Sunday, September 30, 2012

ORNAMENTS GALORE!!!

Recently I held a class where we made the 3 ornaments from the Holiday Mini Catalog! 8 lovely ladies enjoyed good company & crafting!!!  I gave them directions & materials for the EXACT ornaments, but as always, I encouraged their creativity!!! 
(Boy, that was a lot of prep for that class, but so worth it!!!)

Well, they did get creative!!! They pretty much made the same ornaments but changed them up a bit!!! Added a piece here or deleted a piece there!!!! I was so impressed with their changes!! I may have to go back & make some like they did!!!

Look at some of their beautiful work!


 These 2 were Missy's! She loves purple & requested a purple ornament!!! I really love how the Perfect Plum looks with the Marina Mist!!! Who woulda thunk? lol


Variations on the snowflakes & centers!!! Nice!!


Next class coming up is working with vellum in October!!! Be sure to hop over to the Classes & Workshops tab at the top of this page for complete info!!!!

Happy Stampin'!

Saturday, September 29, 2012

SHOPPING FOR CARDS??

Well if you are, come on over to The UPS Store in Auburn! That's where I work ( I love my job & my bosses btw!!!!). We have a large greeting card clientele!  Well, I was invited by those amazing bosses to feature my cards there!!! 

There are cards for any occasion-including Halloween!!! Thanksgiving & Christmas cards will be added soon!  All cards are $3.99. That's a deal!  There are even 2 packets of invitations! They are $5 for 8 invites & envelopes. 

So come on down & bring some friends! Not in the area, send some over!!! I'd love to see them!!! It feels so good to go to the register to ring one of them up!!!

See how they look?



I don't have any close-ups, but most of them you've seen before!!! lol  
Come on down to see them up close & in person!!!!

Happy Stampin'!!!

Friday, September 28, 2012

ONE LIFE GONE TOO SOON


Well, if you're following this blog you've probably noticed I haven't been here in awhile.  It's been a very difficult time for me.  Last Saturday we said goodbye to a very special friend of mine.  My good friend Becky finally went Home to her Father at the young age of 38 after a very courageous & horrifying battle with angiosarcoma-a very rare cancer.  She suffered with this disease for about 3 years, and never got a break the whole time.  

Throughout it all, she never waivered in her faith or positive energy. We all prayed for a cure of course, but we knew this terrible disease would eventually take her.  

It has been very difficult for me to watch this. She was so young and so full of life at age 35 when she was diagnosed. She was always known for her beautiful long red hair. She was a true redhead in spirit alright!!!  When they first diagnosed her & told her she'd need chemo, the worst part for her was knowing she was going to lose that beautiful hair.  She felt it was partly what defined her. That's how people always knew her-the girl with the red hair! But she very quickly learned (as did we all) that there was so much more to her than just her hair.

After her first treatment with the chemo, a mastectomy & a reconstruction, it looked like maybe she'd get a break! But that was short lived. 3 month after it all, she was told it was back in other parts of her body.  A true tragedy.

So the last 2 weeks basically she was in the hospital knowing her time was very close. About 48 hrs. before she passed, she begged to go home to be with her beloved pets.  Her husband moved Heaven & Earth to make that happen, and she passed peacefully in her own  home.

It all seems so senseless. Very terrifying. It seems inevitable-what kind will I get? When will it be? Everyone has it! But then I remember how she fought that battle, and I have to take a step back. The lessons she wanted us to learn. She never said why me. Her concern was for everyone else around her.  So now I need to pick myself up by my bootstraps & move on.

I pray over & over that neither I nor any of my family members or friends ever have to deal with anything like this, but if I ever do, I've had a wonderful role model to lead me through. She taught me how to LIVE life.  I will never forget her.  I miss her so.

Please enjoy a few pictures of her below.  And may my Becky rest peacefully in God's tender & loving hands.

Becky was a theater girl! We actually met at our local theater group, Gateway Players. She & I "fought" for the same guy in this photo in 2004 in the play "Crazy for You".  Notice her beautiful hair. It's all tied up here, but when she let it down, everyone knew the floor was hers!


This is at our local Relay for Life in Southbridge MA in 2011.  Becky asked me to walk with her in the Survivor's Lap. I was so honored. I felt like I shouldn't, but she said her friends helped her through, & she wanted me to walk with her.  That smile is infectious!!! She was fighting so hard then.


 This is one of my favorite pictures of Becky. See, Becky was a dancer. It was in her blood. She'd taken lessons since she was about 3 years old, but she just had "it"!! She would glide across the floor with such grace! 
She was also a fantastic choreographer. 
This picture was taken on May 4, 2012, at my son's wedding. She was in a lot of pain those days. The cancer has spread to her bones, & she was having difficulty just walking without a cane. She hated that cane though. She just wanted to dance.  Well, she told everyone that she hoped she was well enough to dance at her friend's wedding. She was tired & ready to leave, but we wouldn't let her go until she danced to "Dancing Queen" by Abba. That was her song.  Well she just let loose & danced like there was no tomorrow. She enjoyed that so much! I'm sure she paid for it the next day, but I had the honor of having her last dance with her. It's a moment I'll never forget.

So to my Dancing Queen, I love you forever, and you will always have that special place in my heart. My prayers are with your wonderful & loving husband Luke, Mom Pauline, Dad Lee, Bro Mike, & the rest of your family.  I will be there for them always.  Until we meet again...


Thursday, September 27, 2012

WOOHOO!

As I said, WOOHOO!!! on my 2000th visitor to my blog!!! 

To celebrate, I'm going to give a FREE embossing folder to the first person to comment on this post!!!!

 Be sure to leave your mailing address!!!!

The lovely Elegant Lines Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (#119277)!! 

Thank you for visiting my blog!!!!


Wednesday, September 19, 2012

WORLD CARD MAKING DAY!!!!

ARE YA COMING????


Sunday, October 7th

Southbridge Savings Bank, Sturbridge MA  (drive around back and go in the back door)  There will be directions to the room from there.

1-5 PM

Spend your afternoon doing your favorite thing!  Card Making!
We will have display boards for ideas and inspiration.  Raffles held for “Class Passes” and we will offer free technique demonstrations!
AND… we will be donating cards to soldiers overseas for Operation Write Home.

What do you need to bring?

Bring your supplies and come make cards with us.  This is a FREE event!!  We only ask that you make donations to Operation Write Home that day.  We will also have card kits available for purchase and will have our Big Shots and Dies on hand for your use.



There are specific guidelines to follow for the donations however..

1. Safety

No glitter. Really! 
Glitter is a safety hazard
for our heroes, so no cards with any glitter that will flake off the card are accepted. Stickles or pens that apply glitter that will NOT rub off can be acceptable, but please check your cards by rubbing it on a sweater. If it flakes off, it cannot be used. Small gems are fine.

2. Efficiency

A2 sized cards only.
4.25″ x 5.5″ - half a sheet of cardstock – fit the boxes most economically. Two rows of A2 cards work best to get the most cards in each box….more for our heroes to write home on! You can even buy discounted envelopesas an OWH volunteer!Stamp the backs of your cards with our name.
We stamp the backs of cards with our organization name so families know where the card came from. We need your help stamping . . . so much that we’ll send you a stamp for free!Line cards made with dark cardstock.
If a pencil won’t show up, add a liner so your cards stay out of the hospital.One side or two sides – just make sure there’s room to write.Limit multiples.
No more than 50 of a single design for holiday seasonal cards; no more than 100 for year-round cards. Holiday seasonal cards (when in 30+ multiples) should be sent to the shipper at least 2 weeks before the posted deadline.
Even a small quantity of cards is ok.
One card, a handful, or a box full; but please remember – our heroes are requesting quality. Your card may be the last piece of communication with a family – and remember that many scrapbook these letters. We want them to stand the test of time. Our heroes are worth our very best!

3. Specific requests by heroes and their families

Use quality supplies.
Computer paper or thin designer paper is not adequate for letterwriting when a hero might be using the sand as a “table” . . . so please use good cardstock for your card bases. Do not use foamies, ittybitty stickers, or gluesticks – they don’t hold up to the rigors of the battlefront. It’s ok to make fewer cards with better supplies – every card counts! (Children’s AnyHero cards are the exception; foamies are just fine for those!)

Some dimension is okay – and is loved.
Our heroes don’t have to pay for lettermail, but that doesn’t mean we can go wild with thick layers and embellishments. Save the big vintage buttons and deep 3D embellishments for AnyHero mail that doesn’t have to go through the postal system…we want to be sure your cards make it to their intended destination. Our heroes do comment on the tactile cards, so it’s a balance between reasonable dimension and overdoing it; please do take that into consideration.

Card themes.
Remember who’s sending these cards: adults. Please do not send cards with sentiments “to” Daddy or Mommy, no “wish you were here,” or party invitations; and no explicit images or sentiments out of respect for cultures and sensitivities. Halloween cards should be cheerful ones, not scary – lest a card with a skull end up as the final communication by a fallen hero. The best cards for our heroes’ use are actually general ones – they can customize them for any occasion by writing their note inside.

Kids must make AnyHero cards ONLY.
Most children have the “want-to” but not the “able-to” when it comes to making cards that our heroes will want to write home on. Please work with schools and scouts to create AnyHero cards in which they can write letters…our heroes love to receive those!

Absolutely no storebought cards.
Neither complete cards, NOR cards repurposing parts of them. For one, our heroes come to us for handmade cards – any storebought ones get set aside, so we no longer include them and reserve our postage costs for handmade creations. Using copyrighted material also endangers our trademark, and we are not able to risk that; use all materials that are made for crafting (no napkins, ads, brochures, catalogs, magazine photos, etc.)

No handwritten sentiments.
Some of our military wives have shared with us their instant angst when they opened a card, and the first handwriting they saw was the sentiment on the front – by another woman. *gasp* So we no longer send cards with handwritten sentiments on the outside or inside of the card, to keep even one heart from panicking. Your name on the back may be handwritten, and anything on your AnyHero cards may be handwritten.


Really hope to see many of you there!!!!

Happy Stampin'!

Monday, September 10, 2012

LNS FALL CHALLENGE!

I was working on some cards the other day & decided to do the 
LNS Challenge 189 for Fall! This one was to create an item for fall! 

I decided to make a card using some punch art! That's a little out of the box for me! I like punches & use them all the time, but I'm not a big punch art person! 

This idea just jumped into my head tho & I'm very happy with how it came out!!!!

I made a sunflower!!! This was so much fun to do & so easy!!!!

 Ok, here are the deets!!!
Cardstock-More Mustard, Early Espresso
DSP-Orchard Harvest from Holiday Mini
Inks-Early Espresso, More Mustard
Stamp set-Sassy Salutations
Embellies-1/8 mini brads, 1/2" Scallop Dots Ribbon in Old Olive, Big Shot Square Lattice Folder
Punches-Blossom Petals Builder Punch, 1-3/8" Circle Punch!
Simply Scored scoring tool! 

Here's a close up of the sunflower!


This card just makes me happy!

Happy Stampin'!

Sunday, September 9, 2012

MOJO MONDAY 257

Hello all! It's been awhile since I've posted a Mojo Monday sketch! I've been busy with swaps & regionals & everything!  But I think it was worth the wait as this is my favorite so far!!! 

What do you think??

Here's the sketch:
 

Now here's my take on it!

I LOVE how this card came out!!! 

I never was attracted to this stamp set-Postage Due (#126397 clear, $16.95)-until I went to convention in Salt Lake City & saw all the amazing creations with it! Now it's one of my favorites!!! I thought it worked well with this sketch, albeit a bit unique to the sketch!

The card base is Cajun Craze run through the Big Shot with the Houndstooth Folder!
 I used Island Indigo and Early Espresso as the complimentary colors.  How did I choose the colors you ask? I simply took my cue from the beautiful Orchard Harvest Designer Series Paper in the Holiday Mini! All the DSP is designed to be used with our solid cardstocks! 

The big image is stamped on Natural Ivory cardstock with Island Indigo ink then distressed with a bit of Early Espresso & a Stampin' Sponge

The ribbon is my 1 retired embellishment on here! It's from last year's holiday catalog. Too bad. It's nice ribbon! But it was the only Early Espresso I had on hand!  

The 3 stamp images were stamped using Island Indigo, Cajun Craze and Early Espresso inks then cut out using the 1"Square punch and the Postage Stamp punch.  Add a little distressing & this is it!

I know it's a bit unconventional to the sketch, but I like the way it turned out anyway!Need more details? Just ask!

There'll be a new Mojo Monday sketch tomorrow! 

Happy Stampin'!


Friday, September 7, 2012

ORNAMENT CLASS!

Wanna make these 3 beautiful ornaments from the Holiday Mini catalog? 

Come to my class on September 15th at 10:00 am!!! 

The cost is $15 (or FREE with a $35 order that day!!!)! 

Space is limited so RSVP ASAP!!!!! Hope you can join us!



 
Happy Stampin'!!!

HOWL-O-WEEN PROMOTION-EXTENDED!!!

The Howl-o-Ween Project Kit was soooo popular, it is being extended through September 16!!!!  It includes $60 in materials!!!! 



Don't miss out on this great deal! How do you get it? Join our Stampin' Up! family, that's how! 

When you join, you will get our 
Even better, Stampin' Up!'s New Demonstrator Starter Kit is completely customizable! Build your Starter Kit your way! 
For just $99, you get:
  • Your choice of up to $125 worth of any current Stampin' Up! products!
  • A business supply pack valued at $65!.
That's a total value of $190!

Why do I join Stampin'  Up! you ask?  Let me tell you just a few reasons!! 
Here's what you'll get if you join my team by September 16:
  •  Your amazing Demonstrator Starter Kit (hey, who can resist $125 worth of product for only $99?!)
  • A 20 percent discount on all your Stampin’ Up! purchases! (Sometimes even more!!!
  • You'll be eligible for TWO Free months of the Demonstrator Business Web Services (DBWS) which includes your own business website and ONLINE Store.  The DBWS provides you with a blog, events calendar, monthly e-newsletter, project gallery, and e-cards.
  • Free access to Stampin’ Connection SU's online website where you can get all kinds of ideas & support from your fellow demonstrators!
  • You will be able to attend all the Stampin’ Up! events, including Regionals and Convention
  • The chance to make super new friendships with other stampers! It's always more fun to stamp with someone!!!
And if you join my team by September 16, you will also receive the Howl-o-ween Project Kit-for FREE!!!!!
(Oh, by the way, not into Halloween? No worries! You can customize your amazing Printers Tray for any holiday you'd like!!!! Simply add different paper, stamps & embellishments, & you can have a beautiful Christmas gift! Think about the possibilities!!!)

Whether you want to share what you love like I do, or simply be a hobby demonstrator who enjoys a discount on all your supplies, this is a great time to join!!!
But time is running out to get your Howl-o-ween Kit!!!!!!! Join us TODAY!!!

Happy Stampin'!!!

Thursday, September 6, 2012

"BACK TO SPOOL" PROMOTION!!!

Check out our new promotion for September!!!

While the kids are heading back to school, Stampin' Up! is going back to 'spool'! 
For the month of September, get a FREE package of 
3/8" Stitched Satin Ribbon-an $8.95 value-for every $40 you spend!

This promotion has no limits-for every $40 you spend, you'll get a FREE package of 3/8" Stitched Satin Ribbon. Go crazy! 

 But only for the month of September, so don't wait!!!!

Happy Stampin'!

Choose from the following ribbons:

Item Description
Retail Value
126848
Gumball Green 3/8" Stitched Satin Ribbon
$ 8.95
126847
Midnight Muse 3/8" Stitched Satin Ribbon
$ 8.95
126844
Primrose Petals 3/8" Stitched Satin Ribbon
$ 8.95
126845
Raspberry Ripple 3/8" Stitched Satin Ribbon
$ 8.95
126846
Summer Starfruit 3/8" Stitched Satin Ribbon
$ 8.95

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

TREAT BASKETS!!!

Looking for some fun treat holders for an upcoming holiday event or special occasion? This is a perfectly adorable basket that will work for any occasion!!!
We made this at the Regional Convention in Providence!
 

 It's perfect to hold little 3"x3" cards! There's even room to put a chocolate or 2 in it!
This is made using the Two Tags Bigz die (#115954,  $21.95, p. 193), but I think I've figured out a way to make without the die! Nice to CASE once in awhile!!! lol


The stamp set used here is Clockworks.  

We also used the 2011-2013 In-Colors to stamp! Bermuda Bay is the cardstock of course! Such a pretty color! I'll really miss this one!  

The Designer Series Paper is the very popular First Edition Specialty paper (#121878, $12.95, p. 162 in main catalog.) It's a great paper to stamp on!!! 



This is one of the little cards in the basket! There are 5 total!

I actually think I may make a different one to hold all my colleagues' business cards! Perfect size!!!

You can use any assortment of colors or stamp sets! You can make it holiday specific-Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas!  
Or, think what a nice party favor or shower favor this would make! You could put little thank you notes in it!

There are so many wonderful stamp sets to choose from & so many colors of cardstock to use! Think how cool these would look with our great Designer Series Paper! Remember now, it's 2-sided! So you'd get a beautiful 

Feel free to CASE this project! Or better yet, if you think you might like to make this fun little project, contact me now to set up your own Private Class for you and 3 or more of your "frampers" (friends+stampers!!!)! I'd love to come show you how to make it!!!!

Happy Stampin'!

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

FUN CALENDAR GIFT!

So maybe you're looking to do some early Christmas shopping?? I have a great gift for you to give!!! It's perfect for the friend at the office, teacher gift, stocking stuffer, etc!!!

It's our new Everyday Happenings Design Calendar (#126913, $6.95)!!! You can also get the Desktop Display Calendar Case (#127033, $1.95)!
 Or better yet, get the Everyday Happenings Bundle (#129936, $7.95) & save $$$!!! 

It's a VERY AFFORDABLE gift!!!!


 Here's the set all put together! It's 7-1/2"X 4-5/16"! Just right for your desk or on the bookshelf!!!


 I tried to show you the cards & the display case separately, but it's really hard to see the case here! The cards fit inside & the case folds up around them. Very portable!


Here are the way the cards look! They're a pretty good weight cardstock & so pretty in person1 Each one has the month & the dates on the right, and a box for memos on the left! Great way to remember birthdays & special occasions!! 

And on the back, there are beautiful designs-much like our designer paper! When the month is finished, you can use the back on one of your beautiful card creations!!!

The Everyday Happenings Designer Calendar can be found on page 22 in the Holiday Mini Catalog!!! This promises to be a hot seller (already is!!!), so don't wait to order yours for the holidays!!! You don't want to risk a rush at the end & backorders!!!!! 

Contact me asap to order, or you can order online 24/7!  Simply click on the order button to the right of this post!!! 

Be sure to order several for all the special people in your life!!! Oh, and don't forget to mark YOUR birthday on the calendar!!!!

If you're into digital design and MDS2 (and if you're not, you should be!!!), you can also order our 2013 Quotable Calendar Digital Template (#128138, $14,95, pg. 37)  
Inspiring quotes are combined with a fun calendar!!! 
You get 12-page template, 41-piece stamp brush set, 6 Designer Series papers, & 12 embellishments!  
Display in the Desktop Display Calendar Case.

It's hard to believe that it's time already to think about calendars for  next year!!! The summer is barely over!!! But it's a perfect time to start that holiday shopping!!!!

Happy Stampin'!!!

Monday, September 3, 2012

REGIONAL SWAP FUN!!!

Happy Labor Day everyone!! I hope you're getting to enjoy some time off from work-maybe some stampin' time!!!!  

Well, maybe you're looking for inspiration! I thought I'd share with you some of the amazing swaps a small group of us did at the Regional Convention in Providence last weekend! Finally got around to taking pictures!!! The theme of the swap was FALL & BLING!!  Check out how amazing some of them are!!!!

My upline Ang made this one!







 Here's a close-up of the "bling" on these 2 cards! I think they are absolutely amazing!!! The one with the acorn was made by my friend Donna! She is so creative & talented!!!!


This one is an example of what we call triple stamping. It's fun, easy, and packs a powerful WOW factor!!!!

Just sharing today! No great words of wisdom!! Some eye candy for this Labor Day!!!

Happy Stampin'!!!

Saturday, September 1, 2012

BRAYER FUN!

So my fave club gals wanted something "challenging" at their meeting the other night! They're not super beginners-fairly strong with the basics-but still new enough for exploring! 

So I decided to introduce the brayer to them! Now this is definitely in my opinion a challenging tool!!! It needs lots & lots & lots of practice to make it work well!

Well, we had a blast & they did a great job! We compared working with 
Glossy White cardstock to working simply with Whisper White. We learned the proper way to ink up the brayer & to roll it (beginning off the page).  Most of them are anxious to get started on their own projects!!

I certainly don't claim to be a guru with the brayer either! It's a tricky tool! Most of what I've learned I've learned from a Stampin' Up! demonstrator named Michelle Zindorf. She has an amazing blog with tons of great ideas! She also shares them freely with others! Many charge for tutorials, so it's very generous of her!!! I love her work! 

Anyway, here are a few samples of my own that I shared with them. Many inspired by Michelle!





I can't wait for Christmas when my kids get me a better camera!!! This one works great for everyday stuff, but not the best on these pics! Sorry about that!

Here is the card we made, after our exploration of different brayer techniques!

One of these used the Glossy White & one used the Whisper White! Can you tell which one is which??

If you'd like to learn more about using the brayer feel free to contact me! I'd love to show you how to make some fun projects!!!

Happy Stampin'!!!

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