Last night was Advanced Technique Night!

We had a good turnout last night - six, which is just about all I can handle at one class where we walk through the projects together.

This is the easiest one we did, Modern Grid, which I learned from Pat Huntoon at Technique Junkies. She ABSOLUTELY rocks, is SO talented - as is all her design team - and is one of the nicest people I've "met" online.

The colors of ink are Close to Cocoa and Pumpkin Pie; card stock is Pumpkin Pie, Basic Black, and Kraft - oh, and a little Very Vanilla thrown in. :)

The next class is Thursday, a 10/10/10 - all Christmas! The design work is done, and all I have left to do is the cutting. There are some beautiful, simple cards - I can't wait to show you after the class!

Well, it's time to get busy some more. :) Don't forget to take the time to STAMP something - then bless someone with it!!!!

Hostess Appreciation 2007 a SMASHING SUCCESS!

I think I can say it was a smashing success! I had thirteen hostesses actually be able to attend from the last year; some of them have hostessed multiple times, and some are continuing in the hostess club to hostess. But there is always room for new hostesses; if you'd like to come next year, please contact me to have a party - even if it's YOU placing a large enough order to earn party benefits, you get to come! :)

So. I fix a homemade meal every year; this year's menu was:

baked ham

au gratin potatoes

green beans

butternut squash - the ONLY thing that I didn't make enough of. WOW, was it popular!

Apple crisp with storebought vanilla ice cream

It was yummy, for sure - Laura said, "...the food was more than Luncheon, it was dinner and everything was so delicious...." :D I love hearing that!! LOL!

Next, we all cleared off the table - it was amazing how quickly this happened! :D - so we could get to stamping. Oh, and I didn't mention everyone won a door prize during the day, plus a grand prize, did I....

Part of my gift to my hostesses at this luncheon is table favors - there were two different ones this year - and the templates for those. Nothing we make at the hostess appreciation will I ever do in a class or workshop, so those are different and very special every year. Same for the projects; I try to do one more for the "supply" or "business" side of stamping, and this year, I gave everyone a CD with 182 jpegs of projects and 2 other templates on it. So, one of the projects was decorating the CD and making a matching envelope for it; it's on the collage up there.

The second project was a tunnel card. This is the outside; the inside is up in the collage photo. It's intricate, and a lot of work, but I think everyone enjoyed it - a few people said they were going to do some for Christmas, even! Once you get the concept understood, it's just work, not HARD. :D

So, it was a great afternoon! Here's what Kathy said: "I will definitely be a hostess next year. I would not want to miss out on this special day!!!!!" I hope you'll take advantage of this special, extra perk for my hostesses. Don't ask to learn a tunnel card from me! ROFL! It's HOSTESSES ONLY, my dear reader!!

But I DO hope that you'll take the time to STAMP SOMETHING today!!!!!!!!! I'll be back tomorrow, to talk up that challenge - and talk about some blog candy! :D

Another fast post!

OK, things are starting to settle down - I'm either ready for tomorrow, or I'm not. :D

ANYWAY. I wanted to make you dear readers aware of this opportunity!

Heavenly Perspective Photography (our photography business) is proud to announce that we are printing our first calendar this year for public purchase! This is a private printing; each one will be assembled by hand at the printer's, just for you. It will be a 12-month calendar, with each month having a different landscape from rural Tennessee. Each month's picture will be printed with a verse from Psalms on it. The calendar will be coil-bound, and the covers will be laminated - it will be a GREAT calendar that will give you or your gift recipients beautiful scenery all through the year.

It's a real deal at only $17.50 plus $4.60 PRIORITY MAIL shipping. If it's for a gift, we will ship directly to them, so you don't pay postage twice! We're looking at a possible shipping date as early as November 20!

If you're interested, you may Paypal me at pooh0612@aol.com, or email me at poohisstampin@aol.com for an address to send checks or money orders.

I am SO excited about this opportunity!!!!!! I hope you will be, too. :)

Next posting will be at least ONE photo from the Hostess Appreciation Luncheon! :) Have a WONDERFUL weekend - and don't forget to take the time to STAMP something!!!

Hit & run today....

I have SO much to do for this weekend, it's not funny! So I'm going to drop this out there, then go get busy on something else. :D

This is another design from the last 10/10/10. Colors are So Saffron, Handsome Hunter, and Mellow Moss; Watercolor Vine Jumbo Stampin' Around wheel, done in Mellow Moss; gold embossing on top, with a verse from Elegant Inspirations. Simple, but the inside of mine is stamped with a sympathy greeting; I didn't want it to be a standard gloomy sympathy card. :)

OK, everyone, I'm outta here!!!! If you're coming this weekend, expect great things! :D I can't wait!

I've only received ONE PERSON'S entry for the contest!!!!!!! Look at the last posting for the challenge, ladies & gents!!!

TAKE THE TIME TO STAMP SOMETHING - then bless someone with it! :) Have a wonderful day!!!

Easy WOW card!

This card was one of the two projects we did tonight at the Chocolate Party. We had a small turnout, but we had a GREAT time!

We stamped the largest image from LOVELY AS A TREE in Chocolate Chip Craft Ink on the Very Vanilla card stock, then stamped it in Very Vanilla Craft Ink on the Chocolate Chip card stock - and embossed with clear embossing powder. Next, we cut both pieces of card stock on the diagonal, and mounted one piece of each color on the Ruby Red mat. The next step was to emboss the "thank you" from WONDERFUL WORDS with the Chocolate Chip Craft Ink and clear EP, and inside we put "from the heart" from HUGS & WISHES. Then we put the image on the Creamy Caramel card stock. Voila! And EASY.

Quite a stunning presentation, isn't it? It's beautiful with any detailed stamp! Here's a challenge: do the same technique, and either mail it to me or scan and email it. We'll have another contest!!!!

The NEXT post will probably be another contest, too! We're almost at 5000 hits, and that means BLOG CANDY!!!!!!! :) So, go STAMP something - and share it!!!

Oh, ye of little faith!! :D

See??? All ready for tonight! I still need to do SOME things, like sweep the floor - and my desk has piles on top of piles - but at least the space is USEABLE again! :)

This will be my last photo of my stamping area this week, because I expect to have things started to be laid out for the hostess appreciation luncheon - and EVERYTHING for that is a surprise, so you won't get clued in until after Saturday. Sorry about that - but YOU can always be a hostess, too! :D It's EASY - ask me how! Freebies, free lunch, and loads of fun - what's NOT to enjoy????

OK, off to get in the shower, and prepare for the rest of my day. :D THAT was a big task that HAD to get done, and I'm so glad it is! GO STAMP SOMETHING!!!!!!!!!!!!!

OK, I'm getting there....

See? It's only HALF a mess now! :D I've got the projects for tonight cut out and designed, one of the offerings for the chocolate party is in the oven, and I've been able to work on other things for the hostess appreciation luncheon today. All this in less than two hours! I'm feeling like I'm accomplishing something finally! :D

I'll post the card we're doing tonight after everyone comes to party with me. :) It's going to be a small crowd, but we'll have fun - how can you not, with chocolate involved???? :)

Back to work for me - I hope you're taking the time to STAMP something!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

AUGH! I'm caught in a MESS!

Would someone PLEASE stop the world for a while?? I need to catch up! LOOK at this mess - and I'm having a chocolate party tomorrow night!!! Not to mention the Hostess Appreciation Luncheon on Saturday....

So, any guesses what I'll be doing the next few days? Oh, yeah, things like baking chocolate desserts for tomorrow night, working on wedding photos, yadda yadda.... :D Cleaning up the stamping room is DEFINITELY in the cards, too. I can't promise that my DESK will be cleared by Saturday, but I've GOT to get organized, or this luncheon will NOT be fun for any of us!

Stay tuned for updates - and stamped things. (Think this next part to the tune of "I Am Pretty"....) I am busy, o so busy! I am busy, and crazy, and stressed! :D

OK, I'm going to go stamp something now. Make SURE you take the time to stamp something, too! :D

My favorite card from last night...

HAS to be this one. :) It's simple, but I just love the colors. :) The "thank you" stamp as the background is from the WORD ON WORD hostess set. The stamp as the main image is from GREETINGS GALORE, stamped in Basic Gray on Whisper White. I've decided that Purely Pomegranate is one of my all-time favorite colors; I'm going to be sad when this IN COLOR group goes away next year! :)

We used Aquapainters dipped in the lid of the Purely Pomegranate ink pad to color in all the little hearts. Such a simple card, but the color is wonderful, don't you think?

We had a great time in both classes yesterday. I hope you're deciding which classes you want to take between now and the beginning of December!

OK. I'm off to get busy on something else. OH, I'm changing out the Inspiration Station; there's some fall out, but also a lot of CHRISTMAS!!! It's that time of year finally. :D I'm going to be changing it again in about 3 weeks, to ALL Christmas. The rest of the samples are still around, so if you need an idea, please don't hesitate to come look! :)

Have a wonderful day, dear friend!!! Don't forget: take time to STAMP something!!!! :)

Halloween Gate Card

Good morning! I succeeded in doing simple yet fun cards for today's class - the girls in this morning's class were done in just over an hour. YEA! I did it! LOL!!!

This gate-fold card can be done for Halloween, like you see here - and inside it says "Happy Halloween" with the jack-o'-lantern face behind it - or without the face, and "Happy Thanksgiving" stamped inside. Class participants have both choices. The pumpkin and faces are the CARVED & CANDLELIT set.

The colors here are Chocolate Chip, Creamy Caramel, Garden Green, and Naturals White card stocks, with Pumpkin Pie ink thrown into the mix.

To make a gate card like this one:

Chocolate Chip layer on back - 4.25"x5.5"

Creay Caramel layer that folds - 5.25"x8" - score at 2" and at 6"

The "latch" can be any size you want, to accommodate whatever size stamp you use

It's REALLY an easy card! I hope you'll try it - it looks difficult, but really isn't. :) Go ahead! Take the time to STAMP something! Impress yourself, then pass on your project to bless someone else! :)

FINALLY! :D

I can show you some projects! :D

This card is really fun! Nelda showed us how to do it at the Tennessee Stampers Annual Retreat, and I had to send Becky P. a thank-you card, so here's what I came up with. The colors of card stock are Groovy Guava and Wild Wasabi, but the ink colors are Cameo Coral and Garden Green. It folds up like this for mailing:

And IF you do it correctly, it SHOULD fit in a regular envelope. This one didn't - but it was my first one by myself. :D

Don't worry! We'll be learning this one in a class - it may be a Christmas card we'll do for an advanced techniques soon, so be on the lookout! :)

One more project: this was one of the cards we did at Donna's workshop

on Tuesday night....

Isn't it cute??? We used Only Orange card stock, and stamped in Going Gray with the ghost from Bitty Boos II. The "happy" is stamped in Basic Black from Happy Everything; the BOO is embossed in white with the Headline Alphabet set, and we used a Basic Black Stampin' Write marker to write the "to you!" at the bottom. We tore the Basic Black card stock, then sponged lightly with white craft ink around the edges to give it a little depth - then popped it with dimensionals. It's a fun Halloween card - and another little something you could do with a lot of sets!

OK, it's time to head off to bed, so I can be bright-eyed for tomorrow's 10/10/10. I'll show you a design or two tomorrow, OK? Have a WONDERFUL day, and take the time to STAMP something - then bless someone ELSE with it!!!!!

I'm sorry!

Blogspot.com is having some issues right now - actually, it's been going on for a few days now - so I can't post any photos or pictures. As soon as I can, I'll have you back to OOOHing and AAHHing at stamped stuff. :D

UNTIL THEN: take the time to STAMP something!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am!

WHAT a weekend!!!!

Those of you who are friends of Ken's know that yesterday - 10/14 - was his birthday. It was a big milestone for him. so it was a big day! :)

To start with, our Sunday school class threw a breakfast pitch-in to celebrate - we had quiche, sausage casserole, venison sausage, chocolate chip cookie bars, biscuits, apple slices with pumpkin dip, and I'm sure I'm forgetting something, and I made homemade cinnamon rolls. They were yummy - I used to make them a lot, but we're trying to be more careful with carbs around here. :D They were a great treat...!

Then, Lee (Ken's best friend since kindergarten) and Corrine (Lee's wife, who are celebrating their third anniversary today) flew in to surprise him - I led them in during the welcome time, and his face was PRICELESS!!! :D

For lunch, we went to El OK Corral, not far from our house. I tried, DESPERATELY, to discourage this - we'd been for lunch the two days before, and his surprise party was going to be tacos - but that's where we ended up going. :D They sang "Feliz Cumpleanos" to him. (For you gringos y gringas out there, that's Happy Birthday in Spanish! :D) We had a great time, and he was starting to come out of the shock.

We went home, and Lee & Corrine went to take a nap - they'd been up over 24 hours except for small naps they could catch on the plane - and I headed off for a baby shower stop. I wasn't gone long, but had a chance to finalize everything with Angela. She and Cris P. had planned all the decorations, etc, because I just couldn't get away to do anything! THEY ARE AWESOME - thanks SO much, girls!!!!! Anyway. I came home, and we rested and talked for a bit.

Mom & Dad took off "to drop off food for the church" at 5, and we were "going to meet them at a place that was supposed to be a big surprise" for Ken. :D At 6, I took him out to the car and made him wear a blindfold - NOT a fun thing, but he still had no clue about a party. ROFL! I told him Dad wanted it to be a big surprise!! :D Lee and Corrine had changed into their costumes, and we took off and drove around for about 15 minutes - the church is 4 minutes from our house. :D I dropped Lee & Corrine off so she could get photos, and told Ken I was taking him to park. I drove onto the grass, and parked the car. I made him stand up out of the car and turn to face everyone before I took off the blindfold. He was AGAIN shocked!!!!!!!!!!! :D

This is Lee and Corrine in their hippy costumes; it was a HIPPY BIRTHDAY party. :D SUCH fun to surprise him!!!! We had just about 30 people there, including Greg McDougal and his family.

While Ken was cutting the cake, Greg went to get his guitar - and borrowed Lee's wig. Here's what HE looked like!!!

I honestly think it needs to be his next album cover....:D

Towards the end of the party, we had Ken open his "gifts". Unknown to him, we'd asked everyone to bring salt shakers as a gag gift - Ken LOVES salt, and basically owns the shakers around here. :D But we couldn't just let him open them. Oh, no! We had to serenade him with

MARGARITAVILLE! :D

It was a wonderful party. He received phone calls from his brother in the afternoon, his daughter during the party, and several friends throughout yesterday and today. I think he was absolutely flabbergasted by the surprises throughout the day - and we had a lovely day today with Lee & Corrine. They will be flying home tomorrow, but it was a great day - and we celebrated their anniversary all day, too!

I do have ONE last photo to share. This is his cake; I had the Hermitage Bakery do it, and I was THRILLED!!! They did a great job! :)

Yooo, hoo!!

I still need AMY BUCHANAN and SALLY to email me at poohisstampin@aol.com and give me your mailing addresses, so Greg can send you his CD! :)


I've heard two rough cuts from the NEW CD he's working on, everyone. GOODNESS, but it's going to be SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO good! :D Keep checking at www.ahouseformykids.com for details!

Have you missed me? :D

PHEW, what a week it's been! I'm sorry we were out of touch so long; there's not much Internet access in the middle of corn- and soybean fields! :)

I just get more and more amazed, every time I go back to Richmond, Indiana, about how much heritage is being lost. When I was young, those of us there wanted to leave as soon as we could - and didn't want to appreciate much around us! There's so much history, and small-town culture, and life lessons we could have absorbed if we'd paid attention. :)

SO. I'm back - and I'm stampin' - but my secret sister for Tennessee Stampers has to get her cards, or I'm going to be in trouble. :D So expect to see stamped things here tomorrow - but for today, enjoy the field corn, and look around - I bet you'll find lots of things to enjoy in your little corner of the world!

TAKE TIME TO STAMP SOMETHING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :D

On the road again...! :)

Ken and I hit the road in just a few minutes - as soon as he gets back from the reception of the wedding we shot today. MAN, was it HOT enough out there?!?!??! Over 90, and it's OCTOBER!?!?!? AUGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ANYWAY. :D We're heading up to Indiana for a little R&R; we've really been working hard lately, and it will be nice to get away from it all for a while. I'm TIRED - and I know he will be, but we're driving about 2 hours tonight. I already can't wait to crawl into bed. :D So I'll be posting, but it may be a little sporadic this week.

Do you like this cute 3x3 card? I got it from my Tennessee Stampers Secret Sister last week(I think...?). VERY pretty, and I love the color choices. It's been a really fun round to play; she's sent me all SU! colors, and great designs and everything! Thanks, SS, if you read my blog! :) I received another card on my way out the door this afternoon; I'll post it and my thanks when I get home on Thursday.

Gotta jet, and make sure I've got everything I need. Have a WONDERFUL rest-of-the-weekend, and a great week, too! And for Pete's sake, TAKE TIME TO STAMP SOMETHING!!!!

Just some fun for today....

It's not stamping-related, necessarily, but it IS color-related....:D

You are most like: Black
You are bold with a dark side. You make clear lines wherever you go, though you color outside of the lines. Many people may just see the surface of you and think you are merely plain, but you have a lot of depth to you as well.
Take this quiz: Which Crayola Box of 8 Color Are You?
Visit Toys For Your Blog.com for more blog quizzes

FUN new use for your round tab punch!! :)

OK, it's not my idea, but it IS very fun!!! I just have to figure out better stamp sets to use - you really can't see this one too well, but I wanted to try the technique. You can go here to see a tutorial on it. She's got a great blog! :)

I used the SNOW wheel from the Holiday Mini, and the snowflake on the punch is from The Snowflake Spot. It's much prettier in real life, where you can see the layers better, and the sparkle of the silver embossing powder. But go look at the tutorial, and at Dawn's blog - link on the right of the page - to see some more great ideas!!!!

I have to jet. Too much to do again, and Ken's laptop is in the shop. :( Which, besides repair costs, means we also have to share this computer! :D TAKE THE TIME TO STAMP SOMETHING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

AND THE WINNERS ARE...!

Are you excited????? :D Greg chose the winners randomly today! Here they are! If I don't have your email address, please email me at poohisstampin@aol.com to give me your mailing address!

1. Clara Ogren-Rubalcaba

2. Amy Buchanan - need your addy!

3. Sally - need your addy!

4. J-me

5. Hootie

Congratulations to our winners!!! :D Greg will be bringing me your CDs in the next few days, and I'll have them out sometime around the end of next week. Now, then, for all you who DID NOT WIN, please PLEASE take the time and the little amount of money it takes and go purchase Greg's CD. Remember: this CD is up for Album of the Year with other greats - INCLUDING ALAN JACKSON! It's GOT to be good! :D Go to http://www.ahouseformykids.com/ to purchase the album and support a great cause. God will bless you abundantly!

OK, I'm off to the races some more. :) TAKE THE TIME TO STAMP SOMETHING!!!

World Card-Making Day is Coming on Saturday!

It's coming FAST, everyone - the celebration of World Card-Making Day! I was SUPPOSED to be out of town on Saturday, but it turns out that I've got to be here for a wedding that night, and we'll leave afterwards. SO, here's what I'd like to offer you, to CELEBRATE! :D

If you'd like to learn how to make one of these criss-cross cards during live chat, email me between now and Friday night. I'll email you the link to the chat room we'll be using and the materials you'll want to have on-hand, and you can ask me any questions you want. This link will take you to the tutorial on it, but sometimes it's easier if you do it as someone tells you how. :) This will be a FREE online class, and everyone who attends will have a special offer to participate in. I hope you'll come join me! :) I'll be able to scan in and post things - if you'll have a little patience! :D - when you have a specific question. Class will be held on Saturday, October 6, at 10:30 a.m. Central time! I don't think it will take more than an hour, unless we get off on other things to talk about. :D I hope to hear from you, that you want to attend, and that you're looking forward to it!

If you can't come to class, be sure and take the time to stamp on Saturday. I mean, it would be just AWFUL if you had a special day to do so and didn't, wouldn't it???? :D

In the meantime, there IS a special from Stampin' Up!® for it, too: take 20% off any Simply Sent Card Kit in the Idea Book & Catalog! This is a GREAT sale, but it's only good from now until Saturday!!!! REMEMBER: I also have to get your money in my account before I can order for you - so CALL ME TODAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)

Gonna jet, my friends. Keep praying for Becky P.; Hannah doesn't have to have surgery, but she's in extreme pain. :( Life is not easy at their house right now!!!

TAKE THE TIME TO STAMP SOMETHING!!!!!!!!!!

LAST DAY TO ENTER THE DRAWING!

I went on the Tennessee Stampers Retreat this weekend. This is a fun group of ladies, let me tell you! :) We stamped, talked, and laughed all weekend. Oh, and ATE. LOL! There was enough sweet stuff to feed an army, and the camp's food was great, too! Thank you, everyone, for making us newbies feel so accepted! :)

I'll be showing off some of our projects as I scan or photograph them, or finish them. :)

Don't forget: today is the LAST DAY to enter a drawing for Greg McDougal's CD! All you have to do is leave a comment here on my blog, on any entry you want! It's not difficult, and we're giving away FIVE of them!!! So your chances are pretty darned good! :) It's a great cause - and you can feel free to go purchase a CD as soon as you don't win one. :D (See, I almost NEVER win anything, so this way, you'll be prepared....:D)

Too much to do, not enough time again!!!!! OH, please pray for Becky P.; she's having severe toothaches, and arrived home yesterday after retreat to find that her 5-year-old daughter has a severe break in her leg. They're going to the surgeon today, to see if that's something they're going to have to deal with. Thanks, everyone!

Don't forget!! TAKE THE TIME TO STAMP SOMETHING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!