tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32231011049055058492012-02-13T16:27:52.290-05:00A mild-mannered statistical analyst taps into her creative side...Sheila D. Staveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08645189033128759583noreply@blogger.comBlogger3401100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3223101104905505849.post-16219099331747645412012-02-13T16:27:00.000-05:002012-02-13T16:27:52.302-05:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hJvuXDju1oQ/Tzl_3WwBB0I/AAAAAAAAAKw/pzyUzAOO5IM/s1600/WP_000096.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hJvuXDju1oQ/Tzl_3WwBB0I/AAAAAAAAAKw/pzyUzAOO5IM/s320/WP_000096.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>They were a big hit and I had several people quiz me on how they were done.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3223101104905505849-1621909933174764541?l=statgalgetscreative.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sheila Staveshttps://profiles.google.com/114330218091969162394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3223101104905505849.post-10811512979040598922012-02-04T08:40:00.000-05:002012-02-04T08:40:22.465-05:00I get to craft with a bunch of my girlies today! &nbsp;I love our monthly meetings. &nbsp;We have a fabulous assortment of women - some who have been rubber stamping for years &amp; others who are new to the sport (and think they have no talent for the endeavor.....BUZZZZ - incorrect assumptions ladies!)<br /><br />We are going to show the group the shaving cream method this morning.<br /><br />Random question: &nbsp;why does my dog always seem to want to play tug of war when I am writing a blog post? &nbsp;Maybe she is picking up on my excitement....<br /><br />ANYWAY, it is almost time to leave &amp; I am doing the mental checklist thing to make sure I have everything I need...meanwhile, the dog has practically stuck her nose up my armpit, nudging me to pet her...perhaps she needs some quality time before I head out...<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3223101104905505849-1081151297904059892?l=statgalgetscreative.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sheila Staveshttps://profiles.google.com/114330218091969162394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3223101104905505849.post-29514260332078660082012-02-02T17:34:00.000-05:002012-02-02T17:34:11.184-05:00Six to seven drops of&nbsp;iridescent&nbsp;silver ink swirled around to coat the inside of the bottle. &nbsp;Drained the excess into a second bottle and then sprinkled in some pretty blue glitter, replace the bottle top (a <u>very</u> important step to remember) and shake to cover the inside with glittery loveliness.<br /><br />I taught the technique to two of my new Relay for Life friends so we could churn out a dozen or so for our kick off event on February 8th.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Do5V1knlDZI/TysOmhYZy7I/AAAAAAAAAJ8/3IGzdsxsH_w/s1600/PhotoChooser-8c45c2e4-5b64-4431-92f6-f904e78f4634.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Do5V1knlDZI/TysOmhYZy7I/AAAAAAAAAJ8/3IGzdsxsH_w/s320/PhotoChooser-8c45c2e4-5b64-4431-92f6-f904e78f4634.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />We ran out of the silver ink, so I ran home and got some of my re-inkers. &nbsp;Just need to wait for them to dry before putting on the finishing touch of a ribbon along the top and to stuff them with our Alice in Wonderland themed bouquets.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3223101104905505849-2951426033207866008?l=statgalgetscreative.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sheila Staveshttps://profiles.google.com/114330218091969162394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3223101104905505849.post-20619255783313082802012-01-30T11:00:00.000-05:002012-01-30T11:00:41.323-05:00I used to get frustrated &amp; downright angry when a project does not wind up looking exactly as I had envisioned.&nbsp; Oh, and I was easily offended when my husband would ask questions like "Did you mean for it to look like melted wax?"&nbsp; Luckily, for <i>BOTH</i> of us, those days are gone.<br /><br />My tissue paper &amp; Mod Podge experiment wasn't a total failure...it just did not work out to match the picture I have in my mind.&nbsp; Aw, well.&nbsp; Stay calm &amp; craft on!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3223101104905505849-2061925578331308280?l=statgalgetscreative.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sheila Staveshttps://profiles.google.com/114330218091969162394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3223101104905505849.post-11273456624536390582012-01-29T20:48:00.000-05:002012-01-29T20:48:26.900-05:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I had an idea to converting my stash of Starbuck's Frappicino bottles into vases by using some tissue paper &amp; Mod Podge...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_JYWa6t1pVw/TyXyk0S_Q6I/AAAAAAAAAJs/1QqXyGK2sAY/s1600/WP_000051.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_JYWa6t1pVw/TyXyk0S_Q6I/AAAAAAAAAJs/1QqXyGK2sAY/s320/WP_000051.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And now... I get to wait to see if my idea will work out the way I have it pictured in my mind. &nbsp;{Fingers and toes crossed}</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y7GZcD8hfXA/TyXypGP-vPI/AAAAAAAAAJ0/V3u2cPhyCaI/s1600/WP_000053.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y7GZcD8hfXA/TyXypGP-vPI/AAAAAAAAAJ0/V3u2cPhyCaI/s320/WP_000053.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />I do have a Plan B in mind... IF needed. &nbsp;Luckily, I have quite a few of these bottles saved up.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3223101104905505849-1127345662453639058?l=statgalgetscreative.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sheila Staveshttps://profiles.google.com/114330218091969162394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3223101104905505849.post-40240129342590648752011-08-19T16:02:00.002-04:002011-08-19T16:09:19.592-04:00The first time I heard that phrase, I wanted the person saying it to stand up so I could push them down. That was over seven years ago, and now I understand that YES, happiness is a choice. <br /> <br />In keeping with this concept, I frequently read <a href="http://www.happynews.com/index.aspx">Happy News</a> and today I discovered an editorial from last November entitled "<strong>Little Things You Can Do to Make the World a Lot Nicer" </strong>which included a link to an interesting website = <a href="http://www.doonenicething.com/">Do One Nice Thing</a> <br /> <br />So instead of grumbling about things, head over to one (or both) of these websites and {in the words of Shirley Temple} "Turn that frown upside down!" <br /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3223101104905505849-4024012934259064875?l=statgalgetscreative.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sheila D. Staveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08645189033128759583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3223101104905505849.post-20600720829085569662011-06-27T19:47:00.010-04:002011-06-29T13:29:23.205-04:00Oh, and do you like to get a peak at a new stamp set before it is available for sale?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OTV5TuJI69c/Tgkogl7W3JI/AAAAAAAABto/J-fwg1Cinqc/s1600/269062_10150218195973261_562488260_7178496_4270188_n.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 307px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OTV5TuJI69c/Tgkogl7W3JI/AAAAAAAABto/J-fwg1Cinqc/s400/269062_10150218195973261_562488260_7178496_4270188_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623070150150773906" border="0" /></a><br />If you are waving you hand wildly in the air screaming "Me...pick me... I LOVE free stuff!"<br /><br />Well, all you have to do is follow this <a href="http://tamimayberry.blogspot.com/2011/06/sneak-peek-win-it-before-you-can-buy-it.html">link</a> to Tami Mayberry's blog. (She is a designer for Gina K Designs.) Oh, and get your butt over there by 8 am CST Wednesday, June 29th to be eligible to win this stamp set which coordinates <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;">with Spellbinders' Grommet Tags dies.</span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3223101104905505849-2060072082908556966?l=statgalgetscreative.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sheila D. Staveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08645189033128759583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3223101104905505849.post-28383379872986065242011-06-17T20:56:00.002-04:002011-06-17T21:21:08.397-04:00<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--YsDuU6WdU4/Tfv4G957u-I/AAAAAAAABtg/XgLKxYafZLI/s1600/JuneCattyDebutDate.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 303px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--YsDuU6WdU4/Tfv4G957u-I/AAAAAAAABtg/XgLKxYafZLI/s400/JuneCattyDebutDate.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619357758655282146" border="0" /></a>The Angel Company will be releasing their next inspiration book soon (very soon)<br /><br /><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3223101104905505849-2838337987298606524?l=statgalgetscreative.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sheila D. Staveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08645189033128759583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3223101104905505849.post-6958478547334452392011-06-10T20:26:00.003-04:002011-06-10T20:38:57.680-04:00<a href="http://goo.gl/doodle/8vSrs"><br />http://goo.gl/doodle/8vSrs</a><span style="display: block;" id="formatbar_Buttons"><span class=" down" style="display: block;" id="formatbar_CreateLink" title="Link" onmouseover="ButtonHoverOn(this);" onmouseout="ButtonHoverOff(this);" onmouseup="" onmousedown="CheckFormatting(event);FormatbarButton('richeditorframe', this, 8);ButtonMouseDown(this);"><img src="img/blank.gif" alt="Link" class="gl_link" border="0" /><br /><br />Les Paul was a phenomenal talent...you can click on the logo and learn about this incredible guy. I would love to listen to some snippets from someone who actually has some musical talent.<br /><br /><br /><br /></span></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3223101104905505849-695847854733445239?l=statgalgetscreative.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sheila D. Staveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08645189033128759583noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3223101104905505849.post-6961637384678803612011-06-03T08:25:00.002-04:002011-06-09T16:47:25.523-04:00<div style="text-align: center;"><pre id="embed"><a href="http://www.wordle.net/show/wrdl/3721605/My_Blog" title="Wordle: My Blog"><img src="http://www.wordle.net/thumb/wrdl/3721605/My_Blog" alt="Wordle: My Blog" style="padding: 4px; border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221);" /></a></pre></div><br /><br />Visit <a href="http://www.wordle.net/">http://www.wordle.net/</a> to make your own<br /><br /> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.wordle.net/show/wrdl/3748982/Salvador_-_Waterfall_Lyrics" title="Wordle: Salvador - Waterfall Lyrics"><img src="http://www.wordle.net/thumb/wrdl/3748982/Salvador_-_Waterfall_Lyrics" alt="Wordle: Salvador - Waterfall Lyrics" style="padding: 4px; border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221);" /></a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3223101104905505849-696163738467880361?l=statgalgetscreative.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sheila D. Staveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08645189033128759583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3223101104905505849.post-48461160970750726972011-06-02T08:17:00.002-04:002011-06-02T08:22:10.791-04:00<pre id="embed"><a href="http://www.wordle.net/show/wrdl/3716094/Casting_Crowns_Voice_of_Truth" title="Wordle: Casting Crowns Voice of Truth"><img src="http://www.wordle.net/thumb/wrdl/3716094/Casting_Crowns_Voice_of_Truth" alt="Wordle: Casting Crowns Voice of Truth" style="padding: 4px; border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221);" /></a><br /><br />...Enjoy my favorite song<br /><br />Casting Crown's "The Voice of Truth"<br /><br />Make your own word cloud <a href="http://www.wordle.net/">here</a><br /></pre><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3223101104905505849-4846116097075072697?l=statgalgetscreative.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sheila D. Staveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08645189033128759583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3223101104905505849.post-83257468048980284992011-04-01T08:35:00.003-04:002011-04-01T08:38:11.776-04:00<object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" id="mj_mediaplayer" name="omniplayer" data="http://www.youpublish.com/flash/omni/player.swf?v=1.1" width="480" height="385"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><param name="scale" value="noScale"><param name="salign" value="tc"><param name="menu" value="true"><param name="bgcolor" value="#cccccc"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="flashvars" value="zoomSeconds=1&amp;zoomIncrement1=.5&amp;nMargin=50&amp;sMargin=50&amp;eMargin=20&amp;wMargin=20&amp;menuScaleOnFullScreen=1.5&amp;localMode=0&amp;spaceBetweenPages=10&amp;zoomLevel=fitWidth&amp;id=my id&amp;width=480&amp;height=460&amp;listConfig=icons&amp;jsMouseWheelEvents=true&amp;publicationId=http://www.youpublish.com/files/30924/Breathe-Quote-Word-Art-Freebie.xml%3Fembed%3D1&amp;skinTheme=lightTheme&amp;logoUrl=http://www.youpublish.com/images/smallMobJetLogo.png&amp;homeUrl=http://www.youpublish.com/"></object><br /><br />For anyone who spends any amount of time with me knows, I have this <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">tendency</span> to hold my breath. I'm thinking I should blow this clip art up to poster size and plaster it in strategic places.<br /><br />This freebie artwork may be downloaded for your paper crafting use at <a href="http://www.amatterofmemories.com/">http://www.amatterofmemories.com</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3223101104905505849-8325746804898028499?l=statgalgetscreative.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sheila D. Staveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08645189033128759583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3223101104905505849.post-35714768751017309042011-03-29T08:14:00.002-04:002011-03-29T08:19:39.375-04:00<object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" id="mj_mediaplayer" name="omniplayer" data="http://www.youpublish.com/flash/omni/player.swf?v=1.1" width="480" height="385"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><param name="scale" value="noScale"><param name="salign" value="tc"><param name="menu" value="true"><param name="bgcolor" value="#cccccc"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="flashvars" value="zoomSeconds=1&amp;zoomIncrement1=.5&amp;nMargin=50&amp;sMargin=50&amp;eMargin=20&amp;wMargin=20&amp;menuScaleOnFullScreen=1.5&amp;localMode=0&amp;spaceBetweenPages=10&amp;zoomLevel=fitWidth&amp;id=my id&amp;width=480&amp;height=460&amp;listConfig=icons&amp;jsMouseWheelEvents=true&amp;publicationId=http://www.youpublish.com/files/37054/Laugh-Quote-Word-Art.xml%3Fembed%3D1&amp;skinTheme=lightTheme&amp;logoUrl=http://www.youpublish.com/images/smallMobJetLogo.png&amp;homeUrl=http://www.youpublish.com/"></object><br /><br />My addition to this advice would be to laugh loudly - don't be shy! Your enthusiasm could be contagious. Plus it is healthy to laugh...unless you laugh so hard you pee yourself a little...but we won't go there...<br /><br />The freebie graphic shown above can be downloaded at <a href="http://www.amatterofmemories.com">http://www.amatterofmemories.com</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3223101104905505849-3571476875101730904?l=statgalgetscreative.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sheila D. Staveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08645189033128759583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3223101104905505849.post-79884691288383905502011-03-26T10:25:00.004-04:002011-03-26T10:34:20.307-04:00<div style="text-align: justify;">This morning I woke with a single line of a song running through my brain:<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">"I'm moving at the </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0); font-style: italic;">rhythm</span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 153, 0);"> of your grace"</span></span><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br />As I was still a little foggy in the gray-matter area just having climbed out of bed, I couldn't quite remember the entire song. So, as any modern minded person would do, I Googled the phrase. (don't ya just LOVE technology!) This was the result of my search:<br /></div></div><br /><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/rcLPYd-CVfI?fs=1" allowfullscreen="" width="425" frameborder="0" height="344"></iframe><br /><br />Powerful stuff!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3223101104905505849-7988469128838390550?l=statgalgetscreative.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sheila D. Staveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08645189033128759583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3223101104905505849.post-88931914281455880962011-02-10T20:03:00.002-05:002011-02-10T20:17:20.004-05:00In honor of my birthday, I've decided to offer a 10% discount on the items in my Art Fire Studio. The first ten customers to place an order will benefit from this sale when they use the coupon code shown on my Art Fire page.<br /><br />So cruise on over and take advantage of my birthday sale!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3223101104905505849-8893191428145588096?l=statgalgetscreative.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sheila D. Staveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08645189033128759583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3223101104905505849.post-19676343149650141512011-02-03T09:41:00.003-05:002011-02-03T10:14:40.935-05:00...just to crawl back into bed this morning after seeing the hubster off at 6:15 this morning. <br /><br />"Don't even think about it" my inner fitness Diva scolded. "Get up &amp; help Mike make sure he has everything he will need for the job down in PA. And then you can commune with the <a href="http://www.lesliesansonevideos.com/">WAH</a> DVD." <br /><br />So I did. I threw on some workout clothes and followed my beloved downstairs. He was rushing around, buttoning up his laptop and overnight bag. I saw his travel mug was empty, so I selected his favorite K-cup flavor and brewed him a cup off coffee in our <a href="http://www.keurig.com/">Keurig</a> (if you don't already have one, I highly suggest you seriously consider purchasing one of their coffee makers - they are NOT just for coffee, you can brew up a lovely cup of tea or a wonderful mug of hot chocolate.) sorry for the little tangent...<br /><br />As I watched him roll out of the driveway, a little voice pretending to be my pillow, plaintively whispered that she missed me...why couldn't I just come back to bed...just for a few more minutes?<br /><br />"NO" - (I think I may have actually said it out loud). "I've got things to do." So I logged on to check my emails for my daily motivations from the likes of <a href="http://www.chalenejohnson.com/">Chalene Johnson</a>, <a href="http://www.johnmaxwell.com/">John C. Maxwell</a>, Brian Tracy, and Natalie Ledwell. As the time flew by, my yawing increased &amp; my eyes grew heavy. I could hear the voice of my pillow along with the blanket &amp; mattress beckoning me to come back. I paused the video I was viewing to finish later. Got up..stomped into the bedroom &amp; headed straight to the DVD remote. I had to get moving and fast...or I was in danger of crawling back into bed. <br /><br />The first couple of minutes were rough...but, I pushed through. Eventually the smile on my face was genuine. Two miles flew by and it was time for a shower. So begins my day.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3223101104905505849-1967634314965014151?l=statgalgetscreative.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sheila D. Staveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08645189033128759583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3223101104905505849.post-58672329553227282782011-02-01T19:55:00.004-05:002011-02-01T20:50:03.211-05:00I have made a promise to myself that this year I will be changing my habits to include a various self-improvement activities: <br /><ul><li>I have started a gratitude journal where I record at least five things each and every day for which I am grateful </li></ul><ul><li>I am engaging in a workout schedule which rotates between <a href="http://www.walkathome.com/">Leslie Sansone</a> Walk At Home routines &amp; <a href="http://beachbodycoach.com/esuite/home/Not2L8?bctid=637719395001">The 30 Minute Shakeology workout</a></li></ul><ul><li>I am participating in <a href="http://www.30daypush.com">Chalene Johnson's 30-Day Challenge</a></li></ul><ul><li>I have opened an <a href="http://www.artfire.com/users/StatGal_Gets_Creative">Art Fire Studio</a> where I post handmade items for sale.</li></ul><ul><li>I have become an avid <a href="http://myworld.ebay.com/statgal59">EBay selle</a><a href="http://myworld.ebay.com/statgal59">r</a> to earn a little extra income from the items around the house which we no longer use.</li></ul><ul><li>I've been devouring books on various uplifting &amp; edifying topics.</li></ul><br />Basically, I've made a choice to be good to myself, to be more nurturing to me (for a change).<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3223101104905505849-5867232955322728278?l=statgalgetscreative.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sheila D. Staveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08645189033128759583noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3223101104905505849.post-18235199114358139622010-12-24T16:24:00.003-05:002010-12-24T16:49:58.784-05:00<div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">This Christmas marks the first year we have had no children in residence for the holidays. <span style="font-style: italic;">(To be honest, I was not looking forward to the prospect...turns out, my fears were unfounded).</span> Adjusting to life with the hubster sans the tax deductions rattling around the house has been liberating. I am no longer faced with offspring complaining about being bored, or being hungry, or springing the news that they were expected somewhere twenty minutes ago. I can make plans, change plans, or just "fly by the seat of my pants". <br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_baVqUUWz4tI/TRUPvWiq4eI/AAAAAAAABr0/HS83uWotAqs/s1600/135762_127214820675496_108091232587855_183971_6102590_o.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_baVqUUWz4tI/TRUPvWiq4eI/AAAAAAAABr0/HS83uWotAqs/s400/135762_127214820675496_108091232587855_183971_6102590_o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554363021610639842" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><br />Mike (a.k.a. "the hubster") requested that I make a couple of Christmas cards to send out to his folks, which of course turned into a few more than a couple. Above is pictured the results of my efforts.<br /><br />Here's hoping everyone has a very Merry Christmas.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3223101104905505849-1823519911435813962?l=statgalgetscreative.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sheila D. Staveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08645189033128759583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3223101104905505849.post-59912283170282868222010-12-02T23:06:00.001-05:002010-12-02T23:08:06.072-05:00<a href="http://www.theangelcompany.net/" title="TAC™ Promotions"><img src="http://www.theangelcompany.net/images/Promos/Dec10/StampaPaLooza_Dec10_ci.gif" alt="TAC™ Promotions" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.theangelcompany.net/Promos_StampPaPalooza.html">www.theangelcompany.net</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3223101104905505849-5991228317028286822?l=statgalgetscreative.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sheila D. Staveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08645189033128759583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3223101104905505849.post-87292333831682969752010-12-01T08:25:00.000-05:002010-12-01T08:25:00.767-05:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_baVqUUWz4tI/TILkQYREGuI/AAAAAAAABqA/TwER4wj_7_w/s1600/SOTM_Dec10_ci.gif"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 278px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_baVqUUWz4tI/TILkQYREGuI/AAAAAAAABqA/TwER4wj_7_w/s400/SOTM_Dec10_ci.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513219863897971426" /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3223101104905505849-8729233383168296975?l=statgalgetscreative.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sheila D. Staveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08645189033128759583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3223101104905505849.post-8496140242562452692010-11-27T20:15:00.000-05:002010-11-27T20:15:55.242-05:00<a href="http://www.theangelcompany.net/Promos_CreativeComponents.html" title="TAC™ Promotions"><img src="http://www.theangelcompany.net/images/Promos/Nov10/Creative_ComponentsClearance_ci.jpg" alt="TAC™ Promotions" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.theangelcompany.net/Promos_CreativeComponents.html">www.theangelcompany.net</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3223101104905505849-849614024256245269?l=statgalgetscreative.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sheila D. Staveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08645189033128759583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3223101104905505849.post-9725987580687816612010-11-27T20:14:00.000-05:002010-11-27T20:15:03.730-05:00<a href="http://www.theangelcompany.net" title="TAC™ Promotions"><img src="http://www.theangelcompany.net/images/Promos/Nov10/StampaPaLoozaSpectacular_ci.gif" border="0" alt="TAC™ Promotions"></a><br /><a href="http://www.theangelcompany.net/Promos_StampPaPalooza.html">www.theangelcompany.net</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3223101104905505849-972598758068781661?l=statgalgetscreative.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sheila D. Staveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08645189033128759583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3223101104905505849.post-10227071215499581532010-11-27T20:13:00.000-05:002010-11-27T20:14:18.635-05:00<a href="http://www.theangelcompany.net/Promos_Palette_VM_BOGO.html" title="TAC™ Promotions"><img src="http://www.theangelcompany.net/images/Promos/Nov10/BOGORefill_ci.gif" alt="TAC™ Promotions" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.theangelcompany.net/Promos_Palette_VM_BOGO.html">www.theangelcompany.net</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3223101104905505849-1022707121549958153?l=statgalgetscreative.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sheila D. Staveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08645189033128759583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3223101104905505849.post-36854869739616556712010-11-27T20:12:00.001-05:002010-11-27T20:13:14.435-05:00<a href="http://www.theangelcompany.net/Promos_PackageofPretty.html" title="TAC™ Promotions"><img src="http://www.theangelcompany.net/images/Promos/Nov10/Package_of_Pretty_ci.gif" border="0" alt="TAC™ Promotions"></a><br /><a href="http://www.theangelcompany.net/Promos_PackageofPretty.html">www.theangelcompany.net</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3223101104905505849-3685486973961655671?l=statgalgetscreative.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sheila D. Staveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08645189033128759583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3223101104905505849.post-28972468307000246722010-11-27T20:11:00.000-05:002010-11-27T20:12:05.598-05:00<a href="http://www.theangelcompany.net/Promos_SoBigSpecial.html" title="TAC™ Promotions"><img src="http://www.theangelcompany.net/images/Promos/Nov10/SoBig_Special_ci.gif" border="0" alt="TAC™ Promotions" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.theangelcompany.net/Promos_SoBigSpecial.html">www.theangelcompany.net</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3223101104905505849-2897246830700024672?l=statgalgetscreative.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sheila D. Staveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08645189033128759583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3223101104905505849.post-7069640026007654872010-11-25T14:30:00.002-05:002010-11-25T14:50:30.422-05:00Absolutely reveling in our Thanksgiving this year. <br /><br />Mike and I are celebrating quietly at home...our first empty nest holiday started off slow with us sleeping in until nine. THAT is practically unheard of for my hubby (Mr. "I've had my six hours of sleep and I'm good to go"). We were in no hurry to get the bird in the oven and had already agreed we were going to go to our crafting corners and tinker. We've been so busy with work that neither one of us have really devoted any steady heavy-duty time to our projects and quite frankly, we were starting to get down-right cranky because of it.<br /><br />I'm just about done with the his &amp; hers birthday cards for our son &amp; daughter-in-law. Their birthdays are just a few days away, so I'm going to have to venture out tomorrow to get them in the mail. When I was searching through my stamps for the perfect birthday sentiment, I stumbled across one of my new Christmas sets...so my next little project will be to whip out a bunch of cute Christmas cards for my loved ones.<br /><br />Well, I need to step away from the computer and get back to my crafting table.<br /><br />Here's hoping everyone has a fabulous Thanksgiving &amp; a happy Black Friday.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3223101104905505849-706964002600765487?l=statgalgetscreative.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sheila D. Staveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08645189033128759583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3223101104905505849.post-12847183200372822822010-11-01T08:20:00.002-04:002010-11-01T08:20:00.745-04:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_baVqUUWz4tI/TILjMD-NKEI/AAAAAAAABp4/DKCAM6Vpof4/s1600/SOTM_Nov10_ci.gif"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 278px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_baVqUUWz4tI/TILjMD-NKEI/AAAAAAAABp4/DKCAM6Vpof4/s400/SOTM_Nov10_ci.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513218690219059266" /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3223101104905505849-1284718320037282282?l=statgalgetscreative.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sheila D. Staveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08645189033128759583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3223101104905505849.post-48644725220099913272010-10-31T21:25:00.004-04:002010-10-31T22:19:59.121-04:00A little back ground is needed to set up the story: last week I happened upon the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/images/B000BDGVU4/ref=dp_image_0?ie=UTF8&amp;n=5174&amp;s=music">Moody Blues: Lovely to See You</a> concert available to view on my <a href="http://www.netflix.com/">Netflix</a> instant queue. I wanted some background music to fill the quiet empty office for the afternoon and was a perfect fit. A couple of days after that, I received an email from Netflix describing how to download the software directly to our Wii gaming console to allow for viewing of the movies without having to use the discs. Being the techie geek girl that I am, I promptly followed the directions and got us up and running.<br /><br />Knowing that my hubby enjoys the Moody Blues too, I decided I would play the concert to give us a soundtrack for our Saturday afternoon together. Listening to the songs got us to reminiscing about when we first heard songs like "<a href="http://www.lyricsdepot.com/the-moody-blues/tuesday-afternoon.html">Tuesday Afternoon</a>" and <a href="http://www.elyrics.net/read/m/moody-blues-lyrics/nights-in-white-satin-lyrics.html">"Nights in White Satin"</a>. (If you are a fan of this group, it is well worth renting or slapping into your Instant Queue.) The second to the last song is <a href="http://www.elyrics.net/read/m/moody-blues-lyrics/question-lyrics.html">"Question"</a>. While that song was playing, my sweet husband tells me that it had been sort of his theme song after his split with his ex-wife which was shortly before he met me. It was one of the things that got him motivated to pull himself out of his funk and actually leave the house to meet new people. <br /><br />The first two lines of the chorus of the song had me clutching my fist to my heart along with a heavy sigh on my lips and a pair of misty eyes:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(204, 51, 204); font-style: italic;">I'm looking for someone to change my life,</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 51, 204); font-style: italic;"> I'm looking for a miracle in my life</span><br /></div><br />Mike earned himself a big hug and kiss for sharing this lovely tidbit with me.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3223101104905505849-4864472522009991327?l=statgalgetscreative.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sheila D. Staveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08645189033128759583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3223101104905505849.post-58404944566355327482010-10-25T16:17:00.000-04:002010-10-25T16:17:00.993-04:00<a href="http://www.theangelcompany.net/" title="TAC™ Promotions"><img src="http://www.theangelcompany.net/images/Promos/Nov10/StampaPaLoozaSpectacular_ci.gif" alt="TAC™ Promotions" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);"></span></span><br /><a href="http://www.theangelcompany.net/Promos_StampPaPalooza.html">www.theangelcompany.net</a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);"><span style="font-size:180%;">Call me TODAY to get your Fun Shop scheduled!</span></span><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3223101104905505849-5840494456635532748?l=statgalgetscreative.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sheila D. Staveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08645189033128759583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3223101104905505849.post-12680877125046383372010-10-21T16:49:00.002-04:002010-10-21T16:52:31.696-04:00<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.theangelcompany.net/" title="TAC™ Promotions"><img src="http://www.theangelcompany.net/images/Promos/Oct10/FallFourfor5_ci.gif" alt="<span class=" error="" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" />TAC™ Promotions" border="0"></a> <br /></div><a href="http://www.theangelcompany.net/Promos_StampPaPalooza.html">www.theangelcompany.net</a> <br /> <br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);"><span style="font-size:180%;">Don't wait for a Fun Shop to place your order...these designer papers are going to go <span style="font-style: italic;">FAST!</span></span></span> <br /> <br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><span style="font-size:100%;">Orders may be placed by phone with your credit card - - I also accept PayPal - - items can be shipped directly to your doorstep!!!</span></span> <br /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3223101104905505849-1268087712504638337?l=statgalgetscreative.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sheila D. Staveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08645189033128759583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3223101104905505849.post-29678401079760680182010-10-20T16:33:00.002-04:002010-10-20T16:52:41.444-04:00<span style="font-size:100%;">In February of this year I signed up with <a href="http://www.fleetfeetalbany.com/noboundaries/index.htm">No Boundaries</a>. That small act has put me on a much healthier path and has taught me to love exercise. Anyone who has known me for any length of time is probably scratching their head and wondering where the "real" Sheila could be hiding.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;">On Saturday, October 23, 2010 I will be participating in my second 5K race. This is an important milestone for me. I come from a long, long, LONG line of "couch potatoes"</span> whose idea of exercise is watching a sporting event on television. As I already mentioned, this will be my second 5K race this year...heck, to be honest, it will be my second 5K <span style="font-style: italic;">EVER!</span><br /><br />The even is called <a href="http://www.saratogabridges.org/foundation/specialevents/grtpumpkrace.htm">"The Great Pumpkin Challenge"</a>...it is the one of the fund raising events put on by <a href="http://www.saratogabridges.org/">Saratoga Bridges</a>. They are a fabulous organization which has various programs they offer to the developmentally disabled citizens of our county. I'm really looking forward to lacing up my running shoes and taking a walk in the park. (Saratoga Spa State park to be precise).<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3223101104905505849-2967840107976068018?l=statgalgetscreative.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sheila D. Staveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08645189033128759583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3223101104905505849.post-20132301222423647952010-10-09T12:03:00.004-04:002010-10-09T12:22:13.250-04:00<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_baVqUUWz4tI/TLCTDuDCnQI/AAAAAAAABrY/O9Dc4_rPbb4/s1600/ottlite_lighting.gif"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 235px; height: 72px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_baVqUUWz4tI/TLCTDuDCnQI/AAAAAAAABrY/O9Dc4_rPbb4/s400/ottlite_lighting.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526078434893274370" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">I have owned an OttLite desktop task lamp for years. I really value the natural light it gives off - great for color sorting &amp; matching, plus it really reduces eyestrain.<br /><br />Well there is a new kid in town....<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_baVqUUWz4tI/TLCTDtbxaSI/AAAAAAAABrQ/_n3QpAvglYM/s1600/xprd102043_m.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 304px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_baVqUUWz4tI/TLCTDtbxaSI/AAAAAAAABrQ/_n3QpAvglYM/s400/xprd102043_m.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526078434728569122" border="0" /></a><br /></div></div></div><br />...meet the new addition to our family: the high definition clip-on OttLite! The flexible neck is fabulous and allows me to direct the light exactly where I need it. Another valuable benefit is the low heat output. I get warm enough all on my own working on afghans draped across my lap, so I don't need the added heat that some other lamps can give off.<br /><br />So I gotta go now &amp; get started on some new projects!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3223101104905505849-2013230122242364795?l=statgalgetscreative.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sheila D. Staveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08645189033128759583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3223101104905505849.post-11782332458950929372010-10-02T20:18:00.001-04:002010-10-02T20:18:00.630-04:00<a href="http://www.theangelcompany.net" title="TAC™ Stamp of the Month"><img src="http://www.theangelcompany.net/images/Promos/Oct10/SOTM_Oct10_ci.gif" border="0" alt="TAC™ SOTM" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.theangelcompany.net/sotm_Oct10.html">www.theangelcompany.net</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3223101104905505849-1178233245895092937?l=statgalgetscreative.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sheila D. Staveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08645189033128759583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3223101104905505849.post-87085909050019854312010-10-01T08:15:00.001-04:002010-10-01T08:15:00.317-04:00<a href="http://www.theangelcompany.net" title="TAC™ Promotions"><img src="http://www.theangelcompany.net/images/Promos/Oct10/LimitedEditions_Oct10_ci.gif" border="0" alt="TAC™ Promotions" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.theangelcompany.net/Promos_LEs_Sept10.html">www.theangelcompany.net</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3223101104905505849-8708590905001985431?l=statgalgetscreative.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sheila D. Staveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08645189033128759583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3223101104905505849.post-4630267028256365872010-09-20T23:11:00.000-04:002010-09-20T23:23:39.321-04:00Which means, we have the discontinued stamps on sale!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.theangelcompany.net/" title="TAC™ Promotions"><img src="http://www.theangelcompany.net/images/Promos/Sept10/DiscontinuedDiscontinued_ci.gif" alt="TAC™ Promotions" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.theangelcompany.net/Promos_DiscDiscontinued.html">www.theangelcompany.net</a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(204, 51, 204);">These Hostess Sets are available for sale for a limited time:</span></span><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_baVqUUWz4tI/TJgkR91LsKI/AAAAAAAABqg/GXfvvSxcnvs/s1600/TC3196+DillyDally.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 282px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_baVqUUWz4tI/TJgkR91LsKI/AAAAAAAABqg/GXfvvSxcnvs/s320/TC3196+DillyDally.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519201234416545954" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_baVqUUWz4tI/TJgkResOJoI/AAAAAAAABqY/dVc2w9HlpVE/s1600/TB3207+CountryChristmas.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 219px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_baVqUUWz4tI/TJgkResOJoI/AAAAAAAABqY/dVc2w9HlpVE/s320/TB3207+CountryChristmas.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519201226057459330" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_baVqUUWz4tI/TJgkRMlYBtI/AAAAAAAABqQ/ruFhqZvHLMU/s1600/TA3209+Backgrounds+TA3206+FloralMug.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 169px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_baVqUUWz4tI/TJgkRMlYBtI/AAAAAAAABqQ/ruFhqZvHLMU/s320/TA3209+Backgrounds+TA3206+FloralMug.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519201221196908242" border="0" /></a>Contact me to place your order today!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3223101104905505849-463026702825636587?l=statgalgetscreative.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sheila D. Staveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08645189033128759583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3223101104905505849.post-81533720148737409152010-09-14T10:04:00.004-04:002010-09-14T12:18:22.725-04:00I have been feeling overwhelmed, no assaulted, by the over abundance of information. My office job grows more challenging each day...in spite of the current economic situation, our little business is growing. This is by no means a complaint - it is wonderful to have a sense of job security, but by golly, there just does not seem to be enough hours in the day to accomplish what needs to be done!<br /><br />My bosses are great people to work for...they have offered their assistance on more than one occasion, but I'm am in such a state of vapor lock, I don't know how to articulate what can be done to help. Both of them are very understanding and are more than willing to listen and they are very supportive of how we are trying to keep on top of things - but I find myself in a state of inactivity because I just can't decide which task needs to be conquered first.<br /><br />Whew... feels better to have that off my chest... now back to work.<br /><br /><br />LATER {during my lunch break}....<br />I get daily devotionals from Proverbs 31 - today's installment included this quote:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">"In our culture of constant contact through technology, it' s easy for our attention to be divided and our focus to shift away from those who are in the room with us. Although we are physically present, often times we are mentally absent. At least I know I am. What about you?"</span><br /></div><br />Mentally absent that really describes what I've been struggling to overcome.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3223101104905505849-8153372014873740915?l=statgalgetscreative.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sheila D. Staveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08645189033128759583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3223101104905505849.post-45799104407945212342010-09-05T07:53:00.000-04:002010-09-05T07:53:00.187-04:00<a href="http://www.theangelcompany.net" title="TAC™ Promotions"><img src="http://www.theangelcompany.net/images/Promos/August10/AugustSeptemberSpecial_ci.gif" border="0" alt="TAC™ Promotions" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.theangelcompany.net/Promos_AugustSeptemberSpecials.html">www.theangelcompany.net</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3223101104905505849-4579910440794521234?l=statgalgetscreative.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sheila D. Staveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08645189033128759583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3223101104905505849.post-61625100705867089382010-09-04T20:06:00.002-04:002010-09-04T20:09:54.182-04:00<a href="http://www.theangelcompany.net" title="TAC™ Promotions"><img src="http://www.theangelcompany.net/images/Promos/August10/SuperSurpriseBox10_ciPrev.gif" border="0" alt="TAC™ Promotions" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.theangelcompany.net/Promos_SuperSurpriseBoxes.html">www.theangelcompany.net</a><br /><br />or maybe a bag o fun?<br /><br /><a href="http://www.theangelcompany.net" title="TAC™ Promotions"><img src="http://www.theangelcompany.net/images/Promos/Sept10/5DollarBrownBag_ci.gif" border="0" alt="TAC™ Promotions" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.theangelcompany.net/Promos_5BrownBag.html">www.theangelcompany.net</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3223101104905505849-6162510070586708938?l=statgalgetscreative.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sheila D. Staveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08645189033128759583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3223101104905505849.post-88621750576571091102010-09-04T19:44:00.003-04:002010-09-04T19:50:01.390-04:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_baVqUUWz4tI/TILaKJ-s5FI/AAAAAAAABpw/mDeQeGeMU8k/s1600/IA2010+Sneak+Peek03.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 220px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_baVqUUWz4tI/TILaKJ-s5FI/AAAAAAAABpw/mDeQeGeMU8k/s400/IA2010+Sneak+Peek03.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513208761867363410" border="0" /></a><br />Another teaser from the new fall <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">magalogue</span> available soon....<br /><br /><br />Oh, and we have this fabulous promotion happening for the month of September too....<br /><br /><a href="http://www.theangelcompany.net" title="TAC™ Promotions"><img src="http://www.theangelcompany.net/images/Promos/Sept10/CustomerPreviewPack_ci.gif" border="0" alt="TAC™ Promotions" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.theangelcompany.net/Promos_CustomerPreviewPack.html">www.theangelcompany.net</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3223101104905505849-8862175057657109110?l=statgalgetscreative.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sheila D. Staveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08645189033128759583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3223101104905505849.post-64940475825456536522010-09-03T19:57:00.000-04:002010-09-04T19:58:15.107-04:00<a href="http://www.theangelcompany.net" title="TAC™ Promotions"><img src="http://www.theangelcompany.net/images/Promos/Sept10/LimitedEditions_Sept_ci.gif" border="0" alt="TAC™ Promotions" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.theangelcompany.net/Promos_LEs_Sept10.html">www.theangelcompany.net</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3223101104905505849-6494047582545653652?l=statgalgetscreative.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sheila D. Staveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08645189033128759583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3223101104905505849.post-30024214726712456582010-09-01T20:17:00.000-04:002010-09-04T20:18:27.620-04:00<a href="http://www.theangelcompany.net" title="TAC™ Stamp of the Month"><img src="http://www.theangelcompany.net/images/Promos/Sept10/SOTM_Sept10_ci.gif" border="0" alt="TAC™ SOTM" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.theangelcompany.net/sotm_Sept10.html">www.theangelcompany.net</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3223101104905505849-3002421472671245658?l=statgalgetscreative.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sheila D. Staveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08645189033128759583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3223101104905505849.post-16738849602125231622010-09-01T07:53:00.004-04:002010-09-01T07:53:00.588-04:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_baVqUUWz4tI/THrz8pF7tDI/AAAAAAAABpo/TNGgRliMU2U/s1600/IA2010+Sneak+Peek02.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 229px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_baVqUUWz4tI/THrz8pF7tDI/AAAAAAAABpo/TNGgRliMU2U/s400/IA2010+Sneak+Peek02.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510985317189661746" border="0" /></a>Here is a glimpse of a new design from Mabelle RO<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_baVqUUWz4tI/THrz8GohHVI/AAAAAAAABpg/ZAMnrOSLLVk/s1600/IA2010+Sneak+Peek01.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 220px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_baVqUUWz4tI/THrz8GohHVI/AAAAAAAABpg/ZAMnrOSLLVk/s400/IA2010+Sneak+Peek01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510985307939478866" border="0" /></a>This Level B Hostess Set will be available in the new Avenue magalogue (and this is a sneak peek of 2 of the images!)<br /><br />Book your Fun Shop today!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3223101104905505849-1673884960212523162?l=statgalgetscreative.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sheila D. Staveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08645189033128759583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3223101104905505849.post-16010145978502795162010-08-19T21:26:00.004-04:002010-08-19T21:47:10.716-04:00As I watch tonight's episode, I find myself wondering if some of these contestants have ever seen the show. While I realize they are in a high stress situation, I am growing tired of hearing Casanova &amp; Michael Costello complain. Oh, and they way all of them trash talk each other during the interviews and especially when they got back to Atlas...WOW this is a negative group!<br /><br />I must say, there are some pretty talented designers. Along with some REALLY potent personalities. I am very curious to see the catwalk tonight.<br /><br />I will stop this rant for now...so I don't spoil the results for anyone. MORE LATER...<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3223101104905505849-1601014597850279516?l=statgalgetscreative.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sheila D. Staveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08645189033128759583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3223101104905505849.post-12483335863646989662010-08-17T14:01:00.001-04:002010-08-17T14:03:27.562-04:00<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 153); font-style: italic;">If one is being treated as if he or she were an idiot....</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 153); font-style: italic;">should that person start acting like one?</span></span><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3223101104905505849-1248333586364698966?l=statgalgetscreative.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sheila D. Staveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08645189033128759583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3223101104905505849.post-28423209181909761152010-08-14T20:35:00.002-04:002010-08-14T20:41:48.151-04:00I happened upon a blog recently called <a href="http://janmarienewby.blogspot.com/">Write About Now</a> and discovered a wealth of Christian authors. I have been keeping my brain occupied by beefing up my "to be borrowed" roster in my online library account. It seems the ones I wanted to tackle first are not readily available at my local branch, so I had to log my request for them to be transferred over. Ah, well, technology is a wonderful thing (when it works), so I will just need to wait a couple of days until I receive the magical email informing me that my selections are ready to be picked up. Now back to finding more titles to add to my wish list...sure hoping they don't have a limit on how many books I can log....<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3223101104905505849-2842320918190976115?l=statgalgetscreative.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sheila D. Staveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08645189033128759583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3223101104905505849.post-14212003618700397872010-08-10T17:34:00.003-04:002010-08-11T08:52:18.227-04:00During my morning Facebook session today, I stumbled across this quote:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;" class="UIComposer_InputArea_Base UIComposer_InputArea"><div class="UIComposer_InputShadow "><div style="width: 510px;" class="Mentions_Input" id="c4c61c0fcb00fa481b46e8_input" contenteditable="true"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">"The happiest people don't have the best of everything, they just make the best of everything they have."</span></span><br /></div></div></div><br />I had been in a bit of a funk and this phrase helped me pull out of an emotional nose dive. (I love when stuff like that happens!)<br /><br />Later today I heard the song "Our God" on KLOVE. The refrain keeps rolling around in my brain:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0); font-style: italic;">"And if our God is for us, then who could ever stop us.</span></span> <span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0); font-style: italic;"> And if our God is with us, then what could stand against."'<br /><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3223101104905505849-1421200361870039787?l=statgalgetscreative.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sheila D. Staveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08645189033128759583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3223101104905505849.post-4344665227667370782010-08-02T19:06:00.002-04:002010-08-02T19:36:45.877-04:00...August 2 is <a href="http://www.gone-ta-pott.com/national_ice_cream_sandwich_day.html">National Ice Cream Sandwich Day</a><br /><br />...or that you don't have to eat ice cream sandwiches by themselves, you can create a yummy desert with this <a href="http://allrecipes.com//Recipe/ice-cream-sandwich-desserts/Detail.aspx">recipe</a><br /><br />My Google search turned up a site which lists a ton of other <a href="http://library.thinkquest.org/2886/foo.htm">odd food holidays</a>: like did you know that Pancake Week is in February; or that February 11th is "Don't Cry Over Spilled Milk Day"; or that there is a Deviled Egg Day (November 2nd to be exact)? But one of the best links takes us to the <a href="http://www.twinkiesproject.com/">Twinkies Project </a>(talk about playing with your food!)<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3223101104905505849-434466522766737078?l=statgalgetscreative.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sheila D. Staveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08645189033128759583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3223101104905505849.post-79485681386553969272010-07-31T15:42:00.004-04:002010-07-31T16:25:22.451-04:00Show of hands = who is totally freaked out by the fact that it is the last day of July 2010?!?!<br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">{wildly waves both hands in the air}</span></span><br /></div><br />This year has been jam-packed with "adventures" (as my chiropractor calls them):<br /><ul><li>Early in the year, I signed up with the <a href="http://www.fleetfeetalbany.com/noboundaries/index.htm">No Boundaries</a> group to train for my first ever 5K. Ten weeks of training later I was ready to conquer the Father's Day course at the Crossings in Albany. Now I find myself dreaming of running, so I signed up for the fall training session which will culminate with "The Great Pumpkin Challenge"</li><li>I took a one-day writer's <a href="http://ladeanwarner.com/">workshop</a> which re-ignited my passion for writing. It was a blast &amp; I met some really interesting ladies. Our ranks even included a local radio personality. It took me back to those high school &amp; college days of the creative writing exercises I used to do.<br /></li><li>Our youngest graduated <a href="http://www.galwaycsd.org/">High School</a> - while this is not technically MY achievement, I do have a vicarious feeling of accomplishment for the event.</li><li>I've been devoting a bunch of time to crocheting a baby afghan. Ten more squares &amp; assembly can begin. There is something sooo soothing about crocheting while watching TV - I have this cool container called a "yarn-tainer", so the project is very portable. I take it along to doctors appointments or car trips.</li><li>Speaking of car trips, my husbands 30th <a href="http://www.tupperlakecsd.net/mhs-web/mhshome.asp">high school reunion</a> was held recently. We drove up to Tupper Lake and played tourist for the weekend. We visited with the in-laws (while I crocheted up a storm); stayed in a cute little hotel (which was located next door to the establishment where their graduation bash had been held all those years ago); and had a fabulous time at the dinner/dance at the Knight's of Columbus hall. The big highlight of the evening was when my loving husband overcame his fear of dancing in public and asked me to slow dance to Eric Clapton's "<a href="http://www.last.fm/music/Eric+Clapton/_/Wonderful+Tonight">Wonderful Tonight</a>". <span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(204, 102, 204);"> (sigh with goofy grin on face)</span><br /></li><li>I was asked to be the craft-lady for my <a href="http://www.saratogaabundantlife.org/Home.html">church's summer</a> VBS - we call ours Adventure Camp and always have a cool theme every year...this year it was "Out of This World" (a space theme which inspired met to assume the alias of Sissy SpaceChix and devote several weeks to preparing for the fun by die cutting millions of stars). It was LOADS of fun - ALL the hard work on every one's part was well worth it. The kids (young &amp; old) had a fabulous time!</li><li>The boy is scheduled to fly out soon to spend some time with his dad out in the wilds of <a href="http://www.cabq.gov/">New Mexico</a> - it is time for the young man to spread his wings and make some decisions about what direction his life should take. It will be a huge adjustment for all of us.<br /></li></ul>Wow - I'm exhausted...I'm thinking it is time for a nap!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3223101104905505849-7948568138655396927?l=statgalgetscreative.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sheila D. Staveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08645189033128759583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3223101104905505849.post-37803196799234110792010-06-02T17:39:00.006-04:002010-06-02T17:52:21.105-04:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_baVqUUWz4tI/TAbSEcarO_I/AAAAAAAABpQ/TrfWuAx5fT0/s1600/bookmarks.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 330px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_baVqUUWz4tI/TAbSEcarO_I/AAAAAAAABpQ/TrfWuAx5fT0/s400/bookmarks.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478296970532174834" border="0" /></a><br />Here are a trio of book marks - they slip over the top corner of the page in the book. (Got the template for the green one from <a href="http://www.cheekymagpie.com/?p=21">Cheeky Magpie</a> and played around with my Fiskars scissors to create the other two)<br /><br />I also whipped out a bunch of cards:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_baVqUUWz4tI/TAbR3iHtFQI/AAAAAAAABpI/1k0LBXamYDk/s1600/cards03.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 311px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_baVqUUWz4tI/TAbR3iHtFQI/AAAAAAAABpI/1k0LBXamYDk/s400/cards03.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478296748724917506" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_baVqUUWz4tI/TAbR3SfZkCI/AAAAAAAABpA/w63_u2bLzVw/s1600/Cards01.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 305px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_baVqUUWz4tI/TAbR3SfZkCI/AAAAAAAABpA/w63_u2bLzVw/s400/Cards01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478296744529334306" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_baVqUUWz4tI/TAbR2_lKElI/AAAAAAAABow/eL2p0hDejoM/s1600/heart+card.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 278px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_baVqUUWz4tI/TAbR2_lKElI/AAAAAAAABow/eL2p0hDejoM/s400/heart+card.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478296739453211218" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_baVqUUWz4tI/TAbR2sbToWI/AAAAAAAABoo/3d4SjNOuDTA/s1600/cards02.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 316px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_baVqUUWz4tI/TAbR2sbToWI/AAAAAAAABoo/3d4SjNOuDTA/s400/cards02.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478296734311620962" border="0" /></a><br />Now I'm off to get supplies ready for this weekend's Fun Shop<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3223101104905505849-3780319679923411079?l=statgalgetscreative.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sheila D. Staveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08645189033128759583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3223101104905505849.post-80272607984662947712010-06-01T10:37:00.000-04:002010-06-01T10:37:00.678-04:00Now that I know that the moms in my life have received their cards, I can share them with my cyber friends.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_baVqUUWz4tI/S-jFPanfBWI/AAAAAAAABnw/Uv26qN1tcUY/s1600/Gwen+Card.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 286px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_baVqUUWz4tI/S-jFPanfBWI/AAAAAAAABnw/Uv26qN1tcUY/s400/Gwen+Card.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469838616075109730" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_baVqUUWz4tI/S-jFPHK3toI/AAAAAAAABno/IrKIexk3DLU/s1600/Bev+Card.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 306px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_baVqUUWz4tI/S-jFPHK3toI/AAAAAAAABno/IrKIexk3DLU/s400/Bev+Card.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469838610854819458" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br />Here's hoping everyone had a wonderful Mother's Day!<br /></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3223101104905505849-8027260798466294771?l=statgalgetscreative.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sheila D. Staveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08645189033128759583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3223101104905505849.post-3943451134989661822010-05-25T08:30:00.000-04:002010-05-25T08:47:22.300-04:00I've never been motivated to exercise on my own...until now...the No Boundaries training program has kicked off a changes in me which are welcome &amp; surprising.<br /><br />I am a former couch-potato and world class sleeper. I find that I have more energy even though my average night of sleep is six or seven hours (down from eight to ten). Case in point: this morning hubby got to get up at 5:30am to go out on his job; my original plan was to kick him out of bed &amp; into the shower and then catch another hour of sleep before I had to get up to start my day. I woke up at 5:15 - thinking I'd forgotten to set the alarm - not the case. Anyway, I got up to do my morning business (if you know what I mean) and climbed back into bed to await my wifely duties of shaking Mike out of bed. He was sawing some pretty big logs when Air1 started playing. I waited for half of a song, before punching in lightly in the arm. As he trundled off to the shower, I lay in bed feeling wide awake.<br /><br />The internal argument started: you should relax and get some more rest, you are going to have a full day &amp; need the sleep - <span style="font-style: italic;">NO, NO, NO</span> (the fitness crazed part of me disagreed) <span style="font-style: italic;">Get up and do the two mile brisk walk with Leslie Sansone.</span> My rational self chimed in = <span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 204);"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">if you don't, you will be sorry on Thursday, because we are going to do hills for the first time at our NoBo training</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">. <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">So by 5:45, I was up with the DVD playing &amp; ready to have a good morning workout.<br /><br /></span>Another change I've noticed is my food cravings: Junk food is losing its appeal and I can't seem to get enough pineapple. I am just eating more sensible foods in smaller portions. My new rule in shopping is the read the ingredients &amp; look for the shortest list. AND I must be able to pronounce each &amp; every ingredient.<br /><br />I am confident more positive changes are on the horizon for me...stay tuned<br /></span></span></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3223101104905505849-394345113498966182?l=statgalgetscreative.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sheila D. Staveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08645189033128759583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3223101104905505849.post-14920433672958408382010-05-24T13:27:00.001-04:002010-05-24T13:27:00.209-04:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_baVqUUWz4tI/S_nyPOJo8vI/AAAAAAAABoY/b9keXQKxJvM/s1600/7BD49FB7.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 304px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_baVqUUWz4tI/S_nyPOJo8vI/AAAAAAAABoY/b9keXQKxJvM/s400/7BD49FB7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474673165356036850" border="0" /></a>My husband told me (and I quote) "This is the best card you've ever made!" (he really liked the color combination - I usually opt for more vibrant colors)<br /><br />Brayer technique for the background, then some masked sponging &amp; finally stamping the image.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3223101104905505849-1492043367295840838?l=statgalgetscreative.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sheila D. Staveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08645189033128759583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3223101104905505849.post-48927536782638529072010-05-23T14:20:00.006-04:002010-05-23T14:38:26.647-04:00<span style="font-style: italic;">My sister sent this to me in an email &amp; I decided to blast it out this way...</span><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_baVqUUWz4tI/S_lzEGPtiuI/AAAAAAAABn4/XRalcafBnpo/s1600/vet+flag+dog.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 397px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_baVqUUWz4tI/S_lzEGPtiuI/AAAAAAAABn4/XRalcafBnpo/s400/vet+flag+dog.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474533336278731490" border="0" /></a><br /><table class="Bs nH iY" cellpadding="0"><tbody><tr><td class="Bu"><div class="nH if"><div class="nH"><div class="nH hx"><div class="nH"><div class="nH"><div class="h7 ie"><div class="Bk"><div class="G3 G2"><div class="nH"><div id=":fz"><div class="HprMsc" style=""><div class="gs"><div id=":fy" class="ii gt"><div style="font-size: 10pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial;color:#ffffff;" bg><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;color:#000000;"><div><table style="width: 100%;" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="3"><tbody><tr><td style="padding: 0.75pt; width: 99.58%;" valign="top" width="99%"><table style="width: 100%;" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="3"><tbody><tr><td style="padding: 0.75pt; width: 100%;" valign="top" width="100%"><table style="width: 100%;" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="3"><tbody><tr><td style="padding: 0.75pt; width: 100%;" valign="top" width="100%"><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: 18pt; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';">It is the<span style="color: maroon;"></span></span></b><br /></div><b><span style="font-size: 18pt; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"><span style="color: maroon;"></span></span></b></div><b><span style="font-size: 18pt; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"><span style="color: maroon;">VETERAN</span>,</span></b><b><span style="font-size: 18pt;"><br />not the preacher,</span></b><b><span style="font-size: 18pt; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"><br />who has given us freedom of religion.<br /><br />It is<br />the <span style="color: maroon;">VETERAN</span>,<br />not the reporter, <br />who has given us freedom of the press.<br /><br />It is <br />the <span style="color: maroon;">VETERAN</span>,<br />not the poet,<br />who has given us freedom of speech.</span></b><b><span style="font-size: 18pt;"><br /><br />It is<br />the <span style="color: maroon;">VETERAN</span>,<br />not the campus organizer,<br />who has given us freedom to assemble.</span></b><b><span style="font-size: 18pt; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"><br /><br /><br />It is<br />the <span style="color: maroon;">VETERAN</span>,<br />not the lawyer,<br />who has given us the right to a fair trial.</span></b><b><span style="font-size: 18pt;"><br /></span></b><b><span style="font-size: 18pt; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"><br /><br /><br />It is<br />the <span style="color: maroon;">VETERAN</span>,<br />not the politician,<br />Who has given us the right to vote.</span></b><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span><br /><br /><img src="https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&amp;ik=19a6deead5&amp;view=att&amp;th=128c1fa4c7e2434f&amp;attid=0.2&amp;disp=emb&amp;zw" width="68" height="50" /><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><br /><br /><br /></span><b><span style="font-size: 18pt;"><br /><br /><br />It is the</span></b><b><span style="font-size: 18pt; color: maroon; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"><br />VETERAN </span></b><b><span style="font-size: 18pt; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';">who <br />salutes the Flag,</span></b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span><br /><br /><img src="https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&amp;ik=19a6deead5&amp;view=att&amp;th=128c1fa4c7e2434f&amp;attid=0.3&amp;disp=emb&amp;zw" width="440" height="644" /><b><span style="font-size: 18pt;"><br /><br />It is the</span><br /></b><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;color:#000000;"><b><span style="font-size: 18pt; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"><span style="color: maroon;">VETERAN</span></span></b></span><b><span style="font-size: 18pt;"><br />who serves<br />under the Flag,</span></b><br /><br /><img src="https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&amp;ik=19a6deead5&amp;view=att&amp;th=128c1fa4c7e2434f&amp;attid=0.4&amp;disp=emb&amp;zw" width="467" height="381" /></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; color: maroon;"><br />ETERNAL REST GRANT THEM O LORD,<br />AND LET PERPETUAL LIGHT SHINE UPON THEM.</span></b><span style="font-size: 24pt; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"><br /><br />We can be very<br />proud of our young men and women in the service no matter where they serve.<br /><br />God Bless them all!!!<br /></span><b><span style="font-size: 36pt; color: maroon;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></span></b> </div></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><br /><b><span style="font-size: 18pt; color: navy;"><br /></span></b></div></td></tr></tbody></table></div></span> <p> </p></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></td><td class="Bu"><br /></td><td class="Bu"><div style="width: 189px;" class="nH"><div class="nH"><div class="nH"><div class="hj"><div class="hk"><span id=":fk" idlink=""><img class="gZ" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/images/cleardot.gif" alt="" /></span></div></div></div><div class="nH"><div style="width: 189px;" class="u5 wr"><div class="oM"><div id=":ex"></div></div></div></div><br /></div></div></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3223101104905505849-4892753678263852907?l=statgalgetscreative.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sheila D. Staveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08645189033128759583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3223101104905505849.post-36102320076910655192010-05-07T06:53:00.003-04:002010-05-07T07:36:22.936-04:00The dawn of May 7th finds me awake at 6:26am and mentally unable to relax back to sleep until the alarm goes off at 8am. Mind you, my body is tired and begs for more sleepy time, but my mind and spirit draws me away from my pillow, compelled to record my thoughts about last night's NoBo training session.<br /><br />I sit at the keyboard pondering the concept of inspiration. I've been told that my participation in the NoBo 5K training is an inspiration (thanks Peggy). That comment along with the support of our Saratoga running group fueled me for the final half mile of last nights training. Our goal was to increase our distance by that much and I found myself ready to quit at our previous 1.5 mile mark. I had visions of shaking my head and saying "nope, can't do it". The group was gathered and cheering me on, offering me raised hands for high fives - my thought was to get to the other side of the group &amp; just stop - until I got to Alison. Her words to me "Come on, girlfriend, you got this! I'll go with you." Her triumphant energy gave me new strength and determination. <br /><br />After a short time, she said, "Okay, ten feet." I knew exactly what that meant - earlier she had challenged me to "trot" for twenty feet during that day's training. I took off at a lumbering gallop, concentrating so hard that I was holding my breath. I have no idea how far I'd gone (my sense of measured distance is very lacking) so I stopped nearly ready to drop where I stood. Alison being the true friend that she is reminded me to breathe. Being on auto-pilot at that point, I obliged. After a short time, she urged me on again...we could see the finish line (cleverly disguised as a cross walk outside of the Gideon Putnam Hotel). This time my speed was an easier trot and I actually remembered to breathe! <br /><br />Cool down exercises were in process as we returned to the group. I was greeted by several "Way to go, Sheila!" comments and I was not too secretly thrilled to see them on the grass performing various leg stretches. "Yeah!" I think to myself, "I can sit on the ground! That gives me such a short distance to actually collapse completely! BooYah!" We were doing a yoga-esk move and a couple of others were coaching me to the proper configuration. Ernie whispered "Just think pretzel" - I dutifully did just that and drifted off to a wonderful memory of the yogurt covered pretzels I'd purchased at The Meat House....yummm....sorry, drifted off there for a second...<br /><br />Today, I realize that I have spent my life to this point thinking that I was not capable of physical activity and was expert at coming up with excuses <span style="font-style: italic;">not</span> to do stuff. I find that thought process is now transforming. Left to my own devices, I would remain in a Java the Hut type of existence (never moving very far at very slow pace). My realization this fine morning = I am no longer an inactive coach-potato, through the power of inspiration, I am a runner.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3223101104905505849-3610232007691065519?l=statgalgetscreative.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sheila D. Staveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08645189033128759583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3223101104905505849.post-30191939826082610352010-05-05T08:10:00.003-04:002010-05-05T08:18:47.282-04:00<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_baVqUUWz4tI/S-FhvPE0GBI/AAAAAAAABng/lhjTjCzo9yI/s1600/Mothers+Day+Sneak+02.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 278px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_baVqUUWz4tI/S-FhvPE0GBI/AAAAAAAABng/lhjTjCzo9yI/s400/Mothers+Day+Sneak+02.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467758886732961810" border="0" /></a><br /></div>Can't show the entire cards - partly because I don't want to ruin the surprise for Mother's Day &amp; partly because I used a beautiful new TAC stamp which will be in the new catalog coming out in June.....(I Love being an Angel!)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_baVqUUWz4tI/S-FgiATNZdI/AAAAAAAABnQ/pjwSrvc3IT4/s1600/Mothers+Day+Sneak+01.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 245px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_baVqUUWz4tI/S-FgiATNZdI/AAAAAAAABnQ/pjwSrvc3IT4/s400/Mothers+Day+Sneak+01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467757559916881362" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />Happy Stamping &amp; Happy Mother's Day (a few days early).<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3223101104905505849-3019193982608261035?l=statgalgetscreative.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sheila D. Staveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08645189033128759583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3223101104905505849.post-81682912591333338212010-04-25T21:10:00.004-04:002010-04-25T22:44:19.288-04:00Saturday started with getting hubby up early for his a special out-of-town job. Plus I got to roust the man-child out of bed (he promised to accompany me on my No Boundaries training session). I was up, dressed and ready to go WAY earlier than I needed to be, but, hey, I was excited to meet my running peeps at the park to conquer another 1.5 miles.<br /><br />The training keeps getting easier and easier. We found out that Josh may not be my best walking buddy, because he has a fabulous sense of humor which never fails to crack me up - the wicked side effect of laughing while working out = it messes up your breathing. I've come to realize that breathing is very important and should not be considered an optional activity.<br /><br />Close to the end of the 1.5 mile loop, our intrepid coach, Lisa, came trotting back to check on me. The boy by this point had been wanting to run on ahead, but he could not bear to leave me in the dust (maybe because I was the one with the keys to the truck, or maybe, just maybe, he just loves his mommy). Once Lisa joined us, we gave him the green light and he dashed off to catch up with the teenage girl who had dropped her chap stick earlier. (he wound up getting a hug for his gallant gesture).<br /><br />The workout proved to energize my offspring to the point where he kept asking "What can we do now? We need to DO something....what can we do?" My first priority after working up a healthy sweat is a shower. THAT was obviously not what the man-child had in mind, so he went off to text his buddies to see what kind of plan they could hatch between them. <span style="font-style: italic;">{they did come up with an interesting money-making scheme - but that is a whole other story}</span>. My shower was wonderful &amp; I puttered around for a bit before deciding that I had the perfect opportunity to finish the book I was reading. With that done, I decided it was time for a nap. Knowing that I am a world-class napper, I set my alarm so as not to sleep away the entire day. I had the multimedia duty for the Saturday evening service, so I allowed myself a two-hour nap time.<br /><br />Our service was wonderful - a perfect set of worship songs and a fabulous message from Pastor Joe ended with a moving &amp; prayerful communion. I felt sorry for anyone who had missed the service. It left me believing that I truly am treasured by God. <br /><br />I got home to find that my sweetie pie had returned safely from his job down in the wilds of Delaware (always a good thing). I had a bite to eat &amp; watched a little TV with the hubby. (Gabriel Iglesias = a hugely funny guy). Then I wandered up to my room of craft and started tinkering with ideas for my next Fun Shop coming up in a couple weeks. Before I knew it - it was bedtime.<br /><br />The fourth Sunday of each month is my "Doody Duty" in the nursery at church. I love it! The toddlers are fabulous little people &amp; I love being able to offer a safe &amp; fun place for the parents to bring their little ones so they can focus on the service. Today was also a baptism day for us...there was SO much excitement for the impending dunking, the I found myself getting jacked up over it too. Another powerful set of worship songs along with three prophetic words brought forward set the stage for the abbreviated sermon, the baptisms and communion. <br /><br />After the last little one was claimed from the nursery, I was able to catch up with newlywed friends of mine who were baptized together. She was simply glowing &amp; gushing over the whole experience. (I've got this goofy grin on my face just thinking about it). In the course of our conversation, I got myself three hugs. {hugs are good for you, in case you didn't know, they release endorphins - also, a whole other story...sorry, I digress}. <br /><br />After church, Josh &amp; I had our mission to get his car inspected. That was accomplished successfully, much to our relief. Now he feels like a real person again and can drive himself places AND get a job to support said vehicle. It goes without saying that he is out, cashing cans &amp; hangin' with friends as I write this.<br /><br />I just got finished enjoying two hours of uninterrupted time at my crafting table. Wow, how time files when I am tinkering with my different projects! I've got a couple more tasks to complete before I call it a day, but I just wanted to take the opportunity to record these thoughts about my wonderful weekend.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3223101104905505849-8168291259133333821?l=statgalgetscreative.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sheila D. Staveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08645189033128759583noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3223101104905505849.post-35629683235617406652010-04-17T20:31:00.013-04:002010-04-17T22:14:46.868-04:00This weekend the Altamont Fair Grounds is the site of the first annual Rubber Stamp &amp; Scrap Book Expo for the Albany area. While the choice of venue may not have been optimum on this chilly &amp; rainy weekend, the exhibitors offered a wonderful variety of products as well as several offering make &amp; take opportunities. Here is a list of the vendors along with links to their websites.<br /><a href="http://heartfeltcreations.us/"><br />Heartfelt Creations</a> ** <a href="http://www.sweetstamps.com/">SweetStamps.com</a> ** <a href="http://www.ourdailybreaddesigns.com/">Our Daily Bread Designs</a> ** Stamp On It ** <a href="http://www.lunistamps.com/">Luni Stamps ** </a> <a href="http://www.bonash.com/">Bo Nash International ** </a> <a href="http://www.scrapdazzle.net/">Scrap Dazzle</a> ** <a href="http://www.cinde05.myctmh.com/">Close to My Heart (Cinde Apuzzo)</a> **<a href="http://www.denamidesigns.com/">Denami Designs ** </a> <a href="http://www.webescrappin.com/">We B Scrappin'</a> ** <a href="http://www.blockheadstamps.com/">Blockheads</a> ** <a href="http://www.starvingartistamps.com/">Starving Artistamps ** </a><a href="http://www.carolinacraftingconcepts.com/">Carolina Crafting Concepts</a> ** <a href="http://www.mainelymemories.com/">Mainley Memories</a> <a href="http://www.rubbernecker.com/">** Rubbernecker</a> <a href="http://www.mycmsite.com/heatherschiavo">** Creative Memories ** </a><a href="http://sharyn.stampinup.net/">Stampin' Up! (Sharyn R. Bouck)</a> <a href="http://www.woodwareusa.com/">** WoodwareUSA.com</a> ** <a href="http://www.tesslerstamps.com/">Tessler Stencil Company</a><br /><br />Tomorrow I will be taking my camera along, so I will be able to post photos.<br />Sunday April 18th show time = 11 am to 4 pm<br /><br />Oh, as part of your admission, you can also get to visit The Woman's Expo where another 22 exhibitors have space. I didn't get a chance to check them all out today, but I'm looking forward to browsing through to visit them:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.kellimather.scentsy.us/">Scentsy </a>** <a href="http://www.wendym.yourpassionconsultant.com/">Passion Parties</a> ** <a href="http://www.americanlaser.com/">American Laser Centers</a> ** <a href="http://liasophoia.com/karenclark">Lia Sophia</a> ** <a href="http://www.bathfitter.com/">Bathfitters</a> ** <a href="http://mysilpada.com/debra.pytlak">Silpada **</a> <a href="http://www.bottledocker.com/">Bottle Docker LLC</a> ** <a href="http://www.pfudge.com/">Phenomenal Fudge</a> ** <a href="http://www.stelladot.com/jennieh">Stella &amp; Dot</a> ** Silver Leaf Resorts **<a href="http://www.therobynlynncollection.com/">The Robyn Lynn Collection</a> ** Arbonne International ** <a href="http://www.beautipage.com/michelebiagini">Beauti Control</a> ** For the Love of Rocks ** <a href="http://www.huffnpuff.com/">Huff N' Puff</a> ** <a href="http://www.judecraftspecialtyfoods.com/">Jude Craft Specialty Foods</a> ** <a href="http://www.yumichen.com/">Yumi Chen Designs</a> ** Premier Designs **<a href="http://kimvolean.isagenix.com/">Isagenix</a> ** <a href="http://www.getpersonaldesignerjewelry.com/">Get Personal Designer Jewelry</a> ** <a href="http://www.grandpapete.com/">Grandpa Pete's Gourmet Sauce</a> ** <a href="http://www.comfortstationstore.com/">The Comfort Station</a><br /><br />More to come - stay tuned!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3223101104905505849-3562968323561740665?l=statgalgetscreative.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sheila D. Staveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08645189033128759583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3223101104905505849.post-46049936141811615942010-03-10T21:54:00.004-05:002010-03-10T22:38:58.016-05:00...and frankly, I really don't want to. Had a bit of a "DAY" at the office today = the boss' computer is in the shop and, well, I really had to concentrate on not yelling at him or stabbing him in the neck with one of the electrodes he was putting into the sterilizer. When the man doesn't have a task to keep him occupied, he can be more than a little exasperating. <br /><br />ANYWAY....I got home, had some dinner with the boy and marched myself upstairs to my beloved room of craft. I fired up the iTunes on my playlist entitled "uplifting" and plopped my weary butt into the chair in front of my crafting table. I tinkered around, tidied up a bit and cut out a couple different stamp sets. There is something that is very soothing about indexing, mounting and cutting new rubbah. <span style="font-style: italic;">Then</span>, I busted out the Crystal Lacquer and added some "bling" to a tulip image that I believe will eventually become an Easter card, or maybe a birthday card. I've got a couple of different projects still in the "development phase" which is really pretty much the norm for me.<br /><br />Now I sit in front of the computer, iTunes still blasting (our current selection is "Today is The Day" by Lincoln Brewster), and checking in on some of my favorite blogs. Life is good!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3223101104905505849-4604993614181161594?l=statgalgetscreative.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sheila D. Staveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08645189033128759583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3223101104905505849.post-64503857766317353442010-03-09T23:33:00.003-05:002010-03-09T23:41:38.635-05:00I needed a break one day last week at work, so I played my "Next Blog" link game and found these fabulous websites:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:180%;"><a href="http://threadlines.blogspot.com/">Threadlines</a><br /><a href="http://craftblogspiritofcreativity.blogspot.com/">Spirit of Creativity</a><br /><a href="http://sew-in-love.blogspot.com/">Sew In Love</a><br /><a href="http://tatsaway.blogspot.com/">Jon's Thread Escapade</a><br /><a href="http://paintnpixel.blogspot.com/">Teri's Illustration Blog</a></span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">When you follow these links, you will find diverse areas of creativity: quilting; paper crafting; sewing; tatting; and painting. I just love the soothing effect all sorts of art has on me...I had to limit myself to five because I've been know to follow links and get lost on the blogs for hours at a time.<br /></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3223101104905505849-6450385776631735344?l=statgalgetscreative.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sheila D. Staveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08645189033128759583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3223101104905505849.post-69018756786340406622010-03-08T22:57:00.001-05:002010-03-10T00:07:10.243-05:00<a href="http://www.theangelcompany.net" title="TAC™ Stamp of the Month"><img src="http://www.theangelcompany.net/images/Promos/Mar10/SOTM_Mar10ci.gif" border="0" alt="TAC™ SOTM"></a><br /><a <br /> <br /><a href="http://www.theangelcompany.net" title="TAC™ Promotions"><img src="http://www.theangelcompany.net/images/Promos/Mar10/Vintage_FlopsyBunnyci.gif" border="0" alt="TAC™ Promotions"></a><br /><a href="http://www.theangelcompany.net/Promos_Flyers.html">www.theangelcompany.net</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3223101104905505849-6901875678634040662?l=statgalgetscreative.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sheila D. Staveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08645189033128759583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3223101104905505849.post-22275664843055938502010-03-03T23:42:00.000-05:002010-03-09T23:55:44.087-05:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_baVqUUWz4tI/S5clG7dBQiI/AAAAAAAABnI/p6G0X6iqZH4/s1600-h/March+2010+Black+Patina+Memory+Frames.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_baVqUUWz4tI/S5clG7dBQiI/AAAAAAAABnI/p6G0X6iqZH4/s400/March+2010+Black+Patina+Memory+Frames.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446863075296756258" border="0" /></a><br />Available ONLY in during the month of March: F500 1x3 Black Patina Memory Frames (set of 3) $5.25; F501 1x3 Memory Glass Slides (24 pieces) $6.50<br /><br />Follow the title link to see the instructions for making the "She Adds Beauty" Necklace<br /><br />Ask me about the other Hostess special available this month...<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3223101104905505849-2227566484305593850?l=statgalgetscreative.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sheila D. Staveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08645189033128759583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3223101104905505849.post-56790782143828586062010-03-03T10:34:00.002-05:002010-03-03T10:37:08.770-05:00<meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 12"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 12"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5COwner%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="country-region"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="place"></o:smarttagtype><link rel="themeData" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5COwner%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_themedata.thmx"><link rel="colorSchemeMapping" 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mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal">'Some people!' snorted a man standing behind me in the long line at the grocery store... 'You would think the manager would pay attention and open another line' said a woman. <br />I looked to the front of the line to see what the holdup was and saw a well dressed, young woman, trying to get the machine to accept her credit card. No matter how many times she swiped it, the machine kept rejecting it. <br />'It's one of them welfare card things. Darn people need to get a job like everyone else,' said the man standing behind me. <br />The young woman turned around to see who had made the comment. <br />It was me,' he said, pointing to himself. <br />The young lady's face began to change expression. Almost in tears, she dropped the welfare card onto the counter and quickly walked out of the store. Everyone in the checkout line watched as she began running to her car. Never looking back, she got in and drove way. <br />After developing cancer in 1977 and having had to use food stamps; I had learned never to judge anyone, without knowing the circumstances of their life. This turned out to be the case today. <br />Several minutes later a young man walked into the store... He went up to the cashier and asked if she had seen the woman. After describing her, the cashier told him that she had run out of the store, got into her car, and drove away. <br />'Why would she do that?' asked the man. Everyone in the line looked around at the fellow who had made the statement. 'I made a stupid comment about the welfare card she was using... Something I shouldn't have said. I'm sorry,' said the man. <br />'Well, that's bad, real bad, in fact. Her brother was killed in <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Afghanistan</st1:place></st1:country-region> two years ago... He had three young children and she has taken on that responsibility. She's twenty years old, single, and now has three children to support,' he said in a very firm voice. <br />'I'm really truly sorry. I didn't know,' he replied, shaking both his hands about. <br />The young man asked, 'Are these paid for?' pointing to the shopping cart full of groceries. <br />'It wouldn't take her card' the clerk told him. <br />'Do you know where she lives?' asked the man who had made the comment. <br />'Yes, she goes to our church.' <br />'Excuse me,' he said as he made his way to the front of the line. He pulled out his wallet, took out his credit card and told the cashier, 'Please use my card. PLEASE!' The clerk took his credit card and began to ring up the young woman's groceries. <br />Hold on,' said the gentleman... He walked back to his shopping cart and began loading his own groceries onto the belt to be included. 'Come on people. We got three kids to help raise!' he told everyone in line... <br />Everyone began to place their groceries onto the fast moving belt. A few customers began bagging the food and placing it into separate carts... 'Go back and get two big turkeys,' yelled a heavyset woman, as she looked at the man. <br />'NO,' yelled the man. Everyone stopped dead in their tracks. The entire store became quiet for several seconds. 'Four turkeys,' yelled the man. Everyone began laughing and went back to work. <br />When all was said and done, the man paid a total of $1,646.57 for the groceries. He then walked over to the side, pulled out his check book, and began writing a check using the bags of dog food piled near the front of the store for a writing surface... He <br />Turned around and handed the check to the young man. 'She will need a freezer and a few other things as well,' he told the man. <br />The young man looked at the check and said, 'This is really very generous of you.' <br />'No, ' said the man. 'Her brother was the generous one.' <br />Everyone in the store had been observing the odd commotion and began to clap. And I drove home that day feeling very American. <br />We live in the Land of the free, because of the Brave!! <br />Remember our Troops of Yesterday and Today!!! <br />A great example of why we should be kind and patient. Kindness is the language the blind can see and the deaf can hear. <br /> <br />May God's many blessings continue to be with you - ALWAYS!!! <br /> <br />MAY THIS KEEP GOING.... <br />IT WILL OPEN A LOT OF EYES, <br />HOPEFULLY HEARTS, AND A <st1:place st="on">LOT</st1:place> <br />OF MOUTHS SHUT. </p> <div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3223101104905505849-5679078214382858606?l=statgalgetscreative.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sheila D. Staveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08645189033128759583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3223101104905505849.post-15219501590863999112010-03-02T21:49:00.002-05:002010-03-02T21:57:56.169-05:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://reeltoreel.files.wordpress.com/2009/07/to-kill-a-mockingbird.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 640px; height: 346px;" src="http://reeltoreel.files.wordpress.com/2009/07/to-kill-a-mockingbird.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />I grew up watching old black &amp; white movies with my mom. I loved it and still enjoy a great classic film. Tonight when I came home, I found my soon to be 18 year old son watching "To Kill A Mockingbird" - I recognized the film immediately and asked if he had to watch it for school - he said "No, I wanted to watch it. It was the only book we HAD to read for school that I actually liked, so I wanted to watch the movie." I almost did the happy dance right in the middle of the living room. Just proves the point that a classic film never looses it's appeal.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3223101104905505849-1521950159086399911?l=statgalgetscreative.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sheila D. Staveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08645189033128759583noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3223101104905505849.post-90705632927034408052010-03-01T05:05:00.000-05:002010-03-01T05:05:00.280-05:00<a href="http://www.theangelcompany.net/" title="TAC™ Promotions"><img src="http://www.theangelcompany.net/images/Promos/Mar10/CelebrateHer_ci.gif" alt="TAC™ Promotions" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.theangelcompany.net/Promos_Flyers.html">www.theangelcompany.net</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3223101104905505849-9070563292703440805?l=statgalgetscreative.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sheila D. Staveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08645189033128759583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3223101104905505849.post-27431609884951286172010-02-26T20:17:00.003-05:002010-02-26T21:27:18.145-05:00Sometimes I like to click on the "Next Blog" link that appears at the top of blogspot blogs. Tonight I enjoyed a particularly fruitful session of this little game of mine. Listed below are links to the treasures I found:<br /><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size:130%;"> <a href="http://roxybee.blogspot.com/">Off The Record</a></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"> <a href="http://noellegarrettdesigns.blogspot.com">Noelle Garrett Designs</a></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"> <a href="http://tristanrobin.blogspot.com/">Enchanted Revelry</a></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"> <a href="http://mamaspocketbook.blogspot.com/">Mammas Pocketbook</a></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"> <a href="http://papersnob.blogspot.com">PaperSnob</a></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"> <a href="http://gourmetknittingdisaster.blogspot.com">Gourmet Knitting Disaster</a></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"> <a href="http://alcyshobbyroom.blogspot.com">Alcy's Hobby Room</a></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"> <a href="http://journeyofaquilter.blogspot.com">Journey of a Quilter</a></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"> <a href="http://susan-my2cents.blogspot.com">Susan's World</a></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"> <a href="http://fibreinspirations.blogspot.com">Dyed and Gone to Heaven</a></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"> <a href="http://ikkiscuttlebugcupboard.blogspot.com">ikki's cuttlebug cupboard</a></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"> <a href="http://mommaluv3.blogspot.com/"> A Crazee Chick's View of Life</a></span><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3223101104905505849-2743160988495128617?l=statgalgetscreative.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sheila D. Staveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08645189033128759583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3223101104905505849.post-14417624135492010692010-02-21T17:00:00.002-05:002010-02-21T17:03:09.495-05:00Just realized that I never posted the special stamp sets for the month:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.theangelcompany.net/" title="TAC™ Promotions"><img src="http://www.theangelcompany.net/images/Promos/Feb10/Vintage_SprayWreathci.gif" alt="TAC™ Promotions" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.theangelcompany.net/Promos_Flyers.html">www.theangelcompany.net</a><br /><br /><br />*******************************************************************<br /><br /><a href="http://www.theangelcompany.net/" title="TAC™ Stamp of the Month"><img src="http://www.theangelcompany.net/images/Promos/Feb10/SOTM_Feb10ci.gif" alt="TAC™ SOTM" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.theangelcompany.net/">www.theangelcompany.net</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3223101104905505849-1441762413549201069?l=statgalgetscreative.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sheila D. Staveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08645189033128759583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3223101104905505849.post-45113616558694796222010-02-17T23:06:00.000-05:002010-02-17T23:09:08.228-05:00<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/NNxFNLGkfzA&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1&amp;"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/NNxFNLGkfzA&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1&amp;" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3223101104905505849-4511361655869479622?l=statgalgetscreative.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sheila D. Staveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08645189033128759583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3223101104905505849.post-16030562577171574202010-02-16T23:09:00.001-05:002010-02-17T23:18:19.362-05:00<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Sf0E90KP7rg&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Sf0E90KP7rg&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3223101104905505849-1603056257717157420?l=statgalgetscreative.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sheila D. Staveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08645189033128759583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3223101104905505849.post-46900283330172320402010-02-06T08:14:00.000-05:002010-02-06T12:32:50.533-05:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_baVqUUWz4tI/S2t_W3FN_VI/AAAAAAAABmo/SqXi0IFpb8g/s1600-h/Copy+of+011610+g.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 310px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_baVqUUWz4tI/S2t_W3FN_VI/AAAAAAAABmo/SqXi0IFpb8g/s400/Copy+of+011610+g.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434577406072323410" border="0" /></a><br />So I made this card a few weeks ago, but I can NOT decide if I like it horizontal or vertical...What do you think?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_baVqUUWz4tI/S2t_Wv_TzmI/AAAAAAAABmg/3JxrF3YSZ8Y/s1600-h/011610+g.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 310px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_baVqUUWz4tI/S2t_Wv_TzmI/AAAAAAAABmg/3JxrF3YSZ8Y/s400/011610+g.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434577404168490594" border="0" /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3223101104905505849-4690028333017232040?l=statgalgetscreative.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sheila D. Staveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08645189033128759583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3223101104905505849.post-46879966989566704892010-02-05T20:44:00.001-05:002010-02-05T20:44:00.204-05:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_baVqUUWz4tI/S2t4LigbnJI/AAAAAAAABmQ/a3-tIFWe0UU/s1600-h/E524F79F.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 307px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_baVqUUWz4tI/S2t4LigbnJI/AAAAAAAABmQ/a3-tIFWe0UU/s400/E524F79F.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434569514989362322" border="0" /></a>This one was designed with a particular friend in mind...I hope she likes it!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3223101104905505849-4687996698956670489?l=statgalgetscreative.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sheila D. Staveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08645189033128759583noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3223101104905505849.post-69193602771699235472010-02-04T20:29:00.004-05:002010-02-04T20:47:47.116-05:00<div style="text-align: left;">I was in desperate need of some crafting therapy this evening,<br />so I bee-lined it to my table to assemble this ....<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_baVqUUWz4tI/S2t1g3jp3NI/AAAAAAAABlo/-xUGTAiRDeA/s1600-h/53438F97.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 252px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_baVqUUWz4tI/S2t1g3jp3NI/AAAAAAAABlo/-xUGTAiRDeA/s320/53438F97.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434566582882393298" border="0" /></a>My son's comment: "I don't think the stripes and the flowers go together" (I had to break it to him that was how the paper was designed.)<br /><br />Speaking of my son, he has discovered another talent. He got to make a music video for his digital art class. It came out really good. His classmates were impressed and said "wow that must have taken a LONG time!" His answer: "oh yeah, it took me all day to put it together" He wanted to post it to his Facebook page, but since he used a song by Still Remains, he couldn't get it to load up. <span style="font-style: italic;">(I told him he should send a copy to the band to see if they would give him permission to post it - what could it hurt?)</span> Oh, and while I am bragging on him, his teacher is going to keep a copy of it to use as an example to show future classes. <span style="font-style: italic;">(how cool is THAT!?!)</span><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3223101104905505849-6919360277169923547?l=statgalgetscreative.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sheila D. Staveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08645189033128759583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3223101104905505849.post-67922378747624630872010-02-03T21:44:00.003-05:002010-02-03T22:28:39.101-05:00<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.rynesanborn.com/"><span style="font-size:180%;">Ryne Sanborn</span></a><br /><span style="font-size:180%;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maura_Tierney">Maura Tierney</a><br /><a href="http://www.moderndrummer.com/updatefull/200001506/Lee%20Crystal">Lee Crystal</a><br /><a href="http://images.google.com/images?q=Michele+Greene&amp;oe=utf-8&amp;rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&amp;client=firefox-a&amp;um=1&amp;ie=UTF-8&amp;ei=OzZqS966Jofh8QaH7P2xBw&amp;sa=X&amp;oi=image_result_group&amp;ct=title&amp;resnum=1&amp;ved=0CBQQsAQwAA">Michele Greene</a><br /><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nathan_Lane">Nathan Lane</a><br /><a href="http://www.morganfairchild.com/">Morgan Fairchild</a><br /><a href="http://www.davedavies.com/home.htm">Dave Davies</a><br /><a href="http://www.sportscards4all.com/store/images/71T%20GRIESE%20YARD.jpg">Bob Griese </a><br /><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blythe_Danner">Blythe Danner</a><br /><a href="http://www.auburnschools.org/carywoods/mawebb/intro-triple-self-portrait.jpg">Norman Rockwell</a><br /><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gertrude_Stein">Gertrude Stein</a></span><br /><a href="http://womenshistory.about.com/od/blackwellelizabeth/a/eliz_blackwell.htm"><span style="font-size:180%;">Elizabeth Blackwell</span></a><br /><a href="http://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h150.html"><span style="font-size:180%;">Horace Greeley</span></a><br /></div><span style="font-size:180%;"><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:100%;">I included links to explain who these folks are (just in case you are sitting there, scratching your head, asking "Who the heck is that?") </span></span><br /></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3223101104905505849-6792237874762463087?l=statgalgetscreative.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sheila D. Staveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08645189033128759583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3223101104905505849.post-37749473109884263512010-02-02T12:27:00.003-05:002010-02-02T12:40:06.504-05:00Happy Groundhog Day! Phil saw his shadow - so, according to the legend, we get another six weeks of winter. (it is this time every year when I question why it is that I live in the north east).<br /><br />Taking a quick lunch break to clear the cobwebs and munch on some yummy leftovers from last night. Baked up a couple of "Wise Guy rolls" from The Meat House last night. Luckily for me, neither of the boys was hungry, so I get to nuke the noms for a repeat of the fabulousness.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-style: italic;">{yes, i am aware i am using made up words, but hey, give me a break - it's my birthday month}</span></span><br /><br />So tonight, I get to "hang with my peeps" at SALC and maybe later I will get in some time at the crafting table. Catch ya later!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3223101104905505849-3774947310988426351?l=statgalgetscreative.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sheila D. Staveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08645189033128759583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3223101104905505849.post-43754520685354562492010-02-01T17:41:00.002-05:002010-02-01T17:54:45.815-05:00...the month of Sheila.<br /><br />I decided a couple of weeks ago, that I was going to claim the entire month of February as my birthday celebration. The festivities started yesterday ("why not get a jump on things?" is my new motto) with a trip to our local IMAX 3D theater to see Avatar.<br /><br /><object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allownetworking="all" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" id="avatarPlayer" data="http://www.avatarmovie.com/player/player.swf?t=us&amp;dl=0&amp;ap=0" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://fpdownload.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=8,0,0,0" width="810" height="340"><param name="allowNetworking" value="all"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="movie" value="http://www.avatarmovie.com/player/player.swf?t=us&amp;dl=0&amp;ap=0"><param name="quality" value="high"><param name="bgColor" value="0x000000"><embed bgcolor="0x000000" allownetworking="all" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" src="http://www.avatarmovie.com/player/player.swf?t=us&amp;dl=0&amp;ap=0" quality="high" name="avatarPlayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" width="810" height="340"></embed></object><a href="http://www.avatarmovie.com/">Official Avatar Movie</a><br /><br />I was convinced everyone on the planet had already been to see this epic film and wasn't really expecting a huge crowd. <span style="font-style: italic;">WRONG!</span> Luckily my buddy bought the tickets days earlier via a fabulous website <a href="http://www.fandango.com/">Fandago</a> (Well worth the up-charge to make sure you get tickets)<br /><br />After seeing the film, I understood why it was a sold out house: it is a visually stunning movie. An assault on the senses. A must see on the IMAX 3D screen! I have heard various critical reports that the story line was predictable, to those folks I say "get over it!" The cool factor far outweighs that drawback.<br /><br />My best advice: if you are within driving distance of an IMAX theater, do not hesitate to spend the money to go see this movie! Be prepared to sit for 3+ hours (wear an adult diaper if you must); oh and don't sit too close to the screen.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3223101104905505849-4375452068535456249?l=statgalgetscreative.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sheila D. Staveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08645189033128759583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3223101104905505849.post-12909574473560998332010-01-26T13:02:00.004-05:002010-01-26T13:19:10.956-05:00<div style="text-align: center; color: rgb(0, 102, 0); font-family: lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:180%;">WOW!</span><br /></div><br />It's the last week of January 2010 - how in the world did <span style="font-style: italic;">THAT</span> happen? (one good side effect = people have stopped saying "happy new year".) Oh, and another upside is that the "month of Sheila" starts soon. More about that later...<br /><br />I have been crazy busy with my jobs lately. And the drama of being the mother of an almost 18-year-old person gets more fun and interesting every day. I keep my self re-assured with the concept that God uses all things for our good. I used to struggle with trying to understand how that is supposed to work, but lately I have resolved to just trust the idea.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_baVqUUWz4tI/S18v8m78Y9I/AAAAAAAABlg/JNhkqlShlH4/s1600-h/fun+foam+door+marker.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 318px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_baVqUUWz4tI/S18v8m78Y9I/AAAAAAAABlg/JNhkqlShlH4/s320/fun+foam+door+marker.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431112393922733010" border="0" /></a>I've recently been playing with fun foam. (above is an example of the project we did for the residents at a local assisted living facility) Just thinking about the gang there makes a smile blossom across my face - it's a blast to cart in a bunch of supplies and sit with them making fun little projects.<br /><br />Speaking of projects...I need to come up with something to show at this Saturday's "Day of Crafting Fun" at Karyn's house. I'm thinking I will share some tips &amp; trick and we can use one of the new TAC stamp sets I have to make a quick &amp; gorgeous card. (full details of the event are posted on Facebook <a href="http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/event.php?eid=265661121926">here</a>)<br /><br />Well, the lunch break is over, so back to being the "Custom Product Specialist"<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3223101104905505849-1290957447356099833?l=statgalgetscreative.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sheila D. Staveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08645189033128759583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3223101104905505849.post-2212626290502038722010-01-02T13:44:00.002-05:002010-01-02T13:49:25.604-05:00<a href="http://www.theangelcompany.net/" title="TAC™ Promotions"><img src="http://www.theangelcompany.net/images/Promos/Jan10/StampSpree_ci.gif" alt="TAC™ Promotions" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.theangelcompany.net/Promos_Flyers.html">www.theangelcompany.net</a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255); font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;font-size:180%;" >***DOUBLE HOSTESS REWARDS AVAILABLE DURING THIS PROMOTION***</span><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3223101104905505849-221262629050203872?l=statgalgetscreative.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sheila D. Staveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08645189033128759583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3223101104905505849.post-70595718652447720212009-12-30T13:33:00.004-05:002009-12-30T13:50:35.893-05:00The big item on today's "To Do List" = excavate the room of crap. This is not a simple undertaking because I've just been tossing random items into my upstairs office / crafting / hobby room (aka "room of crap") due to the holiday company we welcomed into our home <span style="font-style: italic;">{and promptly told them they were not allowed - for any reason what-so-ever - to venture upstairs}</span><br /><br />I haven't really crafted since the beginning of December and quite frankly, I think I am in the throes of withdrawal. This is severely compounded by the fact that I visited Michael's yesterday - they have their Christmas stuff marked down 60%. I picked up a few things - well, actually MORE than a few - - but I did not spend over $4 on any one item - AND I brought home some items which have inspired some new projects ideas I want to get started on...the problem: having to climb over the mountain of stuff just to get to my table - at least I think there is a table still under there...plus, if I was able to make it in, would I even have room to do anything other than call for help?<br /><br />So now I find myself with a little more room to move, but I have effectively blocked my path to the downstairs (sure hope the dogs don't need to go out soon) - well, back to the excavation.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3223101104905505849-7059571865244772021?l=statgalgetscreative.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sheila D. Staveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08645189033128759583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3223101104905505849.post-521582505770638712009-12-26T19:41:00.005-05:002009-12-26T20:33:23.693-05:00I am firmly planted in my recliner chair in our cozy living room. It is quiet except for the dogs crunching on their beloved Gravy Train out in the kitchen and the sounds of Mike and I typing away on laptops. We enjoyed a day of running errands together - we even braved a trip into our local Target. The parking lot looked pretty scary, but it wasn't too bad inside the store. That is until a pretty blond toddler girl, nearing a full blown meltdown, started pleading for her apple juice. Her parents seemed to have recently lost their hearing, so we quickly evacuated the electronics department and bee-lined to the registers.<br /><br />Yesterday, we enjoyed a leisurely drive up into the Adirondacks to visit "the folks" (Dick &amp; Gwen) to celebrate Christmas with them (along with our middle boy &amp; his wife). I realized early into our voyage that my "baby boy" will soon outgrow the back seat of our quad cab truck. He had to sit sort of sideways just to fit back there. He was a real trooper, and didn't really complain at all (until we pulled up back at home - at which point he opened up his door and just stretched out his mile long legs for a couple of minutes). Anyway, it was a fun time. We got to meet their new kitten named "Sparkles" - they never really call her that, it's mostly "little girl" or "gremlin" or whatever else pops into their minds. She is the proud owner of various cat toys and is very adept at entertaining herself as well as the rest of us. Dinner was fabulous - as always (my wonderful hubby scored us some yummy leftovers - which I may need to go consume shortly). <br /><br />Now it is time to turn off the computers, pop in a DVD, and enjoy a movie....<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3223101104905505849-52158250577063871?l=statgalgetscreative.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sheila D. Staveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08645189033128759583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3223101104905505849.post-46482357663188468912009-12-15T13:51:00.000-05:002009-12-30T14:00:37.768-05:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_baVqUUWz4tI/Szuhdn7RiZI/AAAAAAAABlY/WXvarVk4cNQ/s1600-h/2009+Brian.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 305px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_baVqUUWz4tI/Szuhdn7RiZI/AAAAAAAABlY/WXvarVk4cNQ/s400/2009+Brian.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421104106776398226" border="0" /></a>As those who know me can attest, I rarely throw away ANYTHING - if I believe a scrap of paper may one day become a component of a birthday card, it gets tossed into a box to await it's new life as part of one of my handcrafted works of love.<br /><br />The dark piece of card stock was kept even though a paint marker left a less than attractive mark on it. Miraculously, the round tag covers the offensive area <span style="font-style: italic;">(I love when that happens)</span> - The "B" is for Brian - our oldest - who celebrates his birthday at the end of November.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3223101104905505849-4648235766318846891?l=statgalgetscreative.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sheila D. Staveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08645189033128759583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3223101104905505849.post-75661024445160512192009-11-30T19:20:00.004-05:002009-11-30T19:43:54.091-05:00While I admit to being a staunch non-participant in the "Black Friday" shopping frenzy, I discovered that it is profoundly easy to engage in "Cyber Monday" gift selections. Check this, check that compare the features on the two and pick the most appropriate item - ALL without being elbowed by fellow shoppers. Hubby and I were able to locate and obtain some pretty unique and hard-to-find items without putting a single mile on either of our vehicles. We were able to knock our list down to under a dozen items we need to acquire. I'm feeling pretty happy with myself about now, except for the fact that I never left the house today...we were so entranced with our online shopping excursion that the day just flew by...oh well, tomorrow<span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> is</span> another day - so I can hit the ground running tomorrow in order to run all the errands I had planned for today.<br /><br />...Hey, did you know you can purchase groceries online from Amazon.com? (I guess I never really dove into that site as deeply as we did today).<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3223101104905505849-7566102444516051219?l=statgalgetscreative.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sheila D. Staveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08645189033128759583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3223101104905505849.post-14624613259931480562009-11-28T10:36:00.003-05:002009-11-28T11:08:13.872-05:00I woke up this morning - earlier than I wanted to due in part to the sunlight streaming through the skylights in our bedroom, but mostly because I am married to Mr. "I only need six hours of sleep and I'm good to go". I contemplating trying to block the light with my pillow (not good - makes me feel too claustrophobic) or maybe I could drape my arm across my eyes (nope, that makes my hand fall asleep). I resign myself to the concept that resistance is futile, so I leap out of bed (actually, gotta confess, it was more like a tumbling roll with the assistance of gravity which liberated me from the sheets) and I trundle off to the shower. <br /><br />Aaahhh, the shower....an excellent source of motivation for me this morning. I start mentally running through the "to do" list for the day; planning the most strategic route to ease the stress of venturing out to exit 15 during the holiday season. And then it happens: I start remembering all these little projects that I have been putting off for ... well until now it seems. The pair of jeans which require the rivet to be reattached; the reusable shopping bag from Walgreen's which needs to have a seam re-sewn; the various Christmas presents which have been started; the closets which need to be purged of the clothes that no longer fit or haven't seen the light of day for six months...well, you get the idea. <br /><br />Today, instead of feeling paralyzed by the growing list of my own personal "Sheila Do" list, I simply set about checking some of the items off. Favorite jeans fixed and on my person; the Walgreen's bag CHECK; sheets are done in the washer - switched to dryer and another load started = Done &amp; DONE. <br /><br />Wow, this seems to be steamrolling on me...so I must bid you adieu and venture forth into the world with shopping list &amp; coupons in hand.<br /><br />sds out<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3223101104905505849-1462461325993148056?l=statgalgetscreative.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sheila D. Staveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08645189033128759583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3223101104905505849.post-42162119937773008482009-11-27T16:58:00.003-05:002009-11-27T17:19:10.104-05:00<span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">We just returned from a quick visit to MIL house in Connecticut. We enjoyed a quiet &amp; drama-free Thanksgiving. We also got to be on a forced electronics fast (Grandma Beverly is NOT part of the Internet revolution - the most hi-tech gadget in her house is the digital cable.) Knowing this in advance, I packed the never-ending crocheting project &amp; a book for the trip "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julie_Powell">Julie</a> &amp; <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julia_Child">Julia</a>". <br /><br />I find myself becoming an increasingly nervous passenger (especially when riding with my dear sweet hubby - who seems to display many more "road-rage" behaviors as time goes by) - so I was quite happy with myself that I brought along activities to distract myself from the thrill ride of traveling with my husband. It seems reading a book about a woman writing a blog about cooking her way through "</span></span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mastering_the_Art_of_French_Cooking"><i></i></a><i><a title="Mastering the Art of French Cooking">Mastering the Art of French Cooking</a></i>" and blogging about it has inspired me to return to my own blog and pour my little heart out. <br /><br />So now I get to wade through over 100 email messages to see what's up with everyone. Perhaps I will find more inspirations for another blog topic....<br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3223101104905505849-4216211993777300848?l=statgalgetscreative.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sheila D. Staveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08645189033128759583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3223101104905505849.post-9193872511299634782009-09-21T09:45:00.003-04:002009-09-21T09:50:32.360-04:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_baVqUUWz4tI/SreEPHmUJvI/AAAAAAAABlQ/22dFnkDlLPo/s1600-h/TheStampStimulus_ci.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 378px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_baVqUUWz4tI/SreEPHmUJvI/AAAAAAAABlQ/22dFnkDlLPo/s400/TheStampStimulus_ci.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383917274817373938" border="0" /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3223101104905505849-919387251129963478?l=statgalgetscreative.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sheila D. Staveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08645189033128759583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3223101104905505849.post-74537671577312466072009-09-15T22:28:00.008-04:002009-09-15T23:02:10.096-04:00I don't know about you, but I have <span style="font-style: italic;">always</span> loved to color. I've recently fallen in love with one of the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">TAC</span> Hostess Level A stamps called Rose Collage. Tonight I used my <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Tombow</span> markers and went to town. Then embossed the entire thing with two coats clear embossing powder.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_baVqUUWz4tI/SrBRtF1x1QI/AAAAAAAABk4/R7SQZaCsgss/s1600-h/E5BEF66F.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 341px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_baVqUUWz4tI/SrBRtF1x1QI/AAAAAAAABk4/R7SQZaCsgss/s400/E5BEF66F.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381891389811447042" border="0" /></a><br />The ribbon looks really too orange in this scanned picture (in real life it is a pretty golden yellow) Plus it's very shiny from the embossing powder.<br /><br /><br />Last week at a Fun Shop, I showed the ladies how to make a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Faux</span> Silk card with the same image...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_baVqUUWz4tI/SrBSqh_JBJI/AAAAAAAABlI/2PSF9fT-I70/s1600-h/2D01F955.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 318px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_baVqUUWz4tI/SrBSqh_JBJI/AAAAAAAABlI/2PSF9fT-I70/s400/2D01F955.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381892445338928274" border="0" /></a>We stamped the rose on tinted tissue paper which matched our More Mimi card stock so beautifully. We used glue sticks to adhere it to a small piece of card stock &amp; then we got to layering the image. (I really should remember to bring a camera to the Fun Shops - there are real works of art getting produced while we have our stamping fun!)<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3223101104905505849-7453767157731246607?l=statgalgetscreative.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sheila D. Staveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08645189033128759583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3223101104905505849.post-52464081736148186282009-09-09T22:14:00.004-04:002009-09-09T22:25:57.781-04:00Okay, so the nerdy girl <span style="font-style: italic;">(that would be me) </span>just raised her hands making the "touchdown" sign &amp; started happy dancing!!! I just read on the Angels Only board of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">TAC</span> that we are bringing back the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Tombow</span> permanent adhesive &amp; refills. <br /><br />In case you are scratching your head and wondering what the heck I'm talking about - I've included a picture of my beloved snail adhesive...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_baVqUUWz4tI/SqhibUJreZI/AAAAAAAABko/RxMt4py2DjM/s1600-h/tombow.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_baVqUUWz4tI/SqhibUJreZI/AAAAAAAABko/RxMt4py2DjM/s400/tombow.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379657976299354514" border="0" /></a><br />Yeah, I know...my son reminds me daily that I'm weird...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);font-size:130%;" >Hope you had a happy 09/09/09 day! I know I did!</span><br /></div><br /><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/Sheila/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot.jpg" alt="" /><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/Sheila/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot-1.jpg" alt="" /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3223101104905505849-5246408173614818628?l=statgalgetscreative.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sheila D. Staveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08645189033128759583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3223101104905505849.post-77392063765177686032009-09-08T22:38:00.000-04:002009-09-09T22:43:11.056-04:00<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_baVqUUWz4tI/Sqhm057Z3uI/AAAAAAAABkw/_M6jKEfHmAk/s1600-h/AMC+090809-2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_baVqUUWz4tI/Sqhm057Z3uI/AAAAAAAABkw/_M6jKEfHmAk/s400/AMC+090809-2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379662813983268578" border="0" /></a>Ta Da!!!<br /></div><br />As promised, here is Alison's card - used pastels, Prismacolor pencils &amp; Gamsol to blend the colors (I love to color - don't you?) The stamp is one of the Level A hostess reward stamps from the Serendipity magalogue.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3223101104905505849-7739206376517768603?l=statgalgetscreative.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sheila D. Staveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08645189033128759583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3223101104905505849.post-45742851320876265712009-09-07T19:01:00.002-04:002009-09-07T19:06:21.988-04:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_baVqUUWz4tI/SqWRM1g3vDI/AAAAAAAABkg/Pynutm6pR8k/s1600-h/55CCE409.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 285px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_baVqUUWz4tI/SqWRM1g3vDI/AAAAAAAABkg/Pynutm6pR8k/s400/55CCE409.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378864979673332786" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">That September is the "month of Alison"? <span style="font-style: italic;">(well now you do!)</span><br /><br />Her birthday is on the 8<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">th</span> - of course I made her a card, but there is no way I am posting it until <span style="font-style: italic;">she</span> gets to see it first...this is a sneak peek of the envelope. Did I tell you she likes butterflies?<br /><br /></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3223101104905505849-4574285132087626571?l=statgalgetscreative.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sheila D. Staveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08645189033128759583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3223101104905505849.post-86188095794441028792009-09-01T20:45:00.000-04:002009-09-01T20:45:00.079-04:00<a href="http://www.theangelcompany.net" title="TAC™ Promotions"><img src="http://www.theangelcompany.net/images/Promos/Sept09/WitchieWitch_ci.gif" border="0" alt="TAC™ Promotions"></a><br /><a href="http://www.theangelcompany.net/Promos_Flyers.html">www.theangelcompany.net</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3223101104905505849-8618809579444102879?l=statgalgetscreative.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sheila D. Staveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08645189033128759583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3223101104905505849.post-58611982839731959742009-09-01T20:44:00.000-04:002009-09-01T20:44:00.681-04:00<a title="TAC™ Stamp of the Month" href="http://www.theangelcompany.net/"><img alt="TAC™ SOTM" src="http://www.theangelcompany.net/images/Promos/Sept09/SOTM_Sept09Plants_ci.gif" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.theangelcompany.net/">www.theangelcompany.net</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3223101104905505849-5861198283973195974?l=statgalgetscreative.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sheila D. Staveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08645189033128759583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3223101104905505849.post-76848662672090208212009-08-12T09:59:00.005-04:002009-09-15T23:03:42.248-04:00<span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Something I have noticed about motorist in Upstate New York - they tend to give a wide berth to bicycle riders and pedestrians on the side of the road. A really </span><span style="font-size:100%;">WIDE berth - to the point of driving on the opposite side of the road. All well and good - safety first and all. Anyway....<br /><br />This morning, as I was driving to work, I saw a pickup truck with flashing lights toting a sign "Wide Load". A short distance behind him is the aforementioned wide load (a mobile home being towed to it's new address) also with flashing lights and hazard flags fluttering. I move to the right <enough that="" think="" am="" driving="" one="" of="" those="" little="" cars="" at="" cuz="" i="" m="" straddling="" the="" white="" line=""> and I peek in my rear view mirror to see a full line of cars not budging an inch to the right. </enough></span><br /></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3223101104905505849-7684866267209020821?l=statgalgetscreative.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sheila D. Staveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08645189033128759583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3223101104905505849.post-51943107229725469612009-08-01T07:27:00.002-04:002009-08-01T07:27:00.301-04:00<a href="http://www.theangelcompany.net" title="TAC™ Stamp of the Month"><img src="http://www.theangelcompany.net/images/Promos/Aug09/Aug09SOTM_ci.gif" border="0" alt="TAC™ SOTM"></a><br /><a href="http://www.theangelcompany.net">www.theangelcompany.net</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3223101104905505849-5194310722972546961?l=statgalgetscreative.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sheila D. Staveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08645189033128759583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3223101104905505849.post-4086202153242077952009-08-01T07:26:00.001-04:002009-08-01T07:26:00.304-04:00<a href="http://www.theangelcompany.net" title="TAC™ Promotions"><img src="http://www.theangelcompany.net/images/Promos/Aug09/VintageFallSampler_ci.gif" border="0" alt="TAC™ Promotions"></a><br /><a href="http://www.theangelcompany.net/Promos_Flyers.html">www.theangelcompany.net</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3223101104905505849-408620215324207795?l=statgalgetscreative.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sheila D. Staveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08645189033128759583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3223101104905505849.post-53329488194354679742009-07-31T20:43:00.000-04:002009-07-31T20:43:00.648-04:00<a title="TAC™ Promos" href="http://www.theangelcompany.net/"><img alt="TAC™ Promos" src="http://www.theangelcompany.net/images/Promos/Aug09/DoubleTheFun_ci.gif" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.theangelcompany.net/">www.theangelcompany.net</a><br /><br />Contact me to schedule your Fun Shop<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3223101104905505849-5332948819435467974?l=statgalgetscreative.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sheila D. Staveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08645189033128759583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3223101104905505849.post-36869467149326839392009-07-31T17:55:00.002-04:002009-07-31T18:01:10.407-04:00It did not take me long to find this cool shop on the Art Fire website <a href="http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=Shop&amp;seller_id=23900&amp;op=new&amp;body=1"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Cards 'N More</span></a>. I have been collecting bits and pieces of what my husband calls "junk" which I fondly regard as fodder for future crafting projects. Just browsing through this store has ignited my imagination on new and different projects to make - probably to give as gifts.<br /><br />I've only just started browsing, so I'm sure I will find more shops and tons more inspiration.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3223101104905505849-3686946714932683939?l=statgalgetscreative.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sheila D. Staveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08645189033128759583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3223101104905505849.post-71776333991830379082009-07-24T20:45:00.006-04:002009-07-24T21:17:37.948-04:00I haven't recorded a rant or told a funny story for a while - frankly - I've been a little more "scattered" than usual. I find myself alone tonight (except for the dogs) listening to the rain on the skylights. The boy is "hanging" with friends and my loving husband is playing scavenger hunt with Verizon trucks before he gets to head home for the weekend. <br /><br />I sit here, recording my thoughts and stifling yawns - - it has been a long, hot week at Adventure Camp...it came to it's bittersweet end today. The women who planned and led us through the week made it all seem so easy and effortless (which I know really wasn't the case.) The children had a great time as did a bunch of us oldsters. I used this week to allow a little bit more of my silly crazy self to emerge - - to the point where my son pleaded with me to "rein it in a little". <br /><br />We had a couple women circulating all week shooting pictures &amp; videos (which I was very thankful for because I was always so busy helping the kids with crafts or listening to their verses that I never had a chance to bust out my beloved digital camera). I keep checking my Facebook page to see if there are any more posts...I'm thinking I will get to wait until Sunday to see the compilation video. <br /><br />The yawning has reached a point to where tears are forming in my eyes. So I will have to bring this to a close.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3223101104905505849-7177633399183037908?l=statgalgetscreative.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sheila D. Staveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08645189033128759583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3223101104905505849.post-29256475345735920012009-07-24T20:39:00.000-04:002009-07-24T20:40:09.269-04:00<a title="TAC™ Promos" href="http://www.theangelcompany.net/"><img alt="TAC™ Promos" src="http://www.theangelcompany.net/images/Promos/Aug09/PaperWorkOnlyKit_ci.gif" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.theangelcompany.net/">www.theangelcompany.net</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3223101104905505849-2925647534573592001?l=statgalgetscreative.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sheila D. Staveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08645189033128759583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3223101104905505849.post-71630650987855606992009-07-01T09:29:00.003-04:002009-07-01T09:46:28.704-04:00The Serendipity Magalogue is still in effect until next spring. Here is a pic of our new "base book"<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_baVqUUWz4tI/SktmxxNTjPI/AAAAAAAABkM/XQqyTQI7MlI/s1600-h/TAC+Celebrate.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353485587268734194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 271px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_baVqUUWz4tI/SktmxxNTjPI/AAAAAAAABkM/XQqyTQI7MlI/s400/TAC+Celebrate.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="center">Some changes - some cute new stamps - TONS of ideas!</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3223101104905505849-7163065098785560699?l=statgalgetscreative.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sheila D. Staveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08645189033128759583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3223101104905505849.post-10626993237664431142009-07-01T07:25:00.003-04:002009-07-01T09:48:09.357-04:00<a title="TAC™ Promos" href="http://www.theangelcompany.net/"><img alt="TAC™ Promos" src="http://www.theangelcompany.net/images/Promos/July09/Vintage_FunFrogs_ci.gif" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.theangelcompany.net/">www.theangelcompany.net</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3223101104905505849-1062699323766443114?l=statgalgetscreative.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sheila D. Staveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08645189033128759583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3223101104905505849.post-57945455482550382222009-07-01T07:23:00.001-04:002009-07-01T09:48:36.816-04:00<a title="TAC™ Stamp of the Month" href="http://www.theangelcompany.net/"><img alt="TAC™ SOTM" src="http://www.theangelcompany.net/images/Promos/July09/SOTM_July09_ci.gif" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.theangelcompany.net/">www.theangelcompany.net</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3223101104905505849-5794545548255038222?l=statgalgetscreative.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sheila D. Staveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08645189033128759583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3223101104905505849.post-586438344209699002009-06-21T23:27:00.005-04:002009-06-21T23:43:36.030-04:00Here is a project I worked on for the Dad's at my church...A two sided wallet card for them to see what the kids answered to the question: "What is your favorite thing about your Dad?" The multi-colored section was on the inside and the bottom portion is the front &amp; back cover.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_baVqUUWz4tI/Sj774XcGq9I/AAAAAAAABj8/bBxefl9KF-4/s1600-h/fd2009+guts.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 407px; height: 131px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_baVqUUWz4tI/Sj774XcGq9I/AAAAAAAABj8/bBxefl9KF-4/s320/fd2009+guts.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349990353145867218" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_baVqUUWz4tI/Sj79oXd5cFI/AAAAAAAABkE/wzu6tRYyNH4/s1600-h/fd2009+cover.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 399px; height: 119px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_baVqUUWz4tI/Sj79oXd5cFI/AAAAAAAABkE/wzu6tRYyNH4/s320/fd2009+cover.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349992277298737234" border="0" /></a><br /><br />This project helped me remember some of the cool and fun stuff about my own dad.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3223101104905505849-58643834420969900?l=statgalgetscreative.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sheila D. Staveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08645189033128759583noreply@blogger.com0