Wisconsin Holiday Visit

Doesn't just looking at this picture make you cold?

We're home from Wisconsin now! A day late and more then "a" dollar short, but we're home! The picture above is from the front door of my in-laws house and is the reason we're home late! We were freezing our hineys off in this snowstorm! It waited until Friday, the day we were supposed to leave, to show up! We got somewhere around 8" all together. We got to the airport to leave and wouldn't you know it the airport closed down! They told us our flight would be the first one out but, wouldn't you know it, as soon as we get through security they cancelled our flight!Shheeez! We wound up having to spend the night at a hotel (lucky we got a room!) the next day we took a shuttle to Chicago to catch an earlier flight then they originally told us. We had to fly through Minneapolis to get back to DC! Funny how that system works! We got home around midnight Saturday worn out! It was an awesome vacation though. My husband has the best family - how they all get along is beyond me but they do! I hope you all had a good Christmas holiday too!

Happy Holidays

This gorgeous picture was taken by my sister-in-law of the fence line at my MIL's house 2 years ago!

I hope you all have a wonderful holiday season enjoying however your friends and family celebrate it! We're off to my husband's hometown in Hartford Wisconsin. My husband is #3 of 8 children and since this is a family tradition of going home for 7 of them AND their families, it's going to be a house full of fun, food and frivolousness! It's something we always look forward to! We'll be back in a week, fatter, happier, and full of the love of our families! I am also looking forward to seeing my brother William. William's wife's family lives about 35 minutes away! I am so happy to be able to say that now as, for a while, he didn't know if he'd be able to get his leave! He is an Air Force Recruiter in Asheboro NC and I am so proud of him! He's the best recruiter ever! Reshaping our military future one recruit at a time!

Happy Holidays to everyone, "see" you when we get back!

Another Fast Gift

This is actually a repost but I wanted to show you one more time - just in case you needed another idea! These little guys were made with York Peppermint Patties, the largest SU punch and the next size down - 1 3/8 and the 1 1/4 I believe were the sizes. Just layer them and for the nose I just cut a scrap of orange into a rectangle and then cut corner to corner. The eyes and mouth were done with a marker! I put them into a small baggie (another great SU product!) and then made a bag topper! I usually just measure 1/2 inch larger then the top of the bag I am using and the height depends on the actual stamped image size! I hope you enjoy these!

Fast Gift

Do you ever need a fast gift, maybe just a little something to give someone?! How about a large Hershey bar made into a "card"! I can't remember where I learned this but I have used it so many times and the recipients just love it! If you're lucky, these larger Hershey bars cost $1 each or 10 for $10 at the local grocery store or drugstore (here in Va I find them at CVS)! So here's a list of what I used to create mine;

1- large candy bar
1- scrap of paper that measures 6.75" x 8"
1- scrap of paper that measures 5" x 8"
Any embellishments to suit your gift giving purposes

I usually leave the original wrapper on the bars but take the larger scrap and wrap it around the chocolate bar and tape! Next take the smaller piece and wrap it around the middle - here you could layer as many pieces as you want too! Next just embellish! Easy as that! Below are a few pictures of the ones I made recently

Enjoy;

My daughter gave this to a friend for a birthday card. I used my Cuttlebug for the letters and if you look closely I stamped "Happy Birthday" in Versamark for the greeting!



Here's a batch my husband took to work today to give his co-workers. He gives something chocolate every year. I used Stampin Up's gift wrap (another neat option!) and 2 old SU sets for the images. My DH is a Chief in the Air Force so the Indian Chief was perfect for his! I also used words stamped in Versamark for the greeting again!



Here's a close up of one from above;



Just think of all the people you could give one of these to now! Enjoy!

Fun Website

I remember when my children were younger how they used to ask me everyday "Is it Christmas yet?"! I'd get to the point where I'd want to answer every "Momma,...." with "No, it's not Christmas yet, ......? I guess someone else got the same reaction but came up with a neat idea - you know kids sometimes won't believe you but will believe someone else right?! If this is you, then try this website!

http://www.isitchristmas.com/

My daughter showed it to me the other day and I thought it was hilarious!

Happy Thursday!

Christmas Wish Lists

It's that time of year again, hustle and bustle of shopping for just the right gift for everyone on your list! Now, the big question, what do YOU want to see wrapped under your Christmas tree for yourself?!

With Stampin Up's large selection of quality stamp sets, paper packages and all those wonderful accessories I bet you'd love it if your significant other, family or friends, were to surprise you with some of these great toys! Better yet, how about a gift certificate for use with the new catalog coming out in January?! My DH is really good about getting me exactly what I want (I know I am VERY lucky that way!)! All I have to do is walk up to it or point it out in a catalog and say "I want THAT"! LOL! Send me your Christmas wish list, have the person(s) you want to purchase these items for you contact me and "voila", it'll show up under your tree or in your stocking!

Let me help with the wrapping as well, for every Christmas gift order I receive I will wrap it in Stampin Up's exclusive (and gorgeous!) wrapping paper! How's that for a deal?! LOL! In the past I have received many gifts wrapped by the store so I know my DH looks for these good deals too! LOL! Tell them to hurry and place the order so I can get it back in time!

This is a great idea for you to give your friends as well!

I'm looking forward to helping fulfill your Christmas wishes!

Contact info;

Michelle - SAVO3@COX.NET
Email subject line - SU Christmas Wish List
Stampin Up Website - WWW.StampinUp.Com

Happy Holidays!

Out with the old - In with the new!

Well I hate to say this, really I do, but Stampin Up has put out it's bi-annual "retirement list". I already checked it out and there are not as many as I had originally anticipated yet, there are some good ones going away!

For the list;

http://www.stampinup.com/us/documents/US_Retired_List_ALPHA_1207.pdf

This means only one thing......MORE NEW SETS!! YEAH!!!! Now I hope you're as excited as I am because 1 January we'll have new toys to play with WOO HOO! As a demo I have seen a preview of the upcoming sets, papers, punches and toys. Let me be the first to tell you "OMG they're awesome!!" I could practically hear my wallet groan and smell my credit card burning as I flipped every page of that preview! LOL! The ideas are just too numerous right now of what I want to do, what I want to share with all my stamping friends! Let me know if there are any preferences of classes you'd like to see too! I love a challenge and would love even more to be able to share! New year, new ideas! I'll be waiting for your input.......

2008 Goal

I have had a few minutes to think about what my goals are for next year - craftwise that is! I have to do a lot of mindless filing at my job so my mind tends to wander and think of things that are more fun! I really need to work harder on my scrapbooking! I have SO many pictures and SO many supplies that I really should get a game plan together! If you have any ideas or suggestions of what works for you to keep up with your scrapbooks send me an email (savo3@cox.net) and I'll post them here to share with everyone else! I am putting up pictures of pages I made with all SU items that I bring to show at my parties I do! I hope you like them as much as I do!


Here is my DH at his first marathon - I used the real red 12x12 paper, brilliant blue paper and whisper white paper. The stars are from the hostess set (only available until 31 December!) "Perfect Presentation"! I mounted the words separate so I could just use the star and in this page I embossed the stars for a little extra "oomph"! LOL!




Here is a page of myself at my job - it's true I really do love my job! I love working with the children and this page just shows it all! (Can you believe that's me in the cow suit?! Long story there!) I used the brilliant blue, yoyo yellow paper and the letter "I" is actually the word window punch! Cool huh?!




This is my eldest child - Jessica. I used the "In Color" "Groovy Guava" and chocolate chip paper and ink (are you hungry yet?!!) The stamps are part of the "Baroque Motifs" set. I hope they don't retire it as I just love that one! I also used the flower punch in the sky blue color paper! I love that combo!



This is true - Michael is my favorite son! LOL! He's so handsome in this picture I just love it! His Grandfather takes gorgeous pictures of the kids - such a talented man! I used the stamp set "Loads of Love" - just the tree! I also used two punches (can't have enough of those and cool new star is coming out in January!) I used the small tag punch and the horizontal slot. I used the hemp fibers to give it a little something extra! The papers I used were Blue Bayou 12x12 and the chocolate chip again! Love that page and that boy! I also inked up some of the SU chipboard letters for this! I am very pleased with them and will be getting more! There are also small brads in the corner of the pictures if you look close!




This last page is of my youngest, my baby! She does make me smile, laugh, cry, proud.....etc... all my kids do though! I used pink passion, tempting turqouise and yoyo yellow paper and the letter "b" is a chipboard letter that I just inked up! It took the ink very well - better then I expected! I used the typeset letters and the
1" circle punch to pop them out and the stamp set "Pick a Petal" for the flower




I hope you like the pages! Let me hear your scrapbook plans for next year! I like knowing my "road of good intentions through life" isn't a lonely one! I know I'm not travelling it alone! LOL!

A Little Christmas Fun!

I haven't been blogging much lately so I apologize for that! I should have more pictures tonight to post though! In the mean time here's a little fun for you to have and to share with your friends!

Your Elf Name Is...

Pixie Fruit Cake

What's Your Elf Name?

The funny thing is I really do like fruit cake! LOL!

Reply with your name - let's have some fun!

I'm Back!

Wow, it's been a while since I've posted! So much has gone on in that time but hopefully things will slow down a bit now! I am done with report cards for this quarter and let me tell you I am SO glad! I haven't been this nervous about report cards since I was in school myself! It's such a long, tedious and draining process with everything you have to do! It's done though - thank goodness! I am also done with my craft show I was in at my church. It all came together at the very last minute and unfortunately, right now, I don't have pictures to post! I have some that I still need to upload though! I do have pictures of my classes though and of the items we made! I just love doing these classes however, the day after a huge craft show makes me sort of tired during the class! LOL! Let me tell you about the craft show though! It was great! I had help from my daughter Breanna and my friend loaned me her trays and a tiered dish holder to display and WOW did I have a great table! I went in to the show thinking "did I make enough" "I should have done more" and "how will I fill the space"! LOL! Oh I laugh now but when I got there, despite having it all set up as I created so I'd know where to put stuff when I got there, I had SOOO much stuff I ran out of space! LOL! All that worrying for nothing! I had created scrapbooks, cards, coffee tins, hot chocolate tins, trail mix tins, calendars, post it note holders, paint cans with different items in them, kids coloring kits, candy holders, Busy Woman's Fudge bars, lunch boxes of different sizes and more neat things. I was down to "bare bones" in about 2 hours! All the worrying I did that I wouldn't have enough, that nothing would sell etc. and Breanna and I had to at least sit there until close to time for the fair to be over! I did quite well, covered my costs and a little more so I can't really complain! I did a class the day after wards that was my biggest class yet too. I had 7 women over for the "Merry & Bright" class and it was so much fun! They got the stamp set and we created 4 different items with the stamp set in a variety of ways! Again no pictures as I didn't even think of it! I'm bad I know! Next time! I do have pictures from my November Stamp Camp though! I had a couple of friends from work there and we had a blast! Poor Paula though, she made the most hilarious "S'More Man" card ever! I wound up giving her my sample but couldn't help but have fun with hers! Well, I'm off to get those pictures, clean my crafting room and get ready for another craft show. This was my back up in case I didn't do well at the first one! This one will go as well I hope! Be back soon!

November Stamp Camp Friends



November Stamp Camp Projects



Paula's Poor "S'More Man" LOL!



This little guy was created completely with SU punches and papers! I used cardstock colors - Night of Navy, Whisper White, Close to Cocoa, Chocolate Chip (hungry yet?!) Pumpkin Pie, Staz On white ink and the stamp set "Snowflake Spot". I love this set as it is another timeless one I will be able to use for years! I don't know how long it will be available though so if you want it......hurry as the book expires 31 December! The punches we used were the square punches and the large word window punch. I wish I could take credit for this really cute card but, of course, I found it blog surfing and can't remember which one I saw it at! If you know, let me know and I will happily give credit where it's due!

Busy, Busy, Busy Crafting!!

I've been quite the busy crafter lately! If you could see my kitchen table I'd say it was nothing short of a miracle! LOL! I have been finishing up/fine tuning some projects I had at only 90% done and am happy with the final product. I have some new projects I started and finished tonight! The main one was to see what I could do with the cutest snowflake box I got at the Dollar Tree today! I went with a friend, Chantal, who is so much fun to spend time with! I think working is cramping my style here with my crafting and spending time with my friends! Anyway, she mentioned that she'd like to see what I came up with for this box! It has 5 cards with stamped envelopes to match, a note pad and some chocolates wrapped to match the paper. I hope I didn't let you down Chantal!



I was also able to finish a couple of other projects for my craft show. The first one is using the "Always Artichoke" DP from Stampin Up along with the "Noble Deer" stamp set. My goal was to make some "Manly" type gifts. I really like how this turned out! I only made two but am thinking, maybe more?!



I also had purchased these really neat note pads from Target a while back. I like how they have the rubberband to keep it closed - especially in my purse! I also tried using the Stampin Up glue "Crystal Effects" and some beads for the flower center! I was pleased with how it turned out!



Now I have a question for my readers - what do you think would be a fair price for each of these? I have an idea of what "I" think they're worth but would love some input! I'll be waiting!

Cute Chicken Card!

Take a look at my newest creation I did last night! This chicken has GOT TO BE the CUTEST ever! I love it! When I saw the words that went with it - I had to have it! You're "with me" on that one right?! Look at how cute my card came out! I don't know why the picture of the inside came out blurry but you can tell what it says!







These three cards are just ones that I have been making for the upcoming craft bazaar I am in! I really like these and with a couple of small exceptions (green ribbon, B&W paper and the colored brads) they're all made with Stamin' Up items!




I am sort of a pack rat with craft items at times too! If I find a good deal I buy them and put them back for those "just in case" moments - KWIM! So stay tuned for more items that are coming from the "just in case" collection! LOL!

My Mizunos Are Back On Track ;o)

YEAH! I'm so glad to say that I actually got to go out running this morning and my iliotibial band barely squeaked I was able to do 2 miles of no hill running and did it feel good! I've been stretching my legs a LOT more and I think it helped a ton! I can say, on the other hand, that my time off was well spent! I'll be posting lots of pictures, maybe even one of those slide shows to show what I've been up to! I got accepted into a craft show so now I'm pumping out the goodies! Stay tuned!

Storage Ideas

I was asked today at my class how I store all my punches and other items related to my stamping. So here is my Ikea shoe storage turned "punch holder" as well as marker holder and "knick knack" storage!




The ink pad storage is actually 2 antique sewing machine drawers I found in a store up in Wisconsin last summer. I found the set of drawers at TJ Max and just love it as it's great for storing all sorts of "things"! I found the other storage boxes are from Ikea also. I love all their stuff since it's so versatile!



The room looks like it's a neat organized area doesn't it?! He he he - don't let the pictures fool you! If you could see behind me, around me, beside me etc... you'd know what I mean! LOL! I have good intentions of cleaning it up this week!

Enjoy!

Fall Frenzy

Today was my "Fall Frenzy" class! We had so much fun, then again spending time with friends is always a lot of fun! Here is a picture of 3 of the items we made today. The snowflake card has a little "bling" on it in the center of the biggest snowflake. The calendar is actually a 4"x6" photo holder with tear off calendar pages and the last one is a "money holder"! I love these 3 things as they're all great gift ideas for Christmas!



Enjoy!

Nice To Be Appreciated!

In our school system this week is "Custodian Appreciation Week". It's great to have time dedicated to appreciate those people who don't get what they deserve for all that they do! I know ours at my school (like it's MY school ;0) )! They really work hard and tend to get some grief at times! Anyway, I volunteered there and at Breanna's school to make cards of appreciation. Here they are, one actually fills a challenge so I'll be posting it again on the SCS site later! I hope you like my cards!

I love the colors blue and brown together! I used Chocolate chip, sky blue and natural cardstock. My stamp comes from the Office Accoutrements set and the words are part of the "In Appreciation" set. Don't you love the ribbon trick in the center of the flower too? That is the neatest trick I picked up on another person's blog! If you want to know how to do it just email me!



This card is one of my favorites as I just love that little flower! Believe it or not it is the scallop punch with the 1' punch circle for the center. I glued the circle to the scallop and then snipped the indentions up to the circle and Voila! Flower! I used close to cocoa, pink passion, natural card stock, the paper is our Old Olive designer paper that you can get in lots of different colors too. Itty Bitty background stamps and the In Appreciation stamps. I also used the ticket corner punch, my wonderful mat pack and the small horizontal punch where I threaded the old olive ribbon!



This card is the one that fulfills the requirements for a challenge. I made the regular card and then cut 1" of cardstock off the front, put the Halloween designer paper on there, made my rectangle to hang over and there we go! I used black, river rock cardstock and the Halloween designer paper that is double sided. The stamps are from "Carved and Candlelit", and my words were cut out with the big window punch!



I have a confession on this card...... I used a paper that I bought a while back that isn't SU! Okay, I'm not a purist but 98% of me is! LOL! I did use SU's real red and brilliant blue cardstock, my wonderful mat pack, and the corners I hand cut but SU has a punch I am seriously deliberating over that can do the same much easier!



I hope you like my cards - let me know which one YOU like best!

Planner Fun!

This was the weekend for my "Holiday Planner" class. 3 ladies came over for the fun and "fun" was what we had! I really enjoy sharing all the neat things we make with my friends! For one person in particular, she has made more of these planners then I have! I think she's caught the "stamping bug"! Enjoy the picture and I hope to see yours in the next class photo!

Homecoming

Breanna had her homecoming dance last weekend. She looked SO pretty! I let her go with a couple of her friends from school and, from what I hear, they had a great time! We had a great time too as we went to eat at a favorite restuarant "Macaroni Grill" - amazingly enough we walked right in with no waiting! Then while the kids were at the dance we parents went out for a drink (I had coffee!) at Chili's! Enjoy the pictures of the kids!

Holiday Planning

I'm so excited about Sunday's class! Our holiday planners are going to be beautiful. Here's a picture again so you can see it one more time!



It's not too late if you'd like to join me! Just call or email to confirm your seat!

Anniversary Card

18 years ago I met the man who changed my life for ever!



So I made him this card to commemorate the big day! It's not our wedding anniversary but the day we met! He thinks I'm a little silly for remembering all of our "little" anniversaries but hey, they're important to me!

I used the SU set "Baroque Motifs" set, brilliant blue ink and cardstock, whisper white and Night of Navy cardstock as well as So Saffron designer paper! Oh and I used the pretty white taffeta ribbon as well as one of the fire gem brads! He should feel pretty special since that's the first one I could part with! LOL! I slipped the card into his day planner! I think he liked it as he emailed me to thank me for asking him out first! I guess a girls got to do what a girls got to do! LOL!

Enjoy!

Holiday Glitz - Just for YOU!

Holiday Glitz!

Click the words above to see more information about the Stampin Up special mentioned below!

Stampin' Up! is getting geared up for the holidays with a little glitz and glamour!

It's hard to believe that October is here already, but the great news is that with the new month comes a new promotion from Stampin' Up!! From October 1st until supplies last, you can purchase the Holiday Glitz Kit. Each Holiday Glitz card kit makes 15 cards and includes:


Pre-cut card stock and Designer Series paper to create beautiful matchbook cards (15)
Whisper White Envelopes (15)
Rhinestone brads (15)
Real Red zigzag ribbon (15)
Full-colour instruction sheet (1)
How can you get this exclusive kit? You have two options:
1) Purchase one of the following holiday stamp sets, which co-ordinates perfectly with the kit and get the Holiday Glitz card kit (110286) for the special price of $34.95 each, or
2) Purchase the Holiday Glitz card kit (110286) for $39.95 each with no additional purchase required.

Here are the qualifying stamp sets (click on the name to view the set):

109234 - p. 45
Snowfall $32.95

106786 - p. 36
The Snowflake Spot $28.95

107612 - p. 36
Flocons piquetis $28.95

109266 - p. 35
Big on Christmas $25.95

110359 - p. 5* (Holiday Mini Collection 2007)
Love & Joy $32.95

Don't forget, this Holiday Glitz kit is only available while supplies last, so be sure to place your order soon before they're gone for good! Please e-mail me for more information or to take advantage of this fabulous promotion! What a quick, easy and glitzy way to get started on your holiday creations!

Holiday Season Classes

Classes for October and November 2007 Sign up now at savo3@cox.net
(pre-registration is best to reserve your seat - and make sure I have enough supplies purchased!)

October 14 (3:00) – Holiday Planner class - Is this the year you promised you were going to get organized for Christmas? With your “Holiday Planner” you’ll be able to keep that promise!
$10 please bring your own “sticky tape” and tape runner (can be purchased from me with advance notice) and cutting system.

October 21(3:00) – “Fall Frenzy” - In this class we’ll be creating Fall/Halloween cards and treats. Learn how to turn a simple bag into a great “trick or treat” holder, make cute Fall/winter cards and a great Christmas gift idea.
$10 please bring your own “sticky tape” or tape runner (can be purchased from me with advance notice) and cutting system.

November 4 (3:00) – Photo Album in a Lunch Box – “what is that?!” We’ll be making a unique photo album to give that special someone in your life. This accordion type album is the perfect way to show off those cute pictures and keep them safe all at the same time!
$10 please bring your own “sticky tape” or tape runner (can be purchased from me with advance notice) and cutting system.

November 11(3:00) – Stamp Camp – Cards, cards with a craft and a twist! You’ll be creating several cards with a winter theme as well as a gift/card organizer to use all year through! What’s the twist?! ***Just ask!***
$12 please bring your own “sticky tape” or tape runner (can be purchased from me with advance notice) and cutting system.

November 18(3:00) –“Merry & Bright” Stamp Camp – We’ll be focusing on winter cards and unique gift ideas all using the “Merry & Bright” stamp collection.
$20 – price includes the stamp set! Please bring your own “sticky tape” or tape runner (can be purchased from me with advance notice) and cutting system

***Here's the twist - I have a brother who is in the Navy and has just been activated to go to Iraq. He left yesterday to begin training for his new duty assignment. He actually leaves December 5th for a year long tour over there. I am going to ask everyone who participates in this class that if they are willing to make at least two cards (all supplies provided by me) to send to his unit for them to use while they're over there, I will discount your class by $2 IF I get to keep the 2 cards you make! They all have family and special occasions in their families too and won't have access to purchase cards to commemorate these events. My goal is to at least give them cards, stamps provided, to help! It's the least I/we can do for these people willing to give so much for us!***

I Should Be Cleaning But.....

Okay my dear sweet beloved husband has been gone for 8 long, long, long (did I say long yet?) days and is finally coming home today! I really should be cleaning but I found the coolest "thing" on another blog! It's a "creative" test and apparently I'm a little on the creative side! LOL! Surprise! Try it out to see how creative you are too;

You Are 83% Creative

You are an incredibly creative person. For you, there are no bounds or limits to your creativity. Your next creation could be something very great... Or at least very cool!

How Creative Are You?

Somehow I don't think my honey will care how creative I am when he sees my creative mess all over the kitchen when he walks in the door! Gotta get moving here!

Meet Frankie!

Now introducing the cutest little guy ever - Frankie the Treat Bag!




I went to Michael's a little while ago and saw these small lime green bags and just knew they were meant to be "little Frankies"! I used several of Stampin Up's papers, black, white, and grey as well. My ink choices were ballet blue, black and pixie pink. I also used the spiral punch, small oval punch and the large word window punch. I thought the "bolts" would look better with the eyelets and his nose is actually the "negative" spots from his bangs!

I hope you like him!

p.s. - Frankie is one of the cute items we'll be creating at my "Fall Frenzy" class in October! Stay tuned for dates and more info!

Coolest Snail Ever!

I am a lucky demo! Why do I say that?! Well I have an upline who has the best ideas! I don't know where this one came from but, look at it! How cool is that snail tape runner?! We learned to make this at a meeting at her house this week. She had some other great ideas out for us to look at but this was our "make and take"!

It was made from one of the ID badge holders from Office Depot. I'm sure you can tell how to make it just by looking but what about those stamps?! I have been able to avoid the big flower one.....but not for much longer! I love the little circle too! It says "Rubber Stamper . 365 Days" around it and "stamp, stamp, stamp". All you have to do with it is clip it (the flower part) to your pocket or apron and the tape can be pulled out on the string part! No more losing your tape in a pile of paper!

I love it, don't you?!!

Holy Triptych Cards

Hello, I had time to stamp some cards with a friend today! I was so excited to do these since they are ones I have been wanting to do for a while! I was lucky my friend was willing to come over and be my "guinea pig"! It was great to be with her again as she left our school and moved to another one so I don't get to see her as much!

The first technique we did was one I found online at another ladie's blog and she called it "stained glass window" technique! So pretty yet so easy! You simply emboss your design on vellum paper (we used silver embossing powder) and then flip the vellum over and color in the background with colored pencils or markers! We did the colored pencils and the effect was a lot softer then the markers! Beth did the Holy Family and I did the Angel - notice her angel had blonde hair like her and mine had dark hair like me!! LOL! I think we were trying to make a statement! LOL! Hers is probably more true then mine!


Beth's


Michelle's- sorry about the shine!


The next techniques we used was watercoloring with Stampin Up's ink pads and the aqua painters and their watercolor paper. She (Beth) did the Angel and I did the Holy Family

Michelle's


Beth's

Home Again!

We're home! YEAH! We had a blast at the marathon and really enjoyed something else we don't get much of - time alone! Here are a few pictures of the weekend.

This is the "Nutter Center" where we picked up our race packets. They had our bib number, literature, a patch, my tee shirt and some other little things in it.



Last year my husband ran the marathon just 2 minutes over his goal time of 4 hours. Well I thought I'd help him in his training - it's the least I could do anyway! Here is a picture of us preparing for our big day! LOL! Notice no signs of force to make him hold that spoon! LOL!



Here we are freeeeezing in the early morning just before the full marathon runners took off! It was a gorgeous day - you can see how beautiful it started off as with the sunrise just behind us!



Here I am back in the room 13.1 miles later! I was thrilled to be wearing that medal as it is proof I achieved my big goal - finishing! I even beat another lady who came with us that is experienced in running marathons so that made me feel really good too!



We did pretty good, if I must say so myself, in finishing our runs! I finished my 13.1 miles in 2 hours 27 minutes (not my official chip time as I'm still waiting for that) and Brian finished his 26.2 miles in 3 hours 42 minutes!

Now off to my next challenge........

Off & Running

Well, I'm as ready as I think I'll ever be! We leave today for the Air Force Marathon! I can't remember being this nervous about anything except childbirth - they both include pain! LOL! There is one bright side though! To know me is to know I am a BIG Starbucks lover and guess who is one of the sponsors of the Marathon! OMG! Yep, you're right if you guessed it STARBUCKS! How awesome is that! Here's a picture of where we'll be doing our run - wish us luck and I'll "see you" when I get back!

New Cards!

It's been a while since I posted anything here! I thought I should probably show that besides working and training I have been dabbling in some fun stuff too! I made these "cool" snowflake cards using all SU products except the tiny little red crystal in the middle of the red snowflake! I love this grey paper as well as the "embossing" technique you can see in the grey and silver card! Take a look!







There is a lady at the school where I work as well who should probably be wearing a superwoman cape as, in addition to being a kindergarten aide and mother of 4 with 3 being tripletts, she also works a part time job at Target (Tarjhaayyyy!)! The other day she took a pair of pants, that I got the wrong size in, to her Target and exchanged them for me! How nice was that?! Well to thank her I altered a mini notepad to give her as a "thanks"! It doesn't hurt that she was telling me she was looking for ideas for "thank you's" for their room moms too! I wrote my thanks on the inside!

Station Break/Stamp Sale

We interupt this blog for a "Station Break"! Anyone remember those comments coming out of the TV a long time ago?! Well, anyway.... take a look at these great stamp sets you can get at an even greater price! I think I'd like one of each....

Fall Frenzy Promotion

Spend $30 in regular priced merchandise and qualify to purchase one of each of the six promotional stamp sets at 30 percent off!


Item Page # Description Discounted Price
105355 26 Bitty Boos Too $12.57
109284 29 Haunting Halloween $13.27
107383 30 Thoroughly Thankful $16.07
109373 108 Autumn Fest $16.77
109421 91 Elementary Essentials $19.57
110366 17 Stem Silhouettes* $22.37


*Holiday Mini Collection 2007

Hurry as the offer ends September 28th!! Now back to our regularly tuned program.......

Stamp Camp Friday!

Take a look below to see all the fun and exciting items we'll be creating this Friday night at my rescheduled "Stamp Camp"! We'll also be creating a 12x12 scrapbook page with a theme of "family" so don't forget your picture(s)! I'll be showing you some of the new stamp sets that are in the "Holiday Mini" coming out September 1st!"

Get ready for the Fall with this treat holder! The pumpkins can be made either with or without faces!



Your friends and family will enjoy getting these Fall cards when you create one for each of them!



Ever need a fast, easy gift tag to go with that gift bag?! How about this cute idea?



Here is our big project for the night! We'll be getting ahead of the shopping game when you make this project! It's a "Holiday Planner" and is perfect for organizing your holiday shopping!

Outside



Inside



Stay tuned for the 12x12 scrapbook page! Don't forget to RSVP!