Brrr......what happened to global warming?

This weather is crazy!! First of all...I have a quick update on my running...Monday's are my BIG ones...and last Monday I ran 8 miles...a personal best~ it was crazy but better than the 7! I must be making progress!! During quick moments I would stop and take a drink of water or stop to get a rock out of my shoe I would feel my muscles tighten up...it was better to just keep going~ I heard over and over in my head "Run, Forrest, Run!" I wonder now if I could have kept going!! My husband actually passed me on the road in his truck, rolled down the window to cheer me on...asked how I was doing and he could see in my face "not good" but I assured him I would make it....and that is such an incredible feeling!!

It feels so good to be able to get outside! I am feeling "meh" about winter...the snow is pretty and we haven't had too much of it~ but the kids were home from school ALL week (due to the colder temps and bad roads). It's making me crazy!!
Yesterday and today I ran indoors...had to~ with the windchill I think my face would have broken into little bits of porcelain!
Today I am looking forward to meeting up with some girlies and perhaps we'll craft away to stay warm!! What do you do when you are stuck inside and trying to keep warm??

So...as promised...last post I mentioned that I would share my 'revised' moose~ I had hoped to post it sooner but things have been CRAZY!!
Here he/she is...besides the 'obvious' how can you tell?? (hee hee)

I like this one better...and this will be the one that we will be making at next Friday's Stamp Camp (1/31). I changed it a wee bit~ I think however I may lose the vellum piece~ what do you think?

Now...here is the 3-D gift holder that we will be making:

I am IN LOVE with the new Spiral Flower die (129379)...this is a MUST!! I followed Patty Bennett's tutorial using only one sheet of CS.
Supplies
Stamp Set: Perfect Pennants (133230 C), Happy Watercolor (133191 C)

Card Stock: Soho Subway DSP (130140), Very Vanilla, Soft Suede Core'dinations (from the Neutrals pack 129956)
Ink: Baked Brown Sugar, Summer Starfruit
Access: Big Shot (113439), Magnetic platform (130658), Banners Framelits Dies (132173), Spiral Flower die (129379)

Here was the first one I made for my girlfriend Anne (this is the Sweater Weather DSP) from the last Holiday Catalog.

Inspired by these. Cute!! I will also have treats to put inside. These babies are addicting!!

Well...that's it for me today~ I hope that you all are safe, warm and ready for Sale-A-Bration!! (Starts Jan.28th!)

BIG hugs,
Erin

Happy New Year!!

Happy New Year!! Hope you all enjoyed the holidays, are feeling rested and refreshed!! Have you made any New Year's Resolutions?? I did (I think)...about a month ago I committed to running my first 1/2 marathon!! What?? I know what you are thinking...am I nuts?? That was what I was thinking when I decided to do it!! I am back!! I used to run all the time...then about 2 years ago I injured my hip...it was brutal and took almost a year to heal. Energized...all revved  up and ready to go~ I have my mind set to complete it! Wish me luck!! I'm sure as it approaches...you'll hear more about it!! I have about 8 weeks left to train and my farthest distance I have run thus far is 5 1/2 miles. I have run quite a few 10-k's (6.2 miles). But the last one I ran was last spring.

This is the first time in my life that I have set such a physical goal. It feels great and I love the distraction it has given me. Bonus: The few pounds I have shed aren't too bad either (hee hee).

The last few months I took off from Stampin' Up! from a business 'point of view'. It was nice...but I really missed it! Now we have the new Occasions Catalog (Jan. 3-June 1, 2014) and upcoming Sale-A-Bration promo (whoop whoop)!! So many new AMAZING goodies...can't wait to play!!


First I want to mention that I am hosting an open Workshop to benefit Relay for Life's "Movin' Mamas". I will donate 10% of proceeds from sales placed under this Workshop using the Hostess Code: RXJJSZ6E
Please note: Valid 1/12/14-1/19/14

I sat down to stamp the other day and I came up with these two cards that we will be making at my next Stamp Camp (Jan. 31st). If you are local and would like to join us...click here to RSVP.


This first card is perfect for Valentine's Day.

Supplies
Stamp Set: Pennant Parade (122742 C)
Card Stock: Basic Black, Very Vanilla, Red Glimmer paper (121790), Sahara Sand
Ink: Basic Black
Access: Big Shot (113439), Framelits Hearts Collection (125599), Alphabet Press embossing folder (130916), linen thread (104199), mini glue dots (103683), Typeset Alphabet Bigz die (127553), Vintage Faceted Designer buttons (127555), Vanilla Shimmer Smooch Spritz (118772), stampin' sponges (101610), heat tool (129053), Pewter embossing powder (124114)

This next card is a great for when you need a 'masculine' card.

Supplies
Stamp Set: Walk in the Wild
Card Stock: Whisper White, Early Espresso, Marina Mist
Ink: Early Espresso, Marina Mist
Access: Big Shot (113439), Framelits Label Collection (125598), stampin' sponges (101610), linen thread (104199), Naturals Designer Buttons (127554), mini glue dots (103683), 1 1/4" burlap ribbon (132140)

Tip: To create the reflection of the moose, first stamp image onto card stock. Then on a piece of acetate, re-ink and stamp the image again. Use the acetate upside down (ink facing down and position to mirror the original.


The more I looked at it~ a few things needed to be 'tweaked'...don't you hate that?? Tomorrow I will post the revised version (lol).
I am NOT a perfectionist...I DO NOT have OCD (well...maybe a little). I will also be posting a cute treat holder that we will be making...you will be AMAZED at how easy it is!! Until then...stay warm and healthy and please let me know if you have any questions!!

BIG hugs,

Erin