What are you thankful for?

A year ago today, I was praying not to die from a reaction to my asthma inhaler. I couldn't breathe, I dislocated my ribs, and I was unable to get to my dr because it was Thanksgiving.

This year, I am breathing without pain. I rarely need my inhalers. My children are healthy and one year older, and I was here to see it. What a blessing to be alive and breathing! I am thankful that God allowed me to remain here to raise my family.

While my body and mind have paid a price for my illness last year, I am able to do what needs to be done, and for that I am grateful.

I am thankful for my mom--that she too has endured another year and is here to be my children's only grandparent.

I am thankful for my dear husband, who has taken over so many tasks that used to be mine, who has cared for me and worried about me, who is my closest and sweetest friend.

I am thankful for children who challenge me to be a better person than I am, who have grown and matured once again into more loving, more amazing people than they were a year ago.

I am thankful for friends met online and loved in real life. I am thankful for the ability and resources to pursue my stamping passion.

I am thankful for the promise of spring and renewal even in the darkest hours of winter. I am thankful to God and to His Beloved Son for their love and blessings to me and those I love.

For both large and small blessings, this year I give thanks.

JanTink is a total case . . .

Wait, maybe that didn't come out right. What I meant is, I completely copied this from Janine Tinklenberg. You can see her original here, with all the instructions and details and a video even!

Thanks, Janine!

Holiday Extravaganza SALE!

Holiday Extravaganza SALE begins today!

Things to remember:

• The sale begins Monday, November 23, 2009, 12:01 AM (MT), and ends Monday November 30, 2009, 11:50 PM (MT).
• Discounts range between 30 percent and 50 percent.
• For online orders, discounts will be shown in the shopping bag at checkout.
• The Distribution Center will be closed on Thursday, November 26, and Friday, November 27, 2009, for the US Thanksgiving holiday. No orders will ship on those days.
• Order deadline: Monday, November 30, 2009; 11:50 PM (MT)

If you prefer to place your order through me, I can do that. But with the Thanksgiving holidays, I can't guarantee that I will be available when you need me! 

Now for what you really want to  know--what's on sale! 


Product Offering:

Item	Description	Regular Price	Discounted Price
120280	Framed with Love Bundle Framed with Love stamp set Full Heart punch	$43.90	$21.95
120281	Thank You Kindly Bundle Thank You Kindly stamp set Scallop Edge punch	$29.90	$14.95
120976	Thank You Kindly Bundle (French) Tous mes remerciements stamp set Scallop Edge punch	$29.90	$14.95
120282	Animal Crackers Bundle Animal Crackers stamp set Star Designer brads	$25.90	$12.95
120283	Corduroy Button Bundle Kraft Corduroy buttons Pumpkin Pie Corduroy buttons Summer Sun Corduroy buttons Basic Gray Corduroy buttons Chocolate Chip Corduroy buttons	$49.75	$24.88
120284	Game Night Bundle Card Games stamp set Game Night stamp set	$40.90	$20.45
120285	Four Square Bundle Four Square stamp set Scallop Square punch	$30.90	$15.45
120286	Heart to Heart Bundle Love You Much stamp set Heart to Heart punch Pretty in Pink 1/2" striped grosgrain ribbon	$49.85	$24.93
120310	Heart to Heart Bundle (Spanish) Te Quiero Mucho stamp set Heart to Heart punch Pretty in Pink 1/2" striped grosgrain ribbon	$49.85	$24.93
120311	Heart to Heart Bundle (French) J't'aime beaucoup stamp set Heart to Heart punch Pretty in Pink 1/2" striped grosgrain ribbon	$49.85	$24.93
120287	Chipboard Letter Bundle On Board Timeless Type On Board Loads of Letters	$25.90	$12.95
120288	Double-Stitched Ribbon Bundle Bashful Blue 1" double-stitched grosgrain ribbon Rose Red 1" double-stitched grosgrain ribbon	$17.90	$10.74
120289	Ultimate Stampers' Starter Bundle* Best Wishes & More stamp set Eight Great Greetings stamp set On a Pedestal stamp set Earth Elements Stampin' Spots Earth Elements assorted card stock (8-1/2" x 11") Whisper White card stock (8-1/2" x 11") Old Olive 1/2" striped grosgrain ribbon Flower Designer brads	$127.70	$76.62
120290	Build-A-Brad Bundle Calendar Alphabet stamp set Pewter Build-A-Brad Antique Brass Build-A-Brad	$40.85	$24.51
120291	Enjoy Every Moment Bundle Enjoy Every Moment stamp set Circle Designer brads Flower Designer brads	$43.85	$26.31
120312	Enjoy Every Moment Bundle (French) Profiter de chaque instant stamp set Circle Designer brads Flower Designer brads	$43.85	$26.31
120292	Cheep Talk Bundle Cheep Talk stamp set Note cards Pumpkin Pie Corduroy buttons	$42.85	$25.71
120293	Sock Monkey Bundle Sock Monkey stamp set Sock Monkey Accessories stamp set Chocolate Chip Corduroy buttons	$58.85	$35.31
120313	Sock Monkey Bundle (French) Sing-chaussette stamp set Sock Monkey Accessories stamp set Chocolate Chip Corduroy buttons	$58.85	$35.31
120294	Alphabet Bundle Jayne's Type Alphabet stamp set Lovely Letters stamp set	$87.90	$52.74
120295	Simply Said Bundle Simply Said stamp set Old Olive 1/2" striped grosgrain ribbon Full Heart punch	$52.85	$31.71
120314	Simply Said Bundle (French) Amitié stamp set Old Olive 1/2" striped grosgrain ribbon Full Heart punch	$52.85	$31.71
120296	On Board Bundle On Board So Tweet On Board Batch of Blooms On Board Essentials	$42.85	$25.71
120927	Christmas Décor Bundle #1 Holly Berry Wreath Décor Elements (Kraft, Real Red) Real Red Vintage Ornaments Décor Elements Chocolate Vintage Ornaments Décor Elements	$74.85	$44.91
120298	Christmas Décor Bundle #2 Holly Beary Wreath Décor Elements (Chocolate, Real Red) Real Red Vintage Ornaments Décor Elements Chocolate Vintage Ornaments Décor Elements	$74.85	$44.91
120299	Christmas Décor Bundle #3 Holly Berry Wreath Décor Elements (Old Olive, Real Red) Real Red Vintage Ornaments Décor Elements Chocolate Vintage Ornaments Décor Elements	$74.85	$44.91
120300	For All You Do Bundle For All You Do stamp set 5/16" Neutrals Jumbo brads	$36.90	$25.83
120315	For All You Do Bundle (French) Merci pour tout stamp set 5/16" Neutrals Jumbo brads	$36.90	$25.83
120316	For All You Do Bundle (Spanish) Por todo lo que haces stamp set 5/16" Neutrals Jumbo brads	$36.90	$25.83
120301	Striped Ribbon Bundle Bashful Blue 1/2" striped grosgrain ribbon Pumpkin Pie 1/2" striped grosgrain ribbon Old Olive 1/2" striped grosgrain ribbon Pretty in Pink 1/2" striped grosgrain ribbon So Saffron 1/2" striped grosgrain ribbon Real Red 1/2" striped grosgrain ribbon	$47.73	$33.41
120302	Bling Bundle Sticky Pages Sticky Cuts Sweet Fine Supernova Stampin' Glitter Fine Galaxy Stampin' Glitter	$43.80	$30.66
120303	Fresh-Cut Bundle Fresh Cuts stamp set Fresh-Cut Notes 5/8" Neutrals Jumbo brads	$37.85	$26.50
120317	Fresh-Cut Bundle (French) Fraicheur exuise stamp set Fresh-Cut Notes 5/8" Neutrals Jumbo brads	$37.85	$26.50
120304	Pendant Note Bundle Pendant Park stamp set Pendant notes 5/8" Neutrals Jumbo brads	$39.85	$27.90
120318	Pendant Note Bundle (French) Adorable parc stamp set Pendant notes 5/8" Neutrals Jumbo brads	$39.85	$27.90
120319	Pendant Note Bundle (Spanish) Un dia en el parque stamp set Pendant notes 5/8" Neutrals Jumbo brads	$39.85	$27.90
120305	Sporting Bundle #1 Large Night of Navy Sporting Décor Elements Night of Navy Just Sports Décor Elements	$67.90	$47.54
120306	Sporting Bundle #2 Large Chocolate Sporting Décor Elements Chocolate Just Sports Décor Elements	$67.90	$47.54
120307	Sporting Bundle #3 Large Black Sporting Décor Elements Black Just Sports Décor Elements	$67.90	$47.54
114864	Ginormous Flowers I Décor Elements	$39.95	$27.97
114863	Ginormous Flowers II Décor Elements	$39.95	$27.97
112534	5/16" Neutrals Jumbo brads	$7.95	$5.57
112533	5/8" Neutrals Jumbo brads	$6.95	$4.87
112081	Scallop Square punch	$15.95	$11.17
113693	Full Heart punch	$15.95	$11.17
113694	Heart to Heart punch	$15.95	$11.17
112091	Scallop Edge punch	$15.95	$11.17
112571	Circle Designer brads	$5.95	$4.17
112579	Flower Designer brads	$5.95	$4.17
112572	Star Designer brads	$5.95	$4.17
114785	Small Wonderful Flowers Décor Elements	$39.95	$27.97
114786	Medium Wonderful Flowers Décor Elements	$69.95	$48.97
114791	Small Wonderful Leaves Décor Elements	$39.95	$27.97
114792	Medium Wonderful Leaves Décor Elements	$64.95	$45.47

  *This bundle is only available while supplies last.

Friends

I completely stole this from JanTink. She's my friend. I *think*.

I mean, I *know* her, and she knows me. We've even spent time together in person. The friend part, well, let's just say it's up in the air.

See, in this post, she purposely tried to convince me I needed the Woodgrain BG stamp. Of course, I already *knew* that, but still! What kind of friend does that????

So I figured I could just copy her stuff and we'd be even. Since she designed it purely to taunt me. Oh, and there's another card coming that copies her, too. Just in the interest of full disclosure. {smile}

Winter Peace

I have to tell you, I *love* this project. It will probably go to my Mom for Christmas! LOL I used Silver Encore ink (stamped off, mostly) and Lovely as a Tree on textured Night of Navy cardstock cut at 5 x 12. The letters are die cut with my wonderful Big Shot and Serif Essentials Alphabet dies from Brushed Silver cardstock.

I kept trying to add embellishments, but they just didn't work! It needed to be simple, I guess. We made these last night at my Christmas Giftables class.

Medallion Coaster

This is another gorgeous project from my upline, Margo Kelly! We stamped Medallion in Elegant Eggplant Craft ink, then used Iridescent Ice embossing powder and heatset. Just a warning, if you do this--it took a loooooooong time to get the powder to melt! In the 5-10 minutes range. But so worth it!

Have a great Monday!

Birthday swap

My Swappers Anonymous friends held another swap--this time for birthday cards. Because really, who doesn't need birthday cards??? I have too many cards that say "hello" or "life is good," and not enough that say happy birthday!

Anyway, here is my submission for the swap. I used Greenhouse Garden in Bermuda Bay and Basic Gray (oh, it rhymes! I get extra credit) stamped on Shimmery White cardstock. So yummy, that paper!

Then I sponged more Basic Gray around the edges and layered it on textured Bermuda. Layered onto the Night and Day DSP (what will we do when that goes away???? fingers crossed for another black and white DSP) and Basic Black. Then textured Bermuda again, more black, all layered onto a Basic Gray card base. The ribbon is the reverse of the Bermuda Bay Polka Dot Grosgrain.

The sentiment is from Teeny Tiny Wishes. Black brads added just enough accent, and it's all done! The hardest part was using the Stampamajig for all the flowers. LOL

Thanks to my Swappers Anonymous Sisters for great swaps! Love ya!

Glitter Christmas from Margo

This is another project from my upline, Margo Kelly. The Medallion BG is stamped in Craft Real Red, and then embossed with Iridescent Ice. The center is the smaller snowflake in Serene Snowflakes. It's punched, embellished with a rhinestone brad, and popped up on dimensionals!

Stamped tote

Last week my upline, Margo Kelly, held a great meeting. This is one of the projects we made! We used craft inks to stamp Flower Fancy right onto the plastic, and then we embossed with clear embossing powder. What a great idea!

Christmas Jingle Card

This is one of the cards I designed from the Christmas Jingle Simply Scrappin Kit (115696 p 165). I'll be showing quite a few of these over the next few weeks! 

****************************

Paper: Very Vanilla, Chocolate Chip Textured, Real Red Textured, Christmas Jingle DSP

and now for something really different . . .

My kids have watched this over and over, so I thought I'd share!

Noel

Are your Christmas cards ready to go??? Here's another one! I was going for kind of an Asian look, as you can tell by the colors. {smile}

I used the Movers and Shapers Holiday Windows dies (116821, Mini Catalog) to cut the bird out of Brushed Gold (102935, p 159) cardstock. Then I stamped the "Noel" from Many Merry Messages (116586, p 33) in Versamark (102283, p 190) and embossed it in Gold Emboss Powder (109129, p 188).

***********************

Stamps: Many Merry Messages

Paper: Ruby Red, Basic Black, Brushed Gold, The Write Stuff Specialty DSP

Ink: Versamark

Accessories: Big Shot, Movers and Shapers Holiday Windows dies, Gold EP, Vintage Brads (black), Gold Elastic Cord

Stretch your stamp dollars!

Where did you get that stamp set,  Amy???? That's what you're asking, isn't it! I knew it! Because if there were a Stampin Up stamp set like this, you'd totally own it by now, right??

Wellllllllll, remember this post where I told you about the Bright Blessings Wheel (115626 p 27)???? I shall now reveal my secret! LOL

I cut the rubber off the Jumbo Wheel, cut it apart {gasp}, and mounted it on extra wood blocks! Ta da! A whole new stamp set! For those who want to try it, I used my craft knife to cut along the seam on the rubber. Then I used my trusty Craft and Rubber Scissors (103179, p 191) to cut the rubber into more manageable strips. I used plain old mounting foam (found in the paint/adhesive department at my big box store) as a cushion for my stamps. Lay the rubber (not cut too closely) onto one sticky side of the foam, then cut both the foam and the rubber out and mount them on a wood block! If you like an "index image" on the top of your wood block like I do, you'll want to use StazOn ink to stamp the image onto the block before you actually mount it. {smile}

Find a Jumbo Wheel you think would make a fabulous stamp set, and create your own!