Not a Thanksgiving card

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you. I know this is a day that we look back and give thanks for all that is good in our life. I am no different than the rest and I have a lot to be thankful for, but I also spend a few moments reflecting back on the things that aren't so good and I remember the lesson that was learned from them. Sometimes it wasn't anything that I had control over and it was just life playing out in front of me. Still there is something I can learn from it, may it be tolerance or just acceptance. I think it helps me to be a better person when I get reality handed to me on a platter. Although I would much rather some turkey and stuffing on that platter.

Today's card was created based on the cutout window. It isn't a Thanksgiving card I had this left over from a piece of scrap paper that I cut a tag out of. Before I tossed it out I noticed how centered the cutout was. Yes my friends, I saved it for future use. The embossing was done using a Paper Studios Flourish Journal embossing folder. These are very inexpensive from Hobby Lobby and they often are 40% off. The stamped image is from a Prima cling mounted set. I has three adorable old fashioned girls in it. If course I added some bling and a nice Prima rosette that I brushed some gold on the edges.




I am cooking the big meal today but it is going to be a challenge not to divulge too much into it. I am up to a total weight loss of 50lbs. with a few more to go. I started this journey last March and I would like to be at my goal by this March. I never felt that it was really hard especially in the beginning. I guess when you set your mind to it, it becomes a part of your life. When I started changing my diet and walking, the weight just fell off. Now it is getting tougher. I only see little changes which is ok. I will still have a little bit of everything, just is smaller portions. I know I could loose it more quickly if I really buckled down but I don't want to be craving certain foods. I want this to be a lifestyle change. So far so good!

The big move is happening this weekend. My new stamp studio is painted and we are starting to move the cabinets and counter tops up. I am exhausted just thinking about moving all the items from my current room. I get up every morning just hoping those elves have done it all for me. No such luck, I guess they must be busy with other things for Santa.

~Have fun and enjoy!

Paris has always been a dream of mine. I don't know why but maybe it has something to do with two years of French class in high school. I can remember thinking that there must be some good reason I was sitting there trying to learn a language that was darn near killing me. Oh well, if nothing else it was good for my soul.

The designer paper is from My Mind's Eye the Lost & Found collection. I love the 6x6 pads because they are a perfect size for a card without all the waste. The images are much smaller so they also fit better. The Eiffel Tower and the J'adore are already printed on the paper as it the book print and pink swirls. The font is from the SU set Fabulous Phrases and I stamped it onto one of the tags from Four Frames. I then punched it out with the Decorative Label punch. The trick for the brown layer behind it is to punch out another tag with the Decorative Label punch and then cut it right down the middle from top to bottom. Move the ends out until they make a nice looking layer along the side and glue them down. Easy Peasy! A few mini Prima flowers, some rhinestone swirls and seam binding pulled it altogether.

Taking a trip to Paris is out of the question anyway right now with the renovation of my new stamp room. If I had to make the choice between what to spend the money on, it would be a no-brainer. A new stamp room would win hands down and I can stay there forever. I can always visit Paris in my own little mind and the trip could be as fantastic as I wanted it to be.

~Have fun and enjoy!

New prospects

Sorry for being absent lately. I am in the process of creating a new stamp studio and it has all of my attention. I am taking over the loft of the three car garage which is 30' x 12'. I am one lucky girl. It was my son Elliot's room or should I say mini apartment. I had planned on moving up there after he finished college and got his own place but it is hardly ever used now. I was joking with him one day and said he didn't have to worry about coming home one weekend and find I had booted him out of his room. His answer shocked me and sent me right into overdrive. He said it was fine if I moved his things into the old stamping room since he isn't here. Last year he stayed the summer at school and worked over there. I should have been quite content with the room I had. It even had a full bathroom and walk-in closet, but there wasn't any room to put tables so my friends could come over and stamp. See, I am thinking of them and not myself (Ha Ha).

Sherman Williams has a 40% off sale this weekend so I bought the paint last night after days of trying to decide what color. Today I am going to a cabinet store to look at cabinets. I am still looking at one on Craigs list but the measurements aren't exactly what I wanted. All of a sudden things are moving along- a lot quicker than I was expecting.

But onto what this blog is supposed to be about. Today's card is rather simple and it uses all Stampin' Up products. I stamped the large Medallion and then embossed with the Framed Tulips embossing folder. The bird is from the Notably Ornate set and the Birthday sentiment is from Perfect Punches. The little friend tag is from Tiny Tags. The Pear Pizzazz seam binding was just looped and glued and of course some pearls for my bling.

I would love to hear from anyone as to how they store their supplies. I am not sure if I want larger cabinets or if more narrower ones would work better. I have some storage items from my current room that I still want to use so I was planning on only having 16 to 20 feet of running cabinets along one wall and an island in the center. I still will have some time to decide that. I have three narrow 5' tables that I want to use along the other wall that will be right behind my stamping desk. I want to be able to turn around and have easy access to things and my desk be completely clear except for a few items that will fit in a rotating tool caddy. The front of the room will still be a sitting area with a couch and love seat that I am saving for Elliot for his first apartment. He had this in his room but I wouldn't let him take it to college because it was new and I figured it would get trashed with the college life. This way he leaves he will at least have some decent furniture without having to spend any money. Who am I kidding, it would be more like my money.


~Have fun and enjoy!