Off To The Alamo!!

On day 2 we planned to visit the Alamo!! We had a lovely breakfast in the hotel and already I knew this week was going to be a "go on then, you're on holiday " week which is a phrase my family at home taught us (which we took on rather quickly) that basically is an excuse to indulge and indulge I did all week long!  As we headed towards town thinking Lisa would be taking us to the Tour Bus Depot so we could get our tickets to go to the Alamo. We stopped suddenly and she announced "here we are"! Kayla and I looked around and asked "where"? "The Alamo" Lisa says! Well since we both thought we would load on a bus and head out into the "desert" with sagebrush rolling by, we were quite shocked to find out that The Alamo was smack dab in the middle of the town! We went inside to see the amazing piece of history. It was quite humbling to see the smallness of the rooms. We wandered the outside and was offered to watch a small movie of the events that lead up to that fateful day. the narrator was a fantastic story telling and included many of the group into his story. This I found to be the most fascinating of the entire experience, I learned of a story that I never really new the true facts of and felt a part of it as he told the tale of events. That made the whole visit worth it and when you walked through the "long building" afterwards to see all the artifacts it put a whole new light on everything. You can see more here.   http://www.thealamo.org/visitors/overview.php

After the Alamo we did take a bus tour of the city, visiting 2 of the other Missions and stopping at the Mexican Market. We tried some Mexican pastries which I found to be close to many of those from England and di some shopping!

I really enjoyed the day and found the people to be so curtious and friendly. We finished off the day with a walk around the river walk!

My dear friends....

Kayla, my dear friend, fellow demo and first Leadership attendee (like me) flew down together and met up with Lisa another dear friend from Minnesota.

Wes and I met Lisa and Henry on the Alaskan Cruise where we table mates with them and some other great couples. We have remained in contact with all of them and so look forward to seeing each other and other events. Wes and I  soon became friends Lisa and Henry and enjoyed many evening's with them and look forward to getting together again soon.

For our first evening we decided to dine at the Tower of America, Lisa our trusty tour guide had everything planned out for us so we could see the most while we were there! 

We rode the elevator up to the top, it goes up the outside of the tower. The whole top area is a restaurant and viewing deck.

We enjoyed a great meal and then went up top where you could view all of San Antonio.

That ended our first day in San Antonio!!

San Antonio, Texas

San Antonio, Texas

    We stayed at the Marriot, right across the street from the Lila Cockrell Theatre where Leadership Conference was held. We were also right on the river walk which became our stomping grounds for the next glorious week. We left snow and landed in lovely warm weather and it was great the whole week as well. We checked in and dropped off our suitcases and headed for the river and got tickets for the barge tour.

While waiting we decided to have a wander through the mall also conveniently close by, we found plenty of touristy shops to come back to collect souvenirs. Our ride along the river was great, we had a great tour guide who had us chuckling a few times.

Well my friends and family, it's been a long time I know. But I am ready to give this bloggin' thing another go! I have just returned from Stampin' Up! Leadership in San Antonio, Texas and couldn't think of a better way than sharing our theme for this year "my way". How perfect that fit for just how I have been doing things the past few years and that no matter how you chose "my way" (YOUR WAY) does work for all of us. If you'd have told me 4 years ago how different things would be for me now I would never have believed you!! Well let me tell you a lot has happened in the past few years and I am very happy to say that my life has been enriched in so many different ways that I could not ask for more. I am still happily married to the most handsome man in the world (although that Channing Tatum is quite a dish) and still have the prettiest girls but we now have added the 2 of the most adorable Grandson's to the family as well. They have brought us all so much joy and are a huge part of our lives as they live with us along with their Mommy, our daughter Brittany. Alissa, our baby is turning 16 next week and talking of a boy/girl party, omgosh where has the time gone? Through all this I have been stampin' and still sharing my love of paper crafting! I was overjoyed to earn the 2011 incentive trip from Stampin' Up! an amazing cruise with my husband to Alaska which we went on last May. I was truely pampered and felt like a queen. I met some incredible women that will remain lifelong friends. A huge thanks goes out to all my friends and family for the support and SU orders to make it happen! I am also very excited to tell you that I earned the incentive trip for this year to Disney World thanks again to my team, friends and family for helping me achieve this also! All this and the whole time I've been doing it my way! With being stay at home Nana (SAHN) to my grandson's it was a little tougher to get things ready for clubs and often found my kits missing a piece or two. I had eager hands that wanted to stamp and cut and those boys just love the big shot. There were times when I thought it's time to give up but SU was the one thing I did for myself and I refused to let go. I had great reassurance and my family really helped out a lot to make things happen. I have also been blessed with a growing team that keeps me motivated with their fresh excitement. I have made a great deal of friendships over the past few years and am so very grateful for my life. So with that I hope to get back to bloggin' and sharing more. Thank you all for sticking by me and for all the support I am forever grateful!!

Holiday Place Setting's Stampin' Up! style!

You can view the supply list here ! http://studio5.ksl.com/?nid=61&sid=4573672

Hello

I'm home from convention and I had a wonderful time! How could you not have a great time being around friends and fresh rubbah! If you haven't got your new catty yet I can't wait for you to see it, their are some great new sets!! The new papers are delish!!! There is new ribbon and embellishments. Below you will find our exciting new news and the great specials we have right now! Can't wait to see you at club this coming week, I have lots to show you!
Vicky

First up is the Big Shot Die-Cut Machine. Stampin' Up! has partnered with Sizzix to be able to offer the Big Shot with many of their own exclusive dies. You can read all of the details here.

Next up is the new line of Decor Elements. These are vinyl die-cuts that you can put on glass, walls, ceramic, etc. You can click here to see our current offerings. There are more new and exciting pieces coming out next month. Be on the look out for those.

Next up in the line-up is the Fall-Winter Sampler. This publication has a sampling of great products listed in our new catalog. It is perfect for anyone that might feel a little overwhelmed by the 209 pages in regular catalog. But, as you see on the left hand side, there are specials listed on the back page. There are three of them. You can click here to see the entire publication or click on the photo on the left to see the back cover with just the specials.

Now for a Never Before Seen Specials. Between August 11 and September 30th. You can save 15% off of Never Before Seen stamp sets. Click here for the details.

A little birdie told me....

Ok, it was a big birdie and not only did it tell me but it also brought me a sampling of the new "In Colors" !!! Yes, I have them here and waiting for you to see! Also a great new punch to show off!! I can't wait to make Christmas cards with Kiwi Kiss and Riding Hood Red!! Pink Pirouette is the perfect soft pink for those baby and wedding cards! Pacific Point and Tangerine Tango will be those bright new colors needed for new boy pages!! Baja Breeze is going to be perfect for those wintery cards and a great accompaniment to my favorite choc chip!!

July's Club

I will be sharing another cute idea for giving those ever popular gift cards! This one uses a envelope carefully folded and hidden behind the card front for a surprise. You will either make a birthday or wedding gift card. This idea will come in very handy I'm sure. Hope you can join me!!

July's Club

For club this month we will also be making this card using a technique to turn card stock into fabric (well nearly)! So much so it can give the look of quilting. We will also be using a new tool that Peggy discovered and shared with me, can't wait to show you too!

June's Club

June is the beginning of a new club year for us! For those of you that couldn't attend June's meeting we made cover sheets for our new folders and a beaded pen to match. We used the one sheet wonder (OSW) technique stamping all over the cover sheet. I supplied a template for you to stamp and create 8 cards using a OSW! The new folder will hold your new catty which will be arriving the first part of August!! I will get my preview catty when I attend SU Convention July 30th - Aug. 2nd.

Die Cut Stamp Sets!!!

We're excited to announce that all new stamp sets in the Fall-Winter 2008 Idea Book & Catalog (including new hostess sets) will be die cut for your convenience! We know you enjoy the flexibility of custom mounting your stamps, and with these die-cut sets, all you'll need to do is pop, peel, and place before you begin stamping.
Only our new stamps will be die cut; sets carried over from the last catalog and those on the dormant list will still require trimming. But, each new set will feature a die cut icon so you and your customers will have no problems identifying die-cut sets.

Stampin' Up! News

Sale-A-Bration dates for 2009 are to be February 1st. -March 31st.


Retirement list will be posted on June 15th.


Retiring accessories list will be posted July 21st.


The mini occasions collections has been extended until June 30th.


The Spring and Summer catalog order period has been extended to August 10th.


New Fall and Winter Catalogs arrival by August 11th.

eScape with Stampin' Up!

eScape with Stampin' Up!

Put down the phone, turn off the computer, and break free from the 'e'!
Remember when you got letters in your mailbox instead of your inbox? On June 25, 2008, Stampin' Up! is taking the day to unplug and unwind, and reconnect on a personal level with friends and loved ones through handmade cards. And we invite you to eScape with us throughout the month of June!
Reconnect with your "wireless network" by attending an eScape event or hosting one of your own! Take advantage of the 25 percent discount on select items in the eScape bundle to help you create that special message from the heart.
eScape Bundle (item 113700):
Description
Page Number
Price
Circle of Friendship stamp set
p. 143
$17.95
Love Notes assortment
p. 167
$8.95
Rose Red Classic Stampin' Pad
p. 165
$5.25
Very Vanilla 5/8" grosgrain ribbon
p. 191
$7.95
Total (non-bundled)

$40.10
eScape Bundle price

$30.00
eScape in June! Contact your demonstrator today for details about this exciting event. If you don't already have a demonstrator, use our Demonstrator Locator to find one near you.

Stampin' Up! June Specials

Making the (fresh) cut!

Whether you're a customer or a hostess, June's sneak peek into the Fall-Winter 2008 Idea Book & Catalog has something fresh and new just for you!

Customers:When you purchase the brand new, die-cut Fresh Cuts stamp set, add on the coordinating Fresh-Cut Notes* for only $5!

Hostesses:Host a $400 workshop during the month of June, and receive the Fresh Cuts stamp set and coordinating Fresh-Cut Notes FREE--over a $30 value--in addition to your regular hostess benefits!

Contact your demonstrator TODAY to participate in this special, limited-time offer! If you don't already have a demonstrator, use our Demonstrator Locator to find one near you.

*Fresh-Cut Notes include 15 4" x 4" laser-cut notecards with envelopes

Mays Club

For club in May we made this Father's Day card. This is called a gate fold card and is my new favorite. The jumbo wheels are the perfect fit for the side panels and make it easy to decorate. With the front panel being your main focus it's an easy card to change but know that it will work for you no matter what! The little tag adds an embellishment but also acts as a closure to the card.

We also made this card.

With chip board being on special, it was a perfect time to show it's many uses. We inked the large chip board flower using red craft ink giving it a bright vivid color. We covered the middle with orange card stock. The little center flower was covered with blue patterned paper and then we sanded the edges. This card has lots of dimension.