Jess' Creative Corner

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! I wish you all the best this year!

Sorry for my extremely long absence these past few months. In case you were wondering where I went, here's a brief recount of the past few months for me and hopefully you will understand why I haven't posted in so long.

The last time I posted was October 5th, the day that I don't think I'll ever forget. Shortly after posting that morning, I received an urgent phone call from my husband's employer, Hannaford (a grocery store chain here in the northeast). The store manager was on the phone and told me that there was a couple wanting urgently to speak to Ben. Since he was still at home and asleep (he is the Evening Operations Manager) I woke him up and told him that his best friend Cory's parents were on the phone. We knew something must be up for them to call us like that.

I sat in disbelief while Ben told me the horrible news that his best friend—the best man at our wedding—was dead. He died just 9 days before his 25th birthday. We were devastated and we still grieve for him today. He was great friend, father, son and brother.

I had trouble getting back into stamping for a few months, my inspiration seemed to have vanished. I went to work and spent time with my family, attended the Massachusetts State Grange Session in late October, went on vacation with Ben to New York City in November and adopted a puppy from the humane society. Christmas was good and we enjoyed seeing many of our family and friends for the holidays.

I am finally feeling like I'm getting back in the groove and hope to have many samples, promotions and even creative challenges for you this year. I hope you will continue to check back often and while I can't promise that I will post every day, I will try to post at least twice a week.

Have a happy and healthy New Year!

-Jess

Ink Away!

The Ink Away demonstrator group met yesterday at Janis Cox's house (my upline). Ink Away is Dorene Decibus's downline group and she always has something great planned for us. There is usually only a small group of us, but we enjoy getting together as much as the big group meetings.

When we first got there, we started a project we are doing for the Ronald McDonald House in Boston. We were assembling a bunch (and I mean a HUGE bunch) of cards to send to the house for families to send to their friends and family while they are staying there. We had so many that we didn't finish, but hopefully after the next meeting we will have them all done so that we can have them delivered.

At today's meeting Dorene, Janis and Leslie all gave presentations on Convention. We had some great discussions and it was very informative. I really wish I had been able to go! Hopefully next year! I gave a demonstration on the Big Shot and we all cut out a bunch of stuff using scraps. I also provided the Make & Take portion of the meeting. There will be a picture in a few days of it. We used the Big Shot to make part of the card.

Well, I'd better get to bed since I have to get ready early tomorrow for the first Holiday/Christmas Card Class.

Thanks for stopping by and happy stamping!

~Jess

Time to get back on track!

Wow, where has the time gone?? Summer is almost over and I feel like it just started! I am so sorry for the long absence. Last week I worked about 12 hours a day plus my 2 hour a day commute and tried to get ready for my Church Fair that was last Saturday. CRAZY! I was so wiped out! I even worked Sunday to try to get the workload caught up. Now this week is almost gone too!

The fair went well and I sold about 60 cards. I had wanted more variety and several of each design, but because last week was so crazy I didn't get anywhere near what I had planned to do done. I'm just hoping to get more word of mouth business by being there and maybe get people interested in attending classes and purchasing cards and products.

The open studio went well. The attendance was lower than I had hoped, but I had a great time with those that came and I'm just glad to be able to really use the studio now.

Here is a card we made at the Open Studio/Retiring Stamp Set Class. I will be showing more in future posts, but don't forget these Stamp Sets are now retired.

I got the idea for this card from kath13 on Splitcoast. Her card had more layers and different colors, but I was trying to keep the cards fairly simple so that stamping newbies could make them without too much difficulty.

The DSP is from the discontinued Prints Pack and the Stamp Set is Unfrogettable (retired). The hodgepodge hardware accent on the bow is also discontinued, but they have cool new colors for this new catalog! I can't wait to get my hands on the Very Vanilla!!

I also sold this card at the fair and I sold out of them! I guess I'll have to make some more for next time!

Thanks for stopping by...I'm off to work now.

Happy Stamping!

~Jess

Camera Battery Charged!

Just wanted to let you know that I found the battery charger and my camera is all set to go, so expect to see some new photos in the next couple days!

-Jess