New Home

Our youngest son, Joey, has purchased his first home, (keep scrolling down for photos of his new house) taking advantage of the first time homeowner tax credit made available to him. He has been living away from home for over four years now in a rental unit with our other son, Jeff, so now, after faithfully saving his money he was ready to have a home of his own. Congratulations Joey!! Now you get to mow your own yard!!

We are very Happy for you and proud that you worked so hard to save up for this exciting day!!

MENU:

SS: And Many Mower, Trendy Trees, Fundamental Phrases

CS: Kraft, Chocolate Chip, Baja Breeze, WW, Garden Green, retired DSP

INK: StazOn Jet Black, Garden Green, Chocolate Chip, Markers: Going gray Real Red and Black

Accessories: Modern Label Punch, Brads, Stamp-a-ma-jig

This is Joey's new house - 3 bedrooms, 1 bath and a nice sized yard with a barn.

So For Now...

Happy Stamping!!

Christi

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Stamp 10 – Part 3

The last two cards that we made this week at our STAMP 10 classes

MENU:
SS: Special Blessings, Baroque Motifs
CS: Basic Black, Tempting Turquoise, WW
INK: Tempting Turquoise, Basic Gray
Accessories: Scallop Border Punch, 1/4” Black Grosgrain Ribbon

MENU:
SS: Well Scripted
CS: Real Red, WW
INK: Real Red
Accessories: Pinking Heart Border Punch, Swiss Dot EF, 5/8” Real Red Satin Ribbon

So For Now…

Happy Stamping!! AND

See you at next months STAMP 10 class!

Christi

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Update on Maggie Grace

For those of you who faithfully follow my blog, I wanted to give you an update on my little niece Maggie Grace. This is written by her mother on their Caring Bridge page. It is fairly lengthy, but I still wanted to share because we serve such an awesome God! He is sooo VERY VERY Good!!!
Christi

Friday, February 26, 2010 11:04 AM, EST
I'm just getting to a computer now, so here's what's happened in the past 36 hours:Maggie came off the vent around 10 pm the night of surgery (Wednesday night). Watching her wake up and fight the vent was the hardest thing I've ever seen until I saw her cry with tears and no sound because the vent tube kept her from vocalizing. All I could say was "I hear you, baby. Mommy hears you." watching her look at me with the very look in her eyes that I was so afraid to see. The look that says "but I trust you, Mommy, why is this happening. Please make it better, now!". It turns my stomach to remember. Once the vent was out she was able to cry and say a few words. I think the 12th word she said was "please". That's our Maggie! She had a really good night, slept quite a bit- I think I got about 5 hours of sleep myself, and 45 minutes of that was curled up in her crib with her (siderails all up and around both of us!) because she woke up at 4:30 am saying "Hold Mommy."- I would have moved heaven and earth to hold her when she asked, and the nurse told me to climb on in there with her, so in I went! We slept together for 45 minutes before she woke up again. So, by morning- everyone was calling Maggie a rock star for having done so well.Then, after change of shift and rounds, Maggie got agitated and uncomfortable, and had an episode that looked to me like a seizure. The staff all ran in, but it passed quickly. She was herself again, but it happened again 15 minutes later- this time it was a little longer, and looked much more seizure-like. The doctors were all in the room- about 10-12 people standing there, talking to each other, making decisions....and they decided that they didn't think it was seizure activity, but could be reflux. I held back laughter and stuck with a incredulity and said to this large group of experts- "I hear you, and I trust you because I know that you are the best of the best, and I will go along with your treatment plan because I trust you, but I don't believe you for a second." Don't know where that came from- my mother's heart, I guess- that lioness protective instinct...but I found out later that one of the doctors in that group was the attending physician who just so happens to be the world's leading expert in pediatric pulmonary hypertension. Oops. Funny thing, I'd say it again if it happened again! Ok, all that to say, she had 2 more spells later in the day, but I made sure to avert the "seizure like" activity by making sure she was bagged with oxygen to support her breathing which stops the breath-holding. So, needless to say, although I did leave to get lunch and dinner- I didn't stray far from the hospital yesterday!The neurologists saw Maggie yesterday and today, and everyone feels like these spells were just a rare version of a prolonged breathholding spell that can happen under circumstances like the ones Maggie is in now (pain, strange environment, frustration, etc). They expect that she will continue to have breathholding spells over the next year or two, but they should be less scary than the ones from yesterday. And, they are unrelated to her heart. It's important to Jason that everyone understands that these are involuntary- it's like Maggie can't breathe in- not that she's being stubborn and won't. But, the doctors say that is normal, too.Ok, so that brief setback aside....that meant we spent an extra day in the ICU, but she had a fabulous night- she slept almost all night. She got up to play around 3 am, but she went back to sleep and we woke up at 7 am!!! I slept a ton and feel so much better today. The only tubes she has left are 2 IV's and her EKG leads, plus her oxygen saturation monitor which feels like a bandaid, but it glows red and she hates it (it's what set off yesterday morning's first spell, combined with pain and the stress of so many people in the room after change of shift, I think). Exactly 1 day after she came out of surgery, she was flirting and smiling at the Neurology fellow who came to evaluate her. Her first smiles- they were so amazing to see. By last evening, she was crawling all around in her crib, standing up on her own, and sleeping on her tummy. I took her for a walk (I carried her) around the ICU last night and she picked out a toy from their treasure chest. This morning she's supposed to be napping while Jason stays with her. She's eating and drinking well and we should transfer to the cardiac floor today sometime. Speaking of which, I need to get ready to head back there. There's so much more- clinical stuff that's so interesting, but no time to tell that story today. So, keep praying and praising God.I have to say that I am amazed at the strength that I feel through all of this, even when I've been so tired that I thought I couldn't stand up- God has lifted me up, carried me, and allowed me to be Maggie's comfort. It is His strength and peace that has made this so much more bearable, and so much better than I could ever have anticipated. His strength is perfect. And, I know what 'peace like a river' means....we have it. It's full and smooth and deep. Thank you. Your love and support is so encouraging.
Sara (& Jason) VanHeukelum Pin It Now!

Stamp 10 - Part 2

Two more cards that the ladies are making this week at our Stamp 10 classes

MENU:
SS: With All My Heart
CS: Old Olive, Rich Razzleberry, WW, Cottage Wall DSP
INK: Rich Razzleberry, Old Olive
Accessories: Trio Flower Punch, Scallop Edge Punch, 1/2” Striped Old Olive Ribbon, Pearl, Irredescent Ice, Heat Tool

MENU:
SS: Kind and Caring Thoughts
CS: Dusty Durango, Crushed Curry, WW
INK: Crushed Curry, Dusty Durango and Old Olive Markers
Accessories: Dusty Durango polka dot ribbon, Pearls

So For Now...

Happy Stamping!!

Christi

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Stamp 10

Okay, now I don’t have to say “Spoiler Alert” anymore as Tuesday’s gals have already completed their cards and tonights group will make theirs tonight. So here are two more of the cards we are making at Stamp 10 for February. I hope you like these cards and get inspired to come to a class and make some for yourself. Each month is a new set of fresh ideas. Check out my schedule on the right side bar and sign up soon.

These are two of my favorite cards we are making this month. They may look a bit more complicated, but they are very easy. Remember, I do all the preparing for you. All you have to do is stamp and assemble. How easy is that??

MENU:
SS: Inspired By Nature, Whimsical Words
CS Old Olive, Bordering Blue, WW, Pretty in Pink, Pale Plum, Perfect Plum
INK: Bordering Blue, Old Olive, Perfect Plum
Accessories: Scallop Trim Border Punch, Beautiful Wings Embosslit, Big Shot, 5/8” Old Olive Satin Ribbon, Scallop Oval Punch for creating the clouds

MENU:
SS: Teeny Tiny Wishes, Vintage Vogue
CS: Kraft, Bashful Blue, Rich Razzleberry, WW
INK: Bashful Blue, Rich Razzleberry
Accessories: 5/8” WW Satin Ribbon, Full Heart Punch,Texturz Plates Background 1 – eyelet, Modern Label Punch, Blue Brads

So For Now…

Happy Stamping!!

Christi

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Please Pray For Maggie Grace

This is my sweet niece, Maggie Grace. Today she is undergoing open heart surgery for Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Return. A big phrase with big words which basically means that the veins going to her heart are flowing to the wrong side of her heart. Maggie was born in La Paz, Bolivia where my Nephew and his wife were serving as Missionaries. Maggie was also born with a hole in her heart which is pretty common we hear for babies born at high altitudes. Praise God for Maggie’s hole in her heart because without it she would have surely died with the whole vein issue. The hole helped Maggie’s heart actually and we are so very thankful to have this sweet girl in our family. They live in NC, so we don’t get to see them too often, and the surgery will take place at the Boston Children's Hospital. We sure would covet your prayers for Maggie’s surgeons and for her recovery. When we hear that Maggie is safely out of surgery this is the card I planned to send her. I hope she likes looking at the little bee’s from our Just Buzzin’ By stamp set. Click Here for the site for Caring Bridge if you would like to keep track of how Maggie is doing.

So For Now…

Keep Praying!!

Christi

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Spoiler Alert – part 2

Two more cards the ladies will be making at this weeks classes…

MENU:
SS: Whimsical Words (you can get this stamp set FREE with a purchase of $50 or more now through March 31st)!
CS: Melon Mambo, WW
INK: Melon Mambo
Accessories: Mover’s and Shapers XL DIE, Big Shot, Full Heart Punch, Scallop Border Punch, Melon Mambo Polka Dot Ribbon, Small Heart Punch

Thank you to Glenda who is letting us borrow this fun stamp set for our class this week and thanks too, to our Stampin’ Up Website for giving us fun new ideas to use at our classes.

MENU:
SS: Whimsical Words, On a Pedistal
CS: Chocolate Chip, Melon Mambo, WW
INK: Chocolate Chip Stamp Pad, Chocolate Chip Stampin’ Write Marker, Melon Mambo Marker, Summer Sun Marker
Accessories: 1 3/4” Circle Punch, Melon Mambo Polka Dot ribbon, Dimensionals, Sizzix Circles #2 Die, Big Shot

So For Now…

Happy Stamping!!

Christi

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Spoiler Alert!

This week is STAMP 10 classes week so if you are signed up to come either on Tuesday or Thursday evening this will be a couple of the cards that you will be making. I hate to spoil your fun…but maybe this will get you all excited about coming!

This couldn’t get more simple, but look how fun with the sparkly new paper we have.

MENU:
SS: With All My Heart
CS: Very Vanilla, Chocolate Chip, Sending Love DSP
INK: Chocolate Chip
Accessories: Textures Plate – large dot, Scallop Oval Punch, Large Oval Punch

MENU:
SS: Thank You Kindly
CS: Bermuda Bay, Very Vanilla, Old Olive, Pretty In Pink, Chocolate Chip
INK: Chocolate Chip
Accessories: Scallop Border Punch, Pretty in Pink 1/4” Grosgrain Ribbon, Linen Thread, Window Sheets, Swiss Dot EF

So For Now…

Happy Stamping!!

Christi

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Get Well

It seems as though I have had to send out a lot of Get well cards lately and my stock was getting low so I thought I better pull out some ideas and replenish my stash. Thank you to Thomas Edward on Splitcoast for this idea.

MENU:

SS: Teeny Tiny Wishes

CS: Garden Green, So Saffron, WW, Delicate Dots DSP (retired)

INK: Garden green, Black Marker

Accessories: Butterfly Punch, Small, Large, Wide and Scalloped Oval punches, Ticket Corner Punch, Textures Plate, Big Shot, Ribbon (local craft store), Dimensionals

So For Now…

Happy Stamping!!

Christi

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Blog Hop Mini Tour Part 2

Okay, here we are on day 2 of our blog tour and our second challenge sketch template found in the February issue of the Stampin’ Success magazine.

This is my take on the sketch template…

Check out these other sites and see what great ideas they came up with...

The Red Hot Stampers:

http://rachelscraftroom.blogspot.com/
http://thestampcamp.com/blog/
http://stamp-n-cat.blogspot.com/

Inking with Frenchie:
http://www.frenchiestamps.com/
http://www.marinemom1213.blogspot.com/
http://www.stephsstampin.blogspot.com/

MENU:

SS: Good Neighbor
CS: Welcome Neighbor Designer Paper (you can earn this FREE with a $50 order – before S&H and taxes through March 31st), Pumpkin Pie textured, WW, Bermuda Bay
INK: Bermuda Bay
Accessories: Chit Chat Rub Ons , Dimensionals

So For Now...

Happy Stamping!!

Christi

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Blog Hop Mini Tour Part 1

Glenda gave us a challenge at our last down line meeting and that was to use the two layout patterns in the February Stampin’ Success Issue for whomever had a blog. We were to post our version of this sketch template
today and the second one tomorrow, so stay tuned tomorrow for the second card. This is my take on the first sketch template...

MENU:
SS: Abundant Hope
CS: Certainly Celery, Lovely Lilac, WW
INK: Lovely Lilac
Accessories: Texturz Plates - Background 1, Swiss Dot Embossing Folder, Scallop Trim Border Punch (you can earn this punch FREE with a $50 purchase -before S&H and Taxes, from now through March 31st), Certainly Celery 5/8" Satin Ribbon (Occasions Mini), Beautiful Wings Embosslit (Occasions Mini), 2-way glue pen, Dazzling Diamonds, Glue dots to attach the butterflies

Now check out these other sites to see what they came up with...

The Red Hot Stampers:

http://rachelscraftroom.blogspot.com/

http://thestampcamp.com/blog/

http://stamp-n-cat.blogspot.com/

French Martin's girls... Inking with Frenchie

http://www.frenchiestamps.com/

http://www.marinemom1213.blogspot.com/

http://www.stephsstampin.blogspot.com/

So For Now...

Happy Stamping!!

Christi

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Hand Made Valentines

Take a peek at these wonderful hand-made Valentines that I received this year…

From my friend Sue From my friend Laura

From my Buddy Zander

A sweet card full of “T’s” and a beautiful rose from Gracie (the rose was decapitated by the time it got to Gramma so it now is resting in a rose bowl.
(Grampa got a red card full of T's from Gracie)

And my sneaky little Valentine, Dale, went “shopping” at my card rack. But I like his choice! Thank you everyone for making Valentine’s Day so SWEET!!

Christi

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A Valentine Train

Oh my Goodness I just love all the 3D things we can make with the Stampin’ Up! products. Take a look at this darling Valentine Train I put together for our grandkids. Oh, I know, I already gave them the cute little mailboxes filled with Valentine treats, but when I came across this unbelievable idea I had to give it a whirl. It was also a great chance to use up some of my retired papers. So this is what they got right on Valentine’s Day when they came for dinner to celebrate Grampa’s birthday.

This train uses the Milk Carton Box Bigz Die, and the Box #2 Bigz Die, 1 3/4” and 1 3/8” Circle Punches with silver brads for the wheels, along with a variety of punches for decoration of choice. I used the new Pinking Heart Border Punch, but really you can use whatever you want to make it your own. Each train car is held together with the Word Window Punch connected with a silver brad so they are able to shift in other than a straight line.

So For Now…

Happy Stamping!!

Christi

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Chef Valentine

This is the treat I gave our son-in-law for Valentine’s Day. If you all keep up with my blogs you already know that he is a chef so it was appropriate to use the Chef for his treat. I was kind of at a loss as how to treat a guy without it being froofy (I don’t think that’s a word). All I had for him is a Reese’ Peanut Butter Cup and everyone else was getting their treat all dolled up so as I was warming up our soup last week I realized it had a ‘pop top’ – so instead of opening the can using the handy dandy pop top, I used my Pampered Chef can opener so it cut clean and reusable. Once I washed it, and let it dry I filled it with the candy and some red crumpled paper strips, put the bottom back on, sealing it with Crystal Effects, covering it with Designer paper and Voila` – a special Valentine treat.

When Jeremy received his gift he just had to pop the original seal to get his treat out.

MENU:

SS: Voila`
CS: WW, Night and Day DSP (retired)
INK: Staz On Jet Black, Markers: Black, Real Red, Going Gray
Accessories: Ribbon (leftover from a dollar store purchase – recycle/reuse, right?!), Dimensionals

So For Now…

Happy Stamping!!

Christi

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Valentine Treat Box

This is the treat box that I made for my Sweet Hubby for Valentine’s Day. I didn’t want to post it before or even on his birthday because then he wouldn’t be surprised. I think he is ‘man’ enough to accept a pink ribbon!! Especially when there are yummy treats hiding inside. This box idea was featured in the Stampin’ Up monthly magazine that all demonstrators receive. It is full of helpful hints, tips and ideas. If you would like to become a demonstrator and a member of Christi’s Creative Crew and the Red Hot Stampers, give me a call !! The sign up specials are still going on through March. You can get either the basic Kit or the My Digital Studio Kit at 15% off plus they are letting you pick a free stamp set of your choice up to $47.95 value! Now that is a GOOD deal!!

So For Now…

Happy Stamping!!

Christi

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Happy Birthday to my Sweetie!

Today is my hubby’s 53rd Birthday!! Happy Birthday Sweetie!!! This is the card I made for him this year… Sometimes I think it must be tough having your birthday on Valentine’s Day because which one do you celebrate? and does the birthday boy honor his wife on Valentine’s Day because that would take away from celebrating his birthday. This has been a challenge, but I do think he likes it when people say “oh, a Valentine baby” and then he can say “that’s why I’m so sweet.” I hope you have the BEST birthday EVER Sweetie!!

MENU:

SS: And Many Mower (2009 Occasions Mini - Spring)

CS: Creamy Caramel, Chocolate Chip, To The Nines DSP, WW

INK: Staz On Jet Black, Sage Shadow Marker

Accessories: Chocolate Chip 1/4” grosgrain ribbon, Dimensionals

Technique: Shutter Card

So For Now…

Happy Stamping!! and Happy Valentine’s Day!!

Christi

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Valentine Treats

These are the treat boxes I made for our son, Jeff, and his girlfriend, Jessica.

Filled with sweet treats I hope they have a wonderful first Valentine’s Day together.

MENU:

SS: none

CS: Basic Black, Real Red, DSP (retired), WW, Pretty in Pink, Certainly Celery, Close to Cocoa, Sahara Sand

INK: none

Accessories: Big Shot, Fancy Favor Box XL Die, Build A Bear Die, Beary Lovely Sizzlit Die, Beary Essentials Die, Stampin’ Up Beary Girl Die

So For Now…

Happy Valentines Day!!

Christi

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Valentine Cards

Okay – now I can share some Valentine’s Day Cards that I gave out. Now that they are handed out I am safe to share them.
First and foremost...this one is for my sweet hubby, Dale. Reminiscent of our hot air balloon ride nearly 3 years ago - where does the time go?

For Tyler

For our sweet Gracie

For Julie and Chef Jeremy

A cute joey for our Joey

For Melina, my day care honey

For my friend Melissa who likes purple.

So For Now...

Happy Valentine's Day!!

Christi

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Valentine’s Mailboxes

These fun treats are for my grand children, Tyler and Gracie, and for my sweet friends, Jade and Zander. I found the mailboxes at Target’s Dollar Spot – What a bargain! Then just had to decorate them, fill them up and wait for Valentine’s Day to be able to give them away!

MENU:

SS: I (Heart) Hearts

CS: I used Retired DSP

Accessories: Build A Bear Dies, Scalloped Heart of Hearts Embosslit Die, Scalloped Oval Punch, Movers and Shapers Die with the Punch Windows Set, Dimensionals

So for Now…

Happy Valentines Day!!

Christi

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Valentine Treat boxes

This treat box will be given to my daughter Julie and my friend Melissa for Valentine’s Day. This shows both views inside and out. I found this idea on Andrea Walford's blog. You probably notice that I get a lot of ideas from her site. She really has some fun ideas. You can check her blog at http://andreawalford.blogspot.com/

MENU:

SS: A Happy Heart, Love You Much

CS: Chocolate Chip, Real Red, Kraft, WW

INK: WW Craft, Real Red ink pad and marker, Basic Black Marker

Accessories: Heart to Heart Punch, Scallop Circle Punch, Real Red 1” Double-Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon, 1” and 1 1/4” Circle punches

So For Now!!

Happy Valentines Day!!

Christi

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Valentine Heart Box

When I first saw how you could make a heart box using Stampin’ Ups! Petal Card Die I just had to give it a try. Then I saw this color combo by Elizabeth Bellville and knew I just had to duplicate it for some of my day care girls.

Filled with yummy sweet treats for my sweet girls.

MENU:

SS: Well Scripted

CS: Basic Black, Very Vanilla, Sending Love DSP

Ink: WW Craft

Accessories: Petal Card Die, Big Shot, White embossing powder, Heat tool, Scallop Edge Punch, Heart To Heart Punch, 1/2” Pretty in Pink Striped Grosgrain Ribbon, Brads to hold ribbon handle, Dimensionals

So For Now…

Happy Valentine’s Day!!

(Auntie) Christi

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Valentine Treats

There are a couple special girls in church that I love to treat so thought I would make up these cute treat holders that I found on Dawn Griffith’s Blog to show them that I love them. This photo shows both the inside and outside views.

MENU:

SS: Love You Much

CS: Retired paper – Riding Hood Red, Pink Pirouette and Candy Lane DSP, Chocolate Chip

INK: Riding Hood Red

Accessories: Scallop Circle Punch, 1” and 1 1/4” Circle Punches, Heart To Heart Punch, Large Scallop from the Penant XL Die, Big Shot, Word Window Punch, Velcro (local craft store) Chocolate Taffeta Ribbon, Dimensionals

So For Now...

Happy Valentine's Day!!

Christi

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A Couple More Valentines

Seems like there are so many ideas out there for Valentines Day that I want to make them ALL!, and with Stampin’ Ups! new Designer Paper, “Sending Love”, it makes it all the more fun. Can you see how they put the Dazzling Diamond look right on the paper? I love it! and I don’t end up with glitter all over my face.

MENU:

SS: Well Scripted

CS: WW, Real Red, Pretty In Pink, Sending Love DSP

INK: Basic Black, Versa Mark

Accessories: Corner Rounder Punch, Heart to Heart Punch, Scalloped Heart Embosslit, Full Heart Punch, Dot to Dot Embossing Folder, Big Shot, 5/8” Pretty in Pink Satin Ribbon, Dimensionals, Iridescent Ice

MENU:

SS: Well Scripeted, I (Heart) Hearts

CS: Real Red, Pretty In Pink, Very Vanilla, Sending Love DSP

INK: Real Red

Accessories: Pinking Hearts Border Punch, Heart to Heart Punch, Red Brads, 5/8” Real Red Satin Ribbon

Thanks for both of these card ideas goes to Gretchan Barron

So For Now…

Happy Valentine’s Day!!

Christi

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Wandering Words

Everyone loves to get a card in the mail, especially when you take the time to make it yourself. With the ease of texting, Facebook and Email we have lost the art of sending our love through the medium of “snail mail.” for MANY years my pen-pals and I have written each other on a fairly regular basis. I remember waiting to get a reply to my letters to them. I still love to receive ‘snail mail” and I love sending out a special card or note to my friends and family. Oh, I still use email and I even have a Facebook page, but there is nothing like the good ‘ole USPS.

Why not write to someone today and show them how much you care. I John 3:18 Dear children, let us not love with words and tongue but with actions in truth.

Thanks goes to http://www.inkingidaho.blogspot.com

MENU:

SS: Wandering Words

CS: Real Red, WW, Basic Black, Night and Day DSP

INK: Markers: Basic Black, Old Olive, Going Gray, Real Red,

Accessories: Real Red 5/8” Satin Ribbon, Eyelet Border Punch, Heart To Heart Punch

So For Now…

Happy Stamping!!

Christi

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