We Made It Home ... Not an Easy Feat!

We had a great time in Pittsburgh although our teams lost - Steelers on Sunday night and Penguins on Monday night - and I picked up a bad cold while there.  Trying to get back home ... well, that was a different story!  We left Pittsburgh about 11:30 a.m. expecting to get home around 6:30 pm.  Things were going great until about 4:00 when we got to the I-77 turn off of I-81 in Virginia.  The interchange was closed so we went up to the next exit; did a U-turn and got back on the highway hoping to get onto I77 from the north.  Nooooo!  Sonny went into a gas station to ask about an alternate route.  They gave us directions through small towns on a 2-lane road along with everyone else.  We never went over 35 mph!  When we got to the next place where we could get onto I-77, it was also blocked.  We asked the police that were there and were told I-77 was closed all the way to the NC line and would be closed until midnight probably.  So on we went toward Mt. Airy.  We hadn't gone far when there was a wreck about 5 cars in front of us.  So we were stopped on this little dinky road for 1 1/2 hours waiting for it to get cleaned up!!  Finally the tow trucks got the cars out of the way and we continued down the mountain.  We finally arrived home about 10:30 tonight.  We were both so glad to get out of the car!!!  We kept hearing different stories about why the highway was closed - from 50 car accident to 100 car accident to cows being involved and on the highway!  I just did a Google Search and found out that the wrecks started this morning around 11:30 on the southbound side of I77 involving several vehicles and a few minutes later there was another accident within a couple of miles of the first one resulting in a couple of deaths.  Then around 5 pm there were more wrecks in the northbound lane.  State police have determined that a total of 75 vehicles were involved in multiple pile ups, half of them commercial,  due to dense fog.

I am very thankful that we were in the right place at the right time and were not involved in any of those wrecks.  Guess there was an angel on our dashboard on this trip.

I hope you enjoyed the Blog Hop this weekend sponsored by Operation Write Home.  If you didn't get to all the posts, here's a link to thumbnails from each post.  There's also a digital "freebie" there for you!

An Amazing Opportunity!

What an amazing deal - you can get over $310 in crafting and business supplies for $87.50!!

For a limited time, Stampin' Up! is offering our amazing Starter Kits for $87.50--that's 50% off of the regular price of $175.   Available Nov. 15 thru Nov. 30!

IT'S THE PERFECT OPPORTUNITY FOR A HOBBY STAMPER! The starter kit is not only a fantastic savings, it includes the benefits and discounts of being a Stampin' Up! demonstrator with no obligation to sell.

Choose either the Standard or Digital Starter Kits. Includes $310 of Stampin' Up! stamps and accessories for $87.50.

The starter kits can be customized to your preferences. Here's what is included and your substitution options. Starter kit products ship FREE.

• Take 30% off your first $150 Stampin' Up! product order (placed w/in 45 days).  
• Save 20% on all other orders  
• Pre-order from the 2011 Occasions Mini and Sale-A-Bration catalogs starting Dec. 1. 
• Sale-A-Bration is around the corner and free stamp set opportunities multiply!
• Enjoy tons of learning tools, including video tutorials on the Stampin' Up! demo site. 
• Sign up on-line and enjoy instant benefits (starting Nov. 15)
  
  OTHER INFO: There's no penalty to drop and you keep the kit and everything you purchased at a discount! You'll enjoy full demonstrator privileges thru March 31, 2011. To remain active beyond March 31, 2011, $300 in product sales is required.

You can watch this video to hear what other demonstrators have to say about the opportunities with Stampin' Up.

Operation Write Home Veterans Day Blog Hop!

Hope you are enjoying the Operation Write Home Blog Hop!!  Welcome to Inkie Fingers!  I am excited to be participating in my FIRST blog hop.  This is the perfect Hop for me since our veterans are near and dear to my heart.  Not only do I have a daughter currently serving our country in Iraq but my son graduated from West Point Military Academy and served his country both in Korea and in Iraq.  Also, my father, step-father, brother and grandfather were all proud veterans.

The deadline for Christmas cards has passed for Operation Write Home.   Valentines are the next holiday cards that are needed. Valentines are due Jan 7, but sooner is always better so they can get some boxes packed ahead of the deadline.

I hope you enjoy these Valentine cards that I have made to send to our Veterans.  I would love to hear your comments!

My first card is a darling Love Birds card featuring the birds from Stampin' Up's Love You Much.  I put a little envelope (from Sizzix Bigz Scallop Envelope) on the front with a little love note inside.

 

Front of love birds card. 

Supplies used:

Cardstock:  Stampin' Up Pink Pirouette; SU Dotted Window Sheet (retired); Whisper White

Stamps Used:  Love You Much, For A Friend (Stampin' Up - retired)

Accessories:  Bigz Scallop Envelope Die, Cuttlebug Embossing Dotted Swiss folder; Pinking Hearts Border Punch, Owl Punch (for the red heart)

Inside of card

My second card features a cute little OWL.  I love Stampin' Up's Owl Punch and it made making this card super easy!

Supplies Used:
Cardstock: SU Soft Suede, Regal Rose, DSP unknown
Accessories: 2 3/8" Scallop Punch, SU Scallop Punch, Spellbinders Circle & Scallop Punch, Owl Punch, Pinking Hearts Border Punch. Hand Held Circle Punch
Ink: Soft Suede

To make this card, cut your cardstock 5 1/2" x 11" and score at 2 1/2" and 5". Decorate accordingly.



Card open



You can help Operation Write Home get $50,000!!  Joann's is giving away $50,00 to one of 3 charities.   Now it's everybody's turn to choose the charity that will receive the $50,000. The 2nd and 3rd place vote-getters will receive $25,000 and $15,000 respectively.  Voting begins November 7 and ends 11:59:59 P.M. EST on December 4, 2010. Limit one vote per person/e-mail address per 24-hour period.  We ask that you please VOTE DAILY at Joanns.

Archway Cookies is also partnering with Operation Write Home and will match sending their sweets with our sweet Valentines.  Read all about it HERE.

Hope you enjoyed my  Valentines and will visit me again.

To go to the next stop on the Blog Hop, click HERE and visit Shelly!

Diet and Exercise .... take care of yourself

Seems like I'm always fighting my weight as many of you do also.  Here's a recipe for you to try as well as some interesting calorie burning exercises.

How about a simple, fast, smoothie breakfast paired with a half english muffin with 1 tsp peanut butter.


♦ 1 mango, cut into cubes
♦ 1 banana, broke into large chunks
♦ 1 cup pineapple chunks
♦ 1 kiwifruit, peeled and sliced
♦ 2 cups plain nonfat yogurt
♦ 1 cup ice cubes

Combine mango, banana, pineapple, kiwi, yogurt and ice cbes in a blender. Puree until smooth and thick.
Pour into 4 glasses. You can freeze the leftovers in sealable plastic containers. Microwave for 30-60 second and stir, to defrost.
Makes 4 servings (about 2 cups)

Per serving with half english muffin & peanut butter: 260 calories, 4g fat, 250mg sodium, 47g carbs, 4g fiber, 11g protein

*****************************************************************************

 Below is a list of a few activities that you can do with no rewards or you can turn it around and reap the rewards of 30 minutes of exercise. (figures are based on a 180-pound woman's expenditure)


Watch a baseball game [burns 66 calories]
Play baseball [burns 354 calories]
Shop Online [burns 66 calories]
Walk around the mall [burns 141 calories]
Drive to the car wash [burns 66 calories]
Wash your own car [burns 129 calories]
Watch ballroom dancing [burns 66 calories]
Go ballroom dancing [burns 129 calories]
Ride a lawn mower [burns 66 calories]
Push a lawn motor [burns 258 calories]
Play a video game [burns 66 calories]
Play Frisbee [burns 129 calories]
Use a leafblower [burns 75 calories]
Use a rake [burns 171 calories]
Sunbathe [burns 66 calories]
Go swimming [burns 300 calories]

~~~Change One, The Official Reader's Digest Diet

BE SURE TO CHECK IN TOMORROW FOR THE OPERATION WRITE HOME BLOG HOP!

Not My Usual Trashy Self!

I've been working on Christmas cards the past few days.  I found a few images in my stash so decided to color them and make them into Christmas cards.  I didn't have to cut up a bunch of paper or throw away rejects.  Tonight when Sonny went around to collect the trash from all the rooms to take to the curb, he was quite surprised to find my trash can(s) weren't overflowing as usual.  He asked me what I'd been doing all week - obviously not making my normal amount of trash.  He usually hates to come in my craft room!  I try to have it bundled up in advance or at least to be in the room to empty my trash containers in his black plastic bag.  I have one regular sized trash can under my desk and 3 small trash receptacles scattered about - on the floor and table.  After all the work I had done on various projects for the craft fair the last few weeks, I took a much needed break this week.  I'm sure in the next few weeks, I'll be back to my "trashy self!"  I've got calendars to get done in time for Thanksgiving!

So, here are some of the cards I did this week:

This card uses SU DSP and cardstock, the Big Shot and an embossing folder.  The Christmas light stanp is from DRS.

 Another non SU stamp and DSP.  I colored the pine cones with my Copics.  The one on the right has Liquid Applique on it for snow as well as Stickles and the one on the left just has Stickles on it.  Both are pretty glittery.

I was looking through my stamps the other day for a Santa Claus and realized I didn't have one (except for a very large one).  So, when I was in M's one day, I saw this guy and bought him.  He's pretty jolly!  I embossed him with black embossing powder and used the Liquid Applique on the hat.  The DSP and Riding Hood Red cardstock is from SU. 

I've since bought an SU Santa that I really like.  I hope to ink him up tomorrow!  The set is from the Holiday Mini catalog - Jolly Old Saint Nick.  There are 2 Santas and a darling snowman!   Hopefully I will have some "play" time tomorrow.  We are leaving for Pittsburgh on Friday a.m. and we have to pack and go to town to get my nasty car washed so we can see out the windows when we are driving!! 

I will be in a Blog Hop this weekend.  I will be getting it ready tomorrow and setting it to post while I am gone.  This is the first Blog Hop I have done and I am excited about it.  It is for Operation Write Home so be sure to stop back by on SATURDAY and check out my Valentines!

Greeting Card Kid

I had a late night last night .... biting my fingernails to the quick watching the Steelers play in another nail biter game!  They pulled the win out but almost blew a 20 point lead at halftime.  Tonight we went to the Checkers hockey game after a nice dinner at Black Finn downtown Charlotte.  It was a fun evening even if the hockey game was a bit boring.  The only fight that occurred was before we even got in our seats!  We were only ten minutes late and missed a fight and two scores by the opposing team.   Oh well, it was a nice night out with friends.

Today I worked on a Christmas card using the In Colors (Blushing Bride and Pear Pizzaz) and the little girl from Greeting Card Kids.  I stamped a few of them from Margaret's stamp set - I think she is going to have to stamp a few more for me!

I got the idea for this card from Sandi MacIver's Countdown to Christmas newsletters.

I got a SU shipment today for my club ladies.  I had ordered some more ribbon organizers.  They are great and hold a bunch of ribbon!  See for yourself:  These are three of them (they come 2 to a package).  I have 4 medium and 2 large ones and they all hook together on the sides.

Muffin, Muffin, Who's got the Muffin?

I made a couple of Advent Calendars from Mini Muffin Tins!  What fun they were.  I originally had just made one but the gal who bought it wanted another one for her other grandchild.  So I improved on the original!

I got the tins at Walmart.  The red and green paper is cut to 1 1/4" square.  Layer on those squares, the large scallop circles.  Then punch designer paper in 1 3/4" circles and layer them onto the scallops.  Then I just typed 1-24 on my word processing program in a font I liked, printed them out onto white cardstock, and punched them out with the 3/4" punch.  On the back of the red and green squares, I glued think magnets.  The magnets were a real find!  A few years ago, Ashley was cleaning out her desk and had about 100 of these refrigerator magnets she'd gotten from a drug rep or something.  Anyway, I don't like to throw anything away so I took them.  It's amazing how often I've used those little magnets.  They have been a real find!

I played bridge today .... and actually had the top score which was surprising because my hands pretty much sucked!  But that just goes to show how bad everyone's hands were.  I won't be able to play Mahjongg on Friday due to going to Pittsburgh which made several of the gals happy since I have been winning big time the past month and taking their money!  (We only play for $2!)

Fall Back - Calendar Time

Did you remember to "Fall Back" last night and enjoy that extra hour of sleep?  I did while snuggling under my down comforter.  I like it cold when I'm sleeping so I can snuggle down under the covers.  It's putting my foot outside of those covers when I have to get up that I don't like.  Sonny and I enjoyed breakfast this a.m. at Bob Evans since we wouldn't be headed over to the Steeler bar at noon for the game.  (They are playing Monday night so we'll be watching them from home this week.)  I've had to satisfy my Sunday football fever with watching the Ravens play Miami and New Orleans beating up on the poor Panthers.  Next week though .... I'll be watching the Steelers from Heinz Field in Pittsburgh Sunday night!!!  Can't wait!  Plus, we also got tickets for the Penguins hockey game on Monday night! 

I started working on the calendars that I do for friends and family each year.  I finished the first one today.  It is a CD calendar.  I was working so hard, I burned a hole in my embossing tray! 

 It happened while I was making these fall leaves.  I love this technique but don't do it very often.  I stamped the leaves (from French Foilage - SU holiday mini) in a variegated stamp pad (Big & Juicy pad) and cut each one out.  Then squoosh them into Versamark.  Holding the leaf with tweezers, dip each one in Extra Thick Embossing Powder and heat with heat gun.  Dip again into embossing powder while still hot & heat again.  Repeat this 3-4 times.  You end up with leaves that you could actually use for a piece of jewelry (with a pin on the back).  

 I glued the leaves onto this page using Glossy Accents.

 Used the apple from the hostess set, Apple Blossoms; punched the star & added a button.

 The trees are from Tropical Party and the dog is from a retired set that I don't remember the name of.

Purple flowers are from Awash With Flowers and the daffodils are from Abundant Hope.

Christmas girl is from Greeting Card Kids and October is Wicked Cool.

Melting snowmen - aren't they cute?  It's a Northwoods stamp.  The girl is a Magnolia stamp.

Love birds are from a hostess set in the holiday mini - Northern Hearts.  The shamrock stamp is an old Michael's Dollar stamps.

Playing Catch Up

I had to share this beautiful tree!  This was taken right outside our bank last Saturday.  The fall colors here came in a jiffy this year.  If you weren't in the right place at the right time, you missed them.  We had hoped to go to the mountains to see all the beautiful foilage but never made it this year.  Hope next year is better.

I haven't stamped anything in three days!  Wow!  I've just been doing nothing.  I think I burned myself out getting ready for that craft fair and now I have to find my mojo again.  I've got to get my butt in gear and get to work on Christmas cards and calendars.  I've got ideas in my head by they haven't reached my fingers yet.  I forgot to mention last week that I won some blog candy!  It was my first time to actually win AND receive it.  A couple of years ago, I won some blog candy but never received it so that didn't count.  This time, I won from Nancy Dawson over at Paper Dreams & Creative Wishes.  She sent me Technique Junkie 2010 Edition CD!  So, I'll be learning some new techniques soon.  I used to subscribe to Technique Junkies newsletters (for several years).  It is a great resource.  If you are interested, check it out HERE. 

So .... back to playing catch up.  I have several cards I have received in the past few days / weeks that I have not shared.  So, here you go!



Halloween Card from Margaret



Sonny's birthday card - from Margaret

Monday Mailer from October

Monday Mailer from October

Whew!

Whew!  I'm done with the Craft Fair!  It went pretty well.  I sold some things but brought some things back home with me too.  It's funny - you just never know what people are looking for.  The items I thought would have been the big sale items weren't.   Oh well .... I have quite a few Christmas gifts now!   I'm just ready to make cards and other things for fun now - starting tomorrow!  After the show was over, I went to lunch with a group of ladies, had a couple of margaritas and relaxed.  Tomorrow I'll tackle the unpacking and maybe make a start on getting my craft room back in some kind of order!  Yesterday, you couldn't even walk in my room without stepping on something. 

I thought I'd share a few pictures of some of the things I had for sale today.

Tealight candles that I stamped on (about 50!)

Candles in Slide Open Boxes

Gift Box with notecards inside

Notecards inside box above

Magnetic box that I got off Clearance.  I decorated it and put candles, and note cards inside

Inside of Magnetic Box (above)

Metal Box with candles (I think this is an empty embellishment box)

Accordian Fold Holiday Planner

Slit Latch Gift Card Holder - directions on Splitcoast Stampers

Inside of Gift Card Holder (above)

Another Slit Latch Gift Card Holder - fun & easy to make IF you follow video tutorial!

I am going to Statesville tomorrow evening to a Christmas Open House at a nursery/gardens there.  Please keep your fingers crossed that it won't be rainy!!  I know it will be cold but I can dress warmly.  We finally got out the down comforter last night and slept under it all snuggly and warm!   Sonny broke down today and had to turn the heat on while I was gone this afternoon.  Let me tell you, if he turns the heat on, you know it's cold in the house!  He said he'd been outside doing something and when he came inside, he realized it was much colder inside than outside.  He checked the thermostat and it was registering 58 degrees!  (Ashley - you would have icicles hanging off your nose!)  So .... I am headed to bed now to get under that warm down comforter! 

Good night.