Hi All!

  I’m in snowy New Hampshire this week with Matt’s wonderful family.  It’s just gorgeous here!  (and not having to drive or shovel it, I can truly enjoy it from inside the windows) .   Eating, napping, Rummikub, eating, digesting, eating…you get the idea.  Hey, I even learned a new card game called Spite & Malice!  Anyone else play that?  It’s fun and I’m surprisingly good at the spite part :0

Before I start posting pics, 3  quick things:

1st Quick thing: If you have purchased Stampin’ Up from me in the past year, you should have already received the new Spring Catalog AND the annual Sale-A-Bration brochure.  IF you have not, please email me at lindastamps@cfl.rr.com   While I think MOST of the mail arrives on time, I know that some gets lost or eaten by machines.  (and husbands interception skills….) If you haven’t seen me for a while or don’t have a current demonstrator and would like to have one mailed to you, email me with your name and mailing address.  I cannot post the links to show you or download the catties until Jan 3rd for the Spring and January 22nd for the SAB catty.

2nd quick thing is that SU has added 15 more items to the clearance rack (and is anyone else wondering how much they must have in their ‘closets’ to keep adding these things?!)  Here are the 15 additions listed and you can see what’s new HERE  

• Neutrals Flower Brads
• Regals Flower Brads
• Subtles Flower Brads
• Pretty in Pink 5/8″ Satin Ribbon
• Bashful Blue 5/8″ Satin Ribbon
• Chantilly 1/2″ Crochet Trim
• Artichoke 3/8″ Denim Jean Ribbon
• 2010-2012 In Color Stampin’ Write Markers
• 2011-2013 In Color 12″ x 12″ Textured Cardstock
• Timeless Portrait Designer Series Paper
• Beau Chateau Designer Series Paper
• Well Worn Designer Series Paper
• Beau Chateau Side Notes
• Sweetest Stem Embosslits Dies
• Flower Burst Embosslits Dies

3rd quick thing:   Yes, I WILL be offering the DSP & Ribbon samplers for the new catties.    I’ll be posting those on January 1st here on the blog.

The last 3 weeks of December have been a whirlwind of last minute classes, orders and helping stampers with their holiday cards.  I’m sorry that I haven’t posted these wonderful gift ideas sooner but maybe if you see something you’d like to make, you can save it for next year OR change out the colors for another occasion.

These ideas were from a gift exchange at my demonstrator get together.  Over 35 stampers brought one handmade item to pass around as I read the annual stamping elf-left/right- story.  It’s always fun to see the gifts pass back and forth and eventually land in their ‘forever’ hands!  Here are a few of the favorites:

Sandi Grimes: Altered Wooden Frame

Trish Niedergeses: purse gift card holder

Linda Goldhersz: bulletin board

Cute apron and post it note owl by Heidi LaFountaine

Jenet Munden: Covered Clothespin Wreath

Michelle Phillips: cutie made with SU fabric

Barbara Benoit: Altered Wooden letters

Diane Olivi – Coffee gift and cozy

Patti Sharkey: Coasters

Michaal Rossi: Advent Box

Teresa Evangelista

I hope you find some time to stamp today!   Linda