September Create Cards! at Scrap Palace of Romeo

I got this email a little while ago and thought I’d share it!  You can visit Winkflash to use the coupon code here.

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Take advantage of our print sale and get all the 4×6 prints you want for only 6 each. That’s 50% off our regular low price of 12¢. Use the coupon code below when placing your order. Remember, there’s no limit on how many times you can use this coupon during the sale!

Coupon Code:
JC53YR73

The fine print: 9¢ Flat-Rate shipping special not valid with this offer - normal shipping rates apply - Cannot be combined with any other offer - shipping not included - - cannot be shipped outside the usa - this offer can be terminated at any time without notice - offer details can change at any time - winkflash reserves the right to deny this offer to anyone for any reason.

I may be opening a big can of worms here, but it has to be said… the health insurance situation in the United States is a total mess.  That is my opinion, take it or leave it.  It just seems to me that our Doctors should be the ones making the decisions as to what medications to prescribe or what procedures to order.  Those decisions should not be dictated by some person sitting at a desk in an office someplace working for a health insurance company.  I can’t tell you how many hours of my life I have spent fighting our insurance company to get them to pay for something they should have paid for in the first place.  Or fighting to get them to approve a prescription before three other cheaper drugs had been tried first.  I assume you all know what I’m talking about.  And well, if not, you know what they say about assumptions.

Anyway, one of my “benefits” is that I can call a nurse 24/7 to ask medical questions.  I used this “benefit” a few weeks ago when I had a migraine that was different than usual and I just couldn’t get rid of it.  That nurse told me to go to the ER after much talking and eventually I did.  Which really turned out to be fruitless anyway.  At any rate, apparently that conversation got me some further attention this evening.

At 9:50pm this evening my phone rang, and on the other end of the line was a registered nurse.  This nurse was calling from my health insurance company, a company I won’t mention here.  I guess they have started some other new “free benefit” that entitles me a personal RN that will call me from time to time (every two weeks) to check in, make recommendations and to generally see what she can do to help me out.  She even told me she can help me get claims paid?!?!?  Seriously?  I mean really, did I just have the conversation?  I am already in my jammies, maybe it was all a dream.  I guess I’ll find out in two weeks when she calls me back.  She gave me a direct number to reach her and until I talk to her again she was going to get me a list of contracted neurologists that had a specialty in the migraine field to replace mine that has moved to Ann Arbor.  (FYI, not as easy to find as you might think.)  Seriously? Seriously?

I’m shocked.  I’m confused.  As of right now, I’m pleasantly surprised.

On to other news… Card class was last night at Scrap Palace.  I love sharing ideas with other people, and last night was no different at all.  I had a blast!  There was a full house there last night, 24 students, and I’m pleased to say it went fairly smoothly.  Each student had 14 cards in their kits and we usually only do 12 cards in the two hour class.  I thought I might run over my allotted time so I had prepped the dickens out of these kits.  I had precut everything, inked all the parts, even adhered some of the little stuff together.  I’m convinced that it was all that prep that got us out of there on time.  :)  You would be amazed at just how much time it really does take to ink everything.  I was pretty surprised myself.

At the end of each class I raffle off my complete set of samples.  They all go to one person and last night that person was Ms. Irene.  I love it when people seem genuinely excited and pleased to get to take home the samples, and Irene really was.  She is such a sweet lady!!  Thanks for coming Irene!

The next card class set for September 25th is going to be all winter holiday and seasonal cards.  As of right now there are six spots left so if you want a seat book it now.  You can drop me a line, call me, or rsvp at the my card group listed on meetup.com.  There is a link on the right in the sidebar area.  Check it out.

There are a few other class offerings in the works for Scrap Palace and I’ll let you know when I have that all ironed out.  I need to get some samples finished and then work from there.  So if you have any project suggestions please send them my way!

I’m off… it’s time for bed. :)  Night-o.

~j

For those of you the know my family personally, you know that my two boys are total opposites. Each of them have different interests, and wants. Dylan is more into all things physical and I’m sure will be the one playing football in school while Ethan is at a Science Olympiad meeting or something. Ethan in pretty moody, like me, and Dylan is a ball of energy like Denny. Ethan is into books, and Dylan would rather be outside playing in the mud. Really, completely different children. So all that being said you can imagine that getting Ethan to ride a bike independently has been an issue.

Ethan was totally capable of riding the bike, just not real into the practicing part and would really rather ride his little Corvette around than actually ride the bike. Mind you I was all about him getting the Corvette AFTER he learned to ride the bike, but, well, Denny went ahead and did it with some of his “side job” money and what could I do? Anyway to just the other day I finally convinced Ethan to take the training wheels off. My mom had been taking him to practice a lot and Ethan was beyond ready, just nervous about it. So lets put it this way, I’ve been crabby and basically told him we were taking the training wheels off, so get over it. So he got on and right off the bat rode the bike down the driveway. It all happened so quick that I missed the first moments, seriously.

Now Ethan is geeked that he doesn’t need the training wheels anymore and he called everyone to tell them the news when we came in. Then after all his celebrating he THANKED ME for making him do it, and then told me… brace yourself… that I WAS RIGHT! Whatcha think about that?

I did some scrappin this week. Not much, but some. I’m not all that into it the last two weeks I’d say so everything is very linear and simple. I like linear and I like simple, but these are borderline unfinished with no effort involved. I need to do something to take care of my funky mood. It is totally something I can control, just that I’ve opted not to do anything about for awhile now. Hopefully once school starts I’ll get back into the swing of things.

I did get my Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L diploma in the mail the other day and my “Scrapbook Approved” pin to place on my much loved apron that I wear during class. Denny thinks I should frame it, lol. He even took the time to suggest a spot on the wall for it. The man really gets into this scrapbooking stuff more than I think he would like to admit. He really is a good guy and very supportive of all my efforts. I’ll be prepping 336 cards over the weekend for class on Tuesday, so we’ll see how he feels about it come Monday night when I have him stuffing envelopes. On that note I have 2 seats open if anyone wants them at the last minute.

I have a couple loads of laundry calling my name, so I’m off. Have a great Friday!!

~j

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Now playing: Candlebox - Far Behind (Album Version)

I had a good weekend. It was, as usual, too short, but I did have a good time. I spent 99% of my Saturday on Woodward at the Dream Cruise. My Dad had his 1961 Corvette selected to be in the GM display so we got a few nice litter perks, like reserved parking, lol, that made me really want to go a little more than I would have otherwise. We drove out there in the morning with my Father inlaws 1948 Plymouth, took it for a quick cruise down, parked it and then took the limo shuttle over to see my Dad. The kids had a good time, and so did I. Later on we took the kids back home and came back out in my Fiero and took that for a little spin. By then Woodward was really packed and a five minute cruise really took more like 4 hours. Ha, yup, just a little traffic. Still a good time though!!

I have to say that one of the best parts of any large event is the people watching that goes on. I saw a lot of entertaining people strutting their stuff and voicing their political and personal opinions. Take this one guy, lol, apparently he has a gripe with Allstate. Too funny. I don’t know if it really did him any good to stand there with that sign, but I’m sure it made him feel better. Sorry buddy, I don’t have Allstate.

I did scrap a little over the last week. I haven’t been motivated to do much of anything. Have I done anything about it? Nope. Should I? Probably. Will I? Hmmm, that is yet to be seen. I sound like one of those magic 8 balls don’t I. Truth be told, I know what my problem is, and I won’t go into the details here, but I just really don’t feel like doing anything. And with that comes not having the motivation to do anything about my mood/energy level. It really is just a vicious circle. A glimpse of my mood… It is almost 1pm, I’m in my PJ’s, and I might not bother getting dressed today. LOL

At any rate, here is one of my creations. This is a super simple idea, that really could be adapted to fit all types of things. The ribbon under the title is a velvet Maya Road ribbon. If you have some and want to attach it I can tell you from experience… go with EZ Dots. Seriously, worked like a charm.

The supplies for this: Reminisce Paper & Rubons, Prima Flowers & Jewel Letters, American Crafts Thickers, May Arts Ric Rac, Bazzill Cardstock, Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L Photo Corner, Heidi Swapp Slide Clips, and Unknown Jewels.

Lastly, let me give you a quick class update. There are 5 seats remaining for the card class at Scrap Palace of Romeo on August 28th @ 7pm. The cost is $20.00 and we will be doing 14 cards. If you can’t make the class you can get a class kit with directions and color copies. As always I will be raffling off class samples at the end of class and usually a few extras too. Come and hang out with us!! It’s a good time, honest! Registrations are accepted via email or telephone, however, the last day to register is August 24.

See you soon…

~j

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Now playing: Barenaked Ladies - For You (iTunes Originals Version)

Some of you may have noticed that my website was down for a few days. And well, if you didn’t notice, humor me so I feel at least somewhat important. Turns out my domain name expired, and despite the fact that I think I may very well be one of the most reachable and connected people on the globe, no one contacted me to let me know. So the next thing I know… poof, no website, no email, no nothing. For people like me, well, things like that don’t go over well. I have to feel connected at all times, and when something like “no internet” happens, well, it kills me. Seriously!

At any rate, I’m back, and I’ve had a busy few days. We took the kids to Frankenmuth on Sunday and came home Monday morning. They had a good time and it was nice to just do something close to home. We took them to Bavarian Inn for the night and they went swimming, played putt putt golf, went on a paddle boat ride, “panned” for gold, and went on a horse and buggy ride. See how much we can pack in just one night?

Monday night we spent at home just spending some time here. We cooked dinner on the grill and ate outside. The kids love when we do that because it always ends in making cherry pies over the fire. Take note that if you have never seen Denny light a fire, well, you are really missing out. Not just anyone can create a fire of that magnitude ya know.  Eric tried and just about lost all the hair off the front side of his body in the process.  Lesson to Eric: don’t stand in the direction of the wind when lighting…

Michelle came over today to scrapbook and sadly I think I was a pretty awful scrapbook buddy today.  I just wasn’t into it I guess.  I’m in a foul mood today and just about everything seems to make me feel worse.  I was standing in the pizza place today and realized I was missing an earring.  That was the icing on my cake and I don’t think there was any turning my mood around from that point.  I did get at least one layout done, finished another I had been working on and started yet another.

So what’s new in my scrapbooking world?  I’m into all things flocked lately.  I picked up a Glue Pad when I went to Archivers the other day just for flocking and then it occurred to me that for my purposes using a Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L Adhesive Transfer Sheet would probably work better.  And truth be told, it did.  I’ve been flocking chipboard letters and the transfer sheets work great for that.  Wanna know how I did it?  Sure you do…  Well I’ll give you a little overview…

First I’d suggest that you paint the chipboard the same color as your flocking.  I do this because I’m not real sure how dense the coverage is on this stuff and I don’t want any blank spaces.  I did some letters that I was flocking black, so I opted to paint them black first.

Second, once your paint is dry, apply the adhesive transfer sheet to the front/painted side of your chipboard.  Burnish this well so that you get full coverage with no spots left without adhesive.

Now that your chipboard is painted all pretty and full of sticky, just sprinkle on the flock of your choice.  I do mine over a craft sheet or tray (which I’d suggest you treat for static first).  So you sprinkle it on and tap it into the adhesive with your finger.  Pick up each letter and tap off the excess.  Repeat this with each item you want to flock.  It really comes out great and I love the effect.

Class at Scrap Palace is coming up soon and there are a few seats left open.  We will be dong 14 cards this month for the price of 12.  ($20.00)  It is my end of summer gift to everyone and my way of saying thanks for all your support.  If you can’t make the class and want a kit please email and let me know!

Enjoy what remains of the day!

~j

Hey it’s Friday and I couldn’t be happier about that. It’s been a rough week with Shelby gong on what I like to call Sleep Strike. The girl has decided that she’d rather stay up and play with me than go to bed. Hey, I’m a fun gal, but I can’t go 24 hours straight. Well my friends, apparently she can! If only you could bottle that kind of energy. I’d be a millionaire.

Wednesday Shelby got her first haircut. She was real calm about it, as was Ethan. Dylan of course, in true dilly fashion, flipped out. Anyway, she was very tolerant of the whole thing. Not real happy, but tolerant. I scrapped the layout of it yesterday when Michelle came over. (Yes that scan is real crooked.) She brought Em with her and she and Ethan hung out all day. Then we all went out to eat. Fun times I tell you. I was freezing my you know what off in that restaurant.

Anyway, the layout… I’m not real crazy about the paper, but that cape thats on Shelby was a very goofy color and matching it was, uh well, near impossible. The title is a combination of K&Co. Sparkle Chipboard and, brace yourself, Stickers . Yes I used stickers and yes I got some flack for it. As a general rule I’m not a big fan of stickers. I can’t seem to get past the whole white edge thing of the past. You know, all those crappy stickers you got when you were a kid. All the adults would give them to you when they felt bad for you. Ha, like oh the dentist just pulled your tooth out, here, have a sticker. Yes, those kind of stickers. Yuck. Well I know stickers have really changed but I just can’t seem to get past it. That being said, these stickers (the brown letters) are fuzzy and I put little jewels on top of them, so that makes them something special, lol. Like I told Michelle, “But these ones Michelle, these are different.” So thus, the exception to my sticker rule.

See always an exception to a rule. Like my mustard rule for example. I hate mustard, it grosses me out, gives me the heebeegeebees (yes that is how you spell it *wink*), and all around makes me cringe just thinking about it. BUT, and there always is a but, I like what I think is called “hot mustard” that you get at any Chinese restaurant. Well up until a couple months ago I didn’t know it was MUSTARD in there, but thanks to Eric, and his big mouth, now I do. So thats my mustard exception and the only way mustard is ever getting close to my mouth. I still however am not eating eggs, or mayo, YUCK.

Archivers in Sterling Heights opens today and I’ll be there at 10am. No idea why I’m going I guess. It’s kinda like gawking on the freeway, you just can’t help but look. So that’s what I’m doing today, lol, gawking at Archivers. I’m sure there will be a bunch of people waiting in line to be the first ones in, and I will not be one of them. I’ve been in an Archivers before, the one in Chicago actually, and I’m really not all that impressed. I did go interview for a teaching position but about about 30 seconds into the interview after hearing about the no-compete clause and the pay scale I decided it wasn’t for me. Looking back I know I made the right decision. But like I said, I can’t help but go look. All scrapbookers do it, we go check out a new store even if it isn’t in our area. It is just a requirement, you can’t NOT go look. I mean really!

Saturday we are going on a little mini trip to Frankenmuth. It’s a way to give the kids one last thrill before school starts. Where did the summer go??? Summer vacation seemed so long when I was a kid and now that I’m experiencing it from the other side of the coin it just goes by way to fast. Now keeping that in mind, come the last few days before school starts I’m going to be pulling my hair out, standing in front of the school begging to let me in, lol. This year I’ll have two kids out of the house at the same time. Holy cow! Dylan has preschool two afternoon’s a week. Last year he was in the morning and it was pretty far from our house, so by the time you dropped him off to was time to go get him again. So really you didn’t have any chance to take a rest in between. I don’t nap, but a little breather here and that, that I squeeze in.

Ok I’m off. I’d like to take a shower, get dressed an eat something before the kids get up. It’s nice to be “alone” in the morning. Nobody in the bathroom yelling, “Mom, are you done yet, I need to pee?” Well, why the heck my kids feel the need to announce it I don’t know. For petes sake, if you have to go, then go. We have two bathrooms, find one. So like I said, I like my mornings alone, quiet, peaceful and private. lol

Have a good day!

~j

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Now playing: Barenaked Ladies - Pinch Me
via FoxyTunes

The August Card Class is being held August 28^th. Class will start at 7pm and run until 9pm or earlier depending how speedy you are feeling that evening.

The class format will be a little different for the month of August. Usually we do 12 cards including envelopes and sample raffle at the end of class. In August we will be doing 12, however you will go home with 2 extra card kits which you can take with you or complete in class as time allows. I had been offering this as an early registration bonus, but due to the number of people asking for the extras I decided to offer them to everyone. The cost is the usual $20.00 and the cancellation window is 24 hours.

I am closing off registration on August 23rd, so any registrations must be in to me by the end of the day on the 23rd. As always if you can’t make class and you would like a kit, those are also available if you register for them in advance.

If you are interested in registering for the class please email me and let me know and I’ll get you on the list! Or, as an alternative you can call me at 586-465-5572. As always, if you know anyone else that may enjoy this class, please feel free to pass on the information!

If you need directions or further information on Scrap Palace of Romeo just let me know, or you can check their website at http://www.scrappalace.com.

I’ve been submitting work lately, layouts, cards and other projects.  Well I got an email this morning from Ready! Set! Create! and they picked up my Travel Tin for publication in there October/November 2007 Issue.  How cool is that?  I so needed something exciting today to wake me up.  I was up all night with Shelby and Dylan decided to join us on and off the entire time too.  I got them both to bed early this morning… around 4:30am.  Ack!  But hey, the excitment has woken me up today, so I’ve got a little burst of energy right now.  Maybe I’ll scrap while the kids are still sleeping!

Today I have dinner plans with Michelle and Jeanne.  It’s a mini celebration of sorts for Michelle’s birthday.  She doesn’t like hoopla so I’ll refrain from informing the restaurant about her special day.  But holy cow I want to tell them, lol.  Anyway, we are going to Texas Roadhouse.  It will be nice to have a girls only meal, so I’m looking forward to it.  Even if I’m going to be half asleep by then.  Who am I kidding, I’m going to be totally unconscious with my face it my food.

I did about 15-20 cards last night while I sat here, hiding out.  I had a horrific kid day and once Denny got home I had to hide out for a bit.  Anyway I used a bunch of scraps and old “extras” from past card classes.  I did have some kids left from last time that I put together also.  If anyone wants them, I’ve completed them for you and they are only $1.75 each and just regular postage rates for me to send them to you.  Just drop me a line, or check out the store tab on top of the page here as I hope to get them posted there today.

It’s raining here today and I have to say I’m loving it.  I really like a good thunder storm so I hope it starts to come down a little harder.  I find it so relaxing and it is even better if I’m in my office/scrap room with a window open next to the pond listening to the waterfall.  On a side note one of my water lilies finally bloomed the other day.  We have so many trees giant that they don’t get much light making it very difficult to get them to bloom.

Here is a little daily inspiration.  I finished this up yesterday.  Enjoy!

I got a lot done today. I finished up a project that had been sitting here looking at me since CHA. I did some running around and now I’m finishing up my last load of laundry. You’re impressed, I can tell.

Anyway, here is the canvas project I did today. The project design itself is mostly taken from a class I had a CHA put on by Canvas Concepts. The box of adhesive they had intended to use in class went missing so we were not able to adhere anything in class. Which was fine by me as the papers wouldn’t have looked all that wonderful in my house. So I set everything on with EZ Dots so I could just peel it off when I got home. Worked great, except that it has been sitting here being moved from one spot to another waiting to be finished.  Well it’s done, I’m pretty happy with it and I love the Memory Glass frames with the kids photos hanging in them.  Perfect touch!

I spent my day yesterday doing laundry… hanging stuff on the line and bring it in.  At least it was a nice day to do it.  In between I worked on some cards.  I did one that I’m in love with.  I have no idea who I’ll send it to, but it’s stinkin’ cute.  I posted it in the card gallery.  Check it out here.

That about covers it for today.  I’m in a “create” kind of mood and I have a good stock of chocolate bars near by so I must go scrap.  Afterall, why waste good chocolate??

~j