Simply Scrappin Happy B-Day

I love Stampin' Up's! Simply Scrappin kits -- for me they are a quick and easy tool to make beautiful cards. I made these three cute cards today in about 15 minutes. For some added kick, I used chipboard, ribbon and filigree brads to spice things up. I am really pleased with the way they turned out!



Here's the recipe:

Simply Scrapin Kid for all card parts. The three "buttons" on the green card, are actually DSP (part of the simply scrappin kit) punched with the 1" punch and then adhered to chipboard. On the blue card, the "make a wish" sticker is mounted on brocade blue textured paper, and then the blue paper is adhered to a piece of chipboard stained with real red ink. All parts are Stampin' Up! and the the chipboard, ribbon and brads did not come with the simply scrappin kit.

Hop on over to my friend Jacki's blog, and link through to her official Stampin' Up! website to buy the Simply Scrappin kit today!

Fall Tea Bag Holders - Stampin' Up! Style

I made these lovely tea bag holders for my swap partner. I sure hope she doesn't read this blog and spoil the surprise! I wish I could say I came up with the fabulous layout and pattern design for these cuties, but the credit must go to Mickey. Check out her fabulous blog!





Here's the recipe:

Any solid color card stock cut 7" by 2 3/4" and scored at 4" and 3/4"
3 pieces of coordinating DSP cut 2 1/2" by 3", 2 1/2" by 2 3/4" and 21/2" by 1/2"
1 1" by 6 1/4" piece of coordinating card stock or DSP for sleeve
Embellish sleeve with punches and stamped images.

Fold the solid card stock at the score lines, glue dsp. Glue bottom flap on sides and adhere to the back of the card stock to create a pocket for the tea bag. Wrap sleeve around folded holder, glue in the middle in the front of the holder. Cover glued flap with punched embellishments. Ta da! You're done!

I inserted a packet of Earl Grey tea in each holder, and a tube of sugar in the back of the sleeve.

Check out Mickey's blog for the cute Halloween candy holders she made in a similar style! I'll be making those next!

Last but not least -- if you Stampin' bloggers want a FREE Three Chicks product -- see the post below!!

Advertise our Sale on your Blog -- Get a Free Belt of your Choice!

Hello! We'll be officially announcing our 25% off all retail orders sale at Three Chickadees soon, but you, my faithful blog readers get first dibs! That's right, the only place you can find out about our giant sale today is here, at good ole Preppy Days! Here's how the sale works:

Simply use discount code "Fall" at checkout on any retail order at threechickadees.com, and you'll get 25% off of everything you buy -- even sale items! The sale runs through October 12, 2009. Sorry, sale not valid on prior purchases.

Now here's an EXTRA SPECIAL DEAL FOR ALL YOU BLOGGERS: Simply post the sale ad above in full on your blog by Monday, September 28th (making sure it links through to threechickadees.com), and I'll send you any women's belt, kid's belt, headband or keychain on our website free of charge. You pick the item, and I'll even pay for the shipping! If you have a really large blog following, let me know about it and I'll throw in an extra free gift of my choice! Either post a comment below with a link to your Three Chickadees post, or send me an email at lisa82367@aol.com to let me know you've posted the wording above, with a link to your post.

Thanks and hurry -- my special blog offer is only good to the first 20 bloggers who post the threechickadees sale ad.

Have a preppy day!

Lisa

What's New at Three Chickadees?

Is your wardrobe tired? Well hop on over to Three Chickadees, and check out our Fall selections. The new women's belts are fabulous (if I do say so myself!).

My favorite is the new "Peace Out" belt -- this one is a winner!

Have You Seen the Dooce Hate Blog?

As I learn more about blogging, I learn that the queen of the "mommy bloggers" is Heather Armstrong. Her blog, Dooce, is great -- insightful, funny, real. I've often wondered why she has such a huge following (see my first post about Heather here), but the more I read her blog, the more I get it. Simply stated, it's a great blog, and that's why people visit.

Yesterday, Heather posted about the hate mail she receives, and her decision to post the hate mail, and to make money off of it. It's a genius idea! Check out the hate page here. I simply cannot believe that people who do not know her (I don't know her either) would write such horrible things about her. What the heck are they thinking? I am so glad she called them out and posted their nasty comments. What do they have to gain by being mean? I don't get it. Can't we play nice here in blogland?

On Being Grateful... The Grateful List!

Being grateful is something I try to be every day. I am always working on my list of things that I am grateful for, and I try to review it and add to it often. When I remember, I also try to pull out that list and review it when I am unhappy, or angry. It reminds me that there's really no place in my life for bad feelings. I have too many things to be grateful for -- I shouldn't waste time with negative feelings about anything. Here are some of the entries on my list of things that I am grateful for:

My son and step-daughter
My parents, brother and sister, aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews (my family)
My family's good health
My house -- I love my house
My cats -- Tiger and Smudge
My job
My friends
Three Chickadees (and my great friends, Karen and Melissa!)
Misquamicut Beach -- In Rhode Island
Chocolate -- all kinds, light, dark, milk, white
Baking -- I love to make baked goods
Shopping Weekend --annual trip in November with my mom and her sisters
QVC :o)
Card Making -- Stampin' Up! products are my favorite, and I hoard them!
Christmas -- my absolute favorite holiday
Halloween - who's the genius that made a holiday about candy?
Baseball -- I'll watch it anytime, anywhere
Watching my son play baseball -- my most favorite thing, ever!
The Internet -- my children cannot believe I used a typewriter in college, and had no computer
Blogging
The seasons of the year (although I could do without winter!)

There are many more things on my list, but you get the idea...

As I was making my initial list, I realized that the Internet has helped me find so many things I am grateful for as well:

Nie
Laura's sugar cookies
The Little Pink Shelter
Cjane

The Internet opens up the world to us and let's people and things touch our lives from which we would have otherwise been excluded. Yes, I am grateful for the Internet! Very, very grateful.

What are you grateful for? Post a comment below, and I'll compile a list that we can all refer to when we need that boost from the grateful list.

Taking Stock Part 3

Today is the day. I gave myself a month to get my act together on several fronts, and today is the day I am supposed to "check-in" and reveal my results. See below in CAPS.

From the post "Taking Stock" August 14th 2009

So, it's August, and I realized today that almost three quarters of the year has passed. I think it's time to take stock to see what I have accomplished, and to detail what is left "to do." Of course, I started a diet EVERY SINGLE DAY this year, and yet I weigh exactly the same as I did on January 1st. Did I lose the rotten 15 pounds I need to lose -- nope. There's one for the "to do" list.

SEE THIS POST -- I SURRENDER


Reading is a problem for me. I seem to find time to watch "Soap Net" into the wee hours, but read, nope. As best I can remember, I only read two books this year, both about dieting. Apparently, the reading was no help -- refer to paragraph one, above. I suppose #2 on the "to do" list needs to be "read a substantial book."

I READ! I CHOOSE THIS BOOK -- IT WAS EDUCATIONAL & A FUN READ!

Next, let's take a look at my house. My closets aren't clean. I don't really have that many closets, so you would think I could have at least cleaned a few by now. Nope, they are all a mess. So, item #3 on the "to do" list is to clean closets. I think I have 10 closets in my house. They all need cleaning.

I CLEANED THEM ALL DURING THE FIRST WEEK OF SEPTEMBER. MY CLOSETS ARE CLEAN!

Let's move on to personal development and enrichment. I think I've almost got this one licked! I have spent a bundle on "Stampin' Up!" supplies, and I have discovered a hobby that I love. Now, the small problem is that I have LOTS of supplies, but not so much time to use my supplies to make greeting cards. So, item #4 on the "to do" list, is find time to make cards.

I AM MAKING CARDS AND HAVING FUN! YOU SHOULD REALLY TRY CARD-MAKING!

Next, is this blog. I subscribed to an online blogging class, which I have yet to finish -- although I have every intention of doing so. I bought the class to learn how to blog, so that people will read my blog. I had big dreams! I thought people would stop by every day for a good laugh or a heartfelt story, or to see what the heck I was up to that day. But, nobody stops by, mostly because I am not good at blogging. Since I really want to be good at blogging, this becomes item #5 -- get good at blogging, and fast.

I AM TRYING! I EVEN HAVE A NEW "BLOG LOOK", AND 11 FOLLOWERS! WOO HOO!


p.s. - I am generally an over-achiever, so I am giving myself four weeks to turn things around and to get my to-do list done. I'll reply to this post with my accomplishments on September 14th!

Great Christmas Gifts #1 - The Vintage Pearl

It's never to early for me to start my Christmas shopping. Especially when I stumble accross a fantastic item or idea. As a loyal reader of Nie, I noticed the inspiring necklace she wore that said "all is well." Nie was nice enough to tell us where she got her necklace -- from The Vintage Pearl. So, I hopped over to their website, and found a selection of perfect gifts. I ordered the beautiful necklace below for my sister for Christmas. I sure hope she doesn't know I have a blog! :o)

Card Club Cards -- All Stampin' Up!

Check out the beauties below! We made them last night at card club. My friend Jacki is our club leader and a great card-maker. We had so much fun making these beautiful cards, and chatting and laughing. It's a real girls night out each month, and I can't tell you how much I look forward to it.

If you would like to make beautiful cards like these, hop on over to Jacki's blog and get in touch with her. You can order any Stampin' Up! products directly from Jacki through her official Stampin' Up! website.

A Dog for Me!

Please keep your fingers crossed for me. I am trying to adopt a "rescue" dog from Arkansas. I've gone through two steps in the adoption process, and have a few more steps to go. If all goes well, the dog will be delivered to me in about three weeks. I am so excited! I have always wanted a dog! The dog we are trying to get is a mixed breed, on the small to medium side, and is about six months old. His name is "Dustin" and he is such a cute little guy.

I'll tell you much more about him and share pictures when the adoption is finalized.
I would also love to get advice from anyone who has adopted a dog. Please feel free to leave a comment below. Thanks!

A new Fall Rain Coat for Me!

I just bought a great new rain coat from Lands End! My first official "Fall" purchase(even though it's not quite fall yet!). I think Lands End has a real winner with this coat. It has classic style, and is totally functional. It's zip out quilted lining will take me right to winter with ease. I am not a coat person (purses and shoes are more my thing!), but I am really pleased with this purchase. The price was quite reasonable too at $119. What do you think of it?

Just Say "No!"

I realize I am borrowing that slogan from the drug campaign, and that it's a very serious and important message. I hope it's okay if I borrow it for this post, and for a more selfish purpose. I am just saying "No!" to dieting. I start a damn diet every day, and each and every day, I blow it. And, then, I am disgusted with myself. It's a horrible cycle, and a daily occurrence, and it must stop. So, starting this week (which officially began yesterday since Monday was a holiday), I am saying "No!" to every and all forms of dieting. I am just going to eat healthy and exercise. That's it. I am going to use the brain God gave me to make healthy and wise choices, and I am going to put a stop to the never-ending circle of failed diets.

I mean it. I am done with dieting. Forever. I am done with feeling like a failure because I ate a small cookie. My mind, and probably my poor body, are completely warped from trying every diet and weight-loss gimmick available. I am going to eat what I see fit, and exercise, and that's simply it. No more starving, no more crazy food plans, no more, no more, no more, "No!" God gave me a pretty good brain -- I vow to use it to stop the dieting madness. I am going to be a better person for ditching the diet -- I just know it!

Please join me in just saying "No!" to dieting. Leave a comment below, and we'll all do this together. There is power in numbers, so let's join forces and beat the damn diets down!

I feel better already! Join me -- you will to!

Matchbook Card

Today, I made a "matchbook" style card. I followed the tutorial and borrowed the idea from Andrea Walford's fabulous blog. Her directions were easy to follow, and the finished product turned out fantastic (if I do say so myself!). This style of card is a must for the holidays! Just imagine giving out all of those gift cards we end up buying in such fabulous style.





Here's the card recipe: (all products Stampin' Up!)

paper: regal rose, whisper white, ruby red, kaleidoscope DP
Ink - stayz-on, regal red, pretty in pink
Stamp Set: Big Bold Birthday (retired)
Accessories: wide oval punch, 1.25" circle punch, horizontal slot punch, crystal effects, dazzling diamonds (for the icing on the cupcake!)

My New Bedroom!

Last year, I put an addition on my house, and completely remodeled the exterior. It was a big project, even though I have a small house. The construction has been done for a year, but I never finished the master bedroom. I bought furniture, but I could never figure out how to cover the windows. As you will see in the photos below, there is a giant window in my bedroom -- a design flaw that I realized after the fact. You really don't want a giant window in your bedroom! And, the window covering became a big issue as the window is a huge focal point of the exterior of my house.

Simply buying shades for the monstrous window would not do, so I left it uncovered while I tried to figure out how I could make a window covering work on both the interior and exterior. I ignored the problem for months, until a friend suggested I get shutters. And, she was right, shutters were the answer. The problem then became the cost of the shutters. Custom shutters for the monster windows, and the other two small windows in the room cost thousands of dollars. So, again, I waited, while I tried to figure out a more cost effective way. In the end, I couldn't find anything that came close to the fabulous look of the custom shutters, so I splurged (the biggest splurge of my life!), and ordered the shutters. They were installed last Friday. I love them! I can't believe I am writing this, but they were worth the money! :o)

Here are pictures of my bedroom. Now, I just need a little wall art!








p.s. - Thanks very much to the two new people following my blog! I love followers, so please join as a "follower" today. Thanks!

I've been on Vacation this Week...

School starts in the town I live in this same week every year -- the week before Labor Day. And almost every year since I have had a child in school, I have taken this week off from work. I don't go on vacation often, so it's usually the one week of the year where I miss a whole week of work, and stay home and do things like cook and clean. It probably sounds "not so great," but it's sorta fun, and it's the one week of the year that I am a "stay at home mom."

Each day this week I have cleaned, and cleaned and cleaned. By cleaning, I don't mean scrubbing toilets (although I do that too), I mean cleaning out the drawers and closets in my house to purge them of the things we don't use. I've come to the conclusion that we only use 20% of the things we own. So, I donated all of our unused items and tons, and tons of clothing to the Good will. Now my house is in good order...well, semi-good order.

I've also done lots of cooking and baking this week, which means that we have a decent dinner, and a desert each night. Last night, my son was eating dinner (nothing fancy -- chicken, corn and a baked potato), and I reminded him that I had made strawberry shortcake for desert. And he looked at me and said: "Mom, I love this week." It was so funny! He has no idea that lots of kids get to eat home cooked meals and deserts every week of the year. :o)

My son officially started high school today. He should be home soon, and I can't wait to hear how the first day went!