Registration Now Open: September Events

I am happy to announce that my event dates for September 2008 have been scheduled. Registration is open to anyone who wishes to attend and all events will take place at:

Pleasant Grove United Methodist Church
3704 Hamilton Road; LaGrange, Georgia 30241
Located between LaGrange and Pine Mountain in the Rosemont area. Also conveniently located less than 5 minutes from I-185.

I would like to take a moment to thank the kind people of Pleasant Grove for allowing me use of the fellowship hall. It will be a wonderful and comfortable space for stamping and scrapping and I very much appreciate their generosity.

SEPTEMBER 2008 EVENTS:

• 09/06/2008 from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
  New Catalog Release Party
  Location: Pleasant Grove UMC Fellowship Hall
  Cost: FREE!
  Join me for a preview of the new Stampin' Up! Fall-Winter 2008 Idea Book and Catalog. The first 20 people will receive a FREE gift and Make and Take. Come see what I love about Stampin' Up! RSVP appreciated (email), but not necessary!
  
  
• 09/06/2008 from 5:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
  September PMS Night
  Location: Pleasant Grove UMC Fellowship Hall
  Cost: $11.00 per person.
  Please pre-register by 08/30/2008.
  Join me for a night of Popcorn, Music, and "Scramping!" Do you have projects that you have been trying to find the time to work on? Enjoy getting away from it all while working on your scrapbooking and stamping ("scramping") projects. Ample table space to spread out and get creative. Make and Take project for all pre-paid participants. Limited supplies will be available for your use, as well as light refreshments.
  
  Please note that limited space may be available night of event ($15.00 price at the door). All materials must be pre-ordered and packaged for the Make and Takes, so Make and Take availability is not guaranteed if not pre-registered. I would love for everyone to get the most out of their PMS Night experience, so pre-registration is strongly encouraged and appreciated.
  
  
• 09/20/2008 from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
  Desktop Pretties Class
  Location: Pleasant Grove UMC Fellowship Hall
  Cost: $20.00.
  Please pre-register by 09/06/2008.
  Enjoy an afternoon with me creating pretties with the Bella Rose Designer Series Paper. I will teach you to make an embellished composition book (journal) with coordinating pen and "pebble" magnets. You will leave with 3 great projects to give as a gift.... or keep for yourself!
  

INTERESTED IN ATTENDING AN EVENT? If you would like to attend any of my events, registration is easy!

• Send me an email at bellabdesigns@bellsouth.net letting me know which event(s) you would like to attend.
• Provide me with your PayPal address.
• I will send you a PayPal invoice for payment and after payment is received, your registration is complete.

If you pre-register for an event (PMS Nights and/or classes) and find that you will not be able to attend, you will be supplied with whatever consumable materials were used during the event; however, no money will be refunded unless you cancel PRIOR to the specified cut-off date, as the money is used for the facility, refreshments, and materials. Thanks for your understanding.

I hope you will be able to join me for any/all of my my events. Please let me know if you have any questions.

Thanks for stopping by... and have a happy day!!
Katie

RIBBON SHARE - ROUND ONE!!

I am offering my first ever ribbon share! This is an easy way to sample all the great ribbons that Stampin' Up! has to offer without having to buy full spools of every color!

ROUND ONE is limited to 9 people for RIBBON GROUP ONE and 9 people for RIBBON GROUP TWO, so don't delay! You may choose to participate in 1 group or both groups, it is up to you!

All ribbon can be viewed on pages 186 and 187 of the Fall-Winter 2008 Stampin' Up! Idea Book and Catalog, which can be viewed HERE.

RIBBON GROUP ONE - $19.00 (Add $1.50 if you want this mailed.)

• Tafetta Ribbon - 2 yards of EACH color
  Whisper White, Very Vanilla, Kraft, Chocolate Chip, Basic Gray, Mellow Moss, Bashful Blue, Pretty In Pink, Riding Hood Red.
• Satin Ribbon - 2 yards
  Kiwi Kiss/Very Vanilla (2 colors on same ribbon)

RIBBON GROUP TWO - $18.00 (Add $1.50 if you want this mailed.)

• 1" Double-Stitch Grosgrain - 2 yards of EACH color
  Rose Red, Baja Breeze, Bashful Blue, Chocolate Chip
• 1-1/4" Grosgrain - 2 yards
  Pink Pirouette
• 1/2" Striped Grosgrain - 2 yards of EACH color
  Bashful Blue, Pumpkin Pie, Real Red

RIBBON GROUP ONE & TWO - $35.00 with free shipping. Want it all? Buy both groups for $35 and have it shipped for free.

WANT TO ORDER? If you would like to order, all you have to do is:

• Send me an email at bellabdesigns@bellsouth.net
  and tell me which group(s) you want to participate in.
• Let me know if you would like these mailed to you or if you will be picking them up locally.
• Provide me with your PayPal address.
• I will send you a PayPal invoice for payment and your ribbon will soon be on its way!

ROUND ONE will close on 08/29/2008 (or as soon as all 9 spots fill).

Please tell your friends!

Thanks for stopping by... and have a happy day!!
Katie

Online Catalog PDF Issues

If you have tried to download the PDF for the new catalog, you may have noticed that it is downloading slowly. Please know that the new Online Ordering system will take the place of the current online catalog. During the interim period between the release of the Fall-Winter 2008 Idea Book & Catalog and the release of Online Ordering, the online catalog has been replaced with a PDF version that can be downloaded and viewed. This is a temporary solution that allows online access to the catalog until Online Ordering is available.

Stampin' Up! is working to decrease the PDF download time, but because of file size and significant download traffic, it may take some time to download. When you do download the document, make sure to save it to your hard drive so that you do not have to download it again.

Thanks for your patience as Stampin' Up! continues to work to bring you a fantastic new Online Ordering system!

Have a Happy Day!
Katie

Visit Shelli's Blog

During the first general session of the Stampin' Up! Convention 2008, Shelli Gardner (Co-Founder and CEO of Stampin' Up!) made an exciting announcement - she has started her own blog!

You can now visit SoShelli.com, where you will find all sorts of things, from gift ideas and project ideas to a personal look at Shelli's family activities and fun happenings, both at home and at the home office.

"My main objective for this blog is simple," Shelli said in the announcement, "I want people to visit my blog and have a better day. I hope to accomplish that by sharing a personal side of me that will help people feel uplifted, positive, and optimistic."

One element of SoShelli.com that will be sure to catch your attention is Shelli's creative challenge. She will announce each challenge on her blog and invite blog visitors to submit their project ideas. She will announce the winners on her blog as well. "I'm hoping in this way to recognize the creative side of both our demonstrators and customers much more frequently and in a very accessible way," Shelli observed.

It is a very interesting blog. Hope you will take a few minutes and visit her!

Thanks for stopping by.... and have a happy day!
Katie

Join Stampin' Up! For As Little as $99 with FOUR Starter Kit Options!!!!

From 8/11/2008 to 10/11/2008, potential recruits will have FOUR options to choose from when joining Stampin' Up!

• Recruits may purchase 1 of 3 special mini Starter Kits priced at $99.
• Recruits may purchase the traditional starter kit at $199, with which you can choose 1 stamp set out of the Fall-Winter Sampler or Idea Book & Catalog for FREE*. (*Free set offered on the $199 kit only).

To learn more about your kit choices , click on the flyer below:

Don't want to build a business? NOT a problem! Stampin' Up! needs all kinds of demos. Here are a few examples:

• DISCOUNT DEMONSTRATOR: Like the idea of buying stamps for personal use at a discount and occasionally selling to friends and family? Stampin' Up! is for you!
• HOBBY DEMONSTRATOR: Love doing workshops and classes and earning extra money when it’s convenient - working lots some months and very little (or none) other months? Stampin' Up! is for you!
• SEASONAL DEMONSTRATOR: Want to work hard at your business during September, October, and November doing workshops for seasonal money? Just maintain your minimum sales ($300/quarter) during the balance of the year and Stampin' Up! is for you!
• STAY-AT-HOME MOM DEMONSTRATOR: Want to stay at home with your children and make some extra money working a few nights a month? Stampin' Up! is for you!
• CAREER DEMONSTRATOR: Do you view Stampin’ Up! as a viable business with long-term career potential? Want to regularly attend Stampin’ Up! events and develop close social relationships with other demonstrators? Stampin' Up! is for you!

It is easy to see that a Stampin' Up! demonstratorship is easily tailored to fit your (and your family's) specific needs. You are in charge of your own destiny - whether it is just getting a discount or building your own stamping business!

READY TO JOIN ... or just want more information?

• Go to my website and click on "Join Stampin' Up!"
• Be sure to check out the videos for more information. Being a demo is only a few clicks away!
• After you watch the videos, just click on "Click here to enroll" and fill out the information requested.
• The password you need to gain access is "katieburke" (just the words, not the punctuation!).

These awesome recruiting options are only for a limited time, so don't wait! Become part of the Stampin' Up! family of demos today.

I am happy to answer any questions you might have and I would be honored to have the opportunity to have you on my team!

Thanks for stopping by... and have a happy day!
Katie

Vote For Your Favorites!

Time to Vote! 2009 Creating Keepsakes' Readers' Choice Award

Stampin' Up! has a long tradition of being recognized for fantastic stamping products. Once again Stampin' Up! has been nominated in several categories for the Creating Keepsakes' Readers' Choice awards!

Please help maintain the tradition by casting your vote for your favorite products online. Voting ends Friday, Sept 15, 2008, so don't miss your chance. If you haven't voted already, please do!

Thanks! Have a happy day!
Katie

FABULOUS PROMO FOR STAMPIN' UP! FALL-WINTER IDEA BOOK AND CATALOG

Another quick note regarding Stampin' Up! promotions. This promo is related to the new Fall-Winter 2008 Idea Book and Catalog (not the sampler).

NEVER BEFORE SEEN PROMO: From August 11-September 30, you can enjoy a 15% discount on select BRAND-NEW, die-cut stamp sets from the Fall-Winter 2008 Idea Book and Catalog with no additional purchase necessary!

For more information, click to learn about this
NEVER BEFORE SEEN PROMO!!

Stampin' Up! has never offered brand-new stamp sets at a discount before, so this is an extra-special, limited-time offer. Don't miss out!

Available for ordering starting August 11th! Start making your wish list now!

Thanks for stopping by... and have a happy day!
Katie

STAMPIN' UP! FALL-WINTER 2008 CATALOG SAMPLER AND PROMOTIONS

Your first peek at the new Stampin' Up! Fall-Winter 2008 collection! Check out the

CATALOG SAMPLER!

This sampler is valid from August 11, 2008 to January 18, 2009.

FALL-WINTER 2008 CATALOG SAMPLER PROMOTIONS:

• Hostess Incentive: October 1-November 30, 2008. Host a $350 workshop and choose one stamp set from the Fall-Winter Sampler for free.
  111564 Flight of the Butterfly (Retail Value $31.95)
  112911 Vuelo de la mariposa (Spanish Flight of the Butterfly) (Retail Value $31.95)
  111676 Puns from the Past (Retail Value $27.95)
  111660 Just Jawing (Retail Value $25.95)
  111624 Dreams du Jour (Retail Value $18.95)
  111700 Thank You Kindly (Retail Value $13.95)
  111714 Wow Flowers (Retail Value $12.95)
  112955 Flores llamativas (Spanish Wow Flowers) (Retail Value $12.95)
  

• Product Offer: December 1, 2008-January 18, 2009. Spend $20 and get 20% off any stamp set from the Fall-Winter Sampler.
  111564 Flight of the Butterfly (Retail $31.95 * Price at 20% off $25.56)
  112911 Vuelo de la mariposa (Spanish Flight of the Butterfly) (Retail $31.95 * Price at 20% off $25.56)
  111676 Puns from the Past (Retail $27.95 * Price at 20% off $22.36)
  111660 Just Jawing (Retail $25.95 * Price at 20% off $20.76)
  111624 Dreams du Juor (Retail $18.95 * Price at 20% off $15.16)
  111700 Thank You Kindly (Retail $13.95 * Price at 20% off $11.16)
  111714 Wow Flowers (Retail $12.95 * Price at 20% off $10.36)
  112955 Flores llamativas (Spanish Wow Flowers) (Retail $12.95 * Price at 20% off $10.36)

Start making your wish list now! Orders can be placed beginning August 11th!

Thanks for stopping by... and have a happy day!
Katie

Stampin' Up! Convention Updates from 08/01/2008

Full brochure here.

WOW! Big Shot Die-Cut Machine!!!!!

During yesterday's general session, Shelli Gardner (Stampin' Up! Cofounder and CEO) unveiled an exciting new addition to Stampin' Up!'s product line--the Sizzix Big Shot for Stampin' Up! die-cut machine! Partnering with Sizzix, one of the industry's leading die cut manufacturers, Stampin' Up! is offering this exclusive machine available only through Stampin' Up! demonstrators (ME!!!).

The Big Shot works with ALL competitive dies, and the steel rule dies can cut through an impressive list of 50 different materials (as noted in the list below - please note the maximum thickness of several materials):

Brass (.055)
Light weight steel
Aluminum (.016)
Tin (.008)
Aircraft plywood (1/64")
Basswood (1/16")
Balsa (3/32")
Paperwood
Mat board (adhesive or none)
Chipboard
Fabric
Silicone
Foam with chipboard (.1)
Corrugated pad
Adhesive-backed cork
Fine sandpaper (.00)
Strene
Extra thick template plastic
Template plastic
Plastic canvas (7 mesh)
Bubble wrap
Sheet foam
Friendly (jewelry) plastic
100% pure beeswax (cut with parchment paper on top & bottom of beeswax)
Adhesive and non-adhesive rubber
Ruffleboard
Static cling vinyl
Warm & natural batting
Fusible fleece
Quilt batting
Adhesive and non-adhesive flexible magnet
Heat n' shrink plastic
Adhesive and non-adhesive felt
Pop-up sponge
Shiny self-adhesive and non-adhesive paper
Iron-on fabric
Poly foam adhesive and non adhesive
3-D illusionary plastic
Glow in the dark adhesive and non adhesive
Suede paper
Funky fur
Personal Embossing Plastic (PEP)
Shaggy plush felt
Canvas
Vinyl flooring
Shelf lining
Placement
Embossing rubber
Thin leather
Gasket material

In addition to the die-cut machine, Stampin' Up! will offer 29 Sizzix dies and 7 exclusive dies. The exclusive dies are only available through Stampin' Up! and you may begin to order these new products on 09/02/2008! You can find more information about the Big Shot die-cut machine, dies, and accessories at this link.

As though this was not enough, we also learned that starting with the Spring/Summer 2009 Idea Book & Catalog ALL stamp sets will be die-cut!! Yippeee!!!

This is a very exciting time at Stampin' Up! I am proud to be a part of it and I hope you find these wonderful changes as exciting as I do! For convention first-hand accounts, visit Kristy's blog here.

Thanks for stopping by... and have a happy day!!
Katie

Stampin' Up! Convention Updates from 07/31/2008

Each year, Stampin' Up! demonstrators from across the US and Canada gather for 3 days of education, celebration, and motivation. Convention includes time to swap cards, attend business classes and new-product demonstrations, participate in Make & Takes, and enjoy time with the best stampers in the world! This year's convention is going on now and there is lots of exciting news from yesterday's session on 07/31/2008!

• Shelli's Signature Collection: During the first general session of convention, Shelli Gardner (Stampin' Up! Cofounder and CEO) announced the launch of Shelli's Signature Collection, a line of products that span the entire Stampin' Up! product line, including stamp sets, home décor, and accessories. "These will be products that I either personally love or, in some cases, even played a part in developing," Shelli explained during the announcement. The first official look at the initial offering in Shelli's Signature Collection will be in the Holiday Mini. "Now I want to make sure you know that just because a product isn't included in my signature collection, that doesn't mean I don't like it," Shelli pointed out. "In fact, I love almost everything Stampin' Up! offers. My signature collection items are simply products that I'm particularly excited about for a particular reason."
  
• Décor Elements, Phase 2: Demonstrators caught a sneak peek of Décor Elements, phase 2, during the first general session of Convention 2008. Jill Kocherhans, training director, demonstrator services and development, demonstrated darling projects featuring the new images. Although she didn't unveil the entire new offering, there were plenty of images to get excited about, and after the general session, convention attendees were also able to view additional phase 2 images on a wall in the convention center.In addition to new images, phase 2 also offers new colors! Many of the new images will be available in a selection of our exclusive colors, an announcement that was well received by convention attendees. Décor Elements, phase 2, will be available for customers to start ordering on October 1. Many of the new images are holiday related!
  
• Country Living Kit: For the second time, Stampin' Up! will partner with Country Living magazine to offer an exclusive holiday kit. The Holiday Collection Stampin' Kit will include exclusive stamps, a combination of Designer Series paper, and coordinating accessories that will only be available by purchasing this kit. Shelli announced the partnership and kit during the first session of Convention 2008, noting that the kit and project ideas made from the kit would be featured among 20 pages in the magazine's December holiday issue. The magazine will hit the shelves in November 2008.
  

More news should be announced today and I will be sure to let you know when it is! The new catalogs look beautiful and the products are said to be simply to die for! I have placed a pre-order of some of the items to share at my upcoming catalog release party and my catalogs are "in the mail" and I hope to receive them soon!

I am quite envious of the gals who are enjoying the Stampin' Up! convention experience and I am making it my goal to be there in person next year so that I can send you first-hand accounts and photos from the 2009 convention, but for now you can enjoy first-hand reports from my demo cyber-friend, Kristy, at the Stamp Garage!

Thanks for stopping by... and have a happy day!

Katie