Scrap that!

Last Chance product list has been issued!

2011-06-03T20:01:00.000-07:00

Yes, it is that exciting and sad time of year yet again! SU! has released the list of retiring products so that they can make room for NEW and EXCITING products in the NEW Idea Book & Catalog due out July 1!

Swing over to my website to see the list of retiring products and order your faves now before they are gone. They will only be available through June 30, or until they are gone, whichever comes first. Don't miss out on something you want!

http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/rhondadavis/promotions

Birthday Greetings

2011-01-19T20:31:00.000-08:00

So, after I finally made a clean and organized workspace, I couldn't WAIT to start using it! So, I created two birthday cards for a couple friends with birthdays coming up.

I used Concord Crush for the card, with Daffodil Delight and Whisper White. The daisy is a sizzix die, cut in Daffodil Delight with a silver brad in the center. I adhered it to the card using Dimensionals. Then I stamped the flowers and stems with Awash With Flowers (a personal favorite, because it's a two-step stamping set. What does that mean? You stamp the outline, then you stamp the solid). The stems are in Certainly Celery, the flowers are Daffodil Delight and Elegant Eggplant. In the background, I sponged Baja Breeze to give it a little sky color. The "for you" stamp is from a very nice set called "Great Friend".

My next card is a silly one. I made this one for my best friend, as I think she deserves a nice pina colada for her birthday. :)

Background is Tempting Turquoise, such a bright, fun color! The bear is my buddy..he's from the set "Under the Stars" (such a GREAT and versatile set). He is stamped on Sahara Sand using Basic Black, then I stamped him again on Whisper White and cut out his muzzle and belly and adhered them to the Sahara Sand so he is two-toned. "Grrreat!" is also from "Under the Stars", I stamped this on Whisper White paper using Melon Mambo ink, then cut it out to look like a conversation bubble. I cut some scraps from one of the summer paper packs using the scallop border punch to make the "grass" and the border. The pina colada is from my favorite set from the summer called Tropical Party. I colored it with markers so it could be colorful, then adhered it next to Mr. Bear with dimensionals. The sentiment is from the set "Good Friend".

I hope you enjoy looking as much as I enjoyed creating these.
Happy Stamping!
Rhonda

New Year, New Me :)

2011-01-19T20:18:00.000-08:00

Every year I resolve to get myself more organized, and I have yet to have succeeded. But I refuse to give up! So, first on my agenda was to get my work space cleaned up! How'd I do?

I think I did well, considering the cluttered mess it was before. No, I didn't take a before picture, that was way too embarrassing!

Stampin' Up! Handmade Holiday

2010-10-19T18:28:00.000-07:00

It's a handmade holiday at Stampin' Up! New bundles are here to help you create beautiful gifts at a discounted price. Check it out today!

A - Amazing Cards
B - Beautiful Packaging
C - Cherished Gifts

From October 19 - December 16, these holiday bundles are available to help you have a handmade holiday at 20% off.

Click Here to Shop Now

Stampin' Up! Clearance sale ends soon!

2010-10-15T20:55:00.000-07:00

That's right! Stampin' Up! has a clearance sale going on RIGHT NOW and if you don't get over there, you could miss out on some EXCELLENT deals on discontinued product. Up to 80% off! Click on the "Shop Now" link on the upper left of my blog to go to my site, or Click Here And remember, if you place an order of $150 or more, you qualify for hostess credit too! That means FREE product!
Happy Stampin!
Rhonda

Merry Christmas! What? You're not ready?!?

2010-09-03T06:27:00.000-07:00

Good morning! Yes, I said Christmas and it's only September! Well, we can never be ready too soon, can we? This is a first for me too. I decided to offer a series of three Christmas card classes. At each class we will make 5 cards of 3 different designs, so each person leaves with 15 cards. If you attend all 3 sessions, you'll have 45 cards, 9 different designs. And ready before St. Nick is ready to deliver presents!!
So, here was card number 1:

Using our wonderful ornament punch and matching stamp set, old olive card stock run through the big shot in the finial press folder, a little Jolly Holiday DSP, stamp ink is cherry cobbler & old olive...Presto! Card #1 :)

For our next card:

This was CASE'd from our current 2010-2011 Idea Book & Catalog, with a few changes. Card stock is Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White & Old Olive. Stamp set is Punch Pals, punch used was the Scallop Circle, ink was Old Olive and StazOn black. We used water color pencils and blender pens to color our little friends on top.

And last, but certainly not least:

Our friendly S'more Man! This was a CASE from my upline Wendy Groves..we had made a scrapbook page with this guy. I did however forget his arms...which are made from the snow flake punch. Card stock: Very Vanilla (run through big shot in the Perfect Polka Dots folder) Snowflake stamp from Punch pals, Early Espresso & Crumb Cake card stock punched out with the Word Window punch, markers to make buttons & eyes. I used Pacific Point for the buttons with the white gel pen to make the button holes, tangarine tango for his nose and basic black for his face. Use the square punch for his body and then round the corners. I "toasted" him by sponging Crumb Cake around his edges. If you prefer him to be burnt (as I love do with my marshmallows over the bonfire...LOL), you can use Early Espresso. :)

Stay tuned for scenes from our next Christmas Card class on September 18! :)

Thank you cards

2010-06-23T19:41:00.000-07:00

Two more cards that I made this week. Both are thank you's.

Using the new level one hostess set "Because I Care", Marina Mist, and Early Espresso.

This card uses Awash with Flowers, Daffodil Delight, Marina Mist. I masked the flower & butterfly, and then sponged Marina mist around them. I also used the "thank you" and the flower border from the Because I Care set along the side.

Cards to share!

2010-06-23T07:29:00.000-07:00

So, I've been busy this week with something FUN for a change! Making some cards!!
My friend requested a birthday invitation for her daughter, who plays soccer. With the Just Soccer retiring set, the Build-a-Bear Big Shot dies, this is what I created:

I used Tempting Turquoise and a sponge, with a cut out of a cloud for the sky. I learned this awesome technique from Carol Anne's blog:

http://mirrorimage.typepad.com/caroleannes-1st-blog/2010/06/pocket-silhouettes-10-min-colour-challenge.html

(Thank you Carol Anne!) and then sponged the grass with Green Galore. The Build-a-Bear is made with tempting turquoise, rich razzleberry, and crumb cake

It's official!

2010-03-23T18:07:00.000-07:00

I am now a Stampin Up! Demonstrator!!! I'm just waiting for my starter kit to get here....and counting down! I've already booked my first party too!
I decided to join SU! because I joined a monthly SU! club through a friend (who is now my upline :) ) and have had so much fun that I started asking questions. Then, I joined the Late Night Stampers group on Yahoo...and asked MORE questions. you know what? They answered me. And were SO helpful, I can't even tell you. It's like there is no competition, they want everyone to succeed.
And...now that I've joined SU! I was invited to join the LNS Boot Camp group. So far, I've gotten several emails on how to get my business going and growing...whether I need a blog, what people look for in a blog, how to attract more customers. I am so excited, and so pleased to have found a group that is willing to share their success stories and their mistakes. I feel very blessed, and I am looking forward to learning more and having a successful span with Stampin' Up!

My first attempt at a Challenge :)

2010-01-24T20:23:00.000-08:00

Here is my first attempt at a challenge on the Late Night Stampers group. My creation:

Pretty simple. I used Rich Razzleberry paper, the Lattice Big Shot die, scallop edge, Rich Razzleberry ribbon, and paper from the Cottage Wall DSP. Using the lattice cut out, I traced the pattern onto a piece of DSP and cut it out to become the background, attached to lattice with 2-way glue, then to card. To make it "pop" I made "stitching" around the lattice with a white gel pen. Then added a simple border with the scallop edge maker and Rich Razzleberry ribbon & bow.
Hope you like it :)

Birthday Invitations for little boy

2010-01-18T13:54:00.000-08:00

My friend was going to purchase invitations for her son's birthday party...but I stopped her and said "I'll do it!!!" So, here is my creation. I hope you like it. He loves John Deere, so I went with green and yellow and natural...a very simple layout. I used SU! blender pens and Chocolate Chip, Yoyo Yellow, Basic Black & Handsome Hunter to add color to the stamps.

Psalm 34

2009-02-18T18:55:00.001-08:00

I just started reading a new book, The Power of a Positive Mom by Karol Ladd...yes, a book for ME not because I have to for class, but because I want to read it. The first chapter, Influence Beyond Measure, really puts a price on motherhood, if you could actually do that. As mothers, we have an influence over our children that is unbelievable. What we do with it, is how our child will develop. And how motherhood isn't always looked upon as a real job. No, we don't get paid but we put in many long hours and hard work every day. Our job is beyond what any congressman, athlete or super star does, but our pay is much less. Yet, it has more rewards than any of those careers.
The end of the chapter gives a scripture to read and reflect on, I thought I would share it:
Psalm 34 (from the Good News Bible, New English Version)
"I will always thank the Lord; I will never stop praising him. I will praise him for what he has done; may all who are oppressed listen and be glad! Proclaim with me the Lord's greatness; let us praise his name together! I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me; he freed me from all my fears. The oppressed look to him and are glad; they will never be disappointed. The helpless call to him, and he answers; he saves them from all their troubles. His angel guards those who have reverence for the Lord and rescues them from danger. Find out for yourself how good the Lord is. Happy are those who find safety with him. Have reverence for the Lord, all his people; those who obey him have all they need. Even lions go hungry for lack of food, but those who obey the Lord lack nothing good. Come, my young friends, and listen to me, and I will teach you to have reverence for the Lord. Would you like to enjoy life? Do you want long life and happiness? Then keep from speaking evil and from telling lies. Turn away from evil and do good; strive for peace with all your heart. The Lord watches over the righteous and listens to their cries; but he opposes those who do evil, so that when they die, they are soon forgotten. The righteous call to the Lord, and he listens; he rescues them from all their troubles. The Lord is near to those who are discouraged; he saves those who have lost all hope. The good man suffers many troubles, but the Lord saves him from them all; the Lord preserves him completely; not one of his bones is broken. Evil will kill the wicked; those who hate the righteous will be punsihed. The Lord will save his people; those who go to him for protection will be spared."

The Great Christmas Tree Hunt

2009-01-26T20:05:00.001-08:00

Every year we go up in the woods and pick out our Christmas tree. It's not a perfectly trimmed tree, it's a natural straight-from-the-woods tree. It is my favorite thing to do. We've done it since before Joy was born. She loves going too. She helped Daddy drag the tree out of the woods...and she had fun in the deep snow.

Wow..it's almost February

2009-01-26T19:53:00.000-08:00

Where has the time gone? Christmas was great. Joy had so much fun this year talking about baby Jesus, Santa, decorating the Christmas tree, everything was such fun for her. It brought back to me how much fun it was as a child. To see everything through her eyes is so wonderful.

We had the week off between Christmas and New Year's. The day after Christmas, we took the girls (Joy and her 2 cousins) to Stuff It in the mall. It's like Build-a-Bear. They all had gift certificates and were able to make their own animals. Joy picked out a pink bunny and named her Puppy. Then they played on the playground in the mall.

We had a couple snow days off as well. The weather here has just been COLD. We've gone for a week not hitting much higher than 10 degrees. The wind chill is below zero, and snow is coming. I have all the Christmas decorations to put back in the barn, but I can't get to the barn through the snow drifts! I'm ready for Spring!

I'll try to post pictures at another time. I never seem to be able to size them so that they fit. But I have tons of pictures to share. I'll try to do that this week sometime.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and this year brings you much happiness.
God Bless.

The laugh is on me...

2008-06-25T07:36:00.000-07:00

I had an address label out to send something, but then didn’t need it, so I stuck it on my post it dispenser. I got up, came back and it was gone. I couldn’t find it.
Someone comes in the office and says “You’re working too hard…..you’ve got a label in your hair”……ROFLMAO!!!

I had thrown something in my recycle bin, and missed, so must be when I bent over to pick it up, my hair hit the label. ROFL!! Oh brother…is it 4:00 yet?

The laugh is on me...Scrap That - - the LABEL is on me!

Happy Hump Day!!

The weekend cometh!

2008-05-23T11:07:00.000-07:00

Wahoo!!! It's Friday!!! And it's a 3-day weekend...BONUS!! So, what's up for the weekend??

Well....let's see. I have a painting project to finish in my kitchen. I've repainted my bottom cabinets and refinished my countertops. Now I just need to do the top cabinets and window trim. Hopefully I'll get to do that this weekend. It looks a bit odd now since it's green on top and red on bottom...LOL. I'll post pics when I'm done of before and after. :) I'm quite proud of it.

I know my mom wants to take the grandkids to the new playground near her this weekend. I hope the weather cooperates.

I also need to get some filing and cleaning up done with my desk. I've become so unorganized. I want to correct that, as it only makes my life miserable. We've also got to make room for the credit card machine in the shop, and get the office organized.

I just picked up some marigolds to plant in my big hog boiling pot in the front yard. Joy will be looking forward to doing that with me. She loves to get in the dirt...just like her mother.

Other than that, it should be a good weekend. I hope the weather is nice, that'll just be a bonus. :)

Mother's Day

2008-05-20T07:30:00.000-07:00

I had the greatest Mother's day, I'm still in shock over it!! My daughter was the PERFECT angel ALL day long! It was so nice!! She must have known it was a special day, she was just so sweet. Helpful, loving, I think the aliens came during the night and switched her! LOL!! Not that she's horrid normally, it was just nice to have a day that she was very agreeable, obedient and pleasant. It was the greatest gift ever!

Sad day...I'm gonna miss you Sandie :(

2008-05-02T20:18:00.000-07:00

One of my closest friends at work left today. She's moving to TX be with her grandbabies. The office will never be the same without her. She was my friend, my "work" mom, my sounding board...I am going to miss her terribly. I had the other girls in the office write down their goodbyes, memory, etc on journal boxes, took lots of pictures at the going away party we threw her and put together an album for her to remember us by. I hope she likes it. I wrapped it and gave it to her as she was leaving with a note to open it when she got to TX. I knew she was sad to leave, so I didn't want to make it any worse. I think this way, if she waits to open it, she'll get a good laugh instead of a cry. I hope she has a safe trip.

Made in the USA

2008-04-23T06:47:00.000-07:00

Has anyone else noticed that Wal-Mart no longer sports the big "American Made" motto they used to? What happened to that? Did it die with Sam Walton? I'm not being down on Wal-Mart, don't get me wrong, but I just wish that we supported our own factories and manufacturers (what's left of them anyhow). And it's not like we can boycott Wal-Mart, around my area it's all we have. I've become a label checker....I bought two shirts and a pair of pants last night as I need clothes desperately and not a one was made in the USA. And I tried to find some. And it's not just Wal-Mart...it's just about any store. Even the company that I'm associated with has most of their product manufactured outside the United States...it's hard to avoid anymore. So, I'm kinda stuck there. However.....I'm going to make it my goal to start finding places we can shop that carry USA products...We all want to support our soldiers....let's support them by bringing business back to our country, and hopefully that will help bring them back to us as well. Let's support the USA as much as we possibly can.

And just as I was about to post this, I got an email from my SIL...how true is this:

Joe Smith started the day early having set his
alarm clock (MADE IN JAPAN ) for 6 am.
While his coffeepot (MADE IN CHINA ) was perking, he shaved with his
electric razor (MADE IN HONG KONG ). He put on a dress shirt (MADE IN
SRI LANKA ), designer jeans (MADE IN SINGAPORE ) and tennis shoes (MADE
IN KOREA ) After cooking his breakfast in his new electric skillet (MADE
IN INDIA ) he sat down with his calculator (MADE IN MEXICO ) to see how
much he could spend today. After setting his watch (MADE IN TAIWAN ) to
the radio (MADE IN INDIA ) he got in his car (MADE IN GERMANY ) filled
it with GAS (from Saudi Arabia ) and continued his search for a good
paying AMERICAN JOB. At the end of yet another discouraging and
fruitless day checking his Computer (Made In Malaysia ), Joe decided to
relax for a while. He put on his sandals (MADE IN BRAZIL ) poured
himself a glass of wine (MADE IN FRANCE ) and turned on his TV (MADE IN
INDONESIA ),and then wondered why he can't find a good paying job in
AMERICA ...

Ouch....

2008-04-22T20:26:00.000-07:00

So the sun poisoning isn't getting better....it's worse. My neck is red and blotchy and ITCHY!!! I've been putting hydrocortisone on it hoping it will help. I haven't had it like this since I was a kid. If it doesn't go away in a day or so I guess I'll be calling the doctor. I bought some new sunscreen tonight, hopefully that will work...i can't give up my noon walks!

Custom painting...

2008-04-21T08:17:00.001-07:00

I may be biased, as this is my brother, but I saw him this weekend with some of his friends out riding their motorcycles. I went out to check out his bike, to see how he painted it, and then I look down the line of bikes, there were probably 10 or 12 bikes, and every other one sported his logo as he had painted them. They were awesome! Not to mention, alot of his work is free hand.....and it's amazing! He's painted my husband's service truck, and this really fun toilet as a gag gift to my husband for Christmas...that we've had more compliments and questions regarding purchasing one. You have to check out his site to see some of his work. It is absolutely amazing. I plan on having him customize my car soon and also my husband's summer truck. I can't wait!

http://www.gbscustoms.com

I need a sunscreen that works!!!

2008-04-21T07:53:00.001-07:00

I spent the weekend outside since it was SO GORGEOUS!! Saturday was 85 which is unusual for this time of year. Sunday, the cooler day, I think it was 70-75 and windy and I got sun poisoning....and that was WITH sunscreen. I need to find a sunscreen that will hold up. I usually reapply when I go inside for a break...my daughter didn't get burned thank goodness, but I sure did.
It was a very nice weekend though, weather wise. I did have to bathe my stinky skunk dogs, which was quite the riot. Sissy did well, but Butch about took me in the pool when he jumped over it. Then he got mad afterwards and took off....we found him when one of my fabulous neighbors took a shot at him. Grrrrr....
Other than that, nothing exciting happened.

Dang Dogs!!

2008-04-16T08:38:00.000-07:00

You can always tell when the weather is getting better...the dogs get restless. And they decided to take off for the swamp last night. We aren't sure when they came back. I stayed up till 2 and Chris checked around 4 and they still weren't back. Well.....when they did show up we smelled them. Yup....SKUNKED. they can't even stand the smell of each other. Good thing it's going to be nice the next few days so they can stay outside and air out!!!

It's Friday

2008-04-11T13:09:00.001-07:00

And I am glad. I'm wore out from this stinking cold I have been fighting this week. Work is getting to me and I'd just like to go home and hide for a bit. But, I have a CM show Saturday, so I can't get away with hiding all weekend. Hopefully my voice will hold out through those couple hours. :)

My besteresterest friend

2008-04-10T13:54:00.001-07:00

I have a friend that I have known since 7th grade...that's 21 years...she is the greatest. I don't know what I would ever do without her. It's rare to find someone that knows you inside and out and still loves you for who you are. And to be friends for that long...wow...how she has put up with me is beyond me! LOL!!! she's the best!! I hope that our children are as good of friends as we are.