Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!  I will be welcoming my family to my home later today for a Thanksgiving celebration.  I hope you have a wonderful day ... and don't eat too much!!

We Give Thanks

Our Father in Heaven,
We give thanks for the pleasure
Of gathering together for this occasion.
We give thanks for this food
Prepared by loving hands.
We give thanks for life,
The freedom to enjoy it all
And all other blessings.
As we partake of this food,
We pray for health and strength
To carry on and try to live as You would have us.
This we ask in the name of Christ,
Our Heavenly Father.

--Harry Jewell

Elvis and Tanglewood Festival of Lights

Yesterday was a Girls Day Out in our family.  My mom, my two sisters and my daughter drove to Greensboro to the Barn Dinner Theatre to see ELVIS!!  It was a great show!  Tribute artist Stephen Freeman had a wonderful voice and he had Elvis's moves down!!  I would highly recommend this show if you get a chance!

My mother was mesmerized when he came to our table to give us all a smooch!

Don't know what that white dot is on his face - think it's a flash or something - it wasn't on his face at the time!

After the show, I drove over to see if I could find the apartment complex Sonny and I lived in when we met.  At the time, it was a Singles Only Complex.  Well, surprise, surprise, I found it!!  It's not a place I'd live in today - still has window unit AC's in the windows and the iron railings on the balconies is pretty rusty!  There was a swimming pool in the center when we lived there which is gone now and there were several additional buildings added on.  But, it sure brought back some memories!  Even my sisters remembered visiting me there ... when they were about 12 years old!!

From Greensboro, we drove to Lewisville to Enchanted Cottage, a huge stamping/scrapbooking store.  The only other time I had been there, they were closing in about 15 minutes!  This time, we had about an hour to shop (not that my Mom and non-stamping sister loved that!). 

On the way home, we passed the Tanglewood exit.  Since none of us (except Mom) had ever seen the Christmas lights there, we took a detour and drove through the park.  It was wonderful!  Another place I'd recommend to you if you're in the area.

 
Tanglewood Park's Festival of Lights began in 1992.  The first Festival of Lights in 1992 was a 1.5 mile route with only twenty five displays. Today the route has grown to just under 4 miles with one hundred eighty displays, of which seventy are animated.  Tanglewood begins setting up displays during the month of August to be ready for this large scale event which begins in mid November.  There are now over approximately a million individual lights that complete Tanglewood’s Festival of Lights.   Tanglewood’s Festival of Lights has been selected as a Top 20 Event in the Southeast and a Top 100 Event in North America

My Digital Studio Certification

I'm happy to announce that I am now one of the Stampin'Up! Demonstrators that is Certified in My Digital Studio.


I've completed all the Stampin' Up! requirements which included participating in webinars, taking quizzes and completing projects with My Digital Studio. We were also required to have 1 project professionally printed.
 
This is a very easy digital paper crafting program. I had never worked with a digital program like this before and I ♥ My Digital Studio!

THE sale

Here's a link to the SALE that Stampin' Up has going on right now.  You can see pictures on the link.  The link was broken on Monday but now it is back up and working so check it out!!

WOWZERS …. What a Sale!

Stampin' Up! has some SERIOUS sales going on right now - from 30 - 50% off!  Just  in time to get some Christmas shopping done.  Here are all the deals :

• The sale begins Monday, November 23, 2009, 12:01 AM (MT), and ends Monday November 30, 2009, 11:50 PM (MT).
• Discounts range between 30 percent and 50 percent.
• The Distribution Center will be closed on Thursday, November 26, and Friday, November 27, 2009, for the US Thanksgiving holiday. No orders will ship on those days.

ITEM #	PRODUCT	REG $$	DISCOUNT $$
120280	Framed w/Love Bundle *Framed w/Love stamp set *Full Heart Punch	43.90	21.95
120281	Thank You Kindly Bundle *Thank You Kindly stamp set *Scallop Edge Punch	29.90	14.95
120282	Animal Crackers Bundle *Animal Crackers stamp set *Star Designer brads	$25.90	12.95
120283	Corduroy Button Bundle *Kraft Cord Buttons *Pumpkin Pie Cord Buttons *Summer Sun Cord Buttons *Basic Gray Cord Buttons *Choc Chip Cord Buttons	$49.75	24.88
120284	Game Night Bundle *Card Games stamp set *Game Night stamp set	40.90	20.45
120285	Four Square Bundle *Four Square stamp set *Scallop Square punch	30.90	15.45
120286	Heart to Heart Bundle *Love you Much stamp set *Heart to Heart punch *Pretty in Pink 1/2” striped grosgrain ribbon	$49.85	24.93
120287	Chipboard Letter Bundle *On Board Timeless Type *On Board Loads of Letters	25.90	12.95
120288	Double Stitched Ribbon Bundle *Bashful Blue 1” double stitched grosgrain ribbon *Rose Red 1” double stitched grosgrain ribbon	17.90	10.74
120289	Ultimate Stampers Start.Bundle Best Wishes & More stamp set Eight Great Greetings stamp set On a Pedestal stamp set Earth Elements Stampin' Spots Earth Elements assorted card stock (8-1/2" x 11") Whisper White card stock (8-1/2" x 11") Old Olive 1/2" striped grosgrain ribbon Flower Designer brads	127.70	76.62
120290	Build A Brad Bundle *Calendar Alpha stamp set *Pewter Build A Brad *Antique Brass Build a Brad	40.85	24.51
120291	Enjoy Every Moment Bundle *Enjoy Ev. Moment stamp set *Circle Designer brads *Flower Designer brads	43.85	26.31
120292	Cheep Talk Bundle *Cheep Talk stamp set *Note cards *Pumpkin Pie Cord buttons	42.85	25.71
120293	Sock Monkey Bundle *Sock Monkey stamp set *Sock Monkey Acc. stamp set *Choc Chip Cord Buttons	48.85	35.31
120294	Alphabet Bundle *Jayne’s Type Alpha stamp set *Lovely Letters stamp set	87.90	52.74
120295	Simply Said Bundle *Simply Said stamp set *Old Olive 1/2” striped grosgrain ribbon *Full Heart punch	52.85	31.71
120296	On Board Bundle *On Board So Tweet *On Board Batch of Blooms *On Board Essentials	42.85	25.71
120927	Christmas Decor Bundle #1 *Holly Berry Wreath Decor Elements (Kraft & Real Red) *Real Red Vintage Ornaments Decor Elements *Chocolate Vintage Ornaments Decor Elements	74.85	44.91
120298	Christmas Decor Bundle #2 Same as above in Chocolate, Real Red	74.85	44.91
120299	Christmas Decor Bundle #3 same as above in Old Olive, Real Red)	74.85	44.91
120300	For All You Do Bundle *For All You Do stamp set *5/16” Neutrals Jumbo Brads	36.90	25.83
120301	Striped Ribbon Bundle *Bashful Blue 1/2” striped rib *Pumpkin Pie 1/2” striped rib *Old Olive 1/2” striped rib *Pretty in Pink 1/2” striped rib *So Saffron 1/2” striped rib *Real Red 1/2” striped ribbon (all grosgrain)	47.73	33.41
120302	Bling Bundle *Sticky Pages *Sticky Cuts Sweet *Fine Supernova Glitter *Fine Galaxy Glitter	43.80	30.66
120303	Fresh Cut Bundle *Fresh Cuts stamp set *Fresh Cut Notes *5/8” Neutrals Jumbo brads	37.85	26.50
120304	Pendant Note Bundle *Pendant Park stamp set *Pendant notes *5/8” Neutrals Jumbo Brads	39.85	27.90
120305	Sporting Bundle #1 *Lg Night of Navy Sporting Decor Elements *Night of Navy Just Sports Decor Elements	65.90	45.54
120306	Sporting Bundle #2 *same as above in Chocolate	65.90	45.54
120307	Sporting Bundle #3 *same as above in Black	65.90	45.54
114863	Ginormous Flowers Decor Ele	39.95	27.97
114863	Ginormous Flowers II Decor E	39.95	27.97
112534	5/16” Neutrals Jumbo brads	7.95	5.57
112533	5/8” Neutrals Jumbo Brads	6.95	4.87
112081	Scallop Square punch	15.95	11.17
113693	Full Heart punch	15.95	11.17
113694	Heart to Heart punch	15.95	11.17
112091	Scallop Edge punch	15.95	11.17
112571	Circle Designer brads	5.95	4.17
112579	Flower Designer brads	5.95	4.17
112572	Star Designer brads	5.95	4.17
114785	Small Wonderful Flowers Decor Elements	39.95	27.97
114786	Medium Wonderful Flowers Decor Elements	69.95	48.97
114791	Small Wonderful Leaves Decor Elements	39.95	27.97
114792	Medium Wonderful Leaves Decor Elements	64.95	45.47

With the exception of the Ultimate Stampers' Starter Bundle, all sale prices will be honored through the sales period, even if items go on backorder. Please note: The Ultimate Stampers' Starter Bundle is only available in a limited quantity.
CALL OR E-MAIL IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN ORDERING ANY OF THESE GREAT DEALS!

Black November

When I was a young turkey, new to the coop,
My big brother Mike took me out on the stoop,
Then he sat me down, and he spoke real slow,
And he told me there was something that I had to know;
His look and his tone I will always remember,
When he told me of the horrors of..... Black November;
"Come about August, now listen to me,
Each day you'll get six meals instead of just three,
"And soon you'll be thick, where once you were thin,
And you'll grow a big rubbery thing under your chin;
"And then one morning, when you're warm in your bed,
In'll burst the farmer's wife, and hack off your head;
"Then she'll pluck out all your feathers so you're bald 'n pink,
And scoop out all your insides and leave ya lyin' in the sink;
"And then comes the worst part!" he said not bluffing,
"She'll spread your cheeks and pack your rear with stuffing".
Well, the rest of his words were too grim to repeat,
I sat on the stoop like a winged piece of meat,
And decided on the spot that to avoid being cooked,
I'd have to lay low and remain overlooked;
I began a new diet of nuts and granola,
High-roughage salads, juice and diet cola;
And as they ate pastries, chocolates and crepes,
I stayed in my room doing Jane Fonda tapes;
I maintained my weight of two pounds and a half,
And tried not to notice when the bigger birds laughed;
But 'twas I who was laughing, under my breath,
As they chomped and they chewed, ever closer to death;
And sure enough when Black November rolled around,
I was the last turkey left in the entire compound;
So now I'm a pet in the farmer's wife's lap;
I haven't a worry! , so I eat and I nap;
She held me today, while sewing and humming,
And smiled at me and said: "Christmas is coming..."

Poet Unknown

FREE!! FREE!! FREE!!

I don't know how many of you don't make your Christmas cards .... I like to make my own.  But, if you like to send cards with pictures on them, I have a deal for you!  For two days - Sunday & Monday - there is a 50% off EVERYTHING and FREE shipping (promo code: 2day) at Fuji.

BUT WAIT ....

You can also order cards (and envies) absolutely FREE!!  Use the site to order 50 cards of your choice, 4×8 OR 5×7, and enter promo code ‘newbaby’ at checkout.  Free cards, AND free shipping.

Do you need more cards?. You can also use promo code ‘freebies4mom-1109′ for 50 free 4×8 cards.

Want even more? Ok, how about 100 free prints? If this is your first time using the new Fuji site, you will get a code good for 100 free prints when you place your first order. And the free cards count as that order! You'll have to cover shipping on this one, but still .... what a deal!!

What are you waiting for?  Check it out!  You don't have to use it for Christmas.  Ashley is ordering her "I've Moved" cards for free!!

Monday Mailer - past and present!

This is a Monday Mailer card I received last week.  The center is cut out and is a "shaker" card.  It is filled with silver beads.

This card is from October's Monday Mailer and uses Circle Circus.  I need to pull my stamp set out and use it!  But I love this Soft Suede and Crushed Curry!

This is another card from October.  My Monday Mailer partner sent these last two cards to me last week to catch up since she got too busy during October to send the cards on time.  I just love this Medallion stamp with the Chalking Technique.

As promised .... pictures of Old Salem!

Told you I'd be back!! 

Here are a few pictures from Old Salem.

This one is of the ovens in the bakery and the Sugar Cake that is ready to go in the oven.  That Sugar Cake is to die for!!   We ended up buying 2 the first day and 1 the second day! 

The bakers are working on the fresh bread.  This is Raisin Bread which they are putting a whipped confectionate topping on each loaf!   We bought a loaf of this and it is delicious for breakfast!

These are old Hobby Horses that are in the Toy Museum.

Sonny & Ashley standing under The Mickey Coffee Pot.  It was build in 1858 and used to stand outside a tin shop in Old Salem.

Missing in Action

Sorry I've been MIA (Missing In Action) but I've been ubber-busy this week!!  We drove to Chapel Hill on Monday & met Ashley and friends for lunch.  Then traveled to Raleigh to go to Archivers.  It was a nice store but not as great as I had imagined it to be from all I'd heard.  I actually only bought a couple of things - and mostly for my sister!!  Tuesday and Wednesday were spent in Winston Salem at Old Salem Village (a Moravian village).  It was really neat.  I'll share a few pictures when I get them downloaded.  On Tuesday, the demonstrations were all from the 18th century and on Wednesday, from the 19th century.  Tuesday was a beautiful day but Wednesday was cold and rainy all day ... bummer.  Thursday, Ashley and I had a little time to play in my stamp room.  She is trying to get a couple of scrapbooks done for friends who are expecting little boys.  We met Sonny for lunch; then headed up to Hickory to the furniture mart to look for furniture for her new house.  Then, back to Mooresville for the Stamp of the Month class at Stampers Alley.  As soon as we finished that, we met Sonny, Marianne and her son, Harrison to watch the Panther game (boo ... they lost).  Friday it was on to the Southern Living Christmas Show in Charlotte ... after eating a great lunch in downtown Charlotte at Mertz Heart and Soul (yummy fried chicken and southern style veggies!)  Today, we are picking up my Mom and getting a pedicure, going for wine tasting and having lunch in Mooresville!

Whew!  I'll need a vacation soon!  But, I promise to post some great cards later this afternoon!