Life's Lessons

My post today is a little different than usual but I think it is worth telling. I scheduled a workshop for this Saturday and have been working hard these past two weeks to get things ready. For those of you who do workshops, classes, etc. you understand the work that goes into them. Now, I have to tell you that I haven't had much luck when it comes to getting people to come to the workshops/classes. Well, I was sure I'd have a good group this Saturday. Wrong! The cancelations are coming in. This morning I started having a pitty party. I told my husband I was tired of working so hard to make things nice and didn't people understand that these supplies I use are NOT free and that I'm so tired when I get home from my FULL TIME day job that I'd like to just RELAX and no one cares what I put into this , blah, blah, blah. Well, I had a demonstration to do this morning with some Seniors at an Assisted Living Center here. I told my husband that "I'm just going to cancel. It will probably go bad anyway". (as the tears were streaming down my face). He convinced me to go because I had made a committment. I went and all the way over there I was convincing myself that things would turn out bad. Well, I was wrong. Everything went great. These sweet ladies could not thank me enough for coming and it was obvious that they were actually having fun. They asked me to please come back. The Activity Director , Miss Judy said to come any time I wanted. By the way, they were very impressed with the BIG SHOT. So as I drove back home I started crying again. No, not a pitty party. Tears because of the way I had acted earlier and also happy tears. I remembered why I signed up with Stampin'Up! Because I love what I do. It's not about the big sale I may get, or about how much money I can make, or getting to that next level for a promotion. It's about sharing what I love to do with others. It's about seeing the look on someone's face when they try something for the first time and like what they did. It's the smiles and thanks that you get back.
Ya, I really do love what I do and I'll remind myself next time before I have the pitty party. I challenge all of my fellow demos to remember back when the sharing part was #1. So now let me show you these wonderful ladies who help put my thinking back in perspective.

"Stamp Till You Can't"

Third card project for Saturday Class

This was also cased from Dawn Griffith as far as her construction of the card but I changed it up to make it my own. I think this might be my favorite of all three. I sprayed Vanilla Shimmer Smooch on the front before I put the card together but the picture doesn't really show it. My Gals are going to like this one. What cha think?

"Stamp Till You Can't"

Another project for my class

Here's the second project for my Stamp Class this Saturday. I cased the treat holder design from Dawn Griffith but the little Christmas owl is my idea. Isn't he cute?

The picture doesn't show it but his pompom and rim on his hat and his beard has Dazzleing Diamonds on them. Stay tuned for project number 3 and have a wonderful day.

"Stamp Till You Can't"

What a fun day!

Steve and I went to Charlotte today for the Greek Festival. Oh my goodness. I couldn't believe all the food. If you've never tried Baklava ice cream you have no idea what you're missing. Yummo!!! We checked out the inside of Orthodox church. It was beautiful. Couldn't take pictures but I did get one of the outside (the back). I wanted one of the full front but the crowd was huge and it started to rain so we headed back to the car.(which was five blocks away) All in all it was a good day.

Yesterday when I got home from work I had two surprises that came in the mail. One was a certificate from Stampin' Up! promoting me to Senior Associate. Not sure what I did to get it but oh ya, I'll take it. The other surprise was a lapel pin from the Starz Group (this is a group I joined when I signed on with Stampin' Up!) for being promoted. The pin says "Best Effort Award". Ya know, it makes ya feel good when you are recognized for what you do. Thank you Wendy, Monika and Lee and everyone who has sent sweet comments my way. Tammy, I haven't forgotten you. You're the one who got me hooked. Thanks girlfriend. I've really teamed up with some great people and hey, not just ladies,we have some very talented men out there. If you like paper crafting and would love to create, inspire and share, I can hook you up. Come to one of my workshops and taste the Stampin'Up! world.

Okay, enough of the mush mush. Here's some pics.

Here's the back of the church.

These kiddos were so cute.

Sneak Peek

Here's one of the cards we will be doing Saturday Sept. 18. He's so cute. I call him Tommy Turkey Owl. Still have a couple of spots available. Forgot to mention something before. If you could, please bring your favorite glue. For this project the two way glue pen would be perfect.













"Stamp Till You Can't"

Stamp Class

Just a reminder! My Stamp Class is next Saturday Sept. 18 from 1 to 4. I have two spots left so if you're interested please pop me an email or call me on the phone. Leave a message if I'm not home. The cost is only $5.00 ( that's to help recoup cost of card stock, etc.) If you place an order your $5.00 will go towards your order and class is free. This has been a hectic week for me so don't have picks to put on here of the projects but we will be making three cards for the Holidays. Also I'll have projects to show you that are from the Holiday Mini. Again this is not my Holiday Workshop. That will be in October. Hope to see you next Saturday!!

"Stamp Till You Can't"

Stamping 411 Sketch Callenge

The challenges are getting a little tricky. Here's the Sketch..

And here is my take on it. Card stock colors are Cajun Craze, Very Vanilla, More Mustard, Crumb Cake and some Basic Black. I used Old Olive, Cajun Craze and More Mustard markers to color the Friends Never Fade stamp that is stamped on the fence posts. The layer of More Mustard card stock is stamped with Lovely As a Tree (my all time favorite). The little owl sitting on the fence post is from the stamp set Aviary. The sentiment on the side is from Teeny Tiny Wishes. (another favorite ). I used the Word Window punch and the Modern Label punch for the sentiment. I did my sponging with More Mustard and Crumb Cake. This card is going to my brother-in-law who had an accident yesturday while mowing the church grounds with a tractor.

It rolled over on him. He's going to okay but is in a lot of pain. Any prayers will be welcomed.

"Stamp Till You Can't"