Just Another Ordinary Day of "Fantastical" Stuff

Gingerbread Men

2011-12-18T08:30:00.006-06:00

Hello there!

There's something about gingerbread men cookies that is so appealing. I was at Panera the other day and spotted these guys! How cute right?

But, alas, this is not a happy tale of dancing gingerbread men--no!
It's a rather sad tale in fact--there are times I say "NO" when I should say "YES"! When the guy taking my order asked me if I wanted to add a sweet treat to my sandwich order (for .99), I said no!

I didn't realize that I could have had one of these guys for .99!

Now, I can't stop thinking about them.

If you have never been to a Panera's, you gotta go!

Because, there's more yumyums--

I'm thinking I need to go back to Panera's and grab me a couple of those

gingerbread men cookies and devour them unmercifully.

Wanna join me?

As always, have fun in your life and when asked if you want to

add a sweetums for .99--SAY YES for crying out loud.

Always SAY YES!

Yuki

I Love Netflix

2011-12-16T08:30:00.003-06:00

Hello there ma blog peeps!
Can't help it but I love Netflix. I know that recently Netflix has taken some flack because of their price increase but I still love 'em.
When I was working, I used to buy movies all the time, usually from Sam's Club, at about 20 bucks a pop!

When I retired and Zip retired, we couldn't afford to do that anymore. Spending around $60 - $80 a month on movies that we watched ONLY ONCE was out of the question.

In came Netflix. We started with one movie at a time, liked it, then went up to three movies at a time. LOVE it. Love the choices, love the freedom (no driving--just walk to our mailbox), love their promptness.

Netflix go out of their way to make things right

if there is a problem with any of the movie CDs.

We also had, and still do even with the price increase,

unlimited streaming of movies.

We watch them on our big screen TV (with the help of Roku).

We LOVE to watch movies! Can you tell?

For the price of one movie

(when we were buying them), we can watch more movies in one month

than we have time for--for less than a dollar a movie!

When we are away on our roadtrips for weeks, sometimes months,

we put Netflix on hold.

Is Netflix for everybody? Probably not.

But for us--it's the best.

Check them out and see what I mean!

As always, be open to new possibilities!

It's just more fun that way!

Yuki

So True!

2011-12-14T08:30:00.001-06:00

Hello there blog peeps

This post is for everybody who wishes they were organized but aren't.

Recently, Zip and I had lunch with Sambo and afterwards, we went over to her house.

She has this hanging in her stamproom. I love it.

As always, have fun NOT being organized.

I know it's hard to have fun looking for stuff

but

at least you have stuff!

Yuki

I'm the Serious One!

2011-12-12T08:30:00.002-06:00

Hello Blog Peeps
I love my friends! Even when they can't be serious for one second--I still love 'em.

Yes, I'm the serious one. The other two "clowns" are Cynthia and Tony.

These were taken during the Red Hot Social Play Day, right before

the rest of the gang arrived.

From left to right, Marie, Rhodeen, Yuki, the serious one;

Cynthia and her tongue; and Tony the pointer (a new kind of pointer breed).

Here she is going through my pile of lace and making clothes out of them!

And just a warning--If you ever invite Cynthia into your house, NAIL everything down or else

she will move everything around. Trust me, I know from experience.

And, don't even ask me about my poor little

Travelocity gnome!

As always, have fun--I'm sure you have a Cynthia and Tony in your life too!

Yuki

All Elf Is About

2011-12-10T08:30:00.000-06:00

Hello Blog Peeps!
A whole mess of us girls went to the movies the other night! It was a girls' night out with the Zipster too.

We saw "Tower Heist" with Eddie Murphy. Very very funny--go see it if you haven't already.

While we were there, I snapped this photo because I just LOVE what it said.

All Elf is about to break loose!

Just too elfing funny!

As always, create your own fun!

Yuki

More RED

2011-12-06T08:30:00.002-06:00

Hello there!
I just couldn't resist showing you more of my red accent photos.

Here's a photo of Zip's Disney birthday celebration cake on board

the Disney Dream cruise ship. Yum Yum Yummy!

Here is the same cake with my camera set on

color accent RED.

As always, put some fun in your day

whether you want to or not!

Yuki

Magic in the Clouds

2011-12-04T08:30:00.002-06:00

Hello Blog Peeps!
WOW! On our first evening on the Disney Cruise something REALLY magical happened--magical clouds to bid us farewell.
Take a look

Do you see 'em? A magical dragon and . . .

Mickey!!!

The clouds were truly magical that evening!

As always, see the fun all around you.

Yuki

The Color of Red

2011-12-02T08:30:00.000-06:00

Hello there!
WOW! I love taking photos. Been interested in photography nearly all my life. I was the yearbook photographer for my high school for my junior and senior years (that's how I met the Zipster!).
I would take the photos, go over the photo craft shop on Ft Sam Houston, developed my own black and white negatives, then printed the photos.

I LOVE TAKING PHOTOS! Just in case you didn't catch it the first time!

I have this superduper "mini me" digital Canon camera (and it's RED) that I carry in my purse all the time. I have a "big me" SLR digital Canon camera too but I don't carry it around with me all the time--just too big to fit in my purse!

Well, my mini me Canon camera is awesome because I love playing with the settings and creating kewl photos.
Take a look at some photos I took:

It was really really dark so I changed the settings to ADD a bunch of light.

I found a nonmoving FLAT surface to rest my camera on because the

shutter speed was sloooooooow.

I love how the photo came out.

In this photo, I wanted the moon in the background.

You can imagine how dark the night was, right?

It was DARK.

So, again, I had to add a bunch of light

to my photo.

Again, I had to find a good steady surface to

rest my camera on.

WOW! I love the photo, don't you?

Okay, this is the BEFORE photo.

This the AFTER photo.

Know what I did?

I selected a feature in my camera that lets me

pick which color to accent.

In this case, I picked RED!

Anything not red will come out as a black/white photo.

My little camera is so much fun!

Here's another example of color accenting.

And another.

Oh! How do you like this one?

This one is so much FUN. LOVE IT.

Such a kewl photo!

These photos were taken by my red

Canon PowerShot SD780 IS.

THE MOST AWESOME AND VERSATILE

little (fits in my purse)

CAMERA IN THE WHOLE WIDE WORLD!

As always my friend, find the fun behind your camera and

see the world around you in a whole new light.

Be the photographer you were meant to be!

Yuki

BRRRRR--it's December

2011-12-01T08:30:00.001-06:00

Created by Red Hot Shana Neuman

How did it get to be December already?????

Seems like yesterday it was New Year's Day 2011!

What a great December page created by Shana.

Looking at her page--can you feel it? I do.

The cold wintry winds and white crunchy stuff all over the ground. Brrrrrrrrr. . . .

Hope you keep warm during December!

And in case you were wondering--"Yuki" means "snow" in Japanese! :}

Kewl House

2011-11-29T08:30:00.002-06:00

Hello Ma Peeps!
Is this a kewl house or what? Whaddathink? Shouldn't be too hard to do, right?

We're in Downtown Disney, Disney World, near the House of Blues!

As always, life is too short to NOT to have any fun.

Yuki

Magical Entrance

2011-11-27T08:30:00.003-06:00

Hello there!
How can you NOT feel magical going through this huge Mickey Ears Hat to start your Disney Cruise?

Yes! I would love to come aboard!

thank you, Mickey!

As always, have fun and let the child inside you

be a part of your life every day.

Yuki

America I Love Mickey and Us

2011-11-27T08:30:00.002-06:00

If I haven't said it enough, let me say it again--I just love living in the greatest country in the world--the United States.

If you are a US citizen, how wonderful is it to be US-homegrown? We are so lucky, and I don't go one day without thinking about it and being thankful.

So here we are! With "America I Love Mickey" at the Shades of Green (the hotel for military personnel) at Walt Disney World.

That may not be the official name for this Mickey but that's

what I'm calling him--America I Love Mickey.

Here's the Zipperonia with Mickey!

We are going to stay at the Shades of Green this December!

Walt Disney World during Christmas--is there a MORE

magical place to be during Christmas?

I don't think so.

As always, let the magic happen and have fun with it.

Yuki

What ARE These?

2011-11-25T08:30:00.003-06:00

Hello there!
Is there anybody out there who can explain these to me?

Anybody?

As always, have fun even when you don't know what's going on.

Yuki

A Dragon and Me

2011-11-23T08:30:00.000-06:00

Hello there blog peeps!
Here I am in Disney World WITH a dragon. Yikes!

Good thing it's mouth was already filled with time!

As always, have fun and don't be scared of dragons--they like time better than people!

Yuki

Me and Pooh

2011-11-21T08:30:00.002-06:00

Hello there!
I'm not a cartoon watcher but I do like Pooh Bear!

Maybe it's the honey I like?

Here's Zipper with Tigger and that little pink pig whatit'sname!

See the raindrops on Zip's T-shirt?

Rain!

Something we Texans don't know much about!

As always, never let raindrops keep you from having fun!

After all, it's only water!

Yuki

Leggos!

2011-11-19T08:30:00.000-06:00

We love going to the Leggo store! Talk about FUN!
Here we are with some Leggo people and dogs.

This is incredible. All made out of Leggos!

SOMEBODY, SOMEWHERE has waaaaay too much time on their hands!

As always, create a little fun and let your imagination run wild.

Yuki

It's a Squirrel's Life

2011-11-15T08:30:00.001-06:00

Hello Blog Peeps!

Is this funny or what?

I took this photo from inside my sunroom because I didn't want to scare him/her off.

As always, take a few minutes out of your day to savor the little things--it's just more fun that way!

Yuki

The Mother of all Desserts!

2011-11-13T08:30:00.000-06:00

Hello there!
Is this a dessert to end all desserts or what?

And, YES, it was as good as it looks!

As always, have fun and NEVER pass up something as yummy as this!

Yuki

More Spooky Fun!

2011-11-11T08:30:00.000-06:00

Had enough of Halloween yet? NO?
Good. Here's more. . .

For the second night of Halloween fun, I'm a withcie witch. Like my witchie shoes?

Some delectable sweets.

The terrifying trio of Tinkerbell and two twitchies.

Add a Raggedy Ann and a ghoul--and you've got yourself a PAR-TEE!

Wtichie Yuki with ghostie friends, dancing in the background.

A vampira, a mousie, and two witchies in the Texas Transportation Museum giftie store.

Trouble is brewing!

If you have never visited the Texas Transportation Museum in San Antonio, TX, why not?

It's a FUN place full of train stuff and more!

Yuki

I Wrote the Book

2011-11-09T08:30:00.000-06:00

Hello there!
Have you written a book? A short story maybe? Do you even like to write?

I do dream about writing a book and then becoming famous and, above all, rich! But I'm thinking that is not my path.

Yet, I HAVE written a book! It's basically a book about me (surprise!) and it includes only a few years of my life--it's my blog book.

Here's the front cover of my book! Zip took that photo of me while we were touring inside one of the caves near Mt Rushmore. I like that photo of me! :}

This is the dedication page. I dedicated my book to Zip and me because without us,

there would be no book!

We are standing on top of glacier in Alaska. We have both been dreaming about doing this one day and we finally got to do it on one of our roadtrips.

This is my back cover. You can see that my book encompasses the years from Jan 2008 to Feb 2011. Zip took this photo of me while we were on a Princess cruise to Alaska.

Oh, just a closer look of the front cover photo. I think you can even see that I'm wearing a Mt Rushmore T-shirt.

This is what I decided to put on the spine of the book because it really is all about me.

Here's a glimpse into some of the pages of my book. When ordering your blog book, you can decide to include comments to your blog post or not. I decided to include them in my book; I love reading your comments so keep them coming okay?

More pages of my blog book.

These are pages when I first started my blog, back in 2008.

WOW! I love my blog book. Can't wait for the next one. I'll give another 2 - 3 years and then publish my second blog book.

If you have a blog and want your very own blog book, check out Blog2print.

They do a fantastic job--the quality is superb, quick turnaround time, and very affordable.

As always, have fun in your life and then write about it. :}

Yuki

Two Blogs!

2011-11-07T13:00:00.000-06:00

Hola blog peeps!

I have some new news for you!

In October, I started a NEW blog called, Art With Sprinkles and I'm really really excited about it.
For many many moons, I've been thinking about starting a separate blog where I could share little bits and pieces of the stuff I create, apart from all my roadtrip stuff.

It took me a while to come up with a name for my new blog--oh the names I went through! FINALLY, "Art With Sprinkles" became THE NAME I wanted to go with.

Art = I am an artist. I love to create. What I create is art (at least to me!). I love sharing what I create.

Sprinkles = I love sprinkles. I love the word "sprinkles"! Sprinkles are colorful and fun. Sprinkles make me happy.

Art With Sprinkles = my art makes me happy like sprinkles on a cupcake!

I hope when you peek inside my new blog, Art With Sprinkles, you will find colorful and fun bits and pieces of my creative creations that will inspire you to create your own art sprinkles.

I've created a tab beneath my header where you can go (quickly) to Art With Sprinkles.

If you want to see what Zip and I are up to, please continue to check out this blog okay?! :}

As always, have fun and ONLY eat cupcakes with sprinkles! Why? Because, as in life, a cupcake is sooooooo much better with sprinkles on it.
Yuki

My Most Favorite Scotch Tape

2011-11-07T08:30:00.050-06:00

Hello there!
Have you thought about the scotch tape you use? Do you love it? Do you like it? Do you hate it?

Well, I hate the "satin" gift wrap stuff--what a waste of money! First of all, why does it say it's specifically for gift wrapping? When you do use it on a gift wrap, it's so noticeable that I think it looks hideous. Secondly, I take issue with "satin"! I don't know why I take issue with that word to describe tape but I do!

And have you tried the tape that says it's invisible? Really? Really? Invisible? Like I can't see it at all after it's applied to something? Please stop before I have to slap myself to wake up from this nightmare!

Then there's the tape that says it's clear (sorta like invisible) but it's really not. There is nothing clear about the clear scotch tape I've used.!

And if I'm not on a scotch tape hating spree as it is, let's talk the tape that won't stick even after pressing it down a number of times. Shouldn't that not even be an issue? Tape that won't stay taped down?

And please don't get me started on Magic Tape. What the heck does that mean--magic? What is so magical about magic tape. I don't get it.

It's been hard dealing with all this UNTIL
I accidentally stumbled upon the MOST PERFECT scotch tape in the whole wide world. It's so my favorite that I can't imagine my life without it now. Buying two rolls of this tape was NOT an option; I needed at least three rolls.

Shhhh, I really bought tons of this tape because I love it so much!

Yes, it's from Dollar General and it's only $1 a roll (a HUGE roll may I add). It is truly CLEAR--and it's so pretty in its clearness. It is about 99% invisible when applied to anything, even gift wrap. It is very very sticky.
It sticks really really well like something called "tape" should. Imagine that!

If you have issues with your roll of clear satin magic scotch tape, then you need to run to your nearest Dollar General store and buy a roll or two before I get there! :} Hopefully I didn't buy them all. :}

And please don't ask me exactly how many rolls of this tape I have because I may have to deviate from the truth a bit to not appear strange! (And yes, I know Scotch tape is brand of tape! So cry me a river and hand me a Kleenex will ya!)

As always--have some fun--buy some Dollar General scotch tape. Life is too short to do otherwise.
Yuki

Meatloaf

2011-11-05T08:30:00.002-05:00

Hello Blog Peeps
I just know you've been wondering how in the world does Yuki make meatloaf, right?
YES!!! I knew it.

Okay okay okay, calm down. Here's how The Yukster makes meatloaf.

It came out sooooooooooooo good too.

After I mixed all the ingredients together, I take half of the meat mixture and press into my meatloaf pan, then sprinkle the cheddar cheese on top, then press the other half of the meat mixture on top of that.

Some good vittles, let me tell ya!

So, have fun making meatloaf. Why? Because for one night, you won't have to ask yourself, "What's for dinner?" You'll know the answer. And, of course, it's just more fun when you know all the answers, isn't it?
Yuki

Obsessive Writing

2011-11-03T08:30:00.001-05:00

Hello Blog Peeps!
Well, right now, I feel like telling you a little something something about me and how my mind works (or doesn't work)!

Here's a photo clue.

Can you guess? Well, if not, let's break it down into parts and maybe that will help.
First, you see the Mickey pen right?
The Mickey pen is on a planner (daily planner).
Yes, you got it!!!!! It's my diary. I am obsessive-compulsive about writing in my diary on a daily basis.

I've been keeping a diary back when it was called "keeping a diary"! Nowadays, it's journaling or something crazy like that.

For over 50 years, I've been writing about my daily life. Depending on how much space I had--that determined how much I wrote.

Currently, I'm liking a day planner type book that's available in all office supply stores. My 2011 day planner happens to be pink for cancer awareness. Last year, I bought a black day planner and covered it with some scrapbook paper.

When I was working, I would "write in code" in my desk calendar so if anybody sat at my desk and flipped through my calendar, they wouldn't really understand what I was writing. But each year as I bought another desk calendar refill, I would rubber band the old one and keep them in my desk. When I finally retired, I had a BUNCH of them to take home. All full of daily work stuff and daily living stuff.

I try not to be compulsive about writing but I can't help myself. If I go a few days without writing (doesn't happen that often), I sit myself down and catch-up on my days.

Even on vacation, I write.

We were living in Germany between 1978 to 1981 and one day, I received a traffic ticket in the mail, claiming that I had run a red light based on a photo from a camera on the traffic light. HA! I don't think so. I was sure they had made a mistake. So I went back looking for that date in my diary and read my accounts of the day. Oooops, I WAS on that street, doing an errand that day! Oh my gosh! BUSTED!!!!
I paid the fine and called it a day, knowing that I was wrong and I could prove it. hee hee

So, there's a good reason to keep a diary right? But that's not the reason why I keep a diary--to disprove or prove where I was on a particular day. Nope.

The reason why I am compulsive about writing on a daily basis--my feelings, my memories, my thoughts, my dreams, my mistakes, my delights in life--is because I need to SEE that I have lived that day.

When I SEE my writings, I know that I have lived. Silly as it may sound, it makes me happy.

I can concentrate on today, knowing that my yesterday is documented.

I can also SEE that my penmanship SUCKS big time--oh my gosh!

Find what makes you happy and then do it even if it doesn't make sense to others. Why?
Because you'll be happier and have more fun!!!! Yeeeeeehaw!
Yuki

Gobble Gobble--it's November!

2011-11-01T08:30:00.000-05:00

Created by Red Hot Sharon Gabrielson

Of all the holidays, I really like Thanksgiving because it's pretty stress-free AND all about eating some yummilious food. It's also a time to reflect about how blessed as Americans we are. What a great country we live in, don't you think? I wouldn't want to live any place else.

We can be whatever we want to be; it's up to us. I like that.

I LOVE Sharon's page. I wish you could see it in person because the photo does not do it any justice. It's a beautiful page--love love love it.

GREAT job, Sharon!

I'm so thankful for the friends I've made through The Angel Company. My life is just so much richer with my Red Hots and angel friends.

Happy THANKSgiving y'all.

Vampira Yuki

2011-10-31T08:30:00.002-05:00

Spooky Hellos!

Today I am Vampira Yuki, hanging out with my ghostie friends.

I needed a little snackiepoo!

spooky spooky!

Oh yummy! Finger-lickin' good.

Connie, the gypsy fortune teller, and me (trying to look scary!).

Wonder if she has any blood left?

What a pair!

Tinkerbell with Vampira--both smiling. I KNOW why I'm smiling but why is Tink smiling?

That's right, I'm not smiling anymore! Tink is toast!

Teddy Bear gone vamp!

Marie the mouse is smiling now--just wait. . .

I didn't know ghouls wore sunglasses!

Well, hope you have a fun Halloween, filled with a butt load of candy and spooky stuff.

Vampira Yuki

Birthday Present

2011-10-30T08:30:00.003-05:00

Hello there Blog Peeps!

I celebrated a birthday in August; had a wonderful birthday too. Any day that I wake up is a good day wouldn't you say?! Thinking about the alternative--not waking up--is NOT a good thing.

With that said, let me tell you a story--About 2 months ago or so, I bought a most beautimus dress at Goodwill for $15. When I bought it, I knew what I wanted to do with it too. No, I didn't want to wear it!!

I wanted to display it on a dress form in my house. So my search for a not-so-expensive-but-pretty dress form commenced. Have you priced them? Good golly, they are not cheap!

A good friend of mine, Lisa, knew I was looking for one and decided to buy me one for my birthday!!! Yeeeehawwwww! She and I went to the Warrenton/Roundtop Antique Show and she showed me all these dress forms made out of wire. I picked one and here it is WITH my beautimus and cheap dress from Goodwill hunting.

Isn't it gorgeous? I LOVE them both--the dress and the dress form. So perfect together. And yes it IS a pair of Mickey ears in the background--you are soooooo observant!

If you were at the Red Hot Christmas party in 2010, you'll notice the beautiful necklace I won during the Red Hot Chinese Gift Exchange!!!! It's from Lisa too. Oh how I love that necklace--it's full of metal crowns and blingie charms. When I had won it, my plans were to take it apart and use the charms individually but, as you can see, it's all still intact.

The Goodwill hunting dress is a size 8 (yikes) and the dress form is probably about a size 12 or 14, with extra wide shoulders and hips. I tried every which way to get the dress on the dress form but couldn't.

Yes, I did the unthinkable. I cut the dress in the back. It hurt, let me tell you.

Pretty bad right? I did try to not cut the zipper apart but it still would not fit past the shoulders or the hips. Major surgery was in order.

Even though this little lady should not EVER show her backside, I still think it looks perfect. I love it.
Stay tuned to see my whole display with this dress, okay?
As always, if a dress won't fit, you MAKE IT FIT--and have fun while you're doing it.
Yuki

If Only

2011-10-28T08:30:00.003-05:00

hello blog peeps!
I worked for 33 years for the US Army as a Federal Civil Servant. Before that, I worked at odd jobs. I've been working since I was 18 years old. Every day, Monday through Friday, 8 hours a day.

Not a part-time job. Not a seasonal job. Not an "on-call" type of job. No!

Eight hours a day, five days a week. And let's not talk about the drive time to work and back!

Don't get me wrong! I'm no different than anybody else who works a "9 to 5," five days a week job.
But, in a way, I am a little different than most women in the workforce (just a little).

Even though I've been married all my adulthood, I don't have kids. BIG DIFFERENCE and I know it.

So here I am working, working, working--my weekends were precious to me.
I wanted to do what "I" wanted to do on my weekends.
And, trust me, I didn't want to waste my weekends doing housework, that's for sure. Can ya feel me?

While I was working, everyday, I was filled with "if only" thoughts.

If only I wasn't working.
If only I had more time.
If only I just had one more day, I could . . .
If only the weekends were longer.
If only I could sleep till 9am.
If only I could stay in my jammies all day.
If only Mondays didn't come after Sundays.
If only I didn't have to get up so early.
If only I had more energy after work, I would cook dinner instead of buying something on the way home.
If only I wasn't so tired after work.
If only we could be on vacation.
If only I didn't have to set the alarm every night.
If only I could wake up when I wanted to.
If only I could call in "sick" everyday.
If only I could just stay at home and watch TV.
If only I could just stamp all day.
If only I could just
If only I could
If only I
If only
If

Yes. . . if only.
But. . . be careful what you wish for because you might just get it.

So, please come back as the saga continues
and
remember--
What may be done at any time will be done at no time. – Scottish Proverb
stay thirsty my friends
Yuki

Enough Scissors?

2011-10-27T21:00:00.001-05:00

Hello there blog peepers!
Well, I'm ready to give you another glimpse into another one of my obsessive-compulsive obsessions.
Scissors.
Yes scissors.
I love scissors. So affordable and so useful. How can you stop at just one or two?

Here's my drawer of scissors before I organized them.

Such a mess right? So I took all my scissors out of the drawer and I started to organized them by color and some by size. Here are some of embroidery type scissors.

My Tim Holtz scissors.

My heavy duty scissors.

My Kai type scissors.

Scissors that fringe.

My yellow ones.

Gray ones.

Blue ones.

Green ones.

Oh! More yellow ones.

My pretty heart scissors.

Mickey scissors and cute polka dotted ones.

My clear ones.

Purple and blue ones.

Pink ones.

Here's my scissor drawer organized!

Much better don't you think?

But, much to my surprise--I found MORE scissors as I was working on my stamproom.

This is another scissors drawer! Oooops

I just recently bought this one. So cute.

Hee hee, had to buy six of them! Couldn't resist them.

Sooooooooooo cute!

Here's a whole mess of scissors I found here and there and everywhere in my stamproom.

These are soooooooo cute. How could you NOT possess them?

Mickey ear scissors. Love them! I use one pair and just look at the other pair.

As always, have fun with scissors. Just don't run with them okay?

Oh, in case you are wondering if I learned anything about me

and my obsession with scissors--glad you asked.

Yes, I did.

I need more green ones.

Yuki

Kewl Photo

2011-10-26T08:30:00.000-05:00

Hello there Blog Peeps!
Just wanted to share with you a kewl photo that Zipper took of me and our friend, Larry.

It was taken while we were all riding the train in the Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World.

Isn't it kewl? I love it.

As always, delight in the little things.

Yuki

Sticker it to me!

2011-10-24T08:30:00.003-05:00

Hello Blog Peeps
I like stickers.
But Mickey Stickers?
I LOVE Mickey Stickers.
Do you think I have enough?

Nay nay!
You can never have too many Mickey Stickers! So sticker it to me, please! :}
As always, fun can be found in something as simple as a Mickey Sticker.
Well.
Maybe in a BUNCH of Mickey Stickers!
Yuki

Seven Dwarfs

2011-10-22T08:30:00.005-05:00

Hello there blog peeps

While in the Magic Kingdom, we found out that the Seven Dwarfs (you know who I mean) only come out during Halloween for photos. What?
Only during Halloween?
Yes!
Yahoooooooooooo! We made a bee-line to where they were.
Oh my gosh, LONG line.
So Zip stands in line while I go trick or treating for some candy--hee hee. It's a hard job but SOMEBODY has to do it.

I also went to the front of the line to snap some photos of the magical little dwarfs.
They are so cute.

After gathering a bunch of candy, I came back to the line to rest. Here I am resting.
See the Mickey ghost I'm holding. It was filled with popcorn. Is that cute or what? I HAD to have it. It is soooo a "keeper"!

After what seems like forever, it was finally our turn with the dwarfs.

Cute cute cute! Oh my gosh, they are so cute.
The wait was so worth it. We were there. They were there. And, now we have a photo with them.
Oh be still my heart!
As always, let fun into your soul. You'll have more laugh lines but less wrinkles!
Yuki

A Change for the Scary

2011-10-20T08:30:00.001-05:00

Hello there!
I had to get into the Halloweenie spirit. My butterfly shirt just wasn't cutting it.
So I bought a Mickey Halloween shirt and sooooooooo much better, don't you think?

The decoration goes around the whole shirt--front and back. I love this shirt.
As always, find the fun, be one with the fun; it's just more fun that way.
Yuki

Orange All Around

2011-10-18T08:30:00.000-05:00

Hallo Blog Peeps
Here we are! Getting our photo taken with the backdrop of orange all around. I love it. So pretty and so orange.

It's magical in the Magic Kingdom.
As always, look around, find the fun. It's everywhere.
Yuki

Not So Scary Mickey Halloween Party

2011-10-16T08:30:00.003-05:00

Hello there Blog Peepies
We paid the extra mula to attend the Mickey Not So Scary Halloween Party in the Magic Kingdom.
See the little bag I'm carrying? It's our trick or treat bag. Disney gave away a butt load of candy. Wowzers.

We have been to the Magic Kingdom many many times before BUT never have we seen it so orange. It was very Halloweenie, that's for sure.
As always, find the fun in the little things, like the color orange.
Yuki

Me and My Bill Miller's Muggie

2011-10-14T08:30:00.004-05:00

Hello ma blog peeps

If you live in San Antonio, you KNOW about Bill Miller's BBQ. I love their BBQ but not their BBQ sauce. For me, it's too sour, too much vinegar or something. So I eat their lean brisket with NO sauce.
I also LOVE their sweet tea. I must have about 5 Bill Miller's refillable mugs--the old ones and the new ones (slimmer).

I take my muggie everywhere I go, usually. My drink (usually water) stays nice and cold for a long time in the Bill Miller's mug. When I was woooor, woorrr, worrrrking, whew--it's hard for me to say that word these days--okay, one more time--when I worked, I took a mug of iced water everyday.

Going on vacation, I also take my Bill Miller's muggie.

And yes, glad you asked.
I DID take it to the Magic Kingdom. It was hot. Texas hot in Florida. Uggggg.

I NEED my ice water.
As always, be afraid not to love your Bill Miller's muggie too. Why? Because it's just more fun drinking your ice water out of it instead of a lame plastic cup.
Yuki

Yum Yum Eat 'Em Up!

2011-10-12T08:30:00.002-05:00

Hello Blog Peeps

Well, Zip and I are still trying to lose weight so we TRIED to be GOOD eating-wise during our Disney vacation and cruise. It's hard. Food is everywhere, especially on the Disney cruise. If it's available, I tend to want to eat it. So a buffet of yum yum stuff is sooooooooooooooo hard to resist, can ya feel me?

So, here we are in Germany (Epcot Germany).

And we want to eat. We are hungry. We want food.

This is what we shared. What?
Why yes, that is apple streusel.
And yes, we shared that too.
Do you remember that movie Eddie Murphy movie, Raw? "Half Eddie. I vant half."
That's what we want too--half of all the yum yum stuff.
And as always, have fun eating half of whatever you want to eat.
Yuki

What Are the Odds?

2011-10-10T08:30:00.002-05:00

Hello Blog Peeps

So what are the odds?
It's our first day at Walt Disney World. It's their last day at Walt Disney World.
So what are the odds that we would be at the same park at the same time on the same day AND actually find each other?
What are the odds?
Pretty slim, right?

Well, here I was--getting my photo taken with Duffy the Disney Bear (I love that bear!) and I think I hear my name being called.
But, thinking, it's so impossible that anybody would be calling MY NAME, so I ignore it.

But it doesn't stop.
My friend, Marie, tells me that a little girl is calling my name. Yea, right. A little girl. No way. I don't know any little girls here at Epcot.
Must be another "Yuki"!

Well, surprise suprise suprise. It IS a little girl I know. Oh my gosh, it's my little buddy Ameryn!
She spotted me and was yelling at the top of her lungs, "Yuki Yuki Yuki"!!!!!

What are the odds?
Cynthia was one of my Red Hots while we were with The Angel Company. We stayed with them on a previous roadtrip when they lived in Montana. Oh my gosh, to see them all here at Epcot on THEIR last day and our FIRST day--what are the odds?
It was wonderful to see them--a GREAT way to start our magical Disney adventure.
As always, have fun and let life happen!
Yuki

Bahamas!

2011-10-09T08:30:00.000-05:00

Howdy Blog Peeps!
Welcome to the Bahamas! Nassau specifically. The capital of the Bahamas!

We've never been to the Bahamas so this was really exciting.
Here's a view from the ground of our cruise ship. Beautiful, right?

We decided to take an excursion to learn more about the various forts in Nassau.
Here's our guide! Look at the Mickey ears!

Is that too cute or what? So Disney. I love it.
Find the fun in small things and don't forget to let your heart smile. It's just more fun that way!
Yuki

Our first cruise sunset!

2011-10-08T08:30:00.008-05:00

Hello ma blog peeps!
Take a look at our first cruise sunset taken from our balcony!

Sooooooooo beautimus!
Experience the fun in watching a sunset. Such pleasures should never be taken for granted.
Yuki

Cruise Food

2011-10-06T08:30:00.002-05:00

Hello ma Blog Sailing Peeps!
Well, what's a cruise without food, right? I didn't lose over 12 pounds to NOT eat cruise food.
So here I am. My FIRST cruise food meal.

We, on purpose, don't eat anything before we board the cruise ship just so we can be good and hungry to enjoy the heck out of our first cruise food meal. Yummy is all I can say about the food.
So get out there and savor the flavor of FUN. It's absolutely MORE fun that way.
Yuki

Welcome Aboard!

2011-10-04T08:30:00.003-05:00

Hello ma sailing blog peeps!
Let's get on board the Disney Dream okay?

Me--with Mickey ears! We were given personalized Mickey ear hats by one of our sailing friends. On the back of my hat, it is embroidered with "Yuki" on it.
What a wonderful surprise when he presented the hats to all of us.
It was also a GREAT way to get into the Mickey spirit.
As always, put on your Mickey ears hat or any FUN hat and have some fun!
Yuki

Disney Cruise--the start of a new adventure on the high seas!

2011-10-02T08:30:00.002-05:00

Hello Blog Peeps!
Not only did we do Disney World but we did a Disney Cruise. Our first.

We went with some friends and had adjoining cabins with balcony.
WHAT FUN!!!!!

Everything Disney does--it's first class all the way.
While we waited to board the ship, Mickey was there to start the Disney FUN.

Notice the HUGE yellow Mickey ears in the background? That's the entrance to the ramp that takes you to the cruise ship. Now. . . is that FUN or what?

While our friends took their photo with Mickey, I guarded all our "carry-on" luggage.

It was a tough job but I was up for the task! :}
As always, never avoid the tough jobs because even they can be FUN.
Yuki

Scary October!

2011-10-01T08:30:00.001-05:00

Created by Red Hot Cynthia Fragozo.

October. . . Fall. . . Coolness. . . Candy!

and scary little kids walking up and down the streets!

How fun is October?

I'm so proud of Cynthia and her page! I can count over 5 or more steps to this page. GREAT job, Cynthia!

You are great and so is your page!

Star Tours!

2011-09-30T08:30:00.002-05:00

Hello Blog Peep Warriors!
Yes, warriors! Because we are going to battle. Star Tours battle that is. In Hollywood Studios, we did the NEW Star Wars ride, Star Tours. It's described as a Star Wars flight simulator ride.

Be sure NOT to miss this ride when you visit Disney World. It's alot of FUN.

Yuki

Sci-Fi Drive-In

2011-09-28T08:30:00.004-05:00

Hello Blog Peeperoonees!
Is this a FUN place or what? Don't know? Well, take my word for it--it's FUN FUN FUN. You sit in these CARS to eat your dinner AND watch old movies on this huge screen. Corny movies, old cartoons, you name it. It's ridiculously FUN. If you are old enough, it's like being at the drive-in movies but with betteer food.

Right outside is this super duper kewl car. Yes, it's another Disney prop and you know me! I HAD to have my picture taken with it.

Then. . . to make it MORE fun, Marie got into the car.

Here she is driving like a maniac! Me? I'm still posing!

Then, Marie decides to "strike a pose" in the back of the car. And yes, I'm STILL posing.

As always, create your own fun--don't sit in the back seat and wait for fun to find you!

You'll miss all the fun if you do that.

Yuki

Fun with Friends

2011-09-26T08:30:00.002-05:00

Hello Blog Peepers!
We are here again but this time we're with our friend Marie. We've been friends for over 40 years. Dang! That's a long time huh? Notice her purse? More on that later so stay tuned.

As always, having fun with friends is always more fun!
Yuki

Disney Does Halloween!

2011-09-24T08:30:00.002-05:00

Hello Blog Peeps!

Wow! Disney does Halloween really really well. So much fun Halloween-nie stuff everywhere you turn. I just love this Disney pumpkin.

As always, see the fun in everything--it's just more fun that way.
Yuki

Say Hello to my Little Friend!

2011-09-22T08:30:00.001-05:00

Hello Blog Peeps!
I am such a sucker for all the "photo props" sprinkled here and there in Disney. I think it's so much FUN to be photographed with them. I'm very lucky to have such an obliging hubster--he's always willing to take my photo.
So. . .
"Say Hello to my (new) Little Friend"

Is this FUN or what?
I tried to get my new little friend to smile but I think he was doing his best to just ignore me.
And, as always, it's up to you to have fun even when others are trying to ignore you.
Yuki

Junkanoo

2011-09-21T08:30:00.000-05:00

Hello Blog Peepies!
In San Antonio, we have Fiesta! Every April, it's almost nonstop partying for about 10 days with 3 HUGE parades.
Fiesta is one of America’s truly great festivals. It began as a way to honor the memory of the heroes of the Alamo and the Battle of San Jacinto. That commemoration still takes place, but over the years, Fiesta has grown into a celebration of San Antonio’s rich and diverse cultures.

In Nassau, Bahamas, they have Junkanoo!

Junkanoo first began as a temporary celebration of freedom for slaves who were given three days off at Christmas time.

Junkanoo is reminiscent of New Orleans' Mardi Gras and Rio de Janeiro's Carnival, but it is distinctly Bahamian and exists nowhere else. Parade participants -- arranged in groups of up to 1,000 -- are organised around a particular theme. Their costumes, dance and music reflect this theme. At the end of the Junkanoo procession, judges award cash prizes. The three main categories for the awards are: best music, best costume and best overall group presentation.

Here we are, wearing some Junkanoo hats!

We learned about the instruments they use to make "noise"! Drums, cymbals, whistles--all are used as noise makers.

I love it when I can make a bunch of noise and not get in trouble for it!

Here--I'm trying to just blend in with all the colorful stuff AND doing a mighty fine job wouldn't you say!?
hee hee
As always, have fun!
Yuki

Magical Magic!

2011-09-20T22:42:00.002-05:00

Hello Blog Peeps!

Disney World!
Mickey Mouse!
I love it all.
Everywhere you turn, there is magical magic.
Here we are in one of Disney's four parks--Hollywood Studios.

Don't we look like we're having some magical fun?

I just can't seem to stop smiling every time I see all the cute-ums Disney stuff. What a magical place for sure.
As always, find your FUN--it's all around you! You just gotta BELIEVE in the magic!
Yuki

September Sweet September

2011-09-01T08:30:00.000-05:00

Created by Red Hot Jeri Wynn.

Hello September!!!

Gosh, it's almost Christmas. Where does the time go?

LOVE Jeri's page! Love love love the colors, and if you don't have some TAC More Mimi paper, you don't know what you're missing.

I LOVE MORE MIMI. . . it's double-sided and ALL the sides are sooooooo beautiful.

GREAT JOB, Jeri, love your page!

WOW!

2011-08-26T14:49:00.002-05:00

Hello Ma Blog Peeps!
So much has happened this month that my head is still spinning.
I became a year older--uggggg.
I've been married a year longer--yippee! :}
I'm no longer a TAC angel ONLY because The Angel Company has closed their doors.

Sad. . . very sad.

I've been with The Angel Company for over 11 years. I had a TAC downline group, The Red Hot Rubber Stampers!, that was the best ever. Made friends that otherwise I would not have made.
I was forced many times to step outside my zone of comfort to give inspirational type speeches (at least I hope they were) to a huge gathering of angels during our TAC Seminars and Leadership events. I'm sure the sale of wine coolers went up during these times because I needed SOMETHING to calm my nerves, that's for sure! :}
I was pushed to my creative limits sometimes, trying to design wondrous "samples" for the various TAC catalogs.
I've been published many many many times, all with TAC stamps!
I think I'm a better person because of The Angel Company. At least, that's the way I feel.
Those of you who know me may debate that issue--ha ha! And that's okay. I accept that too.

The Angel Company made it possible for me to have friends throughout the entire United States. What a nice and wonderful feeling that is. Thank you so much, Mischelle! Your vision, your dream, your heart enabled us to grow as stampers and grow as people. Your "touch" will forever be a part of us!

I'm so sad and sorry that The Angel Company had to closed their doors! For me, their closing will impact upon my creative life, not my social life since I know that many of my Red Hots and fellow angels will continue to stay in touch with me, no matter what path we take from now on.

I will continue to create--it's in my blood. I will continue to stamp--that's in my blood too. I truly have a need to express myself via my "creations"! I AM a crafter through and though--not just a stamper.

And if you are wondering if I'm going to sign up with another direct-selling stamp company--wonder no more! I'm not. Been there done that (twice now) and with TAC closing--that chapter of my life has ended. I'm off on other adventures!

So please keep checking my blog and see what I'm up to, okay? I think you'll be surprised. My next blog post will the first of my many "creations" hopefully. Right now, I'm kinda stuck making these because I'm having such fun. And isn't that the point of life? To have fun? I think so.

Whatever you do, whatever you decide to do, whatever you want to do--DO IT. As long as it's FUN for YOU, do it. Doesn't matter what others think about what you're doing either.

So my fellow blog peeps, please follow me out one door and through another exciting door, okay?
red hot hugs,
Yuki

August!!!!!

2011-08-01T08:30:00.001-05:00

Created by Red Hot Penny Walker.

August. . . is here. . . with a promise of cooler weather ahead.

I love Penny's page--all the different elements just come together nicely. Great job, Penny.

A VERY nice "cool" page to look at for the month of August!

(my birthday month. . . send presents. . .) :}

July--hot hot hot!

2011-07-01T08:30:00.001-05:00

No calendar page photo but stay tuned--it's a coming! Hasn't been born yet.

Bead It!

2011-06-24T08:30:00.001-05:00

Hello Blog Peeps!
I must admit that another one of my out-of-control obsessions is with beads! I love beads. You can buy a package of beads (with hundreds of beads inside) for next to nothing.
There is something mesmerizing about beads. They are so tiny but so powerful, and they know it.

These, of course, are just SOME of my beads that I possess. It is really really hard to walk by a package of colorful beads without wanting to possess them. Tame them. Control them.
But, alas, beads are very hard to control.
Let them loose on a flat surface and WATCH OUT! They are going everywhere except where you want them to go.

And, because I am the person I am, I don't hold it against the beads. How can you? It's their nature to be that way.
I love beads in spite of themselves.

Most of the time, I don't do many projects with beads. I just like to look at them. That's enough for me!
I'm happy.
Soooooooo, go out there and start a relationship with beads.
Why?
Do I really need to answer that?
Really?
Yuki

Paper Junkie!

2011-06-22T08:30:00.005-05:00

Hello blog peeps
To say that I LOVE paper is like saying, "Yuki loves paper"! There is no other way to say it. I DO love paper.
Sheets of pleasure at my fingertips.
I NEVER met a pack of paper that I didn't love! I KNOW I say that all the time but it's true so I HAVE to say it.

Is this sick or what? This is just SOME of my paper packs. I don't have the room to stand them on their sides (really need a bigger house); I had to stack them on top of each other. Not the ideal method of storage but a good compromise.

Notice how I write the name of the paper stack on the glue pad part; otherwise, it would be a TOTAL nightmare for sure, trying to find a particular paper pack.

I wish paper companies would just STOP for about 6 months and NOT come up with any new paper. It's their fault I can't stop this madness.

Well, if you can't fight it, might as well sit back and enjoy the paper, right?
It really is just more fun that way! Believe me. I know.
Yuki

Scraps Scraps and More Scraps!

2011-06-20T08:30:00.004-05:00

Hello Blog Peeps
Sometimes I wonder about me! What exactly is wrong with me?
I can remember receiving Christmas presents every year as a child. I can remember receiving birthday presents too. It's not like I didn't get ANYTHING as a child.
We didn't have a whole lot of money but I always got presents as a child.

I was not neglected or abused or mistreated in any way as a child but yet I think I have a problem. Something went awry somewhere.

My problem is this--I just can't seem to throw away paper scraps. At times, trying to fight this obsession, I force myself to throw some away but the feelings of remorse and regret afterwards are really just not worth it.

It's hard to think of a paper scrap that I won't need for some future project, ya know?

So. . . here are my paper scraps--all sorted by color. So many times, I can come up with a card just using my scraps! Gosh, that's such a rush. Too bad drug companies can't bottle that feeling into a powder so we can snort it whenever we stampers need a high!

Yes yes, some of the drawers are a mixture of various colors--take a look at the drawer marked "green"! Hmmmm, doesn't look all that green does it? This just proves that my "out-of-control" obsessions are REALLY out of control!

Way back when, I had all my scraps in ONE container. To find a particular color of scrap, I would have to go through ALL my scraps! Uggggg! I ended up NOT using them at all.
This way, I always go to my scrap drawers first, instead of cutting a whole sheet of paper each time.

Think about starting a system like this. It doesn't have to be drawers. You can use one of those accordion filing system for bills/receipts--you know what I mean right?

Sort your scraps. Use your scraps. And have more fun creating the green way!
Yuki

Is it "Hammer Time" Yet?

2011-06-18T08:30:00.002-05:00

Hello Blog Peeps!
Can I just share something pretty private with you? I have a fascination with hammers! I LOVE hammers. Need I say it?
Okay, I will.
I have NEVER met a hammer I didn't love.

I have a nice collection of hammers, I must admit. When I'm in a store and I see a hammer that I don't have--oh my gosh--my heart starts to skip a beat in anticipation of owning THAT particular hammer.

I have some hammers that just feels good in my hand. I feel powerful. I know I can bash just about anything in my stamproom with minimal effort AND look good while doing it. Sweet!

I have a drawer dedicated to all my hammers. Well, these are most of them. I say "most of them" because at my stamp table, inside my middle drawer, are the hammers I use frequently.
You have heard of puffy tacos right? Well, I LOVE LOVE LOVE a good puffy taco but I HATE HATE HATE puffy staples. It's a "Yuki-thing" I'm thinking because hardly anyone else shares my total dislike for them.
Whenever I staple something in one of my projects--a card, scrapbook page, whatever, I always bang the heck out of the staple until it's flat, hence the necessity of a hammer within my reach at all times!

Oh--as a special treat for all my blog peeps--I have another faux videos for you!

Close your eyes .
Visualize me yelling in my best Joan Crawford impersonation--"NO MORE PUFFY STAPLES!"
Open your eyes.

So there you go! NOW, I'm sure you understand how I really feel about puffy staples!
Go out there and have a puffy taco but NEVER EVER settle for a puffy staple. That's just WRONG!
Yuki

You say "out of control" like it's a bad thing!

2011-06-16T08:30:00.010-05:00

Hello Blog Peeps
Please know that I know these photos are in another blog post. What can I say? I really wanted to talk about them I'm guessing. :}

FIBERS! I love fibers! To me, fibers are like tiny tiny minuscule strips of rolled paper. And you KNOW how much I love paper, right?
I love the feel of the fibers, love looking at all the colors of fibers (sometimes colors are all mixed together--sooooooo irresistible), love touching the different textures--oh be still my heart!.
And, I have NEVER EVER EVER NEVER met fibers that I didn't love.

And know this--I am willing to take blame when blame is due but in this case, I can't--it's not MY fault that I can get miles and miles and miles of fibers for next to nothing. (So there!)

When I tried to make some sense of all my fibers (Yuki-speak for "trying to organize it all"), I decided that The Container Store had the perfect solution -- a mesh see-through DEEP container (really a clothes hamper).
I love it because it has wheels so I can roll it around from here to there and back, quite easily, and most of the fibers are visible. (And who said that only men are "visual" creatures?! Ha!)

And when I am trying to find the most perfect fiber to compliment a particular project, I can do something totally child-like AND FUN--toss the "el rejecto" fibers onto the floor. I don't stop tossing until I find the perfect one.
When I'm finished looking, it kinda looks like my container of fibers threw up on the floor or something! Fibers are everywhere!

Truth be told, I really need about four of these mesh roll-around containers. Yes, I have a bunch of fibers.
But I settle for only one of these containers. Why? Because having four containers full of fibers might alert my friends that maybe I do have a problem.

Now. . . do we really want to go there? I would like to think that my out-of-control obsessions are not THAT evident (yet)!
Hence the need for "covert" fibers and "overt" fibers.

So, get out there and take a stroll down the fiber aisle and make friends with them! Give some a new home.
Why? Because why should I be the only one to have fibers coming out of my mesh containers! Riddle me that, blog peeps!
Yuki

Are You a Stippler?

2011-06-14T08:30:00.004-05:00

Hello Blog Peeps!
Do you like to stipple? I do.
I love the repetitive action of stippling! Even when you are NOT concentrating on stippling, you can produce beautimus results.

And, yes, I do have an out-of-control obsession with stipple brushes. Gosh darn it all, it's not my fault that I have NEVER met a stipple brush I didn't LOVE!

Lookie at all my PRETTIES!! And do you notice the "mother of all stipple brushes" trying to blend in with the NORMAL sized ones???? Yes, it's huge. I love it.
That stipple brush will NEVER see the ink of a pad--ever! It's there just for looks! :}

I try to keep my colors separate so I don't end up stippling mud. My blue stipple brush will always be used with blue inks; my golden yellow stipple brushes will always be used with brown/golden yellow inks--see?

Not only are these stipple brushes pretty to look at, but they produce such pretty backgrounds too. How win/win is THAT?!

So, blog peepers, if you don't have any stipple brushes, get out there and hunt one down. Well, really hunt about 3 down--one for pinks/reds, one for browns/yellows, and one for blues/purples. With 3 stipple brushes, you can stipple in just about any color without creating anything resembling mud.

Then start creating some stipple backgrounds for your next creative art piece. More stipple, less stumble--always a good thing.
Yuki

Punch Punch Baby!

2011-06-12T08:30:00.001-05:00

Hello Blog Peeps!
Can you beat the convenience of a punch? I don't think so. If I can punch something out, instead of die cutting it out, I'm so there!
Am I obsessed with punches? You betcha!
As with ribbon, I never met a punch I didn't like. (Yes, I KNOW I am a sick puppy!)

So here's a peek into SOME of my punches.

I have three of these handing on doors in my stamproom. They are meant to store shoes but shoes have never, will never be invited to "hang" with the punches!
And, just in case you think that having only three of these holders filled with punches an obsession does not make, add in about 15 drawers FULL of more punches, in various sizes and shapes. Sick sick sick!
I would put all my punches in these shoe hanger thingies but I don't have enough doors in my stamproom (or my house for that matter) to hang them all!
As a fellow crafter, I am sure you would agree with me that ANY and ALL punches in our stash of stuff play an important role in our creative process.
So. . . go out there and buy another punch! Why? Because it's just more fun that way!
Yuki

Even More Book Speak with Out-of-Control Obsessions!

2011-06-08T08:30:00.001-05:00

Hello Blog Peeps!
You know about SOME of my out-of-control obsessions right? Well, I want to share some more with you as I continue to talk about some of the books I have. Are you ready?
KNOTS!

These three books on knots are just SOME of my books on knots.
I have never meet a book on knots that I didn't love, have to have, but never want to read. Nope, I just gotta have them.
I love knots.
I'm amazed by knots.
I love all the twists and turns, the in's and out's--the rhythm, the beauty of knots--oh my--am I gushing?
I'll stop that then.

I'm impressed by anybody who knows how to tie this knot for that purpose and that knot for this purpose, oh my gosh, how clever are they?
My love for knots started waaaaaaaaay back when--gee, I don't even know when. I've always loved knots.
By buying knot books, I POSSESS the secret to making a knot (any knot). I COULD theoretically learn how to tie a knot, any knot, but I have no desire to learn nor read about it--why? I have the book!
Let me repeat that in case you didn't quite GET IT--I HAVE THE BOOK!
I HAVE SEVERAL BOOKS!
Well, really I HAVE SEVERAL SEVERAL BOOKS ON KNOTS!

So anytime I NEED to know how to tie a certain knot, I can look it up. Just knowing that makes me feel very knowledgeable about knots! Ahhhhh, mission accomplished don't you think? Books SHOULD make you feel knowledgeable!
Now, go out there and gain some knowledge! Buy a book, possess the book, be knowledgeable.
Why? Because it's just more fun that way, you silly goose!
Yuki

Speaking of Books!

2011-06-06T08:30:00.000-05:00

Hello Blog Peeps
While on the subject of books, here's a glimpse into some of the stuff I have read but not necessarily each page, page by page. I call these my "roaming" books (like the gnome!) because I roam around the book, reading only what I want.

Just looking at the table of contents for this book, Women who changed the world, is mind-blowing--Mary Magdalene, Susan B. Anthony, Marie Curie, Eva Peron, Madonna! Wait, what? Madonna???? What Madonna? THE Madonna???? Would you believe the singer, Madonna! You can bet I went there and checked out HOW in the heck she changed the world!!!.
Interesting reading and a very good "roaming" book.

Here's three books that are thin (not a lot of pages!), VERY interesting, and I read each page, page by page! Yes I did.
If you have not read these books, run, don't walk to your nearest library or bookstore and get 'em! These books are even better when read for the second or third time!
And lookie here--I must have LOVED this book so much that I went out and bought it THREE TIMES!

I think I wanted LOTS of presents, right?! Talk about out-of-control obsessions! Or maybe it's out-of-control memory loss! Or maybe it's out-of-control with reality! Or maybe it's just plain being out-of-control!
Waddauthink?
I think you need to get out there and have some fun reading SOMETHING and just for more grins, don't read the book in order! No. . .roam around and read a page here and read another page there--why? Because, who knows, you just may have more fun reading the roaming way!
Yuki

Thank you "True Blood"

2011-06-04T08:30:00.007-05:00

Do you watch the HBO series "True Blood"? Oh my gosh, I love it. Love the characters--Sookie Stackhouse, Bill Compton, and that great Dane, Eric Northman! The HBO series is based on books written by Charlaine Harris!!

Because of "True Blood," I am READING again. I am reading BOOKS. Haven't read a book for over 15 to 20 years!

Oh yes, I read magazines, how-to books (not EVERY page though), stuff like that but not a book from cover to cover!

So--thank you "True Blood" for bringing BOOKS back into my life!!!

Now, get out there and find a book to read because reading is FUN especially if it's about vampires, werewolves, fairies, and maenads!!!!

Yuki

Hot June

2011-06-01T08:30:00.000-05:00

Created by Red Hot Carol Ann Brock.

June. . . what can you say about June? It's gettin' hotter by the minute.

I'm glad Carol Ann's page is nice and cool looking. Great color combination--I LOVE pink and purple together! Great job, Carol Ann.

I Love Fibers!

2011-05-31T08:30:00.001-05:00

Hello Blog Peeps!
Oh my gosh, I love fibers! Way back when, I guess we called this stuff "yarn" but these days, "yarn" doesn't seem to do any justice to what they really are--"fibers"!!!!!
I have never met a skein of yarn/fibers that I didn't like. Even the plain Jane boring ones on clearance for next to nothing are almost too irresistible for me to pass up! Who doesn't need MORE fibers right?
And if you have out-of-control obsessions like me, I ALWAYS need more fibers to add to my collection!
Here are just some of my fibers!

I searched high and low for a container or something big enough to hold all my fibers and this is what I came up with. It's really a clothes hamper on wheels. Found it at the Container Store (love that place!).
I really need to get another one because I still have a bunch of fiber in smaller containers spread throughout my stamproom.

As you can see, the stack of fibers is getting pretty high.
I bet you are wondering how in the heck do I find what I need? Well, visualize a dog digging a hole. See all the dirt it is digging up with its paws???? That's me when I have to look for a particular color or whatever. I am digging through my stash of fibers--fibers are flying though the air, falling to the floor, piling up all around me!
Really kinda pretty actually. :}
Well, there you have it. Fibers fibers fibers and more fibers.
Now, go out there and have some fun--kick up some fiber dirt of your own!
Yuki

I LOVE DooDads!

2011-05-27T08:30:00.008-05:00

Hello Blog Peeps!
I LOVE doodads! Do you?
I never met a doodad I didn't like. I love doodads so much and use them so often that I came up with a "doodad dump" (yes, it's copyrighted). :}
With my doodad dump, forever gone is the fear of losing one. . . because it's a sad sad day when it includes the loss of a doodad, let me tell ya!
So! Are you ready to see my out-of-control obsession with doodads?
This first photo is BEFORE my doodad cleanup. Not a pretty sight at all, right? Reaching into this doodad storage area, I ran the risk of not only knocking over and spilling doodads everywhere but losing precious doodads to the "black hole" areas in my stamp room (more commonly known as "underneathers"). Once I lose control of a doodad and it falls to the floor and lands underneath something else, it is lost to me for just about forever. So I really really try really really hard to never lose control of a doodad!
Reaching into this mess was tricky, a juggling act for sure, and something needed to be done--that "something" was a doodad cleanup!!

Oh so pretty right? Took about 3 - 4 hours of doodad cleanup to get it looking this nice.
I was sorting and consolidating brads, eyelets, clips, rhinestones, gems, on and on, until voila!

I love using the clear tubes to store my doodads. Love love love it. My favorite! And believe me, I have the evidence to prove that I've tried just about ALL storage possibilities.

My next favorite thing to use are the large tubs with stackable lids. Oh my gosh, whoever thought of those deserve a medal. Great for large quantities of similar doodads! They also feel good in my hands, and the lids are easy to open and close.

My next favorite thing to use to store doodads in are the clear plastic storage cases our stamps (TAC) come in. Love them. I value them. I keep them all. Life just wouldn't be the same without them!

My least favorite way to store doodads are those containers with the dividing slots with one big lid.

When I am searching for a particular color (or whatever) of doodads for a project, I tend to want to dump a mess of them into my doodad dump and finger my way around them and pick and choose which ones I want to use. With a container with one lid/many slots, when you dump your doodads, ALL the doodads want to come tumbling out. Don't want that!

So my next favorite way to store doodads are the containers with separate slots and separate lids, so I can open one particular slot at a time.

See? There IS a method to my madness!!!!!

Ha! I knew it!!!

Sooooo, get in your stamp room and play with your doodads. Why? Because it's just more fun that way!

Yuki

Glimpses Into My Out-of-Control Obsessions

2011-05-20T11:36:00.001-05:00

Hello Blog Peeps!
I've decided to start a series of posts that will give you a glimpse into some of my "out-of-control" obsessions.
I AM out of control, and I DO have obsessions--not a good combination at times.
But, if you are reading this post, I'm guessing you are right there with me! :}
And, that's not necessarily a bad thing is it?
We stampers/scrapbookers/crafters are all united in one thing--our "need" for stuff.
So enough of the dribble, I want to start by showing you my obsession with ribbon!

I've never met a roll of ribbon I didn't like! Have you?
And this is not all of my ribbon! Nope! Got more--in photo boxes, stacked high in another room; they are my "covert" ribbons. The ones hanging in my stamp room are my "overt" ribbons. This. . . in an attempt to minimize the magnitude of my true "out-of-control" obsession with ribbon!
Soooooooo, there you have it--your first glimpse into my madness!
Now, go out there and stir up some madness of your own because it's just more fun that way!
Yuki

Guest Designer!

2011-05-12T10:00:00.008-05:00

Hello Blog Peeps!
Welcome to another "A Card a Day in the Month of May! Today is my day, and I'm really excited to share my card with you. If you haven't looked at all the other days, check out Mischelle's blog.

I created my card waaaaay back in March! Yes! You read that right!!!! I was AHEAD of the game for change. I used the Exotic Bird Collages set (T-3110) and the Damask Backgrounder set (T-3276); two of my favorite stamp sets!!!!!
I used a yellow Prisma color pencil to add just a hint of color to the pelican's beak. The words are from the Sophisticated Sentiments set (TB-3364).
Something that I LOVE to do is create "FAUX" stuff. Faux seude, faux sanding--love all the FAUX stuff. So for this card, I made some faux scallops by punching out circles to create scallops--see?

I know it's been done before but just in case you hadn't seen it, now you have! :} Just think how easy it is to change the size of your faux scallops--little circles, little scallops; big circles, big scallops! Love it!!
Something else I like to do with each card I create is to write the "recipe" on the back of card RIGHT AFTER I create THE final version of my card.

I list the stamp sets I used, the pads, accessories, everything I need to know to re-create it again. See the date I completed my finished card??? If you know me, you know that "Yuki" and "self-discipline" do not go together!!! I have no self-discipline, but I do try really really hard to write the recipe on the back of each and every card I create. (If only I thought housework was just as important!)

So, there you have it--another "Card a Day in the Month of May" based on a fantastical sketch.
Now, go out there and create your own fun!! :}
Yuki, angel 160

Yeah May!

2011-05-01T08:30:00.001-05:00

Created by Rhodeen Howell.

And yes, I AM happily grateful that it's May.
Gettin' nice and warm, just like Rhodeen's page. Warm soothing colors and lots of growing things everywhere--love it.
And for some added interest, Rhodeen included a beautiful butterfly to charm us all.
Love the month of May and love Rhodeen's page!

I love trees!

2011-04-21T08:30:00.000-05:00

I love taking photos of trees!

This group of trees caught my eye because I could just imagine how they got this way! Can you?

Can't you just see a strong wind pushing these trees, against their will, time after time, for years and years?

You can find these trees on Pebble Beach, right by the ocean.

I hope these trees continue to "be strong"!

And YOU--be strong and have fun as you go about your life!

Yuki

What Rocks?

2011-04-20T08:30:00.002-05:00

What rocks?

I didn't take any rocks?

That's not even me, so there!

By the Ocean!!!

2011-04-19T08:30:00.004-05:00

Kewl huh?

Enjoy the "fun-ness" all around you.

Yuki

Is there anything better than "all you can eat BBQ"?

2011-04-18T08:30:00.002-05:00

I don't usually like to partake in a buffet because I tend to eat way too much, trying to get my money's worth.

But, I made reservations for this restaurant to do the "all you can eat BBQ" for Zip. Yes, for Zip.

As with all food in Disneyland, it was quite expensive but what can you do? Not eat????

We made it a point to NOT eat anything until we got here.

So by the time 6pm rolled around, we were really hungry!!!!!

I probably ate about 6 BBQ ribs, 3 chicken legs (my favorite part of the chicken), a sausage link, 2 corn on the cob, a large helping of coleslaw, a large helping of BBQ beans, and cornbread with lots of butter. Plus I had my usual diet coke and water to drink.

It was sooooooooooooooooooooooo good.

I was sooooooooooo stuffed.

We were lucky to be seated under a huge outdoor heater so we were pretty toasty while we ate (yes, it was a bit chilly).

Every now and then, enjoy the simple pleasure of eating till you want to burst. . .

Yuki

Self Photo!

2011-04-17T08:30:00.002-05:00

It's not easy to be together in ONE photo, so when I saw a mirror, I told Zipper to take our picture. I love it, don't you?

Zip and I can always create our own fun :}

Yuki

Leggo Land

2011-04-16T08:30:00.001-05:00

In Downtown Disney, we found a Leggo Store! We should not be allowed in these stores!!!!

Can you imagine making something this large? Oh my goshiruni.
And yes, we did manage to find something to buy AGAIN!!!!
go out there and create your own fun because it's just more fun that way!
Yuki

Disney Shopping!

2011-04-15T08:30:00.000-05:00

I saw this "Princess" hoodie in a gift shop on Main Street in Disneyland and HAD to have it. It has a rather unique neckline; you don't get them like this usually. (Not cheap as with most everything in Disneyland.) How do most families do it?

Sometimes having fun is NOT cheap but do it anyway,

Yuki

Tea Cups and Yellows and Blues

2011-04-14T08:30:00.003-05:00

The Tea Cup Ride. Can you just stand it? Love the colorful lanterns hanging above them.

I must say that Disney World is much prettier than Disneyland BUT you gotta admit--these flowers are soooooooooooo beautiful. The yellows and the blues--oh my gosh--just beautiful.
have some fun today,
Yuki

More Disneyland

2011-04-13T08:30:00.002-05:00

LOVE Cinderella's Castle. Just looking at it is magical. Thumper is just behind me. Do you see him? Thumper is THE reason why (to this day) I will not eat rabbit.

The thought of eating Thumper hurts my heart. Just can't do it; won't do it.

Disney has a new thing to collect! Of course, this is a HUGE version of it. You pick clothes or something like that. There are many many many different mouse figures (some very colorful) you can buy. For kids, I'm sure it must be the rage!!!!

I was soooooooo attracted to the swirls painted on this building in Downtown Disney. I love swirls or flourishes. Such a fun building don't you think?

And yes, we did go inside to look at all the pretties.

Soooo, go out there and create some FUN.

Yuki

Cupcakes and Candy!

2011-04-12T08:30:00.001-05:00

I love cupcakes. I love eating cupcakes. I love the word "cupcakes"! I love everything about cupcakes.

I even love watching, Cupcakes Wars, on TV. The creativity in designing and decorating cupcakes--oh my gosh. How can anybody eat these beautiful creations?

Are these not some colorful lollipops?
There is magic everywhere around you. . .
Yuki

Mirror Yuki

2011-04-11T08:30:00.002-05:00

Zip took this photo of me and I just love it. Two Yuki's are always better than one don't you think? hee hee
I was wearing my contacts and NEEDED a pair of sunglasses. We were in Downtown Disney in Disneyland, CA, and found a place that sold sunglasses--2 pairs for $25 or 1 pair for $15. Sooooooo, I had to buy two pairs of course! :}
The next day, while we were in Disneyland, it rained almost all day. But do you think that stopped us? Nope, we wiped out our RED rain ponchos and continued on!
It's always more fun to create your own fun!
Yuki

Real or Faux Duck?

2011-04-10T08:30:00.002-05:00

You decide!

More Characters!

2011-04-09T08:30:00.002-05:00

Hello blog peeps!

Here I am with more Disney characters!

Aladdin even signed our paper tablecloth, which I kept of course!
Soooooo, had enough of Disney characters? I hope not. There may be more. . .
go forth and create some fun for yourself! It's more fun that way.
Yuki

Pluto!

2011-04-08T08:30:00.005-05:00

Our Goofy Breakfast Buffet was a character breakfast,

meaning there were many Disney characters walking around as we ate.

Here I am with Pluto!

Love those ears! So cute-ums!

So get out there and have some fun today!

Yuki

A Goofy Breakfast!

2011-04-07T08:30:00.002-05:00

Hello Blog Peeps!
What could be more fun than having breakfast with Goofy? Maybe with Donald Duck, yes????
Breakfast was all you can eat of some very fun food such as peanut butter and jelly pizza. Or how about macaroni and cheese pizza? Is that FUN or what?
as always, create your own fun; because it's just more fun that way!
Yuki

Who is she?

2011-04-06T08:30:00.001-05:00

Hello Blog Peeps!
During the normal course of a day, you usually encounter various people, some friends, some strangers, and some VERY strange--such as this person.
She walked in front of our camera and click, we took her photo! Strange, very strange but she looks fairly harmless doesn't she?
as always, well, you know. . .create your own fun because no else will.
Yuki

Mickey and Me!

2011-04-05T08:30:00.007-05:00

Hello Blog Peeps!
Disneyland!!!! What a fun and happy place! I love it. This is really California Adventure, another Disney park right next to Disneyland. We just finished watching the World of Color show.
And yes, it was COLD. (I KNEW there was a reason why I live in Texas!)

Isn't this a kewl photo? I know I'm a bit out of focus but look at the people walking behind me, they are blurs!
as always, go out there and create your own fun. If you don't do it, you only have youself to blame!
Yuki

By the sea, by the sea, by the deep blue sea!

2011-04-04T08:30:00.015-05:00

Hello Blog Peeps!
I LOVE the ocean! But I'm not a fan of swimming in the ocean--sorry all you ocean-loving swimmers, surfers, and what ever else you can do in the ocean! I only like watching the ocean.
(Give me a chlorinated pool any day!)
Here we are by the Pacific ocean in Monterey, CA. It was COLD. Did I say COLD?
It was VERY COLD-oh my gosh!
And, an ocean wave "got me"! The bottom of my jeans, socks and shoes were all wet and full of sand. So I was even "colder" because of that.

Here I am in front of the hotel (and yes, my pants, socks and shoes were still all wet and full of sand!).
I selected a hotel that was only steps from the ocean, and it was wonderful. I was so happy.
I love love love hearing the ocean and watching the waves.
It's sometimes easy to forget how beautiful our planet Earth is, right?
as always, go create your own fun!
Yuki

Rain Rain Go Away!!!

2011-04-01T08:30:00.001-05:00

Created by Red Hot Connie DePew.

I just love how colorful this page is! And all the details--wow, lots of work.
Great job, Connie!!

Bead It!

2011-03-21T08:30:00.000-05:00

Hello Blog Peeps!
Here's a card I did a while back but I still love it. I had fun adding the string of beads to this card, so colorful and cute, don't you think?

as always

March is Here!!!!!

2011-03-01T08:30:00.001-06:00

Created by Red Hot Bernice Sanchez!

Lots of color and some wonderful signs of spring--flowers, butterflies, and frogs.

Frogs??? Yes, frogs--it's a Spring Frog!!!!!

Great job, Bernice! You are toadally awesome too!

Glue Gone Wild!

2011-02-27T10:23:00.000-06:00

Hello ma Blog Peeps!
Having a stamproom where I can create my creations is such a wonderful thing.

I don't have to worry about cleaning up after me! Nope!!! I can leave it totally messy and it's okay because it's all contained within my stamproom (even though many times, my mess spreads into other rooms too!).

Sometimes, there are layers and layers of "projects" on my stamp table! You can kinda tell what I've been working on because I'm NOT a "use it and put it away" type of stamper.

Soooo, even though I KNOW I'm messy, imagine my surprise when I "unburied" this from my stamp table:

Oh, soooooo NOT good!

What the heck happened?

Does this glue have a mind of its own? Was it tired of being cooped up in the bottle and just exploded itself out of it and, in the process, attached itself to whatever was nearby?

At first I thought--TRASH IT! But. . . the more I looked at it, the prettier it became.

AND, it would look at me saying,

"YOU KNOW YOU LIKE ME!!!"

AND, in a strange way, I did like it.

So, I decided to keep it and give it a name,

"Glue Gone Wild"!

I'm a firm believer that everything happens for a reason, whether we know the reason or not. Whether or not we can figure it out now or later.

Well, I KNOW why my little bottle of glue went wild.

This little bottle of glue went wild to remind me that being ME is okay.

Lessons learned:
1. Left alone, I do go a bit wild in my stamproom.

2. Sometimes, it's so subtle that I don't see it until I go deep into the layers of the mess!

3. Lurking within my mess is always sometimes pretty!

Next time you are trying to create your next creation, let yourself go wild with free abandonment! Explode yourself out of the bottle!

You may be pleasantly surprised by what you discover!

As always--

My Origami Box

2011-02-11T02:00:00.003-06:00

I've been making these boxes since forever. Okay, maybe not forever. Would you believe "for a very very long time"?

I used to make them out of old Christmas cards. They were perfect for these cute little boxes.

I hope you checked out Mischelle's Savvy Projects blog already to see how I made the decorated lid. If not, hop on over there--then come back here--I'll wait for you!

Back? Okay, let's continue.

To make this box, follow along as I take you step-by-step. There are many many ways to make an origami box; this is just one way. (My favorite way!)

I started with a 7.5 x 7.5 square. You can make large boxes or small boxes, depending on the size of square you start with but it always should be a square.

Now, you need to find the center of the square (without folding two diagonal creases).

The easiest way to do this is to place a ruler from corner to corner (diagonally) and draw a line. Do again with the other two corners. You'll basically end up with an "X." Where the two lines intersect--that's the center of the square.

So now you start folding--bring one corner to the center and fold.

Don't unfold--fold up to the center one more time. Now unfold.

Do this three more times (with each corner).

After you fold all four corners, it should look something like this.

For illustration purposes only, I drew two lines so it would be easier for you to see what I'm doing.

You want to start cutting as shown.

It's easier if you figure out where the square with NO folds are.

You only want to make two cuts on TWO SIDES only.

Here's a closer look at where I cut.

See the square with NO folds.

It's also where you marked the center of the square. Remember doing that??

So, now you start folding again.

Start with the sides with NO cuts. Fold, point down, to the first fold line.

Don't unfold. Fold to the second fold line.

Now, push both sides so they STAND up. See the sides of the box start to form?

Take the cut sides and go over the sides that are standing up.

This will hold the sides in place so it will be a box.

This is how the inside of the box will look.

If you notice the inside of THIS box, I inserted a piece of matching patterned paper to give it a finished look.

For a "normal" origami box, you would make two boxes--the top box would be a slightly larger square so it would go over the bottom box. This isn't your "normal" origami box. I made my lid. . . well, you know how I made the lid because you saw it on Mischelle's Savvy Projects blog.

I hope you have fun making these boxes. They are quick and easy; once you make one, you'll be able to make these in your sleep.

So, until next time,

YOU make February FABULOUS! Fundamental Frames!

2011-02-11T00:30:00.000-06:00

Hello blog peeps!
Today is MY DAY to be the Guest Designer at Mischelle's Savvy Projects blog in The Angel Company's You MAKE February FABULOUS! promotion.
Be sure to hop on over there for step-by-step instructions on how I created these cards and projects.

Hope something you've seen here inspires you to play around with these fabulous Fundamental Frames!

As always, get out there and

How About MORE Inspiration?

2011-02-10T16:04:00.000-06:00

Here's a card I did that I just love.

First of all, it's purple. I love purple almost as much as I love red. I sprayed the plain white card base and sentiment piece with watered down palette reinkers--talk about a quick and easy way to cover "white space"!

I stamped the purple piece with a background stamp from "Vintage Backgrounds, T-3224, using white ink.

Made the flower out of regular computer paper (or bond paper). I sprayed the various layers of flowers with the same watered down palette reinkers, let it all dry, then inked the edges with a black pad. It's all held together with a rhinestone brad.

Of course, you can substitute the paper flower with a silk flower or anything else that meets your fancy!

Here's a close-up of my sentiment piece. I just LOVE all the dots and soft splashes of color! Just LOVE it. I used the "Bless Your Heart" set, TA-3238. Just reading the words in this set, makes me happy!

Here's an up-close look at my paper flower! El cheapo bond paper becomes a beautiful flower. Love it!!!

Here's a card I made using "Victorian Charm," T-3421. I love the artwork in this set, and I especially love this grape girl.

A closer look at her beautiful crown. I added sparkle to it by using the clear Stardust Gel Pen (I don't think I can stamp without this pen!). And I added red stickles to add MORE bling.

You may not have noticed but here are the layers for this card. I glued a doiley to the black piece. Then I took a piece of acetate and glue it to the doiley (glued in the center only).

Then I glued my grape girl to the acetate.

Can you see all the layers?

If you're wondering why I did this--had I glued the grape girl piece to the doiley, I don't think the doiley would have stayed pretty for long. But with the acetate piece over it, it's now protected AND I love how the acetate makes the whole card SHINE.

Ready for more inspiration? How's this one?

I think I CASE'd the basic layout of the card from somewhere!!! It's a GREAT card layout; it would work for so many of the stamps you already have--I just know it!!!!

For my card, I used "Damask Backgrounder," T-3276, (gosh, I LOVE this set) along the left side.

For the words and tree, I used one of my favorite sets, "Love & Laughter," T-2981.

What I want to point is something I did that you may not have thought to do.

Take a look at this piece. Notice the tree?

The tree wasn't quite large enough for me, so after I stamped it once, I turned the stamp upside down and stamped just the branch part of the stamp, making the tree look taller/bigger!

So, there you have it! Some more bits of inspiration for you! Now, go out there and

Trash Flowers

2011-02-06T08:30:00.056-06:00

Hello Blog Peeps!

Flowers! I love flowers! Whether they are real flowers or paper flowers--I love flowers. Recently, I got together with some friends and we made these paper flowers out of -- can you guess?????? Anybody? Anybody? Any guesses?

Sorry for the glare but look closely--anything look familiar?

Would you believe--junk mail envelopes? I've been collecting them for about a year now.
Most people would just file 13 them, thinking they are just trash! Oh no, not me.

I saw the beauty in these envelopes. I saw the potential for them to become something totally different than what they started out as. With each week, a new batch of junk mail--so many pretty designs inside the envelopes. I couldn't bare to throw them away.

So after accumulating a HUGE pile of them, we ran them through my die cutting machine, using Tim Holtz' flower die. We didn't bother separating them or anything, just stacked maybe 3 to 4 envelopes on top of each of other and ran them through.

The good ones we kept; the bad ones we tossed. I love them.
Beautiful flowers made out of trash. Next time you get junkie mail or bills with designs in the envelopes--keep them for me, will ya?

My True Beauty Card

2011-02-05T10:16:00.001-06:00

I just LOVE LOVE LOVE this set (True Beauty) and, after seeing all the wonderful cards Christine made AND all the cards from everybody else--wow!

So, here's mine! This card was one of my projects for last year's Red Hot Mini Gathering.

Do you notice what my background is (on the red piece)? It's one of the stamps from the set, stamped over and over again. I used colors of paper that is quite a stretch for me. I don't usually reach for these colors. I like black/white, pink/black, brown/pink, colors like that!!! :}

Here's the inside. It's really an easel card.

I used a white Prisma pencil (my favorite) and colored the flowers only--how easy is that, right? I then HAD to add some Crystal Stickles to flower centers.

So there you go! Hope you like it!

until next time,

TAC Technique Blog Hop--Retiform

2011-02-04T15:15:00.001-06:00

Say what? 2007?????
Stop rubbing your eyes--it's okay. You are not dreaming.
I made fourteen of these pages (October 2007) for a Red Hot calendar swap--using the Retiform (or grid) technique! It's not the "traditional" retiform technique but you'll see that it really doesn't matter how you do it. It all comes out looking pretty kewl.

For all these retiform technique samples, I went into the "yuki vault" (aren't you impressed that I even FOUND my vault?); all stamps are retired TAC stamps.

I really like this one, don't you?

On this card, I used a piece of cardstock that had a lot of texture.

More shoes--love those shoes!

This card is not one of my favorites but it is interesting and I love the sentiment! It's so true, don't you think?
So give the Retiform Technique a try why don't you! It's a fast and easy way to create a background that will enhance just about any stamp you own!!!
As always. . .

Sooooo Cute-ums!

2011-02-04T08:30:00.000-06:00

Hello Blog Peeps!
What? Yes, I know it's waaaay past Christmas time BUT I just had to share because these two little Jack Balls are sooooooooooooooo cute.
I collect Jack in the Box balls--all of them. I love them.
When I was working, I had Jack Balls on ALL my pens and pencils because this was the only way I could keep my pens/pencils on MY desk .
Soooooooooooo, I hope you think they are as cute as I do!
And by the way, these two little Jack Balls LOVE their new home! :} Now, get out there and