Triple Holiday Bulbs

This is the last card in my cue. The stack of ones not photographed are still stacked. 38DD. No nudes. Honestly, I may get to them in time for next winter. So ground hog's day is coming on Monday. Got any idea of which way the shadow turns? One of my high school teachers was from Punxsutawney and he would go on and on about the boy hog. As far as I know they never use a female. Me, I use the smell off the compost pile. If I get a whiff from the kitchen door, it's ripe and warming up. If not, we won't have a nice hot day until July. Last year I had baby bunnies take shelter in the pile. Guess they hate winter too.

For this card I used a snowflake stamp and Brilliance blue ink on the mossy green textured piece. This shows up much nicer in real light. The background main card is deep metallic blue BTW. Three circles were cut from previously embossed dark blue paper that I rubbed a heat and glue pad on then dropped ultra fine clear glitter to coat. Using a die from Quikutz, I made the hanger thingies and glued them to the top of each bulb. I then attached a silver string to each and taped on the back of the green stamped sheet. Pop dot each of the bulbs where you want them. I do wish I had tied the strings to each bulb instead of taping to the back, tho. It would have given a little more dimension to the look. Tape the whole piece to the main card and stamp or use a rub-on for the message/phrase. There is a lot of shimmer to this card. I was just too lazy to get the good stuff out to highlight it.

Reindeer Games

A month later and I am still doing Christmas? The really sad thing is I haven't even photographed them all and they are piled up on the computer, gathering doggie dust. I haven't even started any Valentine's and certainly no spring as I don't think it's EVER coming. The Deep Freeze is here. And the slug stole my heating pad for his feet.

This red is more burgundy in real light. I loved using this color as it isn't that "in-your-face" red most use at Christmas. The ink is Distress on the edges and some generic stuff I had for the stamped images. The dreaded crappy dollar bin glitter glue on the flowers (my signature crap this season) and I used a glue pen for the image, then sprinkled ultra fine clear glitter on the reindeer and beyond. Acrylic accents was added to the phrase and again, this card stock was kinda cheapo, so it warped a bit. But it is passable. Scrap of ribbon, pop the layers and use those scraps. Again, this is a card map that is open to any season or occasion. Make sure you dig out those corner punches you forgot you had-too many think all they have is the Cuttlebug folders anymore and I am personally sick of them.

Just Because...............

Just because you made me scrambled eggs.

Just because I was Jackie Kennedy with a tablecloth for a veil.

Just because I wanted to stay in my room with my books.

Just because I liked the cardboard box more than the dress.

Just because I was so bad at rummy.

Just because I burned my hand and you yelled at me.

Just because I loved eating raw onions instead of apples.

Just because I saved the fuzz.

Just because I wouldn't eat the chicken.

Just because I cried at the little boy on the hill song.

Just because you said I wasn't good enough for him.

Just because I love lilacs.

Just because I had the ugliest bangs.

Just because I like the name Agatha.

Just because I wanted to dance with Fred Astaire.

Just because I hated grampa for dying.

Just because left field is where I want to be.

Just because I loved waxing the floors.

Just because Boo and me will be buds forever.

Just because I got a bike for 5 bucks.

Just because the house made me sick.

Just because I never got a little sister.

Just because I made LaVonne drunk.

Just because I question god's existence.

Just because I get high on sweat.

Just because I didn't want sis to hurt herself.

Just because I wanted the radio back.

Just because I didn't deserve the pain.

Just because you liked Katy and Peg.

Just because I hate the cold.

Just because I love rutabagas.

Just because Clio Road flooded.

Just because the sunshine makes me tingly.

Just because Norm and Willie were great.

Just because I could fill a bag with fantasy.

Just because I danced by the moonlight.

Just because of red pop and Vernor's.

Just because I didn't skip school.

Just because I didn't steal the money.

Just because I rode the bus.

Just because I thought I was bleeding to death.

Just because we got stuck in the mud.

Just because in spite of or because of these, I am who I am and wouldn't be if not for you. I thank you and hope you finally have some peace in your eternity. Love is unconditional. Or it would not be love. Rest in peace, mom.

JUST BECAUSE.

Angel Greetings

I am not sure I believe in angels. I grew up being told there was one on each shoulder-a good angel and a bad angel. It was up to me to decide which one to listen to. While I was not a saint, I was so frightened of the bad angel, I rarely acted on his behalf. I was also afraid of Jack Frost (being so terrified of him, I would not look out windows in the winter) and it wasn't until I was an adult (and on a second floor, so Jack wasn't that tall-and I assumed he could not climb a ladder with his paint brushes to frost) that I finally saw the designs of winter frost up close. It meant we had really bad leaky windows, too.

I think I had an angel looking out for me yesterday. If I get horribly behind on my Reader, I often dump it at bedtime. For some odd reason, I decided to scroll quickly thru and there in one of my sports blogs was a chance to win tickets to the Pistons game. In a sky box suite no less! All I had to do was Twitter the blog owner for an entry. And 24 hours later, I am on my way to a Pistons game. They picked 5 names (I am the token female-go figure). We will get a tour of the facility, be able to watch warm up and practice, hold the Championship trophy-and maybe, just maybe see them win. Plus this is where the team store is-so I am still looking for a T-shirt for someone on a volcanic island-aloha to you.

This card didn't start out as this-I actually had the vellum over the top. But me and my inky fingers and it goes under. I did emboss the edges of the stamped piece in copper more to give it a little more glitz as it was flat. The base card is dark dark green and topped with a piece I added dots of glitter glue (not the cheap stuff) so as to create berries. I still think its kinda flat but it was a fast creation. I imagine you could do this up with a cupid for Valentine's too. Just sub out another scrap of DP.

Tweeting Noel

I saw pavement today. Here in Flushing, we usually have pretty decent plowing and salting. But it's been a challenge as nearly every day, we have had anything from a dusting to a gully whomper. There was a day in December when everything heated up to unheard of winter temps, two inches of rain fell and set up major flooding and then the winds came-equivalent to a minimal hurricane. Trees down and many had no power. Then the snow. Day after day after day. And so cold..we set several records. Usually there is a January thaw but the prevailing forecast for the next two weeks says no. So the plow came thru this morning and scraped enough off to spray that new fangled stuff on the bare blacktop-and the sun peeked out. So I saw pavement. In Flushing. Not so lucky the people in other parts of the county, especially Flint, who have some streets that have seen no plows all winter.

So I know why the caged bird sings for spring. And sunshine. And the damned plow. But how do I always miss the oopsies on cards until I have photographed them and uploaded to the blog? We shall pretend the bird sneezed on this one. I really love those corner punches from Fiskars and EK Success. Anybody got a cool way to store them? I tried a shoe bag thingie over the back of the door, but the punches are so heavy or the slots too small. Anyways, this is an Inkadinkado stamp that I used a Versamark pen after stamping and then dropped glitter on it. You can click and enlarge to see it better. I also used Acrylic Accents on the Noel-which is pop dotted over the same image under it. I know the ribbon color is throwing me off but it has a coolness to it, setting the mood. Like the mood on my toes. Cold and blue.

Anybody Like OLD CTMH Wooden Sets?

I have a friend who is selling some older CTMH sets from pre-acrylic days. She is hoping to raise enough money to take her son sledding for his 8th birthday. They live in California and honestly, I would send them free snow (we have way too much here in Michigan) and just have an on-call pile for that cute boy to play in anytime, but mom wants to surprise him with a trip up the mountains. But she needs some cash to make a spill down the mountain with him.

Take a look HERE and see if there is anything you might like. She also has some Buy It Now Mary Kay goodies, too. There are only a a few days left for these fun sets.

Happy Birthday Fox. There is a huge snowball flying thru the sky for you--oops, I hit the dog! No major league contract for me. :(

Update On Memory Lane Bay city

As posted previously, Memory Lane is closing. There is now a firm date to shut the doors-January 31, 2009. Current "get it while it's there" prices are 60% off store wide. 75% off Quikutz. I have not been to the store in a while, so I can't vouch for the quality or quantity of remaining product. It wasn't the best last time I was there but would be worth a trip if you need card stock and stock up supplies-I suspect they don't have anything too current. An added plus if you make the trek-a neat little diner down the block that makes great omelets (about two blocks down-same side of street).

There is also a rubber stamp store across the street called Di's Ink-one block down and across the street to the north-see phone number on my side bare and call to make sure THEY are still open.

Wreathful

I got new shoes! I got new shoes! Yupperdoo. I got new shoes.

My tootsies will feel so good at the gym tomorrow. I put off buying a pair for so long-usually replacing them after 6 months or so of running, walking, slopping thru crap. I am taking bets on how long before this pair of comfy snugs is trashed. For some reason, women's sports shoes just don't come in dark colors. The woman assisting me at Playmakers actually said--"I like the way they look on you"! Obviously not a person who does anything but pull boxes from the back room. She probably keeps her shoes in the boxes and wrapped in tissue paper, too.

This card is pretty simple. I did use the nasty dollar bin glitter glue here. I may chip it off since it's so gloppy. Layered paper and card stock. Distress ink. A scrap of ribbon. Nothing special. 5 minute card. The end.

I Don't Like To Say It But....

I told you so....

Over the life of this blog, I have given my opinion of local scrap and stamp stores. If I love them, I let you know. If I hate them, I let you know. If I think they are dying, I let you know. I have not been wrong predicting on the dying ones yet. I have been surprised by a few that took a lot of people by surprise. I even wonder how a couple of stores are staying open. They are so bad, I stopped visiting.

So today, I got email from Scrapbook Station in Fenton. Mind you, this store used to send out a newsletter every week. I can't remember when there was last one but it was before Christmas 2007 as there was a program called the 12 days of Christmas that the proprietor used to do each holiday season. She did not do it for the 2008 season that I am aware of. This store got a visit from me when I would take hubby to the airport in Detroit. The last visit was in May 2008.

I posted my thoughts on the store in this blog. You can read it here. Honestly, I would have at least given some thought to what customers were saying and we do talk. One of the reasons I have a side bar with all the local stores listed, is so people can discover a place outside their comfort zone. I have removed a bunch of stores over the blog life if they no longer have an online presence-that is a least 20 stores within an 90 mile drive from Flushing. What is the point of keeping up the names of closed stores after a time anyways? It makes it too sad.

I got a comment a few weeks ago here from someone I had no way to contact about her post-it made me wonder if she created a user name just to comment-was or is she a local store owner? Or does she know them? She seemed to think I didn't know what spreading product around a store meant and what not having anything new and exciting means to the store and its customers. Even Wal-Mart has a better selection than some of these stores. It upset me for the reason that I DO know. It breaks my heart to see any business fail (well, Hooters would make me happy to see close). These stores were closing even in good economic conditions and if you don't pay attention to the wants of your customers, you are doomed to fail. Some owners think their ideas and likes are the only way-again, if you like Cadillacs and your customers like Jeeps, how do you expect to keep them coming into your store? Big empty spaces and wide aisles are a clue for some of us.

I hope the few that are left hang tough. Of the remaining scrap stores in my sidebar, I see one as being able to weather the trials. At least 6 of the stores are for sale-one is already having a going out of business sale with hopes of a buyer coming to the rescue (it won't happen). The chain stores are bad-even Archiver's is dead these days. Before you hop on the Internet wagon, give your local stores a chance.

Sadly, this won't be the last GOOBS I list here. But I wish it was.

Vippie Choir Sings For Myron Rolle

Even on this crappy, snowy, freezing-your-gizzards-off (that one is for my dad) cold day, I found something very "cool" to shout about. As much as I love sports, I do get very upset with those who put it first without thinking of the future and the educational needs that are required to compete in the world after sports playing days are done. My kids were not allowed to play high school sports unless the grades were in place and the obligations to classroom fulfilled. So why is it college sports participants think because they are on the field, they should get special treatment in the classroom? Because no one tells them NO. Not ever ( Chris Webber is a prime example).

I found a story online today (and it was also buried in the back of the newspaper) that made me want to give a mom and dad a super high five. Check it out here. We have parents doing it right and a child who knew what matters for a change. Another round of accolades going out to teachers in this case. Someone got it right. Sing hallelujah sing!

By the time I get all these Christmas cards posted, it will be July. I certainly hope the snow is gone by then. Multiple layers were used on this along with a Sizzix die for the frame. Color by Copic. Idea by Laurie (who, by the way had knee replacement surgery before Christmas-and is already up and at 'em knocking peeps out of the way with her walker!). Check out her work at Jane's Craft Studio if you ever find yourself in the Waterford Mi area.