Good Morning! We have a couple of things to chat about! I am going to list them so we make sure we cover everything. Lots have been going on …Randall Lane has been in full swing….
- My April Monthly Kit
- My Pre-Order came….
- A Bird got in the house
- How do I decide which stamps must go….(for me personally)
#1 – April’s Class to GO!
Every month I do a kit or rather shall I say….a Class to GO! I am super proud of my offerings and if you have purchased a Class before….please chime in and let everyone know how you like it!
My kits are a fabulous “me time” for you to sit down and create 6 cards, (2) of each of the 3 that I design but the best part is that you will receive each of the 3 handmade cards from me to use as an inspiration for you to see that YOU can do it and I also will provide you a PDF of instructions and a video for each of the 3 cards!
Here is a “teaser” for you….and you can see that it is BRIGHT…BOLD…CLEAN…FUN…and SIMPLE – just like the kinda cards that I like to make and share with you. The best thing is that you will receive (3) samples made by ME! Everything is included…all you need is to sit and create! If you already have tis stamp set, no worries….when you email me you can substitute to the value of the stamp set, $20.00.
This month I am focusing on the stamp set, Sending Thoughts. I realize that this is “walking the plank” but that does not concern me one bit. This is a fabulous stamp set chocked full of great sentiments and more specifically….messages that make a card SUPER SPECIAL for make “touchy” cards that face it, we need to send.
The cost of the kit is $45.00 and it includes the stamp set as well as shipping. If you are interested in this kit – please click here and email me to save a spot for your kit.Please put in the subject line – APRIL CLASS TO GO! so I can spot it!
I only can make a limited amount so it is totally first come-first served basis. My kits are very popular with other demonstrators as well as you all know me well enough….sharing is the way for all of us to have grown, gain confidence and be able to share ideas!
This kit is filled with some great basic but fun techniques….a belly band card, a heat embossing and a fabulous “formula card” that you can use over and over again with so many stamps and DSP’s!
#2 – My Pre-Order came…..
What can I say but I laugh at myself when I know a package is coming. I knew that my pre-order was coming and in my mind….it should have been there when I woke up because after all – when you know it is coming on Thursday – well that happens the minute my feet it the floor…..I waited and waited….I kept a dog on look out – one on the sofa to see the Brown Truck coming down the lane and another on lookout at the front door. It was a long and boring day for the pooches!
Nothing happened until around 4. That is LATE for me but it came (oops, they came, I had multiples) – Just look at these beauties waiting to get ripped opened! EXCITING TIMES! I truly wish that we were all together to open and yack!
#3 – A bird in the house!!!
As you can imagine….John is burning the candle at both ends and has been working so hard to get through Tax Season. Truth be told, I am usually in bed when he gets home with the dogs and on Tuesday night…..I was dozing off and WOKE UP to a door slamming…..dogs barking….and John’s voice (LOUD) 🙄
You know it is spring when you find birds making their nests wherever they can….well John made a mistake – a big one. It has been sooooo nice out and he turned the grill on and just sat outside waiting for his burger to cook and left the back door open because of the great weather….well – IN CAME THE BIRD that is making a nest right by the back door.
He had all tools covered….a broom, a tennis racket, a lacrosse stick (now THAT I would love to see in action) but it went pretty swiftly….the broom and an open window did the trick! Never a dull moment around here!
#4 – What do I do with my Stamps that are RETIRED?
Hmmmmm….this is hard, really hard but here is the scoop. I look at ones that are “walking the plank” and I say – Did it touch my heart ???….Did and DOES it still make me go WOW – I love that!!!….if I can say YES without doubt, then they have MADE THE CUT….they stay on Randall Lane 😀
I separate them from current stamps that are in the catalog. This just works for me and I keep them all alphabetically – this just seems to work from my purposes in blogging.
I say LOUD AND CLEAR….USE what you want it if is current or of it is retired…..if it is from Stampin’ Up! or from another great company because this whole thing is to have FUN!
I have YEARS of stamps and over the past year I have been having this WORK IN PROGRESS in trying to compile all of the stamps and dies that I want to find a new home for….and trust me, it is a huge job getting it together.
In the comments yesterday…it was asked – how do you sell them? Well…for me – in November, I did a chance for people to go into the “Vault” as I like to call it….and people were able to pick a FREEBIE from ordering with me – that was super fun and it showed me that people really like getting things that they might have passed on.
In being a PAL – we have a great resource (another great reason to be a hobby demonstrator) where we can post within our group things that we want to sell.
I know of many that see on Ebay – but personally….I think that I would be challenged with that task.
Each month I attempt to share a list for you all to see if there is something that you want….but I just do not have it all together….I know, I know – I should just do it as it does not have to be perfect etc….I sell all for 50% off plus I charge whatever the shipping is.
I hope that this helps you…..I am not upstairs right now to glance at the stamps that I have kept but off the top of my head….here are a couple – Vivid Vases, Easter Lamb,Six Sided Sampler,Larger than life alphabet, Lighten Hearted Leaves, MOST Single Stamps – Life is Kindness, Christmas Bauble, Bearing gifts…. as they are usually great…anything that has a BIG SENTIMENT.….most sentiment stamps sets….like the one that I am doing the kit with (WHY???? Easy = it is sometimes hard to find the right sentiment)
Whew….this was LONG but we had a bunch to chat about! I hope that you had 2 cups of coffee reading this and please feel free to leave a comment to get the thoughts going – this is when we learn – from one another! Speaking of coffee…..we have a FABULOUS BUNDLE coming out….one that any coffee lover will “perk up” with!
If you are traveling, please be safe. Tomorrow I will share with you some swaps….I know that many are traveling and /or busy with family so I thought that if you had a chance to pop in…I have some great ideas for you.
Please email me if you are interested in my Class to GO! I think that you will be in for a treat.
Great post this morning Susan.
You work so hard for all of us and you do a fabulous job. Happy Easter to you.
Awe shucks…I hope that it brought some light/clarity to you! Thanks for the sweet comment!
walking the plank – chuckling!
To me….it just sounds nicer….I like to envision all of the stamps that are walking the plank to be like dominos! We know that are many great stamps ahead!
Great post….you covered it all! Love the big SU boxes….so much fun in store for you today. Enjoy!
It was a fun day but I am gearing up for this easter egg event in our community – at 1 p.m. I will be much better!
Love your post!! My order arrive and I have not had time to open it?!?!?!? Today is the day!!! Love the bird story! Been there, done that! Now to also find the time to sort out the retiring stamps!!! Happy Easter!!!
Here is an easy way to do it…grab a friend and just read down the new catalog….if it is not there – you pull it off the shelf….this is a HOT DATE that John and I do with the new catalogs…..he sits and reads – I pull!
I’m interested in the sentiment “You can’t do this”. Which other sentiment do you pair it with? Thank you.
Well…this sentiment is to have the big X over the ‘t in the sentiment…..here is a link where I used that sentiment. My motto is…when you find a great sentiment stamps set – GET IT…..you will be happy to have something that you can fall back on to add those perfect words you were looking for!
https://simplestampin.com/2016/12/im-back-super-cute-card.html
I’m interesting in using your “walking the plank” idea…gosh, I have so many that need new homes, LOL! You’re a hoot, Susan, and I love ya for that! Oh, and birds flying into houses, been there, too!
There are times that we just have to do it. I was AMAZED at how many stamps that I have…..it is a huge time commitment but it is worth it in the end!
Oh boy ! look at all the fun stuff you have to play with this week end ! Love the bird story . I had a baby squirrel show up in my commode one night !! Talk about adventure !!!
The pictures of your cards for this month`s offer are so colorful . Love love your kits !! Always a treat to get in the mail !!
Oh Sonny, how can you leave us hanging about the squirrel in the commode – how in the world did it get there? Then what? How did you get it out? At least, was someone ready to plop their hiney down and the squirrel popped up or was the lid up or the lid just being opened and it popped up? Come on, my FIL loves bathroom humor and this beats any of his dead body stories!
I am TOTALLY WITH CHRIS…..do tell! This is a visual that I just cannot imagine. Chris, I still laugh each and every time I think of your wave…..PRICELESS!
OH MY GOSH – How in the heck did a squirrel get there! YEARS ago we had one that came down the chimney and those little guys are HARD TO CATCH and wow – they can go through a room in no time! We put a note on the door….REMEMBER THE BIRD – as I just don’t have it in me to move the nest as we know that Mama wouldn’t do her job!
I can’t let anything go. I’m going to need a bigger house!
Now that a solution…..let me know how that works out with the family!
Thanks for your honesty about what stamps you want to keep and what you are willing to kiss goodbye. I’m much the same way–I have 3 year old stamps that I use all the time for personal cards because they still speak to me. I confess that I have purchased sets that I originally didn’t think I needed; after seeing a post by you, I changed my mind. I have yet to wave goodbye to one of those choices–I find your reasoning sound and certainly parallel to my own sensibilities.
And yeah, I’d give anything to see a bird extraction with a lacrosse stick!
Thanks Linda….I appreciate your kind words. I know that it is hard to make a decision but at the same time I really do think about the practicality of what I purchase. The Hot Air Balloon Bundle was a perfect one….when I saw it demonstrated I was WOW……this is super cool and I can see many potentials….then I bought it and then that TIME THING got me, again….and it sat on the shelf unused for several months after purchasing it.
Once I took a bit of time, figured out how easy it was….and then made many cards – I FELL IN LOVE – it was a light bulb moment….this IS a keeper. Now we are lucky that it is being carried over but IF it wasn’t…..I would still keep it as it is a classic now and in the future….it just takes some time to figure out the ones that you REALLY need (ha-ha) and the difference between the ones that are an impulse!
Well, I think I am going to have to reread this many times to let it sink in that I will not need every stamp set that I own. I have a terrible time letting go.
Tell John, “A bird in the hand (lacrosse stick) is worth two in the bush (I mean in the house)” and see if he smiles. I would rather have a bird than those nasty looking bats that tend to fly at you!
Oh, I love that paper for the April kit…they look like a lot of fun and really cool.
Pre-order you will have to let us know what you received. I watched Mary’s video and I liked some things and other things were so-so. I swear that little crate and the wood themed paper as well as that copper trim is totally me and I gotta have it!
Sonny, you can’t leave us hanging with a squirrel in the commode thought………..
Ted is whaling – or wailing to go for a walk – is it a wonder I can ever get anything done? Susan has heard the boy with his whale imitations…..
Now Chris….I think that it would take me having to road trip it to you to have a good talk about which ones to keep and which ones to say bye-bye with…..but the thing that would happen is that it would take a WEEK as we would yack the whole time and I can just hear you justifying why you want to hang on to that one……
I agree….when I saw the Lacrosse Stick – I thought….REALLY JOHN….you are almost 62 and I think your agility skills with a stick might be a bit rusty! I was more concerned about my tennis racket !
Totally with you…..we need to hear about the squirrel thing!
HAPPY MAIL is on the way to you…..and YES – you will love the card I made…I will blog about it on Wednesday as I want you to see it first! Now this is a KEEPER stamp set!
Oh my mailman will get stalked now. Yesterday, we had a sub and Teddy was stalking her big time from the minute she started her route from the post office. I think she petted him 3 times before she got to our house at lunch time.