One of the things I love most about this world of stamping (well, besides stamping) is the chance to make new friends. I love to introduce people to their first stamping experience and see the joy on their faces when the create something. With blogging and social media, some of the friends I meet are on-line, and I never really get to stamp with them but still enjoy the world of stamping with them.
Well a few weeks back I had the privilege to meet one of my on-line stamping friends in person. Lucky me!
A few days off of work, and jonesing for a road trip, I decided to drive down to the Carolina’s to see some family. Knowing I was going that way, I let one of my blog followers/fellow stamper know I would be in her neck of the woods to see if we could fix a time to meet. And meet we did.

We spent a wonderful afternoon having lunch together and sharing some of our creations with each other. I know you want to meet her too, so here she is: (And guess what? Her name is Nancy too! How cool is that?)

Nancy Easler and I together in Spartanburg, SC. Here are some of the creations that Nancy gave me. (She also gave me permission to post them on my blog for all the world to see.)

An adorable Halloween card, and a matching envelope!

And a gorgeous card crafted from the Simply Fabulous Simply Sent card kit (#126925 – page 161 of the Annual Catalog).

and matching bookmark

See why I love stamping?  Making fun things with paper, meeting people and making new friends.  What isn’t to love?  Want to be a part of this awesome world?  Join my team and become one of us!  It’s easy and your life will never be the same.

Happy Stampin!

Nancy

Thank you to all who serve, and to their families who sacrifice so much, and to all those who have served before us:

God Bless America! 

My post tonight is a tribute to my father-in-law, Stanley Gleason, and also to my family.  I have been blessed to marry the best man in the whole wide world!  Sorry, all you girls out there who are looking for Mr. Right – he’s taken!  When I married him, I also married into his family; he had 3 daughters, his parents, and grandparents (on his mother’s side).  His parents welcomed me into their family as if I were their own.  I have been blessed to have the worlds best in-laws, too!

Last week, my father-in-law passed away after suffering from a multitude of health problems over the past few years.  We were told on 5 different occasions that he probably wouldn’t live through whatever health issue he was facing at the time.  But, he always pulled through.  In November he entered the hospital with an infection so bad it was spread thru his whole body.  Again, we were told he most likely would not make it thru, but amazingly he did.    No one planned on hosting Thanksgiving Dinner because we thought he wouldn’t be with us and we were taking life one day at time.  Well he got out of ICU and I cooked a turkey and we celebrated Thanksgiving grateful he pulled through.  But it seemed to take such a toll on him, and he told us what we all seemed to know; that he was dying.  He wanted to die at home so on Dec. 1st, we brought him home, with hospice, to die.

Everyone, especially Dad, thought it might only be a few days at best, and again, no one made any plans or preparations for Christmas.  Just taking life one day at a time. Christmas came and New Years came and Dad was still with us.

A hospital bed in the living room, hospice nurses each morning, taking turns sitting with him, became the norm.  Wonderful friends, neighbors, and people from our churches bringing meals kept us nourished without having to think about planning meals and cooking.  Dad was unable to do much, or eat much and became increasing agitated if left alone, even for a few minutes.  So we took turns, staying over, just so Mom could shower, sleep, and take care of basic household chores.   Nightime was hard because Dad wouldn’t sleep at all so whoever was there didn’t sleep either. Mom found it difficult to go into the bedroom and leave Dad so most nights she didn’t sleep either.  Needless to say, we all were exhausted & sleep deprived.

But the last weekend of January, Dad was getting especially weak, Mom was so exhausted we thought she was going to collapse so we decided to move Dad to the inpatient hospice unit for 5 days of respite for Mom.   That morning Dad stopped being able to swallow and it was the beginning of the end.  God, in His providence, placed Dad where he needed to be, and removed a burden that was too great from Mom.  On Jan. 30th, Dad celebrated his 83rd birthday, although he was unable to do anymore than just open his eyes and squeeze your hand.  Early the next morning, Dad left this world to go home.

I made the following video as a tribute to him; it was shown at his memorial service.  Stanley W. Gleason – A Celebration of Life

It is not good-bye, but until we see you again!

Happy New Year!

Well, a new year is upon us.  Where did 2012 go?  And how did it go by so fast I wonder.  While part of me is still asking that question, the other part of me is glad that 2012 is over and a whole new year is upon us.  A fresh start, a clean slate, a new beginning.

While, I’m not usually one to make New Years Resolutions, I do love the fresh start.  New files (and my P-Touch labeler just quit right in the middle of printing a label, I tried not one but 4 sets of new batteries and still nothing!  This is a office supply junkie’s nightmare!  But I’m trying not to panic….”Breathe, Breathe”…Staples should  have lots of label makers on sale this week so I’ll get by I’m sure. )  New calendars (yes, plural.  I have several; wall calendars, desk calendars, electronic calendars – I told you I’m an office supply junkie so this really shouldn’t surprise you)

The last 2 months of 2012 have been so chaotic and stressful and busy beyond belief but also beautiful in a way;  I have a family member who is dying and it has been a process that has helped to refocus my priorities about life and family and what is really important.  Like a compass pointing to true north, the reality of death has a way of sorting out the important from the trivial.

And so, I am craving normalcy.  Getting back to a normal routine and schedule.  The new year does this and so I welcome 2013 with open arms.

And yes, I do want to do more this year.  I resolve to blog more frequently, and to interact more with you, my blog readers.  And yes, like so many others I resolve to lose weight.  Certain health issues cause me to gain weight with unprecedented speed when I’m not taking care of myself and I haven’t taken care of myself these past few hectic months.  So if you too are looking to lose weight, let’s do it together this year and hold each other accountable.  Let me know what you are doing and let’s lose weight together.

So here’s to a new year; may it bring you & yours health, happiness and a smaller pant size!

With love,

Nancy

Well this is unprecedented. In all the years I’ve been with Stampin’ UP!  I have NEVER seen them offer their stamps at a reduced price.  But for one day only, Monday, Oct. 29th, ALL of their stamps will be sold at 15% off!!!!  NOW IS YOUR TIME TO GET THOSE STAMPS THAT HAVE BEEN ON YOUR WISH LIST.

• Starting at 12:00 AM (MT) and ending at 11:50 PM (MT), on MONDAY, OCTOBER 29th, almost every stamp we sell will be priced at 15 percent off.

This means all stamps in the current catalogs including:

• Background stamps
• Personalized name stamps
• Cookie press stamps
• Single-image stamps

This DOES NOT include:

• Hostess sets
• Bundled stamp sets
• Digital stamp brush sets

• There is no minimum purchase, and no limit to the number of stamps you can order.

Last week I told you about a new program Stampin’ Up! is trying out:  Single Stamps.  Due to it’s initial success, they’ve added several other stamps – including a few never before seen stamps.  So check out the single stamp offerings on the flyers below.

• Single Stamps: Assortment 1 *New!
• Single Stamps: Assortment 2 *New!
• Single Stamps: Word Play
• Single Stamps: Perfectly Penned
• Single Stamps: Seasonal Sayings

Here’s the scoop on the single stamp sets:

• You can find the stamp item numbers on the flyers and the single stamps can be ordered in my online store.
• These won’t be sent to you in our typical cases or packaging; they’ll be packaged in cello bags. If you’d like a case for your stamp, you can buy our Clear-Mount Stamp Cases that come in packs of four (item 119105).
• This offer is available for clear-mount stamps only.
• The stamps won’t come with a Clear-Mount Block, and you’ll need to buy a block separately if you don’t already have one. The recommended block sizes can be found on the flyers.
• There’s no limit on how many pieces you can buy.

And mark your calendar and place your order for sale priced stamps and stamp sets on Monday, Oct. 29th.  Don’t miss it!

Well, this weeks’ Mojo Monday sketch challenge was such a great sketch – thanks to the great designers on the Mojo Monday design team!

I had so many ideas in my head; ideas for Halloween, for Christmas, for a birthday.  But when I sat down to make a card for my entry, I had a particular color scheme that I knew I wanted to use (Primrose Petals and Raspberry Ripple).  That made me decide to use two specialty papers:  Natural Composition Specialty paper and the Core’dinations Paper.  If you don’t already have these two specialty papers; you NEED to get them!  They are so much fun to work with and have such versatility.  Together they make a neutral color combination that can be used with any other color colors.

That led me on the path of wanting to use my Early Espresso heat embossing powder, and it just led me to the Pleasant Poppies stamp set.  That always happens to me; I start with something in mind and wind up on a different path but I’ve learned to ‘go with the flow’ and I’m never disappointed with where I end up!

So here’s my entry: 

So what do you think?  I LOVE this color combination! I also LOVE the little dahlias – they are so cute and so super easy to use.  I think I am going to make another card just like this and use my blender pen to color in the poppies in Primrose Petals & Raspberry Ripple.  That will help with the continuity of color throughout the card.

Would you do anything different if you were making this card?

Click here to go directly to my online store and place your order today.  Or click on any of the hot-link items below to go right to that item in my store.

Paper:  Natural Composition Specialty paper#126917 , Core’dinations Paper in Early Espresso # 127848, Raspberry Ripple cardstock, Primrose Petals cardstock, Very Vanilla cardstock, Crumb Cake cardstock and Early Espresso cardstock.

Ink:  Versamark, combined with Early Espresso heat embossing powder #128980

Tools:  Heat Embossing Tool, Big Shot, Finishing Touches # 127010 Edgelits,  #2 Circles Die

Embellishments:  In-Color Dahlia’s #127556, 3/8″ Stitched Satin  Ribbon in Primrose Petals # 126844

Thanks for stopping into My Stampin’ Space.  Come back soon and until then, Happy Stampin’!

Nancy

The Stampin’ Up! Clearance Rack has just been re-stocked and that means Savings, Savings, Savings!

Now is the chance to get your favorite, retired items at drastically reduced prices. Supplies are limited and are only offered on a first come, first serve basis so if you see something you like, don’t wait.  It could be gone in a few short hours.

Just in time for Halloween:

So head on over the Clearance Rack and stock up on savings!