September 19, 2008

EMBELLISH SOMETHING - AND A FEEL GOOD STORY!

Happy, Happy Friday all -I am soooo glad this week is over!!! Actually, I am glad that last TWO are over, not very fun at all!!! But, I am back in the positive mode, and am determined to stay there! Thanks again for all the nice emails, you guys are the best!!!! And yes, I had a fabulous time in Monterey and will share some pics of my trip probably tomorrow! Meanwhile, it's time to Stamp Something and today's challenge is Embellish Something - anything you want!!! So, I decided that a card would do - and I will tell you, I CASEd the layout of this card from one I spotted some time ago in the SCS gallery and wish I could give her credit, but don't remember her name so if you know, let me know and I will do right by her! I loved her layout and decided I wanted to use some of my new yummy Hawaii Papaya DSP - love, love, love this!!! It is totally my new favorite, lol!! And, if you like this one, go and check out what the rest of the DT did for this - they are all WOWs, I am tellin' ya!! And, we would love to see what you come up with, so if you play along, make sure to upload to the Stamp Something site so we can all check it out! Here are the deets!
Card Recipe:
Paper - Old Olive, Really Rust, Naturals Ivory card stock, Hawaii Papaya Designer Series Paper
Inks - Kiwi Kiss, Tangerine Tango, Chocolate Chip classic stampin' inks
Stamps - Fresh Cuts
Accessories - Felt Fusion, Vintage Brads, Old Olive brads, Ticket Corner Punch, Chocolate Chip wide grosgrain ribbon, stampin' dimensionals, Styled Vanilla hodgepodge hardware, Designer label punch, mini glue dots
So, are you ready for my feel-good story?? Remember all those packages you all were so generous to mail to me for a friend in need? Well, check this out! This is what one whole side of my craft room looked like until last night when I sorted through everything - isn't it amazing!!!! No, YOU all are amazing - what a fabulously wonderful and generous group you are, I am privileged and humbled that I am surrounded by people like you! My daughter and son helped me last night by breaking down boxes, writing everyone's name down (I put them all in a card with your home state but no addresses), and sorting by type. The kids were in awe and really got into the whole spirit, and want to help me go through my own stuff (again). It was nice to see! So, after it was all sorted, and put into four HUGE boxes AND one of my laundry baskets (lol), I drove it to the store today and gave it all to Tracy! I asked her if I could take some pics to share and she was thrilled to do so - so here they are! She was absolutely amazed at how much paper and albums she received and was really quite overwhelmed (but in a good way) by everything! She just could not stop smiling, which really did my heart good! She just kept going through it, and oohing and aaahing - and I did find out she has never stamped before but loved all the stamps and now wants to learn which is really fun - I am going to meet with her and show her the basics on how to get started because it CAN be a little intimidating when you have never played - but she will love it, I am sure! She was emptying out the laundry basket (so I could have that back!) and discovered all the wonderful embellishments and this for some reason made her tear up - she just could not believe all the ribbon and brads there were (have I told you guys how much you totally ROCK??!!!) The card with everyone's name in it and their home state is proudly displayed on her counter and she was just amazed at how many states were represented (I told her that we stampers are EVERYWHERE, lol!) I had to run next door to the Starbucks and meet a gal about a workshop (sounds like a song!) but she asked me to stop back by when I was done so I did and this is what I found!!
Tracy was on the floor of her store, had everything all sorted, proudly told me that she got to "touch everything" and had her husband on his way over to pick it all up and take it to their temporary home! Doesn't that smile just do it for you - I am thrilled how this turned out - what a good feeling to know that in a small way, we were able to make a difference for someone who really needed it! And, she asked me what she could do in return, and I told her (because I knew you would agree!) that someday when she meets someone who needs a little help, just to pay it forward!! She also asked me to pass this on to you: "I cannot believe there is this much kindness out there from people who don't know me at all!! Thanks from the bottom of my heart, I am so amazed and touched by what you all did, I will never forget it!" So, there you have it!!! Big hugs and smooches to all of you ladies from me too - how nice to pull together and make someone like this happen!! It made my whole weekend - and I will never forget that smile! Have a fabulous Friday and I will be back tomorrow!

46 comments:

Bunny B said...

That's so awesome!!! :)

kathleenh said...

Great story Alex! I'm so glad we could give her a boost like this after what she has been through with the fire. Bless your heart for organizing this! You're a gem!

Natalie said...

Wow, everyone has been so generous and what a great story to read rather then all the negative things we see on tv nowadays. I love your card too, great paper and colours. x

Charmaine (CharmWarm) said...

Oh how awesome! Thank you so much for sharing the pics, Alex! The "play by play" was great too! Thanks for making MY day! :)

Charmaine (CharmWarm) said...

P.S. I LOVE your card! :)

~Denise Lynn~ said...

Wow! I'm so happy that you shared that story with us. It's always nice to be able to help someone out and that smile on her face really does say it all! Cheers to you Alex for taking on this task and helping to do something amazing for someone else! You rock too girlfriend! :)

Love your challenge card this week too. The colors and embellishments are very cheerful. Great papers and layout too. Have a fabulous weekend! :)

Becky Carafa said...

What a wonderful story! Thanks for sharing! Your card is fab too, love the HPH!

Manna said...

This is so heart warming, Alex! Thanks for sharing the story. Glad also that it's a happy ending for the troublesome 2 weeks. And love the card. Very pretty paper and colours.

Lauren said...

Great card Alex - love the embellishments.

Melissa said...

Super cute card Alex! I haven't really seen a whole lot of samples using the Vanilla Hodge Podge, but it looks really good so I'm suddenly thinking I need some for myself! LOL!

Thank you for sharing the pics of Tracy and all the donations......this is the way we are supposed to live our lives and I'm proud to say I was a part of it!

Many Blessings,
M.

Chris said...

your card is beautiful!! what you and everyone did for tracey is truly awesome!!

Denise ~ Paper Ponderings said...

Awww...your card is so cute, of course, but your feel good story is enough to make a girl tear up! I so wanted to be involved in that, but let the time slip through my fingers. That is just awesome, awesome, awesome. Thanks for sharing!

NoraAnne said...

Thank you so much for sharing the pictures and the story! I am tearing up and getting goosebumps just reading it!
You are AWESOMSE, thank you SO much for coordinating all of this!!!

NoraAnne said...

oops, that's supposed to say you're AWESOME!!! LOL! don't know what AWESOMSE means!

Beate said...

I am tearing up over here. Alex, you are such a sweetheart! Thank YOU for letting us help her out!
Big cyber hugs!

Dani said...

Awwww, how great! So glad we could all help!

Wonderful card, love the paper! :)

Annapurna said...

Pat yourself on the back for organizing this and doing all the hard work. Did you mail man or MIB question what in the world you were doing? Was I the only one different or did anyone else do what I did?

Awesome card. One of my Alex favorites.

a portland granny said...

What a great ending to this wonderful idea you had. Thank you for all your hard work in organizing all of the generous responses you received. I know the lady must have been overwhelmed with the kindness shown her.

I liked your card displayed also. I am gong to have to break down and get some of the new colors! They are really quite yummy!

Bethany Paull said...

Pretty card. Love your embellishing. And a great story. TFS.

Erin... said...

Love your challenge card!! And a big woohoo to you for organizing everything to help out someone in need, it was easy to give you some stuff, but taking the time to get it all together really made the difference!

Nikki Bond said...

What a gorgeous card Alex and I love that you shared the outcome of your story....she looks so happy! You are wonderful girl! {SMILES}

ScrapMomOf2 said...

Oh geez, Alex, I really dropped the ball on this one, and I'm glad to see that others did not. I'm sorry! This is so heart warming! Her smile is fantastic! You are a complete sweetheart for doing this for her!! You are amazing!

Your card is gorgeous! Take care!!

Cindy Haffner said...

Wow that's alot of stuff, love your card. Happy week-end, Hugs Cindy

Michelle said...

That is just fantastic Alex - I am sure you have made a friend for life.

Stampers truly are the greatest!

Vicki said...

What a great thing you did Alex (and all who donated) to put such a beautiful smile on her face. Bet she'll be smiling for days.
Your card is beautiful. Love it, Vicki

Emily said...

Beautiful Card Alex! I love those colors! Love that vanilla HPH.

What an awesome story!! That was so nice of you!

Carolyn King said...

Alex--you are awesome! So glad this brightened her day...what fun seeing her smiling face!!! Happy to help but YOU did all the work. So pat yourself on the back---you done good girl!

LOVE your card too! Talented and sweet!!!

Rose Ann said...

First of all...your card is totally gorgeous!! I LOVE it!!

Thank you for sharing your happy photos!! My eyes are tearing up, and I thank you for making it possible for us all to help out!

Hugs!!

Lou Sims said...

WOW, what a fantastic ending to a sad story. Amazed at all the items you got together with other crafters. Well done you and this story has started my weekend off with a real "feel good" factor.

Deborah said...

Oh I am so happy she loved our goodies! It looks as though she is good to go now! Love your embellish something challenge card! Yum! Hugs, Deb

pescbrico said...

Oh thank you so much for doing that for her and showing us the results! I am still smiling about the story!
Have a wonderful day!

Marlou McAlees said...

gorgeous card Alex!! wow, everyone has been so generous, I was too late to post when I read your post :( have a great weekend xx

Dana said...

you are an amazing person to put that all together :) have a great weekend you deserve it!!

Jessie/knightrone said...

Thanks for letting us know, I was thrilled to get to be a part of this!! Thanks for doing it!!

Anonymous said...

Seriously amazing Alex! I'm sorry I missed out...I still have a bag full of stuff for her.
I can't believe that haul! She looks so happy!
You're awesome!

Anonymous said...

I love your card, Alex.

Thanks for sharing the happy photos of Tracy with us. It was fun trying to pick out stuff that I hope she can use. I thought that she was a stamper also, so I did send a few stamps..... she'll know how soon, as soon as the two of you can get together. Thanks for doing all of the work, you are a wonderful friend, even to a stranger.

Joan
Maple Grove, MN.

Angie Tieman said...

Beautiful card! Thanks for sharing the feel good story and pictures, that was so awesome of you to put all that together!

Unknown said...

That is so cool Alex!! Thanks so much for posting the pics and for coordinating the whole thing - what a fun surprise that must have been!! :)

Louise F NZ said...

Gorgeous card, and I am glad that Tracy was so happy!

Anonymous said...

Love your card alex,It's gorgeous with the Hawaiian Papaya DP and your pretty embellishments.
The story is the BEST! Your kindness in organizing makes me smile!

corinnesomerville said...

All I can say is...AMAZING !!! Way to go, kiddo !!!

Marilyn said...

Ohh - I loved seeing these pictures - it just put tears in my eyes - you are so awesome for doing this Alex!! I'm so glad I was able to send a little something to make this sweet lady's day. You are definitely a jewel Alex!!

Kim Marie said...

So glad she liked everything! It is so fun to share!!
Thanks for taking on the project!
Kim Marie

Anonymous said...

Hi Alex! Thank you for posting this & I am SO happy that Tracy is happy! Hope my stamps arrived safely!
What awesome photo's, tell Tracy I wish er all the best!
Sunshine NZ
www.ihearttostamp.blogspot.com

Charlotte said...

It just goes to show you that stampers are the nicest people you will ever meet, such generous hearts!
Thanks for getting us all involved!
Charlotte Hollingsworth
Colorado Springs CO

DonnaJ9 said...

Alex, that was so much fun. I appreicate you giving us the chance to help out. You're right, that smile was more thanks than needed. I still have tears in my eyes!