The only person....

A Small Gift Bag. . . So Cute!

I needed a small gift bag for one of my card class girls.  

She brought a new girl to class (who has never attended my classes before); and for that she gets a small thank you gift from me! 

This little bag had a gift certificate, one yard of the new Tip Top Taupe lace, and a sampler pack of lots of embellishments like buttons, brads, clips etc. 

Here is a side view: 

Shel's Sunday Share. . . Scrapbook Layout

 

I have had so many “roles” during my life (sister, daughter, student, babysitter, clerk, pizza cook, hairdresser, barber, wife, mother, daughter in law, cleaner, cook, waitress, farm labourer, gas pump attendant, single mother, government worker, bartender, EMT- paramedic,  records clerk, divorcee,  Accounting Clerk, Marketing and Sales Manager)  that somewhere along the way, I lost track of who “ I am”.

During my childhood, in elementary and junior high school, classmates found each weakness in me, teased me and ridiculed me for it, and generally made my life miserable.  Kids can be so cruel!

High school was an even worse nightmare.  

I walked away from high school truly believing that I had to change who I was, in order to survive. 

Now, many years later, after surviving my teens and young adulthood, having two wonderful children, surviving a divorce and raising two kids alone, moving across the country, remarrying to my wonderful husband, having a child survive a tour in Afghanistan, and three grandchildren later….I know that being my “Authentic Self” finally allows me to be happy and live a fulfilled life.  

I can now finally appreciate who I am, what I have done, and what I am striving to do.

How did I get here?

 By becoming aware...

·       aware of all the small achievements,

·       aware of the lives I have affected,

·       aware  of the good I have done,

·       aware of the mistakes I have made. 

·       aware of what I have done in the past,

·       aware of what I want to do now and in the near future.

 I developed an attitude of gratitude….simply being thankful for life’s little blessings and appreciating each and every small blessing.

All of it, the good, the bad, and the ugly all have made me who I am today.
 
Instead of remembering past hurts and sadness, I choose to take that negative energy and remember the good things…..and build on that, and live a positive and happy life.

If my brain can bring up bad memories and sadness.. then it can also bring up good memories that strengthen me. 

I want to cement the good- take the energy out of the bad and convert it to good.

I have learned, the key to better health, and greater happiness, is your thoughts and actions.

  Be positive, know you are loved, and realize how wonderful you are!

What to Write in Sympathy Cards. . .

What to Write in Sympathy Cards

It is often times very difficult  to express what you want to say in a sympathy card.  Here are a few samples of what you can write:

• “I am truly sorry to hear of the loss of _____.”
• “I’m praying for you.”
• “I’m thinking of you during this difficult and sad time.”
• “In loving memory of ______. We will all miss him dearly.”
• “Love and sympathies to you and your family.”
• “May fond memories of _______ bring you comfort, even as you face these dark days.”
• “May God bless you and keep you in his care, now and in the days to come.”
• “May God comfort you with His peace and strength.”

• “May the love of family and friends sustain you in these difficult days.”
• “Our heartfelt condolences.”
• “Our hearts go out to you in your time of grief.”
• “Please accept my sincere sympathies.”
• “Please know that we are here from you, sending our love.”
• “Praying for you in fondness and friendship, particularly at this sad time.”
• “Sharing your sorrow, as we fondly recall our dear friend ________.”
• “We cannot begin to understand what you must be going through right now, but we send our love, and we promise to pray for your entire family.”

• “With love and fond memories of ________.”
• “With sincere sympathy.”
• “Words fail to express our sadness at the death of ________.”
• “You are in my thoughts.”

Of course, certain overused phrases and well-meaning, but inappropriate, statements are to be absolutely avoided in sympathy cards. Here are a dozen toxic examples of these potentially tacky and damaging statements:

• “At least, she is no longer suffering.”
• “Death and taxes are certain.”
• “Feel better fast.”
• “He lived a full life.”
• “His health went downhill so fast.”
• “I know just how you feel.”
• “It was just his time.”
• “It was worse when my dad died.”
• “Perhaps his death was a blessing, after all.”
• “Time heals all wounds.”
• “You will get over it eventually.”
• “You’ll find someone else.”

August Thank You Notes . . . GARDEN IN BLOOM . . .

 Here are my August thank you notes....using the oh so versatile Garden In Bloom stamp set found on page 119.

 

Gumball Green Cardstock
Whisper White Cardstock
Archival Black Ink
Spritzer Tool
Gumball Green Marker
Purple Copic Marker
Yellow Copic Marker
Fabulous Four Stamp Set

Happy New Home Shaker Card for my Upline. . .

My upline recently moved into a new condo, and I needed to make a special card for her.  This is what I came up with. . .  a shaker card!!!

 

Holiday Home Stamp Set & Coordinating Dies
seed beads
Real Red Ink
Pacific Point Ink
Chocolate Chip Ink
Marina Mist Ink
Smokey Slate Ink
Crushed Curry Ink
Cajun Craze Ink
Wild Wasabi Ink
Real Red Cardstock
Whisper White Cardstock
Pacific Point Cardstock
Window Sheets
Stitched Rectangles Dies from Simon Says Stamp
Double Sided Foam Tape
Hello You Thinlet Dies

Devon's Birthday Card. . .

My stepson Devon recently celebrated his birthday...and I needed to make a special card for him. 

I came across some " guy themed" decoupage sheets at the craft store in Selkirk....and thought they were cool. 

 You simply punch out the different layers and put one on top of the other with dimensionals....giving the card a 3-D effect. 

I added the silver Happy Birthday with Dazzles stickers.....super easy card but something different for me. In the image below you can see the different layers

Weekly Deals August 25-August 31, 2015

My next order goes in August 27.....let me know if you want to order any of these deals before noon on Aug 27th!  Eclectic Paper-Piercing Pack Price: $10.00 $7.50 Gold Glimmer Paper Price: $6.25 $4.69 Pansy Punch Price: $20.00 $15.00 Silver Stampin' Glitter Price: $5.00 $3.75 Sweetheart Punch Price: $20.00 $15.00 Very Vanilla 5/8" Satin Ribbon Price: $8.75 $6.56     1

2015 Holiday Catalog Designer Series Paper- Closeup and Color Coordination...

Hi Stampers! 

Today I want to share with you a printable chart I made that gives all the Designer Series Papers that are available in the new 2015 Holiday Catalog and shows the coordinating ink and cardstocks. 

Also, below are sample pictures of each of the paper packs....click on the images to enlarge and get a nice close up view. 

 Don't forget to check out this black glimmer paper on page 47.....it is gorgeous....you can die cut it, use as a mat to add bling to your card or use just a tiny strip as an embellishment in the place of ribbon.