Christmas Cards

 Here are some great hand-made Christmas cards that I received!  Love the creativity of everyone.

from "Girlfriend" I'm guessing she used her Cricut.

from Gayle - love the deer and the gray's

from Judy - all those kids are done in 3D - very cool!

from Nancy - she colored that cardinal herself!

From Margaret - love that snowman!

from Carol - a cute shaker card.

This one is my favorite I believe!  Love that door - from Cathy (a former member of my SU club until she moved away!)

from my sister, Marianne - love the paper strips.

Marianne made this one for my mom & Angela to give out.

Another member of my SU Club - from Joyce.  Cute way she did the packages.

from Debbie - so elegant!

HAPPY 2021

 Happy New Year 2021!!  

With the turning of the calendar page, some things change and some things stay the same.  Of course, that's really true every time the calendar shifts.  One simple truth that I have been reminded of again and again in the past 10 months is that we always have a choice.  We can choose to focus on what we don't have OR on what we do have.  We can choose to focus on the positive things that are happening around us or on the negative things.  We can choose to contribute or choose to take.  We can choose to encourage and build up OR we can choose to tear down.  2020 was not the year any of us wanted.  And on January, 2021, not much has changed yet in terms of our circumstances.  But we still have a choice.  Hopefully you will choose to be a positive, kind, encouraging, compassionate, hopeful, helpful force in our neighborhood, in our community and throughout our nation and world.

I had a very nice (and quiet) Christmas this year.  We drove to Silver Spring (MD) on December 20 in time to wish Ashley a happy birthday (Dec 22).  Shortly after getting there, their governor shut down all in-door dining at restaurants so most of our meals were had at home.  In order to see the football game that wasn't broadcast locally, we had to go to Arlington, VA to a really nice Irish bar who advertised that they were a Steeler bar.  It was fun - especially when we won!  It was not looking so good during the first half but they bounced back second half.  We drove through the Morman Church

 We drove back home Dec. 29 and I have been working on taking down my Christmas decorations - such a chore every year!  I think this year though I am going to put a bag on the tree - ornaments and all - and store it in the garage!  Our tree is a pencil slim one so it shouldn't be a problem!  I'll let you know how it goes!

 Here are a few photos from our trip.

Ashley's co-workers decorated her office on her birthday!

Ashley enjoying her Christmas present (gas fire pit)  a few day early!  Cooking sausages and smores!

One night we drove through the Mormon Church Festival of lights.  They had 400,000 lights on the temple grounds!  Because of COVID, you couldn't get out of your car to view the lights but they were impressive from the car!   We can see the Mormon Church spires from Ashley's backyard!  I can't wait until we will be able to tour the temple.

Christmas morning - opening stocking!

Christmas Village on either side of the mantle and on top of the mantel!

These shelves are perfect for the Dept. 56 Christmas village!

Steelers!

My great niece, Abigail.  That expression of wonder tells it all!

Good Bye Whisper White!

 We'll Miss You, Whisper White!

Whisper White has been a Stampin’ Up! staple for as long as I can remember. Whisper White cardstock is one of the first things I purchased at my first workshop in 2001, and I do my best to keep it stocked in the Fungeon. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, though, the supplier mill that produced Whisper White cardstock products has permanently closed. Stampin' Up! wasn’t given much notice about this closure, so quick pivots had to be made. As a result of the closure, the technology unique to this particular supplier is now unavailable to Stampin' Up!, and the company can no longer offer our Whisper White cardstock and related products. This will not affect any of our other cardstocks - only Whisper White.

With Whisper White going out of production, a number of Whisper White products will soon be going away. The following items are now available while supplies last (with an order limit of 2 per item per order):

• #100730 - Whisper White 8-1/2" x 11" Cardstock
• #140272 - Whisper White 8-1/2" x 11" Thick Cardstock
• #124302 - Whisper White 12" x 12" Cardstock
• #107301 - Whisper White Medium Envelopes
• #131527 - Whisper White Note Cards & Envelopes
• #145829 - Whisper White 3" x 3" Envelopes
• #149710 - Assorted Memories & More Cards & Envelopes

While you may want to grab up some Whisper White before it goes away (I did), please rest assured there's a new friend on the way.

Welcome, Basic White!

Stampin' Up! was as startled by the news that Whisper White was going away (this decision was out of their hands) as we are, but they jumped right into action to find the best replacement paper possible. They found it!

After many hours to source and test alternative cardstock options from several suppliers to find the perfect fit, Stampin' Up! has found a new replacement - Basic White! The quality of the new Basic White was thoroughly tested by Stampin' Up!'s quality assurance and product teams. We are told it also tested very well with demonstrators and concept artists who played with the new paper and gave it a huge thumbs up. The company believes in the quality of the new Basic White cardstock, and I'm certain it will soon become our new crafting staple!

Here's an informative video from Stampin' Up! to show us how Basic White compares with Whisper White:

The new Basic White products will become available to purchase as soon as Stampin' Up! can have them in stock. This means that some Whisper White and Basic White products may be available at the same time. Additionally, due to the nature of sourcing, some Basic White products may not be available before the Whisper White products sell out. Please know that the company is working on getting these products available to you as fast as possible.

Since this change is outside of the company's control, Stampin' Up! hasn’t been able to tackle all necessary alterations at once. You may still see the name Whisper White on some of the non-cardstock product labels, catalog, and marketing material for a while. They will be working on a rolling change to address this.

Buying Basic White

We'll soon see Whisper White products go away and Basic White products make their way into our online store and catalogs. When Basic White is available (it's not there yet), here are the products numbers you'll want to have on-hand:

• #159276 - Basic White 8-1/2" x 11" Cardstock
• #159229 - Basic White 8-1/2" x 11" Thick Cardstock
• #159231 - Basic White 12" x 12" Cardstock
• #159236 - Basic White Medium Envelopes
• #159232 - Basic White Note Cards & Envelopes
• #159233 - Basic White 3" x 3" Envelopes
• #159234 - Assorted Memories & More Cards & Envelopes

The news isn't really that bad once you have all the fact, but the headline can be startling. I'm so glad the company got ahead of this change to communicate how it impacts us (or doesn't make much of a difference).

Remember Me?

Wow - a new post from me!!  You know, it's that time of year when there is not enough time left in a day to do everything you want to do .... plus I'm a little lazy!  I actually did a lot of things in the summer that I usually am rushing around trying to finish everything - like my calendars, Christmas cards, etc!  But a friend of mine chastised me this week for not updating my blog so here you go!

Ashley was not able to come home for Thanksgiving so we drove to Maryland to see her instead.  We are afraid it will be the same for Christmas due to Corona Virus.  We always have fun when we are together and this trip was not an exception.  We drove to a small town in Virginia that had several breweries.  The weather was perfect for our stroll through the town stopping at 4 or 5 breweries that offered outdoor seating.  We each found a beer that we liked.  Ashley and I shared the different beers but of course not Sonny!

On Saturday we drove to Fort Belvoir in Virginia to tour the newest military museum that had just opened on Veterans Day.   The National Museum of the United States Army is the official museum for the history of the US Army.  The objectives of the museum are to honor America's soldiers, preserve Army history, and educate the public about the Army's role in American history.  Exhibits include Gen. Douglas MacArthur's famous cap; the "tinpot" helmet worn by WWI Medal of Honor recipient Sg. Alvin York; and a WWII Sherman tank called the "Cobra King" chich was the first to break through German lines to help besieged troops at Bastogne.  Another cool artifact is the sword carried by Capt. John Berry in the War of 1812 against the British at the battle of Fort McHenry.  That battle inspired Francis Scott Key to write the "Star Spangled Banner."

 

As for stamping news .... the Clearance Rack has just been restocked this week AND the Giant Year-End Closeout event.  From December 8, 2020 through January 4, 2021, you can grab your favorite retiring August-December 2020 Mini Catalog items at a deep discount.  This offer is valid while supplies last only!!

If you click above on either CLEARANCE or ORDER ONLINE, you can see the items that are included in the sale.

Another great item I want to recommend to you is the Curvy Celebrations Bundle.  I really love these!  You can see some of the cards I made using this set HERE.

Merry and Bright Online Extravaganza 2020

 Stampin' Up! is hosting its annual Online Extravaganza on TUESDAY.  This year it's filled with merry and bright deals.  For this year's annual sales event, the company is offering a 10% discount on (almost) everything in the 2020 Annual Catalog.  10% off is an awful lot like "free shipping" on orders over $69.50, do I'm thrilled about this offering - and you should be too!

• SUITE COLLECTIONS are an additional 10% off (except for one)
• PUNCH BUNDLES are an additional 10% off
• DIE BUNDLES are an additional 10% off
• INK BUNDLES are an additional 10% off
• The STAMP BLOCK BUNDLE is an additional 10% off
• SELECT TOOLS are 10% off
• SELECT STAMP PADS & CARDSTOCK are 10% off
• DESIGNER SERIES PAPERS are 10% off
• RIBBONS & EMBELLISHMENTS are 10% off
• NEARLY EVERYTHING ELSE is 10% 

I'm a huge fan of a cardstock refresh - I always try to have some of each color cardstock and grabbing up more to make sure I never run out. You can bet I'll be adding several packs of cardstock to my order on Tuesday.   I want to point out that ALL CARDSTOCK and ALL INDIVIDUAL CLASSIC STAMPIN' PADS are 10% off during this sale, except for:

• Pumpkin Pie Classic Stampin' Pad
• Pumpkin Pie Classic Stampin' Ink Refill
• Pumpkin Pie 8-1/2" x 11" Cardstock
• Very Vanilla 8-1/2" x 11" Cardstock and Very Vanilla 8-1/2" x 11" Thick Cardstock
• Whisper White 8-1/2" x 11" Cardstock and Whisper White 8-1/2" x 11" Thick Cardstock

There are also so restrictions on markers, specialty inks and specialty papers.

Listed below are the excluded items.

Save Your Favorites

There are two great ways to build your wish list for Tuesday's sale.

• Save them Online. You can add them as favorites on your wish list in the online store so you are ready to add them to your order on Tuesday. If you aren't sure what I'm talking about, check out the little heart in the corner by the shopping cart logo.  You can add items to your wish list - and can even share that list with others.
• Write them Down.  Get a piece of paper and a pencil and go to town!

I hope you take advantage of this sale.  I know I will!!  My Hostess Code for this month is:  73Z7UWX3

Christmas Curvy Celebrations

 I have been playing around with the Curvy Celebration bundle.  I haven't gotten mine (or ordered it!) but a friend has loaned me hers.  I love how the dies make a curvy layer on the cards.  I won't lie but I am such a visual person that I have had to search through You Tube to figure out how to make the different layers.   After you get going on them though, you'll figure it out and make some great cards!  These that I made below use some Christmas decorative paper from last year called Be Merry.

This one is so simple.  You basically cut the 5 1/4" x 4" designer paper in half with the curvy die, trim off the top and bottom a bit and sandwich a piece of Whisper White in the middle and stamp the sentiment.

Isn't that little bow the cutest?  There is not a die for it but it is easy to cut out.

Are you ready to order yours???  My hostess code is at the top left of this blog.   

CURVY CELEBRATIONS

TODAY Stampin' Up is releasing a NEW bundle of products that are sure to be on your wish list.  I can't wait to get my hands on this bundle!!  CURVY CELEBRATIONS is a collection of early release products.  They will also be available in the upcoming January - June Mini Catalog.

Click on the picture below to see the flyer! 

Christmas Cards

 One last reminder about the Designer Paper sale.  Tomorrow is the last day!!

I have several Christmas cards to share with you today.  Yes .... Christmas - it won't be long before we need to get these in the mail!!

I think this is my favorite!  So simple but I love, love, love polka dots!  This paper is not Stampin' Up.  It is some from a local stamp store that closed down a few years ago that I sure do miss!  The stamp is a Hostess set (A Merry Hello) and can be found on page 81 of the Holiday Mini.  It is only $10 with a $150 order.  The Real Red frame is die cut and embossed with Heritage Frames (retired).

This is a fun fold card.  The cardstock is 11" x 4 1/4"; scored at 4 1/4" and 7".  The DSP is my favorite Plaid Tidings.  I stamped the cute trees using Tree Angle ($17, pg  22).

Another card using the Plaid Tidings DSP.  I die cut JOY with Penny Black dies that I have had a couple of years and don't think I ever used them!  I cut the dies with gold foil paper.

I just got the Old World Paper 3D embossing folder and I love it!  I used it on this piece of Whisper White for texture.  The stockings are from the hostess set A Merry Hello and colored with SU Blends.  I die cut Merry Christmas from retired SU thinlits

Designer Paper Sale Alert!

 A reminder that in just a matter of days, the Designer Series Paper Sale will be over.   You have until October 31 to take advantage of the 15% discount on select paper.  I just opened my Snowflake Splenda designer paper (page 37 of mini catalog) and it is gorgeous.  It's one of those packs of paper that you don't want to cut into!!  To solve that dilemma, just order two packs!!  I also took advantage of the sale on the Artistry Blooms and love it too!  It's just a good background paper without a lot of busy-ness to it.  Another favorite of mine is Playful Patterns.  Both of these papers are in the Annual Catalog on page 148-149.

These are two cards I made using the Artistry Blooms paper.  The paper and the die made this card!!  I used the Many Layered Blossoms dies (pg 51, Annual Catty.)  For the card on the left, I used vellum paper for the blossom on the bottom with the Whisper White outline on the top.  For the card on the right, I used a piece of the Artistry Blooms designer paper to die cut the blossom on the bottom and Whisper White on the top blossom.  The easiest way to adhere the Whisper White piece is with the Adhesive Sheets (page 162).  Adhere the adhesive sheets to the back of your paper and run it through the Big Shot; then peel it off and stick it down!

Designer Paper Sale + Christmas Cards

 Well, I did receive my package on Saturday!!  Hooray!!

Here are a few Christmas cards I have made this week.

This card is a fancy fold and a gift card holder.  It seems like that's what is the #1 thing people like to receive these days (gift cards) so you might want to make a few for the upcoming holidays.

This is the gift card holder closed.  I used a piece of the designer paper from the Plaid Tidings 6x6 stack.

Another simple fun fold card using Shaded Spruce, Real Red and retired designer paper.

I made this card using some of the supplies that came with the package from Michael Diehl that I was waiting for.  I didn't think I'd like the Toile Tidings designer paper but I really do like it on this card.  It's really old fashioned and reminds me of my grandmother's wallpaper!  The bell die is in the Holiday Catalog on page 33 - Sounds of the Season.

Don't forger about the Designer Paper Sale!  

Both of the designer papers that I used in the cards above (Toile Tidings and Plaid Tidings) are ON SALE until October 31!