Stampin' Up! Weekly Specials

Happy Tuesday!!!

Here's a quick peek of the specials for this week from Stampin' Up!....... while supplies last - so don't wait to order them.  If you have any questions about the products or the weekly specials, just let me know.

BLUSHING BRIDE CLASSIC STAMPIN' PAD  Price: $5.95 $4.46	EPIC DAY THIS AND THAT DESIGNER WASHI TAPE Price: $4.95 $3.71	EXTRA-LARGE OVAL PUNCH Price: $16.95 $12.71	REASONS I HEART YOU SWATCHBOOK TEMPLATE - DIGITAL DOWNLOAD Price: $12.95 $7.77
SCALLOP TRIM BORDER PUNCH Price: $15.95 $11.96	SHAKER FRAMES Price: $4.95 $3.71	STAMPIN' WRITE MARKER NEW COLOR KIT Price: $28.95 $21.71	VINTAGE FACETED DESIGNER BUTTONS Price: $5.95 $4.46

Tomorrow, I will show you a couple of EASY & Quick Valentine Day cards that I made up.  I will probably enter one of them in a blog challenge.

Thanks for stopping by.

Nancy

My Favorite Product....this Week!

ENVELOPE PUNCH BOARD

I have referred to this item in a couple of my posts, but I wonder how many of you actually have used it.  It is SO easy once you've done it the first time, and allows you to be as creative as you'd like.  I plan to have a class this spring showing you how to use it to make a variety of items - not just envelopes, so stay tuned for more information.  In the mean time, click on the Envelope Punch Board (#133774 - $19.95) to check out Stampin' Up's YouTube video on its basic use.

A Fast Trip

Thanks for visiting me again.  Let me update you on the Phoenix Adventure - we leave for Michigan early tomorrow morning...brrrrr.  I am very happy to say that my sister found a house - a very nice house - WITH A POOL (laugh) in one of the suburbs.  I don't remember how many houses we looked at, but we were certainly burning up the Phoenix area freeways!!  We even hit rush hour once - that was a pain - like every other big city.  Please don't think that all we did was house hunt.  We were able to get in a little shopping, and found one of our most favorite stores.

I was able to practice restraint - my sister, not so much!

Since we were in Phoenix, we also decided we had to have Mexican food which just happens to be a favorite of both of us.  After all, we are very close to the border.  Not knowing the area though, we did some googling (don't you just love the internet??), and found a restaurant that was fairly close to the hotel.  It turned out to be a small "Mom & Pop" type place - and the food was WONDERFUL!!!

We LOVE Mexican food - especially authentic, and we ate ourselves silly.  They had the best pico de gallo I've ever tasted.  There was also a Menudo Bar, which we could not bring ourselves to try, but look at what we DID have.......... 

 

I was half way thru my taco when I decided to take a picture of the food. 

Here's my whole dinner (oops - the chips are missing).... 

....and here is my sister's!

This is definitely one restaurant I want to return to - maybe tonight for dinner!  By the way - do you know what Menudo is?  Well, it is a traditional Mexican soup made with beef stomach (that's why I didn't try it - I wasn't sure if I could "stomach" it! LOL) It is in broth with a red chili pepper base.  Condiments on the bar included lime, chopped onion and cilantro.   Just not my style!  

I am so happy for my sister.  She has wanted to move back to Arizona for a long time, having lived here about 13 years ago.  At the same time though, I am so sad.  My two sisters are my best friends, and I am going to miss her - a LOT!  She is such an incredible lady who I love and respect so much.  She has raised two beautiful daughters - on her own - as a single mom since they were very small girl.  And when our father became really ill about a year ago, she transferred from Indiana to Michigan so that she could stay with my parents, and help our other sister care for them until dad passed away in September.  She did this while continuing to work full time in another city.  She has a great love for her family, and a huge heart.  That's my baby sister!!!

My hubby and I had decided a while ago that we wanted to winter in the southwest - so guess where we will be once we retire when the north winds start blowing???  Let me leave you with just a few more photos of this area.  I'm already missing it!

Can you tell I love the mountains?? 

Thanks again for visiting.  I'll be back a little later with more Stampin' Up! info.

Hugs, Nancy

Great Weekly Deals This Week!

Every Tuesday Stampin' Up! offers incredible deals on a group of products.  The discount is only good for one week, so you want to take advantage of them while there is still time.  Look at what you can score this week…...

	Neutrals Core'dinations Item # 129956 Regular Price: $23.95 US/$29.95 CAN Discounted Price: $17.96 US/$22.46 CAN
	Basic Black 3/4" Chevron Ribbon Item # 130010 Regular Price: $8.95 US/$12.50 CAN Discounted Price: $6.71 US/$9.38 CAN
	Framed Tulips Textured Impressions Embossing Folder Item #121809 Regular Price: $7.95 US/$9.95 CAN Discounted Price: $5.96 US/$7.46 CAN
	Chalk Talk Framelit Dies Item # 129983 Regular Price: $24.95 US/$30.95 CAN Discounted Price: $18.71 US/$23.21 CAN
	Calypso Coral Classic Pad Item # 126983 Regular Price: $5.95 US/$7.25 CAN Discounted Price: $4.46 US/$5.44 CAN
	Alphabet Press Textured Impressions Embossing Folder Item #130916 Regular Price: $7.95 US/$9.95 CAN Discounted Price: 5.96 US/$7.46 CAN
	Note Card Envelopes Item # 131528 Regular Price: $5.50 US/$6.95 CAN Discounted Price: $4.13 US/$5.21 CAN
	Storytime Ensemble Item # 127195 Regular Price: $19.95 US/$21.95 CAN Discounted Price: $11.97 US/$13.17 CAN

Phoenix Adventure

Being new to this blogging game, I'm trying to decide exactly what and how much personal stuff to post.  While I want my blog to inspire creativity, much of mine comes from the experiences I've had.  With that being said, sharing with you some of those experiences may help you understand me better, and may even give you inspiration at times.

Yesterday I'd indicated that January came in with a flurry for me.  The weather not withstanding, another reason for that is I needed to prepare for a trip to Arizona!!  It came up rather suddenly.  My sister - and one of my very best friends, is transferring to the Phoenix area, and asked me to come along with her to house hunt.  WHAT???!!  She wanted me to leave all of this lovely snow behind in Michigan.  I decided that I had to make that sacrifice though; she needs my help and guidance, since she is my baby sister.  We are staying in a lovely hotel/suite at the Holiday Inn.  When I heard where we were going to be living for a week I thought, "well OK - it could be worse".  But this place is LOVELY!!!  Our room is right off of an inner courtyard with the pool, hot tub and several areas to sit and enjoy the Arizona sunshine.  It is landscaped so nicely, and a wonderful change from the weather we left at home.  Here are a few photos of the courtyard.

At night, the fire pits are on, which really feel good.  Since this is a desert area, and it is winter, the nights are cool.  

We've done some exploring of the area, and spent time walking thru downtown Tempe.  It is really nice - a laid back, college like atmosphere with lots of little shops, and interesting places to eat. 

We were a little scared to eat here!

A store that sells all natural/cannabis free products!  OK!!!

Even though this area is not lush like our home state, there is a lot of beauty here.  I love the mountains,   flowers and the variety of cacti.  We saw citrus fruit trees on the side of the road!  OK - for people who live in climates where this is an everyday sight give me a break.  We have fruit trees in Michigan, but NOT lemon trees on the curb!!

We are headed out to meet the realtor this morning, and look at houses.  My sister insists on having one with a pool!  

Paper Pumpkin Special

Beginning now through February 10th, get a Free Set of In Color Markers ($14.95 value) when you sign up for a new Paper Pumpkin Membership.

Everyone needs a creative escape...My Paper Pumpkin is just what you need.  It's a pretty red box delivered to your door every month, filled with coordinated stamps, ink, paper and accessories to create sweet projects!  

Here's what you'll find inside:

• All the stamps, ink, paper, and accessories to create pinable projects.  
• Create stuff like cards, journals, décor, and more!

Just $19.95 per month (shipping is included!)

How to Get Started …it's so easy - simply sign up for the program one of two ways:

Visit www.mypaperpumpkin.com and click "Get it".
Select me (Nancy Brown) as your demonstrator and then every month a new, surprise project kit arrives at your doorstep……………. or

You can contact me and I'll sign you up. 

Just think of the anticipation of creating a fun project to pin, showoff, and share with your friends and family-every month!

Here's the nitty gritty:

• Each month you'll receive a unique, surprise kit with a project - cards, journals, décor, and more! (We've even color-coordinated, measured, and cut everything for you!)
• Each kit includes stamps, ink, paper, and accessories-everything but adhesive.
• Each kit gives you a 30-minute creativity escape.
• We will ship your Paper Pumpkin on or around the 15th of the month.
• You need to sign up for a kit by the 10th of the month to get that month's kit. If you sign up on the 11th of the month, your first kit will come the next month. (Let's say you sign up on January 10th, we'll send your kit around January 15th. If you sign up on January 11th, we'll send your first kit around February 15th.)
• There's no commitment, you can cancel your monthly Paper Pumpkin at anytime. You can also skip a month if you want.

Below is the Welcome Kit.  It's the very first Paper Pumpkin you will receive in your first month of membership.  It includes a free gift--a clear acrylic block.

Want to get a closer look at Paper Pumpkin before you join?

Here's your chance to try me for one month! I'm filled with everything you need                       to create a sweet project—stamps, ink, accessories, and paper (of course).                          What's more, you'll have the stamp, clear block, and ink to use for other projects!

Try It Kit    Item #132600      $16.95 (plus shipping) 

Everything is cut, measured, and ready-- instructions are included!

Frequently Asked Questions...

Q: When Will I Receive my first kit?
A: If you sign up by February 10th, your first kit (the Welcome Kit) will be shipped around February 15th.

Q: When Will I Be Billed?
A: Your credit card will be charged as soon as your Paper Pumpkin ships. You will get an e-mail notifying you that your card has been charged. 

Q: What comes in my Paper Pumpkin?
A: It's a surprise each month—anticipation for the surprise is seriously half the fun! No worries, though, you'll have everything you need to complete the project: paper, stamps, ink, accessories, and more! (You will need your own adhesive.)

Q: Is my subscription on auto renew?
A: Yes, your subscription is on auto renew. However, you can skip a month or cancel at any time. Simply log on to your account onwww.mypaperpumpkin.com and click skip a month before the 10th of the month in order to skip the Paper Pumpkin for that month. If you click skip a month on the 11th of the month, you will receive that month's Paper Pumpkin and not receive the following month's Paper Pumpkin.

Please email me at nbrown7988@sbcglobal.net to join or order the trial!

January 2014 - Unforgettable!!

This month has started out in a flurry!…….and I mean that in a couple of ways.  First of all we, like so many others in the country, we were caught in the "polar votex" - or snowmageddon, as my cousin called it.  It just didn't want to stop snowing, and it was SO cold that it was a challenge to even go outside.  My hubby and I would take turns getting the mail.

The weather did inspire me though to make a huge pot of chili and homemade soup….yummy.  Those are great lunch or dinner choices when the wind is howling, and the snow is flying.  I also worked on projects for my Stamp Class - which we ended up rescheduling due to the weather!  I just didn't want my ladies to risk life and limb coming out - even if it was for stamping.  Here are the samples I made up for the class.  I call them "prototypes", and often use retired products in making them (in case they don't turn out the way I want).  Then for classes or parties, I substitute the retired supplies for current Stampin' Up products - that way, any item used can still be purchased. 

It seems like we always need "all occasion" cards, so the projects were Birthday, Get Well and Sympathy.  Sadly I have had to send too many of the last category recently, and I think some of my class participants have also, because this was requested by a couple of the ladies.  

I saw the style for the Happy Birthday card on several different blogs, switched it around a little, and made a couple of my own changes.  I often draw inspiration from others - there is so much talent out there in the crafting world.  

Supplies:  Whisper White and Basic Black card stock, DSP, 

Chevron Embossing Folder, Apothecary Accents Frame Lit

This Get Well card and matching envelope, I pretty much copied from StampinGinger.com.  I love how simple it was to make.  Two items used for this project are a must have, if you haven't gotten them already; the Envelope Punch Board, and the Fresh Prints Designer Series Paper Stack from the new Occasion catalog.  The stamp set is also very versatile and can be used for several different holidays/occasions.  It also coordinates with the Chalk Talk Framelits Die.   

Supplies: Whisper White, Real Red & Crumb Cake card stock, DSP, 

Tag It stamp set, Decorative Label Punch, and the Envelope Punch Board

The stamp set for the first Sympathy card has been around since before I started with Stampin' Up!, and is a real classic.  It took me several years to purchase it though because I kept it expecting it to retire - but it's still going strong.  I wanted to make a card that could be masculine, and came across a one from years ago by Kim, on therobbsbloggingalong.blogspot.com.  This could be used for a Thank You or Birthday card for a guy also just by changing the inscription. 

Supplies:  Early Espresso, Whisper White, Marina Mist & Always Artichoke card stock, 

Lovely As a Tree and Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp sets 

I think the last Sympathy card is so elegant, and my favorite one - also it is very easy to make.  I found this flocked Designer Series Paper in my stash (it's retired unfortunately), and thought it added just the right touch.  Any DSP could be used though.  The ribbon slide is also retired, but a button or brad could be easily substituted.

Supplies: Whisper White & Basic Black card stock, 

Lovely Thoughts stamp set, 1/8" Black Taffeta Ribbon

So that catches you up part way on what I've been doing so far this month.  Wait until you hear what I'm up to right now!  It is fun, relaxing - and I'm in a sunny place!  It's also the second reason why this month has started off in a flurry.