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June 1, 2006
From the Helm
Cap'n Dawn Heath,Publisher
Did you know that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) does not consider itself a country but a constitutional federation of seven emirates; Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm al-Qaiwain, Ras al-Khaimah and Fujairah. I had no idea myself. I love visiting around the world with SSR. I've learned so much about all the ports of call we've visited!
Four-fifths of the UAE is desert, yet it is a country of contrasting landscapes, from gorgeous dunes to rich oases, rocky mountains to fertile plains. Yet, they sport one of the world's fastest growing tourist destinations, has all the right ingredients for an unforgettable holiday, sun, sand, sea, sports, unbeatable shopping, top-class hotels and restaurants, an intriguing traditional culture, and a safe and welcoming environment. I can't wait to go shopping myself!!
The goal of S.S. Reflections has always been to make the world just a little bit smaller and that you can enjoy visiting these beautiful countries and federations virtually with us! Please be sure to share your own inspirations with all of us and we have made this even easier for you with our brand new interactive Readers Photo Gallery!
I just want to take this opportunity to remind you of all the awesome new features we have for you on the magazine! First, we've changed the menu to the left so that it is easier for you to understand. Also, we have our Quick Links at the bottom of each page! Then there is the expansion of our Stamping Deck with the addition of the Altered Arts Deck! We have awesome Interactive Reader's Gallery! The designs being uploaded are just incredible! I hope you have had the time to check it out and even upload your own work! This new photo gallery will work along side our already established Ezine Message Board and our wonderful Ezine Yahoo! Group! If you are hearing about all these new features for the first time...you may want to join one of our wonderful areas of the Communication Deck! Our Yahoo! Group members and message board members were the first to find out about the latest news and updates! So, come and join in on the fun by boarding the SSR yourself! Have you signed up for our bi-monthly newsletter yet? You don't have to read our newsletter from the website, you can have it delievered to your inbox! 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.
We hope that you are taking advantage of our 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 flower themed card is one of my own favorite stamps by Wordsworth! Debi has created this awesome card and it is ready for you to purchase for your own!
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 for you 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 our click to link which will take you to the next page to read as though you were turning a page of a paper magazine! Each page is linked to the next. 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 an into page 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 many of our designers. 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 your favorite designer and be sure to let her know what you love about her and SSR!
Newbie on board and can I just say WOW! Cindy has definitely left some big shoes for me to fill, but I’m thrilled to be a member of such a talented group, am looking forward to spending time with all of you, and hope I can inspire you and have fun along the way!
Here is the featured card from May:
We had a tie between Sue Shute’s entry, "Will you hurry up and take the picture...I can’t hide this frog under my shirt any longer!" and Beth Moran. Both names were tossed into a hat and...the winning caption is:
Be still my beating heart!
by Beth Moran from Long Beach, CA
Congratulations Beth!
For instructions and a closer look at May's featured card please see Cindy Cade's May 2006 contest page. Stamp image by Hearts in Touch! Thank you so much Frances!
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!
SSR has had a couple of months without our featured Celebrity Headliner so, without further adieu it is with great pleasure that I introduce to you...Cyndi Duncan, founder and editor-in-chief of Altered Arts Magazine and Cyndi also founded and still runs The Altered Book Club, a crafts-by-mail club for collage and paper artists. I can't wait for you to read all about Cyndi's journey to all that she has accomplished. She's just an absolute marvel at what she does. I'm completely in awe at how Cyndi can do all that needs to be done!
Marilyn Zumstein is our featured crewmember in the first June VIP Lounge feature! Marilyn has been a great friend and confidant to me for many years and I'm very excited to share more about Marilyn and what she does with you. I can tell you a quick story. Marilyn was a very successful Creative Memories consultant when I first met her. I had a situation happen many years ago, my camera had broken and I wasn't able to replace it right away. When Marilyn discovered my dilemna she sent me a RAK of 6 Creative Memories disposible cameras to get me by until I could replace my camera! I have other stories too...maybe I should tell you about the time Marilyn RAK'd me with some letters...we all still laugh about this one. I opened the envelope and inside were 4 letters...an A, M, N, D. I thought to myself (at the time), why was Marilyn sending me the word "DAMN"? I was in the shower a little while later when it hit me...she sent me the letters to "DAWN". Oh my goodness...my girlfriends and I still laugh about that one (DAMN DAWN)!!! Marilyn is an awesome lady and I'm so happy to share her with you. She's an amazing teacher and has such a wonderful sense of humor.
Our Designer’s Challenge this month has been sponsored Kerri Kowal of Ala Carte Art Stamps! Snow interviewed Kerri for the intro to the designer's challenge. I'm sure you will love reading about Kerri's inspiration to create her fabulous line of stamps. Our designers have created some gorgeous samples using some of the product Kerri sells as well as her stamp line. I'm sure you will enjoy all that the crew has created and be inspired to create your own! Be sure to share it with us on the photo message board!!
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 CEO, Warren Gruenig has great things to share with you:
Rubber Stamping Is Making Comeback but With a Twist -
Unmounted rubber stamps with the EZ Mount cushion used with acrylic mounts are creating attention with two major movements occuring:
1. Stampers are removing rubber from wooden mounts and then using them with EZ Mount cushions and acrylic mounts. Some call it "dismounting".
2. Sunday International is influencing stamp companies to join the change toward making EZ Mount a standard that will soon be evident. Even respected, prestigious Magenta is beginning to go in this direction.
Based on sales, people seem to like the way the EZ Mount system works. It provides stamps at an affordable cost, solves storage problems, makes precise placement of images easy with acrylic mounts, makes organization of stamps simple, makes transporting of an entire collection a breeze and provides inexpensive mailing of orders from the U.S. to countries abroad due to the lightness of packages shipped without wood.
Sunday International is also having success with their new designs by well known designer Dee Gruenig with on-line sales nearly doubling during the months of March and April of 2006. Additionally, Sunday has experienced five sales records in a row during the past six months since Dee has begun working with them.
The Vertical Inspirations Collection of slender stamps, available both as single stamps and in sets, are especially popular. One reason for success is probably inclusion of icons, borders and backgrounds within a single VI set. The variety of images can be mixed and combined for many variations while still being simple to use. It is even possible to glance at VI sets and immediately see the many combinations possible. Products and projects for them may be seen at Posh Impressions.
Dee works with Sunday International using her Posh Ltd. brand while she employs flagship Posh Impressions, working directly under license with venerable All Night Media, for the wood mounted stamps that will always have their partial fans. Other licenses for Dee are Uchida of America for her Blending Blox stamp pads and signature brush art markers, Ranger for the Rainbow Sponge with Inkabilities inks and until recently, Mrs. Grossman’s for bold stickers. More recently added, not under license, have been companies Colonial Needle for the new Sailor pastel pens in 8 colors modeled after the versatile Write Writer pen and the Jupiter OTT-LITE desk lamp with built in magnifying glass that Dee uses for stamping in both her studio and in her own home. She serves companies Colonial Needle and OTT-LITE as advisor.
Hearts in Touch. Have fun with these exciting brand new FUN FRAMES©. The is an exclusive new line by Hearts in Touch! The frames are die cut cardstock with scores ready in place with holes when folded provide for wall hanging using simple common pins. Simple and easy to use you can decorate these FUN FRAMES© to your hearts content! To see more about Fun Frames check out our Stateroom!
Hearts In Touch Rubber Stamps also has 3 new sheets available!
#93 People & Their Pets
#94 Sugar & Spice
#95 Masks
New from PaperArtsy: Picture packs (inkjet transparency and collage sheet images -2 for each - ATC size). New stamps so far this year Kids, more Wings and brand new is the Ephemera collection. PaperArtsy: has just launched their product range in Australia this past May at the Stamping Down Under Convention. Print Blocks is their distributor. Leandra was on hand to teach plenty of classes.
If you would like to see your company spotlighted please contact either Korbyn or myself at info@ssreflections.com for information!
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!
News On Deck:
Editorial Deck:
Now on to what our crew has been up to for you this month! On our Editorial Deck this month Dawn Shepherd's Tidbits feature inspiring us with the gradual melding of colors. You can just picture Dawn's suggestions in your mind as you are reading it! VIP Lounge, is featuring my dear friend Marilyn Zumstein! Of course, you will find our fun Caption Contest listed on the Editorial Deck too! The photo featured to the right is this months contest card. This is the first contest coordinated by our brand new crewmember, Jill Wenzel! I know that you will love Jill's fun sense of humor and I'm sure we will all have a ball on this months cruise! I can't wait to read all your ideas!! This month we also have a very special addition to our Editorial Deck! Hearts in Touch has a brand new product that is exclusive to Hearts in Touch and you can read all about it in theStateroom! Frances new Fun Frames are awesome! Please let these special ladies know how much you enjoy what they are doing each month for you by dropping them a quick email!
Scrapping Deck:
Now on to the Scrapping Deck! Becky's feature this month is using creative photo mats! If you'd like to see a sample of Becky's feature, look to the right as the lighthouse layout of Maine is one of Becky's fabulous samples! Cindi is exploring the unexpected treasure chest...your hardware store! Personally this is right up my alley, I LOVE going to the hardware store! You will love Cindi's ideas!! Janet is playing peek-a-boo with her layouts and her work is absolutely fabulous! Janet has lots of wonderful ideas to share with you! Jill has done some awesome research on using chipboard on your layouts with lots of fantastic designs to inspire you! This is definitely a list you'll want to print out for future reference! Marilyn has a wonderful idea for creating special backgrounds for your beach pages using just your basic cardstock!! Stacie has been experimenting with the various mode settings on her digital camera with fabulous results! I know just what Stacie is talking about as I've been doing the same thing and I'm thrilled with my digital camera! I hope you have a minute to tell these awesome ladies your comments on their beautiful work! Their email addresses are always listed at the bottom of their articles!
Digital Deck:
On our Digital Deck this month, Dyan's tutorial this month is spot coloring your digital images. If you aren't sure what I'm describing, take a look to the card on the right. It's absolutely fabulous isn't it? See...our design crew are truly inspirational!! Jen's digital sketches part 3 are fabulous and the samples using Jen's sketches are absolutely breathtaking! I wish I could feature more than one design as I know you'll love what Jen has created!! The sketches have been packaged as zip files to make downloading easier for you! Ramie has done a fabulous book/disk review on the new digital idea book by Autumn Leaves and her samples are just fantastic! The pics of Ashleigh just melt my heart...my little cyber neice is a very special little girl and I don't like to share her very often (grin) so you are very lucky!! Tricia's awesome sense of humor is coming out in her article about speed scrapping! It is so nice to have Tricia back and I just love her writing style and her speed scrapping is just fabulous! And last but not least, Yvonne's detailed tutorial on creating perfect papers using templates available online is absolutely perfect! I love how Yvonne explains each detail, suggests where to find just what you are looking for and creates fabulous samples to show how her tutorials work. If you have a spare minute, please write to our designers and let them now how much you appreciate their hard work!
Stamping Arts Deck:
Now on to the Stamping Art Deck! Our Stamping Arts Deck is short a couple of designers this month but the quality of the content you'll find in Debi and Judy's features is absolutely breathtaking! Debi's feature this month is on watercolors and her work is absolutely fantastic! I've already shared one of Debi's beautiful designs above as a design featured for sale. Debi's attention to detail and her samples are just gorgeous. Judy's DVD review this month is "The Journey Continues: Inks, Powders & More" with Tim Holtz by PageSage DVD's. The card featured to the right is one of the gorgeous samples created by Judy to enhance her DVD review! I guess I've used the word "gorgeous" a lot on this deck, but once you see all that Debi and Judy have created I'm sure you will agree with me. These two ladies have worked very hard for you and GORGEOUS is just such an appropriate word to describe all that they have done! Please let them know how much they have inspired you by dropping them a quick email!
Altered Arts Deck:
Now on to the Altered Arts Deck! Cindy has created gorgeous works of art using clay and paint! All these beautiful creations were created while she was dealing with a terrible leak in her basement! I'm just blown away at how Cindy can create work like under such stress... I do believe that Robin and Cindi have been secretly shopping together as they have been been inspired at the hardware store and just wait until you see the awesome designs that Robin created just for you! Sue has been inspired by faces. She has created gorgeous works of art using faces as her theme! I hope you have been inspired by the brilliant designers we have on our crew and can take a minute to send them a quick email! Please let them know just how they have inspired YOU!
Communications Deck:
Our Interactive Reader's Gallery! is so much fun and filled with fantastic designs...stamped art, digital layouts and scrapped layouts not to mention the photo gallery! You can upload all the designs that you want to share with us ANYTIME you'd like! We have an opportunity to make comments and talk about the products you used and the techniques! The card to the right is just a sample of some of the beautiful work you can see on our new gallery! What is so awesome about this new Reader's Gallery is that it can change daily...even hourly!! You'll want to definitely add this to your favorites and come back often! We have always loved to showcase all our readers' artwork and now we can show even more! The beautiful digital layout labeled "New Beginnings" to the right is featured in our photo gallery and was created by Joanna! What a precious layout this is!
Final Thoughts:
Thank you so much for joining us and being apart of our cruise to The United Arab Emirates! We have so much inside this issue to share with you and I hope you get many hours of enjoyment by all we have to offer! As we have enjoyed a spectacular spring and new beginnings we begin the summer months, remember that each new day is a very special blessing to you! Find the joy in each day. All of us at SSR hope you will be able to relax and enjoy your favorite online Ezine, S.S. Reflections! Thank you for allowing SSR to be part of your day!
As always,
Cap'n Dawn
publisher@ssreflections.com
Publisher
Reflections Publishing Group
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