Managers Reception Invitation

I received this cute package in the mail yesterday. It is was a welcome break from all the Christmas preparations. Baking cookies, shopping, planning, decorating, or ideas for decorating while directing Cicely takes time and effort and energy.  

So you can imagine a package arriving at my home, that does not pertain to any one's Christmas presents, was a lovely surprise!   I was also surprised as to the contents. I guessed it might be  chopsticks....?  We are being treated to an evening show with the Chinese Acrobats of Hebei. I knew it would be oriental in nature.

No Chopstick's, but a beautiful oriental fan.

How cool! This makes me excited! I am looking forward to rooming with Carolyn and catching up. While I usually can say that going away to Leadership will provides a trip to warmer weather. This year is not the case. We  are seriously lacking in the snow department.  

I  just have to make it through Christmas first. Then, I will be a tourist at the Alamo!

Dates: December 15, 2011-January 5, 2012

Details:
Nearly 200 new Clearance Rack items are being added to the Online Store at discounts up to 80 percent off retail--while supplies last!
Things to Remember

• Only online orders qualify for this promotion. Orders can include non-Clearance Rack items, as well.
• The Clearance Rack Blitz includes old-body style punches.
• There is no minimum purchase required to participate in this promotion.
• Qualifying Clearance Rack orders are eligible for hostess benefits/Stampin' Rewards.
• Following the Clearance Rack Blitz sales period, some blitz items may remain in the clearance rack; others may be removed and reappear at an undesignated time in the future.
• Clearance Rack Blitz items are only available while supplies last. There are no refunds or exchanges on Clearance Rack items.
• You may view Clearance Rack Blitz items in the Online Store.
• Deadlines:

• Thursday, January 5, 2012; 6:50 PM (MT)
• OEX and Online Store: Thursday, January 5, 2012; 11:50 PM (MT)

New Mica Flakes

Mica Flakes are new to some, and new to the Stampin' Up! line up of products. They can be found in the Holiday Mini Catalog on page 21. 124115 $3.50        It was a nice touch to add some sparkle to the tree from the Christmas Lodge stamp set. This set is also found in the Holiday Mini on page 29. If you are a vintage stamper it is a must have for the holiday.

Here we used the Mica Flakes to create a shaker-card, Remember them! It has been a while since a created a fun shaker! 

 The snowman from the Snow Much Fun Stamp set, found in the Idea Book & Catalog, was easy to alter! Many of the stamp-a-stack attendees thought this card was a challenge, but worth taking!

For all you Holiday Shoppers, Don't forget to take advantage of Stampin' Up! Online Extranganzahttp://www.stampinup.com/ECWeb/default.aspx?dbwsdemoid=63907

More Stamp-a-Stack views

 Pennant Parade p 69 IB&C 122740 $21.95
This was a free stamp set, I received at convention. Looking forward to getting free stamps at Leadership, in San Antonio, TX coming up in January! Yeehaw, I will be off to see the Alamo.

Easy Events p 57 IB& C. 116958 $ 32.95. Another free stamp set, received at convention. This is a well rounded set, it includes images for birthdays, thank you's, for baby & weddings.

Merry & Type 122550 $25.95
From the Idea Book & Catalog . This was one of the Stamp-a-stack favorites. It is difficult to see on the web, but this card just shimmers. 2 way glue was used to apply dazzling diamonds all over the ornaments. Moonlight shimmer smooch was applied to the ornament caps. The organza ribbon has its own shimmer :)  sparky ******

Snow Much Fun .122560 $ 27.95 pg 35 From the Idea Book & Catalog.  Just a simple card. Our snowman was stamped onto the new watercolor paper, available in 6"x9" sheets in pakages of 5 for $4.95. This allows greater variety of use. I just love the new sheets.

For those, who have taken the time to call, or send an email, or stop me in person, to let me know, how much you enjoyed attending the Stamp-a-stack! That means the world to me!  Hoping that everyone has a Blessed Happy Thanksgiving, surrounded by the people they love!

Where has the Time gone?

Serne Snowflakes 

It does not seem all that long ago, that I was trying to create these cards for the Stamp-a-Stack. Now time seems to have escaped me. It seems like yesterday, that I gathered with everyone and played Christmas music to set the mood. Yet, it also feels like yesterday, when I held my very first Stamp-a-Stack in November 2004.  

Pines & poinsettias

Here is a fun note 1420 Christmas Cards were Created during this fun weekend event! 71 people were in attendance.
Thank you to all who attended! You make this event a pleasure to hold.

This lovely card, was a change for many in attendance. 

Emboss Resist Technique.

1. Stamp Wise Men in VersaMark, onto cardstock.

 2. Apply Clear Embossing Powder, Heat.

3. Stamp Music Notes wheel in Basic Black over cardstock, leaving enough room at top for "Oh Come Let us Adore Him".

4. Use a tissue to remove basic black ink over the embossed image.

 5. Sponge Soft Suede Ink in a circular motion to all outside edges of the cardstock and to the embossed image.

 6. Use tissue to remove ink from embossed image and watch it pop to the front.

Monday is the big day!

Stampin’ Up has announced their Online Extravaganza, an annual sale to kick off the holiday shopping season!

It begins Monday, November 21, 2011, and runs through Wednesday, November 30, 2011!

Shop in my Online Store on Monday, November 21, to take advantage of the great deals.

Deals like FREE digital downloads valued at $40 when you buy My Digital Studio Express, 60 percent off select Designer Fabrics, and 30 percent off an exclusive ribbon bundle are listed as some of the specials

ALSO

There will be two items on sale for 24 hours only (they aren’t telling me what those items are so it will be a surprise for me, too)

(November 21, 12:01 AM – 11:59 PM mountain time)

So make sure you don’t miss the first 24 hours of Online Extravaganza!

You can shop at my online store at --> HERE

More Christmas Spirit

In my search for a card that would be just perfect for the Stamp-a-stack, I will create one card, OK so I make many more than that.  I tinker with different types of card making. This one on the left, has very little stamping. But I did use the new Frostwood Lodge Designer Series paper, and the Sizzix dies. It only ranked as cute, but not special.

Here is another stamp-a-stack reject. It is definately a fun card, with lots of color. It does make me smile.  Coloring is lots of fun! Bright colors are playful & cheerful . It does allow time for a mental break.

124002 Frostwood Lodge $10.95 Designer Series Paper