HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I hope everyone who reads this has a happy and healthy New Year! I only wish the best of the best this year for you all! I only want to have the big black cloud of misery leave us along, but I don't see that happening. The new year doesn't bring much more hope then I have now, but while I have a breath left in me, I know there is hope!

Love to you all!

Paula

PRETTY HEARTS

Don't you just love this set of brand new digi images from Deedee's Digis? Of course you do and want to run right over and grab them up! This is just one of many new items in her store. It's called Stitched With Love! I don't usually show the inside of my cards, but I couldn't help myself today. With this set there are two nice little saying and the one on the inside was printed out a little larger and then cut to fit the inside. The pink plaid paper is also digital. I added some to the inside for extra interest!

Don't forget that I've got lots of great holiday cards on sale in my store marked down to more then half of, so hurry over and grab up some! Just think, you'll have less to do next year!

Have a great day!

Hugs,

P

BIG AFTER CHRISTMAS SALE!

It's time to clean out the old stuff and make way for wonderful new creations in my Etsy store, so I've added 3 new listings this morning of 6 cards each and marked them WAY down. Each card is make one at a time, and has lots of ribbons, lace, glitter and lots of other goodies! Due to a problem with a speical order sale, I was left with more cards then I needed, so you could get a head start on next year with these!

Today we have Madelyn so it's now off to do fun things! Hurry back tomorrow cause I'm showing off a brand new set of digi images from Deedee!

Hugs,

P

Happy Monday!

I know that Monday is almost over, but I'm just now getting to the computer. Our Internet has been acting up since Christmas Day and it was up and down most of today. Of course Barry was on it as well, so here I am now. Today I'm sharing a few of the cards I've made the last several days. The first is one of my favorite subjects, the Pure Innocence girls. This one is a digi from Heather Ellis. All the paper is digi as well. I'm really diggin this stuff! The happy is from Hero Arts.

The second card is another one made using my Paper Pretties set. The first one I made was a Brownie, so today's in her big sister Girl Scout! And of course, more digi papers!

We won't be having Madelyn come to visit until Wednesday this week. Her Mommy was able to take a few days off and spend some time with her. That's nice for both of them. We miss her, but we'll try and make up for it when we see her.

Have a good evening!

P

HOPE YOURS WAS HAPPY!

I hope everyone out in blog land had a wonderful Christmas. Our day was spent at home and resting until Barry had to work last night. Then I went to work and created some new cards for my store! This is just one of the 4 new ones. Almost all is digi on this card. The bingo game, the plaid paper and of course, the sweet little girl! I've even gotten Madelyn hooked on the digi stuff! On Wednesday last week we took a trip to M's and I was just looking around and she told me that I didn't have to buy anymore papers because of being able to get the digi ones on the computer! Now isn't that a smart child! She'll be back tomorrow, Tuesday and Wednesday this week.

Barry is off to work now and I'm going to try and create some new things. I just got some great new digi sets from Deedee's Digi for Valentine's Day! Go and see the brand new hearts collection! You will have to have them too!

Enjoy the day!

P

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT

To all my friends and family that celebrate Christmas, my wish for you is peace, hope and love.

Paula

HAPPY HOLIDAYS SALE

Just added in my Etsy store a coupon for 20% off!

Use coupon code 20OFFHAPPYCHRISTMAS when

you check out! Hurry before all the pretties are

gone!

Just a few of the many pretty, pretty cards still for sale in my store! I really want to clean out the store so I can restock in the coming weeks with Valentine, Easter, and new birthday cards---so hurry on over and take home a bunch!



BIG SALE

Just added in my Etsy store a coupon for 20% off!

Use coupon code 20OFFHAPPYCHRISTMAS when

you check out! Hurry before all the pretties are

gone!

When I Grow Up, I Want To Be A Brownie!

Today's card was made in honor of my Granddaughter, Madelyn. She's a fresh brownie. I mean that in the nicest way! This is the stamp set that I won from Paper Pretties and it finally got some ink love this weekend. I am very excited to own this set! The blue plaid paper is a digi piece of printed paper. It's in keeping with me trying not to buy one more piece of paper (a hopeless quest, but I will try) and using up so many of the scraps I have on my desk. The red plaid was a piece of scarp.

Today we have Madelyn visiting us. Her Grandpa had her playing math games on the computer for hours this morning, so I'm finally getting to get on. I don't mind. They both had a good time. Tomorrow she's going to go skating with her brother and his girlfriend, then she'll be back on Wednesday. We are going to make gifts for her Mom and Dad. I'm at a loss as to what to make for my son. Mom's are easy, but Dad's not so much. We're going to do a desk set for my DIL. Grandpa wants one too, so will be busy. Now we have to eat a lot of canned veggies!

At least my heat is now working. $144 later that is. Since I seem to be on Santa's list, I thought I'd add a few things to the list (only the good one, that is).

1. Full time job for Barry

2. Someone to give me the Lotto winning Lotto numbers, in case #1 doesn't work out!

3. A kind, sweet customer to come and buy up all the cards I have in my Etsy store, and order MORE!

4. Never to wake up from the dream of Christmas in Maui!

Love to all who enter!

P

JUST SOME DIGI GOODNESS

Well I guess we've made it to another week. I pray this one will be better. Fingers and toes crossed on that one. The man is coming tomorrow about our heat problems and hopefully the week will just get better and better. Evan is going to the Redskins/Dallas football game today, so go 'Skins! Barry works later on today and so it's just going to be another lay around Sunday! Sounds good to me!

The cards I'm posting today are digital creations. I just have fallen in love with them. The mice card was made using an image my friend Cora sent me. It's it the cutest thing! I paper pieced the wagon with the same digi paper I used for the back round. The bingo card is also a digi. See what you can get when you check out all the "stuff" on the net!

The second card was made using some bright fun digital papers and the digi bunny. I know, how cute is this! All I needed was a digi button and ribbon, but I was lazy and didn't feel like going back to the computer to finish the card! Barry is thrilled that I'm not "into" rubber so much anymore. Now he'd be over the moon if I could sell all the millions of stamps I have and clean up the mess! Keep dreaming buddy!

Well, that's it for the Zoo Report! Thank you for your prayers. One of these days I know one will hit the mark!

P



Baby, It's Cold Inside!

You know just when you think it can't get worse, it can! Our heat doesn't seem to be working! Well, hells bells, who needs heat in the winter time!!!!!!! I think I need a bridge to jump off of today! I keep thinking everyday when I wake up---it's going to be a good day---and guess what, the only thing that happens it that I wake up! Now I have to ask myself how am I going to pay to get my heat looked at, let along fixed. I have answered this question very simply, I'm not. Barry's check yesterday went from a check that had almost 70 hours to one that had only 16! My life seems to be about one soap drama to the next this past year and I'm just sick of it. I want peace, I want a job for Barry that pays, and I want my health back. Somehow I got on Santa's naughty list and I want off! Santa has got to understand, I'm Jewish and I don't belong on the naughty list!

Hugs,

P

I CAN'T BELIEVE FRIDAY IS THE SAME AS MONDAY!

OK, so now that's Friday, the world should be getting better. It should be another step closer to getting better, but yet, it's the same-ole same-ole stuff! No matter what I try, no matter what, everything stays the same, or it gets worse! Hey, don't mind me today. I think I'm full of "down in the dumps" today. I feel like my soul is being stepped on every way I turn. I am so sick of bad things happening and nothing working out. I guess this week has just caught up with me. First the cards sale that didn't happen, then not selling ONE card this week in my store and today Barry got his paycheck for the shorter hours and we're as behind as we started the week off! I know, I swear I know that there are millions of people out there with the same problems or worse, but living like this for over3 years is getting too much to bear. When I think of all the things we've lost in that time and will never get back, I just want to cry. I don't even mean "things" that you can hold or touch. I mean things like dignity and self worth. Those things go away from you as well when you're down and out. Sorry to be such a bummer today. I have a good case of feeling sorry for myself and the only thing that will fix that is if a millionaire will adopt us!

Love, peace, and please pass on the lucky Lotto Numbers!

P



ONE LAST BLOWOUT CHRISTMAS CARD SALE!

YES, it's your last chance to get some real bargins in my Etsy store! I had a really nice big sale of 2 dozen Christmas cards fall through the floor and now I've got all those cards to sell! I don't know if you remember, but I got an email from an old ebay customer in November and she wanted 24 cards. No problem, I said. Send me a money order (she didn't want to use PayPal) and I'll send the cards! Several weeks went by and still no MO. I've emailed and she said she sent it, but nothing...now you see my problem! I've added some of those back in the Etsy store and marked them WAY down, so take a look, see if you'd like to have some. Shop today and I'll ship right away! The whole season has been really bad for me. It's left me shorter then I normally am and now I'm in a real hole, again! Story of my life!

I didn't make any new cards today. With more then 50 for sale, there just doesn't seem a point to it. It didn't stop me from thinking about making a few cards. I did make a fun little lunch bag that's all dressed up for a gift I'm giving to a friend at the Assisited Living Home. She's my friend Denise and she and her Hubby collect shells like I do and I'm going to share one of my pretties from Hawaii. We know an artist who makes wonderful shell dolls that hang on your tree and we have lots of them. I know, we don't have Christmas, but I love collecting them and now I want to share with them. I dressed up the lunch bag with bits of scrap papers, a lace dollie, ribbon and a MFT sweet little girl image!

Well, that's it from me today. Please say a prayer for my friend Sandy who's Grandma is very ill. Another friend, J, is not in a good place also and needs a prayer or two, and if you any extra's Barry could always use one for a good job!

Love to all who enter my home!

Hugs,

P

Good Lord, It's Wednesday Already!

All my newest loves! Digi stamps and digi papers! You can not beat getting these items in your own stock of playthings! Just like mix'n'matching stamp sets, you can do the same with digital images. It's easy in fact. Both the verse and the sailboat are from Deedee's Digis, but 2 different sets. The boat comes from a set called Cuties For A Cause. There is a dozen fun images to use. The verse is from a set called Words of Encouragement. Now check out the printed papers. They are really "printed" papers! I bought them a store called MGA Creations. It's another Etsy store. I love helping out other artist on Etsy. My printer doesn't seem to like printing red papers, but other then that, it's good! The pink paper has tiny red dots.

So, what's up with you? Nothing new in the Bloom Zoo. Barry heard back about a job he applied for. He didn't hold out much hope on that one. He told the person he didn't have what the client wanted but that didn't stop her from sending his resume in anyway! What a pain! OH well, better luck next time the phone rings! He did have a called about going to Nebraska, but that's out of the question! It's too darn cold up there!

I guess that's it for now. Have a wonderful day and please say a prayer or two for those around you that they are well and safe.

Hugs,

P

So Now It's Tuesday?

Just when I've made it through Monday, Tuesday pops up and says HI! What is this world coming to? I think we need to rename the days at least, if not the months! I think I've had a bit too much time on my hands to think about these things! Barry had my computer most of the day yesterday. He's busy "cleaning" up his files! You would think I'd have all the time to work when I can't get on the computer, but my mind just doesn't seem to work that way! I NEED the outside world to come into mine. I didn't create one darn thing yesterday. I'm hoping today will be better!

Today's card is using both a digi stamp and digi papers. You gotta love it when a plan comes together!

Hugs,

P

It's Monday Again, Already!

As you can see, I was busy at Creation Station over the weekend and got a few new cards made! 7! Yes, 7 brand new cards added this morning to my Etsy store! I really need to slow down. I've made some Valentine cards and now I'm really ready to move on to Easter! Just kidding! Anything with Spring color will do! Over the weekend Barry was playing with the Outlook Calendars and changing up their colors. I swear they are all Easter colors and I asked him what color ribbon he thought would go with them!

Check out the green gingham paper under the bunny. It's a digital paper! How fun is that! All the images I used this weekend are digital! Mr Bunny and the Sweet Innocence girl as well! Who needs rubber anymore? Ok, ME, but only in small amounts!

Have a wonderful day. We're going to the Lion's Holiday party tonight. It's our one and only this year, and it's always nice to see old friends!

Hugs,

P

STILL HAVE A SALE GONING ON!

I'M HAVING A SALE FOR THIS WEEKEND ONLY AT MY ETSY STORE!
20% YOUR PURCHASE
USE COUPON CODE 20HOLIDAYFUN WHEN YOU CHECK OUT!
SHIPPING NOT INCLUDED!
HURRY AND CHECK THIS SALE OUT! IT'S ONLY FOR THE WEEKEND!

I hope you're having a nice weekend. It's pretty nice right now in Dallas, later on, not so much! I'm sorry if you live in one of those places where you'll be snowed in, but just think of all the crafting time you'll have or how clean your house will be! Ok, maybe the last part was a dream! Today I'm sharing some new cards I made yesterday and that are in my store this weekend at 20% off! Cute? Why yes they are!

Well, it's still early for me today. Barry went to help out at a Lion's Club thing, and I'm going to have my first cup of coffee and then see what the day will bring. Good things only I hope and pray!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Hugs,

P



BIG WEEKEND SALE

I'M HAVING A SALE FOR THIS WEEKEND ONLY AT MY ETSY STORE!

20% YOUR PURCHASE

USE COUPON CODE 20HOLIDAYFUN WHEN YOU CHECK OUT!

SHIPPING NOT INCLUDED!

HURRY AND CHECK THIS SALE OUT! IT'S ONLY FOR THE WEEKEND!

This sweet little Valentine card is one of the brand new cards I've added and it's for sale as well!

Hugs,

P

So glad you decided to "hop" on over to visit today! I love to play with the animals and nothing is more fun then frogs! Today's set is made using our brand new Hoppy New Year set of images from Deedee's Digis! How can you bring a nice bottle of wine to a New Year's Eve party without a handmade tag? Never! I printed out the top hat large enough to add the frog's head and legs. He's peeking a quick look! The card frog has a nice set of wiggle eyes. I have hundreds all over my desk! A LARGE bag broke open and it's my goal to use them all up!


Enjoy your day and hurry back tomorrow to see another fun idea!



I'M DONE WITH WINTER BLUES!

I know, Old Man Winter is just starting out and we've got lots ahead of us, but I'm not giving in today! No Way! I have 1 more Christmas card to make for a special order and then if Barry wants any for his people at work, but that's it! If you didn't buy any from me this year (your loss!), then you'll be sending your own store bought cards this year! I've been selling cards for over 10 years and in all that time I have NEVER had such a down year for sales! People can say anything they want about the state of our economy, but when you can't afford to buy cards at Christmas, it's petty bad! Well, I'm ready to move on and so I will!

Today's card uses one of my sweet girls from Heather Ellis. She's the designer who gives us these sweet, sweet children to play with. Her images are made into stamps over at MFT. I have been lucky to have this image since last year and I can say I'm loving it all over again! I love digital images. They are so fun to play with. My bingo card is another one of those. I changed the color from brown (which it was) to the yellow today. Sweet! Paper is again, DCVW. I have a huge pad of it and now MUST use it!

Barry worked last night for a few hours and that was, a good thing. Another recruiter called about a job and he was submitted. That means nothing. It happens all the time, but it always bring hope.

I'm off to do something! Blessings to you all! Hurry back tomorrow for a fun set from Deedee's Digis!

Hug,

P

BLESSED WITH LOVE

I have to say how blessed I am to have such a wonderful family and friends that care so deeply about Barry and I. I guess you just sometimes don't know how blessed you really are. Larry had a wonderful dinner and the children gave us gift certificates for meals and even gas. It was so nice, but I felt so bad that I wasn't able to share with them this year. I know they understand and in my heart I do too, but it was still hard. Hanukkah was small by any standards this year with Larry just going back to work last week, so I knew they all understood, but still...

Today I'm sharing the one and only card I made for Hanukkah. It was for Madelyn. I used a funny Dustin Pike digi (of course another freebie) and a holiday stamp I've had for years. Some more of my digi blue paper and a piece of a DVWV pad. It's such a fun card for a child. I found a funny Hanukkah saying to put inside at an e-card site.

Not much new in our home. Barry didn't work yesterday. Tonight he's filling in for the night person from 5-8. I'm so happy about that. Just one day home and I'm ready to pull my hair out. It's a good thing I wasn't really feeling well and didn't get to creating much or I would have pushed him out the window! I know, tomorrow is another day!

Again, thanks all my friends who have sent love and kindness this holiday season. It means the world to me. I hope someday I can repay all your kindness!

Hugs,

P

MY NEWEST FUN FIND!

You may be asking yourself, what, oh, what did she find that's so exciting that she has to tell us all about it so early on a Sunday morning---and you'd be right---it is early! Barry is working for another person today at the assisted living home and I have most of the day to myself, so since I'm up early, I thought I'd share. I'm always on the look out for freebies and this weekend I hit one that I wanted to share! Notice the blue gingham paper? It's a free digi! I've tried before to download some and the color doesn't always turn out good enough to use from my printer, but the blue is perfect! In the first picture I used the paper with a Riley stamp and some school paper I've had for years. I always dug up my old Hannah set of school stamps and added some of those for a perfect fun set to give as a gift! Of course it's for sale in my Etsy store! The second card is made using more that came with the free paper! The store is called Clear Dollar Stamps. They carry stamps, paper, and all kinds of goodies. No I don't work for them, but I thought their whole store is good enough to check out! The snowman image is one of several that come in the package of freebies. The best part is that is was already colored and all I did was resize it and print it off! There is also one that you can color in to whatever colors you want it to be! I'd say a really nice find!

Tonight we're finally going to celebrate Hanukkah with the children. We're all headed to Larry's house for dinner. The only thing I had to do was bring dessert! Brownie Bites from Tom Thumb (Safeway) was the perfect thing. Everyone will be so full from dinner and since they are small little cake size bits, they're perfect!

Have a wonderful day and hurry back! Maybe I can find some more wonderful "finds" to share with you!

Hugs,

P

SO NOW IT'S SATURDAY AND BABY IT'S GONNA GET COLD!

It's bright and early on this fine Saturday morning. Barry had to get up early to go and work at a Lion's eye clinic downtown. That should keep him busy all morning and part of the afternoon. I know, you're saying "lucky me", and I'm saying it right back at you! I've finished up one cup of coffee and now I'm needing a second to jump start the heart, so this will be short and sweet! Today's card was made using a digi from Heather Ellis. Love these little sweet children, and a digi bingo card! I swear there is anything you could think of in the digi world! My latest find is digi scrapbook paper! Free, that is! What a blast when you're broke to be able to find new things! Again, I didn't win the Lotto, but then again, if you don't play you don't lose either!

Have a wonderful day. I'm going to try and get a little, as little as possible, work done today. After all, there is 60 cards still in my Etsy store that need good homes, so how many more do you think I should make!

Hugs,

P



ANOTHER FRIDAY CLOSER!

Yes, thank goodness it's Friday! It's been a long week and I'm ready to see it come closer to an end! I spent the last 2 days going to the VA doctors with Barry and now he's back to work! That, is a BIG YEA! I don't know how I'm going to create next week when he's back home during the day---please Lord, find help him get the job he's applied for, so I don't kill him! Now, can we all say, Please Lord? Thank you for that!

I love bears. I love getting brown Copic markers to color bears, and today's bear is from Deedee's Digis. I've used this one before I know, but that one I printed the bear image out on a printed piece of paper and this time I colored Mr Bear. I hop you can tell it's a rug he's sitting on. This card is now going into my Etsy store along with several of his friends!

Have a great day and hurry back!

Hugs,

P

HAPPY HANUKKAH

What do you mean, Riley doesn't say holiday to you? We maybe not, but he is cute! Tonight is the first night of Hanukkah. We won't celebrate with the family until Sunday night. We're headed to Larry's this year. Since there's lots of nights of Hanukkah, we're safe! Barry and I will light our candles tonight and celebrate that we've gotten another year older, no wiser, just grayer! Such is life!

I'm still feeling yucking with a chest cold, but I have no time to feel sick today. Barry has an appointment with a VA doctor to see if he can get more monthly benefits. He only gets 10% now and it would greatly help if it were more. He hurt his back way back in basic training, so we'll see. Tomorrow he goes for the x rays. I've got tons of DT work to do, but that's going to take a back seat to his health for the next day or two. I will get some coloring in later, I promise!

It's short but sweet this morning. Time to get my act together and stop feeling sorry for myself today. Not enough card sales means no presents tonight for us, but at least we still have left over turkey from the weekend! And hopefully, we will be finished with it today and I won't have to look at another turkey meal for a while! Enough of a good thing!

Happy Hanukkah to all my friends and family who celebrate. During Passover part of the prayer is always "next year in Israel", during any Jewish holiday, I say "next year in Hawaii"!

Love you all,

Hugs,

P