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!

The Friendly Skies Await!

Well, it's here - the day I'm officially ready to leave for Washington DC. It's actually the day before take off day, but I'm ready just the same. My duffel is packed; my back pack is packed; now alls I have to do is shower in the AM, drop the kiddos at school, and head to the airport. My DH will valet my chariot and we'll chat the whole way there, me leaving him with last-minute instructions, him lamenting my leaving, both batting eyelashes, quick smooches in between lane changes, hands clasped over the gear shift. It'll be a most enjoyable hour's ride to the airport!


Some things to keep in mind as I go:

1. No, the dog won't miss me. (True, he's a cute face and very definitely a good dog, but there's no question in anyone's minds that he's my hubby's dog!).

2. Yes, the kids will miss me, but only at lunch time. Since Daddy will find it easier to have them "buy," they won't get all the little extra "goodies" I usually put in their lunches.

3. Yes, I took care of all the loose ends at the office before I left.

4. No, I won't miss the phone ringing off the hook while I'm walking 60 miles. (I may miss my sofa, however.)

5. Yes, I like camping, but a cushy bed at the Hilton is more my style these days. Nonetheless, bring on the pink pup tents!

6. No, my duffel is not overweight, but I am.

7. Yes, I'm happy it's not supposed to rain in DC this weekend; however, I AM prepared if it does!

8. Yes, I raised ALL of my support for the WALK ($2200) - PTL !

9. Yes, I'm leaving dust bunnies all over the house (mixed in with dog hair for a little extra "flair.") In fact, I may just leave them through the holidays. If I throw some glitter on them along with the new crop of cob webs that will be adorning the house by then, they'll be Christmas decorations!

10. Yes, I am honored to do this WALK for women all over the world - our mothers, daughters, sisters, friends...and even the men who may be affected by this dreadful disease. My prayer is that a cure would be found - and soon!



This is how YOU can pray:

1. Safe travel. I hate flying. I do it because it gets me from point A to point B, but I don't like it. I'm not scared; that's not it. It's the motion sick thing that I've had since I was about two.

2. Duffel arrives when I do. I've had it happen that my luggage doesn't get to my destination when I do, so that's a big one for me considering it'll have all my essentials to do the walk.

3. Fit feet. I've been training for this but really, "can one ever be truly ready to walk 60 miles, even if it is over 3 days?" I know my feet will be tired, but I would like to keep them in good working order.

4. All systems go! No need to explain that one!

5. Divine appointments. I'm really praying that I'll have opportunity to be an encouragement to someone while there - share my faith - bring a little hope. Jesus has done so much for me that I just want to share His love with everyone!

6. Victory in all areas. Walking (3 days straight). Talking (making new friends). Sleeping (usually hard in a "new place"). Eating (or lack thereof)!

7. And last but certainly not least, my family. It's not easy when the "chief cook and bottle washer" is gone from the home. My DH does a dandy good job in my absence, but I know he'd appreciate all those little arrows towards heaven on his and the kids' behalf!

Bless you all! I'll report in when I return!

Up! Up! And Away!