Flowers - I got flowers!!

I love flowers - they bring such life to a room - and I just need to thank everyone who brought me flowers this week during my recovery from surgery. Each and every plant and bouquet just makes me want to smile - thank you so much for thinking of me!
I received these by Fed Ex from my brother Pat and his family in Wisconsin - and these from Heidi - yellow roses are my fav and looks like they knew it.

This wonderful bouquet came by UPS yesterday and it is so bright and cheery - it was sent by my fantastic brothers and sis - the roses are unbelievably beautiful.

This pretty African Violet is from my friend Elaine. She was so sweet and brought over a meal and this beautiful plant. I used to have tons of these, so I hope I can keep this one alive. They are such pretty plants. I am so thankful for wonderful family and friends - I am truly so blessed.

Occasions Mini Swap Part II

The rest of the Swap cards are shown below - my downline is a talented group.

Virginia's - Toni's -

Sandy's - Theresa's -

Melissa's -

and finally mine using Tote-ally Tess - isn't she cute!!

Here are my cards in progress - you can see I used paperpiecing for the pants to pull it together with the DSP on the side. I like it!!

Hostess Gift

I always give my hostesses a hand stamped gift of some sort. This was my gift for this month's workshops. A set of three hand stamped gift cards in a gift bag with topper. I came up with the topper to match the cards and used a fav color combo of blue and yellow - here's the set of cards - sorry for the blur - I could not get them clear - I think I had my camera on the wrong setting. These cards were a total CASE. At the time I saw them I thought I would remember the blog - but I was wrong. If you designed these cards please let me know and I'll be happy to give you full credit. I just changed up the colors a bit - but LOVE THEM!!

If you'd like to hostess a workshop, let me know - who knows what your gift might be :)

Occasions Mini Swap

A new mini - each time there is a new Stampin' Up! mini catalog released we do a swap in our downline group so that we all have samples to show our customers. Here are the samples from our last swap for the Occasions mini that began in January and end in April. The ladies did a great job! Here's the first group of cards.

Lyn - Kathy W -

Karen -

Heidi -

Denise -

and Bobbie -

Stampers 10 Club February

This was our Feb. Stampers 10 at Lyn's house. I wasn't sure I would feel well enough to go, but I did and it was great. It felt good to get out and see all my buddies and stamp together. What a great group of ladies. I was tired when I got home - but it was worth it. Here is our first project - a St. Patty's Day card. We used the polka dot embossing folder and the hugs die cut cards. The shamrock was made using the bird punch branch as the stem, and two different hearts punched for the layers. I put a little gold gem in the middle - as it reminded me of the search for the elusive pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

The second project was a fancy fold card (easel style) that we made into a desktop calendar. It used the flower florish from the Vintage Vogue set, and the butterfly die. Everyone seemed to like the projects. Here's the calendar from the side so you can see the easel style.

And here it is from the front, although the coloring looks really washed out on this picture. I just love those little embossed butterflies.

February Downline Challenge

Don't know why - but we tried this challenge two months in a row. In January only one entry and in February these two. I'm not sure why so few - as birds and circles are a great challenge. So here are the two great entries - Julie's - the winner - and Heidi's - nice job ladies!

So our next challenge from the winner Julie is: Make your best card using Very Vanilla, brown or multiple shades of brown and one accent color using this sketch from mojo monday. You can use any embellishments as long as they fall in the color group of the challenge. Use this Sketch from Mojo Monday -

and I'm asking you to play along. The cards from my downline will be voted on at our March 6, 2010 downline meeting. If you want to play along create your card and send me a picture and I'll have my downline vote on their favorite also, and the winner will receive 20 sheets of assorted 6x6" DSP both new and retired. So join the fun! All pictures must be emailed to me by 5:00 PM Friday, March 5, 2010. Looking forward to what you all do! The winning cards will be featured the following week on my blog, so be sure to check back to see who wins.

Baby Gift for Heidi

One of my downline, Julie, gave Heidi this adorable little outfit for her new baby - but what I wanted to showcase was the great gift bag she decorated to go with it. It is soooo Cute!! Way to go Julie!

Getting Better Everyday

Here is an amazing card Heidi made me using the new little butterfly embosslet from SU - I LOVE IT!! and it is my inspiration for a project I'll show you soon.

But today I'm showcasing it in honor of the fact I'm on my road to recovery. It's been a rough few days since my surgery last Friday.

For those of you who asked how I was blogging every day - those were scheduled ahead before my surgery. The wonder of technology.

I actually was in the hospital Friday by 11:30 AM for the surgery, but it got delayed and I didn't actually have it till Friday evening, and came home late Saturday evening. But after being off the IV drip - I developed a horrible migraine that caused me to throw up everything - I could not even keep down an ice chip, and was up all night in misery. First thing Sunday Paul got a hold of the Dr. and they got me anti-nausea meds that helped once I was able to keep one down, but I was not able to eat anything until late Monday. But since then every day has been a bit better. I've been able to eat a little, but mostly I'm up a few hours, then sleep a few hours.

The great news is that today I had the follow up appointment with my Dr. - and the news was wonderful. The pathology report was clear and he is as sure as he can be that they got all the cancer. Praise God! And the Dr. said my fatique is perfectly normal - each day should get better, and he encouraged me to not over due it, but just listen to what my body tells me. So that's my goal :) Thank you all for your prayers and encouragement - it has meant the world to me.

Happy Valentines

I Love the Reds and Pinks of Valentines. So I thought I'd share some of them - here is a beautiful Valentine made by my daughter, Heidi. I Love it!! And here's an anonymous Valentine left for me using the Sweet Treat hearts. It's still displayed on my shelf - but missing the M&M's - hmmmm, wonder where they went?

Below is a sample of a cute little Valentine treat holder that Heidi designed. We were going to make them at my Open House (which ended up being postponed), so we did them at my Downline meeting. They are simple - but oh so cute - and who can resist that Raspberry Chocolate inside. Watch for that Appreciation Open House to be rescheduled when I'm better - and plan to join us. It will be a REAL celebration.

More Get Well

My Friends are the BEST! Here are some more Get Well cards that have come - I just want to tell you all that the cards and emails offering prayers and support have just been amazing. Here is another card from Kathy B - again the care is so beautiful in person, but I just couldn't get a clear image to show the wonderful embossing. Kathy certainly knows my style of cards - This bright and cheery card is from Sandy - so lovely - that bird and branch punch is the greatest -

and this lovely card is from Melissa - thank you so much for thinking of me.

The Girls Shower

I thought since Zamarah was now here I'd take a minute to look back at the shower we had for Jenee and Heidi - you can see that a month before Jenee was ready to have little Z anytime. Heidi still has 5 or so weeks to go yet, so she is definately feeling ready now. Paisley got to come to the shower as a big girl - she was so happy to be there. Here's the bouquet of Thank You suckers we had as favorst - they were stars to match the moon and star theme of their invites - see this post - http://crazystampinglady.blogspot.com/2010/01/baby-shower-invites.html

More of Zamarah

So here she is about 24 hours old - I can't believe how she has already changed. Jenee and baby are home and doing fine, which makes me feel great. Paisley just wants to hold her - when we got them home she sat there with Zamarah for about an hour - just beaming.Prince on the other hand, thinks she's amazing. But after holding her about 2 minutes, asked me to take her so he could play Mario Karts on Wii. I think he'll be happier when she can do more than eat and sleep :)

FREE Stamps!

Hi All - I'm offering a "Get Well" Special for this weekend while I have my surgery and recover at home. Since I've had to be off a lot this month, I need to bring my sales up. So I may be under the weather - but the SUN is SHINING on YOU!!! Don't miss out on these specials I'm offering this weekend only. You must place your order with me by email no later than 5:00 PM on Monday, February 22, 2010 to get these deals!
Sale-a-bration!!! Woo Hoo!!
That's right everyone ~ it is that most wonderful time of the year again - no, not Christmas, that just finished!!! It is Sale-A-Bration time with Stampin Up!!!! And you know what that means -

Free STAMPS!
So, I betcha you are wondering what you can get for free and how?
From now through March 31, 2010, when you place an order of a minimum of $50 dollars (before shipping & tax of course) you will get to pick from FOUR exclusive Sale-A-Bration stamp sets, a package of 6x6 DSP and for the first time ever, you can even pick an exclusive PUNCH!! And just wait, it gets better....so what if you are so busy spending you have earned everything in this SAB catty and now what? For the first time SU has opening up their catty for you to pick ANY stamp set under the value of $15.95!!!! That is an additional 80 stamp sets!!!!

Here are the regular details (and my bonus offers this weekend in RED):

Customers - Get a free SAB item of your choice for every $50 (before shipping & tax) that you order. PLUS IF YOU ORDER DURING MY GET WELL SALE - EVERY ORDER WILL RECEIVE A SAMPLE OF OUR NEW HEART SWEET TREAT CUPS; AND IF YOUR ORDER IS OVER $50 YOU'LL A BONUS SAMPLER ASSORTMENT OF 20 PAGES OF OUR SU CARDSTOCKS.


Hostesses - Book a workshop for you and your friends to be held by March 31st, and if your workshop closes at $300 (before shipping & tax) you will earn a free SAB item of your choice, in addition to regular hostess rewards! PLUS, EACH GUEST ATTENDING WILL MAKE TWO SPECIAL MAKE AND TAKE PROJECTS FREE OF CHARGE AND EVERYONE ATTENDING WILL GET A BONUS GIFT FROM ME IF THEY PLACE ANY ORDER.


New Recruits - Join SU during Sale-A-Bration and SU will let you choose a FREE stamp set (excluding hostess sets) from the Idea Book, valued up to $47.95...PLUS....the kits are 15% off!! Holy jumping jacks!!!! So instead of paying $199 for the Standard Starter Kit it will only be $169!!! Or if you are interested in the digital aspect, the Digital Starter Kit is no longer $185, but a mere $157!!!

And do you seriously think that would be all? WELL, ONE LAST THING - I'VE DECIDED TO MATCH SU'S OFFER AND GIVE YOU AN ADDITIONAL SET UP TO A $47.95 VALUE IF YOU SIGN UP WITH ME AS A DEMONSTRATOR AND BECOME A CRAZY STAMPING LADY!!!

You can't pass up this offer!!! That is free stamp sets, a discount on the starter kit, and ME as your upline!!! That could be over a hundred dollars worth of free sets!! What are you waiting for? Email me NOW and I'll respond as soon as I rest up after my surgery. Can't wait to STAMP with you. ~Maureen

My Surgery

Hi All - Well my surgery is set for the 19th at 1:30 PM - I'll have a complete hysterectomy and hopefully that will be it. If the cancer is fully contained I won't need any follow up radiation or chemo - so of course that is what I am praying for. By the time this post is up, I'll probably be at the hospital. So keep me in your prayers.

So many have sent me lovely get well cards and I want to post them for you all to see. So keep watching each day to see all the wonderful ideas -

This one is from Kathy B - and features the emerging image technique. Because of the lighter colors and the clear embossing the picture does not do this justice - it is an amazing card. This on is from a customer Karyn and again - my style - simple, elegant and I love it.And here is one from Karen who used my fav colors the purples and greens together - plus, you can't see it, but there are lovely stickles in the middle of the flowers that add a beautiful shine to the card - thank you all so much!!

My Stampin' Up! Anniversary

Hard to believe - but I am in my 12th year of being a SU demonstrator - and I still love it!! A couple of my downline remembered me with some lovely cards I want to share -
This one is from Jeri - it is soooo my colors and style - sweet, simple, elegant - I love it!! and this one is from Sandy - and I love it too - it is bright and cheery and it contains one of my all time fav verses from SU.

Ladies - thank you so much for remember me.

Angel of Hope

My Sister Sharon is so sweet - I received this lovely Angel of Hope in the mail with a beautiful note from her last week. She is 2000 miles away in Wisconsin, but always there for me (and the rest of our family) with prayers and encouragement. I love this angel - and will think of her everytime I look at it. Thanks Sis for being the best sister ever!! Love you!