Open House - RESCHEDULED

Due to another commitment, I am having to reschedule my Open House. New details below:

There's a brand new Idea Book & Catalogue and Sale-A-Bration is coming soon so it's time to have an Open House! I hope you will come out for some stamping fun...

When:
Saturday, February 21st
from 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
(come and go anytime through the day)

Where:
Bev's House
(please email if you need directions)

Of course, there will be stamping! Come and create some fun new cards using exciting new stamp sets and accessories! There will be 3 loonie make and take cards... stamp them for $1 each!

Enter the door prize draw for some great baskets of goodies! Receive one door prize entry for coming to the Open House and receive another for placing an order. All orders received between January 30th and February 21st at 3:00 pm will qualify for the second door prize form - this includes orders placed online.

I'll also be having a big clearance of retired stamp sets and accessories... This will be the best of all "Rubber Sales" yet! Lots of retired products at very reasonable prices!

Gung Hei Fat Choy!

We've just finished celebrating Chinese New Year with a wonderful home-cooked Chinese dinner. I started planning the menu last week, then Mom and spent the afternoon cooking. It was very yummy! We started out with steamed dumplings complete with homemade dipping sauce. Then for the main course we had Longevity Noodles, General Tso's Favourite Chicken, Asian Orange Pork, Baby Bok Choy in Garlic Sauce, and steamed rice. And, for dessert, we had Chinese Almond Cookies which we had baked yesterday. It was such a fun day for Mom and I to cook together and then to share a delicious dinner together. I thought I would share a couple of photos from our Chinese New Year decorations and meal with you. The couplets were made last year by my sister, Leslie, and I. This is the first year we've hung them for Chinese New Year and they look fantastic!

Now, it's time for me to concentrate on getting ready for the Stamp-A-Stacks this upcoming weekend. I have four cards ready, eight more to go! I made this card for my swap with my downline and like it so much that I thought some of you might like to stamp it for yourself so am including it in the Stamp-A-Stack.

Friday night's Stamp-A-Stack is full but there are a couple of seats available for Saturday morning. If you are interested in coming out to stamp, email me (bevennis@shaw.ca) to register.

Happy stampin'!

Bev.

(All stamped images copyright 1990-2009 Stampin' Up!)

I'm back with some new cards thanks to my downline swap! These are both great cards for the next big card-giving event: Valentine's Day.

This first card was stamped by Anne. Isn't it elegant? She used the Polka Dot background stamp and the Always stamp set. The colours are perfect for this card - Kraft, Whisper White and Riding Hood Red. I love how Anne embossed then cut out the two hearts, cutting the dotted outline off of one heart which gives such a different look.

This card is from Alicia. I just adore this little mouse holding the big heart. These stamps are from the Happy Heart Day stamp set. You actually lose some of the effect of this card in the scan because of its lighter colours, but it looks so nice in person. The main card is on Very Vanilla and Alicia has also used Chocolate Chip, Riding Hood Red and Pink Pirouette card stock. The Designer Series Paper is from the Pink Pirouette Prints package. Such a fun card that could be used for Valentine's Day or as a really nice thank you.

Happy stampin'!

Bev.

(All images copyright 1990-2009 Stampin' Up!)

It's here!

I've just placed my first order from the new Idea Book & Catalogue and now I can't wait until it arrives! Of course, I will prefer if it arrives on a day that my husband is not home... much easier to just get everything stored away in the craft room so he doesn't have to see it! : ) I know for sure that we are going to have a lot of fun with the Big Shot over the next few classes!!

I had a fun evening of stamping tonight. It was my downline meeting and we were all happy to get back to stamping after a little break... it was so much fun to get caught up with everyone after the holidays! Luckily, this means that I have some new cards to share with you!

This card was a swap card from Lorraine. Lorraine is always very creative and this card is another great showcase of her talent! Lorraine used one of the new hostess stamp sets called Dream a Little. It's probably my favourite hostess stamp set and I love it on this card! I really like how Lorraine used the Twill Tape on the card - I must use this idea on one of my cards soon as I have a lot of Twill Tape that needs to find its way onto some cards!

I'll be back tomorrow to share a few more cards and to give you all of the details on my Open House on February 7th. Be sure to check back!

Happy stampin'!

Bev.

(All images copyright 1990-2009 Stampin' Up!)

Last chance!

This is it... the very last day to order from the Fall-Winter 2008 Idea Book & Catalogue. I will be sending in my last order at 9:00 pm tonight so if you need anything, please email (bevennis@shaw.ca) or call... I am heading out to use a Christmas gift certificate at the spa this afternoon!! So, I'll be out from about 1:30 until 4:30, but will be around the rest of the day. Be sure to scroll down for details of the retiring stamp sets and accessories...

I'm cleaning up my stamping room right now and when I get home, it's time to get busy stamping again! I'm so looking forward to it! I'll be posting some of my new creations and cards from my downline meeting this week... finally something new to look at! : )

And, speaking of new, the new Spring-Summer 2009 Idea Book & Catalogue starts tomorrow... I'll be sending in my first order tomorrow evening so if there's anything you are anxious to get, just let me know! I hope you are all enjoying flipping through the pages of this new book - I sure have been! My wish list is all ready - now I just have to decide what to order first!!!

Happy stampin'!

Bev.

They are here!!

Big news... The new Spring-Summer 2009 Idea Book & Catalogue arrived at my doorstep! I'm just about to email everyone who pre-ordered to arrange delivery of your copy over the next couple of evenings!

There are some really beautiful new items that I am really excited about... I'm working on my own "wish list" right now. I'll tell you about that in a minute.

I did want to let everyone know that most of our prices have stayed exactly the same in the new catalogue but there are a few slight increases... Here's Stampin' Up!'s explanation on these price changes:

• Die-cut stamp sets. Although we have been introducing die-cut sets into the past several catalogues, many of the sets remained square cut. For this catalogue, we've transitioned to an almost exclusive die-cut offering. (Mini alphabets and background stamps are not die cut.) Sets that made this transition have been priced accordingly because of the increased benefits including the ease of assembly.
• Classic Stampin' Pads are increasing from $6.25 to $6.95 and refills are increasing from $3.25 to $3.50. The price on this product was increased by the vendor. Although the price for individual ink pads and refills has increased, please note that the price of the Classic Pads in colour families remains the same. Purchasing ink pads in colour families is a better deal than ever!

So, although the price increases are small, remember that the current pricing is still in effect until January 18th so you can beat the increases by ordering before the new catalogue starts on January 19th.

Okay, I know you don't have a new catalogue just yet to look at the items that are on my wish list, but when you do have yours, be sure to check out my new favourites:

• page 49 - Animal Crackers... I just adore the giraffe and the bunny!
• page 57 - Just Buzzin' By... my grandparents were bee farmers and the cute little bees remind me of them.
• page 58 - Thoughts & Prayers... the tree is beautiful.
• page 67 - Cute & Cuddly... the teddy bear is my favourite new stamp, it's crazy cute!
• page 90 - Cheep Talk... the birds are cute and I think this will be fun to use.
• page 100 - Branch Out... another tree set - what is about trees that I like so much?!!
• page 106 - Fifth Avenue Floral... I think this will make some beautiful cards.
• page 135 - Hope Happens... some nice quotes and I'm a sucker for quotes!
• page 156 - Taste of Textiles... specialty papers - printed vellum with Not Quite Navy Polka Dots, Close to Cocoa Pin Stripe and more.
• page 176 - Corduroy Buttons... in six different colours!
• page 177 - Fleurettes... absolutely adorable handmade crocheted flowers.
• page 185 - Eyelet Border Punch... beautiful and elegant.
• page 188 - Circle Scissor Plus... oh the circles I am going to be able to cut!
• pages 194-203 - oh my gosh, there's a lot of new stuff for the Big Shot that I need!! Remember that beautiful butterfly that's on our current catalogue? Well, we now have a die to cut this! And, I can't wait to have my Texturz Plates so I can make embossed backgrounds!!

Well, that's a quick run down of some of the things that are on my list... now I just have to make the big decision about what I'll order on January 19th!

I was looking at how boring my blog looks from these last few posts without any pictures... sorry about that! It will get better soon, I promise! ; )

Happy stampin'!

Bev.

So much to look forward to...

The new Idea Book & Catalogue will be here soon! And, there is so much to look forward to! I haven't seen the new Idea Book & Catalogue yet, but I have to tell you that I'm stocking Canada Post to see when it's going to be delivered because I can't wait! I've heard about some of the exciting new products though so here's a bit of a description of some of what we have to look forward to...

~ Lots of new products for the Big Shot including brand new Texturz Templates which are exciting embossing folders - and they are priced very reasonably! And, lots of new dies... including a three-tier pop up cake!
~ A new lace scallop punch - the description sounds beautiful and I can't wait to see it! Okay, let's be honest, I can't wait to order it!! ; )
~ New cordouroy buttons and crocheted flowers! Oh, and die cut canvas sheets that sound really nifty - adds some unique texture to cards!
~ A great new circle cutter that cuts many sizes of circles and I hear is very easy to use!
~ New ribbons... you know I'm excited about that!!
~ Clear rhinestone brads available on their own (like the ones that are in the Pretties Kit)... I'm glad to be able to order a package of these great accessories!
~ Stencils... I'm not sure what to expect but I'm hearing that they are pretty amazing!
~ And, of course, lots of great new stamp sets! I can't wait...

You can still pre-order your Idea Book & Catalogue for the discounted price of $8 until January 18th - email me at bevennis@shaw.ca to reserve your copy. Of course, you can receive one for free when you hostess a stampin' class or workshop. And, Stampin' Up! just announced that any customer who places a first-time online order (which you can do through my website) in February will receive a free Idea Book & Catalogue with their order!

And, a few more things that are coming soon...

~ Digital Scrapbooking! This software application sounds amazing... I can't wait to find out more so I can share this exciting new product with you. We don't know yet when it will be available... we just know that it's coming soon!
~ Lots of new Decor Elements, including personalization and customization features. For example, you will be able to order unique names or favorite quotes in a size, font, and colour of your choice.

I hope that you are feeling as excited as I am!

Now, I need to get back to stamping so I can share new projects with you... but, it's going to be a few days yet. We just spent this evening taking down our Christmas decorations which means that tomorrow will be my cleaning and reorganizing day. Right now, I can't even see the top of my stamping table and most of the floor in my craft room has disappeared under piles of things that need to be put away. Hopefully I'll successfully get everything accomplished this weekend so I can get back to the fun!

Thanks for stopping by...

Happy stampin'!

Bev.

Retiring Accessories!

Here's the list of accessories from the current Idea Book & Catalogue that will be retiring... these items are available while supplies last up to January 18th. Contact me (bevennis@shaw.ca) if you'd like to place an order...

Item #	Product Description	Availability
111377	ACCENTS & ELEMENTS ROOF GARDEN
112012	ACCENTS & ELEMENTS SEASON TO SHARE
112088	ACCENTS & ELEMENTS TRUE ELEGANCE	Not Available
102782	ALBUM LEATHER BLACK 12X12	Not Available
104188	ALBUM LEATHER BLACK 6X6
105384	ALBUM LINEN POST MELLOW MOSS 6X6*	Not Available
104516	ALBUM LINEN POST NAVY 6X6
105381	ALBUM LINEN POST REAL RED 6X6*	Not Available
103977	BUTTONS BOLD BRIGHTS*
103978	BUTTONS EARTH ELEMENTS
103981	BUTTONS EARTH ELEMENTS & NEUTRALS
105446	BUTTONS RICH REGALS
105445	BUTTONS SOFT SUBTLES
103604	DAYS-TO-REMEMBER CALENDAR 12X12	Not Available
102174	DAYS-TO-REMEMBER CALENDAR 8 1/2X11
112465	DESIGNER SERIES PAPER BANBURY	Not Available
112462	DESIGNER SERIES PAPER GEORGIA PEACH
112463	DESIGNER SERIES PAPER GHOSTLY GREETINGS
112040	DESIGNER SERIES PAPER GREEN TEA
112470	DESIGNER SERIES PAPER HAIKU
112460	DESIGNER SERIES PAPER HAWAII PAPAYA
112469	DESIGNER SERIES PAPER HOLIDAY TREASURES
112458	DESIGNER SERIES PAPER JUNIOR VARSITY
112459	DESIGNER SERIES PAPER MAINE BLUEBERRY	Not Available
112466	DESIGNER SERIES PAPER MUIRFIELD
112149	DESIGNER SERIES PAPER PARISIAN SUMMER	Not Available
112467	DESIGNER SERIES PAPER PRESTWICK	Not Available
111355	DESIGNER SERIES PAPER SUMMER PICNIC
112039	DESIGNER SERIES PAPER WINDSOR KNOT
106523	ENVELOPE TEMPLATE FIVE-IN-ONE CARD COVER	Not Available
104104	ENVELOPE TEMPLATE MINI	Not Available
107298	ENVELOPES CONFETTI WHITE MEDIUM
110695	ENVELOPES OPEN END KRAFT SMALL
109115	ENVELOPES OPEN END VERY VANILLA SMALL
103372	METAL EDGE TAGS ALUMINUM WHITE SQUARE
107925	ON BOARD BITTY BOOK*
109190	ON BOARD CLIPBOARD 9X9*
109180	ON BOARD SIMON UPPER
112086	ON BOARD SOMETHING SEASONAL
107923	PAGE PROTECTORS RING 3.25 X 3.25	Not Available
104942	PUNCH 1/4 INCH CIRCLE	Not Available
104943	PUNCH 1/4 INCH SQUARE
107273	PUNCH 3/4 INCH SQUARE	Not Available
104389	PUNCH DOUBLE CIRCLE*	Not Available
100391	PUNCH HANDHELD 1/8 INCH CIRCLE	Not Available
104830	RIBBON GINGHAM CARAMEL
104829	RIBBON GINGHAM LIGHT BLUE
104828	RIBBON GINGHAM LIGHT PINK
104831	RIBBON GINGHAM MOSS
109037	RIBBON GROSGRAIN MORE MUSTARD 1/4 INCH
110282	RUB ON ANCHORED
111806	RUB ON CHILLS & THRILLS
111805	RUB ON SCHOOL DAYS
111417	RUB ON WORD FLURRIES
110283	RUB ONS TAKE NOTE
112193	SIMPLY SCRAPPIN I WISH
112186	SIMPLY SCRAPPIN PINA COLADA
112068	SIMPLY SCRAPPIN SUMMER HOME	Not Available
112043	SIMPLY SCRAPPIN U R SWEET
112061	SIMPLY SCRAPPIN WINTER RETREAT	Not Available
112016	SIMPLY SENT CARD ELEMENTS HANDMADE HOLIDAY
109868	SIMPLY SENT CARD KIT LIFELONG NOTES
103647	STAMPIN STORE MINI
105813	WRITE ME A MEMORY FONT CD VOL II	Not Available
	Retiring Wheels
107212	MATEYS MAP	Not Available
106749	BRIGHT BULBS
109672	BRONCO	Not Available
104100	MAKING TRACKS	Not Available
108978	SANDY SHELLS	Not Available
110332	SNOW
101233	SNOWFLAKE	Not Available
109694	SWEET STARS
111249	TAKE A NUMBER

*This item is discounted and included on the Inventory Blowout (see post below for details).

Accessories blowout sale!

From January 5-18, get retired, retiring, and current products up to 50 percent off regular price! These items are only available while supplies last so don't delay! You can see pictures of these items here.

Items retiring from the Fall-Winter 2008 Idea Book & Catalogue:

Item	Page	Description	Regular Price	Discount Price
109190	180	On Board 9" x 9" clipboard	$9.50	$6.99
107925	181	On Board Bitty Book	$11.75	$8.99
105384	183	Mellow Moss 6" x 6" Linen Post album	$23.95	$17.99
105381	183	Real Red 6" x 6" Linen Post album	$23.95	$17.99
103977	187	Bold Bright buttons	$8.25	$5.99
104389	188	Double Circle punch	$7.50	$5.49
114447	n/a	Country Living Holiday Collection Stampin' Kit	$58.95	$29.48

*Items available while supplies last; page numbers refer to the Fall-Winter 2008 Idea Book & Catalogue

Retired items from the Spring-Summer 2008 Idea Book & Catalogue:

Item	Page	Description	Regular Price	Discount Price
109013	163	Blue Bayou Classic Stampin' Pad	$6.75	$4.49
109012	163	Groovy Guava Classic Stampin' Pad	$6.75	$4.49
109011	163	Purely Pomegranate Classic Stampin' Pad	$6.75	$4.49
109010	163	River Rock Classic Stampin' Pad	$6.75	$4.49
109009	163	Soft Sky Classic Stampin' Pad	$6.75	$4.49
109014	163	Wild Wasabi Classic Stampin' Pad	$6.75	$4.49
109179	178	On Board Ginormous Pieces	$18.95	$12.99
109189	190	Beachfront Ribbon Originals	$16.95	$14.99
109187	190	District Ribbon Originals	$16.95	$10.99
109188	190	Fairy Tale Ribbon Originals	$16.95	$11.49
109185	190	Jersey Ribbon Originals	$16.95	$11.99
109184	190	Sherbet Ribbon Originals	$16.95	$11.99
109186	190	Theater Ribbon Originals	$16.95	$11.49
109062	191	River Rock double-stitched ribbon	$11.95	$7.99
110716	191	Wild Wasabi striped grosgrain ribbon	$10.95	$7.49

*Items available while supplies last; page numbers refer to the Spring-Summer 2008 Idea Book & Catalogue

Current products appearing in the upcoming Spring-Summer 2009 Idea Book & Catalogue:

Item	Page	Description	Regular Price	Discount Price
111349	162	Tangerine Tango 8-1/2" x 11" card stock	$6.50	$4.99
111345	162	In Color (2008-2009) 12" x 12" textured card stock	$13.95	$10.49
109110	185	Fire Circle Rhinestone brads	$13.75	$9.99
109112	185	Fire Square Rhinestone brads	$13.75	$9.99
109113	185	Ice Square Rhinestone brads	$13.75	$9.99
111325	185	Styled Silver Hodgepodge Hardware	$36.95	$27.49
112454	185	Styled Vanilla Hodgepodge Hardware	$36.95	$27.49
113451	n/a	20th Anniversary Embosslits die	$13.95	$10.99

*Quantities at reduced price are limited; page numbers refer to the Fall-Winter 2008 Idea Book & Catalogue

Happy New Year!

Can you believe that it is 2009 already? Happy New Year!! I hope you had a wonderful holiday season filled with all the things you enjoy and the people you love. Our Christmas turned out to be a bit different than planned due to our wild and crazy weather - we weren't able to go to Edmonton to be with my family as our flight was canceled so instead Brent and I enjoyed a quiet Christmas at home, just the two of us. Although it wasn't the Christmas we were expecting, it turned out to be wonderful and we enjoyed the time together. The time since then has been a bit of a whirlwind as we had one day of complete relaxation, followed by a couple of days of visiting friends and cleaning the house, and we are now on our 6th day with children staying at our house! So we have kept busy!

I know it has been a long time since I've had a chance to post here... I hope you will forgive me for taking a bit of a break over the holidays! There are so many things that we enjoy doing for Christmas and New Years that I just needed to let myself have the time to do them.

One of the first things I had to do when I started my holidays back in the middle of December was to finish our Christmas cards... It was quite a scramble to get them done, but I was successful! I'm guessing that some may have arrived after Christmas, but I did my best! : ) Here are the two cards that I made this year... you can probably tell how much I love the Big Shot!


I love to receive cards and catch up with family and friends near and far. This year, we received so many cards and it's amazing how many were handmade! I thought I would share them with you here so you could appreciate all of the creativity like I did!

From Sue, Ronnie, and Carol Lynn:


From Paula, Larissa, and Karin:


From Jennifer, Corrina, and Selena:


From Sonia, Debbie, and Faye:


From Colleen and Jo:


From Cindy, Melanie, and Jana:


From Ingmarie, Anne, and Naomi:


From Nadine, Sharon, and Auntie Pearl:


From Alison, Rhonda, and Helen:


From Alicia, Christine, and Gail:


Thanks again to everyone who sent cards... they are still decorating our fireplace and I enjoy looking at them each day!

Happy New Year! See you soon!!

Bev.