"Wintergreen Wonderland"

This is another card I made for my class. I love love love this layout. It will work for any occasion. All you have to do is change the colors and the stamped background. And it is super easy. The possibilities are endless. It's weird, I have never bought a pack of sage shadow paper in the past 6 years that I have been stamping and in the last month, I have bought 2! It was just a color that I never liked or saw a reason for. But when trying to figure out what pattern paper to use for this card, my friend Carrie said that she had some extra Wintergreen pattern paper that has been long retired. It was perfect. So This card was born. This is also a layout that I borrowed from Mayra, who will be replacing me in my card making class. As you can see, her and I do have similar styles so my class is going to be just fine.
Stamps: Best Wishes & More, I don't know what the greeting is from, it is retired
Paper: Sage Shadow, Whisper White, Wintergreen DP (retired)
Ink: Sage Shadow
Accessories: White Grosgrain Ribbon

"Ornament Card"

It has been a whirlwind here at my house. I haven't had time to stamp much at all. I am trying to get things organized while Tony is gone to the academy. We are doing fine with out him so far, but as time passes I have a feeling it will be much harder. I did have a chance to stamp last week. I needed to prep for my stamp class. I only have two classes left. I am really going to miss it and hope that I can find a place to teach in Iowa. I told my class last week that I am leaving and that we found another instructor to replace me. When I was thinking about what to make for this class, I decided to channel my replacement. Turns out that we have similar styles so I think the girls will be happy. 4 of the 5 cards we did in the class are semi cases from Mayra, who will be replacing me. This was a fun card to make. I like to use "non traditional" Christmas colors to make it a little more fun. I don't own this set or the punch and am mad that I didn't order it. To be honest, I just looked at my catalog two weeks ago and never even looked at the mini. I have no idea what any of the new sets are called or which ones are the most popular. I have totally been out of the stamping loop for over a year. AGH!!! After stamping last week, I fell in love with it again and I can't wait to keep on stamping!
Stamps: Delightful Decorations, Hung Up On The Holidays (middle ornament hanger)
Paper: Certainly Celery, Regal Rose, Whisper White
Ink: Certainly Celery, Regal Rose, So Saffron
Accessories: SU Scallop Border Punch, Bling, SU Black Marker, Ruler

"We Are Finally Moving!!!"

We got the good news Thursday. Tony has accepted a position with a different agency in Des Moines, IA! With his current agency we weren't going to get back home, so he applied with a different one. He applied in July of 2008 and we just got the official offer Thursday. Woo Hoo!!! We have known since June that we were going to go to Des Moines but had to wait for the "official offer" Man, the government is slow. The good news is that we are only going to be 3 hours from home. I can't wait. It is going to be so nice to be within driving distance from friends and family. The girls are also excited to move. (well 2 out of 3 of them) Katie (14) is ready to leave today, Molly (7) just wants to live in a house with stairs and wanted to start packing when Tony told her we were moving, and Sarah (8) is absolutely devastated. She has a lot of anxiety and apprehension about the move. She will get over it, but for now I have to watch how I word things around her. (she's my OCD child, she likes things organized, she makes lists, and she likes routines) Moving is not part of her plan. The bad part of the deal is that Tony leaves this weekend for training for 6 months!! The girls and I will be here until the house sells. We are thinking between 4-5 months. It will be tough not having Tony around for 6 months but we are all willing to take that sacrifice in order to get back home.....well, almost home.

I would like to thank all of you for sticking with me while I have been gone. Life took over and I didn't stamp much. I still teach my class once a month but most of those projects were cards and stuff that I have already made so I didn't want to post them again. But I am going to get back into it soon. I miss it soooo much.

Oh one more thing. I have been working out with a personal trainer 3 days a week and I have lost 24.5 pounds in 12 weeks!!! I am a work out machine. I love it. I am at the gym 6 days a week. Three days with my trainer and three days of cardio. I have to be honest, it's hard but now I am starting to see results and I am so happy and proud of myself.

I am going to go for now, I just wanted to give you all an update. And thank you for your e-mails and for sticking around. I do miss you all! And I will be back!

Oh, and if any of you are from the Des Moines area, we are looking for a house to rent in Ankeny. We picked Ankeny cause we know several people that have lived there and loved it, we also heard great things about the schools and the softball programs for the girls.