Happy New Year!

It's hard to believe that this is the last day....and last few hours of 2008....
Looking back (?).....this has been a good year....good health for our family.....my CTCL/cancer has remained stable.......growth and success for our business.....Chelsea starting High School....and in our extended famly: a marraige...a new baby on the way....new homes....new jobs....and continued cherished friendships...
all good things , I think...
and so...I wish all of this....and more....for you....as this New Year begins...
Happy New Year...and may only good and wonderful things find their way to you in 2009...

As if I have nothing else to do.......

I am sitting here as if I have nothing else to do...now that my music/Playlist is up and running here on my blog..I'll be here all day...just listening to my fav songs... (you can scroll all the way down to the bottom of this page to change the song if you'd like)

yep...just what I need.....ANOTHER reason to get sidetracked on line...

This morning I spoke to the person who owns an on line webstore called Home - The Tape Depot what a nice guy! SCS has a thread going about the ATG from this webstore...noting the great price..and also mention of the good quality of the adhesive....

so....after talking to the owner for quite some time...(I had multiple questions) I took the plunge and ordered 2 ATG guns/dispensers...one that I'll use for 1/4 inch adhesive and one that I'll use for 1/2 inch adhesive. I also ordered a few 12 packs of the adhesive rolls in 1/4 and 1/2 inch widths for each dispenser.....so I should be all set for a while...I also asked that they enclose one roll of the 7502X tape..so I can see and tryout the "X" tape , which has a heavier adhesive. (the guns: $25 each...the rolls of adhesive..in packs of 12 rolls/36 yds each...come to $1.83 per roll....and free shipping with an order over $35...)

....Now i can stalk my UPS guy until he delivers!

Oh...I also started a new Swap on Splitcoast today....."It's a Guy Thing"...so if you're a card maker...take a peek and join the swap! You can check it out here: It's a Guy Thing.....MASCULINE CARD KITS....Card Swap - Splitcoaststampers

..and by the way...the kitchen counter is now visible!!..and so I'm off to try finally try out the Pierceabilties

Whew....made it before midnight...

Whew...it was close..but Gary got the Weekly Inspirations done before the day ended..

so here they are....a re-cap of some old favorites from '08
(...love the ending Gary) .........you can scroll down to the bottom of the page and pause the music/playlist so that it doesn't play over the music attached to the video...

True Confessions.....

Well..it's time for me to come clean...
I have to confess..since Dec 23rd the kitchen counter has been a heaping mass of paper..glue dots..tools..scraps of paper..ribbon etc etc etc.....and today is THE day that i am (supposedly) clearing it up...(*NOTE: here I sit!)

We casually mentioned that we would make this long holiday weekend one of pure relaxation....and maybe do some tidying up on Satuday...yesterday...(ha! as IF that ever happened)..so as of today it's still...no cooking..no cleaning..no bed making..no alarm clocks..and no laundry..(imagine that? me the laundroholic not doing laundry for a few days?)...you get the idea...

But now..after 5 days of "relaxation"... I am feeling a bit guilty and just put in a load of laundry..and have started to sift thru the mountain of "stuff" on the kitchen counter...(*NOTE: no pictures to share of the mess)

Gary has been busy all day working on our business website..(giving it a facelift and making some changes...) and Chelsea is dealing with her own monumental cleanup..in her room...so this weeks Card Inspirations (video) may be a day late..if it's done tonight..I'll be back to post it!

PS..there is a method to my madness..If i get the countertop cleared up..I'll get out my Cuttlebug and try the Pierceabilities that I got for Christmas!!

Share Share....That's Fair!

As Chelsea's Pre-k teacher, Miss Sabrina, used to always say..."Share share..that's fair!"

My gift to Gary this Christmas was the Flip Ultra HD Camcorder...about the size of an I Pod..but full of surprises and wonderful features that make it so easy to create videos up to 60 minutes long..in HD format)

And so..I feel compelled to say to Gary.. "share, share, that's fair"..with the intent of doing a video tutorial and sharing it here on my blog...

But I'll be a gracious gift giver and let him "play" with it first..before i horn in on using it!

I have enough "toys" of my own to play with..and can't wait to try out the Nestabilities "Pierceabilities" that I received as one of my Christmas gifts. I have wanted these since the pre-order days on the Spellbinders website...so I am very excited to finally have the opportunity to make some cards using them!!

But first..today is 'clean-up" day...we have all been taking it easy..and Chelsea has been on the go and out of the house for 3 days now..and so today we all MUST do some tidying up..and catching up.

I hope you're enjoying your long holiday weekend..

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas...

Our Christamas Eve gathering was wondeful..and I am hoping that yours was too...and that you take a moment to emerge from beneath a hill of torn wrapping paper to embrace the joy of this season..to remind yourself of whats precious..wonderful..and good in your life..and to look ahead to a New Year that brings hope..promise..joy...and fulfillment....in some way..to your life...

Wishing you a most beautiful Holiday Season...

First try at a Step Box

Today I was feeling under the weather..didn't do much at all..but at about 4 pm I felt a little bit better...felt like "making" somehthing...didn't know what I wanted to make..but I knew iI didn't feel like making a card...so... I decided to give a "Step Box" a try.
I put out an S.O.S to a Splitcoast friend..Lisa..for the template/instructions etc..remembering that she once had pics of the one she made..on her blog..
Sure enough..Lisa got back to me and saved the day with a link for the instructions! (*Thanks Lisa!)

We have 4 little pieces of jewlery for my mom..part of her Christmas gift...and I thought that a Step Box would work perfectly...
I had to adjust the instructions a little bit (Didn't like how the liner (paper) was done in the directions..so i did a little change and wha-la! Much better!I'd definitely make another of these...they're fun to make and are unique....I think.
So here are a few pics of my first Step Box...

Here's a link to Lisa's blog..you can see her beautiful box..and the link to Terri D's instructions.....in case you'd like to try making one too!
(Thanks Lisa..and Terri !)
This 'n' That: Stepper Box

Weekly Inspirations

Here you go....
this weeks card inspirations......with a holiday twist....complements of Duffer TV (aka Gary)
(Thanks Gary!! Mwah!)

Enjoy!..
and P.S.....give the "ornamints" a try...they're a cinch to make...a peppermint pattie..and 2 scalloped punched cirlces of holiday print paper..something special in the center (I used little stamped and painted images)..you can put a store bought 3-D sticker..a self-adhesive decoration....a pretty plastic and glitter snowflake (in the craft store..12 in a bag for about $1...)your local craft store..and even the dollar store have all sorts of self-adhesives easy-to-use things to make a project extra special! (psst..you don't have to be a stamper like me!)..Don't forget to punch a small hole thru the top of each scalloped circle and thread gold, red or holiday green cording thru them to make your "ornamint"!

Now here's this weeks Inspirations...

Half of a Box

Well..Ive got half of the box done..now need to make the slider insert...so that's my project for today...
Gary is busy with his Duffer TV Productions (quite hysterical...)
If you want an early morning laugh....go here
http://revver.com/find/video/?query=duffer+tv&search_on=search
*Be sure to watch the one that shows Gary's face on the small screen image

I'll post the Sunday Inspirations later on...

An Icy Messy Friday

This is a good day/weekend to be in the house..working on a project...
We are...for the most part...all set for Christmas...and so I can relax and make some cards...maybe try some papercrafts..(I want to make a little box that I made the other day..but make a cover for it..I'm not sure..it'll be one of those "try it and see" projects...Im also thining of trying (*note: i say "trying") to make it into a sliding match box kind of box...wishme luck! haha

I'll post some pics if anyting turns out "normal" looking...

If you haven't emailed me to ask for Nick's address (*see prior post)..please do it now...today he improved slightly...so prayers are being heard..and answered...but our work isn't done yet..please consider sending him a card...it will lift his spirits and let him know that he is being thought of and prayed for.

Holiday Kindness

As many of you know..I have a very rare NHL (Non Hodgkins Lymphoma) called CTCL/ MF (Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma/ Mycosis Fungoides)

Because my cancer is so rare..it's difficult to find anyone locally where i live here in NY that has my cancer...CTCL/MF has often been referred to an an "orphan disease" simply becasuse no one knows about it..most doctors have never heard of it....diagnosis is difficult because it mimics other things like allergies..eczema etc...and funding is simply not there for reasearch and services for orphaned diseases....so therefore..we are the forgotten individuals with a cancer that most have not heard of..or know anything about...

So since my diagnosis in October 2003..I have been a member of an on line support community of people with my disease...while i am blessed to be surrounded by caring family and friends who ride the roller coaster ride of this cancer with me...i find my on line support group friends to be invaluable when it comes to support and information..they have walked in my shoes..i have walked in theirs..we are on the same journey...to do it alone..would be emotionally impossible and disallow any hope...

One of the individuals that i have "met" thru this support community is Nick...

I am posting here to ask that you send a card to Nick..who has my cancer..while I am at Stage I....and have been blessed to have a life that remains somewhat normal..without aggressive treatment etc..or severe impact to my overall quality of life...Nick has not been as fortunate...

He recently had a bone marrow transplant..after a long difficult span of time doing various treatments..drugs..and radiation... while Nick was in the hospital for his BMT (bone marrow transplant)..his wife was in another hospital delivering their second child..a son...this touched me so..because while he and i have many things in common...i couldnt imagine that happening in my life...

All of Nick's treatments have brought varied..and sometimes temporary and short lived results...some being more successful than others....to say Nick has battled his cancer with courage..dignity..grace..faith....hope and determination only touches upon what can be said of him...

While he had done well with the BMT..had returned to work after a LONG period of not being able to work...A few days ago he was readmitted to the hospital for some concerns...being apart from his family (an infant and a 3 yr old..and his wife katie) is difficult for him emotionally.....particularly now..as the holidays approach...)...but still..when he writes in his Caring Bridge Journal (on line) his spirit thirves..if you visit his journal and read back on his journey.. you will be awed by him...you'll be humbled by him....and you'll be reminded of the truly good and wonderful things in your own life..that you are grateful for..and sometimes forget...

I cannot imagine the financial strain this has imposed on his family..particularly now..with the holidays upon us..While we cannot take away the emotional physical and financial stresses that he and his wife have endured....or deliver a sleigh full of presents for his children (wouldnt that be fantastic!)...or erase his physical and emotional pain...we can let him/them know that thoughts..prayers and good wishes are sent their way...

If you would like to send Nick a note...a card....brighten his day..and help to keep his inner spirit thriving..... during this holiday season...pls post a note here and i'll send a pm to you with his mailing info

If you would like to read his Caring Bridge Journal where he documents his incredible journey and eloquently and freely shares his thoughts and feelings about the life we live with this cancer that we have....pls go to:

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/nicholasgraham

Thanks to each of you who may ask for his address..

Up to my eardrums in CARDS!

I spent all day yesterday working on cards.......these are a few of the monogrammed n boxed sets thatI finished...and today will be more of the same...I've finished all of the monogrammed sets that I had orders for...put together a few gift boxes of asst cards (also orders)...and got that done.

Now ...today..I am working on Valentine's day cards...a guft shops owner has expressed an interest in placing a display of my cards in her shop...and she specifcally asked for Valentine's day cards...so that's my project for today.

We also opened the application period for our 2 February fairs yesterday..so it was a very busy phone day for me...I'm sure that today will be very much like yesterday...cards cards cards..phones ringing..and my kitchen counter completely obstructed at dinner time!

Catching up: December Workshop/ Crop Photos

Finally.. few pics from last Fridays December Workshop/Crop
The magnetic post-it note holders were a fun easy low stress kind of project..once you make one..you want to make many..they are kinda like potato chips and m and m's...you just can't make one!
The SB pages all turned out lovely..the pics here don't show the details very well..especially the glistening centers of each snowflake...
Working with the Stampin Up designer print paper always makes for a beautiful page because everythiing within the pack mixes and matches so nicely...it was fun to mix solids, stripes and dots and patterns on this page..all from the same color pallette.

What happened to having a relaxing day?

I have no idea where my intentions of Gary, Chelsea and I having a quiet relaxing day went...it never happened!

I was up at the crack today and worked for a few hours..then started making cards for monogrammed sets that I have ordwers for..and need to be done midweek...
While I was inside doing the mongrams...Gary and Chelsea put up the lights and other Christmas decorations outside...we almost pooped out on doing it this year...but having a little boy living upstairs now motivated us to make the house look "Christmassy" for him....once it was done..we were so glad that we did it...but the best part was hearing from his mom that he loved it when he saw it all lit up tonight! yay!
Gary spent the rest of his day working on a few projects on line..Chelsea went Christmas Shopping locally with friends..and me??...guess what??? yes..you guessed it...I worked on more monograms!

Gary also upoaded this weeks Card Inspirations to youtube.com...and here it is...enjoy!
(Some of these cards were in my archived pictures ...and really brought back some card making memories..and made me realize how much my "style" has changed!)

Last night's workshop.crop & Last Fair the 2008 Fall~Holiday Season!

Last nights workshop crop was so nice...everyone enjoyed the mini workshops..making the post-it note holder..and then a holiday scrapbook page...I'll post pictures tomorrow...on our meetup.com message board (everyone posing so proudly)....


We had our final fair of this season today..it was a long busy and tiring day...but the time off will be brief..because we are already working on our 2009 calendar of events..and are already planning and promoting 2 February (Valentine's ) fairs....
The confirmed calendar should be available on our website in a week or 2...the website is down now for between season overhaul....but yo can always click the link to hear some peppy holiday music to get you in the spirit!..be sure to check in a few weeks from now for the calendar


Coming tomorrow: My Weekly Card Inspirations on youtube.com

Sneek Peek: Dec 12th Workshop Project ~ Stocking Stuffer

Well, I am keeping my promise to myself..to devote a piece of each day to keep up on my blog...and here I am!

Tonight I am hosting my December Workshop/Crop...5 hours devoted to scrapbooking...card making..and paper crafting!! We will be a small group this month...4 in all.

How can anyone spend 5 hours doing this stuff you wonder? Well..firstly..most people who "do this"..are totally addicted and passionate about all things paper, rubber and ink...so 5 hours of time dedicated to what you love passes quickly...
Usually we meet on the first Saturday of each month...10am-3pm...this month, however, our location was not available on the first Saturday..so we are getting together tonight..(oo la la...a "night out on the town"!!)

Unfortunately...nourishment is a necessary thing..otherwise we'd all skip the food and "get right to it"..and start creating!
Our routine is: a fast breakfast (bagels, muffins, juice etc..)..but tonight we'll start off with a fast pizza delivery and antipasto salad...and continue with our regular routine...so..it's pizza and a salad... followed by some free creative work time when everyone gets to work on their own current project....then a mini workshop (card making or paper crafting project/make and take)...free work time.. (if it's our usual saturday get together..this wold be lunch time)...more free work time...a
2nd mini workshop (scrapbooking/make and take a page)..and yes...nourishment by way of a snack...and we end the workshop/crop with more free creative work time...and then while we pack up...we whine and moan because it's over...and then we all agree that we can't believe that 5 hours passed so quickly.

Tonight..will make this too-cute magnetic backed note holder...a great stocking stuffer..and oh so easy to make...it's a fast project that gives instant gratification...and makes you feel like making a bunch more!

PS...if you click on the photo it will enlarge and you'll see all of the blingy detail...

You can now enjoy this weeks Weekly Card Inspirations right here at My Paper Bliss
(or subscribe to Duffer TV on youtube.com. at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UqQ-0MW7pUE) for automatic delivery to your (e)mailbox!

Enjoy!
P.S....love and thanks to my guy behind the lens..who always encourages me...works his magic with the camera..and always seems to choose the perfect song

I have Arrived

Well..I am here! With much encouragement from Gary..I have started my blog...
I am excited and happy to have a place to share bits and pieces of my life..whether it be about my card making...my family...or all things big and small that fill up a day...
I hope that you'll visit often..maybe even subscribe....click on a video ...post a comment...most of all..I hope that you enjoy your time here..at MyPaperBliss...