Crossover: Hostess Appreciation Luncheon part TWO

Happy Friday! I hope you've had a good week, and that you're enjoying seeing what we do at my Hostess Appreciation Luncheon. :) Today, I'll show you the two projects we did.

First up, the GRINCH!

Isn't he adorable?!?!? I found a whole bunch of Top Note bags on Splitcoast Stampers, and adapted the Grinch one to suit me. :) I even used MY DIGITAL STUDIO to make the background paper; those are the words to "You're A Mean One, Mr. Grinch"! :)

There are a lot of different things you can do with the Top Note Die. We'll never do a bag quite like this in a class, people; that's one of the perks of being a hostess and getting an invitation to the Luncheon. We will ONLY do these projects at the luncheon!!!

The second one we did was also one I saw a photo of, and took my twist on: meet the snowman hamburger box!

Isn't he cute? My mom loved this one. :) He's got such a sweet face!

I really hope you've enjoyed a little insight into what we do at the Hostess Appreciation Luncheon. Don't forget: you can earn an invitation to the next one just by hosting a qualifying party! (We can even do it online!) You can even have your OWN party - it's simply $150 in merchandise. Contact me now, so we can get it on the calendar! If you want to see the side dishes we had at the luncheon, just go to Life's Little Pleasures and look for today's post! :)

Have a wonderful weekend! Be sure and take the time to stamp SOMETHING!!!

Crossover: Hostess Appreciation Luncheon part ONE

Welcome to Wednesday! :) Today and Friday, I'll be sharing some photos from our Hostess Appreciation Luncheon last month; the only way of getting an invitation is to host a qualifying party, which isn't hard - and is easiest to do at my studio, so you don't even have to clean your house if we have it here! :D

Today, I'm showing you the table setting, the invitation, and the table favor. No directions, not a lot of to-do. :) I'd LOVE for you to have a party, so you can come to next year's!

First up: what each place setting looked like.

Pretty, right?!?!? :) I love fall - the colors are SO rich.

Next, the invitation!

Again, rich color, intriguing centerpiece. :D

And finally, each person received one of these table favors; the bag is filled with this snack mix....

These were just FUN. :)

If you'd like to see some of the food we had for our Luncheon, please visit Life's Little Pleasures and look for today's post! :)

Again, contact me if you'd like to be eligible to come to the next Luncheon! Have a wonderful day, and be sure to take the time to stamp SOMEthing!

Things to Know TODAY!~ :)

First of all, HAPPY WEDNESDAY! :) (I'm starting to lose track of what day of the week it is. LOL!)

Second, today is the LAST DAY to sign up for MY PAPER PUMPKIN and get the first two months for HALF OFF! Just use the coupon code of HALFOFF2! (I joined! I couldn't pass that special up! :D ) TODAY ONLY, September 10. Last chance!! And don't forget to designate me as your demonstrator. :D

Second:

It's not too late to sign up to be a hostess and still get an invitation to this year's HOSTESS-ONLY APPRECIATION LUNCHEON! You will receive a private invitation, I will make you a lunch that's totally scratch-made, you'll make two projects we'll never do anywhere else, AND there are door prizes!

If that's not enough incentive, Stampin' Up! is currently running a special for hostesses!! If you go here, it's the first promo on the page - a really cool extra stamp set for free until October 31! AND it will qualify you to come to the luncheon! Check your calendar and email me NOW!!!!!!!!!

Hostess Appreciation Luncheon 2012

Happy Monday! WHEW, what a weekend! I have lots to show you; if you're here from Life's Little Pleasures, WELCOME! In case you're HERE, wondering why they'd be coming from my review blog, you'll see in a moment. :D

Today, I'm going to show you the invitation and things we did for the Hostess Appreciation Luncheon. This year has been pretty quiet, business-wise; with our photo business going so much, and travel, I've depended largely on my hostess club for business. Some of you have ordered, too - THANK YOU! And then there are the people who had catalog parties - THANK YOU,  TOO!!! :D I couldn't do this without everyone who is involved somehow. And I love what I do! :D

So. This picture is the table set for lunch. There's LOTS of room, if you would like to join us next year! :D

And this is the invitation they received, telling them the details for this year's luncheon.

And this....


is MY place setting at the table!

(Napkins are from Hobby Lobby, if anyone's wondering! :D )


The menu will unfold over at my review blog, as listed above, during this week - and perhaps the next, partially. :D But today's post is my review of the table favor's recipe. If you want it, just go HERE!

Meanwhile, here's a photo of my table favor. Kenn got to eat it during Saturday night's Oregon game.... :D


Let's see. You know, I'm not going to post the projects we did. We didn't ink a stamp,  but they were great. One was to help manage their supplies, and one was a 3D gift-type thing. I think they were both well-received.

Here are my wonderful girls. THANK YOU, LADIES!!!

Hostess Appreciation #2

I think a good time was had by all! Unfortunately, one of our hostesses got a horrible migraine that morning and couldn't come. But I love my hostesses, so much! Ladies, THANK YOU for sharing your lives with me. I can't imagine not having a single one of you in my life!

Hostess Appreciation

I know I didn't tell you very much about it this year, so here's a series of photos showing my life and studio while getting ready for it. :D

I know, I know!

I've been VERY absent lately. It's been a long, BUSY week - and I'm not done yet! Tomorrow is the Hostess Appreciation Luncheon, and although I've got a LOT done, I've still got some stuff to do! Things like cooking, and writing instructions for a project, and then it will be time to greet my friends! :D

Anyway. Here's a card that's a full sheet of card stock - so it's 5-1/2"x8-1/2". Be sure to click on the photo to see the large size, if you want!
You've seen one kind of like this one before, but it is a bit different.

Card stock: Whisper White, Basic Black, Basic Gray

Ink: Whisper White craft, Basic Gray, Basic Black, Jet Black Stazon

Stamp sets: Occasional Quotes (level 3 hostess-only stamp set!), Simple Friendship, Define Your Life (inside)

Accessories: 2-3/8" scallop circle punch, 1-3/4" circle punch, white embossing powder, embossing buddy, heat tool, dimensionals, organza ribbon, sponge, Vintage Elements 1 decor stencils, color spritzer tool

This thank-you card was for a contributor for our travels/ministry; we included a 5x7 of one of the shots from our Oregon trip. :)

Anyway. I really love the way it turned out; I love the way the white looks sponged through the stencil onto the Basic Gray. And I love the quote stamp on the front; it's so versatile! :D

OK, I'm off to work on stuff for tomorrow! Those of you who are coming, I can't wait to share with you. :) If you're not invited this year, or couldn't come for some reason, it's never too early to get your party in and get invited NEXT year! :D

Have a WONDERFUL weekend! Be sure to take the time to STAMP something!!!!!!!!

Well, I MEANT to post this last night...! :D

I'm in a frenzy around here! It's time to start getting ready for the Hostess Apprecation Luncheon on the 23rd. The invitations are almost ready to go in the mail; the menu's been decided on, and I'm trying to figure out what projects would be enjoyed the most. :)


So, yes, it's a MESS around here. But it's not too late to qualify for an invitation, y'all! I'm looking for ONE person to host a party this month. Just one! Or to place a $150 order to qualify. Just call or email me, or leave a comment for me - and I'll get back to you ASAP! :D

You truly don't want to miss it. If you've not been, or you're new to my blog, here are a couple of posts from past years:

2007

2009

I can't WAIT to have fun with my friends who have hostessed in the past year. :) Be on the lookout for your invitations!

Now, then. Go take the time to STAMP something, while I figure out what I'm doing.... :D

What to show, what to show....

Don't forget to go vote for your favorite card in the FOURTH ANNUAL BIRTHDAY CARD CONTEST! ONLY THREE MORE DAYS TO VOTE!!! Edited to add: YES, PLEASE VOTE EVEN IF YOU ENTERED THE CONTEST!!! :D

OK. The only thing NEW on this card is the quote stamp - and guess what! It's from the new, HOSTESS-ONLY, level 3 stamp set Occasional Quotes! :D

My mom LOVED this card; Amy, who HATES glitter, not so much. :D

Card stock: Basic Black, Whisper White

Ink: Whisper White craft

Stamp set: Occasional Quotes (level 3 hostess-only stamp set N)

Accessories: Big Shot (I haven't said it in a LONG time! I ♥ My Big Shot!), scallop circle die, SU! Texturz embossing plates #1, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, 2-Way Glue Pen, paper snips, dimensionals, embossing buddy, white embossing powder, heat tool

This was fun and relatively easy to make! :) I hope you'll try it!

OK, gotta jet. My desk is BURIED in paperwork! Don't forget: YOU can earn hostess-only stamp sets, other free stuff, AND get into the Hostess-Only Appreciation Luncheon by having a party OR placing an order of $150 or more! You can also host a catalog party - or a party in a basket, or a lunchtime party - we can do lots of different options to get you some free stuff! Of course, you can always become part of my team! I'd LOVE to have you! :)

Have a WONDERFUL day - and be SURE to take the time to STAMP something!

Altered Gift Card Tin

Good morning! :) I hope you're having a great week so far, getting lots accomplished and loving life!

I promised I'd blog about the second Hostess Appreciation Luncheon project today, so here it is.

Something I forgot to mention is that, at the luncheon, we do projects I will NOT teach anywhere else. So, the templates for the table favors, the organization idea, and the fun project - we won't do them ANYWHERE ELSE, ever. They're exclusive to my luncheon! :)

OK. So, this is the outside of the tin. When you open it, it looks like this:


Pretty cool, huh!

The tins are ones that Stampin' Up! has in the clearance section; you can go here and click on SHOP NOW, then on the clearance link on the left side of that page! The tins are 99 cents, only while supplies last - and be sure you shop around a bit, because you don't want to get bitten with the shipping! :)

OK. The designer series paper around the outside of the tin is the Cocoa Specialty Paper from the HOLIDAY MINI. It's AWESOME paper!!!! It's also tied with our Real Red 1/4" grosgrain ribbon.

The inside is Soft Suede (IN COLOR) and Real Red card stock, with Whisper White ribbon, craft ink and white embossing powder. The stamps on the left side are from MANY MERRY MESSAGES, and the one on the gift card holder is from CHRISTMAS PUNCH, the Level 2 Hostess-Only set this year that seems to be the most popular! (We use it ALL the time around here!!)

Besides the Embossing Buddy and heat tool, the only other things we used were the corner rounder and slit punch. Well, adhesive and a stapler, but that's it! It's an easy project, very WOW - and easy to pass along every Christmas! :D

OK, that's it for today! If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask me! ;) And be sure to take the time to STAMP SOMETHING!!!

Hostess Appreciation Luncheon

Good morning! :) How are you??? Did you have a good weekend? I did, but BOY, was it busy! And this week - well, I'm committed to enjoying every moment of the busyness, and then rejoicing when it's over. :D

But today, I want to share some details from the Hostess Appreciation Luncheon with you. If you've never attended, it's really easy to get your invitation! All you have to do is be a hostess. You are encouraged to have your party here - so you don't have to clean up, and I don't have to pack! :D - but there are all SORTS of ways to host a party! Contact me to set yours up - the slate has been wiped clean, and the next party is in October 2010! :D

OK, on with the share. :)

(Sheesh! This thing is taking forever - too much going on! LOL!)

SO! LOTS of preparation for this, every year - I treat my hostesses right. :D I make lunch from scratch; this year, it was a full turkey dinner. On the menu:
--turkey (DUH! :D)
--dressing
--mashed potatoes
--gravy
--peas
--squash
--cranberry salad
--corn spoon bread
--Ooey Gooey Caramel Cake

With my going to Chattanooga the day before for Stampin' Up! Half-Day Regional Conference, everything was planned down to the MINUTE in order to get everything done. :)


The little box in the bottom right corner was the table favor; I do a different one each year, and the hostesses get a copy of the template to take home.

We do two projects, also, at each Hostess Appreciation Luncheon; one is for organization of some type. The flip book on the top left corner is a Punch Template Book - I made the curly labels with MY DIGITAL STUDIO, and we punched them out with the punch! We punched all 42 punches, and put labels with them. That way, if there's a certain project someone wants to do, they can see if they have the punch and if it will fit the project.

The second project I will blog tomorrow. :) It was a lot of fun, and very quick and easy.

I think everyone had a good time; I appreciated the time to chat with everyone, even though I was extremely tired! LOL!

I hope you'll talk to me about hosting your party soon; don't forget that Sale-a-Bration is coming up right after the holidays, and there's never a better time to host!!!

Have a WONDERFUL day, and be SURE to take the time to STAMP SOMETHING - I am!! :D

Yes, it's Wednesday. I checked... :D

Good afternoon, my friend! Sorry about being AWOL yesterday; it's been an odd week, and I started a new Bible study yesterday morning - it's going to be AWESOME, but it takes a bit to get into the swing of things again. :)

For those of you who are waiting on my newsletter: one of my dearest friends in the whole world lost her husband this week, so I'm trying to get ready to go be with her for the funeral. It may be the beginning of next week before I get it out. I'm sorry! I'll post this month's HOSTESS SPECIAL after the card today - it's a FANTASTIC special, so call me or email me with when you'd like to have your party!!!!!! SERIOUSLY. You'll want to host!!! (If you don't live nearby, you can still do a book party! Just email or call me!!!)

Anyway. :) Here's today's sample!


Card stock: Whisper White, Ruby Red, Basic Black

Ink: Elegant Eggplant

Stamp set: Autumn Splendor - NEW IN HOLIDAY MINI!

Accessories: Big Shot (CHECK OUT THE GREAT NEW DIES IN THE HOLIDAY MINI!!!), Top Note Die, Autumn Traditions DSP

I REALLY like the clean lines of this card! It's an unusual color combination, but the leaf stamp coordinates SO well with the DSP!

Now, for that hostess special!!! Can't do it this month? It goes through NOVEMBER - but get on my calendar NOW, because I'm booking up. Seriously, if you look at my class schedule, you'll see - November will be difficult to get into!!! CALL OR EMAIL ME NOW!!


We're excited to bring you this sweet deal for hostesses September through November:

• Host a workshop totaling $250 or more and choose any one item* from the 2009 Holiday Mini Catalog for only $10!
  *Offer excludes hostess sets and My Digital Studio.

On October 1, when My Digital Studio is released to customers, this offer will become even sweeter:

• Host a workshop of at least $400 and get My Digital Studio for 50 percent off the retail price (retail price: $79.95; promotional price: $39.97)!

HOLEY MOLEY!!!!!!!!!!! DO YOU REALIZE WHAT A SWEET DEAL THIS IS?!?!? Besides an extra hostess set if your party qualifies, you also get these specials!!!!!!!!!!!! Do NOT delay - call me NOW!!! Plus, if you book and have your party before the Hostess Appreciation Luncheon on October 24, you get to come to that event for FREE - ONLY hostesses get invited. :)


I'm setting up the posts so the rest of the week will have something to show you. :) I hope you have a great weekend, and TAKE THE TIME TO STAMP SOMETHING!!!!

BLOG TOUR - DAY THREE!

OK, so it's not like the other two posts - but it's still the same stamp set - and you can STILL enter to win on this entry!! :)

Yes, that's right. Today's are ALL about the SNOWMEN! :D If you've been around for a while, or taken a look at my blog, you'll notice that Christmas is my absolutely favorite time of year. I love to design Christmas projects!! :D Today's scrapbook page may look a little plain to you, but I think you'll see that a picture will be absolutely PERFECT on it!

The Card

Card stock: Shimmery White, Bermuda Bay

Ink: Jet Black Stazon, Bermuda Bay

Stamp sets: THE MORE THE MERRIER!, Christmas Punch (Level 2 Hostess-only set!!!)

Accessories: modern label punch, word window punch, assorted Stampin' Write Markers, dimensionals

I just LOVE this card! The Bermuda Bay is such a wonderful SUMMER color - but it works just as well for a cheery winter card, too! (And I LOVE snowmen, and snowflakes - this card just ROCKS. Wish you could see the sparkle IRL!!)

So, what do YOU think?? :)


The 6x6 Scrapbook PageCard stock: Whisper White, Bashful Blue TEXTURED

Ink: Bashful Blue, White craft

Stamp sets: THE MORE THE MERRIER!, Simple Friendship

Accessories: Gel pen, assorted Stampin' Write Markers, embossing buddy, white embossing powder, heat tool

It's REALLY hard to see the swirls from SIMPLE FRIENDSHIP on the background, but they're there, I promise! :) To get the snowmen that kind of translucent white, I colored with a gel pen, then wiped it off with my finger. :D I wanted to outlines to show, but I didn't want all-Bashful Blue snowmen! :D Again, it may look a little plain, but once you put the friendship photo on it, it's going to be JUST enough.

The 3D Project


I LOVE this project - and my mom's commented on it a couple of times, which means it's made an impact! :D It's also possible to lay this flat, so you could store these - say, if you made them for centerpieces for a women's luncheon - or you could mail them as a gift!

Card stock: Bermuda Bay, vellum

Ink: Jet Black Stazon

Stamp set: THE MORE THE MERRIER!

Accessories: Assorted Stampin' Write Markers, 2-Way Glue Pen, Dazzling Diamonds glitter, paper trimmer!

This votive square is 4"x4". It's easy to MAKE, but the coloring and the glittering take a bit of time to dry. :) It is SUPER-sparkly IRL; it's definitely going to catch the light! It's also big enough that you could use a REAL tealight or votive candle in it without much chance of it going up in flames. :D

I hope you've enjoyed this blog tour as much as I have!!!! It's always fun to challenge yourself, like making ONE stamp set your focus! :) I also hope you'll keep coming back; it's a fun ride from now until Christmas, and you won't want to miss anything!

My class schedule for the rest of the year will be up soon, so if you're local, I hope you'll come to some classes! And if you WANT this stamp set, contact me or your local demonstrator to book a party NOW!!! Don't wait; get your party on the books! If I AM your demonstrator, hold your party (at my house, honest!:D) by the middle of October and be invited to my hostess appreciation luncheon!!!!!

Now, scroll back up or down to go to the next blog. :D Have a wonderful time on the tour - and don't forget to bookmark me! :D

Holey Schmoley, WHAT A WEEKEND!!!

For those of you who didn't know, not only did I have the NEW IDEA BOOK & OPEN HOUSE on Thursday, but my sister and BIL came in that day, too. They left on Sunday, and between 10:00 a.m. Sunday morning and 2:30 Monday afternoon, Kenn and I drove OVER 300 MILES!!!!!!!! I'm sooooooo tired!!! The windows in the house are being replaced, too, so no rest for the wicke - er, ummm, WEARY. ;D

ANYWAY. Here we go with THREE samples, since I didn't get a chance to post yesterday!


New stamp set, new colors - what more could one ask for?!?! :D

Card stock: Dusty Durango, Crushed Curry, Soft Suede - ALL new IN COLORS!!

Inks: New IN COLOR Stampin' Write Markers in the following new IN COLORS: Dusty Durango, Crushed Curry, Soft Suede

Stamp sets: Teeny Tiny Wishes, Autumn Days

Accessory: dimensionals :D

SO easy! I LOVE the new IN COLOR markers - they make stamping with any of the colors SO EASY, and they're SOOOOOOOO portable!!!! If I were making my list, I'd be sure to put down a package of the new IN COLOR assorted card stock, and the new MARKERS, too! (CLICK HERE, then click on ORDER NOW! :D)


It's only 171 days until Christmas, and we ALL know they're going to FLY by!!!!! Never too early to start thinking about what your cards will look like this year - unless you're coming to my card classes this fall. Then you can let ME do all the planning for you! :D

Card stocks: Very Vanilla, Ruby Red, Garden Green

Inks: Ruby Red, Garden Green

Stamp sets: Simple Salutations, Autumn Days

Accessories: Garden Green, Chocolate Chip Stampin' Write Markers

Again, REALLY simple - but I love pine cones. :D



And finally, for today, another SIMPLE one - this is dahlia folding, done with the new RAZZLEBERRY LEMONADE DSP. :)

Card stocks: Rich Razzleberry, Very Vanilla, Dusty Durango

Ink: Rich Razzleberry Stampin' Write Marker

Stamp set: Boho Backgrounds

Accessories: Ticket corner punch, scallop circle punch, Razzleberry Lemonade DSP

Yet again, showing that simple doesn't mean plain! :)

OK, so I need to get busy. If I can get motivated, that is - I'm SLEEPY! :D Go make out your wish list, and then mark what you want right away. Don't forget that, as a hostess, you could not only earn free stuff, but also get an invitation to my Hostess ONLY Appreciation Luncheon in October!!!!! I've already decided on the dessert to make. :D You WON'T want to miss it! Call me or email me TODAY to get on my calendar!!!! Oh, and take the time to STAMP SOMETHING, too! :D

Thanksgiving card ideas!

Wow! I can't believe I haven't posted the cards from the SEASONAL QUICK CARDS class! Well, we did four Christmas and one Thanksgiving - and this one is it. :) SUPER fast and easy, too - you could put several of these together this weekend and get them in the mail on Monday, no sweat!

The background is plastic wrap and Pumpkin Pie, Chocolate Chip, and metallic gold inks. I usually tell my stampers, "If it doesn't move, you can either stamp ON it or WITH it!" :) Just use the plastic wrap like you would a sponge!

The saying is from HOLIDAYS & WISHES. The leaves are cut with the Big Shot, and just crumpled up and straightened out a bit. They're adhered in one small spot onto the front of the card, and the saying is stamped in Pumpkin Pie and sponged with a little of the gold ink, then put onto the card with dimensionals. The ribbon is our kraft taffeta; when I ran out, we used Chocolate Chip - but it unbalanced the card somewhat.

Here's another idea, also using leaves cut with the Big Shot - but I also used the negative space - what was left when the leaves were cut out - to stipple Really Rust ink onto Very Vanilla card stock, so the leaves would mute it a bit. The half-scallop is also cut with the Big Shot; the "celebrate" is from CELEBRATE EVERYTHING, and the scarecrow with the cute little crow is from the Holiday Mini, HAPPY BLESSINGS. When I was doing my Hostess Appreciation Luncheon, I did a few too many - to be on the safe side! - of the scarecrows, and wanted to use them. :) The leaves are also left over from a demonstration I did; they're actually cut out from the More Mustard selection in the current Level 1 Hostess Paper Pack. (Did you know that you can get rewards for your order of $150 or more ONLINE, too??? It's AWESOME!!!)

Cute cards, aren't they? Super-simple, and fun to do. :) You NEED a Big Shot, I'm telling you! I've got a new die coming, and I can't WAIT to start showing you some awesome stuff with it....

Gotta jet! So much to do, so little time to do it in...! :D

It's a BEAUTIFUL Sunday afternoon!

I'm soooooooooooo tired. :) I can't wait for Tuesday to get here; I get to sleep in! :D

ANYWAY! Ann, I checked with my hostesses, to get their permission to share the Blessings Mix with you. I try to keep EVERYTHING that I do and serve for my hostesses ONLY for them, because it's their special thank-you from me. But each one said I could share with you - I have THE best group of stampers in the world, I tell you! :D

Here is the actual text from the insert. Enjoy!!

Thanksgiving Blessing Mix
Each item in this mix symbolizes a blessing we enjoy:
Bugles - cornucopia. We are blessed with so much!
Pretzels - prayer. We are blessed with the freedom to worship!
Candy Corn - food. It was scarce the first year of settlement, but God provided!
Dried Fruit - bountiful harvest. We harvest now, and save for the future!
Peanuts - future harvest. We know God will provide tomorrow’s needs, too.

What a party!

If you weren't invited to this year's Hostess Appreciation Luncheon, I sure hope you'll host a party this coming year so you can come!!!! :) Here are some photos of what you missed!

These are the table favors, drying and getting ready to be filled. :D

And to the right is what they looked like in-place. You can see that each person's name was on them, so everyone knew where to sit. The criss-cross boxes are filled with Thanksgiving Blessing Mix. All the attendees received the templates for all the boxes we made, as well as a punch guide template - and it was all in a folder I rolled and signed with my thanks!

Here's what each place setting looked like....

And what the whole table looked like!

I make everything for lunch from scratch, ladies! You get treated like royalty! :) This year's menu:
Oven-fried chicken breasts
Carrots
Green bean casserole
Cranberry Jello salad
Corn spoon bread
Spinach salad
Chocolate caramel tart
Mint iced tea, water, two types of coffee







And now, the projects we did!

(Mini pizza box, Votive tealight holder, Birthday in a Box)

The Inspiration Station was totally refreshed, with LOTS of new samples that I'm going to try to show you in the next few days. :) Music, stamping, friends, prizes - did I tell you that the prize value averaged $20 each this year, and EVERYONE ATTENDING RECEIVED ONE????

I had a wonderful time; I have the BEST stampers in the world, I guarantee it!!!! :) This year's is over, so planning begins for next year. Will YOU be here???? I sure hope so!!! Contact me to find out how to get invited!!!

Hostess Appreciation 2007 a SMASHING SUCCESS!

I think I can say it was a smashing success! I had thirteen hostesses actually be able to attend from the last year; some of them have hostessed multiple times, and some are continuing in the hostess club to hostess. But there is always room for new hostesses; if you'd like to come next year, please contact me to have a party - even if it's YOU placing a large enough order to earn party benefits, you get to come! :)

So. I fix a homemade meal every year; this year's menu was:

baked ham

au gratin potatoes

green beans

butternut squash - the ONLY thing that I didn't make enough of. WOW, was it popular!

Apple crisp with storebought vanilla ice cream

It was yummy, for sure - Laura said, "...the food was more than Luncheon, it was dinner and everything was so delicious...." :D I love hearing that!! LOL!

Next, we all cleared off the table - it was amazing how quickly this happened! :D - so we could get to stamping. Oh, and I didn't mention everyone won a door prize during the day, plus a grand prize, did I....

Part of my gift to my hostesses at this luncheon is table favors - there were two different ones this year - and the templates for those. Nothing we make at the hostess appreciation will I ever do in a class or workshop, so those are different and very special every year. Same for the projects; I try to do one more for the "supply" or "business" side of stamping, and this year, I gave everyone a CD with 182 jpegs of projects and 2 other templates on it. So, one of the projects was decorating the CD and making a matching envelope for it; it's on the collage up there.

The second project was a tunnel card. This is the outside; the inside is up in the collage photo. It's intricate, and a lot of work, but I think everyone enjoyed it - a few people said they were going to do some for Christmas, even! Once you get the concept understood, it's just work, not HARD. :D

So, it was a great afternoon! Here's what Kathy said: "I will definitely be a hostess next year. I would not want to miss out on this special day!!!!!" I hope you'll take advantage of this special, extra perk for my hostesses. Don't ask to learn a tunnel card from me! ROFL! It's HOSTESSES ONLY, my dear reader!!

But I DO hope that you'll take the time to STAMP SOMETHING today!!!!!!!!! I'll be back tomorrow, to talk up that challenge - and talk about some blog candy! :D

Another fast post!

OK, things are starting to settle down - I'm either ready for tomorrow, or I'm not. :D

ANYWAY. I wanted to make you dear readers aware of this opportunity!

Heavenly Perspective Photography (our photography business) is proud to announce that we are printing our first calendar this year for public purchase! This is a private printing; each one will be assembled by hand at the printer's, just for you. It will be a 12-month calendar, with each month having a different landscape from rural Tennessee. Each month's picture will be printed with a verse from Psalms on it. The calendar will be coil-bound, and the covers will be laminated - it will be a GREAT calendar that will give you or your gift recipients beautiful scenery all through the year.

It's a real deal at only $17.50 plus $4.60 PRIORITY MAIL shipping. If it's for a gift, we will ship directly to them, so you don't pay postage twice! We're looking at a possible shipping date as early as November 20!

If you're interested, you may Paypal me at pooh0612@aol.com, or email me at poohisstampin@aol.com for an address to send checks or money orders.

I am SO excited about this opportunity!!!!!! I hope you will be, too. :)

Next posting will be at least ONE photo from the Hostess Appreciation Luncheon! :) Have a WONDERFUL weekend - and don't forget to take the time to STAMP something!!!

Hit & run today....

I have SO much to do for this weekend, it's not funny! So I'm going to drop this out there, then go get busy on something else. :D

This is another design from the last 10/10/10. Colors are So Saffron, Handsome Hunter, and Mellow Moss; Watercolor Vine Jumbo Stampin' Around wheel, done in Mellow Moss; gold embossing on top, with a verse from Elegant Inspirations. Simple, but the inside of mine is stamped with a sympathy greeting; I didn't want it to be a standard gloomy sympathy card. :)

OK, everyone, I'm outta here!!!! If you're coming this weekend, expect great things! :D I can't wait!

I've only received ONE PERSON'S entry for the contest!!!!!!! Look at the last posting for the challenge, ladies & gents!!!

TAKE THE TIME TO STAMP SOMETHING - then bless someone with it! :) Have a wonderful day!!!