Triple the Sketch 2

I decided to take another spin on the Triple the Sketch ride.

Here's the 2nd sketch:



And here's my simple take on it:



Thanks for the sketch, ladies. It was fun!

Challenge and technique

I made this card based on a sketch from a new sketch site called Triple the Sketch. I mentioned the site on my Scrapbooking Friends Yahoo group, and one of my friends challenged me to "whip out something using the sketch and report back if it is easy to use."

I think the sketch is very easy to use. Especially if you do a lot of layouts or cards. I'm still pretty rusty, and I still managed to make something. LOL

Anywho, here's the sketch:


And here's my card:


I also used a technique that's fairly new to me -- the Dahlia Fold. I learned it at a Stampin' Up stamp camp, and then it was featured as a tutorial on Splitcoast Stampers.

Did some online shopping

I had some gift certificates burning a hole in my pocket last night. I don't know why, exactly. I've had 3 of them since Christmas, and one of them since last June. But last night, I was determined to do some shopping.

So I was off to Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble. I discovered some interesting cost comparisons. Even as a member at B&N, which afforded me approx. 15% discount on my purchases, the costs for the books I wanted were about 20% higher at B&N than at Amazon.

My other big dilemma: Buy new from Amazon or buy "new or used" from one of the Amazon sellers for a FRACTION of the cost (but pay $3.99 per book for shipping). So many decisions, so few gift certificate dollars to spend.

So, anyway, I wound up purchasing 9 books last night: 3 each from Amazon, B&N, and Amazon sellers. I only paid shipping on the books from the Amazon Sellers, but I saved at least $15 each on the books I ordered from the sellers, so it was worth it, overall.

5 Scrapbooking or Cardmaking books
3 Science Fiction/Fantasy books
1 Historical Fiction book

(One of the SciFi books that I ordered was recommended to me right here on my blog. Thanks, Genevieve, for the suggestion!)

Something new and totally different for me...

I just got my first Mac! I've always used PCs and Windows-based laptops. Can't wait to dive into the world of Macdom. :)

A letter to my body

Dear Body of Mine,

I’m going to write this letter as if no one else will ever read it. OK? Let’s pretend this is just between you and me (even though I got the idea from the BlogHer campaign, so I’m sure this will wind up on my blog).

Why are my eyes starting to tear up, just thinking about writing this letter? I’ve had a few fleeting thoughts about what I might say to you here:

• I’m sorry I haven’t taken care of you lately.

• Please, please transform into the body I want. The body that I believe will help me to be happier and healthier.

• I’m terrified of what the future might hold if I don’t change something soon. As you know, I just lost my father last month. Both of my parents are gone now, and I need you to be around for a long time so that I can be here for my own children.

I think it’s that last point that especially hits home. I need to take care of you, body, so that we can be here – mind and body – for my children, and my children’s children, for years to come.

So, here's the deal, Body. I pledge to take good care of you. Not just better care of you, but *good* care of you. I pledge to appreciate you, and all of the wonderful things you’ve done for me through the years: kept me healthier than many people I know, bore me two beautiful children, tolerated the bad eating and exercise habits as well as the good ones, and hung in there when my psyche was so exhausted it threatened to send me running down the street naked, screaming at the top of my lungs (thanks for not actually doing that, by the way).

I pledge to lose weight. And keep it off. You were petite most of my life. I’m sorry that I put so many pounds on you without even noticing.

I pledge to do things that feel good to you. Because let’s face it, what’s good for you is good for me, too!

I pledge to love you for what you are today. Every day.

Hugs,
-Wendy

The Fresh Prince of Scrapping

Funny!

New layout

I'm playing around with my layout tonight. Some of my widgets are missing at the moment, but I'm working on getting everything set up again.

Meanwhile, you can always reach the SBA Blog Ring List here.

Happy Valentine's Day

Hugs and kisses!

oooxxxoooxxxoooxxx

A good week for goodies!

This has been a good week for goodies.

I started the week using my Michael’s gift card (Christmas present from in-laws) to buy myself a set of knitting needles with lights on the tips. (Have I mentioned that I love gadgets?) Now I can knit even if hubby wants lights out. LOL They work pretty good -- they suit their purpose, but the tips are kinda blunt, so it’s harder to knit with some yarns.

Johnny surprised me with a Coach bag and pretty silky-type garments ;). He said it’s "just cuz I love you, honey". Aaaaawww. I’ve never had a Coach bag, and I love it.

I ordered some cotton yarns and a pattern from Peaches and Crème website. It’s scheduled to arrive on Monday. (Can't wait! I'm going to try making this ascot scarf. It might be ready in time for next winter. ::snort::)

I took the plunge and ordered a set of KnitPicks Options interchangeable cable needles. They arrived yesterday, and this morning I switched the dishcloth I had started on the light-up needles over to the Options. So far I love them. The cotton just slides off of the nickel needles. I had to shove them off of the plastic light-up needles (I like to knit the textured dishcloths really tight so that the patter pops).

I’ll have to be careful with slippery needles when I start my next project (the reason I even purchased the Options). I’m participating in a knit along to make this baby:



Scary stuff, but I’m going to take the plunge. I don’t know when I’m going to find the time to do these projects, but I’ll worry about that later. :)

I have no desire to purchase new scrapbooking stuff. Maybe that's not really accurate. I'm determined to find uses for the massive inventory of stash that I already have! I'm signed up as an alumni for Stacy Julian's A Library of Memories class. Hopefully, I will find the time to participate in it, get some scrapbooking done, and have fun doing it! (Translation: Let go of the pressure, creative and otherwise, and just do it!)

Man Made Card

Who said card making and paper crafts was just for women?

Watch the Man Made Card video.

Negligence!

I can't believe how long it's been since I've blogged here!

I guess I have to be crafty in order to share crafty projects. I've done a little knitting, but not too much scrapbooking. I'll have to fix that soon.

Stay tuned! (And oh yeah, Happy New Year!)

Food for thought

Got this in an email:

Cellulite is not a sign of IMPERFECTION.
It's just your body saying you are SEXY in Braille.....

We said goodbye to an old friend last night.

Jasmine was an awesome friend. She was very "mother hen" to us all. She had a long, wonderful life. We miss her, but we're trying to be happy that she's in a better place with no aches, pains or illnesses.

Goodbye, old friend.

A wonderful cause, in case you're interested...

For anyone who might be interested in a charitable opportunity this holiday season, this is a wonderful cause. (I'm sponsoring two children, too.)

This plea was sent out by the organization's owner:

Sent: Sunday, November 25, 2007 7:14:55 PM
Subject: Deadline for mailing Elf packages

I'm beginning to feel desperate. The deadline for getting elf gifts into the mail is DECEMBER 3 -- one week away! BUT we still have several kids who don't have sponsoring elves!

I've sent a request for help to everyone in my email address book, so I'm at a loss as to what more I can do. If you know of an individual, club, church group, or group of co-workers who might be willing to help, please give them information and send them to the web page at http://www.hugsandhope.org/elf.htm

Thanks!
Marsha

Hey, peeps!

That's peeps, as in, short for "people". As in, "My peeps!"

Yo, whazzup, my peeps?!

LOL Don't know where that came from. I haven't been posting regularly, and I just wanted to make sure my blog was still breathing. My father was diagnosed with lung cancer 2 months ago, so I have had a very busy autumn so far (so have my sisters and the rest of my family).

I will find some time to be crafty, though. I have to fill my cup, if you know what I mean. You probably do, since you're my peeps, and all.

Gotta go. I have a few quiet moments, and I'm going to go play Riven on my laptop for a little while.

Peace out!

iTouch, uTouch, we all touch my new iPod Touch!!!

Hubby surprised me with a new gadget last night! (Did you know that I'm a certified gadget girl? OK, maybe not certified, but definitely certifiable!)



(Clicky the image for more details.)

I'm not giving up last year's Christmas present, though:



I think they call it the iPod classic now. It used to be called the 5th generation iPod. It was the latest and greatest last Christmas...now I don't even think they sell them anymore (now they're better than ever with lots more memory for a lot less $$).

Technology changes so quickly. I definitely can't keep up, but it's fun to have a new gadget now and then to drool over.

Sharing...

Wow, it's been a while! I could bore you with all of the life stuff that's going on, but instead, I'll just share a couple of fun blogs I've stumbled upon of late.

The Craft Gossip Blog has blog chatter about everything crafty. There's a little network of blogs that specialize on several crafty topics. My favorites, needless to say, are Knitting News, Scrapbooking, and Stamping.

I also just found out about The To Do List Blog, which is perfect fun for me, because I tend to run my life by to do lists. I've just found it, so I haven't explored it yet, but you can best believe it's on the top of my To Do List to check it out!

Check out...

Martha Stewart's craft room.

http://tinyurl.com/2vlrn9

This is life.

I haven't been blogging regularly. Life has been...great, but filled with challenges.

The kids' school year started. I try to be an 'involved parent', so including all of the regular back-to-school activities (schedule change, after school activities [soccer, soccer again, art, 'hoops', creative art], back-to-school shopping for clothes and supplies, etc.), I also try to volunteer, participate in PTA activities check my kids' homework and try to read to or with them.

I also designed and maintain the PTA's website. I volunteered to help with the school directory this year (I didn't realize it, but I was tasked with desktop-publishing the entire directory. Fortunately, someone else did the data entry and proofing, and most of the narrative sections were provided electronically). The directory came out awesome, by the way, and we received lots of support and kudos from the PTA board. I also co-own the Yahoo group for the school's PTA, so I maintain it and post all of the content and messages. I'm also the school's NAACP parent rep this year. September and October have been busy, school-wise.

Work was ridiculously busy. The end of the federal fiscal year is always crazy, but this year, my schedule was especially insane, as we bid on and won three small contracts, and I had to do start-up activities for them in September (in addition to maintaining my primary contract). I also had to plan a conference and 2 meetings for my clients which were all held in October. September and October have been busy, work-wise.

My crown needs to be replaced. I've had a temporary crown in for 3 weeks. I was supposed to get the permanent today but it didn't fit (ugh!). Two more weeks with this awful thing in my mouth. When I go back, they will also repair two fillings. September and October have been uncomfortable, oral health-wise.

My husband has been in cycle with cluster headaches for over a month. My sister started radiation in September, and my father was diagnosed with lung cancer toward the end of September. He started radiation yesterday and starts chemo next week. My sisters and I will collaborate to take care of him and get him to his daily radiation and weekly chemo. We may have to take turns staying at his house to help care for him. September and October have been heart-wrenching, family health-wise.

The check-engine light came on (again) in the minivan. That's not helpful.

My kids are safe and healthy and wonderful. I'm relatively healthy. My client and boss are completely understanding and will afford me lots of flexibility. I'm so very grateful and thankful for that. I have a wonderful, if not clutter-free, home and a loving, supportive husband. Thank the Lord.

You know what? This is life. All things being equal, I'm so glad I have it (life). Thanks for being a part of it.

A little work place humor

I urgently needed a few days off work, but, I knew the Boss would not allow me to take leave. I thought that maybe if I acted "Crazy" then he would tell me to take a few days off. So, I hung upside-down on the ceiling and made funny noises.

My co-worker (who's blonde) asked me what I was doing. I told her that I was pretending to be a light bulb, so that the Boss might think I was "Crazy" and give me a few days off.

A few minutes later the Boss came into the office and asked, "What are you doing?"

I told him I was a light bulb.

He said, "You are clearly stressed out. Go home and recuperate for a couple of days."

I jumped down and walked out of the office...

When my co-worker (the blonde) followed me, the Boss asked her, "...And where do you think you're going?!"

(You're going to love this....)

She said,

"I'm going home too. I can't work in the dark!!"