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

Surfin' ...

...and I don't mean on the web! This is the real-deal! Anyone who knows me knows that my

most favorite stamping thing after pop-dots are -----do you know? Do you remember?! There are a few clues in this card! I first made this style card for my "nephew" (aka my best friend's son) some years back with a basketball theme. The card shown here I submitted to PaperCrafts Birthday Blowout contest however they didn't pick it (what won was the card I did in 10 minutes or less before I dashed out the door for work-go figure! Anyway, back to the card...

This picture is far from perfect...but I think you will get the idea! The "woody" station wagon and the palm tree are stickers (not sure by who), the sun a stamp by Judith, the plane with the banner is a clip art image from Greetings Workshop cd by Hallmark. The slidemounts on the left...have been covered with dp and then using clear labels I added my "captions": the first one says "surf's up!" and is a picture of James as a baby in a bucket; the second one is "water boy" and he's standing in the ocean; the third one is "official beach bum" and its him as a teenager skim boarding. And yes, that's him now (well, then-) holding his surfboard! I simply printed out the picture and cut him out! FYI, gold and silver microbeads make perfect sand! ; ) I used a TON of pop dots on this card to give it dimension. I like using the slide mounts as mini photo frames and including the childhood pictures with the present. It's almost a mini-photo album in a card! Well, my friends, my "to do" list is ten miles long today-and this week--so you'll see me pulling out some of my older projects most likely and maybe sharing a tip or two. One last note, please keep Julie and her husband, Roger in your prayers. They are going to Duke to schedule a bone marrow transplant for Roger. It's a difficult time for them but we serve and awesome God! Blessings, Sharon

Saturday and summer...

I love summer-love it. The warm, salty air, the sound of the kids laughter drifting over from the beach, hot dogs on the grill, dragonflies and lightening bugs--many week-end evenings we go out in the boat, anchor, swim, eat a picnic supper, read and relax...

But in the morning...once the cats have been fed, I want my cup of coffee and my favorite blogs to look at. And I guess that there are others out there enjoying summer, too, as oftentimes weeks go by before you see a new post. Sigh. Everyone it seems has gone into hiding...perhaps just trying to find a cool space to hang out... I am no exception! I've made it in the craft room to do the things that absolutely HAD to be done-birthday cards for family, a card for an order...but that's it. I dislike the shorter days of fall and winter --the dismal dark setting in so early...but it seems we're a lot more creative then, too!

Can't have it all, I guess. I got some new "toys" in yesterday---somehow I don't quite think this particular item was on my order form...! lol! If there's a box around...Inky will try and fit in it!

Off to the craft room-two birthday cards gotta get done! Until next time, happy stamping and scrapping! Blessings, Sharon

Saving my sanity...

...or what little I have left! Lol! Today was spent with a cat undergoing surgery...and no, it wasn't the one that had been so sick! Poppa Cat (PC for short) got his shots-then a mysterious lump formed not close to the injection site but on the same side. We played the wait-and-see game and while it shrunk some, it didn't go down as much as we hoped. While the biopsy said it wasn't cancerous but could be pre-cancerous-we decided to have it removed...and today was the day. So, for the second day in a row, I took the cat to the vet. I left him of course and while waiting on the call from the vet (while my husband was napping on his lunch hour!), I made this water bottle hang tag thingy to get my mind off the other 1,000 things I had going on!
Since I managed to buy the larger rather than regular size water bottles, I had to alter the pattern a little bit-making it a tad longer. I used a new accucut die I got (the pocket) so I wasn't too frustrated with myself! This is a gift for someone going in a bag with some other treats and things. It was a super easy project and they would make great party tags--doesn't have to be a water bottle---a small bottle of wine with a nice chocolate instead of the Crystal Light? Hmmm...might have to try that! ; )

Back to PC---the vet did call---and she was totally amazed-the surgery was not at all what she expected! That scared me when I first heard it but then she told me that while they couldn't even see the margins of the lump on the ultrasound a few weeks back, when she made the incision, the lump was just "floating" in the fatty tissue-completely encapsulated and self-contained and came right out without cutting (sorry if you have weak tummy!) The power of prayer, my friends! PC is home, has made up quite well for missing breakfast and lunch and is relaxing as I type. I don't often "preach" here-but I serve an awesome God! I have been through a lot in my life and have seen God work even through the loss of my first husband to cancer and emphysema, the surfacing of my childhood abuse...the list could go on and on. I've learned, and continue to learn, I CAN trust him, and when I do, its just as this card says...
Take time to give thanks. You can bet I am!
Until next time, happy stamping and scrapping...

Blessings, Sharon

Happy Birthday Dear Hubby...

...and Happy 4th of July to the rest of you! While Southport has all the festivities that NC is noted for, we aren't there (obviously!) so, for us, it's as Garrison Keillor would say, a quiet day in Oak Island, my home town... I saw this card template on Split Coast Stampers and Theresa had made some as well for last years Holly Days craft show. Any time I talk about redecorating anything, my hubby suggests camaflage. I guess having had 4 sons he's well-versed in how well it hides most any stains! So--when I decided to make this card for him, I knew exactly what paper I had to use! I will forewarn you--it's a little "cheeky" and I mean no offense to anyone! It got a smile (and yes, even a blush!) from him---and he immediately began counting the "get out of jail free" tickets! Lol. I told him no copies or duplicates would be accepted!

So-here it is (below post). Whatever you do, have a safe and happy 4th. Don't forget what this day represents and thank someone who served to keep it the land of the free... Until next time, happy stamping and scrapping. Blessings, Sharon

Happy 4th of July eve...~!

Ok-so I am a day early-for a change! Lol! I just finished baking, packaging, pricing and decorating the muffins for the church bake sale as well as the ones that will be my honey's birthday cake (he's not a big sweet-eater (so his are minus the butter, cinnamon and sugar topping in case you noticed the difference!) but nobody can turn down these muffins!) I think they look rather festive and hope that will help boost the sales at church...I used the SU top note die cut as well as an SU stamp set. The flag "pics" and plate(s) I got at our local Party Time store.I couldn't resist putting in a picture of our "Poppa Cat". We are praising God that his biospy came back benign and the swelling of the lump has gone down considerably. If he does need surgery it will be much easier on everyone the smaller it is. I had just brought him home from having his stitches taken out and when I went to check on him I found him on the bed in our back bedroom, head on pillow, looking pitiful (did I mentions he's a male cat---need I say more?! lol!) This passive-looking guy turns into a tiger for the vet and her staff-he broke their blood pressure monitor, got away with the thermometer cover, hid under the bench in the exam room...Thankfully, too, we have not been banned from the practice---yet!

Have a blessed and safe 4th! Tomorrow's post will be hubby's birthday card I'm off to make. Until then, happy stamping and scrapping! Blessings, Sharon

I did it "all my-by-self!!!"

Lol--this is what my little brother used to say! And yes, I am bragging today---I revamped my blog "all my byself" instead of having to call on our techy stepsons! "Go me" as Flylady would say! It took a lot longer than I hoped, but I think I like the new beachy look (please leave me a comment and let me know what YOU think!). The photo in the header is of the bow "swag" Theresa helped me make to go on either side of the alter rails for my wedding last year. I can't believe it's been a whole year already (June 21st!--seems like just yesterday! But I digress... The soft colors on this layout just make me want to slooooow down and relax-find some cool water to slip my feet into, some sand to squish between my toes...ahhh. I've got a lot of things to get done today-muffins to bake for our church chicken and bake sale tomorrow (I'll post them later as I have cute 4th of July decorations for them!), a birthday card (that's going to be late but it's hand-made so that should make up for it, right ; ) ), another birthday card for my hubby (he is a true fire-cracker baby-born on the 4th!), and then the never-ending housework. Ugh. My magic wand never seems to work when I need it to!

Whatever you do today-take some time for YOU and have fun. As one of the Christian songs says, you only get one time around...make it count. Until next time, happy stamping and scrapping. Blessings, Sharon