A birthday gift

Happy New year!

Please pray for me today! I lost my only sibling, Barbara a year ago. She died on her birthday. She died as a result of acute Fentanyl poisoning.

I am enjoying some quiet down time this week. It is a 'be kind to me' proposition.

The beautiful cherry blossom stamp is from Rubber Stampede click here to visit their web sight.

I used my tombo markers and colored directly onto the rubber. Using my nesties, I cut the oval and scalloped oval. On the white layer I sponged the edges with Cranberry Crisp ink. Once I stamped the image I used my copic markers to color the image and stickles to embellish it.

The tin contains some chocolate nuggets!

Still working on the video blog. I have the software I need for editing and have been playing with lighting. My husband, Mike has been super supportive! I am really enjoying the new video camera.

New blog candy item; set of 5 stamps from Inkadinkado, "garden thoughts" wood mounted stamps.

I will post a picture soon, unfortunately my scanner is acting up a bit today.

Have a great New Year and be safe!

Stamping hugs,

ps, Mary Dawn is working on my blog look again, so please be patient as she makes the necessary changes, her link is on my home page, she does great design work for your blog, and is very reasonable pricing!

A short post!

Hello everyone!

I hope you are enjoying a wonderful Sunday evening!

My husband treated me to dinner out, it was so nice to get away for just a while. I finally was able to purchase the correct video cable for my camera to be able to import the video from the camera to my computer and then I will be able edit the video for your viewing.

A few things. I video taped my first 'trial' tutorial today. It needs work. I need to adjust the camera angel and lighting a bit and work on my delivery.

I also discovered that boy, I need to treat myself to a good manicure. My nails even though they are different lengths, they need a bit of attention and possibly a little shine or light color.

I hope you will stay tuned, I am hoping to have the fist Vblog up and running by next Wednesday.

Thank you for stopping by. Remember there will be some more blog candy offering this week, so don't forget to leave me a comment. Please be sure to get email updates through feedblitz when you surf into my blog just enter your email to sing up!

Have a great night!

Wii -- A Surprising Christmas!

Hello everyone!

I hope that your Christmas was enjoyable!

Before I get into today's post, I would like to thank Heather for the wonderful blog candy. Thank you for the wonderful goodies! Here is a picture of what I received:

Chad was very thrilled to receive a Wii for Christmas. He shouted "thanks Mom and Dad, I love you". He also received two games for his new Wii.

Craig called us from Air Force Basic Training on Christmas morning. It was such a thrill to be able to speak with him. He was in good spirits and was enjoying a 'relaxed day'. I asked him how he was doing and he told us that "except for all the hollerin' it's kinda fun."

Have a wonderful weekend. I will be posting two more items of blog candy next week along with my very first video tutorial!

Stamp Happy!

Reindeer Re-Do and some exciting ramblings!

Blog candy!

Lexie in her bed!

Reindeer Re-Do with a larger reindeer!

Hello and Happy Monday!

Exctiting ramblings here! Guess what I'm getting for Christmas?! A Cannon HDV Cam-corder! Whoo Hoo, will be video blogging here soon!

Also, can you see the blog candy? That is a container of cute ribbon and a 6X6 Stampin Up patterned paper stach!

How I re-did the reindeer.

Please note -- unless otherwise noted, all card stock and inks are from Stampin Up'

1. I used an oval from spellbinders nestabilities it is approximately 4" in length. It is cut out of Natural Ivory card stock. I then sponged the edges with Chocolate Chip Ink.

2. The nose is a 3/4" circle cut from Real Red card stock, I embellished the nose with 'freckles' drawn on with a Chocolate Chip marker. The nose highlight was achieved by using a white gel pen. The nose is poped up with a pop dot.

3. The antlers are from the Sizzix (exclusive to stampin up) it is the new Tulip Bigz die and the background is cut out of Really Rust card stock, using the top note die then it was sponged with the Chocolate Chip Ink.

4. She is simply finished off with a cute glue gingam bow and google eyes!

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As you can see from the other pictures, there are a couple of cards I made in the last couple of days. The puppy image is colored simply with my copic markers and I went nesty crazy with the cute floral themed thank you card. I decided to use 3-D crystal lacquer to attach the flowers to the card base. Both cards measure a standard A-2 and finish off at 5 1/2 X 4 1/4" finished.

I hope you guys are having a relaxing time before Christmas. It has been a nice quiet day here and I feel like I actually got some things accomplished!

Have a great evening! Stamp Happy!

Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

3/4 cup butter or margarine (I used Crisco) 1 1/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar 1 egg 1/3 cup milk 1 1/2 tsp vanilla 3 cups quick oats (uncooked) 1 cup all purpose flour 1/2 tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt 1/4 tsp. cinnamon 1 cup raisins 1 cup walnuts (optional) -------------------- 1. Heat oven to 375 degrees. Grease baking sheets or use Pam . Put foil on counter or cooling racks as cookies will be soft and may fall thru the rack . 2. Combine first 5 ingredients and beat at medium speed with electric mixer til well blended . 3. Combine oats , flour , soda , salt , cinnamon in separate bowl , then stir in raisins and optional nuts , add this to wet ingredients and mix at low speed til blended .4. Drop rounded Tablespoons of dough onto cookie sheet 2 inches apart . Bake 1 sheet at a time for 12 minutes or until lightly browned . Cool 2 minutes on baking sheet then transfer to foil covered cooling racks to continue cooling .Makes approx. 2 1/2 dozen cookies .Let me know if you like them ! They should turn out to be a nice soft cookie .

Thank you so much Lastel! Click here to see her wonderful blog! I really appreciate this great recipe! My husband and son both loved them. The recipe made about 5 dozen cookies!

For those of you in the 'know' Craig called from basic this morning, he sounded great and was headed to Church! It was so wonderful to hear his voice, I asked him how he liked having a uniform he said its ok, nice not to worry about what you're gonna wear from day to day! I made a statement 'I bet you look good in that uniform', (here's one for you) He said "Yes I do!". That's my boy!

Hope you guys have a great week, not sure how much blogging I'll do, but will post blog candy update tomorrow!

Hugs,

What is with those shoes?

Are you laughing yet? I wore these shoes to my favorite local stamp store, I participated in their demo days (showing off the new Hero Arts 2009 collection with their new theme 'anyone can stamp')।

Here is the link to this wonderful store. They offer great prices and even offer additional savings when you participate in the make and take activities. I did four different fun projects yesterday and received a 10% off my purchase. The cost for the great projects was a meger $10.00 well worth what I saved off my purchase price.

Now onto the great shoes। I used to see these all the time, and I hope by posting my pair you guys will come up with fun ones of your own. These would be so great for Halloween and like my reindeers, great for Christmas.

I actually found this pair a few years ago at a thrift store, the cost was .75 cents. I have re-created them several times as gifts and they couldn't be easier. Basically you need felt, pom poms, ribbon, rick rack and a good strong glue.

Yesterday, I got all dressed up and wore them with a nice pair of pants and Christmas shirt, every one at my husband's office Christmas party loved them। I had such a blast. I'm thinking of lacing on a jingle bell onto the laces for a little more well, over the top!

I hope everyone is doing well. Only five days until Christmas, I am really enjoying this time of year. Now onto Christmas cookies!

Have a great day, and stamp happy!

How $1.19 turned into a nice home decor' project!

This project started with a broken tray I bought at the Michael's mark down for $1.19! There was a crack in the bottom and it was missing a couple of pieces of molding from the bottom.

I used a good quality wood filler for the crack in the bottom allow it to dry throughly. The secret to this project frankly was the tons of sanding I did! It was sanded after the filler, and after the first coat of white paint. Sanded again after I decopauged the paper onto the bottom of the tray and sanded one last time with the second coat of lacquer.

This project was so easy, just a bit time consuming!

I wanted to keep the tray gender netural but in keeping with the over-all feel of my home. Since I love music and had some scraps of this fun music paper, it just fit. As you can see I also altered a note pad, pen, candle and even the envelopes (which are stamped) so my guest can easily use the tray much like the ones found at a fine hotel. I really love the looks of the final project.

Stay tuned. this week will offer a second helping of blog candy! Remember, don't miss an entry, simply sign up for free email delivery via Feedblitz found on the opening page of the blog!

Stamp Happy!

Reindeer Punch art!

Isn't this just adorable?

I have seen a few versions of this stamp - punch art on the net. Here is my version of this cute reindeer. This one is made to hold a gift card but you can use them for place markers or even as a cute napkin ring!

Heres the how too:

First you will need the following supplies:

Top note die from Stampin Up or the label's dies from spellbinders (nestabilities).

Kraft Card stock (stampin Up)

Basic Black card stock (stampin up)

Real Red card stock (stampin up)

Oval punch that measures 1 3/4" approximate

Basic brown ink and a sponge

Google eyes

White pen

Sizzix corner design die, glue, sizzors basic stamping stuff.

1. Cut the base of the card out of the kraft paper using the top note die or spellbinders die allowing two pieces to overlap and keep them connected.

2. Sponge edges of card base and oval punch with basic brown ink.

3. Cut small label with the spellbinders die or the SU curly label punch. Then sponge the edges with basic brown ink.

4. Put ribbon around card as sown and attach the smaller label die on top.

5. To construct the reindeer:

a. Cut the antlers in half and pace behind head, the hair was made using the bo-ho blossoms punch which I trimmed off. draw a line from the bottom up about 1/4" and attach red nose (circle punch that measures 1/2") I embellished nose with a white pen. the face is embellished with a brown marker to make his 'freckles'.

b. Attach google eyes with glue and attached assembled reindeer to the brown layer as shown. Then stamp "Merry Christmas" or other holiday greeting of your choice on top using basic brown ink. My "merry christmas" is from Hampton art stamps.

I found a neat video tutorial here for you die hard stampin up girls out there!

Ok, are you ready for your first blog candy teaser? Here is a sneak peak of the first item for the blog candy. Blog candy will begin today and end Jan 21st. If you have won blog candy in the last 5 months, please continue to post to the blog, however, I want to be fair and will take your name out of the 'hat' for the next drawing. I hope this is ok, since I love you guys and your great comments.

There are eight clear stamps in this set, it is from inkadinkado, and the set is named 'Beautiful faries". If you recreate today's project, please give me due-credit. I would love to see your creations, if you have done any of my projects please make sure I have a link to the SCS gallery or your blog so I can see them and leave you a nice comment as well! Hope every one has a great afternoon! Stamp Happy!

Flip Out!

Happy Monday! OK, I did a flip card for Craig. Hopefully he won't get razzed too much over it. They are so much fun to make and send!/ The bottom pink card is for a friend, it will go with her Christmas present! I heard from Craig yesterday, get this he called from Lackland, AFB and I had just finished cutting an onion. My eyes where so misty I could hardly see and the kid is talking 90 mph and wants me to write his addy down. I kept telling him "I know you only have a few minutes, but you've got to slow down enough for mom to write this down". He was in good spirits and sounded really good on the phone! Today is my 44th birthday. Hey I'm to young to be 44 (guess not). My hubby took me out to my favorite chinese place for lunch and we went by our local (very small) Joanne's store. They are getting ready to close and are starting to have some terrific clearance prices. My favorite was getting the 180 stacks of Christmas decorative paper for 50% off. I picked up some six packs of coasters for .20 cents each. Nice bargins!/ Sorry tonights post is so short, but I'm gonna watch some tube with the family and call it an early night!/ Stamp Happpy and be well!/

And the Blog Candy Winner is!

Not sure if the clear stamp set shows up very well or not, but it is the 'surprise of the blog candy for this round of fun! It is an Inkadinkado 21 piece clear stamp set called "Warm Holiday Wishes".

The card you see beside it I received from Kanne (her screen name on Splitcoast stampers is ragdoll) she sent me this very beautiful Birthday random act of kindness card! The stamp, layout and the stickles are very beautiful. I really appreciated her thinking of me.

The blog candy winner is:

Jackie said... Such wonderful pictures...thank you for sharing. November 28, 2008 5:30 PM

Jackie, please email me at Ms.Rhetta@verizon.net with your snail mail information and I'll be happy to get these goodies postal to you on Monday or Tuesday.

On to other news, I did a little shopping today! I bet you're thinking "so", well, I picked up a few things for the next round of blog candy. It will be starting soon, so be sure to check back on the ol' blog.

Oh don't forget, please subscribe to my blog, feedblitz information is on the main page of the blog and it is easy, safe and fun to use! I get alot of blog news from you guys by using this free program.

Thanks again for the warm comments regarding Craig. I heard from him on Wednesday night but do not think I'll hear from him again for a while. I know he'll come home a man and I'm Ok with that part, but I do miss him terribly!

I hope you guys are enjoying a wonderful holiday season filled with joy, love and grace!

Stamp Happy!

A pretty Christmas Card!

Christmas Tree Card! Don't you think this is a beautiful stamp?! Recipe; 1.Stamp tree onto white card stock that measures 2 3/4" X 3 3/4" using markers directly to the rubber. 2. I used stickles on and around the tree. 3. The tree is layered onto red card stock that measures 3" X 4". 4. The decorative paper on top measures 3" X 4" and the embossed (swiss dots from provo craft) and it measures 4" X 2 1/2". 5. I used a small nestabilities rectangle for the "Merry Christmas" stamp. Sponging the edges. The rectangle measures 1 3/8" X 3/4". The stamp is from a dollar set I picked up from my local stamp store. 6. Embellish card with ribbon. Use pop dots to attach the stamped image to the card base as shown. Inside is simply sponged with the greeting on top and the small christmas tree on the bottom. These cards will be going to our neighbors as part of their Christmas gifts! Today one of my friends treated me out to a very nice lunch since she won't be seeing me on my Birthday. (Its Monday, December 15th by the way!). REMINDER: BLOG CANDY WILL BE DRAWN TOMORROW EVENING! There is an extra surprise that you'll receive in addition to what I have posted, have a great time reading the blog and exploring as well as leaving those wonderful comments. I have a nice b-line on a recipe for oatmeal cookies, when I receive it, I'll gladly post the recipe for all to enjoy! It has been a really nice day. Thank you to everyone for their words of encouragement with my son's enlistment into the Military! Your kind words and prayers are so much appreciated! Have a great Friday night! Stamp happy, make a difference in someones's life today!

One rainy Thrusday!

America's future right here people! These fine young men and women took the oath to become active duty Airmen with Craig on Tuesday.

Sorry no pictures of stamping stuff today! I have been a busy mom. Tonight I plan to start the task of cleaning the kiddo's room. He may be at basic training, but I wish the drill Sergent would make him come home and yell at him until his room here was satisfactory.

Will try to get some pictures posted this week of a few more projects I am working on!

Does any one have a great Oatmeal Raisin cookie recipe? I really need one. The last time I even attempted them, they came out like hockey pucks, not a good thing when they are the favorite of your hubby!

I hope every one has had a good day! Stamp Happy!

Proud Air Force Mom

Boy am I tired! It was a long evening yesterday and now it has been a long day!

Lets just say Mike and I are disappointed in the lack of information and quality of information given to us by Craig's recruiter.

Top upper left, Craig getting smushed (is that a word?!) by a Mom not really sure if she can let him go, middle top, Mike, Loretta and Craig. Far right, Toby (Craig's biological father) and Craig bottom left, Loretta with Craig.

Mike took Craig out for breakfast and a 'what every boy needs to know about becoming a man' speech. Later that day Toby met us and we took Craig to his favorite resturant, Red Lobster for lunch.

Last evening we took him to the MEPS station and stayed until nearly 8:00 pm, this morning we where there at 9:05 a.m. and did not return home until after noon when we returned after lunch the mom took a much needed nap.

I am hoping that he will do well through basic training and grow up! It's just time!

I am hoping to do some Christmas shopping tomorrow and drop by one of my favorite local stamp stores, Create It crafts. You can click here for their websight! I will be teaching the "Never Ending" flip card this Saturday. Click on the calendar at the bottom of the page to find out more details!

I hope every one has a nice week, I'll be blogging a little later on this week!

Stamp Happy!

A Happy Stamping day!

Rejoice in The Lord!

As many of you know, I am a Christian. My faith in the Lord strengthens my daily life and with the upcoming Holiday season, I just wanted to let you all know each of you are remembered in my thoughts and prayers.

Today has been a very care-free day. Thanks in great part to my wonderful husband. Guys, I know I blog about him a bunch but I truly couldn't ask for a better life partner than I have in him. Tomorrow Craig, my 20 year old son will leave for Air Force basic training. I'll be a puddle so please pray for me as well.

This afternoon I had some friends over for some wonderful and productive stamping time. I stamped about 20 of the little mouse guy and colored the images with copic markers. All of the images got a good dose of three different colors of stickles as well.

The Christmas tree card was an after thought. I had some pretty back ground type stamps and I used the new versa mark that has the glitter in it, it offers a nice shine without being over the top. I think the card is too simple and is lacking something. When I figure out what it needs I'll post it for you guys to see. Any suggestions on helping it out would be appreciated.

I hope every one enjoys their evening and has a wonderful week!

Stamp Happy!