Virtual Inking

Happy Memorial Day--Please Remember

On this Memorial Day Weekend:

For those who have served in our Armed Forces

For those who appreciate those who have served or are serving,

For those Americans who remember this Holiday as a time to reflect

For those who care about our country

 

Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

 

Linda

What Do You Do When YOU Fall?

I hope that you get up again! Here’s an amazing video of someone who did just that. Sometimes it’s easy to give up. I hope that you never give up!

Happy Stampin’!

Linda:)

Balance, Balance, Balance Part 2

Continued from last week...

by Maria Gracia from Get Organized Now

6. Family Meals. Make time for, and make it a priority to have, family meals together at least 5 nights a week. This time is the best time for the family to connect with each other. No matter how busy our schedules get, we all have to eat. Make it a priority to eat together as a family each night.

7. Let some things go. We could all very easily be scheduled to do things twenty four hours a day, seven days a week. There are many things competing for our time. Most of them are usually good things. But, even filling up our schedules with many good things may cause us to miss out on the few best things. It is also more than okay to say no to the many things. Simply say that your schedule has no free space.

8. Schedule regular family time. Set aside one evening each week where you and your family members are there to spend the evening together. This can be an evening of board games, card games, watching a movie together, or just plain talking. The time spent together is wonderful for keeping the family even more deeply connected than spending just meal times together. This also shows your children that you are committed to their well-being as well as your own. 

9. Take care of all aspects of your health. There are three sides to your health, physical, emotional and spiritual. By getting enough sleep, eating right, and exercising, you are not only addressing the physical aspects of your health, but also the emotional. Exercise and eating right are great ways to combat stress. Don't neglect the spiritual side of your health as it plays an important role in maintaining good overall health and balance.

10. Have fun! After all, what is the point of anything if you don't have fun along the way? Several years ago, while I was employed in corporate America, my company showed a motivational video made by the employees of a well known fish market in Seattle. These employees talked about enjoying their jobs because they chose to have fun. The employees rarely left the employ of this fish market because the job was such fun. Who would think that the turnover rate of employees could be near zero at a fish market? If you've ever visited this fish market you can see first hand the fun that the employees have. Choosing to 'enjoy' plays an important role in keeping our lives in balance. Don't be afraid to have fun!

As you can see in the last point, having fun is VERY important.  I have fun by scrapping or making a card for someone.  How do you have fun?

It’s MY Birthday!

So, I have a present for you!  Anyone ordering today will get $5 off their $30 (or more) order.  Send your orders to me or order through my online website.  Remember, I only have a few spots left on my 50/50 board.  See this post for details!

Happy Stampin’!

Linda:)

Pikes Peak Academy Life Skills Day

I don’t know if you remember this post, but I talked about sharing your skills, talents and smile with other people.  There’s a great school called Pikes Peak Academy where kids who have been frustrated by traditional schooling and are in danger of not graduating can come and be loved and helped. They come from all walks of life.  Every month they get some classes called Life Skills where they learn from members of the community.  I have been involved for about 3 years and it has been wonderful.  

Here are some pictures:

Want to see some of the projects?  Go to my Facebook Fan Page!

Here’s the sweet email I got after being there.  

Linda-

Again, you did a great job today.  I was so thankful you were comfortable coming in and leading the girls through the activity.  You did a great job explaining details and made the girls feel comfortable trying their hand at being creative.  It is fun watching them have a chance to be creative.

 

Thanks for showing Jesus’ love today to our girls, being an example of a godly mom to Tori, and providing a creative opportunity for our Lifeskills Day!

 

Have a great day with Jesus-

 

Kristin

Hope you can share your gifts, talents, perhaps a smile or hug with someone today!

Happy Stampin’!

Linda:)

P.S. Come back tomorrow for a special promotion!!

Watercoloring Tutorial and Alternate Card

Some of you missed my "6 Ways to Watercolor” class and it’s too bad because it was way fun.  However, you can still get this wonderful tutorial and/or card kit and tutorial.  

Here, I show one of the cards you can make with the tutorial and an alternate version of the card. You’ll see I kept the layout and technique but changed the stamp set and the color combination.  It looks so pretty in real life!  In fact, everyone who buys this tutorial and kit by May 31st will get the alternate card in their order so you can see it for yourself!  

Want to see another alternate card, go to my Virtual Inking Facebook Fan Page!

The kit comes with all the consumable products already cut and prepped for you.  The tutorial provides step-by-step instructions on not only the watercoloring techniques, but how to make and assemble the various cards and box.  

Per Stampin’ Up! policy, I cannot provide any pre-stamped images, but as you can see here and within the tutorial itself, it is easy to change the variables for what you currently have.  You will need the stamps, ink, Aqua Painters and adhesive which you can buy right away with just a click of the button in my Stampin’ Up! store.  Click the Buy Now Button to buy this kit or tutorial.  

Stamps
•	Awash with Flowers
•	Thank You Kindly
Ink
•	Classic Ink Pad – Night of Navy
•	Classic Ink Pad – Marina Mist
•	Classic Ink Pad – Old Olive
•	Uni-ball Signo Gel Pen

Accessories
•	White crayon (non-SU)
•	Aqua Painter
•	5/8” Satin Ribbon – Old Olive
•	Heat Tool (optional)
•	Paper Snips
•	SNAIL
•	Paper Trimmer w/ scoring blade
•	Stampin’ Dimensionals
•	Paper-Piercing Tool (optional)
•	Bone Folder (optional)

Kit Options

Kit Pick Up $25.00 Kit Mail $30.95 Tutorial only $8.95

Happy Stampin’!

Linda:)

Wow! What Great Singers!

Listen to these kids!

Be looking for a special promotion on May 27th!

Happy Stampin’!

Linda:)

Balance, Balance, Balance

I like to send on these tips to you because they’re helpful and I like to be helpful!

Work, Family, Self--The Art of Balance 

 by Maria Gracia of Get Organized Now

Do you feel like you are being pulled in multiple directions at the same time? Many of us do. There are so many things competing for our attention and it's a difficult task at best to maintain any kind of balance, but it is possible. Here are a few tips to help you get things into balance.

1. Take care of you. It may sound selfish at first glance, but think about the logic of this concept. When flight attendants give instructions on what to do in the event the oxygen masks are deployed, they instruct you to put your mask on first, and then help your child or seat mate. Keeping all of the plates that you are juggling requires the same thing that you need to be able to take care of others-- taking care of you first.

2. Taking care of others, by taking care of you. Taking care of yourself doesn't mean being selfish to the exclusion of others. It can be something as simple as taking 30 minutes after you arrive home from work to decompress and change gears. Having this transition time enables you to shift over from work mode to home mode. You're more present for your family for having taken the time for yourself.

3. Don't try to do it all yourself. One of the mistakes we make is in trying to do it all ourselves. We simply can't do it all. Not one of us is Wonder Woman or Superman. We are humans and when we try to do it all ourselves, things get out of balance very quickly. In light of this, either delegate to other members of the family, hire help, or just let the less important things go.

4. Prioritize. In order to maintain balance, it is important to prioritize. Every item wants to be a number one priority, but not every item is. There are some things, like work, that take up a set number of hours in a day. The remaining hours should be split between yourself and your family. Don't let outside distractions take too much time away from self and family, otherwise things will quickly get out of balance.

5. Don't short yourself on sleep. When scheduling the remaining hours, don't short yourself on sleep. Sufficient sleep is crucial to your health and well being. Aim for 8 hours of sleep each night. It will make a huge difference in your ability to function well each day.

See the rest of this article next week.

Take some time to be creative today because that’s part of a balanced life!

Happy Stampin’!

Linda:)

 

Top Three Reasons to Own My Digital Studio

1.  It’s SO easy to use.  Even if you don’t know what to do, then you can go to mydigitalstudio.net and see a PLETHORA of videos to help train you how to use this wonderful program!  

2.  You will be scrappin’ your memories in no time.  All the included content will keep you busy and inspired for a LONG time!  Need to see what’s included?  Click here! 

3.  You can scrap your memories THE day they happen!  How great would that be!  You can get to your home, hotel room, even tent site, download the pictures and scrap away.  No materials necessary other than your computer!  You won’t mess up ANY products or worry that this is your last button, piece of ribbon or card stock.  Like a certain layout? You can copy it and change the various elements in it to your hearts content!

Have some more questions?  Click here for some Q&A.  If they aren’t answered, then ask me and I will make sure I find out an answer for you!  

Ready to order?  Click here! 

Watch This Incredible Girl Play!

Sometimes what looks impossible to us, really isn’t!

Happy Stampin’!

Linda:)