Happy Birthday, Mason!

First of all, I want to thank you all so much for the incredible messages of support after my last post. I was awed by the love out there and for the understanding you have shown. My family has become so close since we have moved to Colorado and I wouldn't trade it for the world!!

Secondly, I wanted to give you a glimpse of where I've been and what I've been focusing on the past several weeks. It began 10 years ago when one of my cousins got married and I realized that it would be the last time we'd all gather together... so I did something about it. I started organizing a family reunion, and every two years we all meet in Oklahoma for what we all consider one of the best weekends of the year! Here's a glimpse of our whole group:

Believe me when I say that it is a TREMENDOUS event with INCREDIBLE people, and I look forward to many, many more!

Okay, so another big event is that today is my oldest son's birthday! Mason is 12 today and I just finished his card. He's flying out to meet my husband in San Francisco (who's already there on business), and they're going to spend a fun-filled weekend together, just the two of them! Mason is looking SO forward to it! But it's his first time flying alone... so Mom's just a wee bit nervous! :)

I'm going to tuck this into a new book I bought for him and wrap it all up with a note that says he can't open it until the plane is taking off... it will give him a "hug" from Mom and a fun book to read on the flight. I will miss him!!

Also, I will be doing a PAPER SHARE on the new Designer Series Papers that are in the Holiday Mini... I have yet to calculate the cost, but I just wanted to give you a heads up in case anyone wants to jump on board... more details to come very soon...

Well, that's my update for now... I hope all of you are doing well and enjoying some wonderful family time!

Card Recipe:
Stamps: Sanded background, Oval All, Extreme Elements
Ink: Brocade Blue, Night of Navy
Cardstock: Brocade Blue, Basic Black, Whisper White
Accessories: Silver Metallic Thread, Real Red Brads, Black Grosgrain ribbon
Tools: Curly Label punch, Large Oval punch

"Where's Michele??..."

Hi, my loyal friends and readers... I have been contemplating writing this post for some time but have put it off for so long because, quite simply, I don't want to write it! You have all seen my posts dwindle down to almost nothing. I feel a tremendous amount of guilt for that because I WANT to give you more. I WANT to continue to inspire you. I WANT to share with you how fabulous I think the Stampin' Up! products are... (and they really ARE fabulous - just wait til you see the Holiday Mini that goes live on September 1st!) ...and quite honestly, I thrive on all the wonderful compliments you shower me with!!

...but the bittersweet truth is that I just can't. I can't keep up the pace I set while I was in Texas. I love it here in Colorado and we're enjoying more family time together than we EVER have. Just LOOK at this beauty!! I made my own postcard from a photo I took a week ago on our way up to Mt. Evans.

In addition, I no longer have a room dedicated solely to stamping and paper crafting like I used to. I have a corner downstairs for all of my precious supplies, and I get down there to drool over them every chance I get, but those chances are fewer and farther between.

Many of you also know that tomorrow, August 24th, I will begin homeschooling our boys. It is my full intention to shower them with every ounce of energy I have in order to make their remaining school years the best that they can possibly be. In the evenings when I do have time for me, I plan to stamp some and I will always show you what I have made. But I won't (and haven't for awhile) stamp every day... I also like to sew, quilt, read, and spend time with my incredibly handsome husband. Therefore, stamping will have to take its rightful place among this list.

I just wanted to give all of you an explanation as to why I've been scarce these days. Please note that I will not be giving up my demonstratorship - I love it too much! So please continue to ask me questions, place orders through me or my website, and share your love of stamping with me... the best way to reach me is through e-mail.

In closing, let me just reiterate that I'm LOVING it here in Colorado - there's no place I'd rather be. Life is good, we're all healthy, and I hope that you are too. I'll catch you when I can... and I do so hope you understand.

Growing Up Promotion!

Here are two great deals for the kids in your life... and the kid in YOU!

Promotion #1:
From August 1–September 30 only, you can get the exclusive Décor Elements™ Growth Chart — plus, receive a free applicator tool!

Promotion #2:
From August 1-31, spend $35 on stamp sets from the Growing Up section of the 2009-2010 Idea Book & Catalog (pages 74-90), and choose a FREE package of Designer buttons — a $7.95 value!

Click on the flyer above or contact me for full details!

Mom's Birthday

My mom's birthday was last week, and I decided to make her a card that WASN'T red this time (that's her favorite color)...! Here's what I came up with:

I used the wonderful new Medallion background stamp along with an elegant Rhinestone brad and the Organza ribbon. Colors are Close to Cocoa, Old Olive, and Whisper White.

Happy Birthday, Mom!

Heather's Creations

There's a saying here in Colorado that we get 9 months of winter and 3 months of relatives. It's not far from the truth! We just finished up a week of hosting some of Michael's family... his mom, step-dad, sister, niece, and nephew. A good time was had by all!

My niece, Heather, wanted me to show her how to stamp, so we took some time together and created a little box and a birthday card for a friend of hers back in Mississippi. Heather plans to put a pair of earrings in the box... clever girl!

We decided to play with the Big Shot, and Heather chose to use Green Galore and Pink Passion along with the Beautiful Butterflies Die to make her gift. With a few minor exceptions, these were completely Heather's designs. I just showed her some possibilities and she took off! A future Stampin' Up! demonstrator, you think?!


The watermark really should say, "Stamped by Heather" but I don't have that font on my mac, and I am too tired to choose another one. So do me a favor and give a big shout out for Heather anyway!

Final Deal of the Week!

First of all, to explain my absence... I've had 5 extra people with us all this past week. In Colorado, there's a familiar saying that we have 9 months of winter and 3 months of relatives - and it's true!

The final deal of the week is on the Heart to Heart Punch - you can get it for only $10.99, that's over 30% off! Get yours before next Monday!

Deal of the Week!

Oooooh, this is a good one! Save over 30% on the Styled Vanilla Hodgepodge Hardware! Get it this week for only $18.99 (instead of $29.95)!

Offer good through July 26th, so don't delay!

Happy Birthday, Dawn-E!

A dear friend of mine - my maid of honor, in fact - is having a birthday next week. I affectionately call her Dawn-E because E is her middle initial. I don't think she watches this blog, so I think I'm safe in showing you the card I made for her:

I used the new Rich Razzleberry In Color for this one - I like it! It's so... um... RICH! I paired it up with the new Chic Boutique stamp set with the sentiment that says, "It seems only fitting... to wish you a happy day!" What a cute set this is. Oh, and look! Since the Fire Rhinestones are on sale, I decided to pop some on here!

Oh, it felt so good to stamp again! I've been neglecting it far too long.

Card Recipe:
Stamp Set: Chic Boutique
Ink: Black StazOn, Chocolate Chip
Cardstock: Rich Razzleberry, Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla, Razzleberry Lemonade DSP
Accessories: Chocolate Chip wide Grosgrain ribbon, Fire Rhinestones, Crystal Effects

Deal of the Week!

This week, the special deal is on the Square Fire Rhinestone Brads! Through July 19th, you can order them for just $6.99 (instead of $10.95).

And just to explain my absence... I have started a quilt for Morgan. I'm not a quilter, so it's a new hobby for me, and I rather enjoy it! But I am here at my stamp table right now because I need to make a birthday card for a dear friend... hopefully I'll show you something new in the next day or so!

Deal of the Week!

Carry your Big Shot in style! The Deal of the Week this week is the Big Shot Doctor's Bag! Through July 12th, you can get it for only $49.95! That's nearly 30% off!

Shop online anytime, or let me know if I can help you with an order.

Sara's Birthday

I created my own little cocktail to toast my mother-in-law's recent birthday:

I think it looks kinda like a strawberry margarita, don't you?! In any case, I used some Crystal Effects to make the drink look more refreshing. Here's a close-up:

Obviously, this is the Cheers to You stamp set, with a little bit of polka-dot texture using my Big Shot and a Texturz plate.

Happy Birthday, Sara!

Card Recipe:
Stamp Set: Cheers to You
Ink: Black StazOn
Cardstock: Tempting Turquoise, Whisper White, Basic Black
Accessories: Real Red Narrow Grosgrain Ribbon, Real Red brads
Tools: Big Shot, Backgrounds I Texturz Plate

More New Colors

I'm still trying my hand at these new In Colors - it always takes me some time to adjust! Here's another one I played with:

This one uses Bermuda Bay and Melon Mambo... and notice how the flower is colored in using our FABULOUS NEW In Color Markers!! I just LOVE that they finally made these for us! I also used some of the new Bermuda Bay Polka-Dot grosgrain ribbon and a rhinestone brad.

I also want to take a moment to let you know that I am once again sending out e-mail newsletters of upcoming promotions and specials that I run. I sent one out a couple days ago - if you did not receive it and would like to, just drop me a line and I will add you to my list.

I hope you all had a great week! It was an exciting Stampin' Up! week with the new catalog arriving and all!

Card Recipe:
Stamp Sets: It's a Stretch, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Ink: Bermuda Bay, Melon Mambo, Black Staz-On
Cardstock: Bermuda Bay, Melon Mambo, Whisper White
Accessories: Bermuda Bay Striped Grosgrain ribbon, Rhinestone brad
Tools: Scallop Circle punch, 1-3/8", 1-1/4", 1", and 1/16" circle punches

Deal of the Week!

This week (thru July 6th), you can purchase the Scallop Edge punch for only $10.99! You can contact me to place your order, add it to an existing order, or shop online!

The NEW Catalog!

It's here!! The new Idea Book & Catalog has arrived! Click on the thumbnail at left to start browsing!

And don't forget about my Paper and Ribbon Share - save a lot and sample it all!