What 2 Posts in the SAME WEEK??

First off, I want to thank everyone for the nice comments on the blog and the emails. I thought maybe you had all given up on me LOL!

I keep thinking 2010 has to be better than 2009! I'm keeping my fingers crossed that we all have first and foremost Family and Love and then right up next to it Health! I had my scares last year and now it seems it's my DH's turn. I keep hearing that God doesn't give you more than you can handle, and I guess in the big scheme of things I can't complain, but sometimes I just cry "uncle"!

For all of you who having difficulties of any kind, just know that I keep you all in my thoughts and nightly prayers, that we all feel lifted and supported in our times of need and that we may all get through all of the problems we have, whether large or small.

I also don't forget to say Thanks for all of the good things in my life :)

My DD got her grades a few weeks ago and happily she has "officially" earned her AA degree in general studies. After 2 more semesters she will add to that her AA degree in Culinary and Hospitality. Once she finishes, she will move on to specialize in Pastry and Baking and is looking at schools all over the country...hopefully not too far away!

My job, which I have officially started on year 12, is still going well, and I got a wonderful review. It is a blessing that I have good bosses and I enjoy my job. I still have my 4 - 10 hour day schedules which I am truly thankful for as it allow Hubby and I our "Monday Date Day".

As I mentioned, my Mom just celebrated her birthday and is wonderful and vibrant! I just spent last Sunday with her and my camera, video taping her answering questions about the family background and hearing stories of how my grandparents met, etc. I wish I had done this with my Dad before he passed away, because I can't remember all the names of people and family long gone and don't really have a way to find them now.


While I was at my Mom's I came home with a couple of HUGE boxes of family photographs! I am going to have to set some time on the weekend and put up a large card table in the basement and with the help of my kids (hint hint) set up a scanner and just start saving them all! I even found pics of my Dad in boot camp! The funny thing about this pic is that ALL his friends are in the same cheesecake pose in their tents. On the back in my Dad's writing it says "R&R Rest and Relaxation" then it says NOTE: cleanliness & order LOL! Anyway, I'm going to look forward to seeing everything and then have to make a decision exactly how I'm going to save since nothing has dates argh!


Finally, I have been a very good girl! I have just finished uploading not 1, not 2 or 3 but 4 Easy Thank You Card Fronts! I also put them all together in a collection for those of you who can't decide which ones you like best and like to save a little money!

Now that the holidays have come, I'm sure you all have a bunch of Thank You notes to send! I know I do!

You can find them individually by clicking on the following links:

EC00117

EC00118

EC00119

EC00120

The link for the collection is here EC00121

All of the card fronts are available in the following formats: .GSD, .AI, .KNK, .WPC & .SVG!

If you have any questions, specific requests, or just want to say hello you know you can always leave me a comment or send an email!

Thank you all for your Patience and Support!

Hugs,
Eddita

She's Alive!!!

Ok, so while I started a number of times to update my blog, somehow something always got in the way and I never got back. What is that saying, Plans are what you make but Life is what happens....in this case no truer words have been said.

We celebrated my Mom's "??" birthday early November and we were joined by friends and family to share a wonderful meal and fellowship. My brother flew in from the other side of the world (WA state) so my mom enjoyed the company of her 3 children and her 6 grandchildren (no great grandchildren yet and believe me no rush on that either LOL!)

We held it at a local golf clubhouse and had a very yummy meal finished off by a delicious birthday cake my daughter made just for the occasion.

Thanksgiving came and it had been a year since my little "TIA" heart incident. You know I started stressing as the day came closer that I might have another one, but thankfully all is well.

I have an follow up appointment with the cardiologist soon and I'm hoping I get a clean bill of health. My office had a move and while my heart survived, my back didn't. Packing up boxes in preparation for the move really did a number on it. After having the whole family up, I spent Thanksgiving night all the way through the following Monday night flat on my back. The pain was horrible! It still twinges from time to time, but it almost feels back to normal. Note to self...no more lifting ANYTHING heavy...especially around the holidays!!!

The major Winter Storm hit us with a vengance as with so many others on the East Coast. We ended up with a little over 2 feet of snow which hubby and I two days to clear off the paths and driveways. I will admit, it really was beautiful! Here are a couple of pics so you can see how nice it looked!



Christmas came too quickly and for some reason I just couldn't find the spirit, try as I might. We got the tree up, stockings hung and the Nativity out but I still had problems. December is always a bit rough since we lost my Dad all those years ago on December 12th, but normally I do ok....not sure what was different this year but I sure do hope I don't have it happen again.

My sister asked me that this year instead of buying gifts for the kids if I could do some vinyl art for their walls. Now understand, my nephew is a MAJOR Star Wars fan and my niece is really into Fairies. Took me a bit but here is what we ended up with:





Finally, in anticipation of the New Year I have decided to start working on my list. This is what I have so far:

• Try to give only compliments
• Visit my Mom more frequently
• Update my blog at least once a week
• Create and upload at least 2-3 files a month
• Work on scrapbook layouts for the TONS of photos I have
• Scan all the photographs I currently have housed in boxes and bags
• Continue going to the gym on a weekly basis

Now this list is only a start and it's what I would LIKE to do (LOL!) Let's see how it goes.

Anyway, that's about it for now and I will have more to share as the New Year gets closer.

Hugs,
Eddita

Happy Monday!

Well it looks like everyone enjoyed the party celebrations this weekend and were able to get involved in the challenges and games going on at Paperthreads! Hopefully you were able to take advantage of my sale as well!

Now it's the time to pick up and start cleaning up and tie up some loose ends LOL!

To begin with, I am so glad that all of you had the chance to download my Halloween Border and really enjoyed reading all of the comments! Please send me a pic of your finished pieces so I can share with everyone here in the future.

Also, I do apologize for the delay but it took awhile to enter all of the names into the randomizer to see who was the big "weiner" for the blog candy I offered but here you go....

....drumroll please.......

So after 80 names (wow!) were entered into the randomizer, I'm sending a big Congratulations to ScrappinMaMa (Yea!!!!! Cheers!!!!!!!!Applause!!!!!!!!!)

SMM, just send me an email (accentsbyeddita@gmail.com) with your name and address and I will get a package out to you containing all of the cool stuff in the picture!

I'm working on a couple of new files (as well as a freebie) and hope to have them up this week so be sure to check back.

Ok...now onto what my daughter calls my midlife crisis....if you have been following me, I told you that I did pass my class "M" license and with that began the shopping for a bike to ride. I had found a new one (beautiful red Honda 750) and the price was really good (since it was a '09 model and they wanted to sell it to make room for the winter ATVs) but after DH and I did a lot of talking, we decided that a used one would make more sense....since I would freak out the first time I got a scratch on a new bike!

In any case, did a lot of looking in the newspapers, craigslist, etc and found a GREAT bike on ebay locally. It's a 2004 Honda Shadow Spirit (1100cc) and it came fully loaded (windscreen, saddlebags, custom seats, etc) for A LOT less than the new bike would have been and it only has 4,000 miles on it. Woo Hoo.....now there is only one little thing....the bike was customized by the previous owner....I'm not going to say anything else except to let the picture speak for itself.....at least it's ready for the end of the month bahahahah!

Take care everyone!

Eddita

Today's the Day!!!!

Welcome everyone to Paperthreads Birthday Celebration! !!!

Are you here for the Blog Hop? If you are just starting out, and you landed here first, then you are in the right place, because this is the first stop in the Hop of fun and savings!

Don't tell anyone, but my secret word to give you is "Paperthreads", and when you leave here, you should go to the next stop, which is at Butterfly Designs, aka Jenette Carson!

You will find the link at the bottom of the page along with the links for all of the other great designers taking part in the festivities.

Also, while I don't think I mentioned it, All of my files are 50% OFF throught the weekend!!! Some of my files are as low as only $ 1 a piece! Don't forget, if you use the .SVG format user and you don't see it listed in the store, simply send me a copy of the receipt and I will email the file to you directly. That way you don't have to wait for the store to be updated.

If you take a look at the pic above, it is of the free file I am sharing with you for today only which is just in time for your cute Halloween pics - past and present. Don't let the image fool you, the borders are about 1.5" x 12" so they will work great on your 12 x 12 layouts! I also included a single skull and cauldron in case you want to add a few around your page!

Also, if you download the file (and even if you don't), if you take a moment and leave me a comment, then tomorrow I will enter all of the names of everyone who left a comment into the Randomizer and I will draw the name of 1 lucky person who will win some Blog Candy!

Well I hope this gets you excited and ready for your blog hopping! Don't forget to write down the secret word up above and go to the next blog to continue finding great goodies as well as words!

Thank you everyone for making Paperthreads such a wonderful and fun place to go!

Eddita :)

Butterfly Designs <-------- Go Here Next!!!

Diana’s Designs

Forever Memories for You

Ginny’s Happy Cuts

I Scrap Designs

Jen Adkins Designs

JennieBean Crafts

Just Laury

Sam & Hailey Designs

Shelly’s Art

Shirley Clark Design

Paperthreads Designs

Here are the links for the Free File:

Free .GSD Link

Free .AI Link

Free .KNK Link

Free .WPC Link

Free . SVG Link

Freebies, Blog Hop & Sale!!!

Paperthreads is having it's 3rd Anniversary tomorrow October 3rd and it is going to be a fun day!!!

Make sure you come back here tomorrow early to join into the fun. We are going to have a blog hop where you will start on one of the designers pages who will link you to another and so on and so on until you are left dizzy but with a bunch of cool FREE files! On top of that some people will be hosting challenges and others will be offering Blog Candy! I'm also have a HUGE sale!

Please make sure you leave comments for me and everyone you download a file from...it really brings a smile to all of our faces just knowing you enjoy the freebies.

For those of you who have been thinking about joining the vacation club membership, it is coming to an end. I'm not 100% sure but I think your last day to purchase is tomorrow and you will only have a day or so to download the OVER 60 FILES....and all of those for ONLY $ 15!!! Even better, the proceeds from your purchase goes 100% to the Schwartz family! Just go to the link at the top left corner of the screen. I know the family has appreciated everyone's generosity and you get a lot of wonderful files at a deep discount!

Now...let's see....remember I told you in an earlier blog that I was taking a class but wasn't going to share with you unless I passed....well....I passed! It is official...I can now ride a motorcycle LOL!!! I have my certificate and today I'm going to the MVA to get the official Class "M" license! Do I have a bike? Nope, but I have a skill, and for me that is really what matters...who knows, maybe one day I will come out of a building and all of sudden asteroids will be falling from the sky and I need to get out of the area quickly and being that my car has been blocked in I see a motorcycle just idling (and the owner of course says take it) and I jump on....before I would not know what to do,but Now....I can jump on and go bahahahahahahahahahah!!!!

Anyway, I hope everyone has a wonderful day today! Don't forget to come back tomorrow for all of the fun!

Eddita :)

Free File to Share!

Hi Everyone,

As promised, here is a little file that I'm sharing in all of the formats! I saw on a board that someone was requesting a Nubian Goat. Now as I have been to many a petting farms I knew exactly what it looked like! I love the long ears on these animals and their gentleness of them, so after looking through old pics, sure enough I was able to find one.

Whether you raise goats or visit a petting farm, this will make a cute accent on your page. I'm also including a silhouette of a baby nubian in the file as well.

If you dowload this file, please do me a favor of leaving a message so I know you came by. Also if you have any requests, please let me know and I will do my best to come up with a file.

Also don't forget my sale is still running and as usual...for all of you SVG users, if you find something in the store go ahead and purchase and send me the receipt and I will send you the SVG version within 24 hours.

Speaking of SVG...I am looking for a design team member who is a Cricut user. If you are interested, please send me an email (accentsbyeddita@gmail.com) telling me a bit about yourself and I will let you know what I need.

I guess that's all for now...hope you all have a most wonderful Day!!!

Eddita :)


Nubian Goat GSD Version

Nubian Goat AI Version

Nubian Goat KNK Version

Nubian Goat WPC Version

Nubian Goat SVG Version

Guess What?!!!

I'm having a sale! But guess what more! I didn't even recall I was having one LOL!

I was checking out My Files to see if I had remembered to upload a file when I saw a great big red line through all of my prices! I had to look at my calendar to see that YES indeed...my sale starts TODAY and runs through the 29th, so if you have a few bucks burning a hole in your pocket, why not come and take a look at what's available for 30% Off!

Remember is you need an SVG version of any of my files, go ahead and purchase and send me a copy of your receipt and I will send the file to you directly via email. I'm pretty well on my way to having everything done so it's just a matter of getting them uploaded.

I have been pretty busy getting new files up in the store and wanted to share a couple more with you:

The first is my Halloween Cauldron with Skulls which started out as a journaling block but then I got to thinking it could also be used as a photo frame by simply using the center oval as a template to cut out your favorite little trick or treating photo. I love when I start with one thing in mind and end up with a bunch of other options!

You can even enlarge one of the skulls and use it as an embellishment on a page or on the front of a scary Halloween Party Invitation, or how making a skull extra large and putting it in your windows or on your door?



The second file was inspired by all of the great homecoming and fancy holiday dresses that are showing up in the store! It's that time when couples go to dances and I wanted to create something that would be a great place to journal about the event (or even a picture frame)! You tell me if you like it!

Work has been going well, but after 10 hours there, the last think I really want to do is sit down on the computer...but a gal has to do....

We're looking at doing another camping trip sometime next month before the weather gets too cold and we freeze in the woods...this last trip I thought for sure I had lost one of the dogs....got a second? Here is a quick story:

On the last night we were camping, the temperature dipped down into the 40's. Now picture if you will a nice size tent (about 12 x 12) a king size air mattress, a quilt on top of that, and both DH and I have our own sleeping bags on top of us to keep warm (We both hate being confined inside). The dogs are curled up with each other at the foot of the bed and Guiness in a little carrier. Anyway, it's pretty cold and I take him out of the carrier and put him under the bag to keep warm and then I call my Daisy Pup and she comes up on my right side....yummmm...getting warmer but heck, we still have one dog and so I call him....Toby....TOOOBBBYYY...(now I'm getting a little worried) TOOOOOOBBBBYYYYYY! No movement. I reach down with my toe and prod him a little and call his name....Nothing! DH (who I have woken up by now) calls him and invites him up on the mattress...I'm looking at the dog and the first thing that flashes by is "OMG...the dog is dead! He froze...this is a horrible camping trip....etc etc.

DH sees no movement and actually gets up (what a concept) and gets a hold of Toby's collar and moves him and there you see Toby's bassett looking face go "Huh?? You were calling?" He then does get up on the mattress and things are right in the world again...even though DH thought it was funny, I really thought something bad had happened!

Now this picture I'm sharing is not the frozen morning, but another one where it was early (around 6:30) and everyone was still asleep. I was reading one of my novels when I looked down and saw everyone so comfy...so I took a pic...if this blog had sound o vision you would be able to hear all of the snoring (Toby's of course) as well as Guiness' purring!

Enough rambling for the night....I'm hoping to have a freebie for you all in the next few days so make sure you come back and check for it.

Have a great night everyone!
Eddita

Catching Up!

Boy after being away for a week I have been pretty busy catching up with things, doing some more SVG c0nversions, creating files and taking classes...what classes you ask....well only after (and if) I pass will I share with you ;)

Now, before I forget, since school is back and we are looking at football games starting again, I have a special coupon code for you guys whose kids Cheer the team on. On sale for 3 days only (that's from now until 21 September) you can get my "Cheertastic Collection" for 50% Off! That's a great deal!

Just take a look at the 4 great files you get and at a price you can't beat! So if you're ready, just click on this link to get to the store and once you add it to your cart, all you have to do is enter the following code: EC_0909_23851

The best part is that this file (as well as all of the individual ones that make it up) are all available in the SVG format. You can go ahead and purchase and all I ask is that you send me a copy of your receipt (to accentsbyeddita@gmail.com) and I will send you the files right back...can't get much easier than that!

Also if you want to plan ahead a little I will be having another full store sale where all of my files will be 30% off from September 24th - 29th AND a final coupon code for a very cute special file...which one is it...hmmmm I'll give you a hint.....it's what people tell you to say when they are going to take your picture....hehehe.

Finally, I put a quick note on the Forum announcing my latest file. In case you missed it, here it is. It is called Postage Stamp Frames 2 Ways.

I thought to myself how great it would be to incorporate this idea into your card making and layout pages! This file comes to you 2 ways: First as an overlay so all you need to do is cut the frame you want out…how easy is that?!

Second, it comes as a pieced file so you have one background to which you can cut your photos or stamp little words or phrases on the little block and simply attach to the top. I thought it would be nice to offer both options so you can decide which way you prefer.


You have lots of choices on the sheets and the files are very easy to resize if you need to. You can even cut a couple out to make it appear as if you have torn them off a sheet...

I even used one with my new puppy to show his pic in the top area and then used the area below as a journaling block. Check out how I added the USA 44 on th image so it looks like a regular stamp...just think how cute it would be with a picture of your favorite people or pets! The neat thing is that you can play with it all you want and make it your own and unique. Resize to make as large as you want and can even reduce slightly.

Ok...so I think that's about it for now and I hope you are all going to have a wonderful weekend (I know I will!) and check back for the news and updates including some fun new files I have been working on!

As always, if you see a file in the store you like, go ahead and purchase it (doesn't matter which one) and send me a copy of the receipt and I will get it right out to you so you don't have to wait for them to appear as available in the store. Michelle is working really hard at uploading all of the files we have been converting, but it's quite a task as I'm sure you can imagine!

Until next time!
Eddita :)

I'm Back needing a Vacation from my Vacation!

Not really, but there always is a ton to do when one gets back that sometimes it feels like you need another vacation just to relax again!

Hi Everyone! Well after a week away I made it through another relaxing camping trip! I read 3 novels + 2 quickie Harlequin romances (which I found in the bath-house library LOL!), got eaten up by every insect known to man, burned my thumb and still found the time to laugh :)

We went to a lovely campground in Romney, WVA and set up our tent in a very picture perfect area of the campground (the rustic area of course!) where we had great views of the river and got to watch the train go by as well as listen to the herds of cows talk to each other. I even caught a glimpse of beavers swimming around! While it rained a couple of nights, because we were sheltered a bit under the trees, and the tent has a great awning, we were all comfy cozy and dry! As always we took the dogs including the new guy!

This is the first time that Guiness ventured out on his little kitty harness and I can say without a doubt, he was the best behaved "dog" of the 3! For the most part when we walked the dogs he rode on my shoulder but he would give off a little meow to let me know when he wanted to walk with the rest of the "pack". It was really funny to see him running just to keep up with Daisy and Toby, but he did.

Normally after we would get back from the walks there was an order to things....First, they would all get a drink from the water bowl and then Second, they would ALL collapse!

This of course would continue to be the case until day 3 when Guiness discovered how comfortable the water bowl actually was and took it over as his own personal lounge bowl. Good thing we had taken plenty of dog bowls with us so we had no trouble keeping them watered.

While I was away I did a lot of sketching of what was going on and came back with my new "Primitive Camping Collection" which I will be sharing with you in the next couple of days. I have just finished test cutting the files and I think there will be a little bit of everything for everyone!



Speaking of files, for you KNK users, did you see that Ileana is hosting a KNK Elements Swap?! I know I have mentioned this in the past, but this is a perfect way for you beginners as well as 'ol Pros to design a file and share it with others. The nice thing is that you will receive a bunch of free files for you to add to your ever growing collection!

I can't resist and have sent in my file. Here is what it looks like and if you are interested in having it all you have to do is sign up and send your masterpiece in before the 19 September midnight deadline!

Just click here for the link to the Paperthreads Forum where you too can sign up!

I'm still working through my SVG conversions and thanks to the last sale, got a number done! As always, if you see a file of mine that you need in this format, go ahead and purchase, send me a copy of the receipt and I will convert and send right back to you!

I'm working on a freebie for this week, so make sure you check back!

Eddita :)

My First Sale in what seems like Forever!!!

Now that life is back on track, just wanted to let you know that ALL of my files are on sale for 40% off! For those of you who use .SVG, while I do have some converted, if you email me a copy of your receipt I will take care of it right away and send out to you.

I will only have internet until Sunday night and then I will be back on Saturday, so if you need the file sooner than later...don't delay!

What else...oh yes...well, it's official, the G-Pup is a....drumroll please....boy!!!

He checked out well and is 9 weeks old (which is what we knew). We decided to make his birthday the 4th of July since it is easiest for us to remember. He got his first distemper shot and poor little guy was passed out for most of the afternoon. I don't think he was feeling too good but this morning I heard a rusting sound by my bed and there he was zooming all over the place so he is back to being his old (if you can consider 9 weeks as old) kitten self!

He goes back again in 3 weeks for his 2nd distemper and then at 4 months for the little snip which causes grown men around the world to cross their legs and groan!


I guess that's all and I'm not sure that I shared before, but as it is Back to School time, here is
the cute file I created for this time of year. Pick any colors you like for the backpack and lettering.

You can also write the date on the apple or even marquee select it and enlarge it to use as your journaling block. Hope you can all get some use for it and at 40% off how can you pass it up?!

You can find Back to School Backpack here :)

Well everyone I guess that's about it and enjoy your Labor Day weekend!

Eddita

Just a quick note!

September has started and I know we are all so busy getting kids ready to get off to school that I thought how quickly they all turn from caterpillers into busy butterflys just flitting from here to there.

I remember I have a cute file that would look great on a page showing how your children are growing up so from now until September 8th, I am sharing a coupon code with you for 50% off my Butterfly Kisses file!

You can find the file right here and if you enter the following coupon it's a deal you can't beat!

EC_0909_2wsdda

Additionally, if you recall a couple of posts ago I mentioned that my daughter had started her culinary program.

To honor her and what is going to be a lot of hard work and dedication, for the month of September my "Batter Up Children Baking" file is on sale for 50% off so you only pay $ 1.50!

No coupon code needed!

I know all of you have pics of your kids (both young and older) helping you out in the kitchen. The nice thing about this file is that both the boy and girl versions are included!

For those of you wanting the SVG version, I have great news: I have converted them (yea!) so all is good. Should you have any problems just send me an email (accentsbyeddita@gmail.com) and I will send out to you!

Well everyone that's about it for now, it's almost 9pm which means bedtime! LOL!

Make sure you check back for special announcements, sales and coupon codes for the month!

Take care!

Eddita

Got a Gear Head?

Ok everyone, I promised to share a file with you today, for a short 24 hours, and so here it is (before it gets to the store!) For those of you with "Gear Heads" in your life, this is a cute one. You may ask, "who is a Gear Head?"...well the definition I found in the Urban Dictionary is as follows:


"A person who is into all things motorized. This can be cars, motorcycles, machines, planes, or boats, but specifically relating to the engine and power delivery. Knowing how to weld and machine metal are also traits of a gearhead."

I even include the occasional Mr. or Ms. Fix-it in the group!





Just think how cute this would look on a page with your little ones "helping to fix" the car, or taking apart something just to see how it works! This file would work great in conjunction with one of my new files just uploaded called "Gears & Sprockets".

Speaking of new files, I told you I have been busy! Take a gander of these files brand new to the store: "Time Out Timer" (the name says it all), a "Quick Hello Card Front" and finally since it's that time of year again, "Tractor Pull"!







Well, that's about it for now, make sure you download the free file since it will only be up until tomorrow night at 7pm (that's September 1st guys and gals!)

If you download it, please leave me a note and let me know so I know you are interested in the files I share. IF you use it in a layout send it to me and I will share here with all of you.

Also, for those of you who are interested in .SVG versions of my files, I am slowly in the process of converting. If there is anything you want, send me a quick email and I will move that file to the top of the list so you don't have to wait!

Take care everyone, until next time!
Eddita :)

GearHead GSD version link

GearHead AIversion link

GearHead KNKversion link

GearHead WPC version link

GearHead SVG version link

Catching Up

Since the last time I posted it got pretty busy around here. My DD was getting herself ready to go back to school to finish her associates in general studies and at the same time start in the culinary program. Unfortunately, the "chefs" jacket and pants available at the school store are based on Men's Medium and up sizes, since interestingly, where she is female students are a much lower percentage of the class. While I am not a seamstress in any respect of the word, I am really good at pretending I am LOL! When all was said and done, the pants were shortened by 6+ inches and the medium ended up becoming a small fitted. On the first night of class the instructor used my daughter as an example of how everyone should look....bahahah...only if everyone else has a crazy crafting mother! She is so excited...so far she has won the challenges each night of class and the Chef appears to be impressed in this short span and while everyone else has been paired up with someone, she is her own group as he wants to "see what she can do". I told her I thought in a way it was a little unfair since everyone else will be able to count on someone else to help out and she said that was ok...she prefers not to have to and if she does need help, the Chef will do so. I am so happy that she is so happy!

For those who don't know, about 8 weeks ago we ended up finding a feral cat in our yard...well the truth is we didn't find her as much as DH was spraying around our tiny patio he got to the area behind out tall blackberry plants thus hitting her and she took off. My DH said OMG! there are kittens get a box quick and then that is where it all began. We brought them inside and thankfully none had been sprayed. We then pondered what to do because 1 - we didn't want a feral cat in our small patio and 2 - we didn't want a feral cat in our small patio. We called animal control who showed up and told us that if she were to take them they would be put down since it was 10:30 on a Sunday night and no one was there to take care of such young kittens (approx. 8 days since their eyes were just starting to open). She did leave us a trap to see if we could catch the mother and then she could take them all so that the mother could raise them and then when big enough they could be put out for adoption. In any case, she would come back the next day and take the kittens in since they had a list of people who foster who be be happy to in case the mom didn't come back....hmmmm ok...so we put the kittens in the back of the cage and set it outside and waited. DH went out since it was really dark and the night was cool and as he picked up the cage Mom cat who was laying "next" to it took off in the dark. Kittens were put in box with warm towels and we syringe fed them every 3 hours. The next day the officer came back and took all 3 of them and asked about the mother. We told her she had come but had not gone in. She said keep trying in the meantime she was going to get the fostering taken care of. You would think this was the end of the story but NOOOOOOO....around 3 in the afternoon I get a call from her asking if we had caught the mom. Now she knew we had told her that the cat only appeared late at night and we told her no. "Well" she says..."unless you can catch the momma by 3:30 the kittens will be put down as there are no foster parents since it is kitten season and it is FULL!!!!!!!!! What?!!

In the meantime, DH who "hates" cats is seeing me get upset and tells me that he's sure we can do it but that we could not keep them. I told the officer to let me foster them and she said she would check and call me back. I immediately called a good friend who lives on a farm with feral cats (all trapped and fixed) and asked her if she could take 3 in case we couldn't trap the mom and actually ended up having to foster them. After hearing the story she said absolutely so now it was a wait and see. I got the return call from the officer who told me I could not foster the kittens since I was not "licensed or approved" but that she could make it a return to owner if I got to animal control in the next 10 minutes before they closed! Talk about taking it to the wire!

So we run down, they give me formula and instructions on how to foster kittens and at the same time explain that if we can't catch the Momma then we will need to help the kittens to go to the bathroom since they don't know how to do it on their own. So for us it is important to trap the momma! "Use just 1 of the kittens as bait and you'll be fine". So there we are back at home. Syringe feeding these kittens (who by the way hate it all the way!) and get the trap ready!

Night comes and I put the largest kitten in the trap and wait. All of a sudden we see the momma appear. She circles the crate mewing...the baby is mewling back and scooting towards the front of the crate...Momma walks in picks up the kitten and takes off over the fence....WHAAAAAAATT!!! DH is like great now what do we do as we are looking at the other 2 kittens left in the box. Decision time....try to foster 2 kittens, one of which is the runt and not looking too good, or try to catch the Mom again and if we do then we know the 2 will survive but we will never be able to find the one she took off with. For the good of 2 we chose this path. This time I put the little guy in the back but as he moved only a little we knew the Momma would have to go all the way into the crate. We set it out again and sure enough she came back 1/2 hour later and we watched her walk into the crate grab the kitten and on the way out set the trap off so it pushed her out of the trap with a good slam on her bottom.

"That's it!" we took the last kitten out in a low box on a towel and waited for the Momma to return but she never did. I think the smack really scared her because she has never come back for the 3rd kitten at all. Sooooooooooo, this is the little one we ended up fostering just one kitten who we named Guiness (Cause he is tan with what we thought were black eyes....get it a Black and Tan...guiness beer LOL!)





And since the first thing shim (she he we still can't tell) is the dogs....Guiness thinks he is one too! Time has flown and Guiness who started out just under 8 oz. is now a little over 2 pounds! He is growing up fast and my DH who could originally fit him in his pocket and always said that he "hates cats" can always be found with Guiness on his lap petting him and talking to him....he says it's because he is vested in the cat...after all he came home every day to bottle feed him and watch the "tour de france" with him at lunch. I just think you can teach an "old dog a new trick!" LOL. Plus the dogs have been around him and to them he is just another one. Here they are finally calmed down and together:

Tomorrow I will be sharing the new files that I have or will be putting up in the store along with a limited time freebie...so make sure you come back to check it out! In the meantime, I want to share a short video of 2 of my dogs playing with each other. Enjoy!

Is it really possible that I fell off the face of the Earth???

First of all, if you still check in every now and then to see if I'm alive, then thank you very much! The fact is, I was abducted by aliens and then kept in this alternate universe where I had no time allowed to get on the computer and create files, answer emails, joke around on the Paperthreads Forum or essentially have a life.

Actually, somehow life got pretty hectic. We had some family emergencies (daughter had surgery and then recoup) and then work got crazy busy and I joined a gym. The plus side is that my daughter no longer doubles over in agony after eating, she had her gallbladder removed, which apparently was diseased at the age of 21!, Work is going well and Thank God, I have a job which I enjoy, and finally, I am getting in shape and have lost a little over 20 lbs. The downside is that by the time I get home I was exhausted and only wanted to enjoy dinner and relax watching tv or reading a book before my 8:30 bedtime...any later and it's hard getting up at 4:45am.

Now that work has lightened up, and I now have access again to the PT forum during the day, I will be able to join in again and drive you all crazy LOL!

Speaking of the forum, I'm sure many of you have already seen, but one of our Sister Designers, Carrie Schwartz and her family are going through a hard time. Her husband Scott was re-diagnosed with cancer and they could use all your thoughts and prayers. In order to help the family, Paperthreads is holding a fundraiser for them. If you haven't already, please consider joining the "Vacations and Getaways" Membership.

For only $ 15, you will receive 50+ files all created by the PT Designers. The files are available in all of the following types: .GSD , .AI, .KNK, .WPC, .SVG so that no matter what machine you use, you are covered.

Also, if you purchase the membership, your name will be included in a drawing to be held at the end on 31 August for a Large JunkItz Bag donated by Shirley Clark Designs.

HERE is the link to purchase the membership

Additionally, if you want to do a seperate additional donation, here is the link for that.

The goal is to reach $ 3,000 and we are almost there! Anything more than that will be a Blessing for the family!!!

Here are a few of my files that are part of the membership:






I have a few more I am working on and hope to have them done soon.

Speaking of files, I have been slowly going back and working on converting all of my files to the .SVG format. If you see something you want but it doesn't show it yet as being available in .SVG, just send me a note and I will push it to the front of the line. All of my new files will include .SVG so no problem!

Speaking of files, since I was abducted by Aliens, and since I haven't been around much, I thought that I would share for a limited time, this cute little file I just finished called "Out of this World". You have until Monday night the 17th to download it. After that, it will be available in the store.

I hope you all enjoy....and hey...it's good to be back!
Hugs,
Eddita



Click Here for .GSD File

Click Here for .AI File

Click Here for .KNK File

Click Here for .WPC File

Click Here for .SVG File