ok Im silly but I had to share.

I’m relatively new to all this stamping business. So when I was trying to build up some supplies I ordered tons of Stamping Up! stuff. Well, I got one of each of the colorsets of inks + refills. I asked around for weeks before doing so because I didn’t (and still don’t really) understand the difference in the types. Color was more of a concern to me. Well, since I like to hand color, watercolor, markerize (is that a word even?) everyone said I needed the CLASSIC ink. So that’s what I bought. Bought it ALL. LOL..
ok, shoot forward to last night.

Up until now Classic ink is all I had used. I used some Encore once, but it didnt feel like this.
Anyway, so last night I could NOT sleep again. I have no idea why my mind will not shut off at the end of the day! So, I decided to break out my new wal-mart stamps and make my family Christmas cards.
When I signed up to be a demo for SU! a few weeks ago, one of the things they sent me was a pad of white CRAFT ink. Which I used last night to make my snowflakes.

I have to tell you I just wanted to SCREAM OUT "wooohoooooo"

Up until now, Ive stamped and been like
"oh yay, Im stamping look at me make a pretty…"
but last night…
the way the craft ink FEELS when you stamp the paper…
the stamp almost HOLDS the paper screaming out
"Do ya feel that!? DO YA?!"
omg it was just AWESOME!!!

hahah! ok, sorry, just had to get it out. Had to tell SOMEBODY. My hubby just doesn’t get it. Although, when I was telling him about how awesome it was this morning he responded by saying. "That’s great babe. How much is THIS going to cost me?" hahaha poor guy.

Finally got to use my new cute little wal-mart stamps, and got my family Christmas cards done. woohoo!
on the side: this was my first time stamping with craft ink, and I LOVE IT! Now I think I bought the wrong kind of ink when I ordered all my stampin up stuff!

SUPPLIES:
Paper: Whisper White and Bashful Blue from Stampin’ Up!
Ribbon: Holiday Ribbon from Joanns
Button: Favorite Findings
Stamps: Wal-mart Holiday Stamps (sets 47622 and 47631)
Ink: Whisper White Craft Ink from Stampin’ Up! and black Staz-on
Colored with Sharpies.

Making it Match Challenge: 02

Create it, post it somewhere, then come back and tell me about it in the comments on this post!  When you do I’ll send you a coupon to get my new photo overlays, FREE!!  Yep, BOTH sets!  *You only have until I post the next Match It Challenge to get the coupon, so don’t piddle!

Photolays - Days Of the Week

Photolays - Months

l8r!!!!

Holiday Card Templates, set 1
Manufacturer: Bunny Cates
Price: $2.50 $1.88
Save: 25% off

Create your own beautiful holiday cards this year.

These card templates are 8 inches by 4 inches and perfect sized for mailing!

Use your favorite scrapbooking kits, or just recolor the layers!

The realistic bows are INCLUDED!

This purchase contains:
2 - 8×4, 300 dpi Holiday Card templates

I included the realistic bows for you!  I made it using my Bowloney Commercial Use Pack!

Look at this CUTE CUTE card KimB made using my template!

Photolays - Days Of the Week
Manufacturer: Bunny Cates
Price: $2.25 $1.69
Save: 25% off

Photolays - Months
Manufacturer: Bunny Cates
Price: $2.99 $2.24
Save: 25% off

*voiceover begins*
"tune in Friday night to see… will she… or will she not…. this is the episode you don’t want to miss…"

hahaha!

Yea ok,

With Thanksgiving being, OMG like a week and a half away, I thought it would ROCK HARD if we all shared some holiday recipes!  Since Im a fat girl, of course I started with Desserts! LOL…

I’m going to share one of my favorite, and I want you to blog and share one of YOUR favorites!  Then come on back here and plug your blog URL into Mr. Linky so EVERYONE knows you have a recipe up!  WOOHOO!!!

My recipe is a family hand me down from Old Mrs. Ashley.  Ok I’m sure old isn’t her name, but that is what my Gran called her, so that’s what I have to go with…

Perfect Pecan Pie

Oct 9, 1946

• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 eggs (you can use 3, 3 will make it big and fluffy!)
• 2 tbsp Four
• pinch of Salt
• 1 cup Dark Corn Syrup
• 1 cup chopped Pecans
• 1 tbsp Butter
• 2 tbsp heavy Cream
• 1 tsp Vanilla

Preheat oven to 375.
Mix and pour into 9 inch shell
Bake 30-40 minutes or until center is clear

Be sure to swing by the sites below!  If you post a holiday dessert recipe on your blog, why  not share the link!  Please link DIRECTLY to the recipe not just your blog main page!  THANKS!!!!

hi this is harmony just  wanted to say thank you for wishing me a happy birthday yestrday!

ha look my teeth are funny. ha

love harmony

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SISSY!!!!

Man, what a crazy few MONTHS… It really seems like I just can NOT get ahead!

Today is Buggles birthday, she turns a WHOPPING 8!  And for her birthday she has decided she wants either a Just Like Me doll, or a my Twinn doll.  BOTH are over $100.  Basically they take your kids picture and create a doll Just Like the picture.  I told her if she wanted something THAT expensive she would have to buy it herself.  Shes 8, high time she learned the value of a dollar.  Right?

Omg, this child, who always lets her loose teeth stay in until the come out on their own.  As in wont let anyone TOUCH them… has even been pulling her OWN loose teeth to get the money from the tooth fairy! LOL….

So for her bday, she says "momma, please don’t buy me junk, this year I need money. "  hahaha

Well today is the day!  Even though her party and cake and gifts wont be until Saturday, I couldn’t let my Bug go off to school  on her birthday without doing SOMETHING, right?

Here’s our morning!  PS…  jacking your kid up on chocolate BEFORE school even starts… I’m thinking maybe not such a good idea.  *They’ve already called once today! hahahaha!!!!*

Snuck these out on the table before Bug got up….

Wake up Bug!!! Time to wakey wakey!

Wake up I say… wake up!

Dont make that face, its your birthday!!!!

Awwww, what was in there?! 

Was it…

MONEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Getting ready for school,

who’s a big girl now?!

"I’m a Rock Star"

I read her jacket back to her, and THIS was the look…  "I’m not spoiled, I deserve all my stuff"

Big girls buckle up!

"Wonder if anyone will sing to me today at school….."

"I hope I have a lil party today, you know I get a birthday pencil today from Mr ****!"

There’s the SCHOOOLLLLLLL……

Are you going to have a great day!!!!

Out in the rain you go lil birthday girl!!!!  HAVE A GREAT DAY BUGGLES!!!!!!!!

CYA LATER BIRTHDAY GIRL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A bunch of memories, starring my lil Love Bug!

Look what I found today!  These cookie cutters were clearance at $2.  Now, I know what your thinking.  You’re thinking Halloween is over what good are they!  Well,  in my mind they are very versatile!  The pumpkin looks like an apple too!  and the half moon and leaves could be used at ANYTIME!  So there!

And then these little guys!  How stinkin’ cute are they!  and only $2.97!  Now if you have ever bought stamps, you know they are not cheap.  Even clearance price is too steep for me! hahaha!  But not these little cuties.  They were just in my price range!  So I grabbed them all up!!!!

Look at that lil moosey in his leg warmers!  OMG!!  How could anyone see that and not pick them up!  I’m such a sucker!

And to top it all off, I got home and put up my new finds and guess what I REMEMBERED!  Yea, you got it, I totally FORGOT to pick up party invitations!!!!  Looks like SOMEONE will be making another trip to town tomorrow.  bwahahaha!!!

Hi there!

So I was looking over at KimBs blog, and she showed what our amazing friend Loucee sent her for her birthday.  Well, Loucee sent ME a gift too!  So take that kimmie, she likes ME TOO!  phbtllltttt….

Look at this GORGEOUS CARD and HANDMADE bracelet! 

Screaming from the rooftop “THANK YOU LOUCEE!!!”

Well, when I was admiring the card Loucee made me, I decided I would take today and show you some of the beautiful cards I have gotten doing what are called card “swaps”.  In a swap, several people sign up and agree to make cards for the other swap members using the theme provided.  I have been very fortunate I think, in the fact that I have LOVED each and every card I have gotten in exchange for my cards!  Look at this stuffed box of cards!  It is full of mostly swap cards, and a few of my handmades too.

These cards were made by Shannon.  She had sent one for a swap, and I loved it.  Problem was so did my daughter, my bff, AND my Granny!  So I emailed Shannon, and asked her how much to make me a “set.”  Which she gladly did!  How awesome are these!

I love the FEEL of the foam bits.  It makes the card so much MORE, if that makes sense.  Little works of art!  I dont have a supply list for these cards, but I think the stamped pattern is a wheel from Stampin’ Up!.  Maybe Shannon will post in the comments with her supply list.

These next few cards I got from my friend Diana Gibbs.  can you say “LOVE HER!”.

The card below uses the Sock Monkey stamp by Stampin’ UP!

This (below) is so gorgeous!  I wish you could really see the lovely detailing stamping she did on the background.  It is so gorgeous!  One day, I will be able to create cards this beautiful!

Tina sent this one (below) into our Christmas card swap.  I love the ornament.  This type of card is called a SPNNER card.  It is next on my list of things I must try!

OMG how gorgeous is THIS card! (below).    Joy is one of those people that TOUCHES paper and it magically morphs into an amazing study in art!  Seriously, she makes me want to puke.  Damn her and her craftiness! 

Lynn sent in this stunning card.  I SO love it!  the corners are stamped with silver ink, and it is just STUNNING.  Have you ever seen such a perfectly tied ribbon?!  OMG, she makes me sick.  “Not very good” my a$$ girlfriend!!!!

Remember my birthday card up top by Loucee?  Well this *below* is the card she made for the swap!  Look how gorgeous.  It is so sturdy, and layered, and that little charm is the perfect touch!

This one is so awesome!  Mindi printed it on like, a heavy photo paper.  Its glossy.  You would never guess it was home made!  SO professional!

This one below was my most favorite from the Halloween swap!  Mindi made it too!  How cute is this freakin card!  And look at the envelope!  omg!  You rock girlfriend!

This one was made by Loucee.  I LOVE IT when people include a supply list!!!!

Amanda made this one, look at the embossing on the background!!!  This card MADE me get a heat tool! LOL

Andrea made this Cutie!   Look at that felt pumpkin! hahah!  I couldnt make my self mail it to anyone!  I wanted it all to myself!  I want them ALL to myself!!!!

This last one was made by my kimmie!  She has such an EYE… woohoo!!!  I’ll swap cards with you ANYTIME lady!

ok, Im outtie…  have a nice Sunday!  See you back here tomorrow for another Matching It Monday Challenge!

~B

Do ya wanna????

I wondered if any of you would like to swap Christmas cards this year.  NO THEY DONT HAVE TO BE HANDMADE.  Basically, you add me to your Christmas Card list, and I will add you to mine.  I love getting cards from all over the world, dont you?1

Anyway, if you would like to do a card exchange with me, come on dont cha wanna be my holiday pen pal? lol…  just shoot me an email with your ADDRESS on it, and I will send you mine.  When you send out your cards this year, just pop me one in the mail too.  And I will do the same.  Just click the EMAIL link way up top of my blog. 

MORE ABOUT BOOKS…

lol..  boy I should’ve never started this topic, cause it will never end now! hahah!
I thought I would show you that my ENTIRE clan enjoy reading. 

Sis has been known to take out an Encyc when nothing is on tv…

Here she is learning more about FISH. LOL…

OK, Im outta here!  I have a birthday party to be planning for!

I love my friend Mrs. Miles!  Im not sure how she does it, better every time I have talked to her she has managed to make “whatever” was going on just feel like it was going to be ok.  We haven’t even really talked many times, it just seems like every time she emails, I just happen to be sitting there with tears on my face.  And with one email, my tears are gone and I’m off on some kind mini-creative journey. 

When I spoke to her last night, she was just finishing up her post for today.  So I told her I would be sure to check it out when I got back from the hospital.  Im so glad I did!  Something about photos, that just let us have a peak into the lives of our online friends.  I love it!

Today she participated in the Friday Show and Tell.  I would LOVE for you to participate!  Just visit Kellis blog - the lady that hosts the show n tell -  to sign up with the online form, leaving your name and blog address! Just click HERE to be taken to her blog!

The goal was to show SOMETHING.  So I thought I would show some of the things I dearly love.  My books! 

On any given day, I can be found…

I do not know, for sure, when I first fell in love with reading.  I do know, that I used to read a book a day.  When I was in High School, and worked part time at a bakery in Louisville.  I used to get my check, and walk right around the corner to the little book store.  I would spend my check, nearly every penny.

Before that, I can remember grabbing a book and running outside.  My sister and I had a little “club house” just across the creek.  I would sneak over, and lay on a big peace of plywood for hours, and just read.  Read and let my mind wander.

I do not have a copy of my favorite books.  I refuse to purchase the “updated versions”.  The books I am referring are the Tolkien novels, and essays which include the Lord of the Ring, Hobbit, Goblins Feet…

But on to the SHOW….

This is my geek shelf. LOL..
I wonder what my life would be like, had I not invested in any computer books.  They have certainly influenced, if not changed my life.  I am no longer working a 60 hour a week job an hour from home.  Instead, the knowledge I have gained from these books has allowed me to work from home.

in the right closet in my office, we find a mosh posh of purchases.  The center column contains non-fiction.  Encyclopedia of Photography books, the geeky shelf, tarot books, health books, books about ghosts…. LOL

On the left side is books behind books.  Paper backs, that dont fit on my paperback rack.  Admittedly, I AM a hardback snob.  I love hardbacks.  The weight, the feel…. there is just SOMETHING about a hard back.  And preferably a worn one! 

My favorite things…

Stephen King and Joe Hill,  Christopher Paolini, Harry Potter!!!  All here!!!

Storage.  LOL… Do you see my Shakespeare, Biographies, and Anthologies.  OOOO I love anthologies!  There is nothing like a good compilation of stories, to make a good afternoon couch snuggle WORTH the effort!!!!

Some of my favorite paperbacks.  Shunned to the corner of the office bathroom, because there was just NO MORE ROOM in the office!  These are some of the first books I purchased after moving out on my own!  Most of my paperbacks are still in boxes, tossed in the vampire closet downstairs.  But not my Stephen.  I unpacked him before I even hooked up my computer. 

Books, needing a home.  Darrin keeps saying he is going to build me a bookshelf, but he has YET to do so!  So these books, mostly college course books, business management books (what a boring series of courses THOSE WERE!  *SNORE*) and some kids books.  These are actually UNDER bugs activity center.  Poor kid has NO leg room!

Over in the LEFT closet.  Besides the spillover from Bugs closet, I swear that child has more clothes then most adult clothes horses I know!  LOL…  My encyclopedia set.  I dearly love them.  We did not have a set until last year.  I just could not seeing paying over $1000 for a set of books.  Almost ALL of my books were bought used, from yard sales and the library.  I got this set for only $25!  Now THAT is a bargain!!!

Tucked over in the corner of the closet.  My cookbooks.  Lots and Lots of cookbooks!

This small book case holds my genealogy, local historical, and photographical books.

Before I sign off I thought I would grab my TOP 5 books I own, that have influenced me in some way.

Stephen King has long been one of my favorite authors.  When he came out with the book “On Writing”, his book about his life experience, going from teacher to world renowned author.  It even contains his tips to getting into the business.  The what to and not to do’s.  I love him. 

Shakespeare’s Othello.  It took me until I was an adult to truly appreciate the beauty that is the lyrical flows of the literature of William Shakespeare.  Othello, is by far my favorite of them. Racism, betrayal, jealousy, such a tragedy.

By far my favorite childhood memories involve the joys that are the Rats of Nimh!  A dying child, the race to save him, a handsome “knight”, an evil nemesis, comedic relief,  this story has it ALL!

Say what you want about Tammy Faye and those big over mascaraed eyelashes.  This woman was a force.  And her strength, saved me.  I love her.  The strength she showed in writing this book.  The devotion of her heart to God.  I truly believe reading this book saved me, even if it was just a small role and saving my spirit.  Lifting back to a good place with myself, with my faith, and with my family.  Read it.  You will cry and then you will thank me for it.  *shivers* Look, tears just talking about it!!!!

and lastly, more childhood memories.  I have read Treasure Island more times then I can count.  Its to the point now, where I will just be thinking of a part, and go pick it up just to read that section.  I hope that all of you have had the opportunity to enjoy this book.  At least once.

Ok, I have been typing this up for like 3 hours.  Thats all from me for today!  Have a great weekend!!!

OH WIAIT!!!

I need to mention that the digiscrapvault.com opened today!  swing by and check it out!

*sigh* I really have been trying NOT to make this post, but writing this once will be easier then writing it in 30 emails.

Over the last few weeks, I have gotten MANY emails asking about my thoughts on the election, and the issues.  I have had many intelligent conversations with many people with definite different opinions.  It is such a wonderful thing that we can discuss these things, with such differing opinions without hatred or getting emotional.  I would like to thank all my friends who I have been corresponding with.  Your opinions and ideals have done nothing less then enlighten me to the thoughts and feelings of my friends.  I can say “friend”, because though we have never met face to face, or shared a rich evening of dinner and fun, we have corresponded on many topics.  Several of you I feel I have grown to know better then my own siblings!

Now, on to my post…

I am so glad the election is over.  The current administration has tried and failed to remedy the cancer that this country inserted itself into. I feel everything we are going thru right now, has spread from the cancer of this war.

We NEED someone to end the war we shouldn’t be in anyway, bring our soldiers home, bring our jobs home, bring the money back HOME. 

It truly is TIME for a change.

I have remained silent when asked who I would be voting for, I did not feel it my place to influence ANYONES opinions on who they were voting for. 

Now that it is over, I will tell you I did not vote. *gasp*…  I know, how could I, right? 

I did not vote because I did not feel there was a candidate I could support.  I do not think OBama is ready to RUN a country.  In a few years, maybe but not yet.  I do not think McCain would bring forth much change to the administration and I do not think Palin was ready to be in the White House.  For me it certainly was not a black/white man/woman issue.  It was a “this country is f***ed up right now and we need it fixed* issue.

For the first time in my life, I am afraid to be an American.  I am not afraid of what OBama will do to this country.  He is one man, and President or not there is still a system of checks and balances that he must squeeze his intentions through before he can put them into action.  I do still have faith in the system of democracy.  It is what this country was built upon, and in my heart of heart I do not think it will fail us.

I am afraid of how this country will react to having an African American as President.  As I watched the announcement of OBamas win, and saw the reaction of the crowds in Chicago, I looked at all the tears and wondered if the people were happy because finally there was hope to end the war and fix our country, or were the tears just because finally there was a black man as president.  To me, the two are a world apart.  

I am not african american, I can not pretend to understand how justifying it must feel to finally see a black man as president.  Hell, Im just happy to finally see SOMEBODY NEW!  My friend Mikki said she was crying because she felt that her son could now really feel like he could do anything….  As a mother, I do understand the “being able to tell my kids they really CAN do anything, and having them BELIEVE it”.    But is there more to it then that?

In my heart, I feel like the answer is yes.  I am afraid this county as a whole is not ready.  Where I live I see racism, Everyday.  From BOTH SIDES.  I’m afraid of the change in attitude I have seen in the last 2 days.  It is not JUST joy I see on the faces of my neighbors, there is something more I feel bubbling there just under the surface.  An ugly something, and it brings great fear to my heart.  I hope this country can pull together, and realize there is more important things to deal with then whether Mr OBama’s skin is brown or peach. 

For the first time in my life, I feel like I should be looking over my shoulder as I walk through the store.  For the first time as a mother, I feel like I must watch my children stand at the bus stop “just incase”.  For the first time in my LIFE, I am truly AFRAID to be an American.

I am praying for Mr. OBama.  I fear for his safety.  And if something should, heaven forbid, happen to him what that would do to this country.  There are already so many emotions entangled in his Presidency, so much hope.  I refuse to let my mind imagine what would happen if something happened to him.  I fear for us.  I am praying for us.  Because I am afraid.  Not of OBama, but of us.

I have had many interesting conversations on the Gay marriage proposition too.  I will not say whether I think Same Sex marriages are ok or not.  I will say that whether I feel they are ok is irrelevant.  It is my opinion that the GOVERNMENT should have NO say what so ever in WHO should or should not be able to marry.  I honestly feel that the government being able to say that gays can not marry is only a half a sentence from saying that blacks cant marry whites or catholics cant marry baptists or a blue eye cant marry a green eye.  I think that the passing of this proposition is a step in the wrong direction, and I hope that by the time my daughter is of the age to marry she still has a CHOICE, and can marry whomever her heart begs her to.

*sigh*

welp thats it.  my presidential thoughts and emotions, laid out there in one post. think of me what you will.