Sunday, November 13, 2011

November News! Our Family is Growing!

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Simon Says Stamp Newsletter


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Dear Friends,

Penny Black Elf


The leaves are changing, the temperatures are dropping, and the Christmas commercials are already on television- the holiday season has officially begun! In our world of crafters and creative talents, this is definitely one of the most popular times to be inspired! Something I've noticed in my blog stalking (I mean hopping..!!), are handmade gift bags and tags! I just love how designer Peet Roven used the Penny Black "Little Elf Fin" and "Let it Snow" stamps to create this bag!


With Thanksgiving nearing, we are reminded of what we're thankful for and we just want to extend a HUGE thank you to our readers, followers on Twitter and Facebook, customers, and supporters! We strive to work hard for all of you.. and you make it so worth it!

Happy Reading!

Michelle & The SIMON Team

Inspiration & Fun News!


What an exciting time at Simon Says Stamp! The talented (and photogenic) Kristina Werner has joined our team! Note the new gorgeous newsletter header she created. If you haven't visited Kristina's blog, I encourage you to do so! She recently completed an amazing 25 Cards of Christmas series! Kristina is very experienced- we're lucky and honored to have her as a part of our Simon family to help with graphic design, blog videos/tutorials, and other surprises!
Kristina Example
Above is one of Kristina 's cards. Her style of layering is so unique, and her hand-writing is to die for! The use of felt, the Uni-Ball White pen, and My Favorite Things Mini-Rolled Rose die make a classy combination on an adorable thank you card! Go to her blog post from Make A Card Monday to see a video of Kristina's steps to this creation!



This holiday season, we at Simon Says Stamp encourage you to enjoy every single second of the hustle and bustle! If you make your own holiday cards, or want to this year, make sure your cards are easily duplicated to simplify your life! The ever creative Joy Taylor from our Simon Says Stamp Challenge Design Team created this card! How sweet is Magnolia's Bubbling Tilda with the Sparkling Bubbles background?. With just two stamps, and some coloring, this card would be a precious Holiday greeting! And, always a plus, it's mail-friendly!

Cards That Care
Jennifer McGuire and Vera Yates are holding a card drive with a very important goal in mind! You send them holiday cards you've made, and they pass them along to elderly residents of nursing homes who may be extra lonely this time of year. Here's some details from Jennifer's blog:
  • They will need to receive your cards by November 30, 2011.
  • Please make the cards for Christmas or Holiday Wishes. Anyone can send a card, your children, church group, scout troops, etc.
  • All cards need to have a message in it. Please also sign your name and where you are from. No need to put anything on the front of the envelope. Also, please don't seal the envelope.
  • All size cards are ok. Just please send them in an envelope.
  • Please stick to just cards.
  • And please don't use any pins (safety reason).
  • You can mail the cards to either one of us:

Jennifer McGuire

P.O. Box 428612
Cincinnati, OH 45242


Vera Yates

P.O Box 17596
Sugar Land, TX 77496
  • In each package, PLEASE include a piece of paper with your name, address, email address and how many cards you sent. This helps us in keeping track for prizes! For each card you send, you will get a chance at a prize from Jennifer and Vera. So the more cards you send, the better your chances!
Configurations!

When you want to display a lot, all at one time, configuration boxes are perfect!
DT Sarah's Vintage Challenge Project
Our Simon Says Stamp & Show Design Team member, Sarah Engels-Greer, created this "Configurations Lane" with 12 different configuration boxes! She aged them with Gesso and Distressed Inks. Check out this project, and many others from our Vintage Challenge Blog's challenge on "Houses"!

Want to see an example of using configurations during the holidays?!

Sarah's Houston Project
Our Simon family members Sarah and Heidi traveled to Houston to attend two outstanding classes. Above is a project from the Tim Holtz class. This gorgeous and festive box is a project Sarah created! Not only would this be a great home-made decoration, it could also be a gift! Sit alongside your family as you each make your own configuration. Fill it with special trinkets and things you enjoy during this season! Check out our Simon blog for more info, and more of Sarah's project!

Speaking of Tim Holtz.....

Winter Seasonal Tim Holtz
A new Seasonal Ink Pad set already! The Winter 2011 Seasonal Distress Ink Pads, in colors Iced Spruce, Festive Berries, and Evergreen Bough, are the exact colors you'll need for upcoming projects!

Tim did an excellent job (like always!) explaining the inspiration and love behind these ink pads.. Check out Tim using them here!
Seasonal Series Distress Ink - Winter 2011
Seasonal Series Distress Ink - Winter 2011

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With a complete selection of products from Tim Holtz, Hero Arts, Ranger Industries, Wendy Vecchi, Magnolia Stamps, Copic Markers, Promarkers, Penny Black, Lawn Fawn, and many others,
Simon wants to be your ONE STOP SHOP that delivers right to your doorstep! Is there something you want but can't find in our store? Please let us know and we will do our best to get it in stock for you!

Don't forget to check out our All New Just In Category too - it is updated every single day!


Class Update!

The class has begun! The first day ALONE took my breath away with the projects! My personal favorite has been Day Two's Inspiration though! Curious? Sign up! It's never too late, and once you register you never lose access to the videos and PDFs! If this outstanding list of teachers didn't lure you in (Jennifer McGuire, Kristina Werner, Dawn McVey, Debbie Olsen, Jill Foster, Joy Taylor, Julie Ebersole, Kelly Goree, Kelly Maire Alvarez, Lisa Spangler, Maile Belles, Nichol Magouirk, Shari Carroll, and Tami Hartley), surely the supply list chock-full of inspiration and creativity will!
Be sure to check in with us at Simon Says Stamp! Class registrants will receive a discount, and supplies are provided in one simple category!

The class costs $29, and with 27 card ideas shared. A little more than $1/card AND fun seems totally worth it!

Stephanie
Time to check in with Stephanie and have her answer some questions that might spark some ideas and inspiration for you! Stephanie is our Marketing Director, and one of her biggest tasks (besides managing brands like American Crafts, My Favorite Things, and Lawn Fawn) is organizing all three of our blogs!

Michelle: Where do you look for inspiration?
Stephanie: Everywhere! :) Nature, fashion, food, and quite frequently our extremely talented designers on the Simon Says Stamp Challenge and Simon Says Stamp & Show Challenge.

Michelle: Okay, what is your MUST HAVE product?
Stephanie: Oh, well I don't think I could narrow it down to one, and even four is difficult! Great projects always seem to start with the basics, so I will say, Neenah Paper, Copic Markers, Memento Tuxedo Black Ink, and the Martha Stewart Scoring Board.
Michelle: What's a favorite crafting story you have?
Stephanie: I traveled with our company President, Heidi last year to a class in Boston, MA taught by Tim Holtz and Jennifer McGuire. I had seen their work separately of course, and admired both styles immensely, but what was really unique about this class was the combination of their own styles and the application of the same techniques interpreted from each artist. It was a true lesson in versatility and I have both canvases from this class hanging in my office today!
(Below is Stephanie's Jennifer McGuire inspired canvas.. adorable right?!)
Stephanie's Jennifer McGuire Project

Michelle: Tell me a few blogs and designers who you stalk!
Oh my, you're going to get me in trouble with this one!! Yet again, there are SO many artists and designers that inspire me everyday, it's difficult to pick just a few, but I will say in conjunction with both design teams (mentioned above that always inspire) I also love Laurel Beard --(her creations are sure to make you smile), May Flaum, and Amy Tan. And while you're at it, you'll definitely want to stop by the blogs of our super talented design team leads, Lorraine Aquilina & Linda Elbourne. I love these ladies!!

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10 comments:

  1. Very exciting news! A big welcome to Kristina!

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  2. Yay! I am excited to see Kristina's stuff here :)

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  3. Wow! Love that configurations project with the roof-tops and the tags! Thanks for sharing.

    Katie B.

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  6. love kristina's work! Love the header! Very cute!

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  7. YEAH!! I LOVE Kristina and I LOVE her blog/videos!! Can't wait to see what she will create next!! =)
    THANKS for all of the fun info!! All the new blogs and the products LOVES!! Have a FABULOUS WEEK!! =)

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  8. WOW!! That was a lot of information for one blog post! I love the card by Kristina...those flowers with the printed stems are amazing! Love 'em!! I've seen this new seasonal set from Tim Holtz and it's lovely, a must have!

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  9. I love Kristina's works. How exciting to have her o n board! And thank you for the shout out for our card drive! I really appreciate it. :)

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  10. I just love the colours in the new Winter limited edition distress inks. Can't afford them, but it doesn't stop me drooling :)

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