First of all, I have a project to share with you, using one of Karen Lockhart's new stamp releases, Violet Cupcake:
I used CPS #99 (turned horizontal) for the layout. I hope you'll join me over at the CLASSroom, to see some paper piercing tricks I used on this card, and to get the full details on how I created it.
On to my giveaway winner . . . I hope you all will forgive me, but after reading through all of your comments on the entry for this giveaway, one in particular stood out to me. So I decided to forego letting Random.org choose the winner and I chose this one . . . I think (and hope!) you'll understand and agree with me, after reading her entry.
Paula wrote this in her comment:
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29. Happy 2nd Anniversary! Love those sentiments. I had collected loads of stamps, bought tons of paper and envelopes, visited wonderful blogs like yours, had just about gotten my courage up to try my hand at the craft and then lost in all in Hurricane Ike. Hubby is trying to get me to try again as we dwell in one room until our home is habitable again. He went to Jo-Ann's and got me one of those craft carts and put some papers in it, of course I cried. So, here I am starting to read and look at all the creativity again. Thanks for sharing all that you do with the already creative and those that dream of attempting.
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Paula, what a sweet hubby you have! I've emailed you as the winner for this giveaway. If you don't find that email, please email me at the address below my photo at the top of my blog. I hope this stamp set helps you to get back into stamping and helps you to cheer up some other friends or family that may be in your same situation. We all wish you well in getting your home habitable again!
Gigantic hugs to you!
Wow! Little things we take for granted. You are amazing! I think this is why I love stampers so much. You all have such "heart". Thanks for sharing this today. ((((((((((((hugs)))))))))))))))))
Posted by: Lesa Rapp | January 19, 2009 at 11:06 AM
completely understand, you have a big heart!
Sandra
Posted by: Sandra | January 19, 2009 at 11:09 AM
Sharon, I agree that this was the right thing to do - awesome. I wish good things for Paula and her husband!
Posted by: Harriet Skelly | January 19, 2009 at 11:10 AM
I think you were right she deserves to win after losing so much Good call and thanks for doing this, I am headed over to the classroom now
hugs
Norine
Posted by: Norine | January 19, 2009 at 11:10 AM
Marvelous choice. I have tears in my eyes reading her story ~ best of luck Paula!
Posted by: Michelle U. | January 19, 2009 at 11:14 AM
That is so kind of you to help her out. Of course, we all understand...she deserves it more than anyone!
~Lacey
Posted by: Lacey Stephens | January 19, 2009 at 11:15 AM
You go girl!
Posted by: Phillis | January 19, 2009 at 11:16 AM
Such a giving heart! Thanks for sharing with us.
Posted by: Elizabeth S. | January 19, 2009 at 11:19 AM
I 200% agree that Paula deserves the stamps. I would love to send her some images and other goodies. Could you pass my email on to her?
Thanks
[email protected]
Posted by: Anita | January 19, 2009 at 11:19 AM
Perfect, Sharon! Living in an area that took 3 direct hurricane hits within weeks of each other, I know the devastation, fear, and worry that comes with them. If Paula's email address is available, I'd like to send her something, too. Blessings to you for having such a compassionate heart.
Posted by: Charlene | January 19, 2009 at 11:21 AM
Oh I'm so sorry Paula that you lost everything including your house during a storm. I'm in the middle of cleaning up and organizing my stuff again, and if I run across anything, I'll be glad to send you something - most is SU items. Sharon, if you can tell her this, and get her address for me, I'd appreciate it; since she's probably not reading any more of these posts. Thanks
Posted by: Wanda in NC | January 19, 2009 at 11:21 AM
Oh my goodness, I totally understand why you did it that way Sharon!!!
CONGRATULATIONS, for you win and that WONDERFUL husband of yours. I am so sorry that you had this horrific experience. I hope you get back home in the near future.
Cyber Hugs
Posted by: Juanita in Ohio | January 19, 2009 at 11:32 AM
What an awesome idea!!! I know how much people here in Ohio were impacted by IKE-- I can't even image what it was like actually being in the middle of it all!!!
Thanks for picking Paula and sharing her story.
Sherri
Posted by: Sherri Alspach | January 19, 2009 at 11:35 AM
Congratulations Paula! Hope this set is the start of many happy creations! Stamp away!!!
Jan
Posted by: Jan Hennings | January 19, 2009 at 11:35 AM
What an awesome thing to do! Wish we could all send her a package of goodies!! :)
Posted by: Mary G | January 19, 2009 at 11:36 AM
P.S. You did an EXCELLENT job with the coloring of the violets!! TFS.
Posted by: Juanita in Ohio | January 19, 2009 at 11:37 AM
I agree 110%. I have things I would be willing to donate to her. Maybe a few of us could round up things we'renot using anymore and send it along! Hope to help.
Posted by: kristen | January 19, 2009 at 11:56 AM
A wonderful, wonderful thing to do! Thank you for your kind and loving heart!!!
Posted by: Shawna | January 19, 2009 at 12:00 PM
Great story! I agree with your choice of winner!
I too would like to send her a care package. I have some brand new stamp sets that I bought twice by mistake because I love them so much!
I'd like Paula to have them. Would you send me her email address please?
Thank you!
Cindy Key
Posted by: Cindy Key | January 19, 2009 at 12:32 PM
Definitely she was the most deserving. I'm so glad that you took the time to read through all the entries to find hers. Your such a sweettie!
Shawn K.
Posted by: Shawn K. | January 19, 2009 at 12:35 PM
I concur. She deserves it!
Posted by: Rebecca Ednie | January 19, 2009 at 12:49 PM
That made me cry and smile. What a dear husband that he went through all that to get her some things to start replacing what she lost. My husband drops me off at Hobby Lobby and goes to Fleet Farm..he would not even know where to start...what a sweetie! I have been so fortunate not have suffered any kind of such a great loss. We are thinking of you!!!!
Posted by: Tammy Mauer | January 19, 2009 at 12:52 PM
Oh, bless her heart! I so agree, Sharon! Is there a "wish list" for her, and could we send her some things...especially if they are things we may not still be using...a thought? So glad to hear this wonderful news...and a reminder of how blessed we are and how easily it can all be lost. Thanks for sharing this...
Posted by: CherylQuilts at SCS | January 19, 2009 at 12:52 PM
I totally agree and I'm glad that Paula entered - that was very sweet!! Good luck Paula to you and your husband :)
Posted by: Sue R | January 19, 2009 at 12:57 PM
Awesome! I have some stamps that I was going to get to sell on Ebay, and I'd like to send them to her if she'd like them.
Posted by: Kim Lenhart | January 19, 2009 at 12:59 PM
I think it's awesome of you to give to Paula. Sounds like she really needs a "pick me up" giftie & you fit the bill.
Cudos to you for your thoughtfulness.
Huggies ~
Posted by: Sharron | January 19, 2009 at 01:14 PM
Oh my goodness! I cried when I got Sharon's email and now here I am crying all over again. hubby will not be happy if I short out this keyboard.
Thanks to Sharon for "picking" my entry and bless all of your hearts' for the kind comments and offers of supplies. I never, ever thought anything like this would happen. I will let hubby read these comments and I know he will tear up as well.
I had made a goal to send card to friends and family on all their special days in 2009. I also have tried to send little notes "just because" to those in the community because just getting a "howdy" some days helps you make it through.
Thanks again Sharon and to all who posted.
many Blessings,
Paula
P.S. I am a lover of purple, so that beautiful card will be on my learn to do list this year.
Posted by: Paula trying to get back to Galveston Bay | January 19, 2009 at 01:38 PM
As a survivor of Hurricane Katrina, I think your choice was perfect. It means so much to have people care when you've lost so much. You have a big heart.
Posted by: Shari | January 19, 2009 at 01:48 PM
No forgiveness needed. I lost all mine in a robbery and three of the blog readers have sent me things that they didn't want just to help. SO I have been on that end and I agree with you totally. It is wonderful of you and I'm sure we all can wait and play again. Just think of the joy on her face! My roommate said I acted like a 10 yr old when my first gift box came! Linda Crowder
Posted by: Linda Crowder | January 19, 2009 at 03:16 PM
Sounds good to me...It's great to help a fellow crafter and you did a good thing..Thanks for caring.
pat
Posted by: pat | January 19, 2009 at 03:34 PM
I also would love to send Paula some things to help her get her supplies built back up. I would be so lost without this hobby. I agree with everyone else, you picked the right winner!! Bravo to you Sharon for having such a BIG heart. Please give her my email so I might be able to help her out as well.
Posted by: Debbie McKelvey | January 19, 2009 at 04:03 PM
such pretty flowers and love the border of flowers.
Great idea to give her the stamps, hope she can get back to stamping soon!
Posted by: Conniecrafter | January 19, 2009 at 04:26 PM
As much as I really, really wanted to win, I'm very glad you chose the winner! She's a very lucky lady to win and have such a wonderful husband. Can't wait to see what she does with the candy!
Posted by: terriavidreader | January 19, 2009 at 04:30 PM
I remember seeing her comment and thought WOW, she should win this. I am so glad you chose her.
Posted by: Pat Myers | January 19, 2009 at 04:31 PM
good pick Sharon. Once again it's nice to see what caring people we have here in this world. We need more of it.
Congrats Paula
Posted by: Claire | January 19, 2009 at 04:40 PM
Great pick Sharon....is there anyway we can maybe Rack some stuff out to Paula?
Posted by: Jennifer Hodge | January 19, 2009 at 05:45 PM
I agree with everybody. You have such a big heart. I remember when a friend went through a tornado right before Christmas. She had just done all her shopping. The Air Force ended up putting them in the apartment over ours. We were going to be gone over Christmas...so we let them use our place because it was already decorated, along with whatever they needed in the apt. to make their Christmas. They just cried and couldn't thank us enough. The Gaither Vocal Band sings a song titled "Give It Away". It is a great song.
Thanks for being an example.
Posted by: Pamela C. | January 19, 2009 at 06:11 PM
That is so sweet, Sharon. You definitely picked the right person to win.
Posted by: mamichelle | January 19, 2009 at 06:19 PM
Oh what a pretty card and what you did was definitely the right thing!!
Posted by: pegg | January 19, 2009 at 06:50 PM
I wholeheartedly agree with everyone else! You made the perfect choice for the winner.
And, beautiful card too!
Posted by: Lavonne (tweetygirl) | January 19, 2009 at 06:53 PM
Congratulations, Paula! You definately deserve to win! :)
Posted by: Lori A. | January 19, 2009 at 07:38 PM
Sharon,
Thanks for sharing Paula's email. I would like to send her a few stamps and stamping supplies if at all possible.
debbie
Posted by: Debbie Peysen | January 19, 2009 at 08:16 PM
Awwww. that's sooo sweet! I hope that she is able to find happiness in crafting again..she's got a treasure of a hubby!
Posted by: Elaine | January 19, 2009 at 09:27 PM
Yay, Paula! And yay, you, Sharon, for doing this.
Posted by: lacyquilter | January 19, 2009 at 09:48 PM
What a wonderful giveaway to such a deserving winner. We all want it all and there are those who have lost it all in tragedies. Wow, I can't imagine trying to start over. We tend to take it all for granted.
Posted by: MARILYN NIMMO | January 19, 2009 at 11:07 PM
Hi again!
Just wanted to post that we were having trouble getting in to read the posts - BUT -hubby says "thank you for all the nice words, and he is going to bookmark this for all the times I forget I got a good'un." My gram always used that word for sweet people so please consider yourselves good'uns, too.
I apologize for taking up so much space to post but I don't have a website (if my email goes through with a graphic I do a happy dance!) and i surely want you guys to know that you have made our day!
Many Blessings,
Paula
Posted by: Paula trying to get back to Galveston Bay | January 19, 2009 at 11:30 PM
Hi Sharon, Thanks for your awesome "pick"! I, too, would love to send Paula a few supplies. God bless her for all she's been through.
Posted by: Kathy Kelsheimer | January 20, 2009 at 03:39 AM
Great Choice Sharon!! Sometimes it only takes one...
Congratulations Paula on your win. I hope you'll be able to start some new art projects, whatever they may be.
Posted by: Cynde | January 20, 2009 at 04:37 AM
Best choice Sharon! Thanks for doing that---hugs
Posted by: Kathleen | January 20, 2009 at 07:00 AM
Awesome choice, Sharon. Congrats, Paula. Maybe you only have brighter and sunnier days ahead.
Posted by: Maria | January 20, 2009 at 09:04 AM