Finally a new post:)

Hello stamp friends!

It was a very busy and quite emotional week for me last week. I know I mentioned that our little Chinese Dwarf hamster was sick in my last post. He never got better and despite him taking the medication, it just wasn't enough.

I had plans to attend a demonstrator event which I knew about for almost 2 months, but with Snuffy being sick, it was very hard to concentrate and get my swaps done. One of my customers/friends came over on Tuesday & Wednesday to help me get the swaps done. I honestly don't know what I would have done without her. (Thank you, Cathleen!!!) When she left on Wednesday, I got him out of his cage and held & comforted him. Here's a picture I took of him sleeping on my chest.

I'm so glad that I took this picture (with my cell phone) that afternoon, because he passed away that evening. He was a very unique type of hamster. He didn't bite, he loved to be held and he'd take a nap on my chest while I watched TV in the evenings. He was my little buddy. I definitely feel the loss.

Thursday was a rough day. I was so glad that it was a hectic morning and the kids didn't go looking for Snuffy; otherwise, they wouldn't have wanted to go to school. I had to break the news to them when they got home. My 8-year old took it pretty good, but my 6-year old cried his eyes out. I took a break and just laid down next to him and tried to answer his questions. Once my hubby got home, I put on the radio and after struggling for a few hours, I finally came up with a card. Then I went to sleep. Friday I did all of the cutting and managed to get everything ready to go before I went to bed.

Saturday I got up early so I could be there at 10am. We made 7 cards and then took a break for lunch. The demonstrator that was hosting the event is also a caterer. We had fully loaded baked potatoes and an awesome salad for lunch. Then we made the second half of cards, watched demonstrations and then we voted on our top 2 cards. Even though my card wasn't in the top two, I was excited to win a door prize... the new "Go, Graduate" stamp set:) The hostess gave everyone a pair of Flip Flops and let us choose fabric we liked to make the fabric flower using the Big Shot and the Stampin' Up! Flower Folds die. Then it was time for dinner. We had the best chicken fajitas I ever had! Debbie, you rock!!! This was my first all day event and I can't wait for the next one, which will be held in September. I learned so much and all of the demonstrators were so nice and helpful. It was really what I needed to cheer me up.

I wanted to share my cards with you. This one was the swap:

 Supplies Used:

• Stamps: Sweet Scoops & On Your Birthday
• Card Stock/Paper: Tempting Turquoise, Pumpkin Pie, So Saffron, Whisper White & Pink Flamingo DSP
•  Ink: Tempting Turquoise, Pumpkin Pie, So Saffron, Creamy Caramel & Basic Black
• Other: Punches (Modern Label & Word Window), Ribbon (Tempting Turquoise & Pumpkin Pie 1/4" grosgrain & Elementary Ribbon Originals), Fire & Ice Circle Brads, Heat & Stick Powder & Dazzling Diamonds glitter

and this one was my make-n-take:

Supplies Used:

• Stamps: Vintage Vogue & On Your Birthday
• Card Stock/Paper: Rich Razzleberry, Very Vanilla, & Cottage Wall DSP
•  Ink: Rich Razzleberry & Old Olive
• Other: Big Shot, Top Note die, Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder, Old Olive 5/8 Satin ribbon, Vanilla Hodgepodge Hardware & Stampin' Dimensionals.

We're getting ready to get some thunderstorms, so I better sign off. I hope to have something new to share soon. Have a wonderful week!

Julie