Un Clutter Your Life!

I can be a pack-rat sometimes. But, then I go through a clean-it-all-up stage and out it goes. Or .... more than likely, we move & I have to take a hard look at what I've accumulated!! Since I don't see any moves for us in the future, I need to begin to "un-clutter"! Here are some tips I've gotten (from Oprah magazine) that I thought everyone could probably use. They are from Andrew Mellow, a professional organizer (how do you ever get that job???)

Think of this scenario: If your house were burning and your family, pets, and purse were already out of harm's way, what else would you want to save? Probably not the blender that only works on one speed, the china you inherited but never use, or the photo in which you're not exactly looking your best. Which begs the question: If those things aren't worth taking, why are they in your home in the first place? There's no reason to be surrounded by things that don't work, that you don't need, or that you don't even like.

The Ground Rules

1. Everything you own should have value, either because it's functional or beautiful or you just love it. Remember the question of what you'd grab if your house were on fire; that's your baseline for determining an object's worth.

2. Every item needs a place where it "lives." Setting things down on the coffee table or kitchen counter creates piles and confusion. How many times have you had to search for your keys when you are ready to go somewhere? Where do your keys live? They live in a bowl or on a hook by the front door — but you never lose anything when you put it where it lives.

3. Focus on one thing at a time. Multi tasking is supposed to help you get more things done quickly, but when you try to do 19 things at once, everything ends up incomplete. You're trying to simplify your life, so simplify your approach to getting organized.

Tomorrow we'll look at un-cluttering the kitchen!!

Got a napkin?

I learned a new technique this weekend and I had to try it out. See these cards -

Well, they are made from napkins!! Isn't that cool?!! I ironed the napkins onto my cardstock sandwiching a piece of Saran Wrap in between. You can learn all about it by watching Michelle's video HERE.

I have a ton of pretty napkins from my days of mod-podging (a looooong time ago!!). I picked up most of them at Tuesday Morning - they have some really pretty napkins. The one with the leaves is left over from Thanksgiving last year. The one with the flowers I used the flowers from Upsy Daisy and embossed it on Bashful Blue and added a pearl from the SU Pretties kit.

Don't forget - this is the final 2 days to order Upsy Daisy ON SALE!! If you are interested (or in any of the other sale stamp sets), let me know by Tuesday.

Country Living Magazine

If you enjoy magazines, have I got a deal for you!!

Stampin' Up is once again teaming up with Country Living - but in a grand way this year - Read On...

Stampin' Up has partnered with Country Living magazine to design the Country Living Holiday Collection Stampin' Kit that will be featured in the December 2008 issue of Country Living. As an added bonus, Country Living is offering Stampin' Up! customers a special magazine subscription rate. Subscribe to a year of Country Living for only $12 and get a FREE mini stamp kit! For just $1 an issue, you'll receive great craft projects, articles on collecting, makeover features, recipes and entertaining ideas - all delivered to your home each month. PLUS, Country Living will include the exclusive Stampin' Up! mini stamp kit. Use it to design note cards, menus and anything else that inspires you! Click here to subscribe.

Stay tuned for more details on the Exclusive Holiday Kit featured in the 28 page layout.

Damned if we do; Damned if we don't

In case there hasn’t been time to find those few minutes to pick up a paper in the last week and half or so, a brief overview—we are in economic crisis, something that is very real. If you are not feeling it in your pocket book now (like at the grocery store or the gas station), you will be soon. As was described in the Presidential Address the other night, the government has bailed out big businesses that have gone bankrupt due to corrupt business practices. The tax payers are now responsible for paying over 85 billion dollars that private business negligently squandered, though never was it the big bosses’ paychecks who ever suffered. In order to do this, we are borrowing money that will leave our children with with a massive debt to repay.

So what do we all think of this? On one hand, the people that would suffer would be the everyday people whose life insurance, home insurance, retirement, and credit that would suddenly become void, or plummet if these companies dissolved. On the other, since when does government pay for private businesses’ economic mistakes? I thought we had something called Capitalism in this society?

What do you all think? Are you ready to foot the bill for a big company’s mistake? Or do think the government is right to step in?

Blog Candy Alert

Click here for some blog candy - from the UK!

My Monday Mailer from Jana

Here's the Monday Mailer I received from Jana. We thought alike this week - we both used Pocket Silouettes. It is a very versatile stamp set AND it is ON SALE!!

Monday Mailer to Kathy 9/22/08

Here's my Monday Mailer to Kathy this week. I stamped the image from Pocket Silouettes (on sale this month!!) with versamark and embossed with White. Then I sponged with Tangerine Tango all around the image. The Designer Paper is from Hawaiian Papaya (love it!!) and layered it with Old Olive and Tangerine Tango. The "hello friend" is a rub-on from Chit Chat.
Hope you like it, Kathy!

World Alzheimer Day

Today is World Alzheimer Day. I have been fortunate to have escaped this horrible disease - in that, I mean I have not had any close relatives who have it. It is a disease that scares me to death as I am sure it does to many others.

Cammie is doing an AMAZING Giveaway today in Celebration of the Day! She was able to get many great companies from around the Scrapbook/Stamping Industry to donate over $1,000 worth of Stamps/Supplies! And what's better than that you ask?! Well, she is giving it away to ONE Special Person! Just click on her blog to find out more!! She is doing a challange to make a card and send it to someone caring for an Alztimer's Effected Person! I made this card and will be sending it to:

Staff at the Artman Home

250 N. Bethlehem Pike

Ambler, PA 19002

Won't you help too?

This week's Catty CASE

This is for NC Demos Catty Case Saturday. We were supposed to make a card based on the card on page 21 of the SU catalog. I used the hostess stamp set (Level 3) Window Dressing. I stamped the window with black ink on Vanilla cardstock and used my Copic markers to color. I put Crystal Effects all over the window. I cut the little cat out separately and used dimensionals to pop him up. The designer paper is a "sneak preview" from the Holiday mini catalog (Autumn Vine). The card base is More Mustard and the pieces behind the image are Sage Shadow and Bravo Burgundy. I found that little bit of twill ribbon (friends) in my "stash".

Like the card says .... so thankful for .... friends. I am so thankful for my friends. My good friend and neighbor, Judy, brought me some goodies back from her recent trip to Florida yesterday! You'll be seeing some of the goodies soon. I got Halloween designer paper and embellishments; some little matchbox style boxes with paper flowers for the top; 3 sheets of designer paper that was used in the September Stamp of the Month (by Great Impressions) and some white watercolor paper that is not real thick like normal watercolor paper - can't wait to use it all!!

Now .... time to watch a little football! Go STEELERS!! and PANTHERS!

Sharon

I got 100%!!

MEMORY TEST


This is NOT a pushover test. ? There are 20 questions Average score is 12. It will help if you are over 60! ? This one will be difficult for the younger set. Have fun, but no peeking! Good luck youngsters!

1. What builds strong bodies 12 ways?

A. Flintstones vitamins
B. The Buttmaster
C. Spaghetti
D. Wonder Bread
E. Orange Juice
F. Milk
G. Cod Liver Oil


2. Before he was Muhammed Ali, he was...
A. Sugar Ray Robinson
B. Roy Orbison
C. Gene Autry
E. Rudolph Valentino
E. Fabian
F. Mickey Mantle
G. Cassius Clay


3. Pogo, the comic strip character said, 'We have met the enemy and

A. It's you
B. He is us
C. It's the Grinch
D. He wasn't home
E. He's really me an
F. We quit
G. He surrendered


4. Good night David

A. Good night Chet
B. Sleep well
C. Good night Irene
D. Good night Gracie
E. See you later alligator
F. Until tomorrow
G. Good night Steve


5. You'll wonder where the yellow went

A. When you use Tide
B. When you lose your crayons
C. When you clean your tub
D. If you paint the room blue
E. If you buy a soft water tank
F. When you use Lady Clairol
G. When you brush your teeth with Pepsodent


6. Before he was the Skipper's Little Buddy, Bob Denver was Dobie's friend...

A. Stuart Whitman
B. Randolph Scott
C. Steve Reeves
D. Maynard G. Krebbs
E. Corky B. Dork
F. Dave the Whale
G. Zippy Zoo


7. Liar, liar...

A. You're a liar
B. Your nose is growing
C. Pants on fire
D. Join the choir
E. Jump up higher
F. On the wire
G. I'm telling Mom


8. Meanwhile, back in Metropolis, Superman fights a never ending battle for truth, justice and...

A. Wheaties
B. Lois Lane
C. TV ratings
D. World peace
E. Red tights
F. The American way
G. News headlines

9. Hey kids! What time is it?

A. It's time for Yogi Bear
B. It's time to do your homework
C. It's Howdy Doody Time
D. It's Time for Romper Room
E. It's bedtime
F. The Mighty Mouse Hour
G. Scoopy Doo Time


10. Lions and tigers and bears....

A. Yikes
B. Oh no
C. Gee whiz
D. I'm scared
E. Oh my
F. Help! Help!
G. Let's run


11. Bob Dylan advised us never to trust anyone

A. Over 40
B. Wearing a uniform
C. Carrying a briefcase
D. Over 30
E. You don't know
F. Who says, 'Trust me'
G. Who eats tofu

12. NFL quarterback who appeared in a television commercial wearing women's stockings...

A. Troy Aikman
B. Kenny Stabler
C. Joe Namath
D. Roger Stauback
E. Joe Montana
F. Steve Young
G. John Elway


13. Brylcream...

A. Smear it on
B. You'll smell great
C. Tame that cowlick
D. Grease ball heaven
E. It's a dream
F. We're your team
G. A little dab'll do ya

14. I found my thrill...

A. In Blueberry muffins
B. With my man, Bill
C. Down at the mill
D. Over the windowsill
E. With thyme and dill
F. Too late to enjoy
G. On Blueberry Hill

15. Before Robin Williams, Peter Pan was played by...

A. Clark Gable
B. Mary Martin
C. Doris Day
D. Errol Flynn
E. Sally Fields
F. Jim Carey
G. Jay Leno

16. Name the Beatles...

A. John, Steve, George, Ringo
B. John, Paul, George, Roscoe
C. John, Paul, Stacey, Ringo
D. Jay, Paul, George, Ringo
E. Lewis, Peter, George, Ringo
F. Jason, Betty, Skipper, Hazel
G. John, Paul, George, Ringo

17. I wonder, wonder, who..

A. Who ate the leftovers?
B. Who did the laundry?
C. Was it you?
D. Who wrote the book of love?
E. Who I am?
F. Passed the test?
G. Knocked on the door?

18. I'm strong to the finish...

A. Cause I eats my broccoli
B. Cause I eats me spinach
C. Cause I lift weights
D. Cause I'm the hero
E. And don't you forget it
F. Cause Olive Oyl loves me
G. To outlast Bruto

19. When it's least expected, you're elected, you're the star today...

A. Smile, you're on Candid Camera
B. Smile, you're on Star Search
C. Smile, you won the lottery
D. Smile, we're watching you
E. Smile, the world sees you
F. Smile, you're a hit
G. Smile, you're on TV

20. What do M & M's do?

A. Make your tummy happy
B. Melt in your mouth, not in your pocket
C. Make you fat
D. Melt your heart
E. Make you popular
F. Melt in your mouth, not in your hand
G. Come in colors




Below are the right answers
1. D - Wonder Bread

2. G - Cassius Clay

3. B - He Is Us

4. A - Good night, Chet

5. G - When you brush your teeth with Pepsodent

6. D - Maynard G. Krebbs

7. C - Pants On Fire

8. F - The American Way

9. C - It's Howdy Doody Time

10. E - Oh My

11. D - Over 30

12. C - Joe Namath

13. G - A little dab'll do ya

14. G - On Blueberry Hill

15. B - Mary Martin

16. G - John, Paul, George, Ringo

17. D - Who wrote the book of Love

18. B - Cause I eats me spinach

19. A - Smile, you're on Candid Camera

20. F - Melt In Your Mouth Not In Your Hand

RAK

I received a great RAK this week from my good SU stampin' buddy, Wanda. Isn't this card fabulous?!

Thanks, Wanda!

Calendar for 2009

I have been waiting for A MUSE to do their 2009 calendars so I could get started on making mine this year.  It is a $4 donation for the calendar but it is for a good cause.  100% of the proceeds from the sale of the calendars will benefit The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.  And .... this week, A Muse is matching the donations!  It is a downloadable calendar that you can save to your computer and use it as many times as you want.

Here is the calendar I made today -

The front and back cover are 4" coasters.  I printed the months off onto white cardstock and used paper from a Basic Gray pad to decorate the pages.  They are such fun to make!! 

My request - the town drunk!

Wanda - this is for you!!

My friend Wanda said she had not seen Otis, the Mayberry town drunk, when she visited Mt. Airy. So .... this is a picture of Otis and my mom! She had her cane ready to beat him away!! Too bad I didn't get a picture of Barney's patrol car that had just driven away. If you visit Mt Airy, you can take a tour of the town in the police car and just pretend that Barney is at the wheel!!

While I'm putting funny pictures that involve my mom. Here is a great one that was taken last summer at Myrtle Beach. This was at Broadway at the Beach in front of one of those stores that have all kind of gags. This guy was outside advertising some of the gags - a rubber butt; big teeth; something else that shot water at her, etc. It was a classic "Mom" moment!!

Cheers to You from Sock Monkey!

This is the Monday Mailer I sent to Kathy this week. I just love this little Sock Monkey! And I borrowed Ashley's Cheers to You set before she took it home this weekend. I paper-pieced the monkey with paper from Bella Rosa and Hawaii Papaya (brown strip). I used Liquid Applique for the beer foam and Crystal Effects on the mug. The ribbon is Red Riding Hood striped grosgrain with a ribbon slide from the Hodgepodge Hardware kit.

Hope your weekend was as good as mine

I had a great weekend .... hope you did too! We were supposed to meet our daughter, Ashley, in Nashville last week, but the trip fell through. So, on Thursday, we found a decent price on an airline ticket from DC to Charlotte and Ashley flew down to visit with us for the weekend. On Saturday, we surprised her grandmom and picked her up for a drive to Mt. Airy. If you don't know, Mt. Airy is the home of Andy Griffith and Mayberry was based on Mt Airy. We arrived in time for lunch and stopped at the Snappy Lunch. The Snappy Lunch is famous for it's fried pork chop sandwich (definately, NOT on my Weight Watchers!!). There were no frills about this place, believe me! We had to wait in line outside on the sidewalk to get a table and they close at 1:15!! We ordered our sandwich and a bag of chips and a drink. There is no overhead I can assure you! They finally found us a menu - they were out of them because they let people take them for souveneirs. Our sandwich came wrapped in paper - no plates! But, it was good! I have never eaten a pork chop sandwich before (it was breaded and fried!!) but it was yummy!! I would definately recommend it.

After lunch, we strolled around downtown, stopping in the local candy shop. (I tell you, my diet was not on my mine today!!) We bumped into the town drunk, Otis .... remember him on Andy Griffith Show?? My mom had her picture taken with him. After that encounter, we were ready for some wine tasting! The Old North State Winery is housed in the downtown area in a renovated 1890's building. They had some very nice wines. Mom and I just tasted the sweet wines while Ashley did the whole package of reds and whites. I really only like white wines and the sweeter, the better. I would recommend their Reisling and for a really sweet wine, 38 Vines Starlight White which has a muscadine grape flavor.

Saturday night, we went to Joker's Dueling Piano Bar on Lake Norman (not far from my house). It was really fun but terrible smokey inside. It really bothered Ashley. She is used to going to the bars and restaurants in the DC / Maryland area where they are smoke-free. Sure wish NC would do that but I'm sure we will be the last state standing!!

Sunday morning Ashley and I got up early to hit the sales at Kohl's! Every gal's gotta do a little shopping!! Plus, Ashley had gotten her scratch off from Kohl's for 30% off, so what a deal!! (At least that is what we told Sonny!!) After our shopping excursion, we went out on our boat. We had lunch and just "chilled" while listening to the Panthers football game. We were resting up for our big game Sunday night - Steelers vs Browns! Of course, our team won (STEELERS).

After breakfast at Stacy's Restaurant in Denver, we headed for the airport. Ashley had a noon flight. I am always sad to see her go. I will really miss her next year when the Army moves her again - possibly to Texas or Washington state. But, she will be back for my birthday next month!!

Multi-Purpose Coaster Caddy

I was blog hopping the other day and saw this neat coaster caddy on THIS blog.  Every year at Thanksgiving, I make calendars for my lady guests.  One year I did CD case calendars and last year I did a few CD's and a few coaster calendars.  This year .... this is what I am going to do!! 

This is the inside view - I wedged a coaster down the center to divide it for putting pens, etc. in.

One side has a post-it note pad on it -

One side has a transparency overlay so you can use it for a dry-erase board.  I used red-line tape to adhere it.

One side has another transparency on it but it is only adhered at the top so you can slip a picture under it.  This clip will hold the picture on it.

One side has a calendar on it.  You can tape it down and just tear one month off at a time or just use the clip to hold it on.

Isn't it neat?!!!  I think I will be doing this for a class at Stamper's Alley after the holidays.

Splitcoast Challenge

Another challenge - I've been working on them this week! This card is for Splitcoast's Sketch Challenge (posted every Wednesday). I used to do them pretty regularly but have not been doing them for a few months. I needed to make a card for my son's anniversary next week, so decided to incorporate it into the challenge. I also wanted to do the color challenge from Tuesday, but did not like the colors - I really tried (you should see the scraps on my table!). The color combo was Gray, Riding Hood Red and Gable Green .... the green just did not work!!

Stamps: Warm Words; Always; Love Matters (retired)
Paper: Bella Rose DSP; Pink Pirouette; Whisper White; Riding Hood Red
Ink: Riding Hood Red
Ribbon: 5/8" Striped Grosgrain
Accessories: Scallop Punch; dauber; Red Stickles (non-SU)

Challenge Card

I made this card for a color challenge that I saw on Julie's blog.  I like these colors together - Always Artichoke, Mellow Moss and Baja Breeze (one of the new in-colors).  And I love this stamp set ... Eastern Influences.  I dyed my white grosgrain ribbon by running it over my Baja Breeze stamp pad (holding it down with a popscicle stick!)  I added some micro beads to the center of the flowers.  The sentiment is from the Curly Label Bundle Set (you can purchase the punch and the stamp set together).  I used Boho Backgrounds on the white curved strip and sponged Mellow Moss on it.

 

9-11 Tribute

We all remember where we were .... what we were doing .... how we felt.

Don't forget.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-a0fsmF1rk

Inspire

I received this card yesterday from my Monday Mailer partner, Jana.  It uses the Alpha set - Defining Alphabet and the Define Your Life stamp set.  I really like it.  One of the days, I'm going to break down and buy this set!!  Jana also used one of SU's new buttons - I love them and should quit hoarding mine & use them!!  The paper is the Bella Rose DSP.

 

blog candy up for grabs

Great blog candy - check it out - http://starvingartistamps.blogspot.com/2008/09/delicious-candy-just-in-time-for.html

End of Summer Gardening

I did some work in my yard a few days ago. I pulled weeds - a job I hate, by the way, and cut back my dayliles - some of them - some are still blooming! Thought I'd share some pictures of a few things before they're all gone for winter.

This is my Ginger Lily plant finally blooming. I got a small cutting last year at a church garden club sale. It kept growing and getting taller but with no flowers. Someone told me a few weeks ago that it could take 7 years for it to bloom!! Finally last week we saw blooms, but it seems as soon as a bloom appears, it dies the next day. Don't know if that is typical or not, but it sure smells great!!

This is my chrysantheum - a little early I thought. It was so heavy that it split in the center and was laying on the ground. I had to tie it up with some twine. Hoping now, it will start growing upright!!

These are my favorite - probably because they are so easy to grow! I have had them in my garden in Texas, Washington and now NC. I also have them in pots too, When winter comes, I did up a little bit of it and bring it in the house - just in case!! This is a shamrock plant. I also have green ones.

And the ever popular, monkey grass! I just think it is pretty when it is blooming.

That's a Fact, Jack!

Did you know .....

• Clouds are made of water droplets condensed around particles of smoke, dust, ash, and salt.
• Antarctica is the only continent with no owls. [It also has the highest number of degree heating days of any continents, but the penguins aren't complaining. ]
• At 840,000 square miles, Greenland is the world's largest island. It is three times the size of Texas. [Alaska has 663,267 square miles, and is much closer to the size of Greenland than Texas is. Also, if Australia, an island continent, were consider merely an island, it would pass up Greenland because its area at 2,967,910 square miles is 3 and half times as large as Greenland. Antarctica, another island continent would pass them both up with its 5.4 million square miles, 6.4 times larger than Greenland. -Al]
• 25% of all the vegetables consumed in the United States are French fries.
• Twinkies are 68% air and 32% Twinkie stuff, which means you can pack three Twinkies in the same space taken up by only one.

~That's a Fact Jack by Harry Bright and Jakob Anser

Healthy Chicken for a Healthy YOU

Below you will find some helpful tips to help you prepare the healthiest chicken for you and your family.

• Make sure you trim all the excess fat from the chicken before cooking.
• To enhance the chicken's flavor try using flavoring ingredients such as flavored wines, vinegars, spices, herbs or citrus fruit instead of fat such as butter and oil.
• Bake, roast, broil, grill or poach chicken to avoid using added fats. You can also stir-fry in olive or canola oil but it is better to use a fat-free nonstick cooking spray.
• Chicken Breast, skinless, 3 ounces [140 Cal, 3g Fat, 26g Protein] *3
• Chicken Breast, with skin, 3 ounces [167 Cal, 7g Fat, 25g Protein] *4
• Chicken Drumstick, skinless, 3 ounces [146 Cal, 5g Fat, 24g Protein] *3.5
• Chicken Drumstick, with skin, 3 ounces [184 Cal, 9.5g Fat, 23g Protein] *4.5

It is a fact, that leaving the skin on during cooking will produce juicier meat. But, at the same time, some of that fat that was under the skin will have absorbed into the meat, which is why it is juicier.

~The Diet Detective's Calorie Bargain Bible

Birthday Cards

I've been busy today trying to catch up on some birthday cards - 2 of them are belated! I'm so embarrassed that I missed my nephew's 2nd birthday yesterday. When my sister died last year, I made a vow to myself to try my best to be there for my niece and her boys and my nephew. Unfortunately, we are many miles apart (Texas and NC) so I do the best I can with telephone calls and cards. I slipped up this time though! Luckily, Zac just turned 2 so he won't really know the difference that his card and present are late! I had fun making this card. Don't know if he is into Sesame Street, but I do remember my kids at that age most definitely were!!

This next card is also a belated one. My sister's best friend, Sharon's, birthday was Friday and I missed it. She lives in Florida and comes to visit us often here in NC. She will be here this Thanksgiving and we gals will be having a "stampin' good time" when she comes!! This card uses my daughter's stamp set, Cheers to You. It's a really cute set from the new catalog. I used my Copics to color the "beer" and my Nesties for the circles. I used Crystal Effects for the glass and Liquid Applique for the foam.

This next card is probably my favorite. I really like how it turned out! Remember a few weeks ago, my 2 college girlfriends came to visit? Well, Brenda is the first one of us to turn ..... 60!! Her birthday is Wednesday. (mine is October and Jackie's is December) I hope she will not be offended by this card - I don't think she will. I just love this set that I got from Little Paper Shop. They have some cute sets - if you are a grandmom, check out their grandparents stamps! Again, I used my Oval Nesties and my new "Martha" lace punch. The paper is from Crate Paper that I got at the CK Convention LAST year and hadn't even opened it! The ribbon matched it great & I got it last week at Michael's in their $1 bin!

Hope you enjoy these creations!