Longevity.

I think its under rated. The older I get, the more I believe it.

Tomorrow I turn 40.

Surreal.

Suddenly, 40 doesn’t feel as old as I used to think it was. Funny how that happens.

So for my 40th birthday, I’ve come up with a list of 40 things I want to do before I turn 40. But I only have one day, you say? True. But I’ll do the most wonderful, amazing things…things I can, and do, so often take for granted…

1. Wake up in a warm, comfy bed.
2. Love on the love of my life.
3. Love on my boys.
4. Know I am loved back.
5. Look out the window at my mountains.
6. Take the medicine that keeps me healthy.
7. Take a hot shower.
8. Choose something to wear out of a closet full of clothes.
9. Hear my kids play.
10. Eat something out of a full pantry.
11. Walk safely past a bathroom that no longer has a millipede (3 or 4 or 100 inches long) in it.
12. Throw a load of laundry in a washing machine that works.
13. Snuggle my puppy.
14. Hit “Publish”, and check the stats on a blog I get to write.
15. Drive a safe car.
16. Enjoy freedom.
17. Go to CKC Mesa with my scrap buddies.
18. Breath.
19. Soak in the yellows, oranges, purples of the blooming desert.
20. Walk.
21. Drink clean water.
22. Smile.
23. Get inspired by amazingly creative people.
24. Be at peace.
25. See the sun shining.
26. Not get lost in Phoenix, thanks to the Google Maps app.
27. Be two places at once via text updates on the little league game I’m missing.
28. Visit scrapbook stores in Phoenix.
29. Laugh.
30. Come home to a secure, beautiful home.
31. Park in the garage.
32. Show off the scrapbooking loot to a very interested (?) husband.
33. Fall into a warm, comfy bed.
34. Thank God for loving me.
35. Thank God for my husband, who has dared me to grow and take risks and grounded me at the very same time.
36. Thank God for three strong, healthy children.
37. Thank God for a father who loved me unconditionally and taught me I was priceless.
38. Thank God for good friends.
39. Sleep.
40. And last but not least. offer you a giveaway from a very generous and note-worthy company…

X-ACTO makes a great product. Talk about longevity, take a look at the little trimmer I’ve been using for 12 years…and still use today:

Its been through some rough times, but its still going strong.

Now take a look at this Cadillac of trimmers:

Somethin’ huh? The X-ACTO 12″ Wood Base Laser Trimmer is the perfect stationary trimmer for paper crafters and scrapbookers. X-ACTO sent me one unit to review a few months ago and I can tell you it is by far the most heavy duty and precise trimmer I have ever used.

This guillotine style trimmer bosts an industrial grade laser to ensure that your cuts are accurate to the micrometer, a heavy duty wood base and a locking paper guide.

And the Perpetual Edge self-sharpening system guarantees a clean, perfect edge every time. This is one reason I like guillotine style trimmers…they last for what seems like forever.

Not surprisingly, this blade is sharp. There are several safety systems built in, such as the spring loaded finger guard and the locking handle that only opens when you push the button in with your thumb. But I would caution you…if you have little ones around, keep this out of reach. Better safe than sorry!

The 12″ Wood Base Laser Trimmer retails for around $86. It’s an investment…but a very, very good one.

Ready for the fun part?? In celebration of my 40th birthday, and thanks to X-ACTO, I am giving away one 12″ Wood Base Laser Trimmer to a Confessions of a Cropaholic reader!

Here’s how to enter:

1. Comment on this post telling me what you would use the 12″ Wood Base Laser Trimmer for most…paper crafting? scrapbooking? school projects? office projects?
2. For extra entries, tweet about this giveaway up to once a day and/or subscribe to this blog.
3. Entries must be made by Saturday, May 1 at 11:59 p.m. MST.

Good luck cropaholics!

I love when art and technology get married and have a baby. Like the Cricut, or the Gypsy and the (drumroll, please) Wacom Bamboo Craft Tablet. I’m a total sucker for technology, especially when it involves the world of creative arts.

I was lucky enough to get to review the new Bamboo Craft Pen & Touch Tablet by Wacom. I’ve used a pen tablet for my work in the past and let me tell you, this technology has come a long way. Many of the graphics I created in my digi graphics shop where created with the Bamboo Craft. If you have any inclination to do digital scrapbooking, you should think about making an investment in this wonderful tool. The Bamboo Craft Pen & Touch retails for around $129.

How about a quick introduction to the Bamboo Craft…

Some Helpful Links:

Installing Bamboo Fun On A PC

Installing Bamboo Fun On A Mac

penscrappers.com/learning-center

Starting with the Bamboo Fun

Bamboo: What Is Pressure Sensitivity?

I plam on doing many more detailed tutorials on the Bamboo in the future, so check back often, or even better, subscribe!

Now for the really fun part…Wacom has generously offered one Bamboo Craft Pen & Touch Tablet to one lucky Confessions of a Cropaholic reader. Sweet huh? Here’s how to enter:

1. Comment on this post telling me if you have ever used a pen tablet before.
2. For extra entries, tweet about this giveaway up to once a day and/or subscribe to this blog.
3. Entries must be made by Friday, April 16 at 11:59 p.m. MST.

Good luck cropaholics!

Its easy.

Its affordable.

Its fun.

It offers photo embellishments, page elements, digi characters, flowers, cute birdies, bling bling…and more added regularly.

Its for everyone…digital scrappers, hybrid scrappers, new scrappers.

Its the Digi Graphics Shoppe.

Enjoy.