okistampqueen

I did it...the Flylady way...

2012-01-27T22:03:00.004-05:00

I am exhausted...

but a HAPPY EXHAUSTED!!!
(Note: I am not exhausted because I did it the flylady way--
I am exhausted because I kept pushing me--15 minutes more and then more
and not sleeping great starting my day at 3 AM...!) and then...)

it's really more the "fleas" that kept getting to me

(the package from Trading Phrases that was damaged---but useable

I paid $ 7 shipping and was missing pieces as the package was wide open..

gotta love ~~UPS~~ NOT!

And then I went to give Bad Cat his medicine...

two trips-did they give me the chewable tuna flavored med they love so much

I have to keep it under lock and key?

Nope. Nada. Zippo.

I am not about to try to pill a cat named BAD CAT

when there is a so much easier alternative-

really-they ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT--so why do I have the old nasty stuff?
Go to do one thing--would see 6 others to do and get sidetracked
(see---that's what happens when you don't do it the Flylady way and
USE THE TIMER!!!),
go to hang something, drop the screw....you know...

Anyway...

Here's the BEFORE FLYLADY...

and here's the AFTER...

a new plant, a new fountain/light...soothing!!!

(that cord will get covered after my next WM trip!)

The little black cat...who tries to eat Christmas trees...

IMMEDIATELY started chomping on my plant!

(I knew that would happen-that's why my fake grass plant went to my office--

and why I took the list of plants that are poisionous to cats

with me to WM--this one wasn't on the list! Geesh.

newly organized shelves and WORD wall art

from Trading Phrases...

they did a great job with my design---shipping---not so good...

this end was crushed...and looked to be retaped...

this end was wide open-and the burnishing tool was missing...

thankfully, the art and instructions were still inside...

crinkled---but I deemed it useable...

my e-mails (although 4ish this afternoon...)

did not receive a response...so not happy!

It was easy to apply...here it is on the wall...

The dandilion puffs are a whole 'nother company

and were AWESOME to work with...

they are removeable and repositionable!!!

And I did a lot of both until I got it where I wanted it!

(those hole/paint touch ups really do not show up that much in real life!

gad-they look awful here tho!)

Yep-that's me on the bike-a CTMH sister is working

to restore the photo for me--that's just a "get an idea" copy

as, unfortunatly, there are spots all over it...particularly the face...

the work table...those cords will be covered---soon as well!

I do want to replace that desk chair

with a papsan chair...!!!

I have two desk chairs in another room should I need them

and I LOVE the comfort of a papasan chair...

when hubby gets home-and I find a good Craig's list deal...

these guys LOVE momma's new space!

They are in here more than I am! Lol!

I am sooo not ready---to go to the crop tomorrow-

will have to set that alarm for 0-dark thirty!

For now...it's time to

Until next time, happy stamping and scrapping!

Blessings,

Heart Wishes...

2012-01-27T09:41:00.000-05:00

Since my "new" space is almost organized and redecorated...

when I woke up at 4 AM---

I decided to go in there and do some crafting!

A friend needed 10 Valentines...

and I fell in love with yet another Mo's Digital Pencil image...

so I paired it with the Close to My Heart

Mad About You stamp set...

used the Art Philosophy cartridge to do some fancy cut work...

a step card template...

and here's the finished product

(apologies again for poor photos-I've at least decided

which camera I want---just need to get it ordered!)

That sentiment the back says

"Hoping all your HEART WISHES come true!"

There's sparkles on those little dandelion puffs

and of course-pop dots give this all some great dimension.

Last night before bed I decided to do some yoga...

I had help...

Poppa Cat (left) looks like he's even watching the dvd!

A little tricky trying to do yoga--

er, CAT-oga

with cats underfoot...

maybe if I growl when I do downward facing dog?!

Off to run some errands if I don't get blown away-

the wind is in the willows here--

a blustery day for sure!

Until next time,

happy stamping and scrapping!

Blessings,

GRRRRRRRRRRR!

2012-01-25T16:31:00.002-05:00

Once again

Blogger lost my entire post

I spent the last half hour working on.

When I get over my mad

I will be back...sigh.

Uh-Oh: Be careful what you wish for!

2012-01-24T16:02:00.000-05:00

I am confessing...

it's my fault my friend, Theresa is sick.

I did it!

(well, her son Michael may have shared some of his germs

that hindered things as well...but still...)

Ya see, this past weekend I saw this cute get well card

on Lori's blog

with a pop-up Kleenex box

and I thought,

"gee-that's CUTE! Who do I know that's sick

that I can make it for?!"

And kapoof-

next thing I know---

Theresa sounds like she's knocking hard on death's door!

So this morning

before I went to work

I whipped this up for her...

(What's going around we typically call the

"Brunswick County CRUD")

That's a Mo's digital pencil image

and those are balled up tissues (not popcorn!)...

"NO naked mail"--so I stuck a package of tissues

on the enve

since I was hand-delivering it with some other goodies...

and here's the cute little tissue box!!

It is sooo easy to do!

I used the SU word window punch to make the

opening for the tissue so it looks almost like the real deal!

Wish I would have had a colored tissue for some "pop"

but oh well.

Feel better, my friend-

we have a CROP to go to Saturday!

As another blogger writes

the "spousal unit" is MIA for a few---anyway---

but the cats KNOW when Poppa is supposed to be home

and he isn't...

Bad Cat is breaking my heart---

He sat in front of the front door last night for almost

2 hours---waiting, watching, hoping...

Then the "baby" of the bunch came over

and started licking him and sat with him

almost as if to say,

"It's ok. I'm here for you and I am your friend..."

When he got tired of sitting...

Sooo sad! Poor guy!

Well, the craft room is in an overhaul process---

and I have made some progress...

I've cleaned out boxes to be sorted-

and working on taking down things on the walls

and putting away what needs to stay.

I am creating a whole new space for me

in some ways...

and I can't wait to get it done!

At the same time

I need some extra energy and motivation---

it's been slow going for some reason...

and I keep procrastinating...

like now!

Time to go feed the boys

and get to it!

Until next time, happy stamping and scrapping!

Blessings,

News! News! I'm gonna be a...part two!

2012-01-21T11:17:00.000-05:00

Yesterday I posted that I got news that I am going to be a...

well---

it's my "unofficial" nephew's and his brides first baby...

so---an aunt once removed?!

Doesn't matter!

A NEW BABY

means I get to make baby things!

And since I got the grandparent's to be card done

so quick yesterday afternoon...

I spent last evening and most of the morning

working on the card for the

new parents-to-be!

The images are once again

from Mo's Digital Pencil

entitled Kitchen Knight and Big Shoes

I colored with Copics and colored pencils...

that ~~collander~~ armor got a coat of Crytal Lacquer

as did those high heels (to give them a patent leather look!)

I apologize for poor photos-my camera is acting kooky

and I still can't decide which Canon is going to best meet my needs---

anyway---

Lots of pop dots...and two flaps attached to the base card...

the dp is Close to My Heart

and here's the inside spread...

another Mo image--New Baby

the sentiments I did in Publisher with Word Art

and callout shapes for the banner that I just cut around...

I wanted a pocket of sorts so I could tuck a note into the card...

I don't *know* if they will want to keep or display the card--

and I kinda like to keep the notes personal--and handwritten

and wanted a "clean" presentation--

thinking I may do a small card with a photo on the front

of the first time I held Zachary (the dad-to-be)

and the note on the inside of that...

I know-and believe me, with my love for pop dots...

I am used to extra postage--

the postmistress' always want to see what I've been up to

so I can never seal anything before I get there! lol!

This took a lot longer than one would think---

and surprised me!

I am happy, however, with the final product...

off to find that photo!

Tomorrow...I hope to have some more

how to prepare for a crop photos and tidbits

and then

stay tuned next week-

I will be back on the flylady thing BIGTIME

as I will have some extra time on my hands

and I am hitting that craft room hard!!!

It won't be the same--for sure!

Now--

I think I need more coffee!

Oh-wait-

I will leave you with a funny for the day...

This is an e-mail I sent Theresa earlier today...

THIS JUST IN: Breaking news of an accident on OKI before breakfast!

It's been reported that there has been an accident at ***** Drive on Oak Island this morning. It seems that Sharon Russell, aka The Oak Island StampQueen, had made a visit to the er, "THRONE" this morning when suddenly a small, black speeding object came rushing through the door and, according to The Queen, "FLEW" up onto the counter in the loo, then from there catapulted to the shelves directly above the the throne at which point then-unidentified objects began reigning-er, RAINING down upon the Queen's head! Her loud shrills caused the small, black object to fly back out the door from whence he came. The Queen was not, thankfully, seriously injured and the the objects in question were not damaged (simply a small white basket said to house some small white washcloths that were scattered about the scene of the crime). Keeping her wits-and sense of humor about her, the Queen was later overheard saying, "Inky just gave new meaning to the term---pardon moi---to "taking a dump!" EMTs have left the scene and the now-identified suspect seems to be quite subdued!

Looks so innocent, doesn't he?!

And no, there really weren't any "EMT's" present!

That was just a little dramatic effect--unless of course

you count hubby asking "uh, are you ok in there?"

lol! What a way to start a day!

Until next time--

let me find that ~~collander~~ armor before I head to the loo!

Happy stamping and scrapping!

Blessings,

News! News! I'm gonna be a....

2012-01-20T15:57:00.000-05:00

well, I'm not exactly sure what!!!

My dear friend Betsy of---well, a lot of years---

called me yesterday morning

to tell me that their oldest son

and daughter-in-law

are officially expecting their first child.

Now,

when Zachary was born

and then his brother, Matthew,

I was dubbed "Aunt" Sharon

(or Shari as I was called back then)
Around age um, 6ish--Zachary called my "aunt" status

into question!

He was learning who was related to whom

the why's how's and wherefores...

and since I was not Betsy's sister---

how could I be their aunt?!

Mom explained to them that I was a good friend

and I was therefore an "honorary" aunt...

he was ok with that.

It's his brother Matthew who later declared

I was an alien---

(he was trying to find my name on something

and I said he wouldn't be able to-but he could find Sharon...

that it was my given name, another name I was known by

--an alias---also known as...)

Well, the first words out of his mouth

when Mom came home were

"Mom! Mom!

Do you know Aunt Shari is an ALIEN?"

Lol.

So---

I am somewhat confused as to exactly what

I am going to be to this newborn!

Am I an honorary aunt once removed?

Hmmm....

does it matter?!

Anyway-

a card is in the works for the parents to be

(stay tuned for that tomorrow)

but for now...

here's a card for the new

GRANDPARENTS TO BE---

(and yes, I am jealous!)

This is a two-step step card---

the billboard is a clip art image that I added the words to

using Publisher

(I am also dating us--remember the movie PARENTHOOD?!)

The couple is a Mo's Digital Pencil image

(which is, come to think of it fitting because

Betsy's nickname is---MO!)

It's colored with Copics and colored pencils

the tickets and designer paper (dp) are Close to My Heart.

Oh-the popcorn and drinks are clip art as well!

It's all layered together with adhesive and of course

pop dots!

Not sure it's going to fit in a standard envelope

but that's ok!

It looks a lot more detailed/difficult than it was!

I think it took the most time to color the couple!
Assembly was easy-peasy!

I hope they like it!

She's not due until September---but still...!

For once I will be early instead of late! lol!

Can't have a post without a cat pic!

I was doing some desk work the other day...

Inky decided that drawer had just enough space for him!

Well,

I need to do a mail run

and feed cats...

Tomorrow the card for the proud parents-to-be!

Until next time,

happy stamping and scrapping!

Blessings,

So---what's a CROP anyway?

2012-01-18T08:17:00.000-05:00

One of my followers commented

that she didn't know what a CROP is---

so let me explain...

a crop is where a bunch of scrapbookers and stampers gather

to well, scrapbook and stamp together.

You are often charged a small fee

to "rent" table space...

and it's often held at a scrapbook/stamp store

(which is where ours will be-our most "local" store-1 1/2 hrs. away!)

or some venue where there are supplies

(paper, stamps, embellishments, etc.) available for purchase.

FOOD

is often served

(the shopkeeper will provide lunch for us as part of our fee)

and we will spend from 10 AM until 6 PM

scrapping and stamping our hearts out.

It's time for us gals to sit and work and chat and...

have NO INTERRUPTIONS

from kids, husbands, cats (in my case)

or be worrying about that load of laundry that's needing to be done

or the dust bunnies we should be sweeping up

from under the sofa!

It's best to prepare for the CROP

to plan what you are going to take to work on...

(it's not a class where you are taught how to make something-

it's take your own projects to work on...)

and take what supplies you have and tools you need...

While it's fun to shop--

and nice when you need that extra sheet of paper

or that perfect embellishment

to have it handy...

that can get expensive, too!

So I plan...

and yes, I usually buy some things as well

(which is what the shopkeeper hopes!)

Theresa and I had planned an AWESOME CROP

of our own last year--

we had a great menu planned

a massage therapist lined up to do chair massages

(neck and shoulders while you are seated in a special chair)

drawings for prizes

things to buy

and what we thought was the perfect location.

Turns out that we were promised the moon with the space

and lots of promotional work by them--

that never happened.

They did NOTHING.

(Beware if you plan a venue with Boiling Spring Lakes Rec Center!

Just a heads up for any local followers!)

So---our crop fell through.

Maybe we'll try again this year---in another space, for sure!

Anyway-

hope that helps explain what a crop is!

It's really lots of fun...

I will try to remember (Theresa-remind me!)

to take some photos to post.

For now, I'd better go get ready for work!

Tomorrow I will try and post STEP TWO

in getting ready for a CROP--so stay tuned!

Until next time,

happy stamping and scrapping!

Getting ready to go to a CROP...

2012-01-17T19:50:00.001-05:00

Our "groupies" are going to their first crop

the end of this month.

Since Theresa and I have a few under our belts...

I've been sharing ideas with them about what they need to be doing

to prepare in order to get the most out of their day!

The first crop we went to---lol---

I packed it ALL!

I had at least 5-6 bags

and almost every tool I owned with me!

I've since learned how to pare it down---bigtime!

here are some of the things that I do before I hop to the crop

(I know-corny-punny--can't help it!)

So---STEP 1...

Today I needed some down time

(I traveled over the week-endand my back is killing me)

so I SORTED THE PHOTOS

I plan on using.

I put them into categories

and then I put them into Ziplock bags...

There are a number of photos in each bag--I can pretty well remember

given the title card what they are...

Yes, in this photo she had colored herself! With markers!

I also have photos in here of her working on a large piece of paper

and then the swap cards we made a month or so ago

along with the marathon scrapbook...

so "Picassa's Progress..." or some such will be great title...!

Why Ziplocks? Why not just stick them in that neat plastic box?

Well-I learned the hard way!

I did that the first time-they were loose in there...

and in the juggling, transporting, trying to work in limited space

Moi managed to tip over the whole thing

and had to spend precious time starting from scratch!

Enter the Ziplocks!

That way I can just pull out a group and go with it!

It's also a little extra protection for them.

Works for me!

Once all that is done....tune in for STEP 2!

For now--a few cat photos

since I failed to take any while visiting this week-end...DUH!

Oh well.

This little guy *thinks* he's hidden...

NOT! Lol!

He later found a nice WARM spot-hmmm...

maybe that's where I need to be!

Poppa Cat had stuffing stuck in his paw the other night---

now I know where it came from...

Somehow there's a hole in that quilt...wonder how it got there?!

Speaking of wondering...

not sure why

the block of wood was on my dining room table...

or why Poppa Cat thinks it makes a good pillow...?!

Time to rest. Time to read. Sip a rum drink.

Maybe a hot bath, too.

Those back muscles have to relax sooner ~~or later!~~

Until next time,

happy stamping and scrapping!

Blessings,

POOF!

2012-01-12T08:24:00.000-05:00

Ok-so I wasn't kidding when I said I was coloring yesterday afternoon

and evening!

Here's the ~~POOF!~~ er, PROOF!

and no, I haven't mixed up my holidays---

I know that Valentine's day is up next---

bear with me--I'll explain in a moment...for now-back to our image...

This is a Sassy Cheryl's digital stamp image

at least the cute little witch is--

the cloud is an old wood-mount rubber stamp I have had forever and ever...

The inside I did on the computer

easy-peasy

This is one of those cards that looks NOTHING

like what I imagined!

But--it was 9ish or well after when I stopped coloring

and cutting...

and I was tired...

then the darn thing wouldn't stay closed...

hence the ribbon tie...

THERE ARE NO MISTAKES IN STAMPING

ONLY OPPORTUNITIES FOR EMBELLISHMENT

that if you look close at my first photos

was accidentally slipped over the toe of her shoe...

oh well-

I fixed it in the end!

I talked to my friend Margarett

whose in Florida for the winter

who broke her right wrist (yes, she's right handed...)

not even a week after she got there.

She was really down in the dumps the other afternoon

and that evening when we talked again

she was at least joking some about both our issues

(who doesn't have them!)

and saying when she found her magic wand...

So--sending her a little magic...hopefully!

I even colored that intsy tinsy hat and wand

and cut it out again (Bad Cat gave that idea one paw up-

he was helping!)

to look like that toad just ~~hopped away~~ disappeared...

she has some company leaving

that I think she will be glad to see go....but hey,

I am not naming names---TOAD-ally not! Wink!

She will get a kick out of it-I hope

and I had fun doing it.

Until next time,

happy stamping and scrapping!

Blessings,

NO Mo...

2012-01-11T19:31:00.000-05:00

...tivation

or jo

get it?

No motivation...

no mojo...

sigh.

Today

it's cool, cloudy and rainy.

Not a good day weather wise

and one where you just want to curl up

with a warm blankie

a cup of something hot

and ~~a good book~~ copic markers

and a cat...or two...

I decided to sit down this afternoon

and color an image for a card...

on my way to do that

Ms. Dolly was sitting in front of her door

looking pitiful

(we're on year 2 and she still hasn't made friends with

"the boys"...so she has her own room...)

so I brought her out and put her next to me on the love seat.

Fast forward about 1/2 hr. and here's what happened...

Poppa Cat decided he wanted to be on the love seat, too.

Notice he's taking TT's approach and "NOT LOOKING!)

My husband was ready to rush in to the rescue

but I told him to wait and see what happened...

He eventually turned his back to her...

only to crane his neck around to see if she was looking at him!

She could have cared less (or was too scared to look!)

She is sooo loving and wants more and more attention

so I am hoping we can keep working on

getting Poppa Cat and Inky to make nice with her.

When my husband and I left the house after lunch today

I looked over on our neighbors deck (a vacation rental)

and saw these two...

They decided to "rent" the picnic table and get out of the rain...

wish I had a warm space for them to get out of the cold and the rain

but we won't go there for now...

The one on the left is Moe (we actually thought he was a she so we

have since changed Molly to Moe...!)

and the one on right is Cocoa Puff...

They are our feral cats--have been with us since they were kittens

(at least 5-6 years now...)

but will not let us pet them.

Although I did get to touch Moe's tail yesterday-

and it is as soft as a cloud!

He is just one puff ball as he's a long haired cat

while Moe's is short and somewhat wirey looking.

Below are my "office assistants"...

I was trying to do some filing for a client

and when I turned my back---

and a new "file" jumped in...

and then another...

When I moved into the craft room...

here's what happened to the empty boxes I took in there to store things

while I clean and sort...

Sigh.

Over the week-end--

it was cold and disastrous in there

so I took one of the lounge chair pads in to sit on while I sorted..

Inky took that over during a coffee break...!

When I finally got a path cleared-

and yes, enough room in there to go in and practice some yoga

in the evenings...

I put out the new tabletop fountain I purchased

when Theresa and I went shopping Sat.

It was something new---

so of course it had to be checked out thoroughly

and carefully...

Inspector Inky took on the task...

They are too funny!

Ok.

So back to my copics so I can finish my card

and have something creative to post

tomorrow (hopefully!)

If you use copics,

and need to refill them

(which is one HUGE advantage to these markers--

and the refills are HUGE as well-much much larger

than I imagined they would be so well worth the $)

anyway-if you need and easy-peasy

"how to"

just go

here to Theresa's blog

and she shows you how it's done!

Note: the top to the refill screws off...

be sure to hold it upright as you do this--

I wasn't sure how it came off

and while I didn't spill a lot-

I did lose a little...so be forwarned!

That's it for now.

Until next time,

happy stamping and scrapping!

Blessings,

Not forgotten!

2012-01-05T18:49:00.001-05:00

It's been a busy, busy week!

Happy (belated) New Year!

I opted not to do a "top ten" post...

everyone else was---

I decided to be different

(Theresa's laughing! No surprise there she says---

I am always changing something on a layout

or project--just to be different!)

My friend Margarett

took a tumble into the new year--

she fell and broke her right wrist and yes,

unfortunately,

she is right handed!

Poor thing!

She's also a cat lover like I am
so I whipped up this cute card to send her...

The image is from Mo's Digital Pencil

and I think it's called Patience...

I colored (with copics), pop-dotted pieces

and wrapped that arm in some sheer ribbon

to look like a bandage

(even tho she has a cast!)

Maybe it will bring a smile...

Speaking of smiles...

my husband dropped his banana

as he was getting it out of the fridge last night

and Inky had to check it out...

the definition of a cat toy, by the way,

is anything that isn't nailed down...

FYI...even a banana!

And, when we turned our back to clean up after dinner

BAD CAT

decided he would check out the tray that had the sushi on

(personally, me thinks sushi is yucki!)

(when you get to the linked site-click on LISTEN---cute song!)

note the tongue action!

And all 4 feet

needed rice cleaned out of them afterward

he protested much but we got it done!

Lol!

As I was leaving my desk this morning

to go and get ready for work...

this is what I saw in front of the love seat...

collar...lots of cat hair...

but no cat!

Which made me think of this poem from my childhood...

The Duel

by Eugene Field

The gingham dog and the calico cat

Side by side on the table sat;
T'was half past twelve, and (what do you think!)

Nor one nor t'other had slept a wink!

The old Dutch clock and the Chinese plate

Appeared to know as sure as fate

There was going to be a terrible spat

(I wasn't there; I simply state

What was told to me by the Chinese plate!)

The gingham dog went "Bow-wow-wow!"

And the calico cat replied "Mee-ow!"

The air was littered, an hour or so,

With bits of gingham and calico,

While the old Dutch clock in the chimney-place

Up with its hands before its face,

For it always dreaded a family row!

(Now mind: I'm only telling you

What the old Dutch clock declares is true!)

The Chinese plate looked very blue,

And wailed, "Oh, dear! what shall we do!"

But the gingham dog and the calico cat

Wallowed this way and tumbled that,
Employing every tooth and claw

In the awfulest way you ever saw--

And oh! How the gingham and calico flew!

(Don't fancy I exaggerate--I got my news from the Chinese plate!)

Next morning, where the two had sat

They found no trace of dog or cat;

And some folks think unto this day

That burglars stole that pair away!

But the truth about that cat and pup

Is this: they ate each other up!

Now what do you really think of that!

(The old Dutch clock it told me so,

And that is how I came to know.)

Happy to report---

Poppa Cat (the owner of said collar)

and Inky (the former owner of all that hair)

we're sleeping soundly in the same room!

Wore themselves out rumbling and tumbling, no doubt!

It's my Friday---

so I am off to do some yoga

have a nice rum drink

a hot bath

and peruse a few magazines!

Tomorrow-

I will be fly-ladying so stay tuned

okiflybabyfly.com!

Until next time,

happy stamping and scrapping!

Blessings,

I was featured...and it's not too late...

2011-12-31T10:51:00.001-05:00

I received an email yesterday

from someone saying they liked my thank you note

that was posted on another blog...

Huh?

So I went tothe blog that was mentioned...

and I saw this (well, close 'nough):

Friday, December 30, 2011The Inspiration Board: link party spotlight ~30~

We’re on the homestretch of the holiday season and on the verge of a new year. I want to take a moment to thank you for visiting my blog, sharing your projects and leaving sweet comments for me throughout 2011. I’m looking forward to sharing creative inspiration and crafty fun with you in 2012!

Again, thank you to everyone who linked up a project on the Inspiration Board this week. Here are a few in the spotlight this week.
...............................................................................................................
Pre-New Year’s

Have you written your thank you cards? Did you have time to make your own thank you cards? Oki Stamp Queen did and they are adorable.

WOW!

I was blown away!

lil' ol' me?!

Thank you, again, Carolyn!

Take time to look at the other great artists she featured-

and don't miss out on her linky parties-

they are really a fun way to see lots of new ideas!

Today I am doing the Flylady thing

so
fly on over to my other blog

and see what's happening in that realm!

Lots of progress in a short period of time

and cute cat pictures, too-of course!

Speaking of time,

it's not too late

to get in one more ~~good~~ GREAT DEED for 2011.

My great friend, Theresa,

has taken on an awesome cause.

Being the parent of a lovely young lady (Theresa two!)

who happens to have Down's Syndrome,

Mom Theresa has become and advocate and fundraiser for

Reece's Rainbow...

a foundation/organization working to find families

for children in foreign lands who are in orphanages

and have Down's Syndrome.

This organization was featured on a newscast by Diane Sawyer...

which, if all goes well-you can watch right here!

Wanna know how you can help?

Every. Penny. Counts.

Yep, she'll take pennies-how many ya got stashed away in that jar on the dresser?

In the couch cushions?

Got some extra cash that could make a difference-

thinking you need maybe one more tax deduction before 2012?

Just click here...

and you can see the little girl Theresa's sponsoring

whose life you can change---with YOUR CHANGE.

Literally.

Of course...you could always adopt, too....!

For now, back to flying!

Until next time,

CELEBRATE SAFELY

and happy stamping and scrapping!

See you in 2012!

Blessings,

Don't want to confuse anyone...

2011-12-29T20:22:00.000-05:00

I said in my earlier post today---

"my new blog"-

I am NOT abandoning this one-

nope.

This stays---

and will be cat and craft oriented.

The other

will the chaos and decluttering oriented.

Just to be clear...!

Until next time,

happy stamping and scrapping!

Blessings,

My New Blog...

2011-12-29T07:21:00.000-05:00

Anyone whose read my blog

knows that I am a fan of

FLYLADY

the decluttering, routine-rousing, get it organized guru.

I have followed-I have fluttered

and I have failed.

But I am ready to get up and get going again!

SO LET'S SOAR INTO 2012

together!

Visit MY NEW BLOG

on how to get started.

I promise to share the successes-

as well as the failures...

but we will keep fluttering

together--15 minutes at a time!

Until next time,

happy stamping and scrapping-

and FLYLADY-ING!

Blessings,

Thank you notes...

2011-12-28T21:11:00.000-05:00

are DONE and IN THE MAIL!!!

Whoo-hoo! GO ME!

I saw an image on Mo's Digital Pencil blog

that I just knew would pair nicely with a

Close to My Heart stamp set

that had a "Thank You" and

a "for your wonderful gift!" sentiment.

Here's what I came up with:

I used the CTMH Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge to cut the background

frames and shapes,

colored, cut out and embellished Mo's image,

pop-dotted it of course,

stamped the sentiment on the inside

a flourish with the "Thank You" on the enve

and they were done!

I did about 15 or 16 of these!

Bad Cat couldn't do a thank you note

but he let me get a few shots for future cat nip toy sales in...

I just need to learn how to photoshop that stupid string out of there

that he was laying on! lol!

He liked his new toy-

I liked my gifts from my goddaughter (Michaels, here I come!)

and Theresa

(cute cat dishtowels, a cat notepad, and a coffee cup

with an adorable black cat looking at a mouse-

she was with me when I got INKY...

the real adorable black cat that lives in my house

and brings me his toy mice when he knows I am feeling bad!)

Gotta love these gals in my life!

Oh-and Margarett, too,

who helped my CAMERA FUND!!!

Can't wait for that new Canon Elph-

just gotta decide which one! ; )

Until next time,

happy stamping and scrapping!

Blessings,

Merry, Merry CHRISTmas...

2011-12-25T12:32:00.002-05:00

Hope each of you have a wonderful and blessed day!

Now...I am off to do this...

Until next time, happy stamping and scrapping!

Blessings,

Not a creature was stirring...

2011-12-22T05:20:00.001-05:00

Not a creature was stirring... not even a ~~mouse~~ cat...

Ahhhh.....

sometimes he can be sooo good...other times, well,

not so much-but he is a male-need I say more?! lol!

This angelic looking guy

has snuck out our front door (a MAJOR NO-NO)

twice in as many days...

then the evening before last

when I brought Ms. Dolly (aka the only other female in our household...)

on a field trip

from her room to the love seat...

PC sat on my husband's lap across the room,

looked at her

and stuck his tongue out!

Too funny!

Really-he sometimes starts grooming

and "forgets" to put his tongue back in!

Give him a few minutes and he might remember---or not!

PC is very loving-but he isn't the brightest bulb on the porch!

I've not been sleeping well-so I've been stirring

at all odd early hours of the day

work has been crazy wild wide open

and I will be glad when 1:00 PM today gets here

as I am done!!!

Yesterday I ran from work

to bank to hairdresser

home to swap some Christmas presents--

while hubby was out shopping for more.

I was glad to finally get a few minutes down time...

evidently Inky was, too...

"Momma, why do you look like you're standing on your head?"

This guy---isn't as innocent as he looks, either

because as I was sitting here posting

he was busy behind me trying to get to the Christmas tree!

I heard ornaments rattling and when I turned around-

he's sitting on the cabinet next to the tree

with his claws caught in the tree skirt

that's covering the hula hoop

that's to cover the weirdness of the holder

that's supporting the tree

(it looks like it's suspended!)

so he can't get to it

to EAT IT!

Geesh.

So I freed the cat

moved the presents,

and moved the cabinet.

One more attempt

at cat-proofing the tree!

Maybe I need to reiterate those opening lines again...

T'was the night before Christmas and all through the house

not a CREATURE was stirring---lol.

Maybe we all need just one more rum (or chocolate wine!) drink!

Until next time,

happy stamping and scrapping!

Blessings,

Meow-y Christmas....

2011-12-20T14:14:00.003-05:00

Yesterday afternoon I delivered my annual

"Thank you for taking care of my misbehaving "children" gift to our vets office. She has had some staff changes this past year and the young lady on the front desk was new. She was very nice but it was clear she had not had--and perhaps had not even overheard-any of the Russell Family crazy cat vet visit sagas! Interestingly enough, the "old" staff doesn't quake and tremble at the mention of Ms. Dolly or even "BAD Cat" (BC got a bum rap with his name as he is really the best of the ~~beasts~~ er, furbabies---but I tease whoever about having lost the coin toss when it's time to deal with either of the other two! I humbly filled her in: Inky eats the tree---PC broke the blood pressure cuff (the tech had one piece in each hand...) and he ran off with the thermometer cover well---stuck. Then there was the day that there were 2 techs and one vet with the baby (aka INKY who eats the tree...total 11 lbs. of furry feline) plastered against the front window of the office in the exam room smashed between them and wondering how they were going to manuever him to where he needed to be so they could work on him! When they proceeded to the corner of the floor-across the room-and the vet had him in a headlock, I just smiled and shook my head as she proudly told me she had taken a cat-wrangling class! Lol! The things they have been through in order to care for my kitties!

When I saw this stamp-- I KNEW I had to have it!

Even "TT" knew it looked exactly like Inky...!

Of course

when I got ready to make the card

the stamp...was no where to be found.

I've had it for months but could I find it?

Nope.

Thank God for colored images of it on the net!

I just copied, pasted and cased it!

Cut it out and layered it...

And here's the sentiment I came up with

(music lovers out there-be gentle and give me some slack!)

I just attached our photo card to another inside panel (it's a tri-fold--

hand written thank you underneath those pics)

Yes, I know there are 6 cats on that card...

(two of which Dr. Travis has never seen

(Moe & Cocoa, pictured together)

as they are our feral friends...

won't let me touch them no matter what.

Here's a better view...

Can you tell...which kitty is my girl?
She just looks so very dainty, prim and proper...

but would she look at the camera for Momma....

Nope. Nada. Zippo. Not looking (another "TT"ism!)

I had to go pull out a scrapook page I made

when she first came to live with us

and scan the pic (since I was unable to find that, either!)

and use the scanned photo!

FLYLADY 2012 will be happening around here-BIGTIME!

I cannot wait!

Really.

One. Room. At. A. Time.

Top to bottom.

But-that's another ~~day~~ year, Scarlett!

Yesterday

I managed to trip trying to do a good deed

and the chiropractor and I had a visit.

Still not great---taking it easy--

but thinking the new hairdo tomorrow will help! Lol!

Until then-happy stamping and scrapping!

Blessings,

Slowly moving forward...

2011-12-18T12:42:00.001-05:00

Blogger lost my first attempt at this post

and I am beginning to think that the

Grinch and Co. are at work here...

Projects yesterday didn't go so well...

although I got the Christmas card enves addressed & stamped

(no naked mail-my 12 year old goddaughter got the giggles over that one

thinking "no naked male..."!)

Now they are ready to add the Christmas letter (hubby's half of the job!).

Wrapped my presents (he's doing his purchases)

and then tried to sew some more

Santa hat purses.

That didn't go well so I set it aside

and was going to move on to these...

that I found on on Lorie's blog

(the sample above is her work! Beautiful!)

and I was pleased to see that a template

could be purchased at

Clearly I Stamp.

I hopped right over there

and bought two others as well!

Was ready to print and cut when drat-

the template prints out at a size

maybe big enough to hold a small bathroom Dixie cup?!

WHAAAAAA--T?

I have never had problems with templates before-

used the same program-opened the right file--

no luck. Still minuscule.

Several e-mails back and forth-

and I still have no workable template.

Someday I may take the time and figure out the resizing myself

but--

buyer beware.

Cute stuff-if you have time to fiddle with it

and get it where it should be in the first place.

Disappointment and strike two...

So after dinner, needing a success to end the day,

I worked on this...

a 12x12 framed scrapbook page.

The designer paper and embellishments are from a line called

Life's Delights and I love them!

Those photo mats are two THICK pop dot layers! ; )

I used Close to My Heart

Chocolate, Sweet Leaf and Colonial White for the photo mats,

Stampin' Up ribbon

and CTMH opaque gems for more embellishments...

I accidentally put a small tear in the paper just beside that top embellishment...

The StampQueen (my mentor) always said---

"There are no mistakes in stamping

only opportunities for embellishment"

so I just added that little flag embellie and no one but me will

ever know the difference!

I got it all put together and noticed some deep scratches on the

bottom front of the frame! GRRR!

Since the store I purchased it at is 1 1/2 hrs. away-

a return/exchange was not happening.

Ok-breathing.

Back to "...there are only opportunities for embellishment..."

I whipped out some more gems

and put them right over that spot.

I think they even give the bike an impression of movement...

Inky's checking it out...

Time to quit for the day.

I had washed a throw earlier

and went to put it back on the sofa

when I saw Bad Cat curled up---

so I tossed it over him...

he snuggled right in and stayed there most of the evening!

At one point he was completely covered up!

I then broke the seal on my bottle of

Raspberry CHOCOVINE---

chocolate-flavored wine.

Now, I admit,

I was skeptical-but it only took one sip at Theresa's the other night

and it was DIVINE!

She had the chocolate flavored

and I wanted to try the raspberry, too.

You get the chocolate and berry flavor then the alcohol taste

but it blends soooo well.

This will solve another gift-giving dilemma!

That's it for now.

I am off to bake Monkey Bread

for hubby's coworkers, the vet's office

and some shut-in friends of ours.

Until next time,

happy stamping and scrapping!

Blessings,

One more attempt at covering the weirdness!

2011-12-16T17:42:00.000-05:00

So--we started with this..

and that just wasn't working for me...

so I went to this...

which ended up looking like this when the cats got done..

so today

enter the lime green hula hoop...

now that brought back a childhood memory!

My grandmother

had a huge picture window in their living room

It was Christmas.

She wanted a large wreath in said window

and moi had just what she needed for the base-

a green hula hoop!

I did get a new one-

but I wanted my old one!

Oh well!

Wonder whatever happened to that...?

Anyway--

for a mere $ 3

this is what I did...

oh so carefully

it went up and over the tree---

until it was around the base.

Then took hubby's fishing line

and tied it in 4 places to the bottom branches

then I carefully worked the sheet that's acting as a tree skirt

around the branches and secured it with a high-tech measure--

paperclips!

Here's what said tree looks like now:

This...I think I can live with!

The little black cat has already been in and out and around it

and is baffled-it looks like he should be able to get up there

but can't!

Go Momma!

Tomorrow-wrapping starts!

Tonight

I am going to try some raspberry chocolate wine

maybe have a hot bath and, if I am lucky,

a neck rub, too!

Until next time,

happy stamping and scrapping!

Blessings,

Another check...!

2011-12-14T17:25:00.000-05:00

Since our first Christmas card photo shoot didn't turn out so hot...

today hubby and I had an impromptu photo shoot

thanks to one of the preschool teachers I work with

(thanks, PJ!)

and I designed, uploaded, ordered

and after dinner (I think!)

will pick up the PHOTO Christmas cards!

Not too bad for all in one day!

Also got the vet's card done

(my cats are not the best-behaving patients

and I am always calling with the weird issues...)

and will bake something and deliver that either Friday or early

next week.

We had fun---here's some glimpses of us...

And there will be CAT PHOTOS on our card of course...

just not these...

Yes, I know the tree looks weird...

the little black cat eats it...

it doesn't digest...

you don't want to know the outcome!

my attempt to cover up the weirdness...not happening, I'm afraid!

some people have presents under their trees...

we have cats...

time to eat.

Tomorrow night is groupies.

Until next time

happy stamping and scrapping!

Blessings,

One more off the list...

2011-12-12T18:58:00.000-05:00

This was the result of my work yesterday at the crop

and this afternoon as well...

I also finished the Reindeer Noses candy bags

but forgot to photograph those and they are boxed for tomorrow's delivery...

The Santa bags are cut using the

Close to My Heart Cricut Art Philosophy Cartridge

aren't they adorable?!

I filled them with a small ornament I made

(cut using the AP cartridge) and a Mo Manning digi stamped image

I colored with copics and then copied

(coloring 30 ornaments by hand for preschoolers

was not going to happen in this Santa's workshop!)

Then added a bag of Magic Reindeer Food

Again, I stamped, colored and copied---

added red Stickles to the nose

Instead of glitter I used colored sugar

as the edible glitter was a small fortune for an even minuscule amount

and after one of the kiddos decided to sample the birdseed treat for the birds

well, I decided to play it safe! Lol!

I was busy finishing these up

when hubby came home and said he had a project he was working on

and came to finish up with me.

Seems he thinks cat whiskers are good luck

(although the documentation to support this theory seems

non-existent...)

so he had purchased small cello bags

and pulled out his collection (saved with the shark's teeth...!)

and will be including cat whiskers in our Christmas cards this year...

and he calls ME the crazy cat lady?!

Off to get a HOT BATH and hopefully warm up!

It's cold outside, baby!

Until next time,

Happy stamping and scrapping!

Blessings,

Signs of Christmas...

2011-12-09T08:33:00.000-05:00

are slowly showing up around our house! I put the Nativity up last week-end and didn't like it's location-it was visible-but it just didn't pop out-and for us, THAT's the real meaning of Christmas-Christ came, lived and died for our salvation-so that we might have life in its fullest. It comforts me, when I am struggling, to know-that not only did HE struggle as well, but He's walking with me and, as the footprints poem goes, often carrying me when I can't.

Anyway-inspiration struck! We have three shelves of photos on one of our living room walls-so I rearranged pictures and placed the creche along the bottom shelf. It looked a little bare and the figures looked a little lost (even tho they were all headed for the manger!)--so I went to Kristin's blog and plugged in a search for her FREE Christmas printable art-and wha-la: I had the perfect pieces in a matter of minutes to add to the scene--two beautifully done scripture verses telling the Christmas story. I already had the red frames so I just popped out the pics that were in there and put in the printables.

This nativity--is at least 51 years old. It was my grandmothers

(Brook's mother had one just like it!)

Some pieces are showing their age

and a camel took a nose-dive last year thanks to

one little black cat who was in turbo-kitty mode...

but I really hesitate to try and touch up or restore any of it.

There's a story in the bumps and bruises as well

so I am going to leave well enough alone!

I added some moss and then decided that a string of little white lights

would be the perfect final touch

I won't tell you how many times I took this whole thing up and down

or how much moss I swept up

before I got it just right!

The tree...will be our next battle

as this cute little guy

who thinks a

CHRISTMAS CAT CENTERPIECE

is ideal...

likes to eat the tree...really.

So not good.

It does not digest well. Nope. Nada. Zippo.

The outcome

isn't pretty.

Hubby is working on how to make it tall enough

so said cat cannot reach it...

should be interesting!

Momma saw the next idea at the craft show she was in

with Theresa last Saturday.

For the record

I bought two--they were done much differently-

lined with Christmas fabric

(out of the question since my sewing machine died)

and had no bows or bells...

I spruced them up a tiny bit

and the lining in the hat itself worked just fine!

I have TONS to do today-more of these-

a room to clean so my goddaughter can sleep over tonight

so I can help her with her Christmas swap cards

and she can help me prep for the preschool kids goodies

I want to work on at the crop on Sunday.

We may put up the tree tonight

or go to the awesome Christmas musical at our church tonight-

and have her take a picture for our yet to be ordered Christmas card...!

Whew.

I need more coffee just thinking about it!

Better get cracking!

Until next time,

happy stamping and scrapping

and please-don't forget

THE REAL MEANING

of the season-

keep Christ in CHRISTmas...!

Blessings,

Makin' a list and checkin' it twice...

2011-12-05T16:24:00.000-05:00

got my Santa Hat On

and don't it look NICE?!

I saw this Santa Hat

complete with a TIARA

at our local ~~pretend~~ Wal-Mart!

I couldn't resist!

It is PERFECT

for the OKIStampQueen!

I wore it at Saturday's craft show

and will wear it this Sunday to a crop--

just need a t-shirt that says

OKI StampQueen

I can make that simple enough-

did I remember what I needed

in my mad dash to that pretend WM this morning?

Of course not!

Too busy to make a longer post--

will show you some Christmas decorations

in a day or two.

I was just thinking...

our nativity set---

is at least 50+ years old!

It was my grandmothers...

a camel ended up with a chipped nose last year

and there are a few other pieces showing their age as well

but I really, really hesitate to try and repair them

in any way.

Interestingly enough, darling hubby's mom

had the exact same set!
Fond memories...

Until next time-

happy stamping and scrapping!

Blessings,

Last Christmas Craft Show!

2011-12-04T08:38:00.001-05:00

It's all over for one more year!!!

Unless

Theresa and I figure out how to do a little

home shopping showcase...

Yesterday

we returned to a church-sponsored craft show

2 hours away!

Here's what I went through

trying to pack up to go...

of course

this is the CATNIP container!

Bad Cat is the bestest catnip co-creator/seller!

This guy could really care less about it-he just likes containers!

I picked up Theresa at "o-dark thirty" as we call it

and we traveled for a little under 2 hours.

The sun was up by the time we got there!

Hubby loaned us his truck

(I don't like to drive big vehicles)

but I did ok!

We didn't even get lost!

Last year

this church had the youth

along with these nice huge carts

to help us unload...

so I didn't take the handcart my husband asked me if I wanted/needed...

mistake # 1.

No youth in sight-

very few carts and all in use!

So we loaded and lugged most of it hand.

Theresa discovered that the key to her bank box

was at home...

and

her money was securely locked in her box!

mistake #2...

We have the same one-and MY key was no where to be found

(I usually leave it in the box itself)

but my money was in my purse and so we were good to go.

This is why we do these things in tandem!

I then discovered for whatever reason

my calculator wouldn't print.

mistake #3....sigh.

I needed coffee-desperately!

At least I had a backup calculator..

We got set up and here's what my table ended up

looking like...

Only after posting these picks did I realize

what the pretty satin green ribbon was that I found on the floor-

it went around this little item-

so it was displayed "naked" all day---

While I had lots of little "girlfriend gifts" as I called them-

cute and adorable (from all the comments I heard all day--)

for well, girlfriends and coworkers, say under $ 2.25--

not much sold...?

I usually can't keep enough

catnip

on my table! It flies out of there-

not this year-not this show.

I sold very little.

Made sure I had neckwraps this year

(last year I didn't-so naturally, that's what everyone asked about...)

didn't sell one--here or at Holly Days...

Other vendors were saying sales were down also.

The economy? Not the right stuff?

(What sells one year sits the next-it's a tough call to make!)

Your guess is as good as mine!

We did ok-it wasn't a bust

and we really, really enjoy it!

That's the bottom line!

You meet some really nice people

and it's heartwarming when someone chooses something

you put your blood, sweat, tears and creativity into...

Here's Theresa helping a customer at her table...

After a looooong day yesterday

I came home to discover that hubby

had done all the laundry AND folded it-

and made my favorite crab soup

So-

today it's off to church

then unpack, repack and recount it all.

Then a nap.

A much needed nap.

Until next time,

happy stamping and scrapping!

Need a little Christmas...take two

2011-12-02T09:12:00.002-05:00

Oh boy-today is going from bad

to worse...

I started this post-was 3/4 the way through

and lost it.

The post, that is

(my sanity may be next, tho--another coffee, please!)

Sigh.

Here's what I think I had...

Still didn't sleep well

(anyone have any homeopathic sleep remedies they want to share?)

can't kick this cold/sinus thing

and stomach upset

(ulcer? gall bladder surgery gone wrong? both/and?)

Work this week

was flat-out frantic

(church secretary)

as it was the regular stuff

plus newsletter

plus Christmas is upon us...

(translate: TONS more to do--

early in and non-stop).

Need to do that flylady thing to the house

and haven't even thought of decorations

(other than how to keep the kitty from eating the artificial tree

which leads to vet visits

for unmentionable procedures to "unstop" said kitty--

two for two-not going for three-literally!
(pun intended!)

So gotta get creative here...

(any ideas?!)

Did I mention I need to be getting ready for a craft show tomorrow?

And I am about to be burned at the stake for my opinion

on a bulletin board...

(it's hard when someone disagrees...

sometimes we have to learn

it's ok to agree to disagree---breathing...)

Sigh.

Feeling a wee bit overwhelmed to say the least

and need some Christmas spirit.

I did some blog-hopping

and stopped by

KRISTIN's blog-A Simply Classic Home

and saw this:

I absolutely love

the simplicity

of this!

In my high school days

(eons ago, it seems!)
I had a daycare class-

where we taught 4 year olds for 2 hours

and another class took over for 2 more.

At Christmas,

(back in the day when you could actually mention God in a classroom!)

we performed

A Charlie Brown Christmas

and moi got to be

Linus.

It was a special memory

and this always touches me when I see it.

The REAL meaning of CHRISTmas.

Kristin also has a free printable about that very thing

and after tomorrow is over

I look forward to making it a part of my

holiday decorations.

For now, I better get in gear

and get something done!

Until next time,

happy stamping and scrapping!

Blessings,

PS.

I just went back and looked at my post

and took the time

to watch the video clip one. more. time.

And I've decided to do this--

take time, before you add anything to your "to do" list

this season...

to pray about it--is it something you really

WANT/NEED to do--

and why?

If not-----let it go.

Do only

what's pleasing to HIM

and you...

Give the gift of simplicity, peace and tranquility

not

the frantic, cram in one more thing

and one more great aunt twice removed to buy for---

does it really, REALLY matter?

Think about it...

PEACE. ON. EARTH.

PEACE. IN. ME.

May HE dwell---in my "inn"...

as well as yours...

A layer of protection!

2011-12-01T16:33:00.001-05:00

"Stamps are tools-not jewels-and are meant to be used..."

-Carolyn Hurst,

THE Stamp Queen

I have to confess

I am not, by far, the best about taking care of

my toys!

When I was little, I always wanted friends to come over and play

and when it was time for them to leave

I never made them help clean up...

And, some never-mind-how-many years later...

I love to play---

and not clean up...

For example

my great friend Theresa was HORRIFIED

to learn that I never really clean my stamps!

Once in awhile
I would run the ones I used under the faucet

(yep, even the wood mounts!)

and I really wasn't careful when inking them in the first place

if ink made its way from the rubber to the wood-

well, so what?

As a result

THERESA'S STAMPS LOOK LIKE THIS...

(and yes, she has used it!

Check out her adorable

REINDEER FOOD in her post here...)

while mine, on the other hand, look like this...

Hmmm.

Not a big deal to me--I really don't mind...

but then came the day...

that I found I needed to borrow a stamp from Theresa.

I needed a reindeer to make these

that I found HERE...

UH-OH!
I know, no matter how very hard I try

I just KNOW I will end up with ink on that pristine wood

not good.

What to do, what to do!

I was inspired by a small piece of stuff my husband

left on the counter...

LIGHTBULB MOMENT!

I *KNEW* INSTANTLY

what to do!

Here's the tools:

Now for the trick!

I cut a piece of foil larger than the stamp

and started molding it around the rubber side of the stamp...

then I very carefully REMOVED the foil form from the stamp

and cut a few small slits in the center of the raised image

DO REMOVE THE FOIL BEFORE CUTTING THE SLITS...

(don't worry, Theresa-I did this! It was not a "oh poop, I should've moment!)

Once the slits are cut, place the foil back over the stamp.

Very carefully start peeling the foil back until you expose the rubber image

and then push the foil back in to mold it around the base of the image

see how its smooshed in there and nicely covering the wood--

except for that little gap...

not a problem!

Just cut a small piece of foil and layer it over the other

and smoosh it in there.

When I was all done, a few of those smaller pieces

wanted to fall off.

No "regular" tape on hand--but yet another lightbulb moment!

I just made a strip of foil and wrapped it around the edge of the entire stamp!

It held those pieces in snug as a bug in a rug!

This is the nice, neat little PROTECTIVE COVERING I have

hopefully to keep Theresa's stamp pristine!

The (stamp) image itself is raised enough

that the foil should not interfere with my stamping!

And hopefully

I can return her stamp after using it

with it looking like new!

That's it for today.

I still don't feel great

(gotta call some new docs and putting it off!)

and a craft show coming up on Sat.

Praying my motivation and energy

will kick into high gear tomorrow.

In the mean time,

if you are looking for some more great Christmas ideas

like the Reindeer Noses...

Check out this post at CHEF IN TRAINING

then this post at I Naptime

or, last but not least

this post at Fireflies and Jellybeans

I may not feel like much else

but I sure can sit and blog hop!

Until next time,

happy stamping and scrapping!

Blessings,

With Sympathy...

2011-11-28T08:36:00.001-05:00

I have goosebumps right now-I was running late for work as I was doing this post to help one of my CTMH sisters out as she needed ideas for a sympathy card. I arrived at work (I am a church secretary) to find out a member had passed away over the week-end...! -- S.

No, no one has died

that I am sending sympathy wishes to--

but Sympathy Cards

are what I chose to do for our

Christmas Groupie Swap.

Why?

Because no one likes to have to buy them let alone make them.

So I thought I would do those.

I've made several different ones over the years...
from pets...

to people...

but I really really wanted something clean and simple

(somehow "extras" on a sympathy card just doesn't seem right to me-

too much glitz and whatever--well, it isn't what I wanted...)

and something that I could mass produce easily

and just have on hand

This is what I came up with

The "Thinking of You" is on a small flap that I just attached

to the back right-hand side of the card-

it just folds around the front-

Yes, you could cut the card base so it's all one piece

but this, for me, is easier...

I *think* the sentiment is from CTMH Card Chatter--

could be wrong, tho--

here's a view of it slightly open.

The inside sentiment says

Expressing heartfelt sympathy

and offering a prayer

that God above will comfort you

and ease the loss you bear

I have one more card that I will do for the swap-

yes, another sympathy,

based on

the card at the end of this post

(I couldn't find the photo easily)

I think I will avoid the pop-up look

but stick with the sentiment

we'll see-stay tuned!

Better go get these buns ready for work-

I am late!

Until next time, happy stamping and scrapping!

Blessings,

Order Finished!

2011-11-27T16:36:00.000-05:00

Finally!

Something FINISHED

and artsy to show!

I do a customer's Christmas cards every year

and this is what her 2011 cards will be:

That photo frame is from the CTMH Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge!

I cut 30 of those and the background mat in no time!

Just load that paper on, hit, "repeat" and off it went!

Dear Santa-Did I mention I want the Cricut Expression for Christmas?!

My Martha Stewart punch even held in there to punch all those border strips

(THAT was a miracle on 32nd street East Beach Drive!)

Sorry about the poor colors/photos

my camera is acting poopy today-these colors are nice and vibrant

out of the box non-traditional Christmas colors---

but-if you've ever been to Charleston and seen Rainbow Row-

these fit right in!

And while we're just a stone's throw from SC--we still have

a good deal of these same beachy colors!

Her sentiment I used Publisher, a couple of free fonts

and matched the CTMH colors on the front

to the font color using the red, blue and green codes!

Then she needed a small
"who, what, where, when" card for some time in the sunny south

again-the CTMH AP cartridge to the rescue!

Die cut both cards (including the hole!),

added dp, stamped the images

using one odd flourish and the rest from the

CTMH September Stamp of the Month set (Limited Edition)

and those were done!

The tag slips into the little "slit" on the right-hand panel

thanks to the SU --well, I call it the "slitty punch"! Lol!

She's opted to send the cards in the same envy

so I was happy to find papers that matched (more or less!)

I am glad this order is done and can be crossed off my to-do list!

One more craft show next Sat.

and I am done.

Oh-well, there is a little shopping that needs to be taken care of

and OUR Christmas card to design

(I am thinking our double bike, ocean background,

Shutterfly photo card!

Hubby always accuses me of not peddling so am thinking

of kicking my heels up (and maybe even hands up as we ride by?!

Whatcha think?!

note to self: book photographer (aka Theresa!)

Inbetween all this---

I did the preschool scrapbook.

I took photos today,

blocked all the little angel's faces

and was ready to post

but

for some reason

Picasa (that I hate almost as much as Blogger)

didn't save my work.

And I can't post the kid's faces...

so until I have the patience that post will have to wait.

I've been busy as that scrapbook was done

in a week's time

after the marathon scrapbook my goddaughter and I did.

I worked so hard I ended up sick

and missed the kid's preschool program after all that work!

Oh well.

Maybe next year...

Until next time, happy stamping and scrapping.

Blessings,

Happy (Belated!) Thanksgiving!

2011-11-25T10:25:00.001-05:00

That's me---

always late!

In fact my "nephew's" birthday was

yesterday

did I get the card out?

Nope.

But-I will.

And he can celebrate-again!

He's still young enough to appreciate that!

Lol.

Yesterday

hubby and I celebrated Thanksgiving.

It was just us.

And the cats, of course.

We had a very nice, relaxing, stress-free day!

We ate--a lot!

We even cooked and cleaned up together,

took a nap and read,

blog hopped and did a little gardening,

took a bike ride down to the pier,

ate some more,

watched an old Star Wars dvd,

and called it a day.

It was nice.

Here's a few photos-
I opted to keep it simple-

the "good china" stayed in the cupboard

and the heirloom silver in the drawer

so there's nothing fancy here-

it was ALL GOOD, tho (and a lot less work!)

(l to r): (wheat bread) stuffing, green bean casserole, (rice bread) stuffing, jello salad,

pumpkin pie, sweet potato pie and mashed potatoes in the middle!

Explanation...

This is the RICE BREAD STUFFING

I am allergic to wheat (regular bread/flour, etc)

so hubby has kindly worked hard

and perfected, I must add-

the stuffing recipe using rice bread!

You can never, ever have too much stuffing!

This is Theresa's PUMPKIN SOUP

it is delicious, too!

She served it last year and since we had pumpkin

left over from the pie

I called and got the recipe from her-

I'll post it below.

It has some zing and zip thanks to a little curry and red pepper!

The bird--minus a few parts!

The beach...

I was shooting "blind" here-

I could see absolutely nothing on my camera display...

worthy to add to a photo Christmas card?

"Behold-His Light Shines!"?! Hmmm...

Hubby

The bird nabbed a fish from a woman fishing on the pier-

she started to take it away, shrugged her shoulders

and then let him have his Thanksgiving ~~"turkey"~~ fish dinner...

Our feral cat, Moe

He was close to me but when I took out the camera

he bolted...down the walk...

and here's the Thanksgiving view

from our front deck...

Ahh---it was a really nice day!

Thanks for stopping by!

Until next time, happy stamping and scrapping!

Blessings,

THERESA'S PUMPKIN SOUP

1 cup chopped onion

1 clove garlic

1/2 stick butter

1 tsp. curry powder

1/2 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. corriander

1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes

5 cups chicken broth

1 15 oz. can pumpkin

1 cup half and half

sour cream and chives to garnish

sautee onions, garlic and butter

add spices and cook one minute

add chicken broth and bring to a boil

cook 15-20 minutes

add pumpkin and half and half.

Process in small batches in blender until smooth. Garnish with a dallop of sour cream and chopped chives (neither of which I had...but it was good, anyway!) Enjoy!

Oh-and we used fresh cooked pumpkin-it (the soup) was a little thinner than when using the the canned pumpkin-I've not used fresh pumpkin before-it is very watery-wondering if I needed to smoosh it through a strainer to "drain" some of the liquid out first? Hmm....

Naughty or Nice? And Slow Recovery...

2011-11-20T19:04:00.001-05:00

but recovering I am!

I stayed in again today

and took things easy

but after three days of bed

and as many novels...

I HAD to do something!

I had logged into Split Coast Stampers

and found
this tutorial for Santa's Drawers

and OHMYGOSH!!!

I had to try it!

I ran and got my Close to My Heart Believe paper packs

my Score Pal, scissors and my tape gun.

I fixed a bowl of soup, got a drink

and sat in front of the computer

watching and working my way through

not one but two tutorial videos!

But this is just too, too cute---

.and it really isn't hard at all!

You are basically making a lot--

ok-- 4 boxes.

There's a few "PAY ATTENTIONS"

I would point out--

watch the video steps all the way through

before cutting-

I stopped and started it-

but I made a cut she said make

and THEN she pointed out a paper orientation

that she should have had before telling you to cut!

So watch-then cut.

Also highly recommend her idea of "dry fitting" everything

then adding adhesive.

Lastly,

and I really don't know how to explain this-

but I cut little angles

on the "wings/flaps" to be folded in...

I just nipped a little more off so it angled down some

rather than straight across

so folding things over would fold and fit easier.

She mentions this in one step-I did it for all.

This would make an awesome gift

filled with gift tags!

And you can really make a lot of those

if you save those little pieces you cut off the corners

< WINK!>

The question is...

whose names are in the NAUGHTY drawer

and whose are in the NICE one?!

Hmmm...!

Guess you'll have to wait and see!

Until next time

happy stamping and scrapping!

Blessings,

Excused absence, please...

2011-11-18T08:18:00.000-05:00

I've not abandoned my blog---

I promise.

After the marathon scrapbook Friday night--Saturday afternoon

and the crop on Sunday

I was madly working to finish

the preschool scrapbook

for their Thanksgiving Feast

yesterday.

The good news is--

I did it.

The bad news is

I am sick.

Wed. afternoon the runny nose started

then the upset stomach through the night

nausea hit next

and by morning the being hot then freezing.

I delivered the scrapbook, put out Sunday's bulletins

and came home and went to bed

All day.

Today will be a repeat I think even tho I do feel a wee bit better.

When I recover I will share some photos of it.

The director was really pleased.

I had to rescue a layout or two-

the Firemen came in Oct. not Nov.

as I had scrapped-so had to juggle those

and then the Police Dog Oreo got sick and was a "no show"

so the page all ready for her photos

had to be redone as well.

Trials and trauma

and phone calls to Theresa

who gave me "what for"

for doing this to myself---

I know.

I always take on too much

to be done too soon

and end up stressed out.

The little ones are so cute tho!

And I have no little ones to scrap.

Since Thanksgiving is coming up,

I have to share this tho-and the retelling doesn't do it justice.

Not knowing the dog was a no-show,

I had gone down the hall to see if I could see her and the kids

out on the playground.

I did see and hear the police car and the two policemen

and children gathered around.

The two-year old's were lined up and coming in.

The first little blond haired girl

had two Junior Police badges in her hand.

I said, "Oh! Look what you got!"

And she looked up at me with her big eyes and smiled

and handed me one.

I looked at it, fussed over it,

and handed it back to her.

She shook her head---

I said, "is this for me?"

She shook her head "yes" and went on to her classroom.

I was soooo touched.

She so willingly gave me one of her treasures...

it was just one of those Hallmark moments--

I wore that badge proudly

all. day. long.

Out in public. To scrapbooking group (they know I am nuts anyway!)

and that little piece of made in Japan plastic

it sits proudly on my dresser.

as a reminder

of what it means...to give.

We should all take a lesson in this.

We have wayyyy too much in this day and time

and so many needs surround us.

This Thanksgiving/Christmas

I am rethinking my giving.

And I going to do it with a grateful heart

like that little gal did. Hopefully.

We all have SOMETHING we can share-

even if it's as simple

as a junior police officer badge!

Until next time,

pass the Vitamin C, the Benedryl, the hot tea-

and happy stamping and scrapping!

Making up for lost time & MARATHON MADNESS!

2011-11-12T15:19:00.000-05:00

I am T-totally worn out!

My soon to be 12 year old goddaughter, Maren,

tried to kill me this week-end.

Literally!

Her cousin got married a year ago...

fast forward to Wednesday evening

and I got this call...

"Can you pleeeeeaaaasssseeee help me finish

Kendra's wedding album

'cause we will see her over Thanksgiving..."

Ok. We can do that.

Friday was no school-I am off on Friday's anyway

so at 2 Mom dropped her off.

She had paper, she had embellishments, she had tools...

but no photos!

OOPS!

Deeeeeeeeeeep Breath.

Called Mom.

Back to her house we went

where we spent the next 2+ hours

editing and uploading photos for one-hour printing.

Grabbed some dinner,

got the photos

some Peppermint Hot Chocolate

and at 7:30 last night...

we started!

She had a few pages already done...

but we had 42 photos to go!

By 9:30 the child was drooping and we didn't know what to do

with the last of the shower photos, so we called it a night.

After a much-deserved rum drink and a neck rub

I literally fell into bed

(I was that tired-not that much rum-

or well, being THAT TIRED that little bit of rum

went a long way!).

The alarm cat

went off at just shy of 6 AM...

I had just gotten them fed

and pushed the "on" button on the coffee pot-

and here she comes-bright eyed and bushy tailed.

So---we started. Again.

And an hour ago (1 PM)...we finished.

I lost count of layouts.

We tossed maybe 2 photos.

We were one page off...grrr....

add base page, decorative paper and a post it--

insert bulletin or invitation here

problem solved.

But, I highly recommend that you

DO NOT try this at home!

An entire 12x12 album in less than 24 hours!

Thank God for Close to My Heart,

now discontinued Wings paper pack

and the new CTMH Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge.

Oh-and Scotch tape gun.

And CTMH divided pages-

they saved my sanity in the end...!

Without further ado,

here are the photos-

they don't do the pages justice-

but you have an idea of just what a very creative

soon-to-be 12 year old can do...with a little help from her godmother...

Beginning with the cover-

a very pretty soft cream

The inside page...

The shower...

on the left we wrapped the photos like presents

since she was opening presents...

on the right---the underware---

with her new "mrs. name" in rhinestones!

Maren found a tiny embellishment

of a t and panties to match!

This was one of the favorite layouts for her!

LOL!

more presents-I love the fact that Maren got photos of things

like the present at her feet--

great "non-traditional" shots-

even more awesome that a 12 year old thought of it!

Can we say the child is gifted--?!

More awesome shots-the card with wine bottles on it-

the gift bag with "I do!"...

Bridesmaids and groomsmen...

the pages she did in my class a few months back...

Coming down the aisle on dad's arm...

this is beautiful flocked paper she picked out!
The bird is holding two pieces of cream satin ribbon with

two little wire hearts dangling from them! Again-her idea!

The Vows...

with Art Philosophy butterflies! Aren't they pretty?!

She was all a-flutter over ~~this~~ these photos-

she said she wanted to BE SURE to get THE KISS

and she did!

We laughed, tho, at the minister's mouth in the middle of it!

The second page of the layout...back down the aisle-

she picked out this paper as well-a year ago-

She was bananas over it as it matched the setting perfectly!

On to the reception-they didn't have a cake-

they had a tower of cup cakes...

Art Philosophy to the rescue again!

We cut cream colored cupcakes, the green wrapper

and then cut the wrapper again out of brown and used the

sliversto make it appear as CHOCOLATE cupcakes!

For the icing we used Martha Stewart glitter glue swirled on

and then some snow glitter

FYI-if you are in a hurry

you can hit that concoction with a heat gun

and it will set right up!

(heat from both sides to even out any "curling" ; ) )

A small doily folded in half made the perfect "plate"!

We were getting very very burned out and tired-

so we pulled out the CTMH divided pages

and altered them to our liking-

we covered the top two vertical spaces with dp

and laid our photo in a flip flap over that!
She lamented that she didn't have a "First Dance" embellishment-

I said we have stamps, ink and a computer & printer-

we HAVE a First Dance AND Our family

(This is the brides stepson in the bottom photos)

embellishments!

Waving that magic wand, baby!

I did "First" and "family" on the computer

then stamped "Dance" and "Our" with the juniper ink

and the Bohemian alphabet stamps.

But wait-the rest of the reception photos wouldn't fit in the vertical spaces...

so we sacrificed that back side of that divided page

and attached another version of a divided page...

this one has two vertical and two horizontal spaces

(again, discontinued...)

but another dilemma still-there were two more photos to be used...

enter two more 4x6 Flip Flaps and an SU tab punch! Problem solved!

peekaboo!

And---we were off by one last page...

so AP and the Cricut to the rescue!

We cut the flouris (I'm too tired to try and spell Fleur de---whatever-)

you get the picture-literally!

She added the flower embellishment and crystals.

The end.

SO-there you have it!

A complete 12x12 album in less than 24 hours!

After a brief break

I need to go clean up

and then gather up my goodies

to go to a CROP tomorrow

(yes, I gotta be crazy!)

and work on the Preschool scrapbooks-

yes, PLURAL--

this years and last...

that need to be done

by Thursday AM!

Bring on the hot chocolate-

followed by the rum!

Until next time,

happy stamping and scrapping!

Blessings,

The Wind was in the Willows...

2011-11-06T12:33:00.001-05:00

and our outside booth yesterday!

Imagine

30 mile and hour gusts...all. day. long.

Thank God-and Bob (thank you, Bob!)

we had a pop up up secured with cement blocks

so we weren't chasing the tent around the parking lot

but we were chasing our various items for sale

around it!

All in all,

it was fun.

Not as profitable as we hoped-but not a total bust, either.

We both made our booth space cost back and then some.

I had wayyyyy too much stuff on my table.

Far too cluttered looking

so I will be paring down what I take the next show

Dec. 3rd

and perusing sites for more ideas

on CATNIP items--by far, yet again,

my best seller!

And Holly Days is always sentimental

and I get a little teary and choked up

as it's where Theresa and I met!

Thanks again, to Bob.

He asked if I needed help breaking my booth down

as his wife was across the way

and he'd be willing to help me, too, if I needed it...

and by the way, she stamps, too...

So I wandered over...we got to talking

and I said

"let's exchange phone numbers and maybe we can go

shopping together sometime..."

Fast forward (we think!) 6 years now...

and countless shopping trips later...

and we're still great friends...

through it all.

Her smile and her laugh are great--

so's her heart!

I never ever remember

to have someone take a picture of the two of us! GRRR!

Anyway-

from Bob helping with the pop-up and bringing us breakfast

(and plant stands!--inside joke there)

to he, Michael, Theresa, Mary Beth and Sharon B.

helping me pack everything back up and cart it all to the truck

(and my hubby for loaning me his truck!)

it was fun and worth all the sore muscles I've got today.

And boy howdy-there are a lot of them!!!

Sigh.

But-Flylady would be proud of me-

it's all neatly counted, restored

and ready to go for the next one.

Today...I can rest...

after I do some room rescues...

hot coffee, hot bath, good book...

a cat in my lap...

hmm--if that's not motivation I don't know what is!

Until next time,

happy stamping and scrapping!

Blessings,

4 hours and counting...

2011-11-05T03:27:00.000-04:00

until Theresa and I "set up shop"!

Holly Days...is here

for another year.

I am trying to ignore

the huge gusts of wind that keep

shaking the house

(we're up on pilings)

and rattling the doors and windows!

The weatherman said

this would be gone--

so I am hoping it will be

and Theresa and I won't be clinging to the sides of the pop up

to keep it from flying away.

I think

I will get down the baskets I decided not to use

as, in case it doesn't blow through

my items may not blow away as easily

if nestled in a basket.

One can hope!

I added a couple more new items to this years list...

Beribboned Bookmarks

And these test tubes were sitting around begging to be used

so I whipped up some Bath Salts

(based on a Martha Stewart recipe).

The lavender bath salts have a few lavender buds in it

It gives it a little natural color and looks pretty in person

here-not so much...

I wanted a variety of "girlfriend gifts" this year

little somethings prettily packaged

for those people that you need a little something for

coworkers, hairdresser--you know

My pocketbook has been a little slimmer

so I wanted to keep them price-friendly as well...

Other than a few treks to the attic

to retrieve the baskets

I am ready to go.

Can't sleep-so a cup of tea

(nervous stomach, too)

and blog hopping

may help pass the time.

If we don't blow away

I will be back to let you know

how it went!

Until next time,

happy stamping and scrapping!

Blessings,

No, I didn't forget...

2011-11-03T07:09:00.000-04:00

that we've yet to have

THANKSGIVING...

growing up

you never ever saw

Christmas stuff

until after Thanksgiving.

But

they didn't have a Thanksgiving countdown thingy...

and that's SAD...

but I've also been working hard toward

Holly Days...

so I've been thinking about Christmas

for sometime now...

Stay tuned-

I WON'T forget Thanksgiving!

There's too much to be thankful for

before thinking about getting more

(which is another sad take on Christmas...)

for now...

I desperately need

COFFEE!

Until next time,

happy stamping and scrapping!

Blessings,

Happy (Belated) Halloween!

2011-11-01T07:33:00.001-04:00

Note: No animals were harmed during the photo shoot and all were given plenty of treats!

How was it?

Did you get lots of treats? Or just tricks?

My goddaughter showed up

sans (without) costume

expecting treats.

Didn't happen, sister!

She went back to the car and came up to get ready

I've not seen the cartoon

about Princess Bubblegum and a vampire-

not sure I want to---

but

she chose to be a vampire---

so I left the red eyes in at least one photo

just for the heck of it scary factor

as if teenagers aren't scary enough as it is!

Lol!

I had a headband with wobbly bats on it...

took it off and spied a cat...

Hmmm....

this is what happens

when one doesn't have little people to dress up

for halloween...

First up, Poppa Cat...

"hey-what are these things, anyway?"

"I give up-let's get it over with, Momma!"

Then there was Bad Cat...

He actually got into it and sat and posed for me!

Too funny!

The baby was up next-I really didn't think he would tolerate it at all-

but, I was wrong!

I got a few...

I think he was playing dead here...

"if I play dead will she leave me alone?!"

"wait---wait---that was MY COSTUME!"

"What are YOU looking at...?!"

Alas, Halloween is over

and Holly Days is coming...

Saturday...

so you may not hear much from me

until it's over...

Until then,

Happy stamping and scrapping!

Blessings,

It's Sunday...but Saturday is coming...

2011-10-30T18:31:00.000-04:00

faster than a speeding bullet!

Six days and counting...

Holly Days will be here...

I am almost ready...

I keep telling myself that, anyway!

This week

was spent on

Catnip product production...

Catnip fish, catnip fishing poles,

and packages of catnip...

I had some (more) help with this project...

Thank God...

the sewing machine hung in there for those-

they are the best sellers!
Unfortunately,

my lavender neckwrap project

did not go so well

lots of ~~dirty words~~ wordy-durds, a major headache

and a call to a church member whose also a seamstress

they may get done...

tension.

me-lots; sewing machine-not so much.

Prue frustration.

This project however...

was super super easy-and quite relaxing.

Oh my gosh-I could weave these for days on end!

They are little woven ribbon wreath pins

for the holidays.

Won't they look cute on a sweater, tote bag

or even a coat?

And the non-traditional colors are

so trendy (at least from what I've seen in the ornament aisles!)

I got crystals to add to them-but they just didn't add anything-

so this was a keep it simple, stupid project!

They will also make cute bookmarks

simply be leaving the ends loose.

Hmmm...someone say stocking stuffers?

Girlfriend gifts?

My husband harvested the last of the sweet 100 tomatoes and peppers today

and Inky had to check out the harvest...

he's too funny!

Here he's on top of my kitchen cupboards

and to the far right there is a small speck on the wall

actually it's a nail that something hung on sometime ago

that I've never taken down.

The other day it caught his attention

and he was determined to check it out...

I think he thought it was a bug...!

Well, it's time to stop for the night.

I am tired.

Tomorrow's another day, Scarlett!

Whatever you do, until next time,

happy stamping and scrapping.

Blessings,

And the award goes to....

2011-10-26T08:26:00.000-04:00

Moi?!

Imagine my surprise last night when I found the following e-mail

in my mailbox:

Sharon,
I have awarded you a blog award. Visit my blog here for more on this:

http://twylasheart.blogspot.com/2011/10/blog-award.html

Just letting you know I think your blog is great. Thanks for sharing!

And so I high-stepped it right over there (wouldn't want the tiara to slip dontchaknow!)-

and this is what I saw:

Blog Award

Last week, I was awarded a blog award by a great friend (whom I have never met!). It is the Liebster Blog Award and the word Liebster means beloved or favorite. Thank you so much, Carolyn. You should go and check out her yummy craftiness here.

Here are the rules to accept this award:

1. Thank the giver and link back to the blogger who gave it to you.

2. Reveal your top 5 picks and let them know by leaving a comment on their blog. These picks must have fewer than 200 followers on their blog.

3. Copy and paste the award on your blog.

4. Have faith that your followers will spread the love to other bloggers.

5. And most of all - have fun!

Without further ado, here are just a few of the fabulous blogs that I follow.

Heather at Creative Cocount

Nikka at Create Your Vision

Sharon at Oak Island Stamp Queen

Emily at Faith, Hope and Art

Tonya at In All Sassiness

Take a minute to check out these ladies blogs. They are amazingly talented. You won’t be disappointed.

_____________________________________

Well! I am stunned-just stunned!

I accept this award

on behalf of myself

and my coworkers

(namely BC, PC, Inky and Dolly)

and my hubby who cooks while I stamp and scrap

and my groupies

(Theresa, Sharon, Buzz, Mary Cobb and Maren)

and of course the original StampQueen herself, Carolyn.

I wouldn't be what I am today

without each of you!

Now-let's see...

Even the Queen must follow the rules...

so here goes...

1-Thank the giver and link back

Twyla, I have no clue how you found me--

but you made my day! THANK YOU!

Check out Twyla's beautiful blog here...

2-Reveal your 5 picks---I will wait and do that last...

gotta have a little suspense now and then...!

3-Copy and paste the award on your blog--

now we're getting technical folks, may have to tackle that this afternoon...

but I will, OH YES I WILL!!!
4 & 5 - Have faith that your followers will spread the word

& have fun.

Yep. I believe these gals will-yep.

So---

without further ado--

here's who I picked...

drumroll, please, Greg---

wait-he's still asleep? Not here?

Note to self: ask Greg to do drumroll for blog sound effect-

then tell me how to put said sound effect on blog-lol!

Ok-so use your imagination, people...

drumroll...

The first pick is...

Theresa of Artful Whimsies

that was easy-that was a given!

This girlfriend deserves all the awards I can possibly give her!

She hangs in with all my issues and frustrations

and helps keep me somewhat sane...!

The second pick...
Jill at Blessed Scrapper

She has adorable things-

and I like her title-Blessed Scrapper...

Third up...

Susan at Homeroad

just neat decorating ideas and so much more--

Fourth...

Lisa of Shabby Mommy

pretty cards-cute layouts

and she's sick right now-so she could use some extra love...

And in Fifth...

Dawn of Crafting4love

She posted on the Close to My Heart bulletin board

that she's had one follower---her hubby

us gals have taken a peek, love her blog--and want to help her out!

Now-please don't feel bad if you weren't mentioned-

I had trouble finding #'s of followers on some-

or you had a lot of followers...

or I only had 5 I could pick!

I promise a linky post sometime soon-

well, after Holly Days

of my fav blogs-some had thousands of followers

(imagine! I was excited when I went over 60!)

Off to let these ladies know they've won!

And then it's off to work.

Until next time,

THANKS, TWYLA---

and happy stamping & Scrapping!

Blessings,