Aiy Crarumba!

After much duress and threats of bodily harm I started making Christmas cards last night.  And let me tell you... It was just as every bit as painful as I thought it would be. 

No, really, I had a hard time coming up with things.  I'm sure I'll get into the swing of it in no time.  I hope!  As you can see, I have this interesting red and green ribbon that is reversed on one side.  Expect to see more that in future!

The Fine Print: Stamps by Hero Arts, DeNami Designs, and Stampendous (in that order).

What's Next to Your Workdesk

Wednesday.

Last week the big news was NEW CATS!  Today's big news is NEW CAT BOXES!

Yes, just a thrill a minute in our household.  But seriously, this is crafting related because in order to fit those two cat litter boxes in their place, that shelf had to be moved over a couple of inches.  That meant, having to remove all the stuff piled high on it and in it and next to it.  I have also cleaned it up and rearranged it, which if you aren't my husband, you may notice.  However, I still have a lot of things aren't put away yet and causing havoc being piled around in other places. Some day there will be a spot for everything and everything in its spot.*

Meanwhile, here is the actual desk, the side of it that is mildly clean, that is.  These are my new A Muse Studio Valentine's goodies (and one lost winter set).  I realize I haven't even started my Christmas cards yet, but a|s wants us all to be forward thinking and check out the new Valentine's stuff.  I laugh because I spy the same 3x3 card and envelope I shared with you last week. Yeah, you can't rush greatness.

And here's Poppy making an appearance for her fans.  She didn't want to show her gooey eyes off so she turned away demurely.  She may have allergies or she may have caught the eye goo from her baby brothers (who had it before they were adopted).  She'll go to the V-E-T tomorrow to see for sure.  And yes, she can almost like her baby brudders now.

* A girl can dream.

The Fine Print: I don't want to imply that nothing is fine today, but I got nothing for here!

lesser of two ebils

i had a hard time deciding if i should vote for a repelican or a democat

there are many issues that require much deep thinking

we must vote with our brains not our hearts

or we can vote with our hearts

really as long as we votes 

that is important

my name is dio and i approve this message

The Fine Print: Why yes, that is a recycled card. I mean, WTH, you've giving me a recycled candidate!

Happy Harvest

Either last year or possibly the year before I bought one of Basic Gray's card making kits to make Halloween cards.  I've purchased far more than one of Basic Gray's kits as I thought they would be good to work on during crafty get-togethers with friend.  It has never worked out for me, but it was a good plan.

Since I'm trying to use kits more than collect them (I know, I know, blasphemous!) I pulled this one to use this year.  One of the cards in the kit was the one above.  I think it is a really cool card, but not exactly Halloweenish.  It is good for this time of the year though, but not spooky enough to deserve to be called Halloween.  Although, the original letters that spelled out "harvest" were pretty frightening--they refused to come out of their punch out sheet and then ran and hid afterwards.

The Fine Print: All products by Basic Gray, all but "harvest" from a H'ween kit, harvest letters by Basic Gray from some random paper kit.  Basic Gray, neither basic, nor gray, nor quite as addictive as they once were...  funny how that is.

Surf's Up!

I don't think that I previously shared this card I made from the Serenity kit, so here it is now!  Am I the only one who thinks those three shapes are surfboards?  I'm not even a surfer girl, but that is where my brain goes.

It has been anything but serene and harmonious here in Princess Judy Land.  See, we bought new cat litter boxes for the first time in 23 or so years.  I've tried previously to replace them but never could find ones as large and lidded and the ones I had (I think this is why the cat industry now says that you should have one litter box for each cat plus one, because they are the size of dish pans!  Anyway, I've supported up to 5 indoor kitties on my two large pans).  Luckily, Nature's Miracle has new large and lidded cat pans! A miracle indeed!  However, these new pans are a bit more rounded than the old ones which means the 7mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

That was a message from Charles.  As I was saying, bigger pans means more room needed. It only needed about 2 more inches but that meant I had to move the wood bookcase next to my desk.  The bookcase was loaded with paper and crafting stuff, piled to about 5 feet high.  Yeah,.... that's taken some time. 

The new pans and the furniture are all in place, but all the stuff in that five foot high pile is not back yet.  This is due partly because I decided to go through and organize it and partly because I didn't know where it had gone to.  Now that I'm at my computer though I see some of the missing stuff stacked on my scanner.  Well, that's a job for Some Other Time Rather Than Now.

Meanwhile, surf's up!

The Fine Print: The secret to cat litter boxes is deep litter and daily scooping, don't be afraid to reach in and grab out the tiny bits that fall through the scoop's cracks.  Card pars mostly by Club Scrap "Serenity" kit, which might get completed someday if I ever find the top of my table and desk again.  Flowers by Prima, brads by Limited Edition, embossed background made with a Cuttlebug folder.

Autumn Leaves

I used to live in Ohio so I know that leaves change colors before they fall off the trees, even though they don't do that nonsense here in Arizona.  Well, actually, they do up in the mountains but who wants to drive up a winding, narrow road filled with people gawking at trees?  Not this prone to carsickness kid!

I would like to take this moment to point out just how much I was lied to as a kid. I was reassured I would outgrow my asthma, my allergies, and my carsickness.  I'll bet there is no Easter Bunny either!!!!!   There is a porch cleaning fairy though. I know, he visits often.

The Fine Print: This is probably my favorite fall stamp of all, by Stampin' Up. I bought it used as a single stamp so I have no idea what set it came out of.  If you know, leave a comment. I've always been curious.  Paper by DVWV, bumpy corner rounder by EK Sucess, brads by Recollections, ribbon by unknown. 

Happy Valentine's Day!

Yes, I'm fully aware that it was Halloween only yesterday, but now it is November and that means time to think of all things pink and frilly and sweet and romantic and blah, blah, blah... Valentine's Day!

I mean it only makes sense since we are so efficient and already have all our Christmas cards made, right? I said RIGHT?!

Yeah, I haven't started them either.

However, November 1st does indeed bring is a sneak peak at the new A Muse Studio Valentine's catalog. This special sneaky peaky is only available to consultants like myself but since you, my fearless readers and my wonderful customers, have helped me win a couple advance copies of Valentine's sets that means I should share the sneak peak with you.

There are 5 new stamp sets, new colors of Splash spray ink, a new color of chevron patterned paper, a fun new embellishment in three colors, baker's cording (a tad thicker than baker's twine they say), new colors of paper straws, a new die set, paper doilies, and a set of three patterned washi tapes.  Aren't you excited??!?!!! Or rather, won't you be excited on December 27th after you've mailed your last Christmas card??!?!!!!!!  These goodies will be available for viewing and/or purchase on November 15th. ish... yeah, I'd better recheck that....


 The Fine Print: Skyline and inside greeting from the new "Love is in the Air" set, outside greeting from"Just My Type," clouds from "Make a Scene,"  bubblegum organdy ribbon, cloud die, cardstock colors-Seattle (buildings), pebble (card base) and bubblegum (clouds).  All products by A Muse Studio.  Stay tuned in case I get ambitious enough for more sneak peaks.