In Memory of Denise Roberts

I got a call yesterday afternoon that a friend of mine passed away yesterday morning. I could do nothing but say..."No....No....No" I just couldn't take it in.

We had been friends for over 10 years. When I lived out on the high desert of Oregon, we first met at a Pinochle party. We soon learned we both had a sense of humor and we had other things in common. We started stamping together and belonged to the same Bunco group for years.

Denise was a very talented lady! I mean very talented. There was nothing she couldn't do if she put her mind to the task. She even painted an egg on her floor in the dining room....and it looked real. It looked like someone had broken an egg. It was so hilarious.

She was very efficient in keeping house, decorating, sewing, crafts, cooking, baking and just about anything else she decided to try. I so admired her talent! I think she was even going to write a book. I wonder, now, if she ever started it?

When my husband and I had our moving sale, three years ago, here came Denise with a plate of cookies for us.

We had one last stamping time together before we moved and that was the last time I saw her.

When we eventually moved away, three years ago, we didn't get a chance to see one another again....both of our lives took different turns. She adopted three children and I lived 2 1/2 hours away. We kept saying we'd meet for lunch some day. But, we never did :-(

But, we stayed in touch via e-mail and she was also on a Yahoogroup stamping list with me.

I just wished her a Happy Birthday on April 30th and joked about her turning 60....of course, she was only in her 50's, but I liked to torment her :-) And, she took it all in good nature.

Less than a month later, I get a call telling me she passed away.

I am in shock!!!

Please everyone, make the time to keep in touch with those that you keep meaning to call or write......even if you move away and no longer can get together....keep in touch!

Everyone take a few minutes after reading this and think of one person you have been meaning to call for awhile or the first name that pops in your head and just DO IT!

Even if you just talked to them a month ago.......

Life is short.......sometimes shorter than we think.

BIG HUGS,
Char

Memorial Day Weekend

A huge THANK YOU to all those who have served or are serving our country......so that we can be FREE!!!

Wow....this weekend is almost over....it sure went fast!

Hubby had Saturday, Sunday and today off. We pretty much stayed close to home for the most part. We really don't like all that traffic.

Saturday, we got some weeding done in the yard/garden, a little bit accomplished in the garage (very little) for our upcoming garage sale and were invited to a birthday/BBQ on Saturday afternoon. We ended up being there till almost 9pm. Had a lot of fun.

Sunday, we planned on working in the garage but DS called in the morning and said bring in the hamburger and I'll BBQ. Couldn't pass that up :-) Besides, he wanted to show off his two rock gardens he was working on. We finished a few projects and then headed in.

After lunch....we were playing Frisbee with the dogs and Annie decided to take a short cut in between two objects...one being a wheelbarrow and she caught her side on one of the handles and scraped a big part of her hair off her side and made a scrape/bruise on her skin. BOY....the whole neighborhood could hear her yelp. My Son (her 'grandpa') was the first to reach her....and he told me..."she's ok...she's ok....she's just going to be one sore dog for a few days".

On the way home, we stopped at Wal Mart...and David went in (I stayed with Annie in the car with the A/C running...and yes she is spoiled...LOL) and he picked up 3 pkgs of disposable pie tins .....he was giving me a HUGE hint... :-)

Today, we went out and pulled rhubarb...probably only a third of it....and while I was making the pie crusts, he was chopping rhubarb. That was good for him, cause now he knows how much work it is to get everything ready to make the pies. :-)

Just waiting on him to get home from the grocery store...needed a few more ingredients...and then I'll be baking the rest of the day!

Hope you all had a fun and SAFE holiday weekend!!!

Hugs,
Char

It's nice to get surprises!

Yesterday, my youngest Son, Jim, called and wanted to know what I was doing. He had an unexpected day off so he was going to take me out for a Mother's Day lunch, early.

He asked me where I wanted to go and after discussing a few places, I told him I would much rather he got a pizza and just came to visit! :-)

So, that is what he did! But, he not only brought a yummy pizza....Chicken Bacon Artichoke deLITE, but also brought me two Azaleas!!. They are gorgeous!!!

Believe me, I would have never ever picked this pizza off the menu.....but he likes to experiment with new tastes....and I have to say, this one was a winner!
(Creamy Garlic Sauce, Grilled Chicken, Crispy Bacon, Marinated Artichoke Hearts, Spinach and Parmesan Cheese) YUMMMMMMY!!!

Granddog, Raider, also came along for the ride and brought me a Mother's Day card with his paw print on it ;-)

It was nice to get an unexpected surprise!

Gee...both sons visiting in the same week!!!

Our older Son came over on Monday for a visit! Too short....but, at least we got to see him for a few hours. And, I was so surprised to see him, I didn't get any photos taken....that doesn't happen that often.

Michelle Zindorf is coming to Oregon!!!!

I am finally able to let you know who's coming to OREGON!!!!

Michelle Zindorf has agreed to come to Salem, Oregon for two days of workshops. I am just so excited to have her here in the Pacific Northwest. It's her first time coming to this area, too.

Just so you know, it's a YEAR away....May 2010 (she is booked through 2009) but she told me that once it is officially on her blog, it fills up fast so my readers are being given a 'heads up' in order to get in on this wonderful opportunity!!

It will not be posted on her blog till August 2009, so as a reader of my blog, you will be able to sign up, now, by contacting her. When you do, make sure you refer to the Michelle Zindorf Workshops in Salem, OR.

She takes care of all the registrations!

The class fee is $125 and you get about $60 worth of class materials. It's on a first come/first served basis....so sign up soon!

I have also secured a block of hotel rooms at the Salem Shilo Inn. They have given us a great deal on rooms. We love the Shilo Inn at Salem because the staff is AWESOME!! When booking your reservation at the hotel, you will need to ask for the block of rooms being held for the Michelle Zindorf Workshops.

If you are interested, please contact Michele Zindorf personally. She will get in touch with you and take care of your registration.

If you have any questions, other than the workshop itself, please feel free to e-mail me!

Hugs,
Char

Featuring Megan and Lisa

Back in February, I added a TP Mini Album Tutorial and Megan wrote and asked me if she could post the link on a message board where she had uploaded a photo of the one she made. Of course, I said OK...as that just means that many others will get the opportunity to see how fun these little guys are to make.

Here is the cute one she made for her Mom for Mother's Day. I think her Mom will be very pleased, don't you?

So often I never hear back if someone uses an idea or something they got from my blog, so when another gal, Lisa,l shared, I asked both of them if I could feature their albums on my blog.

Here is Lisa's adorable TP album. I think that both of them did GREAT!!!!

At the last class I gave teaching these, two gals made them with doggie designer papers and are going to add the photos of their dogs. What a fun way to carry your pet's photos around with you.

I had made one for our Vet...after she had taken care of one of our cats and included photos of Freckles.

I have made them and put calendars on the inside.
Be creative....let's see what you do with them!

Hugs,
Char

SURPRISE A COMING

OH GOSH....I am so excited, I can hardly stand it, but I can't SAY a word until all the details have been worked out.
Someone AWESOME is coming to Northwest!!!!! And, you will have a chance to be in on it.

That's all I can say, I can't say no more!!

Just know, you WILL want to take part!! So, be checking my blog for further details, as there are a limited number of spaces available for this event.

BIG HUGS,

Char

Fun Contest

Hi everyone,

What a beautiful day here!! I hope everyone else is enjoying this lovely Friday, where ever you may be. Even if it's not beautiful where you live, be thankful that Spring IS on it's way. ??

I have to laugh, as we have had snow, hail and rain this past week not to mention freezing temperatures so I always put a question mark after saying Spring is here.......but then this is Central Oregon at it's best!!

I would love to feature the work of my customers on my blog. If you would like to participate, send me a photo in .jpg format, of something you have created using TAC stamps and papers and I will post it on my blog!!

It will be fun to see what you come up with.

Have a great day!!!

Hugs,
Char

Happy Easter

I just wanted to wish everyone a Happy Easter.

We had a quiet day, today, with just us and the dog.

Of course, not having kids around during the holidays is sort of boring so I decided to improvise and hid dog treats throughout the living room, dining room and kitchen. :-)

Annie had a hoot running all around searching for the treats!

I make them every few months and then freeze them in freezer bags. I give some to my Son's dog and my Sister's dog, too. They all like them.
















Annie thought it was a hoot and enjoyed the search, immensely! In fact, you could tell she didn't really want it to end :-) She kept running around 'searching for more'.


I also got a beautiful bouquet of Daisies from my hubby. I just love daisies....they are such happy looking flowers.

And, this was such a thoughtful treat! I like Easter Lilies, too....but Daisies are my absolute favorite of all!

Hope you all had a wonderfully blessed day doing whatever it is that your family enjoys doing on this day!

Hugs,
Char

April SOTM

Floral Vines - April SOTM April 1st - April 30th, 2009 When you purchase $30.00* in merchandise, Floral Vines (Retail Value $12.95) can be yours for a special price!
Floral Vines • TAC-3052 set of 4 • special price $9.75 (retail price $12.95)
• Net total before shipping and handling and applicable tax. • No other discounts apply. • Some assembly required. • AngelNet orders must be received by 12:00 midnight CST on April 30th, 2009. All other orders must be received by 5:00 pm CST.

Spring Into April Rewards
April 1 - April 30, 2009

Hostesses!
For every $250 in workshop* sales - a hostess may choose one (1 only) of the Spring into April sets FREE!

Customers!
For every $30 in net purchases* - customers may purchase one (1) each of the Spring Into April sets at their special price (See stamp sets for special price)!

For New Angels!
In addition to receiving a complimentary, current Stamp of the Month (SOTM) - new Angels will also receive the Spring Into April Sets for FREE!

For Our Angels!
Keep track of your total net sales during Spring into April (April 1 - April 30, 2009)! You can earn the Spring Into April sets based on your sales!

Angels, please visit Angels Only and look under Flyers for more information on how you can redeem your Spring Into April Rewards.

Because being an Angel is just more fun!™








Friends T-3099 • set of 5
special price $5.00 • retail value $8.95









Forever Friends T-3098 • set of 7
special price $7.00 • retail value $12.95










Sweet Thing T-3097 • set of 6
special price $7.00 • retail value $12.95

• Customers may purchase one (1) each of all three (3) sets with a $30* purchase.
• Customers may also purchase the current SOTM with the same $30* purchase.
• *Purchase before shipping/handling and applicable taxes.
• Spring Into April stamp sets may not be made available for purchase again until 2010.

Technology, what would we do without it?

What would we do without technology? I mean, we have so many 'things' at our beck and call to get through each day.

We coffeepots that all you have to do is plug in and leave the room and come back in a few minutes and it's ready. You don't have to percolate it on the stove or worse yet...over an open fire. We have lighting with the flip of a switch, electricity to run our refrigerators and stoves, various household appliances and even the hot water heater.

Where am I going with this, you ask? Well, Saturday we decided to do a thorough vacuuming of our living room and rearrange the furniture. What a great feeling to have a room 'different' for a few months, don't you agree?

Everything was going well until I decided to go ahead and vacuum the rest of the house (even tho it had just been done the day before). On the last room, all of a sudden.....ROAR!!!!! The vacuum cleaner about blew my ear drums out. Since DH was home, he decided to take the entire thing apart and find out why it was doing that.

It's only two years old...but it was a cheapie....less than $100. BUT...it's been one of the best vacuum cleaners we have ever owned. A Bissell. The suction on it is great and boy does it get up the dirt and pet hair. That...we think was it's demise. Although we clean it out frequently.....somehow some of that dog hair made it to the motor....and the rest is history.

So, now, we are looking at a new vacuum from Bissell. It's called the Pet Hair Eraser. How appropriate. :-) It is twice as much as the original vacuum but we feel it's probably a better choice. Can't go too long without a vacuum.

http://www.bissell.com/Products/c/uprightvacuum/p/3920/product.aspx

Now, onto the rest of the day! Bear with me ;-) My computer has been acting wonky lately so we decided to 'blow out the dust'. We do this about 2-3 times a year, just as basic maintenance.
I do have to add that my computer is LOUD. It's been that way basically from the get go but I just put up with it because 'it is what it is'. But, it can really drive me nuts sometimes especially when it 'powers up' for some reason and really gets noisy.

Ok....so we take off the cover and I proceed to dust it with a new stipple brush (that makes this a stamping post, right?) and get a lot of dust out. Then, since we can't suction the dust out with the vacuum....DH goes and gets his compressor and we blow out the dust with that. BUT...we see a third cooling fan that we hadn't noticed before...and it is really full of dust....so we get that cleaned too.

Then, it's back to plugging everything back in and it takes FOREVER to load up and I start thinking...UH OH...we did it now! We were too exuberant in our cleaning efforts. BUT....it finally gets loaded and I wait and wait.....it's too quiet...something is wrong. NO....it all works....it's just QUIET!!! WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.....the cooling fans must have just been croaking for air and they were working overtime? Could dust do THAT? I don't care.....I am just so happy that my computer isn't making me deaf any more. And, I think we will make this a priority to clean it more often....more than twice a year.

So, down ...one vacuum.....but UP one quiet computer....I guess that's a good trade off, huh?

Back to my card making.....I'll have something to share tomorrow ;-)

Have a great Monday!!!

Char

I love FUN mail time!!!

I recently entered a blog candy contest over at Kendra's Card Company and I won two sets of Hanna Stamps!!! It's my very first Hanna stamps ever.

I received one adorable teenager set, on the left, but don't know the name of it as I couldn't find it on their site.

The one on the right is called "For the Soul".

I plan on having fun with these in the next few days. The one on the left....the teenager set....will be fun to use for my two teenage granddaughters.

Check out Kendra's site here http://kendrawietstock.blogspot.com

I have been busy stamping and coloring in some images so that I have a few cards to show next week.

Have a great weekend!!!

Char

April Showers

Well, after last month.......coming in like a lion and going out like a lion...I am wondering if April Showers will bring May flowers ;-) I am beginning to see signs of WEEDS.....but no flowers yet.

I am trying so hard to 'enjoy' each season but where I live...we don't really have the four seasons like elsewhere in the US. We seem to have Winter and August! :-) Really not that bad, but sometimes it seems like it. Winter just seems to last a long, long time!

YES, I am still waiting for spring. But, one morning I will wake up and we'll be enjoying SUMMER! It's just the way it is here.

So, my thoughts, now, are on summer activities and what to do when my Granddaughter comes to visit for a few weeks. I am making a list of fun things to do while she is here. We don't DO 24/7, but I like to have a variety of ideas on hand so we don't get bored either.

We don't have a zoo or a lot of the other things you can visit....here in our community or even within an hours drive.....so I am asking for help with ideas.

Here is my partial list of things to DO while she is here (of course, we may not do EVERYTHING on the list but at least it's a variety).....see if you can add to the list and come up with some fun ideas for us to do.

It would help for you to know she is 17 and special needs.....so things that a 5-10 year old would enjoy....she will enjoy. YET....she enjoys a lot of things teenagers enjoy, too. This is why it can be difficult at times.

1. Camping
2. Scrapbook our time together
3. Plant a garden
4. Library
5. Tea Party
6. Shopping (this is a given!!)
7. Bowling
8. Hiking with her Dad
9. BBQ
10. Fair
11. Horse show of some kind. She loves the Draft Horses....it was our yearly thing to do...but now they have cancelled the show.
12. Stamp
13. Your Turn!!

Thanks so much for all your ideas!!!!

April Fool's Day

And, no jokes from me!!!

Now, that is a first! I LOVE LOVE LOVE April Fool's Day. It used to be my favorite day of the year. Being a practical joker, what better day to celebrate, right?

But, I guess either I have run out of practical jokes or everyone 'expects' me to play one on this day....so now I can rarely find anyone to surprise :-) Bah Humbug...oh wait...that's my other favorite holiday ;-)

I have to tell you that I absolutely LOVE the little Lamb in the Fresh Spring Things set. I am just really disappointed that the promotion was cut short because they ran out and I don't know when they will bring the stamp set back but I still have to share some cards I made with them.

I have been asked what it was I used on the lamb. It is white Liquid Applique. I used a black Glaze Gelly pen on his little hooves. Both are sold by TAC.
The papers I used on the card are from TAC's Gentle Beginnings pack. It is an 8x8 pack of 36 sheets. It comes with 6 different designs and 6 different colors. The Purple and Greens are my favorites.

The bow on the card is purple....not black. Not sure why it shows up black. I used two different scalloped circle punches, the Mega and Giga. Then, the Super Jumbo circle punch.

I am off to play with my Little Cupcake set now.

Have a fun filled day!!!

Hugs,
Char

Hero Arts one year Blogaversary

Hero Arts is celebrating their one year blogaversary!!! Enter to win prizes drawn every hour and throughout the week.

Have fun and visit their blog at http://heroarts.com/blogs/club/

Char

New cards to post

Ahhhh, it feels good to be back to stamping again!!!

Glad the 'bug' is almost gone and I am feeling like my 'normal' self again...whatever normal is for me ;-)

Here is a card I made, yesterday, using the Fresh as Spring promo set from TAC.

Sadly, though, it was really popular and they had to pull the promo...as they ran out of the accessories that came with the special. We are hoping that they will offer the stamp set sometime in a future catalog.

The paper is part of the paper pack, "Gentle Beginnings" that was received with the special. There were also coordinating eyelets but I chose not to use them on this card.

I have to say, that I absolutely LOVE the little lamb in this set.

BUT, the good news is....you can sign up for a drawing for the Fresh Spring Things set...by following this link

http://www.theangelcompany.net/Promos_FreshSpringGiveaway.html

I would love it if you would use my name as your Angel....but then again, if you already have an Angel demonstrator, that's ok, too!

If you DO win, please let me know.....I'll be crossing my fingers for you! :-)

Good Luck!!!!

Char

Blog Candy Winner

I planned on doing the drawing before I went to bed....but didn't realize I would still be up at 2:30am. So, the drawing was a tad late.

I used the Random.Org generator, even tho there were only six comments....and it chose

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

5

Timestamp: 2009-03-17 09:24:21 UTC

The 5th comment belongs to Tracey for the UK!!!

Tracey, send your snail mail address to my e-mail and let me know if you would like me to add ribbon or if you would rather add your own colors to your calendar.

Congratulations!!!

Hugs,

Char

I"M BACK....I hope!!

Wow...anyone else have that weird crud that's going around?  I have been hearing that it hits everyone different.  My hubby had it for a few days but then was able to go back to work.  I, however, have had it for 13 days and counting...BUT today is the first day I actually feel like it's starting to leave my body!  Still have the sniffles and cough and the achies but the chills are gone....I hope.  I don't have to wear a coat in the house any longer.  I am not kidding you....I have never been one that has to have the heat up or sit under afghans...but I was covered head to toe with PJ's, socks, a nightgown over my PJ's and then a heavy robe over all of that and then sitting under blankets to keep the chills away! 

Then, I graduated to wearing a fleece coat....and today, first day.....I am FREEEEEEEE!!!!  I am back to wearing short sleeves.....and not having to sit under layers of blankets.

And, sleep...my gosh...I should be caught up on my sleep till I turn 70!!!  Which is years away!

I am so excited to be back online again and getting caught up!!  I am looking forward to sharing soon!!!  I haven't felt up to doing anything for the past two weeks, but I will be working on a tutorial for you and hopefully will get it up this weekend.

Before I came down sick, I had made some cute little calendars.  I got the directions here.

Anyway, just because so many of you have hung in there waiting and waiting for me to post something .....I am going to give one away!

So, leave a comment on this post and I will draw a winner on Monday night, March 16th.  That's only three days!

As you can see, I haven't added ribbons yet.  Who ever wins can let me know if they would rather I add them or maybe you would like to add them to go with a color scheme.

Have a great night!

Hugs,

Char

Happy March

It's March already...which means spring is just around the corner!!

I have been really busy these last couple of weeks so haven't posted and now I have some rotten virus that I am trying to get over. I just had to pop in and let you know why I haven't been posting.

I have several things to share, that I have made recently, as soon as I feel up to sitting at the computer for more than a couple of minutes.

And, I also plan to do the tutorial for the Flip Flop Book so that you can follow along and make one yourself. Hopefully, this 'whatever I have' will be gone in a few days and I can get back to doing what I love.

Have a great day,

Hugs,
Char

OWOH Giveaway Prizes arrived

Wow....is all I can say about the generous gifts that so many people gave away at the OWOH event. I had so much fun taking part in the this event.
While I was gone for a couple of days, the last two giveaway prizes, that I was so lucky to win, arrived. :-) What fun to come home and find them here!!

The first one I opened was the "One World" candle that came from www.thelightifind.blogspot.com/. I have it in my kitchen, although I took the photo in the bathroom...better light ;-)

Isn't it beautiful!!! You should smell it! The fragrance is ever so light so it's not overpowering.

This is how it was described on her blog:

ONE WORLD (inspired by this event!)
scented with Desert Sage and Green tea for meditation on peace for our planet and to energize the spirit to act and connect with others)

Thank you so much!!!!


The other package was from Stampgram's Studio. It is a gorgeous counted cross stitch book,
"Quilt Designs in Cross-Stitch Book" by the Vanessa-Ann Collection.

I tried cross stitching years and years and years ago and didn't get too far but I decided IF I was lucky enough to win this book that I would give it to one of my favorite Cousins who's birthday is Feb 28th and she will be ...well let's just say over 70! She absolutely LOVES to do counted cross stitch!

But, now that it has arrived, I don't know if I can bare to part with it ;-) I mean, it's not like my Cousin actually NEEDS another cross stitch book...(is this called rationalizing?) She probably has 100's already and this is such a lovely book. Well, it will adorn my table for now!!

Thank you so much, for such a wonderful giveaway. It was so much fun to take part and visit 910 blogs. I can't wait to see how many take part next year.

I still plan to go visit the blogs through out the year and if anyone else would like to visit them, they are listed in Special Pages on the OWOH blog. Believe me, if you find yourself with some extra surfing time, some day.....take a few hours and visit these blogs......you will be so glad you did!

Have a wonderful day!!!

Hugs,
Char