Vacation Fun and Food!

Hi there everyone! Just popping in here to share a few vacation pics. We do not have internet access at our condo so Mark and I ran out to the local Starbucks so I could post today.

The first photo is of my dinner last night at Margaritaville. Now, the picture of just the nacho plate alone doesn't do it justice, so that is the purpose of this next photo......
Yes, that plate of nachos is as big as my head! I ordered it with Grilled Fajita Steak pieces and while it was quite yummy, I was S-T-U-F-F-E-D when we left the restaurant. I wasn't even able to finish it all, in fact, I think that whole plate of nachos would have fed us all! As you might have guessed, I haven't eaten anything yet today and it is almost 1 pm as I write this post! LOL! That's one way to stretch your vacation dollar!

This picture is of Mark and I BEFORE the huge plate of nachos made it's appearance. We are having such a good time being away from it all. We've slept in each morning, spent some lazy days on the beach watching Emma and her friend play and had some wonderful ice cream too! Well, not last night, but you understand!

Here is a picture of Emma on the right and her friend at dinner as well. They are buddies on their Synchro Skating team and always have the best time together. Last night, we walked off our dinner by walking over to the Build-A-Bear at Broadway at the Beach so they could shop. I never knew there were so many cute outfits for those bears! They had a great time picking out a new wardrobe for their bears and then did a fashion show for us once we got back to the condo. All in all, a very fun evening!

We'll be coming home on Sunday as the girls start skate camp on Monday, so I'm off to enjoy the last of the sun, sand and surf while I can. I'm actually looking forward to getting back in the studio and doing some stamping. Hope to see you at some classes over the next two weeks - be sure to check out my schedule at the website: www.robinstamps4u.stampinup.net

Happy weekend everyone!

~~Robin

Emma the Artist!

Just a quick brag on my babygirl - who is not such a baby girl anymore!

She got out one of my old, old, old (really!) stamp sets Zoo Fun and made these baked tile coasters for my studio.

She stamped the images on them with Craft ink and also hand drew the clouds, sun and birds with Stampin' Write markers. After coating them with Glassy Glaze, she baked them in the oven at 350 degrees for about 12 minutes. When they cooled off, we put cork feet on them and now they have a permanent home in my studio. I'm just so proud of my little artist!
Blessings to you!
~~Robin

Convention Swap Card - Pine Trees

Ok, this is it, the last of my convention swaps - at least I think so!

I had actually done this card with my Christmas in July stamp campers and made extra so I could swap it since I loved it so much.
It uses the long beloved stamp set, Lovely as a Tree, but I teamed it with the greeting from Many Merry Messages and the Texturz plates and my Big Shot. Doesn't the texturizing give it such an elegant look? LOVE that!

The ribbon is Mellow Moss Taffeta to match the layer of cardstock and the card itself is Handsome Hunter. I stamped the tree 3 times on the Very Vanilla piece cut out with the Top Note Die and the Big Shot. It was not re-inked between the stamping so it would give it depth.
A little sponging around the edge and some glitter dotted on and it was done!

Enjoy!
~~Robin

Convention Swap Card - Sunflower Card

Happy Wednesday!
I hope the sun is shining for you today - if not, here is a little bright card to bring a smile to your face.

This was one of my swaps for the SSUS Convention group. Not much stamping going on here, but that Big Shot sure got a workout! The picture doesn't show up very well, but the white background was texturized with the small polka dot Texturz plate, mimicing the Soft Suede ribbon. I cut the flowers with the Daisy Die and Crushed Curry and Chocolate Chip cardstock.
The greeting is stamped out of the Really Retro stamp set, which is on the dormant list right now. It's still available which is a GOOD thing, cuz it's one of my favorites! If you are one of my stamp campers, you know you see this one a lot!

Back tomorrow with another swap card for you!
~~Robin

Convention Pocket Folder Gifts

Hi everyone! As you read this, hopefully I'll be on the road to Myrtle Beach.........if we can manage to get out the door, kwim?



These photos are of some gifts I made for my roommates and friends at convention this year. I used the new Thoroughly Modern Gusseted Envelopes as my starting point and decorated them with the Thoroughly Modern Designer Series Paper.



My Big Shot was put to work once again for cutting the flowers and the names. I just layered them in different combinations to create unique folders for each person. The flowers and the ribbon were attached with Sticky Strip and a Jumbo Eyelet. Although, I must say that next time I make these, I'll use Tombow Glue for the ribbon. I think it will hold a bit better on this slick surface.



These envelopes are so very fun and were really easy to make! All my buddies liked them and it was great to bring a smile to their faces!

Have a wonderful day!

~~Robin

Oh! What a Night!

WOW! I am still truly in shock over what happened at Awards Night this year. It was an amazing, marvelous evening and much of it is still a blur for me. The first photo here shows me with two of my dearest friends, Stella McKay on the left and Tiffany Bauer on the right, both Stampin' Up! rock stars! We were waiting to go in for the big announcements and celebration.

After arriving home last night from Salt Lake City, I sat down with my family and within about 1/2 hour was asleep on the couch! LOL! All the emotion and energy was finally catching up with me I guess. We are in the process today of packing for our vacation which starts tomorrow, but I wanted to quickly post a few pictures from awards night here for you to see. So many of you have sent such sweet, lovely congratulations along and I appreciate you all so much! It's a wonderful thing to have the respect and admiration of your peers and I can honestly say that I'm humbled by all your kind words and faith in me. I will do my very best for you, I promise!

This photo is of the three of us walking for the Southern Caribbean Cruise achievers. I am electing to NOT show you the photo of our arms raised, no one needs to see my armpits! LOL! Although if you look in the background you can see Susan Elise-Morton sticking her tongue out. I'm not sure who she is looking at, but I think she is having fun!


This next photo just blows me away.

There is nothing in the world that can describe the feeling of having your name called for the Advisory Board. Being asked to serve is the highest honor one can hope for within the Stampin' Up! organization. I am humbled and amazed that Shelli Gardner thought enough of me to ask me to serve here.



Look at my face! Can you tell I was just floored?! The day after awards night, I had so many friends come up to me and say they were yelling and cheering when my name was called, but I honestly didn't hear a thing! I was in such a state of shock, I even looked at Shelli when I was walking up and said "Me? Are you sure?" Boy, the dumb things we say sometimes........!

But, I think this smile says it all.

You know, I view my Stampin' Up! business as a gift from God. He has used it to provide for us financially in more ways than I can count. He has blessed me with friendships that are lasting, real and true blue. He has given me a creative outlet that has endless possibilities and feeds my soul. And now He has provided me with the opportunity to be a voice and an advocate for the demonstrators that I love and admire so much.

If you are a demo friend of mine, I am so glad you are part of my life - promise to pray for me and the other board members that we represent you well.

If you are my client and friend, I value you more than you know and am so glad you choose to do business with me.

If you are my downline and friend, your presence on my team of stampers is precious to me. You guys are the best and I treasure each of you. Let's work together this year to grow our team and share what we love to do!

Stamped blessings to you all!

I'll be on vacation with my family this week, but have some creative posts scheduled for you to view. I'll be back next week with more pictures and stories from convention - boy do I have a lot to tell you!

If you are wanting to attend August Classes and Camps, the schedule is up on my website http://www.robinstamps4u.stampinup.net/

Be sure to e-mail me to rsvp! Can't wait to get stampin' again!

~~Robin

Big Convention News and a Swap Card too!

Hey there! I was going to just pop on here for a minute to show you this card, one of my convention swaps, but I also need to share some amazing news with you.

On Thursday night at awards night, I had the double honor of being named #72 Demonstrator of the Year, and most stunning - I was named to the 2009-10 Advisory Board!!!!!!
All I can say is WOW!! I am still in shock over receiving this fabulous honor. It is exciting and overwhelming at the same time. I'll have some photos to post next week of many things here at convention, including awards night, so stay tuned for that. I don't have the ability to download any from here at the hotel.


I hope you like the card for today. I used Elegant Eggplant and Whisper White along with the Snow Swirled stamp set, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, Rhinestone Ice Square Brads, White Organza Ribbon and my Big Shot with the Texture Plates.

Have a wonderful Sunday! I am flying home today and can't wait to see my family again!
xoxoxo,
~~Robin