eScape with Stampin' Up

#1 -- The Occasions Mini-Catalog and the expiration date has been extended until the end of June because this popular publication has so many fantastic summer-y stamps and designer series papers that are perfect for so many summer-y celebrations, including Father's Day, which is fast approaching!




2 -- Stampin' Up! is offering a SNEAK PEEK at one of the awesome new items in the upcoming Fall-Winter Idea Book & Catalog (if you are a customer of mine, look for your new FALL SAMPLER in the mail soon after August 8th, or you can contact me at smaranich@yahoo.com and I will drop one in the mail to you).



#3 -- Every heard of 'e-Scape'? Well it is a fantastic idea that Stampin' Up! has to help us all ESCAPE from the numerous tethers of our day-to-day work and home life. Put down the phone, turn off the computer, and break away free from the 'e'! Remember when you got letters in your mailbox instead of your inbox? On June 25, 2008, Stampin' Up! is taking the day to unplug and unwind, and reconnect on a personal level with friends and loved ones through handmade cards. And we invite you to eScape with us throughout the month of June!

Take advantage of the 25 percent discount on select items in the eScape bundle to help you create that special message from the heart.



eScape Bundle:

Love Notes assortment (p 167) $ 8.95
Circle of Friendship stamp set (p 143) $17.95
Rose Red Classic Stampin' Pad (p 165) $ 5.25
Very Vanilla 5/8" grosgrain ribbon (p 191) $ 7.95

Total (non-bundled) $40.10

eScape Bundle price $30.00

Father's Day Quotes

In honor of Father's Day on Sunday, here are some quotes about Father. Feel free to use them in your cards!!


More than a father, more than a friend, our love has no limit, our friendship no end

Any man can be a father, but it takes someone special to be a Daddy!

The most important thing a father can do for his children is to love their mother – Theodore Hesburgh

A Father is someone you look up to no matter how tall you grow.

English proberb~One father is more than a hundred schoolmasters~

Jim Valvano"My father gave me the greatest gift anyone could give another person -- he believed in me."

e.e. cummingsand every child was sure that spring danced when he heard my father sing

If all the fathers in the world held out their hand in friendship, yours is the one I'd hold.

To become a father is not difficult, but to be a father is.

A father sees himself in his child's eyes.

A father is someone you look up to no matter how tall you grow.

A father is neither an anchor to hold us back nor a sail to take us there. But a guiding light whose love shows us the way.

Fathers have grown in many ways, Children in only a few. And yet it is often hard to tell, Just who is teaching who.

As a son, a man receives love As a husband, a man shares his love And as a father, a man give his love.

I used to believe my father about everything but then I had children myself and now I see how much stuff you make up just to keep yourself from going crazy. --Brian Andreas

He didn't tell me how to live; he lived, and let me watch him do it. ~Clarence Budington Kelland

A truly rich man is one whose children run into his arms when his hands are empty. ~Author

UnknownFather! - to God himself we cannot give a holier name. ~William Wordsworth

Love and fear. Everything the father of a family says must inspire one or the other. ~Joseph Joubert

Blessed indeed is the man who hears many gentle voices call him father! ~Lydia M. Child, Philothea: A Romance, 1836

A father carries pictures where his money used to be. ~Author Unknown

Any man can be a father. It takes someone special to be a dad. ~Author Unknown

The greatest gift I ever had Came from God; I call him Dad!~Author Unknown

I love my father as the stars - he's a bright shining example and a happy twinkling in my heart. ~Adabella Radici

Dad, your guiding hand on my shoulder will remain with me forever. ~Author Unknown

Why are men reluctant to become fathers? They aren't through being children. ~Cindy Garner

A man's children and his garden both reflect the amount of weeding done during the growing season.~ Anonymous

A father is a man who expects his children to be as good as he meant to be.~ Carol Coats

To her the name of father was another name for love.~ Fanny Fern

I cannot think of any need in childhood as strong as the need for a father's protection.~ Sigmond Freud

It doesn't matter who my father was; it matters who I remember he was.

Click HERE for a 50% Michael's coupon!! Yippee!!!

Happy Feet

When we went to Kernersville a few weeks ago for Spring Fling, after lunch Marianne, Judy and I popped into a cute little shop. I found these adorable shoes! They are made by Okabashi and are oh, so comfortable! They are even endorsed by the American Chiropractic Association (which should make my chiro happy!!) I am going to take them to my podiatrist next week to see what he thinks. I've just discovered their web-site and don't see the ones I bought on it. It's a good thing too because I paid $30 for my shoes and there's not a pair over $15.00 on the website. But, now, I think I'll buy some of the flip flops (Ocean) and I like the Wave ones. Check out their website and make your feet happy!!

I have gotten lots of compliments on my shoes. They came with the pink and brown ribbon (seen below) on them which was really cute and "preppy". I went to Michael's and bought a few spools of ribbon and have been having fun changing out the ribbon to match my outfits!



Just for summer, here are the top ten Summer Foot Care Tips: (from Okabashi)



1. Keep your feet clean. Wash and dry your feet thoroughly before putting on shoes.

2. Wear good supportive shoes, especially if you will be on your feet a lot.

3. Put away your winter shoes & wear good quality sandals or tennis shoes.

4. Don't forget sunscreen. With flip-flops and sandals, protect your feet from UV rays.

5. Wear flip-flops or slides in public locker rooms - avoid fungi and bacteria that is lurking there.

6. Avoid going barefoot (awwww - my favorite thing to do in summer!).

7. When traveling, take breaks from sitting & move around. Wiggle your toes.

8. Wear shoes that fit properly and don't wear the same shoes every day.

9. After a long day of walking, treat your feet to a soak and a foot rub.

10. Take care of your nails and cuticles to prevent infection.

Prima Flowers!!

I just have to share with you a thank you gift I got last week from my friend, Judy, for helping her with her swaps for Spring Fling. She had never participated in a swap before and I believe she learned a lot - #1 rule - KIS (keep it simple!) She had to call me to tell me to check out my front door (we never use the front door - always entering through the garage!). There on the stoop was this beautiful card and glorious colors of Prima Flowers to use on my cards!! Aren't they lovely???

And check out the card she made! A lot of cutting went into this baby!! The little girl and the flowers and leaves are all cut out (fussy cutting) with the rose colored cardstock pieced behind them. Thanks Judy!!

The Things I've Learned

A friend sent me a link to this site. (thanks, Ann!)

These are a few excerpts that really struck home with me particularly with some family issues I am going through at the time. I think everyone can relate to a few of these!!

I've learned that the greater a person's sense of guilt, the greater his or her need to cast blame on others.

I've learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow.

I've learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you miss them terribly after they die.

I've learned that making a living is not the same thing as making a life.

I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance.

I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catchers mitt on both hands. You need to be able to throw something back.

I've learned that if you pursue happiness, it will elude you. But if you focus on your family, the needs of others, your work, meeting new people, and doing the very best you can, happiness will find you.

I've learned that whenever I decide something with kindness, I usually make the right decision

I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one.

I've learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone. People love that human touch-holding hands, a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back.

I've learned that I still have a lot to learn.

Test for Old Kids!

A good friend sent me this "test". It's pretty cool. How many do you know???? I only missed a couple.


1. After the Lone Ranger saved the day and rode off into the sunset, the grateful citizens would ask, Who was that masked man? Invariably, someone would answer, I don't know, but he left this behind. What did he leave behind?________________.

2. When the Beatles first came to the U.S. in early 1964, we all watched them on The _______________ Show.

3. ' Get your kicks, ___________________.'

4. 'The story you are about to see is true. The names have been changed___________________.'

5. 'In the jungle, the mighty jungle, ________________.'

6. After the Twist, The Mashed Potato, and the Watusi, we 'danced' under a stick that was lowered as low as we could go in a dance called the '_____________.'

7. 'N_E_S_T_L_E_S', Nestle's makes the very best. ____ ___________.'

8. Satchmo was America's 'Ambassador of Goodwill.' Our parents shared this great jazz trumpet player with us. His name was _________________.

9. What takes a licking and keeps on ticking? _______________.

10. Red Skelton's hobo character was named __________________ and Red always ended his television show by saying, 'Good Night, and '________ ________'.

11. Some Americans who protested the Vietnam War did so by burning their______________.

12. The cute little car with the engine in the back and the trunk in the front was called the VW . What other names did it go by? ____________ & _______________.

13. In 1971, singer Don MacLean sang a song about, 'the day the music died.'This was a tribute to ___________________.

14. We can remember the first satellite placed into orbit. The Russians did it. It was called ___________________.

15. One of the big fads of the late 50's and 60's was a large plastic ring that we twirled around our waist. It was called the ____ ____________. !





ANSWERS:
01. The Lone Ranger left behind a silver bullet.
02. The Ed Sullivan Show
03. On Route 66
04. To protect the innocent
.05. The Lion Sleeps Tonight
06. The limbo
07. Chocolate
08. Louis Armstrong
09. The Timex watch
10. Freddy, The Freeloader,and 'Good Night,and may God Bless.'
11. Draft cards (Bras were also burned.)
12. Beetle or Bug
13. Buddy Holly
14. Sputnik
15. Hoola-hoop

Rainbow Bridge

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge. When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable. All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind. They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster. You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...

A Sad Day

Today is a sad day for us. Ashley lost her beloved furry best friend and companion, Taco. She came home last night to find him asleep in his litter box and making strange moaning sounds. He was definately trying to tell her he was sick in the only way he knew how. First thing this morning she had him at the vet. They determined it was a bladder obstruction (which I believe is common in male cats). They were preparing to hook him up to an IV when he went into cardiac arrest. Poor Taco. He was a beloved member of our family and had wormed his way into all our hearts. Even Sonny, who is not a cat lover. I have pictures of Taco sitting in his lap. Sonny said Taco was more like a dog than a cat! Taco was a little trooper. When Ashley moved from Washington state to Washington, DC - all the way across the country, Taco made the move great. Ashley and I stopped all along the way taking in the sights. Taco sat right between us on a pillow on the console either sleeping or looking out the window. Whenever Ashley went out of town on a long trip - Peru, Thailand, etc. Taco would come to NC and stay with us. He was just a wonderful cat and will be sorely missed. She only had him a few short years but they were happy ones. The sad fact is that our treasured companions do not live as long as we do.

Taco, you will be missed.

Heros

This is a very compelling video and only takes a minute of your time to watch. No matter what your views are on this war, this will touch you.

http://s259.photobucket.com/albums/hh289/Impish_Dragon/?action=view&current=Untitled.flv