A Couple of Cards For People at Church.

Some time ago we did this thing at church where we recognized different people for things they did - kind of like an "I Noticed You" award, though we called it, "Servant of the Month." I don't know why or how we got out of the habit but we did, until this month when my DH decided it was time to get back on track and recognize those who make our church life better. This month we honored the lady whose in charge of all the decorating for all the various seasons. She's even the one who picked out the color scheme throughout the building. She does a fabulous job all the time! Our church looks bright and cheery no matter what time of the year it is. So last Sunday we honored her with some flowers and a gift certificate to Olive Garden. This is the card I made to put her gift card in. Very simple, but nice.

This next card is one I did for a young woman, again at church, who just had her first baby, a boy obviously. While the stamp is from SU, the paper stuff is from a gift I ended up with from our church staff & leaders Christmas party last week! We play this silly game where everyone brings an exchange gift...everyone picks a number...then we go number to number either picking a new gift from under the tree or taking someone else's. It's a riot, especially as the "gag gifts" are unwrapped! It's something we look forward to every year and is a game I'm sure you've all played yourself in one variation or another. Anyway, the basket full of stamping goodies is what my hubby ended up with so naturally he gave it to me! The "questioning ("Are you going to give it to me?") and glaring ("You'd BETTER give it to me!") eye" probably clued him in as to my desire to have it! (lol) And in return I very lovingly gave him the binoculars I ended up with...and he didn't have to give me "the eye" at all!

6 more shopping days til Christmas!!! All I have left to buy are a few stocking stuffers for my DH. And tonight I pick up my God-given mom from the airport whose coming in from So. Cal. to be with us for Christmas! It's a total surprise for my kids who have no clue she's coming! We have the video camera ready!!!

SBS #25 Challenge #9 Entry

Here it is! Here it is! I woke up with a start this morning, realizing I hadn't posted my card for the challenge. So even though it's a day late, this is my entry! The stamp set is one from a 99 cent bin at AC Moore. I got another one too (big spender!) that I need to try out now too!

Have a blessed day everybody!

A Few Things to Share!

I have been so very busy of late, I've not had much time to do anything except the necessities! Please forgive me!!! But I did manage to scavange a couple of minutes to show you some of these masterpieces. This first one here is a card I received from my SBS #25 sister, Janet! Isn't it adorable??? It was actually the first Christmas card I received!


This next card is the one I did for my DS who turned 12 on the 6th. He's a VERY active boy who loves all the "fun stuff" in life ~ snowboarding, skateboarding, climbing trees, etc. (you know...the dangerous stuff!) and it's not very often he doesn't sport a scab or fresh cut on at least one of his arms or legs, if not all 4 at once!!! To be honest, the card didn't impress him as much as the presents! But that's to be expected, isn't it? I thought his card was cute though! Don't you just love the sofa?

This last card is just one of about 12 I made for family for Christmas this year, with not one of them being alike! Unfortunately, I had so many packages to box up and mail that I didn't have time to take pictures of them all before I tucked them away in their appropriate boxes and sealed them up for mailing, wihch I also managed to get done today. It feels so good to actually cross something off the ol' To Do List! And to get them out of the dining room where we don't have to trip over them anymore is a bigger thrill!

Okay, now I have to get busy on my SBS #25 entry for Challenge #9 using just scraps! Hmmm...the creative juices need a little jolt here though as I don't feel "in the zone" at the moment! Hopefully I'll not only come up with something but also get the picture taken and it posted!!!

Hope you're all enjoying the season!

Tis the Season to Be Jolly...Fa La La La La...!

The day after Thanksgiving officially launched the start of the Christmas season with people and their shopping carts bombarding the stores which opened before daylight. Thankfully I wasn't one of those people leaving the warmth of my DH and our cozy bed, though I have been known to join the ranks of craziness a couple of times in years past. This year I'm ahead of the game as I began my shopping this summer while on vacation in Tennessee. And since my DH and I did some more shopping a few weeks back, and me much more this weekend, we're that much closer to being done totally which I anticipate being in the next couple of weeks. But then there's all that wrapping to do which, honestly, I love just as much!

In fact, I love everything this time of year dictates. Friends and loved ones to see. Decorating the house. Trimming the tree, after we've tromped through the woods to find yet another "perfect one!" Christmas caroles to sing. Cards, cookies & treats to make. Parties to attend and host. I love it all. And I'm sure you do too because, afterall, it's Christmas!

My prayer for you this season is that the Spirit of Christmas would capture your heart in a new and magical way, giving you a childlike sparkle in your eyes as you anticipate the wonder of each unfolding day. In the midst of the busy-ness may you remember why we do what we do this time of year. It's because of the little baby Jesus whose birth announced peace and hope for the entire world. Truly He is the Reason for the season. May we all join with the chorus of angels in heaven as they sing, "Hosanna in the highest!"

God Bless You!
Merry Christmas!
Happy shopping...and wrapping...and eating...and celebrating!
Tis the season to be jolly...Fa La La La La, La La La La!

And shortly I'll be able to show you some of the Christmas cards I've been busily making! I got my first Tildas and they're wonderful! I NEED Copic markers to do them the justice they deserve, but until then I'll use what I have. But, I did put them on my Christmas List for my hubby's eyes to see!!!

Fun With My Girls!

Yesterday was a whirlwind, a good day, but so long. After our church responsibilities I took my 2 youngest daughters to my college daughter's apartment so her friend could do their hair. What a time we had! Complete with cheesecake, sparkling juice and chocolate in hand, we set out on some quality girl time! "AK" is my daughter's friend from Nigeria. She's a beautiful young woman with a heart of gold. And apparently she's the resident "corn rower" of all of her friends! She was so good to sit with Deb for 4-1/2 hours from start to finish just to give her a gorgeous "new do!" Here they are as they are beginning the detangling process! But because t took so long to do Deb's hair, Hannah will have to wait until next time to have her's done!


And here's Deb all combed out and ready for her braids! She's so happy!

The bottom (or back) is done and now AK is ready to start on the top.

Here's the 2 smiling girls all done with the event! Deb looks great! AK did a fabulous job! And she even gave me some helpful hints on how to maintain a more healthy-looking head of hair on my girls with very curly, ethnic hair.

Here's me with my girls enjoying some fun time before making the hour and 1/2 drive home!

And here's what we woke up to this morning!!! Over 7 inches of fluffy white snow! My kids are delighted! I'm finding I have more on my To Do List now - like get out the shovels, and the boot trays, and clear the sidewalk, and ... and...

Time to kiss my kiddos goodnight!

Fall / Thanksgiving Theme

No more same-o, same-o! No more comfort zone. As much as I love stars and stripes and the whole patriotic theme, my blog had been seriously lacking something. Thankfully I finally figured out what it was ~ seasonal personality! With that in mind, I'm deciding to change my blog theme with each changing season, special occasion, or perhaps random mood. This will indeed depict much more accurately what frame of reference I happen to be coming from at any given time. And it'll keep people like you wondering what I'm up to next! So without further ado... here's my blog's Fall & Thanksgiving theme! And here's a card from my heart to your's as you celebrate the season! I have so much to be thankful for and I know you do too! I know Turkey Day is a couple weeks away yet, but Happy Thanksgiving anyway! Just think! Only 40 more shopping days til Christmas!!! Anybody started their shopping yet???

SBS #25 Challenge #6 Entry

Take a look at this darling stamp!!! This is the one I won in the SBS #25 Challenge #4. Isn't it the cutest? And so perfect too for this card I needed to make. I told you I'm going to my college daughter's house on Sunday after church so she and her friends can do my two younger daughter's hair. Well, this is one of the thank you's I plan to send afterwards.

The Challenge was to use bling ~ as little or as much as we wanted. So here she is ~ getting all beautiful for a night on the town!

Blessings!

I Won a Challenge!

Oh my gosh! I won Challenge #4 of the SBS #25 group, and didn't even know! Well, not until about 15 minutes ago anyways when I went to the post office to pick up my mail and there was this cute little card with these goodies inside! Here's a pic of the booty I just received (which sparked an "Oh! I won!" response). Thank you to Janet and her diligent endeavors to keep us girls stamping and creating "outside the box" of what we might normally do! And thank you for the gifts! They are greatly appreciated!!!

Wanna know something cool before I sign off? Sunday after church I'm taking my 2 younger daughters to one of my older daughter's apartments so her friends can do their hair! I was already anticipating what kind of Thank You card to make for these college girls who are so graciously giving their time and talent to my younger girls. With this new Bella, I have the perfect image to use!!! Thank you again!!!

Time to go play...

I Did a Marathon!

I did a marathon yesterday! No, not in the foot race sort of sense, in the stamping sense! Three of my four younger kids were at a youth conference and my one son who didn't go with them was content to play on the Wii all day long! Normally I have very strict limits on how long the kids can play, but yesterday was an exception so he was in hog heaven! So was I. I don't think he got dressed until 5pm or so. But I wasn't the picture of loveliness myself as I didn't get out of my sweats until 3:30, and only then did I spruce myself up a tad because the other kids were going to be home between 4 and 5pm and I was going to have to greet them AND the youth leaders at the door! Such alarming truth!

But because my hubby was out of town and I had no one to wait on hand and foot, I took the opportunity to make the cards I promised to two of my 3 Day WALK donors ... the one who was the highest donor, and the other whose name was pulled from the hat! I made both of them 10 cards each, so that was 20 cards right there, plus a couple other cards and voila! I had the best "neck hurting, back aching, fanny flattening and hand numbing day" a girl could ever want!!! Basically I made them identical sets of cards, with a few variations here and there to fit their personalities. I couldn't quite get a good angle on the pictures but I think you can get the gist of my accomplishments!






I did regular 1/2 fold cards mostly, but I also did some tri-fold cards, buckle cards and criss-cross cards too!



Here they are all packaged and ready to be mailed. This last card on the right is a revamp of my SBS #25 Challenge #5 entry. Anne was so right. Good color on the left, too much of a contrast (stark white!) on the right! So I fiddled with it a bit - decided on some polka dots around the edge of the white, stippled on the white to knock down the "glare," then tried to fade some color from the one side of the slip towards the other. It helps but I still am not happy with it completely. Oh well...

Time to flop on the sofa now and wait for my honey to come home.

Happy Sunday! Have a fabulous day tomorrow everybody!!!

SBS #25 Challenge #5 Entry

Here it is ~ my entry for the latest SBS #25 Challenge! I'm just lovin' using my older stamps, here SU's Laundry Notes. I'm not real happy with the final product as it needs a little more "oomph!" Any suggestions?

Happy Mail!

Look what I got in the mail yesterday ... not one, but two cute cards!!! I just love Happy Mail! The card on the left is a thank you card from my one friend who wasn't into stamping all that much til she went on the stamping cruise. Now just look at what she can do (and she does it with enthusiasm too!) The darling Bella card on the right is from my SBS sister, Janet, who sent it for no other reason than to bless me! What an absolutely wonderful surprise!!!

Thank you! Mission accomplished!

Weird Sense of Humor?

I can't stop laughing. I think I must have too much time on my hands this morning. On my way upstairs I happened to glance at my calendar and realized that George's birthday was coming up in a week. So I thought I'd make him a birthday card too as long as I was going to be spending some time in "my room."

Problem is...George is a dog, my sister's dog to be exact. He's a little round ball of fur that looks more like a mop with legs. He's spoiled, true, but oh, so cute! When I visit my sister in Florida George always finds it necessary to sleep on the bed with me. Actually I don't mind. That's probably as weird as me wanting to make him one of my creations!

I had a thought! Instead of sending him a card from "Uncle Eric and Aunt Deby and all of the cousins in New York," I'd make him a card and send it from OUR DOG, Amos! Yeah, that'll work! Maybe then it wouldn't seem so odd. Doubtful, I know. But how am I going to get Amos to hold still long enough to get his paw prints on the card without totally destroying it? Afterall, he is a St. Bernard! And if I'm sending a card, I must also send a gift because, you know, cards are nice but presents are even better!!! I suppose that later today I'll have to venture down to the new Bow Wow Bakery that just opened up in town. I'm sure I'll be able to find some delectable treat for the birthday pooch! (Is it just me, or is this getting weirder by the minute!).

Well, I may be the ONLY one whose laughing right now. I can only imagine the look on my sister's face when she helps George with his mail. What? Something not addressed to her? I'm sure she'll get a chuckle (my goal) but in all honesty, George will no doubt find the present the better thing in the box!!! I'll let you know what feedback I get from this little endeavor.

And no, Amos doesn't usually send George cards. He did however, some years ago, send a Christmas card to Barney, my aunt's dog in Oregon (yes, complete with present!)! It's been awhile though so I'm thinking it may be time to acknowledge him again. Could this be the beginning of some new craze in my life? Any pets out there in need of a little lovin' ?


What I really was venturing upstairs for this morning before I was so easily distracted was to make another Pastor Appreciation Thank You card for some dear friends who never miss an opportunity to bless us! Since I loved the color scheme of the SBS #25 Color Challenge I decided to use those colors again. In fact, the woman's mom did her newly-renovated family room in these colors and it's stunning!!! Can't say that I would necessarily have put them together myself but they sure are gorgeous, aren't they?

The image is one that's soon to be released from Stampingbella. It was one of the freebies my friend got on her stamping cruise and then passed on to me! Isn't it the cutest????

Well, I've played long enough and find I must now get to work on some much-needed housework! Shucks! Oh well. At least I've got joy in my heart! The Bible says that "a merry heart does good like medicine" (Prov. 17:22) so girls, have your own personal party today! Laugh at the unlaughable! Make a joke! Tickle someone. But be sure to enjoy the moments brought your way. And remember, God loves you more than anybody else!!! And if you happen to think of George on November 8th, remember he'll be turning 9 years old!

Have a marvelously blessed day!

SBS #25 Challenge Entry

Okay everyone. I finally did a challenge card - my very first in fact! I'm not sure what to do with it from here, but I will post it to my SBS #25 page as well and then see if I can't figure it out from there.

The challenge was: Make a birthday card using only 2 embellishments (hard for me to only use 2). If we used the same colors as the originator, Janet, then we got our name "in the hat" an extra time!.

The colors she used were Old Olive (one of my favorites), Elegant Eggplant (another fav...), Really Rust and Black which, in my opinion makes other colors pop!

I originally had black ribbons with white polka dots (3 to be exact) going down the side of the card. When I went back and re-read the instructions, I had to revert to Plan B which was take the ribbons off and add a black strip down the side because the extra 3 ribbons made 5 embellies and not just 2. You can see that I Cuttlebugged that strip as well as the Old Olive underneath the top layers.

The stamp set of course is Unfrogettable, with the party hat being from Sock Monkey.

Tell me, how'd I do???

SCOR- !!!

That's as in Pal, Scor-Pal!!! Because I was kind enough to loan my ATG gun to my 2 friends who were going on the stamping cruise to Jamaica, Mexico and other wonderful places (yes, the very same one that Gina K. was on, and Emily from StampingBella, among lots of others!), my friend, Maureen, brought me back a Scor-Pal!!! How did she know I was wanting one??? Could it be that my other friend, Kim, told her? But then, I'd only told her once or twice some time ago, so how was it that she remembered? I guess it doesn't matter, really. The fact is, I offered my ATG gun because my one friend didn't have one, and that niceness was returned to me in a BIG WAY! I was elated, to say the least, and I am so appreciative of her generosity...which gives me yet another reason to spend some time upstairs in the ol' craft room! (By the way, if you don't own an ATG gun, you should get one! They're totally awesome to use! At first I thought it might be a bit top heavy and awkward to use, but it really isn't. And when I compared the price of getting adhesive tapes for it to, say, the SU Snails, well, there was just NO comparison. ATGs are the best all the way around!).

About the time I composed myself after receiving such a nice gift, Maureen whipped out all of her stamping creations from the cruise! What beautiful, awesome cards and other projects! I was in awe...of not only her beautiful creations but her growing enthusiasm at stamping as well! She's always liked going to workshops, but not necesssarily for the stamping part. Rather, she has just enjoyed being with the girls - chit-chatting and enjoying the moments. Well, I can't say that anymore! She's totally into it and can hardly wait til the next workshop...for the stamping! I am so proud of her!

And the freebies she got were way over the top! Unbelievable stamp sets, inks, colored pencils, embellishments, punches, paper, mineral spirits along with the pencils to use them...and so much MORE! I was having a hard time taking it all in, probably because I couldn't imagine anyone giving away that much stuff!

Then it happened!!! She started giving me some of her freebies! Why was she doing this? But then I realized it's her special gift - the heart of a giver. She gives to everyone - and not just things. She gives her time too. And her comment to me as she was "sharing the wealth," so to speak, was "Well, if I need to use these things one day, I'll know where to find them!" Can you believe it? Again I was in awe. It totally felt like Christmas! I could hardly stay focused til quitting time at work so I could get home to "play." Here's a picture of the blessing I received.

And since my dear friend doesn't usually read my blog (I MUST talk to her!), I'm posting my Thank You card to her that I did as soon as I got home! Of course I used my new Scor-Pal! The inside reads..."Stamp alot!"

And here's some more Pastor Appreciation Thank You cards I've done since last time. I tell you, my hubby and I have been so blessed this month!

Til next time... "Now hold that pose! Everyone Tap...Tap...Tap!"

No, I Didn't Get Lost!

Hello! Hello!

I've not been around much - here or at home. It's a crazy time of year for our family with so much going on. But thankfully I've managed to sneak a few minutes to show you some of my latest projects. Some of them I used older stamp sets which I still love but just haven't used in some time.

This is the the thank you card I made for the wonderful couple in Virginia who hosted Rox and I before and after the 3Day WALK. Pumpkins remind me of all that we're thankful for!

And this is the thank you card I made for Rox's friend who loaned me an air mat and pad for the 3Day WALK camping experience.

This is a birthday card for a friend.

And another friend's birthday card.

And another birthday card!

This is a card I made for a couple in our church who just had their first baby!

And another big buckle card that I demonstrated at a workshop last night.













This was another workshop project we did last night using the Bouncing Brayer technique, something I'd never done before! Since I love tie-dyed things, I thought this was awesome!

It's Pastor Appreciation Month and this is a card I did for some friends who blessed my hubby with some homemade goodies! I used the small tag punch for the petals & leaves, then folded them.

More Pastor Appreciation thank you cards! I love the Fresh Cuts Notes and stamp set.

And more Pastor Appreciation thank you cards!

That's it for now! Time to attack those dust bunnies and cob webs! Hopefully I'll get to my follow-up letters/cards to all of my 3Day supporters soon!!! I have 27 to do!!!

More joy to follow...Have a truly blessed day!

Tagged again!

Oh me, oh my...what is a girl to do? It seems that Susie tagged me the day I was leaving for DC. So let's see if I can come up with some new stuff of interest.

First, the rules:

1. Link your tagger and list these rules on your blog.
2. Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird.
3. Tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blogs.
4. Let them know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

Next, the random and weird facts about me:

1. I'm English, Irish, Dutch, Scotch, Welsh, Polish, Lithuanian, German & Cherokee Indian (aka "a Heinz!").
2. On the back hills of Oregon, when I was 15, my uncle taught me to drive a stick shift - his 3-speed on the column.
3. Sun, sand and surf - my idea for a perfect day!
4. I had a wonderful chicken caesar salad for lunch today.
5. My toenails are painted the most awesome color of cranberry!
6. I took a flying lesson once (yes, in an airplane...but actually it was more like a VW with wings!).
7. I absolutely HATE beets and gag at the smell!

And I'll have to tag others later in the week as I'm headed out the door for another adventure, but nothing even remotely like the one I just came back from. Church business this time - a class in fact!

Keep smiling!

Wylde Woman Award!

How awesome is this? I'm an official "Wylde Woman!!!" Actually, I've known this for some time, just spelled it a little different is all. What a blessing to be given such an awesome award from my fellow DC-walker friend, Rox. From what I understand the award is given to someone who:

1. Brightens your day

2. Teaches you new things

3. And lives their lives fully with generosity and joy

I am so glad she honored me this fine day! You can honor someone too if you want! Just follow these guidelines:

1. You may give the award to any number of women, just remember the purpose of the award.

2. Make sure you give a link to their blog.

3. Also link back to Tammy so she can visit the blogs of the wonderful women you choose.

Hmmm, there's so many neat people I know. But I think I want to honor Debby with the Wylde Woman Award for she's the one that taught me how to link people's addresses under their names! Thanks Deb! As you say, "Easy Peasy!"

Blessings!

These Feet Were Made For Walking !

Hello, Everyone! I know you're all probably wondering how Rox and I did in DC so I'll give you as much information as I can without keeping you too long. Suffice it to say, it was one of the most awesome, exhilarating and tiring experiences I have ever had. Here's some stats:

*There were almost 3,000 walkers at this event, plus between 350-400 crew members and volunteers who did an amazing job! They cooked, and served, and stocked porta pottys, and crossed us safely at intersections, and manned the different sponsor tents, and planned the routes, and put up signs...I mean, they did it all! Just planning logistically for this event would make a normal person run screaming into the night!

*Most of the WALK was in VA, with the last day taking us over Key Bridge from Arlington, VA to Georgetown, DC. We even walked by the White House!

*There were several hundred survivors doing the WALK, the youngest being in her late teens, early 20s.

*About 70 men did the WALK, some of whom were survivors too!

*Some people went all out dressing up for the event, wearing BIG bras on the outside of their shirts with twirly things on the ends or fluffy feathers all around. Very interesting. Not something I'd do, but I enjoyed the creativity of each project which brought laughter and brief moments to take my mind off my aching feet!

*People with signs cheering you on, congratulating you, thanking you for doing this WALK for them, their mother, friend, whatever, lined the streets in various spots. Some gave out chocolates. We made sure we stopped and paid them special attention!

*Pit stops were every 2-4 miles along the 3 routes, each with a different theme (Hollywood, baseball, pajama party, etc.). Most of the crew dressed in costume.

*We didn't visit the Medical Tents at the stops at all the first day, but we frequented them the 2nd and 3rd days ~ Rox for her knee and me for my blisters! I knew I should've taken out stock in the Band-Aid company!

*Food was actually good all the way around. They had lots of things to choose from at the pits and even more at mealtime back at camp. I felt like I grazed all weekend long. Didn't I ask you to pray about that?

*We were comfy in our little pink pup tents though I can't say I've gone to bed that early since I was a little kid. 7:45pm one night and 6:45pm the next! Can you say, "throbbing feet?"

*The sense of community and comraderie was overwhelming. I felt like I was part of something really huge that mattered. It was a really good thing all of us were doing, but I had to wonder why I'd never thought of it before! News Flash! My 20 yo DD told me just yesterday that she'd like to do it with me next time! (Next time? Did someone say we were doing this again?)

*Over $7 million was raised for breast cancer research that weekend. And to that I shout, "HALLELUJAH!" It was worth every tear, pain, blister and mile.

I wish I could say I made it all 60 miles but the fact is, I only made it 55. I did something to my knee at about mile 7 that first day which made me over-compensate for it while I walked which then did something to my hip. I hobbled on another 8 miles before waving down the sweep van. It was either that or not be able to walk at all the next day and I was determined to walk!

Victoriously I pressed through the pain on Days Two and Three and made it every step of the way! What a moment when crossing the Finish Line with hundreds of people there cheering! At that moment, I was an Olympian! (Rocky! Rocky! "Wait, he wasn't an Olympian, or was he?)

Now I want to share some pictures, which is what you've really been waiting for, right?

The picture at the top of this post is of us arriving at Opening Ceremony before we began our walking adventure. Don't laugh! You wouldn't be looking so chipper yourself at 6am!!! Our friend, Linda, was our DD (designated driver) so we made her a team shirt too!

This is of us on the route on Day One. Still smiling...that's good!

A sea of pink tents!

A picture worth a thousand words!

Need I say more?

This is right after we crossed the finish line, crowds cheering! We were given our Victory Shirts (which we're wearing), a pink rose, and then some time to rest our tootsies before an emotional

Closing Ceremony.

And this is by far my favorite picture! Yep, our adventure is over, but with a new understanding and appreciation of what the Race For a Cure is all about!

This experience will forever be etched in my memory with a sense of satisfaction that I participated in something that will eventually benefit all mankind. I encourage each of you to try it too! Get more info at http://www.the3day.org/ and see what I mean.

Glad to be home! I missed you!

P.S. Only one blister left to reabsorb and then I'll be all better!