Are you ready???

Hi there, stamping friends!

Well, it won't be long now.  Christmas will be here before we know it, so I hope you are almost ready!  I'm happy to report that my "do less this year" plan has been fairly successful.  We have managed to attend 4 concerts and a musical version of "It's a Wonderful Life,"  and I'm also reading a silly Christmas romance.  These are things I wouldn't have had time to do in previous years, as I went on a decorating, entertaining, shopping, and baking binge.  This year I'm making only 2 kinds of cookies.... not 5 or 6.  

Today I've got something to show you that we're all going to need right after Christmas, as well as year-round.... thank you notes.  Are you a thank you note writer?  If not, I encourage you to start.  Thank you notes are so very appreciated, as many people don't send them anymore.  Of course it's a great way to express appreciation for a gift, but a handwritten note is also a wonderful way to thank someone for an act of kindness.  Or how about sending one to a special friend to say thank you for your love and friendship?  Or thank a teacher or mentor who has made a difference in your life. Everyone likes to feel appreciated, and there's nothing that does the job better than a handwritten note sent via snail mail.  It says that you cared enough to sit down and take a few minutes of your time to write and address the note, add a stamp, and then mail it.  I hope I've convinced you to be a thank you note writer!

OK... let's get to the photos, shall we?

These are two of the cards in a four card set that we'll be making today at a card class I'm having.  The first card uses the Background Bits stamp set, which is one of the free host sets on page 220 of the annual catalog.  The second card uses the Awesomely Artistic stamp set on page 153 of the annual catalog.

I wanted the four cards to be similar, so that they'd be a set.  I used Whisper White card stock and stamped in Pool Party, Crumb Cake, and Basic Black.  I'm a big fan of collage stamping and since most of the stampers are beginners, this is an easy technique to start out with.  There's almost no way to make a mistake with collage-style stamping.  I love layering on the images to fill the white space.  

I hope I've inspired you to pull out some stamps, ink, and paper and create some of your own thank you notes.  Or are you working on finishing up your Christmas cards?  Whatever you might be working on these days, remember to take a creativity break each day!  A few minutes spent with stamps, paper, and ink can be a sanity-saver.  

The December host code is QK66QF7K in case you'd like to place an online order.  The easiest way to get to my shopping site is to just scroll up to the top of my blog and then hit the "shop now" button.

Thank you for reading my blog!  I need more readers, though, to make it worthwhile.  So if you can steer any of your friends my way, I would be very appreciative!

Have a great week-before-Christmas!

Susan

Back on Track

Hello stamping friends!

Sorry I missed last Monday's post... just too many things going on!  Does December sometimes get away from you as well?  After being out of town for many days in November, I'm finally beginning to feel like I'm catching up with the many tasks that needed my attention.  

Have you mailed your Christmas cards yet?  Or should I be asking if you've started your Christmas cards yet???    If you need a break from making and sending Christmas cards this year, I'm sure your friends and relatives will understand.  If you just cannot face the task or if you just plain don't have time, why not consider sending New Year's cards in January?  Or maybe send Valentines in February.  It's quite routine to receive Christmas cards in December, but just think of the pleasant surprise of getting a New Year's card or a Valentine!  

As a demonstrator, I was able to place a pre-order for products in the new Occasions catalog.  Now those new stamp sets, DSP, and accessories are just sitting here on my desk, awaiting the day when I will have time to unwrap them and actually create something with them.  It is frustrating, but Christmas preparations take precedence over playing with new goodies, unfortunately.

To pass the time while you are waiting to see some of the new stuff in action, I've got a quick and easy card for you today, made with the Hearts Come Home set (#145416, $21.00) on page 39 of the Holiday catalog.  The good news is that this set is carrying over into the new Occasions catalog, as are the matching Edgelit dies.
However, the stamp set and dies will not be bundled in the new catalog, so if you want both for the bundled price, you'll need to get them before the Holiday catalog ends on January 2nd....(#146068, $47.50).

The colors aren't the best in this photo... sorry about that!  The card base is Whisper White, the top panel is Crumb Cake.  I used one of the Layering Oval Framelits to cut out the scalloped oval.  The houses are stamped in Soft Suede, Cherry Cobbler, and Old Olive.
The ribbon is Cherry Cobbler and is found on page 198 of the annual catalog (#144117).  I have to admit that I was naughty and used the discontinued oval punch for the sentiment.  I cannot explain how Stampin'Up! chose to discontinue this very basic and popular punch.  I've decided that most of you probably already have this punch, so it is OK to use it once in a while.  If you don't own it, I suggest the new Pretty Label punch (#143715) on page 207 of the annual catalog or the very popular Everyday Label punch (#144668) on page 12 of the holiday catalog.  

The big news for today is that Stampin'Up! is giving us one more day of FREE shipping.  It started last night at 11pm Pacific Time and ends tonight at 10:59 Pacific Time (which is 11:59 Mountain Time... Utah is on Mountain Time).  Order as much or as little as you want... you won't pay even a dime for shipping!

Please use the December Host Code  QK66QF7K when placing an order under $150.  If your order is at least $40, I will add your name to my December Host Code drawing for a free host stamp set.
If your order is $50 or more, I will also add your name to my 50-50 board for each $50 you spend.  When all 50 spaces on the board are full, I draw one name for a $50 gift certificate. 

Speaking of gift certificates... I've got them for sale!  Just let me know the amount and I'll get one in the mail to you.  Gift certificates are the perfect gift for your friends and relatives who love stamping.  You send me a check, give the certificate as a gift and when the recipient is ready, they email me to let me know what they'd like to order.  I place the order and the merchandise is delivered directly to them.  What an easy way to give a gift!

I hope all is well with each one of you!  May the week ahead be a good one.  I'm sending happy holiday thoughts your way!
Hugs,
Susan

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