{a little of this & that}

popping in...

noreply@blogger.com (Gretchen Clark) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 03:17:00 +0000

Hi all...

I wanted to pop in to let you know I have not neglected my blog on purpose!! My computer picked up a virus (I think), you know that awful feeling when you click on something and even before you lift your finger off the left mouse button, you wish you didn't?? Well it happened to me, and just as quickly as I clicked on a Photoshop Free brush download, EVERYTHING was GONE *insert very sad face here*. I am just so happy that I use Mozy to do my online backups!! It is worth EVERY penny (even though the prices have gone up this year). Carbonite is another (lower cost) option that I am looking into when I need to re-new.

I will be back to blogging soon!! I also have a few iPhone photo dumps to post as well *wink*

Happy Monday!!

Happy New Year!!

noreply@blogger.com (Gretchen Clark) — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 00:18:00 +0000

I know it has been a ~~little~~ LOT quite on the old blog the past two weeks!! I hope you had a wonderful holiday season!! We have had lots of food, family, fun, and my new job (that I like so far!!) all which have been keeping me pretty busy.

I hope to resume regularly scheduled programming on Sunday 1/8.

And since I prefer to always post a picture with my blog posts, here is Shabby Miss Jenn's January Desktop calendar!! You can get a free download HERE.

2011 has been an interesting year. Here are a few highlights:
*Mike and I celebrated 25 years of marriage.

*Ashley finished her internship and got her Master's Degree. I know great things are in store for her!!

*Josh is back in school/getting ready to start a new job that he is very excited about.

*My office of 9 years closed permanently, and I found a new job perfectly timed and planned for me.

*I was published in Paper Crafts again (which makes me jump up and down every time it happens!!)

*I am still learning/and getting better at not taking life too seriously and always looking for the silver lining!!

I am anxious to see what 2012 will have in store!! It is always so nice to start out FRESH!! With a clean slate!!

Happy New Year blog friends!!!

Merry Christmas Friends!!

noreply@blogger.com (Gretchen Clark) — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 01:32:00 +0000

My life has gotten even more CRAZY over the past few days (my in-laws are flying in tonight for 2 weeks and I have not finished my Christmas shopping *ugh!!*), so I am not sure I will have time to update my blog until after Christmas *sad face*

But I wanted to post our 2011 Christmas Card Photo!!

Wishing you Peace, Joy &

Today and always!!
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year Blog Friends!!

*and because inquiring minds want to know~this location is in Scottsdale, AZ (the major cross roads are 1st/Drinkwater Blvd). Link is HERE

sending warm {coffee} thoughts...

noreply@blogger.com (Gretchen Clark) — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 08:00:00 +0000

Hi all!!

I hope you had a great weekend!! I have been trying to wrap up all the Christmas details that I have procrastinated about all month!! This is the first year that I will probably finish my shopping on Friday December 23rd *yikes!!*

My hubby even finished decorating the tree for me (I am just not feeling it this year~not sure why!!). This is the first year that Ashley will not be home for Christmas. She and Nate are heading to the COLD weather to celebrate Christmas with Nate's family in Pennsylvania. We decided to have our Christmas celebration when they are both back in AZ, which is good, because it gives me some more time to get their presents, LOL!!

This week is my last week of training, and I will be thrown into the real world, LOL!! I think I will be okay!! In my opinion that is really how you learn!!

Here is a card I made for a friend of mine that will be getting a Starbucks gift card for Christmas (I HEART SB's!).

OK friends!! That is gonna do it for today!!

Have a FABULOUS Monday!!

weekly iPhone dump...

noreply@blogger.com (Gretchen Clark) — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 02:02:00 +0000

Surprisingly with my crazy busy schedule these days, I have managed to keep up with my weekly iPhone pictures~because there is always something to shoot!!

From Left to Right:

1. Week 2 of training~I got my headset (this is my first time working in a call center), of course this pic was text-ed to my hubby, LOL!!.

2. Working for a pharmaceutical company is just like working in a doctor's office, lots and LOTS of food (here is our PB&J day).

3. I love when I plan ahead and leave dinner for the hubs to put in the oven!!

4. Date with my hubby~at our favorite place~Chipotle!!

5. Mike took a cat nap on Saturday with both the kitties, LOL!!

6. Josh got an early Christmas present, and I might add he was pretty excited about it!!

7. Packages are arriving!!

8. Kodi~I LOVE that crazy dog!!

9. Mike finished decorating the tree for me~can you guess which ornaments took center stage *wink*

Enjoy Today!!

December...

noreply@blogger.com (Gretchen Clark) — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 08:00:00 +0000

Happy Friday!!

I am so happy the weekend is here!!! I have SO MUCH to get done over the weekend~I'm hoping to get my naked tree decorated tonight!!

Today is gonna be quick~here is post 3 of Christmas Card week. I have lots of scrap Christmas paper laying around on my desk from my December Daily Album (which is also behind schedule, LOL!!), I decided to use it up on my Christmas cards!! I also used Ali Edwards 25 Moments stamp set (which I am LOVING for my DDA!!) on today's card. Have you been following Ali's DDA posts?? I LOVE her pages!!!

Well that is gonna do it for today~so many things to do so little time!! I seriously cannot believe that Christmas is 9 days away!! *yikes*

Enjoy your weekend!!!

holly jolly Christmas...

noreply@blogger.com (Gretchen Clark) — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 08:00:00 +0000

Happy Middle of the Week Day!!

I am plugging away at my Christmas to-do list, and I think I am making a small (very small) dent in it!! My Christmas tree is still naked, but I know it will eventually get decorated; other things are taking priority right now, like mailing gifts to my family out of state and getting my Christmas cards written. How are you doing with your Christmas to-do list??? I am trying not to stress over the fact that there are 11 more days until Christmas!!!

Here is Day 2 of my Christmas Card Week posts. I found some scrap paper in my stash (I think I might have purchased this from Michaels). I liked the candy cane look of it, so I made it the main part of the card.

Okay, and since I type my blog posts the night before and schedule them to post bright and early in the morning, I am off to {hopefully} finish my Christmas cards...

Enjoy Today!!

joy to the world...

noreply@blogger.com (Gretchen Clark) — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 08:00:00 +0000

Happy Monday Friends!!

I think I may be back on my blogging schedule *hooray*

I definitely have less time than I did in my last job, but I am so very thankful to have found a job in this economy!! This weekend was CRAZY BUSY!! Mike and I hosted a dinner at our church for all the leaders, workers and helpers. You can see some photos from that on my previous iPhone photo dump post HERE. It was a lot of fun!!!

Mike helped me out this weekend, by chipping in with my to-do list, so I had a little bit of time to get crafty on Saturday night (he ROCKS!!). It was so nice to have a little bit of time to be creative.

For some reason, I am having a hard time getting into the Christmas Spirit this year, and I am not sure why?? I am thinking it may be because I am VERY behind schedule with my shopping, but I am hoping it kicks in soon~because I LOVE Christmas!!!

Since I have been trying to get into the Christmas mood, I thought I would whip up some Christmas cards; so this week will be Christmas Card week on the blog. Here is the first one. I really like the Half & Half PTI die, but I have been trying to limit my craft supply spending a bit, so I improvised with an edge punch I already own (link is HERE). Then just stamped a sentiment from Holiday Button Bits and an image from the retired SU! stamp set Merry & Bright. Then just added some ribbon and a button and Viola!!

Enjoy today!!!

{365} weekly iphone dump...

noreply@blogger.com (Gretchen Clark) — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 03:07:00 +0000

From Left to Right:

1. In my training class, we had to write our name and a hobby to tape on the wall over our computer, here is mine.

2. My new bed time...4:20 am comes VERY early!!

3. Lunch packed the night before ready to go the next morning.

4. It makes me laugh every time I see Dewey & Kodi together~I never thought they would be friends.

5. Christmas ornaments still waiting to be put on our naked tree!!!

6. Christmas Party at Church tonight~yummy spread!!

7. Josh digging in!

8. Ashley and my friend Julie

9. Josh, Mike and Jess, a few of my favorite peeps!!!

{365} 12.9.11 "O (naked) Christmas Tree"

noreply@blogger.com (Gretchen Clark) — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 02:31:00 +0000

Hi all,

Sorry that I have been MIA this week!! I started my new job bright and early on Monday morning. I now have to leave the house at 6am (which is an hour earlier than I am used to), so I am trying to get on a new morning routine. Before (for my last job) I would get up earlier than I had to, so I could drink my coffee, check emails, and do my daily blog hopping before leaving for work. But now that I have to leave a lot earlier, I don't have that extra hour to do my "fun" morning routine, instead I am sipping my coffee in a travel mug and listening to Christmas Carols on the radio.

I finished the first week of training and I think I am really going to like my new job, which is always a plus!! right? Thursday was the first night that I didn't feel like I wanted to go to bed at 8 pm, LOL!! I think I am getting adjusted *smile* But I sure am glad it is the weekend and I can sleep later than 4:30 a.m. tomorrow *woot*

Tonight when I got home, Mike and I (mostly Mike), put up our Christmas tree. We will decorate it Saturday or Sunday. I am just happy it is up!! For some reason I am having a hard time getting in the Christmas Spirit this year, not sure why. Maybe because I still have so much to do???!!!

Here is our naked tree... (and if you look closely, you can see Dewey, sitting on the stairway landing~that is one of his favorite spots)

**And I want to thank Deb H for your sweet email today!!
It made me smile!! :)

Enjoy today!!

{365} weekly iphone photo dump...

noreply@blogger.com (Gretchen Clark) — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 02:03:00 +0000

From Left to Right:

1. Picked up a few organizing bins at Walmart.

2. Finally dropped off my ~~junk~~ stuff at Goodwill.

3. Bought some skinny jeans at Target (I feel so cool!!).

4. The final walk through in my old office.

5. My last Friday date lunch with my hubby *sad face here* (I will be working on Friday's now).

6. Went to Costco on Saturday, Mike and I both ate lunch for $3.

7. Stocked up on the Costco sized Coffee Mate!!

8. Went back to Costco on Sunday (today), because I forgot to buy my allergy medication.

9. A little snack as I update the old blog!

**I am not sure if I will be updating my blog on a regular basis this week~I start my new job bright and early tomorrow morning at 6:30 am (with a 30 min commute each way), so I am anticipating that I may be a little tired the first week until I get acclimated to my new schedule.

Enjoy Today!!

craft room re-organization

noreply@blogger.com (Gretchen Clark) — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 19:27:00 +0000

Happy Saturday Peeps!

One of the things on my list to get DONE before I start my new job this Monday, was to re-organize my craft room. It seems like stuff just multiplies in there!! All week long I went through EVERYTHING and really purged!! If I didn't think I would use it, I got rid of it. I think I took out about 10 large bins worth of stuff. Luckily I had someone that I donated it to, who will give it a good home!!

After that was done, my sweet hubby added more shelving to the room (since I had to incorporate some of my old office work stuff into the space, because I am doing some medical billing as a side job). I finally got everything moved in and reorganized, and I think it will be pretty functional for me.

And since I love to look at other peoples craft spaces, I thought I would post mine (because inquiring minds wanna know!!). You can see what it looked like before HERE.

on Friday, Mike took a trip to Lowe's to get more shelving and brackets to add more space for me (I love that it all matches)!! Then he worked his magic!!

Once that was finished, I started putting everything back in. I kept most of it in the same spots as before, but it is nice to hot have it so cramped!!

View 1~This is my billing home office corner as well as my stamping/scrapbooking supplies. (all my markers, tools, punches, photo paper, envelopes, etc are stored it the bins/boxes).

View 2~Here is my stamping table/office desk. This is where I get creative!!

View 3~This is the other end of the shelving unit, which stores my cards, adhesive, cuttlebug/Papertrey ink templates, magazines that I have been published in, books of online classes I have taken, camera gear, light tent (for my blog pic's), and my sewing machine.

View 4~This is the other side of the room, where my personal computer and desk is. This is where I surf the web, do graphic design work for church and edit my photos. Sometimes I share it with Mike, LOL!! (note to self...I think the cords under the desk need to be untangled and organized today!! Adding it to my list of stuff to do!!).

Well that is it. My little space. Hope you enjoyed the tour...now I have to get crackin' on the rest of my to-do list!!

Enjoy your weekend!!!

December Desktop...

noreply@blogger.com (Gretchen Clark) — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 02:07:00 +0000

Hi all,

Popping in with a very quick post tonight~I have been busy, busy, BUSY all day today. I am trying to get all my "ducks in a row" before I start my new job on Monday. I had a few moments to make a quick computer desktop for December, with Shabby Miss Jenn's free download. You can find the FREE template HERE. All you have to do is open the file (as well as a photo you would like to use) in a photo editing program, like Photoshop, then drag your photo under the desktop layer, adjust the photo, and save as your desktop~very easy peasy!!

I am off to get into my Jammie's and watch TV on the sofa with my hubs & Kodi. Have a FABULOUS weekend!!!

{365} 12.1.11 working on my DDA

noreply@blogger.com (Gretchen Clark) — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 23:33:00 +0000

Today is December 1st (how did that sneak up on me so fast??). I have been working on my December Daily Album, trying to get it completed (being sick sure put a crimp in my plan, grrr!!), so I can just add photos to it throughout the month. I just have some embellishing to do and figure out the cover. Here is a little reminder on Ali's Blog to NOT STRESS!!

Last year I ran out of steam, I have all my photos printed and completed pages 1-15, and then I stopped. That is why I am DETERMINED to get the pages completed first this year, LOL!! After the holidays I will assemble my 2010 DDA (I hate leaving stuff undone!!).

And of course I have decided to re-organize and change up my craft room, which is not the best timing, LOL!! Mike is going to add some more shelves (since I am adding some work space to my room, I have taken on a little side business), I have donated several bins of craft stuff to Josh's girlfriend Jess (who also likes to paper craft). I am hoping it is completed tomorrow!! I will post pictures once it is finished, because I know how I enjoy looking at other people's craft spaces!!

I am also taking a trip to the Container Store with my friend Cindy on Friday (which is always FUN!!). So I am not sure what tomorrow's post will consist of, LOL!!!

Enjoy Today!!

warm winter wishes...

noreply@blogger.com (Gretchen Clark) — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 22:23:00 +0000

Hi all,

I think I am finally on the mend~still not 100% but feeling so much better (thanks to the antibiotics!!). I have been trying to get into the Christmas spirit these days, so I thought I would whip up a wintery card (even though it is 75 degrees here in AZ). It is very clean and simple. I used my large label nestability die and cut it in half for the top layer, then just tied it up with a bow!

Well that is about it from me today~I am hoping to work on my December Daily album tomorrow (it was supposed to be finished by then, *oh well*). I will post the finished product soon!

Enjoy today!

{365} 11.28.11

noreply@blogger.com (Gretchen Clark) — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 02:36:00 +0000

Hi all,

I am going to be out of blogging commission for a couple of days...I decided to go to the doctor today, because I still felt "YUCKY."

I have an upper respiratory infection. BLAH!!

I have so much to do this week before I start my new job on Monday~I hope that this little combo (below), kicks in fast!!! That cough syrup has Codeine in it, so I am sure I will sleep pretty good tonight, LOL!!

Hoping to be back on Wednesday with some paper-crafting goodness!!!

weekly iphone photo dump...

noreply@blogger.com (Gretchen Clark) — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 01:02:00 +0000

From Left to Right:

1. My absolute FAV make-up!!

2. Turkey for our Thanksgiving dinner.

3. Picked up sushi on my way into work.

4. Another pile to donate to Goodwill (which is still sitting there, see #6).

5. Thursday night I came down with a sore throat.

6. Friday I got the full blown flu *sad face here* Mike picked me up a Cold Buster Jamba Juice.

7. This was me from Friday through Today (Kodi kept me company).

8. Today I killed the flu germs!! I took out the BIG guns (I usually clean with organic cleaners) because I don't want to share my germs with anyone!!

9. Even though I still don't feel great~I took Kodi for a short walk~cause he LOVES it so much! The fresh air was probably a good thing too!

thanksgiving recap & heart banner...

noreply@blogger.com (Gretchen Clark) — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 15:26:00 +0000

Hi all,

Today is going to be quick. My sweet hubby, decided to share his cold and sore throat with me *sad face* Luckily I felt fine yesterday during our Thanksgiving celebration. Here we are after we filled our faces with lots of YUMMY food!! I am not even sure how many calories I consumed yesterday.

Ashley and I did take the doggies for a walk to hopefully burn off some of those calories!! Although we had some pumpkin and apple pie when we got back~kinda defeated the purpose, LOL!!

Here is a quick little card. I LOVE the banner look that I have been seeing all over blog land. So I had an idea to create my own. I cut strips of an old book page into 1.5 x 3 inches, punched with my heart punch, added some scrap paper to the center and folded in half, add some twine, glue closed and Viola!!

My goal today was to finish my December Daily pages~I hope my creative mojo still works with my sore throat and stuffy nose.

Enjoy Today!!!

{365} 11.23.11 prep is DONE!

noreply@blogger.com (Gretchen Clark) — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 02:36:00 +0000

I am finished with the prepping for our Thanksgiving dinner~it is such a great feeling!! This year we are keeping it laid-back and casual.

My hubby always has potato peeling duty, and I am happy to let him have that job!!

The table is set, potatoes peeled, green beans cut, sweet potato casserole made (my mom's recipe, which is the same as THIS one),

(sweet potato casserole~so YUMMY!!)

stuffing made, turkey ready for the oven, gravy and cranberry sauce are jarred and canned, rolls from the store, sparkling cider chilling in the fridge and Ashley is on the dessert (she braved the crowds at Costco today~that is one crazy chick!!).

I am looking forward to spending time with my peeps tomorrow!!

Happy Thanksgiving friends!!

scalloped birthday...

noreply@blogger.com (Gretchen Clark) — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 08:00:00 +0000

I recently saw a card that I wanted to CAS (copy and share) on Pinterest (that place is FULL of inspiration!! leave me a comment or send me an email with your email address if you'd like an invite!!!), made by Andrea Walford. I thought it would be a great way to use up patterned paper scraps!! I used some of my retired Stampin' Up! paper and my PTI scallop die, and this card came together very fast!! I really like the frilly look of the layered scallops. (I think my button needs a little glue dot to help hold it up)

If you live in the US, I hope you have a Happy Thanksgiving!! And if you don't I hope you have a wonderful Thursday!! We are having a very casual get together with the family (my favorite kind!!). We will have the usual turkey dinner, with all the fixin's, take a nap, and watch a movie~ probably in that order, LOL!!

Is anyone participating in Black Friday?? I think this year I am going to stay home and work on my December Daily album. Black Friday is a little too crazy for my liking, especially with all the tired and grouchy shoppers, LOL!! I am more of an online Christmas shopper!!

Enjoy Today!!!

Supplies used:

InLinkz.com

{365} 11.22.11 lots of books...

noreply@blogger.com (Gretchen Clark) — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 00:03:00 +0000

Hi all,

I am sorry if I am boring you with all my organization posts!! This year I am using my blog to help me with my Project Life album, kind of like a photo journal.

Today I tackled the book shelves when I got home from work. This is my first pass through. I am sure I will add more to the pile when I go through it a second time (and Mike is at work tomorrow, LOL!! He isn't as excited about the purging as I am *wink*).

It is amazing how many books Mike and I have accumulated over the years. I hate to be a hoarder, so I am going to donate them and share the LOVE!! My goal is to use one small book shelf to house all the keepers!!

*ignore the ladder in the background, Mike has been replacing smoke alarm batteries (safety first, ya know!!).

{365} 11.21.11 gobble gobble...

noreply@blogger.com (Gretchen Clark) — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 02:03:00 +0000

Well I did my Thanksgiving grocery shopping today, along with the rest of Phoenix, LOL!! It feels good to have it done!! Here is my 20 pound turkey (to feed 5 people), cause we ~~like~~ LOVE leftovers!!

Did you do your shopping yet??

birthday tag card...

noreply@blogger.com (Gretchen Clark) — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 08:00:00 +0000

It's Monday!!

I hope you had a fantastic weekend~I was busy, busy BUSY!!! And with Thanksgiving on Thursday, I think this week may be the same way.

My sister in law is celebrating her birthday at the end of the month, so I made this card for her so I could slip a gift card inside and drop it in the mail. The stamp set is from Ali Edwards (LOVE her stuff!!), and as a matter of fact, I am hoping THIS will be in my mailbox today so I can get started on my December Daily 2011 Album!!

I am still busy organizing!! I think spring cleaning is a little late (or early) for me!!! I am on quite the purging/organizing kick!! The kitchen was completed on Saturday~and after a trip to IKEA and my label maker, my baking stuff looks so much nicer in the cupboard!!

Enjoy today!!

Weekly iPhone dump...

noreply@blogger.com (Gretchen Clark) — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 04:13:00 +0000

From Left to Right:

1. Lots of shredding done at work last week

2. Josh asked me to buy Honeycomb cereal, and I forgot how yummy it is for a snack!!

3. Pete watching a movie with us.

4. I have been on an organizing kick~here is my closet~and YES I hang my clothes by color (yup, I am OCD!!)

5. Two of my hubby's favorite things, LOL!!

6. This came in the mail, but I have been too busy to really look at it!!

7. Operation Christmas Child boxes getting loaded into my car.

8. Date at IKEA with my hubs (I LOVE that store!!).

9. A little snack after #7 (.79 cent ice cream cone from McDonald's).

button bits and my boxy banner...

noreply@blogger.com (Gretchen Clark) — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 08:00:00 +0000

Happy Friday!!

Do you have any fun plans for the weekend?? Tonight Mike and I are having dinner with some friends from church, Saturday we are going to a birthday party, and Sunday is our {rescheduled} Family Christmas Photo shoot (rain or shine!! I am taking photos!). It should be a fun and busy weekend!!

Here is a quick card I whipped up last week. Recently I have really been evaluating my purchases, since I have been on an organizing and purging kick!! I am really trying to "think" about what I buy. Of course I always want to hit the "I want it all button" on each PTI release, LOL!!

Recently, I was admiring a card made using the Boxy Banner's Die, and the light bulb went on...I can do that with my cuttlebug and Nestabilities!!

Check it out...

So here is my card with my homemade Boxy Banner :)

Enjoy your Weekend!!!

supplies used:

InLinkz.com