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!
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…
It’s Thursday and time for another Pals Paper Arts challenge! As we present this week’s Memorial Day-themed challenge, the Design Team would like to thank all of those who are serving or who have served our country. We are most thankful for your courage, honor, and sacrifice. And I would also like to honor my former students who exhibited the courage to enlist in our armed forces. I am so proud to say that I was their teacher. This card, featuring the “Courage” stamp set, is dedicated to them.
The Stampin’ Schach Design Tips:
When complex images serve as the focal point, make certain that your background compliments rather than detracts. “Courage” is so wonderfully detailed, a simple textured background is all that is needed!
Watercoloring is a breeze with Blender Pens and inks! Night of Navy, Real Red, Sahara Sand, Close to Cocoa and Creamy Caramel transform this image in a matter of minutes.
Enhance a theme with embellishments! Star Designer Brads evoke the image of a three-star general, while Kraft ribbon substitutes for a military tan.
I hope that you will join us this week at the PPA! I am anxious to view your Memorial Day creations. In the meantime, let me know what you think about today’s card by leaving me a comment. And remember, if you have a questions about the cards that I create or the techniques that I use, I am only an email away! Until next time…
Stamp Set: Courage (115330); Inks: Jet Black StazOn (101406), Real Red (103133), Night of Navy (102977), Sahara Sand (105208), Creamy Caramel (103220), Close to Cocoa (103139); Card Stock: Very Vanilla (101650), Night of Navy (100867), Real Red (102482), Kraft (102125); Tools: Big Shot die cutting machine (113439), Square Lattice Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (119976—Summer Mini), Blender Pens (102845); Glitz and Glam: Kraft Taffeta Ribbon (109068), Star Designer Brads (112572)
