Leadership 2015 Day 1

Just wanted to tell you about what has been going on today.
Mainly we discussed the new Compensation plan and talked about the new On-Stage Event.

But we did have a great demonstration from Shelli.

Then took some photos of the Gather Place.

 Deb won a free stamp set.

Thanks and I will have more photos tomorrow.

Happy Stamping
Mary

Grandma's Rocking Chair - April 6, 2014 - Retirement List and New Catalog

Grandma's Rocking Chair Question - When does the Retirement List come out and when can I get a new Catalog?

This is an easy and fun question. I love the retirement list and again this year we are having the great guess the sets that will retire contest.  See below for more details.  I just love to see the retirement list and guess what will be replacing them.  I am sad at a few sets that go each year but I usually find a lot to take there place.  This year Stampin' Up will be announcing the retirement set on April 21st.  That is a little early as they usually announce it just before we (demonstrators) can see the catalog and the big unveiling of the catalog will April 26, they are having a live unveiling at theaters in 42 Cities.  It is on Monday and I just can't go to Denver but will get to see it on the 28th, though I am sure I will hear about it before then. So because of the big event they are moving up the release of the retirement list to the 21st, both the Accessories and the Stamp sets.  Remember once the Accessory list is out they are only available until the supply runs out - first come first get.  You can order all Stamp Sets and any remaining retired Accessories until June 4, 2 days after the new catalog is live. So let me tell you about the Retirement Contest

Retirement Contest
Every year I have a retirement Contest. Nothing Special just some fun and you can win some nice prizes.

Send me by E-mail, IM, or even in the comments of this post 25 sets you think will be retiring and the person who guessed the most will win the Stamp Set It's the Thought, plus some other goodies.  If there is a tie I will Randomly select the winner but the other ones will receive a set of hand made cards from me.  This year I want to try something new also.  If you send in your 25 guess and you have purchased from me one of the sets on your list and it is retiring you will also receive a gift from me.
So three ways to win.
1. Send in a list of 25 guess and get the most right on the list and win.
2. Be a tie with the 25 Guess with the most right and win
3. Guess a set that is retiring and you bought that set from me you also win.
All Entries must be in by April 20th at Noon. e-mail me at marysstamping at gmail.com, IM me at my Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/MaryTrautnerStampinUp , or place a comment on this page with your 25 guesses.

Now let's go to the other part of the question.
When can I get a new Catalog?

Don't you love a new catalog?  I love to feel it in my hands,  I love to look at it all the time.  I love to mark it up with what I have and what I want.  So I love the time when it comes out.  Being a Demonstrator has it's advantages we usually get to see it first (one of the reasons I became a demo). I have been ordering catalogs for my customers to be delivered to their homes all evening today, free from me to you - only catch is you have had to order at least $50 worth of merchandise with me in the past year (You still have time to do that until April 26 this year).  Stampin' Up! will start mailing them out May 1, that does not mean you will get them the next day but you should have them well in advance of when you can order from them on June 2.  You may place an on-line order with me at http://marytrautner.stampinup.net or click here. All orders must be placed by Noon April 26 so that I can get the orders for the catalogs in.  If you do not want to order but would still like a catalog delivered to your home until April 26 it will be $5.50, let me know your e-mail and mailing address and I will send you a Pay Pal Invoice for the amount.  After April 26 it will be $5.50 plus $5.80 for mailing, as I will be mailing from my house after that time.  So hurry and be the first on your block with the new Stampin' Up! Catalog.


I hope this answered your question.  If you have any Stamping or Paper Crafting questions let me know and I will try to answer them.

Happy Stamping
Mary

Grandma's Rocking Chair - March 30, 2014 - Review Silicone Craft Sheet

Grandma's Rocking Chair Review - Stampin' Up! Silicone Craft Sheet

What did I do before getting these sheets.  I used file folders, paper plates and ruined a few tables.

I just don't know how I hot glued before these, I just love them.

SiliconeCraft Sheet    127853

Price: $5.95

Easily assemble embellishments! Drop a dot of adhesive on the sheet and have both hands free to assemble. Let glue dry completely, then pop embellishment off the sheet. 1 sheet. 6" x 6". Works with any of our adhesives.

I love them.  You glue on them and even with the Liquid Multi-purpose glue it is great.  It dries on it and you just peal it off, no sticky mess.

Hot glue on it.  Put down a blob of hot glue start sticking things on it like flower petals Scallop flowers let it cool for a few minutes then lift off.  You have everything attached and a flat bottom. want to make those cute icicles no problem use the Silicon Craft Sheet.  

I do have to admit that I actually put a strip of Sticky Strip on it and I had a hard time getting it off the Silicon Sheet, I had to rub it off first with my fingers and then with my Adhesive remover, it came off but don't think I would do it again.

Here is what Stampin' Up! says about the Silicone Craft Sheet.

Silicone Craft Sheet

Features & Benefits

Easily assemble embellishments—just put a dot of adhesive on the sheet and use both hands to assemble the embellishment, then pop it off the sheet when the glue is dry

• Nonstick
• Heat resistant silicone
• Reusable
• Easy to clean
• 1 sheet
• 6" x 6"
• Translucent gray

FYI

Unlike most nonstick craft sheets, ours is translucent, not opaque. If you’re not sure how big to make your accent or if the placement needs to be precise, place the craft sheet over your project as you assemble the accent. You’ll see exactly where it will go.

I have four of them and when we use them for projects everyone wants their own.  It is so cool to put hot glue, Crystal effects, Multi-purpose liquid glue down and then just lift it off.

These are just some of the flowers and items I used the Craft Sheet for.  I can do them so much faster and easier.

You just got to get one.  Click here to place your Stampin' Up! order and include at least one or two Silicone craft Sheets on it.

Happy Stamping

Mary

Grandma's Rocking Chair - March 23, 2014 - How do I know what colors go together?

Grandma's Rocking Chair Question - How do I know what colors go together?

I had a workshop a few days ago and someone asked how do I know which colors go together?  She said that she could never make a card because she would never get the colors right and hers would like like someone barfed on it.

Well I told her it was really easier than it looked, just ask my daughters if I have good color sense and they would say no, in fact they usually have to go with me when I shop to help pick out my colors.

So how is it so easy.  Well I have a few things I use to help me.
1. I use the Color Coach A lot.  I use the new one and also the old ones as they have different combos.  I really love them though you are limited to a few combos on each card.


Here is what one card looks like

Here is the Skinny on the Color Coach

ColorCoach    130118

Price: $14.95

Let this coach help you put together custom color schemes to express your unique creativity. Whether you want a quick reference of all colors in a collection, a card for every color, or blank cards to record your own color combinations, this swatch book Is for you!

* Includes 55 double-sided cards with removable metal post fastener

* On individual color cards, one side shows color, the other side lists coordinating colors

* Card size: 2-3/4" x 4-1/2"

Features & Benefits

• Printed cards in Stampin Up!’s exclusive colors
• Double-sided cards with removable fastener—a card for every color in our collections (In Color cards  sold separately)
• Swatchbook design 2-1/4" x 4-1/2" cards; portable enough to put in a bag
• Color cards Help you visualize color combinations to see if you like a color combination before you invest the time or money in a project
• Solid color on the front of each card; accent colors listed on the back
• Includes a Dynamic Duo color (if applicable)
• Color collection cards list all the colors in a collection
• In Color cards can be purchased separately
• Cards can be added and removed so the Color Coach is always current

FYI

You can fan out the cards to get a look at all the colors, remove the post and rearrange the cards in the

order you prefer, and take cards out and place them side by side so you can better visualize what they’ll look like on your projects

2. The Catalogs.  This Years Annual Catalog was a great help for me as this year they listed the colors on the pages instead of just the photos. So if you go to page 44.  I lists and shows you two colors Tangerine Tango and Bermuda Bay.  You then know that they go together and they even show you they go together and some other colors with them.  So now I know that Bermuda Bay and Tangerine Tango will go well together.  But say I didn't have Bermuda Bay (ya right I would run out of any color) but then you go to page 73 and you have Tangerine Tango, Crushed Curry and Smoky Slate all together.  I love it.  I don't have to worry at all, it is all there. I actually mark some of my favorite combos in the catalog.  I also get to try some I really never thought would go together and they do and I love them.

This was a color Combo on page 24 I used.  Melon Mambo, Coastal Cabana and Tangerine Tango.

3. I stalk Pinterest, Splitcoast Stampers and some blogs.  I watch what other folks are using together and if I like them.  Though sometimes they don't put the colors in the description and you have to guess,  I know I don't put the colors on my Pinterest photos, but try to in my blog.

So there are many ways to be able to choose your colors and it won't look bad at all.

Hope you have enjoyed this Grandma's Rocking Chair.  If you have any questions you would like answered please let me know and I will be happy to try and answer them.

Try some new color combos this week.

Happy Stamping 
Mary

Grandmas' Rocking Chair - November 24, 2013 - Metallic Encore Stamping Pads

Grandma's Rocking Chair Product Review - Metallic Encore Pads (Gold and Silver)

I just love the Gold and Silver Encore Pads.  Why? Well there are several reasons.

1.  I love the colors.  Yes you can get the Silver color with Basic Gray and some glimmer Paint but it does not look the same and it is hard to do.  The Silver I think is my favorite, but I do love the Gold also.

2. I love the feel of it when you stamp it.  I know that sounds strange, but it has a soft cushy feeling when you stamp.

3.  I love how it covers. It is almost like our Craft Pads use to be but a little different as it seems to cover but still sink in.

4.  It is Acid Free so you can use it on scrapbooks.

Only thing I have that I don't like and I bet those of you that know me know what it is.  I am not very patient so I hate when it takes awhile to dry.  Unless you use the heat gun it does take awhile to dry and you can smear it.  Also gets all over your hands. But other than that I love it.  Here are a few of the cards I have use them on.

I used Gold On this one.  On the Very Vanilla I I used Pretty Print and then ran the Gold over it just made it pop.

This one I used the Silver on the small Snowflake I really love it on it.

I did this one the same as the above with the Gold and swiping it over the embossed Pretty print.

This is one of the ones I used a lot of the Silver on and it got allover my hands.  But I still loved using it  I love how it looks. 

Here are the Details

Silver Metallic Encore Pad            132142

Price: $9.95

Get on top of the metallic trend with beautiful silver stamped images. Acid free.

Gold Metallic Encore Pad              132141

Price: $9.95

Everything looks richer in gold! Create gold stamped images with the Gold Metallic Encore Pad. Acid free.

Right now with the Holiday Sale they are on Sale both for $15.92

Metallic Ink Bundle         136533

Price: $19.90 $15.92

Includes: Gold Metallic Encore Pad and Silver Metallic Encore Pad

If you have any questions on Stamping or Paper Crafts, or would like me to review something please leave a comment or e-mail me.

Don't forget the Mystery Hostess for this month.

The Mystery Hostess is for everyone who enters an on-line order and uses the Hostess code they will be entered into a drawing for what Hostess rewards are available.  

Just use the Hostess Code AE72TVC9 and you will be entered into the drawing.

Mystery Host code  AE72TVC9 is good till November 30 and the winner will be announce December 1. The winner will choose Stampin' Up! products of their choice. To be entered in the drawing you need to enter the code.  The big question where do you enter the code when you are on the page of your shopping bag on the left bottom side you will see at the bottom where it says "Special Offer" the box that says "Do you have a hostess code"  Look like this
Do you have a hostess code? Enter it here and click Apply:

 that is where you will enter  AE72TVC9 in that box let me know if you have any question and good luck to everyone that will participate. 

Happy Stamping

Mary

Grandma's Rocking Chair - November 17, 2013 - Ideas

Grandma's Rocking Chair Question - How do you come up with your ideas?

Today I had 3 new stampers at my Techniques Class.  I love new stampers they are so excited and love to learn.  They also ask really good questions.  One today wanted to know where I get my ideas and how do I come up with the great cards and projects.  I must confess A lot of my ideas are not my own and in fact I may think they are my own when I come up with a great card, but a lot of time I take something I saw from one thing and put it with another things or tried a technique a little differently.
We stampers call it CASE - Copy And Share Everything.

I also get a lot of inspiration from the Stampin' Up Catalogs.  I may change colors or even copy it directly.  I did a few copy directly for my Christmas Card Classes this year.

These Two were direct cases from the Stampin' Up! Holiday Catalog Page 10.

This one I changed up just a little bit.

Still from the Holiday catalog page 10.  Can you name what I changed?

Also if you go to Stampin' Up! events we do what is called swapping.  Where we make cards, a lot of cards and exchange them with others for the cards they made.  Here are some of the swaps I got from the Stampin' Up! convention this summer.

The one in teh upper right was my swap. Notice the lower left.  I used that card except teh saying for this Mother's Day Card.

There are also general swaps and I got a great card from Pam Morgan who works at Stampin' Up.  So I just changed up the Designer Series Paper and the saying and made this card.

I made this card from inspiration I got from a card in the Holiday Catalog page 10.  Can you tell me which one?  I wanted to do something different and I thought Vellum would be really nice and kick it off.

I also get inspiration from sites around the internet, mainly looking at photos.  Sites like http://www.stampinaddict.com or http://splitcoaststampers.com  Stampin' Up! also has a site for demos only called Stampin' Connection  where we post photos, instructions, videos and ideas. 

I also like to try different color combinations and certain colors go with certain stamps or techniques and I am sure I have seen something like it before maybe on Pinterest or one of my sites or in a magazine or catalog or a swap.  Sometimes I think I think of it all on my own I really am happy when that happens, such as this one.

The Colors are from a Color Combination in the Annual catalog but I think the idea is mine, but I would not be surprised to find out that I had seen something similar and just thought it was an original.

It is always good Stamping Etiquette to credit where and who your idea came from if you can.  Such as in my instructions I say this is from the Stampin' Up Catalog, or I was inspired by a SWAP from XXX for this card. Or I got the instructions for this project from Brenda Quintana ( I use her Hershey projects for some of my classes and always say she came up with it - I could never be that creative).  It is OK to CASE things, I really don't think there is a fully original idea for a card out there that has not been done, the stamps and colors may be changed to protect the innocent, but that is about it.  If someone puts down on their description not to copy their idea please respect that, there are always more to CASE, and if you really want to make that card or project contact them and ask.  

Even though I love my projects and cards the ideas are not always mine.  I try to come up with originals but at times it is easier and faster to CASE than make 4 -6 attempts to get it just right, even CASEing them you sometimes have to do that to get it just how you want it, but you don't have to think of the idea.

So you have permission to CASE all my cards, experiment and change colors and stamps and go for it.

If you have any stamping or paper craft questions just comment here or e-mail me here.

JOIN MY TEAM

I am having a give away.  I will pay half of your Convention registration for next years convention.  Here is how it works.

You will get one ticket if you are on my team.

You will get one ticket if you join my team from now until the End of February.

You will get three tickets if you promote - go from Associate to Senior Associate, Senior Associate to Supervisor, Supervisor to Senior Supervisor, Senior Supervisor to Manager etc.

If you recruit you will get two tickets for each recruit.

The week before Convention Registration begins I will draw the winner.  I will then pay you 1/2 of the convention registration once you register.  If I get 20 new Recruits I will pay your entire registration.

You also can share my room at convention. Depending upon how many we have in the room it is usually split 2 -4 ways. 

No Matter the Reason, to get $125 of Merchandise for only $99, you want to share the experience and fun with someone, You want to make a little bit of extra money. Now is the time to join. Check this out to see why I am a demo. http://marysstampinghappenings.blogspot.com/2013/07/grandmas-rocking-chair-july-21-2013-why.html

Happy Stamping

Mary