My little boy went to Kindergarten today!

Well, it is official, Will is a kindergartner. I cannot believe it, where has the time gone? Last night, I listened to him cry himself to sleep because he did not want to go. He was afraid that "they" would not like him and that "the letters and numbers were going to be harder in Kindergarten". This morning, he was upside down in his bed with his head under the covers and he said that he was going to stay in bed until 3:30. After much prodding, we finally got him dressed and suddenly he was not scared anymore. He walked into school and the classroom, and did not even cry when we left him! I cannot believe how brave he was. I am so proud of him.

Last night, I made this little sucker cover to hide in his lunch box. He wanted me to make a paper airplane, but I did not think that that would be such a great idea for the first day of school! This morning, he wanted to know what his surprise was. I wouldn't show it to him, but I told him that I had made him a card. He looked up at me with a huge smile and said, "you are the sweetest Mommy in the world!" He absolutely loves getting handmade cards from me. I used Sweet Centers, a new stamp set from the Holiday mini catalog (available September 1st). If you have not received a copy of it from me in the mail, let me know and I will get one to ya! It is such a wonderful feeling to brighten someone's day with a simple project created by you. I can't wait to pick him up and hear what he has to say about his first day of school!

Rising Star #8!!

Me with my sister (and downline) Ragan, Lisa (my first recruit, and friend), and Kim (my upline, and friend) at the Ale house on Awards night.
I am # 8 Rising Star!!!!!
Lisa, me, and Ragan
Me and Kim


I can't believe it! Last Thursday at Stampin' Up's annual convention, I was named Rising Star #8!! For those of you that may not know what that means, let me explain. Each year, Stampin' Up recognizes the top 15 new demonstrators ( demos in their first FULL year with Stampin' Up!). I went out o dinner with my upline, Kim, and two of "my monkeys" (members of my downline), Lisa and Ragan (also my big sis!!). We waited for the phone call from our friends in Salt Lake City that were attending convention (SLC is 2 hours behind, so it was pretty late!!). They called and I got to hear Kim repeat, "She is not 15, She is not 14..." until I finally heard her say, "She IS number 8!!" This was such an exciting moment for me!! In October of 2007, I set a goal for myself to make Rising Star, and it felt so good to reach it! As part of the award, I now get to attend Founder's Circle, a very prestigious retreat for the 15 Rising Stars and the Top 100 Demonstrators in the company where we get to hang out in St. George, Utah with Owner and Founder of SU!, Shelli Gardner!!! I am so excited to meet her, I hope I do not ball my eyes out when I do! I have to thank my family, my friends, and ecspecially all of my customers for all of your support.

Oh! The Memories!!

Well, the big moving day is fast approaching. For me, change is exciting. New places to explore and new people to meet! Even though I am excited about the adventure, I am sad to leave all of my friends and family. I have lived in the Raleigh area since I was in the 3rd grade (minus the 4 years in Greenville for college). My mom is here, my sisters, and many of my oldest and dearest friends. Since I started my Stampin' Up! business just under 2 years ago, I have made SO many new friends in my customers and fellow demonstrators! I am going to miss everyone of you. I hope that you all will stay in contact with your "Stamp Lady"! If you need anything, I will just be a phone call or email away, and you never know when I might pop back to Wake Forest for a class or something!
My stamps, paper, and inks are all packed up in boxes, so... no stamping for me for a while (boo hoo!!!) I wanted to share my latest scrapbook pages with you. These are from my Scrapper's Express club. Each month my Scrappers get an entire kit of fabuloust SU goodies and 6 12x12 pages designed by ME! All of this for only $25. I love to scrapbook, so this club has been so much fun for me. Even though I am moving, you can still join the club! I will just be mailing the kits and copies of the pages to everyone, and... I think Jenny even offered her living room so that everyone can still get together and scrap! (All scrappers know that getting together with other scrappers is half of the fun!!) Let me know if you are interested, and please keep in touch with me. Please know that I mean it from the bottom of my heart when I say, " I will miss each of you tremendously!"

Deal of the Week!

Stampin' Up!'s Hodgepodge Hardware is already an amazing value - which makes this Deal of the Week even better! The special price of $18.99 (regularly $29.95) is only available through 11:50am Eastern Time on July 26th. Click the 'Shop Now' button on my StampinUp! Website to order your kit today!

The Styled Vanilla Hodgepodge Hardware kit has approximately 200 pieces.

• Raised dot Oval holders: 10
  
• Small Rectangle holders: 10
  
• Raised dot designer holder: 10
  
• 1″ Circle holders: 10
  
• Square holders: 10
  
• 1/2″ Genuine holders: 10
  
• 3/8″ Flower brads: 10
  
• 3/8″ Star brads: 10
  
• 1/2″ Flower brads: 10
  
• Flowers ribbon slides: 10
  
• 3/16″ brads: 100

I'm So Excited!!

First, I have to apologize for not posting more regularly. Everything has been crazy here with Corey's new job, listing the house, and trying to find a house in Charlotte! Whew! I do have to tell you how excited I am about this new catalog. I get excited every time we have new one, but this time it REALLY is my favorite! There are so many new and exciting products! Of course, there are many amazing, new stamp sets. Let me tell you, cupcakes and birds sure are popular! My favorite new set is "Chic Boutique" it comes complete with the Eifle Tower and a sweet little birdie in a cage.

If you know me, then you know that I am the most excited about the new accessories and embellishments!! The Playground buttons are to die For! (Great for girl or boy scrapbook pages, very summery) And the ribbon.. polka dots galore and1 1/4" striped ribbon!! There are even kits. They come with everything you need for an awesome themed party for your little Pirate or Princess for only $15.95! You are not going to believe this... we now have a butterfly punch!! (No more cutting out all of those cute little butterflies!) Take a look at the new catalog and Definitely Decorative (formerly Decor Elements) brochure using the links on the side bar. I would love to show you and your friends all of these great new products, so call me today to schedule your workshop!

Get Retiring items for FREE!

There are so many beautiful papers, ribbons, and other accessories not to mention wonderful stamp sets on the Last Chance list. Many of the accessories have already sold out! All of the accessories are available only while supplies last. The stamp sets will be available for order through June 31st. After that, everything on the list is gone FOREVER! Don't let that set that you have had your eye on get away! Visit my website to place your order today!

Stamp Set Silent Auction

It's out with the old and in with the new!! This is a GREAT thing for you!! I am auctioning off some of my retired stamp sets or those that I no longer need. Many of these are new, unmounted sets. This is no regular silent auction, though. Here's the twist...Instead of paying me, the winner of each stamp set will place an order in the amount of the winning bid and then get the stamp set for FREE!! How cool is that? Call or email me with your bid and then check back here regularly to see if you have been outbid. The auction will end on June 25th and then orders and payment will be due to me by June 27th.
Here are the sets that are on the Auction block!

Haunting Halloween (min. bid $30) Current Bid $35













Botanical Blooms (min. bid $20) Current Bid $25














Pretty Peony (min. bid $40) Current Bid $45












Big Pieces (min. bid $ 30)














French Script (min. bid $25) Current Bid $25













Deer Friends (min. bid $25) Current Bid $35













Heartfelt Thanks (min. bid $35) Current bid $36















Tags (min. bid $25) Current Bid $25














Friendship Blooms (min. bid $20) Current Bid $20











Yummy (min. bid $20) Current Bid $30











Eastern Blooms (min. bid $30) Current Bid $40












Polka Dot Punches (min. bid $20) Current Bid $20














Lots of Thoughts (Min. Bid $20) Current bid $20









Let the bidding begin!!!!