Thanksgiving is a day to gather with friends and family and set time aside to be thankful. I do my best to be thankful everyday – my family, friends and my Stampin’ Up! business are just a few of the things I’m thankful for.  And, despite my upcoming surgery on Tuesday, I’m also thankful for my health. I’ve come a long way in the 24 years I’ve had Ulcerative Colitis and I’m confident that next week’s surgery will be the final chapter.

And my thanksgiving doesn’t stop there. I’m thankful that my daughter, Gina, (fondly nicknamed “Boo”) who has been sick for months, is now recovering. She had been experiencing uncontrolled nausea and pain in her upper abdomen/stomach since August, in and out of the ER and doctor’s offices. She was finally admitted to the hospital on November 8th. After a myriad of tests, it was determined that her gall bladder needed to be removed.

Gina after gall bladder surgery.

To make matters more frustrating, her best friend got married the day before her surgery and she had to be the maid of honor from her hospital bed. Her heart is completely broken as she’s waited and dreamed about this day during the past 10 years of their friendship. Thankfully for technology, and the help of a friend, she was able to FaceTime during the ceremony to “be there”.

FaceTime during the wedding.

Special thanks to Finny Hill Photography who knew this special moment needed to be remembered. This photograph was taken (although this is a screen shot) as a keepsake of this special day.

Watching the wedding over FaceTime when you're the maid of honor and had to have surgery.

Twenty-one hours after they said “I do” Taylor & Jaryd stopped by the hospital for a surprise visit. There’s nothing like a best friend!  They shared lots of tears and “I miss you’s” but we all knew Boo was where she needed to be.

Taylor, the bride surprising Gina in the hospital after the wedding she missed due to surgery.

The new Mr. & Mrs. surprised Gina at the hospital.

But the journey doesn’t stop here. Three days after surgery she had a new pain, this time in her lower back and right side. Having made numerous calls to doctors, we were told to treat her with heating pads, BioFreeze and medication to help alleviate the gas pains from surgery. Three more days passed and the pain only increased.  Boo was readmitted to the hospital after another ER visit when a blood clot in her lung was discovered.

Although she’s taking large doses of blood thinners and has a long list of follow visits, I’ve seen a huge turning point in her yesterday. She’s more relaxed, eating and sleeping better and doing more for herself.  I’m incredibly proud of her. She’s endured a lot, rarely complained and has been immensely compliant even through 23 sticks (yes, she’s kept track!). Your prayers, comments, emails and Facebook posts have been so appreciated! Thank you for your thoughtfulness, love and concern but mostly your prayers.  We have certainly felt them!

Gina and Lisa. Lisa's Stamp Studio

Tuesday it’s my turn. The timing is not ideal but once again we will lean into God’s provision, grace and mercy. He’s certainly provided!


Basket of Wishes

Today’s card uses the Basket of Wishes stamp set for today’s card. This set can be found on page 125 of the annual catalog. There are numerous baskets and four different images you can place inside. Greetings range from birthday, thinking of you and thankful.  I used the Stampin’ Blends to color in this image and I’ve noted the colors in the supplies listed below.
Harvest basket filled with pumpkins and gourds and colored with Stampin' Blends. Basket of Wishes from Stampin' Up!

However you choose to spend Thanksgiving this year, I hope you’ll set time aside to remember all the blessings in your life and the people with whom you share it with.

Special Thanks to You!

Stampin' Up! 2017 Awards, #15 in the United States and #28 Worldwide. Lisa's Stamp Studio, Lisa Curcio

I made a decision months ago not to attend Stampin’ Up!’s OnStage event so we could celebrate Gina’s best friend’s wedding. As you know, we were unable to attend the wedding due to Gina’s hospitalization and ultimately her surgery. Despite a very exhausting and worrisome week, I received amazing – and surprising – news that I placed #15 nationwide and #28 worldwide out of 48,000+ demonstrators during the company’s award presentation. I’ve been a Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator for 19 years and absolutely love what I do! But without my family’s support, incredible customers, my stamping team and fellow demonstrator mentors I would never be celebrating this achievement! Every day I’m get to wake up and work at a job that brings me so much joy! Here’s to rubber stamps, ink and cardstock and YOU!  Thank you!

Online Extravaganza Sale!

From November 20th through November 27th you can enjoy tremendous savings on your favorite paper crafting products.  There are two 24-hour sales plus additional exclusive deals.

Online Extravaganza with Stampin' Up! through Lisa's Stamp Studio

  • November 20th – 24 hour stamp set sale. Click HERE to see the list!
  • November 20th – 26th – exclusive deals! Click HERE to see the list!
  • November 27th – FLASH sale! Details coming!

Join us for Session One of the Online Stamping Retreat! OSR is an exclusive virtual event that aims to connect crafters from around the world. Best news? I’ve teamed up with my friend Kylie Bertucci to bring you this worldwide event.

With a day of live demonstrations (ALL fun-fold cards), a PDF Tutorial digital-booklet, 50 giveaways and so much inspiration, it’s our goal to provide an event that not only gets your creative juices flowing but also affords you the opportunity to stamp live alongside with us!

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