It’s Almost 2014. Are you ready?

It’s almost time for a new year.  Are you ready?  Have you already decided on your New Year’s resolutions?  This year I’m resolving to reduce the amount I spend on postage!  I’m going to embrace “flat” cards that can travel across the country with just one $.49 postage stamp on the envelope.  I’ll mail with the confidence that my cards will arrive at their destination without the brads, rhinestones, pearls, and ribbon having rubbed holes in the envelope or required hand cancelling by overworked postal employees.  Maybe you haven’t had these issues, but my friends and I have.  One friend found out too late that her Christmas card was arriving with $1.61 postage due for each recipient.  I bet that’ll be a card they will not soon forget!  Anyway, I’m changing for 2014.  I’ll still do cards with bows and bulky embellishments, but I’ll reserve those for hand delivery.  Since I mail the majority of my cards, this means a HUGE change in my crafting style.  This is a resolution I hope I’ll be able to keep! 

Also, as this month comes to an end, please remember that the Holiday catalog is also ending.  Were there things you wanted, but didn’t get yet?  If so, now is the time to grab them while they are still available.  It’s always tough to say goodbye to stamp sets and supplies we love, but it’s exciting to see new products and start imagining the possibilities.  The new Occasions catalog begins on January 3rd and it’s packed full of brand new items for crafting fun! 
Happy 2014!  

In With the New!

The new catalog is coming soon!  Many of you have already received your copy in the mail so you can be planning your wish list for when you can start buying things in January.  Stampin’ Up demonstrators get the opportunity to buy things ahead of time and I’ve had a great time creating with my new toys. 

This fun card was made with the new Starburst Sayings stamp set and cut out with the coordinating framelit.  I used new DSP which I love.  The colors are SO cheerful with the Coastal Cabana & Real Red.  And did you notice the pattern in the paper?  It looks just like the retired Vine Street embossing folder!  I was happy to pull that folder out of my stash and use it again.  The folder, by the way, is now available on the Clearance Rack for only $2.39. 
And speaking of the Clearance Rack, not only are there still great items like the embossing folder available, but more items will be added on Friday, December 27th!  Be sure to log onto my website early Friday so you won’t miss out on the things you want. 

Merry Christmas

This was the card I sent this year.  It’s simple and only required one postage stamp to mail it!  Instead of using embellishments like ribbon, brads, or pearls, I used things like vellum and glimmer paper to decorate the card so it be pretty, but would still be lightweight and relatively flat.  I’m going to do more in the way of “flat” cards for 2014.  I’ll share more about that later.  For now, I wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas.    

Christmas Eve Pretties

I love all the pretty cards I received this year.  Someone asked me if these cards were made by other demonstrators.  One was made by my downline, Doris, but the rest were created by my customers and I think they are all awesome.

Also, since today is Tuesday there are new Deals of the Week available. 

More Christmas Cards

Here are some more beautiful Christmas cards I’ve received lately.  Enjoy!

Check back here soon for a few more handmade Christmas cards. 

Christmas Card Shares

It’s the most wonderful time of the year!  I love getting cards in the mail this time of year.  I thought I’d share some I’ve received lately.  Here’s the first batch of beautiful handmade cards. 

Pretty Card Idea

Yesterday was my friend, Elizabeth’s, birthday and somehow I forgot.  Ekkk!  I hate it when that happens.  So today I need to make a card and sometimes that is when card crafting is the most difficult.  I do better cards when I don’t “have” to make one and when I have time to be creative.  When I need something at the last minute I need an idea from someone else!  I was looking for ideas in my swap box and found a feminine card to share.  I think I’ll copy it and sent it to my friend!  I love how this one opens and how it has the pretty bellyband!

Pet Sympathy

It’s so sad when our furry children go to kitty or doggie heaven.  A few days ago my friend’s cat died.  Stampin’ Up doesn’t really have a sympathy set specifically for pets, so I combined a couple of stamp sets to make this card for her.  I used the cat from Storybook Friends, the sentiments from So Sorry, and the grass and inside greeting from Love & Sympathy. 

Card Ideas

I’m happy to say I have finished my Christmas cards, holiday shopping and decorating.  If you haven’t, not to worry, you have 10 days left!  I’m not bragging or rubbing it in.  I’m usually working on things at the last minute so I won’t be pointing a finger at my fellow procrastinators.  Anyway, I’m done.  Woo Hoo!  But then I find myself with more free time and I keep getting pulled into my craft room.  I’m working on all occasion cards and it’s just really a nice change.  If you’re like me and ready to craft something new, I thought I’d start sharing some swaps I received at this year’s convention.  I hope you find inspiration from all the talented ladies who shared their cards with me. 
Also I have to give a big Thank You to my friend, Kathy, for taking photos of all these cards for me.  Kathy, you are AWESOME & I’m very appreciative that you did this for me. 
 
OK, so this may have been my very favorite card of the year.  I love the Coffee & Friends Stamp Set and the color scheme on this card.  But what really sets it apart is the fact there are REAL coffee beans attached to the card.  If you have a coffee lover in your life (and if you don’t, keep in mind that I love coffee!  hint, hint) then this card would bring a smile to the face of the person getting it.  Did I also mention that it smells like coffee?  It’s awesome! 

Deals of the Week & Clearance Rack Blitz!

The deals are up on the website for this week.  In addition to the Clearance Rack Offerings, there are some great discounts on the Deals of the Week.

2013-2015 In-Color Coredinations Cardstock $8.96

Neutrals Markers $17.21

Pop'n'Cuts Card Base $29.96

Rosette Bigz Die $32.21

Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border Punch $11.96

Clearance Rack Blitz!

It's time again for the Clearance Rack Blitz!  These big sales only happen a couple of times a year, so you won't want to miss it.  The sale will begin on Tuesday, December 10th.  Historically things sell out VERY quickly!  Shop early so you don't miss out on getting the items you want at a deeply discounted price.  Also remember that the Deals of the Week are always released on Tuesday.  You could combine those deals with the clearance items to save on shipping.  Remember:  Customers who order over $50 worth of products from my website will receive a shipping rebate in the mail from me!  :)  Happy Shopping!

Envelope Liners

I was hesitant to buy the envelope liner dies because I wasn't sure I'd get much use out of them.  Surprisingly, I've been using them often and I've found that I love them.  Some things to consider:

Use lightweight paper to line your envelopes so it won't add too much weight to the card for mailing and it will allow the envelope to close without being too bulky.  DSP works well, but I found that regular wrapping paper also does nicely.  (See more about that below!)

Also, to keep the envelope from warping from the liner, you only need to put adhesive on the part of the liner that touches the envelope flap.  That will hold it in place nicely.  

I love SU envelopes because they are a nice weight and feel so smooth.  However I ended up buying a bunch of deeply discounted envelopes at a local craft store going out of business.  I tried out the liners in those envelopes and they worked well there too!  Granted they may not work in all styles of envelopes, but they will work in many.

Now... back to the wrapping paper idea.  It worked beautifully!  I purchased a goldtone giftwrap at Target for $5/roll.  I used it to line 40 envelopes and I still have a ton of paper left for more projects.

I started with an inexpensive roll of wrapping paper.

I cut the paper into strips.  Those lines on the back were handy!

I put 4 layers of gift wrap under my envelope die and cut.

Slide liner into envelope, crease at flap and add adhesive to part on flap. 

Ta da!  A beautiful gold-lined envelope.

  

Sale for the Week

Looking for more deals?  You're in luck because there is a new set of products on sale this week. 

Fun Flowers Die $24.71

Hearts Framelits $20.21

Doily Die $16.46

Merry Minis Punch Pack $12.71

Wisteria Chevron Ribbon $6.71

1.25 Scallop Circle Punch $11.96