My First Bloggers RAK...

Recently I joined the SCS Bloggers RAK Club and this is my first RAK... isn't it beautiful!

I went to the PO to pick-up our mail and amongst all the usual flyers, catalogs and the like was this lovely card from Kristin who's blog is Artfully Inking. If you've not heard or been to Kristin's blog... I encourage you to do so when you find yourself with a little extra time on your hands. *wink* Kristin has a wonderful eye for color combinations, designs, drawing and most everything stamping related. Be sure to look amongst her blog archives.

I'll describe for you a little bit of my card... Kristin used one of my favorite sets Stampin' Up! In Full Bloom done in a nice aray of pink and burgundy with an appropriate tab with the word happiness... Kristin if by chance you read this... would you please e-mail me the link for the tutorial on your glossy specialty paper for viewers?! Then some final touches added were the hardware and ribbon. Kristin's kreation held the loveliest note that did indeed bring me happiness... thank-you! I appreciate all your time to make this beautiful card... love it!

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

On Wings Of Butterflies...

Recently one of my blog viewers sent me an e-mail with a special RAK request for her mother. It seems that this special mother is going through a change of season in life. Being creatures of habit... change can be difficult, unsure and down right scary at times. My own reasons for having faith in our "Heavenly Father!" It touched me how G recognized and truly appreciated her mother seeing her through her own seasons of life.

Appropriately enough... Stampin' Up! Nature's Secret "butterfly" stamp with the words believe, faith, hope & trust seemed very fitting. I needed cheery colors to bring prospects of sunshine to its recipient. How fitting to use our daughter Sophie's favorite color... pink combined with my own love of greens... paired with brown. My design holds many meanings for me, but it's up to you to find what meaning it holds for you... "on wings of butterflies!" Just need to add a note of encouragement...

Supplies List: Just For Fun "Circles" Background, Stampin' Up! Rose Red, Pretty In Pink & Vellum cardstock, Bazzill Bling Green (shimmer thus the bling), Stampin' Up! Green Galore, Rose Red & Chocolate Chip Classic Ink pads, Xyron 250 Create-A-Sticker, Barbara Trombley's "Ultrafine ANGEL DUST" Art Glitter, Low-temp Glue Gun, Accessories: pink, green and brown brads & dimensionals.

What an honor to bring a ray of sunshine, the prospect of a smile or inspiration to someone in need... thank-you G for the opportunity. I wish all of you the best in your own season of life... As you may know, we're never alone... "Everyone we meet is fighting a battle of some kind... "

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

PURR-fect Name...

While my people weren't looking... I took the liberty of pawing the keyboard.

I want to inform you that I no longer hear kitten, hey you or kitty, kitty? Now I hear Miss Moxie or Moxie. Not quite sure what "moxie" is... might have to paw through one of Sophie's books while she's away...

However, this will have to wait until I've gotten in a sufficient catnap!

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

*Sophie wrapped Miss Moxie in the down throw from the couch... where she happily napped until photo time 18th of March '07.

HaPpY cAkE n' CaNdLe DaY...

SuRpRiSe...

I'd like to invite all of Bloggyland to come and celebrate a couple of special ladies birthday's with me! The first lady is a blogging friend of mine Asela. I start most mornings off with a cup of coffee and Asela's blog... when I'm not experiencing computer software issues! *wink* The second lady is my friend Michelle D who I had the good fortune of meeting through SCS. These two ladies are not only incredibly talented, inspirational, kind and just beyond words... simply the bestest girlies anyone could have the honor of knowing even if it's via e-mails and snail mail!

I wish you both a day as special as yourselves! Here's hoping that you have a fun-filled day with your families doing whatever it maybe that you enjoy?!

In the meantime... have a piece of cake and enjoy the celebration!

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

All My Troubles Led To Fluffles...

This card comes to you via means of GREAT frustration...

Okay, as you may remember I was having techinical difficulties with my Corel Photo Album 6 program... just decided to take a break in the middle of a string of uploads. Well, after some of you making much appreciated software recommendations... I went with Adobe Photoshop Elements 5.0! I'm sure that if you are a computer genius (which I'm NOT) then it's a wonderful piece of software technology! I can honestly say that I have NO IDEA how this photo got here, but let me just say... THANK-YOU God for your divine intervention... Now if one could just figure out how to erase the reader card using this program... I'd be back in business!

Now keep in mind it's actually March 20th today, not to mention it was mailed timely! *wink* What can I say... Murphy's had a lot of influence in my life! *grin* I decided that it was high time I started creating with all the things I was collecting... can you relate? Everything used to create this card was new with the exception of my Marvy Uchida scalloped circle punch and the Stampin' Up watercolor pencils. I'm guessing that might categorize me as a potential hoarder?! *wink*

Without further a do... as there is more catching up to do...

Supplies List: Stampendous! Grasshopper Fluffles & Mini Mod Blossom, Stampin' Up! Riveting (Hostess Level 1-2006-2007), Stampin' Up! Watercolor Pencils (set of 24), Making Memories Cheeky 12 X 12 Abby Stripe, Bazzill Aztec & Dahlia cardstock, Cuttlebug Bloom Dots, Stampin' Up! 1/2", 1 1/4" Circle Punches & Designer Label Punch Box Punch, Marvy Uchida Scalloped Circle Mega & Giga Punches & Accessories: MayArts ribbon, wiggle eyes, floral brad, white gel pen & dimensionals.

i.e. Marvy Uchida is home link where as Mega & Giga link to the actual punches for sizing and viewing. I've provided the links for your viewing or shopping needs, however if you find that it's truly not necessary for these links (as it's a bit of work to provide this feature) then please post me a comment. Much appreciated. *wink*
Well... until I figure out how I got here...

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

We interupt this blogcast...

to let you know that I'm experiencing technical difficulties with my Corel Photo Album program when I attempt to download new photos off the camera card?! Everytime I've attempted to download a "patch" that this program alerts me to... it won't take and complains of a 'handle' issue that I need to call about. I'm thinking I need to visit Best Buy and just purchase and download Corel Photo Album software again. This is a relatively new computer and this software came installed, need I say more?! *wink* If anyone knows of a better software for photographs that's user friendly for dummies and non-techy computer genius' please e-mail me.... otherwise I'd take any assistance to fix my problem... I have cards to upload for your viewing pleasure and blogging to be done...

Back to our regularly scheduled program soon...

I' Rish You A Happy St. Pat's Day...

As you all may remember... my friend Mary

of It's All About The Journey and I went on a Blogger's Shopping Spree. If you remember correctly I mentioned that I like to check out the card section?! Well... we happened to see a little card with a brassiere. I told Mary that I would be making my own version of the card with my own sentiment. However, I don't own a brassiere stamp, so I used a little ingenuity. I know, I know... I thought the same thing... it appears to be a brassiere for a woman from Silicone Valley! *wink* J & J needs to come up with a good support bandage with a little wire... then I'd be in seventh heaven! If J & J is need of some collaborative help on this project... just give me a "ringy-dingy!" *spoken in my best Lily Tomlin voice*

I was looking through my FeedBlitz confirmations recently, which total more than forty-five subscriptions from viewers that have subscribed to my lil' ole blog. So in honor of you incredibly wonderful ladies that frequently visit... "I' Rish to "THANK-YOU" for your support!" Now, to figure out a way of knowing when you come to visit. *wink*

Supplies List: Stampin' Up! certainly celery, garden green & vellum cardstocks, Bazzill parakeet cardstock, Reminisce Stroke of Luck shimmer paper, Stampin' Up "retired" Victorian Lace Background, Marvy Uchida scallopped circle punch, McGill heart punch, Mayarts shimmer dbl. sided ribbon, gold brads, shamrock "bling" and Stampin' Up! Paper Piercing Mat set.

If you decide to make a brassiere card and add it to your own blog, I hope you will post a link for me to view? It's always appreciated when credit is given where credit is do. *wink*

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

Easter Basket Greetings...

It's been really busy around here with Girl Scout cookie booths at the beginning and end of the week, veterinary vacinations for Miss Moxie, studying for upcoming tests (Sophie), snow storms... you get the idea... *wink* I'm sorry that I've neglected to create, post and visit with you, but I know that friends always understand. So without further a do...

Easter falls on April 8th this year.

I apologize for the poor photography skills... this card is nicer in person. I did attempt to take another photo this morning outside, but it was windy and quite chilly. Just not able to get a truly good photo. This card was a design from last year... however, it was truly difficult to keep up with the supply and demand. This card required a lot of cutting, punching and piecing. I did make these in several Easter color combinations.

My design started with Stampin' Up lavendar Lace layered with Stampin' Up barely banana cardstocks stamped in Stampin' Up! lovely lilac using Serendipity Stamps Easter Fun Background.

A touch of rickrack was added using Hero Arts Ribbons Set by stamping rickrack in Stampin' Up! certainly celery and adding Stampin' Up! lovely lilac speckles. Not only am I considered a basket case at times by my friends (wink), but I am a longtime fan of Longaberger products. This is a genuine Longaberger - Card Basket Stamp that came directly from The Longaberger Store located in Dresden, Ohio for visitors. This is a retired item that is no longer available... Some cutting and assembly required along with adding brads for the swing handle. Eggs were punched from Stampin' Up! pretty in pink, bashful blue and certainly celery. Speckling was done with coordinating Stampin' Up! colors. Easter eggs were tucked in amongst real Easter grass, basket is added to the card front using dimensionals.

A family tradition of ours is to have an Easter egg hunt with my Dad and our daughter, Sophie in the lead. My husband with camcorder, Mom as cheerleader and me with my camera... bringing up the rear. Our traditional dinner always consists of a ham, petite peas with pearlized onions to name a few dishes. If you have a favorite Easter tradition I'd love for your to share.

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...

St. Patty's Upon Us...

Just when you thought you wouldn't be needing any of your Valentine related items... *wink* It's hard to believe that it's already March 1st!

Sunday afternoon while setting up a day to meet and shop with my friend Mary of It's All About The Journey I designed this lil' creation. Mary and I discovered that we both frequent the same lss, live within an hours radius of each other... so what fun to get to know a fellow NH blogger. Mary this is the ribbon I was telling you about... *wink*

The design for this card started with this delicious ribbon I found in Michael's $pot, which paired nicely with this gorgeous Bazzill cardstock. Using the Stampin' Up! Slit Punch for the scalloped border... I then ran my ribbon through my Xyron 250 attaching it to the scalloped border and then paper piercing a dotted border along the scalloped border. You can view details more clearly by clicking on the photo to enlarge. Shamrock leaves were made using two different sized heart paper punches and then stamping the smaller hearts with Stampin' Up! Aida Cloth and the stem was freehand. Of course, then came the Cuttlebug... (Provocraft really needs to come-up with MORE A2 Embossing Folders... holidays, paisley, etc...) After applying certain layers in a sequential order I used chocolate brown brads and layered the shamrock with dimensionals. Tada!!!

Well... you better get crack-a-lackin' on your shamrocks ladies... it will be here before we know it! *wink*

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

March

Cardmaker's Calendar

9th Cabin Fever Day

The groundhog said that spring would come early

this year - create cheery cards to send stating

that spring is just around the corner!

11th Daylight Savings Day

Celebrate the return of longer days with plans for

your springtime garden. Carry the theme by stamping

invitations to your friends by going plant shopping!

17th St. Patrick's Day

Whether your into the corned beef and cabbage...

everyone loves to celebrate the spirit of St. Patty's Day!

Share a bit o' blarney with the "Irish" in your life

with a hand stamped greeting card!

20th Earth Day

We can be green in yet another way this month

by embracing the preservation of our planet:

purchase recycled papers whenever possible, use scrap materials

in a thrifty manner... by spreading the word - it's good to be green!

22nd Goof-Off Day

The perfect day to abandon household chores

and spend a few hours stamping!

Ideas from INKAnews

When Do We Leave...

Sophie are you ready yet?! Mom told you to pack your bag for Mimi's... were you really thinking you could sneak out the door without me?! *wink*

If you missed the post "Adding To Our Family" you can read all about it here. Last night our lil' Manx kitten opted to plant herself in Sophie's art bag and play with some supplies... literally! Well who could resist taken a photo or two.

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

Scrapbook VS Stamp...

I designed this little card yesterday in between loads of laundry, cooking and cleaning... not to mention caring for a sick child. By nature a stamper at heart... yet not one stamp or bit of ink was used in the design of this card?! *shock* This scrapbook style card has simplicity all over it yet splashes of color, glitz and dimension.

My little design shows that whether your a scrapbooker or stamper you can always come-up with a card for that someone special in your life... even with "limited supplies!" *wink*

If your inspired to create a non-stamped card of your own, I'd love it if you came back and posted a link in comments so that I can take a peek at your creation! *wink*

Supplies List: Cuttlebug A2 "Happy Birthday" embossing folder, Bazzill Rum Raisin & Parakeet cardstock, Deja Views "Fresh Print" Plum Stripes, Barbara Trombley's Ultrafine "Angel Dust" Art Glitter and Queen & Co. "Big Brads & Sprinkles" brads.

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

Blog Candy GIVE-A-WAY Alert...

I usually start my mornings off with a mug of coffee and my blogging buddy and friend, Asela of Hop Art Studios... Asela's offering this incredible tag punch and other great give-a-way items on her blog until Monday; February 26th 9 AM Pacific Time!

Asela's only requirement is to post a comment of... your idea of what a cute stamp would be, what type of stamps are you attracted to and/or what makes you say "I've GOT to HAVE that STAMP!!!!" *wink*

Take a stroll over to Asela's blog and be sure to take a good look around at all the talent this wonderful lady possess'. *smooches*

More blog candy give-a-way offers here & here! They might not last long...

Good Luck!

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

Postmark From New Hampshire...

This card was created for Tyler's second grade postmark contest. Tyler needs to collect postmarks from all fifty states and Puerto Rico dated February 2007. One could choose to send a note, postcard or plain 3 X 5 index card. I was going to do this as a postcard, but wouldn't have been able to add any dimension or make the door open to reveal hell0.

If you'd like to help Tyler with his postmark collection... then just go over to SCS to see if he's collected any postmarks from your state! Good Luck Tyler! *wink*

Supplies List: Hero Arts "Hello" Pattern, Stampin' Up! DD Cabin, Destination Stamps, Stampin' Up! mellow moss & kraft cardstock, Stampin' Up! vellum, Stampin' Up! chocolate chip and garden green classic ink and brad accessories.

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

Blog Candy GIVE-A-WAY Alert...

My blogging buddy and friend, Mary of It's All About The Journey is offering the pictured kit... as a blog give-a-way until Monday; February 19th 8pm EST. Mary's allowing you to post a comment ANYWHERE on her blog once daily to enter... so you stand a better chance of winning her great give-a-way the more comments you post!

Take a stroll over to Mary's blog to enter in her give-a-way! While there... be sure to look at all her lovely creations. *wink*

More blog candy give-a-ways can be found here, here, here... not to mention here ... so you better hurry, as some of these might be ending soon! Who doesn't love a give-a-way! *wink*

Good Luck!

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

Adding To Our Family...

Not sure where to start my little story...

This past fall we lost our eighteen year old kittie Cotty (Cotton, Dave's cat) to old age. Two years previous... the day before Thanksgiving her sister, Patches (Verbal, my cat) passed away. We had our cats for almost as long as we had been together. We referred to our home as the "Cotton Patch!"

After the devastation of our loss... I told my Mom that the next kitten had to be a Manx! A Manx cat can have less than a three inch tail or no tail at all. Now mind you... these are rare to find and very expensive. Sort of like finding a needle in a haystack... what were our odds?! We realized our daughter Sophie needed another pet, but one that would be around for quite awhile. I just don't deal well with the loss of animals. Your talking about a woman that had our hamster (snowflake) euthanized to the tune of thirty dollars and left the vet's in tears! *wink* Anywho... Mimi (my Mom) was like a woman on a mission. The next thing I knew my Mom (aka the bloodhound) was calling me letting me know that she was in the supermarket this morning doing her shopping when she came across a woman, that knew another woman that had two female cats that were pregnant by Manx males. Don't ask... it's just too complicated to explain... *rolling eyes*

The first litter that was born, held only one Manx kitten, which was spoken for by a woman in Maine. We had the pick of any and all Manx kittens in the next litter to be born December 28th... well this is the little female you see in the photograph! *wink* My Mom and I snapped this photograph while visiting yesterday. Ms. Spencer informed us that the kittens would be ready for their new homes this Thursday... I was told not until March 1st?! Mom and I raced from Warren to the Capital City to Pet Smart for all the things that a kitten might need... let's just say it was an incredibly expensive trip! *wink* We don't have any names in mind, so if you don't mind leaving a comment to this post with any and all name suggestions for us to consider... would be greatly welcomed! Our kitten is a grey tiger female, only brown patch is on her nose and she literally has only a fur blob as her tail! I forgot to mention that she is double pawed in the front. I'm writing this post in secret as our daughter has no idea that she is about to receive a new kitty next Saturday! *wink* I'm truly bouncin' with excitement and can't wait to see our daughter's face light-up when she meets our new family member!

*please be sure to post us a name comment... I wouldn't ask if we didn't really need your help... our new family member requires a special name!

Thank-you Ms. Spencer for generously giving our daughter Sophie this lovely lil' kitten in lieu of our loss. To learn more about the Manx breed click here. *wink*

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

'Sweet Talkin'...

Okay... so Valentine's Day is officially over, but who could resist sharing this with you! Everyday is a day for LOVE! You can get your sweet talkin' heart here.

Have a day as special as yourself!

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

Nor'Easter Took A Wrong Turn...

Were there no signs letting this Nor' Easter know that it had somehow taking a wrong turn a mile or two back down the road a piece?! Now I ask you... does New Hampshire look like Oswego, New York... *rolling eyes*

Yesterday WMUR News 9 was warning New Hampshire of an impending Nor'Easter that would leave us with anywhere from 12 to 24 inches of snow starting after midnight. Well... who really knew... they've certainly been wrong before! *wink* I decided that stockpiling the pantry with a few groceries wouldn't be fool hardy, finishing up Valentine's shopping... just in case and of course a trip to visit my friends Betty and Liz over at Stamping Memories... after all one must get their priorities right if one is to be snowed in for a day! *wink*

When we awoke at 5 AM this morning we had been upgraded to a Blizzard Watch and were now expecting 15 to 30 inches in our area with 30 mile per hr winds by noontime. Dave decided that he could use a day off from work. All of New Hampshire's school's were closed!

We started our day off with French toast in the shape of hearts, slathered in butter and a generous portion of REAL maple syrup... YUM, YUM! *wink* Then I started working on printing and cutting the names for our blog candy give-a-way. I thought I'd snap a photo of Sophie drawing the winning names, but the camera batteries were deader than a doornail... UGH!!!! Didn't something like this happen around New Year's day?! Oh, well... I'll just have to wait until later to update my blog, if we don't experience a power outage! Those were my thoughts. The camera batteries were finally charged and it was starting to get dark when I snapped this photo of the severe weather to share with all of you. Well, wouldn't you know along came a state plow truck and do you think he'd slow down to pose for you? The snow wouldn't cooperate either... the nerve...

Due to the weather... Valentine's has been officially postponed until Saturday for our household! I will still be sharing Valentine's AFTER the fact... hope you won't mind?

Wishing you all a wonderful Valentine's Day! This sure won't be one we'll be forgetting anytime soon...

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

Valentine Blog Candy Winners...

I was pleasantly surprised by all the wonderful comments, FeedBlitz sign-ups for Paper Ink-Pressions updates and incredible blogger's posting links and support of my blog to theirs. Hands down... my readers are the bestest group of ladies! *wink* I was amazed by the 245 hits my lil' ole blog received in just one day!

My family and I enjoyed reading all the comments. Amazing that some of you are from as far away as Argentina, Belgium, China, Japan and of course our own USA... just to name a few! It was a unanimous decision that we choose one more name from the hat! *wink* However, the second place winner will not receive the same blog candy, but just as good... surprise of my choice.

The first lucky winner is kindredesprit aka Cristina and the second winner is jeanna! Ladies please contact me via e-mail (under my profile) with your mailing addresses so that I can mail out your blog candy. This was so much fun that I will be giving away more blog candy in the near future. Thank-you for making my first blog candy give-a-way such a success! *wink*

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