Watch a video to see details of the past escape by clicking HERE.
6th Annual Winter Creative Escape
Training and stamping for your hobby and business!
Featuring the Stampin’ Up! Spring Mini 2025 Catalog and new Online Exclusives
Registration is now open through December 13th or until capacity is reached.
Click HERE for the registration form.
Click HERE to join the private FB group after registering.
The Winter Creative Escape is an in-person/virtual convention packed with lots of stamping and learning. This event is guaranteed to get you ready to start the second half of the year strong which can lead to an awesome Sale-a-Bration!
You'll have tons of samples, ideas, and training so you are ready to keep your business/hobby going throughout the year!
Think of this event as a Stampin’ Up! OnStage meets a crafting retreat. There will be make ‘n takes featuring products from the new Spring Mini Catalog and Online Exclusives, a goody bag valued at over $50, training, demonstrations, prize patrol, and videos for those that can’t be there in person or for you to watch again later. You will be able to go back home and show your customers and friends all the cool designer series paper, ribbons, and embellishments from the new Spring Mini Catalog and new Online Exclusives.
Who is the Winter Creative Escape for?
The Winter Creative Escape is designed to help Stampin' Up! Demonstrators / Discount Shoppers / Hobbyist get more creative and get practical about their businesses. Whether you are a 100% hobby demo, hobbyist starting to build a business, or full-on business demo, the Winter Creative Escape has something for you! The focus of the projects will be on new products offered in the Spring Mini Catalog and Online Exclusives.
Not local or can’t make the dates offered? Choose the online format and have access to everything virtually via the private Facebook group – Winter Creative Escape 2025 with Cards by Christine.
Mark your calendars now to attend this special event designed for and available only to Stampin’ Up! Demonstrators / Discount Shoppers!
Details for those attending (a detailed agenda will be provided for all attendees closer to the event):
In Person Dates: Thursday, Jan 9 // Friday, Jan 10 // Saturday, Jan 11 // Sunday, Jan 12
Online Dates: Thursday, January 8 – Sunday, January 12
Start Times Each Day: 9:00 am
Wrap Up Times Each Day: 5:00 pm
Location: Cards by Christine Studio aka The Hive
575 E 11th St
Fond du Lac, WI 54935
920-960-4390
Enjoy a day filled with stamping and business/creative inspiration including:
• An in-person format, a convenient online format, or a virtual only option – attend one day in person (plus see all the presentations from the other days online), online option watch the videos, go through all the sample and display pictures, receive a box filled to the gills with projects, gits, goody bag, and make the projects at your own pace after the event OR opt for the virtual only option which gives you access to the Facebook group which includes all the sample and display pictures and creative presentations
• Demonstrations by some pretty fabulous stampers which will be live and recorded to watch later
• Real stamping for real demonstrators - ~8 practical make and take cards and a 3D project you can use for fun or business – you will absolutely LOVE them!
• Private FB group for all attendees to access the videos and pictures. You'll have access to the pictures and videos on the FB group - Winter Creative Escape 2025 with Cards by Christine
• Attendance Gifts and Prize Patrol
• A Goody Bag valued over $50!!
• SWAPS!! – choose from 6 different groups – All attendees can mail or drop off your swap cards so they are received by Saturday, January 4th – more details below
• Gorgeous displays featuring each new suite in the Mini Spring and the Sale-A-Bration catalogs
• Optional Add-on DSP Sampler to showcase the new designer papers in the Spring Mini Catalog – cost $27 ‘cash’ price / $28 via credit card on the website – no extra shipping required
In-Person/Online with Box Cost: $130 ‘cash’ price / $136 via credit card on the website
Virtual Only without the Box Cost: $45 ‘cash’ price / $47 via credit card on the website
Discounted Price for Bee Happy Stampers: $120 ‘cash’ price / $126 via credit card on the website
Registration: Submit the registration form with payment by Saturday, December 13th or while spots are open. Registration will be closed once capacity is reached. Click HERE for the registration form.
Meals: Café Mom is in charge of lunch for those attending in person. We will know more on what will be served as it gets closer. For now please include any food allergies/restrictions on the registration form.
Those that choose the to go option do not need to select a meal. The funds will be used to cover the cost of mailing your box of amazing goodies to you.
Presentations: The event will include 8 creative demonstrations from some pretty fabulous and amazing stampers. Demonstrations will be live each of the four days and you will be able to watch them in the FB group real time or via the replay. This event will appeal to every SU demo….from the discount shopper / Hobbyist who likes to stamp all the way to someone who works it as a business and everyone in between.
Please Bring: Your own paper snips, bone folder, Stella, adhesives (liquid glue, dimensionals, Tear ‘n Tape, Mini Glue Dots), as well as a camera to take pictures. Please, please, please mark your tools with your initials so that we can get them back to you if they are left at a table.
Room Reservations: I do not have a block of rooms reserved at any one location, but there are many hotels in Fond du Lac that you could reserve a room with if you aren’t local and want to attend in person. Reach out if you need some suggestions or search hotels in Fond du Lac in Google Maps.
Facebook Group: The Facebook group is called Winter Creative Escape 2025 with Cards by Christine (click HERE to be taken to it directly) and you will be invited to join the group after your registration is complete. All the pictures of all the swap cards and displays will be uploaded in this group. Links to the videos of the presentations will be posted in this group as well.
Optional Add On DSP Sampler Kit: What a great way to showcase all of the Designer Series Paper that Stampin’ Up! offers! Whether you are an avid customer or a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator, this DSP Sampler will help you with your crafting and creating over the next year. I plan to keep a set on hand to show lovely customers when they attend class in person or online. I also plan to keep a set in my crafting room to help me while I’m creating those masterpieces by helping me easily identify the colors in each set and refer to them often to see all the patterns and coordinating card stock colors at a glance. You'll get a Basic White sheet printed with each of the Designer Series Papers, as well as 2” x 2” pieces for regular/specialty Designer Series Papers. In addition, you will receive coordinating pieces of the coordinating card stock colors for each page. Assemble with liquid glue or Stampin’ Seal and you will have everything you need to assemble your DSP Sampler.
Cost: $27 ‘cash’ price / $28 via credit card on the website and will be either ready at the event or will be mailed with your TO GO box after the event. No extra shipping is required.
Optional Organized Swaps
Are you interested in getting even more samples using the new products from the Spring Mini and Sale-A-Bration catalogs? Then you’ll want to sign up for one, some, or all the optional swaps.
You can sign up for as many of the different categories of swaps as you desire. The number of swaps you’ll need to make per category will be shared to all participating in swaps around December 13th. You’ll design and make that many swaps and receive that number back less 1 for the swap host. Each swap requires a different design. Swaps will need to be dropped off by OR mailed and received by Saturday, January 4th.
Swaps will be available for pickup for those attending in person OR they will be mailed with your TO GO box after the event.
All swap cards will be entered in the swap contest. There will be a winner from each category, which is selected by your peers. Prizes will be awarded to the winner of each category.
All cards must feature new products from the Spring Mini Catalog, Sale-A-Bration Catalog, or new Online Exclusives depending on what you sign up for (please read each swap’s guidelines carefully). Everything including cardstock and clear envelopes must be Stampin’ Up! product - nothing can be retired, from the Clearance Rack, Kits, or from Paper Pumpkin kits. Annual Catalog and current Online Exclusive products can be sprinkled into all swaps if desired.
Swap cards must be full A2 size cards (not just card fronts) and arrive complete with the inside of your card matted and a decoration/focal image stamped to match the outside (sentiments on the inside are optional). Card bases that are thick vanilla or thick white do not require a mat. The cards must be placed in clear unsealed SU envelopes (item# 102619) with your name not stamped on the card - use a business card or Post-it Note (preferred).
Any cards submitted not following the guidelines will not be swapped and kept by the swap host. I am so sorry if this needs to happen. Please reach out to me while in your designing phase or before mailing/dropping off if you are new or uncertain on anything. I am here to help and do not want this to deter you from stamping. Too much time has been spent in the past right before the event ensuring all cards met the guidelines.
Swap Sign Up Deadline: Due with registration and by December 13th – Please include your choices on the registration form.
1. Fun Folds Swap: Your Fun Fold (preferably fit to 4 ¼” x 5 ½” when flat) swap must use a new Spring Mini Catalog or new Online Exclusive stamp set and an embellishment and/or ribbon (preferably new). New Designer Series Paper is encouraged to be used. No SAB products.
2. Holiday Card Swap: Your full A2 size card (not just a card front) must have at least 3 layers, use a new Spring Mini Catalog or new Online Exclusive stamp set, an embellishment and/or ribbon (preferably new), and focus on an upcoming Holidays (Valentine'’s Day, St. Patty’s Day, Easter, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, etc). New Designer Series Paper is encouraged to be used. No SAB products.
3. Tyler Inspired Card Swap: Your full A2 size card (not just card front) must have at least 3 layers and use a new Spring Mini Catalog OR SAB Catalog or New Online Exclusive stamp set. An embellishment, ribbon and/or New Designer Series Paper (preferably new) is encouraged to be used, but not required do to the nature of these cards. Below are some helpful hints at succeeding in this category. ;-)
Nature Cards
Manly Man Cards
No Birthday
No Holiday
Tyler loves Green and earth tones
No Glitter or Sparkle
4. Case the Mini Catalog Card Swap: Your full A2 card (not just card front) must have at least 3 layers, an embellishment and/or ribbon (preferably new) that CASE’s anything in the Mini Spring Catalog or Online Exclusive. New Designer Series Paper is encouraged to be used. No SAB products. Reminder - start with anything from the Mini or OE, but it needs to end as an A2 size card.
5. Sale-A-Bration Card Swap: Your full A2 size card (not just card front) must have at least 3 layers, use a new Sale-A-Bration item, an embellishment and/or ribbon (preferably new). New Designer Series Paper is encouraged to be used.
6. Shoe Box Swap: It will be organized for Friday night, January 10th, for those that just want MORE stamping and bonding time. It will start around 6:00 pm and go to about 8:30 pm. You will design a full A2 size card (not just card front) which must have at least 3 layers, use any new stamp set from either the Spring Mini, SAB, or Online Exclusives, and an embellishment and/or ribbon (preferably new). New Designer Series Paper is encouraged to be used. Annual Catalog products can be sprinkled in.
A finished card in a clear SU needs to be submitted by Saturday, January 4th. You will need to bring a sample in a clear envelope (your card) and all supplies (inks, stamps, paper, dies, punches, embossing folders, embellishments, etc) so others can make your card. There will be Stampin’ Cut & Emboss Machines available for use, but any die-cutting or embossing that can be done ahead is preferred. Please be mindful that everyone will need to make a predetermined number of cards within the allotted time frame. Also, please be mindful that some will have had a long day so nice, but more simple cards would be appreciated.
The max number that could sign up is 16 and if that happens, 17 cards are needed. If less sign up, that number will change. Regardless of how many sign up, one card must be placed in SU clear unsealed envelope (item# 102619) with your name not stamped on it (use a Post-it Note) and sent to Christine so it is received by Saturday, January 7th - include the swap category next to your name). One card (your card) will be on display the night of the Shoebox Swap and go home with you. A predetermined number of cards need to come with you that night completed and ready to be given to others participating. The other predetermined number of cards need to be prepped in the form of kits with all paper cut and any die-cut or embossed pieces prepped ahead of time (punching can go either way). Your ‘shoebox’ will contain the inks, stamps, ribbon, embellishments, etc that are need for those participating to complete your card. The completed cards and kits must be placed in SU clear unsealed envelope (item# 102619) with your name not stamped on it (use a Post-it Note).
This may sound complicated, but trust me, it’s not. Reach out if you need clarification. If it sounds interesting to you and you want more stamping time, then consider doing this fun Shoebox Swap.
Registration and prepayment are required for the Winter Creative Escape.
There are six options to make payment:
1. PayPal using “Friends and Family” (so a fee isn’t charged) to chrismbertram@msn.com
2. Venmo using www.venmo.com/CardsbyChristine (do not select payment protection so a fee isn’t charged)
3. Zelle to 920-960-4390 (so a fee isn’t charged)
4. Pay online at www.cardsbychrisb.com - search for the event, and pay via credit card (a convenience fee will be added making the payment $47, $126 or $136)
5. Cash is king and is always a good form of payment 😊
6. Checks work as well. 😊
Click HERE for the registration form. With any of the options, your registration form can be mailed to:
Christine Bertram
575 E 11th St
Fond du Lac, WI 54935
920-960-4390
The Winter Creative Escape is open to all Stampin' Up! Demonstrators/Discount Shoppers. Please pass this information on to any downlines, uplines, sidelines or any other demonstrator friends that you think might enjoy some fun stamping time with like-minded people. Let me know if you are no longer a demonstrator so I can take you off my distribution list.
Disclaimer: This event is planned for the middle of January in Wisconsin and weather or kids, family, pets, etc may play a factor in my attendance. By making payment for this event, you also understand the risk if weather is bad, your dog ate your kids homework, or the next pandemic is happening. Registration is non-refundable and a package containing everything you would have received will be sent to those that are not able to make it. For those traveling from afar, it is strongly recommended to reserve a room at a hotel early. Most hotel rooms can be canceled by noon the day before check-in.
Looking forward to you being a part of this FUN, creative, and educational event!
Christine
Register online by clicking on ‘Online Registration’ above for the Winter Creative Escape 2024. You need to add both items to your cart if adding on the DSP Sampler.
IMPORTANT NOTE: You must complete the checkout process to submit your registration. Then email Christine at chrismbertram@msn.com with your completed registration form which includes online or in person format, food allergies, ideas for the speaker topics, and what swap group(s) you would like to participate in.
