An Update from Simone – and plans for 2020

Published by under cards | Dec 06 2019

Hi friends,

It’s been a while since I popped in for a little chit-chat and to let you know what’s happening in my corner of the world. So today’s the day. A blogging version of the ‘Christmas letter’.

How has 2019 been for you? It has been a full-on year for our family, with my youngest starting high school and my oldest going off to university. I even picked up a part-time job at the start of 2019 which has given me the opportunity to develop all kinds of new skills. My 3 kids continue to amaze me with their achievements, but more importantly I’ve loved seeing their independence grow. This of course comes with mixed feelings, as any mother of teens will understand! Change is the only constant in life, as the saying goes. They are definitely growing up.

My Stampin’ Up! business continues to be my main focus work-wise and one that I love even after 12 wonderful years. Monthly stamp clubs are still going strong here in Creswick/Ballarat, with technique clubs and workshops all over the region.

Due to strong interest and increasing numbers, I’m adding a new monthly stamp club session in 2020! So we’ll now offer the following classes:

  • Monday 1pm-2.30pm
  • Thursday 2.30-4pm and
  • Saturday 10am-11.30am

Now is the perfect time for new members to sign up for the coming year, but I’m also opening this to casual class attendees for $15 per class (space permitting) if you need a bit more flexibility.

It warms my heart that people still love to gather and craft together, especially when I see the amazing connections that happen around the crafting table. I truly believe that the need to connect and share experiences is a need that will always be here, just as it has for generations before us.

In October I hosted my first full day retreat at the local RSL hall. All attendees got the fabulous Most Wonderful Time product medley box, a full trestle table to work on for the day, fully catered with yummy food and homemade slices, and also a stack of make & takes.

It was such a brilliant day, and I’ll definitely be holding more classes there again in 2020, with the first one being on Saturday February 15 (you’re hearing it here first!). Message me to express your interest or stay tuned for more info.

A few weeks ago I went to Sydney for a Stampin’ Up! event where we got our hands on the NEW upcoming Mini Catalogue (yes, it’s had a name change and has gone back to what we called it many years ago) and also Sale-a-bration brochure. At well over 50 pages it’s not exactly ‘mini’ but I guess it is compared to the big annual catalogue! There are sooooo many fabulous new products to keep us inspired and creating, I can’t wait for you to see it. If you have purchased through me in the past year, keep an eye on your letterbox for your complimentary catalogues. They are being posted from Sydney on 6th December. Exciting!

Our annual awards and recognitions were also announced in recent weeks and I was thrilled and delighted (and a little shocked!) to again earn a Top 25 Australia Overall spot, in addition to awards in sales, team growth and leadership. Thank you so much to my valued customers and team members.

So, what can you expect from me in 2020?

As your creative coach and Stampin’ Up! demonstrator, I hope I have something to offer everyone…

  • ONLINE: so you can stock up on your craft supplies at a time and place that suits you
  • BY MAIL: Sign up for my quarterly YCCI packs so you can create along with our international team of demonstrators. Packs are delivered to your door on a quarterly basis for $25 including postage.
  • IN PERSON: Monthly stamp clubs for signed-up members, casual classes for $15, workshops to earn host rewards, monthly craft days for team members. All in Central Victoria, Australia.
  • CRAFT SHOWS: Visit me in person at Ballarat CraftAlive 3-5 April 2020, Australia. Save the date!


The Holiday Catalogue Retiring List has been released. As usual, some of the products will be gone for good while others will carry over so you can keep buying them next year.

And for the first time ever, some items will go on a ‘break’ after Christmas and will return for next year’s Christmas mini catalogue. How clever is that!

Holiday-to-Holiday Catalogue Carryover Products

  • Most Wonderful Time Product Medley (item 150705)
  • Christmas Countdown Project Kit (item 150703)
    • Please note: The coordinating Christmas Countdown Stamp Set (item 151833) will not carry over.
  • Jingle Bells Embellishments (item 149598)
  • Snowflake Sequins Embellishments (item 150443)
  • Feels Like Frost Specialty Designer Series Paper (item 150444)
  • Toile Tidings Designer Series Paper (item 150432)
  • Brightly Gleaming Specialty Designer Series Paper (item 150429)
  • Christmas Gleaming Stamp Set (item 150464)
  • Gleaming Ornament Punch Pack (item 150647)
  • Merry Moose Stamp Set (item 150494)
  • Moose Punch (item 150652)
  • Gather Together Stamp Set (item 150589)
  • Gathered Leaves Dies (item 150662)

These items won’t be available from January but will return later in 2020 as we start thinking about Christmas again.

We even have a small number of retiring items that are on sale at up to 30% off, but only while supplies last.

You can download the full list of everything carrying over HERE. Remember that the asterisk ( * ) means that the items are coming back in the next Christmas catalogue but won’t be available in the meantime. If you have any questions, just ask.


Well that’s all from me today. If you got to the end, well done! Leave me a comment below to say hello and so I can wish you a very Merry Christmas.

Happy stamping, 

Simone Bartrum, Stampin' Up! demonstrator Australia, Victoria
Join me on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/StampingWithSimone/

One response so far

One Response to “An Update from Simone – and plans for 2020”

  1. Margaret Rangeron 06 Dec 2019 at 10:09 pm

    Thanks for the update Simone. Looking forward to 2020

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