HAPPY NEW YEAR

Hope you are enjoying your New Year's Eve celebration! We drove to Austin today, stopping in New Braunfels first at the Outlet Malls! Sonny was a good sport - he took his book and sat in the car and read while Ashley and I popped in and out of a few stores. Surprisingly, we only bought a couple of things. But, Ashley did find a great TV armoire piece that she will probably go back and buy. I just love spending other people's money!! I think I would be a great personal shopper.

Tonight we went to a Draft House movie theatre and saw Sherlock Holmes. Sonny and Ashley loved it. It was ok to me .... just not my type of movie. The theatre was neat though. Each row of seats has a table in front of it. Menus, order cards and pencils are placed on the table. A waiter will come by to take your order (beer, hamburger, appetizers, wine, etc.) Throughout the film you can order food and drinks. About 30 minutes prior to the film ending the server will come by and do “last call”, at which point they will find out if you would like any final items before closing your tab out.

So now we are waiting for the ball to drop on Times Square! Ashley called it "Old Fogey New Years!"

However you celebrate, enjoy and be safe!!

Celebrate with SALE-A-BRATION!

SALE-A-BRATION 2010!!

Available January 5-March 31, 2010!

Customers:   Receive a free Sale-A-Bration product for every $50 purchase (before tax and shipping).

Hostesses:   Receive a free Sale-A-Bration product for every $300 in workshop sales, in addition to our regular hostess benefits.

Recruits:   Choose any retail stamp set (valued up to $47.95) from the current catalogs when signing up during the promotion.   Plus, get 15 percent off your Starter Kit (Standard or Digital+)!

All Sale-A-Bration products (except the Scallop Trim Border punch) are exclusive to this promotion and will never be offered again. The Scallop Trim Border punch will be available for sale in the 2010-2011 Idea Book & Catalog, but now is your chance to get it free!
 S

Inking a folder and going to the movies!

Here's a video  from Gina K. on inking a Cuttlebug folder.  I sometimes have to review these techniques so I thought you might like to also!

It's been raining all day and cold!!  I don't think it got about 45 degrees today.  And, I heard it snowed again in Dallas - none here in San Antonio though!  But tomorrow is supposed to get up to 60 and Thursday to 70!!  Gotta love it!

We took advantage of the dreary day and went to the movies when Ashley got off work.  We saw It's Complicated.  It was just good entertainment.  Sonny went with us and had a few laughs although, truthfully, it was more of a chick flick!  With Meryl Streep, Alec Baldwin and Steve Martin in a romantic triangle, you really don't know who Streep will end up with in the end.  Alec Baldwin has a "full moon" scene that is hilarious!!

Christmas on the Riverwalk

We got a lot of work done today on getting Ashley's house organized!  She and I started in her office / craft room.  Sonny put up shelves in her closet yesterday so we were able to put all the stuff that was sitting around the room on the shelves.  I lined her stamps up in a loose alpha order as she rolled her eyes at me!  Then I took each set (about 50) and stamped them out on copy paper to put in a notebook so she will know what she has.  Again, another eye roll!  I guess I forget that she is young and probably doesn't forget what she has like I do!!  After getting that room organized, we headed to her den.  We took down the Christmas tree and stored away all the Christmas stuff.  Now, to find a place for that tub.  Then we unpacked a large box of treasures she hadn't unpacked yet.  What treasures we found!  She is a big Beatles fan as well as Curious George.  Every year she get something related to either the Beatles or Curious ... usually from her Aunt Marianne who is able to find the most unique gifts!  In her den, she has one whole wall that has shelving with a window seat in the middle.  I filled 3 of the shelves with Beatles stuff.  Every time I thought I had it all arranged, I'd find something else.  Hopefully, tomorrow we'll finish with the den and the rest of the shelves and I can share a nice neat picture!

We went out to dinner and met up with a friend and colleague of Ashley's and her family.  It was yummy .... Mi Tierra Market Place and Restaurant near the Riverwalk.  The restaurant looked so festive with all the lights and Christmas trees. 

After dinner, we walked around the Riverwalk and had a couple of drinks at Durty Nelly's Sing A Long Irish Pub.  The Riverwalk looked beautiful all lit up also.  It was hard to get good pictures of it though.  Here is a shot of the Alamo with the Christmas tree in front of it.  It was pretty awesome!

Designer Box

Too late to wrap this year's Christmas presents, but you can use this Designer Box to wrap presents all year.  Here's a good solution to making gift boxes for all those odd shaped gifts.

DESIGNER GIFT BOX

Just click in the top left corner to download the instructions.  You have the option to open the file or save the file.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM ME TO YOU!

I hope you had a fun filled joyful day today.  Ours was quiet and peaceful.  We just ate, opened presents, ate, watched TV, ate .... you get the picture!  We brought our Christmas tree to Ashley and it looked really nice in her new house!  Here are a few of the special ornaments that are on our tree:

from the National Cathedral in DC

This one is my "most favorite" ornament and always has a special place on my tree. It is a picture of my son when he was in pre-school. I didn't know it when I sent him to school that morning, but he was sick and the picture really shows it! My kids have always kidded me and said I made them go to school even when they were sick and this picture just proves it! Since I don't get to see him often ever, I really love this ornament.

Last night we drove to Austin and had Christmas dinner with my niece and her family, my nephew and his fiance, and my brother in law and his mother.  It was nice to share the time with family that I don't get to see very often.  We gave Melinda's boys the gifts we brought for them and it was so fun to watch them open their presents and get so excited about Santa coming!!  It has been a long time since I have been around young children at Christmas since I don't get to see my grandchildren.  I knitted both the boys scarfs and hats.  Zach wanted orange and Jake wanted red so that's what I did.  We also gave them some Legos and a set of Fisher Price Trio Blocks which were a big hit!  Here are a few pictures I took last night.

Zach with his orange knitted hat and scarf on.

Jake looked like a little elf with his hat and scarf on!

The boys with my nephew, Jack and his fiance, Katrina.

Ashley trying to construct the tower like Zach saw in the picture.

Of course, I had to get on the floor and play with the blocks!

Here are the boys in their Christmas pajamas just after they left the milk and cookies on the hearth for Santa even though Zach said Santa had his own special key to come in the door to leave the presents!

Crafters Twas the Night Before Christmas

*Twas the night before Christmas, I’m glued to the tree.


I’m wondering what Santa brought just for me.

Could it be cardstock or inkpads or lace?

Or some stamps, I said, with a smile on my face.

And that’s when I heard him……

“Hi Santa, ” I said

He replied, “You know….good girls should be in their beds”.

“I know I should Santa,and now I’ve been caught.

But I was just so excited to see what you brought.”

“Well, let’s take a look in this room where you work”.

He shook his head quickly, and left with a jerk.

I heard him exclaim as he put it in gear.

“You’ve got enough crap,

I’ll see you next year!”*

Who Knew?

If you stack one million US $1 bills, it would be 110m (361 ft) high and weigh exactly 1 ton.
[ Actually, for the nick-pickers it would be 109.22m (358.3 ft) high, and weigh over 2,200 pounds)
Of the more than $50 billion worth of diet products sold every year, almost $20 billion are spent on imitation fats and sugar substitutes.

In 1932, when a shortage of cash occurred in Tenino, Washington, USA, notes were made out of wood for a brief period. The wood notes came in $1, $5 and $10 values.

In 1955 the richest woman in the world was Mrs. Hetty Green Wilks, who left an estate of $95 million in a will that was found in a tin box with four pieces of soap. [According to the New York Times, she died February 5, 1951 at the age of 80. According to Time, her will only left $5,000 to her closest relative and the rest to charities and schools. 

Resource: ~~Who Knew? by David Hoffman

A Different Christmas Poem

The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light,
I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight.
My wife was asleep, her head on my chest,
My daughter beside me, angelic in rest.
Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white,
Transforming the yard to a winter delight.
The sparkling lights in the tree I believe,
Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.
My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep,
Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep.
In perfect contentment, or so it would seem,
So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.
The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near,
But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear.
Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know,
Then the sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow.
My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear,
And I crept to the door just to see who was near.
Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night,
A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight.
A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old,
Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold.
Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled,
Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child.
"What are you doing?" I asked without fear,
"Come in this moment, it's freezing out here!
Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve,
You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!"
For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift,
Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts.
To the window that danced with a warm fire's light
Then he sighed and he said "Its really all right,
I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night."
"It's my duty to stand at the front of the line,
That separates you from the darkest of times.
No one had to ask or beg or implore me,
I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me.
My Gramps died at ' Pearl on a day in December,
"Then he sighed, "That's a Christmas 'Gram always remembers."
My dad stood his watch in the jungles of ' Nam ',
And now it is my turn and so, here I am.
I've not seen my own son in more than a while,
But my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile.
Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag,
The red, white, and blue... an American flag.
I can live through the cold and the being alone,
Away from my family, my house and my home.
I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet,
I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat.
I can carry the weight of killing another,
Or lay down my life with my sister and brother..
Who stand at the front against any and all,
To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall."
" So go back inside," he said, "harbor no fright,
Your family is waiting and I'll be all right."
"But isn't there something I can do, at the least,
"Give you money," I asked, "or prepare you a feast?
It seems all too little for all that you've done,
For being away from your wife and your son."
Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret,
"Just tell us you love us, and never forget.
To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone,
To stand your own watch, no matter how long.
For when we come home, either standing or dead,
To know you remember we fought and we bled.
Is payment enough, and with that we will trust,
That we mattered to you as you mattered to us."

LCDR Jeff Giles, SC, USN
30th Naval Construction Regiment
OIC, Logistics Cell One
Al Taqqadum, Iraq

We Made It!

We made it all the way to Texas ... in two days!!  So much for taking our time and stopping along the way!  We probably drive about 10 hour on Thursday to arrive at Ashley's house about 8:30.  We have been busy ever since we have been here.  I've been unpacking boxes (pretty much all done!) and finding homes for her stuff while Sonny has been Mr Fix-it.  And, we've made various trips to Lowe's, Home Depot, Wal Mart, Target, etc.  Yesterday my niece and her two little boys, my nephew and fiancee, and my brother in law came down from Austin to help.  My niece, Melinda, is a whirlwind.  She finished decorating our Christmas tree, had us all moving furniture, cleaning mirrors, arranging, etc.  My head was spinning!  But, I have to admit, we got a lot done in just a few hours.  While we were doing all that all the guys worked on putting in a vent in the guest bathroom which involved my nephew (who is about 6'5") climbing up in the attic and positioning the vent while the bigger guys (girth .... not height!) worked from the inside of the bathroom!  Today I am going to tackle her study/craft room and try to get it organized while Sonny installs some shelves in the closet.  We're getting there!!

We were able to watch a little bit of the Steeler game yesterday.  My sister, Marianne, kept me up to date on my cell phone during the first half.  Then we found a Steeler bar (they're everywhere!) to watch the second half.  And believe it or not, our team WON!!  It was in the final second but they're famous for that as evidenced by last year's Super Bowl!  It was nice to have a win again after so many losses!

Well, gotta get to work!  Maybe I'll even get a chance to make a card today and post it for you tomorrow.

Published!!

I had another card published!  My upline, Carol, called me from Washington Sunday to tell me.  She said she was thumbing through Stampers Sampler at Michaels and saw my name.  So, she had to buy the magazine.  I haven't bought the magazine yet but it is on page 9 I think she said.  I haven't sent any cards to them!  I sent a bunch to Take Ten last spring or summer.  Since they are owned by the same company, I guess they share cards sent to them.  They are supposed to send you a free magazine when they publish your work, but I've been published about 4 times and only received a freebie once!  I don't usually buy Stampers Sampler Magazine because it is not really my style - it's a little too "artsy" for me.  So, if Carol hadn't called me, I wouldn't have know.

Go check it out!!

Punchy snowman

I made this snowman card using the circle Nestability and embossed him with snowflakes.  The card is also snowflake embossed and stickled.

I love snowmen!

On the Road Again ....

Well, I'm "On the Road Again" .... can't say "Can't Wait to Get On the Road Again" though!  It was a long day.  We had breakfast at Waffle House in Lincolnton about 9:30 and then headed south.  We made it to Mobile, Alabama where we are staying tonight in a comfy (I hope) motel!  I had figured we'd stop in Montgomery but Sonny wanted to keep on getting it.  He really wanted to go as far as New Orleans!!  But I believe his good sense got the best of him.  Or, maybe it was me saying we were going to stop somewhere to eat dinner before heading any further!!  I have a feeling we'll be bypassing New Orleans and heading on to Texas tomorrow.  What is it with men?  When they get in the car, there is only Point A and Point B .... no stopping and sight seeing along the way!  When Ashley and I made this trip last summer, we stopped at every Welcome Center and stopped and had meals along the way .... not at gas stations for coke and peanuts! 

Well, the hotel lobby is closing so I'm headed to the showers! 

Just Punchy

Isn't this the cutest tag?  I just love it!  I got my inspiration from a few I saw on Splitcoast and just had to make one.  The circle is a Nestabilities Circle and the reindeer is from punches - oval; 5 flower punch for ears; snowflake for antlers; Boho Blossom for his hair!  See what you can come up with using your punches!

Votive Candles ... my way!

I stamped some votive candles this week and they turned out soooo cute!  It was super easy too.  After I did the candles, I made a little box to put them in.   Here they are:

Here's what you do:

• Choose any stamp you like and stamp on TISSUE paper.
• Punch out your image with a circle punch (3/4" worked for me) that is close to the size of your candle.  (easiest to sandwich your tissue paper between copy paper to punch)
• Punch a small hole in the middle of your design...then thread the wick of the candle through the hole.
• Your image should be resting on the top of your tea light.
• Simply heat the tea light with your heat gun until the wax melts over top of your stamped image. While the wax is still melted, sprinkle on a bit of glitter if you want it glittered.

CLICK Here for the box pattern.

Here's a close up of each one I made.

We are leaving in the morning to start our trek to Texas for the holidays so you might not hear from me for a few days!  We are driving and expect to make it in about 3 days.  I'm so excited!!

Holiday Lineup

A quick share for you.  More Christmas cards but this time I used Holiday Line Up .... such a stinkin' cute set!!

And talk about cute .... check out this post about my grandson!!  What a doll but like his daddy, a sneaky one!

Snow Swirled Christmas Cards

I borrowed the Snow Swirled stamp set from my daughter several months ago and have just gotten around to making some Christmas cards with it .... before I have to return it next week!! 

I finally have all my Christmas cards made, addressed and stamped.  They will be going in the mail tomorrow!  Since I haven't put up any Christmas decorations this year, I've been able to get my other little Christmas chores down in time!  We'll be leaving in a few days to drive to Texas!! 

Gift Giving Guide

 Click HERE to see a gift giving guide from Stampin' Up.  If you would like to order any of these items, please let me know!!

12 Days of Holiday Sales

Order by Dec. 15th to arrive before Christmas!

Were there some Sizzix dies or accessories that you know you want–or you know your friend wants? Now’s your chance! There are special deals from now until shortly before Christmas on Stampin’ Up! exclusive dies and other accessories for your Sizzix Big Shot and also select Decor Elements.

The 12 Days of Holiday Sales begins today and runs through December 22. Some of the items introduced in this sale are new colors of Décor Elements vinyl sheets. There are 18 new colors to choose from, and they make great projects when you use them with Big Shot dies. Consider pairing the Clear Décor Elements vinyl sheets with the Tulipe Bigz die to create an etched-like design on a vase. Or use the Decorative Accent Bigz dies with the Old Olive Décor Element vinyl sheets to enhance a frame. The combination of Big Shot dies and Décor Elements vinyl sheets is sure to take your creativity to a new level!

Check it out HERE and call me if you want to place an order

Holiday Cookbook

Click on THIS link to download a great holiday cookbook from Stamp TV!!

Now - get to baking!!  Christmas will be here before you know it!

Clear Mount SU Stamps

I want to share a video from Angie Juda about the clear mount stamps that you might be interested in.

Check it out HERE.

Early Christmas and I'm Certified!

Christmas came a little early for me.  My friend, Margaret and I decided to just order each other the Stampin' Up things we wanted for Christmas.  I sent a couple of items her way that she had on her wish list for Christmas when she placed an order last week.  And she gave me her credit card and I ordered a few things for myself for Christmas.  Isn't that the best way to do it?  Then, everyone gets what they want! 

Here are the items I received this week from the new Mini Catalog which starts January 5.  The stamp set is a clear set and comes in a DVD box so there is plenty of room for the stamps PLUS on the spine of the box is a picture of the stamps that are in the box.  Easier to see what you've got when it's on your shelf!!  I just wish Stampin' Up had done this years ago!  I don't know that I want to take all the rubber off my old wooden blocks for ease of storage but it's a thought.  I've about run out of room for those big boxes of stamps.

So I got the Vintage Vogue stampset (clear) along with the Very Vintage large wheel, 5/8" Celery Satin Ribbon, Red Corduroy Buttons, Scallop Corner Punch, and Two Step Bird punch from the Mini Catalog.  I got the paper pad, Welcome Neighbor, from the upcoming Sale-a-bration Catalog.  The Sweet Pea Stitched Felt pieces were a gift from Stampin' Up!!

I also received this pin because I am now CERTIFIED in My Digital Studio.

Here is a card I made yesterday using my new stamp set.

I used the Nestabilities Ovals and cut a Gold oval and a Rich Razzleberry Oval.  I stamped the "F" in Gold, embossed it and carefully cut it out.  The bottom of the Very Vanilla paper is wheeled in gold, embossed and distressed.  I crumbled up the whole paper, straightened it back out and sponged Soft Suede all over it.  I wanted to use one of the new felt pieces but I'm not so sure it really goes with the vintage-ness of the card.  Oh well .... that's what I did.  The ribbon and card base are Rich Razzleberry.

Well, gotta run - headed to town for a bone density test and thyroid ultrasound test.  Hoping to meet Sonny for lunch after his stress test.  And I guess we'll be headed back to town tonight to watch the Steelers .... hopefull BEAT Cleveland.  If we can't beat the Browns, we might as well give up!!  Last I heard was that Hines Ward was hurt and will be sitting on the bench with Troy Polamalu so I'm not so sure about our chances.

Blog Candy

Check out this blog candy HERE!

Clean and Simple

Getting tired of Christmas cards?  We're sure inundated with them at this time of the year!  I started addressing mine last night.  I'm not including letters this year so it shouldn't take so long to get them done.  I've already received five or six cards and have them on display.  My first card of the season usually comes from my Texas friend, Sharon, but hers wasn't the first one this year.  What happened, Sharon??? 

Today I cleaned off my desk ... what a mess!  I had embossing powder and glitter everywhere.  Now, let's see how long it stays clean.  After I did that, I got the urge to stamp again.  I decided to do the Clean and Simple Challenge at Splitcoast .... since my desk was clean and all!   Here are the rules for the challenge:

1. Clean: the design is uncluttered with lots of white or open space. Simple: having a clear focal point without a lot going on to detract from it.

OR

2. simple in design regardless of the number of embellishments or how long it takes to color, stitch or to use a special technique

OR

3. can be copied and mass produced fairly quickly… usually without a lot of coloring, layers, embellishments, tools and/or techniques

OR

4. any combination of the above

Plus, there was a color challenge involved - use Red, Brown and Vanilla or White.  I think this card meets the challenge and I am quite pleased with it.

I used Close to Cocoa paper and embossed it with the Petals a Plenty embossing folder using a thin wooden frame on top of the embossing folder to keep the center unembossed.  The Northwoods stamp was stamped on a piece of vanilla and I used my Copics to color it.  I used Champagne Shimmers to paint around the oval and Frost White Shimmers on the snow.  But, of course, I had to use some stickles so dotted it on for snow.

Low Fat Pumpkin Apple Bread

Yummm .... here is a delicious bread to make for the holidays and it low fat too!  Enjoy!

Pumpkin-Apple Bread   -    10 servings @ 3 points each

2 cups all purpose flour
1/4 cup + 1 tsp. granulated sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 cup baking soda
1/2 tea. salt
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 cup eg substitute
1 cup low fat buttermilk
1 medium apple
1/2 cup cooked pureed pumpkin (or canned pumpkin)
1 tsp confectioners sugar

Preheat oven 350 degrees. Spray a 9x5 loaf pan with nonstick cooking spray. Peel, core and grate apple. In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon. In a small bowl, beat egg, add buttermilk, apple and pumpkin. Add egg mixture to flour mixture. Mix until blended. Spoon into prepared pan and bake about 1 1/4 hours or until tooth pick inserted new center comes out clean. Cook for 10 minutes and turn out onto rack and ool. Dust with confectioners sugar.

Chilly Snowman Sketch Challenge

It's been a long time since I've just been able to make cards and not been preparing for a class!  I don't have any classes in the near future so I'm just playing in my craft room (as evidenced by my 4 Dasher cards yesterday!)  This morning I made this card for a Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge.  As I've said before, I enjoy doing sketch challenges - takes away some of the decision making!!

It is a combination of a few things that I have had for a while - the ribbon, the paper ... it's good to use up things you already have.  The stamp is one of the Northwoods stamps.  I used stickles and Liquid Applique on the snow.

Here's the sketch if you want to play along.

I'll be heading out soon to watch those Steelers.  Let's hope they can win today.  Time is running out to even think about getting a Wild Card position.  Luckily, Ben will be playing today but don't know how the relationship is now between him and Hines Ward after last week's comments.  We'll see!  Sonny is between a rock and a hard spot with his fantasy team.  His quarterback was Kurt Warner.  Last week, when Kurt had to sit out with a concussion, he picked up Matt Leinart, Kurt's backup.  Well, they haven't announced for sure this week who will play.  He's putting in Matt but if Kurt plays, he'll be up the creek with no quarterback!

More Amazon $5 Deals

Here's more Amazon $5 magazine subscriptions for you just in time for Christmas giving!!  Click HERE to read about it.

You know Dasher and Dancer ….

 I’ve been busy today with a single stamp!  I just love the Dasher stamp!  I made several different cards with it today.  It is such a bargain to be able to buy a single stamp – especially holiday ones.  Check out the other single stamps on page 208 of the big catalog and on page 31 on the mini.

It's Dasher the reindeer,
the fastest of all,
a quick tiny reindeer,
but not very tall!

There’s Dancer
the danciest dancer of all,
dancing about
and having a ball! 

And Prancer like Dancer
prances all day,
driving elves crazy,
but what can they say?

While Vixen plays tricks
on all the reindeer,
Mixing their sleigh bells
and having no fear!

Don't forget Comet
with a smile all the while,
you can see the teeth glow
from even one mile.

And Cupid the dreamer
who day dreams the most,
waiting for Christmas
and Holidays roasts.

Donner is jumping
about on the snow.
Eager for Santa
and the reindeer to go!

Finally, Blitzen with mittens
of gold lace and holly,
is happy, and zappy
and oh, so jolly!

Oh, yes don't forget Rudolph
with that nose red and bright,
shining his nose
through the thick of the night

So what do you think?  Which one is your favorite????

Shelli on Today Show

Shelli Gardner (SU Queen Bee) was on the Today show yesterday.  If you missed it, HERE is a link to her segment .... and you don't have to watch the whole 2+ hours to see it!  It was short and sweet.  I don't know about her hairdo though!  I really thought she'd be on the show a little longer.

Northwood Class

I am teaching a class tomorrow at the local stamp store in Mooresville.  I will be using stamps from Northwood and doing five cards that were featured on a display board.  I just love the cards and man, are they glittery!  It took me a few tries to figure out the best method to stamp them but I finally think I got it.  I stamped most of them in Black Craft ink and embossed them with Iridescent Ice Embossing Powder.  Then I watercolored the images.  Northwood recommends watercoloring them with Tombow markers and I have to agree with them - that is the best.  BUT, I don't have any Tombow and tried using my SU markers to watercolor with.  That just didn't work.  I ended up using my watercolor crayons on some and on some just using a tad bit of reinker with my Aqua Brush.  I'll be interested to see everyone's finished product tomorrow and hopefully they will all have Tombow markers so they don't get frustrated like I did. 

Here are my samples.  My favorite one is the last one.

Moving Day plus a Monday Mailer

Ashley moved into her very own house today!!!  I talked to her shortly after the movers left and she was exclaiming at how big her den is .... her furniture is lost in it!  She has a lot to buy (or inherit) in the future.  Moving from a small condo to a large house will take much more furniture than she has.  Got anything to donate to the cause??  Ha!!  I'm taking a few things down in a couple of weeks which is one of the reasons I wanted to drive instead of fly.  I have her plants and I'm taking her my Christmas tree!!  Yay!  Now, I don't have to drag that big thing out of our attic downstairs anymore and can just do with a table top one - that already has lights!  I am not even decorating this year since we won't be here.  But, I'm beginning to feel like a Scrooge when I see the neighbors Christmas lights lit up and see their lit tree through the window.  It's too early to have a tree up!  I would be so sick of it by Christmas.  Tomorrow night we are meeting friends in Davidson for dinner and then walking downtown for the Christmas festivities.  Christmas in Davidson is a holiday festival and tradition since 1988.  During the event, downtown Davidson becomes a Christmas-themed zone of vendors selling a variety of arts and crafts and features a live nativity, strolling carolers and performances by a variety of choirs and bands.  We've never been before so I'm looking forward to it.

Here is the Monday Mailer I received this week from Tina.  This is the last one until January.

Yesterday was one of those days!

Ever have one of those days when maybe you just should have stayed in bed?  Well, yesterday was one for me!  Things didn’t start going downhill until lunchtime when I discovered our computer downstairs had a virus.  It had been ok in the morning, but when I sat down to play while I ate lunch, it kept telling me there was a security issue and I should download some virus protection program (or course, by purchasing it!)  Well, I kept trying to “X” out of it to no avail and when the website came up for me to download a porn video, I knew I was in trouble!  (No, I did not download porn!!)  Luckily, that is not our only computer – just the one my hubbie uses to play solitaire!!  So, I just turned it off and decided I’d worry about it tomorrow, Scarlett.  I was teaching a card class in the evening at Stampers Alley and had to get all my stuff ready.  I had made the kits for the One Sheet Wonder class a couple of weeks ago and thought I was good to go!  Oh no, my friends, I thought wrong.  See, the class was to make 5 different  cards (2 of each), 2 gift card holders and a bag to put them all in.  I had called the store around lunch time to make sure my count for 10 in the class was correct and discovered I needed to make one more kit.  No biggie!  So I pulled everything out of one of the kits to use for the measurements and discovered I had only put materials in the kits to make ONE card each and not two.  As I mentioned before in THIS post, this class was a little labor intensive to put together.  Well, I put my butt in gear and started cutting and stamping the materials for the 2nd card for everyone about 2 pm.  I finished about 5:15!  I  thought my class was at 6:30 but decided to just check and make sure I was correct.  Noooo, it was at 6:00!  So again, I put my “little butt” (I wish!) in gear and got dressed, put my makeup on and hauled everything to the car.  Of course, I got caught up in 5:00 traffic but got to the store about 5:50 … in plenty of time!!   The class went smoothly – except for the 4 new gals that I had who didn’t bring any supplies!  After having to share borrowed markers, scissors, etc. I think they’ll bring their kits next time! 

Today was my first Christmas party of the season.  My Newcomers group had our annual Christmas meeting and luncheon.  Wow!  There was so much food, it was a sin.  Of course, I had to make my dish last night after I got home from teaching my class.  I made a new recipe called Cheesy Potatoes and let it cook in the crock-pot all night.  It was good, but too many calories to cook it very often!

Tonight I made this card.  It’s been a long time since I just sat down and made a card for fun – not for a class or Monday Mailer or for a specific purpose.  I used Lovely As A Tree.  I hope Stampin’ Up never retires this stamp set!  I used a mask and stamped the trees positioning them with my Stamp-a-ma-jig.  Then I sponged Crushed Curry and Dusty Durango on and Soft Sky and a little purple (don’t know what color – it was already on the dauber and I just used it).  I sponged a little bit of blue on the snow too.  Then I used SU’s White Shimmer Paint on the sky and the trees.   How do you like it?

Retiring Stamp Sets – January 4

Stampin’ Up is retiring the following stamp sets.  They are currently listed in the Dormant stamp list.  They will be discontinued as of January 4, 2010.  So if you have your eye on any of the sets, now is the time to order them!!  Just e-mail me or give me a call!

Item Number	Stamp Set
113407	Back Woods
114492	Beautiful Baby
114486	Birthday Wish
113200	Branch Out
114496	Celebrations
113732	Central Park
113206	Classic Sketches
113226	Classy & Fabulous
114498	Flowers in Silhouette
113405	Font of You
113216	For the Bride
114494	Forever
109425	Friend by Definition
114488	Fun Flowers
113716	Garden Greetings
114490	Glad Friends
111580	Grand Soiree
113242	Hit the Road
113710	Lexicon of Leaves
113236	Man's Best Friend
114423	Ocean Commotion
113728	Playful Petals
109276	Polka Dot
111544	Putt Putt
113240	Quilt Quips
113754	Really Retro
113403	Sip by Sip
113726	Sweet Stems
113250	That's Funny
113688	Wonderful Watercolors
114028	Para la novia
114032	Acuarelas Maravillosas

Amazon Magazine Sale

Amazon has a few of it's magazine subscriptions on sale for $5!!  That's right .... $5!!  That's a great deal.  I got a couple of these last year and plan to do it again.  Today is the last day for this offer so if you are interested, check it out HERE.  Will make a good Christmas present for someone - they don't have to know you only spent $5!!  (unless they read my blog)