MERRY CHRISTMAS!

When is it too late after Christmas to wish someone "Merry Christmas"?  

When is it too late to send Christmas cards?

When should you have your Christmas tree down?

These are questions we all seem to have opinions about.  For some, they put up their tree on Thanksgiving weekend and take it down on the weekend after New Year's.   My husband and I are traditionally late for both.  We are often away for Thanksgiving so we don't buy our tree until the week after.  Sometimes it's well into December before we have it placed in our home and decorated.

Saying "Merry Christmas" is so special to me that I start right after Thanksgiving.  Some people feel saying the phrase is best said "Happy Holidays". I am very traditional, however, and love saying the Christmas greeting beginning with the first Sunday in Advent.  I continue to say it until it's time for "Happy New Year".

Now, Christmas cards are a whole different story.  It's because I tend to be late to mail them.  Whether it's 10 cards or 50 cards, mine are usually in the mail about two days before Christmas.  I always tell myself it's ok, because you can wish someone "Hope, Peace and Joy" at any time.  

One year I was so late, that I crossed off "Merry Christmas" and wrote "Happy Valentine's Day" instead.  Not really, just kidding.  But do you think it would be ok to send Christmas cards in January?  I feel most people love receiving cards from friends and family anytime. And if they are handmade cards, they are really appreciated. 

This year I sent only a few cards and they went out two days before Christmas.  So I'm right on time!  Below are pictures of two of my cards.  The only difference is the silver mat...one is sparkling and one is larger and flat silver (although it looks gold in the picture below).

Using Starry Sky ink, I stamped the scene from the Peace to You stamp set from the 2022 Mini (Holiday) catalog (retiring soon) on to Shimmery White card stock.  This card stock has a cream appearance when compared to Basic White, but is not as dark as Very Vanilla.  

The card base is Starry Sky, with Basic White mat, and Silver Mat.  Both cards are partially colored using Stampin' Up!© Blends.  The colors used on Mary, Joseph, and Baby Jesus are Starry Sky, Balmy Blue, and #800 (skin tone). So Saffron blends were used on the star.

Finally the sentiment is stamped in Starry Sky ink on Basic White card stock matted on a piece of Starry Sky card stock which was popped up with dimensionals. 

In addition to the nativity scene provided in the stamp set is a classic tiny church set on a wooded hill.  The simplicity allows you to just stamp the scene or color lightly as I did above.  It's the calm of the stamp set that entices me.  And of course being so easy to color (or not), makes the card simple to create.

So whether your cards were out greeting friends and family the first week of December or, like me, they are just now reaching their destinations, enjoy the feeling that sending a little gift of yourself fills your heart.

Hope your Christmas was special and that you have a Wonderful New Year.

-- Janice

PS: Check back here on my blog for some previews of cards using new stamp sets found in the soon to be released 2023 Mini Catalog for January through April.  And as always, posting your comments below is appreciated.

Friday, November 15th Free Shipping!

 

TODAY, DECEMBER 15TH,  FREE SHIPPING FOR ORDERS AT $75 OR MORE1

Great timing!  Gift giving time!  And a great way to give yourself a Gift and SAVE money too!

With so many items being discontinued from the 2022 Mini Catalog (Holiday), you can save on stamp sets, dies, designer paper, tools, CLEARANCE, and so much more! Just remember that most of the items are limited in supply and many are already sold out!

This is a great time to order the Stampin' Up! project kits, and of course, don't forget to order the beautiful FITTING FLORETS collection.  Remember the Designer Paper and Special Stamp Set will not be available after December.  DON'T MISS THIS SET!  It's gorgeous and can be used all year.

Plus!  It's a great time to replenish your supplies that have been used making all those special treats, gifts, holiday cards, and craft fair items...whether it's card stock, glue, Dimensionals, reinkers, envelopes, etc.  Get ready for the NEW Mini Catalog coming out in January.

Make your list, check it twice (just had to add that...HO HO HO) and click the link to the right to go to my store.  Just remember the order needs to be $75 or more, and USE my December Hostess Code (shown above) for special gifts.  If you order is over $150, don't use my December Hostess Code, so you can earn your rewards (you'll get my gifts too!)

Also, as I'm sure you've received the notice from other vendors, shipping during this season is slow.  Therefore, you may not receive your order before Christmas.  

Any questions?  send me an email at creatingtreasures123@gmail.com.  

Have fun creating treasures!

--  Janice

Thank You Blog with the Bertucci's - December 2022

 CAN YOU BELIEVE ...

• We are almost halfway through the month of December?
• That in 20 days it will be 2023 !
• In 25 days the new Mini Catalog will be available for purchasing?

Yes, the days of 2022 are flying by!  (and I'm just getting used to writing 2022!). Have you made your New Year's Resolutions yet?  One of your resolutions could be to view my blog on the second Monday of each month of 2023.  In addition to seeing my post, you'll be able to visit the monthly blogs of Stampin' Up!© Demonstrators from around the world who are participating in the hop offered by Bruno and Kylie Bertucci. 

During the months of November and December, two special stamp sets and matching dies became available for purchase.  The Fitting Florets Collection offers just the right touch of elegance to any occasion card. From color schemes to sentiments and embellishments to dies, these unique products blend together so that your cards and crafts fit whatever occasion you might need. Send birthday wishes, express your gratitude, or spread cheer—with so many options to mix and match and you’ll be set no matter the celebration all year!

I used the set to create my Thank You cards that will be sent out to my customers thanking them for purchasing through me.  I send the card, unsigned, to allow my customer to use the card to meet their special greeting card needs.

I found the collection so versatile, I also used them to create the following cards -- birthday cards, seasonal cards, and of course thank you cards.

The above cards were created using the same design, only the sentiments were changed.  While, the picture below shows a card with different Designer Series Paper (DSP) and a different design. The stamp sets as well as dies allow you to created dozens of different cards.  I love it when my purchase can be used in so many different ways!  Don't you? 

Please note that the Christmas sentiment stamp set and designer paper will no longer be available at the end of December.  In fact, some items in the collection are already sold out! To place your order for the Fitting Florets exclusive collection, simply click on the picture/link to the right and you'll go directly to my store.  After December, you will be able to purchase the non-holiday stamp set and and coordinating dies.

If you love seeing variety in cards, look at the blogs listed below.  The list provides you with links to several Stampin' Up! Demonstrators from around the world.

Thanks for leaving comments, we all appreciate hearing from you.

--  Janice

  

Time to say "Thanks"

It's Thanksgiving...a time to say Thanks.

Thanksgiving is a holiday for us to express appreciation to our family and friends for being a part of our life.  And it's a special day for giving thanks for the blessings we've received, enjoying a delicious meal together, and of course, watching football!  It's also a time to send cards to friends and family to let them know your are thinking of them on this special holiday.   

Demonstrators share their cards each month on this blog hop which is provided by Bruno and Kylie Bertucci through their Demonstrator Training Program.  

The blog hop offers you beautiful stamping ideas and creative inspiration from over 40 Stampin' Up! International Demonstrators.  Each month this blog hop focuses on creating cards thanking our customers for their support.  

We, Demonstrators, participate in the training program provided by the Bertucci's to help us build a successful Stampin' Up! business and to reach some goals we have set for ourselves.  We really appreciate your support.

My cards shown below were made using the Designer Series paper contained in the HOST pack found in the Fall 2022 Mini Catalog page 87 titled "Celebrate Everything".  In addition, I used card stock in colors Poppy Parade, Granny Apple Green, Early Expresso, and Crushed Curry.  The sentiment is from the Apple Harvest Stamp Set ( # 159944) on page 54 in the Fall 2022 Mini Catalog.  For embellishments, I used ribbon from my stash and Champagne Rhinestone Basic Jewels in various sizes.

The Designer Paper I chose does not use the traditional blended Fall colors but rather brings a more bold festive look to the cards.  Living in Florida, I find that our leaves do not change to beautiful golds and reds, so it's fun to bring those bold colors to our cards.  

The style of the card is very simple and can easily be adopted for any celebration...just change the Designer Series Paper and match with coordinating card stock.  

Changing the sentiment will help with changing this card into a fun, easy birthday card. 

Directions to make the card:  The Base of the card is cut to 5 1/2 X 4 1/8 inches and is set in a vertical format.  The first layer is card stock cut to 5 1/4 X 4 inches. The Designer Series Paper size is 5 X 3 3/4 inches and becomes the third layer.  The card stock belly band measures 5 1/2 by 1 1/2 inches.  The sentiment is stamped on Basic White card stock in Early Expresso and is matted by a color that matches the Designer Series Paper.  I used the double oval punch and dimensionals to give some depth.  Very thin ribbon with gold trim were made into tiny bows.  In place of the bows, I added basic jewels to give the sparkle. 

 

For more information on these cards, my newsletter, classes and crops, please email me at creatingtreasures123@gmail.com.

Have fun hopping through the blog hop and enjoy all the beautiful cards created by the talented Stampin' Up! Demonstrators.  See the links below to move through the hop: 

-- Janice