Early Christmas and I'm Certified!

Christmas came a little early for me.  My friend, Margaret and I decided to just order each other the Stampin' Up things we wanted for Christmas.  I sent a couple of items her way that she had on her wish list for Christmas when she placed an order last week.  And she gave me her credit card and I ordered a few things for myself for Christmas.  Isn't that the best way to do it?  Then, everyone gets what they want! 

Here are the items I received this week from the new Mini Catalog which starts January 5.  The stamp set is a clear set and comes in a DVD box so there is plenty of room for the stamps PLUS on the spine of the box is a picture of the stamps that are in the box.  Easier to see what you've got when it's on your shelf!!  I just wish Stampin' Up had done this years ago!  I don't know that I want to take all the rubber off my old wooden blocks for ease of storage but it's a thought.  I've about run out of room for those big boxes of stamps.

So I got the Vintage Vogue stampset (clear) along with the Very Vintage large wheel, 5/8" Celery Satin Ribbon, Red Corduroy Buttons, Scallop Corner Punch, and Two Step Bird punch from the Mini Catalog.  I got the paper pad, Welcome Neighbor, from the upcoming Sale-a-bration Catalog.  The Sweet Pea Stitched Felt pieces were a gift from Stampin' Up!!

I also received this pin because I am now CERTIFIED in My Digital Studio.

Here is a card I made yesterday using my new stamp set.

I used the Nestabilities Ovals and cut a Gold oval and a Rich Razzleberry Oval.  I stamped the "F" in Gold, embossed it and carefully cut it out.  The bottom of the Very Vanilla paper is wheeled in gold, embossed and distressed.  I crumbled up the whole paper, straightened it back out and sponged Soft Suede all over it.  I wanted to use one of the new felt pieces but I'm not so sure it really goes with the vintage-ness of the card.  Oh well .... that's what I did.  The ribbon and card base are Rich Razzleberry.

Well, gotta run - headed to town for a bone density test and thyroid ultrasound test.  Hoping to meet Sonny for lunch after his stress test.  And I guess we'll be headed back to town tonight to watch the Steelers .... hopefull BEAT Cleveland.  If we can't beat the Browns, we might as well give up!!  Last I heard was that Hines Ward was hurt and will be sitting on the bench with Troy Polamalu so I'm not so sure about our chances.

Blog Candy

Check out this blog candy HERE!

Clean and Simple

Getting tired of Christmas cards?  We're sure inundated with them at this time of the year!  I started addressing mine last night.  I'm not including letters this year so it shouldn't take so long to get them done.  I've already received five or six cards and have them on display.  My first card of the season usually comes from my Texas friend, Sharon, but hers wasn't the first one this year.  What happened, Sharon??? 

Today I cleaned off my desk ... what a mess!  I had embossing powder and glitter everywhere.  Now, let's see how long it stays clean.  After I did that, I got the urge to stamp again.  I decided to do the Clean and Simple Challenge at Splitcoast .... since my desk was clean and all!   Here are the rules for the challenge:

1. Clean: the design is uncluttered with lots of white or open space. Simple: having a clear focal point without a lot going on to detract from it.

OR

2. simple in design regardless of the number of embellishments or how long it takes to color, stitch or to use a special technique

OR

3. can be copied and mass produced fairly quickly… usually without a lot of coloring, layers, embellishments, tools and/or techniques

OR

4. any combination of the above

Plus, there was a color challenge involved - use Red, Brown and Vanilla or White.  I think this card meets the challenge and I am quite pleased with it.

I used Close to Cocoa paper and embossed it with the Petals a Plenty embossing folder using a thin wooden frame on top of the embossing folder to keep the center unembossed.  The Northwoods stamp was stamped on a piece of vanilla and I used my Copics to color it.  I used Champagne Shimmers to paint around the oval and Frost White Shimmers on the snow.  But, of course, I had to use some stickles so dotted it on for snow.

Low Fat Pumpkin Apple Bread

Yummm .... here is a delicious bread to make for the holidays and it low fat too!  Enjoy!

Pumpkin-Apple Bread   -    10 servings @ 3 points each

2 cups all purpose flour
1/4 cup + 1 tsp. granulated sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 cup baking soda
1/2 tea. salt
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 cup eg substitute
1 cup low fat buttermilk
1 medium apple
1/2 cup cooked pureed pumpkin (or canned pumpkin)
1 tsp confectioners sugar

Preheat oven 350 degrees. Spray a 9x5 loaf pan with nonstick cooking spray. Peel, core and grate apple. In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon. In a small bowl, beat egg, add buttermilk, apple and pumpkin. Add egg mixture to flour mixture. Mix until blended. Spoon into prepared pan and bake about 1 1/4 hours or until tooth pick inserted new center comes out clean. Cook for 10 minutes and turn out onto rack and ool. Dust with confectioners sugar.

Chilly Snowman Sketch Challenge

It's been a long time since I've just been able to make cards and not been preparing for a class!  I don't have any classes in the near future so I'm just playing in my craft room (as evidenced by my 4 Dasher cards yesterday!)  This morning I made this card for a Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge.  As I've said before, I enjoy doing sketch challenges - takes away some of the decision making!!

It is a combination of a few things that I have had for a while - the ribbon, the paper ... it's good to use up things you already have.  The stamp is one of the Northwoods stamps.  I used stickles and Liquid Applique on the snow.

Here's the sketch if you want to play along.

I'll be heading out soon to watch those Steelers.  Let's hope they can win today.  Time is running out to even think about getting a Wild Card position.  Luckily, Ben will be playing today but don't know how the relationship is now between him and Hines Ward after last week's comments.  We'll see!  Sonny is between a rock and a hard spot with his fantasy team.  His quarterback was Kurt Warner.  Last week, when Kurt had to sit out with a concussion, he picked up Matt Leinart, Kurt's backup.  Well, they haven't announced for sure this week who will play.  He's putting in Matt but if Kurt plays, he'll be up the creek with no quarterback!

More Amazon $5 Deals

Here's more Amazon $5 magazine subscriptions for you just in time for Christmas giving!!  Click HERE to read about it.

You know Dasher and Dancer ….

 I’ve been busy today with a single stamp!  I just love the Dasher stamp!  I made several different cards with it today.  It is such a bargain to be able to buy a single stamp – especially holiday ones.  Check out the other single stamps on page 208 of the big catalog and on page 31 on the mini.

It's Dasher the reindeer,
the fastest of all,
a quick tiny reindeer,
but not very tall!

There’s Dancer
the danciest dancer of all,
dancing about
and having a ball! 

And Prancer like Dancer
prances all day,
driving elves crazy,
but what can they say?

While Vixen plays tricks
on all the reindeer,
Mixing their sleigh bells
and having no fear!

Don't forget Comet
with a smile all the while,
you can see the teeth glow
from even one mile.

And Cupid the dreamer
who day dreams the most,
waiting for Christmas
and Holidays roasts.

Donner is jumping
about on the snow.
Eager for Santa
and the reindeer to go!

Finally, Blitzen with mittens
of gold lace and holly,
is happy, and zappy
and oh, so jolly!

Oh, yes don't forget Rudolph
with that nose red and bright,
shining his nose
through the thick of the night

So what do you think?  Which one is your favorite????

Shelli on Today Show

Shelli Gardner (SU Queen Bee) was on the Today show yesterday.  If you missed it, HERE is a link to her segment .... and you don't have to watch the whole 2+ hours to see it!  It was short and sweet.  I don't know about her hairdo though!  I really thought she'd be on the show a little longer.

Northwood Class

I am teaching a class tomorrow at the local stamp store in Mooresville.  I will be using stamps from Northwood and doing five cards that were featured on a display board.  I just love the cards and man, are they glittery!  It took me a few tries to figure out the best method to stamp them but I finally think I got it.  I stamped most of them in Black Craft ink and embossed them with Iridescent Ice Embossing Powder.  Then I watercolored the images.  Northwood recommends watercoloring them with Tombow markers and I have to agree with them - that is the best.  BUT, I don't have any Tombow and tried using my SU markers to watercolor with.  That just didn't work.  I ended up using my watercolor crayons on some and on some just using a tad bit of reinker with my Aqua Brush.  I'll be interested to see everyone's finished product tomorrow and hopefully they will all have Tombow markers so they don't get frustrated like I did. 

Here are my samples.  My favorite one is the last one.

Moving Day plus a Monday Mailer

Ashley moved into her very own house today!!!  I talked to her shortly after the movers left and she was exclaiming at how big her den is .... her furniture is lost in it!  She has a lot to buy (or inherit) in the future.  Moving from a small condo to a large house will take much more furniture than she has.  Got anything to donate to the cause??  Ha!!  I'm taking a few things down in a couple of weeks which is one of the reasons I wanted to drive instead of fly.  I have her plants and I'm taking her my Christmas tree!!  Yay!  Now, I don't have to drag that big thing out of our attic downstairs anymore and can just do with a table top one - that already has lights!  I am not even decorating this year since we won't be here.  But, I'm beginning to feel like a Scrooge when I see the neighbors Christmas lights lit up and see their lit tree through the window.  It's too early to have a tree up!  I would be so sick of it by Christmas.  Tomorrow night we are meeting friends in Davidson for dinner and then walking downtown for the Christmas festivities.  Christmas in Davidson is a holiday festival and tradition since 1988.  During the event, downtown Davidson becomes a Christmas-themed zone of vendors selling a variety of arts and crafts and features a live nativity, strolling carolers and performances by a variety of choirs and bands.  We've never been before so I'm looking forward to it.

Here is the Monday Mailer I received this week from Tina.  This is the last one until January.

Yesterday was one of those days!

Ever have one of those days when maybe you just should have stayed in bed?  Well, yesterday was one for me!  Things didn’t start going downhill until lunchtime when I discovered our computer downstairs had a virus.  It had been ok in the morning, but when I sat down to play while I ate lunch, it kept telling me there was a security issue and I should download some virus protection program (or course, by purchasing it!)  Well, I kept trying to “X” out of it to no avail and when the website came up for me to download a porn video, I knew I was in trouble!  (No, I did not download porn!!)  Luckily, that is not our only computer – just the one my hubbie uses to play solitaire!!  So, I just turned it off and decided I’d worry about it tomorrow, Scarlett.  I was teaching a card class in the evening at Stampers Alley and had to get all my stuff ready.  I had made the kits for the One Sheet Wonder class a couple of weeks ago and thought I was good to go!  Oh no, my friends, I thought wrong.  See, the class was to make 5 different  cards (2 of each), 2 gift card holders and a bag to put them all in.  I had called the store around lunch time to make sure my count for 10 in the class was correct and discovered I needed to make one more kit.  No biggie!  So I pulled everything out of one of the kits to use for the measurements and discovered I had only put materials in the kits to make ONE card each and not two.  As I mentioned before in THIS post, this class was a little labor intensive to put together.  Well, I put my butt in gear and started cutting and stamping the materials for the 2nd card for everyone about 2 pm.  I finished about 5:15!  I  thought my class was at 6:30 but decided to just check and make sure I was correct.  Noooo, it was at 6:00!  So again, I put my “little butt” (I wish!) in gear and got dressed, put my makeup on and hauled everything to the car.  Of course, I got caught up in 5:00 traffic but got to the store about 5:50 … in plenty of time!!   The class went smoothly – except for the 4 new gals that I had who didn’t bring any supplies!  After having to share borrowed markers, scissors, etc. I think they’ll bring their kits next time! 

Today was my first Christmas party of the season.  My Newcomers group had our annual Christmas meeting and luncheon.  Wow!  There was so much food, it was a sin.  Of course, I had to make my dish last night after I got home from teaching my class.  I made a new recipe called Cheesy Potatoes and let it cook in the crock-pot all night.  It was good, but too many calories to cook it very often!

Tonight I made this card.  It’s been a long time since I just sat down and made a card for fun – not for a class or Monday Mailer or for a specific purpose.  I used Lovely As A Tree.  I hope Stampin’ Up never retires this stamp set!  I used a mask and stamped the trees positioning them with my Stamp-a-ma-jig.  Then I sponged Crushed Curry and Dusty Durango on and Soft Sky and a little purple (don’t know what color – it was already on the dauber and I just used it).  I sponged a little bit of blue on the snow too.  Then I used SU’s White Shimmer Paint on the sky and the trees.   How do you like it?

Retiring Stamp Sets – January 4

Stampin’ Up is retiring the following stamp sets.  They are currently listed in the Dormant stamp list.  They will be discontinued as of January 4, 2010.  So if you have your eye on any of the sets, now is the time to order them!!  Just e-mail me or give me a call!

Item Number	Stamp Set
113407	Back Woods
114492	Beautiful Baby
114486	Birthday Wish
113200	Branch Out
114496	Celebrations
113732	Central Park
113206	Classic Sketches
113226	Classy & Fabulous
114498	Flowers in Silhouette
113405	Font of You
113216	For the Bride
114494	Forever
109425	Friend by Definition
114488	Fun Flowers
113716	Garden Greetings
114490	Glad Friends
111580	Grand Soiree
113242	Hit the Road
113710	Lexicon of Leaves
113236	Man's Best Friend
114423	Ocean Commotion
113728	Playful Petals
109276	Polka Dot
111544	Putt Putt
113240	Quilt Quips
113754	Really Retro
113403	Sip by Sip
113726	Sweet Stems
113250	That's Funny
113688	Wonderful Watercolors
114028	Para la novia
114032	Acuarelas Maravillosas

Amazon Magazine Sale

Amazon has a few of it's magazine subscriptions on sale for $5!!  That's right .... $5!!  That's a great deal.  I got a couple of these last year and plan to do it again.  Today is the last day for this offer so if you are interested, check it out HERE.  Will make a good Christmas present for someone - they don't have to know you only spent $5!!  (unless they read my blog)

Monday Mailer for November

These are the last 2 Monday Mailers that I sent to my buddy for November.  We are going to be taking a break in December and resume the program in the new year.

But first, I have good news!  My daughter closed on her house today!!  Yippee!!  She was planning on renting it back to the owner this week since the gal said she couldn't move out until Saturday.  But, when Ashley got to closing, she found out the gal was moving today.  Of course, Ashley had the mover set up to come on Monday!!  But she was able to get them to deliver her things from storage on Thursday instead so now she will have the weekend to start unpacking.  Hopefully, she'll have it all done when we arrive in a couple of weeks!  Now, comes the fun part .... buying all the new things she'll need like, washer, dryer, bedroom suite, grill, lawn mower .....!    Glad it's her and not me!

Anyhow .... on to the cards!

This is the one I sent last week.  I used the Sweet Treat Cups from the Holiday Mini along with the Cold and Cuddly stamp set.  I filled the cup with Chunky Glitter!

This one I mailed today.  I used the Decor Elements stencil and sponged the ornament.  Then I stamped in Gold ink using Baroque Motifs.  I tied the white organza ribbon and left the streamers long.

Thanksgiving is but a memory

Well, Thanksgiving has come and gone and all I'm left with (besides left-overs) is tight clothes!!  I have got to get back to eating better!!  Why is that so hard?? 

I want to share a few Thanksgiving memories.

These are cards I made and sent.  Similar but different ribbon.

This is a card I sent to my friend, Judy.  That Gobble stamp made it so easy this year!

This is from Carol, my SU upline.  The sentiment is from a SU wheel that she cut apart.

This is from a good stampin' friend, Vicki.

This is from my Texas friend, Margaret.

And here is our table on Thanksgiving!

Aren't the flowers beautiful?  They are from our good friends, Sharon & Bob.  They usually spend Thanksgiving with us, but this year went to Texas instead to spend it with Sharon's sister. 

These are placecards I made (notice .... no names so I might be using them again next year!!).  I did let them take the matchbox treats home with them.  I filled them with Breast Cancer M&M's in memory of my sister, Debra who died from breast cancer 2 years ago at Thanksgiving.

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!  I will be welcoming my family to my home later today for a Thanksgiving celebration.  I hope you have a wonderful day ... and don't eat too much!!

We Give Thanks

Our Father in Heaven,
We give thanks for the pleasure
Of gathering together for this occasion.
We give thanks for this food
Prepared by loving hands.
We give thanks for life,
The freedom to enjoy it all
And all other blessings.
As we partake of this food,
We pray for health and strength
To carry on and try to live as You would have us.
This we ask in the name of Christ,
Our Heavenly Father.

--Harry Jewell

Elvis and Tanglewood Festival of Lights

Yesterday was a Girls Day Out in our family.  My mom, my two sisters and my daughter drove to Greensboro to the Barn Dinner Theatre to see ELVIS!!  It was a great show!  Tribute artist Stephen Freeman had a wonderful voice and he had Elvis's moves down!!  I would highly recommend this show if you get a chance!

My mother was mesmerized when he came to our table to give us all a smooch!

Don't know what that white dot is on his face - think it's a flash or something - it wasn't on his face at the time!

After the show, I drove over to see if I could find the apartment complex Sonny and I lived in when we met.  At the time, it was a Singles Only Complex.  Well, surprise, surprise, I found it!!  It's not a place I'd live in today - still has window unit AC's in the windows and the iron railings on the balconies is pretty rusty!  There was a swimming pool in the center when we lived there which is gone now and there were several additional buildings added on.  But, it sure brought back some memories!  Even my sisters remembered visiting me there ... when they were about 12 years old!!

From Greensboro, we drove to Lewisville to Enchanted Cottage, a huge stamping/scrapbooking store.  The only other time I had been there, they were closing in about 15 minutes!  This time, we had about an hour to shop (not that my Mom and non-stamping sister loved that!). 

On the way home, we passed the Tanglewood exit.  Since none of us (except Mom) had ever seen the Christmas lights there, we took a detour and drove through the park.  It was wonderful!  Another place I'd recommend to you if you're in the area.

 
Tanglewood Park's Festival of Lights began in 1992.  The first Festival of Lights in 1992 was a 1.5 mile route with only twenty five displays. Today the route has grown to just under 4 miles with one hundred eighty displays, of which seventy are animated.  Tanglewood begins setting up displays during the month of August to be ready for this large scale event which begins in mid November.  There are now over approximately a million individual lights that complete Tanglewood’s Festival of Lights.   Tanglewood’s Festival of Lights has been selected as a Top 20 Event in the Southeast and a Top 100 Event in North America

My Digital Studio Certification

I'm happy to announce that I am now one of the Stampin'Up! Demonstrators that is Certified in My Digital Studio.


I've completed all the Stampin' Up! requirements which included participating in webinars, taking quizzes and completing projects with My Digital Studio. We were also required to have 1 project professionally printed.
 
This is a very easy digital paper crafting program. I had never worked with a digital program like this before and I ♥ My Digital Studio!

THE sale

Here's a link to the SALE that Stampin' Up has going on right now.  You can see pictures on the link.  The link was broken on Monday but now it is back up and working so check it out!!

WOWZERS …. What a Sale!

Stampin' Up! has some SERIOUS sales going on right now - from 30 - 50% off!  Just  in time to get some Christmas shopping done.  Here are all the deals :

• The sale begins Monday, November 23, 2009, 12:01 AM (MT), and ends Monday November 30, 2009, 11:50 PM (MT).
• Discounts range between 30 percent and 50 percent.
• The Distribution Center will be closed on Thursday, November 26, and Friday, November 27, 2009, for the US Thanksgiving holiday. No orders will ship on those days.

ITEM #	PRODUCT	REG $$	DISCOUNT $$
120280	Framed w/Love Bundle *Framed w/Love stamp set *Full Heart Punch	43.90	21.95
120281	Thank You Kindly Bundle *Thank You Kindly stamp set *Scallop Edge Punch	29.90	14.95
120282	Animal Crackers Bundle *Animal Crackers stamp set *Star Designer brads	$25.90	12.95
120283	Corduroy Button Bundle *Kraft Cord Buttons *Pumpkin Pie Cord Buttons *Summer Sun Cord Buttons *Basic Gray Cord Buttons *Choc Chip Cord Buttons	$49.75	24.88
120284	Game Night Bundle *Card Games stamp set *Game Night stamp set	40.90	20.45
120285	Four Square Bundle *Four Square stamp set *Scallop Square punch	30.90	15.45
120286	Heart to Heart Bundle *Love you Much stamp set *Heart to Heart punch *Pretty in Pink 1/2” striped grosgrain ribbon	$49.85	24.93
120287	Chipboard Letter Bundle *On Board Timeless Type *On Board Loads of Letters	25.90	12.95
120288	Double Stitched Ribbon Bundle *Bashful Blue 1” double stitched grosgrain ribbon *Rose Red 1” double stitched grosgrain ribbon	17.90	10.74
120289	Ultimate Stampers Start.Bundle Best Wishes & More stamp set Eight Great Greetings stamp set On a Pedestal stamp set Earth Elements Stampin' Spots Earth Elements assorted card stock (8-1/2" x 11") Whisper White card stock (8-1/2" x 11") Old Olive 1/2" striped grosgrain ribbon Flower Designer brads	127.70	76.62
120290	Build A Brad Bundle *Calendar Alpha stamp set *Pewter Build A Brad *Antique Brass Build a Brad	40.85	24.51
120291	Enjoy Every Moment Bundle *Enjoy Ev. Moment stamp set *Circle Designer brads *Flower Designer brads	43.85	26.31
120292	Cheep Talk Bundle *Cheep Talk stamp set *Note cards *Pumpkin Pie Cord buttons	42.85	25.71
120293	Sock Monkey Bundle *Sock Monkey stamp set *Sock Monkey Acc. stamp set *Choc Chip Cord Buttons	48.85	35.31
120294	Alphabet Bundle *Jayne’s Type Alpha stamp set *Lovely Letters stamp set	87.90	52.74
120295	Simply Said Bundle *Simply Said stamp set *Old Olive 1/2” striped grosgrain ribbon *Full Heart punch	52.85	31.71
120296	On Board Bundle *On Board So Tweet *On Board Batch of Blooms *On Board Essentials	42.85	25.71
120927	Christmas Decor Bundle #1 *Holly Berry Wreath Decor Elements (Kraft & Real Red) *Real Red Vintage Ornaments Decor Elements *Chocolate Vintage Ornaments Decor Elements	74.85	44.91
120298	Christmas Decor Bundle #2 Same as above in Chocolate, Real Red	74.85	44.91
120299	Christmas Decor Bundle #3 same as above in Old Olive, Real Red)	74.85	44.91
120300	For All You Do Bundle *For All You Do stamp set *5/16” Neutrals Jumbo Brads	36.90	25.83
120301	Striped Ribbon Bundle *Bashful Blue 1/2” striped rib *Pumpkin Pie 1/2” striped rib *Old Olive 1/2” striped rib *Pretty in Pink 1/2” striped rib *So Saffron 1/2” striped rib *Real Red 1/2” striped ribbon (all grosgrain)	47.73	33.41
120302	Bling Bundle *Sticky Pages *Sticky Cuts Sweet *Fine Supernova Glitter *Fine Galaxy Glitter	43.80	30.66
120303	Fresh Cut Bundle *Fresh Cuts stamp set *Fresh Cut Notes *5/8” Neutrals Jumbo brads	37.85	26.50
120304	Pendant Note Bundle *Pendant Park stamp set *Pendant notes *5/8” Neutrals Jumbo Brads	39.85	27.90
120305	Sporting Bundle #1 *Lg Night of Navy Sporting Decor Elements *Night of Navy Just Sports Decor Elements	65.90	45.54
120306	Sporting Bundle #2 *same as above in Chocolate	65.90	45.54
120307	Sporting Bundle #3 *same as above in Black	65.90	45.54
114863	Ginormous Flowers Decor Ele	39.95	27.97
114863	Ginormous Flowers II Decor E	39.95	27.97
112534	5/16” Neutrals Jumbo brads	7.95	5.57
112533	5/8” Neutrals Jumbo Brads	6.95	4.87
112081	Scallop Square punch	15.95	11.17
113693	Full Heart punch	15.95	11.17
113694	Heart to Heart punch	15.95	11.17
112091	Scallop Edge punch	15.95	11.17
112571	Circle Designer brads	5.95	4.17
112579	Flower Designer brads	5.95	4.17
112572	Star Designer brads	5.95	4.17
114785	Small Wonderful Flowers Decor Elements	39.95	27.97
114786	Medium Wonderful Flowers Decor Elements	69.95	48.97
114791	Small Wonderful Leaves Decor Elements	39.95	27.97
114792	Medium Wonderful Leaves Decor Elements	64.95	45.47

With the exception of the Ultimate Stampers' Starter Bundle, all sale prices will be honored through the sales period, even if items go on backorder. Please note: The Ultimate Stampers' Starter Bundle is only available in a limited quantity.
CALL OR E-MAIL IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN ORDERING ANY OF THESE GREAT DEALS!

Black November

When I was a young turkey, new to the coop,
My big brother Mike took me out on the stoop,
Then he sat me down, and he spoke real slow,
And he told me there was something that I had to know;
His look and his tone I will always remember,
When he told me of the horrors of..... Black November;
"Come about August, now listen to me,
Each day you'll get six meals instead of just three,
"And soon you'll be thick, where once you were thin,
And you'll grow a big rubbery thing under your chin;
"And then one morning, when you're warm in your bed,
In'll burst the farmer's wife, and hack off your head;
"Then she'll pluck out all your feathers so you're bald 'n pink,
And scoop out all your insides and leave ya lyin' in the sink;
"And then comes the worst part!" he said not bluffing,
"She'll spread your cheeks and pack your rear with stuffing".
Well, the rest of his words were too grim to repeat,
I sat on the stoop like a winged piece of meat,
And decided on the spot that to avoid being cooked,
I'd have to lay low and remain overlooked;
I began a new diet of nuts and granola,
High-roughage salads, juice and diet cola;
And as they ate pastries, chocolates and crepes,
I stayed in my room doing Jane Fonda tapes;
I maintained my weight of two pounds and a half,
And tried not to notice when the bigger birds laughed;
But 'twas I who was laughing, under my breath,
As they chomped and they chewed, ever closer to death;
And sure enough when Black November rolled around,
I was the last turkey left in the entire compound;
So now I'm a pet in the farmer's wife's lap;
I haven't a worry! , so I eat and I nap;
She held me today, while sewing and humming,
And smiled at me and said: "Christmas is coming..."

Poet Unknown

FREE!! FREE!! FREE!!

I don't know how many of you don't make your Christmas cards .... I like to make my own.  But, if you like to send cards with pictures on them, I have a deal for you!  For two days - Sunday & Monday - there is a 50% off EVERYTHING and FREE shipping (promo code: 2day) at Fuji.

BUT WAIT ....

You can also order cards (and envies) absolutely FREE!!  Use the site to order 50 cards of your choice, 4×8 OR 5×7, and enter promo code ‘newbaby’ at checkout.  Free cards, AND free shipping.

Do you need more cards?. You can also use promo code ‘freebies4mom-1109′ for 50 free 4×8 cards.

Want even more? Ok, how about 100 free prints? If this is your first time using the new Fuji site, you will get a code good for 100 free prints when you place your first order. And the free cards count as that order! You'll have to cover shipping on this one, but still .... what a deal!!

What are you waiting for?  Check it out!  You don't have to use it for Christmas.  Ashley is ordering her "I've Moved" cards for free!!

Monday Mailer - past and present!

This is a Monday Mailer card I received last week.  The center is cut out and is a "shaker" card.  It is filled with silver beads.

This card is from October's Monday Mailer and uses Circle Circus.  I need to pull my stamp set out and use it!  But I love this Soft Suede and Crushed Curry!

This is another card from October.  My Monday Mailer partner sent these last two cards to me last week to catch up since she got too busy during October to send the cards on time.  I just love this Medallion stamp with the Chalking Technique.

As promised .... pictures of Old Salem!

Told you I'd be back!! 

Here are a few pictures from Old Salem.

This one is of the ovens in the bakery and the Sugar Cake that is ready to go in the oven.  That Sugar Cake is to die for!!   We ended up buying 2 the first day and 1 the second day! 

The bakers are working on the fresh bread.  This is Raisin Bread which they are putting a whipped confectionate topping on each loaf!   We bought a loaf of this and it is delicious for breakfast!

These are old Hobby Horses that are in the Toy Museum.

Sonny & Ashley standing under The Mickey Coffee Pot.  It was build in 1858 and used to stand outside a tin shop in Old Salem.

Missing in Action

Sorry I've been MIA (Missing In Action) but I've been ubber-busy this week!!  We drove to Chapel Hill on Monday & met Ashley and friends for lunch.  Then traveled to Raleigh to go to Archivers.  It was a nice store but not as great as I had imagined it to be from all I'd heard.  I actually only bought a couple of things - and mostly for my sister!!  Tuesday and Wednesday were spent in Winston Salem at Old Salem Village (a Moravian village).  It was really neat.  I'll share a few pictures when I get them downloaded.  On Tuesday, the demonstrations were all from the 18th century and on Wednesday, from the 19th century.  Tuesday was a beautiful day but Wednesday was cold and rainy all day ... bummer.  Thursday, Ashley and I had a little time to play in my stamp room.  She is trying to get a couple of scrapbooks done for friends who are expecting little boys.  We met Sonny for lunch; then headed up to Hickory to the furniture mart to look for furniture for her new house.  Then, back to Mooresville for the Stamp of the Month class at Stampers Alley.  As soon as we finished that, we met Sonny, Marianne and her son, Harrison to watch the Panther game (boo ... they lost).  Friday it was on to the Southern Living Christmas Show in Charlotte ... after eating a great lunch in downtown Charlotte at Mertz Heart and Soul (yummy fried chicken and southern style veggies!)  Today, we are picking up my Mom and getting a pedicure, going for wine tasting and having lunch in Mooresville!

Whew!  I'll need a vacation soon!  But, I promise to post some great cards later this afternoon!

Northwood Cards for Christmas

Here are a couple of more Christmas cards I have made.  This first one uses the SU embossing folder, Petals A Plenty.  The stamp set is from Northwoods.  I will be teaching a Northwoods class at my LSS in December so I have been playing around with the stamps.  The snowflake is from SU's snowflake punch .... easy peasy!!

This next card is also a Northwoods stamp.  I just love this snowman!!  This time I used SU's Finial Press embossing folder with Bashful Blue, Real Red and Brillant Blue cardstock.  The snowman is watercolored with my SU markers.

Christmas Cards

I have been working on a few Christmas cards.  Aren't they fun to make?  Just wish I had someone who would sit down and address them for me and put a little note inside!  I used to send out a Christmas "newsy" letter letting everyone know what we had been up to during the year, but doesn't seem like there's much to say anymore!  So, that's one thing I can cross off my list!

This first card is made with the Patterned Pines SU set.  I embossed the card ... except for the center oval ... with my Big Shot and Cuttlebug embossing folder.  Then I used the Nestabilities and cut out a thin scallop oval to put around it.  The trees have Stickles on them - hard to see in the scan.

This card I just love the way it came together and it was by accident!  I stamped the Delightful Decorations in gold ink and popped up the red one in the middle.  I punched small holes to thread the cording through.  Then I used Baroque Motifs to do the scrolls at the top.  I stamped in red first; then, using my Stamp-a-ma-jig, I overstamped in gold off-setting it just a tad.  The red scallop border is also popped up.

This is another card using the Delightful Decorations stamp.  With the Ornament Punch, they are so easy to punch out!  I embossed 2 of the ornaments and popped up the middle one. The ribbon is from the mini catalog (Sleigh Bells) and the DSP is Holiday Lounge.

Old Salem trip

Well, things didn't work out so good for my Steelers today.  Ben just wasn't on his game.  But at least the Panthers won today.

I'm headed to Chapel Hill / Raleigh tomorrow.  Ashley is taking her college boards tomorrow in Chapel Hill and then is taking a 2 week leave to spend Thanksgiving with us.  We are driving down tomorrow and will spend the night in Chapel Hill.  I hope to go to Archivers in Raleigh tomorrow.  I have heard so much about that store and want to check it out for myself!!  Tuesday we're headed to Winston Salem for a couple of days.  We are going to Old Salem.  I have never been before but I love those Moravian cookies!  Hope to do some Christmas shopping while there. 

So, if you don't hear from me for a couple of days, that is why. 

Steelers vs Cincy today

I'll be headed to Big Al's in Mooresville shortly in all my Pittsburgh gear!  Big Al's is the local watering hole that calls itself a Steeler bar.  That's still debatable in my opinion, but there's usually a good crowd there watching THE game.  Today is a big one against Cincinnati.  We are tied with them in the division with a record of 6 wins / 2 losses.  The Steelers have won five games in a row, the second longest winning streak in the league, and have not lost at home since Nov. 9, 2008, against the Indianapolis Colts, a span of 10 games, including playoffs. The Bengals ended an eight-game losing streak to the Steelers in their stadium with a 23-20 victory on Sept. 27, the first time our coach (Mike Tomlin) has lost to the Bengals. The Bengals are 3-0 on the road and 4-0 in the AFC North this season.

We've got to stop their quarterback, Carson Palmer!!  Hopefully, I'll be singing my song a lot today -

"Here we go Steelers, here we go!"