Where there's a will.....there's a way!

Or another way to put it...when life hands you lemons






make lemonade!! :-)







I stamped with a couple of friends, today, and took a bunch of cards with me for show and tell. That's my favorite time when everyone shares what they have done during the previous weeks or month.

One of my friends, Richard, has become a STAMPING MONSTER!!! He's blaming ME for getting him hooked :-) he he he

He is relatively new to stamping and is slowly building his 'stash'....remember those days?

Well, he sure didn't let not having many stamps or accessories slow him down! He had a passel of cards to show off! I wish I had my camera so I could have snapped a few photos and shared them here.

BUT......WAIT.....the good news is....I had taken the 14 or 15 cards that I had been working on to show and Richard has a digital camera so I asked if I could take photos of them so I could have something to share on my blog for the next week or so. I was so happy!! I hate being without my camera!

When he gets them uploaded to his computer and sent to me, I will have PHOTOS once again to share!! WHOOHOOOO!!! (Really, Richard...no rush....really....it's ok...tap tap tap) :-)

DUH..I just happened to think......why didn't I have him take photos of HIS cards while we were at it!!!

Anyway, I came home and got busy making more cards...as he's promised to come over this week since it's his vacation and stamp with me.....so I better be ready to take some more photos!

THANKS RICHARD!!!!







I remembered that I hadn't shared all the projects we had done at WAG...so here is another one I came up with. I called it a "Hang in there" card.

I got the idea from a Christmas card I had gotten last year and used the mittens from that card as a template for this card.

You can't really see it too well in the photo, but I used the Swiss Dots Cuttlebug Embossing folder on the white layer. The 'mittens' are hung on Scrapper's Floss that is strung across the width of the card. I used the Tombow White Gel Pen to add dots around the scalloped circle.

While I am at it....here is another share!
This card used the Scor Pal to make grid lines across the card. Then, I made a slit at the top of the fold...in the middle...and inserted my ribbon through and tied in a bow on the front.

I used a Shish ka bob skewer as the plant pick. I just punched a hole at the top and bottom of the inside of the card....and ran the skewer through the holes.

A friend of mine had made a card similar to this for me, although using different stamps, and put it in a bouquet of flowers from her garden. I LOVED the idea!!!

I used the flower image from the TAC set "Simply Divine" and Palette French Lilac ink.
And, of course, I had to add a little bit of Purple Stickles to the centers. Love my Stickles!!

Happy Stamping!!!
Char

Put your Big Girl Panties on and deal with it!

It's the PITS not having a digital camera! I didn't realize just how much I have come to depend on it till I don't have it. It's part of my daily life!! I am so bummed!

But, it is what it is! Right? Can't do much about it now, so, I say to myself, put your Big Girl Panties on and Deal with it!!! :-)

I just need to get creative! Hmmm, that may take some thought.

But, luckily I did take quite a few photos of my latest cards....it's just that they are mostly all in the same designer papers and colors so there won't be much variety.

I used Willoughby designer paper from TAC, (Love this paper) Scarlet card stock, Brown card stock and one of the images from the TAC stamp set "Happy Trails".

It needs something.....hmmmm....

So, now I am off to do some more creating and maybe I can figure a way to upload them. I just may have to send them to my friend for her to upload for me.

Have a great day!!!!

Snow?

Good grief, we have had snow already. It is only half way through October. It's supposed to stay cold and rainy this week. Hopefully, it will get it all out of it's system and December will end up being nice? One can hope :-)

Speaking of December, here is one Christmas card I have been working on. I made several like this using different colored themes. This one was using Olive card stock and Willoughby designer paper from TAC. Then, attached a brown swiss dot ribbon and added just a thin line of Stickles.

Here is another, basically the same but using brown card stock and TAC's Amelia designer paper.


I like taking one image and trying different color combinations.

I have a few more to share in the next few days.

Then, I'll have to get creative in how I share my ideas since I won't have a photo to upload. Should be fun, right?

Have a great day!!
Char

Copic Ciao Markers Promotion

FALL INTO FABULOUS!!!

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Click here for a flyer with complete information on the entire Fall into Fabulous promotion!!

Camera broke

Oh well, I knew it would happen sooner or later. I dropped my digital camera while out on a walk and I can't get the zoom lens to work now. I can't take pictures if it won't go in and out. BUMMER!!!

But, thankfully, I had that day of stamping and had taken photos of my cards so I can share for awhile till I either get a new camera or figure something else out.

This card was done using a bird image from "All Things of Nature" and TAC's Willoughby designer paper.

The left side piece and the bird piece were a part of a "card candy" project we did at WAG last year. I am just now using them :-)

I guess since my camera is on the blitz, I'll have to get creative on things to share till I can get a new one.
Have a GREAT DAY!!!!

Hugs,
Char

Same card, new ribbon

Thanks for your comments!! I didn't care for the ribbon either after I had it on the card. I found a brown ribbon that I like much better. But, after reading your comments, I just may have to try several different ribbons and embellishments!

Still not the look I have in my 'head' but it will do for now till I come up with something different.

Now, here is a new share for today!



This is basically the same card as a day or so ago but I colored in the sails and ocean.

Now I need to jump to a new stamp or two. Not that I am getting tired of these stamps but maybe need to do a few more Fall themed ones.

And, I have a baby shower card to make so should be thinking of what to do for that.
Have a great day!!

Another Share

Here's another masculine card using TAC's Willoughby Designer paper and the set "Train Collage". I also used Olive cardstock and brown cardstock and my favorite Burnt Umber palette ink pad.

Don't really care for the ribbon....might have to change that up a bit.

I like the collage stamps as you don't really have to color them if you don't feel like it.

I made quite a few masculine cards probably because I was using olive and browns.....but it's OK as I always am low on those cards, anyway.

Have a Great day!!

Stamp Stamp Stamp

Wow, you either are in a stamping wasteland or you have so many ideas you can't keep up. I can't seem to find a balance, lately :-)

I spent all day, yesterday, stamping and came up with about 25 cards. Some were Christmas themed but I will share those later.

Here is one of the cards I made, yesterday! I used The Angel Company's Ship Collage stamped with Burnt Umber Palette ink, stamped it on a tan card stock and layered it on Brown card stock and then attached that to Amberly Grace designer paper which had been layered onto brown card stock. Add ribbon....and you are done!

I kind of like the soft blues and browns together.

Actually, I am seeing a theme in my stamping...a lot of earthy tones!
I do love TAC's designer papers!!!

Sad day

I am pretty close to 'my animals' even those that don't live in my house.

I just found out this morning that our dog's "Mom", Peanut, had to be put to sleep.

Peanut was 17 and going downhill rapidly but I am so thankful that I got a chance to have her here to visit for a day last April.

She was a sweetheart of a dog!!!

Here is a photo of her on the right and Annie in the foreground and Annie's 'Dad' Raider near the door. I had such a fun day that day!!


Here is a photo of Dad and Mom! Raider is 10 in this photo.














We'll miss you, Peanut!!!

Love Grandma!

New Look on Blog

I like to change things up a bit from time to time. I like to rearrange furniture, organize my stamp room and pick different colors for my blog. It's something I can do that doesn't cost a thing...yet brings me a lot of satisfaction! Hope you like the new look!!!

This weekend I'll probably be working on some cards and spending time with hubby working around the house. We have to start getting our garden etc. ready for winter. Yep, it's a coming! We even heard we could have SNOW this weekend! WHAT??? It's only October! Well......we had a reprieve last year with snow not coming till December. So, it's probably true. But, it won't last as the weather isn't quite cold enough just yet for it to hang around long.

We'll be removing the A/C from the window here in my office, too. Bye bye till next summer! Now it's drag out the afghans, long pants and socks to keep warm till we absolutely HAVE to turn on the heat.

What are you up to this weekend??? Hopefully, spending time with family/friends or getting ready for Fall/Winter!

Have a great weekend everyone!!!

Hugs,
Char

Western Angel Gathering

Another September gone and another WAG is history. WAG (Western Angel Gathering) was started 6 years ago for no other reason than to get together with other demonstrators from the northwest to play and socialize!

It's been such a blessing to me to be the founder of this wonderful gathering and I look forward to many more years of bringing this event to fruition every year. It couldn't have been done without the many, many helpers over the years. They have been truly awesome in their willingness to jump in and help and spend countless hours coming up and working on projects to share.

With that said, here is another of the projects we had this year at WAG. It's called Christmas Tea folder. The inside has a little tea bag and a poem. The poem was sent to me by a friend (she is the one that sent me the folder) I added my touches and the poem and then TAC came out with a stamp that had almost the same poem in their next catalog....so am thinking she may have submitted it.

Happy Birthday Raider

Today is my Grand dog's 11th birthday!! Isn't he beautiful? He's at the Oregon coast enjoying the sand and surf.

He is the 'Dad' to our dog, Annie, on the right.










Here he is on the left with Annie and my Sister's dog, Katie (which is also Raider's) .

Ok, we are a nutty family....but we have fun :-)

LOVE LOVE LOVE this dog!!! And, he loves his Grandma!! Probably because I bake him COOOOOKIES!!

Have a GREAT birthday, Raider Man.....you have earned it!!!

Happy October!!!!

Wow, we are definitely heading towards Christmas! I always say "first it's September and then Christmas". It seems that way, anyway. I like to enjoy each season and holiday as it comes so I am ignoring the stores that already have their Christmas inventory out.

My younger Son called me up on his way home from the store, last week, to tell me that he was so dang frustrated because school supplies were barely off the shelves and they were now putting up CHRISTMAS decorations. He actually spoke to someone and asked WHY? I mean there ARE two more holidays before Christmas......Halloween and Thanksgiving. Of course, we all know that Thanksgiving doesn't get a whole lot of credit and I am not a huge Halloween fan.....but Christmas in September? NOPE not EVEN taking part.

Having worked in retail, I know that the stores have to order early and I know that they don't always have a ton of storage.....but c'mon....even we, a small drug/variety store didn't put out Christmas till after Halloween.

I know that people start their shopping this early or like me...all year round.....but I still plan on enjoying each holiday that comes and celebrating Thanksgiving and THEN start the Christmas decorating etc.

Ok now...with that said.....we DO have to think about our Christmas cards early or we don't get them done in time to send :-) So, I will be sharing those now and again in the next few months.

Here is a card I made to send to my Granddaughters. They don't check my blog, so I think I'm safe.

I got this idea from this blog. I think it's a fun/easy card. I used the Marvy punches from TAC and Palette Burnt Umber stamp pad to sponge the edges.

Hope you try it! You'll get hooked making them.

Have a happy!!!

Wednesday Sept 30th

This little guy actually DID get colored after I took this photo.

This is using the TAC SOTM for August and some bright papers from a discontinued collection.

It's really out of my comfort zone as I tend to use earth tone colors a LOT. But, I was trying to challenge myself to step outside my little box :-)

I want to try this again soon 'stepping outside my comfort zone'. It's fun and challenging. How about you?

Cuttlebugs and Watercolor

I received a lovely card in the mail, last week, that was done in this style...only with Daisies. She later told me she did it with a stencil and embossing paste.

So, I stamp lifted the idea using my Cuttlebug, watercolor crayons and glitter.

I need to stamp a verse inside so I can say I 'stamped' it :-) I'll be playing with this idea more in the next few days.

Have a great day!!!

Char

Happy Fall Y'ALL

This has to be my most favorite time of year! It's time to 'cozy down' and get the house cleaned and organized and PLAY with my stamps!

I have another card to share with you all.

I got my Pumpkin Cuttle bug and Autumn Cuttlebug folder out and created this easy card. It's too blah for me, tho. So, I will be playing with this idea a little more.

I love the Cuttlebug embossing folders....they are so much fun!

And, now I am playing around with the little die cuts/embossing folders. What Fun!!

Have a great day!!

Char

Sunday's Card with a little help from my Friends

Ok, here is one I didn't know what to do with AFTER I stamped the images. As you can see, I pierced the flowers and added 'stems' using the "Linear Sentiments" stamp set. But, it NEEDS something. So this is where YOU come in.

Please leave comments for me! I like this idea...just need to take it to the 'next level'.

That's your assignment if you choose to accept it :-)

Hugs,
Char

Saturday's share

Well, it wasn't ME...this time. It is Blogger.....they are having problems with their scheduled posts. So, hopefully I can remember to come and actually POST these silly things :-)

Here is my share for today!
This is a sorta CASE from the Inspiration Avenue catalog, page 21. I say sorta cased...because her card was bigger and she used brads. I give her credit....even tho I don't know who submitted it.

Just use the Amelia papers and stamp the pumpkin from the Give Thanks set and cut it out and layer. So easy and FUN to do.

Hugs,
Char

Friday's share (I hope)

Since Thursday's card went and posted, I am going to try again. I'll get the hang of it sooner or later.

Amelia papers and Olive card stock started this card out. Then, I layered some card stock from the Neutrals card stock stack, some scalloped punches and stamped a flower image from Linear Sentiments.....added a ribbon....and poof...it was done. I love layering!

See ya tomorrow! (I hope...if this post stays where it's supposed to :-)

Hugs,
Char

DUH

So, ok....haven't figured out how to delay the post yet. RATS!!! So, I will try again! :-)

Cards, cards and more cards

Happy Thursday,

I am on a roll!!! I love it when the stamping slump lifts! Here is another card I created using the Love and Laughter set from TAC. Just a little layering of papers and some photo corners I cut from a triangle, a bit of ribbon....and done! I did add some sparkle with Stickles on the tree, but you can barely tell in the photo.

Going to stamp some more!!! Have a great day!!!

Hugs.....

Another Day another card

Well, after not being able to log into Blogspot for two days, GRRRRR... I sat myself down and actually stamped. Go figure :-)

I came up with about 15 cards to share. Most I am happy with...some I might just keep to myself. :-)

I am in a Fall stamping mode right now....so here is one I created the other day using the set Good Timber from the TAC catalog. I also used some ribbon I bought at a stamp store that has leaves on it.
I stamped the branch with Versamark and then colored it over with Earthtone chalks. It sort of has a suede look to it. Just a little sponging on the image and I was DONE!

Now I am playing with some other Fall images and will share soon.

Hope you are having a great FALL.....I can't wait to see the leaves changing! Although, we'll have to take a drive to actually see them as we mostly have pine and juniper trees around here.

Hugs,
Char

Summer is almost over

Happy almost FALL everyone!!!

Wow, this has been, by far, the busiest summer for me in years and years. I thought I could 'do it all' but my hubby convinced me otherwise and we had a long talk and I finally made the decision to let go of several long term commitments just to keep my stress level at bay and my commitment to myself about getting healthier this year. (More on that in another post)

I unsubbed a lot of Yahoogroups and lurked on others and I also had to quit or curtail many 'real life' commitments, including a stamp club I had formed a couple of years ago with friends. It was a very hard decision for me to make but I was confident that the gals in the club would continue to get together and stamp, they didn't need me there to spur them on. But, still....it was a really hard decision and I miss seeing them.

Anyway, back to blogging. It is one of the fun things I love doing so hopefully I am back to doing it on a regular basis again.

I have so much to share about this summer, the activities I was able to take part in ...including WAG.

I'll leave you with a fun project I did for WAG (Western Angel Gathering). I got the original idea from my good buddy, Rita Holmes who got it from someone else...who probably got it from someone else...you know how that goes......but, I just changed it up a bit with punches etc. I also taught it for a group of ladies at a camping rally. They had a lot of fun making them, too.

Have a fantastic day!!!
And, remember...take care of YOU first!!! Hugs, Char

Double the Rewards

Get ready for a FUN promotion from The Angel Company!!! Starting tomorrow...Friday, July 31st........


Now is the time to have a summer TAC party and earn some great rewards. OR....get a few of your friends to order along with you and qualify as a 'party' to earn these fantastic items.


www.theangelcompany.net

Just e-mail me for details!!

Hugs,
Char

Next:

Summer FUN!!!

We have both granddaughters here through July and we are getting ready to go on vacation soon.

All three of us girls made two coaster photo albums each in preparation for the photos will will be taking while on vacation. That way, when we come back, we can put our photos in our scrapbook albums and the girls can take theirs home as a reminder of their time with Grandma and Papa.

We all made two albums with 6 coasters each. That way we can get about 6-10 photos in each one with some room for journaling. Hopefully, we'll finish them later this summer and I can post the finished products.

The above are Nicki's photo albums. She chose one set from a previous catalog and one from the Spring Serendipity Magalogue. (We can still order from this Magalogue)

These are Zoey's albums. She chose cupcakes, one from the Magalogue and another from a special promotion.













And, finally mine. These adorable frogs are from a catalog a couple of years ago. Someone had sent me a cute scrapbook album page trade a few years ago with these frogs on them and I never used it....so I took the little cards off and attached them to my albums.











The dining room table is still full of stamping supplies...so guess while it's in the 90's this week, we'll be doing more stamping!!!


Char

The New Catalog is HERE!!!

I received my order of catalogs on Monday! It's been a busy week....but now I can share with you the new catalog!!!

It's smaller than last year's catalog but it's the same size as the Serendipity Magalogue that came out in the Spring only with 128 pages.

We'll be getting a new Fall "Serendipity" in September. I like the smaller size as it's easier to carry along in my tote bag or purse.

TAC has gone back to displaying full sized images, introducing a panel on the side that shows coordinating inks, card stock and ribbons. Plus hardware, too, if applicable. There are also new ideas and projects to try.

On the Personalized stamp page, there are new icons that you can have added to your personalized stamps.

Now that the stamp sets are full sized, again, I have noticed stamp sets that I didn't remember being in last year's catalog. Go figure!!

Saying stamps are what TAC is known for and there are lots of new greetings in the new catalog.

A new addition to the catalog is the Purchase with Purchase program...replacing the Gift With Purchase stamps. I LOVE these. They are a great bargain at only $2.95 with a $30 purchase.

I love the hostess sets, too.

I think what I like most about the catalog is the 'simplicity' of it. I don't have to search through countless STUFF on each page to find what I want. It's very well organized and simple, yet smart and sophisticated.

I don't feel inundated with so much stuff that I can't concentrate on what is really important for me in stamping....the basics!!

I do have to say that probably one of the first things I'll have to buy, first, are the cute little acrylic mini cupcake albums on page 115.

Some of the first stamp sets I'll have to have are "Sunday Stroll" on page 23, "Funny Farm Phrases" on page 45, "Summer Boys" on page 48, Exotic Bird Collages on page 87, and Hanging Out (A Scarecrow set) on page 105.

Be watching for some samples that I will upload soon with some of the new stamps.

I do have a few things I have worked on over the past week or so...waiting for our Catalog to arrive....and I'll share those in the next post.

Have a Great 4th!!!!

Hugs,
Char

Summer is HERE!!!

Yeah, finally, summer is here!!! Yesterday was 85º and today is going to be cooler, thankfully! I am not a hot weather person but I love the clear blue skies and summer nights. (Well, unless it's too hot to sleep)

This was taken at a RV park in WA where we camped for a few days while visiting friends in the area.
We could watch the ships going up and down the river. It was awesome. I took a photo of every ship I saw, it's just so amazing to watch them silently go by.

Of course, I had to get a few photos of the sunset, too. This one reminded me of a cross. We had a great time camping and visiting friends and came home with both granddaughters for a month or so.

Hopefully, after they get settled in, we can get some stamping done. I am sort of waiting for the new catalog to make it's appearance before I upload anything new. I keep thinking it should be here on Saturday!!!


Hope you all are enjoying your summer!!!!
Hugs,
Char

Sneak Peek!!!

Are these too cute, or what? This is a sneak peek from the new catalog being released soon. They are on special till June 3oth with just a $30 order.



www.theangelcompany.net

New TAC Download, Paper Dolls

Do you have kids, grandkids, nieces or neighbor children near you that visit from time to time? Then you are going to want to download this adorable paper doll and clothes that were designed by Melanie Montes de Oca. You can download this adorable paperdoll and her clothes at the TAC website on the downloads page.

You can view these dolls and their adorable clothing at Mischelle Smith's Savvy Projects Blog. Melanie even made a cute little carrying case from one of TAC's clamshell boxes that the stamps come in.

Summer's coming and the kids will be out of school so why not make a few kits ahead for some fun play times? Or if they are old enough, let them design their own clothes out of designer papers you have around the house.


Enjoy!!!

Hugs,
Char