My guys

My guys are so stinkin' cute! They love to be in the downstairs bathroom. I guess it is the warmest room in the house and the only one with a comfortable rug in it. I got a few really great pictures of my handsome boys today that I wanted to share. Mishka likes to hide out in boxes and Stewart apparently does not like my new vacuum!
I do have a few cards and other creations to post later I just wanted to share these pics of my wonderful fuzzy guys!

I hope you are having a terrific day! I am! I went to Sears for new glasses last week and they are ready to be picked up! I don't normally get this excited about glasses but for some reason I am really thrilled about these! I plan to pick them up tomorrow morning after my trip to the scrapbook store! Tomorrow is the big registration day! Five stores in CT planned a scrapbook store tour. They each rented a bus and you go from store to store to shop, snack and just have a terrific time! At the first store you get a scrapbook album and do your first few layouts to commemorate your trip. At the next store you do a few more and so on and so on.. At the end of the day you have a completed album, new friends, new bags of much needed scrapbook supplies to sneak in your home and much less money than you had at the start of the day!

Anyway, registration begins at 10AM tomorrow and I have a feeling I won't be able to get through on the phone so I am going to drive there. I hope I get up in time! YIKES! Then I can go get my glasses and head to the hardware store to see what supplies I need to hang my new Pottery Barn shelves. I didn't see that they were recommended for every type of wall besides plaster! UGH.. Oh well, luckily the hardware store is owned by my family so I can go in for advice and hopefully leave with someone to come hang them for me! *wink*

I thank anyone who is still reading this! I can get very long winded if you haven't noticed by now! Go have yourself a fabulous day!

Crazy Cupid Valentine swap!

I am in two Valentine swaps this year! They are so much fun! One is smaller ($10.00) and one is hue and alot of fun! ($30.00) the larger one has small games and challenges and at the end we give a $30.00 gift or bunch of gifts to our lil' cupid. I have had the best time buying and making things for both of my cupids! I have a picture of a few of the things I made for one of them.. I won't say which one but I will post a pic! Well.. it the picture is up top of this post so you saw it before you heard about it! Oh well! I had alot of fun making it all!

The conversation heart tin I found at Target in the $1 spot.. Love that place! The card is all Stampin' Up supplies: Kraft and Pretty In Pink cardstock, Loves Me paper, Like it A Latte stamp set ink-Bravo Burgandy, Cool Carribean. the heart is topped with Stickles and it is finished off with ribbon.

Target $1 spot lunch tin: SU Loves Me paper, flowers are Heidi Swapp (white) and Bazzill Blossoms (pink) brad is Bazzill

4X4 clipboard: SU Loves Me paper, Heidi Swapp tape, flowers, Basic Grey chipboard letter. ribbon is unknown..

Oriental Trading Co. clothes pin: covered in Sweetwater paper, flowers-Heidi Swapp and Bazzill, brad is Bazzill I think.

I really enjoy making things like this. I don't think I have made a scrapbook page in months! I have boxes of great stuff to alter so keep an eye out for more stuff in the future! I have so much I may even have to do a give away! *wink*

Thanks for looking and have a terrific week!

Bella stamp... giveaway..

I am addicted to blogs! I turn on my computer in the morning then check my email to see what blogs have been updated! I really love to see what other stampers have been creating and what they have to say about what they have done.
One of the latest blog giveaways , or blog candy as it is called, is from Cindy at Imagine, Dream, Create. She is giving away any stamp from stamping bella Really cute stuff!
I hope you enjoy! If you win let me know!!

Well.. I asked for it! lol I've been tagged!

I asked for it! lol I have been tagged by Donna - http://stampamaniac.blogspot.com/ and Jenifer http://www.stampindiva.typepad.com/
A-Available or Taken: Very much Available!
B-Best Friend: I am going to have to say my Mom.
C-Cake or Pie: hmm.. Cake!
D-Drink of Choice: Poland Spring bottled water
E-Essential Item You Use Everyday: my computer! (second only to my toothbrush!)
F-Favorite Color: green (can I throw in a touch of pink?)
G-Gummy Bears or Worms: bears!
H-Hometown: Bristol, CT
I-Indulgence: reality tv!
J-January or February: January! A new beginning to everything!
K-Kids and Names: Stewart -1 and Mishka -6 both Siamese cats!
L-Life is Incomplete Without: Stewart and Mishka! (and candy! *wink*)
M-Marriage Date: I will let you know!
N-Number of Siblings: 0
O-Oranges or Apples: berries!
P-Phobias or Fears: Did you ever see the show Monk? I think we are related! YIKES!
Q-Favorite Quote: You must be the change you wish to see in the world. - Gandhi
R-Reason to Smile: I am alive and well!
S-Season: Spring - everything is new!
T-Tag 3 or 4 people: I have to find someone who hasn't been tagged yet! lol I will let you know!
U-Unknown fact about me: I was on oxygen for 4 years. I finally was able to get rid of the machines 30 days after my 30th birthday!
V-Vegetable you don't like: Peppers and onions! They give me migraines!
W-Worst Habit: not cleaning up my craft stuff! It is everywhere!
X-Xrays: my teeth, legs and chest
Y-Your fave food: Fruity Cheerios
Z-Zodiac: Leo

Just a Hello..

I have nothing spectacular to post. It snowed here in Connecticut finally! Twice! It was super exciting since I have been waiting for snow since November! Unfortunately both times it snowed it was the middle of the night! I couldn't take a good picture and then in the morning it wasn't enough snow to make a pretty picture! Oh well.. I am sure we will have at least one picture worthy snow storm! Probably on a day I have to go out! lol
I am excited for tomorrow! I have an eye doctor appointment at Sears. They have a $99 sale on glasses this month. I love the glasses I have now. I think they look fantastic but they pull my hair out on the left side! The arm moves just a little and when I take them off my hair comes with it! YIKES! Since I have been getting my hair highlighted lately I think I will stick with the tortoise shell look. I would love to get contacts but they just never work out well for me! Glasses are just easier for a lazy person! lol
So hopefully I will be able to post a few pictures of my latest creations tomorrow! I am in two Valentine secret sister groups and have been busy making things for my two lil' cupids! *wink*
I really like what I have done and am dying to show you!! Come back tomorrow to see!

Whatta Cutchick!

See the pic on the side.. yep! That's me! lol Isn't that cute? You know you wanna make one too! You can! MAKE A CHICK It is so much fun! I have made myself into a few different looks but for some reason I keep the pink hair on all of them! lol No!.. I don't have pink hair! I did in high school but that was a long story!! lol
Have fun with your chicks!

Stampin' Up HUGE announcements

The first is the new Semiannual Catalog Program! Double the fun!
Beginning July 2007, SU will begin "The Collections" catalogs. Instead of 1 Idea Book & Catalog for a whole year, a smaller catalog will be released twice a year! The first catalog, "Fall/Winter 2007 Collection" will run July - December. The second catalog, "Spring/Summer 2008 Collection" will run January - June. Instead of 4 mini catalogs, there will be 2 - a Holiday Mini & an Occasions Mini. Sell-A-Bration will still be offered, just at different times! Also, you will have access to the Collection Preview brochure, which will be available a month before each of the 2 semiannual catalogs. It will offer you a sneak peak of selected stamp sets & accessories from the upcoming catalog! This way, Stampin' Up! will be able to offer new items more often!

Another announcement is the Mini Starter Kit! Start up your business for just $99!
Have you been on the fence about signing up as a demonstrator? Well this is a great opportunity! From January 15 - February 28 - you can sign up as a demonstrator and get your mini started kit for just $99! Click on the link to my Stampin' Up! website for more info - on or after the 15th!

Don't forget it is Sell-A-Bration time! I have a special project planned for workshops booked during SAB! The last day to order is February 26th. If you don't have your own copy of the catalog or Mini catalog (Winter and SAB is out right now) You can check them out here

So, what do you think? Big stuff, huh? I have to be honest.. I am uber excited about the two catalogs a year! Sure, change is tough but this is a change I am behind 100%! Can I make a confession? I have every singe set I wanted from the catalog already! YIKES! I won't even try to think of how much I have spent this year! This was the best catalog yet and I dove in head first! I can't wait to see what next year brings! Let's just say that I saw a sneak peek of the Spring Mini catalog and SU is on point with this one!
I can't wait to see what else they have in store for us! I will be sure to keep you up to date!!

UHU Twist and Glue/altered frame.

To review the UHU Twist and Glue I made a small altered wooden frame.
Let me list the products used first: wooden frame-Provo Craft, paint-Making Memories everything else- Stampin' Up!: paper-Simply Scrappin kit Just Delightful, ink-Stazon Black, SU White Craft pad,SU markers- Pretty In Pink, Pixie Pink, Certainly Celery, Always Artichoke, stamps-SU Polka Dots and Paisleys.
I used the Twist and Glue to adhere the paper to the front and outside edges. I used the twist up large applicator to apply the glue to the paper then applied it to the frame. I then used a credit card to smooth any bubbles out. Once the glue was dry (it took about 10 minutes to be sure) I sanded away any left over edges and then used the white craft ink to cover up any wood. I then painted the inside of the frame with pink paint. The frame comes with a cardboard insert and I used that to measure a piece of white paper. On that paper I stamped the images and then glues that paper to the cardboard insert. I did that to ensure the inside would be sturdy. It worked and looks very nice! I really like the Twist and Glue. For a "wet" glue it doesn't get soggy. It gives nice coverage and I would highly recommend it to anyone!

UHU Glue stick/A Year To Remember binder

I used the UHU Glue Stick to cover this binder. Let me begin by explaining what the binder is for and what I used to make it.

The binder is for the Big Picture Scrapping class Heidi Swapp's A Year To Remember. It is to hold all of the class handouts.

Products: American Crafts 8.5X11 Modern Album-green, paper and stickers Stampin' Up! Simply Scrappin' kit Just Delightful (available for Sell-A-Bration contact me for details!) stamps and ink Stampin' Up, Autumn Leaves, Wildflower stamps.

I applied the paper with the UHU Glue Stick. The best part of using the glue stick to cover this was the color. I was able to see what was covered and what was not. The draw back was it dries really quickly. This would be a good point if the area of my paper weren't so large. I had to use alot to ensure a good strong bond. I give the UHU Glue Stick a 4 out of 5 stars. For me, because many of my projects are large altered items like this album, it dries too quickly. If my intention was to use it for cards or small items this would be the adhesive I would grab for. I would recommend it.

Creations using UHU adhesive

I posted earlier about the samples of UHU adhesive I was sent. I got a package of UHU Color Glue Stick and UHU All Purpose Twist and Glue. The glue stick was scary when I opened it! It is BRIGHT FUCHIA! If I hadn't been warned that it dries clear I don't know if I would have used it! The Twist and Glue is nice. There are 2 ways to use it. The first is to apply the glue in a thin line or dots from a small hole in the top of the applicator. The second way is to twist the top and you get a larger, flat applicator to use when a larger amount of adhesive is needed.

In order to post the photos of the projects where I want them I have to post this review in 3 parts.

Weekly Challenges..

I opened up my email today and got the latest newsletter from Ali Edwards. I really enjoy reading them. Her current weekly challenge really stuck a chord with me.
"This week your challenge is to create something, anything, that celebrates your chosen word for 2007. Maybe a layout. Maybe a blog posting or a journal entry or a simple post-it note that you put somewhere you can see it each day. Make sure to journal about why you chose your word and what it means for you - the more you let yourself explore the more benefit you will receive in the end."
There was also a piece about her word. (kind of long.. bear with me.. it is good)
"A single word can be a powerful thing. It can be the ripple in the pond that changes everything. It can be sharp and biting or rich and soft and slow.Last fall in issue two of this newsletter I wrote about the power of words and gave my top ten tips for getting those words down when you are scrapbooking. Today I want to introduce you to the idea that a single word can be a catalyst for enriching your life as well as your scrapbook layouts.Last year I began a tradition of choosing one word for myself each January - a word that I can focus on, mediate on, and reflect upon as I go about my daily life. Last year my word was something I wanted to bring into my life in a more tangible way. My word was play. I thought a lot about play and what it means to me. I tried to incorporate it more into my everyday and on my adventures out in the crazy world. For me, it was a lot about living without fear - about being more open to experiences with an attitude of playfulness. The word play found its way onto many scrapbook pages and into many stories I told throughout the year.Can you identify a single word that sums up what you want for yourself in 2007?It can be something tangible or intangible. It could be a thought or a feeling or an emotion. It can be singular or plural. The key is to find something that has personal meaning for you. This is not your mother's word or your spouse's word or your child's word - this is YOUR word. One little word can have big meaning in your life if you allow yourself to be open to the possibilities. And here's one thing that is totally interesting: sometimes a word will pop into your brain and it will not make any sense to you right now. Give it some time. Let it percolate a bit. I have often found that our hearts speak to us in very unique ways. Maybe this is a word you need to hear but just aren't ready for it yet. Again, be open to the possibilities.You may be wondering, what in the heck does this all have to do with scrapbooking? For me, words are at the heart of what I do. The photos are a huge part, but the words bring it all home. Often times I will begin a layout with a single word. That word becomes my guide as I create my page. It helps me focus the story I am trying to tell and gives me an instant, easy graphic title approach. How often has a word directed your creativity when working on layouts?Take some time this week to think about your own word for 2007 and read on for a related weekly challenge.And in case you were wondering, my word for 2007 is peace. "

I am not sure yet what my word is. I have to think about it for awhile. Maybe I can think of a good one while I create tonight! (hmm create.. that's a good word! lol) I got my samples from UHU today and I want to check them out tonight! I will be sure to post pics now that I know how easy it is!!
Here is the link to Ali E's blog/newletter BTW: http://www.aliedwards.typepad.com/

UHU adhesive and new yummies!

I found out that if you are a blogger you can get a sample of UHU adhesive. I need to add a link to Maria's blog http://www.mariafilosa.com/ It is a blog of projects using UHU adhesive. really Really cute stuff there. There is a calendar using Stampin Ups' four Seasons designer paper and Perennial Favorites set. It is made with those coasters that are all te rage right now. I have about 80 of them and I got in on a split for them so I am waiting for another 150.. yeah.. I know.. what will I do with hundreds of coasters.. I have no idea but I will find a purpose! lol So go check out the projects on Maria's blog and I will let you know what I think of the adhesive when I get my sample.
What will I do with my adhesive? Why use my new yummies of course! I got a package today from Joanns.com.. what do you think it was? Why my new Cuttlebug of course! YIKES! I have been bitten by the bug! Did I need a 'bug? No.. probably not.. but I will have fun with it! I haven't even opened the box yet! I am waiting.. if I open it now I will just start playing! I still have to clean up my scrap room! I moved my desks and put together the rest of my Target cubes so the main things are set up and now I need to figure out what craft supplies stay and what goes. I signed up for 2peas RAK group so you can bet I will be mailing out a few envelopes next week! I have SO MUCH that I just need to get rid of. I am going to put together a box or Tracey's Girl Scout troop and one that I will be asking the New Haven Ronald McDonald house if they would like it. I signed up for the Stampin Up volunteer group for the RMD house. I am really looking forward to being able to help any way I can. I just want to go play with the kids, who am I kidding? lol
So, that is all that is going through my brain right now. Sorry if I rambled but it s a ramblin' day I think.. I am going to tackle my room now.. wish me luck!

Trying New Things..

Well, I love to try new things.. those who know me are aware of this.. I have been trying lots of new things this past week.. I am not sure if I like it anymore!
My Mom has expressed to me that I am hovering and she doesn't feel like I am letting her do anything on her own. I think she might be right. She had a stroke and I worry.. I worry she will have anther. I worry she will fall (again) I worry that I will be without her much too soon. Last night she vacuumed for the first time. She accidentally sucked up an entire roll of my ribbon that was on a dowel near the floor. I went off. I pouted and stomped off. I went downstairs to get it out of the vacuum (we have Central Vac) and she turned it back on... So I stomped back upstairs and yelled.. I shouldn't have. I shouldn't have acted like such a jerk but I did. Now I am trying to let her do her own thing and not "advise" her of what or how to do anything. It is SO hard. I am not one to mind my own business.. I have to learn I guess.. It will be a lesson that I need to learn.. We will see how it goes. I am getting my own place this year.. Maybe it will be the best thing for both of us. It will be so hard though. I have been here since I was ill. 2001.. that is a long time. It is the best I and I know it. We will see how it goes.. Pray for me.. us.