Some Christmas Cards from My Friends.............

This post should have been done in December but I didn't have my camera when these arrived.  Even though it's now January I wanted to share these two very special Christmas cards from my friend Betty Lee and my very special sister Heather.  I know you'll be happy I did. 

 Here is the card and envelope from Betty Lee........isn't it gorgeous!  The set is called Scenic Season (115354).  A beautiful rhinestone glistens on top of the first tree and the star and the Season's Greeting sentiment are in Gold Embossing Powder. 
Betty Lee has layered Brushed Gold and Handsom Hunter Cardstock on Whisper White and has stamped her beautiful crisp images with Handsome Hunter Ink. 

Along with stamping the envelope Betty Lee has embossed the middle tree in gold on the inside of the card cover and added the sentiment May the peace and Joy of the season be with you throughout the new year, which is also from this set in Handsome Hunter on the base card.  As if all this wasn't good enough, imagine my delight when I flipped the card over and on the back read the following:
Paper and Embossing Powder..... $18.65
Stamp Set and Ink ........$32.93
Making Christmas cards for my friends.........Priceless!  

Thanks so much for making my day Betty Lee.............this card was fantastic!



My next Christmas card I want to share with you came from my very special sister Heather, who I adore........can you tell!  Heather loves card making and is honing her talents and stretching her skills.  I know this card was made with pure love as it just glistened on the shelf..   She's used one of my all time favourite stamp sets "Loads of Love", to set the scene.  It wasn't hard to envision her and Ken in the front seat of the truck, after a fun day in the snow picking their tree.   Thanks Heather........... loved this card and you're the best!

My last little post is a small treat pouch I made for friends in Palm Springs when we were entertaining.

The treat pouch was made with the Holiday Lounge DSP.  I embossed strips of Taken With Teal card stock for the front and layered a Sahara Sand scallop punch with Taken With Teal and Whisper White Circle Punches.  Mu little snowman's face was all a glitter with Dazzling Diamonds.  When you open the pouch it holds one Ghiradelli square.  What would Christmas be without Chocolate Treats!!!  Hope you enjoy.

Are You Ready for a Free Give Away???????????

Hi everyone!  I've been absent for a long time now.  Coming back to California the beginning of December I found myself overwhelmed with our kitchen renos and unexpected visitors.  And, with all the Christmas entertaining and visiting we've been doing, I just haven't been able to get my stamping and creative mojo on.  Well it's back now after my much needed hiatus and I'm ready to get those creative juices going again! To add to that excitement I now have a new camera (thanks mom) and a card reader I've just purchased, so I should be able to start posting pictures again real soon....... maybe tonight!   I want to share my Christmas cards with you and some of those kitchen reno pics before the New Year arrives.

Since I've been so out of touch with everyone, I'm hoping all of you faithful readers have had a wonderful Christmas and you're looking forward to 2010 and the excitement and wonder that a new year brings. I know I am and I want to add to that excitement by offering something free. 

I've been thinking a lot lately about ways to improve my stamping and blogging skills and do more creative things in 2010, and since it's almost New Years, why not make some resolutions:  Here goes...........

1.  I am going to make time to stamp or create more than once a week.
2.  I am going to post to my stamping blog every Sunday.
3.  I am going to take more photos of things I make and share them with you.
4.  I'm going to enter more challenges and try out more new things............ UStamp with Dawn and Friends, Mojo Monday, Kerner's UGirls............. here I come.
5.  Play with My Digital Studio more and share what I've learned............
6.  I'm definitely going to have more fun!!!

Okay that's enough about my resolutions.............how about you?  Will you be making any New Years Stampin Resolutions?  If so send me a comment with your resolution(s) or plans and I'll enter your name into a draw for New Year's Day.   The value of my free draw gift is $24.95 US so it's well worth your while............... stay tuned for more details and don't forget to send me your comments by Dec 31st............... let your friends know too!

12 Days of Christmas - December 11 - 22, 2009

These might be the most exciting 12 days of December with select Big Shot dies and vinyl sheets for the Big Shot on sale! The 12 Days of Holiday Sales began on December 11th and runs through December 22.

Some of the items introduced in this sale are new colors of Décor Elements vinyl sheets. There are 18 new colors to choose from, and they make great projects when you use them with Big Shot dies. Consider pairing the Clear Décor Elements vinyl sheets with the Tulipe Bigz die to create an etched-like design on a vase. Or use the Decorative Accent Bigz dies with the Old Olive Décor Element vinyl sheets to enhance a frame. The combination of Big Shot dies and Décor Elements vinyl sheets is sure to take your creativity to a new level! Make sure you visit my website and click on my on-line store and check out the 12 Days of Holiday Sales!

Only Seven More Sleeps until Blowout 2009........... I Can't Wait!!!

Only 7 days remaining until UStamp With Dawn's big year end BLOWOUT begins..................... are you excited?  I know I am! If you're a stamper like me you are going to really enjoy this amazing
online WORLDWIDE event.  Every day a NEW project/video is posted with downloadable step by step tutorials, that you can work at in your time.  You also have an opportunity to chat with folks from around the world who like to have fun and stamp too.  Such value for so little money................ only $24.98 US.  
If you haven't signed up yet or if you need more information about this exciting stamping event you can get all the details and FAQ info at this link: http://ustampwithdawn.blogspot.com/   Hope to see you there!!!

I have some very exciting news to share with you today. I’ve just heard that opening day for "UStamp with Dawn & Friends!! Year End Blowout 2009" will be December 1st. This is going to be another fantastic World Wide event…………….. NOT to be missed!!

Dawn and her fabulous Design Team will be offering 31 days of new project tutorial downloads and prizes everyday!! As always there will be live Chats and more. One of the many great things about UStamp is that YOU create when YOU are ready. LOVE the projects, but don't have time to make them yourself during the crazy holidaze?? No worries!! The website remains open for many months, ready when you are to create so you won't miss out Fun project themes of "Parties, Celebrations and Gift Giving" will totally hook you up for all your upcoming celebration needs right out of the gate for 2010!! Once all the hoopla of the holidays dies down, you will be thrilled that you can fill your January making creative projects from the Year End Blow Out event.

From now until November 17th you can sign up and take advantage of the Early Bird Pricing of only $19.98. CLICK HERE TO JOIN. After November 17th the fee to join goes up to $24.99.

Host a "Catalog Workshop"

Do you have limited room, or can't get it together to hold a workshop in your home?  Then I have the solution for you.  It's fast and easy..............Host a Catalogue Workshop!  You can HOST from the convenience of your personal computer (even in your jammies if you like), and receive free product! A workshop totaling $400 in orders from your friends gets you...

• A free hard copy of the Stampin’ Up! Idea Book & Catalog. Or, if you already have one, choose between a Classic or Craft ink pad in the color of your choice
• Two free hostess sets from the Idea Book & Catalog **2 level one sets, or 1 level one and 1 level two hostess set from the Idea Book & Catalog**
• $30 in free Stampin’ Up! merchandise of your choice.
• get any one item from the Holiday 2009 Mini Catalogue for just $14 when you host a $330 workshop.*
  
  All you have to do is e-mail the following information to your friends. Let them know you are hosting a Catalog Stampin’ Up! Workshop. Tell them that for each $100 order, they will receive an Idea Book & Catalog for free. The average customer order is $50.00, so all you need is 8 friends to order $50.00 for you to reach your goal.

To reach your goal, I suggest e-mailing at least 15 to 20 people. If you exceed your goal, it only means more free merchandise for you.*  All workshop orders will be shipped directly to your home.

*Take advantage of the Sweet Rewards Hostess Promotion running from November 30 and get 50 percent off My Digital Studio™ if you host a $525 workshop! Plus, get any one item from the Holiday 2009 Mini Catalogue for just $14 when you host a $330 workshop.


Have fun!!   Contact me for more information on how this is done:
Penny Hanuszak, Independent Stampin’ Up Demonstrator
Email: penny.hanuszak@telus.net

Holiday Extravaganza

Make Stampin' Up! your one-stop shop for all your holiday gift-giving needs. With our Gift Giving Guide you can quickly and easily find gifts for kids, teens, neighbours, and more! Plus, get a FREE Décor Elements (up to a $22.95 value) when you spend $65 on products in the guide.
Visit my Online Store today to place your order!  Download the Gift-Giving Guide (PDF)"