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

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