Loni's Life

Ok, maybe only in Stampin' Up! demonstrator circles... but am just tickled pink and doing a happy jig to discover that I was mentioned on the Stampin' Up!  demonstrator support site along with a project that I had submitted for a Twitter challenge...  All of the demos were challenged to Try a new technique on a card, and deliver it to a friend along with a Holiday Mini Catalog. "Loni Holt, a senior associate from Allen, Texas, made this beautiful card and delivered it to a friend along with a copy of the Holiday Mini Catalog. Great job Loni; we're sure you made your friend's day!" Warm Winter Wishes Card Stamps: The More The Merrier, Itty Bitty Backgrounds Ink: Basic Black, Brilliant Blue Classic, Tempting Turquoise Classic, Versamark & Brilliant Blue Craft* Paper: Tempting Turquoise, Whisper White Glossy, Brilliant Blue, Whisper White Accessories: Powder Pals, Iridescent Ice Stampin' Emboss Powder, Clear Emboss Powder, Stampin' Wri...

Since my BFF is out of town for work and her DH needed sedation dentistry work done, I was the family member oncall to see that he got safely to and from the dental office.   Since we share the same dental office, I went ahead and made an appointment to see my dental hygeniest for what was supposed to be a 6-week post periodontal therapy check (missed that appointment due to extended stay in Las Vegas in June).  Good news was that my at-home care has been working; very little bleeding and only a couple of deep pockets at 4, but all the rest at 2's and 3's.   The deep pockets are around porcelain crowns with deep margins and even if replacing those crowns, most likely will have this issue forever... so the verdict was continue on early recalls at 3month cleanings instead of 6 month cleanings and continue home-care with the Sonicare cleanings, flossing, use the rest of the Rx rinse and fluoride treatment and then start Oxyfresh daily care regimen. Picked up BF...

From 2009_06_11 Another Mocha Monday video... taken at the same time as last week's video... here you can see Mocha & Spotted Mousey in action.

The sole purpose of the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of North Texas is to grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions, in order to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy.  Did you know the average Wish costs approximately $6,000.    I'll be riding on Saturday, Oct 3rd 2009 with Cheesy Riders for the Wish 100 Ride.   Please consider supporting my ride with a tax-deductible donation .

One of the best rides across the finish line... 2008 Bike MS DFW, Sundance Square Ft. Worth Texas.

Late Night Stampers Weekly Challenge #38 was to use our Stampin' Pastels (chalks) Stamps: The More The Merrier (Hostess 3), Short & Sweet; Sassy Sparkles jumbo wheel  Ink: Versamark, Basic Black Paper: Melon Mambo, Whisper White Accessories: Stampin' Pastels (real red, brilliant blue, glorious green, sage shadow, pixie pink, yoyo yellow, lovely lilac); Melon Mambo polka dot grosgrain, large oval punch, oval scallop punch, stampin' dimensionals Technique: Poppin' Pastels  1]   Stamp the image with a white Craft Stampin' Pad or VersaMark ®  ink pad. 2]   Use sponge daubers to apply the pastel color directly to the ink. 3]   Blow off any excess powder. (Repeat this process if you are using this technique with a Two-Step Stampin' set.) QUICK TIP To avoid smearing, gently dab the chalk rather than rubbing it across the image. 

Here's a My Digital Studio version for Saturday Sketch Challenge 118 Stamps: Party Hearty, Heard from the Heart, MDS copyright Ink: Whisper White, Basic Black Paper: Pretty in Pink, Whisper White, Basic Black; Small polka dota designer series paper (pretty in pink) Accessories: Black grosgrain, Whisper White brad

Here's a card made from 'real' paper and not digital paper... Stamps: Good Friend, Cheep Talk Ink: Bashful Blue, Regal Rose, Brilliant Blue Paper: Certainly Celery, Bashful Blue, Whisper White, Barely Banana, Regal Rose, Pawsitively Prints designer series paper Accessories: Bashful Blue/Whisper White striped grosgrain; Bashful Blue Stampin' Write marker; punches- 1 1/4 circle, 1 3/8 circle, circle scallop, stampin' dimensionals

This is a digital creation using My Digital Studio.  I copied the layout from Good Friend stamp set on page 112 of the current catalog.

A friend from my Take Off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS) chapter invited me and a few others to attend her Stampin’ Up! Party in Sale-A-Bration (SAB) time in early 2003.    I  had neither heard of Stampin’ Up! Before nor had I ever been to any kind of direct sales in-home party type workshop or party so I was a bit anxious/skeptical/worried about attending ~ you know the normal worries and what ifs... will I be the only one there; what if the stuff is too expensive; what if I just don't like the stuff; what if the salesperson is pushy?     However,  the hostess was quite nice; at least one other TOPS friends was going to attend; and I had nothing else on my schedule, so I figured what the heck, I’ll get to spend time with these gals outside of TOPS –and- maybe learn a little something new and have some fun and good snacks to boot. At the "party" only 3 of us plus the hostess were in attendance and the demonstrator was just so at ease about the whole thing. ...

I bless the day I chartered my current TOPS chapter and met Mamma C.   She's really not that much older than me; more like an older sister age than a Mamma age... but well, she's just the Mamma.   Tonight at our TOPS meeting she was out having to spray a wasp or hornet nest.. and well one of those buggers ended up in the room we use for weigh-ins which 'caused me to go scurry for Mamma and whine for her to come take care of it.. and she's mouthing "not in my job description"... see, she is also the Church Secretary.. but I whined out a desperate "But you're the Mamma" and probably some of what BFF deems my "Puss in Boots" eyes.. and so she came in there and brandished a big roll of paper nearly as tall as she is.. and whacked it, got it knocked down to the ground, and then stomped it too for good measure.  My only task was to dispose of the little bugger's dead body which I did.  Thank you Mamma!!!  Luv you oodles and will bring...

Playing with Stampin' Up!'s My Digital Studio...this is a picture from my graduation from Amberton University... and yes, I will get back to work on the MBA at some point.. just right now it's not as high on the priority list as other things. 

From 2009_06_11 It's a Mocha Monday video... she's on her favorite playground a.k.a. The Stairs and has either a spotted mousey or one of the mousey cousins which are spotted fringed balls that are spotted and made of similar material so I call them mousey balls.

Here's my Mocha in a pre-set layout,Rock-a-Bye Girl, Card 3  in Stampin' Up!'s My Digital Studio coming October 1st.

http://www.drphil.com/articles/article/44 Life Law #1: You either get it or you don't. Life Law #2: You create your own experience. Life Law #3: People do what works. Life Law #4: You cannot change what you do not acknowledge. Life Law #5: Life rewards action. Life Law #6: There is no reality, only perception. Life Law #7: Life is managed; it is not cured. Life Law #8: We teach people how to treat us. Life Law #9: There is power in forgiveness. Life Law #10: You have to name it before you can claim it.

Still learning how to use Stampin' Up!'s My Digital Studio available on Oct 1st!

1. Take a cake decorating class --> plan to do this as soon as BFF gets finished with her audit certifications and we can go do playtime in cake decorating class 2. Knit an afghan for someone I love ~ Completed Christmas 2008 for Mamma C 3. Take a ballroom dance class 4. Learn how to line dance 5. Learn to play piano 6. Go skydiving 7. Go to Australia and climb the Sydney Harbor bridge 8. Take an Alaskan Cruise 9. Take an ice skating class 10. Complete the DFW MS150 2-day event 11. Knit an adult-sized sweater ~ My next big knitting project 12. Go on a $1000 clothes shopping spree 13. Swim or dive with dolphins --> May do this on the next trip to Hawaii 14. Volunteer to a service for children ~ Completed Jan 2009, am the new lead Stampin' Up! Demo for RMHC Dallas house also Oct 2009, riding Make a Wish ride 15. Complete a triathlon --> Aim for Danskin Triathlon Austin June 2010 or June 2011 16. Shark dive in the Bahamas with Stuart Cove's 17. Take karate or tae kwon do...

It's back!   Survivor!!!   My fave reality TV show... and this season it is set in Samoa.   Went to Mamma C's and watched with Mamma and BFF and OMG between all the commentary and laughter at said commentary, I thought one or more of us was going to have a urination accident i.e. pee ourselves from laughing so hard. Ok, I'm not sure what they tell these folks.. hey, meet in the lobby and we're going to lunch for a photo shoot and then they get on a bus, ferry, or whatever and whammo.. here's your island, Welcome to Survivor... 'cause some of these folks are dressed in the most ridiculous fashion for being on an island i.e. spiked heels, dresses, suits, etc.     Part of the commentary was, if I ever auditioned and got picked to go on Survivor... that from the time we got to the location, that I'd be prepared in multi-layers of clothing so that I could be prepared i.e. I'd have on my sporty 2-piece tankini swimsuit with a sportsbra under...

Cycling Events DFW MS150 2-day ride (May 2-3) --> Had a decent day 1 ride until the rain moved in and Day 2 was also cancelled due to weather --> but going back in 2010 for my 5th attempt. Already registered at HHH for a discounted fee, but official registration doesn't start until next month. Riding with Cheesy Riders again... I've earned my spots and I love them. San Antonio to Austin 2-day Tour De Cure (May 30-31) --> Was a learning experience, but going back in 2010; I'm even Captain of the Austin Red Rider 2010 team . Wichita Falls ~ Hotter N Hell 50 mile course (Aug 29)--> Due to lack of distance training over the summer, we opted to do the 25 miler and had a total blast.. finished in under 2 1/2 hours total which included a 30 min stop at Shepherd AFB; total ride time was just under 2 hours, woohoo! Ok, so I need this psychological boost before heading south to Austin where I totally expect to ride like heck for 4 hours to get all of 20 miles done. Hous...

This card is another for Tamarra 's Annual Christmas Card swap... for some reason, I just wasn't "feeling" in the mood for the traditional holiday coloring and so I used the 2009-10 In-Colors for inkspiration (groan) Stamps: The More The Merrier (Hostess 3), Sassy Sparkles Jumbo Wheel, Short & Sweet Ink: Melon Mambo, Basic Black, Versamakr Paper: Crushed Curry, Melon Mambo, Whisper White Accessories: Melon Mambo polka-dot grosgrain ribbon, Oval scallop punch, large oval punch; Irridescent Ice embossing powder, heat gun   Technique: Dazzling Diamond Dust http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/resources/tutorials/dazzling_diamond_dust/

Stamps: Big on Christmas, Sassy Sparkles jumbo wheel Ink: Basic Black, Tempting Turquoise Paper: Real Red, Tempting Turquoise, Whisper White Accessories: 1/4 inch real red grosgrain ribbon, Stampin' Write markers- Tempting Turquoise, Real Red, Only Orange, Ballet Blue, Always Artichoke

This card is done entirely with Stampin ' Up!'s new My Digital Studio- available to customers on October 1st. Digital Stamps: A Holly Jolly Christmas, Snow Burst,Wishes & Greetings, Copyright stamp Ink: Real Red, Glorious Green, Brilliant Blue Paper: Real Red, Whisper White Accessories: Real Red grosgrain ribbon, Real Red grosgrain knot; Real Red brads

I have never made one of these bagalopes... but per Dawn's Monday Make-it challenge for 9/7, here's my shot at it. Rather than decorate just the section of the bag that is the front as shown in the tutorial, I used the wheel to cover the whole envelope BEFORE i did the scoring & folding.     Stamps: Big on Christmas; Sassy Sparkles jumbo wheel Ink: Basic Black, Tempting Turquoise Paper: 9x12 catalog envelope; Real Red, Tempting Turquoise, Whisper White Accessories: 1/4 inch real red grosgrain ribbon; 3/4 inch real red/white polka dot grosgrain, Stampin' Write markers- Real Red, Tempting Turquoise, Ballet Blue, Only Orange, Always Artichoke, Scallop edge border punch   ~~~ While you can get a nice all around decorated bag using this and show folks how they can use 9x12 catalog envelopes in a unconventional way, I think that they would not be able to hold much weight unless perhaps you reinforce the interior bottom with a 4.25 square of scrap cardstock to help distribute ...

Ok,here's my first attempt at using Stampin' Up!'s My Digital Studio (available to customers on October 1st) And here's an attempt to clean it up by adding a base layer of tempting turquoise

http://oneminutewriter.blogspot.com/2009/09/todays-writing-prompt-warning.html Took me about a minute to think of what kind of Warning sign would need to apply to me.. and then aha, it came to me... Warning: This person asks ( ok , perhaps even begs) for money for charity via many electronic portals-email, blog, facebook , twitter, myspace , etc. It's all for a wide-range of worthy charitable causes and she puts her body on the line on her bike or in her sneakers to raise these funds. Give her some money to support a charity or two or three or how ever many she is cycling or walking for, and don't forget to take your charitable tax deductions too! Ok , you've been warned and now here is the "Asking"... or "Begging" whichever you choose to call it ~~~~~~ Bike MS - May 2010 -- National MS Society Tour de Cure - San Antonio to Austin 2-day - May 2010 American Diabetes Association Tour de Cure - Dallas-Ft Worth - September 2009 American Diabetes As...

CardsForHeroes.org has a new name ~ they are now Operation Write Home. Check out the story behind their n ame change here .  For my stamping friends that visits this page, please consider organizing an event or two (or more) to stamp cards for this great group.  For my stamping and non-stamping friends that live near me, let me know if you want to hostess a gathering to stamp cards for our great heroes for Operation Write Home. 

http://oneminutewriter.blogspot.com/2009/09/todays-writing-prompt-coat-of-arms.html Hmm.. a coat of arms with symbols that represent me... hmm... most definitely a kitty! a bicycle, something with rubber stamps, knitting needles, palm trees, books, chocolate, and bunny slippers, a heart, a butterfly, and intertwined circles.

Join a great team of cyclists against Diabetes... there was a special super-early discounted registration for the 2010 Tour de Cure 2-day from San Antonio to Austin for the American Diabetes Association. Since I am such the early bird, the Red Rider team had not yet been established and so at the Tour Director's request, I went ahead and assumed those duties. So it looks like my BFF and I are headed back to the dorms of San Marcos State University for the overnight (and I think I'll pack a sleeping bag, a sweatshirt, and gloves this time!!!) Here's my link for 2010 TDC Austin and from there you can select the Click here to Join My Team button or you can select the Click here to sponsor me button to sponsor the ride with your tax-deductible donation. http://main.diabetes.org/site/TR?pg=personal&fr_id=6888& px =3881914

Stamps: Wandering Words Ink: Stampin' Write Markers- More Mustard, Ruby Red, Garden Green, Elegant Eggplant, Soft Suede Paper: More Mustard, Elegant Eggplant, Very Vanilla, Autumn Traditions designer series paper  Accessories: Sponges, mini brads (more mustard), paper piercer & mat  Technique: Marker to stamp 

Mojo Monday #103 Stamps: Holiday Best (Hostess 1) Ink: - Stampin' Write Markers- Elegant Eggplant, More Mustard Paper: Elegant Eggplant, More Mustard, Confetti Cream, Autumn Traditions Designer Series Paper Accessories: Soft Suede polka dot grosgrain ribbon, Stampin' Dimensionals 

I promised Ellen a prize for correctly guessing my VC Rocks card contest.  We were to make both a masculine card and feminine card using the same stamp set to show the versatility of Stampin' Up's! sets.  Since she is a scrapper that also stamps, I made her this quick Christmas mini-brag book.   These make great gifts and it's a pretty good class for the holidays too!  Stamps: Heard from the Heart  Ink: Stampin' Write markers- Closed to Cocoa, Real Red Paper: Very Vanilla, Old Olive, Real Red, Chocolate Chip,  Merry Moments Designer Series Paper Accessories: Bold Brights mini-brads (Real Red), Real Red 1/4 inch grosgrain ribbon; sticky strip.  For the class-minded, the the base of this project takes 1 1/2 sheets of 8.5 cardstock (3 pieces cut at 4.25 x 11) plus 1/2 sheet of 12x12 designer series paper (2 pieces cut to 6x6) plus a bit of coordinating cardstock and designer series paper.   You could, of course, adjust the sizing such that you use 1 sheet of 12x12 cards...

I know it's only the beginning of September and I haven't even featured that many Halloween or Thanksgiving cards yet... but this one just called to me... and this one is predominantly green in favor of Mamma C.  Stamps: Holiday Best- Hostess 1  Ink: Stampin' Write markers- Garden Green & Real Red  Paper: Garden Green, Real Red, Whisper White, Merry Moments Designer Series Paper  Technique: Marker to stamp  Accessories: Real Red 1/4 inch grosgrain ribbon 

Saturday Sketch Challenge #115 Stamps: Heard from the Heart Ink: Garden Green Paper: Real Red, Old Olive, Garden Green, Naturals Cream, Merry Moments designer series paper Accessories: Real Red 1/4 inch grosgrain ribbon 

Friday Fill-In #140 1. I feel ready for the weekend! 2. Girl's night (or day) out with my BFF is always fun. 3. Right now, I can hear these things: co-workers typing . 4. My BFF is headed out of town on vacation and I'm glad she's going to have some great R&R time with her DH . 5. The last time I ate pizza was yesterday . 6. I'm going to finish some knit projects and do some stamping this Labor day weekend. 7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to a pedicure and dinner with my BFF , tomorrow my plans include stamping and Sunday, I want to take Sammy dog for a big, long walk down to Walmart !

Pictures from Wichita Falls HH100... In white sleeveless jersey was on Friday exiting the Expo The pink bandana is Saturday in pre-dawn hours waiting at the starting line. The one with my cycling helmet on is at the first and only rest-stop I took this year at Shepherd AFB. I didn't snag a photo of myself at the finish line... However, I did capture a hilarious one of my cycling partner exiting her brief but refreshing foray into the open fire hydrant as per an agreement we made early on in our cycling season, though she may argue that she was coerced.

While at the Expo at the HHH we stumbled upon the Bike MS DFW booth.. and we signed up! So for my loyal Bike MS supporters, this will be my 5th year to ride, wow! My online links won't be up until sometime in October. Oodles of hugs and Thanks for all your support!!!

Stamps: Build-A-Bear-Workshop stamp sets Beary Best Friends & Beary Nice Wishes Ink: Basic Black Paper: Soft Suede, Bermuda Bay, Whisper White, Thoroughly Modern designer series paper Accessories: Stampin ' Write markers- Bermuda Bay, Creamy Caramel, Soft Suede; Stampin ' Pastels- Really Rust, More Mustard; Soft Suede polka-dot grosgrain ribbon 

Updated pictures of my pretty kitty, Mocha....

Me: http://www.marathonfoto.com/index.cfm?RaceOID=28542009M1&LastName=HOLT&BibNumber=683&Mailing=23127 BFF/Cycling Partner http://www.marathonfoto.com/index.cfm?RaceOID=28542009M1&LastName=HARTT&BibNumber=684 Even with a 30minute stop at Shepherd AFB, I came in 3rd in females in my age group in the 25 miler (for those of us wearing chips). I had to wait about 15min for my cycling buddy to arrive @ Shepherd and then waited another 15min for her to hydrate, snack, cool-off, etc. Considering that our first foray into the HHH ride was at nearly 4 hours to the finish line with long stops at both the first rest stop, the second stop/Shepherd AFB, and several mini-stops on the side of the road in between, we've come a long way! Division: 25 mi F 40 - 44 PL No Name (Represent) 7.5 Miles MPH Total Time Back Pace 3 683 HOLT, Loni (WITT) 37:48.558 3.1 2:26:11.188 +50:35.359 10.3 WITT = We're In This Together which is our HH100 Team Name Another lesson learned this...