I'm making a few calls today, but want to be sure all my customers receive this invitation.  Here's the deal…I really want to demonstrate at lots of workshops during Sale-A-Bration!  This year, there are even more ways to earn fabulous products.  Stampin' Up! is always so generous to hostesses, and my Hostess Rewards program is pretty awesome too.  But I'm ready to sweeten the deal for the first three workshops booked for Sale-A-Bration.  Here's how I'm sweetening the deal -

1st Workshop Booked/Held –   Double Jane's Hostess Bonus Bucks

        HOSTESS "BUCKS" ~ All Hostesses will receive "Hostess Bucks" to be used after their workshop. 

• $150-$299 Workshop – Hostess receives $5.00 Hostess Bucks
• $300 to $599 Workshop – Hostess receives $10.00 Hostess Bucks
• $600 to $999 Workshop – Hostess receives $15.00 Hostess Bucks
• $1,000+ Workshop – Hostess receives $25.00 Hostess Bucks (and my everlasting gratitude!)

2nd Workshop Booked/Held -   Receive One Additional Sale-A-Bration Item

3rd Workshop Booked/Held – Receive One Package of Designer Printed Brads

Don't forget – all hostesses will be invited to my Hostess with the Mostest Event which will be held in June 2012.  At this event, I will be sharing a fabulous project, an exclusive special, door prizes, and a delicious meal.

My rewards program is in addition to Stampin' Up!'s hostess program.  Why wouldn't you want to hostess a workshop with so many free gifts? You can be a Stampin' Up! hostess with a traditional workshop, a book party, or by placing an individual order of over $150!

Want to be one of my first three hostesses – just send me a quick email or phone call! 

Have a wonderful day – I hope to hear from you!

Today we are featuring holiday packaging ideas.  I've got two very simple but attractive ideas for your holiday giving.  The first is a tried and true candy holder using the sour cream container template.  Our beautiful Holly Bouquet Designer Series Paper and the stamp set Beautiful Season are featured here –

Here is a side view:

Inside these packets are three Hershey Kisses.  These are the perfect little goodies to hand out at school or adorn your holiday table.  You can really make them any size – but for mine I used a 5-1/2" x 4-1/4" piece of DSP. 

My next project is simple as it uses a simple A2 envelope!  It is a gift card holder.  You fold it in half, cut the top section at the fold line, and then trim off a small triangle on each flap end.  You only seal ONE end.  Stamp the inside of the envelope first.  I used Jolly Bingo Bits and Delightful Dozen stamp sets for this part.  I stamped with Real Red ink and Real Red and More Mustard markers.

I used the Holly Berry Bouquet DSP again (just LOVE that paper), as well as the Beautiful Season stamp set to decorate the front of the gift card holder.  Then I also used my punches and the new buttons along with our quilted Early Espresso ribbon to finish it off:

I didn't want to hide that beautiful paper!  Insert a gift card and this finished project is ready to for you to give!

I hope you have enjoyed this stop along the blog tour – the next stop is Jayne Stenson's blog . See you next time!

1.  The stamper who guesses the most correct retiring stamp sets
2.  A random winner from all entries

1. All entries must be received by email prior to Tuesday, May 31st at 6:00 pm.  The ONLY exception is if you are attending my Technique Tuesday class.  You may hand-deliver your list that evening when you arrive.
2. You must preorder an upcoming catalog from me.  I charge $5.00 for the catalog and coupon book – shipping to your home is extra.
3. No hostess sets, mini-catalog sets, or SAB sets can be on the list.
4. No duplication is allowed (you cannot enter "Lovely as a Tree" 15 times!)  LOL!
5. Stamp sets only – no wheels, no accessories, no Decor Elements items.
6. If there is a tie, the tie-breaker will be the stamper who submitted their guess first.
7. Only one entry per person.
8. Current Stampin' Up! demonstrators are not eligible to play or win.

SALE-A-BRATION starts today and ends March 31st.  This year there are even more items to choose from including 4 limited-edition stamp set, 69 stamp sets from the annual catalog, a Designer Series Paper and Quick Accents Pack, a Ribbon and Button Pack, a Digital Content CD, and a Chalkboard Decor Element.

All you need to do is place an order of $50.00 or more to receive one free item – incremental purchases of $50 will earn an additional item!

Hostesses earn an additional item if their workshop merchandise total is more than $300!  Contact me today if you want to schedule an event.

Here is a sample of one of my favorite Sale-A-Bration stamp sets – Punch Bunch:

I used Always Artichoke ink on one of the Texturz plates (Perfect Details).  I added small pearls on the right side.  The coloring of the flowers is done with markers.

Have a great day!

From now until November 30th, the Demonstrator Starter Kit is 50% off – you can join the Stampin' Up! Family for only $87.50!!!!  The regular kit value is over $310.  The regular+digital kit value is over $320!

You can view the special HERE

PROMOTION DETAILS:

• This is the regular kit – it is not a mini-style kit.
• You can add on the Stampin' Memories or the Digital packages for an additional amount.
• Anyone who signs up as a recruit during this time is still eligible for any Stampin' Up! recruitment bonus programs (30% off first order, Stampin' Start Incentive Program, 2 Months of Free Demonstrator Business Website Services, and Business Booster Kit Purchase).

All you need to do to join Stampin' Up!  is click on this link –   

http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/stampwithjane/startyourownbusiness 

and then click JOIN NOW on the left-hand side.  Enter the password: janerecruit

  What's included in the Regular Starter Kit?

• Five complete stamp sets (including a clear-mount set and clear-mount block) 
• Assortment of Designer Series paper and card stock
• Four Classic Stampin' Pads
• Two Stampin' Write markers
• VersaMark Pad
• Whisper White 5/8" satin ribbon
• Songbird Décor Elements and applicator
• Adhesives
• Blender pen
• Stamping sponge
• Stampin' Scrub and Mist 
• Box of Idea Book & Catalogs
• Business forms and tools

What's included in the Digital + Starter Kit?

• My Digital Studio software suite
• Three complete stamp sets (including a clear-mount set and a clear-mount block)
• Assortment of card stock
• Four Classic Stampin' Pads
• Two Stampin' Write markers
• Real Red 1/4" grosgrain ribbon
• Brights Designer buttons
• Songbird Decor Elements and applicator
• Adhesives
• Stampin' Scrub and Mist
• Box of Idea Book & Catalogs
• Business Forms and tools

There are many items in the kit where you can personalize your choices which is great for those crafters who have lots of supplies already.

Why would you want to join Stampin' Up!?  Here are just a few reasons to join my team:

1. Receive 30% off your first Stampin' Up! order as a new recruit
2. Receive 20% instant income on all purchases
3. Earn up to 40% commission on personal purchases and customer sales
4. Earn extra income based on your sales and recruiting – want to see how?  Check out the SU Demonstrator Compensation Table
5. Receive the full-color Stampin' Success monthly magazine – filled with great tips, stamping and business ideas and techniques, and samples
6. Host a demonstrator-only website so your friends and family can shop online from you 24/7
7. Attend Stampin' Up! demonstrator events such as convention, regional events, and my downline meetings
8. Receive specials, retirement notices, and company announcements before the general public is informed
9. Purchase special-order bulk buy items from Stampin' Up!
10. Receive support from Stampin' Up! in a variety of ways – the monthly magazine, the demonstrator website, audio and video training sessions, and toll-free access to a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator Services Consultant
11. Run your own business the way you want – put as much or as little time into the business as you want
12. Use your stamping purchases as a tax deduction
13. Receive the main and mini catalogs in the mail for FREE – and before the general public
14. Host events in your home and be your own hostess – purchases you make can be put on a hostess order!  (Yes, we can be our own best customer!)
15. Recognition for sales, recruiting, and promoting efforts
16. Access to demonstrator-only web groups and galleries
17. Freedom to generate sales how you want – classes, workshops, book parties, clubs, direct orders, craft fairs…you can earn money in so many different ways – whatever works or you!
18. For my local recruits, I do offer FREE entry to classes for 3 months as a great way to learn how to run your business.  For long-distance recruits, I will be offering class ideas by mail and quick response to any questions!

I've been a Stampin' Up! demonstrator for over 10 years, and I love what I do!  I'm happy to assist my recruits in all facets of their business.  I offer a special incentive to all my recruits – A FREE STAMPIN' PASTELS KIT!

If becoming a Stampin' Up! demonstrator is something you are interested in, contact me with any questions at:  stampwithjane@charter.net

I'd love to help you be the demonstrator YOU want to be.   

You can join today

http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/stampwithjane/startyourownbusiness

Password is janerecruit

This card uses Greeting Card Kids and features heat embossing and the shaving cream technique (an all-time favorite technique of my customers).  I love those new glitter brads!  This is a simple design, but I didn't want to hide too much of the shaving cream technique.

Today I am celebrating my official ten-year anniversary as a Stampin' Up! demonstrator.  I still remember how it all happened:

• Marnie Komp - my dear friend from grade school who hosted the first Stampin' Up! workshop I ever attended as a guest
• St. Mary's School - where I volunteered to showcase my business at a Fish Fry vendor event a day after I received my starter kit
• Lori Olson, Nancy Brundidge, Marlene Machovec, Anne Hanek, and Lisa Mosier – my sideline group who were and are supportive and generous with business ideas and creative inspiration and who were fabulous convention buddies (W-O-W)
• Jody Stack - a friend from my sister's quilting group who hosted my first Stampin' Up! workshop as a demonstrator
• Johanna Zuehls - my first recruit
• Sara Bintzler, Jennifer Cassellius, Mari Leninger, and Nancy Windorff - my current downline who inspire me with their creativity
• SUDSOL Group - my favorite demonstrator business online group where I go to get any business question answered
• Michelle Laycock and Amy Celona – my computer gurus who keep my blog website beautiful and up to date
• Pat Huntoon - a technique junkie who teaches and shares new techniques to stamping enthusiasts all over the world
• Ellen Kemper - this punch art queen's creativity never ceases to amaze me
• Stampin' Up! Staff
  • Shelli Gardner (Stampin' Up! Co-Founder and CEO) – She is one of those people who walks into a room and lightens and brightens it!  She is not only the head of Stampin' Up!, she is the heart of Stampin' Up!
  • Demonstrator Training – They provide wonderful new business ideas, new training methods, and new business resources
  • Demonstrator Support - Whenever I have to call in with a problem or concern, they happily assist me and fix any issue
  • Stampin' Up! Design Team - Your gorgeous stamp designs keep my customers coming back every year
  • Stampin' Up! Manufacturing and Shipping Employees - I STILL squeal with delight when my packages arrive
• My UPS Man – Stampin' Up! Demonstrators have mad crushes on our UPS delivery men (they bring us presents filled with things we love)
• My Mom – She is my biggest cheerleader and has made many desserts to feed my customers over the years
• MY CUSTOMERS – I love, love, love my customers!!!!  They not only come to my events, make purchases, host workshops, and bring new customers to me, they inspire me to create new projects and try new techniques.  They also laugh at my lame jokes and don't even complain when I make mistakes.  Thank you for your support!

Finally, I am eternally grateful to my family as I celebrate this anniversary.  I started as a demonstrator when my three young boys were very young.  Now, they assist in cleaning the house prior to events, critique my projects, cut out project materials, and resist the urge to eat the food I make for my events (well, at least they try).  Thank you to David, Steven, Mike, and Joe for all of your love and support as I follow my passion as a Stampin' Up! demonstrator.  I love you with all of my heart.

To each and every one of you who have touched my life as a Stampin' Up! demonstrator, thank you so very much. 

I set up my Anniversary Challenges before news of this special came out.  I'm lucky that my Weekly Challenge for this week was my Hostess Booking Challenge!!!

If you call/email me today to book a workshop, you will be entered into a drawing for a $10.00 gift certificate from me!  You don't need to host a workshop right away, you just need to host your workshop prior to March 31st.  We can get you scheduled before the end of the year if you want a holiday-themed workshop – or you could schedule it to be held during my favorite time of the year – SALE-A-BRATION!  This year's Sale-A-Bration will be held January 25th through March 31st.  With orders of $50, your workshop guests can earn free limited-edition stamp sets and accessories.  Hostesses can earn incentives too!

When you hostess a workshop, there are several benefits:

1. You earn incremental FREE merchandise (with workshops reaching $150 or more)!
2. You earn FREE hostess-only stamp sets!
3. You earn a FREE catalog!  (if you already own a catalog and don't want a duplicate, you can pick out a free classic inkpad of your choice.)
4. You help plan what projects/cards your guests make.
5. Your guests create 2 make and takes at no charge!
6. You and your guests will enjoy a night of stamping!

Contact me today to set up your workshop – I'd love to share my love of stamping with your friends and family!

When I started, I never thought I was going to do workshops.  I was terrified of the entire speaking in public genre.  However, even before I received my Starter Kit, I had already volunteered to do a stamping booth at our school’s fish fry.  My family was somewhat new to our school with our first child just in K-4.  This little fish fry exposure led to a few new opportunities.  I held my first workshop in my home with friends and family.  I was surprised at how the excitement rubbed off on everyone around me.  It was wonderful to see people who had never stamped before trying it out, learning about it, and loving it.  I became a teacher.

Making samples for myself, I learned lots of new techniques, styles, and formats.  I tried all sorts of new mediums.  I spent hours working with my tools and creating items.  I became an artist.

I began marketing my new business in all sorts of venues.  I stamped nearly everything that left my home (including bills and checks).  I sent more cards for more occasions.  I met people at school, at rummage sales, in the grocery store, and online.  I became a stamping ambassador.

I joined demonstrator email groups.  I enjoyed the helpful hints and tips I got from the lists.  I began sharing those hints and tips with other new demonstrators as well.  Then I even had one customer become a recruit!!!!  I became a mentor.

I planned my first Open House and invited everyone I could.  I showed them as many ideas as I could and let them make many things.  I enjoyed myself very much.  Judging by the laughter and busy chatting, I am guessing they all enjoyed themselves as well.  I placed the orders, and when they were delivered, I carefully packed them up for my customers.  I am a one-stop stamp store with the best customer service ever!

After that Open House, I began to get bookings.  I held several workshops,  developed a good script, and became more comfortable and organized.  I made sure to mention all the things I had to mention.  I closed the workshops and had the best month I’d ever had.  I became a business woman.

Knowing how much my customers loved looking at my samples, I began searching for ways to share my projects and cards with them easily.  I stumbled upon a geocities site and found a fantastic and easy way to showcase my love of stamping.  I became a webmaster.

I began to offer Stamp Camps and Stamp Classes, and customers kept coming and bringing new people.  Many of these customers continue to be my best PR department.  You cannot know how much it means to me when someone new calls or emails me asking if they can attend “because my friend always tells them how much fun they have at your events.”  I offer my stampers a night of fun and relaxation (well, making that perfect card can sometimes be stressful).  They leave whatever situation or problem they dealt with at work or home to come and be pampered.  When I have customers email me the day after an event and tell me how much fun they had, sometimes I think all I should say is “That’s my job.”  But I have realized that I don’t just sell stamps…I touch people’s lives by giving them something they can use to keep busy, to save money, to feed their creativity, and to touch other people’s lives. 

When you ask me what I do, I should reply…I am a teacher, an artist, a stamping ambassador, a mentor, a one-stop stamp store, a business woman, a webmaster, and I touch people’s lives every day, in a very special way…I am a Stampin’ Up!® Demonstrator.

I love to work with household products in my stamping.  I also love to stamp quick and easy cards.  Bleach stamping accomplishes both!  When you use bleach in your stamping, you are taking out the dye in your card stock. 

First things first – safety is important when stamping with bleach.   I do not recommend bleach stamping with pregnant ladies, young children, and those who have allergy or sensitivity issues.  If I am planning an event in my home and will be using bleach, I notify my stampers ahead of time.  If I want to showcase a bleach technique at a workshop, I will feature it as a demonstration not a make and take.  I’ll substitute water for the bleach but bring samples of each step so they see the bleaching results.  If you do take bleach along with you to a demonstration, make sure you store it in an opaque container that is tightly sealed. 

Please note:

• Do not let bleach dry on your stamps.  Bleach can damage the rubber.  Clean your stamps immediately after you are finished.  I usually use a wet paper towel to clean the bleach residue off and then I will use my Stampin’ Mist and Stampin’ Scrub to do a final clean and conditioning.
• Clean off any other materials the bleach comes in contact with.
• Once bleach reaches open air, its strength dramatically lessens.  You will need to add more bleach if you are stamping many pieces at once.
• Bleach affects colors of card stock differently – you may even get variations with the same color but a different dye lot.

To use bleach as a stamp pad, you will need the following:

• paper to protect work surface
• some folded paper towels
• a small container
• household bleach
• card stock
• a clean and damp paper towel (to clean off stamps)
• ventilated area

Protect your work surface with scrap paper.  Put the folded paper towels inside the small container.  Pour some bleach onto the folded paper towels.  Using a clean stamp, press stamp into the bleached towel.  Immediately stamp onto the card stock.  Lift off the card stock and set the card stock aside.  It will take a while for the bleach to interact with the card stock.  Be sure to let dry completely before using on your project.

CLEAN YOUR STAMPS IMMEDIATELY – DO NOT LET BLEACH DRY ON YOUR STAMPS.  I always use a wet paper towel to clean off the bleach first, and then I use my Stampin’ Mist and Scrub for a final clean and conditioning.

Here are some of my examples of using a bleach pad:          

 To bleach with a spritzer,  you will need the following:

• paper to protect work surface  (the new COLOR CATCHER would be great for this technique)
• spritzer container
• household bleach
• card stock
• ventilated area

Pour a small amount of bleach into a spritzer bottle.  Prepare your work area as above.  Spritz your card stock.  Set aside to dry. 

DO NOT LEAVE BLEACH IN THE SPRITZER BOTTLE.  RINSE OUT THE BOTTLE AND THE SPRITZER MECHANISM BEFORE STORING.

I’ll be inserting samples for this technique early next week.

To bleach with a Sponge Dauber,  you will need the following:

• paper to protect work surface 
• sponge dauber
• small container
• household bleach
• card stock
• ventilated area

Pour a small amount of bleach in a safe container.  With a clean sponge dauber, tap into the bleach and then pounce the dauber all over the card stock where you want to bleach.  Set aside to dry.   Once dry, you can even stamp inside the space you bleached!  If the bleach sits out a while, you will have a softer effect (see the Garden Whimsy sample).

RINSE OFF THE SPONGE DAUBER WHEN FINISHED AND TAP OFF THE EXCESS WATER – BUT PLAN ON DESIGNATING THIS DAUBER AS YOUR BLEACH DAUBER!!!

To accomplish the bleach brushing technique,  you will need the following:

• paper to protect work surface 
• paintbrush or AquaPainter
• small container
• household bleach
• card stock
• ventilated area

Pour a small amount of bleach in a container.  With a clean paintbrush or AquaPainter, dip into the bleach and lightly brush your tool over the card stock.  Variations in depth of bleaching depends on how much bleach you use and how long the bleach has sat out.  Set aside to dry.  You can stamp or emboss right on top of the bleached portion.  I love to tear the edges of the bleached section to highlight the bleaching effect.  You can also use two pieces of scrap paper, tear them, put them over card stock as a mask for part of the card stock, and then bleach in between the torn mask pieces.

BE SURE TO THOROUGHLY RINSE OUT YOUR AQUAPAINTER OR PAINTBRUSH WHEN YOU ARE FINISHED!

  Sorry for the bad picture – this is Brushed Gold card stock bleached out!

 I love to find different tools or items around my home to incorporate into my bleaching.  Here is one item I love to use with bleach:

It is a pencil topper Koosh Ball!  I can’t remember which of my three boys received it and for what I occasion, but I snatched it for myself.  It makes great background designs by just dipping it into an inkpad, but the design it leaves behind when you dip it in bleach is fabulous!   Use the same directions as sponge dauber bleaching, but dip the koosh ball into the bleach instead of the sponge dauber.

Believe it or not, this is just a start to all the ways you can incorporate bleach in your stamping.  Since I only had 5 minutes to do the presentation, I had to stop there! 

Follow my blog for more bleach and other techniques!

A couple of weeks ago, I was contacted by a Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator Support Specialist.  Stampin’ Up! wanted ME to be one of the WORKSHOP WOW! Presenters during the Friday, April 9th Milwaukee Regional.  Now anyone who knows me well can appreciate how petrified I might feel about being asked to present in front of 500 or so of my peers and Stampin’ Up! corporate staff.  However, thankfully, all I could think about at the time was the absolute HONOR of being asked.  I love Stampin’ Up! and the opportunities it has provided me.  How could I say no???

I’ve got my WOW! planned, and I will be working feverishly on my samples for my presentation this Friday. 

Say a few prayers for a successful presentation!