As many of you may know, last week was the annual Leadership conference for Stampin’ Up!   I was not able to attend but I am SOOOO excited about all the news that came from there!  I hardly know where to start so I will go roughly in the order that things were announced.

First, Stampin’ Up is offering a brand new subscription program called My Paper Pumpkin.  What is it??  It is a monthly kit that comes right to your door, ready to make.  I know that sometimes we all run against a time crunch but still value our craft time.  These kits make it possible for you to create “Pin worthy” projects in about 30 minutes.  Wow!!  Take a look!

This first picture is the Welcome Kit.  No matter when you start your subscription, this will be your first kit.  It even comes with a clear block…really, they thought of everything.  You can order these on the My Paper Pumpkin site starting today and the first one comes in March.  Make sure you click “I already have a demonstrator”  so that you still get the same support from your demo that you love!  You can skip a month or cancel at any time with no trouble.  I signed up today and it was so easy!

Not sure you want to commit??  You can order a Try It Kit on any regular Stampin’ Up order starting in early March just to see if this is for you.

Next, a very manly stamping kit has been introduced called Dude, You’re Welcome!  You have to watch this fun video and then I’ll get you some details.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ED18tTC7XG8&feature=player_embedded

• Four wood-mount stamps (double-mounted) with the perfect sentiment for every occasion
• Twelve 4″ x 6″ postcards in four different (manly) colors
• Twelve gray envelopes
• A Basic Gray Classic Stampin’ Pad
• An instructional guide (for the most novice stamper!)
• Item #132807

Finally, there are more (yes more) new stamp sets being released.  There will be some of the very popular single stamps and some amazing 25th Anniversary celebration stamp sets.  Did I mention that this is Stampin’ Up’s 25th Anniversary??!!  It is and you can expect lots of amazing things to come!  Let me know if you have any questions about any of these products!  I’ll be happy to help!

Back tomorrow with a new SUO Challenges…you are sure to LOVE this week’s theme!!  See you then!

Happy Tuesday everyone!  I know it is an SUO Challenges day so I wanted to leave you a brief note letting you know we will be delayed on the challenge.  Our team coordinator, Robin Messenheimer, has been ill this week.  To give her time to recover, we are postponing our challenge theme until next week.  I can’t wait to show you the card I have created since it uses a new set from the Spring Catalog!!  Make sure you check back with the team next week to see what we have created.

I’ll be back tomorrow with TWO posts!  One is the Freshly Made Sketches Challenge for the week hosted by the amazing Jen Mitchell and the other is a fun announcement.  Until then, have a great day!

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