"This and That" and a Birthday

Hey Peeps!

I just had to share a few photos from Brittany's birthday dinner tonight and a photo of the card I made for her.  The only thing missing tonight was our Sam.  He had to work.  :-(  That's okay....we sent him some yummy food and cheesecake of course (we had dinner at Cheesecake Factory...one of Britt's favorites!)

Here's the card I made for her....

She loved it!  :-)

Now...here are a few smiles from our dinner...

Sassy Birthday Girl

My "stair steps"...Linz, Britt and Zach

Me and my girl <3 br="">

Daddy's Little Girl

A lot of love from Nannie and Papa

Just the though of sharing that Red Velvet Cheesecake cracked her up!

What a wonderful time we had.  We are so blessed.

Wishing you all a wonderful evening and a bright day tomorrow.

EXCITING NEW CLASSES ADDED!

Good Morning Stampers!

First, HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my beautiful daughter, Brittany Danielle!  She's 24 years old today and in 56 short (really short!) days she will be a bride! (but who's counting??)

Ok....who's ready for some fun, new stampin' classes??  MEEEEEE!!!!!
I'm so excited to share all the new goodies from the New Catalog with you.  Also, I'm going to have time for you to come by and SHOP TIL YOU DROP at my "Happy Retirement Sale".  I can't believe how much I have to "send off to a new home".  Everything will be priced to go so be sure to get there early to get what you'd like.

Here are the NEW CLASSES I've added so far.  There are more on the horizon so be sure to stop back by often and check the calendar.

JUST CARDS - Saturday, June 8th - 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.  Class Fee $15
Come and create 5 lovely cards and matching envelopes with new colors and stamps from the NEW catalog.  RSVP no later than Friday, June 7th.  Class is FREE with a $30 order.

KID'S CRAFTIN' TIME - Wednesday, June 12th - 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.  Class Fee $15
For kids...Ages 10-15...  Fun craft projects that will introduce kids to the world of crafting and stamping.  Please RSVP no later than Tuesday, June 11th.  All supplies are included.

 SCRAP HAPPY - Thursday, June 20th - 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.  Class Fee $15
Come and create a fun, 12x12 scrapbook layout with all the bells and whistles.  You can bring photos or take it home and add them later.  SO fun!!  Please RSVP no later than Tuesday, June 18th.  All supplies are included.  Class is FREE with a $30 order.

KID'S CRAFTIN' TIME - Tuesday, June 25th - 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.  Class Fee $15
For kids...Ages 10-15...  Fun craft projects that will introduce kids to the world of crafting and stamping.  Please RSVP no later than Monday, June 24th.   All supplies are included.  

JUST CARDS - Tuesday, July 2nd - **OFFERED TWO TIMES TODAY ** 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.  AND 7:00  - 9:00 p.m. Class Fee $15
Come and create 5 lovely cards and matching envelopes with new colors and stamps from the NEW catalog.  RSVP no later than Friday, June 7th. Class is FREE with a $30 order.

Okay...that's all for now....  Be sure to save your spot before the classes fill up.  I can't wait to stamp with YOU soon!

Have a magical day!
Michelle

Hello, Gorgeous!!

Today is the day!!!  The BRAND NEW Stampin' Up! Catalog is now LIVE!

WaHOOOOO!

It is bright....beautiful...fresh...and simply AWESOME!

Are you ready to see what's inside???

Okay...before you do...just grab a glass of YOUR favorite beverage...a pen....and a notebook with LOTS of pages to make your Wish List.  I can't tell you how much I LOVE the new colors, papers and stamps.  I'm just itching to share them ALL with you.

I will be posting more information with some suh-weet deals soon so be sure to stop back by often.

If you'd like to get your very own "hard" copy to add your post-it notes to and dog ear the pages, just leave me a comment or email me and I'll send you one asap.  Trust me....you're gonna want to have this catalog with you all the time.

SO.....Just Click Here to start browsing the pages of the New Catalog

To place your order, just Click Here

Let me know what your favorites are!!  I'd love to hear!

Have a magical day!

Thanks a Million!

Happy Memorial Day Weekend!

Here's a fun, patriotic card to help celebrate the holiday.  I got my inspiration for the design from one of Lindsay's Disney Trading Pins.  It's definitely a quick and easy, clean and simple card with lots of impact.  It would be perfect to give to anyone...male or female.  Don't you think?

I have been trying hard to get into my studio to work this week without much success.  I'm really busy wearing my "Mother of the Bride" and "Matron of Honor" hats lately.  We're only 2 months away from Brittany and Sam's wedding and things are really starting to ramp up.  I'm working on their invitations (Yep...I'm making them...) and I need to get them finished soon.  I have about a week or so left before they need to be on their way to the guests.  No pressure!  School is also VERY busy now that we're in the middle of SOL testing and gearing up for the end of the year festivities.  I can't wait for SUMMER when I'll be able to stamp and create.  I miss it SO much!

Now...I need to make sure to tell you some important dates for Stampin' Up!...  Here you go....

May 31st:  Last day to order from the Spring Mini Catalog

June 1st:  NEW Catalog goes "LIVE"  Be sure to contact me if you'd like to get your very own copy of the 2013-14 Stampin' Up! Catalog.  It's AMAZING!

June 3rd:  Last day to order from the Retired List of Products  Just CLICK HERE to visit the Retired List page and see the items that are still available.

There are SO many exciting things happening at Stampin' Up! and I know it's going to be an incredible "New Year" with the new catalog and all of the new products.  I can't wait to share them all with you.

Have you found me on Pinterest yet?  You should!  I pin lots of amazing projects and ideas over there and I'd love to share those with you too.

Wishing you a happy and relaxed Memorial Day with the ones you love.

Stamped Blessings,
Michelle

Blessed beyond measure....

Hey there, Peeps,

Tonight my heart is so full of joy.  Today was a day I will never, ever forget and I will treasure the memories forever.  Today was a wonderful celebration in my hometown, Fredericksburg, VA.  We had a lovely "Garden Party" themed Bridal Shower for Brittany and Sam and it was just awesome sharing all the love and joy with some of of family and friends. 

Brittany looked absolutely stunning and Sam was handsome as always.  They got some wonderful gifts and I think the reality that their wedding is coming up soon has finally set in...in a GREAT way.  :-)

Today was also an incredible day for another reason.  After the festivities were over, we were cleaning up and I decided to change back into my comfy shoes.  I was sitting down changing them and I noticed Zach watching me.  When I looked up at him he said, "Mom is beautiful".

I have no words....

I can't even begin to tell you what it did to my heart.  My son who doesn't talk said that I'm beautiful.  That's better than any gift I've ever been given and it is an unimaginable gift.  One that I'll treasure always.

I'm thanking God tonight for all that He's given me and for sending me a sign reminding me that He's in control and that He loves me and will never, ever let me go.  I'm feeling blessed beyond measure.

So here are some lovely smiles and wonderful memories from the day...

The beautiful bride and handsome groom...Brittany and Sam

Wiley Kate and Reid - Our lovely Junior Bridesmaids

Linz and my Mom (Nannie)

The "Junior" Crew...Wiley Kate, Reid and Owen - The Junior Groomsmen

A gift for Sam from Mike...."All he needs to know"......a "Yes, Dear" tshirt

Brittany loved it!

My two "little sisters", My cousins, Heather and Richelle with Richelle's girls, Wiley Kate and Reid

Two of my favorite people EVER. I grew up with Tecia and Tammy.  They are twins (duh!) and were two of my bridesmaids.  Fun Fact...Britt has twins in her bridal party too!

Britt with Nannie and the Great Aunts...L to R: Frances, Jessie, Nannie, Brittany, Lelia, Betty, Linda, Margaret and Melba

My beautiful children

My new son  <3 br="">

Just the beginning of a wonderful love story....Stay tuned!  <3 br="">

Ok....I guess I need to stop....I have SO many more I could share.  If I haven't told you lately....THANK YOU for stopping by to check in with me and my family.  Thank you for your sweet notes, prayers and love.  It means more to me....to us....than you'll ever know.

Blessings to all of you,

It's a Beachy Day...

Hey there Peeps!  Happy TGIF!!

I've been one busy bee this week.  I'm getting things ready for Brittany's first bridal shower this Sunday....we started SOL testing at school and lots of other odds and ends.  Whew.  I've tried to squeeze in some time in the studio but it's been a little tough.  Last night I stayed up late and made a card because I just needed to get my fingers "inky".  LOL  I needed to create.  Here's the card I created.  I bet you can guess what's on my mind.....SUMMER!

I love both of the sets featured on this card...."By the Tide"(Wood Mount 129117/Clear Mount 129120) and "Feel Goods" (Wood Mount 129681/Clear Mount 129684).  They are both from the Spring Mini Catalog.  Don't forget that the mini will be ending on May 31st. 

I used the collage technique and stamped the images from By the Tide onto a piece of DSP from the "This and That" Designer Series Paper pack using Tangerine Tango, Basic Gray, Bermuda Bay (NEW), Brown Sugar (NEW) and Coastal Cabana (NEW) ink.  I sponged the edges with Brown Sugar ink to give it a rustic feel.  The sentiment is stamped in Bermuda Bay ink onto Naturals Ivory card stock. (LOVE that paper!)  I tore it out and sponged the edges with Brown Sugar too.

The card base is a piece of the yummy, new Brown Sugar cardstock that was embossed with the Woodgrain Embossing Folder and then sponged with Brown Sugar ink.  (Can you tell that I LOVE that new color???)

I love how the colors blend and just feel like a sweet, summer breeze.  I don't know about you but I'm more than ready for summer.

If you haven't gotten the things you'd like to have from the Spring Occasions Catalog, don't wait.  Time is running out.  Head over to my Online Shop by Clicking Here  There's a phenomenal NEW Catalog coming, Peeps.  It's going to ROCK YOUR SOCKS.  I'll be sharing projects with stamp sets that will be retiring in the next 2 weeks so make sure to stop by and see them.. You'll want to make sure to get them before they're gone.

Wishing you a magical day,

Meet "Stella" - A New Suitably Punched Critter

Happy Mother's Day!

I've had a completely relaxing and lovely day today.  Mike and Linz made me scrambled eggs with toast for breakfast and spoiled me rotten.  Just hearing Zach say the words, "Happy Mother's Day" was all the gift I needed.

Mike and I went on a four mile walk!  Wahoo!  I don't think I've posted about it yet here on my blog but I've been busy losing weight and trying to get healthy.  So far...so GOOD.  I'm having a lot of success and I'm very grateful.  So grateful in fact....that I let my friend Stephanie talk me into doing the "Mickey's Jingle Jungle 5K" at Disney World in November!!  I know!  Crazy, right??  We had already made reservations to be down there during the time when the run will take place.  We are going down for the Disney Wine and Dine Festival and to cheer on Steph and her hubby, Alex who are going to be running in the "Wine and Dine Half Marathon".  I can't wait.  I really hope to make lots of progress to I don't embarrass myself.

Anyway...we had a wonderful dinner tonight with my parents and all of our kids in Middleburg, VA...one of our favorite little towns.  

From left to right...my Dad, Sam, Brittany, me, Lindsay, my Mom and Zach

 We had a wonderful time and I'm feeling very loved and oh so blessed.

Now...I had to wait until we came home to post today's card and new punch art critter.  Why?  Well, because I created her (and the card) for my Mom's Mother's Day Card.

So....Please say "Hello" to "Stella"....

Isn't she bright and cheery?  She's made in my mom's favorite colors.  I have to say that Stella was a big hit.  :-)  I had to add a little Dazzling Diamonds to "bling" her up a bit because my Mama

 LOVES BLING. 

Alrighty...I'm going to sign off for today.  I'm going to relax and enjoy what's left of my Mother's Day.

Many blessings to all of you and yours...

Stamped Blessings,