The Present

Imagine there is a bank that credits your account each morning with $36,400.  It carries over no balance from day to day.  Every evening the bank deletes whatever part of the balance you failed to use during the day.  What would you do?  Draw out every cent, of course!

Each of us has such a bank.  It's name is TIME.  Every morning, it credits you with 86,400 seconds.  Every night, it writes off, as a loss, whatever of this you have failed to invest to good purpose.

It carries over no balance.  It allows no overdraft.  Each day it opens a new account for you.  Each night it burns the remains of the day.

If you fail to use the day's deposits, the loss is yours.  There is no going back.  There is no drawing against tomorrow.

You must live in the present on today's deposits.  Invest it so as to get from it the utmost in health, happiness and success.

The clock is running.  Make the most of today.

To realize the value of ONE YEAR, ask a student who failed a grade.

To realize the value of ONE MONTH, ask a mother who gave birth to a premature baby.

To realize the value of ONE HOUR, ask the lovers who are waiting to meet.

To realize the value of ONE MINUTE, ask a person who missed the train.

To realize the value of ONE SECOND, ask a person who just avoided an accident.

Treasure every moment that you have!!
Remember that time waits for no one.

Yesterday is history.
Tomorrow is a mystery.
Today is a gift.
That's why it's called The Present.

Everyday Occasions Cardmaking Kit - Awesome!

Stampin' Up! recently introduced this AMAZING Everyday Occasions Cardmaking Kit and although it's intended for true-blue beginners, I say it's for EVERYONE!  




It's great for those of us who occasionally forget someone's birthday (don't we all???) or when we don't necessarily have the perfect handmade card ready to give or put in the mail.  It comes with everything that you'll need to make 20 cards, PLUS an adorable stamp set that you can use FOREVER! 



Here's what's included:

• Cardstock and envelopes for 20 cards
• Twine, buttons and clips
• Full-color Tips & Tricks brochure
• A cool, storable, giftable box (put a bow on it and give it as a gift!)
• Die-cut paper embellishments
• Stampin' Spots (mini ink pads)
• 7-piece Occasions Stamp Set & clear stamp block

All you need aside from all of the contents in the Kit is a bone folderand some adhesive. Talk about EASY!

 I hope that I have inspired you to get your own Everyday Occasions Cardmaking Kit and get crafty with it, as well as buy one or some as a gifts for friends and family members who has been too afraid to play with paper.  

How Short Life Is

Wow!  It's already Friday??  Where does time go?! 

I have been trying to wrap my mind around a tragic event that happened this week.  One of my son's high school friends committed suicide.  He went to a park and put a gun to his head.  What led up to this young man's death?  What demons was he fighting?  Why did he not get help?   I heard from another friend of my son's last night who is struggling to understand this tragedy also.  He and James had parted ways several years ago over a disagreement and now, he is realizing how short life can be. He is now trying to reach out to other friends who have become estranged (one being my son).  So maybe some good can come out of this tragedy.  We are reminded how short life really is at times like this, and how we are just passing through. So, all the people you haven't told you love lately, tell them, and live your days like you mean it.

I want to share with you the muslin bag that Joy did at club this week.  She decided to make the bag her own and stenciled her initial onto the bag.  I think it turned out really cute.

 

Also - SAVE THE DATE!!  I will be sending out info soon about the Christmas Card Stamp A Stack.  I will be finishing up the cards for the event this weekend.  I have one date so far - November 16 (Saturday).  We will also be picking a weekday evening which has not been determined yet.  This is always such a fun event.  You don't want to miss it if you live in this area!!

Here is one of the cards I made this week.  Will it make the cut?  Not sure  - what do you think?

Paper Craft MDS Card

It's time for another Paper Pals sketch challenge.   Again, I used My Digital Studio to create this fun Halloween card.

I used Candid Frames for the photo strip frames and inserted the Halloween images in the frames.  I used a strip of designer paper for my ribbon.  All in all, a pretty easy card this week.

Today was one of my stamp club days.  Joy was the only one who came today so we had a one-to-one stamping day.  A couple of the gals were out of town and another gal had a dr. apt and will be coming on Thursday.  But, Joy and I had fun.  After she finished the cards and muslin bag, she cut and stamped some leaves and letters so she can make a Fall plaque like the one HERE.  I can't wait to see her finished project!  She did her little muslin bag so cute.  Instead of making it for Halloween, she used the dauber and did red polka dots and did her initial (J) in the center.  I'll be sharing the picture I took of it later.  We came up with the idea that the little muslin bags would make a cute little tooth bag for the grandkids.

October Club Cards

This is my week for Stamp Club and we have a variety of cards to do.  First off, since October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, I thought it appropriate to do a card for that.  I lost my sister to breast cancer so the cause is near and dear to my heart.  This card is for you, Deb.

I made a heart mask from a window sheet and used the spritzer (filled with alcohol and pink ink refill) to lightly spritz the heart.

Since it is almost Halloween, a couple of Halloween projects are in order also.

This card uses Summer Starfruit, Wisteria Wonder and Tangerine Tango.  I stamped the candy from Halloween hello on the card in the different colors of ink.  I stamped a single stamp onto colored cardstock, cut it out and adhered it with dimensional tape.

I used the stencils from the holiday mini catalog that comes with the banner kit to color these muslin bags (also from the Holiday Catalog).   For the polka dot bag, I used a dauber to make the Pumpkin Pie dots.  For the other bag, I used the spritzer again filled with alcohol and Pumpkin Pie ink.  It was so easy!!  Won't these be cute filled with candy for the munchkins who come trick or treating at your house?

Our final card is an early Thanksgiving card.  I CASEd this card from the wonderful Jan Tink.  I used the DSP, Sweater Weather and sponged all the edges with Chocolate Chip ink.  I used Crystal Effects to glaze the acorns.  The ribbon and button are both retired.  I used a marker to draw a faux buttonhole.

So .... would you like to join my club??  I have a couple of gals who are long distance members.  I would love to have more!

Pleasant Poppies

Here is a card I made quite some time ago but I don't think I have shared it yet.  The Top Note die is the first Sizzix die that Stampin' Up offered us.  I don't even remember when - probably 3-4 years ago.  I remember thinking I didn't need a Big Shot and dies!  HA!!  Was I wrong!  I don't think many of us make cards anymore without using that great machine!  It has definitely taken card making to another level. 

 

The base of the card is Very Vanilla, run through the Polka Dot embossing folder and adhered to the Marina Mist card.  The Very Vanilla piece is also trimmed at the bottom with Edgelits Finishing Touch.  I cut a little more than half of the Top Note from Marina Mist and another one from Very Vanilla.   I stamped the poppy flowers (Pleasant Poppies) in black and used markers to color the flowers.  I trimmed the Very Vanilla on the dotted lines around the edges, glued it to the Marina Mist Top Note and adhered the whole thing to the top of  my card.  The wide pink grosgrain ribbon is retired but I thought it looked great on this card.  What do you think?

 

 

 

Sonny and I went to the movies Saturday and saw Captain Phillips with Tom Hanks.  If you get a chance, GO see this movie!!  It was so good.  I was crying at the end - and even saw tears in Sonny's eyes which I am sure he would deny.  The movie is based on the true story of the 2009 hijacking of The Alabama (a cargo ship) by Somali pirates.  The film focuses on the relationship between the Alabama's commanding officer, Captain Richard Phillips, and the Somali pirate captain, Muse, who takes him hostage.  

 

Good news for Sunday ..... my STEELERS won their first game of the season!!  I know it is week 6, but it was good to have a win against the NY Jets.  Our ex-neighbors (in Gig Harbor) weren't very happy since Joe is a big Jets fan, but hey, I was happy!!  Plus, I picked the Steelers to win in the football pool!!

Gorgeous Grunge Gift Card

If you like deals, check out the Clearance section.  New items were added today.  Just click on the clearance tab at the top of my blog to check them out.

I have a great little gift card for you to make and it's so easy!! 

I used the Sizzix Scallop Square die (retired) to cut 2 scalloped squares with Modern Medley DSP.  I used red liner tape around all the edges and taped them together.  On the top, I cut off a couple of inches and used a brad to attach the cut off piece to the other part of the scallop square making an opening to insert the gift card. 
Use the Bowz Die and make a bow (I used Polka Dot DSP).  Attach the bow to the front of the scallop (on the top part).  I cut a couple of flowers from the Flower Sizzix Die and stamped them with Gorgeous Grunge and made flowers and leaves to attach to the bow.

Stampin' Up has a contest where you could design the next stamp set for the company!   

• Participate in stamp set design challenges by drawing and submitting your original artwork
• Help choose new stamp sets by voting on submissions
• Post comments and interact with others in the community
• Earn badges for your activity in the community

SU will produce and sell one or more stamp sets from among the top-voted submissions in each challenge. Plus there are fabulous prizes for top designs. 

If this is something you are interested in, click here for more information.
So far, there have been 2 stamp sets designed in the "In With You" challenge.

SPREAD THE JOY

and the newest set - MONSTERMANIACS STAMP SET

I just love the saying in the Spread the Joy set and will be ordering it real soon.

Paper Craft Challenge

I made my digital card this week for the Paper Craft Crew challenge in time this week!  We had a pretty simple sketch this time so it was a quick card to make (once I made up my mind what to do!!)

Last night we had an early little birthday celebration.  I got 10 free tickets to the Comedy Club at Galway Hooker restaurant so we invited some of our friends and family to go.  The comedian was really funny.  We had a couple of comedians that opened for the main gal that were just ok.  But the main act was really funny.  We all had a good time plus a great dinner!

Today we went out on the boat with the Catawban group.  I thought it would be really cold since the temps have been the low 70s this week.  But the sun was really warm and I was wishing I had on short sleeves instead of long!  But it was fun.  I made some kettle corn and it was a big hit!  I had to make two batches because I ate about half of the first batch while I was making it!!  I got the recipe this weekend from a gal at the quarterly.  She said the secret to making it is to use a Whirly Pop popcorn popper.  I happened to have one that was given to me many years ago so I dug it out today.  It was so easy!  Here is the recipe if you are interested:

1/2 C Oil
2/3 C Popcorn
1/3 C Sugar (regular white granulated)
Heat oil in Whirly Popper w/3 kernels.  Once they pop, add the popcorn and sugar.  Turn the Whirly Pop handle continuously until done.  The handle will get hard to turn when it is done.  Take it off the heat so it does not burn.  Dump into a bowl; let cool 1-2 minutes; add salt to taste.  Don't add salt while cooking - it will ruin it.

You can get a Whirly Popper at Bed & Bath and use your coupon.  I have seen them there before.

Christmas Projects

Monday night Marianne and I went to Allison's house in Concord for her demo meeting.  What fun!  Allison had prepared three projects for us to make; we had a show and tell; and we did a holiday card swap.  Here are the projects we made last night:

Cute notebook with bow made with Bow Maker

Wiper Card - the message (in white -merry Christmas) pops up when card is opened

Santa using Purse Die

I know I talk about my daughter a lot on my blog.  But I also have a son who lives in Arizona with his wife and family.   I just don't get to see them very much.  They recently had an anniversary and a vacation.  While on vacation in Disney, they dressed up and "did the town."  Darcie posted this picture on her blog of the two of them.   Handsome man and beautiful gal!

Weekly Deals!

Surprise!  Starting today, Stampin’ Up! has begun to feature a “Weekly Deal” in the Online Store.  Select items will be discounted for just a week while supplies last.  Even demonstrators won’t know which items are being discounted until Tuesday morning when we wake up, wipe our eyes and immediately log in to see what this week’s deal is.  The items this week appear to be 25% off, but I don’t know if that will be the case every week.

WEEKLY DEALS ARE HERE

 

Here’s the fun part – the items are listed at their regular price.  When you add them to your cart, they show up at the discounted price.  This is your chance to get some great deals!

ALSO - don't forget - today is DIGITAL DOWNLOAD day.  New downloads for MDS HERE.  My favorite this week is the 2014 12x12 calendar - some great DSP in there.