I loved last month’s paper special!! And so did my customers…..As soon as the special was announced, I designed a class that included a pack of paper of their choice in which to make four projects. The first class was so popular I had a second one towards the end of the special. During this last class two weeks ago, I took photos of their projects to show just how different they look just by changing the papers. My customers did a fabulous job, so check out their beautiful handiwork:

These are DVD tins they customized and inserted a notepad. They went so bonkers over this project I had to order a ton of tins for them to make holiday gifts.

This was a double pocket purse with three notecards. Isn’t it amazing how they all look different. They are stunning! They most certainly showed up the teacher! )

These cute star ornaments were made with just a few quick folds. But then, you can’t just throw away the leftover triangle pieces!! So, we made tree cards. SO CUTE!!

Okay, I’m off to finish some new catalog projects for my downline and hostess appreciation events! These projects are coming out so cool…stay tuned!

 With Christmas cards to send, baking to do, presents to wrap and shopping to tackle—what do I do? STAMP!! ) Got my mini catalog preview goodies and my fingers couldn’t help themselves –they had to put those sets together so the rubber could get inky! I created this book for my upcoming downline new catalog kick off party on Dec. 30th. I want my team to be excited about the many possibilities ahead in 2008 so I’m cooking up some great projects for the event. Stay tuned—more are to come!

A neighbor’s gift? A friend’s token of appreciation? A door prize at my Hostess Appreciation event? Mmmm ….haven’t decided yet!

But, this beautiful box really pulls out the beauty of our lucious almost 1-inch wide Chocolate Chip satin ribbon on sale buy 1, get 1 free, right now, while supplies last! And, if you think this is good enough to lick, you should see the Purely Pomegranate! If I were you, I’d hop on this deal right now and get both these ribbons!

This project is a really good one to start using up all that incredible paper that was on special last month. I started out wanting to make this box from a pattern I saw on someone’s blog (Sorry can’t remember where now. After I made the box, I was racking my brain as to what I’d like to package up in it. And then, AHA!!! … inspiration hit….Hershey’s bars. Here, I cover four Hershey’s Chocolate bars with different pieces of the paper in Linen Prints Designer Paper and tied them together with that smooth Satin Chocolate Chip ribbon–which coordinates so nicely with the edge of the Hershey bar wrapper.

For the flower focal point on the box, I punched out the 5-Petal flower from the punch and centered a Pretties Kit flat pearl in the center. Now that’s the way to snazz up some chocolate bars!

As the oldest sibling and cousin, I used to look forward to the holidays when I could see all my cousins, aunts and uncles. Normally, we’d play while my mom and aunts cooked in the kitchen. But, I have to admit, while I was enjoying myself I also couldn’t help but feel a little guilty that my mom and aunts had to work so hard and really never had the opportunity to enjoy each other.

So, when I got older, I decided it was high time I gave back to them for all those years of sacrifice. So 12 years ago I started this wonderful tradition that I named, "Spoil the Girls Rotten. You see, in December, my mom and two of my aunts have birthdays. So, I’d send out hand-stamped invitations the week after Thanksgiving inviting my mom, aunts, uncles and siblings to celebrate their birthdays and "spoil them rotten". I set a beautiful table with my fine linens, china, crystal and candles. I then cook a five course meal and serve it to them, course by course, so they don’t have to lift a finger, get up or do any work! They LOVE IT! Each year I have a kooky theme and since this year will be the first one since my grandmother passed away in April, I wanted it to be fun! We are having an old-fashioned birthday party with pin-the-tail-on-the donkey, candle scavenger hunt, party hats, streamers, balloons and goody bags!

Of course, this type of celebration warrants a silly invitation! In came the cute All In the Family stamp set and this adorable invitation was born. I just giggled up a storm stamping and coloring this as I imagined my mom and aunts going out to the mailbox and giggling, too, especially as they opened their invitation and saw which image I named after who. It’s just too stinkin’ cute, don’tcha think? )

I soaked my hanky this morning wiping away the tears after saying sayonara to some of my favorite stamps! Yes, that dreaded retirement list is available by clicking the image right. Grab your tissues and read and weep like I did!

The last chance to order these retiring sets is Dec. 30. Stay tuned on Dec. 10 when the retiring accessories are listed, too! Read on and then call me to treat yourself to some stamping holiday stocking stuffers!