13 Inches Donated to Locks of Love!

I'd like to know how on EARTH I misspelled "Palm"? Really? And it had just started to rain when I was trying to take the picture in my car. Wanted to take it right away to the Post Office to mail. Of course, the rain has now turned to snow. YEAH! LOVE this weather! Perfect for crafting and staying inside!

Ok, so my Master's is done, I now have a professional short hairstyle, and I have donated my hair to Locks of Love. Onto CRAFTING!!!!

My actual graduation ceremony is about two weeks away and yes, I will be completing the walk. Really, I just want the Master's hood, but..

I have my wonderful craft room that is so neglected. THAT is one of my New Year's Resolutions. How about you? Of course, losing weight is also one of the resolutions (isn't it every year?), but I think the crafting one will be a LOT more fun! :)

I'm going to take a few days off to enjoy with family - hope you do too! Have a wonderful and Happy New Year!

Ronald McDonald House Charities - Christmas Cards!

Crafters -

Yes, I know it is nearing the end of November, but it is still "nice" weather here. Although it is becoming a little cooler...

On Sunday, Geneva, Steph, and I went to Ronald McDonald House and made Christmas cards.


Here are the designs we used:




If you recognize the pretty bows - they are made using Lee Conrey's Magic Bow Maker (LOVE that thing!). Geneva demonstrated it at the Dames meeting in October.

And, if you look at the cards and go "those look familiar, but..." you may be right! I patterned them after Sandi MacIver's Countdown to Christmas Project #5 card. In case you didn't know, Sandi and Lee are in the same Stampin' group! How fun is that?

Anyway, we had about 9 children who made about 20 cards, we also had 3 adults making cards as well. It was a kinda rainy, drizzly day - PERFECT for cardmaking!

If you have never made cards at Ronald McDonald House, you should. You will be blessed tenfold. We were so busy, I wasn't able to take pictures of all the cards that were made, but I was able to get a picture of a card that one little girl (and her mom, of course!) made. We all know we can purchase cards that are storemade - but which one would you prefer? I know THIS card has MY vote!

For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more. - Luke 12:48b

Hope you are able to join us for the next time we are at Ronald McDonald House to make cards. We are scheduled for Sunday, January 15th. Let me know if YOU are available to attend!

Louisville Regional!

WOW!

What a GREAT time! Yesterday, several of us drove to Louisville, Kentucky for the Stampin'Up! Regional (Thanks so much to Steph for driving the ENTIRE time - YOU ROCK!).

Upon arrival, we saw the fabulous Bonnie Thurber. She was kind enough to pose for a picture.

Stampin'Up! changed the format for this Regional slightly. Some for the better and some I didn't enjoy as well (in my humble opinion). I LOVED how they have us all sitting at the lined-up tables with EVERYONE facing the front stage. That was SO NICE!  It allowed everyone to see the main stage without having to turn around.

After the initial introduction, everyone received crafting time to go to the TWO designated areas to complete the two Make-and-Takes. I wasn't sure about this, at first, then I decided that I really liked this change as well. There were a total of six of us that sat together; we broke into sets of two. Just like a restaurant - it is easier to get seats of two together, rather than a group of six to a table! (smile)


We were able to view all the displays and see the WOW demonstrations! This was the part I didn't enjoy as well. The WOW! demonstrations were throughout the area and they had those fabulous mirrors above the demonstrators so we could see, however - everyone wanted to see! I can say that I cannot blame them, but because of this set-up, you had to stand back and watch SEVERAL of the same demonstration before you could actually get to the front to see the samples and the demonstration displays. I'm not sure how they could do this better, but it did allow us to see the four different WOW! demonstrations up close and personal... eventually.

We then returned to our seats and, after the blessing, received our box lunches - YUMMY!

After lunch, SU! began the demonstrations on stage. The wonderfully talented (and I'm not just saying that because I won!) Carrie Cudney talked about us being savvy shoppers. Many of you have heard me say, because I heard it at Convention a few years ago, that we should purchase stamp sets that we can make five things out of - five techniques, five designs, five different things! That way, you receive the bigger bang for your buck (or the most for your money). And, Carrie discussed that exact same concept and showed us one such stamp set that could do this. She also showed us how to combine the new Dazzling Details with reinkers, to give wonderful color sparkles to our designs.
A little bit of Dazzling Details with a drop or two of colored reinkers

Here is the Dazzling Details with a blue reinker for the background on the scallop - BEAUTIFUL!

My new stamp set!

And the wonderful Carrie Cudney posing for a picture with me -
since I won the Prize Patrol and the stamp set that demonstrated!

Then on to the technologically savvy Holly Linford. She talked about punches and punch art. Now, I have to be honest here... I have several (ok, most) of the punches, but I usually use them for just, well, punch outs! I have altered a few of them, but Holly really took it to the next level. She showed us several cards on the stage, and one of them happened to showcase the local talent of Connie Babbert. I might add... I have this particular card. Connie gave me one of hers at Convention. Isn't this just the cutest?

Holly went on to talk about the Card Keeper that is sold. And she decided to announce that EVERYONE would receive one! Here's the box that it comes in, along with a sample from the screen.


And then Holly, Carrie, and Bonnie went on stage. This picture just does not do these ladies justice - they are all so beautiful. Wish I could have gotten a picture of them all smiling to the camera! Don't they look like they are having fun?

They discussed a Creative Journal Challenge for them and several others, at first. Then a challenge was issued to each of us as Regional attendees. Make your own! So, they gave us the pieces and parts to make our own! Carrie is helping to distributed the journals - I think she looks as happy passing out the prizes as WE are about receiving them. She's at the end of our row at this time.


I won't begin working on mine until after I finally finish my Master's Degree - so it will be AFTER January. I'll show pictures of mine at that time.

Oh, I forgot to tell you! When I won my stamp set, well, you are supposed stand up and wave your arms around (so they can see you clearly!) and are supposed to be just so excited (they actually require us to do that - NOT! - but we do it anyway because we really are so excited!) to receive fun, free stuff! Well, and I knew this, but... my wedding set is a little loose on my hand. When I stood up and waved my arms around, well, my wedding set FLEW off my hand! I heard it land somewhere but didn't see where it landed. Yeah, imagine the sinking feeling... This wonderful lady in the next row, almost to the right end of the row (I was nearer to the left end of our row), well, she found it! I must have REALLY been swinging my arms around! So as Holly is delivering my new stamp set, I'm reaching for my wedding set from this wonderful woman. I know Holly was looking at me really weird, and I wish I could have gotten a picture of her delivering my new stamp set for me, but I think my wedding set was just a bit more important. Thank you to this wonderful woman for returning my wedding set to me! I didn't get her name, but she was kind enough to pose for a picture with me. You will notice my set is not on my left hand in this picture. I've placed it on my RIGHT hand (those fingers are fatter - smile - and I'm really ok with that - NOW!). I'm NOT losing this again!

So, here we are at the end of the day. I've included a picture of two local demonstrators who sat with us. Barb is also one of our crafters at church with our card ministry - she makes the prettiest card designs! Talk about being blessed to know so many wonderful (and talented) crafters!


OH - and one last thing, I promise! Donna Griffith, during her demonstration, mentioned that we need to do some "framping". I had no idea what this was! Do you? It is a combination of the words "friends" and "stamping"! So - go do some FRAMPING! I like that new (to me) word. Friends and stamping. Throw in some chocolate and maybe a little coffee and this is bliss!

Hope you have enjoyed these pictures and the update from the Louisville Regional on Friday, October 28, 2011.

Dames meeting today!

Crafters -

First, let me tell you about the wonderful ladies in my downline. We had our quarterly downline meeting today. These fabulous Dames showed up with coffee, pumpkin doughnuts from the Circleville Pumpkin Festival (thanks Steph!), and chocolate (never met a chocolate I didn't like - thanks Geneva!)!

We had two demonstrations today. I don't know about the rest of you, but I struggle with bow-tying. Am I alone in this? I'm a-thinkin' not!  :)

Stephanie demonstrated how to make bows using brads, first. How come I never thought of this?


Then, Geneva demonstrated bows using Lee Conrey's Magic Bow Maker. Let me assure you, we have a group order for Ms. Conrey! We literally went "Wow..." after seeing Geneva demonstrate it for us!


Then we had our Challenge winner (see this post for our Dames Challenge), Nina. She won on BOTH the closest to $50, along with the most DIFFERENT cards/projects using her items. Way to go Nina! (If you are a new stamper, see how easy it is to make cards?)


Finally, we completed our Shoebox Swaps. I think that is the favorite thing of all. Now, I may be a little-teeny-tiny-bit partial, but I think these are just beautiful cards. I may not be a grammar geek, but I know pretty cards when I see them! Hope you enjoy these lovely ladies' talents!
Nina's card

Steph's card is on the left.
I don't know if mine will be a Valentine's Day card, Anniversary card, or wedding card,
so I left mine blank.

I altered Steph's original design. Here's a close-up of mine.

Geneva's card

Tina's design. Can you tell what the clouds are?
That's right - The top of the cupcake punch!

Dawn's card

Close up of the bird.
Don't you just LOVE how the Crystal Effects brings makes this card really pop?

Dames - thanks so much for spending your Saturday morning with me and thanks for the coffee, doughnuts, and wonderful chocolates. Business relationships may change, but friendships remain strong. I'm so thankful that I have these wonderful friends in my life. Thank you Dames!

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor:
If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. - Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (NIV)

Today's Ronald McDonald House Card Making...

was so much fun!
Jennifer (print shirt), Dawn (blue shirt), and Stephanie (red shirt).
I think we all know the guy in the yellow and red!


We had SEVERAL families stop over and either pick up some cards to use, stamp some cards, take a bookmark, or just generally visit.

One of the moms, her baby is now six months old and hasn't been home yet; she's hoping that will occur soon! One of the other moms - her baby is 28 days old and the mom has been making different bows and various headbands for her daughter - she even said that her husband makes prettier ones that she does! (I don't believe that for a minute - the cards she made were BEAUTIFUL!). Both of them shared their cell phone pictures of their beautiful daughters with us.

Jennifer joined us for the second time, and one of my downline Stephanie was able to come today (after completing a 5K in the morning!). Thank you - both of you - for sharing your Sunday afternoon with me and the families at Ronald McDonald House for this worthwhile cause.

Today, I was a little smarter. I actually made several cards ahead of time; they just needed colored and stamped (if they wanted a sentiment on the card). Made it SO much easier! Jennifer was making and assembling cards left and right for the residents and Stephanie was helping the residents and their families with how to operating the crop-a-dile, paper piercer, and explaining brads vs. eyelets. I think a good time was had by all!

We left a box of cards, about 50 or so, along with some of those corner bookmarks, with the staff at the front desk. We also let the residents know that those cards would be up there. It's the little things that can make a difference. One of the ladies who stopped said something about "oh yes, I would like some cards, but I don't have time to make them now." So we handed her several. She wanted 3 stamped with "thank you" - because of the wonderful staff at Children's, along with family and friends who have been so helpful. The other blank cards were for her to fill out as she needed.

Crafters - if you ever have the chance to help out at Ronald McDonald House - please consider doing so. When they gave me the tour of the facilities, it really gave me reason to pause. They showed me the room where they have some of the food ready to help out with the families. On this one shelf, they had peanut butter and a variety of cereals. Now, don't get me wrong - I like both of those, just not together. However, it was explained to me that many times, these families come very quickly, without a chance to prepare. By providing the family with a box of cereal and a jar of peanut butter, the family only needs to pick up milk and bread and they can have several meals. Very humbling and things like this continue to show me how truly blessed I am - in so many ways...

Notebooks!

As many of you know, I worked on the boy's notebooks for his classmates yesterday. Lest you forget (smile), he will be 10 next month.

To make it easy on me, what with Accounting for me, Grandparents arriving in September (and yes, I'd like to see them too!), and just life in general... since I had the WHOLE HOUSE to myself yesterday - I worked on his notebooks! Got everything cut, sticky strip has been applied to most, and I will simply put these together when I have 5 minutes here and 5 minutes there. Assembly line works well for projects!

So here is a picture of one of the notebooks for his class. Please be aware that the Star Wars (R) is not sold by Stampin'Up! The colors that coordinate with this paper are Garden Green and Basic Black.
Each child's name will be die cut and placed on the bottom right of the notebook.

I also made a notebook for a friend. I've already delivered it to her and she says she likes it. Hope she's being honest.  :)  I've used the Paisley Prints DSP, Bashful Blue, and Marina Mist for the papers. I've also added a Paper Daisy flower (item #119243), a Bashful Blue Butterfly (from the Beautiful Wings SU! exclusive embosslit - item #118138), and a Light Blue Rhinestone Brad from the Circle Ice Brads (item #109111).
Same exact design - TOTALLY different look!
And you can see the top of my friend's name that is on the bottom of this notebook.

On both of these, because SU! no longer sells the hole punch I used to use on these, I used my Crop-A-Dile (item #108362) to punch the holes. It was SO MUCH EASIER than that silly little handpunch I used to use. It makes WAY LESS noise, but the grip is just a bit wider (and by "just" I mean wider - smile).


And last but not least, I'll be making another posting today. The Summer Mini Catalog expires at the end of this month. I'll be offering a one-time special today through Saturday, August 27th. Check back later today for more information!

Today at Convention...

Today was a GREAT day! Here's us as we began our day:
Three Dames - Dawn, Geneva, and Stephanie (from left to right)

Then onto classes. We learned LOTS and had LOTS of fun! During one of the classes, it was announced that there was going to be a new item in Memento Mall for a new product. Here's the item from Memento Mall:
New Memento Mall item - for a NEW product! It will be in the upcoming Holiday Mini!
And when I was leaving Memento Mall, I saw the display booth for the Ronald McDonald House. As many of you may know, I am now the Lead for the Columbus, Ohio Ronald McDonald House. At Stampin'Up, they have a Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) Coordinator. I have spoken with her via telephone and email and she is always so nice. Well, guess who was at the booth? The lovely Lana! She's on the left in this picture.
Lana is just so nice!


Geneva and I even saw a fellow demonstrator from New Hampshire that we had met TWO YEARS ago! (See this post here). How many other fun conventions have YOU been to that you've met someone two years previous and can pick up the conversation like those two years had never lapsed? Stamping is such fun! It was so nice to see Shannon!

Well fast forward to General Session. They did another Prize Patrol like when Geneva won? Well, guess what? They chose the Red Swirls this time and guess who had red swirls? You go it - ME! So my wonderful friend and downline Stephanie took my picture!
Yeah Me! I won! Thanks so much Stampin'Up! Geneva is on the right enjoying my happiness too!


Here's a close up of the product AND an idea that Sara demonstrated on stage.
Close up of my winnings!

Fast and Easy Cards using the Simply Scrappin' Kit - just like the one I won from Prize Patrol!


And then Stampin'Up! announced that we ALL would receive the Simply Sent Kit, Great Day (it's late and I think that's what it is called. I'll confirm that tomorrow):
Wasn't this so nice of Stampin'Up! to give one of these to EACH demonstrator at Convention! YEAH Stampin'Up!

All in all - a wonderful day was had by all!

Then in the evening, we went to the Awards Ceremony and Geneva was able to meet Tami White:
Geneva on the left, Tami on the right
So with that I will bid you adieu. I'll post more tomorrow. Hope you are enjoying these updates from Convention as much as I am enjoying Convention.

Décor Elements

Aren't friends just wonderful? I have this friend (Teresa Jane) who is one of my dearest friends. Don't get me wrong - if we ever had to live together, we'd kill each other - we're that different! BUT if either of us ever needed anything, it would be given without hesitation. I'm very blessed - I have many friends who are wonderful!

The other day I mentioned to Tracy that I was looking for a table about so high and so wide, and guess who had something like what I was looking for? She was going to have her parents sell it for her at their garage sale this weekend.

Well, the boy and I stopped over there tonight. And, after petting the attack puppy dog (all 5 pounds of him!), we were allowed into the home and were able to bring home this great table!

So I have now added my Décor Elements to my wall with this GREAT table to set it off! Doesn't it look nice?



Now I just have to add my Joshua 24:15 Décor Elements and that wall will be done. I mean, what's the rush, right? I've only had these things since MARCH!!!  :)

The crafters coming Saturday will be the first ones to see it. Hope they enjoy it!


Two quotes that I like about friendship. Hope you enjoy them too!
Blessed is the man who has friends, but woe to him who needs them. - Czech Proverb

Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. - John 15:13 (NIV)

Annual Dames New Catty Meeting and June Card Class Reminder...

Today was the Second Annual Dames New Catty Meeting. Nina, Geneva, Jeannette, Donna and I gathered at the local doughnut shop and enjoyed coffee, doughnuts and perusing the new catalog. Doesn't it look like we had fun? (doesn't it look like Donna and I are mother and daughter too?!)  :)

Dawn (me - in RED), Donna (my mom is right behind me), Nina in the blue, Geneva in the white Stampin'Up! shirt she purchased at Convention last year (or the year before?), and Jeannette in green
Do you see what we each have in front of us? That's right - it's the NEW 2011-2012 Catalog - a GREAT benefit of being a demonstrator. Of course, because we cannot share with customers yet, we turned our catties upside down. Except for that rebel Geneva - she kept hers rightside up but she covered hers up with her hands and glasses case and all.  :)

We had so much fun. Some of the gentlemen who were at the coffee shop last year were there again this year. I think they are regulars... I overheard them while we were carrying on, I mean discussing our upcoming card designs, about using the new stamps and the new accessories - well I overheard them saying "oh, isn't this pretty, I could make a card with this..." - all in GREAT fun. One of them even took the picture for us! Another one stopped at our table to tell us that he and his lovely wife scrapbook (he mentioned some contraband items that are used, so we won't discuss that) and that his wife does cards on the computer. It was so nice to hear him talk about how his wife can personalize their cards - sympathy, birthday and everything between! Said they haven't purchased a card in YEARS!

AND wanted to give a friendly reminder that today is the last day to receive the discount for the card class on June 25th. As long as your envelope is postmarked today, you can still receive the $5 discount on the class (it is normally $30). We will be concentrating on men's cards for the June class and also have a Christmas card design.

Hope everyone has a wonderful day - and don't forget to contact me for YOUR catalog. If you become a demonstrator with me, perhaps YOU will want to join us next year for the THIRD Annual Dames New Catty Meeting!

Latte Suite, Team Top Sales, and New Team Members!

Check it out! Latte cards for my Latte Joy Stampers Top Sales and Welcome New Team Members This Display Template makes it SO MUCH EASIER to ...