Spring Supplement

I guess the 'bug' came through here, too, as I haven't been up to doing much of anything. BUT, I did want to share a couple of the cool new stamp sets that The Angel Company has in the new Spring Supplement. I just ordered both of them. Can't wait to play!

The first one is "Butterfly Swirls" I love butterflies anyway, but the swirls just add to the elegance.

The cows are just too stinkin cute!!! Being a wife of a farmer (well we've retired from that) we have had animals of all kinds cows, sheep, goats, horses......so as an an animal lover, I love both realistic and cutesy animals.

I can't WAIT to get my hands on these!!!

I'll share more of what's in the Spring Supplement!! But, these two are absolutely my favs!!!

Have a wonderful God blessed day!!!
Char

Fun Raks in the Mail

I seem to be on a reading bent, lately so haven't been doing much stamping or paper crafting. I am sure that will cease after I return from the Creating Keepsakes Convention in Portland, OR this upcoming weekend. :-)

I am looking forward to seeing all the new things they have to offer. Hopefully, I'll be able to partake in a few make n takes as well.

I have gotten some really great cards in the mail and decided to share a few of them with you.
The first is a Valentine's Day card from my friend, Melinda Carmain.

Second was a cool card from Candy Gray. I just loved all the glitter on this card. You can't really tell from the photo but it's there.


and, last but certainly not least is a cute Valentine's Day card from my buddy, Channie. She used the "Perky Penguins" from The Angel Company. Isn't it just too cute??? She also used the Cuttlebug Valentine die and then used a Cuttlebug embossing folder to decorate the hearts.

Isn't it fun to see the different creativity! I know I love to get cards and 'ideas' from other people.
Have a wonderful day!!!
Char

My Valentine's gift from hubby!

Wow....was I ever shocked when David suggested I get an MP3 player. I have been wanting one for a long time, now, but wasn't expecting one till maybe next Christmas...if then. We had made a promise not to buy each other gifts this past Christmas. So, he's calling this a Valentine's gift ;-)

It's so dang cute...and so tiny! It's smaller than my cell phone...and I thought that was small. It's about 3" L by 1 1/2" wide.

I had been talking to different people to see what features I needed. I really wanted to be able to download podcasts, music and maybe an occasional book from my library. I can watch movies, but what's the point? I would rather watch them on my TV or computer not a tiny screen I can barely make out ;-)

Anyway, Friday we were in Redmond just doing some errands and he suggested we go look at the MP3 players to get an idea of what was out there. Next thing I know, we bought one. I was just so shocked!!!

My friend, Peg, came over the next day and walked me thru how to rip, sync and drag and drop!! What fun!!!! I now have Toby Keith, Smooth Jazz and even The Beach Boys on my player. AND a couple of podcasts!!!

I decided to forego the downloading of books for now, I still like to actually HOLD the book in my hands....and/or listen to them on tape. BUT, when the time comes, I know I will just have to learn how to do that, too!

Isn't learning new things, FUN? I love anything to do with technology!!!

Ok, and so that this is actually about stamping, today, here is another card I finished last week using the Sweet Skunks set from TAC.

I have to admit, I have been having so much fun listening to books on tape while doing things around the house that I haven't spent much time stamping this week.

Just like stamps, there are SO many books out there, I am learning about 'new to me' authors and reading more than I have in a long time. I actually don't read until bedtime, but now with the CD's, I can listen while I do other things.

I was definitely born in the right era!!! I can't even fathom what we'll be able to do in the next 10-20 years. Who would have thought we'd have a tiny little MP3 player to listen to music! Coming from me, who grew up with records and radio and TV that went off the air at night ! ;-)

Have a great day!!!!

I have been playing with different images making Valentine's for my Granddaughters etc. It's been fun to see how you can take an image that isn't necessarily a Valentine theme and incorporate it into a card. Who says you HAVE to have hearts etc?

Here is another one I did this past week. I have several more to share, too. I tend to find a card that 'works' for me and then I do it over and over and over with small variations and it just bugs a couple of my friends :-) They do one and then move on to something new.

Hey, I say if the muse hits....use it! We are all different in that way and nothing wrong with either way of creating cards.

The coloring looks BAD in the photo....I am not the world's best, but not THAT bad ;-)

I used Lil Davis' designer paper and one of TAC's new stamp sets called "Doodle Bugs". Thanks to my lil buddy, Rita H, for sending me some images I could play with! Now I NEED this set!! Aren't they just adorable??

Here's to a great day!!!!!

TAC February Specials

Easter is quickly coming up.....only a month and a half away.  Now is the time to get some new Easter images to make cards, scrapbooks etc.

This month's SOTM (stamp of the month) is called Hippity Hoppity.  You can see samples here.  When you purchase $30 in merchandise, Hippity Hoppity can be yours for a special price of just $7.95. (before S&H)   The special ends February 28th.

Also, during the month of February, TAC has a special promotion.  It is the Poprockz Pack.  

Available for a very low price, this special includes our exclusive Pop Rockz™ SWIC™ and our limited edition Happy Everything stamp set. (Happy Everything will be retired on March 1st and will no longer be available for purchase, so pick up your set today!)

Hostesses also have an extra reason to celebrate from February 1st - 29th, because they can receive the Happy Everything stamp set for free with a qualifying FUNshop™ of $250 or more!

Please contact me at Pawsnstamp@crestviewcable.com if you would like to order!  

Happy Ground Hog's Day

Since the little varmint saw his shadow, I guess that means we have 6 more weeks of winter. When you think about it, we normally (I say WE...here) don't see Spring till March or April anyway. Of course, the snow can quit any day now! But, I am not going to complain as I saw on another blog, this morning, that a gal, in Canada, had -40.

My thoughts have been on Valentine's Day and my Granddaughter's birthday on Feb 13th. So, I have been making Valentine's cards.

Here is one I finished, yesterday. I used papers from Lil Davis Designs and the "Forever" stamp set from TAC . I am thinking the bow is 'too much' but am trying to step out of my comfort zone, here. I also used the Heart Cuttlebug embossing folder and an old corner heart punch I had in a drawer.

I did a variation of the same card, without the punches and bow.
I think I'll get busy on some other cards, to share. I have been cleaning my stamp room AGAIN, it seems I am always cleaning that dang room.
So, I need to finish that project so I can see my stamp table again. I have been setting up 'camp' in the dining room, but it's starting to look rather hodgepodge out there and we don't have any place to sit and eat ....sound familiar to anyone? I don't know why I carry all my stuff out there to stamp.....except for the fact I couldn't get to my stamp table and I lacked the initiative to do the major cleaning involved to have a clear table. Sigh, I guess I'll never learn to put everything away before starting another project. I hope I am not the ONLY one out there with this same problem ;-)
Have a Great weekend.

Cowboy

One of my Angel friends, Vicky Ward, shared this card with me today and it was just too stinkin cute not to share with you all. I got her permission so all is good ;-)

She used the TAC sets, "wildwest" T-2633 and

"julietteflorals" T-2864 plus the Soar with it collection, Amelia decorative paper.

Notice the tiny stars in the corners ....just too cute!!!

I just love the whole color combo. Thanks for sharing, Vicki!!

No crafting today

There are days for crafting and then there are days you just have to do something else and yesterday was one of those days.

My friend, Peggy, is recovering from surgery so I have been going up every day or so and checking on her. Yesterday, her Mom asked if I would feel comfortable making dinner and I jumped at the chance. She has been doing it but she is also taking care of the kids so I was glad to help.

It feels so good to be 'needed', you know what I mean? Well, those of you with young children at home won't really grasp it till the last one has been out of the nest for awhile.....especially if they are boys. And, with two grown sons that are very independent and two grandchildren that live 3 hours from me, sometimes I just don't get my share of feeling 'needed'. All older women will 'get it'. At least I hope I am not the only one...LOL

Anyway, it was fun to feel as tho I was actually helping out. After I decided what to fix. I just gathered up the ingredients, brought them down to my house and put together a chicken/rice dish and then stuck it in the fridge till it was time to go back up and fix dinner.

While I waited, to go back up, I read a book that Peggy lent me. It's called "The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio" I am almost finished and have the DVD ordered from the library and Peggy, her Mom, Jean, and I will have a girls day soon and watch it together.

I am off to create some projects for my workshop on Saturday!!!

Have a good day!!!

A new week

This is the next TAC stamp set I want to make a card from. It's called "Sweet Skunks" and I just think they are too cute!!! But.....I have some priorities, first.

This morning,...I visited a good friend who just got home from the hospital last week after having surgery. She's doing pretty good, but still needs to take it easy.

We visited for three hours and while she reclined in bed.....we watched CraftTVweekly together and surfed crafting websites and knitting websites.

She is bound and determined to get me to get out of my comfort zone where knitting is concerned and I am going to start with some scarves, fingerless gloves and then maybe socks.

This year is going to be a new year for me in regards to stepping outside my comfort zone. First thing I need to do is make a list of all the things that I would like to try this year and then 'give it a try". When I get that list made....I'll post it here and see if anyone else has some of the same goals.

One was to read a book that I would never ever read, normally. So, I checked out "Pillars of the Earth" by Ken Folleth. It's over 900 pages.....but so far, I am sticking with it.

Ever hear of "100 things to do before you die"? Sort of like the Bucket List. Well, that's more or less my theme, this year. I want to take my paper crafting and stamping to the next level. I want to try other crafts that I have never given much thought to and do things that I normally wouldn't do (within reason...LOL) and just see how much I can accomplish this year.

Then, I made up my mind that I HAVE to clean my dining room table and Island off and take EVERYTHING back to the stamp room and then get that cleaned and organized again before I allow myself to stamp/papercraft. (I think I'll cave before I completely finish tho....but I have everything off my Island).

When I have spent a couple of hours cleaning and organizing....I'll allow myself time to surf some blogs.

Have a great day!!

Another Flip Flop Book

Ok, so I have to move on....I know....but these are just too much fun!!!

This morning, I woke up at 4:45am and decided to get busy on my Granddaughter's birthday gift. I made her a Tinker Bell Flip Flop book. It's not entirely finished on the inside....but at least you get an idea.

She will be able to add her own photos. I may just have her bring it back with her this summer and we can do that together.

Here is the inside of the book.... well, the first page, anyway. The rest of the pages have the background paper inserted....but haven't been 'finished' with embellishments etc.

Then, I went over to visit my friend, Peggy, who just had surgery on Tuesday. I had to take the book to show her :-)

She will be recuperating for another few weeks.....so I'll have to get busy and create 'something' new each day just to have something fresh to show her each time I visit.

Have a wonderful weekend!!!!

SURVIVOR MICRONESIA

What does Survivor have to do with stamping, you may ask??? Well, for the past 4 years or so....I have had a Survivor Pool where those participating have had a chance to win a $100 in TAC stamps/accessories.

My customers, friends and other TAC demonstrators say that it's even more fun to watch Survivor now because they have a 'vested' interest in it...and a chance to win stamps and accessories.

We are about 3 weeks away from the next Survivor on CBS. This one is called Survivor Micronesia. There are 20 Survivors this season. It will be Survivor Favorites VS Survivor Fans. It should be interesting!!!

Some of the favorites returning are James, Yau-Man and Johnny Fairplay.

Survivor starts on February 7th. If you are not a Survivor fan....that's ok! You don't even have to watch the show to take part! This is about a chance to win $100 in stamps and/or accessories!

Just send me an e-mail to Pawsnstamp@crestviewcable.com for more information.

If you want to check out the new players....you can see them at http://www.cbs.com/survivor

Two in one day, WHOOOHOOOO

Since I didn't know her color scheme for her wedding.....I just chose the colors I liked.
I tend to go with Mauves, Purples, Greens and blues.

This year I plan on broadening my horizons and using colors I am just not comfortable with or that I don't normally reach for. Yellow....altho I think it's a fun, happy color....is not one I normally use in my stamping/papercrafting. So, I may have to start with that one.

What are some colors that you normally don't use in your stamping/papercrafting projects? Try making one thing this week, using a color you normally wouldn't reach for! Of course, if you are like me, you might not have that color in your possession in the first place......so then next time you order or stop by your LSS, choose some cardstock or background paper in that color and see what happens.

Have a God blessed day!!

New Year....no more excuses

I have been busy creating some Wedding count down magnets. Remember the Christmas Advent ones I posted around Christmas time? Well, a friend asked if I would do a countdown to a wedding that is coming up. So, I got busy and came up with 5! It was fun!!! I didn't have access to actual wedding paper...so had to use what I could.

I used chipboard squares and circles, sponged with ink, for the numbers.

These are just so much fun to do. It's addictive! But, then that's what I said about the Flip Flop books, which I am still creating.

I'll post some of my other Wedding countdown magnets after I grab a cup of coffee! :-) First things first, you know!!

Have a happy!!!!

Happy New Year!!!!!

Ok, no excuses at all this time.....I just out and out took a few weeks off to celebrate the holiday and spent two weeks with my oldest Granddaughter. We had a great time!!

First of all.....HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!!! I can hardly believe we are in 2008 already!!! But, the best part is that the new TAC catalog is here!!!

And, the second best part is that one of my girls in my downline, Peggy Bumgardner, designed the cover. AWESOME PEGGY and Congratulations!!!!!

The third awesome thing is that there are SO many new things in the catalog. Well, maybe not TONS but what IS new is awesome!!! And, for you scrapbookers out there......new papers, embellishments and WORDS!!!! I am really excited! And, for those that have continually asked me every year...."why isn't there an index?", there is NOW an index of our stamps and accessories in the back. WHOOOHOOOO!!!!

I cannot wait to get my first order and start creating!!!! There are new alphabets, stamped elements stamps, embellishments, Christian sayings, TWIN baby stamps, a cute Pirate set, new personal stamps, new Tote-ally cool totes, Bind it all, Scor-Pal, scalloped punches, a Crop a Dile case with eyelets (I have two of these and LOVE them). There is also a new gel pen set...Stardust........and many other things.

I hope to get around to creating tomorrow. I worked on numerous Flip Flop books for Christmas gifts and didn't even think to take a photo of them for my blog. But, I will be teaching it at stamp club January 10th, so I'll get a few more made and I will upload them.

Here is to a happy and healthy 2008!!!!

Fun Christmas Cards

I got this idea from Gina Guertin on a list we are on together. She said that she got it from someone else....but I like to give credit where credit is due.

She shared how to make Christmas trees out of folded paper. HOW FUN!!!!! Oh gosh, now I am making these like I was making the magnetic Advent calendars. Can't just make ONE.

This first one uses Basic Grey Figgy Pudding paper and DCWV cardstock. I ran the card thru the Big Shot using the Snowflake Cuttlebug embossing folder (LOVE LOVE THESE) and took my sanding block and brought out the white core. Then I used a punch and put a hole in the very top of the top triangle...and inserted a gold star brad.

Next, I used TAC's Scarlet cardstock and our Merry Wishes background paper and created this card. The Scarlet paper doesn't have a white core....but I will use Stickles and add some sparkle to the card.

I have made quite a few, but this gives you an idea. It's a lot of folding but well worth the results.

Now I am going to spend the day making some Flip Flop books, which I will share when I am finished.

So many projects I want to try and so little time till Christmas!

Have a wonderful day!!!

Advent Calendars

Here are some Advent Calendars I made from some 5"x 5" 2007 calendar magnets from where my Son works. They were going to toss them and I asked if I could have them. :-)

They are a little bigger than the coaster advent calendars that a lot of gals are making. As I continue to make them, I keep coming up with different ideas on how to secure the numbers. I think I like the Velcro the best. And, I keep trying to figure out a different way to make the numbers.....I used some chipboard circles the last few I made. They are a lot easier than punching out tags.

I have tons more ready to embellish.....but think I am running out of time to give them by December 1st.

The papers used were Vintage Holiday from TAC which has been discontinued, Basic Grey Figgy Pudding, Tinker Bell background paper, and I also used my Cuttlebug snowflake embossing folder on cardstock. I even helped my Sister make a double hanging magnet with a Mickey Mouse theme....but we forgot to get a photo of that one....dang!

I was asked to make a Wedding one....countdown to a wedding....that should be fun!!!

Hope all had a wonderful Thanksgiving!!! We had friends and family over and had a great time just visiting after dinner, recalling things from our childhood days and sharing funny stories and of course, telling jokes!

Today, we are headed to see our Granddaughters and take them shopping....WHAT WAS I THINKING.......completely forgot about today being Black Friday! Oh well, it will be worth it to see the girls!!

Now to get busy creating some Christmas cards! :-)

Have a great weekend!!!!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!

I haven't been able to be online much due to severe neck and shoulder stiffness and spasms.......but wanted to hop online this morning and wish all of you a very happy Thanksgiving!!!

I have been working on some Advent calendars using some 5x5 magnets my Son got from work. I will take photos of them and post them later today.

There are so many things to be thankful for....yes, even neck and shoulder pain as I was able to 'find time' to sit and get caught up on some things I have let go lately....like an afghan and also my advent calendars. I could work on them in stages from my sofa.

I am thankful for family and friends. Altho I miss my parents even more this time of year, I am thankful for so many wonderful memories of years gone by.

As I think of those that have been in horrific storms, tornadoes and other disasters.....and have to start all over and others that are going thru countless other things in their lives, I am so thankful for so many things that we oftentimes take for granted.

As we celebrate Thanksgiving, let's take a few moments to be consciously aware of our surroundings and the many things in life we take for granted that others may not even have in their lives.

Also, please remember to pray for our troops!!!!

November already

Yikes, where on earth DOES the time go? It seems that it was just halloween, a couple of days ago, and we were passing out goodies to the neighborhood kids. Now, today, someone mentioned on TV that it's just 45 days till Christmas. What happens to Thanksgiving? It seems to get forgotten among the hustle and bustle of preparing for Christmas.

I refuse to put up Christmas decorations till the day after Thanksgiving. IF I even put them up this year. I thought I would NEVER hear myself say that.....but for some reason, I just can't get that excited this year. I plan on enjoying the Fall and colors of fall for the rest of this month and then I'll decide ;-)

Here is a little something I have been working on to give to my grandkids for Advent. I saw something similar to this on many blogs recently, using coasters....but when my Son gave me a pile of 2007 magnetic calendars from work that they were going to toss.....the thought just hit me....I can use THOSE!! They are 5x5 and the entire thing will stick to your refrigerator.

I cut the tags out using my Big Shot and a Sizzix die. But....then I decided to use my die punch and the process went a lot faster. I didn't have the smaller die punch so I used the next sized down, square punch and I will upload that calendar as soon as I am finished with it. The kids should have fun changing the numbers every day and they can keep the extras in a plastic box (that comes with our stamps).
These are SO MUCH fun!!!! Of course, this paper pack, Vintage Holiday, is now discontinued and sold out, so I will have to get Merry Wishes to complete my next one.
Off to go play some more!!!

Another fun project

I have been having fun creating this week. Here is a little matchbox I covered with Simply Spooky background paper. I made a bunch of these. They are just the right size to put a little miniature candy bar in.

I also made one with a little hanger and thought it would be cute to put on the tree.

Try it, you'll have a lot of fun! They can be used for any holiday or occasion. I got the idea from Cambria Turnbow's blog. It's on her September 25th post. Gotta give credit where credit is due! ;-)

Wednesday's Class

Yowza....I got to be the student for a few hours and took a class at Raining Fresh Daisies in Madras. The name of the class was 'Flip Flop Books". I saw it on her counter one day....and wanted to sign up for a daytime class....but she didn't have anyone signed up. So, I asked how many she needed to constitute a class and then I proceeded to 'enable' a few friends to go with me to take the class ;-)

We had a blast!!!! We all chose different papers (it would have been a little tacky to bring my own TAC papers) so, I chose a Christmas theme. It was just so much FUN!!!!!

Above is my finished book!

Here is one I just finished using TAC's Amelia papers. Don't care for how the ribbon ties...so will do something a little different there.




So far, I have made four of these books........they are just so much fun!!!