NEW TAC CATALOG IS HERE!

Can you hear me screaming with excitement?

THE NEW CATALOG IS IN MY HANDS!

It's beautiful! There are so many new stamp sets that are just FABULOUS! And there are some new accessories, and embellishments, and, and, and.....

This catalog has a different tone than the last. There are many inspirational quotes throughout, and messages from the company that really gave me thrill chills. For example, the letter on the front cover from Mischelle Smith, Founder and CEO of The Angel Company starts with:

“Life is about turning the things you really want to do into the things you’ve done.”

Some other quotes:

“Understand that the right to choose your own path is a sacred privilege. Use it! Dwell in possibility” – Oprah Winfrey

Or

“We have been blessed so that we may be a blessing.”

I love being a part of TAC. I love where the company is heading, I love the integrity & ethics they abide by, I love that they are a true Angel Company, I love that they have lots of inspirational / motivational stamp sets that I can use on my coasters, I just love being a part of TAC!

Peace & Blessings!

PS – Want a catalog? Send me an e-mail with your mailing address or leave me a comment.

PPS - Adam got the catalog from the mail. I was in my stamping room creating. He slide it under the door and ran! (see my post below with the memo to the UPS drivers) I knew I married a brillant man!

Happy Birthday Heidi!

This is what I made for my Sister-In-Law's Birthday:




Peace & Blessings!

Do You Have The Fever?

Are you protected? There's a new fever going around..... did you hear about it? No? Well, I'll tell you: NEW CATALOG FEVER!

Both The Angel Company and Stampin Up! have their new catalogs coming out NOW. OHMIGOODNESS, I just can't stand the anticipation!

Yesterday, I got notice from a local Stampin Up! demonstrator that she received her new catalogs. I e-mailed her asking when I can get my hands on one - and she e-mails me back "come down anytime". She lives 30+ minutes away (according to Google Maps) and I got her e-mail at 7:45ish last night. By 8 I was in my car, tearing down the Northway, Google Map in hand.

Even though I'm a demonstrator for The Angel Company, I'm still just as excited to get the new Stampin Up! catalog. I read it cover to cover, at least 5 times last night:
1 - 3 times: fast skimming to get the jist of the new stamps and goodies
4th read through: slowly, carefully, look at each and every stamp and think of ways to use it
5th read through: slowly, carefully, look at each card/scrapbook page/gift ideas, and think of ways to copy them

I'm expecting my new TAC catalogs the beginning of next week. Seminar is this weekend, which I was unable to attend (*sniff*) which is where they unveil the new catalog. I'm just so super excited!


Check out this Hilarious Blog Post about how crazy stampers are when new catalogs come out! I can identify with everything stated:


UPS MemoTo: Drivers and Security
Date: June 20th , 2007
Subject: Crazy Stampin'Up! Ladies

This time of the year has come around once again. Stampin'Up! is releasing the New Idea Book and Catalog. Please be extremely cautious of Stampin' Up! demonstrators (SUDs) for the next two weeks. Watch out for the following:

1. At the distribution centers, please be on the lookout for SUDs. In the past they have been known to cut fences and sneak inside covered with close to cocoa ink in hopes of blending in with the trucks.

2. The ladies have been known to run after your trucks. If they catch you and ask if you have a "package" for them, be careful with your answer. They do not take "no" for an answer. If you do not have it, just say " I will double check in the back" and turn and run as fast as you can to your truck and drive away. Do not turn back and look, just keep going until you are a safe distance away.

3. They have also been known to drive up next to you at a stop light in their mini vans and SUVs and ask if you have a package for them. Turn up your radio and pretend you cannot hear them. Do not let them approach your delivery truck at an intersection. SUDs have been know to stop traffic and throw all your packages off the trucks until they find their new Idea Book and catalog.

How to Deliver the New Idea Book and Catalog

1. Be sure you have fixed your squeaky brakes, If not - park your truck two blocks away so the SUD can not hear you coming.

2. Put in your earplugs and secure your safety glasses.

3. If you see children looking out the window, put your finger up to your lips and say "SHHHH".. They are on a "lookout" for you and are being paid to "alert" their mothers(SUDs) when they see you coming to the door.

4. Approach the front door and very quietly, set the package down in front of the door (Make sure you place it in FRONT so when she opens the door, the box will be in the way and give you a little more time to escape).

5. Back up as far as you can and reach for the doorbell, (BE READY TO RUN !!!). Ring the doorbell and make a mad dash back to your truck and drive away....

DO NOT LOOK BACK !!!

The UPS corporation is informing you of this because in the past years, SUDs have been known to scream at the top of their lungs with excitement and try to tackle you with hugs for delivering their catalogs. After you have been smothered with appreciation for getting them their catalogs on time, watch out for flying packaging material as they will open up the box before you have had a chance to leave, r they have gone inside.

Best of luck to you with this mission,and remember
Let's Be Safe Out There!!!!

Peace & Blessings!

PS: With the size of my wish list, do you think I could survive off tuna and ramen noodles for the next 3 months?

Bathing Suit Cover Up

Last night I took another One Stroke Painting class at AC Moore. We made tee shirts - which I have decided is a bathing suit cover up.



Peace & Blessings!

Just Because

This is a gift I made a friend... just because:


Peace & Blessings!

Post It Notes

I made this using an acrylic photo frame. Like the matching pen? (click on the photo for a larger view)


Peace & Blessings!

Aaaahhhh, the life of a cat.

Treasure Box

I saw a treasure box, and just had to make one!




Peace & Blessings!

What did people do before the internet?

Adam and I discuss this topic regularly – how when we need to find out some information, we just hop on the computer and pull the info up.

Directions: Google Maps.

Dinner Ideas: Foodnetwork.com, Rachael Ray 30 minutes meals, even Hannaford has recipes and you can make a grocery list from them!

Moves: Regal, and we can buy our tickets online (although we never have). And even NetFlix has upgraded to where we can watch movies instantly online with our regular membership.

Books: I can reserve books at my library online, Amazon, B&N, and the hundreds of other book sites where you can read reviews, see the inside pages, or whatever.

Post Office: I even order my postage stamps online - forget standing in line.

Anyhow – Adam and I were talking about how we order a lot online; especially if we can get free shipping. We don’t particularly enjoy shopping or errand running, so anything the UPS man can deliver, we’re all for! Even at work, we have free shipping on all orders with Staples. I love that the UPS man carries the cases of paper up the 18 or so stairs for me. (My boss’s daughter counts them, out loud, every time she walks up or down them – but the number changes frequently.)

Back to, what did people do before the internet? Adam and I concluded: we had bicycles. We read books. We watched “Wonderful World of Disney” on Sunday nights. We caught fireflies. We played capture the flag until it was so dark out you couldn’t see your hand 3” in front of your face. We invented things. We had to read maps, that you had to buy, in order to find our way somewhere. But mostly, we had bicycles.

I have had e-mail since I was about 15; and I’ve had a computer since elementary school. My mother blessed me with the GREATEST gift – she taught me to type on a typewriter when I was in kindergarten / 1^st grade. As I was learning my letters, and writing, she taught me home row, and would give me exercises to do. I didn’t get really good at typing until I was in Junior High, and more and more essays were required to be typed. But, the fact that I was familiar with the keyboard early, typing always came easy. I now fly when I type! When I have kids, I’ll be teaching them to type young like my mother did with me!

Makes me wonder: when I have kids – what is their reality going to be like?

What people did before the internet…..

Peace & Blessings!

I'm stunned!

I just love his story!

Baby Wipes - for stamping?

I used the baby wipe technique to create the multi-colored leaves on this card. What's the baby wipe technique? Get a baby wipe, drop a few drops of reinker randomly on it. Use that as your ink pad. Couldn't be easier - and the results are stunning! (Click on the photo to open up a larger version - and you'll really see the detail)

Peace & Blessings!

Summer is Here!

Our pool in finally warm enough for us to swim daily, even after the sun as gone below the tree line! YAY! I love love love love love to swim - always have! Over the weekend I was talking with a friend about the pool and he said "I could be a buoy in the ocean, I love water so much". That sums it up for me too!

I was inspired to make this summer card:

Peace & Blessings!

The fun of living in Upstate New York.

Honestly, upstate New York is very close to what living in Maine was like - except no ocean air.
Yesterday, I was asked by many family members: "What's the weather like where you are?".
I walked out on the back deck and took some photos:

Facing South:
Facing South to SouthWest:
Facing SouthWest:
Facing West:
Facing NorthWest:
Facing North:
Facing NorthEast:

The weather here is very much like Southern Maine: 1 minute you're enjoying sunshine; the next minute a wicked thunderstorm is rolling in, and you've got to take cover!

Peace & Blessings!

Ask and you shall Receive!

I have been a student of the Law of Attraction (LOA) for about ten years. I must admit, sometimes my attention to LOA has fallen dormant, until something not so nice happens that wakes me up again. But isn’t that part of the fun of being alive?

From April 13^th – May 20^th, on a daily basis I was recording things / experiences I wanted to attract into my life. May 21^st that pattern was broken, and I haven’t gone back. So, it’s been almost a month, and today I opened the file to add a few things.

Spectacular Ah-Ha’s came flooding into my awareness.

I reviewed what I had recorded previously.

I had 15 things / experiences on my list. Of those:

I have in my possession or have experienced 5.

I have changed my mind on 3.

5 have to do with the house & property which I don’t think I really believed I would have within a month – so the jury is still out on those items.

2 involve vacation & no action or evidence of manifestation has occurred – yet.

WOW! That’s AMAZING! Just the fact that I’ve achieved 5 out of 15, and 3 additional I no longer want! WOW! WOW! WOW! I’m halfway there – IN LESS THAN A MONTH!

I’ll tell you one thing: I need to start asking bigger, bolder, more fabulous requests! And that’s what I’m off to do…..

Peace & Blessings!

Happy Father's Day

My Dad is simply THE BEST!


Peace & Blessings!

Birthdays, Birthdays, Birthdays!

I've been making a lot of birthday cards lately. Here's one for a party we are going to tonight:


Peace & Blessings!

My Husband ROCKS

Adam made chocolate covered popcorn tonight!

Need I say more?

Peace & Blessings!

Photos On Coasters?

Anyone who has been to my house knows I have an abundance of tile coasters hanging around.
I can now put photos on coasters! ROCK ON!!!!!

Peace & Blessings!

Simple Birthday Card

Peace & Blessings!

Maine Coon Cats

I have to say, I've always had a hard time getting ok pictures of the boys - unless they're sleeping. Merlin will usually allow me to take pictures, but Apollo has always been virtually impossible! Today, Apollo let me take some photos! YAY!
It cracks me up whenever he flips his ears back like that!




Check out the whisker length & Lynx tips on his ears!

Merlin decided he needed to get in on the action.

Peace & Blessings!

More Cards:

Peace & Blessings!

Cards for the Guys

It's easy to make lots of girly cards. Cards for guys takes some work:



Peace & Blessings!

Salted Background

Here's the better picture I promised of the salted background technique:

Peace & Blessings!

Look At What I Did!

I feel like I'm in grade school, running home to show Mom what I made. But, seriously, how fun are these?!?!?!!!! And, this was my 1st time trying! ROCK ON!




AND.... I didn't even tell you the best part:
These are top shelf dishwasher safe!!!!


Peace & Blessings!

Chalk

On Wednesday night, at the Stamping Party, we used chalks for one of the projects. I have had chalks for years, just never really did much with them. WHAT WAS I THINKING????!!!!
I'm so inspired to use chalks now. They give a softer image, which I'm loving!


Peace & Blessings

Money / Gift Card Holder

I went to a Stamping Party Wednesday, and this is something we learned.

Peace & Blessings

Optimists Creed

Check out this PDF!

Peace & Blessings!

Share in my JOY

I am HAPPY DANCING right now! YIPPIE!!!!!
I was just invited to do a One Stroke wine glass painting class, in 2 days!!!!!!!!!!!
I've been wanting to do this for over 2 years - just hasn't worked out for me.
And now, in 2 days, I'll be learning how! ROCK ON!

HAPPY DANCE! HAPPY DANCE! HAPPY DANCE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Birthday Magic Card

I made this for a dear friend of mine.






Peace & Blessings!

Psychokinetic Evidence of the Law of Attraction

This is a fun story.

Back story:

For about two or three weeks, I have been feeling spiritually flat. I’ve been digging around for a spiritual injection of enthusiasm. Last night I even sent an e-mail to a confidant asking for suggestions.

What happened:

Last night, after I sent the e-mail, Adam and I were preparing for bed. Lately I’ve been re-reading Harry Potter – The Half Blood Prince, to prepare for the last book coming out. I decided I didn’t want to read Harry Potter, last night anyway, and that I would find a book that would give me that “spiritual injection of enthusiasm” – so I went to the basement.

In the basement we have three, floor to ceiling bookcases, where each shelf has 2 rows of books. We have a lot of books. Many of which were purchased with intention, or impulse, that have been read, read partially, or never opened once home. So, I had choices. I started scanning the shelves, asking for the Right book to catch my attention.

Scanning Titles…. Nothing…. Keep scanning…. Nothing

I sat down on the floor, and was looking at the bottom 2 shelves of the middle bookcase. I wasn’t even touching it. Just looking, when:

____________BAM!

Literally, a book fell off from a Higher Shelf and hit me on the thigh. Thankfully, it was a small paperback.

I picked it up, opened it randomly and read “God is Living, Active, and Responsive”.

I just laughed and laughed and laughed! Got up, said “ok, I’m listening” and took it to bed. When I told Adam what happened, he said “HA! That’s Psychokinetic Evidence of the Law of Attraction”. Too funny!

Peace & Blessings!

Oh yeah, I almost forgot: What is the title of the book? I’m not telling. The book if Right for me, now, it may not be Right for you. I suggest you go to your book shelf, ask for inspiration, and then step back. You never know what size book is going to fly off the shelf at you.

Stamping on Whiteboards

This was my first try at a whiteboard. I've been meaning to do this for about a year. I did make a big mistake - and I'm sharing so you don't make the same mistake.

Project:
Whiteboard
Painters tape
Staz On ink
Permanent Markers
Post It Notes
Spray Sealer

1. Clean your whiteboard and apply painters tape around the metal frame to protect it from the spray sealer.

2. Stamp your images with Staz On ink. Be careful, the ink contacting the whiteboard becomes slick. You must stamp straight down, and pull straight up -evenly. Do NOT angle the stamp at all, or you will smudge. Luckily my smudged image came right off because I cleaned it immediately with Staz On Ink cleaner. YAY.

3. Color / highlight the stamped images with your permanent markers. I was hoping to use watercolor pencils, but they just do not work on the whiteboard surface. I only highlighted the images with the permanent markers, because coloring will pull the Staz On Ink - then your image is smudged.

4. Allow your ink to dry. I hit it with my heat tool for about 20 seconds.

5. Cover the whiteboard that you will want to write on later with post it notes. You only want your stamped images to be showing.

6. Spray the board with the sealer. Allow to dry.

7. Pull off post it notes. Pull off painters tape. You are ready to write.

My big mistake: I grabbed my Matte spray sealer. The white board is naturally glossy, so you can really tell where it’s been sprayed. Now that I know better, I’ll never to that again!

The fabulous Maine stamps are from Repeat Impressions. I LOVE them! I couldn't believe it when I found a Nubble Light stamp - AND blueberries!

Peace & Blessings!