Christmas Scrapbook

My friend, Judy, is back from Florida and came to visit me on Thursday.  She brought me some new goodies!!!  She brought some gorgous paper (mostly Bo Bunny which I love and I am using some of the designs in my next class at Stampers Alley); ribbon (we both have ribbon addictions I think!); Cuttlebug border embossing plates (which I had not seen before); and she made me this gorgeous vintage Christmas scrapbook.  I have taken a picture of a few of the pages for your enjoyment.  Now, I just have to add pictures!

Isn't it beautiful??!! 

Thanks, Judy!

My Word is Peace

My Word is "Peace"

You see life as precious, and you wish everyone was safe, happy, and taken care of.

Social justice, human rights, and peace for all nations are all important to you.

While you can't stop war, you try to be as calm and compassionate as possible in your everyday life.

You promote harmony and cooperation.

You're always willing to meet someone a little more than halfway.

What's your word??

Snowman Smore

I got my Monday Mailer this week from my friend, Brenda Tapp and it is adorable!! I am just in love with it and will definitely be CASEing it in the future!!

I am assuming she used her 2 square punches and rounded the edges. Then she drew in the snowman features. The brown pieces are from the Word Window Punch. She edged everything in brown. Isn't he so cute????

I don't usually pass these around, but I thought this was really good. Hope you enjoy it too.


MATURITY

New Year's Resolutions

JUST FOR TODAY, I will live through this day only. I will not brood about yesterday or obsess about tomorrow. I will not set far-reaching goals or try to overcome all of my problems at once. I know that I can do something for 24 hours that would overwhelm me if I had to keep it up for a lifetime.

JUST FOR TODAY, I will be happy. I will not dwell on thoughts that depress me. If my mind fills with clouds, I will chase them away and fill it with sunshine.

JUST FOR TODAY, I will accept what is. I will face reality. I will correct those things that I can correct and accept those I cannot.

JUST FOR TODAY, I will improve my mind. I will read something that requires effort, thought and concentration. I will not be a mental loafer.

JUST FOR TODAY, I will make a conscious effort to be agreeable. I will be kind and courteous to those who cross my path, and I'll not speak ill of others. I'll improve my appearance, speak softly, and not interrupt when someone else is talking. Just for today, I'll refrain from improving anybody but myself.

JUST FOR TODAY, I will do something positive to improve my health. If I'm a smoker, I'll quit. If I'm overweight, I'll eat healthily – if only just for today. And not only that, I'll get off the couch and take a brisk walk, even if it's only around the block.

JUST FOR TODAY, I will gather the courage to do what is right and take responsibility for my own actions.

~Dear Abby's New Year's Resolutions (re-printed every year)

Sneak Peek at new catalog!

Well, I'm not in Orlando at Leadership, BUT I am "privvy" to some of the sneak peeks from people who are there.  They are absolutely drooling over the new catalog!!  I am anxiously awaiting my copy - sales in the new catalog will start Jan. 19!!!

Here are some items that are in the new catalog:

a  new inspirational stamp set with an image that matches the new Decor Elements tree!

a jumbo wheel called Friendly Words.. it's like our previous word background stamps with all different fonts for the words

a beautiful heart image in a set called Ever After

a  2 step set with flowers and words - Wonderful Watercolors

Fifth Avenue Floral set.. love it!

All of the new DSP is awesome! A couple great manly color combos, too! 14 new packs!

5 new Simply Scrappin' Kits

Card Element kits.. preprinted cards with a stamp, ribbon and a stampin' spot! plus other kits

Rub-ons with 4 colors in one kit

Rub-ons with multiples of the same image so you can make swap cards!

Flower brads in Pumpkin Pie, Pretty in Pink, Chocolate Chip and So Saffron

Jumbo Brads.. love them.. 5/16" and 5/8" in Choc. Chip, White, Vanilla and Silver

Clear Rhinestone brads (like the ones in the Pretties Kit) sold in a pack by themselves

Corduroy Buttons!!

Button Bouquet button assorted in "Latte" colors

FABULOUS new ribbons!

new border punch that looks like lace

new circle cutter... WAY amazing, easy to use! 

Lots of exclusive Big Shot dies!

More sizzlets and embosslits!!

TEXTURZ PLATES for the Big Shot (to dry emboss card fronts!) 12 exclusive SU! designs and 12 Sizzix designs

Girl Scout Cookie Time

 

Lemon Chalet Crèmes, 1 cookie [80 cal/3g fat/0g fiber/12g carbs/40mg sodium/<1g protein] *2 WW points

Trefoils, 5 cookies [150 cal/7g fat/<1g fiber/20g carbs/105mg sodium/2g protein] *3.5 WW points

Do-si-dos, 2 cookies [110 cal/5g fat/<1g fiber/15g carbs/85mg sodium/2g protein] *3 WW points

Samoas, 2 cookies [150 cal/8g fat/<1g fiber/19g carbs/50mg sodium/1g protein] *4 WW points

All Abouts, 3 cookies [150 cal/7g fat/<1g fiber/21g carbs/75mg sodium/1g protein] *3.5 WW points

Chocolate Chips, 3 cookies [160 cal/9g fat/2g fiber/22g carbs/140mg sodium/1g protein] *3.5 WW points

Tagalongs, 2 cookies [150 cal/10g fat/1g fiber/14g carbs/100mg sodium/2g protein] *4 WW points

Thin Mints, 4 cookies [150 cal/7g fat/1g fiber/20g carbs/115mg sodium/2g protein] *3.5 WW points

     ~~These cookie nutritionals are from the Little Brownie Bakers at www.littlebrownie.com
February 2008

Blog Candy Alert!

Check HERE for some Valentine blog candy! Who knows, someone's gotta win it .... it just could be you (or ME!)

Monday Mailer Card

My NC Stampin' Up group has started back with our Monday Mailer program.  This month I chose for the cards to have a Winter theme each week.  So, for my first card, this is what I sent to my partner:

I used Holiday Line stamp set and stamped & embossed the snowmen on watercolor paper.  Then I used my watercolor crayons and my markers to color them in.  Using my markers, I did a faux watercolor technique where you use the markers around the edges of the area and use your Aqua pen to bring the color in the middle and blend.  Truthfully, it's just as easy to use the watercolor crayons with the Aqua pen!! The designer paper is some I still have from the Holiday Mini Catalog, Frosty Day layered with Bashful Blue, Tango Tangerine and on a Kiwi Kiss card with Kiwi Kiss satin ribbon (love this ribbon!).

I have spent the past 3 days getting my stamping room reorganized (not all day each day - but a few hours each day!!)  Monday night, Sonny suggested he get a yellow Caution tape and string it over the door!!  I'm getting there though!!  Just hope after I finish, I can find where I've put everything!  Here are few picture!

This is the view from the door - not much room to walk through.  Plus, I've got a folding table that doesn't belong in the room loaded down with stuff.  I need to clean it off and give it back to my hubbie!  When I had friends over Thanksgiving & Christmas stamping with me, we used that table and it's been a crutch for me to stack stuff on ever since.

Here is a closer view of the mess!  You can't even see my computer - and hardly my desk!! 

But ... here is a cleaned up version of my Stampin' Up stamp shelf - all nice & neat! They are a loose alpha order - A-D on top shelf; E-K next; L-P next; Q-S next and on the bottom, T-Z with the boxes stacked according to size.  The Retired sets have blue circles on them.  On the top are jars of ribbon divided by colors.  The plastic jars used to have Almonds in them from BJ's!!  The wire shelf next to my SU stamps are my clear stamps and non-SU stamps - still need to work on them a bit, but they're not too bad since I organized them a few months ago.

Hopefully, by the end of the week, I'll have a clean desk and floor to share with you!!

Retired Accessories

Items on this retired accessories list will be available at regular price while supplies last or through January 18, whichever comes first. These will sell out FAST. order today if you want something.

Products are marked as available or unavailable. If an item is unavailable, our supply is exhausted and the item can no longer be ordered. This list will be updated every day through January 18. I will try to keep it as updated as much as possible.

With most catalogs, some accessories are completely retired while others are redesigned or reconfigured for the new catalog. Sometimes popular items are "retired" in their current packaging or style to come back with improved packaging or added product features. This year, no accessories are being reconfigured.

Here also is the list of RETIRED STAMP SETS.

NOTE: Items out of stock are initalics & PURPLE

Item #
Product Description

• 111377 ACCENTS & ELEMENTS ROOF GARDEN
• 112012 ACCENTS & ELEMENTS SEASON TO SHARE
• 112088 ACCENTS & ELEMENTS TRUE ELEGANCE
• 102782 ALBUM LEATHER BLACK 12X12 Not Available
• 104188 ALBUM LEATHER BLACK 6X6
• 105384 -ALBUM LINEN POST MELLOW MOSS 6X6*
• 104516 ALBUM LINEN POST NAVY 6X6
• 105381 ALBUM LINEN POST REAL RED 6X6* not available
• 103977 BUTTONS BOLD BRIGHTS*
• 103978 BUTTONS EARTH ELEMENTS
• 103981 BUTTONS EARTH ELEMENTS & NEUTRALS
• 105446 BUTTONS RICH REGALS
• 105445 BUTTONS SOFT SUBTLES
• 103604 DAYS-TO-REMEMBER CALENDAR 12X12
• 102174 DAYS-TO-REMEMBER CALENDAR 8 1/2X11
• 112465 DESIGNER SERIES PAPER BANBURY
• 112462 DESIGNER SERIES PAPER GEORGIA PEACH
• 112463 DESIGNER SERIES PAPER GHOSTLY GREETINGS
• 112040 DESIGNER SERIES PAPER GREEN TEA
• 112470 DESIGNER SERIES PAPER HAIKU
• 112460 DESIGNER SERIES PAPER HAWAII PAPAYA
• 112469 DESIGNER SERIES PAPER HOLIDAY TREASURES
• 112458 DESIGNER SERIES PAPER JUNIOR VARSITY
• 112459 DESIGNER SERIES PAPER MAINE BLUEBERRY
• 112466 DESIGNER SERIES PAPER MUIRFIELD
• 112149 DESIGNER SERIES PAPER PARISIAN SUMMER
• 112467 DESIGNER SERIES PAPER PRESTWICK
• 111355 DESIGNER SERIES PAPER SUMMER PICNIC
• 112039 DESIGNER SERIES PAPER WINDSOR KNOT
• 106523 ENVELOPE TEMPLATE FIVE-IN-ONE CARD COVER
• 104104 ENVELOPE TEMPLATE MINI
• 107298 ENVELOPES CONFETTI WHITE MEDIUM
• 110695 ENVELOPES OPEN END KRAFT SMALL
• 109115 ENVELOPES OPEN END VERY VANILLA SMALL
• 103372 METAL EDGE TAGS ALUMINUM WHITE SQUARE
• 107925 ON BOARD BITTY BOOK*
• 109190 ON BOARD CLIPBOARD 9X9*
• 109180 ON BOARD SIMON UPPER
• 112086 ON BOARD SOMETHING SEASONAL
• 107923 PAGE PROTECTORS RING 3.25 X 3.25
• 104942 PUNCH 1/4 INCH CIRCLE not available
• 104943 PUNCH 1/4 INCH SQUARE
• 107273 PUNCH 3/4 INCH SQUARE
• 104389 PUNCH DOUBLE CIRCLE*
• 100391 PUNCH HANDHELD 1/8 INCH CIRCLE Not Available
• 104830 RIBBON GINGHAM CARAMEL
• 104829 RIBBON GINGHAM LIGHT BLUE
• 104828 RIBBON GINGHAM LIGHT PINK
• 104831 RIBBON GINGHAM MOSS
• 109037 RIBBON GROSGRAIN MORE MUSTARD 1/4 INCH
• 110282 RUB ON ANCHORED
• 111806 RUB ON CHILLS & THRILLS
• 111805 RUB ON SCHOOL DAYS
• 111417 RUB ON WORD FLURRIES
• 110283 RUB ONS TAKE NOTE
• 112193 SIMPLY SCRAPPIN I WISH
• 112186 SIMPLY SCRAPPIN PINA COLADA
• 112068 SIMPLY SCRAPPIN SUMMER HOME not available
• 112043 SIMPLY SCRAPPIN U R SWEET
• 112061 SIMPLY SCRAPPIN WINTER RETREAT not available
• 112016 SIMPLY SENT CARD ELEMENTS HANDMADE HOLIDAY
• 109868 SIMPLY SENT CARD KIT LIFELONG NOTES
• 103647 STAMPIN STORE MINI
• 105813 WRITE ME A MEMORY FONT CD VOL II
• 107212 MATEYS MAP wheel
• 106749 BRIGHT BULBS wheel
• 109672 BRONCO wheel not available
• 104100 MAKING TRACKS wheel
• 108978 SANDY SHELLS wheel
• 110332 SNOW wheel
• 101233 SNOWFLAKE wheel
• 109694 SWEET STARS wheel
• 111249 TAKE A NUMBER wheel

Contact me now if you want any of these items!!

Sharon

FIRST TIME EVER SU SALE

First time EVER!!

Stampin' Up! is offering current, retired and retiring* stamps up to 50% off regular price!! Click HERE for the complete list!!

HERE is a picture of the items not found in the regular catalog that are on sale.

• Items and special pricing are limited supply.
• Retired/previously retired items will be sold until quantities run out.
• Current items may revert to their retail price if inventory levels become acceptable.

Contact me if you are interested in ordering any of the items.

This Day In History

On this day in history - January 5 -

• In 1933, construction begins on the Golden Gate Bridge, as workers began excavating 3.25 million cubic feet of dirt for the structure's huge anchorages.
• Sonny Bono, Congressman and former half of the singing duo Sonny and Cher, was killed in a skiing accident (1998).
• In 1949, President Harry S. Truman announces, in his State of the Union address, that every American has a right “to expect from our government a fair deal.” .
• Richard Nixon signs a bill authorizing $5.5 million in funding to develop a space shuttle. The space shuttle represented a giant leap forward in the technology of space travel. (1972)
• In 1920, the New York Yankees announces its purchase of the heavy-hitting outfielder George Herman "Babe" Ruth from the Boston Red Sox for the sum of $125,000.

Betcha didn't know!!

Belated Birthday Wishes

While watching the football playoff games tonight, I made a birthday card .... although a little late.  One of my college friends turned 60 Dec. 29th and I forgot!!  Jackie's the baby of the three of us - Brenda turned 60 in September, me in October and now, Jackie.  It's hard to believe we're that old!!!  I sure don't feel like it .... well, most of the time, anyway.

I used Pink Passion, Turquoise and Green Galore cardstock.  I used the Happy Birthday Cuttlebug embossing folder on the card and cut the circles out with my Nestabilities (also the Happy Birthday tag is a Nestie tag).  The cupcake has SU's chunky glitter and the balloons have Crystal Effects on them.  The inside says "I thought and I thought and then I forgot..."

A productive day and a squash (card that is)

I've had a rather productive day I think today.  Hubby & I went out for breakfast .... Stacy's in Denver - yum!!  Then we had to go by a shower installation place.  Seems his little project has turned into a major project!!  He noticed a couple of weeks before Christmas that our shower was leaking into the wall in our bathroom.  So, he pulled the baseboard off to assess the damage.  Yep, the wood and drywall were wet.  So, with the holidays, we've just been letting it dry out and using the guest bathroom - no biggie.  Wednesday, he decided to tackle it and clean out some mold that had gotten into the caulking area.  It was easier (his idea!) to remove the whole glass shower enclosure so he could clean it real good.  Well, that was ok UNTIL he took it to the garage to clean it and broke the glass!!!  It took him quite a while to get that cleaned up (and of course, it was New Year's Eve and we had places to be!!)  So, some friends told us about a shower supply house in Denver that we visited today.  They will be out on Monday or Tuesday to give us an estimate.  We think they may be the company who originally put in our shower when the house was built, so they can perhaps just replace the piece of glass.  Or .... I may be getting a new shower.  Especially, since the guy at the shop today asked me what color my shower trim was and when I told him gold, he said no one uses gold anymore!!!  The downside is that it will probably take 1-2 weeks to order the glass.  So, guess we'll continue to shower in the guest bathroom.

After that little trip, I went to the library to return my books (and pay my fine!); to the post office to mail my swaps which I will be sharing with you soon; to Target where I picked up a few Christmas items for 75% off (what a deal!) and the gift card for my granddaughter's card; then home where I made a few cards and a little scrapbook. 

Here's one of the cards I made today using SU's new stamp-set, Love You Much.  Remember - this is available NOW in a bundle at 20% off!!  Check it out HERE.  The heart punch punches out all three of the hearts in the stamp-set.  The card I made is a squash card and it was fun to make.  If you are interested in the "how-to's", check out the instructions on Splitcoast HERE.  This was their Technique Monday challenge (funky folds).  I have made a squash book before but haven't done one of these cards in a long time.  I'm giving you a SNEAK PEEK and used some of the new designer paper (Raspberry Tart) that will be in the new catalog.  I'm really loving the paper - it's pretty funky.  It coordinates with Cameo Coral, Rose Red and Kiwi Kiss, Real Red and Pretty in Pink.

This is the card closed -

Here it is opening -

And fully opened -

I also used my new Label Two Nestabilities that I received today with my new Big Shot!!  (Jackie - you are an enabler!!)

Stampingly - Sharon

Happy Birthday Kennedy

Well, I've finally got some cards to share with you. I needed to do a birthday card for one of my granddaughter's, so I decided to check out the weekly Sketch Challenge on Splitcoast. It was a pretty good one so I made my card accordingly. It is always so much easier when I have a starting place - sketch, colors, etc.

Here is the sketch:

And here is my card: I used the dinosaur from My Favorite Things clear stamp set and the balloons are from Crazy for Cupcakes. The green and pink striped paper is actually digital paper!!

Now I just have to buy a gift card to put in it & get it in the mail.

Recipe Box

I want to share one of my Christmas gifts with you!  My sister, Marianne, made this recipe holder for me.  She did a super job.  You know, she is the one who told me, when I moved here, that she was not going to get into doing cards and stuff that I did - she is a quilter and was going to continue with that.  (Think she's made one quilt since I've been here!!!)  When we went to CK Convention in August, she signed up for Quick Quotes Club Q - a monthly kit club. This recipe box is one of the monthly kits that she got.

These are the dividers -

These are little bookmarks that I would think you could use for placeholders or even attach them to the recipe cards.

These are the only 3 recipes she included in the box but they each tell a story!!  We LOVE my grandmother's vegetable soup.  I make at least 2-3 huge batches every year and eat on it all winter.  (I'm the only one in my house who will eat it - Sonny doesn't like veggies!)

The Vinegar Pie is another one of our grandmother's recipes.  Not many people have heard of vinegar pie and we usually get strange looks.  But, it is really good and easy to make - tastes kind of like a chess pie.

The Chicken Spaghetti recipe is mine from an old Beta Sigma Phi recipe book.  Marianne came to visit me in Texas when Derek (her oldest son who is now in college) was only 3 or 4 years old.  He was is a pretty picky eater - only eats chicken (to this day!).  I made the Chicken Spaghetti and she told me he wouldn't eat it.  Well .... he just about cleaned the casserole dish!!  Now, it is a favorite of both of us!

Now, I just have to come up with more special recipe to put in the box!!

Twas the month after Christmas .... and I ate too much

'Twas the month after Christmas, and all through the house
Nothing would fit me, not even a blouse.
The cookies I'd nibbled, the eggnog I'd taste
At the holiday parties had gone to my waist.

When I got on the scales there arose such a number!
When I walked to the store (less a walk than a lumber).
I'd remember the marvelous meals I'd prepared;
The gravies and sauces and beef nicely rared,

The wine and the rum balls, the bread and the cheese
And the way I'd never said, "No thank you, please."
As I dressed myself in my husband's old shirt
And prepared once again to do battle with dirt.
I said to myself, as I only can"You can't spend a winter disguised as a man!"

So--away with the last of the sour cream dip,
Get rid of the fruit cake, every cracker and chip
Every last bit of food that I like must be banished
Till all the additional ounces have vanished.

I won't have a cookie--not even a lick.
I'll want only to chew on a long celery stick.
I won't have hot biscuits, or corn bread, or pie,
I'll munch on a carrot and quietly cry.

I'm hungry, I'm lonesome, and life is a bore,
But isn't that what January is for?
Unable to giggle, no longer a riot.
Happy New Year to all and to all a good diet!

The world's best back scratcher

My mom is, hands-down, the best back scratcher ever!!!  Marianne & I love to have her scratch our backs.  She has always scratched our backs and our kids backs.  Whenever Mom would come visit me when I lived in Texas, my kids would get on either side of her and pull their shirts up so she could scratch their backs.  They still do!!!  When she worked for a major construction company in Charlotte - many years ago - one of the women executives would call her in her office and lock the door & pull up her blouse for Mom to scratch her back!!   Marianne is always backing up to Mom for her to scratch her back so I don't get as much back scratching!!  (don't understand, I am the favorite after all!!!)

Here's a picture of Mom scratching Marianne's back at our family Christmas dinner Saturday!!

Christmas with the family

Saturday night we had our family Christmas.  My brother came over with his two kids, my sister and her family and my mom and my other sister joined Ashley, Sonny and myself for a great meal where we all ate too much!  After dinner, we exchanged presents and visited.  My brother brought their Wii and I kicked their butts in bowling!  My sister, Angela, challenged my Mom to a game and she pretty much kicked Mom's butt too!  Then we had to try the boxing - we pretty much got KO'd pretty quick on that one.  The Wii is really fun!!

I went to Weight Watchers today (haven't been in a month!).  I was all prepared to pay since I didn't think I had stayed within the 2 pounds that you have to do from your goal weight when you reach Lifetime, but I was ok - just barely!!  Let's just say, I couldn't have put on another ounce!!!   Now to lose those 2 pounds!!  Maybe if I threw away some of the cheese balls, sugar cookies, pizzelles, Moravian cookies, etc. that I have downstairs!!

Here's me and Ashley.

Marianne's 2 sons and Kelly (Derek's girlfriend).  Think Derek is napping!

My brother's daughter, Lexie.

My brother, Lee and my hubbie.

Marianne & Ashley.

Hand Crafted Christmas Cards

Here are a few of the Christmas cards I received this week.

This is from Jackie Parkins (she works part time at Stampers Alley).  I love this label - think it's a Nestability .... I WANT IT!!

This is from my English friend, Margaret who lives in Texas.  I just love the poinsetta!!  Great job, Margaret even if I did have to pay the additional postage on it!!!

This is from my upline, Carol Bartle.  She lives in Tacoma, Washington.

Enjoy!

Sharon

Scrabble

Word Game Inventor Was a Bad Speller
Odd as it may seem, the man who created Scrabble, Alfred Butts, was himself a bad speller. His wife, Nina, helped him with the spelling part as he was conceiving his word game.

Alfred fooled around with the creation of Scrabble for years. He started working on it at his home in Newton, Connecticut, in 1931. He painted wooden tiles, each with a letter of the alphabet, then kept trying to figure out the best point value for each letter based on frequency of use.

He went through several name changes for his game. He originally called it Lexiko, then Criss Cross, and finally, Scrabble.

At last, in 1948 - seventeen years after he began - Alfred was ready to copyright the name and rules. He took it to game manufacturer Selchow & Righter and they agreed to put it on the market.

For the man who couldn't spell so well, his invention became the best-selling word game in the world, and the second-best board game in sales, after Monopoly.

~Strange & Fascinating Facts about Famous Brands by Charles Reichblum

Hope your Christmas was merry!

I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and were surrounded by the ones who love you. We had a great day .... pretty low key but with family so it was special.

Sonny & I were able to sleep in until almost 9!! (Funny how you can do that when there are not any little ones around on Christmas morn!) Ashley woke up earlier and popped the breakfast casserole (that I had made the night before) in the oven so it was ready to eat pretty soon after I got up. After breakfast, the three of us opened our stockings and our gifts. We oohed & aahed over all our goodies. The highlights .... I got a BIG SHOT!!!, a Just Rite rectangle stamp set, a set of Nestabilities, Bed & Bath shower goodies, books ..... Sonny was in love with his Steelers lightweight jacket from Ashley, books, thermals, and a Steelers DVD from me. Ashley got books, a shredder, windshield wipers (she asked for them!!), necklace, a Steeler gnome (really cute), electronic Crossword puzzle/Sudoko game, Tunes gift card .... I don't remember all of it!! Anyway, let's just say, we did good!!

My mom and sister, Angela, came over in the afternoon and we opened gifts again and ate, and ate .... then ate some more!! We are waiting until Saturday night to have our big Christmas meal when the whole family can be here. My brother and family live in Charlotte and usually are with her parents on Christmas and my other sister, Marianne, drove up to the mountains to spend the day with her in-laws. So, tomorrow night we'll be eating some more and opening more presents. . . Extending the holiday as long as possble!!

One of the highlights of my day was hearing from my son. He and his family live in Tucson. I was very happy to hear from him as things are not good between us at the moment. My grandson, Jayce, got on the phone for a minute and I was able to tell him Merry Christmas (he's 2 1/2). He had a big Christmas even if he was a little bit sick. Jeff said Jayce got a scooter for Christmas and was scooting all over the house and threw up on the scooter a couple of times! Today, I saw pictures on my daughter-in-law's blog that they got SNOW (in Arizona)!!! The pictures of Jayce are priceless!!

Enjoy the weekend!

Sharon

Candy Cane leftovers!

Below are some tasty tips on what to do with those extra Christmas candy canes. Enjoy!

• Use as a stirrer for hot cocoa. Mmm, minty!
• Crush, then use them to coat the rims of glasses for peppermintinis! [recipe at quickandsimple.com/magazine)
• Add ½ cup crushed candy cane to a single batch of cooled pudding for a peppermint twist.
• Use as a colorful topping for plain ice cream.
• Save for Valentine's Day. Glue two together to form a heart and stick it on the front of a card. Or, you could attach a ribbon at the top and hang it from your door for a sweet decoration

MERRY CHRISTMAS

C is for the Christ Child and the child in all of us.

H is for the Heart of God, in Whom we place our trust.

R is for our Redeemer, Who is finished with His chore.

I is for Isaiah, who had told it all before.

S is for the Shepherd lowly shepherds came to see.

T is for Three wise men, who were wise beyond degree.

M is for a Manger, a simple manger where He lay.

A is for bright Angels who were standing by that day.

S is for the Star that shone and still shines out today!

Merry Christmas to all my female friends!

If I were ol' Santa, you know what I'd do

I'd dump silly gifts that are given to you

And deliver some things just inside your front door

Things you have lost, but treasured before.

I'd give you back all your maidenly vigor,

And to go along with it, a neat tiny figure.

Then restore the old color that once graced your hair

Before rinses and bleaches took residence there.

I'd bring back the shape with which you were gifted

So things now suspended need not be uplifted.

I'd draw in your tummy and smooth down your back

Till you'd be a dream in those tight fitting slacks.

I'd remove all your wrinkles and leave only one chin

So you wouldn't spend hours rubbing grease on your skin

You'd never have flashes or queer dizzy spells

And you wouldn't hear noises like ringing of bells.

No sore aching feet and no corns on your toes

No searching for spectacles when they're right on your nose

Not a shot would you take in your arm, hip or fanny

From a doctor who thinks you're a nervous old granny.

You'd never have a headache, so no pills would you take.

And no heating pad needed since your muscles won't ache.

yes, if I were Santa, you'd never look stupid

You'd be a cute little chick with the romance of a cupid.

I'd give a lift to your heart when those wolves start to whistle

And the joys of your heart would be light as a thistle.

But alas! I'm not Santa.I'm simply just me

The matronest of matrons you ever did see.

I wish I could tell you all the symptoms I've got

But I'm due at my doctor's for an estrogen shot.

Even though we've grown older this wish is sincere

Merry Christmas to you and a Happy New Year

Milk Carton Container

I want to share with you the Milk Carton Container I made last week. I actually made 2 of them but forgot to take a picture of the first one before I gave it away. They both turned out soooo cute!! I got the idea and bought the instructions from Becky Roberts (Inking Idaho) She put a picture of my container on her blog the other day! There are a bunch of cute ones there. I will be doing a class at the Stampers Alley in February. We will make our containers either for Valentine's or if you prefer, for a birthday or other event.

You can fill each little carton with goodies - ribbon, stamping supplies, candy .... whatever you want!!

Love You Much sample

Just wanted to show you a card I made today using the new stamp set that will be offered in the Bundle starting tomorrow (12/23) Love You Much.

I also used the Scallop Envelope Die that I just got (use it with the Big Shot or Cuttlebug). It's really cool!!

Are you ready?????

for Valentine's Day?

I know it isn't even Christmas yet, but Stampin' Up! is getting ready for Valentine's Day! Beginning December 23rd (that's TOMORROW!), you can order the Love You Much bundle! It's a preview of goodies that will be in the new catalog, and you can order them early! Guess what else?!! If you order on the 23rd, you can use it as part of a $70 order and receive FREE SHIPPING!! WooHoo!

Here's the details:

Dates: December 23, 2008 - January 31, 2009

The Love You Much Bundle includes the following:

• Love You Much stamp set $25.95


• Candy Lane Designer Series paper (coordinates with Close to Cocoa, Pink Pirouette, Riding Hood Red, Very Vanilla) $9.95


• Heart To Heart punch $15.95


• Bundle Retail Value $51.85 - Love You Much Bundle (20% off; item 115405) $41.48

What a deal!! Contact me TODAY!!

Free Shipping, Sales .... what else do you want???

Just a reminder for those who still want to take advantage of the Free Shipping offer from SU, there are only 2 more days left! Through December 23rd, you get free shipping on any order that 'total's $70! So if you & a friend put an order in together & it totals over $70, you both get free shipping! I actually have an order now that 'totals' approximately $70 so if you want to add on to it, everyone gets their shipping free.

I am so grateful to Stampin' Up! for this fantastic Christmas gift, it has saved many of us a big bundle this month.

Also ... quick reminder.. the RETIRING STAMP SETs are ON SALE for 10% off. Take advantage of the FREE SHIPPING and the SALE in the next 2 days! What a great time to stock up on adhesive, cardstock, ribbons, etc.!! And what an awesome time to get those items of higher cost on your list, like the Big Shot, the Ink Pad Carousel or a family of ink pads or markers. Call or e-mail me NOW!!