To Gnome Me is to Love Me

I've never been that fond of gnomes - don't know why, they're just a little weird.  You can imagine my surprise when I was looking through the Occasions Mini Catalog and saw two new stamp sets involving gnomes . . . 

and I just laughed and laughed and laughed.  I don't know, but they sure caught me off caught and I instantly fell in love with them!  Still don't know why, but even typing this, I'm laughing!  I know, I'm just not right, huh!  I was also thrilled that during Leadership, there were numerous samples made by other demonstrators.  Below are three of those samples . . . 

I hope you find them as cute as I do!!!!!

Happy Stamping,
Phyllis


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Free Bag AND Chocolate

We absolutely love to stamp, now don't we?  What can make it better?  You guessed it - chocolate!!  At our Make and Take session at Leadership, we were greeted with free goodies, such as this cute Fancy Favor box with homemade chocolate from one of the employees at Stampin' Up!  And you know, my good friend, Susan Elise, doesn't like chocolate, so I was lucky enough to get two packs of chocolate!  Life is good!!!

 

We also received a gift bag and portfolio made with some gorgeous fabric.  The outside of the bag buttons onto the bag itself and it's reversible!  Too darn cute!!!  The tag on the portfolio was created using My Digital Studio and was signed by Shelli!!  I love how they coordinate and I hope this fabric makes it into the upcoming catalog!!  At each Stampin' Up! Leadership event and Convention, we always get a bag and it amazes me at the awesome bags we get!  They are highly sought after from people who are not able to attend!!  

I also wanted to share two card samples with you that were created by another demonstrator, Jackie Bultje.  I met her on an incentive trip a couple of years ago.  She is from Canada and she is such fun and I was able to spend some time with her at Leadership.  I'm so lucky to have the opportunity to meet people from all over the place thanks to Stampin' Up!  Check out her awesome cards . . . (thanks Jackie!!)

These cards were made using products from the Sale-A-Bration catalog, as well as the Occasions Mini catalog.  Sale-A-Bration starts tomorrow - JANUARY 24!!!  For every $50 you spend, you get one FREE Sale-A-Bration item!  I hope you'll take advantage of this awesome special.  It's ends on March 31, 2012 so shop early!! 

Happy Stamping,
Phyllis


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Candy Conversations

Well, I'm sitting in my hotel room in San Antonio, all packed and ready to go. I'm thinking about how early 4:30 am will come so I can get up and come home, but every time I leave on a trip, it always feels good to walk through the door of my home and see Mickey and the cats. Dorothy was right - there is no place like home!

This Stampin' Up! Leadership Conference was amazing, as well as today's Regional event. I've learned things like how to be a better upline, stamping techniques and seen tons of samples! I've had the chance to see my stamping sisters which I look forward to at every Stampin' Up! event. There is so much floating around in my head, it feels like a rubber ball bouncing around from side to side!!! Ouch!!!!

While I try to organize everything, I did want to share with you a sample from one of the Sample Boards that I thought was so cute! Valentine's Day is just around the corner and this sample used the Candy Conversations Stamp which is only $8.95. It's perfect for those on a budget!




See, I told you it was too cute!!!! I love how she lined up the conversations hearts in the cello bag and attached to the front of the card!! A card with sweets - can't beat that!!

Looking forward to stamping with you gals soon!!!

Phyllis

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

P.S. I Love You!

Whenever I hear that phrase, I think of the Beatles.  I swear the song instantly plays in my mind!  Amazing how I can remember things from long ago, but not remember what I did yesterday!

Valentine's Day is just around the corner and it's time to show the special someone that you care.  I bet many of you do that every day, huh!  Well, there is an awesome stamp set in the Occasions Mini that helps you create a card to add that little something extra to show you care .. check it out ...

We have several punches that coordinate with this stamp set and our Hearts Collection Framelits have a heart to cut out this heart perfectly and even layer it on a bigger heart!!!  Below is a card that I made using this set.

Isn't this adorable ... and that little cupid ... he rocks!!!!!  And don't think this stamp set is just limited to Valentine's Day!  Every day is a special day to show someone you care!

Email me if you have any questions!

p.s.  My special someone - he is working so hard around the house this morning so I can stamp with my ladies!  I love that man!!!!

Happy Stamping,
Phyllis


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Stamp, Play and Create

It was a wonderful weekend at Stamp, Play and Create despite the fact that I had a mental lapse getting the product here in time (which I didn't)!  There is always a Plan B in everything that I do and I think those that attended agreed that Plan B was awesome!

We did four cards which highlighted products from the Occasions Mini Catalog as well as the Sale-A-Bration catalog.  Here they are . . . 

The class was great and the people were great!  Thank you all for coming and stamping, playing and creating with me!!!!

Happy Stamping,
Phyllis


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Stampin' Up! Framelit Dies!!

I love new things.  It keeps life interesting, fun and exciting.  That is one of the reasons why I love the Stampin' Up! Mini Catalogs.  Every four months we get new toys to play with while still enjoying some of our existing favorite products!  

Some of the new items in the Occasions Mini Catalog (which debuted January 4, 2012) are the Framelit Dies (Labels and Hearts Collections) that work with the Big Shot.  I decided to pull out my video camera and show you exactly how they work.  Now, here is my disclaimer!  My new video camera films in high def and there is a definite learning curve.  I didn't realize that the picture would be so darn clear that I can film further away so you can see more.  I'm already thinking about what to film next!

So, I hope you enjoy this video!  Since it was only a 10 minute video, I didn't do any editing so bear me (I was afraid to count how many times I said "um"!)

 

Thanks for watching and I know you'll love the Framelit Dies as much as I do!

Happy Stamping,
Phyllis


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Thank You!

Like many of you, after the Christmas decorations are put way, I always feel the urge to do some re-organizing!  In the process, I discover some of the things I have in my drawers that I haven't been able to find.  It never ceases to amaze me how quickly those drawers fill up throughout the year!  Today was no different - I love the look of my stamp room when it is somewhat organized and things are put away.   I think Darci loves it to because since the fire place mantel was cleaned off, she decided to supervise me.  I couldn't help but take her picture as she is so gorgeous (and yes, I'm the biased mom!!)  I don't think she's going to be happy when I put the card samples back up!!!

Yesterday, I was reading the Parade section of the newspaper and found an interesting article written by John Kralik.  He talked about the importance of a simple thank you note and how he vowed to send one to a different person every day.  He even published a book about it.  What a great idea and a great article!!!

Now, since Christmas has just ended, there are probably a lot of people that you are grateful for.  Let them know it by sending them a thank you note. In the article that I read, there were four simple steps listed for writing a thank you note:

• Grab a pen and paper.  Don't send an email.  Handwritten notes feel special.
• Be specific.  Using Christmas for example, identify the gift and say one sincere thing about why you like it.
• Dig into the past.  After thanking your close friends and family, write to people who helped you at critical moments. 
• Keep it short.  Your message doesn't need to be long and eloquent.  Stick to a few lines so you keep the focus on your thank you and on the other person's kindness.

So, now you know what to write and who to write it to, here is a sample of a simple thank you card.

I used the Note Cards and Envelopes (woo hoo - I didn't have to cut any cardstock) which measure 5" x 3-1/2" and are the perfect size!  I also used two new stamp sets!  The flower is from a Sale-A-Bration set called Fresh Vintage which you can earn FREE with a $50 purchase starting January 24, 2012.  The "thank you" image is from the You're My Type stamp set which is available on January 4, 2012 in the Occasions Mini catalog.  I know you are excited as I am for the new catalogs!!!

I've been blessed to have many people of my life who take care of me and are there for me.  So, my challenge to myself is to get busy and let people know I appreciate them!  I take things in baby steps, so here is my first step!  In the next two weeks, I am going to be making some simple thank you notes to send out.  My goal is to have a nice stash on hand so I don't have to sit down and make a note each time I want one because there just isn't enough  time to do that, huh!   I think the 3" x 3" or 5" x 3-1/2" notes would work great!!!  I'll keep you posted on my progress. 

I hope you join me on my thank you challenge for 2012!!!!

Happy Stamping,
Phyllis


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