Tuesday, July 30, 2013

If You Like Crafts . . .

It's a Paper Pumpkin Sale!!
 
My Paper Pumpkin is a fun box of creativity that comes to your mailbox each month. If you are new to crafting or don't have a lot of supplies, Paper Pumpkin is perfect for you. If you are an avid crafter and experienced, then... Paper Pumpkin (in addition to your imagination and skills) is perfect for you.  
Also fun for crafty kids. 
So...if you'd like to get a surprise box of crafting in the mail each month, sign up for a subscription today!
 
Now through the end of August, new subscribers can get My Paper Pumpkin at 50% off - $10 per month for the first 2 months. What a great time to sign up and give it a try!!
 
Remember the promo code: PUMPKINDEAL

Paper-pumpkin_demo_header_august-1


During our recent convention, Stampin' Up! had a commercial contest.  This one is about the Paper Pumpkin and is so cute!   Click on the picture to watch it. 


Paper Pumpkin FAQ's

 
Q: Why are we offering Paper Pumpkin?
A:
Good question. Paper Pumpkin is the perfect introduction to Stampin' Up! We designed it for crafters that want to create a project each month, but aren't quite ready to build a stamp collection (yet).
Q: What comes in my Paper Pumpkin?
A:
It's a surprise each month-anticipation for the surprise is seriously half the fun! No worries, though, you'll have everything you need to complete the project: paper, stamps, ink, accessories, and more! (You will need adhesive.)
Q: Does my Paper Pumpkin project come with instructions?
A: Yes, of course it does. The instructions will tell you everything you need to know. And they are so easy to follow-we promise.
Q: How long will it take to make each Paper Pumpkin project? (Now say that fast three times.) 
A: We know you wish you had unlimited creativity time (we all do), but since you probably don't, we designed each Paper Pumpkin to be completed in 30 minutes or less! (We think of it as a spa treatment for your creativity.)
Q: Should I get on the Paper Pumpkin carriage?
A:
Definitely, yes. Just think of it-a Stampin' Up! surprise delivered to your doorstep every month (wahooo!) Paper Pumpkin offers a simple, creative experience each month. What's more-sometimes, your monthly kit features . . . wait for it . . . some exclusive products you can only get through Paper Pumpkin. Try it and see what you think. You can cancel (or put on hold) your membership any time.
 
Q: How much does a Paper Pumpkin membership cost each month?
A: Paper Pumpkin is $19.95 per month (but on sale now). Because your Paper Pumpkin ships automatically to you, we have already built in the shipping costs. 
Q: How do I start my Paper Pumpkin membership? 
A:
Visit www.mypaperpumpkin.com to sign up-it's that easy!
Q: When does my membership expire?
A: Your membership will last until you cancel it.
Q: When do I need to sign up in order to get my Paper Pumpkin?
A: You need to sign up on or before the 10th of the month in order to receive your Paper Pumpkin for that month. If you sign up after the 10th, no worries! You will get your first kit the following month. You'll know your Paper Pumpkin is on its way when you receive your shipment confirmation e-mail.
Q: Can I skip a month?
A: You sure can! Simply log on to your account and click "manage my pumpkin", then click "skip a month" on or before the 10th of the month in order to skip the Paper Pumpkin for that month. If you do this on the 11th of the month, you will receive that month's Paper Pumpkin and not receive the following month's Paper Pumpkin.
Q: What if I want to cancel my membership?
A:
You must submit a 10-page essay about why you would ever want to do such a crazy thing. (Just kidding.) It's simple. Simply log on to your account and click "manage my pumpkin", then click "cancel" on or before the 10 th of the month in order to cancel completely. Then, you will not receive any more Paper Pumpkin kits (how sad). If you cancel on the 11th of the month, you'll receive that month's Paper Pumpkin and will not receive any more Paper Pumpkin kits.
Q: What is the return policy?
A: If you are not thrilled with your Paper Pumpkin, please call us at 1-800-STAMP UP, we'll chat and make everything hunky dory.
Q: How do I see the upcoming Paper Pumpkin kits?
A:
One of the best parts of your Paper Pumpkin membership is that you never know what is going to be in that beautiful red box. It's like opening a present every month-we don't want to ruin the surprise for you!
Q: What is the Welcome Kit?
A: The Welcome Kit is the very first Paper Pumpkin you will receive in your first month of membership. This initial kit is the same for everyone, regardless of which month you subscribe. If you are a new member, we'll send the Welcome kit to you for your first month. Bonus! the Welcome Kit includes a free gift-a clear acrylic block!
Q: When will the package arrive?
A:
Your Paper Pumpkin will ship from the Stampin' Up! warehouse on or around the 15th of the month. You will get an e-mail notifying you that your card has been charged-expect your Paper Pumpkin soon!
Q: What if the package never comes?
A:
If your Paper Pumpkin does not arrive on your doorstep please call us at 1-800-STAMP UP, and one of our friendly customer service agents will help you.
Q: When will I be charged? 
A: Your credit card will be charged as soon as your Paper Pumpkin ships.
 
Please enter my name as your Demonstrator.   

I hope you'll give My Paper Pumpkin a try and especially at this great starter price of $10 a month for 2 months!  How fun to get a surprise project in the mail with everything you need included!
 
Happy stamping, 
 
Cindy Kemna
Stampin' Up! Demonstrator/Sr. Manager
visit my web site:  www.cindykemna.stampinup.net   (order online 24/7!)
 

Sunday, July 28, 2013

Great Weather !!

We're having amazing weather this week like much of the country.  Sunny, a little breeze, highs in the 70's and low's in the 50's.  Great sleeping weather.  A couple of days ago we even got an inch of much needed rain.   It's been so nice to have the air conditioning off and windows open.

Here are several pictures of the Firemen's Omelet Breakfast that was Sun. morning during Greater Rolfe Days and Sesquicentennial.  Bill and another guy grilled about 45 pounds of sausages on our grill and Don's here in our shed starting at 7:00 that morning.  They were hauled to town and kept hot in roasters.  The menu was large omelets with choice of ham, mushrooms, onions, green peppers and cheese, sausages, muffins, orange juice, milk and coffee.  We used to cut up fresh peppers and onions but have gone to frozen and already chopped.

This year something new and popular was the chance to win a Henry Golden Boy gun.  We served breakfast to about 350 people so a very successful fundraiser for the department.
Gun raffle
After grilling when Bill got there, we all had our jobs so he didn't cook omelets this year.  My job was making sure the ones cooking had eggs & cheese, keeping the fillings filled, cleaning tables, cracking eggs, etc.  We had 5 cookers for making individual omelets and a large grill that could do 4 at a time.   

I did get out of clean up this year because I then went on to help at 12:30 in one of the homes that was on the Tour of Homes.  I was stationed in the living room & dining room.  Carmella had about 5 of us throughout the house.
Bill and Don grilling sausages at our house


The Chief and his daughter making omelets.


Luke Dahl (middle) back from Afghanistan

Tim, Bette Jo, Bryan & Bryan's dad, Todd F.

Mike, in the cap on left, is our Rolfe Mayor
Cookbooks and other souvenirs for sale.
    


Monday, July 22, 2013

Happy Birthday to Bill !!

I got back from Salt Lake City last night just in time to help Bill celebrate his birthday today!  He says it's "just another day" but I'm making him a cake and a nice lunch.  He prefers "box" cakes to anything homemade so I've just baked a two layer Funfetti cake.  Will post a picture here later after it's frosted and all.  Gotta find the candles.


Had a great time in Salt Lake with 5999 other Stampin' Up! demonstrators so I have lots of pictures to post after I catch up a little.  There has been digging going on here while I was gone too.

Glenn was here since last weekend and left this morning so I didn't get to see him much.   He got to spend time with Bill and Diane and the girls.

It was fun to go - feels like I was far, far away for longer than I was really gone.  Always good to be home.

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Fun !!

Ack!!!!  I had lots more good pictures of the Firemen's Breakfast and others to post, but yesterday I had a P.E.O. Luncheon in Okoboji to go to, and today I fly out of Omaha to Salt Lake City for the 25th Anniversary Stampin' Up! Convention!  I have about 17 in my downline going from all over (Texas, St. Louis, Indiana, Florida, Colorado, S. Carolina that I can think of). We'll have a lot of fun!  I've been to 13 conventions over the years so have made friends with lots of demonstrators in the United States.  Always fun to see everybody again. 

Will be taking more pictures of beautiful Utah and friends.  

Stay cool everybody!  

** Just noticed that I probably will have had 50,000 visits to my blog by the time I get back! 

Monday, July 15, 2013

Sesquicentennial Parade

Saturday was the parade - and I took lots of pictures.  One of the highlights for me was meeting Harvey Applegate.  His nephew, Terry, who has helped Bill a lot with the electrical project in our new shed, had told me that his uncle in Omaha reads my blog every day.  He went to school here in Rolfe, and I found out he was a classmate of Bill's dad.  So I've taken pictures of Terry in the past helping Bill so he'd be on the blog for his uncle to see.  

During parade lineup Sat. morning, these two neat old orange tractors pulled in behind us and then the calliope.  I eventually asked this guy standing back there if someone was going to be playing the calliope this year or would it just be "playing itself".  He said it was going to just be playing, etc.  Terry walked up and asked his uncle if he knew who he was talking to and immediately I said "is this your uncle from Omaha????"  And it was!  Too funny.  He told me his morning routine is something like getting up early, gets his coffee or eats something, looks at his local paper and the Fort Dodge paper here on the Internet and then it's always "Cindy's blog".  So now he's met me in person and I've met "Terry's uncle in Omaha"!  It was really nice to meet you Harvey!  Very fun!
tractors behind us


Harvey Applegate on his tractor
Harvey, his nephew Terry Applegate and Terry's son
part of the lineup down Railroad St.
Bill's 2nd cousin, Bryan who is here for the summer from CO

Bryan behind us

some very large farm equipment

unusual car

some P.E.O. sisters, Dee and Linda

look who I found watching the parade!


the guy who paints the Freedom Rock in southern IA every year

He painted a rock in someone's yard in Rolfe - wants to have one in every county in IA.


large dog

our church's bus carrying puppets

Some firemen - Bill, Luke Dahl, Glenn Munson and Aaron Orwig
Duck Dynasty's Phil and Miss Kay (P.E.O. sister Jule Hudgens & husband, John)















our P.E.O. entry - and Tim's Gator with Linda Clark riding

(nice Gator) - from the back


Saturday, July 13, 2013

Sesquicentennial and Spraying Hay

Wow, we are in the midst of our Sesquicentennial celebration around here and there are lots of people back in town for this.  The P.E.O. group I'm in was the co-sponsor of a lunch today at The Lutheran Church and this was one of only 3 places for people to get lunch after the parade!  The serving line was from the street into the church most of the time but people leaving were telling those waiting in line that the food was good and worth the wait.  We had maidrite, ham or turkey sandwiches and then all kinds of homemade salads.  Plus another group sold pie and ice cream.  Our group had to contribute 15 ice cream buckets of salad and so did the Freedom Girls.  No time to take pictures there!

There was a sold out Bacon and Wine Fest this afternoon.

Here are a couple of pictures from the water fights last night.  The weather has been great so far.  Glenn is here and last night we babysat Diane's girls and he had them today until I got done working.  Then I brought the little one home. She's here with me and asleep and everyone else is at the rodeo tonight.  Took lots of pictures at the parade today including a couple of someone that it was exciting to meet!  

Tomorrow morning Bill starts bright and early grilling a bunch of sausages with another guy for the firemen's omelet breakfast.  Then we'll be cooking omelets and anything else that needs to be done.  From 1:00-3:00 I'll be in one of the homes that's on the Tour of Homes. This home is going to have someone playing the piano and after we're done, the homeowner is having wine and cake for those of us that helped her. 
Water fights.

Earlier this week, Bill was spraying the dairy's hay ground.  I like these pictures so included them all.  You can always click on a picture to make it bigger.
spraying hay






 

Friday, July 12, 2013

Bay Shore Inn, Sturgeon Bay, Wisc.

We're getting ready for a busy weekend here in our town.  It's the yearly Greater Rolfe Days combined with the town's Sesquicentennial (150 years).  There is an "all school" reunion.  The last class to graduate from here was in 1990.  The only thing left of the school, which started falling down, is the gym which is used for events off and on.  

Tonight the firemen put on the water fights which is . . . hard to describe.  Two teams of 3 face each other and each team has a fire hose.  They use the water to try to get a barrel on a cable overhead over to the other side before the other team does.  They wear fire coats and helmets - and get very wet.  There will be a meal there.   

Tomorrow is the parade, salad luncheon sponsored by P.E.O. and the Freedom Girls with pie and ice cream social, Lions Club auction, a Bacon and Wine Fest and rodeo along with the reunion.  

Sunday is the firemen's omelet breakfast, a Tour of Homes, a town & country softball game.  And more throughout.

Below are several pictures of where we stayed in Door County - the Bay Shore Inn.  It's a really nice place.  Bill's mom went with us and we had a two bedroom unit which was nice.  As she said, too bad we didn't spend more time there!
This was taken back in Feb. when we checked it out, thus the coats.

living room with little patio









those big windows let in a lot light early in the morning!
Comfy chairs to sit and look at the water.

this would be fun in the fall

little beach area with kayaks & paddle boats to use for free - also bikes!

nice outdoor and indoor pools - outdoor is near the water

found out hammocks aren't that comfortable!