Cheer Me Up Award

I was sent this award by my friend, Lainey. Thanks girl!! She is so sweet and talented - be sure to check out her blog Lainey's Altered Ego to see some of her work. Or you can come visit us over at her store's message board Go. Be Creative. She has the MOST awesome scrapping kits!!

I'm to tag 3 people now with this award as well. So, many to choose from, but since it is 3...3 it is.

Sandy - Hand Stamped by Me
Kimmie - We Luv Cardstock
Deedee - Stamping Cuz I Need T0

BTW - I finally got my laptop fixed and so I'll be able to post some cards to my blog again. I was so lost without my laptop and am SO glad to have it fixed!!

Sky Watch Friday (on Sunday)

Welcome to Sky Watch Friday!

How to participate in Sky Watch

1. Post your sky picture on your blog. You do not have to use a picture with only the sky in it and the picture can be taken whenever and not just on Friday.
2. Come to Strolling through Georgia and sign in on Mr. Linky
3. Enjoy the beautiful sky pictures of the other bloggers.

Again - I'm late, but I didn't take this picture until Sat. night. This is the historic Boone Hotel (Boonsboro, MD) after a fire Friday destroyed it. It is owned by the author Nora Roberts and her husband. It was in the midst of renovations and was set to open in June. Estimated damages are $2 million. While there isn't much of the sky - it is in the background. I took other pictures as well and was just astounished at the damage that was caused. Even buildings across the street were damaged from the heat.

Edited: The $2 million in damages estimate was for all 7 buildings that were part of the fire. I'm sure a good bit of that is tied up in this hotel, but the estimate given is for all buildings involved.

I've been perusing Dot's blog and love looking at her pictures. She hosts Sky Watch Friday, so if you want to participate feel free to do so!

Ok - so this is supposed to have been posted yesterday, but I forgot (even though I took the pictures earlier in the week!). These are in no way good pictures, but thought I'd share anyway. I love seeing different pictures and wish I had the proper skills to photograph, but alas I think I do better at making cards.
This pictures was actually taken during the day when it was snowing. If you look closely, you can see the snow on the tree. :)

Then as I was heading back inside, I thought this would make a great picture. I like how this one turned out. This is our flag and the tree in our front yard behind it. I need lots more practice and plan to try to take an 'outdoor' picture each day.

Blog Goodies I Won

The other week I participated in a blog candy contest on Kim's blog. Well, I won - ok so I think I won by default by hey...I'm not complaining!! Look at what everybody missed out on!! Yeah me!! Look at the goodies - Basic Grey rubons, metal charms, little itty bitty primas (in a cute prima tin), some Fall embellies, A Muse notecards, and that beautiful card Kim made. What a happy mail day it was! I was on my way out the door when I spotted the envy in my mailbox. I of course had to grab it and open it while I was driving (sshh - don't tell). Sad I know, but I couldn't wait! I did wait until I was at least at a stop sign or red light. :)

This is the above card up close so you can see it better. LOVE the colors and how the black really makes the whole card 'pop'!!

Thanks so much Kim for the awesome goodies and beautiful card!! I really appreciate it!

Christmas Decorations

Our tree - a bit tilted, but nonetheless it is standing and decorated. :)

Stockings hung with care and mantle decorations.

I love snowmen. This little guy was given to me by my DH a couple years ago.

This snowman was given to me by my best friend Carla. It sits in the middle of my mantle decorations. It is really sparkly IRL.

Well, those are just a couple of my Christmas decorations. Just thought I would share some of what we put up. I won't be posting again til after Christmas, so I would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year!! If you are traveling, may you have safe travels as well.

I've Been Tagged Again...

I've been tagged by Vicki aka SCS - Basement Stamper (Stamped Smiles) and Toni (Toni's Adventures in Stamping & Scrapbooking).

The rules of the game: Link to the person that tagged you and post the rules on your blog.

Share 7 random and/or weird facts about yourself on your blog, we all want to know them.

Tag 7 random people at the end of your post and include links to their blogs.

Seven things about me that I am sure that you didn't know and probably wish that you hadn't heard!!!!!

1. I'm afraid to be on a bridge that goes over water. My fear of going over the bridge and drowning inside my car is getting better, but still there.

2. I have to crack my neck at least once a day. It isn't painful at all - although the sound of it makes people think it is.

3. I love driving around at Christmas time to look at the different house decorations.

4. I'm a portion eater - I eat the items on my plate one at a time (ie: all my corn, then all my rice, then all the chicken - I don't mix the foods together either).

5. I don't balance my checkbook. Heck, I don't even right down in my checkbook register until usually 2-3 months after the fact.

6. I detest running. When I played volleyball in college, we had to run 3 miles under 30 minutes. Well, I had to run it twice because I didn't succeed the first time. The second time had me on the ground - made it just under the wire, but also was near vomitting too. I DETEST running!

7. I've had 2 broken bones my whole life. I broke my thumb in middle school by shutting it in a car door. I broke my middle toe by kicking at my younger sister - missed her, but landed square on the edge of the door (tried shutting her out of my room and kicking her at the same time).

Now, it is my turn to tag 7 random people....

Korin - Inky Doodle
Alison - Alison's Angelic Whispers
Karrie - Burnin' Rubber...rubber stamps that is
Ashley - Ashley's Creative Corner
Laura - Lu-La's Corner
Susan - SusieStampALot
Allison - Stampin' When I Can

And YOU!

A Muse Blog Candy (Erika's Blog)

You'll want to stop over at Erika's blog for a chance at A Muse blog candy. I have been wanting these alpha stamps of theirs for some time. Something about the polka dots I suppose - I just think they are too cute!!

Any way - be sure to go post and be entered for a chance to win them. While you are there, check out Erika's work. She has super cute designs posted.

I'll be back, hopefully tomorrow, with a card/project to post. I went cropping this past Saturday, but as with all my cropping adventures....I do more talking, shopping, browsing, etc than actual cropping. I don't mind though - I just love getting away and being with friends!! Oh yeah - it didn't help that I forgot things for 2 of the projects I brought to work on. Doh!!

Tagged

I was tagged by Michelle and thought I would do it now, while it's on my mind or I'm sure to forget. :) I had to do the following:
1. Link to the person that tagged you. (*check!*)
2. Post 7 random/weird facts about yourself on your blog (cause we all want to know how weird you are!).
3. Tag 7 people at the end and link to their blog.
4. Leave comments on each blog that you tag so that they know!

Seven Random Facts:

1. I've lived on the same street for almost my whole life.
2. I'm messy - yep no organization whatsoever here! I would love to, but just thinking of organizing all my junk is too tiresome!!
3. I always notice expired tags on license plates. Not sure why, but I always point them out to whomever is in the car with me.
4. I'm a sports fanatic! I watch more sports on tv than my DH.
5. I like Spongebob Squarepants. :) Yep - kind of addicting when my kids watch it and I hear in the background.
6. I hate the noise that is made when you scratch over jeans with your nails. It can be likened to someone running their nails down a chalkboard - but that doesn't bother me. Go figure!
7. When I was a baby, I had to wear a brace from my waist to my feet to get my hips in alignment. Yep - have those purty pics at my mom's!

Now I'm supposed to tag 7 others, but those that I was going to tag have recently been tagged. So, if you want to play along and you haven't been tagged - then consider yourself tagged by me!!

Blog Candy Winner

Congratulations to the blog candy winner!! I used random.org to select the number, which was 6. So, post #6 came from -

foodpartyfun said...
Hi Karen. Congrats on the success of your blog!Pat

So Pat - be sure to email me at knk75 @ aol . com (minus the spaces) with your mailing addy, so I can get your goodies out in the mail to you. Thank you to everyone who posted and visit my blog!! I really do appreciate having you stop by if just for a minute.

Blog Candy

Well - I see where I am nearing 15000 hits and I haven't done blog candy in some time, so I thought it would be a great time for some now! I have the blog candy shown above and will see what else I have that I can add to it (I tend to hoard my goodies, so I'm sure there is more around here).

Thanks to everyone who continues to visit my little 'ol blog in the blog world!!

So, what do you have to do to get in on the blog candy you ask?? Send me all your money!! LOL No - really, just leave a comment on this post saying hello and you'll be entered. The winner will be randomly drawn.

Oops - forgot to put when I would do the drawing. All names (no duplicates though) left here on this post by midnight Thursday (8/9) EST will be entered into the drawing.

Tagged

I was tagged by Shannon to post 7 things about myself - not sure how exciting my life is compared to others that I've read about, but here goes. :)

1. I'm the 6th out of 7 kids in my family.

2. I live 3 houses down from my parents (this can be both good and bad). :)

3. I work part-time in a clothing consignment shop.

4. I had to have my gall bladder out 6 months after my 2nd child was born.

5. I LOVE candy and junk food! So much so that when I was a kid, I had 12 cavaties at one dentist visit. My nieces (I only have 3 nephews and they don't hang out here much. :) love coming to my house - they say it is Aunt Karen's Candy Store!! :)

6. I'm a sports junkie! I love to watch almost any kind of sporting event on tv - better would be to attend a sporting event in person. My favorite *show* is SportsCenter on ESPN.

7. My favorite actor is Jim Carrey and I own almost all of his movies. I love his sense of humor!

So - there you go! Not a whole lot of exciting tidbits, but nonetheless - tidbits!!

Tagged

Ok, so I've been tagged. Not just once by 2 other bloggers (Sharlene at Sharlene's Craft Room and Kim at We Luv Cardstock). So, in turn I've tagged the following:

Jane at Jane's Addiction
Barb at No Ink Time
Sharon at My Own Little Stamping World
Julie at Julie Jean Designs and Doodliedoo
Dee at Stampin cuz I luv 2

So - be sure to check out their blogs and leave them some lovin'!!

Blog Candy

Not from me (yet - although be watching here soon for that), but from another friend's blog. Be sure to check out We Luv Cardstock for your chance at some great blog candy. While you're there be sure to check out the artwork they post. Beautiful work by themselves (Kim & Sandy), as well as friends of theirs!

I promise to post some things I've done. I've been a bit under the weather lately - with working I've been tired, but have also been battling migraines on a daily basis. Definitely hasn't been fun and has been limiting my computer time because of them. UGH! Just took Mackenzie to the doctor as well and they think she has strep throat. I'm on my way to go get her antibiotic in a bit as well. Poor little thing!

Stamps for a Cause

I know - I haven't posted any actual stamped items for some time. I have some things to post, but just haven't had the time to photograph and get them loaded to my computer. I've been so busy and when I do get some free time...I'm either checking emails or sleeping. :)

Anyway - I wanted to post this now 1) it's for a very worthy cause and 2) I don't have my pictures ready yet. :)

Autism - did you know that autism affects 1 in 150 children? That is one too many children affected! You need to check out GinaK Designs. She has a special set that she designed where a portion of the sales will be going towards Autism Speaks. Be sure to get your set today and help support such a worthy cause!!

2Jills - Lucky or Not Challenge?

Over at 2Jills there is a blog challenge. This week is to post about whether you feel you are Lucky or Not.

Well, for those who have been around me for the last week would have heard me say 'if I didn't have bad luck, then I'd have no luck' a ton of times! It just seemed like if something could go wrong it did. However, looking at life in general - I am very lucky.

- I have 3 wonderful children to love and cherish
- a great husband (for the most part ;) )
- awesome friends
- my parents close by to watch my kids, so I can work
- I'm able to stamp and scrapbook each week (albeit not a lot of time, but some)
- my brother came home for a visit (first time in 3 yrs)
- my sister is recovering from being very sick

So, overall - yes I am Lucky!! There are so many other things for which I am lucky as well - of course, this will start to become a noval if I keep going.

Ribbon, Oh My!

Yep - you're seeing it right...more ribbon!! This is the rest of the ribbon I ordered from Jody's ribbon share. If you want in on any ribbon shares, be sure to check out her blog and sign up for the updates. She does them frequently and she is awesome!! You definitely won't be disappointed!

Isn't this striped ribbon delicious!?!!! Or as my 2yo says - 'licious'!! *grin* I'm so excited and can't wait to cut into it - well, that may be awhile because I like to just keep my ribbon nice and neat for some time. :)

More Goodies

Ok - I have the absolute BEST friends evah!!! Seriously - my girls take care of me and know how to cheer me up!! This awesome assortment of goodies was sent to me by my best friend, Rachel (hey girl!!). I used to go to her house all the time so the kids could play (ok, so we could play really!). Then they moved for her DH's job. :( I've missed her terribly and the boys too! Thank you so much girl! You really have no idea how this made my day!!! THANK YOU!! I love all of these goodies and can't wait to play with them. And YES - I do plan to do a layout using the pictures you took ages ago of Trenton and I. I'll be sure to send them to you when I get them finished.

Thank you again girl - love ya!! Mwah!!!

Thank you Lynne!

I had a friend over the other day to stamp. We were working on swaps (I know - what else!). Anyway - she shows up at my house with all these goodies for me!!! I was totally shocked! I truly appreciate all the goodies Lynne! She got me stamps, Stickles, Glitter Gel Pens, candles, and a cute little pail that she put it all in.

I've been meaning to post this since she gave it to me, but life had other plans for me. So, thank you from the bottom of my heart Lynne!! *grin*

Ribbon and Ribbon and MORE Ribbon!!

Ok - so those that know me know I LOVE ribbon!! I use it on practically everything I create. Do you see the delilcious ribbon above?!?!!! I got all that gorgeous ribbon from Jody. Well, she is hostessing another ribbon share (bless her heart)!! So, if you want to get in on this great deal just visit her blog Confessions of a Ribbon Addict here. She also has a *striped* ribbon share and a Prima Flowers share going on now too! On top of all this - the girl is an awesome stamper to boot (she is a DD member on SCS - no surprise there though)!! You won't be disappointed!

Tagged

Ok - so on everyone's blog I've been reading about those who've been tagged. My monkey card was commented on by Kathy and she 'tagged' me. :)

A-Available or Taken: Definitely Taken (10 years this Oct.)

B-Best Friend: Rachel & Carla

C-Cake or Pie: Cake--yellow cake with chocolate icing

D-Drink of Choice: anything leaded (Dr. Pepper, Mt. Dew, Mr. Pibb, etc)

E-Essential Item You Use Everyday: my computer and cell phone

F-Favorite Color: Green

G-Gummy Bears or Worms: Bears

H-Hometown: Des Plaines, IL, but call Hagerstown, MD home

I-Indulgence: getting my nails done

J-January or February: February-Valentine's Day

K-Kids and Names: Madison, Mackenzie, & Trenton

L-Life is Incomplete Without: my wonderful family and friends

M-Marriage Date: 10/11/97

N-Number of Siblings: 6 (3 brothers & 3 sisters)

O-Oranges or Apples: Oranges

P-Phobias or Fears: heights, bridges over water, dying

Q-Favorite Quote: ?? Not sure I have a favorite quote

R-Reason to Smile: Watching my beautiful children laugh and play

S-Season: Fall/Winter, but now that I have kids...it is more Summer, so that they aren't couped up inside :)

T-Tag 3 or 4 people: ack--everyone I read has been tagged. . .how about Lynne Natasha Cheryl

U-Unknown fact about me: Not sure of anything - I'm pretty much an open book. :)

V-Vegetable you don't like: Lima Beans

W-Worst Habit: I'm sure I have plenty, but can't think of any right now

X-Xrays: Teeth, chest, hand, knees, back (yep - I'm falling apart. :)

Y-Your fave food: Seafood, but I won't pass up any Mexican, Italian, etc

Z-Zodiac: Cancer