Thursday, September 29, 2011

Great Play Day

So last weekend Paul and I joined the crew at a local hardware store to make fire trucks. It's a kids event they put on every couple weeks and it was great. Here are the guys working together on their project. Heidi and Kamili worked on one while Paisley helped Makai. You can see Jenee in the background wrangling the little ones :) Here's another picture of the crew hard at work - Zamarah and Zavian were still too little to join in the fun - so they entertained each other. Afterward we headed off to lunch (at a noisy restaurant :) - when you have this crew you need to be sure the restaurant is as loud as they are. We had a wonderful time together. Papa and I were missing them after being gone on vacation a couple weeks, so this was a great way to catch up.

September Christmas Card Stamp Camp

Last weekend we had our monthly Christmas Card Stamp Camp - for those who have come every month, they have 100 cards now - woo hoo!! The first card we made this month was this adorable snowman card using "Snow Much Fun" this was absolutely my favorite new Christmas set and I had to get it right away. I LOVE SNOWMEN! We ran the front layer through the Big Shot with our snowflake embossing folder, added some color with markers and finished with a couple gems for some bling - Love it!! We finished this inside with a layered sentiment and the cute little birdie rolling the snowball at the bottom. The second card was also lovely and designed by my daughter Heidi. She used "Bright Hopes" from the current mini catalog. Our layouts were very similar which is unusual for us. She rock and rolled the wreath and then cut it out and popped up on dimensionals (with more bling) and a natural bow made from our linen thread. Very simple and elegant. The craft layer was supposed to be stamped tone on tone with snowflakes -but I forgot -and love it anyway.To see the card with the snowflakes check out Heidi's blog at www.stampinking.blogspot.com Our next Christmas Card stamp camp is Sunday, October 23rd - let me know if you're interested in joining us!

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

FAMILY

So a big part of why we took this trip to the midwest was for a family reunion in central Wisconsin with my brothers and sisters. We put it together kind of last minute, and it was after school had started, so not all the nieces and nephews made it - but those of us that were there had a great time. There are 9 kids in my family - so just us makes quite a crew :) Here are a couple pictures of everyone just enjoying each other and the day - This next picture is my family - seven brothers and one sis. They mean the world to me - each unique and wonderful - and since all but one lives in Wisconsin - I miss them all the time.
This final picture is of me and my big sis, Sharon - even though we're 2000 miles apart we are very close in heart.
Miss you and love you all!! Check back tomorrow for some stamping - and thanks for bearing with me as I shared these memories. Love, Maureen

Monday, September 26, 2011

Foods of the midwest!

So you all know that part of the fun of vacation is eating out - at least it is for us - because I cook almost all of our meals at home. So we really look forward to eating local cuisine when we travel. This trip was so much fun, and I wanted to share a few of the foods of Michigan and Wisconsin. We started shortly after landing in Minneapolis. We found a nice little local pizza place, and could not resist their sauerkraut pizza. Yes, you heard correctly - I thought it would be awful - but Paul insisted. It was regular pizza with italian sausage, sauerkraut and lots of cheese - and it was AMAZING. We at half there and the rest later, cold in the hotel room - yum!Next, when we were up in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan we had to try Pasties. Pronounced "past - ee" not to be confused with "paste - ees" that women stick on their breasts. It's important to pronounce correctly :) The are pastry pockets filled with many different things - these were beef, potatoes and rutabages. They were good - a little mild for my tastes, but good. I'm told they serve many different kinds and you just have to keep trying till you find the one you love - so next time - I'll try another. Finally, I had to share a picture of Cheese Curds - these are a Wisconsin delicacy and we never, ever visit there without stopping by a local cheese factory to get some bright and early in the morning. They are the cheese in an earlier stage of production before being separated from the liquids and pressed into blocks. They are odd shapes, slightly soft, very salty, and they SQUEEK! Honestly, they are so good. We ate a pound of them on the trip over to Michigan and another on the trip back to the airport at the end; as well as we brought four pounds back in our luggage - some for us and some for our daughters. I don't know why these are not popular in California as they are amazing.
Two other must haves - we had to get a bag of Old Dutch Dill Pickle flavored potato chips - they are sooooo0 good. I know there are other brands out there - but Old Dutch is definitely the best. My brother is driving back and bringing two bags back for each of our girls. Paul also had to buy a huge stick (3 lbs I think) of Wisconsin Summer Sausage. It is also sooooo good. We did have a little problem with him being pulled aside at the airport for a luggage check. After he was given the all clear they told us the sausage looked like a big stick of dynomite on the scanner. Yikes!!

Sunday, September 25, 2011

Back from Michigan and Wisconsin

Paul and I are recently back from a wonderful vacation to upper Michigan and Wisconsin. It was our first trip back there together since my Mom passed away three years ago. We spent several days in Michigan seeing the sites and then traveled down to Wisconsin where we had a nice reunion with all of my family; and spent a couple days with Paul's Mom. I'm going to blog about this over the next week or so, as this blog has become a wonderful place for me to store pictures and memories and go back and refer to from time to time, so please bare with me. I plan to through in some stamping along the way :) These first two pictures were of the Great Lakes -this is Lake Michigan in the morning outside of our hotel - it was so beautiful. Next is Lake Superior on our drive over to Mackinac Bridge - it was breezy and there were some pretty good white caps coming in. I also wanted to share a picture of the beautiful leaves turning color. At the beginning of our trip the leaves were just starting to turn. Lots of green still with patches of gold and red - it was so nice. Then while we were there there was a freeze and a lot more leaves changed. When we were driving back to the airport in Minneapolis the trees were so colorful, but it was raining and I could not get a good picture to share. Then while we were down in Marshfield, WI we took my mother-in-law, Gloria, for a ride around the area. We went past the houses where they lived while growing up, and some of the places that they had frequented. This picture is Saketts Lake where Paul and his family have fond memories of picnics and family gatherings. It was so pretty and peaceful.Finally here is a picture of Paul and his lovely Mom Gloria at the lake. She is 91 years young and still going strong. I am so happy we had a few days to spend with her.

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

First Day of School cuties -

Finally getting around to sharing First Day of School pictures. So crazy seeing my grandbabies growing up sooooo very fast. Here are Prince and Paisley - all set in their new clothes with their new backpacks. Paisley is in 3rd grade and Prince in 1st - amazing!! Next I have a picture of Kamili and Makai - also looking adorable in their new clothes and back packs. Kamili is off to Kindergarten and Makai to her first day of Preschool. Can this even be possible? I'm still getting over the trauma of my daughters heading off to school and that was 27 years ago :) Praying for these little ones as they grow and learn - may God guide their little lives. I love them so.

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Up, Up and Away -

I love this set! It is so festive and fun - so I want to share a few more designs using it - All were bonus designs sent as a PDF to those who ordered the Up,Up and Away Palm Tree Perks kit. We also did the middle card as part of my Cards Stamp Camp last week - hope you like them!

Sunday, September 18, 2011

Missed Convention Photos

Was looking through my pictures and noticed I still have a few from convention that I wanted to share. First - as most of you know, my daughter Heidi (www.stampinking.blogspot.com) was an Artisan Award winner this year. Isn't she lovely!! Here she is on stage at the Awards ceremony receiving her recognition - I was (and am) sooo proud of her. I also want to share this picture of part of my downline on stage. We got to walk for recruiting - don't we look excited :) It's Heidi, myself, Julie and Maria - way to go ladies!!

Saturday, September 17, 2011

Congrats to my Downline -

Wanted to share this cute and simple card I made this month to send out to my top sales and recruiters in my downline. It is a CASE of this great card from Lorri Heiling here - http://stampingaddict.blogspot.com/2011/09/fast-and-simple-card.html It uses one of my absolutely favorite and most versatile sets - Fifth Avenue Floral - my colors are Poppy, Daffodil and Peach - Here's a close-up - easy-peasy and LOVELY!
Want to buy ALL of your Stampin' Up! goodies at a discount? Want to come stamp and play at monthly meetings? Want to learn what's new - before all your friends? Email me at crazystampinglady@gmail.com and I'll get you signed up to be part of my team of Crazy Stamping Ladies!! Let the FUN begin!

Friday, September 16, 2011

Cards Stamp Camp

Today I want to share the cards we made at this month's cards camp. The first is the Up,Up and Away card I showed you previously. I love this card - it has an old fashioned Americana feel to me with the red/white and blue and the balloon. We ruffled a matching strip of DSP across the bottom to add interest. The next card we made was this beautiful fall card using the Gently Falling set from the current Holiday mini. I LOVE FALL - the colors, the feel, the smells - now right through Thanksgiving - I'm a happy girl. This card used the rock and roll technique on the leaves to give that hint of rusty color on the edges. We even added a ribbon of the coordinating Spice Cake fabric. The next card was designed by Heidi (stampinking.blogspot). How cute is that - it uses the Out on a Limb set from the Holiday mini. She had us stamp the branch right on the moon and sponge around it (and the clouds which are made with the top of our cupcake punch) to give them a spooky look. Love it!! It was a fun stamp camp, stamping with friends. Plan to join us Oct. 11 for our next cards camp - Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas!

Thursday, September 15, 2011

September Secret Sister Gifts - Part VI

Finally I want share Virginia's Secret Sister gift. She got this great plastic box filled with all types of goodies. These sharpies are perfect for coloring the SU pearls and gems - and inside - pearls and gems :) Plus this beautiful set of notecards! What a great gift. All of the Secret sister gifts were so nice - and several didn't receive theirs - so there may be more to come as the month goes on. Hope you enjoyed!

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

September Secret Sister Gifts - Part V

Okay - here is the Secret Sister gift that Sandy received - and I have to tell you - it got amazing oohs and aahs. First it came in this cool gift bag - then inside was this amazing book - can't wait to open it - and inside - it's hollowed out and inside a SECRET :) treat. It is an amazing and fun Halloween gift. It would be a great Stamp Camp.
Check back tomorrow - one more to go!

Monday, September 12, 2011

September Secret Sister Gifts - Part IV

Today I'm sharing two pictures of the beautiful Secret Sister gift that Maria received - It's an amazing set of beautiful Fall cards - so pretty!! Thanks for stopping by - more to come :)

Sunday, September 11, 2011

9-11 Tribute

Today, as I think of 10 years ago - I remember the horror I felt as I watched the events of 9-11 unfold on television. I think I was actually in shock. But what amazes me, is as I sit here and think about it - all of those horrible feelings come back. Sick in the pit of my stomach.

Please pray for the safety of our country. Please remember those who gave their lives in this awful tragedy. Please know this could happen again - and be ever vigilant. GOD BLESS AMERICA!

Saturday, September 10, 2011

September Secret Sister Gifts - Part III

Today I'm sharing Lyn's lovely (and yummy) gift from her Secret sister. I didn't get a picture of the packaging :( But inside was this cone filled with goodies, and the beautifully wrapped candy bars. Lyn LOVES mint, and I know some (if not all) of this candy was mint flavored and she was in heaven. Here's a close-up view of the candy cone -

Friday, September 9, 2011

September Secret Sister Gifts - Part II

The next gift I want to share was for Heidi from her Secret Sister - here it is - at first I thought it was a mouse pad cutely decorated - just by the shape and size. But lookey inside - it's a notepad with the letter "K" - her last initial. Pretty cool. And with it this decorated tube filled with these amazing little butterfly clips. Not your ordinary clips - but these have a cute little "C" shape. Nice!
Stop back tomorrow for day 3 of Secret Sister gifts.

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

September Secret Sister Gifts - Part 1

So starting today and for the next several days I'm going to share the wonderful projects that our secret sisters made for each other. We do these at our "All CSL's" quarterly meetings - and the ladies make such wonderful things. It is so much fun seeing all of the amazing creations. These are in no special order - so just enjoy the creativity! So first is this gift box that Bobbie received from her Secret Sister - so adorable - made from our cardstock and even better - it was filled this set of lovely notecards - made with the new in-colors. Just beautiful!
Be sure to check back tomorrow for Part 2!