Stellar Stamps

Those old birds are new again

After seeing the new Stampin' Up! catalog, it's clear that birds are "in". I loved that retired background stamp called "Avian Toile" and used it tonight for 2 sympathy cards. I am the queen of basic cards and I love monochromatic themes. They just suit me. I used our retired Mauve Mist cardstock and our new Elegant Eggplant cardstock. The Wrought Iron punch is retired as is the sentiment but not the two ovals I used to frame the sentiment. I used clear embossing powder and the Craft ink pad. As you can see, it's a blend of "old" and new. The card in the photo is for SU founder, Shelli Gardner, who just lost her mother.

I made 16 cards today using the Holiday Glitz kit

With all the football games on and my having my butt planted watching, I have no excuse to not made cards or something... I had bought one of Stampin' Up!s Holiday Glitz kits in November and using one of the three suggested cards, I turned them into thank you cards. The photo doesn't pick up the Soft Sky detail on the Designer Paper nor the swirl behind the word "Joy" but you get the idea! I loved the "matchstick" fold.

The Dormant List

See the Dormant List for those items not retiring yet not in the new catalog. You may still order these: Download US_dormantlist_2008.pdf

Outstanding customer service!

At the holidays, history has shown that people seem more stressed, sometimes grumpy and in a rush. I had an experience the past few days that evidenced true professionalism and outstanding customer service. I have no other way to applaud this woman publicly beyond sharing my little story and her name. Her name is Helen and this is her website: www.refinedgiftware.com

I collect Spode's Christmas Tree china and am really somewhat in the early stages of it given how much there is though I've collected it for about 8 years. I really have a few odds and ends, 18 plates, 14 soup bowls and 4 cereal bowls plus a slew of cups and saucers. In the wintertime, and in furthering my parents tradition of daily tea, I love making a pot of tea nightly. I use a teapot every night from Autumn thru early spring. I have wanted a teapot set to match my Spode for years. I saw such a set at Macy's for $325 for a teapot, creamer and sugar set. Wow, even with the 50% off sale, at $160+, it seemed well out of reach for a long time. I went home resigned to not having it for years and popped onto eBay just to poke around and compare. I found this seller: n2nlm with a price for a new tea set for $63 + normal shipping. Oh my gosh, what a deal! I was so excited because this was affordable and would be my one big annual Spode purchase.

This seller shipped fast and I had it before I knew it. I opened the box, put it into a sink of soapy warm water and immediately began washing it so it could air dry and I could use it that evening. The last item I pulled out of the sink was the teapot and wouldn't you know it but I tapped the side of the sink with the spout and it chipped! I never do stuff like that as I'm just so careful so I was SO disappointed :(

I contacted the eBay seller asking if either by any chance I could buy just the teapot again or if she would be willing to cut me a deal on a replacement. She was immediately understanding and responsive though %0 of it was her fault. The conclusion is that I am sending the broken set back and she's replacing it for the shipping cost of $15. I am THRILLED!!!! I had already left her glowing feedback on the first purchase so there's nothing more I could do publicly to thank her for her excellent customer service. That's why I decided to share her website with anyone who reads this so that if I can help her get even one more sale thanks to her kindness, it'll be a tiny measure of repayment. She has been gracious throughout.

I know many gals collect lots of china items and you cannot go wrong by buying a $365 item for $63 like I did. Take a peek. There may be some treasure there for you!! Link here for Helen's lovely store

This couple is awesome! Saw this on The Today Show... today!

This was all planned. NO ONE knew.  Click here for their first dance... ahhhh