Happy Holidays Fellow Bloggers

Merry Christmas Friends and Family!     

Before I get lost in the hustle and bustle of the season I wanted to take the time to send holiday wishes to all of you!  I feel blessed to have had the opportunity to share in your creations.  I love visiting your blogs and sharing a bit of our lives with one another.  Best wishes this holiday season,

    ~Samantha

I decided to play around with stamps on this glass candle.  A smaller stamp would work much better!

Countdown ...

Priceless Memories

Today was one of those days where I found myself smiling.  I did not dwell on the wondering if my husband will be layed off today, tomorow or next week.  Forget for a short time that I still have not figured out Christmas for my children and focus on all the good in my life.  I have five beautiful children who tell me every single day that they love me.  I have a roof over my head, my cupboards are full and my loved ones are well.  I received a phone call today inquiring about two or three dozen all occasion  cards being ordered and I had a wonderful evening celbrating the 21st birthday of my first born child. 

“When you have come to the edge Of all light that you know And are about to drop off into the darkness Of the unknown, Faith is knowing One of two things will happen: There will be something solid to stand on or You will be taught to fly”

Blessings,
  ~Samantha~

SU - Forget Me Not Keeper

I can't believe how fast the days have passed.  We are halfway through December and I am still trying to figure out how to get Xmas done.  I don't think my children would be thrilled with handmade gifts under the tree!  A while ago I watched a SU video where they used the Forget Me Not Keeper for a card box.  I decided I was going to give it a whirl.  To put my own twist on the idea, I decided to stamp the inside with Staz On.  Once I did that I decided I didn't want to add embellishments all over.  It looks so much better than the picture depics.  I used the Calendar stamp on cardstock, reduced it so I could add a bit of design around the calendar.  I love the idea that this is a gift that can be used year after year ... now I just need to fill it with cards.  If you want to see the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mmcShgN9i94

So how is everyone coming along with their holiday preparations.  I'd love an extra prayer as my husband faces a possible layoff this week!

Blessings,
   ~Samantha

Winter Wonderland ...

Whew ... finally a few minutes to sit down and post a blog.  Life has been a whirlwind of emotional challenges to say the least.  We are experiencing some very serious concerns with one of our children and have been called into several 'emergency team meetings'.  I feel my confidence as a parent and as a psychology major are being challenged to the very core.  I have been in a very serious depression - yes, I'm sure the holiday season added to the bulk of things has had an impact.    The craft fair went pretty well and though my items were priced very low I actually made a profit!  I made a bunch of these cute little 'Maple Boxes' for my sister in Virginia and filled them with pure Vermont maple candies!  I thought that they were perfect for her.  I wanted to share my 'big seller' at the craft fair.  I found a stash of these boxes that SU sold years ago before the dies evolved.  I stamped on them with white craft ink and added a tag to them.  Originally I filled them with Xmas candy.  However, I was across from a Lia Sophia booth where a lady was selling all of her inventory at discounted prices.  I overheard a comment from someone who made a purchase that she wished the jewelry came in boxes.  I opened these boxes and emptied out the candy and voila - cute little jewelry gift boxes!  They were an instant hit!  Thanks for stopping by.  I'm off to blog hop before curling up with a novel (yes a novel and not a text book!!  The semester has ended and I have a month off!)
Blessings,
    ~Samie

Holiday Tags ... no more doggie days!

I woke up today with great optimism.  The house had an unusual warmth to it.  I sipped coffee in the solitude and thought about the past few days.  I found myself smiling.  Except for the incident with my dog (I still am trying to forgive her for the craft feast), I came to the realization that I have been very relaxed.  Having a short break from school allowed for some quality time with my children - how precious those times are.  I snuck into their rooms and found their jounals - small books that we leave notes to each other in and left them all a note at their place setting.  When they came down for breakfast and found their journals they broke out in these great big grins - all a mother needs!  After some holiday preparations, lots of silly singing and of course some candy canes ... I made a few bags of Holiday Tags for next weekends craft fair.  They are in sealed totes I might add!  I managed to also get a dozen Reindeer Food made and a few other goodies.  However - all are tucked away where my mischievous dog can not get to them!  Thanks for stopping by!  Off to blog world to see what you've all been up to!
Happy Crafting!
  Samantha

Crafting away ...

After my cute little dog Izabelle (Izzie to most) decided to have my craft bazaar stash for her Thanksgiving feast I decided that I had to spend some time getting a few crafts done for next weekend!  I started the morning by getting the laundry done, errands for my mom done and the tree in the house and up - lights and garland on but the decorations wait for family time tomorrow.  I managed to bust out five sets of cards this afternoon.  I cased this card from something my Upline brought back from convention.  I am sorry I can not give credit to a particular individual.  I went to  a stamp a stack a month ago and we made these embossed holiday cards.  I was in love ... I have become addicted to making these sets.  I love playing with colors.  I used Garden Green, Taken with Teal, Purely Pomegrate and Brillian Blue.  My favorite is Taken with Teal and another set that I made with Elegant Eggplant.  I can't wait to "play" again tomorrow.  I have never tried the masking technique so I'm to search for a tutorial. Thanks for stopping by!

Doggone Dog ....

Thanksgiving started out as such a beautiful day surrounded by friends and family.  Everyone seemed in good spirits.  My mood has been so blah lately that time with my family was just what I needed ... and to make it even better my fibromyalgia was pretty tame!  I came bouncing in the door with a smile on my face from my mother in laws and litterally dropped everything in my arms.  I bet my high pitched shriek could have been heard for miles.  My dog was pretty upset that I had left her behind.  I had a tote filled with crafts for an upcoming bazaar on December 5th.  My dog dragged all my crafts out of the tote and tore them to shreds.  I cried ... so many hours of work!  I wanted to jump up and down and throw a tantrum.  My children saw how upset I was and came over and started hugging me.  "We'll help you craft mommy"!  My heart swelled.  I'm so blessed to have such giving children. 

MOJO 114

Finally, the return of my camera!  I could not believe it ... I hadn't heard anything from Nikon except a confirmation that they had received it!  They repaired it and cleaned ... all at no cost!  Now if I could figure out the settings I had previously used.

I decided to give this week's MOO a whirl.  I have found that I love Chocolate Chip and Not Quite Navy together. 

I loved receiving the Mini Occasions and Sale a bration today.  I couldn't put it down.  I must have looked at it twenty times.  Stampin' Up really has exceeded my expectations.  I hope Santa brings me money for Xmas ... lol.

Off to play for a bit longer before heading to dreamland.  thanks for stopping by!
~Samantha

Good news ...

It's here!  My camera is back in possession!  And just in time!  I have had a very stressful week preparing for a Friday final and a Sunday final for school as well as the Friday evening event and the Saturday Craft show!  I'm exhausted.  Next week is a short week and I will have plenty of photo's to share!  On top of the return of my camera ... I received and Induction into the Academic Honor Society for school with a framed achievement award and pin today!  It excited my children to see that mommy's commitment to school was rewarded!  Thanks for your continued support my blogging friends!!

What do you think ...

How do you all do it?  What's the secret?  I am so worried that I will never be prepared for my "coming out" Friday night.  I am participating in an 8th grade fundraiser.  A bunch of companies are asked to set up demonstrator tables - they can bring product inventory, crafts,  etc. I will be the only stampin' up demonstrator there.  The goal is to get orders and donate a percentage of your sales to the fundraiser.  I am so nervous.  I need to make a form so that I can take names and interests down, prepare catalogs and order forms, come up with some crafts and cards to set out .... then I have to be at a craft fair at 8am Saturday morning.  I fear I will not have enough crafts.  I am looking for some quick, simple ideas.  I used the top note and put these little treat bags together today.  I think fear has me frozen!  And I have finals on Sunday (did I mention my mother in laws retirement party is Saturday night?)  Feel free to toss some ideas my way ... LOL. 
Hope everyone is having a great start to their week!
     

Product compare ...

Finally ... a successful day.  I held my first stamp a stack for the holidays and had five women attend.  My good friend was the only one who missed out and that is because she is pretty sick.  It was ust what I needed to give myself a little confidence booster.  On top of that - my step mother sold some of items at a craft bazaar at the southern end of the state.  It's a start!!

I wanted to share this picture.  It is an image that I stamped on SU cardstock (whisper white) and then stamped on white cardstock from another company.  Big difference huh!  Shows the quality of SU products.  How this came about was I had a friend over helping to put some crafts together.  She grabbed a piece of cardstock from a bin (not realizing it was my non SU paper).  I kept thinking it was the ink so I tried three different Chocolate Chip pads and finally grabbed another piece of paper ... voila!  A clear stamped image!!

~ Samantha

Front Row Regional and Sister Sunday ...

My weekend started out so amazing.  I headed out early Saturday morning to attend a Front Row Regional hosted by our SU Leader.  It was so fun!  I enjoyed my time with friends - the laughter and connections we shared touched me deeply.  We started the day with a 3d swap, show and tell and then settled in for some great DVD workshops and heartfelt words from Shelli!  I felt so relaxed ... of course it was short lived.  I came home to a house full of mess and a sick girl.  My youngest was supposed to have her 9th bday party today but woke up with a fever.  So we had to cancel.  So while at home I managed to pump out a customized order for my sister.  24 Honey of a Day and 24 Chocolate Bar slider cards ... (minus the ribbon and candy bar).  If only I get my homework done in the same manner!  
I'm trying to figure out how to decorate this simple cocoa card for the upcoming craft bazaar.  I would love to hear what you have for ideas!  
As always, thanks for stopping by!

~Friendship multiplies the good of life and divides the evil.~

Loving "Lifting"

I am really stretching for time ... I need to whip up 3 dozen projects for my sister in VA, I have a card class scheduled for Nov 14th, a Holiday bazaar on Nov. 21st, a craft fair on Nov 15th and just got contacted to do a table at an 8th grade fundraiser on Nov 20th.  For someone who has been unable to book a single party I dared not decline anything!  Now mind you - I'm mom to five children, run a daycare and go to college... can we say panic attack???  Anyone want to contribute? LOL

I "lifted" this cute idea for reindeer food from Splitcoast.  They are super cute and so easy to make.  I'll be back to get feedback on a card that holds a packet of hot cocoa mix.  Not sure I like it ...
Thanks for visiting!

Can't decide ...

I ordered these cute little memo pads - they are the size of a Jr. Legal pad cut in half. I remember seeing somewhere a project using them for a wishlist / shopping list type of project but spent far too long searching the internet trying to find it. I ended up covering them in what looks like a long card and decorated the front. I stamped Christmas wishes on the front of the pad of paper. I am not sure if you can tell but each one of these is different. I had to come up with a 3D holiday swap for this weekend and this is what I'm using. I ended up choosing the one on the right which has not ribbon - only paper. Thoughts?
For all those who have found my blog through Late night Stampers ... I have to say that I can't wait to visit you! I'm trying to check out everyone's work - feel free to leave a comment with your link and I'll hop on over!
~Samantha

Holiday Stamp a Stack

I finally managed to get out today! My upline, Michelle, hosted a Stamp-a-Stack today so I managed to make an appearance and whip up some great holiday cards. I would have loved to hang around and visit but I wasn't feeling 100% and fear that my daughter is Sayde is coming down with the cruddy flu!

I think that the Santa card is adorable. I can't believe what you can make with a circle punch!

My favorite card was the ornament card. It was such a quick carad to make. There are so many different ways to use the ornament punch featured in the holiday mini .

I am praying that someone signs up for my upcoming holiday stamp a stack. It is a lot of week cutting and prepping for these events and it is so detrimental to self-esteem when you find yourself sitting at an empty table.

My baby girl turns 9 on Tuesday so I'm off to make some party invitations!

Thanks for stopping by!

Thanks

What a week ... this nasty flu bug has certainly knocked me down. I absolutely could not function and accomplished nothing!! I can't stand wasted time and it was so hard for me to lay around and sleep for days. Today is Day 4 of antibiotics and I am so thankful that I could function I decided to put my energy (no matter how minimal) to use and whipped up a few quick Thank You cards.

Have a great weekend!

Samantha

~ Hem your blessings with thankfulness so they don't unravel. ~Author Unknown

Saturday play ... a day late.

I can't believe that is nine o'clock on a Sunday night and I am preparing to head to bed ... this coming from a woman who functions on four to six hours as an average. I found today to pass rather quickly - sitting in class for eight hours typically makes it drag on. I am not sure why but today felt different. Perhaps it was our opening exercise. We were asked to draw a symbol of something representing who we felt the greatest mentor in our life has been ...
I did manage to put a couple of quick cards together. All Stampin Up products used!
~Samantha

I want my camera ... quick share

I am so excited about the upcoming craft bazaar that I am in a card making frenzy. I pumped out three more sets of four. I hate that I have to use this old camera as it makes my work appear so drab. I can't believe I used to love this old thing. Tomorrow's another day ... and it's gonna be a craft day! Check back!

Should I ...

I received a phone call today asking about a craft table for our town's Christmas Bazaar. I really want to get my name out there. I have been a demo since the 1st of August and still haven't booked a party or even made a single online sale! I have some sets of Christmas cards made but what else can I set up besides cards, snowman soup ... any and all ideas are welcome! I played around for a few minutes tonight but am still not feeling 100%. I plan on getting some solid craft time in this weekend so I will check back for ideas!

I've really enjoyed my blogging time at night. You women are all so very talented. I also love reading about everyone's lives, sharing in both the joys and sorrows. I feel a strong connection to a group that I have never "met". I want to say that I feel blessed to be part of such a wonderful group! Thank you for the inspiration and confidence you each give me!

~Samantha

MOJO 109

Today was one of those days...I woke up full of energy and with a bounce in my step. It only got brighter when I opened a card from my sister Marie. She put a smile on my face that noone could wipe off. As the even began to wind down, I decided to whip up a 10 minute MOJO. Something simple before I curled up on the couch to watch Law and Order and think about the mounds of homework that are beginning to collect dust! I finished with a "so-so" feeling about my card and grabbed my camera to take a pic and post it. I had completely forgotten that of the daycare kids had picked up my one prized possession - my camera - and dropped it on the wooden floor. It wouldn't work. I let out a bit of a screech and ran to my hubby who said "yup -it's broke". I didn't realize a four year old could make a grown woman cry so. It was a once in a lifetime gift and the only time in our 20 yrs together that my husband surprised me. He had kept an x-mas bonus and spent $900 on it. I am so heartbroken!

All Stampin Up products used except the Pearls. I love the Seasons of Joy stamp set.

Thank for looking!

I want a wife ....

Ahhhh - an exhausting Sunday. I'll leave you with a final weekend thought!

1- I belong to that classification of people known as wives. I am A Wife. 

And, not altogether incidentally, I am a mother.

2- Not too long ago a male friend of mine appeared on the scene fresh 

from a recent divorce. He had one child, who is, of course, with his 

ex-wife. He is looking for another wife. As I thought about him while I 

was ironing one evening, it suddenly occurred to me that 1, too, would 

like to have a wife. Why do I want a wife?

3- I would like to go back to school so that I can become economically 

independent, support myself, and, if need be, support those dependent 

upon me. I want a wife who will work and send me to school. And while I 

am going to school, I want a wife to take care of my children. I want a 

wife to keep track of the children's doctor and dentist appointments. And 

to keep track of mine, too. I want a wife to make sure my children eat 

properly and are kept clean. I want a wife who will wash the children's 

clothes and keep them mended. I want a wife who is a good nurturant 

attendant to my children, who arranges for their schooling, makes sure 

that they have an adequate social life with their peers, takes them to 

the park, the zoo, etc. I want a wife who takes care of the children when 

they are sick, a wife who arranges to be around when the children need 

special care, because, of course, I cannot miss classes at school. My 

wife must arrange to lose time at work and not lose the job. It may mean 

a small cut in my wife's income from time to time, but I guess I can 

tolerate that. Needless to say, my wife will arrange and pay for the care 

of the children while my wife is working.

4- I want a wife who will take care of my physical needs. I want a wife 

who will keep my house clean. A wife who will pick up after my children, 

a wife who will pick up after me. I want a wife who will keep my clothes 

clean, ironed, mended, replaced when need be, and who will see to it that 

my personal things are kept in their proper place so that I can find what 

I need the minute I need it. I want a wife who cooks the meals, a wife 

who is a good cook.  I want a wife who will plan the menus, do the 

necessary grocery shopping, prepare the meals, serve them pleasantly, and 

then do the cleaning up while I do my studying. I want a wife who will 

care for me when I am sick and sympathize with my pain and loss of time 

from school. I want a wife to go along when our family takes a vacation 

so that someone can continue to care for me and my children when I need a 

rest and change of scene.

5- I want a wife who will not bother me with rambling complaints about a 

wife's duties. But I want a wife who will listen to me when I feel the 

need to explain a rather difficult point I have come across in my course 

studies. And I want a wife who will type my papers for me when I have 

written them.

6- I want a wife who will take care of the details of my social life. 

When my wife and I are invited out by my friends, I want a wife who will 

take care of the baby-sitting arrangements. When I meet people at school 

that I like and want to entertain, I want a wife who will have the house 

clean, will prepare a special meal, serve it to me and my friends, and 

not interrupt when I talk about things that interest me and my friends. I 

want a wife who will have arranged that the children are fed and ready 

for bed before my guests arrive so that the children do not bother us. I 

want a wife who takes care of the needs of my guests so that they feel 

comfortable, who makes sure that they have an ashtray, that they are 

passed the hors d'oeuvres, that they are offered a second helping of the 

food, that their wine glasses are replenished when necessary, that their 

coffee is served to them as they like it. And I want a wife who knows 

that sometimes I need a night out by myself.

7- I want a wife who is sensitive to my sexual needs, a wife who makes

love passionately and eagerly when I feel like it, a wife who makes sure

that I am satisfied. And, of course, I want a wife who will not demand

sexual attention when I am not in the mood for it. I want a wife who

assumes the complete responsibility for birth control, because I do not

want more children. I want a wife who will remain sexually faithful to me

so that I do not have to clutter up my intellectual life with jealousies.

And I want a wife who understands that my sexual needs may entail more

than strict adherence to monogamy. I must, after all, be able to relate

to people as fully as possible.

8- If, by chance, I find another person more suitable as a wife than the

wife I already have, I want the liberty to replace my present wife with

another one. Naturally, I will expect a fresh, new life; my wife will

take the children and be solely responsible for them so that I am left free.

9- When I am through with school and have a job, I want my wife to quit

working and remain at home so that my wife can more fully and completely

take care of a wife's duties.

10. Now who wouldn't want a wife!!!!

Just relaxin...

I needed some "me" time. I've been caring for those with the flu for over a week on top of my own health issues and now I'm nursing a sick husband! Though my head told me that I should spend the day catching up on homework assignments my heart told me to take out the stamps and enjoy myself! My heart won! I managed to complete all my preparations for my Holiday Card Stamp a Stack coming in November. Once I got going, there was no stopping me. I lifted these ideas and added my own twist - so i thought I would share a couple of them with you! Now - tomorrow really has to be a book breaking day!

Have a great weekend blogging friends.

There are days when

bubbling from us comes

the innocent child within,

who giggles at the little things

and wears a silly grin.

There are days when

melancholy comes to

visit for a while;

the mind feels tired, the body weak;

we have no strength to smile.

There are days whenjoy abundant

grabs a hold of you and me;

wraps us up in all it's splendor,

lifts us up and sets us free.

There are days when sorrow

wraps usin its cloak

of grief and fear,'

till our hearts ache to the breaking,

'till our eyes can't shed a tear.

There are days when

love bestows us

with its wonderment and light;

with its beauty and its mystery,

its power and its might.

And there are days when

life rewards us

and seems to make amends

by granting us a marvelous gift,

the precious gift of Friends.

Playing with DP!

I found this wonderful blog by a SU Demonstrator named Andrea Walford. She has some amazing stuff. She has a website (http://www.demotodemo.com/) for SU demonstrators who wish to view and purchase class to go kits. I played around with the Merry Moments designer paper and the Tree Trimmings stamp set and this is my take on what I came up with. Please note that these cards are missing the sentiment on purpose as my stamp set is not in yet (supposed to be here tomorrow) so I can decide what sentiments I want to try. So for now ... here they are in stage one form! Thanks for stopping by!

This Blog Candy is Tops!!

Wow ... I am so glad I decided to pump out a Mojo this week. I have visited the blogs of some truly amazing artists. I don't know how I've missed Chris Olsen's blog in the past because her work makes me drool - or maybe it's the Candy she's offering. Anyway ... you can check it out here:
http://twinklesglow-glowbug.blogspot.com/2009/09/birthday-blog-candy.html

Finally a MOJO (108)

It's been a while. I'm feeling much better in spirit (just reading a quick note from my siste Marie always does that to me!) I decided to check out MOJO since I haven't participated in a while. I needed to get a card in the mail to my friend Sandy who hasn't been feeling well so what better inspiration than MOJO? Here it is!

Happy Wednesday!

ATC's, happiness card, convention lift ...

I'm sharing my very first ATC trade card with you. It's a bit difficult to pick up the color no matter how many different ways I tried to take it. I did use the Wild Wasabi from SU - it's one of my favorite colors to craft with.





Here is a very simple card I made. I've been trying the "less is more" angle. My daughter thought it was to plain!







I actually thought this project turned out kind of cute! It is tri-fold and inside is a mini bag of M & M's. You could also place a gift card or whatever you like inside. The ribbon slides up to hold it closed (the layered square has pop dots on the top only).









Yup - I lifted a project from Convention 09. My upline was kind enough to let me go through all the goodies she brought bac from Convention and I fell in love with this. (My mom loves bit o'honey so I'm gonna leave this where she can find it).



I promise to do my best in keeping my blog up to date. I appreciate all of you who take the time to visit!

God Bless,
~Samantha

Invisible ... health hurdles

Dear Bloggers,
Anyone out there remember me? The hobby crafter pursuing a dream of becoming a successful SU demonstrator... well I'm still here. I've been forced to slow down. It seems that my role as Superwoman is beginning to take it's toll on my 40+ year old heart. I've missed sharing and hope that my re-entry into the blogging world will allow for some much needed me time. I need to commit to some de-stressors. I will begin slowly over the course of the next few days and then jump back into some challenges! Miss you all!
~Samantha

Woo Hoo ... Deal of the Week is back!

Dates: October 1-31, 2009 During the month of October, Stampin' Up! will offer several discounted products as "Deals of the Week." No limits and no minimum purchase required.

Week 1 Deals of the Week
Item 109183: Trio Flower punch Special Price $10.99
Item 109041: 5-Petal Flower punch Special Price $10.99
Item 110709: My Way punch Special Price $11.99

Deal #1: Thursday, October 1, 2009; 12:01 AM (MT) through October 12, 2009; 9:50 AM (MT)

Deal #2: Monday, October 12, 2009; 10:00 AM (MT) through October 19, 2009; 9:50 AM (MT)
Deal #3: Monday, October 19, 2009; 10:00 AM (MT) through October 26, 2009; 9:50 AM (MT)

Deal #4: Monday, October 26, 2009; 10:00 AM (MT) through October 31, 2009; 6:50 PM (MT)

Shop my website: www.samiesentiments.stampinup.ent

Lift me up ...

I sit here tonight full of so many emotions. If I wasn't surrounded by the sounds of giggling children hooting and hi-fiving during a game of SORRY, I am sure I would let the tears flow freely. Having spent so much time, energy, determination (and money) putting together a SU Open House which was (to say the least) unsuccessful robs me of confidence and leaves behind its mark of failure.
I have been told all my life that I am a "people person". I have a bubbly personality and seem to contact with almost anyone. I give freely - of more than just "things". I believe in treating others with respect. So why, I ask, do I feel so jolted? I can't believe that I had only four people show up to my open house - my stepmother, my friend Sandy and her mom and another friend from down the road. We played around and I showed them how to make a card using the Delightful Decorations and matching punch, some Halloween treat bags, some envelope bags and little envelope cards which hold a small treat (I used mini bags of M&M's). I ended up with only one order ($35) and a possible booking. I don't know how else to make connections. I've advertised, sent newsletters, left catalogs at offices, hung flyers ... if only I could make one connection!



"When things go wrong as they sometimes will,
When the road you're trudging seems all up hill,
When the funds are low and the debts are high
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit,
Rest if you must, but don't you quit.
Life is queer with its twists and turns,
As every one of us sometimes learns,
And many a failure turns about
When he might have won had he stuck it out;
Don't give up though the pace seems slow--
You may succeed with another blow,
Success is failure turned inside out--
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt,
And you never can tell how close you are,
It may be near when it seems so far;
So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit--
It's when things seem worst that you must not quit."