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It’s T-minus three and a bit hours until the launch of the happiest time of the stampin’ year, and boy is there some fun stuff in store until March 31!
If you’re familiar with Sale-a-brations past, you will be aware that by simply spending $100 during the promotion period, you get to choose a gorgeous, exclusive and limited edition stamp set for F.R.E.E.
You may also be aware that by spending multiples of $100, you get to choose multiples of freebies and in addition to any of those freebies that you earn as a customer, by simply hosting your own workshop, your freebies can also be added to should your workshop total hit $600 or more (and that’s in addition to all the awesomeness that is the standard hostess plan…)
Perhaps you are also aware that in addition to the freebie fest on offer as a customer or hostess, it is also the single best time to join as a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator, due to the fact that on top of the amazing value of your kit, you get an extra free stamp from the Idea Book and Catalogue or current Mini Catalogue, plus all the usual benefits of joining the fun as a demonstrator.
In case that’s not enough to get your stampin’ juices flowing, here are a couple of peeks of the absolutely *stunning* Designer Series Paper that is one of the freebies available for your Sale-a-brating pleasure this year. It’s called Everyday Enchantment, and it is nothing short of enchanting. If you’re super eagle-eyed, you might even notice that the brads are not part of the usual catalogue range… *yet another new freebie alert*…
These were the two designs that I made as thank you cards for the Kindy teacher and teacher’s aides in my small girl’s class last year.
Yes, I have had the DSP since December, that’s one of the many perks of being a demonstrator – new product pre-orders an entire month before everybody else 
If you’re interested in any of the other perks, be sure to let me know!
Stamps: For Everything
Paper: Everyday Enchantent DSP, First Edition Specialty DSP, Soft Suede, Pool Party, Naturals Ivory
Ink: Soft Suede, Poppy Parade, Lucky Limeade
Accessories: Lucky Limeade & Pool Party Ruffled Ribbon, Beautiful Butterflies die, Everyday Enchantment brads
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If you know me at all, you’d be well aware that I am a big fan of handmade gifts – for teachers in particular – and this last year was no different, other than the fact that I now have two girls at school and more than double the number of gifts to make.
This year for the girls’ class teachers, I struck upon an idea quite early – which, while it didn’t translate into my actually completing the gifts any sooner than they were absolutely required (some things will never change), it allowed me to ruminate over how best to execute my plan…
The plan started with this little seed of an idea from a back issue of Creating Keepsakes (Nov/Dec 2010 for those of you playing along at home)…
Happily, the plan also required a trip to The Happiest Place on Earth (“start the CAR!!”) to pick up the frames that feature in the project 
Here’s what I did with mine…
With the addition of a good many grinds of my Timeless Type Junior Alphabet and Simple Numbers dies through the Bigshot, plus my trusty laminator, I put together a perpetual calendar and was rather chuffed with the result
The one pictured above uses the very sweet and pretty Cheerful Treat Designer Series Paper, which is one of many options you have to choose from in the way of exclusive Hostess Products should you opt to host a workshop of your own.
Next up, I put one together using some very lovely paper that you may not yet be familiar with depending on whether or not you’ve clapped eyes on the upcoming Sale-a-bration brochure (can anybody say FREE STUFF?!!)
One tip that I will give you should you decide to embark upon a similar project, is that it’s a good idea to mark a little notch for the rings to sit in so that they don’t slide over the edges of the frame.
Like this…
I just used a little metal file that I have and after measuring the correct spot for the rings to hang, ground it back and forth to create the little divot
The gifts I made for the Teacher’s Aides in the kindy class were of a sewing persuasion and didn’t involve Stampin’ Up! fabrics, plus they were finished off at such a cracking last minute-ish pace that I’m not even sure I have photographic evidence that they exist… If I dig some up, I will post them on my other blog for your viewing pleasure
So there you have it, my 2011 teacher gifts.
Should you be liking the idea of getting your hands on either set of the Designer Series Papers that you’ve seen glimpses of here, be sure to contact me to book yourself a workshop. Sale-a-bration starts on the 24th of this month and is shaping up to be the best ever! Contact me to book your date…
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‘Twas the day after Christmas and all through the blog,
at the sight of a new post, the crowd were agog.
Though “crowd” is most likely too hopeful a noun,
since new posts around here are considerably down
from five posts in one day, believe it or not,
(on 6 August, ’07 for you disbelieving lot!)
to a single post (if you’re lucky) every month or two,
which I resolve to improve, I can assure you.
Next year, you see, the littler of my girls,
(the one with the brown eyes and gentle dark curls)
is heading to ‘big school’ – she’ll go every day,
which leaves mummy here with some more time to play.
And of course I will miss her – of that there’s no doubt,
but I figure it’s time to sort this ‘business’ out.
This ‘business’ that I started almost six years ago,
not realising back then quite how fast it would grow.
And therefore not doing it as ‘properly’ as I might,
had I foreseen the potential for it to take flight.
But soon with more time and opportunity to,
I look forward to starting it somewhat anew.
And I hope you will join me, both here and for real,
as I stamp and create with revitalised zeal.
For ‘to love what I do and share what I love”
is something I know that I’ll never tire of.
Huge thanks for your support of me, whether it be,
as someone already related to me,
or a person I’ve met on this stampin’ adventure,
so many of whom since became friends, I would venture.
So on this Boxing Day, I hope that it’s been
even better a Christmas than you had foreseen.
And here, from my family, best wishes to you,
and all our very best for a great New Year too!
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