Thanksgiving has come and gone - what a lovely day. We had 15 people around the dining table - I had meant to get a picture of everyone while eating, but that did not happen :) - so this picture of the tables right before we started will have to do.
The weather was perfect, and while the women prepared the food and the men watched the games on TV (I know - it sounds a little sexist, but it was reality) - the kid played outside.
Here's prince getting ready to bowl -

Paisley and Kamili jump roping -

and Makai trying to figure out what a shuttlecock is for.

Heidi made a loaf of pumpkin bread for each family attending, and decorated so nicely. All and all we just had a great day.

Holiday Cruisin' Bonus

THIS WEEKEND ONLY - Stampin' Up! is offering a fantastic sale, and to sweeten the deal for every $25 in purchases from me you'll be entered into a drawing to win a Stampin'Up Punch Template key-ring. This is a great tool as you can lay the template over any image to see if it will fit correctly when you punch it. It is a great tool for any stamper to have on hand - and I'm giving one away - so order NOW!

Amazing Discounts up to 50% off from Stampin' Up's Online Extravganza - Check them out at my website now - http://www.stampingwithmaureen.stampinup.net/ - and click on the "Shop Now" section to check out all the amazing specials.

This sale runs through 10:50 PM, Monday, November 30 - and you must order online to take advantage of these specials.

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Happy Thanksgiving - enjoy that turkey - and give thanks for all your blessings.

Family Picture

Family Picture 11/10 -

So here is our entire family picture - left to right top row - Heidi and her hubby Aaron, and daughter Makai; Robert (Jenee's hubby) and Jenee. Bottom row Aaron and Heidi's daughter, Kamili; my hubby Paul and Me and Jenee and Robert's daughter, Paisley and in the very front Jenee and Robert's son, Prince. That's my crew!

Pictures

Annual Family Pictures
Earlier this month we went to Picture People and had our family picture taken. I only have the huge one on our mantel of the entire family, so I'll try and get a smaller one from Jenee or Heidi to scan and post here. But here is my sweetie (Paul) and I -
And here are the four sweetest kids in the world - Paisley, Prince, Kamili and Makai - they are what makes life worth living. We are so blessed.

Day of Stamping

Our Simply Scrappin' Card Camp -
day was yesterday and we had such a good time. Each time we do these events I plan to take pictures of the group stamping, and the goodies they bring, and then before we know it the day is over and I forgot to take pictures - such was the case yesterday. But the day was great - everyone got their projects done between visiting and laughing and enjoying all the munchies. Previous posts showed the cards and box we made - but after all that there were still a bunch of leftover pieces the ladies got to take home from their 1/2 kits. So Heidi used those scraps, a partial piece of Very Vanilla cardstock and two kraft bags to make the samples below - cute, huh!! Two more cards!

Four more gift tags.

Four more gift cards.

Two cute gift bags. Watch for more stamp camps and classes coming soon!!!

Christmas Card Ideas

Christmas Cards from Last Year's Stamp-a-stack

So I was looking through my stash of pictures and I came across these cards we did at my 2008 Stamp-a-stack and since I wasn't blogging yet then, I thought I could share now. All of the sets are SU, but one is discontinued. All are shown with the stamped envelope peeking out from behind the card. My customers know how I feel about stamping the envelope - there is nothing nicer than picking up the mail and seeing a stamped envelope in the pile of bills - I just can't wait to open it and see what's inside -

This one uses the snowflakes from "Snow Swirled" in the current catalog and silver card stock and silver ink to give it a shimmer.

This set is current -but on the dormant list - "Season of Friendship" - it is great for year round stamping.

This was "Scandinavian Christmas" and is discontinued, but the tree and snowflakes from "Snow Swirled" would look just as lovely. One half-pearl from our Pretties kit, gives it a bit of elegance.

This final card uses "A Cardinal Christmas" from our current catalog. I love the look of the white craft ink on the red (or just about any color for that matter). Thanks for stopping by.

Holiday Simply Scrappin' Stamp Camp

Simply Scrappin' Holiday Stamp Camp -
So Everyone - we have three spot still open in our Stamp Camp this Saturday - see the post below for full details. Here are the final three cards we'll be making. Plus we'll have some ideas on how you can use the extra materials still left from your 1/2 kit -such a fun, quick way to make your Holiday cards. We'll be prepping the kits tomorrow night, so please let us know ASAP if you'd like to join us! -Maureen

Diaper Cake -

A couple of my co-workers at the college are doing a baby shower for one of the instructors this week, and were looking for a centerpiece idea. So I volunteered to make a Diaper Cake - and I think it turned out pretty nice. They aren't going to find out boy or girl till baby is born - so I went with neutral colors. It's 2 packages of disposably diapers, a bottle, a rattle, a pacifier, a teether, a bib, baby socks, SU DSP (discontinued) and ribbon. Hope they like it.

AND THE WINNER IS......

Hi All, As promised I picked a winner of my blog candy - Level 2 Hostess "Snow Buddies" -

Here are the 17 entries from comments, new subscribers and subscriber referrals. Thank you to all for entering. I loved hearing your favorite Christmas memories - I'll share mine at the bottom of this post. I drew the old fashioned way - putting all names on papers and then picking one. Little old school - but it works!And the winner is....Meagan S. - for her comment (see original post below). Thanks for entering Meagan - I'll actually see you tonight at Stampers 10 and I'll bring the set with me :)
So here is my favorite Christmas memory -

When I was little my Dad would take the four youngest kids (there were 9 of us all together, but there is a 7 year gap between the oldest five kids and then me and my three younger brothers), out in the car looking for Santa on Christmas eve. My Mom and the older kids stayed home and decorated the tree and put the gifts under it. My Dad would look to the sky for Santa and every now and then say things like "I think I saw him" or "Did you hear jingle bells?" - it was wondrous, and of course we always thought we caught at least a glimpse of the Jolly Old Elf. Then we'd get home, and Mom would say "Look who came while you were gone." and there would be the tree all lit up and the presents beneath. Just thinking of that brings back a wonderful feeling of a time so simple. Both of my parents are gone now, and I miss them so much - so remember to hug your kids (or your parents) today!! Thanks all - watch for more Blog Candy when I reach 1,000 hits!!

Simply Scrappin' Card Class

Join us - Saturday, November 21st

from 1:00 - 4:00 PM

at Heidi's home in Thousand Oaks

(directions will be given when you sign up)

Cost is $25.00

(Here is a picture of the card holder and 3 of the cards we'll make)

Join us to make one of the cutest card holders you've ever seen as well as six beautful Holiday cards using materials from the Christmas Jingle Simply Scrappin' Kit. We'll have Holiday music playing, tables set up for your stamping, and all the items needed to make your projects prepped and ready for you. We'll provide beverages and paper goods and are asking each attendee to bring a munchie to share. RSVP to hold your spot now as there is a limit of 12 attendees for this event.

(Here's a picture of the card holder box open with cards in it.)

~*~*~*~*~BLOG CANDY~*~*~*~*~

As promised - I have reached 500 hits on my blog -so I promised Blog Candy - and here you go - SNOW BUDDIES - This is a Level 2 Hostess Set - it's 12 adorable stamps perfect for making your Holiday cards -

You can check out some cute samples on page 5 of our Holiday Mini - http://www.stampinup.com/us/documents/Holiday09-US.pdf

So, how can you win this amazing set?

There are three ways to enter -

1) Just leave me a comment here with your favorite Holiday memory

2) Subscribe to this blog feed if you have not already done so (by providing your email to the right of this screen - where it say get email updates.)

3) refer this blog to a friend and have them subscribe and you'll both get an entry (they just need to let me know you referred them.)

I'll do a random draw next Thursday, November 12 at 8:00 PM (PST) so be sure to enter by then!! -Maureen

November Downline Challenge Cards

Hi all - I just want to share the amazing cards from yesterday's downline meeting - the challenge was from last month's winner Heidi - to use black, white and one other color to create your best Christmas, Hannukah or winter card. Everyone did a great job -

Julie's card- Jeri's card -

Sandy's card (challenge winner this month) -

Toni's card -

Heidi's card -

Diane's card -

and Bobbie's card -

These cards were amazing and it was really hard to pick a winner. Congratulations Sandy!!

Fall Card Stamp Camp

CORRECTION - This post originally stated October 10, but I mean November 10 - and have corrected it. Thank you , M

Note: this is the card camp that was originally scheduled for the 3rd but had to be postponed.

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Maureen's Home

7:00 - 9:30 PM

Cost: $15.00

You'll make two each of the following fall theme cards with envelopes. We'll have a variety of verses for you to use, so they can be for the Thanksgiving Holiday, or more general use. This one is made with the rich colors of Fall - This one using our leaf die and bigshot and the spritzer tool - and this one using the Baby Wipe technique to get the fall foliage colors -

Cost includes an ontime drawing prize at 7:10 PM plus all the materials you need to make your projects and snacks and beverages. Limit 12 spots. RSVP today to hold your spot for a Ladies Night Out of stamping.