A VALENTINE FOR ME!

The other morning, I stopped by my sister-in-law, Norene's house on my way in to work to drop off some stamping tools for her to borrow (we are always trading back and forth), and she had this Valentine beauty waiting for me!  She made the flowers using the stamp set, Mixed Bunch and coordinating Blossom Punch found on page 17 of the new Occasions Mini Catalog.  The container is a votive holder with the hanging charm included!  I have it sitting on my circulation desk in my library, and the kids have been ooohing and aaahing over it for days!  I just love it!

I'll be hanging out at the Stampin' Up! Regional Convention in downtown Phoenix on Saturday.  If you're there, be sure to look for our group in our weSTAMP t-shirts!

LUCKY ME!

My friend, Connie Collins, Constantly Stamping (2011 Stampin' Up! Artisan Award Recipient) met up with my friend Lorri Heiling at Stampin' Up! Convention this year, and sent these wonderful gifts (tissue holder and watermelon card) with her to give to ME! Connie has always been one of my favorite stamping artists, and am thrilled for her to receive the highest honor of Artisan Award this year!
I had a birthday over the summer, and these are some of the wonderful hand made cards and gifts I received from special friends.

from Jennie Portonova ...from Glenda Jones ...
from Wendy Janson ...
from Lorri Heiling ...
from Maggie Chambers ...
Look at this fabulous barbecue-themed gift from Lorri Heiling! She's always surprising me with over-the-top gifts, and can't believe all the time she puts in to them! For details, go to Lorri's blog, Confessions of a Stamping Addict. To tell you what kind of friend she is, she traveled from Arizona to Iowa in April to attend my Mom's funeral, and I had no idea she was coming. I couldn't have even imagined that! It meant so much to have her there on one of the worst days of my life. She's just that kind of person .... ALWAYS doing for others. I am truly blessed by her friendship.

clipped from stampingaddict.blogspot.com

clipped from stampingaddict.blogspot.com

clipped from stampingaddict.blogspot.com

clipped from stampingaddict.blogspot.com

clipped from stampingaddict.blogspot.com

CHRISTMAS RAKS

Look at these wonderful gifts and cards I received this Christmas!

This awesome framed Christmas collage is by Barbara Welch, and I received it in our weSTAMP gift exchange.This lighted glass block is by Lorri Heiling. It was difficult to get a picture of it that represents how gorgeous it is in real life. It uses Stampin' Up!'s Jingle All The Way Decor Elements, and Lorri created a beautiful garland/ribbon/bells combination for it!
by Terri Guymon ...
by Sandy Braddock ...
by Chris Kieffer ...
by Lorri Heiling ...
by Lorri Heiling ...

EYE CANDY from some REALLY GREAT PEOPLE

Recently, I realized that I hadn't posted pictures of the numerous cards Allie and I received over the past six months: birthday, get well, inspirational, thank you, etc. Hopefully, someday soon I'll have my act together and be able to reciprocate the hand stamped gesture! I am really really blessed to have so many thoughtful, caring people in my life! :)

from Lorri Heiling ...from Karen Laub ... from Gaylene Dickinson ... from Wendy Janson ... from Leah Sinatra ... from Karen Motz ... from Sandy Braddock ... from Teresa Kline ... from Barbara Welch ... from Barbara Welch ... from Karen Thomas ... from Karen Giron ... from Lorrie Reid ...

RAKS from LORRI, JEAN & CORIE

I love to receive handmade cards as much as I love to give them! Here are a couple of cards I received from stamping friends during my thyroidectomy recovery two weeks ago.

This first card is from my wonderful friend, Lorri Heiling. Not only did Lorri give me this card, but she brought flowers, a meal for my family, and visited me in the hospital! She is the most thoughtful, giving person I know! If you ever have a chance to meet her, you will pick up on that quality immediately! Her adorable card has a pocket on the inside cover that holds a pack of instant lemonade drink mix!This next card is from my friend, Jean Stayton. Although I don't get to see Jean very often, we follow each other's blogs and always pick up where we left off when we do get together!
I realized the other day that I had never posted this fabulous creation from Corie Foster. Corie sent this to me when my mom was diagnosed with cancer. A beautiful card with a beautiful message!
Thanks for stopping by today! Have I mentioned how happy I am that my summer is finally here? *wink*
~Nancy

{{{ FEELIN' THE LOVE }}}

I can't tell you how much your encouraging words and prayers for my mom have meant to my family and me during the past few months. We received some devastating news a few weeks ago ... mom's brain cancer has advanced to a stage 4, and learned that the tumor had grown back larger than its original size from the December surgery to the January surgery. Please continue to pray for my mom as she begins radiation treatments and a chemotherapy drug to fight this aggressive cancer. Our family is large, our friends are numerous, and our faith is strong ... we are feelin' the love and support.

Sharing some love from friends in the form of handmade cards and written words ....

by Lynn Put ...by Lorri Heiling ...
by Karen Laub ...