by Sharon | Jun 24, 2016
Whenever there is a holiday and a group of family and friends gather, it’s time to take pictures . . . lots of pictures.

And having a variety of props for those pictures is a place to begin. 
Then there will be other opportunities to take candid shots throughout the celebration.
These props are a great way of getting into the spirit of the 4th of July and is a wonderful ice breaker for those camera shy folks who are attending your gala.
As you can see from the picture, all the props have a stick attached. You can have some great fun with these . . .
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This should get your American Independence Day celebration off to a colorful patriotic start. There are plenty of other items you can select to decorate your party. Just click any of the picture links above and you can shop to your hearts content.
It’s always a good idea to get shopping early for the best selection . . . and if you forget anything, you’ll still have time to get it.
Have fun!
Sharon
by Sharon | Jun 21, 2016
What a strange word . . . troubleshooting . . .
Well, I did get it worked out and in the process learned more about my printer.
It was time well spent. I guess there are just some things that are best for you to figure out yourself. With help from the internet.
I have an Epson 4550 All-In-One Printer with the ink tanks. And, in spite of the difficulty I had with it, I’m delighted I have it. 

I found I didn’t reset the ink after I refilled them. That was my error . . . not the fault of the printer, but Epson’s website walked me through the process. Hopefully, I’ll remember the next time.
Cleaning the pin heads was also important. Regular maintenance is essential . . . just tell the machine to do it and there should be no problem. I’m printing up a storm once again.
If you’re in the market for a new printer, I do recommend the Epson Work Force. I do love the:
- Cartridge-Free Printing
- Comes with up to 2 years of ink
- Laser-quality black text with PrecisionCore technology
- Ink Bottle Refills are considerably less expensive than the cartridges
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With a home business . . . or with an active family with everyone using a computer for homework and other activities, you do need to have a family printer that is economical to use on a regular basis. And with the wireless set-up, it is so handy to use.
Thanks for stopping by!
Sharon
by Sharon | Jun 9, 2016
Do you have Amazon Prime?


At $99. a year, I believe it’s a real bargain for those who order regularly from Amazon.com
There are so many other reasons — if you’re into shopping for bargains — you get an advanced looked to get in on the savings. There’s also movie video streaming and music streaming as well as a library of e-books . . . and there are bargains for purchasing such items. There is a discount for Prime Members . . . and also some items that are exclusive to Prime Members.
Just click the image on the right to learn more.
I believe it pays for itself if you order regularly. You get free shipping on a 2nd day delivery. That is a major savings. It does add up over time. And then, as I mentioned there are the movies and music and e-books and savings on products. I am truly impressed!
I know many people who have casually mentioned Amazon Prime to me in conversation. They have all been complimentary and talk about the savings they’ve made from year to year. It is truly a big deal to get Free 2nd Day Shipping. The shipping costs do add up over time — much more than what you pay for the annual membership. Plus, you receive so very much more:
- Free Access to The Washington Post
- Prime Early Access — Shop Deals First
- Unlimited Streaming of Movies and TV shows — Anywhere, anytime.
- Explore Prime Music
- Explore Prime Video
- Auto-Save Photos — Free with Prime
- There are also Add-On Subscriptions you can make — yes, they will cost more
Also, in some areas for some items you can get Free Same Day Delivery. Something that may appeal to you.
I usually don’t mind waiting a few days for delivery of my orders . . . but getting free shipping was the no-brainer for me. Some items may take three days for delivery — but it is free. I’m not a real stickler when it comes to the 2nd day delivery. I just know that some items do take a bit longer to be delivered than others. So, if I absolutely need something delivered by a particular date, I give Amazon time to make the delivery. I don’t want to set myself up for disappointment.
Usually Amazon is quite good with their deliveries . . . getting things out as soon as possible. And we have to understand that some vendors do take longer to ship items . . . and then there are weather conditions . . . and other factors that we may not know anything about that may delay an order.
Overall, I’m quite pleased with Amazon and with Amazon Prime. You can get started with a free 30-day trial and check it out for yourself. You can cancel at any time.
I hope this was helpful and you’ll check out Amazon Prime.
Thanks for stopping by!
Sharon
by Sharon | May 22, 2016
I Love These Rubber Stamps!!
These ladies know how to have fun . . . and fun they do have throughout the pages in my mini-albums and on various greeting cards I make for family and friends.
These stamps for me have become a “family” . . . they are very much part of my everyday life . . . And the thing is, I can’t buy just one set of these stamps . . . One leads to another . . . and another . . .
I don’t fancy myself as a “stamper”, but when it comes to these ladies . . . I am so hooked . . .
They are excellent to create adventures for them to share with you through the pages of your journals . . . scrapbooks . . . mini-albums . . . greeting cards . . .
As I said earlier, they have become “family” for me.
These are Art Impressions Girlfriends Cling Rubber Stamps. They are individually trimmed and mounted on repositional cling cushion. The detailed image gives a great stamping experience because of the high grade gray rubber used. These stamp sets are easy to store and are used with acrylic blocks that are sold separately and can be used for other stamp sets as well. These are individually packaged and include black and white as well as colored “actual size” image samples.
I absolutely love them!! They remind me of ladies I know . . . who have never really grown up . . . and have the time of their life each and every day!! Yes, life is a celebration for them!






I could go on and on with more and more links for you. I know you will be able to explore on your own once you click one of the links above to get just the right stamps that fit in with your crafting style.
There are the ladies at the movies, at the pool, celebrating a birthday . . . there they are at the beauty shop . . . and having some fun at a party. I do hope you love them as much as I do . . . they truly make me laugh!
These girlfriends are going to accompany me on many great adventures . . . Maybe they’ll feel right at home with you and your family, too.
Have fun!
Sharon
by Sharon | May 12, 2016
Hi there!
Have you noticed how much you can learn from the internet?


When I got my new printer, I was a bit nervous about setting it up for the first time . . . I got the Epson WorkForce ET-4550 Eco Tank Wireless Color All-in-One Supertank Printer with Scanner, Copier and Fax. I was fine with the plugging in and setting up the wireless connection, but I was more concerned about adding the ink to the various compartments. I was used to putting in a cartridge and away I go . . . but I wanted to try this out and maybe save on ink in the process.
Well, I did find a very helpful YouTube video that walked me through the whole process. I also had the written instructions . . . but there is something about watching someone else do it that is helpful.
I did notice that people do their own thing. Yes, they read the directions, but when it’s time to follow through, they just wing it. That works for many confident people . . . and it was helpful for me to watch someone who wasn’t glued to the instruction sheet.
This wasn’t meant to be a review of the printer, but it is helpful in explaining the point of my post. I do highly recommend this printer. I am really pleased by the results I’ve received in my various printing experiences.
This how to video I watched was extremely helpful and it allowed me to calm down enough to set it up and get printing.
I have found so very many helpful and generous people who share their various craft projects on YouTube . . . and I’ve found some rude individuals, too.
And why is this?
Do they realize they’re being rude?
Is this supposed to be entertainment? Or helpful?
I’ve written other posts about vloggers . . . and there are some popular channels with the whole family . . . on their various sporting events and vacations and outings . . . even chilling at home . . . I know at times not everyone gets along, but do we have to video that . . . or when children are rude or disrespectful to their parents?
I’m not a real fan of watching people argue . . . even in a store . . . or in a movie . . . that isn’t entertaining . . . yes, there are conflicts, but they aren’t for airing publicly . . . I thought adults are to be role models for their peers and the young.
Do we truly like hanging out with angry people or argumentative ones? I certainly don’t. And I don’t want to see feuds going on on YouTube . . . or kids who are out of control . . . rude, disrespectful . . . under of guise of “being cute.”
I’m not here to tell parents how to parent . . . or telling you what to watch or not to watch . . . I’m just saying that I’ve been taught to put my best foot forward and to treat others how I’d like to be treated.
I know when I’m not providing something you’re interested in on this blog, you stop coming.
And I know to stop subscribing to YouTube Channels and to stop watching their videos may change the quality of them . . . or they don’t care . . . or people like what they’re watching . . . and people will continue recording what people like.
I may be in the minority . . . I want the best for everyone. I’m very appreciative of those who share their craft ideas without complaining about someone who “stole their idea” or someone who’s angry because they’re not getting subscribers.
As many of you have found here, many of the crafts I’ve shared with you are not my own. I give credit to those who have been generous in their making templates we can download and print out and make for ourselves. During this process, I hope to learn how to make my own designs and to share them here and on YouTube . . . but that will all come later . . . way later . . . I do have so very much to learn.
And, if I do find a better way of doing something, I’m sure someone else has also found it, too. And they may have shared it . . . but I missed their documented discovery . . .
Many crafters have mentioned that they learned something from a particular individual . . . and sometimes they say they found if they do it this way, it is easier for them . . . but it may not be an original idea . . .
I do respect that. It’s like the many explorers who see something in the sky and at that exact moment someone else or several someone else’s have observed the same thing . . . they all seemed to be looking for the same thing, not knowing anyone else was doing the same. It’s only natural with a world full of people someone out there is going to come up with a similar short cut or whatever.
From all the videos I have watched, I’ve received some tips . . . I don’t remember from whom . . . and I’ve heard these tips from others as well . . . Does it really matter who was the first to do it? If the goal is to be helpful . . . then I’d say not . . . but if it is to be original and unique and the person worked really hard on figuring it out . . . maybe . . . or is it ego? I don’t know . . . just asking.
I subscribe to those I like on YouTube and I follow blogs that I like . . . and with the vlogs . . . I don’t watch as many of those as I have in the past . . . either I’ve changed or I’m no longer interested in what they find entertaining . . .
There are plenty to choose from . . . and I go for those with people who are real, gracious and helpful . . . not angry, rude and argumentative.
YouTube is a wonderful platform for just about anyone who has something to share with others. It could be reviewing a product or setting one up. It could be teaching someone how to make something — apply make-up, hair styling . . . buying clothing and matching various elements to make a fashion statement. There are many talented people who have a gift in various areas — even cooking . . . there are plenty of people with cooking channels and there is always room for you, too . . . in whatever area you choose. I’ve learned a lot from people who have shown me some computer stuff for my website . . . and using various software I’ve purchased . . .
There are people with tips for writing a resume or going for an interview . . . maybe even taking a test and how to study for one . . . there could also be tutorials for various subjects . . . and if there aren’t there should be . . . it’s all about people helping each other . . .
Thanks for stopping by!
Sharon
by Sharon | Apr 14, 2016
This is a board game the whole family will love.


It’s April 14, 1912, a cold night in the Atlantic Ocean aboard a titanic cruise ship that hit an iceberg. And, there’s Dr. Lucky who needs to be rescued.
Players rush from deck to deck searching for items that will help them in rescuing the good doctor. As the ship sinks, the game board gets smaller, bringing Doctor Lucky and the passengers together onto the remaining decks.
The game includes:
- a full-color multi-piece game board
- a deck of 96 full-color cards
- a full-color rulebook
- pawns, stands for 6 players and Doctor Lucky
The game is recommended for ages 13 years and older. It can be played by 3 to 7 players and takes about an hour to play. There is great replay value. It’s a fun game.
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Thanks for stopping by!
Sharon