Stampin' in OK

Finally made it to Las Vegas

2010-06-17T09:35:00.005-05:00

We finally arrived in Las Vegas after four...count them FOUR flight delays at 11:30pm PST...that's 1:30am Oklahoma time. My Mom and Dad had arrived in the early afternoon yesterday and patiently waited for us. It was so good to see them. It seems like FOREVER since we've been together and they are both doing well. Dad couldn't wait to show me how easily he could get around since he had both knees replaced. Dad being the "big" gambler that he is pulled out his receipt for his winnings...$12.52. He was playing the penny slot machines and walked away with a few more pennies than he started with.

We walked over to the Four Queens and had some dinner complete with Prime Rib for $9.95. After dinner Mom and Dad decided they were tired and headed back to the Golden Nugget (where we are staying) to go to bed.

Not me and Charlie...go to bed now???...we just got here. Off to search out a $5 black jack table. I guess inflation has hit Vegas so we were having a hard time finding any table for less than $10 minimum bet. Charlie suggested that we go to Fitzgerald's. We'd gambled there a little over 10 years ago when we came to Vegas to get married. So we headed that way. Woo Hoo....$5 blackjack tables. We had fun playing away and then found a $2 table...now that's more my speed, kinda like my Dad playing the penny slot machines. We were laughing and really having a good time. There was a 23 year old flight attendant playing at the table with us who had had a few too many bloody marys and NO idea how to play blackjack so as in normal Pam fashion I took her under my wing and quickly taught her when to hit and when to stay.

Now here's the BEST part. We were down about $60 and I was dealt 2 nines. The dealer had a face card showing and what do I do...split it. The dealer thought I was out of my mind. First card on my first 9, another 9, so what do I do, split it again. Got a face card. Good for me. Go to the 2nd 9. Get a 7 for the 2nd card. I'm staying. Go to the 3rd 9 what do I get, another 9. Of course I'm going to split it....I get another face card. Looking good with one more 9 to go. Dealer give me ANOTHER face card. Ok. I've got a lot of $$ on the table cause I had originally bet $6 on a $2 minimum table. Now all I had to do was hope the dealer didn't have a 10 or a face card. SHE HAD A 7!!!! WOO HOO!!!! I won on all but one of my hands. How lucky was that??? We played a few more hands continuing to win. I was getting kinda tired and suggested we head back to the Golden Nugget and turn in. We had $15 more in chips then we started. YEAH!!!

Heading back to the cashier window to cash in our chips we passed by the Roulette wheel and I thought...HMMMM...how many 9's did I get dealt? A BUTT LOAD!!! So I thought, I need to place a bet. I decided to put $5 on the 9 and $50 on the red because the 9 was a red number. There was a young guy that had just sat down at the roulette table and said he was going to do exactly what I did. I told him I don't promise anything...away the little white marble goes on the wheel, waiting, waiting, waiting....lands on the 3...which is guess what color??? RED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I doubled my $50. I took my chips and I...

WALKED AWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Today we really have no plans but to just fly by the seat of our pants...my favorite thing to do. Later this afternoon we are going to head for Oceanside, CA to go to Camp Pendelton and see Michael graduate from the Navy's FMTB school on Friday morning. I'm really looking forward to seeing him. I brought my card reader and will post some pics of the gradation and of him.

Off to get cleaned up for a fun day in Las Vegas!!!!

Stampin' Up Friends

2010-01-11T00:23:00.003-06:00

It was so nice to see so many of my SU Girlfriends. It's been close to a year and a half since I've seen most of these ladies. They are all such great friends and it was as if i saw them last week. We just picked up where we left off the last time we were together.

Leadership Quilt Samples

2010-01-11T00:08:00.002-06:00

I had so much fun in warm sunny Phoenix, AZ where I attended Stampin' Up!'s annual Leadership Conference. One of the areas Stampin' Up! highlighted was using our Bigshot die cut machine in the textile market. Here are a couple of pictures of quilts made using the Bigshot to die cut the elements on the quilts. The beauty of using the BigShot is that you can cut through 8 pieces of material with a standard die and 3 pieces of material with a scored die. No more hand cutting!!!

If you are a quilter and would like to see how the BigShot could help you, please call or email me and we can set up a time for me to demo this FABULOUS machine.

Tomorrow night I'll showcase some of my card swaps I received.

December Club Card #3 & 4

2009-12-06T23:54:00.002-06:00

I had to take a break to get the Christmas Tree decorated. We still have to get a new tree skirt to match the NEW ornaments Alyssa & I have been gathering for the last couple of weeks.

Finally got back into the stamp room to finish up the cards for club.

Card #3 is a TOTAL CASE from Barb Mullikin. I loved the idea of using pastels on the dry embossed image. I used a Versamarker to color the embossed image before I put the chalk on so I get a Poppin' Pastels look. I used Curvy Verses for the greeting...one of my favorite staple stamp sets.

For Card #4 I decided we needed to do some more dry embossing so I used the Damask texture pad. The colors are Rich Razzleberry, Mellow Moss, & Whisper White. I used Thoughts and Prayers stamp set. Because I love bling bling I sprayed the textured Rich Razzleberry pieces with a rubbing alcohol Platinum Shimmer paint mixture.

December Club Card #2

2009-12-06T17:44:00.004-06:00

Here's card #2 for Stamp Club on December 12th. This card was inspired by Jackie Langdon. The color combo is Night of Navy, Creamy Caramel, and Bordering Blue. I used Sense of Time, Itty Bitty Backgrounds and Grateful Greetings Stamp Sets. I embellished this card with Vanilla HodgePodge Hardware & Night of Navy Grosgrain Ribbon. This card will be made my the card making group of my Stamp Club. Back to the stamp table to make card #3....

Getting Ready For December's Stamp Club

2009-12-06T15:28:00.002-06:00

I've got the stamp room allllllll cleaned out and I'm a stamin' away today. I finished the first sample for my stamp club that meets on Saturday (December 12th. I used the Wanted & Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp sets for the first card. The card is Natural Ivory, Cameo Coral, Chocolate Chip, and Certainly Celery. I also used Pewter Jumbo Eyelets & Linen Thread. This card was deigned by Tammy Fite. I made a few minor changes to her design...so does that make it my design now?? I don't think so on this one...hehe...

Blog Facelift

2009-11-19T02:26:00.003-06:00

5 hours later and I've given my blog a facelift. I used my new Stampin' Up! My Digital Studio to create the header, and body of my blog. I still have lots of work to figure all of this out...but I must get to bed as I have work work work tomorrow.

I'm really trying to get into a festive mood. Christmas will be here before you know it.

My 1st Digital Page

2009-11-01T23:22:00.002-06:00

What a crazy weekend it's been. Alyssa finally got to have her sleepover birthday party. Because it was October 30th we decided to have everyone where their Halloween costumes and do our scavenger hunt at the mall in costume and then head to the movie in costume too. We had a GREAT time and Alyssa said it was the best birthday party ever.

I decided to open up the box that arrived on Friday and install my new My Digital Studio software from Stampin' Up!. It was so easy to use. I created this page in about 20 minutes. I know there's so much more that I can do, I just have to figure out all of the extra stuff.

OU/TX Weekend

2009-10-16T18:26:00.002-05:00

We finally made it to Dallas for the big game. tx is favored by 3 but that doesn't mean anything...OU is going to WIN!!!!!

So....what's a girl to do...an entire weekend with her best friend and love of her life Charlie.

Gas to get to Dallas and home $65

Hotel room at the Anatole for 2 nights $400

Tickets to the OU vs tx Game - $600

A weekend with my amazingly wonderful husband....PRICELESS!!!!

BOOMER SOONER!!!!

One More....

2009-10-15T23:34:00.002-05:00

Back to the stamp room I went and here's what I came up with. Thank goodness for DSP...even retired DSP. Sometimes I have to remember that simplicity is OK. That's what my dear friend and upline Susan Carruth would tell me. I sure hope my boss likes his card. And I hope he doesn't think I think less of him because his card is so simple and his bosses bosses card is so fancy.

That's all I have tonight. We leave tomorrow morning for Dallas to go to the OU vs TX game...Boomer Sooner!!!! I will have lots of stamping to do when I get home to get ready for McFarlin on Wednesday and Stamp Club on Saturday. Busy busy week for me next week.

Tomorrow is Bosses Day....

2009-10-15T22:27:00.002-05:00

Today my boss came to me and asked me to make a card for his boss. He asked me if I could make it bigger than a standard card...and I told him of course I can make one and yes I can make one bigger than a standard card. So....I thought and thought and thought....what set to use, what does Tim (my bosses boss) like....what colors should I use...ARG....I showed my boss Sense of Time and then I flipped a few more pages and landed on Lovely As A Tree...that was the set he wanted me to use. Of couse I LOVE this set. It was the very first Stampin' Up! set I purchased. The oak tree was what he wanted me to use. So I got home from my evening at gymnastics with Alyssa and dinner with my family and started. It all came together so smoothly. Thank goodness cause I was soooooo stinkin' worried. I have something I came up with...no CASEing. Finally....a spark of creativity.

Demo Blunder

2009-10-14T23:42:00.002-05:00

I've often wondered what the worst possible blunder I could make as a demonstrator and tonight I think I figured it out.

It started off this morning when I broke a nail. I texted my wonderful nail lady and she told me to come by after work and she'd fix my nail. You see, normally I'd of just blown it off, but we are going to Dallas this weekend for the OU vs TX game...Boomer Sooner!!!! and I couldn't go with a broken nail. So I decided to leave work a few minutes early to try and beat the traffic. Well, I think every moron on this earth was traveling south on I44. They were driving like they had no where to go and all day to get there. Ok...I made it to the salon by 5pm. I knew I'd be cutting is close to get to my Academy class that started at 7pm but I was really prepared this time and had everything ready to go (at least I thought I did). I got home at 5:45 and knew I'd have to leave by 6pm so I could set up and be ready to greet my students. Oh ya, I need to stop by Walgreens to pick up some cotton balls because we are doing polished stone. I loaded my Expedition up and off I went. Stoped at Walgreens...even had time to swing through Starbucks. Got to McFarlin and got everything set up. I was so excited because I felt I did a great job picking cards that my students would LOVE to make. Then it hit me...

OH NO!!!!!! I FORGOT THE BAG WITH ALL OF THE MAKE & TAKE PACKETS IN THE GARAGE AT MY HOUSE!!!!!!

What on earth am I going to do. Ok...don't panic. You brought extra card stock...OH NO!!! I FORGOT MY PAPER TRIMMER AT THE HOUSE TOO!!!!

OK...call my Amazing Husband Charlie. I was praying he was at home already, but he wasn't. "Please leave the store now and go home get my bag with the make & take kits in them and bring them down to me...pleaseeeeeee". And being the amazing husband he is he left the store drove home, got my bag, and drove them down to McFarlin. How lucky am I to have such a loving and supportive husband.

I think my students were pleased with the cards we made and felt it was worth the 30 minute wait until the make & take kits arrived.

Note to self.....Make sure I have my make & take kits before I leave my house....hehe.

OK...so I got home, happy a a clam that all turned out well tonight despite the worst blunder a demo could make and I realized I didn't have a birthday card made up for my boss who's birthday is tomorrow. He loves getting my hand stamped cards. I make them for everyone in my department and pass the card around for my co-workers to sign. I was pretty tired and thought...I have to have a card I could use to give him...looked through all the cards I had and I wasn't pleased. So....off to the stamp room to make a card, but try not to take 2 hours to come up with it and make it. Thank goodness for DSP. I pulled out some of my favorite masculine DSP from last year and quick wipped this card up. I sure hope he likes it.

It's midnight and I must get to bed. Take care & happy stamping!!!!

BOOMER SOONER!!!!!

McFarlin Academy Samples - Week 3

2009-10-12T23:29:00.004-05:00

I have been having so much fun teaching creative card making at McFarlin UMC's Fall Academy. I have 11 students and they have all stamped before. Because they've all stamped before we are able to do more cards then if we had new stampers. This week we are focusing on some of my favorite techniques, embossing, emboss resist, polished stone, and crayon resist. Becuase my schedule is so crazy with me working full time and doing my Stampin' Up! business part time I have to copy a lot of the projects we do. I get my ideas and inspiration from several sites to include SUDSOL and Splitcoast. I wanted to share the cards we'll be making Wednesday night because I am really excited about my buddies being able to enjoy making these cards.

Deal of the Week - Week 2

2009-10-12T23:10:00.013-05:00

Stampin' Up! announced this weeks Deal of the Week. This special is good from October 12, 10:00 AM (MT) through October 19, 9:50 AM (MT). You can order these items by contacting me or ordering online at www.stampinpam.stampinup.net.

Flower Burst Stampin’ Up! Embosslits Die
Regular Price: $11.95
Sale Price: $5.99

Item #114515

Perfect Setting Stampin’ Up! Bigz Xl Die
Regular Price: $42.95
Sale Price: $25.99

Item #115961

Three Tier Cake Pop-Up Bigz Xl
Regular Price: $39.95
Sale Price: $25.49

Item #116760

McFarlin - Week 3

2009-10-11T23:33:00.003-05:00

Just finished cutting all of the card stock for week 3 of McFarlin's Fall Academy. This week we will be using our heat tools, alcohol, and crayons to learn some fun new techniques. The stampers will be making 2 cards featuring heat embossing, 1 card featuring emboss resist, 1 card featuring crayon resist (thank goodness Alyssa has lots of crayons...hehe) and 1 card featuring polished stone. I will try to get pictures of the samples tomorrow and post them tomorrow night after we get home from the OKC Thunder Basketball Game. I was truly inspired by cards I received at Regionals and a few from SUDSOL and Splitcoast.

Off to bed...I'm soooooo tired tonight. Catch ya all tomorrow.

Pam

Big Shot Pillow Box Die Basket

2009-10-11T12:11:00.008-05:00

Here is a cool basket made using the Pillow Box Big Shot die. It takes three pillow boxes to make these adorable baskets. The bottom of the basket is created by taking two strips of card stock put in the bottom to form an X and then a cirlce piece to complete the bottom.

You can create the circle using your Circle Scissor Plus or the Clear Circle Big Shot die. This will be one of the projects for my upcoming Big Shot Stamp Camp that will be heald in November.

Deal of the Week is back....

2009-10-11T01:33:00.006-05:00

Stampin' Up! has brought back their Deal Of The Week promotion for the month of October. This week's deal includes the Trio Flower Punch, 5 Petal Flower Punch, and My Way Punch for $10.99 each.

The prices for this weekly deal are good until Sunday, October 11th. Click here to place an order.

http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/stampinpam/

I'm BACK!!!!!

2009-10-10T21:17:00.014-05:00

Many of you have told me that I need to update my blog. I know....I know....What a looser I am. Well, I just got back from a fun quick trip to Wichita, KS where I attended the Stampin' Up! Regional Convention. We saw lots of very cool new stampin' techniques and I'm looking forward to sharing them with all of you in the days and weeks to come.

Janna Hall and Kelly Worner made the 2 1/2 hour drive from OKC to Wichita and we enjoyed discussing lots of cool ideas for our Stampin' Up! businesses. My dear friend Adrian Mondy from Maryland was visiting her son who is in the Air Force and stationed in Wichita joined us at the regionals despite her being sick with a sinus infection/head cold. It was so good to see her!!!

Me & Adrian Mondy

Me & Janna

Me & Shannon West (Stampin' Up! presenter)

Janna Hall, Me, Adrian Mondy, Melissa Riker, Kelly Worner

2009-07-17T23:47:00.001-05:00

Find more videos like this on Navy For Moms

Long time...No Post

2009-07-17T22:29:00.004-05:00

It's been forever since I've blogged. I've been so caught up in trying to get Mike ready to head off to the Navy I've not had much time for anything. He shipped out on Monday (7/13) and has now completed his 4th day of Basic Training. You just don't realize how much you are going to miss them until they are actually gone no matter how much of a pain in the behind they are. I've not heard from Mike since the text I received from him at 9:03 pm on Monday night. I've carried my phone with me 24x7 but no phone call yet. I'm trying to be as patient as I can be. I'm looking forward to attending his PIR (Pass-in-review otherwise known as graduation) on or around 9/11.

I am so proud of Mike for his decision to volunteer to defend our rights as Americans and to keep us FREE.

Here's a couple of pictures I took at his swearing in ceremony at MEPS. I was so impressed with the Naval officer that swore them in. He talked with the men and women swearing in about the importance of pursuing higher education once they reach their duty stations. He told them that the reason our countries military has been so successful is because it is an all volunteer military.

Retired Stamp Set Garage Sale

2009-06-30T21:15:00.002-05:00

The new catalog year begins tomorrow and I need to make room for the new stamp sets I'll need to order for stamp club & workshops. What should I do with all of those awesome stamp sets that are retired??? How about a GARAGE SALE?!?!?!?!?!

When: Saturday, July 4th

Time: 8:ooam- 11:00am

Where: Pam' s House (email me for address & directions)

How does it work: All stamp sets will be priced at 20% off of the retail price. I will take the total amount of the retired stamp sets you want to purchase and multiply it by 50%. That 50% will be given to you in credit to purchase out of the new catalog.

WOW!!! What a great deal. Looking forward to seeing you on Saturday. I can't think of a better way to celebrate our nations Birthday than a stamp sale!!!

New Catalog Poll - BLOG CANDY!!!

2009-06-29T22:08:00.002-05:00

For those of you who have received your new Stampin' Up! Idea Book & Catalog I'm sure you've gone through it with a fine tooth comb and found lots of sets an products that you love and can't wait to get. So here's my poll....

Which set is your mot FAVORITE new stamp set?

Which stamp set is the UGLIEST new stamp set?

Just post a comment to this post between now and July 10th and I will draw for a winner who will receive some cool NEW stuff from the catalog.

If you've not received your catalog yet, PLEASE call or email me and I'll get one right to you.

Thanks...and Happy Stamping!!!

Pam

Mike's Senior Prom - TONIGHT!!!

2009-05-09T20:45:00.009-05:00

This week is Mike's week. It seems like yesterday that I was at the hospital in Fort Lewis, Washington giving birth to him and tonight he's attending his Senior Prom. The last 48 hours have been very interesting, stressful, unbelievable, and at time entertaining.

There's not much to getting the male ready for prom. I enjoyed just sitting in Mike's room with him this afternoon and chillin' with him...visisting...laughing...and at times picking at him. He hats it when I pull the hair on his legs...hehe. I helped him button the buttons on his sleeves and put his tie on. He was almost all dressed and remembered that he needed to brush his teeth (Dr Stevens would be proud). So he carefully brushed his teeth being sure not to drip toothpaste on his black shirt or pants. He held back his green tie to keep it from getting wet or stained with toothpaste too.

WOW...how handsome he looked. I was so proud...and a little sad too. The reality of it all is that my baby boy is grown up. It didn't hit me until tonight. HE'S ALL GROWN UP!!!

We went out in the front yard and took some pictures of Mike alone. He headed to Miranda's to pick her up and bring her back to the house so we could finish the pictures. I sat patiently in the livingroom working on my scrapbook page planning for the upcoming retreat I'm attending next weekend when the kids pulled up. Miranda opened the door and stepped out and WOW...SHE WAS BEAUTIFUL!!!! Not that she's not normally beautiful because she is so stinkin' cute. She looked so grown up and like a beauty queen. I immediately got up grabbed my camera and charged out the front door. She was beaming and smiling ear to ear. Mike had to go into the house to get his iPod so I took the opportunity to take some pictures of Miranda by herself. She's so photogenic and a great poser.

Mike finally came back out and I took the yet more pictures of the two of them together. They make such an adorable couple. That's about all I'm going to say about it because I don't want to jinx anything.

Mike unlocked the car and opened the door for his prom date. I took a few more pictures of the two of them in the car and then had my Mom talk with the two of them. Reminding them to be careful and on their best behavior. I also reminded them both that they are not 21 and no alcohol should be consumed by either of them. I took one last picture of them and watched them drive off. I sure hope they have a great time tonight and it be a night that neither of

ever forget. I love both of these kids very much and have prayed for them to have fun tonight and return home safely.

Some of Mike's Sr Pics

2009-05-08T22:14:00.007-05:00

Just thought I'd share a few of Mike's senior pictures we had done a few weeks ago. Sara gave me permission to post these on my blog. She's a GREAT photographer and i HIGHLY recommend her. She's going to do a photo shoot of Alyssa in the near future. If you are needing to have some pictures done give Sara a call. She's listed on my blog list.

More Michael Stuff...

2009-05-08T22:07:00.002-05:00

It's been quit a week for Michael. I should have posted this first as this was the first shocker for me this week. Michael decided to get his first tattoo. Although I am not thrilled with the idea of my child..who's really an adult by law...having a tattoo...but I can say at least it isn't a skull and crossbones or a naked girl. Most of my friends who I shared this picture with thought it was very nice, but Mom would have preferred it be a painting on a canvas than a tattoo on my son's arm. Oh well, not much I can do about it now. It's there FOREVER. His Grandmother and I joked that if something were to happen to him and he be decapitated at least we could ID him...bad joke I know...but true.

The Many Hair Colors of Michael

2009-05-08T21:32:00.003-05:00

Today was Mike's High School Graduation Robing Ceremony. His Grandma Julie and I went to rob him. Julie & I showed up at 12:30 just like Mike asked us to and he was no where to be found. He was suppose to go get his hair trimmed, change clothes, and meet us at Southeast. I started texting him asking where in the world he was. He was seriously stressed and told me that his hair was jacked up. He went to a local hair school...that I will not mention the name of....and decided to get his hair colored too. What the world was he thinking...hours before his Robing Ceremony and the day before his Senior Prom. I thought...how bad could it be?...he's probably just overreacting. Well, in he walks and OH NO!!!!!! His hair was a redish orange. I couldn't help but snicker...as did his Grandmother. He was so stressed out and worried that everyone was going to laugh and make fun of him. He was a nervous wreck. He said he didn't even want to do the robing. I told him that he made the bad choice to try something totally different with is hair and that he WAS going to rob and he would have to deal with whatever came of the poor choice. As we sat and waited for his turn to go up on stage and have Julie place his cap on his head and me put his rob on him, I started texting everyone I could think of to try to get him in this afternoon to FIX the flaming red hair he was now sporting. Shelley, Angela, Becky...Shelley (my hair stylist) texted me back and said one of the girls in her salon could give it a shot. Becky also texted me that one of the stylist at the salon she goes to could try to fix it too. Off to Shelley's salon he went. When he walked through the door tonight I was relieved that he no longer had flaming red hair. Although it's not what his natural hair color is it's a DEFINATE improvement over the redish orange hair color.

Here's the pictures before the color, after the student color, and after the professional FIX color. Oh ya...and he also had himself spray tanned so he has a bit of an orange glow to his skin now. Hope it fades a little before tomorrow.

Tag You're It!!!!!

2009-05-06T22:45:00.004-05:00

Crazy Eights!!!!!
Once your tagged you fill out your eights! So read to the bottom and see if I tagged YOU!

8 Things I am looking forward to:
1. Scrapbook Retreat in Hinton
2. Mike's graduation
3. Friday at 5pm
4. A trip to Eastern OK cabins with CB

5. Watching the finale of Celebrity Apprentice
6. Watching the finale of Biggest Looser
7. Seeing my buddy Adrian over Memorial Day weekend
8. Alyssa's baptism

8 Things I did yesterday:
1. Worked
2. Had lunch with my SIL Susie
3. Went to a grilling class with Charlie at CHK
4. Watched Biggest Looser
5. Washed a load of towels
6. Played games on my iPhone
7. Surfed the internet
8. Talked to Mom & Dad on the phone

8 Things I wish I could do:
1. Play softball like I did when I was 16
2. Stamp Stamp Stamp
3. Completely redecorate my house
4. Travel to CA to see my family 4 times a year
5. Sing as beautifully as my dear friend Becky

6. Take my son's pain and anger away
7. Work a 20 hour a week at CHK
8. Loose 40 pounds by my class reunion in October

8 Shows I watch:
1. Biggest Loser
2. Celebrity Apprentice

3. Dancing with the Stars
4. Days of Our Lives
5. Hanity America
6. The O'Reilly Factor
7. CSI Miami
8. Law & Order SVU

8 Friends I am tagging: ( if you have done this before ignore me)

1. Adrian Monday

2. Lisa Freeman

3. Kelly Thompson

4. Jeana Sorrells

5. Becky Brum

6. Sara

7. Linda Hansen

8. Shannon Plumb

Princess In Need of a King - PINK

2009-05-03T20:33:00.004-05:00

Saturday I spent the afternoon with one of my bestest friend Janna. She invited me to attend a PINK luncheon at her church. I wasn't sure what to expect and WOW...when we walked in I was very impressed. Everything was decorated in pink girly decor. I wasn't sure what this luncheon was all about, but when I left I definitely understood. PINK stands for Princess In Need of a King. We are all princesses...no matter what...we are God's princesses and He loves us for who we are. They showed videos of PINKing people. It was like publisher's clearing house with pink balloons and a gift bag. To see the reactions of the different ladies on the video being PINKed definitely gave me the warm fuzzy feeling inside. I'm so glad I went and am looking forward to going again with Janna in August.

Alyssa's Stamping Itch

2009-04-26T23:16:00.002-05:00

Alyssa was pretty bored tonight and really wanted to stamp. She spent the night with one of her bestest friends on Saturday night and I told her it would be appropriate to send her girlfriend a thank you card. She picked up my Stampin' Up! catalog and started thumbing through it. She loves the Just Jawing stamp set and loves the sample card that's in the catalog. So off to the stamping studio we went. I cut the circles with my new circle cutter and Alyssa did everything else. Only 11 more years until I can sign her up to be a demonstrator...woo hoo.

She wanted to keep stamping so I pulled out one of my old make & take kits and she made her own versions of my owl card. I showed her how to use the blender pen and coloring in the owls kept her busy for a while.

My Weekend

2009-04-26T19:56:00.004-05:00

What an awesome weekend I've had.

Friday night stamping with my sister from different parents Janna. Saturday morning started out with cleaning out the garage and helping Alyssa with a lemonade stand.

Alyssa was so funny. Initially when she wanted to do the lemonade stand I told her no because I didn't want her to be disappointed when no one purchased any lemonade from her. So I suggested that we make up some lemonade and take a glass to our neighbors who were working so hard in their yards. It was very warm and they were very thankful for the glass of lemonade. Janna showed up and Alyssa told her about how she really wanted to do a lemonade stand and Janna told Alyssa what a great idea it was. ARG...so a lemonade stand we set up. A young man walked up to Alyssa's table and wanted to purchase 2 glasses o lemonade. Alyssa was about to do cartwheels as she actually had a customer...and he was only suppose to pay $1...but put $10 in her box. She ended up selling 2 pitchers of lemonade. She kept yelling out "Lemonade...Sugar Free Lemonade....Made With Fresh Lemons" I yelled out to her that our lemonade was not made with "Fresh Lemons". It was definitely a day to remember.

In the late afternoon I made a trip to Basket Market, and dinner at Outback with my SIL Susan and friend Janna. Today we went to church and when we got home had some great nap time. Before dinner I asked my DH Charlie to put up my towel rods for my punch storage I'd gotten from Ikea. I had been asking for several weeks and Charlie didn't really want to put them up because of the holes that would have to be put in the wall. He finally gave in today and together we hung five 39 1/2" rods. WOW...how good it looks. All of my punches fit with extra room for future punches Stampin' Up! comes out with. Can't wait to finish the organization of my stamp studio. Next organizational project...card stock & DSP storage.

Jaron's Color Challenge

2009-04-25T13:46:00.002-05:00

I'm so excited that Jaron has issued a color challenge. My good friend Janna (my sister from different parents) was over last night and we pulled out some Soft Sky, Old Olive, & Taken with Teal. I wasn't so sure about this combo, but once I pulled the card stock and laid it out WOW...how pretty. So we stared stamping away and here's what we came up with.

Pam's Cards

Janna's Cards

Thanks Jaron for the challenge. It's been FOREVER since I stamped just for the sake of stamping.

Sample Pictures As Promised

2009-04-21T21:35:00.002-05:00

As promised here are the pictures of the projects we made last night. Two of them I CASED from my dear friend Lisa Freeman's blog, one I CASED from Splitcoast and two I came up with on my own.

Downline Meeting

2009-04-20T22:57:00.003-05:00

I want to thank all of my downline that was able to make it to my meeting tonight. Due to life, I've not been able to have my monthly team meetings. I've missed seeing all of my friends/downline. I decided that tonight we were going to really play with the Big Shot. I've been so busy that I've not really had the time to play and my Big Shot had been pouting...hehe. We made 4 cards and a match box. The ladies LOVED everything we made. My camera battery is totally DEAD so i can't take any pictures of the projects, but I will charge it up tonight and try to take some pics tomorrow so you can see what all we made.

I want to thank Linda, "Queen Bee" Becky, Kelly W., Kathy, & Janna for coming to stamp with me tonight. For those of you that had planned to come and something came up just know I MISSED YOU!!!

We are not going to meet in May because there is just no way I can pull it off. We will meet back up in June and back by popular demand...SHOE BOX SWAPS!!!! Watch for more info on my June Team meeting next month. If you're not part of my Stampin' Up! team and are interested in learning more about the wonderful Stampin' Up! opportunity think about attending my June meeting and learn more about being a Stampin' Up! demonstrator.

Chesapeake Energy Father Daughter Ball

2009-04-18T22:26:00.004-05:00

Last night Alyssa and Charlie attended the Chesapeake Energy Father Daughter Ball. I left the office a few hours early to take Alyssa to the salon to get her hair done and a quick manicure. WOW....she looked radiantly beautiful. She and her Daddy enjoyed a dinner together in the Chesapeake restaurant, The WildCat, that consisted of chicken nuggets and mac & cheese. They know what those kiddos like to eat...hehe. After dinner she went on a carriage ride with her Daddy, Uncle Dave, and cousins Breezy & Bailey. Uncle Dave works at Chesapeake in the Operations department while I work in the IT department. After their carriage ride they headed to the dance. Alyssa and her Daddy practiced dancing for two nights before the ball and had fun cutting a new rug together. Alyssa wore a beautiful Red dress with white polkadots. What a great thing Chesapeake does for our families by offering these kind of special events. Aubrey McClendon, CEO & co-founder of Chesapeake and his wife stopped by to check out the girls & their Daddies. I know Alyssa will always remember her special evening with her Daddy.

Stamp Club Samples

2009-04-07T21:11:00.006-05:00

We had another fun stamp club this last Saturday. I'm trying to do a better job of posting the samples from club so my club members can mail off the cards they make and still have the samples available electronically.

The three cards were CASED from Dannie Graves, Mary Fish, & Vivian Swain. All three of these ladies are extremely creative and I'm so grateful they share their creations.

I love Easter scrapbook pages. They are always so bright & cheerful. Several of the pages that were made included glittered eggs. They were so pretty.

We are already working on our next club meeting. 3 of the 4 cards are designed and I've got some good ideas for the scrapbook pages. Check back in the next few days to see some of the samples.

Take care & happy stamping!!!!

Pam's Big Shot Special - April/May

2009-04-05T18:44:00.003-05:00

20% OFF OF THE BIG SHOT STARTER KIT OR BIG SHOT STARTER KIT WITH BAG

Here's what you get in each kit:

Big Shot Starter Kit:

Big Shot Die-Cut Machine

Multipurpose Platform and Standard Cutting Pads

2 Stampin’ Up! Exclusive Bigz Dies (Scallop Envelope and Top Note)

1 Stampin’ Up! Exclusive Sizzlits 4-Pack (Birds & Blooms)

1 Stampin’ Up! Exclusive Decorative Strip (Decorative Strip Billboard)

Decorative Strip Cutting Pads and Extended Spacer Platform

Big Shot Starter Kit April/May Pricing:

April/May Special Retail Price with Tax & Shipping $192.77

April/May Special 4 month club price with Tax & Shipping - $48.25

Big Shot Starter Kit with Bag:

Big Shot Die-Cut Machine

Multipurpose Platform and Standard Cutting Pads

2 Stampin’ Up! Exclusive Bigz Dies (Scallop Envelope and Top Note)

1 Stampin’ Up! Exclusive Sizzlits 4-Pack (Birds & Blooms)

1 Stampin’ Up! Exclusive Decorative Strip (Decorative Strip Billboard)

Decorative Strip Cutting Pads and Extended Spacer Platform

Doctors Bag

Big Shot Starter Kit April/May Pricing:

April/May Special Retail Price with Tax & Shipping $255.73

April/May Special 4 month club price with Tax & Shipping - $63.95

Clubs will have to be formed in groups of 4. If the club is the way you want to purchase your Big Shot, your order will be delivered at the end of the 4th month. If you are interested please call or email me. Thanks & happy stamping!!!

Get Connected Campaign = FREE STAMPS

2009-04-04T22:33:00.007-05:00

GET CONNECTED PROMOTION

Dates: April 1-30, 2009

Promotion Details

Customers
Spend $40 on Occasions Mini Catalog products and choose any one item from the "Under $10" page in the Spring-Summer 2009 Idea Book & Catalog for free.

Hostesses
Hold a workshop of $150 or more and choose any one item from the "Under $10" page in the Spring-Summer 2009 Idea Book & Catalog for free. For every $150 spent at the workshop, the hostess will receive another "Under $10" item.

Pictures from Disneyland

2009-04-04T21:12:00.007-05:00

We've been home or almost two weeks and I'm finally getting around to posting a few of our pics from Disneyland. We had so much fun and it will be a vacation to remember for sure. I'm so glad my niece Kolbi was able to go to Disneyland with us. She's a special little girl.

We arrived at Disneyland on Wednesday evening. We checked into the Disneyland Hotel and headed for Downtown Disney to grab a bite to eat and just check it out. We ate on the patio at the Rain Forrest Cafe. The food was great as always and the girls had so much fun just laughing and being girls. After we ate we decided to check out some of the stores. They had a Build A Bear and Kolbi had never been so in we went. Alyssa showed Kolbi how it all worked and Kolbi made a Golden Retriever and named her Bell. She also got Belle's yellow gown from Beauty & The Beast to dress her dog in. Alyssa got a bunny rabbit and named her Kolbi...hehe...she got the Snow White outfit and we got done just as the store was closing. We went back to the hotel and got a good night sleep as we knew Thursday would be a long day at Disneyland.

We got up early and was at the gate to enter Disney at 9am. We purchased lanyards for the girls and some trading pins to trade with the Disney cast members. Alyssa was amazed and thought Disneyland was so cool. Most of the ride wait times were less that 30 minutes which made for a very enjoyable day at Disneyland. We rode all of the rides we'd marked with Splash Mountain being the next to last ride. We waited the longest for Splash Mountain and Kolbi & I got the front of the log. I was not too excited about this ride as I knew there was a chance we'd get wet. Well, wet is an understatement. I had to ride in the VERY front...and when we got off the ride I didn't have one square inch of my clothes that wasn't wet...Kolbi too. We were both WET RATS. We decided it was time to head back to the hotel but decided we could squeeze in one last ride....so we rode the Jungle Ride as it only had a 10 minute wait time. Throughout the day, the girls traded pins all through the park with the cast members always hunting for Hidden Mickey pins . We were all EXHAUSTED and slept like babies.

We didn't get up quit as early on Friday but still made it over to California Adventure Park by 10 am. We really enjoyed the park and our favorite ride was California Screamin'...a FAST and smooth roller coaster that I could have rode a dozen times and not gotten tired of it. I was worried Alyssa would chicken out as the roller coaster had a loop and Alyssa was not so sure about going upside down. SHE LOVE IT!!!!! Another fun thing we did at California Adventure Park was go to the Bugs Live 3D show. It was so cool and I actually think it's considered a 4D show as it included our sense of touch and smell. We were squirted with water and the stink bug blew a big stinky at us....and it smelled just like a real stink bug. How did they do that??

I hope we will be able to take Alyssa back to Disneyland or even Disney World again soon. It was the best vacation ever.

My New Grandpuppy - LUCKY

2009-04-04T18:56:00.004-05:00

While I was away over Spring Break in California my son Mike & his girlfriend Miranda rescued a dog from the Moore animal shelter. Her name is Lucky and she got that name because she's so lucky that they rescued her. My grandpuppy came to visit me this afternoon. Lucky is has a black shinny coat and a white chest. She's really really pretty and very good natured. She and my Boston Terrier Cookie hit it off. But Cookie wanted to make sure Lucky knew she was the queen and Lucky was the princess. Of course Lucky is way way bigger than Cookie, but Lucky respected Cookie's standing in our home. They chased each other all over the living room. Mike and Miranda also brought Lucky's big throw pillow over and Cookie very quickly took possession of it despite the fact that it wasn't hers. I am just blown away by how good and CALM Lucky is. I have really enjoyed her visit today and I hope she comes to visit Grandma Pam again soon.

Stamp Club on Saturday

2009-04-02T18:58:00.002-05:00

I'm so excited about Stamp Club. I feel so bad because we had to cancel last weekend due to the potential blizzard that was suppose to hit OKC that brought us a beautiful dusting of snow. The weathermen in OKC are the best at predicting snow. Thank goodness they are better at predicting tornados.

I have 3 fun cards, 12x12 Easter scrapbook pages, and a cute basket made from the Big Shot envelope die. I will try to post photos a little later tonight. We are heading out for some dinner. IHOP or Chilli's. Hmmm.....which one will we choose??

Snow or No Snow????

2009-03-29T23:25:00.003-05:00

I feel so bad because I canceled stamp club yesterday. I had everything ready to go, but the weather men kept saying 100% snow and not just a dusting, but 4-8 inches. So I decided it would be in everyone's best interest cancel and reschedule for next Saturday. Well, the weathermen really missed the mark yet again. We got a dusting....a stinkin' dusting. So we canceled for nothing. But...if I'd of not canceled we would have gotten 10 inches of snow. Go figure...hehe

I had a second stamping event scheduled for Saturday afternoon at a retirement center in Edmond, OK. Because the only person who would be traveling was me I told the director that I'd make the decision around noon on Saturday if I was coming or not. Beings as our wonderful weathermen missed the forecast by a long shot up to Edmond I headed. My friend Janna went with me and my SIL Susie & her friend Kara met me there. We we only suppose to have 4 stampers, but when I walked into the room there sat 5 ladies & 1 gentleman so excited about stamping. We got started and in wondered 5 more stampers. We had a total of 11 stampers and they had so much fun. It was so rewarding to share my love of stamping and a little bit of my time with some amazing people. A couple of the stampers had suffered strokes so they were limited on how much they could do. They were able to stamp, but punching and putting the cards together was where we had to help out. They were all so pleased with what they had made and promised me that they would mail the cards they made and I promised them I'd come stamp again next month. We had a husband & wife stamp with us...they have been married 64 years and were each 88 years old. They were so cute together. I just can't wait to go stamp again with my new senior friends.

My last day in CA....

2009-03-21T21:31:00.003-05:00

There's so much to tell you about that had happened in the last few days. We had the most AMAZING time at Disneyland and I will blog about all that we did tomorrow. What I do want to blog about is the emotions I'm feeling right now.....

I had to say goodbye to my Sister's family. It was the most difficult goodbye's I've experienced in a very long time. I held my tears until my sweet niece Kolbi came to give me a hug and kiss. Tears filled her eyes and I was already feeling the tears start to build in mine. You see, Kolbi Wolbi as I like to call her is the 3rd born of my sisters 4 children. Brianna, Lantz, Kolbi, & Rikki. Lantz is the only boy but Kolbi is the middle girl. She's the same age as Alyssa and like another daughter for me. Her personality is not like any of the other kids. She's a lot like me...low relational and she and I have hit it off...big time. We're so much alike that we seem to have drifted towards each other. I just LOVE her to death. I wanted to just pack her up in my suitcase and take her home with me. I am going to write to her and send her cards so she knows how very much I love her and how very very special she is to me. Please don't get me wrong...I love all of my nieces & nephews...but Kolbi holds a very special place in my heart.

Time to get the rest of my stuff gathered up. I'll tell you all about our Disneyland Adventures tomorrow.

Disneyland

2009-03-19T00:25:00.002-05:00

We arrived in Los Angeles at 5pm...can you say RUSH HOUR?? We made it to Disneyland in 4 hours. The girls were so excited and very very good on the drive down. We got checked into the Disneyland Hotel. We headed to Downtown Disney to eat at the Rainforest Cafe. We got right in because we were willing to eat on the balcony. After we ate, we decided to do some shopping and Kolbi has never experienced Build A Bear so in we went. Kolbi found a golden retriever...could be a yellow lab like hers at home and Alyssa picked a cute bunny rabbit. They stuffed their animals and then cleaned them extra fur off of them. At the Disney Build A Bear they have exclusive Disney outfits for the bears. Both of the girls wanted Tinker Bell outfits, but they were all sold out. So...Kolbi got a Belle outfit and Alyssa got a Snow White outfit. After we finished at Build A Bear we headed back to the hotel, but decided to stop at the trading pin store. The girls each got a lanyard and 4 pins they wanted. The lady that checked us out explained how to trade pins. So we purchased a box for each of the girls with 4 pins that they can trade with the Disney employees. They can't wait to start trading. We decided we needed to get back to our room as the fireworks would start at 9:30pm and our room looks out over the park. the girls ewwww'd and awwwww'd at all of the beautiful fireworks. They can't wait until tomorrow when we actually go into Disneyland.

California- Day 5

2009-03-17T22:38:00.004-05:00

Dad took me to pick up the rental car today to use for our trip to Disneyland. Alyssa & Kolbi are so excited about going. After we picked up the car we went to one of my top 5 restaurants to eat at...Sunrise Kitchen. This is a true Chinese food joint It's a little hole in the wall and has always been one of my favorite places to get my Chinese food. Well, the food wasn't nearly as good as it was 3 years ago when I had it last. It was definitely missing something. I scarfed my lunch down anyway. When I went to throw away my trash I pulled a major DUH and dropped my keys in the garbage can. I tried to fish the out and was unsuccessful so I had to ask for assistance. They don't speak English to each other so I'm certain they were saying "what a dumb blond white girl". Oh well...hehehe...I got me keys and headed home.

Mom got home early as we needed to head out to Mendota to watch my oldest niece Brianna play softball. She plays short stop for Laton High School and is the lead off batter. I did my very best to keep my mouth shut and just enjoy the game, but found myself halfway through the game yelling out instructions....hehe...you may be able to take the girl out of the ball, but never the ball out of the girl. I was very proud of Brianna as she played a great game.

I found the time to play with Alyssa & my two youngest nieces Kolbi & Rikki. They took turns wearing my sunglasses and Rikki gave me lots and lots of hugs & kisses. After the game as we were walking back to the car Rikki insisted I carry her so I did of course and as I walked across the grass I twirled around and Rikki let out the biggest belly laughs. She insisted I ride in the car with her so of course I did because Rikki gets whatever she wants....she is so spoiled. We had to take a quick run through the drive through at McDonalds to get a "burgercheese"...it's so funny to hear her say it too in that little girly voice.

After the game we traveled back to Fresno and went to yet another one of my top 5 favorite restaurants...Javier's. It's a really good authentic Mexican food restaurant. I had tacos and hmmm hmmm hmmm....they were OUTSTANDING.

Charlie will be arriving tonight and I cant wait to see him. I've really missed him and so has Alyssa. He texted me earlier today and told me he was "On Vacation". I hope all goes well at the store while we are gone. I do miss all of my friends in OK, but it's worth missing them to get to spend time with my family. I'm hoping I will be able to come back home again in the fall over fall break. Two of my nieces may come back to Oklahoma over the summer. Brianna wants to attend the OU Women's basketball camp and Kolbi just wants to come visit and play with Alyssa. I hope we can make it all happen.

California - Day 4

2009-03-17T14:58:00.009-05:00

Another bright sunny day here in sunny California...did I mention it's warm and SUNNY here? Sorry I didn't post anything yesterday but I was having connectivity issues with the wireless network I'm hacked into. The skies were clear enough to see the snowcapped mountains. It takes about an hour to get up into the Sierra Nevada's...around 5000 feet. We use to go there all the time to camp and have fun in the great outdoors.

Yesterday was a pretty uneventful. We went to Al's Cafe for breakfast. Al's is one of my top 5 favorite places to eat. I had homemade tamales with beans & rice. Mexican food here is California is so much different than Mexican food in Oklahoma. It's truly more authentic. And did I mention how yummy it is??

Dad took me by the Grizzlies baseball field that is new since I was here last time. The Grizzlies are the AAA baseball team that is the farm team for the San Francisco Giant. It reminds me a lot of Bricktown Ballpark. They were working on the field and the guy at the gate said they were getting ready for opening night in April.

I got to do some IT support for Aunt Patty. Her printer had died and wanted to get a new one, but needed help getting it set up. We went and picked up a printer at the "W" store (don't tell ) and headed home to hook it all up. I got it all out of the box and guess what?? No USB cable to hook it to the computer or black ink cartridge. No wonder it was so inexpensive. We headed back to the "W" store and I got a USB cable and a black ink cartridge. While it was installing I sat and watched Celebrity Apprentice with Aunt Patty& Alyssa. I am not a huge reality show kinda person, but I have been watching the Celebrity Apprentice since the first night. I only with Donald would have fired both Dennis & Tom...they both deserved it.

Mom got home from work and we took a quick trip to the scrapbook store. My second trip there. Mom really enjoyed walking around and looking at all of the "STUFF". It's a very nice store. We came home and Mom whipped up a quick and yummy dinner. Then off we went again...Mom & I headed to JoAnn's. Mom's been wanting to make one of those fleece tie together blankets so I got the stuff to make my niece Rikki a Tinkerbell blanket. I also found these cool straps to use in our post bound scrapbooks that makes adding more pages MUCH MUCH easier. When we got home, I fixed all of Mom's albums and we watched Dancing with the Stars. Alyssa begged me to make the blanket so I gave in and we got started. Mom couldn't believe how easy they were to make. We had fun...us three girls...sitting on the floor making a blanket.

California - Day 3

2009-03-16T11:50:00.011-05:00

Did I mention I'm in VERY sunny California...temperatures in the 70's...and SUN shinning????

Yesterday morning I decided to go to church. I couldn't decide i I wanted to go to Fresno Church of Christ or Clovis Church of Christ. I headed down Clovis Ave thinking I'll go to Fresno CofC, but apparently Gettysburg Ave doesn't intersect Clovis Ave so I continued north and decided I was going to go to Clovis CofC.

I pulled into the parking lot it looked like a very nice church. Grounds perfectly kept, relatively new building. So I parked and walked in. Everyone was dressed in their Sunday bests and of course all I had were some jeans and a t-shirt as I'd packed very lightly for the trip home. So I sat down in a pew a couple rows from the back. I sat there for a few minutes feeling like I was being "checked out". Then I was welcome by a gentleman, then another then another then another. I explained to each of them that I was visiting my family and that I lived in Oklahoma City and was a member at Oakcrest Church of Christ. The one thing I found to be interesting is that not one woman said good morning to me. Only men...about a dozen of them.

The service was very nice and the pastor, Scott Young gave an AWESOME message about bearing fruit. That it takes more effort to produce nothing than to produce something. By the way, he was one of the dozen or so who welcomed me before the service began. Come to find out, he spent some time in Claremore, OK as a CofC minister. Most of their service was just like ours at Oakcrest. The praise & worship was all done from the hymnal. No new praise & worship songs. BUT...I knew 3 of the 6 songs...woo hoo. The church had a capacity of about 300 people and it was pretty full. I'm glad I decided to go...good message, good people, and I got my spiritual tank filled.

My sister came into town and we all went to Red Robin for dinner. Then we decided to take in a movie. My two nieces had not seen the Jonas Brother's 3D concert and my sister had NO desire to see it. So Brianna, Kolbi, Alyssa & I went to the JoBro show and my Mom, Sister, Lantz, & Rikki went to see the Witch Mountain Movie. I had so much fun with the girls. And of course the JoBros were amazing.

Day 2 in California

2009-03-14T23:03:00.011-05:00

Another beautiful day in sunny Fresno, CA. My day started out with a visit to the Fresno County Sportsman's Club.My parents are members of this club and really enjoy it. The Sportsman's club was having a "swap meet" and pancake breakfast. I was thinking some fun antique kinda things...nope...guns, rifles, bows, and fishing gear. I've never seen so many outdoors MEN in my life. My Mom and her dear friend Jean had a booth and they were trying to appeal to the ladies that were following their husbands around. Mom is a Mary Kay lady and I was so impressed with her selling abilities. She and Jean were really having a good time. Dad shopped a little and we decided to skip the pancake breakfast and go someplace else to get a bite to eat. Dad suggested we go to Al's Cafe which is on my list of favs in Fresno to eat at. So off we went. I thought the way Dad was going was kinda the wrong way and of course expressed my concern. He gave me that look that only my Dad can give so I shut up and just rode along. As we headed up Olive Avenue I realized that were were almost to the Chicken Pie shop...again one of my favs in Fresno to eat at. Then to my excitement DAD PULLED INTO THE CHICKEN PIE SHOP!!! I was beyond excited.

Of course I took my camera into the restaurant so i could take some pictures to share with all of you. Let me give you some background about this restaurant.

The Chicken Pie shop has been around like FOREVER. In fact, my Mom went into labor with me in the front corner booth. It's no wonder I LOVE this place so much. They make the very very very best chicken pot pies that I've ever eaten. The place has really never changed in my 42 years of life. Of course I order not one...but TWO chicken pies. My chicken pies were as good as they've always been. My Dad always tells people that I'm his daughter from Oklahoma..and today was no exception. Our waitress told me her brother and sister-in-law lived in Oklahoma..Moore, OK. What a small world.

After my amazing lunch we came back to Mom & Dad's name and I borrowed my parents truck and took a drive to the local scrapbook store. It was very nice with lots of fun things that I'd not seen at home.

When I left the scrapbook store I decided to take a detour and swing by my Alma Mater, CL McLane High School. It pretty much looked the same as it did 25 years ago I decided to drive into the school as I had done so many times while I was a student, cheerleader, soccer player, and softball player. I pulled over and got out of the truck. The snack bar where I always got breakfast & lunch was still there...exactly as it was when I was a student. The big quad had changed a little. Lots of trees had been planted in the grassy areas where we use to sit at lunch and hang out with our friends. I walked over to the gymnasium and they've added a Home of the Highlander sign to the front of the gym. We use to practice cheer all summer long early in the mornings in front of the gym. As I stood there taking pictures it felt so awesome. I wanted so bad to do a cheer or two...hehe.

I was walking back to the truck I heard the crack of a ball hitting a bat and decided to follow the sound. The boys were playing baseball. At first I thought they'd moved the varsity field, then I heard an announcer calling the game & realized this was the JV team. I drove around and headed to the old varsity field. NOTHING had changed to include the Varsity baseball coach...Jim Scirimarco. I stood there and watched these young men play baseball for an inning and decided it was time to head back home. Wouldn't wand Mom & Dad to worry that I'd gotten lost.

We had dinner at my Sister's house and had a really good time hanging out with the Adams Family. Alyssa spent the night with her cousins last night and was going to stay tonight too, but told me she missed her Mommy and wanted to come back to Mimi's. So she, Kolbi, & Lantz came back to Mom & Dads. She and Kolbi are only a few months apart in age and you' d think the girls saw each other all of the time.

Well, enough yapping for tonight. I've got to get to sleep so I can get up and go to church in the morning.

First Day at Home in CA

2009-03-13T19:56:00.005-05:00

We've had such a nice day here in Fresno today. It's been over three years since I was last home to visit. When I was here last was when my Grandfather Eldon's health was quickly deteriorating and God came and took Poppi home to his eternal life in heaven. I've thought about the last time I was home a lot today. It's very weird not seeing Poppi when I go over to Aunt Patty's house. I sat is his old recliner today. It felt so good to sit there. I could almost feel him there with me. Aunt Patty had mentioned a while back that she was thinking about getting rid of that old chair and getting a new one. I told her she can't get rid of it...it's Poppi's chair.

After breakfast that I talked about in my previous post Dad brought me home so I could take care of a work conference call that I needed to participate in. I finished up the call and we decided Alyssa needed a bike to ride up and down the driveway on Minnewawa street. So Dad, Alyssa & I headed to Target to get an inexpensive bike that she can ride while we are here. Of course we found one and it was time to head back to the house so she could start riding up and down that same driveway just like I did when I was her age. Before we headed back though I was seriously craving a Sonic Coke. Unlike OKC where there's a Sonic every mile, there's only 3 in Fresno and there was one just down the street from the Target we were at so Dad drove us through the drive through for a Coke..hmmmm it tasted so good. On the way home I asked Dad to drive me by the old house where Michelle & I grew up. Not much had changed on Thomas Street.

When we got home Dad took care of getting Alyssa's seat to the right height and off she went down the same driveway that I'd rode many a day when I was here age. In fact it was in that same driveway that I decided to ride barefooted one day while my Mom & Dad were out of town, foot slipped off the pedal and sliced the bottom of my foot open. Aunt Patty had to take me to the Children's Hospital ER to have my foot sewn back together. It was a very difficult lesson I learned as a child...WEAR YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU RIDE YOUR BIKE.

After Alyssa rode for a while she came and and spent some time in the kitchen with her Mimi who was preparing a dinner for the ENTIRE family. My sister Michelle and her four kiddos are coming into town for dinner tonight. I can't wait to see them.

How about that beautiful yellow lab. Her name is Katie and she's my Dad's buddy. She's a sweet and loving dog and she's wild about my Dad. I'm hoping to get to play with her in the next few days.

I'd better go for now. Mom thinks I have way too much time on my hands to sit and do this blogging thing...hehe...

Sunny California

2009-03-13T14:29:00.008-05:00

I arrived in beautiful and WARM California late last night. Our flights couldn't have been any better. Alyssa & I slept so good, but my darn internal alarm clock decided it needed to wake me at 6am....8am OKC time. So up I was. I enjoyed visiting with Mom & Dad. Alyssa & I went over and visited with Aunt Patty too. We decided to fore go cold cereal and off to the Train Depot we went. Dad had to stop and get some diesel fuel for his truck and to my surprise Dad does pay at the pump....CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?!?!?!?!?! I am so proud of him. He showed me how to use his computer (like I wouldn't know how...hehe) and he also showed me how he's really learned how to use the Internet to find just about anything he's looking for. Did I mention how very proud I am of my dad. He has spent his whole life turning wrenches and now that he's retired he's learned to use a computer and the Internet. Way to go Dad.

So...on to breakfast. We arrived at the Train Depot and Dad & I both had ham & cheese omelets. We are so stinkin' much alike it's scary. Alyssa had chocolate chip pancakes. Aunt Patty went to eat with us too. After we ate we ran to Costco. I love Costco. It's kinda like Sam's Club, but NOT at all associated with the Bentonville Walmart empire.

Here's a picture of me and my Dad and Alyssa & Aunt Patty.

Visit to Dr. Stevens' Office

2009-03-09T23:44:00.003-05:00

What a fun afternoon I had today. It was time for my four month teeth cleaning. I would rather have a root canal than get my teeth cleaned. Last time I went I didn't think I was going to make it so I told my hygienist Diane that I couldn't do it again without being "gassed". SO...today when I showed up just absolutely dreading the scrape scrape scraping, Diane remembered the GAS. She stuck that thingy over my nose and I took some deep breaths through my nose and I was on cloud nine. The pain was still there, but I didn't seem to care too much. I just closed me eyes and opened my mouth. I felt like I'd had 2 or 3 bottles of wine...hehe. Then it was over and all I was getting was oxygen. What a bummer. I came home and took it easy tonight. We went out to grab a bite of dinner and when i bit into my food...WOW...my teeth really hurt. Of course I complained like a big old baby about how bad my teeth hurt hoping it would get me out of picking up the house for the cleaning lady Amy who is coming on Tuesday. I know...I clean for the cleaning lady. It's not really cleaning, but picking up so she can clean. I don't know what I'd do without Amy. And she does the most AMAZING job on my house. I so love Tuesday nights.

Well, I'd better get to bed. I am EXHAUSTED tonight. Take care & happy stamping!!!

Pam

Funny Sea World Story

2009-03-08T15:31:00.003-05:00

We had so much fun at Stamp Club yesterday. It's so enjoyable for me to get to hang out with my stamp club members, visiting, sharing, and stamping.

My dear friend and new downline Kelly Cheatle shared the funniest story that her Grandma told. I thought I would share it with you so here goes...

This lady took her young son who has Down Syndrome to Sea World. A mother's worst nightmare happened to this Mom...she lost her son at Sea World. For two hours they looked for him. They did find him and he was dirty and smelled terrible so she decided to take him back to the hotel and have him take a bath and get cleaned up. The Mom went to check on her son and he had locked the door. The mother asked him to unlock the door and let her in, but he refused telling her he was having too much fun. She could hear him laughing and splashing the water. After a few minute of trying to get him to open the door she contacted the hotel manager and the hotel maintenance department sent someone to come open the bathroom door. When the door swag open the little boy was in the bathtub playing with a real live BABY PENGUIN. I can only imagine what this Mom was thinking at this point. She called Sea World and told them that they were missing a baby penguin. The assured her they were not missing any penguins. She finally told them...go count your penguins. They did and guess what????? THEY WERE SHORT A PENGUIN.

The little boy must have somehow gotten into the penguin exhibit and loved the penguins so much he wanted one for himself. No wonder he was so dirty and smelled so bad. I was curious how the little boy hid the penguin and keep it still on the way back to the hotel....hehe.

I have never laughed so hard as I did when Kelly shared this story with my entire stamp club and wanted to give you a good belly laugh too.

Mailbox Surprise

2009-03-05T22:57:00.003-06:00

It has been such a long week at work this week. I'm so glad that tomorrow is Friday and a week from tonight I will be on my way home to California. The first quarter of the year is the most hectic for me at the office. Being in my new office definitely making it a little easier to deal with the stress. A lot of the people I need to interface with are in my building so it makes my job a little bit easier.

Ok...so I worked late tonight trying to finish up two very LARGE projects and Charlie took care of getting Alyssa picked up and to gymnastics. I pulled up to the house and decided to check the mailbox. Normally if Charlie gets home before me he gets the mail...but for some reason tonight that was not the case. I opened the door to the box and at the back of the mailbox was an envelope....a had made card envelope. I was so excited because someone took the time to make and send me a card. So I RIPPED it open and was so excited. Caitlyn Calhoun sent me this beautiful card.

It made my evening....Thank You Caitlyn!!!!!

Occasions Mini Catalog Sneak Peek

2009-03-03T20:33:00.002-06:00

Although the Occasions Mini Catalog will not be available until April 1st, Stampin' Up! is offering you the chance to purchase some Easter stamp sets from the mini catalog right now!

Item	Description	Retail Price
113196	An Egg-cellent Easter	$21.95
113262	Wagon Full of Fun	$34.95
113822	Eight Great Greetings	$27.95
115421	Ocho saludos geniales (Spanish Eight Great Greetings)	$27.95
114643	Huit souhaits sympas (French Eight Great Greetings)	$27.95
113833	Egg Hunt Stampin' Around wheel	$6.50

To see the sneak peak of the set on special click here. To order you can email me or order online.

Stamp Club this Saturday

2009-03-02T23:29:00.003-06:00

I am so excited that Stamp Club is this Saturday. I hope you all will like the projects that we will be making. I really enjoyed putting these togther for you. Some of the cards were CASEd but that's the highest of compliments amoungst us Stampin' Up! demontrators. I did come up with the 12x12 scrapbook pages all on my own. More masculine pages are so stinkin' hard for me.

I was so excited to figure out how to do collages with my photos. I read on SoShelli.com that she uses Picasa for her photo editing as it allows you to collage your photos.

Looking forward to seeing all of my club members.

Take care & happy stamping.

Changes at Chesapeake Energy

2009-02-27T22:07:00.007-06:00

It's been a very busy week for m at work this week. On Wednesday I officially moved out of the basement of Building 5 where I'd been for a little over two years to the first floor of Building 8.

For those of you who are not familiar with Chesapeake Energy in Oklahoma City, we are the number one independent producer of natural gas in the nation and the most active driller of new wells in the U.S. I work on a "campus" Seriously...it's like a college campus. We have restaurants, fitness center, health care center, and in the future we will have onsight daycare. For the second year in a row we were on Forbes top 100 companies to work for.

Ok...back to my move. Well, I've only known basement life for the last two years. I went down into the basement in the morning climbed out at lunch time then descended back down after

lunch and again climb out at the end of the day. I am now officing on the 1st floor with a window. It's really a nice and positive change for me. I was really worried I wouldn't

like moving, but it's not all that bad. The only downside is that my entire department wasn't able to move. I really really miss Rachel, Audrey and the "Basement Boys".

Here's what my new office look like on the inside.

Another Layout Sample

2009-02-26T22:48:00.002-06:00

I resisted getting the Rustic Rooster level 2 hostess set, but I just had to have it. Imagine that??? HEHE...I so love my roosters. I opened up one of the four SU boxes I received today and dug until I found my new rooster set. I quickly put it together and thought...hmmmm I NEED TO STAMP!!! So I went back to this weeks layout challenge and came up with this card. I like it a lot more than the one I made earlier in the week. Having these layouts makes card designing so easy. Time for me to hit the hay. Long day at work tomorrow.

Sketch Challenge- My Card

2009-02-26T20:41:00.003-06:00

Here's what I came up with for this week's sketch challenge. I'm not totally happy with it. Just seems kinda blah. Now I need to figure out who I'm going to send it to...hehehe. I hope to do some more stamping this weekend so watch for more samples later this weekend.

Weekly Sketch Challenge

2009-02-24T20:53:00.003-06:00

I received my Mojo Monday weekly sketch and wanted to share it with you. See what you can come up with on this one. I'd love to see all of your creativity. Make a card using the sketch and mail or email it to me....I will post it on my blog.

A Fun Survey

2009-02-23T21:32:00.003-06:00

I was blog surfing and found this. I thought how fun to play along so here it is. Highlight in your favorite color and bold the items that apply to you. Post it on your blog and comment on mine that you did so I can go check yours out.

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland, (Disney World)
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you're not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community (actually, LIVE in one! No, I'm not Amish, but they go past my house every day!)
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelos David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving,
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person (from an airplane, does that count?)
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had Chickenpox
89. Saved someone's life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Read an entire book in one day

Color Combos

2009-02-19T21:36:00.006-06:00

Now that I've posted some layouts how about some color combo idea? The second hardest thing for me when creating a card is what colors should I use. I find that I make cards that are the same color combinations over and over and over. Do you feel the same way? Well if so, try a color challenge. It may take you out of your comfort zone...LET IT!!! It will take you to a new level of stamping.

I stamped....

2009-02-19T17:52:00.004-06:00

Last night I decided to take one of the templates and make a card to show how easy it is to come up with something. The only alteration I made was to turn the orientation from a portrait to a landscape. I hope you are inspired to use the templates. Don't forget to email me your cards made from the templates I posted yesterday to be entered into the drawing for the blog candy.

Card Layout ideas

2009-02-18T21:33:00.004-06:00

For me, Card layouts are the hardest part of coming up with a card. Something that helps me are card layout templates. Once you pick a template the rest is easy. Pick a stamp set and a color combo and poof you have a card. Here are a few layouts for you. I would love for you to email me a picture of any cards you make with these layouts. I will put together a blog candy package and for everyone who emails me a photo of their card your name will be entered into a drawing to win the blog candy. All cards emailed will be posted on my blog. Deadline to enter is February 28th.

Scallop Corners

2009-02-17T22:01:00.005-06:00

A fellow SU demonstrator Patty Bennett had a photo tutorial posted on her website showing how to make scalloped corners with our scallop edge punches. I decided I'd share this with my blog followers. Give it a try and see how easy it is to do.

February Club Projects

2009-02-15T08:40:00.021-06:00

As promised, here are the cards from February's stamp club. We had so much fun and WOW there were a lot of ladies stamp stamp stamping. I think the highlight of our morning was Kelly "Cheetos" zumba demonstration. Boy can that girl zumba. I hope you all enjoyed stamping the projects. If you are not in my stamp club and would like to be call or email mail me and you can come check it out as a guest to see if it's something you'd like to do each month.I'm working on March's projects which will include something for Easter and maybe even a 3D project courtesy of Kelly "Cheeto". I'm not a big 3Der, but she's really good at that kind of stuff. Remember, we are in the Sale-A-Bration promotion period and for every $50 in Stampin' Up! products you purchase you get something FREE from the Sale-A-Bration catalog.

My New Love - Reading

2009-02-14T18:28:00.007-06:00

For almost my entire life reading was not something I enjoyed doing. In fact, I avoided it like the plague. I found no enjoyment is doing it and for the life of me couldn't figure out why anyone would spend hours with a "book". Well, some of my friends talked me into reading for enjoyment. At first I was skeptical that I would be up to the challenge, but after finishing a wonderful Christian novel by Lori Wick, Sophie's Heart, I realized I could enjoy reading. I moved on to The Shack which really made me think about a lot of things and now I'm reading Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers. I know many of you will find this hard to believe, but if given the choice to stamp or read, lately I've chosen to read.
I joined a Shefari.com group that includes some of my dear friends, Becky, Kelly, Tina, & Jeana. And I've meet and gotten to know better a couple of other friends, Nicole & Natalie. We had our first get together at Cuppies & Joe to discuss books we've read and would recommend to others to read. Cuppies & Joe is a real fun place to just hang out and talk with a cup of coffee and a cupcake. When we arrived at Cuppies & Joe we all met in the parking lot and this one lady looked so stinkin' familiar. I said to her..."you look so familiar". Well guess what, she works at Chesapeake Energy too and we mentor at a local elementary school together.
I had the best time and am so looking forward to our next get together. I think we are going to the Melting Pot next month for desert fondu...yummy!!!!

I'M BACK!!!!!

2009-02-14T11:35:00.003-06:00

It's been FOREVER since I blogged. To all of my friends and followers I'm sorry that I've been away for so long. My Dell laptop has been very sick and barely functional. I was so tired of it taking forever just to open Internet Explorer that I gave up.

WELL....my Valentine gave me the second best Valentine gift I've ever received..a new laptop. But not just any laptop...a Mac Book!!!! I am so converted to the Mac. It's so much easier and I have lots of fun tools to play with to enhance my blog and start working on Alyssa's blog set up. Woo Hoo!!! I'm so excited.

I will post the pictures from this month's stamp club projects later today.

Happy Stampin' Valentine's Day!!!

Pam

Birthday Card Contest WINNERS!!!!

2008-11-13T20:51:00.007-06:00

I want to thank EVERYONE who mailed me a birthday card. It was so FUN to come home and open the mail box each day to see what the postal worker delivered. I received 7 cards on my actual birthday....WOW...I have some pretty amazing friends.

So...who won the contest. I received 16 cards. I layed them all out on the kitchen table and Charlie, Alyssa, Michael, and Miranda took turns viewing the cards and picked the following cards as winners.

BECKY BENTON

KELLY THOMPSON

Each one of these ladies will receive a $50 gift certificate to go shopping the the Stampin' Up! catalog.

Again, thank you to all of you who were so kind and sent me a birthday card. I don't want you to think you are going away empty handed. So....I've decided to give everyone that participated a roll of 1/4" grosgrain ribbon color of your choice.

I will scan all of the cards that I received and post them tomorrow evening.

Take care & happy stamping!!!!

Pam :-)

Birthday Card Contest

2008-11-09T22:50:00.002-06:00

It's hard to believe my birthday is only 3 days away. Don't forget about my Birthday Card contest. Send me a birthday card and my husband, son & daughter will pick their favorite card. The winner or winners will receive a $50 SU gift certificate from me. "HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!!!" It was brought to my attention that Tuesday is a Federal Holiday for Veteran's Day, so I've extended the deadline to Thursday, November 13th for the cards to arrive. I've received two cards so far and they are both BEAUTIFUL. It's not to late to get that card in the mail to me. The cards must be made with all Stampin' Up! products (retired is ok). Email me if you need my address.

Pam :-}

October Christmas Card Stamp A Stack

2008-11-09T22:41:00.006-06:00

Ok...I know I'm a little late posting these pictures. These are the cards that we made at the October Christmas Card Stamp A Stack. We had 7 stampers sign up and we had a total blast. It was a bad weekend as it was the Saturday of Fall Break and many of my stampin buddies had other plans. I have one more Christmas Card Stamp A Stack planned for November (11/22). If you would like to come please email me to RSVP. You will get to make 2 each of 4 designs. The cost of the Stamp A Stack is a $25 product order (before tax & shipping). Hope to see you there!!!

Pam ;-}

OKC Thunder win FIRST home game!!!

2008-11-02T22:52:00.009-06:00

We attended tonights OKC Thunder verses the Minnesota Timberwolves at the OKC Ford Center. Alyssa took on of her girlfriend Aspen and we all had a great time. The girls, and me of course, cheered the Thunder on to their first victory in the Ford Center. We ate dinner before the game at the old Ice House (not sure what it's called now), went to the Thunder retail store and picked up a t-shirt for each of the girls and a set of pom poms each. We then made our way to our seats that were courtesy of Chesapeake Energy in section 119. Our seats were GREAT and we could see the entire court. The game was fun and exciting. The girls made up their own pom pom cheer for defense. We were on our feet the last few minutes of the game as it was definately a nail bitter. It such a good feeling to have our own NBA team in OKC. We love supporting our teams and OKC proved that we were worthy of an NBA franchise when the Hornets spent a couple of years here until they had to move back to New Orleans. Can't wait for the next game I get tickets to.

GO OKC THUNDER!!!!

Pam :-}

Week 5 of McFarlin's Academy

2008-11-02T22:37:00.005-06:00

It's hard to believe McFarlin's Academy is over. Five weeks of stamping every Wednesday night. Each week we made at least 4 cards. A couple of the weeks we made 5. My students were AWESOME. We started off with monochromatic stamping, moved on to adding color, then taught heat embossing, made cards using punches, and on the last night I taught some advanced techniques to include Joesph's Coat, Faux Mother of Pearl, Crayon Risist, and Polished Stone. Here are the samples from the last week.

Pam :-)

Stamp For The Cure

2008-10-28T20:22:00.006-05:00

I can't beleive it's been a month since I've blogged. The last 30 days have been WILD to say the least. Between family birthdays, a trip to Dallas for the OU vs TX game, my Stamp Club, the 2nd of 3 Christmas Card Stamp-A-Stacks, and McFarlin's Fall Academy where I'm teaching rubber stamping one night a week in October...oh ya and my full time job I haven't had a spare moment for anything. I want to apologize to all of my friends for not being available and I want to thank my family for understanding the commitments that I made for October and being supportive & helpful.

I didn't mention above the other BIG project that I had going on the first of the month. I made a commitment to my friend and Co-worker Kim Keller that I'd supply a hand stamped gift item for each of the breast cancer survivors that participated in the Race for the Cure the first weekend of October. Of course when you sit down and design something you think...that was pretty easy...I can reproduce 500 of these...no problem. Well, I never realized how many 500 really was. There is no way I could have pulled this all of without a little help from a few of my freinds. I want to give a big huge thank you to Susan Carruth and Janna Hall who did most of the stamping for me and assembly of some of the gifts too. I also want to thank my friend and officemate at Chesapeake Sheridan Clark, and co-workers Kim Keller & Cathy Allen for pitching in on their lunch hours the last week and helping me to finish the assembly of the 500 gifts and stuffing them into large cello bags.

So you ask, what did you make. Well, I thought it was important to have a photo frame for each survivor to use for their race day photo. I came up with a cute chipboard photo frame and used the Hope is.... stamp set from Stampin' Up! that we were able to purchase a few years ago. In addition to the photo frames I also gave away six $25 Stampin' Up! merchandise gift certificates that were randomly placed in the servivors goodie bags.

Here are a couple of pictures...one of the gift item and one of the box of 500 gifts.

What made this project so rewarding to do was what I received after the race. It wasn't an order, or a workshop, or a new recruit....it was a hand stamped card from one of the survivors thanking me for the sweet gift.

I will do my best to post again this week with more pictures of the cards we've been making this month at all of my events.

Pam ;-}

October Stamp Club Projects

2008-09-27T20:28:00.006-05:00

It seems like we just had stamp club and poof...it's time again. I worked today on making my stamp club samples and I am very very pleased with how they turned out. I hope you will be too.

If you are scrapbooking you will make the following projects.

If you're making cards you'll make the following projects.

Please let me know which one you want for club this weekend (scrapbook page and two cards or four cards). I need to know no later than Monday night (9/30).

Pam :-}

Stamping Classes In October

2008-09-22T22:18:00.003-05:00

It's almost time for my annual classes at McFarlin United Methodist Church in Norman, OK to begin. I will be teaching Rubber Stamping 101 every Wednesday night at McFarlin from 7-9pm. Each week we will stamp 4 cards. The first week is monochromatic stamping, second week is color, third week is heat embossing, forth week is punches, and fifth week will be advance techniques. You must sign up prior to by October 1st. You can click on the link that follows to get to the Fall Academy brochure. Call or e-mail me if you have any questions. Hope to see you there.

http://www.mcfarlinumc.org/pdf/Academy2008.pdf

Pam :-}

Christmas Card Stamp A Stack

2008-09-21T01:05:00.012-05:00

Today was the first of three Christmas Card Stamp A Stacks. I had 19 of my friends come hang out with me and make 8 Christmas Cards (2 each of 4 designs). Each person was required to place a $25 product order before tax and shipping in order to attend. I surprised everyone by giving away the level 3 hostess set and the hostess dollars. Rhonda won the hostess set and Carla won the hostess dollars. It was a relazing morning of fun stamping. Here are the samples of the cards we made today. I have scheduled October & November's Christmas Card Stamp A Stack's for Saturday, October 18th from 10 am to 1pm and Saturday, November 22nd from 10am to 1 pm. A $25 order is required to attend a Stamp A Stack. If you'd like to attend please call or email me to reserver your spot.

September Stamp Club Projects

2008-09-20T21:35:00.006-05:00

I want to appologize to all of you for taking so long to post September's club projects. Things have been pretty CRAZY at my house and it's going to get CRAZIER over the next few months. I have lots going on in the stamping world along with being a employed full time...not to mention being a mom of two and the wife of an AMAZING husband who totally supports me in everything that I do. I am truly blessed. But we'll save that for future blogging...hehe.

We had a full house in September at stamp club with 27 of the 30 members attending. Each month is an opportunity for me to learn how to do my stamp club better for my club members. Club members had the choice of doing a scrapbook page, two cards, and a 3D item or four cards and a 3D item.

Recipe Book Class - WHAT A BLAST

2008-09-03T22:56:00.010-05:00

Last week I held a recipe book class and had eleven stampers attend. We had a total blast and it was AWESOME to watch the stampers cut loose with their creativity. I got the idea at Convention 08 and decided it was a very doable class. I allowed each attendee to pick the DSP they wanted to use for their book. I supplied matching colored cardstock for their dividers and white cardstock for their recipe cards as well as ribbon to embellish their books. And I carted along my NEW Stampin' Up! Bigshot. Here are a few pictures of some of the books created. As I get more pictures I'll add them to this post.

California Cow's Video

2008-09-02T20:03:00.007-05:00

My Brother-in-law, Rick Adams is FAMOUS. He is a third generation dairyman and RealCaliforniaMilk.com that produces the Happy Cow comericials has done a video profile on Rick. My sister said that it was a lot of fun filming. Enjoy the video clips...Rick is really GREAT with the kids and loves working with the different local schools to make the kids aware of the dairy industry.

To learn more about Real California Milk please visit http://www.realcaliforniamilk.com/

Pam :-}

BIG SHOT HAS ARRIVED!!!!!

2008-08-14T21:24:00.004-05:00

I've been tracking my order since Tuesday morning and WOO HOO...my Big Shot has arrived. Can you say LOVE IT!?!?!?!?! I have played with it all night. Forget about all of the new stamp sets and punches I received. It's all about the Big Shot. Alyssa even got the Big Shot fever. We made little envelopes with the Stampin' Up! exclusive Scallop envelope template. Right before she was getting ready for bed she lost yet another tooth. "What are we going to put it in?" she asked...well DUH...how about one of those Scallop envelopes we just made. I'm sure the tooth fairy was be very excited to get a designer series paper envelope with Alyssa's tooth in it. Maybe I should have put a recruit brochure under her pillow....you never know. HEHE...

1st Day of School

2008-08-14T20:00:00.000-05:00

Today was Alyssa's 1st day of school. It's hard to believe the summer is over. She was really excited and has been asking for a few days how long until school starts? I'm sure she'll have a great year. Michael even got up to see her off. He doesn't start school until next week. I received an email from her teacher today telling me what a doll she is. I'm looking forward to getting the phone calls from the principal telling me what a good student and citizen she is.

On A Personal Note....

2008-08-12T21:02:00.005-05:00

Today was a day filled with lots of emotion. I did my best not to let it show. My oldest, Michael, made the decision to join the US Navy. He will complete his senior year of high school under the delayed entry program. He is scheduled to head to basic training in July of 2009. He will spend 8 weeks at basic training and then head to his A school for 14 weeks where he'll train to be a Navy Corpsman. Upon completion of his A school he can opt to do C school where he will train to be a Navy Corpsman for the Marines & Navy Seals. Mike's ultimate goal is to become one of the elite Navy Seals. I am very proud of my son. Many have asked me how I feel about his decision and my response is this is all in God's hands. He is in control and I will continue to pray for my son but add to my prayers for God to keep him safe and if/when he is deployed to protect him and bring him home safely. I am the proud Mother of a Navy Seaman.

On a side note, Alyssa is so proud of her big brother. She spent the afternoon decorating a cake for her brother. It's kinda hard to see in the picture, but she wrote NAVY in the center of the cake and put an eagle on top of it. She sprinked all kinds of red, white & blue sprinkles on top of the word Navy and the put in a couple of streamers. I don't think the fully understands what Mike joining the Navy means, but what she does know is that she loves him and is very proud of him.

Memory Lane - Convention 2006

2008-08-09T16:26:00.002-05:00

Just thought I'd take a walk down memory lane. I still cry when I watch this video. It was the most amazing moment in my Stampin' Up! career.

Pam :-}

7 Days until Stamp Club

2008-08-09T16:10:00.003-05:00

I can't beleive there's only 7 more days until Stamp Club. It's still not too late to sign up. There are two spots available. Call or email me if you're not signed up and would like to be. Here are 3 of the 4 cards we'll be making. The 4th card will be made using the new Stampin' Up! Big Shot.

Happy Stamping!!!

Pam :-}

Recipe Book Class - August 26th

2008-08-07T19:06:00.007-05:00

Ok...You asked and I listened. I have scheduled a Recipe Book Class for Tuesday, August 26th from 7-9pm at Oakcrest Church of Christ on SW 89th between Penn & Western, classroom 203. The cost for this class is $35. You will get a full package of Designer Series Paper of your choice, a package of Small On Board Book Basics, and a package of On Board Chipboard - OnBoard Essentials. We will make one Recipe Book that night and you will go home with enough supplies to make a 2nd book to give as a gift.

If you would like to attend, please RSVP via email or phone no later than Monday, August 18th.

Starter Kit Special

2008-08-05T21:18:00.003-05:00

Below are the details for the upcoming promtion to join Stampin' Up! and become a member of the fun and excited Social Inker Team. If you've ever considered being a demonstrator I would love the opportunity to visit with you and go over how it all works. Just call or email me and we can set up a time to have a coffee or soda and go over the program.

$99 Starter Kit Promotion

Dates: August 11-October 11, 2008

Promotion details:
From August 11-October 11, potential recruits will have the option of becoming a Stampin' Up! demonstrator by purchasing one of three special mini Starter Kits* priced at $99.

Stamp-Focused Starter Kit:

109515 Fun & Fast Notes stamp set $30.95
105548 Bold Brights card stock assortment (8-1/2" x 11") $7.95
101179 Basic Black Classic Stampin' Pad $5.25
104332 SNAIL Adhesive $6.95
100730 Whisper White card stock (8-1/2" x 11") $7.50

Scrapbook-Focused Starter Kit:

111570 Contempo Alphabet stamp set $40.95
113059 Simply Scrappin' Petal Party $19.95
105212 Pixie Pink Classic Stampin' Pad $5.25

Home Décor-Focused Starter Kit:

111656 Inspired by Nature stamp set $23.95
114088 Décor Elements Chocolate Classic Ff $3.95
114126 Décor Elements Medium Chocolate Long Stem Silhouettes $17.95
114285 Décor Elements Applicator $1.95
111835 Kiwi Kiss Classic Stampin' Pad $5.25

*Each kit also includes the same business supplies that are found in the standard Starter Kit (the Home Décor-Focused Starter Kit also includes 25 Décor Elements brochures). While all items in the Starter Kits are recommended, a new demonstrator may substitute a like item of equal or lesser value.

More Sizzix Samples

2008-08-04T21:58:00.025-05:00

Here are some great projects that were showcased at Convention using our exclusive dies. Watch for more info on a Big Shot Club that will help you to purchase the Stampin' Up! Big Shot starter kit over four months.

Decor Elements - Phase 2 Sneak Peak

2008-08-03T10:08:00.007-05:00

I am so loving our new Decor Elements. We were given a sneak peak of a few of the new elements that will be part of the 2nd phase of the Decor Element product line. I'm thinking of redoing my daughter's room with the bright & beautiful flowers.

FREE STAMPS!!!!!!!!

2008-08-02T18:33:00.008-05:00

What a way to end convention. I won one of the prize patrols and got the new Upsy Daisy stamp set.

Adrian also won the new Pina Colada Simply Srappin Kit and the new Calendar Alphabet & Numbers Set.

I also got to have my photo taken with Scott Nielsen who is the SU CFO and retired NY Yankee pitcher. He even signed my new catalog on page 83 over the Just Baseball stamp set.

The UPS man arrived too...he brought the stamp set Say It With Scallops to everyone in the convention hall. This is the new Ronald McDonald House Set and I am setting a goal to sell a minimum of 25 of these sets between now and January 1st.

Stampin' Up! to partner with Sizzix

2008-08-02T11:11:00.002-05:00

WOW...the Salt Palace errupted yesterday morning with Shelli Garnder announced the Stampin' Up! is partnering with Sizzix and will now carry the Big Shot of course in Black with the SU logo on it. We will have EXCLUSIVE dies only available through a Stampin' Up! demonstrator. More details to come. Here are a few samples of what you can do with the SU Exclusive Dies.

Convention - Day 1

2008-07-31T18:49:00.007-05:00

Celebrate!!!!! That's what we did today. Celebrate 20 years of Stampin' Up!. Shelli's opening message addressed the Hobby Demonstrators and the fact that they are not "Just a Hobbiest"...they are an important part of Stampin' Up! and SU wouldn't be where it is today with the hobbiest. Shelli peaked our interest announcing there will be a big announcement tomorrow. Brent Steele WOW'd us yet again with his amazing stamping skills & creativity highlighting the Style Watches. Jill Kocherhans gave us a sneak peak of phase 2 of the new Decor Elements...I CAN'T WAIT!!!!!

We are heading back to the convention center for the awards night tonight. Here's a few pictures from today.

Pam :-}

Momento Mall

2008-07-31T01:49:00.005-05:00

Can you believe some people waited THREE hours in line to get into Momento Mall today?? Not me. I waited until about 7pm and went right in. They had run out of a few things, but nothing that I would have purchased anyway. Here's a few of the things I did get. Love the crop bag, camera case, key finder, and SU pens. Woo Hoo!!!

Pre-Convention Events - Day 1

2008-07-29T08:04:00.002-05:00

We had a total blast yesterday doing our Shoe Box Swaps. I sat at a table with 4 AMAZING stampers. Their Shoe Box swaps were awesome and gave me some great ideas for stamp camp projects. Yes...Stamp Camp....I am considering doing an all day stamp camp twice a year. Watch for more info to come on this in the next few weeks.

This was my Shoe Box Swap project. Lots of ohhhs & ahhhs. Kelly Thomspon designed it for me. I was sad that it didn't win the contest, but there were some GREAT projects. I will take pictures of all of them and get them posted as soon as I can.

Well, off to teach all day. Today is my big day teaching about 100 stampers. LESS THAN 24 HOURS UNTIL CONVENTION!!!!!!

Pam :-}

We have arrived in Salt Lake City - Convention 2008

2008-07-28T00:09:00.007-05:00

Our travel to Salt Lake City (SLC) was uneventful...woo hoo!!! Jaycene & I arrived around 10am and met up with Giselle D'Souza who was traveling from North Carolina. We made our way to the Plaza Hotel in downtown Salt Lake City and have spent most of the day finalizing swaps and visiting with stampin' sisters from all over the USA & Canada. We took the trolly to this great outdoor shopping mall...it was closed so no shopping for Pam...but we did eat dinner at the Californa Pizza Kitchen...can you say YUMMY YUMMY YUMMY.

In the top photo starting on the far left side and going clockwise around the table is Carol, Me, Jaycene, Giselle, & Adrian.

Tomorrow we have our Shoe Box Swap in the morning and are free in the afternoon. I will spend my afternoon trying to finish up my swaps as Tuesday will be a VERY full day with the two sessions of stamp camp I am teaching at.

Check back each day for a new post about the days events. I'm so glad I'm here!!!!

Pam :-}

HODGEPODGE HARDWARE ON SALE!!!!

2008-07-07T20:52:00.001-05:00

Copper, brass, and pewter Hodgepodge Hardware is retiring! Stock up now while Stampin’ Up! is offering 25% off (no limit!). But don’t wait too long—this offer is only good while supplies last!

Blog Face Lift

2008-07-07T18:32:00.004-05:00

I have to give a BIG thanks to my friend Kelly Thompson for giving my blog a face lift. Now I have to get to stamping so I can post some new fun stuff.

More Mother's Day stamping

2008-05-07T22:21:00.003-05:00

I had more guy stampers visit me today to make cards for their Moms. I totally LOVE watching them stamp. I am really shocked...and happy too that these guys think so much of their Mom's that they want to spend a few minutes hand stamping a special Mother's Day card.

Jeff came back for a second round of stamping. He needed a birthday card for his MIL so I brought some stuff and helped him put one together. Then he decided he'd better make one for his wife as he had some making up to do.

We had our weekly staff meeting and one of they guys asked me if we could have a stamping staff meeting. I think that would be a great idea. I think they all have seen how fun and relaxing stamping is.

I have enjoyed sharing with the guys why I love stamping, why I became a demonstrator, and all the great friends I've made because of a little rubber stamp.

Stamp Stamp Stamp

2008-04-19T23:01:00.003-05:00

Woo Hoo!!!! I had an awesome time today at my stamp club. I have the most amazing club members that I love spending time with. We made three cards and one home decor project. We have two months left before this round of stamp club is over....then we START all OVER again. I hope to have at least 18 club members again and maybe even 24. I love sharing stamping with my friends and I love all of my friends that I've made because of stamping.

I'm a Blogin'

2008-04-10T18:14:00.000-05:00

Woo Hoo!!! I'm stepping out and starting a Stampin' Up blog. This way I can share fun stuff with my stampin' friends all over the USA and Canada.

More to come...check back soon.

Pam