Sunshine's Paper Obsession

Humpty Dumpty

2011-03-09T21:48:00.005-06:00

Wednesday, Wednesday....hump day....over the hump....on the downside of the week...weekend in waiting...

How many ways can we harmonize and rhapsodize over the downside of the week? Everyday of the week seems to wane in and wane out with the apparent slowness of a tide on a new moon..yet Saturday flies by like the end of the world is nigh and there is never enough time because the day flies by so quickly! Why is that??

So how was your Wednesday? Mine was super busy. Full of multiple tasks and wonderful people. I'm one lucky gal to work with the people I work with. Even days with challenges or just tons to do are enjoyable in their own way.

I am supposed to be doing some homework right now but I can't seem to put my head back in the game. My brain is officially swiss cheese.
...Ummm apparently I not only have holes in my head...but I'm subletting!! LOL!!

Well, me & my cheese are gonna go to bed before we smother hubby in his snoring sleep!! Have a great sleep everyone!!

Tomorrow is Thursday...one day closer to FRIDAY!! and of course this is the weekend we Spring Forward for daylight's savings time. Woot! Woot!

Hugz to one and all,

Sunshine :^D

Tuesday Morning

2011-03-08T06:41:00.002-06:00

Good Morning:

Hi all. Well, I started a post last night and got hit with the sick stick REALLY HARD. I spent a lot of time in the lavatory last night and the remainder of it huddled in the fetal position praying for a reprieve. It's now Tuesday morning and I am still a little nauseous but not dying like I was last night. It's always good not to go to work wanted to curl up in a corner and cry like a baby.

So, no one has offered up suggestions on kick boxing. Is that because no one has tried it or because you're just not in the mood to comment? I think I will do some checking around Winnipeg to see what there is to offer here in the city and more importantly in my end of the city. I wish there was a place you could rent exercise equipment to see if you really like it.

It's supposed to start warming up here in the next couple of days. I'm still waiting patiently for that to happen. I was delightfully sunny yesterday, which I enjoyed even as it blinded me coming home from work yesterday. What is it about city planners who insist on building the main arteries through city's directly into the morning and evening sun?? Blinded on the way to work and blinded on the way home!!! Not all that exciting or bothersome unless you are driving to and from work with 50,000 of your closest friends!! LOL!

Well, off to work I go. Have an awesome day everyone. I will check in tonight to see what everyone's up to.

Hugz,

Sunshine :^D

Sunday, Sunday

2011-03-06T19:28:00.002-06:00

Well, I guess there are people out there still reading my blog! How cool is that!! Thanks to everyone who checked out my new post yesterday!!

So today was Sunday (unless you're in Australia where it was Monday LOL!) and it was a sunny day here but still cold...-14 with a windchill close to -30..so....basically it was a nice day in Winnipeg.

I came down with a cold last week and thought I was on the recovering end of it until this afternoon. I wonder that there is room in my head for all the snot in there!!! Honestly I'm grossing myself out!! "ICK!!"

Did I mention (and I know darn well I didn't) that hubby was in Halifax on Friday and brought us back 22 gorgeous lbs of luscious lobster?? OMG! It was to die for!! There is still one upstairs in the fridge waiting for me to make it into a lobster roll. ***Drool***

So, I'm trying to get myself motivated to lose weight. (Nice segway after talking about luscious lobster, huh??) I think I have convinced myself to join TOPS again. I was a long time member in the maritime s but didn't join once we moved here to Winnipeg. I think it's time for some accountability. I have considered Weight Watchers but don't like the cost involved. I pretty much know the ins and outs of healthy eating...its the accountability and exercising. I need to get my butt in gear. What do you gals do to get and keep motivated and have any of you tried kick boxing?? I'm thinking of trying it and want feedback from anyone who has tried it before I invest in any equipment.

OK, me and the Puff's Plus are signing off. Enjoy the rest of your Sunday evening everyone.

Hugz,

Sunshine :^D

I got a little lost along the way

2011-03-05T20:44:00.002-06:00

Hi to anyone who may be reading this post. I don't expect that anyone would since I have been so very lame about posting to my blog(s)...in that I haven't posted in ages and ever so long.

To get you all caught up on what's been happening. Around the last time I posted I think I was still PO'd at my previous employer for her nasty two facedness (is that a word? No? oh well...I'm gonna use it anyway) and had moved on to a new position as a computer course instructor. I am super happy to report the new job is wonderful and the group of gals I work with are AWESOME!

Hubby is still working both ends against the middle. He's tired most of the time and we are anxious for his posting to his new position this coming summer. I for one will be most joyous when he passes over that dang Blackberry to his incoming replacement. He hasn't had a day off since we got to Winnipeg the summer of 2008!

The little boys are doing well...but not so little anymore! Jeesh! Malcolm is 6'2" and Patty is 5'11" now and they are 15 & 13 respectively. Holy Cow! They stand over us both! It's almost comical to see us shopping together or out and about..the two giant mutants and their not so giantly parental units!!! We are counting the days until summer break and the boys are here for the summer. We are looking forward to lots of pool time and I think we are going to plan some trips with them this summer to different spots around the province and possibly in Alberta. We'll see.

Our sister-in-law and my brother went to the Dominican Republic for a holiday this year. It was their first trip South in the winter and they are HOOKED! I would love to do that someday but it wont' happen for a while. The bright side of their going away is that we get our niece to stay with us for the week! That was great! It's nice having her around. She's a great gal.

Well, I am going to wrap up my first blog post in ages and I will try to be more regular with my posting. Now lets see if anyone comments on this post...is there anyone still out there??

Hugz,

Sunshine

Happy Tuesday Everyone

2010-10-19T06:48:00.003-05:00

So here it is Tuesday morning and I am getting ready for work. Is there anything new going on? Not really....except I have discovered Ioffer.com! I have purchased tons of books for next to nothing!!! If you like shopping for deals and like the idea of bartering by making offers this is the site for you!!

OK I am off to work. Check out Ioffer if you get a chance. Let me know if you like it.

Thanks for stopping by for a short chat.

Hugz,

Sunshine :^D

Something to think about as Remembrance Day approaches

2010-10-14T20:09:00.006-05:00

I love Rick Mercer, he say's what I think and does it in such a way that we can't deny the truths in his rants.

I happen to have been brought up with a parent in the Canadian military. My grandfather served in the war and lost a leg. My mother's father was a war correspondent. We (My brother and I) were brought up to respect the military and the sacrifices being made by the men and women in the military. Who, for the 35 years before 9/11 were strongly unsung hero's. The wars had ended and for the most part Canadians sat back secure that our country was safe. The threat was gone and all was well in the world.

Sadly, our countries military has never been at rest. There has never been a time that our military men and women have been able to sit back and relax. We {the Canadian Military} have been involved in one way or another in every major conflict around the world since the end of the Second World War, but we did it quietly. We did it, like all Canadians function, with humility and decorum. I am not saying that our men and women are perfect or that they didn't step out of line now and then...but then again...they are men and women and as a result they are subject to "free will".

My father was in the military forever! But, under the old rules, he was not considered a Veteran. He served his country for more than 30 years but he was not a veteran. If he were alive today, he would be a veteran. How times have changed.

My big brother, who served in Kandahar/Afghanistan is a veteran...but was a veteran before he served "in theater". Have I ever mentioned how proud I am of my big brother? {{I am}} My hubby is a serving member of the Canadian Air Force and my brother is a reservist now that he has retired from full time service.

I am a DAMN PROUD CANADIAN MILITARY WIFE & SISTER...but presently I am not that proud of the political parties in Canada and their decisions in regard to our wounded Canadian Veterans..in fact I am ashamed. Ashamed that these men and women can serve our country at personal risk and injury. They have returned to their country wounded...physically and mentally only to find out they are going to be punished financially by the very government they served to protect and laid down their very lives for...shame, shame on you - Canadian political leaders who approved the changes to the Veteran's Affairs Act! Shame on you Mr. Prime Minister for firing the one man you appointment to watch out for our great Canadian hero's!!

Please watch this rant by Rick Mercer...he states it best...now what do we do as Canadians sitting comfortably in our living rooms while our friends, family, neigbours fight for us? Think of them, talk about this. Open a dialogue with each other...don't let this issue fall to the wayside...write a letter to the editor, change your vote, talk to your MP, call your MLA. BE HEARD!!

At the risk of repeating myself...I am a DAMN PROUD CANADIAN MILITARY WIFE...are you a DAMN PROUD CANADIAN??

We support our fallen like no other country...now lets support our fallen that are trying to get back up!

Thanks for stopping by for a chat...rant...bi*&$c session...all for the good of others {did you read yesterday's post?}

Hugz,

Sunshine :^D

Hump Day ~ Wednesday~ Mid-Week....

2010-10-13T19:17:00.005-05:00

No matter how you slice it Wednesday is smack dab in the middle of the week. Is it a good day? Does it inspire you to push through for two more days until Friday? Do you think.."YES! Almost there!" or do you let the mid - week marker slide along hardly noticed as it slides into Thursday?

Does this all come down to being a "glass half full or glass half empty" kinda person? I'm typically a glass half-full kinda gal. I choose to see the good at all times. Now...don't get me wrong...I have bad days just like anyone else...but I think they are fewer than most people have. Why is that? Why do I find it easier to smile and laugh than frown and growl?

Not to go into too much family drama; but... I made the decision to look at the positive a very long time ago. I remember very well making that decision because it was a decision that changed my outlook on life and the stuff life throws at me.

Did you ever notice that one person in a group in a poor mood has the ability to suck the life out of the group? and unfortunately its just too easy to let that poor mood guide the attitude of the entire group. Kind of the road of least resistance. There is a reason for the saying, "The shortest distance between two people is a smile."

Laugh! Laugh loud! Laugh often!!

The next time someone points out that it's Hump Day, point out that it's also a beautiful day! Point out something positive about the day...like it's chilli day or family game night! Choose another reason...make up a reason...fake it 'til you make it! Be happy that's it a great day to have lunch with a friend. It's a great day to take a walk in the sunshine or splash in the puddles. there is good and happiness to be found everywhere...sometimes it just takes a little more work to find it.

So, I will laugh loudly...and if you indeed know me...I laugh loudly! I belly laugh! I laugh like there are no boundaries! I can proudly state that I can be recognized by my laugh! How awesome is that?!

Be happy everyone. Take time to smell the flowers..heck take time to buy some flowers for yourself or someone you know that would least expect it. Spread some happiness.
Send a cake to a friend with "Just Because" on top.
Send your friends postcards from your province with the simple message "Weathers nice, wish you were here."
Fill your friends car with balloons while they're at work.
Pop over to a friends house the morning after it snowed and shovel for them.
Find out where your friend gets her hair cut and pay for her next trim.
Invite your friends over for a game night / PJ party
Arrange for a maid/or yourself to clean your friends house before the weekend to give them a free weekend.

What can you think of to bring some happiness to one of your friends?

Have you done something for your friends that has made their day? Leave a comment and tell me about it. I'd love some new idea's. Thanks again for stopping by for a chat.

Hugz,

Sunshine :~D (There is a reason they call me Sunshine ya' know!)

Happy Thanksgiving to my Canadian Friends and Family

2010-10-10T00:08:00.004-05:00

IT'S TURKEY WEEKEND!! HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!!

Well, another Thanksgiving dinner has come and gone. We had our big dinner early this year. We decided to have our big dinner on Saturday so we could have two un-interrupted consecutive days to enjoy our long weekend.

We had a great meal and lots of laughs. We all had a round of "What are you thankful for this year?" suggested by my big brother, DW. The overwhelming consensus was that we're all thankful for family and friends.

Our wonderful niece was thankful for her new bed and not so thankful for the family cat, Charlie!

Charlie has a habit of waking her up around 3AM with purrs, making bread kneading on the bed covers, sharpening his claws on the carpet thingy by the top of the stairs.
The culprit! Code name: "Charlie"..."Carpet Cougar"..."Charles"..."King of the Hill"..."The Purrnator"..."Mr. Bower"..or as Emmy calls him..."Stooopid Cat!" LOL

Poor girl...she was so po'd by Charlie she scared the bejeezus out of my brother in the early morning hours when he got up for a drink and she was carrying Charlie down to put in her parents bedroom and shut the door!! Wish I could have seen that little encounter!! LOL!! My brother isn't a jumpy guy so that must have been funny!!!

OK...I don't know about any of you but I don't look like this when I am finished making a big dinner, like today. I look like something that should be thrown in a bubble bath with a glass of wine and told to "chill"...dang it! Just once I wanna look like this when I'm heading for the table!! Is that too much to ask??
I was also thankful for my family. I am grateful for my kids; that I know they are all safe; that I have a job; that I have the best friends a gal could ever ask for and that I have the love of my life by my side.

I watched the coolest video on FB today posted by a gal I went to High School with. Guess what she did today?? She jumped out of a freakin' plane!! How cool is that??!!! I was soo impressed by her courage.

I am terrified of heights and always thought that jumping out of a plane might be a great way to get over it...what do you think? Maybe I will jump out of an airplane to celebrate my 50th birthday...that would starting my second decade with a splash huh??!! Wonder how many of my friends I can talk into it??

How did you all spend your Thanksgiving? I wish all of my friends and family a beautiful, family filled Thanksgiving.

Thanks for stopping by for a chat. Enjoy your holiday. Don't eat too much turkey....you need room for the pumpkin pie...or that extra stuffing.....mmmmm....stuffing! I love stuffing....drool...stuffing....ummmm...what was I saying....side tracked by stuffing....Gosh I'm so easily side tracked!!

Once again thanks for stopping by. Have a great weekend.

Hugz,

Sunshine:^D

Here is a great recipe for a no bake pumpkin pie. I cheated this year and bought my pie...it was ok...but nothing is as good as home made is it? I am suggesting this recipe for all that left over pumpkin you are bound to have.

No-Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake

1 pkg. (8 oz.) Cream Cheese, softened
1 cup canned pumpkin
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
1 tub (8 oz.) Cool Whip Whipped Topping, thawed, divided
1 Graham Pie Crust (6 oz.)

Beat cream cheese, pumpkin, sugar and pumpkin pie spice with electric mixer on medium speed until well blended. Gently stir in 2-1/2 cups of the whipped topping. Cover and refrigerate remaining whipped topping for later use.

Spoon cream cheese mixture into crust.

Refrigerate 3 hours or overnight. Serve topped with remaining whipped topping. Store leftover cheesecake in refrigerator.

Thanks to That's My Home for the recipe. It's the same one I use..so I copied and pasted from her site instead of typing up my own recipe...kind of lazy huh? If you have the time check out the site. Its a good one.

Hugz again.

Sunshine:^D

My Stephanie Plum Obsession

2010-10-06T20:21:00.006-05:00

Janet Evanovich

I have to admit I am totally hooked on Janet Evanovich books, novels, scribbles, blogs..hell if she wrote her grocery list on a napkin I'd read it!! Seriously, she makes me laugh out loud in an empty room. If you haven't read her books before; now is the time to start.

She has a great series of novels featuring Stephanie Plum as a bounty hunter with a lingerie buyer background...no really I'm not making this up!! The chemistry between Stephanie, her gramma, parents and the two men in her life is priceless.

DO NOT eat while reading these books...you WILL choke, spit, sputter and gulp trying not to laugh too loudly. I have been known to lay beside my sleeping husband and laugh so hard but trying to be quiet about it. I failed because I ended up shaking the bed with my mirth!! LOL!!

I am soooo excited!!! They are making a movie of the first Plum novel - "One For the Money" and they have casted Katherine Heigel as Stephanie Plum.

I agree 100%!! Katherine is cute and quirky enough to do the character justice. Her two love interests have been decided on now too! Hold on to your seats gals...grab a napkin...drool alert!!

Joe Morelli is going to be played by: Jason O’Mara (Life on Mars)

Ranger is going to be played by: Daniel Sunjata (Rescue Me)....ummm....drool!!! ***Wipes Chin***

It's time to start re-reading my Plum Mystery novels! Head on out to your local book store, go to your favourite on-line merchant..buy these novels and find a comfy seat and settle in for the best read you've had a long time!! I promise you there will be no regrets...unless you worry about all of the money you are going to spend once you get hooked on Stephanie and her hyjinks! These books are like McDonald french fries, Lays potato chips and Mike & Ikes...you can't eat just one!!

Thanks for stopping by for a chat folks. On a personal note...work went well today. I am working with a great group of gals. So far so good.

Hugz

Sunshine :~D

What a Difference a Week Can Make

2010-10-05T13:34:00.002-05:00

Hello All:

I am very happy to report to one and all that I am now employed. Three weeks of unemployment isn't too long. I guess I survived. Not unscathed but definitely the wiser.

My new employer is a great lady named Susan. She has a school called Presidio Learning Centre in downtown Winnipeg and it's run by a great group of gals. This is going to be fun.

I am going to be an instructor and doing general administration. This work harkens back to work I have done in the past, so it's returning to my roots; as it were.

I have my first class tomorrow...well...it's a one - on - one so that will be much easier. Working right along with the student. Get my feet wet again.

I want to thank you for your support during this trying time. I am still thrown by the way I was laid off from my last position and I am going into this new venture "cautiously optimistic" because I was burned so badly the last time....but my radar is telling me this is the right thing to do and that this is a good group of people to work for.

If you are in the Winnipeg area and are interested in taking day classes check us out at:

PRESIDIO LEARNING CENTRE

The prices are the most reasonable I have ever seen for one day courses. So pop on over and check out the website and see the list of courses offered. You will be surprised at the diversity and options available.

Thanks for stopping by for a chat. I will keep you posted on how things are going.

Cheers,

Sunshine :^D

It's Saturday....

2010-10-02T18:52:00.002-05:00

So a day has gone by and I am still working on letting it go. My stomach is no longer wrapped in a knot so I guess I am getting there. The overwhelming consensus is that I am better off out of that position and away from people that are so completely untrustworthy...and I agree. **Blessings***

My brother and sister-in-law are very supportive and my hubby is amazing!! I am one lucky lady I can tell you that. Of course my friends are there for me too. I have the most wonderful circle of family, friends and even acquaintances. They are there for me at all times; as I am for them. I could be poor in finances but I am the wealthiest gal in the world when it comes to my peeps.

**Grateful for all Blessings***

I have a job interview on Monday. It comes as the result of a friend mentioning my name. For that I am grateful. I am so fortunate. It is my hope that those of you reading this post understand the security and strength having a wonderful support system like I have. No matter the circumstance, you are never truly alone and you are not handling it on your own.
When I posted on FB my status saying:

Christina Bower is really PO'd! and is going to bed. Just found out I was lied to and don't like it at all...I can't remember when I have been this angry...it's not good folks...need to go to bed and try to calm down. Nite all. On a positive note will be calling a great gal about a job tomorrow. Looking on the bright side. G'night.

I not only got some comments on my status and wall posts but I also got e-mails and phone calls from friends and family across the country. I'd say I am one lucky gal and I thank my peeps for being there when I need them and when I don't....you know what I mean. Or at least I hope you do. That's it for me tonight. Hope I wasn't too gushy. I just wanted to express my gratitude to my peeps for being there through thick and thin. Thanks for stopping by for a chat. Have a great weekend everyone. Hugz,

Sunshine :^D

Something to ponder

2010-10-01T09:38:00.003-05:00

So, it's been a couple of days since my last post. I have been busy applying for jobs since I was laid off from my last job. There are plenty of positions out there but they all seem to want you to have a ton of experience, education and talent...but want to pay you peanuts for it. What's up with that?

Let me ask you this...have you ever been lied to? I mean a big lie. Not what I call a "white lie".

Hmmm lets look at the difference.

White Lie - a lie of omission, exaggeration or embellishment.

You know what I mean here right?

For example: You went to an event and you exaggerated how many people and how much fun you had. You neglected to mention that you went home and vomited half the night because you drank just a "little" too much; but tell your friends it was the 'best night ever'!

No one gets hurt by your "white lie".

Big Lie - intentionally leading someone astray to cover your ass or to ensure you get what you want at the other person's expense.

For example: Your boss brings you in the office to let you know that while it is very difficult and they hate to do it; the money just isn't there right now and they have to trim their expenses and that means they have to let you go. If there was any other way to cut costs they would; but there just isn't and they are going to have to get by without your help. They will assist you in any way they can as an reference and if things change they will definitely give you a call. That you will be missed.

Now...that sounds as gentle of a "let go" as it gets doesn't it?

But here is the truth as you know it.

You were barely out the door when they brought in someone else who will work for less than you will and your chair wasn't even cold when they showed the new gal around her new work space!

Integrity is a wonderful thing isn't it? When you meet someone you automatically credit them with loads of integrity. It's an automatic thing and it's kind of just one of those 'assumed' things in life. Time goes on and without a doubt there are some little chinks gouged into the shield of that person's integrity. Either by action or word they show little bits of questionable behavior. Is this acceptable? I guess it all depends on who you are and what you find acceptable.

I am too trusting. I admit that. I want to see the good in everyone. I made a choice a very long time ago to see the good in all situations. The bad is just to damn easy to latch onto and suck you down into an abbis of negativity. So I see the good or the humour in almost all situations and I will give the benefit of a doubt until such a time I cannot. The surest way to lose the benefit of a doubt with me is to blatantly lie to me. I will look at you sideways after that.

I don't like confrontation but if need be I will confront anyone who lies to me at my expense...and that is where I find myself right now.

Scenario number two is what just has happened to me. I just found out last night that I was lied to when I was let go. The quandary is this... what to do about it....this is the person I am reliant upon for a reference to get another position...and yet their word means nothing to me at this point in time. The other side of the coin is that this person, while being my boss had one level of respect and on the other side as a person I liked her. It's so disappointing the realize that my entire perception of this person was SO wrong.

So here I am arranging for job interviews, reliant upon a person, who in my opinion, has no integrity at all and wondering if my perception of people is that "off" that at the ripe old age of 46 I can't trust my perception to tell me who is completely lacking in integrity?

So here I sit on a bright and sunny Friday morning replaying conversations and reviewing this person's actions over the last 9 months in my mind and questioning my ability to read people...something up until last evening I misguidedly thought I was very good at.

Thanks for stopping by to hear me rant everyone. I hope you have a great weekend. I am going to work on throwing this out into the universe for resolution. I know I don't have the ability to change this person's actions. So I need to change my way of thinking. After all, I am the only person I have control of in this world, right?

Hugz to one and all,

Sunshine :~D

MONDAY, MONDAY

2010-09-27T09:51:00.006-05:00

Malcolm and Patrick - Morris Stampede July 2010

(I was going through my memory cards from the summer to prepare the pics I want printed and found all kinds of pics we took but didn't really take the time to look at. Don't the boys look thrilled? It's around 40 degrees outside and we just arrived - they know its going to be a long hot day...but we had fun and we saw a rodeo...we'd never done that before and it was fun.)

It's Monday morning and the sun is shining and its going up to 21 degrees today! Woot! Woot! AWESOME!!

I am beginning my 30 days free at Curves this morning with my sister-in-law Chrissy. She has already started her 30 days...I have been supporting hubby in his quest to have some vacay in his vacation. So today he is back to work and I am heading to Curves. I am taking a litre of water and a hand towel since I am going to be a puddle by the end of this...not pretty folks...I am not one of those gals who perspires all delicately without even turning pink. Nope...I will sweat like I've been dunked in a pool of water and my face will be all red and blotchy as will my neck and upper chest. Oh yes..SEXY with a capital SSSSSSSSSSS!!

Once Chrissy drops me off after Curves I have a plethora of things I could do...but what will I choose? Laundry? Read a book. Dusting upstairs and down? Read a book. Tidy the living room and get it moved around and ready to take all of the furnishings from the master bedroom when we paint? Read a book. Go outside and decorate for fall? Read a book. Work on the garage? Read a book. Tidy the kitchen? Read a book....sensing a trend here? Hmmm...wonder what will win out??

So Fall has come in like a lamb...not good. In Manitoba that means we will have snow by Halloween..leaves a person with such dilemmas...Halloween decorating or skip that and just get the dang Christmas decorations outside so that we don't freeze our bazumba's off doing it after Halloween. Decisions, decisions.

Well, since my sister-in-law is not going to be here until closer to 11 now, I guess I will go and get some laundry done and have some yogurt. I don't like eating a meal before working out..makes me feel kinda sick and since it's been a LONG time since I last worked out...I'm gonna feel sick anyway. So, yogurt will do.

Have a great Monday everyone. Thanks for stopping by Marlene.

Hugz

Sunshine :~D

Rail Fan Day in Manitoba

2010-09-24T23:12:00.006-05:00

TRAIN DAY IN MANITOBA

We had a lovely time today rail fanning here in Manitoba. We caught a train early on and followed it as it did it's business dropping off cars along it's route to Souris, MB - now a side bar to my friends in PEI...Souris in Manitoba is not pronounced the same as it is in PEI...here in Manitoba it's pronounced 'Sorris'.

We found a train! This is Robbie speaking to the Engineer finding out where they were heading today...and the chase begins.

We had lovely weather today. The sun was shining all the way to a community called Glenborough and then we ran into cloud and there was a very big potential for rain, so we decided to turn around and head for the sun again.

Robbie all in "photographer mode" right on the track...'cause the train was stopped'

We managed to catch another train on the way home and then we lost the light so there was no reason to follow the trains anymore. We drove to Portage la Prairie where we had supper at a local restaurant called Bill's Sticky Fingers...where we had ribs...yum!

I like this one...'cause I really like the bell on the train...I think it's a girl thing.

Here are some pics I took today. Robbie's are much more professional as he knows how to set up a shot and his camera is the Cadillac of camera's and can balance light and such...but all that said...my pics turned out just fine and I had fun taking them..that's all that matters right?

Here are a few more that I took...the first one is the train as it is going by:

This one was taken in front of an old grain elevator that is on a back road behind the new elevator. I liked the hydrant as a splash of colour in the weeds:

Here is the old elevator

This is a shot of the "new" elevator in the distance behind the old one:

Here's the train coming around a corner at a level crossing. I managed to get a shot with the engineer, the lights and the tail of the train visible as the train curved around the corner...I like this one...whaddya think?

Here are a couple of the elevators we saw today:

This one was taken through the car window as we drove along beside the train...cool huh?

And now for some pics taken just because they were purdy:

This is a panoramic shot 'right' of a lovely look off we discovered today - the one below is a panoramic shot 'left' taken at the same spot:

The quintessential Mid-West photograph...Robbie got out of the car and laid down in the field and took photographs - I did not - I took this one from the car window:
and the final shot...Robbie doing what Robbie likes best...taking pictures!

Thanks for stopping by today. Hope you enjoyed the pictures. We had a fun time taking them today.

Hugz,

Sunshine :^D

Wednesday

2010-09-23T13:15:00.002-05:00

Hello all...or at least...Hello Marlene...I know you are reading my blog 'cause you left a comment or two or more! LOL! I know I have been away for a while from blog land and people forget to pop by to check out what's going on when there hasn't been anything worth while to look at for ages...as has been my case.

Hubby and I went to North Dakota on Monday and Tuesday and came back to Winnipeg on Wednesday morning. I had a telephone job interview on Wednesday morning so we had to be home for that or we would have stayed longer.

We had a great time. We shopped and did some sight seeing along the way. Hubby is an avid 'rail fan' so we did some train watching and taking of pictures along the way as well. It's an interesting hobby, as we manage to see the good, bad and ugly of every place we visit by going to look for trains. The "industrial" sections of most cities is rather rugged to say the least and can be on the wrong side of the tracks - no pun intended.

We were on a mission to find new bed linens and curtains for our master bedroom. We found the linens - unfortunately, the curtains were all made to order and we hesitated to invest in them and then have to be available to go and pick them up when they are complete. When you live outside of the country it just doesn't seem right to order something to have to go back and get...does that make sense?

The same thing happened with a ring I was totally in love with at JC Penny. I fell totally in love with it online and went directly to the jewelry case to have a look when we got there. It clearly stated that the ring was available up to a size 10 - OK - I have big fingers..and I take a size 10...so totally excited when I saw it and it was stunning! ***sigh*** not only not available right away in a 10 but had to sent away somewhere to be sized and couldn't be shipped to Canada...they ship everything else to Canada from JC Penny but not jewelry. So...no stunning ring for me. ***pout*** It really was beautiful. :^(

Back to the linen set we purchased. Now....I am something of a sheet snob...OK...I am a sheet whore! I embrace it and am proud of it. I like nothing less than a 300 thread count sheet and prefer nothing less than a 500 thread count sheet. So, here we are in bedding stores and department stores where the prices are ranging for bedding sets between $300 and $800...the bed in a bag sets...around $400 include the comforter, bed skirt, shams, sheets and in some cases accent pillows...the sheets....200 THREAD COUNT!!! Come on people! What the hell??!! Why on God Green Earth would I pay $400 for a set that includes BURLAP SHEETS??!!! Have a little pride! Have a little respect for the consumer who is supposed to by your product??~~ I don't give a rats hairy behind if the set was designed by Chaps - if the sheets you are including are 200 thread count you can give the set to the dogs to sleep in, I'm not buying it!!!

We looked in every store, no matter how high end and they all managed to sneak those cheap ass sheets into the set = the highest thread count we saw in a bed in a bag was 250 thread count. EEWWEEE!!! No way!

So we settled on a comforter set without sheets. It's lovely. Very elegant and rich in appearance. The set was originally $300 and it was on sale at JC Penny for $119 - SOLD~! we purchased coordinating throw pillows in cream and red and now have to find red sheets and curtains to coordinate as well as a throw blanket of some sort to finish it off. So the hunt begins. That's half the fun and of course seeing how much I can save at the same time is the other half. Wish me luck.

On another note...I mentioned that I was laid off on September 13th. I have had one job interview, a pre-screening and got a message this morning to call another prospective employer to arrange an interview. I guess you could say things are going well on that end. Again, wish me luck I not only make the right choice but find the "right fit"...of course my last job felt like the right fit and look what happened there? My ass still stings from the boot print left behind by the 'thanks we'll keep in touch'! **That was a little snarky wasn't it? Oops. Sometimes that just sneaks out.***

Well, I must finish this and compose myself to call back the employer looking for an interview. Fingers crossed.

Thanks for stopping by.

Hugz,

Sunshine ;^D

Robbie's Trip to Newfoundland...

2010-09-18T19:26:00.004-05:00

THE VIEW LOOKING DOWN ON ST. JOHN'S HARBOUR FROM SIGNAL HILL, NL SEPT 8, 2010

The harbour plays host to multiple cruise ships a day. The locals like to watch the tourists try to ride their "cruise line" supplied bicycles up Signal Hill...the smart ones are the ones pushing their bikes up the hill!

The road leading up Signal Hill, St. John's airport is in the back...look for the red lights in the background...precision approach path indicators (PAPI's)

The entrance to St. John's harbour...known as "The Gut"

This is the Cabot Tower - where Marconi made his first transatlantic high frequency radio communication.

Another view of the cruise ship in dock.

St. John's Harbour under cloudy skies.

Hope you enjoyed the pretty pictures.

Thanks for stopping by.

Sunshine :~D

TO MAKE YOU ALL LAUGH

2010-09-17T15:11:00.003-05:00

Tell me these don't make you laugh out loud in an empty room!! Thanks to my good friend Lil for my laugh of the day!!

Sunshine:~D

Friday is Finally Here...

2010-09-17T14:42:00.004-05:00

Well it's been a tumultuous week to say the least. I got laid off and got depressed and lost lots of sleep and now its the weekend...hubby is taking next week off so we can paint our master bedroom...can I even begin to tell you how much I am looking forward to this little barrel of fun??!!

Don't get me wrong, it totally needs to be painted. The previous owners of this house had very little taste in design and unfortunately our bedroom is a disaster. We go in there to sleep and not to spend time enjoying the ambiance that's for sure! We have light butterscotch on the upper walls and ceiling, a horrid butterscotch textured sponge painted "baby poop" goo on the lower walls and all of that has been nicely sliced in two by wall paper border of the Navajo variety...and hey lets do the en suite the same way just to be fastidious about the whole dang design nightmare!! Oh yeah! It's gotto go!

THE LOVELY BEDROOM (BEFORE)

THE DEVINE EN-SUITE (BEFORE)

Now those of you who know me, know this...I don't like to venture into painting a room until I have all of my ducks in a row..colours, fabrics, linen's, furniture, light fixtures...when I change a room, I change a room! It's a total make over! Am I ready for this make over? No way! I just got laid off! How am I going to afford all the "stuff" that's required for a total room makeover/?!!

We picked out paint colours last night at Home Depot...personal reminder...buy stock in that dang store!!!! and picked out a chair rail molding for the room. So far so good. We already have a kick ass chandelier for the bedroom - we picked it up on sale a couple of years ago for just this purpose and we have a ceiling medallion also picked up a couple of years ago...now...do I want to paint the ceiling or go with a white ceiling...again those of you who have known me for a while know that I am not a fan of pop corn ceilings or white ceilings...a ceiling is a 5th wall and deserves colour...just what colour am I going to use here I wonder.

I know what's wrong. The lay-off has thrown my mojo in a barrel and attached a lid lined with lead!! I am hooped! To make matters worse I can't get my brain to slow down for two seconds to get some sleep. So I sat up all night and applied for job after job online. Fingers crossed someone wants to hire me.

Well, I will keep you posted on the bedroom progress and I will hunt up a pic of the room before we moved in to show you...horrid I tell you...absolutely horrid. Thanks for stopping by and reading my rants everyone.

This too shall pass...right???? RIGHT??? Hey!! I'm asking you a QUESTION here??!!!

Hugz

Sunshine :~D

How many hours are there in a day??

2010-09-15T13:37:00.002-05:00

OK..so hubby was home with me yesterday and the day dragged a bit but was OK until we went to bed and my brain went to Warp Speed 5 and kept we awake until around 4:30AM this morning! OY!

Then I was pleasantly surprised to wake up at 9:00AM this morning. OK got some sleep. Now what to do today...oh yeah...no job. Hmmmm....breakfast it is! Now what to have...home made (by a lovely Amish woman) cinnamon swirl bread - toast) so breakfast is done...now what?? Alrighty then...read it is...so pulled up my newest (but not her most recent) Kay Scarpetta novel...and its a doozy..hard cover version...good workout on the arm muscles that's for sure.

Hmmm...I seem to have dozed off....must have been the toast...not the book...book is good. OK get your butt moving girlie...laundry...there's always laundry to do...put on a load take one out of the drier and put it away.

I know!! Called Tishie in PEI. Life is good.She is cooking up a storm and swatting at this years crop of fruit flies. Give her the piece of fruit in a cup with plastic wrap on top with holes punched in the plastic wrap trick...she doesn't have plastic wrap but will consider it. I HATE fruit flies. Once they start they don't stop...little bastards! Tishie has to go...what to do...Call Hubby and see how his day is going....his day is going well...he is tired...going to stop and talk to the pool people about draining the pool for winter...he had issues yesterday...needs some clarification.

So, its lunch time! What to have??? Soup it is...read a little more, change a load of laundry, check out Facebook...reply to a couple of posts...its now 1:45PM and I am wondering...could this dang day get any longer???

Hope you are all having a great day and I'm sure mine will improve...given time...I seem to have plenty of that on my hands right now...sigh... I think I am about to become a high maintenance gal!!

Sunshine ;^D

All Monday's Are NOT Created Equally

2010-09-14T08:14:00.003-05:00

So I got up for work yesterday and put on my new and stylish hounds tooth jacket with the flashy purple flower on the lapel, added some cute bling and headed to work.

It all started out like the usual Monday. Answering e-mails, organizing the day's paperwork and having a cuppa java...then things got a little different.

I was called into my bosses office and asked about client calls and then she told that while this was really hard, she had to let me go..that it wasn't me, the income had dropped and she needed to cut costs...and that meant letting me go! She would give me 2 weeks severance and provide me with a glowing reference. She was sorry and I was sorry. I have been downsized due to the recession that we all like to think of as "over" here in Canada.

So now I begin applying for employment again. This time will be a little different since I now have a Winnipeg job to use on my resume. I applied for 4 jobs yesterday and will apply for more today. I have faith my previous boss will hold up her end of the deal and provide me with a glowing recommendation, which should help pave the way if I manage to get my way in to an interview.

I discovered quite some time ago, that job hunting in Winnipeg is a whole lot different from the other places in Canada I have applied for work. Unfortunately, the pool is huge here in Winnipeg and people with my qualifications are willing to work for so much less than their worth. The problem has been, and always will be that those qualities that make me stand out are difficult to quantify on a resume or cover letter. and so I begin again...fingers and toes crossed, hoping the fates of employment smile on me and my furlow in unemployment is short lived.

Until then, I am using a gift certificate I won at a Wedding Social this summer to join Curves for one month free. Then I am going to join the gym on the Base because it's time to stop fooling around and get fit.

I apologize for not blogging more in the recent past. I was sick for 7 weeks this summer...not inspiring stuff to blog about...mind you...if any of you own stock in Puff's Plus...you can thank me for single handedly raising the stock price this summer!!!

We had an awesome summer with our boys! They are such wonderful guys. We just like their company. When they go home, which they did, their absence is felt profoundly. Our new pool was a hit and while I wasn't able to enjoy it because of being sick, I did plop my sad self down in my lounge chair beside the pool each afternoon while the boys played and asked them to have mercy on their old mom and splash me every now and again.

So, if anyone out in blog land lives in Winnipeg and knows of a business or corporation looking for a kick ass Executive Administrator...I'm your gal!!

Thanks for stopping by!

Hugz,

Sunshine :^D

STILL SICK

2010-08-07T00:47:00.003-05:00

Well, this is not the plan I had for this summer. I am still sick. I have multiple viral and bacterial infections that are just horrid. I am on a heavy duty antibiotic now and have a super cough medicine to help me sleep. Unfortunately I have not been able to sleep lying down for over a week now.

I am happy to report that the boys are having a great time this summer. All three of my men got roller blades last weekend. They have been "learning" how to stay on their feet now all week. They have all fallen once each, now. Their nicknames for each other a cute - Rob is Bullet, Malcolm is Torpedo and Patrick is Rocket Launcher.

The pool is a big hit. They are in it everyday. I haven't been so lucky because of being sick. I am hoping next week I will be feeling well enough to get in. I am so worried that I will make the pool sick. Sounds silly but its true...if you have infections you can put it in the pool and make everyone else sick.

How are your summers going? What have you been up to? Thanks for stopping by.

Hugz,

Sunshine :^D

Whine Alert

2010-07-28T06:44:00.002-05:00

OK - today is officially day 12 of this "cold"...I spent most of the night on the side of the bed coughing my lungs up....and now I am getting ready for work. I tell you I am feeling very pouty and sooky today. If there was a day I could just curl up and sleep the day away I think today is the day.

So the Dr. say's my "cold" may be working its way toward bronchitis or pneumonia...ummm....hello....that doesn't sound good!

I feel like I should be wearing a Hazmat Suit at work. there is one guy that walks by and I can actually see him hold his breath and when I see him in the hall, he looks down and practically scales the opposite wall to stay as far away from me as humanly possible!!

Well, I have whined enough, I suppose. Thanks for letting me vent. I now must take my snotty self off to work.

Hope you all have a better day than I am going to have!

Hugz,

Sunshine :^D

SUMMER COLDS STILL SUCK...BUT THERE IS A LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL

2010-07-21T21:42:00.002-05:00

SORE THROATS, POOLS, BOOKS AND STUFF

It's the middle of the week and I still have no voice. It's improving, which means I now sound like I have half a bucket of gravel and a bull frog in my throat.

The weather in Winnipeg has been spectacular! Of course that means the weather has been awesome while I have been too sick to use the pool. I have been worried that if I get water in my ears I'll end up with an ear infection on top of it all! So I watch the boys play and hope the weather holds so I can get my fun time in the pool.

On the up side of things, the boyo's and I went to our local Chapters and bought two new books to read together. They are actually murder mysteries and get this....one of them is by John Grisham!! Who knew he wrote teen books!? I'm as excited about reading the books as the boys!

Theodore Boone - Kid Lawyer

Average Customer Rating:(5 ratings, 1 review)

The #1 "New York Times"-bestselling author delivers his first book for younger readers. In the small city of Strattenburg, there are many lawyers, and though he's only 13 years old, Theo Boone thinks he's one of them. But Theo soon finds himself dragged into the middle of a sensational murder trial.

OOOohhh!! So excited to get into this one with the boyo's! The other one we got is called "The Billionaire's Curse"

Average Customer Rating:(3 ratings)

"Fast-paced, humorous and fun, The Billionaire's Curse [is] highly recommended."
-Magpies Magazine (Australia)

I think we did some great shopping at Chapters today. Now, for my darn throat to heal enough for me to read with the boyo's.

Years ago, when reading to the boyo's I developed different voices and accents for each character in the books we were reading. It's still a hit and I love reading with them! Soon enough they will think it's lame, so I'll have fun with them until they tell me they're too old for that silly stuff! ***sigh***it's gonna happen isn't it?!

Thanks for stopping by everyone.

Hugz,

Sunshine :^D

SUMMER COLDS SUCK

2010-07-17T20:34:00.002-05:00

Well, every year it seems that our son Patrick arrives for the summer with a cold or some sort of illness...this summer was no exception. However, the exception this summer is that I have managed to catch it! Dang it!

This is my long weekend and what did I wake up to this morning?? A wicked sore throat! I got up anyway and headed to the grocery store to get some supplies to make a super big breakfast for my boys! As I walked around the grocery store it occurred to me that I was really not feeling the best...prolly not the best time to figure that out right? I was after all driving myself!! OY!

Home I came, made breakie, woke up the boyo's and fed everyone...then went straight to bed and spent the day there! Read a book. Drank cold drinks, had a Popsicle (what happened to Popsicles? They are sooo not the same as the ones we had when we were kids) and slept on occasion....totally rocking day off huh??

Tomorrow, no matter how horrible I feel; we are heading to Selkirk to see the doggy Olympics. We are going to the Selkirk Fair and Rodeo to take in the attractions...that is dependent on the weather as well.

Today we had lightening & thunder today that was incredibly...in saying that I mean in the scariest, most terrifying incredible way possible!! There was one flash of lightening that sounded like it was literally ripping the heavens apart!!!

Well, I am off to take some meds and go back to bed. Thanks for stopping by!

Hugz,

Sunshine :^D

THE GREAT HOTDOG QUEST OF THE SUMMER OF 2010

2010-07-13T19:05:00.006-05:00

EVERY SUMMER SHOULD HAVE A GOAL...ours is....to find the best hotdog in Manitoba

So, the summer is passing one day at a time and we have been exploring all of the "summer" food places we have heard about over the winter from our friends. Lessee, first we went to Dingo's Wild & Crazy Dogs...totally a hot dog restaurant on the chi chi Corydon strip...

Lessee what to say about this spot? We took the boyo's and they were quite impressed by the 250 different varieties of soda pop. After much discussion and consideration Rob and Malcolm chose some sort of Sasparilla (Root Beer to you and me) and Patty chose a blue cream soda...I, forever the cautious one chose a reliable domestic brew...Diet Coke.

Then onto the hot dog choices...Rob and Patty chose the Canadian Hot Dog and fries and gravy...this means a 10" hot dog with cheddar cheese, bacon, secret sauce and crunched up barbecue chips on top. I chose the Millionaire dog and fries (no gravy) the dog came with coleslaw (starting to go off-colour)(**I will come back this later on), chili and mustard. and the smarter child...hot dog with mustard and ketchup with fries - no gravy....as we are sitting there three customers came in - a single gentleman and a pair of ladies.

As we hoe through our food with knives and forks because the dogs are impossible to eat on their own without wearing a good portion of stain making condiments; the owner prepares an order for the gentleman...then he has taken the order for the ladies and he takes out a bag of shredded cabbage to make new coleslaw and he proceeds to tell the ladies - ***apparently completely forgetting that I am sitting there*** - "I need to make new coleslaw, the stuff I have here is starting to turn." ***AHEM*** I just paid a kings ransom for my "turned" coleslaw hot dog!!!

Oh yeah, the memories!!!...the best I can say is that its an independently run operation with lots of pop choices...the dogs...totally expensive - the 4 of us ate for $61!!

Not making any recommendations here.

Next - we tried another hot dog place we have heard lots about - last night. We went to Half Moon Drive In, in Lockport Manitoba. We should have learned by now, right??

Now this place is totally cool in appearance. Its a believable 50's diner. Loved the atmosphere and the onion rings were awesome! The hot dogs...not the best. Even though they claim to have Canada's best hot dog!! We are pork hot dog fans...not beef. These were beef. ***sigh***

We ordered 3 hot dogs, two fries (medium) one onion rings (one size) a poutine and a double cheeseburger (The smart child strikes again)- also we got 2 medium fountain pop, one large fountain pop and one bottle of pop (Rob has to be different!! ).
The order came to $46 - better on the pocketbook at least than Dingo's dogs...but...we still haven't found a hot dog that we like.

Recommendations: The fries, onion rings, poutine, hamburgers and even the fountain pop were awesome...but the dogs have that casing that snaps when you bite into it and they are beef dogs...just wrong!! So very wrong! Therefore, we continue our quest for the perfect hot dog here in Winnipeg.

Wish us luck!! Thanks for stopping by!!

Hugz,

Sunshine :^D

FINALLY IN THE POOL

2010-07-07T22:33:00.003-05:00

The day has finally arrived! We got in the pool today after work. The boys had so much fun, it was wonderful to see them enjoy the pool.

Rob put the two pool loungers together. I did what every loving, supportive wife would do at a time her hubby is embarking on putting together something that has 3 million pieces! I went inside and made supper!!

Rob just reminded me...he tried to do a handstand in the pool and swallowed half the pool and snorted the other half up his nose...not pretty folks...and then he spend a considerable time at the side of the pool hacking, gacking, snorting, turning an unattractive shade of purple and making sounds that no one really wanted to hear...OMG! that man is dying! Someone should help...ooooohhhh....no...that man is hurling his guts up....***slowing backing away - maybe no one saw me and I can get away before this gets any uglier than it is already....nope...stuck here...hearing the whole ugly episode**** It was lovely...did I mention that during the construction phase of the evening...he swallowed a mosquito...more hacking, gacking and ugly noises ensued...oh it was a lovely time in the backyard oasis today!! LOL!!

Off I go to tuck the boyo's in. Thanks for stopping by!

Hugz,

Sunshine :^D

Went to the Movies...

2010-07-04T20:58:00.005-05:00

Today the four of us went to the movies...we went to "The Last Airbender"

Can someone explain to me how taking 2 boys (one still gets kid prices) and two adults to the movies came to just under $100??!! I mean holy smokes BATMAN!! This is getting crazy!

The tickets were $51.25 and then the snacks were $43.00 We didn't go crazy with snacks either...we bought 3 large pop, 1 large popcorn and 2 medium popcorn...THAT'S IT!!!! How can people who make minimum wage afford going to the movies?? How did kids afford to go to the movies??

When I was a kid (11-18) I went to the movies just about every weekend...in fact if I liked the movie I went twice! I saw the movie Grease 8 times in the Theatre...Grease 2 at least 6 times, Xanadu 4 times and others at least twice!

That wouldn't happen these days! Why have the movies been priced out of the average person's pocket book?? is this because the "stars" of the movies are making such horrifically high salaries? Is it the cost of making the pictures? What is the justification of charging us this much money to see a movie...when I can wait three months and buy it on DVD for less than $2o?! I don't get it!

OK maybe its because we are going to these supposedly wonderful "super complexes" to see our movies? I for one have no interest in playing video games, buying pizza or other things before I go into the theatre...I want popcorn and pop! I would love to get Jellytots but those don't seem to be made anymore unless they are the "tropical" flavour...what happened to old fashioned - normal flavoured Jellytots??

I digress, what movie did you all go to see last and what did it cost you? I suspect it's not so much to go to the movies for my friends stateside. Looking forward to your comments.

Thanks for stopping by!

Hugz,

Sunshine :^D

THE POOL IS ALMOST IN!!

2010-07-02T12:56:00.003-05:00

POOL!!

We are so pleased to see our new pool almost complete. We bought it in May and it is finally being installed. We had hoped it would be installed sooner but Mother Nature and the company we bought it from didn't really work together. But, today is a new day and the pool is almost complete. We have to say that the workers they use are awesome! They are incredibly hard workers and seem to be doing an amazing job.

{this is the style of pool we got - we don't have a deck yet - that will be next year and we are thinking of going all the way around with that upper deck section for easy entry into the pool. Can't wait to get in and splash around with the boys!}

Our new grill finally arrived today as well. We will be breaking that puppy in this weekend. Its a real grill so we will now be able to actually grill with even heat and try out all of those awesome recipes we have seen and never been able to do on our Canadian Tire $88 bbq! Let the fun begin...***drool***

Well off I go to COSTCO to buy the new goggles for the boys and sun screen for Malcolm - our peaches and cream skinned boyo.

Hope you are all having a great day! Thanks for stopping by!

Hugz.

Sunshine :^D

Happy Canada Day

2010-06-30T22:41:00.004-05:00

Once again it is July 1st and Canada is celebrating it's birthday with bbq's, fireworks, parades, and lots of alcohol..or soft drinks depending on how old you are...lets not forget watermelon, corn on the cob and strawberry shortcake.

We are going to Assiniboine Park to the zoo tomorrow to see the Lions and take in some of the events they are throwing at the park tomorrow.

They are supposed to be building our pool tomorrow too...we will see. For those of you who don't know...last summer we bought an above ground pool for our backyard. We enjoyed it so much we decided to get a permanent above ground pool in our backyard this summer. We bought it way back in May and it's finally getting installed this weekend. Of course we had hoped to have it installed well before now, but Mother Nature had other plans and has offered us an incredibly wet spring here in the Mid-west.

I hope all of my Canadian friends and family have a wonderful Canada Day tomorrow! and i hope all of my American friends have a wonderful 4th of July. I wish everyone sunshine, watermelon and lots of family and friends for your holiday.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CANADA!

Hugz,

Sunshine :^D

WHO TICKED OFF MOTHER NATURE??

2010-06-24T06:46:00.002-05:00

Holy Smokes! Earthquakes and tornado's, floods and mosquito's! Not the best time be in Canada! Holy cow!

I'm not sure but I think Mother Nature is starting to get pi%*#ed off at the damage being done to her world!!

Yesterday in Canada we had an earthquake, a few tornado's and there continues to be flooding in the mid-west...and not so significant-but oh so annoying - a huge explosion in the mosquito population here in Winnipeg!! don't breathe through your mouth...you will suck one in....YUCK!!

On a personal front, our boys will be arriving on Sunday and we are so excited for their arrival. We are making lots of changes to their bedrooms and we are excited to see what they think of their new spaces when they get here.

Our summer officially begins on Sunday when our boys arrive. Have to start our list of things we want to go and do this summer. The time flies so very quickly each summer. What are you all planning to do as a family this summer? Doing anything unique that would be fun to share with others? Our boys are 14 and 12...gosh time sure doesn't stand still!

Off to work I go. Thanks for stopping by and I wish you all a wonderful day!

Hugz,

Sunshine :^D

What is Your Fave Summer Treat?

2010-06-22T20:08:00.005-05:00

Its the time of year when North America lights up the grill, embraces salads and all the yummy berries ripen.

(check out this site I borrowed this cool gif from: http://www.southernstylecruisers.com)

I pose this question:

"What is your favourite Summertime treat??"

I have so many it's difficult to know where to start...but start I will! Here is my list:

BBQ ribs
Beer Can Chicken
Hot dogs
Soft Serve Ice Cream
Strawberry Shortcake
Strawberry Rhubarb ANYTHING
Coleslaw
Potato Salad
grilled mushrooms, peppers, pineapple
Corn on the cob
Deviled Eggs

So, comment here and share your fave's If you want any of my recipes, comment and I will send them along.

I hope you are all enjoying Day 2 of Summer. We had an unexpected surprise here in Winnipeg today...SUNSHINE!!!

Thanks for stopping by!

Hugz,

Sunshine :^D

OMG!! I'M Posting on my Blog!!

2010-06-20T19:27:00.003-05:00

Hello everyone. I hope there is someone out there still popping in here to check things out. I wanted to let you know that Sunshine's Stamps is taking a hiatus for the summer.

We are in our annual preparations for our boys to arrive from PEI. We have completely renovated their bedrooms this year and are in the process of completing Patty's room. They are anything but dull, our boys...Malcolm chose purple and turquoise and Patty chose lime green and orange (Well he actually chose red...but I talked him into orange...looks better) so we are in the midst of getting it all together. Patty's bed has been bought and will arrive the day before he gets here. The walls have the first coat of paint and I picked up the fabric for the curtains tonight.

It's been raining cats, dogs and penguins here in Winnipeg this Spring. We've had floods and as a result we have a bumper crop of mosquito's right now!!! OMG! The mosquito's are so heavy you have to run from your car to the house so fast, it's like you're an escaped convict!!!

The little bast#$^ds are going to be sprayed this week all across the city - or we will be carted off and dropped when we've all been sucked dry and become dusty dried out husks...not that I'm resentful of the mosquito population in Winnipeg!!! If you've never been bitten by a mosquito in Winnipeg you have never experienced the pain! Those little bast#$^ds hurt!!!

Enough of that...I must get my butt in gear...laundry to do and then bed. Work tomorrow. I have no idea where the weekends go, but they certainly fly by faster than any other day of the week!

Take care!

Hugz,

Sunshine :^D

CHRISSY LOVES AQUA!

2010-04-05T16:11:00.005-05:00

Sunshine's Stamps is hosting a new challenge over on SNR Card Universe. Its the first challenge they have ever hosted that you MUST use a Sunshine's Stamp image for. The first challenge is super easy - just use the free image they are providing to enter the challenge. Doesn't get much easier than that, does it?! LOL!! The free image is this one - Wreath - Click on the image to enlarge and right click to Save As to play along - you can use this image over and over again in the challenges that are going to be coming up. The really neat thing about the new challenge is that the winner will be determined by a vote! Not a randomly generated number!! So this is your chance to actually win based on your talent!!

This image was originally created to be used as an Autumn Wreath - but it was soon discovered that it could be used for all seasons and in all colours. Here is a beautiful example of the wreath in aqua, posted by Sunshine's Stamps Dream Team member - Chrissy on her blog "Creations of a Chat Box Chick" -

Click on the image to enlarge it so you can see the details...it is truly a gorgeous card to behold! Be sure to hop on over to Chrissy's blog to check out her other creations. don't forget to become a follower - her creations are sure to inspire and motivate you to wonderful creations!

Thanks for stopping by!

Hugz,

Sunshine :^D

JENNIFER CREATES A LOVELY TWEETS CARD

2010-04-02T19:21:00.004-05:00

Sunshine's Stamps Dream Team gal created this wonderful card using Tweets, one of their newest images for Easter/Spring.

From Jennifer's Blog post:

"This week Sunshine Stamps is sponsoring the challenge over at Cupcake Craft, which is to make something for Spring/Easter with the color chocolate on it. This happens to be one of the newest released Sunshine Stamps, called Tweets. Look...he's singing a song to you! LOL "

I think she nailed the challenge - what do you think?? Be sure to head on over to her blog and check out Jennifer's other creations and while you're there be sure to become a follower! Jennifer's work is sure to inspire and motivate you to get all inky!!

Thanks for stopping by everyone!

HAPPY EASTER

TO ONE AND ALL!!

Hugz,

Sunshine :^D

It's Almost Easter!

2010-03-23T19:01:00.002-05:00

Check out one of Sunshine's Stamps new images: Robbie Bunny

Marlene, one of our Dream Team gals - has designed this absolutely stunning Easter Card using one of Sunshine's Stamps newest images - Robbie Bunny!

Now, to hear Marlene talk...er...write...you would have her convince you that her faux stitching is lame - I think it rocks! and look at that dp!

Those flowers and pearls are just the perfect additions to this "oh so appealing" Easter Card. Hop on over to Marlene's blog - "Disguised as a Grown-Up" and become a follower - her blog is guaranteed to make you laugh and cheer you up!

Hugz to one and all!

Sunshine:^D

It's Spring!! Thank Goodness It's Spring!!

2010-03-22T21:56:00.002-05:00

We did it! We made it through Winter!! Holy Hannah we did it again! Winter is over and Spring has sprung! The snow is gone and I am so very proud to say we were able to take down our outside Christmas decorations before the Easter Bunny arrived!! Phew! The shame!!

The weather has been unseasonably warm here in Winnipeg! We have almost no snow and the air is warming up enough that no jackets are required when driving in the car! What a treat not to be all bundled up anymore! Layers seem to be the key way to dress these days to make sure you can strip off to keep cool!

I am wishing we had time last Autumn to plant bulbs, right now. I would love to see those bright spots of colour right now poking out of the ground. Oh well, there is always this Autumn.

How are all of you doing? We appreciate all of your words of condolence and support while we have been enduring our recent loss. It never fails to inspire me and remind me just how close and supportive our paper crafting community really is. Cards continue to arrive and soon we will be sending out our Thank You cards. So those of you who sent us lovely cards, watch your mail boxes for little thank you cards from us.

Sunshine's Stamps have launched some new and Uber cute images for Easter. Check out their blog Sunshine's Stamps to see the teasers posted and the Dream Team blogs for the actual images!

There is all kinds of fun planned in the near future - with a new Sunshine's Stamp Challenge over on SNR Card Universe and a new Mother's Day Blog Hop coming up on May 1st with a challenge and prizes to be won!

Well, that's all for me tonight. Time to head to bed. Thanks for stopping by today everyone!

Hugz,

Sunshine:^D

Sad News

2010-03-01T23:21:00.003-06:00

We are very sad to report that Robbie's brother succumbed to his illness this afternoon. Please send your prayers and energies out to his family in Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island during this most trying time. I just can't imagine the devastation this loss must feel like to his wife and son.

Robbie remains at home with his family, where he needs to be. I want to thank all our friends in the paper crafting world and our close friends and family for your prayers and well wishes, they mean so much.

Hugz and God Bless,

Sunshine :^C

So Sorry My Blog Has Been So Lame

2010-02-24T22:16:00.002-06:00

Hi All: if anyone is still out there paying attention to my blog. I have to apologize for not posting like I used to. I have been pretty busy with my new job and designing images for Sunshine's Stamps.

However, for the last couple of weeks we have been struggling with Robbie's brother being very sick. Finally, Rob flew out this morning to visit his brother on the East Coast. His brother is very ill and needs as many prayers for strength we can muster. Please pray that Gary has the strength to survive surgery should the doctors decide that is the best way to proceed.

Thank you all and God Bless!

Hugz to one and all

Sunshine:^D

Christina ROCKS a Huckleberry Card!!

2010-02-11T06:50:00.003-06:00

Oh my goodness!!! When Robbie designed Huckleberry we thought he may be popular, but we KNEW he would be fun to play with!!! Check out the awesome card Christina, one of Sunshine's Stamps Dream Team Members has created featuring the adorable Huckleberry!!

When you have finished oggling this terrific card, hop on over to Christina's blog - "SNIPPETS OF TIME" and become a follower! She is sure to inspire great things for your creativity!!

Thanks for stopping by!!

Sunshine:^D

Sweet B{ee} is Sooooo Cute!

2010-01-27T22:24:00.003-06:00

Jennifer, one of Sunshine's Stamps newest Dream Team members has rocked Sweet B{ee} in the most amazing card! Check it out!

Now, I have to admit I am pretty partial to Sweet B{ee} as I did design and draw him. When I drew this particular Sweet B{ee} this is exactly the type of layout I was thinking of! How cute is this card?! The entire card is so bright and cheery! Sunshine's Stamps is so very thrilled to have another designer, like Jennifer, on our Dream Team!

Click on Jennifer's name to hop to her blog and become a follower. Her work is amazing and she is sure to inspire you to great things!

Click on Sweet B{ee}'s name to hop to Sunshine's Stamps online store to pick up a Sweet B{ee} of your very own!

****Personal note*****

Thanks for stopping by. I am currently down and out with an absolutely horrible cold. I have no voice and no energy. I am sorry to say that I haven't had any mojo to create cards lately. I have my fingers crossed that I find some inspiration soon. Anyway, the long and short of this message is thanks for stopping by to see what I have posted lately.

Hugz to one and all!

Sunshine:^D

Sunshine's Stamps Say's Goodbye to Long Time Dream Team Gal...

2010-01-22T21:07:00.004-06:00

Sunshine's Stamps is saying "so long" to one of their wonderful Dream Team members...Suzanne. Suzanne is a wonderful designer who has worked exclusively in digital! Suzanne's work has always been outstanding and innovative. Her absence will be noticed.

Check out Suzanne's final card for Sunshine's Stamps!! The card features Sunshine's Stamps "Key to My Heart" image.

Click on Suzanne's name anywhere in this post to hop to her blog. Become one of her followers and be inspired by her creativity! Thanks to Suzanne for her wonderful work and inspiration over the last 6 months!

Thanks for stopping by everyone!

Hugz,

Sunshine :^D

ROCKIN' THE COOL CAR!!

2010-01-20T22:20:00.004-06:00

Sunshine's Stamps has been busy putting out some really cool and fun images for Winter and Valentines lately. One of the new images is of a '57 Buick. It's so cool, it's HOT!! LOL!! Take a look at one of Sunshine's Dream team members cards featuring the new car image:

Look at the wonderful job Jennifer did on colouring this image! The contrasts between the orange and the blue are perfect! I love the border punch -zig zag with this car image as well. I think this makes the perfect "manly" birthday card, don't you??

Click on the image to hop to Jennifer's blog post featuring this card. Or click here: "Just Jennifer's Stamping" to hop to Jennifer's blog for a thorough look around! You are sure to be delighted by what you find there!!

If you want to add the 57 Buick to your digital stamp inventory, hop to our shop to find this image and so many more to play with!

Thanks for stopping by!

Hugz to one and all!!

Sunshine;^D

ROMEO WHERE ART THOU ROMEO??

2010-01-17T20:26:00.004-06:00

I'm Right Here!!! ****GIGGLE****

This is Romeo...isn't he caaauuutttee??!!! Our Dream Team member, Colleen, created this wonderful card. I just love the colours and layout she used for this card!!

Romeo is one of Sunshine's Stamps newest Valentine Images available in their online store. Head on over and check it out and while you are there check out the Dream Team blogs for more inspiration using Sunshine's Stamps images.

Thanks for stopping by!

Hugz,

Sunshine:^P

Still no mojo gals...I'm working on it though.***sigh***

Hello from Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada

2010-01-16T18:34:00.003-06:00

Hello everyone! I don't have much to post right now. I have been sadly non-productive in my card room as of late. I finished Sunshine's Stamps new Valentine's Images and haven't had the mojo to get into my card room and start creating.

So my question to my blogging buddies is this...what do you do to get your mojo back? Is it just a case of getting in there and getting your hands inky? Do you reorganize your "stuff" to get yourselves motivated? What do you do? All suggestions greatly accepted!!

I will be checking in to see what you have to suggest. Thanks for stopping by everyone!

Hugz to one and all!

Sunshine:^D

....AND THE WINNERS ARE....

2010-01-12T22:05:00.004-06:00

NO ONE!!! ROFLMAO!! Just kidding!!

Introducing Huckleberry!! Isn't he just the cutest??!! As you can see, he is not a bear, a monkey or a beaver! However, because you took the time to comment - YOU'RE ALL WINNERS!!

Trimgym
craftieodamae
Lesley

ALL OF YOU SEND ME AN E-MAIL AT valleysunshine@hotmail.com
with your image of choice from our online store!

That's right gals! You each get to choose one image from our store FREE OF CHARGE!! Send me an e-mail with the name of the image you are looking for!!

Hop on over to Sunshine's Stamps to see our final Valentine's Day releases! They are absolutely adorable!!!

Thanks for stopping by!

Sunshine :^D

TEASER IMAGE

2010-01-11T21:53:00.003-06:00

Check it out everyone! new images are going to be uploaded to Sunshine's Stamps tomorrow evening! What do you think the image shown above is? The first 3 to guess correctly are going to win a free image from Sunshine's Stamps store!

I will check back tomorrow to see what you all guess this image is! Thanks for stopping by! Don't forget to stop back here or over on Sunshine's Stamps blog to see the new images being released tomorrow evening!

Hugz to one and all!

SUNSHINE IS BACK!

2010-01-09T20:05:00.003-06:00

Hi everyone! So sorry to have been away for so long! I am excited to tell you that Sunshine's Stamps is sponsoring Friday Sketches today!! Head on over and check out the entries and take part yourself. Here is the sketch. Give it a try!

The winner is going to get to choose 3 free images from Sunshine's Stamps store!! Head on over and check out their DT creations and click on the entries. The sketch is not an easy one, but the entries are just rockin!!

Thanks for stopping by and I promise that I won't be so slack with my blog! Be sure to hop on over to Sunshine's Stamps blog to check out the Valentine's images that have just been released!

WE ARE SPONSORING DAY 17 OF THE 24 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS

2009-12-17T01:34:00.005-06:00

Check out SHOW & TELL AND SCRAP PAGES - 24 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS CHALLENGE!

Sunshine's Stamps is sponsoring the challenge today. The challenge is to make a snow globe card or project.

Here is a link to a great SCS tutorial

Here is a link to cool snow globe images to use.

and finally here is a snow globe you can use as a template if you need a helping hand.

I hope to see you over at Show & Tell and Scrap Pages playing along with some of their awesome challenges soon!

This challenge is open until Friday evening and the winner will receive their pick of 3 images from our online store. All entrants will receive our SEASON`S GREETINGS image FREE as our thanks for playing along.

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you play along!

Sunshine:^D

SSHP09 SATURDAY SPOTLIGHT WITH HIDDEN POTENTIAL

2009-12-01T21:35:00.003-06:00

Hello everyone!!

I decided to try the Saturday Spotlight with Hidden Potential this week. The challenge this week was to use an image with a hat on...no problemo!!

Let me be the first to introduce you to BLIZZARD. He is a snowblower and being a true Canadian he is wearing his toque and scarf!! LOL!

I used Core'dinations cs and dp from My Mind Eye. The image is from Sunshine's Stamps and he is brand spankin' new!! Isn't he cute?! I used Snow Writer glitter glue on the snow in the image (if you click on the picture you can see it a bit better)

Hope you like it.

Hugz,

Sunshine: ^D

BLOG CANDY

2009-11-21T23:16:00.001-06:00

Go and check out the blog candy available here until November 23rd EST. Its pretty yummy candy so don't miss out!

http://thechroniclesoforange.blogspot.com/2009/11/blog-candy-scroll-down-for-new-humble.html

Hugz,

NEW CREATIONS FOR CYSD

2009-11-21T08:00:00.001-06:00

DESIGN TEAM POST FOR CRAFTING YOUR SPECIAL DELIVERY

Good morning all! It has been ages since I posted anything and for that I do apologize! I decided a while back that it would be interesting to take a Tax Course to get myself out of the house 3 days a week. Well, I really didn't think it would impact my schedule as much as it has! Unfortunately my design time has been cut somewhat and my ability or willingness to cut into my time with hubby has just not been there. I will get it all sorted out soon, so bear with me while I get my schedule rescheduled! LOL!!

Today is my post for my good friend Gina over at Crafting at Your Special Delivery . We have been challenged to make adorable pop up cards...of course Gina was terrific and gave us written instructions as to how these worked...but being a see it and learn it kinda gal...the instructions were too simple...and nothing can be that simple...so....I made it way more difficult than need be! LOL!! I ended up making a couple of variations on the theme until Gina kindly sent me a pic of what she meant...which of course jived PERFECTLY with her written instructions!! So I am going to show you all the whole works because...well because I made them and I think you will enjoy them.

The images are The Night Before Christmas, Chilly Penguin and Snowman and they are just sweet.

First let me show you Chilly Penguin in a two sided fold card that allows Chilly to stand up straight when laid out flat on the table.

I coloured this little guy using my Bic's and Sharpie's and a couple of Prisma Colour Markers as well. He has Snow Writer snow on the ice to give it some sparkle and lots of snowflakes. I used first,second and third generation stamping on the sentiment die cut with my snowflake stamps from Artful Inkables to create different intensities of snowflakes.

If you aren't sure what I mean...First generation stamping is simply stamping your impression after you have inked your stamp up. Second generation is inking your stamp and stamping it on scrap paper and then stamping it on your project creating a slightly faded impression, third generation is when you stamp your stamp on your project creating a significantly faded impression. This creates interest and depth of field in your background. I find it really effective with flowers and snowflakes. Give it a try...I bet you'll like it as much as I do.

This image if of the front of the card, with the sentiment, which is also from Artful Inkables. This image is the back of the card and features a giant acrylic snowflake on the base.

The Joy stamp on Chilly's belly is from Artful Inkables as well. I just love this versatile set at Christmas. I don't own very many Christmas stamps and those I do were purchased for their versatility.

The second pop up card I made features Gina's adorable snowman. For this one I created a card that folds and when you open it, the snowman inside pops out on his own little box hinge. I used the same image on the inside and outside of the card. On the outside I coloured the image with my Prismacolour markers and then covered the entire image in a sheet of clear adhesive which I then covered in microfine glitter. The effect is just sweet. The snowman's eye's and buttons are embellished with black adhesive rhinestones I picked up at the Dollar Store.

I embellished the rest of the card front with coordinating ribbon and foam snowflakes. The dp is from my Christmas stash from last year when I didn't know any better to keep the information on the maker!! So..it's a mystery!! LOL!! The cs is all Bazzill and the rhinestone in the centre of the snowflake is from the Dollar Store as well.

Inside the card I used first, second and third generation stamping and embossed the works of the snowflakes with clear embossing powder to give the inside of the card extra detail since it has been designed to be propped open to show off the snowman inside.

I have used Snow Tex on the hat and base of the snowman for a 2D effect and layered on snowflakes in silver, white and blue. The Season's Greetings sentiment and the Holiday's sentiment are both from Michael's. Once again I used Dollar Store adhesive rhinestones for the snowman's eyes and buttons.

Now for what I was SUPPOSED to make...well...kinda!! LOL!! I can never keep anything super simple...I have to alter it in some way. Gina's images came all neatly boxed in frames she created and all we had to do was use our Xacto knives to cut the upper portion of the image free and fold the bit that was left back to make the support for the card! Easy Peasy...right?! WRONG! I decided I wanted to add space for a sentiment to a couple of the images so I added card stock to their bases and embellished them. The first one though is created the way Gina's instructions indicated.

If you click on the image and it gets bigger you will clearly be able to see the snow writer glitter glue that I used on the chimney and roof top for interest and the Diamond Glaze on this nose and boots. He has been coloured with an assortment of Bic`s, Sharpies and Prismacolour Markers. Hope you like him...I envision him made in mass quantities for the kinder to take to school for sharing with their buddies.

Next up we have Chilly and the Snowman. Both were created similarly. I extended their bases to allow room for a sentiment and some embellishment...c'mon! There HAS to be room for embellishment!!!

The Holiday's sentiment is from my TAC Collection. The cs is all Bazzill and the papers were from a mini 5X7 pad of textured papers and coordinating papers from Momenta. The adhesive rhinestones are from my Dollar Store stash. I used my white gel pen on Chilly's laces and to create the snowflake on the snowman's hat.

I am imagining these adorable cards a place holders on my Christmas table! What would you do with them? They are simple to make and the images are just as quick to colour up to play with! Hop on over to Crafting at Your Special Delivery to check out Gina's images and have some great fun playing along with her challenges!

Here is a final shot of all three similar pop up cards together. It's really nice to give cards of different shapes and dimensions as it allows the recipient the opportunity to display their cards in an interesting fashion!

Thanks for stopping by today. I hope your found something interesting and motivating in today's post. I am working on a couple of cool projects that I hope to post soon...final touches need to be completed...so stay tuned!

Hugz to one and all!

PLATE #2 FINISHED

2009-11-19T23:07:00.004-06:00

Plate #2 is Blue!!

For the second in my 8 piece set of Christmas Dinnerware I have used Sunshine's Stamps new Snowman with Tree image and "In the Meadow" sentiment to decorate this plate! I am thinking my sister-in-law will be falling for this plate heavily!! It's kinda her fave colour!!

Here are the deets on how I made this one. I coloured the images with my Prismacolour Markers and then I separated the tree's from the snowmen. All the images have been stripped down to the thinnest layer to provide as little bulk at the bottom of the plate as possible. The centre image and sentiment have been torn and frayed around the edges and inked with my Versafine Lagoon Blue ink pad and sponge daubers. To soften the effect I also sponged some Martha Stewart white over everything as well.

I used Mod Podge to adhere the images to the back of the plate. Once they were adhered in the correct positions I covered the entire back of the plate with a good layer of Mod Podge and sprinkled microfine blue glitter all over the back of the plate. After I let it dry I applied another coat of Mod Podge and glitter to the back of the plate to fill in the thin area's. Once dry the back of the plate was covered with a good layer of clear water based acrylic.

I really hope you like this one as much as I do!! Thanks for stopping by! I am off to start plate #3 before I head to bed!

Hugz,

LOOK WHAT I MADE!

2009-11-19T15:21:00.003-06:00

Robbie and I went for a drive the afternoon of Remembrance Day. We ended up in Portage le Prairie. There is not a whole lot in Portage, let me tell you! There is however a huge Dollar Store!! {{Otherwise known as my Mother Ship}} we went in for a gander around. I was truly disappointed in their craft section! Either there are some serious crafters in Portage le Prairie or they just don't keep their craft section very well stocked.

I did however stumble across these glass plates. They are plain and simple and I thought "I can do something with those" so I bought some of them!

This is the first in a series of 8 plates I am making featuring our Christmas images. No two plates will be the same! I am pretty excited about the whole thing.

Here is plate number 1 featuring our Poinsettia image. What do you think?

I took a couple of pictures so you could see the shine as well as the images clearly. Not easy to do with glass!

The images are are coloured using my Prismacolour markers and then cut out. I then stripped the layers of paper until I was left with the thinnest layer of paper with the image on it. I Mod Podge'd everything and added gold damask napkins on the back of it all. The entire works has a couple of coats of clear water based acrylic over it all. The plates will never be able to go through the dish washer, but will withstand hand washing with a little soak.

Plate #2 is in the works. Its totally different from this one!! I can't wait to show it to you!! But...no taking pics of wet glue! Not so appealing when its in that stage, really! Stop by tomorrow for plate #2 of 8!!

Thanks for stopping by!

Hugz and friendship from a very sticky fingered

AMAZING BLOG CANDY ALERT

2009-11-13T07:01:00.002-06:00

Click on the image to hop to Annabelle Stamps for a chance to win!

Good luck everyone! I will be posting some cards later this afternoon!

Hugz,

Sunshine ; ^)

A LOT TO BE GRATEFUL FOR

2009-11-09T14:21:00.003-06:00

As Remembrance Day rolls near I am always taken to that place in my mind and heart where those members of our military, present and past, hold a place of honour. It is so easy to forget the sacrifices that were made so that we can live freely. Here is a little reminder that might put it in perspective for you and your children....please...share it with your children...make them understand and pay heed. LEST WE FORGET...

A lesson that should be taught in all schools . . And colleges

Back in September, on the first day of school, Martha Cothren, a social studies school teacher at Robinson High School, did something not to be forgotten. On the first day of school, with the permission of the school superintendent, the principal and the building supervisor, she removed all of the desks out of her classroom.

When the first period kids entered the room they discovered that there were no desks.

'Ms.. Cothren, where're our desks?'

She replied, 'You can't have a desk until you tell me how you earn the right to sit at a desk.'

They thought, 'Well, maybe it's our grades.'

'No,' she said.

'Maybe it's our behavior.'

She told them, 'No, it's not even your behavior.'

And so, they came and went, the first period, second period, third period. Still no desks in the classroom.

By early afternoon television news crews had started gathering in Ms.Cothren's classroom to report about this crazy teacher who had taken all the desks out of her room.

The final period of the day came and as the puzzled students found seats on the floor of the deskless classroom, Martha Cothren said, 'Throughout the day no one has been able to tell me just what he/she has done to earn the right to sit at the desks that are ordinarily found in this classroom. Now I am going to tell you.'

At this point, Martha Cothren went over to the door of her classroom and opened it.

Twenty-seven (27) War Veterans, all in uniforms, walked into that classroom, each one carrying a school desk. The Vets began placing the school desks in rows, and then they would walk over and stand alongside the wall... By the time the last soldier had set the final desk in place those kids started to understand, perhaps for the first time in their lives, just how the right to sit at those desks had been earned..

Martha said, 'You didn't earn the right to sit at these desks. These heroes did it for you. They placed the desks here for you. Now, it's up to you to sit in them. It is your responsibility to learn, to be good students, to be good citizens. They paid the price so that you could have the freedom to get an education. Don't ever forget it.'

By the way, this is a true story.

Please consider telling this to others so they won't forget that the freedoms we have in this great country were earned by War Veterans.

LEST WE FORGET - Wear a Poppy to show your respect on Remembrance (Vetrans) Day

God Bless,

Sunshine:)

I'M ON A NEW DESIGN TEAM

2009-11-07T08:00:00.001-06:00

CRAFTING YOUR SPECIAL DELIVERY

This is my first chance to play with Gina's images and boy I have had some fun with Studious Duck. I dug into my new block of 12X12 Martha Stewart little boy papers. Isn't it just so sweet?! The light blue card stock is from Gemstones and has a great sheen. I had some great fun decking out the this card! I used buttons and bows and even a flower! Its a little boy card through and through! I sewed my layers and used paper piecing to pop the Studious Duck out of the frame.

The details that are hard to see in the photograph are that the little duckies below the frame have Diamond glaze on them and I used my Sakura Jelly Roll Pen on the book and Studious Duck's beak.

The inside of the card is finished with the same ribbon and dp as the front of the card. I used a sentiment from All Night Media. I used my Martha Stewart heart punch to jazz it up a bit and finished the line between the two papers.

Well, I hope you enjoyed my first card as a CYSD DT member! Thanks for stopping by!! Hugz, Sunshine ; ^)

CHRISTMAS LIGHTS 2009

2009-11-05T21:53:00.004-06:00

HAPPY HALLOWEEN...ER...MERRY CHRISTMAS?

It's that time of year again! Time to get ready for Christmas. We live in Winnipeg also known as Winterpeg! Last year was our first year in Winterpeg and we "thought" we were prepared for our first winter...NOT!

On Halloween last year we actually wore shorts and tee shirts. Its was so nice and warm. Our neighbours were outside putting up their Christmas lights. We had a good laugh at this early planning on the behalf of our neighbours. How wrong we were. Later that week the temperatures plummeted well below normal temps and we had our first snow storm that weekend! No Christmas lights were put up by us last year. We kept thinking about the new neighbours...did they think we were apposed to Christmas? Were we just Grinches?

We were not going to let that happen this year! So on Halloween Day we put our Christmas lights up in the big blue spruce in our front yard! Now this tree is a little high and we had never put lights in a tree that big before. I suggested that Robbie should just go into the center of the tree and just climb up the branches...nope...he got the ladder out. The tree is very full and it held the ladder in place. Our neighbours, Charlie and Doreen, came over and offered a hand. Heck Charlie is 17 feet tall - he could almost put the lights up standing on the ground!! LOL!! OK - maybe I exaggerate a smidgen about Charlie's height....he is really tall though!! We had to get another roll of lights to complete the tree. We also added some bird seed bells for our feathered friends this winter. It looks great and with the exception of the tree fighting back a bit...Robbie survived with just some needle pokes from the tree. Phew!

Thanks for stopping by! Hope this made you chuckle a bit and brightened your day! I will be posting a few new items tonight and tomorrow. Check back later to see what I have been up to!

Sunshine ; ^)

THREE'S A CHARM BLOG HOP

2009-11-01T14:40:00.003-06:00

SAVE THE DATE- NOVEMBER 7TH for the THREE'S A CHARM BLOG HOP sponsored by:

Sunshine's Stamps

The Stamping Boutique 

Ildico

Our three digital stamp businesses have come together to promote digital stamp images and to promote the versatility, functionality and fun of digital stamp images! We will be releasing our Christmas images during the blog hop, so save the date, November 7th for some fun and a chance to win some prizes!! Tracey, from The Stamping Boutique has generously provided a set of 12 COPIC MARKERS as a prize to one of our lucky winners!! We hope to see you there!

Thanks for stopping by!

Sunshine; ^)

CANCER AWARENESS BLOG HOP(E)

2009-10-30T00:31:00.004-05:00

A BLOG HOP(E) FOR THE CAUSE

Welcome to our Cancer Awareness Blog Hop(e) to raise awareness.

This group of gals/guys.... most of us don't even know one another.... have banned together because of a blog request created by Michelle over on her blog Inside My Own Private Idaho to create a Blog Hop(e) to raise awareness amongst our paper craft friends and family. Thanks Michelle!!

Hop on through and view the cards and projects created by these wonderful ladies/gents. Get inspired and remember....mark your calendars....no matter your age it is sooo important to do your monthly Breast Self Exam. Here is a terrific link to register to receive your monthly, BSE Reminder ,in your e-mail. I have been doing it for a couple of years and find it very helpful. On a side note...most of us think of Breast Health as being a singularly female issue, however, my bestest buddy growing up had his issues with Breast Health and had a lump or two removed from his breast..ahem...chest...sorry buddy...several years ago...so...for those guys out there reading this...you might want to look into this for yourselves as well!!

Let me tell you a little about my card today. I used Sunshine's Stamps Boobie Bunny and sentiment October is: for the card since they were created to raise awareness regarding Breast Health Month. I have paper pieced Boobie Bunny and coloured her with my Bic's and Sharpies. I have used my Sakura Jelly Roll Clear Pen on her lips and the Breast Health Ribbons on her dress and ears. I also added teenie, tiny adhesive rhinestones to her earrings.

The designer paper is from a pad I picked up recently at Michael's. It is from Amanda Blu and its her Beatrix Manor paper pad...I really like this paper because its so nice and bright and is two sided. There is also a little bit of bling on the paper itself to add just the right amount of sparkle. The two papers used on the card are simply the coordinating sides of the same piece.

I used my Memento Dew Drop Angel Pink ink with a sponge dauber on Boobie Bunny and on the die cut inside the card. I outlined the October is: sentiment with one of my Sharpies. The ribbon is from Michael's and the brad in the center is from the Dollar Store. The flowers are a present from one of my wonderful stamping buddies in PA - they are Bazzill Wings - Bitty Blossoms. Finally, I used my hearts border punch from Martha Stewart on the inside paper to give it a little oomph and the inside sentiment is Sunshine's Stamps Feed Your Faith sentiment, again created as inspiration for our Boobie Bunny cards. Hope you like this card and it makes you smile a little when you see her. I am going to pop her in the mail along with the link for the BSE Reminder to one of my girlfriends.

Here is the list of wonderful gals/guys who are taking part in today's Cancer Awareness Blog Hop(e)! Hop on through and please leave comments to let us know you were here! It's so nice to hear what you all have to say!

Michelle in Boise - -

Tiffany Johnson - -

Kelly Marie - -

Heather Lee-Reppen - -

Ashley Nguyen Newell - -

Sunshine - - THIS IS ME!!

Charlene - - GO HERE NEXT!!

Keri Lee Sereika - -

Sarah Martina - -

Stephanie Muzzulin - -

Thanks for stopping by my blog! I hope to see you again really soon!!

Sunshine ; ^)

NEW BUNNY'S ARE HERE!!

2009-10-22T00:50:00.004-05:00

IT'S THE ATTACK OF THE BUNNIES..WELL NOT REALLY...THEY'RE TOO CUTE TO ATTACK!! THEY MIGHT TICKLE YOUR FUNNY BONE THOUGH!

It's one of those days again! New Release Day! We are introducing 3 new Bunnies this week and boy are they cute!! We have:

Red Hot Bunny

Gardener Bunny

Nerd Bunny

Click on the images to hop to our shop...hop on over to Sunshine's Stamps to get more information on our new images. Sunshine's Dream Team will be creating new cards and projects starting this weekend featuring these new images as well as some of the images that we released last week during our Grand Opening Event.

Thanks for stopping by!

Sunshine :0)

WOO! HOO!

2009-10-17T08:00:00.000-05:00

SUNSHINE'S STAMPS IS HAVING THEIR

GRAND OPENING EVENT TODAY!!

We are very happy to point you toward our sister blog Sunshine's Stamps to take part in their Grand Opening Event activities! Here is a sneak peak of what you are going to see!

Thanks for stopping by! Now hop on over to Sunshine's Stamps blog and have a little fun! The event is open between October 17th (today) - October 20th!

Hugz to one and all!!

Sunshine:)

LOOK WHAT I MADE!

2009-10-14T01:11:00.003-05:00

THE CRAFT FREE DROUGHT IS OVER!!

It finally happened! I found my mojo! It wasn't under the couch. It wasn't under the bed. It wasn't in the mailbox (though many lovely things come to my mailbox! LOL) It was at STAPLES!! Robbie and I went to Staples to buy some ink for our printer...we were out and I couldn't print a thing! DISASTER!! How can I print my wonderful creations without ink???

We picked up the ink cartridges at the store and started looking around and what did I find?? I found a Kodak Printer, scanner, fax, photo printer all in one! The ink cartridges for the other printer came to $70 before taxes...the cartridges for this printer combined (Black and colour)....are you ready for it??!! $25!!! I fool you not! $25 for both cartridges! SOLD!!! The printer was on sale $100 off! and what we will save in ink over the next 6 months will pay for the $200 it did cost us!

The added benefit of buying the printer??? I found my MOJO!!! I made a card that I can't show you yet...sorry...really, I would love to show you but I can't!! I will show you on the weekend!!***SNICKER*** I'm such a tease!! ROFL!!

But I did make this!! It features our newest image that we are going to be giving away FREE this weekend!! Why are we giving it away free you ask??!! We are finally having our Online Store's Grand Opening Event! Our in-store special for this weekend - from October 17th 8AM - October 20th 9PM (Central Time) : Buy any two images and receive our Autumn Wreath image for FREE!! The image will be put in our store for sale on October 21st, so be sure to get it while it's free!!

We are also having a Mini Blog Hop with our Sunshine's Dream Team! Mystery Blog Candy where you have to leave a comment on each of the participating blogs because no one but ME knows which blog I will be choosing to pick the winner from!!

We are having a challenge too! Tami will be hosting a challenge on her blog - The Journey of Life

Be sure to hop to Tami's blog and take part in the fun challenge she has planned! It's going to be fun AND the winner if going to get to choose 3 free images from our store!! How fun is that??!!

Here is a picture of the mini clipboard I made tonight and broke my 6 week creative drought!!! There is more information on the project over on Sunshine's Stamps blog and more pics too!

Thanks for stopping by everyone! I hope you save the date October 17th 8AM Central Time - October 20th 9PM Central Time to take part in our fun and games!! Enter our challenge, comment on the blogs and become a follower if you aren't already! We look forward to seeing you all there!!

Thanks for stopping by~!

Hugz to one and all!

Sunshine:)

HAPPY THANKSGIVING FROM WINNIPEG

2009-10-12T15:02:00.004-05:00

THE HUMOUR IS LONG GONE!!

The bird is in the oven, the stuffing is getting all crispy on top! The veggies are ready to cook and the pumpkin pie is done! and....the snow is falling hard again!! We lost a lot of the snow yesterday and overnight...apparently that is not to be...more snow is falling to fill it all back in!

The leaves are still holding on, on our tree. There are a couple of birch tree's on the street that were totally green three days ago and are now gold and the leaves are falling fast!! I told hubby it must be kind of like a person who see's something horrific and wakes up with white hair the next morning!!! The confusion!!

As you can see the flakes are nice and big! However, as I write this the flakes are getting finer...as sure sign it is going to stick around a bit! ***Sigh*** I cannot begin to tell you how I am so not ready for WINTER to begin NOW!! I had a hard enough time last winter with the snow arriving the first week of  NOVEMBER but...the first week of OCTOBER...I think there will be sunbeds in my future to keep the winter gloomies away.

To all of my Canadian friends and family, HAPPY THANKSGIVING!! I hope you don't have the snow we have and can enjoy being outside on this wonderful long weekend!!

Thanks for stopping by everyone! The next post will have all the exciting information on Sunshine's Stamps Grand Opening Event and the deets!!!

Sunshine:)

THE JOKES OVER MOTHER NATURE!!

2009-10-10T08:18:00.002-05:00

GOOD MORNING WINNIPEG

This is the display that Mother Nature put on here in Winnipeg yesterday afternoon and continued on until midnight! YUP! Midnight! I can't wait to turn on the news and find out how many fender benders happened in Winnipeg yesterday!! Ready for snow on October 9th...I DON'T THINK SO!!!

Again..let me remind you...this tree sheds it's leaves in the Autumn...apparently it's confused...what is it supposed to do with it's leaves if Autumn is cut short due to Winter tripping in on the light fantastic in early October?? Oh the fun!! How exactly does one rake leaves in the snow???

YES! That is snow weighing down the side of the tree! OMG! Can you just hear the birds that live in that tree...and there is a whole famdamily living in there!! Someone was getting grief for leaving the door open last night! I bet papa bird is a smidgen cranky this morning after being hen pecked last night to get all that snow off the front door step!! We are going to have to put the bird feeder out there right away...how exactly do you find itty bitty food when its covered in heavy sticky snow?!! Mother Nature Sucks!!!

This is what is left of my front garden. There are petunia's and begonia's buried under there!! No, really! There are!! Not to mention the long lush grass! OY!! Wonder if we will be able to get out there to get that final Fall mowing done??!! They say...its supposed to warm up next week??!! Do I believe them?? Not sure...juries out...we got snow the first week of November last year and the dang stuff stayed until MAY!!! 

My theory has changed and I think that Mother Nature and Jack Frost are in cahoots!! I think they are having a clandestine affair and this is the result!! Like they could get together and we wouldn't end up getting the side effects of it!! Jeez!! I think there should be a meeting of the the Headless Horseman, the Thanksgiving Turkey, Santa, the Elves, Cupid, the Easter Bunny, the MOLENATOR, and any other SUPER POWER we regularly call upon to make our holidays great and hold a coup! Mother Nature needs to be taken down a peg or two...maybe she should be reduced to traffic reports for clouds for a while to get her perspective back! And Jack...oh Jaaaaa aack!! I think he should be sent to Tahiti and made to sit in a beach chair with no sunblock for a few days!!! Oh that will thaw him out a smick!!

Who's with me??!! Lets go get 'em!!! Mess with us will you!! We will not be ignored!!! OK, so...who knows the MOLENATOR"S phone number???

Thanks for listening!!

Sunshine with chance of thawing ;)

IT'S SNOWING!! IT'S OCTOBER 9TH??!!

2009-10-09T15:14:00.003-05:00

WHAT IS MOTHER NATURE THINKING???

See this tree? It should have no leaves when the snow falls...see the ground...barely any leaves!! Hardly supposed to snow today now is it??!!

See this tree? This is the tree that Robbie is going to climb like a monkey to get the Christmas lights up in BEFORE the snow comes!! Hardly time for it to snow today, now is it??!!

See this grass??? It hasn't had it winter mowing yet! Its still long and lush! It needs to be cut short for the winter...hardly seems like it should have snowed today!!

OK Mother Nature..we need to have a chat! I know we live in Winnipeg, often referred to as WINTERPEG...but this is a LITTLE extreme don't you think??!! If you're bored, there are places in the world that could use a nice gentle shower, or a sunny day to do their shopping or how about a sunny day or two so the farmers can finish their harvest...LAY OFF the SNOW lady!! "Nuf is "Enuf!!" Winter begins on the calendar in December...we expect you here in WINTERPEG in November...that's early enough!! Go pick on someone your own size!! Isn't Jack Frost on the naughty list right now!! Go bug him!! Shoot some sunshine up his behind!! NO MORE SNOW in WINTERPEG this MONTH!!

Jeez!!! Thanks for stopping by for my rant!!

Sunshine:) with a chance of FLURRIES!!!!

NEW COMPETITION BLOG

2009-10-07T18:41:00.003-05:00

Hi All:

Check out this new competition blog hosted by my AWESOME web master Gina!! Gina has her own line of digi stamp images and she is running a wonderful competition to name her latest image! Hop on over to her blog and enter the competition!

Click on the picture to hop to the competition page. Good luck to all entrants and may the best name win!!

Thanks for stopping by.

Sunshine:)

2009-10-02T19:05:00.000-05:00

Introducing our absolutely wonderfully, precocious, whimsical signature Sunshine's Stamps image.....©SUNNY BUNNY!!! ©Sunny Bunny has MANY faces and can be altered to suit EVERY holiday or occasion. Here are the many faces of ©sunny Bunny....so far!!

***CLICK ON THE IMAGE TO HOP TO OUR SHOP****

FRANKEN' BUNNY

©WITCHY BUNNY

©BITIN' BUNNY

©JACK O' BUNNY

AND.........THE ORIGINAL....NEVER DUPLICATED....NEVER SEEN BEFORE....

AND TO SUPPORT OCTOBER'S BREAST HEALTH MONTH....INTRODUCING....

Head on over to our shop and check our new "SENTIMENTS" section for awesome new sentiments to go with ©SUNNY BUNNY and our other images!!! All sentiments are only $1.00 each! Well, I hope that you are as excited about our new images as I am!! Just wait and see the wonderful new ©Sunny Bunny's we have coming up....AND...WAIT THERE'S MORE.....have an idea for ©Sunny Bunny? Just e-mail us at valleysunshine@hotmail.com with your suggestions...we will see what we can do for you!! How cool is that!??!!! Thanks for stopping by everyone! Off to the stamp room I go!!

Sunshine:)

NEW MAGNOLIA STORE DOWN UNDER

2009-10-01T10:40:00.004-05:00

MAGNOLIA DOWN UNDER IS OPEN FOR BUSINESS

HOW TO WIN?
Click on the pic to hop to her blog!

The Candy Recipe is…

Magnolia Stamp - Kitchen
Magnolia Stamp - Christmas Tree
Magnolia Stamp - Tilda with Strawberry Bucket
Magnolia Stamp - Santa is Coming to Town
Kaisercraft Rhinestones x 3
Kaisercraft Pearls x 4
Kaisercraft Rhinestone word - Friends.
Remember when Chipboard Owl
Remember When Chipboard Bird
Remember When Chipboard Birds on Branch
Remember When Chipboard Label
Bulk lot packet of Ribbon, burgundy, purple, pink, green with white dots and yellow.
Maya Road Red and Orange Suede Stitched Blossoms
Stampin’ Up! packet of Felt Flowers
6 Pink Gem Brads
10 pink Paper Roses
Craft Affair Papercraft Brads
Prima Rose - Center Kisses.
1 meter of lace
1 meter of Stampin’ Up! Striped Ribbon
1 meter of white lace like ribbon.
1 meter of in colour Stampin’ Up! Kiwi Kiss
1 meter of in colour Stampin’ Up! Baja Breeze
1 meter of in colour Stampin’ Up! Pink Pirouette
1 meter of in colour Stampin’ Up! Pacific Point
1 meter of in colour Stampin’ Up! Riding Hood Red
1 meter of in colour Stampin’ Up! Tangerine Tango
1 meter of Stampin’ Up! Barely Banana
1 meter of Stampin’ Up! Certainly Celery
Stampin’ Up! Build A Brad
Prima - Gallery Roses
Prima - Pack of 4 Roses
Prima - Pack of 4 Roses
Prima - Trellis Roses Lemon Creme
Stampin’ Up! Trio Flower Punch
2crafty Chipboard Boarder
X-Press It Tape
Pearl Head Pins
Packet 10 Autumn Leaves.

HOW TO APPLY….

Your all asking? This candy applies to WORLDWIDE…..

You MUST put the candy on your blog, with a link back to mine either a blog post or in your candy sidebar.
You MUST add the store logo to your blog.
Leave your link in Mr Linky with the post or blog that you have added the candy to.

HOW easy is that? I will delete any links that do not follow the above requirements or that I deem to

THEY'RE COMING!! THEY'RE COMING!!

2009-09-28T01:47:00.002-05:00

Oh boy do we have a surprise for you!! Robbie has been a busy boy designing and creating and between us we have come up with our "signature" Sunshine's Stamps image!! It's totally versatile and can be used for ALL Seasons and ALL holidays!!

Ooohhh! I bet I have your attention now!

Watch the Sunshine Gal's blogs for surprise cards and projects!!! They will be showing up on 3 of our Sunshine Gal blogs this week!...you will recognize the image as our new image immediately! We have no other image like it!! LOL!!

Thanks for stopping by! Come on back to be among the first to see our new image.

*****PERSONAL NOTE*******

I removed Feedbitz from my blogs. I apologize to those of you who registered. To be honest with you, it was a cost saving measure, to remove the Feedbitz from my account. I have since found another site with e-mail notification that is free for blogs/sites with less than 200 followers. Sign up now and be amongst the first to know our latest news!

***************************

Sunshine:)

SUNSHINE'S STAMPS NEW SHOP OPEN FOR BUSINESS

2009-09-26T17:27:00.004-05:00

Well, it took some work and it took some great help from my new friend Gina at "Your Special Delivery" but it's all worth it in the end! Our new store is open and we couldn't be more thrilled!

Click on the Angus Argus card on the right and hop to our new shop! This is our new home and we are pleased as punch! We hope you enjoy shopping there as much as we enjoyed getting it all up and running for you! Gina, my terrific buddy in the UK has helped me sooooo much getting the store up and running. If you are a digital designer and looking for a place to call home with little overhead expense and professional assistance then, Gina is your gal!! Even with the time difference - there is something like 7 hours in the difference between her time and mine - we still managed to work together to get it all sorted out. You couldn't ask for better customer service!
****Click on the picture to hop to Gina' blog to find out all about "Your Special Delivery"****

**********EXCITING NEWS****************

October 17th - 8AM Central Time ..............

Sunshine's Stamps GRAND OPENING

Save the date gals! The Sunshine Gals are planning a mini blog hop, a challenge, MYSTERY BLOG CANDY and there will be freebies and prizes!! Sound's like fun?! Save that date for a good time with the Sunshine Gals and check out our new Autumn and Halloween Images being released during the blog hop!!

Thanks for stopping by!

Sunshine:)

NEW IMAGE WEDNESDAY

2009-09-23T23:37:00.004-05:00

OKAY- I AM ACCEPTING MY LIMITATIONS AND...

RELEASES ARE NOW ON WEDNESDAYS!

Without further delay here are this weeks images...they will not be available for sale for a day or two...we are changing things up a bit and we are moving our store!!! Just in time for our upcoming GRAND OPENING!! You can go and take a look if you like....there are no prices up yet and no PayPal buttons but you can see our new home!! SUNSHINE'S STAMPS

RACY RANDYNE

©Racy Randyne is our first motorcycle but she won't be our last! Robbie had a great time with this one! ©Racy Randyne is actually named after a Reservist who works with Robbie and is also a Flight Attendant for WestJet one of our airlines here in Canada. She did Robbie a favour the last time he traveled and he promised her we would do an image in her honour! Well, let it not be said that we are not true to our word! ©Racy Randyne is going to be a hoot to play with!! Just you wait for the awesome creations our Sunshine Gals come up with using this wonderful image!!!

©SCRUNCHINS

©Scrunchins in the last of our ©Ocean Dwellers Series to be released this year! He is a cod and if you are from the East Coast of Canada or Newfoundland you would know that to have pan fried cod you have to have it with scrunchins!! I won't tell you what scrunchins are because you will all want them and the entire worlds cholesterol will go through the hemisphere!! LOL!! Let me just tell you they are absolutely yummy!!! We can't wait to see what the Sunshine Gals create using this adorable and oh so sarcastic looking image!! LOL!! Just like so many of our ©Ocean Dwellers there is sure to be a card or two made that will make us laugh out loud! Don't you just love laughing out loud?!!

©VANITY

©Vanity is our newest ©Totally Feminine image! It's so completely feminine that we cannot wait to see what everyone's take is on this one! This one will definitely be a challenge to colour and I wanted to create that when I drew the brushes in a glass container. I hope you like this one and can see what a terrific image it will be to use on those feminine cards.

Well that's it for now gals. Sorry things have been slow recently. I have been so busy trying to get things done I have actually been tripping over myself in the process by times!! Thanks for stopping by and don't forget to check your favourite blogs, galleries and challenges for cards and paper projects made with Sunshine's Stamps images!!

Sunshine:)

CHECK OUT SUNSHINE'S STAMPS BLOG!!

2009-09-20T01:52:00.004-05:00

Hi All!

Go check out the new posting over at Sunshine's Stamps! We are swelling our chests, throwing back our shoulders and beaming with pride for one of our Sunshine Gals!!

Click here to hop to the other blog to check out the good news!

Thanks for stopping by!

Sunshine:)

LEAVES WHISPER SO LONG...ESSBONUS

2009-09-18T16:58:00.004-05:00

LEAVES WHISPER SO LONG...ESSBONUS

Today, even though the weather remains stunningly gorgeous here in Winnipeg, I had that feeling that Fall was in the air. Because of that I decided I would make a card without a stamped image that portrayed fall in all it`s splendor! I used the bonus sketch from EAT....SLEEP...STAMP for the basic layout. I think I pulled it off AND I thunk and I thunk to create the PERFECT fall sentiment and this is what I pulled out of my tired ol' noggin...I LOVE IT...what do you think?? Feel free to "borrow" it from me and use at will!!

So, here is what I did...I dug through my scraps to come up with papers that screamed Fall/Autumn to me...these did...sadly I have not one sweet clue who made any of these papers...scraps are so hard to keep track of!!! I used my new Fall Cuttlebug folder on the top layer and used my TONIC corner punch on all of the layers. I dug through my silk flowers and came up with these leaves that I bought with big plans and never used!! Well, they were perfect for this card! I made the tag with Deep Cream Micheal's layering weight card stock and used my cropodile to add the grommet. I abused the tag after I made it something terrible!! I scrunched it up in a ball, straightened it out and scrunched it up again..I then used my Memento Dew Drop in Desert Sand to rub over the surface of the tag lightly to pick up the wrinkles. I tied some fibres to the grommet and finished it off.

So what do you think? Did I succeed in making a card that screams Autumn/Fall without using a stamped image?? Hope you like it! The sentiment say's:

"Autumn leaves whisper "So Long" as they flutter by."

I simply typed it in my Word Processing software on the dark cream card stock. That's it for me right now gals~! I have to go and make supper. Thanks for stopping by!

Sunshine:)

STRAGGLERS MAY BECOME BAIT!!!

2009-09-17T23:16:00.003-05:00

WHAT?? YOU ALL KNEW FISH WENT TO SCHOOL!!!

Hello All:

Here are a large number of our ©Ocean Dwellers Series going to school. Our newest image ©Stuey is headmaster! ***SNORT***I just crack me up sometimes!! LOL!! Come on! Admit it...©Stuey kinda looks like your 7th grade teacher if he had been a fish....right!!! LOL!!

Here are a couple of angle shots to give different perspectives of the images. The chalkboard and sentiment are computer generated.

Hope you are all having a terrific day! I had one of those days that amounted to a hill of nothing....ever have one of those? Had a fight with my brother...you would think that at the ripe old age of 45 I would have realized this was a futile effort. ...yet there I was front and centre at the carnage....so today I had a headache because of the foolishness and I think I ate everything in my house that wasn't nailed down!!!! Arggghhhh!! Why do we do that??!!!

OK! Enough venting. Thanks for listening...reading...listening...hmmmmm...I should go to bed! Thanks for stopping by. Hope you like ©Stuey and the gang of ©Ocean Dwellers!

Sunshine:)

BIRTHDAY NUTS-INKSTAC2

2009-09-16T23:29:00.004-05:00

My dear friend Inky, who is my TAC Connection, has started a terrific challenge for those of us who have a stash of TAC (THE ANGEL COMPANY) stamps. This is her second challenge week - I missed the first one, DANG IT!! So here is my entry for the second challenge...there is still tons of time for you to enter the challenge. Hop on over to Inky's Delight and play along.

OK - How absolutely adorable is this little guy! This is one of my latest stamp sets from TAC - It's called So Squirrely and is just the cutest set. I just love this little guys attitude...truth be known...he kinda reminds me of my DH! LOL!! I had some fun with the background too using my flying leaves stamps also from TAC...not sure the sets they belong to as I got them in a TAC Stamp Bag...they offer them once in a while and let me tell you its a terrific way to build your TAC Collection and get an awesome selection of TAC Stamps!! I used my Memento Dew Drops to swirl up the background in Autumn colours. I think the flying leaves add just the right touch to the background, what do you think?

Here are a couple of angle shots to focus on the layers and details on the card. I am very pleased with the details. I paper pieced the acorns in the corners and popped them up on foam and the buttons in the corner are following the sketch Inky has challenged us with this week. I added a little bling to the buttons though to pick up the green in the dp.

The inside of the card is finished with the two pieces of dp I had left from the front of the card! Yup...you read that right...I used 6X6 sheets and the remaining dp just finished the inside perfectly! The sentiment inside is a foam stamp that I used my Memento Dew Drops to ink the stamp randomly to give the Autumn feel to the sentiment. Not original, I know but quite effective.

I used another stamp from the So Squirrley stamp set on the inside too. I left this one uncoloured because I like the effect. Well, that's it for now all. I hope you like this one...I have another card featuring the ©Ocean Dwellers ready to post tomorrow and then onto other challenges and cards.

Thanks for stopping by!

Sunshine:)

SUNSHINE'S FIRST DIGITAL STAMP IMAGE RELEASES

2009-09-15T23:52:00.003-05:00

Yup! You read that right! I finally managed to squeeze some time in to sketch! To see all three of our newest images hop on over to Sunshine's Stamps to see the third image being released tonight...right now I am going to strain my rubber shoulder as I pat myself on the back!! LOL!!!

Several of our wonderful Sunshine Gals love FOOTBALL - and this week was a huge week for Winnipeg's football team. So...with all that football mojo flying around I decided to try my hand at a couple of football themed images...tell me what you think...really...I would love to hear your opinion...good, bad or ugly...it will help me to know if I am going down the right path here.

©REF RODNEY

©FUMBLE

These guys are the first in our new ©Sports Stuff Series! I am pretty tickled with them...how about you?! Be sure to check out your favourite blogs, galleries and challenges this week for cards and paper projects created by our amazing Sunshine Gals. Thanks for stopping by!

Sunshine:)

FLUSHIE - LESSON #1-STVCC29

2009-09-14T06:00:00.002-05:00

LESSONS LEARNED

Here is my ©Flushie card for today...Today ©Flushie is going to that man in your life...you know the one...the one who is perfect in just about every way...but one...he leaves the seat up!!! AGRHHH!!!! ©Flushie is "gently" passing on the message...PUT THE DARN SEAT DOWN!!! LOL!! I used this weeks Stamp TV Colour Challenge and the sketch is from Crazy 4 Challenges C4C1...I am too late to submit it for their challenge but it was a great sketch to work with. If you haven't checked them out yet pop on over and do so! Their new sketch challenge is up.

The inside sentiment completes the reason for the card. I used the same dp and used the corner punch with the chocolate brown cs underneath to show through. The sentiment was computer generated using my word processing utility and WordArt. Hope this card made you smile! I will post another ©Flushie card on Wednesday...have you thought of any sentiments that would be appropriate for ©Flushie?

Here is today's card recipe:

©Flushie Digital Stamp - Sunshine's Stamps
TAC Chocolate Brown Card Stock
Michaels Yellow and Cream layering weight card stock
Fiscars - round circle punch
Tonic Corner Punch
K & Co Basics Designer Paper
Michael's Screw Brads
Diamond Glaze

Thanks for stopping by!

2009-09-13T23:11:00.006-05:00

Well the weekend is winding down...we had a busy one. I am planning to make pickles this week so we were out trying to get the best deals on cucumbers, cauliflower, peppers and onions.

This is the first time I have made pickles in the city of Winnipeg. There are a lot of farmers markets but let me tell you there are really no deals to be had on produce! I don't begrudge the farmers, I really don't but honestly...I know how much it costs in time and seed to grow a kazillion cucumbers and tomatoes...it sure as heck does not work out to $2 a pound or MORE!!!

I guess I will be planting my own next summer. This is ridiculous. By the time I calculate out my supplies my home made pickles will cost as much or MORE than the ones I could buy in the store! Jeesh! Mine will taste way better though!

If anyone has tried and true recipes for Mustard Pickles, Crunchy Dill Pickles, Hot Dog Relish, Zucchini Relish and Green Tomato Chow - please send them to me at: valleysunshine@hotmail.com

Here is one of the cards I squeaked out this weekend. This is ©Cledus...isn't he just the cutest? I coloured him with my Prisma Colour Markers and did the background with my Sky Blue Memento Ink Drop. As you can see ©Cledus has been around the block a time or two...he is sporting a few rust spots and as you can see there is a parking violation ticket sticking out from behind him...he has lots of those to pass out!! His sentiment is computer generated and is from a memory of a bumper sticker I saw on a Range Rover years ago!

Here's the recipe for this one:

©Cledus - Sunshine's Stamps Digital Stamp
Making Memories Scrapbook Pad "Sydney"
Coredinations Green CS
Dollar Store Ribbon
Michael's Screw Brads

Thanks for stopping by!

YOU COULD HAVE MY JOB! PLUS SENTIMENT CONTEST

2009-09-12T11:05:00.004-05:00

Hello again! This is my third post today! Busy lady!! LOL!! I have been asked over and over what kind of sentiments to use with ©Flushie! I am going to do a series of cards featuring ©Flushie and possible sentiments...todays is:

The inside sentiments could be anything that could be worse...but I have used:

...you could have my job!

I will be posting another card on Monday with another ©Flushie card with another sentiment suggestion...what would you use as a sentiment for ©Flushie?

Leave a comment and let me know! We will be giving away 3 free ©Flushie images on September 30th!

Thanks for stopping by!

Sunshine:)

MMSC18 - STUEY

2009-09-12T10:50:00.004-05:00

MMSC18

Here is the card I made for this weeks Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge #18...this was a tough one! Oh boy did I battle with this sketch!! I think I finally won but oh it was a tug of war the whole way! Thanks to Priscilla and her crew for always giving us a true challenge with their sketches! There is still time to play so hop on over and check it out. Just click on the sketch image to hop to Priscilla's Blog!

Here is my card! I used our newest little guy from our ©Ocean Dwellers Series - ©Stuey!! I used some fibres as my lacing and some abalone shell buttons that I picked up ages and ever so long ago at the Dollar Store. I also used by Jelly Roll glitter pen on ©Stuey. Hope you like...it was a struggle to get to this point! LOL!!

Thanks for stopping by!

Sunshine:)

SUPPORTING THE TROOPS

2009-09-12T10:41:00.004-05:00

I made this card yesterday for the anniversary of 9/11...always an emotional day of thinking back and looking forward. I try to always look to future and hope I see a brighter future ahead. Sadly for many Canadian and American families the future is all to murky. To all soldiers serving and at home...THANK YOU...for your service to country, your fortitude and your guts! My hat is off to you. God Bless you one and all.

I used ©HerkyBird in camo to fly over an image I created on the computer of my country as a flag and the American Flag at half mast. I paper pierced a star and a maple leaf in the background and added a line from our Canadian National Anthem as the sentiment...it seemed just so appropriate. The Support the Troops ribbons are from the interweb. Onward and upward we go...time to soldier on!

Sunshine

CARDS I PROMISED LAST WEEK...

2009-09-10T15:45:00.003-05:00

Hello All!

Here are the cards I promised last week. They have been sitting very politely on my desk waiting for their moment in front of the camera! I FINALLY took their photo's today. The challenges these were to be entered in are of course long over. The sketches remain terrific though and I will be using them over and over.

SAVE THE DATE

I quickly whipped up the Save The Date chart on my 'puter using my word processing utility. I used ©Clammy Pete on this one - Clam Bake - is the event of the day and ©Clammy Pete is wondering if this is an invitation or if he is a menu item!! What do you think?!!! LOL

SMOKING PROHIBITED

©HerkyBird is reading the riot act to his passengers! I guess fair warning is warning enough huh??!! What do you all think of what I did with the ribbon on this one? I love the crinkled ribbon look of the "stapled ribbon technique" but can't honestly say I like the look of the staples themselves. So I did the crinkled ribbon and used random glue dots to hold it in place. I am pretty pleased with the end result...what are your opinions? The sentiment is computer generated and made me giggle because when we were on our last flight "together" (hubby travels far more than I do) the flight attendant advised all smokers that they were welcome to smoke on either wing during the flight!! ***Snicker***

SODALIGHFUL

©Tipsy McStagger has been morphed into soda mugs full of Cream Soda and Grape Soda! What do you think>! I think they look yummy! I used last weeks MMSC for the layout of this one. I really like this sketch and can see myself using it again & again. What do you think of ©Tipsy's alter ego ©Topsy McStagger??!! She is sporting some long eye lashes rosy red lips! The bottle caps were computer generated. Hope you like this one, I am very pleased with it!

WHAT'S YOUR VECTOR, VICTOR?

©HerkyBird once again, this time with last weeks MOJO Monday layout (I believe). I used a quote from the classic movie "Airplane" for the sentiment. The yellow airplane is actually a button I picked up at the local Walmart. Hope you like this one.

Thank for stopping by everyone. I apologize again for being a bad blogger. I think I am getting back on track. I am heading to my card room with lots of idea's and sketches. Lets see what I can create today!

Sunshine with only slight overcast!:)

Sorry for being away so long!

2009-09-09T12:46:00.002-05:00

Hi all! Sorry for not posting here on my blog in the last week or so. I was getting my boys ready for school and to fly back to their dads for the school year. It's a tough process I go through every Fall but this year it just seemed so much harder. I have lost my mojo...I think it flew to PEI with my boys. I will get it back...it's just taking a little longer than expected.

I have posted this weeks new images over at Sunshine's Stamps - hop on over to take a look or hop to our Etsy Store. They are just terrific. I can't wait to see what our amazing Sunshine Gals come up with this week! Be sure to check out your favourite blogs, galleries and challenges starting this coming Sunday for the Sunshine Gals incredible creations!

Thanks for stopping by! I promise to get to it and get at and get it done and get it photographed to get it posted really soon! Hugz to one and all!!

Sunshine but slightly overcast ;)

NEW CHALLENGE BLOG!!

2009-09-02T15:01:00.002-05:00

Lookie! Lookie! A new challenge blog on the blog block!!

SATURDAY SPOTLIGHT WITH HIDDEN POTENTIAL

Head on over and check it out. Become a follower and enter for a chance at some pretty awesome blog candy!

Hugz,

Sunshine:)

YESTERDAY'S NEW RELEASES

2009-09-02T10:48:00.004-05:00

Hello All! I have no idea how it happens but Tuesday's fly by with such alarming speed I never seem to get the new images released to The Sunshine Gals out to you all while the calendar still reads Tuesday!! What's up with that??!!!

We a terrific meeting last night with The Sunshine Gals discussing our Etsy Store's Grand Opening and we came up with lots of fun idea's for you all to participate in! We are still interested to hear what you want too...so leave us a comment here with what you would like to see at our Grand Opening!

Here are this weeks new images! Click on the images to hop to our Sunshine's Stamps blog for more information on our newest images OR click on the image name to hop to our Shop! Don't forget to check your favourite blogs, galleries and challenges starting this weekend for the amazing creations of The Sunshine Gals!

©FRANKIE FORKLIFT

©SUZANNE SWORDFISH

©FLUSHIE
Thanks for stopping by everyone! I will be posting some new cards later today! ***Don't forget to leave your suggestions of things you would like to see at our Grand Opening - remember your suggestions will make the event fun and more enjoyable for everyone!***

Sunshine:)

THANKSGIVING BLOG CANDY

2009-08-31T23:56:00.003-05:00

Hi all!

Head on over to HANDMADE TREASURE'S BY CREATIVE CARD CORNER to win some yummy blog candy. Your chances to win are open until September 22nd! The rules are easy peasy:

Become a follower of her blog if you are not already
Post her candy on your blog with a link back to her blog candy post.....don't worry if you don't have a blog, you can still be eligible if you post a comment letting her know how you will spread the word about her candy offer.
Leave her a comment and let her know that you are signed up, followed the steps to be eligible and how to reach you should you be the winner.

See - easy peasy! Good luck everyone! Thanks for stopping by! I have some new cards to post tomorrow...have to take Robbie to work tomorrow morning because he is flying out to Calgary for the day! Yup...for the day! I shouldn't be envious right???...I did get to go to Morden last weekend!!! ***snort*** Oh, the exciting life I lead!! LOL!! Off to bed with me~! The car is leaving bright and early...well actually before it gets bright it will be leaving!!

Sunshine:)

Sunshine's Paper Obsession

Humpty Dumpty

Tuesday Morning

Sunday, Sunday

I got a little lost along the way

Happy Tuesday Everyone

Something to think about as Remembrance Day approaches

Hump Day ~ Wednesday~ Mid-Week....

Happy Thanksgiving to my Canadian Friends and Family

My Stephanie Plum Obsession

What a Difference a Week Can Make

It's Saturday....

Something to ponder

MONDAY, MONDAY

Rail Fan Day in Manitoba

Wednesday

Robbie's Trip to Newfoundland...

TO MAKE YOU ALL LAUGH

Friday is Finally Here...

How many hours are there in a day??

All Monday's Are NOT Created Equally

STILL SICK

***Whine Alert***

SUMMER COLDS STILL SUCK...BUT THERE IS A LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL

SUMMER COLDS SUCK

THE GREAT HOTDOG QUEST OF THE SUMMER OF 2010

FINALLY IN THE POOL

Went to the Movies...

THE POOL IS ALMOST IN!!

Happy Canada Day

WHO TICKED OFF MOTHER NATURE??

What is Your Fave Summer Treat?

OMG!! I'M Posting on my Blog!!

CHRISSY LOVES AQUA!

JENNIFER CREATES A LOVELY TWEETS CARD

It's Almost Easter!

It's Spring!! Thank Goodness It's Spring!!

Sad News

So Sorry My Blog Has Been So Lame

Christina ROCKS a Huckleberry Card!!

Sweet B{ee} is Sooooo Cute!

Sunshine's Stamps Say's Goodbye to Long Time Dream Team Gal...

ROCKIN' THE COOL CAR!!

ROMEO WHERE ART THOU ROMEO??

Hello from Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada

....AND THE WINNERS ARE....

TEASER IMAGE

SUNSHINE IS BACK!

WE ARE SPONSORING DAY 17 OF THE 24 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS

SSHP09 SATURDAY SPOTLIGHT WITH HIDDEN POTENTIAL

BLOG CANDY

NEW CREATIONS FOR CYSD

PLATE #2 FINISHED

LOOK WHAT I MADE!

AMAZING BLOG CANDY ALERT

A LOT TO BE GRATEFUL FOR

I'M ON A NEW DESIGN TEAM

CHRISTMAS LIGHTS 2009

THREE'S A CHARM BLOG HOP

CANCER AWARENESS BLOG HOP(E)

NEW BUNNY'S ARE HERE!!

WOO! HOO!

LOOK WHAT I MADE!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING FROM WINNIPEG

THE JOKES OVER MOTHER NATURE!!

IT'S SNOWING!! IT'S OCTOBER 9TH??!!

NEW COMPETITION BLOG

NEW MAGNOLIA STORE DOWN UNDER

The Candy Recipe is…

HOW TO APPLY….

THEY'RE COMING!! THEY'RE COMING!!

SUNSHINE'S STAMPS NEW SHOP OPEN FOR BUSINESS

NEW IMAGE WEDNESDAY

CHECK OUT SUNSHINE'S STAMPS BLOG!!

LEAVES WHISPER SO LONG...ESSBONUS

STRAGGLERS MAY BECOME BAIT!!!

BIRTHDAY NUTS-INKSTAC2

SUNSHINE'S FIRST DIGITAL STAMP IMAGE RELEASES

FLUSHIE - LESSON #1-STVCC29

©Cledus - If You Can Read This....

Whine Alert