I Need To Scrapbook This!

No time to write...this was taken October 2005...look at the little penants in the background...I LUV this picture!!! I need to get this one scrapbooked.....

Trudi

Today

The phone is going nuts...and I'm trying to multi-task...and feeling my blood pressure going up. I need to STOP...take a BREATHER...it's JUST CHOCOLATE....I really enjoy working for the advertising world and public relations...but YIKES....instant sometimes is not doable. It IS fun working on promotional events for big companies...just the chain of command is what it is...I can only do what my suppliers will do for me!

So, here is MY breather (for now)...I will hopefully unwind later, after the matter...it's been a chocolate challenging week! Lots of stuff going on!

Yesterday, I sent an order out...the last of a particular product...as we are no longer going to offer this item. Unfortunately, the customer could not get what she originally wanted, because our supply was short...but working with her for over 15 years...she told me ... just make it look good ... it has to have some sort of apple theme.

There was absolutely no profit in this order, IF I were to pay myself an hourly wage (she ordered 40 only, but the apple making, with interuptions took about 3 hours to make!).......after chasing lost chocolate down in hot parts of the nation, meeting impossible deadlines for others, bidding on projects we have no possibility of getting (you never know though, so I bid) ... I wanted something fun to do! I value all customers, but this one in particular has been through thick and thin with me...so...I made a little apple for her!

My crafty thing for the day....

I used "Give A Hoot" (this cartridge is the sweetest cartridge...I think I (heart) it. The cookies...are cookies with cinnamon and sugar sprinkled on them...sort of like pie dough (cookies) ... a thing my Mom used to make for us when we were little with the leftover pie dough...(what is this with PIES lately! LOL!)

Speaking of pies...over the weekend, I'll tally the results to "Trudi's Friends Favorite Pies" I have a feeling it might be in the holiday kinds...pecan was pretty popular....but so were the cream filled ones....

Back to my reality...enough unwinding for now...

Trudi

TGIP!!!

You know the saying, TGIF?! Well...TGI .... PIE DAY!!!!!! At first, I felt funny about printing God on my card...this is not a serious card, and I don't want to offend anybody. If you all have followed my postings, you already know, and if you haven't followed since the beginning...I'm careful to not misuse anything to do with faith. I have faith, and I don't willy nilly abuse it...however...this card has inspired so much conversation with family and friends...that I can't help but think that *maybe* this was meant to be....let me explain...

Before I get started I wanted to make note that this card was inspired by the BBTB2 card challenge:

http://heather-bittenbythebug2.blogspot.com/2011/08/pie-challenge-paper-dolls-dress-up.html

Boo Hoo....I missed the deadline to upload this to the challenge!!! I dawdled and missed it...but, truly wanted to upload it on a "Friday".... I was :( (not really...missing a card challenge isn't the end of the world...but...I was wanting to add it to the other fun "takes" on the challenge...you ought to go browse, if you haven't already" Anyhow....I was pleasantly surprised to see that my card met the criteria for the current card contest on the BBTB2 board!!!!! I stamped the word "apple" on my card and used a very old SU alphabet set of mine on the inside (crayon kids lower case alphabet).....the whole card is inky and my duplicates will probably even have MORE stamping on them....the "red" I used was Red Riding Hood Red from SU current c/s offerings....the rest...is retired stuff and supplies from the big time olden days...I have no idea where I acquired the green gingham dp...all I know...is it was what I was looking for! Here is the link! (I was saying oodles of oohs and aahhhs viewing the "ippity" stamps offerings....me thinks there is room in my studio for a few of these sets!)

http://heather-bittenbythebug2.blogspot.com/2011/08/new-contest-ippity-stamps.html

Here's where I'm coming from, when I say, how I think *this was meant to be*....you all know the wonderful world of facebook? So, I've had a bit of hardtimes this summer...and I have received tons of facebook support... I know how nice it is to see comments in the double digits...I pitched a question out there....expecting only ONE person to answer...I had told my sister about my TGIP day....(will elaborate on that next)....and as a joke...I facebook marketing researched it...."WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PIE"....I'm not kidding...I had facebook friends from all 4 corners of the U.S. answering this question...stories to share and all...from "Grandma's special rhubarb pie" ... to "I luv the smell of the holidays...pies"..... so what's cool about all that ... WHAT A COOL WAY TO CONNECT WITH FRIENDS! It wasn't a heavy hearted thread...it was one of fond memories and fun stories....hmmmm....

My original thought...why I didn't nix putting God in my card....MY idea was to TGIP my friends! You know, maybe a friend who is sad for whatever reason...I have a girlfriend very sad right now because her oldest child is off to college for the first time....another because her "baby" is starting kindergarten....a friend struggling with very personal issues...another leaving the country for 2 years....and then there are for good reasons....a sister who was so so supportive to me while my son and I were in Seattle...without her, I would have been alone there, possibly....another sister who unconditionally, no matter what...is my soul mate...another who is the leader of us all...and one far from home, but close to my heart....THEN...there are people who I DON'T KNOW...but, I see them at church, or hear about things...who have hit a spot in their lives, who being the recipient of a TRAK...a TOTALLY Random Act of Kindness...just might give them comfort, if only it's for the length of time to eat a bite of PIE. (I've been there...when STRANGERS offered comfort...this happened a few years ago after my niece was killed....it's the little things sometimes that help get us through....baby steps)

...THAT was my idea....to bake a pie...and deliver to (fill in the blank) with a homemade card.

OK...my facebook question was a 2 part ? You see...it takes me an eternity to make cards...that I know...I am making about 16 right now....so, the liklihood of flouring up my kitchen on top of that...plus run a business...sounds a little optimistic...so, I involved Cyrus O'Leary. I think the company makes the same kinds of pies that my cards will be... :)

I have to thank BBTB2 for giving me inspiration on this!!!! This card sparked so much conversation...it's unreal! And...I had to put my thinking cap on it......I hope I'm not out of the wakky world with my idea...my 11 year old "doesn't get it" .... nor does her friend....my son thinks I'm a little weird...but, I sure enjoyed making this..., I guess that's all that matters! I also kind of know a company that sort of named their chain of resturaunts after the "concept".......it's not that far of a stretch!

NOW..............go make a pie.....and give someone a SMILE!

I will/can follow up with the results of my research...as to which won as favorite...

Oh...forgot to add! I used supplies that I thought I would never use again!!! My original sizzix alphabet!!! (for the chipboard TGIP) How cool is THAT!!!

Hey...I still don't know how to e-mail back to anyone who leaves a response...so, don't think I don't want to...if I can I will..but..if you would like to share....I'd really like to know...WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PIE!!!

Trudi

Celebrate!

I guess today is a day to celebrate...(it's my husband's birthday)...although I didn't make this card for him. My 11 year old daughter made him a cake...it is the first she made on her own without anyone around to help her...I suspect this will be the best cake my husband has ever eaten...she was worried it didn't look good...to me...it was award winning! :)

Another reason to celebrate....I stumbled upon this card while in my craftstudio...I snuck home during lunch and pulled out dp for my NEXT card...if I EVER make it home tonight from work....(I'm back at work after a long day...just came up to "finish" after birthday dinner)....I plan on hiding out in my little papercrafting playground....I have to say...I really enjoy attempting these challenges....(on the BBTB2 board...)...I'm pretty slow, and since I can't seem to make JUST one...I obviously can't participate every week....but, I sure have the ideas going....and this last week isn't any different (pie cut)...so, by the weekend...I'll have my "take" up....I have to see this one through...I've involved all kinds of facebook friends in on it too...GREAT choice for a cut!!! You'll have to wait for my idea with it though...my sister and I have laughed ourselves silly on it....maybe only she and I will think it's "a keeper"....I guess that just goes to show how much fun this obsession with cardstock can be!

Celebrate....I'm not going to lie...it's been a rough rough summer...I find myself bursting into tears....thinking...what "could have" happened with my son...if that tumor hadn't been caught....time really was running out on us...Celebrate...lots of meaning there for me....

I went to my class reunion...the one that I wanted to wear a slinky dress to...those who know me here locally, will vouch that probably a year ago...I could have...but...with stress...that you know about, which I share openly about...and stress...that I keep to myself....which although not as devastating as what my son went through, but rocky times just the same...things I don't ask for that make me feel "trapped" stress....added on top of everything....somehow, fitting into those skinny jeans wasn't important...what was important was being there....I feel sorry for those, for whatever reasons, felt like they couldn't/shouldn't wouldn't go....I know some of these people....being fat, in hard times, hated high school, people are jerks, kind of excuses...that's sad...with the exception of making a teeny fool out of myself *thinking* I knew someone (OK...it was a big school)...I'm *glad* I went!

Back to celebrate....you all know why I celebrate. I look at my kids faces...I celebrate ... what a blessed Mom I am ... and Happy Birthday to my husband....uh...this card wasn't designed for you, but, you know what your gifts are! Really, probably one of the best birthdays...you know it! I didn't proof read this post...I wanna go home...long day! :)

Trudi

Bees

So, I *try* to stay in the crafty mode on my blog, since this is a paper-crafting blog...but...the last couple of years, I started to nix the 2 a.m. crafting...I get my sleep that way, and I'm a little healthier because of it. I am getting back in my groove though, and have been really enjoying finishing up my last cards...taking about 3 weeks, but that's OK...I sketched something out this morning...

To look forward to is a card using my "A Kids Year"? (not sure if I'm recollecting the name right)...you know, how what is chic right now are all those cool sillouettes EVERYWHERE...even on "America's Got Talent"...there is the coolest dance routine, sillouette style...so, an idea has sparked...and I sketched out my design this morning....I *plan* on using one of my impulse SU sets too...that's all the deets I'm sharing...you will have to wait and see in the next week or so for the result.

I *might* make a PIE card before it....BBTB2 has a pie challenge:

http://heather-bittenbythebug2.blogspot.com/

We'll see...so many hours in the day, and it's been suggested to me A LOT lately, that I need to take "something" to calm my emotions...(not sure how to take THAT advice)...honestly, I'm working on it!

So...factory stress....this little project, I bid on, while I was in Seattle with my son....late night correspondance with the distributor...and sadly, I underquoted in price...so...my hope is to BREAK EVEN on this project....it's all good if we do...I have our employees here working and not having to take short days...business is still a little scary out there, so we'll take it...imagine (the picture you see)...this little guy

6000 times. ....

Yep...you read that right...6000 of these...all hand done....YIKES!

As tigger would say....TTFN! (ta ta for now!)

Trudi

SU Order

So, I received my box...my order was filled with all kinds of fun things...I ordered a little out of the ordinary, and splurged on some fun dies. Although I have a cricut, there are times I prefer (a lot of times actually) using my old sizzix or my Big Shot to make the diecuts that I need. I think, actually I KNOW...having a die that makes the cut PLUS puts the score lines on the cut is worth every penny to me...IF I intend to use the die in volume. Time is money in my work world, in my craft world...any way I can streamline my creative efforts...gives me more time to do something else.

About a week ago, an online friend was asking me about the little milk carton die that I had ordered in. I told her, once I had this in my hot little hands...I would cut one out and take a picture for her...

This I know:

• CUTENESS!
  


• WILL BE MAKING CHRISTMAS FAVORS WITH THIS...IN BIG VOLUME
  


• A tad bit tricky to "assemble" at first attempt, IF you don't read the directions, which I didn't. Duh..pretty easy after you do ONE



• Itty Bitty...but perfect size for favors

The actual dimensions are: 3-1/4" tall from base to the very top, 1-1/2" face width....

SIDE NOTE: This is very plain jane....(for me)....the first piece of cardstock I saw, sitting next to my big shot, was the piece I used....no particular reason....the ribbon I used, is a #3 ribbon...I spent no time thinking about it...I did this ON THE FLY...and when I make them for real...yes, there will be stamping and fun stuff...this is only for size purposes....

THAT BEING SAID: I think I could fill this up with blue and white jelly bellies and call it done, it is still cuteness...whether it is bling blinged or not!

So...there you go!!!! My picture for the day!

Fun Picture: this is PART of our gummy candy that we use for our business....the jars are for the "opened" bags...keeps the gummies ... GUMMY!!! You will see the "empty" jar on top...it USED to contain gummy COKE BOTTLES!!!! It was FULL too...and I can't recall a recent order where we used them....(let's just say, I did NOT lose my 15 pounds I needed to prior to my class reunion, which is TONIGHT!) Stressful month....I LUV gummy coke bottles! :)

Toodles,

Trudi