Today is a good day. . .

A *very* good day!

One of my favorite things is opening big boxes. . .that are for me instead of for a workshop! WooT!


Look at those beeeautiful ladies! And the new sentiments, (*hopping around*) and the new wheels, and the new hodgepodge, and the new accents and elements, and the new ribbon,

(gasp)

and the new papers . . .

and the new notes. . . .


and the new rub-ons! Life is good, baby!

And speaking of rub-ons. . . I did manage to get quite a few SAB sets with this order (shocker :), including four sets of rub-ons. *However* . . .all four sets of rub-ons had the same defect:

can you see it???

~ l ve ~

This one was missing the o entirely! On the other three, it was broken up, and in a couple of cases almost looked more like a funky u!

I called Demonstrator support. . .and told them I would be happy to send these back so I could have ones intact. . .and they are sending me four new packages. And I get to keep these ones!

Wha?

I said "are you sure??"

I haven't opened them to check yet, but hopefully the three other sheets are perfectly fine! and every other image on the first sheet is perfectly fine. . .I just had issues with accepting four damaged rub-on packages right out of the box. I didn't expect to get all those extras! I am thinking a class is coming on these babies. . .

SU! Rawks :)

RUBBER STAMP WARNING !!!

A recent study indicated that rubber stamps and
embossing powders give off certain pheromones that
actually hypnotize women and cause them to purchase
unreasonable amounts.

When stored in large quantities in enclosed spaces ,
the pheromones ( Rubber ) cause memory loss and induce
the nesting syndrome ( similar to the one squirrels
have before the onset of winter i.e. storing food ),
therefore perpetuating their species.

Sound tests have also revealed that the rubber emits a
very high pitched sound, heard only by a select few, a
breed of women known as " Rubber Stampers ". When
played backwards on an LP , the sounds are heard as
chants, " buy me, stamp me. emboss me ".

Studies have also indicated that aliens have
inhabitated the earth, helping to spread the effects
that these Stamps have on the human population.

It's also been experienced that these same pheromones
cause a pathological need to hide these Stamp
purchases when taken home ( or at least blend them
into the existing stash ), and when asked by a
significant other if the stamp is new , the reply is:
"I've had it for a while."

Okay, so it didn't come from the surgeon general ( I found this little blurb on Splitcoast-see the link on the left sidebar). . .but based on the size of the order I placed today, I would be willing to bet that there is truth to this!

At any rate. . .it made me laugh :) and I wanted to share!

(or at least that is what I am going to tell my husband. . . !)

Um, this is kinda funny. And not a little scary.

What Robin Means

You are wild, crazy, and a huge rebel. You're always up to something. You have a ton of energy, and most people can't handle you. You're very intense. You definitely are a handful, and you're likely to get in trouble. But your kind of trouble is a lot of fun. You are well rounded, with a complete perspective on life. You are solid and dependable. You are loyal, and people can count on you. At times, you can be a bit too serious. You tend to put too much pressure on yourself. You are full of energy. You are spirited and boisterous. You are bold and daring. You are willing to do some pretty outrageous things. Your high energy sometimes gets you in trouble. You can have a pretty bad temper at times. You tend to be pretty tightly wound. It's easy to get you excited... which can be a good or bad thing. You have a lot of enthusiasm, but it fades rather quickly. You don't stick with any one thing for very long. You have the drive to accomplish a lot in a short amount of time. Your biggest problem is making sure you finish the projects you start. You are very intuitive and wise. You understand the world better than most people. You also have a very active imagination. You often get carried away with your thoughts. You are prone to a little paranoia and jealousy. You sometimes go overboard in interpreting signals.

What's Your Name's Hidden Meaning?

My husband is always making the comment, "I'm surprised you aren't tired of stamping yet."

*As If That Is Possible*

I think, because the start to finish of a card/page can be relatively short in duration, that stamping is the perfect hobby! Where my initial excitement comes in, is that I stamp in a flurry of activity. . .then I leave the mess. And I get in trouble :) I am trying to be better about that. . .but it is in my nature. . .right? That is, according to my name!

I don't agree with the "intensity" part or the "bad temper". And I am not sure if I am still a "huge rebel", although it sounds kewl :) I think that was more me in my early twenties! I am so over that. . .but it is kinda fun to play along occasionally with these "blog quizzes" and see what they have to say.

Perpetual Chaos

Well, I have said before. . . I will get this cleaned up and then take pictures for you. Or in this case, I will just skip the clean up part and take pictures for you! Seriously. . .I had it so nice and clean for my open house! Then of course there was work to be done. *Sigh* I guess it is better to show you how it looks most of the time, rather than how it looks once a year ;)

This is the view when you come up the stairs. I work in a nook off of the hallway. My husband *HATES* that there isn't a door that can be closed! And if I am not careful (which is most of the time) I can work my way out to the hall. . . oops! All cabinetry is from IKEA (I believe it is the Effektiv line? correct me if I am wrong. I could look it up, but I need to get stamping!).

Here is my messy desk, with stamp cabinets above. I really do know where everything is! I love having the window right by my table, but I have to be careful not to leave the shades open unless I am working. Things tend to fade. . .
Retired on the top, current on the bottom. . .these need organization *badly*

Difficult to see, but I have a file cabinet (also IKEA) under my table for punches/necessities/filed paperwork/etc. I also have a rack on the wall for my paper cutter and scrubbie. A chair at the end in case one of my friends/customers wants to stamp with me. Or to just hold bags of stuff :)

I have the DVD holders from IKEA holding my ink. The little stickers from the catalog are on all the ink pads, and on the holder also. LOVE the labels!
I have my ribbon in the rain gutter endcaps that nest together, as seen on splitcoast. I like them because they telescope, and I can make it short/long as needed. . .

Apparently one of the punches is on my desk, because there is *no* room in this drawer if they are all put away. . .like they are ever "all put away"?
The paper in the files approach keeps me sane. I can't fit all of my new packages in there so they are kept separately. I would post more pictures of the inside of the cabinets, but this post is huge already. . .Anyway, there it is :) My stampin' space in all its messy glory. I am thankful to have a place I can work and keep it out if I need to.

Even if it is just off the hallway!

Just in case. . .

You actually want to read this on a regular basis (I know, it is a bit far fetched :) I have added a subscription option (on the left hand column of "stuff"). Feel free to click over!

How fun is that?!?!?

You will only get email when I post. . . and for no other reason.

Thanks, for reading either way!

Stamping in the Moonlight

Halloween is my *favoritefavoritefavorite* time of year. The fall is so beautiful in MI!

Of course, as much as I love fall. . .it is still sweltering outside and I am making Halloween swaps! It is right around the corner, people! (Anticipation is how I make it last :)

I finally got some creepy crawly paper. . .and (since SU! has dealt with the quality control issues it was having) I can start using my scallop circle *yay* I was worried about it, but so far my original one is hanging in there. . .I have been afraid to use it in a workshop, lest everyone fall instantly in love with it and order it-only to have it quit working on the first try!

The medallion on the bottom goes a little somethin' like this: scallop circle punch, 1 1/4 punch, dimensional 1in punch. . . I pretty much stamped 22 p.pie bats, then 22 black bats, and punched accordingly :) It was fun! My right forearm is now 33% bigger than my left , but it was fun :) I considered adding google eyes, but everyone has those so you can add 'em if you like 'em.

Deets: (pretty self evident, but hey. . .gotta give credit to the IBC :)

Stamps:Batty for You; Ink: P.Pie, B.Black; Paper: P.Pie, B.Black, Creepy Crawly DP; Punches: Scallop Circle, 1 1/4in, 1in; Other stuff: 1/4in black grograin

The song "Dancing in the Moonlight" (by King Harvest) kept running thru my head last night at untold hours of the morning when I was punching my brains out-trying to get these swaps done. (I am addicted to swapping! Don't start, because once you do. . .it is all over!) You know you have a problem when you are changing the lyrics to:

Stampin' in the moonlight
everybody's feeling warm and bright
its such a fine and natural sight
everybody's stampin' in the moonlight

we like our fun and we never fight
you can't stamp and stay uptight
its a supernatural delight
everybody was Stampin' in the moonlight

(I think I have read JanTInk's blog one too many times if I am putting song lyrics on my blog :) I can't help it, the woman has influence!)

Check In Day :)

Jen in the back as we are on the way to the convention center!!! Yay! Thanks, Jer, for giving us a ride :) and letting us stay, and. . .well everything else! You are the best!




Can you believe we are actually here and it is Convention and we are actually HERE AT CONVENTION!!!!



First stop. . .memento mall! I have to get those ribbon charms before they are gone :) And a few other things. . . .okay, so a lot of other things! At this point, I commence swapping my patootie off, and having a blast! There are over 2,000 men and women here to attend this event. . . and I only made 200 swaps. . .ummm, what was I thinking?!?!? Next time, it will be 500 at least. Some great ideas, though!! Lots to bring home for classes.



We went to lunch at an awesome little deli that had the best food!


So very yummy. . .Mounted our stamps for our Make and Take party tonight, a.k.a:

PAJAMA STAMP-A-RAMA!


I was wandering around in my PJ's at 4pm in anticipation! (it started at 6pm, but I could *not* wait that long to get into my new jammies. . .


Yummy stamping treats. . .with little clouds on them. . .awwww!

Stamping our keesters off. Tons of projects, that I will be *running* home with to make with my stampers. (Wait until you make these you guys! You are going to love this stuff!) Lots of door prizes (that I didn't win) and games (that I didn't get to play :) so there was a lot going on! I was assured that door prizes are given away the entire week, so maybe I will win something awesome! Wish me luck!

Super cute scrapbook page, with a picture that Stampin' Up! took for us. So fun, and so easy! I love this project, and will probably make one for my daughter's book with some of the leftover supplies.

Okay. . .it is really late! I couldn't leave you hanging tho' :) I will post again tomorrow evening when I get back to the house. G'nite. . .

I'm HERE!!!

in sunny Colorado. . .

It is really late, and I am up posting to my blog because: CHECK IN TIME IS IN T-MINUS 6 HOURS AND 41 MINUTES!!! Convention Baby!

I have my bag all packed for the morning, and I can't decide what to wear. . . but I will be there!

My friends Kelly and Peter took me to the Renaissance Festival today (thanks you guys!) and I appear to have been transformed into. . . .

A Wench :)

An Inky Wench . . .

as I am going to wear the blouse and bodice to the convention on Tuesday! Jen is going to borrow Kelly's new digs also. . .therefore making us "Inky Wenches". Who knows, maybe we will make it to the website!!! I of course had to buy Regan a mini-wench outfit. . .pictures will be posted when I get home and immediately put it on her!

This *will* be the name of my future stamping group :) When I eventually bring some stamp-loving girls to the dark side with me. . . .mwahahahah!

I will be sure to check in tomorrow, as the pictures from Pajama-Stamparama will be a must see! Hope you all had a great weekend.

Okay, so I have been "tagged" for the first time. . .

for those of us who really had no idea what that meant (me), it means I now have to answer the questions and then tag others who then have to answer the questions :) Someone tagged me! I didn't know anyone actually read my blog. . . . thanks to Marie for letting me play along :)

Well, here goes. Seven random things about myself. . .

1. I am an avid reader. Particularly Sci-Fi or Fantasy. If it has dragons and magic-wielders or vampires I LOVE IT.

2. When I was 18 I dyed my hair jet black for a part in a play. It took three years to grow out entirely (because I refused to have short hair), and couldn't be camouflaged at all because it was so dark. I looked pretty silly :)

3. Before I was married, I was a Firefighter/EMT with a small town department, I worked at a 911 center for three years, and I have also had a job in a piano bar on the weekends where I would dance and occasionally sing. True Story.

4. I love to plant in my gardens. If I bring anything green in the house it will die *but* if it is anything I can plant in the ground it will flourish for whatever reason. I think it might just be my yard. If I move, I am in serious trouble.

5. I am entirely serious about my stamping business. Some people don't realize, or make comments about how I am so busy but "I don't have a job". I have a job! I love my job! Yes, it could just be a hobby thing. But it isn't. I am so glad!

6. A friend and I packed our cars and moved to Denver when we were 19. We bought CB radios so we could talk to each other, as cellphones were not nearly as affordable back then. (she had a dash mount carphone! I however did NOT :) The truckers were so helpful when we got lost!

7. My husband and I were engaged on the Lake Superior Pictured Rocks National lakeshore in April of 2000. To be specific, he was on one knee at Chapel Rock. It was a beautiful setting for a beautiful moment :)

OOOOkay. . . .now on to tagging two people :) I only really know two girls who are bloggers, so I will just tag them! I am supposed to do seven, but I don't know who else to do. So, two it is!

Crystal

Lorien

Fun times :)

Stamp camp was a blast! We had some new faces, and it seemed to me everyone was having fun. Thanks for coming out :)

Here is my list of things to do today:

-take care of supplies from camp
-pick up my workspace
-plan two projects for the 21st
-go stamp with friends later (yay!)

Let's see if I can accomplish everything on my list! If I get it picked up in my work area, I will take a picture as proof. . .it was picked up a couple of days ago, but then I had work to do. It never lasts long!

I am a blog slacker :)

I need to write more. . . So much has been going on.

I just got back from my "girls weekend" with the women in my husband's family. What a blast! I left on Friday, and didn't get back until yesterday afternoon. I haven't been gone that long since a year ago! It was nice to be entirely free of responsibility for two days.

Apparently when my daughter got up on Sunday and found out I wouldn't be home until that afternoon, her exact words were "I'm going back to bed."! She was not pleased! Not that I want her to be unhappy, but she really missed mom. *sniffle* I love that :)

The previous weekend was my Designer Label Punch box class. LOVE that punch box! It went really well, and the girls seemed to really like the cards we made. I am so looking forward to the March Stamp-a-Stack. Polka dots and Paisley is too cute! I can't believe they are letting us get Simply Sent card kits with the half-off special! Too much of a good thing can be wonderful :)

One of these days, I will post some pictures on here. . .as of right now, I am fifteen minutes from having to leave the house, and I have a mask on my face and look pretty scary. . . .gotta go!

Busy days. . .

I am running and running lately. . .today was no exception. I did get to take a long hot shower, and no one was at the house but me! I can't remember the last time that happened. I must have been in there for 30 minutes. An excellent way to start the day :)

Our first daytime MOPS meeting today! New faces, familiar faces, some helpful reminders. . .I loved it. It is so nice to be in the company of like minded women. If our only mutual goal is to be the best parent we can be-it is enough.

We talked about "identity" at the meeting. About the differences and similarities between the woman you were before children-and the woman you become after childbirth. An interesting question, as my life is NOTHING like it was before becoming a mother. However, mySELF? As it is after eleven pm, I am going to think about this-but not right this moment. In the meantime, if you are a mother-find a MOPS group. It rocks.

Must prepare for this weekend. Stamping extravaganza awaits!