The Final Countdown!

Hello, Stamping/Scrapbooking Friends,

I type this post with news that is bittersweet. After almost 8 years of demonstrating for Stampin' Up!®, I am hosting my final workshop on Sept. 18, 2009. Recently, SU has revised their independent demonstrator agreement in ways that make it impossible for me to continue as a demonstrator for the company. I would no longer be able to be on design teams, design for the crafting industry or even mention any other craft products on my blog that could be perceived as promoting or marketing those products. Nor can I inlcude links to any friends blogs who sell or promote "the competition" (which includes the whole crafting industry) on their blogs. I simply find this new policy too restricting both professionally and personally, and although I still love their products, I am not willing to shut the door on other areas of creativity that I enjoy. 

So what does this mean for you? I will be hosting one last workshop on Friday, Sept. 18th, as previously mentioned and can take orders up until Sept. 30th when I will officially end my demonstratorship. I will continue to promote creativity and host events and classes, only they will also include the use of products other than Stampin' Up. I still believe strongly in their products and will switch gears to now being a customer, but I will continue to share with you the many wonderful products and manufacturers that exist in the crafting industry.

So how can you continue to be inspired and get Stampin' Up products? As many of you know, Ree Nathan has signed up as a Stampin' Up demonstrator and her wonderful talents and enthusiasm have flourished after her retirement from teaching. Ree will be your new SU demonstrator, and this will be a great thing for all. Due to my time restrictions, I wasn't able to give my SU business the full attention it deserved, however, Ree is so motivated and dedicated to sharing lots of great ideas with you. And I will be supporting her as both a mentor as well as becoming one of her customers. Bittersweet, indeed.

Please let me know if you will make it to the Final Workshop on the 18th from 6:30 - 10 pm. Also, I will be doing a Large rummage sale with a group of other crafting enthusiasts at the Indian Harbor Beach Recreation center at 1233 Yacht Club Blvd., Indian Harbor Beach, FL 32937 (located in Gleason Park) on Sturday, Sept. 12 from 9 am to noon. Spread the word to all your crafting friends. There should be some awesome deals. All of my retired merchandise will be marked at highly discounted prices

The Birthday Blog Candy Winner is...

FVA!!! Congratulations, FVA, you mystery blog visitor! 

Thanks to all who posted comments, became followers and commented on the blog candy or birthday baby picture posts.  Your comments brought huge grins to my face and added to an already wonderful birthday. So glad to be able to be able to do some gift giving right back. FVA, be sure to send an email to cheri@cheriwengerdesign.com with your mailing information so I can send you your prizes. Keep spreading the word and checking back for new techniques, project inspirations and contests!

Win Birthday “Blog Candy”

Get ready to win some fun scrap and stamp goodies  in my first ever "Blog Candy" giveaway!!! In honor of my birthday, I want to give my blog followers a gift, too!

Here is what you need to do to win:

Post a comment under this blog candy post to be entered in the drawing and tell me how you are telling your friends about my blog. Don't forget to sign up as a follower to my blog and check out my project galleries! (All in the right hand column).

If you have a blog, post a link on your blog to this post & share the news about the giveaway!

What do you win? The Darling Dots set from Stampin’ Up!® Ribbon Adhesive and Adhesive Squares from Glue Arts (you're going to love these!), Flower Chipboard from Around the Block (so adorable!), a 3 pk. of Gelly Roll Pens (in my favorite summer colors of purple, fuschia and aqua) from Sakura and an assortment of my favorite colored ribbons (all from Stampin’ Up!)

I will do the drawing on Friday at 6 pm EST so that gives you a chance to spread the word. Be sure to post by 5 pm so you don't miss out. You will need to check back on Friday to see if you are the winner so I can get your information to ship the products to you. Good Luck and have a happy, happy day...like me!

45 Years Ago...

... a dark haired baby was born. Yes, I had lots and lots of hair and chubby cheeks ready for pinching. As you can see in this baby picture, I was a dreamer from the get go...always wondering what great things awaited in the distance. To this day, I still have that same hopefulness and continue to chase my dreams, living my life creatively and feeling blessed by the experiences God has provided me with so far.

In honor of my birthday, I will be posting my first blog candy later today. So check back for more details and to see what goodies you can win. 

Hope you have a HAPPY day, too! Mine will be spent creating and cheering on my lil' Wildcat volley girls at their first game of the season.