Monday, December 31, 2007

Select Comfort

Adam and I traveled to Cincinnati to visit his family, and our fantastic friends over Christmas.
Adam is very tall, so we have a California King sized Select Comfort Bed - which we bring with us. Let me tell you, there's nothing better than being able to sleep in your own bed while traveling.

When I tell people about this, most don't believe that we can fit a California King sized Select Comfort Bed in the back of our Honda CRV. Here's the proof:

BEFORE, (The back seat is UP):
After (Including 2 body pillows, 2 cervical pillows, along with the bedding):
The way Adam packs it, we can still see out the back window! BRILLIANT!

Peace & Blessings!

PS - We love our Select Comfort so much, EVERY NIGHT for almost 7 years, we say "I LOVE THIS BED!"

Happy 1 Year Blogoversary

1 year ago today, I started this blog! My intention a year ago was:

"On this joyous New Year’s Eve I have released what is no longer serving me, and have written out my goals for 2007. What fun! In my goals list I stated my intention to begin a blog where I can post my creations and musings."

Thank you for reading my blog! Thank you for posting comments! Thank you for being a part of my life!

Peace & Blessings!

Thursday, December 27, 2007

Snowmen Everywhere

Just for fun....

Peace & Blessings!

Tuesday, December 25, 2007

MERRY CHRISTMAS



Merry Christmas

Saturday, December 22, 2007

Keurig Goodness & Surprises!

Yesterday, I posted about our FABULOUS new Keurig home brewer! (See below)

Later in the day yesterday, Dave Manly the VP of Marketing for Keurig, posts a comment on my blog post (again, see below and click on comments). It was a surprise to me, but an effective and brilliant marketing tool. I think I've told no less than 20 people in under 24 hours about the comment he left on my blog. I'm mean, seriously, what a great way to positively reinforce the new edition or our kitchen! Brilliant - Dave Manly - hats off to you! (One of my quiet loves is - marketing - so this really got my juices flowing)

Fast forward to today, and I check my blog, and I have yet another comment - from Joe Simonovich, Co-Founder, shoffee.com. At this point, I am laughing! This is seriously FANTASTIC marketing! And guess what I did - I went to his website - as I'm sure you just did, or are about to. And, what did I find, my most favorite thing so far (with my 2 day old new toy) is the Green Mountain Hot Cocoa - and you know what.... it's CHEAPER than on CoffeeCow.com . AND, Coffee Cow - you get free shipping on orders of $75 or more, but on Shoffee you get free shipping on orders of $60 or more.

Hhhhmmmm, I wonder which site I'll be shopping on? Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight - this is a no brainer!

Now, I'm waiting with baited breath - who next, and from what company - will post to my blog?

And on a different note - but still dealing with the Keurig:
Adam had an idea. We are about to embark on a 700 mile car trip - and Adam wants to get an AC adapter, so we can take the Keurig with us, and brew while on the go! HA HA HA!

I'll keep you posted, if we actually do that or not. Still, the idea is HILARIOUS!

Peace & Blessings & Brilliant Marketing!

Friday, December 21, 2007

I Love Our New Keurig!

This morning, Adam and I leaped out of bed, because we both were so eager to use our new toy!

I brewed hot chocolate:
And... it's sooooooooo smooth.......... Delicious!

Peace & Blessings & SQUEALS & HAPPY DANCING!

Thursday, December 20, 2007

I am OVERWHELMED!

One of my girlfriends just gave us our Christmas gift:

I am overwhelmed! Adam is overwhelmed! I was squealing. Adam was doing the guy thing (picture men standing around a hot car); standing back, admiring the box, looking at our friend, admiring the box, yes, he too, was truly overwhelmed!

To our friend - THANK YOU!

Peace & Blessings!

PS - She also hooked us up with this and this for the car trip! SHE ROCKS!

Shoveling Out

We woke up this morning to MORE SNOW:


Our jacuzzi is buried!


Peace & Blessings

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

I Love Her!

I've wanted to try a few different techniques for making snow babies. I just love how she came out:

Instead of coating the inside of the ornament with white paint, I sponged on the paint to the outside - creating a cool texture. I did 2 coats of paint - let them both dry throughly, and did the rest as usual. I think she's super cute!

Peace & Blessings!

Sunday, December 16, 2007

Christmas Preparations

I've spent most of this weekend working on finishing up Christmas preparations - ie: gifts.

I had a MAJOR project planned: gifts I was going to make EVERYONE on my list, and I found out this morning, that it won't work! So, I had to make some new decisions, and I'm feeling a little behind.

Of course I want to post photos - but I can't, as that would ruin the surprise. So, I'm just going to tease you that I've been working on some really elegant gifts for people this year. Even Adam said "WOW" when I showed him.

Until after Christmas.....

Peace & Blessings!

Friday, December 14, 2007

Winter Wonderland

I woke up this morning to this:

We had our first real snowstorm yesterday. Now we have the joy of clean up - just for a possible nor'easter to come through Saturday / Sunday.

Peace & Blessings!

Wednesday, December 12, 2007

Mount Katahdin


My brother took this photo of Mount Katahdin in Maine. Nice!

Monday, December 10, 2007

You Can Heal Your Life - The Movie


The wonderful mailman delivered my copy of You Can Heal Your Life on Saturday. I'm LOVING it! Adam and I watched it Saturday night with some friends, and yesterday I had all 4+ hours of bonus interviews going in my stamping room while I was making Christmas cards.

I had AH HA after AH HA! Don't you just love it when the PERFECT information comes into your life at the PERFECT time? I do. And that's how I feel about this film.

So, if you are so inclined.... I wholeheartedly recommend this film.

Peace & Blessings!

Saturday, December 8, 2007

I'm Published - Officially!

I got my little hands on Take Ten magazine last night, and furiously flipped through it until I found my card! I'm on page 97.

I think I scared people at Barnes & Noble - I was randomly showing perfect strangers - "LOOK! I'm in this magazine! How cool is THAT!?!?!?!"

Needless to say, I'm SUPER EXCITED! I can now officially declare: "I've been published!"




Drum Roll.......




*Squeals*

Thursday, December 6, 2007

Soldered Art


I did it! I finally sat down and soldered my first piece. Not too bad for my very first try.

It's official, I'm addicted!

Jewelry
Ornaments
Car Rear View Mirror Bling
Sun Catchers
Oh My.....

Peace & Blessings!

Wednesday, December 5, 2007

Barking Frog Glass


I went to the Barking Frog Glass Studio to learn how to solder, and get some questions answered.
It's been in my blood for a while to learn how to solder - I'm seeing jewelry, ornaments, stained glass....

So, anyway, back to my story: Adam has a soldering heal tool, and a few other supplies, so I didn't really need much - except, instruction. I've been asking Adam questions, and he suggested, "Google It". So I did - and I found the Barking Frog, 8 miles from my house!!!

I popped in today, introduced myself to the owner - a simply lovely woman - and said "will you teach me to solder?"

She was AWESOME!!!!

I pulled out an ornament to show her my initial goals, and she spent over 2 hours with me. Showed me the right way to solder, beginner mistakes & how to easily correct them, how to get different finishes (silver, black, antique brass) using silver solder (VERY COOL INDEED), how she constructs projects, she made a bluebird stained glass night light while I was there, and on and on and on! TOO COOL!!!!!

THEN.... I see glass beads and mention I'd love to learn that..... and she hands me her class schedule. I can take a class in January (here's to manifesting the funds for that baby!).

OHMIGOODNESS! My creative juices are flowing so much; I've got paralysis by analysis action happening: Do I make ornaments? Some bling for my car's rear view mirror? A pendant? Where do I start?

Where do I start: I blog about my thrilling experience this afternoon!

Pictures are sure to come soon.... stay tuned!

Peace & Blessings!

PS - What skill have you always wanted to learn? I love it if you'd post a comment and let me know!

Simple Birthday Card

A gal I work with has a birthday this week. I asked her what her "colors" are, and she replied : "Pink, Black, & White". So, there you have it!


Peace & Blessings!

Monday, December 3, 2007

Weekend To Remember

Adam and I had the outstanding opportunity to attend Weekend To Remember, this past weekend. (I won free registration on the radio!!!)

I'm feeling the need to post a review of our experience:

RUN, NOW, (well, after you stop reading this), and sign up to attend!!!!!! It was profoundly life changing for us; and even though we felt we had a strong, loving, amazing marriage BEFORE the conference, we learned soooooooooooooo much, grew sooooooooooooooo much as a couple, that I am profoundly appreciative to Family Life for offering such a conference.

You know how you have those moments, experiences, Ah Ha's in your life, where your life turns toward a whole different direction because of it? That's how we are feeling because of this conference.

You are dismissed.....

Weekend to Remember - An Experience You'll Never Forget

Peace & Blessings!

Friday, November 30, 2007

More Painting....

I've been doing a lot of painting lately, and not so much stamping.

How cute, flirty, and fun is this vase???

(Please excuse the glare on the photos.... photographing glass has proven to be a challenge for me - that is, to get a photo without glare or reflection)




Peace & Blessings!

Thursday, November 29, 2007

Christmas Candy


Peace & Blessings!

Tuesday, November 27, 2007

Snowmen!

I am ecstatic! Look at how great these turned out:




I took a class today - more for the ornament than the box, but I LOVE both!

Peace & Blessings!

Crafters Resource

http://www.orientalstampart1.com/techniques.html

Make sure you have some time to blow before going to that site!

Peace & Blessings!

Monday, November 26, 2007

5,000 Hits To My Blog

Should I celebrate?

Do I have blog candy to commemorate the occasion? Nope, it just sort of snuck up on me! Now I'll have to think up something good for my 10,000th hit.

Peace & Blessings!

Sunday, November 25, 2007

Thanksgiving Thoughts

Adam and I went to Maine to visit my family for Turkey Day. I don't go home nearly enough. It's amazing how life just seems to happen!

This is the view from my childhood bedroom window. I grew up in southern Maine, right on the border. That land, across the Piscataqua River, yep, that's New Hampshire. I wasn't kidding; I grew up RIGHT on the border! (Remember, you can click on the photo to make it bigger)

I drove "Up Maine" to visit a dear friend, Jen, whom I met in Polarity School. She lives on a Dairy Farm. My grandfather had a farm, and let me tell you, seeing the red barn, then visiting the cows.... well, that smell sure brought me back!

These ladies were about ready for milking:


Before we left the coast, I insisted on going to my FAVORITE beach spot! Adam, of course, had no objections. There's just something about the salt water air, and the sound of the surf that is so comforting to me. I love where I live now, but I definitely miss living on the coast.

I took loads of pictures, here are some samples:




All in all, Thanksgiving was good. Got to see some extended family, beat my dad at 2 games of Ticket To Ride (I have to brag about that, as he's a serious contender when it comes to playing games!), ate really good food (my mom ROCKS in the kitchen department, amongst other areas), my brother and his wife brought their cat.... HILARIOUS!

Peace & Blessings!

Saturday, November 24, 2007

Snow Card


Peace & Blessings!

Friday, November 23, 2007

Holiday Card


Peace & Blessings!

Thursday, November 22, 2007

Gobble, Gobble

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Peace & Blessings to you today, and always!

Wednesday, November 21, 2007

Buzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz


Peace & Blessings!

Tuesday, November 20, 2007

I've been Tagged!

Sheila, over at StatGalGetsCreative, Tagged me......

Two names you go by: Alison & Honey (when I was just a peanut, everyone called me Honey. So much so, in fact, that I thought my name was Honey, not Alison) (I was Ali in school - there's only a small number of people that can get away calling me that now)

Two things you are wearing right now: long sleeve pink Gap shirt, shorts (hey, it's late, I'm about to go to bed!)

Two longest car rides: San Diego, CA to Cannon Beach, Oregon & Cannon Beach, Oregon to Eliot, Maine

Two of your favorite things to do: learning new things & crafting (AKA, making stuff)

Two things you want very badly at the moment: to go to bed & 10 million dollars

Three animals you have or have had: cats, fish, rabbit

Three Things you ate today: Alison's Breakfast Hash & subway & tomato soup & grilled cheese (mmmmmmmmm)

Two people you last talked to: Adam & Michele

Two things you're doing tomorrow: delivering a turkey to my chiropractor & driving to Maine

Two favorite holidays: My Birthday & Christmas

Two favorite beverages: icy icy icy water (I'm talking practically slush) & ginger beer

Masculine Birthday Card

My boss has a birthday Friday. Being that I'm leaving for Maine tomorrow, I had to make sure the card was ready early. (I also baked Wicked Pumpkin Whoopie Pies... soooo good!)


Peace & Blessings!

Monday, November 19, 2007

INTENSE Creative Process!



Peace & Blessings!

Too Cute!

This is the scrap page currently on The Angel Company's homepage. I just had to share - I think it's TOO CUTE!


Peace & Blessings!

Saturday, November 17, 2007

Where it ALL began

How did Adam and I get started with our creations? That's a long story:

When Adam and I were dating, I took a basic beading class and walked out with a Victorian Choker. It was pretty. I made it. Cool. (Fall of 1999)

I flew to San Diego to spend Christmas with Adam, and brought along my necklace to show him what I made.

His response: "I can do that." My response to that: "Of course you can."

That was IT! He pulled out the phone book and started looking up beading stores in San Diego. We drove around to 3 or 4 stores, picked up basic supplies, met a really famous beading person (can't remember her name, all I remember is when I went back to the beading store I took my class in, and told the owner, she had a melt down that I didn't get the lady's autograph and photo) and headed back to the apartment.

Adam started beading. Then he started doing chain mail. Then he started making really intricate chains, necklaces, bracelets, anklets, and earrings.

At that point, I had stopped beading. Didn't love it. I did bead my wedding necklace, but it wasn't a hobby like what stamping has turned into for me.

All in all, my making a Victorian Choker at a bead shop in Dover, New Hampshire, then showing Adam what I had made, is really where our insane compulsion to create manifested and snowballed.

So, what's my point?

Yesterday, a friend of mine called me about what she could make people for Christmas gifts. My immediate thought was: EARRINGS! So, I told her I'd make a pair, post them to my blog, and e-mail her the directions.

Famous Last Words.

"Adam, would you please show me how you make earrings?"

He did, and I made a pair.

I LOVED THEM!

Then I said: "I guess I'm changing my Christmas gift giving list a bit.... I'm making EARRINGS!" (dramatic music in the background...)

So, eight pairs of earrings later..... Here's a handful:




Oh, and check out these beauties Adam made for ME last night:


I sat right there while he made them, but ohhh, how I LOVE THEM! LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE THEM!

As I was photographing them, I was noticing how the beads have black, green, blue, and a tiny bit purple. So, I did an experiment with different background colors for the photos. It's amazing how color changes the entire look:





Peace & Blessings!

PS - It was during that trip, is when he asked me to marry him! (December 22nd)

Friday, November 16, 2007

For A Laugh...

go HERE:

SoapBox

Peace & Blessings!

Thursday, November 15, 2007

What Inspires You?


I watched the Premier of Project Runway tonight. I LOOOOOOOOOVE that show! I love all the creativity that goes into the fashions! I could care less about the drama, it's watching people in their creative process that fascinates me the most.

It got me to thinking about what people are inspired by and how inspiration manifests outwardly.

I know with my mediums of choice, my inspirations have a very concrete outlet. I'm wondering if I can step out of my own box?

Just something to think about....

Peace & Blessings!

PS - I think there should be a rubber stamping show - I'd want to be the Tim Gunn of THAT show!

PPS - What was I Inspired by today: A kindred spirit at the grocery store. I was walking in, she was walking out, and we both stopped at the same time to deeply inhale the Christmas wreaths on the display out front... we locked eyes, and giggled at the same time!