Let's Get Organized!

I feel so great now that I am back in the crafting mode.  Though I still have daily pain from my rotator cuff and tonotomy surgery, I am working hard in physical therapy and moving forward every day.  A week ago I gave some weekly planners to my top group of ladies, each customized with Field Flowers stamped in their favorite Stampin' Up colors.  I received so many compliments back that today I disassembled a monthly planner and customized it for myself.  I only wish that my photo abilities were much greater as the planner is so pretty up close!  Now when I am sitting in a meeting and we are looking at dates to schedule follow-ups or pulling out my planner to schedule a workshop I have an easy way to mention what I do!!  

                             

Recipe:  CS and Ink- very vanilla, artichoke, razzleberry, wisteria wonder, pool party, cherry cobble, garden green, concord crush

Stamps:  Field Flowers

Enjoy!

First workshop ...

It's a CASE success!

I spent many weeks sitting at the computer drooling over photo's of craft projects waiting patiently for my shoulder to heal.  I read everyone's emails talking up Leadership.  It felt as though I would never be able to dust off my Stampin' Up supplies and put them to use.  It took just one visit to Tami White's blog to motivate me to get my arm working again!  Though I have been a demonstrator for a little over two years, I had never tried the water color technique.  Tami posted a tutorial on her blog stampwithTami.com.  It was a love connection!  I decided to bring this to my first workshop of 2012 and it was a huge success!!  I wrote a thank you to Tami thanking her for inspiring me.  Now understand, I am just a little, never heard of demonstrator in a very tiny town in Northern Vermont.  I struggle just to stay active and if I have half a dozen workshops a year I am happy.  Can you imagine my reaction when I received a response from Tami White, the #1 Demonstrator of 2011!!  For someone of her statue to take the time to send me a message meant so much to me!  I'm ready to tackle 2012!!
~Samantha

Back in the Ink again!

Hello Stamping World!
     Happy belated New Year!  Yes, I have finally ended my hiatus from the crafting world.  After nine weeks of recovery (I had rotator cuff surgery on November 23rd) I am slowly beginning to stamp again.  To get motivated, I have pulled a few cards from a file and CASEd them.  I forgot how relaxing stamping can be.  I'm excited to try all of the new products that have been drizzling in from the mini.  

     I have a workshop booked for next weekend and am nervous about putting something together that quickly... I am thinking about water coloring an image and framing it with the new framelits die.  No idea for the second card LOL.  These women are not newcomers to the stamping world so I will have to 'put my game on'! 
      I hope the new year brings much love, happiness and success to all of you in cyber world!
Kudos,


     Samantha

New Experiences ...

Last weekend I visited my sister in Virginia and participated in a craft fair at her place of employment.  I am so grateful for the experience.  I learned so much about myself, the vendor world, and the connections between success and failure.  I would not hesitate to tackle this endeavor with the knowledge that I have gained.  I have a passion for people and love creating and maintaining friendships.  What better outlet than the crafting world?  Stampin' Up has given me the confidence to take chances and explore new ideas.  

Are you thinking about doing a craft fair this year?  Check back and see what my best sellers were!!  What types of vendors participated and more!


~Samantha

 

Countdown ...

It's that time of year my body readjusts its' clock and I find myself thinking that it is far later than it actually is.  It is so depressing waking in the dark and having few hours of sunlight.  I feel as though I am in a constant battle with myself ... all I want to do is sleep.  My sister arrives from VA on Sunday and I know that I will feel re-energized with her hear.  I have a lot of crafting to get done before the 'dreaded surgery' in November.  

    While I was waiting for the photographer to arrive this evening I tried stamping some bottle magnets for my Uncle and played around with a few other ideas.  I needed to distract myself since it was time to choose Senior Pictures for my daughter Sayde and I just am not ready to accept that it won't be long before she enters the world all on her own! 
    Here is the first set of magnets I tried ...

Thanks for letting me share!  Happy crafting!

Envelope Bag - Gift Card Holder

The countdown is on ... two weeks from tomorrow I will be in my car and headed to Virginia!  I am very fortunate to have a family supportive of my dream of finding a venue to share my card creations and crafts.  I have been busy playing with paper, searching the cyber world for inspiration, and getting inky!  These little bags were made with Stampin' Up envelopes.  I used my favorite stamp set Snow Much Fun and Bashful Blue ink and ribbon.  These can be hung from the tree with a gift card or treat, given to a coworker or used as a Secret Santa gift.  So many ideas!  I made several different designs and played with different colors!  Let me know ... which one is your favorite?

 Happy Stamping!

Hello Friends ... Old and New!

It seems like a lifetime has passed since I visited my blog and shared my love of crafting with the cyber world. So many changes have taken place, not only in my desire to find my niche in the craft business, but in myself as I move forward in life.  Things that used to seem so important to me now seem so trivial.  Much of the change comes from caring for my mom.  She is such an amazing woman.  I watch her struggle daily to remain here with us and I think of what a selfless sacrifice she is making. 

She suffers from chronic COPD and is on oxygen 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  She has not left her home for almost two years (except for medical appointments).  As I witness her daily weakening, a bit of me grows to appreciate life 'in the moment'.  I realize I have wasted valuable time and energy in my yearnings for things I did not have.  I realize that what I have, family and faith, makes me one of the richest and strongest persons in the world.  I am learning to accept my weaknesses, embrace my strengths and yes, I am slowly learning to trust in God again.  Thank you mom ... I Love You!