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January 15, 2006 Update
From the Helm
Cap'n Dawn Heath,Publisher
Happy New Year! It's 2006 and do you know what that means? We hope that you enjoyed the expedition to Antarctica with us, but with the beginning of the new year we are beginning our next cruise around the world!! Stamping and Scrapping Reflections is beginning 2006 in New Zealand visiting with our very own Wendy Pettifer! Wendy lives in Thames, New Zealand, right on the coast so we don't have to go far to visit her and pop in for a cuppa tea! Well, okay...a whole ship full of crafters might be a bit much for Wendy's family to cope with so maybe it would be best if we drink tea on board and have Wendy give us the grand tour! The sights and sounds of New Zealand are spectacular, just ask Hollywood! The Lord of the Rings movies were filmed here a few years ago and just recently the Chronicles of Narnia was also filmed in New Zealand! If you would love to see the beauty of the small country, I found this site of New Zealand for you! We hope that S.S. Reflections has made the world just a little bit smaller with our cruises around the globe and that the beauty we share with you inspires you to try new and different ideas when you create. Please be sure to share your ideas with all of us! Send them to Robin for our Reader's Gallery! This beautiful image of Milford Sound is courtesy of Phillip Greenspun. Thank you Phillip for the privilege of sharing your work!
It has been one year since the Tsunami and as we reflect back on the past year, it was a year full of disasters that have hit around the world. The Tsunami, earthquakes in Pakistan, hurricanes in Mexico and our own southern states, tornados in the Midwest, mudslides in California and just recently, extremely cold weather in England and as we prepare our January issue a record 25th tropical storm is forming in the Atlantic a month after the hurricane season officially ended. Because of these horrible tragedies, we have so many people who are in need of help. Christmas is a time for giving and you have all been so very generous and I want to encourage you as we begin 2006 to please remember to contribute to the American Red Cross, you can donate online or you can call 1-800-HELP NOW, or contact the Salvation Army to donate online, or you can call 1-800-253-1868. Even a few dollars can help someone who is in need.
As we begin a brand new world cruise schedule, we are thrilled to announce to you that we have yet another way for you to navigate through SSR. At the bottom of each page is a Quick Links section which will take you to the deck of your choice or the area in the magazine that you wish to visit next! We have also separated our archives by year. This is yet another handy way for you to find the information that you need quickly! We launched SSR in November 2003, so you now have three new pages to help you in your searches!! If you are joining us for the very first time, let me explain what S.S. Reflections is. We are a completely FREE online magazine with a truly unique concept. SSR is a virtual cruise ship from the Golden Era here to entertain you as we visit a new country/port each month. We have an amazing crew who create designs and share ideas with you each month from various areas of the ship. Our fly-out menu bar, to the left, can take you anywhere on the ship that you would like to be. It will guide you through each deck on this magnificent ship! If you'd like to read each and every feature, at the bottom of each page is a blue arrow and a link to click which will take you to the next page to read. As mentioned above, we now have a Quick Links feature to help you get to where you want to go to next! We also have Intro Pages for each deck which are listed in the Quick Links section. On these pages are ship's wheels with our crewmember's pictures inside - you can click on the wheel to read a short, fun bio for each designer. You can also click on the name of their room on the ship and it will take you directly to their article, or you can email each crewmember directly by clicking on their name! Please write to us and be sure to let us know what you love about SSR!
We hope that you are taking advantage of our new program to actually purchase the designs created by our amazing designers! All you need to do is click on the thumbnail of your favorite design, and if it is for sale it will be listed at the bottom of the supply list. You can email the crewmember directly for information about purchasing the design featured! Shipping and handling are not included in the price of the design. Insurance is required on all sales. The beautiful canvas piece to the right is ready to hang in your home! Our very talented Debi Wind is selling this awesome tag book!!
The Caption Contest has been so much fun on the Ezine Yahoo! Group! We can hardly wait to see each new entry. The featured stamp used in each month's article is also that month's prize. The December caption contest was sponsored by Mother Rubber Art Stamps! Thank you Dawn! (Dawn just happens to be our Tidbits editorial contributor and my assistant!!)
The Ezine Yahoo Group members voted for their favorite caption and the winner is....
The winning caption was: "Hey guys, watch me hit that bird with this poison dart!"
from Phyllis of Las Vegas, Nevada!
The January caption contest is sponsored by Frances of Hearts In Touch!
For detailed instructions and our current contest, just click on the card. We are having so much fun with this contest on the Ezine Yahoo! Group. I hope you join us!
Have you signed up for our bi-monthly newsletter yet? Did you know that we send out a newsletter when we change our Reader's Gallery each month? The newsletter is FREE and is full of up-to-date information on what is happening on board the S.S. Reflections! If you would like to receive our newsletter you can sign up for it HERE. If you are a member of the Ezine Yahoo! Group then you are having a wonderful time sharing ideas and tips and techniques. We are planning lots of new programs for the Ezine Group and the Message Board! If you have any suggestions or ideas please feel free to share them with our Communications Officer, Debi Wind, and her assistant, Diana Scott. Debi will be managing the Ezine Yahoo! Group and Diana is organizing a scavenger hunt on the Ezine Message Board but we need plenty of participants for it to work so join the message board and have some fun!
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
We have a brand new announcement for our Ezine Yahoo! Group and Message Forum Board! SSR is hosting Saturday Flea Market! Starting on Jan 21, 2006 SSR Ezine Group will hold their first official member's flea market. It will be held every other Saturday and we will make announcements ahead of time so you can be prepared to gather up your goodies to buy/sell/trade to your hearts desire. All transactions other than the original ad will take place off of the list, this will be mandatory. You may include an attached picture or url link in the ad.
Rules for "Saturday Member Flea Market Day":
1) Beginning January 21, 2006 members of SSReflections Ezine Group may post ads selling/trading stamping items, cards, scrapping items, layouts or any other type of craft item. Sorry, no items that are not craft related can be advertised. Members may also post services that they provide such as custom layouts, cards or handmade gifts. No Ebay ads or vendor ads will be allowed.
2) Please contact seller privately and not through the Ezine list. Please include your email address in the body of your ad and type "Flea Market" on the subject line.
3) Members are responsible for setting their own prices, calculating shipping costs, and communications with whomever the sale is made to. Any issues regarding sales are to be settled off list. S. S. Reflections will not intervene to resolve any sales issues.
4) S. S. Reflections is not responsible for any failed sale, shipping costs, or reimbursing members for sales that fail to complete.
5) Have fun!
If you think this is wonderful news...we have even more! We will now offer COMM's from any vendors who are members of the Ezine Yahoo! Group to post comms on Mondays only. Advertisers of SSR are allowed to post COMMs any day of the week! We strive to give our readers every opportunity to purchase the best products available!
We are pleased to announce to you that our Celebrity Headliner for January is Stacey Caron, President of Spellbinders! Stacey and Jeff Caron, co-creators of the Wizard Embossing and Die Cutting System, have proven that with enough drive and determination, taking a giant leap of faith can prove to be immensely rewarding! We have been telling you about the Wizard on SSR for years and now we are thrilled to introduce to you the people behind the name!
As S.S. Reflections is starting a brand new world cruise we have a wonderful surprise for you! We have made changes to the VIP Lounge feature! We are introducing to you the awesome VIP crewmembers! Our first 2006 VIP Lounge feature was our very own New Zealander, Wendy Pettifer! Our mid-January feature is Janet Khashab! Janet has been with SSR since March 2005! You can find Janet's amazing work in Janet's Cropping Quarters each month on the Scrapping Deck! I just know you are going to enjoy meeting our wonderful Janet and her family!
Scrapbook Premier magazine is featuring a wonderful company called "Brainiac Scrapbooking"! Let’s face it . . . at one time or another, we have all faced the dreaded scrapbook ailment known as “Brain Freeze.” The photos sit in a box, product is piled on your workspace, and nothing seems to click. Your creativity has taken a vacation and you’re stuck in a rut. What’s a scrapbooker to do?
Our Designer’s Challenge this month was sponsored by Altered Pages! Jackie sponsored one of our very first designer challenges when we were a brand new ezine and we are thrilled to have her back on board with us again! Jackie has created such awesome papers, images and kits that we just can't resist them! This month we used the Altered Valentine tag kit which consisted of wonderful vintage valentine images, red and pink paper, library pockets and fibers. The crew has created some projects that I am sure you will want to try. The beautiful tag to the right was created by Dawn Shepherd, my trusted assistant!
Korbyn's Korner - S.S. Reflections Advertiser Spotlight!
korbynmay@ssreflections.com
Director of Sales
As you finish reading this jam packed issue of S.S. Reflections, please make your way to our Making Waves page and visit our advertisers! We have revamped the page to make it more accessible to you and easier for you when you are shopping! Some of our Advertisers have wonderful specials and announcements just for you! We have also changed our COMM policy on the Ezine Yahoo! Group and the Forum Message Board! We are now allowing COMM's from all vendors on the Ezine Yahoo! Group and message board on Mondays!
Don't forget that we have created a store directory listing for you and if you don't see your favorite store listed, be sure to send them our way! If you own a store and are interested in having your store included (Brick and Mortar stores and Online stores) please contact Cap'n Dawn at publisher@ssreflections.com as we have a very special introductory rate for one full year!
Posh Impressions has a brand new website with Sunday International! Please be sure to check the site regularly to see the featured project!
Hearts in Touch. Has exciting news to share with you! Who, What, When, Where is LUCY ??? Coming soon to Hearts In Touch Rubber Stamps. Watch for her “debut”, courtesy of Val Wilson, Artist.
Caputo's Kits. Looking for a creative way to store your handmade A2 sized cards? Head over to Caputo's Kits to pick up the brand new Card Keeper Kit! It comes with blank cover boards to decorate, 10 custom made page protectors to hold up to 20 cards, and binding rings. Refills available! Be sure to check our November Designer's Challenge for ideas on what to do with this awesome new kit!
PaperArtsy comes out with a brand new plate every month! You will want to check their website often so you don't miss any of their awesome images! Leandra is a featured instructor at CHA, the premier craft trade show, at the end of January and her class is already sold out!
Two Paper Cranes - Click here for a look at the awesome products that Two Paper Cranes is offering! You will want to check their website often for the most recent products added to their store!
Be sure to check our sponsors websites often for monthly specials! Remember, without these very special sponsors we wouldn't have S.S. Reflections for you to enjoy!
Now to tell you what is on our Editorial Deck! Dawn Shepherd is sharing Tidbits of New Years Resolutions! Yes, we all make them but do we stick to them? Maybe we can support each other? Judy, our Stamping Deck Librarian, is reviewing the DVD "Exploring Art Materials: How to get more from what you already have" with MaryJo McGraw. You can already see how awesome this review is by the artwork displayed on the right! If you like this design, Judy is selling it! So just contact Judy if you'd like to own this beautiful creation!
On our Digital Deck this month, we have a new addition to our family! Please join me in welcoming Yvonne Busdeker on board! Yvonne is a designer and instructor for Epson and has even undertaken the task of teaching me how to use Photoshop Elements! She's a very brave lady!!! Seriously, we are all thrilled to have Yvonne join our Digital Deck and I'm sure you will enjoy all she has to share! Yvonnes first feature is on Whimsical Digital Kits. Ramie has created beautiful floral themed layouts. You won't want to miss Dyan's tutorial this month on filling text with different backgrounds! Bill's photography tutorial is changing the perspective of what you are looking at! Coming away with a different photo from what you had originally planned. Elizabeth has created an awesome inspirational journal to share with you! Tara's creating digital greeting cards and just makes it look so easy! Last month we announced the birth of Vanessa Taite and now Tricia is sharing this beautiful baby girl with us by sharing digital baby albums! Vanessa is featured in the layout on the right!
Now on to the Stamping Deck! Cindy has written an awesome tutorial on how to create your own accordian book! I'm sure you will agree that Cindy's books are just gorgeous! Debi's delightful tag art is just awesome and you will love her tag book! Robin and Wendy have done a wonderful review on Altered Pages...the same company that has sponsored our Designer's Challenge this month! Andi is sharing Mr. January with us! Snowmen are so much fun! Suzanne's love of altered art shows in her beautiful creations! Lori has dedicated her first feature of the year to women! I know that I don't have to tell you how gorgeous her art is because it never falters! It's always dazzling! Purnima has completed a very special project for you called "Three Queens" which is just spectacular! Melissa is using the same stamp to create five beautiful works of art! Tracey is sharing how versatile die cuts are for the paper crafter! Just imagine all the possibilities!
Now on to the Scrapping Deck! Stacie is doing all things pink! I can only imagine how much fun it is to play with pink! (I have all boys, so pink isn't a color I see too much of around my house!) Jill is breathing new life into old papers! You are going to love these ideas! Marilyn is having lots of fun using her Sizzix Die Cut machine! Marilyn has such awesome inspirations! Cindi is just having so much fun creating shaker boxes! Cindi always has such wonderful layouts and she hasn't let you down this month either! Becky's hot glue projects are just to die for! I love Becky's layouts and I know you will too! Janet is speed scrapping with page kits! Janet has created awesome pages with three different kits!
We have a very special Reader's Gallery to share with you! You will just have to go to the gallery for yourself to see all of the cards submitted! But, alas, we had to pick one design to show you here, and I know you will love this Christmas layout created by Christina Steeves of Leicester, MA ! If you would like to be featured in our Reader's Gallery, please submit your designs to Robin Willis! If you have something that you'd like to have included in our February gallery, please submit your designs to Robin by January 25th at robinwillis@ssreflections.com. We love to showcase all our readers' artwork! This would include, stamped art, scrapped layouts and digital layouts too! Please remember to send us your name and the city/state or country where you live along with a basic list of the products used. We hope to give our advertisers as much exposure with your designs as we can!
Thank you for joining us for our first virtual cruise of 2006! We know that you are going to love our excusion through New Zealand! We have lots of surprises in store for you, but for now you have the whole month to enjoy this fabulous issue of S.S. Reflections! Remember to count your blessings each day and know that each new day is a blessing to you! We hope you will be able to relax and enjoy your favorite online Ezine, S.S. Reflections! We wish you a Happy New Year!
Happy Sailing,
Cap'n Dawn
publisher@ssreflections.com
Publisher
Reflections Publishing Group
This entire web site © Copyright Reflections Publishing Group Legal Statement
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