This N' That

Hmmm.....what have I been doing since my last post? I guess I'd have to say probably not a whole lot. I did go on a great cruise over the holidays. And, on a very nice boat trip from Florida to Hawks Caye and a visit to Key West; which I absolutely LOVE! But for the most part, all I seem to have done is to suffer for the longest time with what I've thought was sinus/allergy problems. I've been to the ENT twice now and even had allergy testing. The allergy tests all showed negative; which is a good thing. Seems I may have non-allergic Rhinitis and the doctor gave me a nose spray for such. Well, I don't want to jinx myself, but for the last week I've felt better than I have in months and months. So much so, that I actually made 20+ cards on Sunday and more last night. Mind you, I've CASED each one because I am not one to take too much time to create from scratch. That takes me WAY too long and I'm an immediate gratification kind of person. However, the bookmark in this post I did create to match the CASED card.

First Casualty of the Season!

Oh, gosh what a horrible night, or shall I say wee early morning I had. I was abruptly awaken at 2:00 a.m. to some unfamiliar strange noise. It caused one of my dogs to jump out of the bed. Of course, when I turned on the light and saw her standing on the floor I thought the noise I heard had been her and perhaps she'd fallen out of the bed. That didn't seem to be her problem as I was able to quickly coax her back into the bed. I left the light on hoping to hear the noise again so I could determine the cause. Then it did it again and my mind raced to several options. A bird caught in my gas logs in the bedroom, or a squirrel or a mouse? Maybe it was trying to get in my room or maybe it was stuck in the wall and fluttering all around inside. It was causing a lot of commotion that's for sure. Finally I grabbed the flash light under the night stand and shined it on the grate of the gas logs and I could see something. When I opened the grate there was the culprit; a mouse. It'd gotten stuck on the glue trap standing straight up and it was trying to pull itself along to safety. OMG!! What to do? I finally decided I needed something long enough to grab the whole trap; the tongs worked great. But my reaching for it caused the little rodent to place it's other two feet on the glue and there it was really stuck for good. So now I have it and am really not sure what to do with it. Hmmmm....all I can think of, at this hour, is to place it outside and see what the rest of the dark would bring.

Leaving for work this morning, I tried not to look where I'd placed it but couldn't resist. Now I feel horrible because there it is still trying to get free and I can't bring myself to put it out of it's misery. If Brian were in town he'd have taken care of it for me. As it stands, I don't ever want to use those glue traps again. I think they are a very cruel way to capture rodents. From now on I'm going to use some other more humane system.

Just A Note

I created these last night with the Just A Note stamp set from Stampin Up. It's only 1 stamp in the box and it's perfect for simple quick cards. And, I didn't even CASE this time. Card stock colors are Crumb Cake, Chocolate Chip, Early Espresso, Cherry Cobbler and Whisper White. I used Chocolate Chip Craft Ink and clear embossing powder. The ribbon is Chocolate Chip.

Look @ Tink now!!

Isn't she beautiful. This is a picture of her taken for a photo shoot this summer. Her new owner has been a blesing for this little girl. She is very happy and very well adjusted. She even has another playmate. Her owner says they are so very happy together and cuddle often as well as play very well together.

Halloween Fun!

I do like Halloween a lot and each year it seems to sneak up on me faster than the one before. Not sure if I'm dressing up this year; probably not since it's only a few days away and I have no idea what to be. But I do get my cards sent out in time. Here are a few that I'll be mailing.

A Tree For All Seasons (retired)

Sadly for some, this stamp set is retired from Stampin Up's collection. I truly like it a lot and refuse to let it go. After seeing samples on Splitcoast Stampers I just had to re-create this card with the set. No sentiment has been added so I'd say it can be used for various reasons. What you can't tell is that the Crushed Curry is actually layered on top of Bashful Blue. The scalloped paper is actually River Rock. Guess my scanning isn't as true to the real thing.

2nd Holiday Stamp-A-Stack

I'm offering another Holiday Stamp-A-Stack and you're invited. The date is October 26th (Tuesday) beginning @ 6:00 p.m. Come join us for some creative fun! We'll make 10 cards (5 of each design) for $25. The location is 2112 W. Laburnum Ave., Ste. 205, Richmond, VA. So email me by the 19th if you want to attend. One of the cards is my design (in either red or blue) and one is totally CASED, so I can't take credit at all for that one. But I'm sure it's one you'll love.

Beagle (Tink) has a new home!

I just wanted to take a little space to let everyone know that the little Beagle I found now has a permanent home. And, she also has an awesome little Jack Russel brother. Seems she will be an indoor girl and gets to walk fabulous trails each day as well. I could not be happier for her and I want to thank everyone so much for the effort in helping me find her a good home. My sister does know of another female beagle that hangs around the barn where my niece's horse resides that needs a home too. So I'll try to help her in finding her a home as well. Thank you again for your concern and help. I have an amazing circle of friends and some people I've never met as well.

This sweet adorable puppy needs a really good home!

When I came home last night this little girl was scampering across my drive way to the neighbors yard. So after I got my car in the garage I coaxed her in and closed the door. She was cold, hungry and tired. I got a nice wool blanket, towel and sheet and quickly made her a very nice place to rest her weary body. And, I gave her some of Bella & Rikka's food as well. She'd been in the rain all day and apparently had been hunting by the looks of her somewhat raw feet and scratched legs. Plus it seemed she hadn't eaten in a while from the looks of her ribs. Nonetheless, I tossed and turned all night wondering what to do the next day. I decided she'd stay in my garage to get the rest and nourishment she needed. I also put some Vaseline on her feet and legs to give her poor raw skin some relief. She did get to go out to do her business and was very happy to return right back to the bed made for her. When I got home tonight she was so happy to see me and seems more comfortable with her surroundings. She also seems very young as she was eager to play, plus she tried to get into a few things in the garage but she didn't damage them. Seems she just wants to play a bit. From that behavior and in looking at her eyes and teeth she is young. Another very nice thing about her is she absolutely shows no aggression in any way. Brian bought her some food of her own today and when I fed her I put my hand right in her bowl while she was eating and not one reaction from her; which is great. Plus he and I picked several ticks off of her and again she didn't even flinch. She is a very easy going and extremely sweet girl. Don't you know of anyone who would want to give this little girl the good home she deserves? I already have two little ones and just can't afford another one. Trust me Bella and Rikka cost plenty and one more is more than I can properly afford. Please email me at galstamper@aol.com if you or anyone you know is interested in this wonderful puppy.

Don't Miss it!- Annual Holiday Stamp a Stack!

It's that time of year again. Time to start thinking about your holiday cards and what you want to send. If you're like me, nothing but a handmade card will do; or in my case is accepted. I haven't purchased a store bought card since July 2007. Handmade cards are much more special and appreciated. Folks really look forward to receiving them. So I'm offering two Stamp a Stack sessions. One on November 29 at my studio in Aylett and one on November 30 at my office conference room in Richmond. Let me know by November 20 if you want in on this fun event. The cost is $25 for 12 very special cards; 4 of each design. The picture notes what we'll be making, but trust me when I say they are much more impressive in person. Email me at galstamper@aol.com if you want in.

More Open House Artwork Sharing!

These are cards I received from my Stampin Up sisters in the September Flood Swap.

Open House Artwork!

So gee, do you think I've made it clear enough I'm having a Studio Open House this Sunday, October 25? Actually, I placed an ad in my local paper which comes out today and I'm having a yard banner made as well. So I hope to get more traffic here and am posting some new cards and projects I've worked on as I noted in my ad I would do. And, I'm also providing a few pictures of cards from some of my other Stampin Up sisters. I'm in a Flood Swap and September was my month to be flooded. It was awesome coming home each day during the month to find several cards in my mail box. I received some very nice artwork and wanted to share. Oh, and what artwork I created was probably CASED as I'm very limited on my time as of late with regard to my own ideas. These 3 I did make.

I'm having a Studio Open House!

Finally! I've intended to have an open house for a while now and have settled on October 25, 2009, from 11-3. Just hope I can be totally ready. I hope if you're in the area you'll join me. I have lots of nice things for sale at major reduced prices. Plus I'll have door prizes too! And, you'll have the chance to preview new products available and possibly create a card to take with you. I hope to see you there!

One of my most prized posessions!

It looks like a plate you may say! It is a plate! But not like any other I own. This plate has very special meaning to me and will forever be displayed at my house. The house I had built and closed on exactly 5 years ago on 10/6/04. My house was a true labor of love and somewhat bittersweet at that. Although the reason for the need to have a new home at the age of 41 was not where I envisioned I'd be, but as they say, there is a reason for everything and this holds true for me when I had my house built. Shortly after moving in I had a house warming and every person I held dear to my heart was there. Which made it even more special. But one of my dearest friends, Gloria, had this plate with her in it's raw form and had every person there that evening sign it and then she had it fired to permanently preserve all the good wishes and signatures. I look at it often and a smile always crosses my face when I do. I keep this plate very close to the ground on a shelf on the island in my kitchen. That way should it ever come off the shelf it doesn't have far to go and will land on a rug. Thereby hopefully preventing it from ever breaking. It is truly one of a kind and can never be exactly replaced nor can the event which brought it to my house ever be duplicated. Thank you all my dear friends for this truly cherished gift which keeps me grounded.

Bella & Rikka turned 4 on Sept. 5, 2009!

And, what a big day they had. Brian bought each of them a new blanket and a new toy. Of course pink for Bella and purple for Rikka. We then took them to Tuesday Morning and pushed them in their stroller for a bit and then on to Stony Point Fashion Park. OMG, did they have a good time there. And, of course, they are so adorable and irresistible (I'm biased) that many folks had to stop and pet them and talk to them. I fixed them some chicken to go in their food which was such a treat for them. Here are some pictures of them at the fashion park. Although, I must say their day didn't start off too well. Bella got sick before she even got out of bed and Rikka had to go to the vets first thing because something bit her on her face and it was red and swollen. She's okay but on antibiotics for a week. All in all it was a very good day and they were "dog" tired on the way home. :d They went to sleep immediately when we put them in the crate for the drive home.

Big Shot Bites the Dust!

Well, actually only one teeny, tiny gear bit the dust. However, that piece or any other piece of the Big Shot cannot be ordered seperately. So, I had to order a whole new Big Shot. It's slowed up my grandiose plans to really crank out some great cards this week. You know, being all pumped up and everything since coming back from Convention in Utah. Anywho....here is a picture of my poor dismantled Big Shot! Seems I have really gotten my money's worth out of it, or Brian's money. He gave it to me for my birthday in 07.

And, just a few more.

More cards from Jean's Stamp Room!

Here are more for you to enjoy.

Salt Lake City Here I come!

Stampin Up's convention is next week in SLC and I'm going. I'm so looking forward to it. I've got a lot of swaps to make and am behind the 8 ball big time. I'll be kicking it in high gear this weekend. In the meantime, here are some random pictures from Jean's Stamp Room. Love the things she posts.

I've also made the cutest pocket flower cards which I hope to post before I leave as well.

I made it!

To Stampin Up's Stamper's Showcase on June 16 and 18 that is. I submitted these two cards to Stampin Up for the Artisan Award Contest; and since I didn't win and they posted them, it's safe for me to post as well. If I see more of my entries I'll share. I made a whole bunch of cards this week and will post those soon too. I'm very pleased with my creations of late. And, even one I created last night which I can't share because those will go with me to the SU Convention this year. It's just next month; gosh Summer is whizzing by isn't it?

Masculinity!

Well, or how about a masculine themed card. I just figured the title would certainly grab attention. Haha! This is the father's day card I made to give to Brian on behalf of Bella and Rikka! They adore him and he's awesome with them. This card was cased from one that Ming had created. Love the little piece of wood like paper; and now Stampin Up offers sheets of it as well. The little hammer brad came from a store Ming visited on her trip to Seattle recently.

Random Posting

I know it's been quite some time since I've posted, but I've got so much going on I just haven't been motivated I guess you could say to post. I'm dealing with a degenerative disc pushing on my sciatic nerve and have been in pain for quite some time. I finally broke down last week and saw the chiropractor every day and am scheduled for 3 days this week and probably the same every week for a while. It's prohibited my activities for sure and it's getting a little old. But this too shall pass; hopefully without needing surgery. Anyway, here are a few pictures of cards that were displayed at my last down line meeting. I have made a few of my own, but I may be taking them to convention for swaps and can't post them. Bummer.....but I'm getting excited about receiving the new SU Idea Book & Catalog and the new in colors. I plan to have an Open House at my studio in August so that should be fun. I think I may like the new colors better than the ones they introduced last year; all except for the Pink Pirouette though. My absolute favorite.

Finally some cards!

You'd think I switched from posting cards to just posting pictures of family, friends and around the house. Truth be told, I haven't made a whole lot since submitting my entries to SU for the Artisan Award Contest. Now it seems that yard and house work have consumed much of my time. And, now I have a Piriformis Muscle/Sciatica Nerve issue which is prohibiting me from doing much at all. Anyway, these three were mostly cased. But still, maybe you haven't seen them before.

What a pool SHOULD look like!

Here is the much improved pool after a few weeks. It truly sparkles now and yet it still needs to be vacuumed.

What your pool should NEVER look like on opening day!

Yet, this is my pool on opening day and I was mortified. I have never had my pool to look like this. It took me over a week to finally get it cleared up and I still have some residue of that green gunk on the bottom filters. I need to find a kid who can go down there and brush it off for me. :D After much money and a few weeks later it's looking crystal clear. I'll have to post the after picture soon. And, I've learned that the shock you can buy from Wal-Mart has more stabilizer than anything and therefore was doing nothing but helping my pool maintain the cloudiness. I added 12lbs of shock and it didn't do much. Pla Mor Pools of Mechanicsville are the bomb and helped me get my pool looking amazing.

My Niece, Nephew & Younger Sister!

Saturday I went to watch my niece for her weekly horse back riding lesson. And, I took some pictures since it was a good day weather wise for such. Albeit a bit windy and chilly. After her lesson my sister along with her two and two of their friends and Brian and I went to Ashland for dinner. It was a very nice time with them. We don't get to gather too often since Tyler is 15 and seems to just want to hang with his peeps all the time. But he's a good child and does well in school, so nothing wrong with that. So here are a few pics of our time together. They are growing up so fast it seems. I remember when Tyler was born (12/1)@ 10lbs 12.5 ounces; he was beautiful and on Christmas Day he looked like he was 3 months old.

I'm looking awful in this picture with my sister.

My Birthday Celebration!

The 24th was my 46th birthday and what a great day I had. First of all there was a Ukrops cake on my desk from a colleague who is a very good friend as well. That was such a treat. Later about 13 of my girlfriends met me at Cafe Caturra for a lunch celebration and it was just the best. Here is a picture of Katie and me while there. I love her new hair style and color. And, OMG, Brian had an amazing basket of fruit delivered to my office before I left to meet my friends and I took it with me. It was so impressive and the fruit was awesome. I've posted a picture of it here. I also received many, many well wishes from my friends via FaceBook which was way cool. I can't thank everyone enough for making my day spectacular. Of course, I'm still celebrating as Ming has arranged for my massage therapist to come to my house Sunday for an hour massage. And, Ming's coming over for one as well. Then we plan to have some champagne and sit in the hot tub for a while. But we have to do some stamping as well. I'm entering the SU Artisan Award Contest, so that's why I've been MIA lately.