Some Problems...

Stampin' Up has had some issues with their mail outs on the new Occasions Mini and Sale-abration catalogues.  As a result they have posted a link on their customer website so that you can view these AMAZING new products now instead of having to wait for issues to be resolved!

Occasions Mini 2010

 Sale-A-Bration Flyer

Remember that these new offering don't go live until January 5th! If you are one of my customers and didn't recieve your mailings please let me know!

Make sure to check back later today for details of my upcoming Open House and BOGO event!

A Quick Scrapbook Page from the Regionals Make-n-Takes

 I couldn't resist finishing up this Regionals Make-n-Take the other night.  I love the simplicity of the layout and once again the fact that I've used the Berry Merry Stamp Set #116509 for yet another purpose.

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Stamp Set(s): Berry Merry #116509
Paper: Soft Suede Patterned Prints DSP, Bashful Blue, Certainly Celery, Soft Suede
Ink:  Bashful Blue, Certainly Celery, Soft Suede
Embellishments:  3/4" Real Red Polka Dot Grosgrain #115608, Hemp Twine, Designer Buttons Sherbet

Love Bots Sneak Peek

 Well, there is only a week left until the new Occasions Mini launches and OMG it is AMAZING!  I wanted to share this particular item with you ASAP as it is a bit of a special item in that it is only available while supplies last!  What this basically means is that SU has brought in a limited number of these items based on what predicted sales would be.  When those supplies run out... that's it!

When I showed my boys these Love Bots Boys #118081 and Love Bots Girl #118080 they were pumped!  Robots and young boys, or girls for that matter, are a win-win situation!  We've already decided on the little chocolates that they're going to put in:)  Don't miss out...

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So Excited to Announce...

I am so excited to share this news with you.  Myself and a few other fabulous friends who are Stampin' Up! demonstrators are launching a challenge blog on January 4th 2010.  After many comical conversations, the name Stampin' Royalty was chosen.  Although we are all SU demos, we welcome entries made with any company's product.  The challenges will vary greatly from week to week and will include: sketch, colour, inspiration and other various challenges. I can't wait to see what you come up with in response to the challenges and also to reward you with some beautiful SU prizes!  Here's a sneak peek from one of our upcoming challenges!  The countdown to January 6th has begun!

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A Quick, yet Beautiful CASE

When I heard that my cousin and his wife had their baby on Christmas Eve I sat down to make a card, and I was determined to make use of my new sentiment set Little Angel.  When I saw this sentiment, "Sweet Pea",  Andrea Walford's sister's card came to mind... I loved this!  It was so much fun to make some punch art.  I know so many people who are sooooo into this and their creations are amazing! This card has definitely inspired me to go and create some of my own!  I will admit that the new clear mount stamps have quickly found a place in my heart... I love the ease of using them!  For those of you who haven't bothered to buy one yet, "Hand Stamped By" stamps are the perfect addtion to your collection.  People are always amazed to realize that you made the card yourself!

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Stamp Set(s): Baroque Motifs, Little Angel, Hand Stamped By Butterfly
Paper: Pale Plum, Certainly Celery
Ink: Rose Red, Old Olive, Basic Black, Kiwi Kiss, Baja Breeze, White Signo Gel Pen
Punches: Trio Flower, Wide Oval, 3/4" circle, 1/2" circle

Sneak Peak and Founder's Circle Make-n-Take

This was one of the gorgeous make-n-takes that we did while at Founder's Circle this year.   I've heard many people complain that the flower die doesn't fit in the box, but if you fold the flower petals in one by one starting from the center of the flower and working in a circle until you've done the largest flower, it fits perfectly.  I love the way it stays to together when you take it out and then needs to be unfolded to find a little message inside. 

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Stamp Set(s): Tiny Tags
Paper: Dusty Durango, very Vanilla
Ink: Soft Suede, Dusty Durango, Old Olive
Embellishments: Hemp Twine, 1/2" Polka-Dot Grosgrain Ribbon Soft Suede
Sizzix: Flower Folds Die, Stampin’ Up! Bitty Box & Envelope
Punches: Jewelry Tag, 1" circle punch

Regionals Make-n-Take #4

These quick and easy 3x3 note cards are the perfect size to attach to a hostess gift or floral arrangement.  I love how the Berry Merry Christmas stamp set can be used for another purpose other than Christmas... any multi occasion stamp set is a winner in my books!

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Stamp Set(s):  Berry Merry
Paper:  Soft Suede Prints Pattern DSP, Soft Suede, Whisper White, Certainly Celery
Ink: Bashful Blue, Certainly Celery
Embellishments: Vintage Brads
Punches:  Trio Flowers

Founder's Circle Make & Take and Occasions Mini Sneak Peek

I should start with saying Merry Christmas!  I'm enjoying the day with my family and had this post all ready to go so I thought I put it up even though I'm sure most of you will be busy with your families today.  ENJOY!

The more I use this little jewelry tag punch the more I love it!   I love that I can add a little bit of something to ribbons etc.  When we found out this punch was going to be released at Founder's Circle, even we didn't know about the new punch design.  Our Make-n-Take package had the little tags pre-punched!  I love the new design... talk about easy to store!  I was one of the giddy ones during the M&T session at FC who realized that SU was going to be releasing their own Polka Dot embossing folder.  This is a MUST!!!!!  These are the perfect size tag to put on a gift and having them in their own coordinating envelope. 

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Stamp Set(s): Tiny Tags
Paper: Whisper White, Very Vanilla, Soft Suede, Dusty Durango, Rich Razzleberry, Melon Mambo, Bermuda Bay, Crushed Curry
Ink: Soft Suede, Dusty Durango, Rich Razzleberry, Melon Mambo, Bermuda Bay, Crushed Curry, Old Olive, Versamark

Embellishments:  Hemp Twine, 1/2" Polka-Dot Grosgrain Ribbon
Sizzix:  Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Folder, Bitty Envelope and Box Die
Punches: Jewelry Tag

Regionals Make-n-Take #3

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Stamp Set(s):  Berry Merry
Paper:  Whisper White, Certainly Celery, Soft Suede
Ink:  Soft Suede, Certainly Celery, Real Red
Embellishments:  3/4" Polka-Dot Grosgrain Ribbon Real Red
Punches: 1/2" circle punch

Sample #2 from Regional Make-n-Takes

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Stamp Set(s):  Berry Merry
Paper:  Soft Suede, Certainly Celery, Whisper White, Bashful Blue
Ink:  Real Red, Soft Suede, Bashful Blue, Certainly Celery
Embellishments:  3/4" Polka-Dot Grosgrain Ribbon, Vintage Brads, Sherbet Buttons
Punches: Trio Flower

Some Easy Holiday Decor

I know that it may be a little late for you to add this holiday decor to your home for this year, but this is definitely something to think about for next year!  The Dasher image above my fireplace was one of my favourite stamps from this year.  I was so excited when I noticed the Decor Elements version was a level II hostess reward in the Definitely Decorative Catty.   If you've been thinking of hosting a party during the amazing upcoming Sale-abration promotion, this could be something to work towards...hmmm.  As you can tell by the last photo, Vancouver is far from having the white Christmas that we had last year!

*Don't forget that today is the final day of the 12 Days of Holiday Sale, make sure to get orders to me no later than 10pm this evening*

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Decor Elements:  Holly Berry Wreath, Dasher Hostess Reward, Vintage Ornaments

Tough to Travel, Bring Stampin' Up to You!

Since I joined Stampin' Up, I have had the opportunity to be able to travel to several events.  Now with being back at work and with the boys in school, leaving for even a short time has become more difficult.  For this reason, I was so excited when Stampin' Up decide to offer their Regional convention by way of video.  One of the most fun parts of the events is the super cute Make-n-takes that Stampin' Up offers us.  As an added bonus to ordering the Regionals Video, we were even able to order the make-n-take package to complete at home.  Now that it is Christmas holidays, I've had some extra time on my hands and I've been having SOOOOOO much fun making all of these little projects.  These were perfect as I was desperately in need of Christmas tags lastnight!  The little box is too cute!!!! Time is running out on this adorable stamp set too!  The current Holiday Mini is done as of January 5th!

*Don't forget that the 12 Days of Holiday Sale ends tomorrow, Tuesday December 22nd*

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Stamp Set(s):  Berry Merry
Paper:  Whisper White, Bashful Blue, Real Red
Ink:  Bashful Blue, Certainly Celery, Real Red, Soft Suede
Embellishments: Hemp Twine, Vintage Brads, 3/4" Polka-Dot Grosgrain Ribbon
Sizzix:  Bitty Box and Envelope Die
Punches:  Tag Corner

A Special Note

I have an AMAZING grade seven class this year and I wanted to send a Christmas greeting out to them and their families.  This was an easy little picture that I was able to create using My Digital Studio.  My poor students at school hear all the silly stories about my little boys so I thought it would be fun to send them out a picture of my little boys as part of my greeting:)

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Great Activity for Kids!

I just wanted to share with your a few of the wonderful ornaments that my Grade Seven students made this week.  They had a lot of fun making these and it was a relatively easy project to pull off with this age group.  The only difficult part was transporting home... we lost about three in transport so we remade those on the second day... words of advice... buy an extra package of ornaments:)

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Quick Words of Advice

I've had a couple of questions regarding my milk carton basket that I showed a few days ago.  Here are some answers to your questions and words of advice as my first attempt ripped open too:)

• First of all make sure that if your score lines on your envelope tear easily, try adjusting your die before you put it through the Big Shot... turn it 90 degrees to the original way you put it through.  This has solved the issues I was having with the Two Tags Die as well!
  
• Make sure that you use the Crease Pads instead of the second cutting pad... ( I don't need to do this with all dies, but with my few stubborn ones this works like a charm) 
• when you use the red sticky tape to put your basket together, make sure not to overlap the envelopes too tightly... leave a sixteenth of an inch between corner crease overlaps the problem is not really that the basket is too tight, but I wanted to add DSP to all sides of my cartons which adds 4 layers of paper between 2 side by side cartons that must fit.  
• Using DSP for your cartons is another suggestion as it is less heavy than regular SU cardstock.
• use four of the envelope die
  

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*ANY ONLINE ORDERS OF $30+ PLACED BETWEEN NOW AND DECEMBER 25TH WILL RECEIVE A FREE KIT MAILED OUT TO THEM ON JANUARY 5TH TO MAKE THEIR OWN 4 MILK CARTONS AND COORDINATING BASKET (DSP WILL NOT BE CHRISTMAS PAPER)!*

THIS OFFER IS LIMITED TO CANADIAN CUSTOMERS AS I AM UNABLE TO SELL IN THE USA.  (SORRY)

Okay... so maybe I laughed just a little bit!

 I had my last two club nights of the year last week and I will admit that I was laughing so hard that my stomach hurt by the end of the night.  Each team of stampers had to choose one member to be the stamper and the rest of the girls were responsible for guiding them through making the card completely blind-folded!  The bottom card was my original and the top two were the recreations:)  They were given all of the stamps, accessories, ink, and tools that they needed, but they made the cards right from the 8 1/2 x 11" pieces of paper.   There is nothing more terrifying than watching them use the paper cutter or paper piercer blind-folded!  My hubby was the official judge and he picked the card on the right.  All of the girls won a Patterned Pines stamp set!

On an even more impressive note... I had three mother daughter combos happening that night and nobody was injured with a paper piercer:)

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Benefits of Being an SU Demo

I know that I'm a little biased when I tell you about the endless benefits of being an SU demo, but I really do mean it.  I love the fact that at busy times of year like Christmas, Stampin' Up is constantly providing their demos with new ideas for classes, clubs, and workshops.  This makes prepping at a crazy time of year manageable.  This card is a combination of 2 ideas given on our demo web site.  The card and layout are an exact CASE and then I just added the Shimmer Paint technique that they also showed.  You simply used a sponge to gently add the shimmer paint to the raised portion of the embossed Petals-a-Plenty pattern.  Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint #116806 and the adorable Berry Christmas stamp set will , is from the Holiday Mini and will only be availble for a short time longer... January 4th 2010.  Don't miss out on these amazing products!

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Stamp Set(s):  Berry Christmas #116509
Paper:  Real Red, Whisper White, Old Olive, Chocolate Chip
Ink: Real Red, Old Olive
Embellishments: Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint, Sherbert Buttons
Sizzix: Petals-a-Plenty Textured Impressions Folder

Quick and Easy Birthday Card

 It seems that with a 4 and 5 year old, that the birthday parties are endless!  I need quick and easy cards that I can make when the occasion arises!  This card was done using the Sweet Birthday stamp #115564.  Although my supply of the previous In Colour paper is starting to dwindle, I do have a lot of scraps left over.  For that reason a card like this is perfect as I can pull those out!  Some paper piercing is a an easy finish to add detail!

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Stamp Set(s):  Sweet Birthday #115564
Paper:  Whisper White, Tangerine Tango, Pacific Point, Riding Hood Red
Ink:  Tangerine Tango, Pacific Point, Riding Hood Red

Club Night Fun:)

 I've got some great photos to share with you over the next few days of some Club Night Fun, but I'll start with one of the projects we worked on instead of the photos of my girls... I need to keep you in suspense... there were blindfolds involved:) 

This was was my artificial tree in the basement before I decorated it with all of our "homemade ornnaments"; these were the ornaments that my girls made:)

This fabulous idea is all over the internet right now and is so quick and easy to make!  They also make a fabulous gift!  We started with the clear glass ornaments (these are usually 50% off by this time a year at your local craft store).  Each of my girls chose a reinker colour and coordinating Fine Glitter.  We started by removing the top of the ornament and then adding 30-40 drops of reinker.  These were for the ornaments that are about the size of a baseball.  You could get away with a lot less if you chose to do the mandarin orange sized ornaments.  Once the inside of the glass was completely coated with ink, we poured in about 1 tsp of glitter.  While covering the top hole of the ornament with a paper towel, we shook, and shook, and shook and shook... until the inside was coated with glitter and no visible holes appeared.  The ornament tops were then re-inserted and we proceeded to add rub-ons.  (words of advice... start from the center of the rub-on and work your way to the outside as this allows them to go on smoothly without puckering!)

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Ink:  Rich Razzleberry Re-inker
Embellishments: Icicle Rub-ons, Glitter

Milk Carton Caddy:)

I've used this adorable little basket before at Easter, but imagine my excitement when I realized that it was the perfect fit for four of the little milk cartons!  This also gives you a little perspective on the actual size of the die. 

My craft room is all cleaned up and ready to go for Christmas holiday... aka I will be making a big mess very shortly as I have some extra play time!  I can't wait!!!!!!!  Watch for daily posts again... tomorrow's is already ready to go!

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Stamp Set(s): Tiny Tags
Paper: Real Red, Soft Suede, Christmas Cocoa DSP
Ink: Real Red, Soft Suede
Embellishments: Mini Library Clips, Real Red Ribbon, Hemp Twine
Sizzix: Milk Carton Die, Scallop Envelope Die
Punches: Jewellry Tag

A Little Sneak Peek For You!

My first box of goodies arrived the other day with my adorable preorder items from the upcoming Mini.  (items available for purchase on Jan 5th, 2010). Yes... I did say first.  I made my initial purchase being "very good" and then it all went out the window when I realized how great the rest of the items were too, so I had to put in a second order:)

This is the ADORABLE new Stampin' Up Exclusive BigZ L Die Mini Milk Carton, the Medium Jewelry Tag Punch (new style) and the Tiny Tags Stamp Set to coordinate. This little carton happens to be full of Purdy's Chocolate Bells... for those of you who've never heard of Purdy's... it is a West Coast Canadian thing I believe... and the BEST chocolate ever!!!!!   *Check back tomorrow for an adorable way to package multiples of these little milk cartons!*

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Stamp Set(s):  Tiny Tags
Paper:  Real Red Cardstock, Christmas Cocoa DSP
Ink: Real Red, Soft Suede
Embellishments: Vintage Brads, Library Clips

Punches: Snowflake Punch, Medium Jewelry Tag Punch
Sizzix:  BigZ L Mini Milk Carton Die

12 Days of Holidays Sales

Dates: December 11-22, 2009

Item	Page #	Description	Regular Price	Discounted Price
114515	195	Flower Burst Embosslits die	$15.95	$11.96
114516	195	Cherry Blossom Embosslits die	$15.95	$11.96
115957	195	Thanks Embosslits die	$15.95	$11.96
114513	195	Sweetest Stem Embosslits die	$15.95	$11.96
115952	195	Hi Embosslits die	$15.95	$11.96
115951	197	Timeless Type Junior Alphabet Medium Sizzlits die	$99.95	$79.96
113446	197	Build a Flower #2 Set Sizzlits 4-Pack die	$26.95	$22.91
114509	197	Big Bold Cupcakes Sizzlits 4-Pack die	$29.95	$25.46
113448	197	Hearts Set Sizzlits 4-Pack die	$26.95	$22.91
113457	198	Tulipe Bigz die	$29.95	$22.46
115954	198	Two Tags Bigz die	$29.95	$25.46
114524	199	Fringed Flower Bigz die	$26.95	$21.56
114523	199	Decorative Accents Bigz die	$26.95	$21.56
114534	199	Flower Bigz Clear die	$26.95	$21.56
113473	199	5-Point 3D Star Bigz die	$26.95	$22.91
113472	199	Circle 3D Ornament Bigz die	$26.95	$22.91
113470	199	Flower Layers w/Leaf Bigz die	$26.95	$22.91
113465	199	Bird w/Leaves and Flower Bigz die	$26.95	$22.91
115961	200	Perfect Setting Bigz XL die	$57.95	$43.46
113483	200	Pennant Bigz XL die	$53.95	$40.46
113484	200	Baskets & Blooms Bigz XL die	$53.95	$43.16
116760	201	Pop-Up Three Tier Cake Bigz XL die	$53.95	$40.46
116759	201	Pop-Up 3D Ball Bigz XL die	$53.95	$40.46
114890	201	Matchbox Bigz XL die	$57.95	$49.26
113458	202	Flower Layers Originals die	$21.95	$18.66
114336	158	Kraft Décor Elements sheets 12" x 24" (2)	$15.50	$11.63
114334	158	Dark Gray Décor Elements sheets 12" x 24" (2)	$15.50	$11.63
114337	158	Chocolate Décor Elements sheets 12" x 24" (2)	$15.50	$11.63
114335	158	White Décor Elements sheets 12" x 24" (2)	$15.50	$11.63
118797	n/a	So Saffron Décor Elements sheets 15" x 24" (2)	$15.50	$11.63
118798	n/a	Rose Red Décor Elements sheets 15" x 24" (2)	$15.50	$11.63
118799	n/a	Taken With Teal Décor Elements sheets 15" x 24" (2)	$15.50	$11.63
118800	n/a	Pretty In Pink Décor Elements sheets 15" x 24" (2)	$15.50	$11.63
118801	n/a	Bashful Blue Décor Elements sheets 15" x 24" (2)	$15.50	$11.63
118802	n/a	Real Red Décor Elements sheets 15" x 24" (2)	$15.50	$11.63
118803	n/a	Old Olive Décor Elements sheets 15" x 24" (2)	$15.50	$11.63
118804	n/a	Black Décor Elements sheets 15" x 24" (2)	$15.50	$11.63
118805	n/a	Night of Navy Décor Elements sheets 15" x 24" (2)	$15.50	$11.63
118806	n/a	Certainly Celery Décor Elements sheets 15" x 24" (2)	$15.50	$11.63
118807	n/a	Tempting Turquoise Décor Elements Sheets 15" x 24" (2)	$15.50	$11.63
118808	n/a	Clear Décor Elements sheets 15" x 24" (2)	$15.50	$11.63
118809	n/a	Pumpkin Pie Décor Elements sheets 15" x 24" (2)	$15.50	$11.63
118810	n/a	Pixie Pink Décor Elements sheets 15" x 24" (2)	$15.50	$11.63
118812	n/a	Sahara Sand Décor Elements sheets 15" x 24" (2)	$15.50	$11.63
118813	n/a	Gable Green Décor Elements sheets 15" x 24" (2)	$15.50	$11.63
118814	n/a	Basic Gray Décor Elements sheets 15" x 24" (2)	$15.50	$11.63
118815	n/a	Chalkboard Décor Elements sheets 15" x 24" (2)	$17.50	$13.13

 *Current Club Members and Those Registered for January, contact me for you additional discount!*

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The Countdown Begins!

Over the past few years, there has been enormous demand from demonstrators and customers alike for a line of repositionable clear-mount stamps. Well, you asked for it, and now you have it! Starting with stamps in the 2010 Occasions Mini Catalogue and 2010 Sale-A-Bration brochure, Stampin' Up! now offers our exclusive stamp art in both traditional wood-mount, and the new clear-mount options.

Our new clear-mount rubber stamps are the result of extensive research with the intent to maintain the very best image quality in the stamping industry, while at the same time offering the ease-of-use and storability inherent in repositionable clear-mount rubber stamps.

Clear-Mount Rubber Stamp Features

• Nine different sizes of clear blocks available individually or as a discounted bundle.
• Blocks have ergonomic grooves on all four sides for easy grip and traditional wood-mount feel.
• Stamps and blocks are durable and easy to clean with your Stampin' Scrub and Stampin' Mist.
• Optional image labels on stamp backs let you decide if you want to see the image through the block or not.
• Tight die-cutting for easy image positioning.
• Large clear blocks can be used to create collages or spell words with alphabet sets.
• Stamps store easily in standard, DVD-type cases with artwork on front and spine, making organization easy.

*These will be available for order starting January 5th, 2009*

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Had To CASE This:)

The day that the Holiday Mini came out, I knew that I would be ordering this... what I didn't realize was how long it was going to take me to get off my buns and make it:)  It was so quick and easy tonight and I love the end result. My only regret is that I didn't make it sooner:)  I still have two sets of the little "Ho, Ho, Ho" left to play with... what to do?????

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Dormant Stamp Sets Retiring Soon!

If any of these sets are on your wishlist, make sure to get them soon!  They have been on SU's Dormant List (available for order, but not seen in any catty) and are scheduled to retire January 4th 2010.  This means that they will no longer be available for purchase:(    Don't miss out! 

Item Number	Stamp Set
113407	Back Woods
114492	Beautiful Baby
114486	Birthday Wish
113200	Branch Out
114496	Celebrations
113732	Central Park
113206	Classic Sketches
113226	Classy & Fabulous
114498	Flowers in Silhouette
113405	Font of You
113216	For the Bride
114494	Forever
109425	Friend by Definition
114488	Fun Flowers
113716	Garden Greetings
114490	Glad Friends
111580	Grand Soiree
113242	Hit the Road
113710	Lexicon of Leaves
113236	Man's Best Friend
114423	Ocean Commotion
113728	Playful Petals
109276	Polka Dot
111544	Putt Putt
113240	Quilt Quips
113754	Really Retro
113403	Sip by Sip
113726	Sweet Stems
113250	That's Funny
113688	Wonderful Watercolors
114028	Para la novia
114032	Acuarelas Maravillosas

 *****As A Special Pre-Christmas Bonus, I will offer a 20% discount (calculated on original cost after taxes and s/h are calculated)  these sets from December 5th- 8th.  Your orders will need to be placed directly through me and not through my online ordering as it is unable to handle the discount.  Hostess benefits will also apply when the retail price reaches $200.*****

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