Christmas in July Event

What a fun time we had on Monday!  If you weren't here, you missed out on a very fun time!  And boy did we get a jump on our Christmas card making!  To get everyone in the "Christmas Spirit" (despite the 90+ degrees outside) I decorated our stamping room with a Christmas tree, snowflakes and we hummed along to Christmas carols playing in the background.  (Since my stamping room is in the basement the coolness down there helped too!)   ...and as you can see, my husband and I "share" his football/family room.  (Makes for interesting decor but hey, it was available space and he was willing so I just work around his keepsakes ;)

Here are the cards we made...not really quick and simple, but very pretty!

I always make sure that the insides and the envelopes are pretty too!  (I just think that the envelope sets the stage...it gets the recipient excited about what is inside...silly maybe, but that's just me!)  These cards were all cased from other wonderful stampers, I just "tweeked" them!  If you are interested in what products we used (all Stampin' Up!) just contact me.  You can always order any supplies 24/7 from my website:  www.specialteastamping.stampinup.net

If you would like to join us for any of the upcoming classes (the next one is August 5th) contact me and I can send you more information. Thanks for stopping by and I hope you have a blessed day...and remember the little things you do/make can make a huge difference in someone's day (and you may not ever even know it!)  Be a blessing to someone today!

It is just a GLORIOUS day!!!! 

I don't know what the weather has been like where you live but here in Michigan we have had super warm temps and lots of rain (which = sticky and an over abundance of mosquitoes!!!)  But today ~ we've been given a gorgeous day ~ mid 70's sunshine and just wispy white clouds!!!  Thank you Lord for this blessing!

I've got LOTS of fun things coming up for SpecialTea Stampers...

First of all, I'm so excited for Monday's Christmas Stamp a Stack ... the cards are ready and are soooo pretty!  Here's a sneak peak at one of them ...

(This card is actually done in Always Artichoke and Whisper White but  my camera make it look like the Smoky Slate...hmmm, I'll bet that would be pretty too!  And of course, Dazzling Diamonds glitter makes everything even prettier!  This was totally CASE'd ~copy and share everything~ from a wonderful stamper  on  Splitcoast Stampers who didn't put her name on her creation but I did want you to know...I did not dream up this pretty design...I just "tweeked" it ;) 

I told my friends that one of these days I want to do a "clean and simple" class...quick cards, simple layouts, straightforward...but as my daughter Stacey says "not today!"  (BTW~you need to check out her adorable blog:  StaceyAnnDesigns.blogspot.com~ she can always make us giggle but is very insightful too!)

Then Monday (7/15) is also the last day to RSVP for our FLOWER BUNDLE CLASS (see post here: http://specialteacottagedesigns.blogspot.com/2013/06/exciting-classes-coming-up-and-few.html)  This class is SUPER CUTE and there are multiple options re: prices.  You will NOT WANT TO MISS IT!!!

I love having a stash of cards to go to at a moments notice and this class will give you just that!  Email me  or call to register.  You'll also be given many additional ideas for using the supplies you'll receive!  This is the clean and simple class ~ but of course, I've got so many ideas bursting out of my mind that we will definitely be doing more...

Monday, August 5    * New Mini Catalog Excitement*

Come make 3 projects (2 of each design) using new stamps and embellishments just released in the Holiday Mini Catalog.  Cost:  $10 or FREE with a $25 order!  Times:  10-noon, 6:30-8:30 p.m.  RSVP:  July 29  Don't have your Holiday Mini Catalog yet?  Come to this class and get yours for free!  It has tons of really fun products that will get your creative juices going.  You will see samples of fabulous gift ideas that share a bit of YOU...because you will have made them!  Gifts from the heart are always the ones we remember.

STAMPIN' UP SPECIALS. . . 

This past Tuesday I had a chance to stamp with some friends and came away with sooo many adorable ideas for using the pretty Designer Series Paper that Stampin' Up! carries.  Confession:  1)  Even though I know better, in my mind it's "scrapbooking paper" and that's what I "save" it for  2)  It's like fabric for me, eye candy, and I'll admit I hoard save it for that "special" project which = hanging on to it forever and never parting with using it!!!  Shame on me!!!  I'm always telling you how creating wonderful paper crafts is giving from your heart, well...I need to practice what I preach!  And I'm going to!  Fun, Fun, Fun ideas like...

(This is an adorable holder for cards, pictures, gift cards, etc.!  And there was no stamping with this!  Thank you Ronda Wade for sharing this!)

And Stampin' Up! is having a special now throught the end of July...buy 3 packages of Designer Series Paper (pages 150-154 in the 2013-2014 SU catalog) and get the 4th one FREE!!!  Check out Modern Medley and Gingham Garden (2 of my personal favorites)...and just think of all the ways you can use the Polka Dot Parade paper!  (Can't think of any ways?~well, we've just got to get together!~ I can give you a bijillion ways (I know that's not a real word but seriously, there are way more ways than you can imagine!)   You can just go to my Stampin' Up! website (www.specialteastamping.stampinup.net) place your order and have it shipped directly to your house!  How easy is that?!  This offer ends JULY 31st ...I love getting things for free and I don't even need to leave the house!!!

http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/specialteastamping/promotions

Well friends, as you know, I'm new at all of this "blogging" thing and I do love to share beautiful things with you but I'll stop for now.  Thanks so much for taking the time out to visit with me!  I hope we get to create together sometime soon!  Have a blessed rest of your day!