I am sitting here at home on Christmas Eve and you can touch the excitement in my house.  The elf (Peyton is his name) is sitting in a wreath.  The presents are starting to show up under the tree and the children are ready to watch The Polar Express later today.  We look forward to the “Children’s” Mass later today at church since it is always a beautiful service.  My husband and I are both home for Christmas…truly a Christmas miracle, it seems!  

I thought this was the perfect card to share with you today since it expresses the sentiment of the season.  “Rejoice” and “be glad”!!  Our world is an imperfect place but how wonderful to take time to celebrate the Light and Hope that came to Earth in the form of a baby boy.  In our house, the first thing we do on Christmas morning is rush to the nativity and place the baby Jesus in the scene and sing “Happy Birthday”.  It is one of my favorite moments of the year.  I hope that your Christmas is blessed and filled with joy.

Stamp:  Rejoicing with You; Paper:  Storytime DSP, Crumb Cake, Early Espresso, Whisper White; Ink:  Early Espresso; Accessories:  Early Espresso Baker’s Twine, Bronze Buttons, Jewelry Tag Punch

Well, we are coming up on the biggest shopping week of the year so naturally it is time for Stampin’ Up’s biggest sale of the year – Online Extravaganza!!  From November 19-28 you can get incredible discounts – up to 50% on some of the very best products!  I thought you would like a day to plan, so I am getting you all the information today.

Additionally, to celebrate the first and last days of the sale, Stampin’ Up is adding “one day only” specials on November 19th and November 28th.  WOW!!

November 19th Specials

November 28th Specials

Now this is an online only sale so you will need to shop via my online store.  You can simply click here – Jennifer’s Online Store – or you can click on my “Shop With Me” button on my sidebar anytime.

I know that you want to see all the deals for yourself, don’t you??!!  You can see all the discounted items by clicking here – Online Extravaganza PDF.  As of November 19th, you will be able to see all of the deals directly in my online store as well.

I plan on doing some of my own shopping and the best part….I can do it on Monday and right from my home!  No crowds, no lines, and no stress!  I hope you have a great week.  As always, just let me know if you have any questions about this amazing special!

Talking Tags

Hmmm…tags that talk??!!  Yes indeed…Talking Tags courtesy of Stampin’ Up!!  Talk about fantastic timing!  This is perfect for holiday cards.  Surprise your family and friends with a truly personal message in your handmade card!

How it works:

Buy ’em by the sheet! You get 10 tags for just $7.95 (item 129723).

•  Download the FREE TalkingTagT App on your smartphone
• Adhere the barcoded message tag to your card
• Open your TalkingTagT app and scan the code
• Record your message (up to 60 seconds)

It is that easy!!  There are instructions on the tag for your recipient so that they know how to use it once it arrives.

Here is a video showing you this fabulous new product:

Texture Boutique Embossing Machine

Due to our partnership with Sizzix, we are pleased to be able to offer a test run of the Texture Boutique Embossing Machine in our North American markets. We have 4,000 available to be sold only while supplies last. If this product test goes well, we may offer the Texture Boutique again in the future.

The Texture Boutique works with Textured Impressions Embossing Folders to transform ordinary cardstock, paper, metallic foil, or vellum into an embossed, textured masterpiece. This machine embosses only; it does not die cut.

‘Tis the season of giving, and the Texture Boutique makes a wonderful gift for anyone who wants to create their own elegant embossed art. To help you with your gift-giving needs, we’re offering a special value bundle that saves you $5.90. If you prefer, you can also purchase the Texture Boutique alone. Looking for stocking stuffers? Pick up some additional embossing folders.

Texture Boutique Bundle
Item 132700
$39.95 (a $45.85 value)
Includes:

• Texture Boutique Embossing Machine, 1 Pair of Standard Embossing Pads, 1 Mylar Shim
• Flower Garden Textured Impressions Embossing Folder-Stampin’ Up! exclusive
• Stripes Textured Impressions Embossing Folder-Stampin’ Up! exclusive

Texture Boutique Embossing Machine
Item 132657
$29.95
Includes:

• Texture Boutique Embossing Machine, 1 pair of Standard Embossing Pads, 1 Mylar Shim

I know that this is a lot of information for one post so I will let you go off to watch the videos!  But first…make sure you come back on Sunday.  I have all the information about the biggest Stampin’ Up sale of the year – Online Extravaganza – ready for you.  Some items are discounted up to 50% so you won’t want to miss this!!

If you have any questions about these new products, please let me know.  I am always happy to help!  If you want to order them, you can get them any time at my online store.  You can always find my online store by clicking the Shop With Me button on my sidebar.

Leave it to Stampin’ Up to celebrate Digital Scrapbooking Day with a whole WEEK of deals!!  It starts off with three free downloads.  Just take a look at these:

Can you believe that those are free??  Well, there is more!  All this week (Oct. 29th – Nov. 5th) all digital kits are 50% off!!  Run right over to my demonstrator website to see the amazing prices and then go get those free downloads while you are there!

Just a reminder that today is the day for Stampin’ Up’s Spooktacular Sale!!

Almost every stamp is on sale so get right over to my demonstrator site by clicking HERE to see the savings!

You asked for it and Stampin’ Up has delivered!  More single stamps are available!!  Until Jan. 2, 2013, you can purchase more single stamps.  Some are favorites you already know but there are three new, never before seen stamps!

Take a close look at Assortment 2 to see the new images!  You can order these directly through me or go straight to my demonstrator website to purchase them!

Don’t forget to make your list for the Stamp Spooktacular that happens on Monday and look for yet another amazing announcement on Monday!!

For one day only, you will get 15% off almost every stamp we sell!  Yes, you read it right 15%!!  When is this great event??!!  Monday, October 29th.  

Here are the details:

• Starting at 12:00 AM (MT) and ending at 11:50 PM (MT), almost every stamp we sell will be 15% off.

This means all stamps in the current catalogs including

• Background stamps
• Personalized name stamps
• Incentive stamp sets from the supply list
• Cookie press stamps
• Single-image stamps

This DOES NOT include

• Hostess sets
• Bundled stamp sets
• Digital stamp brush sets
• There is no minimum purchase, and no limit to the number of stamps you can order.

You can order two ways.  Simply contact me no later than 4p (Eastern) on Monday and I will place the order for you OR go directly to my demonstrator website by clicking HERE.  Make sure you wait until Monday to shop if you are going to my website!!

Contact me if you have any questions about this amazing special!!

This week’s Freshly Made Sketches layout is courtesy of the wonderfully talented Narelle Farrugia.  This is a fun one and the design team has already come up with some great interpretations of the sketch!!

I altered the sketch a little but I tried to hold onto the circle element by using the wreath stamp.  I pulled out one of my very favorite Christmas stamps ever for this one, Bright Hopes.  I thought the design on the wreath coordinated nicely with the Lacy Brocade Embossing Folder so I used that to add some texture to the Cherry Cobbler panel.  I purposely embossed it the “short way” and left little blank panels across the top and bottom as a place for embellishment.  And what better for embellishment than lots of pearls??!!  You may already know but this is Ann Schach’s last week with us as a Guest Designer.  I thought it appropriate to channel Ann a little on this card.  Her cards prove that there is NOTHING that can’t be made better with the addition of pearls!!!  I took another of her hallmarks and rolled up the ends of my sentiment panels to add another layer of texture.  Finally, the little bow…  It is a fork bow made with Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding.  I have this tutorial from last year that shows you exactly how to do it.

I hope that you all enjoy this sketch as much as I did.  Can’t wait to see the gallery again this week!!  Hope your day is going well.  Thanks so much for stopping by!

Stamp:  Bright Hopes; Paper:  Early Espresso, Cherry Cobbler, Naturals Ivory; Ink:  Early Espresso; Accessories:  Big Shot, Lacy Brocade EF, Basic Pearls, Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding, Dimensionals

It is with a sad heart that I share with you the passing of Sydney Davies.  She was the inspiration behind my Ronald McDonald House Charities stamp drive and an amazing girl.  She battled her cancer and “fought like a girl”.  My whole community is grieving today.  While I never had the privilege of meeting Sydney, I am in awe of the hearts she has touched with her courage.

I have written a before of my personal experiences on September 11, 2001 on both the 9th and 10th anniversaries so today I will simply ask you to remember.  Remember where you were, how you felt and how you wanted the people you love near you.  It is easy in our day to day lives to focus on the small.  That day, though, many of us forgot the small and petty things in our lives and re-evaluted what was really important to us.  The best way to remember, then, is maybe to go back to that feeling.  Because I will just bet that the things that became important were not things at all but the people you love so much.

I recently had the privilege of flying a brand new arrival into Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.  When we fly around the country, planes fly to specified points and sometimes on specified routes (like highways in the sky).  In order to facilitate getting traffic in and out of busy airports there are arrival corridors and departure corridors.  These arrivals, too, are like roads and you fly from point to point on the way in.  The brand new arrival is called the “Freedom” 1.  In actuality is is called the FRDMM ONE because the points all have 5 letter names.  When we fly this, I promise you that your crews will never forget.  The points:

HONNR  BRVRY  COURG  (Honor Bravery Courage)

WEEEE  WLLLL  NEVVR  FORGT  SEPII  (We Will Never Forget Sep 11)

ALWYZ  STAND TGTHR  (Always Stand Together)

and finally:

LETZZ  RLLLL  (Let’s Roll)

It is emotional to fly that approach from each point to the next but the fact that they built it says everything.  So today, I remember and I celebrate that my deployed husband returned yesterday (a week early).  Talk about what is important.  The smiles on my boys faces when they were surprised by daddy was worth more than anything in the world.

I wish you a safe and peaceful Patriot’s Day!

In memory of:

United 93:  Jason Dahl, LeRoy Homer, Lorraine Bay, Sandra Bradshaw, Wanda Green, CeeCee Lyles, Deorah Welsh

United 175:  Victor Saracini, Michael Horrocks, Robert Fangman, Amy Jarret, Amy King, Kathryn Laborie, Alfred Marchand, Michael Tarrou, Alicia Titus

American 11:  John Ogonowski, Thomas McGuinness, Barbara Arestegui, Jeffrey Collman, Sara Low, Karen Martin, Kathleen Nicosia, Betty Ong, Jean D. Roger, Dianne Snyder, Amy Sweeney

American 77:  Charles Burlingame III, David Charlebois, Michele Heidenberger, Jennifer Lewis, Kenneth Lewis, Renee May