Life has slowed down a bit since my last personal update post on June 16th. Nick is healing (no more pain, but still no weight bearing on that left leg), my husband Tim and our other son Luke are back from their European vacation, and I’m in Las Vegas right now. I flew out to get surgery on my left foot.
My sister Renée and I flew out on Wednesday evening. Then I met with my surgeon, Dr. Peter Bregman for the pre-op visit on Thursday morning where he confirmed the Morton’s Neuroma & diagnosed a second one right next to it, another small one in my right foot and tarsal tunnel in both feet! It definitely explained all the extra pains I had been feeling over the past several months.
Renée and I ate at Wahoo’s Fish Taco for lunch after the pre-op, picked up some groceries, and then met up with my husband’s aunt (my aunt-in-law?) Ann who lives here. She drove us back to our hotel and helped us to readjust our plans for the coming days so we would be staying in a more accommodating location. Because surgery was the next day and we would be moving into this other hotel off the strip, Renée and I got in some sight-seeing on Thursday evening. We walked around to see the beautiful flowers, fountains and more at the Bellagio which was only a tram ride away. And we enjoyed exploring Park MGM where we were staying for those first two nights.
My surgery was on Friday afternoon at St. Rose San Martin Hospital. The staff was so caring and wonderful. And surgery went as planned. Ann picked us (and our luggage) up at Park MGM that morning, dropped us off at the hospital, picked us up after surgery, took us to Jamba where I got a large yummy smoothie, took us to Smith’s to get my prescription meds, and then drove us to the Green Valley Ranch Casino. The staff there gave us a wheelchair to use the whole time. Ann helped us move into our new room that she got free with points and then treated us to dinner. She has been a godsend in so many ways.
Saturday Renée and I hung out at the pool for awhile after breakfast.
I finished the rest of my Jamba smoothie.
And we got even more towels so I could keep my foot elevated.
It got hot quickly though. So we went back to the room and rested. We met up with Ann again around 5 PM for dinner and a movie. I propped my leg up on a booster chair during dinner and on pillows we brought from the room during the Superman movie. I was tired but glad to have the distractions of company and a good movie.
I’ve been feeling the pain a bit more last night and today. But I think that’s common after surgery to feel it more after the first 24 hours. And I have meds to help me with all that. So on that note just know that the next several weeks i’ll be a little slower than normal while I heal. But in time I’m confident I’ll be getting back to a more active life like I used to have. Thank you to all of you who have sent me healing wishes and prayers.
My post-op visit with Dr. Bregman is tomorrow (Monday) morning and then we head to the airport to fly home. Today I’m going to continue to rest and elevate with short walks each hour…doctor’s orders
I thought I’d also share a few pics today from the trip Tim and Luke took to Vienna. I don’t have many details about what was happening in the photos since I picked the guys up Monday evening at the airport and left for Las Vegas less than 48 hours later. But hopefully just seeing some of these photos will give you a feel for how much fun they had.
They stayed with our wonderful friends (who live in Vienna) for most of the time. But they also took side trips to Bratislava, Prague, Budapest, and Salzburg. Below are Nora, Phil, Tim (my husband), Luke (my son), and Cristina.
Laia (Phil and Cristina’s other daughter) arrived home a few days after they got there and brought a bunch of girlfriends over. The guys were outnumbered! (Laia is the one on the far right.)
Phil was an amazing tour guide. Here he is with Luke in Bratislava.
Here is a fun photo that Tim and Luke took while in Prague, Czech Republic.
These are a couple photos from Budapest. I just love the architecture!
Luke’s favorite scenery was when they climbed up some mountainous areas in Innsbruck, Austria.
One of their last side trips was to Salzburg, Austria.
They came home tired but super happy. And when I get home I hope to see more photos and hear all about their trip.
I have loved all the traveling I’ve been able to do with my family, and have fallen in love with so many places. One of my favorite places has been the Amalfi Coast in Italy. So when Stampin’ Up!® released the Mediterranean Blooms Paper last year I bought up a few packs. The beautiful blue tile print patterns and the images of hanging citrus fruits definitely are the imagery you would see there.
That paper remained available as an Online Exclusive item when the 2024-25 Annual Catalog ended. So a couple months ago I purchased a print on Amazon and a couple long narrow frames. Then I cut my Mediterranean Blooms Paper to fit the narrow frames. And now I have all three pieces hanging in our living room.
I used two of the same sheets from the pack. The blue & white tile is on one side and the lemons & oranges are on the other. So I had to be careful in my cuts. I matted the middle 6″ x 11-7/8″ blue and white patterned sections (both cut from the same sheet) onto 6-1/8″ x 12″ White Willow Cardstock pieces. The other four 4-3/4″ x 6″ fruit filled sheets came from the back side of the second sheet. I mounted them each onto a 4-7/8″ x 6-1/8″ sheet of White Willow Cardstock.
Then for each frame I matted these layered pieces onto two sheets of 8″ x 12″ Night of Navy Cardstock that I adhered to the insert that came with the frame.
Because the polished plexiglass casted too much shine, I took that out and just hung the frames with the papers exposed. These wall hangings along with some bright colored couch pillows have really brightened up our room for the summer. I’m so pleased with the results.
It’s just another way to use that some of that beautiful designer series paper we carry! Can you picture any of the pretty papers you own hanging in some way on your wall for decor?
I hope I inspired your creativity. And thanks for reading about our family updates. Remember…I won’t be doing any Live Online Paper Crafting Classes this Wednesday. My next one is scheduled for July 23rd. But if I’m up for it I may do one Saturday morning some time. Just check my Google calendar or YouTube channel the night before. (I should know by the evening of the 18th if I’m good to go for the 19th.) I’d be sharing a pretty card/a new fun fold I created!
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THE NEW STAMPIN’ POSITIONER & GREAT JOIN OFFER IS HERE!
From Feb 3 to Mar 2 this tool will be added as a free gift to all Starter Kit orders!!! It’s a great time to join! Click here for an informative flyer. Click here for an even more informative video. Click here for more information on my website. And click HERE to purchase your amazing Starter Kit! Yay!
REDEEM THOSE BONUS DAYS COUPONS!
If you earned Bonus Days coupons from your purchase/s January 6 through February 2, you may now redeem those coupons!
Shop between February 3 and 28 and add your coupon codes to save. Click here for the flyer with a more detailed explanation. Click here to watch Stampin’ Up!’s promotion video.
PRODUCT OF THE MONTH
Introducing Stampin’ Up!’s February 2026 POM: PAINTED ILLUSIONS DESIGNER PAPER. Add this to your shopping cart for just $5 when you place a $75+ order during this month of February 2026! Click here for details. Click HERE to shop my online store and place your order online. Because the POM items are some of the best Stampin’ Up! has to offer and because there will be a limited quantity, they are likely to sell out quickly. Once they’re sold out, they’re gone for good! (The March POM will release March 3.)
LAST CHANCE PRODUCTS
Every two months retiring products get added to the Last Chance Products List in the Online Store. Some are not discounted, but some are and can be up to 60% off. 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. Items were added on February 3rd!
JANUARY-APRIL 2026 MINI CATALOG PRODUCTS!
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ONLINE EXCLUSIVES NEWS
So MANY fantastic products are only available in the Online Exclusives section of the Online Store! You won’t find Online Exclusives products in any catalog. New products release every two months. The next set of products will debut March 3.
NEW KITS FROM THE KITS COLLECTION!
New kits are added to the Kits Collection at the start of each month. Visit the Kits Collection to see the most recent additions.
A PEEK AT MARCH’S PAPER PUMPKIN KIT
Fluttering Garden: Create charming cards with a hummingbird motif for Mother’s Day and more! Makes 9 cards: 3 each of 3 designs with 9 coordinating envelopes. The kit also includes precut paper pieces & sentiments, textured white card bases, and an EXTRA free stamp stamp (which has become a tradition with the March kits – a kit you never want to miss!). Coordinating Colors: Basic Gray (Classic Stampin’ Spot), Coastal Cabana, Early Espresso, Gorgeous Grape, Old Olive, Peach Pie, Pretty Peacock. Click here for a flyer showing peeks of the January – March kits. And don’t miss the special add-on that coordinates with all three months: the Beautiful Blooms Dies (#168666) — made available December 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 March 10th for this next kit.
PAPER PUMPKIN CREATIVES TUTORIAL BUNDLES
Our Paper Pumpkin Creatives Design Team is excited to share that our January 2026 Special Delivery 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 Celebrate Spring kit will be available March 1st.)
ALL STAR VIDEO CLASS BUNDLES
Our All Star Design Team is excited to share that our February 2026 Lovely & Beautiful 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 Cute As a Bug Suite will be available March 1st.)
PRODUCT CHANGES ARE HERE
The cling stamp line (red rubber stamp line) is being phased out. Stampin’ Up! is transitioning into sleeker, slimmer packaging for stamps and dies. More details about these changes can be found here. Two videos where I share tips/ideas for the new stamp & die packaging can be found here.
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.
