stamping with Maggie

A workroom to drool over

Link: http://stampersblog.franticstampers.com/2007/10/25/my-stamp-room.aspx.  This room is beautiful, just what everyone dreams of, I'm sure. This room was posted by Fran Sabad.

Blogger challenge #12 -to learn

This is inspirational week. We were to find something that inspired us and create a card. I found my inspiration from another card. Let me explain. I bought the latest copy of the magazine "Card Creations" to learn a little more about composition and the art of card making. I would love to be published someday, but I don't feel confident enough or understand what makes a good card tick, so to speak. So I wanted to hunt for clues, that maybe I could use to improve my cards.  I dropped the book on the floor to see where it opened for my first investigation.
I found the card inside, that was also on the cover.
I asked several people' "Why do you think this card was chosen to be published in this magazine?"

teenage son - shoulder shrug.
husband - maybe the sewing on the card
friend - cute flowers
friend - colorful.

I was not happy with my card when I copied it more accurately, so maybe I will never "get it", but I like my card. I had fun sewing on it. I think It's colorful, I have cute flowers, and ( as I shrug my shoulders) it will work for the blogger challenge.  Why do you think it was published, and on the cover, even?  Tell me please.

Be sure and check out other inspiring bloggers, and stay tuned for my blogger choice award.

Blogger challenge #11

This week's challenge is to use the card found on page 12 of the holiday mini catalog. The card is so beautiful that I plan on using it for a Christmas card, but I just received my "pretties" kit and wanted to try that. I love the look of beads and baubles and sparklies.

Stamp set: flexible phrases

Cardstock: soft sky. and soft sky designer paper

Ink: Craft whisper white

Accessories: pretties kit flowerts and hat pin, rhinestone brads, and beads, organdy ribbon

Don't forget to check the other bloggers challenge sites for their spectacular version of this card.

Let me tell you about nice

Webster defines nice :–adjective,  nic·er, nic·est.

1.	pleasing; agreeable; delightful: a nice visit.

2.	amiably pleasant; kind: They are always nice to strangers.

  Bloggers defines nice :The Nice Matters Award is for those bloggers who are nice people; good blog friends and those who inspire good feelings and inspiration. It is also for those who are a positive influence on our blogging world.

My blogging friend Sheryl at  stampingwith sheryl blog nominated me for the nice matters award. She has been fun to get to know. I have seen her regular participation and comment and support of others in the blogging community. I really wish this award had been done in reverse order. I keep her blog up in my bloglines and watch it regularly. Thanks very much.
But I was inspired to write by the webster definition - always nice to strangers.  What I love about meeting strangers, and talking to strangers, and more importantly listening to strangers, is how quickly we recognize our human connection. I am amazed at how small the world really is, and I must say it - how part of a divine family we all are.
Let me share a story.  When I was a young girl in love, I attended a church with an older woman who had befriended me. My husband and I were married there. We later converted and joined another church together, and I forgot almost everything about that part of my life as I became a  busy wife and mother. Thirty years later, I began teaching card classes at a little library not far from my home as a Stampin' Up demonstrator. I was doing this as a friend to the library director, Margi, who had become a friend of mine through scrapbooking. She had a small store in her home for several years and I had grown to love her.  During this time, another dear friend of mine, Linda, had lost her husband, and I knew she would face some lonely times ahead so I took her with me - actually drug her - to all the classes and crops and activities. I needed her company, and her strength more than she needed the outings but..back to the library,  I met a lovely lady, Marnell, at the library and her daughter,Debbie, and they decided to attend one of my workshops.  Linda attended my workshop too. And.. they knew each other! How? Linda volunteers at the local hospital, and had sat with Marnell and her husband as he was facing the end of his mortal life. He had died only a few weeks earlier.  I heard her tell Marnell ,that  years earlier, Margi and I had made losing her husband more bearable by keeping her busy. I was touched.  But that is not the end.  Marnell and her daughter started asking me questions, and we realized that we had known each other  at the  church where I was married.
I know these wonderful women, began as strangers, but are now an enriching part of my life. I know this is not coincidence, but in fact part of a Heavenly Father's love for his children.
So.. I wax sentimental. I believe that my blogging friends, who I have not yet met,and are now strangers,  will eventually enrich and brighten my life and the life of others. I wonder what incredibly sappy story I will have to tell 30 years from now?  probably something about
Ida who leaves thoughtful comments for bloggers challenge group ( I'm insecure)  and
Valerie  who is so nice to Margi and I as we idolize her talent and
Kathy who I met on the airplane coming home from convention and was sooo nice. and

all the ladies in the bloggers challenge group - they say such nice things to each other. and

my daughter who came home for the summer and brought sunshine back to our home.