I always like to learn from my mistakes.  Really, I’d rather learn from other people’s mistakes, but if I have to make them, I want to learn something.  So here are a few things I learned in 2012.

• Even after watching a YouTube video, if you don’t have the skills and experience, don’t try to replace the fan in your laptop.  Trust me on this one.  If the Geek Squad doesn’t charge more than a new laptop, they’re worth every penny.
• If you’re juicing celery, cucumber, parsley and tomatoes and you’re also supposed to add some onion and red bell pepper, don’t think you can just leave them out.  The onion and pepper not only will add flavor, but without them (and maybe even with them; who knows?), your juice will look like pond sludge.  And it probably doesn’t taste a whole lot better.
• Sprinkling sand on icy, snowy sidewalks to keep people from slipping sounds like a really good idea, doesn’t it?  Well, it’s not.  The sand gets tracked into the house – no matter how much you try to scrape it off your shoes.  And you can dry mop, wet mop, sweep and vacuum until you’re blue in the face, but that sand will hang around for awhile.  For the record, this was something I learned from someone else, but I’m experiencing the side effects.
• Don’t decide to declog your sink at midnight.  Just go to bed.  And even if you do try to declog it, don’t look for the pipe wrench and try to take the pipe apart yourself if you’ve never done it before.  Age, I found out much later, deteriorates the pipe.  Deteriorated pipes break really easily.  (On the plus side, the drain is now clear.  Clear to the floor, actually.)
• I have a very sweet, forgiving husband with a great sense of humor.  (I learned this back in 1982, but I thought I’d add it as a reminder to him.)
• You’re never too old to blow bubbles.  And that, of course, brings me to my card for today.

Click on photo to view larger image.

I was thinking about a technique for our class Thursday.  After 3+ years, it’s sometimes hard to think of new ones!  And I can’t believe we haven’t done this one yet.  It’s a “bubble background.”  It’s been renamed “Bubble Magic,” I think.   That sounds a little more exciting, so that’s what I’ll call it.

This is the Moving Forward set that was created exclusively for the Ronald McDonald House Charities promotion.  $3 from the sale of each set will go to RMHC.  It’s only available through May, and it’s a super cute set!  You can order it here.

The designer series paper and ribbon are Sale-a-bration freebies that you’ll be able to earn from Jan 22 – March 22.

Hope you have a wonderful New Year!  Stay safe – and thanks for stopping by Stamping with Buffy!