Steph also posted pictures on Shutterfly:

share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0CZsWzhs4ZsnMg 

“So, we’re going on this nice lil’ train ride when suddenly there’s a big ol’ western cowboy standing behind me staring down at me for a very long time.  No smile, no joke…nothin’.  I turned to Lucy and said, ‘I feel like I just got in trouble!’  If only I had known would trouble lay ahead of me.
The train came to a halt and everyone thought we were stopping so we could get a good photo of the old noose that was set up on the hill.  Out of nowhere, this ‘cowboy’ grabs my arm and says ‘Stand up!  You’re coming with me!  Us cowboys got to pick one of yas and you’re the one we want to hang!’  What????  They seriously began to drag me off the train while I was helpless being watched by 100 other Fiskateers who just smiled pretty and didn’t do anything about my situation.  I kept calling out ‘what about Angela!  Take her!’  Nobody listened.  The three of them yelled out all the reasons for the hanging (all quite a blur for me…) And finally the other Fiskateers decided to come off the train.  Inside I was hoping someone would rescue me and just as I called out that I needed a lawyer, Suzanne said she was there to defend me!
She continued to talk about how fantastic the Fiskateers are (and obviously would never deserve to be hung!)  Then she presented me with the gigantic scissors that had my name engraved and ‘Fiskateer of the Year 2008!’  I was speechless.  The entire thing was a set up!  I graciously accepted the scissors and then threatened the cowboys that I might have to use them if they didn’t back off.  They continued arguing about what the ‘law’ said finally one of them whipped out their ‘book of laws’ and sure enough, law #74 said that anyone who used orange scissors could not be hung!  They were very comical and at one point the third cowboy whispered to me ‘you better step back.’ And then ‘you better get by the train.’  I was glad I did because they ended up having a western shoot out.  It was LOUD!
In the end, I somehow still ended up climbing toward the noose and posing with it around my neck.  You’ll never know how relieved I was that Angela came with me and used to big scissors to ‘cut’ me free.
What.An.Adventure.
I’m so honored to be named ‘Fiskateer of the Year 2008’ alongside two amazing women, Laura and Debby.  Thank you Fiskars and thank you Angela for an outstanding crop full of fisk-a-fun and memories that will last us a lifetime.

At the event we had one Fiskateer who flew in from Redmond, Washington (we love you, “Buffy!”), 4 who drove from Oregon, many from Northern California, one (and her sweet husband celebrating his 50th birthday) from Boise, Idaho and even one who made the long 9 hour drive from Las Vegas!  I really do hope to return the favor and visit each of you in your home areas in the next year as I travel to meet more Fiskateers.

Our Fiskateer numbers ranged from Fiskateer #3 (our official Legend Fiskateer, Stephenie all the way from Chicago to visit us) up to Debbie, Fiskateer #5320 who registered at our event.  And each of us helped to Fiskar-ize Virginia City in our own way from the new Ramada Inn to the 2 trains we chartered to hold us all to the Bucket of Blood Saloon which stayed open late just for us (and the bartender who was so pleased with the Ink by Steph skull and cross bone scissors we brought him that he opened beer bottles with them & let us take photos while he did it) to the Del Rio who scrambled (pun intended) to accommodate the Fiskateers who stayed through Sunday to enjoy more scrapping and one of the most delicious breakfasts I’ve had in a long time.  If you ever have a chance to visit Virginia City, keep your eye out in the local shops, trains and on the local “desparados,” you might see them using special edition Fiskars scissors which will prove that during one special weekend, Fiskateers made their presence known in this old mining town- we took over a silver city and truly painted Virginia City orange (and left at least a pound of orange glitter scattered all over town).
A very special thank you to Michon, Amanda, Colette, Laurie, Gerda, Tricia and every one of my local friends who hauled boxes to the event for me, helped clean up and helped keep the party running smoothly in general (and really, EVERYONE who helped with trash, kept the hot water and ice going and checked on the room temperature for us all day).  And to store owners Jennifer Gibson, Kathy Womack and Donna Jean who came and  represented all of our area’s Fiskars Finest local scrapbook stores. And to Jennifer, Jen, Julie (our latest FOY but more on that in my next blog post!), Hisaho and Amy who represented the Fiskateer Nifty 50 (and came from 4 different states to do it) and who helped throughout the event (including, so they tell me, an off-roading adventure in search of the train in my messy “Mom” van).  To John, Dennis, Ms. Jackie’s SO sweet son, my husband, Courtney’s husband and every other family member who supported this crazy and very orange weekend even though they might think we’re all a little bit nuts.  Also to my little girl who LOVED being the official Fisk-a-Fairy at the start of our day with her basket of Rain Dot goodies.  And of course, Faye who stayed home and kept the message board hopping in honor of our event.

If you have photos from the event, please upload them to an album at the Shutterfly account I have created for this event (you can see what I have so far here:  http://share.shutterfly.com.  I am sending a link to the album in a separate email to each of you who attended the event so there should be more photos to share as we continue to upload and share photos.  You can also read some personal accounts of the day here:  Ms.Jackie’s:  http://www.fiskateers.com/community/topic/12325 & Lynn’s http://www.fiskateers.com/community/topic/12320 (wait until Lynn find’s out that she won a Frankie and a full ink set after she left- they’re in the mail, Lynn!- you too, Idella!  Marynne already took home her Rock, Paper Trimmer!).
I couldn’t imagine having a better time (outside of going to ALL the Fisk-a-Friendzsies!).  I kept thinking of this event as wedding planning so I think this makes my trip to Long Beach to help out at Cheryl’s Fisk-a-Friendzy my honeymoon and I can’t wait to see all of you there!

I have millions of last minute details to attend to (really, this is SO much like planning a wedding!) but I will leave you with a little sneak peek…

Being a lefty I have had to adapt my whole life.  Now don’t feel sorry for me because it has never been a  big deal.  Never knowing any differently, I just did what I had to do…  until recently.  Not too long ago, Cheryl  posted a blog entry about left handed people and before reading her post, I never realized that Fiskars actually made left handed scissors.  I immediately started looking for Fiskars lefty scissors.  I was slightly disappointed to discover that they only came in red.  At least orange would make me feel better about being a minority.  My best friend loves the color red but for me, blue is the only real color.  Needless to say, I was chatting with Angela and mentioned that I did not know that Fiskars made left handed scissors and  she was surprised I hadn’t been aware of them.  Angela asked me to try and review a pair of Fiskars no. 6 Bent Left-handed Scissors: so here I am:

As I start my review I am a little skeptical.  I really love my Fiskateer scissors and have not noticed much discomfort in using them.  I have also enjoyed my Fiskars EZ ID teacher’s scissors for two reasons:  they work for us leftys and they allow me to be a little territorial because I have my name right on them.  Often times I also use my soft touch micro tip scissors and love them.   I even love my Heidi Grace (blue!)  floral scissors and they are definitely not for left handed people.

I just took my scissors out of the package.  I can honestly say I do not know when the side of my thumb was so comfortable in a pair of scissors.  These scissors seem to say, “These are dangerous- you could just sit here and cut all day or just rest here, with me in your hands!”    However they are not as pretty as my blue ones.  Since I am getting ready to go to the Virginia City Fisk-a-Friendzy this week AND the Long Beach Fisk-a-Friendzy next week, I am going to start working on my 200 ATC cards.  I am committing that these Fiskars left handed scissors are the only scissors I will use.  I will let you know how it goes…

[Later]:  Ok, so I have completed 82 of my ATC cards.  I have to admit that I used more than just the left handed scissors.  When I was cutting the small photos for my ATC cards, I used my micro tip scissors because I was a little more comfortable with them and felt they were more precise.  After using right handed scissors for so long I discovered that the cutting line was a little different. I loved cutting my ribbon and paper with them.  I never realized how comfortable they could be.  I think these are the perfect scissors and really save your hand in a big project.  Now if only they could add new colors… maybe something in blue… with a place to add my name…

If you are interested in the Fiskars No.8 Left-handed Scissors, you can buy them directly from FiskarsCrafts.com (just CLICK HERE). Colette also mentioned the Teacher EZ ID Scissors which you can find here (just as an example):  http://www.dickblick.com/zz570/85b/ (and yes, there is a blue version).  I was also interested to see that the kid’s version won the Teacher’s Choice Award for 2008.  You can read about that too (CLICK HERE).

Second:  

The following people have had their names drawn for a prize from my recent prize drawings- I have sent you an email but, just in case, please send me your full name and mailing address and Fiskateer number and I will do my best to get a prize package out in the mail to you soon!

Bonnie- mystery box from F.CIA Project “BOW”

Page Kits from my Fisk-a-Packed Weekend:

Merlene

Ursula

Kate B

Katie

Natalie

LinRebecW

Nancy

And of course, HAPPY HALLOWEEN…. I’m going to go put on my Heidi Grace witch costume and get ready for our open house Halloween party!

2nd, our chat with Joanna Campbell Sloan, author of Paper. Scissors, Death:  A Kiki Lownestein Scrap-N-Craft Mystery was fantastic.  We had about 26 people participating.  If you are interested in buying the book and reading it, I’d like to organize a reader’s chat and have Joanna come back to have a chat again.  She has offered to send me autographed book plates to send to anyone who purchases the book as part of our future chat.  Let me know if you would be interested and I will get to work organizing it.  Meanwhile, my adopted scrap nana, Nana Beth won an autographed book and so did Sarah R. so they have been asked to do a small book report for us after they are done reading it.  As for me, I enjoyed the book- I literally read it start to finish in one sitting.  I’m impatient that way.  Can’t rest until I find out all the answers to a mystery.

I also have all my prizes packed up from this weekend’s challenge.  I will announce the 6 winners tomorrow night and get these boxes all out in the mail.  Meanwhile, I leave you of pictures of my wedding anniversary.  Every year, I squeeze myself back into my wedding dress for my husband’s amusement and to the delight of my kids- my theory is- what else am I going to do with it?  I also take photos of my daughter in my dress every year (this year was our 12 year anniversary so he brought me a dozen roses and a package of Skittles- totally romantic!  LOL.   Our 7 year-old took “arty” phtoos and also this year, Sommerset Memories published this  layout I did about my little girl’s first year in the dress.  Too sweet!  Another good year to scrap!

Mousy housewife Kiki Lowenstein has two great loves: scrapbooking and her young daughter, Anya. But her happy family album is ruined when her husband, George, is found dead in a hotel room. As Kiki tracks down George’s murderer, she discovers his sordid secret life.

Cruel taunts by George’s former flame compel Kiki to spout an unwise threat. When the woman is murdered, Kiki’s scissor-sharp words make her the prime suspect. She could be creating scrapbook keepsakes for the rest of her life-behind bars. Supported by her loyal friends, along with a little help (and a lot of stomach flutters) from the dashing Detective Detweiler, can Kiki cut the true killer out of the picture and design a new life for herself and Anya?

Includes expert scrapbooking tips and techniques, and a coupon for free Snapfish photos.

Joanna Campbell Slan (St. Louis, Missouri) is an international authority in the scrapbooking community. She is the author of over ten books on the subject, and her work has appeared in all of the industry’s top magazines. In 2004, Slan founded a contest for scrapbookers in the U.K called “The Best of British Scrapbooking,” which still runs today. Additionally, Joanna is one of the early Chicken Soup for the Soul authors, and in 2007, she co-founded Sisters in Crime’s Forensic University of St. Louis. You can read Joanna’s blog here:  http://joannaslan.blogspot.com/

Thought I would share some pictures with you of my unbirthday box party.

Michelle 3624

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To:  F CIA  Director #009
From:  F CIA Agent #4014

Date: 13 October 2008

Re:  Fiskateer Operation Code Name: BOW

Assignment:  Create……Inspire……..Have fun.

Report: MISSION ACCOMPLISHED.

Debriefing Report:

A.  Home Décor Project:
Fall Decorative Candles

Supplies:

Small and medium pillar candles
Two candle bases
Two six inch grapevine wreaths
Heidi Grace ribbon, rub ons, flower brads and patterned paper
Acorns
Tombo Glue

Tools:
Fiskars Bow Maker
Fiskars Butterfly paper punch
Glue Gun
Cricut or other Die cut machine

Created two fall decorative candles using the above.  The Fiskars Bow Maker is lightweight and easy to use.  You can layer many combinations of ribbon, flower stems, leaves, twine, etc.  Put in a floral pick or wire to fasten to a project or use a glue gun as I did.  You can tie a ribbon around the staple or tuck a brad with a little glue on it under the top after assembly to hide the staple.  

********************************************************
To:  F CIA  Director #009
From:  F CIA Agent #2068

Date: 13 October 2008

Re:  Fiskateer Operation Code Name: BOW

Assignment:  Create……Inspire……..Have fun.

Report: MISSION ACCOMPLISHED.

Debriefing Report:

Number 1 TIP  USE WIRED RIBBON…if the ribbon does not have wire then the bow is harder to work with and it doesn’t hold a firm shape. In order to complete my research, I obtained a copy of a covert video showing how other rogue agents have utilized this tool. (video here:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVTQF8p4M5s).  Projects completed:  Floral arrangement (great for hiding hidden cameras in) and a card holder (perfect as a place to exchange secret documents)

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This concludes this F.CIA report.  If you are interested in joining the F.CIA, you’ll have to do some detective work to find out where on this site I’ve posted information about our agency (hint:  Try that search feature and look back through my blog posts).  In order to encourage comments on the beautiful projects created by my 2 agents (can you guess who they are?), I am sending out a mystery box to one person who leaves a comment here by midnight PST tonight (Friday the 24th).