Relax....

...it's something we all need to do more of! Take a close look, though at this image...and then laugh (do you see her bikini top hanging on the left side of the chair?!)! I made 6 of these little frames (notice the large slide mount!) this morning. The dp frame is popped up and the "sand" (aka microbeads moves as its a shaker-style frame (tip: gold and silver microbeads mixed makes realistic looking "sand"!) I embellished each one differently and now can't decide which one I like best! Maybe this one---although the one with the knot is quite good, too! Reminds me to loosen up those muscles Cynthia, my massage therapist, had to work so hard on last night (particularly the shoulders-owwwwe! Which one do YOU like (see bottom of post)? Leave me a comment & let me know!

I need to straighten up the house a bit, run some errands and then its back to the craft room. The "Artistry" owners have asked for cards and I am working on deadline and brainstorming ideas. Until next time, happy stamping and scrapping. Blessings, Sharon

Bragging...

Yesterday my husband, a Building Inspector for the Town of Oak Island, NC, received a certificate and was recognized at the Department of Insurance's Board Meeting in Raleigh, NC for having completed not only the requirements for his Level III Electrical Certification, but also for having completed ALL of the Level III (highest you can go!) Certifications for all 5 building trades (guess my taking over the cooking so he could study paid off! lol!) It was really nice in that they invited those receiving certificates as well as their families to be present for the ceremony and meeting (latter optional) so I got to go. I am disappointed, however, that my photographs didn't come out better. At least there was a photographer there and I am hoping what appears in the Pilot will be better than mine (any of my local blog followers, please save me the picture and article so we can share copies with our kids!) It was a long day-we left a little before 8 AM, attended the meeting, visited and had dinner with a friend in the VA State Retirement Home, and then drove home.

Unfortunately, I was either suffering from motion sickness, side effects from my meds, or both so I chose to stay home and rest today. Not often I put myself to bed, but today I needed it. It was worth it, tho, by far, to go and support him in his accomplishment(s). A little disappointed the governor didn't see fit to attend-but there were two town mayors there (not ours, though!) and Brook didn't think that two mayors equaled a governor! Oh well... I am VERY PROUD of my husband and glad I was there! Until next time, happy stamping and scrapping. Blessings, Sharon

FINALLY...!

Finally...I've actually kept the house straightened up for a few days in a row...; finally...I went shopping with Theresa for a new outfit and found one (don't even have to hem the pants--they're perfect!); finally...Poppa Cat is acting "normal" again after his recent surgery-the wound has healed and he's stopped taking stitches out (or ran out of them to pull out!); finally...the dr. found the right combination meds for me and my blood pressure is dropping and I've had two pain-free days; finally...I've had some significant time in the craft room and actually got some things made! So--I am counting my blessings!

I failed, however, to take pics of the card I made yesterday or the tags I made to put with one of my customer's orders (didjaknow...with each Close to My Heart order placed with me, as a "thank you" gift, you get an extra little handmade goodie from moi?!) Well---I found this project and wanted to try it. It is an accordian folded photo album. It holds 11 photos and it was soooo quick and came out so nice, doesn't use a whole lot of materials you're not apt to have on hand anyway, and wow-I can see me filling a basket with these to sell at my Holly Days booth! I used paper from the CTMH Perfect Day Level 2 paper pack (spring catalog, p. 36), along with the CTMH Picture Perfect stamp set (summer catalog, p. 81). I used one stamped image to decorate the front, and then stamped and cut out the other images that my customer (could be you!) use to embellish with once she's added her photos. I also used the Stampin' Up Window Word punch--call or e-mail Theresa to order yours today! I just love this project! It is the perfect size to toss in a purse or briefcase for a baby brag book, to show those vacation photos, holiday...the list is only limited by your imagination!

I've had a wonderful 1-hr. nap curled up with my hubby and Poppa Cat, have posted to my blog, and now am going to go and get ready to take a boat ride, anchor, eat a picnic supper (I didn't have to make or pack-my husband is awesome!) and watch the sunset. What a way to end the week-end. Until next time, happy stamping and scrapping.

It was a WILD time...!

Whew! I just got back from the jungle---and let me tell you-it was WILD! Lions and tigers and gators and heffalumps and...it's a wonder I made it out alive! Just kidding---I was honored to be asked to do a little "make and take" rubber stamping project for +/- 15 kids who participated in our local library's summer reading program. They had their awards ceremony, ice cream, and then stamped. Got a goodie bag compliments of moi as well. Most-if not all-had never stamped before so seeing their little faces light up---yeah, even the oldest one had fun--was really neat. I especially liked the fact that the parents came and didn't rush the kids along!

So what did we do? Wanting to do something that would appeal to both sexes, I purchased the CTMH Expedition Paper Pack (p. 45) as well as the In the Wild stamp set (p. 60) Gotta LOVE the monkey and heffalump-um, elephant..! The bookmark had "I am WILD about reading!" on it and then they stamped the front and back of the scalloped topper for it. They were cute, quick and easy for even the youngest (sister of a participant--maybe age 2? Mom helped, of course, but she was a true stamper-had the inky fingers to prove it! : ) ) Then for something a little more challenging we used the same paper and made what I called a "Fun to Fold" corner bookmark. It was great fun-a wild time was had by all-and now I am ready for my nap!

Before I do---I want to share one more thing: I woke up this am and was quite blurry-eyed as I made my way to the coffee pot. As I was standing there in my cotton nightgown I looked down to see a little black furry head peaking out from under its ruffle and looking up at me! Inky, of course and his look was too cute! What a nice "good morning" that was! One of those things that you wish you had a picture of---but, I have the memory and that will have to be good enough. A lot of things in life are like that--"good enough" but we struggle and strive so for perfection when "good enough" is sometimes even more satisfactory. I kept thinking "I could've done this or that" for the kids---when what I did was JUST FINE and they were THRILLED. Good enough...I'm learning... Take time and breathe-enjoy life today... until next time, happy stamping and scrapping. Blessings, Sharon

It's a Tip for Tuesday...

Since I survived PC's trip to the vet yesterday (not sure they've recovered yet--picture us moving the bench he tried to hide under while hissing loudly, the tech in shoulder-high wildlife gloves on her hands and knees behind him trying to corral him forward into the top-less carrier the vet was holding, to the vet on her hands and knees trying to find a still spot where she could land an injection! lol! and I wonder why I have headaches and high blood pressure!) They assure me they love us anyway...

Here's a "tip" for Tuesday...I cannot take credit for this--and I do not have a photo of what Mrs. Susan (aka a scrapbooker disguised as a librarian at OKI Library...) did--I can say---it's a fabulous idea.

Over the 4th of July she went through all her photo albums and pulled out the picture postcards and coordinating photos from the trips she and her husband have taken over the years. She used a pocket album that held 4 pictures per page with a small bit of room for journaling along the inside edge. She then slipped in the postcard first hence using it as a "key identifier" for the rest of her photos. In some cases she found that she even had almost identical photos to that of the postcard! It was easy, fast and she finished it in a week-end. Now that its all put together, she can go back and add her journaling as well as any embellishments and emphermia she might want. We don't often stop at gift shops when we visit places but I think from here on out I will be stocking up on a few postcards! ; ) Until next time, happy stamping and scrapping. Blessings, Sharon

On the go...

I am going to need ROLLER SKATES--not high heels!---to keep up with my schedule this week. Today my husband is in Wilmington to have a skin cancer removed while I run Poppa Cat back to the vet to have his incision checked. He managed to remove not only the outer stiches but at least half of the second layer of stitches as well! And, another lump has appeared. Hoping its (temporary) swelling from the surgery! Tomorrow I have a meeting with some ladies who are opening a shop for handcrafted items-and are considering my work! Wed. I teach a stamp project to the Library Summer Reading Program participants. LOTS going on!

I think maybe I need to create this little notebook for myself so I can keep up with it all (most of my things are given away as gifts!) I cannot take credit for the design of this book-it was a class I took at sadly, the now-defunct StampWorks store in Wilmington and was taught by Marion Little (Hi Marion!) I just made mine with a "girly-girl" theme for my soon-to-be daughter-in-law, Meredith. I have no clue who the dp is by--long used up--but the cute little post-its I found at Wal-mart, believe it or not! I used page pebbles over the sticker letters for "Notes" and I think the stamped images (shoe, dress, purse) are a Hero Arts set. I twisted some wire to make a coathanger! These make great birthday or thinking of you gifts, as well as stocking stuffers! So get busy!

I'd tell you how many days there are left until Christmas---but I am too busy to stop and count! Happy Monday! Until next time, happy stamping and scrapping. Blessings, Sharon