Win a $400 shopping Spree!!! Visit my blog and play along!

Win a $400 Shopping Spree

I am part of a fabulous online stamping group called Late Night Stampers. It is a yahoo group where each day you get emails from different members of the group showing off their latest samples, project ideas, or business tips. It really is a great group of gals.


Well today, Sherrill Graff – the woman who started it all – is launching a fun shopping spree game. Hop around the following blogs for clues. When you’ve collected the clues, send in your answers to Sherrill Graff at istmpnv@aol.com.


My clue is truly unBELIEVEable and found on page 109 of the 2010-2011 Idea Book and Catalog!!
She’ll be picking a winner for a $400 Stampin’ Up! shopping spree soon. So, enter today!
Here are some of the blogs to get you started!
http://www.nwstamper.com/
http://latenightstamper1.blogspot.com/
http://latenitestampinwithsherill.blogspot.com/
http://latenightstamper-stampandscrap.blogspot.com/
http://parttimepapercraft.blogspot.com/
http://yourhiredscrapbooksupplies.blogspot.com/
http://inkabella.com/
http://myinkrediblespot.blogspot.com/
http://www.cynthiascreativecuts.blogspot.com/
http://scrappinalong.blogspot.com/

Stampin' Up Jolly Old Saint Nick and I accept the challenge!

Where does the time go?  It's already September.  The kids are back in school and the days feel shorter!  Though we are being spoiled in Vermont with the summer weather we never got it is still important to keep sight of the upcoming Holidays!  Yes .. the countdown to Christmas has begun.  To kick off the MoJo, I joined a Holiday card swap on Sudsol.  I just couldn't get a good picture of the card.  This was my first card swap with other demonstrators and I was a bit nervous thought I was pleased with how it turned out!

CS and Ink:  Whisper White and Bashful Blue

Stamp Set:  Jolly Old Saint Nick (Holiday mini) and sentiment from Christmas Punch

Accessories: Two way glue, dazzling diamonds and Bashful Blue grosgrain ribbon

On a personal note:  30 Days of Excellent in Every Way.

The challenge that originated with Dana Young-Bailey looks like this:

As a mom, I know that I focus too much on all the wrong things my kids do and miss out on all the right things they do. I get frustrated with chores not done or with their disobediance. When I only see their sin, I miss out on the blessing that my children really are.

Genesis 1:31 says, "Then God looked over all he had made, and he saw that it was excellent in every way." (NLT)

I love how that is worded, "excellent in every way". Our children are excellent in every way, in spite of how they act at times. They were made in Gods' image and he said his creation is excellent.
Do you think your kids are excellent? I know that there are many times that I don't see them as excellent.
I want you to join me in 30 Days of Excellent in Every Way in September.

1. Pray & ask God to show you ways in which your kids are excellent. If you are like me, you may have a child that is more difficult than others. This is the child that you need really need to focus on. Pray for that child & ask God to show you how that child is excellent.
2. Keep a journal if you like of what the Lord shows you about your kids. If you have a blog, blog about it & send me your link!

3. At least once a day, post an status on face book about how one of your children was excellent. Don't use their name if you don't want to, especially if they are on face book.

4. Invite your friends. Ask your mom friends to join us.

5. Use excellent words with your children. Tell them when you catch them doing something wonderful. Compliment them. Build them up with your positive, encouraging words!

So what do you think?  Up for the challenge??

                                                                             

I've been Stampin'!

Pulling out the supplies and playing around ... yup I've been stamping.  I had prepared posts that were scheduled to update on my blog but apparently I did not do something right because I see that I am not showing my blog posts.  I will play around with that later.   Life has been so busy lately that I almost let time go by without stamping ... knowing that the best stress relief treatment is to grab some ink, stmaps and paper and PLAY!  I have making a bit of Holiday cards using some card fronts that went around last year.  I also pulled out one of my favorite stamps and some retired paper.  I have tons of retired items and decided that they would be great to use for cards that I am giving as gifts.  I just finished a box for a very special aunt who goes out of her way to help take care of my mom.  I hope to post some of the cards and projects that I have made so that my blog continues to update.  I also hope to figure out how to add my Stampin' Up blog favorites to the tab on my home page ... I'm just so NOT tech savvy!!  I am off to browse and see what you have all been up to!  Happy Stampin'!!!

Stampin' Up Gratitude

It must be a sign ... this "WHY" statement that has been the center of everything for me lately.  I was in a bit of a depressed mood today.  Been feeling a little bit lonely and thinking I should plan some girl time ... with school preparations for all of the kids and getting ready for a weekend trip to the Great Escape I haven't been able to 'hook up" with any of the girls.  It always seems that when I am in one of these 'moods' my upline, Michelle Deslandes, has a sixth sense.  Not only did she call me today to check in and catch up, I also received a beautiful card in the mail from her today.  There is no question WHY I became a demonstrator ... it's all about family and friendships.  Thanks "My Me-Shel" for touching me with a bit of sunshine today!

Stampin' Up Family Fun & Sister Blog Candy

Family - it has come to mean everything to me.  We celebrated Grandma Ovitt's memorial over the weekend and so much was shared about the foundations we build over the years.  When I sat down at the table to finish my card fronts for a Christmas swap my youngest daughter Kaetlyn asked is she could make cards too.  Before long three of the four kids were at the table sharing laughter (a bit of chocolate - a crafting staple in our house) and my heart just swelled.  I found myself fighting back tears.  and I reminded myself for the second night in a row WHY I became a demonstrator.  I woke up the next morning to find a card and flower from my nine year old daughter waiting for me.  I was a proud Stampin' Up mom!!

This picture of my family was taking during the outdoor celebration on Sunday.  Myself, husband Blaine, son Ryan (21), daughter Sayde (16), daughter Kaetlyn (9), son Caleb (11) and son Steele (13).  The Lord has blessed my life and to Him I am forever grateful!

If you get a chance, stop by my sisters blog:  Isom Cre8tions.  She is offering up some yummy candy - leave a commet for a chance to win!!

Have a Blessed night!

Stampin' Up - it's a Family thing.

Left to Right: me, husband Blaine, Kaetlyn, Sayde, Ryan
Sitting (floor)  L to R: Caleb, Steele

Discovering My Why ... I've been soul searching over the past few days.  Our upline challenged each of us to write our why statement.  I thought to myself "that's simple, I was buying the product myself so I might as well get a discount".  Last night I was sitting at the table with my youngest child - 9 yr old Kaetlyn- playing around with some new stamps from the Holiday Mini trying to come up with a card front for a Christmas swap.  My daughter whispered to me "can I stamp too Mommy"?  My heart melted as I watched her eyes begin to twinkle as I slowly began to nod my head.  It reminded me of the pitter patter I felt the first time I held a stamp in my hand.  It was like a wow moment ... this is what it's all about.  Building relationships and I knew that she and I were doing just that ... as mother and daughter.  This moment, I realized was one to build on and I know that many more are in store for us.  (I will post the card she made tomorrow - I don't have access to my camera ... I left it at the family reunion today - but don't tell my sisters or they'll induct me in their club -"Forgotten, Misplaced or Lost"! LOL

Here's to another very blessed day!

Stampin Up Convention Mojo and another semester behind me ...

Whew ... I haven't really had time to sit down and catch my breath since returning from my very first Stampin' Up convention.  Utah was gorgeous and there are no words to describe Convention ... I will definitely strive to go again!  I am just finishing up finals and only have one semester to go before I finally have my Bachelor's degree.  This semester was the most challenging semester ... now that I am going to have a two week hiatus I'm ready to get Inky.  We had a demonstrator meeting last night and after sharing the notes from  Convention with everyone I felt energized.  So I'm sharing the Christmas card I made for our swap last night!

Stamp Sets: Punch Potpourri and Pricelss

Cardstock: Garden Green and Cherry Cobbler

Ink:  Garden Green and Cherry Cobbler

Here is my first take on the card but I didn't like it at all:

Well the UPS guy delivered all of my Convention bundles and Holiday mini goodies so I am going to plan a "play" weekend!  Now if the rest of my life cooperates with that plan I'll be all set!

Happy Stamping!

      ~Samantha~