Happy New Year!

Loving Tree

The Inspiration challenge came from a site called Embroidery Everywhere.  I chose a wonderful tree with leaves, but as you can see, I traded the leaves for hearts.

The image is a retired set from TAC, and just begged for some hearts to make it a Valentine.

Mom and I are well on our way to half of our February cards.  This is my favorite time of year - NOT the winter, of course, but making so many cards in my favorite color!!



I really liked the IC site, and went back and made another card.  This time in orange, a color I seldom use.  It happens to be my BFF's favorite, though, so she will get this sooner or later.

Tonight is New Year's Eve, and we will be doing a little celebrating with Mom and friends by going to an early buffet, playing cards, and hoping to stay awake until 10.  We have some Asti in the fridge, and that will be it.  This year had flown.  Make it a safe night for yourself, and see you in 2012!!

Little RED Dress

For a double challenge today.......QFTD and F4A.


Our Queen, Jen, is the hostess for the CAS every week, so of course I had to make a CAS card.

The Free 4 All is to make a card with a party dress, and you would expect me to wear RED, right?  Hence this beautiful paper pieced couture item!!


We celebrate New Year's Eve with the same couple every year.  We eat here, or go out to eat (which we will do this year), then play cards until we get tired (which is about 9 o'clock!), have a quick glass of Asti Spumonte, and say good bye.  Our carousing days are long over!!  Hope you have fun plans wherever you are.

Geraniums

The challenge today at SCS was to use beads.  I seldom use any kind of bead, even though I have a lot of different kinds.  This was a good challenge for me.  My micro-beads had been languishing in a drawer forever.  Here they are on the pot of geraniums.

The image is one that encourages the use of tiny flower punches.  Here's another thing I don't do very often.  The image is two years old, and has never seen ink until today.

I'm still dealing with a sore muscle under my ribs, so I'm taking it easy for the rest of the day.  Hope you are all fine, and enjoying a respite from work!  Hugs to all.

Tuesday Challenges

Above is the card for the Color Challenge........two shades of blue.  Simple and easy!
Below is the Teapot challenge, and the inspiration was a leopard teapot that was shaped like a purse.  We paper pieced the image, I hope you can see the different layers.

I pulled a muscle in my ribcage, doing something I shouldn't have been doing, and I'm really sore.  I'm having trouble breathing, and sleeping is tough.  This too shall pass!  Have a great day!

Christmas Thank You Cards

The challenge at SCS this morning was to make easy thank you cards for Boxing Day.  These will go to family who thought enough of us to give us just what would make us smile!  They could easily be reproduced if we had to send out LOTS!  Hope your day yesterday was as fun as ours was!

Christmas is Over!

Everyone has gone home.  Here are the pictures of the whole family!!!

All the girls:

 All the guys (minus David, who is sick.Boo!)

 All the Grands and Great Gramma

 Tommy in his "Fedora"

Oh those teen girls! 

Nate in his Christmas pajamas 

 Sarah and Amy

 And Handsome DH

Merry Christmas!

 Today is Christmas!  It came so fast!!!

We are waiting for the family to arrive.  Mom and I had time to do a card today for the Featured Stamper, Iwona Palamountain.  Her gallery is filled with beautiful layouts, and fabulous embellishments!

Changing the theme, we made Valentine cards, as all the Christmas cards went out the first of the month.

Below is the Valentine we made yesterday.........can you tell I love making these cards??

Have a happy day.  See you tomorrow.

Valentine for Barbara

Today our QFTD is Barbara Dwyer.  She makes beautiful cards, and casing her is a delight.  I saved a bunch of them to case at a later date.

I changed the theme of her card to a Valentine.  Mom and I are in full swing with RED cards.......and you just know how much I love making them!!

Rain last night and today didn't keep DH and me from enjoying the hot tub.  We were talking about how much fun it will be when it snows, but HE is not ready for having to shovel out the tub!!  Not my job!

Have a great day.  We are ready for Christmas....all the food is here except for what DGD Erin and DSIL Tom are bringing.  Hope you are ready too.  Hugs to you all.  Be safe and happy!

Bear and Balloons

Moving on with valentines, this is a digital image from Sliekje, who gives away at least one of her digi drawings every week.  Mom and I are one card closer to having February cards done.

DS Paul is having hip surgery today......cross your fingers it goes well.  He's tired of having his surgeon virtually LIVE with him, although the meds are GOOD!  (I'll have what he's having! LOL!)  DH is taking him to the hospital while DDIL teaches.  They came last night with DGS Jake, as they won't be coming for Christmas.  We all hope this surgery will be the last, and that Paul will have relief, FINALLY!

Have a great day.  Our shopping and wrapping is done. Hope you're not out there with the last minute crazies.  Hugs to you all.

Think Pink

On the phone with DD today, she asked what the sketch was, and what I had used as a  panel image.  When I told her pink crocuses, she laughed, and said she thought I was trying to skip Winter entirely.  Works for me!!

The last Christmas gift arrived yesterday and is wrapped, so I guess we are ready.  We will celebrate tonight with DS Paul, Debbie, and grandson Jake.  Paul is having hip surgery tomorrow, so will be unable to be here, of course.  Since it's also Hannukah, Jake will be glad to get his C/H gift early, and not have to wait.  I think Debbie and Jake may pop in on Christmas, to deliver Cousin gifts, and receive as well.

We are apparently NOT going to have a white Christmas after all, and I am so glad, although the snow is always beautiful.  This way, we can all be together without the worry of bad driving.  Hope you are hunkered down for your own holiday, and that it will be wonderful.  Hugs to you all.

Gingerbread Hello

This card was made for two challenges today at SCS.  One was the color challenge, the other was Teapot Tuesday (theme: gingerbread).

Mom and I got really smart and combined them in an easy CAS card.  We thought with the "Hello" we could use it for practically any reason.  The little teeny weeny punch of the guy has outstretched arms that could be a welcome or a hug.

On to other things........

We have decided to revamp our plans for Christmas dinner.  I am too tired to do all the Swedish cooking this year, and Paul and his family will not be with us as he is having hip surgery on the 22nd.  Chicken will be fine.

Mom and I are off for a little pampering.  We are REALLY in need of pedicures.  Last night we became Pinkless and Blueless.  Wonder what funny colors we will deal with today??

Hope you're planning a fun day too.  See you soon.

Valentines

Today was the day to start making valentine cards.  Enough with the Winter and Christmas.  When you make LOTS of them, you get tired of the same old images and colors.  The challenges today were to make a shaker card and to follow the sketch for a Clean and Simple Card.  I hope you like them.  I'm so happpy to be using my RED again (without gold and green!)  Have a great day!

Inspiration Challenge - West End

 

These cards were inspired by recycled items for sale at West End. There were beautiful ceramic pots in different colors holding white tulips, and pinecone Christmas tree ornaments.  I think  you can figure out which is which.

Today DD and DSIL will be here with the grands.  Apparently Tommy and John got VERY short haircuts, and their mother is in the doghouse for it!  DGD Erin still has her long hair, so mom has at least one person on her side!!  We haven't seen them all for a while, I guess since Thanksgiving, so this is a treat for us.  They will be here for Christmas, as well as eldest DS and family.  Middle son Paul is having hip surgery on the 22nd (again), so will not be here, but we hope to see Debbie, and son Jake for a small part of the day.

We are invited out for lunch today, and will watch some football until family arrives.  Just a fun day for us.  Hope you are having a fun day too!  Hhugs to you all.

Dried Winter Flowers

This card is a case of Christine's (whim6915), our QFTD.  It's also for the Free for All, to make a card of winter flowers.  In my garden, everything is dead, of course.  The only blooms there are are dried blooms that never got cleaned up for Fall and Winter!  Hence the dried arrangment done in gold embossing.

Have a great day.  Thanks to those of you who joined me for the Blog Hop!

Blog Hop Day 3 - New Pines

Hello! Welcome to Mark's Finest Papers a Heinrich Company's November Blog Hop!

This month's New Stamp Set Releases are

Pucker Up Featured December 13

Pussy Willows Featured December 14
Ice and Snow Featured December 14

New Pines Featured December 15

Please hop along with us! You have a chance to win one of the above stamp sets! Just comment on the following blogs (don't forget this one), each day for more chances to win! We will announce all four winners on December 16, 2011 on the Mark's Finest Papers blog. You can go back and comment if you missed a day. The winners will be chosen at 11PM EST on Thursday December 15, 2011.
Here is the DT.  Check out their samples using this new set,  New pines:

Lois
Vicky
Anne - That's me!
Connie
Linda
Karen H.
Patty P.
Geri
Dawn M.
Marilynn
Chrissy
Karen K.
Pam
Debbie
Brenda T
Bonnie
Harriet
Tammylee
Silvia
Mark's Finest Papers

Here's my sample:

Here are two I made as  Sneak Peeks and posted:                                                   

 

Thanks for joining us, and good luck to you all!

Blog Hop Day 2 - Pussy Willows and Ice and Snow

Hello! Welcome to Mark's Finest Papers a Heinrich Company's November Blog Hop!

This month's New Stamp Set Releases are

Pucker Up Featured December 13

Pussy Willows Featured December 14
Ice and Snow Featured December 14

New Pines Featured December 15

Please hop along with us! You have a chance to win one of the above stamp sets! Just comment on the following blogs (don't forget this one), each day for more chances to win! We will announce all four winners on December 16, 2011 on the Mark's Finest Papers blog. You can go back and comment if you missed a day. The winners will be chosen at 11PM EST on Thursday December 15, 2011.
Here are the DT's samples.  Mine are at the bottom.

Lois
Vicky
Anne - That's me!
Connie
Linda
Karen H.
Patty P.
Geri
Dawn M.
Marilynn
Chrissy
Karen K.
Pam
Debbie
Brenda T
Bonnie
Harriet
Tammylee
Silvia
Mark's Finest Papers

Here are my samples of PussyWillows

This one was posted as a Sneak Peek:

And this one is an outrageous case of a card by Linda Bullard.  Linda, I couldn't help myself!!!        

Here are some samples of Ice and Snow:                                                                             

Please join us again tomorrow for our LAST day!

Blog Hop Day 1 - Pucker Up

Hello! Welcome to Mark's Finest Papers a Heinrich Company's November Blog Hop!

This month's New Stamp Set Releases are

Pucker Up Featured December 13

Pussy Willows Featured December 14
Ice and Snow Featured December 14

New Pines Featured December 15

Please hop along with us! You have a chance to win one of the above stamp sets! Just comment on the following blogs (don't forget this one), each day for more chances to win! We will announce all four winners on December 16, 2011 on the Mark's Finest Papers blog. You can go back and comment if you missed a day. The winners will be chosen at 11PM EST on Thursday December 15, 2011.

Below are the members of the DT - please check out what they have done, and then see mine below theirs!

Lois

Vicky
Anne
Connie
Linda
Karen H.
Patty P.
Geri
Dawn M.
Marilynn
Chrissy
Karen K.
Pam
Debbie
Brenda T
Bonnie
Harriet
Tammylee
Silvia
Mark's Finest Papers


Here's my sample of Pucker Up for the Blog Hop.  Under it is one I made as a Sneak Peek!

Please join us again tomorrow!

Two Blue! - and a Brick Theme

These cards use MFP - A Heinrich Co. images.  The doorway has icicles from Ice and Snow, which will be released toomorrow.  Please join me here for the BLOG HOP>

The butterfly card was an additional card in honor of Peggy McCurry, our FS, using Brick Wall.

The doorway uses the T.H. ef, Bricks, so I guess they both are brick related.

Pats won yesterday, but it wasn't pretty!  Cross your fingers for next week against the Broncos!, and have a great day today...............13 days to Christmas.

For Peggy McCurry, our FS!

My Paper Doll friend, Peggy, is this week's Featured Stamper.  Yay!!  I cased a card of hers done in shades of brown, changing the colors to orange (which I seldom use), and adding a ribbon and bow.   Mom and I are happy with how it came out.

Patriots today.......see you tomorrow!

Peace Dove

You know of course we are done with Christmas cards, and they have all been sent out, but I have had this idea in my head for a while, and only got to it today.  As I was looking at the site for the Inspiration Challenge, I saw a white dove, so it had to be made.  And of course you also know it had to have a RED background.  How else could you really see the doves??????

This will be in my Christmas card stash for next year.  Never too early to start!!  Have a great day.

A Thankyou and a challenge combo

This card was made for the QFTD and F4A challenges at SCS.  When it was done, Mom and I decided it would be a great Thankyou card for her neighbors who sent some gorgeous Christmas Cactus plants, that are just FULL of blossoms.  They will be bursting into bloom shortly, and will really add some sparkle to the holidays to come.

Hairdresser this AM for Mom, and then a Shingles shot.  She's doing really well, but never needs to get the darn shingles again!!!  Have a great day, from both of us!

Enjoy Your Day

Mom and I made a generic card this morning using the challenge on SCS to stencil.  That's something we haven't done in a VERY long time!  We used a negative of a die cut, sponged, and added the butterfly from MFP's "I'd Pick You".

The rain is over, but the wind still howls.  Guess we're in for the day.  I gather we will be spending MORE time in the craft room!  Have a good one too.

Sneak Peek- PussyWillows

There will be a BLOG HOP here next week on Tuesday through Thursday.  New releases will be featured.  Be sure to come!  This is one of the new sets, and I think you're gonna love them!

Rain, raiin all day, but better than SNOW!!  Have a good one!

Sneak Peek of New Pines and Wild Santa

My card for the CC today uses the new set, New Pines, that will be released next week by Mark's Finest Papers - A Heinrich Co.  I needed one extra card for a friend who lost her husband of 50 years last month.  Inside it says "Peace".  I think that says it all. 

The teapot challenge today involved a Santa teapot with Leopard trim on his suit.  I went one better, and gave him whole suit of it!!  This will hold a check for one of the older Grands.  The word Wild came from Big Cats, and the Santa from Snowball?, both MFP.

Thanks for looking.

Birthday Bear and Butterfly - buttons!

Today I combined two challenges, the CAS (twine) and TLC (buttons).  Simple easy card, after a busy weekend.  We saw friends who came here for dinner and cards, and DD and DGD after her Irish Dance competition where she got a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd!!

Edit:  Added a second button card, using MFP's "I'd Pick You Mini Stamp Set".

Have a fun day.  We are off to the Dr. for a checkup this afternoon for Mom, and football again tonight!  I'll catch up with you during the in-betweens!

Kudos!

 Today was a aday of casing other stamper's cards.  The tag is a case of Lois (Clownmom), using her card to make a tag.

Below is a case of Wendy (our Queen For The Day), keeping her tree theme, but making a sympathy card.  I hope both of you girls like what I did!!

That's it for me.  Have a fun day!