Happy Holidays

Happy Holidays!

Hard to believe that Christmas is right around the corner!

The kids finish up school today and then have a bunch of stuff going on tomorrow!

This holiday season has been so much fun with all the parties and get to togethers!

We are anxious to get to my brothers for the holiday...we can't wait!

I whipped a couple of presents for coaches and teachers.

While I love gift cards, I love to give something homemade with it!

This year I opted to make a Candy Cane Dip.

Oh my is it super easy and fabulous!

I made a jar topper and then a tag to go with it.

I forgot to take pictures of the Christmas cards... silly me!

I wish each and everyone of you a wonderful holiday season with your family.

I will see you back in 2013!

 

Day of Silence

While my blog has been silence for a little bit due to the business of the season, there is now a bigger reason for the silence.

 

I am having trouble wrapping my head around what has happened in Sandy Hook.  My thoughts and prayers go out to all of the families.  I am so fortunate that I get to hugs my kids every night, attend all there sport/school events and do all the little mothering things that must be done, others are not so fortunate.  I count my blessings on a daily basis.

 

 

Tuesday, December 18th, there will be a blogger day of silence. We will post the button and that's it. Please try to not post anything else that day if possible.

We are also raising money that will go to an organization in the memory of this tragedy. The organization is called The Newtown Family Youth and Family Services. Here is the official description of the support service we are donating to:

"Newtown Youth and Family Services, Inc. is a licensed, non-profit, mental health clinic and youth services bureau dedicated to helping children and families achieve their highest potential. NYFS provides programs, services, activities, counseling, support groups and education throughout the Greater Newtown area.

ANY DONATIONS MADE TO NEWTOWN YOUTH AND FAMILY SERVICES WILL BE DONATED DIRECTLY TO THOSE EFFECTED BY THE SANDY HOOK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL SHOOTING."

Please visit THIS PAGE to make your donation.

We can't imagine how they must be feeling, especially this close to the holidays. We would love for you to spread the word on your own blog, Facebook, Twitter, etc. Let's make a difference and use blogging in a positive way. Thank you in advance for participating.

Love,
The Blog World

 

 

Big Birthday Wishes

These crazy kids are growing up way too fast!

Yesterday it was my nephew's birthday... he is 13!

Here is the card I made for him which of course included an Itunes card!

Happy Birthday big guy, we can't wait to see you at Christmas!

Babies....

It has actually been several months now that a good friend had twins!

I was waiting to take them their gift because it included several dinners and

 Mom wanted to wait until she went back to work.

So after getting everything made, I made this cute card for their bundles of joy!

Enjoy!

10 Things to be Thankful for.....

As another Thanksgiving approaches, it gives me pause to think about all of the things that I am thankful for.

• My parents.  While we live in the same town, we don't see them on a daily basis but they are always one phone call away.  They are an enormous source of inspiration and some of the most unselfish people I know.  They inspire me daily in so many ways.
• Kids.  While my kids are extremely busy, we are so blessed because they are happy and healthy.  They have great friends, are talented in sports and school and are super funny.  Because they are twins, they have this relationship that really cannot be explained in words but are just a delight to watch.
• Work.  While that may seem funny, especially since I only work part time but my students inspire me daily with the challenges that they are able to overcome.  Whether they are my 3 year old Head Start kids or my college kiddos, they challenge me.
• My Husband.  Not only is he an incredible provider, he is super talented and has turned our shell of a house into an incredible home. He is super dedicated to his family and the reason that I love waking up everyday.
• Music.  We listen to a ton of music in this house.  The TV is rarely on, except for football season, so music is awesome.  We love to play it loud and use it as source of inspiration.
• My House.  Almost three years ago we started renovating our "new" house.  It has turned into an incredible place where we have made so many memories and can't wait to see what the future holds!
• Friends.  I have some of the most amazing friends.  We are all so busy but we always make time for each other.  Whether it is a glass of wine, a manicure or just to chat. Friends, people you can always count on.
• Faith.  While I rarely mention faith on this blog, it is something so important to me and my family.  We wouldn't be where we are today if the blessings from the man above were not so fruitful.  God is good and we are so blessed.
• Blogging Friends.  While my blog has been quiet lately, mostly because at this season in my life there is little time to craft, my blogging friends are always there for inspiration and kind words.

I wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving with your family and friends.

Daughter

A couple of weeks ago my daughter turned 11!

Gasp..where does the time go!

She had a terrific day and of course lots more fun on the weekend with all of her friends!

Here is the card I made for her.

She loves green and purple and nothing too girly!

To my sweet and incredibly talented daughter...I love you to the moon and back.

Happy Halloween

 

 

 

 

Isn't this just the cutest from the Girls at Eighteen25?!

Have a terrific Halloween!

 

 

Son

So my kiddos had their 11th birthday yesterday!

I can hardly believe that they are so old!

Time has just flown by!

As typical our Wednesday night was crazy, so we just had a little celebration but

will finish up with family this weekend.

This is the card I made for my son.

I love making masculine cards and I love how this one turned out!

Happy Birthday kiddos!

Love you to the moon and back!

Enjoy!

Birthdays

Tis the season for birthdays.

The beginning of September starts us off on a journey of numerous birthdays.

First up was my Mom's, however, I forgot to take a picture of her card!

Next up was my brother.

Here is his card. 

I love the masculine touches that the argyle stamp allows me.

Plus the color combination makes me happy.

Hope everyone has a terrific weekend!

Thanks

Happy Friday!

We are so excited about the weekend.

Not that it is ever quiet around her but it certainly is not as busy as past weekends!

Today's card uses one of my most favorite sets: Through the Trees.

When I am stumbling with my mojo I always go back to this one!

Have a terrific weekend!

Enjoy!

Sending Prayers

Whew...it has been a long time between posts!

Life has been incredible hectic. 

Our family has been so busy with the start of school and all of the activities!

All good but super busy.

Our family has also experienced the passing of a couple of dear friends.

So dealing with the loss has been a struggle.

Below is one of the sympathy cards that I made.

The card base is actually purple, the lighting sure made it dark!

Hope to get back in the saddle again!

Enjoy!

9/11

"Remember all those who died on 9/11 including 343 NYFD, 23 NYPD and 37 Port authority officers. Also those heroes on Flight 93 who saved countless lives in D.C. RI.P all those 2,996 people who died in New York City, Shanksville Pennsylvania and Arlington County, Virginia . You are not forgotten." Quoted from my 14 year old nephew.

 

God Bless America, United We Stand.

 

 

Papertrey Princess Challenge

Papertrey Princess Challenge.

It is my time again to host the new challenge.

While I made a card for the latest challenge (I have yet to post it) it got me thinking about my challenge.

I opted to challenge everyone to use a stamp and die set that you have not used in a long time.

This seemed relatively easy to me since I have not been stamping much lately

and certainly not been using dies!

I dug through my supplies and opted for Tea for Two Additions.

I don't know when the last time was I used this set!

I love the little tea cup and had fun stamping in canyon clay.

I also thought that the sentiment is perfect!

I added a flourish in the background in Kraft and some rhinestones I colored with copics.

I can't wait to see everyone's take on the challenge!

Enjoy!

Thank you!

I decided to go bright and bold with this card.

As summer comes to a close, I find myself moving towards earth tone colors,

so this is a nice change of pace!

Hope your week is great!

Miss You

Hello!

I can't believe that it is already Saturday!

Where has the week gone?

Well with work and lots of time at the beach, the week does get away from you!

We are busy trying to squeeze out every drop summer.

School starts in less than two weeks.

I have one kid that is excited and one not..go figure!

Today's card is a miss you card.

I wanted to use up some scraps, so I opted for all green with a punch of pink.

I love how it turned out.

Have a great weekend!



Hello There

Happy Friday!

While I am glad it is the weekend, I came to the realization yesterday that school starts in 3 weeks!

Yikes!  Where has the summer gone!  I am not ready!

I made this cute card for my dear great cousin.

I have some pictures I need to mail her, so I decided to make her a card.

I used one of the die cuts Marybeth sent me with the cute birch tree behind.

I love how it turned out!

Have a terrific weekend!

Enjoy!

Back from Vacation!

Well after being on the road for the last week, it feels good to be home!

We had a fantastic trip that including a skating competition, my husbands whole family,

a major amusement park, Niagara Falls and so much in between!

It has been a wild ride!

I made this card for my brother and his family who hosted us for multiple days.

Our kids and theirs had such a great time! 

So much that we will see them again in just another week!

I love that they are back in the country after 3 years of being away!

Happy Monday and here is to a terrific week!

Enjoy!

Thanks

When my friend Marybeth sent me the tree die cuts,

she included this cute window die.

I had some trouble deciding what to do because

I didn't want to use the tree die and the window together off the bat.

So I opted to use A wreath for all seasons.

I love how the wreath peaks through the window and adds some color.

I added a strip of orange and a button for some color.

I love how it turned out!

Thanks again Marybeth for the die cuts, I can't wait to use the rest!

Enjoy!

Blog Friendships

I am amazed everyday but the incredible talent of my fellow cardmakers!

I am even more amazed with how generous these ladies are!

I have received two wonderful surprises in the mail the last couple of weeks.

The first was from Marybeth 

She has amazing talent!

She sent me some die cuts in the mail.

The first one was this tree.

I added some script to it, added leaves and a sentiment.

of course I added twine and a button.

I love how it turned out!

Enjoy!



Furniture and comedians

A couple of months ago, my parents so graciously had a chair recovered for me.

While the chair doesn't look like much, it was my Grandfathers, so it is cherished.

With the new fabric, it is like a brand new chair and so comfortable.

The gentleman that recovers furniture for my Mom is amazing!

Over the weekend I covered the cute little footstool.

We absolutely love it! Thanks again Mom and Dad!

Last night I have never laughed so much!

We had a huge group of friends join us for dinner before heading out to see Jeff Dunham.

If you have not heard of him, he is the gentleman that is a ventriloquist!

He is hilarious and of course our company was just as funny!

My sides still hurt from laughing!

What a fantastic night!

Enjoy!

Friendship

Last week while my kids were having a blast at camp and getting totally dirty,

I took some time away from work to hang out with one of my dearest friends.

We spent all day shopping and catching up.

She lives about an hour from me but getting together is sometimes nearly impossible!

We only made three stops, one of those being lunch but it didn't matter!

We both found some incredible items at the antique store!

I bought something for her that I she couldn't get in her little town,

so I decided to include a cute little card.

She is a huge fan of sunflowers so it was a no brainer!

Enjoy!

Babies

Tis the season for babies. 

Not my own but I have friends that are having babies like crazy...must be something in the water!

The first card I made is for a dear family that lives in Wisconsin.

We don't get to see them that often but darn they are the cutest!

They just had their 4th late last month!

He is so cute and will fit just perfectly into their family.

Here is the card that I made for them.

I love using argyle for little boys!

More baby cards to come, including one for twins!

The kids are at camp all day but I am trying to get a lot of work done

since I have done little since they got home from school!

Enjoy the beginning of the week!

Friends, water, staying cool and Thank you!

What a wild ride this week has been!

We got all of the 4H projects in, now our object is staying cool!

As we head into another week of temperatures in the 90's,

we are spending our days with friends at the pool or lake.

Where there is cool water, we are there!

Even the ice rink feels great these days!

So as my blog remains a little quiet during these dog days of summer,

trust me when I say we are having fun!

My card today is a thank you note for a dear friend.

I continue to love the aqua and brown together!

I stamped the sentiment in Kraft ink, it photographed funky,

know that it looks much better in person!

Have a safe 4th of July!

Skate Indy 2012 part 2

Where has this week gone?

We have been busy finishing up 4H projects and enjoying the heat!

My daughter has a blast in Indy last week!

All of her teammates skated great and placed well!

Abby skated 3 events including a new one that she thoroughly enjoyed!

Enjoy a few pictures of her and hopefully I can find my craft room soon!

Have a great weekend!