A few New Year's Reflections & Weekly Deals

Hello Stamping Friends,

As we get ready to ring in a new year, I hope you all take a few moments to reflect on all the blessings you have received during 2013. There are always ups and downs of every year but choosing to focus on the ups (the blessings) is how I am going to remember this past year. It wasn't an easy year for our family with Don getting a new job that was working third shift but we were blessed that he found a job and we were able to keep up with our financial obligations with some adjustments. We hung in there and we were blessed again in October with Don getting a new job with a better pay and "normal" working hours. We were happy to have Dad back.

My 16 year old got his driver's license, a BIG, BIG deal that's for sure. Noah is thrilled to have some independence (when it's not snowing and besides the fact that he needs to text me when he gets to where he's going).

My Jonah turned the big double digits. He was so excited to be 10. He even stayed up until midnight the night before his birthday because he said he really wanted to remember his last day of being single digits. After all, he'll never be single digits again. How does a Mom argue that? Well, this mom couldn't argue. He had me there.

Brittney is teaching a lot of dance classes all on her own and she is thrilled to be doing that. Even if she is a little nervous with creating the dances for the spring recital. I know she'll be great. I know the owner of the studio believes in her, now she just needs to relax and do what she's great at. She'll do fine.

There's so many other things to be grateful for but I won't bore you with all of the details. Just know that we believe through all of life's experiences that we are a blessed family and thank God for each and every blessing he continues to bestow upon us.

So take a few minutes of your own to remember your blessings. Focus on the positive, it's so much better for you.

 

Cheers to another great year ahead! Be careful and safe as you celebrate the end of 2013 and the beginning of 2014.

 

 

Look at these deals for this week. Get them while you can. Don't wait until Tuesday, Jan 7 because then it's too late. I know there's a few things on here that I will be getting. Love the silver glimmer paper and the dazzling details so I need to stock up.

 

Also don't forget to check out the CLEARANCE RACK for deals of up to 80% off previously retired products.

Stamping Supplies Used:
Stamps: Happy Hour

Ink: Stampin' Write Markers: Real Red, Daffodil Delight, & Marina Mist

Paper: Whisper White, Daffodil Delight, & Marina Mist Cardstock, Polka Dot Parade Designer Series Paper

Accessories: Big Shot, Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder, circles die, paper snips, dimensionals, snail adhesive, 2 3/8" scallop circle punch, crystal effects & dazzling diamonds glitter

 

Happy New Year!

Annual Yurinkin' Stamp Addicts Christmas Dinner

Hello Stamping Friends,

One of the highlights of the Yurinkin' Stamp Addicts (that's the name of my team of demonstrators) annual team events is the Christmas dinner. We meet at a restaurant, have dinner, swap (cards, ornaments, and/or tags, depending on the year), and do a gift exchange.  I honestly can't say what my favorite part of the night is. I love the informal get together with my team over dinner, but the swaps and gift exchange are awesome as well. I don't know how but the gift exchange gifts keep on getting better every year.

The gift exchange is a hand-stamped, homemade gift using Stampin' Up! products and stamps (of course!) We are allowed to take any non-Stampin' Up! item and alter it using our great products. The ideas just keep on getting better and better as time goes on. So here are some of the gifts and the lucky recipients from this year's gift exchange.

 

Here I am with a gorgeous lamp that has magnetic snowflakes on it, made by Lucia B. The magnets mean I can switch it up from year to year. Here they are all in a diagonal line around the shade but I can certainly see them placed sporadically around the shade as well. Lucia also made a bunch of small flowers that I can switch out the snowflakes for the Spring  and Summer. Can't you imagine the possibilities?

 

This is Lucia B. with her gift, a decorated Christmas box that will hold all your special cards, recipes, holiday traditions or any other special momentos you want to keep safe and secure. Dianne S. made this box and did a great job on it. I'm sure Lucia is going to treasure it for years to come.

 

And Patti H. can't help but smile when she sees her sparkly Christmas curled paper wreath. I made this wreath using red and silver glimmer paper. It is so awesome to see in person. I even made a red glimmer bow to adorn the bottom of the wreath. I love these wreaths and can't wait to make more of them for all different occasions and holidays. I hope Patti loves the wreath too.

 

And here is Dianne S. with Patti's gift. It's really hard to see in the picture but the framed art is all paper quilled pieces (a tree, flowers, and even a candle). Patti did a great job with this project and we were all oohing and ahhing over it. Definitely a labor of love with all of the great detail.

 

We had more team members in attendance but they opted out of the gift exchange this year. That's what makes the night so special too. We love to have everyone with us and they do not need to feel obligated to swap or do the gift exchange. The whole night is really about the friendship.

 

I love my team and am so grateful for each and every one of them. If you want to belong to a wonderful group of ladies, join the team, we would love to have you.

This Week's Weekly Deals

Hello Stamping Friends,

Dropping by quick again to give you this week's weekly deals.  They were released on the 24th but with Christmas I didn't get to update everything. These are available until Monday evening, so place your order soon. Don't forget you can also order any clearance rack items at the same time. It was updated just yesterday with some great new products.

 

Have a great Saturday!

Clearance Rack Updated Today

Hello Stamping Friends,

Just dropping by quickly to let you know that the clearance rack has been updated again today. Hurry up, quantities are limited. There are some great items that you won't want to miss out on getting at great savings.

 

Head over to my website to place your order. It will be shipped directly to you. If you want you can also email or call me and I will place the order for you.

 

And finally, Week 12 of The Twelve Weeks of Christmas Tutorials

Hello Stamping Friends,

We have finally arrived with the final tutorial for the 12 Weeks of Christmas. Thank you for being patient with us as life got in the way of our plans to have all tutorials completed several days ago. They are great project ideas that you certainly can use all year long, not just at Christmas so remember to pull them out from time to time throughout the year and get crafty. And Week 12 is certainly one of those tutorials that will come in handy all year long. Who doesn't love desk supplies?

 

As always you can purchase the tutorials individually for $3.95 or the complete set of 12 tutorials for $24.95. Tutorials will be sent to you once payment has been received.

 

For the individual tutorial for Week 11, please click the button below

12 Weeks of Christmas Week 12

For the complete set of 2013 tutorials please click the button below.

12 Weeks Of Christmas Complete

Week 11 of the 12 Weeks of Christmas

Hello Stamping Friends,

Gift cards are great for any occasion. Not just for Christmas.  And these three gift cards would be a great addition to any winter gift card giving you will be doing. Think Christmas, thinking of you, winter birthday or a great thank you. This is Week 11 for the Twelve Weeks of Christmas tutorials.

 

As always, you can purchase the tutorials individually for $3.95 each or a complete set of 12 tutorials for $24.95. Tutorials will be sent to you once payment has been received.

 

To purchase the Week 11 tutorial individually, please click the link below.

12 Weeks of Christmas Week 11

 

To purchase the Complete set of 12 Weeks of Christmas tutorials, please click the button below.

12 Weeks Of Christmas Complete

 

Week 10 of Twelve Weeks of Christmas

Hello Stamping Friends,

Here is another great gift for Christmas. This is week 10 of the Twelve Weeks of Christmas tutorials for 2013 Holiday Season. And by gift I mean, for yourself or for someone else.  This framed art will bring joy for many years.

 

As always, you can purchase the tutorials individually for  $3.95 or a complete set $24.95.  See the links below. The tutorial(s) will be sent to you after payment has been received.

 

To purchase Week 10's tutorial, click the button below.

12 Weeks of Christmas Week 10

For the Complete Set of 12 Tutorials, click the button below.

12 Weeks Of Christmas Complete

 

Wanna a peak????

Hello Stamping Friends,

The countdown is on..... Christmas, end of Holiday Catalog, start of New Occasions Catalog, Sale-a-bration. You name it, there's a countdown going on for it. We thought today at Sisters in Stamping we would give you a sneak peak at some Sale-a-bration items for this years Sale-a-bration festivities that begin on January 28th. I know it's early yet, but these are too great not to give you a peak. I'm just glad that I "had" to make this card and got to play with some of the new things. If I didn't need to do this post, the stamps, paper, and accessories for both the Occasions Catalog and the Sale-a-bration brochure would still be sitting in the box just waiting to be played with. Sometime after Christmas, it certainly would have been. Gasp!!!! I know, but it's my reality right now. Busy, busy, busy. Like I'm sure most of you are.

Yesterday was my "baby's" 10th birthday, today was his Christmas concert at school, tomorrow is his birthday party and right after his party we are headed to Maryland to visit with my brother for the weekend because he is getting ready for his 4th (yes, you read that right) deployment to Afghanistan (well, the first 2 were to Iraq) in January. We want to see him, his wife and the girls before he leaves. (Please keep his safety and the families well-being in prayer) And remember Christmas is only a few days later. So, you can see I'm not really exaggerating when I say my box would have sat untouched until after Christmas, right?

 

So here it is. My creation using several new Sale-a-bration Items.  Can you guess how many items I used from the Sale-a-bration brochure?  Oh, you give up? Okay, I used 4 things, two stamp sets, designer series paper, and an embossing folder.  I must say, I love the folder and the paper a lot. I can see a lot more use of them in my future.

 

Stamping Supplies Used:
Stamps: See Ya Later, & Petal Parade

Ink: Pool Party, Calypso Coral & Pistachio Pudding Classic Ink & Black Staz-on Ink

Paper: Pool Party, Basic Black, Pistachio Pudding & Whisper White Cardstock & Sweet Sorbet Designer Series Paper

Accessories: Snail Adhesive, Paper Snips, Dimensionals, Big Shot & Decorative Dots Embossing folder

 

Want a bigger peak? Head over to the Sisters in Stamping blog for more.

 

Don't forget to book your Sale-a-bration Workshop now. Dates fill quickly. Sale-a-bration runs from January 28 through March 31, 2013

Week 9 Of the Twelve Weeks of Christmas

Hello Stamping Friends,

This week will be a great week full of fun tutorials so check back often. After all, we need to get all of the 12 Weeks of Christmas tutorials out before Christmas. I apologize for the delay, life has just gotten really crazy busy which we were not expecting. I do hope you have been enjoying each of the tutorials.

 

This trio of gift bags is the perfect finishing touch for all your gift giving needs. Giving a gift in a bag like one of these is sure to bring almost as much excitement as the gift inside does. It’s one of a kind gift packaging that will thrill all your gift recipients and they will be showing your gift bag to their friends and family as much as the gift itself.

 

As always you can purchase the tutorials individually, week by week or you can get the complete set of tutorials for a discounted price.

 

For the individual Week 9 Tutorial  for $3.95 click on the button below

12 Weeks of Christmas Week 9

For the complete set of 2013 12 Weeks of Christmas Tutorials for  $24.95 click on the button below

12 Weeks Of Christmas Complete

 

A "Sweet" Little Gift

Hello Stamping Friends,

How are you all doing with your holiday planning?  I'm getting there. Going to run out this afternoon and do some more shopping, tonight I'm going to maybe even start some baking. Who knows, with the weather forecast tomorrow, I may be able to bake all day long. Guess my shopping excursion this afternoon should include the baking aisle at the grocery store, just in case. Sometime in the next week, I NEED to get some Christmas cards made. My motto for the last several years has been: as long as they are postmarked on Christmas Eve than they were out before Christmas. It just may be that again this year.

Anyway, enough about me and onto why you really stopped by today, a Fabulous Friday posting with the Sisters in Stamping.  This week we decided to showcase some last minute little gift ideas.  I went with a sweet treat that is inexpensive so you can give something to everyone, friends, neighbors, co-workers, servers in restaurants, or just about anyone to brighten their holiday just a little more.

 

This is a wrapped chocolate bar from the sweetest place on earth. Did you figure out what kind of bar?  Well, here's a hint: it's located in Hershey, PA.  I used the Winter Frost Specialty paper to wrap the bar. I just love the sparkle in this striped paper and the one with the fancy design that the little banner is from. The silver is foiled. So sparkly in real life and makes the gift that much "sweeter."

 

I then made a fun accent for the front of the candy bar using the Festive Flurry Bundle. The fun part of this is that you can pop that right off the candy bar and then you have an ornament to hang from your tree. Now you are giving two gifts in one and what can be better than that?

 

Don't forget to head over to the Sisters in Stamping to see what other little gifts you can make for the friends and family on your lists.

 

Stamping Supplies Used:

Stamps: Festive Flurry

Ink: Whisper White Craft Ink, Bermuda Bay & Coastal Cabana

Paper: Whisper White & Coastal Cabana Cardstock & Winter Frost Specialty Designer Series Paper

Accessories: Big Shot, Magnetic Platform, Festive Flurry Framelits, Silver 1/8" Ribbon, Dimensionals, Sticky Strip, Paper Snips, Jumbo Basic Rhinestones

 

Twelve Weeks of Christmas - Chalkboard Sign

Hello Stamping Friends,

Stopping by to share another tutorial for the 12 Weeks of Christmas.  This week's tutorial is an awesome chalkboard sign that will be a wonderful addition to your holiday décor. It would make an even better gift that tells the recipient they were special enough to receive a gift you made from the heart.

 

Complete instructions and pictures are included in each and every tutorial. As always you can purchase this week's tutorial individually or you can purchase the complete set of 12. See the links below.

 

Click the button below to purchase this week's tutorial.

12 Weeks of Christmas Week 8

To purchase all 12 weeks of tutorials click the link below. You will receive all tutorials that have been released right away and the rest of them will be sent to you as they are released.

12 Weeks Of Christmas Complete

Some Awesome Sales You Won't Want to Miss

Hello Stamping Friends,

 

Here to share this week's awesome specials with you. Updated just today is the clearance rack. Many, many great retired items at great savings. Head over to my website and check out the store to see for yourself. You are going to love it. And as an added bonus, anyone that places a $25.00 order online or through me will receive a $5.00 gift from me. Can't get much better than that.

 

 

And let's not forget the weekly deals. Great savings on current product. I know I've been using the rosette die a lot and if you thought it was a little too pricey now's the time to get it. Of course, there's several other things that I think would be great to have on hand when you're crafting, punches, paper, ribbon, oh my.

Elegant Christmas Card

Hello Stamping Friends,

I'm sure you are in the throws of Christmas preparations at this time, I know it's a slow go here for me this year, but the decorations and shopping are slowing getting done. I know in the end it will all be finished and if I forgot something, no one will notice. Every year, I say I'm going to prepare more in advance but seriously, the time just sneaks up on me and boom, it's December. Time to plan Jonah's birthday and prepare for Christmas (both within a few days of each other) with everything else that goes on in regular life too.
Enough about that, on to today's Fabulous Friday posting with the Sisters in Stamping. This week we are sharing with you Christmas cards using some big shot accessory. I love, love, love the big shot. As if you didn't already realize this. I often don't think my project is finished until I die cut or emboss something using the big shot. I mean really, it just finishes it off nicely.

 

I selected the Calm Christmas set with some soft colors for my card today.  I think the dove is very pretty and very special because it reminds me of the flood in Noah's time. The dove was sent out of the ark and it came back with the olive branch, indicating to Noah and his family that the waters were receding and it was time for them to leave the ark. Also, makes me think of the rainbow and God's promise to us that he would never flood the entire earth again. God keeps his promises! God took care of Noah and his family during the flooding just like he said he would and he will keep his promise to us, that as long as we follow him, he will protect us. Truly marvelous, isn't it?

 

My wish for you is for you to have a wonderful Christmas, filled with joy and love.

 

Stamping Supplies Used:
Stamps: Calm Christmas

Ink: Stampin Write Markers: Pool Party and Pear Pizzazz

Cardstock: Whisper White and Pool Party

Accessories: Big Shot, Frame Embossing folder, Pretty Petals Folder, Scallop Oval Punch, Paper Snips, Dimensionals, Snail Adhesive, Mini Glue Dots, 1/8" Silver Ribbon

 

Don't forget to head over to Sisters in Stamping for more Christmas Card ideas using the big shot.

Weekly Deals December 3 - 9, 2013

Hello Stamping Friends,

Just a quick drop in to let you know of this weeks deals.  Some great items on sale this week. I mean really who could resist punches and big shot dies?  I know I can't.  Don't forget these prices are only good this week, so order soon.

 

Thanks for stopping by. I'll be back with a project for you soon.