Stamping with Kim

Believe in Miracles

I know I do.

It was 2 years ago today that I started a full years' worth of chemo-therapy for a malignant & very aggressive breast cancer.  TWO YEARS AGO!!  Sometimes it seems like yesterday, sometimes it seems like forever ago.  But it always seems like a miracle to me.  A miracle that I survived it.  I had the worst kind of breast cancer.  The one you don't want to have.

BUT HERE I AM!!! 

So todays' card is dedicated to ALL WOMEN WHO HAVE FOUGHT THIS BATTLE!!

It isn't fun and it isn't easy.  But I am so thankful to be able to tell you today that it is so worth it.  I just finished my last reconstructive surgery in September of this year.  Yep, 21 months worth of treatments & surgeries.  Whew!  Glad that's done!!

Today - I am disease free!!  Yeah, it was worth it!!

I'm so very thankful to all of you that have hung in there with me over the past 2 years!!  I am amazed sometimes that so many of you still visit my blog when I don't post nearly as often as I used to, or nearly as often as I should!!  I am making a diligent attempt to do a little better - have you noticed?!!

So THANK YOU AGAIN for being my friend - then and now!!  I mean it from the bottom of my heart when I say that I couldn't have done it without you!!  I would also like to ask you - if you have anyone else in your life facing this battle - PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE offer your help & friendship to them, too!!  You can't possibly imagine how much a friend means when you're going through this battle - unless you've done it yourself!!

I started a new tradition last year for Christmas of giving family members a "PINK GIFT".  A PINK GIFT is something that I have purchased in support of Breast Cancer Research (such as something from one of the many pink ribbon, or Susan G. Komen lines).  It's just my small way of supporting breast cancer research PLUS reminding my friends & family that they should support it, too.  I would be honored if you would show your support by giving PINK GIFTS as well!

It's a good day.  A very good day!!!

 

 

Warm Winter Wishes!

With a few Christmas decorations still cheering up our home, I went upstairs very early this morning with some visions of my own sugar plums dancing in my head! *wink*

Guess what I got for Christmas?!!  Some new stamp sets!!  I couldn't wait to play with this one - and its' matching die!  Over the past 23 years my hubby has learned to listen very closely for my Christmas Wish List....and this year he really outdid himself.  This was one of the many gifts he gave to me.  You'll be seeing a few more of them here on my blog over the next few weeks, I'm sure!

I can't list the maker of this set, since I am an active Stampin' Up! demonstrator, but if you contact me personally - I will be happy to share!  The colors & DSP's I've used ARE SU!, and they are Marina Mist (blue), Riding Hood Red, and Basic Gray.  The DSP's are in the new OCCASIONS MINI CATALOG called "Twitterpated".  I love this new set of DSP's!!  My card is mounted on SU! Bashful Blue card base.

Here's a little closeup of the cup with tag.  The cup & peppermint stick dies came as a set, the tiny tag was a different die & stamp set.  Both adorable!!

What a great way to start such a cold, dark & dreary day!   I am in much need of cards on hand for everyday use.  If the weather stays like this for just another day or two - I think I can solve the problem!!

Thanks for stopping by today!  Leave me a comment & tell me what YOU got for Christmas...especially stamp sets!  I would love to hear from you!!

Happy Stamping!!

 

The Reason for Christmas

This is truly a magical time of year!  I wish you & your family a safe & blessed holiday. 

Merry Christmas!

Happy Christmas Eve!

 

On Christmas Eve, a young boy with light in his eyes
Looked deep into Santa's much to Santa's surprise
And said as he sat on Santa's broad knee,
"I want your secret. Tell it to me."

He leaned up and whispered in Santa's good ear
"How do you do it, year after year?"
"I want to know how, as you travel about,
Giving gifts here and there, you never run out.

How is it, Dear Santa, that in your pack of toys
You have plenty for all of the world's girls and boys?
It stays so full & never empties, as you make your way
around the whole world, with the reindeer pulling your sleigh

From rooftop to rooftop, to homes large and small,
From nation to nation, reaching them all?"
And Santa smiled kindly and said to the boy,
"Don't ask me hard questions. Don't you want a toy?"

But the child shook his head, and Santa could see
That he needed the answer & said, "Now listen to me,"
He told that small boy with the light in his eyes,
"My secret will make you sadder and wise.

"The truth is that my sack is magic. Inside
It holds millions of toys for my Christmas Eve ride.
But although I do visit each girl and each boy
I don't always leave them a gaily wrapped toy.

Some homes are hungry, some homes are sad,
Some homes are desperate, some homes are bad.
Some homes are broken, and the children there grieve.
Those homes I visit, but what should I leave?

"My sleigh is filled with the happiest stuff,
But for homes where despair lives toys aren't enough.
So I tiptoe in, kiss each girl and boy,
And I pray with them that they'll be given the joy

Of the spirit of Christmas, the spirit that lives
In the heart of the dear child who gets not, but gives.
"If only God hears me and answers my prayer,
When I visit next year, what I will find there

Are homes filled with peace, and with giving, and love
And boys and girls gifted with light from above.
It's a very hard task, my smart little brother,
To give toys to some, and to give prayers to others.

But the prayers are the best gifts, the best gifts indeed,
For God has a way of meeting each need.
"That's part of the answer. The rest, my dear youth,
Is that my sack is magic. And that is the truth.

In my sack I carry on Christmas Eve day
More love than a Santa could ever give away.
The sack never empties of love, or of joys
Cause inside it are prayers, and hope. Not just toys.

The more that I give, the fuller it seems,
Because giving is my way of fulfilling dreams.
And do you know something? You've got a sack, too.
It's as magic as mine and it's inside of you.

It never gets empty, it's full from the start.
It's the center of lights, and love. It's your heart.
And if on this Christmas you want to help me,
Don't be so concerned with the gifts 'neath your tree.

Open that sack called your heart, and share
Your joy, your friendship, your wealth, your care."
The light in the small boy's eyes was glowing.
"Thanks for your secret. I've got to be going."

"Wait, little boy," Said Santa, "don't go.
Will you share? Will you help? Will you use what you know?"
And just for a moment the small boy stood still,
Touched his heart with his small hand and whispered, "I will."

 

Shopaholic?? hmmmm.....

Maybe so!!  I've done enough shopping that it has now spilled over onto my cards!

This card idea popped into my head earlier and I blame it on all the last minute shopping.  Hopefully all the shopping is done now and we can begin to kick back and start preparations to have our family over on Christmas Day.  I can't wait!!

Back to the card -- I love this little individual SU! stamp called "Something for Christmas".  It's perfect for this card!  I used markers to color directly onto the rubber, then cut the pieces apart.  The ornaments were cut & mounted with Dimensionals.  Lines on the bags were made with markers, too.  Holes for handles - red twine - were made with 1/16" circle punch.  Bag was constructed with Pretty in Pink cardstock.  The ribbon is a new product in the upcoming Occasions Mini.  I love it!!  Oh, the button is new, too!!

I hope you enjoy sharing my little shopping spree!  And I hope your holiday shopping is done - or very close to being done!  Only 3 days left!!

Stay safe out there - and remember to look both ways before crossing the road.   Santa Claus is coming to town!!!