Black Friday Sale during Thanksgiving Week

Hello crafting friends! I would like to introduce you to Rusty who has thrown my schedule totally out of balance.

Rusty

I believe Rusty arrived around the same time as our Sunday Kitten, but we did not see him until a few days later. We would occasionally see him, but if he caught a glimpse of us through the window, he would run and hide. Days would pass between times we would see him. We put out food every day, but would bring it in soon after dark so we would not attract other animals. We were hoping Rusty was getting the food, but discovered, after I put the dish closer to a window so I could better observe the dish, that a opossum was visiting. Definitely not what I planned.

Fortunately we caught a glimpse of Rusty going under the tarp we have covering our winter supply of pellets. When the pellets were delivered, before Rusty arrived, I asked the forklift operator to leave some space between the two rows of pallets so I could place a heated cat house there. I thought I would be sheltering a cat that showed up last December, but Rusty thought it was a good place for him (fortunately the other cat decided the shelter I placed closed to our house is a better place to be). After the uncertainty of who was getting to eat, I decided to try to feed him by the pellets. This is our first attempt. I had to move about 25 feet away and patiently wait, but Rusty made an appearance and devoured the food.

We have developed a routine that unfortunately means I have to get up earlier in the morning and I am feeding him as soon as I get home from work. I am outside no matter what the weather to make sure this little guy gets at least two good meals a day so I really dread freezing temps and precipitation in the forecast. I still leave out some dry food, but because of the unwanted guests, now I bring it in before it gets dark. This routine often has me falling asleep before 8pm. Wish me luck/send me good mojo that I will soon get this little guy to let me pick him up and bring him inside where he will be safer, warmer and well fed. 

Now you are probably wondering about the Black Friday Sale.

Stampin' Up! Black Friday Sale

This is Stampin' Up!'s first-ever Black Friday Sale. Find up to 40% off "the most useful, needed, irresistible Stampin’ Up! products at deeper discounts than ever before". Shop online between now and December 1, 2025, at 11:59 pm Mountain to take advantage of the sale, but I am unsure supplies will last that long. 

Additional details of the sale are:

• 40% off
• Stampin’ Blends
• Paper Trimmer and blades
• Ink refill bundles
• 25% off
• Select adhesive
• 15% off
• Select cardstock
• Shop the full selection of discounted products online.
• Products are available while supplies last.
• Orders will likely arrive in time for the holidays.

I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving gathering with your family and friends.

Free Shipping from SU! - Three Days Only

For three days only, Stampin' Up! is offering free shipping when your order totals $75 or more before tax!

Free Shipping October 22-24, 2025

To receive free shipping, orders must be opened during the Free Shipping window, so please do not start adding items to your cart until October 22, 2025 MT (or 2:00am ET); orders must be finalized by 11:59pm MT October 24, 2025. If you are ordering by telephone, your order must be placed by 6:59 pm MT on October 24, 2025.

Free shipping automatically applies to your cart after the qualifying amount for $75 (before tax) has been met. Any additional cost for expedited shipping/handling is not covered by this promotion.

Prepaid 3-, 6-, or 12-month Paper Pumpkin subscriptions and month-to-month subscriptions do not qualify for free shipping, but Paper Pumpkin subscribers can purchase refills, past kits and add-ons that do qualify toward free shipping.

As a reminder, coupon codes and Stampin’ Rewards will lower your order’s retail amount. If you are planning to use a coupon or rewards, please double-check your pre-tax total before finalizing your purchase. Orders must meet the qualifying amount to be eligible for free shipping.

Happy crafting!

What's New October 2025

Hello from currently warm in New York. We've been busy preparing for the coming cold doing our best to make sure our house is ready and there are some warm places for the outside cats to spend time when it is too cold or the snow is too deep for them to be outside. I would much rather they be indoor only cats, but when I let Shadow inside a few weeks ago he only made it a few steps before he wanted to escape. The newest visitor is so scared it runs if it sees me across the yard. Now I can only hope that both will take advantage of the shelters. I hope you have been able to enjoy these last few warm days.

I do have some Stampin' Up! news as well.

Kits Collection Three-Day Sale

Kits Collection Three-Day Sale

From October 6 to October 8, 2025 at 11:59pm MT (6:59pm MT if you are ordering by phone), all kits in the Kits Collection will range from 10–30% off during this three-day sale. This sale is the perfect opportunity to stock up on your favorite kits or kits you have been wanting to try from the Kits Collection. Kits are available while supplies last. Also, this sale excludes Paper Pumpkin Kits, Scrapbooking Workshop Kits, and Starter Kits.

World Card Making Day

Speaking of the Kits Collections, the Handmade & Heartfelt Kit (166213) from World Card Making Day is still available and I am guessing that it will be included in the Kits Collection Three-Day Sale. If you did not get a chance to sign up for the World Card Making Day event, you can still watch the video on YouTube, no login required. In addition to seeing each of the cards from the Handmade & Heartfelt Kit assembled, there is a demonstration for using card sketches and a Demonstrator from the UK shows a technique for creating an amazing background and making a reflection with no reverse stamping necessary. It is a great video for inspiration and just the right length to watch while having your morning coffee or your evening tea.

Last Chance Products

Last Chance Products

The Last Chance Products category of the Stampin' Up! website recently had additional products added.

Advent Calendar

12 Days of Crafting Advent Calendar

To the best of my knowledge, 2025 is the first year that Stampin' Up! offered an Advent Calendar. The 12 Days of Crafting Advent Calendar (167335) is designed to be something that you can craft with throughout the year, not only during the traditional November/December holiday season. Every day of this calendar contains never-before-seen dies, paper, embellishments, and even more items you won’t find in any Stampin' Up! catalogs or at the online store. If you would rather not make this considered purchase without getting a peek inside, there are a few videos online that will give you a look at all of the days. Whether or not you watch any of the videos for a look inside or if you just love the tradition of opening Advent Calendars, this is only available while supplies last, so make sure to buy one before they’re all gone. I've been saving my Rewards to purchase ink refill bundles, but I might need to change my plans - I watched one of the videos and my socks were blown off.

Traditions of Christmas Craft Class

Traditions of Christmas Craft Class

During the Traditions of Christmas Craft Class (170073) you’ll use the Traditions of Christmas Suite Collection and some basic supplies to make four unique projects, craft along with an experienced instructor, and learn exciting tips and techniques.

Be sure to read the full description of Craft Class for a list of other supplies you will need. Unfortunately as I am writing this the Traditions of Christmas Suite Collection (165877) is unavailable. I encourage you to go to the product page and input your email address so you will be notified when it is back in stock. Stampin' Up! anticipates it will return to inventory the week of November 17. If you would like to purchase the class and participate on October 23, you will have the opportunity to watch a recording of the class at a later date.

After you’ve purchased the class, Stampin' Up! will send you an email within 2–3 business days that will have everything you need to know, plus a link to the exclusive Facebook page where we’ll host the class. You can watch the live stream or view it later on demand—whatever works for your schedule!

During the class you will make four projects, 3 cards and 1 decor piece, using the Traditions of Christmas Suite Collection (sold separately).

The class will be livestreamed October 23 at 2:00 p.m. (MT). Purchase the Craft Class by October 20, 2025, and access the Facebook page as soon as possible to guarantee access to the livestream. Purchases of the Craft Class after October 23, 2025 are for on-demand access to the livestreamed class.

Goodness that is a lot of exciting paper crafting news. Fingers crossed I remembered everything and didn't leave out any important details. I hope you found something that you like too. 

Until next time, take care of yourselves.

What's New September 2025

Hello! Welcome to my crazy world. The Sunday after Labor Day I awoke to learn that a young cat was crossing the road near a busy intersection close to my house. I had to investigate and saw a young white and gold cat in the ditch off the opposite side of the road just talking up a storm. It would not come to me so I got some food hoping the rattle would encourage it to come closer. Unfortunately it did not and ran further the other direction, but when I was making my way back to our side of the road I heard some more crying. Honestly I thought it was the cat bird in the tree, but as I got closer I hear some smaller, softer cries and found this little guy.

little kitten in the bushes

So there he is surrounded by some dead thorny branches about 10 feet off a County highway with a creek behind him. The creek passes to his left and goes though a large sluice pipe where a Town road meets the County road. As I tried to get to him by cutting away some of the branches, he got nervous and jumped the 18 or so inches to the ground. I went back to my house and had a cup of coffee while he settled down a bit. I also put on shoes that I did not mind getting wet so I could try again. I walked down the creek and when I found him next, he was on the ground and had a lot of dead limbs crisscrossing his body. He was very sheltered, but shivering so I starting cutting branches away again. To make a long story shorter, I enlisted my mom to keep him from running toward the road and I finally caught him around 4pm. I think primarily because he climbed up about 3 feet off the ground and I tired him out. The funny thing is he ran, but never hissed at me and as soon as he was in my arms he started to purr.

Sunday Kitten

After a good meal, this little guy needed a long rest. Yes, you read that correctly, from the time I got up around 6:45am until about 4pm, I spent my planned crafting time trying to help this little guy have a better life.

On Tuesday we discovered another similar colored but a little older kitten, probably a Spring baby, hiding in a box (with a heated mat) that I made about 16 years ago for another group of strays. This kitten is even more afraid than the Sunday kitten. I initially harbored thoughts that the newer stray would make a great pal to the Sunday rescue, but the Tuesday kitten is definitely older and much more frightened and mostly feral. We are going to need the help of a rescue group and it will probably have become a trap/spay or neuter/release cat it is so afraid. Unfortunately I have not seen the white and gold cat I saw first again.

Enough of my crazy cat situation, let's talk about paper crafting.

From 12am to 11:59pm (Mountain time zone) on September 18, 2025, Stampin' Up! is having a 24-Hour sale on stamps and stamp tools (unfortunately bundles are not included in this sale).

24-Hour Sale

This Stamp-tacular Sale only happens once a year and September 18th, 2025 is the day!  You can get all the stamps and stamp tools you’ve been wanting at an amazing 15% discount. When the sale begins I believe you should find a link under specials pointing you to the products included in this sale. As I mentioned above, bundles are not included and neither are Last Chance Products.

Be sure to shop early because, as with most promotions, stamp sets and tools are only available while supplies last. Also be certain to finalize your order before the clock strikes 11:59pm in the Mountain time zone on September 18, 2025.

While you are browsing the Stampin' Up! website, be sure to check out the World Card Making Day details.

World Card Making Day

World Card Making Day is held online and is free to attend. Stampin' Up! is hosting the event on October 4, 2025 from 2pm to 3pm Mountain (that is 4pm to 5pm Eastern). In order to attend, please register by 2pm Mountain (4pm Eastern) on October 3, 2025 so SU! can send you a link to the online session. Everyone who registers for the event will receive a gift after the event ends. If you are unable to attend live, a recording will be available immediately following the event.

No purchase is necessary for World Card Making Day, but Stampin' Up! created the Handmade & Heartfelt Kit (166213) for those who want to craft along with the same products. I love that the kit includes an organizer.

When you visit the Stampin' Up! website, I invite you to look at the The Love & Courage Stamp Set (165935). The Love & Courage Stamp Set is made for those affected by breast cancer. This set helps create cards that honor both the fighters and the community who stand by them. With each purchase of the Love & Courage Stamp Set, Stampin' Up! will donate $3 to support the fight against breast cancer around the world. This is one way you can help make a difference this holiday season.

Finally there are many new arrivals to check out on the Stampin' Up! website. My wish list is so long that I wish I had been one of the recent Power Ball winners.

Enjoy this nicer weather September has given us. Hopefully it will not turn too cold too soon. Take care!

What's New August 2025

Hello. I am sorry I have not posted in awhile. To me it seems that the treadmill of life is going faster and faster. While I look forward to retirement, my mom tells me she thinks life is just as busy in retirement as it was when she worked. I hope I do not find that to be true.

With the high temps and wildfire smoke the northeast has experienced a few times this year, I hope you have a nice cool place to be creative and be out of the smokey air. As thick as the haze was today, I cannot imagine being closer to the wildfires. I hope the weather will bring conditions that will help the firefighters gain the upper hand across North America.

For the month of August, beginning August 5, Stampin' Up! will feature the new 2025–2027 In Colors™.

2025–2027 In Colors™

Starting August 5, select products that feature the new 2025–2027 In Colors™ are 15% off! This is a great opportunity to purchase new In Color products at a discount (some exclusions apply). Grab products like ink, two-tone cardstock, Designer Series Paper and more to create projects that showcase Stampin’ Up!’s amazing color coordination! Only products featured on the 2025–2027 In Colors page are included in this promotion.

The In Colors™ sale runs from August 5 to August 31. The ordering deadlines are: 

• via phone: August 29, 2025, at 6:59 pm Mountain
• online: August 31, 2025, at 11:59 pm Mountain

The sale includes select inks, cardstock, Designer Series Paper, embellishments, and other products that include these new In Colors, however only products featured on the 2025–2027 In Colors page are included in this promotion. Products are available only while supplies last.

Some products are excluded from the sale, including the Month by Month Album Retreat 2025 kit (167338).

The 2025–2027 In Colors™ are: Cloud Cover, Darling Duckling, Secret Sea, Strawberry Slush and Timid Tiger.

Last Chance to Sale-A-Brate

Stampin' Up! is bidding a fond farewell the Sale-A-Bration promotion (something new will be introduced at a later date) and they decided it only feels right to send Sale-A-Bration out in style with one last party . . . a retirement Sale-A-Bration! For one month only Stampin' Up! will offer some of the 2025 Sale-A-Bration items as Last Chance Products. This party starts on August 5 with the next Last Chance Products refresh. 

Available Sale-A-Bration items will be sold in the Last Chance Products category. As with all Last Chance products, once the inventory is gone the product will be removed from the online store. 

Hurry to get your hands on part of this Stampin’ Up! legacy. The retirement party will end when supplies run out or by September 4, 2025. 

Paper Pumpkin

There is still time to subscribe to Paper Pumpkin to receive the August 2025 Farmhouse Florals kit. The August kit includes a free additional stamp set (pictured below).

August 2025 Paper Pumpkin: Farmhouse Florals

The deadline to subscribe to receive the August Paper Pumpkin is August 10.

If you sign up for the month-to-month subscription and do not pause or cancel your subscription, in September you will receive the Fall for Toile kit which coordinates with the Autumn Toile Suite Collection.

September 2025 Paper Pumpkin

The subscription period for the September 2025 Paper Pumpkin kit begins August 11. Click here if you would like to subscribe.

Each quarter, Stampin' Up! creates a small die set that collaborates well with the Paper Pumpkin kits for that quarter. Honestly, I think the die set will be cute on many future projects. The set that was released this quarter is Circle of Seasons Dies.

Circle of Seasons Dies

The Circle of Seasons Dies are only available to current Paper Pumpkin subscribers.

That is all of the news I have for now. Have a fabulous August and try to keep cool. Hopefully we will have some nice weekend weather soon to do some outdoor chores. Our flower beds are looking a little ragged and are in desperate need of some TLC.

What's New June 2025

Hello! I hope the weather is feeling more like late Spring where you are than is it feeling here in New York. A cat was abandoned nearby and has adopted me. When I have been outside to feed him lately, I have had to wear a winter jacket and I could see my breath. I do not know if this will happen to you, but we are supposed to be in the mid 80s next Wednesday with humidity. I am not sure which extreme is worse. I guess I will be installing the AC sooner rather than later.

Despite the ups and downs of our weather, Stampin' Up! has a wonderful June 2025 planned, starting with Suites for Sale.

Suites for Sale

Beginning on June 3, through June 30 (while supplies last), all available suites and suite products from the 2025–2026 Annual Catalog and Online Exclusives are buy one, get one 50% off. Here are a few details to keep in mind:

• When you shop the sale, the 50% off discount will apply to the lower-priced item (for example, if you buy a suite collection and a stamp set from a suite, the suite would be full price, and the stamp set would be 50% off).
• Suite collections are available if all items are in stock; if all items are not in stock, you can still shop the available suite products.
• You don’t have to buy a suite and suite products all from the same suite collection for the discount to apply. You can buy any suite products from any suite.
• The discount will appear in your cart once you’ve added two items within the sale parameters to your cart.
• Products are available only while supplies last.
• See and shop all qualifying suites in the online store.

Stampin' Up! is having a Virtual Album Retreat in July 2025.

Virtual Album Retreat July 2025

The Virtual Album Retreat kits became available for purchase a few days ago and are only available while supplies last.

The Month by Month Album Retreat 2025 (167338) kit includes exclusive stamp sets, designed precut sheets, cardstock, embellishments, and more. Purchase of the kit is your all-access pass to an immersive three-day, virtual retreat. Full details are with the product description; please note this kit does not include an album. There is a list of additional crafting supplies needed (inks, adhesives, blocks, etc.), but it is likely you may have most or all of them in your craft area. Please see the product page or my May 28 post for a list.

Day of Service Shipping Delays

This year the Stampin’ Up! Day of Service is Wednesday, June 11. It’s when employees will pause all usual work to embark on a “service adventure" and choose to give back in a variety of ways around the community

With the company-wide participation in Day of Service, orders will not ship on June 11, and all expedited orders placed after 11:00 a.m. (MT) on June 10 will not be processed until June 12. Thank you for your patience and support SU! works to help the community at this year’s Day of Service celebration!

With the summer soon upon us and all of the activity summer celebrations bring, I hope you will still be able to find some time to be creative. Take care!

Stampin' Up! Virtual Album Retreat July 2025

Join Stampin' Up! for their first ever Virtual Album Retreat July 16–18, 2025 from 2:00–10:30 p.m. (MDT).

Virtual Album Retreat July 2025

The Virtual Album Retreat kits became available to order today and are only available while supplies last. Be sure to order ASAP to ensure the kits do not sell out and to make sure you get your products in time for the event!

The Month by Month Album Retreat 2025 (167338) kit includes exclusive stamp sets, designed precut sheets, cardstock, embellishments, and more. Purchase of the kit is your all-access pass to an immersive three-day, virtual retreat. Full details are with the product description; please note this kit does not include an album. There is a list of additional crafting supplies needed (inks, adhesives, blocks, etc.), but it is likely you may have most or all of them in your craft area:

Virtual Album Retreat July 2025 Additional Supplies

The list of additional supplies is also with the product description.

By purchasing the Month by Month Album Retreat 2025 (167338) kit you can earn up to $25.00 in Stampin’ Rewards.

If you enjoy scrapbooking, this is a great way to scrap with members of the Stampin' Up! team and like-minded people from around the world.

Happy paper crafting!

2x Rewards from SU! - Two Days Only

Hello! If you have not opted in to Stampin’ Rewards yet, I have a great reason for you to opt in this weekend...2X Rewards!

2x Rewards

Stampin' Up! is excited to celebrate National Scrapbooking Day with the crafting community around the world. For 2 days only (May 2–3) SU! is offering 2x rewards on all purchases!

It gets better. This offer applies to ALL products, not just scrapbooking items! (Some exclusions apply, see more below.)

The ordering deadline by phone is May 2, 2025, at 6:59 p.m. (MT), but when you shop online, the ordering deadline is May 3, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. (MT).

To earn rewards be sure to sign in to your Stampin' Up! account and opt in to Stampin' Rewards if you have not already. If you are unsure if you opted in, even if you have not earned rewards yet, you can go here then choose the "View My Rewards" button near the middle of the page to see your earned rewards and/or confirm you are opted in.

After opting in, when you shop as usual, you will earn rewards that can be spent on future orders, and you will earn double rewards (2x rewards) for two days only, from May 2–3!

This offer applies to ALL products excluding existing Paper Pumpkin subscriptions, however any new subscription or prepaid subscription ordered during the offer will earn double rewards. All orders qualify once the rewards threshold of $20 is reached. All the ins and outs of rewards are listed here.

In addition, I wish I had seen this event sooner so I would have had the chance to share the details earlier. Stampin' Up! is having a National Scrapbooking Event on Facebook on Friday, May 2 at 3 p.m. EDT. You will find the event here. 

I hope you have a fabulous crafty weekend.

Changing Leaves Sympathy Card

Sometimes it seems like the bulk of the cardmaking I do is to create sympathy cards. We had a stretch of time where we learned of a passing, we would get home from calling hours and the same day, learn of another passing. Unfortunately this happened for a month.

This is one of the cards I created during this time. 

Changing Leaves Sympathy Card

The card was created with the Leaf Collection Cling Stamp Set (163610) and the Changing Leaves Hybrid Embossing Folder (sold out). I am still using up CTMH cardstock and on this card I used CTMH Pine cardstock and stamp pad. A good substitute for Pine is Stampin' Up!'s Shaded Spruce. I also used CTMH White Daisy which is now available from Stampin' Up! as White Willow (166703). I am sorry, but I do not remember which stamp set the sentiment is from. If I remember, I will update this post.

One thing I would change about this card would be to ink the embossing on the white leaves. The texture from the embossing folder would look terrific inked.

I hope a long time passes before I need another sympathy card. I also hope the cardmaking you have been doing lately has been for joyous events.

Have a great and crafty weekend.

Free Shipping from SU! - Three Days Only

Stampin' Up! has a great offer for us right on the heels of updating Stampin' Rewards: For Three Days Only they are offering Free Shipping!

From April 23 to 25, when you spend $75 or more, you will get FREE SHIPPING!

To receive free shipping, orders must be opened during the Free Shipping window, so please do not start adding items to your cart until April 23 (Mountain time); orders must be finalized by 11:59pm MDT April 25. If you are ordering by telephone, your order must be placed by 6:59 pm Mountain on April 25, 2025 (be certain you opted into Stampin' Rewards before placing your order).

Free shipping automatically applies to your cart after the qualifying amount for $75 (before tax) has been met. The additional cost for expedited shipping is not covered by this promotion.

Prepaid 3-, 6-, or 12-month Paper Pumpkin subscriptions and month-to-month subscriptions do not qualify for free shipping, but Paper Pumpkin subscribers can purchase refills, past kits and add-ons that do qualify toward free shipping.

While browsing the Stampin' Up! website, I encourage you to check out the Last Chance Products. I believe I've mentioned this before, but once products appear in Last Chance, they are available while supplies last. I saw a few deals that made me wish I had more storage space and a checkbook balance that auto replenished more often than my employer makes deposits. [insert grin]

Happy Crafting!