In Just a Few Days....

Hello Stampers!

I'm hoping that all of you enjoyed a Thanksgiving that was a time of grateful reflection on all of our many blessings.  As I'm writing this, it is Sunday night around 10 pm and we are still in Seattle.  This post will appear in your inbox on Monday morning and by then we'll be on our way back to California after spending the holiday weekend with our daughter, son-in-law, and grandchildren.

We are sad to leave, as we know that we won't be seeing them again until next June, when we'll drive up to deliver the many bins of belongings that we've been storing for them while they lived in very small university housing quarters.  And after that, they'll be flying out to Cincinnati to begin their new life.  

In just a few days, December will once again be upon us!  Are you ready?  I'm looking at a calendar that is very full of all sorts of obligations at the beginning of the month, but the closer it gets to Christmas, the more blank my calendar is, and that's a very happy thing indeed!  I don't want the month of December to be all about crossing things off a long "to-do" list of chores.  I want to leave as much unscheduled time as possible so I can have time to bake cookies with the granddaughters, read some Christmas novels, watch a few Christmas movies, and a Christmas concert or two... things that create memories.  

It is too easy to get caught up in the quest for a perfect Christmas... overspending, working to create the most amazing tree ever, baking cookies that look as though you had help from Martha Stewart or Ina Garten, when really none of those things will make your Christmas one bit better or happier.  So this year I invite you to join me in taking the whole thing down a notch or two or three.  Send fewer cards, bake simple treats, and leave some of the Christmas decorations in the bins.  Give yourself and your family the gift of a simpler Christmas.  With the money and time that you'll save, you can contribute to a toy drive, meals for the homeless, and perhaps volunteer some of your time for a worthy cause.  

I know you didn't come here to listen to me carry on about simplifying Christmas, so here are more photos of fun stamps and products that are coming your way in the new Occasions catalog.

I will be able to order your catalog on December first and I'll be in touch via email to let you know your pick-up point.  Until then, enjoy these photos...

 

Don't forget that there's FREE SHIPPING today (Monday Nov.27th, up until 10:59 pm our time).  It's a great time to stock up on card stock, adhesives, DSP, or even a stamp set or two while the shipping is free!  

Make this last week of November a great one!
Hugs to all,
Susan

Display cards from OnStage

Hello Stampers!

It has been a crazy couple of weeks around here!  I no sooner returned from OnStage in Salt Lake City than it was time to repack my suitcase for travel to San Francisco for my nephew's wedding.  It was a great occasion, but we are pretty exhausted.  Thankfully we'll have a few days to rest before we head out to Seattle for Thanksgiving.  I will be seriously thankful when November is over and we can stay home!

Today I'm going to post some photos I took of various displays at OnStage.  I'm hoping you can get an idea of some of the stamp sets that are in the new Occasions catalog.

Aren't there some fun new sets in the Occasions catalog?  I think you're going to find many new stamp sets that you're going to want to add to your collection!

Before I go, I want to remind you of the Online Extravaganza that started last night at midnight and goes through 10:59 pm our time, which is 11:59 Mountain Time where Stampin'Up! is located.  There are selected stamp sets that are 20% off.  To shop, click on the shop now button at the top of this blog.  I'm not 100% certain that you can use the November host code with this sale, but if you'd like to give it a try, the November host code is YG4QQEEX.  I will add your name to my November host code drawing if your order is $50 or more and I'll also add your name to my 50-50 board, where you could be the lucky winner of a $50 gift certificate from me.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving celebration!  I'm very thankful for  YOU, my wonderful customers!

Hugs,

Susan 

Sneak peeks from OnStage!!!!!

Hello again, Stampers!

Here are some sneak peek samples from On Stage in Salt Lake City.  

Come back next Monday for more sneak peeks from the new Occasions catalog!

Stampin'Up! fun in salt Lake City

Hello Stamping Friends!

It is Sunday morning and the OnStage event wrapped up last night.  The fun is over and I'm sitting here in the hotel lobby waiting for my shuttle to the airport.  I thought this would be a good time to write a little about my time here in Salt Lake City.  First of all, the weather was absolutely perfect...sunny and cool every day, so no complaints there!

One of the best parts of being a Stampin'Up! demonstrator is making friends with people from all over.  I had a great time reconnecting with my friend Miriam from Mt. Juliet TN (near Nashville).  I also enjoyed hanging out with my friend Karen from Beaverton OR.  Plus, I got to see many demo friends from the Portland area, so that was fun too! 

I was able to attend a special dinner on Thursday night called CentreStage, which is for demonstrators at a certain level.  We had a lovely dinner with beautiful table decorations, wonderful food and absolutely hilarious entertainment.  

Stampin'Up! gives away quite a bit of goodies during OnStage and this year was no exception.  We got a nice tote bag filled with a stamp set, a great planner, pens, and a pretty mug.  Then, during the general sessions where there are business and stamping presentations, they also give products away during "Prize Patrol."  I won a very cute set from the new Occasions catalog, but I can't show it to you yet.  We cannot show any of the new stamp sets or items made with the stamp sets in the new Occasions catalog or Sale-a-bration brochure until 2 pm on Monday November 13th.  So if you'd like to see some of the amazing new goodies, come back around 3 pm today.  I'll post some of the photos then.

I wish everyone who loves stamping could experience a Stampin' Up! event.  There is stamping inspiration everywhere you turn.  It is sooo much to take in, but so much fun.  My brain is stuffed with new things I want to make, and of course it's also stuffed with new things I want to purchase!

The new Occasions catalog begins on January 4th this year and it is a doozie!  So many incredible sets!  And the Sale-a-bration brochure has some fabulous products too.  I think we're all in serious trouble!

Stay tuned for details on the delivery of your new Occasions catalog and Sale-a-bration Brochure.  Both are amazing this year and you are sure to find lots of products that you are going to want to add to your stampin' stash!

Make it a wonderful week, and if it's turning out less than wonderful I know how to make it better.  Spend some time with stamps, ink, and paper.  Taking time to be creative always makes life better and can help put life's troubles into proper perspective.

Happy thoughts!
Susan

Swap card for OnStage in Salt Lake City

Hi everyone!

My suitcase is out and I'm starting to fill it!  I leave on Wednesday for Salt Lake City and the big Stampin'Up! event OnStage.  The fun starts the minute I get there and doesn't stop until I'm on the plane back to Sacramento on Sunday evening.  While I'm there, I'll be seeing old friends from previous Stampin'Up! events and hopefully meeting some new ones.  And of course I hope to reconnect with demonstrator friends from the Portland area as well.

One of the fun things about attending Stampin'Up! events such as this one is swapping cards with other demonstrators.  It's a great way to get ideas, be inspired, and build a great display board.  Because there's a limited time left on the Holiday catalog, I decided to look beyond the holidays and make a swap for spring.  I don't know what I'd do with a whole display board full of Holiday cards once Christmas is over.  I hope at least a few other demonstrators are thinking this way!

Take a look at my very spring-y card...

The colors I used are Lemon Lime Twist, So Saffron, Powder Pink and Early Espresso for the flower centers and sentiment.  The dotted Designer Paper is from the Whole Lot of Lovely collection at the top of page 188.  I embossed the Lemon Lime Twist card stock panel with the Polka Dot Basics embossing folder on page 210.
The stamp set is one I use a lot... Blooms and Wishes, page 139. 
I used the Stitched Shapes Framelits, page 214, to cut out the oval for the sentiment.  The bright and lovely Lemon Lime Twist ribbon can be found on page 198.  

I made 20 of these, plus 20 more of two different designs.  I hope to get some great swap cards in return and I'll share the best ones with you when I return.  Meanwhile, I'd love for you to place an order, using the November Host Code:  YG4QQEEX. 

Just in case you'd like to order some of the supplies to make this card, here are the numbers to make it easier:

Blooms and Wishes stamp set, #141784,  $21.00

Whole Lot of Lovely DSP,  #144110,  $11.00

Lemon Lime Twist Card Stock, #144245,  $8.00

Polka Dot Basics Embossing Folder, 143709, $ 7.50

Stitched Shapes Framelits, #145372, $30.00

Lemon Lime Twist Ribbon, #144135, $7.00

May the week ahead bring nothing but blessings your way and may you be a blessing to everyone you meet this week. In a world that seems to have gone mad, kindness, compassion, and love are needed more than ever!  Open your heart and share your love and compassion with a world that so desperately needs it.

Love and hugs and happy thoughts are on their way to you from me!

Susan