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.  

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:

Click here to check out January's Flyer:

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

February's Best of Stamp Set - Love Theme:

Click here to check out February's Flyer:

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

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. 

MDS2Free Trial Item # 130910

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

Sale-A-Bration Product Highlights: Day Five

January 22nd to March 22nd, 2013

Wow we're already at Day Five of our product tour in the Sale-A-Bration flyer and I have two more exciting products to share with you!

  Petite Curly Label Punch and Pretty Petites Stamp Set - a match made in heaven:

Petite Curly Label Punch:

I can't resist buying punches and this uber cute "Petite" Curly Label Punch is no exception.  Images are 3/4 by 3/4, just the perfect size for those small areas you want to put a sentiment in.  And, the truly great thing about this punch is that it's going to be around after SAB.  Yeah!!!

Another great thing about the Petite Curly Label Punch is that it coordinates with another great stamp set called Ciao Baby in the Spring Mini Catalogue see page 16.  

Item Order # 129405 can be your FREE Choice from the SAB catalogue with a $60 purchase (before shipping and tax).  


Pretty Petites Stamp Set  

Just look at these yummy little sentiment stamps!  Wow I love them!  You get eight with this promotion which gives you a lot to work with.  They come in wood or clear mount and are available in English, French and Spanish.  So cute.  Note:  The clear block (c) that is seen in this picture has to be ordered separately.  It can be found on page 7 of the annual catalogue.

Item # 129639 (wm) or #129642(cm).  This beautiful stamp set can be your FREE choice with a $60 purchase before shipping and taxes.  Or, if you want to get both the Petite Curly Label and Pretty Petites set you need to spend $120.00.

click here 

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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

CLICK HERE

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

Penny Tokens

Sale-A-Bration Product Highlights: Day Four

January 22nd to March 22nd, 2013 

It's Day Four of my Sale-A-Bration tour.  Hope you're still hanging in with me and learning a lot more about Stampin' Ups! fabulous Sale-A-Bration flyer and freebies!  The next two items on my tour are:

Sweetness.... More Free Choices

Did you know there are 6 additional products from the annual catalogue that are FREE choices during the SAB celebrations?  That's right, when you spend $60.00 before taxes and shipping you can include any one of these as your Free Choice. Just make sure that when you order any of these items that you use the Item # in the SAB Flyer not the Item # from the Idea Book and Catalogue.  Here's a little run down on the item numbers and description of these six items:

1.  Itty Bitty Banners Stamp Set.  Item #132194(w) or #132195 (cm).  This six-stamp set can be cut out in an instant with the matching Bitty Banners Framelits on page 191 of the Idea Book & Catalogue (IB&C).  This set is also available in French and Spanish.  

2.  Getting Started Cardstock Pack Item #132199:  
Stampin' Up! has handpicked a variety of colors from all their collections, creating an assortment of cardstock that's just right for building your color collections. I would highly recommend this package for new paper crafters.  The Getting Started Collection includes one color from each basic hue, plus a few basic neutrals. Here's what you get with this package:

•  8-1/2" x 11 smooth card stock
• 24 sheets: 2 each of 12 colors
• Colors include Pretty in Pink, Marina Mist, Certainly Celery, Daffodil Delight, Early Espresso, Basic Black, Rich Razzleberry, Night of Navy, Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie, Real Red, Whisper White

3. Vintage Faceted Designer Buttons Item #132201:  These vintage, glass-like accents are reminiscent of vintage door pulls.     They're so beautiful, once you've used them you'll want more.  Here's what you get with this package: 

• 24 buttons - 8 each of 3 designs
• 3/8"; 1/2"; 13/16" (pg 196 IB&C) 

4.  Quint-Essential Flower Stamp Item # 132202(w).  If you like versatile stamps, you'll love the Quint-Essential Flower! This dainty and decorative stamp which only comes in wood mount includes:

• Multiple floral images--perfect for card and scrapbook page embellishments
• Use with the 1/2", 3/4", and 1" Circle Punches and the 1-3/4" and 2-3/8" Scallop Circle Punches for perfect coordination.

5.  The Simply Scored Diagonal Plate  Item # 132203 is perfect for quickly creating handcrafted envelopes, boxes, and more--including your own unique score designs!

• 12 1/2" x 12 1/2" plate sits on top of the Simply Scored base (pg 181 IB&C)
• Held securely in place by rubber pads on the back of the plate
• Has etched grooves every 1/8"
• Can score any size card stock up to 12" x 12"
• Includes instructions for creating common envelope sizes

6.  Essentials Paper-Piercing Pack Item #132204. If you love paper piercing then this fun pack is for you. With these pierced accents you can use designs or customize your patterns with the grid.  In this package you get:

• 3 unique templates; ea. 6" x 6" (pg 181 IB&C)
• These templates coordinates with punches, Edgelits, and Framelits (pg 191 IB&C)
• Use with Stampin’ Pierce Mat and Paper-Piercing Tool (pg 181 IB&C)

2.  Vintage Verses Stamp Set:

You get four fabulous sentiment stamps with this set in either wood(wm) or clear mount (cm) and they're available in English, French and or Spanish. 

Unfortunately the Clear Mount blocks shown in the above picture are not included with this set.  You can find them on page 7 of the IB&C though. 

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

Click here to go to my On-line catalogue

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

Penny Tokens

Sale-A-Bration Product Highlights: Day Three

January 22nd to March 22nd,, 2013

J

FEELING SENTIMENTAL STAMP SET

Are you looking for a stamp set that's going to wow both your male and female friends and family?  Do you like vintage?  If you said yes to one or both of these questions then the Feeling Sentimental Stamp Set is for you.  This simply awesome 4 piece stamp set comes in English, French and Spanish and either in wood block or clear mount style.  

Two cards from the Stampin' Up Pinterest site featuring stamped images from the Feeling Sentimental Stamp Set.

Order Item #129627(w) or 129630(cm)

HAPPY HELLO SIMPLY SENT CARD KIT:

i can't say enough about this Happy Hello Simply Sent card kit.  It is truly beautiful.  If you've never had a simply sent kit this will be the one for you.  Simply Sent Kits are the quickest way to make a coordinated beautiful card without having to cut and stamp.  Here's what you get when you order this kit:

• 8 printed, die-cut cards.  4 of these cards have the "hello" greeting pre-printed on them and 4 are blank,
• 8 printed custom die-cut envelopes (daffodil delight pattern is printed on the beautifully cut flaps),
• 24 Daffodil delight card stock sticker flowers you can layer up,
• 8 Basic Gray card sticker strips 
• 8 pieces of Basic Gray 18" pre-cut strips of Baker's Twine, exclusive to this kit, and
• 8 adhesive backed rhinestones.

TIP: To make these cards extra special cut a 5 1/4" x 4"  piece of coordinating card stock (choose from Whisper White, Basic Gray, Daffodil Yellow, Baja Breeze) and mount this to the back of the card shell.  This will give a totally different look to your card.  

Click Here for Online shopping

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 

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

Penny Tokens