The world's best back scratcher

My mom is, hands-down, the best back scratcher ever!!!  Marianne & I love to have her scratch our backs.  She has always scratched our backs and our kids backs.  Whenever Mom would come visit me when I lived in Texas, my kids would get on either side of her and pull their shirts up so she could scratch their backs.  They still do!!!  When she worked for a major construction company in Charlotte - many years ago - one of the women executives would call her in her office and lock the door & pull up her blouse for Mom to scratch her back!!   Marianne is always backing up to Mom for her to scratch her back so I don't get as much back scratching!!  (don't understand, I am the favorite after all!!!)

Here's a picture of Mom scratching Marianne's back at our family Christmas dinner Saturday!!

Christmas with the family

Saturday night we had our family Christmas.  My brother came over with his two kids, my sister and her family and my mom and my other sister joined Ashley, Sonny and myself for a great meal where we all ate too much!  After dinner, we exchanged presents and visited.  My brother brought their Wii and I kicked their butts in bowling!  My sister, Angela, challenged my Mom to a game and she pretty much kicked Mom's butt too!  Then we had to try the boxing - we pretty much got KO'd pretty quick on that one.  The Wii is really fun!!

I went to Weight Watchers today (haven't been in a month!).  I was all prepared to pay since I didn't think I had stayed within the 2 pounds that you have to do from your goal weight when you reach Lifetime, but I was ok - just barely!!  Let's just say, I couldn't have put on another ounce!!!   Now to lose those 2 pounds!!  Maybe if I threw away some of the cheese balls, sugar cookies, pizzelles, Moravian cookies, etc. that I have downstairs!!

Here's me and Ashley.

Marianne's 2 sons and Kelly (Derek's girlfriend).  Think Derek is napping!

My brother's daughter, Lexie.

My brother, Lee and my hubbie.

Marianne & Ashley.

Hand Crafted Christmas Cards

Here are a few of the Christmas cards I received this week.

This is from Jackie Parkins (she works part time at Stampers Alley).  I love this label - think it's a Nestability .... I WANT IT!!

This is from my English friend, Margaret who lives in Texas.  I just love the poinsetta!!  Great job, Margaret even if I did have to pay the additional postage on it!!!

This is from my upline, Carol Bartle.  She lives in Tacoma, Washington.

Enjoy!

Sharon

Scrabble

Word Game Inventor Was a Bad Speller
Odd as it may seem, the man who created Scrabble, Alfred Butts, was himself a bad speller. His wife, Nina, helped him with the spelling part as he was conceiving his word game.

Alfred fooled around with the creation of Scrabble for years. He started working on it at his home in Newton, Connecticut, in 1931. He painted wooden tiles, each with a letter of the alphabet, then kept trying to figure out the best point value for each letter based on frequency of use.

He went through several name changes for his game. He originally called it Lexiko, then Criss Cross, and finally, Scrabble.

At last, in 1948 - seventeen years after he began - Alfred was ready to copyright the name and rules. He took it to game manufacturer Selchow & Righter and they agreed to put it on the market.

For the man who couldn't spell so well, his invention became the best-selling word game in the world, and the second-best board game in sales, after Monopoly.

~Strange & Fascinating Facts about Famous Brands by Charles Reichblum

Hope your Christmas was merry!

I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and were surrounded by the ones who love you. We had a great day .... pretty low key but with family so it was special.

Sonny & I were able to sleep in until almost 9!! (Funny how you can do that when there are not any little ones around on Christmas morn!) Ashley woke up earlier and popped the breakfast casserole (that I had made the night before) in the oven so it was ready to eat pretty soon after I got up. After breakfast, the three of us opened our stockings and our gifts. We oohed & aahed over all our goodies. The highlights .... I got a BIG SHOT!!!, a Just Rite rectangle stamp set, a set of Nestabilities, Bed & Bath shower goodies, books ..... Sonny was in love with his Steelers lightweight jacket from Ashley, books, thermals, and a Steelers DVD from me. Ashley got books, a shredder, windshield wipers (she asked for them!!), necklace, a Steeler gnome (really cute), electronic Crossword puzzle/Sudoko game, Tunes gift card .... I don't remember all of it!! Anyway, let's just say, we did good!!

My mom and sister, Angela, came over in the afternoon and we opened gifts again and ate, and ate .... then ate some more!! We are waiting until Saturday night to have our big Christmas meal when the whole family can be here. My brother and family live in Charlotte and usually are with her parents on Christmas and my other sister, Marianne, drove up to the mountains to spend the day with her in-laws. So, tomorrow night we'll be eating some more and opening more presents. . . Extending the holiday as long as possble!!

One of the highlights of my day was hearing from my son. He and his family live in Tucson. I was very happy to hear from him as things are not good between us at the moment. My grandson, Jayce, got on the phone for a minute and I was able to tell him Merry Christmas (he's 2 1/2). He had a big Christmas even if he was a little bit sick. Jeff said Jayce got a scooter for Christmas and was scooting all over the house and threw up on the scooter a couple of times! Today, I saw pictures on my daughter-in-law's blog that they got SNOW (in Arizona)!!! The pictures of Jayce are priceless!!

Enjoy the weekend!

Sharon

Candy Cane leftovers!

Below are some tasty tips on what to do with those extra Christmas candy canes. Enjoy!

• Use as a stirrer for hot cocoa. Mmm, minty!
• Crush, then use them to coat the rims of glasses for peppermintinis! [recipe at quickandsimple.com/magazine)
• Add ½ cup crushed candy cane to a single batch of cooled pudding for a peppermint twist.
• Use as a colorful topping for plain ice cream.
• Save for Valentine's Day. Glue two together to form a heart and stick it on the front of a card. Or, you could attach a ribbon at the top and hang it from your door for a sweet decoration

MERRY CHRISTMAS

C is for the Christ Child and the child in all of us.

H is for the Heart of God, in Whom we place our trust.

R is for our Redeemer, Who is finished with His chore.

I is for Isaiah, who had told it all before.

S is for the Shepherd lowly shepherds came to see.

T is for Three wise men, who were wise beyond degree.

M is for a Manger, a simple manger where He lay.

A is for bright Angels who were standing by that day.

S is for the Star that shone and still shines out today!

Merry Christmas to all my female friends!

If I were ol' Santa, you know what I'd do

I'd dump silly gifts that are given to you

And deliver some things just inside your front door

Things you have lost, but treasured before.

I'd give you back all your maidenly vigor,

And to go along with it, a neat tiny figure.

Then restore the old color that once graced your hair

Before rinses and bleaches took residence there.

I'd bring back the shape with which you were gifted

So things now suspended need not be uplifted.

I'd draw in your tummy and smooth down your back

Till you'd be a dream in those tight fitting slacks.

I'd remove all your wrinkles and leave only one chin

So you wouldn't spend hours rubbing grease on your skin

You'd never have flashes or queer dizzy spells

And you wouldn't hear noises like ringing of bells.

No sore aching feet and no corns on your toes

No searching for spectacles when they're right on your nose

Not a shot would you take in your arm, hip or fanny

From a doctor who thinks you're a nervous old granny.

You'd never have a headache, so no pills would you take.

And no heating pad needed since your muscles won't ache.

yes, if I were Santa, you'd never look stupid

You'd be a cute little chick with the romance of a cupid.

I'd give a lift to your heart when those wolves start to whistle

And the joys of your heart would be light as a thistle.

But alas! I'm not Santa.I'm simply just me

The matronest of matrons you ever did see.

I wish I could tell you all the symptoms I've got

But I'm due at my doctor's for an estrogen shot.

Even though we've grown older this wish is sincere

Merry Christmas to you and a Happy New Year

Milk Carton Container

I want to share with you the Milk Carton Container I made last week. I actually made 2 of them but forgot to take a picture of the first one before I gave it away. They both turned out soooo cute!! I got the idea and bought the instructions from Becky Roberts (Inking Idaho) She put a picture of my container on her blog the other day! There are a bunch of cute ones there. I will be doing a class at the Stampers Alley in February. We will make our containers either for Valentine's or if you prefer, for a birthday or other event.

You can fill each little carton with goodies - ribbon, stamping supplies, candy .... whatever you want!!

Love You Much sample

Just wanted to show you a card I made today using the new stamp set that will be offered in the Bundle starting tomorrow (12/23) Love You Much.

I also used the Scallop Envelope Die that I just got (use it with the Big Shot or Cuttlebug). It's really cool!!

Are you ready?????

for Valentine's Day?

I know it isn't even Christmas yet, but Stampin' Up! is getting ready for Valentine's Day! Beginning December 23rd (that's TOMORROW!), you can order the Love You Much bundle! It's a preview of goodies that will be in the new catalog, and you can order them early! Guess what else?!! If you order on the 23rd, you can use it as part of a $70 order and receive FREE SHIPPING!! WooHoo!

Here's the details:

Dates: December 23, 2008 - January 31, 2009

The Love You Much Bundle includes the following:

• Love You Much stamp set $25.95


• Candy Lane Designer Series paper (coordinates with Close to Cocoa, Pink Pirouette, Riding Hood Red, Very Vanilla) $9.95


• Heart To Heart punch $15.95


• Bundle Retail Value $51.85 - Love You Much Bundle (20% off; item 115405) $41.48

What a deal!! Contact me TODAY!!

Free Shipping, Sales .... what else do you want???

Just a reminder for those who still want to take advantage of the Free Shipping offer from SU, there are only 2 more days left! Through December 23rd, you get free shipping on any order that 'total's $70! So if you & a friend put an order in together & it totals over $70, you both get free shipping! I actually have an order now that 'totals' approximately $70 so if you want to add on to it, everyone gets their shipping free.

I am so grateful to Stampin' Up! for this fantastic Christmas gift, it has saved many of us a big bundle this month.

Also ... quick reminder.. the RETIRING STAMP SETs are ON SALE for 10% off. Take advantage of the FREE SHIPPING and the SALE in the next 2 days! What a great time to stock up on adhesive, cardstock, ribbons, etc.!! And what an awesome time to get those items of higher cost on your list, like the Big Shot, the Ink Pad Carousel or a family of ink pads or markers. Call or e-mail me NOW!!

Cocoa Cones

Well, I think I am on the mend although after being sick all week, my energy level is not great.  Yesterday, my sister came over after work and we made some goodies for a few hours before we had to leave.  She used my Big Shot Note die and cut out a bunch of dies with it.  I think she has decided she HAS to have one of the dies!!  We met our other sister and Mom at Berea Baptist Church for their Singing Christmas Carol.  It was the first time I had seen one of these and it was really neat.  There were probably about 10 tiers to the human tree.  The singers looked like it was a tight squeeze in there and of course, they had to stand during the whole service.  One lady fainted towards the top.  There's no where for her to fall to - someone just noticed her slumped over and they got her down.  That's probably why it was pretty cold in the church.  Anyway, it was a really nice event.  Afterwards, we went out to dinner.  But, of course, first Marianne & I had to dash over to Michael's to get some last minute things!  When we got there, she noticed her husband's car in the parking lot & we caught him coming out of Michaels.  Busted!!  Guess she knows what he's getting her for Christmas!  We bought some Wilton decorating bags to make these cocoa treats that I gave to some of the gals today. -

I've seen these selling in boutiques and at the Christmas Show in Charlotte for anywhere from $7 - $10!  You can make them so much cheaper.  I bought the Wilton bags at Michaels and stamped them with a snowflake stamp in White Staz-On.  Then I layered the cocoa ingredients as follows:

• ¼ cup powdered coffee creamer (make sure this is in the tip really well)
• 1 ½ Tablespoons sugar
• 1/3 cup Nesquick (chocolate milk mix)
• 1/3 cup dry milk
• ½ cup milk chocolate chips
• ½ cup (approximately 28) mini- marshmallows

Pack tightly in the cone so the ingredients don't mix together.  Tie with twist tie & then ribbon.  (A candy cane would be great tied on too - I just forgot to buy them!)

Here are the directions for the hot chocolate to put on an attached card:  Bring 4 cups of water to a boil. Add everything in bag except marshmallows and stir constantly until the water returns almost to a boil. Top with marshmallows. Makes 3 – 4 mugs

I went to Organized Christmas and printed out this cute label for the cocoa cones:

They have some great stuff at that site.

Happy Mail

Don't you love getting mail this time of year?  The good usually outweighs the bad!  All the beautiful Christmas cards and newsy letters and pictures of little ones that come in the mail at Christmas ... if we could just do that all year, wouldn't it be nice?  I used to always do a Christmas newsletter and my family would just groan.  My intentions have always been good to do one the last couple of years, but just haven't gotten around to it.  I was really planning to do it this year, but since I've been sick all week, I just sealed the cards and stamped them and had Sonny take them to the post office today.  Maybe next year!!!  Here are a couple of hand-made Christmas cards I've received this week.

This one is from my friend, Jennifer, who lives in Gig Harbor (where I moved from).  She has come a long way.  She was in my Stamping Club when I lived there and always did beautiful work but she wouldn't go "outside of the box".  She always wanted my sample card right in front of her so she could do every detail exactly like I did.  I'm so glad she is still stamping.

This one is from my good friend and neighbor, Judy.  She stopped by yesterday to give me an order before leaving for Florida for the holidays.  This card is just gorgeous!  The pine needles look so real I had to touch them to make sure they weren't.  And ya gotta love that Big Note die!! 

Deck the Halls

(Deck the Halls)

Deck the halls with foils and glitters,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Tis the season for us stampers, Fa la la...
Don we now our inks and powders, Fa la la...
Troll the heatguns and embossers, Fa la la...
See the card stock blank before us, Fa la la...
Strike the ink and join the chorus, Fa la la...
Follow me in merry masking, Fa la la...
Join us in some Yuletide stamping, Fa la la...
Faint away with chalks & markers, Fa la la...
Hail the new, ye rubber stampers, Fa la la...
Stamp with joyous all together, Fa la la...
Heedless of the times that's passed us, Fa la la...

Christmas is all about the little ones!

These pictures tell it all - Christmas is for the kids.  Aren't they precious???  My daughter in law is very anal but allowed the kids to make this gingerbread house this week.  I just wonder how much of the candy (that they usually are not allowed to have) went in their mouth instead of on the house!!  Wish I could have been there to help.

Scrapbook Wonderland

(Scrapbook Wonderland)
Author: Erin Kilmer

Shakers rattle, are you listenin'?
In the aisle, beads are glistenin'!
A beautiful sight, we're happy tonight!
Walking in a scrapbook wonderland!
Gone away is my money
Here to stay's my croppin' buddy!
We're singing a song
As we shop along
Walking in a scrapbook wonderland!
In the workroom we can build a layout
Using diecuts, Punches, fibers too!
We'll have lots of fun making our layout
And they have just the right shade of Stampin’ blue!
Later on, we'll conspireAs we crop by the fire
To bring all our pics and our hermafix
Walking in a scrapbook wonderland
In the workroom we can build a layout
With our eyelets, stickers, tags and Brads.
We'll have lots of fun making a layout!
All those Patterned Papers make me glad!
When we crop, ain't it thrillin',
Though the shop's makin' a killin'?
We'll frolic and play the Scrapbooking way
Walking in a scrapbook wonderland.
Walking in a scrapbook wonderland.
Walking in a scrapbook wonderland!

Dashing to Mooresville to the stamp store!

This one is for Brenda - owner of Stampers Alley in Mooresville!! Go visit her today!

(Jingle Bells I )

Dashing to Mooresville,
I hear the stamp store call.
I must get there today!!
So, things will have to wait,

Like household chores, I fear.
I'm driving thru the blinding snow
To purchase Christmas cheer!!

OH!!...Rubber stamps, rubber stamps,
Be a friend to me!
Jump into my shopping cart!
Bring others Christmas glee!

Oh!!...Rubber stamps, rubber stamps,
You can do the trick!
Christmas joys for girls and boys
Just like dear ole Saint Nick!!

So now, with stamps in hand,
My mission's plain to see
From "Rubber Stamp Command"

"May all your days be bright,
Your New Year full of worth!.
And may your blessed Christmas night
Be filled with peace on Earth!!

" OH!!...Rubber stamps, rubber stamps,
Be a friend to me!
Jump into my shopping cart!
Bring others Christmas glee!

Oh!!...Rubber stamps, rubber stamps,
You can do the trick!
Christmas joys for girls and boys
Just like dear ole Saint Nick

Christmas Crud

I've been sick all week and haven't gotten ANY decorating done as planned!  I went to "doc in a box" on Sunday because I had a really bad sore throat and figured it was a sinus infection.  They gave me a Z Pack which I finished today, but my throat still hurts!!  I've also got a cold, I believe.  I've been blowing my nose so much, I look like Rudolph!! 

Tomorrow is my Mahjong Christmas party and I hope to be able to go.  We are supposed to take a dish (luckily, I still have bourbon balls and pizzelles I can take!) and a present for the Chinese auction.  Here is what I am taking -

My daughter, Ashley, made this necklace for me.  She made several for me to give as gifts.  I picked out the piece and she put it together with beads, etc.  It's really quite pretty in real life!!

This is a set of note cards I made using Inspired by Nature and the Curly Punch set.  I love these colors together - kraft, kiwi, and Baja Breeze with some designer paper.

A close-up of one of the cards -

And of course, one of my calendars:

Everything will go into this box which is gorgeous on it's own.  I didn't make it - bought it last year at Home Goods.

12 days of Christmas

This one's for my sister, Marianne. This is what she wants for Christmas (a heat gun!!)


(12 Days of Christmas)

On the twelfth day of Christmas my true love gave to me...
12 rubber stamps,
11 handmade papers,
10 embossing powders,
9 duel tip markers,
8 paper edger's,
7 assorted ink pads,
6 funky stickers,
5 exotic glitters,
4 brass stencils,
3 craft punches,
2 paper crimpers,
and a brand new embossing heat tool.

A Rubber Wonderland

Rubber Wonderland(sing to tune of Winter Wonderland)

Rubber calls . are you listening?
Glitter falls . bright and glistening.
We're happy tonight,
Our stamping's so bright . . .
Wading through a Rubber Wonderland.
In the craft room we can stamp a snow card,
send it on its way to a friend.
They'll say did you make it?
You'll say "Yeah, man . and you can stamp one too, yes you can!"
Later on, we'll conspire, as we sit, by the fire,
to face unafraid the mess that we made .
wading through our Rubber Wonderland

Grandma got run over ......

Grandma Got Run Over by a Brown Truck
(Written by: Denise Wenzloff)

Grandma got run over by a brown truck
Going to a stamp camp Christmas Eve
You can't understand why she's addicted
But she buys more darn supplies than you'll believe

She'd been cutting all her paper
all her inkpads were just so
She packed it all inside her caddy
And she left with all her things to earn her dough

When they found her Christmas morning
The brown truck had not come back
There were tire marks on her forehead
And a ups symbol on her back

Grandma got run over by a brown truck
Going to a stamp camp Christmas Eve
You can't understand why she's addicted
But she buys more darn supplies than you'll believe

Now were all so proud of Grandpa
He's got all her things to sell
Little beads and all her punches
Some cutting thing and some stamp says wishing well

All the boxes still come to Grandma
filled with tons of her cardstock
If UPS wont stop those orders
We'll be forced to make those cards around the clock

Grandma got run over by a brown truck
Going to a stamp camp Christmas Eve
You can't understand why she's addicted
But she buys more darn supplies than
you'll believe

Now the glitter is on the table
Right beside her big RED hat
I bet she really really needs them
Cause she can't get them where she's at

I've called all her friends and stampers
Better watch out for that man
They should never give a license
To a guy who never stamps and drives a van

Grandma got run over by a brown truck
Going to a stamp camp Christmas Eve
You can't understand why she's addicted
But she buys more darn supplies than you'll believe

Christmas Buckets

My sister, Marianne, has been a busy beaver!  She has a full schedule anyway - 2 teenage boys with active soccer schedules plus she works full time.  But she has been an angel in making me these Christmas buckets to send to my step-granddaughters.  I am going to fill each one with goodies that I have collected.

I bought Marianne one of these buckets last May at a stamp store in Shallotte, NC and she has been reproducing them like crazy.  They are great for holding your crafting supplies and have pockets all around the outside and on the inside.  She has sold a bunch of them.  I think she charges $20 for the bucket & insert, but she will just sell you the insert if you want to buy your own bucket.  She gets plastic buckets & metal paint buckets at a local hardware store.  So if you are interested, let me know!

This one uses Wall-E material and is for Cassidy who is 9.

This one is for Torri who is the oldest - 14.  Her room is decorated in a jungle theme so thought this would be cool for a teenager.  It is actually our favorite!!

This is for Kennedy, who is almost 11.  As you can see, it is Tinkerbell.  These gals love Disney!

And here is my bucket - stuffed!!

SU Specials

20% Savings on Fall-Winter Sampler & Free Shipping

In celebration of Stampin' Up!'s twentieth anniversary, spend $20 on any Stampin' Up! product from December 1-January 18 and get 20 percent off any stamp set from the Fall-Winter Sampler--no limit! Choose from any of the stamp sets below

Flight of the Butterfly
Vuelo de la mariposa (Spanish Flight of the Butterfly)
Puns from the Past
Just Jawing
Dreams du Juor
Thank You Kindly
Wow Flowers
Flores llamativas (Spanish Wow Flowers)
Bella's Bloom

As an extra bonus, free shipping until December 23rd on all orders over $70.

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