A WiNgDoOdLe Day...

Yes... you read correctly... WiNgDoOdLe! *wink*

Many moons ago, I remembered reading in a back issue of the magazine The Rubber Stamper an advertisement for a rubber stamp store located in Warner, NH called WingDoodle. During our family vacation we decided to visit the Mt. Kearsarge Indian Museum located in Warner, NH. Well, honey, if we're going to be in that area... couldn't we take a teenie weenie side trip?! *wink*

After visiting this quaint lil' stamp store... I gave my friend, Mare a ringy-dingy about BEEZ ink being a local stamp company here New Hampshire. Well, after checking our calendars... We both decided on Saturday; September 15th for a road trip to WingDoodle. Let's just say my partner in crime couldn't seem to wait that long! *wink*

After picking Mare up at our usual rendezvous point... Our trip up I89 was uneventful given that it's Hopkinton Fair and all the area colleges starting classes after Labor Day. We had a g-o-r-g-e-o-u-s afternoon for traveling.

Upon our arrival to WingDoodle, we were warmly greeted by Chris, the store manager and Kay, the store proprietor. Chris and Kay were so kind with helping to familiarize us with products they carried, not to mention chit-chatting as if Mare and I were old friends. *sending Chris and Kay a big hello* Sandy, Kay's daughter is the creative director for BEEZ ink rubber stamps. However, Sandy was away on a family vacation. I so hope to meet Sandy on my next adventure to Warner. *wink*


Wingdoodle carries a wonderful variety of stamps like Anachronistic Castle, Claudia Rose, Eat Cake, Penny Black, Rubber Soul, Stampotique not to mention home to BEEZ ink! Never mind a slue of supplies for polymer clay enthusiats, altered art, punch art... you name it and they carry it! *wink*


I think you get the "picture!" *wink* The front of the store is dedicated to wonderful, fun and whimsical gifts you'd be hardpressed to find anywhere else; for your children or youngsters at heart! When in the area of Warner, NH... it's a definite MUST on your list of to-do's! The quaint little town of Warner definitely boasts a day of fun between the Mt. Kearsarge Indian Museum, New Hampshire Telephone Museum , wonderful old architecture and sites I may have missed along the way! *wink* Our families already planning our next trip to Warner for the telephone museum tour and a wee bit of lunch!

Between my first visit a week ago and our visit this weekend. I learned Mare had been in contact with Sandy of BEEZ ink regarding becoming a design team member. Sandy offered to ship Mare some rubber for designing card samples along with a dt position... Mare's going to be rolling in the rubbah!!! *wink* Wishing you all the best in your new venture my friend. *hugs*

Upon your arrival... til' your departure from the little town of Warner, New Hampshire... this is how you'll appear to others after your visit to WiNgDoOdLe'S! *LOL (Photo below)*

I look forward to sharing something stamped with you tomorrow.

Today our family is off to the Hopkinton Fair for the last bit of fun summer has to offer! Enjoy a safe Labor Day with your families.

I look forward to our next visit. Until then...

The Traveling Stampers...

Where to begin...

Yesterday was an adventure of epic proportion! *wink* I found myself traveling down I-93 to meet my dear friend, Mare in Capital City... at our regular rendezvous point. It's here that we'd start on our latest adventure! Or what we refer to as a road trip! *wink*

It all began with Mare's involvement with the A*Muse A*Palooza! Leading her to be-friend Tami Wood of Minnesota, a certified A Muse instructor. Tami, a New Hampshire girl herself, would be coming home to visit and was interested in meeting Mare! Being the generous soul she is, Mare extended an invitation for me to join them. Besides... I generally serve as chauffer on our excursions. *can you say... lucky* A decision to meet at The Paper Tree was agreed by all.


Upon our arrival, *slightly ahead of schedule* we were greeted by The Paper Tree's proprietor, Michelle at the door! What a delight... so friendly, accommodating and joined in our excitement of all the "oohs and ahhs!" We agreed whole heartedly that we'd be making a return trip to see our new friend Michelle in the near future!

Tami arrived shortly with her wonderful mother, Ellie. Hugs of excitement were exchanged. It was as though we'd all known each other forever... We chit-chatted over shares of our work, exchange of more chit-chat and a make n' take prepared by Tami! Tami has incredible ideas and an abundance of talent... has definitely earned the recognition of being an A Muse design team member too?! It's all about the talent or lets say it should be... We think you rock babe!!!! *wink* If we'd only thought of it sooner... we'd have extended an invite to our friend Elizabeth of My Paper Trails to join us! *sorry... sad face* Know that you came-up in conversation while "oohing and ahhing" over your cyclist ATC babe (my fav) *wink* Tami was wishing she were still here at the end of September! *wink* We wrapped things up with a wee bit of shopping and photo opts with our new friend Michelle! Packing everyone and everything in my jimmy, we prepared to meet Ellie at AC Moore. Couldn't see Ellie making the trek back for Tami. Besides... we were headed in that very direction! *Cheshire grin* There was a gift exchange going on in my vehicle during the "dipsy doodling" ride over to the Mall of New Hampshire... sure hope Tami won't mind traveling with this catawampus woman on her next visit?! *wink* Sadly... it was time to part company at AC Moore. However, we'll keep in-touch via e-mail, phone and relay of person to person. Now to get Tami set-up with her own blog... Blogger's FREE! *wink*


Before leaving the mall... a call for the largest triple berry smoothie offered by Orange Julius was in order for the road trip home... can you say YUM-O!!!! We set forth for our next stop being Capital City! Traveling right along... we noted an accident on the off ramp to the seacoast?! Breathing a sigh of relief and counting our blessings that we weren't headed home in that direction! After reaching the toll booth to exchange our $.75 and have a nice day with the toll booth operator. What did we find... ONLY ourselves in (weekend tourist) grid lock traffic on the otherside, crawling in the direction of HOME!!! *missed photo opt... oops* (Shank's mare would've been quicker) Being a true Yank, my patience was limited. Mare, we're taking a different route! *NH secret... if we told you, then we'd have to kill you... LOL* After limping along, we saw the route needed to get us home at a faster pace than that of a snails. It was clear sailing again! *thanks Dad for all the back roads as a kid... not to mention sense of direction*

Mare offered to toodle around Capital City with me while running a few errands... who'd ever turn down her wonderful company... not me! We found ourselves straying into Mike's. Each of us scoring a newly released Martha Stewart bat paper punch! While agreeing whole heartedly her spider punch was a bit gruesome for our taste. I bet Mike's will be all sold out of the bat punches by the end of today... care to make a wager?! After depositing Mare back to her vehicle and exchanging hugs... I was headed up the dusty trail towards the hills of home.


On the drive... I reflected on the preparation for this day, it's speedy comings and goings... and leaving a fond memory in it's wake?! I busy myself with everyday life 'til our paths cross again my friend. *sigh* I sure hope you enjoyed your virtual road trip with us?! Stay tuned... my partner in crime and I will be heading out again the end of September!

In the near future you will note a new addition to my blog labels, possibly referred to as "blog reviews!" Unless I come-up with a better label... *wink* Stay tuned...

Edited 8-12-07 - You can read my friend, Mare's road trip post ----> HERE! Tami, honey please note that I "fixed" your name after posting your comment... my TYPE A personality wouldn't allow me to leave it incorrect! *wink*


As always, I look forward to our next visit. Until then...

A Shop Until We Drop Experience...

After waiting patiently a whole year... it was off to another Creating Keepsakes Convention in Manchester. Mary met me in Capital City at our agreed rendezvous point, from there I drove to Manchester's Radisson Convention Center.
We arrived early at the convention to find out that the parking garage was full. We had to find another parking garage within the city walking distance. Let's just say that I was slightly irritated, but got over it when we found another parking garage with an attendant.

Being Mary's first visit to the convention... I steered her towards her current addiction of A Muse stamps at Ink About It's booth. Let's just say that Mary did the most damage to her wallet at Lori's booth, not once, but twice in one day! By the looks of my photo, I'd say that my wallet was crying "uncle" too!
* wink* While Mary was shopping I enjoyed chatting with Lori, owner of Ink About It. It appears as though we're in for another road trip to Westford, MA before snow flies again! I think we better start saving now Mary! *wink*

The lovely Jenn Shurkus of {creative chick} was over seeing a free make & take at the Ink About It booth from 1:00 - 4:00 PM! I enjoy Jenn's blog where she share's her everyday happenings, family and friends... not to mention her stamping talents! Jenn's a geniune delight... just look at her cute self with her A Muse-A-Poolza Tee! I wish Mary could've joined us in conversation, however she was slightly busy with her second round of shopping for A Muse schtuff! *wink* I'm SO not photogenic! I'm trying out my new look, do you like it? I literally had the majority of my braces removed after seven years the day before convention. Thus the reason for the ridiculous smile... I forgot how to smile, so bear with me! *wink* I shouldn't be answering photographer's questions during photo opt... sorry for the horrid photo, but Jenn and Mary are looking great! Jenn's friend Melissa of {highly entertaining} was the official parking meter feeder for the day... so we didn't get her cute self into our lil' photo opt! *insert sad face* A wave goes out to Jenn and Melissa. Sorry to say we didn't have all day to stalk "near famous" stamping celebrities... when there was major shopping to be done! *wink*

You'll notice that I scored myself a new BIGZ Sizzix letter S die along with a Sizzix Texturz - Starter Kit for embossing with brass stencils from companies like Dreamweaver and Lasting Impressions. You'll note the delicious ribbons, jar of teensy weensy Primas, Junkitz 6 X 6 pad of supah cute papers! It's not as though I needed any of these things... shhh... don't tell anyone I said that... especially my hubby! *wink*

The gorgeous Daisy Cow was purchased after much debate from a new company Purple Daisy Designs of Pennsylvania. This company is owned and operated by two very lovely Mennonite mother and daughter team! I wish I could remember their names... I've already poured over the catalog from cover to cover and made out my first order to call in! *wink* I'll need to see if Mary is ready to place an order with me... she forgot to return for her dragonfly with matching paper punch! *grin* I truly hope that Purple Daisy Designs reconsiders coming to the CK Convention next year... we're closer than Missouri! *wink* No offense.

I didn't get a chance to photograph my fifty dollars of SEI, Basic Grey... just to name a few of the sheets of paper Mary enabled me into! Mary forced me into places like Embellish It! (first photo on Mary's convention post), SEI, Rusty Pickle that were loaded with scrumcious paper! Not a place to take a paper addict, which Mary insists that I am... a paper addict that is! *ROFLOL* I only purchased 6 of each paper design?! You be the judge!


There were so many glitzy things to see that it boggled the brain! I couldn't leave without enjoying an apple green ribbon-licious smoothie and conversation with the wonderful proprietor of this booth. I can't remember her name or company, however they hailed from North Carolina!

After seven hours of seeing everything there was to see. Mary and I took a few photo opts of our own, which you can see here. Mary had lots more bags than me?! We thought we'd make it look good for our blog viewers if I took her bags too! *grin* We decided that we couldn't come this far and not take a trip AC Moore and Michael's, where we scored more ribbon, stamps and punches! *Yikes*

What a FUN-TASTIC day we had shopping together! What do you say Mary, want to go together again next year?! *wink* We already have a shopping spree planned for June, so stay-tuned ladies to hear of our next adventures!

I look forward to our next visit. Until then...

Blogger's Shopping Spree...

Yesterday was the day that my blogging friend, Mary of It's All About The Journey and I planned to meet for a stamper's shopping spree. Mary is the bestest! We started our trip off with JoAnn's. I purchased a couple of Cuttlebug Stamps & Tiny Tags 2 X 2 dies at a 40% savings! Now I ask you... who could refuse such a deal?! *wink*

Then it was off to Scrappin' Soul Sisters for my first time. Just think... how many times I've been by there and missed it... nevah again! See you on my next trip to the Capital City Jackie! *wink* It's always nice when an entrepreneur is warm and courteous. Not to mention so willing to be photographed with a couple of blogger's. If you ever find yourself in NH this is a must on your list of things to do! Yes, I'm obsessed with ALL stamping related items. I purchased papers like Bazzill Bling, Reminisce double-sided paper with shimmer, Fiskars Heidi Grace words paper (Mary grabbed herself a piece or two... thinking I was going to buy it all, not to worry my friend... I'd share with you) all one can say is YUM-O paper Jackie! *wink*

Then it was off to see my good friend Karen (no lil' Griffin to greet me) and her wonderful Dad, Pete over at Arts Plus! I usually have to stop an visit when I'm in the area. Mary was in need of a couple of Easter themed stamps... who could resist Inkadinkado's Buy 2 Get 1 Free Easter stamps... not Mary! *wink* Let's just say that her hands were so full they kept falling all over the floor. I'm not quite sure why I'm always told that I'm an "enabler?"

If that's not enough shopping for you... then it was a quick trip to Michael's where I was "enabled" right into purchasing a boxed set of Die Cuts With A View Embossed themed cards with envies by my friend Mary! I have to admit it was a phenomenal price for what you get... never mind with a 40% off coupon. I didn't realize that Michael's $pot contained acrylic sets... WHEN? So much trouble... yet so much fun! *wink*

Mary and I finished up our day of fun with the last trip being Target. I wanted to purchase something in the card/wrapping section I'd seen on a previous trip. Mary seemed to love them too... supah cute! Mary inquired what I planned to do and proceeded to purchase herself a package too! Then we decided to browse the card section. Something I usually like to do, to see where the card industry is headed compared to us stamper's... FUN. Let's just say that FABRIC is becoming big in the world of pre-made cards ladies! Stay tuned to our blogs to see what we are doing with our Target purchase... We decided that it would be fun to post what each other makes with our like items for your viewing. More than likely over a weekend... we both burn our candles at different ends! lol....

This ended what was becoming a hectic week on a phenomenal note! I agree... it seems as though I've known Mary forever. Mary even brought me an SU! set of stamps. Here's to more fun times, lots of laughs and wonderful memories.

I look forward to our next visit. Until then...