Awards Night Headlines

Making a scrapbook page look like the front page of a newspaper for a Splitcoaststampers challenge was the most intimidating challenge for me. After I was done, however, I loved the page and plan to use this idea for more of my Project Life pages about Inspire, Create, Share 2015, Stampin' Up!'s convention.

I knew that I was going to use this picture from Awards Night.  The theme was the 1920's.  All of our group dressed up for the party.

I decided to use Microsoft Word to make the "headlines" and to write the "article".  The headlines were pretty easy.  I did copy and paste the image from Inspire, Create, Share 2015 for the newspaper "logo".  By using the columns and justify features, the journaling looks more like newspaper columns.  The page is 6 x 8 1/4" to fit the Project Life full page.

I can't wait to change the Word document to feature the highlight of each day of convention.  Be sure to check out the Splitcoaststampers Challenge to see what other Stampin' Up! demonstrators have done for this front page challenge.

Visit my online store to get what you want for your next project.  Remember that when you purchase $25 or more in product, you are eligible for my Rewards Program.

Creatively yours,

Sharon Cheng
Richland Hills, TX

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Swapping Stampin' Up! Style: Birthday Cards

Today I’m sharing the birthday cards I received while swapping with other independent Stampin’ Up! demonstrators at #InspireCreateShare2014. You can see other swaps and convention highlights in all of my posts this week.

Cathy Bartlett used the Big News stamp set and Sweet Taffy Designer Series Paper to make this bold and bright birthday card. I like the way she used four different papers as her background. You’ll see other versions of this technique with some of the other swaps I received.

Amanda Cardera used the same Big News stamp set for her birthday card.  It looks so different with the change in color and layout.  Notice how she used the silver glimmer paper to highlight the sentiment?  And the WooHoo! flag at the bottom is adorable.  She gets kudos for fussy cutting for a swap.  Here is my IAM (In A Minute) video on fussy cutting.

Sue Stromquist did a wonderful job combining the Star Framelits and star punch to make this striking card.

Unfortunately, this card that uses Amazing Birthday doesn't have a label on it.  If you happen to know who made this card, please contact me so I can give them credit.

Janace Charbonneau made this card using the Flower Patch stamp set and coordinating framelits.  I love her color choices and the use of Basic Gray as the background.  The Lovely Lace textured embossing folder gives a wonderful subtle touch to the card.

Kate Liechty used Smoky Slate and Basic Gray for her background with this card that features the Perfect Pennants stamp set.  The combination of grays really makes the other colors pop.

And last but not least is this birthday card by Karen Duke featuring the Life in the Forest stamp set.  So cute and cheery.

I hope you enjoyed seeing some of the wonderful swaps that I received at Stampin' Up!'s convention 2014. Stay tuned for still more swap cards in the next several days.

Visit my online store to get what you want for your next project.  Remember that when you purchase $25 or more in product, you are eligible for my Rewards Program.

Creatively yours,

Sharon Cheng
Richland Hills, TX

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Swapping Stampin' Up! Style

One of my favorite things to do at a Stampin' Up! event is swap cards.  Here are a few pictures of what it looks like.  Stampin' Up! demonstrators carry cards to exchange with other demonstrators and at places like convention, you'll see these swap-portunities show up everywhere.  I've swapped at the airport, on the plane, on the bus, and naturally at the Salt Lake Palace convention center.  You make many samples of the same card and then trade them.  It's a wonderful way to greet friends, meet new friends and have a wide variety of cards to share when you get back home.

I came home with many wonderful swaps.  Here is the first of many posts with some of my swap cards.  Debbie Adelt made this stunning card using the Wetlands stamp set.  She used watercolor paper and spritzed the paper to give it that watercolor look.  This was the swap that almost didn't happen.  Janet Holmes came up to be and asked if I had any swap cards left.  I answered yes and gave her one.  Off she went and brought back this card.  She had passed by the woman swapping this card and knew that I would love the card, so thank you Janet and Debbie!

Carolyn Rice made this punch art camera which can be a card or an embellishment.  She used the File Tab edgelit to make the top of the camera and circle punches for the lens.  Notice how she used the argyle embossing folder to add texture to the black?  The smallest ticket from the Ticket Duo punch is the button on the camera.  What a great imagination Carolyn has to design this swap card!

Leslie Mahon made this card with the fabulous background using the Beautifully Baroque embossing folder and inks to show off the details.  The color coordination is gorgeous!

I'll continue to share my convention swaps and details when I have them in the upcoming days.  Starting with my Sunday 7/27/2014 post are more of the inspiring and creative ideas that I would like to share from #InspireCreateShare2014.

Visit my online store to get what you want for your next project.  Remember that when you purchase $25 or more in product, you are eligible for my Rewards Program.

Creatively yours,

Sharon Cheng
Richland Hills, TX

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Stampin' Up!'s Managers' Reception 2014 at the Houston Aquarium

Stampin' Up!'s Managers' Reception 2014 was at the Houston Aquarium. Having been to many different Managers' Receptions, I would have to say that this one was one of the best ever.

This is the view from the top of the ferris wheel.

Stampin' Up! reserved the entire aquarium so there were no lines for any of the rides.

We could walk through the aquarium area to see the fish, snakes and other reptiles.

This train went through a tunnel-type of aquarium where you could see sharks swimming all around you.

Off to Leadership Day 3 adventures!  I'll post more pictures on my Pinterest board and blog more later.

Creatively yours,

Sharon Cheng
Richland Hills, TX

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Stampin' Up! Leadership 2014 Day 1

I'm posting a few quick updates from Stampin' Up!'s Leadership Conference in Houston, TX between classes.

The big announcement was that Stampin' Up! will be launching their new Blendability alcohol-based markers in the first quarter of 2014.  Here are the colors they will come in.  Each color with have a set of 3 markers:  light, medium and dark.

One of the Stampin' Up! staff members demonstrated how to use the new markers.  I have to admit that I'm a little jealous.  I would love to play with them too!

Here is a sneak peek of the new customizable stamp that will be in Stampin' Up!'s new catalog.  It's a photopolymer clear stamp!

Okay, I have to get to class.  Will update as time allows.  Looking forward to a HUGE stamp class tonight with just shy of 1000 Stampin' Up! demonstrators where we'll get to play with new products!

Creatively yours,

Sharon Cheng
Richland Hills, TX

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The One Thing...from Shelli Gardner

If you had told me 10 years ago that I would having so much fun with my Stampin' Up! friends, I probably would not have believed you.  That's because I've only been a Stampin' Up! demonstrator for 8 years.  :)

If you want to avoid any spoilers, please watch this interview with Shelli first and then read the rest of this post.  And yes, Shelli spells her name with an "i".

What did you think about the part where Shelli said that profits probably would be better if she moved the manufacturing plant in Kanab, but that wasn't the point?

Relationships are what keep me with Stampin' Up!.  I've worked for several different crafting companies.  While I love creating different projects, you can do that in many different settings.  It's my Stampin' Up! friends that make being a demonstrator so much fun.

It's hard to believe that Shelli started Stampin' Up! 25 years ago in her living room and now it's an international company.

I started with Stampin' Up! initially to get the demonstrator discount.  The starter kit was on sale and I had a long wish list.  I decided that worse case scenario, I would get a lot of high quality products that I wanted.  Thankfully, Stampin' Up! has been much more than that.

I decided to join when there was a special on the demonstrator starter kit.  If you're looking at cost, just like I was in 2005, here are some details about the current $25 starter kit special.

The starter kit is $25 through October 21st. You can pick any combination of items that add up to $25 for your starter kit.  You'll automatically be a Stampin' Up! demonstrator through the end of April 2014.  You'll get your demonstrator discount of 20% and may qualify for other rewards depending on your sales.  You'll get access to the demonstrator website, Stampin' Connection (demonstrator-exclusive site for sharing projects and ideas), and Stampin' Up!'s magazine, Stampin' Success. 

Already know that this is the best $25 investment you can make for yourself?  Sign up now and get started with Stampin' Up!. 

Prefer to get more information?  Contact me and I'll help you get the information you need to make the right decision for you.

Creatively yours,

Sharon Cheng
Richland Hills, TX

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World Card Making Day Bloghop Too

My card for the OWH Bloghop for World Card Making Day uses sketch 79.  I'm not sure why, but I have been drawn to cards that use strips of designer series paper lately.  It's a great way to use up scraps.  Here are some other cards that I've made using scrappy strips.

Here are the details for this card. Notice that I used the same paper as my OWH World Card Making Day Bloghop card.  That's because I used leftover strips from this card on my OWH card!

I made this birthday candle card and the Summer Smooches card below for swaps at convention. Both cards were very popular. Here is more information about these cards. 
 

Thank you for looking at my scrappy strips cards.  Enjoy the rest of the bloghop!

Creatively yours,

Sharon Cheng
Richland Hills, TX

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Spring is in the Air!

Stampin' Up! posted several pictures of Thanksgiving Point Gardens and I just had to share this one.  Its beauty is breathtaking and puts your mind at ease.  I'd love to see it in person!

You can see more pictures from the 2012 Thanksgiving Point Tulip Festival on My Facebook Business Page.

While the view is not quite as spectacular in my garden, the butterflies are going crazy over the privet bush in my front yard.  You can see more pics on my personal Facebook page.

I'm enjoying the beautiful spring weather we are having at home and hope it is as great where you are.

Creatively yours,

Sharon Cheng
Richland Hills, TX

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Stampin' Up! Employee Appreciation Breakfast

Stampin' Up! posted some pictures from their Employee Appreciation Breakfast.  This was the handmade banner that was at their celebration.  You can see the rest of the pictures they posted on my Facebook Business Page.

The employee appreciation photos don't show how pretty the home office is.  Here is a picture of the center atrium area in the home office.

This Stampin' Up! postcard gives you a better view of what it looks like when you walk into the home office at the Riverton campus.

Creatively yours,

Sharon Cheng
Richland Hills, TX

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Stampin' Up!'s Convention Was Fabulous!!!

Eight of my Stampin' Up! demonstrator friends and I went to Stampin' Up!'s convention in Salt Lake City. We had four days filled with fun and friendship. The theme was Grow.  The displays and classes all had a gardening theme.  The classes were about growing as a stamper, demonstrator and friend.  

At convention, there are lots of classes, swaps and opportunities to visit with other demonstrators. This year they had some extra classes with over the top projects. Here are the houses that they made in the Village of Cuteness class. 

Stampin' Up! went out of their way to delight and surprise all of the convention attendees.  There was a large display area that featured different papers and fabrics.  Here is part of the display using the Flirtacious Specialty paper and fabric. You can see more photos from convention on my Facebook page. 

 

In the display area they also showed the Christmas box that is part of the current $99 Starter Kit Special. If you join my Stampin' Up! team by July 31st, you will get the kit for this Christmas Box in addition to your starter kit.

Creatively yours,

Sharon Cheng
Richland Hills, TX

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My New Facebook Page

Here is my new Facebook profile picture.  It's a photo from the Managers' Reception at the 2011 Leadership Conference.  Stampin' Up! has an extra special evening for demonstrators with the title of Manager or higher.  They reserved the Wild Horse Saloon at downtown Nashville just for Stampin' Up!

We had a fun evening with dinner, live music and line dancing.  I'm showing my dancing experience when I tell you that in my day, line dancing was done to disco music and called doing the Hustle.

One of the performers was Dave Robbins.  He was a singer with Blackhawk and has written songs for artists ranging from Conway Twitty to Eric Clapton.  You can listen to his music at http://thedaverobbins.com/

The other group was Brother Trouble.  They have toured with Kenny Chesney.  You can catch their sound at

http://www.brothertrouble.com/

There are more photos in my Facebook leadership album.  If you are reading this on my blog, please click on the Facebook link in the left hand column to go to my Facebook page.

Creatively yours,

Sharon Cheng
Richland Hills, TX
My Blog at http://www.sharoncheng.com
My Website at http://www.sharoncheng.stampinup.net

Stampin' Up! Convention

Kathryn and I have been doing so much at the Stampin' Up! convention, we're feeling a little fuzzy headed. Do you like our new stamp?

Sharon Cheng
www.sharoncheng.stampinup.net
http://scandcompany.blogspot.com/