A VERY BIG THANK YOU...OJS

For CAS-ual Fridays
please click here

It has been one pretty amazing week.

Last Friday, a very personal journey began for me

as the OJS Blog Hop began.

A benefit which was organized by my friend

Nicole, owner of Sweet Stamp Shop.

I've shared the story of how surprised I

was, to awake to find this idea already in motion.

If you missed any of it, you can read about it HERE.

I said all along that I felt that, although people were

interested in participating out of the kindness of

their hearts, that I still wanted to be able to

'earn' any money that might be donated.
It was quite a large sum that was needed
to be sure....$7000 total.

So I put myself to work for three weeks and hoped that

my intentions would never be MIS-understood.

To be able to do what I've done for a living for over

20 years...to make everyone else's efforts a success...

that was the goal and in turn, I would have 'earned'

any donations that might come through.

So today, I want to honor YOU.

Those of you who were kind enough 
to donate prizes

Those of you who were a host on the hop

Those of you who hopped

Those of you who played 
in the CAS-ual Fridays Challenge

Those of you who donated

You all came together

 and together

raised just over $2800!

Most of you recognize me from this photo.

I am so looking forward to the day that I can

share a much bigger smile with you and with

the money that has been donated, I can say

that the day will come sooner rather than later.

I now have a size-able down-payment on the work

that needs to be done to have my new smile.

I have a couple of consultation appointments to

find a dentist who will work with this and treat

me with the dignity that I deserve.

It was & continues to be 
emotional journey for me.

To realize that people don't 
just view me as a blogger,

as a designer or as a team leader.

I am viewed as a fellow human being

and clearly, I am loved.

Thank you for reading this post...

for being a follower...

for being a friend.


Over 250 donations, nearly 200 comments
on my blog and over 80 players for
the OJS challenge at CAS-ual Fridays
so please bear with me as I work on all
the thank you comments and cards.
It will take me quite sometime to
complete them all, but I promise to
do my best...just as you did for me.

There were over $2500 in prizes donated

and over 80 prize packages to be won.

It's time to head over to the

Sweet Stamp Shop Blog

and find out the names of the winners.

I sincerely hope it is you.

Are YOU listening in the Silence?

I have had this card on my table for nearly a week.

I know it's been that long because I made it for

this past week's challenge over at

 Now, before you get to excited, I must tell you

that the challenge ended last night...in fact,

at midnight EST tonight, I will be sharing a 

brand new challenge with you.

But the sentiment on this card really means 

quite a lot to me.  I am one who believes that at times, 

you must 

'be still...and listen'

so you know what might be next in your life.

For me, it's a matter of listening for God's voice...

and sometimes, His voice is difficult to hear with all

the madness around us.

In a moment, I'll share what I heard this past week,

but here is the rest of the card that goes with that sentiment...

The challenge for last week was sponsored by the

great folks over at Stampotique Originals and they provided

whatever image/sentiment that our design team chose.

These were mine.

When you work on a color challenge team and you

work with pre-arranged product, you have to really think

ahead on how you will make it fit with the colors.

Jax did a fabulous job with the color story she chose

and for me, it's a reminder that no matter how trivial,

I believe God can be in the 'details'.

So what did I hear 

from God's voice?

"See...I love you...and although it's hard to believe at

times, others do too...it's ok to accept their love..."

I believe in my heart that all this is in reference to the

Operation Julie's Smile Blog Hop

that took place this past weekend.

If you were a part of the benefit in ANY way, then you know

the outpouring of love and encouragement.

If you were not, I hope you will pop back to this post

and check out the comments that were left by those

who stopped by.

The response for me was 'overwhelming' 

in such a beautiful way

but there were times I felt very unworthy.

I think we all know that feeling at times in our lives.

But thankfully, I took time to...

'be still and KNOW that I am God'

for by knowing that, I could accept the love He

was allowing me to see right before my eyes.

Thank you.

I look forward to sharing all of the details on the

money that was raised, along with the prize winners

and what's next for bring back the smile that so many

invested in.  Thank you...thank you.

Project Recipe: 

Cardstock: Bazzill & American Crafts 
Ink: 'Rose Bud, London Fog' by Memento
'Weathered Wood' Distress Ink by Tim Holtz
Stamps:  Tree & Sentiment from Stampotique Originals

Tools:  Fiskars Corner Rounder

Friends & Fellowship = Operation Julie's Smile

The day has finally arrived!

The Operation Julie's Smile Blog Hop

has begun!

If you've arrived here from the

Sweet Stamp Shop

then you are right where you need to be!

If you are just stopping by and have no

clue what this weekend's blog hop is

about, I am going to defer you back to

the link above at SSS because it is there

you will find out the background of this

benefit put together by my very

dear friends, including over $2500 in prizes

that you can be eligible for!

Here on my blog, i'd like to share my story

for those who have question as to why

I would be the recipient of such a benefit.

But first....here is a little creativity to share...

I felt the best way to explain how I felt about the

number of friends who have come out to support this

was immeasurable and this designer paper from

My Mind's Eye's 'Lime Twist' were perfect!

The stamped sentiment is from the Sweet Stamp Shop,

our gracious hosts of this big event.

Over 120 blogs are hosting posts for you to visit

and you will have all weekend to do so.  When you

stop by each and leave a comment, you will be entered

to win any number of our prizes valued in total at $2500.

Before I share my next card with you, here is a little

bit about what happened to bring this benefit to life...

Growing up in the 1960's, there were medications that were used

on children that were very damaging to teeth.  I struggled with

5-6 years of ruptured ear drums and inner ear struggles and was

of course, put on these medications.

My parents did all they could to give me the healthiest teeth possible,

continual root canals, braces that could only stay on a short period

of time due to the weakness of my teeth, etc.

For most of my adult life, I did quite well, but it was always in

the 'future plans' that something major would have to be done in order

to get by, but it was our hope that I might make it until at least 60

before I would have to worry.

But then it happened....

One weekend last month, I chipped my front teeth along with

two others alongside those.

An emergency trip to the dentist came Monday morning after a

weekend of pain and his recommendation was that these teeth were

no longer worth saving and that I ''really needed to get them out now".

We asked what the plan of action would be from there and were told

that now was the time to have the rest of the teeth extracted and face 

the future of dentures, as I apparently had 4 more teeth on the bottom 

that would need root canals within the next six months.

When we expressed concern at the financial burden that would come

with such a decision, the dentist turned to us and said "don't worry, we

will work out payments for you, but for now, we need to get these out

so you can begin the healing process so we can proceed"

So the teeth were removed....

I was then directed to the oral surgeon to have the rest of my

teeth removed, but before I could do that, I needed my dentist to

make the impressions for the dentures first, that way, while I was still

under the anesthetic, he would deliver the dentures so I wouldn't have

to wake up without teeth.

Here is where everything came to a halt.....

When I called to make the appointment for the impressions,

the receptionist told me that I would need to bring $3000 along with me.

I explained to her that the dentist had already said that he would "work with

me to set up payments'' and her response was, ''no, that was just for the

extractions you had that day!!!"

Then I was told that to have the rest of the extractions, it would be

an additional $4000 and if I could ''just bring that along with me..."

Paul & I couldn't believe what we were hearing because now here

I am without front teeth, apparently 4 other teeth

that will cost me a total of $4800 to just 'fix'

and other teeth that chip with the slightest bite into something.

We are a one income couple and Paul works every single

moment he can to make ends meet and we do have some

dental insurance, but it barely covered the cost of the extractions.

So that is where we are today and when my friend Nicole from

Sweet Stamp Shop heard about what happened, she started

the wheels in motion to have this fundraiser in hopes of

helping me regain my smile.


How did I personally become so involved 
in the 'promotion' of this benefit?


Most of you who know me, know that I am a professional
event organizer and am in retail marketing by trade.
I don't work outside of my home and have now
found myself as a professional DT Coordinator.


When I heard what Nicole had already put in motion,
I asked if I could 'work' for the donations...as if I
were outside of my home, working overtime to
earn money to have my dental work paid for.


And THAT is what I have been doing....

Over 120 blogs who are hosting a post for your to visit...

Over $2500 in prizes for you to win

and a chance to help out with a donation in whatever

way you are able.

I couldn't help but think of the friendship

that has come along during my time

of blogging these past 2 years

and these cards are for you...

 For those of you who have: 

stopped by and said hello

celebrated with me 
when my grandsons were born 

encouraged me when days are rough

and most importantly 

have become real friends

we laugh together

cry together

design together

create together

watch our favorite shows together

and blog together

Thank you so kindly for coming by today.

If you are able to donate a little something

to help re-create my smile,
just click the button here

I would appreciate just knowing you

stopped by to say hello, 
so please leave a comment.

Prizes will be available to those who:

**are able to donate

**host a stop on the hop

**leave a comment during the hop

Over 80 prize packages available!

It's time for you to get on with the hop.

Thank you for indulging me by letting me

share my complete story...I am pretty sure

most stops on the hop will be much shorter!

Enjoy the hop...you have ALL weekend!

Your next stop is my dear creative friend,

Lindsay Amhrein

Project Recipe: 

Designer Paper: 'Out of the Blue' Lime Twist by MME
Ink: 'Tuxedo Black' by Memento, Red Pepper by Ranger
Stamps:  'Sweet Tooth' by Sweet Stamp Shop
'Trees2Build' by Stamps of Life

Tools:  Labels Ten Die by Spellbinders, 
Big Shot, Fiskars Border punch & Corner Rounder
Embellishments: bakers twine in Caribbean & Lemondrop by The Twinery
Brads by Making Memories, Chipboard Sentiment 'Lost & Found 2' by MME

Sharing My Thanks on WCMD....

For 

The Craft's Meow Blog Hop

Click HERE

This is just a very brief post to say

thank you in advance for all the love and

support that has come in for.....

 I know that there are so many more sponsors

and prizes that are coming in to the

Sweet Stamp Shop 

office and each day I am overwhelmed.

I look forward to the blog hop this coming

Friday, October 7th...it's going to be an

amazing time of inspiration and I can't wait

to be a part of it.

If you need more information, please

visit the  

OJS Event Page

So on this 

World Card Making Day

I thought it a very good day to say

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Gettin' By With a Little Help From My Friends....

There are times in this life when I just

shake my head and think...

'how did I become so blessed?'

I ask you to please bear with me

through this post because there is

some pretty amazing people doing
a pretty self-less thing..... 

Many of you may have heard that I recently

had to have emergency oral surgery which resulted

in the removal of my front teeth.

As a child, I struggled with brittle teeth due to

some health concerns and my parents did all

they could to ensure that I went into adult-hood

with the best teeth possible.  Unfortunately with age,

the brittle teeth became a problem again and well,

long story short, the dentist recommended that

I bite the bullet and have them all replaced.

In the meantime, he HAD to remove my front teeth
which had become broken over the weekend
and were not 'fixable'.

I made the appointment, had the consultation

and was handed a piece of paper that said to

bring $4,000 with me to have the rest of the teeth 

taken out.  I was in shock because the dentist made

reference to the idea that 'it could all be worked out' ; )
But when I sat down to talk payments, personal payments
are not accepted...no financing available to one income
and the insurance is used completely.

Well, here I am today, missing front teeth (and a few others)

and being frustrated because I believed that this was

a procedure that would be taken care of quickly.

The unfortunate thing, is that THAT amount was JUST for the

removal of the rest of my teeth...it does not account

for the 'permanent teeth' that would need to be put in place.

When my teammate Nicole Rixon of

Sweet Stamp Shop

heard what had happened, she contacted not only

our design team, but a variety of other friends

and teammates of mine and the following was born...

There will be a benefit blog hop called 

'Operation Julie's Smile' 

that will take place Oct 7-9.  

There are a variety of
companies and design teams who will be participating 

in this hop to help raise funds for this benefit. 
So far, over $2000 in prizes have been made available 
and will be awarded for both participants 
and those who donate. 

Operation Julie's Smile 

is now asking for designers/teams who would like to 

be a part  of the benefit hop.  

If you are interested
in getting involved in this creative fundraising event, 

please contact Nicole Rixon at nicolehrixon@gmail.com   

The deadline to be
a part of the hop is Wednesday, Sept 28th.  

Participants will be notified of the blog hop order 

between Oct 3rd-5th.
This blog hop is an opportunity to have fun, 

feature your blog and raise money for a friend in need.  

A donation button
will be made available to all who participate.

Every little bit helps and each donation that

comes in makes it possible for me to regain

a true smile...whatever your part in our

event, I thank you from the

bottom of my heart.....

Operation Julie's Smile