Upon Lexi’s Passing…

Comments: 73
Grand Champion Burlwood’s Unlike Any Other
April 17, 2012 – December 28, 2020

It is with unbearable sadness that I am writing of the loss of our dear sweet Lexi. She was a beautiful girl, a brave girl, a funny girl, a loving girl, and she made my world a better place. My heart is breaking, but Kim and I would not let her suffer. We loved her too much to ever let that happen. And just like we knew she would, on a gray December morning, she let us know it was time for her to make her journey to the Rainbow Bridge. She was tired of fighting.  Cancer had won…

She laid in my arms that morning on the floor in the vet’s office, as I told her it was OK to say good-by…that I loved her with all my heart, and that I would never forget her.  For what seemed like an eternity, I cradled her, cuddled her, kissed her…trying to drink in everything about her.  I will miss her eyes gazing lovingly at me. I will miss our walks. I will miss our snuggles and cuddles. I will miss her sassiness. I will miss everything about her!

She was a hoot, and has left a huge hole in our hearts which will take a long time to heal. The entire pack is grieving in their own ways, and I am helping them adjust to the loss of the “Alpha of the Toys”. But in their infinite doggie wisdom, they knew it was time for her to cross. They knew she wasn’t well. They knew what I didn’t want to accept. My heart aches as her bowls sit empty, as her collar and leash lay untouched, as her favorite blankie still lays in her favorite spot on the floor. My heart ached as Muffy let out a single mournful howl, calling for a pack member who would never return. My heart ached as Sixx left her breakfast untouched. My heart ached as Brody sat faithfully at the window, waiting for a friend who has gone forever.
Lexi taught me a lot during her short eight years here on earth…and maybe that was her mission…to teach me to be more carefree and to be more loving. To find the joy in a walk, to find the fun in playing with your friends, to take time to just enjoy the essence of being alive.

Four years ago today, I wrote the following post on Facebook. How prophetic it rings now that Lexi has passed.

“I write this for all of my friends who have lost their beloved dogs. With each post I have read, tears have been shed. Tears for you, and tears for me as I thought about my past. As I sat at my computer this morning, I sought solace in writing. Hopefully my thoughts will provide us all with some comfort: It is better to have known the love of a dog, than to never have known that love at all. Love which is unconditional. Love that brings with it the wag of a tail, the prick of an ear, the tilt of a head. Love that feels your sorrow, feels your pain, feels your loneliness, and with one touch, makes all of that disappear. Love that feels your joy and your happiness, and with one touch, magnifies those feelings tenfold. And even though it saddens us, grieves us to the point of despair when God decides it is time for them to leave our side and move onto another plain, in His wisdom He leaves us with memories that in time will warm our hearts and bring smiles back to our faces until we meet up with them again…memories of how much richer our lives are because we loved…and were loved by…a dog.
And so I await that time, when I can think of her and smile. I await that time when the tears that flow so freely now become tears of joy because I was blessed to have her in my life. And I await that time when she greets me again with that sassy bark…Run free sweet angel!

GCH Burlwood’s Unlike Any Other April 17, 2012 – December 28, 2020

 

siggy-1

Seashell Birthday Card for The Paper Players

, , , , ,
Comments: 13

 Can you believe I do not have my Christmas cards completed? Why I didn’t take this opportunity to create another Christmas card instead of this seashell birthday card, I’ll never know. But these products from Stampin’ Up!’s upcoming January – June Mini Catalog were calling out my name.  It’s Sunday, and time to play in The Paper Players final challenge of the year!

This week, our Queen of Die Cuts, Lauri, has a color challenge for us:  Silver, Black and White. What a classic and elegant color combination it is. I used it to create this VERY easy birthday card using the new Seaside Seashells dies and Seashells 3D embossing folder. I can’t wait to see what YOU create!

The Stampin’ Schach Design Tips

When I first saw the Sand & Sea Suite in the upcoming January – June Mini Catalog, I knew these products would be among the first I would order. Not only did I love the images and sentiments, I LOVED the embossing folder and the coordinating die. For today’s card, I began by embossing both silver foil and Shimmery White cardstock. I then used the die to cut them out. After adhering the silver die cut to the card base, I simply snipped out the shells from the Shimmery White one. They were adhered to the silver die cut using dimensionals.  Wink of Stella enhanced the sparkle of the paper, while pearls were the perfect accents.

seashell birthday card

To download a free tutorial for today’s seashell birthday card, which includes all the paper measurements, please click on the button below. For every card which has been posted on my blog this year, there is a free tutorial. To visit the 2020 FREE Tutorial PDF Gallery, CLICK HERE. To visit the 2019 FREE Tutorial PDF Gallery, CLICK HERE.

For more inspiration, be sure to visit the rest of the The Paper Players Design Team:

 

It’s the Giant Year-End Closeout Event!

Year End Closeout

If you love great deals, Stampin’ Up!’s Giant Year-End Closeout event is the perfect time to shop. You’ll get deep discounts on your favorite products from the August–December 2020 Mini Catalog.  The Year-End Closeout happens only once a year, so don’t delay!

Here Are the Details!
The sales period runs through January 4, 2021
  • No minimum purchase required.
  • Retiring items are available while supplies last.
  • Exclusions apply: Carryover items will not be discounted.
  • Due to increased shipping times and possible shipping delays during the month of December, we can’t guarantee delivery before Christmas.

End of Year Closeout

August–December 2020 Mini Catalog Retiring List – Click Here

 

year end closeout

THE SPRING MINI CATALOG RELEASE & SALE-A-BRATION PROMOTION are right around the corner, so that means it’s time for the Stampin’ Schach Product Shares!

Yep!!! There will be shares!  For information about my January – June Mini Catalog Shares, CLICK HERE!

If you have placed an order with me in the last 12 months, the NEW Stampin’ Up! January – June Mini Catalog and Sale-a-Bration Promotion Brochure have been mailed out to you.  If yours have not arrived by December 25th, please email me at kimschach@msn.com.  Both go live on January 5th, 2021!

If you are not sure you have placed an order with me in the last 12 months OR if your address has changed, please email me:  kimschach@msn.com or ann@thestampinschach.com.  If you are not a current customer, but you plan on selecting me as your demonstrator, I will gladly send you a free catalog.  Just let me know!  I’m only an email away!

Can’t wait to order those new spring products? You don’t have to! Purchase the $99 starter kit and join Stampin’ Up! today! You can add up to $125 of new Mini Catalog products to your kit  for $99 and it ships FREE —what a GREAT value!  After joining, you can pre-order more products with a 20% demonstrator discount along with earning FREE Sale-A-Bration products.  Read below for more information and a link to join!

Membership Has Its Perks

Do you have a BIG WISH LIST? Consider becoming a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator. The Starter Kit is a great value! For $99, choose $125 worth of products, and it ships for FREE (an additional 10% savings)!

  • SAVE at least 20% ON EVERYTHING YOU PURCHASE! Once you join, you’ll enjoy a 20 – 25% discount on your favorite Stampin’ Up! items.
  • NO PRESSURE OR OBLIGATION TO SELL TO OTHERS! There’s never an obligation to host parties, sell products, or purchase anything else after the kit.
  • THERE’S NO RISK! NO PENALTY TO DROP! If you reach $300 in sales by the end of the first full Stampin’ Up! quarter after you sign-up, you automatically renew your demonstrator discounts and benefits for another quarter. To continue, you will need to reach $300+ in sales (includes personal purchases) to renew from quarter to quarter. If you don’t reach $300 in sales, you can “drop” with no penalty.
  • CONTINUE the BENEFITS and DISCOUNTS! From the time you join through the end of the first full Stampin’ Up! quarter, you will be able to take advantage of demonstrator discounts and benefits. The Quarters are January – March, April – June, July – September, October – Dec. You will have the balance of the quarter in which you join PLUS the first full quarter to reach your first $300 in sales (includes personal purchases) and renew for another quarter.
  • JOIN TODAY! Purchase the starter kit through me and instantly become a member of the Schach Pack Pals. You’ll have access to private Facebook groups, receive newsletters, and will be able to engage with a community of other stampers.
  • Questions about joining? Email me at ann@thestampinschach.com. If you are ready to join NOW, CLICK HERE!

Remember – You get to choose up to $125 in any products you want and pay only $99 plus tax, no shipping.

If you have any questions about joining Stampin’ Up!, I am only an email away! If you are ready to join NOW, CLICK HERE!

______________________________________________________

Looking for an oldie but goodie? Check out my retired stamps which I have for sale. ALL OF MY RETIRED  SETS/BUNDLES ARE 10% OFF THROUGH DECEMBER, 31st!!!

Retired Sets for Sale

_____________________________________
Current Host Code Information

Ready to order supplies to make your own cards? I would love to be your Demonstrator. Click Here to place an order in my online store.

When checking out, if you apply the Host Code to your online orders of at least $50, but under $150, you’ll get a free gift from me. If your order is over $150, please do not apply the host code – you will be receiving your own host rewards, as well as your gift from me. All orders of $50 or more earn points toward my Loyalty Rewards Program (Details HERE).

Current Code: JFQR9J4W
_____________________________________

As always, if you have any questions about the cards I create or the techniques I use, I am only an email away! Until next time…

siggy-1

Golden Dove Christmas Card

, , ,
Comments: 13

In two weeks, it will be Christmas Day! Can you believe it? If you are looking for a last minute “wow” card, why not consider this “Golden Dove” Christmas card.  It’s time to play at Festive Friday, the home of the Inspo List!

golden dove Christmas card

For this week’s challenge,  we are inspired by Christmas.  Remember – at Festive Friday, you do not need to actually celebrate the occasion.  Your goal is to simply use three or more items from the inspiration list on your project.  I used ribbon, peace on earth, red and green on my card this week.  I can’t wait to see what YOU create!

golden dove christmas card

Colors of the Day

golden dove Christmas card

The Stampin’ Schach Design Tips

A month ago, I created a classic red and green Christmas card, with elegant touches of gold, for The Paper Players.  For it, I used a wonderful sketch designed by the talented LeAnne. The sketch allowed me to showcase some of Stampin’ Up!’s beautiful Christmas designer papers.  Since I still had strips of these same papers tucked away on the corner of my desk, I decided to recreate the card base, and switch out the focal image. I LOVE the Detailed Dove dies, so I reached for them one more time. These gorgeous dies are retiring, and are only available through January 4th, while supplies last. They are among my favorite dies ever.  A few Forever Gold laser cut leaves make a perfect backdrop for the dove.

golden dove Christmas card

To download a free tutorial for today’s Golden Dove Christmas card, which includes all the paper measurements, please click on the button below. For every card which has been posted on my blog this year, there is a free tutorial. To visit the 2020 FREE Tutorial PDF Gallery, CLICK HERE. To visit the 2019 FREE Tutorial PDF Gallery, CLICK HERE.

For more inspiration, be sure to visit the rest of the  Festive Friday Challenge Design team.

Ann Schach

Beth McCullough

Sharon Hashimoto Burkert

Melanie Hungerford

Helen Jennings

Stephanie Lanzalotto

Melva Peters

Judy Rozema

It’s the Giant Year-End Closeout Event!

Year End Closeout

If you love great deals, Stampin’ Up!’s Giant Year-End Closeout event is the perfect time to shop. You’ll get deep discounts on your favorite products from the August–December 2020 Mini Catalog.  The Year-End Closeout happens only once a year, so don’t delay!

Here Are the Details!
The sales period runs through January 4, 2021
  • No minimum purchase required.
  • Retiring items are available while supplies last.
  • Exclusions apply: Carryover items will not be discounted.
  • Due to increased shipping times and possible shipping delays during the month of December, we can’t guarantee delivery before Christmas.

End of Year Closeout

August–December 2020 Mini Catalog Retiring List – Click Here

 

year end closeout

THE SPRING MINI CATALOG RELEASE & SALE-A-BRATION PROMOTION are right around the corner! 

Yes!!! There will be shares!  For information about my January – June Mini Catalog Shares, CLICK HERE!

If you have placed an order with me in the last 12 months, the NEW Stampin’ Up! January – June Mini Catalog and Sale-a-Bration Promotion Brochure have been mailed out to you.  They will be arriving in a white envelope.  If yours have not arrived by December 25th, please email me at kimschach@msn.com.  Both go live on January 5th, 2021!

If you are not sure you have placed an order with me in the last 12 months OR if your address has changed, please contact me here.   If you are not a current customer, but you plan on selecting me as your demonstrator, I will gladly send you a free catalog.  Just let me know!  I’m only an email away!

Can’t wait to order those new spring products? You don’t have to! Purchase the $99 starter kit and join Stampin’ Up! today! You can add up to $125 of new Mini Catalog products to your kit  for $99 and it ships FREE —what a GREAT value!  After joining, you can pre-order more products with a 20% demonstrator discount along with earning FREE Sale-A-Bration products.  Read below for more information and a link to join!

Membership Has Its Perks

Do you have a BIG WISH LIST? Consider becoming a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator. The Starter Kit is a great value! For $99, choose $125 worth of products, and it ships for FREE (an additional 10% savings)!

  • SAVE at least 20% ON EVERYTHING YOU PURCHASE! Once you join, you’ll enjoy a 20 – 25% discount on your favorite Stampin’ Up! items.
  • NO PRESSURE OR OBLIGATION TO SELL TO OTHERS! There’s never an obligation to host parties, sell products, or purchase anything else after the kit.
  • THERE’S NO RISK! NO PENALTY TO DROP! If you reach $300 in sales by the end of the first full Stampin’ Up! quarter after you sign-up, you automatically renew your demonstrator discounts and benefits for another quarter. To continue, you will need to reach $300+ in sales (includes personal purchases) to renew from quarter to quarter. If you don’t reach $300 in sales, you can “drop” with no penalty.
  • CONTINUE the BENEFITS and DISCOUNTS! From the time you join through the end of the first full Stampin’ Up! quarter, you will be able to take advantage of demonstrator discounts and benefits. The Quarters are January – March, April – June, July – September, October – Dec. You will have the balance of the quarter in which you join PLUS the first full quarter to reach your first $300 in sales (includes personal purchases) and renew for another quarter.
  • JOIN TODAY! Purchase the starter kit through me and instantly become a member of the Schach Pack Pals. You’ll have access to private Facebook groups, receive newsletters, and will be able to engage with a community of other stampers.
  • Questions about joining? Email me at ann@thestampinschach.com. If you are ready to join NOW, CLICK HERE!

Remember – You get to choose up to $125 in any products you want and pay only $99 plus tax, no shipping.

If you have any questions about joining Stampin’ Up!, I am only an email away! If you are ready to join NOW, CLICK HERE!

______________________________________________________

Looking for an oldie but goodie? Check out my retired stamps which I have for sale. ALL OF RETIRED  SETS/BUNDLES ARE 10% OFF THROUGH DECEMBER, 31st!!!

Retired Sets for Sale

_____________________________________
Current Host Code Information

Ready to order supplies to make your own cards? I would love to be your Demonstrator. Click Here to place an order in my online store.

When checking out, if you apply the Host Code to your online orders of at least $50, but under $150, you’ll get a free gift from me. If your order is over $150, please do not apply the host code – you will be receiving your own host rewards, as well as your gift from me. All orders of $50 or more earn points toward my Loyalty Rewards Program (Details HERE).

Current Code: JFQR9J4W
_____________________________________

As always, if you have any questions about the cards I create or the techniques I use, I am only an email away! Until next time…

siggy-1

Sale: $29.70

Price: $33.00