April's News

Published: Wed, 04/04/18

Spring is Finally Here! (kind of)

New Englanders are hardy. We are adaptable to any type of weather that Mother Nature sends, just like the daffodils that are trying to pop out of my garden. But, Winter seems to hanging on a little too long this year. Despite the calendar saying Spring is two weeks old, looking out the window tells a different story. Yesterday was supposed to be my daughter's high school softball game opener, but it was postponed due to snow. Tomorrow is looking towards being cancelled for rain. Fingers crossed that we'll hear "play ball" for the third scheduled game. I hope you are surviving this "Lions's share" of Spring.

Top 10 Must-Have Tools for Any Crafter

Since I can't dig out my gardening tools just yet, I thought I would give you my list of Top 10 crafting tools. Some of these you can find around the house, and some of these are a Stampin' Up! specialty (which I have linked so you can easily find them in case you want to get them).

1. Paper Trimmer! Every household needs a paper trimmer. My daughter just used ours for her science fair tri-fold display and was complemented many times on her straight cuts. Stampin' Up!'s Stampin' Trimmer is a great one for the everyday crafter.

2. Good Scissors. Separate ones for paper and ribbon. I use my Fiskers for ribbon (and label them so) and Stampin' Up!'s Paper Snips for paper (which are only $10, less than those bumblebee ones I used to use).

3. Tweezers. I use these so much that the red paint is chipping off of them. Great for applying rhinestones & pearls as well as holding tiny pieces in place while applying glue.

4. I'm combining this one since they work together: Silicone mat, Tombo glue & a toothpick. My friend Tracy showed me this trick. Squirt some Tombo multipurpose liquid glue on the Silicone Craft Sheet and use the toothpick to pick up & apply the glue to the back of card stock. This works particularly great for small pieces (while holding the piece with the aforementioned set of tweezers). Eliminates the need for the fine tip glue pen which can get messy. The leftover glue will dry on the mat and then you just rub it off.

5. Good hand cream. My hands tend to dry out, especially in the winter, and they work so much better when moisturized.

6. Laptop/iPad. A must for checking out blogs & Pinterest.

7. Ruler. I have several rulers in my craft studio and use them all the time for measuring paper and dimensions.

8. Acrylic "D" block. I use this Clear "D" size block all the time. It's a very comfortable size in my hand and covers a good majority of the stamps. My second & third favorite sizes are "A" and "H".

9. White Baker's Twine. I love Whisper White baker's twine and there's something innocent and lovely about using white. And, you can color it any color by either dragging it across your ink pad or coloring it with a sponge dauber.

10. A Big Shot. It cuts, it embosses, it is used on almost every project I make. Although an investment at first, a Big Shot is one you will not regret and wish you had sooner. (it's even been used on school projects, baby shower decor, holiday decorations, ).

Nothing Says Spring Like a Royal Wedding!

Are you ready for the event of the season? Our own Meagan Markle will be marrying her English Prince Charming (Harry) and the world will be going wild. Since we didn't receive our invitations (I assume you didn't receive one), let's get together and celebrate the wedding Stampin' Style.

You're Invited

The Markle Sparkle Event

(an afternoon celebrating the Royal Wedding)

Sunday, May 20 at 2 pm

@ Christine's house

Everyone will get their own Lots of Happy card kit*, make their own nosegay, party favor and enjoy English refreshments. $50, pre-paid.

Firm RSVP by May 11 so I can order all the kits. I encourage you to invite a friend!

Included in the Lots of Happy Card kit: paper, embellishments & envelopes for 20 cards, an acrylic block, 4 watercolor pencils, stamps, ink and dimensionals.

Retirement List to Be Announced On April 9

Another indicator of Spring is the announcement of the Retirement List. It will be time for us to say goodbye to some great products, some of them favorite products. I don't know what will be listed yet, but do know that I am sure to miss some of them. Once the list gets announced, the items will be "while supplies last". So, if you see something on that list that you want, I recommend that you don't wait (long) before ordering it.

I do know that the 2016-2018 In Colors will be saying goodbye. These are colors I like very much: Dapper Denim, Emerald Envy, Peekaboo Peach, Flirty Flamingo and Sweet Sugarplum. If you like them too, I suggest you stock up on them while they are available because they always sell out quickly. Card stock, ribbons, re-inkers, washi tape.......

A Great Masculine Card

There is an english translation to this Truly Tailored Stamp set. Be sure to take a peek, it's a great masculine set & suite.

To see this project sheet up close, click here: https://my.stampinup.com/portal/docs/default-source/StampinUp-University/stampin-success/2018/q2/na/ssq2_na_eotm1.pdf?sfvrsn=4

Aprons are for Everyone

I am in love with the Aprons of Love stamp set and coordinating Apron Builders Framelits (to use with that awesome Big Shot). I recently hosted a team event where everyone received their own stamp set and made products using the Apron in different ways. Today, I just received my weekly email from Stampin' Up! showing even more ways of using the Aprons, shown below. You can be sure that this set will be showing up for both my Mother's Day (feminine) and Father's Day (masculine) card classes.

To see my post on our team event, read here:

http://mailsomethingpretty.com/creating-with-the-apron-of-love-stamp-set-and-coordinating-framelits-dies/

To see my post on creating your own recipe box (there's even a recipe included), read here:

http://mailsomethingpretty.com/an-easy-recipe-card-box-to-make-as-a-gift-using-the-apron-of-love-bundle/

I Invite Your Comments & Shares!

Comments, Feedback, Hearts, Likes....I invite them all. I encourage you to visit my website, Facebook page, Instagram, Pinterest Page and YouTube Channel often. Did you notice I gave my website a complete overhaul? The more "engagement" (comments, likes, shares, etc) the more Google will show my posts in searches and the more Facebook will show my posts in your feeds. I want you to see what I write and post! And then, we can have conversations over the things you like. All links at at the bottom of this email.

Upcoming Events!

April

Stampin’ Up! OnStage event in Hartford, CT, Saturday, April 7. This is a Demonstrator only event. Want to become a Demonstrator and go to future events? You can read more here: http://mailsomethingpretty.com/thinking-about-joining-stampin-up/

James Library, Norwell. Books in Bloom, Saturday, April 29, 10-4. I am making a Paper Flower arrangement that will be on display to go along with children's book, Rose's Garden.

May

Mother’s Day (or feminine) Card Class, Thursday, May 3 at 10 am, Friday, May 4 at 10 am and 7 pm. $30 for 6 cards. RSVP by noon on Wed, May 2.

Stamparatus Class, See & use the to-be June released Stamparatus (a very cool stamp positioner tool). Friday, May 11 at 10 am and 7 pm. $30 for 6 cards. RSVP by noon on Wed, May 9.

An afternoon creatively celebrating Prince Harry & Meghan’s wedding (aka Markle Sparkle day), Sunday, May 20 at 2 pm. Everyone will get their own Lots of Happy card kit, make their own nosegay, party favor and enjoy English refreshments. $50, pre-paid. Firm RSVP by May 11.

June

Strawberry Festival, June 2, 10 – 2 pm. Houghs Neck Congregational Church, 310 Manet Ave, Quincy. I will have a table selling cards, notebooks and paper gifts.

Father’s Day (Masculine) Card Class, Thursday, June 7 at 10 am and Friday, June 8 at 10 am and 7 pm, $30 for 6 cards. RSVP by noon on Wed, June 6.

You can send your RSVP to christine@mailsomethingpretty.com

Special offer for new Paper Pumpkin subscribers. Subscribe anytime before May 10 and your first two months will be 50% off (regular price $19.95/month). To subscribe, click on this LINK.

To get an idea of what Paper Pumpkin is all about, view this quick video to see March's kit. Each month, a video is sent to your inbox showing how to put the kit together.

Paper Pumpkin March 2018

Contact Me:

website: www.mailsomethingpretty.com

email: christine@mailsomethingpretty.com

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phone/text: 339/788-1915

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