Mojo Monday & Oval All

I am having fun playing in my stamping room tonight. It has been way too long since I have had time to do that! I decided that I would do the Mojo Monday Sketch tonight. They have a weekly sketch and this is the first time I have participated. This is a great sketch for using coordinating pattern papers. These paper's came from a magazine that I bought last winter in Milwaukee when Jenna and I were at Border's bookstore. That is one of our favorite places to go. I used the stamp set Oval All and the coordinating large oval and scalloped oval punches. I love this set and punches! This was a fun card to make and I think it turned out pretty cute!

Meet Me at the Cafe

Good Evening! My friend Susie Smith's birthday is on Friday and I made her birthday card tonight. I had decided that I wanted to use the My Favorite Things stamp set called Meet Me at the Cafe. I love the "Who's that girl?" line of stamps that they have and had put some sets on my wish list for Christmas and Jenna got them for me. She liked this set so much that she ordered it for herself too! It has all sorts of fun accessories that you can stamp to go with it. For this card I used the birthday cake, stamped on 2 candles, and stamped the gift that is sitting on the floor. This will be us tomorrow as I am taking Susie to Coloma to the coffee house, and Diane is going with us, and I hope we can sit outside. We will also stop at the scrapbook store in Coloma. It should be a fun day. I knew this set would work good for the Our Creative Corner Sketch Challenge so decided to play along.
I found a package of the cute little purple rosebuds at St. Vinnie's on Monday. We had a girls day out on Monday and decided to put one of them on top of the bow on this card. Carol, Diane, Beth, and I took Taffy to the vet early on Monday morning and then headed to Marshfield for the the day and to Rapids and we had a fun time! Today I had to go back to the Rapids to pick Taffy up from being fixed and declawed. They said she was really good. I was thinking....hmmmm....are you sure you have got the right cat!?!?!? But Taffy does like to be with people so she probably was good. Kind of like when your kids are little and they behave better for someone else than they do you. The gal told me that usually when they take the bandages off there feet that they bite or nip at them because it hurts but that Taffy just sat there and let her unwrap them. She said, she is such a good kitty. She was probably thinking that she had better behave because who knows what they will do to me next if I don't!!!! LOL It did make me kind of sick to see her poor little paws. I just kept thinking, what have I done to her. But I had her in the carrier on the front seat on the way home and she licked her paws almost the whole car ride and she wasn't acting like it hurt her at all. She does walk carefully and she hasn't been running or jumping around. She is pretty subdued but I think that she is glad to be home. She has disappeared upstairs and has only appeared one time since she has been home. I think she is upstairs napping in my closet. One her hiding places!

Diana's project's

Here are some pictures of the projects that Diana made when she was here last week. She sure had a blast working in my stamping room and she didn't want to go home! Didn't she do a beautiful job!?!?! She is only 11!

50's Table and Quilt

Here is picture of the new 50's table and chair set I bought yesterday and a picture of the quilt I bought a couple of weeks ago that I promised to show you. I love the set but am having trouble getting used to seeing it in here! Definitely a different look than my old oak table! I think I will grow into it. I remember the first time I had the kitchen painted in a sky blue. I couldn't get used to it at first but grew to love it and when it needed to be repainted years later, I didn't really want to change the color but I did. Funny how we get attached to certain things.

Pick a Petal

Good Evening! Today's card uses the stamp set Pick a Petal. I am going to keep this post short tonight as my poor wrist can hardly type! I bought a chrome leg table and 4 chairs today at the flea market that is really cool! I have been working at polishing up the chrome since I have been home from the flea market. I am drop dead tired and can hardly go! I worked on it for about 3 hours and it is good enough for now. Maybe I will work some more on it another day. It is in really good shape for as old as it is. I am guessing it is from the 50's but the color of red is really unusual and different than I have seen from the usual 50's stuff so I am thinking it may be from the 40's. I will have to do some research on that. The chairs are really cool. The back is curved for your back and is studded with tacks. That is what really makes the set and sets with the tacks are in high demand now. Breezy and Riley will soon be here to haul in the table. I am going to be selling my oak table and a couple of pressed back chairs. Anyone interested!?!?! Stop over and see my new beauty! I will shoot some pictures after it is all set up! Elaine

Wanted

Hello! The card that I am posting tonight I sold today at the flea market. I used the stamp set Wanted on it. The set kind of has a western style to it and has lots of fun images to play with and to make backgrounds with. I started out the morning early picking up my food that I ordered from Share. I got some really nice stuff. Diane and I tried out the little pies this afternoon after the flea market and they were good. I cooked up the broccoli for supper and it was great! I had a few of my stamping buddies stop in today. Karen Sherrell was the first one this morning, then Carol Camp, and last but not least...I mean late...lol...was Lady Di. We got rained out a little bit early today. I left around 2:30 but the rain held off for most of the day so that was a good thing. Back at it tomorrow!

Projects from Beth's Party

Here are pictures of the two projects that we did at Beth's Party. They were a big hit! The Crazy for Cupcakes card has a pocket inside to hold a gift card. The other set we worked with is the retiring set Pretty Amazing. They both turned out to be such pretty cards.
I have had a whirl wind week. I took Diana back to Milwaukee on Wednesday and stayed there till today. We had a lot of fun. I will be showing you pictures of the cards that Diana made soon. She worked all day Tuesday and Wednesday morning making cards for all of her family member's. She got 10 cards done! She loved playing in my stamping room and did not want to go home. Everyone was happy to see me in Milwaukee. Edith said to me in her broken English, "I missed you so much!" "My babies missed you." That made me feel really good. I got to try a whole bunch of new Mexican foods that I have never had before. And I liked everything a lot. Antonio said that they love it that I will eat their food. Some Americans he said, won't eat it or even try it. Little Roberto wanted very much to come home with me and stay awhile. But he has summer school starting next week and for the whole month. He told me he is done on the 30th and I think he wants me to pick him up then as he mentioned that several times!!!! We will have to see how Jenna's schedule is. Jenna and Antonio will be moving into there apartment next week, and maybe I will be making a trip back there sooner than the 30th. We went and picked furniture out yesterday and it is very nice what they will be getting. It will be delivered next week. The apartment/house is very cute. It is a bungalow home and they will be living in the lower level. Two bedrooms, kitchen, living room, dining room and a cool front porch. A little yard with a big row of trees in between them and the neighbors on the driveway side of the house so Jen is excited about that. They like to cook out. Plus there is a long flower bed that the owner is going to till up for her along the house. The front of the house has two flower beds but they are hid behind bushes when you look from the road. Jenna thought it would be a good place to have little vegetable gardens and I think she is right about that. Plus there is a garage. And only 2 blocks from a huge park. They will miss the family but it will be nice for them to have there own place and they are only about ten minute's from Roberto's house.
I am baking Almond Pound cake for my sample for tomorrow and then I think I will hit the hay and catch up on some TV programs I have recorded, and some much needed R&R!

Many Mower's with Parisan Breeze DSP

Hello! It has been a whirl wind weekend and week! Jenna, Antonio, and Diana were here over the weekend. They arrived right after I got done at the flea market on Saturday. We went to Splash for dinner Saturday night. Sunday morning Diana and I went down to the flea market and met up with my sister Lenore and niece Brooke. We visited and looked around a bit and then visited some more with Sarah, Zach, and my Mom. Diana and I then headed over to Oxford to the Wilson farm for a Father's Day picnic that Jenna had organized, along with a surprise 50th birthday party for her dad. All the Wilson kids, and grand kids were home, and a great aunt and uncle. We had some sprinkles but it was a very nice day. We had tons of food and boy was it yummy. I took lot's of pictures and will get them sent out one of these days. Sarah and Zach brought over lots of extra flower's from the landscaping business and everyone got to pick out what they wanted to take home. Every one was making "piles" and it was like Christmas. It was a very fun day. Jenna and Antonio headed back to Milwaukee, and Diana and I headed back here. As soon as we pulled out of the driveway at the farm she said to me...."NO PARENTS...YES". I laughed as once again I realized that another kid didn't consider me an adult! LOL Too funny...and of course I love it! She does know that I am an adult at bedtime though as she doesn't want to go to bed no matter how late it is. But I stand firm, and she gives up quick. We have been having a fun time. We went to Madison on Monday to my spine clinic appointment. Lady Di came with us. I guess they caught Nadine sleeping in the chair in the waiting room. And she was glad it wasn't me as she knew I would have shot a picture and it would have been on here! LOL My appointment went well and I don't have to go back for 18 months. The only bad thing is that I have a large bone spur that is right above where I had my neck surgery. They won't do anything with it at this point until they have to go in for something else or I start developing more problems. After the appointment we went for Chinese, stopped at Walmart in Baraboo, and then made a run through Culver's drive through in Wi Dells. I attempted a nap after getting home but got woke up twice by the phone and gave up on that. I planted my flower's from the kids, and then Diana and I went over to see my mom and dad (for father's day). And my air conditioning went out. That will be fixed tomorrow morning. Today Diana has spent the day stamping and doesn't really want to go home now as she is making cards for all of her family members. I got a short nap in today before getting woke up by the phone. While I was sleeping she was checking out all my drawer's of stamping stuff and had figured out where everything was for this card she wanted to duplicate! She didn't take anything out. Just asked me if she could make it. And she has been very good about putting things away after she uses it today. Hopefully I will be able to find it later....lol
Today's card feature's the stamp set Many Mower's and the Parisan Breeze DSP. I just love that paper and am so sad it is retiring but To The Nine's is very similiar so I will be getting that one! Have a good night! Keep Cool! And I hope on these blistering days you are staying in stampin for the Troops!!!!

Annie Mae Angel

Hello! This is the latest digi stamp set that will be offered by owlwhimsy.com Hop on over and pick up your free image. I chose this angel out of the set to work with this week. I like how she turned out and she was fun to work with. Up in the left corner is the sketch we were to follow. I accented her wings with a gold glitter gel pen. It was hard to capture on film, but I tried! You can go to owlwhimsydt.blogspot.com to see what the rest of the design team has done!

The Big "5-0"

Here is a picture of the card I just finished making for Lennard's 50th birthday. Jenna is having a party for her dad at the Wilson Father's Day cookout on Sunday and I will be going to it. The number's are covered chipboard. I got this cool stand at the thrift shop today and it is great to hold cards while photographing them. I don't know what it is suppose to be, it has a hole with threads underneath the bottom. Perhaps it is suppose to go on top of a lamp but I was tickled to find it!!!

More Organization in the Scrapbook Room!

Hello! Today was full of pleasant surprises! The first surprise was the big container of strawberries that were left on my deck this morning! Ummm....they are yummy! I believe that Carol left them, probably early this morning on her way to work. Thanks buddy! The next surprise was that Breezy and Riley were coming to work today and that I could have them for 3 hours today. They got lots of stuff done for me. We put these curtain rods that I found at Don Smith's for 44 cents each up and hung my punches on them. It looks so wonderful!! And no more digging for them! Then they put my black stack and store containers on the end of my desk for me, and attached the basket to the bottom of the side so I can store my embossing trays in it. Then they hung another drawer unit under the ones that store all my punch outs so I have 3 hanging in a row now. We headed up stairs next and put together the new cutting table for my sewing room. I read the directions while they assembled. They decided not to shampoo the carpet in there today as it is too muggy out and would not dry. After that we looked at my "to do" list and decided that there wasn't any thing else we could get done on it today as tool's or supplies weren't here to do it. So then we went out to the garage and they put my humongous ladder back in the garage that the roofer's had taken out but didn't put away and they also moved the leftover shingles that had been left in the doorway further back in the garage out of the way. Plus they hauled mom's exercise bike out for her. They got all that done and actually left a half hour early!! So I am a happy camper to have more stuff off the list done. Susie stopped in and dropped off more cards for the troops. Thank you! Nadine popped in for a moment and Sandy Wellumson stopped after she got done with work looking for a new catalog and was disappointed to hear that they haven't arrived yet. it won't be long now, probably the end of next week. I showed her the new in colors and the things I pre-ordered and she loved them. She says she has 50 cards bundled up to bring for the troops! Yippee! Come on gals.....start stamping, start sorting out your left over cards so we have a big box to send!! In between things I went down to Practical Cents. Wait till you see the quilt I found!!! It is pretty cool and did I get a bargain on it. I will post a picture of it on here another day. I also found a bunch of craft supplies. Ribbon, cording, felt, crochet cotton, 2 sheets of hinge embellishments, and a mother load of beads!!! There are a few containers that are larger sized but I found a ton that are perfect for card making. Lots of little pearls in pretty colors that I can envision down the middle of butterflies wings. Oh happy day! Now if I could only get rid of the headache/face pain I have. I got it when I was up town, I think it is this humid weather. Oh well. I think I will go work on my cards for the design team. Our latest release will be Annie May Angel. She is a cutie! Have a good night! Elaine

Petal Pizzaz

Hello! Today's card feature's the stamp set Petal Pizzaz. We made a card similar to this several month's ago at Stamp Camp but we made it with the stamp set Ginormous Flowers and stamped it with the current In Color Inks. I recreated this same card with Petal Pizzaz and different inks. You wouldn't even know it is the same card! It is such a quick and easy card with very pretty results.
It has been the usual zoo around here today. UPS brought Beth's order today and I got that all unpacked, sorted, and bagged up. I had 5 batches of company today and in between things I got several cards made. I just talked to Jenna tonight. Antonio, Jenna, and Diana will be coming up late on Saturday and staying over night. Jenna and Antonio will go back on Sunday night and Diana is going to stay with me for a few days!!! Yippee!!! I am so excited! Diana is 11 and loves to stamp and scrapbook so we should have a good time!

Doodle This and Celebrate Everything

My monitor arrived today!!! Yippee! I got that all hooked up this morning, paid bills, and then was ready to play! I worked on cards while chatting on the phone. It was a non stop phone call day and it is sure a good thing that I own head sets for my phone or I would never get anything done! I set the laptop up on my stamping desk so when my pesty little friend from Oregon keeps iming me....LOL, I can still be working. Colleen was teasing me this morning that I had no excuse for not talking to her now when ever she im's me because I could just carry the lap top around the house with me all day long! Yeah right, buddy. I told her that I was going to mention having to run to the computer all the time last night in my post, but did not want to embarrass her. But as you can see...that didn't last long....and further more...she won't be embarressed! Debby from IL buzzed me this afternoon and when I was finally able to return her call, she asked me if I wanted to go to Mc Donald's for supper as she was coming in to town for groceries. I said sure. It is such a beautiful night that we decided to eat outside. Nadine was getting gas and came out and visited with us for a little bit while we were eating and we all had a real nice visit.
Today's card uses the stamp set Doodle This and Celebrate Everything. I stamped the flower's and then curled them with a pencil and attached the tips down with glue dots. The gals loved this card at Beth's party. I took it down to the flea market on Saturday and it immediately sold for a pattern. This is not a mailable card but it sure is striking. Taffy is curled up on the couch again sleeping. She sure does love the couch and I swear she thinks I bought her a new bed! I saw her doing a "happy dance" on it, chasing her tail, and she actually did a somersault! Such a little peanut. Well I am off to stamp! Until tomorrow.......Boo

Computer Problems

Hello! I suppose you all have been wondering where I have been at !?!?! Well..it hasn't been crafting as planned. The monitor went out on my computer on Monday morning. I have never had a monitor go down so didn't know if it was really out or not. After about an hour an a half with being on the phone with Dell, they determined that the monitor was shot and the computer was fine. So I ordered a new one from them, and then hopped in the shower and decided to go to Best Buy and get a new lap top. My computer will be five years old in October and I have never had to have repair work done so I figure that I am running on borrowed time. I have 2 keyboards as I found the exact replica to mine for $4.00 thrift shopping a few months ago. I have spilled on my current one atleast 5 times and it still works....tee hee. I finally put a clamp on cup holder on the side of my computer desk. My printer is fairly new and I still have my old one. So I decided that it was worth getting the monitor and maybe by the time the desktop computer goes, I will have enought Best Buy points to pay for a new brain. I have been saving my Best Buy points and had about 20,000 of them so I had a good chunk of change to put on the lap top. So that shot most of yesterday as I had to stay in Point for 4 hours while they cleaned it up for me and installed anti virus. I did learn a few things while I was there. Dell is the only computer that still has restore discs and that will only be for the next year and then they won't either. I use AVG free on my desk top computer and soon there will be no more free antivirus programs. I also learned that Face book is the very WORSE thing that you can do to your computer. Lots of virus and stuff floating around on there.
Today I spent most of the day trying to set up my wireless. I finally called the maker of the box and did find out there was no way I could have got it installed myself as there weren't enough ports on my Vonage box. So....$10.00 later....and lots of time, I let them take over the computer while talking to them on the phone and get it installed so now I am in business and have wireless. I had set up an appointment with Best Buy for Friday to install it as the sales gal didn't think I could get it installed myself. So I called them up and canceled that and got $120.00 refunded. So even though I felt like I didn't get much accomplished.....saving $120.00 was a lot to get accomplished! After making supper, doing some cleaning, I got into my stamping room for the first time in two days. I got a couple of cards made for Danna's party for samples. But the cards that I want to post right now are on the other computer so you will have to wait till tomorrow. The new monitor will be here then and Beth's stamping order will come in. I am loving the computer and it was so cool to be able to take it over to my stamping desk and case a card! Before I would be hopping up and down to go back to the computer to look at the details. I usually end up changing them anyhow but it is a pain having to do this or wasting money printing them out. And I will be able to take it upstairs in the sewing room when that gets finished, and to Jenna's as she has wireless too, and out on the front porch! Can you see my little wheels turning. I sure have turned into a techy! Anyhoo....I am so happy to have this!!!! See you tomorrow! me

True Friend

Hello! The weekend is over...Yahoo! I had a nice weekend but am looking forward to 5 days in a row of creativity!!! Playtime for Elaine! I was pleasantly surprised by 2 of my stamper's today who were down to visit me! Sandy Renner and Sue Paape stopped in. Good to see you gals!
Jessie and I worked on punching down the scraps again today until she had to leave at 1 and then I was on my own with them. My bin of scraps is now about 1/2 full! It takes so much time to punch them but I will have lots of new stuff for my $50.00 order box! I decided to do the Sweet & Sassy challenge and here is the sketch and here is my card. Drop me a line...tell me what you think!
Oh...I almost forgot to tell you that I now have 11 tomato's on my tomato plant! I spotted 4 of them yesterday and another 7 today! It will be BLT time soon! The way this plant is starting, I will be able to feed the whole town...tee hee. Just bring your own bottle, bread, and lettuce and I will provide the tomato's and mayo...ha ha! Have a good night! Elaine

45 Lessons Life Taught Me

Written By Regina Brett, 90 years old, of The Plain Dealer, Cleveland , Ohio



“To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me. It is the most-requested column I've ever written.



“My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more:



“1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.

3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.

5. Pay off your credit cards every month.

6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.

8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.

9. Save for retirement starting with your first pay check.

10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.

11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.

12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.

13. Don't compare your life to others.. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.

15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.

16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.

17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.

19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.

20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.

21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.

22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.

23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.

24. The most important sex organ is the brain.

25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.

26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?'

27. Always choose life.

28. Forgive everyone everything.

29. What other people think of you is none of your business.

30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.

31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

33. Believe in miracles.

34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.

35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.

36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.

37. Your children get only one childhood.

38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.

39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.

40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else’s, we’d grab ours back.

41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

42. The best is yet to come.

43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

44. Yield.

45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift."

Asian Flair

Hello! These are the cards I made for the Owl Whimsy Design Team this week. This new set, Asian Flair will be released for sale on Monday. There are many more images that go with this set so you can create different scenes with it. You will be able to get one free image to play with and the rest you will be able to purchase. Play along with this week challenge and you will have the chance to earn next week's set for free. You will like them, they are angels.

Very nice weather for the flea market today. In between customer's, Jessie, the teenage girl next door to me, was over helping me punch up scraps before she had to go to driver's ed today. I met a really nice gal today named Marlene who bought a bunch of stuff from me and we got visiting and she showed me pictures of her stamping room, and that was really fun to see! If you are reading this Marlene....I am waving!! LOL I look forward to seeing you again!

Breezy and Zach moved my mom's extra couch over here today and it fits really good on the wall against the staircase. So I now have a couch when you come to visit! Taffy is loving it and has decided that it is her new napping place. I put a blue and white print couch cover over it and they love ANYTHING fabric to sleep on. If I leave a pair of jeans folded up on the bathroom counter, they have to sleep on them. Silly cats!

Designer Series Paper Split

I am going to be doing something that I have never done before. I am going to do a Designer Paper Split. There are 18 packages of designer paper in the new catalog plus the Patterns Series Designer Papers. I am going to order all 18 packages of the designer series paper's, plus 1 package of the Patterns Series Designer Papers. If you participate in this split, you will receive 111 6"x6" sheets of paper. The cost to participate is $28.30 and I must receive your payment by June 30th. If you need the paper's shipped to you it will be an additional $5.00 for a flat rate priority mailer. This is a great way for you to see all the paper's, use them for your card making, decide what your favorite's are, and order full pack's of them later on. I will be submitting this order on July 1st and I do not intend to do this again until next year in July so get your order in now!

Many Mowers #3

Hello! No...I have not been MIA just very busy the last couple of days! Breezy has been here on and off the last two days. He got the sewing room painted and I just love it! It is so pretty, I can't wait to get in there. He is in the process of painting a wall unit and the TV stand for me right now. Then he will shampoo the carpet and it will be done, probably on Sunday or Monday. Keep your finger's crossed. I know once I get in there, I am not going to want to come out! So you will probably start seeing more quilted stuff on here soon.
The new catalog arrived yesterday and my order of the new IN Colors and they are gorgeous!!! I have my stamp set's mounted, all my catalog information transferred from the old catalog to the new one and even made tabs for it this year. I will be so organized! I got one project done for Danna's party next month today and it is adorable! I also worked on some batches of goodies for my $50.00 and over thank you box. If someone places an order over $50.00 they get to choose something for free out of the box! It is a big hit with the gals and they are going to love what I have added today. In between all this, I had several batches of company yesterday and today. Right now I am baking Truffle Fudge Brownies for my Tastefully Simple samples for tomorrow. Stop down and see me! Elaine

Betty

This week the digital stamp set "Betty" came out and this is the card I made with it. Stop over to owlwhimsy.com to get your free image this week. If you make a project with it and play in the challenge, you could win next week's set that is coming out called Asian Flair.

Tart and Tangy Tin

I made this tin filled with embellishments for Beth as a thank you gift for having her party. She absolutely loved it! I used the stamp set Tart and Tangy, 1 1/4 & 1 3/8" circle punches and the scalloped circle punch to make the embellishments. The container is an empty Altoids tin. There are 34 pieces in the tin. A fun cheery project to have on your stamping desk.
I slept in this morning as I got to bed late and was up and down all night. I had lunch with the lunch bunch today, our monthly get together. Then I went to Practical Cents and found a few little craft items and 2 pairs of jeans that were half price! So I was a happy camper as I had to throw out two pairs of jeans in the last week that had too many holes worn through them. But they were pairs that I had bought at a garage sale last October for a dollar a piece and I wore them all winter long so I guess I got my money's worth! You can't dress much cheaper than that! Susie stopped over for a minute while she was in town and Beth came over and we chatter and stamped. We were working on some of the left over packets from last night. Only 2 more days till I get my new catalog! I can't wait!!! New stamping catalogs are like getting the Christmas catalog when you were a kid! Have a good night! Elaine

God Is Love & Sweet Serendipity

We had a great party tonight and a lot of fun. We had 2 new gals join us this month which was great! I thought I would post a quick card that I did for another sketch challenge. This uses the retiring sets God is Love and Sweet Serendipity. I really like this sketch. It is definitely one I will use again!

Just B #2

Here is another Just B card. I did the Inspirations Color Challenge #8. The colors you have to use are Pink Passion, Pumpkin Pie, Certainly Celery, and Whisper White. I also added some silver hodge podge hardware, and punched an arrow out.

Just B

I am working on a few more samples for Beth's party tonight. This one is with the stamp set Just B which is also retiring. The challenge I am participating in, the 45th Color Challenge Thrown down states that you need to use the following color's, Green Galore, Pink Passion, and Chocolate Chip. I am really sorry to see this set retire. It is fun to play with, has so many different ways you can use it, and I love the bee in it!

Great Friend

Good Evening! Well the weekend didn't go as I had planned as it was so cold and I wasn't at the flea market much but it turned out to be fun! Debby and I went to Antler's Ridge for dinner last night and the owner's daughter plays piano and was playing last night. I love to listen to piano music during dinner, it is a real treat! Then we came back here and worked on some projects. Today we decided to go to Tomah as once again it was too cold for me to be at the flea market. Debby wanted to get some beads as she is into bead making, and I picked up a few groceries and kitty litter and cat food. We also went to Good Will. When we got back, Debby needed to do a treatment on her legs so we got that set up and we both took snoozes in the chair until her phone woke us up twice. Kind of like being at home for me...LOL Then I went down to the Citgo by Castle Rock park and picked us up some chicken and potato wedges. Debby taught me how to make artichokes which was a new experience for me as I have never had them. She showed me how to cut the tips off, spread them open a bit so that the water can get in, then put them in a pan of water, bring them to a boil, lower the heat and then let them cook for an hour. You melt 1/3 cup of butter per person/artichoke and put garlic salt in it. Then you take a piece of artichoke, dip it in the butter and use your teeth to pull the meat off of it. Getting to the heart is the best part of all!!! It was very good. I felt like I was out in the jungle and it reminded me of Gilligan's Island and them eating the plants off the island. LOL Thanks for the neat experience Debby and for supper! Too bad I didn't have my camera along!
Today's card is a favorite of mine and uses the stamp set Great Friend. I am so happy this set is making the new catalog. I see endless possibilities with this one. Have a good night! Me

God Is Love & Hugs & Wishes

Hello! Today's card uses the soon to be retiring set's God is Love ( the hearts) and Hugs & Wishes (Happy Anniversary). I decided that I would do another sketch challenge and here is today's sketch. I am really getting into these sketch challenges!

It is a rainy, cold day here in Mayberry today. I left the flea market around 11:30 today as I got too cold and it took me till about 4 this afternoon to get warmed up! And that is after 2 1/2 hours under the covers with the electric mattress pad on and a good nap! The joys of Wisconsin!

My friend Debbie Borjseth is up from Illinois and will soon be coming in to town. We are going to have supper together and then stamp. Have a good night! Elaine

Upsy Daisy and Curly Label Punch Bundle

Good Evening! I am baking a Nana's Apple Cake right now to give out tomorrow at the flea market for samples. If you have not had this...it sure is yummy. It tastes a lot like apple crisp only it is firm like a cake. Delish!

Today's card uses the stamp set Upsy Daisy (the flowers) and the sentiment is from the Curly Label Punch Bundle. The punch will still be available but the stamps are retiring this month. Blue is my favorite color so this card makes me smile. I inked up flower's with the Baja Breeze on the ink pad, then took a marker to the inked stamp to make the tips darker. This will work with out ruining your marker if you go light first, and then to dark. You can't do it the other way around.

I had an interesting day today. After a very good nights sleep (for a change!) Jenna called this morning and we had a long visit before I had to get ready to leave for the day. We made plans for me to come to Milwaukee in a few weeks to go wedding dress shopping! Yippee! I returned a call later to my mom who had seen a picnic basket at a garage sale this morning. I buzzed on down there and I could not believe my good fortune that it was still there! Another one for my collection, and I have to say this is the prettiest and the cheapest one I have bought!!! It was $4.00. When I was in the antique business, this type picnic baskets were selling for minimum of $25.00 so I don't know what they are getting for them now....more I am sure! Note to my girls: keep mom's picnic baskets when she is gone or get a good price for them! I also found a like new bread machine for $5.00. I used to have a large one and quite a few years ago, my sister and I decided to trade as she has a little one, and larger family, I had the big one, and just me. Well...I later wished I hadn't done that as my old bread recipes wouldn't work in the new one. So I am thrilled to have found this one today. I will test it out and if I like this one, I will sell the other one. This is the first garage sale I have been to this year, can you believe it??? I can't, that is for sure. But it seems like we have been going to Di's doctor's appointment's most Friday's. This afternoon we had to take her dog Bernie to the Rapids to get his haircut. She gave me the nicest thank you card for taking her to the doctor's appointments today. We were on our way to the Rapids and if we wouldn't have been going down the road...I would have given her a big hug as she said the sweetest things in it. (Knowing Di..she probably planned it that way so I COULDN'T give her a hug! LOL) And...she said she has something else for me, that is if she can find it and she was hoping she didn't throw it away! I said throw it away!?!? Is it that small? And she said yes, that she had gotten me a gift certificate for Michaels. She said remember last week when we were at the checkout at Michael's and after you got checked out I told you to go get the car and get the air conditioning going? I said yeah...well I was getting it then! Pretty sneaky Lady Di...I never suspected a thing. She did find the receipt so I have that, hopefully she will find the gift card. Back to the story....I think I should change the name of this blog to Elaine's random ramblings...LOL We hit GoodWill, Shopko, and a couple of garage sales before going to Apple Bee's for dinner. I had my usual Cowboy burger with Strawberry Lemonade. I sure do love those Angus burger's!!! Burger's come right after Chocolate on my list of favorite foods. When I was growing up and we would be on vacation and in a restaurant, I would always order a burger and fries. My folks would say don't you want to try something new? And I would say "no". And we most always were gone 2 to 3 weeks. Somethings never change. I will leave you with one more blast from the past. You can blame Yogi Bear for my love of picnic baskets. "Come on boo boo bear....lets go steal some picnic baskets!" Stop over and see my new one! :D Boo

Suzie Q Diva & Stamps and Smiles Sketch Challeng #18

This card is two challenge's in one. Our challenge this week for the Owl Whimsy Design Team is to use Suzie Q Diva. You can purchase Suzie Q Diva at Owlwhimsy.com. She is a real fun digi set to play with. I also decided to do the Stamps and Smiles Sketch Challenge #18. I had colored Suzie another day so this was a fast card to put together tonight. This is my only accomplishment for today as I have not been feeling well today and ended up sleeping for about 31/2 hours this afternoon as I felt so rotten and am ready to go back down again. I did go to the Curves salad luncheon with my mom today and that was fun and the food was great! Thanks mom! I did get some errands ran after that but that's about it. Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day!

Many Mowers #2

Good Evening! This little stamper is tired! That's what happens when you accomplish just about all of your "to do" list. I got my rhubarb crisp made and it is absolutely delish! I also filled up my new organizer and cleaned off my stamping desk. I have been working on Beth's thank you gift for hours. I can't wait to show it to you next week. It is stinkin' cute!!!! And I am sure she will love it! Today's card is with the Parisian Breeze textured card stock which I absolutely love!!! I used a chocolate chip cordoroy button, and the baja breeze satin ribbon is from the Ribbon Original's Valet. All of these things are retiring, so get them now while you can! The golfer is from the stamp set Many Mowers in the Occasion Mini catalog and is very cute I think. I just love his shorts! Too funny. Well...this chickie needs to rest awhile. Have a good night!

Fresh Cuts

Another busy day in Mayberry! I had lots of phone calls and visitors today. In between things I got more samples made for Beth's party. I am now up to 16. Plus I got my other project for her party made and the pieces all cut. I have them sitting here by the computer all ready to be packaged. One project uses Crazy for Cupcakes and the one that I designed today uses Pretty Amazing which will be retiring...Boo Hoo! I love that stamp set and had so much fun with it today. My friend Carol, also brought me rhubarb today, and I am very much doing the "happy dance"! I love rhubarb. I chopped it up tonight and plan on making rhubarb crisp with it tomorrow. Ummmm...that will be yummy! Today's card is one that I made for a sample last month for Nadine's party. This card uses the stamp set Fresh Cut's which I embossed in black and did some sponging over the top. I also used some of the retired hodge podge hardware. Have a great night and I hope that you are working on your cards for the troops. The first five were dropped off today!