It's Not All Talk!

Happy Sunday afternoon! I just sent this week's post to Christine at Artful Legacy (Hi, Christine!) I am going to go ahead and post it now on my blog rather than wait as this week is FULL of appoitments for me. Tomorrow is dentist, Wed. eye doctor and inbetween that I need to juggle my work schedule and that means bulletin(s) AND NEWSLETTER--and a trip to the post office across the bridge--all in one week. It is going to be a long and hot one, my friends! No, I am not falling apart all at once...the Town is changing insurance companies and we are trying the use the old insurance to the maximum as it is excellent coverage. The new will be a nightmare with significant cuts in benefits but I won't go there! Moving on....

I also wanted to say that I am really having a GREAT TIME on the Artful Legacy Design Team. If you have a blog--would you consider giving a "shout out" to this great company? They are a husband and wife team--Buck actually "cooks" all the stamps himself (hey-a man that cooks?!) and not only do they have the mail orders but they travel the country with their stamps doing vendor shows, conventions and classes everywhere they can! They are great people and have great products. Their stamps stamp crisp and clean and are reasonably priced. So consider taking a look at http://www.artfullegacy.com. You won't be disappointed! Tell 'em the OKI Stamp Queen sent you! Now that the "commercial" is over...on with the program-er, post...
IT’S NOT ALL TALK...!
For today’s post I chose to keep it all "black and white". Not sure why—it’s not a color scheme I usually pick-but for whatever reason the contrast in colors struck my fancy. Stumped for "man" cards? Black and white can do it! This would be appropriate for a man...or a woman.
I used a solid black base and then layered the white card base onto that. I cut the front of the card by hand using my Nestabilities circle die to create the arc I wanted. I then punched the flower, cut a black circle for the center and then a smaller white one, again using the Nestabilities die (new toy for me-can you tell?!) What really makes this card special are the ARTFUL LEGACY stamps. I absolutely adore the old phone titled "talk"(SKU AL 338 C)! How well I remember from childhood the old heavy-duty black rotary phone we had! I still love them and even had one when I went to college! But I digress-I paired the phone with the "I will sit with you..." sentiment (ALS 1271 K). In case you are wondering...yes, I did have to cut my stamp to get it to fit in the narrower card format so my card shows 3 lines instead of the two lines you find it in. That’s another great thing about Artful Legacy stamps! If you do decide to alter them, the rubber cuts like a hot knife through butter and you get a smooth, clean edge. I’ve had stamps from some companies that were like trying to cut through steel and ended up with ragged, chopped up edges and, in some cases, the stamped image cut as well! Not so with these. It was a close cut and I debated "to cut" or "not to cut" but I took a deep breath and went for it! Perfecto! Thanks, Christine and Buck, for such great products.
It’s too hot to be outside–so why don’t you sit in the cool and peruse the Artful Legacy on-line catalog? Can’t think of a better way to spend a hot, summer day...unless it involves paper, stamps, ink, embellies and a cool drink with an umbrella in it! ; )
Until next time, happy stamping and scrapping.
Blessings, Sharon

I cannot keep up with the "child"...!!!

I simply cannot keep up with the child...well, YOUNG MAN I should say...considering he just graduated from college--and now, yesterday, he GOT MARRIED on me! Geesh. I haven't gotten the graduation card stamped let alone even dreamed I would have to be thinking about a WEDDING card! They chose to have a small, private immediate-family only ceremony with the groom's father officiating. The groom's brother served as best man. I am told that they had the parents of the bride and groom stand with them. They look happy, don't they? I cannot wait to see more photos and have offered as part of my gift, to do announcements if they wish. We shall see. It still seems like yesterday I was holding him in my arms and he had his bottle and teddy bear and...sigh. Feeling a wee bit old today!

Best wishes & Blessings to you, Zachary & Melissa...

Until next time, happy stamping and scrapping

Some more family members...

No, I didn't adopt any more cats--not even a dog, hamster or...you get the idea! These are the "outside kitties" aka Cococa Puff (can you guess which one?! lol!) and Moe. I don't get very many pictures of them---let alone a chance to get them together in one shot! Saturday I got lucky! They've lived here since they were kittens and, even though I feed them every day, talk to them and they to me (what? you've never listened or talked to the animals?!) they will not let me close enough to pet them. They are still scared of us. The few times I have gotten one "swipe" or two in, they were soft as silk! They are funny-they play and tumble around together, and Cocoa Puff consistently rubs up against Moe as if to say "I love you-you're my buddy!" I know-my husband calls the "crazy cat lady!" Hope they made you smile. Until next time, happy stamping and scrapping. Blessings, Sharon

With Sympathy...

Once again...I find myself turning to the Artful Legacy sympathy stamp. A week ago Friday, word came across that John, aka Rowena's husband, had been diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer. This past Thursday, God called John home. This is not the first time that someone in our group has lost someone so close, but we were stunned nonetheless. And while a number of our group were out of town, those that were here and able to attend his service went to show our support for our "sister". And isn't that what it's really about? The quilting bees

of yesteryear may still happen here and there, but other hobbies have taken this meeting "format" as well-scrap and stamp group meet and claim their addiction-but it's really about being a support system for one another. We laugh, we cry, we joke, we pray, we listen--and we may do a little scrapping and stamping and a whole lot of eating besides! We are there for one another. We care. I am glad I have these women I can count on--and I am glad we can be there for one of our own. Happier days-and posts-are ahead. Until next time, happy stamping and scrapping. Blessings, Sharon ps/As Roxy says, don't forget to hug the ones you love...

Pedal Power & Pet Sympathy...

Today is a "two-fer"--two cards, one post. Let's start with the pet sympathy first and then we'll move on to something more fun. Pedal power...move on....ok...

My good friend, Cynthia, and her husband, Harold, lost their 14 1/2 year old Lab "Jake" last week while we were away for the wedding. They were heartbroken, naturally. And while I know a card will probably bring a few more tears, it meant a lot to me when I received cards when I lost my angel, Onyx. Pets are part of the family. They share the good, the bad and the ugly--and love you anyway! It's taken God only knows how many cats to replace the love one dog gave me! So--here's the card I made:

On the inside I used a sentiment from ARTFUL LEGACY that I love:

Expressing heartfelt sympathy

And offering a prayer

That God above will comfort you

And ease the loss you bear.

It's perfect! I have searched high and low to find the "right" sympathy stamp for years-and they have it!

I stamped it in brown (CTMH Chocolate to be exact). The "Memories" sentiment is by Verses Rubber Stamps, the paw print by Inkadinkado. DP by 29th Street Market, ribbon by SU (love-love-love the ribbon!).

Moving right along...or should I say pedaling right along...?! I got the Pedaling Past set from Theresa who sells SU stamps-and I couldn't WAIT to use it. I love this little trike! I only wish that the artist had added streamers to the handlebar grips. Sooner or later I am going to figure out something to do that with! For now, I used a 3 1/2" scallop punch. I punched my dp (unknown, sorry! Scraps in my stash!), and then two more out of plain white cardstock (the punch won't cut through two let alone 3 layers). I glued the dp to one plain white scallop and made a score line close to one edge. Then I placed it over the other plain scallop and, using my Cropadile, punched two small holes in the scored are and threaded the thin gingham ribbon through and tied it off. I ran a circle of red paper through the Big Shot with the Cuttlebug Mosaic folder, layered it onto a chipboard circle and attached it to the middle of the scallop. Stamped the trike in CTMY Cranberry on plain white and punched it out. It, of course, is popped up! This is a small card---great for those "gotta send a note but not sure what to say" times! I stamped the trike on the envelope along with the "Enjoy the journey" sentiment (NO NAKED MAIL, ladies! Decorate that enve!). I can see myself making a ton of these! They would make great gift tags as well. A flower-using the green SU ribbon as "leaves" ---oh yeah. Tomorrow has got to be play day! For now, I'd better start "pedaling" off to work!

Until next time, happy stamping and scrapping. Blessings, Sharon

TAKE TIME...

....to enjoy the simple things in life" is the sentiment for today’s Artful Legacy’s blog post.
And "time" is something I seem to be rather short on lately. First a trip for a family wedding, then company, and whew...I am worn out! Today’s morning prayer during our church service reminded us to take time to thank God for the little things...the buzz of a bee, the breeze, the sound of a bird...and was really the inspiration for this card–besides the fact that I love to ride bikes! Particularly if it has an "ooga-ooga" horn and tassels on the handle bar grips! The beachfront--particularly in non-tourist season--is a great place to do it. Artful Legacy’s stamp beach grass (SKU AL 335 JJ) sets the perfect scene with the sea oats gently swaying in the breeze. I can almost smell the salt air just looking at it! The bike on the card actually "travels" from one end of the "beach road" to the other! This could be the route past our house! I added the sentiment (above)–another great Artful Legacy stamp (SKU ALS 919 G)–to the inside.
Maybe when dinner is done, I will take a short ride...
Until next time, happy stamping and scrapping!
Blessings, Sharon

I AM A SURVIVOR!!!

Ok, ya'll---I SURVIVED-the wedding of my step-son!(That's me, on the right-is it just my eyes or does the mother of the bride and I look alike?!)Any of you out there in blog land that have gone through things like this with ex's, ex's of ex's---well-you KNOW what I am saying! Theresa did not have to come and make bail; I did not end up under the table; I didn't tell anyone to kiss my tiara....---in other words, I BEHAVED. Darn! Lol. I deserve REAL DIAMONDS in that darn tiara-or at least a MINI COOPER, right?!!!!

It was all very, very interesting. One of the most touching moments was when Raymond (aka the groom), paid tribute to the brother he'd lost as well as his grandparents, saying that he believed they would be there with them at the service in spirit...and the toast that my youngest stepson gave to the bride and groom. Not so touching? The minister who didn't show up for the rehearsal (but made it to the dinner afterward!) and waiting in the heat and humidity! After we had gotten dressed, ready and even out the door-we were told that our eta was moved up---another half hour...and so we waited, waited and waited some more... It all went well, they are now Mr. and Mrs., I am HOME and HAPPY it's all behind us! Here are some photos and I will (attempt) to put captions with them! Unfortunately, I did not think to pass our camera to someone to get a photo of my husband and I--he was so proud in his tux! My daughter-in-law will probably have one though! Until next time--I am taking a loooong, well-deserved nap! Happy stamping and scrapping. Blessings, Sharon

Mr. & Mrs. Raymond Russell (my middle stepson and his bride, Meredith...) .

my youngest stepson, James, and his girlfriend, Carmen

My oldest stepson, Tommy and his wife, DawnMe...

and what a (menopausal) step mother does to keep (her) cool while waiting some more...no, I am not getting dressed-I was dressed and ready---when we were told we had to wait...so, rather than sit and wrinkle the dress or (gasp!) try to take it off after I had done my make-up...I ended up standing in our hotel room (did I mention the double bed we were crammed into?!)--with my dress up in front of the air conditioner!

Going, going....

and, if all goes as planned, by 9 am this morning we will be gone. On the road again to the wedding of my middle step-son in MD. Not looking forward to a 2-day (one way!) car ride. The dresses (yes, plural-now at last minute can't seem to decide...!) are packed, hair done, we won't discuss the pedicure and manicure I will have to redo...I was quite blessed when I went shopping Mon. and even yesterday-found some nice summer clothes-something I've needed desperately and just hate shopping for. So it will be fun to have some new things to wear. Prayers, please, for our safe travels and that I won't say anything I shouldn't (!). Until next time (which will be Tues or later of next week...) happy stamping and scrapping. Blessings, Sharon ps/Cinderella did find shoes-3 pair going out of 4 until I decide which dress with which shoes!