Taking a trip to the Country Club

We’ve reached the end of another work week in our “new normal.” While administrative and executive type occupations continue their telework, those on the front lines providing society with our most basic needs solider on. Are we used to the “new normal” yet? Will we ever be used to it? As I’ve mentioned before, I think it’s important to balance our 24/7 news and media world with some quiet time away from all of that. If you happen to have a long weekend, you may be interested in taking some time to express yourself with original creations.

Today, as I look out the window at the trees budding and rustling in the wind (yesterday 80, today 55—welcome to North Carolina) I am thinking spring and outdoor activities. I wanted to tell you about a great suite for creating cards and original artwork for the golf lover in your life! The “Handmade for You” Stampin’ Up'! mini catalog features a complete product line to tee off your inspiration. If you’re like me and don’t know the first thing about golf (other than you’ve had minor success at miniature golf at some point in your youth) you’ll find all the necessary elements here to create a card for someone who enjoys the sport. This is also a suite of products that allows us to create those often challenging masculine cards (although it will work just fine for the female golfers in your life, too.) You can create Father’s Day cards, birthday cards, and maybe there’s a grad in your life who enjoys golfing who’d like a gift card. Use your imagination!

In the Country Club suite, you’ll find stamps, dies, paper, and matching accessories. Be sure to check out the Country Club suite today!

Despite our social distancing, I hope you’re all able to connect with loved ones this weekend, be it by phone or video conferencing. In those quiet moments, I hope you’re inspired to create. Creation can be anything—a homecooked meal, a painting, photography, papercrafts, fiber crafts, you name it. I believe this forced slow down of our normally hectic lives provides an opportunity to reach deep within and express our hidden talents. I hope that gives you peace and inspiration to make all the days ahead a little brighter!

Sending Well Wishes

With the current climate of social distancing, there’s no better time to reach out with a handmade card—and not just for those we know personally, but for others who may be feeling a bit lonely and isolated during this time. Think about assisted living and care centers; you may be inspired to check with local facilities to see if cards for residents would be welcome, and what requirements they have. I believe as each day passes, the best of the human spirit keeps coming forth. You’ve seen the signs held up outside hospital windows, people on their balconies singing. These brief respites are essential in this never-before encountered state we find ourselves in. If we can all spread some joy in our own special way, it helps.

Looking through the Handmade for You mini-catalog, there are several suites of products that would be perfect for creating joyous moments. Perhaps using the Timeless Tropical Bundle to create a card that would take the recipient on a mental vacation to an island paradise. Or, the Beautiful Moments stamp set lets the recipient know they are thought of fondly. A child may enjoy an original creation featuring the critters in the Special Someone set.

Feel free to share how you made someone’s day today! The options are endless!

Welcome to Wendy's Card Shop

Today is the official launch of this website and blog.  Welcome to Wendy’s Card Shop!

The current world situation has offered me the opportunity to spend more time on my creative pursuits; particularly, my card shop and Stampin’ Up! business opportunity.

I choose to look at this diversion from the norm as a chance to truly spend time and develop my creative business the way I’ve always wanted to.  I have many dreams, ideas, and visions of what I want to accomplish.  Today is the first step of an online presence that I will work toward growing, while hoping to meet others who share the same passion of creating.

With Stampin’ Up!’s Sale-A-Bration complete, I look forward to showcasing our Mini Catalog, “Handmade for You,” and beyond that, the new annual catalog. Sharing ideas and encouragement is a real joy—especially in a world where so many are scared, overwhelmed, and wondering about the future. I believe that taking time to create something, whatever it may be, is essential to finding calm and inner peace in our lives; and we certainly need that now more than ever.

Please introduce yourself.  Feel free to share your work.  Together, we inspire others.

I look forward to interacting with my fellow creators.  To begin, please consider joining my Facebook page, Papercrafts and Paws. I’ll explain what all that is about soon.  In the meantime, here’s the link: https://www.facebook.com/papercraftsandpaws/

Stay creative, friends!

Wendy

Whatever the Weather...

As March turns to April, it’s a rainy, cool forecast here in North Carolina. The starlings poke around the lawn, the ever present blue jays and cardinals stop by for a visit. It is a scary world clenched in the grip of COVID-19, and we’re all doing our best.

Spring is a time of rebirth and awakening of nature.  Stampin’ Up!’s March Paper Pumpkin has the perfect sentiment for these turbulent times…scenes of rain drops, rain boots, and a stamp that simply reads, “No matter the weather, we’re in this together.”  Food for thought as humanity “weathers” so many things right now.

Lift  your spirit and those around you by creating your own unique art. Stampin’ Up products can be used for many things besides cards - think scrapbook pages, journals, vision boards, 3D pop up decorations - the sky is the limit. Being a demonstrator allows me to share products and ideas that are inspirational, fun, and bring smiles to all those who are either creators or recipients of creators.

Whatever the weather, we’re in this together. Remember that!

Reaching Out with Cards

I’ve recently found some social media groups that ask for cards to brighten the birthdays of those fighting various diseases, those deployed overseas, and those who have been shut off from most of the world due to the current COVID-19 outbreak. Most of us have seen the news clips, where residents of long-term care facilities have to visit their loved ones by looking through the window in their room. Still others are frontline healthcare workers who visit their children through glass doors or windows, or via video chat, in order to keep their families safe. As the world becomes more isolated, more connection is needed. Handmade cards are an excellent way to bring a smile during these troubled times—not that a need isn’t always there, as there are always people hospitalized, those who have no family, and find themselves in various situations that are very isolating, but it seems increasingly needed now. I’ve decided it’s important to reach out to these total strangers, and am currently making a list of who might need a friendly piece of mail in the hopes of bringing a smile to their face. Many are forgotten, or at least believe they are. Imagine yourself in a similar situation—wouldn’t you want to know somebody out there cares?

Here’s one such group, if you are inclined to spread some cheer. Please be sure to read all instructions and follow all rules so your cards can be shared.

http://www.cardsforhospitalizedkids.com/make-cards.html

Feel free to comment with some of your card ideas! Thank you for sharing!

Last Week of Stampin' Up! Sale-A-Bration!

We all have until March 31st to take advantage of Stampin’ Up!’s biggest promotion of the year, Sale-A-Bration!  New products were introduced yesterday as your free items for making a purchase of at least $50 or $100.  What a great time to add to your stamp sets, dies, and more!

Otherwise, the world is still gripped by the COVID-19 Coronavirus.  The statistics are worse, as expected, as more people get tested.  Together we do the best we can.  I’ve seen in recent days the recommendation by the World Health Organization is to watch the news no more than once a day.  Sound advice, if you ask me.  No one needs that much constant negativity.

Creating is something we can all do to alleviate the apprehensions and anxiety that currently swirls through the world.  I encourage everyone to explore new hobbies or further your skills in an already existing hobby.  We’ve got to bring our own kind of brightness and light to the world in these troubled times.

I think one of the best items you can get for free with a $50 purchase is the Thoughtful Blooms photopolymer stamp set.  So versatile, there’s endless possibilities! 

Stampin’ Up! says:

The Thoughtful Blooms Stamp Set is a perfect floral stamp set for cards. Make thank you cards and congratulations cards with the sentiments in this set, or mix and match this set with other stamp sentiments to make cards for any occasion. This Two-Step Stampin’ set lets you layer images to create more depth and interest. Get the stamp set with its coordinating punch, and make piles of cards in a snap! Earn this stamp set FREE with a qualifying purchase January 3–March 31, 2020, during our Sale-A-Bration promotion! Ask your demonstrator about the coordinating punch you can also get FREE.

This was the first item I chose from Sale-A-Bration, and I’m so glad I did.  Check out all of the offerings here and remember…be the positivity you want to see in the world right now!

I’d love to see your creations using this or any other stamp set.  Please comment below if you’d like to share your creativity!  Thank you!

New Day, New World

March 19, 2020

We are just a few weeks into a “new normal” in this country, and the world. Coronavirus, or COVID-19, is in the news. Despite the horrific things we’re hearing, there may be some bright spots, especially for those with a creative soul.

It’s suggested that we all stay home as much as possible, practice “social distancing” and all the other countless recommendations that have flooded our media. For me, someone who has worked at home for over 16 years, there really isn’t much change.  I prefer to interact with the business world from my computer, and have made a living as a virtual assistant.  I now think about all those working from home and how different this must be for them, especially if they are juggling children.  It can’t be easy.  I’m guessing some find it lonely; others, a welcome break.  My colleague and I are trying to think of ways to help the world adjust and provide needed services to our clients.  As the wheels turn, they seem to organically go not only in the direction of productivity, but also creativity.

Creativity is one of the things that fuels my life, along with nature, animals, and finding peace as I grow older.  Today, there was a walk with the dogs under the Carolina blue sky.  The farmers are plowing the nearby fields.  The grass has sprouts and sprigs of all types.  Spring is about to be sprung. The sun shines brightly, sending its rays of hope down to an anxious world, almost to assure us it will see us through to more sunny days.

What I love about Stampin’ Up! and all crafting in general is the endless possibilities with each new thing we learn.  What I love about staying home is being fortunate enough to have the sanctuary to be comfortable and let that imagination soar.  Many don’t have that luxury.

What I have considered the best news of this debacle is that Mother Earth is starting to heal—it’s repairing itself ever so slowly from the damage all of the humans have created.  The news reports the canals of Venice, Italy, are clearing up, and dolphins have even ventured in.  China has less smog and better air quality, and carbon emissions are down. There truly is balance, even in a chaotic and very worried world.

It is the ultimate time to refocus, center, and ground ourselves; yes,  it is forced, but if you subscribe to everything having a reason, we can make lemonade out of these very bitter lemons. Our minds have to heal from the pace of our daily lives.  Our body has to rest.  Contrary to popular belief, we do not have to be on the go the majority of our waking hours.  Taking walks, reading a book, listening to music, and reflecting on everything from career to family to our hobbies is important work that we often don’t recognize, simply because we don’t have time.

The challenge of having time has been alleviated, at least for now.  I hope everyone is trying to embrace a bit of rest and keeping their composure.  As someone who’s fought those anxiety demons (who amongst us hasn’t?) I know it takes real practice to resist pushing that panic button.

So today, let’s create—create a card, create a garden, create a calming corner to relax in without the guilt of slowing down.  Today, we can paint our imagination and the world with the colors of hope, tenacity, and calmness.  What will you create today?

Shop the Birthday Bonanza Suite here