Missing My kids

For those of you who don't know.....Not only has my hubby been downrange for the past two months, but my kids have spent the last month Gallivanting around the US with their Grandparents. While it has been a blessing by allowing me a chance to recover from my surgery, it has made the house extremely quiet. The original plan was for me to head to the states the end of this week to pick them up, but as with every plan I've made this summer, something went wrong. So, my kids will get to enjoy the states without me for a few more weeks. Since I didn't want them to think I had forgotten about them, I went ahead and sent them each a card. This one is for Jay, and it is the new Make a Monster Stamp set. If this set was made for anyone, it was for my little monster Jay. I hope he sees it and knows how much I've been missing him.

I just realized......

That I didn't finish showing you pictures of the projects we made at the New Catalog Open House. Our last project was a cute bookmark made using our new Newsprint DSP and the Artistic Etchings Stamp Set. It was so quick and easy, yet makes a big impact don't you think? This is the whole gang. Some traveled as far as 3 hours just to participate in my open house. Do you think they look like they are having fun?

Funky Friday Sketch Challenge......I'm Back

I've finally had a chance to visit my Stampin' room on the third floor, and get my fingers a little inky. I figured what better time to come back than during the Funky Friday Challenge. This week we had a sketch. I decided to use it to make a card for my Hubby. We've now been apart for 2 months, and while it seems like forever, we are 1/3 of the way done. Woohoo!!!

Missing States For Operation Hero Watch

Several of you have asked which states we are still missing. I've listed the ones we still need below. You may notice that some states are not on the list and are not showing on the most recently posted map, but that is because they have just arrived and I haven't had a chance to update the map quite yet. Thanks again for all your willingness to participate in this project!

South Dakota
Nebraska
Utah
Colorado
Arkansas
Louisiana
Alabama
Kentucky
West Virginia
New York
New Hampshire
Connecticut
Rhode Island
Delaware
Washington DC.

Operation Hero Watch Another Update

I know I haven't been posting much since my surgery, but things have been happening. Even though my kids are visiting family in the states, we have been recieving your cards and opening them via the web cam. Their faces still light up to see the many wonderful cards, postcards, personal stories and letters you have been so willing to share. The map is starting to fill up and Katie is getting even more excited. If you are from one of the missing states, please take a moment to send a card or letter to my kids to thank them for sharing their Daddy in order to keep us all safe. It would mean a lot to me, and of course it means a lot to them. Thank you for all the support we have received. Stampers are an amazing group of people I am privileged to count all of you among my friends.

I'm Home!!!

While most Stampin' Up! demonstrators are on their way to Convention in Salt Lake City, I'm finally on my way home from the hospital. The surgery was a success, and a big step in my life. It was one I am so glad I have taken. I'm already learning to read labels and be very careful what I eat, and I'm already getting results! 13.2 lbs in 7 days!!! Now it won't keep going like this forever, but I have to admit the fact that this surgery has caused me to feel this much better about myself in such a short time makes me wonder why I hesitated for so long. If you are interested in tracking my progress, I've added a weight loss ticker to the sidebar. It's mostly there to keep me accountable. I will no longer hide my weight or the fact that I hate it! If any of you out there are currently thinking about Gastric Bypass and would like to talk to me, feel free to leave a message or drop me an email. It's not an easy decision and it isn't for everyone, but it was definitely the right choice for me! I hope to be back on here soon with more SU! projects (Probably MDS for a while since I have been banned from stairs for the next 6 days and my stamp room is on the 3rd floor!!!). So check back soon.

The Way things happen......

In my life is almost comical! So, I finally got my kids to the states safe and sound.....time to stamp right? Unfortunately no..... I've been contemplating Gastric Bypass surgery for over 18 months, but finally all the approvals came in and all the stars aligned and I will be having it done on Friday. I have so much to do between now and then.....that stamping will be the last thing on my mind. I just wanted you all to know I haven't given up on stamping or on being a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator, but I am going to be out of comission for a little while. Thanks for understanding. I'll hopefully see you in a few weeks!

Another Open House Card

Believe it or not, I've had this presto paper for a while, I just hadn't taken the time to break it out and use it. Since it has been carried over into the new catalog, I figured a card for my open house would be perfect. This was super simple to make, and to finish it off, I just used a flower from the Punched Posies hostess set. Tada....a great card in less than 5 minutes!

New Catalog Open House!

Last night was my New Catalog Open house, and I wanted to give everyone a chance to play with some of the new stamp sets. This one is a Hostess only set, but I have to admit it is probably one of my absolute favorites!!! Long Fellows has an Alligator, a Cat, a Whale, a Turtle and of course this adorable Dog!!! The paw prints from D is for Dog worked perfectly to make this relatively simple, yet wonderful card! Want to earn this set for yourself? Then give me a call or drop me a line and we can set up a workshop that will work for you.

Wondering Where I've Been???

Well that makes two of us! The past few weeks have been extra hectic, but I finally found some time to stamp this week. Thank goodness, I think I was going Ink Crazy!!!! Luckily I had my Funky Friday Challenge to fulfill, so I had no excuse not to drag my lazy butt upstairs to stamp. This weeks challenge was this sketch.

For some reason the layers on the left reminded me of water, so I dug out my favorite stamp from Fox and Friends, the whale, and made this card. What do you think?

Happy Fourth and Operation Hero Watch Update

Well, as many of you know we had some minor tragedies around our house the past few weeks. First, the dog had surgery, then Jay ended up doing some major damage to his foot at a swimming pool that required 4 stitches, then the dog decided he liked surgery, so he re-injured his ear. Add to all that the normal ups and downs of life, and I'm a bit behind on everything, including updating our Hero Mail. When I finally made it back to the post office, our box was overflowing with letters, postcards, and of course your gorgeous handmade cards for the kids. We spent several hours going through them all. I can't tell you how much your notes and letters help when we are all feeling down. Jay has quit telling everyone that his Daddy "left" us, and has started telling people that his daddy is making sure Mommy's Stamping friends are safe!!! That is a major accomplishment for my little boy. I never could have done it without your help. Katie still hasn't reached her goal of all fifty states, so if you are in one of these states, and you would be so kind as to send a letter or card we would love to complete our map. We still need
Montana
Utah
Colorado
Nebraska
Kansas
Oklahoma
Michigan
Wisconsin
Missouri
Arkansas
Louisiana
Ohio
West Virginia
Kentucky
Georgia
Alabama
Maine
New Hampshire
Rhode Island
Connecticut
Maryland
Washington D.C.
Alaska
Hawaii

Thank you so much for all your support. You would not believe the difference it has made in my children's as well as my Life.

NEW CATALOG OPEN HOUSE

It's an Open House....and your invited!

Another Summer Mini Set Finally!!!

Remember way back when, when I said I wasn't buying any more stamp sets until I used all my new Mini sets......well, it looks like I just made it. Today is the first day we can order from the new catalog, and this is the last mini set I had to use. Look out honey, I'm going shopping!!! :) This is the Bouquet Bunch Stamp set. I really wasn't going to get this one....but the squirrel was so darn cute. And then of course the background is embossed with the NEW vintage wallpaper embossing folder. Which you can order.........TODAY! Ok, enough chit chat, I need to get ordering! See you tomorrow.