Giving Tuesday

 Gratitude has been on my mind lately, not just because it seems to fall into place during this advent season, but how I can share my gratitude into giving.  I am grateful for MANY things and have been VERY blessed to be living the life I imagined!  I set out on a mission to find out how people celebrate this special time in anticipation of Christmas. There are literally thousands of ways people give of their time and gifts.  My favorite ones were the homemade variety.

An advent blessing jar from Vermillion Rules is a great way to include the whole family.  I also love the random acts of Christmas kindness advent calendar by Coffee Cups and Crayons.

 The 1st Tuesday in December has been chosen as "Giving Tuesday"- a global day dedicated to giving back. 

 The idea that charities, families, businesses, community centers and students around the world will come together for one common purpose: to honor generosity and to give - well, that is truly awesome!  So, from global day, an idea has sprung forth to create an advent type - 24 days of giving and to extend it over 12 months.  Each month to have two giving days.  January 2015 will be the start of my "24 Gifts".  Who, what and why am I giving?  I am working on a list of 12 different giving activities and will share them with Douglas and Grant counties in Minnesota.  ( I live in Douglas, but grew up in Grant!)  The list so far includes: Food shelf,  Humane Society, Thrift Store, Library, Sheriff's Dept., and Social Services.  As you can see I need a half dozen more, but that will come as I visit with people/organizations who have charitable needs.  The what I'm giving will consist of food to the food shelf, animal treats to the Humane Society, new books to the library, etc. The why is my gratitude of what I've been given in my life and a pay it forward attitude!  

At the start of  2015, I will pick a Who and Oh Happy Day it will be as I share with you what gifts they will receive- maybe you'd like to be a part of the giving of "24 Gifts" too, the more the merrier! 

Enjoy this special season of sharing and to quote Winston Churchill -"We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give".  

-hugs- Julie

Getting Started...

   It's a winter day here in west central Minnesota and we're all snuggled in doing one of our favorite things.....stamping!  A question we get a lot is, "I want to make cards and have fun stamping, but where do I start and what do I need?"  Stampin' Up has a ton, and I mean TON! of great products but it can be overwhelming for someone who is just getting started. So....we've put together a bundle of products that we fondly call our "Getting Started Bundle".  This bundle comes with a pack of 40 sheets of 8 1/2" x 11" whisper white card stock, pack of 20 brights paper sheets 8 1/2" x 11": two of each color card stock, black ink pad, adhesive, pack of 40 whisper white envelopes and the Petite Pairs stamp set in wood which includes 9 different phrases.  This bundle sells for $75 which includes shipping and tax. As a special offer we'd like to give you this FREE gift with purchase bonus of the 12" x 12" Sweet Taffy Designer Series paper pack with 12 sheets: 2 each of 6 double sided designs.  This is a great way to get started in your card and paper crafting projects

Getting Started Bundle

  We made up the 9 different phrases from the Petite Pairs stamp set along with the papers from the bundle to give you an idea of how simple, very simple, you can be in creating cards with just these products.  No fancy shamncy, just do it!  Of course, there would be nothing wrong in creating a bit more glam to each card, but we wanted to give you the basics and how it takes no time at all to create some fun meaningful cards to give to special people and have them ready whenever you need them!

9 different VERY simple cards using the Petite Pairs Stamp Set included in the Bundle

  The Petite Pairs Stamp Set comes with phrases for baby, wedding, sympathy, birthday, thinking of you, holiday, thank you, get well and just because, so you have everything you need to create cards for any occasion. Plus you will have enough card stock and designer paper to make dozens and dozens!

  If you are looking for that perfect gift for that special someone who enjoys creating handmade items or as gift from me to me for yourself, we'd love to have you become a part of our paper crafting family by purchasing this bundle.  Just send us a message at rjsatterlie@gctel.net to place your order.

  One more share, everyone who places a $50 order or more from now until November 27th will be entered into a drawing to win a Big Shot machine.  Oh, you will want this - it will be the next product on your "I need that" wish list - trust me - you will have sooo much fun creating your handmade paper projects that you will want to have more!!

  This bundle is available while supplies last with this special offer, so act quickly (oh good grief, that totally sounded like an infomercial if I ever heard one!!)  Seriously, we only have so many bundles put together so this is your chance to get some great products with a freebie and we all love freebies!
 
  Make time to enjoy the hobbies that you are passionate about and maybe even fall in love with a new one!

-hugs- Julie

Sharing my love of papercrafting!!

I am choosing our Kaelly Studio blog site to share the Stampin' Up projects that are created for my Project Life, Treats, Eats and Fun Techniques and other special events that I host each month.  I will post pictures of the projects that were created, along with the Stampin' Up items and prices.  If anyone purchases any of the items listed to create the month's projects, I will send you the free instructions via e-mail.  To order, just contact me at rjsatterlie@gctel.net.

Just an FYI, my Treats, Eats and Fun Techniques workshop meets at my home on the 4th Monday from 6:30 - 9 pm.  In December, we'll meet on the 3rd Monday.  If interested in attending this particular workshop, please e-mail me or send me a note on facebook.  I would love to have you join us!  Also, you can check out my Stampin' Up website for more events and dates to entice you to have more fun in creation land!

So on with the show!  This month at our monthly Treats, Eats and Fun Techniques, we focused on ideas for Thanksgiving.  We created a card, table settings, a fun host gift label and the Paper Pumpkin project for October!

Thanksgiving Card with a blank inside for writing your own sentiment

October's Paper Pumpkin Project (one of eight!)

Thanksgiving Table Name cards and Napkin holders

Fun host label.  I love the saying!! HAHA!

Here are the Stampin' Up items used to create all the projects for this month.  I apologize in advance as not all the prices are listed.  I am using a StampBuddy service to give you all the goodies, but obviously need a bit more training!!  LOL!  Just send me a message and I will get them to you!  Next month will be better (promise??!!)  AND thanks for checking out our projects!  ENJOY!

Hello Honey Classic Stampin' Pad $5.95

$5.95

Mossy Meadow Classic Stampin' Pad $5.95

$5.95

Early Espresso Classic Stampin' Pad $5.95

$5.95

Hello Honey 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

$6.95

Mossy Meadow 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock $6.95

$6.95

Blackberry Bliss 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock $6.95

$6.95

Early Espresso 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock $6.95

$6.95

Very Vanilla 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock

$8.50 

Color Me Autumn Designer Series Paper $10.95

$10.95

For All Things Wood-Mount Stamp Set $24.95

$24.95

Mingle All The Way Wood-Mount Stamp Set  

$24.95

Making Spirits Bright Wood-Mount Stamp

$$2Set $27.95

$27.95

Choose Happiness Wood-Mount Stamp Set 

$24.95

Big Shot

$99.95

Autumn Accents Bigz Die

$21.95

Top Note Bigz Die

$21.95

Tag Topper Scalloped Punch

$22.95

2-3/8" Circle Scallop Punch

$16.95

Early Espresso Stampin' Write Marker  $3.50

$3.50

Brights Candy Dots

$5.95

Gold Basic Metal Buttons

$7.95

Linen Thread

$4.50

Early Espresso 1/4" Cotton Ribbon

$5.95

1-1/4" Burlap Ribbon

$7.95

1-Month Prepaid Paper Pumpkin Subscription

$19.95

Woodgrain Textured Impressions Embossing Folder

$7.95

The Wedding - Part 3 - The Big Day!

It's hard to believe that's it's been almost 7 weeks since the kids were married.  Oh wow!, this summer is flying by.  The photographer's photos have arrived so we've put together a little slideshow of pictures highlighting the big day.  We'd like to thank some great people for making it a very special one....

Photographers - Moments by Corrine Photography
Flowers - Anderson Florist and Greenhouse
Music - Eli Brown of  Third in Line
DJ - Multiple Choice DJ
Makeup - Laura LaRue of Mane Frame
Hair - Stacy Fussy of Salon La Belle and Jeri Luedke of Hairs What's Happenin'
Decorations - Geyer Rental and our own creativity
Caterers - Backroads Steakhouse, Zens Creative Catering  and Elden's Food Fair Bakery
Dresses and Tuxedos - Mestad's and David's Bridal

Click here The Wedding - Part 3! ( the slideshow make take a few seconds to start!)

-hugs- Julie

The power of the handwritten and handcrafted word!

In this fast paced world we now live in with social media, it is all that more wonderful to receive a card or note in the mail.  Now don't get me wrong, I have absolutely nothing against social media and the instant messaging and the sharing of information, in fact I'm all for it because I am a bit of an impatient person,  but I do believe in the power of the handwritten word that I'm afraid will disappear.  I believe, I'm on what I would call, a revival of the handwritten and handcrafted word!

 Several months ago, I signed up to be a demonstrator for Stampin' Up.  I did this to appease my inner self's desire to get back to paper crafting and I'm always up for saving money, so why not get the demonstrator discount and get my craft groove back?!  I've been having a wonderful time catching up on my scrap booking and creating cards for occasions.  But some part of this "revival" was missing and I realized it was that I wanted to send cards or notes for "just because" reasons, not only for "an occasion".  There are many things to send cards for that I think, would make someone's day so that is what I'm doing, creating cards to give a smile to that someone who would receive a "just because" card and having a fun time with my love of paper crafts!

If you would indulge me, I will be sharing such cards each week through our Kaelly Studio blog before I send them in the mail.  I'm hoping that they inspire you to want to send some cards too!  Maybe you'll get so excited to be a part of this revival, that you'll also decide to join Stampin' Up for the same reasons that I did.  The more the merrier and more smiles will be made!  This week, I'm sharing a few cards that I'm sending out for various "just becauses".  One for my upline in Stampin' Up, who recently attended convention and was rewarded for her desire to send cards and give smiles! (a WOW!  double blessing!, being recognized for something you love to do...umm...sweet!)

Another for a good friend who is battling cancer and will start chemo this week.  I know sending her good thoughts is what I can do right now to tell her that she's not fighting alone!

My "revival" won't always be for "just because" reasons.  I will still create cards for occasions, such as birthdays, anniversaries, weddings and even sharing my sorrow with a grieving family.  

It is very enjoyable to create a card and write a touching sentiment or even just a simple "hi"! to let someone know you care and that there is a smile on the other end!

P.S.  Want to make these cards too?  I'm hosting a "Treat and Eat" party at my house on Tuesday, July 29th at 6:30 pm.  Let's eat some goodies and create these three cards as a treat from me to you.  This will be very casual, flipflop attire -( remember it is summer "finally" after all!)   A get together time to chat and have some fun being crafty!!  Please RSVP to me at rjsatterlie@gctel.net or pm me on facebook by July 28th so I can get everything ready for you.

-hugs- Julie

Finish the Fight!

All I can say about last night was WOW!!  My A.S.K. (standing for Acts of Sincere Kindness) teammates and my family were a part of a very emotional and uplifting experience at our local American Cancer Society Relay for Life event in Alexandria, MN.  We are a small team but we make a difference!  We all joined this team for various reasons, my family joined because we lost our Dad, Grandpa, Great-Grandpa to this horrible disease and the suffering must stop and a cure will be found!

Our granddaughter Parker looking up to Great-Grandpa!!

People who have had or have cancer wear purple shirts to represent that they are survivors.  There were MANY people wearing purple.  Even though we don't want anyone to be wearing purple, the part that is uplifting and joyful is that they are wearing the shirts!!  They have survived, they are here with us!  I'm not sure if there were more people in the crowd from last year wearing purple, but I'm gonna go with the fact that they are more people who are surviving!!! So take that cancer, we will win!!

Hundreds of people ready to FINISH THE FIGHT!

The event was well planned and in a new location which worked quite nicely!  The evening started on a grateful tone as the American flag is saluted and praised. (Our daughter, Katie sang the "Star Spangled Banner" - yes, a proud moment!)

 Each year several cancer survivors are chosen as honorees to share their stories.  This year a caregiver was also chosen as no one has to fight alone!  The survivors in their sea of purple, the caregivers, the teams are all recognized and walk around the track!  Many people walk all night long to signify that cancer can take days, weeks, months, years or lives.... so we can walk a mere 12 hours to raise money to beat this disease!!

2014 Honorees leading the survivors, caregivers and teams walk.

TEAM A.S.K.!! Go team!!

 Many of the teams had booths set up to play games and sell fun things to raise money.  The kids had a blast playing the games, especially at our booth where for a $1 you had the chance to hit "crabby" Jeremy (he really isn't crabby- he's actually one of the nicest people you'd ever meet!) or any other team member for that matter with water balloons.  It was hit! (literally!) The evening was very warm so the water was quite refreshing.  Okay, confession time, I don't know that first hand as I wasn't a target, but I could see from the others who were, that they were actually enjoying it!

Team A.S.K. put together a "Survivor Team" challenge with other teams - GOOD TIME!

Parker getting Jeremy all wet! Sorry you can't see his crab hat (hence - calling him crabby)  but it was pretty cute!

Parker playing games wearing her Grandpa Zona t-shirt (my folks moved to Arizona many years ago, so the grandkids always called them Grandpa and Grandma Zona!

As of this post,  our team is #13 out of 39 teams and we're only $109 away from our goal of $2000.  If'd you be so kind to help us reach our goal you can still do that by CLICKING HERE and donating to the A.S.K. team!  THANKS!!  A special shout out to the top teams, Alex Extrusion over $19,000 raised (our son-in-law Aaron works here!), the Douglas County Hospital over $9,000 raised (our daughter Danielle works here!) and Tastefully Simple over $8,000  raised (of which I'm a consultant) AND a very special shout out to Team A.S.K. - Katie our fearless leader, Michelle, Jordan, Sara, daughter Holly (I told you this was a family affair!), Jeremy, Joe, Erika, Renae, Ahndree, Eli  and Jodi! You guys ROCK!!! AND we will...

FINISH THE FIGHT!!

-Hugs- Julie