Hello & Happy Holidays!

Geesh, I can't believe the last time I posted was November 22... whew... where does the time go? So, is everyone ready for the BIG DAY? I'm not! Still have about 50 cards to make - hoping to get those done today, and shopping, wrapping, cleaning, cooking and everything else. I really LOVE Christmas... I really LOVE Christmas.... I really LOVE Christmas... right?

A stamper buddy blog tagged me, so I thought in the spirit of the season, I would play... but don't anyone else get any ideas... I really do HATE these things... Let's see I have to list 7 unknown or interesting facts about myself and then tag 7 other people.... Hah, hah, ha.... In the interest of the holidays... all of my facts are Christmas-related.

1. I really LOVE Christmas... at least that's what I keep telling myself every year!

2. We always cut our own tree... every year, we bundle up the kids, grab the dog, and trudge out to a tree farm. Then we roam all over the field, arguing over which tree is the right size, shape, etc. We now affectionately call it "The Annual Fight Over the Christmas Tree" trip. Hey... it's a tradition!

3. My kids (ages 7 and 9) still believe, but the effort to maintain the "lie" is really getting difficult. Last year, the question was "so... if Santa makes all the toys and gives them to the children, how come we have to donate toys and things for kids that are less fortunate?" Anyone have a good answer to that?

My lame-o response was... well, Mommies and Daddies have to give Santa money for the gifts... that's why some kids get more/less than others....?!

4. This year's question: "so... how do YOU pay Santa, Mommy?" Oy! I think I'm going to convert to Judaism. Happy Hannukah Everyone!

5. One year, when I was little (maybe 10 or 11), I decided to hunt for my Christmas presents. When I pulled a bag down from the top of my mother's closet, a giant candy cane fell and smashed into a million pieces... (ever seen that... it's just like glass!) I cleaned it up, but the funniest thing was when Christmas Day came, she had forgotten all about it, but the guilt consumed me, and I NEVER hunted for my presents again!

5. My favorite holiday movie is "Merry Christmas Charlie Brown"; my favorite song is The Carpenter's "Merry Christmas Darling."

6. The biggest thing I miss... my Mom & Dad coming to visit for Christmas... and all of us preparing for Christmas dinner on Christmas Eve.

7. My Christmas wish - the strength, patience, and wisdom to help me make it through another year!

Merry Christmas... Froehliche Weihnachten... God Jul... Feliz Navidad... Joyeux Noel... Mele Kalikimaka... Buone Feste Natalizie... Srozhdestvom Kristovym.

Now for the 7 elves I'm tagging:

1. Anna W.
2. Jane B.
3. Leigh O.
4. Lisa S. 'cause I know how much she LOVES this too!
5. Melanie S.
6. Sheryl D.
7. Vicki G.

Happy Birthday Jinnie

Just thought I would share some things that I've been doing since I dropped from the blogger challenges - this is a birthday card for my SIL, Jinnie. Her birthday is 11/24 and she is an avid quilter. So when I found this stamp in a LSS, I quickly snatched it up with her in mind.

It's a simple card with a simple message, but one that speaks from the heart, so I think she will like it. You should see the fabulous totes and bags she makes... I was thrilled to receive one for MY birthday last year... isn't it adorable?

BTW, if you'd like one for your very own... she can whip one up for only $50. They are very sturdy - I carry mine everywhere - filled with stamps to mount, knitting, and usually a magazine or two. If you are interested in getting one, send me an email and I'll contact you.

Card Supplies:
Stamps: Buttons and Patches (B Line Designs, LLC)
Ink: Soft Sky (Stampin' Up!)
Paper: Soft Sky, Naturals White, Old Olive (Stampin' Up), Amy Butler Designer Mat Pad (K&Company)
Access: Paper Piercer & Template, Buttons, Linen Thread

Challenge Week 20

So... did you miss me? Or did anyone even notice I didn't post last week? I have actually officially 'dropped' from the Blogger Challenge Group - it was just too much for me to keep up with. But when I saw the challenge for this week - using photos or magazine pictures - I thought I would jump back in, since (I think) I was the one who suggested this idea to Lisa.

In a former life (before stamping) I used to quilt - that was before cross stitch, which was before knitting, which was before stamping - well, I think you all know what I'm talking about! Anyway, I still adore the art of quilting, even though I don't actually 'do' any now. I attended a local quilt show a few years ago and was captivated by all the color and designs that filled the room. I snapped hundreds of pictures (don't ya just LOVE digital?) with the idea of turning them into cards "one day." And now, that day has come - this was so incredibly simple - Seriously, I tried to spiff it up a little by adding some stamping or punch corners, but anything I did took the focus away from the photo... so basically, it is a photo slapped onto cardstock with a simple saying. I wish you all could have seen this quilt up close - the artist had added beads along the windows and cute little flower sequins just above the row of stars. If you ever have a chance to attend a quilt show, please go see what people do with fabric... it is purely amazing!

Supplies:
Stamps: Punch Pals
Ink: Bashful Blue Marker
Paper: Bashful Blue C/S
Access: Stamp-a-ma-jig

Challenge Week 18 - Designer Series Paper

Well lookie lookie... today is Friday, and my challenge is done and posted... Whew! Why are deadlines so hard to meet?

This week's assignment was to use DSP as the focal point... I was going to be goofy and just slap a piece of paper on a card and stamp a sentiment... but then, as stamping goes, I just HAD to do a little more, then a little more, then... it's still pretty simple, which was my intent, and I don't think the DSP is actually the focal point... but the card is done, posted and on time... hey, can't have everything!

Challenge Week 17 - Inspiration

So, by now, you've figured out that I didn't participate in this challenge... all good intentions laid aside... I just ran out of time getting ready for our trip. Enough with excuses and promises... it is what it is folks... I try my best, but sometimes that's just not good enough.

My life philosophy - forgive or forget and MOVE ON!

Challenge Week 16 - Ornaments

Due October 12
To quote Alice's friend the White Rabbit...

"I'm late... I'm late... For a very important date. No time to say "Hello." Goodbye. I'm late, I'm late, I'm late."

I'm horribly, horribly late!

My sincere apologies... but I'll make up for it - we're going out of town this weekend, so I'll have to post this week's challenge on Thursday!

Supplies
Stamps: Loads of Love, Wild About You, Festive Favorites
Inks: Ballet Blue, Wild Wasabi, Basic Black, Real Red & Choc Chip Markers
Paper: Whisper White C/S
Access: Wild Wasabi Dbl Stitched Ribbon, Silver Cord (retired), Coluzzle, Dimensionals, Crystal Effects, Fake Snow (Michaels), Tin (I've had these for so long, I have no idea where it came from... most likely Michaels or AC Moore. But you can find them online.)

Challenge Week 15

Due October 5 - Use Black & Orange

Hello all ! I was completely uninspired by this week's challenge. It actually was a challenge just to sit down and stamp - what an awful feeling! So, I took the easy way out - I completely CASE'd a card from the catalog... well I changed a couple things, but for the most part I stole the idea on page 28.

Supplies

Stamps: Carved & Candlelit, EFP

Ink: Pumpkin Pie, Basic Black, Always Artichoke

C/S: Pumpkin Pie, Basic Black, Whisper White, Wild Wasabi

Access: Black Gingham Ribbon, Silver Brads, 1 1/4" Square Punch, Dimensionals, Paper Snips