Give Peace a Chance

This world just seems like it has turned upside down!  In North Carolina, where I live, we are in Phase 2 of re-opening and I'll be honest .... it scares me.  We have had an increase of confirmed cases since the state was opened up a little a few weeks ago.   I am still staying at home as much as I can, but wearing a mask each time I venture out.  I try not to overreact but honestly, I feel like a lot of people are just going right back to normal and are not taking the precautions they ought to.  We drove to South Carolina over the weekend.  Our first stop (with our masks) was Frugal McDoogals (a wine and liquor warehouse in Fort Mill, SC.)  The line to get in the store was funny to me but I was glad that the correct precautions were taken.  Next we went to the Peach Stand.  Same thing - people lined  up (most with masks) to get in the little market.  After those places, we drove to a little restaurant that we love.  They have the best fried chicken and veggies.   Yum!  Since we were there at an odd time (2:00), we didn't figure they would be very busy - plus, there are only about 15 tables in the restaurant and several had "do not sit" signs on them for social distancing.  By the time we finished our meal, the restaurant was almost full with only a couple of tables left.  Guess everyone else had the same idea as we did about going early (or late depending on what your meal is.)

Ashley just sent us these Steelers masks!

And if COVID wasn't enough for all of us to deal with ... the country seems to be at war with each other in terms of the unrest we are experiencing.  I feel like we are at a turning point.  It saddens me that a video of a black man getting murdered right in front of our eyes has happened for the world to stop and pay attention! 

Let's all sing John Lennon's "Give Peace A Chance" which was an anti-war song.

Birds and Branches

I understand we are still dealing with COVID-19, but I think we need to make as good of a summer as we can.  Most of us can get outside in some form - whether sitting on the porch, taking a walk, or participating in some form of an activity (golf, tennis, swim, etc.).  For those of you with children, my hat is off to you trying to make it a fun summer.  My point is - summer is moving quickly and fall will be here before we know it!  Think about doing some card making with your children.  It's a great activity when it is hot outside.  Maybe start on your Christmas cards.  Believe it or not, but on July 1st Stampin'Up! is releasing their Holiday Catalog to demonstrators!  This is a first on having it so early.  Happy Stampin'!

Believe it or not but it was actually cold (and rainy) here yesterday!  Even Sonny was cold and put on long sleeves.  We broke a record I think with temps just getting to 61 degrees and I don't think it is going to be much warmer today!  Why couldn't this have been last week when our A/C was not working!

I'm still fighting the pain in my back and have to take a lot of "sitting breaks" during the day.  I can tell when I've done too much.  Last week, I thought I was doing pretty good.  There were several days that I didn't even take any Tylenol, Alieve, etc.  But Friday did me in.  I went to water exercise in the morning and in the afternoon I went to a friend's house.  She lives on the lake and has been wanting me to come over and paddleboard or kayak with her.  I kayaked until my arms got sore and then switched with her and tried to use the paddleboard.  I didn't feel comfortable standing so just got on my knees and paddled until I couldn't anymore!  She ended up tying a rope to my board and towing me back to the house.  Aren't I a wimp??   I really felt like one especially when I leaned over to pick something up and felt a pop on my side!  Not sure what I did but I was in a lot of pain the rest of the day and Saturday.  I am better now but I am really taking it easy.

Here is one of the cards I made for the NC Quarterly swap (that was canceled!)  I love this Birds & Branches stamp set (catalog on page 120).  It was the first stamp set that I ordered from the new Annual Catalog.  The stamps - birds, branches, eggs and nest images - all coordinate with the Birds & More Dies to help you create beautiful cards!

Blender Labels (part 2) and Share Sunshine Fun Fold cards

I have had requests for the Blender Labels that I had on my post yesterday.  So here it is -

BLENDERS

Keep in mind that I did not create this but another Stampin'Up! demonstrator did and was nice enough to share it with others.

I have made several cards with the SHARE SUNSHINE PDF from Stampin' Up.  It is a digital file meaning you can download it to your computer and print it out.  I printed the file out on Whisper White cardstock and just cut out the one I want each time.  This PDF file will only be available until June 2 so if you are interested in purchasing it, you should order now HERE.  Remember 100% of the proceeds will go to the COVID-19 efforts.

Here are a few of the cards I have made using an easy fun fold.

I used some really old DSP on this card - do you remember it?  It is one of my all time favorite DSP that Stampin'Up! has had.  It is called Everyday Enchantment.  When SU retired it, I stocked up on a couple of packages of the DSP.  

Using more retired DSP.  This was in a Sale-a-Bration package called Botanical Butterfly.

More of the Botanical Butterfly DSP with Highland Heather cardstock.

The card base is 9 1/2" x 4 1/4", scored at 5 1/2".  Score the strip that you cut off for the card base at 3/8" and adhere it between the card and DSP. 

Would you believe I fell AGAIN this morning!???  What is going on!  I was carrying a large plant outside so it could get some of the rain that is getting ready to come down.  When I stepped outside on our deck, it was slick as could be with the rain and I fell right on my butt!  I didn't get hurt but I had a hell of a time getting up because the deck was so slick!   The plant survived it too!

Share Sunshine for COVID-19

I'm on baby watch!  My nephew and his wife are at the hospital waiting for their baby girl to arrive!  

They checked into the hospital Sunday night anticipating the baby would be born on Monday.  They are big Star War fans and were excited that their baby would be born on "may the fourth be with you."  But no such luck!  They are still waiting.  Guess the baby will have to be a Cinco de Mayo girl!  The last I heard is she got an epidural this morning (after getting pitocin to induce yesterday) and now is going to have a C-Section.  Poor Marianne - she is on pins and needles waiting on her first grandbaby.  Every time my phone rings, I think it's her with the news!  Maybe I'll get the call before I finish this post!

I've really been going to town on these Corona Virus cards.  I just love the SHARE SUNSHINE PDF from Stampin' Up!  (You can read about it in my previous post HERE.) Since the launch of the PDF last week, Stampin' Up! has raised over $123,000 USD to the support organizations that are helping COVID-19 frontline responders and communities vulnerable to the pandemic.  Isn't that awesome?  If you would like to support this cause AND get 15 pages of great images and words, you can order the PDF HERE.

Here are a few of the cards I have made this week thanks to Tami White and her great video.

Tami White has instructions on her video for making the masks.

One of these cards is going to my awesome doctor.

I put one of these cards in my mailbox for our mail carrier.

Retiring List 2019-2020

Do you have your Stampin' Up list ready?  Today at 3 pm ET Stampin' Up will announce all the retiring items.  Just remember, if you see that a bundle is retiring that does not necessarily mean that the stamp set and/or dies are retiring - just the bundle.  Once the retiring list goes live, products are on a "while stock lasts" basis.  Already,  the 2018-2020 In Color DSP (6x6) and Brights DSP (6x6) along with the Basketweave 3D Embossing Folder have sold out.  The In Color products are always the first to sell out.

If you are in love with any of these In Colors, get them ASAP!  Retiring In Color products sell out very quickly .... especially the re-inkers for the In Color Pads.  Once they are sold out, it is forever.

Stampin' Up has recently let us know that card kits, stamp cases, and background stamps will see a price increase in this year’s catalog.

Here are a few other items that have been in back-order but are now available!

Grace’s Garden Bundle 153789 / Garden Gateway Dies 151512
Honey Bee Bundle 153792 / Detailed Bee Dies 151526
Bonanza Buddies Bundle 153815 / Bonanza Dies 151566
Peaceful Moments Bundle 153824 / Poppy Moments Dies 151594
Painted Poppies Bundle 153827 / Painted Labels Dies 151605

Another item you might want to consider getting is the Ornate Garden Suite - all of it or just the stamp set, DSP, dies, etc.  I have that on my list.  I have seen some gorgeous cards made with the dies and stamps and DSP.  You won't find this suite in any of our current catalogs since it was an early release product.

Check out the suite here - ORNATE GARDEN SUITE and then go to Pinterest and look at some of the samples made with this suite.  (Demonstrators were able to purchase this item in advance.)

Have you been making .... and mailing ... or at least giving them away .... cards to those you care about?  If not, please do.  It really brightens up the day.  Saturday Sonny and I went to BJ's, Aldi's, and Harris Teeter.  I had several cards I had made with me and I handed them out to the cashiers when I checked out.  The first card I handed out went to an older lady working at BJ's who stands at the door handing out hand wipes to everyone and also a wipe for your cart.  Oh, if you could have seen the look of joy on her face.  She wanted to hug me but of course could not.  She told me she had been having a bad day and this really made a difference to her.  She almost had me crying!  I thought Sonny would "poo-poo" me for giving out cards, but the lady at BJs put a smile on his face too!

We've had a bit of bad news this week.  One of Ashley's friend's father died a few weeks ago from the coronavirus and now her mother is in ICU.  And Monday night Ashley told us that one of her best friends from medical school, who is an ER Doc in Houston tested positive for the virus.  So far, she hasn't shown any symptoms.  She has two young boys.  Please say a prayer for Julie.  I pray every day to keep my family safe from this terrible disease!

Crazy Unsettling Times

If you had told me two months ago that we would be where we are now, I would have thought you were joking.  Back before everyone knew what the terms "social distancing" and "stay-at-home order" meant, we were just crafty gals stampin' and having workshops.  And now effective (yesterday,) Monday, March 30 through April 29, our state of NC is under a mandatory stay-at-home order meaning non-essential businesses must close to the public.  But what is considered an essential business has me stumped.  Yesterday, I drove to Mooresville (first time in 2 weeks) to pick up some groceries at Aldi's and tape refills for my tape gun at Hobby Lobby.  I was assuming that Hobby Lobby, Michael's and Jo Ann's would be closed when the stay-at-home order went into effect but no, they are considered essential!??  I'm sorry, I don't understand!  There was a note on the door that they are considered essential because they sell material (to make masks with) and also office supplies??!!  Our Hobby Lobby is right beside Lowe's Hardware.  There was hardly a parking spot left at Lowe's!  I'm sure there were more than 50 or 10 people (whatever the number is supposed to be) in that store and not keeping the 6 foot distance.  When I was at Aldi's there were a lot of people who were not being socially distancing.  I felt like I was in the minority there and had to keep going to another aisle while the aisle I wanted cleared out!   Ashley told me she went to the Dollar Store yesterday and had to ask the man standing behind her in line to move back.  She said he didn't seem to understand even though there were tape lines on the floor 6 feet apart.  What is it going to take for people to understand how serious this is!

I feel sorry for all the small "mom and pop" restaurants that are suffering from this.  After I left the grocery, I stopped at a small mom and pop hoagie shop and took my sandwich home to eat.  I urge you to support your local small businesses now.  They have bills to pay and little to no cash flow makes that very difficult.  The big corporations will receive bail outs because they are deemed "too big to fail," but that is not true of the little guys.  Did you know that local small businesses make up about 49% of the economy?

It's human nature to feel stressed at this time, especially when our day-to-day lives don't look the same as they used to.  When things are more out of our control than usual, it's helpful to remember and focus on the things we do have control over.  By reducing or preventing stress, we're not only taking care of ourselves, we're able to be better caretakers for others.  Paying attention to and managing stress can help us stay on track with our overall health and wellness, develop new routines, and remember what's important to us.

We will get there even if we fail to develop a vaccine, discover new drugs, or eliminate the virus through public health action, though any of these are welcome because they would hasten the end of the crisis.  By staying home when we are sick, minimizing mass gatherings and reducing physical contact, we can dampen the epidemic, reducing the number of cases and the speed at which they occur.  We can get through this if we work together and remember there is SUNSHINE on the other end of this tunnel.

Check out the sentiment on this card - great for these crazy times.

Today is the last day to get Sale-a-Bration items!

I used some Sale-a-Bration items on this card - the vellum, the Lily Impressions DSP, and the Lovely Lily Pad stamp set.  I stamped the lily onto watercolor paper and heat embossed it with white embossing powder.  Then I used my Aqua Pen and a little Blackberry Bliss re-inker to color the lily.  Oops - just noticed I am missing a sequin!  I had 3 on the card so just imagine the third one right above the lily!