Do you want a good book to read

Well, here is a terrific "self help" (kind of) you might like.  Down the Long Road: A Daughter's Journey with Her Mother by Sandra Eastman

It's only 133 pages but once you start reading it, believe me, you will not want to put it down.
Sandy Eastman shares her times with her mother who had Alzheimers Disease for 8+ years. Although no one in my family suffered from this terrible affliction, I thought it beneficial for just getting through any type of health issues.  It helped me get through the grief process as well. 
There are a few copies left.  $12.95 +postage to mail.  Just email me at pinkpigy@aol.com and type in Sandy's book as the subject.
I bought several and gave them to others who might like it and encouraged them to pass it on to some one they might know would benefit from it.
Thank you for checking it out.  Happy pigtrails to you, pinkpigy@aol.com
http://www.janerappleyea.stampinup.net/

Sad day #2 but not as the first sad day

Well, golly gee whiz!  You teary-eyed people get me everytime.  For those who knew Audrey - thank you for your kind words.  I posted her on FB. Thank you, thank you, thank you all.

Now, endure a little more with me as I share a small tribute to my oldest sister, Vicki L. Ellis Garber

January 30, 1946 - February 27, 1987

Memories are treasures

No one can steal.

Death is a heartache

Nothing can heal.

Some may forget them

Now they are gone.

But I shall remember

No matter how long.

Still miss you after all these years.

I miss going to PicnSave (Big Lots now)

I miss going to lunch before mall shopping

I miss spending the nights at your home because Lee was working nights and I was afraid to be home alone

Thank you for feeding us so many times when we came to visit

Thank you for loving all the kids and being so generous

Thank you for being a great Christian woman

Thank you for being a super high school teacher

Thank you for getting us a sister to the dog you got (ours was Taco Bell and yours was Sweetums)                 

Mom always said that grandparents are to die first, then the parents, and then the children.  In our family, 3 of our 4 grandparents had died.  And, then Vicki died.  Wait a minute! That is out of order. It threw our family way out of line and we were never the same.  Each of had to deal with the strange event in our own way. For the first month, I went to the cemetary every day. Now, I only visit when I think I need to. You see, I have her right here in my heart and I don't need to go there.  I can just talk to her here at home. Vicki was the first grandchild and a golden child she was. Never misbehaving - taking care of us other 4 kids - reading and learning - always staying where she was suppose to be.  (01-22-11 post). My maternal grandmother just a short 2 months after Vicki died.  As my Mom was packing things up from her apartment, she discovered a photo album wedged between the mattress and box springs. My grandmother had compiled an album.  The first half was all about Vicki and the second half was all about herself.  I think she just couldn't cope with the loss.  Grandma used to call Vicki 'sis'.  What a sad time - again.  Brings the memories back all over again.  I have to look at pictures to remember what she looked like. Is this normal?  Probably.  I smile everytime.  I remember coming to visit her at the hospital after her first surgery.  She had stepped out into the hallway to do her walking therapy and stopped just to see me bent over holding the hands to her baby doll she had gotten for Christmas.  I thought she was going to pop a stitch.  We were all laughing.  I told her she needed her baby to comfort her.
For those who have lost someone (no matter how long ago) please know my pain and heartache is with you.  And, for those who have parents nearing that time of leaving us, I do know what you are going through.  It hurts to see our parents or loved ones go through changes that we may not like or don't want to remember a certain way; however, this is life and it is best  not to give up on what you remember the way they were. I don't think I have to share "sad" days with you for awhile.  I will skip grandparents but later this year will come my Dad.   *Mom's funeral service was held this day in 2003*
What a day! Let's get it over and move on to greater things.
Happy pigtrails to you, pinkpigy@aol.com
http://www.janerappleyea.stampinup.net/

Short and Sweet

Piglet #1 and I have been busy all day preparing for our March 5th stamp camp.  Pretty, pretty cards.
You can still order them (8 for $18.00+ $5 postage to mail).  email me at pinkpigy@aol.com and type in stamp camp cards

And, the rest of the day was spent finishing the little hand sanitizer projects.  100 of them - all done. Ready to put the antibacterial bottles in them.   $2.00 each - I will post a few pigtures later.

Gotta go to bed cuz' Piglet#1 will be here early.

Happy pigtrails to you, pinkpigy@aol.com
http://www.janerappleyea.stampinup.net/

Thank you

Sometimes I just feel like thanking certain people who mean alot to me. Of course, GOD and my family is number one, but they are not listed here on this list.

Thank You
piglet#1
Sandy E
pinkpigypiglets
My design team (Linda and KJ)
Trudy
Ruth
Stampin' Up!
my customers
Diana G
Tami W
Karen D
Sandy H
Sonic
Ray
Chu
Chris
Tom

A Nice Sentiment

Audrey C. Ellis

September 26, 1924  -  February 23, 2003

Some people come into our lives and quickly go.

Some people stay awhile in our hearts and we are never the same.

Rest in Peace

I'm sad today

Well, yesterday I just felt tired.  I couldn't take a little nap because I wasn't sleepy, just tired.  And, the sun was shining brightly, too.  I chalked it up to my MOM being gone now for 8 years (02-23-03).  It still just seems like yesterday. Please have patience while I reflect on Audrey.
We all deal with death differently, yet, alike.  Growing up, my Mom and I weren't really close to each other.  I always loved her, but I connected more with my Dad.  We seemed to have the sensitivities and social abilities to keep us close.  As years went on, my Dad passed away, my Mom had heart surgery, and we decided together that it would be best if she moved closer to her children (here in Phoenix and Mesa). The most logical one would be myself and my husband since our kids were grown and out of the home.  So, we had a home built to fit our (3) needs and Mom became part of our home.  What a blessing!  Not always agreeing with each other, but the fun, great times outweighed the "moody" times.  She got along so well with Lee. And I sometimes think they liked each other more than me.  I can still stand in the hallway looking into her living area and see her right there.  I will pass by the bathroom and smell a scent she liked.
We started into the stamping zone together.  A friend had shown us a stamping catalog and then, we attended the ultimate Stampin' Up! "workshop".  Oh my goodness!  That did it.  We changed the guest bedroom into our craft room.  Before long, we each had our own tools, cardstock, inks.  One to share was not going to work.  I muddled along and did cards here and there.  She was a creative talented stamper.  She also HAND-quilted (as she always put it over and over and over again - "machine quilting is not quilting"; they shouldn't allow quilting to be attached to the word machine").  She is right.  If you quilt by hand, you know exactly what goes into it and how each stitch is done exact and precise to make the pattern complete.  She could cook, bake, quilt, crochet, and sew, and measure anything in no time flat.
So, her health issues caught up to her and she would say "I did this to myself.  All those years of smoking".) She knew and stood to take the consequences.  I am sharing a few of her pigtures.  And, I am going to take pigtures of her quilts to post later.  I think you will like them.
Thank you for taking a little of your time to pay a small tribute to my Mom
 Audrey (09/26/1924 - 02/23/2003)

She would laugh so much.  I am with her in the pigture on the right. The top pigture shows her in her one of her favorite flowers (the Tombstone rose) and I kept telling her to move back and she would and finally said she couldn't because the bees were going to get her.  I felt so bad but she never said anything until she couldn't take it anymore.  I got the pigture and got her out of there. We laughed and laughed about that and I think she might have laughed so hard she wet her pants.  Not me (at least that time).  ROTFLOL.
And, I have to mention all of the wonderful people who gave me support and allowed me to share my inner most thoughts of Audrey.   I think it helped them to deal with some of their griefs they had to endure somewhere along the way.  Happy pigtrails to you, pinkpigy@aol.com
http://www.janerappleyea.stampinup.net/

I knew I would forget something

Time is almost here for our All Occasions Cards Stamp Camp.

There will only be one day of camp - March 5th, 2011   9am - 11:30am     my home 
   8 cards for $18.00 (envelopes included).  Can't make the camp but want the cards?  $18.00 plus $5.00 postage and I will send them to you plus a free gift from me to you.
Send me an email at pinkpigy@aol.com with your mailing information and on the subject line put pinkpigy stamp camp cards

Here's a sneak preview of parts of the cards we will be making: oops. This is sideways.  I have to leave right now but will figure how to get it turned around (or you can just tilt your head).  LOL!  Some are CASED and I will send the originators an email letting them know I used their card as a sample.

Happy pigtrails to you, pinkpigy@aol.com
http://www.janerappleyea.stampinup.net/   Note: if you choose to order from me, please use my website and go through the store to list me as your demonstrator so I will get credit.  Thanks.

A Little Bit of Information

Hello pinkpigy bloggers!   Since I started this blog, it gets me to thinking of all kinds of things to share with you.  I do want to let you know that my stamping business fills pretty much of my time outside family time.  I love doing this and when someone mentions that I do not have a real job - well, let me tell you - NOT TRUE.  This is a real job and I sometimes spend more hours (without breaks) than a 'real' job.  I'm not making much of any profit, but I do like doing this just the same.
I try to share what I think most of you bloggers would like to see.  I am trying not to ramble so much and give you more pigtures. 
I try to use all Stampin' Up! products. Sometimes, there are products they don't carry and I will use them from outside vendors; but, most of the time it is Stampin' Up!  I don't want to be in conflict with our products. But, the effects just don't work well enough.  I just wanted to share that with you.  And, I don't want to promote any other business entity that competes with my business.  Other demonstrators are not in this category.  This is how we share our crafting techniques, projects, etc.  I will try to give credit to those who had the original idea or their work.  If you happen to see something that might be your artwork, just send me an email at pinkpigy@aol.com and let me know.
Now, to share a couple pigtures to get your Terrific Tuesday going.
Leave a comment on this post and email me with the subject line: FREE pinkpigy blog card and I will send you one of these cards. Don't you just want to get down and wallow in the mud? 
This one was tweaked a bit from a card class taken by Diana Gibbs. What is changed on this card from the original one?  Look at the cute little Baja Breeze adornment.  I widened the printed DSP upwards to the striped piece.  I also added a panel of Rose Red behind the DSP and changed the greeting. Thanks Diana for sharing the original idea. Stamp Camp attendees will be making this one on March 5th.  There is still room if you want to join us. Email me and let me know if you want to attend or if you just want the cards (envelopes included plus postage). 

 This was a convention 3x3 swap I participated in. I love the embosslits and I tend to use black and pink and white alot in my swaps. I think the other participants got a pretty neat swap from me.

Well, it's that time to say Happy pigtrails to you, pinkpigy@aol.com
http://www.janerappleyea.stampinup.net/

pinkpigypiglets stamp club card

This card was actually a swap from our last Dazzlin' Divas meeting.  I just added an extra layer and used Liquid Pearls on the little circle center of the flower.  Thanks Vicki for the original idea.

Leave a comment on this post and then email me your name and address and put in the subject = free blog card. I will make one and send it to you FREE. Thanks for stopping in on my blog.  Oink!  Happy pigtrails to you, pinkpigy@aol.com
http://www.janerappleyea.stampinup.net/

I hope you miss me today

Okay, let's see what can I give you today?  I'm busy with the pinkpigypiglets and then after that is all over, Pop-Pop and Grammie get to have our 3 beautiful all girl sleepover (that would be Emily, Allie, and Raina).  Yep, apparently, Grammie never learns her lesson because this could be an early demise.  Well, they are fun and I'm just glad we have connections with them.  They are growing up so quickly.
I would post them, but I am not going to.  I don't have permission and this is a public site. Please understand my position for not posting their pigtures. Thanks, but they are so cute.  We don't get to see much of our grandson. He is so busy with his Dad and who wants boys at an all-girl thing. He rocks!
So, while I am away from my blog, here are a couple of my favorites (black and white just is the greatest).
I love black and white.

Well, I will close for now. Happy pigtrails to you.  Oink if you like.  pinkpigy@aol.com
http://www.janerappleyea.stampinup.com/

Today is just a gloomy day

For we who live and actually love the heat here in Arizona - it is sort of depressing when the sun isn't shining.  I mean, stay in bed, feel like it is 20 degrees below zero.  Yuck! 

Valentines Day is over and I always almost get a few requests to make valentine items for friends/customers afterwards.  Well, people, people, people......  I'm like a computer - I delete whatever is over.  But, for a friend Piglet#1 and I did make these cute little mailboxes for someone who apparently forgot that Valentines Day is over.  But, these can actually be used for other occasions.  So, take a look.  Oink if you like.

        

I've got to finish up here and get some good rest because tomorrow is one exciting day.  It's the pinkpigypiglets stamp club.  I doubt that my club members will be on here between now and tomorrow morning so here are the projects they get to make.  Pretty cute, huh.

Number 1 is using the Create a Cupcake Stamp Set and Build a Cupcake punch.

Number 2 is using the Build A Blossom Stamp Set and Blossom Petal punch.

Number 3 is right off the front cover of the Occasions Mini Catalog and it is be-u-t-ful.

And, the last is just something I thought the Piglets would like - it's using the Clear Mount Case converted into a card/envelope holder. 

  

 

 I will try to take a better pigture after club and post maybe Monday or Tuesday.

Taking a rest on Sunday.  I'll also show each card individually and give a little explanation and credit.

So, happy pigtrails to you, pinkpigy@aol.com

http://www.janerappleyea.stampinup.net/

Pretty flowers from Valentines Day

Oooooooink! Ooooooooooink!  Two big oinks for my husband (Lee) for getting me these beautiful carnations.  If you want long-lasting flowers, get carnations.  I love them.  He still buys cards for me but he says it's so I can copy them to make my own.  How sweet!  And, a box of candies. Yum!

Back to more pigtures tomorrow.  Happy pigtrails to you, pinkpigy@aol.com
http://www.janerappleyea.stampinup.net/

Oink if you love these pigtures

Today..... you get a nice piggie treat.  Enjoy!
I did this one from front cover of the Occasions Mini Catalog.



   Clock card by Donna. Butterfly-flower card by Claudia.

 "F"riends by Pam. "happy" by Barbara    Unknown cards on display
       
   

    

Kimono Kids

So, I figured out that "who is really going to care if I post my swap for this coming Sunday's Spring Fling with Diana Gibbs?"  Here is a pigture of it.  Oriental art is not my favorite of artsy stuff; however, I got the stamp set "Kimono Kids" and forced myself to do something with it.  I'm glad I did.  See?
Leave a comment and then email me your name and address and I will send you one FREE!

Stamp sets: Kimono Kids and Loads of Love
Cardstock: Tempting Turquoise, Melon Mambo, Daffodil Delight, and Whisper White
Black Stazon, Classic inks/Stampin' Write Markers:  Tempting Turquoise, Melon Mambo, Daffodil Delight
Circle punches and Designer Label punch.

Leave a comment then email me your name and address and I will send you one of these cards FREE.
I will be taking a day of rest tomorrow (actually I will be at the Spring Fling with Diana Gibbs) and will come back to you on Monday.

Got anything you want to see here on my blog?  Let me know. Thanks and Happy Pigtrails to you,
pinkpigy@aol.com         Order online through my website:  http://www.janerappleyea.stampinup.net/

Here they are - I made these

I have not had my 1976 Singer sewing machine out in years.  It works just as if it was the first time I used it. What a wonderful machine.  It was top of the line and then machines like BabyLock and those fancy machines came out.  You had to take classes to learn how to use them, so I just kept my little simple sewing machine and I am happy to say it still does a fantastic sewing job.  Which, by the way, is my point in one of these cards I did.  If you look closely you can tell that I sewed right on the cardstock.  This cardstock handles sewing very nicely.  I am so impressed with it.... no tearing, gouging, etc.  Turned out pretty good.
The other card is using the Build A Blossom stamp set and Blossom Petal punch.  Amd the embossed frame is the Tulip Frame embossing folder used with the Big Shot.

Rats! you can't see the stitching on the cardstock.  I will work on it and get a better pigture for you to see what a neat job I did. Honest. I did.  The card on the right is very easy to make.  A pigture is worth a thousand oinks......... I duplicated the card that is on the front cover of the 2011 Occasions Mini Catalog. You just have to see how great it really looks.  Would you like me to make you one?  Leave a comment and then email me at pinkpigy@aol.com and I will send one to you absolutely FREE!                                        

Want me to show you how I made the little medallion in the upper left hand corner?  I will work on doing a short tutorial. And, the "Button, Button" stamp set is super terrific!  So many buttons but can also be used for other imaging as well.   The flower card is done using the Big Shot Fun Flowers and Petal Cone dies.  And, look at the ginoromous yellow button?  They come in a bag of different colors.  Check it all out.

http://www.janerappleyea.stampinup.net/   Please order through my website and list me as the demonstrator.

Thanks.  Every little bit helps.

That about does it for today.  Until tomorrow, Happy Pigtrails to you, pinkpigy@aol.com



I am just dying to show you these cards I made

I can't just yet.  I have my Dazzlin' Divas meeting to go to and two of the cards are for this night.  I will post them on Friday morning.   And, the other swap I have made is so cute, cute, stinkin' cute.  I have to wait until Monday morning to post it because it is for a Sunday swap.
Oh, but I do want to wish my Piglet#1 to get better. She managed to get that awful, terrible cold and is having to deal with the cough. Yuck!

Isn't this a cute little stamp set. $16.95 (clear mount) #120498/$21.95 (wood mount) #117000.

So, that is it for today.  I will be home late tonight but will try to get something posted for Friday as soon as I can get moving.  The Reisling just makes me relax and want to sleep. hmmmm...
Happy pigtrails to you,  pinkpigy@aol.com
http://www.jane.rappleyea.stampinup.net/

Reminder of the March Spring Fling Stamp Camp

Okay, just letting you know there is still room in both "camps".  Both camps are the same cards.  You are welcome to attend both if you want, but not necessary.

Saturday,  March 5th - 9am - 2pm      and Sunday, March 6th -  9am-2pm
                  8 different cards (including envelopes)  -    $18.00   (can't make the camp? )
 Send money + $5.00 postage and I will make them for you and send them out to you.

All occasions (3 birthday, 1 sympathy, 1 baby, 1 anniversary, 1 thinking of you, and 1 get well)

Hurry - invite a friend or two.  Spaces are limited.  email pinkpigy@aol.com with information.

Sister #2 - Peggy

Well, there is so much to write about this sister.  "The Rebel".... always into trouble for this or for that.  I looked back at some pigtures of her when we were growing up and I had to chuckle (okay, so I outright laughed outloud).  She was so quirky.  What a dork!   Anyway, like, she was the one with me on the bicycle. She always got me in trouble and so that leads me into the oh-so-famous "butter story". The grandkids love to hear this one.  I think because I got into trouble over it.  Here we go:
Dinner was over and the girls always did the dishes and cleaning up.  So, I usually tried to wriggle my way out of doing dishes by having to go to the bathroom.  However, my sister Peggy (second to the oldes of us 5) thought this time I would not get out of my part of the dishes.  So, we were putting things away and she is holding this little plate of butter (and back in those "old days") we used butter.  So, she comes over to me and says, "Hey Jane.  If you eat this stick of butter, I will do your dishes for you." I looked at the butter and then at her and said, "NOPE! you will tell Dad and then I will get a spanking. Uhhh ahhh!"  Peggy kept pestering me into eating the stick or even any part of it.  She nudged me and told me to eat the butter and that she would do my part of the dishes.  Now, by this time, my oldest sister (Vicki) had stopped what she was doing and watched the little entertainment going on at the moment.  She smiled and shook her head.  I think that was the look that "baby sister is about to get into trouble".  So, I made Peggy promise that she wouldn't tell our Dad and that she would do allllll of the dishes.  She nodded up and down (and grinning that big cat smile).  So, I took the stick of butter in one hand and opened wide and she shoved it into my mouth.  A little more than I would have, but it was in my mouth - and then the big announcement came.  "Dad.... Jane ate the butter! You better come and see."   Yep! Sure enough - that snitch!  Dad walked around the corner and there - that look on his face - oh no!  I am in trouble now.  He came up to me and gave me a strong whack on my back and out came the butter.  He said "get cleaned up and you are doing the rest of the dishes.  Peggy and Vicki, you go do your homework. Jane, get busy." That mean, horrible look on his face told me I was not out of the woods yet.  Through my tears and hateful thinking about my sister, I got the dishes done (seemed like all night).  And, still I never made it to the bathroom. Imagine that. 
Peggy and I keep in touch regularly.  When we call each other, our conversation starts out with not much new going on; however, 2- 1/2 hours later or when the cellphone batteries are about to die, something had to go one.  Laugh, tell stories, swap opinions, memory-walking, just lovin' it all.  You'll hear more about dear Peggy.  I've still got two brothers to go through.  However, here are a couple pigtures so you get the idea.

Wasn't she so sweet looking.  Yeah, right.  But, she would pinch the babies and poke me all the time.  I think it was the middle child syndrome.  Even though she wasn't the middle child, close enough.

Rollers in our hair at her daughter's wedding.  I just grabbed these to show you.  I will get more better ones later.   So, enough of my sister Peggy.  She's so funny.  I love her so much.  She has type 1 diabetes and almost lost her life over it a couple times.  Now, I will close with this one and work on my next one.  Coming up:  My older brother, Doug.
Happy pigtrails, pinkpigy@aol.com        http://www.janerappleyea.stampinup.net/

I forgot to ask you about something

Do you remember reading January 27th post?   Did you order the grid paper I demonstrated for you?

Did you order and figure out how to use the Stampin' Up! (Fiskars) paper cutting tool? 

If you haven't, go back to this date and review it.

And, what are you waiting for!  Get it ordered now.  Thank you.
Happy pigtrails to you, pinkpigy@aol.com
http://www.janerappleyea.stampinup.net/
click on here and place your order today using me as your demonstrator.  Thank you.  oink, oink, oink.

Where is my Piglet#1?

I haven't seen Piglet#1 in the past 3 or 4 days.  Sometimes we don't see other for awhile and other times, we are glued together doing all kinds of neat things.   I miss her when she isn't around.  We have fun and try to accomplish some stuff.   I don't do much when she isn't her to motivate me.  She is suppose to be coming over tonight.  I hope, I hope.
I will get a pigture of her and me so you can see.  We are so much alike.  We complement each other, too.
I am so glad she is part of my pinkpigy team.   You can be, too.  Just contact me at pinkpigy@aol.com and we will work together to get you on the pinkpigycrafts team. It is fun. 
I have to go for now.  That is two posts in one day.   Come back tomorrow bright and early to catch up on my introductions of my sisters and brothers saga.   Happy pigtrails to you, pinkpigy@aol.com
http://www.janerappleyea.stampinup.com/
this is where you click and go to and place an order using me as your demonstrator. Delivered to you direct. Thanks for doing business with me. 

I Don't Believe This! YIKES!!!!

I truly would never ever do something like this in my whole life.  What is wrong with me????!!!  LOL. 4-sure.  So, I guess I took a break from blogging and found out that it has almost a week and a half since I last posted. hmmmmm..... well, to make peace with you and hope you will forgive me (like, I have so many followers and so many comments given to me).....  so, here are a few pigtures I think you will like.

The first couple are taken from the January 29th post (where Karen Duke's card swap was tweaked).
Look at these.  Aren't they cute.  Yep. Glimmer paper - that's the red backing.  I just lovvvveee black and white cards.  Want me to make some for you?  Just let me know and I will try to come up with something just customized for you. 
Getting back to these pigtures.  Oink if you like them.  The little kids are from the All in the Family stamp set and the greeting is from Blowing Kisses.

So, it is so fun to create such neat things. I love it.  So, I am going to show you a couple more because I was a very "baaaddddd" girl and not post like I was suppose to.  Look at these.  Now, the background paper is not current but I just liked it so much and Stampin' Up! really didn't have the effect I wanted.  The stamp set is Teddy & Train.  Boy or girl.  No matter - cute, cute, cute and so, just so baby.

Don't you just love that little added touch of a colored brad tucked right under the neck line? And, I really like the scallop square behind the white square panel.  Don't you also like the ribbon (taffeta). yep.

Well, here is one more and then I have to work on my post about my other sister (remember, family introductions?).

Love You Much is the stamp set and this is so delicate and soft.  Pink and brown - just yummy.
Do you want some of these?  Just contact me and I will set you right up.  These are 3x3 note/gift cards. But, if you want them in a full size greeting card, I can get that for you.

Thank you so much for visiting my blog.   Please leave a comment.   Happy pigtrails to you, pinkpigy@aol.com
http://www.janerappleyea.stampinup.net/