OUR WINNERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I know I'm a bit late with this. I do apologize. Life...!!!!

Anyway. Are you ready for our winners? Picked by random.org!

Our first $25 gift certificate winner is...GINNY INGRAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Our second $25 gift certificate winner is...BARB CARR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Our $50 gift certificate winner is...KATHY WANTLAND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

CONGRATULATIONS, ladies!!!!!!!!
Remember: you have $25/50. Anything over, or shipping and tax, is on you. :) (Edited to add) You MUST give your order to ME - email, private message, whatever :). I can't give you the money off through an online order!

Hoping to be back again soon... PHEW. :D BE BLESSED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well, you'll never believe it!

As my dear friend and professor, Dr. Marsha Ellis-Smith, would say, "Well, slap me naked and hide my clothes!" :D Why? Let me tell you the story. :D

Saturday was the Chattanooga Regional Stampin' Up! Demonstrators Convention; it was a one-day seminar for demos and their guests; we get to stamp, learn some fun things, get fun prizes, and meet with other demos from the region.

As most of you know, I was gone most of this week; because of that, I wanted to get my swaps done for the group I'm online with (I know I've mentioned SUDSOL before; it stands for STAMPIN' UP! DEMONSTRATORS SHARING ONLINE.) before we left for our trip. I did one design, and got 20 cards almost done before I realized: I'd designed it with a stamp set that was retired, and I'd not pulled it out of my collection! AUGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So, back to the drawing board. And the above is what I came up with. (It's pretty ME, right? Christmas and both heat and Big Shot embossing? :D)

So, back to Regional. There's a basket where you can put your swap cards; they post them for everyone to see, and I'm not sure what else they do with them.

Except pick a winner for design.

The person who was choosing couldn't choose just one. She chose two.

AND I WAS ONE OF THEM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm so danged excited! Ladies (and gentlemen!), you can now tell everyone that YOUR Stampin' Up! demonstrator is an award-winning designer. Yup, got a prize and everything.

I still am in shock, but can't wipe the smile off my face. :) It was a total fluke that I put a card front in the basket. I did another design for general swapping, and swapped them all out before I could put one into the basket. There are so many people at Regionals, and this was my second-choice design - I expected NOTHING. :D

So. I'm gonna go work on what I want for my Christmas cards, because that's what I'm going to use my prize for. How incredibly blessed am I?!?!??!?!

Have a WONDERFUL day! And be SURE to make the time to STAMP SOMETHING!!!!

Popular Winner by ONE vote!

Congratulations, LISA! You won by a VERY slim margin! :D Amy and Jan tied for second place; here they are again.

Lisa's Card:

Amy's Card:


Jan's Card:


I may have to come up with a second-place prize for my two locals! :D Lisa, as soon as I can get my act together, I'll get your prize out. :)

Now, I have to make my final decision on who wins MY prize. :D Stay tuned!

Masculine card to share!

Happy Friday! Sorry - I actually meant to post this yesterday, but just never seemed to get around to it. :D

You have TWO MORE DAYS to get your birthday cards to me for the FOURTH ANNUAL BIRTHDAY CARD CONTEST!!! I've got some AWESOME entries - there's always room for one more! :)

This is the last share from our Birthday Quick Card Class! It's a masculine card, and most of it was CASEd from another demonstrator, Becky Jenson. She's VERY talented - and this is a LOT more simplistic than hers, but I really like it. You could use it for a masculine ANY occasion, IMVHO. :D Colors are Basic Gray, Basic Black, and Whisper White. (I've used this combo quite a bit lately, it seems - very classic, I think!) Stamp sets are LOVELY AS A TREE and NATURE SILHOUETTES.

Have a WONDERFUL, restful, HAPPY FATHER'S DAY WEEKEND! (Be sure and take the time to stamp the "him" in your life a card! :D ) Next week, we'll do an ODE TO RETIRING COLORS; I'll pick out some of my favorites from a different color each day. PLUS, it will be time to start voting for the winner(s) of the contest! :) I can't wait!

Did you want to know who won?

:D Well, so do I! So here we go....

Drum roll, anyone?


And the winner of the 15,000 hit BLOG CANDY is...



Carol P.!

Carol said, "Congratulations, Lori! That's great. BTW, I loved reading your story on your blog about how you became a Stampin'Up Demo. Thanks, also, for all the inspiration and a chance to win."

Thank you, Carol, for reading - and for ALL of you for coming along on this ride. :)

Have a wonderful weekend! :)

Twenty-five dollar winner announcement!

Good morning, everyone! Well, I have to say, EVERYONE had a great chance of winning - we didn't have a LOT of participation. BUT I loved reading each and every comment - thank you so much. :) Many of you figured out how to go back to my very first post on February 17, 2007, and find the date on my journaling on that first layout was January 30, 2007. WOW, almost three years with y'all. Has anyone been with me since the beginning? Please let me know if you have!



Now, then, on to what you all want to know. Who WON???? :D



Congratulations, Georgia! Please contact me when you're ready to place your order! :) You can call or email me, whichever. :) Thank you ALL for playing! (The announcement "banner" was created with MY DIGITAL STUDIO!)

Keep reading for more ideas, everyone. I'm so grateful for ALL of you - thank you for your encouragement to keep on keeping on! :D

Now, go stamp something, will ya? :D

AND THE WINNER IS...

VICTORIA S.!
Congratulations to Victoria, who won the random drawing for the Royal Blog Tour candy from me! :)

GOOD NEWS: I talked to the computer's "doctor" this morning; it LOOKS like I will get it back sometime this weekend!!! :D So, I promise to post FUN THINGS on Monday (assuming everything's working well! :D) YEA!!!!!!

Have a WONDERFUL weekend, and don't forget to STAMP something!!!!

I can FINALLY announce my personal pick! :D

OK, so you all know Gina won the popular pick for best birthday card - and, again, CONGRATULATIONS, Gina! But I'd like to show you MY personal pick! :D

Congratulations, Tory! :)

Tory received her prize from me today - I've been waiting until she got it. She received, ordered and delivered directly from Stampin' Up!, a new MEDALLION BACKGROUND STAMP! She told me she'd seen it recently, and it was moving up her "Wish List" - so I marked it off for her. :D

She just got home from work and opened it a little bit ago, and here's what she said:

Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh! Lori! I was expecting something along the line of deminsionals or a blender pen or MAYBE a single stamp (you know like Dasher or somesuch) But, WOW! It's even grander IRL than I imagined! I can't wait to try this baby out. I've seen this used on several different blogs and it had creeped further up my wish list. Thank you so much! Wow! Thank you! You really shouldn't have. I'm already dreaming up ways to try this out. This is too cool! I love it! Thanks so much!

:D I like making people happy - and my Annual Birthday Card Contest is the BIG contest I run. :) So, start thinking about YOUR entry for next year! :D Have fun, Tory!!!

And the POPULAR contest winner is....

GINA! :D Congratulations, Gina; I'll contact you about your prize soon. :D There were lots of comments like "it could also work as a man's card", which boosted your popularity. Here's the card again - congrats again, Gina!

Wednesday! :) Keep voting!

To vote for the winner of the THIRD ANNUAL BIRTHDAY CARD CONTEST, just click HERE. :)

Now, on with the show! As I stated yesterday, I'm showcasing retiring OR retired stamp sets this week; it's your LAST CHANCE to get the stamps on the list, and there have been some awesome stamp sets that have retired in previous years. Don't be left kicking yourself because you didn't get that certain set you wanted!!!!

These two cards are HOSTESS SETS. We have some INCREDIBLE sets for hostesses, that are NEVER available in the Idea Book & Catalog again. Seriously, folks: it's WORTH having a party to get some of these!



This first one should be REALLY familiar to you. :D I've used him so much, it wouldn't be the last class of the catalog year without the rooster. :D

Card stocks: Night of Navy, Brocade Blue, Very Vanilla

Ink: Night of Navy

Stamp set: Rustic Rooster

Accessories: SO SWIRLY Jumbo Stampin' Around Wheel - RETIRING!!!!; jumbo handle, Night of Navy ink cartridge

I like him in blue!! :) I'm THINKING that perhaps the set of rooster cards from this year might be a prize in the future....


This is HAUTE COUTERE from two (?) years ago. Let me go check that.... Make that three - it's in the 05/06 IB&C! I loved this set!!!

Card Stocks: Basic Black, Whisper White

Inks: Jet Black Stazon, Pacific Point

Stamp set: Haute Coutere

Accessories: Pacific Point DSP, Aqua Painters

SUPER simple, but so fun!!!! I miss this set. :)

OK, now, be SURE to click on that link in the sidebar over there called LAST CHANCE LIST, and make SURE there's nothing you're going to be sorry you don't own in a week!!! THE NEW IDEA BOOK & CATALOG GOES LIVE ONE WEEK FROM TODAY!!! (It's awesome, too!! :) ) To place an order, just CLICK HERE and then click on the SHOP NOW button, or email me at poohisstampin@aol.com!

Now, for pete's sake, go STAMP SOMETHING!!!!! It's too hot outside to do much else.... :D

And the winner is...

JAN S.! CONGRATULATIONS, JAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The next time you're here - Jan happens to be a local, and a dear friend! :) - we'll talk about your personalized prize! :)

Congratulations, Jan!

Don't forget: You'll all have another chance at next month's MEGA CANDY if you enter and win the Third Annual Birthday Card Contest! Details coming on June 1!

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What a great day yesterday was!! I found LOTS of new friends - or should I say, they found ME! :) I hope some of you will stick around - we have a lot of fun here. :D The winner of the "poll" of sorts was, hands-down, the small 3"x3" card! Everyone loved how simple but elegant it was with the embossing from the Texturz plates and the brushed silver card stock. I think one of the things that makes that one SO great is that you can throw them together SO quickly!!! :)

Edit: We've been requested to remove the links that took you around to the next blog, so I've done so - if you missed it, I'm sorry!!! We're going to be doing another tour on MAY 15; be sure and get on the bus again then - you won't want to miss it!!!!!!

I will announce the winner of the blog candy at the end of this post; she will have until 9:00 a.m. CENTRAL TIME tomorrow to get back to me! :)

First, a couple more samples that are EASY cards - and REAL wows, IMVHO. :D

Easy, easy. I have always loved pink, white, and gray together. :D Remember: if you need ANY further help on how to do something, just ask me!! :)

Card stocks: Pink Pirouette, Pretty in Pink, Whisper White, Basic Gray, Basic Black

Ink: White craft

Stamp set: Oval All

Accessories: Large oval punch, scallop oval punch, eyelet border punch, dimensionals, heat tool, embossing buddy, white embossing powder

I have to tell you again, I love my punches and my Big Shot - they make it SO easy to make a terrific card without having to ink up more than one or two stamps! :D

OK. Second one!

This one was a card we did last night for my SUMMER HOLIDAY QUICK CARD CLASS. Talk about super-simple!! I just love this card. :D

Card stock: Whisper White, Basic Black

Inks: Basic Black and Whisper White craft pads - BOTH ARE CRAFT!

Stamp sets: Oval All, Fifth Avenue Floral

Accessories: Large oval punch, scallop oval punch, black and white embossing powders, heat tool, embossing buddy, dimensionals.

Seriously. I don't think you could get much easier - and classy! :)

OK. Now, the moment you've all been waiting for!!!! The winner, chosen by using random.org, of the surprise blog candy is:

Mary Davis said...
I really can't choose because I love them all. Great Job Lori. Thanks for the tour.

Thanks, Mary! You have until 9 a.m. Central time on April 29 to email me at poohisstampin@aol.com! :D CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

That's it for today, dear friends! Thank you SO MUCH for all the great comments you left me yesterday!!!! I hope you'll continue to let me "feel the luv!!" :D

Have a WONDERFUL day - and please, TAKE THE TIME TO STAMP SOMETHING!!!!!!!!!!!!!

BLOG CANDY WINNER!!

I'm working hard to get the video up for the Top Note purse tutorial; I think it SHOULD be up tonight. But in the meantime, I wanted to let you know who wins the Blog Candy!

All entries were assigned a number, and, with the assistance of Random.org, the winning number was drawn. Here is the winning entry:

Lori, I thought that I already left a comment, but I don't see it. I would love to win one of these for the second granddaughter. Thanks for your cool ideas!
Mary Nau

Mary is my neighbor, and will be here tomorrow night for a class! Congratulations, Mary!!! :) I'll give you the components while you're here tomorrow night! :D

No, I haven't vanished from the earth! :)

LOTS of personal business going on that's affected every area of my life, and I apologize for not posting here for a VERY long time. But here I am, and I KNOW you want to know who won the People's Choice for the Annual Birthday Challenge!!!!! (Better late than never, right???)

And the winner is...

DEB LEHIGH!

Thanks, Deb, for sending in your entry!!!! I'll be sending out your prize by Monday - and HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY to YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :D

I'll be back with another post soon, another sample to delight and cheer you - and hopefully inspire YOU to take the time to STAMP something!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)

And the winner is....

GOOD DAY! :D In case you're wondering why I'm being so sporadic with posting, it's the SHOW!!! Kenn and I are co-directing OUR TOWN, and there's lots to get done before we open NEXT WEEK!!!! Anyone who wants to come help, give me a buzz!! :)

This sample is one that we did at Sale-A-Bration hostess parties this month - and the stamp set is SWEET SERENDIPITY, courtesy of my wonderful friend, Melissa!!! :) I LOVE THIS SET!!!! I haven't really had a chance to play yet, because why? oh yeah, the show - but it sure makes a great little treat bag! :)

That's Whisper White and Green Galore card stock, Pink Passion and Green Galore inks, and our small cello bags. Oh, and don't forget my favorite corner punch, the ticket corner punch! :) Super-simple!!!!

Oh. You want to know who won the blog candy giveaway??? I'm still collecting everything she gets - and I'll be sure and take a pic before I send it all off.... How exciting is this? :)

Are you ready?

Are your hopes high?

Well, someone is going to be VERY happy.....

And the winner is.....

Kathy H!

Congratulations, Kathy. :) I'll try to get this out by Saturday, but with the way my week's going, it might be next week. :) Don't worry - it's a great prize!!!

That's all for today - I have GOT to run. We took the rare opportunity to sleep in today, so I'm running a bit behind on everything.... :)

Be SURE and take the time to STAMP something!!!!!! :) I'll see you soon!

Andrea received her blog candy! :)

This is the pretty card she sent me as a thank-you. Inside, she says:

"Thank you so much for all the wonderful goodies you sent out!! I have been using them already! Have a wonderful day!"

Thanks for the great thank-you card, Andrea. Everyone, pay special attention to the "faux eyelets" Andrea did at the center of each scallop! The paper is pierced, and then a white gel pen was used to do a circle around it. Really nice effect, Andrea - and I love all the little touches on the image, too. :)

Now, on to my last post. I really appreciate the thoughtful comments that have been left; everyone's been very respectful of each other, and stated how they feel. Thank you for showing me that I can, indeed, have thoughtful discussions on the topic without being beat up! :D

Jan had this to say: "....I stopped celebrating Christmas back in the mid 90's becasue the whole shop til you drop or go bankrupt is not what it is about. I am not religious. ANd I think we as Americans are a bunch of idiots to play this shopping game. Its about more than that-but no one cares anymore." Well, I don't think we can quite say NO one cares - because obviously you and I do, Jan. :) I really don't do the purchasing thing, either. For me, it's about being with family, celebrating the incarnation of my Savior on an arbitrarily-chosen day, enjoying the ability to give to others without them wondering what I want in return. :D I enjoy sitting in my home, listening to the music of Christmas, looking at the lights, talking to loved ones, watching my favorite movies and laughing with friends and family. I appreciate your comments, Jan; the commercial aspect of Christmas is definitely NOT what I think of when I think of Christmas. I wonder what would happen if more of us DID NOT shop so hard during December? (Of course, I used to own a retail establishment; us small stores really DID count this as the time to save up for the next year. It's sad that Walmart can turn a profit 365 days a year, but our neighbors are going bankrupt. But that's a whole other discussion!:D)

"Anonymous" left this one: "....With the whole PC thing, I agree with you! The funny thing is, I don't think, for example, Christians care that something says Happy Hannukah or Jewish people care about something saying Merry Christmas. It's usually zealot/have-nothing-to-do people who like to stir the pot and create controversy when there isn't any..." I so heartily agree with you - but I'm afraid I see more conspiracy than you do! The more we allow this sort of stuff to happen, the less freedom the MAJORITY of us have. Again, another discussion! :D And honestly, I'm one of the least political people I know! LOL!

I appreciated EVERYONE'S comments! Thank you for your insight, and honestly taking a moment to think about what you were replying. More comments are always welcome; I appreciate thinkers! :D

OK. I'm off to work on some more gifts - I'll have lots of photos to post after Christmas, but I obviously can't do it before people open them! :D So, go take the time to STAMP something - I am!!!!! (And I'm wearing the glitter and ink to prove it....:D)

We have a winner!!!!

Today is THE BIG DAY!!!! Are you ready???? I know there are a LOT of you who will be disappointed that you didn't win this great blog candy, but keep watching! I still have a challenge going on, too - send me either a scan or pic of your SPLIT NEGATIVE card, and we'll have a contest! I have TWO entries so far. Who else? If you don't enter, I'm going to seed it with MY CARDS so I have a chance of not having to give anything away! :D

SO. Do you want to know who won? :D Here you go.

The lucky winner is...

ANDREA HAYS!!!!!!!!!

Congratulations, Andrea. :) I'm just waiting for her snail mail address to get it off to her. :) Be sure and tell me how disappointed you are - leaving me a comment, not hate mail, please. ROFL!!!

Thank you, dear readers. You sure do make giving things away fun!!! NOW, then, go make time to STAMP something - I am! :D

Yooo, hoo!!

I still need AMY BUCHANAN and SALLY to email me at poohisstampin@aol.com and give me your mailing addresses, so Greg can send you his CD! :)


I've heard two rough cuts from the NEW CD he's working on, everyone. GOODNESS, but it's going to be SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO good! :D Keep checking at www.ahouseformykids.com for details!

Happy Independence Day, America!

I hope your celebration today is safe, fun, and full of yummy treats and happy memories. :)

As promised, here is one of the card samples from my New Idea Book Open House Monday night. The colors are Whisper White, Certainly Celery, and Brilliant Blue; the matted saying is from WORD ON WORD, a new Level 2 hostess set, and the other is from Hugs & Wishes, a new set in this year's IB&C. Don't forget - hostess sets are only good for the six months of the current IB&C now, so book your party to get your choice for FREE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Anyway. :) See the new rhinestone brad?? They are SO awesome! What a great way to add some bling to your card! This is an ice-colored square brad - but they all look like diamond shapes to me.... :)

Cheryl emailed me; that's HER card that won the Birthday Card Contest!! Congrats, Cheryl! :) I'll have your prize out sometime within the next week! And I'll be announcing yet another contest soon - you have so many ways to get free stuff from me! :D

Have a wonderful day! Do some stampin' - and share your passion with someone else!

And the winner is...

Congratulations!!! :) You've WON the contest!!!! If you recognize this card, please forgive me - I can't seem to find your email ANYWHERE on my computer!!!! Just drop me your snail mail address at poohisstampin@aol.com so I can send you your prize. :)

Last night's open house was a lot of fun. If you're local, and didn't come, you missed out on making two cards, a cardstock sample with the new IN COLORs and new RHINESTONE BRADS, and getting to go shopping - and oohing and aahing over the new Idea Book & Catalog. :) Plus food and laughter - you just can't beat stampers for having a great time together! Thanks to those of you who did attend, and made it such fun. :) And those of you who still don't have your Idea Book & Catalog, you can go to http://www.poohisstampin.stampinup.net/ and click on the CATALOG button on the left-hand side to browse!

Keep an eye out - tomorrow, I'll post one of the card samples we did yesterday. :) I wanted to get the winner's birthday card up, so she'll contact me. Phew. Life!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!