Sad day.....

Today is my Sister-in-law's mother's Funeral. She passed away on Wednesday after a short put painful battle with cancer. I didn't know her that well, we only usually saw each other once or twice a year, but I will be there to support my sister-in-law and my brother In their time of need. Since I rarely have any Sympathy cards at the read, I had to make one up. I completely case'd this one and have been wanting to do so for some time. The card I believe originated with Dawn Olchefske. And I have admired it for sometime. Now, she colours hers in with a Q-tip and ink pad, but I went right to the markers. I always do. I could honestly not live without my Stampin' Write markers.

If I was stranded on a desert Island and could only bring 10 Stampin' Up! things they would be (in no particular order):

1. Big Shot & Dies (can that count as one item?)
2. Stampin' Write Markers
3. Dimensionals
4. Brights Assorted Card Stock pack
5. Word Play Stamp set (new in this catty)
6. Brights Ink pads
7. Chocolate Chip Card Stock
8. Whisper White Card Stock
9. Paper Snips
10. Artistic Etchings Stamp set

What would you bring? I would love to see your lists.

Anyhow, back to the card. I cut out the butterfly using my Beautiful Butterflies die and then I stamped the image from the Elements of Style set on it. After colour it in a variety of colours (Pink Pirouette, Pretty in Pink, So Safron, Certainly Celery, Pear Pizazz, Old Olive, Rose Red) I mounted it to the front of a Whisper White Card base using Tombow Multi Purpose adhesive and then adhered some pearls in the centre! The sentiment is from the Thoughts and Prayers stamp set. I also stamped a sentiment on the inside of this card from the same set, and then used the flourish design from the Elements of Style which I stamped in Pink Pirouette (have a mentioned how much I love that colour lately??).

Products used: All Stampin' Up
Stamp sets: Elements of Style, Thoughts & Prayers
Card stock: Whisper White
Ink: Basic Black, Pink Pirouette.
Accessories: Big Shot & Beautiful Butterflies Die, Adhesive Pearls, Various Stampin' Write Markers.

My daughter also made a beautiful card for her aunt, to give to her today. I was really impressed with Kieran's style. She has really become a fantastic stamper. Look at her sponging skills and the way she notched the ribbon! I also love her placement of brads! And of course this is one of my favorite colour schemes! Way to go Kieran. I am sure that your Aunt Debbie will be really comforted by this card.

See you tomorrow, I have a bright and cheery card for you.

Cheers,

So many new products and a card finally!!

Hey all,

I hope you are all enjoying getting back into the swing of things. I was sad to see the holidays end, but there is also so relief of knowing that some level of normalcy will return to our lives. It always feels like things are just hanging in the balance this time of the year.

Have you made any New Year's resolutions?? I have here's mine:

1. Lose weight! Seriously, I have this one every year but this time I am going to look at it more realistically. I am not looking to get skinny this year, just chubby! Doesn't that sound more achievable? Far less daunting for sure.

2. Stick to a budget! I am terrible with money. I have no idea where it goes. This year I want to make sure I know where every last penny goes. My grandfather used to say "if you mind your pennies, they will take of the dollars". It is very wise advice. I need to keep that in the forefront of my mind this year (and always!)

So that's it for me. I figure those two are big enough. Feel free to check in with me through out the year to see if I can stick to it. What are your resolutions?

I wanted to share with you a new product being launched tomorrow!!! They are the NEW heart shaped sweet treat cups! Aren't they adorable and the perfect thing for valentine's day? They work in conjunction with our Full Heart punch. Now, while they are not a limited edition item, they don't know if they will sell out before Valentine's day or not. So.....if you like what you see, and NEED to have these order ASAP to ensure you can get them in your hot little hands before it's too late. Now is the perfect time to do a bit of shopping too because Sale-a-bration kicks off tomorrow and it is going to be FABULOUS!! I will post all the details tomorrow along with the links to the new Occasions Mini Catalogue.

I am still taking people for this week's Mystery Club. Let me know if you would like to participate. By doing so there is no commitment (if you want to do it this month, but not next, no biggie!) . One participant will be chosen as our Mystery hostess and will get all the applicable hostess benefits! And if the total sales of the club are more than $395 they will get a Sale-a-bration item in addition to the regular hostess benefits!! AWESOME!!!

Lastly I wanted to share with you a card that I made yesterday. I hate having to make Sympathy cards because, lets face it, it's the only non-fun event that we give cards for. And it was even harder because I have been in holiday mode for soooooo long! but I really do like how this one turned out. Sorry for the crappy picture, but I can't find the charger for my regular camera, so you will have to deal with iPhone pictures for a while.

Products used: All Stampin' Up

Card stock: Close to Cocoa, Whisper White

Designer Series paper: Bella Bleu

Ink: Basic Black Craft ink

Accessories: Stampin' Dimensionals, Basic Black 1-1/4" striped grosgrain ribbon, scallop oval punch, black embossing powder, heat tool, embossing buddy, powder pal.

Don't forget that my first ever Stamp-a-bunch is Thursday, Jan. 21st & Saturday, Jan. 23rd. 6 cards, $15 or FREE with a $25 placed that day. This month we will be making Thank You cards. Bring a friend and make 2 sets for the same price! RSVP today to reserve your spot!

Cheers,

Post #100!!!! How about a contest?? Blog Candy anyone???

Wow! Hard to believe I have posted that many times! I hope you enjoy my posts and stampin' good fun. Leave a message on this post and let me know the answers to the following 3 questions to be entered to win a prize (to be determined....)

1. What do you like about my blog?
2. What am I not doing that you would like to see in the future?
3. What don't you like?

From the posts I will do a random draw for the winner! Looking forward to seeing your comments and looking forward to spending the next 100 posts with you.

In the mean time, I would like to share with you a card I made for friend of mine who lost her Grandmother last week.

Unfortunately we often find ourselves in a situation where we need to make a Sympathy Card. I don't know about you, but I always find it hard to design them. This one was a little easier because I already had this medallion stamped in Crushed Curry and then I used the Rock n' Roll technique using Bermuda Bay. I made it as a Demonstration during my Online Team meeting. Our team the Hive meets once a month, twice in a quarter Online, and one in person. The Online meetings allow all of us in different locations meet, watch me on a webcam as I demo, and talk about the latest promos etc. There is also a chat so the team can post questions of which I answer. It's a great way to stay connect, but with out having to go out, get a sitter etc.

Just a heads up, I am visiting my sister in Scranton, Pennsylvania this weekend. So those of you who look forward to my newsletter, it will be arriving in your mailboxes early next week.

I did want to let everyone know about my Birthday Card Class on Friday, August 7th at 7pm. We will be making 4 different Birthday cards. Cost of the class is $20 or free with a $50 purchase that night. Class fee for club members is $15 and Hive Team members only $10!

Cheers,