My "mojo"...

has got up and "went"---and hasn't told me where! Sorry ladies--I just can't seem to get motivated and everything I've attempted has failed in one way or another. Even trying to "pimp my tape gun" (decorate it) as they call it. I finally decided that it wasn't working all gummed up and took it completely apart on Sunday. Between Greased Lightening, Bar Keeper's Friend and Goo Gone---all the gooies are now gone! On the recent return trip from the vet (Inky's eye is still recovering--one more week of drops and a recheck-my husband is putting him in the carrier next time, thank you very much!)--I attemted to get Krylon Fusion Baby Blue spray paint. WM didn't have it and of course Lowe's didn't have it. So it's either order it on-line or take a chance and 1/2 day trip to Wilm. Soooo frustrating. I got two
"Drama Queen" rub ons off e-bay--most appropriate--my life is so full of DRAMA of one sort or another that I really should write a book or mini-series! Anyway-next time you see this gun...it will look completely different-and better, I hope! I also have to order more tape-anybody know who has the best deal?!

Oh-and I've also decided to start my MINI COOPER FUND! My dream car...an automatic mini cooper! Just my size! Color is optional right now...! Lots to save before I get to that point! So if you need any Close to My Heart stuff, want to sign up for a class or two, or want to contribute to a good cause...e-mail me! Lol. For now, I better get my bottom to my "real" job. Due to the economy, no raise this year, either. Bummer. Until next time, happy stamping and scrapping. Blessings, Sharon

Hodge Podge....

Hi all. Nothing in particular to post---lots of tidbits--some stamping/scrapping related, some not. I will do the writing part of the post now-the photos later. Yes, the camera battery is dead again BUT I did remember to check and be sure the charger was plugged in this time! Getting a little better maybe?! Lol.

It is by far a drab, dreary, wet, rainy, COLD day here. ICK! I would love to have a bunch of ladies here to scrap and play with. I'd give you a cup of hot chocolate and/or cider, chili for lunch, and we'd just play together. I guess I will have to "pretend"! No one wants to be out in this mess if they don't have to. Has anyone checked-are they still calling for sleet and possibly snow?I'm a northern gal so it doesn't phase me so much--but it all but paralyzes most of this part of the state! Too funny!
Ok. So. What would I show you first? Well, as motivation to clean my craft room (and the kitchen table which is also covered at the moment, I would do a pic of the the disaster area called my room. You can't really walk in it right now. I did look at FABULOUSLY ARTSY (s) post...she did a tour of her craft room...and I got a few ideas. I LOVE the CTMH stamp storage boxes...they stack so nicely--look so nice...but she stores hers in the canvas baskets that I happen to have-and one basket holds 30 vs. the storage boxes that hold 15. Hmmm...may have to rethink this. Since I probably need about 8 more boxes WHEN I get all my unmounted stamps & "other company" stamps put into the CTMH envelopes...that's a bit costly. I might give it a shot. Store my CTMH stamps in the CTMH boxes I have, the others in the canvas baskets (which I also have...) We shall see. But check out her work space and see what tips and tricks you can use in your space.

A word of advice---do not trust...the doctor or the pharmacist and "assume" what you got is right/the same/etc. Anyone who knows me knows...I have more allergies than I can count. I was a good patient-I took all my meds-and ointment-with me to the doctor. Needed a refill on an ointment. In all fairness, it was not one he had prescribed before. But I had the tube. Either he wrote it wrong---or the pharmacist filled it wrong---or substituted something other than what I had the first time. And, even though I KNOW BETTER, I tried it. On my face, neck....and I could just claw it off about now! I can just imagine how it will look by tomorrow church! What I had was clear and thick, this was white and thin. With alcohol. Why in God's name do they put ALCOHOL in anything you use on a rashy, raw skin????? The list of stuff on the tube is at least an arm's length---what I had, what I wanted--only 2 or 3 ingredients. Thank God I can squeeze out the old tube-at least enough to maybe stop the new reaction. SO---DON'T ASSUME--check and double check--particularly when it comes to anything you put IN or ON your body!

Back to crafting, off the soapbox! I've finished 5 wallets yesterday/today, and will work on some love letter boxes today...inbetween naps and cleaning up. They will make great valentine's day gifts! ; ) I promise to add pics of it all later.

Whatever you do, until next time, happy stamping and scrapping. Blessings, Sharon

Unexpected day off...

WHOOPEE!!! Sounds great, right? The bad/sad news is...I will have to work tomorrow (my usual day off) and miss my 3-day week-end. : ( You see, I had just finished running the newsletters at work and was running the address labels on the copier, when there was this sudden, LOUD "POP" followed by an immediate burning smell. Long story short, after 3 hrs. +/-, the Xerox repairman couldn't fix it. Had to order new parts. Have to wait until Friday...sigh. So--I have spent the morning here at my desk at home catching up on my bookkeeping job--and now I get to start on my own! At least I have the little heater next to me in front of the door and keeping me toasty (there's quite a draft otherwise!) At least I feel good getting some of these loose ends tied up!

I was going to give you a sneak peak at the colors for our next class-but I really can't without giving it away! They are luscious, though! Theresa is sooo good at thinking outside the box and picking neat things! I cannot wait to make this!

I fell in love with this embossing folder Sunday while we were shopping! I think these would make AWESOME note cards with an initial in the middle! Not the best picture, I know-but you get the idea! Yep, I think the OKI StampQueen needs some of these!!! This wasn't a Cuttlebug brand folder-I don't think, anyway-but it really gives one of the most crisp images I've seen yet with the dry embossing! IMPRESSED (pun intended!) Ok-better go wake hubby up from his noon-time nap and send him back to work and begin tackling my drawer! Whatever you do, happy stamping and scrapping. Blessings, Sharon

A Girl Is...

Innocence playing in the mud, Beauty standing on it's head, and Motherhood dragging a doll by the foot. So says the sentiment in the Cloud 9 Designs set of stamps I used for the sentiment on this card. The little girl on the left (that I really did color!) is a Mo Manning Digital stamp image. It's been a verrrrrrrry long time since I've got to make a little girl anything...so I had some serious mental blocks over what to do! One of my husband's co-workers just welcomed their first baby girl. They have two boys already. We've decided to give them a gift card--I am sure that there's not a lot of "girly" things hanging around and of course DIAPERS are always welcome. This way they can choose what they want/need. The gift card...will slip behind the sentiment panel and still be visible. Other than the wonky "W" that didn't rub on right, do you see my goof? Um, as I was laying things out...I decided I liked the pink layers in the middle without the heart layer added...I was, however, going to add the heart layer to the right-hand panel that has Grace's picture on it...and forgot. Rather than try to rip it all apart at 8 at night and mess the whole thing up-I left it-and decided (now) that I like it! Big Big Brother sure looks proud, doesn't he? But the look on Little Big Brother's face is priceless! I can't decide if he can't decide what she is...or if he is somewhat miffed about no longer being THE BABY himself! They are adorable--as is baby Grace Anne! That's all I got for today. It's newsletter & post office day for me at the "real"

job (means lunch with Theresa! Yeah!)--so I won't get anything done this afternoon--again. Hoping Thursday and Friday will be extremely productive and I will get some things to Artistry on Saturday and have some things to show off here! Until next time, happy stamping and

scrapping. Blessings, Sharon

Woe is me...

I'd say "happy Tuesday ya'll..." but I, personally, would rather go back to bed, pull the covers up and hide. And its only 8:19 am! So...we had company this week-end. My step-son and daughter-in-law came to visit. I made this wallet for Dawn Saturday night and left it to dry but the slipped out early (before I got up) Sunday am so here it sits. I am experimenting with different closures as my magnets just do not hold. The velcro seems to work nicely IF you are gentle with it. This was some paper I've had for ages in my stash--I embossed it backwards but thought it still looks nice. I've fallen in love with this butterfly image (Taylored Expressions) and the blue glitter is from Martha Stewart.
Also on Saturday morning, at some point, I think Inky was playing with Poppa Cat and got clawed in the eye. Naturally, about the time I discovered it, the vet's office was closing. So we used Poppa Cat's drops and just kind of gently wiped it over the week-end. "Momma" being concerned that a claw or something was actually stuck in there...we went to the vet's yesterday. Well, just a good "t-shaped" 2 scratches. This is, however, the second trip to the vet with the second cat in 2 months. On a whim, the vet suggested cat claw covers. I have threatened that over the years to other cats...and, since we were there, since he was sedated anyway, since he is the one that is usually pummeling the other cat in the face with his claws...I said "why not!" I now have one VERY UNHAPPY KITTY! Not only has it thrown his balance off, he has no "grip" to climb with...and actually fell in the toilet twice last night trying to get to the sink to get a drink. He has been meowing/crying unhappily off and on (all through the night)--and he is NOT a vocal cat. I thought I was doing a good thing...and they are a pretty robin's egg blue...but he is not happy and, therefore, Momma is not happy. It was worth a try. And maybe they will stay on long enough and be enough of a lesson that he will stop pummeling Poppa Cat. The nails will have to grow out or he may chew them off (ow!)--but its just going to take time. Me-I am tired and sore and cold and...have to go to work! Theresa and I had fun in Wilm on Sunday and found some great bargains but between that being a late day, and running yesterday with Ink...Momma is worn out! Go do something FUN for me today-until next time, happy stamping and scrapping. Blessings, Sharon

Good Saturday Morning...

Good SATURDAY morning! Blogger is not being the least little bit cooperative this am so who knows what you'll get and see! Sarah from Stressed Stamper e-mailed and asked where I got the image I used on the countdown calendar. This delightful gal is by Art Impressions (circa 1996!/#L-1549) She is one of my favorite go-to stamps! I just love paper piecing her outfits and adding Crystal Effects to her shoes to make them shine! I used her on a card I submitted some years back to PaperCrafts Birthday Bash Card Contest--and she won. Naturally they picked the card I threw together in 15 minutes or less as I was running out the door to work over the more labor-intensive ones that I thought were nicer! Go figure-just glad I WON! Now this cutie I used on the Christmas Countdown Calendars I did for the local art shop to sell. And they didn't-sell, that is. I thought they would make cute little hostess/girlfriend gifts but apparently not. You just never know what will sell-and what won't.
While I do not remember the artist's name for this stamp (nor do I have a clue where it is right now to check!), I do know that I got her from 7 Kids College Fund. She is a clear stamp and lots of fun to color!

I had another fan ask about the wallets...I cannot take credit for the design of the wallets-that came from Split Coast Stampers and, while I love their site it can be a pain the patootie to try and navigate. So I suggest googling Faux Leather Wallet Tutorial-Split Coast Stampers. It will bring it up that way. YES, this is all PAPER-and a little ribbon!!! (Dry) embossing the paper, then covering it with clear embossing powder and heating it gives it the texture and shine and really does make it look like the real deal! I love these! I also slipped a "divider" into mine since I am using it to store receipts, appointment cards and my coupons-well, coupons until Theresa takes them away from me for safer keeping! Lol. You know-all those little tidbits that get lost in the rest of the purse!

Ok ladies. I've GOT to go clean the craft room before I can get anymore done. THere isn't even a path anymore! Dangerous...I'm telling ya! Have a great day--THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU for leaving comments--my self-esteem has taken a real blow lately and just hearing from you has helped! Whatever you do, until next time, happy stamping and scrapping! Blessings, Sharon