there – and you have become great customers, hostesses, demonstrators, and friends over the years. 

So if you're reading this message, please know that even though apparently I will not be in my usual place in Coupeville on the 2nd weekend of October this year, I'm still around and would love to see you this fall!  I hope you'll think about coming to another of my events this season – perhaps a class or workshop, or my Christmas Card Studio, or heck, just give me a call or shoot me an email (my contact info's at the top of this page) and let's just get together and stamp and chat!  (BTW, there are more new Stampin' Up!® product lines being introduced in the near future than I think we've EVER released in such a short timeframe!  You won't want to miss 'em!) 

So I'll certainly miss Uniquely Whidbey this year…… and I'll especially miss YOU!

Check out this fun newspaper article that shares some of the flavor (and a few photos) of our recent Stampin' Up!® Annual Convention in Salt Lake City!  Take a few minutes to share in the excitement – and don't miss the photo gallery and comments, too!

And how would you like to go with me to my 15th consecutive Convention next summer?!?  There are so many awesome things happening in Stampin' Up! this season; it's a fabulous time to start your own business with them – for as little as $85 (plus tax)!  (Special $85 starter kit only valid through Aug. 31, tho.)  Whether you wish to earn a couple hundred bucks a month or much, much more, Stampin' Up! can be a really fun way to do it!  And when you get started now you'll not only get to take advantage of the new product lines just about to roll out this fall, but you'll have an entire year to get ready for what will surely be one of the most fun adventures of your life at Convention 2010! 

Want to learn more?  Click here for some more details about joining Stampin' Up!, and then let's chat!

Well, as many of you know, this month has been a hectic one for me – and as it has turned out even MORE so than what I've been anticipating and warning y'all about all year.  The month began with my trip to Convention in Salt Lake City, and then the moment I returned I jumped into work on our Island County Fair booth.  Worked 5 shifts (of the 8) – the most I've ever worked at that event - and during the final day, my son and his wife arrived from Idaho for a brief visit.  Thankfully, he and my parents arrived at closing time that last day to help haul the fussy things out, and then David and I went back to finish up on Monday.  But their visit went all too fast, and they headed home yesterday.

So today was the first day this month that I actually had a chance to make my own choices about what I would do with the day – and I chose to celebrate by unpacking my suitcase from the Convention trip!!!  I'd already noticed that TSA had had their turn at pawing through my things, and when I discovered earlier this week the mess they'd made of my jewelry, I'd gotten discouraged and just walked away from it all. 

So I thought I'd share with you a few more pictures of our booth – and say thank you to those of you who dropped by to say 'hi'!  We totally redesigned our booth this year – which on the one hand I think made for a better display, but on the other hand I about went stir crazy without having anything to stamp (or stay busy with) for so many hours!  I am SO not used to just "hanging out", lol!  But it was fun measuring kids (of ALL ages) on our Decor Elements Growth Chart (shown at right), and pinning handmade badges on 'em afterwards.                                                              

Oh, and there's one more thing to show ya, too!  Woo Hoo!!!