Happy Mother's Day!

I had no idea that Sunday is Mother's Day... really. Not a clue. (I've been a little busy lately). Then my mom mentioned she was going over to my brother's on Sunday. "For what?" I asked. "Mother's Day" was her reply. *GASP*!! But alas, when you're fully stocked with great Stampin' Up! products, creating beautiful cards in a flash is a piece of cake! Here are the three cards I whipped up last night so I could get them in the mail today:

This is one of my favorite techniques because you get to really have fun with some colors. Since I have three moms to send cards to, I thought this was a great time to use it.

I dug into my In Colors for this trio... This first one uses Pacific Point and Kiwi Kiss.

This second one uses Riding Hood Red and Pink Pirouette.

And this last one uses Tangerine Tango and Apricot Appeal.

All of these cards use the Garden Greetings stamp set, which is one of my new favorites, along with the appropriate color of Striped Grosgrain ribbon. Add a sentiment, stick a stamp on it, and you're covered for another important holiday!

Happy Mother's Day to all of you! ...sure wish I could see my mom on Mother's Day. *sigh*

PS: I just noticed I forgot to soften the edges of these photos like I usually do! Oh well... I don't have time to go back and redo them. Also, as you have noticed, I am taking the pictures outside again. Haven't quite found my Ott lamp yet!! The glories of moving...

May is National Scrapbooking Month!

During the month of May, you can take advantage of these three special offers:

1. Buy three packs of Designer Series paper - including specialty Designer Series paper - or 12"x12" textured card stock and get one FREE!

2. Become a demonstrator for only $75 with the limited-time scrapbooking Starter Kit! Contact me for information on what this discounted kit contains.

3. Buy the new Jumble Alphabet stamp set - a sneak peek from the upcoming 2009-2010 Idea Book & Catalog - at 20% off! Instead of $43.95, you pay only $35.16! Click here to view the mounting instructions for this set.

Click on the flyer above or contact me for more information!

Finally!! A New Card...

It may not be one of my best... it's very simple, but it's a new card from me none-the-less. I have so many thank you's to send out - the neighbors up here have been wonderful! I used some cards that I already had made up, but one of my neighbors (Ed) deserved a special masculine version. Ed plowed our driveway twice during the big storm when we first arrived. He was a true lifesaver! So I pulled out whatever supplies I have managed to find so far and whipped this up for him.

You'll notice that I had to use some patterned paper from LONG ago... I'm not even going to look up what it is... it's so old that it's not even double-sided. I haven't yet unearthed my new DSPs (the horror!), so I thought this would do the trick. I was hoping that I could be forgiven given the circumstances. :)

This stamp comes from the new Totally Tool set... I think that's the name of it - it's late and I'm so tired that I haven't the energy to look it up either. Gee, Colorado has made me lazy! Leave me a comment if I got it wrong, please. In any case, I'm glad this one was at the top of the box I opened, otherwise, good ole' Ed might've gotten a thank you card with a big blue bird on it.

Now, just because I've made this one card, please don't expect the floodgates of Michele's creativity to burst open and drown you all... quite the contrary. I began homeschooling the kids on Monday and between teaching them and corralling my 2 year old, it's proving to take up most of my allotted daily energy! I'm ready to hit the bed as soon as I turn out their lights. Ah well, maybe it's the elevation. :)

Hugs to all,

Card Recipe (and no high-altitude instructions necessary):
Stamp Set: Totally Tool
Ink: Chocolate Chip
Cardstock: Old Olive, Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla, and some unknown DSP from L-O-N-G ago... anything will work, just make it match.
Accessories: Linen Thread

I'm Getting Close...

Oh, wow... I'm exhausted! Moving is such hard work. The last update I gave you was a week ago... and that was BEFORE we lost power and BEFORE we had to start melting snow in order to flush the toilets. It was BEFORE we had to cart our air mattresses up to the living room and cozy up all together by the fire. It was BEFORE we had to tape grocery bags over our sneakers just to walk outside. And it was BEFORE we were buried in over 3 feet of snow and BEFORE we had to hire not one, but two plows to come dig us out. Alas, we kept a cheerful attitude through it all and consider ourselves very well prepared for whatever weather comes our way next! Here are a couple photos of what we experienced... this first one was our driveway.

And this next one is my truck... somewhere!

But the real reason I've signed on tonight is to let you know that I'm getting close to having my stamping supplies ready again! I've been working hard at it... because I have a lot of thank you cards to send out and I just REFUSE to buy them!

But... first things first... and playing in the snow with these three boys will always come first!

Snowed In at Home!

We arrived at our new home yesterday just in time... because as you can see, we won't be going anywhere for quite a while! Sorry the picture is so small - I don't have my full computer setup yet... I just wanted to give you all an idea of the welcome we received here in Evergreen yesterday! It has been snowing non-stop and we've got well over 2 feet by now. The truck you see here is my Toyota Sequoia - and it is NOT 4 wheel drive. Eeek! We thought we'd be okay with it until next winter. Wrong! I did manage to make it to the grocery store shortly after we arrived so I could stock up, but it was one of those toss-whatever-you-see-in-the-cart types of trips because I was afraid of getting stuck out there! But, alas, I made it home and we've been cozied up in here ever since.

We love our new place - and can't wait to explore some more. Unfortunately, this snow isn't scheduled to let up for another 24 hours or so... and that means that our moving truck will not arrive tomorrow as planned. Ouch. Looks like we'll have to make do with what we have until Monday! Nothing like being snowed in at home!

Home Sweet Home... Almost

You've all been so sweet sending me notes of encouragement and such... and I've had to neglect you by not showing you anything new! Well, since I still can't stamp anything (and won't see my stamping supplies for another few weeks *sob*), I thought of something else new I could show you... our new house!

Doesn't it look peaceful? We're on 4 acres out in the woods, but we still have neighbors. I will never forget the feeling I had when I looked out the windows of this house the first time I was in it. Simple, quiet, peaceful... of course, I didn't have my three kiddos with me that time either, but still... it's amazing. And check out this next one...

No, that's not the road, that's our DRIVEWAY! It's longer than two football fields! My exercise will consist of walking down to get the mail each day! Sweet!

Anyway, I just wanted to pop in and say hello. The movers come a week from today, so I'm on the final push to get things packed up. I'm down to the things we either don't know what to do with or we don't have the right size box. It'll all come together, though. I know it will. Those trees are calling me... calling me home!

Get Connected!

Just popping in to let you know of another great promotion that Stampin' Up! is offering... on April 1st (no foolin') our new Occasions Mini Catalog (pictured at left) went live! Through April 30th, with any $40 purchase from the new mini catalog, you can choose any one item from the "Under $10" page in the Spring/Summer 2009 Idea Book & Catalog (page 208) for FREE! Click on the thumbnail below for full details.

Likewise, if you host a $150 workshop (or place a $150 order yourself from any catalog), you can choose one item from that page for FREE!

What are you waiting for? It's as easy as browsing the selections online... click here to get started! I may have my stamp room all packed up so I can't show you any new creations, but I'll be darned if I'll let you go without knowing the great offers Stampin' Up! keeps providing!!

Hugs to all,

Packing Up My Stamp Room

Oh gosh, it feels so good to sign on and say hello to all of you... my loyal friends. I am so sorry that I am having to neglect you so much! But if you're keeping up with me, you know that I am in the throes of moving from Dallas to Denver. And it's getting very close... we will most likely have a moving truck here on April 13th. This is sooner than we anticipated, but we cannot complain one bit... I don't know if I told you the whole story:

When I sent an e-mail out to some of our friends a couple months ago that we were moving, one of them responded back with, "We gotta talk!"... as it turns out, they wanted to move into our neighborhood and have always liked our house. We ended up selling our home to them without even listing it! How's THAT for an easy sale?! To make the story even sweeter, this particular friend is one of the Stampin' Up! demonstrators on my team!! Of course, I told her that she'll have to carry on my legacy of having workshops in the dining room... :) They were just about as fortunate as we were in selling their home - they sold it in only 4 days. Obviously, this whole move was just meant to be, don't you think?

Well, needless to say, Michael and I have had to make some quick trips out to Denver to find a home. We have done just that, and the inspection last week went very well. We now hope that the chain of closings will go smoothly and everyone involved will find themselves comfortable in their new homes.

As for my posts, just as I warned you before, they will be scarce to non-existent over the next couple months. As the title says, I have to begin packing up my stamp room, and I will not see any of it again for several weeks... Can you say OUCH!!? Don't forget, though, that I am selling all of my retired items for 20% off the prices shown! The less I have to pack, the better!

I do hope you'll continue to be a follower of my blog... I'm so afraid that by the time I get settled in Denver, all of you will have moved on and forgotten about me!!

Signing out with lots of Stampin' Hugs,

BIG Savings...

I'm sorry it's been a whole week since you've heard anything from me... but I've been on vacation with my family in Hawaii! Needless to say, I haven't stamped anything, either. :( But, the good news is that we found our new home! That's right! We placed the initial offer and did all the negotiating from Hawaii. It's beautiful! We'll be on 4 acres in the middle of a flat lot with a ton of trees... it'll be like we're camping everyday! Michael and I will be heading out there again this week for the inspection, and if all goes well, it will be ours the middle of April... which means I better get crackin' on all this packin'! :)

In celebration of this (and because I want less to pack!), I am going to hold a SPECIAL SALE on all of my retired items... From now through April 10th, you can own any of my retired items for 20% OFF! (This discount does not apply toward shipping costs.)

In addition, don't forget that this is the last couple of weeks of the Sale-a-Bration sale... through March 30th, with every $50 catalog purchase, you get to choose a FREE item from the Sale-a-Bration brochure. And if you place your order through my website, you can even get a FREE Idea Book & Catalog!

And finally, Stampin' Up! just announced a new way to help you get started as a Stampin' Up! demonstrator... the Three Easy Payment plan! Through April 30th, you can pay for the kit over 3 months instead of all at once! With your initial Starter Kit payment, you will be able to start earning back your initial investment as well as take care of the remaining payments! PLUS... if you decide to join before Sale-a-Bration is over (March 30th), you will get the kit at a 15% discount ($169 total instead of $199) and ALSO get to choose a FREE stamp set from the catalog!

This is a lot to digest... feel free to let me know if you have any questions! I'm more than happy to help you start saving!

Happy Birthday, Iain!

Moving Update: Michael and I went to Denver this weekend and looked at a dozen or so houses... and I think we may have found the one we want. There's still a ways to go before we can make it "ours", but we'll be taking those steps very soon because if things go as currently planned, we need to be out of our current house by the middle of April... Eeeeeeeek!! Needless to say, my posts over the next few weeks will become VERY sparse. Keep us in your prayers that things continue to go smoothly.

Now onto a card... My dear Scottish friend Audrey's husband Iain (did you follow that?!) just had a birthday and here's the card I sent to him...

Iain loves a good beer, and "Cheers" is such a Scottish thing to say... hence, Cheers to You was the perfect set to use!

I'm going to keep this post short because we're headed for Hawaii for Michael's club trip with work. I know I should be excited about that - and I am - but it's our 4th time there (isn't he fantastic?!), and I've got a lot of other things on my mind at the moment! ...namely, a house in Evergreen, Colorado that hopefully has our name written all over it!

Aloha!

Card Recipe:
Stamp Sets: Cheers to You, Sanded background
Ink: Black StazOn, Basic Gray
Cardstock: Basic Gray, Summer Sun, Bordering Blue, Whisper White
Accessories: Clips Assortment
Tools: Paper Piercer, Mat Pack, Photo Corners punch,Curly Label punch

Sorrow

I don't like "needing" good sorrow stamp sets, but when the occasion presents itself, it's a good thing to have around. A dear friend of mine just lost her father-in-law and I made this card for her and her husband:

This was my first opportunity to use the new Thoughts & Prayers set, and it's really very beautiful. I love the sentiments it includes... on the inside of this one it says, "Praying for friends to comfort you, faith to uphold you, and loving memories to heal your heart." Couldn't have said it better myself.

Card Recipe:
Stamp Set: Thoughts & Prayers
Ink: Old Olive, Not Quite Navy
Cardstock: Kraft, Old Olive, Not Quite Navy, Bella Bleu DSP
Accessories: Old Olive wide grosgrain ribbon
Tools: Photo Corners punch, Key Tag punch

Pre-Order Your Easter Sets!

Real quick... I wanted to let you know that Stampin' Up! is giving you a sneak peek - and a chance to order - 3 of the new sets that you'll see in the upcoming Occasions Mini Catalog! These are Easter sets and they wanted you to have a headstart in making your Easter projects. Click here to view the sets and prices (I also put the thumbnails below) and then contact me to place your order! ...or, visit my website and click on "Shop Now"... remember that an order of any amount through my website will earn you a FREE Idea Book & Catalog!

PS: The Eight Great Greetings set also comes in French and Spanish!

Cheep Talk Thanks

If I do really quick posts... will you forgive me? I am able to squeeze in a few minutes here and there to stamp a card or two, but it's the prepping it for publication and writing the post that seems to take more time (plus it's not NEAR as much fun as the actual stamping part!).

So here's a quick card I made the other day. I'll spare you the "Cheep Talk" (the name of this adorable set) and let it speak for itself! If you have any questions about it, feel free to leave a comment (with your contact info) and I'll get back to you!

Have a great afternoon, everyone!

Card Recipe:
Stamp Set: Cheep Talk
Ink: Close to Cocoa, Old Olive, Pacific Point, Versamark
Cardstock: Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa, Old Olive Textured, Whisper White, Pacific Point
Accessories: Chocolate Chip narrow grosgrain ribbon, Corduroy Button
Tools: Photo Corners punch

Happy Birthday, Marelle!

Again (and I'm starting to sound like a broken record here), I'm sorry for the lack of posts. It seems that I'm online every spare moment looking at houses in Denver. It started out being fun... but anymore, it's getting very tiring! Michael made a trip out there last week for an initial look-around, and we'll be going back later this week. Here's hoping we can find a good compromise between price, location, lot, and layout!

My dear friend, Marelle, had a birthday last week and although I haven't done a lick of stamping lately, I did manage to get this one made and sent off to Australia in time for her birthday! Priorities, you know!

It's a simple card, really, considering the Big Shot once again created my background for me. Here's a closer look:

Marelle, I hope you had a super, terrific, fabulous birthday!!

Card Recipe:
Stamp Set: Animal Crackers
Ink: Black StazOn
Cardstock: Pink Pirouette, Pretty in Pink, Barely Banana, Whisper White
Accessories: Pretty in Pink Striped Grosgrain
Tools: Big Shot, Textures Backgrounds