My Top Ten Picks from the New Holiday Catalogue! It's Here!!

On Wednesday I promised you I would try to help you out with your wish list, now that 

Click here to download the 2017 Holiday Catalogue PDF

the 2017 Holiday Catalogue has gone live, by posting my top ten products from the catalogue. Now keep in mind that these choices are my humble opinion only and may not be to your taste at all, but if you like my blog and the cards that I create, chances are that you may like the same things that I choose from the catalogue. I am also trying to keep in mind versatility and things that you will get a lot of use from, not just in the season. So with that in mind, let's have a look at my picks:

(For each choice, click on the links below to take you to my On-Line Store, where you can read about, look at, and purchase if you wish, the products mentioned today.)

1. Best Fall Bundle:  Painted Harvest Bundle

Without a doubt, this is my favourite product in the whole catalogue. It includes the Painted Harvest Stamp Set and the Leaf Punch, which we've needed for a long time. The artwork is phenomenal and you can create cards that look like masterpieces just by stamping. While using warm fall colours make the images perfect for fall, there is no reason you can't use other soft or bright colours to take this stamp set into the winter, spring or summer! And who doesn't like sunflowers??

2. Best Winter/Christmas Bundle: Hearts Come Home Bundle and Night in Bethlehem Bundle

I couldn't decide between these two very similar bundles, but they will both create some very effective Christmas greeting cards and I guess it would be your call as to whether you would prefer the more traditional religious images or the generic Christmas images. Both bundles feature a stamp set with great images and really super sentiments, and edgelit dies that create layered towns, modern or biblical, depending on the set. I have seen stunning creations with both bundles!                                                                                                                                                   The Hearts Come Home bundle consists of the Hearts Come Home stamp set and the Hometown Greetings Edgelits.                                                     

The Night in Bethlehem bundle is made up of the Night in Bethlehem stamp set and the Bethlehem Edgelit Dies.











3. Best Designer Series Paper - Merry Little Christmas Designer Series Paper

This paper had me at Basic Black, Old Olive and Whisper White! I absolutely love the combination. When you add the graphic designs including giant ginghams in Old Olive and Basic Black, it's a no brainer for me. And it works for any time of year with the graphic patterns, just winter for snowflakes and trees, but you'll get a huge amount of use from this paper. I can see it being used for wrapping very special gifts as well!






4. Best Specialty Designer Series Paper - Year of Cheer Specialty Designer Series Paper

Foil paper is festive, no two ways around that, and this paper is fabulous! You get 3 each of 4 single sided foil designs, 3 of which could be used year round for any festive occasion. And it mixes metallics gorgeously, while introducing a new one - champagne! How cool is that? And there are so many embellishments to enhance your creations that you make with it! You can't lose with this pack!






















5. Best Embellishments: Foil Snowflakes and Year of Cheer Embellishments

I'm so sorry! Once again, I could not decide between these two. They are both stunning! The Foil Snowflakes make either an impressive background for your main image or they can steal the show themselves with a bold die cut sentiment over top.

The Year of Cheer Embellishment, I am seeing as jewellry, if you're in to making that, or wine glass trinkets or tree ornaments, or some delicate eye-catching extras on your cards or gift tags this year.









6. Best Ribbon: 7/8" Striped Ribbon

What's black and white and wired for shaping? The 7/8" Striped Ribbon, perfect for use with the Merry Little Christmas Suite of products, but so neutral that it would work with many other colours as well. I just love stripes, so this one was an easy pick for me!













7. Best Punch - Everyday Label Punch

We've needed a punch for a long time to accommodate the wider, longer sentiments and this Everyday Label Punch does the job so elegantly! I love that it coordinates with two stamp sets in this catalogue - more value for your money! And it bundles with the Merry Little Labels stamp set, one of two stamp sets in the Merry Little Christmas Mega Suite.






8. Best Embossing Folder - Winter Wonder Textured Impressions Embossing Folder

If you look in the top left of this photo you'll see the Winter Wonder TIEF in all it's snowflaky glory! It's been awhile since we've had an embossing folder that had an impression that was a focal point instead of a background and this one can make an amazing focal point for your cards, especially embossed in foil with a die cut greeting over it! Not just for Christmas, but for all your winter birthdays and celebrations.












9. Best Kit - Be Merry All Inclusive Kit




There are two kits in the Holiday Catalogue. One makes lovely greeting cards, but you have to purchase an additional stamp set to do it. This kit makes 12 Rosette Ornaments, and it's an All Inclusive Kit, meaning it contains everything you need to create the project from beginning to end. It looks like a lot of fun, and it might make a great gift for a crafty friend or someone with the inclination but not a lot of tools, time or money!






Or you could just keep it for yourself and have a new theme for your Christmas Tree this year!







10. Best Extra Product - Champagne Foil Sheets

I love, love, love Champagne metallics. I've been trying to get my hubby to buy me a champagne diamond for a long time now with no luck yet! These foil sheets are absolutely gorgeous! I'm hoping they will hang around after this catalogue is done like the copper foil did last year!













So, there you have it! My fav ten products! Do you agree? Which ten would you have chosen?

And Stampin' Up! thinks it's time to reward hosts again with a new promotion called Merry Patterns! It's a brand new stamp set, never seen before! You cannot buy this one! You can only earn it through Stampin' Rewards! During the months of September and October, when you are the host of a party of some kind (and there are many, many options) where the sales total $375 before tax and shipping, which is an average party total, you will receive this amazing two-step stamp set free! (You could also earn it by spending $375 yourself, but that's not anyone I know!) Here are some samples made with this set:

From a traditional private class or workshop or stamping party, to a catalogue party or facebook party, or having it your host month with my stamp club, there are many ways to earn Stampin' Rewards, so give me a call and we'll find out what suits you best!