A cheery, ‘Hello, can I help you find anything?’

Did you know that i used to work in retail?!  Bet you'd never have guessed?!  I worked three jobs at one time (all in a shopping mall) the summer before Grade 12 to save up to help pay for a school trip to Europe in Grade 12.  I enjoyed those jobs, I enjoyed helping people and it kept me out of trouble!  ….I enjoyed that trip to Europe even more!  Maybe one day I'll scrap-book the photos of that trip?!  …there are many…this detail will serve as no surprise to anyone who knows me!  I have many MORE photos of my boys that I'd better get to scrap-booking first!  What are your scrap-booking goals and style?  Do you scrap-book the main events?  Do you strive to scrapbook it all?  I watched a very moving video today that was all about cultivating a good life, capturing it and recording the details and moments that make up our lives.  It was very inspiring!  

I hope that YOU will find inspiration here on my blog! I hope you will be inspired to put some extra mileage on your crafting tools…maybe even dust them off or get them out of the package for the first time and get creating with them.  Hopefully I'll even inspire a laugh or a smile!  Keeping with my cheery, 'hello' I want to welcome you here. If you're for the first time (I'm sure there are many of you since I'm so new) or whether you've already been here and were inspired to return, welcome and thank-you!  I used to love it when a customer requested my services because I had done my job well and they enjoyed my company while they shopped. It was a great feeling! While it's wonderful to know that people appreciate the service and inspiration I provide, I don't ever set an expectation that one should exclusively visit my blog our use my services to suit their paper crafting needs.  I feel it's important to diversify the sources of our creative inspiration!  …my goodness, I enjoy hopping from blog to blog to take in the wealth of inspiration that is at my finger tips.  There are so many wonderfully talented paper crafters out there who are so giving and sharing of their skill and knowledge and who also feel privileged and rewarded in a job well done and in sharing that with others!   In fact, there are so many generous crafters out there that it's difficult to keep up with it all, I know I can't!   So, I may as well join you, I'm thrilled to finally be here to share with you!

There are so many great offerings on blogs out there.  So many different ideas, inspiration and advice on paper crafting and every day life!  There is just so much that I LOVE!  What do YOU love most about the blogs that you visit?  What would you love most to see here?  Since I'm still so new to this and am working on the directions I'll take with my blog, I'd LOVE to hear your ideas and suggestions as to what might inspire YOU!  Do you want challenges, sketches, tips and techniques…. is there anything I can help you find?!  Those retail days were great while they lasted, but I certainly don't miss them now!  I love what I do now and sharing that with you!  …and helping you find what you need to suit your paper crafting needs!  

The Challenge Today:  Post a comment letting me know what you'd like to see, read and for me to offer here.  While I definitely plan to keep this blog Me,  I want to incorporate what you want and provide an inspiration that will help fulfill your paper crafting desires!  I won't promise to be able to do it all but I do look forward to reading your suggestions and making this blog the best that I can! ….not even a Sleepless Stamper can do it all!  …. in fact, neither can my Super Hero Alter Ego, 'The Paper Trimming Terror' (or She Who Runs With Scissors) LOL!  …Susie, that one is for you, Ryan can't wait to find out what his Official Super Hero Name is! …. what did you suggest, 'Techno Savvy….' …I can't remember the rest!  Here are the details, you have until Sunday Feb. 27th at midnight to post a comment here on my blog sharing with me what you like so far and what you'd like to see that will inspire you!  A winner again be chosen to receive the prize for your time and effort in commenting and sharing with me.  Can't wait to read your comments and suggestions! (maybe I'll even get one of those random # generator things applied by Sunday….so much to learn!)

I was going to share a cheery 'hello' kind of card with you, but now that I've gone all sentimental for sharing what I love, I figure I'll go with that for now instead and will come back soon with a different project!  This card is one that we created at my Valentine Stamp A Stack.  I was really happy with how it turned out and loved using a variety of dies and things!  Enjoy!

This card was created with: Basic Black, Basic Gray, Very Vanilla and Real Red CS.  Real Red DSP (Brights Collection) & Red Glimmer Paper, Decorative Label, Word Window and Heart to Heart Punches.  Filled with Love (sorry it's retired, but the 'Love' could definitely be substituted with an alternate stamp) & Fabulous Phrases Stamp sets. Basic Gray and Real Red ink.  Bitty Buttons, Silver Brads and Linen Thread. Big Shot, Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder Hearts and Brackets die and Tasteful Trim die.

Here are a couple of extra photos that I hope will warm your spirits, it's COLD out there … stay warm!

Here is my … 'sniff' … almost 7 yr old, Ethan with his favorite stuffy, Georgie.

And here is my 3 yr old little 'Dr Love', Lennon on Valentine's Day!

One more photo of someone I love, my neice Haylee!  She turned 2 today!  Happy Birthday 'Peanut'!