5 Reasons You Should Experience a Stamping Convention

This Saturday is the annual Stampaway Convention in Cincinnati. We have gone to this for the past 3 years and never regret it. In fact, it is one of my favorite mommy days of the year. Even if you aren’t close enough to visit this specific stamping convention you should find one in your area to attend. The inspiration alone is well worth the price of admission but these events offer so much more than that. If you enjoy any kind of paper crafting or stamping then here are 5 reasons you should experience a stamping convention.

Affiliate links may be used in this post. Ordering a product through these links may result in a commission at no extra cost to you. Read the full disclosure here.

Calling all paper crafters and stamping fanatics! Here are 5 reasons you should experience a stamping convention this year!

 

[bctt tweet=”Calling all paper crafters and stamping fanatics! Here are 5 reasons you should experience a #stamping convention this year!” username=”diyadulation”]

 

Calling all paper crafters and stamping fanatics! Here are 5 reasons you should experience a stamping convention this year!

Gets Creative Juices Flowing

Crafter’s block can be even more frustrating than writer’s block. You want to create, or maybe even have to create, but the ideas simply aren’t coming. A stamping convention is the perfect place to get those creative juices flowing again. Everywhere you turn there are new designs, ideas, and examples of creative work. There is no way that you will still be blocked after a day at the convention.

 

Calling all paper crafters and stamping fanatics! Here are 5 reasons you should experience a stamping convention this year!

Find Unique Items

There are so many unique items at a stamping convention that you won’t find in the craft store (like the stamp used in this project). These aren’t limited to stamps, either. You can find ribbon, stencils, tools, and more that are unique to the vendors selling them. I have found templates for boxes, specialty rub-ons, and glow-in-the-dark shrink paper for unbelievable prices. You never know what cool stuff you’re going to find from year to year.

 

Calling all paper crafters and stamping fanatics! Here are 5 reasons you should experience a stamping convention this year!

Learn New Techniques

Did you know that you can cut soda cans with your Sizzix? I didn’t until I watched a woman do it at the convention 2 years ago. She also showed you how to color your cutouts so that the ink sticks to the aluminum. There are always fantastic demonstrations to see and they free to watch. Learn how to make realistic 3-D paper flowers or new gorgeous inking techniques from vendors. Some even offer make-and-takes for a small fee. (A make-and-take is when the vendor provides the materials and guides you through making a specific craft. You then take home the items that you have made.)

 

Calling all paper crafters and stamping fanatics! Here are 5 reasons you should experience a stamping convention this year!

Take the Inspiration with You

There is so much to take in that you couldn’t possibly remember all of it. Thankfully, most vendors don’t mind you taking pictures of the displays. If you buy a product to make a specific idea you see, you can take a photo for later.

Note:

  • Always ask a vendor before taking a photograph of anything. While most do not mind, some expressly forbid it.

 

Calling all paper crafters and stamping fanatics! Here are 5 reasons you should experience a stamping convention this year!

Meet the People Behind the Designs

One of the coolest reasons you should experience a stamping convention is to meet the people behind the designs you love. It makes the designs more meaningful and it is fun to hear the stories behind them. A lot of vendors create their own unique stamps and each line has its own style. One of my personal favorites was getting to watch a demonstration by Tim Holtz. Watching the way that he layers inks and designs was mesmerizing. Unfortunately we didn’t get our picture with him because the wait for photos was simply too long. It was still incredibly cool.

Some of My Favorite Project Ideas from Last Year

 

Calling all paper crafters and stamping fanatics! Here are 5 reasons you should experience a stamping convention this year!
You know that I love all things deer!

 

Calling all paper crafters and stamping fanatics! Here are 5 reasons you should experience a stamping convention this year!
Does it get any better than these amazing Halloween cards?

 

Calling all paper crafters and stamping fanatics! Here are 5 reasons you should experience a stamping convention this year!
This awesome wall art proves that stamps are for more than cards and scrapbooks!

 

Calling all paper crafters and stamping fanatics! Here are 5 reasons you should experience a stamping convention this year!
What about this gorgeous Christmas card? Can’t you just imagine a beautiful piece of stained glass?

 

Calling all paper crafters and stamping fanatics! Here are 5 reasons you should experience a stamping convention this year!
These glittery ghosts are too cute to spook!

 

Calling all paper crafters and stamping fanatics! Here are 5 reasons you should experience a stamping convention this year!
Hee hee! Talk Nerdy to Me!

 

Calling all paper crafters and stamping fanatics! Here are 5 reasons you should experience a stamping convention this year!
Surprise the man in your life with these creative tool cards!

 

Calling all paper crafters and stamping fanatics! Here are 5 reasons you should experience a stamping convention this year!

Are you excited to check out a stamping convention? Before you go I want to leave you with a few tips for attending. First, wear comfortable shoes. These conventions can be quite large which translates into a lot of time on your feet. You also want to bring a tote bag. Not all of the vendors have bags for your purchases. Lastly, I like to bring a small notebook and pen to jot ideas and techniques on throughout the day. Which of these 5 reasons you should experience a stamping convention are you most excited about? Did any of them surprise you? Let me know in the comments!

See where I’m linking up!

Don’t Forget to Pin It!

Calling all paper crafters and stamping fanatics! Here are 5 reasons you should experience a stamping convention this year!

Save Money with these DIY Beauty Recipes + Merry Monday Link Party 164

One of the quickest and easiest ways for busy moms to relax and invest in me time is with beauty products. That relaxation is even more needed during the upcoming hectic back to school season. Unfortunately those beauty products that make us feel so pampered can cost big bucks. Add to that the guilt of spending that kind of money on yourself and you probably aren’t investing in them as frequently as you should. Now you can have the best of both worlds when you save money with these DIY beauty recipes.

Busy mommas need to relax and invest in me time. Now you can get your relaxation in and save money with these DIY beauty recipes.

 

[bctt tweet=”Invest in me time and save money with these DIY beauty recipes! #DIY #beauty” username=”diyadulation”]

 

Busy mommas need to relax and invest in me time. Now you can get your relaxation in and save money with these DIY beauty recipes.

Homemade Natural Rose Petal Blush Recipe (Lina at Sew Historically)

This is absolutely incredible! Get a light and pretty pink tint for your cheeks easily with this DIY blush. The bonus is that you will know exactly what is in your makeup when you make it yourself which is awesome!

 

Busy mommas need to relax and invest in me time. Now you can get your relaxation in and save money with these DIY beauty recipes.

Pink Lemonade Sugar Scrub (Erin at Suburban Simplicity)

Make your body feel and smell fantastic with this easy (and pretty) pink lemonade sugar scrub. It will go great with the lip scrub below!

 

Busy mommas need to relax and invest in me time. Now you can get your relaxation in and save money with these DIY beauty recipes.

DIY Raspberry Lemonade Sugar Lip Scrub (Jennifer at Busy Being Jennifer)

Get baby soft lips and enjoy a yummy smelling scrub with this awesome lip scrub!

 

Busy mommas need to relax and invest in me time. Now you can get your relaxation in and save money with these DIY beauty recipes.

Homemade Face Wash for Sensitive Skin (Jennie at Little Girl Designs)

This face wash is for sensitive skin but will work awesome on multiple skin types plus it’s easy to make. Win!

 

Busy mommas need to relax and invest in me time. Now you can get your relaxation in and save money with these DIY beauty recipes.

Blueberry Lemon Sugar Scrub (A Cultivated Nest)

Lemon adds a refreshing citrus take to this awesome sugar scrub. You’ll smell amazing all day!

 

Busy mommas need to relax and invest in me time. Now you can get your relaxation in and save money with these DIY beauty recipes.

Vanilla Homemade Lip Balm (Savanah at Midwest Modern Momma)

Can you ever really have enough lip balm? My wonderful kiddos are in the “slather it all over my lips… and face, and cheeks” phase so I am going through it faster than usual. This would be an awesome alternative to buying $4 tubes at the store!

 

Busy mommas need to relax and invest in me time. Now you can get your relaxation in and save money with these DIY beauty recipes.

Blueberry Sugar Body Scrub (Jenny at The Jenny Evolution)

The color of this body scrub is gorgeous! Add that to the fact that you use dried blueberries and I’m in Heaven.

 

Busy mommas need to relax and invest in me time. Now you can get your relaxation in and save money with these DIY beauty recipes.

Honey Oatmeal Homemade Face Mask (A Cultivated Nest)

Face masks are one of my favorites! Nothing makes you feel more refreshed than chilling out in the tub with a glass of wine and a face mask on. This one is easy to make and cleansing for those stressed-out momma pores.

 

Busy mommas need to relax and invest in me time. Now you can get your relaxation in and save money with these DIY beauty recipes.

All of these DIY beauty products help you relax and save money easily. I’m super stoked about the raspberry lip scrub because I bet it smells amazing! Want more? Check out this DIY body glitter gel! It’s crazy easy to make and so pretty! Which one will you try first? Let me know in the comments after you link up at the Merry Monday Link Party below. I can’t wait to see what you’ve been up to. See you down there!

Don’t Forget To Pin It!

Busy mommas need to relax and invest in me time. Now you can get your relaxation in and save money with these DIY beauty recipes.

Awesome Ideas to Save Money on Girls Night

With growing families to take care of and a never-ending to-do list, moms are the worst at making girls night a priority. Add to that the stress of budgeting for it and you’re ready to call it quits before you even start. It’s important to your well-being to get out of the house and spend time with friends. To help motivate you, I’m sharing my awesome ideas to save money on girls night. Now there will be one less barrier to you and the girls getting together.

Affiliate links may be used in this post. Ordering a product through these links may result in a commission at no extra cost to you. Read the full disclosure here.

 It’s important to your well-being to get out of the house and spend time with friends. To help motivate you, I’m sharing my awesome ideas to save money on girls night.

No Cover

Pick a venue that doesn’t have a cover charge. This doesn’t mean that you can’t go to the happening spot in town. Be intentional with your planning. Choose to go on a night when women get in free. Some venues also offer free entry during certain times so check for that as well.

Skip Dinner Out

Have dinner at home with your family before your girls night. This will save you money and it can be an easier transition for your kids if you don’t leave them much.

Alternatively, you can still have dinner with the girls but have everyone bring a dish to share. Meet up at someone’s house and eat together. Bonus points if the husband will do the dishes while you’re gone!

Bring Cash

Using cash is the only way to 100% control your spending on a girls night. This is especially true when alcohol is involved. In addition to only using cash leave your cards at home.

This helps control your spending and it allows you to bring a smaller bag on your night out. Even with cash do not run a tab. That allows you to lose track of your spending easily. Pay for everything as you get it.

Coffee Instead of Drinks

Most coffee joints are open late. Take advantage of this and have a girls night at one. Coffee is much cheaper than drinks (especially since you are less likely to get multiples).

You can chat and catch up for hours. You can even bring a game to play to liven things up. Also, don’t forget to splurge on a scone or a cookie while you’re there!

[bctt tweet=”Find out how to save money on girls night so you can recharge! #girlsnight” username=”diyadulation”]

Take a Free Class at Michaels

Okay, this one doesn’t typically happen at night but it is an awesome and inexpensive way to get some time with your girlfriends. The classes are free and even if you have to buy supplies it won’t cost much. Michaels will also typically let you bring in food and drink.

Simply call your local store and check their policies beforehand. If your only option is to get together with the girls in the evenings you can also try Paint and Sip Parties although these tend to be a little more expensive.

Try Karaoke

Most karaoke is free to attend and participate in. The reason for this is because the venue expects that patrons will drink. You don’t have to imbibe to have a fun night out.

One piece of advice before you go: even if you’re trying to do a girls night on the cheap, don’t forget to tip the bartender or waiter for your water. He or she is still serving you and taking care of your group that night.

 

 It’s important to your well-being to get out of the house and spend time with friends. To help motivate you, I’m sharing my awesome ideas to save money on girls night.

There you have it! All that is left for you to do is call the girls and ask them when they are free to get together. These awesome ideas to save money on girls night will make guilt-free fun a part of your life again. Do you have any tips for saving money on girls night? Share them with us in the comments so we can bring back the fun!

See where I’m linking up!