PawsN2Stamp

Happy New Year!!!!!

2012-01-01T00:00:00.000-08:00

I want to wish everyone a happy and blessed New Year!!!

Here are some of the cards that I didn't get posted before the New Year!!

Anniversary card from Joyce

Anniversary card from Vicki.

Christmas card from Andrea

Christmas card from Channie

Christmas card from Nancy

Hugs,

Char

Christmas is over for another year....

2011-12-31T12:44:00.000-08:00

Well, Christmas has come and gone. Wow, what a wonderful time we had. We decided to open gifts on Christmas Eve because some family members couldn't be there for Christmas day.

Remember my post here about things I 'wished' for. I actually received one of those wishes, a Kindle Touch. So, if anyone tells you that wishing doesn't work (and a lot of HINT dropping), tell them they are crazy.

So far, I have been reading one book but adding TONS of free books from Amazon.com. I want to get a power cord and a cover with a light as soon as I can. Anyone else get a Kindle/Nook/Sony e- reader? Let me know how you like it and what all you are doing on them.

On another note, two days after Christmas, I dropped my phone, a HTC Merge in a glass of water. Don't ask. Anyone that knows me well, knows it's not that hard to do....for me. So, I had to go to US Cell and make out an insurance claim. I had gotten it for my birthday back in September so it was just over 3 months old. I am SO happy we took out the insurance on it.

I am waiting for my 'new' one...or replacement to show up any day. In the meantime, I am using my hubby's old Motorola and it doesn't keep a charge for more than a couple of hours and everyone sounds the same when they call. I am embarrassed to keep asking "WHO IS THIS". I am sure they are a tad bewildered, too, till I explain.

I received some other really wonderful gifts, too. I won't upload them, but, My Granddaughter got me this mug.

She also got me this plaque and I literally broke down crying.

I guess we must be doing something right ;-)

My older Granddaughter gave me a darling bear with a T shirt that reads "Friends Forever". I love it!!

Hope you all had a great Christmas spending time with loved ones.

Here's to a fantastic 2012!!

Hugs,

Char

Two More Days!!!!

2011-12-23T14:07:00.000-08:00

Well, it's just two more days till Christmas. And, actually, if you want to be technical....I am sure it's just a day and a half....considering it's afternoon.

Talking technical, my DH gave me my Anniversary gift, today. It is a digital photo frame. Now, I have to learn another 'technical' item. I got it pretty much set up but the clock runs realllllly fast....the second hand runs so fast that it makes the time go a lot faster. Hopefully, I'll get it figured out.

Our granddaughters had a hard time waiting for today to give us our gift. They went in on a GC from Red Robin for the two of us. We'll have fun using that one of these days.

I am DONE making Christmas cards!! Now, it's on to finishing baking and cleaning house! Most of it is all done but I promised to bake pies with my Granddaughters tomorrow. Today, we'll make New England fruit cake cookies. My hubby loves them.

Tomorrow, we plan on just lazing around the house playing games and then we'll go to the Candlelight service at church, tomorrow night.

I just had to share a few more cards I have received.

This is a gorgeous card from one of my former down line and forever friends, Pam R.

This card is from Claudia Gates, one of my former down line....but forever friend.

An Anniversary card from Harriet!

An Anniversary card from Kris.

An Anniversary card from Lynette.

An Anniversary card from Sheri.

A Christmas card from Joyce.

A Christmas card from Cynthia in a one on one swap on Stampers_Life.

Hopefully, after the New Year, I'll have some time to start making Valentine's cards!!

Hope you all have a very Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year.

Hugs,
Char

Are you ready for Christmas??

2011-12-17T00:00:00.000-08:00

That HAS to be the question that is asked the most about this time of the month! And, my answer is YES....or Ready as I'll ever be!

The tree and house have been decorated since Thanksgiving, my gifts have been bought and wrapped and have either been sent or waiting to be given to the recipients at Christmas. My cards have been sent and I even put all my rubber stamps away so that I wasn't tempted to just make a 'few' more.

I made a few snacky type foods and they are all put in containers. I have a couple of cookie and candy items to make but, we are waiting to do it this weekend.

But, then, WHY do I keep browsing Amazon.com or making little side trips down other aisles, just 'looking', when I am at the store?

Because I love to give!!! And, it's just plain fun!!! I just love to shop at this time of year more than ANY other time. I don't know why, but I do. They key, though, is staying within our budget and we have. We saved a little each month... all year long, and we said we would stick to that amount....when it's gone...it's gone....NO CREDIT CARDS!!! And, we have stuck to that promise to one another. It is so FREEING.....to have fun shopping and know that when January comes around....there will be no bills coming in.

The other thing I love about this time of year is the Christmas movies on Hallmark, Lifetime and other channels. I know by Christmas Day, I'll be SO ready to move on to something else....but I have really enjoyed all the movies.

The only thing I don't do much of is listen to Christmas music. I am not sure why but some of them just put me in a 'downer' mood. As long as it's upbeat or lively....I do OK for the most part....but play "I'll be home for Christmas", "Silent Night" or anything like that.....I get all teary eyed. I just can't DO most of the music! It brings back memories of my parents and I miss them so much!

Talking about Christmas music, what is your favorite Christmas carol? I love the Carol of the Bells and the Hallelujah Chorus. And, anything by Manheim Steamroller. Oh and there are a few I like by Trans-Siberian

Orchestra. A little 'out there' but cool!! And, some of my favorite singers would include Michael Buble`, Johnny Mathis (oh swoooon), Josh Groban to name a few.

It's just 8 days till Christmas.....Whooohoooo!!!!

Have a God Blessed day!!

Hugs,

Char

What's on your WISH list?

2011-12-16T09:48:00.000-08:00

I thought it would be fun to share things that we would like to see under the tree on Christmas day!! I don't expect to receive ANY of these, lol, but thought it would be like a Christmas Bucket List.....

So, with that in mind, here are some things I would LOVE to see on Christmas Day. Hey, we can dream, right??

I have been dreaming of owning a 57 Chevy for years and years.

I thought this was so beautiful!!!! A Mother's 'ring' Necklace.

This clock wakes you up and then starts rolling across the floor....so you HAVE to get up to turn it off. LOL Actually, I would love to get this for DH.

Beautful candle set!! I love candles.

I realllllllly want one of these. They aren't too awfully spendy right now if you don't go for the Kindle Fire. I love books but I think this would be so cool to take with you in your purse with a TON of books on it.

Then, of course, if I had a Kindle, I would love to have a little light to go with it for reading at night, in bed.

I actually owned this lunch box duo back in the 'day'. I don't know why, but I WANT one to display in my kitchen. It just brings back memories.

Ok, now, we don't go to many games but I think this would come in handy almost anywhere. I hate sitting on bleachers or hard surfaces.

Another beautiful Mother's ring necklace.

And, last byt not least, a vacation to Australia to see my friend/pen pal, Gwen.

Here is where I went to get some of these ideas

Google.com

http://www.gifts.com/

Amazon.com

And, I found some other links, while on my journey, that I want to go visit. I don't buy from these stores but it's fun to check out what they carry.

Hope you have found this helpful and hey....anyone that has a 57 Chevy laying around they really don't want, you know, now, where to send it ;-)

Thanks for joining in on my silliness, today. What's on your list of things you would love to own some day or just fun things you think would be cool, but you'd never buy for yourself??

Have a GREAT day!!!!

Look what I received in the mail

2011-12-14T00:00:00.000-08:00

I recently received an adorable Anniversary card. I love the way Joanne used buttons on this card as the flowers.

The background paper, the eyelet edging....it all goes together to make such a great card.

And, here is a great embossed tree from Vicki. I love the way she embossed the tree and then added those tiny red jewels to look like ornaments.

This one is from Lynette, a simple embossed card. LOVE LOVE the simplicity!!!

More Christmas Cards

2011-12-13T11:38:00.000-08:00

Well, I have to admit, I am about done making Christmas cards. I have so many more stamps that I wanted to try out and make cards from, but I am ready to move on to another theme, now ;-) Of course, as I say that....I am thinking of more I could make. Eventually, though, I need to start thinking of birthday, Valentine's day....oh...wait, I could do WINTER cards and that way could still use my snowmen :-)

Here are three of the cards I sent out this year for Christmas.

This card I used a stamp set from Eureka Rubber Stamps. It's called 17302 Sm Winter Scene Circle. I just stamped it with Palette Starry Night ink pad. I added some Icicle Stickles to the little snowflakes around the scene. Added a white organza ribbon and finished.

For this card, I used a Cuttlebug embossing folder on one side of my white card stock and then placed a punched circle on the right side and used Palette Starry Night ink pad and a sponge to sponge the sky. Then, I stamped the tree from Embossing Arts Co. onto the card stock. I added some Stickles to the snowflakes on the embossed part and also on the tree.

This was a stamp from Hero Arts that I bought from a friend, Vicki, who sells Hero Arts. I basically did that same thing as I did with the Eureka stamp. I stamped the image onto a square piece of white card stock. I added the ribbon to a piece of glimmery (although you can't see it here) blue card stock and then placed my image on to of that. I added a tiny bit of Icicle Stickles to the star.

I probably won't use the glimmery paper any more....one...it's gone....and two....it didn't stick well to my card stock with the ribbon underneath.

These cards show that you CAN make Christmas cards in the month of December and get them sent off (as of yesterday).....although, now I can think of so many other ways I could have used these sets, time was of an essence and I needed to do quick easy cards in order to get them out by my deadline.

Have a God blessed day!!!

Char

Blogging Pet Peeves

2011-12-11T00:00:00.000-08:00

I have a question and maybe I am just in the minority here but I wonder if anyone else finds it a little irritating when you discover a blog you would really love to subscribe to but, they only offer Google as the one and only option to subscribe.

I have contacted a few bloggers and asked politely if they would consider adding 'subscription by e-mail' and the people that I have asked have gone out of their way to do just that. So, if any of you happen to read this...THANK YOU!!!!!

I guess I could do that on every blog that I enjoy reading, but it just boggles my mind that these bloggers don't think of it themselves. I understand the blogger, like myself, that are small so they don't really think that many people are actually reading their blogs. BUT, for those bloggers that are trying to sell their products whether it be rubber stamps, books, e-books, and other items... why wouldn't you offer as many ways as you could for someone to subscribe to your blog so that they keep coming back each day?

I am old hat, I guess, but I like to have the posts come to my inbox. I don't remember to read the blogs if I have to go to Google Reader or worse yet, bookmark it. I do have some that are attached to my blogger.....that I can read, but usually when I log into Blogger....I am writing my own blog and don't take time to read the ones in that list. :-(

The other pet peeve having to do with blogging is MUSIC!!! Why oh why do people put music on their blogs??? Now, I like music as much as anyone else, but I like MY kind of music. I don't always like someone else's kind of music.

I hate it when I am browsing blogs, late at night, when I can't sleep....and come across one that blares out music. I know, I know....someone said "well, turn down your sound". YEAH? Well, I am not expecting music to blare out at me in the middle of the night so didn't think to turn it down beforehand. And, by the time I can get it turned down....it's already woke up half the house. So, then I am looking for their music player so I can turn off the sound. OR I have to click on sound on my desktop and lower the volume. I don't have knobs on my speakers....so to me, it's a little inconvenient to have to stop and click off the sound. THEN, I have to actually remember to turn it back on....later.

I want so badly to tell that blogger.....I left your blog because I don't want to have to listen to your music playing while I am trying to read. And, yes, I know I could turn off my sound....but I shouldn't have to.

I have tried to figure out WHY they have music playing on their blog. I mean, they aren't listening to it when they are writing their blog. It would only play when they go to their blog. How many people sit and look at their blog and listen to the music?

If someone can answer that question.....I'd love it.

Anyway, that's just a couple of my pet peeves. What's YOUR biggest pet peeve.

2011-12-08T06:06:00.001-08:00

One of the things we did last Saturday, were to make gift tags. We were given boxes of embellishments and cut outs and told to just be creative. Oh gosh, I wasn't in a creative mood that day. But, I forged ahead and made a few blue gift tags to go with the blue Christmas wrapping paper at home. I made a lot more than this, but they were tans and browns (and I think I liked them better) but I didn't take photos of those.

We also made a masculine birthday card. This one says DUDE. Most of the ones we made on Saturday were Christmas and I showed them in a previous post.

Now that Christmas is fast approaching, I guess it's time to get busy and get my cards finished. I haven't really even started them. I don't know why I procrastinate every year. Last year, I think I ended up sending out a few store bought cards. I was tempted to do that again, this year, but I really DO have time to sit down and make a few if I hustle my bustle.

I think I'll start a new tradition of making xx amount of cards each month...so by November, I am done with my Christmas cards. Somehow, I don't think I'll follow through on that idea, though. After Christmas, I am usually ready to get onto other things.

Hope your day is productive and you are taking time to enjoy the Reason for the Season!!

Have a God blessed day,

Hugs,
Char

Getting Ready for Christmas

2011-12-08T00:00:00.000-08:00

I had big plans of having everything ready to go by December 1st so I could just bake a little and enjoy the season. We did get our tree up the weekend after Thanksgiving and also a few decorations.

I took on a project over this past weekend of making small calendars and it was a little bit more time consuming than I had originally thought. But, the good thing is, I finished them this morning!!!

I am almost finished with my shopping, having done most of it online at Amazon.com and ChristianBooks.com. I did venture out on Black Friday with my family at 9pm and we got home at 7am the next morning. We probably won't do it again but it was, for the most part, a fun experience. We'll probably NEVER go to Wal Mart's event again....it was a ZOO. The other stores we ventured to were a lot more organized and the crowds a lot more 'civil'.

My granddaughter wanted to 'experience it' so that is what we did. She said that she wasn't sure she wants to do it again. We still have a tiny bit of shopping to do so we'll venture out sometime this week and finish it up.

Then, my other granddaughter comes to visit just before Christmas and we always have a 'shopping' day, just the two of us. That's all she's been talking about for a month or more.

I came across this video of a group of high school students performing the Hallelujah Chorus as silent monks. YOU HAVE TO SEE THIS!!!!

Hope you enjoy it!!!

Hugs,
Char

More Christmas cards to share

2011-12-07T00:00:00.000-08:00

As promised, I am sharing three more cards that we made on Saturday.

This little note card used the Peek a boo frame and the SU stocking die and a snowflake die to create a reindeer. We added a couple of strips of patterned paper, some thin wire with a little jingle bell and a bow, a glittery circle for his nose and DONE!!

Cute snowman with glittery flakes inside his tummy!

A very simple card using a tulip embossing frame, a few trees stamped on a piece of white card stock over a red label. Quick and simple.

More to follow....tomorrow!

Hugs,
Char

2012 Calendars

2011-12-06T00:00:00.000-08:00

I took on a project late in the season. BUT, I was able to get four complete sets of these calendars done for this year's gift giving.

I'll share one each month, if I remember!! That's the hard part, remembering to do it.

I attended another stamp day and made some more Christmas cards. Here are just a few of the ones we made.

The mitten card was made from a template. We put the 'stitching' on with a gel pen and added a snowflake with a brad. It was a fast and simple card, yet so cute.

This card used the Treat Cups filled with Mica flakes. This was my first time making a card using these cups and it was fun!!

This card was another fast and simple card. YET....it's a cool card. We used a scallop that had the middle punched out and added some red dots to look like berries. Then, a little brad for a doorknob. How cute!!!

I'll share some more tomorrow!!

Hugs,
Char

Calendars

2011-12-03T10:19:00.000-08:00

One of my friends, Lynette, features a calendar page on her blog and she has the files to download. It so enjoyable to see what she comes up with each year.

I decided to try it this year. OH MY GOSH...how much fun they are!!! They are not big, so you only have this little area to decorate and I've been using a combination of stamps and digi stamps to do the images on the area I have to work with. I have also been using my Cuttlebug embossing folders to emboss the area I am going to decorate.

I hope to have them all done by the end of this weekend so I can start sharing them with you.
The only problem is, I forgot to keep track of where I got the free digis, so am not sure I can share those. I'll have to see if I can relocate where I grabbed them.

Does anyone have a simple way they organize their digis so as to give credit for the free digis. I just was having so much fun 'collecting' them that I forgot to make a folder for each designer.

I have to say, although I love stamping, I am getting hooked on these digis, especially the colored ones as when I really don't have time to do much coloring or it looks intimidating....I can just print off a colored digi and then design the rest of my card. :-)

Since I am not sure I can share the calendars that use digis, I'll send you over to Lynette's blog to view her calendar pages
.
I have a few calendar pages that don't use digis, so I will upload those at a later time.

Anyway, while you are at Lynette's blog, download the files to print off your own little calendars and have FUN making some for your friends and family.

Have a God Blessed day!!!

Hugs,
Char

Christmas is coming.....Christmas is coming.....

2011-11-25T00:00:00.000-08:00

Oh gosh, sometimes I miss little children around the house at Christmas time. They get so excited and it's so much fun counting down the days till Christmas.

With adults, it's not nearly as fun....but hey....it is what it is!! Some people don't consider me an adult....because I do get excited over all the movies, shopping, baking and decorating. I don't plan to go overboard on the baking, tho, this year. We just don't need all that SUGAR in the house.

Today, I plan to be out shopping with the rest of the crazy folks. I said, I PLAN to be out shopping....we'll see what the ads contain.

Here are two more cards we made at the SU card class on Nov 19th.

This adorable bag topper will come in handy for giving away treats to family and friends. It fits a Quart sized baggie. I can even package dog treats in these bags. I always make dog treats for the dogs in the family.

A very easy but pretty card. I couldn't find this Poinsettia in the newest SU catalog so maybe it's a retired set? Anyway, it was easy peasy.....and makes a fast card!!

I love going to card class as it makes me sit down and do 10 different cards. I don't have to think, cut, design....NOTHING.....all I need to do is show up with my adhesive and away we go.

If you have a demonstrator in your area whether it be SU, Amuse, CTMH or whoever, consider supporting them by attending a class. You usually pay for the class so you don't feel like you have to purchase anything if you just can't afford to....and you get so many fun ideas!! I know that I really don't buy much anymore after 12 years as a demonstrator....but the ideas I get.....I can come home and play with what I have yet I feel like I have supported someone else's efforts.

Search out a demonstrator near you and see if they offer classes. Oh I know....you can search blogs and come up with all your own.....but how fun it is to get together with other stampers and play and use new stamps and fun papers and embellishments!!

Enjoy your day!!!

Hugs,
Char

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!!

2011-11-24T00:00:00.000-08:00

Just wanted to wish everyone a very happy Thanksgiving!! We will be giving thanks for another year of God's blessings. We have had good health, my husband has a job, we have a roof over our heads and food on the table. We have much to be thankful for!!!

I'll get up and put the turkey on while watching the "Macy's Parade".

As usual, we'll have turkey and all the trimmings, including pies.

Then, after our meal, we'll settle down with the paper and check out the 'black Friday' sales! Who knows if we'll actually venture out but it's fun to see all the ads. After that, we'll play some games and watch a couple of Christmas movies. If you haven't checked out the following blog, you will be pleasantly surprised. She posts all the Christmas movies that are going to be on TV. We have already watched quite of few of them. She even has a calendar you can print out so you can make notations of the movies you don't want to miss.

http://itsawonderfulmovie.blogspot.com/

I have most of my Christmas shopping already finished but have a few items I am looking for....so maybe they'll be on sale!!!

I hope you all have a fabulous Thanksgiving no matter how you spend it!

Maybe you will share some of your Thanksgiving traditions???!!

Hugs,
Char

Autumn Cards

2011-11-23T00:00:00.000-08:00

Since it's the day before Thanksgiving, I figured I could post a couple more Fall type cards. These definitely will not go out this year ;-)

Here are two Autumn cards we made in class on the 19th.

This is another stamp set that I couldn't find in the catalog....but who knows...maybe I am not looking close enough or it's in a mini catalog or something. Anyway, it's a cute pumpkin scene.

This could have been a Happy Thanksgiving/Fall card but I chose to use it for a masculine birthday card. I am sure you could use any small leaf punch for this project.

The next few days, I will be sharing some more Christmas cards.

Bird Punch Card

2011-11-22T00:00:00.000-08:00

This card didn't prove to be my favorite but I could see a lot of potential in the different stamps and colors I could incorporate. Thankfully, our hostess had all the little squares cut out, all I had to do was attach them. Being measuring 'challenged', I think I did ok in lining them up.

It's a darling card and you could use it for any occasion just changing up the colors and the way you lined up the squares.

More to come........

Hugs,
Char

Another Fun card to share

2011-11-21T00:00:00.000-08:00

Here is another card we did at card class on Saturday, November 19th. I am not sure, but this may be a discontinued set?? Anyone know? Or maybe it is in a different catalog as I tried to find it and didn't have much luck.

Very simple yet elegant! I don't know that it shows that well in the photo, but the cardstock is lavender as well as the ink, ribbon and snowflake. I love the little 'pearl' embellishment to top it off.

I'll have another to show you tomorrow!!

Hugs,
Char

Sigh..........................

2011-11-20T12:02:00.000-08:00

Well, so much for scheduling posts. I have been watching QVC and setting up scheduled posts for this next week...when I will be busy.....and my last one.....I hit publish post before I clicked on post options to set it up for the 25th.....big SIGH!!!

Oh well.....I guess you got two posts, today. Actually, three...with this post!

Ok....off to play!!! I've done enough damage for one day ;-)

Enjoy your day!!!!

Char

Last of Christmas cards from Stamping class

2011-11-20T11:56:00.000-08:00

Gee, I'll post these and in another week I'll be attending another card class. :-)

Since Christmas is getting closer and closer, I have been doing scheduled posts for my blog...as I know I will be busy baking and making cards but don't want to miss posting. I am trying to be better at it.

Here are the final three cards from my card class on November 19th.

Easy card but with a little Pizazz using the Crystal Effects. You can also use Stickles. I have a drawer full of different colors of Stickles and use them a LOT. The fun paper used on this card is from the Letters to Santa designer paper.

I thought it was a fun touch to use torn music sheets with the above card. I am sure you could find music books at the local Goodwill or Salvation Army or a garage sale.

Fun way to give a packet of cocoa to a friend or teacher.

I made another version of this a couple of weeks ago and sent it to three people. I forgot to take a photo of them before I sent them off. So, hopefully, in the next few days, I'll get some more made and can upload them for you to see.

Have a Funtastic day!!!

Hugs,
Char

Card Class

2011-11-20T08:21:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, I had a blast at a SU card class. My Granddaughter and I went with a friend and we were the only ones at the afternoon class. That made it even more fun because we could yak and cut up and just enjoy ourselves and we didn't have to 'wait' for the projects :-)

The three of us just worked on each card at the same time. We made 10 cards and I will be sharing them over the next few days.

One of the cards we made was a 'window' card. That was so much fun! I can envision this with quite a few stamps I own.

I am going to add some Stickles to the tree and snowflakes. Fun card to make!

Fun Bookmarks

2011-11-14T17:35:00.000-08:00

While I was laid up for a couple of days with the achies.I just couldn't sit there and do nothing, so I decided to fold a bunch of corner bookmarks to embellish later and give away as little gifts.

Here is my stash after two days of folding off and on.

I think that there are something like 58 of them. I have about 10-12 already embellished and the rest are awaiting for when I have a day or two when I can just sit and embellish them.

Actually, the flatter you can keep the embellishments, the better. If you plan to send them to someone in the mail, you will probably pay a little extra postage. I may have to 'rethink' my future embellishments.

Here are a few that I have 'upside' down....just because I wasn't paying attention when I took the photo. You can make them as big or as small as you like but I opted for the 6x6 size paper to do my folding. It just seems to 'fit' on the book page, better.

I used the Generations pack of paper from Simple Stories. I love these papers.

For embellishments, I used paper flowers that I had on hand and some pearls for accent.

As you can see in the first photo, I branched out from my "Fall" colors and so will be having to use different embellishments. This should keep me busy for awhile.

I found the Tutorial here. She didn't tell you to, but I taped down the side where it's sort of open. I just thought it would hold up better.

Let me know if you make some, I would love to see them.

Have a God Blessed day!!!

Hugs,
Char

My Chair Buddy

2011-11-13T00:00:00.000-08:00

I wanted to share with you today, a gift I received back in September at my annual Western Angel Gathering in Salem.

A friend of mine presented me with something I had been oooohing and ahhhhing over for a year or more. I saw the one she had made for her daughter and fell in love with it. I WANTED one. I was more than happy to pay her for it and she told me she would let me know how much when she got it figured out.

Well, months went by and with everything else going on in my life, I forgot all about it TILL.....it was once again time for WAG!!! I saw her daughter, Tammy, putting her Chair Buddy on her seat....and thought...DANG IT...I forgot to ask Charlotte about that.

Well, to make a long story short, Charlotte came in the next day and presented me with my very own Chair Buddy. I was excited that she remembered and went to get my purse but, I was shocked almost to tears when she said, "No, it's a gift".

It's even PURPLE...my favorite color.

Here is the opening on the seat.....so that you can store papers or whatever inside.

Here is one side.

Here is the front of the chair.

And, here is the opposite side.

There is a lot of room to carry all your basics with you to a scrapping or card making event. The "Chair Buddy" is so handy to keep a lot of your basic supplies right near you. One of the cool things about it is you can use the little velcro tabs to hold it in place on the chair.

Maybe you don't want to be stuck in your stamping room all day and want to be out with the family, then just take your chair buddy along with you and some of your basic supplies and you can watch movies with the family AND stamp/scrap.

If you don't have a lot of room where ever you are meeting for a scrapping or card making event....(you know, some tables are only so big)......bring your Chair Buddy along and you'll have even more storage!

If you are interested in owning your own Chair Buddy or buying one as a gift for a friend, you can contact Charlotte at charlottsweb@hotmail.com

You will have to discuss the details with her but OH MY GOSH, they are awesome.

Anywhere you go, you can take your little chair buddy with you and make a chair more comfortable...because they are padded.

Thanks again, Charlotte!!!! I love mine!!!

Hugs,
Char

My Memories Digital Scrapbook Suite Giveaway!!

2011-11-12T09:54:00.000-08:00

Just a reminder to post your comments, here, for the giveaway on November 17th. I will be using the Random Generator to draw one lucky winner!

My Memories offers digital scrapbooking software with a huge variety of templates, papers and embellishments, plus, whenever you like, you can add more options from the selections on the My Memories website.

I have to admit, I am not a scrap booker but I found the software to be really easy to learn, right out of the gate and I finished a page in just a few minutes after opening the software. This is a fantastic way to share photos with friends and family via the internet. You can even create projects in a variety of sizes and shapes, create albums, add music to your albums and, well, you just have to try it out and see!!

Yes, the paper and embellishments are included in the software. There were a lot to choose from including brads, buttons, flourishes, flowers, knots, bows, ribbons and more. Just think, if "I" can do it.....anyone can do it!!

I'll be playing with some Christmas photos in the next few days and will share those, too.

What a fun gift to give yourself this Christmas.

I was out shopping, yesterday, and was looking for Christmas designer paper. I am sure that a lot of you have more options than I do when it comes to scrap booking supplies but I had Michael's and JoAnn's and neither one had anything that fit what I had in mind. Yes, their papers were on sale but I have a boatload of papers that were 'on sale' that I have never used. I came home empty handed. That was a 45 mile trip, one way, to come home empty handed. Well, empty handed in the scrap book department :-)

Anyway, this is fun software to play with and so easy! I hope you take advantage of the free giveaway and enter your comments. Also, remember, there is a coupon code to the right of the screen where you can save 10% on your software and get another 10% when you visit their online store.

Have a Funtastic day!!!

Hugs,

Char

Still Making Fall Cards

2011-11-12T00:00:00.000-08:00

Just a quick post, today!

To some, it's too early to start thinking about Christmas but for others, like myself, I have it in the back of my mind all year long....as I am collecting little things here and there for gifts and stocking stuffers.

Really, though, my favorite time of year is FALL!!! I love all the colors of the trees with their leaves changing. I seem to do a LOT of stamping during the fall season, too. I don't know why that is, but I do.

Here is another card I made using a Fall theme.

I know, it's realllllly similar to another one I did. I just love that paper...wish I had bought more. I used a Stampin Up border punch called Scallop Trim Border, that a good friend of mine gave me as a hostess gift. I use it a LOT.

Now, it's really time to start thinking about Christmas cards, even tho Thanksgiving isn't even here yet!!! You almost have to be thinking a month in advance to get the cards made and sent on time. I don't normally make many cards for Thanksgiving, so it's time to turn my thoughts to Christmas. Well, as far as cards go ;-)

Have a Fantastic day!!!

Hugs,
Char

Freebie Friday

2011-11-11T11:11:00.000-08:00

Hi,

MyMemories.com is offering a Freebie Pack to my readers.

All you have to do is follow the link under the photo and go to the website and follow the directions to download your free pack.

Freebie #1

http://www.mymemories.com/store/share_the_memories_kit_1

Please note that all of these are .png files only, not MyMemories Suite Templates. They are usable in any software. These freebies are for everyone!!

These freebies include 2 Quick Pages, and all of the papers and elements used in creating them. The elements and Quick Pages are.png and the papers are .jpg format.

Once you have seen how much fun these pages are to work with, you might be interested in purchasing their digital software by clicking on my "Share the Memories" and entering the code on the sidebar under their website logo.

The Freebie contains the 2 Quick Pages shown and all the pieces (papers and elements) used to create those Quick Pages!

These Quick Pages are deliberately created as "two-page layouts".

Just to let you know that I'll be offering these regularly, so you can start an album for photobooks, printing or on line viewing by using them!

Have fun!!!

Have a God Blessed Day!

Hugs,

Char

Movie Night Treat Pouch

2011-11-10T04:31:00.000-08:00

I have been having an absolute ball making these fun Movie Pouches for upcoming gifts.

I started with one for my Granddaughter's birthday this next week. But, like my hubby says, then you went overboard. I added the lace before I got the bright idea to make a cupcake. Since I used red liner tape, I didn't DARE try and remove it. Oh well, I may just do a remake of it.

While watching reruns of Law and Order, Criminal Intent, I ended up cutting out 19 of these puppies. I don't have 19 people to give movies to, but they were SO MUCH fun to put together that I couldn't help myself.

Do you ever do that? Of course, now I have to think of other ways I can use these Treat Pouches other than DVD gift holders. I am thinking a paperback book? Any ideas??

I got the tutorial from this website. I printed it off and just spent the afternoon playing.

I hope you make one, they are FUN and a creative way to give a DVD for a gift. If you do, please come back and share your creation with.

Don't forget to leave a comment on the post about the digital software 'giveaway'. One lucky person will be chosen to receive the digital software on November 17th. Please leave your comment to enter the giveaway here.

Have a God Blessed Day,

Hugs,
Char

Thanksgiving is just around the corner!

2011-11-09T00:00:00.000-08:00

Good 'chilly' morning!!!

I have made a few Thanksgiving cards...time is quickly flying by to get my 'fill' of Autumn cards. I love Autumn and all the different colors....then it's time for Christmas. Hmmm, wonder if I could do a few Christmas cards in Autumn colors? I may have to try that.

Here is the first card. It's very plain and simple. I like plain and simple, especially if you are doing a bunch of cards. I only did four of these and even then I had to rearrange the different papers and the way they went together.

The background paper is from a 6x6 pads I bought at Craft Warehouse. This specific paper came from a paper pad called "Oct 31". It's made by Fancypantsdesigns. I bought several different packs while I was there because they were all on sale. :-)

The Swirls behind the verse are called "Autumn Swirls" and it was a set from The Angel Company, which has since closed it's doors.

I hope to be sharing a few more Autumn/Fall/Thanksgiving cards before it's officially Christmas season.

Have a God blessed day!!!

Hugs,
Char

Digital Software Giveaway

2011-11-08T00:00:00.001-08:00

Hi Everyone,

My Granddaughter, Zoey, turns 20 on November 17th. In honor of that, I am hosting a giveaway on my blog!

MyMemories.com is offering one lucky reader, a chance to win the MyMemories Suite Software.

My Memories Suite is rated #1 by amazon for digital scrapbooking software.

On November 17th, one lucky winner will be chosen as the winner of this software!

How do you enter, you may ask?

Just click on MyMemories.com and while you are there, choose
your favorite digital paper or layout and then come back here and tell me which one you liked the best. Be sure to leave that comment so that you will be entered in the drawing.

If you would like additional entries you can follow them on their

Blog: http://blog.mymemories.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/MyMemories/140359372717593

Twitter:
http://twitter.com/#!/mymemoriessuite

Just be sure to let me know that you have followed them in an additional comment.

I am excited to be able to give one of my readers an opportunity like this. I have downloaded it and it's FUN to play with. I am not a scrapbooker so this is ideal for me to use and I can't wait to make many albums using this software. In fact, I have made two so far. :-)

I'll be sharing things I have done using this software in the days to come so stay tuned.

Have a God Blessed Day!!!

Hugs,
Char

Fabulous Raks

2011-11-07T08:18:00.000-08:00

How fun it is to receive cards in the mail!!! Not only does it make your day, but it's a great way to get new ideas and see how different people select different components for a card. I never cease to be amazed at all the wonderful talent out there.

Here is a card I received in a swap I participated in. This one is from Joanne. We were to do a Magic Snowflake Technique but we didn't have to use snowflakes. I love all the soft muted colors and how they coordinate with the papers she used.

I received this adorable Halloween card from Andrea. Too stinkin cute!!!!

This card came from Nancy. Look at the Pumpkin background and all the individual elements to this card. Much cuter than my camera depicts.

And, last but definitely not least, Channie sent me this card. Oh gosh...so many fun details to this card. You really have to see it up close and personal to really appreciate all the extra work that went into this card.

Thank you all....what fun to go to the mailbox and see something in there besides bills!!!

Fall is definitely here!!

2011-10-26T08:14:00.000-07:00

Woke up this morning to 16º this morning!!!! Whooohoooo, love this time of year!!! Cold but not snowing!!

I wanted to share some Fall cards I made this past week using basically the same papers, embellishments and stamps. I love taking one theme and then going from there...adding and tweaking to get a different look using the same supplies!!

The background paper is from Bo Bunny, but it's been discontinued. I tried to find some more and there is some that looks similar but not exactly like this. Dang...wish I had bought more when I did. Isn't that always the case?

The sentiment is from Just Rite Stamps.

I know, most people don't use the word JOY when they think of Fall,

But....I LOVE fall.....so JOY works for me!!!

The JOY stamp was from The Angel Company, which has closed it's doors as of August. Oh how I miss them, still!!!

The technique I used was the Magic Snowflake technique from SplitCoast Stampers....but for some reason it wasn't working out for me. So, again, I had to 'tweak' it to work. I think the problem was that you were supposed to use dye re-inkers and all I had were Palettes...which are a hybrid....not completely dye based. But, I made it work....kind of!!

Have a fantastic FALL....where ever you are!!!

And, have a God Blessed Day!!

Hugs,
Char

Fun Weekend

2011-10-24T09:08:00.000-07:00

I had a fun weekend starting out with going to a Stampin Up class with a friend, on Saturday. We made 10 cards and had a lot of fun chatting and stamping away. It had been a l o n g time since I had been to a card class where I wasn't the teacher....so that made it extra fun.

Here are is one of the cards that we made.

I chose this one because it's Fall!! The others were Christmas cards and a few other themes. So, I will save those for later.

Then, on Sunday, our family went to the Pumpkin Patch. Although my Granddaughter was still recovering from having her wisdom teeth pulled on Friday, she wanted to pick out a pumpkin. So, off we went, all three of us, to chose our pumpkins. Our Pumpkins, all totaled, weighed in at 48#. I didn't get any photos of our pumpkins but took a photo of people enjoying the farm, that day.

We didn't take in any of the other activities that they have going on there like the Pumpkin cannon, Corn Maize (Star Wars Theme), animal barn, Pony rides etc. because we were on a mission but what a FUN way for a family to enjoy the day!!!

Here are our pumpkins that we carved.

This is mine....of course a CAT!!

David's was a ghost but we had a friend that was visiting, carve it for him.

Here is my granddaughter's...a bat.
And, here they are.....all lit up!!

Then, to top off the day, I saved the pumpkin seeds and toasted them in the oven to enjoy at a later time.

I'll be sharing some more cards that I have made in a later post.

Have a God Blessed Day.

Hugs,
Char

Today is the day!!!

2011-10-20T08:13:00.000-07:00

I am so excited. I got up early and actually 'stalked' this stamp company till I saw that they posted some new stamps I have been waiting to come out!!!

When The Angel Company closed two months ago, I had yet to purchase some sets that I had on my list by Phyllis Harris. I was so sad that I hadn't gotten them.

THEN, I heard that the Unity Stamp Co. was going to be carrying some of her stamps....and I was overjoyed and even had my reminder on my computer set for today.

If you have never seen her stamps or missed out getting them when they were in the catalog.....now is your chance. Just click on over to their site and check them out.

And, no, I am not affiliated with the stamp company....just an anxious stamper waiting for the stamps to come out!!

WHOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

More later gotta run!!

Have a God Blessed Day!!!

Hugs,
Char

Pet Sympathy

2011-10-20T00:00:00.000-07:00

I am sure at one time or another we all have had a friend that has lost a beloved pet.

This week, I had two friends who lost their pets. :-(

Having lost many pets over the years, I know how hard it is on a person those first days/weeks/months. If you are an animal lover, I don't even have to explain to you how sad you feel and how lost you feel without your constant companion. Every day you are reminded that they are no longer there!

A friend of mine had to have her Cat, Tanner, put to sleep, this week. This is such a hard decision to have to make on behalf our fur babies....but sometimes it is the only option to end their suffering lovingly and the one that hurts the most. (I had to have my Freckles put to sleep last summer and it bothered me for weeks, although I knew it was the most humane thing to do to end her suffering from cancer).

Anyway, this is the card I made for her.

I copied a photo she sent to me of Tanner and included it inside the card.

Michele Zindorf lost her dog, Abby, the same day. If you would like to see a great poem she dedicated to Abby, check out Michelle Zindorf's blog.

Have a God Blessed Day!!!

Char

Halloween is coming

2011-10-19T07:36:00.000-07:00

I have to admit, I am not a huge Halloween fan. But, I do love to make Fall/Halloween cards. :-)

Here is one I did for my Granddaughter. She will get a big kick out of it.

I bought the stamp set (Pop Up Halloween Frog) and black Honey Comb paper from Stampin Cat Studio in Salem, OR.

Ignore the coloring job ......it wasn't a great day to be stamping for some reason. Everything and anything that could go wrong....DID. But, I am happy that I am back to stamping!!!

It was the first stamp set that I had bought since TAC closed it's doors in August 2011.

I have bought a few more since and can't wait to make some cards with them.

Have a God Blessed Day!!!

Char

And, so it goes

2011-10-09T16:45:00.000-07:00

Well, they say you are supposed to really focus on doing something to stretch your mind at my age....keep learning new things to stimulate it.

So,I have been learning how to use Microsoft Outlook 2010.....it's so much different than 2003. It's a bit frustrating trying to do all the things I used to do with no problem since the set up is different than what I am used to.

But, I am definitely stretching my mind (and my patience) and shall persevere and hopefully it will 'rejuvenate my brain cells' sufficiently :-)

I am itching to use some unmounted stamps that I got from Eurekastamps but I promised myself that I wouldn't even THINK about getting them mounted on Creative Cling till I got my craft room/office completely cleaned and organized. Here are just a few of them....

There is a darling pig in chocolate, too and a couple more Christmas images and a fall tree ..........so hopefully, that will spur me on to get my room finished this week!!!

If you haven't yet, go check them out!!

Have a God blessed day!!!!

Char

Wow...what a week....and it's just started!!!

2011-10-04T14:10:00.000-07:00

Hubby and I were enjoying a Sunday morning together.

He surprised me by telling me we would be going into town later that day to pick out a new computer. We had talked about getting a new computer for quite awhile, as mine was on it's last legs....about 9 years old.....but it was still hanging on so there wasn't a huge rush. But, lately, it's been shutting off all by itself (at least I HOPE it was all by itself....eeeerie to think about...LOL) and right in the middle of doing stuff. And, it was taking so much time to load up and it would stall/freeze in the middle of things and then I would have to reboot. Sigh.

My husband's (my former computer) is also on it's last legs...being probably 12 years old. But, strange as it may seem...his is actually in better shape then mine, (and it doesn't ROAR like a jet when you have it on).

We have been following Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace for about 9 months and had saved up for a new computer and now was the time!! Oh the 'freedom' with saving up for what you want instead of "CHARGE IT" and worrying about it later. More on that later, too.

So, later on that day, we decided to head into town and look at our options. We had basically figured out what I needed for me to do all the things I normally do on my computer like blogging, e-mailing, Facebook, using Excel and Powerpoint, and an assortment of other things.

We got to the store and of course, they didn't have the 'same' computer I had picked out online....so we had to check out what they did have and go from there. In the end, we ended up with a less expensive computer then we had chosen online with the same amount of features that I felt I needed and the same amount of space on the hard drive and more RAM.....(that's about as much computer speak as I know). We had looked at an HP but ended up with a DELL. My older computer was a Gateway and I hated it from day one....although the earlier Gateway's I had liked.

Here is what I ended up with:

(then, I realized if I had bought it off of the Dell website, I could have gotten the front of it in PURPLE). Probably best I didn't know that beforehand...LOL

One thing we did learn, though, is that we had looked at Microsoft Outlook 2010 online and it was one price 'online'. When we went to the store, it was $50 higher. Thankfully, the associate went online and 'ordered it' for us.....and then picked it and 20 minutes later, we were able to get it for the sale price. Remember that if you see something online that you want....buy it online and have them 'pick it' and hold it at the store for you. Most likely, they can have it ready within a few hours or the next day. It was so funny, cause he took it right off the shelf....but in order for us to get the online price....he had to 'pick it' and 'hold' it for us to come in to get it (although we were right there). Hey....for $50, I can go get lunch at their McDonald's and go back in 20-30 minutes ;-)

We went home, installed it and away I went. Gosh...that was EASY!!! NEVER have set up a computer without some sort of headache that went along with it. :-)

THEN......................................................

Fast forward to the next day. Well, since I had documents/photos and other things to get off my old computer....I wasn't online much yesterday. It wasn't until evening that I noticed that although I was getting e-mail, I wasn't able to send any.

So, we commenced to troubleshoot....and THREE hours later....after I was about ready to pull my hair out....hubby went to my old computer and figured out that I had my Smtp configured wrong. I was checking HIS computer....figuring it was the same as mine.....NOT.....???

So.....we fixed that.......and then, later, got around to installing the Router....and all of a sudden, DH wasn't able to get anything on HIS computer. SIGH!!! (he was going off our old router...and of course I was directly connected to the modem....so all was good....till we decided to install the Router onto my computer)

I asked him....is this router even set up to work with Windows 7? He hadn't thought of that....so he went and got the router box....and sure enough...it wasn't. So, that's why his computer quit working.

So, now we have to get a new Router so that we can both work on our computer.

AND, to top it all off....computer geek that I am NOT....I had spent ALL DAY, yesterday, (that's why I wasn't e-mailing or doing anything else online) transferring info off my old computer onto 24 disks, only to realize, last night, that the info hadn't copied over to the disks, even tho it said it did.

There IS an easier way to transfer information from one computer to another. I know, I know....there is.....but I didn't have an external doo hickey..so the disks were my only option at the time. They are the wrong type disks, evidently.

I am not a computer geek.....by any stretch of the imagination.

So, to sum it all up....my computer is now functional.....DH's is not internet functional till we get a router.

Now, I am in 'learning mode' once again. I went from Windows XP with Microsoft Office 2003 to Windows 7 and Microsoft Office 2010. A huge step!!

Hopefully, with a few tutorials under my belt and a lot of practice....I'll get it figured out.

Have a great day!!!
Char

Back from WAG and ready to do some FALL CLEANING

2011-09-22T14:12:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone,

Well, WAG (Western Angel Gathering) is over for another year! (I am contemplating a Spring get together, tho) Wow....did we ever have fun!!! Lots of shoebox projects, gabbing, giggling, eating and shopping.................need I say more? And, they still want to continue getting together every year!! WHOOOHOOO!!!!

The sad thing is.....I didn't take any photos!!! I always take photos.... but I only managed three.....HUH??? I think I was just so busy getting my projects done and gabbing...(yes...the first time in years I have actually FINISHED all my projects) ....that I just realize I wasn't taking any photos of all the gals, till I got home.

Anyway, I'll be sharing some of those projects over the next week or so.....

Here is the one I did.

It's a slider card and the Hershey Bar slides out at the top and a sentiment slides out of the bottom. I got my idea from Dawn's Stamping Thoughts.

You can follow her directions on the above link and make one of your own....they are FUN to do!!!
Sad to say, the image is no longer available because it was one of the new ones that came out in the last TAC catalog.....but I am so glad I got it before they closed their doors!

Although I am not any where near ready to go to another direct sales stamp company, right now, I did sign up as an affiliate with three stamp companies, today. I just had to keep my 'fingers' in it somehow. :-)

If you would like to order, just click on one of the links in the sidebar and go to customer sign in. It will take you directly to my affiliate site. :-)

I am super excited to be able to once again be connected to a stamp company in some small way.

Now, I am ready to 'cozy down' and start my Fall cleaning!!!

Have a GOD blessed day!!!!!

Char

YEAHHHHHHHHHHH, it's September!!!

2011-09-02T09:14:00.000-07:00

September is a new month. We are on the last legs of summer and Fall is just around the corner. Wow, some feel like we haven't even HAD summer, this year. ME? I LOVED this summer... I don't even think we had one day in the 100ºs. We had some come pretty close, but only a few. So, this was probably one of the best summers, for me, as I don't like hot weather.

Not so in other parts of the country where they have had to put up with days on end of 100 degree weather. I am sure those people are looking forward to Fall with it's cooler weather.

Although we have had a little cooler temps this summer....it is ending with several large wildfires in our area (although ours are much bigger than the ones they are reporting on in other states, it hasn't made national news) making the air quality not so wonderful! There has been a lot of smoke, all around us, for a couple of weeks now and they are saying that they may not have it contained for another week. I hope it doesn't affect my Sister coming to visit this month :-(

There have been road closures (though not affecting me) that have affected a lot of travelers, truckers included. I feel for the truckers (mine included) as they HAVE to be out there delivering whatever it is they are hauling and it's been a huge inconvenience for them to have to detour so far around the fires. I am sure it's an inconvenience to other travelers, too, but it's for their safety. Let's just hope the firefighters, putting their lives on the line, can get it contained by next weekend and that everyone including all the firefighters stay safe!!!

September brings, to our house at least, quite a few birthdays!!! Our family has 6 birthdays this month, including mine. PLUS, we have a cat that is turning 16 :-) So our month will be full with birthdays alone.

Last but not least, school has either started or IS starting this month most everywhere. So, with school starting, my mind conjures up visions of school supplies, shopping for clothes (although our shopping is all done), new schedules, football games, leaves changing, harvest parties and the list goes on and on.

I won't officially say goodbye to summer till after Labor Day but I couldn't help but thinking that summer is coming to an end.

Hope you all have a fun and SAFE Labor Day!!!

Have a God Blessed Day!!!

Char

Another day!!

2011-08-30T10:13:00.000-07:00

Today is a new day!!!   It's been exactly one week since The Angel Company closed it's doors. My emotions have run amuk...as with most Angels. I am still sort of in a fog and can't seem to get anything done.

I am trying to get ready for the annual Western Angel Gathering coming up in September over in Salem, OR. I am SO glad that I basically had everything done ahead of time before TAC announced it was closing. The only things I have to concentrate on, now, and believe me it is SO HARD to concentrate....are my trades and my shoebox project.

I think I have finally selected a project to do. Now to get it done with all the activities coming up and company coming. BUT, I am thinking positive!!!

I added DAISIES to my blog today because I have always said they are "happy" flowers. I don't know why they make me smile, but they do.

I have decided that this week, along with trying to get my projects finished, I am going to concentrate on HAPPY things, things that make me smile and try and not dwell on the current disappointments in life. Things that come along to push us off track, AREN'T WHO we ARE....it's how we deal with them that makes us WHO we are.......SO.....like I tell myself, "Put on your big girl panties and DEAL with it"

There isn't a person that goes through life that doesn't have disappointments, tragedies, down days etc.....we grieve, we get upset, we are sad.....but then we have to CHOOSE to move on!!! Sometimes, it's really hard to MOVE on....but, eventually one must do it for their own sanity and self preservation.   Otherwise.....egads....we'd all be a bunch of negative, depressing people to be around.

Do you have challenges this week that seem insurmountable? Do you have a person/s in your life that seem to live only to make YOU miserable? Do you have financial problems? Do you have health issues? Do you have relationships that are going down the tube?

Whatever the problems you are facing this week.....try, just try to think of 10 positive things in your life, right now and write them down. Can't think of 10.....then 5. Can't think of 5, then ONE!!! And, keep thinking about that ONE (or 5 or 10) every time you start to feel down or depressed or whatever.

If you are dwelling on the past and mistakes you have made.....do your best to GET OVER IT. I recently came across a quote, "Forgiveness is giving up the hope that the past could have been any different"   OH MY gosh.....I have that posted in several different places in our home. We need to forgive ourselves FIRST....and then work on forgiving others.   TOO bad if they can't forgive you, forgive yourself first.

When I first started writing this post, this is NOT what I intended to write. But, as I typed, my fingers just started going faster and faster. SO, I hope that this was written for someone out there that needs to hear it today.

Here are some of the positive things I am grateful/happy for!! I could make a HUGE list...but I'll keep it to 10.

1. An AWESOME GOD!!!
2. A great husband
3. Two Sons who know how to make me laugh!!
4. Two absolutely wonderful granddaughters that bring a smile to my face just being with them.
5. My dog, Annie. She is truly a gift from God!! (and my younger Son)
6. My two Cats, we had 6 when we moved here from the farm, so I am grateful these two are still here.
7. My tried and true friends who I can always lean on!!
8. A sense of humor (sometimes irritating to others...LOL)
9. My health (so far)
10. My older Sister. We always seem to get into so much trouble when we are together!! But, it's all good.

And, there are so many other things....simple things that others take for granted but yet helps each of us get through our daily life....like eyes, ears, smell, taste, limbs that work.....some people are not quite that lucky....so I never take it for granted. How about being able to read, count, talk.....you can thank someone for those things!!

I read an article the other day about some wild fires that are going on around us and there was a comment section below it. There was one guy that was SO NEGATIVE and had a negative reply to anyone that tried to comment on the article. He has chosen to see life from a pin hole view. So Sad!!! What a sad, sad existence!

So, give it a shot.....I would love to hear your 10 things!!! Believe me, mine were simple.....and I am thankful for so many more things.....

Have a God blessed Day!!!

Char

Final Farewell Blog Hop

2011-08-28T18:00:00.000-07:00

I had the opportunity to take part in this Final Farewell blog hop and I just couldn't pass it up. We were asked to share some memories of our time with The Angel Company. How does one condense 12 years into one blog post? It's not easy. So, I went to my photo album and chose some photos that meant something to me for one reason or another.

First, though, I was asked to share a card to honor Mischelle Smith, the CEO of The Angel Company and our friend.
This card is my way of saying that no matter the storms of life....God's hand will guide you. I came across this website and thought it seemed so appropriate for this card. http://www.intouch.org/magazine/content/topic/god_s_provision_devotional

Mischelle I loved my time with The Angel Company and will always remember my very first seminar. It was even more memorable because my downline and I got into a car accident on the way and totaled her car. I was in shock for most of that weekend but I still managed to have a wonderful time. That was the last seminar that I drove to KC from Oregon. After that I took the plane ;-)

I remember throwing a wadded up napkin at Annette Brisse at the banquet, missing her and hitting you (never had much of an aim). Boy was I embarrassed. But you took it in stride.

And the look on your face when I handed you one of my practical jokes....PRICELESS...thanks for putting up with my goofiness.

One night, at my last seminar I went to, you took the time to talk on the phone to one of my downline that had designed the cover of the catalog but wasn't able to come to seminar. She was so excited. You had a long line of Angels waiting to visit with you but you took a few minutes to talk to her and that made a huge impression on me.

Thank you, Mischelle, for all the things you have done, over the years, for each one of us. God WILL and IS blessing you!!!

Now, with all that said.... I have so many memories......and then scroll on down to the bottom to visit the other bloggers that are paying tribute!

Some of the TAC staff and Kevin

Bridget Siddall, Lori Beck and Stacy Hinton

Doesn't take much to crack Rita Holmes up. Rita, we'll always be buds..thanks for all the laughs every time we are together or talk on the phone!!

YUMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM some good desserts at seminar!! But, my very favorite was the flourless chocolate cake!!!

Kim Sears, first seminar and TAC's 10 year anniversary

Me and Karen

Me and Rita Wakeen

Mary Moor receiving her 5 year pin

Mischelle Smith and Kimberly Smith

Rita and Karen with that cake no one could eat...LOL

Sophi and Caitlin....two cuties!!

Kevin Smith Jr

The Brocks...what a great couple

Mischelle in her stinkin cute skirt!!

Meredith Deaton, myself and Beverly Jennings (loved their southern accents)

Ruth and Jodi....two AWESOME staff members who always had a good word when you called the TAC office. Thanks you two for all the encouragement through the years!!

Me, Mama Angel and Avis Anderson

Jody Rinderer and myself

Me and Marie McClung

Diane Short and Kimberly Onofre at Club Med

Wake up Marie, time to catch your plane (Marie sleeping in the hotel lobby before her flight)

Rene, myself and Avis Anderson who encouraged me more than anyone and still does!! Thanks Avis!!!

Jodi and the Cha Cha mugs

Char and Ruth

Mama O'Farrell, (my TAC Grandma) myself and Kelly Eiseman (my upline)

Marie McClung, "What? you don't put butter on YOUR fries?"

Tracy Turner and Ruth

Rita Holme's group "crowning" Kevin Smith

Shawna Renville

"That's All Folks"

Here are the other gals participating in the Blog Hop:

Julie
Seleise
Rita W.
Donna
Chan
Mary
Angela
Laura
Barbara
Trudy
Shirley
Wendy
Carol
Rita K.
Kim
Paula Kay
Teresa
Maria
Deb
Diana
Christine
Chelsea
Sandy
Char
Diane
Chris
Stacy
Rita
Angie

Ginger

Betty

Hope you enjoyed your HOP.....come back now and again for other fun things that will be certain to be going on.

Hugs,
Char

Hurricane Irene

2011-08-27T12:44:00.000-07:00

As I switch between CNN and Fox News...(I don't have the Weather Channel)....my prayers are going out to ALL who live anywhere near where Hurricane Irene will hit or has hit!

I have family and many friends on the east coast and although some of them are not on the actual coastline...they will be affected by winds and power outages. Others live right in the path of the storm and of course, all we can do is sit and wait to hear from them after it runs it's course which could be days...especially if they lose power and ways to communicate.

PLEASE everyone.....do all you can to be SAFE!!!! THINGS just aren't as important as LIVES!!!

HUGS
Char

Hanging up my Angel Wings

2011-08-25T18:18:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone,

This was posted on Tuesday on the Angel Company website, but I have been in a fog for the past couple of days and just couldn't bring myself to post to my blog just yet. Today, I decided that I needed to let you all know so I could move on. :-)
********

It is with great sadness that I must announce we are hanging up our wings. These past several years our industry has faced enormous challenges and as a result, we have seen many companies close their doors. We continued to hope we could see The Angel Company through this recession and back into prosperous days and we held onto this hope as long as we could.

One of the largest challenges affecting each of us is our industry not being able to support all of the direct sales companies in our field. Even in a healthy economy, we are a niche market trying to compete for a very limited number of distributors. As a small company, this has been a grueling challenge for us. Times are tough for everyone ~ in direct sales and retail environments.
I would like to thank each of you for being an customer and Angel these past 14 years. Indeed, it has been a pleasure to serve you.

The Angel Company

********

I have been with The Angel Company since 1999 and it has been such a wonderful journey. Thank you to our owner/friend Mischelle for all these years with an awesome company. May the Lord richly bless you and your family and may we meet often on the 'inky' trail.

With that said, I will not be joining another company at this time. I don't know that I could/would join another company.......maybe some day off in the future....but just not now. My memories with TAC are still too fresh.

BUT, I will be posting more on my blog in the days and weeks ahead.....so stay tuned for that!!

Hugs,
Char

Where or where does the time go?

2011-08-04T10:02:00.000-07:00

If you know the answer to that question, feel free to let me know. :-)

I do know that time has escaped me for months and months. Plus, I haven't felt any ambition to do any stamping. That is just not ME. I have been extremely busy raising our granddaughter. Plus, summer is very busy for me when both granddaughters here. We planned on getting in some stamping time but the days just flew by.

All of us took part in Relay for Life in July and that was fulfilling but a lot of work. I was a team Captain and so had a lot of different things going on leading up to the actual Relay.

Then, right after that, we went on a mini vacation with the girls....and had a blast!!!!

Back home again and our older Granddaughter has gone home.....and now it's time to get ready for the Western Angel Gathering that is coming up fast!!

This is an annual event, held in September every year, for TAC (The Angel Company) Angels (demonstrators) living in and around the Pacific Northwest and any other Angels that would like to attend.

Preparations are well underway and I have been having a BLAST figuring out challenges, typing up the agenda and selecting prizes and goodies for the gals that are attending!! I think they will be really pleased!!

Our WAG getaway is so much fun!!! The girls attending each bring a shoebox project to share with the others, we have challenges, a few games.....but most of all we enjoy just getting together, having fun and catching up on what everyone has been doing over the past year. Everyone shares ideas and that usually entails going shopping at the craft stores so that we can play later, after the shoebox projects are finished.

WAG is in Salem, OR every year. This is our 8th year. The first two years we had it in Kennewick, WA but I realized that the majority of gals that attended lived along the I-5 corridor.....so I switched it to Salem (after realizing that Portland charges an arm and a leg for a conference room and rooms) to better accommodate the majority. Of course, this makes it even farther for some of our 'diehards' that come from further away but they understood the reasoning behind it. Portland would have been a much better destination for most everyone, if it had worked out....but the staff at the Salem Shilo Inn treats us AWESOME so we keep going back there.

Once all the preparations are done for WAG, I can relax and work on my own shoebox project. I bought the stamps for it, but haven't gotten the project figured out yet.

We also bring card fronts to trade and you get so many ideas from those.

If you are a demonstrator for the Angel Company and would like to be reminded of the next year's WAG, please contact me and I will add you to our Yahoo list where you will be kept up to date as to dates and time.

Hope you are all having a wonderful summer but not suffering too much with the heat in your area!! We just did finally get summer here in Oregon. The last few days have been in the high 80's and low 90's. When it comes on fast, like that, it really feels so much hotter....to me anyway. I would be thoroughly happy with it staying in the 70's but I am sure most Central Oregonians would not agree with that.

Have a blessed day!!

Char

Happy Birthday Annie, Part 2

2011-03-25T13:32:00.000-07:00

We had a great time, yesterday, celebrating Annie's birthday. Our Granddaughter baked her a cake, I made the frosting and we had pork chops, sauerkraut and mashed potatoes for dinner.

Of course, Annie wasn't allowed to have sauerkraut...but she had a helping of pork chops and mashed potatoes.

Then, after dinner, we lit the 7 candles, sang happy birthday and watched as she gobbled it down.

First a taste of icing

Then, it was SIT.....till I got a photo of her and her piece of cake. Otherwise, it would have been a huge blur...LOL

I think Annie thinks her 'family' is completely nuts....but she plays along with us and we love her for it.

Here's to many, many more years, Annie!!

Happy Birthday Annie!!!

2011-03-24T10:16:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to share a happy birthday tribute to our awesome dog, Annie. It's her 7th birthday today and she continues to bring us so much joy and happiness. I think I have taken more photos of Annie than I have of my kids.......probably not....but we've taken a TON. Here are just a very few of the hundreds of photos over the years.

Annie as a young pup 2004

Always able to give me 'that' look and I melt!!! Annie sitting in Mom's chair.

Cuddling up on my just washed and dried clothes......but didn't have the heart to move her.

Annie playing in our field, hunting sage rats back in 2006.

Annie loving up her 'Dad'.

Annie at Christmas this year, 2010 catching snow as our Granddaughter shoveled.

Annie, has been a delight and a joy to our hearts and I just wanted to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY today to our wonderful AWESOME AUSSIE, Annie!!!

Me and Annie......



As I type, my Granddaughter is making Annie a birthday cake!!   I know she thinks her Grandma is a little nutty....but she said, "I've never had a birthday party for a dog, before".

Well, it's about time for her to take part in a doggie birthday party!!! :-)   I told her we would do it after dinner, tonight.

I say, If you can't enjoy life.....what's the point??

Ever had a birthday party for one of your pets? I would LOVE to hear all about it.

Have a great day, everyone!

Hugs,
Char

One World, One Heart Winner

2011-02-17T18:00:00.000-08:00

Well, today is February 17th and that means that we need to draw a winner for the Cat embellishments. So, my granddaughter just picked a winner for our prize offering and the winner is:

Ducky Doo over at http://whazupduck.blogspot.com/.

Congratulations Ducky Doo....and we both thought it quite humorous that a CAT won our Cat embellishment prize!!! But, then they are sneaky little creatures!! :-)

I will be e-mailing you as well.....so get your paws ready to enjoy putting together your scrapbook!!

Hugs,
Char

Annie spreading cheer

2011-02-05T09:40:00.001-08:00

Thursday, I went to visit a friend in the hospital. I normally always take Annie, with me in the car, where ever I go and most of the time she stays in the car while I am doing whatever I am doing....except in the summer months, too hot.

Anyway, my friend Bob and I were visiting for about an hour and I mentioned something about Annie being in the car and he said "ANNIE is out there? I want to see her". I said...well I would but I can't bring her in and he assured me that YES I could. So, just about then a nurse popped her head in and I asked her and she said...sure...just stop by the desk on your way out and get a pass.

So, I headed out to the desk and they gave me a 'visitors' pass for Annie's paw. I got her out of the car....put the 'pass' on her ankle and away we went. I was still giggling under my breath....as I felt ridiculous taking a dog into the hospital.

She got so much attention walking down the halls because she is just so dang friendly and loves everyone. It took us longer to get back to the room as everybody had to stop and pet her....and Annie was 'eating' up all this attention.

We got to the room and the nurse said she could get on the bed with Bob. Annie jumped right up and laid down like she knew what was expected of her. She was in 7th heaven.....getting so much attention.

Even though Bob has two dogs of his own...he has a special connection to Annie and vice versa.

What a fun day and I will save her 'pass' for a scrapbook page.

Have a great day!!

One World One Heart

2011-02-04T06:28:00.000-08:00

Hi Everyone!!!

Welcome to my blog and the 5th One World One Heart blogging event. This is my 3rd year participating in OWOH. It is so much fun visiting so many blogs (over 700 at the present) and 'meeting' so many people from around the entire world.

A little about myself. My name is Char and I am married, have two grown sons and three granddaughters. We are 'owned' by an Australian Shepherd, Annie and three cats Little Guy, Freckles and Tinker....hence the name of my blog....PawsN2Stamp.

I love to stamp, do papercrafting, crochet, knit, read, visit with friends and travel either 'virtually' or for real. I am always visiting the Amtrak or MapQuest site and planning trips even if I never actually get to do them. My dream is to go to Australia some day. So, you can see how much fun visiting all these other bloggers is for me! I get a glimpse of where they live and what they do.

And, now for my giveaway. Since I am into paper crafting and have 3 cats....I decided to give away 5 packages of 'cat' embellishments. Included are metal charms, bubble stickers, dimensional tags, Rub ons and a frame pack.

All you have to do is leave a comment on my blog. The rules say that you must have a blog to participate. Also, please leave a way for me to contact you in your comment. I will be drawing a winner on February 17th.

Click here to go to OneWorldOneHeart and see all the other blogs that are participating and most of all HAVE FUN as you meet so many wonderful people along the way.

2010-12-19T04:10:00.000-08:00

One of the new stamps from TAC, in their Fall Supplement, is Joy and Peace. I wanted a simple Christmas card and this stamp lends itself to that quite nicely. I basically colored the Dove with a Tombow gray marker and added some color to the branch.....put a little Stickles at the bottom and I was done. I used a Cuttlebug folder on DCWV card stock and then sanded it to bring out the white core.

Same stamp only using some light blue cardstock I have had around for YEARS!!! (my goal is to get all this type of paper used up before I buy new) I added some Happy Hannukkah paper at the bottom and a little bit of Stickles on the border punch. LOVE my Stickles! Plain and simple..

I haven't stamped in months and it felt good to put ink to paper once again.

I hear so many people, lately, say that they just haven't been feeling up to stamping. I hear ya, believe me. I had to force myself to sit down and get all the supplies out and fiddle around and wait till an idea popped in my head. BUT.....it CAN be done!!

Just pick one stamp set. Stamp the images, color them.....and the rest seems to follow. But, you have to stamp that first image.....and let it speak to you. If at first you don't succeed....let it sit there on your stamp table....and every time you walk by it, you WILL start think about how to color it....how to design the card....what colors to use, what embellishments to us........just try it!

Hugs,
Char

One World One Heart

2010-12-14T00:00:00.000-08:00

Can't wait!!!! This will be the 5th "One World One Heart" event. It will also be the last :-(

If you have never participated before.....now's the time. You must have a blog to participate! But, you don't need a blog just to go surfing the different blogs that are taking part.

It is just so much fun!! I will be participating this year. So, watch for my post on January 30th, 2011.

Click on the picture to go to One World...One Heart, to find out more about it.....or to sign up to take part in this event.

Have a great day!!!!

Char

Wow, Wow and Wow!!!! Awesome TAC Specials

2010-12-03T07:32:00.000-08:00

The Angel Company is having a STAMP • PA • PALOOZA SPECTACULAR. Why is this so Spectaculor?? Well, they are TRIPLING hostess reward sets. Click the link to find out more!

Buy one/Get One
Palette™ & VersaMagic™ Refill BOGO
NOW - Until Supplies Last

Buy a Palette™ ink pad, and receive it’s corresponding Palette™ ink refill FREE. Buy a VersaMagic™ ink pad, and get it’s corresponding VersaMagic™ ink refill FREE. You MUST use the special codes listed in the link provided above to receive a FREE ink refill of whatever ink pad you purchase.

So Big Special
NOW - Until Supplies Last

December Stamp of the Month
Joyful Notes
TAC-3334 • $14.95 • set of 16

When you purchase $30.00* in merchandise, Joyful Notes (Retail Value $19.95) can be yours for the special price!

• Net total before shipping and handling and applicable tax.

Great way to treat yourself for the holidays!!!

Contact me if you have any questions!

Char

Bring on Christmas

2010-12-02T11:55:00.000-08:00

Well....since the first of November I have been cleaning, organizing, decorating and baking. I can now say that I am done with the cleaning, organizing and decorating....and most of the baking. Now to just relax and enjoy the season!

The only bad thing is that now that I am done, I keep thinking of more things I can DO! I have to fight that urge....or I will be in the same boat I am usually in this time of year....exhausted and stressed out.

I thought I would share with you some of my decorations.

The above are the two trees in our living room.

The arrangement above is our advent wreath.

An OLD Avon tree from years ago is in the main bath. I didn't mean to get the reflection.

A snowman candle I made several years ago and one of my favorite clocks, that plays music every hour.

Our little fiber optic tree sitting on top of my cookbook stand in the kitchen.

Sadly, no card creations just yet....but hopefully that will come. :-)

Hope you are enjoying this time of year!!

Here are photos of Mt Jefferson and Mt Hood on my drive to see the dentist. I NEVER get tired of taking pictures of the mountains that surround us.

Have a God blessed day!!!

Char

This and That

2010-11-12T06:34:00.000-08:00

Well...it's pretty obvious, this post, that was scheduled to be sent out Nov 12th... didn't get sent when it was supposed to...not sure what I am doing wrong and I didn't catch that it didn't post, till just now. So, I am sending it anyway. Then, I will comment at the end :-)

Just curious....how many of you have your Christmas cards done for this year? How many are still working on them and last but not least.....how many of you have decided to fore go sending homemade cards or any cards this year?

With all that is going on around our home the next couple of months, I am not sure I'll get my Christmas cards....homemade or otherwise...finished in time to send to everyone. So, I have decided that I will just send to those that I will not be seeing or hearing from before Christmas. The rest will get a phone call or a visit.

Every month, I turn the calendar and it's fairly empty and then day by day....things get added to it and I don't get done all I had planned on getting done....no matter how early I get up or how late I stay up and then I start to get stressed out.

Having a teenage girl that is active in so many activities...and no driver's license...means I need to reshuffle what is on my list of things to do...to be available to chauffeur her around. It's ok, she can't help that she isn't old enough to drive yet. I just need to be able to find a happy medium for myself so that I don't burn out.

I made a decision, last year, to get my home cleaned and organized before Thanksgiving so that I could thoroughly enjoy the holiday season. I loved it!!! I had time to actually watch the holiday programs, take part in holiday activities and just BE.

Well, I am doing that again this year and a couple of weeks ago, I made another decision..and that is that I need to take care of myself...first and foremost...so that I am able to take care of my hubby's and Granddaughter's needs and stay on top of all there is to do around home.

If my house is clean and organized and my family's needs are met, then I feel a great sense of mental 'freedom'. I didn't realize until I let my stamp room get such a mess.....that there definitely IS a link between how we 'feel' depending on how messy our house is and how much STUFF we cling to...that we really don't need.

So, in order to have that sense of 'mental freedom' I need to constantly make decisions on what things I can take part in and what things I have to say 'no' to in order to stay focused and find a balance.

I subscribe to CannyWoman and they believe in doing instead of buying and shop at home first and I have been trying to follow that theory. It actually works!! I have started to look before I buy. So many times, I actually HAVE the item I thought I needed to buy....but because my house was so disorganized, I didn't remember I had it. NO....I am not a hoarder, just was getting very disorganized.

My hubby is a 'collector/saver' and he hates to throw ANYTHING away, especially if he thinks he can fix it or use it for making something else. Now, I do have to admit that occasionally something he has saved has come in handy. Most times, it just builds up and takes up room!

I have been also reading some minimalist blogs. I know that I will NEVER get to where I live out of a suitcase and only have 100 things to my name, but they do have a lot of good advice about paring our 'things' down. We don't need 2-3 of everything...I have been going through all the drawers and closets in our home....getting rid of 'extras'. Some times it's extremely hard to get rid of something that is perfectly good, but how many coats do you really need? How many DVD's or VHS do you need when all you have to do is rent them from Netflix. That being said, I do hang onto favorites that we like to watch over and over and over....especially our Christmas favorites.

Ok....enough for today. I am going to schedule this post to go out in a few days. We shall see if I get it right this time. Thanks for hanging in there while I figure it out again!

UPDATE: NOPE!! I don't know what I am doing wrong....but I'll figure it out eventually. :-)

Anyway, I have completed my Fall cleaning, organizing and have followed Countdown to Christmas and have to say it has helped me tremendously to get a handle on all the stuff that goes on this time of year. I have to admit...it takes a lot of planning and staying focused but I LOVE having everything done on time and being ahead of a few things! That's two years in a row....I guess this plan is a 'keeper'.

If you would like to take part in Organized Christmas next year, you can get a head start here: Organized Christmas

I just took what worked for my family.....and went with it! I loved the daily reminders of things to do. It helped me to stay focused!

Hope you have a great day!!!!

Hugs,
Char

After

2010-11-11T00:00:00.000-08:00

As promised, here are the AFTER photos!!! It is absolutely WONDERFUL to finally have my 'space' completely clean? I actually FEEL like stamping now....duh....go figure!!

As you enter our office/stamp room

My desk is on the left and my hubby's is on the right. My Stamp desk is center.

On the top rack above my desk are plastic totes that hold finished cards according to theme; Fall/Winter, Thinking of You, etc. The bottom rack holds 12x12 designer paper and my TAC 12 x 12 cardstock/

The 8 CD racks directly above my desk hold CD's with my unmounted stamps in them.

In the bottom drawer on the left is my 8 1/2 x 11" cardstock. The top drawer on the right holds my templates and instructions for different cards/projects.

A closer view of my stamp desk

My office area. Hubby installed another shelf unit directly above my desk to hold my binders and other things that were taking up room on my desk.

My small storage units hold all my embellishments, ink pads and most everything else needed to make a card/project.

We had to remove the closet doors to get the unfinished dresser inside that holds my office supplies, ribbons, shipping materials and 12x12 card stock. See the red boxes and tote on top? Those are full of 'scraps' that I intend to work out of for the next few months....to finally get rid of them.

The top shelves hold my envelopes, clear envelopes, empty CD's (for unmounted stamps), and other supplies.

Plus a Iris cart to hold other supplies. You can barely make it out, but on the left of the closet is another Iris cart that holds more embellishments and supplies.

To the left of the closet area, under a window, is a roll around wire file drawers system...which holds some paper scraps organized by color. Directly to the left of that...which you can barely make out is another Iris cart which houses Big Shot and Sizzix dies, non TAC dye ink pads, Kaleidacolor ink pads, stickers, micro beads and other stuff. On top of the Iris cart is my copier and two boxes of scraps which will be used first.

NOW....to keep it this way!!!

Ok, well that worked GREAT

2010-11-10T06:33:00.000-08:00

I have scheduled posts to post days later, before, but for some reason it didn't work this time. So...what is up with that?

Oh well....something went wonky just as I was saving it...so maybe that's what happened. I think I'll try again to schedule a post. IF it doesn't work and it comes through, anyway.....forgive me ;-)

Hugs,
Char

Before

2010-11-10T04:24:00.000-08:00

Hi,

I have been in my cozy down mode for the past few weeks. Summer is OVER, Fall is in full swing and Winter is upon us . It's Cozy Down time!!

What that means, for me, is getting my house in order so that I can fully enjoy the holidays, baking, spending time with family and enjoying a hibernation period, so to speak. Well...not really hibernating, but as much hibernating as one can do with a 15 year old living with you.

I have to admit, I haven't done much stamping since mid September. Except for an occasional card to my other Granddaughter.

But, I plan to change that now that winter is upon us.
I turned the page on my calendar and heaved a big sigh.....it was fairly empty.....so now was the time to do some Fall cleaning and reorganize and clean my stamp room/office and other rooms in my home.
.
Here are some before photos! It normally isn't THIS much of a disaster....but I came home from WAG (Western Angel Gathering) mid September and just tossed everything in my stamp room....not putting things away like I normally would within a reasonable time limit.

And, things just kept piling up in the stamp room when we didn't want to take time to put them where they belonged.
So, I took the plunge and spent 3 days cleaning, organizing and going through EVERY drawer and small organizing unit, shelf in the entire room. EVERYTHING is now clean and organized.

But....you have to wait till tomorrow to see the transformation! :-)
How does YOUR stamp room look? If you can't get to your stamp table, there isn't much chance of getting any stamping done, not to mention your creativity being stifled IF you could.

See you tomorrow!!!
Char

Fall Supplement

2010-09-28T09:33:00.000-07:00

I am so excited!!! I placed my order for TAC's Fall Supplement and it should be arriving here sometime this week! I cannot WAIT to get it in my hands and then place an order. I have seen a few previews of what is going to be included in the Fall Supplement and I am sure that several of these will make it on my order :-)

Some of them will be these images!

More of my favorites are these:

Fall Supplements will be in soon....so order yours today for just $1.75 plus postage. Contact me at Pawsnstamp@crestviewcable.com

Have a wonderful day!!

Now I can share

2010-09-24T12:14:00.000-07:00

Is he just too cute or what?? This is one of The Angel Company's newest images coming out in October in the Fall Supplement. His name is Ruffles!!! I made this Easel Card for our Western Angel Gathering this past weekend. I'll be sharing some other images with you in the next few days....

The sentiment is just one that comes with the set. "Never underestimate the warmth of a cold nose"

So far, he is my absolute favorite new stamp........but I have some close seconds :-)

Have a great weekend!!!!

September Recruit special

2010-09-24T11:56:00.000-07:00

WOWZA!!!!!

If you have EVER thought of signing up with The Angel Company, NOW is the time to do it!!

Through the 30th of this month (I know...I am so bad about getting this posted...too much going on) if you sign up with The Angel Company......you can become an Angel and receive your recruit packet for just $75.

AugSeptSpecialStarterKit

If you are interested.....just give me a shout!! My e-mail is Pawsnstamp@crestviewcable.com. Just e-mail me with your phone number, I'd love to talk to you about one of the best companies out there!!!

Hugs,
Char

Discounted/Discontinued

2010-09-20T09:53:00.000-07:00

Good Morning!!!!

Take a peek and see if there is anything you have been wanting....before the Fall/Winter 2009 Inspiration Avenue catalog is no more!

Contact me to place your order Pawsnstamp@crestviewcable.com

Hugs,
Char

Discounted Discontinued
NOW - October 17, 2010

All stamps discontinued from our Fall/Winter 2009 Inspiration Avenue can NOW be purchased at a very special 30% OFF price. From NOW until October 17, 2010, you can purchase any of the following discontinued stamp sets at 30% off the regular retail price.

• Sales of discontinued stamp sets related to this promotion are commissionable.
• Standard Shipping/Handling rates and applicable Taxes apply.
• Sales do count toward Hostess Orders and Career Reward Points.
• Orders must be received at the Corporate Office by midnight CST on Sunday, October 17, 2010.
• No other special offers or discounts apply.
• There is no quantity limit on the number of discontinued stamps that may be purchased.

SUPER SURPRISE BOXES

2010-09-02T10:13:00.000-07:00

Super Surprise Boxes
NOW - Until Supplies Last

Everyone loves a great surprise! We have gathered a wonderful array of our favorite stamps for our Super Surprise Boxes! These fun bundles have a retail value of over $100. Available only while supplies last, don't miss the opportunity to surprise yourself or your customers with great rubber stamping goodies found in these one-of-a-kind special boxes.

This special Surprise Box promotion is available NOW until supplies are exhausted. Don't miss your chance to own some great products at a fantastic price.
SB10 Surprise Box Assortment $50

Retail value over $100

• Supply Box Assortments are ONLY available while supplies last.
• Surprise Box will contain rubber stamps without Creative Cling™.
• Surprise Box Assortments are commissionable, count toward FUNshop™ totals, and count toward Career Reward Points.
• No other discounts or special offers apply.
• The promotion will run while supplies last. TAC™ reserves the right to end the promotion once supplies are exhausted.

Customer Appreciation Preview Pack

2010-09-01T16:26:00.000-07:00

W O W Z A !!!!!!!!!!

This is the first time, in over 10 years(that I can remember) that TAC is giving customers a chance to get some stamps before the new Fall Supplement debuts.

The Fall Supplement will not go live till October. So, here is your chance to get your hands on some of the new stamps and one of the Level C hostess sets.

To earn a Level C stamp...you would normally hostess a $750 workshop....so this is exciting!

Remember, this is only good through Sept 30th. And, you get a little discount to boot!! :-)

Customer Preview Pack

Click on the link to read all about it....but here is just a little sample :-)

Let me know if you would like to place an order this month for this preview package!!

Hugs,
Char

Spokane continued

2010-07-06T05:09:00.000-07:00

Now that the 4th of July festivities are over, I finished uploading my photos and can share a few more of our Spokane trip. I took about 150 photos....so it was hard just choosing a few.

First Day.....

Here are my two Granddaughters posing for a picture at a rest area we stopped at for lunch on our first day.

Meeting Gwen for the first time in over 20 years of pen paling.

Second Day!

River Front Park, Spokane, WA

Sliding down the slide from the HUGE wagon at River Front Park in Spokane.

Our family posing at a City of Spokane sculpture.

The beautiful clock tower. A good friend of mine, Channie, told me that her great grandfather helped in constructing this tower.

My granddaughter, Zoey, and my friend from Australia, Gwen, riding in the Gondola over Spokane Falls.

The Spokane Falls, aren't they absolutely beautiful? This is a view from the Gondola ride.

Another view from the Gondola! It's amazing!

Granddaughter, Nicole, and hubby riding the Gondola over the Falls.

This is a sculpture on a sidewalk next to the park.

(20) The Joy of Running Together

by David Govedare. 1984. This corten steel sculpture depicts runners of all kinds. It celebrates the Spokane tradition of Bloomsday, the largest timed road running race in the world.

They were supposed to look like they were running WITH the runners.....NOT even close girls...LOL

Nicole, Riding the Carousel.

Zoey riding the Carousel.....she absolutely LOVED it.

The Looff Carousel.

These are the horses we rode!

Zoey and Nicole feeding the "Garbage Goat"

The Garbage Goat in Riverfront Park was designed by Sister Paula Turnbull, a Catholic nun for Expo ‘74 as a recycling/environment statement.

This corten steel sculpture of a goat will eat small pieces of trash with the aid of its vacuum digestive system. Don’t throw your garbage on the ground, feed it to the Garbage Goat.

A photo shot of myself and Gwen upon leaving the park! Of course, my hair was a mess after riding the rides, but oh well...it was FUN!!! I just wish someone had gotten some shots of the girls and I on the rides.

Third Day!!

Cat Tales Zoological Park

(This was the blurb from the news station that was there that day)

SPOKANE, Wash. - Today was a great day at Cat Tales, their baby tiger was introduced to her new playmate, Sage. Sage is a four month old Pyrenees and was delivered to Cat Tales!
Spokane Humane Society Director Dave Richardson has been on the hunt for a playmate for a couple of weeks, Mike at Cat tales received the call yesterday and went over to see Sage, they fell in love with her.
Today's meeting went well. This is truly a great match. Amura and Sage, in harmony together.

This is Apollo. He turned nine years old the day we were visiting. I got some great shots of him. He got a tad irritated at so many people standing around taking pictures and ROARED....to be left alone. I just happened to be standing the closest...and it scared the bajeezes out of me. So, we gave him his space and moved on. :-)

Another beautiful animal. His name is Zamba! I finally got a photo of him as we were getting ready to leave. He had been in his 'den' all morning.

Just your average "kitty cat" taking a snooze.

Good byes to Gwen! They had a wonderful time getting to meet my friend/pen pal from Australia and enjoyed her so much!

Time to head for home!!

What a fantastic three days!!! Can't wait to go back again some day! If you are ever in the Spokane area, take a few hours out of your day and visit Riverfront Park. You will be glad you did. I just wish we had had more time to see everything there was to see. But, we didn't....so guess we'll have to visit again, sometime.

Have a great day!

What happens when the Wilson's go on vacation...:-)

2010-07-01T14:35:00.000-07:00

We had an absolutely fabulous 3 days vacation! What a fun filled time!!

We left around 7am Monday morning.....and got to Spokane, WA around 2 pm or so. We checked into our motel and then went to visit my friend/pen pal, Gwen, from Australia who was visiting the US. We had a good 2 hour visit and then went back to the motel and got something to eat.

Around 8:30 am, the next morning, we picked up Gwen and headed downtown Spokane to Riverfront Park. What a beautiful park!!! We took Annie, our dog, with us. The park is animal friendly for the most part except for the inside attractions and a few other things.

We were so fortunate to find a parking lot right across from Riverfront Park. We walked across the road and saw a HUGE Red Radio Flyer Wagon. The tongue of the wagon is a slide. Of course, we all, with the exception of David and Gwen, had to go down the slide.

Then we walked to guest services and got our day passes....for myself and the girls. David and Gwen didn't want to ride the rides and the one or two things they did want to do, they just paid admission.

Our first ride was a Gondola ride across the Spokane Falls. How beautiful!!! First Gwen, Zoey and I rode and then Nicki, David and I rode...as I wanted to see her reaction to the ride. :-) This photo shows it as right up next to the falls....and it really isn't that close. But, you get the idea. The ride was included in our day pass.

Next we went on the Looff Carousel! David opted to sit with Annie with the four of us girls rode the Carousel. Again, the ride is included in the Day Pass. Zoey and Nicki loved the Carousel horses. I have to admit, it's been a long time since I have ridden the carousel and I enjoyed it thoroughly. We had planned on coming back by and riding it again but time just got away from us.

The girls fed the Garbage Goat and rested a little bit before heading over to the Pavilion.

We arrived at the Pavilion and rode some of the rides. (all included in the day pass) David, Gwen and Annie watched from the arena surrounding the rides....it was in the shade under a canopy.

We rode the Tilt a Whirl, Scrambler/Sizzler,Octopus/Spider and Strawberry Go Round.....the girls had a blast!! I guess they didn't know Grandma LOVED those rides as a kid. These rides are not the super scary ones.....and that's OK for the three of us chickens :-) There were some we didn't get to ride as time was running out and there was just so much to see and do.

Then, we went to the IMAX Theater and saw Wild Ocean. We wanted to see another one...but we missed it by 15 minutes so went to this one.

I have to admit....I felt sorry for the dang sardines in this cinema. But, the theater was cool.....and it was nice to sit down for awhile. Besides.....it was free with our day pass :-)

Afterwards, we met David back by the Clock Tower and we all had some snacks that I had brought along.

Then, we all decided that we had enough 'fun' for the day and we decided to head back to Gwen's Cousin's house.

BUT...before we did that, we took a drive out Newport Hwy to see where Cat Tales was located, as we were going there the next day. Then, we went to a small strip mall and went to Fashion Bug....they were having a big sale.

The next morning, we went to Cat Tales. What a fantastic place. It's not huge....but you can spend several hours there, easily! We just enjoyed our time viewing the large 'cats' that they have. There are picnic facilities so that a family could take a lunch, if they wanted to...but we didn't plan on staying that long. As it was, we actually did spend 2 1/2 hours there....and could have had lunch...but we opted not to.

While we were there, the local news station was doing a piece on a baby tiger. We were standing right next to them while they were filming.

KHQ

Read the story! And, click on the Video Gallery to see the dog and tiger interact. We were watching them as they filmed this story.

If you want to view more video or see more updates, you can click on the following link:

http://www.khq.com/Global/searchresults.asp?vendor=ez&qu=Cat+Tales

Afterward, we took Gwen back to her Cousin's house and said our goodbyes. We were leaving Spokane and heading towards home.

We had snacks in the car until we got to Colfax, WA where we stopped for an early dinner at Arby's.

Then it was off towards Walla Walla, WA.....we took a different route towards home just to see some different scenery. The rolling Palouse Hills were so pretty. The scenery got even better as we headed around the lake on Hwy 730 where the Snake, Columbia meet a huge lake. AWESOME!

We missed our turn off to take us through College Place and Milton Freewater...where I used to live YEARS ago...and I wanted to show the girls....but we didn't realize we were on the wrong road till we were half way to UmatillaBiggs Junction, we'd be about 2 1/2 - 3 hours from home. While we were still on I-84....a state policeman flew by us going really FAST....we guessed at least 80-100 mph. We figured there was a wreck ahead. But....when we got to Biggs Jct, about 9pm.....we hadn't encountered anything so we figured it was on up 84 somewhere.

WRONG!!!!!

About 1/2 hour onto Hwy 97, all traffic was stopped!! We were about 3rd or 4th in the line of traffic. We were told nothing except that there was an 'incident' about 7 miles up the road and all traffic was stopped in both directions.

We sat for awhile trying to decide if we should turn around and head back to I-84 and take an alternate route...that would have added several hours to our trip, but then someone came by and told us it would be another 2-3 hours and traffic would be flowing again....so we decided that we'd just catch some sleep and head home on the same route we were on. We were only about 2 hours from home.

So, that is what we tried to do. BUT....it was definitely uncomfortable with four people and a 65# dog in a Kia Optima. We counted over 26 cop cars (local, state and county) blowing by us during the night........and I am sure there were more that had gone up that way before we ever got on that road.

I finally got in the back with the girls...and let the dog have my seat up front with David. The girls and I put a large quilt over us and thankfully I had had them bring pillows along. We slept in between cop cars blowing by us. Zoey got a case of the giggles....not sure why....probably part from being tired and part from the weird sleeping arrangements....LOL but we all ended up giggling and laughing because of it. Her laugh is contagious!!

About 3am....( 5 1/2 hours after we had stopped) we were awakened by blowing horns. The police vehicles were all coming back down and some were honking their horns to wake the long line of trucks/cars....as they were going by.

At that time, we still had NO CLUE what had happened. But, we were just happy to be able to head for home. We got home about 4:45 am...just as it was getting daylight. We unloaded the car and all headed to bed!!! AHHHHH our own bed!

When I got up at 11 am....I jumped online to see if there was any news of what had happened...as we still hadn't seen or heard anything about the incident.

This is what I read in an e-mail that I get from Alerts. It was posted around 2:40 am:

News Release from: Oregon State Police
ARMED WOMAN SURRENDERS TO OSP SWAT TEAM FOLLOWING NEAR 6-HOUR STANDOFF ON HIGHWAY 97 IN GRASS VALLEY
Posted: July 1st, 2010 2:40 AM

A female armed with a firearm surrendered and was taken into custody by Oregon State Police (OSP) SWAT team troopers early Thursday morning following a near 6-hour standoff on Highway 97 at the south end of Grass Valley. Additional information and names will be released later Thursday in an updated news release.

Preliminary information indicates on June 30, 2010 at approximately 8:28 p.m. OSP was asked to respond to assist Sherman County Sheriff's Office at the scene of a traffic stop on Highway 97 near milepost 28 during which a woman was armed with a firearm and shots were reportedly fired. Highway 97 and Highway 216 were closed to all traffic. OSP SWAT team members were requested to respond to help. The woman surrendered July 1st at approximately 2:00 a.m. No injuries were reported.

Highway 97 and Highway 26 will be re-opened by 3:00 a.m.

Wow....what a night!!!

The good news is that this morning, we are all rested and ready to go again :-) The girls both thanked us for a FUN 3 days.

David went and got the mail and my TAC CATALOGS are in!!!! WHOOOOOHOOOOO!!! I am so excited!

Now, to get a shower and get ready for the rest of our day!!

We are all looking forward to the 4th of July....we have a ton of activities going on that weekend.

I'll upload some personal photos, we took, as soon as I get them uploaded to my computer.

Have a great day, everyone!!!

Hugs,

Char

2010-2011 TAC CATALOG

2010-06-25T10:00:00.000-07:00

The catalog for 2010-2011 is LIVE!

TAC is having their Seminar this weekend and we were just sent a sneak peek for those of us that were unable to attend this year.

Some of the items in the catalog include 87 new stamp sets, an ATG gun & the new Cinch binding machine.

I can't WAIT to get that catalog in my hands!!!
Here is a sneak preview of the catalog cover..
http://theangelcompany.typepad.com/tac_savvy_projects_for_de/
I'll be posting more as more news is sent out.
MORE later!!

New Specials for May

2010-05-05T12:08:00.000-07:00

I just uploaded the May specials on my blog be sure to check them out. I love this month's Stamp of the Month!

I think this set will be super fun for summer time cards, not to mention birthdays etc.

With a $30 order, you can add this cute stamp set for just $14.95!!

That makes each stamp just $1.50. WOW....a great bargain!!

Also, don't forget to sign up for the giveaway this month.

Have a wonderful day!!
Char

Still using my scraps

2010-05-05T00:00:00.000-07:00

I am still using up my scraps!!! Wow....how does one accumulate so many scraps??? I am determined to get these used up before I cut into newer card stock. Ok, some times you have to cut into new card stock but often times, you would be surprised at how much you can find in your pile of scraps.

I am planning a yard sale for June to help me get rid of some 'excess' stamping supplies. I have come to realize that I don't actually NEED tons of things to be able to sit down and play. Actually, having a little less is more freeing somehow!!

Oh yes....it's fun to have the latest gadget or newest punch or what ever....but some how...I am finding that it doesn't make me any less happier if I don't have these things.

It's a challenge to sit down with a box of scraps and a few stamps and see what I can create!

Here are a couple more cards I have made using my scraps or previous started cards. I had previously put a card together...but never did get around to adding any stamping to it. I just added a scalloped circle in black...stamped "Just a Note" to a white circle...and called it good.

Then, I finished this card off by just adding some jewels to the center of the hearts.

More Cards

2010-05-04T11:03:00.000-07:00

I have made more cards AND got out some cards that I had started some time ago and hadn't finished....and finished them. Do you ever just sit and put layers together....but then can't figure out what else to do with the card...so put it away till a later date? I do...and then I get them all out and try and finish them. Some times it works....some times it doesn't as I am not able to find the same colors of card stock that I had used or something else. But, it's a fun challenge. I am trying hard to use up all my scraps that I have been saving for years. I have my Granddaughter and anyone else that comes over...use the card stock, embellishments and scraps of decorative paper that I have thrown in a box. It's slowly but surely going down. Then, I can bring in the tote full I have out in the garage.

The first one, I took a trading card that I had received awhile back...and adhered it to a card base.
The second one...same idea.

None of them were anything super special....but just the fun of completing some cards that had been in various stages of completion.

This is one I had done quite awhile ago

but it needed SOMETHING. So, I added a thin strip of green card stock across the card on top of a strip of glossy card stock...and then added jewels.

And, finally, a small note card using left over scraps of designer paper and card stock.

Hopefully, I'll get a few more done today and can add them.

Saturday is Stamp Club and one of the newer members is hosting the club at my house. She is coming up with the card for that day. I am excited to see what she has up her sleeve!!

Have a great day!!!

Hugs,
Char

Our Final Farewells

2010-04-24T02:00:00.000-07:00

The Angel Company just released their 'Final Farewells' that will be discontinued from the main catalog.

Each of these stamps are discounted 25% off their regular retail prices. No other special offers or discounts apply to these stamps.

This offer is good April 23 through June 25, 2010.

Now is the time to get those stamps that you have been wanting.

If you don't have a catalog and would like to see a certain stamp set...let me know.

Have a FANTASTAC Weekend!!!

Hugs,

Char

I don't like to Stamp, Grandma

2010-04-20T08:45:00.000-07:00

That is what my 15 year old Granddaughter told me.......but then she was 'bored' last Saturday and decided to sit in on a flip flop book class and make cards while we did our books.

She decided she LOVES to paper craft!

These are just a few of the cards she made.....and her FIRST attempts at card making.

I have to say that she did a LOT better than I did when I first started out stamping. She already has some Mother's Day, Father's Day, 4th of July, Fall, Christmas and a St Patty's day card made.

YEAH for me, to finally have a stamping buddy right here in my own house!!!

Have a fabulous day!!

Hugs,
Char

Michelle Zindorf Workshop coming soon!!!

2010-03-24T13:27:00.001-07:00

Less than two months and I'll be attending a Michelle Zindorf workshop in Salem, OR. I have been waiting for over a year now and it's just around the corner!

If you haven't heard of her, (that seems almost impossible,) you can visit her blog to see her brayering techniques and the awesome cards she makes.

If you missed reading about the Salem Zindorf workshop, earlier on my blog, you can visit this link and find out all the information on the upcoming workshop to be held May 14 and 15th, 2010.

It's not too late to sign up, but there are only a few spots left so I would advise doing it soon!

Come and learn a new technique, get some fabulous stamps and have a great day stamping and enjoying the company of other stampers.

I plan on going for the entire weekend and not only enjoying my time with Michelle, but shopping too and just having some girl time with other friends!!

You can spend the weekend or just come for the day. We do have a block of rooms set aside for those that come in for the night or weekend...so be sure to mention the Zindorf Workshop when you book your room.

It's going to be so much fun!!! Hope to see you there!!

Hugs,

Char

A couple of Easter Cards

2010-03-20T09:54:00.000-07:00

I haven't been quite as busy making cards as I would like to be but I did get a few made this past couple of weeks.

I am headed to Stamp Club in about 15 minutes so thought I would share a couple of these cards before I leave.

This first one is a Waterfall card. I used the set "I Love Easter" from TAC.

The second card is a card I made using the Floppsy Bunny set that is a Vintage set for March. I found some cute bunny paper (Non TAC) and used that along with some pink cardstock.

Now....onto some Spring cards...and hopefully, I'll get some ideas at Stamp Club today.

Have a fantastic Weekend!!

Hugs,

Char

Oh what a fantastic trip to Pennsylvania

2010-03-19T10:48:00.000-07:00

Last month, I had the privilege of flying back to Pennsylvania to attend my Cousin's 75th birthday party.

My Sister and I left on Wednesday February 17th and returned on the 24th. What a wonderful, fun filled week.

Our Cousins, Dorothy and Kathy picked us up at BWI in Baltimore, MD (Photo is us flying into Baltimore) and swept us away to Chincoteague Island for a couple of days. WOW....if you have ever read or seen the movie "Misty of Chincoteague" that is where we stayed. What a gorgeous spot on the earth.

We had so much fun walking the beach on Assateague and gathering SHELLS!!!

I mean these shells were WHOLE....not like on the northern Pacific coast where they are broken. You could walk and pick up shells for hours and hours and hours. Which we did!! We even ran out into the surf to get a few conch shells.

Here is one of the Conch shells I got. I think I must have gotten 10 conch shells in different shades of colors. They were beautiful.

Here is another type shell...can't' remember the name of this one.

And, these black shells

Oh and these shiny shells. What fun we had picking up all these different shells.

I have tons more photos of shells, but you get the picture. :-)

After our two day stay at Chincoteague and Assateague, we headed back up to York, PA where we stayed the rest of our week.

Saturday was the party and oh what fun!!! My Cousin's daughter knows how to plan a party! The food was excellent and the grand finale' was her giving her Mom a cruise to the Bahamas. Here is a photo of my Cousin, her daughter, Kathy and Kathy's three kids.

On Sunday, they took us to Gettysburg!! OH MY GOSH....even with the snow....it was awesome! I definitely HAVE to go back there so I can walk it next time. We did the driving tour and got out a few times for photo ops.....and the weather that day was excellent!!! In fact, we had great weather the entire time we were there....but heard they got another storm that came in the day we left. Whew...perfect timing. We even found a cool scrapbook store in Gettysburg. It was worth the trip, believe me.

This is the view from a tower, 8 flights up, of the countryside. Isn't it beautiful!

Monday we went to Lancaster and had a blast!!! I have been there before when they were starting to farm and it was so neat to see.....and I hope to go back again at another season. We had a great time there. Did a little shopping and had lunch.

Tuesday, I visited a stamp store in York with a friend from Mechanicsburg, PA. We had a great time and enjoyed ourselves. Then, it was back to my Cousin's to leave to visit our family for the afternoon.

They took us to a steak house that two of the younger cousins work at. The Roadhouse Steakhouse. YUMMMMMMMMM!!!!! Then we went to the Christmas Tree Store and shopped. Then, back to my Cousin's house to visit and watch a movie. When we finally got back to my older Cousin's house...it was after 11pm and I still had to pack and get all those shells in my luggage.

I got to bed at 12am and was up at 3am to get ready for our flight back home.

We flew home that morning, exhausted, with tons of memories, shells and a resolution not to wait 14 years to return.

And, one last shell to share

Have a great weekend!!!

Hugs,

Char

Spring is HERE

2010-03-19T09:24:00.000-07:00

YEAAAAAHHHHH!!!! Tomorrow is the first day of SPRING!!!! It's been gorgeous weather here the last few days albeit very cold in the mornings.

Wow....it's been a little over a month since I last posted. A LOT has gone on this past month!

If you remember my last post was about One World, One Heart. I had drawn a winner and then left for my week in Pennsylvania. She hadn't replied by the time I returned, so I sent her another e-mail when I got home and we made contact. I am working on her flip flop book!

And, I won four drawings.

One was a fantastic hanging Calendar by Candy Barnett.

Here is the Calendar. Isn't it awesome??? Hmmm, wonder if she will refill it when next year rolls around?? LOL

Another is the beautiful tissue wall hanging from Lori at Raspberries and Rose Petals The Tissue hanging is absolutely gorgeous!! The post office didn't treat it too well, so I copied the photo from her blog. You have to check out her blog...it's great!!!

Another was a gorgeous pendant from Susie Kline at Kline Art Studio, (the link seems to be an old one so I can't include it).

And, lastly a tatted lip balm holder from Aileen at Wickedtats. I haven't received the lip balm holder, yet, but I know that is being made and will be sent when finished. I'll have to take a photo of it when it gets here.

I feel very blessed to have won such awesome drawings!!

The best thing about One World One Heart, tho, is getting to visit over 1,000 blogs and meeting new bloggers. There is definitely a LOT going on out there in the crafting/art world.

Stay tuned....I'll bring you up to speed on my vacation.

Have a great day,

Char

OWOH Winner!!!

2010-02-15T08:04:00.001-08:00

Today is the day!!!!! The Magical Ride is over....but what a ride it was!!! How fun to get to meet so many people from all over the world!! So much talent...and so many creative blogs.

My hubby drew the winner, this morning, from the 226 entries!!! The winner is:

*************************************************************************

Sharon MLS said....

Thanks for stopping by and introducing yourself! I'd love to enter you giveaway. :-)

**************************************************************************

She was #101 on the list.

Thanks to everyone who stopped by my blog and entered my OWOH drawing! This was such a fun event and I hope we get to do it again, next year.

I have contacted Sharon and will wait till tomorrow night....if I don't hear back from her, I will draw another name.

Hugs,

Char

Happy Valentine's Day

2010-02-14T06:39:00.000-08:00

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

Hope you have a wonderful day doing whatever it is that makes you happy!!!

We are going to church and then will come home and watch the Winter Olympics!

It was awesome to see Apollo Ono come in second, last night, in the finals for speed skating!!! Way to go Apollo!!!!

My heart and prayers go out to the family, friends and fellow Olympians of Nodar Kumaritashvili, the Georgian Olympian Luge Slider who died yesterday during a training run. He was just 21 years old.

My prayers are with all the athletes!!!

Char

Busy, Busy, Busy

2010-02-07T13:52:00.000-08:00

I have been busy riding the Magic Carpet visiting over 1,000 blogs and it's been fun, interesting and very informative! Wow, there are so many talented people in this world!

I have also been busy getting ready to go to Pennsylvania in a couple of weeks to visit my Cousin who will be 75 the end of this month. Her daughter booked a flight so that I could attend. I am just so excited.

Now, I am working on a Flip Flop album to give to my Cousin. Do you have any idea how hard it is to find VIOLETS in the scrap booking world? Well, at least for me, it is.

Thanks to some fabulous stamping friends, I have acquired the use of a Violet rubber stamp, some artificial Violets, some stamped images and some violet colored flowers with pearls in the center. They are turning out to be JUST what I needed. If I could have found some designer paper with Violets, I would have been ecstatic...but time is running out.

So, here is the start of my album...and hopefully, when I get it finished.....I can post the results. I keep changing my mind....first it was blue...then I decided on lavender. I am working on some hearts that I will attach on the pages inside. IF I decide I like them. Hopefully, I'll have this finished in a couple of weeks. :-)

Have a fun Super Bowl Sunday.....I'll probably watch while I am working on my album!

Char

One World One Heart 2010 Magic Carpet Ride

2010-01-25T14:42:00.000-08:00

The One World One Heart blogging event is off and running again. The is my second year to participate and it's so much fun!

This year's theme is a magical Carpet Ride and I hope you come along for the fun!!

This event is open to everyone but in order to leave a comment, you must have a blog and you must leave an e-mail or have a link to your e-mail on your blog so that I can reach you in the event that you win.

This year's event ends February 15th. I will announce the winner on that day.

My contribution is one of my Flip Flop books. It is a small scrapbook that you can add photos of a special event to either keep for yourself or give as a gift.

Here is a photo of one I did last year.

This year's book will be the same except with different designer papers and card stock. The winner will get to choose her favorite colors and I will try hard to use the colors that are chosen but will be limited to stock on hand.

So, who is ready to jump on the magic carpet and go for a fun filled ride??

I know I am!!!

Have a great day and good luck everyone! I am so excited to get to meet each and every one of you and will be visiting your blogs in return.

Hugs,
Char

Come on Spring

2010-01-22T14:38:00.000-08:00

Hi,

I don't know about you but I am just about tired of Winter and all of it's weather. We sure haven't had it as bad as some but I am so ready for some blue skies.

I said I would share the card my Sister made for her Christmas cards when I got a photo taken. Here it is.

I thought she did a great job and even added Stickles to give it a little more Pizazz!! A lot of work went into these cards.

Now, we are onto Valentine's Day cards. I have made a few and here are some I did with some friends last week.

I did this one using TAC's More Mimi Designer paper, Scarlet card stock and a couple of Valentine dollar stamps from Michael's.

This was the card that Richard came up with. The inside is just as good! He's just having way too much fun with the Cuttlebug and folders :-)

Judy's Creation is this orange and black themed card. I love the black gingham!

I made a very simple card using some one's heart stamp, white card stock, and Scarlet card stock. Of course, I had to add Stickles.

I like that we came up with some cards that aren't the normal Valentine's colors. It was fun!

Merry Christmas

2009-12-25T00:00:00.000-08:00

Just wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas!!!

I have a CAMERA

2009-12-18T18:36:00.000-08:00

I am so excited!!!! I went to a stamp club luncheon, yesterday and while we were visiting, I happened to mention that I had dropped and broke my digital camera. One of the gals asked if I needed a camera and I said yes, I'd probably get one in a few months.

She said, "NO...do you NEED one?". I said, "Yes, I do, I use one all the time". She got up...went home and got a camera and gave it to me. She said she had two and had been trying to give this one away and no one needed it.

I am so excited....oh I said that....well, I AM!!!

It's a Sony Cyber-shot. It's about two years old....but it's AWESOME! I don't have a manual or anything with it...so will have to go online and read up on it to find out how to use it.

Now, I can take photos and post them!! I just need to get a USB cable so I can connect with my computer and I am off and running.

WHHHHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

Thank you Lord!!!!

Hugs,
Char

Communicate, Communicate, Communicate

2009-12-13T08:26:00.000-08:00

How's that for an opening??

Well, still no camera and my friend forgot his camera the other day when we got together so can't post photos. But, I got to thinking......I can still 'Communicate'. I am not really good at describing cards but I can talk about other things until a camera magically appears.

One of the things I have been wondering about is HOW much does paper crafting/stamping play a part of your Christmas holidays? Or, whatever holiday your family celebrates.

Do you make all your cards? How about decorations, place setting cards, gift wrap, tags, gift bags? What are some other ideas you have come up with?

I would love to hear what you do in the way of rubber stamping and or paper crafting.....for the holidays.

This year, I made some adorable Santa Pants to give to friends and family. I filled them with candies and a little gift. As soon as I can, I'll post a photo and the directions. I got the idea from my little buddy, Rita Holmes, who got it from someone else.....and so on and so forth....you get the idea.

Another yearly favorite things to do is to give Snowman Soup to those that you want to give a little gift to such as the mail lady, beautician etc.

I just find cute snowman mugs at the Dollar Tree, Wal Mart....for $1 or so.....fill it with one pkg of Swiss Miss Hot Chocolate (which is on sale almost everywhere right now), a few Hershey Kisses, a little packet of mini marshmallows and a candy cane as a stirrer stick. I wrap it with cellophane and tie it with ribbon. You can make a little gift card to go with it explaining about Snowman Soup. You can find some poems here.

So, now it's YOUR turn!!

Hugs,
Char

18 Days till Christmas

2009-12-07T06:43:00.000-08:00

But, who's counting??

The tree is up and decorated, the house is decorated and now all that is left to do are the cards and gift wrapping....which will be easy since most everyone is getting either money or GC's.

Actually, I already started my cards but then got side tracked by getting ready for a 5K walk on Saturday. Now that is over, I can concentrate on my cards and a few Christmas parties that I have to attend. Well, I don't HAVE to....but you know.....

I am also still collecting fun ideas to do with my Granddaughter while she is here over Christmas vacation.

My Sister came on Friday and I helped her get her cards started. She is doing a version of a card I had sent her last year.

She is doing hers on Purple card stock with different colored trees. They are going to be really elegant! If I have a camera when she finishes them, I'll take a photo of one of them.

These are super easy to do....just take a lot of folding!

Wednesday is another stamping get together and then Saturday is a Christmas stamping get together....oh the fun continues!!!!

Have a great day, everyone!!

Hugs,
Char

Happy Belated Thanksgiving

2009-11-27T05:04:00.000-08:00

Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Even in saying that, I know that holidays can be the most stressful time of year.

Things that happen during the holidays seem magnified and the drama can be more intense. I am sure you can all relate to some extent.

We decided that this year, we would spend our Thanksgiving at home. We were invited to family and friends, but we just really felt the need to stay at home. We had a nice, small turkey dinner for just the two of us around 1pm and then took a 2 mile walk with our dog enjoying the 'spring like' weather.

Later that evening, we were invited to some friends to celebrate a birthday. That was fun! We hadn't planned on going anywhere....but finally gave in :-)

Talked with some family members and friends on the phone and just were truly thankful for the many blessings in our lives. We all have stress and worries especially during this economy but it doesn't take much to find blessings all around us if we just take the time to stop and count them.

Hopefully, this weekend, after we get our tree up......I can sit and make some cards. My friend promised to take some photos again! I sure miss my camera!!! :-(

Have a great day and if any of you go shopping today....be careful....and hope you find some great bargains!!

Christmas decorating can now officially begin!!

Char

Happy Thanksgiving

2009-11-21T09:00:00.000-08:00

Well, not quite yet....but I have been playing with different ideas for cards for different holidays using punches.

I used the Autumn Cuttlebug embossing folder and DCWV card stock for the base.

I used the Marvy Circle and Scalloped Circle punches to make the base and his tail feathers and even his gobbler and feet.

I love doing punched art....and am trying to come up with ideas for every holiday using the punches we carry in our TAC catalog.

Once again....no stamping....but hey....it's called Papercrafting!!! I love it!!!
And, I did stamp something on the inside.

2009-11-20T08:00:00.000-08:00

Another embossing paste card and then I promise, I'll move on :-)

I used a stencil rose and embossing paste and then colored it with chalks.

Adding a scalloped edge on the edge of the card and a ribbon.... just the little touch it needed.

Have you tried your stencils and embossing paste yet?

As you can see......I haven't been stamping much....but have been playing with different mediums and ways to make cards.

Have a fantastic day!!!

Char

Happy Birthday

2009-11-19T09:00:00.000-08:00

The colors didn't come out too well on this photo.
This is a card I made for a good friend of mine.

I used the Stylized flowers Cuttlebug embossing folder for the background.

Then, I used a brass stencil and embossing paste to make the butterfly and colored it with chalks.

It takes a little longer to do this technique as you have to allow the embossing paste to dry before you can move on with the card....but it's so much fun!

I have been playing more and more with my stencils and paste since getting a card from another stamper. I had just forgotten about doing this.....

Hugs,
Char

Cuttlebug Embossing Folders are FUN!!!!

2009-11-18T08:52:00.001-08:00

Still no camera with which to upload photos...but, my friend Richard, came to the rescue once again and brought his digital camera over so I could take a few photos.

This one was done using the Cuttlebug embossing folder "Stylized Flowers".

I used DCWV card stock and sanded it after embossing it. Then I added a clear 'whatever' to the center of the flower.

I used a scalloped border punch and layered decorative paper over white card stock.

Then, I attached a couple of tied ribbons to a ribbon I had attached to my layers.

I am really enjoying my Cuttlebug folders. They are so much fun....can you see I didn't even do any stamping? But, there is a saying on the inside...so I did stamp! :-)

Char

Stamp Something for Jaimie

2009-11-04T04:48:00.000-08:00

Hi,

I made a card for Jaimie Cates. If you haven't already heard about the blog hop to send cards to Jaimie and the story behind it, you can read about it here and take part, too.

This entire thing just breaks my heart and my prayers and thoughts go out to her and her family.

Won't you send a card to her, too? I can't participate in the prizes....it just seems wrong somehow to win something from someone else's pain. But, I truly understand these gals holding this blog hop to encourage people to show support for her. It's just my own personal decision.

Thanks for reading about her and even if you can't take part.....please send up a prayer on her behalf!!

Hugs,
Char

I WON!!

2009-11-02T13:54:00.001-08:00

Being sick the last two weeks, I have spent a lot more time browsing blogs, reading e-mails and taking part in a couple of blog hops.

I entered my name in the Whimsy's Seasons of Change Blog hop and was notified that I won one of the designer's cards and the stamp she used (a new one of course) to make the card. How exciting!!

Here is the link so you can see the card! But, it's so much prettier up close and personal!!

Stamped Art by Lisa Cook

Can't wait to play with the stamp too!!

Then, on October 31st, I decided to follow along on a

Hallopalooza

'mystery' blog hop. It was fun reading portions of a mystery at 24 different blogs and trying to figure out who the killer was.

Of course, along the way, you left comments and each blog gave away a prize. The grand prize was awarded to someone that actually guessed who did it!

I won one of the prizes.....a book called Women only Over Fifty (WOOF) at http://www.woofersclub.blogspot.com/

Sometimes, it pays to be down sick with nothing to do but surf the web! :-)

Have a great day! And, remember to surf the web!!!

Hugs,
Char