Thankful for Bloggers Challenge ~Color Challenge Red/Teal/Curry

I'm so thankful for my friends at bloggers challenge group. I'm thankful because it gives me a confined set of parameters to be creative, and gets me going. I would have never put these colors together, but it is a really fun combo! I took a half hour and made this card this morning, although I've been a bad blogger this week.

On a personal note: I've been preoccupied with another group called SUDDEN_Response. Sudden Response is a group of Stampin' Up demonstrators, who help out demonstrators in case of a disaster. So Demo's helping Demo's. We send stamping gifts, for example... a pack of cardstock or some samples, to show solidarity and help someone rebuild after a disaster. This week, a demonstrator from Houston, MO Patty lost everything to a house fire, and the members of sudden response have helped her get back on her feet with her stamping business. It's a beautiful thing. It's more than beautiful... It has completely shifted the way that Patty has been thinking, and just knowing that other people care about her, has helped her to move forward with such strength and with a positive attitude. If you'd like to be on the list, just go to this address to apply for membership. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SUDDEN_Response

If you are not a demonstrator, just ask your Stampin' Up demonstrator (yea if that's me) how you can help!

Lately, I've been stamping with lots of embellishments, lots of layers... and so on... I think I need to take a break from all that and get back to the basics a little more. It should not take an hour to make one card... (although it seems most of mine do). So I'm going to resolve to get back to my favorite way to make cards, clean and simple. :) Today's blogger's challenge is just that. Basically, a one layer card, I cut three 1/2" strips in the color challenge colors, then watercolored the image. I cut out the numbers and popped them up with dimensionals. Pretty simple, but very cool. This one will go to my niece Bella. :)

You would easily be able to recreate this card, using any school colors... I think that's pretty cool!

So I haven't had much time for stamping with all that's been going on this week... Although I did create a card for the sketch challenge for stamping 411 tonight, and 6 more for a blog tour that will be HERE on Saturday! So I guess I'm a pretty busy gal after all.

I hope you have a wonderful weekend. Also, to check out what the other bloggers challenge members are up to, just click the bluish-green banner on my side bar to get to the list of members! TGIF!

Rubbah hugs,
Selene~

Why We Do What We Do!

Is this not one of the most beautiful sight's you've ever seen? A little over a month ago, the demonstrator in this photo, Sharon, lost EVERYTHING to a fire. One month later, through the grace of God and generosity of many people, she is doing wonderful and ready to get back to her life.

I was buzzing around on a few of my favorite blogs tonight (getting caught up) and ran across this photo on Gretchen Barron's Blog. I recommend you go read what Gretchen wrote and learn why we do what we do. It's amazing to me that one gesture can be paid forward over and over again.... and now, we are helping people rebuild their stamping supplies, but more importantly, get their lives back and move forward after a disaster as soon as possible. In the big picture, had it not been for Stampin' Up! I would have never been able to be a part of something so much bigger than my small business, that helps me continue to be a stay at home mom or to make so many friendships that I'm sure will stand the test of time.

THIS is where it's at ~ one of those things that just makes life sweet. Please go read Gretchen's post and while you're there, stay and check out her amazing artwork. She is truly a talented stamper and a wonderful person with a big heart. If you are a demonstrator and would like to join the SUDDEN response network, please let me know or you can apply directly through the yahoo site.

Stampin' Hugs,
Selene