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Red Cross can help

I've had a busy couple of days!  Yesterday I played bridge and afterwards, stopped by my Mom's house for a visit.  We only live about 20-30 minutes away but I'm really bad about not stopping by to visit more often.  After being away from family for 30+ years, it's just been hard to adjust to having family so close.  I have to stop and think every so often how I'd feel if the shoe was on the other foot and it was my daughter not stopping by to visit me!! 

Last night after dinner, Sonny and I were just settling in to catch up on some tv shows we'd taped and had just finished scooping our ice cream in our bowls when we got a call from the Red Cross DAT (disaster) team leader.  We are volunteers for the DAT team and have been for almost a year but have never been called to a disaster.  Every few months, we have the DAT bag for the week and are "on call" but the pager has never gone off.  We figured it really didn't work!!  The gal who had the bag this week knew we had never gone out so when she got the call, she called us to assist her ... plus the house fire was in Troutman which is not too far from us.  By the time we got there (about 11 pm) there were about 5-6 firetrucks and numerous other vehicles.  The fire had been put out but the double-wide trailer was demolished.  The poor lady who lived alone luckily was not at home when the fire started.  She is 56 years old and has a lot of health issues.  Poor thing was just so upset.  The worst part was she had no insurance!!  How can people do that??  She had lived there for 22 years and everything she owned is now gone.  Every few minutes she'd cry out about something that had perished .... from her church clothes, her hats, her 27 wigs, a whole library of old books and the paperwork she had started to get her GED.  She told us she was always the one who helped her family out when they needed something.  She said she used to pay into the United Way when she worked and never dreamed one of those types of services would one day be assisting her.  The Red Cross can't do as much as it once could due to the recession but we were able to give her a debit card with money on it for food, clothing and three days in a motel.  We told her when she found an apartment or somewhere to live, we would pay her first month's rent also. 

All day today I have thought about this poor lady and gone back and forth from feeling sorry to other thoughts.  And here are my reasons.  Last night while talking to the client, she told me she had just pawned her jewelry so she could buy a VCR/DVD combo and hadn't even watched it once .... on her flat screen TV that she bought this year.  She said she had a 72" TV that she had bought in 2007.  She had muscle/nerve damage to her arm and told me she has gone to therapy a few times for it and was supposed to go more often, but it was too expensive - they want $50 for therapy!  Hello???  You can afford the tv, DVD, etc. but not do the things the dr advises to make you feel better.   I know everyone has the right to spend their money the way they see fit (even our government!!) but I just have to shake my head.  My friend at Red Cross told me the client called today with many questions regarding more assistance and wanted to know if the Red Cross would pay a downpayment on a new trailer to put on her lot!!  

The Red Cross is a great organization and is there to help in times of need.  If you like to help people, I urge you to consider volunteering with the Red Cross.  They provide all the training you need so you will be ready to respond to disasters, work at blood drives, deliver messages to US Service personnel, re-connect families that have been displaced.  My husband drives a Red Cross van each week taking people in our community to doctor appointment, dialysis, etc.


Here are some Red Cross facts for you:

Volunteers constitute 96 percent of the total work force to carry on their humanitarian work:


Every year the Red Cross responds to more than 70,000 disasters—including approximately 150 home fires every day.


About 11 million Americans turn to them to learn first aid, CPR, swimming, and other health and safety skills. Last year, more than 158,000 people volunteered to teach those courses.


Half the nation's blood supply— six million pints annually—is collected by more than 155,000 Red Cross volunteers .


Among their emergency services for the men and women of the armed forces is the delivery of urgent family messages—around the clock and around the globe.


More than 30,900 volunteers serve as chairs, members of boards of directors, or on advisory boards for local Red Cross units - chapters, Blood Services regions, and military stations.


As part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, Red Cross reconnects more than 8,000 families separated by conflicts and disasters around the world through international tracking services and Red Cross messages.

Tonight my sisters, mom and Sonny and I went to downtown Charlotte to the Levine Museum of the South for a program about Hurricane Hugo.  Hugo hit the Charlotte area 20 years ago.  I didn't live here at the time, but my family all lived in Charlotte and still have nightmares about that storm.  Hugo ranked as the eleventh most intense hurricane at time of landfall to strike U.S. this century and is rated as the second costliest hurricane with over $7 billion in damages. Hugo's storm surge was the highest ever recorded on the East Coast. It was estimated at 20 feet just north of Charleston. Hugo's 150 mile wide swath destroyed about one billion board feet of timber and resulted in major damage hundreds of miles inland. The total number of deaths associated with Hurricane Hugo is 82.  The exhibit was sponsored by the Red Cross which I didn't know until shortly before we went tonight.  It was a very interesting exhibit.  I thought it would have been much larger, but they did a good job with what they did have.

Tomorrow will be a little more slow paced!  I'll be hiding away to eat my meals though!  Sonny is scheduled for a routine colonosophy on Thursday so tomorrow will be a liquid diet for him.

More Swaps

Thanks for the kind comments some of you have sent me regarding the garage sale!  I don't normally "do" garage sales and guess that is why!!

Someone out there is NOT pulling for my Steelers!  Can't believe we lost that game today in the last 2 minutes!  GRRRRR  Guess we won't be going back to the Super Bowl this year.

Here are a few more of the swap cards I received.

Recipe:  by Mary Rindal

Stamp:  Friends Rock

CS:  Melon Mambo, Crushed Curry, Pumpkin Pie, WW

Ink:  Black; Melon; Curry

Acc:  Iridescent Ice EP, Melon Mambo ribbon; paper piercer

Recipe: by Crystal Spencer (caspen1973)

Stamp: Season of Friendship

CS:  Celery; Bermuda Bay; WW; Close to Cocoa

Ink:  Same as above + Old Olive

Acc:  Bermuda Bay ribbon; white gel pen; designer brads; Backgrounds I Texture plates

Recipe:  by Lorien Clark

Stamp:  Razzle Dazzle

Ink:  Crushed Curry, Melon Mambo; Black StazOn

CS:  Crushed Curry; Melon Mambo; BB, WW

Acc:  Crushed Curry ribbon; white gel pen; scallop edge punch, iridescent ice EP

Recipe:  by Michelle Fischer (SDiegoGal)

Stamps:  Dasher, Christmas Punch

CS:  Dusty Durango; Crushed Curry; Soft Suede; White Glossy

Ink:  Dusty Durango

Acc:  Dusty Durango DSP; punches, brads, soft suede ribbon; Dazzling Diamonds

Gargage Sales and Christmas Cards

Lately I have felt like I was back in Washington state!  It has been rainy for over a week now!  Today's garage sale was a bust!!  Luckily, I didn't have that much to sell - just a box load of books and the rubber stamps.  I really didn't figure stamps were going to be a big garage sale item, but thought I'd give it a shot.  I was right!  I set up about 7:30 in the parking lot of our clubhouse in the misty rain.  I sat in the car and read a book and waited, and waited and waited ....  I had 3 people stop by in 3 hours!!  One person bought $10 worth of books.  Sonny came up about 10:30 to bring me the key to the clubhouse bathroom and we waited around for another half hour.  Then I called it quits!!  All the stuff is still in my car - that's another job for tomorrow!  After taking a quick "cat nap" at home, I ran into town and had lunch.  Then I headed over to the stamp store for the final "Christmas Card Make & Takes."  Every Saturday, we've done Christmas cards at the stamp store in Mooresville.  Here are a few of the ones I made:

This one was the one I demo-ed:

Chick Fil A .... Hungry Girl Style

The gal who started the Hungry Gal website with low cal recipes was on Rachel Ray one day last week.  She made a chicken sandwich that I tried last week.  It was really good, so I want to share it with you!

Crispy Chicken Sandwich
1/3 C Fiber One bran cereal (original)

dash each - salt, pepper, garlic powder & onion powder (or more to taste)

1/4 C fat-free liquid egg substitute (egg beaters, etc) NOTE - I used an egg as I didn't have substitute

3 oz. raw boneless skinless lean chicken breast

1 T fat-free mayo

1 small hamburger bun

2 slices tomato

2 hamburger dill pickle chips (or more!!)

1 leaf lettuce

Preheat oven 375 degrees.

Using a blender or food processor, grind Fiber One to a breadcrumb-like consistency.  Season crumbs with as much salt, pepper, onion powder & garlic powder as you like & mix well.  Place crumbs in a small dish & egg substitute in another.

Sprinkle both sides of the chicken with a dash each of salt & pepper.  Then, coat chicken on both sides - first with egg substitute & then with seasoned crumbs.

Place chicken on baking sheet sprayed with non-stick spray.  Top chicken with a light mist of non-stick spray.

Bake for 10 minutes.

Flip chicken over & add another light mist o fnon-stick spray.  Cook for add'l 10-12 minutes until chicken is fully cooked & coating looks crispy.

Add condiments, as desired.

YUM!!

Swaps - part 2

I've been working on making calendars this week.  Every year I make calendars for my friends and family.  I've done calendars that go in CD cases and calendars that fit on bar coasters.  This year I am doing them a little differently.  Sonny is making wooden holders for my calendars.  I'll share later!  So far, I've made 3 calendars - only about 8 to go!!

Here are a few more swap cards to share with you.

Recipe:  by Nicole Johnson (StampinNicole06 on SCS)

Stamp:  Greeting Earthlings

CS:  Brillant Blue; Black; Yo Yo Yellow; WW

Ink:  Black Stazon; watercolored w/stamp pads: Gable Green; Yo Yo Yell; Only Orange, Orchid Opul.

Acc:  Top Note; Movers & Shapers Modern Label Die; Modern Label Punch; gingham ribbon; rhinestone fire & ice

Recipe:   by Vicki Stys (CraftCrazy98 @ SCS)

Stamps:  Falling Leaves; Bright Blessings Jumbo Wheel

Paper:  Kraft; Soft Suede; Naturals Ivory

Ink:  Versamark; Soft Suede; Old Olive; Crushed Curry; Dusty Durango

Acc:  Clear Emb Powder; Modern Label Punch; Very Vanilla Taffeta Ribbon

Recipe:  by Tandra Boyer (Inkalicious @ SCS)

Stamp:  Twick or Tweet

CS:  Basic Black; Night & Day DSP; Pumpkin Pie DSP

Acc:  Frost White Shimmer Paint; Scallop Circle Punch; Modern Label punch & die cut; Scallop Square die; 1 1/4" black striped ribon (rubbed w/Pumpkin Pie Ink)

Recipe: by Crystal Spencer (caspen1973 @ SCS)

Stamps:  Serene Snowflakes; Teeny Tiny Wishes

CS:  Real Red; Soft Suede; WW; Christmas Cocoa DSP

Ink:  Soft Suede; Real Red

Acc:  REal Red Grosgrain Ribbon; Linen Thread;  Modern Label Punch; Backgrunds I Texture Plates; Top Note Die; Word Window Punch

Another Swap

I did another swap last month and just got my cards back.  Wow!!  They are really great.  These are images from the new catty as well as the mini catalog.  This is Jami's swap (who is an ex-Dirty Girl on SCS) so the cards are always good. They always have lots of layers.  I always participate in her swaps for that reason.  I'm worried though that she will be giving up Stampin' Up because of the new rules.  She also designs for other companies. 

Recipe: by Jackie Pedro (strappystamper on SCS)

Stamps:  For All You Do

CS:  Bermuda Bay Texture; Crushed Curry, WW, Thoroughly Modern DSP

Ink:  Bermuda Bay, Soft Suede

Acc:  Crushed Curry ribbon; Scallop Circle punch; Circle Punches; Modern Label Punch, Top Note; Eyelet Border Punch

Recipe: by Crystal Spencer (caspen1973 on SCS)

Stamp:  Herb Expressions

CS:  Cert. Celery, Old Olive; WW, Rich Razzleberry DSP

Ink:  Black Staz On; Rich Razzleberry, Cert Celery, Old Olive

Acc:  Cert Celery 5/8" growgrain; Cert Celery Brads

Punches:  Scallop edge

Recipe:  by Jennifer Moneagle (jened @ SCS)

Stamps:  Circus Circle; Kind & Caring Thoughts; Sanded Backgd.

CS:  Rich Razzleberry (reg & text); Melon Mambo; Razz. Lemonade DSP; WW

Ink:  Versamark; Melon Mambo

Misc:  Gold Emb Powder; 1 1/4" square punch

No recipe included on this one, so I'm gonna guess!

CS:  Vellum; Rich Razzleberry; Taken w/Teal; Black

Stamp:  Lots of Bots

Acc:  Spiral Punch; Tag Punches; Library Clips; Goggle Eyes

I'll publish more tomorrow!

Monday Mailer, Oct week #3

I just love the way this card turned out!  I am putting it in the mail Monday a.m. to my Monday Mailer partner.  I used the Medallion stamp - stamped it in Versamark and embossed it with clear embossing powder.  Then I sponged a little Soft Suede and Crushed Curry on to the Medallion.  I then cut it out and "popped it up" with dimensional tape. 

What do you think?  The Medallion stamp is the top seller for Stampin' Up!!

Stamp Sale

(edited - I am crossing through the ones that have been sold)

My neighborhood in Sherrills Ford is having it's annual Block/Garage Sale next weekend.  I will have a table set up at the clubhouse selling some of my stamps and some fiction books.  All of the stamps are Stampin' Up unless they are listed differently.   I am listing the stamps below that I will have in the sale.  If you are interested in any of these stamps, let me know and I will "make you a deal!"

A Beautiful Thing $10.00

A Light Heart $10.00

All About Occasions $5.00

Alpha Bits (AM) $7.00

Be Happy $10.00

Birthday Whimsey $5.00 (never been used)

book - creative lettering $4.00

book - Photo Cropping by Memory Makers $4.00

Book: Quick & Clever Handmade Cards $4.00

Botantical Blooms $6.00

Dotted Autumn $8.00

Event Full $10.00

Background:  Fine Lace $8.00

For Father $10.00

Friendship Blooms $8.00

Hero Arts Shadow Stamps (set 6) $10.00

Hero Arts Wavy Autumn Wishes (set 6) $10.00

It's All Good $6.00

Little Bit of Happiness $10.00

Lots of Thoughts $6.00

Mini Scor It $20.00

Oh So Lovely $6.00

On Gossamer Wings $12.00

Organic Grace $5.00

Polka Dots & Paisley $8.00

Reverse Prints (AM) $8.00

Simply Said $12.00

Sketch It $15.00

Stars & Swirls (AM) $5.00

Stipple Celeb $12

Sweet Dreams $12.00

Sweet Shapes $10.00

Text & Texture $10.00

Wishing You the Best $5.00

Background: Word by Word $8.00

No More Light

You're probably going to think I'm crazy after this post, but ... oh well!!  This week has been a tough one for me.  You see, I am a devoted fan of the soap opera, Guiding Light.  And, today was the final episode of the longest running soap opera (for that matter tv show) ever!!  72 years!!  Guiding Light" debuted on NBC radio in 1937 as a 15-minute serial, then moved to CBS television on June 30, 1952. In 1968, "GL" expanded to 30 minutes and, in 1977, became a full hour. Once there were a dozen or so daytime soaps on the TV networks - now there will be seven.

I remember my Great Aunt Lou watching soap operas - Guiding Light, As the World Turns and Edge of Night.  How many of you watched these shows with grandmothers, moms, aunts, etc?  They were real to them.  Well, today I feel like I lost part of my family.  Guiding Light reminded us every day that family is where the heart is, or where it should be. 

The family at the core of the show was the Bauers, but over the decades the Spaulding, Lewis and Cooper clans also have helped populate the mythical towns where the drama took place.  I have loved with them, laughed with them, celebrated with them and cried with them through their own life events year after year. I have grown up with those characters, so it's very easy for us fans to feel as if we know them and think of them as part of our families. When it's off, we will grieve and miss them.

Along with veteran cast members, the show  played host to many actors who left to find larger stardom elsewhere. These include Kevin Bacon, JoBeth Williams, James Earl Jones, Allison Janney, Brittany Snow, Hayden Panettiere and Melina Kanakaredes.

Considering the years the show had leading up to cancellation ... talk about some low points. From Josh and Cassie to Grady Foley and everything in between, I honestly considered taking a break from the show because I couldn't stand to see it be destroyed any longer. Obviously that didn't happen, and the show eventually made a huge turn around starting with the events surrounding Coop's death and Phillip's return. Things were truly looking up for Guiding Light and then the rug was pulled out from under them.

To the writers credit, they did a good job these past couple of weeks "tying up all the loose ends."  I can't say that I was thrilled with  .... oops can't say what happened.  My daughter is also a big fan of the show - she grew up watching it with me!!  She is visiting her cousin this weekend and hasn't seen the final shows.

Guess I'll have an extra hour in my day now to be creative.  But, I'll sure miss that beacon of light that guided those actors each day.

Live today to the fullest because tomorrow is not promised

I received this today from someone who thinks I am a 'keeper' at a time when I really needed it.  Even though it is one of those internet things that you are supposed to forward to everyone, it really hits home with me because I have someone close to me who does not feel that I am a "keeper" and does not want me in their life.  I wanted to share it with you.

One day a woman's husband died, and on that clear, cold morning, in the warmth of their bedroom, the wife was struck with the pain of learning that sometimes there isn't "anymore".


No more hugs, no more special moments to celebrate together, no more phone calls just to chat, no more "just one minute."

Sometimes, what we care about the most gets all used up and goes away, never to return before we can say good-bye, say "I love you."


So while we have it, it's best we love it, care for it, fix it when it's broken and heal it when it's sick.

This is true for marriage ......And old cars .. And children with bad report cards ... And dogs with bad hips ...And aging parents and grandparents.

We keep them because they are worth it, because we are worth it.

Some things we keep -- like a best friend who moved away or a sister-in-law after divorce. There are just some things that make us happy, no matter what..

Life is important, like people we know who are special.. And so, we keep them close!

Suppose one morning you never wake up, do all your friends and family know you love them?

I was thinking..I could die today, tomorrow or next week, and I wondered if I had any wounds needing to be healed, friendships that needed rekindling or three words needing to be said.

Let every one of your friends and family know you love them. Even if you think they don't love you back, you would be amazed at what those three little words and a smile can do. And just in case I'm gone tomorrow.

I LOVE YA!!!

Live today to the fullest because tomorrow is not promised.

Monday Mailer - Oct. week 2

Here's the Monday Mailer card I made and sent this week.  It's week 2 and so far, I haven't received a card from my Monday Mailer partner!  Hopefully, I will be getting one soon.  

Stamp set:  The More the Merrier (hostess)
Cardstock:  Dusty Durango, Only Orange; Soft Suede
Acces:  Prismacolor Pencils + Gamsol for coloring; Polka Dot Grosgrain Ribbon; Top Note; Embossing Folder; Distressing tool for edges.

More Swap Cards

Isn't it so sad about Patrick Swayze?  I can't tell you how many times I have watched Dirty Dancing.  One Sunday when we lived in Washington and it was one of those cold, dreary days there, I watched a Dirty Dancing marathon.  I think I watched it 3 times that day!!  Is that crazy?  I just wish I could dance like that!  My sister, Marianne's all time favorite Swazy film is North-South.  I can't remember if I saw that one or not.  I'm watching the Barbara Walter's special now of his last interview.

I received 2 more cards in the mail this week that were sent separately from the swap that I was in.  So, I wanted to share them with you.

This first one came with "how to" instructions.  To create the tiny squares which showcase the hearts, begin by punching with Photo Corner punch.  Finally, trim the piece LEFT ON the punched cardstock to create a tiny little square!

Stamp:  Lots of Bots
CS:  Basic Black, Basic Gray, Real Red
Ink:  Basic Gray
Acces:  Bordering Blue Watercrayon; Markers; Heart to Heart & Photo Corners punch

Stamp:  Razzle Dazzle

CS:  Rich Razzleberry; Crushed Curry; Melon Mambo, Razzleberry Lemonade DSP

Ink:  Rich Razzleberry, Crushed Curry, Melon Mambo

Acces:  Summer Sun Corduroy Buttons; Melon Mambo Ribbon; 1 1/4", 1 3/8" & Large Tag punches

I'm published!!

I picked up a copy of  Take Ten magazine, Autum edition yesterday while in town.  Last night, while catching up on my "soaps," I browsed through the magazine.  What to my surprise, there was one of my cards on page 91!!!  I sent a bunch of cards to them many months ago and had given up on seeing them in the magazine.  They used to send you a complimentary copy of the magazine when they printed your card so you would know it was in there.  But, the last two times I have had a card published, I have just stumbled upon it.  It's still a good feeling!!

Here's the card and the "write-up" -

Handmade Clipboard

This is a clipboard that I made last week.  I bought the kit at a scrapbooking store in San Antonio when I was there.  They had made up the kit from the class they taught.  It has a small cork board (that I trimmed with brown velvet ribbon), and a pocket at the bottom for some chipboard tags.  What do you think?

Erma Bombeck weighs in!

Comic Relief - Diet Totals 758-Pound Loss

I have dieted continuously for the last two decades and lost a total of 758 pounds. By all calculations, I should be hanging from a charm bracelet.

I have done a lot of kidding around with Weight Watchers, but it is the only organization in which I ever lost a great deal of weight. But I fought them.

Every Tuesday morning, a group of us had to "weigh in" before the lecture. Our ritual was enough to boggle the imagination. We got together a checklist of precautions before we actually stepped on the scale.

Bathroom? Check. Water pill? Check. Have you removed underwear, wedding rings, nail polish? Check. Set aside shoes and earrings? Check. Are you wearing a summer dress beneath your winter coat? Check.

The first week I stepped on the scale and my instructor said, "You have gained." (Next week, I cut my hair.)

The next week, she said, "You have lost eight ounces, but that is not enough." (I had the fillings in my teeth removed.)

The third week, I had dropped a pound, but my instructor was still not pleased. (I had my tonsils taken out.)

Finally, she really chewed me out. She accused me of not sticking to the diet and not taking it seriously. That hurt.    "I didn't want to tell you," I said, "but I think I am pregnant."

"How far?" she said coldly, clicking her ballpoint pen to make a notation on my card.
"Possibly three days," I said.
She glowered. "Any other excuses?"

"Would you believe I have a cold and my head is swollen?"
"No."

"How about I was celebrating the Buzzard's Return to Hinckley, Ohio, and had butter on my popcorn?"

She tapped her pen impatiently on the card and stared at me silently.

"Lint in the navel?" I offered feebly.

"How about first one at the trough?" she asked dryly.

I learned quickly never to argue with a woman who had the scales on her side.

I saw my old instructor the other day and she eyed me carefully and said, "When are you returning to class?"

"As soon as I have my appendix removed," I said returning her gaze.

I'm not sure, but I think I heard her moan.

~~Erma Bombeck

Monday Mailer - Sept #1

This is the Monday Mailer card that I made and sent this week.  I really like the way it turned out.  I used the stamp set, Autumn Days with the new in-colors, Soft Suede and Dusty Durango.  I cut out the 3 small leaves in Versa-mark and then in Ultra Thick Embossing Powder (3-4 times).  Very fall-like, don't you think?  That's our theme this month.

Oh .... by the way, my Steelers WON last night but it was a nail biter!!  Went to overtime and I didn't get home until after midnight!  Hope this is not a clue to what the whole season will be like.  Unfortunately, we lost one of our best Defensemen, Troy Polamalu.  Hopefully, he'll only be out 2-5 weeks with his sprained knee. 

Remember

Today I hope you took a moment and remembered those who lost their lives when the United States was attacked 8 years ago. I can remember where I was and what I was doing to this day.  Lots of people lost their lives that day, and lots of lives were saved.  Our men and women who serve to protect us ALL THE TIME day in and day out could use your thanks and prayers.

God bless America!!!

Mojo Monday Sketch Challenge

This card is for the Mojo Monday card sketch #103.  Since I just came back from traveling, I thought this sentiment was a good one!

The cardstock is some Stampin' Up and some from other sources that I've hoarded away!! 

I'll be pulling on my Steelers tonight!  Hope you will too!  First game of the season .... I'm pumped!!

My swap cards

It's just dawned on me that I didn't share the cards I made for the swap!  How could I forget something like that!!

Recipe:  Stamps:  Autumn Days; Inspired by Nature

CS:  Old Olive; Crushed Curry; Razzleberry

Ink:  Soft Suede; Olive; Razzleberry

Acces:  Top Note; Large Grommet; Razzleberry ribbon; Key Tag Punch (Retired)

Recipe:  Stamps:  Circle Circus; On Your Birthday

CS:  Razzleberry; Black; Pretty in Pink; WW

Ink:  Razzleberry; Black; Pretty in Pink

Acces:  Razzleberry Ribbon; Circles Punches; Scallop Circle punch

Final 2 Swap Cards

I had a fun day today.  Sonny went target shooting with his friends and I stayed home and played all day!  I made a cool card box with 4 matching cards that I will be sharing with you as soon as I take pictures of it.  Tonight I went to Bunco in my neighborhood and actually won $10 for losing!!  I only won 3 games (out of 12!) so I was the big LOSER!! 

Here's my final 2 cards from the swap.

Recipe:  Stamp:  Birthday Bliss

CS:  Choc Chip; Old Olive; Textured Bermuda Bay & Razzleberry Patterns DSP

Markers:  Choc Chip; Bermuda Bay, Razzleberry & Old Olive

Acces:  Lattice Bigz Die; 1 3/4" circle punch; Razzleberry Ribbon; jumbo brad, corner rounder

Recipe: Stamps:  Greetings Earthlings

CS:  Sahara Sand; Bermuda Bay; Soft Sand; Thoroughly Modern DSP

Acces:  Soft Sand & Bermuda Bay Ribbons; Designer Label Punch; Distressing Tool; Jumbo Grommets

More Swaps for you

Hope you enjoyed your Labor Day weekend.  I certainly did!  We went out on our boat again this afternoon.  I ended up sleeping most of the time trying to get rid of a headache.  I haven't had a bad headache in a long time - think I might have been dehydrated. 

Here are a few more of the swaps I'd like to share with you.  I hope you are enjoying them as much as I did!

Recipe:  Stamps:  Out of the Box; Three Little Words

CS:  Bermuda Bay, Lovely Lilac, WW, Choc Chip; Choc Chip DSP

Ink:  Bermuda Bay, Choc Chip; Lovely Lilac

Misc:  Bermuda Bay Ribbon; 1/4" , 1" & 1 3/4" circle punches

Recipe:  Stamp:  C is for Cat

CS:  Bermuda Bay, Crushed Curry, Dusty Durango, WW

Ink:  Soft Suede, Bermuda Bay, Crushed Curry

Acces:  1" & 1 1/4" circle punches; spiral punch, paper piercer; 1/2" polka dot Crushed Curry ribbon

No recipe was included with this one - sorry!

Recipe: Stamps:  Greenhouse Garden; Oval All

CS:  Cottage Wall DSP; Orchid Opulence; Rich Razzleberry; WW

Ink:  Rich Razzleberry; Orchid Opulence; Old Olive

Acces:  White organza ribbon; medium oval punch; scalloped oval punch

President Obama's Address to Schools

I have been hearing about all the controversy over Pres. Obama's speech on Tuesday to the nation's school children. C'mon people!! Is it just because it is Obama? You know, Reagan and Bush both made speeches to school children and we didn't hear all this discord.

I keep hoping that the clear-headed, fair-minded opposition to Obama's policies will separate itself from the wide-eyed fury at everything he does, says, thinks, wears and eats. I wonder how many of the people who are so angry about Obama talking to their children are the same people who go on about other kids having bad parents. I would think good parents should have the confidence to let their children hear the speech, help them put it context, and urge them to think for themselves - just like they should with everything else they hear in school. There are many parents considering taking their children out of school on Tuesday rather than listen to the speech. What is that teaching them? That it is ok to skip school if something is coming up you don't like? Maybe the next spelling test would be another reason to skip? In refusing to let them listen to our President, we are not giving them a chance to hear things and think for themselves - rather they will end up mimic-ing what the parent believes.

My son and daughter-in-law are on the opposite side of the fence with this issue than I am. Although, to be fair, their main objection is that teachers at their schools are supposed to do lesson plans that day to incorporate the speech. You can read about her objections HERE and then form your own opinion. Everyone should be entitled to one (opinion), don't you think? That's what makes this world a great place!

Swap Cards to Share!

I know .... it's been a long time since I've shared any artwork with you. Well, sit back and prepare to be "wowed." I did several swaps in August. One of them was waiting for me when I returned home last week. They are cards from the new catalog and they are done by members of the "No More Bad Swaps" group. They are all just fabulous and have made me add a few items on my "must have" list - like the Lattice Die!

So .... drum roll please ..... here are a few of them (with recipes underneath each one):

Recipe: Stamp: Herb Expressions

CS: Nouveau Chic DSP; Black; Basic Gray; Sage Shadow; Whis White

Ink: Black, Apricot Appeal, Sage Shadow markers

Acces: 5/8" basic black ribbon; Photo Corners Punch, Apricot Appeal brads

Recipe: Stamps: Greenhouse Garden; Falling Leaves

CS: Soft Suede, Rich Razzleberry, Thoroughly Modern, Very Vanilla

Ink: Soft Suede, Rich Razzleberry, Old Olive

Acces: Bigz Lattice Die, Big Shot; Word Window & Modern Label Punches; Gold Brads

Recipe: Stamp: Friends Rock, Rockin' Wheel
CS: Elegant Eggplant, Melon Mambo, Crushed Curry, Bermuda Bay, Autumn Traditions DSP
Ink: Elegant Eggplant, Melon Mambo, In Color markers
Acces: Scallop edge punch; 1" & 1 1/4" circle punches, arrow punch, Orchard Ribbon Originals

Recipe: Stamps: Wonderful Words, Out of the Box
CS: Melon Mambo; Choc Chip, Whis. White; Old Olive; Choc Chip DSP
Ink: Melon Mambo; white craft
Acces: Gold Brad; Scallop Punch; Old Olive 5/8" ribbon; 1/4" circle punch

Stampin' Up Changes

A lot of you may already know about the announcement Stampin' Up made last week. It was a rather startling, though not entirely unexpected, announcement: SU! demos are no longer able to blog, twitter, email, or facebook in a promotional way for another company that sells competing products. I am saddened that many who do both SU! and design team work now have to make what is a very hard decision. There has been so much speculation floating around for the past few days, partly due to the fact that SU! was not perfectly clear as to what they meant and people panicked. I have heard some people say they would never buy from SU! again or wouldn't sign up now, though they had been thinking about it. The amount of misinformation that is floating out there, some of it sadly spread by some of our own demonstrators, has already damaged SU!'s reputation.

Stampin' Up has a offered a webinar on their site for us to understand the changes. They said that we can link to our friends blogs, we can link up to sites like Splitcoaststampers, Stampin' Addicts, and Craft Critique!; we can link anywhere that does NOT sell competitive products and have a shopping cart or Buy Now button on the site. We can even design for other companies, we just can't blog about it. We can't link up to places that actually sell on their site. When you post a project using other companies stamps, or supplies, there are particular rules that apply. SU! encourages it's demos not to be too specific about who the manufacturer is, what the price was, and where you bought it.

I am saddened that many SU demonstrators are now wrestling with a hard decision, especially the ones who design for other companies. Right now, I will be signing the contract and staying with SU. I love the product .... what can I say? I love the matching inks, card stock, ribbon, etc.! I am a little upset that this has happened. I feel like my blog should be MY blog and I should be allowed to say what I want to. Probably the only changes you will notice on here is I won't link to other stores where I teach classes or buy items. Other than that, things should stay the same.

I hope you will continue to support me and order SU items from me. If you want to know specifics about non-SU items that I post, please leave me a comment or e-mail me.

Holiday Mini Catalog

I'm thrilled to announce that the Holiday Mini Catalog 2009 is here! This mini isn't so mini — it's our largest mini catalog yet! New product lines, new stamp sets for the holidays, new Big Shot® Dies, new Décor Elements, new rub-ons, and 40 pages of project ideas. I think this is one of the best mini catalogs yet. But don't take my word for it — download your own copy today and tell me what you think.

   DOWNLOAD MINI HERE

Please note that some of the new products, like the Build-A-Bear Workshop® line of stamps, paper, and dies, are available now and some are being introduced now and will be available soon. The much-anticipated release of My Digital Studio will be on October 1st and the beautiful Simply Adorned Charms are coming soon! I'll be posting more details when they are available.

Hostess Rewards
This fall is a great time to include a Stampin' Up! workshop as part of your holiday shopping.  We have an extra gift to hostesses during September, October and November. With a workshop of only $250, you can choose any one item from the Holiday Mini Catalog for only $10 (except My Digital Studio and hostess stamp sets).   Contact me today to reserve your date for a fun evening of creativity with your friends — and no mall madness!

San Antonio at last

Ashley & I arrived in San Antonio (again) today. She had to at least sign in on post today. We drove around for 2 hours from the hospital to Fort Sam Houston back to the hospital & back to post trying to find the right place for her to sign in! The Army just doesn't make it easy!! Finally, we found out we had to go the Equestrian Center to the temporary building that was her command post!! She's signed up to take an introductory session Friday a.m. and then she will be following the Army scavenger hunt to get all checked in - which will probably take a couple of weeks! Then, she will get down to business being a doctor. We are staying at a Marriott and I can't wait to lay my head down on their fluffy pillows tonight. Tomorrow we plan to just chill out by the pool. After all, it will be 100 degrees tomorrow .... at least!!

Here's a yummy recipe for you:

Scrumptious Apple Dumpling Cake

INGREDIENTS
3 lbs. apples- peeled, cored and sliced
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups white sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
2 eggs, beaten
1/2 cup butter
1 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
INSTRUCTIONS
Preheat oven to 350°F and lightly grease a 9 x 13-inch baking dish.
Place sliced apples in layers at the bottom of the baking dish.
Mix together flour, sugar, baking powder and salt in a medium sized bowl. Stir in eggs and butter; then pack on top of the apples. Sprinkle with cinnamon (feel free to add more if desired).
Bake your cake in the preheated oven for 40 to 45 minutes, or until the topping is puffed and golden brown. Wait until cooled and cut into squares.