Hearts for Haiti and Under Bed Disaster Kit

My heart goes out to those in Haiti who have suffered loss and pain. So many are left without families, homes or even basic necessities like food and water. I have made donations and hope to continue to do all I can to help. As we assist the people of Haiti and help them rebuild, I pray we can also help them prepare for future crisis and become a strong independent nation. Since Utah has it's own active fault line, I have pulled out information from the newspaper to help my family prepare for an emergency like this, as well. (READ ON to learn what YOU should keep under your bed to be prepared in an emergency...)

At times like this, I am grateful to represent a company like Stampin' Up! who has created 5,000 hygiene kits and are donating $2 from the sale of every I {heart} Hearts stamp set (through February 28th) to the Red Cross Haiti Relief and Development Fund, which will be used to provide immediate relief as well as long-term support. Here are a few samples using this set (available in wood mount-$26.95 or clear mount-$18.95):

I love the simplicity of that card :)

 

We'll be making this card at the Stamp-a-Stack class this Saturday :)

Have a Heart, Share Some Love! If you would like to order this set and do some good for Haiti, go to my website and click "Shop Now" on the top right under my name or give me a call 801-376-8685.

Now, as promised, I recently learned that if you were sleeping when an emergency happened (such as an earthquake, tornado or hurricane), most likely you won't have time to find what you need or can't see to find these important items. Take just a few minutes this week to assemble this kit and BE PREPARED! This is NOT your 72 hour kit (which I hope you have and may also want to keep close at hand or in your car), but a 72 SECOND Disaster Kit. Not only is it CREATIVE, but it just may save your life. If you have children, help them make one, too.

Under Bed 72-Second Disaster Kit -

Keep items in a Bag/backpack (this will prevent glass and other debris from getting in your shoes)

Sturdy Shoes
Pair of Socks
Emergency contact list
Whistle (to attract the attention of emergency personnel)
Dust mask (Useful in fires and earthquakes)
Work gloves (To protect your hands when moving glass or debris)
Several bottles of water
Flashlight (Don’t use if you smell gas)
Light stick on a lanyard
Pry bar
Portable radio with spare batteries

On Bedside Night Stand Keep:
Extra car keys
Cell phone and charger
Glasses
Wallet

Music & Lyrics

While I was at Stampin' Up! Leadership, I learned a fun idea from presenter Shannon West and it seems to fit my theme this week of Music and Lyrics. Her suggestion was substitute lyrics from your favorite song as journaling for your scrapbook! You saw a peek at our On Board Heart Book available in the Occasions Mini Catalog (also in Scallop Circle and Bird shapes) in this post, but check out the inside of her Valentine Album...she used lyrics from Diana Ross' song "Love Hangover":

 

 

 

 

 

Now isn't that simply adorable? Thanks, Shannon, for the tip! If I was going to make a "song" book, I'd use "The Pina Colada Song" (official title: "Escape" by Rupert Holmes) because that is on the play list for my life :)

What about you? Which song could you create a scrapbook to? Please comment!

Itching to Get Inky?

Are you itching to get inky? 

Come to an upcoming class or stamp camp!

Saturday, January 23rd (Washington, UT)

10 a.m. Stamp-a-Stack Class, $20

Stamp 16 cards (4 each of 4 different designs...sneak peek above!)

2 p.m. Winter Stamp Away, $30

Tin, Fabric, Chipboard and Glitter...you'll get a chance to use them all as you create 4 fabulous projects from Gifts to Valentine Decor at this spectacular event. Join us to "Stamp Away" the winter doldrums!

Saturday, January 30th (Spanish Fork, UT)

10 a.m. Stamp-a-Stack Class, $20

See description above

2 p.m. "Things I Love" Stamp Camp, $25

4 projects AND a Stamp Set! (See project sample, below)

Register for two events and save $5! Space is limited, so call 801-376-8685 to register today. Attend with a friend for twice the fun!

Bring these tools: Scissors, SNAIL adhesive (order refill when registering, if needed), Paper Trimmer and Bone Folder (optional, but helpful). All other supplies cut and prepared for you :)

Ode to the Supermarket Musical

I am *always* inspired by music (have I mentioned my college degree was in music ed?) and recently I've been pondering what the sound-track to my life would be. I'm composing the play-list for my existence, but when I saw the following video, I was infatuated! I've always wanted to stage a spontaneous musical (um, you may have noticed my devotion to improveverywhere...) so today I present my "Ode to the Supermarket Musical":

I’m ambling through the produce aisle

When suddenly I stop and smile,

And looking through the garden fare

Imagine music playing there

Enticing me to sing and dance

Amidst the veggies, fruits and plants.

Spontaneously I bounce and skip

Through frozen food and take a trip

(While singing) past the dairy case ~

Another shopper pulls a face!

I guess they can’t enjoy the glee

This Spontaneous Musical supplies me!

So on past cereal, cheese and chips

I wave my arms and shake my hips!

What if the whole store met to belt

A tune while letting ice cream melt?

So on with grocery shopping ‘til

Applause and cheers! My cart I fill

And take my bow. The concert ends,

But in my dream the song extends,

Encompassing a marching band.

The clerks join in (and all unplanned)

We journey to the parking lot

In chorus line with all we bought!

Absurd? Not so! Just tap your toe

And sing along…you’ll say “Bravo!”

--Loni Spendlove, January 2010 

Love What You Do

"To love what we do

and share what we love, 

as we help others enjoy creativity 

and worthwhile accomplishments

...in this we make a difference!"

~Stampin' Up! Statement of the Heart

Having just returned from Stampin' Up! Leadership, I can truly say I LOVE WHAT I DO and I love sharing it with you :) Here are just a few things I loved about Leadership Conference in Phoenix, Arizona (aside from the weather being in the upper 60's) :

1. My new bag! Isn't it cute??  I have such a collection of cute bags from Stampin' Up! events :)

2. Make-n-Takes: Like a stamp camp for demonstrators! We oohed and aaahed over each one. L to R: Sue, Sherrill, Kristi, Judy and Loni. Now we have many new ideas to share with you!

3. The demonstrations and ideas that flowed from day to day! Every year I think "They can't show me anything I don't already know" and every year they prove me wrong (thank heavens!). There is always "fresh creativity" that astounds me...and keeps me coming back for more.

4. The FOOD is always spectacular at Leadership. They spoil us rotten and I *may* have eaten the extra one of these at our table on day at lunch...

5. Manager's Reception! This year it was a Mexican Theme complete with a Mariachi Band and Rodeo. What fun! Have I mentioned that Stampin' Up! now has a Spanish Catalog? I'm hoping one of my Spanish-speaking friends will join my Stampin' Family of demonstrators, soon (call me!).

6. Swapping and Sharing. Demonstrators bring stamped cards to trade and share. This is a great way to get lots of new ideas (but only have to come up with ONE yourself). This sample was actually shared by Shelli Gardner (CEO and founder) during one of her presentations.

Now that I've shared just a peek at all the fun we had at Leadership, let me invite you to come to CONVENTION with me in July...as a new Demonstrator in my Stampin' Family! During Sale-a-Bration (through March, 2010), our Starter Kits are 15% off AND you can choose any stamp set from the current catalogs FREE when you join! I'd love to have you come and enjoy the fun and creativity of Stampin' Up! with me in Salt Lake City this July, so call or e-mail so we can visit about this fantastic opportunity :)

Tie One On

Here is a pictorial for a perfect knot everytime! It works best on a card with layers. Begin by taping a piece of ribbon to the back of the top layer of your card:

Second, thread a second piece of ribbon behind the flat ribbon on the front of the card and tie in a knot.  NOTE: If you are stamping on the top layer of card stock, stamp before you tie your knot!

You only need to tie the knot ONCE, working your ribbon to where you want it to be...once it is tied, you can slide the knot where you want it.

Finally, layer this on your card base and embellish to finish your card:

This is the card I am swapping at Stampin' Up! Leadership in Phoenix this week! It uses the Something Sweet set from the Occasions Mini catalog and I added Crystal Effects to make the gumballs shiny. I'll post more next week when I return from the warm weather:)