2012 Christmas Card Challenge Winner Announced!

For the past two years, the Waltzingmouse Stamps Christmas Card Challenge has provided inspiration and motivation helping forum members get a jump on holiday card creating. Each month a different challenge has been thrown down, and many have taken that challenge and created some amazing cards, but more importantly, they have increased their stash of Christmas cards so they were prepared and were ready to send out their cards early. Many of the players have done just that...completed the entire year's worth of challenges and they had all their Christmas cards ready for mailing before the holiday rush overcame them.

Additionally, we have dangled the preverbal carrot in front of our forum members, in the form of a grand prize opportunity for those who have participated each month. Now that December is nearly over, it’s time to select the GRAND PRIZE winner. But before I announce the winner, I want to congratulate all the creative ladies who have completed all 12 challenges this past year.

Julia Aston

Linda Suarez

Jen Treadway

Carola Dolder

Charmaine Stack

Deborah Frings

Cassie K

Christine Kennedy

Cassandra Jones

Katherine Lesh

Sarah Costello and

Maja Stefancic

So without further delay - I'm happy to announce the winner of the 2012 Waltzingmouse Stamps Christmas Card Challenge:

The winner is... Christine Kennedy!

Congratulations Christine – not only have you scored a wonderful prize, but you have accomplished a task that many wish they had. Please send me an e-mail at lynn dot mercurio at g-mail dot com and I will provide you with a special code for you to use so that you may begin using your $150.00 gift at the Waltzingmouse Store. You don't have to use the gift code all in one shot, but don't let that stop you if you want to go "hog-wild".

Many thanks go out to all the participants for their creative inspiration.

Happy New Year!

...store Christmas Vacation

Folks, just a quick note to let you know that the store will cease shipping tomorrow 21st December and resume shipping on the 8th January.

I'd like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas! I'm in the kitchen stewing cranberries and wrapping stuff and I hope to pop back over the Christmas Vacation for a chat but right now I am in hyper prep mode.... :) hope everything is going according to plan for you!

...Winner of the $100 Gift Voucher!!!

  Good morning folks!! I know I'm a little late posting this, but printing out all those comments and cutting them up into the required number of slips took a little longer than I thought....LOL

I want to thank everyone who took part! We are super excited to be getting our USA shipping off the ground and we will be working very hard to make sure the USA base id stocked with all your favourite sets! 

WINNER

Anyhow, in our Spread the word competition, the lucky winner was at last drawn and the winner was:

Amy Kolling who said...
I sent a tweet out about the US Shipping option! Yay!
https://mobile.twitter.com/kolling143/status/275259778870161408?p=p

HUGE Congratulations Amy - Pop me an email on claire.brennan1@ntlworld.com with '$100 WINNER' in the subject field and I will get your code right out to you!!!!

Design Team December Release Blog Waltz–We Have a Winner!

The Design Team did an amazing job with all of their samples for the December Release. I’m personally amazed release after release how they each create unique and imaginative designs with the new sets. The entire team is pleased and honored that so many of you stopped by, left lovely comments and showed great enthusiasm during the WMS Design Team Blog Waltz held December 1st.          

As promised, we have selected a lucky winner of a free Waltzingmouse Stamps set of choice.  Each member of the Design Team selected one comment from their group of comments, and from those, we have selected a lucky winner. The winner was selected from the blog of Clare Buswell.

CONGRATULATIONS GOES TO: Claire of Life on the Scrap Heap Blog (Claire seems to be a popular name this month!)

To claim your prize, please e-mail Claire at Claire.brennan1@ntlworld.com.

Please provide Claire with your contact information and set choice, and she will get your selected set on its way to you.

You all have our most humble gratitude for taking the time to stop by our blogs and your wonderful uplifting comments on our projects and the new release sets.

...more December release fun

Just popping on quickly to let you know that Anya, Lynn, Kelly and Belinda are showing their new release projects from today until Wednesday. Unfortunately their stamps were delayed, but that means extended fun for me to see more fabby creations!! Here's a wee taste of what you are missing!

 Pop by Lynn, Anya, Kelly and Belinda's blogs to see more!

...start spreading the news!

You might have read on our release post about the USA shipping! we are super excited about it and really hope that you can help us get the word out! We're running a little promotion on that post, so if you can tell your friends on Facebook, via tweets, on your blogs, in fact any old way, we will enter you into a draw for $100 worth of WMS!

Be sure to come back and leave a comment on this post to let us know how you are spreading the word, the more ways you can get the news out, the more chances you have of winning! I will be adding names to the pot, and your name will be added once for each method you use! for example, if you FB and tweet it, I will put your name in twice - see?

You must leave a comment to be in with a chance of winning, here's that link again to the competition post.

I'm also itching to know what sets you would like to see available from USA next - so if you want to leave your suggestions on this post I'll pick a winner from these comments also to win a spot prize of a large set of stamps!

Entries for the main competition and this one will close at midnight Friday 7th December!

Hope it tickles!

...New Stamps for December - AND Competition!

ED- Lynn, It's 'Feliz Navidad' - the lo res image makes the 'z' look like an 'x', but it is spelled corrrectly and it means Merry Christmas in Spanish. Ta for asking!

 

 

Welcome to the December release at Waltzingmouse Stamps! If you are new to us, we design and produce clear stamps made from the best quality photopolymer (that's the good stuff) and today we have 4 new sets for you! Our free shipping over £50GBP offer still stands, but now is the time to make the most of it, a raise in the free shipping threshold has been overdue since April and it will have to happen in the next couple of weeks or my accountant may fire me....

Design Team Blog waltz  

Before we take another step, let me give you the links to the Design Team Blog Waltz happening right now where you can see some gorgeous examples of what you can do with the new stamps shown below, and we've been previewing for several days already so it's worth a scroll back to see what's new! Be sure to visit all of the DT ladies and Don't forget to comment, there's a prize!

Tosha

Clare

Kelly

Lynn

Jennifer

Belinda

Bonnie

Sandie 
 Julia 
Laurie 
Sarah
Anya 

US Shipping 

Last month we trialled a US shipping scheme, whereby some USA/Canada residents were able to have their items shipped to them direct from our USA base.The feedback we have received so far has been that this worked out great for our USA residents, but was of no real benefit to our Canada residents. with this in mind I am going ahead to try to expand the scheme for USA residents.

Our Canadian folks will continue to receive their items directly from us here in UK for the time being. We found that there was not a significant improvement in delivery time and the cost in some cases was the same if not higher. If you are a Canadian resident and you would prefer to get your items from the USA base, please don't worry, this might well still be an option, just pop a note on your order to tell us your preference and we will deal with your enquiry individually.

The most important thing to remember about our shipping scheme is that at this time, only selected items will be available from our USA base and if you order contains items that are not stocked at our US base, you will find that your order will come to you from our UK base as normal.

The way to tell if an item is stocked in USA is to look at the product page - you will see this graphic displayed on items that are available from USA:

On Products available from USA you will be able to click on a drop down menu to select the option for that item to ship from USA - But remember - we can only ship your order from USA if all of the items you have chosen are in stock there. Orders containing even one item that is not held in our USA location will automatically be shipped from our UK base.

You can see items that are in stock at our USA base here, and there is also a list at the end of this post for your convenience.

If you have filled your basket and all of your items are available from USA - you will then have the option during checkout to chose the "Flat rate shipping within USA option." This will mean that not only will you be getting your items much faster, you will not have to pay international shipping!! woohoo!  

Our free shipping promotion will still work for USA items and so If your order is over £50GBP you will automatically qualify for free shipping as normal!

 We realise that this system is not perfect, but until we are able to stock our USA base with everything, this is the best solution we can offer at present. Eventually we hope to hold stock of all our stamps at our USA location, but you can appreciate that with over 100 stamp sets, this will take a little time...

  
Tell folks about our USA shipping - you might win OOOOdles in our Competition!

Since we're so excited about our US shipping developments we want you folks to go forth and talk about it! Spread the word via facebook/Pinterest/Twitter/Your own blog, it's that simple, just tell folks that we are getting US shipping off the ground. Pop back here, tell me what you did to spread the news and I will add you into a draw to win a Wonderful Prize, we'll get to that in a moment, but can I just tell you that you will increase your chances of winning by listing the ways in which you shared our news in your comment, For example if you Tweet about our news and also blog about it - you will have two entries into our prize draw - but you need to tell me what you did, so don't forget to come back here and list your efforts! The prize will be a $100USD (approx £63GBP) Gift voucher for the store!

 

 And here are the New goodies for December

Ornate Ornaments

Set size – 6 × 8 inches

A set of ornaments designed specifically to work with the 2010 Ornaments, 2011 Ornaments and 2012 ornament die templates from Spellbinders! Highly detailed ornaments to bring a touch of overstated luxury to your gift tags, cards, scrap pages and even your tree! Stamp them, emboss them colour them, have fun! The smallest ornament shape is approx 2.25 inches wide by just under 2 inches tall. The largest ornament is 3.6 by 4.6 inches at the widest points. All images and stamp designs are Copyright © 2012 Waltzingmouse Stamps, Claire Brennan.

My Heart
Set size – 6 × 8 inches

Cutting files for these will be available for these stamps tomorrow.

Capture or recapture the innocence of schoolyard romance with this simple set. Did your sweetheart ever carve your initials in a heart on a tree trunk? You can get the same look, in a much more tree-friendly way with this simply styled set. Simplicity and a certain amount of elegance make this a great set for Valentines, Weddings and anniversary celebrations, and even the dreaded 'man card' that crops up at least once a year...The largest solid heart is 1.75 inches by 1.7 inches at the widest points, and the 'LOVE' sentiment is 1.4 inches wide by a half inch tall. All images and stamp designs are Copyright © 2012 Waltzingmouse Stamps, Claire Brennan.

Woodgrain

Set size – 6 ×4 inches

With the kind permission of Mr D VanderYacht we were able to use his highly detailed photograph to help us create a superbly realistic woodgrain stamp. This set contains a ginormous backgrounder - 4.5 inches by 5.75 inches and 5 other essential motifs. The Hexagon will work with the Spellbinders hexagon die templates! Suitable for so many projects, this is sure to become a go-to set. A timeless image which will provide texture and substance to your projects for years to come! The backgrounder is 4.5 by 5.75 inches and the woodgrain dot is o.5 inches in diameter. All images and stamp designs are Copyright © 2012 Waltzingmouse Stamps, Claire Brennan.

Woodenheart Alphabet
Stamp size – 4.5 × 5.75 inches

A delightful Alphabet, perfect for adding your monogram to the hearts in 'My Heart'. The vintage and slightly rustic styling makes this a great letter set for creating words and sentiments to go with all your vintage projects, place settings a speciality! Average letter size is 0.4 inch wide by 5.5 inches tall. All images and stamp designs are Copyright © 2012 Waltzingmouse Stamps, Claire Brennan

Spellbinders 2012 Ornaments
Die templates S5-116

This years beautiful Ornaments from Spellbinders. A die from  this set works with the stamp in the Ornate Ornaments set to bring you a complete collection of stamps for the Spellbinders Heirloom Ornaments shapes released so far.

 

 Current USA stock 

Items currently in stock in USA as of 7:00pm December 1st are listed here, or click on the image to view the collection. Please note if you are reading this at a later date, the stock levels may have changed!

Ornate Ornaments
Woodgrain
My Heart
Woodenheart Alphabet
Yonder Star
Yonder Star Backgrounder
Vintage Christmas Backgrounder
Half Pint Heroines
Compliments of the Season Two
Compact sentiments Part Two
Candy Wagon
Cabin Plaid Backgrounder
Big Berries Strawberry


Hope it tickles!

...winner winner chicken dinner!!

The winner of yesterdays' competition was:

Tracey McNeely who said...
Gorgeous and all of today's samples are beautiful!

Tracey pop me an email with the line winner winner chicken dinner!! and we'll get your goodies out to you!!

I'll be ack in literally moments with the December release!

...Release Schedule

Good afternoon ladies!
I have a quick schedule of today's release events for you and more news on the US shipping service

US Shipping

Last month we trialled a US shipping scheme, whereby some USA/Canada residents were able to have their items shipped to them direct from our USA base.

The feedback we have received so far has been that this worked out great for our USA residents, but was of no real benefit to our Canada residents. with this in mind I am going ahead to try to expand the scheme for USA residents.

Our Canadian folks will continue to receive their items directly from us here in UK for the time being. We found that there was not a significant improvement in delivery time and the cost in some cases was the same if not higher. If you are a Canadian resident and you would prefer to get your items from the USA base, please don't worry, this might well still be an option, just pop a note on your order to tell us your preference and we will deal with your enquiry individually.

The most important thing to remember about our shipping scheme is that at this time, only selected items will be available from our USA base and if you order contains items that are not stocked at our US base, you will find that your order will come to you from our UK base as normal.

The way to tell if an item is stocked in USA is to look at the product page - you will see this graphic displayed on items that are available from USA:

On Products available from USA you will be able to click on a drop down menu to select the option for that item to ship from USA - But remember - we can only ship your order from USA if all of the items you have chosen are in stock there. Orders containing even one item that is not held in our USA location will automatically be shipped from our UK base.

If you have filled your basket and all of your items are available from USA - you will then have the option during checkout to chose the "Flat rate shipping within USA option." This will mean that not only will you be getting your items much faster, you will not have to pay international shipping!! woohoo! Our free shipping promotion will still work for USA items and so If your order is over £50GBP you will automatically qualify for free shipping as normal!

We realise that this system is not perfect, but until we are able to stock our USA base with everything, this is the best solution we can offer at present. Eventually we hope to hold stock of all our stamps at our USA location, but you can appreciate that with over 100 stamp sets, this will take a little time...

Schedule for Today
Please note these are the UK times that are local to me. I have a little note below of equivalent times in other places.

5:00PM - the Store will close to allow final adjustments

6:30pm I will announce the winner from the comment competition at the end of this post.

7:00PM - the New Stamps for December post will go live on this blog and there will be more fabulous samples from the DT in our December release Blog Waltz. Don't forget also that we run a little random giveaway from the DT blog waltz, another chance to win goodies!

7:15PM - the Store will re-open.

Just in case you are new to us, We design and produce clear photopolymer stamps and we are releasing four new stamp sets this evening. Scroll back through the most recent posts to see examples of what is coming later today. And if you are not in need of new stamps just now I invite you to come back this evening at 7:00pm anyhow for the DT Blog Waltz, loads of eye candy and inspiration!! AND a competition!

7:00pm my time Saturday 1 December is approximately equal to:

Australia,Queensland  - 5:00am December 2nd (ouch, sorry ladies!)

Brazil, Rio de Janeiro - 5:00pm Saturday 1st December

Canada, Ontario - 2:00pm Saturday 1st December

Germany - 8:00pm Saturday 1st December

Japan - 4:00am December 2nd (oooh, sorry ladies!)

Netherlands - 8:00pm Saturday 1st December

Russia, Moscow - 11:00pm Saturday 1st December

South Africa - 9:00pm Saturday 1st December

USA Maine - 2:00pm Saturday 1st December

USA Missouri - 1:00pm Saturday 1st December

USA California - 11:00am Saturday 1st December