National Dance Day

As a Big Fan of SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE, I couldn't let Saturday, July 31, 2010...the very first

NATIONAL DANCE DAY 

go by without with some sort of 'dance' related posted.  Since I am unwilling to send a video of me dancing into cyberspace, I thought I'd let the Stampin' Up! Build A Bear do it for me. 

Some of you have seen this card before, but for those of you haven't....

Enjoy a little

Saturday [Night] Fe-BEAR

Starring: John TraBEARta!

I'm Stayin' Alive and Dancing in The Stamp Sell-er (when nobody's watching!)
Big Ball-Room Style Hugs!
Karie Beglau

Farmington Founders Festival

Before, After, and After Again.

I was looking forward to sharing photo's of my tent, products, and display that I set up at this year's Festival.  So here is the photo from before the Storm on Thursday . . . Well, sit back and read what happened! 

I was so excited that I had my new tent this year and I was sure it would not leak if it rained.  I made a banner for the top of the tent and sealed it, I thought, from the weather.   I liked the look of the set up inside the tent and I was looking forward to another wonderful experience at the festival.

Even when I learned we had to close early on Thursday due to the approaching storm, I wasn't worried because my tent had the metal grid walls tied to it so I thought that was enough weight to hold it down from the wind. They are pretty heavy and even the seasoned vendors thought I would be OK.  So, given enough warning all of us started to close up our tents.  Because I have paper products I took longer than anyone and was possible the last vendor there as I made sure everything was off the walls and into plastic bins with lids.  Then I even pulled the tables into the center and on top of those bins just as an added precaution.

I was just about done when the storm hit....FAST.  My tent started to lift and fall over to the side toward where you see me standing in the photo.  The tent on the other side had fragile items in it so I knew I couldn't let it fall over and have those heavy grids smash her tent and all of her products.  I was ALONE at the time but was soon joined by Linda & Jen from the Farmington Center Florist - who have a regular shop where the fair was set up. (If you are in the area please go there they are GREAT people and I want to promote them as a very small way of pay back for their help! www.farmingtoncenterflorist.com)

It rained so hard and so fast that it was like we were in a waterfall, not a shower, a waterfall.  It was impossible to see well and hard to keep from chocking on the downpour.  I know there was another woman there, but I couldn't tell you who it was because it was all so frantic!  We knew we needed to cut the metal grids off the tent so that it could be lowered and then less likely to flip.  The problem was nobody could let go or the tent to do just that.  Screaming for help we were soon joined by some teens who were taking shelter under the walkway of the flower shop.  They helped us hold the tent down while the grids were clipped loose and dropped to the ground.  Then we could lower the legs on the tent.  It still didn't guarantee it wouldn't flip, but it was all we could do.

Drenched and emotionally drained I cried as I drove home - partly from relief because we didn't smash the other vendors tent, partly that I had watched many of my products and boxes flip over and float away, but mostly from fear.  Truly it was the most terrifying experience I have ever had.  We were standing in the rain & lightening holding down a tent with metal grids and a metal frame as the parking lot flooded and the water levels kept rising past our ankles and splashed up our legs.  All this and I still didn't realize how bad it was until I watched the news coverage on television later that evening.  So...before I show you the aftermath, and the what we rebuilt I cannot leave out the Blessing Of The Lord and His hand in keeping us safe during what was a very dangerous situation. 

NOW....here's what I saw when my husband and I went back to check the damage on Friday morning.

This doesn't look so bad, but look at the sign on my  tent.

  Before

After

and inside here is just a little of what we saw...

As we moved everything out of the tent so we could dry it off and see if there was anything left for us to stay open we found mud underneath it all ....

 

Still....I HAPPY TO REPORT that not everything was lost and we did reset the tent, although due to the mud in our area we moved our location slightly to another spot behind were we had been.

 As you can see, I didn't have as many kits and scrapbook layouts left and I did worry about running out of the Stampin' Up! Idea Book & Catalogs since I lost 16 of them to the storm.  But, we found we liked this set up even better than the last and as an added bonus we didn't get the late day sun inside the booth.  Although I did still manage to get a sunburn.

And later during the event we were visited by a few of the city's pageant winners.

Left: Elizabeth Anne Hawthorn, age 19, Miss Oakland County 2010

Right: Morgan Stocker, age 15. Miss Oakland County Outstanding Teen 2010

It was a long weekend, but I admit that after we reset the tent I was able to enjoy meeting many new friends and seeing several long time friends and customers during the event.   

My husband, Michael, worked very hard to help me with this event and still worked this regular job, except on Saturday when I asked him to stay with me (more storms were possible and I didn't want to be alone again).  He also spent the most of his time in the sun because there wasn't room for two of us in the tent at one time if people were shopping.  So, he deserved a much needed rest under the big tent across from where we were....and I had to catch it in photo or two!

I am excited to see many of the winners of the drawing at some of my upcoming Scrapbook Classes that I am giving away from this event.  If you'd like to attend one of them, please email me for information.

Will I do this show again next year?  You Bet!  We learned a LOT about what to do, and what NOT to do.

See you there in 2011.

RemARKable New Catalog Blog Tour - Post 3

I em-boss!

OK, so maybe not a boss, but I like to emboss with the Sizzix Impression Folders!  I have to have all of them!  I couldn't wait until my shipment came because I knew I wanted to try something with one of them . . . and here it is.....

I think the NEW Elegant Lines Textured Impressions Folder is to die for!  So....I tried 'dying' it...sorta.  I colored the raised edges of the design with a Stampin' Write Marker in Always Artichoke (background is Pink Pirouette).  Then I colored in the lines with more Stampin' Write Markers in Pink Pirouette, River Rock, & Sahara Sand.  Seemed odd color choices to me at first, but I got the colors from the NEW Color Coach and decided to trust it. (yes, I have mine back after accidentally having mine fall into my trash unnoticed!) It looks a bit dull in this photo, but in person the look is more like an Old Hollywood version of 'modern'.  I love it! The sentiment is from the Mini Catalog stamp set, Watercolor Trio.

My order came late so I don't have ton of samples ready yet....but keep watching my blog for more to come soon!  When I unpacked my order I put everything on craft desk and starting putting away the card stock, then I turned back to my desk and just had to take this photo....

I just LOVE NEW STUFF!  So much still to play with I am about to go back down to The Stamp Sell-er and do just that!  But I knew I had to make my midnight deadline for this blog tour.

Here's a close up of some items I just know will be me my favorites for a long time to come:

Pearls and rhinestones and brads and ribbons
....Oh My!

Wait until you see these beauties in person, there is no way to get a good enough photograph to do them justice!  I plan to be using a whole lot of them in my workshops!

Clear Block Storage Caddy

I just have to share what I did to my caddy as soon as I opened it!  Now the SU logo is obviously only exciting for demonstrators, but it fit and I was SO EXCITED about it!  The cooler thing is that I had on hand a white Definitely Decorative FLOURISHES image and had to try it out.  (It matches the stamp set Baroque Motifs - my all time favorite stamp set to date!!)  I am So excited it about how it came out.

Here's the Before:

And The After:

The Stampin' Up! Logo Side

The inside of this thing is awesome!  It even has a piece to put in the middle so none of the blocks touch when closed!  If you're looking for safe storage of your blocks, this is the ONLY choice to make!

FOUNDERS FESTIVAL 

    
Just a reminder that I will be at the Farmington Hills Founder's Festival next week, Thursday - Saturday from 9 am to 8 pm each day.  Lots to do and see, but be sure to come and see ME!  I will have more projects and class ideas on display, catalogs available etc.   Because of this I doubt I will post much next week, but I plan to post after the Fair for sure!  See you there...or here!

I hope you have enjoyed the Tour!  Let's see what everyone else is up too..........
Hugs, Karie B.

Next stop: http://jbstampin.typepad.com/

RemARKable Blog Tour - Post 2

Hi!  Welcome back to Day Two of the RemARKable Blog Tour.  Wow!  There were a lot of great ideas shared yesterday!  I am excited to see what's next!

I rest my CASE with a KISS

of Greenhouse Gala DSP!

Today, as promised, I am going to post some Very Simple Cards you can make using card stock and Designer Series Paper.  Each card uses the exact same format.  The DSP is cut 4" x 3.75" and matted with card stock cut 4.25" x 4" and mounted on the card front.  I added ribbon to dress them up just a little, and then a very simple sentiment.  I know, I know, these are NOT WOW CARDS!  But my intention was to show you how taking one idea and just changing the colors can make creating cards and CASE-ing them (Copy And Stamp/Steal Everything) is very easy.  Just KISS...Keep It Simple Sweetie!

This card uses Peach Parfait & Daffodil Delight stock.

Check out the two on the ends - each of them have a different feel, but are the same!

I love this batch!  I was not sure how this DSP would look cut, or what I would get!  The outcome was great! This photo has some odd lighting, sorry about that.  The cards stock I used is Pumpkin Pie & Pear Pizazz.

I hope this inspires you to take a chance.  Go ahead, cut up the paper and see what you get!  You might just be pleasantly surprised!  Remember, I didn't even turn any of these samples on their side for the 'landscape' version of these cards....another simple idea that can make a big change in the look of your cards!

My order is due in today . . . and hopefully it will get here early enough that I can play with some more new products.  

Tomorrow's post will be a surprise to both of us!

Be Sure You Come Back & enjoy the rest of today's tour!

Next stop: http://jbstampin.typepad.com/

RemARKable New Catalog Blog Tour - Post 1

Here We Go!  Another RemARKable Blog Tour!  I enjoy being involved with these tours because it keeps me on my toes, and makes me work a little harder to create fun ideas for you too!

This tour is all about featuring products from the NEW STAMPIN' UP! IDEA BOOK & CATALOG released just last week!  Although I am still waiting for my 2nd shipment of products, and I have already shared a few projects in previous posts....But, I have a few more ideas for you!

This card is the featured Make & Take at all of my

July Stampin' Up! Workshops.  

It uses Marina Mist, Pear Pizazz, & Cajun Craze card stock.  The Pear Pizazz cs is also embossed with the new Vintage Wallpaper Textured Impressions Embossing Folder.  The ribbon is new too!  Also in Marina Mist it's the 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon!  1/8" Inch!!  It's so thin and I LOVE IT!    The Stamp Set is Artistic Etchings and it's stamped in the New Cajun Craze Ink.  Punches include the Modern Label Punch and the NEW 2 3/8" Scallop Circle!  WOW!  Love it.  The brads are from the Metallic brads package (Pewter).  I hope I see you this month so you'll have the chance to make a sample of this project yourself!

This is my attempt to recreate, slightly differently, a card created by another demonstrator.  (I will post her sample later, or email me and I will send it to you)

I loved how she had layered this Hydrangea from the

Because I Care Hostess Level 2 stamp set.

Here's the side view so you can see the layers created with Stampin' Dimensionals.

I used Concord Crush & Pear Pizazz card stock and Watercolor paper.  The ribbon is actually Whisper White 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon.  Because my shipment isn't due to arrive until Friday, I improvised by coloring the ribbon with my Stampin' Write Concord Crush Marker.  I used Stazon Ink to stamp the image 3 times on the Watercolor paper.  Using a the marker I created a palette on a clear block and squiggled the color which I then picked up with a blender pen to color in the flower.  The centers are colored white using the White uni-ball Signo Gel Pen.

Tomorrow I will share several very simple cards I created to show the versatility of our Designer Series Papers, using the New Green House Gala pack.  (You know I am loving it....I've already shared some samples using that paper...Obsession is nine/tenths of Crafting!  LOL)

Enjoy the rest of the tour...remember to come back tomorrow!


Next stop: http://jbstampin.typepad.com/

Hostess Luncheon

Hostess Appreciation Luncheon

June 26, 2010

I love this event! I think it may just be my favorite all year, although I have a many others that I like a whole lot.  This year was another hit.  I hope you enjoy the photos!  (FYI....this will be a long post)

It started when I mailed each Hostess this invitation.  It is made with Baja Breeze (which doesn't look that great in the photo), Pink Pirouette, Chocolate Chip, and Whisper White card stock.  The pink is embossed with the NEW Square Lattice Embossing Folder and the NEW stamp set Friend never Fade.  The ribbon is layered Whisper White 3/8" Taffeta under the NEW 1/8" Taffeta in Early Espresso, and I added the two Ribbon Slides from the Hodgepodge Hard Ware Kit.

When they arrived....

...they picked up a small brown bag (Hostess or Guest, accordingly).  Hostess choose from a variety of fabric flowers (made with the Flower Folds Sizzix XL Die & fabric), while guests received a mini piercer (that Hostesses received last year).

Here's Chris Schultz who had the best match of the flower to her outfit.  You can tell so much in the photo, but I had to post it because everyone commented on the match!  I think everyone loved their flowers, they all wore them! 

Then the Hostess were allowed to shop (guests had to wait until the event was over to shop). 

 One of my hostesses asked not to be seen on my blog, so you'll see her face blocked out in a few photos.

Hostesses received a rebate of 25% of whatever they purchased from my shelves toward a preorder for the New Idea Book & Catalog...Guest 10%.  That made the catalog even more exciting.  Many shopped while they ate!

The food was AMAZING this year.  My friend Joy Davis & her husband are starting a catering business, Dragon Flower Catering (248-798-3229).  She offered to make the food for my two events held on this day.

Joy Davis

and the Food; Thai Noodle Salad, Antipaost Pitas, Curried Chichen Croissants, Shrip Pasta Salad - to the right was Fresh Fruit Kebobs and a Banana Split Brownie Pizza that was to die for! 

I forgot to take pictures of the totally different array she had for my Customer Open House that afternoon, but it included a veggie tray, pinwheels, key lime cupcakes, chocolate dipped strawberries, & mini peach strudels!  Everything was so good and my Hostess were very happy (me too! I am not a fan of cooking).

The buffet line - drinks from my cute new dispensers (shown in the background) or a soda or bottle water from the mini fridge.

PRIZES

Through the lunch I called off numbers that were on the other side of the 'flower' attached the to the small brown bag they received when they arrived. All gifts were wrapped, but you can see what was inside below.

Hostess Picked from one box of gifts

Guests picked from another box

JUST FOR FUN PHOTOS....

Ceecee waves as she waites for her 'seat' to open up after the hostesses shop. 

Chris, Susan, & Loreen work on the Slider Card project.

Hilda, Sylvana, & Collen work on the photo book.

Susan, Pam, & Anna work on the scrapbook page

 Eating & Catalog Review

Here are the samples of the Projects we made this year at the Hostess Luncheon.

Daffodil Delight & Peach Parfait card stock with Greenhouse Gala DSP and a New Hostess Stamp Set, Occasional Quotes.

6" scrapbook page made with retired card stock and the NEW stamp set, Elements of Style.

Photo Book made with retring card stock, ribbon, & DSP, clear envelopes, & the Dreams De jour stamp set

The WOW Card....a Slider made with Pear Pizzaz, Marina Mist, Whisper White, & Early Espresso card stock, with Greenhouse Gala DSP  It's fun to watch the left side slide out at the same time as the right side!

I hope you'll be able to join us next time!  All it takes to be invited is to hold a Stampin' Up! Workshop (party) with me!  Either in your home, or here at the Stamp Sell-er!  Let's talk and see if this is something that might interested you and your friends.

Hugs, Karie Beglau