The Dreaded Day

Well, the day I have been dreading is here.  Ashley will be leaving US soil in a short while (scheduled for 10:30 pm)  I have spoken to her several times today and her Uncle Jack, Cousin Melinda & Melinda's son, Jake, spent a few hours with her this afternoon at the base.  They brought her a meal from Burger King.  The meal the Army gave them today consisted of Bumble Bee Chicken BBQ, Vienna Sausages, Applesauce, Friday's Potato Skin Chips and canned ice tea.  Just what I would have ordered for my last meal!!  Well, she just called me from the airport where they are getting ready to board.  They will be taking a chartered commercial airplane with stops in Maine, Germany and then on to Kuwait.  She has sent us several leaflets and books for parents of deploying soldiers so we will know what to expect.  One of them that I read this morning was written by a wife and mother of three Army soldiers and was very good and informative.  One story she included in the book has stuck with me all day.  She told about when they were stationed in DC on Fort Myer (which is also home to Arlington Cemetery) that she was walking her dog & noticed a family gathered on the porch of the house next to hers.  One of the young men from the group came out to pet her dog and told her they had just buried his brother who was killed in Iraq.  After offering her condolences, the young man told her "I feel so bad I never wrote to my brother while he was over there.  I kept thinking he was coming home, and now it's too late."  That was gut-wretching to me for many reasons.  You can believe I will be writing to Ashley a lot!!  She was able to give me her address before she left and my first letter will be written tomorrow right after I put my yellow ribbon on my mailbox.  

Today was the return of Sunday football!!  I was so excited to watch my Steelers again even if Ben wasn't on the field.  I really did not have high hopes that they would win against Atlanta but THEY DID!!  As usual, they played a "heart attack" game and won it in overtime.  But, a win is a win!

I worked in my craft room most of the day yesterday getting the cards ready for my Club on Thursday.  We will be doing three cards which I will share with you later.  I actually cleaned my desk before I started and it looked like this -

Very unusual but don't worry .... it doesn't look like that now!  But, it is nice to see the surface of my desk once in a while!

I finally got my Monday Mailer yesterday and it is bee-u-tiful.  Our theme this month is holidays and my card is a Christmas card.

It uses Tree Trimmings (pg 44, SU catalog) stamped in Chocolate Chip and glittered.  The vanilla card was run through the Big Shot with an embossing folder.

Wicked Cool!

I've been playing around with one of my new stamp sets - Wicked Cool.  I was trying to restrain from buying any Halloween stamps since I really don't do that much decorating or card sending anymore for Halloween.  But I've got two little boys in Austin that I'll be sending a card to for Halloween so I decided I could splurge.  Plus, I just love this stamp set - especially the witches boots stamp!  So, without further ado, here's a few cards I made with it.

This is the first one I made.  I embossed the hat and shoes with black embossing powder.  The polka dot strip is one I found in my stash (non SU).  Don't you love the label?  I forgot I had it!  It's SU's Sizzix Lots of Tags (pg 211 in catty) and it is so simple to run that black cardstock through the Big Shot!  I layered the sentiment using the oval punch.  The green cardstock is retired Green Galore.

This is the next one I made and this will be my shoebox swap at Quarterly.  I used the Spider Web embossing folder for the strip across the witches and stamped a few bats in the background.  The cardstock base is Eggplant.

This card was sent to Jana for her Monday Mailer this week.  I think I may do this one for my club also next week.  The colors I used are:  Certainly Celery, Pumpkin Pie, and Perfect Plum.  I used Incolor ribbon with rhinestones.  The spider web was made by running my black cardstock through the Big Shot with the web embossing folder.  Then I sponged Frost White Shimmer Paint over it.  For a final touch, I topped the web off with a little black ink sponging.

Tomorrow night I am doing the Stamp of the Month at our local stamp store with my friend, Judy and Marianne.  I haven't done the stamp of the month in probably 6-7 months, but the Halloween board looked so cute this time, we couldn't resist! 

Just Believe

I have been playing with my new stamp sets for a few days now and I think I have made a card using each one of them.  This one was made for a friend's birthday.  She reads my blog so hopefully, she will have received her card before she reads the blog! 

This card uses the Just Believe stamp set.  I think this is one of the sets that was given to demonstrators at SU's convention this summer.  Sadly, I had to purchase mine!  Well, I guess really, they purchased theirs when they payed to attend convention, forked out $$ for a hotel & plane ticket ... maybe mine was cheaper!  I keep saying I won't buy anymore floral sets, but they are just too hard to resist!! 

This next card does not use a new set.  It is the final Monday Mailer that I sent to Naomi for August.  It uses one of the Decor Elements stencils that I love.  I sponged the flower in Peach Parfait (In Color) and Pumpkin Pie and used the Greenhouse Gala DSP to accent the card.  The ribbon is Peach Parfait

Have you been enjoying the Labor Day weekend?  I have.  Marianne came over Friday and spent the night so we could work on our projects for the upcoming SU Quarterly meeting we will be attending in Shallotte.  We are doing several swaps - a Christmas Tag swap (which I am coordinating), a Holiday card swap, a 6x6 recipe swap and a Shoebox card.  I am also doing a demo for the event that I have to prepare for 32 people.  A lot to do!!  But, we made a lot of headway on Friday and Saturday.  I actually have everything done except the recipe card!  I am so proud of myself.  Marianne also got a good start on her projects and I think only has the recipe swap to finish also.

Sonny & I went out on the boat for a few hours this afternoon.  The weather is starting to cool down a bit and it was nice.  But, I hear the humidity may be coming back next week.  I hope not! 

Well, enjoy yourself tomorrow!

"Will you walk into my parlor?"

"Will you walk into my parlor?" Said a spider to a fly" 

Sonny and I watched the most fascinating spider do her weaving today.  I just have to share the pictures that I took.

CLICK ON THE PICTURE TO SEE THE WHOLE WEB!!

The web is just huge and right in the center, she is making her weave.  I don't know what kind of spider it is, but she is really pretty!  I know my sister is skipping this post.  She HATES spiders!! 

Sonny was so good today - he worked out in the yard just about all day pulling those dratted weeds while I whiled away the day playing bridge!  Our yard is just awful and all my flower beds are overgrown with weeds.  It has just been so hot and humid that I would not go out and work in the yard.  This weekend is supposed to be in the low 80's!  I'm looking forward to fall!!

Several of you have inquired about my daughter, Ashley.  Well, she reported to Ft Hood (in Texas - about 2 hours from her home) last Monday.  She is by herself in a barrack and had to bring her own set of sheets.  She called that night after getting settled in to report - no wi-fi, no pillow, no shower curtain and only a small refrigerator & microwave.  Going out to eat for a month will get old.  The next day, she showered to no hot water!  So after she was done, she drove to her cousin's to spend the night (an hour away).  Wednesday didn't get much better - she went out to dinner and locked herself out of the barracks!  She couldn't get anyone to respond to unlock for her so that night was spent in a motel.  She'll probably be glad to get to Iraq!!  Luckily, she has her weekends free so she can go back home or to Austin to her cousin's home.  She was successful this weekend in renting out her house while she is deployed so that is one worry off her mind.  She will be leaving September 12th for Iraq.  Don't know how long it will take to get to her final destination of Mosul or for her to have a mailing address.  Many have requested her address for sending letters.  I will let you know when I receive it.  Thanks for all your kind words and prayers for her safety.

OK - I do have a card to share with you.  This is my Monday Mailer I did on Sunday.  I was on a roll this weekend and actually got quite a few cards made for my craft fair which I will be sharing with you later this week.

This card uses the Seasons of Friendship stamp.  I almost forgot I had this stamp.  I used some DSP from the mini catty (which retires next week!) for the grass.  I sponged clouds behind the tree with Bashful Blue.

August Monday Mailer #2

Here's the Monday Mailer I made for Naomi this week.  Our theme is fall.  I don't have a lot of SU fall sets (except ones that are retired) so I may be looking to get one of the new leaf sets from the catty.  But in the meantime, this Autumn Days set will have to do.  I like this set and think it is pretty versatile.

I sponged the white circle (from a Sizzix die) with More Mustard, Daffodil Delight, and Soft Suede.  I used a sticky note punch out for the moon and sponged around it.  The wheat is stamped in Espresso as is the pheasant (and cut out and popped up with dimensionals).

Last week when Ashley was here, we met Marianne's boys at the ice cream shop in Mooresville.  Ashley had not seen Harrison since she had been here.  She saw Derek at his birthday celebration on Wednesday.  I got a great picture of them:

Then they had a discussion as to how tall everyone was.  I think she was on her tip-toes in the picture!  It is an ongoing joke in the family that Ashley is short!  Too bad we didn't have a measuring tape!

Monday Mailer X 2

Here are a couple of Monday Mailers that I have received the last couple of weeks.  This first one uses the darling Owl Punch.  I really love this punch.  This was my last July card from Arial.  It's simple but oh so cute!

This next card uses Tropical Party from the Summer Mini.  The items in this mini will only be around a few more weeks.  So, if you have your eye on any of these great stamp sets, you need to order now.  This is my first August card.

 

Baby, It's Hot Outside!

I've been busy making cards this weekend .... anything to stay inside and away from the heat!!  We have a thermometer on our back porch that today registered 111 degrees!!  Whew!  I know that will not be the "official high" registered at the airport but that is the official high for my house!! 

I did two cards very similar in the Black Magic Technique.  Remember a few months ago when I got hooked on this technique?  Well, I forgot how fun it is! 

This is the one I did yesterday using Friends Never Fade.  I stamped the images in white craft ink on Night of Navy and used pencils to color them in.  After blending the colors, I outlined everything with my white gel pen.  The scallop piece is Barely Banana and the card is Brillant Blue - both retired.

This one is from my Monday Mailer this week.  Again, I stamped the image on Night of Navy.  The scallops and the strip behind are So Saffron.  The card is Pacific Point.   The sentiment is from the Friendship Wheel that I have cut apart.

Monday Mailers

I've got a couple of Monday Mailers to share with you. 

This is the card I sent to Karen last week. 

Stamps:  Wildflower Trio and Flight of the Butterfly 

Cardstock:  Daffodil Delight, Pear Pizazz (new in-color); Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White

Ink:  same as cardstock

Acces:  Square Lattice Embossing Folder; Oval Punches; Butterfly Punch

This is the card I received today from Ariel.  She is pregnant and thinking about using this design for her baby announcements.  Isn't it darling?  And it uses two of my favorite colors - Regal Rose and Tempting Turquoise.  Plus ... I love her knot - it looks so good.  I think I try to tie mine too tight.

This was last week's card I received from Ariel.  She used the stamp set, Elements of Style from the Summer Mini.  The flower is punched with the new flower punch.  Plus she used Gold Smooch spray on the card so it is shiny - hard to see in the picture.

You still have about 5 weeks to order from the Summer Mini.  Both the Elements of Style and Watercolor Trio stamp sets are in the mini.  Order now before it is too late!!

Great Minds ....

Have you heard the saying, great minds think alike?  Well, guess that's true in this instance. I received my July Monday Mailer today from Ariel and think she was CASE-ing the same card I CASE-d this week!  I just haven't had time to upload it until now.  (We took Sammy home today and I am able to reclaim my work area!) 

What do you think?  Here's my card:

I cut a rectangle out of a piece of cardboard and placed it in the center of my card.  Then I sponged using Crumb Cake.  I stamped the hydrangea in black craft ink and embossed it.    I watercolored the hydrangeavon a separate piece of white cardstock in a mixture of pinks and reds.  I cut the whole thing out and raised up the flower part with dimensionals.  I used pink rhinestone brads in the corner.  The white image is mounted onto a Rose Red card.  The two-sided ribbon is non-SU but it matches the card great!

Here is the Monday Mailer card I received from Ariel:

How cool is this?  The card is Crumb Cake with a Chocolate Chip piece embossed with the Big Shot Lattice folder.  She sponged the Crumb Cake onto a Very Vanilla piece and stamped the flower in Chocolate Chip.  The hydrangea is stamped in Cherry Cobbler, cut out and raised with dimensionals.  She used silver brads in the corner.

Here is the inspiration for our work from Splitcoast Stampers - BECAUSE I CARE.

July Monday Mailer

This month our theme for Monday Mailers is New Stuff from the Catalog!  Since I am still waiting on my goodies, I used a stamp set that I ordered last month during the "sneak peek" to make my card. 

I really love this stamp set - Awash with Flowers.  It is a wonderful 2-step stamp set.  The sentiment comes from another new set, Because I Care that is a hostess set.  I also used that great embossing folder, Square Lattice.  It is available in the Summer Mini catalog but you better hurry - it expires soon!  The colors I used in this card are Baja Blue on the Top Note Die and Old Olive.  The ribbon is the white taffeta ribbon that I sponged with the new Cajun Craze.  That is also Cajun Craze in the largest flower. 

I had a crazy day yesterday and I'm blaming it on AGE!!  I had a routine well woman check up yesterday a.m.  When I got to the doctor's office to check in, they did not have me scheduled - my appointment was the day BEFORE!!  grrr  What's the kicker is I also had a thyroid ultra sound scheduled the day before & I had changed it to Wednesday so I could knock both appointments out on the same day.  So, there I was with a couple of hours to kill so what is a girl to do??  Shop of course!  I went over to Stein Mart and browsed through their sale racks (I was pretty good - only spent $11!)  After my ultra sound, I got my hair cut, went to the Y (I'm trying to do better with exercise) and then met Sonny for dinner.  We went to PF Changs.  They have a great deal from 4-6 - they have a happy hour menu with items from $4 - $6 plus a few drinks.  So, I had a Cosmo with lettuce wraps and Crispy Green Beans.  Yum!!

My Baggie of Water plus a Monday Mailer

My re-organization is coming together!  I did the craziest thing though!  I have a wooden dowel that Sonny made for me that fits onto an old wrought iron paper towel holder and it holds some ribbon.  Well, I had pulled it about halfway out so I could get a roll of ribbon that was in the middle (isn't that always the case?)  when a fly landed on my arm.  I slapped at the fly and my hand came down snapping the dowel in two.  BUT ... I got the fly!!  Guess I'm going to have to put a baggie of water over my craft room door.  Don't laugh!  I'm one of those people who believe that a baggie of water over your outside door will keep the flies from entering your house.  I have hung those water baggies in our Texas house, our Washington house and my home here in NC and I don't have flies in my house (except the one yesterday - I do believe he came through the upstairs screen window!)  When I was at Ashley's house last month, I hung the water baggie over her back door.  She just rolled her eyes at me.  When I was first told about this, I did the eye rolling too, but I have come to be a believer.  The girl that told me about it said that when they went camping, they would hang the baggies in the trees around the perimeter of their campsite.  Don't know about that, but it works for me here at home.  I've always believed that it's something about their eyes reflecting in the water.  But you can decide for yourself and read this article HERE.

I tackled some shelves today in my organizing that I really didn't want to ... I was afraid of what I would find!  But now I have 2 baskets of finished goodies, a basket of kits I have bought & not even opened yet and another basket of kits I have started at various events but never finished.  So, that is what I will start working on - see how many I can get done!  My Newcomer's group is having a hand-made bazaar in the fall and letting those of us who make things sell our items at a coffee.  I hope to make a little Christmas money by selling a few things. 

Wednesday my stamp club is meeting and they want to make some fabric flowers.  I spent about an hour tonight cutting out some different sizes of flowers with the Big Shot.  I will give them a chance to cut their own if they want, but thought it would help move things along if I did some of the cutting.  I can't wait to see the flowers they make!  I'm also going to be teaching the Garden Club to make the flowers in August - we just have to find a location. 

Here is my Monday Mailer for this week.  I mailed it today to Tina.  Hope she likes it!

I used the Tropical DSP from the Summer Mini and the retiring Owl Together stamp.  I haven't used this stamp set enough!  But, it's one I will hang on to - I like owls.  I used my bow maker to tie the orange bow!  I think this qualifies for a masculine card.  What say you?

July Monday Mailers

I got a call yesterday from my daughter.  She had arrived at Ft. Polk (Louisiana) safe and sound.  We all thought (as did she) that she would be roughing it out in the swamp land of Louisiana battling mosquitoes, but we were wrong.  Her group got assigned to barracks which are air-conditioned!  She is in the officer's quarter with 4 other women who are all a lower rank than she is.  She said 4-5 of the guys all told her they would get some lumber and build a partition for her privacy.  She assured them that she was ok and didn't need a partition!  While I was talking to her, someone came into her quarters and issued her a weapon ... but no magazine or ammo!  Luckily while we were in Texas, she went out with her Dad and his friend, Don, so they could teach her to shoot and she did real well.  She'd never shot a weapon before!  She never went through Basic Training when she joined the Army - it always conflicted with her Medical School classes so she's had to learn Army stuff as she's gone along.  She found out more details about her deployment - she won't be going to Ft. Hood until Aug. 25 and will be leaving for Iraq early in September.  She will be going to  Mosul.  She said most of the soldiers are disappointed that they will not be on the frontlines of the action.  Not me!!  I'm quite pleased with safety if such a thing is possible with a country at war.  When my son was over there 5 years ago, he worked in one of Hussain's palaces!

Another month of Monday Mailers.  Seems like I'm not the only one who struggles with making masculine cards.  I asked the gals what they wanted the theme to be for July and I got a couple of requests for masculine cards.  When I was at Ashley's, my supplies were limited.  She has this "Cheer to You" stamp set that I don't have so I made my card with it.  I wanted to make the beer foam with a white gel pen, but she didn't have one.  I even went to Michael's and JoAnns in search of one but with no luck.  So ... I stamped the foam onto white cardstock and cut it out.  There's more than one way to skin a cat!!  I used Brillant Blue, Creamy Caramel and More Mustard.  This was my card for the first week of July.

So, this weekend when I wasn't feeling so good, I managed to made this card.  It's pretty simple and uses BoHo Backgrounds which will be retiring in a couple of weeks.  I used Bordering Blue with Creamy Caramel and Close to Cocoa on this one with a brown Jumbo Brad.

This is the card I received last week from my MM partner, Danielle.  These colors are great!  She used the Butterfly Punch making it easy!!

Monday mailers for May plus a BD card

I have a few card shares for you.  These are cards I mailed out before I left NC.

This is the Monday Mailer I sent.  I used the die cut notecard and embossed it with a Big Shot embossing folder.  The paper behind the flower (die cut) is Pink Flamingo DSP and is on the Last Chance List.  The flower in the center is from Tropical Party (in the Summer Mini).  I made a Cameo Coral backing for the card using the Corner Punch and Scallop Punch.

This is a birthday card I made using some retired DSP.  The stamp is from Party Hearty (I think - I don't have my catty with me!).  The arrow punch (My Way punch) is being RETIRED and is on the Last Chance List.

This is a birthday card I mailed to my friend, Margaret's husband.  This is a Northwood stamp.  I will be teaching a class at Stampers Alley in a couple of weeks using this stamp and several other water/nature scenes similar to this one.

Save the Ransom ... I'm still here!

Sorry about the lack of posting lately.  I'm still in Texas and have been super busy!  Today was about the first day that I did absolutely nothing and had planned on blogging and doing some catching up this a.m.  BUT we didn't have any power.  A big storm hit the area last night with winds at about 65 mph and Ashley's neighborhood looked like a disaster area this a.m.  We were having dinner when the storm hit and had to make a dash for the car in the storm (not easy with my 82 year old mom!).  As we were driving home, all the traffic lights were out and  we saw the police blocking off some areas because of flooding.  When we turned down Ashley's streets, we had to maneuver the car through all the tree limbs and debris that was in the street.  We lit candles in Ashley's house and visited for a couple of hours when we determined the power was not coming back and we might as well go to bed.  The power came back on about 3:30 a.m. but went off again about 8:00 a.m. until noon.  Luckily, it was not raining today so Mom and I sat outside where there was plenty of light for her to see and read.  It was too cool to go in the pool - the temp. only got to about 75 today which is remarkable for Texas in June!!  Here is a picture of Ashley's neighbor's house that I took this a.m.

Luckily, when Sonny was here, he cut down a lot of branches off Ashley's trees so the damage at her house was minimal.  The worst part was all the "gunk" floating in her pool today.  Her cleaner is working overtime!

We have been busy doing a lot of yard work as well as eating some great food - BBQ, Mexican, Italian.  And it is time for me to go eat now!  I will be posting wedding pictures tomorrow so check back by.

Here is a Monday Mailer card I received while I was here.  It is great!  I just love the bright colors.  Each of the letters was run through a Sixxiz Folder.  I will be CASE'ing this one for sure.

Monday Mailers for May

I spent yesterday packing for my Texas trip.  I actually started packing on Saturday night but yesterday I took everything out of the suitcase I had packed and redid it .... about 4 times!!  I am trying to get around not having to pay $25 for my suitcase and $25 for Sonny's suitcase - that's $100 roundtrip!  Ridiculous!  I've also heard that they now charge you for the blanket and pillow on the plane.  When will this madness stop?  So I decided to combine our clothes and stuff in one large suitcase and we would each take a carry-on.  Good idea ... then it has to be under 50 pounds!  I was doing ok until I put the case of Cheerwine Ashley requested in the suitcase.  Oops .... about 65 pounds!  The dang suitcase itself empty weighs 10 pounds.  I need to buy a new lighter weight one.  Finally, I ended up leaving the Cheerwine out and hoping my mom can bring it next week.  If not, it would be cheaper to UPS it to her I think!  So, I am packed and ready to go today.  Just hoping for a smooth flight and not a repeat of the last time I flew to San Antonio.  That time when we landed, my sinuses went beserk.  I had the worst pain I have either had in my life in my gums and teeth.  I'm going to try taking a decongestant this a.m. before I board the plane.

So, my postings may be rather sporadic the next couple of weeks.  Don't know how much creative time I will have.  Some of our friends from Dallas are meeting us in San Antonio so we'll be busy with them.  We will drive to Austin Thursday am for the Rehearsal Luncheon and spend Thursday - Saturday in Austin.  Then we'll be go back to Ashley's for a day only to return to Georgetown (just past Austin) on Sunday for another wedding!  After that, Sonny will leave to return home on Tuesday and my mom will join me for another week.  Hopefully, the second week will be a little more relaxing - laying out by the pool and "chillin."

So, here are a couple of Monday Mailers to share with you:

This is one that I received.  I love the colorful flowers!  I thought the white lines were done with a scoring tool, but she said she used the DSP on page 15 of the Summer Mini.  Isn't it cool?

This is a card that I sent using the Black Magic Technique again.  I just love this technique!

Have a wonderful week!!

Monday Mailers from this week

Didn't get much card making today.  Sonny and I went out to breakfast this morning.  I talked him into going to a restaurant I have recently discovered in Mooresville called Gail's Cafe.  I have been there a couple of times for lunch and it is delicious!  They serve home cooking - good veggies, biscuits, gravy, etc.  All those good Southern things.  Well, my husband being the Yankee that he is, doesn't like Southern cooking.  He's a meat & potatoes man and boy, does that get boring!!  Well, I figured he'd be ok with breakfast - eggs are eggs, etc.  Well, I wasn't as impressed with their breakfast as I am with their lunches.  It wasn't bad or anything but I like some of the other places we go better for breakfast.  My main complaint was that they used American cheese in my omelet instead of Cheddar!  But my biscuit was yummy!!  After breakfast, I even convinced him to go to Belk's with me .... shopping!!  I need to get something to wear to two weddings in Texas Memorial Day weekend.  One of them will be more casual.  It is an outside wedding with a carnaval theme!   Different, huh??  The other one will be dressy since it is an evening wedding.  I ended up buying a dressy pair of capris and a top, but now I'm not sure - it may be too casual!  I'm going to take pictures and send to my fashion expert, Ashley!!  After shopping, we went to the movies and saw Date Night.  It was a really cute show.  It's not going to win a Oscar but it was entertaining.  Then, we headed to BJ's and Target!  Whew - a long day! 

I don't think I shared my Monday Mailers from this week.  So without further ado .....

This is the card I made and sent.  I used the Vintage Vogue wheel (from the Occassions Mini Catalog).  I also used the Butterfly Embosslits die that I finally got (it was on backorder) and the Scallop Trim Corner Punch.  The paper is Rich Razzleberry and Pretty in Pin,

The Occasions Mini Catalog ends April 30, BUT the following items will be available for purchase after April 30!  Wippeee!!

Item # Description Price

116519 Charming stamp set $19.95
118598 Vintage Vogue  $17.95
118091 Tiny Tags  $22.95
117535 Decor Elements F IS FOR FOX CHOCOLATE $4.95
117536 DE G IS FOR GIRAFFE CHOC $4.95
117529 DE "IS FOR" BLACK $4.95
117541 DE L IS FOR LION CHOCOLATE $4.95
117542 DE M IS FOR MONKEY CHOC $4.95
117544 DE O IS FOR OWL CHOCOLATE $4.95
117528 DE SCALLOP FRAME BLACK $6.95
117549 DE T IS FOR TURTLE CHOCOLATE $4.95
117552 DE W IS FOR WHALE CHOCOLATE $4.95
118072 PINKING HEARTS Corner Punch $9.95
118870 SCALLOP TRIM Corner Punch $9.95
117191 LG 2 STEP BIRD Punch $15.95
118073 LG FANCY FLOWER Punch $15.95
117649 PINKING HEARTS Border Punch $15.95
117190 MED JEWELRY TAG Punch $10.95
117193 SMALL HEART Punch $5.95
117310 BIGZ L MINI MILK CARTON $32.95
118138 BEAUTIFUL WINGS Embosslit $11.95
117332 SCALLOPED HEART OF HEARTS Embosslit $11.95
117335 PERFECT POLKA DOTS Folder $7.95

Here is the card I received from my Monday Mailer partner:

She used the Awash With Flowers set.  This is a sneak preview stamp that will be available in the new catalog coming out this summer.  I love this stamp and need to get it out and stamp with it tomorrow!!

Hope your weekend is great!

Cheers to you

I got this great card yesterday from my Monday Mailer partner.  It is so soft and pretty - this picture just does not do it justice.  Jana did the Two Step Stamping on this which is one of my favorite techniques and pretty unique to Stampin' Up.  That is what got me interested in Stampin' Up to begin with.

This card below is another one I received yesterday from Jana.  It is not another Monday Mailer but a card in response to my recent trip to the Outer Banks and THIS blog post!  Jana said that my post reminded her of her college days.  Yeah, Jana, I know what you mean!  I had some wild and wooly college adventures at ECU, OD Beach, Carolina Beach,White Lake, Lake Waccamaw  .....!!  Oh what good memories!! 

Anyway, I love this card!  It's scary how much she looks like me (ha - I wish!)  And, I did a little cocktail waitressing at Myrtle Beach back in the 60's!!  Cheers!

Monday Mailer share

I'm loving this cool weather we are having here!  So far, we have not had to turn on our A/C although there were a few days before Easter when the temp's were in the high 80's, low 90's that it was pretty warm upstairs.  Today was really nice - just in the 70's!  Wonder how long it will last???  We're usually the last ones to turn on our A/C and it's usually my decision ... not Sonny's.  And that was his business before he retired - York Heating & Air!!  

We've been trying to catch up on all the tv shows we recorded (DVR) while we out of town and busy with our friends last week.  So last night, Sonny turned on the TV to catch the Penguins in the Stanley Cup play-offs and our DVR would not work!  Tragedy!!  We kept trying to reset it with no luck.  So, today the repair guy came and replaced our DVR.  But, as luck would have it, we lost everything that was on it.  Luckily, we had watched most of the shows that I was interested in.  We did lose Survivor, a few Criminal Minds, Saving Grace, Jeopardy and I don't know what else.  We tape Jeopardy every day and watch it while we are eating dinner.  It keeps my mind sharp (I think).

After the repair guy left today, we decided to go the the movies to see Date Night.  We'd both heard good reviews.  So, I popped my popcorn (yes, I take my own - much better for me than the movie kind), got my milk duds and Sonny stopped and bought himself some soft pretzels and got to the theatre to discover that what we thought was a 4:15 movies actually was a 5:35 movie!  Luckily, I didn't look up the times so I couldn't catch the blame if you know what I mean!!  We decided we didn't want to wait around that long so we ended up running into WalMart and going to Hooters for beer, wings and friend pickles!  (Not much better than the movie popcorn, huh?)

I think I finally came up with the card I am going to do for my swap at Quarterly.  I will be sharing it next week.  But, I don't think that I shared the card I sent out last week for my Monday Mailer.  It is really sparkly from the spray of Shimmer Mist.

I used the Hostess Level 2 stamp - Asian Artistry and the swirl from Baroque Motifs.  It is embossed in gold.  Again, I am trying to use up the retiring paper.  This time it is Pixie Pink.  I just love the pink and black!

The Golden Rule

I want to share the Monday Mailer I receive this week. We are into a new month and our theme this month is Spring. Our Monday Mailer group is in a bit of an uproar because a lot of people don't send their cards in a timely fashion and also a lot of them don't share the cards with the group and/or acknowledge that they received a card. Remember .... it is always nice to be remembered and to be told thank you and that you did a good job!! That's the Golden Rule, isn't it? "Treat Others As You Want To Be Treated"

My cards this month are from Jana who lives in Statesville. Jana just recently had a baby but she still has time to make beautiful cards! She used the set, "A Flower for All Seasons" and the new Butterfly Embosslit Die. I just got this stamp set but haven't used it yet. AND ... I finally got the Butterfly Die that was on backorder today but guess I'll have to wait till I return to use it.

Last March Monday Mailer

I received my final March Monday Mailer today and wow, is it cute!  I now have an Easter bonnet to wear!!  (Ha)

Isn't this sooo cute?! 

And here is the card I sent my Monday Mailer for her last one this month:

I made her a flower pin that she can remove from the card and wear! 

Here's the inside view.