Life can be busy at times, right? We’ve all had those episodes.
Tonight’s post is personal news about several things that have been going on with me and my family during the last several weeks. It’s been a busy time.
The month of May started out as one would expect for having a graduating high school senior. We kept up with reading all the emails/communications from the district & the school (to know the process of turning in everything, closing accounts, turning in paper work, etc) and of course we were planning and prepping for graduation AND for a grad party! I caught a cold at the beginning of the month (as many of you who watch my Live videos know). And boy, was it a stubborn one! I couldn’t seem to get rid of it for quite a long time. So that was a bit frustrating with all that we had going on.
The end of May arrived, we were all healthy and well (no one else in my family ever got what I had – crazy), and we were ready for the festivities and celebrations.
Hooray! Our youngest son, Luke graduated on June 1st!
Time flies way too quickly. I started my blog in the spring of Luke’s Kindergarten year! This photo shows Luke on the left and his brother Nick on the right at the start of that 2012/2013 year. (I remember Nick was so ready to help Luke navigate elementary school. Gosh they were so adorable at those ages.)
And here is a comparison of little Luke to 12th grader Luke.
But I digress…
The ceremony was indoors at the Mariucci Arena at the University of Minnesota. We arrived early and got great seats. My sister was with us and took the above photo with her awesome zoom lens.
We were blessed to have had great weather to capture a few photos outdoors afterwards. This is my family…me, Luke, Tim, and Nick.
We hosted Luke’s graduation party at our house on Saturday, June 7th. The weather held up pretty well – only a mild rain shower towards the end. And many came to celebrate with us.
It was a wonderful time, and we were ready to focus our attentions on the next things coming up on the calendar in June: preparing for our big annual garage sale and preparing for my husband Tim and Luke’s trip to Vienna.
But something very unexpected happened the evening after the grad party. Our oldest Nick who had joined a “sandlot” baseball league for something fun to do with his friends this summer broke his tibia and fibula while sliding into home base when he scored a run for his team during that first game of the season. Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers. It’s been a struggle mentally and physically. It’s been very painful, he can’t work out at the gym (he’s a body builder), and he has to take a lot of time off from his job (he works for a moving company). If you’ve ever experienced breaking a bone you know that the process for healing is a slow one. He had surgery this morning. So at least that part is over.
We are still holding the sale. It will be bigger than ever and we even have a food truck coming the first day. And Tim and Luke are still going to on their trip. Nothing has changed for that. But know that I’ve got some extra care giver duties lately and I might not respond to emails, calls, and messages as quickly as I usually do.
I have to admit, it’s been wonderful to be needed again. My kids are so independent at ages 18 and 19. And I’ve missed doing motherly things. So taking care of my son hasn’t bothered me at all. I love that I can be there for him.
Here is what a couple of our areas in our garage looked like yesterday after only half of the participants had dropped their items off. Crazy, right? Anyone who attends will love the selection!
Sorry there was no creative project idea for you this time. But I’ve got ideas swimming around in my head and will have time to create and share again soon.
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The Best Starter Kit Offer EVER!
During the entire month of October, anyone who purchases the Stampin’ Up! Starter Kit will be able to choose between two amazing offers: $125 worth of products for just $35 or $189 worth of products for just $99! Either way you get getting $90 in product of your choosing for FREE! Get the kit, then enjoy discount shopping, early access new products, the chance to attend incredible trainings and crafting events, the opportunity to earn income (if you’d like), and so much more! Click here for a few more details.
NEW ONLINE EXCLUSIVES ARE COMING!
So MANY fantastic new products are coming November 4 in the Online Exclusives section of the Online Store! You won’t find Online Exclusives products in any catalog. So be sure to visit this link to shop and make your wish list. Then on November 4 come back to see what’s new! OH…
~ If you are getting the Starter Kit this month ⬆️ you can add these upcoming products to that Starter Kit order!
~ Demonstrators are able to preorder these products now during the month of October. I’ll be sharing a few of them on October 4th during my Live on YouTube!
Make This Season Bright with the 12 Days of Crafting Advent Calendar
Introducing the 12 Days of Crafting Advent Calendar (made available 9/23/25), a brand-new calendar full of products you can craft with all year long! Every day of this calendar contains never-before-seen dies, paper, embellishments, and even more items you won’t find in any of our catalogs or in our online store!! Click here for more details.
NEW KITS ADDED OCTOBER 1ST!
Two new kits were recently added to the Kits Collection!
A PEEK AT NOVEMBER’S PAPER PUMPKIN KIT
Wrapped in Cheer: Craft festive goody boxes perfect for holding gift cards or small treats! Makes 8 projects: 4 each of 2 tag designs with 8 identical coordinating boxes. The kit also includes pre-cut paper pieces, linen thread, red dot embellishments, and delicate greenery pieces with double-sided printing for a sophisticated touch. Coordinating Colors: Basic Beige, Cherry Cobbler, Mossy Meadow (Classic Stampin’ Spot), and Old Olive. Click here for a flyer showing peeks of the October – December kits. And don’t miss the special add-on that coordinates with all three months: the Abundant Joy Dies (#167855) — made available September 11th and only while supplies last! If you are not a Paper Pumpkin subscriber, I invite you to give it a try. CLICK HERE to learn more about Paper Pumpkin kits of creativity. CLICK HERE to sign up by November 10th for this next kit.
PAPER PUMPKIN CREATIVES TUTORIAL BUNDLES
Our Paper Pumpkin Creatives Design Team is excited to share that our September 2025 Fall for Toile Bundle of Tutorials is now available. Visit HERE for more information. Visit HERE to get to my Tutorials/Classes for Sale page to purchase and to see others offered. (The next one featuring the Cozy Christmas kit will be available November 1st.)
ALL STAR VIDEO CLASS BUNDLES
Our All Star Design Team is excited to share that our October 2025 Gathering Together Video Class Bundle is now available. Visit HERE for more information. Visit HERE to get to my Tutorials/Classes for Sale page to purchase and to see others offered. (The next one featuring the Lights of Aurora Suite will be available November 1st.)
LAST CHANCE PRODUCTS
Every two months retiring products get added to the Last Chance Products List in the Online Store. And depending on inventory, these products may or may not have discounts. I encourage you to shop today to see what is leaving, because once an item from this section is sold out, it is gone for good.
New items were just added October 1st!!
PRODUCT CHANGES COMING
Stampin’ Write Markers are being discontinued. The cling stamp line (red rubber stamp line) is being phased out. Stampin’ Up! will soon be transitioning into sleeker, slimmer packaging for stamps and dies. More details about these changes can be found here. And a video where I share tips/ideas for the new stamp & die packaging can be found here.
SEPTEMBER-DECEMBER 2025 MINI CATALOG PRODUCTS ARE HERE!
Out latest publication filled with fantastic seasonal products landed September 3rd. Shop these items in the online store! You can access the digital copy of the catalog here on my website. You can also Request your copy of the September-December 2025 Mini Catalog.
Stampin’ Up!® Products Available to Even More Crafters Throughout the World
Stampin’ Up! products are now available to “Non-Open Stampin’ Up! Countries.” Effective immediately, and under specific conditions, current Stampin’ Up! products can now be purchased by crafters in most countries where we do not currently conduct business. It’s so exciting that we can now make a positive difference in the lives of even more people around the world through creativity and connection.
You can find the full details and conditions here.
Oh my goodness!!!! Rachel…..sending prayers of healing, comfort, strength and safety travels for your family! What an incredible set of events of highs and lows. Hugs, Barb
Thank you Barb. 😘
So sorry you had to endure that miserable cold in May when you were busy with fun and memorable family activities. I had something similar with a cough that ended with a sinus infection! Crazy that a similar “bug” was going around in different parts of the country! Sending well wishes to Nick. I know the frustration b/c I broke my ankle 2 1/2 years ago and was layed up for months. Safe travels for Luke and your husband and wishing you some well earned down time after your big garage sale. I always look forward to your live broadcasts (& replays). Cheers from California.☀️
Thanks so much Michael. You have always been so supportive with your kind words. I appreciate you.
My goodness, Rachel!! You have been a busy woman! I’m glad that most is good, but big injuries are so hard to deal with. While the young heal faster, it’s so hard to lose that fun time while recovering. Too much energy and no place to use it. And your Nick is so physically active! I feel for him. I will pray for you all and say a special prayer for Nick for a speedy recovery. Take care!!
aww….thank you so much for your empathy Debby. ❤️
Oh Rachel, I am sure about now you’re taking a sigh of relief. I truly hope you have been able to enjoy all the craziness of the past weeks. Time passes so quickly and our children 🧒 grow up so fast as well. Seems like it w as yesterday when my twins graduated and were off to college, but it was 15 years ago. I hope your son heals quickly and your husband and son have a wonderful time in Vienna and you get some well deserved rest. May God’s angels watch over your family .
Thank you so much Tina. I appreciate your well wishes, blessings, and empathy. 😘
Rachel I love watching you and you so talented. And fun to watch. I have Ben watching you for years!
Thanks Mollie! Hugs to you. 😊