Upcoming Paper Parties and Events

October 25th - Nancy's Paper Party 7pm
October 26th - Halloween Banner Class 2pm
November 2nd - Holiday Card Class 12noon
November 9th - Downline Meeting 3:00pm
January 10th - After Christmas Scrapbook Class 12noon

A Yippee-Skippee Thanks!

If you scroll back you will see what this card looked like for the original design but with some quick changes, I turned it into a Thank You card. Cute right? Not only is it a bright happy card, it's another quick and easy one. We all need a little quick and easy when it comes to cards and this fits the bill. It also comes from the Yippee-Skippee! Stamp set, that we got free at Convention. It's one of Shelli's favorites and she shared it with all of us. I think it may become my favorite sentiment set from this current catalog...there are so many to choose, I may adjust my choice in 2 weeks Ha-ha!

What do you think of this pretty paper? Cute right? It's the Quatrefancy Specialty paper.

Quatrefancy Specialty paper

To get yours, visit my online store 24/7!

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A Quick and Easy Thanks!

I am spending more time here and there getting some stamping done. I have soooo many thank you cards that I want/need to get out. I have sent thank you emails but still feel a card is in order. I had lots of card kits left over from previous Paper Parties, so I am using these pieces to create Thank you cards. This one is for some of my co-workers. I am a Reading Specialist at an Elementary School. There are six Elementary Schools in my district and each have a Reading Specialist with my same title. Well, they all got together and sent some pampering my way, so I wanted to send some thanks back their way. I love this Awesome Thanks sentiment. It says it all and is what I am feeling. This set comes from the Yippee-Skippee! Stamp set, which all attendees got for free at Convention!

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A Special "Big" Thanks!

Sent by Helene Graziano

While home recuperating, I've gotten lots of beautiful cards sent my way, a few hand stamped cards along with adorable store bought cards. They are all so very pretty, but I thought I'd share the hand stamped ones with you today. In addition, so many people have been so kind and thoughtful and have sent my family so many gifts and treats. I haven't had the energy to cook so the kindness of others has really helped us out a lot!!! I am very thankful for all of the specials thoughts, emails, cards, and gifts, help with my kids, help with laundry, and cooking that have helped to lift my spirits and focus on healing.

Sent by Donna Huestedde

Sent by Vanessa Hahn

Yesterday, I noticed this sign on my daughter's door. It was cleaning day and I guess her room wasn't in "cleaning condition." She is such a middle school girl.

 We were well overdue for cleaning. I had cancelled a couple of sessions for our vacation and also for my surgery and my "not getting out of the bed at all time," so we really needed it. I guess she will have to get her own room together. Middle School is keeping her busy. She is even thinking of  (Wait for it...) joining the field hockey team.....Let me explain, my 12 year old knows nothing about hockey, doesn't care for running and LOVES the indoors....Yep, and she is considering Field Hockey. The coach of the team needed one other player and noticed my daughter had her physical signed and in the the nurses office for sports (She, the daughter, had it completed because was thinking of joining the dance troop...) I am excited for her and hope she joins. I think it would be good for her to be a part of a team and I would love to go see her play. Here's to keeping my fingers crossed. She is making her mind up today and if the answer is yes...off to the sports store she and my hubby will go to suit her up. Of course, I will share pics of her first game is she does it. Fingers crossed.

Have a wonderful day!

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A Paper Pumpkin Idea

These pages were made using the July Paper Pumpkin kit. The materials were intended to be used for a cake topper but ...I didn't need a cake topper and when I saw these amazing scrapbook pages on Jill Hilliard's blog, I thought...Hey, that's exactly what I am going to do with mine. So I copied hers, like A LOT!!! Hope she doesn't mind. What do the say about imitation? It is the sincerest form of flattery. Well, I love Jill's pages so I made mine to resemble hers. I sued some different colors but it is totally her brainchild.

Did you get your Paper Pumpkin this month? Mine came in the mail yesterday. Since I am home recuperating and my energy isn't yet up to par, I haven't gotten to it. Hoping to give it a try tomorrow. If you have made yours or did something creative with yours leave a comment and/or a link to your post. I'd love to see it.

Haven't signed up for yours yet? You can do it HERE. Please add me as your demonstrator.

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Back To School in MDS

The 12 year old on her first day of middle school - 7th Grade

Being home, one would think I'd find a way to stamp all day...only one problem with that scenario...I have noooooo energy. I would love to spend my days creating in my stamp room! It took me a few days to put these pages together using MDS (My Digital Studio), with lots of napping in between. I even cheated by duplicating the pages and making slight changes for each one. Huge time saver and it made this oh so easy!!! I used the Old School September Digital Kit (item # 134978) Thank goodness for MDS, I can create on my computer while lying in my bed.

These pictures were taken on the first day of school for my kids. Being home, I was able to see them off...so nice...I held my husband's hand as we walked them to the corner (Doctor's orders, walk a bit. I use to have to walk around the hall in the hospital to keep my blood circulating), then I crawled back into bed for a four hour nap...so NOT kidding. I napped for four hours after they left. I was exhausted!!!! Needless to say, I did not get them off the bus. Noooo energy left. My 12 year old middle schooler met the younger two at their bus stop and watched them until mu hubby returned form work.

The 9 year old on his first day of fourth grade!

 If you look closely at these pages you will see slight changes. On this one, the 2013 is on the clipboard and the background paper behind the picture is different than the one on my daughter's page. My nine year old said his first day of school was, "Great!" He really likes his new teacher. Those are words every mother likes to hear. When your kids like their teacher the year is off to a great start. Yippee!!

The 7 year old on his first day of second grade!

On this page, the 2013 is on the bottom photo and on the clipboard it says 1st day. I asked my 7 year old how his day was and he summed it up in one word, "Exhausting!!" Poor thing was too use to lazy summer days at home and now he needs more energy to get through the day. He too likes his teacher. I am beyond thrilled because he is the one that really needs to have a connection with his teacher for the year to go smoothly. We are definitely off to a great start. A double "Yippee," from me!!

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I Am a Cancer Survivor...

For That, I Am Thankful.....(Not My Usual Crafting Post)

Modern Medley Designer Print Paper, Another Thank You Polymer Stamp set 133454

 
Two weeks ago, I underwent surgery to have my left kidney removed. I was diagnosed to have a tumor/mass on it and my doctor wanted to remove it. Before surgery, he told me he believed it to be a benign tumor. That gave me some comfort and it also had a bit of a calming effect on me as I mentally prepared myself for the procedure. I shopped 3 weeks early for my kids school supplies and picked out and lay out their first day clothes. I wanted to make sure I left everything in order...just in case...

As you can tell, everything worked out fine and I am here to tell the tale. My doctor was able to remove my kidney in tact and glued (Yay!!) me back together. I was in the hospital for 4 days recuperating before coming home to recuperate some more. During this time I have become a pro at naps and pill popping. I am hoping to soon stop the latter and get in as many of the former (naps that is) as I can before going back to work.

Yesterday, I went in for my post Op Surgical Follow Up....and this is when I got a real eye opener. My doctor informed me that the tumor in my kidney was indeed cancerous...AND malignant. Stage 1B Papillary Renal Cell Carcinoma. The best news is that the tumor was confined to the kidney...and even more, it was mostly "dead." What? Yeah!!! dead!!! The tumor started to run out of its blood supply so it could not grow anymore... (Did it die from all of my praying and the prayers of my family and friends??? I would like to think so.) When my doctor left the room to get a prescription for me, my husband turned to me and said, "You're a cancer survivor." I was living with cancer and didn't even know it. I am so thankful that it was found and removed and even more....I am thankful that no more treatment is needed. My Cancer story isn't like most that you hear with Chemo, Radiation and such. I didn't have to do any of that. I didn't know I had cancer until I didn't have it anymore. Even without knowing, I am full of all kinds of emotions. I'm speechless, and thankful at the same time as well as scared and relieved at the same time. so....many....emotions! I'm not sure what I should be. It is a scary feeling knowing that cancer was living in me while I stamped in Utah, and sunned in South Carolina. I thank God that I am where I am now, and that everything worked out. I feel both lucky and blessed. I have learned to listen to my body and and am thankful to have found the best doctor. After my appointment, I sat down with my 12 year old daughter and told her about the cancer that lived in my body. After a few moments, she smiled, looked at me and said the exact same statement her father said 2 hours prior, "I guess that means you are a Cancer Survivor!" She is more like her father every day and sooo mature!!!

Envelope using the Envelope Punch Board 133774

I made this Thank You card and envelope for my co-workers.  They sent me an awesome gift for my recovery. Being off my feet, meals happen to be our greatest challenge and their gift made meal time a lot easier for us so this card is my thank you to them. It's been weeks since I've stamped anything and having this be the first thing I've stamped is a good feeling. I stamped this card and crawled back into bed. It was exhausting...funny I know, but true! I think I slept a good 2 hours after making this card and envelope. After writing this, I realize I need to add another card to my growing list. A card for the wonderful medical staff that took care of me for four days on the 9th floor at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. The are the BEST at what they do...Amazing!!! I am proud to accept and acknowledge that I am indeed a Cancer Survivor!

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