Happy New Year - January Promo's

Don't ask me WHY? (also info on...God Box and Pennies from Heaven)

...I've been so motivated and inspired lately.  or as my Prissypal put it "Stella's Got Her Groove Back" WHAT?  But I won't question it... just go with the FLOW.  Woohoo.  Recently, I read this article in "Real Simple" about a God Box and I thought I'd make one too.  It's a perfect time of year to start new things.  I took an empty used box left over from Christmas gifts... this one was a chocolate brown so I loved the base color to begin with.  Then I printed out a pretty (and appropriate) saying on 8x11 printer paper.  I aged it by singeing the edges with a match (blowing it out immediately so the entire sheet doesn't burn up, this can be tricky in a hyperventilating manner) and then I affixed it to the box top with double-sticky tape.  I also made a loop with ribbon for a knob.  I just punctured a hole into the center of the box top, made a loop with the ribbon and tide it on the inside of the lid to keep it in place.

Below is a picture of the box top using a favorite verse (I have many) from the bible of mine.  I don't know about you but bible verses always bring me a sense of peace and comfort.  I thought this verse was especially appropriate for use with my "God box".  Lawsy knows I have plenty of crooked paths that need straightnin' Ya'll.

 

Inside view of God Box.  I punched various scalloped shapes for use to write my little mini-prayers on.  I keep a few xtra blank ones in there too.

I also finished my "Pennies From Heaven" journal.  I'll post pictures more on that later. I am going to use it for my gratitude journal this year.  This is a journal class that is taught by Debby Schuh over at the Memory Bee blog?  You can read what the Pennies from Heaven journal means to her over at the Memory Bee  <---- click and where it originated.  Just love that.

Always love a new gratitude journal and fresh new beginnings that the New Year brings~~

Shoot for the Moon You Might Just Land Among the Stars~~~

As you might be aware... my word for the year is "FIT" So far so good. On NYs weekend the girls and I decided to make vision boards (also called Treasure Maps, Visual Explorer or Creativity Collages?) in place of making "resolutions".  We all know that resolutions fall by the wayside and never get kept anywayzzzzzzzzz. It was a lot of fun, easy and we hope it to be inspirational in the coming year.  You will notice on mine that I used the word "FIT" quite a few times as a reminder of what my focus should be on this year.

The idea is to surround yourself with images of who you want to become (me, fit), what you want to have, where you want to live or vacation etc.  It can be approached with knowing what you already want, a theme or opening and allowing.  I think we approached it with a combination of those ideas but more so just opening and allowing.  A lot of times I used pictures that had the "feel" of what I would like to become, do or have.

So with clear hearts and minds, some yummo hot holiday drinks and inspirational music we approached it with just a few thoughts in mind. Focusing on:

1. Ask yourself...what do you really really really want? (yes, more of that please)
2. Don't worry about the "why or how"

We went through magazines and images that we had saved over the years and tried to tear out those images that brought great joy and delighted us.  Like I said not worrying about the why or how.  Just smiles and having fun.  Open to whatever spoke to us.  Ohmmmmm. Breathe. ,)

Ok that's a little hippy-dippy

I had been unknowingly gathering photos for this purpose because I had been working on an "Illustrated Discovery Journal" <----click for the past couple of years. Which is still in progress not done. But I was able to grab some pictures already cut out from magazines for this journal to use on my vision board. As a result my vision board came together quickly. 

As I go through the year I will keep in mind what is it telling me about me?  The answers will unfold and we hope that our vision boards will be powerful guides for us as we go through the year.

My vision board is propped up on my dresser where I can see it daily. 

On top of dresser (my daughter added the candle to wake me up one morning) She's such a little spa-fairy

 

In addition, I took a picture of it and have "set it" as my computer desktop both at home and work (this is pretty cool) having it ever present in front of me.

As I added images I found it cool that the pictures all found their "place" on the board fitting just right in most cases.  As my board developed I noticed sections forming.  Predominantly... health, fitness, home, financial freedom, inspiration, faith and R&R.

I also used a lot of favorite sayings as reminders.  Some of my favorites... "You will never find time for anything you must make time", The picture of the eagle with the word "intention",  Set your goals high and don't stop until you get there, the word "gratitude" / "faith"...  The words "effortless" and "deliberateness" found themselves on top of each other (see the upper left corner) when put together effortless deliberateness.  That sounds really powerful to me to go forward in a deliberate manner yet make it effortless.  There's another reference again on my board to my path being straightened??

Must be kind of crooky overhere in prissyland.

My daughter also said that answering this question... (in reference to your one word) Does this choice (fill in the blank) agree with my word for the year?  So I added that sentence to my board in the "FIT" section of the board as a reminder to ask myself that when I go forward in my day or when I get ready to eat that cookie or say no to exercise.  Get it?  Let me see does eating this cookie agree with my word for the year?  um.... NO... um that depends.  Ok come back to me.  I also added the words delight and fun because I need to have more of that.  I don't really know how to have fun in an exciting sort of way so I guiltily made myself into add those words. 

IRONICALLY while I had pictures cut out sitting on the table in a stack of other pictures all ready... my dream "crafty space" somehow didn't make it on the board so I intend to make a second board to fit the pictures that inadvertently were missed (there were a couple of other ones too).  EEK.

Vision board 2011

Don't laugh....

ok so this is the longest post EVER.... whew! I tarred, I gotta go get a cookie

~out

To insure good health...

...eat lightly, breathe deeply, live moderately, cultivate cheerfulness and maintain an interest in life. ~William Londen

This Year I Hope To...

January 02, 2011

1. Get fit, stay fit
2. Keep a gratitude journal daily
3. Write a" that would be fun to-do" aka bucket list
4. Read more
5. Start a God Box <----click
6. Be present
7. Finish this list  <----click
8. .....

I started drafting posts daily after the 1st of the year and I SWEAR there are several still in the queue.  So I've decided to finish writing and get them posted.  There are a couple items of note.  I've been doing some housekeeping on my blog.  Lately I've been changing the "look" with the season.  It's a bit cumbersome and time-consuming but I thought it would be really fun.  So come on over and take a peak.  Right now I just have a pink florally-theme going on.  I was trying to do something with a Valentine theme but that didn't work out.

Also, I've added some tabs.

One is called "FIT" <----click and this is going to be an area where I record my progress for the year.  To help me stay focused on my one-word for the year a sort of one-stop shop to record my stats. My intention is to make it a daily journal BUT I have to back fill already.  Stay tuned for that because I have a lot of stuff I want to share. 

The next new tab is called P.A.D. <----click I've seen others participate in this and have always wanted to give it a try.  This is where you take a Picture-a-Day (hence the PAD part).  So far so good I have all of my pictures loaded here and am current with this project.  YAY.

A couple of others things that I really really like on my blog.  In the right sidebar ----> I have an area of all of my shared "links" <----click.  It's really worth checking out sometime.  Its blog articles I've favorite'd and shared from all of the blogs that I read through Google Reader.  While I am web-surfing if I see an inspirational idea, a color combo, a great sketch or even some decorating and fashion ideas... I will click on the "share" function and it populates in the right sidebar of my blog.  That way if I want to go back and revisit the article I was reading I can do so quickly.  It also gives a good feel of what me likey's if anybody's interested.

Well that's all for now folks.  All text post today.

Goodbye Christmas, Goodbye 2010

The holidays and 2010 fade away...

Write it on your heart

that every day is the best day in the year.

He is rich who owns the day, and no one owns the day

who allows it to be invaded with fret and anxiety.

Finish every day and be done with it.

You have done what you could.

Some blunders and absurdities, no doubt crept in.

Forget them as soon as you can, tomorrow is a new day;

begin it well and serenely, with too high a spirit

to be cumbered with your old nonsense.

This new day is too dear,

with its hopes and invitations,

to waste a moment on the yesterdays.

ralph waldo emerson

Moving tends to throw a wrench in it....

FOR EVERYONE!!  This little guy has gotten quite used to hanging out with me. Yes, he always does have a little smirk on his face.

He's gotten pretty used to hanging out with ME

because this one's

Yeah her - the cat's mom

been doing alot of this TRAVELING

I KNOW GET OUT RIGHT! THAT'S HOT!

So he's got pretty comfy at my place. Which is COOL because I LERVE HIM anyway.  HE'S MINE NOW HE'S ALL MINE. Little does she know.

But when she's back for a visit, he tends to park himself on top of her SUITCASE.  He's KNOWS he's a smart cat.

But he always seems to be on high alert for suitcase action

 But can you blame her?  She's got places to go like HERE:

A girls gotta do what a girls gotta do.

SOOOOO as I was saying moving is hard on everyone.  Including the blog action.  This blog is the PRISS[Y] Place remember?  For those of you that don't know....that's an acronym for [P]aper,  [R]ibbon, [I]nk, [S]tampin', [S]crappin' and [Y]atayatayata.  I do realize there's been a lot more of ONLY the [Y] in that equation. Yatayatayata.  True true.  Which is OK because this is my blog RIGHT and I only have 2 READERS TOPS.  ROFL.  I won't be invited to the Blogher awards anytime soon or Martha's for that MATTER.

SOOOOO Let's revisit <--- click my good luck totem MR. HAWK that came for a visit on my first morning at the new place.  Oh yes I was so overjoyed and thought what a wonderful world.  Yes?   Yeah SURE the Native Americans think he's a symbol of "the dawn and a fresh new day".  That's awesome.  But personally I think he was MARKING HIS TERRITORY.  

This is who came for a visit on the second day of being at my new place.  I was all excited and going to go look up what it meant in Native American terms as regarding to "totems"  I was sure it was another good omen until.....

Little did I know he was on his way out of this world and his visit would be but a brief one.  He was so cute and I was wondering why he was so still and didn't startle when I took his picture.  I got pretty close.  Shortly after this picture was taken I went back out in the backyard (a couple of hours later).  And Mr. Bunny was gone (as in R.I.P.) not as in ran away.  I had to pick him up and bury him.  

LOOK AWAY NOW IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE A PICTURE OF A CUTE BUNNY WHO IS NO LONGER WITH US AND IS THE LAST DAY OF MR. BUNNY'S LIFE.

Hello and Goodbye =C - Thanks for visiting...

IRONIC that I titled this post <--- click "The Other Side".  Singing the praises of Mr. Hawk.  What am I prophetic?

Good Omen?  I think not!!!  MEET THE NEIGHBORHOOD BULLY

TOTEM SCHMOTEM.  He's on my $#!( list.  I guess a hawk's gotta do what a hawk's gotta do.  Which is be a predator.  Nice.

One of these day I shall resume my normal programming which requires a lot of GLITTER. K.THX

Happy Earth Day! ReUSE, Reduce, Recycle! My DH is a Genius- Yay Yay Yay, the Futon Revisited

Originally Posted December 2007 but in honor of Earth Day I thought I would bump this up.  Try using new eyes to see things differently before you throw things away and fill up the landfills even more.  This was a simple wood futon destined for the trash heap.  As we were getting ready to load it up for the dumpster, I stopped my dh and look what we have instead?  An awesome shelf system just the perfect size for my favorite hobby stamping and paper crafts.  Thanks everyone and please enjoy this repost...

I am soooo excited I don't know what to do. This has been the bestest Christmas EVER that I have had in a long long time. I know I am a total dork because I am happy happy (did I say happy) over shelves. First I got my library shelves for the living room for Christmas, so unexpected and wonderful. Then, as if that weren't enough I got 4 count them 4 new CUSTOM made shelving units for (you'll never guess) STAMPERS. Remember the "guess what this is going to be" post? Well they are finished and attached to my wall!! Here are the before and after pictures:

BEFORE:

AFTER:

We recycled an old futon that we were going to just ship off to either goodwill or the trash. We have been cleaning the garage and I got to looking at the futon with my stampers eye. You know if it can be used for stamping or embellished or glittered we always have to keep our eye out for these things. So my genius DH figured out what to do to and did it for me right away. All we did was get some 1x2's, cut the 2 long pieces of the futon (the seat and the back) in half, added ends, nailed the 1x2 shelves to the existing slats of the futon (the stamps are sitting on the added new 1x2 pieces), cleaned them up and walla WE'VE GOT THE CUSTOM SHELVES OF THE CENTURY and we did it by re-purposing a found object. Which to me makes them even more special because they didn't cost me anything and we saved a tree or two. I wanted to take a picture with them empty so you can see the shelves better. I will take more pics when I have them all filled up (that shouldn't take me too long hahaha). Aren't they great? Now off to do more organizing...I get that way this time of year....I told ya'. skipping off whistling happy tunes..no whining even...

and some more after pix click here <----

~best,
misspriss

Its a Bird, It's a Plane, NO it's...

Superdaughter? It was a beautiful evening for flying (www.flytorrey.com) <---click - for some CRAZY PEOPLE. I took these with a point and shoot but it's times like these I wish I had lots of zoom. There were 10 balloons in all up tonight. I love hot-air balloons but you wouldn't catch me dead in one of them. They are pretty however. Warning!! Lot's of pictures... but I like pictures, don't you?

Hot Air Balloons

Sunset - LaJolla, CA

Sunset - LaJolla, CA

Can't my daughter read? It's says, "PILOTS ONLY", "NO PARKING", "EMERGENCY LANE", and most importantly... "KEEP CLEAR"

Ah..hem? "DON'T CROSS"

It SAYS "NO FLY ZONE"

BUT...NO it's thumbs up for Paragliding

The pilot is taking a test drive to see if the winds are STRONG enough

Second thoughts? Now's your last chance to RUN away. Hurry quick.

Pilot coming back to get my daughter because she apparently CAN'T READ and the winds are perfect.

All systems go with a little instruction

Just get a running start. HEY didn't your mother ever tell you? Just because your friends are jumping off a bridge (er in this case, cliff) doesn't mean you have to. STOP don't go. Look at that guys calves!

Commit (this was one of my favorite shots)

OMG Noooooooooooooo

They went up and down the coast. It was beautiful and the wind was cooperating. The pilot said that sunset flights are very rare. Usually they only get 10 days a year where sunset flights are a-go. The winds are usually not strong enough after sunset. Best flying times are from noon-3:00. He said she was LUCKY.

Safe landing. Peace out yourself little Missy, now get out of that get-up. Look at that guys calves!

Deflate the KITE already it might take off again when your not looking. EEK

TADA

Superdaughter

I've been thinking about this lately...

Wonder if it has anything to do with the economy?  I love the line... Why aren't they turning?  AND the line "this is bad".  NO ya' think

Pinch Me Now!!!

One silver lining when things get old, wear out and break aka computers, camera's etc.  You have to get new ones.  I am fortunate enough (ok so happy and grateful) that I am actually able to replace my computer.  I know a lot of people who might not be able to do this right now and that doesn't go unnoticed.  I am really really really thanking my lucky stars right now and pinching myself at my good fortune that I have the means to do this.  As you might remember my computer has been crashing, blue screening and having to be re-staged (hard drive wiped and re-installed which did not GO WELL).  OK fast forward.  I was pretty sick of Windows OS. Pretty sick of the fact that after having to wipe out my hard drive and reinstall everything of which I LOST ALL OF MY DIGITAL PHOTO FOLDERS in the transfer) MS kept telling me I had a pirated unauthenticated copy of Windows.  OK PEOPLE I DO NOT.  I HAVE THE ORIGINAL CDs that came with the computer.  Whatever.  MS proceeded to block any SP updates, the use of Media Player (my preference player) and lock up web surfing whenever it felt like it.  Needless to say it has been frustrating and no I did not have time to hold for TECH SUPPORT or pay extra for it.  ENTRE' APPLE are you surprised?  I am a card carrying sworn member of MS Windows OS.  NOT ANYMORE.  I just got one of these puppies...I haven't figured out how to insert a graphic so you will just have to click on the link to see a picture.  I am so excited.  I also got the wireless mouse and a keyboard for when we are using the laptop at home.  We will also hook up to a larger stationary monitor.  Ok enough for now.

Bargain Shopping

I thought I'd share a couple of the places that I go to order bulk buys at super great prices on "All Things Pr!ssy". (I am not receiving any compensation for either of these plugs, just sayin' EDIT... I just like to share great deals...) I just re-ordered some TOMBO Mono Adhesive Refills from an online place called Penwa. I ordered the Qty 6 refills and even with shipping it averaged to only about $2.00 per unit (+ or - a few pennies). That is approx. half what you would normally pay for retail. I love a deal like that. Another place that I lerve to buy "bulk" from is Pink HedgeHog Paper Crafts. I have purchased a lot (almost all) of my ribbon from here. I got some of each of the following: polka dot organdy, narrow stitched, ricrac, solid grosgrain, narrow organdy and ginham... just to name a few. She has tons more... these are just the ones I purchased. Her ribbon averages about .25 to .30 cents a yard. (but check her website for specific prices and Qty's) ....which is about what I think you should pay for ribbon. I think Pink HedgeHogs products are the most reasonably priced that I have found. TIP OF THE WEEK: Even Michael's ribbon in the dollar bin if you look at the yardage on the spool you are paying approximately $1.00 a yard or more. You think you are getting a deal because it is in the dollar bin but in reality its not the best price so check those yardages and prices. I will on occasion purchase ribbon that is more than .30 cents a yard if I really really really like it or need it. But for the bulk ribbon I try to keep it under .30 cents a yard. Especially if you are like me and h2h some in every color, size and shape. So if you are just getting into PaperCrafts and would like to stock up... these are great resources to do so. I got really great service over there and she has always been very easy to work with and shipment was prompt and as expected (she even sticks a little sumpin' extra in usually) I also purchased all of my eyelets and brads from her too, ANOTHER great buy if you are in the market for those so go check it out.

GINGHAM

1/4 ORGANDY

GROSGRAIN

POLKA DOT ORGANDY
(I got the 3/8in)

RICRAC

NARROW STRIPED

Postscript: Oh and here is the text from their "About Us" page I think it sums it up and says it all. They like to provide rock bottom prices and they do...

We are a new company started just this year (2007) after a frustrating and fruitless search for companies selling bulk ribbons, eyelets, brads, and other stamping and scrapbooking essentials. Our failure to find such a company lead us to the idea of starting our own.

We started our company with the purpose of providing quality ribbons and other embellishments at rock bottom prices. We have literally searched the world over for the best deals on our products in order to pass the savings on to our to you.

We are a family run business and we have a huge love of papercrafting arts, and a bigger love of finding a bargain!

~enjoy!

I Didn't Mention It But..... rambling thoughts on organizational stuff...

I am on vacation this week from work. Just chillin' at the homestead doin' my own thang. I actually had time to go through my personal electronic inbox and do some housekeeping and what not. I was going to use this time to just get caught up on things that I have been meaning to do, sleeping in, etc. Possibly paint my bedroom. I am usually way too ambitious and the spirit is willing but the flesh is so weak. Nothing special. Just a week of ME time which is at an all time low around these parts. ANYWAY, enough blahblah. I took a screen shot of my in-box and just thought I'd share. Doesn't that look nice? I cleared the decks for new info. Space-cleared my electronic space. Basically I move stuff I want to keep into aptly titled sub-folders. I also go through each email and either save or deleted, or print it out for further action etc. After I go through my entire email in-box and I have all of the emails I want to save for whatever reason (I could probably delete it all and wouldn't miss it) I move them to a folder I create titled in-box archive. Then I have one empty new in-box of which I can start anew. When I started this I had over 3,000 old emails of one kind or another. I usually sort by name and keep the latest and greatest per name and delete the rest. I also flag any newly created identities (sign-ons and passwords). Then I sort by flag if I am ever looking for one I can't remember. I usually move these to a folder name "Tech" for all of my tech info that I don't want to lose. I move all of the electronic bill emails to a sub-folder titled bills. I then print the email for that bill and get to gettin' on paying those buggers as needed. It was just such a sight to behold an empty in-box... I had to share. Inbox-zero messages. boingboing yayayay

Look It's a Bird It's a Plane, It's a Resignation Letter?

Ha! The other day (Monday morning last week to be exact) while I was sitting at a red light on my way to work. I saw this skywriter message. It was so funny I grabbed my cell phone quick and snapped a picture. Clear as day it reads... BOB, I QUIT... How's that for a resignation letter on a Monday morning? Don't we all feel like that on MONDAYs? Edited to add: Yes, this is a real photo I took.

Curb Appeal

Not much craftin' going on so I thought I'd share some of my day. Some sights and sounds (well just sights) from the route when I walk the dog. These are all from the same yard. This guy keeps his yard spotless and it sure is pretty coming in this spring. I just love the color combo of this foxglove and yellow rose. These pics are from my camera phone so they don't do these flowers justice.

One of the perks of living in So. California, we have this beauty YEAR ROUND. Can't beat it.

This rose (above) you should smell the fragrance out of this world

Last but not least the "Bird of Paradise". I have these in my yard too but his bush is humongous.

Definition of Bees Knees

Duh? I googled my question regarding what is the meaning behind the sentiment "Your the Bees Knees" and basically it means You're the best! Here is the buzz (wink) from the Urban Dictionary

Bee's knees means the best, as bees carry pollen in little baskets located on its midsegments of their legs.

Now I can rest at night.

Bees Knees

Ok guys can someone please explain what the sentiment "You're the Bees Knees" means? I have never heard this saying before and I am still trying to figure it out. I mean if you're the bees kness then bees knees are small so does that mean you don't think that much of the person? See I don't get it. HELP

Sidenote

I went to the dermatologist today. Just a routine check up but I had a whole body check. It wasn't too painful for me to strip down to my undies in front of a total stranger and put a gown on(eek I'm glad doctors don't die of fright). My daughter is a massage therapist and she was treating me to a massage for a b'day gift for me a couple of months ago and she noticed a couple of moles she recommended I get checked out. They are trained to look for stuff like this during massage. Well that was a couple of months ago but I made an appointment right away. It took me 2.5 months to get in but the day finally arrived for my appointment and I kept it (faithfully I can easily flake on dr.'s appointments). I checked out fine. They even check your scalp for you. I had several frozen off (all on my back) and I had 2 removed that required shot and cutting. They didn't hurt too bad. He wasn't worried about any of them but of course will send them to the lab for diagnosis. Why do I discuss? Just another PSA for all my prissy pals out in blogoland if you haven't had your full body skin exam make your appointments today. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Wear your sunscreen!! Melanoma is such a deadly cancer don't let it get you. OH a happy side note. You know my doctor was like 25 they all are these days they keep getting younger and I keep getting older. Well he asked me what year I was born in almost as if he was doing a double take. Now mind you he already read the chart and I had to write down my DOB several times on different forms so he already knew my DOB. So I told him 1958 and I said YEAH that makes me FIFTY YOU GOT A PROBLEM WITH THAT. Yep that's exactly what I said. He says no not at all in fact he says you look so young I can't believe that you were born in 1958. Now this was right after he examined my face with a magnifier light and everything. Then he proceeds to say but you probably get that all the time don't you. NO really. So either he was just trying to be nice or he's blind but either way it made my day after that. I asked him if I needed stitches on the two that her cut off and he said no he would use a laser to cauterize to stop the bleeding. I had to laugh I said hey can you stop the bleeding in my life with that thing too? Can you imagine? When your life is a train wreck and it's heading for the ditch (bleeding all over the place) just grab the laser cauterizing gun and zap the shit out of it. Do ya think that would work? That was the random thought I had when he said he was going to laser cauterize me. He didn't get my sense of humor but then again I didn't really care. The nurse during intake was asking me a series of routine questions and she asked me if I ever had a reaction to topical numbing agents (aka shots) my response yes, loud screaming. Well it is a reaction but alas I think she meant allergic reaction.

BLog INK aka BLINK I Just Made up a New Acronym

Lot's of braggin stuff goin' 0n today. First my PR!SSy Pal Michelle over at OUT ON A LIMB got some REAL BLINK for this post... POSTSCRIPT: I think Michelle had too much Happy Juice myself or not enough sleep or something?!? when she designed this puppy. Wow amazingly creative.....

from our other PR!SSy Pal JustJohanna over on her J-log (That short for JustJohanna Blog OMG I crack myself up). Yeah that's my second braggin rights. My third clever NEW TERM THAT I MADE UP {BL}og {INK}. Get it? Normally in publishing world when you get written up... say in the newspaper... ya' can say "hey, I got some ink today" Well, same concept. If someone writes about you in their blog ya got some blog ink....bl!nk!! Go forth and enjoy the use of the new word that I made up. Anyway, Michelle got some blink over at JJs and I thought that was really cool. Because JJ is really cool. We were lucky to meet JJ and her entire design team at her boutique open house last month. We had lots of fun and JJ is an artist extraordinaire!! Kevin Bacon and six degrees of separation my other daughter Groomer Girl Leah is the real David Cassidy's hair and makeup groomer artist IRL. Odd but true. Hi David!! Like he really has EVER seen my blog. hahaha that's funny. I think he still looks great!