PPA Sneak Peek

Eek! It’s a peek! A PPA peek!  My Inspiration Card for this week features this sweet little flower, for which I  have prepared a “pictorial” tutorial.  You will be able to view this card in its entirety, as well as the tutorial, when the Pals Paper Arts challenge goes live on Thursday.  I hope that you will join us as we unveil another fun challenge!

The Latest “Farewell to Colors” Update

                                 
It is important to note that many of the retiring colors have been placed on the back order report.  These include stamp pads, re-inkers, and Stampin’ Write Markers, as well as card stock. It is possible that these may be depleted as demand continues to run high for our “retirees”.  Stampin’ Up! reports that the following colors of cardstock are no longer available:
Sage Shadow card stock (8-1/2″ x 11″)
Only Orange card stock (8-1/2″ x 11″)
Sage Shadow card stock (12″ x 12″)
Therefore, if you have not already placed your order, I would not hesitate! Stock up today on your favorite retiring colors! Don’t be disappointed!

Tomorrow is the last day of school for my Seniors, and I still have a handful of tests to grade.  Since their grades have to be calculated by the end of the day tomorrow, I had best get my act together…although I would rather be stampin’! Remember, if you have any questions about Stampin’ Up! products, do not hesitate to Email Me.  I am always ready to help! Until next time…

Take Advantage of Stampin’ Up!’s Scrapbooking Promotion and a Stampin’ Up! Video Tutorial

This evening, as our family sat around the dining room table, our thoughts turned to the one member of the family who was missing.  The ottoman on which she sat in front on the window was painfully empty. When my son left for college in the fall, he never dreamed that when he returned for summer, Missy the Boxer, a constant in his life, would be gone. 
“Do you remember how Missy would always look out the window watching for birds, Mom?”  Brady was the first to speak the words that I was thinking.
How could I ever forget. “Yes, Brady, I do,” I replied.
“Do you think I could look at her scrapbook?”  My heart melted at that point, as I realized how important the pictorial memories which I had so carefully preserved were to all of us.
We spent the next hour as a family… laughing, smiling, and yes…shedding a tear.  Scrapbooks have that power.

There is still time to take advantage of Stampin’ Up!’s Scrapbooking Promotion. During the month of May, if you purchase one of the qualifying stamp sets listed below OR My Digital Studio, you will receive a FREE package of Designer Brads…your choice of four fabulous designs: Circle (112571), Star (112572), Flower (112579) or Filigree (112577)!

Qualifying Stamp Sets
Page 81
Extreme Elements W 115181 $26.95

Page 119
Framed with Love**
W 114389 $27.95

Page 128
Certified** W 113706 $27.95

Page 129
Circle Circus
W 115778 $28.95

Page 12*
Elements of Style
W 118611 $27.95
C 120045 $19.95

Page 13*
Mementos
W 119910 $27.95
C 120105 $19.95

Page 13*
Elements de style
W 119900 $27.95
C 120099 $19.95

Page 14*
Rough Type
W 118659 $26.95
C 120072 $18.95

Page 22*
Sentimental Journey
W 118513 $23.95
C 120075 $17.95

Page 25*
First Day
W 118521 $23.95
C 120051 $17.95

Page 25*
Camino a la Escuela
W 120152 $23.95
C 120154 $17.95

Page 32*
My Digital Studio
118108 $79.95
* From the Summer Mini Catalog
** A “Last Chance” Stamp Set

Unsure how to incorporate stamping into your scrapbook designs? Let Carrie, one of Stampin’ Up!’s facilitators, show you how!

I began paper crafting as a scrapbooker.  At that time, I would not have dreamed of using a stamp on any of my layouts.  NOW I wouldn’t dream of creating a page without using stamps, punches, embellishments and paper from my Stampin’ Up! stash.  Isn’t it funny how our styles change through the years?
Remember, I love talking about stamping and sharing my ideas with you. So, never hesitate to email me if you ever have any questions about any of the techniques that I use or cards that I create.  And remember, if you do not currently have a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator, won’t you let me be that special one?  And if you have ever thought about becoming a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator, I would love to discuss joining my team with you.  Coming up next post…The PPA Sneak Peek!  Until next time…

PS…Only 9 more school days until retirement! Let the count down begin!


Click Here to Order Stampin’ Up! 24/7

It’s a Small World RAK

Since I have started blogging last year, I have had the privilege of meeting the nicest people.  One of them is my stampin’ buddy, Shirley Sweany, from Kentucky.  Shirley sent me this beautiful card congratulating me on my upcoming retirement from teaching.  Shirley does stunning work, as you can see! I was so impressed with this card, that I asked Shirley if I could share it with my readers. In an email, Shirley expressed her concerns that she had CASED this card, although she had made several changes.  To ease her mind, and because I firmly believe in giving credit where credit is due, she sent me the web site from which she had gotten her idea.  Imagine Shirley’s surprise when it turned out to be the website of my good friend and fellow Pal, Mike Funke.  Mike thought it was a hoot! Mike wanted me to relay to Shirley that he was flattered she chose his card design to “honor his idol…Or is it idle?!!”  After all, I am retiring! So thank you, Shirley, for the day brightener.  I now have your card displayed with all of the other cards that I have received from my stampin’ friends.  And thank you, Mike, for sharing your Funk-e-ness with us!

A Heartfelt Discussion of What Stampin’ Up! Means to Me

If I had to select one of my favorite perks about being a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator, this would have to be one of them…you really do meet the nicest people!!! Yes…the discount is fantastic, and being able to pre-order is awesome, too! But you know what?  You just can’t beat the relationships that you forge with your customers, sidelines, upline and downline. I am blessed that I am a member of The Pretty Pals downline group.  We are such a supportive group of stampers…and it goes beyond stamping.  We are there for each other as we “Toot” our successes (both business and personal) on our private blog, which is also available to members of my downline, The Schach Pack.  We are there for each other during the hard times, too.  I will never forget the outpouring of sympathy earlier this year with the death of my beloved “Missy the Boxer” or last fall when I was facing serious health issues. 

I love the fact that I can make my Stampin’ Up! business anything I want! I have set  my goals, both in the creative realm, as well as financially, and Stampin’ Up! has provided  me with training resources in both areas. As a demonstrator, I have access to the Stampin’ Connection website, as well as to the monthly publication Stampin’ Success.  I firmly believe in Stampin’ Up!’s Statement of the Heart:  “To love what we do and share what we love, as we help others enjoy creativity and worthwhile accomplishments in this we make a difference!”
To sum it up, I would love to have you join me as a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator.  If the thought has ever crossed your mind, now is an excellent time to sign-up.  With pre-order right around the corner, as well as a new catalog soon to be released, this is a perfect time to start getting your demonstrator discount, especially as we enter into a Color Renovation.  This is the perfect time to start forging relationships and friendships which will last a lifetime on our private blog.  This is the perfect time! 
Please contact me if you have further questions about becoming a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator or visit this webpage.   My recruiting password is stampinschach.  And as always, please feel free to contact me if you ever have questions about the cards that I create or the techniques that I use. Until next time…