Wednesday, May 28, 2008

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!!

ItemPage #Regular Price
Love Notes Assortmentp. 167$8.95
Circle of Friendship Stamp Setp. 143$17.95
Rose Red Classic Stampin' Padp. 165$5.25
Very Vanilla 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbonp. 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.

6 comments:

Tabitha said...

Michele,

What a great promotion. I am like you I love getting things in the mail besides bills and junk!

I will commit to sending out twenty home made cards to my loved ones as well.

How exciting you are going to be meeting your pen pal!!! Too much fun!

Anonymous said...

hi! I too had a penpal that started when I was in about the 7th grade (I'm 35 now!) and we wrote and wrote and wrote over the years! I flew to CA from TN to meet her for the Spirit of Cross Stitch Festival in 92 and we ended up meeting 2 more times and we were even in each other's weddings in 1998 and 2003!!! That's how close my "penpal" and I became!!! So nice to hear you're getting to meet your pen pal too!!
I enjoy checking your blog everyday!
Amanda
stitchnaway@carolina.rr.com

Jenn said...

I'm loving the eScape promotion too! I joined Stampin' Up! this month as a demonstrator and I've already purchased my eScape bundle. I have found that I'm constently trying to find a reason to send a card to someone. I try to picture the look on their faces when they open the mail box and then open my card. I'm hoping I'll start to see some too!

That's fabulous that you will be meeting your Pen Pal. What a wonderful experience for you and your whole family.

Arcticstamper said...

This is a great idea! I am challenging the girls in my group to send out this month too. So, I will commit to sending out twenty cards too. Happy stampin'!
-Darleia

twinkletoe said...

I have a stamping penpal from New Zealand who has been here twice to visit me. One of these days I will make it to NZ.

Anonymous said...

Great Challenge! I'm in! I mentioned your challenge to my stampin Nana's and they loved it. So We'll be joining in on the happy mail sending this month also. Boy did it start some great conversations during out last stamp class.

And thanks for letting me know about the Opps! Silly me!
Blessings,
Deb