Well – Happy 2018, y’all!! I hope you got to party or sleep – whichever is your preference! – last night and that 2018 came in like a lamb for you!
I did my usual. Went to bed. Woke up to let the Man out around 1. Went back to bed. You know. Exciting New Year’s Eve stuff. 🙂
I thought it would be fun to usher in the new year with some Blog Candy! What do you think?
Now. Just to manage expectations. I spent a bit of time across the weekend going thru my…mess. The mess I call my stamping area. And re-arranging! Oh – and buying a new storage cabinet and ribbon shelf from StampNStorage (now just have to figure out where to put them when they arrive!). I might have annexed a little more living room…but it looks a lot better!
I moved all the stamps to the table to the left of the screen.
I digress. What I was meaning to say is that there’s no real rhyme or reason to my blog candy today.
Do you mind that there’s no theme?? Hope not.
So – I’m celebrating three things today, so there’s three Blog Candy Packages up for grabs!
First – I’m celebrating the arrival of 2018 with all my friends and family safe and healthy and happy! And…here’s Package #1: A Cottage Greetings Project Kit and Cottage Greetings stamp set, a bunch of Stampin’ Spots in all sorts of colors, and a slew of cards and card fronts for you to use/embellish/finish!
The second thing I’m celebrating is that I’m within a hair’s breadth of reaching one of the intermediate goals in my weigh-loss journey. I was hoping I’d hit that goal for 2018 – but…I’m close enough to celebrate! So…package #2 is…Finely Woven Ribbon in the 2017-2019 In Colors, the current SAB Happy Wishes stamp set, some 2017-2019 In Color Bitty Bows Embellishments, and a pack of 2016-2018 Glitter Acrylic Shapes.
Finally…I’m celebrating the growth of my business this year! And – I mean growth in sales…growth in my team…and growth in the number of wonderful people I’ve “met” in the course of the year. All thanks to this wonderful hobby of ours! Thank you ALL! So, Package #3 is…a horrible picture (sorry!)…but it’s a Pretty Pocket Card Kit, the SAB stamp sets Amazing You and Lots of Lavender, a 2016-2018 In Color Glitter Acrylic Shapes, and a pack of Touches of Nature Elements.
Okay – now.
How to win?
Leave me a comment ON THIS BLOG POST! Have you made any resolutions for 2018? Are you going to craft more? Take more time to be creative? What’s on your radar for this year?
You’ve got until the end of the day on Monday, 8 Jan 18, to leave your comment and get entered to win! On Tuesday morning, the 9th, I’ll use my handy Random Number Generator to select three lucky winners! I’ll announce the winners in that day’s blog.
Please note, per the Demonstrator rules from Stampin’ Up!, anyone can leave a comment, but I’m only able to ship Stampin’ Up! merchandise to addresses within the United States. Thanks for your understanding and good luck!! 🙂
Finally, be sure to snap up a Catalog Share and one (or more!) of my special 2018 Occasions Catalog Bundles, won’t you? The Shares close tonight!! The bundles will be available for a few more days, but…need to get on them so I can order them up for you! Scroll down for all the details.
TTFN – and looking forward to a wonderful 2018 with all y’all! 🙂
Mary
HOST CODE FOR 16 DEC – 15 JAN: QGAJHYYU
Use this host code when you order and receive a free gift from me! But, if your order is over $150, please don’t use this code (you’ll miss out on your own Stampin’ Rewards if you use it) but you’ll still get the free gift. The free gift is your choice of any item valued up to $10.00 from the 2017-2018 Annual Catalog or the 2017 Holiday Catalog! And – you can even select one of the Host-exclusive sets! See my Rewards page for more details.
Stamps-N-Lingers 2018 Occasions Catalog Special Bundle Sale!
As has become my tradition, I’ve gathered up some goodies from the new Suites in the 2018 Occasions Catalog that coordinate perfectly with each other and will get you well on the way to making great cards and projects!
Consider me your own Personal Shopper – but… I’m giving you about a 15% savings on each bundle over the price you’d pay if you bought the goodies on your own. All the bundles include FREE Shipping and will come directly to you.
As a bonus – you’ll get a free gift from me when you order!! Or two free gifts…read on to see what I mean… and I’m also letting you cash in on Sale-a-Bration FREEBIES!
Check out the bundles I’ve put together for you this time!
Picture Perfect Birthday Suite Bundle (Photopolymer)
Sweet Soiree – You can select Wood or Clear
Painted With Love – Wood or Clear
Petal Passion – Wood or Clear
Brusho Starter Kit – Wood or Clear
Tutti-Frutti (Photopolymer)
Myths & Magic – Wood or Clear
True Gentleman – Wood or Clear
BONUS TIME!!
I’ll also add in a pack of the new Whisper White Narrow Note Cards and Envelopes (they’re on page 19 of the Occasions Catalog) when you place an order for one of these bundles.
Order multiple bundles at the same time…and I’ll throw in a pack of the new Glitter & Clear Epoxy Shapes (page 33)! 🙂
So – if these look good to you, head over to my Stamps-N-Lingers 2018 Occasions Catalog Bundles page and fill out the form you’ll find there. There are also pictures of the bundles!
And – since it’s Sale-A-Bration time – I’m going to let you reap those benefits, too! After each bundle you’ll see noted the number of SAB items that will come with that bundle (Level 1 and/or Level 2) – so please type which ones you’d like into the box in the order form! If I have any questions, I’ll drop you an e-mail!
I’ll send you a PayPal invoice as soon as you order. Then, on 3 Jan, I’ll get them ordered and right on the way to you! Please note: these offers are available to anyone – but I can only ship to addresses in the United States. 🙂
2018 Occasions Catalog Shares are Still Open!
You’ve Got Until 5pm MST TODAY to Get Signed Up!
What are catalog shares, you ask? They’re your chance to try a little bit of everything and see what you like the best from a new Stampin’ Up! catalog!
I’ll place our Shares order first jump out of the box on 3 Jan 18 and use expedited shipping so I get it back fast! Then I’ll get it all cut up, packaged and out the door quick as I can – hopefully during the week of 8 Jan!
We’ve got new Designer Series Papers, new ribbons and trims and all sorts of fun embellishments!
Shares are open to anyone – including demonstrators, so…check it…
I’ve got a few options for you to pick from: a New Designer Series Paper Share, a New Ribbons/Embellishments Share, and an I Want It All Share (this one gets a free extra bonus!!). You can see everything included in each share type and find a handy sign-up sheet on my 2018 Occasions Catalog Shares page!
Take the Red Box Challenge!!
Between Now and 31 Jan 18 at 11:59 PM (MT).
Happy New Year, everyone! The Paper Pumpkin team is especially excited for 2018, and we have two great reasons: (1) This year’s kits are amazing and (2) We’ve decided to kick off 2018 with a superfun giveaway!
We’re calling it the Red Box Challenge, and it’s easy to get in on the fun!
Simply put together a WOW project using an unused, past kit—or buy a past kit that you’ve had your eye on. Then share an image of your project on Facebook or Instagram with #redboxchallenge and you will be entered into a random drawing to win a Paper Pumpkin kit.
Now, we think all of our kits are wonderful and amazing–but our random drawing winners will receive the upcoming Paper Pumpkin fifth anniversary March kit. Think: Gorgeous and collectible. Everyone is going to want one. AND the winners will get it in their mailbox before anyone else.
Sound fun? Check out the terms and conditions here, then start crafting your Red Box Challenge project today!
Note: Some project ideas will be selected from the entries and featured in Paper Pumpkin’s monthly newsletter and on our Facebook and Pinterest pages. Past alternative Paper Pumpkin projects you’ve created and posted on social media are not eligible for this contest.
Still Need an Occasions and Sale-A-Bration Catalog?! 
If you’re not a current customer of mine but would like to be, you can request your copies of the catalogs on my Contact page right here.
If you need any stamping supplies, I’d be very happy to be your Demonstrator. Just click on the Order Stampin’ Up! Online Now button on the right side of the screen to go directly to my online store or drop me an email if you have any questions. Happy Stamping!
Shop the Clearance Rack here. Earn FREE Stampin’ Up! Products – Join my Punkin Head Peppermint Rewards – My online customer thank you program!
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KarensCardCorner
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Tarabeth Stamps
TL's Bright Spot
I am going to try to get more organized in my craft room, to spend more time creating.
Perfect resolution, Marva! I’m right there with you! Thanks for leaving a comment – and good luck in the draw! 🙂
Happy New Year! I’m going to try and send more cards. (Love your New year Picture of FINN)
That’s a good one, too, Kate! I should do the same – cards that aren’t business-related!! Thanks – and good luck! 🙂
Your New Year’s Eve celebration sounds about as exciting as mine. 😉 Awesome blog candy giveaways! Happy New Year!
Thanks, Amy! There were a lot of big fireworks around here – which I got to see a few of when I let the Man out… 😉 Happy New Year! 🙂
I am going to be me, not who others expect me to be, and I am going to make and send more cards.
Love Finn’s pic! Happy New Year!
Excellent resolution!! And one we should all make! Thanks so much, Julie – Happy 2018!! Looking forward to a great year! 🙂
My New Year’s resolution is to try creating some cards by using just a sketch as a source of inspiration. I usually look at someone else’s card and modify it to make it my own. So sketches are outside of my comfort zone. Wish me luck!
Sketch challenges are awesome – but so is using someone’s card as a jumping off point! It’s all good! Good luck, Lynda!! Happy New Year! 🙂
Happy New Year to you too Mary. We are freezing here in Navarre also! WAY too cold for this Florida girl!!! 😎
Yea -if it’s freezing there, then that’s WAY too cold! Hoping to get all the way to 35 today! 🙁
I’ve always got the usual, loose weight and get in shape. But I’m really planning on making more time to spend in my craft area making cards and projects. I’ve actually started getting it more organized already. I’m always sending cards out, but this year I’m going to send more. Love your picture of Finn. Happy New Year!
I like that last one, Karen! Organize it and then use use USE it!! Good luck with that and with the draw. And thank you so much! Happy New Year to you, too! 🙂
I hope to get my card inventory straightened out and use my SU planner to help me get and stay organized. Cards that are more than a year old will be donated. I also am going to part with the gazillion pieces of scraps that I have and totally clean up my work area. I can’t bring myself to get rid of any of my stamp sets though.
Scraps. My downfall! Good luck with that, Karen – and with using your SU! Planner to get (and stay – always my problem!) organized! Thanks so much! 🙂
Congratulations on meeting your intermediate goal, and thank you for faithfully blogging every day. Love your generous blog candy. Wouldn’t those stampin spots be handy to have when we get the new stamperatas? I need to re-organize my little stamping space too. Maybe that should be my 2018 resolution. Thanks for this chance to win one of these goodie packages. January 8th is my lucky day. (53rd wedding anniversary.)
Well – Happy Anniversary a little early. 53 years is wonderful, Kay – congratulations to you both! Good luck in re-organizing and in the draw! Thanks so much! 🙂
Love the Finn pic and so happy for your business growth.
Thank you so much, Brooke!! Happy New Year to you! 🙂
Must be an engineer thing. Great org!!! Need to tackle yarn, but would rather knit it than sort it. You have had a good year in many ways. Good cause for celebration.
Handsome Finn to be first across the sill in the new year.
Yes, indeed – it has been (overall) a pretty good year, Mom! And – yes, I’d rather make cards than organize. But…it had reached critical mass. I had to do it or go crazy! 🙂 Thanks, Mom! 🙂
I don’t usually make New Years resolutions but I always want to craft more and get together with friends to make beautiful projects. Happy New Year!
Well – I wish we lived near each other, cuz I’d love to get together to craft!! I hope you’re able to do that more this year!! Good luck and Happy New Year! 🙂
Happy New Year! I love starting the year with the possibility of wonderful blog candy! Thank you! I am working for a healthier year for my husband and me. We’re going to exercise more and build more endurance. Personally, my resolution is to clean and organize my crafting corner better but that’s always my goal and I’m not very successful at it. (I could say to use what I have and order less but that’s probably not going to happen! 😏
LOL – that last thing would be (for me) like saying I wanted to run a 10K…probably never going to happen. Good luck in your quest for better health, Susan! And have fun organizing. Or trying to! Thanks much! 🙂
Happy New Year, Mary! I need to work on communication this year and keep my craft room organized better. I also lost close to 30 lbs. Want to stay on the healthy track.
Please do not put me in your drawing, I am a SU Demonstrator, too. I follow you! Ginger
Thank you for following me, Ginger – and congratulation on your weight loss – that’s awesome! Good luck on reaching your goals for 2018! 🙂
My new year resolution is to spend more time with friends and loved ones, and get more organized with my crafting supplies
Good goals, all! I hope you’re able to achieve them all, Lisa! Thanks and good luck in the draw! 🙂
I’m with Julie, be me and spend more time in my craft room. Make and send more cards. Thanks for sharing pictures of Finn, it’s amazing to see how he’s grown. Happy 2018 Mary!
Yes – he really is a big boy now! I love your and Julie’s goals – perfect! Thanks so much, Karen! Happy New Year to you! 🙂
Love your cards – hope to CASE some more of them and really send them Just Because!!
Thank you so much, Verna – that’s a nice compliment! Good luck with your goals and in the draw! 🙂
For 2018, I intend to purge my craft room and organize what is left. I also intend to use, not just collect new purchases.( Who knew buying craft supplies is different than using them). I also intend to SEND more cards, not just make them. That is a whole lot of “intends”!!!
Your stampin area looks great. Can’t wait till you messy it up with your awesome creativity that you so generously share with us! Looking forward to what you inspire us with in the new year.
Hugs to Finn! (and you) Hope the fireworks didn’t scare him.
Hmm – sounds like “buying a treadmill does not equal getting in shape”??!? LOL! Good luck with all your intends – and keep your fingers crossed that I can keep my newly clean/orgnaized space clean and organized for more than just a day or two! Good luck in the draw, Debra! 🙂
I am going to keep stamping and making cards.it makes me happy and brings joy to others
You’re so right, Jean – it does bring joy! Thanks and good luck! 😊
I’m going to get more organized first and then make sure I get cards sent out on time for family and friends😊
Check and check! Sounds like the right order to get it done, Val! Good luck and thank you! 🙂
my goal this year is to get everything sorted into Evernote, then spend more time creating with all my old, new found treasures that I have right here in my craft room. Of course I will still need to do some shopping as long as SU keeps coming out with so many great products
Yes, they just keep making super new goodies! Good luck with your organizational goals! 🙂
My resolution is to be sure to make cards well in advance of the occasion! I have 26 grandchildren and they treasure their handmade birthday cards. With other adults in the family, I make about 100 cards a year just for birthdaze! So, I’m planning ahead to make sure everything is stamped and ready and mailed on time. I love to stamp because it is so relaxing and it gives me a wonderful creative outlet. Thanks for your generous blog candy gifts and for the opportunity to win them!
Oh. My. Gosh. That’ a LOT of cards needed every year! Good luck with that, Peggy!! And good luck in the draw! 🙂
Love your posts!!! No ” resolution” here, but will try my best to create and send more cards this year. Happy New Year to you, your family, and of course Mr. Finn!!!
Thank you so much, Carol – very worthy non-resolution!! And Happy New Year to you, too! 🙂
Happy New Year Mary! Love seeing the picture of Finn at the top of your post. 🙂 I am hoping to spend more time in my craft room this year and hope to make more cards. I find myself waiting until the last minute to send a card and usually end up buying one. Not this year – only handmade cards will be mailed!
Excellent! Handmade or bust! Great goal, Carrie!! Good luck! 🙂
Congratulations on working thwarts your goal in weight loss. I made mine just before. Hristmas and am so pleased. Thank you for the opportunity to win some wonderful items. My goal is to maintain the weight loss and to keep Stamping , I also play Pickleball and I want to improve my play level so have lots to do but I am determined to follow through one day at a time.
Congratulations on making your weight loss goals, Eileen – that’s awesome! I should be there by the end of April. If I can just keep going! Good luck maintaining and do keep stampin!! And – good luck with the pickleball! 🙂
You celebrated the same way we did! My creative space is so messy that I haven’t been as productive as I would like to be, Organized is what I want for the new year. So happy that you are reaching your goals. You are an awesome demonstrator and I am so glad that I found you. Have a blessed year. (hope that trip to the Mediterranean is just around the corner)
Thanks so much for the so kind words, Sandi! I appreciate them very much. Good luck with the organizing (I know MY mojo deserts me when my stamping spot is a caution!!) and with the draw!!
I’m continuing to stamp and provide classes but am slowing down a bit this year. My husband developed a heart condition this last year and I have decided to take more time for family and friends in 2018. I don’t think I will ever stop stamping! Happy New Year and congrats on all of your achivements!
I’m so sorry to hear about your husband, Sue – and hope he’ll be on the road to better health soon. Taking time for family is more important than anything else – so…worthy goal indeed! But – stamping helps you take care of YOU, so… Good luck! 🙂
Happy New Year Mary! Love the pics of Finn! I want to get in better health and I want to make crafting & cardmaking more of a priority in my life! Happy New Year!
Same to you, my friend! And I hope you get to spend more time in your craft space this year!! Hope 2018 is good to you – and maybe we’ll have a chance to meet next summer in Seattle!! 🙂
Happy New Year! i want to get my stamping area more organized so my cardmaking is simple & more enjoyable.
That seems to be a pretty popular goal for the year, Karla – so good luck to you with it!! And thank you! 🙂
Hi Mary! Happy New Year! Great to hear from you and see your organizing project in pictures. My goal is to continue organizing my collection and share the love of paper crafting with young crafters on Wednesday nights. I have a bag of goodies set to go, and will continue to add to it as I organize my stash. So grateful for the ladies that built into my life with crafts, (when I was growing up) and I want to pass the gift along to the next generation.
There you go – raising the next generation of crafters! Good for you! Glad to hear from you, too, Patricia! Good luck in the draw! 🙂
I hope to get back to more stamping/crafting after having to take it easy last year. My version of therapy. 😀
Yes – it IS good therapy so I hope you get to do more, Joni – thanks so much and good luck in the draw! 🙂
Goodness, I have several.
Clean up my stamp room and get rid of stuff ( stamp sets and embellishments ) that I have had for over 15 years and do not use.
Eat healthier and start walking my dog again. Tore cartilage in my knee this summer and it is always going to hurt but need to keep moving and losing weight will surly help. Take care of my almost three year old grand daughter and am going to start taking care of my ten month old grandson for three afternoons a week so need to get back in shape😄😄
Oh my goodness – yes- you’ll need to be in shape for two grands in your days!! Good luck with your goals – take it a little easy, though…knees are persnickety! Thanks, Linda! 🙂
I’ve been cleaning out my craft room too! Also trying to get healthier, down about 10 lbs, with about 10 to go. Going to keep stamping, it keeps me sane!!
Good luck with that last 10!! I know how hard it is!! Thanks much, Tina! 🙂
Mary!! I am celebrating having found you to watch your videos, keeping my mind involved in stampin while I moved and “lost” various stampin items, like ink, or stamp sets… I think ya get the picture.
I hope to get my SU business started, only wish I had found you BEFORE I started… cuz I would have started with you in a New York minute!!! I so enjoy your videos, I enjoy your humor and I love watching you as you design your cards… YOU are wonderful!!!
I hope and pray your 2018 is absolutely the best… and that your SU takes you to the stars!!
Maybe someday our SU paths will cross, I hope so.
Oh gosh, me, too, Denise! 🙁 And I’m sorry you lost “stuff” – that’s about as annoying as it gets! Thank you so very much for your so kind words! And – I’m sure we’ll cross paths one day!! 🙂
I always look forward to hearing what exactly what Finn is up to!! He is as special as you are… imaging that!! Enjoy your day!!
Thank you so very much for that, Denise – that’s very kind! Good luck in the draw! 🙂
Hi, thanks for a chance to win some awesome eye candy! I’m not very good at keeping NY s resolutions, lol. I forget about them. but I would like to get my room cleaned up and organized, without raising too much dust lol, as I end up sick!. I do enjoy your blog posts, however.
Cleaning without dust – that’s hard to do, for sure! Good luck with that, Sherry! And good luck in the draw! 🙂
I am going to share more of my cards with a nonprofit group. I’ll be able to keep creating and I’ll have a wonderful purpose for making them.
Oh that’s awesome, Karen! Very worthy goal! Thank you so much and good luck in the draw! 🙂
Happy New Year! Congrats on sticking to the weight loss (that’s tough to do!) and congrats on your successful business. Oh, and, thanks for celebrating with US!
Thank you so much, Kathy – appreciate the words! Good luck in the draw! 🙂
I am going to eat healthier. In specific, I am going to limit my added sugars to 25 g/day and cut back on my carbs to lose weight. I think the sugar limit will be the hardest! Thanks for the chance to win!
But at least it’s a measurable goal – so that’s awesome! Good luck with it, Gale! And good luck in the draw! 🙂
This year I am going to organize my stamping space. When I stamp, everything seems to congregate on my stamping surface, and I’m forced to use a little one-foot-square space. It’s a mess and very disheartening,, so I vow to end the clutter so I can do the “fun stuff!”
LOL – I sure feel you on that one! I cleaned everything up this weekend – and hope hope hope I can keep it that way. Or I’ll be right back to that same 1 square foot!! Good luck with your goals and the draw!:)
I need to “refresh” a few rooms after last year’s kitchen update – amazing how fixing up one room can make all the others look so sad – one of those rooms is my craft room😕. I love the view you have from your crafting space – your neat and tidy crafting space😉👍 Happy New Year! And congratulations on your 2017 successes!
Oh – that’s so true! One room remodel leads to more room re-models! 🙁 Thanks so much – and…fingers crossed on your goals and the draw! 🙂
Hmmm lots of resolutions including the usual eat less junk food (yeah right), get organized in my craft room and make more cards; but after watching the Rose Parade with the Make A Difference theme I am going to try to work on that even if it is one card or good deed at a time!
Make a Difference is a wonderful goal for the year – and every year! Thanks much, Carole – and good luck!! 🙂
Happy New Year! Congrats on the continued weight loss (it’s not easy) and congrats on the success of your business. I’d love to be able to stamp more this year. Time just gets away from me!
No – no, it’s not! Thanks, Kathy! Good luck on getting more time in your craft/stamp space! 🙂
Hi Mary. Mr. Finn looks dashing in today’s blog.
I resolve to be a tad more tidy that usual. If I tried for more than a tad it would be way too hard to achieve.
Also to try a little harder at making S.U. my business and less of a hobby.
Also to try to average a card a day. And last…mail out more Happy Mail!
May 2018 be fabulous!
Fabulous sounds great, Paula! And your goals are more than doable – so…good luck with all of them! 🙂
Perfect start to 2018 with “Mr Finn”. My goal is to blog more and post more on my facebook page which means more card making! Have a wonderful year and congrats on your “goals”
Thanks so much, Patty – and best of luck on your goals and in the draw! 🙂
I’m going to re-organize and thin out my stamp sets. So many have been in another room and starting to get all mixed up so I HAVE to clean out. I also want to stamp more cards for fun rather than ones I need to make.
I hear ya, Kare! I have trouble remembering everything I’ve got! Thanks and good luck! 🙂
Hi Mary! What a great give-away!! If we get to choose, I’d LOVE LOVE to have pkg #2. I don’t have any of the finely woven ribbon or the itty bitty bows…but I NEED them for sure! The stamp set would be great, since I send out so many birthday cards (47 in 2017!). I think my resolution for 2018 is to not stress out so much. And, of course, continue making cards! My craft room is my happy place. I wish you health & happiness in 2018! Give The Man a little kiss on the nose for me!
Sounds good to me – less stress, more crafting! Good luck in the draw, Karen! 🙂 Thanks! 🙂
I am going to do better about sending out my cards on time for all the Birthdays, Anniversary and so forth that go to family. Organize my stamping area better. Get started much earlier on my projects for the craft show that I do.
Organize and be on time! Yep – sounds like a good one!! Thanks and good luck! 🙂
I am going to try to share more love wherever I go. There are so many who need it. Making cards and actually mailing them also does that. Love Finn’s New Years picture!
True, Carol – so true! Thank you so muhc and good luck! 🙂
My resolution for 2018 is to clean out my basement, get it finished off so I can have a dedicated room to play with all my SU products and create. Also looking forward to spending many Subday evenings with you on FB live!
Thank you so much, Jean! And good luck with the basement. I wouldn’t even know where to start in ours! 🙂
I would like to be more grateful for what I’ve been blessed with.
So should we all! Thanks, Carrie! 🙂