Christmas, a time of joy....

I had lunch today with a special friend and her mother. What an awesome relationship my friend has with her mother. I am blessed to have this special friend in my life and was honored to share a little Christmas with "Mom".

Christmas is a time of so much joy - celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. Christmas is a time of sorrow - wishing you had just ONE more day with a loved one.

I am reminded of this poem I read a few years after my mother passed away. My mother had polio and was confined to a wheelchair most of her life. The true blessing today is that my mother is walking with Jesus today.

My First Christmas in Heaven

I see the countless Christmas trees around the world below
With tiny lights, like Heaven's stars, reflecting on the snow.
The sight is so spectacular, please wipe away the tear
For I am spending Christmas with Jesus this year.

I hear the many Christmas songs that people hold so dear
But the sounds of music can't compare with the Christmas choir up here.
I have no words to tell you, the joy their voices bring,
For it is beyond description, to hear the angels sing.

I know how much you miss me, I see the pain inside your heart
But I am not so far away, we really aren't apart.
So be happy for me, dear ones, you know I hold you dear.
And be glad I'm spending Christmas with Jesus this year.

I sent you each a special gift, from my heavenly home above.
I sent you each a memory of my undying love.
After all, love is a gift more precious than pure gold
It was always most important in the stories Jesus told.

Please love and keep each other, as my Father said to do
For I can't count the blessing or love he has for each of you.
So have a Merry Christmas and wipe away that tear
Remember, I am spending Christmas with Jesus this year.

~author unknown

I miss you Mom!

Mojo Monday Challenge - December 7, 2009

Mojo Monday Sketch

My Entry

I love the Mojo Monday challenge. I started creating my entry by using the Stampin' Up! My Digital Studio program.

This card was created with the following Stampin' Up! products:

• Dasher stamp
• Very Vanilla, Chocolate Chip, Old Olive and Real Red cardstock
• Simply Scrappin' Christmas Jingle and Merry Moments DSP
• Jumbo Snowflake hand punch
• Chocolate Chip ink
• Mini-glue dots

Other products

• Brad
• Brown satin ribbon
• Circle and scallop circle dies

 

 

Take the challenge, visit Mojo Monday every Monday for a new card sketch. Join in on the fun and create a card.

I have asked Santa for a display for taking pictures of my cards.

This is the digital layout using the Stampin' Up! My Digital Studio

*hint, hint - I love comments

She is so precious

My baby girl is crawling and without her grandmother there with her. The video is grainy .... but who cares!!

Mojo Monday Challenge - November 30, 2009

The embellishment was created with 2 1/2" scallop circles, cut in half and folded.
Stampin Up! Products:

Sale-A-Bration 2009 DSP

• Bashful Blue and Certainly Celery cardstock
• Bashful Blue and Certainly Celery ink - for distressing
• Certainly Celery twill ribbon

Other Products

• Button
• Glue dots
• 2 1/2" scallop circle die

I LOVE COMMENTS (hint, hint)

Mojo Monday Challenge - November 23, 2009

This Mojo Monday challenge was easy using Stampin' Up! products:

• Christmas Jingle striped DSP
• Textured cardstock in Real Red and Chocolate Chip
• Old Olive cardstock
• Stampin’ Up! Exclusive Die Movers & Shapers Curly Label
• Hostess Stamp set - Christmas Punch
• Chocolate Chip, Old Olive and Real Red Stampin' Write markers
• Old Olive 1/4" grosgrain ribbon
• Eyelet border punch

The Stampin' Up! exclusive Movers & Shapers Curly Label die is FANTASTIC. All I had to do to create the card base was cut my 8 1/2" x 11" paper in half length wise and line it up on the die. The unique cutout has perforated marks shaped around the cutout piece.

Of course, I had to design the card first using Stampin' Up!'s My Digital Studio. You just have to get this program!
If you would like to learn how to make any of my cards posted on my blog, please contact me by email - click here.

Do you or Santa need help finding the perfect gift? Have Santa contact me. I will help with suggestions or Santa can purchase gift certificates from me (redeemable only through me).

I love comments; please leave one.

STAMPIN' UP! HOLIDAY EXTRAVAGANZA

Don't miss this FANTASTIC holiday sale at Stampin' Up!.

30%, 40% and 50% off selected items. Shop today, sale ends November 30.

Go to my Stampin' Up! website, CLICK HERE and click on Shop Now (upper right hand corner) to check out all the deals.

My First Mojo Monday Challenge

I have been checking this blog out for months now and finally decided that tonight I will meet the challenge.

Each Monday a new sketch is added to the blog; the challenge is to use the sketch to create your own "masterpiece".



I, of course, playing with the new Stampin' Up! My Digital Studio, first created my "masterpiece" on the computer and then went to my craft room and created the card with real cardstock.

I used all Stampin' Up! products with this card

• Mellow Moss card base
• Really Rust cardstock and DSP from the Patterns Pack III (available as a Level 1 Hostess Benefits)
• Mellow Moss 1/4" grosgrain ribbon
• Thoughts & Prayers stamp set
• Large oval and scallop oval punch
• Basic Black ink
• Stampin' Dimensionals

This is my digital creation

Stampin' Up! My Digital Software - First Creation Start to Finish

This is the card created on the computer - - - - - - - - >

I designed this card using the new Stampin' Up! My Digital Studio software program. Create your cards without wasting precious Stampin' Up! paper by designing your card first with this new software and then make it using your Stampin' Up! products.





This is the actual card made using Stampin' Up! products - - - - - >






Email me to find out about this newest software available only through Stampin' Up!

Anniversary / Birthday / Calendar / Important Events to Remember Booklet Workshop

I created these binded notebooks with my cute binding machine. Great to use as birthday calendar (not dated)

These notebooks contain fifteen pages, one page for each month of the year and three blank pages. Write down the day and event under the month.

A cute and easy Christmas gift for a co-worker or friend.

Would you like to create one? Come to my workshop on Tuesday, December 1 at 10:00 am and create one. Deadline registration and payment date is Monday, November 30.

Bring your own adhesive. Class materials fee is $9, deposit required.

Let Stampin' Up! do your Christmas shopping and you get free merchandise

You'll love the convenience of our Holiday Gift-Giving Guide! With gift ideas for kids, teens, neighbors and more, it's your one-stop shop for all your holiday needs.

PLUS, when you spend $50 on products in the guide, you'll get a Decor Elements for FREE (up to a $16.95 value)! Let your free item be a gift to yourself because you are such a smart shopper OR give it away as a gift.

You can view the Holiday Gift-Giving Guide and Home Decor brochures at the top of this page.

If you enjoy stamping, the perfect gift to share your love of stamping can be found in this holiday guide. Below are a few of my suggestions:

• Page 2 - $9.95 Best of the Bunch Mini Note Kit #116762. Kit includes a double-mounted stamp set (two stamps in all), Stamping Spot (ink), four 3 7/8" x 2 3/4" cards and envelopes.
• Page 2 - $18.95 Beary Best Friends stamp set #118052. This is a six-piece stamp set - all you need to complete this is a Basic Black ink pad and you have created hours of continuous crafting for younger children. Images can be colored with crayons and markers. Purchase Note Cards #107311 and let your children create their own greeting cards to send to family and friends. Note Cards include 20 cards and envelopes.
• Page 3 - There are kits that include everything you need to create beautiful greeting cards. Prices range from $24.95 to $42.95 for the complete kits (stamps, ribbon, ink, cards and envelopes).
• Page 4 - $274.55 A Dream Come True Gift - The Big Shot Gift Pack includes the Big Shot die cutting machine that cuts and embosses. Included in this package is the Movers & Shapers Curly Label Die that cuts and creates a window card with a few cranks of the handle. Purchase this kit and you will receive hostess benefits; a Level 1 stamp set and $25.00 worth of Stampin' Up! merchandise (your choice)
• Page 4 - Gifts for your neighbors. Pack up your cookies and give them in pretty containers or create your own party favors to give to your guest at your next holiday party.

I'll even gift wrap any Stampin' Up! products you purchase as gifts for others.....at no additional charge.

Our grandbaby is growing too fast

Thanksgiving Treats

I love giving gifts to my guests around Thanksgiving.

I wanted to create a classy party favor. I created the flower using SU Scallop Circle punch. The flower actually takes nearly 30 minutes to create, but I did them while watching TV. I was inspired from by a YouTube Video.

I used the Stampin' Up! 2009 Sale-A-Bration stamp set Yummy.

I love SU DSP and find it hard to use...some papers are just too pretty to use. However, I think the oohs and aahs from the recipients will be worth it.

An endearing surprise

Bill surprised me with flowers - four large sunflowers. He said he knew I needed a lift. "I know you like sunflowers because of Grandma Casto"

Build-A-Bear

I NEEDED this new Stampin' Up! stamp set, especially because I have a beautiful granddaughter.

Kendall made this card (well, okay - I made it) to send to her parents for their anniversary. David and Kristin' 5th wedding anniversary is today.

Stampin' Up! has a new Build-A-Bear product line, including Big Shot Sizzix dies. For this month only, I am offering 10% off on the entire line of Build-A-Bear products from Stampin' Up!. This is my special, orders need to placed through me, not my website.

Christmas Cards

CHRISTMAS CARD WORKSHOP

Friday, November 6

10:00 am - 12:30 pm

Create 19 beautiful, unique Christmas cards, a treasure to give and much prettier than a box of store bought cards.

Here is a sampling of the Christmas cards I created over the last week. It took me five complete nine-hour days to cut, design and create the cards using the Stampin' Up Scrappin' Christmas Jingle Kit.

The cost of the card making class is $35 and will include my designs, instructions, use of my stamps, inks, Big Shot exclusive dies, hand punches, 19 card bases, envelopes and all the extras needed to complete the 19 cards. Extras include brads, dimensionals, ribbon and cord. All you would need to bring is your enthusiasm and adhesive.

If you are interested, please email me. Payment deadline Monday, October 19.

The pdf paper layout instructions are available for purchase at $10.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Current signups (as of 10/08/09)

1. Kelli
2. Amanda
3. Sabrina
4. You?

Isn't she a hoot?

Special prayers for a little girl..

...I have been asking for prayers for a little girl from our neighborhood that was injured over the weekend.

I created a penny spinner card (my first, not my best work) and a candy treat to cheer her up while she is recovering.

Thoroughly Modern

I am in love with the color combination of Stampin' Up! Thoroughly Modern Designer Series Paper. Bermuda Bay, Rose Red, Sahara Sand and Soft Suede.

This card was made using the Sizzix Big Shot Matchbox, Lattice and Blossom Party dies. All of these dies are exclusive to Stampin' Up! and can only be purchased through your Stampin' Up! demonstrator - aka ME.

Stampin' Up! Products

• Sizzix exclusive dies (mentioned above)
• Whisper White, Bermuda Bay and Rose Red Cardstock
• Thoroughly Modern DSP
• Bermuda Bay and Rose Red Stampin' Markers
• Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp set
• Oval Scallop, Large and Small Oval hand punches

Other Products

• White brad

The Teeny Tiny Wishes is a 24 stamp set with every holiday and special moments greetings you would need for creating cards and gifts.

This set is for sale at the Lily Pond Art Gallery, 5100 Curry Highway (Route 257) , Jasper, AL. If you are looking for unique, one of a kind gifts or home decor - Lily Pond is the place to check out. Terry McKay, owner of the Lily Pond, offers exceptional art pieces created by local artisans. Check out her workshops - you, too, can create works of art.

How to host a Stampin' Up! Workshop

A Stampin' Up! workshop is not your average Tupperware Party where your friends leave with a lighter bank account. At a Stampin' Up! workshop your friends will leave with something they created by themselves. You won't be an audience watching someone talk about each product; you will be getting a hands-on experience on stamping. Stamping is a great relaxing hobby and it is SO EASY. Stampin' Up! has great products to help you.

Are you ready to enjoy and create with your friends? Follow these easy steps:

1. Call me at 205-221-5619 or email me
2. Pick a day that works with your schedule for a workshop in your home
3. Decide what your would like to create: card, party favor, gift
4. List forty friends in 4 minutes and send invitations to ALL of them
5. One day before workshop, call your friends to remind them
6. Prepare a light dessert, sit back and let me do the rest

The Workshop

1. Receive a free Stampin' Up! Idea Book and Catalog
2. Learn the art of stamping
3. Enjoy the fellowship with your friends
4. You and your friends will learn to create easy paper craft items
5. I am not a sales person, I am someone who enjoys stamping and loves to share my love of crafting. I do not pressure your friends into purchasing from me.
6. Have an opportunity to receive free Stampin' Up! products

Are you responsible for your next women's club meeting? I am available to come to your next meeting - it won 't be your ordinary meeting; everyone will get an opportunity to create something fun and cute. Call me about arranging a class for your next club meeting.

The New Phone Book is here....the new phone book is here!

Actually its Stampin' Up!'s new Holiday mini brochure; much more exciting than the phone book! Click here for the new catalog.

Special offer from Stampin' Up!

HOW SWEET IT IS

Host a $250 workshop and get a Holiday Mini item* for just $10!

*Excludes hostess sets and My Digital Studio

To place an order email me.