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.

My Snow Covered House!

So here is what my house looks like in a full snow storm and on the first of March no less. It really was neat. Not having electricity for 34 hours was not! And, the babies being tummy deep in snow was not as much fun as the night before when it was barely past their paws.

Reliable Pick A Petal!

I can always count on Pick A Petal to make a neat card.

Sorry for the absence of new posts lately, but I've been preparing my entry for the Stampin Up Artisan Contest and I've only started on my first item. The requirements are 3 scrapbook pages, 5 cards and 2 three dimensional projects. They are due to SU by 4/20. Wish me luck!

Masculine in Mind!

This is a card I created Sunday in preparation for the Birthday-Stamp-A-Stack I offered. It turned out okay. It's hard to create masculine themed cards I must admit.

Petal Pizzaz!

Now this stamp set is awesome and I truly feel it will be around for quite some time. All of these cards were CASED. Can't help it, they are, IMO, just such great layouts and colors. Although, the Mellow Moss and Riding Hood Red was my color combinaiton idea.

Pocket Silhouettes!

I hope this set stays around for a long while because I think it's very versatile.

Stampin Success!

For you SU Demonstrators, I hope you got yours this month. As usual, it's full of useful ideas and it also included the Occasions Mini Catalog which will be in effect April 1. It's loaded and I know already I want Forest Friends! Anway, here is a card I just had to make immediately upon reviewing the magazine. Of course it's CASED because I liked it so much.

Brian's Valentine Card

So this is the card I gave Brian for Valentine's Day. Yep, it's cased...sort of. I did actually take various stamps from my SU sets to make the heart though. And, it actually does look like one I made last year. I liked it a lot and so did he. He gave me a beautiful bouquet of flowers that he picked up from the local florist, which is a nice contribution to the local community. Of course, the card said Happy Anti-Valentine's Day cause he knows I'm just not that into the celebration that comes along with it. But he did take me to the seafood restaurant Friday night, which IMO, was better than going out Saturday night with every other human from the community. Not that I don't like my community folks, just not so many at one time is all I'm saying. He also gave me the coolest little Valentine's Day present; which I'll post a picture of tomorrow. It's a Wonder Woman metal bracelet. Too cool since I've said for years my goal is to be Wonder Woman and sometimes I feel like I am. Now I'll be even more invincible since I have the bracelet which for sure makes me that much closer to being Wonder Woman right?

Rustic Rooster

When I first saw this stamp set from Stampin Up I just knew I had to have it. I really don't know why though as I'm just not as creative with stamps like this as I am with simpler ones. However, here is my first attempt at making a card with it and without casing. I think I really will need to find some to case as this just doesn't do much for me. But it lends some interest to me, so here it is.

CD Case Project!

Even though I have a huge amount of blank paper CD Cases they just aren't quite like the one I've made here. I actually think I like the one I made better. In this post you'll see the front side (decorated) and the back side of the CD Case (slightly decorated) as well as the back opened. I am thinking about doing this at Ming's workshop this month. So easy and yet so nice, especially for picture card CD's you may share.

Not quite cased!

On this card I started out to CASE, but changed it up a bit as I didn't have all it took to duplicate the one I'd seen. But I actually like mine a lot as well. Everything but the sentiment is Stampin Up.

A serious case of casing!

As a Stampin Up Demonstrator I am privy to many card ideas from sister demonstrators. As well as from the Stampin Up Idea Book and Catalog. So, as time for creating is precious and minimal, I have cased a lot lately. A lot of times I'll change up the colors, but I will definitely copy the lay out. Here are a few of my casings!

Bizzy Times!

It's probably like that for most of you as well, incredibly bizzy! I know how to spell, I just like my version of the word better. Anyway, on the 17th I went to Bob and Terry's for some great food and good time with them and other friends; like I said before one of my most favorite things to do. Sunday, the 18th Brian and I went to Bobbi & Loren's wedding at the Boars Head Inn in Charlottesville, VA. So very, very nice. I'll share pictures soon of that. The 24th I performed a wedding ceremony for some friends, which was very nice too. And, also on the 24th Brian had his annual Winter Chill Out Party at Tobacco Company in Richmond, so I went to that. I've posted a picture of us while there. Sunday, I had the first meeting for the stamp club group; which was way fun. We're very excited about it! I've posted a picture from that too. And, later Sunday friends came over for dinner and some chatting and relaxing in the hot tub. This Saturday I have a downline meeting; which I look so forward to and am helping Terry clear some things from her office. So as you can see it's been an incredibly bizzy month so far and that doesn't even count going to work, yoga and the gym or lovin on the puppy girls. But I truly do love having lots of things to do and wonderful friends to share good times with.

Kindness!

I made this card in early December in anticipation of Valentine's Day. I know a bit premature hunh? But I'd gotten tired of holiday cards and was ready to play with the new set I'd ordered from Stampin Up called Love You Much.

Photos from Bali, Indonesia!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

As promised, here is a very small amount (91) of photos from my Bali, Indonesia trip. I took over 300! It truly was a great trip and I would recommend it to anyone looking to experience the Bali culture.

I'm Back!!

I'm back from my trip to Bali. What a great experience it was. I enjoyed it and got some great pictures which I'll post in a SmileBox soon. I haven't had an opportunity to make anything card wise and hope to get to do that this week. In the meantime, I thought I'd share what Bella and Rikka did with one of the Christmas presents I gave to them. This is the 2nd bed they've owned and the 2nd one they've torn to shreds. They must get truly bored when left alone too long. I was in Bali and Brian ran some errands the day they did this. Glad it was on sale at PetSmart when I got it.

Last of the Holiday Cards!

Here are some of the Holiday Cards I'll be sending out. I hate to show them before my circle of friends and family gets them, but I really want to post them. Like I said in the post before this, I'm working on Valentine's Day cards now. Plus, I've got a special project to do for my Stamp Club Group which starts in January.

This n' That

Some of my friends have said they check out my blog to see what I'm up to. Well, I haven't done too much posting specifically about that sort of thing. So I thought I'd provide a little update.

Let' see.....Thanksgiving was so nice. I made an incredible spaghetti sauce (thanks to Ray) and we had dessert and a movie (Wall-E) at Ming and Ray's. Plus we got to see her mom, dad, grandma, sister and brother-in-law which was very nice. We stopped by Eugene and Beth's after that to see their new home; which is way cool. That truly was a nice visit as well. I also got a workout in at the gym which was only occupied by one other person. Had the whole place mostly to myself.

On Friday, 12/5 a whole bunch of us got together for Jill's birthday and went to River's Edge Bistro, which was very festive. Ming and I spent the night with Jill and Kelley came over for some girl talk as well. Saturday I had Madelyn and Barbara up for my last Holiday Stamp A Stack and that was also so very nice. I put up the tree and the candles in the windows. Brian and I put the wreath on my turret which is beautiful. Since it was so warm here last night, (60 plus) I put the lit garland around my door. So all that is done.

As usual I have Yoga on Thursday nights and I'm trying to fit in some visits to the gym too.

Bella and Rikka still haven't mastered the puppy door Brian installed. Actually, Bella was traumatized by it Monday night when we made her go through it. She still seems to be off kilter and I'm really not sure why. Don't get me wrong, she's eating, drinking, piddle and pooing as well as playing, but she seems to want more attention than normal. Hmmm..wonder if she can sense it's about time for me to go away for a week or more. Anyway, they are doing well.

This weekend I plan to go to Walkerton to buy some of the Brunswick Stew that will be on sale at the Fire Department and hopefully get to see Ming, Emily and Ray while there. Saturday evening I plan to go to Terry and Bobs for some great fellowship at the barn. One of my most favorite things to do actually. I'll be making cards to send out for Christmas this weekend too; yes I'm late.

Brian flies out very early Friday morning for Texas. He bought a vehicle from there and is driving it back. I get my hair cut tomorrow; thank goodness. Monday the puppies go to the groomers. And, next week is my last week at work until January 5th. So I've got two payrolls to do, bonuses and tax preparations to complete. My company Christmas party is at The Hotel Jefferson next Friday. I leave for Bali on the 23rd. I can hardly believe it. Plus, I'm really pumped about all the new Stampin Up things in the very near future. I've been working on Valentine's Day cards actually and am looking forward to the stamp club that I'm also starting in January.

Oh, and way cool news. Brian and I are going to the Adirondacks in February for his birthday for a weekend of snowmobiling. Even though I hate cold weather, this should be fun. Check it out; it's in Old Forge, NY. http://www.oldforgeny.com/

Okay, I guess that's about it for now. I'm sure I've forgotten something.
And, how about some new cards?

Beautiful Avery!

I just have to share with you the newest addition to the "river clan" who was born in August. Scott and Elizabeth (I performed their marriage ceremony-my first) were blessed with a beautiful little girl and they named her Avery. I'm sort of honored as I offered up the name to them in March when we were at Ming and Ray's for dinner one evening and they liked it. Actually, another friend of mine named his daughter the same but about almost 4 years ago. So this little Avery has a name sake. Maybe one day they'll meet. The first little Avery is adorable too.

Overdue post!

Gosh, I feel bad I haven't posted in over a week, but there has just not been enough time. Too much to do with only 3 weeks left of the year for me to do them in. That's because the first of the third week of December is going to be spent mostly on my getting ready to go to Bali, Indonesia on the 23rd. I can hardly believe it's approaching. Anyway, I haven't made too many new cards, so I'll continue to share with you ones I took pictures of from Regional.

Oh, and today is my nephew's 15th birthday and I haven't even sent his card. I did make it though. It will be sent tomorrow for sure.

Jen's SWAP & My CASED

The card on the left is what my Upline made for SWAPS to take to the regional we just attended in Virginia Beach. They are yummy! Because I didn't have all the supplies to make it exactly like hers, I substituted and mine is on the right. Jen always does impressive cards.

Regional SWAP & Cased!

So the card in the picture on the left is the one I swapped for at regional and the one on the right is the one I made. I did not have all the necessary items to make the one like I received so I did the best with what I had. Well, now I have everything to make it except the Chocolate Chip DP, which is scheduled to arrive on Monday. :D I think it's an absolutely beautiful card.