Tagged by Kristi

I have been tagged by Kristi Ferro, owner of my FAVORITE stamps right now - Hanna Stamps! Be aware - she is having another release on Friday! Sentiments and The Perfect Package - and they are SO CUTE!!!! Check out her blog post so you can learn some interesting facts about her (she is so much cooler to me now that I know those things!)

The rules of the game:
Link to the person that tagged you and post the rules on your blog.
Share 7 random and/or weird facts about yourself on your blog, we all want to know them.
Tag 7 random people at the end of your post and include links to their blogs.
Let each person know that they’ve been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

7 Things about me:

1. I love reading the Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff books by Richard Carlson! My DH turned me on to them (he only read the first, I have gone on to read Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff for Women (written by the author’s wife Kristine), Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff in Love (still reading) and Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff at Work (still reading). I am very saddened to realize when I looked up his website, that he died nearly a year ago (at the young age of 46) and his wife is going to carry on his work in his honor. These books have really allowed me to stay calm, think of things a little differently, not react so negatively so quickly, and try to manage my relationships and my actions more effectively. I admit I have not arrived, but I love to share how great these books are when I get a chance.

I’d like to give show you an excerpt to give you an idea how great the book is.

Featured Excerpt Become Aware of Your Moods and Don't Allow Yourself to Be Fooled by the Low Ones

2. I taught myself how to make jewelry this year and it’s been so fun!

3. I love foreign movies, in particular Bollywood (Indian movies). They have a lot of singing and dancing in the movies and no nudity, violence or drugs. They are feel good movies, a lot of them have great stories – one in particular in Lagaan – one of my favorites: A remarkable story about the triumph of the ordinary, set in 1890s India. The ruling British have imposed a harsh tax (lagaan) on the farmers, prompting the villagers of Champaner to plead for a waiver. So, an arrogant and capricious British commander, Capt. Russell, challenges the villagers to a cricket match: If the villagers win, they'll avoid taxation for 3 years; if they lose, they'll pay the tax thrice over.

4. I love White Fudge Oreo cookies

5. I love the smell of the ground after it rains

6. I have to wear craft gloves during the night and sleep with a squishy pillow in order for my hands not to fall asleep (symptoms of carpal tunnel)

7. I am Jeanne Streiff’s - Inky Paws SU! Upline. I am so glad I met her (I think it’s been about 4 years) and instead of me teaching her anything, she has taught ME! She is such a fun, genuine, kind-hearted soul…not to mention a Copic Coloring Queen and just overall Artsy Fartsy kind of gal! I couldn't be more proud of her, being on all the Design Teams she's been on (past and present) and now blog banner maker!

Now I need to tag 7 more (find ones that haven't been tagged)

Heather - A Secret Garden Grows Here
Marilyn – Stamp with Marilyn
Kathy – Kathy’s Kreations
Jeanne – Inky Paws
Rose Ann – Paper Delightz
Leigh – Sunflower Studio
And You!

**e.t.a. direct link to Featured Excerpt from Don't Sweat the Small Stuff**

Calendar & Matching Pen

This is a stamped calendar (2 year) with matching bead-filled pen that is a Christmas gift for my current stamp club members. I hope none of them will see this post before I present it to them {maybe I need to wait to post it, nah}.

The SU! set Time Well Spent (Level 3 hostess set in 2007-08 Spring Summer Catalog active demos received as a gift) was PERFECT as the sentiment for the 'calendar' because it will remind them to make time for their friends. I even put my info in the contact section in the back so it's handy. I stamped one of these for myself last year and use it ALL the time! Sorry about the glare...

Winter Peace Box

Of course this is nothing like the winters we see in Central Texas, but a girl can dream, huh? Actually, I am trying not to complain; but it really does not even seem like Christmas is a few weeks away. I was wearing shorts last night & at our Holiday party on Friday night, I wore a sheer blouse and it was a lovely evening (a little on the humid side, though...my hair attested to that alright) big difference from a year ago it was COLD. Anyway, it's been in the 80's during the day and 60's at night. It's another story for those already shoveling snow, huh? I bet they'd love to be in the warmth! The grass is always greener...

I digress. The box is a template that Lauren Meader did a tutorial here last month. Isn't it the neatest? Her directions were great and it's simple to make! I really am pleased with how it turned out.

Birdie Birthday

As if I don't have enough to do {why is it so hard to say no?} I got involved in several swaps for the preview brochure. I really like the colors in the Bali Breeze Designer Series Paper: Pumpkin Pie, Taken with Teal, Old Olive, Rose Red (I used it all except Olive).

What do you think about my picture? I took it right outside the front door (as long as it's the weekend or Friday afternoon, I can take my picture on this concrete bench--couldn't help but keep the little angel in the photo, it's so cute). I think the photo's pretty good with the lighting even though it's overcast out there. I am contemplating purchasing an OTT lite as they are on sale at JoAnn's on-line and free shipping. I need better lighting at my desk-it's straining my eyes. Why would a home builder make a formal living area without a light? ugh I know when we build our house we will be able in control of all those little details and make sure we get what we want AND need. woohoo!!

Simple Holiday Hello

One of my card orders was for a co-worker's nephew who is 18. She wanted something more masculine yes still Christmasy. I usually always go to my Papertrey Faux Ribbon set and knew Baroque Burgundy, Night of Navy & More Mustard would do the trick. She really liked it.

Embrace Life Cardmaps Sketch

I just got my new stamps (from preview of SU! 2007-08 Spring/Summer Catalog) and had to play with one before we head off to my company Holiday Party. Caardvarks posted a week's worth of their favorite Becky Fleck's Dec 2007 Card Maps on their site. I saw what Amy did earlier this week with one of the sketches, and loved it (love all her stuff!) and decided I could use a little inspiration. So here is my take on today's cardmap. I know I'm going to love this set Embrace Life and the patterned paper called Ginger Blossom. I used Very Vanilla, River Rock & Ruby Red on this card.

Guava River Thinking of You

I just had to mix things up a bit - sort of overwhelmed with all the Christmas card making and was happy to take a break for someone who needed 'Thinking of You' cards. This is the wife of a co-worker who has two friends going through Breast Cancer. I hope she likes them. I was so pleased with how they turned out and love the hint of sparkle from my glitter pen on the flower petals. I love this set by SU! Petal Prints as it is one of my 'go to' sets. This card (and a few others I've done lately) was inspired by The Great Debbie O.

Simple Merry & Bright Snowman

Really having fun with my Spellbinder's Nestabilities!! They are so cool! They allow me to keep my cards simple yet make a statement. This card is pretty straightforward. Thanks for visiting!!!

Cocoa Box

I wanted to package some cocoa for a gift and make a cute presentation for it. I re-packaged the cocoa in a medium flat cello bag and used Cambria's Batty For You basket for a template. But, I needed it a little bigger so I increased the sides to 2 1/4" (making the total cardstock square 6 3/4" instead of the 5" sqaure. I am so glad I kept this retired set by SU! Like it a Latte. Embossed the cup & sentiment on tag in Chocolate Chip Craft, Liquid Applique for the Marshmallows. It's real cute IRL, can't wait to give them away.

A Longhorn Greeting

I couldn't resist making a Texas Longhorn's Christmas card! Back when Ellen Hutson was taking pre-orders for the Spellbinders Nestabilities, she was offering a free die cut with a purchase. I could hardly believe she sent me an image that looked like a longhorn (who knows, maybe it's supposed to be a Reindeer). But since I'm in Central Texas and one of the owners of the company I work for is a Longhorn fanatic - I made this card & presented it to him this morning. He sure got a big smile on his face and right away let me know he never saw anything like it in response to the handmade aspect of it. I have a feeling he'll proudly display the card in spite of UT losing the game against their rival Texas A&M University day after Thanksgiving. Thanks, Ellen (in the off chance you're going to see this post). Have you ever ordered from Ellen? Her shipping is fast, she has such a great variety of stuff and she always encloses a note of thanks with her signature (and this time I got a little goodie swatch of gold organdy ribbon)!!

Here's to True Love (compliments of Debbie O.)

When I first saw Wordsworth's Stick People, I thought how cute! Of course, it was because of Debbie Olson that I fell for them! Debbie has such an awesome style; posts every day without fail to her blog Thinking Inking, has won so many Stampin' Up! Contests including the 2007 Artisan Award, belongs to several Design Teams and never ceases to amaze me with her creations!

Here is the first time I saw a card from the True Love set, which is what I used on my card. One day when I was out shopping at Hobby Lobby, I went to the clearance section-lo and behold, they had True Love, which retailed for $13.99 for $5.03!! Can you believe my luck? I had a hard time not buying ALL of them (I have learned a little restraint over the years, believe it or not) but I knew I wanted this one for sure. I also used my Spellbinder's Nestabilities for the first time (I am waiting on getting the rest of the supplies in order to emboss correctly, but there is a slight embossed line with just the cutting). I can't believe I waited all this time to get my Basic Grey! Well, last month I got the pad & ribbon but forgot the cardstock (duh moment) it is so gorgeous!!!

Thanks, Debbie - you're such a great enabler!!! p.s. I know there is a Thomas Kincade stamp purchase on the horizon for me too, because what she has done with those stamps...well, you will have to check out her blog to feast your eyes on the beauty she's captured in those images.

Tim Holtz' 12 Days of Christmas Techniques (and Giveaways)

A few days ago while blurfing, I came across Tim Holtz' brand new blog!! That man is so cool, never met him in real life but his stuff is so awesome. Anyway, he is doing a Christmas Tag tutorial each day for 12 days started yesterday, and giving away all the goodies used to make the tags! How cool is that?! Check it out, ladies!

Hedgehogs Sledding

This card was so much fun to make!


It started out with knowing I HAD to use my Stampendous Clear Christmas Critters I got from Eclectic Paperie. Then I got my color inspiration of Kraft, Ruby Red, Buckaroo Blue, Garden Green. The paper is Basic Grey Fruitcake, which fit the bill for that combination - score!


I stamped the hedgehogs on watercolor paper because I wanted to color with my re-inkers. I also used my Cat's Pajamas Snowflakes for the cardbase and SU! Itty Bitty Background for the snow flurries (also used Iridescent Ice embossing powder on those) and Papertrey's Holiday Treats for the sentiment. Then to top it all off, I had to put white Liquid Applique on the santa hats & snow on the ground. Then, I realized I didn't have ribbon to match the colors I chose, never fear...the COPICS are here - the Moss color matches Garden Green perfectly so I colored white grosgrain ribbon.


I won't tell you how long this card took, it didn't matter once I'd finished it. Plus, I made 2 and added it to my Christmas card stash!

Homemade Bread - Compliments of Me, Papertrey & SU!

I knew right away when I saw Papertrey's Holiday Treats Set I would get a LOT of use out of it. I love to bake and when I feel the need to do it, I like to make it worthwhile (well it helps we got a kitchenaid mixer last year, it makes things so much easier on my arm). I used to sell Pampered Chef and got their mini loaf pan because I love to bake mini loaves and freeze them so if I have unexpected guests or need a quick hostess gift, I can grab it, make quick packaging & go.

People LOVE this kind of stuff, but more importantly I love to give so it works out perfectly. So the Holiday Treats set is perfect for these types of things. I made this for DH's co-worker who is recovering from hip surgery (she is a little person but she called herself a dwarf today) and has been off work for nearly a month now. Yesterday she was told her recovery will be another month and she is going batty.

We wanted to bring her some food so DH asked her what she wanted and she said Samosas from India Kitchen (awesome! I LOVE Indian food and hadn't had it in a while). So we got food to go & visited for more than 3 hours. I felt bad because at one point I fell asleep in the chair (was more likely because it was my regularly scheduled Friday-Sunday naptime) and because they started to talk about work stuff. But she didn't care, we're like family.

She really was thrilled about the samosas & pumpkin bread but more importantly, our friendship. We sure enjoyed hers and I look forward to seeing her again on the 19th at their company Christmas party.

Recipe Share - because this is THE BEST I've had (probably because it has butter instead of oil and we all know that everything's betta with butta).

Pumpkin Bread
Submitted by: Shirley SoberRated: 5 out of 5 by 125 members
Prep Time: 15 MinutesCook Time: 1 Hour
Ready In: 1 Hour 15 MinutesYields: 32 servings
"A friend of mine graciously shared her 'secret recipe' for this bread with me. It's become such a family favorite that I'm not allowed to enter my family's get-togethers without this bread in hand!"


INGREDIENTS:
1 cup butter or margarine, softened (I use unsalted butter)
3 cups sugar (I use Wholesome Sweeteners Evaporated Cane Juice Organic Sugar)
3 eggs
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cloves
1 1/2 teaspoons ground nutmeg
1 (16 ounce) can solid pack pumpkin

DIRECTIONS:
In a mixing bowl, dream butter and sugar. Add eggs; mix well. Combine dry ingredients; stir into creamed mixture just until moistened. Stir in pumpkin. Pour into two greased 9-in. x 5-in. x 3-in. loaf pans*. Bake at 350 degrees F for 1 hour or until bread tests done.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © 2007 Allrecipes.com
Printed from Allrecipes.com 12/1/2007

*or 4 mini loaf pan

RAK from Nicole Cooke

Nicole Cooke - The Stampin' Librarian is the sweetest blogger and she's a very good stamper too! In fact, she sent me my FIRST Blogger RAK back in March. Well, I was in desperate need of some Merrybella images for a card order & she came to my rescue! I knew she had the stamp, so I emailed & asked if she would be willing to do an image swap. She agreed! She sent them out right away and I sent her a card with some bella images she didn't have. It was a win-win situation. Thanks, Nicole - btw, isn't the card she sent me BEAUTIFUL!? I really don't know why I still do not have the Peaceful Wishes set by SU! yet?! She even used Gold Pearl Ex on the main image, spectacular!