A Diversionary Tactic

A Little Bit of France....

Today it seems like all things French.  I woke up to the Living Social Deal of Riding Lessons in the neighboring subdivision!  Can you believe it?  I haven't ridden since Ella was born 5 years ago and I think as a little treat to myself, I'm going to start again when she goes to kindergarten in the fall. I've been meaning to start exercising and this seems like a perfect blend, fun exercise.  But how is that French, you ask?  Well, about 30 pounds and 15 years ago, my aunt Marcia and I took a trip on horseback to France.  We LOVED it and the food too.

And this rainy drippy morning felt like the first day that we started our ride in the Agen area of France.  So  that's what started it.... and and when I walked to office, my socks got wet, made me irritated and I needed to make myself feel a little better, right?   (the obvious question would be, why didn't wear shoes in the first place?)  so I walked back to the house, poured myself another cup of Starbucks FRENCH roast and cut myself a big ol' hunk of French bread and brie cheese and am calling it a French Breakfast.  We did eat a LOT of baguettes for breakfast over there.  Usually with Pruneaux Jam (prune jam, and it's WAY better than it looks and sounds)

So then I decided that you needed a little peek at my French Scrapbook pages that I did for May's Designer Series Paper of the month, Well Worn featuring French Foliage.  I still have a couple of kits left so get yours NOW!

Kit Options

Kit-Picked Up$15.50 USD Kit - Mailed$19.00 USD

This was a day that we rode our horses thru the countryside of France, had a picnic on the grounds of this old castle.  Man that was good time, and truth be told, I'm looking forward to kindergarten so that I can finally scrapbook the rest of these photos.

Well, I still have a little more Brie left so I better run back in and get more bread.  Hmm, that would mean I've eaten half the loaf myself and perhaps might need to start that exercise a bit sooner?

 

 

 

 

May Camp In Oga Sample

Stampers, air out your camping gear!  Time to register again for the Summer Session of Camp Stamp In Oga.  Head over and sign up under the Reservation Sign to reserve your spot.  I promise the cards will be awesome and the times will be memorable.  Early bird registration ends July 3rd.

Here's one from this past May, awesome, hey?

I'm telling you...it's so much fun

Memorial Day

Take a moment to remember all those who've served our country.  Thank you.  Lest we forget....

Rubberstamping and Scrapbooking Expo - May 26th & 27th

HEADS UP!  It was brought to my attention this past week that I was listed as an exhibitor on the Rubberstamping and Scrapbooking Expo website for the show in town this WEEKEND. 

I AM NOT GOING TO BE THERE!!!   I REPEAT, I'M NOT AT THE SHOW THIS WEEKEND!!!

I had told the show back personal in October that I wasn't going to be able to do this show due to the fact that we have older kids and many of their friends are graduating and having parties, as well as this is the State Cup soccer weekend (we all know how that shaped up!) But regardless, I couldn't run the booth and felt I couldn't ask my downline for help on a holiday weekend.  So I opted out for the Spring Show...somehow I'm still on the list...someone over there made a little goof.   So don't go looking for me....:) 

Since I sent out the newsletter and the info that I'm NOT participating....I'm tickled that so many of you have said that you were looking forward to seeing me!  How about joining me for  the Catalog Kick off Party on June 21st instead.  You can stamp with me IN PERSON!  How cool is that.  Mark you calendars.

It's going to be a short one today as I truly do have a graduation party to attend of a very dear friend of the family.  This is the card that we are bringing.  (we did this one in class this past week too!)  On the Disney vacation there was a card that was shared using this Punch Art owl and so I modified it up a bit.  Thanks to the original creator Alicia Connelly.

We used the Mocha Morning DSP that is on the retiring list.  Order yours up TODAY!

In Wilderness

Will a lightening bolt hit me if I think Stampin' Up! made a mistake?  I'm taking a huge risk here...

Dear SU,

You are breaking my heart by retiring MY favorite masculine set, In Wilderness!  What are you thinking?  Yes, I know, I DO love the catalog but I'm not ready to let this wonderful set go.  Yes, I do understand there are really fun new sets and great new colors but again, can't you just let me hold on to the past just a little longer? 

Sarah - your devoted SU demonstrator

Ok, I digress.  I DO love this In Wilderness set and everytime I use this set in a class etc. everyone raves about the set and occassionaly the card too.  :)  Men are hard to figure out and masculine cards are similar.  This set actually makes it easy.  I've decided that this set and I, need one last fling before I have to move it over to the retired side of the stamp shelving.  Sorry Charlie, this is one set that WONT be showing up on our Camp Stamp-In-Oga Rummage in August.  Mine, Mine, Mine.  Get yours before they are gone on May 31st!  Here's how you can get this set at 15% off.

May 2012 Monthly Card Kit!  Purchase the Card Kit and receive a coupon for 15% off the coordinating stamp set, In Wilderness, ($14.40 clear &18.65 wood) and the accessory of the month, metallic brads. ($5.90)

The Monthly Card Kit is a great way for you to stamp at home, on the road, at the cabin or at a crop.  I've taken a stamp set and a few additional listed products and come up with two different card designs using the selected stamp set.  Then I cut cardstock in packets and bundle them in packs of 8.  (four of each design) and package them along with the envelopes and ribbons etc.  Then I type of detailed directions and photos in a PDF format for you to use along with the cardstock kit.  It works GREAT!  $13.50 for a pack of 8 precut cards.  This can be mailed as well as supersized!  Click here for more information.

Note:  I only have SIX packets left.  Order it up quick!

Have a great day.  I'm thankful it's cloudless and lightening bolts shouldn't be a problem?

Charming

When it rains....it pours.  Not literally over here, but figuratively!  Since many of you have been asking how Adria is doing, I'll do that first.  She tore her ACL in a soccer game in April and basically, as soon as the Stampin' Up! Disney vacation was done, she had surgery to repair the ACL.  It was the patellar tendon graft so it's a pretty intense surgery.  She's on crutches for a total 4 weeks and then physical therapy for about 6 months and the end result is hopefully a return to sports in October.  For the first week I was Nurse Nancy and I can say I'm pretty sure that you nurses don't get paid enough.  The we moved on to Debbie Driver as it's Dr appts & Physical Therapy 3x per week and I'm pretty sure that Rob could have found a PT closer than Brookfield.  Then it's been Rosalie the Referree this week as we are dealing with a frustated 15 year old that has too much time and energy on her hands and desperately wants to be on that field instead of watching and so she's picking fights with ANYTHING that moves, specifically her 5 year old sister that is more than willing to fight back....aaaargh.  I'm also pretty sure that one of the three of us will lose our mind.....I have an inkling as to which it will be. Let me give you a hint....my computer crashed this past week!

So I'm desperately needing the zen of the stamping studio and have found that I need the stamping therapy!  I love to escape out here to our "happy place" as so many of you call it.  I think I get why you LOVE to come here, despite the messy desks and happy chaos that this room provides.  It's Sanity Saving.

So on a sunnier note, I HAVE catalogs!  I know, you are desperately waiting for them and I've got one here SAVED for you.....Swing by anytime and pick it up.  I'm finalizing details on my Catalog Kickoff and Annual Tour de Catalog.  Bear with me and just know, you can come out anytime and pick up YOUR copy.  It's yours for the ASKING....

So how about a card?  This is a card with one of my very favorite stamp sets...Charming.  It's retiring in a couple of days so you MUST order it NOW..  It's so dainty and delicate...JUST like my Charming, 15 year old frustrated soccer player.  So feminine and pretty.  :)  All for today.  I've got to get that LONG OVERDUE May newsletter out!

Retiring Inspiration...

Tell me that you missed me or at least that you've noticed that I've been AWOL.  Make me feel special and that I'm just not talking to an empty room here!  I've fallen off the blogging wagon and am anxious to get back up and get moving.  April has been a bit busy and May is shaping up to be equally entertaining. 

We had a great Scrapbook Expo back in mid April and I "believe" that all of the orders from the expo have shipped and should have arrived by now.  If you HAVEN"T gotten your goodies, please please let me know.  I'm working on the doorprize items today so that should wrap it up.  Then we moved on to the Stampin' Up! Disney vacation (which is more like work when you travel with a 5 year old).  I'm STILL tired but will have to say it was probably a ONCE IN A LIFETIME trip.  I'm pretty sure I couldn't duplicate the fun experience Stampin' Up! provided for us incentive trip earners.

And then it was immediately into the Camp Stamp In Oga Retreat (again, I plan a year in advance, so I didn't have any control of the timing on that one - we literally landed from Florida at 9pm and was on to the Camp by 4am on Saturday.) and a birthday party for a certain #2 son that turned 13!  and then this week Adria had to have her ACL repair surgery.  I've been playing nursemaid for the week here and it's definately entertaining.  :)  I'm motivating her to do her PT.  Move it, Move it, Move it!

So on to you...I'm going to try and motivate you to fall in love with a retiring stamp set or two here before they disappear on May 31st.  Today I'll share two cards done with Upsy Daisy set  on pg 116.  I LOVE LOVE THIS SET...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So perhaps you'll want to add this to your collection.  Order online here.