Monday is the birthday of a very special person.  Her name is Angela Blalock and she is an angel.  Angela lost her battle with ovarian cancer a few weeks ago and God welcomed her to His heavenly home.  I did not know Angela for very long, maybe 1 1/2 years, but she was one of those people with whom I immediately connected.  We met because Angela LOVED monograms. She would put her initials on anything.  Or put her grandkids' names on anything.  In the short time I knew Angela, I bet Twinkle Star Monograms did 15-20 monograms for her and another 20 for her grandchildren.  She was actually the person who got Twinkle Star started on toenail decals.  Trust me, it was not something I could have ever come up with.  That was all Angela. She was always sending me pictures or website links of items she thought I should monogram and sell.  Angela was one of my biggest cheerleaders.  I miss her a lot.

Angela also loved children - she taught for many years, most recently at my church, Methodist Children's Center at First United Methodist Church (FUMC) in Cary.  I visited her classroom a couple of times and it was a bright, cheerful place where the kids were happy and busy.  It was a dream of Angela's to go on the ZOE mission with FUMC. ZOE is an mission that empowers orphan children in Africa whose lives have been affected by AIDS/HIV.  If you want to know more about ZOE, here is the link to their website. Click here to visit ZOE.  Angela was preparing to go this past summer but did not get the chance to make the trip. 

Almost everyone has been affected by cancer in one way or another.  On Saturday,, Nov 1st, I will walk with others in the Raleigh LUNGe Forward 5K at North Hills. I have the privilege of walking with Tomma Hargraves, a 8 year survivor of lung cancer. If you would like to read Tomma's story and/or donate to my team, follow this link, click here.

So on the eve of Angela's birthday, I say a prayer for healing, comfort and cure for all those affected by cancer. I challenge you to do the same.

Do you love a sale! We sure do. The thrill of finding your favorite items on sale in your favorite store or on a website you happen to stumble across...Well, get ready because Twinkle Star Monograms is getting ready to have one BIG sale. Call it an inventory reduction sale, call it a close out sale, call it a sample sale, call it an end of the year sale or a Beat the Winter Blues sale WHATEVER! Just make sure you come to our sale.  March 16th, 2014 from 1:30-6:00 at Beth's house in Cary NC. 201 Fairfax Lane.  We will have great bargains on all our last 2 seasons merchandise and close outs AND will be introducing our newest line of products! Monogrammed long sleeve T shirts, monogrammed trays, candles, and monogrammed purses, a few monogrammed blankets and LOTS of baby items - everything can be monogrammed and personalized just for you! Great time to buy a wedding present or graduation present! Light snacks and a glass of wine waiting for you!!! Bring a friend! Can't wait to see you there!

Monogrammed Bracelets

Monogrammed Shirts and Tunics

Monogrammed purses and Totes

Monogrammed Magnetic Boards

Monogram Serving Tray

Personalized Tumblers

Cute Baby Burps

Monogrammed Metal Tray

Monogrammed Candle Holders

Monogram Bracelets

Smart Aleck Tumblers!

The Olympic start today!!!What do you think of the USA Olympic team uniforms? We think an American Flag embroidered on a shirt, bag or towel will make a great summer present.  Watch our website, Twitter and Facebook for some American flag giveaways during the Olympics. www.twinklestarmonograms.com, @tsmonograms, www.facebook.com/twinklestarmonograms, instagram.com/twinklestarmonograms

Many of us can relate to what it feels like to send a child off to his first day of daycare, first day of school or even first day of college.  But few of us can imagine what it feels like to send our child, our baby, off to the military.  Sue has done just that.  Her son, Cameron, left for Navy boot camp in mid Nov and is getting ready to graduate on Friday, Jan 10th. Sue and her family are flying off to Chicago where they will get to share in Cameron's graduation experience and have some long overdue hugs with him. I know they can't wait to see him face to face, hear about his challenges and accomplishments and celebrate this milestone with him.
For those of us who do not have a child or family member in the military, military service is a very hard concept to even imagine.  Our brave military men and women stand up every day and say that The United State of America is worth fighting for, that our country - with all its' problems and issues and divisiveness - is still the best place on earth.  The family members of our military service people make sacrifices every day too. Their moms, dads, sons, daughters, brothers and sisters are far away, heard from sporadically and often in harms way.  The rest of us must say thanks!
So when you see a service person or a vet, say thanks, say a little prayer and remember that because of their willingness to serve, America continues to be free and safe. From Twinklestarmonograms.com to all of the military personnel out there -THANKS! Email us for a discount code for military personnel. twinklestarmonograms@gmail.com 

Sue and Cameron