What a surprise to get online and find a note from Tina that she had given me a Kreative Blogger award. That was so sweet! And, such a boost to my day!

Thanks so much, Tina!!!

Now I must choose three....oh my gosh!!! It's so hard to choose....but these three always inspire me!



1. Rita Holmes
2. Vicki Hook
3. Sonja Gonzales

Hugs,
Char

TAC's Retiring Stamp Sets

I am excitedly awaiting the new catalog due out the first part of July. TAC just announced the list of the sets that will not be included in the next catalog. If you have your wish list handy, you might want to check to see if any of the stamps you have been wanting are on this list as once the new catalog comes out, you won't be able to order them.

PG 26 A GOD THING
PG 36 ABUNDANCE IS
PG 53 ALL SEASON SKINNIES
PG 75 ANIMAL BLOCKS
PG 92 AUTUMN SMILES
PG 80 BE
PG 86 BE AUTHENTIC
PG 55 BEACH FUN
PG 31 BEAUTIFUL PLACE
PG 67 BIRTHDAY BUGGIES
PG 21 BLOSSOM BUILDERS
PG 99 BUGGIE CHRISTMAS
PG 69 CALENDAR
PG 87 CHICKEN SCRATCH
PG 37 DISTRESSED DESIGNS
PG 81 DIVA DRESSES
PG 56 DONT BUG ME
PG 19 F IS FOR FAMILY
PG 95 FAITH HOPE LOVE
PG 27 FANCIFUL FLOWERS
PG 91 FANGTASTIC
PG 34 FORGET NOT
PG 90 FRIENDLY GOBLINS
PG 76 FRIENDLY NOTES
PG 92 GIGGLY GOBLINS
PG 54 HANG LOOSE
PG 69 HAPPY CELEBRATION
PG 101 HAPPY HOLIDAY SQUARES
PG 87 HE SAID SHE SAID
PG 38 HEART-ITUDE
PG 37 HIP HARDWARE
PG 40 HIS ANGELS
PG 92 JOLLY JACK O LANTERNS
PG 102 LICENSE TO CHILL
PG 56 LILLY PAD POND
PG 41 LITTLE INSPIRATIONS
PG 40 LIVE INSPIRED
PG 100 MAY YOUR MERRY
PG 69 MINI SAMPLER
PG 53 MORE SEASON SKINNIES
PG 81 MY FAVORITES
PG 41 MY SPIRITUAL JOURNEY
PG 88 MY STORY
PG 45 NEEDED NUMBERS
PG 43 NURTURE YOUR SOUL
PG 43 OLD FRIEND
PG 51 PALS
PG 68 PARTY NOTES
PG 69 PARTY TIME
PG 75 PLAYFUL PAISLEY
PG 76 PRETTY POSIES
PG 85 RAGDOLLS
PG 18 REMEMBRANCE
PG 100 RETRO CHRISTMAS
PG 90 RETRO HALLOWEEN
PG 100 RETRO REINDEER
PG 90 RETRO TREATERS
PG 81 RUB A DUB
PG 51 SASSY CATS
PG 75 SENTIMENTAL BOXES
PG 61 SO GIRLY SWIRLY
PG 45 SO SILLY
PG 32 STIPPLE BET
PG 87 SWEET SAYINGS
PG 88 SWIRLY SEASONS
PG 50 THE BUZZ
PG 92 THE FIRST THANKSGIVING
PG 95 THE ONLY THING
PG 33 TIP TOE
PG 92 TOO SPOOKY
PG 27 TRULY BLESSED
PG14 WEDDING WISHES
PG 69 WISHING YOU
PG 33 WRITE IT
PG 38 YOU ARE MINE
PG 17 YOURE A HOOT
PG 69 YOURE INVITED

Just click on each set to be taken to my website to view the stamp set or to order. If this is your first order, with me, please make sure you create your. You can also contact me at Pawsnstamp@crestviewcable.com to place your order. Please put ORDER in the subject line.

Thanks!!!
Have a great day!!

Char

What great RAKS

I am very blessed to be the recipient of RAKS from time to time. Here are two of the latest RAKS that I have received both using TAC stamps and card stock

The first one is from my lil buddy, Rita H. She is going through chemotherapy right now as I type. My mind has been with her all morning.

Anyway, she sent this card a few weeks ago to show me what she had made with the "Scor Pal". I love that tool. The layer she added is punched with another tool. I forgot what she told me she used....eeeek.

She used the "butterbeesandmore" and "Trendy Greetings" stamp sets and Cobalt blue and Robin's Egg Blue card stock. It's just so cute!

This second one is from one of my down line and 'daughter', Channie D. It was a May Day card. What a surprise and to think some people still remember May Day!! I have to say that she remembers me every holiday. She was a 'daughter' to me before she signed up as a demonstrator. Long story how she and I became "Mom" and "Daughter" but it's cool to have a daughter like her!!

She used white, brown and Green 3 card stock, plus a strip of Wine Red 2 card stock. The stamp sets she used were "Treasure it" and "Just Because". She ran the brown card stock through the Big Shot using a Cuttlebug embossing folder. I just love those embossing folders!
I am so blessed to have so many wonderful people in my life! A lot of my friends have come from the 'internet' believe it or not....and often times we have met in person and sometimes not....but we still have a great friendship. I am blessed with friends that I have had for over 30+ years and others that have become friends in the past year or so. There is always room for more!

Flat Char Returns home

(update)  This post no longer has photos as I installed Picassa....and when I decided to delete Picassa....it removed ALL my photos from my Blog...even ones I had uploaded even before Picassa!  So, if I still had the photos, I tried to upload them again in all the posts but some years, I didn't still have the photos.
Char


I don't know how many of you were here about a year ago when Flat Char was 'born' and took off on her journey around the U.S.A. So, I will explain a little just in case you are thinking I am absolutely bonkers.

Last year, in March, a group of stampers from my Yahoo group took part in an unusual swap. We all made dolls from card stock with arms and legs that were movable. We added a photo of our face to the dolls face. We dressed them up, made a passport and then the 'flat stampers", as we called them, began their journey to the next person on the list. No one ever expected this journey to last over a year but that doesn't matter now.

Flat Char visited:
Burgettstown, PA
Plattsburgh, N.Y
Contoocook,N.H
Langhorne, PA
Hurley, NY
Aberdeen, WA
Salem, VA
Williston, VT
Pittsburgh, PA
Savannah, GA
Olympia, WA
and finally Knoxville, TN before heading back home.

I am thoroughly enjoying reading and re reading all the entries in my passport. Some gals even added photos and postcards.

I would dearly LOVE to be able to visit each one of these gals in person. It was a fun experience and we loved reading all the mishaps (my foot got nibbled off by a bunny LOL but my hostess was able to mend it) and adventures of each other's visits.


I have more plans in store for Flat Char but that is for another time.
I have a couple of RAKs to share but will do so in another post.

Forgot to Mention!

I forgot to mention that the bag has strong magnetic closures on each outside pocket. There is also a pocket on the outside at each end. I decided to put my hand cream in one and something else on the other end.

I couldn't wait to add my stuff, so I decided to take some photos to show how much room there is. Usually, after I put my 'wallet' inside a purse, there is never enough room for anything else. I have all the stuff I normally carry with me and STILL lots of room left!


These two inside pockets are just perfect for my cell phone and MP3 player...plus room for a pen and calendar.

The key clip keeps my keys from getting lost in my purse. The other zippered compartment is where you slide your photo/card/art work inside so that it shows through the window on the outside of the tote.

If you like this bag and want to order one, you can access the Daily Window website by clicking on their banner to the right. Enjoy!!! I know you'll absolutely love these bags!!

Hugs,
Char

New Bag from Daily Window

I received a wonderful surprise today. Imagine my shock when Fed Ex showed up with a package and in it was a gorgeous bag from Daily Window. I was so excited, I am still shaking.

It was the bag that I have been wanting to purchase but just hadn't gotten around to it.
I LOVE LOVE LOVE it. It's even better than I had thought.

I am going to use this bag as my purse! I have been looking for something bigger than my regular purse, which is usually stuffed to the brim and stuff is constantly falling out of it. The front of the bag has a 'window' where you can showcase a card/photo/album...whatever suits your fancy. I chose to put a card in that was sent to my by a good friend of mine. The green in the card matches the green background fabric.

This bag has a deep inside zippered compartment, on one side, that will hold my wallet and on the other side are two compartments that will hold my cell phone and a date book. I love the green fabric on the inside and it is also viewable on the outside window.
I just want to say THANK YOU SO MUCH, you know who you are!!! It was a wonderful surprise!!!

Still no stamping but,

It's supposed to cool off here in a couple more days! I sure hope so.....today wasn't quite as hot as yesterday. We worked in the yard over the weekend getting it all up to snuff. Boy, the weeds can grow so fast. We bought some new bark dust and pulled weeds till we were exhausted. Now, I just need to decide what plants/flowers I want to plant.

Then, we worked out in our small garden area and also picked some rhubarb for pies.
This is our small strawberry bed!! Can't wait for those!!! May not get any this year...but that's ok!
All in all, it was a very constructive weekend, even if I didn't get any stamping done.

Tomorrow is supposed to be a little cooler. And, by Tuesday it should be back down to the 60's...70's....so better stamping weather...for me, at least.

Hubby did put the A/C unit in the office/ stamp room window this weekend, so won't have any excuses any more. Sheesh ;-)
Happy Stamping,

Char

Welcome AngelHood blogging Sisters #2

Oh this is just too dang exciting!!!

Today, I joined the Angel Hood Blogging Sisters group #2. This is for Angel demonstrators and it will be fun sharing and getting to know these other 9 ladies and visiting their blogs, as well, on a regular basis.

Some of them I already am acquainted with and some I know really well....and some I am anxious to get to know better.

So, welcome to my Angel Hood Blogging Sisters!!!

Hugs,
Char

Blog Candy

Surfing blogs today, I came across Elf Creations and some great blog candy. Go check out Emma's blog over at Elf Creations

While you are there...look at those adorable cats!
I have to quit surfing and get busy and DO ;-)

Hugs,
Char

Wonderful Weekend

David and I had a chance to go to the coast for a few days over Mother's Day weekend. We left on Friday May 9th and drove to Newport (Yaquina Bay Bridge above, in Newport) and then on down to Waldport, OR.

This is a photo of the Alsea Bay Bridge in Waldport, taken from the KOA campground we stayed at.

We had a wonderful Friday with beautiful clear blue skies. Walked on the beach, played with our dog, Annie (her first time to the coast) and just had a relaxing day.

The next day, Saturday, it was typical coast weather, rainy and misty and overcast. We got up early, had breakfast and then ventured out to go to some garage sales. They had a city wide garage sale going on. We made it to about 7 before lunch.

We ate at the Chowder Bowl in Nye Beach. OH YUM, they had absolutely wonderful clam chowder.

Then, I visited the "Taylor Made Scrapbook store" and Craft Warehouse and of course had to buy paper at both places.

Then back to Governor Patterson Wayside for more walks on the beach.

(of course, this photo was taken on Friday....so it's a better one than the one we took on Saturday)




Sunday, we took off for Florence, Oregon and the views from the road were spectacular.










The photo below is probably my favorite photo that I took all weekend. The view is of Heceta Head Lighthouse from Hwy 101 on the way to Sea Lion Caves. You can see our truck and trailer on the side of the road.






With a short stop at Eugene, OR to visit our Son....we then traveled to a RV park on the McKenzie Pass.

And, found a nice spot to camp for the night.
We got home on Monday afternoon, all rested up and raring to go.
Hope you all had a wonderful Mother's Day!!

Another Special!!

Your Memories Have Met their "Match"...The Angel Company™ Matchbook Kits really measure up to the quality of your memories. Constructed of premium-quality cardstock complete with double-sided printing, the TAC™ Matchbook kits are generously-sized, have easy-to-punch-out pieces, coordinating tags and tabs, and are easily “do-able” in an evening.
In celebration of special photographs waiting to be showcased, we’ve paired our exquisite Pemberley Bay™ Matchbook Kit with the specially-created “True Wealth” Limited Edition stamp set. Available only for a limited time and as part of this special memory-keeping promotion, this unique stamp set features heartfelt quotes and phrases that will perfectly fit a variety of photographs.

PLUS, completing an entire album in an evening is so rewarding, WE ARE GOING TO INCLUDE OUR ROCKIN’ ROXIE MATCHBOOK KIT FOR FREE!!!

TAC™ Time-Saving Kits and Your Special Memories…A Perfect Match!

PB-08 Pemberley Bay™ Matchbook Kit $28.90
Limited Edition True Wealth Stamp Set
Free Rockin’ Roxie™ Matchbook Kit



truewealth • set of 9
1 1/2" x 4", 2" x 2", 3" x 3"

*No other special offers or discounts apply.
*Available only May 9 – June 16, 2008.
*The Matchbook Kit promotion is commissionable and counts toward FUNshop™ Totals.
*Price does not reflect shipping/handling and applicable taxes.
*Retail price of True Wealth stamp set is $19.95.
*The True Wealth stamp set will not be available after June 16, 2008.
*The True Wealth stamp set is not available for individual purchase.

Bella Flor Soar with it Collection ON SALE

The Perfect Palette for Pennies...

Create beautiful projects for less money with the dramatic deductions taken by The Angel Company™ on a premium paper line discontinued from the current catalogue! Refreshingly feminine and romantic, the Bella Flor™ Classic Soar With It Collection™ is the perfect choice to create exquisite spring and Mother’s Day projects.
R-2500 Bella Flor SWIC™ $10.00

Stock up your stash during our spring cleaning and enjoy deep discounts. This promotion begins May 2nd and continues while supplies last.

*The Bella Flor™ Classic Soar With It Collection™ includes 16, 12 x 12 sheets of beautifully patterned paper (one sheet of each design), one sheet of small cardstock alphabet stickers, one sheet of large alphabet stickers, and one sheet with an assortment of coordinating die-cut cardstock tags and embellishments.
*No other special offers or discounts apply.

*Begins May 2nd and continues while supplies last.
Contact me soon, if you would like to order this collection at this special price.

Hugs,
Char

Finally a card to share

I got a cute DCWV paper pack at JoAnn's, on sale, called "Nana's Kids". I immediately thought of my granddaughters and their upcoming visit this summer, so had to get it. I know they will have a lot of fun making cards using this paper.

The above is a matching card and book mark using Squiggle Lady Bugs from TAC.
Then I made this one to send to a friend. The only stamping I did was the saying.
What's up with that? Just not in the mood to stamp, ever get that way? So, this is when decorative papers come in really handy!

We are busy getting our trailer ready for summer camping trips. I am looking forward to summer, NOT the heat, tho!! But, after watching the news and seeing all the horrible weather other places, I refuse to complain about how long winter seems to have lasted this year!

Man Rules

My oldest Son sent me this yesterday and I laughed so hard....why?....cause it's TRUE!!!

Read it and see what I mean:

At last a guy has taken the time to write this all down. Finally, the
guys' side of the story. (I must admit, it's pretty good.) We always
hear "the rules" from the female side.

Now here are the rules from the male side:

The Man Rules

These are our rules!

Please note: These are all numbered "1"
ON PURPOSE!

1. Men are NOT mind readers.


1. Learn to work the toilet seat. You're a big girl. If it's up, put it
down. We need it up, you need it down. You don't hear us complaining
about you leaving it down.


1. Crying is blackmail.


1. Ask for what you want.
Let us be clear on this one:
Subtle hints do
not work!
Strong hints do not work!
Obvious hints do not work!
Just say it!



1. Yes and No are perfectly acceptable answers to almost every question.



1. Come to us with a problem only if you want help solving it. That's
what we do. Sympathy is what your girlfriends are for.



1. Anything we said 6 months ago is inadmissible in an argument.
In fact, all comments become Null and Void after 7 Days.



1. If you think you're fat, you probably are. Don't ask us.



1. If something we said can be interpreted two ways and one of the ways
makes you sad or angry, we meant the other one.



1. You can either ask us to do something
or tell us how you want it done, not both.
If you already know best how to do it, just do it
yourself.



1. Whenever possible, please say whatever you have to say during
commercials.



1. Christopher Columbus did NOT need directions and neither do we.



1. ALL men see in only 16 colors. Peach, for example, is a fruit, not a
color. Pumpkin is also a fruit. We have no idea what mauve is.



1. If it itches, it will be scratched. We do that.



1. If we ask what is wrong and you say "nothing," we will act like
nothing's wrong. We know you are lying, but it is just not worth the
hassle.


1. If you ask a question you don't want an answer to, expect an answer
you don't want to hear.



1. When we have to go somewhere, absolutely anything you wear is fine...
Really.



1. Don't ask us what we're thinking about unless you are prepared to
discuss such topics as MOTORCYCLES OR POLITICS.



1. You have enough clothes.



1. You have too many shoes.



1. I am in shape. Round IS a shape!



1. Thank you for reading this.
Yes, I know, I have to sleep on the couch
tonight.

But did you know men really don't mind that? It's like
camping.

QVC unenabled

Oh and forgot to tell you! NONE of us bought a thing! We all took a QVC unenabler pill before watching the show! ;-)

I reallllllllllllllllllllllllllllly wanted that black and pink Big Shot, tho, but couldn't justify buying one when I already have one. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't even convince myself that I should do it. I even had it in my cart once, but deleted it.

I think this is the last post, today, unless I get really creative later.
Oh....and check out my book blog, it's a work in progress. Actually, I have two as I am trying to decide which one I like the best.

http://paws-n-read.blogspot.com/
http://pawsn2read.wordpress.com/

Have a happy stamping day!

Char

Fun Yesterday!!

Well, three of us got together and watched QVC, but only one of us stamped! Actually, I worked on addressing some envelopes to send out some bookmarks to some gals on my yahoo group.

I think we just had fun chatting and watching our one friend use the Bind it All that she had purchased at one of my FUNshops. She made a bunch of little books out of coasters. DANG and I didn't even get ONE photo of any of them.

I made some cards using a paper pack I had gotten at JoAnn's and matching book marks. I will get some photos of them, but warning....they are SIMPLE!!!

I also got some photos of the gals holding my 'flat stamper travelers' who are heading home this week. I'll post them later, too.

I am working on our Travel Trailer list right now, making a master list so that we will just check things off when we load the Trailer.

And, doing STUFF on the computer that takes time but needs to be done. I usually do these things on Thursdays, but didn't get them done then. That is the day I normally set aside to do paperwork, files and other 'fun' stuff.

Here is a photo my friend, Loree, took of Annie. I am sure you are all getting sick of my dog by now, but this one turned out so cute. I told Loree that when anyone approaches with a camera, she is so used to getting her photo taken that she poses! Wish I could have cropped my FAT bod out of there....but it wasn't possible. ;-)

Scrumptious bags

Look what I just bought at Daily Window. I love this bag!!! It is just perfect for me to carry my important papers, catalog (in a 3 ring binder inside) and various other hand outs, to my FUNshops...plus a place for credit cards, money, pens and other things. And, the front of the bag has a cool window to display a card that I have made. It also has a shoulder strap! LOVE LOVE IT!!!

Here is the next one I am getting, Eight Days a Week!!! I'll use this to carry my extra catalogs or books when I go to the library. Lots and lots of possibilities.

They have other styles, too. Go check them out at the link to the right!!! You won't be sorry!!! They come with all the hardware safely wrapped in cushion foam wrap. There is something for everyone!!
Have a great day!!!

Char

QVC

Tomorrow QVC is having their Scrapbooking Day Celebration! It starts at 1am. You can click here for the schedule. Just wanted to let everyone know if they hadn't received a reminder or didn't know about it.

I plan to stamp and visit with a couple of friends while we watch it together. This is the first time we have done something like this but thought 'what the heck', we normally all watch the show....so why not get together and stamp, visit, eat and enable one another??

I had to remove the specials that I had added the other day as I had copied and pasted them from our demonstrator page and for some reason, it had the password window to get into Angels Only...WHOOPS!!! Thanks to one of my girls for pointing that out to me.

I'll re add them later.

I need to get ready for tomorrow's get together.
Here is a photo I took of my dog, Annie, and her 'parents' the other day when I had them all together. I did a photo shoot for a book blog I am creating.

I couldn't believe I actually got them all to sit that long and LOOK at me ;-) They were probably thinking..."This woman is CRAZY" And, so I am....but...I have fun! ;-)

Have a great day!!!