New MINIS online NOW....

Sneak Peek - this is a great opportunity for you to see all the wonderful new products that are being introduced. Due to a shipment delay on getting these out to customers, SU has decided to allow you to see the minis online ahead of time. Be sure to check out the new acrylic stamps, the great felt accents, the fantastic new punches and punch design; plus new definately decorative items for your home and the best Sale-a-Bration offer EVER!!! I'm currently booking workshops for Jan., Feb., Mar. and April - with a special booking offer - so contact me now to schedule you PARTY and let the FUN begin! Click this URL to view the Occasions Mini -
http://204.228.150.61/catalogs/20091231/OccasionsMini10_US.pdf

Click this URL to view the Sal-a-bration Mini -
http://204.228.150.61/catalogs/NovCatalogs/SAB_10_US.pdf

Click this URL to view the Definitely Decorative additions insert -
http://204.228.150.61/catalogs/NovCatalogs/Definitely_Decorative_SS10_US.pdf

Calendar Class this Sunday...

We have some spots open - first come, first serve. You can see the entire post with complete information here -
http://crazystampinglady.blogspot.com/2009/12/its-time-to-be-thinking-2010.html

I'm including two of the five inserts we'll be making - the designs will be similar but slightly different for the travel mug and pocket calendar inserts, but you get the idea - hope you can join us!! ~ Maureen

More Christmas!

The FUN continues...
Here are two pictures from our Christmas Celebration at our house. I took mosly video, but did get a picture of the kiddos with their presents - here are Paisley and Prince - all smiles... and Kamili and Makai - although I think Makai had just about had it. She was ready for nigh-nigh.

Also, here's a close-up of our favors from Heidi's house on the 26th. You can see the table setting in a previous post, but I loved these little candy jars she found and decorated for each of us, and filled them with 'yummy' premium M&M's.

Discontinued Dormant List Sets

They're going away...

As you are probably aware, Stampin' Up! has had a Dormant List of stamps. These are stamp sets that can be purchased, but are not featured in the current catalog. These stamp sets are all retiring January 4!!

Take a look at the list and if you would like to purchase any of them, you can go to my online ordering site at www.stampingwithmaureen.stampinup.net and click on shop now - if you enter the item number in the search box it will bring up a picture of the set for you to see. You can order through the site, or email me directly. I love some of these sets and after January 4th - they're going away forever!

I'm offering a special now through January 3, 2010 at 5:00 PM - purchase $50 worth of any SU merchandise (can include these stamps that are being discontinued), and you'll receive a coupon for $5.00 that you can redeem toward merchandise or a stamp camp with me now through June 30, 2010. That's a GREAT deal!

Hope to hear from you!! - -Maureen

Item Number and Stamp Set
113407 Back Woods
114492 Beautiful Baby
114486 Birthday Wish
113200 Branch Out
114496 Celebrations
113732 Central Park
113206 Classic Sketches
113226 Classy & Fabulous
114498 Flowers in Silhouette
113405 Font of You
113216 For the Bride
114494 Forever
109425 Friend by Definition
114488 Fun Flowers
113716 Garden Greetings
114490 Glad Friends
111580 Grand Soiree
113242 Hit the Road
113710 Lexicon of Leaves
113236 Man's Best Friend
114423 Ocean Commotion
113728 Playful Petals
109276 Polka Dot
111544 Putt Putt
113240 Quilt Quips
113754 Really Retro
113403 Sip by Sip
113726 Sweet Stems
113250 That's Funny
113688 Wonderful Watercolors

Christmas Celebrations ...

Family - Family - Family - what a wonderful 3 days of celebrating -
Wow - the last few days have been a whirlwind of family, friends, food and fun. Christmas Eve we all got together at Robert and Jenee's for appetizers and dessert - and we opened our stocking stuffers. Here is the cute Snowman cake that Jenee and the kids made - And here is the Hostess of the evening relaxing - she's over 7 months pregnant - and I'm sure exhausted after a long day of preparation - but it was such a nice evening.

Then Christmas day was at our house. Everyone came over for a late morning brunch, and then we exchanged all of our family presents. I don't have any still pictures from the day, as I was busy videoing. Hopefully someone else got some pictures.

Below are pictures from Heidi's house on Saturday - everyone gathered there for dinner Saturday evening - I think there were 18 of us. She set up three tables in her garage studio - and everything was just lovely. Lots and lots of food too.

And here is our hostess for Sat. - she's about 6 months pregnant, so I am sure she was exhausted also. But all or our celebrations were so very nice. Thanks girls for doing such a wonderful job, and including us in the fun.

Jesus is the reason....

To all of you I wish - a wonderful Christmas filled with family and friends. I'm taking a break today to share this day with those I love who are here - and missing those I love who can't be with us. Hug the ones you love, and remember the TRUE reason for the season. ~Maureen

Our December Downline Challenge

Wisconsin memories. The weather here, in sunny southern California, is certainly not snowy, and being an original Wisconsin native - this is the only week of the year I really do miss snow. So in honor of my memories - here's a cute little snow guy for you. I do LOVE snowmen - they are my FAV -Then onto our challenge: I want to thank Karen for taking pictures as the ones she took were a bit further away and included who made these beautiful cards. I had happened to take close up pictures, but the numbers weren't on my pictures so I wasn't sure who made what. Thanks Karen!
So here are the cards from our December Downline Challenge. Sandy was the winner last month so she set the challenge: a card in this format (I can't remember what they're called :), using red, pink, white and black in a Valentine's themed card - the first one is from Kathy B. who came in a close 2nd for winning this month with this elegant Valentine

SORRY ALL - I HAD TO REMOVE HEIDI'S WINNING PICTURE FROM HERE AS SHE MAY ENTER THE CARD INTO A CONTEST, AND IT HAS TO NOT BE POSTED ANYWHERE AS PART OF THE RULES.

The next beautiful card was by Jeri - the embossing on her hearts does not show up on the picture - but it was lovely -and last but not least - Diane's version - love the way she colored all the hearts on the stamp - nice work!!These challenges are always fun and they have pushed everyone who participates, to up their stamping skills. Thanks Ladies!!

It's time to be thinking .... 2010!!

~Heidi & Maureen's 2010 Calendar Class~
at Maureen’s Home
In Simi Valley

Sunday, January 3, 2010
1:00 – 4:00 PM
Cost: $30.00

You’ll create 5 Inserts (a Spring, a Summer, a Fall, a Winter and a Christmas or upon request, Hanukah) for three different items –

1) a travel mug;

2) a purse calendar and

3) a 5 ½” x 8 ½” wirebound day planner by Dayrunner.

All three items will have matching inserts, so everything will coordinate. The day planner has pages in the front to share favorite pictures, as well as monthly and weekly views and tabbed monthly dividers – with plenty of room to write all your appointments and plans. This is the planner I have been using for three years now and I LOVE IT! Class includes the travel mug, purse size calendar and day planner as well as all materials and instructions to make your decorated inserts, and light refreshments. Space is limited to 10 people for this class – so reserve your spot NOW!! Grab a friend and sign-up together. This is the perfect way to start your year out organized and ready to go.

These pictures below are an example of the pages in the day planner – they are not really clear – but they give you an idea of how much space is available for writing.

Hope you can join us!! ~Maureen

Student Worker Gifts

Minty Packages - As most of you know I work at Moorpark College, which is our local community college. Due to budget cuts in California, staffing has been reduced, and to help make sure we have office coverage - I currently work with 8 different student workers. So for Christmas, as a thank you I wanted to make them a little treat. Here is what I came up with - it is not an original idea - I saw something similar on Becky Robert's amazing blog, here - http://inkingidaho.blogspot.com/2009/11/holiday-bazaar-wrap-up.html

But this is my version. It's Peppermint Patties dressed up and placed inside a Wilton Pretzel bag - Here is a picture of the mint and the bags before. You can get the bags at Michael's with their 40% off coupons - so it's a great deal. The mints were a little challenging - as I thought they'd be round -but when I opened the package they were not. So I punched another circle for the back of each mint and tucked the sides in. Also, feeding the snowflake mints into the packaging was a little challenging due to all those little ends sticking out - but through patience and perseverance I did it :)

Here are all eight of them done and ready to be delivered to the workers as they hit their last day of work before the holidays this week and next. Now I just have to try and do a little thank you card to match.

Hope this inspires you - the snowman if from the "Christmas Punch" Level 2 Hostess set in the current Stampin' Up! Idea Book and Catalog. Enjoy!!

The 12 Days of Holiday Sale

What a great SALE - From December 11 – 22nd Stampin’ Up! is offering a 12 Days of Holiday Sale on Big Shot dies and vinyl sheets. The vinyl sheets are offered in 18 new colors plus there are now clear sheets! You can mix and match colors and images to create vinyl elements of your own to place on picture frames, vases, mirrors and walls. The possibilities are endless. Don’t miss out on this sale as it is only good through December 22nd.





Plus - I'm doing a "BIG SHOT" class in Jan. or Feb. - cost will be $25.00 to make 5 projects using the Big Shot; and if you purchase $50 in products now through the 22nd you can attend for $12.50 - purchase $100 in products during that same time and you can attend for FREE!


Things to Remember:

•The sale ends Tuesday, December 22, 2009, 11:50 PM (MT).
•Items must be ordered by December 15, 2009, in order to arrive in time for Christmas. But if you don't need for Christmas you can order them right up through the end of the sale.
•Discounts range between 15-25 percent per item - this is a great deal.
•All items on sale will be posted on the first day of the promotion and can be purchased for all 12 days of the sale.
•There are no quantity limits on these items.
•There are no qualifiers to receive the discount - just order and you get the sale price.
•For online orders, discounts will be reflected in the “regular price”; “catalog price” will show the non-discounted price.
Check out the great deals here -
http://www.stampinup.com/ECWeb/ItemList.aspx?categoryID=426

More SSS Gifts...

So I promised a few pictures of some of the other Secret Stampin' Sisters gifts at our reveal Holiday Party last Saturday... Here is Kelly with one of her cards made by SSS Bobbie. Now I have to get that die.
Here is Heidi with her amazing Advent Calendar Sleigh from SSS Maria -

Julie with her Beautiful mug with rub-ons from SSS Diane...

And Diane with her fantastic JOY framed art from SSS Julie.

There were many, many more wonderful gifts, but either the pictures I took did not turn out, or I forgot to take pictures. Wish I could have shown them all. We drew new names for Secret Sisters for the coming year - can't wait to see what great things are made in 2010.

A bit more Christmas -

My Secret Sister - Here is the gift I got from my 2009 Secret Sister at our Reveal - I LOVE IT!! I am a self-proclaimed coffee addict -so this was all right up my alley :) The basket was filled with lots of yummy treats - caramels, shortbread cookies, flavored coffee, candy sticks, and Starbucks coffee - but my fav is the mug - it says "Caffeine - a Holiday Necessity" so true!! Thank you sooooo much Jeri - I used the mug already this morning! I by coincidence - had Jeri - but alas, I forgot to get a picture of my gift to her. The one I took at the event yesterday did not come out very clear. I'll show a couple other of the "reveal" gifts later.

And I thought I'd take a picture of my JOY banner hanging in my entry way - it was a fun little project. I added some ribbon and the little bird to "J" a button and mini trees along with 3 mini pearls to "O" and a snowflake, ribbon and gem brad to "Y". I think it looks cute. I think I'll make some more for some Christmas gifts.

CSL Holiday Party

Today was our annual Crazy Stamping Ladies Holiday Party - what a fun day. Not everyone could make it due to some prior commitments, but we had 18 women get together at my home. We all made a project together - a JOY banner for the holidays. Here Maria, Sandy, Heidi, Lois and Kelly get creative and after that is a picture of Melissa working out her layout.

Here are a couple samples of what the ladies were creating -

Here are Jeri and Karen working on their banners.

After our projects were done and we did a SU Trivia game and a word search - it was time to get down to the business of eating. It was a potluck and the food was delicious! Maria, Heidi, Julie, Kathy and Theresa start making their way around the table.

Then - it was dessert time - everything was simply wonderful. Tomorrow I'll post some pictures of some of the amazing gifts from our Secret Sister gift exchange.

Happy Stamping!!

Baking Day

A Family Tradition - the past few years we've developed a tradition of baking the afternoon after Thanksgiving. We make several recipes and then divide them up between myself, Jenee and Heidi for our families and entertaining. While we bake - the guys help the little ones decorate their own little graham cracker gingerbread homes. It's so fun to watch what they create - and much (and I mean much) of the candy makes it into mouths before ever getting used to decorate. Here is Prince and his creation - Paisley about to take a bite out of hers -

Naomi proud of her creation -

Kamili (our biggest candy eater) showing off her house -

and I guess I missed Makai with hers. She went down for a nap right after and I must have forgot - I'll have to search my pictures again to be sure.
Aaron and Heidi are helping the kids out here.

And Jenee is opening up some type of candy for Paisley here.

I love having the kids over to do this, and hope they'll want to do it for many years to come.

Thanksgiving has come and gone - what a lovely day. We had 15 people around the dining table - I had meant to get a picture of everyone while eating, but that did not happen :) - so this picture of the tables right before we started will have to do.
The weather was perfect, and while the women prepared the food and the men watched the games on TV (I know - it sounds a little sexist, but it was reality) - the kid played outside.
Here's prince getting ready to bowl -

Paisley and Kamili jump roping -

and Makai trying to figure out what a shuttlecock is for.

Heidi made a loaf of pumpkin bread for each family attending, and decorated so nicely. All and all we just had a great day.

Holiday Cruisin' Bonus

THIS WEEKEND ONLY - Stampin' Up! is offering a fantastic sale, and to sweeten the deal for every $25 in purchases from me you'll be entered into a drawing to win a Stampin'Up Punch Template key-ring. This is a great tool as you can lay the template over any image to see if it will fit correctly when you punch it. It is a great tool for any stamper to have on hand - and I'm giving one away - so order NOW!

Amazing Discounts up to 50% off from Stampin' Up's Online Extravganza - Check them out at my website now - http://www.stampingwithmaureen.stampinup.net/ - and click on the "Shop Now" section to check out all the amazing specials.

This sale runs through 10:50 PM, Monday, November 30 - and you must order online to take advantage of these specials.

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Happy Thanksgiving - enjoy that turkey - and give thanks for all your blessings.