Retiring Day #17

 Good Morning & Happy Fri-YAY!

Happy Good Friday to you as well!

Today it's feeling more like spring than the last couple of days.

It was so nice having temps close to 80 and letting the windows open and the fresh air blowing thru. Today, it's only to get to the mid 60's which is still nice but not nice enough to open windows. Do you have any plans for the Easter weekend?

I have all my cleaning, laundry & groceries all done so I hope to make an Angel Food cake for Easter and do some stamping! Shawn is going fishing tomorrow all day with a guy from work. It makes my heart happy to see him doing something he enjoys! I am thinking of starting up some stamping classes with my friends soon. I have not seen them since before Christmas and it would make my day to see them again. I have nothing planned yet so we will see.

Today is day #17 of sharing another card made with a retiring Stampin Up! stamp set.

This one uses the Hippo Happiness set with the coordinating Hippo & Friends Dies from page 62 of the current catalog. I have not used the stamp set much but those dies are worth their weight in gold in my opinion! I just love them and cannot believe they are going away!

Also on this card is the Hammered Metal 3D embossing folder which is also leaving us.

I hate when things go away because I feel like I can no longer use them but that is what makes my Stamp Day w/ Friends get togethers so nice. They do not order from me, we just get together, talk, laugh and make cards! So for me, this bundle will stay close at hand for many more cards to come in the future!

Card Details:

Stamps: Hippo Happiness

Ink: Pumpkin Pie, Daffodil Delight & Melon Mambo

Cardstock: Melon Mambo, Basic White, Bright's DSP- Melon Mambo, Pumpkin Pie, Daffodil Delight

Accessories: Hippo & Friends Dies, Hammered Metal 3D EF, Iridescent Rhinestones, Pumpkin  Pie Taffeta Ribbon (retried), Glue Dot, Mini Dimensional, Tombow Multipurpose Liquid Glue

I enjoyed creating this card and wanted something colorful & springy!

The DSP on here is from the Bright's Collection which is also retiring in these prints. 

2 of the butterflies are stamped directly onto my sentiment panel while the Melon Mambo one is diecut and popped up!

And on a personal note:

Miss Gigi's ashes came home on Wednesday.

I had a long cry and put her box on the shelf beside Fluffy's box.

I feel so much better now that she is home.

Until we meet again!

RIP Gigi 

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My thoughts today...

Thanks for stopping by today & have a wonderful day!

~Wendy

Saying Goodbye...

 Happy Thursday, Friends!

Tuesday we had to make the decision to let our Princess Gigi go.

A difficult & dreaded decision but it was her time.

Her health in the last 2 years has declined and she really went downhill in the last several months. She had severe arthritis, a pinched nerve in her neck/spine, stomach issues and we think she was starting to get dementia. We kept her comfortable for the last few months but it became evident Tuesday that it was time to say goodbye. We adopted her in March of 2013, 10 months after Fluffy passed away. We had Fluffy for 14 years. Gigi was only with us for 9 yrs, 1 month and 3 days but when we adopted her she was already 5-6 years old. In that time she healed our heartache from losing Fluffy and loved us unconditionally! She was a wonderful dog but in recent weeks she was not the same doggy she was. I have prayed for strength to get thru this because I don't handle things like this very well. Shawn seems to be taking this loss harder than I expected. She became his "old girl" in the last several months and I think he grew closer with her.

Bailee seems to be doing good with the loss.

I think she realizes now she is the queen bee!

Yesterday was a hard day to get thru after a night with lots of crying and no sleep.

We packed Bailee up and took her out to do some shopping at some of the local dog friendly stores. She was antsy at first but soon realized she got lots of attention from other shoppers. I hope that helped her to cope with the loss in some way.

By the time we got home she was exhausted and took a long nap.

We won't be getting anymore pets after this. Bailee will be our last one. We are growing older and just decided this would be it even though we love dogs. It's just too heartbreaking!

The next couple of weeks are going to be a bit hard as we navigate our way thru this loss but know I am at peace with letting Miss Gigi go. 

She was in pain and we just knew it was time. 

Run free my sweet little Gigi....until we meet again.

💕

What A Weekend...

Hello & Happy Monday!

Hope everyone had a nice weekend!

My weekend seemed like it went by rather fast!

Saturday the girls had doggy day spa. Here are before & after pics of them. 

 It's been 12 weeks since they last were there.

Gigi desperately needed it! I bathed her 3 weeks ago but her hair was already quite long & shaggy. Now she looks more like a maltese/shih tzu. She's not very camera friendly. I think she lost 10 pds of fur! 

Bailee is not camera shy at all as you can see. Such a lil ham!

She is part Yorkie and possibly Shih tzu mix. Her groomer thinks she has some Cairn Terror in her the way she is built. She is quite the little social bug and always keeps herself entertained!

I'm sure after their day at the dog spa they feel SO much better and they certainly look better!

On Sunday Shawn & I got out for a walk at Lake Williams. There are so many walking/hiking/biking trails there. The sun was shining brightly but don't let that fool you....it was quite chilly!

If you can see those pine trees straight ahead in the picture well that was a huge hill. It was my idea to take that part of the trail not knowing what we'd encounter. 

 It was a 15 foot huge straight up hill! Now I don't mind walking when the ground is level but this was quite literally straight up! It's one of those types of hills that would be excellent for sledding if it wasn't for the curves in the trail & the trees. I was huffing & puffing to the top and my back was telling me it hated me! My back does not handle the hills very well as I can feel the strain on it. All in all it was a good walk but today I am definitely feeling it! LOL

Today I have a baby card to share. 

My card rack had no more baby girl cards on it so I need to remedy that.

This baby stroller image is from an older SU set that I have no idea the name. 

When I lived in Joplin I borrowed this stamp set from Vicki and stamped off a bunch of images.

I also used an old Freshly Made Sketches design for my layout.

All my panels except my card base was cut with the Lil Inkers Stitched Rectangle Dies.

My image was colored with Copic Markers.

I left the inside blank for now. 

I have customers that will ask for a saying inside and others like to write there own inside sayings. 

Do you write your own messages inside or do you stamp them??

I personally am not one for words so I usually stamp my sayings.

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My thoughts today....

Amen to that!

Thanks for stopping by & have yourself a wonderful day!
~Wendy

Wilderness Awaits

Hello & Happy Thursday!

Hope your all having a nice day!

It's much cooler & quite windy here today after rain came thru yesterday.

Thankfully the storms became less potent as they came east and i'm sure many people are relieved about that!

Yesterday I seen the Sketch Challenge over at SCS and kept the layout on my laptop to help whip up more masculine cards.

Here is the sketch & my card...

Wilderness Awaits Card:

Stamps: Wilderness Awaits

Ink: Cajun Craze, Not Quite Navy

Cardstock: Cajun Craze, Not Quite Navy, Very Vanilla, Well Woren DSP

Accessories: Banner Punch (flag ends), Flat Gold Nail Heads, 2 Sided Tape

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Today my thoughts are about my little doggy, Gigi.

We adopted her 4 years ago today! The time has flown by so quickly.

She's a really good dog and we just love her to pieces! A great fit for our family!

Happy Adoption Day, Miss Gigi!

~Wendy

Bella & Friends

Hello & Happy Saturday!

I know I sound like a broken record but another hazy, hot & humid day here. 

Blah, blah, blah! Wish I had something good to say about the weather but I don't.

I do have one good thing to talk about though....my SU order finally arrived yesterday! 

WooHoo!

I quickly made this card last night which is going out in the mail today!

I got Bella & Friends as soon as it came out in the new catalog last month..

 Reminds me of my sweet little Gigi!

I'm sorry if my pictures look a bit blurry. I woke up with yet another sty on my eye. I have been getting them atleast 2-3 times a month in the last few years. I was recently diagnosed with Rosacea and I also have the Ocular Rosacea too! My face is starting to clear up with antibiotics but my eyes are not getting any better. Painful stys, blurry vision along with itching & redness is all a part of Ocular Rosacea.

This set belongs to Angie Juda who is a one of my favorite bloggers. When she hit her million dollars in career sales with Stampin Up she designed this set. I was taken with it as soon as I seen it! So many cute stamps & sayings that you can't go wrong! Congrats to Angie Juda on her milestone! What an awesome stamp set!!! Here is the story behind Bella & Friends.

Bella & Friends Card:

Stamps: Bella & Friends

Ink: Basic Black Archival, Flirty Flamingo, Smoky Slate and Pink Pirouette SU Markers

Cardstock: Thick Whisper White, Flirty Flamingo, Whisper White, Flirty Flamingo DSP

Accessories: Circle & Scallop Circle Nestibilities, Rhinestone, Hexagon Punch (flag ends), Dimensionals, Tombow Liquid Glue

A VERY fun stamp set indeed!

My 2 little lovebugs, Bailee & Gigi!

They make my life complete! 

That's all for me today!

Thanks for stopping by & have a terrific weekend!
~Wendy

A Card Set & My Doggies

Hello & Happy Sunday!

What a beauty of day here in PA! Our weather could not be more perfect!

Hubby is out washing his car before it will be garage bound for a few weeks and I have the windows open airing the house out. Just love it, sunny & 70's...my kind of weather!

Before the day gets away from me I wanted to share a pack of cancer cards I made for an order last week. This is actually the 2nd pack of them I made in the last several months. I made them in different colors pertaining to the different types of cancers.

Last year at the Heirloom Stamp Show I picked up this embossing folder from Darice and i'm glad that it's finally getting used! On these cards I added a rhinestone in the color of the cancer. Just enough to give it some sparkle and we all love sparkle!

Cancer Card Set:

Stamps: Sweet Essentials (retired)

Ink: Basic Black Archival

Cardstock: Taken w Teal, Pretty in Pink, Whisper White, Bashful Blue

Accessories: Darice EF., Rhinestones, 2 Sided Tape

Yesterday we took the doggies out for a walk. Here is a picture.

Gigi & Bailee were both out of breath after that 2 mile walk. We found a place close to home to walk them without having to worry about cars & traffic. It's the York Heritage Rail Trail. This runs from York County clear down to Maryland. It's a beautiful, peaceful walk and the girls loved it! Going to take them out again this evening. Today will be the last for a few weeks to get out & walk since tomorrow morning bright & early is Shawn's surgery. If you would, could you please say a quick prayer for him in hopes that all goes well tomorrow. I know he's nervous but ready to get it overwith and heal so he can get back out to walking & hiking. He's been doing so well and has lost 20 pds in the last 2 months. It's been a bit harder for me as I do love my soda & sweets but nonetheless I have been enjoying the walks with him and losing some pds too but not as quickly as him. Men have it so much easier don't they!

So, i'm not sure if i'll be updating tomorrow but I will be back on Tuesday for sure with an update on Shawn, so till then....

Thanks for stopping by & have a wonderful day!

~Wendy

Christmas Nugget Packs 2015

Hello & Happy Wednesday!

I apologize for not getting a card made yesterday for the SCS Color Challenge. I spent the early part of the afternoon finishing up my Christmas cards & getting my Secret Santa gift ready to get mailed out today. Then I lounged with Gigi & Bailee till hubby got in from work. I'd really like to try today to do the challenge! Speaking of Gigi & Bailee, here is a picture of them that I promised after getting their baths & haircuts Saturday.

Gigi

Bailee

I picked up their scarves at a vendor stand at the John Wright Craft Show a few weeks ago. The scarves have a bit a sparkle in them and look so cute. The girls were so tired & sleepy when they got home from doggie day spa but atleast now they are ready for Santa!

So, before I head off and get my day started, I wanted to share the rest of the Nugget Packs I made this year. I don't know if i'd make these again. They did sell just not as well as I would have liked.

These are 7 Hershey Nuggets wrapped in a piece of DSP measuring 1 X 3 and adhered around the nugget. There is a piece of cardstock inside the cello bag and I used the Wilton Pretzel Bags from Michael's or Walmart. I tied a piece of ribbon or cord around the pack and added my tag to coordinate with my nuggets. I really enjoyed making them and loved each one I made! They make a great stocking stuffer, too!

Hershey's Nugget Packs:

Stamps: Tags 4 You, Oh What Fun!

Ink: Island Indigo, Wisteria Wonder, Cherry Cobbler

Cardstock: Whisper White, Island Indigo, Winter's Frost DSP, Wisteria Wonder, Frigid Fun Paper Pad by The Little Darlings Paper Company, Cherry Cobbler, Merry Moments Paper Pad

Accessories: Label Bracket Punch, 2" Circle Punch, Decorative Label Punch, Silver Cord, White Twine, Cherry Cobbler Thick Twine, Rhinestones

That's all I have for today!

Thanks for stopping by & have a great day!

Happy Holidays!
~Wendy

A Special Birthday & A Valentines Treat

Hello & Happy Sunday!

Just a quick update on what I ment to share on Friday but somehow I totally forgot about these cuties!

I made these Valentines Day match packs shortly after Christmas. I love these for a different little gift idea! My match packs have a snack sized pack of M&M's inside.

Match Packs made with a variety of stamps, papers & embellishments!

Also today we are celebrating our Princess Gigi's Birthday!! It was one year ago today that we went to Virginia and adopted her from a wonderful lady who fosters for the Operation Paws for Homes Rescue. I knew Gigi was the dog for us as soon as I saw the picture of her. She reminded me so much of our beloved Fluffy. I remember being so nervous when we went to Virginia to meet her. A year later, I can say that she is the perfect fit for our family! You know the saying...Who rescued who?! 

Kelsey got her & Bailee a little birthday cake for them to share later today! First we plan a walk in the park before more snow comes this evening. I know she will love that!

Well, that's all for today! 

Thanks for stopping by & have a wonderful day!

~Wendy

Merry Monday Challenge Week #68 & Jamaica

Hello & Happy Monday!

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend! 

I spent most of the weekend with my kiddo's just hanging out at home. We had some much needed down time after traveling to & from Jamaica the week before. Spent some quiet time sitting out by the firepit under a beautiful full moon and also bought a newly released movie to watch called Oz. It sure was different than we thought it'd be but a good movie!

Anyways, today it's time to share with you a new sketch from Lesley from over at Always Playing With Paper. So here we go...

A very fun & easy sketch this week! I used a scrap of Kaiser Kraft DSP that I had on hand along with some matching cardstock, rhinestones & ribbon. I also have been playing around with my Picaso photo program and realized that I probably should be wearing my glasses when I do this because some of these photo's are super bright! They may require wearing sunglasses to view! LOL

Merry Monday Week #68 Card:

Stamps: More Merry Messages

Ink: Early Espresso

Cardstock: Baja Breeze, Early Espresso, Naturals Ivory, Kaiser Kraft DSP

Accessories: Snow Burst EF., Baja Breeze Taffeta Ribbon, Rhinestones, Glue Dot, Dimensionals, 2 Sided Tape

Before I close out my post today I just wanted to share a few quick photo's of our trip to Jamaica! It was a nice vacation just the hubby & I but the heat & high humidity did me in! I'm so glad to be back home.

Shawn in the Caribbean Ocean as the storm clouds were rolling in. Every afternoon it rained...

Me with my toes in the sand!! :)

The views were amazing! One thing I loved was there were no waves in the cove where our resort was. I am usually not one to be in the ocean because the waves knock you off your feet so this was a real treat! We spent alot of time in the Caribbean Ocean while there. Very peaceful & relaxing!

Shawn & I enjoying our last full day there, poolside!

Day of departure...It was a nice vacation with such peaceful & beautiful views! The people of Jamaica are so nice and just love to talk! This was my first trip outside of the USA so it was interesting to see how life is there. Shawn has been to Poland & Canada before so going thru Customs & Immigration was a whole new ballgame for this girl.

Of course, I had to squeeze in a picture of Gigi! This was the night we came home. She was so happy to see us that she could not keep her eyeballs open any longer! Love my little Gigi!! :)

Well, that is all for today!

Thanks for stopping by & have a great day!
~Wendy