Butterfly Kisses!

What can I say about this card? I really started out wanting to do the Midnight Madness sketch challenge. It 'ain't gonna happen! I really don't like the sketch.. ..no offense.. ..I just couldn't get a handle on it. I chose the butterfly stamp to use with the "Pulling Pastels" video that Gina K. did on Stamp TV. It really looked cool on the sample I did, but had a problem finding papers to use. I recently ran across this stack of papers that I bought eons ago. Why, I don't know. I'm really not crazy about it now. The purple ink pad was included with something I bought online. So after stamping the butterfly 3 times I felt committed to using it regardless of whether I liked the paper.

I think I'm going to have to start using my camera on my cards instead of scanning them. The sentiment is popped up and the punched butterfly now has a crumpled wing. Oh, well! I didn't have ribbon I could use on this card although I don't know where I would have used it.. .. well, yes I do, but without a bow.

Used my Nestabilities again! Discovered I already had the MS border punch I would have bought again if Michael's had it the other day. Sheesh! Also used her classic butterfly and frond punches. I used liquid pearls around the large scalloped circle. Just happened to have mellow yellow although it looks like gold in real life. Purple glitter glue on the stamped image and rhinestones for the flowers and punched butterflies.

Couldn't post this until after The Bachelorette tonight. I'm so glad she finally got rid of Wes. What a real jerk! I like all 3 of the remaining bachelors, but it still sounds like it's going to be a rocky road. I really don't know which one I would chose. Anyone else hooked?

Good night and sweet dreams.. ..{{{hugs}}}

ANOTHER BEAUTIFUL BANNER.. .. ..

Created by Lisa, and it's mine! All mine! What a fantastic job she did with matching the colors to my background. I love the stack of heart shaped papers she used in the center. The ribbon on the bottom with the bling. The flowers tie right in with the flowers on the background. Isn't the puppy just the cutest? Jordan would be jealous. I have always loved butterflies to the extent I have a tattoo on my shoulder. The bees remind me of my daughter, Debbie aka. Bee. Oh, Lisa, I just love it! Lots of {{{hugs}}} sweetie.. ..

Thinking of you.. ..

This card came about over a period of days. When I was cleaning up.. ..moving things around is more like it.. .. I had this image already colored. The background was already down on the card, but they weren't meant to go together. I don't know what I had in mind for the card, but I really wasn't all that happy with the image. Actually, it looks like they were made for each other.. .. so I added the image and proceeded to set it aside.

Later when I discovered a baggie with the Prima flowers and the scrap of ribbon, I added those to the card. I wasn't sure whether I had too many rhinestones, but I don't think so.. .. do you?

I computer generated the sentiment using "Bitch Cakes" font. Love that name! It's so easy to remember and I love the "I's" dotted with the hearts. Sort of a surprise considering it's name. It's one of my favorites of the 1,000's I've downloaded.

I had so much fun putting this together, I'm off to see what else is hidden. Maybe I'll post another one later today. It's going to be another HOT day here so I'm staying in for the most part. I've been craving Chow Mien so I just might have to drive to Panda Express to satisfy my thirst.

Thanks for looking.. .. {{{hugs}}}

CRAZY DAY!

Well, sorta! We're having very HOT weather for this time of the year. It's normally still in the 70's but we're pushing 90. YUK! I have a little bit of a breeze outside under the awning which is nice when I need to take Jordan out or have a smoke. And of course I've got the A/C going full bore inside. I just have to stay away from it blowing directly on me.

My refrigerator is still not fixed. The service guy has not returned any of my calls. I certainly hope he is alright since it's not like him to leave me hanging. I finally called the manufacturer today. There was no record of a call for tech assistance on my coach. Hmmmmm! I've got a fax from them that the service guy filled out and faxed back. Anyway, I now have a service number and am waiting for another mobile repair to call me back. This is really getting old!

Just experienced another problem! No hot water!! Well, damn! Pulled out all the paper work on the trailer looking for the hot water heater manual. I've got it solved for now, but I'm not comfortable. Since I'm parked I can operate on electricity. Gas freaks me out. I don't know how to cook with it so if it weren't for the microwave everything would be eaten cold or raw. LOL! I'm such a wimp! Anyway, the hot water heater is heating with the propane for now. At least I can take a shower but I'm gonna have this new guy take a look see when ever he gets out here.

I completed my first blog hop today. Maybe I'll win something, then again, maybe I won't. I only win when I play Lotto on my birthday or go to lunch with one of my BFF's and play draw poker. I have spent more time blurfing again (in addition to hoping or flyin'). Decided it was time to change the background on my blog. I like it. What do you think? I have asked dear Lisa to design a banner for me. I'm excited to see what she comes up with. Figuring out how to add it to my blog will be a problem. Had enough trouble trying to figure out how to change the background. I don't remember having trouble the first time I did it. It did help to discover the instructions. DUH! I get myself into all kinds of trouble "not reading" the fine print. I've had to return several items I ordered online that weren't what I expected. If I'd read the description instead of just looking a the picture .. .. oh, well.

Well, my dears, more blurfing before I jump into the shower .. .. waiting for hot water now. Ta Ta

At last, Miss Anya!

Well, one from the set of three. Couldn't handle the argyle socks in one of the images. I love these little girls. I don't want them to grow up and get married either!! Let Willow have the spotlight. The new little Anya babies are so adorable, but I will refrain from buying more stamps until I've used the ones I do have at least once. LMAO! That will be a while at the rate I'm going.

The dp is from Basic Grey's collection "Aged & Confused". I'm not kidding either! All my favorite colors. I can't believe I used the same colored pen for her dress that I used on my bird in an earlier post. Le Plumme are water based so maybe that has something to do with it.

Used my Nesties again. =) The ribbon was lying around from another card. Since I hadn't used any blue coloring the image I thought I would use it. The rhinestones added more blue so it doesn't stand out by itself. The sentiment is from SU. I think it was a hostess gift at one time. I bought it from the Webstore. Used a punch I've had for a long time for the leaves tucked in with the hydrangeas from MM.

Need to get a sweater. I'm freezing! The A/C is blowing directly on me. My nose is cold. Catch ya'll on the flip side . . . . {{{hugs}}}

Chit Chat!

Hope you all had a great weekend. Everyday is like the weekend for me since I retired. I do avoid shopping on the weekend when everyone else is out and about. We've had such beautiful weather lately that I've been able to get somethings cleaned up outside. No more crap under the travel trailer! The small trash can I keep outside for cigarette butts and dog poop baggies (gross) blew over and rolled under the trailer this past winter along with all the pine cones and needles. YUK! I really felt like I accomplished a lot getting that all cleaned up.

I did spend sometime "blurfing" my favorite blogs yesterday. I really try to do that daily to see what everyone is doing. Decided to start at the bottom of my list since I usually don't make it through the entire list. I just keep finding more people out there that do such great work that my list keeps growing. Noticed my web counter reached 1,000. Since I started at 200 and every time I open my blog I register as a visitor, I guess it's no big deal. LMAO! I'm am pleased to have a few followers who aren't family and really appreciate their comments.

I did make a change on my blog. NO MORE word verification! Where do they come up with these: fulkshi, busni, ovent, ratic, tessu, gration, phide, relyc, primpa? They almost, almost look like a word. Since I didn't learn to read phonetically, I can't pronounce them. At least the words on blogspot are legible. Some are so blurry, you screw up, you get another word! Someone should publish a dictionary. Looking for a name for a new product, just check out "word verification" for dummies.

With any luck, I will have a card to post later today. I finally colored one of my Miss Anya stamps. I'm just trying to find a sketch I like and the paper and embellies I want to use. I don't make this easy for myself! I want my cards to look like all the other beautiful cards out there. I know, I know, but I see it up close and personal. I scan them but wonder if I shouldn't use my camera. What do you think? Hmmmm! Also, if I keep this up, I'm going to have to figure out a way to sell them. Any suggestions regarding that? Want to do it locally not of Etsy or any other online site.

Belated Wishes. . .

Needed a card for a friend's birthday. Missed the actual date by a couple of days. If I hadn't run into her husband while I was doing laundry on Monday, I wouldn't have known. If she hasn't picked up her mail yet, she'll see it here first.

Love this Heidi Grace dp. Perfect for this cute image from Pink Petticoat. In searching my stash for ribbon to match, this was the only one that came close. Wasn't very happy with it until I realized he had flowers in his mouth. Is my luck changing? LOL! I did forget to add my fav Glitter Glue to the flowers. Oh, well, too late now!

It's going to be hot here (Oregon) today. Anything over 80 is HOT! Thank heaven for air conditioning! I couldn't survive without it although I don't like the cold air blowing on me. I know, I know, what can I say? Have no plans, as usual, to go anywhere. Managed to get all my grocery shopping done yesterday before the weekend rush. I really don't like the crowds or traffic. I'm a "curmudgeon"!

Hope everyone spends the weekend doing whatever they love to do. {{{hugs}}}

Thanks for all the encouragement!

It's exactly what I needed to get my "tushie" in gear! I had stamped a bunch of images several days ago, but then got into a slump. Just a lot of little things contributed to my feeling down. Mind you, the refrigerator is still freezing up. No new part, yet! No milk or eggs either! Anyway, it'll get fixed eventually. So being creative instead of mopping around . . . . here's what I did today . . . This stamp "Duet Birds" from Inkadindado is one of the first stamps I bought. I fell in love with this image. Colored with my Le Plumme pens. I recently bought a Cuttlebug so I could get some of these embossing files. There are a lot I would like to have, but for now I will settle for the Swiss Dots and this one (?????can't remember what it's called). Since I now have the CB, I wanted some of the Nestabilities. Voila! What fun!

Here's to more creativity for me and thee!

Remiss. . . a drift!

It's been a while since I've posted anything. I have been spending a lot of time "blurfing" my favorite blogs, inspired by all their beautiful work. Actually, intimidated is more like it. I don't ever hope to be nearly as creative, but I already accepted that with my scrapbooking. We all have our own styles. So why am I at a standstill?

I keep finding all these things I want or feel I need to have to help me be more creative. I really can't wait for my Nestabilities to arrive next week. Today I did stamp out several images so that I would have a selection to play with. Just using a stamp is still a bit of a new process for me. Seems I mess up ever fifth stamp! I love the Miss Anya images, but until I stamped them, I didn't realize how detailed they were. Oh boy! They will definitely be a challenge for me to color.

I had hoped to emboss a couple of images but that didn't happen. Finally have some new chalk and the Chalk Enhancer as demonstrated on Stamp TV which I want to try. My Prisma pencils are all sharpened but haven't been used either. Hmmmm! Gamosol or Baby Oil? Maybe I'm wanting to try too much all at once. I'm a perfectionist who can't stand failure. Too anal for my own good! My own worst enemy! Gee . . . familiar phrases I've heard all my life!

Hope your weekend has been better . . . {{{hugs}}}

Couldn't wait to post . . .

I've been working on this Flowahbella for over a week (not 24-7 obviously). If it wasn't the wrong color hair, it was the smudged glitter glue on the flowers. This is my first attempt at paper piercing. I don't know that I could have picked an image with a smaller piece (her top) to cut out. My new Cutter Bee scissors worked great. I'm really pleased with how she turned out. I used Diamond Glaze on the flower pot and popped it up.

Also used my new Martha Stewart leaf punch that I finally found at Wal-Mart. I wish I had not left a border around the printed paper, but how many times can you re-do something? I'm way to anal for my own good sometimes! I need to add a sentiment, but I'm not sure what or where, so it's not complete. Stampin' Up has the perfect punch I'd like to use. Hmmmmm!

These little cuties, Love Fairies, are from Two Scoops Rice. This card needs a sentiment also. "Need a hug?" works for me, the where is the problem.

I also used my new Cuttlebug with the Swiss Dot embossing file on the green cardstock. The designer paper was downloaded from Paper Craft Inspirations. Not that I need MORE paper, but how great to print out 4x6 coordinating paper.

A lot of firsts for me today while my laundry keeps piling up. I certainly wouldn't have the freedom to let everything else go if I was any younger with children still at home or "the ball and chain" (I do believe in marriage, just not for me anymore).

A couple Emerson Quillin

Already had these Emerson Quillin 's stamped. Grabbed some scraps and came up with these two cards.

The inside is blank for now. I like to put in a sentiment if one so moves me. Just bought those flowers this week. They really are very pretty. Good thing you can't really tell the color of the olives in the martini. I don't have an olive green pen. They almost look like a pickle stuffed with a pimento. LOL!

Found the sentiment used on the outside of this next card somewhere on SCS. Wish I could remember so I could give them credit. They had used it with the same image.

The inside reads, "Have a great day and stay out of trouble". I'm always afraid I'll get a flat tire or have a blow out on the freeway. Sure don't have the other problem to contend with anymore, thank you very much.

It's back to the work table. I've been working on paper piecing a bella stamp. I've got that down but didn't like what happened when I added my glitter glue to the flowers. Gotta re-do it or I just won't be happy with it. n Just glad to get these posted for now.

ABSOLUTE FRUSTRATION!

Note that's in CAPITALS! This last week was a busy one for me. It was the doctor, the dentist and the groomer (both Jordan and I got our nails done). When I have appointments in town, I always try to get some other errands done. Don't we all! I decided Friday I was going to be a slug and stay in my jammies all day. My books were due back at the library so I extended the due dates. My luck, the one book I hadn't finished reading had to be returned. Someone else was waiting for it. Fortunately, I finished it and returned it that afternoon.

That left the rest of the afternoon and evening for me to work on some cards. I've wanted to use the digi stamp "All About Cupcakes" from The Cutting Cafe. After selecting the cupcake, I transferred it to a word document and resized it. I immediately saved it since I've been having problems with Microsoft Word. Something to do with my HP printer. Too complicated for me to understand! I printed it on white cardstock and DP for the bottom. When I went to print it again for the top, it wouldn't print. The paper has a little sheen to it (so does the DP I had already printed). I don't know how many times I tried. When all else fails "shut down"! Now I can't find the word document. I've had my fill with computer problems lately.

I still haven't found the missing stamp I wanted to use several days ago. I'm going on a thorough search this afternoon. It's got to be around here somewhere, "things don't just get up and walk away". Eventually it will turn up, however, my patience is often short. It's certainly not like I can't use other stamps.

I'm still waiting for the MicroGlaze that I ordered so that I can color my digi stamps, maybe. The Le Plumme pens I have are water based so there might be a problem. Also ordered the chalk enhancer demonstrated by Gina K. Of course that could also make the ink bleed without using the MicroGlaze which might not work with the pens either.

My Cuttlebug arrived this week so maybe I need to play with that. Anything to get me out of the dumps! Here's hoping I have some cards to post this evening. Thanks for listening . . . .

Big Hugs!

Finally got these cards done last night for my twin grandchildren. Both of these images are from Pink Petticoat's "Big Hugs" collection. I love all of her images. Liz uses chalk to color her images for a soft color and adds glitter for sparkle.

It's a little messy, but you can't see that. I'll get it down or die trying! Lucked out on the button. Discovered I don't have very many white buttons in my collection. This one has glitter on it. Go figure!

The only place for glitter on this guy is his collar. Trust me, it's there. Used my new Martha Stewart border punch. Love it! Discovered she's partnered with EK Success for her line of scrapbooking supplies. She now has an entire aisle at Micheal's (they have been on sale for 25% for the past 2 weeks).

Now I need to get to the post office for stamps. Bought a couple up at the office for the last cards I recently mailed, but I have a box to send back to Joann's, so I have to go regardless.

Survived the storm on Thursday. They interrupted scheduled programming about 3:45 pm to worn of severe thunder and lighting approaching. When I didn't see any dark clouds I wondered what the big deal was. Sure found out in a hurry! What they failed to mention was the possibility of a TORNADO. What the H---! In Oregon? I was calling for Auntie Em when the winds started. We didn't reach winds that high, but it was a fast moving store. Sure made a BIG mess deadheading plants and trees.

Planning (hoping and a wishing) to spend some time scrapbooking today. Goal: 1 layout, 1 card.

For a change!

Since I seem to have all these road blocks in front of me, I'm at a standstill when it comes to making cards. It'll me another 2 weeks before the MicroGlaze I need arrives so that I can use the digital stamps I so desperately want to use. No one locally seemed to have the stuff on their shelves. One of the stores was willing to order it for me. I could have ordered it myself online but it would take just about as long plus I would have to pay for shipping.

Anyway, I haven't scrapbooked in over a year. I can't die until I have all my pictures in albums. Many (like these) are from OLD photo albums. They weren't being preserved properly so I set about re-doing the albums. I'm hoping that this will inspire me to get on with the task I've set for my self. I'd like to scrap a page and make a card daily. I don't thank that is too much to expect when I have nothing else to do with my time.

These are pages from my DD's album. She just celebrated her 45th birthday June 1 so you can see I've got a ways to go. Actually, I haven't scrapped photos in any order. It's been sort of a hit and miss selection for me. I scanned these layouts since they were not in the album yet. I don't like post bound albums since I don't scrap in chronological order. I need to take out layouts that might follow in order to insert the layout where it belongs. It's a real pain "you know where"!

Photos back in "the olden days" were definitely not the quality we have today. I have had to scan a lot of them and try to fix them. Unfortunately, I never really know what it is I'm supposed to fix. Auto fix doesn't work well for me so I just muddle through and hope for the best.

Now, let's see what I can do.

FRUSTRATED!!!

I've lost some of the digital stamps I downloaded. The file folders are empty. I had printed them out once to see how big/small they were. Now they are just gone! Gone! I have sent emails to Pink Petticoats and Two Scoops Rice to ask if they will send them again. I didn't lose all the files from Pink Petticoats which really seems weird. I also lost a set I really liked and, unfortunately, I don't know where I got them. Why just certain files?

Where's a Computer Geek when you need one? You always hear that it didn't go away completely. So where is "the black hole"? I don't back up the files on my computer. I've got Norton and it keeps reminding me. Even if I had a backup I wouldn't know how to retrieve them.

It has spoiled my entire day. I had trouble getting to sleep last night. Nothing out of the ordinary for me, but I didn't want to take an Ambien. I was thinking about a couple of the digital stamps that I wanted to play with today. Naturally, those are the ones that have mysteriously disappeared. I'm really bummed!

I've said it before, "If I didn't have bad luck, I'd have no luck at all."

Second post today . . .

After I posted this morning, I decided I was going to use this stamp TODAY! If it hadn't been for a dear friend, I wouldn't have this stamp. She found it on the SALE table at a local stamp store. I never find anything when I look, so I just don't look. That's not true! I was picking up lots of Basic Grey dp on sale when she found this stamp. I had already discovered Emerson Quillin but had not ordered a stamp yet. It's so hard to decide on just one!

This stamp says it all, my friends! In the last two days I have closed out of Addicted to Stamps holding my debit card in my hand. They are having a BIG Memorial Day Sale. I ordered the Sizzix Big Shot on sale with free shipping from Amazon only to call the next morning to cancel my order.

Not doing to bad. . . . so far! Will I call JoAnn's tomorrow to cancel my order for a Cuttlebug? I got a great price along with FREE shipping. I also ordered an embossing file so that I can get embossed polka dots on my colored cardstock (note the white on this card, I bought the paper that way). I did read that you can use a rolling pin with the embossing files. How thrifty is that?

I hope my Cuttlebug will fit in my shopping cart along with all my stamps when I move to living on the streets.

Teddy Bear Wishes

I definitely need more colored pens. Softer colors! I ALMOST colored another image. Just couldn't bring myself to do it. This one took me long enough to color. I already knew what paper (more scraps) I was going to use, although you can't see much of the background. Might as well have used a solid color, but then I would have wanted to emboss it and that is another subject all together.

The sentiment is from Stampin' Up! "Lots of Thoughts". The bear is from Great Impressions. I bought both of them from the Webstore.com.. This is the first time I've used either stamp. I'm determined to use all the stamps I've bought because I HAD to have it (liar, probably could have lived without it) or it was cheap (nothing is cheap on a limited income). I need counseling!

When I decided I wanted to make cards as a means of using up the scraps I've accumulated from scrapbooking, I thought I needed to add stamping. I didn't think that thought through all the way (a long standing problem of mine). I have always learned the hard way because I usually just jump in without testing the water first. Don't get me wrong, I'm not sorry about anything I've jumped into (well, maybe just a little) after all, as my Mother used to say, "you've made your bed, now you've got to lie in it." Sure hope I remember that when I'm living on the streets with my shopping cart full of stamps.

Thank you, thank you very much!

Elvis has left the building so it's just me. I'm so excited to have completed these thank you cards. A very big thanks to Tami Mayberry for the free digital image. I'm just sorry I don't know how to link her Spriltcoast Stamp gallery here.

Keeping the original size of the downloaded image, I was able to copy four images on to one sheet of letter size cardstock. I scrounged through my scraps for four different colors of solid card stock. The simple lines of the image are enough I think.

Since I haven't gotten into a lot of embellishments on my
cards, I didn't have any trouble keeping it simple. I might have embossed the colored cardstock if I had a Big
Shot with an embossing file to use.

Actually, I ordered a Big Shot from Amazon last night. It was 40% of the suggested MSRP and included free shipping. I called to cancel the shipment this

morning. I DO NOT need another expensive toy. I've already got a Side Kick. Granted it doesn't do embossing, but I can buy cardstock already embossed for a lot less. If I was 20 years younger I would definitely have to have it.

Looks like I might be on a roll! I'll do laundry tomorrow, maybe. It's back to the table . . . . {{{hugs}}}

Wasted days and wasted nights!

Remember Freddie Fender? Strange little man, good music, if you like that sort of thing. I don't have a new card to post. I did print out a lot of my digi stamps yesterday. Pink Petticoat has some new images of their Lola Rosa. She's taking place of the Stamping Bellas I love. I like the digi stamps since they only take up space on the computer.

Liz (Pink Petticoat) colors her images with chalk. I'm not sure I know how she gets the chalk into the small spaces. I don't have a problem with the printer ink bleeding as long as it is good and dry, but I want to try using chalk. I have ordered some chalk pens (that was yesterday from JoAnn's with a 50% coupon) to try.

Speaking of the computer, I've got to get off this thing. I just stopped myself from spending more money. Sure I would have liked them, but I didn't need them. Addicted to Rubber Stamps is having a HUGE Memorial Day sale. I literally stopped before entering my debit card number. Sheesh!! That was a close one!

BEA FLUFFLES BIRTHDAY CARD

This is just the cutest cat. I'd love to have all the Fluffles stamps by Stampendous. My daughter's birthday is June 1. She loves cats, her favorite color is purple and her nickname is "Bee". I think I've got it all here. I, once again, had to color 3-4 to get it right. I have both Le Plumme and BIC Markit pens to use. The grey isn't as light as I would have liked, but my colors are limited. I need to find a store that sells Le Plumme individually.

I'm going to add some Glitter Glue to the flowers. I really like that stuff! Decided to cut the back off the brads I used instead of punching a hole. They don't lay flat enough otherwise. Thought I was rather clever with that idea!

Love the font "BitchCakes" downloaded from the Internet. The "I's" are dotted with a heart. The inside of the card says "A little bird reminded me you were a year older. . . so I ate it!" Perfect! If my daughter is getting older that means so am I.

JUST WHEN YOU THINK YOU'VE HEARD IT ALL. . .

You hear something else that just blows your mind again. I've got little enough brain cells left I can't afford to lose more. That's what I get for listening to the news.

WHY would the Portland School District feel that all school administrators needed to have "Blackberries"? To stay in touch with parents, teachers, current events! They not only bought them, but pay $100 a month so that they have Internet access. The dollar amount is outrageous! They claim they budgeted for it. If it's in the budget you've got to spend it or you won't get it next year. It's been like that since I worked for the Sherwood School District 30 years ago. They can cut music and art classes but not the budget. Something is so wrong with that.

That certainly got my mind off my personal problems for awhile. I'm not answering my phone today. Not that anyone has tried to call. I don't have a lot of friends. Those that I do have are very precious to me. When they hurt, so do I. Two of them are having health issues that could potentially be serious. I only found this out in the last two days so if my phone does ring, I'm not answering. That old saying, "Bad news travels in threes" has me concerned.

TESTING 1...2...3

All you have to do is look long enough to find what you want. Cool signature from mylivesignature.com.. Thanks to DaDoodle Diva for the tutorial.

Get Well Card

Needed a card for the friend in the hospital. I found a card on Splitcoast Stamper with a turtle on the front. It read "hurry up & get well". I have downloaded Turtle-y Amazing from Pink Petticoat. How lucky for me. She's pretty cute. What do you think?

I love the Basic Grey scraps I had lying around. Blue is friend's favorite color. I decided on the flower after I had already tried coloring in my fourth turtle. I used to be pretty good when I was a kid staying inside the lines. I have le plumme pens and finally realized, after the fact, that the fine end works great in small places. Love glitter glue which I used on her roller skates. Added some rhinestones to the center of the flower and corners of the image.

I've got to get to the post office for stamps. I only have a .42 cent and .01 cent stamp. Postage is now .44 cents. The birthday card I needed to mail is late. Good intentions! Maybe tomorrow then I can go to Micheal's. Martha Stewart is on sale. She has 2 punches I want.

Face Change

There aren't many templates to select from on Blogspot. Guess it's time to Google! Now if I could just figure out what I'm looking for I would. Blog, Blogger or Blogspot template or background? I'm not smart enough to figure out how to create my own. I've learned a little html, but it takes a lot and I don't have the patience. Just changing this template messed up my page layout. At least I was able to rearrange things. Maybe I'll ask in one of the forums at Splitcoast Stamper. They know everything!

Even with an Ambien, I couldn't get to sleep last night. I finally heard from my friend in Utah yesterday. We usually talk daily and I hadn't heard from her in a couple of days. I was becoming concerned. That's one of the things that scares me the most living alone, having an accident. She had fallen in the middle of the night and broken her ankle. They had to do surgery which is always scary. She was pretty groggy from all the drugs for pain when she finally was able to call. Thank the Lord, her son had flown from California so he was there to help her and answer my questions.

Today I heard from another friend who is having some health issues. The potential could be bad but she needs to keep a positive outlook. That can be pretty difficult without good support from your family and friends. As my prayer list grows, I am so very grateful for the good health I have had so far in my life. I ask God daily to watch over us all with his grace and love.

Nuttin' Hunny!

I need to confess, I have spent most of the day (Sunday) on the computer. Doing what? Don't ask! I keep looking at other peoples blogs. I could spend the rest of my life surfing and NEVER get to all of them. And I'm just looking at those I find when looking at cards downloaded on Splitcoast Stampers.

When there is a card I like I always want to look at their blog, if they have one, and most do. I finally decided to download my cards into My Gallery on SCS. I was a little embarrassed to display them on their site. I'm not nearly as good as these girls. They are so talented, but they inspire me.

Anyway, I had an "AH HA" moment this evening. In order to great a blog on blogger.com you need to have a gmail account. I needed a second email account for something so I already had one which I don't . . . didn't . . . use. Since I am following several blogs (note in the right hand column) I am notified when they publish. Since I wasn't getting notification in hotmail, I decided I had better look at gmail. VOILA! Aside from 825 messages in SPAM, I had quite a number in my inbox.

You see I have forced my friends to read my blog by sending them an email automatically when I publish. They respond and it goes into the inbox at gmail. DUH! Do I feel stupid or what?? I'm on top of it now girls.

On a roll!

As I get better at making cards, I seem to get better organized. Of course this is a good thing! Decided that if I'm going to make a card, I might as well make 2 or 3 since I already have the paper and embellishments. I'm not sure what I am going to do with all these cards when they are done. I made this one for a friends husband since we discuss his up coming birthday. It's another milestone. I celebrated another milestone with them 20 years ago. My how time flies! Since he is 4 years older than I am, I told him then he could "lead the way" for the rest of us and he is doing a fine job.
This is the first time I've used piercing. The plastic canvas works great as a template. What fun and so easy. I decided it would help tie everything together. I really like the craft cardstock for the card. The PP are scraps from a scrapbook layout so I don't have a clue whose responsible for the patterns/colors. Once again I used the SU Alphabet Soup stamp. The ink is Brilliance Coffee Bean. Messy!! I now own a t-shirt to wear for stamping only. The brads are copper which is a little difficult to see in the scan.

I think it's a perfect card for a male birthday. Now I need to ask all my BFF's for their husbands birthdays.

Happy Mother's Day!

Finally, a card I like. The old adage "practice makes perfect" must apply. I did struggle with this one. The stamp is "Upsy Daisy" from SU. It's the first stamp I bought. This is the first time I've used it.

My daughter is coming over later this afternoon with the twins. I hope she likes the card. It's not supposed to rain which will be nice for the kids. It gets a little crowded inside so they can play outside. All of my paper crafting paraphernalia is everywhere. Works for me!

Jordan was slightly under the weather yesterday. She stayed out of sight all day. I was really worried I might need to take her to the vet again. She seems fine today. She's moving around and eating her food. I don't know what I would do if anything happened to her.

MISSING IN ACTION!

Once again, I've been remiss about posting. I really wish I'd posted on Tuesday after seeing a new doctor. Actually, she used to be my doctor for a short period of time about 14 years ago. I remembered her name because she scarred me. Yes, she did a 'punch biopsy' on a mole! Of course I didn't expect her to remember me and that's all I remember about our brief relationship. We at least had a good laugh and I really liked her. I've cancelled my physical scheduled for May 15 with my old doctor since I will be seeing the doctor next Tuesday instead. Maybe having a new pair of eyes will be a good thing.

She already changed my cholesterol medication to another generic brand (I didn't know there were others). I was dreading having to go back to Crestor which would mean a $40 co-pay. I get a 90 day supply of generic drugs for free with my Supplemental D medicare coverage. My premium went up this year. That could be why, although I'm no longer on the Paxil (paroxitine). Problem is prices usually never go down (notice you only get 5 ounces of tuna fish).

I also stopped taking additional Vitamin C, E and Garlic. She mentioned that the multiple vitamin/mineral vitamin I am taking was enough. Apparently garlic hasn't proven to help your cholesterol and C and E can cause more problems for smokers. Hmmmmm! Easy enough to quite the vitamins. No comments from the 'peanut gallery' either. I have no intention of quitting at this stage in my life.

And with that said, I going to go back to my book. Visit my new blog. . . .

Meet "Sissorbella"!

So, I got this one done during Grey's Anatomy (no Lizzy didn't get shot and she must be in the next episode according to previews). Anyway, I need to play around with some more layouts. This card is only 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" so it's small. I'm not sure I like the number of layers or placement. It is a card I cased on SCS. The friend I'm doing these for liked this one the best. It was definitely a larger card with more layers of matting.

I like the colors in the stripped paper but you don't see much of it. I'm just not very good at imagining something (I can't cook without a recipe either). Maybe I'll have to look at more cards in SCS's gallery to find a layout that would work. I would really like to use my scalloped oval punch for the quote so that I could have carried out the white dots from the ribbon on the scallops with a white pen.

Well, it's back to the drawing board (SCS). Private Practice just started so I'll be up for a while.

What's up?

Nuttin' Hunny! Well, no more than usual. I was extremely happy to talk with a good friend today. It had been a while and I was becoming concerned. That's when I discovered I didn't have their son's phone number anymore. I couldn't have followed up with him if she hadn't returned my call. Thank the good Lord all is well with them. It's time I took a trip to Seattle to visit them.

With all my re-organizing I FINALLY found my tape dispenser refills. They were with other things I use to scrapbook, but in a cupboard I hadn't looked in before. I don't know what made me feel worse, the fact that I hadn't looked in that cupboard or that I had put them there in the first place. I need to find a better place to put all my 'refills'!

This new cell phone is still causing me stress! I finally got the billing accounts fixed yesterday. When they ported my old cell phone number they had set up another account. CricKet offers $5.00 off if you have a cell phone and broadband. DUH! Finally someone understood what I wanted. She couldn't figure out what had been done either. Someone else refreshed my text messages so I finally received the code to verify my cell phone on myxer.com. Now that the phone is verified I still can't get the ringtone downloaded. Looks like I have to make another call. I won't have to go through so many buttons now that I know my birthdate. They put in 10 instead of 11. I refuse to drive 30 miles to a center just so they can change the date. "It's hard to find good help these days." I wonder who coined that phrase first.

I have spent some time working on a card for a friends beauty shop. I finally got the 'sissorbella' stamp she wanted me to use. NOW, I'm having a color issue! I found a stripped paper with the colors in her shop and coordinating cardstock but haven't figured out what colored pens to use. I had to walk away from the project since I wasn't getting anywhere fast. Will work on it later tonight if so inspired.

If you're hooked on Grey's Anatomy, I think Lizzy gets shot, well, dies tonight anyway. I really hate to see her leave the show. She's been in several movies recently, so obviously her career is moving forward. Private Practice follows so tonight's TV is all lined up. I'm trying to finish the Robin Cook book that I am currently reading. It has a lot of medical terms which makes it difficult to read during the commercials.

Surprise! Surprise!

Oh my, that reminds me of Gomer Pyle. Remember him? Maybe you're too young.

Well, my first surprise of the day was delivered by Federal Express this morning. I wasn't expecting my new (refurbished) cell phone and broadband wireless from CricKet so soon. The broadband seems to be working just fine. Actually I think it's faster for some reason than AT&T. CricKet is working on getting my cell phone number transferred from AT&T. That should be completed tomorrow morning. So much for NOT having to re-enter all my phone numbers. That's going to be a slow process! I've started but I have long nails so it's not easy. I keep pushing the wrong key. I will need to look for wallpaper and ring tones later.

Second surprise came in the mail. One of my dear friends sent me a gorgeous sleep mask. It's made out of black satin with ruffled satin trim and a rose. I'm going to take a nap tomorrow. It'll make me feel 'sexy'! I hope Jordan likes it as much as I do.

Managed to run some errands this afternoon. Jordan was low on food and treats. She's gained a pound which is not good for a little doggy. I was told Chihuahua's had weight problems. Just like her mommy. We both need to lose a few (or more).

Not having a melon around to deal with my list of things to be done, I had to pay someone to have the dinette table unbolted from the floor. I could have done it if I only had the tools. I'm so pleased it worked out the way I had hoped. Turning the table definitely gives me more work space since I can move more across the table from my work area. Picked up a couple of stacking shelves (got rid of the ones I used to have) which helps tremendously. I feel like scrapping or stamping. I can do either in between entering phone numbers.

Still have the rest of the groceries to put away. Found a plastic storage container with straight sides to store my cleaning supplies under the sink. Remember, I live in a travel trailer so space is limited or screwed up. I'm a little 'anal' about organization. Not so much about cleaning these days however, but I did vacuum under the table.

OH ME, OH MY!

I haven't posted in several days. I've been dealing with added stress. Between my daughter's "martial" status, Jordan had to visit the vet. Every time I picked her up she would cry. I got worse as the day progressed that I was really concerned. If they could only tell you what was wrong. I asked a friend to go with me just in case it was something bad. Fortunately, it seemed to only be a strain back. This is the first vet to ask if she had any dachshund in her. I adopted her so I haven't the slightest idea. Sure doesn't look like it to me.

So what do you think? "A Deer Chihuahua". Everything seems just fine. She's back to herself seemingly no more pain. Thank you, God.

We haven't done much since I needed to watch her. The vet wanted her to stay quiet and "no jumping". She really didn't feel much like it on Saturday. I had no objection to having her sit in my lap while I read. I do lazy very well.

Accomplished a couple of things today. Well, I didn't vacuum like I need to but I didn't call CricKet to order new cell phone and broadband service. I can keep the same number I have as long as I haven't closed the account. That is soooo cool! I was dreading having to contact everyone with the new number and possibly entering all the numbers I already have stored. I've been waiting until my contract ended with AT&T so I wouldn't have to pay for closing my account early. CricKet has no contract, you do have to buy your equipment, but for a considerable less monthly fee I will have unlimited calls, long distance, text (UGH!) and caller ID. They aren't everywhere so the only problem would be roaming and I don't travel that much to worry about it.

Found out the company that manufactured my travel trailer filled Chapter 11 and the RV center where I bought it has gone out of business. All I want to do is move the dinette which is bolted down for travel purposes. I paid for an extended warranty so I'm going to have to find out about that through the management company where they are referring their customers. Certainly hope nothing major happens in the future. It's a 2008 model which won't mean anything in a couple of years. I'm not traveling all over the country with it either which hopefully helps.

It's been a beautiful day and we expect another one tomorrow. I had to turn the furnace on this morning to warm us up. However, I did have to turn on the AC this afternoon. These tin cans aren't very well insulated, well, the walls aren't very thick so can't expect much insulation.

WHAT A GREAT DAY!

Yes, I'm shouting it from the roof tops! I can't remember the last time I accomplished so much in one afternoon.

I had a 2:30 follow-up appointment with my doctor. I left early so that I could stop at Micheal's first. I finally got the plastic canvas to use as a template for piercing. They did not have liquid pearls or paper file I wanted, the canvas was reward enough. Also got the Martha Stewart "doillie" border punch. Sure wish there had been a 40% off coupon this week.

I got a phone call from a friend on my way to the doctor's office. Since she has tomorrow off we plan to get together. That's something to look forward too.

I talked the nurse out of weighing in, after all it had only been 3 weeks since she last weighed me. Do you think she thought I'd lost weight? So, my blood pressure was 118/84. The doctor was pleased so I guess I am too. We discussed the side effects I've had tapering off Paxil. Although I only have the rest of the week taking 20 mg. every other day, I could still have some side effects for a couple more weeks. I can handle it! There was protein in my urine (another google) so I had to pee in a cup again. As for the rest of my lab work, I knew the red blood corpuscles were going to be high since I hadn't been able to give blood. This was the first time I've had blood work done since I started taking Pravochol (the generic version) vs. Crestor. My HDL and LDL were slightly elevated so she is increasing the dosage. Otherwise everything else was good. I do have another appointment in 2 weeks for a physical so I'll get the results of the urinalysis then.

Left the doctor's office to see my hair dresser. It was time for some shaping. I have always had short hair (see "self portrait" to the right). Understand, I have a lot of hair. It's very thick except at the temples, where it is receding, and the crown, where I have 3 cowlicks. Hmmm, might have mentioned this before. Sorry if you've been following my blog. That's a joke, note "followers" in the right hand column.

Decided to stop at Bi-Mart on the way out of Tigard. It's not out of the way and there is a drive thru Starbuck's (used to be Taco Time) in the parking lot. Since I didn't get Red Vines at Target the other day I got them at Bi-Mart. Of course I drove thru Starbuck's. Starbuck's needs to publish a dictionary.

It was only as I was leaving that it started to pour buckets. Not bad, not bad at all! It was also 4:30 so I figured traffic was going to be at a crawl. Not the case either. Did I mention WHAT A GREAT DAY I had?

Soggy Easter Bunny!

How does the Easter Bunny get inside to hide the eggs when it rains? I never thought about it until just now. Santa comes down the chimney, what about the bunny? My kids never asked. Looks like this grandma has to another search for google.

Is this 'little chick' just the cutest? Pink Petticoat has the most adorable downloads. Liz is a very talented artist in the UK. I have a number of her digital stamps. Check out her link in the right hand column.

This is going to be just another lazy day for me unless I decide to vacuum. I have no plans to see my daughter and family today. Unfortunately they are having problems it's best I stay out of the way for now. She knows where I live if she needs me. I haven't spoken to my sister (younger) in 2 years. Pretty sad. She doesn't approve of my lifestyle.

So we all have to live our own lives the way we choose. As long as it makes you happy and doesn't hurt anyone else, I say 'go for it'!

Too much time spent!

This card took me way too long. I started to color the lattebella stamp last night. In my efforts to save money I bought a set of 48 BIC Markit pens. I had noticed other people mentioned using them. Since I knew to stamping I really didn't know what to expect. I really got a good price on the set but there is only one tip to the pen and I couldn't use the colors I wanted of the BIC pens.

I also have the pastel set of 12 by le plume II. Now, they have 2 tips. One end is very fine and the other end is like a brush. I like them much better but the colors I have are limited. GOOGLE time! I found le plume II also has sets of 12 in the primary colors and Victorian colors. I found them at JoAnne's for $19.99. Using the online coupons I bought one set for 40% ($8.00) less and the second set with free shipping.

Sure, I got a good deal, but I had vowed NO MORE SHOPPING!

Since I decided to go ahead with this card I wish I had at least changed the printed paper. The idea of stamping was to use up the scraps I have accumulated from scrapbooking. I've never been able to visualize the finished product even when I was sewing. I don't think this paper was a very good choice. I case'd the card layout from someone on SCS. There are so many talented women (men) but I need help. Guess that's why I'm blogging here and not on SCS. I just spy when I visit. Shame on me!

Ta Dah! A new day dawns.

Amazing how good I feel today. When I finally got back up around 9:00 am this morning I was so happy. Three bad days in a row would have been such a bummer! The one good thing I have noticed since I started to quit Paxil is that my good days are really good. I'm motivated to do things, just the simple little every day things I let slide. The light at the end of the tunnel is very bright!

When I retired (6/30/07) I moved into my motor home and took off for the coast. I was a Workamper at an RV Park in Seaside, OR, for awhile. When that didn't work out (a story in itself) I drove back to the Portland area where my daughter and her family live. I stopped along the way to visit friends who live in Lincoln City (also on the beautiful Oregon coast).

Just as I was about to give up on workamping, I was offered a job at a park in Gold Beach. Well, I unhooked the motor home and hooked up the car and headed south. I had never been that far south along the coast. The view driving along highway 101 was breath taking. I felt like I was home. At the end of my 6 month contract it was time to move on (another story). Anyway, I unhooked and hooked once again leaving new friends behind.

Gold Beach is really not the place to be on a limited income. There are no doctors in town taking new patients let alone new medicare patients (I turned 65 in 2008). In a real emergency you would need to be flown to a hospital. Just made me very uncomfortable to think about all the possibilities.

That was a year ago. I have planted myself in Aurora, OR. I traded the RV in for a newer, bigger travel trailer. I have no intention of ever moving. If for some unknown reason I have to move I will have to hire someone to tow the trailer. I'm perfectly happy in my space. I've never had or wanted a large home and all that goes with the responsibility.

Jordan is my companion. She is a little 'deer' Chihuahua. I adopted her after I left Seaside. I had a Shi Tuz before I retired. He had to be put to sleep. If you've ever had to put a pet down you know how terrible it can be. I really didn't think I would get another dog but she is just the right size I'm so grateful to have her. She is such a comfort and joy.

With all this motivation today, I need to get busy so I can get to my crafts . . . . later.

What a day, what a night!

It's 3:30 am and here I sit in front of my computer. I've had a couple of 'smurfy' days. I'm due for a good day today. The ups and downs from going off Paxil is worse than how I was feeling before I started this process. I didn't have the headaches or flu like symptoms. I know it will be worth it once I'm off the drug for a while. Ten years is a long time! But I needed it at the time.

I finally had my lab work done today (I guess that would be yesterday). I don't know how accurate it will be since I hadn't eaten in 17 hours. The lab tech said the electrolytes might be a little high but they would let the doctor know. I had to pee in a cup for the first time in a VERY long time. It used to be common practice MANY years ago. I don't know why they stopped doing them and I don't know why she requested one NOW. Maybe since I turned 66 like all the other ugly tests you have to go through the older you get. Well, I see my doctor on Tuesday so I will get the results of my lab work then.

We had three beautiful sunny days in a row. The temperatures reached into the low 70's. It was so nice to finally be able to just sit outside. It's back to the rain. Looks like the Easter Bunny is going to get his tail wet. I don't know what my daughter has planned for the kids but I would imagine it's an indoor egg hunt this year.

Guess I'll try to get a couple of winks in before day breaks, maybe.

What a beautiful day in the neighborhood

What a difference a day with Sunshine can have on a person. Lots of people working outside in their gardens. The garden centers must have been very busy. For all my good intentions I didn't go shopping again today. The cupboards are looking bare! No peanut butter and English muffins, tortillas and grated cheese. I'll pop a bag of popcorn in the microwave after my shower and go shopping tomorrow.

Yesterday I got hooked on the 14 hour series on the Hallmark channel. The first one was "Love Comes Softly". The actress who plays the roll of Lizzy on Grey's Anatomy was one of the leads. It seemed like a bad time to spend inside with the sun shining outside. I felt really great yesterday. I'm 2 weeks weening off the Paxil. I've had a couple of bad days with headaches, aching all over, fatigue. Plan to call my doctor tomorrow to ask if I can take extra Aleve (which I take for minor arthritis already).

Of course I have played around on the computer some just to see what I can do on my blog. I've added a counter, a place to sign in to follow my 'daily diary', a calendar (just because I could) and a place to keep track of all the books I've read, currently reading and those I plan to read. Also found a website I'm going to follow. I love her work. She uses such bright colors and lots of detail on her work. You can find her blog at stampininspirations.blogspot.com. Look her up you'll be delighted as I was.

Should get into the shower since it will take forever for my hair to dry. Why am I growing my hair out? Because I want to have long hair one more time. Anyone reading this blog, pleasant dreams

Something new

Well, that certainly was easy (downloaing). This is the first stamp I have used. I love the Sistah's! I only bought 4 of them to begin my collection. It was really difficult to control myself. I might need to increase my personal property insurance. This was supposed to be a way of using up my scraps from scrapbooking. Ya sure!

I made this card for my oldest granddaughter when she got her grades after her first quarter at the Community College. She took some time off after HS graduation. I'm so proud of her.

Since I am just crossing over into stamping I didn't feel I could afford the expensive markers. I got a VERY good price ($20 + shipping) on eBay for a set of 48 BIC Mark It pens. I also have Le Plumme II set of 12 which have softer colors.

I don't have a book to read tonight so maybe I'll finally get busy using some of my other stamps. I can't just sit and watch TV. April Fools! =)