Paper Gator

National Magnet Conference

2010-11-13T19:21:00.023-05:00

NATIONAL MAGNET CONFERENCE 2010

We arrived in Phoenix to find we are staying at The Buttes Resort. This is a picture about 6:00 am from the dining area at breakfast. It was an awesome sunrise.

Beth Koon and I submitted a poster under the category of Structural Empowerment. Now if you know me I never want to do anything unless I can win or at least give it every bit of energy even if it causes a near death experience .....well we wanted to do this awesome poster that would appeal to all 5 senses ---we had it all planned out- nothing ever works the way you plan does it???????we could not get sound cards that would hold our caring
messages, then the cost of all that chocolate for the attendees, getting the singing bowl to Phoenix---- it was all sooooo complicated. We just regrouped and decided to scale back and keep it simple -----Guess what----------
WE WON!

We got in late to Phoenix so Beth and I had to go very early to the convention center the next morning in order to register our poster and get it hung for presentation. We were not due back at our poster until 1PM. We were aware there were awards for the posters but did not have any idea when these would be given only that they would be announced in the conference the next day. Beth arrived before me so she was first to see the winning ribbon on the poster when she came to our 1pm poster session. When I walked up Sally Raiden our Magnet Coordinator was ready with her camera waiting for my reaction when I saw the ribbon. You can see it first hand here. Sorry no one had their cell phone video on. I run with a low tech crew.(Sorry gang)Maybe someone will get a Flip video for Christmas.(Hint for Robert) The other picture is the announcement of the poster awards that was made during the conference. Who knows maybe next year I will be chosen to do an actual presentation. A poster at Magnet this year-- Speaking at ENA Leadership in Portland in Feb.2011- Magnet in Baltimore sounds possible.

Now for icing on the cake. JEAN WATSON COMES TO VIEW THE POSTER.
Jean and Maryjo Schreiber (CNO at Winter Haven Hospital)have been friends for years and we have been using Jean's Caring Theory
for about 20 years and we are one of Jean's Caritas Hospitals. MaryJo has the pleasure of hosting the International Caring Consortium for Jean next Spring. Jean is AWESOME! There is no other way to describe her. Our poster used all her Caritas factors to drive our customer service and empower our staff through a customer service team made up of staff, management and board members.

DAISY
Another great thing about the Magnet Conference is I get to see Bonnie Barnes and
her wonderful family. They have a great foundation that allows us to recognize excellence in nursing. I coordinate this great award at our facility and it is one of the most meaningful things in my life.
This is something that I can't explain but from the minute I heard about it I knew I had to be part of it and share it. It is something that when I tell these stories or talk about this special award-it makes me so proud to be a nurse.IT IS JUST THAT SPECIAL> and so is Bonnie.
Meet her once and you will feel the same way. This family has done a wonderful thing for nursing.

Here is some of the group on the last day right before Jean's closing address.
Debi-AVP Critical Care Services, Ruthie- ARNP Critical Care, Mary Jo- CNO, Sally- Magnet Coord, Beth- Q.I. Analyst-my poster co-presentor, Karen-RN Ortho and our Shared Governance Leader, and ME AVP-Emergency Services.

Next picture
Karen, Tracy-Unit Manager of our Nursery We went to a reception at the Sheraton downtown.
Great roof top views.

JEAN WATSON

Jean closed out the conference. What a LADY!!!!!!

Time to go home

A view from the roof of the resort as I drink my morning coffee. Goodbye Phoenix.

Linda's September meeting

2010-09-26T20:19:00.017-04:00

Project by Linda Heller. See it in more detail on Stamping School
I didn't finish mine so when it's done I'll post a picture that's a bit better.
It's a 3 drawer chest filled with 8 Christmas tags.

Trish demonstrated these awesome cards. She used impression folders
then used a brayer to put color on top. What a great card.
You should see these in person.

Some of the card and items on the share table.

These are also from the share table and from 2 talented
demonstrators that live near me.
Susan and Nance. These are only a few. I will post more.

September Card class

2010-09-20T19:40:00.008-04:00

SEPTEMBER CARD CLASS

6 Fall cards and a 3D candy treat item. Class 9-25

6 assorted Fall cards. Hope you like. Some old DSP. Trying to use it up.

Lee, Bonnie, Joann excited with all the projects
Gloria, Wilma and Jackie busy making cards and cutting leaves.
Look at the treats Bonnie made. Chocolate strawberries-Yum.
That alone should get you to come to class.
Cya next time.

STAMPCATION

2010-09-14T22:20:00.026-04:00

STAMPCATION
Linda Heller and Shantaie Fowler hosted the
1st annual Stampcation event.

Linda Heller(where the rubber hits the road) did demos of projects we would make and we had other demonstrations throughout the day. Guest demonstrator Catherine Harwood (3 2 1 Launching Creativity) Cathryn did some awesome projects. She also has a great blog.
ALL 3 ladies have blogs that you should visit and don't forget Linda's Stamping School.

This was on the display tables that were set up. This was the candy center where there was an endless supply of CHOCOLATE and and other sweets. It was an amazing event. The organization, projects, displays and demonstrations were just great. See 2 of the make and takes here.

3 more make and takes. These are great and could be used in classes.

These are other projects that were demonstrated or available. The above magnetic board demoed by Shantaie is AWESOME. Linda has this on her blog this week Go and see it. Where the rubber hits the road is her blog. This would be a great gift!!!!!!!!

Other demos and the shoes were door prizes for the many games and contest. There was a ugly and a fabulous shoe contest. FUN! many door prizes throughout the weekend.
Fabulous stations where you could use stamp sets and Big shot dies to cut paper for projects stamp images. It was WELL DONE>>>>>> Put this event down in your calendar to investigate.
I know this will grow and you will want to be in on the FUN

Hotter-N-Hell 100 Texas

2010-08-30T19:30:00.031-04:00

Hotter-N-Hell 100 Bike Ride

Robert putting his bike together- and us together in Fort Worth

Robert and I at Wichita Falls and his niece Julie who hosted us for the weekend. Robert at
the registration area.

Up at 3am and driving by 4 to get to Wichita Falls. The Pit crew getting Robert ready for the 100 miles. Robert's sister Sandi also flew in to see the ride.

It's about 6:45 the streets are packed already and bikers continue to flow out of everywhere.
The starting line is visible but it takes a while to even move in this crowd. This last picture is looking back down the street. It is packed for about 10 blocks.

The innvocation, pledge and then the fly over-----REMARKABLE!!!!!!The cannon goes off and it is a SLOW start. Finally he is off.

At the FINISH----- 5hours-25mins. He's an official scorcher!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
9th in his age group. What a MAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! His stats were amazing.

Open House

2010-08-21T22:22:00.010-04:00

OPEN HOUSE

What a SUCCESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lee helping 2 attendees Heather and JoLynn with their make and takes
Judy with her Make and take and Abby admiring all the swaps from convention.

Lee's Make and take using the Santa from the Holiday Mini.

Some examples of the great things you can make with the new FABRIC.
See the Coasters and the purse my sister Kathy helped make using the Big shot and the new fabric on the coasters. Tables set with swaps and gift items on display.

2010-08-15T20:04:00.020-04:00

SU new Designer series paper and Fabric

Decor elements--and more fabric.

More decor elements. It is so EASY to use these.

These are Halloween Luminary holders. EASY and I put a battery operated mini candle inside.
IT is AWESOME!

OPEN HOUSE

Lee Mead and I are hosting an Open House Saturday 8-21 from 10a-2p and we are showcasing all the new mini catalog items plus lots of swaps and things I receive at the Stampin Up convention.
We are showing Halloween, Fall, Christmas and gift giving ideas. I have posted a few pictures of some of the things. More to follow this week.

Open House Make and Take

2010-08-08T10:17:00.014-04:00

Open House Preparation
I am trying to prepare for an Open House and thinking of 2 Make and takes for the attendees.
Here is my first mock up. I saw this card on a blog "It's all about Stamping" and decided to put it in a matchbook type holder instead of an envelope-- I am still debating that. I used the stamp set Just Believe that we got at Stampin' Up convention. It looks like this set is going to become a best seller as it can be used for so many things. I know that's retired ribbon (give me BREAK).

I want to do one Christmas card and I saw the cutest one yesterday on Angie Tieman's blog so I want to do it and change it up a bit. It uses the Jolly Old St. Nick. I'm waiting for my mini order to come this week. I hope to do a Halloween picture frame like in the mini catalog with the decor elements, use some fabric on a card, composition book and clipboard, make some Christmas ornaments to put on the tree and wrap a few items gift boxes, food type items with fabric for display.

I made some neat inserts for a 1" simply adorned for a special person. Hold on to your seats- they were not stamped images- I used SU paper and supplies but for my daughter whose interests are wide and much more fun filled than mine I tried to get out of the box and do her favorite things. I will post these as soon as she gets the gift just in case she drops over here to view the blog.

Jen and Robert's Saturday

2010-08-07T09:49:00.010-04:00

Robert (my biker hubby ready to head out) leaving in 90+ degree heat for his ride. He is riding in TX later this month in the Hotter than He## 100. Above are 2 pics from the race last year. 100 miles in Florida or Texas heat is over the edge! He will be out today for about 70 + miles and be ready to do it again tomorrow on his return. I am in the craft room enjoying the A/C and trying to organize my Open House Event. Today I want to decide the date, mock up the 2 make and take samples and start trying to get some things from the mini and convention made so when my order arrives this week I can use those new stamps and supplies to finish the projects. I really liked the luminaries and the way the fireplace was done at the home office with Designer Series paper. I going to give that a go. I am also trying to make some gift items for National HUC day. That is Health Unit Coordinator. We are doing some gift bags and have some real cute items. I'll post the gift sets later. I have a lot of items IP (in progress).

Linda's Meeting

2010-08-01T21:32:00.020-04:00

Linda's Meeting
Another wonderful Sunday afternoon with the group and Linda in Altamonte Springs.
We had our Business Buds-very effective. New support system and great make and takes.
Above-- Linda's Tango Tea bag holder.This is a great make and take or cute door prize. It's made with a piece of DSP 6x6. What a great way to use those paper shares from last year. Linda's is the pretty one on top. Mine is the pacific point. Linda's is on Stamping School. Go sign up. She has great things there.

My Color chart- More info on this I am sure will be on Stamping School. You gotta join to get that. Two great cards and a magnet holder. I didn't even see that stamp in memento mall. Don't you just love her projects. Come on say it!!!!!
You can't wait to make them.

Convention 2010 Bloggers

2010-08-01T09:19:00.006-04:00

Here are my final pictures with my bloggers. I know everyone knows this top lady. She will be so embarrassed when she reads this. She hates to be the center of attention, however she deserves to be. What an awesome opportunity for me last year at convention. With so many stampers at convention there were 3 main bloggers I wanted to meet. I was successful with 2. Mary Fish and Jill Hillard who is second row left here, but I didn't get to meet Linda Heller. I had joined Stampin School the year before and knew she lived near me in Orlando. I was on the plane home
with 2 empty seats beside me thinking yes-I am so lucky----all of the sudden 2 ladies are coming down the aisle- I look up and who do I see--Linda Heller- she sits by me on the way home. LUCKY me!
We look at swaps and got to know each other for hours. I have now spent the last year included in her monthly group meetings which are AWESOME! Linda hates attention but she deserves all the praise she gets. She gives 100% to her group and we all love her. I have seen several blogs this year where it has been other stamper's goals to get their pic with Linda this year.
I already told you who is in pic #2. Jill Hillard- Love her site! Her design is great! She has great kits and simple ideas that appeal to all. Lastly, Patty Bennett- She is the master of paper. She can take a stamp or paper and turn into the most extraordinary art you have ever seen. If you don't follow her blog- you are crazy- go there now! you are not COOL! Isn't that pic great- I think we kinda look like sisters (sorry Kathy- but Patty and I look more alike than you and me). At least we both have good taste in clothes- we almost match:)
Going to Linda's group today so I will try to post a second time our project's from today!
At least my new commitment is working. I have posted everyday this week. That's not bad considering I went back to work-was in a catch up mode most of the end of the week. Met two deadlines for ENA call for committee nominations and caught up my Google reader which was probably going to explode if I hadn't read and emptied it.

Convention 2010 SWAPS

2010-07-31T14:56:00.018-04:00

My swaps for Convention.

First four are the swaps I made using the faux lace technique for The WOW swap.
I turned the stamp upside down from Friends never fade. I thought it made the perfect Angel.
I used this same stamp for my swap at Linda Hansen's Dinner. It makes a great Christmas card but I decided to just use the greeting "for you" since the samples were going to her group.
Next are my 2 Christmas organized swaps. I was in 2 groups here and this called for 2 layers so I tried to do an easier card that would be easy to be reproduced in a class or workshop. The next card was made from the new cute by an inch for my LNS swap. I cased this from Mary Fish and just changed the objects to the new inchees. The next cards were all general swaps. I love that new Friends never fade so I made the angel again. Cheers to you is always a favorite. I saw a card on Stamptastic that was made for Christmas - loved the colors and thought that would look great as a cocktail card. Fifth avenue floral is such a classic- I saw a card like this on Kismet, Art and Life. They used a non SU set but it reminded me of this stamp set so I did the same basic idea.
I think it came out great. I swapped out of this one first. An apple a day-When I saw this set I knew I wanted to do some type of teacher card. I remembered seeing a card on Kween Bee Kreations- for those of you who don't know, she is Mary Fish's niece. Look at their work. Same neat, classic style. Anyway I took the idea she had and used the apple to make it current. Almost done- I love the new newsprint paper. I saw so many projects done with this. I cased this idea from Susan Raihala- I added the new newsprint paper and changed the punch and greeting.
Finally the bird-I had seen Blue Egg Craze use a bird made out of buttons where she drew in the tail and feet- When I saw the sweetheart set I didn't like the tail so I cut it off and drew in my own tail. I know the feet could use some work. When you reproduce yours you can make beautiful feet. Her design was similar but I changed it up with SU. If you can't figure out the recipe email me and I will give you more detailed info.

Convention 2010 More Bloggers and New Friends

2010-07-30T20:16:00.015-04:00

WOW!!!!!!!!!!! Recognize any of these famous Bloggers???
Let's start with our hostess for this great evening- Linda Hansen. I have followed her blog since the DAY!!! you know when. I was lucky enough to get in this wonderful " An Evening To Remember" and that it was! Doesn't Linda look awesome. We had an awesome dinner, surprise guest, entertainment and swap here, I was in group 1 of 3. I got 50 truly amazing cards. Next is Becky Roberts- Becky is a nurse also but got to make SU her FT job when her family came along unlike me who continues to toil away and just play on the side with SU. I love her work. Her blog is amazing and you can just see her personality in her work. Darn she has that BFF that she talks about all the time and the BFF even won a trip to Alaska, so no way to sway her friendship.
On to Jan Tink- her blog is a hoot. I have never seen anyone use so many flashing icons, smiley things or go on so many rants about herself all in such good humor. She is a jewel. If you have never read her blog-go there now. Her artwork is awesome also-and she doesn't mind telling you either.
Next Diana Gibbs-#40 demonstrator of the Year! I don't really remember how I started following her blog. I may have seen where someone else followed it and checked it out or it could have been when she won the Artisan Award last year and I went and looked the winners up and added them to my Google reader. Whatever took me there it was well worth it. Diana also created the make and takes we did at this event.
Last but not least are my new friends Ann Marie and JoAnn. Both of these ladies signed up for my Masculine swap that I hosted on Saturday and offered to help me at the beginning of the swap so it was really organized. What a great job they did. I have seen Ann Marie's blog since we have been home and it to is very impressive. I just met them on this evening and both are wonderful friends now and I am sure we will share lots of ideas over the next year and meet up again next year ready to do it all over again.
What a great group of women!

Convention 2010 Blogger Gretchen Barron

2010-07-29T21:25:00.005-04:00

Now this is 3 days in a row. Can I get a hand!!!!!!!!!!!!! This is Gretchen Barron for those of you who don't recognize this blogging queen. I was sitting in session on Thurs am and I had an empty seat beside me when a SU worker tapped me on the shoulder and asked if the seat beside me was taken. Of course I said no and tried to move my 4 swap bags and all that stuff I think I have to carry around so I could make it safe for someone to even enter the aisle. Enter this lady and she sits down. Now I kinda look over- I think wow she looks familiar. I sit there thinking to myself- I know I know her. I finally lean over and say is your name Rachel? to which she replies NO! Then it comes to me. You're Gretchen Barron...I follow your blog. As soon as I get it out everyone around has heard it and they are just oohing and aahing too. Gretchen was very modest. Her punch directions/tutorial when those new punches came out really saved the day. I think SU got the tutorial from her :) Gretchen was kind enough to swap cards with me and we had and opportunity to visit again later at convention. It still amazes me that all these amazing ladies I will feature over the next days ( in the order I took their pics) have no idea how we blog followers just think they are great. They are all so modest and sometimes embarrassed by our attention.
You go Gretchen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Great work everyday.

Convention 2010 Lynn Pratt

2010-07-28T13:41:00.005-04:00

Well onto day 2 for the new blog commitment. On Tuesday Jackie from Orlando and 2 ladies I have paled around with at convention for the last 2-3 years from Maryland-Gwen and Sandy decided to eat lunch at the hotel after a morning of LNS events. I was sitting there and noticed a display on the floor by a table just over from us. Well I knew immediately who that was because I follow that blog--- I went over and met Lynn Pratt. She is just an awesome designer and so nice. (www.stampndesign.blogspot.com) Her mother was with her and of course we just were delighted to meet Lynn and probably acted crazy but her mom was so proud. She told us Lynn's grandma had asked all about convention and didn't quite understand what they were coming to. She had asked if Lynn was going to get a round of applause. I took care of that-- I got my friends to all give Lynn a huge round of applause, plus we all did the wave. Her mom was just toooooooo proud. It turned out her mom was in a masculine swap I hosted later in the week. Lynn swapped me for her last blue shoe. Maybe next year the Potato heads will still be popular and I will get one of those or I will figure out how to make them. I just noticed something else- I think I got the wedding card in the WOW swap I did. Off to check that now.

Stampin Up Convention 2010 Flower Power Party

2010-07-27T20:24:00.010-04:00

Well I started this blog last year for convention but just didn't have time to keep it up. I am going to try it again this year. I am going to post my cards and the recipes to the cards I made for my swaps in the next few days as well as a few pictures from convention. I met a few of my favorite bloggers while at convention. Now hold on- I could not locate some and some were not there so this will only be a few as I follow over 200 blogs. I can already hear you saying- That's crazy-but I love them all. First pictures today are of me as a Hippie at the Flower Power party.

Off to Stampin Up convention

2009-08-02T09:14:00.000-04:00

I am posting all my swaps both general and organized on my blog. I started this blog then just got busy, found it overwhelming so I figured now is the perfect time to try to figure it out and use it to show all my swaps. My step-daughter Candy did the header and it came out AWESOME. Here we go.

SCS Dinner and Swap

2009-08-02T09:13:00.001-04:00

I will start with my SCS dinner swap.

I was fortunate enough to get involved with helping to host this event. Belinda King and a great group of others worked to make this event the best ever.

SCS Dinner Swap 50 +1 (that 1 is going to Stampin Up).

Double Butterfly

Stamps: Great Friend, Dreams du Jour, Short and sweet- Thank You (I added this to only the original card so that my swap mates could add their own sentiment to my swap

Ink: Choc. Chip, Rose Red

Paper: Choc. Chip, Rose Red, Pretty In Pink, Glossy White

Accessories: Scalloped Oval and Regular Oval, Direct ink to Glossy paper using Texturz plate, Choc. Chip grosgrain ribbon, Versa mark refill mixed with Stampin glitter.

WOW Swap

2009-08-02T09:12:00.000-04:00

This swap is being hosted by jjcristo. Inspiration for this card came from a blog I follow by Sunshine Stamper. I think the total number is 106+1 for this swap. You swap as many as you bring.

Stamps: Fifth Avenue Floral, Short and Sweet, Dreams du Jour

Ink: Going gray

Paper: Going Gray, Whisper White

Accessories: Eyelet Border Punch, Large Circle Punch, Word Window Punch, Versa mark refill mixed with Stampin Glitter, Pink pastel chalk, texturz plates

Totally Insane Christmas Swap

2009-08-02T09:11:00.000-04:00

This swap is hosted by inkersaway. I think the final count is 35. It got posted a little later than the rest but you can always use Christmas ideas.

This is a Christmas Notecard. That means it is a single card that you write a brief note on and it is ready to mail.

Stamps: Holiday Lineup, Short and Sweet

Ink: Choc. chip

Paper: Real Red, Close to Cocoa

Accessories: White gel pen.Choc. chip, real red, and glorious green markers

gingham ribbon, eyelet border punch

Card Candy swap

2009-08-02T09:10:00.001-04:00

This was the first organized swap I signed up for. I was so sure these two sets would make it to the new catty that I went ahead and did them before July 1. Well guess what-- they are now dormant. When I asked Stamperbybirth the hostess if I should re-do she said no "Dormant sets are great hostess gifts and they spark interest in the dormant list".

Stamps:Man's Best Friend (Dormant)

Ink: Basic Black, Real Red

Paper: Basic Black, Real Red, Whisper White, Kraft

Accessories: Scalloped oval, regular oval, scalloped circle, assorted circles, scalloped square, and heart and heart punches.

Stamp:Ocean Commotion (Dormant)

Ink: Old Olive, Ballet Blue

Paper: Very vanilla, Ballet Blue, Always Artichoke, Mellow Moss

Accessories: Assorted punches

Stamp Camp Flyer CD Swap

2009-08-02T09:09:00.000-04:00

This is my contribution to the CD swap. Hosted by vkillmore.The fire hydrant os attached to a box that holds the 4 dog cards. With Lauren Meader's permission I cased her fire hydrant and made a few changes. I added 4 cards using Man's Best Friend (dormant list)

Since I used 3 of the cards as general swaps I am listing those recipes here.

Stamps: Man's Best Friend(Dormant) Really Retro (dormant)

Ink: Basic Black, Real Red

Paper: Kraft, Basic Black, Whisper White, Real Red

Accessories: Square and Circle Scallop Punches, Circle Punches, Texturz plates, Real red Marker

Hedgehog

2009-08-01T21:39:00.002-04:00

General Swap

Stamps: Fun and Fast Notes

Ink: Choc. Chip

Paper: Choc. Chip, Creamy Carmel, Real Red

Accessories: Hear to Heart Punch, Circle cutter, scallop die, gingham ribbon, choc chip for distressing, texturz plate,

Choc Chip, Creamy Carmel, Glorious Green, YoYo Yellow, Blush Blossom markers

Brown and Green pastels.

Cute Little Lamb

2009-08-01T21:35:00.002-04:00

This is a general swap

Stamps: Pun Fun

Ink: Choc. Chip

Paper: Ballet Blue, Real Red, Creamy Carmel, Glossy White

Accessories: White gel Pen, Real red Marker, Heart to Heart Punch, Circle punches, Scallop circle punch, Gingham ribbon, Direct ink ( ballet blue) to Texturz plate.

Giraffe

2009-08-01T21:32:00.002-04:00

This is another general swap.

Stamp: Animal Crackers

Ink: Choc. Chip

Paper: Bermuda Bay, Whisper White, Melon Mambo, Dusty Durango, Rich Razzleberry, Taken with Teal

Accessories: Color pencils, Pumpkin pie Marker, Texturz plate, Pumpkin pie ribbon