I Am Alive!!

Have You all been wondering WHERE Is She! Well, I have been baby sitting my grandson full time and taking my DIL to work everyday. Somedays I pick her up too. She got a great job and is loving it. I am so happy for her. Some days it is a little rough on me. But, we do what we have to to help our kids.
Harris is such a joy at this age (19 months). I think he can say any word he hears now. Everyday he surprises me with a new one or two or more.
What does this mean for you? Well, I don't have as much time to create and make. I will do my best to have at least one new card every week and maybe not make as many multiples. I will not leave you all high and dry. I still love to make cards. So,until my dying day, I will create as long as God gives me the strength to do so.
I am still always looking for new ideas. So, don't hesitate to say hey.. I need some sympathy cards, or birthday cards, or just anything you may be needing in the next few months.
Valentines day is coming soon so don't forget your loved ones this February.
For you Stampin' Up Customers January is bringing a lot of new, GOOD, stuff. They will be offering unmounted stamps to use on acrylic blocks. They are cheaper and are more space effective. Needless to say my Studio is FULL!! There is also new punches coming out. Don't Forget Sell-a-bration. This is the time we get FREE stamps. This year, the Free ones are not only in the Sell-a-bration catalog, but also some that is already in the catalog. Yahoo!!! I hope Santa brings me some stamping cash!!
I hope everyone has a VERY Merry Christmas and a VERY Blessed New Year.
Keep in touch.
Follow me on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1376071810
I also love to play Farmville, Yoville, Farm Town, Lil Farm life, and Barn Buddy if you need another neighbor.
Take care!
Linda :o)

I don't believe in Coincidence but in God's gifts

God is always at work. So many times we just see the BIG picture and seldom see the little things he does for us.
Psalm 37:4 says "Delight yourself in the LORD and He will give you the desires of your heart".
Matthew 7:11 says "If you, then, though you are evil. know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him.
Sometmes we don't even have to ask. He loves us so.... much He suprises us with favor.

I have to share one of these moments. I don't believe in coincidences. Everything works together for good for those who love God.

I have a customer that orders my magnetic calendars every year for Christmas gifts. She had ordered a few.For one of those I was thinking how on earth could I come up with a design for it. She wanted a beach theme. With all of the 5,000+ stamps I have, I did not have a beach theme stamp, go figure. Most of you that know me, when I get an idea, my mind just goes ticking and I usually can come with somethig fairly fast. Not on this one. I knew I had to come up with something but what. I thought... well I could take some paper with a sky, some water, and one that looked like sand. But, how in the world could I get it into a 2 1/2 inch design. Well, I started tearing paper, glued and sewn until I got that far. Hmmm.. how was I going to embellish it. I had remembered a box of things that included some sea shells that I was going to give away, but for some reason I never got it to the person I was going to give it to. Duh, God knew I needed it. So I put a starfish on one side. Hummm... it needed something on the other side. So, I took a corner of some white cardstock and made a little umbrella. Perfect. It still ddn't have enough stuff on it. I added some hand drawn sea gulls. Then I remembered I had a flip flop stamp, so I stamped, colored, embossed, cut them out and added that. Humm.. A beach wouldn't be a beach without the sun. I added that. Well, it still needed something in the water. It was just too plain...Hmmm... Oh, I had a real small dolphin stamp. I fixed it up like the flip flops and added it to the water. Perfect, I thought. That was just the best embellishment I could have used. I still wasn't sure if the customer would like it or not, but I sent a photo, and waited in anticipation to see if she would.
Low and behold the next morning she had e-mailed me and said she LOVED it. Her daughter would really like it because she trains DOLPHINS. Oh, MY!!! GOD IS SO GOOD. Only He would have known that is what it needed.
Ever since I started making cards, I have prayed for every stamp I purchased. I was bidding on ebay for stamps, and would always say, if God wants me to have it, then I will get it. Otherwise, it was not meant for me to have it. I still believe that. Everything I have was given to me by my heavenly Father. Like the song says: "Oh How He Loves You and Me, He gave His life, what more could He give. Oh, How He Loves Me, Oh How He Loves You, Oh How He Loves You and Me"
Amen!!!

New card Wedding creations

Golf Card

Well, today was an eventful design day. I also designed this golf card for my massage therapist for her husbands birthday. It is made using a retired Stampin' Up! stamp set And Many Mower. I hope she likes it.

Peach Tulip card

I had a friend ask for a peach tulip card for her mother for her birthday. This is what I came up with. I used the Stampin' Up! Terrific tulips stamp set. Groovy Guava, Certainly Celery CS. I hope she likes it.

The 2010 Calendars Have Arrived!

I have just received my order of 2010 calendar pads. Now it is time to start making them just for you. These make really nice inexpensive Christmas gifts for co-workers, teachers,students, hairstylists, doctors, etc. etc. The possiblities are endless. They are mostly 5 1/2 X 4 1/4. But, can be made any size.
Now is the time to let me know what style you are going to need. How about a doggie one for a dog lover, or maybe a cat for a cat lover. Again, anything goes.
Each one of these calendars have a magnetic strip on the back. It can be placed on a refrigerator, file cabinet, or locker.
For those of you that have never seen any of them. Here is some I made last year:

GREAT DEAL for EBAY CARD BUYERS!

I still strife to have excellent customer service. I have been selling cards on ebay since March of 2004. I really don't think there is a card maker out there that has hung in with ebay that long. I think in the 5 1/3 years I only had 1 week with nothing posted. It was in November of 2004 when my mother broke her hip and I stayed with her in the hospital almost an entire week in Louisville. Even then, I worked on my Christmas cards while there. Each one of you that have purchased my cards, whether recently or long ago, have made it possible for me to continue. Through raising costs of postage and fees.

I would like to figure out how to send all of my customers, a questionare on my card business. However, I have not had the time to figure out how to do undisclosed receipents and how to make it easy for you, to chose the answers to the questions. I have done a poll or two on this blog with little response. So, I want to offer 1.00 off shipping of two or more card purchases, if paid with the same invoice, for those that replies back with the answers to the following questions. I am always willing to combine an invoice for up to 30 days, as long as you communicate will me within 5 days from end of auction what your intent is.

Questions are:
1.What size cards to you prefer. Square 5 1/2 X 5 1/4, Invitation size, 5 1/2 X 4 1/4, or other, please specify.
2.Do you prefer the inside decorated or blank.
3.Do you like the sewing on the cards, or do you prefer them without, or does it matter.
4.What kind of cards to you mostly look for. Birthday, Sympathy, Blank to use for any occassion, other, please specify.
5.What kind of cards would you be looking to purchase in the next 6 months. Christmas, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Birthday, Sympathy, other please specify.
6.What cards would you like to see that you can rarely find on-line: Childrens cards, teen cards, Masculine cards, other, please specify.
7.When looking for a masculine card what are you looking for: Outdoor, such as fishing, hunting, cabins, or more sporty, golf, bowling, football, racing, basketball, soccer,other, please specify.
8. As a buyer, what kind of communication to you like from sellers. When paying with Paypal, Paypal sends an e-mail letting the customer know when a shipping label has been made for your purchase. Do you request more than that.
9.What things attracted you to purchase my cards: 3-D, glitter, other, please specify.
10.Then, I would like to have free text on any other comments or suggestions. Don't ever be afraid to communicate with me, whether it is a compliment or constructive critizism. Your feedback is VERY important to me. I want to know how I can best serve you.

If you read this and you are one of my customers, or would like to be, please e-mail me with the answers to these questions and I will make a note to give you the above discount. This discount can be used any time betwen now and December 31,2009.

I occasionally get e-mails from customers letting me know their concerns. The latest one being, due to the cost of mailing a square card, they would like to see more of the invitation size. I hope to incorporate both sizes in the next few weeks. My problem is I only design 2-3 new ones a week, because I make so many multiples. I do this so every one can have a chance on getting one of my cards. Maybe I should make fewer. Hummm...maybe another question.

Also, follow this blog. There is a link to do this over on the left side toward the bottom to do this. I think when I add additional information you will receive it in your e-mail.

Anyhoo, thanks for reading my book here. Also, thanks in advance for any help you can offer.

Have A Blessed Day!!

Linda :o)
stampinsinger@roadrunner.com

I'm back!! I'm on FACEBOOK too!

Well, it has been a while. I wonder if too many people ever read this anyway.
I still am so grateful for wonderful customers. If I haven't told you lately. Thank You , Thank You!! You all ROCK!!! With the economy the way it is I appreciate all of you.

I also wanted to let you know, I am on Facebook,just in case you would like to be my friend. I feel like a kid in grade school. Would you like to be my friend, check yes or no. LOL!! I haven't learned too much. Especially if there is a link to post for you to go to my page and invite me. However, I know you can do a search for a friend. Look for Linda Duke Hall. Yep, that's me. Don't worry about getting your Home page filled with things regarding me. I stay so busy trying to make all of these cards, I don't have too much time to chatter a lot. But I do check it every few days and post occasionally.

SHIPPING!!! AURGH!!!

Okay, I know I sound like a broken record, but WHAT MORE CAN A PERSON DO about shipping costs???
Again, some few customers are cutting my ebay feedback regarding shipping charges. I have been taking a cut for quite a while. The week the postal rates went up I kept my shipping the same. I was at a huge loss. I have also had a couple of customers that had emailed me regarding their packages had been damaged during the delivery. Postal workers stuffing packages in the mailbox any way they can to get it in. This has never happened in the 5 years that I have been selling cards on ebay. I am definetly not complaining about that. I love customer feedback. I would rather know and try my best to fix a situation than to loose a good customer. Way to go Customers!!!!
The problem is, almost all of my cards are heavy. There is a lot of dimension and embellishments.Some of them will add a couple ounces instead of one when combined shipping is done. I am also trying to add cardboard to the packages which makes the packages weigh more. This is added protection to the cards. I still feel I have the most reasonable shipping charges one can have to ship such quality items .
I would really love to have direct feedback from customers. I have put in my listings that I strive for a 5 star rating. If you can't leave a 5 star rating to please contact me. This is not being done by a small few. If you can tell me how I can do better please let me know. I can't fix it, if I don't know about it.
Some of you may not know, as a Power Seller we get some benefits. We can get a percentage off our fees refunded to us if we keep high feedback.
For the quality of cards that I make my starting bid is very low as compared to others that sell around the same quality. No my cards do not go for high dollars, because I try my best to make multiples so every one can have a chance to get one of my designs. Not every one can afford 20. or more for 1 card. As a matter of fact, I have been at a loss every year at tax time. It costs a lot to make the cards I make.
Some would ask why do you still make and sell them if you are not making any money. Well, I am just addicted. My mother says I am obsessed with making cards. I get so excited to see someone have a better day when they receive a card in the mail. The world sometimes can seem so unfair, and there is so many people that does need a lift. That's why I do it. I am always receiving e-mails, phone calls, and visits from people that just had to tell me what happened when they gave one of my cards to someone. That is what it is all about.
Please don't take this wrong. I am just so puzzled and can't figure out what else I can do. I appreciate every customer that I have. It is you that have made me a power seller to begin with by bidding on my cards and taking the second chance offers that I give. All I ask for is some Communication..


Thanks!
Have A Wonderful Day!!
Linda :o)

Praise!!

Well, Our electric is back on. My husband has a rental car, until the insurance company can assess the damage on his blazer. It doesn't look too bad in the pictures, but it is really torn up. The drivers side has 2 broken windows, dents and big scratches all over due to concrete blocks hitting it. It is also filled with water. The top near the back on the drivers side along with where the back window is is dented really bad too.
But on a wonderful note my grandson turned one Saturday. He had such a GREAT time at his party. He had cake all over him. He was even mouthing icing from the end of the table. He even started walking everywhere just a few days before his birthday.
I also wanted to add the elmo invitations and the birthday card I made for him.

Tornado Hits

Just to let everyone know, we had a tornado hit our area. Praise the LORD our house was not damaged, but in front of our subdivision and the road to get to Richmond was a mess. My husband was getting his transmission repaired. The garage it was in was destroyed. It was up on the rack, and believe it or not, everything around it is missing. There was at least one person killed, many injured and at least one that we know of is missing his wife. His mother in law was the one killed. We even seen dead cattle.
Our electric is out again. I don't know when it will be restored. I am using my sons computer. Second chance offers and orders will probably be delayed until I can get my power back up.
Keep us and our neighbors in your prayers.
On a good note, my DIL will graduate from EKU tomorrow and my grandson turns one. He just started walking too.

Special ordered cards I recently made

I just thought I would add these pictures of some cards I made for a bridal luncheon. I think it turned out so cute.

Kentucky Ice Storm 2009

I would like to thank all of my customers for keeping me and my family in your prayers. God is so Good!!
We have been without power since 11 am on Tuesday. I still do not have power. My son has had power but no internet service. He just got internet service back today. Wednesday and Thursday I went to McDonalds and used my laptop so I could contact all of my customers that had outstanding orders with me. We had to stop and cut 3 trees down just to get through. I was able to print shipping labels at my mother's assistant living facility. They were so nice to let me use their office computer, even though they were behind on their work because their power had been out.
We feel totally blessed. We have been cooking on our Kerosene heater and a camp stove. I have been trying to do my stamping and coloring while it is daylight. I am going to emboss some while we are here at my son's baby sitting. If we do not get power on by tomorrow (Sat) I will probably take my sewing machine apart and take to my mother's place. My son's apartment is too small. They don't even have a table to work on.
I appreciate everyone's support and understanding. You all are the BEST!!!
I will let everyone know when I get electrical power when I can. I did get to see all of my e-mails. They are all so encouraging. I hope to answer all of them when I can. Here are a few of the pictures I have taken. Now we have snow on top of all of this. My husband did cut the limbs blocking in my van. Hopefully, it will start and I can get out on my own.

FREE!!! FREE!! FREE!!

Don't we all like something FREE.
Well, Beginning Feburary 1, 2009,Stampin Up is going to give away a FREE catalog for orders placed using a demonstrator website. YEAP!! and I have one. This will be for the first 22,000 customers or March 30 which ever comes first.
My demonstrator website is www.stampingsinger.stampinup.net or click on the link to the left of this page.
The new catalogs are in and one can start ordering Jan. 18. However, if you want a FREE catalog wait until Feb. 1. Until Feb 1, you can view the new catalog on line. Make a list and check it twice.
Also, Feb. and March is Sell-a-bration time. More FREE stuff!! Gotta love a bargain!
For every 50 dollars in merchandise from the catalog you can choose a Free stamp set from the sell-a-bration catalog(also, will be on-line). I'm sorry I forgot to have Stampin Up send these out to the customers on my list. The deadline was Dec. 31. I guess because of the holidays and Christmas card orders it slipped my little mind. If I have enough customers that want one, I will order some and send them out myself. The catalogs doesn't cost very much but the shipping is high from Stampin Up. If I can wait until Feb. I think I may be able to order other things and will help with the shipping cost.
For all my customers, I hope you had a wonderful 2008 and will receive many blessings for the coming year!

Here is a card I made using one of the new catalog sets, Just Buzzing by: