Flash Drive "MIA"....

Ok---so I did work yesterday in the craft room-I really did---but then...my computer told me my hard drive is FULL (not even room to have it compile, compress or whatever it does to files to make more room for more files...!) So I went in search of my flash drive. I looked everywhere--twice---and a few places 3 times. Nada. Nothing. Zip (pun). So I called my husband who was out on the boat...The conversation went something like this:

(W) "Hi Honey-are you having a good time?"

(H) "oh, yes!"

(W) "Good! Um, would you by chance happen to know where my flash drive is...?"

(H): Looooong pause...(and this was just a call from OKI to the waterway-not trans-atlantic!) "Was it on a string?" (he puts string on EVERYTHING)

(W): "No, honey, it was on a narrow, bright yellow with black polka dots ribbon...." (bright, so in my chaos...it was easily spot-able)...

(H) "Um, I don't remember the ribbon...but it seems to me there are 3-4 flash drives in my desk and I only have one that's mine..."

(W) thinking-not saying--- what-he does with flashdrives what dogs do with bones? "Oh, ok-so is this your desk drawer... here...?" (waiting, hoping)

(H) "No...at work."

(W) Sigh. So...I am on hold until Monday. Even then...not sure that without a trip to WM...I will have a flash drive. I have wayyyyy too many photos on the computer! Gotta get them orgd and off --again. Not going there, either! So maybe tomorrow-or the next day, I will be able to post. In the meantime, go to Thursday's post and take a look at the Close to My Heart 2010 Retiring List...lots of good things on there that will only be available until they run out or December 31st-whichever comes first. Until next time, happy stamping and scrapping. Blessings, Sharon

Made me laugh...

ok-so I took a minute before the coffee refill (good thing!) and was checking a blog---and saw this cute little saying with a glow worm next to it---I laughed out loud (the cats already know I am crazy!) anyway--it was too cute not to share so here goes:

I wish I were a glow worm
because a glow worm is never glum
for how can you be grumpy
when the sun shines out your bum?!

Well, I thought it was cute! Until next time, happy stamping and scrapping! Blessings, Sharon

Snot Card...

Bet THAT got your attention! Lol. I am soooo glad today is FRIDAY. I am soooo glad I am HOME...and, if I remember right, my fairy-godmother (translate: cleaning lady) Paula is coming which means...while she does more of the heavy stuff, I can go back to the disaster area otherwise known as my craft room and continue cleaning and organizing. So, for today's post, here's a card I originally made for Beverly when her little grandson moved away and later, for Theresa when her middle-son, Michael, was getting ready to leave for collage. My husband said, "eww-that's gross!" when he saw it...but the gals got a good laugh out of it and we understood its REAL meaning...that we'll be there for one another---even if there's snot involved! Until next time, happy stamping and scrapping! Blessings, Sharon

stamped image (Boy in bucket, bubbles) by Rubber Stamps of America; dp by Karen Foster Designs; tags frames by Memory Makers

Testing, 1, 2, 3...

The way the rest of my day has gone, I shouldn't even attempt this---but, as the saying goes, if at first you don't succeed, try, try again. So here goes---one last attempt to post the Close to My Heart 2010 Retiring List to my blog! Wish me luck! Until next time, happy stamping and scrapping! Blessings, Sharon ps/a great big "THANK YOU" to Mary Cobb for coming to my rescue this afternoon at work!



2010 Retired List (PDF)

Let's LUAU!

Once again, my photography does not do the subject justice! My goddaughter has a friend, Andy, visiting from out of town. Andy had wanted to have a luau-themed party for her birthday and for whatever reason that didn't happen. So when Andy came to visit this week, Maren decided that was one of the things they were going to do--so on Wed. afternoon-we "Luau'd"! No, I didn't make-or decorate the cake-that high credit goes to our local Wal-Mart bakery! The dolphin were actually jumping out of the water! It was beautiful--much like the decorated ones I've seen at various state fairs with blue ribbons on them!

What I did make, however, were starfish necklaces (which I had planned on...) and then goodie bags (that I dreamed up 8 pm the night before then made 9! lol---!) I always get carried away but the girls like them and one even said she was "even way more impressed" once she found out I had made the necklaces. 9-year old's can (most times) be awesome for your ego! Here's a picture of their bags... I just used a mm, 3x5" muslin bag, stamped Mary Engelbright's "Beach Fairies" stamp in CTMH Hydrangia, added beads and ribbon. Two hours and a trip to Food Lion later, and I had goodie bags with a wire-and-bead wrapped starfish necklace, some real shells and what else for a luau/beach themed party but Life Savers! Other than the starfish, I used stuff I've had for AGES in my "stash"! I buy stuff, save it (for whatever reason!) and it sits. I've finally made the realization if I use up the old...there's actually room for NEW! lol. The girls were adorable in their flower lei's and tops, grass skirts, bikini's and summery outfits. There was, as you can imagine, LOTS of giggling and screaming. Ahhh...to be that young again...well, maybe! ; ) Until next time, happy stamping and scrapping. Blessings, Sharon ps/Maren, I am proud of you for being sensitive to Andy's wish of having a luau party--you two gals did a great job with the party planning-right down to the flamingo and hibiscus hot pink toilet paper!!!

SOLD!

Smiling---and yes, bragging-again! Judy from Artistry e-mailed and told me that one of the two sets of coasters I delivered on Saturday sold first thing this morning! What wonderful news! I am so excited that these ladies took a chance on my work---and that it's selling! I've said that before, I know! Their needing things gets me into my craft room and that's a good thing! I really should space out the posts, though-always afraid I am going to run out of ideas! No stamps/stamping on this project- : O - surprise, surprise! I used decorative paper covered with several coats of sealer, copper wire from the hardware store, assorted beads (the glass "focal" beads are really pretty). These are tumbled marble tiles again from the hardware store that I backed with cork. I took pictures before I put them into the basket filled with raffia-sigh. Oh well. I hope you enjoy them. Back to trying to find my way through the chaos in the craft room-if that fairy godmother shows up, she really needs to get busy in there! Lol! Until next time, happy stamping and scrapping. Blessings, Sharon

Yoga...

So it's barely Sunday...I can't sleep despite two cats curled up next to me purring softly...at least at this hour I shouldn't have trouble uploading pictures to my blog (one would hope!) Or maybe I just couldn't sleep knowing ya'll are out there anxiously awaiting my next post & project...?! lol.

Well, here it is. The pictures say it all....I cannot remember the source of the one stamp used in the last image--I promise to edit the post later to include it. All other stamps...Close to My Heart. Until next time, happy stamping and scrapping! Blessings, Sharon

U...

OK---I have been working my whittle fingers to the bone-they are ink stained & sore and I have glue God only knows where & why...but I have had fun--I am in denial re the pain! Anyway---I got this idea based on the paper by Creative Imaginations and the photo of moi (see last tag later in blog...). It is one of my designs for Artistry in Southport...I LOVE the "girly-girl" flamingo---complete with pearl necklace, matching purse and frilly tulle-covered skirt (left over from my wedding-ya never know when & what will end up on my work-that's why you can't walk through my craft room right now-too much STUFF--no, never! lol.) What else to say? I guess I may have been about 4 or 5 in the pic I used...and there were actually ELEPHANTS behind me (sadly cut off in the original...)! But the expression, alabeit the fuzziness of the pic, is worth it! Ya get the idea, folks! I hope you enjoy it. I think I have about 3 more days worth of projects to post-maybe 4. Tomorrow...involves yoga...and men...so come on back! You'll be glad you did! ; ) Until next time, happy stamping and scrapping. Blessings, Sharon

Sorry...

...that it's been a WEEK since I posted---but then I can count on one hand the # of people I know of that actually read my blog...sigh. Anyway, I have been sick this week but I've had some time to myself tonight and wowzer...I've worked my fingers to the bone and had a BLAST...of course tomorrow I get to clean up-ugh. Anyway---I will be posting some new projects to hang in there with me one more day. Until next time, happy scrapping and stamping. Blessings, Sharon

OHMYGOSH!

OHMYGOSH---I can't believe it! Judy from Artistry in Southport e-mailed and said that they opened yesterday afternoon and the first thing that they sold...was the flip flop book I made!

My paper art sold! WOW. I am so excited. Thank you to my friend Andrea who introduced me to Judy and Susan, to Theresa for taking the class with me that I based that idea on and, last but not least, to Judy and Susan for the opportunity to place my work with them. Ok-so that sounds like an Academy Award speech or something! Lol! My low self-esteem took a big jump for the better with that news! I'd better refill the coffee cup and start brainstorming ideas while I work on the housework I need to get done--before I can clean to craft table and start again (my husband hasn't complained-yet! But its getting on my nerves so I know its bad!) Thanks for letting me brag. If you're a local-stop by the Southport Village of Shops and visit Artistry---they did a wonderful job decorating and displaying a lot of artists work...Until next time, happy stamping and scrapping.
Blessings, Sharon
dp-unknown;stamped images by inkadinkado, catslife press, hero arts

Yesterday...Part Two...

Before I share another project, I wanted to share the close-ups of the tags from the "Relax" book from yesterday. And, I have to admit, with all I had on my agenda to do---I even squeaked in an extra errand, a few phone calls AND had time to put my feet up and relax a bit! Go me (the fact that my husband went to visit our youngest son may have had a wee bit to do with it, too! lol!) Oh-and the white mesh on the "E" tag---that's actually carpet underlay gripping stuff that I found at a thrift store! Ya never know what might show up as an embellishment! : ) Anyway, without further ado, here are the tags. Until next time, happy stamping and scrapping. Blessings, Sharon

Can you tell...I am "stuck" (somehwat) on a theme here...? RELAXing? I am not practicing what I should be doing for ME---so maybe I am trying to subconciously remind myself and help it sink in....sigh.

I know---you cannot see the detail on the tags very well--I promise to post the individual shots of them later (I'll be late for my "real/other" job if I do it now--we hate blogger!). This dp has been in my "stash" forever and I absolutely love the collage look of it. I got it before StampWorks in Wilmington closed if that tells you anything! But, I finally decided I needed to use it and share it---The letters are stamped with Close To My Heart Cocoa ink on cork, and attached with copper and gold brads. The tags are held together with polka dot ribbon layered between tags. The embellishments are really fun--a star fish, a crab trying to make off with the "E", a silver flip-flop charm, a glass pebble, twine, mesh, and, although you can't see it, that's a piece of mica placed over the sentiment on the "X"--it says "You only live once, make it count" (from a CTMH set). I'd love to keep this piece and adorn one of our walls with it...or leave it on a nightstand in the guest room...but it will (hopefully) be up for sale in Southport this afternoon. It's hard sometimes to let my creations go--I try and give myself a few days to look at them, tweak them, photograph them and "prepare" myself. I know that sounds strange...but they are apart of the artist and we are putting them out there to bless others...hopefully. Well, gotta go. It's a busy day but I am going to try and practice what I preach as I go about it. I'll let you know how I do! Until next time, RELAX, and happy stamping and scrapping. Blessings, Sharon

Sweet...

s...

My photography does not do this piece justice at all (but it is almost "dream time" and the lighting is not great, either)---and I am almost tempted to not post it at all. I finished two books today & then pulled out this piece of wall art that has been waiting almost a year or more for its embellishment & completion! The store where I got the paper has even gone out of business! Lol! These are large chipboard letters that I covered with dp (I want to say it is Wild Asparagus but am not 100% sure), then painstakingly cut out, covered with holographic embossing powder & the tulle at the bottom looks somewhat ethereal & cloud-like. The blue beads & copper wire add a touch of-well, something I obviously liked! This moon face is one of my all-time favorite stamps. It actually says "Moon Man" on it but since I just wanted the face...the other got cut out. Did I mention there really is a dragonfly (again a favorite!) on his face where I placed the charm?! I am not sure where this came from-it is not my usual style by all means but I like the way this piece turned out. So--until next time, happy stamping & scrapping...and SWEET DREAMS...Blessings, Sharon

Celebrate Friendship...

Good Saturday morning! At least I am pretending that it is! Can I say "it's my blog & can whine if I want too?" Well, I'm going to! I spent all day yesterday short of maybe an hour in the craft room--that, and the rain coming through, and my fibromyalgia is raging. Then, the best place for my photo shoots is...the counter in one of our bathrooms. My "assistant" (aka Inky-the four-footed feline sort...) decided he needed to help and, after checking out the model, decided to jump on the shelf...and from there I am not sure what he did other than knock the curtain rod off, almost landed in the toilet, did land on the trash can and went racing out of the room! I need a coffee refill, please and it's not even 8 AM! That, and I've uploaded photos at least 5 times now with Blogger kicking me off and losing them!!! grrrrrrrrr........!

I am celerating friendships, tho---and I am blessed to have too many to count and name! Thanks to each of them for the special gifts they bring & bless my life with!

I based this project on a similar one I did in a class I took some years back with THE Stamp Queen, Carolyn Hurst (Hi Carolyn!) in Winston-Salem. I used the Close to My Heart Silhouette Level 2 paper pack (spring catty, p. 37), Cocoa ink (summer catty, p. 10), Express Postage Set (summer catty, p. 79), as well as the large white flower from Just Blooms (summer catty, p. 93). All the rest were other companies (mainly Inkadinkado, Paper Bag Studies, Catslife Press and others). I have to confess-I ordered this particular paper pack by accident--and wondered what in the world I would do with it. Well, once I started working with it, I just loved the stark black against the warm creams and white! There was even one or maybe two designs in the pack I didn't use! I am going to stop chatting and just post the pics...there are a lot of them- this is really a multiple page book--not "just a card"! Hope you enjoy it! Until next time, happy stamping and scrapping.

Blessings, Sharon