It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas....🎵 🎄

Published: Wed, 09/06/23

SEPTEMBER 2023 Newsletter - Christine Josti, Independent Stampin' Up! Demonstrator

In case you are wondering, here is a Holiday Countdown:

55 days until Halloween
78 days until Thanksgiving
92 days until Hanukah
110 days until Christmas
116 days until New Year's Eve

Planning & creating ahead will make all the difference in your enjoyment with your families & friends during all of the holidays. My advice, start planning now! Let me know how I can help you make it easier.

The Holiday Catalog is now LIVE!

It's always exciting when the holiday catalog comes out and even more exciting when you can order from it! It's packed with something for everyone.

View the Online version of the Holiday Catalog

Shop the products here

I'm sorry to tell you that some items are already out of stock. I listed the availability dates, but sometimes they come in quicker:

Shining Brightly should be available next week
All About Autumn should be available next week
Glow in the Dark should be available the week of October 2
Adhesive Backed Star Trinkets should be available the week of September 25
Copper & Natural Ribbon Pack should be available the week of October 23

New Designer Papers Available TODAY

These new Designer papers are not in the Holiday catalog, but they are definitely a must have.

View & Shop the New Designer Papers in the Online Exclusives Section

Surprise Pinwheel Card Tutorial

I mentioned in yesterday's email I had a video showing how to make the fun, trending Surprise Pinwheel card (without all the chatter from the live recording).

All you need is a piece of 6" x 6" patterned paper, scored at 1-1/2" on all four sides. Fold back the corners and that's it. Super easy!!!!

Watch how I made this Surprise Pinwheel Card

Another non-Christmas version of this card using the Bird's Eye View stamp set #161436, Countryside Inn Designer Paper #161467 and new Distressed Tile 3D Embossing Folder #162189. Hopefully you can see the versatility this card can do.

Taking Care of Your SCEM Plates

While Ann was visiting, we did a little bit of stamping (but not nearly enough). She couldn't believe the condition of my Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine (SCEM) "clear" plates. She was cute in saying "don't take this the wrong way, but your plates are extremely worn". She meant it as a compliment as she had never seen so much wear on plates, but in great condition at the same time.

I thought I would share my secret with you, as well as a tip she gave me for washing the plates. To be honest, I never even thought of washing my plates!

My "secret" tip is to use the entire surface of your plates. Most times, people like to put the paper & die in the middle of the plate. Rather than that, use every inch! Use the sides and edges, both top & bottom. Flip your plate over and rotate as well. The other thing I do is use a new/er (less scratched) plate on top. All the cutting marks go on the bottom.

Ann's washing tip definitely helped out my plates, but be warned, they still have all the scratches and wear. It may be hard to see the improvement in the before and after pictures, but trust me, they are much better.

What the washing does is take all the bits of paper out of the cut & grove marks left behind.

Soak your plates in warm, soapy water and then scrub real hard with a brush, such as a potato scrub brush.

Do you see from all the scratch/cut marks how I use every inch of the plates for cutting? This makes a huge difference in wear and tear and helps reduce warping.

The other thing I do to prevent or help with warping plates is store my plates in the middle of my Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine. I stack them in the order shown in the left photo and then crank them halfway though the machine and store in this position until I use my machine again.

This really helps reduce/eliminate warping.

If it is time to replace your "clear" Cutting Plates, you can do that easily right here, #150815. Remember, I suggest using one new plate on top and one old plate on the bottom of your cutting sandwich.

Card Making & Paper Crafting Lives

Lives will now be Tuesdays at 2pm EST. This is back to the original time when I began my lives almost two years ago. Sorry for the adjusting, but I am sure you understand changing family schedules.

Since this newsletter is coming out on a Wednesday, rather than the usual Tuesday, and if you missed watching live, you can watch the replay on these links.

I showed three versions of the same sunflower card with minor adjusts. All used the new Abundant Beauty Decorative Masks, available beginning today.

Watch replay on FB - https://www.facebook.com/mailsomethingpretty/videos/645123044425490

Watach replay on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QnNyY8ASQ88

New Christmas Everywhere Kit

Share the joy of Christmas with everyone, everywhere with the Christmas Everywhere Kit! Featuring trees from around the world (including palm trees and potted cactus decorated for Christmas). This kit comes with everything you need to quickly create 9 cards—3 each of 3 designs—so you can send the special people in your life warm Christmas wishes wherever they are!

#162422, $21 for the Kit

View this and ALL Card & Crafting Kits here.

The stamps included with the kit are shown in the right picture. Great Christmas stamps to use on making more Christmas cards and tags.

September's Paper Pumpkin Kit

Express your love and gratitude in elegant style with the September Paper Pumpkin Kit inspired by Shelli (Founder of Stampin' Up!). This kit includes eight treat packages (you can also use for small gifts) and eight miniature note cards with matching envelopes and specialty gold foil embellishments. Whether you’re needing a hostess gift, a sweet surprise for dinner guests, or have another reason to give love and thanks, this kit has you covered.

Plus, don’t miss the add on Thoughts of Thanks Journal. It matches both the design and intent of the kit, giving you an even more personal way to document and express your gratitude. It’s available to Paper Pumpkin subscribers only.

With Love & Gratitude Mini Cards & Treats Kit

This kit includes:

8 treat packages
8 note cards
8 coordinating envelopes
1 photopolymer stamp set
1 Lost Lagoon Ink Spot
Specialty gold foil, precut embellishments
Adhesives
Finished treat packaging: 3-1/2" x 5" x 2"
Final card size: 3-1/2" x 3-1/2"
Coordinating Stampin’ Up! colors: Copper Clay, Crumb Cake, gold foil, Lost Lagoon, Mossy Meadow, Pebbled Path

Thoughts of Thanks Journal Ad on Details
Available starting: 11 August, while supplies last

Price: $15.00

Item number: 163270

This add-on includes: