Pineapple Hello

My daughter gets annoyed that I can just approach a total stranger and start-up a conversation. I could be anywhere, in line to pay at a grocery store, at a restaurant, in the waiting room at our doctor's clinic, etc. I'm brave that way. I have always had such good luck, that the people I approach don't tell me to f__k off or completely snob me. I am not ashamed to admit that majority of my customers/students I've met (or poached) from our local craft stores. When I am in the rubber stamps area and I see people there looking around, I just simply ask them if they like stamping. They almost always say yes. Then I tell them about my cards class/events and hand them my business card. I figure the worst thing they can do is say no, right? What have I really got to lose? However, I know I have very few genuine friends. Aside from my mom, sisters and husband, I have only a handful of friends. The term friend is almost always used pretty loosely, but to me when I call you my friend, it means you know things about me that only my journal knows. It means you know what makes me laugh and what makes me cry. If I've allowed myself to break down and sob uncontrollably in front of you and I'm not hitting you with a stapler, then you're my friend. I've had friends in different stages of my life and although, I can chat-up a storm with a total stranger, I don't trust easily. In the beginning I put up an invisible wall. It takes a long time for me to decide whether someone is a friend, foe or simply an acquaintance. There is an old and universal adage, "Keep your friends close and your enemies closer". There are people even after years of knowing them essentially, my invisible walls are still up when I'm around them. 

When I was a little girl in the Philippines, my maternal grandfather had influential friends come over all the time and I've observed that before they sat down in the living room, they'd all get their guns out of their backs and put them on the table next to their coffee. It always baffled me when they did this, so one day I asked my grandpa why. He said, "Well, when you're among friends the guns can be a little away from you yet not too far. When you're with enemies, they stay on you." As an adult I realize the gun is a metaphor for my invisible wall. It's up if you're a foe and it's down most of the time, but not always if you're a friend. 

Oh well, have you noticed pineapple everywhere? They are on shirts and blouses, on curtains, on papers, on home decors and yes, they are on rubber stamps. So, I am getting on board with the trend with this card. 

 Well, that's all for today. Thank you for stopping by. Products to create this card are listed below. I hope you'd give it a try. 

Pineapple Wood-Mount Stamp

$18.00

Pineapple Clear-Mount Stamp

$14.00

Crushed Curry 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

$8.00

Crushed Curry Classic Stampin' Pad

$6.50

Chocolate Chip 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

$8.00

Old Olive 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

$8.00

Old Olive Classic Stampin' Pad

$6.50

Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

$9.00

Neutrals Stampin' Write Markers

$23.00

Stampin' Trimmer

$30.00

Big Shot

$110.00

Hello You Thinlits Dies

$25.00

Simply Scored

$30.00

Snail Adhesive

$7.00

Paper Snips

$10.00

Table by StampinBuddy. Try it FREE.

The Open Sea

To say that it's been an emotional week for me is the understatement of the year. I try every day to remind myself to separate my emotions from whatever it is that's going on at work. Some days, I'm successful and often, it keeps me up at night. It's not easy not to take things personally when you have been doing the same thing for twelve years and it's really hard not to get attached to people when you've worked together just as long. Someone I met very recently told me about how damaging having friends at work can be. All I could think of was, these people are my second family. I spend most of my waking hours with them. I laugh, cry, share meals with them and celebrate special occasions and birthdays with them. We fight, get frustrated with each other and also forgive each other. That's not just friendship, that is the definition of family. So, when I say goodbye to any of them, no matter the circumstances it still gets to me. Oh well, I will be fine. A little card making and a glass of wine will soothe me. 

My husband has been such an awesome source of support for me especially lately when I'd come home looking so discouraged. He's my anchor. Truly. So, this card is for him - my childhood sweetheart, my best friend and one true love. Happy Father's Day, love.

I CASED this card from a swap I received from Karin Braxton last year at Convention. I just changed the colors and sentiment. 

This stamp set called The Open Sea has just been recently retired, but I know it's an absolute keeper. 

Sitting Here

As soon as I saw this Sitting Here stamp set from the brand new Stampin' Up! Catalog, I knew I had to have it. My dream house has a wrap-around porch and a bench/porch swing up front where my husband and I can sit together while we drink lemonade on a hot summer day or coffee in the morning. 

We did this card in class this weekend and although, it was a little time consuming my ladies really liked it. I hope you'll give it a try. 

That's all I have for now. I hope this week is better than last. Oh well, if not - I can always make a card. The list of products I used to create this card is below. Happy Monday, y'all!

Sitting Here Photopolymer Stamp Set

$17.00

Hardwood Wood-Mount Stamp

$20.00

Hardwood Clear-Mount Stamp

$15.00

Real Red 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

$8.00

Crumb Cake 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

$8.00

Early Espresso 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

$8.00

Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

$9.00

Tempting Turquoise 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

$8.00

Early Espresso Classic Stampin' Pad

$6.50

Soft Suede Classic Stampin' Pad

$6.50

Tempting Turquoise Classic Stampin' Pad

$6.50

Daffodil Delight Classic Stampin' Pad

$6.50

Real Red Classic Stampin' Pad

$6.50

Watercolor Paper

$5.00

Rhinestone Basic Jewels

$5.00

Basic Black Archival Stampin’ Pad

$7.00

Aqua Painters

$17.00

Snail Adhesive

$7.00

Tear & Tape Adhesive

$7.00

Stampin' Dimensionals

$4.00

Mini Glue Dots

$5.25

Simply Scored

$30.00

Paper Snips

$10.00

3/4" (1.9 Cm) Circle Punch

$13.00

Big Shot

$110.00

Brick Wall Textured Impressions Embossing Folder

$8.50

Sponge Daubers

$5.00

Table by StampinBuddy. Try it FREE.

Grateful Bunch

It has been a stressful month. I've received resignation notices from four employees and it's only the second week. It saddens me when people leave. I've been told that it's due to the change my employer is implementing. Too many changes, it's not the company I signed-up for, everything's changing too fast, etc. Yet, they'd leave a company they've known for many years and go somewhere else that is completely new. How's that for a "too much of a sudden change excuse"? I find that contradictory. Besides, change is not the culprit here. Change is all around and it happens every single minute of our every day. It happens whether we want it or not and for goodness sake, don't blame change. I have so much respect for people who leave because they just know it's time to go and they do so quietly and with a grateful heart. Best wishes and Godspeed. Blame and regret are not necessary. Thank you for the memories and for your years of service. Just go and be on your way. You don't need to take everybody with you. I saw a pin on Pinterest that said, "If you don't like the view, move. You're not a tree!" I just love it! It's so true. It's true for me, too. I am where I'm at because for all intents and purposes, it still serves me and my family well and for the most part I still find joy in it. Change actually keeps me on my toes and inspires me to do better without having to uproot completely. It keeps things fresh and new. I don't know about you, but when someone presents me with a challenge, my response is, "Bring it, because you have no idea who you're dealing with!" It's scary and awesome at the same time. Sometimes it's good to be scared. And when everything has been said and done and I've survived the storm, I will sit back and ask, "Is that all you've got?" Because that's how it's done, baby. Let's make it happen. 
It is not the strongest or the most intelligent who will survive but those who can best manage change.” 

Below is the list of products used to create the card above.

Grateful Bunch Photopolymer Stamp Set

$21.00

Simply Scored

$30.00

Blossom Bunch Punch

$18.00

Stampin' Trimmer

$30.00

Crushed Curry 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

$8.00

Basic Black 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

$8.00

Basic Black Archival Stampin’ Pad

$7.00

Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

$9.00

Regals Designer Series Paper Stack

$22.00

Rhinestone Basic Jewels

$5.00

Snail Adhesive

$7.00

Stampin' Dimensionals

$4.00

Crushed Curry Classic Stampin' Pad

$6.50

Table by StampinBuddy. Try it FREE.
I am also a big fan of Grey's Anatomy. I might be the last one left, since it's been around for so long everybody probably already moved on to other shows. Haha. Anyway, one of my favorite characters was Christina Yang. She was so badass and I just adored how brave and brilliant she was. So, I want to share this pin from Pinterest of one of her awesome dialogues. I know, I know, I'm so cheesy. Oh well. have a great week, everyone.