So---what are YOU up to?

Good Monday morning! Yes, I can say that because I AM OFF WORK TODAY! Can't say I had a good night's sleep-Poppa Cat was quite restless, hubby was up and down and I finally gave up and got up at 4:30 AM! Since we've gone wireless, I plugged in the laptop, the ear phones and COMPLETED the bachelor training courses through Close to My Heart! Go me! A few good tips to share, some things to put into practice. I am now curled up in the same spot with coffee, a dying laptop, trying to blog hop. (Santa did not bring a new one-or a mini cooper-or a sleep number bed....sigh) Everyone in blog-land seems to be otherwise occupied and MIA. So-I thought I would take a few minutes and share how I am going to spend the next few days. Yes, tomorrow I have to go back to work. But the rest of the time this week is MY TIME. I am:

1. organizing my at-home desk;
2. cleaning the magic (craft room) kingdom (again!)
3. HOPEFULLY preparing NEW CATALOG bags (if Fed Ex ever delivers-I know if they were on Bob's truck (Theresa's hubby!) I would've had them by now!;
4. setting up a Shutterfly account so I can actually order prints as I take photos next year;
5. getting some thank you cards whipped up (stay tuned for that post!);
6. some other goodies for customers who order from me this year; and
7. complete the Masters degree training classes as well.

WHEW! I need a nap thinking about it! No, not really. I will spread it out over the week and I am PSYCHED-it's my get it cleaned up and ready for the new year second wind. It's SO NICE to be home this year (instead of stuck in VA) to do this. It's good for me mentally and emotionally. I am also going to get my FLYLADY CONTROL JOURNAL out and start following my routines and her zone plan to declutter, organize and keep it that way! Check out http://flylady.com for more details. IT WORKS! I've done it-miss it-am going back to it! You will have more time for stamping and scrapping! Which brings me to...check out my Close to My Heart site at http://okistampqueen@myctmh.com! You can order on-line anytime! You can view the catalog (sorry-the 2011 catty isn't up yet but you can still view the 2010 idea book!); e-mail me and check out ideas. Got a question? Something you want to learn? Let me know! I am interested in doing more workshops and posting more ideas--but I want to do and focus on what YOU want and need! So--what are YOU doing between now and 2011? Leave a comment below and let me know! Would you also share my site(s) with others? My blog address http://okistampqueen@blogspot.com as well as my CTMH site http://okistampqueen@myctmh.com? Please? Thanks! There might even be some goodies involved for you if a new visitor to either site mentions "Oh, So-and-So sent me..."-so be SURE to let them know they need to mention that! One other NEW THING before I go---I only made 6 Christmas cards this year. I ran out of time. I was tired. I was stressed. I was so not in the mood. I will be posting my progress on 2011 Christmas cards beginning in Jan.! They WILL be done LONG before Christmas next year--so, if you are interested in helpful tips, stay tuned for those as well! For now, it's on to the craft room...my motivation? I can't remember if I actually bought a Cricut cartridge I looked at-or just looked?! Time to go unearth the treasures I know I have forgotten! Until next time, happy stamping and scrapping! Blessings, Sharon

Merry CHRISTmas...

I hope everyone had a wonderful, quiet, restful and blessed CHRISTmas day! We went to church last evening for a wonderful candlelight communion service which helped me significantly to refocus. It's not about the stuff, or the food, or the presents, or the decorations...or whose here and who's not...it's about the Babe in the Manger. It doesn't get any simpler than that. My card says it all (see previous post).

Yesterday...I played with my new Cricut (thanks, Theresa-I love it! And you didn't have to post it to ebay! ; ) )--and I made these awesome cupcake holders. On www.thegreenbeanscrafterole.blogspot.com --at least that's what I THINK her site is (blogger won't let me cut and paste!)---she took socks, rolled them, put them in a cupcake holder and put a pom pom on top! Too cute! She also has one that looks like an ice cream sundae! So this is how I wrapped the socks the gals got to go with their bath salts that, I think-are out of this world! I met the maker at a craft show earlier this year-a very nice young couple. Not only did he give me a price break, pay my shipping, but he also put each jar into a decorative gift bag! I did nothing but add a gift tag! So if you want a real treat--deal with Island Skin Sations Salt Scrub-Mr. Jeff Lamb-910.228.1351. They don't have a website that I know of but I hope that's up and coming for them. I fear I will lose his card--I tend to put things in SAFE PLACES and forget where that safe place is! Oh well! It's something I won't be without from here on out, that's for sure!

This is what the "ELVES" were up to yesterday as I was running around like a crazy woman trying to get things finished...note darling hubby's feet behind Poppa Cat here...and, even though it's hard to see, Inky (below) has his little paw over his eyes! Today it was my turn! After our step-son made it safe and sound, we ate, opened presents, and napped for at least an hour and one-half! We'll have leftover turkey and trimmings for supper, watch Prarie Home Companion Live (my new dvd-we are Garrison Keillor fans!), and go to sleep. Tomorrow-who knows. Maybe a trip to town for a few bargains? Or I will start cleaning the magic (craftroom) kingdom! I am so excited to finally have time to do that!!! And I like to get things in order before the new year sets in--won't get it all done-but can get a good start and then just follow Flylady for the rest. REST-that sounds good, too! THANK YOU, for stopping by. Lots of new things coming for 2011--so stay tuned and invite your friends to check me out. More creative posts, ideas, freebie projects...maybe even some blog candy! Until then, happy stamping and scrapping! Blessings, Sharon

Christmas Card 2011--and Crop News...

If...you didn't read yesterday's post-please scroll down and do so! I get choked up just thinking about it! Anyone who doesn't believe "critters" don't know how to think/feel/act...just doesn't KNOW! They are angels-with fur instead of wings!

As for the photos-these are the cards I "whipped up" in 2 days for 5 coworkers...along with a promise to bring "munchies" 1x a month next year! What to get the coworkers solved! Easy-peasy. And...I think this card will be NEXT YEARS Christmas cards...that I will start on in JANUARY. Please hold me to it! The paper is a mix of Close to My Heart and Stampin' Up--while the stamps

are from a set from Taylored Expressions. This is a step-fold card and I think it all put together made an elegant yet clean message.

As for the Crop we had scheduled for January, we've run into some scheduling issues and it won't be happening as planned. I promise---IT WILL HAPPEN--just not in January. So if you are one of our "groupies" or follow my blog and were hoping to attend... PLEASE stay tuned! We hope to work the kinks out and be back on track to do it! Something to look forward to, eh?!

Today...was better at work, hubby and I are working on things, and I got word that my friend made it through surgery just fine! The last minute Christmas gifts arrived in the mail-including a few for me-one of which is the Cricut Cupcake Wrapper cartridge that, much to my surprise, has CUPCAKE TOPPERS in it as well! I am SURPRISED and THRILLED...now I just have to figure out how it works! Using it to wrap some Christmas presents so stay tuned in the next few days to see how that works! Until next time, happy stamping and scrapping! Blessings, Sharon

Alexander er, no--- SHARON and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

I had a bad night. I didn't sleep well. My hubby and I had some things to work out and that didn't start the day off well, either. I work at a church. The week before Christmas is, by far, the busiest week of the year for church secretaries. All my volunteers are MIA and not a single machine wanted to cooperate. I was COLD. I was MISERABLE. My head was SPLITTING. We had to go to town today to run errands all afternoon and for my acupuncture appt. Dinner and FINALLY home after leaving at 8:45 AM. My friend had surgery today as well, and I've yet to hear her outcome. I am concerned. So it was/is, by far, a Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day...and then some. This is what I found when I walked into our bedroom. On my side of the bed, close to my pillow, was one of the Kitten's (aka Inky's) favorite things-a (toy) mousie. He left it for me. No doubt he KNEW Momma needed a pick-me-up...and this was his way of showing it! Tell me animals don't "know"! It made me cry (even more). I think this is one of the best gifts I've been given! Time for a good rum drink, my jammies, heating pad, blankie and book. I may not come out-until it's all over. It's a "bah-humbug!" time for me right now so please send some good thoughts and prayers! Until next time, happy stamping and scrapping.Blessings, Sharon

Muffin Making...

So this is what I have been up to...it looked like a muffin factory around here yesterday. I still want to know when the elves are going to show up and help! Scroll down...

Tray for hubby's office crew-the back of the toppers say "Merry Christmas! with his name...

Tray for Theresa's family...
pickin' on the GUYS with the naughty tags! ah, nah--they are really good eggs!

Tray for our vet's office...they are on speed dial...need I say more?!

Three trays minus the one I took to my office so really...4!

These guys showed up as I was cleaning up!!! Bad, bad kitties up on my counter! Which brings me to...

This years Christmas card for the vet and her staff...they've had last years up all year they liked it so much! From left to right, Bad Cat (who was NOT on the counter!), Inky, Ms. Dolly, and Poppa Cat...) I somehow managed to delete the full photo of it-drat-it's a three panel card...

The Christmas poem I penned on behalf of the cats-rather creative if I do say so myself...I think if you click on the image it will come up large enough to read it...WHEW! I don't know about you but I am tired! Looking forward to my acupuncture treatment tomorrow if for no other reason than for one hour all I can do is lay on her nice, warm table and relax!

The muffin toppers...I made using a scallop square punch. Stamps are new from SU. I just put a piece of double sided tape on the back, laid down a flat toothpick (round work too-I ran out and tried it!), and then put the back on! Still needed something so a small piece of curling ribbon and they were done! The cat card--I used SU's ornament punch to punch out their pictures. I think I did a little smaller than a 2"x2" photo. It was early-so I am guessing! Time to stretch out and read a bit before bed! Until next time, happy stamping and scrapping. ps/There is NO SUBSTITUTE for milk...! Make your list, check your supplies twice! In the middle I ran out of...milk. The web said...you can just use water. Hubby got a whole tray full of not so pretty muffins to eat! Had to make a mad dash to grocery to salvage my baking! Live and learn!

Baby, It's COLD (and wet!) outside!

BRRR! It's cold here at the beach--and wet. Just rain, not snow, thankfully! My stepson sent photos from the eastern shore of VA--and the beautiful snow they were having! Texted back that I was glad it was them and not me! I grew up on the shores of Lake Erie, was privileged to have gone to Montreat-Anderson (now Anderson) College in the mountains of NC--so I know about snow! I love it-if I am inside and don't have to go out! We did have some for one day here this past February-it was pretty, fun to throw a few snowballs and enjoy the white hush. Not having to put up with drifts, ice and slush was a real plus!

My motivation has got up and went-somewhere else-today! Just a lazy day. That's ok. Thought I would share a few pics...I had some help yesterday as I was trying to set up my CLOSE TO MY HEART website-great deal for December so visit me at http://okistampqueen.myctmh.com/ and order on-line. Santa doesn't always get the word on what you want so sometimes we have to step in and do it ourselves! ; ) -- Anyway-here's my computer "assistant"aka Poppa Cat...he LOVES to have the inside of his ear rubbed! So we took a time out to do that!

I heard all this scratching at the front door next to me--there was a small cat we call "Spot" (he's cocoa colored with one small white spot on his chest) who decided to come and sample our feral cat's food--Inky looks like he was waving to him...!

Don't know if I posted this little jewel last year or not-but that's when I made it. It is a lunch box tin that I covered and decorated as a box for Letters to Santa (now we just need grandkids to fill it up-aw shucks-I should have loaned it the preschool at church to use! Hindsight is 20/20-oh well!) Anyway, I made several different ones to put in a local shop and they sold like hotcakes. This one I LOVED and three times tried to deliver it to them and had technical difficulties (I kept tearing the lights off taking it in and out of the bag!) so I ended up keeping it! I love it! I use it to display my Christmas cards.Well, I'd better go get some of my to-do's crossed off. Tomorrow I will share some of my favorite decorations. Until then, check out my CTMH site-and happy stamping and scrapping! Blessings, Sharon