My Journey To AZ

Now that I am home.. and a bit rested up (well sort of), and I have my pictures handy, I thought Id share a few pics with you all. It was a fun adventure to Tucson and Phoenix. I wasnt far from a tragedy which was heartbreaking. I had an extreme amount of fun seeing relatives I have not seen in ages... and of course I shopped! I should be Suzi Weinberg's sister.. with the words.. "do you ship?" LOL.. Ok I'm kidding.. I shopped and I did ship.. but I behaved.. sorta! LOL. So, the first part of my adventure was to meet up with my auntie who lives in Tucson. I met up with my parents in Phoenix.. we rented a car and traveled that night into Tucson and checked into this cute little place.. here is where "home" was for a week:

 It was cute.. and it was cozy and we even had a fireplace. I had my own private bedroom and full bath. Sweet!! We got to see my Aunt Pat. Here is a picture of my aunt, my mom, myself and holding a pic of my grandmother.. see a resemblance?

We got to see where my aunt works. She manages an Antique Mall.. how cool is that?? So, I did a little shopping and my aunt and uncle gave me 2 antique cameras which Im still waiting on arriving (should be here Wednesday) to put my birds i've made.. on each.. yay! Thank you Aunt Pat and Uncle Fred! While we were in our casita.. we had a few visitors.. these are called Javalinas (pronounced have a leena). I called them piggies LOL.. wild piggies..and they are not real friendly, they just want food!

We were being tourists and we visited the Church Of The White Dove.. very cool place. It was beautiful inside and before we did go to see what it was all about we had fry cakes. It is a lot like an elephant ear and you can dress it up any way you like... either taco like.. or with all the sweet stuff on top. They were very good! Here are some pics:

This was a cemetary just outside the church. I found this eye appealing even tho it is a cemetary. Look at the beautiful colors. It is on an indian reservation.. not sure if this is some sort of tradition but it certainly caught my eye.

We also were able to see Kitt Peek .. the observatory of the stars n stuff. It was fun, altho I have to admit, I was hoping I was going to look thru a telescope and see the stars and moon and milky way. Bummer! The tour was educational and the scenery was fantastic!

We had more time on our hands that day so we decided to see the Botanical Gardens and the butterfly exhibit. It wasnt exactly what I thought it would be but it was interesting.  Ill share more pics of my adventure tomorrow. Apparently Google has told me I'm out of space for my pictures.. the noive !! :-) Ive taken care of that issue but it may take 24 hours before I get my "extra space" thru picasa and my blog. Pout.. good night and see you tomorrow for Chapter 2 of my journey to AZ!

Visiting Arizona

Hi Everyone.. this isnt stamping news.. but Im traveling.. and I thought Id share a few things. I am in Tucson. Within 12 hours of being here, there was a shooting. That was tragic. On a bright side, I am here to visit some family. My auntie lives here. I've not seen her in 10 years at least. I have found out my cousin is here too.. I will see him Wednesday. Ive not seen him since I was a kiddo. Wow! I am at a cool resort called Star Pass. It has 3 golf courses.. a spa which Ive yet to find. Its layout is kinda cool.. all sorts of Cacti and this.. a picture which wont load.. GRRR.. I miss some of the conveniences of home.. LOL.. Ok.. well anyway.. it looks like a pg but I hear its called a Javalina... and we had a whole family.. babies included, right outside our patio here at the resort. I ran to get my camera and I missed the babies.. Im bummed.. none of my pictures will load. *pout*.. Oh well. You all take care and take time to be creative.. !

Spring? Where Are YOU???

I got a little stamping time in on Wednesday. Tonight watching the weather forecast, I think it will be a long time until I see real flowers.. so the paper flowers will have to do! Playing with these bright colors was fun and much needed. This area will see up to 2 feet (yes, I said 2 FEET) of snow from now til Saturday. Eeep! I have a flight leaving Grand Rapids tomorrow late afternoon. I'm heading to Phoenix. Lets all hope I get my flights okay. It should be an adventure for sure! I used crumb cake for the card base, also used Daffodil Delight, Tangerine Tango, Melon Mambo, and Wild Wasabi along with Whisper White. Also used the clear big buttons and linen thread and some non SU ribbon I had in my stash. I thought they turned out kinda cute. How can you not smile with such cheerful colors? :) Next time I blog, I will be in Arizona. Ill share pictures as things progress! Take time to be creative!

"Lovin`" Stamp Club This Month! (Wait.. I ALWAYS Love Stamp Club!)

Hi Everyone! I just got done with January club tonight and I must say.. Jenny created some awesome projects for us! Love love love love em!!! It is nice to get a break from Christmas. As much as I love Christmas, I have to say.. I've had my fill and lets move on... to Valentines Day. Besides.. this is my excuse to use a lot of PINK!! You all know how much I love pink! :) Great projects Jenny!Check out the box.. it is a box of sweetheart candies and they slide out with the ribbon. Isn't it cute? The calendar is adorable and is made with a 4x4 coaster.

Occasions Mini Catalog Is Ready To Order From.. WoohOoooO..

And.. if you want a catalog.. just let me know :) All kinds of goodies stuffed in this book! I have to say.. one of the best yet.. Stampin Up just keeps outdoing themselves :) I think I love everything in this one.. !

Rubber Baby Buggy Bumpers!

A few days ago Lucinda and I took time to stamp.. I CASE'd this cute card. Little did we know it would take a gazillion little punch art pieces but it turned out kinda cute! I just thought I'd share. Since I made this card I was surfing and seen some other versions of it.. all very cute! I didnt have any "baby" cards so I think these will come in handy, eventually! By the way............. Happy New Year!!

This was the ball drop in downtown Ludington. I have to say it was quite impressive for a tiny town! We even had fireworks! Take time to be creative! :-)

Post Christmas Hangover!

Happy Post Christmas or as I call it.. Christmas Hangover!

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

A New Toy!

Check this out... hehehee.. (I love when I find cool free toys on line!)

Something I Made Last Year at Holiday Hideaway

Up until this year.. Tim Holtz put on this awesome Holiday Hideaway for 40 or so of us. This year he decided to have a break. I cant blame him, he is on the go constantly all year. I do have to say tho, I have had "HH" withdrawals this year and I thought I'd share something we all made last year. This was a very cool project and we layered canvases.. it is very 3D. I love it.. Merry Christmas!

A Cute Poem I Had To Share ! Can You Relate??

"Twas the Day Before My Stampin’ Up! PreOrder Came"
 
Twas the day before my Stampin’ UP preorder came
And I was updating my blog.
Not a creature was stirring
Not even my dog.

All my swaps were laid out
On the stamp table with care
In hopes that Mr. Brown
Soon would be there.

The children were nestled
All snug in their school,
While visions of stamping
Caused me to drool!

And I, with glitter on my face
And my fingers covered with ink
Sat down to check out Stampin’ Connection
In hopes of finding a COOL link!

When out on the street
There arose such a clatter
I sprang from my computer
To see what was the matter!

My adrenaline rushed
And a truck could be heard.
Will my stamping obsession
Ever be cured?

When what to my wandering eyes
Should appear
But a big brown truck
With a large rear view mirror.

With a foxy little driver
Who drove all over the town
I knew in a moment
It must be Mr. Brown!

He was dressed in all brown
From his head to his socks
All I could think of was
MR. BROWN ROCKS!

A bundle of stamps
He had flung on his back
At this point I thought
I was going to have a heart attack!

His eyes how they twinkled
His dimples, how merry
My obsession with Mr. Brown
Is becoming quite scary!

Then onto my Stampin’ Up! boxes
Which are stacked up quite high
I can hardly even remember
All the stamp supplies I did buy!

Stamp sets! Reinkers!
And ribbons galore!
Cardstock, and buttons!
Now who could want MORE?

As I drown in my stamping goodies
And grab a coffee with cream
I suddenly realized
It was only a DREAM!

The story is over
Yes, you heard me right….
Merry Christmas to all,
And to all a creative stamping night! 

I was blog surfing and I found this cute poem and I had to share it. I am not witty enough to think of something so cute but can any of you relate?? I got this cute poem HERE. Awesome blog with so much inspiration there!!! :-)

Yes, Santa Hired Me - However, I Don't Wrap Well! *LOL*

Just for a good giggle.. I've been ELFED! :-)

Mawah! You Warm My Heart!

Hi! So, I was blog surfing - weeeeeeeeee!!! I found a card once again on Kimberly Van Diepen's Blog HERE and her latest card inspirted me. She used different papers and a different stamp set. I wanted to show some love with a few new goodies I've gotten recently. This is the "Filled With Love" Promotion, where the 12x12 paper, stamp set "Filled With Love" and bitty buttons all are together in a bundle! Love it! So, I was in the mood to make something other than Christmas today. This is what I came up with. :-)

Now, I guess I better stop being a bum and get a shower!!! Ta Ta For Now!! :-)

Just some odds and ends..

Today started out with a lot of fun. I went to a downline meeting.. and it was fun to meet some new friends. We made some cool cards (ill give you maybe a sneak peek at some new things from the new Occasions Mini Catalog and we had the most delicious soup from the Open Hearth in Mears. I have had some PC issues today..and talked to someone in Tim Buck Too.. seriously! Where do they hire the techie guys from HP anyway?? Egads! Anway.. I think getting a new printer has been more fuss than I wanted it to be. It renamed my other drivers and well.. it just made a mess of it all. My card reader in my tower wasnt working which bummed me out.. i wanted to blog and add pics.. so.. finally, that is sort of fixed. I can get pics off of my sd card so its not all so bad.. for now! Altho, i have a new printer that doesnt work *grumble*.

So anyway.. lets tease you first *wink* .. Here is a sneak peek at what will be new stuff for StampinUp in January.. woohoo! As much as I love Christmas.. I'm so ready for a change..

 Ok.. now this card rocks my socks.. this is a Jenny Peterson design and it is a leftover card from stamp club.. isnt this darn adorable?? I love this card!!! Jenny, you so totally rock!

Also, today in the mail, I got this big box .... my friend Lisa who lives in Vermont sent me the most awesome scrapbook.. I have known Lisa a little over a year. I DJ on line at Absolutely Radio Bug. I DJ on Monday nights 7pm EST for 2 hours.. and she has faithfully listened to me every Monday night. It is cool that I realize just who i can touch with life over the internet.. Lisa.. thank you so much.. (she even sent me maple candies.. a Vermont must have). She made me a friendship box too! I just have to share this.. Ooooh and she sent Ruby a toy which she loves!! Thank you Lisa.. you rock!

Ok.. that sums up the day. Good Night!

Stamp Club & A New "Rub On" Addiction!

We had stamp club last night. You will see below the projects were adorable! I also got a few little gifts from a couple of the members. Thanks you guys.. I love em! After making a few cards with inspiration from Kim's blog, I sat down and made 4 more today.. while trying to get rid of a nasty headache. I think the creativity helped. I'm thinking I have a new addiction to Stampin Up Rub Ons. Woohoo! They are simple and quick and make some adorable cards, if I don't say so myself!