Greetings from sunny Marco Island, FL

Hi everyone!! Well, I made it to sunny Marco Island, FL. Harold is here for a conference and I had to come along to take in some sun (my poor white body needed it). Plus those of you that know me know I LOVE the beach and I miss it. As you can see it is absolutely gorgeous here. Above is a view from our balcony. Ain't it grand!!!! I am loving it. I even got up early this morning (and I am NOT a morning person) and went for a walk on the beach. I have been picking a lot of beautiful seashells and taking lots of pictures (of course). Can't wait to share them. Later today Harold and I are going on a Sailing and Shelling Tour on a 6-passenger catamaran. I can hardly wait. Never done anything like that before and am excited about it. I will share more pictures later. Love ya'! Note: the boys are at home in VA and I know they are wishing they could be here - but Harold and I are really enjoying this time together by ourselves. He will be returning home tomorrow (we got here on Monday) and I will be going from here to TX to visit family. Will finally get to see my new little nephew, Jay-Jay and my other niece, Tiffany's new house, as well as visit my folks and siblings.

My Stampin' Up! Open House

Today was my Open House to show everyone some of the new products and catalogs. Well, I had some of the new products, but if not for my downline, Gabby, I would not have had any catalogs. She ordered hers the day before I did and received hers several days ago and I am still waiting. Luckily, she was able to spare some and gave me one and then shared 3 more for me to hand out. Other than she and her mom, I had 2 customers that attended the Open House, so that worked out great (the third had to cancel for an emergency, so she will get hers tomorrow). Anyway, the Lovely Letters Monogram Note card is the project I had prepared for the Make-n-Take. This is a total case from Lee Conrey (StampingleeYours), I LOVE this card. Simple, yet elegant.

Tina arrived first and since the others we knew would not be coming until much later, we decided to play and she created the card using the new Level 2 Hostess set "Serene Spring" (bunny card) (this one is actually one that Margarethe did when she arrived, Tina did use a retired DSP paper with Wild Wasabi on hers). She also used the new In Color Pink Piroquette. I started playing and made the simple card with the narrow red ribbon and the new Wow Flowers stamp set, after everyone left and since I was still in the stamping mood and everything was still out, I played and made the second card with the same set, but used the same layout as the monogrammed card. LOVE IT! Both Wow Flowers cards were also made using the new In Colors - Pacific Point, Kiwi Kiss, Riding Hood Red and Tangerine Tango. I had three door prizes - Margarethe won the 1-1/4" circle punch, Tina won the Love & Happiness Rub-ons (2007 SAB item) and Darlene won the retired East Coast Designer Series Paper. We had a great time, wish more of you could have attended. I am having a class on Aug. 30th, 12-3pm to make the monogrammed cards again (5 for $10), so you will be able to pick your catalogs up then if you have not gotten it yet.

That Wonderful Brown Truck

This was shared by Wanda McGlamery (JFSUD) and she saw it on Kelly Acheson's blog http://stampinparadise.blogspot.com/ , so I just had to share with all of you. I think all of us SU demos get excited everytime we hear or see that brown truck (and it doesn't hurt when the delivery guy is cute, too - that is if we ever even notice that ;-D).

Jason's Baby Memory Pail

I finally finished the baby memory pail for my niece, Lindsey's baby. She has only been waiting since January! I am pleased with the results and hope she likes it as much as I do. It is designed to match the baby's room and the Shower invitation I did for her back in Nov. '07 (also pictured). I am glad I procrastinated so long on it as then I was able to see a card done by Sue Duffy with the sandcastle on it and copy it. It added so much to the pail. Now I need to mail the pail to Lindsey.

"The HS Graduate"

I was reviewing my blog and realized I never posted a picture of Jacob for graduation. Isn't he a handsome young man (no prejudism here). We are very proud of him.

I Promise....

Just wanted to say that I promise to post more cards soon. It is not that I haven't been stamping, I just haven't taken pictures of my more recent cards. I go monthly now to a Senior Center and make cards with them, but I keep forgetting to take a picture of my cards and we give the ones I made to attendees that are there that are unable to participate. We like to make sure that everyone who is there that day, leaves with at least one card. There are 2-3 ladies that are unable to participate, so we give them my samples for the day...I usually have one premade and then make it again to show them what to do and if needed one of the ladies will make an extra to give out. I thoroughly enjoy spending this time with them. Our next project is a coaster cover accordian album. I will take pics of it to post. Thanks for everyone's support in viewing my blog and I hope you will keep coming back. I will try to update more often.

Wedding Gift Card Holder

This is a gift card holder that I made for my niece, Bekah, she and Beau just got married on May 24th. The card was inspired by Lynn Starzl. The only change I made was to add the Soft Swirls background and a different sentiment inside.

Aren't they a beautiful couple. I was unable to go and attend the wedding in Colorado Springs, but luckily I have family that sent me lots of pictures.