So you guys know that I’m a stamp junkie – with floral stamps and images that allow for fabulous coloring opportunities being my favorite! So, its no surprise that I’m very excited about the upcoming Whiff of Joy and Magnolia releases.

After receiving my Summer release of Willow and Oakley stamps, I have been anxiously awaiting the next kit from Whiff of Joy, featuring artist Elisabeth Bell.  The wait is almost over – the latest Whiff of Joy kit is available for pre-order until August 7.   Although the actual images included are a “secret” until the stamps are shipped, the pre-release bundle is a fabulous bargain – the savings is over 50% off compared to buying each image individually! The kit includes 5 main character stamps, 3 large accessory stamps and 6 sentiments (in English). To sweeten the deal, owner Katharina Frei is offering a chance to win the entire release – check out her blog for more details (candy runs through Friday, July 26).  Soon it will be time to stalk my postman!  Hooray!

Diana at Magnolia-Licous has put together a couple of bundle packages featuring the Summer Magnolia releases.  It’s a tough choice, but I think my favorite is the Lazy Days bundle (Surf’s Up is super cute too) – the giant ice cream cone and strawberry accessory stamps are just awesome and I love Beach Tilda’s little pigtails – they remind me of my little one! Please check them out…you will be so impressed with the groupings that Diana has made for you and the delightful extras that she always adds!

Moving from the stamping world to the digi-world… our DSO design team has grown! We’re so happy to have the following talented ladies joining us:

Linda Walton (coming August 1st)
Sharlene Hudson (SHOP NOW)

Designs by Sassy (SHOP NOW) Miss Mis (coming soon)
Kim White (coming soon)

I’m the featured designer this month at DSO – which means I’ve created a special FREE kit for you (available until July 31) and my entire store is on-sale! Yup – every product is less than $1!  Plus, if you join this month’s Great Exchange, you’ll receive some fabulous QPs including an ENTIRE 5×7 alphabet album created by Jeannette aka Memory Keeper.   Kristine has a fabulous new freebie on her blog as well.  She’s created mini-kits named after her CT members and some of our favorite colors! This week is Leslie’s week!

And, from the “real” world – yesterday we lost an American icon! Walter Cronkite passed away on Friday evening at the age of 92! With him passes an era of responsible and unbiased journalism and media reporting.Quoting Dan Dubno of The Huffington Post “Walter Cronkite defined the role of a television news anchor. Today, the job he perfected has largely lost its relevance. News no longer waits for a single trusted voice… and “the way it is” depends on who you choose to believe. Some claim to be “fair and balanced” and are clearly neither. Cronkite genuinely believed journalists could and must be “objective.” It took a man of great character and outstanding humility to so sublimate his personal views and inherent bias to achieve that rather impossible standard.” He was one of a kind – his integrity will be missed!

Lastly – in case I haven’t said it recently – I”m so proud of my husband! Yasha is talented in many areas, but he loves cars and well, most anything with an engine!  About a month ago one of his coworkers discovered he had a cracked head in his pick-up (read big $$) and was quoted a ridiculous price to have it worked on…so Yasha told Jason he’d do the work if Jason bought the parts. To make a long story short, they spent all of yesterday and most of this morning swapping the motor in his pick-up.  It’s not 100% yet, but it is drive-able and with another couple of hours of minor tuning, it’ll be good as new – plus they were able to put in a BRAND new, more powerful engine for less than what Jason had been quoted for a smaller remanufactured one.  I wouldn’t know where to begin – but that’s what Yasha is the Mechanical Engineer and I’m not. Anyway – I’m just proud of his ability and his generosity (and I’m sure his tools were happy to get some use too). 

I’m headed out for now – have a great weekend!