Under Construction

In order to update my template, I had to erase all of my widgets, links, etc. So, please be patient as I rebuild my blog over the next few days.

In The Spotlight Square Card

I'm home making cards today because BCS are closed due to vandalism of the school buses. I made this card for one of the challenges over at Splitcoast Stampers. I only used paper out of my scrap basket and the 'In the Spotlight' stamp set from Stampin' Up. This is my first square card. Although I like the way it looks, I'm going to have to make an envelope because I don't have any square envies laying around.
If you like my card, please comment.

Mother's Day Card

This is a Mother's Day card that I made this morning. I was reading a blog today about simple cardmaking/stamping and it reminded me about why I started stamping in the first place. I never intended to spend 30 minutes to an hour on a single card. Instead, my original plans were to use up the scrap papers and cardstock left over from my scrapbooking projects. I'm going back to my roots, so to speak, and I'm going to start making "ten minute" cards again. Gone are the days of stressing out over whether or not my cards have "enough" on them. I'm also going to do a better job of actually mailing these beauties out! I have two filled shoeboxes of cards right now that desperately need to find themselves in mailboxes.

Tart and Tangy Long Card

I love this little Stampin Up set called Tart and Tangy. It comes with four fruits, that depending on the colors you select, can look fun, elegant, or subtle.

Happy Scrappers Photos

A big thank you to everyone that came to Saturday's meeting. Although we all seemed to be especially tired and in some kind of a "funk," we still had a great time. Shannon was the first winner of the HappyScrappers Champion Cup. She'll pass it on next month to someone she thinks is deserving. Some of these photos are from the Trash To Treasure sale, lunch, and some of the gorgeous cards/pages we made that day.

Happy Scrapper Meeting THIS Saturday!

HappyScrappers! Here are the details for our next meeting:

Date: April 26th, 10:00 a.m. until whenever

Theme: Trash to Treasure..... One man's trash is another man's treasure.

What to Bring: Bring something to share for lunch - I will be making pizza.
No Door Prizes this time! Instead, we are having an all out crafty yard sale!
Basically, you need to go through your stash and decide to part with the supplies that you don't use, don't like, or make you ask yourself, "Why did I buy this?" Then, price your items. Bring them to our HappyScrapper meeting. We will have a time for buying, selling, and trading with each other. Anything cardmaking/scrapbooking is welcome.... stamps, stamp sets, inks, tools, punches, die cuts, ribbon, paper, stickers, embellishments, craft magazines, and so on. Please price your items and keep in mind that this is a yard sale amongst friends, so bargaining is welcome. :) Also, since our space is somewhat limited, please put your items in baskets or other containers that we can easily dig through. (I plan to donate all of my unwanted and unsold stuff to the Senior Center's Card Class. If you'd like to donate your leftovers, just leave them at my house and I'll be sure to donate them as well.)
Pretty Please With Sugar On Top: If you would like to demonstrate a card, technique, or project please let me know!

RSVP LIST (as of 4/22/08)

Yes: Carrie, Carolyn, OtherBecky, Me!, Joyce, Bethany, Shannon, Dawn
No: Michele, Kristi, Veronica
Still Waiting to Hear From: Courtney, Jessica

An Estate Auction

This past Saturday, I went to an estate auction with my in-laws. I opted to attend this instead of yard sales because (1) There were very few yard sales advertised, and (2) I've decided to reopen my Ebay business and I was in dire need of inventory. For most of the day, I didn't see anything that I was very crazy about. However, toward the end of the sale, I managed to win a huge lot of various glassware (Fenton, Kanawha, Colony, etc.)and occupied Japan pieces for just $5.00. Also, a really nice woman gave me an entire box of about twenty-five vintage linen kitchen calendars for free. This picture doesn't include everything that I won. In fact, in the background are some things that actually belong to me - like the chip and dip platter and the oil lamp. Sorry about the picture ~ I was in a lazy mood. However, I still think you can tell that I brought home a load of goodies for just a little bit of $$$.

A Tall Card

It seems that I'm making a lot of sympathy cards lately. To shake things up a bit, I decided to check out the challenges over at http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/ and I tried out the Limited Supply Challenge. This was my first time making a tall card. It fits into a business (long) envelope. I may get into the habit of making these more often, as I sometimes run out of the standard sized envelopes, but I always seem to have envelopes this size laying around. I used a stamp from "My Sentiments," Offray ribbon, Sandy Lion Essentials flower embellishments, and patterned paper from my scrap basket. On the inside it says, "Our thoughts and our prayers are with you."

I'm finally out of the closet!

I have been cleaning out my scrapbooking/cardmaking supplies for almost two weeks now. One trash bag and three "cleared clutter" baskets later, I am finally FINISHED. I know that some people think that you need an entire room to house scrapbooking supplies, but I am determined to prove them wrong. I have a scrapbooking closet and sink/vanity area. Here are pictures of my newly organized space.

And Even MORE Happy Mail!

My friend (and HappyScrapper member) Dawn sent me this adorable card. It's a combination friendship/thank you card. I just love it. I really like the layout of the card and the print pattern background stamp. Thanks, Dawn!

More Happy Mail

More Happy Mail! This Spring card is a friendship card from my friend (and HappyScrapper member) Veronica. There is a link to Veronica's blog on the right hand side of the page if you'd like to check out some of her other cards. Thanks, Veronica -- the card brightened my day.

Happy Mail

This beautiful card is a sympathy card from my friend (and HappyScrappers member) Bethany. The brown part of the patterned paper is actually velvet. Gorgeous, dahling!

Yard Sale Report, April 5th

SALE NUMBER ONE

WHERE: Bedington Ruritan Club Building

OVERALL RATING: *****

VIOLATIONS: None

The first yard sale that I went to was at the Bedington Ruritan Club Building. I knew the people that were holding the sale, and I was excited when I saw the rows of filled tables. I was there bright and early - 6:58 a.m. Some other early bird, die hard yard salers were there too. This was my first official yard sale of the season, and it was a great one! I didn't find even one little violation. There were various items, everything was priced reasonably, displayed well, plenty of parking, and the people were SUPER friendly.

At this sale I found some things to keep, some things for Ebay resale, and some items for my family's annual Yard Sale Christmas. To keep, I found a really cool zippered case to carry around my ink pads, an adorable ceramic frog that will live happily ever after in my flower bed, an awesome expandle file that I plan to put all of my scrapbooking alphabets in, and a never lit candle that smells like Sugar Cookies. To resell, I snatched up a NIB Patchville Bunnies figurine, Playdate SSC doll, and vintage handheld Milton Bradley game. I got the "Button Shop" Christmas village house for my momma.

SALE NUMBER TWO

WHERE: Rt.11 North, Between Bedington Crossroads Store and Ernie's Salvage Yard, In Large Yard on Very Steep Hill

OVERALL RATING: **1/2

VIOLATIONS: False Advertising, Some items very poorly displayed, Lack of pricing, Not ready at beginning of sale, Dangerous parking situation

At first, I was VERY excited about this sale because it was advertised as a "fifteen family" sale. Um, no! When I drove up on the location I recognized that this was a home that had well over five yard sales last summer, and none of them very appealing to me. So, I was immediately pessimistic about finding any treasures. However, being the Garage Sale Diva that I am, I found a place to park and carefully crossed the busy road. Parking is definitely an issue at this perpetual yard sale.

I quickly realized that there were a total of five families set up. I asked about the "15 family" claim and was told that some people "chickened out because it might rain" and they would be having the sale again this Saturday. HHmmm......

One family had all of their stuff on a tarp and still boxed and bagged up for the most part. It was difficult to remain bent over digging through their stuff. None of it was priced. Agh! I walked away quickly.

The next set of tables was completely OVERPRICED for a yard sale. This dude had priced his things for a consignment shop or antique store. I didn't purchase anything from him, either.

The next set of tables (closest to the busy road) were very well displayed and the pricing was very fair. I noticed that this guy had lots of OLD stuff. However, nothing much tickled my fancy. That is, until out of the corner of my eye, I spotted a Strawberry Shortcake vintage pillow doll. I already have one, but figured I could resale her.

A lady and her daughter were my saving grace at this yard sale. I bought several great Tupperware bowls, a like new sweatshirt, new in the box Mary Kay powder, and something I can't post on this blog because I'm giving it to one of my readers. ;) I only wish that they had been ready with all of their stuff out while I was there. They were still unloading everything from their vehicle.

I then made my way up the hill to the garage. I spent some time digging through four baskets of craft stuff that was priced at 25 cents each or 3/$1. Yes, you read that right. That is what the lady said. I found a Creative Memories folio there for $2 that I plan to store my rub-ons in, some leather flowers, jelly embellishments, and a package of vintage Care Bear gift wrap. This sale has already been advertised again for this Saturday and I haven't decided if I will return or not.

I apologize that the pictures in my posts are out of order. Blogger wouldn't cooperate today.

Community Yard Sale on Rt.11 Near Ernie's

SATURDAY April 5, community Yard Sale. Come early and stay late! 15 families participating. Furniture, lawn ornaments, garden items, guitar, 1968 Beatles magazine, old records, books, linens, doilies, jewelry, old enamelware/granite pans, glassware, apple boxes, kegs, pictures, lumber, craft supplies, tools, free-standing basketball hoop, nice clean name brand clothing, & more! Rt. 11 North, between Bedington Crossroads Store and Ernie's Salvage.

Our Lancaster, PA Vacation

This very cool lady was making a chocolate princess slipper at Wilbur's Chocolate Factory. We took a tour and it was a very, very sweet place indeed. Her pallet of colored chocolates were so pretty.

Brian looking at a table at the Green Dragon Flea Market.

Brian actually wanted to go here twice - Kinsey's Outdoors.


Yep, that's me! I'm standing in front of a real Amish Buggy.



We went on a gorgeous covered bridge tour. The countryside was breathtaking.

We absolutely LOVE to visit Lancaster, PA. In the heart of Amish country, it is tranquil and so relaxing. Unlike so many vacation destinations, it isn't geared at all toward commercialism. It's so peaceful there.

To be honest, we often do a whole lot of nothing during vacation. I mean, the entire idea is to REST. Brian and I both work hard and are very busy with our everyday lives and it's nice to go and take our time poking around, strolling to the craftsman's shops, and just enjoying our time together.

In many of the places that we visit there, I chose to keep my camera in my purse. The Amish people do not want to have their pictures taken and I respect their wishes.