Winner! Winner!

 

I promised a prize for the one who posted the most comments during the month of February. I'm not surprised at all that my winner is Paula. That girl loves to win a prize.....and her prize?

Chicken Dinner!! (Just kidding)😉

It's a surprise! She will be with me in class on Wednesday night and I will present it to her there. 

I will be offering ways to win prizes every now and then so keep checking on my blog, leave a comment so I know you were there and YOU could be my next WINNER WINNER! 🥳

Classes and Sales

 I have realized that at the beginning of the new year I should have posted the info on the classes I teach. If interested you can sign up by contacting me by leaving me a message here in the comments or by email myredhen4@yahoo.com.

I have come to the beginning of a new year and at that time I like to get the information out there about my classes and crops so you know what's available. 

At the end there is info on something new for this year. 

I teach two classes each month. 

First of all, I do what I call "Paper Pumpkin Club "  

Stampin Up has a subscription program called Paper Pumpkin. For $22.50 each month you get a box with everything inside to create projects they have designed. It's usually cards, about 9 of them. You get full instructions and all the supplies need including an exclusive stamp set, a small square pad of one of their ink colors, and any adhesive or pop dots needed. In your very first kit you get a stamping block. You literally have everything you need to create your projects except scissors. 

Now when I get my kit I come up with alternate projects using the kit and I have a group of ladies who bring their kit along with them to class snd we make the extra projects that I design. The class is $10 and includes the instruction plus any supplies that I have added to the kit to make my alternates. 

The class is at 6pm on the second Wednesday of each month. 

Hope that explains it well. 

Secondly, I teach a class which I call my "Red Hen Roundup"

You sign up for this in rounds of four months each. For instance this first round will run from January thru April. You are then responsible for the whole round. If you are not able to come you still receive your kit and pictures of the cards we did in class. 

In this class I teach five cards that I have designed and I occasionally also teach some little treats like you might use at Halloween or Christmas. You bring your monthly kit, yourself and your basic supplies. You will also receive a kit from me with any extra supplies you need for the cards I teach in class. 

Again, if you are unable to come, you would receive your kit and pictures of each card.

This class is $25 per month and I teach both a daytime class at noon and a night class at 6pm both on the last Wednesday of each month. 

Now, something new....

I am adding a Technique Club this year. This is designed to learn some new techniques and have a record of them that you can flip through for ideas when you're crafting. 

At the end of each month you will receive from me, a card with a small example of the technique I'm teaching and written instructions on how to do it. In addition you will receive a link to a video I've made showing me making and explaining a card using the technique for that month. 

I'm storing all of my cards in a binder with sleeves to hold the cards and I will have a catalog of ideas. 

If you sign up by January 15th you will get a folder from me with the necessary pockets for one year of cards. 

Sometimes in addition to the instruction card I will send a fully made card using the technique and I will leave it unsigned so its all ready for you to use. I also plan on often sending along some materials you might need to try the technique out. 

This class is $12 per month and if you pay for the whole year up front I am making the price $125 which gives you nearly two months for free. 

I also host weekend crops several times a year at Springhill Suites. 

That's it for my classes but I did want to let you know that I plan on making a great effort on my blog this year so you might want to peek in and see if you might like following along. I plan on passing along some information, adding some stories and including cards and other crafting ideas. 

I pretty much have no followers right now since I have completely neglected it but I'm trying to change that. 

Hope to see a lot of you join me either by chatting or commenting here on my blog, in class, through online in Technique Club, or chatting ajustmy blog. I'd love to have you. 

Now one more thing....

I will occasionally be offering things for sale here on my blog and for the most part the cards I share on the blog are available for sale. I'd you see one you'd like just give me a shout and it can be yours. 

PIZZA!!!!!

Join me as I celebrate National Pizza Day!! This is one I can really get behind. I LOVE 🍕Pizza! I'll eat just about any kind. I just pick off what I don't care for and enjoy. Cold or hot and for any meal, I'm in and guess what I'm doing right now to celebrate! (besides having pizzafor dinner)

But where did these awesome pies come from...?

Though flatbreads with toppings were consumed by ancient Egyptians, Romans, and Greeks, the modern birthplace of the pizza is southwestern Italy’s Campania region. It was notorious for its throngs of working poor who required inexpensive food that could be consumed quickly. Flatbreads with toppings that can be eaten for every meal — fulfilled this need. These early pizzas featured tasty toppings such as tomatoes, cheese, oil, anchovies, and garlic. More well off Italians found their eating habits disgusting.

 King Umberto I and Queen Margherita visited Naples in 1889 and legend says that the traveling pair became bored with their steady diet of French cuisine and asked for an assortment of pizzas from the city’s Pizzeria Brandi, founded in 1760. The variety the queen enjoyed the most was called pizza mozzarella, a pie topped with the soft white cheese, red tomatoes, and green basil — much resembling the Italian flag. Since then, this particular choice of toppings has been dubbed the Margherita pizza.

However, even with the Queen’s love for the dish, pizza would remain little known in Italy beyond Naples’ borders until the 1940s.  Immigrants to the United States from across the sea began replicating their flatbreads in New York and other American cities and relatively quickly, the flavors and aromas of pizza won us all over. 

Okay, here are my finished masterpieces. I made a nice big pizza and had enough for 2 large 5x7 cards. I'm going to add sentiments but I have to print them out myself and I'm too lazy to do it right now. One will say...."Wishing you a big slice of HAPPY", and the other will have some hearts added and say "You have a pizza my heart".

What do you think? 

Now I've earned a nice big pizza for myself. 

Time to order!!

March Crop

 The next two day crop is coming up on March 11th and 12th. 

Here's a link to the flyer:

https://1drv.ms/w/s!AsV6sc7sOPuhlyrvhBlDeGbSz66u

Hope to see you there. 

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!!!

 Today is Love People Day!!

I'm sure there's someone in your life who could really use a little reminder of how much they are loved and while we're at it let's do a little something loving for those that we may come in contact with today. Pay for the persons meal behind us in line at the drive up or the purchase of the one behind us in the check out line. Add a extra good tip to our waitress after our meal while eating out. Or in smaller ways just a smile, a thank you, or holding a door are little ways we can just send out a bit of love to those around us. 

As card makers we have another way to spread a little love. A handmade card showing up in a mailbox among the bills and junk mail never fails to bring a boost. 

Just as a reminder, in just a few days on Saturday our own very special holiday is coming. It's World Card Making Day!! What a perfect time to get together with a friend and do some cutting and pasting while making some awesome cards. Or just a great excuse to get out all those supplies at home on your own and play ALL DAY!!

I'll share a card or two that I make and I'd love to see the creations you come up with on your own or with friends so please share in the comments. 

Have a great day all, and get out there and spread some love. ❤ 

National Queso Day

 Today apparently is National Queso Day. I am not a fan of this gooey, spicy stuff but I know I'm in the minority. 

I came across this offer for those of you who love the stuff. 

Cheesy, creamy, ooey, gooey, goodness...Mouth watering yet? In celebration of National Queso Day, we are gifting our loyal guests a FREE REGULAR Chips and Queso with a Regular Entrée purchase!

Now while I don't care for the queso, I LOVE Costa Vida. Their sweet pork is to die for so I may use this an excuse to visit. 

Maybe I'll see you there queso fans!!

 

August Crop

Evidence of a weekend well spent. 

 

French Fries

Wow!
It's been some time since I've I've posted!
I've been neglecting my duties but I've been hard at work at my desk making SO many cards. I not only need to remember to post more often but it is also my goal to add more pics of the work I'm doing here on my blog. I was recently considering applying for a design team spot on a company and realized that I don't believe I have enough of an online presence to be considered. Color me sad 🙁  Oh well,
I probably don't  need to add another thing to my plate anyway.
I've been getting this box together of cards I've completed, putting them in sets of three to try selling them on Etsy.

Now if I just had good pictures of all of them. Always more to do. I think taking a picture of each card I make as soon as I finish it might help. We'll see.
So I'm adding this picture of a card I completed for a card swap as a beginning with a resolution to show more of my work.

 This sunflower stamp from Stampin Up is so beautiful that I may not have done it justice. It awesome just stamped plain on solid cardstock if you ask me.

Anyway.....
I was reminded to pop on because I got an email from McDonald's informing me that today is National Drive-Thru Day.
Any lunch plans? They are giving away french fries today in celebration.

I don't eat many french fries these days but a Drive-Thru at Jimboy's for tacos and a side of rice sounds very tempting to me. to me. Sorry McDonalds.  I'll catch you on National "This is What the Grandkids Always Want Day" 😉

So happy National Drive-thru Day to you all.  Hope you find something yummy to eat and someone special to it with. I'm headed back to my desk to finish a card.

I promise I'll send a picture.  😊

Happy Pineapple Day!!

My daughter informed me a bit ago that today is Pineapple Day. I was sitting here working on cards for my Paper Pumpkin group and as luck would have it I was finishing up this card.

How fortunate was that?

So then I decided to check and make sure before I sent out wishes to you all. 

I went online and sure enough, 

there it was.

I looked further to read about how it began. 

It was apparently originally

 "Bring Your Pineapple to Work Day"

Here's the story...

The First Pineapple Day

“What’s up with the pineapple?” James asked as he walked in the door. He had noticed the large, ripe-smelling pineapple sitting on my desk, and was a bit confused.

It was 9 AM on June 27th, 2011, and we were in our small coworking office on Townsend St. in San Francisco. James and I were a bit over 3 years into our startup journey, and we had just started our summer at Y Combinator. It was still just the two of us; we had yet to hire any full time employees.

The truth was that I had craved pineapple that morning, so I stopped at the nearby Safeway on the way into the office. Our recent infusion of Y Combinator investment money had enabled us to switch our diets from mooching off of my aunt and uncle to actually buying our own food at the grocery store. This was super exciting, and I was taking full advantage of this newfound freedom. I like my fruit fresh, so canned or even pre-cut pineapple was out of the question. I bought a whole fruit and planned to chop it up in the shared kitchen. Even if I couldn’t eat the whole thing, I was confident that the other nearby founders would be happy for a snack.

Of course, that’s not what I told James. After 3+ years of working together in a confined space, we had developed a special level of snark in our relationship that’s normally reserved for notes left on badly parked cars. “It’s International Bring Your Pineapple to Work Day,” I responded. Adding casually, “Where’s yours?”

“That’s not a real thing,” James retorted with an eyeroll as he set his bag down and sat down at his desk.

“Sure it is” I insisted, and to back my claim up I pulled up Google Calendar and added “International Bring Your Pineapple to Work Day” to our shared company calendar. I set the event to repeat every year on June 27th. Later that day, we ate my pineapple in what we later termed the “pineapple slaughter” (a term which, in hindsight, was unnecessarily violent). At the time, we had no idea how significant this day would eventually become.

That night, I made the first public announcement of the holiday in a tweet:

Andrew Lee@startupandrew

worst Bring Your Pineapple to Work Day ever. No one else even brought their pineapples.

16

6:47 PM - Jun 27, 2011

Twitter Ads info and privacy

See Andrew Lee's other Tweets

One Year Later

By June 27th, 2012, Firebase had grown to a team of four with the addition of Vikrum and Michael. The first pineapple day had been long forgotten at this point, so it was a surprise to me and James when we arrived at the office to find Michael with a big, juicy pineapple on his desk.

“What’s up with the pineapple?” we asked.

“I don’t know. It said ‘International Bri Your Pineapple to Work Day’ on the calendar. So I did.” Michael responded.

“Where’s yours?”

I knew then and there that this was going to be big. If Michael was excited enough about the idea that a random confusing calendar event was enough to get him to buy and bring a pineapple, then this thing had legs. We decided that from then on, “International Bring Your Pineapple to Work Day” (“Pineapple Day” or “BYPTWD” for short) was going to be a company-wide holiday.

Secretly, I had grander ambitions: to make Pineapple Day a global holiday, on the level of New Years, Independence Day, April Fool’s Day, Festivus, etc.

Pineapple Day at Firebase Over the Years

We’ve celebrated Pineapple Day every year since. 

There you go...What a fun story!

It's back to work for me but now I'm going to want a darn pineapple all day. 😋

Pepper the Hedgehog

You know how you wake up in the morning, stretch, and mentally check on what's on your schedule for today? I must confess that lately it's been out of the ordinary for me to even know what day it is.
But today...

I happened across this yvideo on YouTube. This person has truly found a unique way to fill their time (and their living room).
Meet Pepper the Hedgehog.

https://youtu.be/FWrx7ZMKa2w

Amazing right?

This is course number 5 and apparently her course continues to grow as quarantine time continues.

She has picked up a big following and I believe is selling tshirts.

I love her!!

P.S. I labeled this post under Important Info as well as under My Life because...well because it's just an important quarantine event. 😁


P.S.S I wasn't even aware that you could own a hedgehog as a pet.
Now I want one. 🙂

P.S.S. Before I close I just have to include a quick shot of the view above my work desk as I work today. Lovely

Snail Mail

On this day in 1900 the post office issued its first book of stamps.

I think that a perfect way for crafty ladies to celebrate is to use one of today's stamps to send a card out to someone. This is such a challenging time for so many of us and a handmade card showing up in a mailbox is sure to brighten anyone's day.

By the way, I sent out a other of my oh so fabulous videos today offering another kit for you to play with. So hop on over, take a look, and add a complement to enter for a prize.   

https://youtu.be/fck1GArzcxI

Create Away!

This was posted on one of the blogs I follow and it mirrored my feelings during this time so well that I wanted to share it with you. 

Let's get crafty!!

Calling all cardmakers! It is time to use our super power to make others smile! The world is so chaotic right now. So uneasy. There are people scared and lonely. There are people who are having to work when they wish they could be home with family. There are people who are worried about paying the bills. There are extroverts longing to get out and be social. And introverts struggling to get alone time to recharge with everyone home. Everyone has a struggle here. However! We are cardmakers. And our super power is that we can make cards to lift someone’s spirits - anyone’s spirits! We can do this! And another good reason for us to makes cards? Crafting is therapeutic. And something you can do with loved ones at home. 
I am hoping you will all join me in making cards to give to folks who could use a smile. My family had a crafting hour earlier today. (Swipe to see photos.) We did lots of die cutting for lots of cards. Tomorrow we will assemble them. These cards will go to nurses (who are in the thick of this), grocery store employees (such madness!), and teachers (who are trying to figure out how to teach online and much more). If you don’t have time to make a bunch, just make one! But please join me. Send a card add some goodness to the world! We can do this!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️

Grab Bag Kits

Well all, I came up with an idea I'm going to try. I've been putting together some grab bag kits. This picture is of just a few that I  have finished.

In the process I eem to have created a monster. I was digging around to find some goodies to add to the kits and it has turned into one of my "purges"
Those of you who know me know what that looks like.
This home where I am barricaded alone has become a bit of a factory where I prep for classes, play with ideas, dig out things to use or sell, and film videos. Also where I am playing with new products, new ideas and new techniques. I'm even cooking! (Again, those of you who know me will know how unusual that is)
Mostly though, I'm making a mess.

I have opened up a store in my Square account in order for my class gals to order and pay for their kits during this crazy time and I am going to begin listing my kits there so be sure and take a look.
As I list them I will put links here on my blog.

Some of you knew that I'm  offering a cute box filled with goodies and how to enter. If you're unaware, here's a hint.
I LOVE for people to check out my blog but I don't know who they are if they don't leave a comment. (Hint hint)
I'm also filming videos in order to teach my classes during this time and I LOVE getting subscribers to my channel.

This is keeping me busy during this time of isolation but I'm some of this stuff is very new to me so I thank you in advance for your patience as I muddle through  I'll get better, I promise 

I Scream You Scream

Ladies I'm checking in on the blog to see if anyone's trying to win my prize. so far the only way I've told you you could qualify to win is to comment here on my blog. I've started filling my pretty box and someone is going to win it.

You Paper Pumpkin Club ladies were the only ones I had told about the prize, bur that changes now. Here is a picture of how I turned my Pumpkin box into a cute gift box which is going to be given away to one of you. Enter to WIN!!

I finished designing the cards for April's Round Up class yesterday. I'm ahead of the game so if any of you need something creative to do, let me know and I will make the video and make you a kit. 

The April class is the last one of this round and because I'm ahead I began working on the May class today. I finished something SO cute and I gave a little hint about it somewhere on this post. Do you see it? (That just might help with your prize entries)

That next Round is for four months again, May through August and beginning with that round the price will be going up to $25. I know things are wierd right now so I hope you won't shy away from joining me. We need to keep this virus from stealing our creative fun! Some new products and new techniques are going to be introduced during this next one.  I hope we will be back together soon but until then I'm going to continue making the videos and I hope to get better and better at it. Until I can get with Rae for some lessons I'm on my own.  

Horrors!!

November Crop

I am holding a crop on November 16th and 17th. I was full but will be using a new location and have room for more. I'm attaching a copy of the original flyer here, but the location is wrong.
We will be meeting at Springhill Suites  at 490 Southmeadows Parkway.

 Crooked image. Sorry.

WINDOW IS CLOSING FAST!
NOT ROOM FOR MUCH MORE!

You are not confirmed to come unless I hear from you. Even if you've told me your interested.

I'm Back!!

I'm blogging!!

One of the new things I'm trying is selling card kits. After teaching classes or just creating,  I often end up with extra materials left over. In the past I have been carefully putting them aside, planning to make them up and add to the cards I sell. Well, that hasn't  been working too well. My time has to be switched to designing and kitting the next class and those things I put aside to make get put aside kind of permanently. So my plan is to put all the supplies together and make card kits to sell. I'm trying it out on my blog and if it takes off a lot I may open an etsy shop.

The kits will include all the supplies to make the number of cards included (usually 4 or 5), and a close up picture will be emailed for you to follow along with any special instructions. Some will even have a short video. The first one to order each kit will receive a special surprise as well. All the embossing, stamping,  and die cutting will be predone and the pieces for each card will be placed an envelope to size so that once finished they will need only a stamp to be on their way to someone special.

Watch for kits coming soon.

Well ladies, as I'm sure you can see, my blog attention has been dismal. I've decided to put my nose to the grindstone and do a better job.

The first new thing I'm going to do is offer card kits. After I teach a class I often end up with all these extra supplies. My plan has always been to make them up and try to sell them. That plan hasn't worked very well and I end up with piles of projects that don't get done, so I'm going to offer the projects to you all. If it begins to work I can possibly open up an etsy shop.

I have the first kits ready to go. I just have to figure out some things with postage so I know what to charge. That first one is a Halloween card. I'll post pictures right away. Those of you who are local to me will be able to take advantage right away since postage is not an issue.

Watch for those pictures coming soon......

Hurricane Relief

This post is to let all of you know what Stampin Up is doing in an effort to help those hit by the devastating hurricanes.
If you are attending the Card Buffet and would like to make a donation, I will accept donations that day and forward them on to Stampin Up. If you are not signed up for the Buffet and would like to stop by, look at some samples of new product and make a donation, please feel free to drop in at 164 Hubbard Street, at Branches Community Church any time between 11am and 4pm.
You may also donate directly by following the link in this email.
This is purely voluntary on your part. I just wanted to get the word out there since it's a way to help and be able to double your donation. I can only imagine what these people are up against.

In This, We Make a Difference

Along with many of you, we are watching with concern as stories unfold about the devastation left behind in Texas and Louisiana by Hurricane and Tropical Storm Harvey. Though no one knows how many lives have been affected, Harvey is said to be one of the worst natural disasters in U.S. history, and the damage caused by massive flooding will be felt for years to come.
With you, we’re also trying to stay informed on the progress of Hurricane Irma; as we write this, Irma has not yet made landfall but is currently classified as a catastrophic Category 5 storm. It will almost certainly leave as much destruction in its wake as Hurricane Harvey and will affect the lives of tens of thousands of people.
As a Stampin’ Up! family, we invite you to help us give to those who are now (or will soon be) trying to rebuild their lives. From now until the end of October, Stampin’ Up! will match donations made to the American Red Cross, dollar-for-dollar, for up to $50,000. Please click here to donate.
The Stampin’ Up! community is already making a difference through ongoing hurricane relief efforts. Here are some ways people are raising money.

• Demonstrators are donating a portion of their commissions.
• Demonstrators are holding dedicated events, including retired product sales, where all proceeds are being donated to hurricane relief.
• Customers are being invited to donate at events. 
• Demonstrators are selling unused cards or are mounting past swaps on card bases and selling them (in accordance with the Angel Policy) to raise hurricane relief funds.

If you’re a Stampin’ Up! customer and would like to help, reach out to your demonstrator and see if they are holding any fundraising events you can be a part of, or click here to donate to the American Red Cross.
Together, we can do incredible things! We hope you’ll join us . . . because we truly can make a difference. 

Card Buffet

Hi All

I'm deep into preparing kits for the upcoming Buffet on the 23rd of this month.

The giant bag shown in the picture here is full of prizes...and they are just the prizes for the crazy drawings! It is so full that I couldn't even squeeze that last one on the top into the bag....and I'm still working on a few more. 

We're going to have so much fun!

Everyone signed up will automatically get one ticket for each drawing and those of you who signed up and paid before August 25th will get four more tickets for the crazy drawings. There will be more ways to earn extra tickets that day. You can earn an extra ticket for the regular drawing by bringing something for our church food bank. There are so many crazy prizes that I am going to also offer tickets for sale for those drawings. They will be $1 each or 6 for $5 and I will be adding that money to my churches offering box the next day to give them a little blessing for so kindly allowing me to hold these events there.

I am making a limited number of kits and at this point there are only 3 spots left, so if you've been on the fence about coming it's time to jump off....and to help you get going, the very first one who contacts me to take one of those 3 remaining spots will receive and extra two tickets for those crazy drawings.

Believe me, there is a lot of stuff in those crazy bags. once you open them up and find out what's inside, you can trade with each other, give stuff away, or keep some new treasures for your stash. There will also be a box for us to put anything that nobody wants, and all of that will be donated to The Continuuim here in Reno after the event. They offer an adult day care program specializing in care for adults living with Altzeimer's disease, Dementia, traumatic brain injuries, stroke recovery, Parkinson's disease, and M.S. The time away while they're busy there offers caregivers a much needed break. The things we give them will be help out with their craft supplies.

That's it...It's back to work for me!

Are You Ready?

Well girls, Are you ready for another Card Buffet?

Seems like it's coming up pretty fast, but the new Holiday Catalog will be live to you all on September 1st. It's my plan to do three Card Buffets a year....one to coincide with each new catalog. As a demonstrator I have been able to view it online and believe me, it's a good one!

                                       Save the Date!!
I have wiggled all around trying to decide the best date for this one and I've landed on September 23.
       It will be held as before at Branches Community Church from 11am until 4pm.

      More information and a flyer will follow, but I wanted to tell you some fun news now.
IN ADDITION...not in place of... the normal prizes, I have spent the last couple of weeks coming up with some kinda crazy ones to be held in separate drawings. You just never know what might be in these crazy things. Once you win them you are free to give things away, trade them with others, or just add them to your stash of treasures. Sound like fun? Everyone attending will receive a raffle ticket for both drawings and there will be some things along the way to earn extra tickets to the "Crazy Drawings"....
Starting right now!
The fee for the event is $25 and everyone who signs up and pays for the event by August 25th will get four..that's right, four extra tickets to the Crazy Drawings.
You will also receive two extra tickets for bringing someone who hasn't been before and she'll get one extra.

I hope you all will be able to join me for the fun and to get at look at all the great things Stampin' Up has come up with for our holiday creativity.