Unearthing

So I'm unearthing things as I prepare to move back into my room. Some of it is drudgery. Some of it is hilarious and ridiculous (really? I saved one square inch of white cardstock?) Some of it is sweet.

Some of it is bittersweet.

I joined Stampin' Up! as a demonstrator in May of 2001. I remember this like it was yesterday - honestly. That first party I was "dragged" to by my friend Kris - I only went to be nice, with lots of internal eye rolling. I'm sure many of you got started the same way.

Then I squealed for 3 hours and spent like $400, and the rest is history.

But shortly after that, my life changed with the rest of the world on 9/11.

I remember what felt like years of silence in the months that followed that.

I don't know why I remember the silence, but it was like a lot of snow fell, and everything was quiet for a long, long time.

It was a long time before I remember laughing and having fun without a sense of guilt.

I was desperate to do something - anything - to make anyone feel better. Or to make myself feel better. Or to make it less quiet and sad everywhere. I felt like stamping had taken over my life at just the right moment.

So when SU came out with the God Bless America stamp shortly after 9/11, it was a huge creative relief. I probably made 300 cards with that stamp. It was just something I could do. It was a happy and sweet image with a simple message and it was just right. Here's an image of the stamp from an Etsy listing.

This was long before I was blogging and before I started my Splitcoast gallery, so these cards I made don't exist anywhere on the interwebz. But I loved them. That stamp may have actually started my mixed media fetish, because I remember loving using my watercolor crayons on this stamp to get the blue and the red together. I bought a few extras and cut them apart to use with ink, too.

Anyway - fast forward to convention 2008.

At this convention, they made a small number of the mag plates for some retired stamp sets available to demonstrators at Memento Mall. I knew what I wanted and was holding my breath as we waited in that long line. I found and grabbed the following: Architectural Elements, Botanicals, Branch (one of my faves ever), Citrus And Such, and...

I couldn't believe my good fortune when I found this flipping quickly through the bins in a big crowd of people trying to see them all. This one really meant a lot to me, and it felt like I was meant to have it. I'm sure everyone who got some of their favorites that day felt that way.

They all came with these.

There was something very cool about being able to get these plates and knowing that these images would never, ever be produced again. It all just clicked.

So I found these today and set them up where I can see them from my desk. And it's sweet.

Now, my room is still in chaos. I haven't started moving back in yet. I just finished my paper storage today. But I at least can work in the chaos now, which makes me happy.

While I was waiting for the spray paint to dry on the platform for my paper storage today, I did a little ARTING.

I decided to carry on in my art journal, using the A Happy Thing set again. I'm determined to make everyone want this beautiful set.

I documented some of the process here in this Instagram video.

A little break from the spray painting. You can see I've forgiven the bird from yesterday.

A video posted by Lydia Fiedler (@understand_blue) on Jan 18, 2015 at 11:58am PST

I like doing this because it shows you that at some points along the way, your stuff is really UGLY - but it improves if you keep at it.

I kept the same layout - notes on the left (I had to leave that big hog from the book untouched), and sketch on the right. What I love about this process is the end result doesn't have to be finished, really. It's just practice, so it doesn't have to be perfect.

You'll see that I used almost the identical colors I used here, but much paler and with a different result.

I stamped the bird first in So Saffron, and then just painted over him. Then I added some details back with a pen. I like wrapping up with actual drawing - you lose those skills if you don't use them, and I don't use them enough. The stamp makes it hard to get this part wrong. I left a lot of the text peeking through.

Sweet little birdie.

In case you're wondering about this magical book full of hogs that I'm using for a journal, it's called the Biggle Swine Book "Much old and new hog knowledge, arranged in alternate streaks of fat and lean."

Quite a hoot.

Back to the grindstone for today - I will spend my time outside work this week trying to put pieces of my room together. I can't wait to show you the finished space. I can't wait to BE in the finished space. The kitties are pretty excited too. They show their excitement by sleeping. All day.

God bless America.

Loveyameanitbye.

THE PUNCH BOOK - FOUND!

Yay - somehow Jill found her way to Understand Blue and will let us know when we can see her scanned work of art! Stay tuned!!!

Thank you Jill! It was wonderful to meet you. Thank you for sharing!!

Video Updates!!

Okay, so here's a little FLAVOR from convention.

First of all, what it's like when Sock Monkey dances at a convention!!!


Then a quick video of what it's like when a UPS guy delivers 5700 stamp sets!!

Finally- when we walked in for the closing session today, it was OVERWHELMING. The lobby was deafening - everyone was there waiting for the doors to open. The sound was hard to describe. It was like a freight train, or a beehive, or a tsunami. Really cool.

Quick Hits from the Boards

I actually didn't even have time to take pics of all the boards which is usually my favorite resource, but I did find some gems. So just a few here.

And to answer a few ?'s - the stamp set they gave out was just for attendees.. :( Sorry.

Remember the Sizzix is commissionable even on the pre-order - YAY!!

AND CAN SOMEONE PLEASE TELL ME HOW SOMEONE STAMPED ON THESE CHINESE LANTERNS??

Look at them - they are stamped perfectly with no voids, with a VERY intricate stamp - Together Forever.

First person to crack the code of how this person did this wins a memento mall goodie.

BTW - I have goodies for those of you who sent me the CD stuff - I need your addresses. Please email me privately with your mailing addresses!! Thanks! I would list your names here, but I'm tired. It's everyone who commented with a source prior to right this very instant - 8:35 central time today!

Also - yeah, I got your pens! :) Thanks for chatting with me. I never found punch book lady darn it! Maybe somehow she'll make her way to my blog and let me know who she is.

I hope you enjoy these few cards.

It's been so fun getting to know some of you!

Have a great weekend.

Gotta leave at 4:30 AM tomorrow. EEK.

XO

L.

Parting is such sweet sorrow!!!

Okay - here's today - we'll go backwards chronologically. The first pictures are from tonight - a little goodbye happy hour with my crew from Austin!! Jane,Melissa, Pam, Cyndee and me. There's our waiter - HIS NAME IS AUSTIN!! What are the odds??

Some cute projects with the bear we adore!!

The army men are part of a large painting that is made totally with different colored army men in the cafe next to the hotel - L'Astelier - very nice place that just opened a few days ago. Run by a sweet couple with a cute baby. Check it out if you are in SLC.

Then me & Jenn & Neelam - those two are gone now. :( Miss you girls.

Then THURL BAILEY STAMPING!!!! He is such a sweet man, and a really good stamper!!!

Pam Morgan with a hula hoop talking about the symbolism of circles - Lord, she is a wonderful woman.

Then - KEVIN THIESEN WAS SITTING BEHIND ME!!!!!! He is one of my Stampin' Idols!!

Speaking of behind me, the SU! staff was behind me, and darn it if they didn't get all teary eyed when Shelli thanked them and everyone cheered. Seriously - these are the sweetest people on earth!!!!

Now, the last pic, uh yeah.

So this morning I bop down to Starbucks, and because it is so blissfully cool in the mornings here, I take my quad short breve no foam latte outside and sit in this HUGE empty courtyard.

AT WHICH POINT THE COMPLETE (________ FILL IN THE BLANK) YOU SEE IN THE PICTURE BELOW COMES AND SITS RIGHT NEXT TO ME AND STARTS

SMOKING

A

CIGAR

YES, AT 7 AM.

SO I STOMPED OFF AND TOOK A PICTURE OF HIM. GRR.

That's what happens when you're a complete oblivious you know what - you end up on someone's blog. BOOYA!!

Before our wistful goodbye's, my crew, who I introduced to the fine art of Haiku last night, wrote a few I just have to share.

#1
I love Stampin' Up
My stampin sistahs just rock
My heart is simply full

#2
I love all you guys
I have so much fun with you
You're the best - BOW WOW

#3
Women congregate
To worship Shelli and stamps
We love what we do

#4
Time with friends is sweet
Stories unfold, laughter shared
Love you to pieces

#5
Convention was fun
Meeting with all my dear friends
I'll see you next year

Hope you are all having a great Saturday.

I'm hoping to post a few more pics tonight. Thanks for stopping by!!

*** more breaking news ***

UPS donated the stamp set we just got!!!

Since its the Ronald McDonald house set that's a HUGE donation!!

How sweet.

Hug your UPS man!

***breaking news***

Crackberry emergency post...

They just gave everyone the Say it With Scallops stamp set! Delivered by a UPS man!!

Soo cute!

Yeah the stamp set is too! ;)

My favorite SU employee!

Yes, Kristina Werner is just as sweet and pretty in person - actually, sweeter and prettier. And as you can see, I am very short and she is very tall!!

She and all her coworkers busted their tails this week taking care of us, so remember when you see her beautiful creations and watch her videos - she has a VERY full time job making things you've all been drooling over this week - among other things, scurrying like a roadrunner from a coyote as part of the prize patrol, delivering stampin bliss to some lucky winners, being a cashier at Memento Mall, and performing her critical Homeland Security duties at the doors to the main stage.

None of that is easy with 5700 crazed and purpose driven ladies rushing past!

But grace and warmth abound at this company, and she is no exception!

So, a kwerner haiku and then I'm really going to bed. Haiku makes me giggle.. Here goes..

Kristina, girl who

Knows how to tie a fab bow.

I, sadly, do not.

:)

G'night.

One fish, two fish - BOOYA - NEW FISH!!

Now, I'm not gonna mention any names or anything because I think you all know who you are - but those of you who did not believe my fish-napping stories - BEHOLD - Dusty, my new fish. Notice he is BROWN and notice he is NOT Pierre!! Pierre was called home to the mother ship at some point between lunch and now. Good thing I said G'Bye. Dusty is a little shy, but hopefully we will be thick as thieves soon.



Man am I tired. This has been the most action packed convention I swear!! We have not had any down time at all until right now. So I have some time to update you on today before I fall hard hard asleep!! This year is the first year I have not finished my make & takes! I think there's a weird stamping time wormhole we are caught in.

So I'm a complete loser and you've probably seen the whole make and take that goes with this SUPERCALISASSALICIOUS THINGY!! But I didn't get far enough to show you the whole project. But seriously - look at this!! It's the new 1.25" Pirouette Pink Grosgrain ribbon. We just stitched one side with linen thread and the needle from the Crafter's Toolkit and pulled it tight until it formed this rosette. Then you just stitch closed on one end, add a line of Crystal Effects and the chunky silver glitter and SHAZAM!! I feel like wearing this somewhere!! If you're not a loser, you go on to add a stamped element in the middle, and stick it on an adorable pink box.

If you're me, you get kicked out of the make and take room and go eat some of the world's best Italian food.


And a few observations to share. First of all, be amazed at the thing that is Stampin' Up! I've been to events that had 100 people that were complete disasters. This was 5700 people and it was organized, fun, classy and darn near technically perfect. They just stun me.

Next, be amazed at the animal that is a stamper. This morning I observed a Splitcoast swap that had more than 100 people in it. Without a drill instructor, anyone yelling, barricades, flares, signage or a trail of breadcrumbs on the ground, these women formed themselves into a human snakelike swapping machine. The line folded back on itself smoothly, with the quiet and organized swappers filing past each other, exchanging their beautiful creations - it was a sight to see!! Tonight in our group swap, led by Sue Berreth, the same sort of artistic precision was at work.

Do any of you realize how long it takes the armed forces to get people to where they smoothly, instinctively do these mass activities? Have you ever been in a boardroom? Well the DH is a Marine, and I've been in a boardroom - AND THE REST OF THE WORLD DOES NOT KNOW HOW TO DO THIS!! If we could harness the power that is the stamper and use it for good and not evil :) I'm pretty sure world peace would be like five minutes in the future!! Seriously.




Here is a shot of the women who were behind me in line to get in to the make and takes. Bottom right is Jenn. Crazy. Check Kristina's blog for a shot at lunch yesterday that will blow your mind!!
Okay, Okay, I know you didn't come here to hear me talk...

But a word about the Sizzix deal. There are some cool new dies coming in the holiday mini too - really cool. This is going to be a great tool. I can't wait to play with it. I'm clearly going to need another house.

I heard a rumor that next year's convention is the week of August 5th.

Hopefully there are some surprises left for tomorrow's meeting. Check back for any emergency crackberry posts between 8:30 AM Mountain Time and 11 AM.

Here are some pics of the stuff Shelli made with the Sizzix. These felt children's books and toys are adorable!! The one with the birds is sooo cute - she sang a little song that I didn't know where you put the birds down into the little green grass pocket one by one. so charming. The one with the stars is a velcro tic tac toe. The ladybug has jumbo eyelets and the ribbon is made into a shoelace with just electrical tape on the ends - genius!!

Then, and this NEVER gets old - I have some DSP folders on my desk - file folders covered with the GORGEOUS new Urban Garden DSP.

And if you think that's pretty - wait till you get Haiku in your hands!!

Oh it's all so good.

How come rich people are never on TV for being stampers? If I had a million dollars I know EXACTLY how I'd spend it. (Yeah, some of it would still go to shoes ;))

In honor of this paper, here's an Understand Blue Haiku for you.


Convention, you are
Exhausting, and yet - so fun
When is the next one?

Last but not least, this cute new cupcake set used to make a really adorable gift bag with the yummy new ribbon for handles. This was one of Linda Hansen's projects.

The cupcake has invitation wording in it, so Linda masked it before stamping and paper piecing the bottom. I'm not sure why she didn't just stamp it on the other side of the paper and cut it out. That's what I would recommend. It's so cute pieced.

And she did this awesome thing that my big screen picture doesn't show.. She poured out a white craft ink refill onto a plate and put a drop of pink in it and swirled it with a sponge dauber until it was pale pink. Then with a circular motion she swirled it onto white cardstock. She did the same over the top of that with just white and it looks good enough to eat - just like real frosting!!

Chunky glitter on the cherry - can you say awesome?

A very tired Understand Blue author has to say goodnight to you all now. Thank you so much for the comments today - you made my day!! I can't wait to get home and post some of my own stuff with these great new goodies. (Assuming they let me and all my stuff on the plane...)

Post questions in comments and I will answer what I can!

:)

QUICKIE GOTTA GO TO CLASS

THE PENNANTS ARE A SIZZIX EXCLUSIVE DIE, AS ARE THE ADORABLE BASKETS! LOOK AT SHELLI'S MASK SHE MADE.

And of course, our amazingly sweet waiter at Takashi - yes, we went again - let us snap a pic. Here's a post sushi bliss with Neelam, Derek and I!

Off to class - more later I promise!!

sizzix

Starter kit is 195.95 includes machine, cutting pads, 2 exclusive sies - scallop envelope and top note, exclusive sizzlitz 4pack birds and blooms, exclusive decorative strip die - join in the cheer as well as the decorative strip cutting pads and extended spacer platfor. If you want the bag which is a FREAKING ADORABLE BLACK N WHITE CHECKED DOCTORS BAG - the kit is 259.95.

The little round baskets you can make will make you scream!! Shellis whole apron was made out of sizzix cuts! We will be selling exclusive vinyl and chipboard to use with it!!!!

There are alphabets -GoGo boots, serif essentials - so you can cover chipboard letters with paper with no hand cutting! I got some awesome pics!!

Kids birthday parties will never be the same!!!

partnership with sizzix!!!!!

We are gonna sell the big shot and have exclusive dies!!!!!!!

More in a minute!!

Answer to your questions...

1) The embellishment on the cocktail card is our rhinestone brads - just bend the legs back with your pliers, then use the pliers to open the case a bit, pop the rhinestone out and stick it on your card with Tombow or a mini glue dot!

2) I'm stalking the girl with the punch book - I'll let you know if I find her!

3) Pierre is sleepy again this morning. Maybe Pierre is retired or something. In addition to rocks he has these GIANT jewels in his bowl. Really cool.

4) I'm gonna try local espresso this morning - not Starbucks. I'm understandably nervous! I've heard great things about this place though so wish me luck.

5) Yes, I'm having sushi with Russell Crowe again for lunch!

See below if you missed my late night update last night.

FINALLY

Okay - I'm pooped but they're all here!! Here's what you're gonna see... The most AMAZING cupcakes from Mini's Cupcakes!! INCREDIBLE, especially the peanut butter one. Jenn and I are bonded forever through this peanut butter cream cheese frosting atop the PERFECT cake. The manager of the store was a sweetheart.

You will see the world's strangest hotel room door. Looks like a little engineering got in the way.

Our cool hotel hallway phones at the Monaco.

Did you think I wouldn't get the cupcake called "Blue Hawaii"??? Hey Judie!! The next one is the peanut butter blitz, then the pink one is the Diva. OF COURSE.

Then some main stage photos - this crazy spiraly 3D card that is SO cool and really easy. I'll post instructions when I get home.

Oh PS - sorry for what looks alternately like a large knee or boob in my main stage photos - it's part of the set, but I admit it looks a little sketchy in my photos. All project photos are main stage, images copyright Stampin' Up! etc. Then check that tin - mary polcin stamped on it with White STazon - sassy.

Then Pierre - out and about again, but they will fishnap him tomorrow I predict and substitute an imposter. Au Revoir Pierre - we had some good times. XO

LOVE the set with the chandelier and the Upsy Daisy - want them now!!!!

And look at the freaking Washington Apple DSP - WOWZA. Love it.

The big spider and the Thanksgiving stuff is the Decor - LOVE IT!!!!!

I won't even tell you about the convention special for it - you'll be mad and won't love me anymore.

Then me & Jane - we were separated at birth - getting to march for our $100K in sales - YAY - love that girl!!

Then Jill Kocherhans demoing the new decor stuff for fall _ WOW - look at the colors!!!! Ginormous flowers are adorable!!! She is so charming too.

Random picture of my cute fish teacup at Takashi. I think I convinced Kristina Werner to try it - it's awesome. Then a pic of me, Jenn and Neelam outside, then a pic of NEELAM'S FIRST SWAP!!!

Then more me & Jane and the soooo cute bookmarks from main stage!!!

Mary Polcin made the coolest book with these blank cardboard CD sleeves with a diagonal pocket on the right.

The first person to leave a comment telling me where to get these cheap wins CONVENTION ONLY GOODIES FROM MEMENTO MALL!!

You guys are really sweet.

Thanks for the comments.

No - only demos at convention get spiral bound catties, BTW.

More stuff in the morning!!! Oh and PS - I talked to your husband! He's very sweet! I didn't take a pic though - I will try tomorrow!!

And Ellie - BOTH - we will get our own blogs AND we have permission to link to our blogs on our DBWS.

And :( - I don't think they will sell the leftover convention bags - they never have since I've been a demo. I wish they woul.

Good night!

Okay,