A Fun Poem and Winding Down

Here's a poem I snatched from the JustRite blog. I think it's so appropo for we stampers.

Twas the night before Christmas,



I’m glued to the tree.


I’m wondering what Santa brought just for me.


Could it be cardstock or ink pads or lace?


Or some stamps, I said, with a smile on my face.


And that’s when I heard him ... “Hi Santa” I said


He replied, “You know ... good girls should be in their beds”.

I should Santa and now I’ve been caught.


But I was just so excited to see what you brought”


“Well, let’s take a look in this room where you work”.


He shook his head quickly, and left with a jerk.


I heard him exclaim as he put it in gear.


“You’ve got enough crap, I’ll see you next year!


Here's hoping that Santa doesn't see your craft rooms and that tomorrow he brings you lots of GREAT NEW TOYS!!


Merry Christmas from the JustRite Team!!

Nope, I never think I have enough of things like ribbon, lace, cardstock, designer papers, brads & buttons, and let's not forget STAMPS! Not to mention Nesties, CB folders and that Cricuit Expressions that I'm gonna buy as soon as I get my first social security check!!

I hope you all had a very meaningful Christmas. I myself was humbled this year, as funds were tight throughout my entire family. But we had plenty of food and lots of love to spare. I am blessed.
Though I do enjoy making Christmas cards, I'm quite bored with them now.
It's time for me to take a few weeks to increase my stash of all occasion cards, until I make a few for Valentines Day. I don't particularly enjoy making Val. cards. I never feel that I hit upon a design that I like. Well, maybe this year will be different.

On New Years's Eve, I'm gonna let you in on my New Years' resolutions. I am limiting myself to five, in hopes that it will be easier to keep them.

Hints:     Don't bite ---------------------

               Get out ------------------------so that I can ------------------------

               Get on my ---------------------

               Be less -------------------------and more -------------------

               Quit ----------------------------------

Anyone who is able to fill in at least two of these will be eligible to receive a couple of new packages of bling that I've not opened from my stash. It won't be much, 'cause I'm a hoarder, but it may be something you don't already have.
Since I don't expect more than two responses from my legions of fans, I will just take their names and put them in a hat and have my g-d pick one out. This contest is open until 12/31, at midnight. I will post answers then.

Busy Busy Busy...

I have been quite busy for the past week making all sorts of gift items for my friends and  my daughters co-workers. I discovered how to make these "canned" gifts several years ago,but never got down to actually make them. It's not easy to find the proper cans in my   neck of the woods. So who do you think saved the day...WAMA....aka, Walmart, of course. I managed to find fruit cocktail and peaches for $.86 each. It's the good thing dh likes canned fruit. He's been helping out and I will be making fruit jello for Christmas dinner. I doubt it'll go over as well as my buttermilk pound cake and rice pudding, but maybe the little ones will eat it. Inking Idaho makes these frequently. You can find her goodies here. http://inkingidaho.blogspot.com/ In addition to making cans, I found cute and cheap shea body butters at the local Odd Lot store, 6 to a box for $5. I stocked up and then decorated them using  various JustRite stamps stamps, ds papers and whatever else caught my fancy.

I still have a few more cans to go for  neighbors and not much time, so that's my focus for the rest of the day.

Be blessed,

Erica

Just One of Three

So, I know
it's been forever....and as usual, it's due to several reasons. I promised a foodie picture for all you foodies out there. This was scrumptious. It was my very first tart. The cranberries were a great flavor to offset the sweetness of the pecans, brown sugar and corn syrup. I had no idea these last three ingredients are what one uses in a pecan pie. My SIL is a pecan purist and he was none too happy with the addition of the cranberries, but everyone enjoyed it.

I am almost at the end of making Christmas cards and have ventured on to a tag or two. Nothing too elaborate, just original. I've finished the last of my gift shopping today and am looking forward to a day of rest tomorrow. I'll be wrapping this weekend. I have opted not to do any decorating...since I don't do much of anything anyhow. I'm blessed, in that my dh could care less. We will concentrate on the real reasons for the celebration.

Tomorrow afternoon I will be having afternoon tea with one of my bestest friends, Heather, at our fave tea place and will catch-up on our life stories.

A few big decisions to follow through with in January. One or two are life changing. I have prayed about them and I am in a comfortable zone with them. DL, God bless him, has made my life easier even while making it more challenging.

Hope you all are having a good start to your week. Try not to be tooo busy.
Erica

I Love Being a Foodie

So I know I should be in bed, but my absolutely favorite day to cook is so near. And I always get a headstart on the desserts. I made one new one and two tried but true. I will post about the new tomorrow. I have housework that needs to be done, but I'd rather cook. So here's my menu for the day:
Appetizers
Erica's Zucchini and Tomato Salsa
Mini crab quiches
codfish fritters

Entrees
Roast Turkey with stuffing (Stove Top...wanna make somethin' of it?? :) ).
Baked Ham with honey glaze and raisin sauce
Baked macaroni (I make mine with 3 different cheeses...delicioso)
Butterscotch sweet potatoes (family gets annoyed if this one is missing or changed in any way)
Collard greens (another one that must always be there and the same)
Creamed onions (I know of no one who serves these. I grew up with an aunt who made them and it stuck...you either love' or hate 'em
Brussels sprouts with bacon (my eldest dd will make this dish)
Refrigerator potato rolls (came across this recipe 2 yrs. ago, and everyone loves them. They are simple yeast rolls)

Desserts
Apple pie (I never have a T-Day dinner without one)
Eggnog pumpkin pie (it doesn't have the strong pumpkin taste that plain pumpkin pie does)
Pecan cranberry tart (that's the newbie to the family...it smelled so good baking)

Beverages
Sparking non-alcoholic cider, (I've got several flavors...cherry, cranberry, cran-grape)
wine (I splurged on somewhat pricy reisling and a muscat wine for the desserts)
eggnog (it may be too early for some, but I love the stuff and the lowfat is quite tasty so I buy it now instead of the other)

So there you have it. Tomorrow, I will do the codfish fritters as they are a bit time-consuming and I will make the potato rolls which will keep overnight and be ready for shaping and baking when needed.

So, pictured is a card I made for my dd and sent it sometime ago. I like the colors I used. And, she'd better give this to someone special, as I parted with 3 of my favorite brads that I've been hoarding for 4 years. I gotta stop doing that!!

I hope each of my legions of fans has a blessed time with friends and/or family this Thanksgiving Day. As a nation, we really do lose sight of how much we have to be grateful for.

It's all better now

Well, you read my diatribe yesterday. And then this evening, I had a wonderfully intimate chat with my eldest dd. Actually, I did all the talking and she graciously listened. I reminded her to read my blog if she wants to know my musings and meanderings. She's so sweet. She said that for a 60ish mom, I'm quite techno savvy. I am too, if I do say myself....I have an iphone, a digital camera (I guess most everyone has one of these, but not so many upload pics to blogs and keep albums on-line. I have a laptop which though not mastered, I fudge fairly well. I love gadgets and girlie tools, as in cooking and cards/scrapbooking. Sooo, yesterday, I questioned my "what am I doing" self and today after our chat, I read this in some old stuff I have been hoarding and planning to read someday. 1 Peter 4:10. I'm not gonna put it here, 'cause ya' need to go and look it up for yourself. Suffice it to say, it is a great comfort to me and I'm gonna' memorize it.

So here's a card I made for my eldest dd which was included in a packet I sent her not long ago. I used one of my few JustRite stamps for the initial and a CB folder, then my Scor-Pal for the lines. A little bling and ribbon finish it off. Simple right?

I thought I'd post some of the gadgets I'd like to get for Christmas. There's not a chance in the world I will get any one of them as this is going to be one of the slimmest years ever for presents. My small family is suffering in the face of the economy. But we have each other and that is all that is important.
These are listed not in any particular order...I just want 'em!

Keurig coffee pot *the pricy one please*
Cricuit Expression with Gypsy
Coach purse *a nice roomy one please*
couple pairs of new shoes
Lifetime Fitness gym membership

Gee, that was fun. Actually, in days gone by, I'd be sure to get at least one of these and sometimes if I was a good wife, I'd get two.
Tomorrow, I think I think I'll post a few less frivolous gifts I have in mind.
Hugs...Happy Sunday...don't forget to stamp a bit.

Erica

MIA and Why

Hi legions of fans....had a bit of a break after posting quite diligently there. I had a moment of the "Should I be doing this" (this is cards and blogging and blog reading) instead of more productive pursuits. That happens to me now and then. You know the feeling...when you know there are so many other things that are being left undone, like more thorough house cleaning, more time in prayer and study, more time with a long-forgotten hobby, (for me that's gardening and reading). Well, for the past two weeks, that's what has been on my mind. Well, I don't have any answers to my questions and I can't be the only blogger who wonders, "What if I...". So I will blog when I have the time and the inclination and I will make cards for the foreseeable future and I will garden only on the spur of the moment and read when I need a break from cards. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

So here is a clean & simple card that is kinda modeled after a card by Paper Truffles..see my sidebar. Of course hers is better, but my dd said this one isn't bad and she promptly added it to her stash as a sympathy card.

Have a great weekend everyone. I shall try to achieve a mix of all the things that I enjoy in life, so besides those mentioned, I will include trying a recipe or two and getting in a bit of exercise.
Erica

Mojo Monday

I thought I'd better hurry and use this MojoMonday sketch  before another one comes along soon. I haven't been doing them for a few weeks. In fact, I lost my Mojo  "gadget Don't quite know how, but I just put it back, so I will be reminded to go there every week. This card uses the sketch, but also is being linked to Mr. Linky over at Embellish Magazine. They have weekly challenges too. And this week is to use an owl and specific colors. Click on the gadget in my sidebar for further deets.

So here's my card that covers both challenges. I used SU's mellow moss, pink coral and choc. chip. The owl is a clear dollar stamp from Inkadinkadoo. The sentiment is from a little box grouping of tiny sentiments that I got a while ago. All they say is Pixie stamps. I colored in the owl with Spica pens. Love these subtle sparkling pens. The card is finished with a flower, cordoroy button and white ribbon that I colored in with a mellow moss SU marker. There were 3 Cuttlebut embossing folders used on this. That's surely a record for me. I used my giant Marvy punch on the scallops...poor thing is quite neglected in favor of Nestibilities. The owl circle is a Nestie circle die. I used the "out of the box" technique to get the branch to hang outside of the circles, so I could stamp him to one side of the circle and still have room for the tiny sentiment. The stamping is done in Memento Rich Cocoa. I think this is a cute card and stuck with the colors and sketch pretty well. This is the first time I've used 2 challenges in one card.

So, what did you fix for dinner tonite? Do you try to make Sunday dinner or supper a bit special? I usually do and I always make enough for Monday, so I can have a fun-filled day of stamping.  I cheated this time. I bought one of those oh-so-convenient already roasted chickens. I am going to make some rice with gravy...dh can't live w/o gravy...and fresh cauliflower. Really simple, but good. Tomorrow, I will show you some of the little treat bags I've been working on for my dd to give her co-workers as a T-Day treat.

So, I hope that my legions of fans have a healthy week and can look forward to many blessings.

Erica

Medallion

I couldn't wait to get this fab stamp and it took me a while, but I intend to make up for lost time.

For me, this card is both busy and elegant. I've never used lace on a card before and the flowers are doubled and the paper on the bottom uses alcohol ink on glossy paper with the gold flecks in it. Oh, you all know what I mean...it's a technique that we have all done at some point. Anywho, it worked for what I was trying to do. I just love how this turned out and will have a difficult giving this one away. I inked up the flower and may have gone a bit over-board, otherwise I'm happy with it.

Got plans for Saturday?I am finishing up my dd's treat holders for T-Day. They are so stinkin' cute. I will share with a kudos to the tute-maker (ha ha) that inspired me.

Make sure you get in a little stampin...I know I will. I'm going to find a challenge somewhere and try it.

Hugs & Blessings
Erica

Happy Friday

It's here....the weekend. Do you have any big plans? I suppose just getting ready for the holidays. I don't do Halloween, but Thanksgiving is my absolute favorite holiday...because of all the yummy things to eat. I keep to a very traditional menu and that's the way my family enjoys it. I'm curious as to what my legions of fans have for their dinner. Do you try new things on this day, or stay with the tried and true? Do you do it all yourself, or invite people over and then ask them to bring a dish?Do you make a specific request of them, or just say bring whatever and hope for no dish doubles. I will post my menu in the first week of November. My hubby is asking me how much I think I'll need this year to spend on the day's food. For the first time, I'm at a loss. Food is one of the priorities that has sky-rocketed in price this year. I'm noticing that meat is staying at a somewhat good price, but everything else...especially flour, cereal products, rice, is way up. I don't know how large families are making it. We will have 10 people this year including 3 little ones whose eyes are often bigger than their bellies. I like to have leftovers to send home with my family and some for the next day for me & hubby, plus enough to make a turkey soup and a couple of sandwiches. If I buy ham...and most of the time I do, I will get a bone-in ham and make split pea soup. It is dh's favorite. He won't eat the ham, but he'll eat the soup made with the ham. Go figure. So, I'm all listenin' legions of fans. Bend my ear.

For my card, I used the Nesties Labels 7. When I saw this showcased on a blog-hop back in August, I knew I had to have it. Don't these stamps work well with it. They are by Inkadinkadoo and Hero Arts. The paper is My Minds Eye. The flower is a Michael's wedding flower with a brad. There is also another Nestie under the Labels 7. I added Cuttlebug corners and a bow and M.S. leaves. Oh, and some bling on the corners. The base is SU's old olive. I really like how this card turned out and that means I don't want to give it away...at least not until I get tired of looking at it.

So, make sure you make time for stamping this weekend and rest up for the upcoming holidays.

Hugs & Blessings,
Erica

More Tulips

Here is a second tulip card. This one is done is done in blues. I suppose it is sorta' monotone. I stamped on watercolor paper and used my watercolor crayons to paint the flowers. I'm thinking I need to do something about hi-lighting the center of the flower as they need to be black. I may try using a extra-fine point marker to just dot some speckles on.
I hope everyone has enjoyed their Saturday and had the chance to do some stamping. Not much going on in my life and that's the way I like it.
For a well-done video-tute on how to use the "bow easy", a tool I can't live without, see Stamp TV where Gina does a marvelous job of making this tool work. I was making them fairly well, but her tute showed I was missing one critical step. Maybe it will do that for you or if you don't have one, tempt you to get one. The link can be found here
StampTV.com. You may have to go the previous show...just look for words that include "bow easy." I'm still playing around with direct links as Blogger went and updated and I never fully understood the old one. But I can tell the update is better...just gotta get used to it I guess. I suppose that's what Sundays are for, huh...with that said, Have a Blessed One, and get some stampin' done will ya?!
Erica

OK, so it's not in a row

 
Lookie, I paper-pieced. This is the easiest image to do that technique with, IMO. It's from Stampin' Ups' Voila set. I made the card for my SIL's B-day. He loves my cakes. Hey Yosha, that recipe will come in handy. I plan on making it for an anniversary he and my dh celebrate really soon. So the ds paper is from a dwindling stack of My Minds Eye that I adore. and everything else is fairly ordinary stuff.
Well, I gotta run...Bible study and I have opted to run to KFC for dinner for dh tonite and YIPPIE, he said OK. So, I'm off.
More cards on the morrow.
Have a good hump day evening.
Blessings,
Erica

Oh Bother...Day Two

 
I just glanced at the clock and it is after 12 midnight, which means I am honestly not posting two days in a row. Well, let's pretend, shall we?
So here is a card I made with that gorgeous stamp I have been blathering about. It doesn't have a name but is from a company called Heartfelt Creations. There is only a toll-free number on the wood block. I bought it at the CKC a few weeks ago, along with two unmounted Christmas sets. They are all quite lovely. They had many to choose from. When time allows, I'm going to have to do a search to try locating a website. If any of my legions of fans knows of them, please share.
So, can't you see the versatility in this stamp? What could you NOT use it for I ask? Tomorrow, I'll have another design and I will probably bore you with more until I've had my fill. It is so easy to color. Here, I've used kraft paper and Prismacolor pencils with gamsol. Red pearls I bought at CKC, some twine and MS border punch with an MS butterfly add some pizzaz. The ds paper is from my stash. and the choc. chip mat was embossed with a CB folder and then sponged with some distress ink. I just love it and will have a rough time giving this one away.
My CTMH, Amy, has finally resolved the funding issue for me to join and it's now a done deal. I expect my kit by mid-week. It's been 6 months since I greeted Mrs. Brown with a happy wave. When she drops off my dh's meds, I don't even open the door, so she just leaves them in doorway alcove. I have to be reminded to go and get them, as I rarely use the front door for anything but letting guests in.
So, I hope you have fun plans for the weekend and if not, remember, there is always stamping. That's what I plan on doing.

Autumn...are we there yet?

 
Hi everyone...a little bit of a hiatus there. My legions of fans know I couldn't get past seven days in a row, right? Well, I'm about to start another lucky 7 with this, the first one. I know I blathered on and on about a new stamp that I got and adore. Well, I have been making even more cards with it. I have to take photos and upload. I absolutely will share with you in the coming two days. Cross My Heart! I am also waiting to get my demo-ship with Close To My Heart. That has become a bit of a mess as they do not take my credit card of choice (AMEX) and we have had to figure out how to get me my kit. I hope this is resolved by next week. I already have a small order from a friend.
So here's a fall card of sorts. I wanted to use the hottest new product....flower soft. My pals and I bought 3 colors and split it between us. This is the autumn color. It is a nice little something to add to your cards. The colors of he MS butterfly don' quite work. I might need to change that out at some point. Flowersoft is one of those things that will come and go...it's not ribbons or buttons and Heaven forbid like CB folders and Nesties. Speaking of, Hobby Lobby is having a 40% sale this week on Nesties, including a few of the recently introduced pendants and I am scrounging up money wherever I can to add to my stash. I am raiding my dh's change box tomorrow and I'm not tellin' him either. Bad girl that I can be!
Hugs,
Erica

Seven. O C'mon, It's 7, Really

 
Happy Saturday...errr, okay, so it's Sunday. I'm countin' this as seven (7), in a row, 'cuz I definitely meant to post before midnight, except, my mojo went into high gear and I stopped to create a beauty (with a little help from a blogger...but not much). The stamps did it all. I got my SU medallion today and I had to use it right away. Gosh, I am going to have a blast with that stamp. Shelli has a winnner with this one. And no, you can't see it until another time, 'cause, I didn't take a photo yet.
So instead, I have a Christmas card for you. Clean & Simple in keeping with my plan for holiday cards this year. This one did take a bit longer tho' 'cause I used my CB to cut out each letter. The snowflake is sparkling. I cut an A2 size sheet of white cs and by rubbing 2 different pigment pads all over it and then sprinkling glitter and heating to set, I made my own designer snowflakes. Then I punched lots of flakes with my Martha Stewart snowflake punch (the first one distributed...there's a newer one out now, I believe). A little ds paper from my stash and river pebbles finish it off. I like it, how 'bout you.
My stampin' pals and I also got together and we created up a storm. I'll post cards during the week. Shout out to Jeri, as her mojo was positively on fire and she made the majority. Love you both El and Jeri.
May my legion of fans be blessed this Sunday as you take time to honor our Lord in your places of worhip. Please pray a prayer for those who are unable to do so in other parts of the world.
Hugs,
Erica

Six Days in a Row

 
Well, I'm rushing to get this in under the wire. I had a weird day today and I was not happy with dh. He was not cooperative until I gave him the silent treatment which is extremely difficult for me, since I love to talk and have had to for the both of us since he lost his ability to speak coherently about a year ago. Of course, I got angry about some plans that should have been smooth, but were anything but this time, and I started to complain. He understood my frustration, but when we returned home, I never got my head on straight and the afternoon just dwindled into no accomplishments until now. I just finished whipping my craft room into some semblance of order so that I won't be embarrassed in front of my stamping girlfriends. I have my lunch menu set for them now as well. I was gonna get a Christmas card prepped for them to make...this one in my blog, but it didn't get done. I'll be rushing off to bed right after I post, so that I can get up early and sweep, mop and do a bit of dusting. Then off to get some bagels for breakfast before they arrive. In between that, I will find time to assist dh with getting dressed. I will be super busy. So, this card is so clean & simple that a child could make it. The stamps are all SU. I used by Nestie for the small mat. Any small Christmas themed stamp could be used in place of the Santa hat; a present, a snowflake, bells, a small ornament, pine cones. I plan on making about 10 of these for sending out. The embellie is called a 'glitter done' from Crystal Stickers by Mark Richards. I bought them in silver too from Hobby Lobby.
Be well friends and enjoy your weekend...and most of all get a little stampin' done, will ya'?
Hugs,
Erica

Going for Five Days in a Row

It's time to show some of the clean & simple Christmas cards I've been making. I definitely borrowed this sketch from somewhere, but changed it enough to still call it my own. All of the C&S cards are "holiday" cards. I can't seem to wrap my mojo around one that is C&S, but also Christian themed. I do have more than a few religious (for lack of a better term) word stamps, but no sketch matches them. I will have to hunt the SCS gallery when I have loads of time (hmmm, and that will be when?). So how about my legions of fans give me a round of applause as this is the very first time I have blogged 5..yup!, five, that's cinco days in a row. And it wasn't as hard as I thought it would be. As with anything, ya' gotta' stay disciplined. I have also kept some posts short. I'm still unsure if this if my blog is written as a therapeutic diary..reduce the BP, and calm the anxious heart, or a way to show-off my card crafty things. I think I've managed to make it both. So, I'd better sign-off now, before this becomes lengthy. I have dinner to cook still and some laundry to finish. Saturday, my stamping pals join me for a fun day of stamping and munching on goodies. We are going to try to pull together a "lunchbox" filled with cards for one of their moms who is in failing health and won't be able to do much shopping for such. I'll be taking pics for my blog.
One more day til Happy Friday.
Hugs & Blessings.
Erica

Four Days In a Row...almost

Good Morning...I didn't quite make it for the PM. I wasn't going to try...but then I ate two Werthers' butter hard candies and got a burst of energy. I'll take my cholesterol pill later :)
So, continuing with cards, here's another that could be categorized as clean & simple. It probably just barely makes it because of the ribbon. The ds paper is from K&Co. The stamp is another $ Inkadinkadoo. The flowers are punched with pink pearls for the centers. I used a Nestie square and did the out-of-the-box technique. Ya gotta' own a sharp pair of scissors or a good blade knife (?hmmm..know what I'm talkin' about?). Stuck some EK Success punched corners on...smaller than SU's corner punch and some ribbon and a little colorin'. The sentiment was borrowed from Papertrey's set, "On My Couch." That little set along with the Additions set totally lends itself to lots of other cards. And there you have it.
Well, today was hump day and I was busy with 2 Bible studies. I returned to one after a month hiatus to devote to getting dh back on track. Oh, how I need the camaraderie of my fellow Christian women to get me through the long hauls of life.
Hang In There Sisters...see ya' in the mornin'.
Erica

Third Day In a Row

So how was your Tuesday? Mine was pretty ordinary...a Dr. appointment for hubby and then home where my sweet tooth got the best of me and I made a plum kuchen from a recipe found here http://www.kingarthurflour.com/. Should any of my legionnaires request it, I will be happy to share. It was deleeecious!. I was too lazy and cheap to buy real cream and whip it, so we had the canned stuff. I always seem to have it on hand. I should have taken a picture. I already made one with nectarines for my dd to serve at a small dinner party she gave last month, but I never got to taste it. She assured me that it won rave reviews. That does my heart good. I thrive on compliments made on my cards and desserts. Thank goodness I walked 40 mins. this morning. AZ weather is quite delightfuly this time of year, though we desperately need rain and I am hand-watering my larger trees every night for fear they will succumb to this 3rd year on record with so little rain. They are predicting a "wet" fall/winter. We'll see.
So here is my card created a week or so ago. It started as CAS card, but I tweaked it enough so that I can now say it's mine. I was trying to get all the colors from the ds paper to match with the cs. I've got SU's pomegranite (ret.), apricot appeal, kraft, and a blue of some hue. I'm terrible with remembering the blues in particular. I used a newer CB folder and the ds paper is from a huge collection by K & Company. Blue pearls (aren't they pretty) and ribbon from my stash round it out. The flower is a dollar stamp by Inkadinkadoo. They are really designing some lovely stamps IMO these days.
So my legions of fans, carry on with your week. I will return tomorrow with another fall-themed card.
Be Blessed by the Creator
Erica

Two Days In a Row

If I get this done early, I figure that I will be more apt to actually get it done. So here is another clean & simple card. That's a clear $Inkadinkado stamp from Michaels. Thes sentiment was included. How fun. I used Gina K's Pure Luxery white to stamp on. I think I need to work on improving the coloring and I'm not sure what is my best method to use. But this is a card that everyone needs one or two of in their stash, don't you think?

Well not much happening here in my world. I stayed up tooo late making criss-cross cards for my stampin' buddies and I didn't bother to take photos. But I have plenty of others to share as the week goes on.

Hope you all have a blessed week and enjoy the cooler weather.

Hugs & Blessings,
Erica

It's Been A While

Good Morning,
Yes, it's been a while, and I won't make any excuses, 'cause it'll probably bore you. It's just life happening anyhow.
So, I went to the CKC Convention held here in Phoenix in my area for the first time. I went on a Friday and gee, was it crowded. I can only imagine what Saturday must have been like. It was a good day for vendors and that's important. I think CKC will return here for sure.
I dropped quite a bit onto my Amex card and then regretted some of it, so I called them and asked if I could work out a payment arrangement just on the portion spent that day. I remembered reading something about that years ago...that it was a one-time arrangement. Yippie, they said YES! I will have to call them when I get the bill.
So, most of the stuff is put away now, but Stacy of Wizard/Nestabilities fame was there and I got to shake her hand. Don't know why I didn't try to get a pic. Anywho, she had me put my name down on a list for locals to try out new products. (Wizard is located only 15 miles away from me.) I squealed with delight and I hope I got all my info down correctly I was soooo tickled and nervous! Needless to say, I then proceeded to spend $90 on Nesties and a set of Spica pens and 2 Copics. BTW, she said she personally knows of 20 SU demos who dropped because of the new IDA.
In addition to that little fun-time, I bought 2 wood-mounted stamps from a company I never heard of called Heartfeld Creations. Then on to some small vendors for bling and ribbon. Then to the Close To My Heart booth which I planned on doing. There I met the lovely Amy, currently of No. Car., soon to be in Seattle...hubby's in the Mil....where I announced that I wanted to be a consultant for them before she had so much as shown more than 2 or 3 items. I'd already made up my mind a week before. My only question was...did I have until Mar. '10 to put in my quarterly order if I signed up then and there. The answer was yes...so they work similarly to SU. I mentioned SU and my no longer being a demo and she was sweet & kind about that referring to them "as the other company". It's nice she didn't want to malign them, which is more than I can say for myself. We mentioned the new IDA and she does not see any like it coming down the pike for CTMH.
So, I will briefly elaborate on why I chose CTMH. (1) Good quality clear stamps in neat packaging, (2) Prices not all over the place...there are 4 basic price catagories and the pretty much stick to 'em, (3) you don't get thrown out if you miss a quarterly requirement, instead your discount gets cut, but you actually remain a consultant for life as long as you buy something now & then, (4) Commissioni is slightly more than SU's and S&H is a bit less than 'the other co.', (5)I like the layout/design of the catty (put out 3x per year) a bit more than you know whose...of course, I know that could change.
So, we'll see what happens. As with SU, I will most likely be relegated to hobby status and that's perfectly okay by me.
And so my card hasn't got anything from either company. It does have a Stampendous flower and a Studio "G" $ stamp sentiment in white. The EK success punch 'punches' it up a bit. I colored the flower with Gamsol. I'm calling this card a clean & simple one.
So, enjoy your Sunday. I'm planning on stamping all day to make World Stamping Day extend a bit.
Hugs & Blessings,
Erica (who is committed to blogging every day this week).

It's Sunday

Good evening my legions of fans. I had a super fun day with my stamping pals yesterday. We had a refresher session on how to use that crumply foil on paper to make pretty thingies. Oh bother, I forgot the technical name, but I love doing it. We made mostly leaves since fall is here...tho' you would never suspect it if you lived with me here in AZ where it was 102 today, I tolerate the heat well and I actually drove to church with my windows down. Gotta luv our dry heat.
So, we didn't make any cards, but chatted away and ate snacky things (including 2 desserts..small portions - honest). So I will have a nice autumn card for 'yall with my efforts soon. In the meantime, here is a card that I designed all by myself for one of my sisters in Christ who is home after undergoing successful surgery. We hope to see her soon at our study. The sentiment is from SU's Thoughts and Prayers. The flower is a Studio G clear dollar stamp. I don't know why...but I just luv this flower. I seem to gravitate toward single blooms these days. I used my CB swiss dots on the blue mat and the corners are CB dies. The ribbon is SU. The "frames" are Nesties and so is the circle. I even used SU's retired pomagranite ink for the sentiment and flower. A little bling for accent and the flower center is a blob of crystal lacquer over a yellow colored center. I think I've coverd everything.
I hope everyone has had an enjoyable weekend. There were many blog hops and new releases to enjoy. I get so caught up in them sometimes. It's 6PM and I think opening a can of soup for dinner. I don't feel much like cooking, it's late and dh's appetite has suffered with this last bout of weakness.
God bless you as you live your lives this week.

It's been a while

Hello friends. I have been away from blogging for several reasons. I've been cleaning up lots of emails. I often have as many as 400. Scary, huh? Most of them are my subscriptions. If I don't get a look at each one, I feel as if I'm missing out. I've tried to unsubscribe often, setting a goal of 10 or 20. My unsubs rarely equal more than 5 or so. Sometime I already have links here on my blog to some of my subscriptions. Kind of redundant I guess. Then there's the issue of checking on a blog only to find out that there's a blog hop which I can't miss and then I find a new blog I've never seen and I have to subscribe to that one too. Well, I tell ya' it's a vicious cycle made especially worse because this is what I do to de-stress. Speaking of which. hubby is so-so. He has many different feelings toward me...anger, frustation, annoyance, and just don't bother me. I never know which of these attitudes I will have to deal with from hour to hour. The bedsore, which the homecare nurse believes he got in Rehab, is awful looking. It keeps an odor and I can't tell if it's getting better or not. And the nurse won't say. We have a primary care doctor appt. this Friday and I am hoping he'll be honest. Ed doesn't complain about it, and only takes pain meds at night to sleep. Sleep...did someone say sleep? I have to get up every 2-3 hrs. to move him...a chore I don't wish on anyone. Though I get back to sleep in minutes, this is no fun. So when my friends ask me what can they do to help. Just pray for my and his strength to endure, to be patient and kind to one another. What I do for him can't be done unless you are right here in my home. I am exceedingly blessed by my dd and her dh who visit as often and empathize with our situation. And then, of course, I'm exceedingly thankful for all that God bestows on me and I am humbled daily. Ed and I pray every morning and I implore him to pray constantly. I will be starting a 6 wk. Bible study on fasting on Wednes. evenings this week. The timing seems appropriate...right after dinner and just before Ed's bedtime. He will be totally occupied by TV during my absence. I plan on being blessed by my time with like-minded Christian women and their prayers, as well as whatever our Lord teaches me.
So today's card was a a quickie I designed in my very own little head. DD needed a Congrats card for a couple who eloped this past weekend after living together for some years. I probably should have used cream c.s. under the circumstances, but I didn't. The circle stamp is a clear one I have had a while. I cut out the middle and stamped the SU champagne glasses from "Cheers To You", and bumped it up. The script Congratulations is from SU's Warm Regards. Both are retired, I believe. I used SU white taffeta ribbon and Nesties to cut out the circles and the ribbon slide. That's my trustie CB textile folder for the white mat behind the circles and pearls to accent it. I plan on printing out a sentiment for the inside that I have from a book called, "Say It With Style", edited by Tanya Fox of Paper Crafts (the mag) fame. This is what it says...In all you dream and in all you do, may the love you share bring joy to you.
Gee, I could write an entire book about what I have dreamt in my day and what I have done. Hmmm, best not to go there.
Enjoy the rest of your week. I'm finding time to make cards, but don't know if I'll be able to blog more this week.
Erica

CONGRATULATIONS

What a day this is for Ashley Cannon Newell, her hubby Mac and her team. I can only imagine how much work they have and will be putting forth to make this a successful venture. I am both proud of and happy for them and wish them the very best.
To celebrate, they are already offering a prize for a challenge. I have put a gadget in my sidebar to take you directly there.
It's titled Kick-off with the December issue, "I Embellish." Just leave a comment on their blog and you'll be entered. The blog tells all the deets and it's easy peasy to follow for semi-techies, and that would be people like me.
Only one quickie card for you today. I am starting to get my Christmas cards ready and of necessity, they need to be quick ones or it ends up not being not fun. So I am definitely adding 2 or 3 simple designs. This is #1. I didn't have time to make it pretty, but you'll get the idea.
I had a disappointing day with my husband at the Rehab yesterday. He was not feeling well and plans we had to work on his getting in/out of our van with minimal help failed miserably. I had to suck up my feelings and be understanding. I wanted so much to be selfish. So, I'm not looking forward to visiting today. Tomorrow he comes home and it is anyone's guess as to how we are going to make it. So my scripture that I will hold in my heart today is Joshua 1:9 "Have I not commanded you? "Be srong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."
May you be blessed this weekend and truly enjoy it.
Erica

Quick Post

 
I should have posted this an hour ago, but got really slowed down when I was at Craft Critique blog and read all the comments about SU's new policy for demos. Whow, the new document packs a wallop and is already having repercussions. SU demos overall are not happy. Go read them for yourself. I subscribed to the posts myself. You all know my short history with Stampin' Up. And isn't it odd that I posted just yesterday and the day prior about the many companies that I buy from. My former upline tells me this is going to be a bitter pill to swallow, but I believe she'll sugar-coat and down it with a glass of good strong iced tea. For an aternate view...in favor of the policy, read Jan Tink's view. So here's my card. This card measures 5 1/2 x 6 1/2. Quite large for me. In fact, I will have make an envie for it. I have a tute somewhere. The Our Daily Bread set I used is "Lift Up Our Hands." The CB folder is one of the newbies and the border on top is an MS punch. I used mostly SU papers. The sentiment is on a Nesties label mat. I distressed the praying hands. Everything is stamped in black. I put on a white silk ribbon on the side and covered it with a piece of brown lace I had hanging around in my stash. A little bling on the top of the border and I was done. This card passed the "dd" test. She proclaimed it "busy" but added that she likes it.
Well, we passed "hump" day and my alone days are almost over. Tomorrow, I will watch "Twilight" with that handsome devil Edward, uh, or should I say vampire?..with my stamping buddy El. We'll munch on cucumber salsa & chips (got the recipe from a blog somewhere). She doesn't know it, but I'm gonna bbq us some chicken wings and corn on the cob for dinner too. Should be a fun afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your week.
Hugs, Erica

Stamp Companies In Stores I Frequent

So, yesterday, or was it the day before?..I said I'd give the names of stamp companies I find myself buying from repeatedly which are readily available in local town stores. First I gotta tell ya' we had no stores at all here when we first moved from New York. It was a cows and horses town with a population of 33,000. Well it still blows me away that in less than 12 years, the horses are all gone, the cows have been removed to greener pastures and the population (and traffic) has almost doubled. It wasn't what I'd expected nor hoped for. But, alas, progress brings with it some good things. In short order, about 3 yrs. ago, the stores increased and Michaels, then Joann's and finally Hobby Lobby came to the rescue. Before that, I frequented a small stamping shop 20 miles away. I really didn't mind. It's still open. The reason I don't shop there anymore is not because of the big craft stores, but because of the Internet and all the companies it has to offer.
So when I'm in the aforementioned big box craft stores, and I confess, it's far too frequently, I am attracted to stamps in particular by Stampendous, Stampabilities and Hero Arts, and Hampton Arts when I can find them. These are all wood-mounted stamp companies for the most part. In addition I am always buying Studio G's Dollar stamps. These can be found in clear (several tiny stamps on a sheet...a super value), or one single wood-mounted stamp. I find the latter to have better quality, but that doesn't stop me from getting the clear ones too. I seem to be collecting them and do a happy dance whenever I can get 5 to 10at once. I mean, where can you buy that many stamps for $10? Gotta luv it, right? Lately, due to space issues, I am buying more and more of the larger clear stamp sets which are increasingly prevelant. The company names are too numerous to mention here. I am almost always satisfied with their quality and design. Nuf' said about my tastes, such as they are.
Now on to that blogger I was telling you about who is making video tutes that are quite good. At Jan's blog I guarantee you will enjoy her style of writing too. She is a fun lady. I've been subscribing to her blog for quite some time and I'm so glad she's doing videos. I am a visual learner.
And finally to my card. I designed it for the mostly non-stamping ladies in my Bible Study. I used all SU papers includng ds. Even the stamp is an oldie retired from a set called Best Blossoms. I used Nesties for the mat and a little subtle bling. The technique I used is from Gina K's Stamp TV. And the technique is called Watercolor Spritz You can find a blinkie on my sidebar. Luv that place.

I'll be back tomorrow with a post and a card. Happy Tuesday.

For the Clearly I Stamp DS Challenge

 
Good Morning...still that in 108 Arizona. I hope my legions of fans have had a blessed weekend. As promised, I was up and out taking photos of my creation for the guest designer challenge spot at Clearly I Stamp. I used Papertrey's On My Couch and Couch Additions for the couch and sentiment. I decided to follow the sketch and also stick to the colors. My large circle is Cuttled with a new folder called Morrocan Screen. It could be wallpaper, don't ya' think? I used Nesties labels for to mat the couches. I used the SU medium punch for the sentiment and the couch is cut out and popped up. I punched the little pillows with a circle punch. Aren't they cute? The blue and choc chip mats are bordered with an Martha Stewart punch and dotted with a Signo white pen. A ribbon from my cheap stash rounds it all out. This is my second try at a ds spot. I subscribe to this blog, but haven't purchased any of their stamps, however, I am sorely tempted this time. Get Off Your Tuffet and the Tea-rrific sets are just too adorable.
So, I'm off to my see my hubby at rehab today and my dd just walked to try and scrounge some lunch off me. She works 2 miles away...blessed child.

A Quick Post

 
Well, things are moving along since my husband went to the hospital and then rehab. He is doing well, but keeping his spirits up is what I worry about most. There are five more days of intense physical therapy and then he comes home. I am not going to worry about the future because God says in His Word not to. Taking care of him will not be much different than it was before. We will have as much help as we can afford monthly and I have dear friends and family who have offered their help. I am blessed.
So, that's why I am posting this card. I made it a few weeks ago. The sentiment is from Our Daily Bread. I love how they package their stamps and I wish I could afford a few more sets. While I'm on that subject, I thought I'd mention my fave stamping companies now that Stampin' Up is practically in my history book. Except for their paper and an occasional punch, I doubt I'll order more than a hundred dollars or so before the end of the year. I am really enjoying just about everything that Papertrey, Gina K and Our Daily Bread have to offer. Still haven't gotten any Gina K stuff, but it's on my wish list. I also have been buying a little paper from Paper Temptress and enjoying most everything. These are my go-to on-line stores. Tomorrow (note I have given myself a deadline), I'll tell you the stamping companies I like in my local stores. I will also give you a link to a blogger I truly admire. She has begun to make video tutes. On her very first one, she got over 90 comments!! How about that? I've also made a card for a challenge that I'll post so that I can be eligible for a guest designer spot with their company. I finally have the confidence to try out for some of these. Now, I'd better hit the sack.
I hope you enjoy my card. Deets available upon request from any one of my legions of fans.
Have a blessed week.
Erica