WildEarth.TV 2009 Promo

Turns out that WildEarth has a promo! So, I thought I'd give you a highly editted (nothing ever happens this fast on a drive) view of why I love these safaris.

Got some time on safari!

I got to spend a little time on the safari drive tonight. They are using new cameras there and sometimes the images are really sharp and bright and sometimes they are not so good.

I took this using MWSnap 3 and I'm not totally excited about it. I'll have to go back and compare but I think my earlier pictures- before WildEarth changed cameras- were better. But, I'll figure it out.

Going to a CTMH party tomorrow afternoon and a graduation party tomorrow night so it's going to be another busy weekend. More later.

What a week!

It's been a whole week since I posted and the week has flown by. Since the last post I had some regular school days, I did my progress reports for school, finished the preparation for the retreat, actually went on the retreat for 4 days, had my birthday, did the validations for my grades, had the stomach flu, and lived through a 2 day migraine.

The retreat was wonderful. The director was terrific, the kids were amazing and the whole experience, once we got there (we won't talk about the prep which was hectic, stressful and full of drama), was inspiring and renewing. I not only got some good spiritual time for myself, but the time I spent with the kids again reminded me of how incredible our students are.

DH spent my birthday weekend at spring training in Florida (his Christmas present from me) and brought me back PHILLIES EARRINGS for my present! They are SOOO cute!

I got some FABULOUS birthday cards which I will share over the next several posts. Here's one from Shirley:


I wish you could see how GORGEOUS this card is IRL. It is done with several layers of super-shiny paper and cardstock, the flourish in the upper corner is gold embossed, there is sparkle and glitter all over the place, the vase is finished with diamond glaze- just INCREDIBLE!!!!

Thank you SOOO much Shirley for the amazing card and the really great message inside- it made me so happy when I read it.

Shirley's blog is Card Art, Etc and is one of my favorite blogs- you have to check it out and see a real card artist at work.

I also got a papercrafted gift from Etha which I will show you once I can get a good picture of it- scanning just didn't work. It is truly amazing- I was stunned by the beauty and complexity of it. Etha is SOOOO talented- if I didn't love her I would totally hate her, lol!

I haven't had time for more than a week to check out all my favorite blogs and sites. I hope I can get to some of them tonight and catch up by the weekend. So, if I have been ignoring you, it's not because I wanted to- and I'll be back soon. For now, it's time for more migraine meds and another nap to let them work.

Bette Midler - From A Distance

I'm going away on retreat with students this weekend. I love this experience- I hope I am helping them and I also appreciate my own spiritual renewal, which they help.

I have been listening to a lot of music over the last few days, searching for just the right pieces that include messages that will touch and inspire.

I don't know yet if I will use this one, but I am certainly including it on the CD I am burning to take along. I hope you like it.

I love awards- even when they're not for me!

I know my online, never-met-in-person, blogging friend Shirley doesn't want any more awards for her blog. Well, she isn't getting one here!

What she *is* getting is an award for MY blog- for being my MOST faithful and supportive commenter.

I know that virtually every post I put up will have something on it from Shirley. It makes a blogger feel good to know that someone is paying attention. So, THANKS, Shirley!

I have to also give this award to Etha and Suzanne, who also visit all the time and post very often. They are both really encouraging.

Suzanne is a Flybaby friend and we have quilting as well as papercrafts in common also. Etha is my long-time crafting mentor and incredibly talented!

I really, REALLY appreciate everyone who reads here whether you comment or not. I hope you will continue to do so. And, in the meantime, check out the fabulous blogs of the 3 ladies listed above- you'll be glad you did!

Time to lay out tomorrow's clothes and get ready for a LONG work week.

More bad crafty business news

LuminArte is shutting down business- this is very sad.

Pictured here is a set of Twinkling H2Os- commonly referred to as "twinks" and one of my favorite coloring methods. Twinks are pots of water-color paints that have been infused with sparkle and shine and the effects are gorgeous.

So, if you don't have every twink they make and want them, now is the time to buy. LuminArte will be selling all the twinks, individual pots and kits, at 40% off, so check it out. They also make some other really neat "effects" products so check them out too.

Very busy so this will be short. Mom has had a big set-back so I am spending much more time with her again. I'll be putting some chicken in the crockpot shortly to take dinner over there later. Me being sick this past Thursday means the tests I was supposed to give Friday are now scheduled for tomorrow. I still have the last one of LAST week's tests to finish grading then all of those from tomorrow- and interim grades are due by this Thursday noon. Friday I leave for 4 days on retreat with a group of students and there is a TON of work to still do to be ready- not to mention laundry today so that I can pack and also have clothes for this week AND next week at school since I won't be home over next weekend. I'm doing Mom's laundry now.

I got a GREAT birthday card from my friend in Colorado who came East for the Stitching festival in the fall- with the wonderful news that she is definitely planning to come again this year. I have already marked my calendar.

DH is all excited as his Christmas present approaches- I gave him a trip to the Phillies spring training camp for a few days. (NOT the "dream camp"- that is NOT on a teacher's salary budget, lol!) He is extra excited this year as the Phillies recently signed one of DS's friends- so he will actually, PERSONALLY, know one of the players!

Well, I have about 18 hours of work ahead of me today- and only about 12 hours until a late bedtime, so I'd better get cracking!

Mardi Gras time special offer!

Would you like to get this FABULOUS ATC?

It is a wonderful gift that will accompany the stamp set used to make it if you order the Moondreams stamp set during February from Clear Artistic Stamps.

I already have this set- when I saw this gorgeous Pierrette I had to have them as soon as they were released. She really is beautiful, don't you think?

The incredible ATC was made by my uber-talented friend Etha.

While I'm sick....again.

There's a nasty "bug" going around at school- and now I've got it. Yesterday there were 8 teachers out; I don't know how many today but I'm one of them. The darn thing is going around all over the area- one school had to close for a day last week because so many were sick with it. YUCK!

So, here I sit, sipping tea, which is staying on my stomach but uneasily. I am way behind on a bunch of stuff here so I thought I'd use some time to get a little caught up.

I got two blog awards in recent weeks which I've neglected to post. I am thrilled with both of them and very grateful.

Cindy gave me the "Fabulous Blog award".

I need to tell you 5 of my addictions and pass it along to 5 other fabulous bloggers.

So, 5 addictions?

1) Shopping on ebay. I don't buy all that much but I LOVE to stroll through there. I enjoy putting in some favorite thing (Just Nan or Shepherd's Bush needlework kits, rubber stamps, the name of a favorite author for whom I don't own every book they ever wrote) and seeing what comes up and what it is going for. I have gotten some great bargains there and it's fun!

2) Hershey's kisses. I love Hershey's kisses. I like to have about 4-5 every evening. I don't eat a lot of them- a big bag lasts me about 2 weeks, but I have to have them in the house.

3) Watches. I don't know if this is an "addiction" but I love having a lot of different watches. Mickey watches are my favorites but I also like dress watches and watches with multiple bands and watches with bracelet bands.

4) CROCS. My husband is always saying "how many pair of them do you own?" They are incredibly comfortable, totally practical for school and virtually indestructible. And, they're cute and come in great and fun colors!

5) Champagne! I LOVE champagne! I don't need Dom Perignon, but I only like decent/good champagne- cannot drink the $5 stuff! Given the option, I will always drink champagne.

Now for 5 fabulous blogs:

Lee's blog. If you want to see fabulous cards, this is the place! Lee is prolific- she makes wonderful cards, full of bling, and so many it is amazing!

Allison's blog. Allison's blog is a wonderful mix of great papercrafting, interesting stuff about her kids and her family, and an almost daily posting of newly discovered blogs.

Sharon b's blog. Pintangle is an incredible blog for anyone interested in needlework. I've been stitching for years, but I learn something almost everytime I got there and seeing what she is doing is awe-inspiring.

Word Wenches blog. The Word Wenches are a group of historical romance writers. I've read almost all of them and some of them are among my favorite Regency romance authors. Their blog is a mix of history, writers' experiences and just lots of fun stuff for anyone who reads historicals (romance or otherwise).

The Happiness Project. I found this blog fairly recently but I love checking it everytime she posts. It is a blog with helpful hints, but it is mostly a blog that will make you think. A little introspection is good for everyone and this blog will certainly inspire that.

Time for more meds and more bed rest- while I'm doing that I hope you are enjoying some new-found blogs!

Sunday Afternoon quick post

I did a terrible job with the scanning, but here's a card I had to post.

This card came yesterday from Belinda and Traci Landtroop at Clear Artistic Stamps.

Belinda makes some of the most beautiful stamps around- they are unique in their hand-drawn style and she is a wonderful artist.

She is also one of the nicest people I have met in my many years on the 'net.

So, that is my first birthday card this year, and I absolutely LOVE it!

We are off shortly to buy a new microwave. We cannot complain that the current one is clearly terminal- we bought it in 1984! So we'll be checking out the various stores and seeing what a 21st century microwave looks like and costs. I see it as our duty to buy a new one- we're helping the economy!

Then it's off to dinner at Mom's- without any cooking as my Aunt is bringing a quiche- yum!- one of my favorite dishes.

Good news- I got one set of tests completely marked, graded and recorded!

Enough for now- I'm off on my excursions. Back later!

Saturday Afternoon

If you have been reading here for any time, you know the last month has been hectic, to say the least.

A while back I posted about shopping online for socks and such- boring, I know, but that's me. The post was about how I try to have a month's worth of "basics" so that I don't have to worry about running out when I get busy.

One of the several items I make sure to have plenty of, like socks, is "lingerie" to put it delicately, or plain old undies.

This picture (my undies drawer) will show you clearly why I am doing many loads of laundry today and why the "whites" is the first load I did, lol!

Mom is home and doing really well! Thanks so much for all the kind thoughts and prayers. I know they made a difference!

The amaryllis is also doing really well! It will be months before there is a flower, but the stalk is growing quickly and looks really healthy.

I have had no time to stitch or craft so there is nothing new to show in that area. About the only goal for the weekend- other than about 7 loads of laundry!- is to make a dent in marking and grading the 70 anatomy & physiology tests I gave Thursday, and the 35 Physics tests I gave Friday.

I have done some online reading and there is some crafty news to share. Cornish Heritage Farms'contract with Sandra Kuck has ended and those stamps will only be available through tomorrow. They are really gorgeous stamps- I have several and LOVE them- so check them out HERE before they are gone.

The "recipe" ingredients have been posted at Cindy's Blog for the Sweet Treat Valentine challenge. It is not too late to join and I have been hearing hints that the prize will be really good. Also, if you are in the Philly area, Cindy is having a Close To My Heart Open House at the end of the month- she'll be doing short classes in various techniques as well as showing off the newest things from CTMH. There is a special stamp set available this month for CTMH's anniversary and it looks terrific- can't wait to get it!

SplitCoastStampers is the Cadillac of stamping sites but has been joined in recent months by two new sites for stamping and papercrafting information, Papercraft Planet and Paper Therapy. Both are designed to look a lot like Facebook, so if you know Facebook, you'll find it easy to manouver around them. I have joined The Angel Company and the Close To My Heart groups at PT, and a whole bunch of groups from stamp companies I like (mostly the ones on my sidebar) at PCP.

As things (hopefully) finally settle down around here- my cold disappears completely at last (not there yet but getting close), Mom gets back on her feet and becomes independent again, and school settles into a routine (a tough routine due to my large classes this semester but a routine none the less), I should be able to get back to work on the beautiful Beatrix Potter sampler, make a few cards, do some scrapbooking and, most important, get back on the FlyLady wagon. (I am currently so far OFF the wagon that it is about 6 counties over and I long ago lost sight of it, lol!). I am looking forward to all that falling into place. Until then, well, it's time to go reboot the laundry.

Bayeux Tapestry

The one piece of embroidery that I must see sometime in my life is the Bayeux Tapestry. It was stitched shortly after the Norman conquest of England in 1066 and tells the story of William the Conquerer and his invasion of England.

The Bayeux Tapestry is not a tapestry at all, but an immense piece of embroidery, measuring 20 inches high and 250 feet long! (Sort of like that mural history of America that goes around the inside of the US Capitol dome, only made of fabric and almost 1000 years older!) The idea of the Bayeux Tapestry has fascinated since I first learned of it!

Here is a really fun animation of the Bayeux Tapestry!

A fun card challenge

Valentine's Day is coming! If you want a "sweet" challenge, check out the one at my friend Cindy's blog.