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May 1, 2007
From the Helm - Welcome to SSR!
Cap'n Dawn Heath,Publisher
We are back visiting Japan, the Land of the Rising Sun! Did you know that Japan comprises over three thousand islands, the largest of which are Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu and Shikoku. Most of the islands are mountainous, many volcanic; for example, Japan’s highest peak, Mount Fuji, is a volcano. Japan has the world's tenth largest population, with about 128 million people. All of these wonderful facts are very interesting but I want to sit under the Cherry trees and be inspired by the people around me and eat some fabulous Japanese food! I am a serious people watcher and I could sit for hours taking in everything that makes Japan the amazing country that it is. I hope that this beautiful peaceful photo of the Cherry trees inspires you and gives you a sense of calm like it does to me.
Now would be a great time to join our Yahoo! Ezine Group and be part of all the fun. We have Wednesday tip day, COMMS on Monday that anyone can participate in, lots of fun with the Caption Contest and a great time encouraging each other with our art. If Yahoo! Groups aren't your thing, we also have our message board and the interactive SSR Reader's Gallery! You can also join our myspace group if you enjoy myspace! This group is still new and just getting off the ground but we'd love to have help getting things moving! Be sure to say hi to Chell our PR Director!
The goal of S.S. Reflections has always been to make the world just a little bit smaller and that you can enjoy (virtually) visiting as many parts of the World as we can! Please be sure to share your own inspirations with all of us and we have made this even easier for you with our interactive SSR Reader's Gallery! If you are having trouble uploading to the photo gallery please feel free to email Diana at dianascott@ssreflections.com as she is our officer in charge! I know several of you have written to me, but I'm clueless on some of these issues! Diana is our resident expert and I'm sure she can help you!
Last month we announced our brand new Reader's Gallery Contest. The Reader's Gallery contest hasn't been a very successful idea. The person who actually came to me with this idea completely flaked on me and I just can't keep up with this myself so this month we will share one design that was submitted for our April theme and unless someone steps up to coordinate this contest we will discontinue it.
All entries must be based on the theme for the current months contest. All entries must be uploaded to the SSR Reader's Gallery! Entries must be uploaded no later than the 20th of the month so we have time to conduct a poll. All members of the gallery can vote!
Our theme for the April contest was:
This fabulous layout was created by
Brook Campbell!
Thank you Brook for participating!
The theme for the April contest can include Easter finery, Halloween costumes, Christmas outfits, last year's prom for layouts or our stampers can use a photo stamped card of a woman dressed up or a shoe collage...I think it can only be limited by anyone's imagination...so have fun with this!!
At the end of the contest a poll will be set up on the message board. The winner will be announced when the upcoming monthly issue is launched! The winner will receive prize package valued at $25 which is sponsored by Keepsake Designs. Thank you Becky!
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. This beautiful Mother's Day card was created by Debi Wind and it can be all yours!
Here is the picture from April's contest:
The winning quote is
"OHMYGOSH!!!!!!!!! I've lost .00000001 pounds!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! How AWESOME!!!!!!!!!"
by Michi Michaelson
Now, if you'd like to see the May Caption Contest card, you'll have to scroll down to the News On Deck! We can't wait to hear your captions! All entries must be sent to our yahoo group, just click the link below to join and be part of the fun and have a few laughs! http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SSReflectionsezine/
Our Designer’s Challenge this month has been sponsored by Kodomo Inc.! In Japanese, "kodomo no kao" means the look on a young person's face when they are absorbed in play. You know the look. Happiness, contentment, excitement. Those are just some of the emotions you’ll experience the first time you work with Kodomo Inc.’s beautiful line of Japanese inspired paper, rubber and foam stamps and fabric ribbon. The beautiful Magnolia blossom layout to the right was created by Cindy Roland!
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!
S.S. Reflections: SSR has created a store directory listing for you and if you don't see your favorite store listed, be sure to send them our way! We have 4 directories for easy access to anyone interested including Brick and Mortar stores and Online stores. Please contact Cap'n Dawn at adsales@ssreflections.com for more information. The cost of this fabulous program is only $50 for one full year as we are committed to supporting the small business!
Altered Pages: What's black and white and red all over? Our new Kit of the Month - you have to see it! The new Kit of the Month is gorgeous if I do say so myself! It's fun to look at, fun to make, and looks like you spent a fortune on it! See this gorgeous kit and all the other beautiful Altered Pages kits! http://www.alteredpages.com/kitofthemonth.html
Don't forget the Collage Sheet Club - shipping now! Get all 12 new collage sheets from Altered Pages before they're even released on the website. Prepay for six months and receive free shipping for six months.
With any purchase of $20 or more, receive the Mini Flowers Collage Sheet - see it on the New Products Page http://www.alteredpages.com/newproducts.html
Jackie had a special offer for all new customers! $5.00 off any first order with the coupon code NEWCUSTOMER
Authentic Memories: During May only, an unprecedented offer of scrapbook supplies valued at $350 for only $90!
Exclusive papercraft designs as well as the digital scrapbook package you’ve been dreaming of to create beautiful layouts in no time at all. Easy enough for beginners to look like pros and flexible enough for pros to love as well.
Click thru to see a photo and complete list of all the wonderful goodies waiting for you; white chipboard, bling, textured-papers, rub-ons, cards, ribbons and so much more!
Hearts in Touch: COMING SOON to Hearts In Touch...the GLITTER GIRL products! See them here, http://www.theglittergirls.co.uk/pages/majcomp.html (this site is being updated for USA customers).
Join our group at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HeartsInTouchRubberStamps/ and keep up to date on all the new products coming along very soon and meet a lot of wonderful crafting friends.
We also have free, online classes at the HIT website chat room. Anyone is welcome to join.
PaperArtsy: New from PaperArtsy for May 2007 are the mini stamps. These are on EZ mount and perfect for ATC's, small gift cards and 'inchie' art.
Also new from the 'Urban Snapshots' Stamp Collection is the Fancy Dress series and Wrought Iron series of 4 plates in each of these families. Check out www.paperartsy.co.uk
Stamp and Scrap Canada: Stamp and Scrap Canada: Read our latest newsletter online - http://www.stampandscrapcanada.com/papercraftnewsletter.html
See what's new in the shop (items added regularly) - http://www.stampandscrapcanada.com/new.html
We've got a HUGE clearance sale going on - 25 to 50% off on lots of items (most are 40% off) - http://www.stampandscrapcanada.com/sale.html
Enter our Scavenger Hunt Contest. Draw May 30, 2007 - http://www.stampandscrapcanada.com/contest.html
And if you're buying regular priced products here's a couple ecoupon codes you can use. Type the ecoupon code in the text box on the shopping cart page.
To get $5 off an order that includes $40 @ regular prices type: ssreflections5
To get $15 off $100 @ regular prices type: ssreflections15
If you would like to see your company spotlighted please contact either Korbyn or myself at adsales@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!
We have a jam packed May issue for you! The crew has been truly inspired by our trip to Japan. With the Asian inspirations and 2 brand new crewmembers we have lots to share with you. I am thrilled to tell you that Cricket Rawlins is back on the SSR crew but this time she is joining our Digital Deck! Cricket was one of our original crewmembers when we launched SSR on the Stamping Arts Deck. Well, she left us as she was traveling around the world visiting all the places that we visit virtually and now she's home with us again...well, for a few more days anyway as she leaves for Thailand soon. I am also thrilled to introduce Cindy Seabright as a brand new stamping deck crewmember! Cindy is an enormous talent and I can't wait to see all that she has in store for all of us. So, without further delay let me tell you what we have in this issue of SSR for you!
On our Editorial Deck we have a fun and fabulous monthly Caption Contest! The card to the right is our Caption Contest card for May. You'll need to join our Yahoo! Ezine Group to post your caption ideas! The May contest is sponsored by Hearts In Touch.
Now on to the Scrapping Deck! Anita's tutorial this month shows you how to fold and stamp a simple piece of paper into fabulous embellishment for you layouts! Jill is doodling and scribbling on her projects. I'm a doodler...are you a doodler? Well, guess what? Our doodling ways can actually become works of art! If you don't believe me...just check out Jill's art! After taking a break for a couple of months, Stacie is back and she has a new concept for her article each month! Stacie is giving a sketch challenge to our readers each month! The first sketch was created by Becky Fleck. So, share your layouts based on this sketch! We're waiting...
On our Digital Deck this month Cricket is sharing her adventures in digital scrapping as she discovers new and exciting ways to create fabulous digital layouts! Just check out the layout to the right if you don't believe me... Yvonne is creating a 5 panel accordian book and choosing her papers for the book from her digital stash! This is a fabulous project that shows how digital and papercrafting can come together so if you are still on the fence I have a feeling this this gorgeous project will win you over for sure!
Now on to the Stamping Art Deck! Debi is going to that next level of artist trading cards. Yes, you can do more and if you don't believe me, and you don't have to...just check out Debi's feature because her work is fantastic! Flo has been completely inspired with our trip to Japan and she has created some beautiful works of art. The card to the right is one of my favorites. Judy's book review this month is "Book Cover Art" by Jake Finch. Judy's designs to support her review are just gorgeous! Please note that Judy does book reviews to help you as you decide what to include in your own library. Our hope is that you will fall in love with each book that Judy reviews but please remember that Judy has to keep within copyright laws or she will have a problem finding books to review for you and I can't imagine an issue of SSR without Judy in it.
Now on to the Altered Arts Deck! Cindy is back with a feature just for you! I know many of you have been disappointed to see Cindy move to the Editorial Deck and take over the Caption Contest but she said she'd come back to the Altered Deck once in a while and this month she's back! Cindy has a secret...she's a scrap paper hoarder and she has a fabulous project just for other hoarders...Michaela is celebrating Mother's Day and has created a gorgeous altered purse which would make a wonderful gift for any Mom. Robin has done a very informative product review on the Ranger Adirondack® Acrylic Paint Dabbers. Acrylic paint dabbers are one of the coolest things to come out in a long time and Robin has created some fabulous works of art to showcase them. Just check out the altered book pages to the right! Sue has created a fabulous altered wood tray for you this month! Sue is having so much fun playing with layers and Modge Podge and the end result is just gorgeous!
Our Interactive Reader's Gallery! is not just for showcasing your scanned images, its also for your photos and your digital layouts! We want to see everything that you are proud of! So, come on in and share what you are most proud of! The beautiful card to the right was created by our very own Purnima Girouard and shared on the Ezine Yahoo! Group! So, don't be shy...share your ideas with us!! You just never know what we'll feature next or who we'll ask to be a guest designer on SSR!! IT COULD BE YOU!!! The photo 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! You'll want to definitely add this to your favorites and come back often!
It is Mother's Day soon and all of us on SSR want to wish you a very special day. Being a Mom is one of the hardest jobs and every day brings on new challenges. But, to be a Mom is a gift from God. We never know just how long we will have our children on this earth with us but it is a gift that will always been in our hearts. If you are a Mom or about to be a Mom, this day is for you! So, put your feet up at some point during this special day and breathe a sigh of relief that you survived yet another day and that each day is full of blessings, some that you may not even be aware of. I want to wish a Happy Mother's Day to my own Mom! I hope you have time this month to be inspired by all that you see on SSR and with what God has created for us. Please share your art, your photos and your layouts with us and your stories.
Happy spring,
Cap'n Dawn
publisher@ssreflections.com
Publisher
Reflections Publishing Group
This entire web site © Copyright Reflections Publishing Group Legal Statement
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