Simon Says Stamp Blog!

Friday, November 27, 2009

Simon Says Stamp Black Friday Sale Ends in 9 Hours

CHRISTMAS SALE!! REMINDER :)

YOUR BUSINESS is very important to each of us at Simon Says Stamp! We value and appreciate all of our customers and want to offer you something special for this holiday season! It is because of YOU that 5 ladies have full time jobs and several others have part time work. Five of us are mothers with families. We appreciate a sale! THAT IS WHY WE WANT TO OFFER YOU SOMETHING SPECIAL FOR THE HOLIDAYS!! SHOP NOW and SAVE! Need supplies for your Christmas cards and projects? SHOP NOW and SAVE! Glue, cardstock, envelopes, stamps, ink, paints, glossy accents, all of Tim Holtz' products, glitter, cards, embellishments, punches, stickers, flowers, ornaments ?! We have ONE STOP SHOPPING at Simon Says Stamp!

Simon Says Stamp is celebrating Black Friday with our own TWIST! First off, you don't have to live in the United States! Our sale is for EVERYONE who uses our promotion code on his or her order! The sale is valid starting NOW until midnight next Friday (Black Friday)! This way, you can get your shopping done early and get your projects started or even, finished!

I have to tell you, this is our biggest ( and one of our ONLY Sales of the year ) Our promotion is typically ONLY on shipping and handling, and most would agree, at FREE SHIPPING For USA orders over $60 and International orders over $150, is a great promotion. The shipping promotion is STILL ACTIVE During our Black Friday Sale!

In order to qualify, we do ask that you play by a few rules. Remember, this is our biggest sales week of the year and we are working HARD ( and during the Thanksgiving Holiday here in the USA) to keep up with shipping. All orders are being filled on a first come, first served basis, so please SHOP EARLY if you can! Thursday is a Holiday here in the USA and our offices and warehouses will be closed, but you will still be able to shop! YAHOO! We strive to ship all orders within a 3 business day period after receiving payment. HOWEVER, during this busiest week of the year, we might fall a few days behind. Just remember, first come, first served. We are open 24 hours 7 days a week at www.SimonSaysStamp.com

This sale is only in our store www.SimonSaysStamp.com. It is not valid for any purchases you make on ebay. Our ebay outlet has several other special sales and auctions starting at just 99 cents during this time. Click on the logo to see those specials ;)

You must enter the promotion code bf15 when you check out at www.SimonSaysStamp.com. Please please remember to do this. If you do not enter the code, you will not receive your discount. Entering the code triggers your order to receive 15% off all of your items. Please do not ask us to do this for you AFTER you place your order. We cannot. We simply do not have the manpower to go through all orders and adjust the invoices, answer phone calls and emails and manually refund 15% back to customers. Unfortunately, our computer system does not allow us to enter the code for you after you complete your order. I am really sorry, we are a small company and in order to be able to offer this promotion, we simply ask you to play by the rules. In order to receive this promotion, please keep in mind you must enter the promotion code.

RULES:
Enter promotion code bf15 when you check out. There is a space at the bottom (after you enter your contact information and mailing address) where you can enter a promotion code.

Coupon code is valid from NOW until midnight Black Friday, November 27.

Orders are processed in a first come, first served basis. It is our goal to ship within 3 business days, but please remember Thursday November 27 is Thanksgiving holiday here in the USA so our offices are closed Thursday.

Please understand that this is our busiest time of year and we are working hard and around the clock to help you and to process your orders. If there is a delay in emailing or calling you back, it is only because we are swamped, NOT because we don't care. WE CARE! WE CARE A LOT! Your business is very important to us! That is why we want to offer you something special for your holiday shopping!!

What are you waiting for?! Get shopping! Supplies are limited and orders are filled first come, first served!

Much luv,
Heidi

Thursday, November 26, 2009

Happy Thanksgiving, Apple Pie Memories

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Even if you are not in the United States and don't celebrate "Thanksgiving" per se. It is a great day to give Thanks ;)

I am taking a break from the kitchen for a moment to share something that is very special to me.

A few years ago, my "favorite" aunt was diagnosed with cancer. It progressed to her brain and we made a tremendous effort to make the most of every day, every holiday, every moment. Aunt Madonna was the hostess for most of our family holidays. She was famous for her pies. The recipe had been passed to her from her mother in law. Madonna was the active pie maker each holiday. The Thanksgiving before she passed away, I asked her to teach me how to make pies. It was a great opportunity for us to be together and and at the same time, something that would go with me the rest of my life. Although I don't have the pictures from that special day available on the computer for me to post, I do have memories. Memories, and recipes I will treasure. She taught me her grandmother's homemade crust recipe and her mother in law's pie filling recipe for both apple and pumpkin. I realize something now that I did not know then. Recipes are treasures. It is a blessing for me to now host Thanksgiving in my own home and gather the crust and filling ingredients, so that when my brother's new wife walks through the door, any minute now, I can share this treasure with her.

Thank you Aunt Madonna. Yesterday was your birthday and today, your family celebrates a holiday with fond memories of you and thankfulness for gathering together.

The recipe is in her handwriting and I can see her smile when I look at the paper. I would encourage each one of you to pass a family recipe to your loved ones. As I make the family pies each year, I remember. We all tell stories about Madonna and know she is smiling down on us. We love and miss you!

What timing! The bell has rung.....the family is arriving!!
luv

Heidi

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

The Lucky Duck Winners For Today!

Happy "Day Before Thanksgiving" Everyone! I was inspired by this fabulously cute Penny Black stamp (Caroling Duck) to celebrate the upcoming holidays and the 4 Lucky Ducks who win Graphic 45 Paper Sample Packs Today!

Our festive lucky duck went to Random.org and generated 4 random numbers. He will now read the list of winners from his cute little caroling book (please imagine a cute duck-like voice). Drum roll please....

The first winner is...Tricia! She said...They are beautiful!! Wow!

Winner number 2 is...Penny D.! Penny said...omgosh. I have never seen anything like it!!! Those papers are GORGEOUS!!!! Dear Random.Org, You know how much I adore you, Please pick me...LOL

The third winner is...Irene Lenihan! She said...Those are such creative papers. I can see me using them for a lot of different things.

And the final winner is...lisa_crofts! Lisa said...omg!! beautiful paper, beautiful artwork and fantastic giveaway. Pick me Pick me.

Woohoo! Congratulations to all 4 of you. Please contact Stephanie (our blog candy queen) at steph@simonsaysstamp.com and she will send you your 6" by 6" sample pack of the Graphic 45 Christmas Past paper plus coordinating tags and frames! Enjoy!
~TERRA

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Tim Holtz 12 Tags of Christmas for 2009

Let the countdown begin!...........6 more days!

Black Friday Sale in PROGRESS at Simon Says Stamp!

http://mydinnertable.typepad.com/home/images/soft_serve.jpg

First off, you don't have to live in the United States! Our sale is for EVERYONE who uses our promotion code on his or her order! The sale is valid starting NOW until midnight next Friday (Black Friday)! This way, you can get your shopping done early and get your projects started or even, finished!

I have to tell you, this is our biggest ( and one of our ONLY Sales of the year ) Our promotion is typically ONLY on shipping and handling, and most would agree, at FREE SHIPPING For USA orders over $60 and International orders over $150, is a great promotion. The shipping promotion is STILL ACTIVE During our Black Friday Sale!

In order to qualify, we do ask that you play by a few rules. Remember, this is our biggest sales week of the year and we are working HARD ( and during the Thanksgiving Holiday here in the USA) to keep up with shipping. All orders are being filled on a first come, first served basis, so please SHOP EARLY if you can! Thursday is a Holiday here in the USA and our offices and warehouses will be closed, but you will still be able to shop! YAHOO! We strive to ship all orders within a 3 business day period after receiving payment. HOWEVER, during this busiest week of the year, we might fall a few days behind. Just remember, first come, first served. We are open 24 hours 7 days a week at www.SimonSaysStamp.com

This sale is only in our store www.SimonSaysStamp.com. It is not valid for any purchases you make on ebay. Our

ebay outlet has several other special sales and auctions starting at just 99 cents during this time. Click on the logo to see those specials ;)

You must enter the promotion code bf15 when you check out at www.SimonSaysStamp.com. Please please remember to do this. If you do not enter the code, you will not receive your discount. Entering the code triggers your order to receive 15% off all of your items. Please do not ask us to do this for you AFTER you place your order. We cannot. We simply do not have the manpower to go through all orders and adjust the invoices, answer phone calls and emails and manually refund 15% back to customers.

http://www.telephoneart.com/cartoon/cute.jpg

Unfortunately, our computer system does not allow us to enter the code for you after you complete your order. I am really sorry, we are a small company and in order to be able to offer this promotion, we simply ask you to play by the rules. In order to receive this promotion, please keep in mind you must enter the promotion code.

RULES:
Enter promotion code bf15 when you check out. There is a space at the bottom (after you enter your contact information and mailing address) where you can enter a promotion code.

Coupon code is valid from NOW until midnight Black Friday, November 27.

Orders are processed in a first come, first served basis. It is our goal to ship within 3 business days, but please remember Thursday November 27 is Thanksgiving holiday here in the USA so our offices are closed Thursday.

Please understand that this is our busiest time of year and we are working hard and around the clock to help you and to process your orders. If there is a delay in emailing or calling you back, it is only because we are swamped, NOT because we don't care. WE CARE! WE CARE A LOT! Your business is very important to us! That is why we want to offer you something special for your holiday shopping!!

What are you waiting for?! Get shopping! Supplies are limited and orders are filled first come, first served!

Much luv,
Heidi

Monday, November 23, 2009

Altered Tutorial by Kim Piggott

Look what Kim Piggott made for your viewing pleasures! I have always loved the sparkle she gives to her cards and asked her to make a tutorial. Thank you so much for taking time out of your busy schedule to share this with our lovely bloggers!

Hello! I would like to show you how I add extra sparkle to my cards.

Here is my card AFTER adding sparkle:

These are the steps I take to get my final result:

Before Distressing

I have distressed my images using the Tim Holtz distressing tool. I love this tool, it gives such fabulous results and is so quick and easy!

Then I added the Ranger Tim Holtz vintage photo distress ink to the distressed edge.

I like to distress my flowers with distress ink too. Here is my white Prima flower before distressing:

Here is my flower after adding the vintage photo distress ink:

I now begin adding my sparkle. I use Ranger stickles glue.

My image before stickles glitter glue:

Here is my image after adding stickles glitter glue:

So there you have it. I am now totally addicted to using stickles glitter glue. It is so easy and convenient to use and I really love the way it lifts my cards. I am in love with the stickles!

Luv,
Kim

It is with great sadness that we announce the departure of our fabulous designer, Kim. She is taking time off to give child care to her grandbaby. We will miss you Kim and hope to see you soon!

Thank you heaps!
Luv
Heidi & the Simon Family

*The lovely stamp Kim used above is from House Mouse and is called Sleeping under the Flowers.

Saturday, November 21, 2009

Simon Says Stamp BLACK FRIDAY 2009 SALE Starts NOW!

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Black Friday
Observed by	United States
Date	Friday after Thanksgiving
2009 date	November 27
2010 date	November 26
Celebrations	Shopping
Related to	Thanksgiving and Christmas

Black Friday is a term for the Friday after Thanksgiving in the United States, which is the beginning of the traditional Christmas shopping season. The term dates back to at least 1966. Because Thanksgiving falls on the fourth Thursday in November in the United States, Black Friday occurs between the 23rd and the 29th of November.

Black Friday is not an official holiday, but many employees have the day off (with the exceptions of those employed in retailing and banking), which increases the number of potential shoppers. Retailers often decorate for the Christmas and holiday season weeks beforehand. Many retailers open extremely early, with most of the retailers typically opening at 5AM or even earlier. Some of the larger retailers (depending on the location) such as Sears, Best Buy, Macys and Walmart have been reported to open as early as midnight on the start of Black Friday in localized areas and remain open for 24 hours throughout the day until midnight the following Saturday. Upon opening, retailers offer doorbuster deals and loss leaders to draw people to their stores. Although Black Friday, as the first shopping day after Thanksgiving, has served as the unofficial beginning of the Christmas season at least since the start of the modern Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in 1924, the term "Black Friday" has been traced back only to the 1960s.

The term "Black Friday" originated in Philadelphia in reference to the heavy traffic on that day (see Origin of the name "Black Friday" below). More recently, merchants and the media have used it instead to refer to the beginning of the period in which retailers go from being in the red (i.e., posting a loss on the books) to being in the black (i.e., turning a profit).

__________________________________________________________________

CHRISTMAS SALE!!

YOUR BUSINESS is very important to each of us at Simon Says Stamp! We value and appreciate all of our customers and want to offer you something special for this holiday season! It is because of YOU that 5 ladies have full time jobs and several others have part time work. Five of us are mothers with families. We appreciate a sale! THAT IS WHY WE WANT TO OFFER YOU SOMETHING SPECIAL FOR THE HOLIDAYS!! SHOP NOW and SAVE! Need supplies for your Christmas cards and projects? SHOP NOW and SAVE! Glue, cardstock, envelopes, stamps, ink, paints, glossy accents, all of Tim Holtz' products, glitter, cards, embellishments, punches, stickers, flowers, ornaments ?! We have ONE STOP SHOPPING at Simon Says Stamp!

Simon Says Stamp is celebrating Black Friday with our own TWIST! First off, you don't have to live in the United States! Our sale is for EVERYONE who uses our promotion code on his or her order! The sale is valid starting NOW until midnight next Friday (Black Friday)! This way, you can get your shopping done early and get your projects started or even, finished!

I have to tell you, this is our biggest ( and one of our ONLY Sales of the year ) Our promotion is typically ONLY on shipping and handling, and most would agree, at FREE SHIPPING For USA orders over $60 and International orders over $150, is a great promotion. The shipping promotion is STILL ACTIVE During our Black Friday Sale!

In order to qualify, we do ask that you play by a few rules. Remember, this is our biggest sales week of the year and we are working HARD ( and during the Thanksgiving Holiday here in the USA) to keep up with shipping. All orders are being filled on a first come, first served basis, so please SHOP EARLY if you can! Thursday is a Holiday here in the USA and our offices and warehouses will be closed, but you will still be able to shop! YAHOO! We strive to ship all orders within a 3 business day period after receiving payment. HOWEVER, during this busiest week of the year, we might fall a few days behind. Just remember, first come, first served. We are open 24 hours 7 days a week at www.SimonSaysStamp.com

This sale is only in our store www.SimonSaysStamp.com. It is not valid for any purchases you make on ebay. Our ebay outlet has several other special sales and auctions starting at just 99 cents during this time. Click on the logo to see those specials ;)

You must enter the promotion code bf15 when you check out at www.SimonSaysStamp.com. Please please remember to do this. If you do not enter the code, you will not receive your discount. Entering the code triggers your order to receive 15% off all of your items. Please do not ask us to do this for you AFTER you place your order. We cannot. We simply do not have the manpower to go through all orders and adjust the invoices, answer phone calls and emails and manually refund 15% back to customers. Unfortunately, our computer system does not allow us to enter the code for you after you complete your order. I am really sorry, we are a small company and in order to be able to offer this promotion, we simply ask you to play by the rules. In order to receive this promotion, please keep in mind you must enter the promotion code.

RULES:
Enter promotion code bf15 when you check out. There is a space at the bottom (after you enter your contact information and mailing address) where you can enter a promotion code.

Coupon code is valid from NOW until midnight Black Friday, November 27.

Orders are processed in a first come, first served basis. It is our goal to ship within 3 business days, but please remember Thursday November 27 is Thanksgiving holiday here in the USA so our offices are closed Thursday.

Please understand that this is our busiest time of year and we are working hard and around the clock to help you and to process your orders. If there is a delay in emailing or calling you back, it is only because we are swamped, NOT because we don't care. WE CARE! WE CARE A LOT! Your business is very important to us! That is why we want to offer you something special for your holiday shopping!!

What are you waiting for?! Get shopping! Supplies are limited and orders are filled first come, first served!

Much luv,
Heidi

Friday, November 20, 2009

Lucky Duck!

Congratulations Tasha!

You have won the SMOOCH Prize! Please email me your color selection of one spritz and one pearlized ink bottle!

Here is what Tasha had to say:

I Have just run out of my silver smooch so this is fantabulous! whoop whoop
I'm already an avid follower - thank you so much for this chance to win, fingers crossed.

Our SECOND winner for this week's blog candy is KELLY!!! She commented on the Stamps Happen/Flower Soft blog and won some free Fower Soft goodies. :)

Here is what Kelly had to say:

Kelly said...

That door card is just FABULOUS!! Oh my goodness- the flower soft just made the "holly bushes" pop off of the page! Wow- I would love to try these- Kelly

November 17, 2009 2:52 PM

Kelly, please email us your information so we can send out your package. You are going to LOOOVE the textured blooms.

If you want a chance to be the next lucky duck, become a follower of our blog and leave us a comment any time you see the words **Blog Candy** and you could WIN.

Mmmmmwwwahhh!

Steph & Amber
steph@simonsaysstamp.com

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Shipping at Simon Says Stamp

Hi folks!

Right now, we have great shipping rates! Get in before the end of the year. USPS is raising rates, and we will have to follow.

Graphic 45 Paper Packs are Now Available!

Graphic 45 is pleased to announce the release of 12" by 12" paper pads with each of their 3 new collections - and Simon Says Stamp is even more pleased to offer them to you!

I am so excited about these papers. If you haven't heard of Graphic 45, here's a little bit about them. Graphic 45 combines the eras of the 1920's and 1930's vintage charm with vibrant color, irresistible texture and imaginative design to create paper collections with a decade-old appeal that's both fresh and familiar.

The colors are rich, the designs are gorgeous, and they are double-sided! What more can I say. I know you will find endless uses for any of these paper packs. Each 12" by 12" pack of paper contains 10 double sided papers and one sheet each of the two coordinating die-cuts. That's 22 sheets of paper total!

CHRISTMAS PAST COLLECTION

DOMESTIC GODDESS COLLECTION

RENAISSANCE FAIRE COLLECTION

and now some inspiration..... This Advent Calendar was created by Corinne Harrison (courtesy of the Graphic 45 Gallery on their website). Corinne made this awesome project using the Christmas Past Collection. Frankly, I'm speechless because it is so beautifully done. Fabulous job Corinne! Here's a close up...

****BLOG CANDY ALERT**** Do you want to win some? I know you do! I have FOUR 6" by 6" Sample Packs of the Christmas Past Collection. Yes, that's right....FOUR PEOPLE will win 20 sheets of double sided 6" by 6" paper as well as some tags and frames from this Beeeeeaaauuuutifil Paper Pack. Wooohoooo - raise your hand if you're excited!!!! We would love it if you became a follower of our blog and comment on this post and we will pick 4 random winners on Wednesday, November 25th. Good Luck to everyone! I hope I "made" your day!
~TERRA

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Awesome Air-Brushing!

Starter System ABS-1

Starter System ABS-2

WOW!!! Get both HERE!

New from Copic...a brand new way to add beauty to your creations for beginners to experts. This is a must have for every Copic fan!

Your favorite COPIC markers can easily become an airbrush. Copic markers and Sketch markers both work with the Airbrush System. Simply insert the standard broad or medium broad end of a Copic marker or Sketch marker into the air grip. The air grip can be hooked up to an air compresso or used with a special air can. Changing colors is as easy as switching markers.

Copic's ABS DVD Series Promo from Pushplay Productions on Vimeo.

Airbrush effects can be achieved using COPIC Markers in a special attachment available through this web site. The air source can be portable air cans or an air compressor.

Use the chisel end of the marker in the special airbrush adapter for COPIC Markers.

Pressure should be around 45 pounds per square inch (PSI)

Always practice moving the airbrush close to and farther away from paper surface to achieve graduate tones.

Making simple masks or stencils from paper, stick-on notes, or special stencil film will help control the areas of spray by the airbrush. Torn paper can give a very good edge for landscape work.

Many books and magazines are available on using airbrushes, Most refer to the traditional airbrush but many of the techniques also apply to the COPIC system.

Airbrushed effects can be used in illustration, comics, background sets for animation, etc.

Have fun!!!

Steph

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