...last days of 2010

I hope 2010 was good to you but I hope 2011 will be better! The last few days of 2010 have been even busier and crazier than the rest of the year if possible, and so I have only had 5 mins this evening to think about what I hope 2011 will bring!

Every year I make resolutions as many of us do, and I think it's time I stopped the charade! I usually line up all of the usual suspects such as "more exercise", "cooking from scratch" etc, etc and solemnly declare myself committed to the plan, which normally falls wide apart in the first few days.

Truth is, I have long been a skeptic of the planning process. I have friends who buy Christmas gifts in the January sales for next year, I know people who have their 2011 summer holidays already bought and paid for - good luck to them I say, but it's not my way.

Call me superstitious, call me unprepared, call me whatever, but I just cannot bring myself to do these things. When I attempt to plan such things I feel like I am taking things for granted, that's just how my brain works, it's no reflection on folks who have their plans laid already.

Truth is, I don't want to know what's coming, I don't want to see far into the future. I just want to look into my wee folks eyes this evening as I tuck them into bed, and hold onto that smile. It's enough.

So, I have no idea what's coming to Waltzingmouse Stamps this year!! I have loads of ideas and I have set some stuff in motion, but I don't hold hard and fast to any plan of action, I want to throw a few sparklers in the pot and see what happens! I will set a course, but I am happy to go with the flow if I find that it's more interesting! I hope you can come along at least some of the way. I don't think it will be a boring business trip ... 'cos I'm not really a business woman ... LOL! I'm a stamper!

Good luck and God Bless you and yours in 2011!

...a little prayer request

Folks could we spare a few prayers for a lovely lady? A friend of mine from USA has received yucky news and could use some good vibes and some prayers if you have any. The details are not my beeswax to pass on, but I believe that your good wishes, prayers and positive thoughts are powerful, and so I'm begging a few for my friend. Thank you!

...on Vacation

Just a quick note to let folks know that we are on Vacation. The store will remain open, but orders will not ship until the 5th January. The weather continues to be exceptionally bad here, and although conditions here are probably not so bad as they are in other parts of the world, Northern Ireland is simply not equipped to deal with extended periods of snow, we're not used to it! Driving is fairly perilous and airports are open and shut seemingly at a moments notice, and so it is very unlikely that I would have been able to get any orders out the rest of the week anyhow, the last batch will go this evening.

I want to take this opportunity wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! I very much appreciate all of the folks who support WMS and I look forward to some exciting changes at WMS in the New Year, which I'm hoping will make a lot of folks very happy!

I intend to be back on the old blog between now and then, but if you're 'unplugging' for a while yourself, have a great Christmas and stay warm and safe!

...WMS Nice List Winner!!!!!

Good Sunday Afternoon to you all!!!

This should have been done well over a week ago, but the good folks at the Post Office have been keeping me busy with packages taking longer than usual so I have been chatting with customers whose orders have been delayed!

My apologies if you have been waiting for this post!

Anyhow without further ado I am delighted to announce the winner of our Nice List giveaway!!

Randomly chosen from over 160 worthy and sometimes tear jerkingly moving entries, the prize goes to:

Wendy who said:

"I nominate my friend Debbie (a crafter as well). She has really helped me throughout the whole summer with my problem of being unemployed. She has a local business and she not only gave me work, just when I though that no one would, but she keep encouraging me. She made me realize that I have alot of attributes that I didn't know I had. She had faith in me and come to find out, all I needed was for someone to have FAITH!! Thank you Debbie!!!! I appreciate you SOOOO much!! Now, thanks to Debbie, I will have my own small business, starting January 1st. Wierd, that my first customer has already staked her claim....Debbie. I have tears in my eyes.

Thanks Claire!!! I will visit your blog to read these comments a few times a day, because I LOVE hearing of nice things that people do for one another.

My name is Wendy and you can contact me at wendyjo72xxxxxxxxxx"

You know what ladies and gentlemen? This has been the best competition I have run this year. Yep, we loved the tags, and we've had fun with other challenges, but reading through all of the entries for this competition had me laughing, smiling, and at times weeping for folks. It is so easy to look at news headlines and to believe that the world is full of folks who don't care. Here, in the answers to this Nice List giveaway, we have a goldmine of all that is best about people. Our friends, who care about us.

Thank you to everyone who has shared their stories, I do hope folks will continue to look in on the stories, they can be found here, and I believe that they capture at least something of the spirit of Christmas.

Wendy - I'm emailing ya, right now!!!!!!

12 Days of Christmas Waltzingmouse Style! Day 12

Edited to add: because Waltzingmouse Stamps is on vacation and won't begin shipping again until January 5th, we'll keep this competition open until then. Enjoy!

OMGoodness!! I wish I could claim snow as the reason this post is so late, but it's strictly due to an unfortunate lapse in memory. I got so caught up in the activities of last evening, that I plum (or is it plumb?) forgot to do the post. Please forgive me (Lisa)!

To make it up to you, we're offering yet another chance at a stamp set of choice. Just leave a comment on this post telling us which of the Days 7 through 12 you are likely to try for a chance to win!

Now, without further delay, let us all draw a collective deep breath and sing sing sing!

On the first day of Christmas, dear Julia brought to you... won-der-ful gi-ft wrap-ping!

On the second day of Christmas, dear Anya brought to you... three lu-min-ar-ies!

On the third day of Christmas, yours truly (Lisa) brought to you...scrapbook page ideas!

On the fourth day of Christmas, dear Carly brought to you...beautiful home decor!

On the fifth day of Christmas, dear Belinda brought to you...adorable gift packa-ging!

On the sixth day of Christmas, dear Bonnie brought to you...monogrammed soap containers!


On the seventh day of Christmas, dear Lynn brought you...treat bags full of cheer!


On the eighth day of Christmas, dear Jennifer bought to you...a fabby stocking stuffer!


On the ninth day of Christmas, dear Sandie brought to you...gorgeous gift ta-ags!


On the tenth day of Christmas, dear Laurie brought to you...cards for the giving!


On the eleventh day of Christmas, dear Mona brought to you...a ma-gi-cal cou-pon book!


On the twelfth day of Christmas, dear Joan brings to you...

What could it be? You'll have to visit Joan's blog  to find out!!!

I can't believe the 12 days are over! But don't despair, we will return after the holidays with more fun and inspiration. In the meantime, we sincerely wish each and every one of you a Merry Christmas, Happy Hannukah (belatedly), Happy Kwanzaa and a healthy, prosperous and very Happy New Year!!!