The Stampin' Grounds

Children's Hospital Fundraiser Results

Hi Everyone,

I just wanted to thank those of you who either submitted orders, or attended the Christmas Stamp a Stack in December benefiting the BC Childrens' Hospital Foundation.  It just goes to show how little things where we all are having fun can actually benefit important causes - when we band together, we can make a difference!

Thanks to you, we donated $50 to the Foundation, in a year where they probably need it the most.  Thank you so much for participating!

As you know, I try to do one event each month for charitable causes - I haven't scheduled one for January yet, so if you have a charity you would like to support, please ask me now, and we'll book something for them!  It's the perfect time for a Valentine's Day card class after all... :) 

Thanks everyone!

You Are Invited to My NEW CATALOG Open House!

Come on out and check out the NEW catalog!!  SO many new accessories in this catalog, as well as stampsets and punches to wet your appetite!

New Catalog Open House
Saturday, January 24th
9-noon OR 1-4pm (RSVP for one session only)

I will be hosting TWO separate Open Houses this day - RSVP for EITHER the morning (9-noon) or afternoon (1-4pm) sessions - both are exactly the same, but you can only win doorprizes at one or the other. :) 

Oh, and of course there will be snacks, door prizes galore*, demonstrations (I'll be just back from Leadership Convention of course, with TONS to share!), and new products!!  See you here, and make sure you RSVP if you want a make n' take!

*bring a friend who is new to me, and receive an extra door prize ticket for each of you!

NEW!  RSVP ONLINE using Event Brite!!

20% off the Valentine's Bundle!

Hope you are all enjoying your holidays!  I'm taking a brief break from my 'blogging break' (can you take a break from a break???) to let you know about the Valentine's Bundle promotion.. I got my pre-order in the mail, and have already begun playing with it - you are going to LOVE this one!!!  SO much to share!  First off, it's 20% off, and you are guaranteed to be picking up several items in this puppy anyway - here's the breakdown:

First off- the NEW Love You Much stampset - ULTRA cute!  In fact, SO cute that it has a stamp with three hearts on it *that match the brand new triple heart punch that comes in the kit*!!!!  LOOK at it!  I've already started playing - I've got some of my creations below...

The best part is that yes, the bundle is 20% off until Jan 31st.  Order now through my website (click on 'shop now'), or place an order through me to save on shipping (if your order is less than $99).  Everyone who places an order for the Valentines' Bundle between now and Jan 28th will be invited to an exclusive class featuring the below projects and more ideas with my compliments (yep - FREE)! :)

I'm already in the spirit - how 'bout you??! 

Breakin' For the Holidays..

Hello Everyone,

Just a quick note to let you know that as you have already probably figured out, I'm taking a break from blogging for the holidays, so I can spend some quality time with my family - talk atchya'  in the New Year

Oh, and congrats to Donna Woo for winning the Grab Bag for the online ordering! 

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!

Mystery Hostess Winner!

****Congrats to Eve Yu for winning the Mystery Hostess Benefits this week!  She gets a free level 1 hostess set and at least $25 of free merchandise - YAY! ****

Remember, you have until tomorrow to place an online order through my website, and with every $25 you order, get a chance to win the grab bag bundle, including:

• So Many Scallops Stampset (value $18)
• Lisa & Becky Embellishment Hide-away (value $19.99)
• Keytag Punch (value $19.95)
• Ribbon Grab-jar (value $15)
• 1 package of 90 4" coasters (value $5)
• 1 gift certificate for a class valued $20 or less

Good luck!!!

Blah blah blah

Is it just me, or is Christmas seeming to get closer and closer - like we're on a rollercoaster, and we're picking up speed?  I don't know why I am worried - I'm pretty much all done with shopping, save for a couple of gifts.  Maybe it's because Christmas coming means that Christmas ending is soon too - that makes me a bit melancholy, as I love all the seasonal traditions, sounds and well, just about everything around the holidays!

But, on the plus side, living in the now, there is so much joy around this time of year.  Watching my son, Ryan (almost 6) get SO excited for Santa, and Christmas in general has to be one of the coolest things, and watching both boys (Tyler is almost 3) rip into their presents is a joy as well. 

This year things are tighter than normal, as they are with many of my friends as well.  We are only gifting the children this year with storebought gifts, so the tree seems a little emptier.  But, I have big plans for making some really special things for friends and family - things that carry a lot of meaning, and personality too!  Funny, because for some reason this year, it feels like I am truly 'acing' Christmas, as each gift is thought out and handcrafted for each person.  I wish I could show you, but then they might see it early!  I'll try to share what I make after the holidays, ok?  This is one of those times it is really great to be a crafter - even in tough times, the holidays can be aced, wouldn't you agree?  What are your favourite hand-crafted gifts and goodies to give away in the holidays?  Share them below in the comments if you can!

On the bright side, the boys (both the kids and Tom) and I are really having fun with the holidays this year - we have made Christmas cookies, and have had lots of family time - I'm really looking forward to those 2 weeks off that we take at the end of December - it will be so nice to just hang out in pj's, watch movies, go for walks (possibly in the... <gulp> snow?!)  I feel like this is already shaping up to be the best Christmas *ever*. 

I hope your preparations are also going well, and that you also discover something special this Christmas for you and yours. 

I'll leave you tonight with the quick and easy Christmas projects I did with my Sizzix Bigshot Club Tonight - enjoy!!

First off, here's all the projects we made:

  

We made the little gift bag holder that has been floating around lately - I can't for the life of me find the first person to showcase it, but my friend Natasha did one for a swap at our Colourful Impressions meeting this month with a Valentine's Day Theme, and I cased it from that one, using the tag idea SU had in the last mini catalog. 

Ok, up next is a great napkin ring holder idea I saw at our Colourful Impression meeting as well (gosh I love the perks of being a demo!).  This was shared by Linda Stanley Wilson, and I changed it up to be a little more funky.  you could also do this with the person's initial on the front - that would be totally cute too!  The secret to this one is that i used the last page of the DSP packs (The cardboard) to make the snowflake with the Sizzix Snowflake Die - it is the PERFECT shine, and it is strong enough to hold it's shape, clever, eh??? :)

Lastly, I wanted to make a card with my Bigshot and the scallop circle dies, so I brought out my favourite Holiday Lineup and Punchpals stampsets and made this card too.  SO cute and it opens up with the hinge (yes, it still fits in a standard envelope)  LOVE it! 

Ok - off to bed now - hope you enjoyed my holiday run down!! :)

Quickie - Order for Mystery Hostess Draw

Ok - quick update - I am going through all your orders now - if you haven't heard back from me yet, my email has been down all day, and I only now am getting through the backlog! :) 

As a result, I will put the order through tomorrow morning by 10 AM - so if you want me to get something for you, please email me tonight or tomorrow before 9am!

Also, it turns out that everything inside of this virtual workshop I'm throwing is getting FREE SHIPPING, so if you want to place a tiny order, you'll still get it!  YAY!  AND, every $25 you order will get you a ticket to the MYSTERY HOSTESS DRAW, which has built up to QUITE a nice figure already!  Email me now to get in on the act!

Lastly, remember that the retired items are ONLY on sale for 10% off until Dec. 23rd, so now is really the best time to do it!

Ok = my next post is on its way - I want to show you the quick and easy projects I put together for the Bigshot Club (or as Karen, one of my lovely clubmembers puts it, the 'BS Club') - ahem, I'm not sure what's she's implying there but...... ;)

Artisan Christmas Card Class

Wondering what we're making for my Artisan Christmas Card class tonight?  I thought I would tease you a bit and showcase what we're doing. :)

First, you have already seen this card (the one I showed you when I announced the class) - it's a tag-punch star card with my favourite build-a-brad in the middle. :)

Then, we have this Holy Triptych Stained Glass Window card with my homemade Stickles (crystal effects and dazzling diamonds mixed together). 

Lastly, this is my favourite - a winter ice-skating scene with my new favourite Christmas card set - the 'Winter Post' set - LOVE IT!  I used the reflection technique for the pond, and brayered and sponged the sky.  I'll try to get a tutorial up in the next few days for you. 

My Reactions & Predictions

Wow, there are a few sets in the retiring list that I am sad to see go!  They are some of my favourites!  I thought I would share them below.  If you have some reactions to the sets retiring, comment on this post with your thoughts, and at the end of the week, I will draw for some BLOG CANDY from the comments. :)

Also, I have decided to post my UNOFFICIAL predictions on retiring accessories at the end of this post.  As you know, some accessories tend to sell out before they are even announced as retired, so folks ask me what my predictions are as to what might retire.  If you want something that I predict may retire, I highly recommend that you get it NOW, so you aren't disappointed!  (as you know, last time many accessories ran out before we even had a chance!)

ok, here we go!!!

First - stampsets I am really sad to see go!

• Bundled in Love (pg 74) - I loved this babyset, and had more plans next year for it.  I also still miss Bundle of Joy, which was a lot like it.  <sigh>
• Just Hockey, pg 83 - Being Canadian, how can I not put the Hockey set on my list?  Sad that we no longer have our sport represented!
• Kind Thoughts, pg 122 - This one is so pretty, and I never got to use it - I loved the butterfly.  <sigh> Lost opportunity there!
• Canvas, pg 135 - I loved this one for my baby onesies, and material backgrounds.  Sorry to see it go!
• Floral, pg 135 - NOOOOOooooo - I LOVE this background set!  It's the one I use on ruby red, and it looks like velvet when I'm done.  I have major sadness on this one!  <snif>
• Warm Words (dormant list) - WAAAHHHHHH - This is my FAVOURITE set!  I use this all the time!  I am SO sad - it's such a great, versatile, pretty word set.  (it's the one that fits in the small oval punch, and is a little scripted word on each stamp).  definately the hardest blow for me this list. 
• Ahoy Matey (dormant list) - UH OH.  This is Ryan and Tyler's favourite set! (The pirate one) I'm guessing that I'll be giving that one to them, so if you are holding out to get mine, it's probably better that you don't. :)
• Summer by the Sea (dormant List) - NO!!!  Say it ain't so!  I may not be able to let this one go either!  This is the one I used to make all those little boy scenes in watercolour, and that blue card with the sand technique.  <picture me grabbing this one like a two year old - MINE> I don't think I can part with that one either. :( You'll have to get your own I'm afraid!

Ok- those are my thoughts - which ones are you sad to see go? 

NOW - my predictions!  Remember - these are only my imaginations' thoughts on what may go this year, and I have NO insider knowledge on this whatsoever!  Just my best guess.  However, I would venture to say that SU! is not 'producing' the items that will retire anymore, and are letting them run off the shelves, and some of these are rather obvious retirees - if you want it, get it now so you aren't disappointed!  Here goes!

Kari's Predictions:

• Matey's Map (107212 - dormant list) - this is the wheel that matches 'Ahoy Matey', which is retiring - pretty darn sure this will retire with it.
• Sweet Stars 109694, pg 198 - this is the stars wheel that goes with both the Christmas set, Baby Jesus is Born, and Bundled in Love - could it be retiring as well?
• Sandy Shells 108978, pg 198 - this is the shoreline wheel that goes with Crab & Company - pretty sure it will retire with it. 
• Holiday Treasures Designer Paper, pg 170 (it's Christmas paper, 'nuff said)
• I Wish Scrapbook Kit, pg 174 - It's Christmas, AND this was HUGELY popular this year - it keeps getting backordered, even just as it is - if you want this one, I would order it NOW.
• Handmade Holiday Card Elements, pg 177 - Christmas
• To You & Yours (stampset of 6) pg 177 - could this be considered an accessory and retire?
• Rubons: Word Flurries pg 178
• On Board - Something Seasonal, pg 180 (Christmas)
• Season to Share tag/accent kit, pg 183
• Rhinestone Brads, pg 185 - I don't know - had to throw one in that is just a hunch...
• Brads in each colour family, pg 185 - again, totally a question mark in my head...
• 1/2 striped grosgrain in all colours, pg 186??? 
• Coloured Buttons on pg 187???
• Trio Flowers Punch, pg 189??
• Snow Blossom Punch, pg 189?
• 1/4" square punch, pg 188?
• green beed duo, pg 190? (because it's a Christmas colour?)

Now you - what are YOUR predictions for the retiring accessories???

Mystery Hostess & Free Goody Bag Draw!

Have a Holly Jolly Christmas, lala la la la la la.....

You knew I was going to do something special for the holidays, eh?  LOL - how about a MYSTERY HOSTESS DRAW???  I knew you would be excited!

Here's the deal - place an order through me between today (Monday, Dec 8th) and THURSDAY, Dec. 11th by 4pm, and every $25 you order will get you a ticket to win the HOSTESS BENEFITS from that order!  I will place the order on Thursday, so we have a better chance of it arriving before Christmas. 

The winner will get ALL the hostess benefits!  Yep, the spending cash, the free hostess set(s) - the whole shi-bang!

And for online orders through my website??.............

Oh, I'm not leaving all of you online orderers out!  For every $25 of orders placed online through my website (click on 'shop now' once you link there) between today, Monday, Dec 8th,  and Saturday, Dec. 13th by 4pm (note the different end-date), you will receive a ticket for a grand prize goody bag worth $95!!, including:

• So Many Scallops Stampset (value $18)
• Lisa & Becky Embellishment Hide-away (value $19.99)
• Keytag Punch (value $19.95)
• Ribbon Grab-jar (value $15)
• 1 package of 90 4" coasters (value $5)
• 1 gift certificate for a class valued $20 or less

Oh my - I hope you are ready with your wishlists!  Remember:

• orders placed through me for the mystery hostess draw have to be in by THURSDAY at 4PM, and
  
  
• orders through my website for the goodie bag must be in by SATURDAY at 4pm. 

Ok - get those husbands shopping for your stocking gifts now!  Good luck, and HAPPY SHOPPING!!! :)