Samples From Jenn's Home Party!

'Thanks' card is case'd from someone's blog - I cannot for the life of me find it now but I will continue looking so that I can give proper credit for her creativity!! The Father's Day card is a Lisa Burns original!

Not too long ago, I promised to share the samples we made at my friend Jenn's Stampin' Up! home party. I thought that while I do this, I would mention a few things about what its like to have a home party and what I do to make the event FUN and LIGHT for all guests!

First - don't be afraid of home parties! Somewhere along the line, they got a bad rap and I still hear ladies saying things like "I feel like I 'have' to buy something" or "what if no one shows up"! While both of these comments are very real concerns for some people, here's how I tend to respond...

Home parties are a way to 'expand' your knowledge of something, shop within the comfort of your own home, or for those that like to take their time making decisions... simply the opportunity to browse! Because SU! is a hobby, with the potential to buy products that will enhance your creative projects I ALWAYS start off my demonstrations with something like the following:

"Stamping is a hobby...for some it replaces watching TV. For others, it is a stress-releaser or reducer and for still others, it is simply a way to express a different side of themselves! But, like any hobby, stamping may not be for everyone OR you may enjoy it tonight but know that this isn't the right time in your life to pick up a new hobby... This is OK!"

The important message I try to instill in my Hostesses (and their guests) is to give home parties a try! Have FUN with them and assure your guests that they are under NO obligation to buy if stamping isn't something they want to do after the workshop or if the timing isn't right! I also address the 'What if no one comes' comment with reassuring Hostesses that you don't need (and often don't want) a HUGE group of ladies at each workshop. Often times, smaller groups allow more 1 on 1 attention and more time to answer guest questions etc.

I bet you will find that most home businesses have evolved so much that it would shock you! Many women are busier today than ever before so home parties are a viable & time efficient way to learn about & purchase things without having to step foot in a mall!

Personally, I LOVE the home party scene - heck, I buy my candles, bake/cookware, jewelry, cleaning supplies, make up, storage systems and home decor ALL FROM THE COMFORT OF MY OWN HOME!

Below you'll find an example of how I prepare for a home party and what you could expect from the projects at your party. 1) EVERYTHING is pre-cut for you and your guests. It isn't much fun watching someone measure & cut so I do all of that in advance so that you can learn the really good stuff! I'm always prepared to explain how I did measure or cut something in case someone wants to know :o) 2) I try to bring full pkgs of what I'm demo'ing so that guests can see (for example) all of the sheets you get in the Designer Paper pkg if that's what we are using!

A Mother's Day Sample & A Yummie Dinner!

So, I'm really, really late posting this Mother's Day card that my friend & awesomely creative team member sent me! I met Becca through SU! - she attended a home party of a friend of hers at which I was demonstrating, and signed up to be a Demonstrator pretty much from there! I'm so glad to have met Becca, who has such creative flair & talent! I was very touched that you thought of me for this card Becca - thank you! I love this sample because you can easily adapt it with another saying for a nice Spring/Summer card for ANY occasion!

You can view Becca's fabulous blog here ( http://stampendous.blogspot.com/ ) - sorry I used to be able to paste the URLs, then overtype but lately it won't let me do that and still have the link work properly??? If anyone knows why, please PLEASE leave me a comment and let me know why :o)

Finally - here's a pic of our dinner last night! My husband thinks I'm corny for taking shots like this but I don't really care :o) A friend from work (thanks JM) told me about a great deal on some beef, which we used to make kabobs and filets! We've never made our own kabobs before and it was tons of FUN with Evan! Not only that - they were so tasty! I'm hungry again just talking about them !!!

Be back tomorrow with a Father's Day sample! Have a great night everyone!

May Promo's Are Almost Over!

Check out my Bitty Book below - made using the On Board products on sale this month! You still have a bit of time to get in on the May SU! specials including:

1) Starter Kit - 20% off the cost of the Kit plus a FREE Hodgepodge Kit of your choice, plus a special gift from me (email me for more details - lisaburns@rogers.com)

2) On Board (Chipboard) - 25% off with any $40 net order. This is unlimited so once you reach the $40 qualifying amount, you can take 1 of each of the On Board products or stock up and get 10 of each of them if you wanted!!

3) Cutting Mat Promo - Order the large cutting mat and receive the Hobby Blade FREE

4) Loonies For Littles Stampin' Kit - filled with lots of great products that coordinate and make creating a mini scrapbook simple, fast & easy! $2 from every order will go directly to the Canadian Big Brothers & Big Sisters organization! A great kit for a great cause! The kit is just $32.50!

This is how the package arrives to you once ordered! All the score/fold lines are already done and it comes with 10 Bitty Page Protectors! The cost of the Bitty Books this month as part of the promo is just $9.03 a book!!



This is the Bitty Book I made for Evan's JK Memories! I used a sample that Stampin' Up! provided as my inspiration! You can decorate the front/back/end of the book as well as include cardstock inserts inside the book - I did this to separate the contents into categories which will include: Favorite Memories, Friends & Milestones!


This is how the whole package comes together - granted, I still need to decorate the outer casing but it gives you an idea of how nicely the book fits into the case. My goal is to do one for JK and SK and then figure out what to do from there...

These books are like a mini scrapbook, much faster than if you were to do a full 6x6 album and would be ideal for New Baby, Birthday or Christmas gifts!


Thanks for stopping by today - have a sunny week!

Getting Ready For Father's Day!

I saw this idea on Dannie's Blog (danniesdesigns.typepad.com) and instantly loved it! Tuesday May 27, 2008 - Get Ready For Father's Day!
Start Time: 630pm to 800pm

Guests that come by will learn how to make an awesome wallet for their special men and while here, stamp a stack of masculine cards to have on hand for those 'male' type occasions!! Picture of the wallet will be posted on my Blog.

Cost: $10

Bonus - place an order of $50 or more and receive a $10 Home Depot or LCBO gift card to put in your wallet. Place a $100 or more order and receive a $20 gift card for the handmade wallet + a gift from me (for you)! The wallet is fully functional! How cool is that!!

Pls register by Sunday May 25th to reserve your spot!

Even More Pick A Petal Samples!

I love creating bugs with this set! This is definitely one of the cards we'll be making at the upcoming Pick A Petal preorder class. Two dates to choose from - Sat June 7th from 930-11am or Tues June 10th from 630-8pm! Sign up today!

Then, there are the funny faces this set can make! I made this card to cheer someone up while under-the-weather! The front of the card saying "I'm sorry" with the inside saying "you're under the weather"! Who comes up with this stuff?? Not me! Can't take credit for this one - SCS has several ideas using the 'petal' stamps and the circles within this amazing set to create a face!!


Have a SUPER night - thanks for stopping by!!

More Pick A Petal Samples For Upcoming Class!

Oh my... I'm having so much FUN playing around with this set and experimenting with its various uses for my upcoming class! I hope you will consider signing up and joining us - there are still spots left for both dates (Sat June 7th 930-11am and Tues June 9th from 630-800pm)!

Without further delay...

Loonies For Littles Stampin' Kit Contents!

This post is long overdue! I wanted to share the contents of the kit with you earlier as I think this is such a FUN way to raise money for such a great cause!

$2 from every kit purchase will go towards Big Brothers & Big Sisters of Canada and as if that wasn't enough, you score yourself a fabulous LIMITED TIME kit with the following contents:

A fabulous little stamp set called "Good Together"

A 5x5 On Board Journal Book

4 Sheets of Textured Cardstock

3 Sheets of self adhesives die-cuts

2 Sheets of Designer Series Patterned Paper (double-sided)

2 Ink Spots (Old Olive & Pumpkin Pie)

Full Instruction Sheet

12x12 Craft Keeper

All for the low, low price of $32.50 ! I'm so excited to break this kit open (for more than just picture taking) so I'm challenging myself to playing around with it this evening and sharing my creations in an upcoming post!

I hope you'll consider supporting this wonderful cause and order this kit for you or for a gift for the crafter in your family! If you live in Canada, contact me for more details on how to order - lisaburns@rogers.com.

Enjoy your long-weekend Sunday evening!