Stampin’ in the Community

You may have guessed this already but I enjoy stamping, and I absolutely LOVE Stampin’ Up!  For me, Stampin’ Up! is neither “all about making cards” nor “all about making money.”  It’s about a community of people who share a common love of creating and the creative process.  I’m a member of Mary Fish’s Stampin’ Pretty Pals, and every day I can share excitement with other members about current promotions, stamping techniques and personal life events.  I love the group.  But it doesn’t stop there.

Ronald McDonald House

Ronald McDonald House Charities provide comfort and support to families who have young children who are seriously ill or injured.  The organization provides a “home-away-from-home” for these families while their children are hospitalized.  Across the United States, Stampin’ Up! demonstrators gather at Ronald McDonald Houses to make cards with the patients and families in these houses.  Last week, I participated in a monthly Ronald McDonald House event here in Atlanta.  It was my first time participating, and I’m so glad I did.  Jen designed a birthday card and brought all the supplies to make it.  Leishman, Suzi, Monika and I showed up to help the residents make the card she designed.  I wish I could share all of the stories behind these pictures (the positive attitudes about these people who have been through so much are amazing and inspiring), but I can’t.  I can, though, share these pictures (most were taken by Monika):     Ronald McDonald House Charities

Ronald McDonald House Charities

Ronald McDonald House Charities

Ronald McDonald House Charities

This young child was in a wheelchair the last time the demonstrators were there.  This time, he was up-and-about and filled with energy.  He was determined to show me how strong he is.  It looks like I am being attacked, but (as you can imagine) I was totally egging him on.

Every year, Stampin’ Up! sells a stamp set for which a portion of the proceeds ($3 per stamp set) are donated to Ronald McDonald House Charities.  Have you seen it?  It’s on the inside, back cover of the current catalog, and it’s called Moving Forward (#126322, clear, for $14.95 and #126320, wood, for $19.95).  It’s an adorable set.  Here are the images:

Israel Independence Day

For the past month or so, I’ve been working with the events coordinator at the Marcus Jewish Community Center here in Atlanta to organize some card making classes there.  I am not Jewish, but that’s OK since the classes are not based in religion or politics – they are just a project-based community class.  My first opportunity is this evening as I help the community to celebrate Israel’s Independence Day – it’s the 65th anniversary of the formal establishment of the State of Israel.  They’re hosting a big outdoors festival, and I’ll be there to make cards.  Here are the cards I’ll be making with the attendees:  Israel Independence Day

Israel Independence Day

The Community of Stampers Grows

Do you want to be a part of my stampin’ community?  Stampin’ Up! revealed a new recruiting promotion yesterday.  Is it now time for you to join my team?  As a part of your “starter kit”, you pay $99 (plus taxes – but Stampin’ Up! covers the shipping) and you get $125 of your choice of product PLUS an extra $30 worth of additional product for free.  With this promotion, you are also able to include 2013-2014 Idea Book & Catalog pre-order items (to be announced next week), so you have the chance to receive new products before any of your friends.  If you are interested, please let me know by emailing me at [email protected].  I’d love for you to join in on all the fun!

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Brian

25 Comments

  1. Fantastic share today Brian! I know how much Stamping means to you, and to share it with the world. I think it’s going to take you places!

  2. Brian, what an inspiring post today! The pictures of your time at the Ronald McDonald House in Atlanta were wonderful. I can imagine you all leaving afterwards feeling overwhelmed by the faith and courage of these young patients and families. Thank you for sharing your love of stamping with them … but, as you know, you shared so much more than that. Bless each one of you! And bless each patient and family you met!
    And the best to you this evening as you embark on another community event. The card designs are lovely, Brian. Making card designs for such events takes “extra” thought and planning.
    Your audience may have never held a stamp or even seen a stamp pad, let alone make a card! Looks like you’ve got 2 great options for them. The best to you with this today, Brian. 🙂
    On a lighter note, I had no idea that the State of Isreal was formally established 65 years ago. It struck me when I read that because I am 65. Really put it in prospective!

  3. Thank you for sharing the pictures…. and the cause. I think this is such a cute stamp set but, I don`t see it used often . Also I think it`s pretty obvious that you are a SU fan …. it shows !
    Happy Independence Day Israel !!!

  4. Looks like you made a friend there Brian. I love the energy on his face and your facial expressions too. Glad you had a good time. Giving and sharing ALWAYS brighten my day.

  5. What a wonderful way to share this gift you have, Brian. The smile on this kid’s face tells the story better than words, the love you share with this young patients and their families will come back to you 1000 times over. What this World needs now is LOVE as once again, tragedy strikes the innocent, this time in Boston. My heart aches and my prayers go to all of them.

  6. Thank you for sharing!

  7. What a wonderful way to bring joy to people who are going through a very difficult time!

  8. What a wonderful post, Brian! Loved seeing the pictures of your time at RMDH. Makes me want this stamp set even more, but alas, I already have it 🙂 Can’t wait to see what they do for the one in the new catalog! Good luck at your event this evening – both cards are gorgeous, but the second one is my fav! 🙂

  9. What a wonderful time you must have had with the RMH! We should all do more of that kind of sharing and in so doing we receive the blessing of having brightened someone’s day! You’re a good man, Brian King!

  10. I respect you even more now than I did before, Brian. I am so glad you are a man who walks the walk, and not just talks the talk. Yayy you!

  11. Awesome Brian. Love the pics and I have np doubt you had a great time helping those kids
    Your cards are beautiful too.

  12. Jodie Swartzlander

    Brian, you are the best! Your love of people is so evident in all you do! God bless you for your work with the Ronald McDonald house. Kids are so precious! They should not have to go through things like that. Thanks for giving your time and love. I will be shaving my head to raise money for the St. Baldrick’s Childhood Cancer Foundation on May 4th. Wish me luck! God bless and thank you!

  13. Oh Brian – your post brought tears to my eyes. Having recently been through breast cancer with my daughter I can tell you that any bit of joy you bring to patients or their families is appreciated more than you will ever know. The patients and family members you dealt with will remember you always. You are one amazing man – I don’t know how you find time to do all you do and still manage to bring us all joy every day with your blog. May God bless you each and every day.

  14. As a parent of two boys who have had heart surgeries and have spent time in the Ronald McDonald House, THANK YOU! Trust me it means so much to the kids and families.

  15. You’re so amazing Brian. You’re so busy, but still find time to give back!! You’re an inspiring and talented human being! I guess that’s why we love you so much!

  16. Very inspiring post today!! You will never know what that means to those families in the RMH. Takes a very special person to work with children! Looks like you were having a GREAT time and they were too!!

  17. God bless you! my twin grandsons were born 2&1/2 months early, my daughter stayed at Ronald McDonald House til they were big enough to come home.It was a great comfort during this stressfull time. Thanks for all you do and more.

  18. Bless you Brian–you truly are an inspiration in so many ways!
    As my beloved aunt would say, you are a mench! (Hope I spelled it right 🙂
    Have a great time tonight–& thanks so much for sharing.

  19. what an amazing project! i’m so proud of your involvement in good causes, brian. and, yes, i realized YOU were egging this young man on!

  20. The pictures of you and your new friend are fabulous….obviously he took a great liking to you! Thank you for sharing this special day and the one coming up…your cards, as always are fabulous!

  21. Brian, you are awesome!!!
    I have a friend who lost triplets and regularly visits the Ronald McDonald House. She has expressed how amazing the RMH is and how a very difficult ordeal can be made a bit easier with the support of this amazing organization. How wonderful that SU and its demos support such a worthy cause.

  22. You have a kind heart, Brian, and I will be purchasing that set.

  23. It’s so awesome to see more demonstrators participate in volunteering @ Ronald McDonald House. Keep up the good work!! Keep up the good work!!

    your fellow demo – Pam Wu (Ronald McD House in Palo Alto, CA)

  24. El, a Stampin' Pretty Pal

    Brian, the more I learn about you, the more you warm my heart! I *love* hearing these inspiring stories, and I totally enjoy your fun-loving humor and your creative artistic flair. It makes me smile. Thank you so much for that.

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