Here is some more stuff...

I have been busily working/stamping/playing in between "work" and figuring out the POS security I have, Norton 360 - my big computer is still not on the internet - although I can now get and send email (go figure!?!) - so I had to hook up my printer to my laptop downstairs in the craft studio - and of course THAT had to be slightly nightmarish too! I had to download the print driver info from the HP site before anything would work, but it does finally....so here goes what I gots...

Hopefully more to follow if I can find where I put the stuff!! And I am SOOOO behind on my SBS9 stuff- gals I apologize....I hope to get with it soon! But I am thinkin of y'all!!! ttyl!

Here's Bob's card and enive for V Day!

So I will share with you my honey's valentine's -slash - anniversary card...I would have preferred to make a cute one, but he never gets me cute, he always finds mushy ones with the best sayings...and since I could not decide on ONE of the sentiments, I used three and put them together the best I could ...I like how it turned out and he liked it - which is of course what counts!! LOL so here it is!

ok - I'm back!

Didn't mean to scare you all...two things kept me off the computer...1) for several weeks I have had a TERRIBLE time with my upgrade to Norton 360 internet protection, and so I have yet to solve the issue on my main computer....duh....I forgot about my laptop and my network connection...but I was so peeved (to put it mildly) about this problem - I could spit nails.....so countless hours have been wasted on live chats, and other remedies that obviously don't work since I can't get my computer upstairs onto the internet...ARGHHHH!!!! but number two was a nice reason....2) the continual celebration of my 15th wedding anniversary on Valentine's Day. Bob had several days off too - plus we had a delayed opening right before our school winter break for President's weekend - and once I got my garage door open from the ice...realized that the basement....MY STUDIO....was swimming (thankfully contained in one area)...due to the contractor not fixing the window well as they had promised....so I had to stay home and suck up water....but don;t worry....no cards or scrapbooks were lost! Thank goodness! It is a shame you can't get good service/help/products these days despite the large price tags - or you can't find anyone to take responsibility for a problem with their service or product. Sheisters!!

Well - I will be posting some pictures - as I will show you Bob's and Stephanie's Valentine's cards....plus some other stuff too - cuz stampin is my therapy and when I wanted to throw the computer out the upstairs window - I went downstairs to stamp! So - sorry I scared a few of you...it's so nice to know that someone noticed!! Thank ya sistas! ok - TTYL!!

So...after tomorrow the stress will die down for me at school (hah!)...we have an open house (the first annual one AND expo) and unfortunately, I have become a "go to gal" as I always get things done in a pinch...but I am a bit miffed this time...I got NONE, NOTHING, NYET, NADA done on my presentations...while I fixed and helped with the main office's and expo central projects....{sigh} oh well - there are worse things...although it is 8:58pm, and I forgot to go to Staples to get the certificate paper for our group's handout...{another sigh}.... ahhhhh - as you say in north jersey.....fuhgettaboutit!!......ok - done! So on to what I did do last night! I knew it was Alex's birthday YESTERDAY and I missed sending well wishes but I did make your card yesterday Alex!! So here it is!


Next - I am slowly backing up to the two January babies I missed...so first one is Natty - don't worry Louise you're next! so here is Natty's card with another from this weekend to follow!

Hey...a GIANT scallop!!!

So here is my take on a new use for the Stampin' Up!® scallop punch! Stephanie was getting ready for work on Sunday (poor thing - the hospital is ALWAYS open so she had to work on Super Bowl Sunday!)...and she wanted to display some type of team allegiance to the Giants (even though at heart she is an Eagles fan!) and so I said "hold on honey - I have an idea!!!!" She cut the ribbon, I whipped out my little alphabet and my scallop punch and WALLA!!!! Look how Stephanie represented for the Super Bowl!!



I had french braided her hair and since Steph wanted ribbons, I said that they actually looked like they could be for the Patriots too - and that's when the light bulb went off!! How Bout It???

Oh yeah - now I am 5'9" and I am standing right behind her shooting straight on...and yeah she's like 6'1.5" (she would prefer I not say 6'2"!)

Weekend work

Ok - so this is really what my daughter Stephanie did - while I cleaned the studio, got her materials, offered suggestions, put away the things I had from my Thursday evening class, and demonstrated to her....but it was fun none the less...So first - here are two altered notebooks - the new western paper (which I ADORE- already ordered more of it!) for herself and a small notebook for odds n ends....That ginger blossom DSP is great too!



Here is a grouping of the small notebook and a recipe box Steph did for her kitchen and a small candy holder - unfortunately I ran out of camera battery before I could take another photo so that's it of the candy...I did these at the class Thursday - it is 2 small pieces of card stock, with two scallops attached to the bottom, then eyelets set, ribbon through, two Hershey nuggets wrapped to match, sticky stuck to the card stock and WALLA! cute candy holder....My dearest upline Tracy taught me that one! Thanks Mama Bear!!



Inside the recipe box Stephanie made the dividers...by the way - box was $1 from Michaels...



and here is a close up of the box outside...yes - chip board flower, embossed white with a jeweled brad...and some hodgepodge...



Above are two travel mugs - one I believe is one from StarBucks Stephanie redid and the other is a small mug I found at the dollar store...and I will be offering a stamp camp with these in the project listings...its hard to see the flowers she punched - dang battery - should have turned the mugs for another "mug shot" (sorry BAAADDD joke but I couldn't resist!)




close up of the lil notebook again...



and last but not least, a gift for Stephanie's friend's lil girl Aliviah - so KIERSTAN STOP LOOKING! It's a surprise!

So - you wonder how could Stephanie do all these projects at a moments notice? Because I am the queen of collecting...you name it I most likely have 10 or so tucked away for a class "in the future"!! Trouble is, I end up just collecting - but one of my resolutions for 2008 is to get that stuff out and alter it!! WOOO HOOO!! You may be lucky enough to be in on any one of those projects!!!

Hey look!

One of my SBS9 sisters, Suzanne, sent all of us an award! So here they are - how cool is that!

Just a plain 'ol note...

So....I had been doing so great of late on posting and then WHAM! That four letter word called "work" steps in to screw up everything! LOL On Tuesday I went in to school, normal teaching day, and my supervisor called me down to talk about my career program being created into an Academy program...which is very exciting...however, comma, I did not realize we were going to discuss applying for an opportunity that had presented itself very recently - and this opportunity had a deadline of February 1st - yes - like this very minute!! At any rate, I was granted professional development leave time to write up this proposal to participate in this great opportunity - and being the perfectionist that I am - I can't just fluff something up - besides, we would be number 101 in participants for 20 spots....NO PRESSURE HERE! Needless to say I did not sleep for the last several nights...my mind would NOT shut off! I hate when that happens! At any rate, I do what I love best when I am totally stressed - and that is STAMP! Told you - it's my therapy! So last night I had a lovley dose of stampin' with a great group of gals as I did a workshop/party for a group I had met last year or so ago...they are definitely fun!! I mean, how can life get better than to hang with other "professional supply collectors" and stampers...let me tell you - it was great and just what the doctor ordered! So today - albeit tired - I am able to focus on finishing up all the touches to this proposal so that we can have it postmarked by today. {Big sigh here} So - this is just a plain 'ol 'lil note to tell you that I will have more to post over the weekend...my "baby" is going to be home when I get there (barring unforseen weather interuptions - I don't mind snow but hate ICE!)...and I am sure we will be stamping in the fabulous craft room.

By the way - thank you to all of you who left me lovely and funny e-mails and comments about the room. And Yes-sir-ee Bob, I know that I am a lucky woman (I love saying that since my DH is BOB!) - and no he does not have a free brother or clone - and no - no couch, but a chaise lounge that my hubby has no problem sleeping on so you can stay if you like, LOL, and yes you are all invited to come and play - consider it an open invitation - I NEVER turn down a chance to stamp with friends. And I am sorry about the bruise on your chin Katie! LOL - you guys are the best!

OK - gotta go give the final proof before heading to the Post Office! Whew! I need a nap - but would prefer to stamp! TTYL!!

The Christmas version of my studio...The Gramcrafter's Cafe..Fun & so much S'Maur!

So - FINALLY I have a slide show of my most beautiful crafting studio that my DH Bob made for me...it was my bribe to move yet again one more time....I love it and my friends and customers love it! I can see everything I want to use - stamps, punches, ribbons, accessories, inks...you name it and its out...Although, a wee funny story....I finished putting the room together - and Bob was so proud of the shelves (they are like 1 or 1 1/2 inches wide with a bit of trim on the front so they don't fall...) - I unpacked my stamps...and we both had big smiles on our faces as we looked at his handiwork and my "stuff"...when I noticed his smile fade...and he looked around the room from end to end and I realized HE NOW KNOWS HOW MANY STAMP SETS I HAVE!!! That's the only bad thing about seeing everything so you can use it....HE can see it too!!! Muwahaaaahaaaa!! Oh well...he just looked at me and shook his head and went upstairs....I gulped, decided to stay in the studio and work - but I knew all was ok when he brought me down hot cookies and milk...WHEW!! Passed that hurdle...thank God he didn't know I hadn't unpacked it all...and thats not even my NON SU stamps!! HEHEHEHEHEHE ...we'll just keep that our lil secret, eh?!

Another lil thing to share with y'all is my other addiction...my doll and Tinker Bell collections....Yes, there are American Girls, Engel Puppen (German dolls), Tonner dolls, Kish dolls, Anne Estelle's, Stardust Classics and antiques - my 1930's Shirley Temple and my 1960's Baby First Step...I don't have all my tinks downstairs, nor do I have them all out yet...so lets just say that I am a little obsessive/compulsive...but in a good way!! LOL

My room has 2 tables in this view, but I can get 5 in reasonably comfy...and I also, due to the Tree, have 2 displaced bookshelves...but they will be back where the tree is......Well anyway, enjoy the show....






by the way...if you want the captions of the pics and you want to see bigger photos...you should be able to click right on the middle of the slide show and see my public photo album of my room...happy viewing!

Here's another birthday card....plus a thank you!

Hey Natalie....Happy Birthday!



I must admit Natalie, that I made your card both for you and for my friends to make tomorrow at a lil Stamp a Stack...I think its colorful and bright...so I hope you (and my friends) enjoy it! I'll have to edit this post tomorrow and add the recipe for the card...





Now for the stamp a stack, I was trying to come up with a more masculine thank you, as I realized I almost always use flowers...not that men don't like flowers, but ....you know....so I thought I would give this a shot...gluing the lil box around the dragonfly was a bit of a challenge, as I used the glue stick - and it was sticking everywhere on me and not the card for the longest time!! But as you can see, I got it! I am nothing if not stubborn! So I was going to win over that dang glue! LOL So let me know what you think....I think maybe it needs something....hmmmmm

True Confessions...

ok - time for me to 'fess up...I JUST mailed my Christmas cards!!! I know, I know....I am sooooo bad! However, one of my newer "ways of life" is to not stress on the small stuff...I knew I couldn't get them out before Christmas, so I just sent them after... Bob and I have been through too much in the 15 years of our marriage, that just being with him is enough and everything else is just gravy...so while I do feel a twinge of guilt....I am not beating myself up over it...so here is a picture of what I sent...I started them last year, but Bob had heart issues at the end of the year which put a crimp in my style...no biggie....I finished them this past November at my friend Jacqui's during our annual card fest, eating marathon (oh my DO WE have fun!) - and I just got them mailed now...due to Bob's knee surgery the beginning of December. So - enjoy!!

Stamps: Peaceful Wishes, Flannel Plaid BG; Paper: is 06-07 In Color, Cranberry Crisp, True Thyme and Very Vanilla; Ink: Close to Cocoa, Cranberry Crisp, True Thyme, Versa Mark Accessories: Crystal effects with red pearl, copper twine, copper embossing powder

Here's a birthday card ...

So Stephanie came home and we played last night in the craft room...She made several valentine's 3X3 cards, several of the heart candy packages I have posted previously, and she made some sample's for her girlfriend's daughter's 1st birthday...not done yet, but can't wait to snap a picture! Hopefully, before she takes them with her, LOL! I missed the lil 3X3 cards, as Stef made them, wrote them out and sealed them....the "noive" (in brookynese - nerve)... Anywho - here is a card I made for one of my SBS9 sisters, Amber...it was her birthday yesterday...so this one is for her! "Amber, hope you had a great day!"

So I lied...I have 3 posts tonight!!!

I was reading my INKredible Impressions forum from my lovely up-up-up-lineTina - and on it the gals talked about sending our Queen Mother of SU, Shelli Gardner, sympathy cards, as her mother, a fellow stamper, passed from this life right before the holidays. Since I felt such an ache for her and her family - I had to send one, too, even though mine will be later than my inky sisters....but OMG - WHAT do you send The Queen Mother? So I said - "dope, this ain't about you - so shut up and stamp!". So I did...I did not take a picture of Shelli's card, but I made the following card I have posted for my girlfriend Maura's birthday - made one for Shelli and made some extra because I loved it so much...I really feel like divine intervention was a-goin' on, as when I rely on my own self for a creation, it takes me FOREVER to move this, add this, remove that, change the color, and on and on..until I can't really decide if I like what I made or not... but this time, I just loved the card outright...scared myself a bit ... So hopefully, this card has done its duty for all... Here are the two versions...

Here are the cards from my PA shoebox meeting...

I went to a shoebox swap with my daughter this past Sunday - and this is a set of 4 all SU! product cards... this is my creation that I shared.....

I used the same kind of layout I did with the Zoofari children's card...

This is from my Stephanie - she cased a case I had from last years Friends set...sorry but I can't remember the name of that talented stamper....cute, eh?

This is from a new found demo friend, Sally...I totally DIG these colors!

This is from my other new demo friend, Liz ...we chose the same set of DS paper 'cuz this paper is the best!!

My cards from my other new demo friend, the host, Alli, I must not have saved to the same file and can't find at the moment so will post later...but she had us doing several great cards and projects (now in my mind I am saying PRO-jects....Alli has this totally bangin' British accent!!! LOVE YA ALLI!) So when my projects are complete they too will get posted. Alli was such an excellent and generous hostess - it made for a great day....new friends (and my "baby"), great food and stampin' - what more could a gal ask for, I tell ya....

I have been sooooo busy!!! Yi-haaa!

Ok guys - I was bad and ignored everything else this weekend and stamped my brains out....OMG did that feel GOOD!!!!! So let me have two posts here today - and once I get all my pics of my room uploaded to a slide show - you can see my fab-u stamp room....ok - get on with it you said!! OK- here goes...first, I wanted to create some special valentine's gifts for my DDSS9 for her reveal gift, and then a regular altered item and then I decided that I NEEDED an altered item for my very own all pretty...you can let me know what you think...

This is my pretty notebook, 8.5 X 11 size, using my left over Christmas DS paper...


Here is my baggie of peppermint patties - an idea I got from my big sis in DDSS9...



This lil gem is some Hershey's extra CREAMY milk chocolate hearts in a cello...



And this lil bugger is a small memo pad for your purse, using our NEW DS paper and many samples of our lovely ribbon....I like this and then I am nervous that it isn't as good as I think...of course my husband has American Idol on - and many of those nuts THINK THEY CAN SING! Makes me nervous when I THINK I CAN CRAFT!!!! Y'all will need to leave a comment to let me know whatcha think!