DogGone Delightful Stampin'

A Note to My Customers and Followers - and Reminders

 

Good Morning My Fellow Stampers -

I'm sure you all are wondering where I have been this past week.  It has been a very difficult week for me, with some unexpected drama and some deep hurts that I am not yet sure how to address.  I have been reminded as I ponder things these past days how difficult running a business versus tending to friendships can really be.  I am questioning a number of things on a lot of levels, including why am I doing this, what is the point of continuing, and should I let my Stampin' Up! business go. 

I want to remind everyone who follows this blog and has been a supporter and customer of mine over these past years, how important each of you are to me, on so many levels.  I live for the emails, communications, and comments on my posts.  I love to have the interactions and community that this difficult "virtual world" can sometimes bring us, as well as the sweet friendships that have grown from the classes in my home and the interactions with these sweet gals on little road trips and excursions.  I also realize that I am someone who takes things very personally and am hurt easily.  I have not been able to grow as thick a skin as maybe I should to be able to run a home business, and I struggle with feeling attacked and slighted.  I also have come to realize how deeply some of these friendships have come to mean to me and when there is a miscommunication or a misunderstanding, how quickly things can fall apart and how fragile relationships can be.  The balance between running a business and having deep meaningful relationships is a difficult one that I have only learned this past week can cause lines to be blurred and feelings to be hurt very quickly.

 

When I am hurting, I do not feel like creating or being in the Studio at all.  I don't plan anything; I don't do anything to support my business in any way, and you have witnessed that this past week.  I am learning to be kind to myself despite how it may impact something as important as supporting this effort.  I hope you will all understand.  I am doing a lot of thinking about how I want to go forward with my creative craft, Stampin' Up!, and this business as a whole.  I may make some significant changes; I may not.  I have not made those decisions yet.  I do know that part of me has been thinking for some time of putting more of a focus on "service" this year, which may include changing my focus from trying to constantly create for merely the "showcase", to more of creating for charities and needs - like for our servicemen.  It is possible that I may cut back on in-home classes, and not put as much effort into the blog right now.  It is difficult when working a full-time job to put as much effort into this as I would like, and it just may not be the right season.  I may blog more sporadically and showcase what is my heart rather than trying to always showcase the latest new product.

 

One thing I do know is that I need some time to nurture some friendships that need some nurturing, to grieve some circumstances that have hurt me deeply, and to try to figure out what next week, and the week after look like.  I am due to have my Annual Sale this coming weekend, and may be delaying that by at least one week.  I have already decided to cancel my Annual Catalog Premier event here at my home; and the heavy class schedule I had originally planned for June, is now being tabled as I consider what really makes some sense.  I know many of you who are local and were looking forward to plans previously discussed may be disappointed; please bear with me.  We will not abandon things totally; I just need some time to figure out what to do next.  And if you have time to sit down over coffee with me, it would mean the world right now.  I need my friends!

 

Thank you to each and every one of you !!  Stampin' Up! has always been about "the heart", and I have always believed that.  It's what drew me here to begin with - the love and friendship formed over a table of paper, ink, and stamps!!  My heart is heavy today, but it still hopes for the very best in all of us and what we love to do and share more than anything!

 

 

Let's take a moment and chat real quickly about what is happening at Stampin' Up!  It's 3 days until the end of the month, and that means all the beautiful and wonderful products that are retiring from 2017-2018, are just about gone, gone, gone!!!

 

 

LAST CHANCE.  There is still time to order those retiring products that you KNOW you just have to have.  But hurry…time is running out!  All retiring items are only available while supplies last and will be discontinued after May 31.

Retiring Products List – Occasions Catalog:  Click HERE

Retiring Products List – Annual Catalog:  Click HERE

Retiring Products – Discounts: Click HERE

 

TIME TO SHARE.  There's plenty of time to reserve a DDS Product Share for the new Annual Catalog -- just check out all the details HERE - and contact me today.  I've got plenty of spaces - in fact, one I Want It All Share grouping right now could use 2 more participants.  Let me know!!  We're getting ready to place those first orders.

 

THERE'S A NEW CATALOG COMING!!  With a new catalog just days away from being "live" - you need to be ready!!  Do you have that new catalog in your hands yet?  Let me know if you need one - [email protected] - and we'll get you ready for a Summer of Fun!!

 

 

LAST CHANCE BUNDLES.  It's the final 3 days to grab the special bundles available for the Share What You Love Suite in the new catalog.  After May 31st, you will not be able to get the bundles, the special pricing, or the special free gifts and exclusive stamp set - it is not available in the new catalog. 

Get ALL the details about these new products HERE -- and then place your order in my Online Shop today!!    Don't forget the brand new 2018-2020 In Color ink pads while you're at it!!

 

Until Next Time . . . Puppy Hugs!

 

 

 

 

The DDS 2018-2019 Stampin' Up! Annual Catalog Sneak Peak

 

 

Good Morning Fellow Stampers ~

Well, we've been struggling with some "technical difficulties" this week . . . but I'm crossing my fingers and hoping that things have finally come together and are working properly. So today I'm sharing with you my Annual Catalog Sneak Peak -- and oh my!  The brand new catalog is luscious and there are so many wonderful things to look at.  This is just the "kick off" -- there's going to be so much more to play with as we go into June!

 

Grab that cup of coffee or tea . . . or your favorite Starbuck's . . . and sit back and enjoy this for the next 50 minutes.  I hope you'll be inspired and ready to jump in on June 1st.

 

 

 

Now, are you looking for a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator?  Are you wanting one of these brand new catalogs just for you?  Then don't wait!!  Contact me today ([email protected]), and we'll work together to get you a beautiful new catalog in your hands before June 1st.

 

Now is also the time to get your reservation in for Product Shares from this new catalog.  One Share grouping has already filled!  But there's room for plenty more!!  So don't wait -- find out all the details for this year's Annual Product Share HERE - and then get in touch with me to get your name on the reservation list today!!

 

Finally - I'm listing up our wonderful bundles that I talked about in the beginning of the video for the Share What You Love Suite -- you don't want to miss out on these!!  Just a couple more weeks, and then you'll have to order each of items shown above a la carte and you won't get the discount, the freebies, or have a chance to get the exclusive Statement of My Heart stamp set!  Don't miss out - place your order in my Online Store today!!

 

 

 

 

 

GREAT TIMING!  Purchase the $99 Starter Kit now and add/select new pre-order products from the 2018-2019 Annual Catalog to the kit.   Check out the fabulous discounts and benefits you’ll enjoy with your demonstrator status (when you purchase the kit and join Stampin’ Up!) HERE.

As you build your $99 kit, you’ll see this screen (above).  I have highlighted where you can see and select new products!

I love hearing from you!  Please leave me your questions or comments.

 

Until Next Time . . . Puppy Hugs!

 

 

Terrific Tuesdays . . . Pre-Orders, Product Shares, and Possibilities

 

 

Hello Fellow Stampers ~ 

Happy Tuesday!!  Hope everyone is having a "terrific" week so far, and that you're ready to do some shopping.  Not only are we in the final weeks of the Stampin' Up! Annual Retirement, and a very special Pre-Order Opportunity for customer before the new catalog goes live; but today is the day to get your 2018-2019 Annual Catalog Product Share order in to me!!  Let's round up all the details and chat!!

 

 

NEW REDUCTIONS!!

Stampin' Up! as introduced new reductions on select Retiring Products this morning.   Click HERE or on the image below to see the list of Products with a fresh new discount -- don't miss out if there is something you want -- Order Today!!

 

 

View the retiring Occasions Catalog products lists here in PDF format and Excel format.

View the retiring Annual Catalog products lists here in PDF format and Excel format.

 

SHARE WHAT YOU LOVE EARLY RELEASE!!!

The Share What You Love Suite has been a smashing success -- so much so that some of our bundle offerings are on backorder!!  But don't let that deter you . . .  I can assure you, you can still take advantage and get these beautiful new products Now - BEFORE the new catalog releases on June 1st.  We're going to be playing somemore this week with this set, so get yours so you can play along.

 

Get ALL the details about these new products HERE -- and then place your order in my Online Shop today!!  Be the first to show off to your friends what's coming soon!!

And get the brand new 2018-2020 In Color ink pads while you're at it!!

It's a very special Pre-Order Just For You!!!

 

IT'S TIME TO SHARE!!

It's time to get signed up for your choice of the paper, ribbon, embellishment, or "I Want It All" product shares for the brand new, soon to be released 2018-2019 Annual Catalog.  This is the perfect way to see all of the brand new papers, ribbons, and beautiful embellishments without totally breaking the bank.  Did you know that if you ordered ALL of the brand new paper collections, embellishments, ribbons, and other goodies in the new catalog it would cost you over $625.00??  WOW!!  Sign up for a Product Share today!!  And sample it all without having to take out a second mortgage on your home!!  See ALL the Details for this season's Product Shares HERE!!

 

DREAMING OF A NEW CATALOG??

Are you looking for a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator, and wishing you could get your hands on the brand new 2018-2019 Annual Catalog?  Stop dreamin' and send me a message right away!!!  I'll get back with you as quickly as I can and we'll make arrangements for you to get a new catalog and start dreamin' in a world of color and wonder in no time at all!!

 

Until Next Time . . . Puppy Hugs!

 

 

 

Mix-It Up Mondays ~~ Paisleys & Poseys Scrapbook Page Spread

 

Hello Fellow Stampers :-)

Happy Monday!  Time to kick off the week!  It was a busy and "short" weekend!  As I indicated on Friday, Saturday was the day I set aside for my Mom.  We had a really wonderful day together.  We kicked it off with breakfast at a special place that we go to on this day each year, The Original Pancake House.  They have such wonderful food there and a lovely and lively ambiance to the place.  She and I agreed - we really do love our annual trek to this restaurant.

Then we went shopping -- LOL!!  Mother / daughter shopping is always dangerous.  We like to visit Steinmart on this special day we set aside each year; and we had a lot of fun trying on clothes and picking out outfits.  Needless to say, we walked out with quite a bit of . . . um, well, . . . nevermind!!  LOL  Let's just say, Mom treated daughter and leave it at that!!  LOL

Next, we set off for the garden center and strolled among the beautiful plants and flowers.  Both of us are looking for new and unique things and are planning the planting of our gardens for this spring/summer season.  I picked out some fun new items, and mom did too.  More to come in the weeks ahead as we start planting in earnest shortly!!

Finally, later in the afternoon, we settled in at home for a little light dinner and some time in the Studio to work on the Heritage Album we started several years ago - and just are moving through way too slowly.  I'm hoping to pick up the pace this year and see if we can hit this in earnest now -- we want to culminate with a week in Vail later this Summer/early Fall when we can just get away and work hard.  I hope to have made some good progress by then so that we might be able to get to the next "chapter" of our work at that point.  When you're trying to capture a literal lifetime of photos, it's a little overwhelming!!

 

So today I just want to share with you the next 2-page spread of this album that I spent some time prepping yesterday.  It will give you an idea of where we're at on this project, and just the special look I'm trying to give to this album. 

 

 

We've been working our way through the "maternal" side of the family and we have officially entered the section that gives a spread to each sibling of my grandmother - we're ticking them down from oldest to youngest - and each of those sibling's children.  So basically, my mother's Aunts/Uncles and cousins.  For me, this would my great-aunts/great-uncles and my second and third cousins.

It's been a little bit of a challenge to figure out exactly how to correlate each section of the album and tie things together with some continuity so it makes some sense to someone else looking at it.  I think we are doing pretty well with keeping things in some chronological order as well as finding some continuity between all the faces and family ties.

We finished the prior 2-page spread (not shown here) on Saturday evening which was the first and oldest daughter of my Great-Grandparents, and her husband and children.

Then I spent some yesterday setting up this 2-page spread for the next daughter.  This enables my mother and I, the next time we get together, to concentrate on sorting out the pictures and figuring out how we want to lay them out.

It's a little bit of a challenge to have a "traditional" scrapbook page spread, with pictures that are very old, in some cases odd sizes (many very small - others very large portraits), but I'm trying to compensate and keep things looking somewhat "pretty."

This spread was partially inspired by Rachel Tessman, who gives me lots of wonderful ideas for album pages.

The difference is that I'm working with Creative Memories album pages, and this gives some different dimension and tricks to making things work.

Since I'm working directly on black album pages, I don't have a set 12" x 12" background sheet, and I also have to be careful before I tack things down permanently that I'm sure everything is going to go where it goes.

 

This page has basically 3 rows of matting and decoration to which we'll work the writing and photos in and around.

I am using a beautiful pack of Creative Memories designer paper in this section, and I discovered that a series of those papers had a beautiful paisley print in it.  I immediately thought of our soon retiring Paisleys and Posies stamp set and dies and so I went to town creating this design.

I have incorporated our new Merry Merlot color in this design; as well as the soon retiring Sweet Sugarplum.  Both colors along with the Early Espresso go perfectly with the designer paper from Creative Memories. 

I also discovered how much I love the Early Espresso with some of these old sepia photos -- it's perfect and makes them look rich in color.

It's too bad we don't take graduation photos like this anymore . . .  so nice!!

 

I'm hoping you can pick up the paisley pattern in some of these close up pictures of the designer paper.

Here you can see I pulled out some long retired items from my stash - but they worked perfectly for this design.

The Sweet Sugarplum shimmer ribbon, and the glimmer paper from several years back make this so yummy!

I added "contraband" pearls from Michael's in varied pink shades and some of our soon retiring Petal Passion Embellishments.

This is the "center" panel of the 2-page spread that is split between the two pages to create continuity.

  

Here I have stamped the daughter's name and then handwritten some other information

Sigh . . .  I don't always like my handwriting!  But I keep reminding myself what we were always told in our Creative Memories workshops years ago - the personal handwriting is a capture of who you are for generations to come!

So I do some writing, and mom does some writing - I think it's important we have her as a deep part of this process.

You can see here the stamping and dies cutting I did for this - and a better glimpse of the paisleys on the designer paper in the background.

I stamped in Soft Suede, Merry Merlot and Sweet Sugarplum for all the stamping on these pages.

  

This is the far right embellishment design.

I am carrying the embellishments upward here into the top row for continuity-- and have a bunch of extras that I hope to add into the lower section after we have sorted and set the pictures.  I want to see how those pics lay out before I add any more die cuts.

 

I hope you have enjoyed our MIx-It Up! Monday project today - and that if you are a scrapbooker, you feel a little inspired.  I also hope you enjoyed Mother's Day weekend as much as we did!!  Paisleys & Posies is retiring soon, along with those beautiful embellishments.  Get your stash today before it's too late!!  Shop Online Here!!

 

Until Next Time . . . Puppy Hugs!

  

Fabulous Friday Fun - A Special Mother's Day Gift

Good Morning Fabulous Fellow Stampers ~

Whew! TGIF!!  What a week !!  It's not quite over yet!  And I have a busy weekend ahead!  Tomorrow I am spending all day with my Mother - a special day set aside for her.  We'll go to brunch, do a little shopping, and then we have planned to spend the afternoon in the Studio working on the Heritage Album she and I have been very slowly working our way through.  It's a tedious task when you're dealing with such old photos.  But it's something she wants to do - and I think it's important.  The album is really turning out beautifully, what little we've done -- LOL

 

I've planned some pretty gifts for her; but it really was this impromptu one that I'm sharing with you today that I think is extra special.  I'll give the back story here in just a second.

 

 

 

This is a 12" x 12" frame that I picked up at Michael's specifically for this project

The background paper is from my most favorite collection in the current Annual Catalog - about to retire (actually I believe it's sold out now) - Delightful Daisy DSP.

So I'll give you the back story to this project . . .

 

A couple of weeks ago, my mother and I attended the year end chorale concert for Colorado Christian College here in Denver.  Having sung in choirs since I was in junior high school, being vocally trained, and an extensive musical background - but one which I've let go of in recent years - it was much more nostalgic than I was anticipating and I spent a fair amount of the concert being teary-eyed.  I remember my college days and how wonderful it was to be part of a group like that and traveling for tour, and competitions and all of it!!  It was a wonderful afternoon spent with my mom.

 

The chorale ended their concert with a song I had never heard before called "Anticipation."  I'm sure it was moving for everyone in the room; I can only speak for myself and how the words of this song and the beautiful sound moved me so deeply.

Later after I was home, I found a recording of the song by the Messiah College Choir online (I'm sharing it here for you so you can hear it if you'd like), and I called mom later to tell her what I had found and that I had all the words to the song (I've since bought the sheet music as well).

She asked me to write the words down for her.  I thought to myself, what can I do that would be more than just "writing down the words" for her on a piece of paper.

I know that she was very moved as well by this song.  We are commemorating the 9th anniversary of the passing of my father next week after his battle with cancer; it seemed the perfect timing for this song, and this special project.

 

 

So I typed up the words in PowerPoint where I could manipulate a "large oval" shape that I was envisioning.

Then after printing I cut it out!!  This simply could not have turned out more perfect really!

From there it was a matter of just creating the look I was trying to achieve.

The background paper is bright and sunshiny which I really wanted; and then I pulled out the Daisy Delight stamp set and the Daisy Punch.  I used Daffodil Delight, So Saffron, and Old Olive inks to match the background; and everything is done on Shimmery White paper.

 

Not only are there retiring items in this project -- but I have snuck in some brand new products as well - the new Springtime Impressions Thinlits die set - absolutely gorgeous!!  You're gonna love it!!

This butterfly is part of that set . . . and was cut from the Myths & Magic Glimmer Paper.

 

 

And on the upper left and lower right corners is a brand new floral cutout -- don't you just love this?!?  You're going to be over the moon for these new products!!

 

 

A slightly closer look so you can see the additional little flowers I cut from the Dazzling Diamonds glimmer paper and overlaid.

Yes, they have little pearls in their centers.

 

 

I topped this off with a bow tied around the upper right corner of the picture frame, and let the tails trail down.\

This ribbon is also brand new -- and you're going to drool, I promise you!!

Whisper White Polka-Dot Tulle Ribbon !!

Don't you just love it!!

And yes, everything is finished off with pearls (some of our extra large ones that retired several years ago), and Gold Faceted Gems in the centers of the Daisies themselves.

 

I have to say, I might have to make a second one for me -- LOL  It is so pretty I can hardly stand to give it away.  It's sitting on my dining room table right now, and is so lovely!  I couldn't be happier with how it turned out !!  I hope she will like it!  What do you think?  

I wish each and every one of you a blessed and beautiful Mother's Day weekend!!  May we live each day in "anticipation" of the day we enter the presence of our Lord and see all our loved ones who have gone on before.

 

Can't Wait to See Him

Look Upon His Face

Bow Down Before Him

Thank Him for His Grace

 

Shake Hands with the Elders

The Twenty and the Four

Say Hello to My Loved Ones

Who've Gone on Before

 

Jesus is Preparing

A Place Just for Me

If You Want to See Me

In Heaven I Will Be

 

 Time Will Be My Friend

Day Will Never End

Summer, Winter, Spring or Fall

Won't Have to Come at All

 

 Hope to See You There

Where All the Saints Will Be

 Come and Go with Me!

  

Until Next Time . . .  Puppy Hugs!