Mark Your Calendar for the February Blog Hop


Are you ready for another Pals Blog Hop? Well, you don’t have long to wait! The Pals, a group of talented Stampin’ Up! Demonstrators, are ready to show off their paper crafting skills with inspirational ideas showcasing Sale-A-Bration products from Stampin’ Up!’s most popular promotion of the year! So be sure to join us on Tuesday, February 9, 2010 at 5:00 AM CST for another Pals Hop as we show you all that Stampin’ Up! has to offer – from rubber stamps to designer paper to embellishments, and much more! Mark your calendar now! You don’t want to miss out!

Here is a sneak peek of the Pals line-up!

1. Kalshelia Lloyd — Stampin‘ Fabulousity
2. Ann Schach — The Stampin‘ Schach
3. Margaret Moody — Margaret Moody
4. Debbie Pierce — Stampin‘ Sunshine
5. Carla Bazhenow — Carla’s Scraps
6. Mary Fish — Stampin‘ Pretty
7. Kim Lampone — Stamp, scrap, get kreative
8. Gina Shaw — Cards by Gina
9. Regina Mangum — The Stampin‘ Bean
10. Lourdes Torres — Cozy Crafty Corner
11. Kris Kilcoyne — Kween Bee Kreations
12. Liz Hughes — DIY Paper Creations
13. Melanie Collins — Oops a Daisy
14. Mike Funke — Stampin-Style
15. Anne Beale Yancey — Mukibug
16. Martha Stewart —Seasons of Stamping
17. Jason Casper — Stampin‘ Dad
18. Barbara Furlong — The Love of Stamping
19. Tricia Gillam — Soul Stamper

A Special Note
I would like to thank everyone for keeping my family in their thoughts and prayers as we adjust to life without our beloved Missy. I have found it particularly hard, as she was my constant companion. Wherever I went, with the exception of work, she was by my side. I find myself reaching down for her, only to find she is not there. I have found solace in the advice that many have given. I keep in my heart my most precious memories of her, and I truly hope that she is with me in spirit for the rest of my days on earth. I am at peace that she will be there to greet me beyond the Rainbow Bridge. But it is still so lonely without her. Blessings to you all…

In Memory of Missy the Boxer

It is with a heavy heart that I am writing today’s post. Missy the Boxer passed away today. We knew that this would happen, but one always thinks later than sooner. I knew something was wrong when I walked in the door after work, and there was no wiggling Boxer butt to greet me. I called her name, but still no Missy. I found her in a weakened condition lying next to her favorite chair. Although she could not get up, she still wagged her tail in greeting. I frantically called my husband, and then I sobbingly called our vet. As I waited for my husband, I curled up by her side for one final time. I told her she was a pretty girl, and a smart girl, and a good girl. She understood. I told her that we had lived a wonderful life together, and that she had fought a hard fight. And I told her that it was OK to go. I think she understood.

My husband carried her to the car, and we took the short ride the vet’s. Dr. Rita listened to Missy’s heart, and stated that she thought that Missy had suffered a major heart attack. Her breathing was labored, and she was in distress. Dr. Rita said that it was time to let her go.

It’s hard saying good-bye. Even though I knew she was suffering, it was so hard. Kim (my husband) and I scratched and petted her in her favorite places. We hugged her, and told her that we would never, ever forget her. That we would always remember her. That we loved her. She passed away with both of us holding her. And at the moment she passed, the lights flickered in the vet’s office. I like to think that this was Missy’s way of telling me that she was in a better place, that she was OK and that it was OK to let her go.

Things just aren’t the same this evening at the Schach house. There is no Missy laying at my feet as I write this post. Her chewies lay untouched, and her toys are still where she left them. There is no Missy talking to me with those inimitable Boxer growls, cajoling me to give her a treat. Her food and water bowls sit untouched. She has left a void that will forever be difficult to fill. Yet, I would never trade one minute of these past eleven years that she spent as a member of our family.

LAST NIGHT

I stood by your bed last night; I came to have a peep.
I could see that you were crying, you found it hard to sleep.
I whined to you softly as you brushed away a tear,
“It’s me, I haven’t left you, I’m well, I’m fine, I’m here.”
I was close to you at breakfast, I watched you pour the tea,
You were thinking of the many times, your hands reached down to me.
I was with you at the shops today; your arms were getting sore.
I longed to take your parcels, I wish I could do more.
I was with you at my grave today; you tend it with such care.
I want to re-assure you, that I’m not lying there.
I walked with you towards the house, as you fumbled for your key.
I gently put my paw on you; I smiled and said, “It’s me.”
You looked so very tired, and sank into a chair.
I tried so hard to let you know, that I was standing there.
It’s possible for me, to be so near you everyday.
To say to you with certainty, “I never went away.”
You sat there very quietly, then smiled, I think you knew…
in the stillness of that evening, I was very close to you.
The day is over… I smile and watch you yawning
and say “Good-night, God bless, I’ll see you in the morning.”
And when the time is right for you to cross the brief divide,
I’ll rush across to greet you and we’ll stand, side by side.
I have so many things to show you, there is so much for you to see.
Be patient, live your journey out…then come home to me.
– Author Unknown

Farewell, Missy Schach…

Black Mambo in the Pink

It’s color challenge day at Pals Paper Arts! Don’t you love the delicious look of Melon Mambo, Pretty in Pink and Basic Black? Featuring products from the Occasions Mini catalog, this card almost makes itself! Like sands through the hour glass, so are the Days of Our Stampin’ Lives! And you will not waste a minute of your precious time with today’s time saving design tips!

The Stampin’ Schach Tips:

  • If you want to give your Texturz Plates a well-deserved vacay, reach for textured card stock. The linen-look of Melon Mambo textured card stock adds richness,
    while the Groom Specialty Paper adds a triple threat…shine, pattern and texture! Yowza, baby!
  • No Tombow for this Mambo! Sending Love Specialty Designer Series Paper arrives with glittery designs on one side. There is no fuss, no muss, and no need to add more glitz to these dazzling hearts. “Pop” them on top of the Pretty in Pink Scalloped Heart of Hearts Embosslits with Stampin’ Dimensionals, and you are good to go!
  • Double your pleasure, double your fun with a Pretty in Pink band punched on both sides with the new Pinking Hearts Border Punch. Add a layer of the same glitzy Sending Love DSP for a totally coordinated look!
  • Glitz and Glam! A snippet of Basic Black 1/4″ Grosgrain Ribbon adds more interest and texture, while a Circle Fire Brad accents the “love” sentiment from the Things I Love set.

I hope that you enjoyed this quick and easy Valentine card. I will be so anxious to see what you create for today’s challenge. And remember, comments are my “chocolate”…I can never get enough! So please, let me know what you think of today’s card. And if you have any questions about how this card was created, or the techniques that I use, never hesitate to email me! Until next time…

Please Click Here to Order Stampin’ Up! 24/7

Stamp Set: Things I Love (115229); Ink: Melon Mambo (115656), Basic Black Stampin’ Write Marker (100082); Designer Series Paper: Sending Love (117153—Occasions Mini), Groom (116478); Card Stock: Melon Mambo (115538—In-Color assorted), Pretty in Pink (108695—Soft Subtles assorted), Whisper White (100730); Tools: Big Shot (113439), Scalloped Heart of Hearts Embosslits (117332), Small Oval Punch (107304), Pinking Hearts Border Punch (117649), Full Heart Punch (113693), Sponge Dauber (102892), Stampin’ Dimensionals (104430); Glitz and Glam: Circle Fire Brad (109110), Basic Black 1/4″ Grosgrain Ribbon (109027)