Friday, February 8, 2013

Our Hearts Are Broken

Sorry I haven't posted this week, it's been an extremely difficult one for my DH and I and blogging has been the farthest thing from my mind.  

On Monday we put our sweet baby Murphy to sleep.  At just over 13 years old Murphy had been in a gradual slide since Christmas.  He'd developed Cushing's Syndrome in the past year and the symptoms were catching up to him.   

In early December Murphy lost his vision and he was at risk for falling off the bed and down the stairs. Poor little guy, he couldn't find his way around the house any longer.  Then when his hearing started to go too, his confusion became worse.  We often came to his rescue when he'd wandered into a closet or was stuck in a corner and couldn't figure out how to turn around.  


One of the symptoms of Cushing's Syndrome is a ravenous hunger and let me tell you we just couldn't seem to satisfy his need for more food.  He would whine and yelp for food long before his normal feeding time, and nothing would quiet him but the "food".   His constant desire to eat resulted in a major weight gain.  He gained eight pounds since October.  This tremendous weight gain stressed his joints and his little legs were having difficulty supporting him and he no longer wanted to go for walks.

Another issue was his frequent need to urinate, often in the house and without any warning.  Poor little guy he would never have accidents when he was healthy.    

So as Murphy's health declined, we were forced to make one of the hardest decisions of our lives. We went through a lot of what ifs and soul searching,  but we knew it was time.  We were able to stay with him right to the end and he went quickly and peacefully and that's all we could ask for.  


Our little Murphster was just the light of our lives and made every day so special.  He went every where with us and was always such a good boy. I'm sure he had more friends in the neighborhood than we did, as everyone knew his name.  Everyone he met loved him.  He was one of those special little characters.  And, from the outpouring of love and support we've received this week from friends and family we know that he touched many lives.  We're missing him so much, but at peace because we know he's no longer suffering.  
 
This picture taken at Christmas was just before he went blind.    We're so happy our friend was thoughtful enough to take it and to share it with us.  

Sunday, February 3, 2013

Sent With Love - February 1st Promotion


February 1 - April 30, 2013

February is off to a great start with another exclusive promotion from Stampin' Up!  

This one introduces the  Sent with Love Stamp Set and Designer Series Paper available only from Feb. 1–Apr. 30, 2013.  Think this set is only for Valentines?  Well you're wrong.  With this set you can use the Sent with Love product suite to make an array of travel-themed projects all year long!

During this limited-time offer, you can purchase this exclusive Sent with Love Stamp set or Sent with Love Designer Series Paper or in a bundle that includes Calypso Coral Baker’s Twine for 20% off!  
 
The Ordering Details:  Check Out the Flyer Here

Sent with Love Stamp Set (clear-mount; English only) $21.95  Item#132182
Sent with Love Designer Series Paper 
$13.50  Item #132851

Pretty Bundle Includes the Sent with Love Stamp Set, Sent with Love
Designer Series Paper, and Calypso Coral Baker's Twine  for  $31.50   Sent With Love Bundle Item #132851 -- 20% off retail value! 

Sent with Love Digital Kit  In addition, you may purchase the Sent with Love Digital Kit (item #132914 for $12.50), however the digital kit is not included in the bundle.

The Fine Print:
  • You can order on-line, at a workshop, through me on a customer order.
  • You can purchase as many stamp sets, Designer Series Papers, or bundles as you'd like! There are no limits. 
  • You don't have to do anything special to take advantage of this special offer-shop away! 
  • The Sent with Love Stamp Set, Sent with Love Designer Series Paper, and Calypso Coral Baker's Twine are all available to be purchased separately. But why would you do that when you can buy all three together and save 20 percent?
  • The Sent with Love Digital Kit is not available as part of the bundle.
  • The Sent with Love Stamp Set and Sent with Love Designer Series Paper are exclusive to this special offer so you won't be able to get them after April 30, they'll both fly away!


Best of 25 Years




"Best of" 25 Years Stamp Sets

As part of Stampin' Ups! 25-year Anniversary Celebrations, they're bringing back some of your favorite Stampin' Up stamp images from the last quarter century and combining them into 12 stamp sets.  

Every month a  new "Best of" stamp set will be released.  That's right, one set per month during 2013.  Each set will include some great classic images in the “Best of” set, and one never-before-seen image!  How cool is that!  

Today I've started a page on my blog called "Best of 25" and you'll be able to check out the monthly flyers and "how too's" here each month after I've posted the information and links in my regular blog post.

Stuff You Need To Know:

All "Best of" stamp sets will include 3-5 images, including a never-before seen image, and will be priced at $17.95.

While Stampin' Up is releasing just one "Best of"  stamp set per month all of the "Best of" sets will be available until March 31, 2014.

A new flyer will be released every month for each new "Best of" set and each stamp set will have a different theme.

All "Best of" stamp sets are only available for use with your Clear-Mount blocks.  

As a special incentive to collect the "Best of" stamps, a collector’s card and 25-year proof of purchase sticker will accompany every "Best of" set.   If you collect six stickers on your collector card, you will be able to redeem the card for a FREE set of your choice valued up to $17.95! Free sets must be redeemed no later than April 30, 2014.


Hang on to your 25-Year Proof  of Purchase sticker that will come with your order and adhere it to your Stampin' Up Collectors card which will be included with each stamp set. Put this card somewhere safe while you're collecting stamp sets so you don't lose it.  When you fill up your card with  proofs of purchase you will be eligible to submit your card and choose a FREE stamp set of your choice valued to 17.99. 

January's Best of Stamp Set - Birthday Theme:

Highlighted stamp in yellow is the "never before" released stamp in this set.

February's Best of Stamp Set - Love Theme:


If you want more information contact me to order this set, and be sure to watch for a new set each month.  

Penny Tokens 
Your Independent Stampin' Up! Demonstrator 
email:  pennyhanuszak@telus.net

Friday, February 1, 2013

Sale-A-Bration Product Highlights: Day Six

January 22nd to March 22nd, 2013 
So, if you're a "Digi Girl or Digi Guy" Day Six of my Sale-A-Bration flyer tour is all about MDS Digital Products and it's a great FREE choice for you.  There are actually two digital offerings:  


1.  Lemonade Stand Digital Disc Item #130677:
This digital disc is amazing.  Here's what you get:
  • 65 piece stamp brush set, which includes 7 Designer Series Papers and 14 embellishments,
  • 12 greeting card templates and 12 one-page scrapbook templates
  • Color coordinates with: Basic Gray, Bermuda Bay, Crumb Cake and Crushed Curry

2.  One Big Sale-A-Bration 2013 
Digital Disc Item #130676:
This is the disc for you if your want everything from the SAB flyer.  Here's what's included on this disc:
  • All the SAB products in digital form with the exception of those additional 6 annual catalogue images shown on the notebook page.
  • 7 stamp brush sets,
  • 12 designer series papers
  • 24 embellishments
  • 1 punch shape
  • 2-page template (including 3 stamp brush set, 5 embellishments and 3 punches)
Coorindating colours:  Baja Breeze, Basic Gray, Crumb Cake, Daffodil Delight, Island Indigo, Pool Party, Rich Razzleberry, Sahara Sand, Summer Starfruit, Tangerine tango, Whisper White.  




So that all sounds pretty fantastic.  I purchased MDS 2 earlier this year and I think I'll have to get one of these discs or maybe both to use with my digital system.  In case you haven't had an opportunity to check out MDS here's a link and some information on the 30 day free trial offer. 


Express yourself and impress your friends when you create projects using MDS 2, My Digital Studio’s digital design software.

With the
FREE 30-day trial, you’ll get:
* Full access to the software at NO COST for 30 days
* Full access to design tools to create cards, photobooks, calendars, and more
* Full access to a sample of exclusive artwork from MDS 2+
* The chance to buy additional downloads that you can keep after your trial expires
* Ability to order your projects from our professional print services

To see it all go to: http://bit.ly/MDS2FreeTrialArtwork

To use the software more than 30 days, buy MDS 2 (software only)or MDS 2+ (software plus $500 in content).


LINKS TO OTHER CURRENT PROMOTIONS
YOU MAY WANT TO CHECK OUT:
  1. Fancy Friends Kit 
  2. Valentines Day Promotions
  3. Talking Tags
  4. Stampin Trimmer
  5. Clearance Rack
  6. MDS 2 Free Trial Offer 
Click Here to Visit My On-Line Store 

Happy Stamping.  Please leave a comment if you liked this post and found it helpful!

Penny Tokens

Happy St. Patty's Day!

Rainbows, a Pot of Gold, Leprechauns green beer and shenanigans are all part of celebrating St. Patty's Day on March 17th. I have a sma...