Let's eScape!

First of all, check out what my wonderful friend and neighbor, Melanie, brought me yesterday...

Aren't they absolutely gorgeous?! These beautiful hydrangeas are growing in her backyard (I think I'd just have to sit out there and stare at them all day) and what joy I felt when she stood on my doorstep with these in her outstretched hand... for no other reason than she was thinking of me. Moments like this - kind, thoughtful gestures - just don't happen enough anymore. That's why I am so tickled about what Stampin' Up! is doing in June!!

I have told all of you many times before that I'm an old-fashioned girl... that I am convinced I was born in the wrong generation... that I long for times when life was slower - no computers, no cell phones, no cars. Yes, I've grown accustomed to these things, just like everyone else. And yes, my life would be difficult if I had to give up these modern conveniences. But I would do it in a heartbeat and I would gladly adjust!

That's why I'm happy to report that Stampin' Up! has dedicated the entire month of June toward an eScape! This is where we will break free from the "e", which means connecting with loved ones through means other than email and electronic devices! The flyer at left says it best (click on it to view it full size): Remember when you got letters in your mailbox instead of your inbox?

Let me tell you a story... (and I promise to be brief). Back in 2003, I decided to find a PenPal. A TRUE PenPal - one that would write letters instead of sending emails. I was tired of receiving just junk and bills in my mailbox, and I wanted to feel the excitement and anticipation about walking out there. So I found an Internet site that lists ads from other people looking for PenPals. Long story short (cuz I promised), I found one. Her name is Audrey and she lives in Scotland. We connected instantly, and here we are, 5 years later just as close as any two best friends who lived next door to each other. (To make this fairy-tale story even better (and just a tad longer), we will finally meet each other face-to-face at the end of June when she will travel to the States with her husband and two daughters to stay with us for a couple weeks! I cannot tell you how excited I am!!!)

So, in a nutshell, I am a FIRM believer in sending hand-written correspondance and I am SO excited that Stampin' Up! is dedicating a whole month to reconnecting with friends and loved ones through homemade cards! To help us do this, Stampin' Up! is offering the following special eScape bundle during the month of June... it reflects a 25% discount on the items in the bundle! Wow!!

Item	Page #	Regular Price
Love Notes Assortment	p. 167	$8.95
Circle of Friendship Stamp Set	p. 143	$17.95
Rose Red Classic Stampin' Pad	p. 165	$5.25
Very Vanilla 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon	p. 191	$7.95
	Regular Total	$40.10
	eScape Bundle Price	$30.00

Let me know if you would like to purchase this bundle - I can accept payment via credit card or PayPal, and I can have these goodies shipped directly to your door. And might I also suggest considering the 1-3/8 and/or 1-1/4 Circle Punches (p. 180, $15.95 each), as they go tremendously well with this Circle of Friendship stamp set!

In addition, Stampin' Up! has declared June 25, 2008 as eScape day - a day to put away our cell phones and laptops and focus on reconnecting with our "wireless network." I just LOVE IT!! I guarantee you won't see a new blog post from me that day!!

CHALLENGE
Here's my goal for the month of June... I'm wondering who among you would like to join me on this: I am going to send out 20 homemade cards during the month of June. They may not all be different - but that doesn't matter. What matters is that I will be telling 20 of my loved ones that I am thinking about them and halted my busy life long enough to let them know... I think my first card will be for Melanie.

Remember folks... people can't put a phone call on their mantle for display, and they typically don't print out emails to pin up on the fridge.

...but a homemade card? You bet.