Sunday Satisfaction...

Whew! What a hot afternoon it is! I've been trying to clean--really, I have. I needed help moving something and my hubby was downstairs and well, then I went to put this little treasure away and said "aw, gee, I can take a minute to do this..." and, well, um, here it is an hour 1/2 later...!! I got this mini lunch box (let's say "diet sized!") at a yard sale a week ago...and I KNEW I could turn it into something sweet! Does this just not scream Souvenir from FL 1960-70's?!

I love it! Right now, its holding odds & ends of embellishments --but maybe one day I will do a little journal to go in it-with the tag, that would be perfect. I had one goof-I just tied the tag to the handle and stuck it down with a pop-up glue dot...and then realized...that I couldn't open the container! Oops! I just snipped the tag ribbon and left it. Better get back to work ---housework. Sigh. Until next time, happy stamping and scrapping. Blessings, Sharon

Make a wish...

I wish I had something better for taking photos of my work! So---I haven't done a lot of housework today---this House Mouse image kept calling to me and when I cleaned off the worktable-really-you could see the top of it for about 15 minutes! Lol!--I gave in to temptation!

I love dandelions and the puff balls they form when they go to seed. Anyone ever sit and make curls with their stems--or crowns with the flowers?! I made this for a gal at church who is always upbeat and standing in prayer for anyone who needs it. I've been wanting to get to know her for some time and she's just seemed overwhelmed lately (translate: wife, mother of 3...need I say more?!) so I thought now would be a good time to send her a card. I hesitated tho-sending someone I don't know a card with a um, rodent-on it. I LOVE HM stamps and images-don't get me wrong-but not everyone may appreciate or understand them like we do! Ask Theresa about her real mouse story sometime! Anyway---there are a number of layers here-I embossed the green dp and popped up both layers. I added the Stampin' Up ribbon (this stuff is GREAT!) and the wish sentiment. Then I decided to add the crystal swirls! Now, after I've taken photos, such as they are---I am wondering if a little bow around the tail wouldn't look cute (see how it peeks outside the frame?!) May give it a try! Have the perfect scrap piece, too! You can't see it...but I used Crystal Effects and white glitter to the puff and it's wisps that are blowing in the breeze. The entire sentiment is: "I wish for you... (inside) whatever it is that you need just for today..." Huh? Today...I might need an extra dose of laughter...tomorrow, I may need more patience (yesterday I sure did-2 hrs. just to renew my driver's license!)--so, the sentiment being...I wish for her whatever she needs...for that day! We tend to borrow trouble from tomorrow...and we forget about the right now..so "for today" kinda of brings it back to "right now, I just..." It's the birds of the air, lilies of the field scripture...! So, whatever YOU need, just for today...is my wish for you. Until next time, happy stamping and scrapping. Blessings, Sharon

I won! I won!

Ok---so it's going to rain (again) today; Theresa's home waiting on new appliances so she can't go shopping with me...I have resigned myself to staying home and cleaning...maybe I can get the craft room done and just go barefoot to the wedding?! Anyway, while having my morning coffee and checking the blogs I follow, I decided to go back and see who won the Nutcrafters blog hop I entered last week-and found out IT WAS ME! I've NEVER EVER won blog candy before and was so excited I almost spit my coffee out! (I did win an above-ground pool once, tho!) It is a cute little-get this--wedding set?! Gee...wonder why I would need this!?! Nutcrafters...is located in the United Kingdom (notice the car--and where (who I assume is) the driver is sitting!)...well...maybe it would get here by Wed or before we leave Thurs? There can also be that "belated" card or gift so they can celebrate longer! I've had things arrive from "over there's" much faster than the states-no joke! Ahh...well, I am off to go feed cats and critters and then clean house. Yep, gotta find a new (magic) wand repairer--the old one just can't seem to get it working! Oh---and it's time to work on my ARTFUL LEGACY design team project for this week, too. I am just sure that the mailperson will be bringing those new stamps today, too! New rubber-who could ask for anything better in a day? Until next time, happy stamping and scrapping. Blessings, Sharon

Thank you, Cynthia...

Enough said! ; )

Next part of the process...

First--skip on over to http://www.artfullegacyrubberstamps.blogspot.com/. Christine and Buck have some pictures from their travels to one of the craft extravaganzas they recently participated in and Theresa has a great Father's Day card posted as well. And here's a get well soon wish for her, too-poor girl is suffering with sinus issues. Feel better soon, my friend, we need to go shopping tomorrow otherwise I will be going barefoot to that ball (aka wedding)!

Ok-NOW I can brag. My husband came home from work-the same day he had delivered my cabinet--he came home from work and moved my hanging cabinet, reassembled Theresa's cabinet for me, patched and painted the wall where the other cabinet was AND cooked dinner! WOW! Was I excited! So I have been slowly and thoughtfully putting things away, moving, reorganizing--"blessing others" (aka as adding to my stash to give away, sell, etc. what I don't need or use anymore...). The new cabinet is FULL. I may change my mind later and move the drawers back out some place else but, for now, I think this system is going to work. Here's what it looks like:

The two large green baskets in the middle are holding my ribbon overflow! One basket has extra spools of things like holiday, pet and just things I might have 4-5 of (the ribbons I use the most are in the "drawers" to either side). The other basket holds my "fibers"-the things like twine, eyelash yarn, wire, etc. I was overwhelmed when I took them out and looked at the tangled up mish mosh of stuff! What I ended up doing is sorting them into like things and color families: "wire", "natural fibers", "fall colors", etc. Then I put each "family" into large, Ziplock bags and labeled them with a Sharpie. They went into the basket with what I use most toward the front. Now...all my ribbon is in one place in the room-not 3-4 places. Which is part of my goal in revamping things--get things where they are most accessible to where I use them and together rather than scattered about. Cleaning off the work table and restoring the wood mounted stamps in that cabinet is next on the agenda. Every little bit I get done is motivation to move ahead even when it seems daunting! I am being ruthless, too, in what I decide has to stay. I am tired of being overwhelmed by piles and stacks of stuff...I never touch but can't bear to let go of. It's time. Need (more) motivation? Visit http://www.flylady.com/. Her systems and routines really do work. I've fallen off her wagon more than once--but I am getting back on-starting with MY SPACE! And today at 1:00 starts my 4-day week-end, 2 days work, then off for the wedding in MD. Whew! Lots to do! On second thought, maybe I will go take a nap like Poppa Cat and MP Bear...Until next time, happy stamping and scrapping. ps/Christine also has storage cabinets for sale on the www.artfullegacyrubberstamp.com site if you are jealous of mine! For all beginning crafters out there, or oldy-moldy ones like me--I've got to say---good organizational and storage tools are by far worth the investment you make in them! Pare it down if need be, but keep what you have organized and labeled. It will save you A LOT of time and aggravation in the long run!

(Almost) One Stamp=3 Cards!

First, I have to apologize to Christine and Buck-I got so excited over my new (old) cabinet yesterday that I FORGOT to post my Artful Legacy project for this week! Christine seems to keep up so well posting all our work and then I forget! Sheesh! Take a minute and check out their store--www.artfullegacyrubberstamps.com
and the blogspot as well for some great ideas on how to use their stamps. You know, I don't know about the other DT women, but from start to finish, it usually takes me the better part of a day to get projects made, the blog written, photos taken and then fighting with Blogger to get them posted. We do it because we ENJOY it-but we do put a lot of time and energy into it so, while your there, please leave us some feedback-we like to know what you think of our efforts! Ok-onto my post...I've posted the only photos that Blogger would let me upload-it decided to stop on me and no amount of coaxing would work!

This week is a "three-fer!" With (almost) one stamp and a little help from my computer, I created not one but THREE cards from Artful Legacy’s South Carolina Palm (Med./SKU # ALF 606 K) stamp. Yes, I know, I live in North Carolina–but I have to confess that my husband and I love the South Carolina emblem. The palm tree coupled with the crescent ( or "God’s fingernail") moon is just elegant. I couldn’t resist!
The first card I added a flower with a face-center as well as the "For you..." The inside sentiment says that the card is from a G.R.I.T.S. girl... What’s that? You thought grits were something you eat? Well, yes-that’s true-but it also stands for "Girl(s) Raised in the South." Born a yankee, I was transplanted to Florida at age 11 and moved to NC in my early 20's, so I consider myself a "GRITS" girl!
The second card has the words to the song "Carolina Moon." I confess-I have heard the title over the years but I don’t think I ever heard the song sung until I Googled it today. Hmm...just perfect for "from me...missing U" on the inside. Of course the palm tree and crescent moon was a perfect fit for the outside and it is simply pop-dotted over the words.
The last card, but not least, is simply the South Carolina Palm stamp set off by a decorative corner punch. A simple yet sophisticated note card that’s blank inside (lined with white of course).
And...I could do a whole lot more with this stamp! Need a palm tree to go with that little hula girl image? Just make a mask and/or trim out the moon and you’re good to go! Need a moon shining down on that camp out layout? Just stamp and cut out the crescent moon. Artful Legacy’s stamps give a clear, crisp image and, as you can see, add a lot of versatility to your stamp and scrapbooking projects! Check out the store–www.artfullegacyrubberstamps.com and, while you’re at it, see what the other design team members are working on by watching the AL blog at http://www.artfullegacyrubberstamps.blogspot.com./ Until next time, happy stamping and scrapping from this GRITS girl, Sharon

ps/If you've been following the process of the craft room redo/cabinet...it is IN, the stamp cabinet on the wall has been moved, much to my liking across the room (didn't think that was an option so am elated over that!)--now its up to me to sort and put things away. Today will be spent in the dentist chair after work so I doubt there will be much done today...tomorrow is newsletter to the post office day---so it may be the week-end before any real transformations take place...don't worry-I will keep you posted!