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~

SU Convention Swaps share - my cards

Card Swap #1:  Baroque Motifs and Old Olive

Card Swap #2:  Vintage Vogue wheel in More Mustard with Season of Friendship in Cherry Cobbler, Old Olive and Forest Friends.

Card Swap #3:  Garden Greenhouse in So Saffron and Perfect Plum

 Call me old fashioned ... I didn't want to spoil the surprise and share the cards I made for my first Stampin' Up Convention so I waited ... biting my nails and remaining as possible.  I left with 302 card fronts and can't believe I was able to swap them!  What fun!  I haven't had time to go through the card fronts I received in return but will share my favorites with you soon! 

Stampin' Up Convention 2010 - simply amazing

I am still recovering from my trip to Salt Lake City.  Never in my dreams had I envisioned such an experience.  I was surrounded by 2800 talented and inspiring women, shared laughter and tears (yes - Shelli moves you to tears!), and discovered a part of me I had kept buried.  The friendships and relations built through the art of Sharing what we Love is priceless and I feel a renewed passion and zest for things. 

Blog Candy Winner!!

 I'm not sure who was more excited about giving blog candy away ... me or my children.  They all gathered around for the drawing tonight!  The lucky winner:
  Jane: Scrappy Grams Designs!

Jane ... said...
Happy birthday, Samie! So glad you're back! Your cards are beautiful. Love the colors and the sentiments!

Thank you Jane for your continued support and encouragement!  Email your snail mail and I'll get this out to you!

Thank you everyone for your wonderful comments!!

 

Too sticky to stamp?

It's hard to believe that only two weeks ago we were suffering unseasonably cold weather in Vermont and were threatening to turn the heat back on with highs in the 50's and low 60's.  Today we are facing our first heat wave since 2003!  I sat down yesterday to work on a few card fronts for Convention but found myself sticking to everything! LOL  What a mess I ended up with!  It was a tough decision but I decided to can it and take the kids out to the pool instead!!  The party favor I am sharing was part of our demonstrator shoe box swap inspired by stamping sister Andrea Sharp.  It holds eight Hershey nuggets though can be used for many other little gifts!  


The two boys are cousins out cooling off for a bit in the pool yesterday.  The one on the left is my nephew Chase and the one on the right my son Steele.  Please keep Steele in your prayers as we have been visiting Vermont Children's Hospital regularly.  He has stopped growing and we have been undergoing some monthly testing ... no fun!


Thanks for stopping by!  Happy Stamping!

Saturday and Sunshine

Finally ... the sun is shining in Vermont and I can hear nothing but laughter as my children and their friends splash about in the pool.  The sound of a child's laughter is certainly enough to lift the spirits!  I am blessed to have the pool in the yard ... it allows for me to keep a "mother's eye" on my children and it allows them the company of friends.  I've been scurrying about reorganizing all of my new supplies and updating my files (my sister Marie (www.isomcre8tions.blogspot.com) calls me the Queen of Organization and my new SU family has followed suit.  I need to know where all of my 'toys' are and everything has a spot, labeled and all!  LOL  I'm sharing a couple of photo's of projects that I made at our demonstrator shoe box swap a couple of weeks ago.  The best part about getting together with my 'family' is the inspiration I always walk away with! 

I have to say that my favorite project was taking a simple folder and recreating a card folio with it.  Lift the flap on one side and fill with cards.  Lift the flap on the opposie side and fill with envelopes!

Have a super day!!