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.

Two Step Stampin' Promotion

Two-step stamping is what got me involved with Stampin' Up in the beginning.  I just love it!  Right now, Stampin' Up is offering a promotion on a brand new two-step stamp set which will be in the new catalog (in August) as well as a few other two step stamps in the current catalog. 

Promotion Dates: April 1-30, 2010

Promotion Details:

For Hostesses:

Host a $350 workshop and receive the brand-new Two-Step Awash with Flowers stamp set FREE!

For Customers:
Two-Step into spring with a sneak peek from the 2010-2011 Idea Book Stamp Catalog!  Be the first to add the Awash with Flowers stamp set to your collection.  Purchase Awash With Flowers for $39.95 (wood mounted) or $27.95 (clear mounted).
Plus, purchase spring-themed Two-Step Stampin' sets at 20 percent off the retail price--no additional purchase necessary!

Qualifying stamp sets are listed below:

Item #   /  Page #   /    Description    /   Discount Price

113824  /  94     /    Greenhouse Garden     / $20.76
113734  / 98     /     Fifth Avenue Floral     /   $19.96
111578   / 101   /    Flower Fancy      /      $29.56
113258   / 112   /     Trendy Trees       /      $14.36

Things to Remember

• The Awash with Flowers stamp set is a sneak peek from the 2010-2011 Idea Book Stamp Catalog and will not be available again until the release of the new Idea Book Stamp Catalog.
• Order deadlines: Friday, April 30, 2010; 6:50 PM (MT)

Idol Results

Forgot to post this last night!  We went out to a new Mexican restaurant and I had a couple of Margaritas so I was trying not to fall asleep while watching TV last night ... especially after working in the yard all day pulling weeds and digging up and moving a few plants around.  My arms are aching today!!  Now we need to put black plastic down quick before the weeds sprout again!!  Anyway, on to Idol.

Reubon Studdard started the show with a song I'd never heard of.  He was ok but I've heard him do better.  He's lost a lot of weight and I was just wondering how he compared to Big Mike when Seacreast had Mike come over and compared them.  Mike had some strange little ponytail glued to the back of his shaven head - don't know what that was all about! 

Ryan was really trying kill some time last night - questioning Crystal about her piano playing, Mike about his hair, Aaron about the smiling and asking Simon advice for the contestants.  Finally Simon had enough and told him he was really getting on his nerves.  Simon had the line of the night with, “Ryan, this is NOT the Oprah Winfrey Show.”  That was hilarious!

When they told Siobahn that she was safe, she was so relieved.  I think she really thought she was going to the bottom three.  I'm a fan of hers but I have to agree that her screeching at the end is getting old.

So the three picked to go to the stools are Katie, Tim and Didi - just as I had predicred.  Katie gets to go back to safety, and it’s between Tim and Didi. Unfortunately I don’t think it much matters.  Both of their days are numbered.  I figure the teeny-bopper vote will save Tim or as Sonny says, the "Sanjaya votes."  It’s Didi’s turn to go home.  Well, she gets to “sing for her life” but I don’t think the judges are going to use their save.  I didn't think she did so good on the final song - what I got to hear of it.  My DVR cut off before she finished her song and the judges revealed their decision. I called Ashley but the same thing happened with her too so we had to check the internet to find out Didi is history.

So, that's a wrap!

That Old Black Magic with a Mojo Challenge

Here's a card I made for the Mojo Monday Challenge.  I won't tell you how long it took me to do this card!  I just couldn't decide on the colors or the layout ... whether I wanted a round card or a square one.  I would have it all taped together and decide "nah - don't like it" and undo it all and try something different.  I should have taken pictures of all the rejects!  I'm still practicing the Black Magic Technique.  I really like this technique.  I explained how to do it on THIS post.  I just didn't use the white re-inker on this one for any accents on the flower (actually forgot but think it looks ok without them.)  I used my white Gelly Roll pen for the added white accents on the Black and Razzleberry cardstock.  The base card is some retired Pink Piroutte.  The DSP is from the Saleabration stack.  Today is the LAST DAY!! 

I got some new stamps yesterday and I'll be putting them together and sharing some cards with them soon.  Only problem is 2 of them will be retired after today since they are FREE Saleabration ones.  Maybe I'll sneak upstairs later today and make something with them.  I doubt it though.  I promised Sonny I would help out in the yard today .... with the $%$#$^ WEEDS!!  A never ending battle, don't you think?  If anyone has any good solution of getting rid of weeds, leave me a comment!  I could use it and so could my daughter who is fighting the weed battle in her yard too.

Top Ten Performs on Idol

Tonight the top ten are taking advice from Usher.  I'm not familiar with Usher but his advice is pretty good to the performers.  He was really honest with the contestants and gave them good feedback.

• Siobahn Magness singing Chaka Khan's "Through the Fire"  Not a great start to the night - sure wasn't her best.  The judges didn't like it but I don't think she will get voted off.
• Casey James -"Hold On I'm Coming" by Sam & Dave.  He did good but I think the song is a little safe - not showing much range.  He moved around the stage better than he has in the past.
• Big Mike Lynche singing "Ready for Love"  I don't usually like slow songs on Idol cause they're boring BUT his was great tonight.  He has such a great voice and it was beautiful!
• Didi Benami singing "What Becomes of a Broken Heart"  Not good - she was flat, not in tune and kinda dramatic. 
• Tim Urban singing "Sweet Love"  by Anita Baker.  During Ryan's interview, he mentioned that the news refers to Tim as Teflon Tim because of the beating he takes from the judges each week.  He looked a deer in the headlights.  That was just not the song for him.  I think he may have just saved Didi.  The only good thing the judges had to say was Ellen telling him once again he was adorable.
• Andrew Garcia singing "Forever"  by Chris Brown.  He picked the right song tonight and was good!!  This is the Andrew we liked during Hollywood week.
• Katie Stevens singing "Chain of Fools" by Aretha.  A big song for a little girl.  Her vocals were good but she is just not giving it the attitude for an Aretha song.
• Lee DeWyze singing "Treat Her Like a Lady"  I love this song and he is doing great!  As Randy said, Unbelievable!!   Best of the night!!
• Crystal  Bowersox singing "Midnight Train to Georgia"  Wow - a slam-dunk for sure!  She's going to be in the top three for sure.  Tonight she played the piano instead of the guitar.
• Aaron Kelley singing "Ain't No Sunshine"  Just ok - not his best but not the worst either.  His hair do was a little much - think he came up with that or the hair stylist on the show??

Bottom three:  Didi, Tim and Katie  If the teeney-boppers save Tim, it'll be DiDi leaving.

Top ones & got my vote:  Crystal, Big Mike, Lee & Andres (in no particular order)

Easter Cards .... finished!

Well, I've finished my Easter cards and they are in the mail!  Now on the other things.  But first, I will share the cards with you.  I don't think I've shared these cards with you yet, but if I have you can have a second look!!

This one uses Fifth Avenue Floral - one of my favorite stamps.

This one uses Eastern Blooms - love those flowers!

What kid doesn't like Big Bird?  Hope Jayce does because this card is going to him!

I went to the eye specialist on Friday.  He examined my eyes and saw no evidence of tearing of the retina.  But he said it still could happen - you are not "scot free" until three months after you see the symptoms.  I am supposed to go see him again in a month.  BUT, I totally did not like this doctor.  He was just a tad too full of himself and his importance.  He bustled into the room & after a brief handshake, sat down at his laptop and spent about five minutes looking at something on the computer - don't know if it was my records or his previous patient.  Then he argued with me about a previous eye problem I had a couple of years ago (one which he saw me for but didn't diagnose it correctly.)  I am going to try and see another specialist in Charlotte (the one who did diagnose me correctly last time.)  I don't doubt this dr's diagnosis, but in case I do have a problem down the road, I would rather not see him!!

Easter Blessings

Here's one of the Easter cards I made.  Again, I used a challenge to give me some inspiration.  This was done for the color challenge on Picture Perfect Creations.  I did a card for this earlier - this is my second one.  I don't think I have used this stamp from the set, Peace Within!  Not sure why though.

I love the bird and basket of flowers!  It reminds me a lot of one of the stamps in the set, "Flower for All Season" which I have just ordered (FREE from Saleabration!!).  I also used the FREE Saleabration Scallop Trim Border.

Recipe:  Stamp:  Peace Within, Abundent Blessings

Cardstock:  Pretty In Pink, So Saffron, Elegant Eggplant, Watercolor paper

Ink:  Black & Watercolor Crayons

Acces:  Aqua Painter, Modern Label Punch, Photo Corner Punch, Scallop Trim Border, Pink Taffeta Ribbon, Pewter Jumbo Eyelet;  Crop-a-dile; Dotted Texturz Plate, Big Shot

For My 14-Carrot Friend Challenge Card

I'm still working on my Easter cards but I think I'm almost done!  I took advantage of some of the challenges out there in Blog Land when I was running out of ideas for my cards today.  Here's one I did for the challenge on Stamping 411.  The sketch was a very easy one today.

Here's my take on the sketch:

Isn't that bunny the cutest?  He's in a clear set that I have from Inky Antics.  I colored him with my Copics and my Spica Glitter Pen (pink & orange).  The paper is from Stampin' Up.  I ran the orange piece through the Big Shot using an texture plate that I have had about 10 years from Fiskars.  The punch on the pink cardstock is the heart border punch from the Occasions Mini.   

Last few days of SALEABRATION

These are the final days for SALEABRATION.  If you want to get your free goodies, you need to call me ASAP! 

My Monday Mailer card that was sent to me this week uses the Bird Punch from the Occasions Mini Catalog to make these cute tulips.  It's fun to find all the different things you can do with punches other than what they were intended for.

This is such a great card and could be made for Easter or Mother's Day or just about any occasion.

Food Info

The American Cancer Society recommends eating five or more servings of fruits and vegetables daily to help prevent cancer. There are others that recommend up to nine servings daily. Below are a few ways you can sneak in a few servings of fruits and veggies.

♦ Top baked potatoes with your favorite steamed vegetables, such as broccoli, tomatoes and onions. Fold green peppers or spinach into an omelet. Stir mixed veggies into your kids' favorite casserole.

♦ Add blueberries and strawberries to cereal, oatmeal and smoothies. Each month, buy one fruit you've never tried.

♦ Several times a week, make your entree a colorful salad with a variety of veggies. Swap iceberg lettuce for assorted greens and add fresh broccoli cauliflower and avocado. Sprinkle with black beans and sunflower or pumpkin seeds.

~~Heart Beat Magazine


How to eat a...

JELLY DOUGHNUT: Scoop out jelly with spoon. Eat. Stuff inside with miniature Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. Warm in oven.
MALLOMAR: Pick off chocolate coating. Suck out marshmallow middle. Pop graham wafer in mouth.
CHEESECAKE: Say, "I'll only have a sliver." Eat. Cut another sliver. Eat. Continue until cake is gone. Smile demurely.
SMORGASBORD: Grab the largest plate. Bypass the jellied aspic molds and head straight for the desserts (these go quickly). Keep hot and cold foods separate. Avoid diners with blue hair or those dressed in polyester. They dawdle, have difficulty deciding and move slowly.
CHOCOLATE PUDDING: Cut pudding with spoon, puncturing skin. Tunnel pudding out of dish, leaving skin in place. When pudding has been eaten, wrap skin around spoon. Hold spoon vertically and scrape skin off with teeth.
PIZZA: Cut into pie-shaped wedge (large). Crack slice in middle and eat with the sides curled up to avoid losing the filling. Do not even think of using a knife and fork.
BARBECUED RIBS: Let grease drip to elbow. Do not wipe mouth between bites.
MILANO: Insert one-half of cookie in mouth. Apply pressure with both upper and bottom teeth to center of cookie. Without biting through, slowly pull cookie out of mouth, scraping off brown-edged wafer but leaving chocolate middle intact. Repeat with other half. Let remaining chocolate melt in mouth.
THE LAST COOKIE, THE LAST CRACKER, THE LAST PIECE OF CANDY: Look both ways. In one continuous motion, scoop up cookie (or cracker, or candy) and stuff in mouth before someone else can beat you to it.
~~Author Unknown