Un Clutter Your Life!

I can be a pack-rat sometimes. But, then I go through a clean-it-all-up stage and out it goes. Or .... more than likely, we move & I have to take a hard look at what I've accumulated!! Since I don't see any moves for us in the future, I need to begin to "un-clutter"! Here are some tips I've gotten (from Oprah magazine) that I thought everyone could probably use. They are from Andrew Mellow, a professional organizer (how do you ever get that job???)

Think of this scenario: If your house were burning and your family, pets, and purse were already out of harm's way, what else would you want to save? Probably not the blender that only works on one speed, the china you inherited but never use, or the photo in which you're not exactly looking your best. Which begs the question: If those things aren't worth taking, why are they in your home in the first place? There's no reason to be surrounded by things that don't work, that you don't need, or that you don't even like.

The Ground Rules

1. Everything you own should have value, either because it's functional or beautiful or you just love it. Remember the question of what you'd grab if your house were on fire; that's your baseline for determining an object's worth.

2. Every item needs a place where it "lives." Setting things down on the coffee table or kitchen counter creates piles and confusion. How many times have you had to search for your keys when you are ready to go somewhere? Where do your keys live? They live in a bowl or on a hook by the front door — but you never lose anything when you put it where it lives.

3. Focus on one thing at a time. Multi tasking is supposed to help you get more things done quickly, but when you try to do 19 things at once, everything ends up incomplete. You're trying to simplify your life, so simplify your approach to getting organized.

Tomorrow we'll look at un-cluttering the kitchen!!

Got a napkin?

I learned a new technique this weekend and I had to try it out. See these cards -

Well, they are made from napkins!! Isn't that cool?!! I ironed the napkins onto my cardstock sandwiching a piece of Saran Wrap in between. You can learn all about it by watching Michelle's video HERE.

I have a ton of pretty napkins from my days of mod-podging (a looooong time ago!!). I picked up most of them at Tuesday Morning - they have some really pretty napkins. The one with the leaves is left over from Thanksgiving last year. The one with the flowers I used the flowers from Upsy Daisy and embossed it on Bashful Blue and added a pearl from the SU Pretties kit.

Don't forget - this is the final 2 days to order Upsy Daisy ON SALE!! If you are interested (or in any of the other sale stamp sets), let me know by Tuesday.

Country Living Magazine

If you enjoy magazines, have I got a deal for you!!

Stampin' Up is once again teaming up with Country Living - but in a grand way this year - Read On...

Stampin' Up has partnered with Country Living magazine to design the Country Living Holiday Collection Stampin' Kit that will be featured in the December 2008 issue of Country Living. As an added bonus, Country Living is offering Stampin' Up! customers a special magazine subscription rate. Subscribe to a year of Country Living for only $12 and get a FREE mini stamp kit! For just $1 an issue, you'll receive great craft projects, articles on collecting, makeover features, recipes and entertaining ideas - all delivered to your home each month. PLUS, Country Living will include the exclusive Stampin' Up! mini stamp kit. Use it to design note cards, menus and anything else that inspires you! Click here to subscribe.

Stay tuned for more details on the Exclusive Holiday Kit featured in the 28 page layout.

Damned if we do; Damned if we don't

In case there hasn’t been time to find those few minutes to pick up a paper in the last week and half or so, a brief overview—we are in economic crisis, something that is very real. If you are not feeling it in your pocket book now (like at the grocery store or the gas station), you will be soon. As was described in the Presidential Address the other night, the government has bailed out big businesses that have gone bankrupt due to corrupt business practices. The tax payers are now responsible for paying over 85 billion dollars that private business negligently squandered, though never was it the big bosses’ paychecks who ever suffered. In order to do this, we are borrowing money that will leave our children with with a massive debt to repay.

So what do we all think of this? On one hand, the people that would suffer would be the everyday people whose life insurance, home insurance, retirement, and credit that would suddenly become void, or plummet if these companies dissolved. On the other, since when does government pay for private businesses’ economic mistakes? I thought we had something called Capitalism in this society?

What do you all think? Are you ready to foot the bill for a big company’s mistake? Or do think the government is right to step in?

Blog Candy Alert

Click here for some blog candy - from the UK!

My Monday Mailer from Jana

Here's the Monday Mailer I received from Jana. We thought alike this week - we both used Pocket Silouettes. It is a very versatile stamp set AND it is ON SALE!!

Monday Mailer to Kathy 9/22/08

Here's my Monday Mailer to Kathy this week. I stamped the image from Pocket Silouettes (on sale this month!!) with versamark and embossed with White. Then I sponged with Tangerine Tango all around the image. The Designer Paper is from Hawaiian Papaya (love it!!) and layered it with Old Olive and Tangerine Tango. The "hello friend" is a rub-on from Chit Chat.
Hope you like it, Kathy!

World Alzheimer Day

Today is World Alzheimer Day. I have been fortunate to have escaped this horrible disease - in that, I mean I have not had any close relatives who have it. It is a disease that scares me to death as I am sure it does to many others.

Cammie is doing an AMAZING Giveaway today in Celebration of the Day! She was able to get many great companies from around the Scrapbook/Stamping Industry to donate over $1,000 worth of Stamps/Supplies! And what's better than that you ask?! Well, she is giving it away to ONE Special Person! Just click on her blog to find out more!! She is doing a challange to make a card and send it to someone caring for an Alztimer's Effected Person! I made this card and will be sending it to:

Staff at the Artman Home

250 N. Bethlehem Pike

Ambler, PA 19002

Won't you help too?

This week's Catty CASE

This is for NC Demos Catty Case Saturday. We were supposed to make a card based on the card on page 21 of the SU catalog. I used the hostess stamp set (Level 3) Window Dressing. I stamped the window with black ink on Vanilla cardstock and used my Copic markers to color. I put Crystal Effects all over the window. I cut the little cat out separately and used dimensionals to pop him up. The designer paper is a "sneak preview" from the Holiday mini catalog (Autumn Vine). The card base is More Mustard and the pieces behind the image are Sage Shadow and Bravo Burgundy. I found that little bit of twill ribbon (friends) in my "stash".

Like the card says .... so thankful for .... friends. I am so thankful for my friends. My good friend and neighbor, Judy, brought me some goodies back from her recent trip to Florida yesterday! You'll be seeing some of the goodies soon. I got Halloween designer paper and embellishments; some little matchbox style boxes with paper flowers for the top; 3 sheets of designer paper that was used in the September Stamp of the Month (by Great Impressions) and some white watercolor paper that is not real thick like normal watercolor paper - can't wait to use it all!!

Now .... time to watch a little football! Go STEELERS!! and PANTHERS!

Sharon

I got 100%!!

MEMORY TEST


This is NOT a pushover test. ? There are 20 questions Average score is 12. It will help if you are over 60! ? This one will be difficult for the younger set. Have fun, but no peeking! Good luck youngsters!

1. What builds strong bodies 12 ways?

A. Flintstones vitamins
B. The Buttmaster
C. Spaghetti
D. Wonder Bread
E. Orange Juice
F. Milk
G. Cod Liver Oil


2. Before he was Muhammed Ali, he was...
A. Sugar Ray Robinson
B. Roy Orbison
C. Gene Autry
E. Rudolph Valentino
E. Fabian
F. Mickey Mantle
G. Cassius Clay


3. Pogo, the comic strip character said, 'We have met the enemy and

A. It's you
B. He is us
C. It's the Grinch
D. He wasn't home
E. He's really me an
F. We quit
G. He surrendered


4. Good night David

A. Good night Chet
B. Sleep well
C. Good night Irene
D. Good night Gracie
E. See you later alligator
F. Until tomorrow
G. Good night Steve


5. You'll wonder where the yellow went

A. When you use Tide
B. When you lose your crayons
C. When you clean your tub
D. If you paint the room blue
E. If you buy a soft water tank
F. When you use Lady Clairol
G. When you brush your teeth with Pepsodent


6. Before he was the Skipper's Little Buddy, Bob Denver was Dobie's friend...

A. Stuart Whitman
B. Randolph Scott
C. Steve Reeves
D. Maynard G. Krebbs
E. Corky B. Dork
F. Dave the Whale
G. Zippy Zoo


7. Liar, liar...

A. You're a liar
B. Your nose is growing
C. Pants on fire
D. Join the choir
E. Jump up higher
F. On the wire
G. I'm telling Mom


8. Meanwhile, back in Metropolis, Superman fights a never ending battle for truth, justice and...

A. Wheaties
B. Lois Lane
C. TV ratings
D. World peace
E. Red tights
F. The American way
G. News headlines

9. Hey kids! What time is it?

A. It's time for Yogi Bear
B. It's time to do your homework
C. It's Howdy Doody Time
D. It's Time for Romper Room
E. It's bedtime
F. The Mighty Mouse Hour
G. Scoopy Doo Time


10. Lions and tigers and bears....

A. Yikes
B. Oh no
C. Gee whiz
D. I'm scared
E. Oh my
F. Help! Help!
G. Let's run


11. Bob Dylan advised us never to trust anyone

A. Over 40
B. Wearing a uniform
C. Carrying a briefcase
D. Over 30
E. You don't know
F. Who says, 'Trust me'
G. Who eats tofu

12. NFL quarterback who appeared in a television commercial wearing women's stockings...

A. Troy Aikman
B. Kenny Stabler
C. Joe Namath
D. Roger Stauback
E. Joe Montana
F. Steve Young
G. John Elway


13. Brylcream...

A. Smear it on
B. You'll smell great
C. Tame that cowlick
D. Grease ball heaven
E. It's a dream
F. We're your team
G. A little dab'll do ya

14. I found my thrill...

A. In Blueberry muffins
B. With my man, Bill
C. Down at the mill
D. Over the windowsill
E. With thyme and dill
F. Too late to enjoy
G. On Blueberry Hill

15. Before Robin Williams, Peter Pan was played by...

A. Clark Gable
B. Mary Martin
C. Doris Day
D. Errol Flynn
E. Sally Fields
F. Jim Carey
G. Jay Leno

16. Name the Beatles...

A. John, Steve, George, Ringo
B. John, Paul, George, Roscoe
C. John, Paul, Stacey, Ringo
D. Jay, Paul, George, Ringo
E. Lewis, Peter, George, Ringo
F. Jason, Betty, Skipper, Hazel
G. John, Paul, George, Ringo

17. I wonder, wonder, who..

A. Who ate the leftovers?
B. Who did the laundry?
C. Was it you?
D. Who wrote the book of love?
E. Who I am?
F. Passed the test?
G. Knocked on the door?

18. I'm strong to the finish...

A. Cause I eats my broccoli
B. Cause I eats me spinach
C. Cause I lift weights
D. Cause I'm the hero
E. And don't you forget it
F. Cause Olive Oyl loves me
G. To outlast Bruto

19. When it's least expected, you're elected, you're the star today...

A. Smile, you're on Candid Camera
B. Smile, you're on Star Search
C. Smile, you won the lottery
D. Smile, we're watching you
E. Smile, the world sees you
F. Smile, you're a hit
G. Smile, you're on TV

20. What do M & M's do?

A. Make your tummy happy
B. Melt in your mouth, not in your pocket
C. Make you fat
D. Melt your heart
E. Make you popular
F. Melt in your mouth, not in your hand
G. Come in colors




Below are the right answers
1. D - Wonder Bread

2. G - Cassius Clay

3. B - He Is Us

4. A - Good night, Chet

5. G - When you brush your teeth with Pepsodent

6. D - Maynard G. Krebbs

7. C - Pants On Fire

8. F - The American Way

9. C - It's Howdy Doody Time

10. E - Oh My

11. D - Over 30

12. C - Joe Namath

13. G - A little dab'll do ya

14. G - On Blueberry Hill

15. B - Mary Martin

16. G - John, Paul, George, Ringo

17. D - Who wrote the book of Love

18. B - Cause I eats me spinach

19. A - Smile, you're on Candid Camera

20. F - Melt In Your Mouth Not In Your Hand