Surprises

Greetings everyone! Before getting to the topic of this week's blog, I wanted to send out a huge prayer of thanksgiving that hurricane Irene did not live up to what was anticipated. Stamp to Cope, Inc. sends out continued well wishes to those who are still dealing with challenges left in the wake. To all of my East Coast family....thank God!

Already the last week of August and cooler weather turning up much to my dismay.  Where did the summer go? I am not ready to give up warm weather just yet :). However, with the arrival of Fall comes many new adventures for Stamp to Cope, Inc. In preparing for our upcoming events, we reviewed our supplier sponsors and received our first surprise and some very sad news...one of our wonderful supporters, The Angel Company (TAC) has closed its doors.  This was quite a surprise and shock to us as there were no apparent signs.  From an STC perspective, it impacts not only our ability to get supplies for our donation bags at a huge discount, but part of our fund raising aligns with commissions and donations from TAC independent consultants.  Over the years, TAC and the Angels associated with such a fine organization have been absolutely the best to Stamp to Cope.  TAC will be missed.  As a result of the announcement, we are trying to find a replacement stamping sponsor or a wholesaler and strategically planning future fundraising options...I will keep you posted. 

By Sunday, I was pondering areas of low donation bag supplies and looking at our immediate need for an upcoming workshop.  Imagine the blessed surprise I received at church that morning when the Lutheran Women's Missionary League along with matching funds from Thrivent Financial presented STC with 4 large bags FULL of supplies... colored pencils, card stock, ink, adhesives, patterned paper, pencil sharpeners, etc.Truly a literal answer to my prayers.  THANK YOU ladies and Thrivent for such generous and timely support.

So, as I pondered what type of card to make in appreciation for such blessings, I kept both of the surprises of the week in mind (and my unwillingness to give up summer just yet).  The butterfly reminds me that surprises (challenging or happy) can result in beauty and retrospection but certainly reflect a metamorphosis to embrace. I used products and techniques as a last dedication to the years of TAC service.  The butterfly on this card was stamped on heavy white card stock, embossed in black, colored in with metallic and glitter pens to give a stained glass look, and then cut out. The small rectangle base was covered with Angel Pink and the butterfly was attached using pop dots so it would appear to be hovering.  For the large rectangle base, I used a pink piece of card stock and created a butterfly watermark look.  This was created by using the same butterfly stamp but stamping it randomly over the pink paper using Angel Pink ink. The sentiment was stamped in black on a circle cut piece and taped behind.  All pieces were layered in black textured card stock for emphasis and placed on a white card base.

Try it for yourself and remember to embrace all of life's surprises.  Blessings, Jeannette

School Supplies and Dorm Rooms and Presentations...Oh My

Hello all! As you may have noticed I did not get a chance to blog last week.  I truly did not forget...I just ran out of time.  Wow what an amazing ride we have been on... Our son was selected to attend a Jr National Youth Leadership Conference in DC (he had a great time) and returned to a rush of school supplies and first day in the 6th grade excitement on the 15th. At the same time, our daughter was preparing for her college debut as we cleaned, sorted, packed and loaded.  We helped her move into her new dorm on the 19th.  In between, I had the most wonderful opportunity to share the Stamp to Cope mission with the Lexington Lioness Club as guest presenter on the 16th.  What a great group of women serving their community and it was an honor to be a part of their event!  To add an extra surprise to the week, I came home from the presentation to a HUGE box sent from Hero Arts Stamps and inside were stamp sets that they donated to STC to give away to survivors.  Then on Sunday when I arrived at church, the Lutheran Women's Missionary League of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church presented me with a large bag of stamping supplies to put in the survivor bags. Truly this world is full of loving, caring, and giving people.  I am so thankful for each one of them.

So, as a small but sincere tribute to all the fabulous folks who provided help, guidance, and support this most crazy but wonderful week, I created this card to send the heartfelt message... You are my Sunshine!  This card uses something called a thumping technique where water based markers are used to create the color on the stamps instead of ink. After I laid down the light color from the marker directly onto the rubber stamp, I then went back in with an accent color and thumped the tip of the marker randomly over the rubber stamp.  Since the markers dry fast, I had to "huff" breath over the stamp before putting it to the paper.  The moisture from the breath reactivates the color. For the background, I scored diagonal lines using my Scorepal and then inked directly to the paper to catch the raised surface.  Using accent colored layers and a pretty gingham ribbon added a little cheer.

Try these techniques on your next project and thanks again for the "rays" of support.  Blessings, Jeannette

Invitations

Greetings, Hope everyone had a great Monday.  Over the weekend I began work on Welcome Wagon membership invites for the Berea Woman's Club.  The Club's theme for the upcoming year is to focus on the unique and diverse interests every member brings to the organization. Yet, when they all come together there is a mutual bond.  While I was pondering what to make, it occurred to me that we survivors are no different.  We all have our unique experiences with our fight but we have all been blessed with a common gift..a second chance.  I hope you will take a moment to embrace the invitation of a new normal...celebrate your success.

For these invitations, I used the same flourish stamp but changed the ink colors and the random pattern of the stamp to provide similar yet unique card for each basket. By putting the "You're Invited" words stamp at the top, the card will stand out in a very full basket of goodies. Hopefully, it will inspire new members to the community to contact the Club for further information. On the back of each card, I have stamped STC contact information and a pretty pink ribbon for immediate identification of our focus. I hope that these cards inspire curiosity on both sides.  Thanks for the opportunity.  Have a wonderful week. 

Jeannette

Remembering Lynn Woodward

Good afternoon bloggers!

August is upon us and school starts are just around the corner. Before we move into upcoming events, I wanted to take one more opportunity to reflect on July with a special dedication to one of our sisters... Lynn Woodward. Stamp to Cope, Inc. received a most generous and appreciated donation on behalf of Lynn and all that she contributed toward the breast cancer fight.  Although Lynn is now in a better place, while on this earth she touched so many lives with her valiant struggle, positive message, and "never give up" outreach. It is with pride and pleasure that STC take a special moment to celebrate her life!  She was an inspiration to all who knew her.  Thanks Lynn, I know you are looking down on us with love and a smile.The funds provided will be earmarked for a special Survivor Event currently in the planning at the University of Kentucky's Markey Cancer Center. More information coming soon. STC is blessed to have such caring support. Thank you!

Keeping in the spirit of looking down on us, I created this Hot Air Balloon Card to thank our donor.  I adapted a basket stamp (did not ink the apples that were inside), free handed the guide lines, and used a scalloped punch for the balloon.  Using two different colors of the same paper gave it a more festive look. I am going to continue refining this idea with a simple circle punch and solid colors to see how realistic I can get. Try adding sand bags with stickers or masking a cute animal in the basket. If you learned the cloud technique at one of our workshops, what a cool look that would make.  Enjoy being creative.

Have a wonderful week and stay strong.
Blessings,
Jeannette