Happy 2008!

Can't believe it's upon us but I do hope your 2008 will be great! I don't really have any resolutions--just always try to do the best I can with whatever comes my way! Looking forward to a new year of crafting and hope to continue to share with you thru my website & blog! Happy New Year! More later....

It came!!!

Yep, Christmas came & it is now just after midnight & gone!! Sat night was our "real" celebration where we all met at my Mom's...it was aunts, uncles, cousins, etc & we had a ball! I truly enjoyed it! We sang, ate & laughed the whole evening away---just what I think Christmas should be! HOWEVER, for the real Christmas day I spent it in bed. I woke up in horrendous pain & really could not move. This comes from over-doing it & it is a hard price to pay! I didn't get to go to my Mom's for our traditional Christmas breakfast & I didn't get to go to my Mother-in-Law's for our traditional Christmas dinner. I was miserable all day & now I'm wide awake! LOL But, I am looking forward to the new year...it's almost here! Hope your Christmas was Merry & Bright! More later....

It's almost here!!

I can't believe we are just 10 days from Christmas! It's really my favorite time of the year! I got some last minute orders in & they have been keeping me busy, but I have still been able to sit back & enjoy some Christmas movies (My husband & son call them "girlie movies") and drink hot chocolate, watch the fire in the fireplace, (yep, we have had a few so far!) & just look at the Christmas tree all lit up! I love listening to Christmas music in the car & stuff, too! Our Christmas play is this Sunday at Church & I am singing Mary Did you Know in between scenes. Our Church also had a float in our town's Christmas parade this year & that was fun! Well, gotta print up lots more candy bar wrappers...more later! Oh, and I'm posting a pic of our Christmas tree!

It's closing in on us....

OMGosh---22 days till Christmas?? Where is the time going?? I've got to make lots of craft items for a Christmas Festival I'm doing this Sat, the 8th!! Panic is setting in...breathe, breathe...nah, I'll be OK....whatever gets made, gets made & whatever doesn't, doesn't!! :0) Hope all is well in your corner of the world! I know once this festival is over I'll feel better & can enjoy the season a little more. How are you all doing on your shopping?? With our children being adults now, we just give them money & then a couple small things to open, so it's not as stressful...also, not as fun! I miss having little ones at Christmas...so....I have "adopted" my good friend Lori's 3 kids & can't wait to have them over to see the decorations & see what's under the tree for them!! More later....

Back From Florida!

Wow--I am behind on posting! But, hubby & I went to Fl to visit our daughter, Jamie, for Thanksgiving! We had a great time & I did pretty well with my limitations. We drove down & it takes roughly 12 hours, so it got a little uncomfortable, but was worth it! Got to see my brother & Step-Mom, too, as well as meet Jamie's Boyfriend's family, which was great! I also got to meet with an online friend from one of the chat forums I am on...Jo...& that was lots of fun, too! We ate so much the entire time we were there! I need to get serious & cut back some before the Christmas meals arrive! LOL! So... now I have to get ready for 2 upcoming shows & then I will be done crafting for the rest of this year...I will take a break to enjoy all the holiday festivities! Hope everyone had a Happy Thanksgiving & counted all your blessings...more later!

43 Days till Christmas???

Does this make anybody else feel overwhelmed?? This year seems to have just flown by for me! It seems scary, really! I have 2 more shows that I'm doing & will be done by Dec 8th, so I really want to make it a top goal to really enjoy the holiday season....you should, too---let's all do that! I really need to get to work....but, on top of my usual pain I have a sore throat & earache & just want to sleep! :o( More later.....

Dry Embossing on Cards

OK--I am loving my new dry embossing tools from Stampin' Up! What a great, easy, little extra touch that really makes the cards pop! Go here for a tutorial: http://www.stampinup.com/us/enu/4288.asp And if you find yourself needing the tools, you can go to my Stampin'Up website http://www.terristringer.stampinup.net/ OR just email me thru http://www.bellabunandco.com/ .

We had another really great day here, weather-wise & I made a point of sitting outside in the sunshine & fresh, cool air! I even took Marbie (my cat) out with me... she has rarely been outdoors, but she loved it. She ate a little grass, sniffed the air & then wanted back in the house!

I'm working on some more of my "souper" cans to sell at an upcoming show & I've also been on some forums to promote my website & blog. Nothing really demanding, but enough to keep me from getting too bored & restless! I'm off now to make some 4" tiles for the show, as well...More later!

Back from Gatlinburg!

Oh wow! We had the BEST time! I was so excited to have made it thru the weekend without any health dramas--I just really paced myself & took breaks/naps...... & they worked! We had such beautiful accomadations & couldn't have asked for better weather. The mountains were just gorgeous with color & we just had a great time catching up & we laughed a lot! It was a perfect weekend & we plan on doing it anually! Now...back to the ole craftin' table!

Cousin's Retreat!!

OK, with my nerve damage condition it's hard for me to physically do much, BUT I am heading off today to Gatlinburg, TN with my sister to meet 8 of our cousins for a fun weekend!! I am so looking forward to it, but feel anxious about it at the same time. I don't want to get down there & then lay around like a slug! I just never know from one day to the next what is going to happen with my pain & sleeping, so it's just a chance I'm taking! We have rented a huge chalet & we are going to a dinner show & just do some relaxing & catching up on each other's lives! Say a little prayer for me if ya would! If I over-do it I will be down for several days for sure, so I just want to try to pace myself at the right balance. Hope all of you have as great weekend & when I get back I will be posting some new stuff! More later...

Candy bar wrappers

I have been making & selling some really cute Christmas wrappers for those big 1/2 pound Hershey Bars you see in Walmart! (They're on sale for 4 for $5 right now!!) I design them in my Photoshop program, print & laminate with clear contac paper. (which is so pliable & rip-resistant!!) Then I just cut 'em out & use double sided tape to wrap them up! Great gift for Church family members, co-workers, neighbors, etc. I sell the wrappers only ( you add the candy bar!) for $1.25 each, which INCLUDES the shipping...plus I could do just about any design imaginable! Click on images to enlarge!

Crazy days.....

OK, it's been a few days & I have had lots going on! My mother-in-law took ill with a severe asthma attack & has been in the hospital for a few days, so I got a little behind! She's doing fine now & I am back to getting ready for another show I have Tues evening at The Oak Hill Baptist Church festival in Somerset! I took a few minutes today to make a cute new baby card, pictured here. Hope all of you have a great day! More later....

Met a new Friend!

OMIGOSH! I'm always amazed at all the talented & creative people I meet thru crafting! You have to go to my new friend's (Barabara) website! It is too cute & the prices are wonderful---check it out: http://www.baabaablankies.com/ You'll see tons of stuff that the special baby in your life will just have to have!

Starting a new week...

OK--Hubby made it back safe & sound this evening, so I'm thankful for that! Now-- starting tomorrow I need to make the orders I got at Sat's show & I really need to do some cleaning on my home office! It's a huge mess!! Stuff everywhere! With my nerve damage problem it takes me 3 or 4 times longer than anyone else, so I procrastinate terribly! I also like to do a good cleaning on the whole house before Thanksgiving, so that's coming up & we usually have to recruit or hire help because I could never get it done on my own! Ok, now I've gotten myself all tired thinking about all the work that needs to be done, so I'm gonna go to bed!! Ta-Ta for Now.... hehe

Another beautiful day & a great craft show!

We had another great day for weather & I also did a craft show today at Somerset Christian School & did very well! Here's a pic of part of my table setup. Met lots of really nice people, too....so all in all it was a good day! This is one night I'm pretty sure I will be able to sleep!! :o)

Gorgeous Day, New Updates...

I have all the windows open today & it is just gorgeous outside!! My cat, Marbie, loves it when we open all the windows! She goes room to room sniffing the air! LOL I changed the bow on my block light that I posted yesterday & what a difference!! I like it so much better now! Here's a Christmas card I did, also!

Still goin' at it...

Still trying to keep busy & so I made a new card in the wee hours of the night...a baby one! I like to use ribbons, especially wired ribbon, to embellish my cards. I am going to work on a bunch of new Christmas ones later today. Here's a pic of the baby one I did, tho.

It's rainy, windy & gloomy here today...perfect crafting weather....if I could stay awake! LOL Hubby is going on a fishing weekend with his brother tomorrow so that will give me lots of guilt-free crafting time. Hope all is well in your worls today! More later....

More ideas brewin'

Do you ever feel like your mind is going to explode from so many thoughts going on at once?? I am going thru that tonight & it's exhausting me! I did some designing of some glass block lights tonight. Haven't made any in a while & all of a sudden I came up with some ideas & decided to make a couple. Will try to post pics later! Still trying to get things organized & planned out for the fall festival I have to do on Sat. Sometimes I do my best work & get more accomplished at the last minute! hehe Or at least that's the thought I'm hanging on to tonight! More later....

Another late night...

I have a sleeping disorder that is still to be diagnosed, but it sometimes includes insomnia & this is one of those nights! Soooo...I decided to add some photos to my blog & add a new post!

Today I did some work on making up some new Christmas notecards....I'll post them tomorrow, as I am having problems with my new camera---or it's having problems with me! hehe I also made a "Souper Teacher" can using a soup can & some cute graphics I got here:
http://www.countrycharmgraphics.com/store/WsDefault.asp?iNew=New Some crafters actually leave the can as is, but I empty mine & then fill it with a cello bag full of candy & tie the top with red & white ribbon...looks really cute & makes a perfect pencil holder for later! :o) But that's about all I did. Not feeling too well.

Tomorrow( or today, really) is supposed to be rainy, so I will TRY to stay awake, altho it makes me so lathargic! I would like to make up more "souper" cans...I have them for Mom, Grandparents, Students & Bus Driver, as well! I'm also looking forward to my Stampin' Up club that I go to each month!

Better try to sign off here & get to bed....More later!

New site, New beginnings

Hi everyone! I managed, FINALLY, to get my new crafting site up & going! http://www.bellabunandco.com/ , of course! I love all the drawings, my friend, Lori did for me!! Too cute! My favorite one is pictured here!! I'm already thinking of more product ideas, but will have to see what my health & time will allow!

I'm so happy the cooler weather is finally here!! I hate summer...I know, most people love it...but to me it just brings sweat, bugs, snakes & HEAT!

I love the cooler weather we get here in Ky with Spring & Fall & I actually love winter, too because I seem to feel better then. I think it's because all the germs & stuff are not floating around in the freezing air! :0)

Am working on a craft show I have to do this Sat, the 20th...it's an indoor one, which I much prefer & I'm thinking the last one I will do for a while. Not feeling too well lately & stay lathargic a LOT! ugh Anyway...more later...time to hit the hay!