Vintage decorations

Before we get too far away from Christmas, I wanted to show you two decorations that my neighbor gave me last year. They are a vintage Santa & Mrs. Claus. She said they were a gift to her many years ago and she was going to throw them out, but decided to ask if I wanted them ... did I ever! I love them. Just look at those adorable faces:

They kept my buffet table under control Christmas morning. I don't know the particular technique used to make them, but it was popular ... maybe in the 70's? The base is made from folded and pleated newspaper. I love them. I think they are the perfect couple to sit on my table during the holidays!

Today is also my dd's 18th birthday! Unfortunately, we are all feeling cruddy with a cold so no celebration was held. We did have cake {chocolate, of course} and gave her a gift. Maybe we can make up the missing merriment in a few days when we all feel better.

Happy New Year and happy stampin'

Susan

organization

STORAGE BEFORE - High and Tight!

Remember when I posted that instead of doing all the prep for Christmas I was reorganizing my stamp/scrap storage stuff? Well, I finally have a photo to share. Now, mind you, it's probably not a big deal to anyone but me ... I was cleaning up and realized that if I just moved a few things around I could add a shelf and make a permanent spot for my die cut machines. These machines have lived in my closet, only coming out for the most important of deeds. It was too much trouble to bring them out for small projects. But now that they live in the open, I can use them on a whim! I'm pretty excited about that.

STORAGE AFTER

I didn't move too many things. I switched out a drawer of foam stamps for the dies, but everything else stayed in the same storage compartments. Now my Big Shot, Quickutz and Bind it All can sit on the shelf where I can reach them easily. yay!

happy stampin'

Susan

holiday snapshots

We are still enjoying the holidays -- well, hubby had to go back to work today, so I'm not sure I speak for him -- my sister and brother in law are still here visiting, and school is out, so we're still very much in the holiday mode! I wanted to share a few holiday photos with you today - just a snapshot of our Christmas!

my 4 grand-nieces!

{my brother's daughter's girls}

Christmas music

{my dh, brother, son}

Lucy enjoying the music

Christmas morning brunch

Playing a new game - The Settlers of Catan

{my bro-in-law, dd, mother, ds, and ds}

my sister cooking dinner @ mother's

That sums up our holiday - I hope yours was blessed by family, friends, good food and lots of love too! I'd love to see your photos - leave a comment if you've posted photos on your blog so I can hop over and check them out!

happy stampin'

Susan

Merry Christmas!

And, many blessings for the new year!

From our family to yours,

Happy Holidays!

tips for photography

photo by Michael Dehann

I just found a great article on how to photograph Christmas lights, like the one above. I learned several good tips, and hope to find time to give them a try this year. For example, did you know that you should photograph lights before it gets dark? I didn't ... guess that's my problem! Click over to Strobist for all the details.

only 5 days!

I can't believe there are only 5 days left until Christmas! Can you? I wanted to share this card with you today. Isn't this beautiful? I may case it for the last few cards I need to make. Then again, I may cave in and buy a few cards in the effort of conserving time.

all images © SU! 1990-2007

card by Judith Hutchinson

In the midst of everything that needs to be done ... and a lot of things that are not going to get done ... I decided today to rearrange some of my craft storage. Am I crazy or what? It began innocently enough ... just hoping to clean up the area {which is in the back portion of my bedroom}. Then I realized there was a more efficient way to stack all my stuff, which means I can fit more stuff in there {right?}. So now my bedroom is a complete mess and I need someone to saw about 5 inches off a board for shelving so it will fit into my space. Nevermind that I still have some Christmas cards to make {and mail} and at least one more present to purchase. Ugh. What was I thinking? Oh well, off to figure out a way to make it work!!

Merry Christmas and Happy Stampin'
Susan

happy, happy, joy, joy

It's shaping up to be a good day today! I just checked my order status online and I have a shipment arriving today from SU! {unfortunately, it was split up into two boxes, one today, and it appears one tomorrow} ... yet I digress ... lookie at what is arriving today:

HAPPY HEART DAY STAMP SET
CELLO BAGS FLAT MEDIUM
RIBBON GROSGRAIN REGAL ROSE 5/8' INCH
GINGER BLOSSOMDESIGNER SERIES PAPER
BALI BREEZE DESIGNER SERIES PAPER

What? You don't recoginze any of those items? Really? Hmmm ... it must be because it is my Spring/Summer '08 Preview Order!!! WOOT!

Yep, I'm special. I'm getting products early!! Nevermind that I did have to pay for them ...
These items are part of the supplies for January projects. The stamp set will be part of a special promotion by SU! in January - see post below for pics. I can't wait to play with it and see what my stampies can make with it.

I'm also going out tonight w/ my bud for dinner. That should be totally awesome! It can't be anything less, because we are two of the most awesome chickas around town. I can imagine we'll eat something totally delicious, like a burger, then have a wild time at a local craft store. Crazy, huh? That's just the way we roll.

Now, I'm off to the allergist for dd's appointment. She doesn't want to go, but being the awesome mom that I am, I am forcing her. Ciao!

happy stampin'
Susan

ps - Stephanie, if you're reading, your goodies are in tomorrow's shipment.

Happy Holidays!

all images © SU! 1990-2007

Christmas is near! Can you believe it is only 1 week until Christmas eve? Every year I have these grand ideas of finishing up early and spending the week before Christmas baking, crafting or reading. I guess that is the eternal optimist in me because it never happens that way!

If you are on my email list, you should receive a message from me today with a few last minute holiday ideas, and a little sales special. If you don't receive it, be sure to email me using the link to the right ---->

I am in the planning stages for a Paper Party! in January. There will be make & take projects using new sets from the 2008 Spring & Summer Idea book. And how wonderful that Stampin' Up! has decided to offer a package during January for Valentine projects!

Here is a sneakie peekie:

No one has asked me about Sale-A-Bration yet -- but for all you diehard fans, the dates have changed! Instead of starting in January, SAB will begin February 1 and end March 15. Woot! I've seen the SAB sets already - and they are wonderful! There is something to suit everyone's tastes. Or, if you are like me and have no restraint what-so-ever, you'll love them ALL! {If you are in my stamp club - don't worry, your copy has been ordered and will arrive in your mailbox after the first of the year.}

In case you don't know how SAB works, here are the deets:

• For every $50 purchase, customers will receive a free Sale-A-Bration product.
• In addition to our regular hostess benefits, hostesses will receive a free Sale-A-Bration stamp set for workshops that reach $300 or more.
• Anyone who joins as a demonstrator during Sale-A-Bration can choose any stamp set, a value of up to $47.95, from the current catalog.

Isn't that just the best? Free stamps! There is no limit on how many free sets you can earn. Let me know if you'd like to host a workshop to earn additional free sets. I have a few limited dates when I will be available for workshops.

Happy stampin'

Susan

Fun things to share

I have a few fun things to share today that I found on my friend Kelly's blog. Leave a comment and let me know which is your favorite one -- if any! Be sure to share your favorites too!

This is who I would be in the 100 acre wood. Who would you be?




Take the 100 Acre Personality Quiz!

This is an interesting site ... especially for those like me who need a little extra encouragement to get things organized without being overwhelmed!

Of course, I must share my fav blogs {in no particular order} ... and if you're willing to share some blogs, I can add more to my feedblitz subscription and spend even more time online reading blogs and looking at pretty pictures!

Jan Tink -- this lady is hilarious! Check out today's post.

Debbie Olsen -- totally awesome stamper, never a post goes by that I don't love!

Sharon Johnson -- oh yes, I've cased Sharon a couple dozen times!

Pat Huntoon -- Lots of good samples from her newsletter Technique Junkie.

Kelli Crowe -- creative, homeschools too

Donna Downey -- posts almost daily, a totally creative person.

Dooce -- love her candid posts, but not everyone's cup of tea

Cathy Z -- probably the 2nd most awesome person in Minnesota {my friend, Becky, is first!}

Ok - have fun browsing. There are so many more blogs that I love. Maybe I'll share more later.

happy stampin'

Susan

Awesome Tim Holtz

I just have to put in a quick note about the awesome Tim Holtz - in case you didn't know, he rocks! Tim has been sharing techniques on his blog for the last 12 days. I've been just blown away by his ideas. Where does he come up with this stuff anyway? Hop on over to Tim's blog and look at his 12 Days of Tags. He made me change my whole Christmas list! You'll love 'em too.
happy stampin'
Susan

Houston, we have a problem

Ok - I'll be the first to admit it. We have too many cats! They are so cute ... and they love to catch mice {which is excellent}, but we just have too many of them. At the current time, I think there are 7 cats. Some days I only see 6 of them, however, all but two look identical, so it's hard to tell unless they are all together in one place. Which happens to be when food is present, hence the lovely photos.

These cats do the funniest thing - they run around on our roof at night. It's hilarious. We're in the den, it's dark outstide and then we hear this pounding on the roof. Cats! Running everywhere. They must climb up there and play chase, or maybe it's flashlight tag. I've never had cats to do this, but these do it almost every night! My dd said if she were a cat, she'd be up on the roof running around too! It does sound like they are having a good time.

happy stampin'

Susan



ps - our neighbors probably hate us.

I'm a proud mama

Yep, time for a little bragging from mom.
Our youngest son is in a band program at a local college. The band is designed for homeschools, private schools and public schools with no active band program, so it is a nice mix of kids. Their instruction is superb which was evident last night at the band program's Christmas Concert.

Our son plays percussion, which is really cool because there are so many different instruments he has the opportunity to play. I think his favorite for this concert were timber blocks - which made the sound of horse hoofbeats in one song {see movie below- this is a first for me, posting a movie I made -- cross your fingers that it plays, lol!}

He did such a great job on all of the songs. Mama and Daddy were very proud to say the least!Now, I wouldn't be a good mama if I didn't share a few photos, right?? Right. So here ya go:

Playing bass drum:

The entire 2nd year band:

A standing ovation:

One Horse Sleigh:

Of course, there was a lively ride home:

As a family, we are all done with our committments for this year - and what a relief! The two oldest have finished exams at college and are officially on Christmas break; the band concert ended the semester of lessons for our youngest and we've taken a holiday from homeschool lessons. Mom {me} has to work through Saturday, then I am off for 3 1/2 weeks. Poor ol' Dad still has two more weeks to work - and then he only gets a couple of days off. But the majority of our household is moving into full holiday swing!! I am so ready for the break too!

happy stampin'

Susan

bummer ... no more

all images © SU! 1990-2007

Card design by Brenda Ballesteros

The accessory retirement list has been delayed. This is the statement on the Stampin’ Up! Website:

"Due to System Problems experienced this Weekend posting of the retired
accessories list on the Stampin Up website will be delayed until all issues have
been resolved Thank you for your patience"

edited: The list is now available! I will list it below. Remember quantities are very limited, if you need a refill, or something specific, don't wait! I am placing an order Tuesday and Friday -- and I can place individual orders at any time. Just let me know what you need.

Retired Accessories List

109198 Accents & Elements Borders & Blossoms
109199 Accents & Elements Little Reminders 2
109197 Accents & Elements Tagged
100700 Album Leather Post Black 8-1/2x11
105385 Album Linen Post Mellow Moss 8-1/2x11
104520 Album Linen Post Natural 8-1/2x11
104517 Album Linen Post Navy 8-1/2x11
105382 Album Linen Post Real Red 8-1/2x11
105392 Album Linen Ring Mellow Moss 8-1/2x11
104510 Album Linen Ring Natural 8-1/2x11
104513 Album Linen Ring Navy 8-1/2x11
105388 Album Linen Ring Real Red 8-1/2x11
105067 Boxes & Tags Pockets & Pieces Assortment I
105068 Boxes & Tags Pockets & Pieces Assortment II
108798 Boxes & Tags Tiny Takeout Confetti White
107246 Boxes & Tags Tiny Takeout Kraft
105747 Boxes Stamp & Supply Extra Large
105748 Boxes Stamp & Supply Extra Large Divided
105744 Boxes Stamp & Supply Extra Small
105749 Boxes Stamp & Supply Jumbo
105734 Boxes Stamp & Supply Large
105746 Boxes Stamp & Supply Medium
105745 Boxes Stamp & Supply Small
101052 Brayer Attachment Foam
107293 Cards & Envelopes Greeting Very Vanilla Medium
109149 Designer Series Paper Brocade Background
109161 Designer Series Paper Cerise
109162 Designer Series Paper Charbon
109155 Designer Series Paper Creepy Crawley
109152 Designer Series Paper Darling Doodles
109150 Designer Series Paper Dashing
108503 Designer Series Paper Petals & Paisleys
109156 Designer Series Paper Linen Prints
109147 Designer Series Paper Notations No. 2
109148 Designer Series Paper Outlaw
109158 Designer Series Paper Uptown
109157 Designer Series Paper Wintergreen
107285 Envelopes Open End Very Vanilla Large
107284 Envelopes Open End Whisper White Large
107296 Envelopes Shimmery White Medium
107287 Envelopes Square Vellum Large
107310 Envelopes Square Very Vanilla Mini
107294 Envelopes Vellum Medium
107290 Envelopes Very Vanilla Large
107291 Envelopes Whisper White Large
101016 Eyelet Tool Kit
105317 Eyelets Bold Brights II
105379 Eyelets Silver
105315 Eyelets Soft Subtles II
107282 Fancy Fibers Bella
107283 Fancy Fibers Elizabeth
103352 Stampin' Glitter Romantic Red
103349 Stampin' Glitter Silver Shine
106650 Greeting Glue
102620 Liquid Glue
103145 Page Protectors Post 8-1/2x11
104523 Page Protectors Ring 8-1/2x11
103598 Paper Vellum 12x12
105543 Pastel Refills Bold Brights
105544 Pastel Refills Earth Elements
105547 Pastel Refills Neutrals
105545 Pastel Refills Rich Regals
105546 Pastel Refills Soft Subtles
105962 Perfect Layers Tool
104184 Post Extenders
106522 Punch Spring Bouquet Flower
109722 Simply Scrappin' Creative License Hostess Level 1
109611 Simply Scrappin' Happy Me Hostess Level 3
109596 Simply Scrappin' Out & About
109626 Simply Scrappin' Primary Colors
109649 Simply Scrappin' Round Up
109635 Simply Scrappin' Secret Garden
109663 Simply Scrappin' Winter Bright
107415 Simply Sent Friendship Shapes
109230 Simply Sent Happy Day
105580 Spectrum Pad Blue Frost
101492 Spectrum Pad Celebration
105579 Spectrum Pad Cotton Candy
101336 Spectrum Pad Pumpkin Patch
100000 Spectrum Pad Un-inked
103953 Stamp-a-ma-jig Imaging Sheets Refill
104432 Stampin' Around Cartridge & Ink Refill Clear Embossing
101460 Stampin' Around Cartridge & Ink Refill Whisper White
102391 Stampin' Around Ink Refill Clear Embossing
103017 Stampin' Around Ink Refill Whisper White
103151 Stampin' Emboss Powder Hologram Highlights
105677 Stampin' Kids Pad Bear Brown
105676 Stampin' Kids Pad Beetle Black
105675 Stampin' Kids Pad Boxcar Blue
105674 Stampin' Kids Pad Gumball Green
105673 Stampin' Kids Pad Poppin' Purple
105672 Stampin' Kids Pad Princess Pink
105671 Stampin' Kids Pad Robin Red
105670 Stampin' Kids Pad Yahoo Yellow
103174 Stampin' Pastel Applicators
100852 Stampin' Pastel Erasers
100081 Stampin' Write Marker Going Gray
100945 StazOn Ink Refill Timber Brown
103088 StazOn Pad Timber Brown
107235 Tag Sheets Bold Brights
107239 Tag Sheets Confetti White & Kraft
107236 Tag Sheets Earth Elements
107240 Tag Sheets Kraft
107237 Tag Sheets Rich Regals
107238 Tag Sheets Soft Subtles
100894 Watercolor Brush Flat
101551 Watercolor Brush Medium
101331 Watercolor Brush Small
105395 Wire Works Metallic
105652 Wrapping Paper Whisper White

Stampin' Around wheels
100360 Acorns

109812 All about Birthdays*
109690 All about Christmas*
109812 All about Gratitude*
109676 Autumn Dots
104070 Bloomin'
107466 Bodacious*
105750 Bouquet*
107481 Butterflies & Blossoms
104065 Fishy
100267 Happy Jacks
107563 Ho Ho Ho
104312 Hot to Dot
104279 Leaf Prints
106062 Leaves Awash*
107479 Rough around the Edges*
101927 Snowman Fun
107465 Speckled*
105521 Spooky Skyline*
108979 Spotted*
107480 True Hearts
105033 Wings & Things

* Jumbo Stampin' Around wheels

Happy Stampin’
Susan

Accuracy in reporting

I would categorize this as a documentary.





In stampin' news -- the retirement list for accessories will be released on Monday! I'll be sure to post here and email everyone on my customer list. Accessories always go fast because they are "while supplies last" only. If there is something you need, be sure to get it early.

I wanted to share a fab card from one of my favorite stampers today. Beate Johns is just fantastic, she always has a nice composition that is balanced and is a whiz at choosing the perfect colors for cards. I love this card that was featured on Stamper's Showcase {for demos}. The Double Pocket fold is from the Technique Junkies newsletter. And the paper is Dashing, my current favorite paper for Christmas projects! Wintergreen is running a close second!

all images © SU! 1990-2007

Happy Stampin'

Susan

Monogram a Bucket

I've been wrapping gifts and reading emails this morning, basically just enjoying myself! It's nice to have a morning when nothing is pressing. Normally I head out to work at lunchtime, but since it is exam week I have to work extra late, so I am not going in until 5pm today.

My best bud gave me a monogram letter for my birthday and I've been trying to decide what to do with it. A popular trend is applying monograms to the rear window of your car, but I have some stuff already on my car and it just didn't seem like the best way to utilize a cool letter like this. While wrapping gifts in my bedroom this morning, I spied a tin bucket I keep envelopes in on the craft shelves. Hmmm ... why not monogram my bucket?? So here are the results:

The flower, stick pin and beads are from Stampin' Up's Pretties kit - you can dye the flowers any color, but I thought white looked nice, so I left it alone. The ribbon is from - who knows where, it's just in my stash. To say the least, I'm loving my new personalized bucket! Here it is right at home on the shelf and filled with envelopes of all sizes:

While I'm here, I might as well share the entire shelving unit, and my craft table - which may seem messy, but believe me, it's a huge improvement over the way it normally looks!

Can you see my new Cricut cartridges on the shelves? I got 4 in the mail yesterday -- got them from Creative Express on sale for $27 each!!! That brings me up to a total of 8 cartridges. I only buy them on sale, so I've done well collecting this many. yay!

To the far right on the table is my work light {not Ott, but the same basic principle, and my ever close at hand Scor-Pal. They don't show up in the photo, but I consider both indispensable}.

I have so many projects on this table that I want to finish, and even more projects flying around in my head ... I have got to figure out a way to get some serious crafting work done! If you have any suggestions for carving out time to work on projects, please share in the comments. It seems like a never ending cycle of want-to-do vs. got-to-do! And guess which category always wins?

Ok, that concludes the show for today! Maybe I can come up with something new for next time.

happy stampin'

Susan

What's your elf name?

Here is my new elf name:

Your Elf Name Is...

Sassy Fluffernutter

What's Your Elf Name?

Pretty funny, huh? I think I'll keep the sassy part permanently.


My dh and I had the opportunity to visit Savannah, Ga in October. The one thing I really wanted to do was eat at The Lady & Sons restaurant - home of Paula Deen. Poor hubby stood in line over an hour (while I was in a meeting) to get our name on the list. He's a really good man! Of course I had to take pictures of our food ... I mean, what's the point if you can't scrap it, right? So, he endured the photos and now I have a nice layout documenting our trip. The one photo of PD and sons was lifted from her website. I plan to journal in the bottom right green square.






I saved a menu brochure too - but the colors didn't work with the gray and blue so I stuck an envelope on the back and punched a notch in the top of the page where you can pull out the menu to look at it. You can see the notch in the above left hand page.



Have a great day today! I'm off to take my mom to the hair dresser and podiatrist - yay?

happy stampin'
Susan

I forgot to add the supply source: All supplies for The Lady & Sons layout are Club Scrap - Framed kit. (cardstock, microbeads, hardware, ribbon, etc.)

Monday!

Yes, it is Monday! Whew. The weekend flew by. In addition to working - which is how I usually spend most of my weekends - we took in some Christmas lights. The best thing is that it is almost exam week which means I will get a four week vacation beginning Dec. 15 - yay!!!

I also got my new baby, a Fuji Finepix. I bought extra batteries, and cleared my memory card to prepare for playing with this new toy. Even though I really don't know what all the settings are yet, I'm pretty pleased with the photos so far. I thought I would share a few with you today.

{do you realize how hard it is to photograph blinking lights and actually get them while they are on?}

The first picture may not be all that impressive until I explain. A young man in our county has decorated 2 homes {side by side} with lights syncronized to music. He has a transmitter, so all you need to do is tune the radio dial to the correct frequency and park across the road. It's kind of amazing to watch the lights dance to Trans Siberian Orchestra and other Christmas music.

The creator of the display, Andy Childers, is a nice guy and a cancer survivor. He is asking people to donate to the Red Cross to help others in need. Isn't that a wonderful use of his talents?

There is a link to view the lights online, but it is so much better in person! The video is only able to capture a portion of the lights because they are strung out across two yards. If you live close by, you should come see the lights and donate to the cause. You can email Andy at this site as well:

christmas lights display video on yahoo video
http://video.yahoo.com/video/play?vid=1531934

Next, I wanted to share our tree. It's not spectacular, and the lights don't blink or anything... but all the ornaments have meaning. Each year we buy an ornament for our 3 children and we have so many now that the tree is almost impossible to decorate! There are very few bare spots left.

This is one of my favorite shots. It's one of my daughter's ornaments.

Isn't that cool? I'm loving the season and my new baby. I can see many scrapbook pages on the horizon. Speaking of which, I finally finished a layout of our October trip to The Lady and Sons restaurant - you know, Paula Deen's!!! It took me forever to figure out how to make the title, but I eventually figured it out. I'll try to get a photo today and share it with you in the next post {hopefully tomorrow}.

Happy stampin'
Susan

so much going on today

all images © SU! 1990-2007

card design by Karen Kruse

I'm going to post a list of links so you can get all the information on the goings on with Stampin' Up! Today is the debut of the retirement list; the dormant list; several gift ideas and there is an on-going promotion as well. Take your time going over all the info and please let me know if I can help you in any way. If you happen to be on my customer list watch for an email soon with Christmas ideas and a special offer.

Retirement List by page number
Retirement List by stamp name
Dormant List ** edited for correct link {still available for purchase, but not in the 2008 catalog}

Five Fantastic Gifts Ideas Under $25

Wrapping Up the Holidays Promotion {while supplies last}
Wrapping Up the Holidays Project Ideas

Dashing Ideas Christmas Project
Three In Color Holiday Projects

Ok - I think that is plenty of information for today! I hope it's not information overload!!

Happy stampin'
Susan