just go to: www.bunnycates.stampinup.net

To see the SIZE of the punch: Here it is in my hand…

The CUTTING HOLE SIZE

and how papers LOOK:

man, do I sound country or what?! hahah!

So this thing is on sale for THIS WEEK ONLY!  Dont miss it!!!

The new Stampin’ Up! catalog launches TODAY! woohoo!

2009-2010 Idea Book & Catalog (40.6 MB)
2009-2010 Idea Book & Catalog: Stampin’ Supplies (12.8 MB)

Definitely Decorative (11 MB)

Dormant Lists

The Dormant List contains stamp sets that, while they have not been retired, are not listed in the current catalog. These sets are available for purchase during the listed timeframe and may or may not be listed again in future catalogs.

Stamps

Wheels

Im in a Stampin’ Up! kind of mood so look for a few projects throughout this week!!!

OH and DSO is CALLING!!!!!!!

More on this tomorrow, or go there NOW!  LOL!

hahaha!

Major happenings in the Cates’ household ladies and gents!

We have lost another one!  Another what? Well, one of THESE!

We’ve been trying to convince Bug to let us get that thang out for like 2 weeks now.  It was so loose in there she could spin it completely around backwards.  But nope, she would not let us have it.  So the other night whilst munching on some yummy pizza, OUT it popped!

Yippee!  Now I’m just waiting on the perfect kit to come along to scrap this series of pics with.  Yep, just WAITING.   LOL….

What else…

hmm..

I weighed yesterday.

It said 4 pounds down when I leaned over to look.  So I’m guessing between 3-4 pounds this week.  Woohoo!  That brings my grand total toooo….  18!  woo-hoo!!!  I added a badge thingy over >>> to kind of keep track of it and keep me a little on the motivated side. 

This past week I was definitely struggling.  I’m not on a “program” now and winging it.  I think making myself eat throughout the day IS the answer for me.  As I am eating regular food, and still losing.  For now.

I have decided my hubby is a chubby chaser since he is constantly offering my “not good things” to eat and telling me I’m crazy for dieting.  This past week, while out paying bills he said he wanted to eat out.  I was like ok! Thinking Burger King or McDonalds because he is a burger guy.  Well, he pulled into El Bracero’s instead.  Mexican.  My kryptonite.  The he proceeded to order FOR me.  huh?  A ChimiChonga.  As if Mexican wasn’t bad enough he ordered me deep FRIED Mexican.  OY!  I ate it because I have NO will power to make him happy.

Then yesterday I was with one of my friends, and I noticed that whenever I talked about my diet she would either change the subject or make the “whatever” face.  hmmm…  Maybe she doesn’t want to hear it because she has gotten pretty heavy this past two years too?  Or maybe she likes having a friend bigger then her?  Dunno.  We did go out to lunch yesterday, and she wanted *dumm dumm dummmmmm* El Braceros!  Are you kidding me?!  This ONE restaurant is going to be the cause of my diet failure! lol  Yes, of COURSE I went.  I can say no to A LOT of stuff, even coffee chocolate but I can NOT say no to the EB.  Sorry belly, you’re just going to have to take it. LOL

HMM.

When did I turn into a conspiracy theorist and decide everyone was out to sabotage my diet? hahah!

Speaking of my friend…

I do love her!  Look at what a bargain hunter she is!

While out YARD SALEING she bought me these 2 things – For a BUCK each! 

 
I’m thinking I will fill these jars with embossing powders or glitter.  They are kind of big though, about half the size of a water bottle.  After much googling I found 2 of this exact rack on ebay.  One was $29 + shipping and the other was $6.99 + shipping because all the jars but 2 were missing their corks.  So I would say a buck was a good deal!

And then there were these!  BEADS… omg, I love beads! LOL

She got this for a buck too.  This is actually $9.98 at Wal-Mart.  I know, because I bought one last year just like it! LOL!

Have you found any good crafty bargains lately?

just a little inky

so I was REALLY bored the other day, even though I had a billion things I SHOULD have been doing.  I ended up doing a little hybrid gift box.

I used Andrea’s Hokey Pokey kit, and my memory box templates. 

Once printed, I realized my printer was running low on ink!  So I inked up the edges with Distress inks, and scratched them up with a sanding block.  it hid the ink “lines” from the printer perfectly!  I was going to put some real pink feathers on the birds head and tail, thats why I put her on the box this way.  When the time came though, I just could NOT get my hands to cut up my pink feather boa!  hahah!  If you have read my blog for a long time you will know the special meaning my boa has for me.  hehehe!!!

ok, 3 hours later…  I need to get outta this office! argh!  LOL

Hey add me on FaceBook and/or Twitter !  I want 500 friends before the end of July!  Wonder if I can do it?  Links are either  >>>  or V  not sure where I moved them too. LOL!

Fun post  coming tomorrow, so be sure to pop back for a new VLOG (Video Blog)!  Wonder what THATS going to be all about?! hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm   heheheh!

Until l8r!

I thought I would take today and answer some of these emails I keep meaning to reply to!  So bear with me as I ramble on to a bunch of stuff you probably dont care about, but just incase I’ll post em on here.

WIll I ever have a CT?

No, probably not.  I really don’t put out enough digital products to keep a creative team busy.  I wouldn’t mind having some versatile folks on hand that can do digital and paper creations though.  Big things are around the corner and some example makers would be FANTASTIC.  If you can keep a secret I’ll whisper ya one!  I happen to know that a certain site *cough-DSO-cough* is fixing to have a Designer AND a CT call, so keep an eye on the DSO FORUM!!!!!

How are the tomatoes?

Well, I’m sad to say the ‘mators are no longer in existence.    We got the garden planted, but the next day started like a 5 day raining trend which resulted in my back yard looking like a swimming pool.  The’ ‘mators are GONE.  My dad thinks a critter got them because if the rain had washed them out they would be laying in the yard somewhere, so I don’t know.  I do know they are no longer present in my yard though.

Can you really make money selling Stampin’ Up! ? 

Well now that depends on you.  I, personally, do not.  Sadly, I tend to spend my SU! money as SOON as its in my hand by buying myself more SU!.  So, if you show some restraint, yes you can make money.  If you are like me and consider it re-investing in your business (yes, that really IS how I explain it to Darrin.. lol) then no, but you will have some totally awesome crafty stuff!

Do I have a degree in graphics?

Ha! I wish.  Self taught I’m afraid.  I like to say I’m a Jane of all trades and a master of none.  I’ve used Paint Shop Pro since 1996,  I am teaching myself Photoshop.  I love taking online classes and seminars.  I really love altering/repairing/restoring photos etc.  And have taken more classes then I can remember.  Some of my favorite places to learn are Lynda.com and NAPP.  I buy tons of books, and many many magazines, classes on line, instructional dvd’s etc.  I hate knowing that I don’t know something.  It drives me insane.  So right now the classes/seminars Im doing are Photoshop and Illustrator.  I’m constantly looking at stuff for web design, computer repair, graphics, security, photography… yes I could go on and on…

Which do I like better Twitter or Facebook?

Omg, I dunno.  I used to say Twitter because it was easier to use and less STUFF to look at.  But now I have followed so many people that my twitter is overrun with stuff I care nothing about.  So I’m gradually coming back to facebook.   Plus Facebook has BEJEWELED!!!

How do you get your pictures so bright and clear?

This my friends is an easy one!  And to prove it I made you a video. 

To watch the video you just need to hop over to the Digital Studio Blog here
You may have to install a video codec to see it. 
I dont know what I did to this one, but I liked to never got it to save in a filesize that was usable!  
Something else I need to add to my LEARN list!

LOL.

Till next time~

Tonight was no exception!

See, yesterday or so, I was hitting all my favorite blogs.  Jennifer Mcguires is a MUST stop while blog hopping.  Seriously, I *heart* her!  Well the other day, she had a video tutorial on using water with Ranger inks to get a faux embossed look with water and a rubber stamp.  I wondered if it would work with Stampin’ Up! inks.  Nope, made a big mess on my desk though. LOL.  Well, tonight I was determined to “make it work” and I did! YAY ME!  Isn’t it pretty!

For the tag above I actually used SU! Inks and Distress Inks. 

Supplies:
a plain tag – I think I got these at Joann’s
Stampin’ Up! ink – I used NOT QUITE NAVY
*on the tag above I also used Tea Dye Distress Ink by Ranger
Embossing Ink – I used Distress Embossing Ink by Ranger
Tim Holtz Inking tool – I used the felt pads not the foam ones
Stampin’ Up! Stamping Mist
Rubber Stamp – I used Stampin’ Up! Gratuitous Graffiti

More Pics – click and be amazed… lol!

View Full Album

This technique is really simple! 

1. Ink the tag as desired
2. Place embossing ink on stamp
3. Spritz stamp with Stampin’ Mist
4. Stamp the Mist on the tag

I have made a video tutorial of this,  and it is over on the Stamping Studio Blog Swing over there to see my messiness Craftiness at work!

Oh and totally off topic! 

You know what started out as an awful day, losing Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson on the same day blows. 

Today ended up pretty awesome!  The laundry is done, no hair injuries to report today (LOL), and then I stumbled upon this tasty little jewel!

Yes boys and girls.  That is JOHNNY DEPP as the Madd Hatter, coming to us in March of 2010 from Tim Burton!  I tweeted it as sooooon as I saw it, man I can not WAIT!!!

anyhoo!

Until next time!!!

After much anticipation (I mean its all the kids talked about for the entire 7 hour drive!), on Saturday they got to whip out the Wii!  Pepaw ROCKS!

Bub was rockin’ it pretty hardcore there, and even got an ENCORE request.  WHOO-HOO!

and what’s a girl to do whilest awaiting her turn?  Why ROCK OUT of course!

This girl DANCED the entire time it wasn’t her turn!  Check out her flying HAIR! hahah!!

Finally her turn!

After deciding her hands were too small, and one little temper tantrum, the rest of the night went SMOOTH as BUTTER!

More whooping and hollaring, and dancing ensued!

Bub even made it to level 2 which pleased Pepaw, since he had never seen level 2! LOL..

Hey Pepaw, just so you know the kids were loving you the ENTIRE way home!

It was a gorgeous drive home!  And we managed to make it in 6 hours, even WITH several pit stops!

I was really impressed with the rest area that is right on the Illinois/Indiana state line!  The pet area was FANTASTIC!

Of course lots of “Are we there yet” went on, and when that stupid Rick Astley song came on the radio I thought me and the kids were going to laugh until we pee’d our pants.  Of course Darrin didn’t get the joke…

Bub eventually fired up the ipod to block out “Mom’s music”  *hmph! talk about making me feel old!*

thats ok, cuz Sis loves mom’s mu-zak.  See… she even said so!

yet another “Are we there yet” moment.  LOL!  Look at that face.  Just screams “Why I gotta be way back here man?!”

anyhoo, THAT was my trip to Chicago. Drove up on Fri.  Grilled out and played a little Wii on Sat.  Drove home on Sunday.  Today, I’m still smiling and way loving my Dad.  So are my kiddos.  And my man-thang.

Am home now, and officially off Vacay.  Like the new blog theme?  The rest of the site will be up and running soon.  Just a few bits to tweak.

All righty, off to squeeze in a game or 12 of Bejeweled on Facebook before bed.  See if I cant get myself a little higher up on the stats list.  Trying to figure out HOW 135k and I’m in 7th place!  I really think I should de-friend some of these bejeweled playin wenches!  Seriously!  ROFLMAO!

Until next time-

I’ve started the site renovations.  The entire site is pretty much GONE except for this blog. LOL.  Have you seen the main page lately? www.bunnycates.com  Yep, WE KNOW. lol…  Maybe this time I’ll LOVE the new theme and it will be the last makeover we need for a while…

you see, here is something we rarely see…  my son, SMILING!  He usually goes straight into the “I hate you face” at the mere glimpse of a camera. But not today. 

See today he finally caved and got his haircut.  Anything to make Mom shuddup happy. 

I tired to get him to cut it like Joe Jonas, or like that Zac “messy haired” Efron, but he informed me they were both examples of young men with “sexuality issues” umm yea, we’ll say that’s what he said.  

He left with Darrin, and all my wonderful celebrity hairdo ideas. 

He came home, looking just like Darrin. LOL..  My men and their “high and tight” military do’s. 

Bug and I bitched about the non-jo-bro-fro  “oo’d and ahhhh’d” and of course I whipped out the trusty Canon.  Much to my surprise, there were SMILES and *gasp* laughter!  Laughter, in THIS house!  Can you imagine such a thing!

ahh come on man don’t make that mean face!  Here I begged him not to spoil the fun shots, and to “turn that frown upside down”  Which resulted in laughter and me being told I was retarded the best mom EVER!

Seriously, this next shot is my favorite pic of Bub, out of even his baby shots!  So lovin this pic!!

after this though he was done placating his mother having his photos taken and he went to his room. 

I of course wasn’t sure I got the PERFECT shot and these were what followed.

When I saw the next one in my viewfinder I put the camera away and came into my office and cried.

Its sadly apparent that my baby boy is no longer a baby or a boy.  He is a teenager (2 more months!) and damn near a man.  *sigh*  Yep, today I decided parenting really does suck is a wonderful experience.

  the other thing…

a comment my aunt made on my blog the other day really has gotten me to thinking.

I said on a post “I love my life” and she replied it was great to actually see someone say that.  Why is that great? Doesn’t everyone love their life?  I really have been thinking about it ever since she posted it.

I mean life is hard sure.  Money is tight, kids don’t do as you think they should, but really… in the grand scheme of things is life so bad?  I know mine isn’t.  Its far from perfect but I really don’t think I would have it any other way!  Its too short I think, life I mean.  If you just sat around pining for the ‘would’ve should’ve could’ve” you really miss out on the do’s, the RIGHT NOWS, the have gots….

at least that’s how I see it.

Im just thinking…

Right now, I have a home.  Its not perfect but it’s MINE. 

Right now, I have my kids.  Puberty hasn’t taken them from me just yet.  They’re not perfect but they’re mine.  and they still like hanging out with MOM and that’s might alright by me! 

Right now, I have a man.  He’s grouchy as hell and is always up when I’m sleeping.   He’s not perfect, shoot no!  But he’s mine.

See, I see it like this.  I could’ve had a mansion, but would it have been a home?  I could had perfect kids, but then they probably wouldn’t have liked me.  And yep, I could’ve gotten with an easy going fella, but if I’m truthin…one of them kind wouldn’t be able to put up with me and it sure wouldn’t have lasted…

so if you dont think you “love your life”  maybe you should set back and have real good look around.  Im sure if your sitting here reading this that if you lean back there are probably signs of your “perfect” all around you.  You just haven’t really noticed em yet.

BIG HUGS my friends!  Here’s hopin’ you come to realize that your life really aint that bad ah-tall….

Download here

*mwah*

I love my life!

New in the shop

Yea, Im lovin my vacation. 

… more info
Max: 1
PicSkins : Tea Stains 1
Manufacturer: Bunny Cates
Price: $3.50 $2.63
Save: 25% off

Pick up some PicSkins, the perfect distresser for any photo!     Get the most out of your PicSkins by playing with the layer styles and hue … more info

… more info
Max: 1
PicSkins : Grunge Grains set 1
Manufacturer: Bunny Cates
Price: $3.50 $2.63
Save: 25% off

Pick up some PicSkins, the perfect distresser for any photo!     Get the most out of your PicSkins by playing with the layer styles and hue … more info

… more info
Max: 1
PicSkins : Gently Edged set 1
Manufacturer: Bunny Cates
Price: $3.50 $2.63
Save: 25% off

Pick up some PicSkins, the perfect distresser for any photo!     Get the most out of your PicSkins by playing with the layer styles and hue … more info

Is that a truck I hear?  Nope, dang it…

Looky where it is!  Woohoo!!!!

OH oh, is that a truck?!  Nope. 

Ok, just had to squeal!  Now I really AM off to clean my office!  Kids are on dining room duty!  LOL!!

oh oh OHHHHh!!!  I think I hear a….
Nope, not yet…

l8r~

First: Some Food

RECIPE:  Bunny’s Lowfat Pancake Breakfast

Serves: 3 adults

1 cup Heartsmart Bisquick
2/3 cup Fat Free Milk
Egg substitute = to 1 egg
1/2 tsp vanilla
2 banana
4-5 Strawberries
1/2 cup Low Fat Vanilla Yogurt (I LOVE Light & Fit or Activia)
2 Tblsp Fat Free Whipped Topping

Prep:

Preheat Griddle or skillet.

In mixing bowl mix Bisquick, Milk, egg sub, and vanilla.  When griddle is hot, start cooking.  I use a 1/8 cup measuring cup to scoop and poor batter.  This gives me 6 good sized pancakes!  While the pancakes are cooking slice bananas and dice strawberries.  In another bowl combine yogurt and whipped topping.

To serve:
Place a pancake on your plate, layer a few banana slices, place another pancake, sprinkle some banana slices, strawberries, and a few tbsp of the topping mix.  So each plate gets too pancakes and some of everything else.

To my best guess (mathin’ is no  longer my forte) This is ABOUT 300 calories.  Of course it all depends on  how much fruit and how much topping you add.

second: new schtuff!

Paper Edgers 1

$5.00 $3.75
Save: 25% off

Inked Edge Overlays for that hint of grungy – play with layer styles and hue tones for unlimited possibilities. Perfect for creating papers and elements, or adding interesting photo effects to your pictures!

This product is Commercial Use friendly!

This purchase contains:

4 transparent png files

ok, Im outtie, gotta clean the house for Girls Night Out!  You coming???  6-9pm  bring your stuff and lets stamp!!  Cost is FREE and you are invited! 

until next time~