Monday ♥ Funday!!!!

So I have not decided what this cute little puppy is saying, is he sad? Embarrassed? Sorry? Maybe his toy was taken away or he is being hollered at????? Who knows, just thought his cute little face said it all. Anyways it is Monday and a Funday......not sure what I will be doing. Maybe take down my little Christmas tree and village......guess it is about time. YES, I still have some Christmas stuff up yet.......don't want to rush it you know!!!! Takes too long for me to put it up, then to take it down within the month of December? Naw.....have to enjoy it a little bit more then just one month!!!

Not too much happening, not doing too many exciting things. I always thought January and February should be times of REST and just do not much of anything, sort of like hybernate like the animals do. Sounds good to me, Spring comes fast once the snow disappears. We had the roof fixed last fall, so maybe spring won't be a frustration to us. This year we have to think about getting the ceiling fixed.....AFTER....we see if it is not leaking.

Been working on making some cards........made a few more Valentines cards last night, then on to St. Patrick cards and get some into my Etsy store and on to this blog. I am always so amazed how some of my fellow bloggers can get a card up everyday. I have this one blog I like to go to every day to see what she has made..........such good ideas they are always so fresh looking. She tells alittle about how she made it, and what stamps she used. Here is her address: http://scrappinandstampiningj.blogspot.com/ went to her blog and got the right addy! Hope this take you to her blog. Enjoy!!!

Guess I will close for now, keep looking up for your redemption draweth nigh!!!

Cheers ~ Louise

♥A New Addition to my Card Making♥

A new "cricut personal" die cut machine has been added to my card making tools of things to use making a card. Still pretty much a novice using this machine, but did make a card and took a picture of it, tried downloading it into the computer and it seems now my camera is giving me a problem.............geeeeezzzzzz, if it's not one thing, it's another. I just don't know what the problem is right now, but will try to remedy the situation. This is a must, can't upload pictures to Etsy and sell my cards...........ggggrrrrrrrr!!!!!! Okay........figured it out, it was the time and date setting which kept coming on.....hopfully it is set properly, for some reason I was not able to download the pictures I took, into the computer....AFTER the time/date was set, I was able to download. Figure that one out?!?! I did lose all my pictures in my camera........oh well, they are in my computer, wonder if I can put a few pictures back into the camera......something to try when I have nothing to do.

Going to close for now. You keep looking up for your redemption draweth night.
Cheers ~ Louise

PS.......Thank you Sandi♥

♥Friday Funday♥

"Life's like a box of cereal.....the surprise is at the bottom!!

Ah thinks ah gots it"

Going to close this blog for now, have some company coming. It's one of those surprises in the box. She is giving me a cricket "Sure Cuts A Lot" die cutter and putting the program in my computer. What a nice friend!!!! (I am back, not long though, just long enough to report that this new journey will be exciting........so many things I will be able to do. Watch for a creation next week, once I learn the process!!)
Cheers ~ Louise

♥Some New Valentine Cards♥

Been working on some new Valentine cards the last couple of days. Saw this idea on one of the blogs I visit, thought it was a good idea.... of coarse I changed it around a little bit. I will give her kudos after I finish this blog and direct you to her blog so you can see her cards also. Here is the address: http://understandblue.blogspot.com/2012/01/with-apologies-to-lionel-richie.html well hopefully this will take you to her blog.
It's a pretty easy card to make. Ran white cardstock through the cuttlebug. Sponged red or pink ink around the edges. Punched out the heart, then punched out a little heart within the large heart. Layered them with pop-up tabs. "Sending Happy Thoughts" was layered on top of red and pink cardstock. Red and pink ribbons embellish the cards. Probably will make enough of these to put in my Etsy store, there's still enough time to get the cards up and selling before Valentine's Day. Hopefully they will sell.

This is going to be my fun week. Tomorrow I go stamping at Betty's house, she teaches us how to make 4 different and unique cards. I saw 3 of them, will take pictures and put them up on this blog on Thursday or Friday. Thursday is stamping at Sandi's, "Girls Night Out." We bring a card to make plus the makings for that card for 6 ladies to make. It's kind of fun, but sometimes I dont' feel like I am a good teacher. Saturday is the Secret Stampers Revealing Potluck dinner. I will find out who has been sending me my cards. I have been sending my cards to a lady in Colorado, so I guess she won't be at the potluck.....oh well, I usually never see the cards that I have sent to my secret stamper, they either live too far away or just don't come to the revealing party. The food is usually good. We are allowed to bring old stamps to sell, so I end up selling a few stamps but buy a few stamps too. So this week is my "learning" week and I get a few new ideas in making cards.....always looking for something new.

Well, it's pretty late now, time to go to bed and get some sleep. Keep looking up for your redemption draweth nigh.

Cheers ~ Louise

SMILE ♥ you'll feel much better!!!!

Found this little guy on the internet.........heehee.......what a mouth full of teeth! I think that is a smile, he makes me smile, so it must be a smile.

Moved the frontroom furniture around today.......looks good, less crowded. I heard that if you move your furniture around means you want to go traveling or take a vacation. Yep, I am ready for something, but alas, no $$$$ to go. So I will just move the furniture around and paint a few rooms. Yes, I think that is what I will do.

I wrote JP's blog today, go take a peek. http://goodnewsministriesinc.blogspot.com/ Changed the font in the title and added a few gadgets, connected his blog with my facebook and twitter accounts. Maybe he will get more traffic. We'll see.

Going to close my blog for today, have to get back to work and finish cleaning house. Want to work on some cards tonight, got an idea from another blog and want to try it tonight. If they turn out, I may use it as my "make'n take" at "Girls Night Out" next Thursday.

Keep looking up for your redemption draweth nigh.

Cheers ~ Louise

Computers and Cards

Put this set of cards up in my Etsy store the other day. Did them along with the "special order" of 12 cards that went overseas. Received an exciting bit of new this morning, sold another Valentine card to a customer in New York.......There goes another Etsy tap dance!!! Hope these tap dancing shoes wear out from so many sales..........YES!!!!!!

Went through some frustrations with my computer..........computers are like men you know, "can't live with them and can't live without them" Yep that's true. When I went to shut off my computer, the screen came up saying it was going to do some updating, not to shut off or unplug, the computer will do that automatically.............yeah right! 30 hours later it was still doing summersalts!!!! I asked on Facebook if anyone knew what was wrong...........one person said "that was not normal and that I must have something wrong with my computer" oh well, so what else is new. Asked a salesman at Walmart, he said I could shut it down, but he really did not know either. Then I called Office Depot, where I bought the computer, she said shut it down but then it could be in the middle of updating something important, call Milwaukee PC. So, I called, left a message and they called back this morning.....................he said, shut it down, it got stuck. MAN, if I had known that I would not have been so frustrated. In the midst of all this I had gone to the library, went on their computer, overstayed my time and received a $5 parking ticket from the friendly Appleton Police..................ggeeerrrrrrrrrrr I was a little upset!!!!

Not only was I facing the fact of possibly losing my computer and having to get a new one (with no money) I got a ticket on top of it..................life is just unfair, isn't it????? Well, that delima is over, just have to pay the ticket before the 21st otherwise it will be $20 then after that $32 if any later...................computers, computers, do they save us time or do they run our time???? I sure did feel cutoff from the world for 30 hours that was for sure!!!!!

Well, I shall close for now, have to go over to my Etsy store and leave a convo for my new customer that the card will be in the mail by Saturday latest, after this snow storm passes. We are to get anywheres from 4-9 inches with blowing snow. YIKES!!!!

So you all keep looking up for your redemption drawth nigh!!!

Cheers ~ Louise

Getting Ready to do the Etsy Tap Dance

Been working on a special order of 12 Valentine Cards this weekend. This is the end product. I liked the idea so much, made these cards in red also. Probably will put them in my Etsy store as a set of 6 (3 in red and 3 in blue) for $18 + postage ~ that would be $3 a piece. I am pretty happy that these 12 cards are finished and ready to be sent, as they will be going overseas to a military base someplace.
It's been a very busy weekend. A friend called me to see if I would like her 3 year old couch and chair and lazyboy.........YES I said.......Out with the old in with the NEW........well, it's new to me. Soooooo, I cleaned all day Saturday, moving and rearranging things. The old couch went out on the curb, sometime during the night it took legs and ran off to some far off destination. I hope it serves its new owners well, with much comfort and pleasent sleep. If you will read my previous blog, I mentioned in one of my 2012 resolutions "This might be a long shot, but I would like to get a new/used stove and a couch". I wonder, does God read blogs??? Cause just a few day later, after I wrote that thought, the friend was calling to see if I would be interested in her couch. She said she had not even read my blog. Will wonders ever cease? I hope not!

Tomorrow, I shall take some pictures of our new frontroom furniture, as soon as I move the furniture around again. Well, I guess I will close this blog for tonight, as it is getting sort of late and I want to watch another episode of "Up Stairs Down Stairs" Cheerio ~ Chaps!!!

Keep looking up for your redemption drawth nigh!!!
Louise

2012.........1st Post of the Year!!!

As this is my 1st blog of 2012 just thought a picture would be a good starter. Lookin' through over hundreds of "funny pictures" that really did not make me laugh nor did I think they were funny. Some peoples humor goes way over my head!!!! But as I looked through all the funny pictures I began to get very drowsy and finally came to this little picture..........ah yes, this is the one, as I really do like taking naps and was about to stop looking at the "funny pictures" and shut down the computer. Well, lucky for you I didn't, cause this lovely blog would have gone unfinished.

Well, now that I have put you to sleep..........zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz!!! Wake up, wake up!!!!!!!!

Did you all make any resolutions for the New Year??? I thought about it, but sometimes they are just too hard to keep. I might just try continuing what I started in 2011.
1. continue on my journey to lose some weight and reverse diabetes.
(now these following thoughts are new for 2012)
2. paint a room or two this year....been awhile since I painted and redecorated.
3. this spring, paint the porch floor.
4. get some cards into a few beauty shops.
5. get the kitchen ceiling fixed.
6. these are long shots.........get a new or used stove and couch.
7. more mini-vacations on Lake Winnebago and a vacation this year.
8. more blogs then last year.
9. learn something new.
10. lose an old habit, what that is I don't know as yet.
11. continue on in my personal relationship with Jesus.
12. make a new friend.
13. weed through the house, get rid of stuff not used for a couple of years.
14. garage sale this summer?

Well that is 14 things to work on, there probably are more, but this is a good start. Will have to remember these resolutions are here so I can keep reading them every now and then.

Well, gonna close for now, have to get some things done, pay a few bills and go to the bank and Walmart, oh and Penzies spices for some Cinnamon sticks. (I am really liking Cinnamon tea, lowers the blood sugars)

Talk to you later and remember, keep looking up for your redemption drawth nigh.
Cheers ~ Louise

Marching on to 2012 ~ What Will It Hold????

Happy New Year Everyone!

As we march into a this New Year!

I pray that your joys will be many, your sorrows and troubles very few.

May love be yours daily with many blessings galore.

Health and happiness be in your life, never leaving your door step.

A double portion of all that is good.

Finding new faith in Jesus and a closer walk with Him.

Cheers ~ Louise

Keep looking up for our redemption drawth nigh.

This could be the year....

that Jesus comes for His church!!

♥ Half Price Valentine Cards ♥

Having a half price sale on my Valentine cards. Made them last Valentine's season, so I thought I could let them go for half price as a set. The whole set at regular price is $17.50, half price $8.75 + postage and shipping. If you will go to my Etsy store at: http://www.cards4ubylouise.etsy.com/ I go into more detail about the cards and what they say on the inside.

Below is a sweet little card can be a Valentine's card or Everyday card. "Tilda" is swinging on a swing which was fun to make for her. As she is stamped with nothing to sit on, so I thought a swing would be a likable object for "Tilda". The inside verse says "May sunshine fill your every moment" The card measures 6.25" tall x 4.25 wide. Will come with an envelope and clear plastic sleeve for protection. Cost of this card is $3.50. Tilda is not yet in my Etsy store, probably in a couple of days she will show up.......stay tuned.

Well, going to make this a short blog for today. Be sure to check out my Etsy store for other cards that I have in my inventory. I have some new ideas brewing in my brain. One of my gifts for Christmas was a gift card for Micheals........what a happy surprise that was!!! Anyways I got a Martha Stewart punch half price along with a postage border punch (that was on clearance), a few (1.00) stamps and liquid pearls. A fun spree indeed.....Thanks Sandi!!!

Have a great day and cheers to you all ~ Louise

"Jesus is the Reason for the Season"

With all the shopping and making of cards, decorating, baking and all that is involved in Christmas.....JESUS sure can get lost in the midst of the business. Now, take a breath, take a moment to reflect, what are we doing to ourselves, why all this busy running to and fro, for what???? I know, we are celebrating the birth of Jesus but yet there stands Jesus watching us running here and there and around about him, never stopping to say what would you like me to do for you Jesus??? No, we are too busy getting everything all ready for the big day....gathering with family and friends, opening presents, eating big fancy meals, watching football, playing in the snow, playing with the new gifts.........oh yeah, some of us will still be going to church Sunday Morning. But alot of churchs have opted to not have church on Sunday - Christmas morning.....what is that all about anyways????

I have always wondered, why there was always such frantic running about and spending money on presents that nobody really wanted or liked, only because the items were still boxed or never opend or used. I have wondered to, why at certain times in ones life those gifts came back, years later when that person died.......true, it's the thought that counts, but still it would have been nice to know that it was appreciated. Oh well, these are just thoughts about Christmas and what it should really mean in the heart of things.

Christmas is a time to celebrate the birth of Jesus and what he did for us individually and personally. Simple but true, he came to set us free from our sins of which there are many. The most wonderful gift that Jesus gave to us is life so why can't we give back to Jesus our heart? Ask him to come into our hearts because we certainly have made a mess of things and we need Him to take over. Thats what I said to Jesus many, many years ago and still do today........Jesus is the reason for the season. Well, enough of my preaching, just had this on my mind and thought I would mention it in this blog.

As you can see from the above picture, I am almost ready, just have two more packages to wrap for JP, but I can do that tonight. I might make a few diabetic cookies also. Well, going to close this blog for today and get some things done around the house. Tonight, read the Christmas Story in Luke 1 & 2, that will bring you back to what Christmas is all about!!!

***A note about the picture above. On the old radio stands "My Three Kings" which I made 40+ years ago, they come out every year. My Christmas Village which I add to every year, whether it's a few people or a house. My lovely little optic tree which sits on the table and presents on the floor.

Merry Christmas everyone and keep looking up for your redemption drawth nigh!! Cheers ~ Louise

♫♪♫ Christmas is a Comin' and the Geese are Getting Fat! ♫♪♫

♫♪♫ Please to put a penny in the old man's hat ♫♪♫ If ya ain't got a penny then a hey penny will do ♫♪♫ If ya ain't got a hey penny, then God Bless You ♫♪♫ God Bless you gentleman God Bless you, if ya ain't got a hey penny then God Bless You ♫♪♫

That's my Christmas song I sing every year......I think it came from the old LP 33.3 record of A Bononza Christmas with the Cartwright Family (Pa, little Joe, Hoss, mmmm forgot who the 4th guy was) remember them????? Wish I had a working record player or something to play that record.....that was one of my favorite Christmas albums in the old days.

This is going to be a short blog, not much going today, have a little party tonight, meeting some ladies to make cards, eat and gab. That is always fun. Made little gifts for each of them. Taking some Nachos and Salsa. Something easy.

Still have a few decorations to put up, one more box of figurines, by the time I get them up Christmas will be here..........well, it's just JP and I and the dogs......that's okay though. Still have to get something for JP, not sure what yet. He got me a CD player, have to wrap it yet.......think I will wrap it up beautifully so I won't want to open it right away!

Hyko and Kylie have been struggling with fleas, got some flea medication that just about drove them crazy with scratching and itching, twitching and restlessness. I felt so bad for them. Whatever you do........DO NOT put VECTRA 3D on your dog, it has bad side effects for dogs. Guess we will go back to Frontline, but it did not seem to work for them, VECTRA killed the fleas but the dogs just were not themselves for a 3 days. Oh well, we live and learn. At $25 a shot, you want it to work!!!!

Going to close for now, hope you have a good 6 days before Christmas and get everything done that you need to get done. Have a great day and keep looking up for your redemption drawth nigh!!!! Cheers ~ Louise

Doing Some Baking ~ What a Mess!

Did some baking last night. Usually baking will consist of just one item.....but last night two items were made, one of which was a "never before baking recipe which I got off the Internet" Pineapple Upside Down Cake and the second recipe (from a friend) Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bread (one small loaf will be sent to Pops in Las Vegas). JP at this very moment is having a piece of it right now.
The above picture is 3 loaves of Chocolate Chip Zucchini bread and Diabetic Pineapple Upside Down Cake and a little piece of cake with whip cream on top.

The above picture is of the diabetic pineapple upside down cake just before I put it in the oven. The recipe consists of flour, egg whites, honey, salt, margarine, pineapple juice, pineapple, blueberries and brown sugar. If you would like the recipe, let me know via comments and your email and I will send it to you. Same with the Zucchini bread recipe.

This above picture consists of the upside down cake and my totally un-organized kitchen mess. No one around to clean up the mess. but, me, myself and I. (hahahaha)

Another angle to the messy kitchen. Yikes, I have literally torn my kitchen apart. Either I need a bigger kitchen ooooooooooooorrrrrrrrrrrr less stuff!!! Shhhhhhhh don't tell my husband that!!!

More of the messy kitchen. Dishes are always in the sink, because I tend to cook alot. The banana box to the right on the floor is filled with cans of pineapple (49 cans to start with) now there is 33 cans left. Need to find another pineapple recipe for diabetics. Got the cans of pineapple from the local grocery store, they sell dented and scratched food in boxes for $7. So I usually get 2 boxes, what I don't use, usually give to friends.

Well, I am off, have to do some errands today and get Pops gift mailed tomorrow, have to get $10 from the bank to send along with his crossword puzzles and a few odds and ends. Probably mailing the package will cost more then the items inside...oh well. You all have a great day and keep looking up for your redemption drawth nigh. Cheers ~ Louise

Put On Your Sunday SMILE

Have a great day today!! I was glad when they said, "Let us go up unto the House of the Lord" Keep looking up for your redemption drawth nigh!!! Cheers ~ Louise

My December Special on Etsy

So, I just put these cards in my Etsy store today. A special deal if I have to say so myself. A set of 12 cards priced at $21.00 + postage and shipping will bring the price to $24.50. I usually sell my cards for $3 a piece so I am selling these cards in this set for $1.75 a piece. My inventory has gotten so large, thought I could do this as a special for December. Maybe this will be "Special" for every month in 2012.....just to keep the Post Office busy with cards and letters in the mail.

Please check out my etsy store at: http://www.cards4ubylouise.etsy.com.

This is a pretty short blog for today, have to go do some decorating of the house. My Christmas cards are in the mail, as a matter of fact, just recieved the card today that I sent JP and the dogs. After decorating the house I can think about baking. I have only one gift to send in the mail to Pops in Las Vegas. Not sure what I will send yet, maybe zuchinni bread and cookies and a crossword puzzel. Well, I shall close this blog as it is acting really silly today so you keep looking up for your redemption draweth nigh.
Cheers ~ Louise

Making Christmas Ornaments

Been busy making Christmas ornaments for my tree and for Etsy. Going to put a few up in my Etsy store today just as soon as I finish this here blog. Which won't be very long. Also need to get my regular Christmas ornaments up for the season. Got my cards all done and they are ready to be mailed on Monday. As I sit writing this blog, am watching my favorite Christmas DVD " The Christmas Card" such a neat story. In the midst of war in Afganistan, Cody Cullen is touched by a card sent by Faith Spelman from a small and picturesque town of Nevada City, California. As months pass, the card never leaves his side, giving him the strength to survive and setting him on a mission to find her. I'd encourage you to find it either on Netflex, the Library or buy it. It's a great movie, puts ya in the Christmas Spirit and might put a tear in your eye just as it puts a tear in my eye everytime I watch it.

Anyways, the ornaments are pretty fun to make. Long strips of cardstock, scored every 1/4 inch, then folded like a fan. Glued on one end, fitted together with the other end, then flatened to form a circle and glued. You can then decorate it any way you like. I'll be selling them for $1.25 a piece or 8 for $9.50 + postage and shipping. They should be up and running in my Etsy store by tonight

Well, guess I will close this blog for today, keep looking up for your redemption drawth nigh.
Cheers ~ Louise

♥ Starting To Decorate ♥

Well..............I debated with myself, was I going to put up Christmas decorations this year or not......yes, no maybe so........well here it is, the start of the decorating. Usually I decorate the dinningroom table, so this was the first thing I did tonight. Had started addressing my Christmas cards last night, now that is a first (so early in the season). Won't be buying alot of gifts this year. Depends on who was naughty or nice this year.....hahahahaha.

Tomorrow I go to see the Doctor for information about diabetes. Guess he will tell me what I can eat, or what my options are, not really sure what he will do. I sure don't want to take shots, hopefully this is something that can be controlled with diet and exercise. Of which I am not doing so good with at this point. I do ride my stationary bike 5 miles a day, sometimes 10 miles. Guess that is good, but maybe I should be doing more for this body!!! I have been so busy taking care of JP and his body, I forgot mine. We have been doing pretty good at controlling his gout. Feeding him the things that do not produce purines that cause him to get pain in his joints. Guess I need to watch what I put in my mouth. When we were young we just did not take care and ate anything, now we are paying for those wrong choices.

Well, I think I will close this blog for tonight, keep looking up for your redemption drawth nigh!

Cheers ~ Louise

~ Wordless Wednesday ~

Have a great Thanksgiving and keep looking up for your redemption drawth nigh!!!
Cheers ~ Louise

WOW-WEEEE........65 Years Of Living!!!!

My 65th birthday was a fun-filled day with a few blessings intermingled along the way. Birthday blessings came from friends on facebook. JP went to pick up our car from VanLinn's, car needed brakes. Worked out our itenery for the day (probably enough things to do for a couple of days...hahaha) but the main thing was the free steak dinner at BJ Clancey's which I look forward to every year.

First stop was the Fox Valley Antique Mall in Grand Chute. Big place with lots of things to look at. We were looking for a "rug beater" found two, both for $9, we got one (now I am sure that is not the original cost when it was new, probably more like a couple of dollars in the 1800's and 1900's) But with inflation even antiques go up in price!!! I also found out that my Black Hawk Bober Head is worth $245.......as you can see by the picture below. I actually have all six team bober heads, New York Rangers, Montreal Canadians, Toronto Maple Leafs, Boston Bruins, Detroit Redwings and the Chicago Black Hawks.....(mmmmm that could pay for more car repairs as there is a antifreeze leak that will cost $700 to fix).

Next picture is my steak and fries, oh yum it was delicious as usual. Along with this came a salad and bread with honey butter and coffee.

JP's dinner consisted of fried perch and american fries and salad.

This was my dessert, chocolate ice cream with a sparkler on top.............we shared!

Below is a picture of my birthday cake..........I chose pumpkin pie with whip cream. In the background is a portable DVD player, which I have been wanting for a couple of years......finally got one with the money my stepfather sent me for my birthday. The DVD player in my computer has not been working very well lately so this gift came just in time.

All in all I had a good day, full of blessings galore, thank you Jesus for 65 years, that's more then I ever thought I would have.......my, my 65 hard to believe!!!!
Well, I shall close this blog for today, hope to get some cards up in the next few days and into my Etsy store. Been slacking there for sure. Guess, no sales, no motivation is my problem. Well you have a great day and keep looking up for your redemption drawth nigh!!!
Cheers ~ Louise

Friday Funday - What's New With You!!!!

Hi everyone.......how is your day going so far? Trying to think of something funny to write, but all escapes me right now. Think I will look for a funny picture..........be back in awhile!Well, here is a picture of how I am feeling today..........yep, that's me. Found out yesterday, I am diabetic AND to make matters worse, the brakes went out on my car to the tune of $600, also the car is leaking antifreeze $700 to fix that and to top that off the exhaust is bad and needs to be replaced $500. Not exactly sure where the money is coming from, sooooooooooooo like the above puppy dog, I will just continue to lay down and sleep through all of this. We have had this Ford Tarus for a year now and it has cost us more money then it is worth.............Oh how I wish I could have a NEW CAR!!!!

A few other things going wrong, the roof still leaks after having it fixed for $1200, the dogs have flees. JP's car is on it's last wheels, too many things to get fixed, we may just junk it and get $200+ for it. Then we will be down to one car. I am beginning to think that the Senior Years are not so much the "Golden Years" anymore but the "Tarnished Years". We are getting bombarded from every direction!!!!!


Well, I am closing my Friday Funday blog for today. Hope your day is much better. Monday is my birthday, 65 years, hope things get better!!!! Still Cheers ~ Louise