Yes, I remember saying I'd have some new Stampin' Up! Occasions samples to share by now, but I've had some other important things keeping me occupied so far this year. On January 7th, I started Beth Moore's "Breaking Free" bible study, which I'm really enjoying. Wow! It's inense. But it is so good. I'm doing well getting through the homework and making it to the meetings for the group discussions and video. I highly recommend the study. Click here to learn more about this bible study.
I've been doing some beading too. I haven't photo'd any new jewelry yet, but I will eventually. I'm trying to get more things made for Big Hat Days, a huge fair I plan to participate in. It's like Clovis Fest in September, but bigger and hopefully a lot cooler. Click here for my information about Big Hat Days.
I've also been super busy getting my gardens in shape. I never did prune many of my 22 rose bushes and other plants last spring. This spring I put a lot of work into pruning all 22 rose bushes, other bushes and preparing certain areas for new seasonal plants. I took some pictures last Saturday so you can see what I did and so I can compare now with when they are are in their full glory later this year. Here's a photo of part of our front yard. 
As you can see the roses look pretty well butchered and barely visible from the street, but they should be OK. The camellia is the only thing in bloom right now besides the cyclamens, which smell wonderful, on the patio table that I still need to plant. Want to see more pictures of what I did to our front yard? Click here for my Shutterfly album. You'll be able to see just how hard I pruned and that there's already new growth. I'll be sure to share more pictures when the pruned plants are full of leaves and blossoms. Oh, I also have more potted plants on our porch and a few trees to trim. That big tree in pictures #30 and #31, still needing a good trimming, I started from a tiny twig that was in my bridal bouquet only 16 years ago. It's a twisted/curly willow and I have a bunch of potted baby trees from it growing in the back yard. If we ever move, I'll have them to take with us. My matron of honor also has a huge tree in her back yard that was started from a twig in the bundle we used to create my bouquet and other wedding arrangements.
Now, I know you want to see some new Stampin' Up! products used in some fun and creative ways. I have loads of new products. I just need to finish organizing my office again so I have somewhere to do my paper crafting. I hope to have that done this week.
Better get back to it. Have a great week and thanks for stopping by, 
